COLLECTIVE MADNESS Soft despotism is a term coined by Alexis de Tocqueville describing the state into which a country overrun by "a network of small complicated rules" might degrade. Soft despotism is different from despotism (also called 'hard despotism') in the sense that it is not obvious to the people." Welcome Guest! You Are Here: A Russian Soyuz rocket launched an unpiloted cargo ship toward the International Space Station today (Feb. 13), kicking off a two-day delivery mission to the orbiting laboratory. The Soyuz 2.1a rocket and the cargo ship Progress 69 lifted off at 3:13 a.m. EST (0813 GMT) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, carrying about 3 tons of supplies for space station astronauts. The successful launch came two days after an unspecified problem triggered an abort in the final minute of an earlier launch try Sunday (Feb. 11). "Less than 10 minutes after launch, the resupply ship reached preliminary orbit and deployed its solar arrays and navigational antennas as planned," NASA officials said in a statement. [How Russia's Progress Cargo Ships Work (Infographic)] The Progress 69 cargo ship is now on track to arrive at the International Space Station early Thursday (Feb. 15). The spacecraft is scheduled to dock at the aft end of the station's Russian-built Zvezda Service Module at 5:43 a.m. EST (1043 GMT) Thursday. A Russian Soyuz rocket launches the Progress 69 cargo ship from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Feb. 13, 2018. Progress 69 is carrying 3 tons of supplies to the International Space Station. (Image credit: Roscosmos/Space Center Yuzhny) Russia's Roscosmos space agency initially tried to launch Progress 69 on Sunday and attempt a new superfast flight plan that would send the cargo ship to the space station in just 3.5 hours. But an automated abort in the last minute of the countdown prevented that launch try. A similar abort prevented a previous cargo ship, Progress 68, from attempting the fast-track flight last October. In recent years, Russia's Progress vehicles and Soyuz crew capsules have typically taken about 6 hours to reach the space station due to the orbital mechanics of those flights. Earlier in the station's history, Soyuz and Progress flights regularly took two days. That two-day flight profile is the one Progress 69 is following for its mission. Progress 69 is packed with food, science gear and other vital supplies for the six-person Expedition 54 crew on the International Space Station. That cargo includes 3,128 lbs. (1,418 kilograms) of spare parts and other supplies; 1,940 lbs. (880 kg) of propellant; 53 lbs. (24 kg) of air; and 48 lbs. (21 kg) of oxygen. NASA will webcast Progress 69's arrival at the space station Thursday. You can watch that webcast live here, courtesy of NASA, beginning at 5 a.m. EST (1000 GMT). Email Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com or follow him @tariqjmalik and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. Snowfall is crucial to Earth's life-giving water cycle, and fresh snow is a special bonus to Olympic athletes whose careers depend on sliding, gliding or jumping over it. To provide the gold-medal hopefuls with forecasts every 6 hours and improve snow-prediction models for mountainous terrains, NASA has partnered with 20 agencies from about a dozen countries to collect weather data during the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, according to a recent statement from the space agency. The World Wildlife Fund estimates that one out of every eight people lives in the world's mountains, and according to NASA, one in six relies on the water released by seasonal snowfall collecting in the mountains. Winter wonderlands are vital, but for many people during these next few weeks, fresh powder will feel even more important. Most nations have their eyes on the dramatic snow-capped mountains around Pyeongchang to watch their most-talented skiers and snowboarders go for gold. [In Photos: South Korea from Above] During the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, NASA will make observations and experimental, real-time snow forecasts at 16 points near Olympic event venues every 6 hours and then relay the data to Olympic officials. (Image credit: Joy Ng, NASA Goddard/NASA Marshall) So to compare the weather experienced in the mountains with satellite and radar predictions, an international team of researchers, which includes several NASA scientists, will predict event weather by partnering with the World Meteorological Organization's World Weather Research Programme. NASA will participate in this project, called ICE-POP (International Collaborative Experiments for Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games) until the end of the 2018 Paralympic Games, on March 18. According to NASA, land-based radar instruments are typically placed in easily accessible areas on even land. But not all areas of Earth are easy to access; jagged, uneven terrain like that in northeast South Korea presents a challenge, and for NASA, it's an opportunity to improve prediction models. Vertical drops on the hills are common, too, and these can cause swift wind changes. Wind speed is especially important for athletes like mogul skiers, who zoom down bumpy slopes at high velocities. Airflow, altitude and temperature can also affect the size of the snowflakes, which influences outdoor sporting conditions. The GPM Core Observatory scans the weather with microwaves and two bands of radar. [ See how the GPM Core Observatory Satellite works in this Space.com infographic (Image credit: By Karl Tate, Infographics Artist) Satellites like the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission are important for water-cycle forecasts. However, it's sometimes difficult for the satellite to assess the size and shape of the snowflakes because the changes are caused by airflows that quickly change direction a phenomenon that develops closer to the creviced surface. Rates of mountain snowfall are also challenging to predict from space because wind conditions can change quickly, and when that happens, snowflakes don't fall at the same speed. Plus, the flat structure of snowflakes makes their movements challenging to observe from space, NASA officials said. The researchers are hoping for a few good snowstorms, according to the statement. They'll compare observations from NASA's Dual-frequency, Dual-polarized, Doppler Radar (D3R) system with those from the GPM Core Observatory satellite. By comparing the models with the observations, researchers hope to get a better prediction model of snowfall on the mountains and more clearly understand how it falls. NASA deployed the Dual-frequency, Dual-polarized, Doppler Radar (D3R) system to measure the quantity and types of falling snow at the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. A Colorado State University engineering team supports the system's radar development, maintenance and games operations. The animation here shows the D3R system rotating to change its viewpoint. (Motion is not in real time.) (Image credit: NASA/Colorado State University) NASA will take observations and deliver snow forecasts from 16 points near the Olympic event venues. The NASA team will work alongside U.S. colleagues from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Center for Atmospheric Research and Colorado State University. The data is communicated to Olympic officials so that competition logistics can take the weather into account. The GPM Core Observatory satellite is a joint mission between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and is designed to detect falling snow and estimate rates of rainfall from space. Every 30 minutes, GPM provides global maps of precipitation. To do so, the satellite works alongside 12 other international and U.S. spacecraft. Follow Doris Elin Salazar on Twitter @salazar_elin. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. A weekly feature highlighting the best quotes on TV as picked by the Spoiler TV team. We'd love to hear your picks too so please sound off in the comments below. The Alienist - 1. Moore: "The water was innocent, Caroline. It wasn't rough seas so much as an unsteady sailor." 2. Sara: "They don't have the appetite to approach matters from this new perspective of yours: the why rather than the what." Kreizler: "Every new thinker is condemned at first by those for whom change is more terrifying than the murder of children." 3. Moore: "I'm sorry you had to see such a thing." Sara: "I've seen death before, but never like that." 4. Lucious: "The rich will always choose dead children over social scandal." 5. Moore: "How about those secret panels you use to rob clients?" Sally: "You clients rob yourself when you walk in the door." (Laura B) Counterpart - 1. Baldwin [to Howard]: "You think you're better than him, but someday you'll find out what I mean. You cannot escape who you are." (Milo M-J) Dynasty - 1. Colhain [to Fallon]: "I love you." (Joel Leaver) The Flash - 1. Iris: "You're home." Barry: "You're my home." (Naomi Anna) Fresh Off the Boat - 1. Bryson: I had no choice but to detain him for having unpermitted doves. Louis: Doves? But walking in a mesh tank top with fireworks is okay. Bryson: Its Florida. That image was almost our state flag. 2. Emery: Happy Year of the Tiger, dad. Louis: Yeah, yeah, lots of luck and profits. What the heck is this? You know how much I love school dances. Why didnt you tell me? Emery: Im sorry. I totally meant to tell you but I forgot. Louis: So this wasnt a deliberate attempt to rob me of joy? 3. Louis: Emery, we need to have a serious talk...which is impossible while youre wearing a mesh tank top. (Dahne) Greys Anatomy - 1. Richard Webber: Good God, I created a monster. (Patrycja) How to Get Away with Murder - 1. Annalise: I didnt ruin you. You were that way when we met, probably your whole life. And if theres anything that youve taught me, its that I cant make anyone who they dont want to be. So you go ahead. You choose your drugs. You do whatever, but this is the last time Im gonna help you. 2. Nate: You dont know me at all. I am no liar so hear me out. We lost your case, but youre not losing me. Cause no matter how hard you try to scare me away, Im gonna keep coming back here, visiting you. Senior: So you dont hate me? Nate: Were good now. 3. Bonnie: You think Im a threat. Well you should, but if you want me dead, gone, cut the brakes on my car, set my house on fire - this and every other conversation weve had since I started working here will get leaked to the press. Denver: Youre bluffing. Bonnie: Youd be taking a big risk to test that theory so heres whats gonna happen. Drop your investigation into Isaac Roa - no arrest, no charge. Jorges Costello got what he wanted, custody of that child, so end the witch hunt or lose your election from jail. (Dahne) Bir-Lahlu (liberated territories), Feb. 12, 2018 (SPS) The President of the Republic, Secretary-General of the Polisario Front, Brahim Ghali, has sent a congratulatory message to his Iranian counterpart, Hassan Rouhani, on the occasion of the National Day of his country. "On behalf of the Saharawi people and Government, and on my own behalf, allow me to extend my sincere congratulations on the 39th anniversary of the commemoration of the Islamic Republic of Iran on its National Day, while wishing the Iranian people more happiness, success and prosperity ", wrote the President of the Republic in a message to his counterpart of Iran. The Islamic Republic of Iran has always been a key interlocutor of the Saharawi Republic on a common approach to several topical issues, in particular to meet the challenges of peace, security and the common defense of the struggle of the Saharawi people for his right to self-determination and independence, recalled the President of the Republic. The President of the Republic believed that the strengthening of bilateral relations between the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the people of the Sahrawi Republic in the diplomatic field will strengthen the common aspirations of countries to solidarity, peace and well-being. (SPS) 062/SPS/TRA STAMFORD Trinity Catholic School may be closed for the second straight day on Wednesday due to a water issue. According to the Diocese of Bridgeport, water was found in the schools boiler room and the boiler was not working, causing the Newfield Avenue school to be closed Tuesday. STAMFORD The downtown parade planned for Saturday morning will not have floats or marching bands. It will be a cavalcade of dump trucks, oil tankers, excavators trailers, plumbers vans and electricians pickups, circling the Stamford Government Center with horns blaring. The drivers small-business owners from the Stamford area want to show what they think about the states plan to rev up taxes on gasoline and tires and put tolls on the highways. It is a protest similar to one in 1773, when American colonists, calling themselves the Sons of Liberty, threw 45 tons of tea into Boston Harbor after the British Parliament taxed it, said Bob Katchko, owner of Katchko & Sons Construction. The idea is, No taxation without representation, said Katchko, one of three small-business owners from Stamford who organized the protest, set for 11 a.m. Saturday in front of the government center at 888 Washington Blvd. We are tired of people making decisions for us who dont represent our needs. The people in Hartford are completely out of touch with our reality. State lawmakers, looking for money to fix the transportation system in the middle of a budget crisis, are considering hiking the gas tax 7 cents; imposing a $3 tax on the purchase of each new tire; and installing up to 12 electronic tolls on Interstate 95 between Greenwich and West Haven, plus 10 tolls on a similar stretch of the Merritt Parkway. Estimates so far are that there could be a toll every one to five miles. Thats worse than Jersey, said organizer Frank Cortese, owner of New England Oil, a Stamford business for 78 years. This is not the right way to help our state. Lawmakers in Hartford vow to place a lock box on transportation money raised by taxes and tolls so it wont be diverted for other uses. Weve been down that road. It doesnt happen, said another organizer, Pat Sasser, who owns a small trucking company with his two brothers under the family name. As far as Im concerned, the trust is broken between Hartford and the taxpayers. I think this will get railroaded through, then fall on the backs of the middle class. And not just business owners, Cortese said. Taxes on gasoline, taxes on tires, and the cost of the tolls will trickle down. We will have to pass those costs on to our customers, said Cortese, whose business, now with 47 employees, was started by his father. We have customers who have been with us for 50, 60 years. I dont want to charge them more. But a small business cant absorb all these added costs. Take the tire tax, Katchko said. Each dump truck I own has 14 tires. Thats 70 tires, not counting the trailers or smaller vehicles. Every time I replace them it will cost me $3 more per tire, he said. I started this business in 1987 with one truck. But now things get worse every year. The policies coming from the state are worse. The climate is more and more anti-business. If its bad for business, its bad for employees and customers, Katchko said. I have 15 employees to operate under these conditions is almost impossible, he said. This isnt about Democrat or Republican. The state keeps crippling us, the working people. Sasser said he is promoting the protest on Facebook, the radio and cable television. Cortese said 20 to 50 trucks, as of Tuesday, planned to join the procession around the Stamford Government Center. Political figures who have said they will attend include Trumbull First Selectman Tim Herbst, a Republican candidate for governor; state Rep. Fred Camillo, a Republican from Greenwich; and state Sen. Joe Markley, a Republican from Southington, Sasser said. Taxpayers who dont own businesses are coming, too, Sasser said. People know that when you have a household and youre coming up short, you dont have a money tree. You have to cut back, Sasser said. The state doesnt do that. They will treat these tolls like money trees. When they need more money, theyll jack up the toll fees, add more tolls. In the meantime, people who never even get on the highway will pay for it, because the big trucking companies will charge more for everything they deliver to this state. Sasser, Katchko and Cortese began planning the protest soon after learning about the proposed taxes and tolls last month. The state is grasping for a quick solution. Its not the way to get the state back on track financially, Sasser said. Theyre constantly piling things on us, and this is the straw that broke the camels back. Their goal is to bring out a few hundred people on Saturday, Cortese said. We cant just sit back and not be heard, he said. We have to show them. They want Stamford to be the start, Katchko said. Wed like to see protests in every major city in the state, ending up in Hartford, he said. Somebody has to tell the state government to stop squeezing us. Weve had enough. acarella@stamfordadvocate.com. Ten years ago, Bill Gates wrote his foundation's first annual letter, an optimistic and candid dispatch that highlighted the organization's achievements and outlined its goals. Since then, his wife and co-chair, Melinda, has added her signature, and the letter has taken on themes from innovation to super powers to big bets on the future. But this year, the philanthropic power pair are trying a different format, marking the ten-year milestone of when the Microsoft founder began working at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation full-time with a letter titled "10 tough questions we get asked." In the letter, and in a brief recent interview with The Washington Post, the duo discussed their effort to respond to some of the more frequent - and not always flattering - questions they get from people scrutinizing their work. "The questions that we get from other people - they sharpen our focus and they help us hone what we're doing," Melinda Gates said in their office overlooking Lake Washington outside Seattle. "When you have to write about them and explain to people how you think, we think it makes the foundation more knowable to people, too." With an endowment of more than $40 billion, the Gates Foundation has a scale and reach that touches most corners of the globe, making grants and funding partners who work on everything from reducing tobacco use in China to installing toilets in Africa and reforming U.S. public schools. The Gates' letter, released early Tuesday, includes responses to questions such as why they work with corporations, whether they're imposing their values on other cultures and why the foundation doesn't give more money in the United States. (The Gates Foundation spent almost $500 million on its U.S. program in 2016, about 11 percent of its expenditures on grants and direct charitable contracts.) In it, the Gates said they've learned a lot from their education efforts, "but the challenge has been to replicate the successes widely;" acknowledged that some of their critics don't speak up out of fear of losing money, though they encourage feedback; said concerns about their legacy isn't what drives their giving; and acknowledged that while "it's not fair that our wealth opens doors that are closed to most people," "there is nothing secret about our objectives as a foundation." The two say they're looking to expand their work at home beyond education, noting a recent trip to the South made them examine other ways to help lift people out of poverty. And Melinda Gates included a pointed remark for President Donald Trump, writing that the duty of a U.S. president is to role model American values and that she wishes "our president would treat people, and especially women, with more respect when he speaks and tweets." The letter comes at a time when demands by the public for accountability and transparency are escalating - all while Americans' trust in institutions plunges to record lows. The 2018 Edelman Trust Barometer, a survey released in January, finds that global trust in nongovernmental organizations by the "informed public" dipped three percentage points over the past year, and fell nine overall in the United States. (Of the four types of institutions Edelman asks about -- media, government and business being the other three - the role of a nongovernmental organization comes closest to the work of the private foundation.) Yet while the Gates have received heaps of praise for their expansive philanthropic efforts, their foundation has also faced plenty of criticism over the years from various corners. Academics and global health researchers have questioned whether they have dominance over research or aid priorities. Some advocates have criticized what they call a traditionally top-downapproach to education reforms. And people on both sides of the political aisle have questioned the Gates-backed Common Core State Standards. While some tough questions are addressed in the letter, other critiques are not, potentially opening a Pandora's Box of additional questions from experts and pundits about why some topics were or weren't chosen. Experts on leadership and communication said the strategy highlights the importance of being transparent and open with critics - but also the many complexities and risks that go along with it. "It's authentic to take on tough questions, and not use just your typical P.R. format," said Bill George, the former CEO of Medtronic and a senior fellow at Harvard Business School, applauding the approach. Even if it opens the two up to more tough questions, George said, that's a good thing. "That debate is healthy," he said. Yet others said the Gates' commitment to the approach will be tested by how they communicate going forward. "If you're opening up this process, and this is the way you want to present your organization, it's going to create a significant response, and you have to be ready for it," said Paul Argenti, a professor at Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business who studies communications strategy. "With social media, you have to be prepared to continue that conversation now for pretty much forever. This can't be a one-and-done thing." In fact, he said, taking a more open strategy to answering tough questions can actually heighten expectations, making it harder for leaders to meet the standard of how outsiders believe they should respond. "If you appear to be more transparent and more involved and more of a listener, people are going to raise their expectations of you," Argenti said. "It's like the nail that sticks up gets beaten down." Asked about whether the letter could leave them open to even more tough questions, Bill Gates said they would be following up on the letter's release by answering more that are proposed by the public. "I'd be surprised" if those questions were tougher than the ones they selected, he said in the interview. "We didn't dodge. We didn't optimize for easiness." They're expected to answer a selection of additionalquestions that arise in online comments, and will do a Q&A event at Hunter College in New York on Tuesday with composer and playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda that will be streamed via Facebook Live. Melinda Gates said they selected questions for the letter they were hearing often, whether over the past five to six years or even over the past 12 months. One of the latter might be how the Trump administration's policies affect the foundation. Bill Gates writes that in the past year, he's been asked about Trump and the administration's policies "more often than all the other topics in this letter combined." He also writes that "the America First worldview concerns me," noting that "my view is that engaging with the world has proven over time to benefit everyone, including Americans, more often than withdrawing does." In the interview, he reiterated that view, saying the Gates Foundation is "working extra hard to articulate the benefits - even in a U.S.-centric framework - of less need to go out with hard power," or a show of coercive or military force. "We didn't think we'd have to explain things so strongly in that framework to maintain the U.S. generosity level," he said. The Gates and their foundation have opened up at times in the past about when they've fallen short. In his first annual letter back in 2009, for instance, Gates wrote that "many of the small schools that we invested in did not improve students' achievement in any significant way," speaking about one of the foundation's education strategies. In a 2014 Reddit "Ask Me Anything," Gates wrote that "a lot of our failures have been backing science that didn't work out." And in a speech in October announcing a pivot in the foundation's education strategy, Gates said he would end the foundation's direct investment in teacher evaluations and ratings and focus funding on strategies identified by local schools, a pivot some saw as a recognition that top-down approaches have limits. One of the challenges the Gates face is not only addressing questions or concerns about the wide diversity of intractable global problems they do work on -- from eradicating polio in Nigeria and the Middle East to reducing homelessness in the Pacific Northwest -- but demands about the problems they don't fund. "Even though we're in so many different areas - just take global health and disease areas - people will ask us all the time to put our voice yet behind something else," Melinda Gates said. "We have to think very thoughtfully and carefully about where we're going to use that voice and that influence." M iners were leading the charge for the second session in a row as the FTSE 100 continued to stabilise after last weeks heavy rout. Anglo American headed the pack. Its South African subsidiary Kumba Iron Ore notched up a strong financial performance last year, with revenue and profit both increasing, thanks largely to iron ore export prices increasing to $71 per tonne. The news came as welcome relief for Anglo investors who are increasingly fearful about the political climate in South Africa. The nations ruling ANC party has formally asked president Jacob Zuma to resign so that new leader Cyril Ramaphosa can take over. Yuen Low at Shore Capital explains: We suspect that Zuma will continue to resist tooth-and-nail any pressure on him to step down. We see the prospect of a Ramaphosa presidency as a positive. Hopefully he will make significant in-roads in overturning controversial amendments to South Africas Mining Charter. Investors put aside political concerns this session and shares rose 23.2p to 1665.6p. Rival BHP Billiton was also climbing up the table despite a $1.8 billion (1.3 billion) hit this year from the tax reform package in the US. The Anglo-Australian miner said it will be dented by $898 million of deferred taxes and a further $834 million non-cash impairment of foreign tax credits. But in the long run, lower corporate tax in the US will benefit profits, it added. The corporate tax rate has been cut to 21% from 35% under President Donald Trumps tax overhaul, which was approved by the House of Representatives in December. BHP Billiton shares were up 6.2p at 1511.2p but overall the FTSE 100 gained just 2.7 points to 7179.83. On AIM, Ebiquity announced plans to sell its advertising intelligence business to Nielsen for 26 million. The deal gives Ebiquity the firepower to invest in proprietary technology and data analytics capabilities across the remainder of its business. Along with the disposal, Ebiquity said revenue performance in the US was below expectations and shares fell 0.5p to 100p. But one firm making gains on AIM was software company Intercede. The firm said it had been awarded a contract by a Middle Eastern country worth more than 1 million. Using Intercede technology, citizens with an existing national identity card will be able to generate a new government digital identity on their smartphone via a government app. O IL stockpiles are at their lowest level for more than three years as the Opec production cartel and Russia pledge to stick to a deal to curb output, the International Energy Agency said today. Following the agreement in late 2016, global stockpiles have fallen by 80% to the lowest level since November 2014, the IEA said. The dwindling supplies as well as strong global growth pushed the oil price to three-year highs above $70 a barrel this year before the turmoil which shook share and commodity markets. Brent crude edged up to $62.83 today. Opec secretary general Mohammed Barkindo has said that Russian president Vladimir Putin will stick to the production pledge despite the 60% rise in prices in last summer offering the temptation to increase production. Barkindo told CNBC he had received assurances from the Russian premier and added that they have proved beyond any reasonable doubt their commitment to the agreement. I think theres no concern here. We are all in the same boat, he said. I N a few weeks time we will be able to hop on the Eurostar train at St Pancras and be in Amsterdam precisely three hours and 41 minutes later. How cool is that? Fresh tulips from Amsterdam in a few hours door to door. Its an extraordinary achievement for Eurostar when it comes to technology and execution. As Nicolas Petrovic, the outgoing Eurostar chief said last week when announcing the new link with direct services from the UK to the Netherlands, France and Belgium, we are transforming the links between the UK and three of Europes top trading nations. If only we could travel across the UKs great trading regions with the same speed and ease. Its a sweet irony, particularly with Brexit looming, that crossing the Channel is now faster than crossing the North of England by rail east to west and vice versa. Or indeed traversing the UK from north to south. Try the trains between Liverpool and Hull, or from Newcastle to the Cumbrian coast. The journeys take about the same time, or longer, than travelling from London to Amsterdam. Worse still, try going by train or car from Middlesbrough to Newcastle or Burnley to Manchester in less than an hour, even though they are only about 30 or 40 miles away. Yet its no secret that one of the biggest barriers to growth is bad connectivity: fewer than 10,000 people in the North can access four or more of the regions largest economic centres within an hour. Because of its geography, the UK has two spines running up and down the country but no ribs. Now it needs new ribs, as well as rungs across to create ladders. Which is why the new Northern Powerhouse rail plan to link the Norths six main cities and Manchester Airport is so vital to the regions prosperity. The NPR is a mix of upgrades, new lines and new junctions, and aims to make it easier to travel from Cheshire to Manchester, to Bradford and Leeds and across up to the North East. When complete, it would give 1.3 million people access to those cities in under an hour. Its one of a myriad of corridors and rungs being developed by Transport for the North (TfN) to open up the regions to each other. TfN recently was recognised as a statutory body by the Government. This may not sound like a big deal, but in northern politics it was an enormous leap towards turning the Northern Powerhouse from pipe dream into steel and concrete. Chaired by Sir John Cridland, former CBI boss, the TfN has just published its ambitious 30-year draft strategic plan. Along with new investment in schools and skills, TfN reckons its plan could boost productivity in the North by 4% equal to gross value added of almost 100 billion and create nearly a million new jobs. But this needs big bucks to succeed: about 60 billion. TfN says the work will cost less than 150 per northern citizen per annum, or up to 2.3 billion a year spending which is already part of ongoing transport investment in the North. It therefore needs only 50 per person more, or up to another 900 million. This is where the rubber will hit the road, says Ed Cox, head of the IPPRs northern think-tank. TfN wants to have similar fiscal powers to Transport for London, which is allowed to raise money privately, and keep revenue from business rates. Without those fiscal powers, says Cox, TfN will be always in hoc to government and other national agencies. Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary, has said he wants the North to take control but so far has refused to give it more powers. A generous interpretation is that the minister wants TfN to walk before it can run. A more Machiavellian view is that he prefers to keep funds to sweeten voters in the south with Crossrail 2. If the North is to improve the regions wealth and make up for decades of under-investment, its a no-brainer that TfN should be allowed to take control to borrow a phrase and be given money-raising powers. For the first time in years, the northern chieftains have shown they can work together: TfN has brought 19 different authorities and 56 local councils on board with its plans, which is no mean feat. I have seen Oxfams teams in action in some of the bleakest and most damaged parts of the world. They place themselves in harms way, coming to the aid of desperate people. They are or they should be an inspiration and credit to Britain. So revelations of errors of judgment by senior figures in the charity, and the appalling behaviour of some of the team in Haiti after the earthquake in 2010, will have caused huge concern to its army of generous supporters across the UK. Thousands of Oxfam staff will have been as shocked as the rest of us by reports that front-line workers responding to a disaster exploited the people they were meant to be helping. I think of the staff I met last year in Yemen. Their technical skills enabled them to restore water to two thirsty and starving cities, which in return housed 5,000 dispossessed families who would otherwise probably have died of disease or starvation. I think of Jo Cox, my murdered parliamentary colleague, with whom I visited Darfur when she worked for Oxfam. We saw the charitys work with brutalised women who had faced violence and ethnic cleansing in what President George Bush declared a genocide. That is part of the story of Britains international development budget, and the controversial commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of our GDP on aid. It is why the coalition government in 2010 agreed to stand by our commitment to bring help and hope to people around the world, and why the Government stands by it today. I am very proud of having served in the 2010 government as international development secretary. At a time of great pressure on public expenditure we refused to balance the books on the backs of the poorest in the world and stuck by the promises we had made. Britains international development work faces up to the problems of the future. British expertise and commitment to tackling issues from climate change and migration to terrorism and protectionism are respected around the world. It is said that when President Obama first met Theresa May he congratulated her on her election and praised her for her support for Britains international development commitment. If what has happened at Oxfam causes some to pause in their support for the charity, the victims will be the people aid helps around the world. This awful episode must not divert us from the importance of our development work and the values we as a country support. It helps to make the world a better place and we should be proud of it. M y native North-East of England was where I first realised, amid the spats of the 2016 EU referendum campaign, that the outcome might well go the way of the Leavers. The more locals I chatted to, the more it became clear that perfectly reasonable people of various incomes and demographics wanted to go. The idea was deemed unthinkable in much of professional London and in many ways it still is. To win a second referendum, large tranches of voters would have to change their minds in parts of Britain that said no the first time to the arguments of a government with a healthy majority and a decent bench of senior politicians backing Remain, along with the Bank of Englands advocacy and large dollops of expert opinion. So the cautionary tale for Brexit opponents is that they can be both right on the outcomes of leaving the EU, in terms of the adverse impact on Britains trade and wider relations with Europe, yet not find themselves in a commanding position to reverse it. This is one reason why the alleged Remoaners are becoming a tribe distinct from the Remainiacs. Remoaners want a Brexit that is as close to EU membership as possible. Their anger is directed at the hapless Governments inability to ward off the most damaging form of departure from the EU: a scenario that distances Britain most from its European trading partners. Remainiacs are of a different temperament. They believe the Leave result happened in a moment of national forgetfulness or due to some play of dark forces, and that it can be undone simply by re-running the vote, with an expected mea culpa from the voters. Tomorrow, in a heavily trailed speech, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson will tell us how workable the latest dim-sum recipe for a take-what-you-fancy Brexit might look. Five other Cabinet ministers have been lined up to suggest a consistency of views, which even the casual observer of warfare at Westminster knows is illusory. However open to trade Johnson makes post-Brexit Britain sound, he has a hard case to answer about its impact on parts of the country with the least resilience to its impact. Years of exposure to Treasure forecasts dissuade me from putting my life savings on their projections. But even if the figures exaggerate the coming misery, outcomes for places such as the North-East look considerably worse than they do for other parts of Britain. However Johnson spins it, Sunderland is not about to become the new Singapore. The next couple of weeks will see Theresa May and her Cabinet being forced to choose a combined stance from a narrow range of options an overdue clarification. But it is also the moment when Remainers will have to choose whether they continue to campaign for a softer Brexit or throw their lot in with second referendum disciples. Advocates of the first path run the risk of asking for an option that is disappearing bit by bit while vote-againers face a dilemma embodied by George Soross donation to Best for Britain, a prominent anti-Brexit group: namely the tendency to end up running pretty much the same campaign as the one they lost in 2016. Its strategy so far consists of convening high-flying former government figures (Tony Blair, Peter Mandelson), civil servants (an array of outraged permanent secretaries), scions of major institutions (Mark Malloch Brown, formerly deputy secretary-general of the United Nations) and now big cats of finance (Soros), attempting to unravel the messy threads of Brexit. Not for the first time in his career Soros is a chiaroscuro figure. Admirable, because his familys persecution as Jews in 1940s Hungary means the fate of the UK as place of welcome and openness matter to him. He has fought doggedly for progressive values in Hungary and other countries with chauvinistic leaderships through the work of his Open Society Foundations and the Central European University in Budapest. To argue that Britain is important to you because you have a house in London is one of those things global elites say without realising quite how irksome it sounds But his arguments against Brexit show the peculiar tone-deafness to the implications of super-wealthy folk piling cash into movements that are supposed to be crowdfunded (the clue is in the name). To argue that Britain is important to you because you have a house in London is one of those things global elites say without realising quite how irksome it sounds. Soros concludes that a new referendum would need to show Britains attitude towards Europe has fundamentally changed. Yet he also believes the tipping point needs to be reached in the next six months. It is, to put it mildly, a big ask. More patient advocates of a think-again strategy suggest waiting until the EU and Britain have decided what a deal would mean in practice. That would be the more logical point at which to vote again but it would also make it far harder to unpick. I cant see a neat solution. But whatever the Remain campaigns strategy is, it needs to be careful not to end up fronted and funded primarily by the super-wealthy and 21st-century equivalents of the Whigs, all meeting in the same salons with wealthy patrons footing the bill. Some of the strongest voices opposing Brexit in the North-East are those, like Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson, who are working doggedly at persuading constituents to think again and trying to make sense out of the sophistry of Labours Brexitology. Faced with the Corbynite call for membership of a customs union (rather than opting to stay in one that exists), Wilson observes that the party risks reinventing the wheel, only to find its not as round as the one we had. Any campaign to move hearts and minds will have to work tirelessly, and unhysterically, and choose its moments to oppose with care, not spleen. To miss the anti-elite message of one referendum is unfortunate, to court the same problem twice does not look like a winning strategy. O n Friday the Year of the Rooster gives way to the Year of the Dog and Chinese New Year begins. Londons celebrations which will reach a peak on Sunday are some of the largest outside Asia: not just proof of the success that comes from living in a tolerant city that welcomes the world but also a big boost to the capitals economy. Over the next few days Chinese visitors are expected to spend 32 million in a Golden Week for shops, hotels and restaurants. That is more than ever and there is a lot for them and us to enjoy and be proud of. Thats the upside of openness and it is the sort of thing ministers, lined up to give speeches this week, must mean when they say that Britain is going to build new global links after Brexit. If we cant attract business from an economy soaring in scale then we wont do it anywhere and those words will soon ring hollow. So whats happening to make them real? True, its got easier for Chinese visitors to get visas for Britain, which is one reason more are coming here and spending. But it is still tempting for them to get a Schengen visa for 26 countries across the Channel and then, faced with the need to apply again to visit Britain, leave London off the list. One result of that is that this year you can fly from Chinese cities such as Kunming to Paris and Shenyang to Frankfurt and soon even Nanjing to Helsinki all with populations not much smaller than Londons but you cant go from any of them to London direct. Another reason, of course, is that our airports are full. Are those in favour of global Britain also in favour of runways which reach out to the globe? So yes, this weeks Chinese New Year will be the citys best ever. But we need to work fast to make the ones which follow better still. Judges should be like us Who judges the judges? Its an old question but a fair one. Lady Hale, the president of the Supreme Court, has waded in with an answer: the judges themselves should look in the mirror and see what needs to change. Most judges, from the Supreme Court down, are male and most are white but the people involved in the cases they hear are not all like that. Even if the old joke about the ancient judge who hadnt heard of pop music is long out of date todays courts are overseen by many more women and people from diverse backgrounds things arent right. Whats the answer? Not fixed quotas, as Lady Hale says. Judges ought to be picked on merit. But she points out that the legal system is full of loads of really able, sensible women who could serve. Affirmative action could help. Another of her proposals, made last year, for politicians to join the panel which appoints judges, was shot down in flames by a traditionalist profession: but she is right to worry that the court system needs the public to trust it if it is to work, and that means picking judges who better represent the society they oversee. Underground pictures Sometimes you need to stop for a moment to see how amazing the people of London are. Thats what a new exhibition at five Tube stations is asking us to do. Historic England is putting up 33 pictures taken across the city of people who make it special: at Walthamstow Central it is Jacqueline Cooper, owner of L Manze pie and mash shop and at Canary Wharf it is George Gladwell, who has been selling plants at Columbia Road Flower Market in east London since 1949. Others will get the spotlight at St Pauls and Aldgate East. Alexander Wang presented his last ever on-schedule show at New York Fashion Week this weekend. Next season he will move to a more commercially viable (and consumer-friendly model) of debuting his collections in June and December. And judging by the collection of mini skirts and power suits, Wang most definitely has business on the brain. The whole office building - once home to the Vogue offices where Wang began his fashion career as an intern - was covered with 'AWG' (Alexander Wang Group) signs. And the receptionist looked very familiar... People. Fashion. Power. Delivered weekly. Email Sign up Sign up I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice {{message}} {{permutiveUid}} {{message}} Kaia Gerber also joined Bella Hadid on the runway. This was the second time the 16-year-old had walked for the designer, the previous time was his SS18 show, which she opened. Kaia Gerber walks the runway at Alexander Wang AW18 during New York Fashion Week / Getty Images When it came to the clothes, sheer tights and black leggings were printed with credit card numbers. And slim, matrix-esque style sunglasses (set to be the style of summer) created in collaboration with Gentle Monster are sure to be street style hits. Alexander Wang AW18 show, New York / AFP/Getty Images Meanwhile Cardi B appointed herself front row CEO in a trench coat and thigh-high boots.. ...and little else Social media was set ablaze wondering what she and her fellow F'ROWer might be chatting about... Anna Wintour and Cardi B on the FROW at Alexander Wang's show in New York / Rex Features If only all offices could look a little more like this. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry stepped out this afternoon on their first official visit to Scotland. In true Meghan and Harry style, the couple arrived at Edinburgh Castle in coordinated ensembles. Harry opted for neutral grey tones with accents of royal blue, while Meghan fittingly sported a navy and bottle green tartan coat. The 1,995 double breasted jacket is by British brand Burberry, who are known for their iconic check print and are increasingly becoming one of Meghan's favourite designers. The actress paired the statement coat with a sleek all-black outfit consisting of wide-leg trousers and a cosy-looking polo neck, which was very similar to her Radar Radio outfit last month. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit Edinburgh - In pictures 1 /19 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit Edinburgh - In pictures Meghan Markle during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during a visit to Scotlan PA Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle meet a Shetland Pony as they arrive at Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland Frank Augstein/AP Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet Pony Major Mark Wilkinson and regimental mascot Cruachan IV during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotland PA Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet Pony Major Mark Wilkinson and regimental mascot Cruachan IV during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotland AP Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle meet a Shetland Pony as they arrive at Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland PA Meghan Markle greets wellwishers while on a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, as she and Prince Harry visited Scotland PA Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotland PA Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle meet a Shetland Pony as they arrive at Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland Reuters Meghan Markle during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotland PA Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotland PA Meghan Markle during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotland PA Meghan Markle during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotland PA Meghan Markle during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotland PA Crowds gather ahead of a visit by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to Edinburgh Castle PA A young girl waves a flag as she waits for the arrival of Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle at Edinburgh Castl Reuters Prince Harry during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotland PA Meghan Markle during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotland Chris Jackson/Getty Images Crowds await the arrivals of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ahead of royal walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotlan PA Meghan Markle during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotland PA People. Fashion. Power. Delivered weekly. Email Sign up Sign up I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice {{message}} {{permutiveUid}} {{message}} Although the 36-year-old is still figuring out her royal wardrobe, we can already see a few trends emerging. Along with style staples of longline coats and black trousers, she is also rather fond of a small handbag. In the beginning her penchant for handbags caused quite a stir, as the accessory breaks the royal protocol of carrying a clutch. However, Meghan is not shy when it comes to breaking royal rules, and after sporting a burgundy Strathberry tote bag for her first official engagement in Nottingham, her handbag collection has been growing thick and fast. Meghan Markle on her first official engagement in Nottingham carrying a Strathberry bag / Getty Images Today Meghan chose to debut yet another of Strathberry's designs, who are in fact a Scottish brand. The actress, who often sticks to rich handbag hues opted for a modern bottle green bag with suede detail, which she had nonchalantly slung across her body. Meghan sporting a cross-body bag by Scottish brand Strathberry in Edinburgh / Chris Jackson/Getty Images We can fairly confidently say that we've never seen any other member of the royal family sport a trendy cross-body bag, but if there is one thing that Meghan and Harry are proving it's that they aren't just any other royal couple. Get The Look Double-breasted tartan wool and cashmere-blend coat by Burberry, 1,995, Shop it now East/West Mini Bag by Strathberry, 395, Shop it now Fashion is in the midst of a major metamorphosis. The current unstable economic climate, coupled with consumer thirst for Insta-gratification, has led to an offbeat rhythm of cross-pollinated seasons and see-now-buy-now schemes that demands brands fine-tune their approach if they are to have any hope of hitting the right note. At New York Fashion Week the seasons introductory showcase that often provides a precursor for whats to follow in London, Milan and Paris this sea change formed an undercurrent as labels swam against the tried-and-tested tide. Whats more, as the fashion industrys most commercially driven city, its brands not only have the motivation to stand out but the budgets to do so too. Whats notable is that it wasnt necessarily those who could shout the loudest that made the greatest noise. Case in point, Victoria Beckham. To launch the start of the brands 10th anniversary year, Beckham chose to celebrate by going back to where she began. Victoria Beckham's final New York Fashion Week show / Getty Images People. Fashion. Power. Delivered weekly. Email Sign up Sign up I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice {{message}} {{permutiveUid}} {{message}} I wanted to change up the way in which I showed and take it back to a presentation format, said Beckham, speaking at a preview in her studio the day before her show on Sunday morning. This is how I started in New York. I wanted it to feel more intimate, more personal, so people are closer to the clothes. Mirroring the tiny show-and-tell appointments of her labels fledgling years, the designer abandoned her now standard 450 attendee-strong catwalk show in favour of two salon presentations hosting just 90 invited guests. And shes not alone. This afternoon, cult New York designer Gabriela Hearst also plans to showcase its new collection to just 100 insiders over a light lunch of prosciutto and malfatti pasta followed by panna cotta. By and large, restricting access is a gutsy move for a growing business. But in Beckhams case, the risk paid off. Her decision to scale back production revealed a confidence in her work and just how far the designer had come from those first tentative steps into the industry. The change also affected what appeared on the catwalk the model count was halved, the looks rigorously edited and as such, provided a snapshot of Beckham at her best. Bottega Veneta (Bottega Veneta ) / Bottega Veneta Her evolution from pop-star-turned-wannabe-dressmaker into a bonafide global fashion superforce was seen in her signature form-fitting silhouettes. Gone were the rib-crushing body-cons of her past. In their place, softly sculptured dress shapes. Come September, Beckham plans to mix things up again by returning to London for a homecoming show. Meanwhile, elsewhere on the ever-shifting schedule, Italian luxury heavyweight Bottega Veneta traded its slot in Milan for Manhattan. Its designer Tomas Maier too choose to reaffirm the brands DNA of stealth-wealth. As a result, the show staged around an impossibly chic lounge setting focused on clothes designed for the luxury shopper who want to suit themselves, not those around them. Accordingly, home comforts were high on the agenda, with the show bookended by jacquard silk pyjamas and plush velvet dressing gowns. I was thinking about the way of life in the city, which goes from one extreme to another, says Maier. Its hyper-motion and then it falls into almost total seclusion. Tibi / Rex The city, with its fast and furious sensibility,was also a preoccupation for Tibi designer Amy Smilovic. Inspired by the architecture of metropolises, elements of construction sites were visible in the hi-vis colour palette and through raw materials. But perhaps she had the structure of her own label in mind when she said to transform building blocks into something new takes care, time and dedication. But the pursuit is worthwhile, for anything well-crafted has longevity, moving the present into the future. Tory Burch, on the other hand one of the richest self-made women in the US, with a $3.5 billion empire rallied against the news of stock market slumps by planting hundreds of pale pink carnations on her catwalk. Tory Burch's AW18 show (Tory Burch ) / Tory Burch The scene capable of bringing joy to even the most jet-lagged fashion critics was inspired by Pina Bauschs modern dance masterpiece Nelken, a story of oppression performed on a field of flowers. As the Chamber Orchestra of New York played the Spring section of Vivaldis Four Seasons, bold botanical blooms appeared in a print dubbed Happy Times which peppered ruffled collar blouses and draped handkerchief dresses. These were combined with fluffy shearling coats and cosy parkas, providing not just an indication that Burchs ode to springtime was in fact an offering for autumn/winter 18, but a means of protection from hostile environments. Mansur Gavriel / Mansur Gavriel A sense of optimism prevailed at Mansur Gavriel too, with a see-now buy-now collection that was brimming with airy gossamer fabrics and fresh sorbet shades, and in Self-Portraits confident scarlet and bubblegum colour combinations, while up-and-comer Sies Marjan presented life-wear through a chromatic filter with the holographic coats and ombre dresses proving a highlight. Alexander Wang's AW18 show / Alexander Wang Finally, it was the turn of Alexander Wang to forge a new path. A long-time schedule disrupter, his previous blockbuster productions have included late-night raves in Harlem and music festivals in Brooklyn. But for his NYFW swan song, Wang chose an empty office block in Times Square the ex-Conde Nast residence to unveil his power-CEO-meets-cocktail-hour offering. From now on, the designer will show in June and December, outside the official fashion weeks. C ounter terror officers swooped on the Houses of Parliament after an envelope containing white powder was discovered in an office. Armed police were seen outside the Palace of Westminster at around midday amid reports that a "suspicious package" was being investigated. The Met confirmed that they were dealing with reports of an envelope containing white powder. Specialists are assessing the package and police remain at the scene. A House of Commons spokesman confirmed an investigation was ongoing but said the building was not in lockdown. Probe: Police remain at the scene / Kirsty O'Connor/PA A message was put out on the annunciators which are displayed on TV screens around Parliament, reading: "Incident in the House of Commons being dealt with by the Metropolitan Police, do not be alarmed." A Met statement said: "At about 11.36am today, Tuesday 13 February, police were informed of a suspicious package that had been delivered to an office within the Palace of Westminster. Police are at the scene and dealing. "The letter contained a white powder, which is currently being assessed by specialists. The office remains closed at this time, but the rest of the Palace of Westminster is open. "Detectives from the Mets Counter Terrorism Command have been informed and are investigating." Scotland Yard later confirmed that the white powder was not a noxious substance. In a statement released shortly before 3pm, officers said: "The letter contained a white powder, which has been assessed by specialists and found not to be noxious. P olice in Hampshire have arrested two teenagers on suspicion of murder following the death of a six-week-old boy in Southampton. Emergency services rushed to Defender Road, in Southampton, just after 5am on Sunday. The baby was taken to hospital where he later died. A 16-year-old boy and an 18-year-old woman have been arrested in connection with the death and are in custody for questioning. A Hampshire Police spokesman confirmed that the pair had been arrested on suspicion of murder. Neighbours reported that the baby died at a unit for young mothers and their children. Local resident Ian Fussel said: "My friend who lives in a flat heard the baby crying at night. It's not nice at all. "It's terrible, horrible, disgusting. I've got a three-year-old and a two-month-old, it's wrong, disgusting." He added: "It's a mother and baby unit, teenage kids live there and there used to be staff there at night but they stopped that." A police statement said: "Officers investigating the death of a six-week-old boy in Southampton have arrested two people. "Police were called at 5.05am on Sunday to an address in Defender Road, Southampton, along with South Central Ambulance Service following reports that a child was in need of medical attention. "The baby was taken to Southampton General Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. Inquiries into the circumstances are ongoing. "An 18-year-old woman and 16-year-old boy, both from Southampton, have been arrested in connection with the incident. A petition has been launched to try to stop the wife of a London firefighter being deported to Bolivia. Colin Jones said his wife, Elizabeth Madrid, could be forced to leave the country at any time because of increasing difficulties in securing a British visa. Elizabeth arrived in the UK in 2003 on a visitors visa from Bolivia, before becoming a student. An extension was refused by the Home Office and she was told to leave, but it was never followed up and she started working, falling in love with Colin after meeting at the fire station on the Holloway Road where she worked as a cleaner. After getting married in 2015 they again applied for a visa. But after a 12 month wait Elizabeth she had to leave the country within 28 days. She now has to sign on at Becket House immigration centre every week. A petition has now been launched, with nearly 6,500 people pledging support. Mr Jones, 44, said he was told her staying was not in the interest of the UK - despite her paying tax, national insurance, and never claiming benefits. Writing on the website, he said: They refused to give her a visa saying that if we want to live together go to Bolivia. It would be impossible for me to go to Bolivia as I rely on my two jobs to provide income. I wouldnt have a job there. I have little knowledge of there language and the way of life there, and also my wife worries that I would be targeted and killed there, because of the crime rate. The whole situation is very stressful and upsetting for the both of us. If she is deported I dont know what I will do. A Home Office spokesman said the decision was made because Ms Madrid had no leave to remain and did not meet the requirements of the immigration rules for the category in which she applied. N ew footage shows Royal Navy divers working to clear an unexploded World War Two bomb that sparked chaos at London City Airport. Bomb disposal experts worked through the night to move the 500kg shell into the Thames estuary ahead of a controlled detonation on Tuesday morning. A video released by the Ministry of Defence showed divers from Portsmouth's Southern Diving Unit 2 undertaking the first stage of the removal operation - lifting the bomb from the sea bed. The device was lying in a bed of dense silt, and the team worked to free the shell so it could be floated for removal. It was then towed out of the King George V Dock into the Thames, before being towed out to sea for explosion. The bomb was moved into the Thames estuary ahead of a controlled explosion on Tuesday morning / PA The discovery of the bomb on Sunday led to the closure of the nearby airport for the entire day on Monday. A 214-metre exclusion zone was put in place in Newham, meaning residents were evaucated from their homes and the airport was forced to ground all flights. Royal Navy bomb disposal divers in King V George Dock close to London City Airport / PA Flights resumed early on Tuesday, with a British Airways flight from Rotterdam landing at 6.42am and a BA flight to Geneva departing at 6.56am. The bomb, which was lodged in silt about 11 metres underwater, was removed to the centre of the dock at about 6pm last night. London City Airport closed - In pictures 1 /22 London City Airport closed - In pictures Royal Navy bomb disposal experts detonate an unexploded Second World War bomb in the Thames estuary off Shoeburyness, Essex PA Explosive Ordnance Disposal units from the Royal Navy work to remove the World War Two bomb EPA Royal Navy clearance divers prepare to detonate the bomb found near City airport Royal Navy A diver from the Royal Navy prepares to inspect the bomb EPA Explosive Ordnance Disposal units from the Royal Navy at the site of the bomb EPA Bomb disposal personnel in a boat are seen on the River Thames AFP/Getty Images The bomb was moved into the Thames estuary ahead of a controlled explosion PA Police wait outside London City Airport EPA London City Airport remains closed after a WW2 bomb was found nearby Alex Lentati A response vehicle is parked close to London City Airport which has been closed after the discovery of an unexploded Second World War bomb Dominic Lipinski/PA Planes on the apron at London City Airport which has been closed after the discovery of an unexploded Second World War bomb Dominic Lipinski/PA A Royal Navy bomb disposal van at London City Airport Dominic Lipinski/PA Royal Navy bomb disposal divers on a boat in King V George Dock close to London City Airport which has been closed after the discovery of an unexploded Second World War bomb Dominic Lipinski/PA London City Airport remains closed after a ww2 bomb was found nearby as the Royal Bomb Squad move in Alex Lentati Royal Navy bomb disposal divers close to London City Airport which has been closed after the discovery of an unexploded Second World War bomb Dominic Lipinski/PA London City Airport remains closed after a WW2 bomb was found nearby Alex Lentati London City Airport remains closed after a ww2 bomb was found nearby as the Royal Bomb Squad move in Alex Lentati London City Airport remains closed after a WW2 bomb was found nearby Alex Lentati London City Airport remains closed after a ww2 bomb was found nearby Alex Lentati London City Airport remains closed after a WW2 bomb was found nearby Alex Lentati Metropolitan Police officers close to London City Airport which has been closed after the discovery of an unexploded Second World War bom Dominic Lipinski/PA Royal Navy bomb disposal experts detonate an unexploded Second World War bomb in the Thames estuary off Shoeburyness, Essex PA It then continued its journey away from the airport before midnight as tides rose. It was escorted by the Port of London Authority, with boats at the front and back to ensure no danger to other river traffic. Road bridges were closed as the convoy passed by. A 214-metre exclusion zone was in place on Monday meaning residents had to evacuate their homes / PA Lieutenant Commander Jonny Campbell, the officer in charge of the Navys Southern Diving Unit 2, said high-grade military explosives would be attached to the device for a controlled explosion. Residents told how they were forced to spend more than 18 hours away from their homes after police established a 214m (700ft) exclusion zone, covering seven streets, as a safety precaution. Others refused to leave. Transport for London worker Ashiqul Islam, 23, helped to evacuate vulnerable neighbours by driving them to alternative accommodation before spending the night at his grandmothers house in Beckton. One neighbour told Mr Islam the police had offered her the choice to stay. He said: She was leaning out of her window. I asked her if she was leaving and she said, No, they said its my choice. If I die I die in here. B in the marmalade and pass the choccy: it looks like the director of Paddington has got a golden ticket. Paul King, who helmed the two acclaimed films about the lovable bear, will soon take on another British classic: he is in talks to direct a new adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The Hollywood Reporter claims that US studio Warner Bros is working on Willy Wonka, a reimagining of the Roald Dahl novel. Paddington producer David Heyman is involved, and has apparently lined up King to bring the eccentric chocolatier to life. Kings pre-Paddington credits include The Mighty Boosh and Bunny and the Bull, and his interpretation of Michael Bonds stories became big hits: the latest, which holds an unprecedented 100 per cent positive rating on review website Rotten Tomatoes, was a big winner at last weeks Evening Standard Film Awards. The coupling of King with the mind of Dahl is a sure success. The novel has already inspired two film adaptations one starring Gene Wilder, pictured below right, the other Johnny Depp as well as a hit musical that ran at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. And it seems that Warner Bros is confident in Dahls magic touch. Its already working on a new version of The Witches The Shape of Waters director Guillermo del Toro has a script. Details of the Willy Wonka story, written by Simon Rich, are sparse but the Wonka-centric working title, and rumours of a planned franchise, suggests that the new version may focus on his origins and adventures. Well see if it ends up leaving a bad taste in any purists mouths. --- Happy Birthday to the Financial Times, which turns 130 today. Pink Un journalist Josh Spero notes that its 130 years of reporting without fear and without favour. How to celebrate? I hope we get cake, Spero continues. Knowing @FTCakeTrolley, itll probably be without fear and without flavour. The Londoner doesnt know whether to applaud the pun or be stunned that the FTs cake trolley has its own Twitter account. Christmas chippings and belated cheer IF ITS good enough for Harry and Meghan, its good enough for the warthogs at London Zoo. Late last year, the newly engaged couple were seen in Battersea, picking up a Christmas tree from Pines and Needles. Now, having done its best for the kingdom, the company is doing its bit for the animal one. The supplier has just dropped off 19 tonnes of wood chippings, created from the leftover firs, at the zoo in Regents Park, which Aziza and Pig the resident warthogs use for warmth and foraging. Crackling. Quote of the day Mum's the word: Daniel Kaluuya (Photo by Dan MacMedan/Getty Images) / Getty Images "I've got to give her the opportunity to flex." Get Out star Daniel Kaluuya says he's taking his mum as his date to The Oscars as a thank you for her support. New York hosts The Partys after-party Party people: Patricia Clarkson, Emily Mortimer and Sally Potter (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images) / Getty Images ITS PARTY time for The Party. The film, which came out in the UK last year, was screened in New York last night. It follows Janet, played by Kristin Scott Thomas, who throws a soiree to celebrate her promotion to the shadow cabinet. Scott Thomas wasnt able to get to last nights bash but co-stars Emily Mortimer and Patricia Clarkson, and director Sally Potter, who won an Evening Standard award for the film last week, showed up. On screen, the party descends into chaos amid a flurry of conflict and Brexit talk. Thankfully, the fun last night was both strong and stable. --- Top trolling by the Turks. Theyve renamed the US Embassys street in Ankara after Operation Olive Branch, the codename for their recent foray into Syria. The Londoner recalls getting a visa at the US Consulate in Kolkata on Ho Chi Minh Street. Should we revive this spirit of passive- aggressive street naming for the new embassy at Nine Elms? The British did once capture Washington and burn down the White House. The War of 1812 Junction has a certain ring to it. Flip-flop in Westminster Political pancakes: Alastair Stewart (Press Association) Westminsters annual Rehab Parliamentary Pancake Race 2018 took place this morning. The drizzly weather didnt deter the usual tossers from the world of politics and media with newsreader Alastair Stewart, right, acting as adjudicator: Now this is not quite Monza or Silverstone. Judges are keeping a close eye on elbows and hip barges. No biting or gouging its a non contact sport. Labour MP Bambos Charalambous thought theres a conspiracy: Theres more journalists because its the recess, I think that was a plot from the journalists putting Shrove Tuesday in recess. As a response to this, Politics Homes Liz Bates told The Londoner: Yes, thats true theyve caught us and now were going to win. Labours Rupa Huq laments that politicians get a bad rep. People say Parliament is full of tossers. Here were proving it in spades. The winner was the Suns Tom Newton Dunn. Tweet of the day Vogue's features director Giles Hattersley fears cryptocurrency is taking over --- Front Row seat of the day for Mary Beard. As The Londoner said last week, she was lined up to be the new sole presenter of the BBC2s Front Row, late night on Fridays. It has just been confirmed. Top ticket. Has Cara fallen in love with herself? H eathrow Airport has condemned a duty free promotion which was deemed to be 'racist' towards Chinese people. The promotional event held by World Duty Free, a commercial partner of Heathrow which runs shops in the busy airport, required Chinese travellers to pay a minimum spend of 1,000 to receive a 20 per cent discount. Shoppers from elsewhere in the world were given the same discount after spending just 250 on goods. Heathrow: The airport condemned the promotion / Getty Images Chinese customers took to social media platform Weibo to express their outrage at the apparent discrimination after it was written about in a blog post that was shared more than 75,000 times. Mengyun Xiao said: I am so naive that I believed I needed to spend 500 to get the VIP voucher (coz It just changed from 300 to 500 today morning) before! The World Duty Free shop cheated me! Why should we suffer this unfair racism? Kayla Luo, accused the airport shop of providing world class racist services and Steven Li added that the promotion is disgraceful and racial discrimination. You think Chinese are rich and stupid? I am so disappointed with Heathrow International Airport," he wrote online. Other customers commented saying they had experienced the same thing and one shared a flyer, written in Chinese, detailing the offer for tourists spending over 1,000. A Heathrow spokeswoman said the airport deemed the offer completely unacceptable. We have been in touch with World Duty Free and have made it clear that all passengers should be treated with fairness and respect," the spokeswoman said. "This has fallen short of expectations from our retailers and we apologise for the offence this retailer has caused. World Duty Free posted a statement on Twitter apologising for the incident and saying it had taken urgent steps to correct the promotion. We are committed to treating all our customers with respect in a consistent and fair way, the statement said. We would like to offer our sincere apologies to our customers who were in any way made to feel this was not the case. It said the implementation of this promotion has been confusing which we sincerely regret and added that staff have been re-briefed on the offer. T echnology that can detect Isis propaganda with a 94 per cent success rate has been developed by the Home Office. The AI programme analyses the audio and images of a video during the upload process, so the majority of such material could be stopped before it even reaches the internet. The tech can detect 94 per cent of Isis propaganda with a 99.99 per cent accuracy rate, meaning only 50 of every 1 million randomly selected videos would require additional human review. Major tech companies Facebook and Twitter already use similar technology but the new model, developed in partnership by the Home Office and ASI Data Science, will be shared with smaller platforms like Vimeo, Telegraph and pCloud to help combat increasing abuse by terrorists. Home Secretary Amber Rudd / REUTERS Isis has used 400 different websites to upload their content last year, research has found. Home secretary Amber Rudd said: Over the last year we have been engaging with internet companies to make sure that their platforms are not being abused by terrorists and their supporters. I have been impressed with their work so far following the launch of the Global Internet Forum to Counter-Terrorism, although there is still more to do, and I hope this new technology the Home Office has helped develop can support others to go further and faster. She added: The purpose of these videos is to incite violence in our communities, recruit people to their cause, and attempt to spread fear in our society. We know that automatic technology like this can heavily disrupt the terrorists actions, as well as prevent people from ever being exploited to these horrific images. It comes as Ms Rudd travels to Silicon Valley to discuss tackling terrorist content online. A warrant for the arrest of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been upheld by a judge. In a ruling today at Westminster Magistrates' Court the judge stated it is in the public interest to pursue him for failing to surrender. It comes after Mr Assange's legal team argued that continuing to pursue him for violating bail conditions was not proportionate. Handing down her judgement, Senior District Judge Emma Arbuthnot said: "I find arrest is a proportionate response even though Mr Assange has restricted his own freedom for a number of years. Julian Assange - In pictures 1 /23 Julian Assange - In pictures 2019 Julian Assange made a defiant gesture with his fist as he arrived at court AFP/Getty Images 2019 Julian Assange on his arrival at Westminster Magistrates court on April 11 Jack Taylor/Getty Images 2017 Julian Assange puts his fist in the air as he steps out to speak to the media from the balcony of the Embassy Of Ecuador Getty Images 2012 Protesters gather outside the Ecuadorian Embassy, where Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks is staying Getty Images 2012 Masked supporters of Julian Assange outside the Embassy of Ecuador in Knightsbridge Dominic Lipinski/PA 2010 Photographers hold cameras to the windows of a Serco prison van believed to be carrying WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange Reuters 2016 ulian Assange's cat, is adorned with a tie and collar inside the window of the Ecuadorian Embassy PA 2016 Pamela Anderson delivers lunch to Julian Assange at Embassy of Ecuador Getty Images 2010 Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is pictured through the heavily tinted windows of a police vehicle as he arrives at Westminster magistrates court in London AFP/Getty Images 2010 Jemima Kahn leaves the City of Westminster Magistrates Court after offering to stand as surety for Julian Assange Getty Images 2010 Julian Assange of the WikiLeaks website speaks to reporters in front of a Don McCullin Vietnam war photograph at The Front Line Club in London Getty Images 2010 Wikileaks founder Julian Assange gestures inside a prison van with red windows as he arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice Getty Images 2011 WikiLeaks website founder Julian Assange arrives at The High Court Getty Images 2011 Julian Assange, founder of the WikiLeaks website, shakes the hand of a supporter as he leaves Trafalgar Square after addressing the crowd during the 'Antiwar Mass Assembly' organised by the Stop the War Coalition Getty Images 2011 Journalist John Pilger and Julian Assange, founder of the WikiLeaks website, chat before addressing the crowd during the 'Antiwar Mass Assembly' organised by the Stop the War Coalition at Trafalgar Square Getty Images 2012 Placards are left by supporters of Julian Assange, the founder of the WikiLeaks whistle-blowing website, outside the Ecuadorian Embassy Getty Images 2015 WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange with Reverend Jesse Jackson outside the Embassy of Ecuador in London PA 2016 People attend a video conference of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange at the International Center for Advanced Communication Studies for Latin America (CIESPAL) auditorium in Quito AFP/Getty Images 2016 WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange holds up his new kitten at the Ecuadorian Embassy in central London WikiLeaks 2017 WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during a press conference from inside the Ecuadorian embassy AP 2018 Supporters of Julian Assange outside Westminster Magistrates Court, London where a court decision is due on whether a UK arrest warrant against the WikiLeaks founder is still valid PA 2018 British hacker Lauri Love and his girlfriend Sylvia Mann are surrounded by media after visiting Wikileaks founder Julian Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy in London on 6th February 2018 AFP/Getty Images 2018 A cat named 'James' wearing a collar and tie yawns by the window of the Ecuadorian Embassy where WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been for over five years on 6th February 2018 AFP/Getty Images "Defendants on bail up and down the country, and requested persons facing extradition, come to court to face the consequences of their own choices. He should have the courage to do the same. It is certainly not against the public interest to proceed." She considered evidence on Mr Assanges health and other evidence presented at a previous hearing last week. Judge Arbuthnot said Mr Assange wants justice only if it goes in his favour. Julian Assange granted Ecuadorian citizenship She told the court: "The impression I have, and this may well be dispelled if and when Mr Assange finally appears in court, is that he is a man who wants to impose his terms on the course of justice, whether the course of justice is in this jurisdiction or in Sweden. "He appears to consider himself above the normal rules of law and wants justice only if it goes in his favour. "As long as the court process is going his way, he is willing to be bailed conditionally but as soon as the Supreme Court rules against him, he no longer wants to participate on the court's terms but on his terms." Holed up inside London's Ecuadorian Embassy now for six years, Mr Assange refuses to leave because he believes he will be extradited to the United States for questioning over WikiLeaks. Judge Arbuthnot went on: "I accept that Mr Assange had expressed fears of being returned to the United States from a very early stage in the Swedish extradition proceedings but, absent any evidence from Mr Assange on oath, I do not find that Mr Assange's fears were reasonable. "I do not accept that Sweden would have rendered Mr Assange to the United States. "If that happened there would have been a diplomatic crisis between the United Kingdom, Sweden and the United States which would have affected international relationships and extradition proceedings between the states." Upon arguing the public interest in dropping the warrant last week, Mr Assanges lawyer Mark Summers QC said Mr Assange had reasonable grounds or justification for failing to surrender. A Shetland pony tried to playfully nip at Prince Harrys hand as he arrived in Edinburgh for a Royal visit with fiancee Meghan Markle. Former US actress Ms Markle burst out laughing as Cruachan the pony tried to bite Harrys hand as he petted the animal outside Edinburgh Castle on Tuesday. Video footage showed the prince stroking the ponys mane as they chatted with Major Mark Wilkinson of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. But as Prince Harry stretched out his hand to touch Cruachans nose, the animal mischievously tried to nip him. The prince could be heard shouting hey as Ms Markle burst into laughter at the ponys antics. Nine-year-old Cruachan is the mascot for the Royal Regiment of Scotland and famously tried to eat the Queen's posy during the monarch's visit to Stirling castle. Pony Major Wilkinson said: "They were asking about him saying he's a wee star, he knows he's on parade and is showing off - they said it was lovely to meet him." Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit Edinburgh - In pictures 1 /19 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit Edinburgh - In pictures Meghan Markle during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during a visit to Scotlan PA Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle meet a Shetland Pony as they arrive at Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland Frank Augstein/AP Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet Pony Major Mark Wilkinson and regimental mascot Cruachan IV during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotland PA Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet Pony Major Mark Wilkinson and regimental mascot Cruachan IV during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotland AP Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle meet a Shetland Pony as they arrive at Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland PA Meghan Markle greets wellwishers while on a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, as she and Prince Harry visited Scotland PA Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotland PA Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle meet a Shetland Pony as they arrive at Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland Reuters Meghan Markle during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotland PA Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotland PA Meghan Markle during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotland PA Meghan Markle during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotland PA Meghan Markle during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotland PA Crowds gather ahead of a visit by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to Edinburgh Castle PA A young girl waves a flag as she waits for the arrival of Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle at Edinburgh Castl Reuters Prince Harry during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotland PA Meghan Markle during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotland Chris Jackson/Getty Images Crowds await the arrivals of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ahead of royal walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotlan PA Meghan Markle during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotland PA They were spending the day learning about local organisations and celebrating youth to mark the Scottish Year of Young People. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet regimental mascot Cruachan IV during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle / PA Ms Markle, who is making her fourth joint official visit with Harry, wore a green and navy tartan Burberry coat and trousers by Veronica Beard, and carried a bottle-green Strathberry East/West mini bag. The couples first stop was at the Esplanade in front of Edinburgh Castle, where they were officially welcomed by the Royal Marines Scotland Band. Harry is Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Marines after taking over the role from his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, in December last year. O xfam chief executive Mark Goldring is being summoned to fight for his job before a committee of MPs as questions mount about the charitys response to sexual abuse allegations. The cross-party International Development Select Committee has called a special hearing for Tuesday next week to grill Oxfam officials and civil servants about what they knew and what action they took. A bishop warned this morning that the public were outraged by the hypocrisy of a charity that hailed its own good works while falling short of the standards that people expected. Philip North, the Bishop of Burnley, used the Thought for the Day slot on Radio 4s Today show to say that before the news that Oxfam workers in Haiti used young women and girls for sex, it was hard not to be impressed by the sheer goodness of its work abroad. Why have the revelations about staff using prostitutes done Oxfam quite so much damage? asked the Church of England clergyman. Tarnished image: Oxfam chief executive Mark Goldring / AFP I think it is because of a widespread cultural abhorrence of hypocrisy. If a charity claims to stand up for truth and justice and fairness, people understandably feel extremely shocked when staff are undermining those values through their moral choices. Tory MP Nigel Evans, a member of the Commons committee, said they expected Mr Goldring to personally attend on Tuesday to answer claims that he was warned of multiple allegations of abuse by aid workers and even volunteers in the charitys shops. I want him to come to Parliament and answer these questions himself, and then we can gauge if he is fit for purpose, he said. Penny Lawrence has resigned as Deputy Chief Executive of the charity saying she took "full responsibility" for the behaviour of staff in Chad and Haiti / PA Paul Scully, another committee member, said: What concerns me is the drip feed of allegations that keep coming out. Asked if he had confidence in Mr Goldring, he said: I think we need to get to the bottom of the investigation. Revelations that 123 volunteers in the UKs 650 Oxfam shops had been sexually harassed over nine years led the umbrella body for charity shops to re-issue safeguarding guidance. Haiti: the charity was accused of covering up staff's use of prostitutes whilst working in the earthquake-hit country / AFP/Getty Images Pressure on Mr Goldring intensified after Helen Evans, Oxfams former global head of safeguarding, said she begged senior staff, ministers and the regulator to act on allegations. In a single day, three new allegations were made against Oxfam staff overseas. Oxfam whistleblower - women coerced to have sex for aid She told Channel 4 News: There was one of a woman being coerced to have sex in a humanitarian response by another aid worker, another case where a woman had been coerced in exchange for aid and another one where it had come to our attention where a member of staff had been struck off for sexual abuse and hadnt disclosed that. Mr Goldrings deputy chief executive, Penny Lawrence, resigned yesterday saying she felt ashamed by what had happened on her watch. However, Mr Goldring seems determined to see out the crisis unless the Oxfam board turns against him. If our board turn round and say, Actually, youre not the right person to lead forward, then I of course would resign immediately, Mr Goldring told Channel 4 News last night. The Charity Commission announced a statutory inquiry into what went wrong at Oxfam and whether it was frank about the severity of problems in Haiti. Deputy head of the commission David Holdsworth said: The issues revealed in recent days are shocking and unacceptable. Oxfam issued an unreserved apology to donors, supporters and the people of Haiti over its mishandling of disclosures that aid workers paid local women for sex parties in 2011 in the aftermath of a massive earthquake. Staff were allowed to resign and be employed elsewhere in the same sector. T ourism chiefs in the Falkland Islands are calling for its international airport to be moved because its in the wrong place. They complain that too many flights are being cancelled at the main Mount Pleasant airport because of high winds. The airport was completed in 1985 after the war with Argentina at a cost of 215 million. It is a military base but takes international flights because of its long runway. Islanders claim it had been known since the Thirties that the area was exposed to strong winds, amplified by the nearby Wickham Heights hills. These rotor winds can cause severe low-level turbulence to landing aircraft. Now tourism chiefs and local politicians are calling for a major upgrade to the civilian airport at capital Stanley to take international flights. Similar problems have blighted the new airport on St Helena, also in the South Atlantic and built with 285 million of British taxpayers money. This suffers severe wind shear from surrounding mountains. In the Falklands, the runway at Mount Pleasant, which lies to the south-west of Stanley, is closed to passenger aircraft sometimes for days at a time whenever RAF Met officers forecast a risk of rotor winds. During last years tourism season one flight in 10 was cancelled or postponed. One local operator, Andrea Coulson, told the Standard: In a way, they have built the airport down at Mount Pleasant in the wrong place. Everybody knew from the local shepherds and farmers about the Wickham Heights Woolies since the Thirties. Last year nearly 60,000 people visited the Falklands, which has a resident population of just 3,200. Most visitors came from cruise ships, on day trips to take in the museums, battle sites and colonies of penguins and seals. Sally Ellis, who runs the Tourist Board and handles the LATAM airways franchise for flights to and from Chile, believes a lot more should be done. We could easily get 100,000 tourists here a year, but we need more flights beginning with at least two flights a week from Chile, in bigger aircraft. She thinks the civilian airport at Stanley should be upgraded to modern international standards. The Falklands government and the Ministry of Defence have agreed to examine the rotor winds problems. The local government has also started to review the feasibility of improvement to Stanley Airport. An RAF officer based at Mount Pleasant said the rotor winds roll down from the Wickham Heights and push the wings of the landing aircraft down, instead of giving it lift. This is risk for bigger new aircraft like the RAF passenger plane and tanker, the A330 Voyager. But critics claim the RAF cannot give warnings to pilots in real time. The Chilean pilots for LATAM say they cannot get an update 30 minutes from landing as to whether the rotor winds are streaming, said Ms Coulson. Most of them are used to flying in difficult conditions and know the risks. F ellow sight-seers told today how they spent ten hours tending to the victims of a helicopter crash in the Grand Canyon that killed three British holidaymakers and left four others critically hurt. Jason Hill, 32, a lawyer, his younger brother Stuart, 30, a car salesman, and Stuarts girlfriend Becky Dobson, 27, a veterinary receptionist, all died when the aircraft exploded in a fireball and plunged 600 feet in the Arizona desert. Mr Hills girlfriend, Jennifer Barham, 39, survived along with newlyweds Ellie Milward, 29, and her husband Jonathan Udall, 32, who were all today in a critical condition in hospital. Pilot Scott Booth, 42, also suffered life-threatening injuries when the Eurocopter EC30 crashed carrying the six friends. Grand Canyon helicopter crash - Victims named Tourists on another helicopter tour, which landed moments before the fatal crash, today told how they spent up to ten hours helping rescuers at the site after strong winds prevented the casualties from being airlifted out. A survivor walks away from the wreckage. Three people are still critically injured following the crash / Teddy Fujimoto via AP Conrad Fish, 19, from South Cadbury, Somerset, was one of the first on the scene. He said: They were all in a very bad way - they had wounds all over their bodies. Adrenaline kicked in and all I did was help carry equipment down and help the fire brigade down. The real heroes were the doctors that kept the survivors alive. Stuart Hill, 30, and and Becky Dobson, 27, were killed in the crash He added: Im glad that I could help in some way. Another tour passenger, Kaitlyn Rodriguez, told how she had also landed just moments before the disaster. Writing on Facebook, she said her mother and fellow tourists hiked down to the crash site to administer first aid. She said: I was on this tour and moments after our helicopter landed, witnessed the crash. Jason Hill, 32, Stuart's brother, was also among those who were killed My amazingly brave mother, along with several others, trekked down into the ravine to assist the survivors. We were stranded in the Grand Canyon for hours, my mom being at the bottom administering medical attention to the survivors for over 10 hours. So very proud of her and all who helped the victims of the crash. Such a tragic accident. The flaming wreckage of the helicopter / Sky News The crash on Saturday took place on the Hualapai reservation tribal area where air tours are not as tightly regulated as those inside the national park. The six friends had booked a tour as part of a trip celebrating Stuart Hills 30th birthday. The brothers, originally from Worthing, West Sussex, had spent a year saving for the trip, their family told the Standard. A fund has been launched to pay the medical bills of pilot Scoot Booth The helicopter crashed in rugged terrain in an area known as Quartermaster Canyon. Mr Booth is a part-time pilot at Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, a tour company that flies tourists out of Las Vegas to get spectacular views of the Arizona natural wonder. Becky Dobson, 27, was among three Brits killed in a helicopter crash at the Grand Canyon His friends were today trying to raise $50,000 (36,000) to cover his expected medical bills. Hualapai Police Chief Francis Bradley said the pilot had a severe injury to one of his limbs. Fellow Papillon pilot, T.J. Wesoloski said Mr Booth had undergone one operation and was likely to need several more, adding it would be a long road to recovery. Writing online, he said: Scott was, STILL is, one of the nicest, kindest human beings on the face of the planet. He would always offer to help if someone was in need, and would often crack a joke while doing it. This man and his family need our help. Nearly $20,000 (14,500) has so far been raised. Federal investigators are now set to probe whether or not the helicopter should have taken off amid 50mph winds which hampered rescue attempts. Aviation lawyer Gary Robb said: These helicopters fly so close to the canyon walls that a sudden unexpected gust could push either the main rotor or the tail rotor into the wall and that would be disastrous. Meanwhile it emerged Papillon has been involved in at least three other fatal crashes in the last 20 years. I sraels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be charged over alleged bribery cases, local police have said. Police in the country in statement said there is enough evidence to indict him for bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Mr Netanyahu has denied the accusations and said he would continue to be the countrys PM. Speaking on Israeli television on Tuesday, he said allegations "will end with nothing". The allegations included accepting nearly $300,000 in gifts from a pair of billionaires. He accused police of being on a witch hunt, vowed to remain in office and even seek re-election. In statement, Mr Netanyahu said: "I will continue to lead the state of Israel responsibly and loyally as long as you, the citizens of Israel choose me to lead you. He added: "I am sure that the truth will come to light. And I am sure that also in the next election that will take place on time I will win your trust again with God's help." The recommendations will now go to Attorney General Avihai Mendelblit, who will review the material before deciding whether to file charges. Netanyahu can remain in office during that process, which could take several months. One of the accusations centres on an allegation that Mr Netanyahu asked the publisher of an Israeli newspaper, Yediot Aharonot, for positive coverage in exchange for help in reining in a rival publication. Police said the editor of Yediot Aharonot, Arnon Mozes, should also face charges. A lesbian couple were overjoyed after they proposed to each other at the same time without realising the other was going to pop the question. Tori Monaco from Austin, Texas, had been planning the perfect proposal to partner Berkley Cade and was going to ask the question during a family game of Pictionary. But when she got down on one knee, Ms Cade shocked her by whipping out her own diamond ring that she had been keeping secret. The stunned lovebirds both said yes and shared a video of the romantic moment online. Surprise: Tori, right, was left stunned when Berkley whipped out a ring mid-proposal ( BerkleyLovesTori) / BerkleyLovesTori The clip shows Ms Cade drawing on the Pictionary board as Ms Monaco tries to guess what she is writing, saying: Woman? Man? Proposal? As Ms Cade obliviously continues drawing, Ms Monaco gets down on one knee behind her and says: Hey Berk, will you marry me? Ms Cade is stunned for a minute before the person filming the romantic moment says: Show her Berk. Show her! She then pulls out an engagement ring she had purchased, much to the surprise of Ms Monaco. Romantic: Tori was finally able to finish her proposal, leaving both women in tears / BerkleyLovesTori The two were both bemused by the coincidence, asking their friends and family if the other knew about the proposal. When they discover it was a complete surprise, Ms Monaco: What the heck? This is a joke. This is a set up. The two then took to Twitter to share pictures of themselves wearing their rings and a cute snap of them kissing. I planned a proposal for months... little did I know she planned one too! Ms Monaco tweeted. Now I know why you pretended you hated Pictionary. You tricky girl. I love you so much. Can't wait to marry the s**t out of you. Her now-fiance wrote: After four LONG months of keep this secret... turns out Tori McKinzi Marie Monaco was keeping one too. A sales clerk in Nigeria has been suspended after she told auditors that a snake had swallowed the equivalent of more than 70,000. The woman, Philomenia Chieshe, was working at the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, which collects examination fees. After 36 million naira (72,050) went missing from the exam board, Ms Chieshe blamed the animal. But the government organisation dismissed her claim and has started disciplinary proceedings, according to reports. Local reports said that the clerk claimed her housemaid and a work colleague had confessed to using the mysterious snake to "spiritually" steal the cash from from accounts office. However, the incident sparked ridicule by people in Nigeria on social media, with thousands reacting to the bizarre story. One person shared an image of the mobile phone game Snake, adding: "Here is a CCTV footage of the moment a strange snake crawled into JAMB office and swallowed N36 million, we hope this footage will help apprehend the reptile." A Twitter account was set up for the snake under the name @NigeriaSnake, which has gained more than 7,000 followers since it was launched over the weekend. And Nigeria's anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, also joined in on the mockery. It tweeted an image of an eagle - the national symbol - crushing a snake. H ollywood actress Minnie Driver has become the first celebrity to quit their patronage of Oxfam over the recent Haiti prostitution scandal. The 48-year-old Londoner said she was "in no uncertain terms" withdrawing her support for the charity after more than 20 years working with them. Taking to Twitter, she wrote: "All I can tell you about this awful revelation about Oxfam is that I am devastated. "Devastated for the women who were used by people sent there to help them, devastated by the response of an organisation that I have been raising awareness for since I was nine-years-old. Penny Mordaunt condemned the "horrific behaviour" of the Oxfam staff members involved / PA "I have worked with Oxfam almost exclusively on the rights and plight of women in developing countries. "Women who have to supplement their factory/manual labour with sex work...There are NGOs who do not cover up the egregious abuses of their employees." Oxfam came under pressure to hand over its own files of suspected abusers of children and vulnerable women in earthquake-stricken Haiti to the police. Earlier this week the charitys UK bosses were summoned to talks with International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt, who is threatening to cut off 32million government funding over the scandal. The Charities Commission has faced questions over why it failed to investigate the full extent of what happened at Oxfam. Penny Lawrence resigned as Deputy Chief Executive of the charity / PA Director of investigations Michelle Russell accused Oxfam of holding back details of the allegations, including that children and vulnerable people dependant on aid were allegedly exploited for sex. Meanwhile the sheer scale of abuse allegations across the humanitarian sector continues to emerge, as a Charities Commission official revealed that 1,000 allegations of misconduct across the charity sector had been reported in the past year. Helen Evans, Oxfam's former global head of safeguarding, also told Channel 4 of three new allegations made against Oxfam staff overseas in a single day. She told Channel 4 News: "There was one of a woman being coerced to have sex in a humanitarian response by another aid worker... "[There was] another case where a woman had been coerced in exchange for aid and another one where it had come to our attention where a member of staff had been struck off for sexual abuse and hadn't disclosed that, and we were then concerned about what he might be doing, and that was three allegations in one day." The charity has issued an "unreserved apology" to the Government, donors, supporters and the people of Haiti following the revelations. S outh Africas ruling ANC party will formally ask President Jacob Zuma to resign following his refusal to step down, according to reports. The decision was made by senior party officials after lengthy talks that continued into the early hours of Tuesday morning. Mr Zuma, who has been leader since 2009, will face a confidence vote in Parliament if he does not agree to the request. The 75-year-olds tenure has been dogged by allegations of corruption in recent years, and he has been under pressure to quit since December. The ANCs request, reported by South African media outlets, is expected to be officially issued later on Tuesday. Cyril Rampahosa, who replaced Mr Zuma as leader of the ANC in December, is believed to have travelled to the president's home last night to deliver the message. Mr Zuma has always denied allegations of corruption. But in 2016 the countrys highest court ruled that he had violated the constitution by failing to repay government money spent on his private residence. He is also facing 18 counts of corruption, fraud, racketeering and money laundering in relation to an arms deal in 1999. S outh Africa's ruling party has decided to sack the countrys president Jacob Zuma. The decision by the African National Congress's (ANC) national executive to recall Mr Zuma followed a night of negotiations and tense meetings with senior officials. The 75-year-old leader is under intense pressure to step down and, if he refuses, faces a vote of no confidence in parliament. Ace Magashule, secretary-general of the African National Congress (ANC), said the party's national executive committee has decided to "recall" Mr Zuma, who has been left discredited by a number of corruption scandals. Leadership: Zuma is expected to be succeeded by Cyril Ramaphosa / REUTERS Mr Magashule said the president had previously agreed to resign, but wanted to stay in office for several more months, a condition that the party committee rejected. If Mr Zuma refuses to co-operate, the matter could go to parliament for a vote on a motion of no confidence. During the course of the night Mr Zuma met with his presumed successor, deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa. Mr Zuma, a polygamous Zulu traditionalist with no formal education, has been living on borrowed time since Ramaphosa, a union leader and lawyer once tipped as Mandela's pick to take over the reins, was elected as head of the 106-year-old ANC in December. Ramaphosa narrowly defeated Mr Zuma's ex-wife and preferred successor, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, in the leadership vote. Meeting: Cyril Ramaphosa seen leaving the St. George Hotel where the ruling African National Congress's national executive committee members met / AFP/Getty Images Despite the decision to order Mr Zuma's "recall", South African media are speculating that he may yet defy the party's wishes, forcing it into the indignity of having to unseat him in parliament. Shortly before midnight, the SABC state broadcaster said Mr Zuma had been told in person by Ramaphosa that he had 48 hours to resign. A senior party source later told Reuters Zuma had made clear he was going nowhere. "Cyril went to speak with him," the source said, adding that the discussions were "tense and difficult". "We decided to recall Zuma. He hasn't been told yet, they said. The ANC is expected to hold a media briefing in the afternoon to reveal the results of the meeting. Corruption claims: A defaced election poster of President Jacob Zuma / AP One domestic report said Mr Zuma had asked for three months to resign, a request that was denied. Another report said Zuma simply told Ramaphosa: "Do what you want to do". Mr Zuma, who took office in 2009 and is in his second five-year term, has asked for state security for his family, payment of legal fees and a few more months in office in exchange for quitting, said South African media. The leader has been discredited by scandals, although he denies wrongdoing. Zuma: The president has denied claims of corruption / AP South Africa's top court ruled that he violated the constitution following an investigation of multimillion-dollar upgrades to his private home that were paid by the state; a judicial commission is about to start a probe of alleged looting of state enterprises by some of his associates; and prosecutors are expected to announce soon whether they will reinstate corruption charges tied to an arms deal two decades ago. B lake Lively has said she is very proud of her post-baby weight loss in a new Instagram snap showing her toned physique. The Gossip Girl actress welcomed her second child, Ines, with Ryan Reynolds in September 2016 after their first girl, James, was born in 2014. Lively posted a snap with her personal trainer on Monday, proving that shes lost an impressive four stone since the birth. She captioned the snap: Turns out you cant lose the 61 lbs you gained during pregnancy by just scrolling through instragram and wondering why you dont look like all the bikini models. Thanks Don Saladion for kickin my A double S into shape. 10 months to gain, 14 months to lose. Feeling very proud. And Saladion also praised the actress, writing: "Couldnt be more proud Blake Lively! 61 pounds in 14 months after baby number 2! Doesnt she look awesome?" Ryan Reynolds Hollywood Walk of Fame 1 /14 Ryan Reynolds Hollywood Walk of Fame Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images Mario Anzuoni/Reuters Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP /Reuters Mario Anzuoni/Reuters Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Mike Nelson/EPA Mario Anzuoni/Reuters Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Mario Anzuoni/Reuters Last year, Lively paid tribute to her husband after his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was unveiled. Alongside a picture of the familys feet on the star, Lively wrote: Proud is a pitiful word to describe how I felt today. @vancityreynolds The permanence of your impact is undeniable ...Always has been, but now we have a fancy [star] to show for it. Countries & Areas Search for country or area A Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan B Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burma Burundi C Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Costa Rica Cote dIvoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czechia D Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic E Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia F Fiji Finland France G Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana H Haiti Holy See Honduras Hungary I Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy J Jamaica Japan Jordan K Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan L Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg M Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Mozambique N Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea North Macedonia Norway O Oman P Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territories Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Q Qatar R Republic of the Congo Romania Russia Rwanda S Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syria T Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Tuvalu U Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom Uruguay Uzbekistan V Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Y Yemen Z Zambia Zimbabwe Baghdad wants to join Moscow, Ankara and Tehran in their effort to bring peace to Syria. The Iraqi government has made an official request to include it into the Astana peace process. Russia supports this initiative. It believes the inclusion of Iraq will be an important step forward. The next round of the Astana talks is expected to take place this month. The most recent one was held in December. Moscow invited Baghdad to take part in the Syrian National Dialogue Congress, the inter-Syrian dialogue, held in Sochi on Jan.29-30. Thus, Russia has already made Iraq part of the multi-party effort. At first, Iraq could be granted an observer status at Astana on par with the UN, the US and Jordan. Expanding the format by bringing in pertinent regional actors involved in Syria is the right step forward. After all, Syria and Iraq have the same enemy: the Islamic State (IS). They share a common border. Both nations face the threat of partition and are ready to go to any lengths to preserve their territorial integrity. The Iraqi leadership understands well the problems faced by Syria. Iraq is trying to implement independent foreign policy as a big regional power. It is friendly with Iran. Tehran enjoys significant influence among Iraqi Shiites but it does not hinder Baghdads efforts aimed at diversifying its foreign relations. The Iraqi Shiite community is not exactly pro-Iranian as many people believe. It is far from being united as to its loyalty to Tehran. Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq's most influential Shiite cleric, objects to the politicization of religion and does not approve the idea of spiritual leaders involvement in politics. His 2014 fatwa called on the citizens of all religions to unite against the Islamic State. True, the 120,000 strong Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) militia is dominated by Shiites but they also include significant numbers of Sunni Muslim, Christian and Yazidi soldiers. The force reports to the Iraqi government. The Iraqi Army is normally supervised by Sunni ministers. Iraqs relationship with Saudi Arabia is thriving. The ties with Egypt and Jordan are improving. There has been progress in Iraqs relations with Turkey. With the IS on the ropes, Iraq will concentrate on reconstruction to become an influential regional power. Russia and Iraq have perfect relations. They are discussing the prospects of establishing a direct airline between the capitals and visa-free regime for diplomats. Russian weapons were effectively used in the fight against the Islamic State group. The joint intelligence exchange center in Baghdad is a good example of cooperation. Last summer, the two countries signed a huge arms deal covering deliveries of T-90 tanks. This contract reportedly exceeds $1billion. Russian-made Sukhoi Su-25 jets have played an important role in the war against IS terrorists. Last July, Nouri al-Maliki, Iraqs Vice-President, visited Russia to say the Iraqi government welcomed Moscows substantial political and military presence in the country. A high-level Russian business delegation is taking part in a conference on Iraqs post-war reconstruction held in Kuwait on Feb. 12-14. An Iraqi team headed by Foreign Minister Ibrahim Jaafari is coming to Russia this month to take part in the meeting of Russian-Iraqi intergovernmental commission. Russias Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said the next round of Astana talks is expected soon. There should be no procrastination in order not to lose the positive impulse given by the Syrian National Dialogue meeting held in Sochi. Moscow invited Iraq to participate. New de-escalation zones are on the agenda of the Astana talks. No peace in Syria can be reached without some kind of agreement to make it secure. True, the peace in that country is in jeopardy today after the US missile and artillery strikes on Syrian targets in Deir ez-Zor, Israeli airstrikes in the south and the continuing fighting in Afrin and Idlib. Despite that, the de-escalation concept has proven to be effective. Violations do take place off and on but it works. It is much better than the ferocious free-for-all Syria had been without them. If peace effort is to proceed, some kind of de-escalation zones will be agreed on at Syria-Iraq border. It is not possible without Iraqs participation. Baghdad is a pertinent actor many issues cannot be solved without. No doubt, Iraq joining the Astana talks will be a very positive step forward. President Donald Trumps embattled chief of staff, retired Marine Corps General John Kelly, served as an enigma in uniform. Under President Barack Obama, Kelly had problems following orders during his stint as Commander of the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), headquartered in Miami, Florida. Geographical area commanders, such as SOUTHCOM, and the commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) in Tampa, Florida, have become virtual viceroys, often competing with the U.S. State Department in crafting U.S. foreign policy in the areas of the world they have been assigned for their own geo-political and military tinkering. Kelly represents a throwback to another era. Kelly, a native of a predominantly Irish working-class neighborhood in the Boston area, should not have carried into the Marines the racist attitudes he has put on full display while in the Marine Corps and the White House. While in charge of U.S. military operations in the Western Hemisphere from his Miami headquarters, Kelly displayed a patrician attitude toward regional Latin American, Afro-Caribbean, mestizo, Native American, and Muslim populations that was straight out of the 1950s. Kelly also left a legacy of racism aimed at SOUTHCOMs civilian employees, many of whom are drawn from Miamis diverse multi-cultural community. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaints became the order of the day at SOUTHCOM on Kellys watch. This was of little surprise considering that after he became Trumps chief of staff, Kelly would praise Confederate General Robert E. Lee and other leaders of the pro-slavery Confederacy as men of good faith. In October 2017, Kelly accused African-American Representative Frederica Wilson (D-FL) of lying. Kelly was responding to Wilson's charge that the wife of an African-American Army Sergeant one of Wilson's constituents, who was killed in combat in Niger was not properly consoled by Trump during a phone call from the commander-in-chief. Kelly, angered by Wilson, claimed that during a 2015 dedication of a new FBI field office in Miami, Wilson erroneously claimed she secured "$20 million" in federal funds for the building. However, Wilson claimed no such thing, but that did not stop Kelly from calling the congresswoman an "empty barrel." Kelly attended the 2015 dedication ceremony representing SOUTHCOM, which had just been cited by the Navy for improperly carrying out federal policies aimed at racial discrimination in the workplace. Kelly was also a major proponent of keeping open the U.S. detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as not only a concentration camp for individuals grabbed by the Central Intelligence Agency and U.S. Special Forces as terrorist combatants, but also for potential use in mass migration-type detention scenarios. Guantanamo was used to house Haitian immigrants rescued at sea by U.S. Naval and Coast Guard ships during the 1990s. Some of these economic and political refugees are now counted among Representative Wilsons congressional district constituents. Kelly, as SOUTHCOM chief and later, as Trumps Homeland Security Secretary and chief of staff, has not hidden his disdain for Haitian and other immigrants entering the United States from the Caribbean, Mexico, and other parts of Latin America. Kelly has also led the pack in warning about Muslim intrigue in the Caribbean and Latin America. Of course, Kelly, like most of the xenophobes of his ilk, believes that U.S. national security is threatened by a phalanx that not only includes native-born Muslim citizens of such countries as Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, Jamaica, and Venezuela, but also Iranian diplomats, members of Lebanese Hezbollah and envoys of the State of Palestine, and other Muslims resident in the Western Hemisphere. As SOUTHCOM chief, Kelly often, without State Department knowledge or approval, issued joint statements with Latin Americas most brutal human rights-violating Defense Ministers and armed forces commanders, warning of Islamic terrorist activity in the region. This rhetoric was accompanied by propaganda targeting leftist groups, including the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), as well as the governments of Venezuela, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Suriname, for aiding and abetting Islamist terrorists. Kelly continues, from his White House perch, to lump together Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, Al Qaeda, the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL), and the Taliban into one tidy package of Americas foes out to do harm in the Western Hemisphere. Fear has proven to be the only weapon that Kelly and his colleagues in the Trump White House have found advantageous. Recently, the U.S. embassy in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad issued the following warning: U.S. government personnel are advised to exercise additional caution and increased situational awareness if they participate in Carnival events. Kelly is apparently up to his old tricks from Miami. The Trump administration believes that hiding among the Muslim populations of the Caribbean are ISIL elite special unit members, known as Jaysh al-Khalifa, or the Army of Caliphate. This army, which purportedly aims to turn the Caribbean into a caliphate, appears to be more the product of the Islamophobic paranoia of Kelly and Trumps right-wing base, coupled with a heavy dose of pro-Israeli pressure group propaganda. What is certain is that the Trump administration, along with neo-imperialist governments in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, are attempting to re-impose colonialism on the entire Caribbean region. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, on the eve of a trip to Latin America, reinforced the arcane Monroe Doctrine of 1823, which reserves the entire Western Hemisphere for Americas Big Brother imperialistic designs. No one represents the Yankee Big Brother to Western Hemispheric leaders more than Kelly. While in command in Miami, Kelly brushed off Secretary of State John Kerrys declaration in November 2013 that the era of the Monroe Doctrine is over. For Kelly and Trump, the doctrine is as relevant in 2018 as it was in 1823. There have been recent definite signs of European and American re-colonization of the Caribbean. Even after the Netherlands limited the self-government of its Caribbean colonies of Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius after the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles federation in 2010 ruling them as special municipalities within the Kingdom of the Netherlands Amsterdam has moved to impose direct rule on St. Eustatius. In early February 2018, the Dutch colonial master, Raymond Knops, the State Secretary for Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations, unilaterally disbanded the St. Eustatius Island Council, fired its deputies, and relieved the acting Lieutenant Governor of his duties. The reason given was lawlessness, financial mismanagement, intimidation, threats and insults, and the pursuit of personal power by local authorities. The banning order could have been issued by a Dutch colonial official in the 1600s. Dutifully, the Dutch Parliament and State Council High Court ratified the abolition of St. Eustatiuss government, based only on a report written by a Committee of Wise Men appointed by the Dutch government. The Dutch have taken full advantage of the destruction wrought on St. Eustatius, Saba, and St. Maarten by Hurricane Irma in 2017 to bully the local island governments into submission. Between November 2017 and January 2018, the Dutch colonial powers forced two governments of St. Maarten those of Prime Ministers William Marlin and Rafael Boasman to resign over Amsterdams insistence that a special "integrity" body oversee hurricane relief assistance on the island. Such Shylockian financial oversight authorities were imposed by Washington on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, even before the devastation of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. Assistance and relief programs for both U.S. colonies, obviously with more than a wink and a nod from Kelly in the West Wing of the White House, have been plagued by cronyism in awarding recovery and reconstruction contracts, as well as overall indifference from the Trump administration. Vince Cable, the leader of the British Liberal Democratic Party, which is neither liberal nor very democratic, suggested that the way for Britain to deal with increased demands for more self-government and even independence among its Caribbean territories, including the Turks and Caicos Islands, Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, and the Cayman Islands, plus Bermuda in the Atlantic, is to impose direct colonial rule on them. Cable wants to limit the financial independence of Britains overseas territories because he believes they are havens for tax cheats and dodgy offshore companies. The British imposed direct rule on the Turks and Caicos in 2009, a move criticized by many governments in the region. Of course, for patrician neo-colonialists like John Kelly, such restoration of white mans rule by Britain, along with the continuation of colonialist policies by the Dutch and French in their territories in the Caribbean, would be welcome news. It would justify Kellys own belief, honed while in Miami, that the Puerto Ricans, U.S. Virgin Islanders, Haitians, Mexicans, and other third World peoples should be seen and not heard. European nations have a problems with the many widows and children of ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) fighters now under arrest in Syria and Iraq. Many of these widows are asking to be returned to their European homelands and raise their children in the place denounced as the women left to join ISIL in Syria or Iraq.. This is most frequently a problem in Iraq where the government there wants to prosecute some of the widows who were known to have worked for ISIL, usually by making videos urging other European Moslems to join ISIL. Some of the widows had administrative jobs with ISIL and some are accused of murder and other major crimes. The European nations have no problem with prosecuting the widows but the main concern is the children. Research has shown that mothers are more effective at radicalizing children than fathers. Another reality is that deradicalization programs are a failure, especially in situations like this. Then there are the public exhortations by ISIL leaders for these widows to return home, help organize new attacks and radicalize their children for future attacks. That has already been happening in several European countries and is not a theoretical threat. European nations have finally come around to acknowledging that Islamic radicals and their supporters, especially those in Europe, are eager to radicalize their children and produce another generation of Europe based Islamic terrorists. For a long time European governments either ignored or denied that this was a problem. But in the aftermath of ISIL recruiting and the thousands of European Moslems who went to Syria and Iraq and the manner in which ISIL successfully indoctrinated children to be Islamic terrorists, Europe now agrees that it is best to separate the children from their mothers and raise the kids in an atmosphere free of Islamic radicalism. Many in Europe still see the children as innocent but the majority of Europeans and now their governments agree that radicalization of their Moslems and especially children is a very real problem. This has been seen by the fact there have already been cases of Islamic terrorism in Europe involving children. It is not a minor problem. Germany alone had over a thousand of their citizens who went to join ISIL and at least 300 are now seeking to return, including fifty women. Many of these are ethnic Germans who converted. There have already been cases where some of these children have returned and attempted to recruit other children to the cause. Even before ISIL became a major problem in 2014 there was growing popular resistance in the West to accepting Moslem refugees based on the fact that this would increase the number of Islamic terrorists in the West. That has already been proven, but not because Islamic terrorists are trying to get into the West by pretending to be refugees fleeing Islamic terrorism. No, it is worse than that. Since the 1990s opinion polls of Moslems living in the West indicated that, overall, these Moslems were getting less enthusiastic about Islamic terrorism. Yet despite the majority (sometimes over 80 percent, as it is in the United States) of Moslems opposing Islamic terrorism a small percentage believe such violence is justified. Typically ten percent or more of Western Moslems believe suicide bombing, and similar violence against civilians can sometimes be justified to defend Islam. Even more Western Moslems report witnessing other Moslems expressing, or calling for, support of Islamic radicalism. The majority of Western Moslems, especially those in the United States, are concerned about the rise of Islamic radicalism among Moslems in the West even if their governments were not.. Moslems often stress that attacks that are "justified" mainly because of Israel. Moslem media and politicians have been preaching virulent anti-Semitism for over a century now, and it only got worse when Israel was established in 1947. This is pretty nasty stuff, and you can pick it up on al Jazeera or the Internet, although the worst of it is only available on Arab language sites. Al Qaeda, which originally did not see Israel as a primary target, eventually changed its mind and found that Moslems conditioned to hate Israel can be converted into general purpose Islamic terrorists. This anti-Semitism often expresses itself in the form of physical assaults on Jews or damage to Jewish religious or educational buildings in the West. This makes it easier to convert and radicalize non-Moslems in the West. There are not a lot of these murderous converts but they get a lot of media attention. Less well publicized is the larger number of children or grandchildren of Moslem migrants who are radicalized in the name of religion and attracted to risking their lives in a holy war against non-Moslems. This is not a unique situation now or historically but it is more common among Moslem populations. There are about 25 million Moslems in the West, most of them in Europe. American Moslems are much more successful economically, and optimistic about living in a non-Moslem culture, than their more numerous European counterparts. The European Moslems are about twice as likely to justify terrorist acts. European Moslems are much less optimistic about their prospects in a non-Moslem culture. For that reason, Islamic leaders who back an Islamic takeover of Europe are quite popular over there. Countries with higher percentages of Moslems also tend to have a higher proportion of people in favor of Islamic terrorism. There, the main reason for such violence is the "defense of Islam." Despite the fact that Moslems are attacking non-Moslems all over the world, Moslem media and politicians get away with proclaiming that Islam is "under attack." This accusation is hardly recognized in the West, which is supposed to be the chief aggressor. But in the Moslem media, there are endless screeds calling on Moslems to help defend Islam. How can this be? A lot of it has to do with cultural attitudes towards logic and fantasy. Even in the United States, you have a lot of people who believe in conspiracy theories, including ones about the 911 attacks being a plot by the U.S. government to get the nation into a war. This is believed by a majority of people in some Moslem majority nations, and a quarter of U.S. Moslems, do not believe that Arabs were responsible for the 911 attacks, despite forensic evidence, and al Qaeda leaders bragging about it on videos. While many Europeans believed Islamic terrorism in their midst was caused by the American invasion of Iraq, the local police knew better. Islamic terrorism has been a problem in Europe for over three decades, and in the 1990s it was getting worse. After September 11, 2001, and especially after the 2003 invasion of Iraq, it was fashionable for more Moslems, especially young ones, to declare America an "enemy of Islam." More thoughtful Moslems realized that the Islamic terrorists were screwing up things for everyone. All Moslems were now tainted. Sure enough, the Islamic terrorists soon began killing Moslems in Moslem countries. This was nothing new for most Moslems, because this kind of terrorism had been going on for over a decade before 2001. Egypt, Algeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan were all suffering from Moslem-on-Moslem violence in the 1990s. All in the name of religion. In Europe the Moslem populations were often allowed to exist as a very foreign presence. Sort of ethnic enclaves, and within these areas Islamic radicalism flourished. There were only a few terrorist attacks, and it was only because the security forces hustled that there weren't more. While (most of) the politicians continued to preach ethnic diversity, they were told by their security people that over one percent of their Moslems were willing to get involved in terrorist activities, and that there were thousands of European Moslems that needed to be watched. These included Islamic radicals who had fled the United States, or the Middle East. Europe was a convenient place for Islamic radicals to hide out. The social welfare benefits were excellent and the police unprepared to deal with Islamic radicalism. If an Islamic radical could afford it, his wife (or wives) and kids could be brought in, and the European governments would take care of them. However, after September 11, 2001, it was no longer easy to get in as a political refugee. But there were professional people-smugglers who, for a fee, could get just about anyone into Europe. The smugglers are still doing big business bringing Moslem refugees, and the increased risk of Islamic terrorism, in to the West. But in the aftermath of ISIL in Syria and Iraq these refugees are seen in a different light and no longer as welcome as they once were. Since mid-2017 the United States has adopted a new strategy in Afghanistan that concentrates on using the American advantages in terms of intelligence, air power and special operations forces. There are only about 14,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan but because of satellite communications thousands more in the United States operate as if they were in Afghanistan by remotely operating UAVs and analyzing intelligence data. Over the last few decades American intelligence has collected a lot of details on how opium and heroin production operates and can direct air attacks to the most valuable (to the drug gangs) targets and then monitor the economic impact on the drug operations. As the old saying goes, amateurs study tactics while professionals study logistics. Its lack of cash and inability to rebuild production and distribution capability that hurts the Afghan drug gangs. That plus the majority of Afghans opposed to this particular business and the competition (other places on the planet that can replace much of the Afghan production) makes the drug gangs vulnerable and the Islamic terror groups they finance to provide security very vulnerable. The Taliban like the cultivate the idea that they are a frugal operation that can survive on contributions from wealthy Arab religious conservatives in the Persian Gulf area along with donations (not all of them voluntary) from Afghans the Taliban encounter. That is what Islamic terror groups would like it to be but since 2002 lots of business records belonging to major Islamic terrorists groups have been captured and examined. Thousands of Islamic terrorists have been interrogated and some have voluntarily provided detailed information on terror group finances. The bottom line is these groups are expensive to operate in the long term, very expensive. The latest example of this was ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) in Iraq and Syria where a cash flow crises sped up the collapse of the caliphate. The drug gangs and Pakistan-backed Islamic terror groups have responded to this new threat by increasing their use of terror attacks, especially in the capital. ISIL is also on the attack but, as usual, is attacking other terror groups as well. ISIL is willing to work with the drug gangs, because even ISIL fanatics have expenses and need cash. The Americans can, and are, doing a lot of damage to the drug gangs and Islamic terrorists in Afghanistan but victory depends on the willingness of enough Afghans to join the fight. So far that seems to be the case. Most Afghans are hostile to the drug gangs (whose products cause a lot of local addiction and a breakdown in family and tribal unity) and see the largely Pushtun drug gangs another effort by the Pushtuns to dominate everyone else. The fact that the Taliban have always been largely Pushtun was one reason the Taliban government collapsed so quickly in late 2001. The Pushtun are about 40 percent of Afghans but have long dominated the majority because the non-Pushtun Afghans belong to several different ethnic groups that have never been as united (in wanting to dominate Afghanistan) as the Pushtun. Pakistan (where two-thirds of Pushtuns live) backs the Afghan Pushtuns because they see this as the best way to keep Pakistan safe from Pushtun violence. This is a threat going back thousands of years and keeping Pushtuns divided weakens that threat. Terror, intimidation and bribes are powerful weapons and essential in preventing the Pushtuns from uniting and becoming a regional threat (mainly to Pakistan). All Pushtuns resent thus but the Afghan Pushtuns most of all because Afghan Pushtuns have a lot more political power in Afghanistan than their more numerous brethren in Pakistan (where Pushtuns are 15 percent of the population). In Pakistan keeping the local Pushtuns under control has been a major government activity from the beginning and an example of that is how quickly the Pushtun heroin trade was shut down Pakistan (and pushed into Afghanistan) back in the 1980s (when the former production centers in Burma were much diminished). Because of all this the major threat in Afghanistan remains the drug trade and largely Pushtun drug gangs that are seeking to turn the country into a narco state dominated by the wealthy and heavily armed drug lords. This is where Afghanistan was headed in early 2001 as the Taliban struggled to gain control over the entire country and were largely financed by taxes from the drug gangs. Then as now Islamic terrorism is portrayed as the main problem in Afghanistan but what makes the Islamic terrorists so potent is the money they obtain by serving as hired guns by the drug gangs or simply extracting fees from the gangs for providing a sanctuary to work from. The second major problem in Afghanistan is Pakistan, which considers Afghanistan a problem to be handled by keeping the Afghans fighting each other. Meanwhile Pakistan gets rich by controlling most of the drug smuggling and legitimate traffic going into and out of landlocked Afghanistan. The Americans and the rest of the world are pressuring Pakistan to curb its support for Islamic terrorism and drug gangs in Afghanistan. That is unlikely to happen as the drug trade is too lucrative for too many powerful people in both countries. Pakistani support of the drug gangs, Taliban and Haqqani Network has long been a problem but now Pakistan is finding that there is a nasty backlash. Much of it is public, like the sanctions, UN investigations and testimony of retired or exiled Pakistani officials. The most worrisome backlash is the increasingly widespread American decapitation campaign against Taliban and Haqqani Network leaders. Most of these airstrikes (usually via a UAV) are in Afghanistan but the Americans will quietly (without admitting anything) hit targets just over the border. It is difficult for Pakistan to defend against these airstrikes near the Afghan border but they are making it clear that Islamic terrorists working for Pakistan are vulnerable and a growing number of them are dead. Another worrisome aspect of this is the Americans shifting troops, aircraft and intel support from Syria/Iraq (where ISIL recently suffered a major defeat) to Afghanistan. During 2017, when that campaign against ISIL was at its height the Americans were using ten times as many airstrikes in Syria/Iraq as in Afghanistan. That explains the growth in airstrikes in Afghanistan in late 2017 and into 2018. That, plus the fact that a growing percentage of these airstrikes are aimed at key leaders and facilities (weapons storage, drug labs, headquarters, training and bomb making facilities) makes the situation a dire one for the drug gangs. Karachi Curse The Taliban and ISIL claimed responsibility for four major terror attacks in Kabul at the end of January. The government believes some or all of these attacks were aimed at crippling the economy because flight crews (for cargo flights to and from India) were sought out in the hotel attack and the Taliban are concentrating on making highway traffic more dangerous. Pakistan is believed behind this mainly because most of the truck traffic that used to go through Pakistan to the port of Karachi is now using the new route via Iran to the port of Chabahar (built by India and Iran mainly for traffic to Afghanistan and Central Asia). At least $5 billion worth of trade to and from Afghanistan will use Chabahar each year. Pakistan is the big loser here, especially since they had recently increased higher traffic on Afghan goods moving through Karachi. In addition since mid-January Pakistan has closed the main border crossings o Afghan traffic entering Pakistan. Yet Pakistani goods are allowed into Afghanistan and now the Afghans are considering blocking that and depending on trade links via Iran and Central Asia. This is an undeclared trade war by Pakistan. The main reason is growing trade with India and switching from Karachi to Chabahar for Afghan imports and exports. The United States, India, Afghanistan and the UN are increasing pressure on Pakistan over Pakistani support for terrorism. The U.S. is withholding over a billion dollars worth of aid because of continued Pakistani support of Islamic terrorism and drug gang operations inside Afghanistan. Pakistan also plays a key role in the Afghan illegal mining operations. Despite over a decade of government efforts to introduce large scale commercial mining operations into Afghanistan, local politics and lack of law and order in the countryside have called all of these efforts to fail. Yet mining activity in Afghanistan has grown since 2001 and now produces nearly half a billion dollars of sales a year. But nearly all of it is illegal and similar to the outlaw mining so common in much of Africa and parts of Southeast Asia. Criminals and legitimate businesses in Pakistan make the illegal mining profitable for all concerned, except the Afghan government. February 10, 2018: In the south (Helmand province) four Taliban gunman killed sixteen NDS (National Directorate of Security) personnel inside a NDS site while other Taliban were attacking from the outside. The insiders had joined NDS several months earlier and was believed to be loyal. That enabled the attack to succeed and the killers to drive off with vehicles loaded with guns and other equipment taken from the dead. Despite increased use of background checks the drug gangs and Taliban find that bribes and intimidation (kidnapping a family member or other threats) will usually find a way to get traitors into well defended facilities. Pakistani and Afghan officials completed two days of discussions in Kabul and Pakistan refused to even admit that it was supporting groups like the Afghan Taliban and Haqqani Network. What Pakistan has done, but wont admit, is ordering Afghan Taliban and Haqqani Network personnel to use their safe havens in Pakistan less because the Americans have apparently adopted the Pakistani tactics by unofficially attacking Haqqani and Afghan Taliban personnel it detects across the border in Pakistan. There have been several attacks like this so far, using missile-armed UAVs that dont stay long in Pakistani air space but do leave dead terrorists behind. This encourages Afghan resistance to the drug gangs and Taliban because most Afghans are hostile to Pakistani (or Iranian) interference in Afghan affairs. Thus the Pakistani refusal to agree to anything in these negotiations is seen as normal. But the Afghans feel more confident in fighting back. This can be seen in Kunar province where Pakistan has been firing rockets and mortar shells at real or imagined Pakistani Taliban camps. This has been going on for years and over the last few days the Afghan army has been firing back and apparently daring the Pakistanis to escalate and risk the Americans getting involved with their UAVs and artillery location radar and precision artillery projectiles. The Pakistanis know these American counter battery tactics work because they have been used for over a decade inside Afghanistan as well as in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere. But until now the Americans did not do cross border counter battery. But apparently that restriction has been lifted as well, especially since the most recent Pakistan artillery attacks in Kunar left four Afghans dead and thousands of civilians fleeing their homes to avoid the Pakistani fire. February 9, 2018: In the east (Paktika province) an American UAV used missiles to kill Pakistani Taliban leader Khan Sayed Sajna and several (as many as nine) of his subordinates. Sajna had close ties with the Haqqani Network and the Pakistani military. February 8, 2018: In the east (Nangarhar province) there was an American UAV missile attack just across the border in North Waziristan that left seven Islamic terrorists dead. February 7, 2018: In northeast (Badakhshan province) American warplanes, over the last week, used over fifty smart bombs and missiles to hit Taliban bases near the Tajikistan border. Most of the attacks took place in one four day period. Some of these bases contained workshops for building suicide car bombs. This border area is a key route for getting opium and heroin into Central Asia, Europe and China. The locals are largely hostile to the Taliban and drug gangs and willing to provide information. That makes it easier to make these massive air attacks in a short space of time, to hit numerous Taliban bases before any can be moved. February 6, 2018: In the north (Faryab province) an American airstrike killed nearly 30 ISIL members and wounded many as well. Ground forces found two Uzbeks and one Uighur (Chinese) among the dead Islamic terrorists. February 5, 2018: The U.S. announced that a training program for Afghan special operations troops will put 4,000 of these Afghan commandos into service over the next few months. Afghan soldiers see service in special operations units as one way to avoid the corruption and bad leadership common in many army units. But Afghan troops have to pass a qualification test and then perform well during months of training. February 4, 2018: In the east (Kunar province) Pakistani troops fired nearly two hundred rockets and artillery shells at villages across the border in Afghanistan. This was apparently a revenge attack because of a recent suicide bomber attack in Pakistan that killed eleven soldiers. The Pakistani government propaganda insists that these Islamic terrorists are based in eastern Afghanistan. That is sometimes true but often it turns out these attacks in Pakistan were planned and prepared in Pakistan. February 2, 2018: In the southeast (Ghazni province) two American UAVs attacked a building a group of Afghan Taliban were hiding out in. Troops went into the wrecked building and found 26 Taliban dead and 22 wounded. One of the dead was a senior Taliban commander. The American UAVs had been called in by the Afghan troops because the building was heavily defended. January 31, 2018: American and Afghan intelligence believe the various Islamic terror groups (mainly the Taliban) in Afghanistan have about 60,000 full and part time personnel, most of them armed, on the payroll. Loyalty is not widespread among these nominally Islamic gunmen and the pull of family, clan or tribal affiliation is still strong. The most common denominator here is money. Take away the cash and at least 80 percent of this force is out looking for new employment. Banditry and serving in some warlord force is always available but it all depends on resources to keep your gunmen satisfied with their financial arrangement. January 29, 2018: In Afghanistan ISIL took credit for an attack on Afghan Military Academy in Kabul. Some of the attackers were using British night vision goggles used by the Pakistani military and not available to the public. Moreover other Islamic terror groups operating in Afghanistan have been caught with these night vision devices as have Pakistan based Islamic terror groups that carry out attacks in India and are known to work for the Pakistani military and enjoy sanctuary in Pakistan. It isnt just the night vision goggles. India and Afghanistan have been comparing notes and finding many similarities like that. Pakistan, as usual, denies any involvement. This attack completes an eight day period in which four major attacks in Kabul left over 150 dead and many more were wounded. January 27, 2018: In Kabul an ISIL suicide care bomber used an ambulance loaded with explosives to attack inside the city and leave about a hundred dead and nearly 200 wounded. Iran accused the United States (as it has done for years) of creating ISIL. Now Iran insists that the Americans are making it possible for the surviving ISIL personnel from Syria and Iraq to move to Afghanistan. While there are some ISIL personnel in Afghanistan most of them are former Taliban looking for something more hardcore. Meanwhile Afghanistan sees Iran as a threat, if only because Afghan security officials keep finding more Afghans spying for Iran. January 24, 2018: In northwest Pakistan (Kurram) two missiles (apparently from a UAV) hit a house known to be used by the Haqqani Network and killed two Haqqani men. One of the dead was a senior Haqqani official who worked with the Afghan Taliban. He apparently died while taking a shower. The United States denied it was responsible. A similar attack earlier this month only wounded the man it was aimed at. A month ago a similar attack was made on Jamil ud Din, a Haqqani Network leader and several of his associates. They all died when their vehicle was hit by two missiles as it drove near the Afghan border (Paktia province). If this latest attack was an American UAV it would be the first inside Pakistan since October (when two attacks hit Haqqani targets). Pakistan threatens retaliation for such illegal attacks, which the U.S. will not comment on and Pakistan has not yet acted on. January 23, 2018: Afghan officials accuse Pakistan of firing more shells and rockets into Nooristan and Kunar provinces. Pakistan has been firing into Kunar since 2010 in an effort to hit real or suspected Pakistani Taliban bases in Afghanistan. This sort of thing disrupted economic activity, especially farming. Pakistan often denies the attacks, even though the Afghans have plenty of evidence (in the form of fragments of Pakistani made rockets and shells). Some Afghans believed the Pakistanis were often firing their artillery to provide cover for Pakistan based terrorists to get into Afghanistan without being detected by Afghan security forces. The firing might also have been to provide cover for smugglers, especially drug smugglers. The fact is this has always been a strange place and the local tribes see the border (still disputed by both Afghanistan and Pakistan) as part of the problem. Most of the shells land in uninhabited areas and do not harm crops or herds. But the farms and domesticated animals are hit often enough to keep the locals angry at the Pakistani government. This latest round of firing destroyed one farm building, wounded one farmer and killed some cattle along with tearing up some farmland. January 20, 2018: In Kabul four Afghan Taliban attacked the Intercontinental Hotel and over the next 12 hours 22 people, including 14 foreigners, were killed. A week later Abdul Qahar the father of one of the attackers, came forward and revealed that his son had been missing for 18 months but before the Intercontinental Hotel called his father to say he had been studying at a madrassa in southwest Pakistan (Baluchistan). The Qadar family was from Kandahar Province, which borders Baluchistan. After the attack the Taliban invited the father to visit the madrassa to collect his sons possessions. The Taliban also showed the father pictures and videos of his son undergoing terrorist training. The father only took one item of clothing back with him, for his wife. The father then went to the police to report what he had seen and allow the police to video his testimony and release it. The madrassa in Baluchistan had long provided recruits for the Afghan Taliban. Afghan police quickly made arrests in connection with how the attackers, dressed in army uniforms and able to penetrate several layers of security, got to the hotel. The police know from past experience that to do this involves obtaining the cooperation (via bribes or intimidation) of key security officials. Moreover this attack had the characteristics of a Haqqani Network operation. The usual suspects were rounded up to be interviewed. Lauras screening with Laura Weaser Brother Number One. Out now in selected cinemas. Directed by Annie Goldson. Bookended by a brothers journey, Brother Number One leads the viewer through Cambodian history as told by Whakatane born Rob Hamills own experiences. Tracing his brother Kerrys last steps, Brother follows Robs personal struggle with loss as well as the loss of thousands of Cambodians who have been affected by the Khmer Rouge. One of the last images of Kerry Hamill before he was captured by the Khmer Rouge in 1970s. Brother Number One explores one of the forgotten genocides of the 20th century, examining how and why nearly two million Cambodians could be killed by an ultra-Maoist regime known as the Khmer Rouge. The documentary focuses on Robs trip to Cambodia in 2009 as he seeks justice and answers for his eldest brother Kerry who was murdered by the Khmer Rouge in 1978 along with two sailing companions. Robs own story is one of loss and heartbreak. Stepping foot for the first time in Cambodia we see this man breakdown into tears at the thought that he just had his picture taken the first thing that happened to Kerry when he sailed into Cambodia before he died. But Robs journey is really a bookend, an anecdote for the thousands of Cambodians who were affected by the Khmer Rouge but are unable to speak. Recollections from Cambodian residents who were lucky enough to survive the Toul Sleng the genocide prison where thousands were tortured and forced to confess their plans against the Government paint a vivid picture of a time in Cambodian history often overlooked. I will confess it was an incredibly eye-opening experience for me. Like many Kiwis, I feel safe and secure, tucked away at the bottom of the world. Brother is enlightening and I hope many others watch this film to learn something of a violent and dangerous part of history. It is interesting to note, Rob himself emailed me and said when I began this project back in 2006, many New Zealanders didnt know about Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge, yet those same people would have told you plenty about Hitler and the Nazis. It is our hope that schools and the public take up the opportunity to see the film. He has since developed an NCEA study guide for English and History classes, available on the films website. The film is simple and straightforward. We follow Rob every step of the way as he retraces steps, looks for clues and pieces together his statement for court. There is nothing contrived or forced about Rob he is your every-day Kiwi bloke but the journey he takes us on is one of incredible loss and devastation, one that your average Kiwi family to never expected to bear. What really affected me was the idea of uncertainty. Despite bringing Duch, one of the many in charge of Khmer Rouge war crimes, to some kind of justice, there is no real certainty for Rob just what took place in the events leading up to Kerrys death. It is fragmented history, put together by vague recollections from 20 plus years ago and uncertain images. As Rob drops a Pounamu stone into the ocean where Kerry was taken prisoner, there is a lingering look into the sea, leaving the question open: has Rob truly been able to put Kerrys murder to rest? I hope Robs journey wasnt in vain, and he found some kind of solace in his own journey. Click the image above to watch the video In todays weather forecast we are expecting occasional rain, heavy at times, but easing overnight; and northerlies. Its a one-clothing layer day today with a high of 25 and an overnight low of 17 degrees. Humidity is 98 per cent. Low tide is at 1pm and high tide at 7pm. Sea temperature is 21 degrees, and theres a sea swell of 1.9m. Sunset is at 8.12pm. If youre going fishing today the best fish bite time is between 11am and 1pm. This day in NZ history in 1915 Maori soldiers sailed to war. Imperial policy initially prevented native peoples fighting in a war between European powers. In February 1915, however, a 500-strong Maori Contingent left Wellington for Egypt. In 1998 Te Papa museum opened on this day. New Zealands new national museum, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, officially opened on Wellingtons waterfront after a decade of planning and construction. Happy Valentines Day! Today is St. Valentines Day, the feast day of two Christian martyrs named Valentine: one a priest and physician, the other the Bishop of Terni. Both are purported to have been beheaded on this day. The custom of sending handmade valentines to ones beloved became popular during the 17th century and was first commercialized in the United States in the 1840s. On this day in 1349 2,000 Jews were burned at the stake in Strasbourg, Germany. In 1870 Esther Morris became the worlds first female justice of the peace. In 1876 rival inventors Elisha Gray and Alexander Graham Bell both applied for patents for the telephone. In 1924 Thomas Watson founded International Business Machines Corp. (IBM). Today is the birthday of Christopher Latham Sholes. Born in 1819, he was the inventor of the first practical typewriter and QWERTY keyboard. He once said "Ill arrange the keys like a printers font and then theyll keep out of each others way" which led to the statement "If I could rearrange the alphabet I would put U and I together". Its also the birthday of George Washington Gale Ferris, who was born in 1859 and became the inventor of the Ferris Wheel. Gustave Eiffel had erected his impressive Eiffel tower of riveted wrought iron for the Paris Universal Exposition of 1889, commemorating the French Revolution on its 100th anniversary. Chicago wanted an engineering achievement just as astonishing to mark the Worlds Columbian Exposition in its celebration of the 400th anniversary of Columbus landing in America. The designs that came in were for towers, frustrating architect Daniel H. Burnham, who was in charge of this exposition. Over dinner George sketched a wheel on a piece of paper, and thus the Ferris wheel was born. To check out whats on today please go to our Whats on page. Have a great day! Australia Adds To Diverted Profits Tax Guidance by Mary Swire, Tax-News.com, Hong Kong 13 February 2018 The Australian Tax Office on February 7 released draft Practical Compliance Guideline 2018/D2 on the operation of Australia's Diverted Profits Tax for consultation. In the 2016-17 Budget, the Government announced that it would introduce a diverted profits tax (DPT), intended to ensure that the tax paid by significant global entities (SGEs) properly reflects the economic substance of their activities in Australia. It aims to prevent the diversion of profits offshore through arrangements involving related parties. It also encourages SGEs to provide sufficient information to the ATO to allow for the timely resolution of tax disputes. The DPT came into effect on July 1, 2017, and imposes a 40 percent tax on diverted profits. The DPT can apply to schemes entered into before July 1, 2017. An entity is an SGE for an income year if it is: A global parent entity with an annual global income of AUD1bn (USD782.8m) or more; A member of a group of entities (consolidated for accounting purposes) where the global parent entity has an annual global income of AUD1bn or more. For the purposes of the DPT, this definition includes both Australian-headquartered entities with foreign operations and the local operations of foreign headquartered multinationals. According to ATO guidance, broadly, the law applies if under the scheme, or in connection with the scheme: A taxpayer has obtained a tax benefit in connection with the scheme in an income year; A foreign entity that is an associate of the relevant taxpayer entered into or carried out the scheme or is otherwise connected with the scheme; and The principal purpose, or one of the principal purposes of the scheme, is to obtain an Australian tax benefit or to obtain both an Australian and foreign tax benefit. There are three exceptions that exclude entities from the law if satisfied: The AUD25m income test; The sufficient foreign tax test; and The sufficient economic substance test. In addition, the DPT does not apply to a relevant taxpayer who is one of the following types of entities: A managed investment trust; A foreign collection investment vehicle with wide membership; A foreign entity owned by a foreign government A complying superannuation entity; or A foreign pension fund. Earlier Guidance On December 18, 2017, the ATO released draft law companion guideline (LCG) 2017/D7 Diverted profits tax for public consultation, which will end on February 16, 2018. The draft LCG explains how the Commissioner will apply the new DPT law and, in particular, clarifies new concepts introduced by the measure to provide taxpayers with greater certainty on the application of the new law. The ATO has also released law administration practice statement (PSLA) 2017/2, which, among other things, explains the internal administrative oversight framework for the DPT within the ATO and the process leading to the issuance of a DPT assessment, intended to provide assurance to taxpayers that the new rules will be applied with appropriate levels of internal review. It includes a graphic explaining the process taken within the ATO to determine DPT liability and issue an assessment and the steps that can be taken by a taxpayer to challenge an assessment and engagement required with the tax authority. New Guidance The new Practical Compliance Guideline (PCG) is aimed at providing guidance for those who may be affected by the DPT by setting out the ATO's client engagement framework for the DPT; and outlining the ATO's approach to risk assessment and compliance activity when the DPT is identified as a potential area of concern. The draft PCG provides examples to illustrate the relative risk of adopting certain types of arrangements in the context of the DPT measure. These examples are based on different industry sectors to address the practical implications of the new DPT law, the ATO said. It discusses the principal purpose test, how the value of tax benefits are assessed; the sufficient foreign tax test, including the treatment of losses arising overseas and foreign credits; the sufficient economic substance test and how this is determined, with reference to OECD guidance on substance; and interaction between the thin capitalization regime and the DPT. The consultation on the PCG is to close March 9, 2018. European Parliament To Launch Paradise Papers Inquiry by Ulrika Lomas, Tax-News.com, Brussels 13 February 2018 The European Parliament is to establish a new special committee on financial crimes, tax evasion, and tax avoidance. An agreement on the committee's establishment was reached by the presidents of parliament's political groups on February 8. The decision must now be validated by a plenary vote of parliament. The committee will have 45 members and will sit for 12 months. The aim of the committee is to build upon and complete the work carried out by the TAXE 1 and TAXE 2 and the PANA inquiry committees, and to look at recent leaks such as the Paradise Papers. Philippe Lamberts, the co-president of the Greens/EFA political group, said: "The Paradise Papers showed that there is clearly unfinished work to do if we are to secure tax justice in Europe. We want to make sure that national treasuries are able to collect the money that is needed to build shared prosperity across Europe." "The European Parliament's inquiry committee into the Panama Papers has already produced a strong action plan for clamping down on tax dodging This new committee can now make sure this progress is not lost and that these much-needed measures are implemented by the Commission and by governments across Europe." Udo Bullmann, acting leader of the Socialists and Democrats group, commented: "It is crucial to complete the work carried out in the successive committees, TAXE 1, TAXE 2, and the Panama Papers inquiry that were launched four years ago. The work to crack down on tax dodging must continue." "We also want to focus on effective implementation and monitor the impact of the recommendations the Parliament has put forward." Ireland Announces 2018 Tax Revenue Targets by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London 13 February 2018 The Irish Government is targeting a seven percent increase in revenue over 2017's tax take. The Finance Department has published its projected monthly taxation receipts for 2018. The total revenue forecast for 2018 is EUR54.2bn (USD66.4bn), seven percent higher than last year. The "big four" tax heads income tax, corporation tax, VAT, and excise duties are projected to make up 90 percent of the tax mix. Income tax receipts accounted for just over 40 percent of total tax revenue in 2017. For 2018, the Department is projecting income tax receipts of EUR21.4bn, seven percent higher than last year. Corporation tax receipts are projected at EUR8.5bn, an increase of almost four percent year-on-year. VAT receipts are forecast at EUR14.1bn for 2018, an increase of just under six percent relative to last year. Excise duties receipts are expected to total EUR5.8bn, a drop of just under two percent on 2017's tax take. The Department said that the decline reflects the frontloading of excise duty payments on tobacco, due to the introduction of plain packaging from September 2017. From the beginning of 2018, the Local Property Tax is now paid directly into the local government fund, rather than being directed, in the first instance, to the Exchequer. By contrast, motor tax receipts are now paid directly into the Exchequer. The Department said that this classification change has no impact on the general government balance. Morrison Continues Australian Corporate Tax Cut Push by Mary Swire, Tax-News.com, Hong Kong 13 February 2018 It does not "make any sense" to keep Australia's business taxes high, Treasurer Scott Morrison has said. Morrison told Parliament that "anyone who thinks that's good economic policy has absolutely lost their economic compass and cannot find their way around the economic debate in this country." Morrison made the comments during a speech on the Government's Enterprise Tax Plan Bill, which was passed by the House of Representatives on February 8 but is expected to face resistance when it goes up to the Senate. This is the second time the Government has attempted to pass the company tax cuts first unveiled in the 2016-17 Budget. Last year it succeeded in passing a reduction to the small business company tax rate and an increase in the turnover threshold for accessing the rate. These changes affect income for the 2016-17 to 2018-19 tax years. However, it was unable to secure support for the full Enterprise Tax Plan, which includes increases to the SME threshold each year to 2023-24 and a reduction in the tax rate to 25 percent for all businesses by 2026-27. Morrison accused the Labor Party, which opposes the cuts, of wanting Australia "to be stranded on a high-tax island." "How on earth does keeping business taxes high help one business employ one more Australian or give one more Australian a wage rise or help them invest one more dollar in their business in plant, in equipment, in technology, in training, in developing new products, or in going after new markets?", he asked. Tax-Related Identity Theft Down 40 Percent, IRS Says Mike Godfrey, Tax-News.com, Washington 13 February 2018 The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced steep declines in tax-related identity theft in 2017, attributing the success to its Security Summit initiative, a private-public sector partnership formed in 2015 to combat identity theft. Key indicators of identity theft dropped for the second year in a row in 2017, reported the IRS on February 8. These include a 40 percent decline in taxpayers reporting they have become a victim of identity theft since 2016. Since 2015, the number of tax-related identity theft victims has fallen by almost two-third (65 percent). The number of tax returns with confirmed identity theft also declined by 32 percent in 2017 compared to 2016. Between 2015-17 the number of of confirmed identity theft tax returns fell by 57 percent, with more than USD20bn in taxpayer refunds being protected. In 2017, banks recovered 144,000 refunds compared to 124,000 in 2016 a 16 percent increase. The amount of refunds recovered was USD204m in 2017, compared to USD281m in 2016. In 2015, the financial industry recovered 249,000 refunds totaling USD852m. "These dramatic declines reflect the continuing success of the Security Summit effort," said Acting IRS Commissioner David Kautter. "This partnership between the IRS, states, and the tax community is helping protect taxpayers against identity theft. More work remains in this effort, and we look forward to continuing this collaborative effort to fight identity theft and refund fraud." Foxconn is best known as a contract manufacturer for iPhones, and rightly so. Producing Apple devices accounts for over half of its sales for the year. However, having one large client account for the majority of profits is a precarious situation to be in. As a result, Foxconn is welcoming RED with open arms. If there is one word that is associated with RED's technologies, it would be expensive. Retail pricing on their professional cameras reaches into the tens of thousands of dollars, with 8K cameras starting at just under $30,000. Adding on needed proprietary accessories and storage for all of the raw footage taken can push RED's top of the line Monstro 8K VV to over six figures. How much cheaper is RED willing to make their cameras exactly given that they are out of reach for those without deep pockets? According to Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou, "We will make cameras that will shoot professional-quality films in 8K resolution but at only a third of current prices and a third of current camera sizes." Even at one-third of the original prices, many still will not be able to afford the cost of 8K, but it's a step closer to bringing even higher resolution content to the masses. Foxconn's interest in forming a joint venture with RED stems from the acquisition of Sharp's semiconductor business back in 2016. Foxconn now owns many discrete components and displays that can be dropped into digital cameras without having to source them from other suppliers. Over the next three years, Foxconn is aiming to transition from a traditional manufacturer to a technology provider. Despite posting over $160 billion in revenue for 2017, more money is needed to reach growth goals. In order to gain enough new investments to finance the expansion, Foxconn Industrial Internet will be listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Support for artificial intelligence and cloud computing services are expected to be available from Foxconn by 2020. Besides focusing on digital cinema hardware, additional focus will be given to 5G technologies and networking equipment as the transition phase begins. Despite the U.S. financial persecution, the Bolivarian revolution has managed to build 3,6 million homes and plans to complete 5 million houses by 2025. | Read More Building materials supplier Boral and toll-road giant Transurban are among the Australian companies primed to benefit from Donald Trump's $US1.5 trillion ($1.9 trillion) plan to modernise America's roads, tunnels, airports and other ageing infrastructure. Under the US President's ambitious plan, unveiled this week, $US200 billion in federal funding will be allocated to upgrading infrastructure over the decade, which is intended to spur an additional $US1.3 trillion in spending from cities, states and private companies. Donald Trump has unveiled a long-awaited plan to modernise America's crumbling infrastructure. The ASX-listed Boral, which has a strong North American business, dramatically increased its exposure to the US market last year when it bought out the Utah-based Headwaters, one of the country's leading producers of fly ash. Boral chief executive Mike Kane on Tuesday said the acquisition would ensure Boral could take advantage of a looming "infrastructure boom". Racing and property identity Lloyd Williams company Hudson Conway has sold a parcel of industrial land to Singapore-listed Frasers Property for about $19 million. A Hudson Conway subsidiary Saltview Pty Ltd offloaded the prime 23 hectare site in Braeside on Governor Road to Frasers Property which expects to launch an industrial park on the land later this year. Frasers southern region general manager Anthony Maugeri said the acquisition was a natural extension of our 116 hectare The Key Industrial Park in Keysborough which is fast approaching completion. The new Braeside parks masterplan would include a mix of land sales, A-grade buildings for lease and turnkey buildings for owner-occupiers, he said. Savills Australias Lynton Williams brokered the deal. Maybe she's been doing these movies for so long that familiarity has bred irreverence because she now seems to be dwelling permanently on their funny side. And she's right, for they've now lost any edge they may once have had and turned into exercises in high camp. She certainly makes droll work of dealing with her husband's tantrums and bouts of bossiness, leaving poor Dornan cast as the shapely but boring butt of the joke. As the new, improved, tenderly romantic Christian, he's not only burdened with the film's most risible lines, he's also required to sing, something he does so badly that a large proportion of the audience at this week's preview burst out laughing. The screenwriter, James' partner Niall Leonard, doesn't quite know what to do with him. The loving couple have a couple of spats. Christian is not happy about Ana's reluctance to use her married name in her publishing job and he can't handle the news that she's pregnant. After all, a child will be competing with him for her attention, and he can't have that. Otherwise, for the film's first half, the mantra is: when in doubt, write a sex scene. There are a lot of them. They take place in a variety of settings and as usual, they're shot in breathless close-up. One, played out in the kitchen, has the lovers exploring the erotic potential to be found in licking yoghurt off one another. Then, in the second half, the action takes a new course and a cack-handed attempt at a thriller begins to take shape. Ana's former boss, Jack Hyde (Eric Johnson), is on the loose after being fired for attacking her and, it seems, he's out for vengeance a subplot that involves a car chase, a bombing, a kidnapping and some very clunky manoeuvring with a bag of ransom money. THEATRE HE ///// EQUENCE ALONE experience Undisclosed location, Melbourne CBD February 13-27 Here's a piece of "immersive theatre" the adventurous won't want to miss. The ALONE experience, an underground hit from Los Angeles, began in 2013 as the brainchild of Devon Paulson and Lawrence Lewis. It arrives in Melbourne courtesy of entrepreneur Jerome Borazio of St Jeromes Hotel and Laneway Festival fame having been adapted for our city's alleyways and hidden corners. Attendees don't know where they're going, or what they're getting, until they get there. Credit:Melbourne Minute It's a concept that demands total trust and surrender and if you're at all uptight about, well, almost anything really, you're unlikely to make it past the consent form a document that requires you to submit, among other things, to getting dirty and wet, to being vigorously manhandled, and/or placed in sexual situations. What their first Australian production, HE ///// EQUENCE, offers in exchange makes it more than worthwhile. It's the kind of reality hack that dismantles every sense of the normal and leads you on a surreal and discombobulating odyssey. After the market turmoil last week, it might seem strange or mildly self-destructive to wonder whether Australian investors are taking enough risk. But here's the thing. Those falls aren't "risk", but "volatility". They're a roller-coaster, not Niagara Falls. Markets have always been volatile. Yes, with occasional stomach-churning falls, but over more than a century, they've never failed to return to and exceed previous highs. A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during last week's volatile markets. Credit:Michael Nagle Risk, instead, is the potential for permanent loss. And Australian investors aren't taking enough of it. Look over to the United States, at Facebook and Twitter; the social media companies that were born there. Check out the search engine giant, Google, and its forebear, Yahoo! Witness the rise of IBM. Microsoft, Apple. And it's not just tech. Think about consumer products companies, pharmaceutical businesses and large manufacturers. Two people pretending to be Family and Community Services caseworkers went to a Queanbeyan family's home and claimed they were there to check on children. The incident has prompted authorities to issue a warning and publish facefit images of the people. The woman was also described as Caucasian and in her 20s, with a medium build and a tanned complexion. he man was described as Caucasian and in his 30s. He had a slim build with a fair complexion with short dark hair and a prominent nose. He was last seen wearing a business shirt and trousers. Credit:NSW Police NSW Police said a man and a woman went to the Karabar home and spoke to a mother who was home with two babies. "The man and woman claimed to be FACS caseworkers and produced what appeared to be an identity card. They stated they were there to check on the welfare of the children," it said in a statement. A Canberra man who murdered his 9-year-old boy admitted on Tuesday to a series of violent offences against a woman. Documents tendered at his arraignment in the ACT Supreme Court say Graham Stuart Dillon, 39, attacked the woman with a hammer, knives and threatened to slit her throat. Graham Dillon has pleaded guilty the murder of his nine-year-old son, Bradyn and more violent offences against a woman. Credit:Facebook The offences all pre-date the murder of Dillon's son Bradyn. Dillon has pleaded guilty to the murder and is expected to be sentenced next month. On Tuesday, he also pleaded guilty to the seven crimes against the woman, including causing her grievous bodily harm, recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm, threats to kill, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and committing an indecent act. Twelve Canberra public schools are running well below capacity, including two with just 22 per cent of possible enrolments filled, prompting a leading academic to call for the system to collaborate to restore confidence in local schools. Figures from last year show while five government schools burst at between 98 and 105 per cent capacity, a dozen others lagged with utilisation rates of between 22 and 50 per cent. A student walks towards Telopea Park School. Credit:Jay Cronan Eight of the undersubscribed schools were in Tuggeranong, two in Belconnen, one in the Molonglo Valley and the other Jervis Bay. Most ranked below the national average in the index of community socio-educational advantage with all but one listing more than 25 per cent of students in the bottom quarter. The reverse was true in schools near or over capacity. All had ICSEAs well above the Australian average with as few as one per cent of students considered disadvantaged. In war zones, flying a drone can get you shot. Fairfax investigations editor Michael Bachelard and photographer Kate Geraghty did not pack a drone when they travelled to Mosul in Iraq last year. We certainly heard stories of drones being used by IS to drop munitions on people in Mosul, says Bachelard. A drone and its operator can quickly become targets, says Geraghty, who has seen drones used in combat since she reported in Lebanon in 2006. There, she says, we would drive with the windows down so we could hear drones more easily and leave the area if they dropped weapons. National video editor Tom McKendrick with the drones he uses for aerial filming. Credit:Simon Schluter Back in the more tranquil climes of Australias beaches, the video producers on our rip explainer, Fairfaxs national head of video Tom McKendrick and video producer Chee Wong, stayed glued to the weather reports until the perfect weather arrived. Wind wasnt top of their radars drones are designed to be wind-buffeted, within reason, their cameras stabilised by sensitive gimbals. But to shoot water, the optimal conditions are rather exacting: a low wind and clear water but enough of a swell for some action; full sun but low enough in the sky that there is no glare off the waves; high tide when the surf is at its most dynamic. Most of these boxes were ticked when McKendrick drove to Fairhaven on Victorias surf coast and met with Life Saving Victorias Isaak Newcombe. Newcombe quickly identified a rip and McKendrick used a video camera on a tripod to film the point of view of a beachgoer to show what we can all see from beach level. The water looked choppy but not particularly treacherous. Then McKendrick launched a Phantom 4 Pro over exactly the same area of surf. It was immediately obvious what was going on you could see the size of the rip and the speed at which it was pulling out. He adds: As soon as we finished getting the shot it started pouring with rain. It shows how small a window of opportunity you can get. There is consensus that the lot of Australia's First Peoples will not significantly improve unless they are at the centre of policy formulation and execution. There is therefore merit in the notion, generated last year at the Uluru convention for a Makarrata (treaty) Commission, that an Indigenous advisory group be established to advise Federal Parliament. The Coalition government rejected the "Voice to Parliament" as unlikely to gain the necessary support at a referendum. That was based on the assumption the move would require amending the constitution. The federal opposition said on Tuesday that it would, if elected, introduce legislation to create an Indigenous advisory body. The Coalition's official position is thus far unaltered, but Minister for Indigenous Health Ken Wyatt now says he is optimistic such a group could be formed by legislation, rather than by changing the constitution. Only eight of the 43 referendums since federation have passed, including one in 1967 to include Australia's First Peoples in the census, and to empower Federal Parliament to pass laws specifically for Indigenous Australians. There is good reason to revisit the recommendation to establish an Indigenous advisory body. Despite a decade of concerted, genuine effort under the Closing the Gap strategy, the latest annual progress update, released by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, is generally disappointing, although there has been some improvement in three of the seven areas the federal and state governments have been targeting. Australian researchers say a shocking 90 per cent of young people in detention have at least one severe brain disorder and they hope their findings will act as a "catalyst for change" in the justice system. The Telethon Kids Institute study of about 100 young people aged 10 to 17 incarcerated at Western Australias only youth detention facility, Banksia Hill Detention Centre, found 89 per cent had at least one area of severe neurodevelopmental impairment, such as problems with memory, cognition, motor skills or attention. What they do is socially unacceptable but its arisen from a brain that isnt working properly, and that underlying, innate difference of brain function has not been previously recognised nor understood, Dr Raewyn Mutch, a paediatrician and one of the researchers, said. A new study has found unprecedented levels of severe neurodevelopmental impairment amongst sentenced youth. Credit:Craig Abraham The team originally planned to focus on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) - a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by an unborn child's exposure to alcohol in the womb - but were startled by the prevalence of neurodisability in the cohort. The babies of first-time mothers with mental health disorders are almost five times as likely to be admitted to hospital with reflux, according to an Australian study that also found the condition was being overdiagnosed and overtreated. A mothers anxiety disorder was the strongest predictor of whether her baby would be admitted to hospital with with gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) or full-blown gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) in the first year after birth, the researchers at Western Sydney University reported. Tara Bates and her son Jack who was diagnosed with reflux shortly after he was born. Credit:Nick Moir The authors stressed the findings did not suggest reflux was the fault of anxious mothers, nor did they dispute reflux was a legitimate medical issue or suggest the symptoms were imagined. They argued the study strengthened calls for mothers to be given more support as they care for their babies during what can be a stressful and lonely period. Mary Ward, Elwood Maybe it is time to start taxing the churches It is inconceivable that the Catholic Church does not have an accurate idea of the total value of its assets, almost down to the last cent. It fought tooth and nail to never give away a thing, no matter what the circumstances suggested. Given all of the concessions that churches and religious organisations receive income tax, GST, fringe benefits tax, payroll tax, council rates, state government taxes, land tax and local government taxes maybe the government should consider making them pay income tax. We could at least start once their net assets reach, say, $100 million. And I am not talking about net assets based on valuations from 50 years ago either. Neale Meagher, Malvern It's time for the Catholic Church to show humility The church saga continues, but such a situation was inevitable given the power and moral authority that it once possessed. But things can change quickly, as has been demonstrated in Spain over the last few generations. Many in this once most devout Catholic country have turned their backs on their church. It looks like the same will happen here in Australia. The church's problems began a few centuries after the death of Christ when the founding fathers turned their back on gnosticism and instead took up the business model that would create wealth and power. Around 1000 years, later the power of the church was wielded when it conducted an internal crusade on the most pious of all Christians the Cathars in France and other locations. The Cathars despised wealth and power and would not make useful subjects as they rejected much of the church's teachings. Nowadays the church uses the combined tactics of legal processes, loopholes in the laws, and simply staring down those former kids who had the mannerisms and looks that made them a target for molestation. When will its leaders display real humility? I reckon when the many gay clergy from all denominations show their true nature by marching in the gay and lesbian parade. Alf Rappa, Elwood Sharing the wealth The Catholic Church would appear to embrace the absurdity of prosperity theology where it is interpreted that the building of financial and material wealth is God's will by virtue that God has not sent any signs to suggest otherwise. Given that God apparently moves in mysterious ways, perhaps the royal commission, and the outrage of sexual abuse victims, is a mysterious divine decree to the church to stop its imperious and equivocating attitude towards accountability, and instead "trickle down" that accumulated wealth. Paul Miller, Box Hill South No need to give more I hope those parishioners who still choose to attend church bypass the offertory plate. Further donations are hardly needed. Empty coffers may send the message for change, because empty pews appear not to be working fast enough. Jane Fisher, Black Hill THE FORUM Abuse of the vulnerable As a long-time supporter of Oxfam, I am sickened and appalled by reports of the sexual exploitation by some Oxfam workers of vulnerable women in Haiti and Chad. This is yet one more example of abusive men preying on vulnerable women in crisis situations, as so often seems to be the case with many aid organisations, including UN peacekeepers. It is very concerning that Oxfam's funding and donations are now under serious threat as a result of the predatory behaviour of some men. The very people who so desperately need and benefit from the valuable work that Oxfam does, including many women in the global south, could now be deprived of such support. Vicki Swinbank, Northcote Ethics behind decisions Yesterday was the 10th anniversary of Kevin Rudd's "sorry" apology to the Stolen Generation. There has been no national compensation scheme for these people, yet millions of dollars are being spent on confining refugees on Manus Island and Nauru. Can the Treasurer tell us what determines these decisions please? What ethical considerations are used? Diana Pittock, Brighton East Consensual? Then it's OK There has been a suggestion that relationships between politicians and staffers should be banned in Parliament House, as in the United States Congress (The Age, 9/2). In the discussion, there is some conflation of sexual harassment and relationships. Harassment involves a non-consensual interaction. A relationship is obviously consensual. Why ban the expression of eros between consenting adults? Isn't that a bit too much on the wowser side? I understand that there can be a power imbalance involved; but unless that is exploited by the politician, so what? It might be part of the dynamic which the participants find attractive. Michael Helman, St Kilda East Affairs across the parties? Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and the media have short memories. In 2009, Mr Shorten confirmed that he was expecting a child with his girlfriend Chloe Bryce (now his wife), while both were married to other people. What hypocrisy. Jamie Chisholm, Castlemaine People in glass houses ... Hear, hear, for Diana Elliott's clear and enlightened article ("What Barnaby Joyce did is none of our business", Comment, 13/12). Following the "scandal" takes me back decades to the days when an extramarital relationship was a public disgrace. We all know that private lives can be in emotional upheaval within a marriage or when it is breached. Threatening Mr Joyce's career on these grounds logically implies that a substantial number of politicians, journalists, lawyers, celebrities, etc should also be in for the chop. Philip O'Carroll, Fitzroy North Question of judgment Diana Elliott says, "Impropriety in a marriage by someone who campaigned about its traditions doesn't entitle us to deliver judgment, nor to punish those whose only crime may have been to show a lack of it." However, senior ministers are appointed for their capacity to show good judgment and anyone incapable of it has no place in cabinet. Bob McLeay, Ranceby A person's true worth I do not know what a media adviser to a politician does, but I do not think she is worth the reported salary of $190,00 a year (The Age, 13/2), and certainly not using taxpayers' money. There are many hard-working people, such as nurses, emergency workers and scientists, who do not earn nearly as much as this, but they probably contribute more value to society. Lorraine Bates, Surrey Hills Making sense of NDIS It has taken eight years for my partner's case manager and myself to sort out all his disability, social, health and living needs since his catastrophic stroke when he was a fit, 45-year-old engineer and enthusiastic cyclist. Now the National Disability Insurance Scheme with its formulaic, constrained, condescending and economic rationalist-focused, three-hour assessment followed by an incorrect and incomprehensible plan, has managed to dismantle his functioning and the established supports and systems around him. While you might need to be a genius of a different sort to understand the gobbledegook of the plan, it does not take a genius to predict that the NDIS debacle will be subject to a royal commission in a few years, time. But at what price? Jozica Kutin, Warrandyte Making sense of new 'test' Our year 1 students are to be tormented by a vacuous literacy test, which will focus on phonics "Repeat after me: plood, pove, moul. It isn't child's play" (The Age, 13/2). Do the people who devised this know anything about education? There would be a dramatic improvement in educational standards if decisions were not made by politicians, for political reasons. Jean Tansey, Berwick Just another ambassador As Peter Hartcher points out, President Donald Trump's choice of Admiral Harry Harris as the next ambassador to Australia can be interpreted in many ways (Comment, 13/2). The fact that the US has not bothered to appoint an ambassador for the past 18months confirms that the post is of low importance in its eyes. Malcolm Turnbull's view that Australia and the US are joined at the hip is wishful thinking. Remember, too, the rude and dismissive treatment that President Trump gave Mr Turnbull when the latter telephoned him. Neither Australia nor China should put too much emphasis on Admiral Harris' confirmation as ambassador. He would be just another one like his predecessor. Ah ... what was his name? Bill Mathew, Parkville Coming clean on Apple In 2016, after The Age first wrote about the plan to demolish the Yarra Building in Federation Square and replace it with an Apple shop, I wrote to the Premier. In due course I received a reply from a spokesperson for the Planning Minister. I was told the minister had "not received a planning application at this stage". Clearly the government has known about this plan for some considerable time and it has kept the public in the dark for reasons it has not explained. Opposition planning spokesman David Davies is correct that "there has been a failure to consult with the community and the city council on the project, and this has led to the current backlash against it". However, the real issue is that this decision is wrong. I am still waiting for Matthew Guy to come out with his position on this ridiculous plan. Tony Healy, Balwyn North Foxes out of control What is to be done about foxes? Yesterday morning, for the third time in as many weeks, a poor possum was ripped to shreds in our backyard. Almost every night foxes can be seen in our street and they are even around during day time. They set off dogs barking, which keeps people awake. I have rung the local council and the Environment Department but have been told that they cannot do anything. Our neighbours have to keep their children's pet rabbits inside the house at all times. Two dogs have already been killed by foxes in our area. I have a small dog and I am petrified to let her out, unattended, as are many other dog owners. Something must be done to protect our wildlife and our sanity before it is too late. Carol Wilson, Wantirna South Importance of progress The decline and fall of civilisation has very little to do with Elon Musk. It has been (relatively) pointless getting to the moon until you consider the myriad technologies that have been developed as a result of even trying. Setting ourselves difficult tasks is how we progress, in all walks of life. Allan Cameron, Spotswood Quoting out of context Like many in the community, Colin Douglas (Letters, 13/2) misinterprets the Koran's verse 8:12. It is in the context of ongoing attacks by the Meccans on the Muslims due to their faith. God declares that he will "cast terror into the hearts" of the Meccans to defend the Muslims. Nothing in this verse indicates, suggests or commands Muslims to strike terror into the hearts of those who do not believe. It is very easy to cherry pick any verse from a holy text and draw conclusions from it without considering its context. Khizar Rana, Walkerville, SA Direct to workers' pockets The federal government keeps assuring us that its proposed cut to company tax will flow straight through into increased pay for workers. If this is the case, surely it would be more efficient, and less prone to diversion, if the tax cuts were delivered directly to the workers. Why not simply cut out the middlemen? Robert Niall, Fitzroy North AND ANOTHER THING Catholic Church The Catholic Church in Australia might be worth $30billion but it is morally bankrupt. Susan Daniel, Blairgowrie And people wonder why Chinese and Russian revolutionaries tried to crush organised religion. Patrice McCarthy, Fitzroy North The Catholic Church's treatment of sex abuse victims is morally reprehensible and unforgivably parsimonious, given its enormous assets. Tony Haydon, Mentone Politics Barnaby should resign so he can "spend more time with his families". John Handley, Cheltenham Is Joyce entitled to claim a "living away from home" allowance? John Kirk, Camberwell Barnaby isn't the only MP to have a dalliance. He may have failed Sex Education 102, but that's none of our business. Margaret Skeen, Point Lonsdale Would Centrelink accept Turnbull's explanation that Campion wasn't Joyce's "partner" at the time?Chris Davis, Pascoe Vale Dual citizenship, and now dual partners. Meg McPherson, Brighton I can't wait for Barnaby, The Musical. Ed Veber, Malvern East Simon Birmingham try the words: blood, move, soul. Let teachers teach phonetics, but use proper words and teach exceptions. Judy Bennet, Mount Waverley When will MPs stop calling us "punters" eg, Terri Butler (Q&A). Are they referring to the gamble we take on their intellect and integrity when we elect them? Carolyn Ilsley, Brunswick East The ABC The ABC now costs each Australian four, rather than eight, cents a day. Is this an indication of Red's former salary? Hang the expense, bring him back. Jon O'Neill, Waurn Ponds The Police Minister has said mechanical bollards in Bourke Street remain on the agenda after a wayward car drove down the busy pedestrian mall. Credit:3AW A wayward car spotted driving down tram tracks on the busy Bourke Street Mall during peak hour has fuelled concerns authorities still haven't found a solution to stop vehicles entering through tram entry points. The incident on Monday, comes a little over a year after six people died when Dimitrious Gargasoulas allegedly drove a car into the busy CBD mall and mowed down dozens of pedestrians on the afternoon of January 20, 2017. One witness said he was standing on the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth streets waiting to cross the road on Monday afternoon when he saw the car accidentally turn the wrong way into Bourke Street and drive down the tram tracks. "I looked up and [then] down in the mall came a black Toyota," witness Dallas told radio station 3AW on Tuesday. Yet again, the Victorian Opposition is selectively using data as a smokescreen to deflect from its appalling track record on education funding. Opposition spokesman Tim Smith (The Age, February 9) uses Year 9 NAPLAN results as evidence that schools are going backwards under Labor. He fails to acknowledge that those Year 9 students completed their last four years of primary school under a Coalition government that dramatically slashed per student funding for our public schools. The truth is, given that it continues to be the lowest funded state per student, Victoria has repeatedly punched above its weight. That is entirely thanks to the professionalism and dedication of principals, teachers and support staff. It is teachers who are in our schools, supporting and facilitating our childrens learning every day. It is teachers who are on the front line of Victorias education system. A friend of the man charged with fatally punching a heart surgeon in a hospital has told a court he saw the doctor "chest bump" the accused man moments before the strike. Cory Rogers told Melbourne Magistrates Court he saw Patrick Pritzwald-Stegmann make physical contact with Joseph Esmaili on May 30 last year, after the surgeon had asked Mr Esmaili and others not to smoke outside Box Hill Hospital. Police allege Mr Esmaili punched Mr Pritzwald-Stegmann without warning in the hospital lift lobby after the men went back inside the building, and that the surgeon fell backwards and hit his head on the tiled floor. Mr Pritzwald-Stegmann, a 41-year-old father of two, died about four weeks later. Katie Foster In response, the church reversed its previous position and denied the girls had been abused. Katie was permanently brain damaged after being hit by a car while under the influence of alcohol in 1999. In 2008, after being trapped in a vicious cycle of depression, drug abuse and self-harm, Emma took her own life. Emma Foster It was at the height of the bitter legal fight in 2005 that the archdiocese purchased the five-bedroom, Georgian-style mansion in Kew for $1.65 million. Archbishop Hart has listed the property as his home address since, according to records obtained by The Age. It was valued by the City of Boroondara in January 2016 at $2.25 million. The Kew home of Archbishop Denis Hart Credit:realestateview.com.au Chrissie Foster had been unaware of the purchase until informed of it by The Age in January. To hear that while they were fighting us, the church was spending up big on a private house is infuriating. Surprising, but after everything, not surprising, she said. Archdiocese communications director Shane Healy said the Kew property had been purchased because the Archbishop's previous home was "not fit for purpose due to its size and the cost of ongoing maintenance". In another property deal involving Archbishop Hart, the archdiocese purchased a beach house in Dromana for $872,000 in 2008. Mr Healy said the property was bought for the Archbishop's personal use. In mid-2017, the church sold the house to Archbishop Hart for $1.12 million, who bought it using a combination of personal savings and an inheritance. The $1.12 million Dromana beach house now owned by Archbishop Denis Hart. Credit:Justin McManus The price the church paid for the two properties $2.5 million is almost a quarter of the total amount paid to abuse survivors under the archdiocese controversial Melbourne Response redress scheme in the 20 years until 2015. In a statement tendered in 2014 to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, church lawyer Richard Leder of Corrs Chambers Westgarth said the archdiocese had been reluctant to settle with the Fosters because it might encourage other victims to to sue the church. ... we were concerned that a settlement for a substantial sum could detract from the effectiveness of the Melbourne Response, Mr Leder wrote. The church has been criticised for decades over the level of compensation it has provided to survivors. The royal commission reported payments averaged $35,000 under the Melbourne Response, the compensation scheme established by the then archbishop George Pell in 1996. A total of $11.3 million had been paid to 324 survivors of child sexual abuse by 2015. Mr Healy said the archdiocese had increased the cap of the Melbourne Response to $150,000, and survivors of child abuse who received amounts under previous caps have been able to obtain additional redress. He said an additional $17.2 million has been paid since early 2015. Catholic officials have previously claimed that boosting payouts to the victims of child sexual abuse could lead to cuts to social welfare programs or force the church to sell assets or borrow to meet its financial obligations. Ms Foster said it was clear the church can afford to pay more. Its a pretence to extract themselves from their responsibilities for the damage they have caused. The Catholic Church in Australia, which comprises 28 dioceses and dozens of religious orders, has been notoriously secretive about its wealth. Church leaders have repeatedly publicly underestimated church assets and resisted greater financial accountability. The Age investigation involved obtaining property valuations from 36 Victorian councils, including most of the Melbourne metropolitan area, Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo, many under freedom of information. The boss of toll road giant Transurban has lashed Opposition Leader Matthew Guy and the Greens for being hypocritical and playing "cheap politics" by trying to kill off the West Gate Tunnel project. The two parties are preparing to use their combined majority in Victoria's upper house next week to revoke planning approval for the $6.7 billion project. Mr Guy put Transurban on notice in late December, warning in writing that the Coalition would vote "at the earliest available parliamentary opportunity" to revoke the planning scheme amendment needed for the project to proceed. Unperturbed, the Andrews government began construction on the project last month. The project links the West Gate Freeway in Spotswood with CityLink in Docklands, via a six-lane tunnel under Yarraville. A Perth teenager has made a tearful apology outside court as he pleaded guilty over a crash which killed two of his mates. Joel Payne, 19, faced Rockingham Magistrates Court on Tuesday on two counts of dangerous driving causing death and one count of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm, Nine News Perth reports. Mason Hooton (left) and Callum Mummery (right) died in the crash. Credit:Facebook/Supplied He pleaded guilty to all three charges. "I'm very sorry for what's happened," he said outside court. WA Premier Mark McGowan has been heckled by Country Women's Association members for refusing to back down on education cuts - but they still gave him a basket of scones. Hundreds of people marched to parliament on Tuesday and held up signs against the closure of some rural education services, in what was the first rally in the CWA's 94-year history. The "polite" protest meant business, with hundreds up in arms over cuts to education. Credit:Nationals WA. CWA state president Heather Allen said the government should reverse all the cuts to education and leave the state's agricultural colleges alone. Ms Allen said the cuts came at a time when people were starting to understand the importance of agriculture, food production and "the whole paddock to plate delivery". The chief executive of Qatar Airways has indicated he would like to build a new five-star hotel in Canberra - but only if he gets a good deal on the land from the ACT government. The airline's first flight into Canberra landed on Monday, and Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker - who is also chief executive of the Dhiafatina Hotel group and the Hamad International Airport - said he wanted to bring one of the top hotel brands to the nation's capital. Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker at the Qatar Airways media launch in Canberra. But Mr Al Baker said he was not prepared "to write a big cheque for that real estate". "We see there is potential for more five-star room nights [but] we would need to be provided real estate that is appropriately priced, I would prefer it to be free over say a 99-year or 100-year lease," Mr Al Baker said. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has made sweeping changes to his office designed to sharpen Labor's political messaging and help ready the party for a federal election. Mr Shorten announced late Tuesday communications specialists Ryan Liddell and Gerard Richardson would move into new and more high profile roles. Mr Liddell, formerly Mr Shorten's communications director, has been promoted to chief of staff, the most senior position in the office. Mr Richardson filled the vacancy created by Mr Liddell. Ryan Liddell will serve as Bill Shorten's chief of staff. Credit:Andrew Meares The appointment of the well-regarded Mr Liddell, who has served Mr Shorten since he became opposition leader in October 2013, caps a meteoric rise for the Melbourne-based staffer, who began as a fresh-faced media adviser in Canberra in 2011 under former attorney-general Robert McClelland. The $13 billion rescue plan for Australias longest river system is poised to implode after NSW and Victoria threatened to pull out of the landmark agreement. The rare show of unity by NSWs Liberal-National government and Victoria's Labor government, which would effectively lead to the collapse of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, came in response to a Greens push to prevent two federal government measures to make more water available to irrigators. Federal Labor had indicated it would support the Greens to disallow at least one of the measures, to be voted on by the Senate this week, but the party is understood to be reconsidering its position. NSW and Victoria have threatened to pull out of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. Credit:Peter Braig NSW Water Minister Niall Blair and Victorian Water Minister Lisa Neville on Tuesday warned senators that, should they support the Greens disallowance motions, their states would withdraw support for the basin plan. As Barnaby Joyce's political future hangs in the balance, members of the junior Coalition partner's 21-strong party room are holding fast. Mostly. But such is the depth of the crisis engulfing their leader and, by extension, their party, they are also beginning to ponder what had been unthinkable: life after "Barnaby". A source within the Nationals said Joyce may yet arrive at the decision to resign if only on the grounds the controversy is placing undue pressure on Campion whose pregnancy is now entering its latter stage. Nationals MPs are considering what to do if Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce resigns. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen While Joyce is still determined to stare down growing criticism of his personal circumstances, declaring "I'll emerge from it", distressed Nationals are becoming increasingly conscious of the damage to their socially conservative, family values brand. Former deputy prime minister Mark Vaile says the Barnaby Joyce scandal is threatening the Turnbull government, and urged Nationals MPs to urgently resolve the deepening personal and political crisis. Former Nationals leader Warren Truss has also intervened in the saga, saying Mr Joyce's affair with former staffer Vikki Campion had damaged the Deputy Prime Minister's ability to lead and the issue needed to be resolved "constructively and quickly". Late on Tuesday, some Nationals MPs were discussing whether to form a delegation that would approach the embattled Deputy Prime Minister and call on him to stand aside. Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce is clinging to his job. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen However, many are paralysed with doubt and aren't ready to move on Mr Joyce. Unlike the Labor and Liberal parties, Nationals MPs have traditionally shied away from cutting down leaders and have only done it once in their history. Morwell's defunct power station and briquette factories have been deemed worthy of protection by the Heritage Council of Victoria, after a local activist nominated them. But Planning Minister Richard Wynne says the heritage listing would not stop the energy plant from being demolished if an owner applied to do so. The Morwell power plant soon after it was built. Credit:State Electricity Commission of Victoria On Monday, the Heritage Council said the plants cultural and heritage significance to the state meant it was worth protecting. But the ruling means only that any owner wanting to knock the power plant and associated briquette works down would need to jump through an extra bureaucratic hurdle before it could do so. Extradition proceedings could recommence as early as this week in Israel against alleged paedophile Malka Leifer who is wanted by Victoria Police on 74 charges of child sex abuse. Israeli police arrested Ms Leifer on Monday and authorities have accused her of faking mental illness to avoid extradition to Australia. Former school principal and alleged paedophile Malka Leifer. Nick Mazzeo, who represents an alleged victim, said Israels Justice Ministry informed his client that Ms Leifer would this week appear in court on domestic charges relating to obstruction of legal proceedings and claims she was mentally unfit to stand trial. Ms Leifer is then expected to go before court again for an extradition review, Mr Mazzeo said. Premier Daniel Andrews says he would support releasing a "version" of the report into the allegations against former lord mayor Robert Doyle. Mr Doyle quit Melbourne City Council last week, after a series of sexual harassment allegations were made against him by multiple women, including two fellow councillors. "I don't know how many people have come forward and made claims, Mr Andrews told ABC Radio on Tuesday morning. He said he was not sure if a full version of the report was made public whether their anonymity could be protected. Former lord mayor Robert Doyle (centre) last year with Planning Minister Richard Wynne (left) and Premier Daniel Andrews. Credit:Jason South The report into Mr Doyles behaviour has been completed by barrister Ian Freckelton, but is still awaiting a response by the former lord mayor to its findings. A Sydney man accused of overseeing a multi-million dollar Australian drug syndicate is set to be extradited from Thailand seven years after skipping bail in South Australia. Robert Gordon Pollybank Gee, 60, has been held in a Bangkok prison since he was arrested at a bar on the Thai resort island of Phuket in 2016. Seven years after fleeing the country while on bail, Robert Gordon Pollybank Gee is set to be extradited back to Australia. Credit:Crime Stoppers Australian Federal Police said Gee fled to Thailand after being granted bail on a $10,000 surety. He was allowed to keep his passport despite facing serious drugs charges relating to a 2006 South Australian police operation codenamed Crunch. LONDON: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will hear on Wednesday whether his legal bid to stop action against him for breaching bail has been successful, in a ruling that could pave the way for him to leave the Ecuadorean embassy in London. Even if a judge rules in his favour, though, he may elect to stay in the embassy, where he has been holed up for almost six years, because of his fear that the United States may seek his extradition on charges related to the activities of WikiLeaks. It is not clear whether the United States does intend to seek Assange's extradition to face prosecution over WikiLeaks' publication of a large trove of classified military and diplomatic documents - one of the largest information leaks in US history. Awaiting a verdict: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Credit:AP During his successful election campaign, US President Donald Trump praised Assange's organisation for releasing hacked emails from Democratic National Committee (DNC) computers, telling a rally in Oct. 2016 "I love WikiLeaks". Washington: As the midterm elections approach, Russia is likely to throw more propaganda at Americans, using people sympathetic to their messages and fake personalities on social media many of them run by bots to sow further political and social divisions in the United States, the top US intelligence officials said on Tuesday. The intelligence chiefs warned the Senate Intelligence Committee, during an annual hearing on worldwide threats, that Russia believes its interference in the 2016 presidential election largely achieved its chief aim weakening faith in American democracy. Moscow now sees the coming congressional elections as a chance to build on its gains, they said. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats speaks at a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Credit:AP "There should be no doubt that Russia perceives its past efforts as successful and views the 2018 US midterm elections as a potential target for Russian influence operations," said Dan Coats, director of national intelligence. "Throughout the entire community we have not seen any evidence of any significant change from last year," he added. SEE ALSO HARLEY-DAVIDSON NHTSA RECALL CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Feb. 12, 2018 -- Today Bob Hilliard filed a lawsuit against Harley Davidson for a defect of the brakes in their motorcycle, the 2008 VRSC Night Rod. His client, John Alexander Gifford, was traveling home from work in Austin, TX in December of 2016 when he applied his brakes, lost control of his bike and slammed into trees near the roadway. As a result of the accident Mr. Gifford has undergone over 11 surgeries and continues to suffer through immeasurable pain. Mr. Gifford's Harley Davidson was just recalled for defective brakes. Last week Harley-Davidson, less than a year after another large recall, announced a new recall of approximately 175,000 for malfunctioning and failing brakes. The new recall (Harley-Davidson recall number 0171) affects every Touring, CVO Touring, and VSRC motorcycle built in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 with antilock brakes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That includes over 30 Harley-Davidson models in total, including police models. According to the recall "deposits" can form "on components within the brake system if the DOT 4 brake fluid is not replaced for a prolonged period of time beyond the two-year maintenance schedule." If a motorcycle's front or rear brake pedal feels "hard" (or cannot be activated at all) at startup or after an ABS event, it may already be affected by deposits in the bike's antilock braking system. Over 40 complaints including three crashes and two injuries gave cause to the NHTSA to pressure Harley-Davidson to declare a national recall. The agency had been investigating complaints about the problem since summer 2016. Mr. Hilliard states, "Harley-Davidson was advised by NHTSA almost 6 months before this accident that there were failures occurring in this braking system at abnormally high rates. Instead of immediately contacting its customers, including my client, Harley-Davidson, the company, went into a CYA mode. It did all it could to avoid a recall, to blame its own customers, and to drag its feet on providing potentially lifesaving information to the owners. As a result, Mr. Gifford literally suffered the almost complete ripping off of his entire lower torso, requiring 11 surgeries to date, with more to come. His daily level of pain is excruciating." ABOUT HMG http://www.hmglawfirm.com/ Hilliard Martinez Gonzales LLP (HMG) specializes in mass torts, personal injury, product liability, commercial and business litigation, and wrongful death. For over two decades, Bob Hilliard's firm has been appointed by Judge's in Texas and around the country to lead class actions, including the single largest litigation in US history, GM's ignition switch defect litigation. Bob Hilliard was tried over 100 jury trials and obtained the Largest Verdict in the country in 2012 and the #1 verdict in Texas. 2018 Ford F-150 Raptor Review; Pure Fun, But Not For The City By Larry Nutson 2018 Ford F-150 Raptor Pure fun, but not for the city By Larry Nutson Senior Editor and Bureau Chief Chicago Bureau The Auto Channel When I saw on my schedule that a Raptor was coming my way, I had some second thoughts about the wisdom of wheeling around Chicagos streets in a full-size pickup. Of course, I see plenty of full-size pickups doing just that everyday. My other concern was how the Raptor would fit in my parking space. I knew it would be a bit long and certainly stick out a bit. I might even have trouble just to get in to the space. I park in a gated and secure residential parking lot with other cars, crossovers and SUVs. If all the parking spaces are occupied the room to maneuver is tight. When the Raptor arrived I was relieved that is was the SuperCab model, and not the 12-inch longer SuperCrew Cab. However, I had completely forgotten that the Raptor has a 6-inch wider track and is 86 inches wide overall. My neighboring parking-mates will not be thrilled by the reduced space between our vehicles. As it turned out, I was overly concerned. During my stint with the Raptor I came and went as I pleased with only a bit more additional maneuvering. Thank goodness for reverse parking sensors and a back-up camera. This was my second Raptor drive experience. I was fortunate to join in the 2017 Raptor launch program in December 2016 in Southern California. We drove the Raptor from San Diego to the Mojave Desert having plenty of on-road time behind the wheel. In the Mojave we trail-drove, rock-crawled and also made a high-speed desert drive through a dry riverbed, into a sand dune bowl and across a dry lakebed. Speeds varied from a couple miles per hour to flat out. Thats a bit over 100 mph. Here's the drive report which includes lots of tech details on the Raptor. I was hoping for a big-snow to hit Chicago for this mid-winter drive. Well, we had some snow but not enough to make for much excitement. The Raptor for 2018 is mostly unchanged. The tailgate design has been tweaked and taillights are redesigned. Three new colors, Lead Foot, Guard, and Race Red replace Ruby Red and Avalanche for 2018. A new 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo is now optional instead of the Sony audio system. For this in-Chicago drive I drove a 2017 model in the now-discontinued Avalanche color with a base price of $48,325. For 2018 the Raptor begins at $50,020. Options on my test-Raptor included 10-way power and heated front seats, leather-seat surfaces, SYNC 3 and an 8-inch LCD Touchscreen in the center stack ($3,158), pro-trailer backup assist ($395), voice-activated navigation ($795), exterior graphics package ($1,075), hood graphics package ($900), SYNC connect ($235), 4.10 front axle with Torsen differential ($500), tailgate step ($375) and a spray-in bedliner ($495). Destination charge is $1,195 for a total of $57,448. So whats it like to drive a long and wide full-size pickup around a crowded city. Well, I drove slower, made wider turns, dreaded the thought of needing to parallel park, and thus sought out easier in-and-out street parking places, and avoided parking garages. Overall height can be a concern too, with the Raptor standing 78.5 inches tall. I wouldnt want to be a semi-truck driver in the city and I started to feel a bit like them in the rather large Raptor. I ignored fuel consumption and instead enjoyed the Raptors 450HP twin turbo 3.5-L EcoBoost V6 coupled to the 10-speed automatic. The Raptor has plenty of go-power and will hit 60 mph from stop in a touch over 5 seconds. In case you are interested, EPA test-cycle rating are 16 mpg combined, with 15 city mpg and 18 highway mpg, which is about 23-percent better than the Gen-one Raptor from 2014. Raptors suspension is designed to handle the worst stuff, therefore city streets are actually very easy to handle. The suspension, designed for off-road, is nicely calibrated so even around town things are not too harsh and uncomfortable. The 17-inch BF Goodrich KO2 all-terrain tires do sing a bit at higher highway speeds, which I recall from my first drive. However, thats a tradeoff for their outstanding off-road capability. This Raptor was equipped with Fords pro-trailer back-up assist. I didnt have a trailer readily at my disposal to use this feature. However, I had tried it out a couple years back when the new F-150 was just being brought to market. Its a great tool that makes trailer backing very easy. Using a rotary knob on the IP all you do is watch in the rear view mirrors and turn the knob in the direction you want the trailer to go and the system takes over the steering. Another godsend. In the cabin the Raptor is quite nice. The climb up and in is eased by running boards. Theres plenty of room and the seats are comfy and supportive. The rear-hinged, rear doors on the SuperCab make for easy grocery hauling. You can see plenty looking out, but like most big trucks its hard to judge nearby objects and vehicles when maneuvering. More details and specifications on the Raptor and the entire F-150 model line can be found at www.ford.com. As for whats next, Ford just announced the return of the Ranger pickup to the U.S. market. The mid-size pickup market is growing especially with urban dwellers still wanting their trucks for weekend fun. Well see the new Ranger show up at Ford retailers in the first quarter of 2019. Going hand-in-hand, Ford just revealed a Ranger-based Raptor for the Asia-Pacific market. Ill venture a guess well see a Range Raptor in the U.S. sometime in 2019. The Ford F-150 Raptor is fairly popularit outsold Corvette in January 2018. The Ford Performance team has done a great job in engineering a very fun truck with outstanding on-road and off-road creds. Yes, the Raptor is a big guy for wheeling around the city. However, take the Raptor out in to the wilds and its the best of the best. 2018 Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy The Most Useful and Unbiased Ford Car and Truck Consumer Research Tools Anywhere! WARNING! - 2006 Ford Ranger Owners STOP DRIVING YOUR RANGER NOW! Ford Advises Additional Customers to Stop Driving Certain 2006 Ford Ranger Vehicles and Contact Dealers for Immediate Repairs Mazda Motor Corp. issuing a similar expansion for about 1,800 2006 Mazda B-series trucks that were built by Ford after it has issued a warning for 160 trucks in January. DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 12, 2018 Ford is advising owners of certain additional North America 2006 Ford Ranger vehicles with Takata non-desiccated airbag inflators to stop driving their vehicles and contact their dealers immediately for repairs. The 33,428 vehicles, which were previously under a separate Takata airbag inflator recall, have been transferred due to an elevated risk to safety posed by airbag inflators that may have a higher risk of rupturing in the event of a crash than other recalled Takata inflators. Ford is advising these owners of certain Ford Rangers to stop driving their vehicles so dealers can make repairs immediately. Parts are available now and dealers are prepared to get vehicles directly from customers, make permanent repairs that will resolve the safety risk and provide a free interim loaner vehicle, if necessary. Ford previously took this action on a population of approximately 3,000 2006 Ford Ranger vehicles because there were two fatalities caused by driver airbag inflator ruptures from Takata inflators built on the same day. After Ford took this action, the company continued its investigation and testing. Further inflator and propellant test data showed higher propellant pressures and ruptures inside certain inflators in vehicles built during the period included in this expanded recall. Ford is not aware of any injuries or fatalities involved in these additional vehicles. Affected vehicles include certain 2006 Ford Rangers built at Twin Cities Assembly Plant from Aug. 10, 2005 to Dec. 15, 2005 and from August 5, 2005 to November 4, 2005. This expanded recall involves approximately 33,428 additional 2006 Ford Rangers in North America with 30,603 located in the United States and federalized territories and 2,825 in Canada. The total number of vehicles included in this recall now is 36,330. The Ford reference number for this recall is 18S02. Dealers will get vehicles directly from customers, make permanent repairs that will resolve the safety risk and provide a free interim loaner vehicle, if necessary. Its important to note the driver and passenger airbag inflators in all 2004-06 Ford Rangers built in North America are already under a Takata airbag inflator recall. Final service parts are available now and customers are encouraged to contact their dealers to get their vehicles serviced. Ford has a VIN look-up tool at Ford.com that customers can use to determine if their vehicle is one of those involved in this action. It can be found here. Second Annual What Drives Her Celebrates Women in the Auto Industry SEE ALSO:Carz4Girlz - Because GirlZ Are Car CraZy Too! (Originally Published 2/20/2005) CHICAGO (Feb. 13, 2018) - Furthering its mission to honor and celebrate women in the automotive industry, the Chicago Auto Show partnered with Women in Automotive and A Girls Guide to Cars for the annual What Drives Her networking luncheon and panel discussion, presented by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. Hosted during the show's Media Preview, the What Drives Her panel brought together women working in automotive, manufacturing and media for a deep dive into the industry trends impacting the experience of women. The conversation, guided in part by Ford's 2018 Trends Report, covered topics such as technology disruption, the gig economy and activism. "Our world is changing so fast," said Scotty Reiss, founder of A Girls Guide to Cars, in her opening remarks. "Things are moving so quickly that the advice you get today may not be relevant tomorrow." That context was the cornerstone of the two-part panel discussion, which kicked off with a "Coffee Chat" featuring: Cars.com Editor in Chief Jennifer Newman Facebook's Industry Manager, Auto Team, Kim Stonehouse Ford's Mini and Medium Utility Marketing Manager Cristina Aquino Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI) Vice President, Automotive Market, Dr. Jody Hall Panelists touched on the importance of women in leadership roles, the increasing role women play in shaping the automotive industry and how women can play an active role in closing the gender and inequality gaps that exist in both business and everyday life. Christina Aquino of Ford said it starts with self-awareness and advocacy. "It's being aware of the different movements that we're seeing around us," said Aquino. "And recognizing if someone's voice isn't being heard, we make sure to find ways to support them." Following the coffee chat, Jill Ciminillo, the first female president of the Midwest Automotive Media Association, opened the presentation for the Word of Mouth Marketing Association's 2018 Driving Engagement Award. Nissan was named the winner for its #SheDrives campaign in which the company provides driver's education to women in Saudi Arabia, who just this year will be given the legal right to drive. Historically, the award has recognized automakers with compelling campaigns that drive engagement on social media. This year, the association looked specifically for those campaigns that engaged women. Campaigns by Volvo and Audi were among the finalists. Word-of-mouth marketing is a particularly important tool given an estimated 92 percent of consumers trust word-of-mouth recommendations from people they do not know over branded content. Michelle Krebs led the luncheon and panel session, which included: Hyundai Senior Group Manager of Brand Marketing and Advertising Monique Kumpis General Motors Manager, Dealer Policy Celeste Briggs Nissan Director, Chief Marketing Manager Anne Corrao The panelists covered topics ranging from the car buying experience for women, which they said commands a different approach than the traditional sales model, to the need for expanded diversity in automotive leadership. "We have come a long way, and I'm so excited to see people like Mary Barra as the CEO of GM," said Kumpis. "And, at Hyundai, we have our first regional general manager in Kimberly Walker, who is an incredibly strong woman running the western region for Hyundai. But I still think we have a long way to go." Kumpis went on to discuss one of the most significant challenges most women face in the workplace was feeling they need to absorb more responsibility - often without compensation - to get the recognition they deserve, which can take a toll on work/life balance. The panelists unanimously agreed that, to get ahead, women should learn to say no to assignments in addition to saying yes. The What Drives Her event is just one example of how Chicago Auto Show organizers engage women. When it comes to the public, Foresight Research reports the Chicago Auto Show has an almost even split of male and female attendees: 54 percent are male and 46 percent are female. Further, research shows that women are involved in 85 percent of purchasing decisions when it comes to vehicles. Manufacturers, exhibitors and show organizers will build on the momentum of the What Drives Her event during its annual Women's Day today, Tuesday, Feb. 13. Women are admitted entry at the reduced rate of $7 per ticket for special events and programs tailored specifically to females. For a full list of Women's Day activities, please visit chicagoautoshow.com. For continuing coverage and a behind-the-scenes look at the show, follow the Chicago Auto Show on social media. For more information about the 2018 Chicago Auto Show, please visit www.chicagoautoshow.com ### About the Chicago Auto Show The Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America, spanning more than one million square feet of production, concept and exotic vehicle exhibit space. In addition to hosting multiple world and North American vehicle debuts, the Chicago Auto Show's First Look for Charity raises more than $2.5 million annually for 18 vital Chicago organizations in a single night. The 2018 public show is Feb. 10-19. Mercedes-Benz Chooses Publicis For International Advertising Budget Stuttgart. February 13, 2018; Following a one-year selection process, Mercedes-Benz has decided to cooperate with Publicis as its new international network agency. Publicis is one of the world's biggest and most renowned agency groups. As part of the digital transformation of the Mercedes-Benz brand, processes are currently being realigned in marketing communications. Alongside the local adaptation of the global and regional Mercedes-Benz campaigns in around 40 markets, the focus of the pitch was on increasing synergies for a more consistent look worldwide for the Mercedes-Benz brand on the digital platforms plus stronger dovetailing of central and local digital content. Publicis will set up the new agency "Publicis Emil" located in Berlin to align the brand and product content in the future specifically to the needs and requirements of the Mercedes-Benz brand. The brand currently works mainly with three creative agencies for various societies. These are antoni in Germany and Europe, Merkley+Partners in the USA, and BBDO China in China. We are delighted to have found a new promising partner in Publicis for our global agency network. Mercedes-Benz is one of the world's biggest companies that advertise, and it is - more than ever before - currently a highly attractive international budget, explains Dr Jens Thiemer, Vice President Marketing Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars. "Our focus of cooperation with the new agency partner is above all on the worldwide digital marketing and communication measures in order to drive forward digital transformation at Mercedes-Benz. Our criteria for this are clear: best digital know-how, best systems, best creativity, best consultancy, best conditions." Fair and transparent selection process Selection of the new agency was made on the basis of a standardised, uniform process involving all participating regions. In order to guarantee a fair and transparent process, Daimler's internal Pitch Team was supported by The Observatory International, one of the world's leading consultancy firms in the field of marketing and communication. The agency services presented were assessed according to uniform criteria and collated to form an overall result with the aid of a predetermined weighting key. For orientation during the entire process Mercedes-Benz also used the common guidelines of the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) and the European Association of Communications Agencies (EACA) on conducting pitches. BBDO Worldwide has been responsible for adapting the campaigns in around 40 markets since 2007. The contract expires on 30 June 2018. "Our huge thanks to BBDO Worldwide and in particular to Andrew Robertson and Thilo Schotte personally for eleven years of extremely successful cooperation, which has elevated international marketing at Mercedes-Benz to new heights", said Dr Jens Thiemer. Beyonce and Jay-Z. Photo: Getty Images Welcome to You Know What I Heard, the Cuts weekly celebrity gossip column about the peregrinations of the rich and famous. Have gossip? Email me at allie.jones@nymag.com, send me a message on Twitter, or contact me on Signal (ask for the number). Holidays mean nothing when you are a celebrity, but lets use Valentines Day as an excuse to check in on the relationships of famous people we dont know and love. Like: Beyonce and Jay-Z. That rough patch is behind them, right? Well, according to Americas favorite storyteller Tiffany Haddish, Beyonce is still feeling a bit defensive when it comes to other women talking to her husband. Daring to go where no friend of Beyonces has gone before, Haddish shared a revealing anecdote about Beyonces life in new docu-series on TV One called Uncensored. Heres the story: Haddish attended Jay-Zs concert at the Forum in Inglewood, California, at the end of December. At the after-party, she met Beyonce and later talked to Jay-Z. Then things got touchy. I was talking to Jay-Z for a little bit, Haddish said. And there was another actress that was there who was also talking to Jay-Z. And she touched Jay-Zs chest, and Beyonce came walking up like, Biiiitch! She didnt say that, Haddish continued. But her demeanor, her body from the way she walked up on her was like, Get your hands off my mans chest. So then, she started talking to the other actress and some other stuff happened, but Im not gonna say nothin yet. But its gonna be in these streets. Aaahh! What happened? Haddish previously suggested, in an interview with Vulture, that some kind of fight happened at the after-party, which led to Haddish and Beyonce taking a selfie together to cool off. Who was the unnamed actress that caused all the drama? We dont have a list of everyone who was invited to the after-party, but we do know that several celebrities went the concert, like Rihanna, James Franco, French Montana, Queen Latifah, and the rapper G-Eazy. Two actresses who definitely attended? Sara Foster, who came with celebrity jewelry designer Jen Meyer, and Sanaa Lathan, who sat with French Montana during the show. Just two names to consider. Thank you, Tiffany Haddish! Heres another celebrity marriage that deserves a check-in: Jennifer Aniston and Justin Therouxs. Aniston turned 49 on Sunday, and according to Instagram, she celebrated the day with girlfriends at Courteney Coxs house in Malibu. This years celebrations appear to be more low-key in comparison to last year when she vacationed in Los Cabos, Mexico, with Cox and husband Justin Theroux, People noted. Indeed. So where was Theroux? It appears hes in New York, his preferred city, for Fashion Week. He was photographed at the Adam Selman show last week and spotted walking out of a Manhattan hotel yesterday. Over the weekend, he wore a Supreme jacket and walked a dog in Washington Square Park: Justin Theroux. Photo: ARIS/BrosNYC / BACKGRID Its interesting: Aniston just shared (very beautiful) photos of her L.A. home with Architectural Digest, and in the interview, she talked a lot about how she loves to stay in with Theroux and their three dogs. But Theroux has a dog in New York? Im taking a long sip of Smartwater and praying, as always, for Jennifer Aniston to find peace. Ellen DeGeneres also had a birthday this weekend, and she celebrated by inviting every celebrity on the planet to a party at the Lot Studios in L.A. on Saturday night. Jennifer Aniston was there (sans husband), as were Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West; Chrissy Teigen and John Legend; Oprah; Jennifer Lawrence; J.Lo; all of them. Amy Schumer used the partys photo booth to confirm her relationship with chef Chris Fischer. New couple Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson were photographed holding hands outside the venue. Martins ex, Gwyneth Paltrow, one-upped them by making out with her new fiance Brad Falchuk in front of the paparazzi. This is the first time the two couples have been spotted at the same event. Is this what its going to be like from now on? Drew Barrymore, meanwhile, brought a bearded mystery man to the party. She was last rumored to be dating David Hutchinson, a VP at the company that produces her Flower Beauty products. This guy is different. And Leo DiCaprio is still hanging out with 20-year-old Cami Morrone. Last month, a source close to DiCaprio told us that he is just family friends with the model and actress. Heres a photo of him touching her lower back and guiding her into Ellens party. Cami Morrone and Leo DiCaprio. Photo: Splash News/Splash News One small blessing from this week: Heres a video of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen walking into The Rows fashion show in New York yesterday. Having a beautiful morning pic.twitter.com/DB4znc97hN rachel seville tashjian (@theprophetpizza) February 12, 2018 Finally, Ill leave you with a personal opinion: Prince Harry better wear a wedding ring. British tabloids are starting to speculate about whether or not he will when he marries Meghan Markle in May, because its sort of a stuffy mens tradition in Britain to not wear any jewelry at all. Prince Philip has never worn a wedding ring, and neither has Prince William. But Prince Charles wore one when he was married to Princess Diana, and he wears one now that hes married to Camilla. Prince Harry should wear one! Dont be rude. Heres the happy couple at a public engagement in Scotland today: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Photo: WPA Pool/Getty Images Thanks so much for gossiping this week. Dont forget to email me at allie.jones@nymag.com, send me a message on Twitter, or contact me on Signal, if youd like to chat. Aurora James. Photo: Christopher Sherman I always knew that I wanted to work in fashion, said Brother Vellies founder Aurora James. But I also knew that I needed to do something that was going to give back to the world. The Toronto-bred, Brooklyn-based designer launched her sustainable footwear line in 2013 after her travels in Africa, where she fell in love with traditional South African shoes called veldskoen, colloquially known as vellies. She enlisted local artisans to help produce her own take on the traditional footwear, and quickly became a CFDA favorite, winning the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award in 2015. James is committed to using locally sourced materials and animal byproducts, and employing artisans in Morocco, Ethiopia, and South Africa whom she pays a living wage. For me its really about how you can have as little impact on the environment as possible and simultaneously work with people at what is traditional to them, said James. She is also invested in having a positive impact at home James recently galvanized a group of 20 other designers (including Gabriela Hearst and Brandon Maxwell) to create custom products from sweatshirts to sundries to benefit Planned Parenthood and the Womens March. Their Together We Rise capsule collection will be available through the end of fashion month. The tireless James, who claims shes always in search of a good hat, is also collaborating with milliner Gigi Burris on a collection that debuts Thursday, February 15. The straw that Gigi and I chose is actually from Madagascar, she said. I think theyre really beautiful and very kind of feminine and fun and kind of exactly what I wanted to wear this spring. Below, the designer answers the Cuts questions about everything from her dream vacation to her favorite Instagram follows. Read on for the full Q&A. Photo: Christopher Sherman How do you thank people for a gift? I love to send a thank-you note. I think sometimes though a call is pleasant and then surprising them with something thoughtful on another occasion where its not likely expected also goes a long way. Color or no color on your nails? No color, please. Nude on toes. Mood lighting or natural light? Always sunshine. What are five coffee-table books youd be proud to display? Currently on my table: Petra Collins: Coming of Age, Gucci Manes autobiography, Viviane Sassen: Pikin Slee, A B to Jay-Z, A Day in the Life of Africa. Heels or flats? Both. Thats a Sophies Choice question for a shoe designer. Im very obsessed with the Blush Palms Pumps, I wear them all the time with jeans a T-shirts. My go-to year-round flat is the whiskey Unity Boot. Just as great with a floral dress as jeans and a fisherman sweater. What would you never wear? A MAGA hat. What trend do you like right now? People dressing like they are living their very best lives, whatever that may be. Adesuwa is good at that. No-makeup makeup, or actually no makeup? Actually no makeup, if you feel like it. Whats your dream vacation? Egypt. Its very different than the other countries I have spent time in on Africa. I would love to see the things its known for, of course pyramids, monuments, etc. But Im very curious about way of life as well. And artisan traditions. Whats one way your taste has changed since you were a teen and one way its stayed the same? I think as an adult Im more consistent with my taste year after year. But I am still a die-hard lover of vintage. Always have been, always will be. Whats your guilty pleasure? Peanut butter. What are your favorite accounts to follow on Instagram? I enjoy following Sarah Sophie Flicker, she inspires me to keep showing up. Last show you binge-watched? I am two episodes deep into the Versace series on FX. So thats two episodes further than Ive gotten on any other show in the past three years. Whats your favorite Pair of jeans? My vintage Levis. T-shirt? My boyfriends vintage Woodstock T-shirt, currently in my possession. Pajamas? La Ligne Bonne Nuit. Theyre cute enough to change into immediately after work without feeling like youre giving zero effort. Flower? Protea. Its incredibly beautiful. I fell in love with it in South Africa. Chocolate maker? Royce! They deliver as well, using dry ice. Its amazing. Perfume? Im mostly allergic. Sheets/bedding? Parachute white linen. Im a sucker for linen everything. But its great for sheets because they get progressively softer with age, wash, and wear. Lip balm? Chanel Hydra Beauty. Its nourishing enough to keep you covered even in the blistering cold winds. Shop the Story If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission. Vanessa Trump and Donald Trump Jr. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Donald Trump Jr.s wife, Vanessa Trump, was rushed to a hospital on Monday after opening a letter addressed to her husband which contained a suspicious white powder, the New York Post reports. Vanessa was in her mothers Manhattan home when she opened the envelope. While she and two other people in the residence were taken to New York-Presbyterian Hospital, teams from the NYPDs Emergency Services Unit, the Intelligence Bureau, the Secret Service, and a hazmat unit, as well as the Department of Environmental Protection and the FBIs Joint Terrorism Task Force arrived to investigate the scene. Authorities told the Post they determined the substance inside the envelope was corn starch. No one seems to have been injured during the incident, and police and Secret Service are investigating who may have sent the package. In a statement, the Secret Service said: The Secret Service and our law enforcement partners in New York City are investigating a suspicious package addressed to one of our protectees received today in New York, New York. This is an active investigation and we cannot comment any further. Keyshia Kaoir Davis has a lot of tips for running a business. As a CEO of three companies, she could probably write a book but for now she just lobs little pearls of wisdom into casual conversation for free. One tip: Start each day by making a to-do list, and check every item off by the end of the day. Davis has been doing this since she started her makeup company, Kaoir Cosmetics, seven years ago. Each list is a running tally of all the things she has to do to build her brand order more blue lipsticks, schedule a photo shoot. She still has the first notebook she used for this purpose, but now she keeps the lists on her iPhone 8. Im suuuuuper detailed, she says. It gets overwhelming when youre running so many successful businesses and you have a successful husband that would be Gucci Mane, whom she married in 2017 and we have such busy schedules. If I dont have this, she says, waving her phone, todays list on display, I lose my mind. Some other tips she lets loose during the December afternoon I spent at her house: Dont let anybody else handle your money always write your own checks. Do your own inventory. Dont procrastinate. Have confidence. Dont rush. Dont be late, especially not if you work for her. Stay focused especially when it comes to men; do not get caught up in men. Be stern when you need to be stern. Pray for everything. Dont eat salt. Wait, what? Salt is the enemy, she says, deadly serious. I suppose Im willing to accept that as business advice from someone who owns a makeup and fitness line. And another crucial warning: God help the makeup artist who doesnt do Kaoirs makeup the right way. If her business rules are exacting, then her beauty rules are more inflexible than the laws of physics. For example, when she does her eyes, its with such precision it seems like she knows down to the millimeter how thick the black eyeliner that hugs her lash line should be and the exact protractor degree for the angle of her cat-eye flick. Highlighter must be applied to maximize the feline angularity of her face. And thou shalt not touch her lips. No makeup artist touches my lips, she says. She and she alone applies her lipstick using her own super-pigmented matte product because only she can fill in every part of her lips so that not a single smudge goes astray, without even using a mirror. On this particular afternoon, Kaoir, 33, is sitting in pageant-queen posture, fuzzy white slipper dangling from her pedicured foot. Shes in the designated beauty room of the Fort Lauderdale home she and Gucci Mane share. Their house well, second house; the other is in Atlanta well, okay, second mansion is in one of those gated communities where it looks like someone planted stacks of hundred-dollar bills and McMansions sprouted up from the swampland, Bentleys included. Much of Kaoirs home has an air of the rarely used: echoing high ceilings, gigantic white furniture, and a Versailles-meets-Versace dining room complete with place settings that may never see the five-course meals they could accommodate. But not the beauty room, a lived-in space where she sits in a salon chair, amid stacks of her inventory, examining her face in the warm glow of her vanity and realizing she hates her makeup. She doesnt yell. Thats another tip: Im never rude, she says. Im Jamaican. She just casts a withering stare into the mirror and sighs deeply, before telling the makeup artist working with her today that shed prefer to just do it herself, like she should have done in the first place. If beauty werent her business to begin with, she wouldnt have added beauty mogul to her own resume. Most know Kaoir as one half of the Wopsters, a couple name for her and Gucci, derived from Guccis nickname, GUWOP (an acronym for God Unity Wisdom Opportunity Power). Since getting together in 2011, their romance has become an internet fan favorite thanks to her loyalty during his three-year jail sentence, his well-documented 2016 proposal at an Atlanta Hawks game, and a $2 million Miami wedding that was chronicled on their BET reality show, The Mane Event. But while conceiving of the show, Kaoir wanted to make sure its ten episodes didnt just focus on her diamond bouquet (she had a diamond bouquet) or Guccis rap career, or her role as a devoted wife. Instead, she hopes people see the parts of her personality that allowed her to build a three-headed beauty empire made up of Kaoir Cosmetics, Kaoir Fitness, and Kaoir Hair that she says is worth tens of millions of dollars. Gucci always says, Its crazy how of a great businesswoman you are, and how successful you are. People dont know this, Kaoir tells me. They get a glimpse of it, but they dont really know how I run my business. Joy Mangano couldnt find an alternative to wringing a mop by hand, so she created a self-wringing mop and made millions of dollars. Marion Donovan needed a waterproof diaper for her child, but they didnt exist, so she made one out of a shower curtain and went on to found Pampers. And according to Aaron Sorkin, at least, Mark Zuckerberg didnt have enough self-esteem, so he started Facebook to get some. Kaoirs business arose to meet a similarly simple need. There was something she wanted a blue lipstick and she couldnt find it, and she doesnt take no for an answer. Tom Ford blazer (left) Altuzarra dress (right). Photo: Lindsay Peoples-Wagner. Photo: Ryan Pfluger. Styled by Lindsay Peoples-Wagner Photos by Ryan Pfluger. Styled by Lindsay Peoples-Wagner. In 2009, after college, Jamaican-born Kaoir moved to South Beach to pursue modeling under the name Keyshia Dior. She earned roles in a few music videos, including for Timbalands Say Something, and gained a following on social media. Her beauty-mogul origin story is well outlined in Gucci Manes 2017 autobiography (and also in her self-mythologizing three-part Vimeo documentary, Building the Brand). But as the story goes, one night in 2009 she wanted to wear blue lipstick to match her shoes and her dress, and couldnt find one from any of the major cosmetics companies. My friends were all like, you cant wear blue lipstick because people people will make fun of you. I ignored them, because Im always a unique person and I want to be over the edge. She mixed her blue eye shadow with some lip gloss to create a highly pigmented sky blue lipstick, wore it out, and ended up all over the blogs the next day. No one knew my name, no one knew who I was, but everyone wanted to be the girl with the mohawk and the blue lipstick, Kaoir recounts, waving her hand and her 25-carat engagement ring to emphasize each word. And she knew right away. I had to come up with my own makeup line, starting with that blue lipstick. It now retails for $17.99. Kaoir didnt study business she was studying to be a nurse, like her mother, until she decided scrubs really werent her thing and dropped out. She studied cosmetology for a bit after that. Shed never read a business book, and hadnt started a business before. But her father had owned several businesses, including a cigarette company in Jamaica, where the family lived until she was 10. Thats when her father was killed a subject she doesnt discuss as often as she does the traits she inherited from him. It mustve just been in my blood, she says, because it was so easy for me to run a business. You would think its something I have experience in. She started cold-calling makeup manufacturers and saying, Hi, I see youre a makeup manufacturer. I want to launch of line of lipsticks in colors like orange, yellow, blue, and green. She got a lot of nos. Finally, she got a maybe? and proceeded to call back until she got a yes. Which manufacturer, I interrupt to ask. Well, I cant tell you because then Ill be telling you who my manufacturer is. Another good business practice: Give nothing away. Her connections from modeling and the music world helped: Kaoirs best friend is rapper Trina, and she designed a neon-pink lipstick for her. She also created a signature baby pink lipstick for Snooki from Jersey Shore, who is a fan. As Kaoir tells it, the line became a music-video staple. If you see someone back in 2010 with blue, yellow, green lipstick, I knew it was my brand, she recalls. It was successful because it was different. You couldnt get it from anywhere else. She officially founded Kaoir Cosmetics in 2011 after the lipsticks gained popularity. According to Kaoir, she made her first million in six months after launching the business and bought herself a Rolls-Royce. And when I bought it, I cried, and I dont cry for nothing. Moschino dress. Photo: Lindsay Peoples-Wagner Kaoir supplements her beauty business with club appearances, but for the most part shes a self-described homebody. She runs her business from home, too. On the afternoon when I visit, her Fort Lauderdale house has the quiet energy of the day after Christmas in the suburbs. A TV plays in another room; a smoke detector chirps somewhere; and Amina Diop, Kaoirs friend and manager, keeps offering me a fresh cherry slushy. (They are free-flowing in this house.) Gucci was wrapping presents I spotted something Vuitton before getting spooked by my presence and hopping in his Maybach to let his wife to promote her work. The pair met in 2010. Gucci was at the end of his first prison sentence, trying to set up video shoots for when he got out, when he spotted her in XXLs Eye Candy of the Month column. He told his then-assistant, Diop, to cast her in his video for 911 Emergency. Kaoir accepted, and appeared in the video wearing a skin-tight white bodysuit. Gucci was smitten and asked her out. The rest is a goals relationship for reality-show history. They married earlier last fall, after Guccis 2016 release from prison following a nearly three-year sentence on a firearm possession charge. Gucci is an amazing husband because he supports me, Kaoir says. A lot of men are intimidated by successful women. Not him, though. He wants me to shine. He wants me to be successful. At least, itll have him save more of his money if Ive got money, right? Because Im an expensive wife. Tom Ford blazer, La Perla bodysuit, JBrand Jeans, Sophia Webster shoes. Photo: Lindsay Peoples-Wagner. Photo: Ryan Pfluger. Styled by Lindsay Peoples-Wagner Photos by Ryan Pfluger. Styled by Lindsay Peoples-Wagner. It makes sense Kaoirs home would also be her workplace not just because she doesnt like to go out, or because the reality show that films there is another arm of Kaoir Incorporated, but because the entire empire is more or less built on her image (her aura, as she puts it). She dedicated the second business she launched in 2013 to her second love, fitness. At the time, Gucci wanted to lose weight; she did, too. In particular, she wanted the freedom to wear whatever brands she wanted high-end designers, couture, whatever. I wanted to wear all the designers, she explains. I dont want to be classified as this black girl with this big ass. I just want to look good in whatever I put on and what makes me happy. She says that Fashion Nova has repeatedly offered her money to wear their clothes on Instagram. I dont wear no Fashion Nova. Go ahead and put that in your notes, she tells me, with just the slightest hint of Jamaican patois creeping into her speech, as its prone to do when shes talking money, food, and Gucci (her husband, not the brand) presumably, three of the things that fill her with the greatest emotion. Kaoir Fitness includes her own line of waist trainers, which she calls Waist Erasers ($69.99), because she found corsets and girdles too painful and wanted something she could work out in, something that would help her lose water weight while cinching her waist. She wore the product herself for an entire year before releasing it to the public. Since then, shes launched Kaoir Slimming Tea ($26.99), Thigh Erasers ($54.99), a Body Burner slimming cream ($29.99), a full-body sweat suit ($89.99 to $110.99 depending your size), and a 14-day weight loss plan ($29.99). Kaoir is her own best brand ambassador she says she doesnt pay anyone else to use her products and her own brand is the only one shell promote. (Sorry, Fashion Nova.) She used her reality show to not-so-surreptitiously plug her products: May we never forget the scene where she forces her nana to start wearing a Kaoir Waist Eraser. (Nana loved it, by the way.) When Kaoir wakes up at 6:30 a.m., the first thing she does is sip her detox tea. Then shell go work out in her Waist Eraser for three hours. She uses it almost 23 hours a day, which means she can point to her 17.5-inch waist as evidence of its success. And she wears almost strictly her own makeup, which shes now extended beyond lipsticks into a full line. Her customers, whom she retweets regularly, believe in her products because they revere the Kaoir holy trinity: Keyshias body, Keyshias face, and Keyshias hair. Which leads us to her third business, launched just this January Kaoir Hair. I find myself in a brand-new wig every day, and wigs are a billion-dollar business, she informs me. She will be modeling the whole line herself. In 2018, you have your choice of bright, matte, famous-person-affiliated lipsticks: Pat McGrath Labs, Kylie lip kits, and Rihannas Fenty Beauty all help women make their lips look like Easter eggs. Meanwhile, Instagram is littered with B- to D-list celebrities shilling waist trainers and FitTea that promises to de-bloat (but which probably just de-poops, uncomfortably). Vivica A. Fox and Raquel Welch have their own wig lines. What Kaoir is selling doesnt necessarily seem remarkable or unique but it still sells. Kaoir doesnt bristle at the comparisons. She interprets them, magnanimously, as evidence of her own business acumen. I started this whole thing, she says. Its flattering that the big makeup artists and the bigger celebrities completely learned from me or got ideas from me. Im not going to knock anyone, because there is enough money for everyone to make. Theres nothing I can do. Im not going to sit here and cry over it. I just move on and make my companies bigger. Saks Potts coat. Photo: Lindsay Peoples-Wagner. According to Kaoir, her businesses are valued at $30 million all hers a fact she let slip during an episode of The Mane Event. When I later put in a call to the financial adviser she works with on the show, Rob Gordon of Investor Solutions, my call went unreturned; another financial adviser I spoke to told me that without seeing Kaoirs financial records, theres no way to confirm, since its a privately owned business. All I really have to go on is the diverse portfolio of her closet, which shes showing me now: All the Gucci, Chanel, Dior, and Moschino that shes bought herself. Then theres the house were standing in, and the jewelry shes wearing, which does in fact look like it could feed, clothe, and house a family of four for a few years. But I still want to know how her businesses really turn this kind of profit, especially when I cant buy Kaoir Cosmetics in Sephora, or the Waist Erasers (which Im now convinced I need more than Ive ever needed anything) at Target. There once was a Macys deal, Kaoir recalls. It sounded amazing but I realized Id lose so much money. It looks great, but Im not here for the look, she says. Im here for the money. She backed out of the deal. Kaoir sells her cosmetics wholesale to select private boutiques. She doesnt wholesale the Waist Erasers because she cant keep them on the shelves; those are only available through her website. As I ask her about the $30 million figure, she shifts into full financial-planner mode. My companies are super successful and I shared some ways with you of how to keep it that way, because I dont have any overhead expenses. I dont have any debt, she explains. I bought my house in cash so I dont have a mortgage. I bought my car with cash. I buy my Birkin bags with cash. I dont have credit cards. I dont have partners. I like to write one check for ten million dollars, and done. It helps that I have a super-rich husband, but Im making all this money and I invest in myself. Its so easy for me to make 30 million dollars because Ive seen a lot of celebrities go wrong. With Kaoir changed into her comfies (red fleece PJs and a Waist Eraser) we return to the kitchen so she can eat dinner Chick-fil-A grilled nuggets and fries, no salt. Its about 5:30 and shes already dreaming of the moment I leave so she can go to sleep. I take this moment to return to the subject of her super-rich husband: Would it be difficult to build this empire if she wasnt a famous rappers wife? I worry this question will get me kicked out, but again, she doesnt even blink. I started my business before I even met Gucci, she says. So for me to transition into this super-successful businesswoman, it wasnt difficult for me at all. I was never labeled as dating a rapper for his money. For some reason, that didnt come to me because everyone knew I grind for whatever I wanted. Kaoir has the bulletproof confidence of any white man in business. Sometimes it seems like a lot of bluster but if she doesnt gas herself up, promote herself, and market herself, who else is going to? Maybe she should write that book. Im not a trophy wife, and I dont ever want to be classified as that. I almost feel worthless if I dont have a new product coming out or something new to do. So no, the answer is no. Guccis wife? Laying home? Never. I would die. I want to see other women be as independent and make as much money as their husbands these days. Its easy. Meghan Markle in Scotland. Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys Tuesday visit to Scotland was notable for several reasons. First, it was a romantic pre-Valentines Day work trip (oh la la) for the soon-to-be-married couple. Second, a pony tried to bite Prince Harry. And lastly, Markle dressed in a very Scottish-themed outfit for the occasion. The lip-gloss queen was spotted at Edinburgh Castle wearing black trousers (again!) by U.S. designer Veronica Beard and a chic black turtleneck bodysuit by Wolford. Of course, Markle was also wearing a Burberry tartan coat. The tartan print is a traditional Scottish design, and Burberry is an iconic U.K. brand, so her outfit was on-theme. Meghan Markle in Scotland. Photo: Chris Jackson/Chris Jackson/Getty Images Markle also toted a dark green purse by Edinburgh-based Strathberry. Unfortunately, the East/West cross-body bag is currently sold out in that color, though other hues are available on the brands website for $710. How Scottish of her! 19-Year-Olds Dying Words Lead to Arrests of Her Alleged Murderers Two teens were arrested in Modesto, California, after a 19-year-old woman was fatally stabbed multiple times and left for dead on the side of a Bay Area road, according to authorities. Authorities received a call around 2 a.m. on Monday, Feb 12, from a passing driver who reported that a woman missing an arm was crawling in the middle of Tesla Road in Livermore, according to Sgt. Ray Kelly of the Alameda County Sheriffs Office, reported the San Francisco Chronicle. Livermore: Early this AM, #ALCOFire Batt 3, E-8 & E-21, Paramedics Plus & REACH 2 responded w/ CHP to a medical emergency on Tesla Rd, approx 2 miles west of Carnegie Park. A patient was treated for life threatening injuries (multiple stab wounds) & transported to Eden Hospital. pic.twitter.com/OCbImcyHL9 Alameda County Fire (@AlamedaCoFire) February 12, 2018 There was a rumor she had no arm (and) thats not true, Kelly told the newspaper. We know that she was crawling out to the roadway to get help (that) is what we suspect, he added. When police arrived at the scene, they found that the woman still had all her arms, but was in a critical condition from the stabbing attack. She was airlifted to Eden Medical Center, only later to be pronounced dead. Investigators said the 19-year-old from Tracy, 30 miles west of Modesto, was able to identify a male suspect and that she has said she knew both of the suspects before she passed away, reported KCRA. UPDATE: A teenage woman crawled nearly 100 yards onto a rural road just outside of Livermore early Monday after she was stabbed multiple times and left for dead, authorities said. Story: https://t.co/yHjKpwy0FC https://t.co/NkEDElxruJ Sarah Ravani (@SarRavani) February 12, 2018 Her dying words ultimately led to the arrest of a teenage man and woman, both 19 years of age, in Modesto, Kelly said. The suspects have not been identified by police. Ive been around a long time, and I can only think of two to three times that Im aware of in our agency that weve been able to get a dying declaration like that, Kelly told the San Francisco Chronicle. A dying declaration is a very compelling piece of evidence thats recognized in the court to be very credible and reliable information. Through preliminary investigations, the woman was found to be stabbed and dumped out of a car, authorities said. The woman was also suffering from other unspecified injuries. Her internal fortitude, to stay alive and to fight, is pretty remarkable, the sergeant told the newspaper. This young woman clung to life when she was left for dead and was able to live for another couple hours and get us that information. Ultimately that led us to these arrests, he added. Police investigations are currently underway. No other details have been released at the time of this report. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: How Doctors in China Turn into Murderers After Massacre, Military Quickly Added More Than 4,000 to Gun Ban List A new report said that following an ex-U.S. airman shooting more than two dozen people in a Texas church in November, the U.S. military rushed to add thousands of names to the list of military personnel banned from owning firearms. The CNN report stated that more than 4,000 names were added to the nations list of dishonorably discharged military personnel banned from owning firearms. The rush came after the shooting on Nov. 5 at a church in Sutherlands Spring. Twenty-six people were killed by Devin Kelley, an ex-U.S. airman who had a violent past. A former girlfriend told NBC that Kelley was sick in the head. And it was revealed that Kelley was court-martialed in 2012 on two charges of assault, including fracturing his baby stepsons skull. He was eventually kicked out of the military. Federal law should have prohibited Kelley from purchasing a semiautomatic rifle, but the Air Force had not submitted Kelleys records to the FBI background check system. The CNN report claims that there was a huge push after the massacre to add thousands of names of personnel who had been kicked out of the military to the list banning them from owning firearms. The push helped clear a backlog, which caused the lists size to jump by 4,284 names in just three months. The number had stayed at about 11,000 since 2015 before the jump. It now stands at 15,597 as of December. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: Thrilling GoPro journey down a deep well to check out reports of limestone caves Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce during House of Representatives question time at Parliament House on Oct. 25, 2017, in Canberra, Australia. (Stefan Postles/Getty Images) Barnaby Joyce Speaks Out About Love Affair With Former Staffer Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has made a public statement about his affair with former staffer Vikki Campion in which he apologised to his estranged wife and family, and denied any breach of ministerial rules. Id like to say to Natalie how deeply sorry I am for all the hurt this has caused. To my girls how deeply sorry I am for all the hurt this has caused them. To Vikki Campion how deeply sorry I am that she has been dragged into this, Joyce said during a short statement outside of Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday morning, Feb. 13. The deputy prime minister has also apologised to his electorate following negative publicity over his affair. Id like to also like to say to my supporters and people in my electorate how deeply sorry I am that this personal issue has gone into the public arena. During his brief statement, Joyce publicly confirmed his relationship with Campion, who is pregnant with his baby, but maintained that they were not in a relationship when she was working in his office. I am very aware of the ministerial code of conduct. It is without a shadow of a doubt that Vikki Campion is my partner now. But when she worked in my office, she was not my partner. When she worked in Matt Canavans office, she was not my partner. And Damian Drum was not a minister, he added. Here's a photo @The_NDL took of @Barnaby_Joyce and former staffer Vikki Campion moments after Mr Joyce won the 2016 New England election. Photo: Gareth Gardner #auspol pic.twitter.com/UlfVsETwEp Jamieson Murphy (@jamiesonmurph) February 7, 2018 Joyce subsequently released a written statement detailing Campions employment at his office, reported Fairfax. Vikki Campion has also been the subject of unwanted and deeply hurtful commentary at a difficult time, particularly as we are having a child together in mid-April, Joyce said in his written statement, released after his appearance in front of Parliament House. In 2016, Vikki worked on the election campaign and in August came to work on my staff. A friendship subsequently developed and that became, over time, more. In April last year she went to work for a senior colleague, Mr Canavan. She was well qualified for the role, was an existing and obviously capable staff member and the change was within the existing Nationals staff arrangement. I did not discuss these matters with the Prime Minister or his office as Vikki was not my partner, so they were dealt with in the usual course of staff deployments within the party, he added. The ministerial code of conduct states that close relatives and partners are not to be appointed to positions in their ministerial or electorate offices, and must not be employed in the offices of other members of the Executive Government without the Prime Ministers express approval. Essentially argument here is he got back with his wife in April. He sent Vicki Campion to Matt Canavan's office same month doesn't explain why. Campion is pregnant by July. Moved to Drum office around same time. According to Oz report stress leave October. Redundo December. pic.twitter.com/Yuifr0YbE4 Samantha Maiden (@samanthamaiden) February 12, 2018 Joyce has threatened legal action against an unnamed political enem[y], who he said peddled a story about sexual misconduct at an event in 2011 which was published in the Daily Telegraph and Courier Mail, reported SBS News. No questions were taken and there was no indication whether Joyce was considering resigning over his affair. He is set to be acting Prime Minister when Malcolm Turnbull travels to the United States next week. Acting Prime Minister is an extraordinarily important position and it is hard to believe Mr Joyce could do justice to that position given the distractions he is now enduring, shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus said, reported the ABC. Coalition Senator Ian Macdonald said Joyce was the only person who could resolve this private issue. He said whether the Deputy Prime Minister steps down was a matter for Barnaby to determine. On Monday night, Australian Treasurer Scott Morrison told the ABC, Theres no-one I know in the parliament who is a stronger advocate for rural and regional Australia. While events regarding Barnabys private life are disappointing, most importantly to his family and others, that doesnt change the fact that Barnaby, over a long period of time in his public life, has dedicated himself to public service and the people he represents. Can I say as his shadow minister that this is a personal matter, Anthony Albanese from the Australian Labor Party told FIVEaa. In my view, there is no public interest in public discussion of it. People cannot possibly know what peoples personal circumstances are and certainly I, and I would hope no one on my side of politics is going to participate in a public debate I want to take about policy difference, not personal lives. WOAH. Vikki Campion's dad Peter has a message for Barnaby Joyce. #auspol pic.twitter.com/YsiusMH4Iw Emily Burley (@emilyburley) February 8, 2018 News about Joyces affair with Campion and that they were expecting a child in mid-April came into the limelight on Feb. 7, shocking the Australian public. Joyce said that his 24-year marriage with his wife Natalie was under pressure for some time. He said that they tried to make it work again in April last year but that it didnt work out. Joyce announced his separation from Natalie in December 2017, but the two remain married at this time. They have four daughters together. Here is the full statement that Joyce made to the media: Guys, how are you going? Ill make a statement. I wont take any questions. Ready? This morning, in the Telegraph and the Courier-Mail, and referred to in other papers, is a story that is not the truth. The story its not a case that I didnt recollect it. It did not happen. This is a story that has been brought about by a person unnamed, at a venue unnamed, at a time unnamed, seven years ago, and has been peddled by the bitterest of political enemies to me. It is not something that Im unaware of. Theyve had it on social media for years. Its just, in the past, I dont believe it dignified a response. But today, its in the paper and, as such, I reserve all my legal rights as to what action I should pursue. On another issue, I would like to say to Natalie how deeply sorry I am for all the hurt this has caused. To my girls, how deeply sorry I am for all the hurt that it has caused them. To Vikki Campion, how deeply sorry I am that she has been dragged into this. I would like to also say to my supporters and people in my electorate how deeply sorry I am that this personal issue deeply personal issue has gone into the public arena. I am very aware of the Ministerial Code of Conduct. It is without a shadow of a doubt that Vikki Campion is my partner now. But when she worked in my office, she was not my partner. When she worked in Matt Canavans office, she was not my partner. And Damian Drum was not a minister. I think this is vitally important in how we differentiate between the public and the private. Thank you. With his pregnant girlfriend Vikki Campion up at Palm Cove on December 29. He wasn't hiding the relationship. I wonder if she knows about his views on abortion. Maybe she shares them, maybe not. pic.twitter.com/NffdJMYnsZ Amy Wise (@amywise1) February 7, 2018 Natalie also made a public statement, asking for privacy for her family at this challenging time: I am deeply saddened by the news that my husband has been having an affair and is now having a child with a former staff member. I understand that this affair has been going on for many months and started when she was a paid employee. This situation is devastating on many fronts. For my girls who are affected by the family breakdown and for me as a wife of 24 years, who placed my own career on hold to support Barnaby through his political life. Our family life has had to be shared during Barnabys political career and it was with trust that we let campaign and office staff into our homes and into our lives. Naturally we also feel deceived and hurt by the actions of Barnaby and the staff member involved. The situation for myself and the girls will be made worse by the fact that this will all be played out in public so at this time. I would ask that the girls and I are given some privacy and time to come to terms with the consequences and take steps to plan our future. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: Lost World War I Submarine Found 103 Years Later Bill to Reinstate the Death Penalty in Iowa Advances to Next Stage A bill that would bring the death penalty back into play has advanced in Iowa to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill would allow officials to execute people convicted of crimes like murdering a peace officer and first-degree murder involving kidnapping or rape, reported KCCI. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, 46 people in Iowa were executed from 1834 and 1965. In 1965, the death penalty in the state was abolished. Senate Study Bill 3134, which would bring back the death penalty, advanced on Monday, Feb. 12, after being approved by a Senate subcommittee on a 3-2 vote. According to the Des Moines Register, the three Republicans on the subcommittee were in favor while the two Democrats opposed. Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker was among those who testified in support of the death penalty, recalling a tragic day in May 2017 when an inmate got loose and killed a deputy before fleeing and committing additional crimes. My concern is that now he will probably be incarcerated for the rest of his life. I hate to see him injure or kill anybody else in prison or jail. He has no remorse. That is the way he thinks. When an opportunity comes up, he will kill again, Danker said. Opposition to the bill included Chief Deputy Iowa Attorney General Eric Tabor, who said a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole is already a de facto death sentence. But Sen. Dan Dawson [R-Council Bluffs], said: there has to be a higher penalty for those who commit serious crimes and show no remorse, and who demonstrate they are a threat while in prison, reported the Sioux City Journal. Sen. Julian Garrett [R-Indianola], the chair of the subcommittee, said that the absence of a death penalty is almost an incentive for murder. There needs to be something more, Garrett said. Sen. Tony Bisignano [D-Des Moines], who opposed the bill in the subcommittee vote, told the Journal that the bill shouldnt be rushed. This is not the bill to rush, Bisignano said. I will do everything I can to slow the bill down so that people truly have the opportunity to understand what theyre voting for. A poll conducted by the Register this year noted that 58 percent of the 801 respondents were in favor of reinstituting the death penalty, while 36 percent were opposed. The previous poll, in 2013, showed 65 percent of respondents in favor. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: Lost World War I Submarine Found 103 Years Later The sun rises behind the skyline of Shanghai in the Lujiazui Financial District, on Nov. 11, 2016. (Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images) Chinese Leader Xi Jinping Begins Breaking Up Shanghai Gang Chinese leader Xi Jinping continues to find ways to consolidate his power within the Party. His latest move is to clean up house in Shanghai, one of the hotbeds for his political enemies. The Chinese Communist Party recently concluded its appointments for officials in regional versions of its rubber-stamp legislature, the National Peoples Congress, and its political advisory body, the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). In Shanghai, the chairman position of the local CPPCC went to Dong Yunhu, who most recently was chair of the citys propaganda department. Dong replaced Wu Zhiming, who is former Party leader Jiang Zemins nephew. Those connected with Jiang make up an oppositional faction who are still battling for power against Xi and his allies. Jiang rose to power after he was named the mayor of Shanghai in 1985. Officials who worked with him during that period and rose in ranks due to his political patronage are known as part of the Shanghai gang. The recent chairman switch is unusual because, for over a decade, that position was held by a Shanghai native or a known ally of Jiang. Dong is from Zhejiang Province and did not become involved with Shanghai until he was appointed to his propaganda department post in 2015. The unusually high turnover seems in line with Xis recent talks cautioning Party members against forming cliques and factions. Political commentator Li Linyi also noted that Wu had gradually moved up into his CPPCC chairman position: first as Party secretary, then deputy chairman, and finally, chairman. It was thus expected that the current CPPCC Party secretary, Jiang Ping, would be the succeeding chairman. The fact that Dong skipped ahead and got the position indicates the Xi camp had won a battle over the Jiang faction, Li said. Top law enforcement positions in Shanghai were also recently switched out for officials who previously had no connections to Shanghai. The head of the Shanghai high court went to Liu Xiaoyun, who previously worked in Henan Province, while the top prosecutor at the Shanghai procuratorate went to Zhang Bencai, coming from Beijing. Many powerful Shanghai officials have been purged amid Xis anti-corruption campaign, an internal sweep of misbehaving cadres launched in 2012. Those purged were often also Jiang faction members. For example, the former top prosecutor in Shanghai, Chen Xun, was taken down for violating Party discipline in March 2017. Chinese media previously reported on his supposed connections to other corrupt Party members, which expanded the investigation into over 100 people. Copies of cadres filed complaints against Chen, which were leaked online, alleged that he stole state assets in the billions of yuan (one billion yuan equals approximately $158 million). Across the country, most provincial CPPCC chairmen were also swapped out: out of Chinas 31 provinces and centrally-governed municipalities, only 8 retained their incumbent chairmen. Some provinces simply were replaced by another provincial chairman (the Henan chairman became the Hebei chairman), while others were replaced by officials who were previously in Party departments unrelated to the CPPCC. Other high-level officials, such as newly appointed Yunnan deputy governor Wang Xiangang, were taken away from their longtime workplace. Wang had previously worked in the Chongqing Party bureaucracy for 37 years. The unusually high turnover seems in line with Xis recent talks cautioning Party members against forming cliques and factions. An analysis by Hong Kongs Oriental Daily noted that officials entrenched in their local politics eventually establish their own fiefdoms, where they can make their own rules and ignore instructions from the central authorities. Xi appears keen on concentrating power in Beijing and preventing local officials from forming fiefs, the article said. Gu Qinger contributed to this report. Recommended Video: How Doctors in China Turn into Murderers Members of the Iraqi forces stand outside the destroyed Al-Nuri Mosque in Mosul's Old City, on January 8, 2018, six months after troops seized the country's second city from ISIS. (Ahmad Al-RubayeE/AFP/Getty Images) Coalition Members Must Help Iraq Rebuild, Tillerson Says KUWAITThe United States urged members of the coalition fighting ISIS on Tuesday to help rebuild Iraq or risk the reversal of the gains made against the group there. The U.S. leads the coalition and hopes that after a three-year fight to defeat the militants it can count in large part on Gulf allies to shoulder the burden of rebuilding Iraq and on a Saudi-Iraqi rapprochement to weaken Irans influence in the country, which is run by a Shiite led government. ISIS took control of large parts of Iraq and Syria in 2014. Donors and investors have gathered in Kuwait this week to discuss efforts to rebuild Iraqs economy and infrastructure as it emerges from a devastating conflict with the hardline militants who seized almost a third of the country. Iraq declared victory over ISIS in December, having taken back all the territory captured by the militants in 2014 and 2015. The fighters have also been largely defeated in neighboring Syria. The U.S. appreciates the generous contributions of coalition members over the past year, but more is needed, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told a coalition meeting in Kuwait. If communities in Iraq and Syria cannot return to normal life, we risk the return of conditions that allowed ISIS to take and control vast territory, he said, using an acronym to refer to the group. We must continue to clear unexploded remnants of war left behind by ISIS, enable hospitals to reopen, restore water and electricity services, and get boys and girls back in school. The U.S. is not expected to make a direct government contribution at the conference, however. Its not in the question of a pledging thing where we go out with requests, its underscoringthere is a need for support. Its investment, its private company engagement, its DFI, a senior state department official traveling with Tillerson told reporters on Monday. The term DFI generally refers to development finance institutions such as multilateral development banks. But it is alsoand there are Arab donors willing to help and supportfocus your efforts on those areas where it actually achieves something in terms of stabilization and countering foreign influence. No Enduring Defeat Rebuilding Iraq after three years of war will cost more than $88 billion, with housing a particularly urgent priority, Iraqi officials told the conference on Monday. Tillerson also said Washington had decided to provide an additional $200 million of aid to stabilize liberated areas in Syria. The end of major combat operations does not mean the United States and its allies have achieved final victory, Tillerson warned. The end of major combat operations does not mean we have achieved the enduring defeat of ISIS, he said. ISIS remains a serious threat to the stability of the region, our homelands, and other parts of the globe. The hardline militants, who lost all territory they held in Iraq and are on the cusp of defeat in Syria, are trying to gain territory in other countries where they are active, he said, adding that History must not be allowed to repeat itself elsewhere. In Iraq and Syria, ISIS is attempting to morph into an insurgency. In places like Afghanistan, the Philippines, Libya, West Africa, and others it is trying to carve out and secure safe havens. Tillerson said he was concerned over recent events in northwest Syria, where Turkey launched an assault last month on a U.S.-allied Kurdish militia it considers a threat on its southern border, adding that he was keenly aware of Turkeys legitimate security concerns. Comedian/actor Marty Allen arrives at a memorial for Jerry Lewis at the South Point Hotel & Casino on September 4, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lewis died on August 20, 2017, at his home in Las Vegas at age 91. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Comedian Marty Allen, a Regular on Ed Sullivan Show, Dies Near Wife Marty Allen, a longtime actor and comedian who appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson, has died. He was 95. Allen died in Las Vegas due to complications from pneumonia, The Associated Press reported. Karon Kate Blackwell, his wife and performing partner, was by his side. Marty Allen, the zany comedian with a crazy hairdo, dies at 95 https://t.co/Gk7GmoFId8 pic.twitter.com/a34k93zZp3 Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 13, 2018 We have lost another iconic Las Vegas entertainer, Marty Allen. What a funny man who brought joy to millions of people for 95 years. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/KQARtxRre8 Lance Burton (@LanceBurtonMM) February 13, 2018 Known for his catchphrase hello dere, Allen appeared 44 times on The Ed Sullivan Show, including the episode that also aired the debut performance of famed rock band The Beatles. Everyone remembers those shows with The Beatles, and they were great, but we appeared on all the shows, Allen said in 2014 of the show, Variety reported. There wasnt a talk show on TV that didnt want Allen & Rossi. By the 1970s and 1980s, hed made hundreds of television appearances, including game shows like Hollywood Squares and Password. Its unbelievable to be 94 years old, Allen told an audience in 2016. My wife says, What do you want for your birthday? I told her, An antique. So she framed my birth certificate. Marty Allen has died at age 95. pic.twitter.com/qCVT5Ftvla A Torch (@Torcho) February 13, 2018 He also was a regular entertainer in Las Vegas for much of his life. We have lost another iconic Las Vegas entertainer, Marty Allen, Las Vegas magician Lance Burton wrote on Twitter. What a funny man who brought joy to millions of people for 95 years. Honored to have had him on my podcast & grateful to have attended his 95th Birthday Celebration. Farewell to one of the funniest people onstage and off. RIP Marty Allen pic.twitter.com/g4lzrUNWVp Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) February 13, 2018 Comedian Gilbert Gottfried tweeted, Farewell to one of the funniest people onstage and off. Ventriloquist Terry Fator tweeted, Las Vegas and show business lost a legend tonight. and I lost a friend. Recommended Video: How Doctors in China Turn into Murderers Convicted Pedophile Resigns as Head of Fire Department A man who was recently re-elected as fire chief in a Pennsylvania town resigned after it emerged that he had been convicted of sexually assaulting a 4-year-old girl. Robert Gilbert Jr. resigned as fire chief of the Spartansburg Fire Department after public outrage, with Gilbert saying he didnt want the department to be attacked. My family and our community are being attacked. I didnt want that to continue. All I have done for 18 years is good things. But outsiders are tearing us up. I felt the best thing to do was back away, he told JET 24. Gilbert Jr. has worked with the department for 25 years, starting as a volunteer and working his way up before becoming chief a year ago. He said he has changed since his conviction, adding, It seems you can never do wrong and do good again. The outrage started after The Corry Journal began reporting the fact that Gilbert Jr. pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 4-year-old girl. Gilbert Jr., 43, was convicted in 2001 of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse in exchange for authorities dropping related charges. Gilbert Jr. has since been a registered sex offender and is on the states Megans Law database. The fire department met Sunday and issued a statement saying, We do not want to distract from our mission to serve, while calling the resignation voluntary, reported The Associated Press. Spartansburg is near the Pennsylvania border with New York state, about 110 miles north of Pittsburgh. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: President Trumps First State of the Union Address An example of an electric submarine cable and optical fiber being installed off the Brittany coast of France on March 11, 2015. Data from undersea cables may be intercepted by the Chinese regime through the Asia-Pacific region. (JEAN-SEBASTIEN EVRARD/AFP/GETTY IMAGES) EXCLUSIVE: Phone and Internet Data Sent Through Undersea Cables Threatened by Chinese Monitoring The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) may be intercepting communications from undersea cables, placing at risk all phone and internet data passing through major networks in the Asia-Pacific region. Existing research shows that Chinese military branches associated with cyberespionage maintain operations near key cable landing stations. A leaked report citing intelligence sources in the United States, Japan, and Australiaprovided to The Epoch Timesshows additional research on possible Chinese front companies with mysterious finances and questionable ties at key data chokepoints. It states that while China has a well-deserved reputation for sophisticated cyberespionage, its attempts to tap into undersea cables carrying large amounts of data are often overlooked. It details an alleged operation in the Pacific, centering on the Marshall Islands and Nauru. This wouldwith surprising easeallow China access to all telephone and fax transmissions between South Korea, Japan, Australia, the Philippines, Singapore, and U.S. bases all over the Pacific, it states. This would provide China with access to critical military, economic, and financial communications. The report demonstrates that multiple Chinese front companies may be involved. According to Agostino von Hassell, a retired intelligence officer and president of the consulting firm The Repton Group, who is familiar with the research, The key impact is that this is an additional avenue of Chinese espionage, using almost old-fashioned technology just like the Russians did when they were trying to tap into underwater sonar cables. Hassell said that while there is concern among intelligence agencies that Chinese front companies are stealing data from the undersea cables, its very difficult to detect this form of espionage since it doesnt leave a trace. He added that this case is of particular concern, however, since a Chinese front company presence near cable landings in the Marshall Islands would give them access to all data transferred between countries in the region including Korea, Japan, Guam, and Australia. This is not only a threat to privacy, Hassell said, but also to military communications, banking transactions, and political circles. Suspected Front Company A key focus in the report is on a company called Acclinks, which it notes is most likely controlled by Beijing. Despite having no visible source of revenue, the company has more than $28 million on deposit in bank accounts spanning Australia, Marshall Islands, and Taiwan. According to Casey Fleming, CEO of BLACKOPS Partners, which advises senior leadership on national security in some of the worlds largest organizations, its not uncommon for the CCP to use front companies for espionage. This is one of literally hundreds of methods of espionage, he said. These are wartime methodologies, which are asymmetrical, and are replacing the conventional warfare that were all familiar with. Espionage yields intelligence, he said, and intelligence wins wars. The key impact is that this is an additional avenue of Chinese espionage, using almost old-fashioned technology just like the Russians did when they were trying to tap into underwater sonar cables. Agostino von Hassell Acclinks has a distribution center on the Marshall Islands, which has not shown any activity for three years, yet, as the report states, is stationed at the perfect place to access key submarine cables. Hassel said, They have no known revenue. There is no known parent company. For them, when they set up their operations on the Marshall Islands they had to put down $3 million, and it took two years before they could even come up with that money, he said. Another location of the company in Nauru again has no evident commercial operations, but as the report states, has been able to install a telephone switching device in Command Ridge, next to key transmission facilities of Australias Federal Police. Adding to the picture, the report states that Chinese telecommunications company ZTE Corp. is a main player behind AccLinks, and that ZTE is funding the whole project and have already poured millions into the project. ZTE and another Chinese telecommunications company, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., were named in a 2012 House Intelligence Committee report as security threats. It stated the companies may be providing Chinese intelligence services with access to telecommunications networks and may be influenced by the CCP. The report states, As many other countries show through their actions, the Committee believes the telecommunications sector plays a critical role in the safety and security of our nation, and is thus a target of foreign intelligence services. On its website, Acclinks states that it delivers products and services to the Pacific Islands in the areas of telecommunication, billing software, data communication, power utilities, and electronic equipment. It also states that the company is headquartered in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province in China. In Nauru government documents, Zhang Huafeng is listed as Acclinkss CEO. However, the leaked report found that Zhang is not related to any such company in China. Zhang did not respond to a request for comment. Zhang is also listed as the controlling shareholder and CEO of Acclinks Nauru Ltd. Inc. co-owned by the Nauru government. While it cant be confirmed, the report states that the Chinese Acclinks may be trying to establish a joint venture with the Nauru government in telecommunications and electronics. There are also links between the Nauru company and a firm with a similar name that was listed in the Panama Papers database of exposed offshore entities around the world. Registered in the British Virgin Islands, Acclinks Communication Inc. counts Liang Liyong as a shareholder, who is also director of the Nauru company. The existence of multiple Acclinks subsidiaries suggests that its very probable the Chinese heads of the company are looking for ways to funnel cash out of mainland China and into offshore entities, the report concluded. An internet search also revealed that the Chinese name Zhang Huafeng is affiliated with several Chinese government posts: He is listed as director of Lintong District (in Xian City, Shaanxi Province) Telecommunications Bureau, Major Customer Business Department; contact person for the state-owned China Telecom Co.s Nanhe branch in Hebei Province; and the Sichuan Province Mingshan County Telecommunications Company Party branch secretary. The report could not confirm whether the identity of the Zhang affiliated with Acclinks corresponded to these titles. Intercepting Data from Cables The CCP has a known military and spy presence at landing stations for undersea cables, which some in the security community believe is being used to spy on data. According to a report from Project 2049 Institute, a security think tank, a Chinese military hacker unit, Unit 61398, has fiber optic connectivity with China Telecoms internet monitoring center located in the China Telecom Information Park in Pudong District, Shanghai. Unit 61398 is the Second Bureau of the CCPs signals intelligence agency, which is in the Third Department of the warfighting branch of its military, the General Staff Department. The U.S. Justice Department released wanted posters of Unit 61398s officers in May 2014. The five officers were charged with 31 crimes, which could amount to life sentences for each if they are arrested. China does not have an extradition treaty with the United States. Hassell noted that while spying on copper cables was common during the Cold War, spying on the large amount of data passing through todays networks is a new phenomenon. He said, The Chinese have the manpower and computer power to sort this data. A couple years ago you just couldnt do it because you didnt have sufficient computer technology. The technology of sorting message traffic by keywords, and basically using the highly advanced conventional intelligence, you can derive a lot of patterns and information, he said. According to Project 2049 Institute, The Second Bureau also manages a work station on Shanghais Chongming Island, near the Chongming Submarine Cable Landing Station. It notes, The landing station is reportedly the entry and exit point for 60 percent of all phone and internet traffic entering and leaving China. In addition, the institute states, the Second Bureau also oversees a work station near another major submarine cable landing station on Chongming Island, and probably a unit near the Nanhui [district in Shanghai] cable landing station. Second Bureau elements with direct access to fiber optic cable landing stations could buffer communications traffic entering and leaving China, it states, adding that as gatekeepers for such information, the Second Bureau may have obtained large volumes of data exfiltrated by other cyber espionage groups operating from throughout China. Other submarine cable landing stations have a similar CCP military presence. Project 2049 Institute notes that the Fourth Bureau, in charge of the CCPs electronics intelligence operations, are present in many of the same areas; and members of the Chinese militarys technical reconnaissance community may have access to similar landing stations located in the eastern coastal city Qingdao [eastern coastal city in Shandong Province], Shantou [southeastern coastal city in Guangdong Province], Hong Kong, and more recently in Fuzhou [eastern coastal city in Fujian Province]. According to Daniel Wagner, founder of risk management company Country Risk Solutions, this should not be a surprise to anyone, given the CCPs penchant for industrial espionage on an industrial scale. China is leading in industrial espionage, so could we imagine it would not be the case theyre doing something like this to ramp up their efforts and remain on the cutting edge, he said. Florida Woman Rescued After Being Imprisoned in Vehicle A Florida man has been charged with false imprisonment after a convenience store worker spotted a woman mouthing help from inside a vehicle and alerted authorities. Jacksonville Sheriffs Office says that Jose Ramos Sandoval had trapped the woman in his car after offering her a lift to a nearby beach pub in the early hours of Sunday morning. A Kangaroo Express employee phoned 911 after the woman in the vehicle in the gas station parking lot caught his eye, they said in a statement on Monday, 12 Feb. Officers issued an alert, and the vehicle was spotted on Atlantic Boulevard in Jacksonville. When officers tried to stop the vehicle the suspect fled recklessly. Officers gave chase and were able to finally take the suspect into custody. According to the sheriffs office, Sandoval admission and was arrested for False Imprisonment, Fleeing Police, and Violation of Probation. The victim had been walking from one local beach pub to another when Sandoval pulled over and offered her a lift. Thinking she knew him, she accepted, only later realizing she had never seen him before. Once inside, they started traveling in a direction away from her destination, said the statement. When he pulled over at the gas station and convenience store at 13697 Beach Boulevard, she tried to escape, but Sandoval stopped her. The suspect reached over and grabbed her hair to keep her confined inside the vehicle. He refused to let her leave. It was then that the woman was able to mouth the word help to the gas station employee who then called police around 1:15 a.m. A big thank you to the alert employee at this gas station, said the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office. Getting involved makes a difference, we cant thank you enough. Recommended Video: Officer Saves Woman Who Was Pinned New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English speaks during an election night event in Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 23, 2017. (Reuters/Nigel Marple) Former NZ Prime Minister English to Leave Parliament SYDNEYFormer New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English said he will resign from parliament at the end of February, months after the National Party lost office despite winning more seats than any other party in last years election. English was finance minister from 2008 in John Keys National government, and became prime minister after Key stepped down from office in late 2016. English led the National Party into last Septembers election, where it fell five seats short of a majority. After protracted negotiations lasting nearly a month, Labour leader Jacinda Ardern struck a deal with the smaller NZ First party to form government. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Ardern paid tribute to her predecessors political career, which began in 1990. English was also leader of the Nationals in 2002 when the party recorded its worst ever election defeat. Bill has made a huge contribution through his time in office and to politics generally, Ardern said on Twitter. I admire those who serve NZ in this place, and Bill did for a long time, and he did it well. Australian Prime Minister also sent a message of congratulations to English on Tuesday. Congratulations Bill English on a great career in public life. NZs strong economy is due in large measure to your hard work as Finance Minister & PM over many years. All good wishes to you, Mary and your family. Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) February 13, 2018 English made world headlines last year when he posted pictures on Facebook of a dinner he made for his family pizza topped with tinned spaghetti and pineapple. His unorthodox tastes led U.S. talk show host Jimmy Kimmel to urge New Zealanders to impeach that man immediately! English said his resignation would take effect on Feb. 27. While he would not comment on potential successors to lead the National Party, he said his departure now would give the party time to find a new leader to take them to the 2020 national election. Recommended Video: Shark Makes Surprise Appearance in Australia River Former Security Czars Dirty Laundry Made Public, a Sure Sign of Having Fallen From Power Chinese state media report on the ill-gotten gains of Luo Gans family Rumors of Chinas former security czar Luo Gan using his political clout to benefit his family have long been circulating on the Chinese internet. But with the publication of a recent expose on the shady financial dealings of Luos nephew, Luo Shaoyu, Luo Gans familys secrets are being unveiled. The fact that the Chinese authoritieshawk-eyed and ready to censor anything they dislike, especially when pertaining to Party membersdid not take down the story also signals that Luos standing within the Chinese Communist Party is truly waning, despite his status as a senior cadre. Dengshenxian, or Depth Paper, a Chinese online publication focusing on in-depth business reporting, published a story on Nov. 27 last year, detailing how Luo Shaoyus Chongqing-based company, Dongyin, and its subsidiaries, had amassed tens of billions of yuan (one billion yuan equals approximately $158 million) in overdue loans, spread among more than 30 banks and financial institutions. Meanwhile, Luo and some of his family members had set up dozens of offshore companies, while sitting on the board of directors or serving as shareholders of several Hong Kong companies. Luo Gans Family Business According to Forbes 2017 list of wealthiest people in China, Luo Shaoyus family ranked 223rd with 9.25 billion (about $1.46 billion) yuan in assets. The article did not mention Luos connections to Luo Gan, but through examining previous media reports, The Epoch Times has confirmed Luo Shaoyus familial connection to the once-powerful official. Luo Gan acquired a multi-billionyuan company through his familys political connections. Previous mainland and overseas Chinese reports have explained how Luo Shaoyu made use of his powerful uncles position to benefit his companies. In 1997, Luo and his mother established Zhongqi, a firm that manufactures armored cars and police cars. Soon after, Luo Gan became head of the countrys security apparatus, as secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission. He ensured his nephews companys cars were purchased by the state. In 1998, Luo Shaoyu set his ambitions higher. He paved the way for acquiring Jiangdong, a state-owned firm that manufactures engine parts, by first partnering with it to establish an investment holding company, Dongyin. He then gave his family company, Zhongqi, all the equity shares to Dongyin. Several years later, in 2002, through his uncles connections, he successfully persuaded the Yancheng City authorities in charge of managing state-owned assets to approve Dongyins acquisition of Jiangdong (Jiangdong is based in Yancheng). In this way, Luo acquired a multi-billion-yuan company through his familys political connections. Luo Gans Darker Crimes Luo Gan rose through the political ranks when Jiang Zemin was in power as top Party leader. When Jiang launched a nationwide campaign in 1999 to persecute adherents of the spiritual practice Falun Gong, Luo was instrumental in mobilizing the countrys law enforcement to track down, arrest, detain, and torture practitioners. He helped Jiang establish an extralegal Party organization similar to the Gestapo, called the 610 office, that would organize those tasks. Luo had duly demonstrated his political loyalty and was rewarded with an appointment to the Partys most powerful decision-making body, the Politburo Standing Committee. Jiang and Luo saw Falun Gongs popularitywith estimates of 70 to 100 million adherents by 1999as a threat to the Communist Partys control over society. Luo organized secret investigations, beginning in 1996, infiltrating parks and public spaces across the country to collect the identities and addresses of practitioners who exercised there. Falun Gong itself is known for not keeping lists of those who practice. When Falun Gong adherents collectively planned to appeal to the central authorities on April 25, 1999 for the release of several recently arrested practitioners, it was Luo who told police to guide the gathered practitioners to line up alongside Zhongnanhai, the Party leaderships compound in Beijing, according to Ethan Gutmann, author of The Slaughter: Mass Killings, Organ Harvesting, and Chinas Secret Solution to Its Dissident Problem. The resulting images of adherents lined up ten deep on the sidewalks opposite Zhongnanhai became part of the Partys strategy to spread false propaganda that Falun Gong practitioners wished to overthrow Party rule. On Jan. 23, 2001, Luo staged another incident to defame practitioners. Several men and women whom Chinese state media claimed were Falun Gong practitioners appeared to have immolated themselves publicly in Tiananmen Square. Reportage by The Washington Post later revealed that one of the women was not, in fact, a practitioner. An award-winning documentary, False Fire, analyzed the state media footage and demonstrated discrepancies that revealed the whole thing was orchestrated to turn public opinion against the adherents. Gutmann estimates that at any given time, 450,000 to one million practitioners are held in Chinas labor camps, prison camps, and other long-term detention facilities. Thousands are estimated to have died of torture, according to the Falun Dafa Information Center, the official press office for the spiritual practice. The 2016 investigative report, Bloody Harvest/The Slaughter: An Update, estimates that since 2000, hospitals in China have done between 60,000 and 100,000 organ transplants a year, with most of these organs coming from detained Falun Gong practitioners. Courts in Spain and Argentina have since charged Jiang and Luo with genocide. The latter issued an international arrest warrant for both men. Even after Jiang formally stepped down from his position as head of the CCP in 2002, he and his faction continued to rule from behind the curtains. After the 2012 leadership transition to Xi Jinping as head of the Communist Party, though, Xi became wary of Party members loyal to Jiang, who made up a powerful opposition. Xi launched an anti-corruption campaign to purge them. When Zhou Yongkang, Jiang faction member and successor to Luo Gans security czar position, was put under investigation for bribery, Chinese media reports spilled the beans on how Zhous and Luos families profited tremendously from mining deals. They once tried to take over a molybdenite mine in Luoyang City, Henan Province worth 470 billion yuan. At the 19th National Congress in October 2017, a major political meeting where Xi further consolidated power within the Party, Luo failed to show up at the opening ceremony along with other senior cadres. Rumors soon swirled that he had fallen ill, or that he was being punished for his misdeeds. Whatever the reason may be, this latest spate of bad news about Luos family shows heand the faction he belongs tohas truly fallen out of favor. Fang Xiao contributed to this report. Recommended Video: How Doctors in China Turn into Murderers Fort Bragg Soldier Charged in Ambush and Rape of North Carolina Teen A soldier from Fort Bragg has been charged with the brutal kidnapping and rape of a 16-year-old. The case took place in Harris County, North Carolina, in 2013, but the charge happened on Feb. 13, 2018, after a DNA test linked Levi Goss, 24, to the cold case last month. The attack took place on Feb. 5, five years ago, when a 16-year-old girl was walking near Cypress Woods High School. She told authorities at the time that she was ambushed and hit on the head by a masked man with an axe. She told investigators that the man dragged her into a field and sexually assaulted her, reported KHOU. She said she played dead, even though she was bleeding from the head, and the perpetrator left. She then managed to walk to a nearby movie theater for help, and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The DNA match came in December from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory for a military offender, according to KPRC2. A witness at the time who was shown a photo of Goss said that they saw the suspect at a gas station near the scene of the crime. The witness said that they saw Goss with a grey shirt and that he entered the bathroom for a long period of time. The next day, a mans grey shirt, covered with blood, was found in a trash can inside the bathroom. Goss was charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child and aggravated kidnapping in the case, reported KPRC2. The Army said in a statement to the broadcaster that they were cooperating with police. Private First Class Levi Goss, an All American Paratrooper, is in civilian confinement, the statement said. He is under investigation by civilian law enforcement for an allegation that may predate his military service. We are cooperating with civilian law enforcement in this matter. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: 45-Year-Old Woman Unexpectedly Gives Birth After Not Realizing She Was Pregnant ICE Issues Detainer for Immigrant Trio Accused of New Jersey Gang Rape Kathryn Blackhurst U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials placed detainers on three restaurant employees accused of gang-raping a woman in New Jerseys Bergen County while she was incapacitated and physically helpless. Rene Jimenez, Emeterio Castelan and Luis Tenecela were arrested Tuesday after police responded to the womans 911 call on February 5. The three men are accused of sexually assaulting the woman in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The trios immigration status could not be determined Sunday. The immigrants were charged with counts of aggravated sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual contact, according to a press release Wednesday from acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo. Upon arrival, an adult female reported that she had just been sexually assaulted, the press release stated. An investigation revealed that the victim was sexually assaulted by Rene Jimenez, Luis Tenecela and Emeterio Castelan while she was incapacitated and physically helpless. ICE placed detainers on the three men, the Rutherford Daily Voice reported Friday. Tenecela is from Ecuador, and Jimenez and Castelan both hail from Mexico. The three men are being held in the Bergen County Jail until their detention hearing on Monday. Newly inaugurated New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, pledged to make the state a sanctuary state that protects illegal immigrants from deportation and limits its cooperation with ICE and its federal mandates. Murphy rejected President Donald Trumps emphasis on immigration enforcement and border security throughout New Jerseys 2017 gubernatorial campaign trail, saying during a debate in October, We will stand up to this president. If need be, we will be a sanctuary not just city, but state, Murphy said. This is America. The America I know is the poem at the base of the Statue of Liberty. Murphy even went so far as to propose the creation of an agency that would shield illegal immigrants, called the Immigrant Defensive Protection agency. It would be a place where everybody could call with questions about their status, Murphy told The Washington Post on January 15. Our guess is its going to be legal services-oriented. One remarkable thing, and you probably have seen this the rumors that swirl around communities are extraordinary, and its literally hard to get, particularly if youre undocumented the right answer to your question. Thats when people go back into the shadows. Judge Judy Sheindlin attends the 2014 Heroes Of Hollywood Luncheon at Taglyan Cultural Complex on June 5, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Valerie Macon/Getty Images) Judge Judy: I Think Women Who Watch Me Like to See Women in Control Judge Judy, the famous female judge who presides in a courtroom seen across the nation on daytime television, said that she believes one reason for her success is her appeal to other women. I think I have a balanced sense of justice and I can read people and situations reasonably well, said the judge, whose given name is Judy Sheindlin. I think women who watch [the show] like to see women in control; so many women are not in control of their lives, and a lot of the emails I get are about that. They watch and they like to see someone in control. Judge Judy is now on its 22nd season on air, and has been televisions top-rated syndicated daytime show for eight straight seasons. The 75-year-old Sheindlin told the New York Post that her show gives people the comfort of seeing cases from start to finish. She added, Im so disgusted with things I cant relate to on TV and everything seems to be in such disorder in the world and people still like order. They want their comfort food and I think Ive been associated with comfort food. I have a particular personality and sense of humor and I dont have to work hard doing my jobit comes naturally to me. The success of the show has brought tension, though. In a transcript from court testimony, the judge said that she deserves all of her $47 million annual salary. The court lawsuit stemmed from a company that allegedly packaged the show originally. The company wanted a share of the burgeoning profits. They pay me the money that they do because they have no choice. They cant find another one. Theyve tried to find another Judy, she said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. If they find another Judy, good for them. So far they havent. Prior to becoming Judge Judy, Sheindlin was a supervising judge in New York family court. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: President Trumps First State of the Union Address Lawyer Ho Le Dinh was killed at the Happy Cup cafe in Sydney on Jan. 23, 2018. (Screenshot via Google Maps) Man Arrested at Airport After Killing Prominent Lawyer in Cafe A 38-year-old man was arrested on Feb. 13 at Sydney International Airport for his involvement in the fatal shooting of a lawyer at a Sydney cafe last month. The unnamed man was boarding a plane bound for Bali with a one-way ticket when he was arrested by police from Strike Force Eugene this morning, reported 9News. He was taken to a police station and questioned over the death of Vietnamese lawyer Ho Le Dinh, who was shot several times in broad daylight at about 3:40 p.m. on Jan. 23 at the Happy Cup Cafe in what was described as a targeted attack. Witnesses reportedly heard three gunshots during the attack, reported ABC. The 65-year-old lawyer subsequently died on the side of the busy road in Sydneys south-west. Police established Strike Force Eugene in order to investigate the deadly shooting. BREAKING: 38yo man arrested over shooting murder of Bankstown lawyer Ho Le Dinh was about to board a plane to Bali. Homicide squad detectives got to him first. Currently being questioned. #TenNews pic.twitter.com/yRUHrHblNr Daniel Sutton (@danielsutton10) February 13, 2018 Police described the alleged shooter as Pacific Islander in appearance, with an olive complexion and of medium build, reported ABC. Andy Nguyen, who said he had been friends with Ho for 30 years, was at the scene when the 65-year-old was shot. After three shots, [Ho] was standing up, he told 9News. He walked one step, two step, and he lost his balance and fell on the floor. Ho, who is a prominent criminal lawyer and a father-of-five, came to Australia in the 1980s after fleeing the Vietnam war, reported the Australian national news broadcaster. His death has sent reverberations across the Vietnamese community in Sydney. Friends who knew the slain lawyer said Ho had a strong sense of social justice. He was described as a person who was not afraid to speak out and stand up for what he believed in, reported ABC. Some people liked him, some people didnt, fellow lawyer, Ai Trong Than, told the ABC last month. Police said they have also executed a search warrant on a home in Sydneys south-west. The man was later charged with murder and refused bail, reported Fairfax. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: What is MS-13? Man Broke Into Car, Threw Dog Off of 7th Floor of Parking Garage: Police One of the latest car break-ins in San Francisco involved the death of a dog over the weekend, police said. A man broke into a car on the seventh floor of a parking garage, police said. The man then took the 4-year-old Chihuahua that was in the car, walked to the edge of the garage, and hurled the dog to its death. Dashcam footage revealed the chilling scene to investigators, reported WMUR. Police recognized the perpetrator as Wakeen Best, who had previous run-ins with authorities. He was arrested on suspicion of felony burglary, animal cruelty, grand theft, possession of stolen property, carrying a concealed weapon, vandalism, and probation violation. The parking garage, Sutter-Stockton Garage is located in Union Square. Police havent released a picture of Best because they think he might be tied to other crimes, reported NBC. It is kind of annoying and kind of scary to have something so dangerous present in the area, Sean Simmons, a regular customer at the garage, told the broadcaster. Police found a trail of blood leading from the vehicle to the edge of the garage, then found the dashcam footage. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: Year One: Thank You, Mr. President More Clues Surface on Kentucky Mans Motive for Killing Parents, Girlfriend, and Her Mother Police in Kentucky investigating a quadruple murder-suicide have discovered several clues and are beginning to piece together a motive. A Johnson County man killed his parentsArlene Nickell, 70, and James Wayne Nickell, 75in their home on Sunday. He then traveled to another apartment and killed his girlfriend, Lindsey Vanhoose, 41, and her mother, Patricia Vanhoose, 57. Initial interviews with friends, relatives, and witnesses revealed that Joseph Nickell, 45, struggled with drug addiction for years. The problem became worse after his sister, who also had drug problems, recently passed away. This boy . . . he just never did really get over that. I think it just inflamed his addiction, James Kelly Caudill, pastor at Toms Branch Free Will Baptist Church, where the Nickells were members, told the Lexington Herald-Leader. It just [came] to a head. Nickell also mentioned his sister in a note he left behind, according to Johnson County Coroner J.R. Frisby. Joseph Nickell loved his parents and they loved him back, according to Caudill, their pastor. The family had had a good day before the shooting, according to Frisby, the coroner. Arlene cooked a meal and baked a cake before Joseph began shooting, reportedly without warning. It is crazy, Frisby said. Joseph and his parents attended both the morning and evening worship on Feb. 4. Joseph appeared to be under the influence of a drug throughout the evening session. He said something incomprehensible and Arlene had to calm him down. Court records reviewed by the Herald-Ledger show that Nickell was arrested in 2015 and charged with alcohol intoxication, fourth-degree assault and fleeing from police. Officers cited several instances in which Nickell was found with visible residue on his nose from snorting pills he had crushed. Working a murder is never easy. Working the murders of four innocent people that are part of your community is even tougher, County Sheriff Dwayne Price wrote on Facebook. The scenes are never the same but the chilling outcome is always heart-wrenching. The Sunday shooting was reported by Joseph Nickells teenage son, who was present during the incident and managed to escape before calling 911. Deputies who arrived at the scene found two people dead in the kitchen. Joseph Nickell fled the house in a black Toyota Camry and police kicked off a multi-county search for the car. It was eventually found in Paintsville near an apartment building. Deputies who searched the building found three people dead in an apartment, including the alleged shooter. Despite several pieces hinting at a potential motive, police are still investigating. Theres going to be a lot more investigation, Petry said. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: How Doctors in China Turn into Murderers New York City Terror Bomber Sentenced to Multiple Lifetimes in Prison The convicted terrorist who planted a pressure-cooker bomb in New York City that injured 30 people was sentenced to several lifetimes in prison on Tuesday, Feb. 13, Fox News reported. In October, a jury convicted Ahmad Khan Rahimi, 29, of planting pressure-cooker bombs in New York and New Jersey on Sept. 17, 2016. The blast in New York City sent shrapnel flying, injuring scores of people and shattering windows. No one was injured in the New Jersey blast that went off at a delayed 5K run. A manhunt ensued after the blasts and ended in a shootout two days later. Rahimi was shot several times. No police were injured. While in prison, Rahimi showed no remorse for what he did and tried to radicalize other prisoners, according to federal prosecutors. He is proud of what he did, scornful of the American justice system, and as dedicated as ever to his terrorist ideology, the prosecutors wrote. At the sentencing on Tuesday, Rahimi said he doesnt harbor hate for anyone, when asked to speak. Late last year, Rahimi began trying to radicalize prisoners at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, prosecutors say. Rahimi shared bomb-making instructions and speeches by terrorist leaders like Osama bin Laden and Anwar al-Awlaki. Rahimi was born in Afghanistan. He became radicalized by the ISIS and Al Qaeda terrorist groups in 2012. One of the inmates Rahimi tried to radicalize was already in prison facing charges of attempting to recruit for ISIS. Sajmir Alimehmeti was transferred away from Rahimi after being caught with materials from Rahimis court case, including a USB stick with bomb-making instructions, New York Post reported. As the evidence at trial demonstrated, the defendant was committed to waging his holy war against Americans years before he carried out his attack, prosecutors said of Rahimi according to Fox News. Even today, he appears to remain steadfast in that commitment and has shown no remorse, the prosecutors added. The defendants communications while incarcerated further demonstrate that, far from appreciating the depravity of his actions, he is proud of what he did, scornful of the American justice system, and as dedicated as ever to his terrorist ideology. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: How Doctors in China Turn into Murderers President Barack Obama talks with FBI Director James Comey at the FBI headquarters in Washington on Oct. 28, 2013. (JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) Obama Had Secret Meeting With Comey to Discuss Trump-Russia Investigation, Email Shows An email sent by former National Security Adviser Susan Rice reveals that President Barack Obama had a meeting with FBI Director James Comey and incoming Acting Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates in the Oval Office to discuss the Trump-Russia investigation on Jan. 5, 2017, just weeks before Trump was inaugurated as president. The email stands in sharp contrast with public statements made by the former president, who claims to have not been involved in the FBIs investigations into Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. I do not talk to the attorney general about pending investigations. I do not talk to FBI directors about pending investigations. We have a strict line and always have maintained it. I guarantee it, Obama said in an interview on Fox News Sunday in April 2016. The email also corroborates text messages sent between FBI agents working on the Clinton and Trump cases, that Obama wants to know everything were doing. Parts of Rices emails were released as part of a probe by the Senate Judiciary Committee into the FBIs investigation into Trump. The email has raised interest among congressional investigators because it was sent on Rices last day in office, Jan. 20, 2017, and appeared to frame the meeting in a particular way. It strikes us as odd that, among your activities in the final moments on the final day of the Obama administration, you would feel the need to send yourself such an unusual email purporting to document a conversation involving President Obama and his interactions with the FBI regarding the Trump/Russia investigation, Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) wrote in a joint statement. The senators have requested more information from Rice about the email, including whether anyone instructed her to write the email memorializing Obamas meeting with Comey and Yates. Rice, herself, as well as then-Vice President Joe Biden, were also present for the meeting. Rice wrote that Obama had told Comey he was committed to ensuring that every aspect of this issue is handled by the Intelligence and law enforcement communities by the book. Recent revelations, however, have shown that neither the investigation into Clinton nor Trump were normal. Despite your claim that President Obama repeatedly told Mr. Comey to proceed by the book, substantial questions have arisen about whether officials at the FBI, as well as at the Justice Department and the State Department, actually did proceed by the book, the congressional letter to Rice stated. Thousands of text messages obtained by the DOJ inspector general reveal that the lead FBI agent on both the Clinton and Trump cases, Peter Strzok, and a high-ranking FBI lawyer, Lisa Page, had a clear bias in favor of Clinton and against Trump. One of the text messages, obtained by Congress, reveals a conversation between Strzok and Page discussing a meeting they had in the office of then-Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe discussing an insurance policy against Trump in the event he was elected. (Click on the map to see it in full) That insurance policy, appears to have been a reference to the FBIs investigation on Trump for alleged collusion with the Russian government. The investigation was first used, through selective leaks, to cast a shadow over Trumps presidential run, and later in an attempt to force him out of office through impeachment. New revelations, however, show that the FBIs investigation was in large part based on unverified opposition research material paid for by the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee. The dossier, produced by Fusion GPS, was used by the FBI to obtain a FISA surveillance warrant on Trump campaign volunteer Carter Page. A House Intelligence Committee memo released on Feb. 2 shows that the FBI and DOJ hid the source and financiers of the allegations contained in the dossier from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Courta criminal offense. The spy warrant on Page, could then have been used to spy on everyone connected to him, including members of Trumps team. The Rice letter also reveals that Obama instructed Rice and others to potentially limit access of the incoming Trump administration to classified information related to Russia. The President asked Comey to inform him if anything changes in the next few weeks that should affect how we share classified information with the incoming team. Comey said he would, Rice wrote in the email to herself. National Security Risk If classified information on Russia was indeed withheld from the Trump administration, it could have posed a serious national security concern. It could also point to the fact that the Obama team was preventing the Trump team from obtaining certain information related to Russia. On Feb. 7, a former FBI informant, William Campbell, who was silenced under the Obama administration, revealed to Congress that Russian authorities had hired an American lobbying firm, APCO Worldwide, to influence the Obama administration. The lobbying firm was also instructed to make four payments of $750,000 to the Clinton Global Initiative, Campbell told Congress, the Hill reported. (Click on image to enlarge map) After coming to office in 2009, President Obama and then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton launched the Russia reset strategy, which ended up aiding Russias quest to become the worlds dominant uranium producer. In 2010, the Obama administration approved a controversial deal that gave Russia a majority stake in Canadian mining company Uranium One, which at the time controlled 20 percent of uranium production capacity in the United States. That year, the Obama administration also submitted to Congress the so-called 123 Agreement, which made it easier for U.S. and Russian firms to form joint ventures. It also agreed to a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) with Russia to reduce nuclear stockpiles. Recommended Video: President Trumps First State of the Union Address Parents Search Desperately for Missing Jacksonville Teen A couple in Mandarin, Jacksonville, is frantically searching for their missing 13-year-old daughter. Kyleigh Kosters was reported missing from her home by her parents on Sunday, Feb. 11. The teens father said he last saw his daughter in her bed on Saturday, Feb. 10. Pillows were stuffed under her bed sheets to imitate her body, according to ABC affiliate WJXX. He also found her window opened slightly. Officers from the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office responded to a call from the home located on Lake Fern Drive around 8 a.m. Sunday, CBS47 reported. Police have listed the 13-year-old girl as a runaway. Her mother, Kim Kosters, pleaded for help in a now viral Facebook post. As of writing the post has gained over 850,000 shares in just one day. I have an emergency and need prayer. My daughter is missing since last night. She is 54, blond hair, green eyes and weighs 125 pounds. Kyleigh was last seen in the Mandarin area in Jacksonville, Florida, the post said. She is reported missing as of 2/11. May have left sometime during the night. I have concerns she may have taken a bus somewhere. We have contacted the police and all they can do right now is file a missing persons report. Kyleigh is an adopted child who has lived with her parents for two years, a police report said. Her parents were not aware of any social media accounts owned by Kyleigh. Although the house contained surveillance cameras, no sign of Kyleigh was found after the tape was reviewed. The report said that the teen is aware of the cameras on the house and the angles they observe, according to WJAX. The parents said that this is the first time she has run away from home. They believe she may have been trying to find her biological mother. However, they are very concerned for her safety. Kyleighs dad said in the police report that she had been asking about prostitution. He said she asked him if prostitutes live a good life, WJAX reported. He also said he found google searches on her computer asking about how to find a john and what is a pimp. In a recent post, the mother said on Facebook that her heart is breaking and that they will never give up until they find their daughter. Update: According to a recent Facebook post by Kyleighs mother, their daughter had been found on Monday, Feb. 12. They are currently waiting for her at the police station. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: Firefighter Going Over 100 mph Before Deadly Crash Police Launch Investigation After Newborn Girl Is Found Buried in the Backyard of Ohio Home Police have launched an investigation after a newborn girl was found dead, buried in the backyard of a home in Ohio. The investigation is ongoing and has so far included conversations with dozens of witnesses and a couple believed to be the parents of the baby, Maj. Adam Colon told the Dayton Daily News. Its tragic, Colon said. The local coroners office was working to determine the cause of death. The police and coroner later identified the baby as Addalynn Marie George, born on Dec. 21, 2017. Neighbors watched as officials uncovered the baby on Sunday, with many expressing surprise. Thats just very surprising, especially in this neighborhood because its very quiet here, local resident Diana Hanayik said. The case is being investigated as an abuse of corpse case, according to police reports obtained by WDTN. The case comes as another case moves forward in nearby Warren County. Dayton Daily News notes that the case involves an 18-year-old who is accused of giving birth to a baby just days after her prom. Detectives said that Brooke Richardson then killed the baby, burned the body, and buried it in the backyard of her Carlisle home. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: Moms Hilarious Reaction to Raptor Scare Donald Trump Jr. delivers a speech during a ceremony for the official opening of the Trump International Tower Hotel in Vancouver, Canada on Feb. 28, 2017. (Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images) Report: Suspicious Letter That Was Sent to Donald Trump Jr. Contained Cornstarch A report says that the substance that was placed inside a letter sent to Donald Trump Jr., requiring his wife to be sent to the hospital, is cornstarch. Law-enforcement sources told the New York Post that the letter contained the harmless food product. Other media outlets reported that corn starch was placed in the letter, postmarked from Boston. Vanessa Trump opened the envelope at 10 a.m. on Feb. 12, at the Manhattan home that belongs to her mother. She was later taken to New York-Presbyterian Hospital as a precaution, along with her mother and another person who was not identified. Law enforcement sources also said there was a letter that insulted Donald Trump Jr., NBC News reported. Trump Jr. tweeted Monday that his wife and children were safe and unharmed following the incident. Truly disgusting that certain individuals choose to express their opposing views with such disturbing behavior, he tweeted, describing the matter as incredibly scary. President Trumps personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, also told the Post: How disturbed must a person be to do what they did to a mother of five young children? This dangerous and reckless act goes beyond political differences. I know the president spoke with her (Vanessa). Beyond that at this point, its an ongoing and active investigation so I cant comment any further, noted White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Thankful that Vanessa & my children are safe and unharmed after the incredibly scary situation that occurred this morning. Truly disgusting that certain individuals choose to express their opposing views with such disturbing behavior. Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) February 12, 2018 Recommended Video: First Lady Melania Trump Visits United States Holocaust Memorial Museum A man reads the Holy Bible during a mass at the Patriarcal Church of St. George in Istanbul, Turkey on Nov. 30, 2006. (Burak Kara/Getty Images) Tennessee Lawmakers Want Bible Courses Taught in Public Schools Lawmakers in Tennesse have introduced legislation that would allow teachers in public schools to teach courses about the Bible. The principal text in the religion of Christianity is currently not allowed to be taught in most public schools in the United States. Several states, such as Kentucky and Iowa, allow Bible classes. The measure introduced in Tennessee would allow the states Department of Education to post course curriculum about the Bible on its website. Teachers could then draw from the curriculum. The course, if approved, would be an elective, noted WSMV. A hearing for the bill is scheduled for Feb. 14. Senators Sabi Kumar (R-Springfield) and Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield) are sponsoring the bill. It has moved through several committees since its first introduction on Jan. 31. Present law authorizes the state board of education to approve academic standards for an elective state-funded course consisting of a nonsectarian, nonreligious academic study of the Bible and sets out the parameters for such a class. Present law provides that any course for an academic study of the Bible using a curriculum developed by an LEA [local education agency] that has been approved by the department of education may be adopted by another LEA without further approval by the department, Roberts and Kumar wrote in the bills summary. This bill adds that the department of education must make available on its website the Bible course curriculums developed by LEAs that have been approved by the department and that are available for adoption by another LEA pursuant to the above-described present law provision. This bill requires the department to notify each LEA in writing no later than July 1 of each year that the LEA may provide an elective state-funded course consisting of a nonsectarian, nonreligious academic study of the Bible in accordance with present law and this bill. A similar measure in Kentucky was passed in 2017. The purpose was stated: to provide to students knowledge of biblical content, characters, poetry, and narratives that are prerequisites to understanding contemporary society and culture. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: Thrilling GoPro journey down a deep well to check out reports of limestone caves Two Teenagers Charged After Allegedly Killing Pet Birds During Home Break-In Two teenagers in North Carolina have been charged after allegedly breaking into a home on Super Bowl Sunday and killing pet birds inside. Police said the two teens broke into a home in Lenoir County on Feb. 4. A crime report posted by the Lenoir County Sheriffs Office said that Hallie Pate, 17, and Jordan Ruiz, 18, broke into the house and then killed the pet birds inside. Mack Price, who owns the home and lets his daughter live there, told WITN that the teens then smeared the birds blood all over the kitchen cabinet. The teens then lit a vehicle on fire before stealing an Xbox One console and medical inhalers. The two teens have been charged with felony cruelty to animals, breaking and entering, breaking and entering a motor vehicle, larceny after breaking and entering, and obtaining property by false pretense. Detectives said that witnesses led them to the two suspects. They later found the stolen objects. Victoria Lanier, who identified herself as a sister of Pates, said in a comment on the sheriffs press release on Facebook that the negative feedback on the social media website was very much affecting me and my younger sister. My sister was no part of this shes 17 and pregnant she wouldnt hurt and animal or hurt yalls family this was Lexis fault, she wrote. Im 15 and would love to share my piece of mind with everyone up here because of these comments my 11 yr old sister had to go to school and see this .. I have to see this .. Im currently sitting at school crying because people are calling my mom and piece of [expletive] when shes not just keep your prude comments to yourself. Dont be a child. Sheriff Ronnie Ingram told the Daily Mail that no motive has been established although he believes the teens go to the same school as Prices daughter, who lives in the home and owned the birds that were killed. It would be bad enough if they just broke in and attempt to take something but when you break into a home, kill an animal and then attempt to burn the place, thats very disturbing, he said. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: Sleepy Truck Driver Causes Multi-Vehicle Crash Woman Chases Dog Across Pennsylvania Highway Causing 3-Vehicle Pileup Police are looking for a woman who chased a dog across a highway in Pennsylvania, leading to a multi-vehicle accident. On Monday, Feb. 12, a woman who police described as brown-haired and heavyset with blue clothing chased a dog across Interstate 90 in Girard Township, Pennsylvania, GoErie.com reports. The incident happened in the afternoon around the 11-mile marker. The driver of a tractor-trailer put on the brakes to avoid hitting the woman and the dog, but a tractor-trailer behind it couldnt stop in time and hit the first tractor trailer. A third tractor-trailer hit the second one, causing the second one to ignite, YourErie reports. The vehicle was extinguished by first responders and the driver was taken to the hospital for treatment. Both the second and third vehicles in the crash were severely damaged in the front. However the first vehicle was able to drive away, Erie News Now reports. The woman chased the dog through the median and into the eastbound lanes of traffic, New Jersey State Police troopers say. According to GoErie.com, a woman who failed to see stopped traffic on I-90 crashed into two vehicles west of the accident about 45 minutes later. No one was injured in that accident. Pennsylvania State Police said they would like to speak to the woman with the dog who left the scene after the accident. She was driving a blue car, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call state police at 814-774-9611. From NTD.tv Recommended Video: Boiling water turns to snow Keila Torres Ocasio / Hearst Connecticut Media To meet the charging needs of electric vehicles owners, Connecticut will require anywhere from 6,000 to 31,000 public charging stations according to Tesla, with the state having about 400 such stations today. Eversource Energy has proposed an expansion of its EV Rider program for owners of electric vehicles, with Tesla furnishing testimony on the topic last week in a proceeding of the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority. NORWALK The states third annual attempt to boil academic success to a single number shows progress being made in the college readiness arena but not on the reading, math and science fronts. Nearly three quarters of districts and charter schools statewide 146 out of 201 scored worse on this years index than they did a year ago. Norwalk wasnt one of them. Norwalks accountability index grew 56 points in one year, the third highest growth of any district in the state. We are very pleased by the significant growth achieved by Norwalk Public Schools, said Superintendent Steven Adamowski. This level of growth has placed Norwalk at the top of its District Comparison Group for the first time, ahead of Stamford and other districts similar to ours. While there remains much work to be done, Norwalks score in the Accountability Index achieves a major outcome of the 2016 - 2019 Strategic Operating Plan, as set by the Board of Education. Individual student improvement over time something the state pushed to include in its Next Generation Accountability system is what in many cases kept schools and school districts from seeing overall improvement, state officials said. Released Friday by the State Department of Education, the states grade, or index, remains flat, rising one tenth of one percent to 73.2 points in 2016-17. Norwalk passed the state average, earning 76.9 percent of points available in the index. Each school and district also earned an index number based on the same compilation of 12 indicators. Included are not only scores on state standardized tests but absentee rates, graduation rates, access to arts and physical fitness. What is measured is how well schools are living up to goals set for them by the state. In its index reporting, the state makes note of schools that improve, show growth or just have overall high numbers. A list of 124 Schools of Distinction were reported, including for the first time ever two Norwalk schools. Both Rowayton Elementary School and the Center for Global Studies were designated category 1 State Schools of Distinction. This was the first year the Center for Global Studies received a separate accountability report from Brien McMahon High School where it is located. Ajit Gopalakrishnan, chief performance officer for the states Department of Education, said the state was pleased that more students are taking Advanced Placement courses and tests. All juniors now take the SAT as their state assessment. Overall, some indicators are showing positive movement and some are not, Gopalakrishnan said. We know there some areas where we have a lot of work to do. On the positive side was a 3.6 percent jump in the number of high needs students English language learners, students with disabilities or from low income families who graduated in six years or fewer. Physical fitness levels also jumped 35 percent because there was more participation changing the points earned, state officials said. On the downside was some backsliding on the percentage of growth, or how well underperforming students do from one year to the next in matching state averages. In language arts, the growth slipped 8.5 percent and in math, 3.7 percent. Growth carries the largest weight in the index and in many cases is what caused many school districts to decline, Gopalakrishnan said. More Information School system scores District 2015-16 index 2016-17 index Bridgeport 56.4 59.3 Danbury 72.6 70.3 Norwalk 72.7 76.9 New Haven 64.3 64 Stamford 73 74.2 See More Collapse We have a long way to go there, Gopalakrishnan said. Growth is where the (state public school) system is putting a lot of its emphasis. In measuring growth, the district excludes students who relocate to new districts 2,194 between the two years so that the same students are being compared one year with the next. Also down were science scores. The index dropped nearly 3 points statewide. The federal government requires the state to compile the index and use the information to help schools better educate their children, but no longer collects the data as it did under No Child Left Behind. Hearst Connecticut Media WILTON Carole Young-Kleinfeld, who has served as Wiltons Democratic Registrar of Voters for almost a decade, announced this week that she will resign the position in April. Young-Kleinfeld will be replaced by deputy registrar Karen Birck. Since 2009 Young-Kleinfeld has, with her Republican counterparts former registrar Tina Gardner and current registrar Annalisa Stravato, administered all elections for the Wilton community hiring and supervising elections officials and maintaining Wiltons registration data base. She has also led workshops for statewide registers, and has throughout her term monitored elections legislation. EDWARDSVILLE The city of Edwardsville is looking to modify its fire prevention ordinance to allow open burning, or controlled burns, within city limits. As discussed at Mondays Public Safety Committee meeting, Deputy Fire Chief James Whiteford, of the Edwardsville Fire Department, said currently, controlled burns arent permitted in the city or covered by ordinance. Apparently weve had a couple of requests from members of the city to have the ability to clear property for the purpose of maintaining that property in such a way that its healthy and safe for the environment, Whiteford said. The current ordinance didnt make any exceptions for that, so this update would allow, with the approval of Illinois EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) permitting, be able to apply for a permit in the city of Edwardsville and have fires for the purposes of burning off property. It focuses on doing it in a safe way thats not going to allow the fire to spread or cross any hazards to the community. If approved, the amendment would allow for controlled/prescribed burns to manage larger forestation, farming and/or prairie grass tracts within city limits. The current open burning ordinance only allows small, contained recreational fires, bonfires, or EPA-approved open burning of acreage that is cleared by contractors developing a plot of land. The burning of leaves, brush and other landscape waste is still not permitted. The new amendment to the ordinance would require the EFD to issue permits after the petitioner has obtained both an EPA and an Illinois Department of Natural Resources permit and has hired an IDNR-certified controlled burn specialist to lead the project. Although there are no set regulations regarding the size of the fire or area to be burned, Whiteford said given the extensive process, its likely the size requirements wont be needed. Its not overly burdensome, but its not simple either. I dont see this being the kind of thing that someone would go through the process to burn off leaves on their property. So theres going to be, just by the nature of the difficulty of the process, I think theyll be some restriction, Whiteford said. The burns will need to be scheduled for only weather-permitting times, considering factors such as humidity, wind and temperature. In other words, there must be suitable conditions for the burn to prevent unwanted fire spread. There will be some financial obligation for anyone wanting to host a controlled burn, Whiteford said, given that an IDNR certified specialist will need to be hired as well. You also have to have someone who meets IDNR requirements (to oversee it). Thats something thatll have to be hired out, in addition. Theyll be some cost involved with anyone trying to get this permit, he said. If someone is interested, Whiteford said mainly, this addition to the ordinance is to assist citizens in maintaining property. This is only (for) products that are growing on site, Whiteford said. Its for the purposes of clearing and maintaining a property to keep it from becoming overgrown. Discussion came to a close and aldermen Chris Farrar, SJ Morrison and Will Krause were in favor of moving the motion forward. The amendment will be reviewed once more on Thursday at the Administrative and Community Services Committee before going to City Council for first reading. For more information about the proposed amendment, visit the citys website at www.cityofedwardsville.com. American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. All rights reserved. 326 E 8th St #105, Sioux Falls, SD 57103 | U.S. Based Support Team at [email protected] | (844) 978-6257 MarketBeat does not provide personalized financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security. Our Accessibility Statement | Terms of Service | Do Not Sell My Information 2021 Market data provided is at least 10-minutes delayed and hosted by Barchart Solutions. Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice, and is delayed. To see all exchange delays and terms of use please see disclaimer. Fundamental company data provided by Zacks Investment Research. 7 hours ago Are You Creditworthy? A Look at What Your Lender Sees (and Does Investing Affect Your Credit?) If you're thinking about getting a loan for something like a house, a car or another type of loan, you might wonder what your lender sees when they take a look at your creditworthiness. You want to have every advantage at your disposal, particularly in the face of what's going on in the housing market right now. Read Article A splashy renovation of the historic Hudsons Bay store in downtown Montreal is behind schedule no building permits have been issued for the project that was supposed to be completed by the fall but Hudsons Bay Company officials are mum for now, as to why. A spokesperson said Tuesday the building on Ste-Catherine St. in Montreal is not for sale. HBC does not currently have plans to sell the downtown Montreal building, said Tiffany Bourre, who declined to say why the project hasnt started yet. There is no new information to share at this time. The renovation was supposed to divide up the building to make room for the largest Saks Fifth Avenue in Canada, at 200,000 square feet, mirroring the approach taken with the historic Hudsons Bay store on Queen St. W. in Toronto, which now houses both a Saks Fifth Avenue and a Hudsons Bay. City of Montreal spokesperson Anik de Repentigny said that as of Tuesday morning, the downtown borough where the store is located had not received any requests for any building permits for the property. I dont think opening up a Saks in Montreal necessarily was the right decision, said Farla Efros, president, HRC Advisory, who believes the Saks brand is not well known in Quebec. I think personally they are probably mitigating some risk, and who knows if it will ever come to pass, but I think theyre saving themselves some grief, frankly. The building is bounded by Ste-Catherine St. on one side and de Maisonneuve Blvd. on the other. Efros said it doesnt help that sidewalks along Ste-Catherine St. are about to be dug up as part of an infrastructure overhaul and Phillips Square, located in front of the store, is about to get a makeover. But Jeffrey Berkowitz, president, Aurora Realty Consultants, based in Montreal, said he doubts that could be the issue, because the Saks store was to front on de Maisonneuve Blvd. I think theyre just being prudent at this point in time. Its a challenging retail environment, said Berkowitz. He doubts HBC still has time to turn the project around in time for the fall. Its highly unlikely. Its an older property and there is a significant amount of work that would have to be done. Everybody in real estate right now is taking a pause to look at what the fundamentals are and what the future is going to hold in 2018. Everybody is being very cautious, said Don Gregor, executive vice-president, Aurora Realty Consultants. In December, BMO Capital Markets analyst Wayne Hood lowered his rating on the stock to market perform from market outperform. While we see the value of the underlying real estate acting as potential backstop to the stock . . . we don't see it moving meaningfully higher from $11 over the next 12 months absent sustained stabilization, or improvement in the company's operating segments and cash flow, particularly in Europe and Lord & Taylor. The stock has recently been trading at less than $10 a share. HBC has been under pressure from activist investor Land & Buildings Investment Management LLC to monetize some of the value in its real estate to prop up share prices. In December, the company reported a decline in retail sales in the third quarter of 4.2 per cent, to $3.2 billion. It also posted a net loss of $243 million compared with a $125 million gain the same quarter a year previously. Comparable sales on a constant currency basis declined by 3.2 per cent. OTTAWA Three former Green party employees who accused Elizabeth May of workplace bullying are demanding a truly independent investigation of their allegations, stating in a joint letter that they have no confidence in the process launched by the party last month. Rob Rainer, Diana Nunes and Vanessa Brustolin wrote to Green Party President Ken Melamed on Saturday to raise concerns and demand changes to the probe before they agree to participate in the investigation. The employees said Mays involvement in the decision to hire Toronto lawyer Sheila Block to investigate her own alleged behaviour represents an obvious conflict of interest. They want the party to use a transparent and conflict-free process to find an investigator who has experience with workplace bullying cases. They also want to make sure other current and former party operatives can submit statements or be interviewed as part of the investigation, and are asking the party to respond to their concerns by Thursday. We remain fully prepared to participate in a truly independent investigation conducted by an individual possessing the requisite expertise and mandate, the former staff wrote. Indeed, we enthusiastically welcome such an investigation. Green Party Executive Director Emily McMillan said in an email Monday that May did not choose Block to conduct the investigation. She said Block was retained because of outside advice, and that it is normal for employers to select investigators without consulting complainants. McMillan said the investigation is currently limited to the three former employees who have publicly accused May of bullying, but that the party will consider broadening its scope to anyone who wishes to be included. The probe will proceed even if the staffers decide not to participate, she said. In response to the accusers concerns about Blocks experience, McMillan said: Have you Googled Ms. Block? She is highly regarded and her CV is available on her website. I trust that I do not need to dig that out for you. The website describes Block as a senior trial and appellate counsel with a broad civil litigation practice, who is the chair of her law firms litigation and dispute resolution practice. Her webpage also shows numerous professional awards and a long list of experience in high-profile legal cases. The former staffers wrote that they acknowledge Block is a highly respected lawyer, but that they still dont know whether she has experience investigating workplace bullying allegations. Block declined to comment Monday about the groups concerns. In interviews with the Star last month, the former staffers accused the longtime Green leader of creating a toxic work environment with behaviour that allegedly includes yelling at employees and putting them down in front of colleagues. Rainer, who was the partys interim executive director in 2014, also accused the party of failing to address and prevent Mays alleged verbal and emotional abuse of staff. May has flatly denied the allegations and rejected being characterized as a bully, describing herself as generous and supportive of party workers. The Green party has also dismissed the accusations as simply the statements of disgruntled employees and said that May is being held to a different standard because she is a woman. May announced on Jan. 29 that the party had hired Block to investigate the allegations of the three former staffers who spoke with the Star. She said at the time that she insisted to the party that an investigation was necessary to put this matter to bed, and that she had spoken with Block that morning. In the following days, the three former employees wrote a series of questions to Block and the party seeking clarity on Blocks background, why she was selected, and how the investigation would work. Melamed, the party president, responded on Feb. 2 in an email that was obtained by the Star and told the accusers that May took part in the decision to hire Block and that she had called the lawyer to discuss the process and costs of the investigation. In her statement to the Star Monday, however, McMillan said that Mays contact with Block was only to tell her when McMillan would be available to discuss the investigation. The party has said the investigation will take two to four weeks, and has pledged to publicly release Blocks findings. Read more about: After five years of stonewalling, the federal government will finally release the data necessary to calculate Canadas tax gap the uncollected billions that never make it into public coffers. In a surprise announcement in the House of Commons Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the data will be released to the governments independent auditor before the end of the month. The Canada Revenue Agency and the Parliamentary Budget Officer have reached an agreement that will allow the (PBO) to do the work he has wanted to do for a long time, Trudeau told the House of Commons. Read more: Canada misses out on nearly $50 billion in tax each year Star Investigation | The high cost of low corporate taxes Trudeau said the data will be provided in a way that ensures the privacy of Canadians, one of the perceived sticking points in turning over raw tax data to the parliamentary watchdog. The current PBO, Jean-Denis Frechette, said he has been given no indication the CRA would release the numbers. It was a surprise, Frechette told the Star. Im excited about the announcement. Its been five years. Its been a long fight. Frechette is the third PBO to repeatedly ask the CRA for the raw statistical data to be able to calculate the tax gap the difference between the amount of tax owed to Ottawa and what the federal government actually collects. Its a number that could top $47 billion per year. Under the previous government, the CRA refused to calculate the tax gap, dismissing it as unreliable. The Liberal government pledged to start counting the lost tax revenue, and the CRA has released three partial studies to date. Individuals failed to pay the government $8.7 billion in income tax, according to the CRA. The underground economy costs $4.9 billion in uncollected GST and HST every year, the CRA says. But when it comes to the tax gap related to offshore tax evasion, an issue thrust into headlines by the Panama and Paradise Papers leaks, the CRA has no estimate. The best guesses from credible sources place Canadas tax losses to offshore havens at between $6 billion and $15 billion each year. The Canada Revenue Agency resisted making the calculation for years, according to a Toronto Star/CBC investigation published in November. In all, more than a dozen western countries including Australia, Sweden, Poland, Belgium, Portugal, Mexico and Denmark measure their uncollected taxes to understand the size of their shortfalls and plot public policy strategies to address the problem. Liberal Sen. Percy Downe, a vocal advocate for tax gap reporting in Canada, first sought out the information from the CRA five years ago. He was cautious about the news Monday. Theres been many false starts with the Canada Revenue Agency, he said. The proof is in the pudding. Well wait until the PBO actually has the information. If the data is released, Downe says, it will be a breakthrough for Canadians understanding of how much potential tax income needed to build roads, schools, hospitals and daycares is never collected. Canadians will finally find out the size of the tax gap that many countries estimate already. We need to determine the size of the tax gap and the government can inform Canadians. The Star/CBC investigation traced a long path of denials by the CRA for tax gap data requested by Downe and three straight Parliament Budget Officers between 2012 and 2015. Frechette became the third parliamentary budget officer to press for the data when he took the office in late 2013. He wrestled with a $141,000 fee estimate from CRA, along with a six-month timeline, to access the data. An April 2015 letter from the CRA to Frechette reads: Our position is that the PBO does not have the authority to access confidential taxpayer information. At one point, Frechettee mused about taking the CRA to court to access the data. Downe said its important that an independent agency like the PBO be given responsibility to conduct the analysis rather than the CRA doing it. We saw too many recent examples from the revenue agency to show, frankly, they cant be trusted, he said. We need an outside, independent agency like the PBO to tell us what the facts are. I think Canadians would find the PBO more trustworthy. Read more about: OTTAWA The federal government will take more time to review the proposed sale of Canadian construction giant Aecon to a Chinese state-owned company, adding an extra layer of scrutiny because of advice from national security agencies. Karl Sasseville, press secretary to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains, said in a statement Monday that the extended review is part of the process for approving the purchase of Canadian companies by international players under the Investment Canada Act. The extension gives the Liberal cabinet another 90 days to consider whether national security considerations should block the proposed Aecon takeover. The added time comes after an initial 45-day net benefit review that included advice from the public safety department and national security agencies that include the RCMP and Canadian Security Intelligence Service. We follow the advice of those who actually have the information and intelligence necessary to make these determinations: our national security agencies, Sasseville said. We will continue to do our diligence to review the potential national security implications, as we have been doing since Day 1. We never have and we never will compromise on national security. Sasseville would not discuss specifics about the advice Bains received from Canadas national security agencies. Aecon spokesperson Nicole Court said Monday that both companies are committed to working with the government so that the deal is approved. The specifics of the review remain confidential, she said. It continues to be business as usual at Aecon we are focused on delivering excellent service to our clients, working with our partners and bidding and securing new projects. The proposed deal was made public in late October, when government-owned China Communications Construction Co. Ltd. (CCCI) announced its plan to buy Aecon, which has offices in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. The $1.5-billion takeover was overwhelmingly approved on Dec. 20, when 99 per cent of Aecon shareholders voted to proceed with the deal. The purchase had also been unanimously recommended by the company board. But the deal has raised concerns about the prospect of a massive Chinese company, owned by the one-party authoritarian government in Beijing, assuming control of a large Canadian company with a 140-year history of construction on landmark projects such as the CN Tower, St. Lawrence Seaway and Halifax Shipyard. The Conservatives have repeatedly demanded that the government conduct a full national security review under Section 25 of the Investment Canada Act. That section states that cabinet can review a proposed foreign purchase if the innovation minister deems it could be injurious to national security. About time! wrote Conservative MP Tony Clement on Twitter. Ottawa was also criticized last year when it approved the sale of Vancouver-based Norsat which makes radio systems used by militaries in some NATO countries to Chinas Hytera Communications Co. Ltd. without a full national security review. The Liberal government has highlighted its goal of expanding ties with China, a push that has seen several cabinet ministers travel to the country in pursuit of a deeper relationship with the authoritarian country. With files from The Canadian Press Read more about: An Indigenous current affairs website that published a story that is critical of the verdict in the trial of Gerald Stanley says it has been hacked. Media Indigena has been offline for three days, since Feb 10 the day after Stanley, a white farmer in Saskatchewan, was found not guilty of second-degree murder in the 2016 death of Colten Boushie, a 22-year-old Red Pheasant First Nation resident. Its not clear what the motive or source of the hack is, because these things are hard to trace, said Rick Harp, founder and president of INDIGENA Creative Group. It could be an individual or a bot some individual designed to indiscriminately go down and find sites to bring down. It is a coincidence but you have to wonder at the timing, said Harp. Harp told the Star on Tuesday, a version of the site will be back up later in the day, thanks to a friend who is helping fix it on a volunteer basis. But why it went down will remain a mystery. Ive had the site up since 2010. Nothing like this has ever happened, said Harp. It makes you wonder. In a Feb 12 article, Media Indigena said the site may have been hacked shortly after publishing Indigenous commentator, Robert Jagos commentary entitled An all-white jury runs from justice in the trial of Gerald Stanley. Jagos article was posted on Media Indigena the day before, in the wake of nation-wide protests against Stanleys acquittal. In it, he strongly critiques the all-white jurys decision to find Stanley not guilty, saying that the jurors were raised to see (Indigenous peoples) as scary animals. Gerald Stanley had a family, and one that looked like those of the all-white jury, wrote Jago. Colten Boushie didnt have a family. Indians dont have families. They have braves and squaws, chiefs and papooses, bitches and thugs but not a mother and father like the Stanleys are. To find Gerald Stanley guilty, would be to find him responsible for his actions actions which resulted in the death of Colten Boushie, an Indian. But we dont do that in this country, he continued. White Canada is not responsible for what happened to Indians. By Sunday morning, the website appeared to go offline. It was later republished by National Observer. Jago said that there was an enormous amount of people hating on the article online. He measured that in a four hour period, he directly received 20 to 30 hateful messages, and there were many more on sites that republished it. His Twitter account was flagged by some as sensitive material. In a series of tweets, on Tuesday, Jago blamed racist hackers. I wrote an article on crime against Native people...some people didnt like it for racial reasons...it was hacked and the site it was featured on was destroyed, he wrote. You can only look at the circumstances and the circumstances tell a strong story, said Jago to the Star on Tuesday. [The story] was getting a lot of hate, a lot of messagesYou have to look at all the hate around the case and at the balance of probability it was more than likely targeted than not. I do want people to see the amount of vitriol and hate thats been directed at Native people around [the Gerald Stanley trial]how hateful and unlawful and out of control these comments are, Jago said. I dont think you can divorce the attack from the timing. OTTAWAA Conservative senator is calling out the federal Liberal government for its anodyne response to reports that an Iranian-Canadian university professor has died while in custody in Iran. The semi-official ILNA news agency says Iranian lawmakers have confirmed that Kavous Seyed-Emami took his own life while behind bars and that part of the incident was captured on CCTV footage. Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the head of parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy in Iran, was quoted as saying Seyed-Emamis family had accepted the suicide finding and did not ask for an autopsy. The video showed that Seyed-Emami takes his shirt off and prepares for suicide, Boroujerdi said. Read more: Death of Iranian-Canadian professor in Tehran latest suspicious fatality in crackdown on dissent Iranian-Canadian professor dies in Tehran prison Omar Alghabra, Canadas parliamentary secretary for consular affairs, tweeted that the Canadian government was concerned about the circumstances of the death and had asked Iran for answers. That prompted a strong response from Sen. Linda Frum, who wondered on Twitter why Ottawa wasnt taking a harder line in demanding to know what happened. Concerned?! How about outraged? Frum tweeted. Asked for answers? How about demanding the immediate releases (sic) of his body to Canada? Considering that he was a university professor, Seyed-Emami was being kept in a proper cell, Boroujerdi said. Unfortunately, Kavos Seyed-Emami, for whatever reason, could not bear the prison conditions, he added. The semi-official Fars news agency quoted a spokesperson for the parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy, Hossein Naghavi Hosseini, as saying, The issue is quite clear because prepares his shirt as a rope to commit suicide. Seyed-Emami tried to make it appear to guards that he was asleep, Hosseini added. Frum, however, isnt buying it. Of course, we can place absolutely zero validity on that, she said in an interview. Evin Prison, where Seyed-Emami was being held, is a notorious place where its impossible to take ones own life, she said. Youre not in control of your own life when youre inside Evin Prison, Frum said. The fact that the professor died in prison, to me, says that he was murdered, and that thats the only thing that could have happened to him there. On Saturday, Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi said authorities had arrested several unidentified people on suspicion of spying under the cover of implementation of scientific and environmental projects. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised during the 2015 election campaign to restore diplomatic relations with Iran, but a brutal crackdown on widespread unrest in that country late last year prompted opposition calls on the government to reconsider. Canada, should be demanding an independent autopsy, performed by Canadian examiners, said Frum. In the absence of that, I think they should be presuming that this is now another Canadian national whos been murdered in Evin Prison, she said. It is outrageous, and I think they should be suspending their talks on reopening the embassy with Iran. Read more about: MONTREALThe number of Canadian medical school graduates unable to find a residency training program could triple in the coming years, jeopardizing the career paths of hundreds of future doctors, a new report warns. The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada is recommending that provincial health ministries boost funding to create additional residency spots. It says this is needed to prevent the growing backlog of graduates caught between the classroom and the operating room, unable to complete the last required step in their medical training. From 114 Canadian medical graduates who were not successfully matched to a residency program in 2017, the figure could climb to more than 330 in 2021 if no corrective action is taken, the association said in a report Tuesday. It is also urging an overhaul of the two-round system through which the annual residency spots are filled so that Canadian medical school graduates have less competition from spots from graduates coming from international medical schools. We see this as a very potentially effective way to reduce the number of unmatched Canadian medical graduates, said Dr. Genevieve Moineau, president of the AFMC. Read more: Opinion | Robert Chus suicide sends a message medicine cannot ignore Tragic case of Robert Chu shows plight of Canadian medical school grads Opinion | The government is letting our future physicians down Individual provinces create residency programs based their own needs. But in recent years, funding has grown so tight that there is an almost 1:1 ratio between residency spots and Canadian medical graduates. Factors like francophone graduates picked for programs outside Quebec which leaves French-language residencies vacant or competition from international medical school graduates has resulted in heavily subsidized, intensively trained Canadian graduates being bumped out. The problem is most pronounced in Ontario, where 35 individuals were left out of a residency program in 2017, compared to 20 in western Canada, eight in Quebec and two in the Maritime provinces. Moineau said the recommendations have been approved by the deans of the countrys 17 medical schools. The fact that the deans approve of this report means that they are willing to take these recommendations to their provincial ministries of health to make these requests, she said. Depending on the province, its a significant ask. The problem of Canadian medical school graduates who are prevented from completing the final step in their training was highlighted last June when the Star detailed the tragic case of Dr. Robert Chu. A brilliant young student, Chu graduated from McMaster University but was turned down two years in a row for a residency program. He wrote letters to federal and provincial lawmakers about his ordeal with the residency application process. Written several months before he took his own life on Sept. 5, 2016, he noted that medical school enrolment has been steadily increasing while residency positions were decreasing. This makes no sense. What good is a doctor who cannot (practise) as one? Clara Chu, his mother, said she read the reports recommendations with bittersweet emotions. They echoed many of the problems her son identified and fought against in the final months of his life. While he was alive his search for answers fell on deaf ears, she said. His letters and tenacity were instrumental in bringing about change and paving the way for others. Even posthumously, Robert continues to try to help others. The Star has spoken to numerous other students who had been passed over for residency programs, often due to their application strategies rather than their medical abilities. Some had applied for competitive residency programs, but neglected to take courses in other disciplines where they might have been more likely to be picked. Many unmatched students complained about the almost complete lack of feedback from the application process, denying them insights into what they should have done differently. Others spoke of the shame and stigma of not matching for a residency program, as well as the absence of support from the medical community while they wait another year to apply again. The report urges medical schools to create policies and procedures to support unmatched graduates, such as allowing them to complete a fifth year of medical school during which they could hone their skills and experiences while waiting to reapply to residency programs. Henry Annan, president of the Canadian Federation of Medical Students, said responsibility for the crisis lies now with the provincial governments, who must create more residency positions. We also think theres potential for even the federal government to get involved if there are ways they can fund some (residency) seats, he said, noting that Ottawa could play a role in underserved areas of the country or in the remote northern reaches. We need to think a little bit outside of the box as to where we can make some impact. Correction Feb. 13, 2018: This article was edited from a previous version that misstated the number of recommended residency spots. After heating and excavating frozen earth for an investigation into an alleged serial killer, police say theyve stopped digging up the backyard of the Leaside home where the remains of at least six people were found in planter pots. Thats not to say were not going to revisit it when the weathers a bit warmer, lead investigator Det.-Sgt. Hank Idsinga told the Star. A garage at the house, which is owned by Karen Fraser and Ron Smith, was used by accused killer Bruce McArthur to store his landscaping equipment. McArthur, 66, has been charged with five counts of first-degree murder in the disappearances of Andrew Kinsman, Selim Esen, Majeed Kayhan, Soroush Mahmudi and Dean Lisowick. Police have described the deaths as the work of a serial killer. City staff began excavating a drainage network in front of the home Tuesday. Two sewers were looked at. A worker holding a detecting device walked in and around one at the end of the driveway. The other, a little west of the home, was opened. Toronto police said on Feb. 8 they found the remains of a total of six people at a property where alleged serial killer Bruce McArthur worked. Det.-Sgt. Hank Idsinga says he expects more charges against the 66-year-old landscaper. (The Canadian Press) A backhoe arrived, jackhammering near the sewer in front of the house. Last week, police confirmed that Kinsmans remains were among those of at least six people recovered from planter pots they say McArthur placed in the yard. They have not said if they have identified any of the other remains. Investigators have cordoned off the yard since Jan. 18, when McArthur was arrested on the first two murder charges. A green tent was set up outside and heaters were brought in so investigators could thaw out and probe the frozen ground which was also scanned with ground penetrating radar. Idsinga declined on Tuesday to disclose how police identified what he called the very specific area they were searching beneath the tent. Originally, he had estimated the excavation could take police up to a week and a half. We hope to dig down, until we cant dig anymore, which may be a matter of inches, Idsinga said last week. And then we may have to leave it for another day or two, let it thaw some more and then continue digging. But speaking to the Star Tuesday, Idsinga said that timeline was sped up when Dr. Kathy Gruspier the first and only fulltime forensic anthropologist in Canada, who oversaw the excavation didnt find any sign of previous digging. Youd focus on if you found a spot that looked like itd been excavated before, he said. Then keep digging in that spot until you get to a reasonable depth. We never found anything that would indicate that. If they found something in the specific area theyd identified under the tent, it could take over a week to excavate and sift the earth properly. If we do go back there when the weather is warmer, well probably take some more time checking some of the other areas, he said. And we could be in the same boat. We find another area that were interested in, we start digging. We could be done in 24 hours, or if we start finding stuff, it could take a lot longer. Homeowner Karen Fraser said she is relieved the excavation did not uncover any more human remains on her property but said she wouldnt be commenting any further on what investigators are doing at her house. Since being allowed to return home over the weekend, Fraser said she and her partner have felt increasingly harassed by the throng of journalists camped outside each day. Our position is now that we will tell our story when we are ready, Fraser said. Fraser thinks one of the men still missing from Torontos Gay Village may have been one of the changing group of men she saw helping McArthur unload flowers. Skandaraj Navaratnam, 40, was last seen in the early hours of Sept. 10, 2010, leaving Zipperz, a now closed bar near Church and Carlton Sts., with an unknown man. When investigators showed Fraser a picture of the missing man during a police interview, it jogged a memory from years ago on her lawn. He looked like a guy who came here. He was so shy, he only looked at the ground, she said. She remembers the man chuckling at her jokes. McArthur didnt laugh, which made the man smile even more, Fraser recalls. If I was introduced to him, I dont remember his name, she said. I remember that one time and it might not have been him. Navaratnams disappearance was part of the focus of Project Houston an 18-month-long police task force into three men who went missing between 2010 and 2012. Police have charged McArthur with the murder of one of those missing men, Majeed Kayhan. McArthur has not been charged with Navaratnams disappearance. Navaratnam was listed as a friend on McArthurs now deactivated Facebook page. CBC has reported the two men were in a romantic relationship. Fraser said she plans to hold a cleansing ceremony at her house at some point in the future, likely when the police and media presence has dwindled. Shes heard great enthusiasm over the idea, she said, adding that it may help bring some comfort for those affected by the murders. Meanwhile, police have identified another Toronto property theyre interested in searching. But it really was dependent on whether or not we found anything here, Idsinga said of a potential dig at the second site. Were going to wait for the weather to get a bit warmer, do some further forensic testing and decide whether were going to dig there or not. They have a few more tips to follow up on from individuals that believe they may have planters from McArthur in their possession, but not many. Its quieted down a little bit, Idsinga said. Meanwhile, the still-frosty weather has put a strain in particular on the police dogs working on the case. With the dogs, they just dont work that well when everything is frozen, Idsinga said. Having the heated tent at Leaside, according to Melissa Connor a forensic anthropologist and the director the Forensic Investigation Research Station at Colorado Mesa University would serve a dual purpose. Connor isnt working on the McArthur case, but has worked with frozen earth before. Theyre creating an environment that they can control, Connor said. If youre trying to work outside when its cold out, taking photographs and notes in addition to doing some excavation, its going to be more challenging because your fingers will start getting cold. You might start taking shortcuts. The tent would allow them to control light, keep reporters out, and control the temperature. Youre not only thawing out the ground, youre creating an environment where people can do their absolute best work, she said. Digging in cold ground also often resulted in chunks of earth being removed, rather than fine details being sifted out, she explained. According to Idsinga on Tuesday, investigators may revisit all the properties flagged in the McArthur investigation when the spring thaw hits. It depends what we find elsewhere, right? Idsinga has said that police expect to lay more charges against McArthur. In the meantime, the Leaside backyard will be released back to the homeowners, though theyve requested police keep tape around the yard. To keep you guys out, Idsinga said, chuckling. Those pesky reporters. Read more: With remains of six victims found in Bruce McArthur case, police anticipate more charges What happened to Project Houston, the Toronto police search for three missing men? Community gathers for healing as it honours memory of Gay Village murder victims With files from Jesse McLean and Julien Gignac Toronto police launched a hate crime investigation Tuesday after a historic city landmark in the Beach was tagged with anti-Semitic and anti-Black graffiti. Investigators received a call about the vandalism at the Leuty Lifeguard Station just after 7 a.m. Toronto police say they are investigating the incident as a hate crime. Built in 1920, the station is a symbol of the Beach neighbourhood and is at the foot of Leuty Ave. Record-breaking water levels in Lake Ontario during the summer had left the building in a massive puddle. Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon (Beaches-East York, Ward 32) called the graffiti vile. Its despicable. We wont tolerate this. We will work closely with police and find the culprit. This is not something the community will tolerate. The station has been tagged before, but its never involved hate language and symbols, said James Dann, Waterfront Parks Manager with the City of Toronto. According to Dann, the poorly done, anti-Semitic, foul graffiti was painted over at around noon. Whitewashing isnt enough, Rima Berns-McGown, the provincial NDP candidate for Beaches-East York, said in a Facebook post. Obviously, its necessary that the images disappear: this is a hate crime and seeing that anti-Black racism and anti-Semitism is terrifying, nauseating, and disgusting. But painting over it doesnt solve the problem. She said its everybodys job to rid our society of those scourges. Its local; communities have to be loud and ferocious that theres no place for it anywhere, she said. Its individual; we all have to call out our racist (or) intolerant relatives. But most importantly, its political; at its heart, the problem is systemic. And we have to think systemically to root it out. A Newmarket judge has sent a message that its time to do things differently in the provinces notorious bail system to ensure it is easier for legally innocent people to be released pending their trials. Superior Court Justice Joseph Di Luca was presiding in the case of Brendan Tunney, who faces allegations of criminally harassing his ex-girlfriend, and who was also charged with threatening to publish intimate images of her without her consent. At his initial bail hearing before justice of the peace Adele Romagnoli, Tunney was released with a surety a person who promises to ensure that the accused complies with the conditions of their bail, and who puts up money that they can lose if they fail in their surety duties. Tunney applied for a bail review in Superior Court, where Di Luca found in a decision released last week that the bail hearing was tainted by legal error, procedurally flawed, and demonstrated the risk averse culture underlying persistent calls for bail reform in Canada. (At the outset of Tunneys bail review application, the Crown consented to vary Tunneys bail, including removing the surety.) Sureties represent the option of last resort in the bail system before an accused person is ordered detained, and critics have long decried the overreliance on them in order to guarantee the liberty of people who are legally innocent. In response to criticism and the ongoing issue of delay in criminal court, the Ontario government introduced a new bail policy last year, about a month after Tunneys bail hearing, which essentially reminds Crown attorneys to follow the recent Supreme Court of Canada decision known as R v. Antic when it comes to bail. Antic reiterated that Crowns should follow the ladder principle at the bail stage, meaning starting with the least restrictive option for release (a release with no conditions), consider whether to accept or reject it, and then if theyve rejected it, move up the ladder to the option of last resort: release with a surety. In Tunneys case, Di Luca said the justice of the peace erred in failing to analyze and provide reasons why lesser forms of release were insufficient in the circumstances. The Crown at the bail hearing had also said from the outset that it was seeking a surety bail, and then later said that without an appropriate release plan, Tunney should be detained. Di Luca said the justice of the peace was wrong not to grant the defences request that she first rule on whether a surety was even needed for Tunneys release, before requiring the proposed surety to testify. The widespread use of sureties has consistently been criticized for, among other things, causing delays within the bail system, undermining the presumption of innocence, and, undermining the accuseds right to reasonable bail, Di Luca said. Indeed, there have been repeated calls to restrict the near automatic resort to the use of sureties. The judge found the Crowns approach to the bail hearing was flawed and contributed to the outcome. He also took issue with the fact that justice of the peace Romagnoli, in discussing the Supreme Courts Antic decision, said at the bail hearing each case, in my view, stands on its own. With respect, R v. Antic is not a simply a case that stands on its own, Di Luca said. It is not a case that can simply be distinguished on the facts. Any attempt to so misses the point. The Antic decision is a binding precedent from the Supreme Court of Canada and must be followed. In my view, the justice of the peace erred in law by failing to recognize the clear message of the Antic decision. That message, to repeat, is that in cases where the Crown bears the onus on a bail hearing, a surety release is one of the most stringent forms of release that should only be considered where all lesser forms of release fail to satisfy the concerns raised by the evidence. In a separate case, Romagnoli is set to face a discipline hearing later this month at the Justices of the Peace Review Council for, among other allegations of judicial misconduct, failing to follow higher court decisions. Her lawyer, Mark Sandler, told the Star it would not be appropriate for her to comment on the Tunney case. He disagreed that her conduct in the Tunney case is akin to the allegations she faces at the review council. Senem Ozkin, manager of the criminal duty counsel office at the Newmarket courthouse and who represented Tunney at his bail review, called Di Lucas ruling an amazing decision. After the Antic decision from the Supreme Court of Canada, this is a big decision that provides guidance with respect to the procedure to be used in bail court, and the ways in which bail courts across the province should govern themselves with respect to the procedure and give weight to what the Supreme Court said in Antic, she told the Star. A lawyer for Harvey Weinsteins assistant argued for hours in a courtroom Monday to change and cut parts of a lawsuit which claims she arranged the meetings where the disgraced Hollywood producer sexually assaulted a Toronto actress in 2000. The actresss lawyers made their case in 30 minutes. Ms. Schneeweiss is no innocent bystander. She loads the gun for Mr. Weinstein, Does lawyer, Marie Henein, said of assistant Barbara Schneeweiss. What was pled is that she is a facilitator, she is an accomplice, she is reckless and she is part and parcel of this scheme. Schneeweisss lawyer Jonathan Rosenstein said the claims against his client are muddled and unclear, and require far more detail. Schneeweiss was Weinsteins assistant in 2000 when the actress, identified in the case as Jane Doe, alleges she facilitated two sexual assaults one where Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on Doe, and another where he tried to stick his tongue down her throat when they met for what Doe thought was an apology. Weinstein, through a representative, has denied allegations of non-consensual sex. None of the allegations have been proven in court. Read more: Toronto court to hear motion in lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein and woman who allegedly worked for him Schneeweiss, Weinstein and co-defendents Miramax and Walt Disney Co., have yet to file statements of defence. They wont have to file until the motion to strike and amend the claims against Schneeweiss is settled. Rosensteins argument Monday in the Superior Court of Justice hinged on details how related is the claim against Schneeweiss to the alleged sexual assaults? How would Schneeweiss have known about Weinsteins alleged sexual impropriety? Why would (Doe) have to say how she knew?, Judge Patrick Monahan asked Rosenstein. Los Angeles prosecutors are reviewing five cases against director James Toback and two cases against Harvey Weinstein. (The Associated Press) To Rosenstein, that information provides a roadmap towards a finding of liability. He also argued that a portion of the lawsuit, which referenced Schneeweisss longevity of employment and an alleged established practice for Weinstein assistants, is irrelevant to her individual case. Does lawyers Henein and Alex Smith disagreed, pointing to a new lawsuit from New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman filed Sunday in the U.S., which alleges the Weinstein Company hired a group of female employees as Weinsteins wing women. One of the central arguments Monday was around Ontarios Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan, which said in 2016 that any legal proceeding based on a sexual assault wouldnt be limited in any way by time limits. These cases can include claims for negligence, for breach of fiduciary or any other duty or for vicarious liability. Rosenstein said such claims should include some kind of liability for the alleged assault, re-stating that hed like Doe and her lawyers to explain their theory of liability against Schneeweiss. I say a claim is not in relation to assault where there is no nexus between the assault and the claim, other than the fact the assault caused the damages, he said. Henein argued that this case, this particular claim, is clearly the type of claim that the government of Ontario wanted to allow sexual assault victims to bring. It would be, in my respectful submission, astounding if Ms. Schneeweiss could shield herself from the civil responsibility for her participation in procuring Ms. Doe for Mr. Weinstein, she said. Judge Monahan reserved his decision. Suddenly it seems everyone wants a piece of the Port Lands. First there was Waterfront Toronto, which received (partial) control of the massive 800-acre landfill site when it was created in 2001. A decade later, along came Doug Ford with his ferris wheel, monorail and megamall. Then last year it was Sidewalk Labs, which hopes its futuristic Quayside neighbourhood will eventually encompass the Port Lands. Now there's Toronto's Film, Television and Digital Media Board. Co-chaired by Councillor Paula Fletcher and Jonathan Ahee, president of NABET 700-M Unifor, the union that represents 1,000 film, TV and media workers, the body is quietly eyeing large swaths of the Port Lands for big box studios and back lots. This probably wasn't quite what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Toronto Mayor John Tory had in mind when they pledged $1.25 billion for Port Lands rehabilitation last October. The money was intended for the renaturalization of the mouth of the Don River and the construction of land forms that will keep the area above water and make development possible. Its true that some film studios will have to close because of the remediation work, but the board is scrutinizing a number of properties that add up to far more land than the industry stands to lose. At its most recent meeting, on February 5, the film board discussed issues such as how to limit residential development and keep land values artificially low, the possibility of having the city pay for movie studios, 50-year leases and the need for extensive rezoning to accommodate the industry's needs. To be clear, film studios have been part of Waterfront Toronto's Port Lands plans since they were drawn up nearly a decade ago. But those plans also include residential, retail, recreational, commercial and cultural uses. The idea was to establish a balanced and fully mixed-use neighbourhood on the water's edge. That's why tensions between competing claims are reaching a breaking point. Curiously, Waterfront Toronto's most problematic relationship has consistently been with the city, not the provincial and federal governments. Perhaps municipal resentment has kept local politicians and bureaucrats from embracing the tripartite agency. The fact it has done a much better job at urban planning than the city might also be a cause of civic antipathy. The film board's sense of entitlement says much about city hall's willingness to overrule years of Waterfront Toronto's work in hot pursuit of an endless series of ill-conceived, short-term, self-serving, largely illusory goals. The Doug Ford episode was a prime example of the stupidity of which the city is capable. The film board's interest in the Port Lands is rooted in its need for space, something the Port Lands offer in abundance. As board members lamented, however, the area will be a construction site for decades to come. Reconfiguring the Don alone will take up to seven years. Then comes the Gardiner expansion, the Unilever remake and the building of several new precincts. All of this is bad news for an industry that can't operate without peace and quiet. Were the film board to cast a wider net, however, it would discover multiple sites much better suited to its needs. Just weeks ago, for instance, Campbell Soup announced the closure of its Etobicoke plant. That opens up yet more real estate in a low-density part of Toronto that's already home to a number of film studios. In 2017, Cinespace, which operates in the Port Lands, began construction of another two studios in Etobicoke. At the ground breaking, Cinespace vice-president Jim Mirkopoulos told the press that his company has had to turn away at least 10 projects in . . . 2017 . . . because of lack of studio space in Toronto. An artist's rendering of Cinespace's new studio shows a windowless three-storey box clad in what could be either metal panelling or pre-cast concrete. The 2017 Quayside Request For Proposals made it clear that, Excellence in design inspires and propels Waterfront Toronto's vision . . . in everything from buildings and streets to parks and public art. The same document also stated that, it may be beneficial to advance the solutions, processes and partnerships proven successful (at Quayside) to subsequent developments on the eastern waterfront. No one doubts the film industry's importance; last year it grossed $2 billion. What's up for debate is the wisdom of allowing it to take over valuable Port Lands real estate that has better uses. Movies are being made everywhere from Etobicoke and Scarborough to Downsview Park. But the bigger issue is who's in control. Waterfront Toronto? Sidewalk Labs? The city? The film board? As waterfront revitalization unfolds, that question becomes more critical than ever. We all know what they say about too many cooks. Christopher Humes column appears weekly. He can be reached at jcwhume4@gmail.com Read more about: It has all the makings of a Hollywood hit: a sympathetic protagonist on a near-impossible search for the urban holy grail: a $1,300 one-bedroom apartment in the downtown core. Fed up with sharing space with four roommates, 27-year-old Huy Do just wanted a reasonably priced place of his own. So, inspired by all the great films hes seen at TIFF, he made his quest into a movie poster, marketing himself as the perfect tenant on sites like Facebook, Reddit and Kijji. For anyone who really wants to find a place, at this point with how competitive it is, its just necessary to stand out, Do explained. One man, one dream, one bedroom near the core of Toronto, the poster proclaims, adding rave reviews about Do such as never parties and very likeable as well as employed full time and can pay by any method. While some critics are panning the price one Reddit user said theyd rent him their bathroom for that pittance his search may just have a happy ending. Fingers crossed, Im going to sign something today, Do said Tuesday of a one-bedroom basement in Leslieville thats in his price range. Share your thoughts While that may not be a cinematic accomplishment in other cities, its turning into an epic find in Toronto, where the vacancy rate is just one per cent. Average rent for a one-bedroom in the centre of Toronto is now $1,498, according to November 2017 figures from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. Do thinks the poster, and a song he made on his Mac with GarageBand called Closer to a one-bedroom apartment, show landlords hes both creative, and serious about his search. He said hes lost track of how many reached out to him after he released his personal branding campaign last week. While not everyone is making posters, rental resumes are becoming more popular in a market rife with bidding wars, said Conrad Rygier, a real-estate broker with Keller Williams Neighbourhood Realty Inc. He said hes been advising clients for a while now to offer a bit about themselves and personalize their paperwork to stand out. Thats not going to compete against someone offering $100 or $200 more in rent, but if offers are very similar and theyre in competition, it gives them a slight edge, Rygier said. He added that downtown rentals at around the $1,500 to $1,600 mark are becoming a dying commodity, at least from what hes seen on MLS, an online database of listings. While Do is happy that his effort seems to have paid off, he recognizes not every tenant has the creativity, time or Photoshop skills to mount such a search. I dont think what I did could be scalable, or even repeatable, he said. Hopefully it shines a light to kind of a different story as well, that its just a tough market out there. A new car sharing company is entering the teeming Toronto market on Tuesday, even as a competitor is threatening to drop out. Maven, a General Motors company already operating in the U.S. and Kitchener-Waterloo, will join the likes of Car2Go, ZipCar and Enterprise CarShare in Toronto. Maven and its competitors allow drivers to borrow a vehicle for a few hours at a time. (Car sharing) really was created as an alternative to car ownership, because cars largely sit unused 98 per cent of the time when theyre owned in a private capacity so theyre not in a fleet setting where they could get higher usage rates, said Susan Shaheen, co-director of the University of California Berkeleys Transportation Sustainability Research Centre. Ken Greenberg, former director of urban design and architecture for the City of Toronto and author of Walking Home, called car sharing a logical and inevitable step in the evolution from where we are now to where we have to get to. As we move away from the fixation with individuals owning vehicles, were certainly in my view, for many people, moving away from the idea that your personal identity is tied up with the kind of car you drive, notwithstanding what the auto makers would have us believe, Greenberg said. This is a very liberating thing. Maven will kick off with about 10 models, 50 cars and designated parking spaces in 14 neighbourhoods like Liberty Village, Leslieville and the Financial District. Maven cars can be used for as low as $9 an hour. Just as Maven is entering the market, Car2Go a car-sharing service with 75,000 members in Toronto may be on its way out. The companys executives openly considered leaving the Toronto market after city council voted last week to further study a proposal that would have sold car-sharing services 2,000 parking permits in the city, while exempting them from three-hour street limits. After five and a half years of council inaction . . . what other choice are we left with but to explore all of our options? asked Josh Moskowitz, Car2gos regional director in Toronto. Councillor Mike Layton (Ward 19, Trinity-Spadina) said he reluctantly referred the motion back to staff but remains supportive of the proposal. I am supportive of the move but there was confusion on the floor of council about the impacts and there were several councillors planning to propose changes that would have sunk the pilot, said Layton, who added that hes a member of two different car-sharing services. Layton said he would be surprised if there is any major change with Car2Go before the citys final decision in the spring. I believe as (car sharing) becomes more popular, councillors will be quicker to respond to the changing realities of personal vehicle transportation choices, Layton said. Greenberg said it was remiss to not give space to Car2Go and other companies. He added a car-sharing company in the Netherlands sets spaces aside for the vehicles, which gives people a big incentive to use their service as opposed to driving their own cars. I think it does make sense, I think we should be doing it. When asked if Maven shares concerns about a lack of parking, its CEO Julia Steyn said in an email that: the Maven business model is focused on roundtrip, station-based car-sharing. We have no plans to announce regarding a free-floating model for car-sharing. Christopher Korman describes himself as an active Car2Go user who enjoys the convenience of the service. In the last year or two, when they were trying to negotiate with the city to get on-street parking, certainly theres a lot of areas where finding an available lot sometimes can be a bit of a challenge, Korman said. And certainly just being able to drop it on the street is certainly very convenient. Korman says he drops off Car2Go vehicles in the Green P lots, and quite often if Im trying to return a vehicle there, the lot is entirely full. But even if Car2Go leaves, there are still a variety of options. Some in the industry think theres enough space for everyone to thrive. A combination of car sharing, ridesharing and public transportation can provide an affordable and convenient alternative to individual car ownership, said Xavier Van Chau, a spokesperson for Uber. George Kozyrakis, a manager at Enterprise CarShare, agrees. Our members can be members of multiple services, he said. Its a big pie. Danny Filippidis called his wife shortly after noon Tuesday roughly 4,500 kilometres from where the 49-year-old Toronto fire captain vanished six days earlier, prompting a massive search. He was last seen making an afternoon run at a New York ski resort at Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid, N.Y., on Feb. 7. She told him to call 911 and get help. So he did and the Sacramento County Sheriffs Department responded. Filippidis was found alone near the rental car terminal of Sacramento International Airport, still wearing his snow pants, jacket and had his goggles and ski helmet. We dont know how he got there, said Sacramento police Sgt. Shaun Hampton. How or why Filippidis travelled across the United States without telling anyone remains a mystery. He wasnt able to give those answers, said Frank Ramagnano, president of the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters Association, who added that Filippidis seemed confused and needed medical help. What happened to Filippidis in those six days remains unclear. However, its possible that he suffered a concussion or head trauma. He indicated that he thought he may have sustained some type of head injury, Hampton said. American authorities were in possession of the mans passport, so it was unlikely he flew to California, Ramagnano said. Filippidis was part of a group of off-duty and retired firefighters, friends, and family making an annual ski trip. The group was scheduled to return home that night. Ramagnano said just before Filippidis went missing, he was skiing with a friend who got tired and wanted to stop. Filippidis decided to go for one more run. It would be another week before he was seen again. Filippidis went missing about the same time as a strong snowstorm was making visibility poor, New York State Police Information Officer Jennifer Fleishman said earlier. Ramagnano applauded the 100 Toronto firefighters who volunteered to help search for the missing fire captain. Eighty of them were still scouring Whiteface Mountain on Tuesday when Filippidis was found. We use the term brothers and sisters, and Im glad they arent just words, Ramagnano said. Ramagnano said he had personally travelled to Lake Placid, and saw the search in action. He also made a point of speaking to Filippidiss family. I spoke to his wife, I spoke to his son. To see the pain in their eyes Im glad that they have (Danny) back, he said. The Olympic Regional Development Authority, which runs the Whiteface ski centre, was leading the search. Ramagnano thanked police officers from New York and California departments, Customs and Border Protection, and the Department of Homeland Security for their efforts. Officials say more than 140 people spent a combined 7,000 hours searching the rugged mountain terrain, calling in helicopters and search dogs to assist. We are all very relieved to know that he is safe, following what has been an exhaustive search operation, said Toronto fire chief Matthew Pegg. Ramagnano wasnt sure if any mental health issues might have led to his disappearance. Im not aware of any history of mental illness, Ramagnano said. Filippidis was taken to a hospital in Yolo County, west of Sacramento International Airport, for treatment, Sgt. Hampton said. An investigation into Filippidiss disappearance continues. With files from Fakiha Baig and Star wire services JERUSALEMIsraeli police on Tuesday recommended that Benjamin Netanyahu be indicted on bribery and breach of trust charges in a pair of corruption cases, dealing an embarrassing blow to the embattled prime minister that is likely to fuel calls for him to step down. Netanyahu angrily rejected the accusations, which included accepting nearly $300,000 in gifts from a pair of billionaires. He accused police of being on a witch hunt and vowed to remain in office and even seek re-election. I will continue to lead the state of Israel responsibly and loyally as long as you, the citizens of Israel, choose me to lead you, an ashen-faced Netanyahu said in a televised address. I am sure that the truth will come to light. And I am sure that also in the next election that will take place on time I will win your trust again, with Gods help. Read more: Son of Israeli PM Netanyahu under fire over drunken strip-club banter caught on tape Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu revises controversial bill in face of protests Israeli PMs wife likely to face fraud charges The recommendations marked a dramatic ending to a more than yearlong investigation into allegations that Netanyahu accepted gifts from Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer, and suspicions that he offered to give preferential treatment to a newspaper publisher in exchange for favourable coverage. The recommendations now go to Attorney General Avihai Mendelblit, who will review the material before deciding whether to file charges. Netanyahu can remain in office during that process, which is expected to drag on for months. But with a cloud hanging over his head, he could soon find himself facing calls to step aside. During similar circumstances a decade ago, Netanyahu, as opposition leader, urged then-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to resign during a police investigation, saying a leader sunk up to his neck in interrogations could not govern properly. In the immediate aftermath of the police announcement, reactions quickly fell along partisan lines. Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, a bitter rival of Netanyahu, called on him to suspend himself and for the coalition to appoint a replacement on Wednesday morning. The depth of corruption is horrifying, Barak said. This does not look like nothing. This looks like bribery. But key members of Netanyahus Likud Party rallied behind him. Cabinet Minister Miri Regev said she was not excited by the police recommendations and urged patience while the attorney general reviews the case. She said the biggest surprise was that Yair Lapid, leader of the opposition Yesh Atid party, had been a witness. David Amsalem, another Netanyahu confidant, called Lapid a snitch. Lapid later issued a statement calling on Netanyahu to resign. Someone with such serious accusations against them, many of which he does not even deny, cannot continue to serve as prime minister with responsibility for the security and well-being of Israels citizens, Lapid said. In a statement, police said their investigation found sufficient evidence to indict Netanyahu in the first case, known as File 1000, for accepting bribes, fraud and breach of trust. It said Netanyahu had accepted gifts valued at 750,000 shekels ($214,000 U.S.) from Milchan, and 250,000 shekels ($71,000 U.S.) from Packer. The gifts from Milchan reportedly included expensive cigars and champagne. Police said that in return, Netanyahu had operated on Milchans behalf on U.S. visa matters, legislated a tax break and connected him with an Indian businessman. It said he also helped Milchan, an Israeli producer whose credits include Pretty Woman, 12 Years a Slave and JFK, in the Israeli media market. In the second case, known as File 2000, Netanyahu reportedly was recorded asking Arnon Mozes, the publisher of the Yediot Ahronot daily, for positive coverage in exchange for promoting legislation that would weaken a free newspaper that had cut into Yediots business. Police said there was sufficient evidence to charge both Milchan and Mozes with bribery. Channel 10 TV read a statement that it said came from Milchans defence team saying the bribery charge would not stand. It said his relationship with Netanyahu went back to the early 2000s, before he became prime minister, and that the men and their families were friends. There was no immediate comment from Packer or Mozes. Netanyahu is one of U.S. President Donald Trumps biggest supporters on the global stage, and the police recommendations threaten to weaken Netanyahu as the White House works to prepare a Mideast peace proposal. In his TV address, Netanyahu said that his entire three-decade political career, which included serving as Israels ambassador to the UN, a previous stint as prime minister in the 1990s and a series of Cabinet posts, was meant only to serve the Israeli public. He acknowledged aiding Milchan with his visa issues, but said Milchan had done much for Israel and noted that the late Shimon Peres had also been close with Milchan. He also said that over the years he had taken decisions that hurt Milchans business interests in Israel. How can allegations be taken seriously that in exchange for cigars I acted for Arnon Milchens benefit? he said. He said all the allegations over the years against him had one goal: to topple me from government. He said past scandals had all ended with nothing and this time as well they will end with nothing. As the police investigation gained steam in recent months, Netanyahu has claimed to be a victim of an overaggressive police force and a media witch hunt. Netanyahu, who has been prime minister for nine straight years, and his family have become embroiled in a series of scandals in recent months. Recordings recently emerged of his wife, Sara, screaming at an aide, while separate recordings caught his eldest son, Yair, on a drunken night out at a series of Tel Aviv strip clubs while travelling around in a taxpayer-funded government car with a government-funded bodyguard. The younger Netanyahu ended up spending the night in a luxury Tel Aviv apartment owned by Packer. Netanyahu has said the scandals are all the work of media out to get him. Read more about: Three staffers from the jail run by conservative firebrand David Clarke, the former Milwaukee County sheriff, were charged Monday with felonies stemming from the dehydration death of a mentally ill inmate who was denied water for a week as punishment for bad behaviour. The charges came less than a year after an inquest jury heard evidence from prosecutors that it was common for employees of the Milwaukee County Jail to cut off water to unruly prisoners in violation of the jails written regulations, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. Lt. Kashka Meadors and correctional officer James Ramsey-Guy are each charged with neglecting an inmate, a felony. Sheriffs Maj. Nancy Evans is charged with felony misconduct in office and misdemeanour obstruction. Clarke, who oversaw the jail until his retirement last August, was not charged in the matter because he was not directly involved. Prosecutors allege Meadors gave the order to shut off water in 38-year-old Terrill Thomass solitary confinement cell in April 2016 and that Ramsey-Guy was the jail staffer who physically closed the pipes, according to the Journal Sentinel. The move was intended to discipline Thomas, who had used his bedding to clog a toilet and flood his jail cell in the special needs unit, where he was initially kept for his bipolar disorder, according to prosecutors. An investigation later showed that he went seven days without any liquid, lost 35 pounds and called out for water before staffers found him dead in his cell. The medical examiner ruled he died from profound dehydration and classified it a homicide. Evans, the jails former commander, is accused of lying to investigators during an inquest into Thomas death last year. Prosecutors say she misled them on questions about how long Thomas water was withheld and failed to preserve critical surveillance video that showed the water being cut off and never restored again, according to the Associated Press. Our expectation when Mr. Thomas was brought into custody was that he would be kept safe, District Attorney John Chisholm told local media. The allegations set forth in the criminal complaint document that that did not happen. The inquest jury that weighed evidence in the case last year had recommended prosecuting four other jail staffers, but Chisolm said he did not expect them to be charged. Were focusing on the individuals that we think are most responsible, he told the Journal-Sentinel. Attorney information for the three defendants was not immediately available and it was not clear whether they had entered pleas. All three are currently free on signature bonds following court appearances Monday. Scandal has plagued the Milwaukee County Jail for years, and inmates and their families have long decried what they call mistreatment by jail staff. The tough-talking Clarke retired in August to join a political action committee supporting U.S. President Donald Trump. He was known for waking up inmates with bullhorns, eliminating prisoner programs and dishing out harsh punishments to wayward prisoners. A Journal Sentinel investigation from 2014 found that 10 people had died in Clarkes jail between 2008 and the end of 2013, several of them from health problems that went unattended while they were incarcerated. Some were in jail for minor offences like traffic violations. Seven inmates have died in the jail since Thomas April 2016 death, according to the Journal Sentinel. When three Wisconsin lawmakers called for Clarke to resign over deaths in his jail, he dismissed their criticisms, saying, Oh stop it with the fake news, according to Fox6. Thomas was arrested after he allegedly fired a gun at a group of men standing outside, leaving one with a nonfatal injury that required surgery. He was aiming at a man he believed had stolen his Mercedes-Benz the day before, as The Washington Post has reported. He later went to the Potawatomi Hotel and Casino in Milwaukee, where he fired the gun into the air, ordered patrons to get on the ground and claimed there were snakes all around them. Then he swept some poker chips into his pockets. Family members said he was experiencing a mental breakdown. Thomas faced five charges when he was booked in the Milwaukee County Jail. After his water was cut off, inmates told investigators they could hear him crying out for something to drink, as The Post has reported. Inmates in solitary confinement were only served drinks with their meals on Sundays. The other six days of the week they had to get water from the faucet in their cells. The jails written regulations prohibit cutting off inmates water supplies, but Ramsey-Guy told investigators it happened regularly, the Journal Sentinel reported. In the month following Thomass death, the jail disciplined two other inmates by denying them water for a period of time, according to Mondays criminal complaint against Ramsey-Guy and the other jail staffers. The incidents demonstrate an institutional practice of punitively shutting off water to unruly inmates, it read, according to the Journal-Sentinel. The newspaper had previously identified a 2011 case in which an inmate died of complications of psychotic disorder after staffers turned off the water in his cell. Interim Sheriff Richard Schmidt, who was not in charge when Thomas died, declined to comment on whether that is still, or ever was, the practice. My heart bleeds for these people, Schmidt told the Associated Press. Im a human being, I have family members. If this turns out to be exactly the way theyve been written, its horrific. A civil rights lawsuit filed by Thomass family is underway in federal court alleging Thomas was was subjected to a form of torture. Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, Clarke, still sheriff at the time, declined to respond directly to the claims in an interview with the Associated Press. He lamented that the media did not spend more time discussing Thomass alleged crimes. Representatives for the family welcomed Mondays charges. Were here because those people killed that man, Daniel Storm, a spokesperson for the family, told Fox6. I think this is Mr. Chisholm saying youre going to be responsible for something like this, especially turning a mans water off. Cocaine traffickers in Lisbon may be in arrears after Portuguese police officers arrested a man who arrived at Lisbons main airport with a pair of gaudy swimming shorts and nearly a kilo of cocaine inside two brown bags taped over his buttocks. The Judicial Police of Portugal announced the arrest in a statement posted to their website Tuesday. After getting off a flight from Belem, in northern Brazil, the man was caught with the cocaine hidden inside the bags. Police say they later managed to arrest a second man alleged to be waiting for the cocaine shipment. Possession of cocaine for personal use carries no criminal penalty in Portugal, a country that has largely decriminalized drug use. Having under 10 days worth of a recreational drug results in non-criminal, administrative charges. But possessing or trafficking above 10 days worth of a drug is still illegal. According to police, the alleged drug smuggler had 5,000 doses worth of cocaine when he was detained. The two men aged 32 and 40 are in custody. No charges have been announced. WASHINGTONThree of the nations top intelligence officials said Tuesday that the U.S. has seen Russian activity aimed at meddling in the upcoming midterm elections. We have seen Russian activity and intentions to have an impact on the next election cycle, CIA Director Mike Pompeo told the Senate Intelligence Committee. National Intelligence Director Dan Coats and Adm. Mike Rogers, the head of the National Security Agency, agreed. They didnt describe the activity, other than to say it was related to information warfare. They told Congress that they would provide more details in a classified session later in the day. The intelligence officials said the information will be shared with state and local governments and state election officials. Russian interference in the upcoming elections is part of its pursuit of bolder cyber operations and false information campaigns against America and its allies, according to a new intelligence report on global threats. This years threat assessment also described the risk of conflict, especially with North Korea, as higher today than at any time since the end of the Cold War. So, too, is a rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia that is destabilizing the Middle East. The danger posed by weapons of mass destruction also is rising. In the next year, Russian intelligence and security services will continue to probe U.S. and allied critical infrastructures, as well as target the United States, NATO, and allies for insights into U.S. policy, the report said. The 2018 U.S. midterm elections are a potential target for Russian influence operations. Russians stepped up their game with cyber, in particular, in 2016, Coats said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. His expectation: Russian interference in the midterm or in state elections. We think its very likely because we dont see a letup in efforts to do this, Coats told the AP. Read more: U.S.-led airstrikes are believed to have killed dozens of Russians in Syria Trump accuses Democrats of playing politics with memo on Russia investigation U.S. spies paid $100,000 to Russian who promised them material on Trump U.S. intelligence concluded Moscow interfered in the 2016 presidential election, which has led to the current FBI investigation into possible Trump campaign connections. Russia denies the allegations and President Donald Trump has called the FBI probe as a witch hunt. Tuesdays report predicted Russian intelligence agencies will disseminate more false information over Russian state-controlled media and through fake online personas to spread anti-American views and exacerbate social and political divides in the United States. CIA Director Mike Pompeo also has said he expects Russia will insert itself in the November mid-terms, in which Republicans and Democrats will vie for control of the House and Senate. We will push back in a way that is sufficiently robust that the impact they have on our election wont be great, Pompeo recently told the BBC. Last week, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson chimed in, telling Fox News the U.S. is seeing certain behaviours of Russian meddling in elections in the Northern Hemisphere, including in the U.S. this year. Coats and other top intelligence officials were appearing at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing Tuesday to discuss their annual assessment of global threats facing the United States. North Koreas pursuit of nuclear-tipped missiles that can reach the United States, Russian and Chinese aggression, the standoff between Iranian and Saudi Arabia-backed proxies and the threat of cyberattacks are all detailed in the 28-page paper. Cyber has been a game-changer in many, many ways, Coats said. The United States is under attack now. Cyber threats are coming from governments, terror groups, criminal organizations, students sitting in dorm rooms and individuals working in basements with the technical ability to breach U.S. agencies, intelligence bodies or the military, he said. Coats said the U.S. must craft responses to minimize attacks. The report singled out Russia, China, Iran and North Korea as posing the greatest cyber threats to the U.S. Coats said if those trying to hack Americas critical infrastructure, undermine the government or hit financial institutions arent penalized, theyll keep doing it. We are behind the curve in coming to a policy, he acknowledged. How do bots and trolls work to infiltrate social media platforms and influence U.S. elections? We take a closer look at these insidious online pests to explain how they work. (The New York Times) The wide-ranging intelligence report also says: North Korea will likely conduct more missile tests this year and not negotiate away its nuclear capabilities. The conflict in Syria has shifted in favour of President Bashar Assad, enabling Russia and Iran to further entrench themselves in the country. The Syrian oppositions seven-year insurgency isnt capable of overthrowing him. Terror groups and criminal networks will exploit weak governments in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Homegrown violent extremists will be a most pressing but a difficult-to-detect threat in the United States, despite a drop in attacks in 2017. Russian and Chinese weapons to attack enemy satellites in space will likely reach initial operational capability in the next few years. Shiite militants will attack American targets in Iraq because they believe the U.S. security presence is no longer needed and support Irans aim to reduce U.S. influence in Iraq. Read more about: WASHINGTONIn a significant departure from his previous public comments, Donald Trumps trade chief expressed confidence Tuesday that the U.S. can reach a North American Free Trade Agreement deal with Canada and Mexico. I think were making progress on NAFTA. There was a lot of anxiety at one point as to whether or not wed be in a position where wed have to withdraw in order to get a good agreement, Robert Lighthizer, the U.S. Trade Representative, told the president and senators at a White House meeting. He continued: I think were making real headway. Lighthizer, who has criticized Canadas negotiating posture much more frequently than he has criticized Mexicos, specified that the progress is occurring particularly with respect to the Mexicans, and he said we have a number of issues that we still have to work our way through. But he said he is hopeful they can find a deal Trump, Republican legislators and Democrats will all find acceptable. I think thats very much in reach. Its something that we can do, he said. It wasnt all upbeat: Lighthizers remarks came after Trump criticized Canada for the second consecutive day. But his comments were the latest to suggest the Trump administration has generally brightened on the prospects of modernizing, rather than terminating, a deal the president has described as the worst in world history. Lighthizer had not been nearly so positive in his previous public statements. He also cited real headway at the end of the negotiating round in Montreal last month, but he did not say a deal was in reach, and he said: This round was a step forward, but we are progressing very slowly. Canadas chief NAFTA negotiator, Steve Verheul, offered a more pessimistic assessment on Tuesday, telling an Ottawa trade conference that progress has been limited on account of a negotiation schedule moving a bit too fast and because U.S. negotiators have been given limited flexibility, from the top, even on easy matters. Verheul was sharply critical of the Buy American proposal that would limit Canadian access to U.S. government contracts, saying it was the worst proposal ever tabled by the U.S. in a trade negotiation. U.S. President Donald Trump said trade deals are stacked against the United States saying that he can't continue to let other countries "rob us blind." Trump singled out China, Japan South Korea and NAFTA members Canada and Mexico. (The Associated Press) On Monday, Trump vaguely said Canada does not treat us right in terms of the farming and the crossing the borders. He was more specific on Tuesday. Canada has treated us very, very unfairly when it comes to lumber and timber. Very unfairly. So we have to understand that. You know, its not just one thing or another. Canada has been very tough on this country when it comes to timber, lumber, and other things, he said. He said it is hard to export to Canada if you are a farmer up in Wisconsin and other places. Those are familiar complaints. Trumps administration last year slapped tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber, continuing a decades-old dispute. Trump alleged in April that Canada was hurting Wisconsin farmers by lowering its own prices on ultrafiltered milk, thus rendering American imports less competitive. Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson pushed back on Tuesday. He told Trump: The fact of that matter is, Mr. President, Wisconsin operates a trade surplus with both Canada and Mexico, because we not only export manufacturing products but also agricultural products. And trade works very well for Wisconsin. The next round of negotiations is scheduled to begin in late February in Mexico City. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland is visiting Washington on Wednesday to meet with Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and U.S. senators. Read more about: WASHINGTONIts a scenario many feared in the fog of Syrias multi-front war: a confrontation in which U.S. forces, responding to a provocation, kill Russian mercenaries or contractors on a crowded battlefield. Russian news reports Tuesday described just such a scenario, with an unknown number of Russian military contractors killed in a ferocious U.S. counterattack last week, although Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and other U.S. officials said they had no such information on casualties and the Kremlin did not confirm it. U.S. officials also said the Russian government had lodged no complaint about Russian nationals having been killed. What is not disputed is the fast-changing, often confusing nature of a battlefield in which forces of multiple countries are bumping up against one another, raising the prospect of violent collisions, whether intended or not, that could further inflame tensions between Moscow and Washington. Russian forces are supporting the Syrian government in its war with opposition groups while staying in daily contact with the U.S. to avoid deadly battlefield collisions. Separately, the U.S. is supporting a group of Syrian Kurds and Arabs, dubbed the Syrian Democratic Forces, fighting Daesh, also known as ISIS or ISIL. Read more: Russia will target the 2018 midterm elections, U.S. intel officials say Violence tears through rebel-held Syria as war returns to roots 2 suspected Daesh militants from U.K. held in Syria, U.S. officials say Also beyond doubt is the ferocious scale of the U.S. attack on Feb. 7, in response to what the U.S. military called a barrage of artillery and tank fire from several hundred pro-regime fighters in Deir el-Zour province, an area in eastern Syria where remnants of Daesh have converged among oilfields. Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, commander of U.S. air forces in the Middle East, told reporters a broad range of U.S. air power was unleashed. For more than three hours, American F-15E attack planes, B-52 strategic bombers, AC-130 gunships, Apache attack helicopters and Reaper drones fired on the attacking ground force, which Harrigian said was advancing under covering fire from artillery, mortars, rockets and tank rounds. He said the air power stopped the attackers advance and destroyed an unspecified number of artillery guns and battle tanks. He gave no estimate of casualties. As the hostile forces turned west and retreated, we ceased fire, said Harrigian, speaking from his headquarters in Qatar in a video teleconference with reporters at the Pentagon. He insisted the U.S. had not yet determined the nationalities of those in the attacking force. Russian media said Russian private contractors were part of pro-Syrian government forces that advanced on oilfields in the Deir el-Zour province and were targeted by the United States. The reports cited activists who said that at least four Russian citizens were killed in Syria on Feb. 7. The Russian Defence Ministry charged that the incident reflected a U.S. push to grab Syrias economic assets under the cover of fighting Daesh. Without mentioning the U.S. strike, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday that Americans have taken dangerous unilateral steps. Those steps look increasingly like part of efforts to create a quasi-state on a large part of Syrian territory from the eastern bank of the Euphrates River all the way to the border with Iraq, he said. The state Tass news agency on Tuesday cited Natalya Krylova, a municipal lawmaker in the town of Asbestos in the Urals, as saying local residents Igor Kosoturov and Stanislav Matveyev were killed in Syria on Feb. 7. The Interfax news agency reported that a Cossack group in the westernmost Kaliningrad region said a member named Vladimir Loginov was killed in combat in the Deir el-Zour province. It also quoted Alexander Averin, the leader of extreme leftist group Another Russia, as saying that one of its activists, Kirill Ananyev, was killed by the U.S. strike near Khusham. Russian media also cited unconfirmed claims that overall casualties could have been as high as 200 and Russians could have accounted for the bulk of them. Those claims couldnt be verified. CIA Director Mike Pompeo was asked during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing about reported Russian casualties. He said that was a matter for the Pentagon, but he added, From an intelligence perspective, we have seen in multiple instances foreign forces using mercenaries in battles that will begin to approach the United States. Mattis, speaking to reporters Tuesday while travelling in Europe, said he had seen news reports of Russian contractors being killed in that fighting, which he described last week as a surprising assault in light of obvious U.S. advantages, including overwhelming air power. On Tuesday he said, I dont have any reporting about Russian contractors being among the casualties. I cant give you anything on that. We have not received that word at key U.S. military headquarters, including the Pentagon. Russian President Vladimir Putins spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refrained from commenting on the reports about the deaths last week, saying Tuesday they need to be verified. Asked whether Putin had raised the episode during a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, Peskov said Syria wasnt discussed. Read more about: The acquittal of Gerald Stanley in the death of Colten Boushie has re-exposed systemic racism in the justice system from the day Colten was shot; to the actions of the police; the peremptory challenges during jury selection; and the verdict delivered last week. The legal system failed Colten. Our hearts are with his family and friends. The continuum of these issues was highlighted by the 2013 report by former Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci in his 2013 review First Nations Representation on Ontario Juries. The jury was the focus of his mandate, but he could not ignore the systemic issues he uncovered, declaring the justice system as being in a state of crisis. Despite Iacobuccis findings, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in R. v. Kokopenace (2015) that the Government of Ontario made reasonable efforts to compile a jury roll that included First Nations, and that they chose not to participate. This essentially let Ontario off the hook for a problem it helped create. A finding we still take issue with. The fact is, many Indigenous peoples have never had the opportunity to serve on a jury. We uncovered this during legal proceedings for the 2008 inquest into the deaths of two young men from Kashechewan First Nation. It was revealed that no member of Kashechewan had ever been on an Ontario jury roll. Not because they didnt want to they were never given the opportunity. First Nation exclusion from Ontario jury rolls has been a factor in many legal cases and has delayed many inquests, including the joint inquest into the deaths of seven First Nation youth who died under similar circumstances in Thunder Bay since 2000. Ontario recognized this issue and appointed a special committee in 2013 to review and enhance First Nation representation on juries, as recommended in Iacobuccis report. Over three years, the Debwewin Jury Review Implementation Committee, which I co-chaired, met with First Nation citizens, leaders, elders, and justice workers across the province so First Nation people are better represented in the jury system and the justice system more generally. We pursued the jury roll issue all the way to the Supreme Court because it gets to the very root of the problem: the justice system is a one-way street for First Nations. First Nation people are incarcerated at some of the highest rates in the country but, in many cases, have little chance of being tried by a jury of their peers. For years Ontario relied on outdated band lists provided by the federal government to compile lists of potential jurors. When those lists became unavailable, Ontario was entirely dependent on First Nations for lists of on-reserve residents but made almost no effort to get them. We proved in court that from 2000 to 2008 the province kept First Nations in the dark about not having access to current band population information. Ontario decided that the best database from which to draw names for jury rolls is the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), but First Nations are not on the MPAC lists because this list only applies to municipalities. Knowing this, Ontario still chose MPAC as the preferred database. To compensate for this obvious flaw, Section 6(8) of the Juries Act defines an alternative method to include on-reserve citizens. The province may draw names of First Nation citizens from any record available. The problem is that accurate lists of on-reserve residents are not just readily available. In addition, the former Ministry of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada enforced heavy-handed privacy rules about sharing band lists, so the ability of our communities to hand over lists of on-reserve members is not straightforward. The only way we have made progress is to work around a system stacked against us. It took a Nishnawbe Aski Nation-led team to secure a volunteer jury list of 500 First Nation people living on-reserve in two judicial districts (Thunder Bay and Kenora). Notably, this allowed the Seven Youth Inquest to proceed in Thunder Bay in 2015. This was another of Iacobuccis innovative recommendations and there are several more that must be implemented. Other areas of the justice system will require this same level of innovation and courage by Canadian legislators to make transformative change. For example, the Debwewin committee consulted multiple legal and academic experts on the use of peremptory challenges, all of whom concluded this practice is archaic and unnecessary; despite some enthusiastic apologists at Crown Law OfficeCriminal, this practice is used to discriminate against race and needs to be abolished. We must not tolerate a justice system so fundamentally flawed. The courts are unable to define the solution the politicians, legislators, and policy-makers must put pen to paper and start redrafting the rules. Their inaction will not diminish our resolve for justice. Alvin Fiddler is Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, representing 49 First Nation communities in James Bay Treaty No. 9 and the Ontario portion of Treaty No. 5. Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has missed the mark if she thinks a further delay to caribou habitat protection by extending the forest industrys regulatory exemption from Ontarios Endangered Species Act will win northern votes. There was a time decades ago when putting the demands of large forestry companies above the interests of everyone else may have been a good political strategy. It certainly isnt now. As a result of decades of mechanization and the near death of the daily newspaper, the forest industry is a shadow of its former self. The local mill is no longer at the core of our northern identity. Instead, northern communities are experiencing an incredible renaissance. Young entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, students, newcomers to Canada, and Indigenous activists, among others, express a vision of future prosperity far beyond the proverbial hewers of wood. Forestry jobs will always have a role to play in our economy, and for that we are glad. But why has the province accepted the portrayal that logging jobs are central to our northern way of life? Perpetuating this stereotype that our communities are merely Torontos hinterland suggests that both the premier and at least some voices in the logging industry are increasingly out of touch with the values of northern voters. With the deafening trade rhetoric south of the border, we were astonished that a spokesperson for one prominent industry association came to Thunder Bay to warn our political and economic leaders that species at risk are the greatest threat to the industry. The United States purchases the majority of wood fibre from Ontario almost all of it, in fact. If real forestry jobs are lost in our community, it will be the result of many factors, including missteps in trade negotiations, the exchange rate, past unsustainable forestry practices, and automation but not from protecting the furred and feathered co-inhabitants with whom we share our incredible northern forests and waters. U.S. protectionism, not species at risk protection, is what we all should be worried about. The narrative that we need to choose between jobs or caribou was outdated even 10 years ago, when a global economic recession was hitting us hard. We were present when some of these same industry actors were claiming that species protection would cause the sky to fall, while mills around us were closing due to decreasing demand in newsprint and lumber, combined with a lack of value-added products. The fact is logging levels in most forests that overlap with caribou habitat are well below allowed limits. Some of these forests have had little or no harvesting in recent years, even a decade after this last economic recession. Surely there is space to protect critical caribou habitat in the gap between what the industry is actually logging and the rest of our forests. During the past decade, since the Endangered Species Act was passed, the Ontario could and should have been developing plans to recover caribou populations. It could have been consulting with First Nations to ensure Indigenous rights and stewardship responsibilities were respected. It could have been building a shared scientific understanding between the diversity of northern perspectives and interests. Instead, it chose to run down the clock, apparently hoping environmentalists and forestry interests would continue to battle it out and distract from the governments profound lack of positive resolve. Many of us in Northern Ontario want to see endangered species thrive again. We believe that is the ultimate testament to our children that we took care of this place until it was their turn. We have a robust scientific basis to advise planning. We have forests available to support habitat protection. What we dont have is leadership. Julee Boan lives in Thunder Bay, where she manages Ontario Natures Boreal Program. She has a PhD in Forest Sciences. Bruce Hyer is a forest ecologist and former MP for Thunder Bay Superior North. He has a MSc degree in Forestry. Both researched caribou extensively through their graduate studies. Dave Euler is a habitat ecologist and the former Dean of Forestry at Lakehead University. He now lives in Echo Bay, near Sault Ste Marie, Ont. We need to stop discussing Scarborough transit projects in isolation, and instead look at how an integrated network of express buses, LRTs and subways can create economic, cultural and social benefits for eastern Toronto. Its time to look to the future and create a vision for Scarborough, so we can realize the benefits that investment in transit can bring. The subway extension to Scarborough Civic Centre can be a catalyst for investment. It can attract corporate headquarters, municipal offices and manufacturing companies and create employment opportunities. It can provide transit to a new living arts centre that showcases Scarboroughs rich diversity and hosts cultural events. It can revitalize the Civic Centre and allow it to flourish and become the vibrant and dynamic place it was intended to be. It can stimulate development of new residential housing and create a new walkable neighbourhood. Since announcement of the subway extension, planning applications have been prepared to create thousands of new residential units near Scarborough Centre. Investment in Scarborough is already underway. The war that has been launched on the Scarborough subway extension is destructive and unfair. Critics of the extension consistently fail to mention that it is the cornerstone project within a larger network proposal for Scarborough. They also consistently fail to mention that costing also includes the underground Triton bus terminal that acts as a regional hub. The lack of full funding for the entire transit network has given opponents of the subway extension the opportunity to create division and create fear by claiming the costs of the subway will prohibit any additional transit infrastructure. With a provincial election this spring, and a federal election next year, we need to put pressure on our governments to step up and provide funding to the City of Toronto to construct the LRT projects in Scarborough and continue funding the subway extension. A long-term, dedicated funding stream, will end years of debate about subways vs. LRTs and will finally allow the City of Toronto to move forward and provide Scarborough with a fully integrated transit system that relies on all modes of transport, including the subway, LRTs and express buses. Scarborough has much to offer. To fully realize the benefits that transit infrastructure can bring, we need an ambitious Scarborough-specific economic development plan that looks far to the future. The subway extension and new bus terminal at Scarborough Centre will become an important regional transit hub that will bring passengers from the downtown core and across the GTA, by providing an important connection for Greyhound, Go Transit and Durham Region Transit. Once in Scarborough, using our integrated transit network, visitors and residents could experience Scarboroughs internationally praised ethnic restaurants. Or they could visit our outdoor attractions, including the Scarborough Bluffs, Toronto Zoo and Rouge National Urban Park. With some vision and good planning, Scarborough can once again be seen as a destination, not a point of departure. Its time to have a strong Scarborough that benefits all Toronto. Jennifer McKelvie is president of the Scarborough Community Renewal Organization (SCRO). SCRO is a non-profit organization of dedicated volunteers committed to creating and realizing bold visions for Scarborough. www.renewscarborough.org The deep anger and frustration in Saskatchewan and beyond at the acquittal of Gerald Stanley, a white farmer, in the shooting death of Colten Boushie, a 22-year-old Cree man from Red Pheasant First Nation, is an outcry that demands national attention. The message being conveyed in protests across the country is not simply about the particulars of this case. Or about the perceived problems with the trial, though these cannot be easily dismissed. It is also about a well-founded crisis of confidence in a justice system that has persistently failed to guarantee Indigenous peoples a fair shake. The facts of the case are by now well known. In August of 2016, Boushie and four of his friends drove onto Stanleys property. One of them tried to start the farmers ATV, prompting a confrontation. Stanley fired two warning shots. With a hammer, he smashed the windshield of the car Boushie was in. Then he shot the young man, fatally, in the head. The defence argued the shot was an accident, the result of a common gun glitch known as hang fire. Despite expert testimony casting doubt on this explanation, the jury found Stanley not guilty. Much of the anger in the wake of the ruling has rightly focused on the fact that the jury was all-white. Surely a more representative jury, particularly in a racially charged case such as this, would have better served both the system of justice and trust in the process. Yet the system is set up to exclude Indigenous jurors, a fact Stanleys legal team exploited. The defence seems to have used so-called peremptory challenges, a controversial tool that allows lawyers to disqualify potential jurors without providing a reason, to nix anyone who appeared to be Indigenous. In the United States, a country that knows well the costs of all-white juries deciding the fate of racial minorities, particularly in cases where race itself is at issue, the Supreme Court put strict limits on the use of peremptory challenges. In Canada, legal experts have long called for similar rules. Justice Murray Sinclair, for instance, argued in 1991 for an end to the practice. More than 20 years later, former Supreme Court justice Frank Iacobucci, in his report on the underrepresentation of Indigenous peoples on juries, again made the case. Let us hope the Boushie case and its heated aftermath at last provide the impetus to limit the use of peremptory challenges, and inspire governments finally to pursue some of the other recommendations in Iacobuccis report, including using government databases to expand the jury pool. But the uproar over the verdict speaks to a deeper mistrust than can be addressed by more diverse juries alone. The jury problem is simply one symptom of a larger crisis in Indigenous justice, as Iacobucci concluded in his report. Overrepresented in the prison population, First Nations peoples are significantly underrepresented, not just on juries, he wrote, but among all those who work in the administration of justice whether as court officials, prosecutors, defence counsel, or judges. This is true across the country and not least in Saskatchewan. There, some 81 per cent of the provincial prison population is Indigenous, compared to just less than 2 per cent of the provinces judges. Its no wonder that report after report has found Indigenous people tend to mistrust Canadas legal system, finding it alien or foreign. After all, this system, imposed along with the other instruments of colonialism, contributed to the uprooting of First Nations people from their languages, cultures and communities. The legacy of this process has meant that Indigenous people are disproportionately likely to come into conflict with the law. And yet the law is still a colonial force, overwhelmingly white, largely ignorant of and insensitive to Indigenous realities. The justice system continues to shape the fate of Indigenous communities, yet it neither looks like them nor, in many cases, understands them. We shouldnt be surprised that so many Canadians doubt the Colten Boushie verdict, facts of the case aside. As long as the system remains biased, as it most clearly is, every verdict will be suspect. This is a tragedy for Indigenous peoples and for the country as a whole. As it is, the justice system cannot guarantee a fair outcome, promote healing, provide closure or build trust in the fairness of our institutions. Thats a crisis, both moral and democratic. Over the weekend, Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould tweeted that as a country we can and must do better. The prime minister and the ministers responsible for Indigenous affairs also expressed sympathy for Boushies family and those protesting the trials outcome. In response, some in the federal Conservative caucus and in the legal community complained that such interventions taint the legal process, potentially biasing future proceedings. But none of these statements sought to relitigate the case or suggest the jury had got it wrong. Had our leaders instead simply sent their sympathies to the family, without acknowledging the real problems with our legal system this case has exposed, they would have served only to validate the view of the protesters that those in power are indifferent to Indigenous injustice. The words out of Ottawa seemed reassuringly to suggest thats not the case. Now the government must prove it with action. It can end or limit peremptory challenges. It can take concrete steps to improve diversity on juries and on the bench. It can acknowledge that the crisis of Indigenous justice in courts and prisons is among the most brutal expressions of deeper social and economic injustices and that governments must also address these. How doubly tragic it would be if Canada did not learn the lessons of the understandable outrage over the case of Colten Boushie. For Presidents Day, we give a nod to those women who served in the unelected and constantly evolving role of first lady in the White House, and a brief look at their causes. The role of the First Lady of the United States has come a long way from the traditional hostess to something more influential. Throughout history, various presidents' wives ladies used the position to effect change at the White House, the country, and the world. Two prominent first ladies, Dolley Madison and Eleanor Roosevelt, are credited for strengthening the role, according to the First Ladies Library. Madison viewed the public as her constituents, and Roosevelt asserted a stronger presence of political involvement, voicing her views on issues of social welfare and justice. Several of these women took on the role reluctantly, and many suffered family tragedies, serious illness, death, and the burden of war during their term. For Presidents Day, we give a nod to those women who served in this unelected and constantly evolving role in the White House, and a brief look at their causes. Most of the information is from the White House's information page on first ladies. To learn more about the White House, its history or about past presidents and first ladies, visit WhiteHouse.gov. 13/02/2018 Engaged couple Anna Keegan from Glenageary in Dublin and Mr Seamus Walsh from Ballycastle Mayo during a celebration of the Feast of Saint Valentine where a blessing of the engaged couple took place at the Shrine of the holy relics of Saint Valentine in Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Whitefriar Street Church. Photo Gareth Chaney Collins 13/02/2018 Engaged couple Anna Keegan from Glenageary in Dublin and Mr Seamus Walsh from Ballycastle Mayo during a celebration of the Feast of Saint Valentine where a blessing of the engaged couple took place at the Shrine of the holy relics of Saint Valentine in Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Whitefriar Street Church. Photo Gareth Chaney Collins 13/02/2018 Engaged couple Anna Keegan from Glenageary in Dublin and Mr Seamus Walsh from Ballycastle Mayo during a celebration of the Feast of Saint Valentine where a blessing of the engaged couple took place at the Shrine of the holy relics of Saint Valentine in Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Whitefriar Street Church. Photo Gareth Chaney Collins 13/02/2018 Engaged couple Anna Keegan from Glenageary in Dublin and Mr Seamus Walsh from Ballycastle Mayo during a celebration of the Feast of Saint Valentine where a blessing of the engaged couple took place at the Shrine of the holy relics of Saint Valentine in Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Whitefriar Street Church. Photo Gareth Chaney Collins 13/02/2018 Engaged couple Anna Keegan from Glenageary in Dublin and Mr Seamus Walsh from Ballycastle Mayo during a celebration of the Feast of Saint Valentine where a blessing of the engaged couple took place at the Shrine of the holy relics of Saint Valentine in Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Whitefriar Street Church. Photo Gareth Chaney Collins A newly engaged couple had an early Valentine's Day when they received a special blessing on the site of St. Valentine's relics in Dublin. Anna Keegan from Glenageary in Dublin and Seamus Walsh from Ballycastle in Mayo were joined by family members as they were blessed by Bishop Denis Nulty at the Shrine of Saint Valentine in Dublin's Whitefriar Church. The blessing marked the eve of the feast of St. Valentine, which this year falls on the same day as Ash Wednesday - the first time the two celebrations will coincide in 73 years. Anna, a project officer for the Irish Catholic Bishops Conference, met Seamus, an engineer, in November 2015 while they were both attending a rugby match. Sparks flew and the couple got engaged while at the Christmas Markets in Budapest two years later, but not before Seamus got the right ring to pop the question with. "Anna told me if I was ever going to ask her to marry me that I needed to ask for her mother's engagement ring," Seamus told THEVOW.ie, "so the hard work was getting the ring before the flight to Budapest." "Anna's mother always knew that Anna was going to get the ring," he joked, "she was prepared for the question one day..." The couple said they were happy to take part in the blessing on the eve of Valentine's Day, as their religion is an integral part of their relationship. "It was a very special occasion because getting married and being engaged is exciting but you have to think about your whole life of marriage after that," said Seamus, "when times may be tough and maybe not so exciting the church will always be there for you." "It's so exciting arranging everything but [the blessing] puts it back into the core of it," said Anna. "We chose to get married in a church because our faith means a lot to us. This is looking at the marriage and how God is going to help us with that." The couple also noted that they would be using the special 'Joy of Love' token book which has been published to coincide with the World Meeting of Families, due to take place in August, to help couples celebrate St. Valentine's Day. The booklet of tokens includes items like "a special dinner cooked by me", "a hand-in-hand walk together", time to pray together and - the one Anna and Seamus say they'll be exchanging tomorrow - "A technology free evening to do an activity of your choice." "It's a challenge to do a whole evening without it but it's a good thing for a couple to try to do so we'll give it a go," said Anna, "I'm giving up Facebook for Lent from tomorrow, so I'm going to try that and see how it goes." The happy couple will be married on 5th October this year in Saint Josephs Church, Glasthule, in the Archdiocese of Dublin. Rayonier Advanced Materials, Inc. engages in the production and sale of cellulose products, which is a natural polymer commonly used in the production of cell phone and computer screens, filters, and pharmaceuticals. It operates through the following segments: High Purity Cellulose, Forest Products, Paperboard, Pulp and Newsprint, and Corporate. The High Purity Cellulose segment manufacture and market high purity cellulose, which is sold as either cellulose specialties or commodity products in U.S., Canda, and France. The Forest Products segment manufacture and market construction-grade lumber in North America through seven sawmills located in Canada. The Paperboard segment comprises paperboard products. The Pulp and Newsprint segment involves in the production of pulp and newsprint in Canada. The Corporate segment consists senior management, accounting, information systems, human resources, treasury, tax, and legal administrative functions that provide support services to the operating business units. The company was founded in 1926 and is headquartered in Jacksonville, FL. Read More WASHINGTON Upstate Republicans saw President Trumps $1.5 trillion infrastructure package as a hopeful sign for the regions list of needs, but Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer dismissed it as potentially ushering in an era of Trump tolls. The Trump plan rolled out Monday was not a surprise, following the lines laid out by the president practically since he took office over a year ago: $200 billion in federal money, with about half of it aimed at spurring state, local and private dollars through an Incentives Program. The remainder would go to futuristic projects that might not otherwise attract investment and other infrastructure financing needs, including $20 billion for existing infrastructure projects and $50 billion targeted at rural America. Washington will no longer be a roadblock to progress, Trump said at a White House meeting of state and local officials. Washington will now be your partner. Trump extolled the plans harnessing of private investment, noting how he himself rebuilt the Wollman skating rink in New York City in a few months for a tiny fraction of the cost. The infrastructure plan surfaced the same day as Trump unveiled the administrations annual budget request, which seeks to remedy the deficit embodied in the tax law enacted in December through a decades worth of spending cuts amounting to $3.6 trillion. Schumer, the top Democrat on Capitol Hill along with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., lost no time in also condemning the budget as an attempt to counterbalance tax cuts for the wealthy with cuts to middle-class-favored programs like Medicare. If Americans want a picture of who President Trump works for, the combination of the tax bill and this budget make it crystal clear, Schumer said on the Senate floor. Hes for the rich and powerful at the expense of the middle class. Since becoming minority leader last year, Schumer has attempted to steer Democrats toward what hes termed a sharp-edged message aimed at the middle class an unstated upbraid to the 2016 Hillary Clinton presidential campaign that focused on a diffuse laundry list of issues. Middle-class also rang through his unsurprising critique of the Trump infrastructure plan, which he said would result in tolls Trump tolls across America. Wealthy investors and large banks will want projects that generate a profit, Schumer said. How do they get the profit? By charging middle-class Americans hundreds of dollars a year in tolls. In fact its written right into the plan. And, in a reference to the famous John Donne poem as well as the Ernest Hemingway novel For Whom the Bell Tolls, Schumer added: So the middle class need not ask from whom this bill tolls. It tolls thee. Schumers main regional focus in opposing the Trump infrastructure plan and budget bill is lack of direct funding for the Gateway project long-awaited improvements in the New Jersey-New York City railroad link whose centerpiece is a new rail tunnel underneath the Hudson River. The White House under President Obama concluded a deal with Govs. Andrew Cuomo and Chris Christie for a 50-50 split but the Trump administration essentially nixed it. Meanwhile, Rep. Paul Tonko, R-Amsterdam, paralleled Schumers words on the overall Trump infrastructure plan. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The President's #infrastructure proposal is almost as a bad as his budget. Tonko tweeted. It does not bet on America, instead bowing out to Wall Street to fix our crumbling drinking water systems, roads, bridges, airports, railways and shipping ports. Upstate Republican lawmakers saw more to like in the infrastructure package. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, whose 21st congressional district encompasses the entirety of the North Country, liked the focus on the rural folks (who) have been left out, as Trump put it. Stefanik is encouraged that the president's initial plan has a focus on the needs of rural communities, including increasing access to rural broadband, said her spokesman, Tom Flanagin. President Trumps outline is an ambitious vision for new infrastructure efforts, Rep. John Faso, R-Kinderhook, tweeted. Upstate New York is in need of new infrastructure investments for expanding broadband access and rebuilding crumbling roads and bridges. The two-year budget bill that ended a 9-hour government shutdown last week included $20 billion in direct government spending for infrastructure over the next two years. But neither that amount approved by Congress early Friday nor the money in Trumps infrastructure bill will actually start flowing to states and localities. Congress must appropriate the actual amount in spending bills this year. CORINTH A village man is accused of driving his car into a building several times while he was drunk on Monday night, Saratoga County sheriff's investigators said. The sheriff's office, answering a call about a fight in progress, arrived at 11:27 p.m. at 250 Main St. They arrested Nicholas L. Carleton, 36, who lives in Apt. 1 at that address. EDINBURG A Saratoga Springs man was arrested on child pornography charges, State Police said Tuesday. Gary S. Jordan, 53, was charged with the felonies of promoting a sexual performance by a child and possession of a sexual performance by a child, and accused of having images of children engaged in sexual conduct, troopers said. SCHENECTADY A city man is warning the city about plans to sue after he said he was "roughed up" by police and then arrested after they searched his house last year. Bruce Farmer contends in a notice of claim a precursor to a lawsuit that police in October went to the bedroom of his Rugby Road home without his permission and "arrested me based on illegal search." Farmer contends police did not have a warrant to search the house. He also accuses police of roughing him up and confiscating his property. Other than saying he was "roughed up," Farmer did not explain the physical contact in the notice. The handwritten claim, filed last month, does not mention what was seized, but Farmer's attorney Jim Walsh said Monday, that his client was letting his cousin, who is on parole, stay with him when the police showed up at the residence. Walsh also acknowledged that Farmer had a legal shotgun. He was not charged with any weapons offenses. Farmer was charged with resisting arrest and unlawful possession of marijuana, said the attorney. Walsh said the charges in City Court were later dropped after he filed a defense motion. City attorney Carl Falotico declined comment Monday. The Farmer claim seeks $500,000 in damages. Besides the money, Walsh said his client would like an apology from police. "They walked into his home without a warrant, and as long as they were polite to him, he was polite to them and talking to them," Walsh said. He said Farmer was arrested when he asked the cops to leave after a police commander showed up and "started being rude to him." Assistant District Attorney Peter Willis said Monday that police went to search the home to look for Farmer's cousin, Devin Hoyt. "He lived with a parolee who had a bunch of guns and drugs in the house, and they searched the apartment and found them," said Willis. He was not aware of the disposition of the criminal case against Farmer; City Court was closed Monday for President Abraham Lincoln's birthday. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. In December, Hoyt was charged with possession of dangerous contraband and tampering with physical evidence, both felonies as well as misdemeanor criminal possession of stolen property for allegedly stealing keys from the police station as he was being led to the transport van for the ride back to the county jail. The jail went into lock down mode as a precaution. The keys were subsequently found hidden in the van. The original charges against Hoyt accuse the convicted felon of having two stolen guns, a .40 caliber and .357 magnum, at Farmer's home. Police also found a white, powdery substance that tested positive for heroin. Additionally, Hoyt is charged with intimidating a victim or witness and bribing a witness, for allegedly offering to pay that person to not appear before a grand jury, according to a criminal complaint. BURLINGTON, Vt. The U.S. Coast Guard has a message for anyone thinking of boating across Lake Champlain this summer to take advantage of legal recreational marijuana in Vermont: Pot possession on the lake has been, is and remains a federal offense that carries potential jail time and a fine of up to $5,000. Federal drug laws apply to boaters on the 132-mile lake because it is considered federal waters as part of the border between the U.S. and Canada, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Nicole Groll, a spokeswoman based in the regional headquarters in Boston. The Coast Guard covers the lake out of its station in Burlington, Vt. Last month, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions indicated the federal government will take a tougher stance on marijuana laws at a time when some states, such as Vermont and Massachusetts, are relaxing their state laws. So far, there have been a handful of marijuana charges filed by the Coast Guard on Lake Champlain, with Groll estimating it at less than five instances during the last three years. This summer, marijuana laws are loosening in the Green Mountain State. A recently passed state law that takes effect July 1 allows for limited possession of marijuana plants, but does not allow commercial sale of the drug. Under federal law, boaters on the lake found with marijuana face up to one year in jail and a minimum fine of $1,000 on a first conviction for simple possession. For a second conviction, penalties increase to a 15-day mandatory minimum sentence with a maximum of two years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500. Subsequent convictions carry a 90-day mandatory minimum sentence and a maximum of up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Sessions is reversing an Obama-era policy not to interfere with states that moved to loosen or repeal their state marijuana laws. Sessions wrote that his memo "simply directs all U.S. Attorneys to use previously established prosecutorial principles that provide them all the necessary tools to disrupt criminal organizations, tackle the growing drug crisis, and thwart violent crime across our country." "As our long history of prosecuting offenses involving marijuana and other controlled substances illustrates, we assess each matter on a case-by-case basis according to those principles and priorities and our commitment to equal justice under the law," said Grant C. Jaquith, U.S. Attorney in the Northern District, which covers the New York portion of Lake Champlain. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. "Operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs poses a serious threat to public safety, and any such case falling under federal jurisdiction would get the same careful attention," Jaquith said. The U.S. Attorney in Vermont, Christine Nolan, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, told the Burlington Free Press last week that the Sessions memo indicates her office has "very broad discretion in charging marijuana cases." Under the new Vermont law, adults over 21 will be allowed to have up to one ounce of marijuana, and also can grow two mature marijuana plants and four immature marijuana plants per housing unit. Vermont became the ninth state to legalize marijuana, and the first to end cannabis prohibition through an act of lawmakers. All eight other states that had previously legalized marijuana did so through voter-approved ballot initiatives. Stillwater Construction firm D.A. Collins has purchased nearly 190 acres of vacant land in Stillwater from the owner of the Luther Forest Technology Campus for $305,000. D.A. Collins, which is marketing a small parcel of land right next to Luther Forest and GlobalFoundries' Fab 8 computer chip factory, does not have any immediate plans for the Stillwater purchase, which was finalized Jan. 19. Thomas Roohan, who is chairman of the Luther Forest Technology Campus Economic Development Corp., said the land was originally acquired about a decade ago to bring utilities into the Luther Forest tech park. For instance, there are large power lines that traverse the property that was sold, which is technically two separate but adjacent parcels off Graves Road and west of County Road 75. The power lines and other easements that were granted for utility work is one of the reasons why the property sold at such a discount to the previous sale of the land. Luther Forest Technology Campus Economic Development Corp., a nonprofit that owns the Luther Forest tech park, purchased one of the lots, a 98.53 acre parcel, from Jeffrey Benson in December 2006 for $979,300. The second lot, which was 88.67 acres, was purchased from Victor Gailor for $886,700 in December 2007. In addition to the utilities, there are also wetlands on the properties, which sit next to a stone home that dates back to the 1780s that is still owned by Gailor. The parcels however, are about five miles east of the Luther Forest Technology Campus, which straddles both the towns of Malta and Stillwater. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. "It was not a pair of parcels that were central to our mission (anymore)," Roohan said. "We put it on the market." Those two parcels cost $1.86 million ten years ago before they had utilities installed. Fab 8 is located on roughly 230 acres that GlobalFoundries owns. Luther Forest is a total of 1,200 acres, most of which has gone largely undeveloped to date. John Davidson, head of real estate at D.A. Collins, told the Times Union on Tuesday that the company has no immediate plans for the Stillwater property. Albany President Donald Trump's infrastructure proposals failed to include the so-called Gateway project to replace century-old tunnels under the Hudson River, while opening the way for private investors to set up commercial rest areas along the nation's highways and for states to place tolls on existing interstates. "President Trump's infrastructure bill doesn't include funding for the most critical project in the country: the Gateway Tunnels," Gov. Andrew Cuomo tweeted Monday. "The federal government must fulfill its promise to fund its half of the project before the 107-year-old Amtrak tunnels fail." The tunnels carry Amtrak and New Jersey Transit trains between Manhattan and New Jersey and are a critical link in the Northeast Corridor, which carries about 800,000 passengers each weekday. The Trump plan envisions leveraging $200 billion in federal spending to lure local, state and private spending worth another $1.3 trillion. The administration also has sought to have states pick up the costs of operating long-distance Amtrak trains. They already cover the cost of supporting intrastate Amtrak routes. But Bruce Becker of the Rail Passengers Association said the idea was tried in the earliest years of Amtrak with the Lake Shore Limited and the arrangement ended after just nine months. The Lake Shore serves Albany with daily trains that originate and terminate in Boston, New York City and Chicago. It is now federally supported. Meanwhile, Trump in his federal budget proposal declined to push for an increase to the passenger facility charge that is added to each airline ticket and currently stands at $4.50, unchanged since 2000. While airlines opposed the increase, airports had sought an increase to $8.50. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. "We would encourage a modest increase to support the modernization of the nation's airports," said John A. O'Donnell, CEO of the Albany County Airport Authority. He said while Albany's finances "allows us to keep pace with immediate needs," the airport might have to borrow to meet long-term needs. "An increase in the Passenger Facility Charges would go a long way in meeting our future needs." The Competitive Enterprise Institute, meanwhile, hailed the proposal to institute tolls on existing interstate highways, with the funds available to maintain and modernize them. Ilion An historic arms maker founded in upstate New York more than two centuries ago is poised to file for bankruptcy protection as its seeks to turn around its finances amid a nationwide slump in weapons sales. Remington Outdoor Company announced Monday that it would file for reorganization under Chapter 11 to keep operating while giving creditors control of most equity in the privately-held company as it seeks to restructure its finances. About 1,000 people work in Remington plant in Ilion, Herkimer County, where the company was founded in 1816. Now the nation's oldest arms company, Remington also has facilities in Alabama, Arkansas and Kentucky. Nationwide weapons sales slumped during 2017, attributed to potential customers having confidence there will be no new gun control measures from President Donald Trump, a vocal supporter of the Second Amendment. Last year, about 170 people were let go from Remington's Ilion facility. It was not immediately clear what impact the bankruptcy reorganization might have on future employment in Ilion. Calls to officials in the village and Herkimer County were not returned. A call to a Remington spokeswoman was not returned. According to a company announcement, investors who made a $550 million loan to Remington will get a 82.5 percent equity stake in the company, while other investors will get a 17.5 percent equity share and an option to acquire more in the revamped company. In return, the investors will provide another $100 million for the company to reorganize itself during bankruptcy, which is expected to be filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware. Remington is owned by private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management, which bought the financially distressed company in 2007 for $370 million. Cerberus is controlled by hedge fund billionaire Stephen Feinberg, a prominent Trump supporter. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Remington drew unwanted publicity after the 2012 school shooting in Sandy Hook, Conn., when a gunman used a Remington Bushmaster assault rifle to kill 20 children and six adults. Afterward, the company moved its assault rifle production line from Ilion to a new factory in Alabama, which led to some layoffs in Ilion. Cerberus also sought to sell Remington after that, but no buyer stepped forward. Nationwide, gun sales spiked during the election year of 2016, when Trump and Second Amendment advocates repeatedly warned that a Democratic president would impose gun controls. Last year, sales slipped significantly, with analysts attributing it to potential buyers no longer feeling they could be restricted in purchasing weapons. Will President Donald Trump return to Trump Tower upon his departure from the White House? Historically, most U.S. presidents head back to their hometowns after their terms in the Oval Office, although Barack Obama bucked the trend of leaving Washington, D.C. The Obamas opted to stay in D.C. for a few years, until youngest daughter Sasha finishes high school. According to DCist, the first family will be the first president to remain in D.C. post-presidency since Woodrow Wilson left office in 1921. >>Take a look at where presidents have lived before and after the White House in the gallery above. The Obamas leased a stately 1928 home in the Kalorma neighborhood of D.C. With a 10-car garage and nine bedrooms, the home seems well suited for the Secret Service. Their monthly rent has not been disclosed, but the home most recently sold for $5,295,000 in May 2014. PHOTOS: White House Christmas decorations 2016 When George W. Bush left the White House, he and his wife, Laura, moved to Dallas' prestigious Preston Hollow neighborhood. According to the New York Times, he has a "man cave" that contains "mementos and pictures from his time in power." (Story continues below.) TEXAS' WHITE HOUSE, Y'ALL: White House replica, former Texas governor's mansion going to auction His father, George H.W. Bush, returned to Houston when he left office in 1994. He and his wife, Barbara, settled into a red-brick home on West Oak Drive South in Tanglewood. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. "We are living in our new house, built on our famous tiny lot, and it is perfect for us," the Massachusetts-born former president told a New York Times reporter via fax. "They really are very nice neighbors," their neighbor told the Times in 1994. "They are just trying so hard to have normal, quiet life." THE GOLD STANDARD? Will Donald Trump's White House be as opulent as his Manhattan penthouse? As for Trump, he's already spent a lot of time in his "Winter White House," Mar-a-Lago. Although his primary home is his Manhattan penthouse, where he was rumored to spend most of his personal downtime. An article once stated that Trump is "a homebody who often flew several hours late at night during the campaign so he could wake up in his own bed in Trump Tower." Washington As the Senate opened a much-anticipated immigration debate Monday, lawmakers may be embarking on something rarely attempted anymore in Congress: openly and collaboratively legislating. Not in several years has there been a freewheeling process to draft and vote on important legislation. In the increasingly partisan climate, bills are typically crafted behind doors and either accepted or rejected, as seen in the GOP's recent tax-cut plan or the ill-fated attempts to repeal Obamacare. But that is not what is expected at least not so far when the Senate tries to strike a compromise to protect young "Dreamers" from deportation while beefing up border security and making other immigration changes. The fair and open debate promised by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., may resemble the last big attempt at an immigration overhaul in 2013. That process lasted months. "Now it is time to back up this talk with the hard work of finding a workable solution," McConnell said Monday. "I hope this body can seize this opportunity and deliver real progress." Hanging in the balance are the livelihoods of nearly 700,000 young immigrants, who have been in the country illegally since childhood. President Donald Trump is ending the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which offered them temporary permits to live and work in the U.S. McConnell was pressured to open the process as a concession to Democrats to end last month's government shutdown. But even as of Monday evening, some were worried the collaborative process might be short-lived. Republican leaders said they would try to limit debate to about a week. And despite his assurances, McConnell quickly put his thumb on the scale by announcing his support for a Republican-backed bill that reflects Trump's preferred approach. It would provide Dreamers a decadelong path to citizenship, but also include $25 billion for border security and limits to future legal immigration by capping family visas and ending the diversity lottery. "It's our best chance to produce a solution that can actually resolve these matters," McConnell said, reminding senators that any bill would also need approval by the GOP-led House. "It has my support." Immigration advocates argue that the Republican limits on legal immigration are too high a price to pay. Congressional leaders often promise open debates only to quickly run into the political and procedural constraints that arise when lawmakers capitalize on the opportunity to force votes on particular issues, often designed to push their colleagues into politically difficult decisions. Those poison pill-type amendments used to be rare, but the late Sen. Jesse Helms, a Republican from North Carolina, popularized their use in the 1970s. That led leaders to increasingly limit debate and restrict the ability to offer amendments. McConnell faced the same dilemma when he became majority leader in 2015 and oversaw debate on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. He won praise for the unusually open process. After that, though, the Senate reverted to a more structured and partisan consideration of major bills. "Open debates and regular order used to be run-of-the-mill," former U.S. Senate historian Don Ritchie said in an email. "It was the way everything got done on a normal basis. These days they are rare occurrences." Democrats see the proceeding as a chance for Congress to lead as Trump gives conflicting signals over what to do on immigration. "The purpose here is not to make a point," said Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y. "The purpose is to get something done." Though Republicans hold a 51-seat majority, most legislation requires 60 votes to avoid a Senate filibuster, meaning they'll need Democratic support for passage. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Trump set the debate in motion when he announced last fall that he was ending the DACA program, giving Congress a March 5 deadline to devise a legislative fix. A court case has kept the program running for now. As the debate unfolds, senators are expected to offer a range of proposals from more sweeping measures, such as the Trump-designed plan that McConnell supports, to those that more narrowly seek to address the issue. One from Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., seeks simply to extend DACA for three years, along with border security funding during that time, buying time while a more lasting solution can be negotiated. "I still hold out hope for the mob of moderates in the middle who are working hard for compromise," said Ali Noorani, executive director at the National Immigration Forum, referring to the bipartisan Common Sense Coalition, led by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. Coalition members were in talks all weekend to try to build a consensus bill. "The process, as unconventional as it is, I would argue has a chance to get to the right outcomes," he said. On Monday, senators took a procedural step to begin debate, utilizing a shell bill that will carry various proposals being brought up as amendments. Senators have not decided which amendments will be offered first, but some expect the more expansive proposals, such as the Republican effort proposed by Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, which McConnell supports, will be among those considered earliest. Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Ill., may offer the so-called Dream Act, the latest version of the nearly 20-year-old proposal to provide the young immigrants a path to legal status and citizenship. Or he may offer the bipartisan bill that he and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., developed that included Trump's border security funds but was rejected by the White House as insufficient. The number of amendments will not be infinite, as McConnell "fills the tree," Senate parlance for limiting the number of amendments each side will be able to offer as branches of the main bill. Micheal Crespin, a political science professor and director of the Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center at the University of Oklahoma, doubts the immigration debate unfolding this week will become the Senate norm again. "I think this is a one-off," Crespin said. "I don't see an open amendment process any time in the future." ALBANY A federal appeals court has reinstated a lawsuit filed by two correction officers who accused Rensselaer County jail officials of using a hospital computer portal to access their private medical records after they missed work. The lawsuit's third plaintiff, Keith Hancock Jr., also claimed his medical records were improperly accessed before he was fired from his job as a correction officer. Hancock was convicted in March 2011 on federal criminal charges of violating the civil rights of an inmate, Michael Ward, and lying about the incident to an FBI agent. The federal lawsuit is one of multiple claims filed by current and former sheriff's department employees, and private citizens, who accused then-Sheriff Jack Mahar and other administrators of searching their electronic medical records at a local hospital using a system designed to check the care of inmates. Some of the lawsuits were already settled by the county. The federal appeals court in Manhattan last week overturned the decision by U.S. District Senior Judge Norman Mordue, who dismissed the case, in part, because the medical records accessed did not involve "stigmatizing" illnesses such as AIDS or mental illness. The plaintiffs' attorneys, Elmer Robert Keach III and Maria K. Dyson, argued that Mahar or someone under his direction used the medical portal to check hospital records of employees or their relatives as part of a crackdown on sick-time abuse. One of the earlier lawsuits was filed by the parents of a Melrose girl whose medical records were accessed from a jail nurse's computer after she received treatment for a bite from a dog owned by a correction officer, Ron LaFountain, who was her neighbor. Keach, an attorney for the plaintiffs in both lawsuits, said the lawsuit filed by Hancock and jail officers jail officers Jason Dessingue and Tamera Thomas was filed after all three were notified that their hospital records had been improperly accessed. The breaches, according to Keach, took place at different times and when the officers were facing scrutiny for attendance issues due to injuries, medical ailments or, in Hancock's case, suspected sick-time abuse. Keach said the federal appeals court decision "makes clear that people have an absolute right to keep their medical records private and protected from governmental review in the absence of compelling circumstances. It also makes clear that Sheriff Mahars effort to avoid accountability for his repugnant actions to his employees has failed." Mahar initiated an internal investigation of the privacy breach, but that investigation later stalled. A former corrections lieutenant, James Karam, said that Mahar convinced him to delay the internal investigation so that at least one employee would not be notified that his medical records had been accessed, according to the appellate decision. No criminal charges were filed in connection with the breach. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Mahar could not be reached for comment. He previously said it's "an outright lie" that he ever sanctioned the improper use of the computer that gave the jail's medical staff access to private hospital records. The lawsuit is filed against Rensselaer County; Mahar; Elaine Young, a former jail nurse; and David Hetman, the jail's chief of corrections. Young, a nurse at the jail for 13 years, abruptly resigned several years ago. Sheriff's officials said her computer and password were used dozens of times to access the private medical records of at least 48 people, including jail guards, who underwent treatment at Samaritan Hospital, which is owned by St. Peter's Health Partners. Young, through an attorney, has alleged jail officers may have used her password -- which was taped to her desk -- without her knowledge. ALBANY - Ex-Albany city water worker Edward "Ted" Mero will be sentenced Tuesday for murdering two women in mysterious deaths he tried to cover up in a fire and in the remote woods of Coeymans. Mero, 30, faces 50 years to life in prison when sentenced by Tuesday morning by Albany County Judge Peter Lynch. Mero was convicted of the Jan. 27, 2013 murder of Megan Cunningham, 23, his former roommate at 12 Arcadia Ave. in Albany, in a fire, and the murder of Shelby Countermine, 23, who went missing Dec. 3, 2014 after meeting Mero at his parents' home in Albany for a would-be $500 prostitution "date." Her lifeless body - found with signs of blunt force trauma to her face - was found May 14, 2015 in a rural area of Coeymans on a water pipeline. Rossi said for most people it was an area in the middle of nowhere - but not Mero, who was there for work only months before Countermine disappeared. Prosecutors built a circumstantial case against Mero. "I'll never, ever stop missing her, but I'm thankful that finally the man who took her from me in such a brutal horrible, horrific way is in jail," Countermine's mother, Lori Dean, said. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Countermine vanished Dec. 3, 2014 after meeting Mero for a would-be $500 five-hour prostitution "date" at the Albany home of his parents, who were away in Hawaii. Countermine's remains were discovered more than five months later in a wooded area of Coeymans where Mero had worked. Her face showed signs of having suffered blunt force trauma. Cunningham, Mero's roommate at 12 Arcadia Avenue in the Delaware Avenue neighborhood, perished in a Jan. 27, 2013, fire that was initially ruled accidental. ALBANY A bipartisan group of New York lawmakers on Tuesday called for an overhaul of state laws and regulations governing the retention and handling of rape kits, including the creation of a central storage facility where the forensic evidence would be kept for at least 20 years. Rape kits are used to collect evidence from victims of sexual assault in a grueling procedure that can take several hours. The forensic evidence is normally collected at a hospital by a specially trained medical professional and involves the taking of saliva, hair, urine and blood samples. Any injuries to a victim are photographed and samples of clothing also may be collected. "Its common sense if you are going to submit yourself to this very intrusive examination then you expect that a hospital or law enforcement isnt going to destroy this rape kit," said Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas, D-Queens. "Currently, hospitals only retain these rape kits for 30 days and thats a problem." Federal laws mandate that testing of rape kits, including comparing evidence with criminal databases, requires authorization of the victims. But it can sometimes take victims months or years to be willing to pursue criminal charges against their attackers. By then, the forensic evidence often has been discarded. State Senate Health Committee Chairman Kemp Hannon, R-Long Island, said the measures would also prohibit medical providers from charging victims with any costs associated with conducting a rape-kit test. Victims would also receive HIV testing, access to emergency contraception and a 30-day notification prior to the destruction of their rape kit. "This package of bills makes sure survivors rights are clearly spelled out, unreported kits are maintained according to federal best practices, all victims have access to specially trained sexual assault providers, and that hospitals are not inappropriately charging survivors, Hannon said. Last year, nine states including California and Massachusetts adopted measures similar to those cued up by New York's Legislature. Nine more states are considering legislation that would expand regulations governing the handling of rape evidence, according to Rise, a national nonprofit organization that's pushing the legislation. Hannon said that in conjunction with the legislative initiatives, local hospitals, including St. Peter's in Albany and Ellis in Schenectady, are undertaking a pilot program in which medical personnel trained to conduct rape examinations would use "telemedicine" to walk any nurse or physician through the process. New York has about 170 hospitals, but only 15 hospitals across upstate New York outside of New York City have personnel on-call who are trained to conduct rape examinations. Dr. Joseph Vukovic, a medical director at Ellis Hospital, was invited to attend Tuesday's news conference at the Capitol and said he has "spent two years trying to build a program" at Ellis. "It's takes lots of recruitment, dedication from nurses, training, money," he said. "After that program is built, the average time is between one and two years that a nurse will actually continue to do exams, because of fatigue, because of over and over hearing stories of rape or abuse." Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. In November, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced his office was surveying 10 hospitals across the state to determine whether alleged victims of rape or sexual assault were being billed for any portion of conducting a rape-kit examination. A spokeswoman for Schneiderman's office on Tuesday would only say that effort is "ongoing" and offered no additional details. The attorney general's survey was announced three months ago after his office said a Brooklyn hospital had "illegally" billed dozens of sexual assault victims for the examinations. The bills were sent to either the victims or their insurance providers, Schneiderman said at the time. The attorney general said state law prohibits charging victims for rape kits. Hannon, who was flanked by multiple senators and Assembly members from both sides of the political aisle, noted the state Health Department's ongoing effort to rebuild the Wadsworth Laboratory in the Capitol Region may provide an opportunity "to find someplace compatible" to construct a central repository for rape-kit evidence. The proposals include a data-tracking system so that victims and law enforcement can quickly locate a rape kit and determine the status of any investigation. ALBANY Several local leaders attending the annual New York Conference of Mayors gathering in Colonie this week visited the Capitol on Monday to make their case for Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state Legislature to consider the needs of cities and villages as the 2019 budget is forged. "We're in the final phase of the budget so we want to advocate to make sure people understand the needs of our respective communities," Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy said. "We're looking for an increase in the Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (funding). ... I think the governor always listens. Sometimes we're not always quite on the same page in terms of what the end results are." After six days of searching, State Police said Tuesday the Toronto firefighter assumed missing on Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondacks was found alive in California. Constantinos "Danny" Filippidis, a 49-year-old Canadian, contacted local authorities near Sacramento, Calif., ending a massive search for him in Wilmington, Essex County, troopers said. "The circumstances regarding this case are under investigation, and further details will be released at a later time," the State Police said in a statement. The search included at least six government agencies, two ski patrols and several local volunteers. More than 135 people spent a combined 7,000 hours on the rugged mountain in varying winter weather conditions, officials said Monday. Helicopters and search dogs were also called in to assist. State Police spokesman Beau Duffy said Tuesday that the agency did not yet have an estimate on how much money the massive search cost the state. Filippidis had been last seen at the Whiteface Mountain ski resort's mid-station about 2:30 p.m. Feb. 7. He was part of a group of Toronto firefighters making their annual ski trip. His colleagues reported him missing at 4:30 p.m., when he did not return from his last run of the day. Police found his car, passport and other identification cards at the resort, officials said. Around midday on Tuesday, Filippidis called his wife, who was in Lake Placid meeting with the search party, said Frank Ramagnano, president of the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters' Association. "Apparently he was confused and he wasn't able to give direct answers," Ramagnano said during a news conference in Toronto broadcast by CTV News. "He called her by a nickname. She quickly recognized the voice and that it was him, and then they lost contact. He contacted her again and they kept him on the phone and asked him to call 911 to get him help as soon as possible." Police in Sacramento found Filippidis still wearing the ski clothing he had on when he disappeared, including his helmet and goggles, the union president said. Filippidis was given medical attention and taken to a local hospital, where he later spoke with his two children on the phone, Ramagnano said. The union president said he is unaware of Filippidis having any illness related to mental health or substance abuse. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. "I don't know how he got there or why he got there," Ramagnano said in an earlier interview with the Times Union. "Rightfully so, it is under investigation. ... No matter what they discover, it doesn't take away from the nearly 200 people who came together to help." Roughly 80 Toronto firefighters and 40 New York state forest rangers worked on the search team, which also included dozens of other state and federal employees as well as volunteers. A few minor injuries were reported. "We are so grateful to New York state," Ramagnano said. "Everything was done extremely professionally." The union president said the search party was "so thorough" that, when they had not located Filippidis by the sixth day, the crew was deeply puzzled. He said the collaboration between six state and federal agencies was so well organized "you'd think it was just one" agency involved. Ramagnano also thanked local businesses in the Lake Placid area, who donated hotel rooms and restaurant meals, and the volunteers who donated their time to the search. The union president visited the search area over the weekend and meet with Filippidis' family. "To see the pain in their eyes, I'm glad that they have their dad back," Ramagnano said during the news conference in Toronto. "And also I quite honestly didn't know what I was going to do with the seven of eight (firefighters) when they came back, the guilt they were feeling. So I am happy the situation turned out positive." WATERVLIET The state Comptroller's Office recently released a report that continued to detail the dwindling finances faced by the tiny river city six months after the state also declared Watervliet one of the most fiscally-stressed municipalities in the state. On top of hardships Watervliet officials say they experienced, including settlements tied to a police scandal and a dry season that dropped revenues coming out of its hydroelectric plant, they say the municipality of 10,000 people has impediments that can not be worked around. Namely, it is a city bordering the Hudson River with no riverfront, and about 40 percent of its land is made up of the tax-exempt Watervliet Arsenal. "Every community has its challenges," said state Assemblyman John McDonald, whose district includes the city. "Watervliet has the perfect storm." Watervliet officials also say they watch in frustration every year as the city of Albany seven miles to the south has successfully lobbied the state to provide an advance on payment-in-lieu of taxes money for the Capitol, Empire State Plaza and other government buildings. Last year, Albany which was also on the Comptroller's "significant fiscal stress" list got its extra $12.5 million from the state after going through a state fiscal restructuring board; it is asking for the same amount this year. Jeremy Smith, Watervliet's general manager, said the city has applied to the state's fiscal restructuring board. But he said there is no guarantee the state will give you financial relief if you go through the process. Watervliet has also gained no traction in getting the state to increase its yearly aid, which at $118 per person is far below next door neighbor Cohoes, which gets $170 per person. McDonald said the aid funding, which is a flawed system in itself, was set 15 years ago when Cohoes was in a financial hole. As far as the arsenal, getting the federal government to provide some compensation also appears an impossible reach. Mayor Mike Manning said the only relief that gets bandied about is for the federal government to close the arsenal the oldest operating one in the U.S. which would then open up the arsenal's 140-plus acres to being privately developed. But a closing doesn't appear on the horizon, as the arsenal has recently announced tens of millions of dollars in new weapons orders. Watervliet largely exists because of the arsenal, its original buildings erected to help produce the artillery to win the War of 1812. "It's a complicated thing. They provide some impact on the economy," he said. "But now there's probably five people who live in Watervliet who work there. And, you're taking up a big chunk of land. We maintain streets and everything around it." "There's got to be some happy medium," Manning said. The mayor said it also stings to watch the city of Troy across the river, or the city of Rensselaer downstream, have development projects proposed for the Hudson River's banks. The construction of Interstate 787 on the Watervliet side in the early 1970s essentially removed all riverfront property from the city. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. "We're a riverfront community and we have no riverfront," Smith said. In the meantime, to address the city's financial woes, it raised taxes nearly 16 percent this year, which for an owner of a $120,000 house meant an extra $212 when taxes were due last month. The state Comptroller's recent report criticized the city for spending down much of a $1.2 million fund balance, or what might be thought of as rainy day cash, over three years instead of budgeting properly with what it had. City officials defend themselves by saying they had to pay upwards of $75,000 in deductibles on three civil settlements after a Watervliet cop was convicted in 2016 of performing sex acts with a teenager in cemetery parking lots. Retirement payouts of about $160,000 also dragged down expenses in the approximately $11 million budget, and there were fewer purchases of electric from its Guilderland hydroelectric facility because of reduced water levels. Increases that are part of fire and police contracts also allow little wiggle room on much of the city's spending, McDonald said. City Councilman Charles Patricelli, one of only three elected representatives in Watervliet's unusual general manger-form of government, voted against the 2018 budget citing the need to look at public safety spending. Manning also acknowledged he could have raised taxes consistently over the last few years, instead of hitting residents with a huge one-time increase. But he said money problems for the city aren't new. When he took over a decade ago, taxes had to be raised 22 percent to get the city out of a financial hole. "We had a bad year, and we still have the challenges," the mayor said. "Hopefully we rebound from the bad year and get stable." SCHENECTADY Six-inch strands of white hair looped and tied with a piece of thread, folded into a letter and sealed in an envelope were tucked into a worn red leather almanac published in 1793, and closed with a metal clasp. The hair went undiscovered for a century. This hidden time capsule of ephemera sat unnoticed amid a large archival collection comprising old books and rare manuscripts tightly packed on shelves at Union Colleges Schaffer Library. The hair was found recently during an inventory review. Imagine the archivists surprise when the strands turned out to be the hair of George Washington, first president of the United States, whose likeness graces the $1 bill. John Myers, catalog and metadata librarian, made the discovery. He was very excited. Its not the kind of thing you run into every day, said Dan Michelson, a historical records project archivist who flagged the well-worn red leather almanac for further examination but did not open the clasp and unlock the mystery. The hair was given as a keepsake to James A. Hamilton, third son of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton and his wife, Eliza Schuyler Hamilton. The almanac also concealed a folded 1804 Schuyler family letter. Alexander and Eliza Hamilton, popularized in Lin-Manuel Mirandas hip-hop Broadway hit Hamilton, were married in 1780 at the Schuyler Mansion in Albanys South End. Washington was a close friend of the prominent family and spent several nights at the Schuyler Mansion. The envelope was inscribed: Washingtons hair, L.S.S. & GBS from James A Hamilton given by his mother, Aug. 10, 1871. The keepsake Washington locks were later handed down from James A. Hamilton to his granddaughters, Louisa Lee Schuyler and Georgina Schuyler. College officials sent photographs of the hair, letter, envelope and almanac to John Reznikoff, a noted manuscripts and documents dealer in Westport, Conn. He is considered the nations foremost authority on hair from historical figures. He had no doubt of its authenticity. Without DNA, youre never positive, but I believe its 100 percent authentic, Reznikoff told a college official. He is regularly called as an expert witness in legal proceedings regarding contested documents. He also is listed in the Guinness World Records book for owning the largest collection of hair from notable figures including Napoleon, Washington, Lincoln and Beethoven. Theres no reason to suspect the hair is not authentic, said Heidi Hill, site manager of the state-run Schuyler Mansion. The Washington and Schuyler families were close friends. Locks of hair were given out frequently as mementos in that era, the way youd give a photograph today. In fact, a gold-trimmed glass pendant containing locks of Washingtons hair is displayed in the visitors center of the Schuyler Mansion. The historic site has enjoyed a surge of visitors due to the excitement generated by the record-setting Broadway musical. Hill calls it the Hamilton effect. Im fascinated that theyre still finding historic artifacts like this, and it makes me wonder what else is out there, said David Hayes of Loudonville, a collector who purchased an original letter by Alexander Hamilton at a Sothebys auction and loaned it to the Schuyler Mansion. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Hayes also commissioned an original painting by Len Tantillo that depicts a 1783 meeting at the Schuyler Mansion between Washington, Hamilton and his father-in-law, Gen. Philip Schuyler, which he also loaned to the mansion. This is another great example of the rich history Albany has with the Founding Fathers. The discovery is an affirmation of the richness of our archival collection and of Unions link to the early history of America, said India Spartz, head of special collections and archives at Union. Founded in 1795, Union became the first college chartered by the Board of Regents of New York and is one of the oldest non-denominational colleges in the country. The Schuyler family patriarch, Revolutionary War hero Gen. Philip Schuyler, is one of Unions founders. Schuyler lobbied to establish the college in Schenectady rather than in Albany. Schuylers portrait hangs in Hale House dining hall on campus. Schuylers great-grandson, Robert Livingston Schuyler, presented the painting at Unions first Founders Day on Feb. 27, 1937. One aspect of the mystery remains intact: There is no documentation as to when Union acquired the almanac that contained Washingtons hair and the family letter. The book is the Gaines Universal Register or American and British Kalendar for the year 1793, a compendium of population estimates for the American colonies, members of Congress and other measures of the young republic. The book is also filled with scrawled notations in the hand of Gen. Schuylers son, Philip Jeremiah Schuyler. The book was inscribed to Schuyler as a present from his friend Mr. Philip Ten Eycke New York April 20, 1793. College officials and Hill speculated that the items may have been donated to Union by Schuyler descendants in the early part of the 20th century, perhaps for the inaugural Founders Day that honored the Schuyler family. A lot of these objects were donated around that time because the families of the Founding Fathers were feeling squeezed out by nouveau riche American society, Hill said. Donating historic artifacts was a way for these families to reassert their prominence. 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 The village of Moneygall was in mourning this week with the sad news of the passing of legendary local publican Julia Hayes over the weekend. Ms Hayes ran her small bar on the main street since 1987, and at the age of 80 in 2011, was delighted when then US President Barack Obama visited her village and his ancestral home. She described the former US President as a very handsome man. President Obama's cousin and local man Henry Healy told the Tipperary Star that the village was in shock following her unexpected passing. She will be a big loss to the community and her family, he said. No matter who came to Moneygall they were brought to Julia's. Julia spent 70 years behind the bar, having started at the tender age of 16 in her native Lorrha. While she never got to meet President Obama, she did feature in the television docuemtary The Road to Moneygall and consequently everybody wanted to meet her. A photograph of her holding a US flag in her home in Moneygall hangs in the Barack Obama Plaza visitor centre, and Mr Healy, who runs the facility said it was a big conversation point among patrons. Mr Healy said Julia ran an old-style bar with no television and just Guinness and Smithwicks on tap. Everybody took part in the one conversation and if there was a singsong you were expected to join in, said Henry. He said that Julia was always in the thick of things, and there was a warm welcome for everyone. And no matter who came into the bar, they never had to pay for a cup of tea, he said. Julia never opened her bar on Sundays even though she had a seven-day licence. It was a six-day licence when she took it over and she always took Sunday off to be with her family and husband Joe. Tributes have been flooding in for Julia Hayes, and the Moneygall community Facebook page posted these poignant words, "Last Call in Moneygall as we wake today to the sad news of the passing of Julia Hayes." In the many kind words shared about her, Julia was described as a "lovely lady," kind and welcoming. One comment read, "She was a true lady, great craic and a dab hand at the auld cards. She will be sadly missed." Another recalled fond days of "cups of tea in the back kitchen. Another reminisced: "Julia was always so kind, from my childhood days in Shinrone to the times I visited Moneygall over the years." Julia is deeply regretted by her loving husband, Joe; his son Kevin; granddaughters Carol and Emer; son-in-law Tim; sisters and brothers, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. She reposed at Donovan's funeral home, Moneygall on Tuesday, February 12, with removal to St Joseph's Church. Her funeral Mass was due to take place this Wednesday at 12pm, with burial afterwards in Lorrha cemetery. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider subscribing to our ePaper and/or free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Three members of the same family pleaded guilty to charges arising out of a drugs search at their home, at a special sitting of Cashel District Court on Monday. The case had been listed for a contested hearing but in court the defendants solicitor said his clients had changed their pleas to guilty to a selection of charges. Before the court were Cody Mannion, 37 Rosemount Heights, Cahir, who pleaded guilty to a charge of being in possession of drugs for sale or supply; Peter Mannion, 37 Rosemount Heights, Cahir, who pleaded guilty to one charge of obstruction; And Annette Beatty, 37 Rosemount Heights, Cahir, who pleaded guilty to one charge of obstruction. Garda Sean Brosnan gave evidence in court that in August 2016 he was a member of the Garda Divisional Drugs Unit. He became satisfied Cody Mannion was involved in the sale or supply of drugs and obtained a warrant to search his home on August 25, 2016. With two other gardai Garda Brosnan went to 37 Rosemount Heights, Cahir, to carry out the search. He said they met with significant resistance from Annette Beatty. She was standing at the door of the house when she saw the unmarked garda car arriving and she shut the door on the gardai. On entering the premises Beatty behaved in a very aggressive manner, forcibly preventing the other two gardai from entering the house and shouting at other people to run out the back, Garda Brosnan said. Beatty grabbed hold of Garda Deegan preventing him from going out to the utility room. She also obstructed Garda OGorman who was behind Garda Deegan. When Garda OGorman went out to the back of the house he observed Peter Mannion discarding two cannabis grinders into a kennel. Garda Brosnan went upstairs to Cody Mannions bedroom and during a search located four ziplock bags of cannabis herb in a container. A number of other items were seized that Garda Brosnan said he believed were connected to the charge of selling or supply drugs, including deal bags. The garda said the items seized were sent for analysis at the forensic science laboratory and were found to contain cannabis. Judge Terence Finn heard that there were no previous convictions recorded against Cody Mannion nor Annette Beatty. Peter Mannion had one previous conviction under the Larceny Act dating back to 1992. Solicitor for all three defendants, Colin Morrissey, said Annette Beatty wished to apologise for her actions. She is in her 40s and a mother of three children, a daughter aged 28, Cody Mannion who is 23 and an 18 year old who resides at home. For the past two years she has been medicated for depression and anxiety. Mr Morrissey said his client accepted she was in a heightened state on the day of this incident. She was confronted with three gardai and had never found herself in such a situation before. Beatty, he said, cares for her mother who suffers from dementia and cancer, her son who has cystic fibrosis and a grandchild in loco-parentis. She is highly embarrassed and disappointed to find herself in court. Peter Mannion is 46, the father of three children and in full time work. He accepts he did commit an offence. He was not aware at the time he was committing an offence, it was an instinctive thing the solicitor said. He was aware what the grinders were but they were not his. Judge Finn commented that the instinct must have been on the basis Mannion knew they were for an illicit purpose. Cody Mannion, the court heard, was 23 on the day of the court hearing. He suffers from CF and is on disability. He also suffers from anxiety and depression. He began using cannabis for relief and then started supplying to friends. He is holding his hands up to the charge of having drugs for sale or supply. Under his disability scheme Cody Mannion can work when fit and he does the odd day here and there, the solicitor added. He did a fitness instructor course in a college in Cork and qualified in September last year. Mr Morrissey said his client has learned a very valuable lesson in respect of this matter and wanted to assure the court he would not be before it again. The solicitor asked Judge Finn to be as lenient as possible in sentencing as his client was concerned he would not be able to obtain work in other countries in the future. Judge Finn said leaving the defendant without a formal conviction was not an option. He said Annette Beatty and Peter Mannion were obliged to comply with the garda search and didnt do so. He remarked that as late as January this year they wished to contest the charges, he had not seen any concession until they arrived here to court today. Beatty was convicted of obstructing Garda Deegan and fined 500. She was sentenced to two months imprisonment to be suspended for two years on condition she sign a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour. Two other charges against her were struck out - a second charge of obstruction and a charge of allowing her premises to be used for the manufacture, production or preparation of a controlled drug. Peter Mannion was convicted of obstructing the search by hiding the grinders and fined 500. He was sentenced to two months imprisonment to be suspended for two years on condition he sign a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour. Two further charges against him were struck out - unlawful possession of drugs and allowing his premises to be used for the manufacture, production or preparation of a controlled drug Cody Mannion was convicted of having illegal drugs for sale or supply. Judge Finn said this was the most serious matter before the court. The judge adjourned sentencing of Cody Mannion until Cashel District Court on February 22 when he said he will talk to the Probation Service about a Community Service Order. Recognisance in the event of an appeal was fixed for Annette Beatty and Peter Mannion. Judge Finn issued a destruction order for the items seized in the search. LG has confirmed plans to launch a new version of its V30 handset at this year's Mobile World Congress. And when it does, the handset will come with a variety of artificial intelligence features powering its camera. (Image credit: LG) In a statement on Tuesday (Feb. 13), LG said that the V30 will ship with a camera outfitted with its Vision AI technology. According to the company, the artificial intelligence will identify what kind of picture you're trying to take and after analyzing your surroundings, will recommend the best shooting mode from eight options: portrait, food, pet, landscape, city, flower, sunrise, and sunset. "The angle of view, color, reflections, backlighting, and saturation levels are all taken into consideration as the phone analyzes images in its database to determine what the camera is focusing on in order to recommend the best setting," LG said in a statement. "For example, pointing the camera at a plate of pasta will result in food mode being invoked, resulting in warmer colors and heightened sharpening for the most appetizing shot possible." This feature sounds a lot like the object recognition built into the camera of Huawei's Mate 10 Pro. LG is expected to have a somewhat difficult Mobile World Congress after the company was forced to delay its upcoming flagship the LG G7. According to reports, LG brass decided that the G7 wasn't ready to compete against market leaders, like the upcoming Galaxy S9 and Apple's iPhone X, ultimately wants the handset refreshed. It's unknown when it might launch. At Mobile World Congress later this month, then, LG is left with the V30a handset that it released last year and will offer only minor upgrades on it in 2018. And artificial intelligence appears to be its chief selling point. MORE: Samsung Galaxy S9 Rumors: Specs, Release Date and More According to LG, its new Vision AI relies upon an analysis of more than 100 million images that have been thrown into an algorithm to deliver the best recommendations. The company said that it created more than 1,000 unique image categories to create "more accurate image analysis." Aside from the camera, LG's V30 Vision AI will work to help you get "shopping advice through smart image recognition." You'll be able to point the LG V30's camera at a product and Vision AI will perform an image search to give you "shopping options including where to purchase the item for the lowest price and other similar products" you might like. Looking ahead, LG is planning more artificial intelligence features for its smartphones. New handsets will come bundled with the AI features and LG plans to deliver the features to some already-available LG handsets via over-the-air software updates. "Creating smarter smartphones will be our focus going forward," LG Electronics Mobile senior vice president and business unit leader Ha Jeung-uk said in a statement. We are here to listen and learn about what you consider as relevant for Africa and the African Union at the G20, said Ambassador Pedro Villagra Delgado, Argentinas Sherpa for the G20. He was speaking during a meeting with representatives of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU), and the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRCo) for Ethiopia on Monday, 12 February 2018 in Addis Ababa. G20 (Group of Twenty) is a forum that seeks to strengthen the global economy, reform international financial institutions, improve financial regulation and implement economic reforms that are needed in each member economy. It is made up of 19 countries plus the European Union. South Africa is the only African member-country of the G20. Mr. Delgado said, From the moment Argentina took over the G20 presidency, we wanted to reach out to all, including non-members of the G20. He noted that besides continuing with the agendas of previous G20 presidencies, Argentina will lay emphasis on areas such as gender parity; education and digital technology; food security; investment for infrastructure; and fighting corruption, among others. UNOAU Chief, Haile Menkerios, commended Mr. Delgado for seeking the views of African countries, adding I salute G20s commitment to Africas Agenda 2063. He urged the G20 to encourage Africas ownership of Agendas 2030 and 2063 and to remain conscious of the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union, which aims to ensure peace and security on the continent. ECAs Chief Economist and Deputy Executive Secretary, Abdalla Hamdock, described G20s effort to reach out to African countries as a step in the right direction. He highlighted trade and regional integration; Illicit Financial Flows (IFF); climate change; technology; natural resources for development; macroeconomic policy; and migration as some of Africas priority areas where collaboration with the G20 will be helpful. For her part, the UNRCo, Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie, deplored the fact that Africans reap much less for their hard work, compared to people in other parts of the world. She asked, How can we ensure that the hard work of Africans yields proportionate result? The Resident Coordinator expressed hope that collaboration with the G20 can help change the narrative about Africa. The story about Africa needs to change because Africans are very hard-working people, said Ms. Eziakonwa-Onochie. They are not these people who just sit and wait for aid. She added that Africa needs to be acknowledged and supported for its global leadership role in hosting and supporting refugees. Countries like Ethiopia and Uganda, said Ms. Eziakonwa-Onochie, are amongst the top refugee-hosting nations. G20s South Africa Desk Director, Cedrick Crowley, applauded the fact that we are having this meeting in Addis Ababa, the seat of the African Union where African voices can easily be heard. He expressed satisfaction with Argentinas G20 priorities, adding that fighting Illicit Financial Flows and tuberculosis (TB) are some of the areas where South Africa and Africa as a whole would like to mobilize international support for. At the end of the meeting, Mr. Delgado said he was pleased with the input from ECA, UNOAU and the UNRCo, stating This is exactly why we needed to come here and I hope Argentina can count on you during its G20 presidency. The G20 delegation also met with officials of the African Union. Some years ago, the distinguished economist Richard Baldwin said: Regional trade liberalisation sweeps the globe like wildfire. He was right. Preferential trade agreements (PTAs) increased from 20 in 1990 to close to 300 today, and have become a key feature of the international trade policy landscape. Every country in the world is party to at least one PTA, with Mongolia the last to join the pack when it signed a deal with Japan in 2016. But Brexit, the US withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) have been a major shock for the world trade system. What will the outcome of this shock be? Are we in for a recess, retreat or revamp of regional trade integration? Much depends on how other key players will respond to this shock. Though PTAs tend to be a tough political sell, governments pursue them because they increase productivity and benefit consumers; promote economic policy reform; underpin supply chains; and have other positive implications in terms of regional peace and security. Also, though estimates of the trade impact of PTAs vary, economists agree that they boost trade among members and hence, have positive effects on growth. Back in 2016, negotiations on the TPP, encompassing the US, Japan and 10 other countries in the Americas and the Asia Pacific region, and on the Trade and Investment Trans-Atlantic Partnership (TTIP) between the US and the European Union, dominated the headlines. Expectations were high, as these agreements would cover a significant part of world trade. There were also concerns. A report from the World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Trade & Foreign Direct Investment addressed them early on. How would these mega-regional agreements shape the global trading system? Would they be game changers or costly distractions? How would they impact non-members and how would they react? Fast forward to 2018 and the situation is very different. There has been a shock to the system, in the form of the repositioning of the US and the UK. The US has withdrawn from TPP, suspended TTIP negotiations, launched the renegotiation of NAFTA with threats to withdraw and initiated the revision of some specific commitments of the Korea-US PTA. The UK post-Brexit repositioning involves undoing a very deep trade integration scheme with the EU, and agreeing on new rules of engagement for a future economic partnership, while replicating or renegotiating some 40-odd PTAs that came with EU membership not a small task. How will other countries reposition their policies to respond to the current shocks? Is the world in for a recess, a risk of retreat, or a revamping of PTAs? These are the questions of today very different from those of barely a year and a half ago. Among the challenges, there is some interesting news. The EU is leading a broad expansion and modernisation of its already extensive PTA network with recent agreements with Vietnam, Canada, Japan and maybe soon, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay (Mercosur), among the most prominent. Under the strategy that the best defence is a good offence, the EU is bringing greater predictability to global trade. In Asia, countries are also moving forward. Japan has taken the leadership role in what seemed the unlikely resurrection of TPP after the US withdrawal. With just the suspension of a few provisions, the TPP, now renamed the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), will be signed next March by all 12 of the original members minus the US, delivering de facto 18 new PTAs between CPTPP members. At the same time, the EU-Japan PTA also to be signed in March is a very significant economic cooperation commitment between these two leaders of world trade. Other negotiations are on the way, including the Regional Cooperation Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Japan-China/Korea PTA, and others. Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is beyond and above PTAs. It is the most ambitious initiative to improve regional economic integration and connectivity on a transcontinental scale: involving hard infrastructure along six overland corridors, and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road; soft infrastructure, such as the financial system, to enhance efficiency and facilitate economic flows; and policy reforms and institution-building to promote trade and foreign direct investment among the 70 or so BRI countries. There is talk now of expanding it to Latin America or to shipping routes across the Arctic, dubbed the Polar Silk Road. RCEP, the Japan-China-Korea PTA and other agreements are also moving forward. Other regions are also actively engaged. African countries will be signing the Continental Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) next March, building on the regional economic communities to liberalise trade. Asia continues to upgrade and deepen existing PTAs and engage in new agreements with non-Asian partners; while in Latin America, there is great excitement around the potential Mercosur-EU agreement and the continued strengthening of the Pacific Alliance, encompassing Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Peru, who are now negotiating associate membership with Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Singapore. In light of the above, the world is not in for a full retreat on PTAs. While some negotiations have been suspended, important trade agreements are being undone, and uncertainty underpins US involvement in the negotiation of trade agreements; the EU, Japan, China and others have picked up the baton and are leading the world to greater trade cooperation. This is a sign of the new times. Their leadership is welcome. It is doing a lot of good in itself, but it is also instrumental in keeping the door open for when others may be ready to come back. In addition, the cost of being left out is greater in a cooperative rather than a divided world, so they are increasing the likelihood that others may be willing to re-engage tomorrow. Anabel Gonzalez is a Member of the World Economic Forum's Future Council on Trade & Investment and former Trade Minister of Costa Rica. The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum. The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) has introduced a new guide on doing business in Africa. South Africans trade with the region has grown significantly over the past two decades to overtake both Europe and Asia as our more important trading bloc. Manufactured exports to the region also represent more than 50% of total exports, reflecting high value-added activities. The pace of business should pick up further with the adoption of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Industrialisation Action Plan, which emphasises the structural transformation of the region based on the pillars of industrialisation, regional integration and enabling infrastructure. The emphasis on developing value chains offers a focus on key opportunities in the mining, agro-processing and pharmaceutical sectors. An important shift in thinking will be to encourage deeper relationships between South African companies and partners in our neighbouring countries. In that regard, the dti has created an important entity, Trade Invest Africa (TIA), which focuses on supporting and creating connections in the region. This will provide support to traders and investors to increase market access and facilitate higher levels of productive investment in the region. This booklet aims to provide companies with useful contacts to be able to access the complete range of services available from the South African Government, its partners and key agencies. Introduction The booklet Doing Business in Africa is a publication of the dti, developed in consultation with Government and the private sector to facilitate South African business across the continent by increasing awareness of the Governments offerings. There is a general perception that South African companies go it alone, without a team SA approach. This booklet aims to provide the connections that will allow a coherent approach between private sector players and the South African Government. South Africa Highlights ranked the largest economy in Africa and 33rd largest in the world (World Bank, 2016) ranked 75th in the world in the 2014 Index of Economic Freedom ranked 53 out of 148 countries in the World Economic Forums (WEF) Global Competitiveness Report 2013/14 increased its tax revenue from R100 billion in 1994 to R1 trillion in 2014 is the second largest exporter of fruit in the world (The Economist) ranks first in platinum, second in palladium, third in gold, sixth in coal and ninth in wool outputs (The Economist) ranked 24 out of 192 countries in the Largest Gold Reserves Index 2013 (The Economist) is the economic powerhouse of the African continent and was named fDi Magazines African Country of the Future 2013/14 ranked 10 out of 189 countries for good practice in protecting investors in business (World Bank Doing Business Report 2014) Background and Purpose Since 1994, Africa has risen dramatically in importance as a trading bloc to South Africa, overtaking Europe in 2013 and on par with Asia since 2014. This has gone hand in glove with the required integration agenda, both at an economic community level via SADC, and the tripartite and continental free trade agendas. South Africas exports to the region comprise a high proportion of manufactured goods and value-added services, with a trade balance heavily in the countrys favour, while its imports are largely commodity-based (oil and minerals). A new priority is to encourage South African companies to establish more substantial positions in their key markets through joint ventures and investments that contribute to expanding the productive base of our key trading partners and ensuring a more sustainable growth path. This aligns closely with the objectives of the continents industrialisation agenda, which has taken centre stage. The structural transformation of Africas economies is seen as resting on regional integration and the building of critical infrastructure to provide the means and economies of scale to facilitate industrialisation. Regional integration includes implementation of the SADC Free Trade Area to cover all member states; a gradual phase-down and abolition of rules of origin by 2025; liberalisation of exchange controls to allow free movement of capital within SADC by 2030; and ratification of the SADC Protocol on Trade in Services for implementation by 2020. The Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) is aimed at fostering integration in the three regional economic communities (RECs), namely the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC) and SADC. The Continental Free Trade Area negotiations are well under way and focused on drawing together the continent of more than one billion inhabitants into a single free-trade area. Africas transformation is to be centred on commodity-based industrialisation through agro-industries, minerals and pharmaceuticals, which will encourage the creation of regional value chains and participation in global processes. The African Union (AU), United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) continue to address the industrialisation challenges of the continent, particularly the need to shift from a dominance of commodities/extractives goods towards higher value-added and more complex goods and services. South Africas position at the southernmost tip of the continent provides access to the other 14 countries in SADC with a combined market of more than 250-million people, and can be considered the economic powerhouse of the continent. The fast-growing emerging economies and work on the continental and tripartite free trade areas will provide further opportunities for South African businesses. South Africas Position in Africa Africa is on track to establishing a continental free trade area and it is in South Africas interest to ensure that it remains a major player within this expanding market. SADC accounts for more than 86% of South Africas exports to Africa. African countries have a concentration of unprocessed (raw material) commodities that are exported, resulting in low levels of intra-African trade of approximately 12%. It is for this reason that the focus is on adding value to exports and diversifying products to enhance both regional and global integration. In terms of manufactured products, there is a low market share in agro-based manufactured products, with significant players such as Egypt, Kenya and Nigeria competing for the African market. South Africa is in an unique position to benefit from a larger and integrated African community. Summary of main trade agreements between South African and the rest of Africa South Africa, via its established agreements led by the dti, utilises strong government-to-government relations and mechanisms to advance a developmental agenda in Africa that focuses on: identifying and establishing joint investment projects in partner countries; promoting two-way trade; coordinating South African technical cooperation and assistance to support policy and institutional development in partner countries; promoting cross-border infrastructure development, notably on the basis of the SDI methodology; promoting regional integration through the strengthening and consolidation of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and SADC free trade agreement; and Negotiating agreements on investment protection and economic cooperation. Of greater importance, will be the accelerated conclusion of enabling agreements under negotiation, and the implementation measures of those that have been ratified. African trade policy events to diarise: (i) With the Extraordinary AU Summit scheduled for the signing of the CFTA now taking place in Kigali, tralacs Annual Conference will take place in Kigali (22-23 March) (ii) The 4th WCO Global AEO Conference will take place in Kampala (14-16 March) (iii) The Commonwealth Africa Summit 2018 will take place in London (12-15 March) (iv) Afreximbanks 2018 Annual Meetings will take place in Abuja (9-14 July) Mozambique: Nacala Corridor and Port Performance Assessment Report (SPEED+) The objective of the Nacala Corridor and Port Performance Assessment is to report on transport, logistics, and production bottlenecks along the Nacala Corridor, and provide recommendations for improvement of the corridor that could lead to development of the regions economy. The study provides analysis of the Port of Nacala, the Nacala Special Exports Terminal (TEEN), railway and road networks, and nodes (inland terminals, weighbridges, etc.) and storage facilities, with an emphasis on transport and logistics services bottlenecks. Extracts (pdf): A recent study by JICA has shown that the cost of transporting cargo from the port of Nacala to Blantyre in Malawi is 78% less expensive than bringing cargo to/from Beira, 40% less expensive than to/from Dar es Salaam and 39% less expensive than to/from Durban. This clearly illustrates that the Nacala Corridor railway is the most cost-effective option for Malawi based shippers. Road-related transport costs in Mozambique can be six times higher than in Malawi and should be addressed. Road node costs are significant. For example, when traveling from Beira to Blantyre, road users will pay $132 in road user fees in Malawi and an estimated $370 in road user and weighbridge fees in Mozambique. Traveling the Nacala corridor to Blantyre road user fees are estimated at $64 in Malawi and over $400 in Mozambique. Traveling from Nacala to Lichinga, road users noted informal checkpoint fees and charges including 1,5002,000 MT at a non-functional weighbridge on the Cuamba-Lichinga road, 2,500 MT at the weighbridge near Nacala, and 20003000 MT for bribes at various checkpoints along the corridor The main production-related and value chain bottlenecks are characterized by low, inefficient production, and lack of seamless supply chain functioning. Inadequate use of inputs and agricultural growing techniques; deficiency of consolidation centers near production points, so as to reduce the number of middle men and post-harvest loss; and lack of adequate storage facilities. Another finding pointed to lack of sufficient coordination between regional governments on transport, infrastructure and trade facilitation policies. Provided that the influence area of the Nacala Corridor covers three countries, harmonization of those policies would be an important factor in increasing regional trade. The potential economic impacts for Mozambique are large: $28m on costs savings and 30,000 new jobs. In 2020, by shifting 535,000 tons of exports onto the Nacala Corridor railway system and removing the direct and indirect costs associated with the compulsory use of TEEN, it is estimated that $28m in costs savings can be achieved. If these savings are directed into investment, an additional 116,000 tons of export product will be generated, creating a further 30,000 jobs, either as employment or livelihood opportunities, and an additional $17min income, at an average per worker/smallholder producer of $580 per year. Malawi may also benefit by 2020, receiving $4.2m in cost savings and the creation of 12,390 jobs. EALA commences oversight tours of Northern, Central corridors (EALA) Fresh from the 2nd Meeting of the 1st Session of the Assembly that concluded in Kampala last week, regional legislators have hit the road on mission to assess progress on the institutions, installations and facilities of the bloc. The on-spot assessment, by two groups, commenced yesterday (Monday) and will conclude on23 February. The first group, led by Hon Mathias Kasamba, is touring the Northern Corridor while the second group, led by Hon Wanjiku Muhia, will tour the Central Corridor. Dar now plans higher learning on transportation (Daily News) Tanzania will soon establish a university of transportation, courtesy of $62m grant (about 138.2bn/-) from the government of China. The Tanzania government had requested the Chinese for a grant with which to construct the university, whose details are expected to be revealed next week, according to reliable government sources. The Chinese Ambassador in Tanzania, Ms Wang Ke, made the revelations in Dar es Salaam yesterday shortly after she delivered a special message to President John Magufuli from Chinese President Xi Jinping. At present, Tanzania has the National Institute of Transport, a public higher learning institution which was established in 1975 as a training wing of the then National Transport Corporation. Trade facilitation and paperless trade implementation (UNECE) According to the report, the average rate of implementation of trade facilitation measures including in paperless trade for UNECE member States is about 69%, which is 7 percentage points higher than in the 2015 survey. The global average stands at about 60% in 2017. Most of the advanced economies have a rate of above 75% while most of the transition economies in Central Asia and Eastern Europe have an implementation rate of below 60%. This survey included a new set of measures, which attempted to gauge if trade facilitation reforms are inclusive, or not. These were trade facilitation for small and medium-sized enterprises, agriculture, and women in trade. A limited analysis of the data received shows moderate implementation (above 60%) for measures related to agriculture and SMEs but very low (17%) implementation related to women in trade, which warrants greater efforts from countries. An interview with the EABCs CEO, Lilian Awinja: Harmonise tax regime to attract more foreign investors into the region (New Times) South Africa: Doing Business in Africa handbook (dti) The booklet Doing Business in Africa (pdf) is a publication of the dti, developed in consultation with Government and the private sector to facilitate South African business across the continent by increasing awareness of the Governments offerings. There is a general perception that South African companies go it alone, without a team SA approach. This booklet aims to provide the connections that will allow a coherent approach between private sector players and the South African Government. [KZN trade delegation to jet off to Zambia] Tanzania among Africas top safe havens for dirty money (IPPMedia) Tanzania has some of the most attractive secrecy policies in the world that make it one of the leading safe havens for dirty money in Africa, the recently released Financial Secrecy Index by the Tax Justice Network has revealed. Tanzania is ranked 75th in the FSI 2018 report polling a financial secrecy score of 73.4%, the fifth highest in Africa, which is above the marks of most countries in the world that are in the top 10 dirty money blacklist. However, TJN says the countrys 0.1% share of the global market for offshore financial services makes it a tiny player in the illicit industry compared to other secrecy jurisdictions. In Africa, Kenya tops the list of countries whose economic systems most contribute to global financial secrecy, a measure that TJN says encourages crimes such as money laundering and tax evasion. Its score of 8% is the sixth highest in the world after Vanuatu, Bahamas, Paraguay, Maldives and Bolivia which scored 88.6, 84.5, 84.3, 81.1 and 80.3 respectively. Kenya: China takes up lions share of debt spend (Business Daily) Beijing gobbled up nearly half of cash Nairobi spent on external debt repayment in three months ended September 2017, hinting at the cost of loans China has been injecting into the countrys infrastructure development. The Treasury spent Sh12.72 billion on servicing loans from China in the July-September period its statistics show, accounting for 48.26% of what the country used on servicing foreign debt. The amount paid to Nairobis largest bilateral lender represented 70.69% of the Sh17.99 billion total repayments to bilateral creditors in that period, Treasury data indicates. Repayments to China were second to World Bank Groups International Development Association, the countrys largest multilateral lender, which got Sh3.906 billion, while commercial banks were paid a cumulative Sh3.120 billion. [Adan Mohamed: Plan to make Nairobi more attractive to global firms] East Africa arrivals lift Kenyas tourism under open travel (Business Daily) Visitor arrivals into Kenya from East Africa have grown substantially in the past three years, official data shows, partly signalling the benefits of an open visa scheme for the region. Kenya last year recorded a combined arrival of 95,845 visitors from Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, up from 80,841 in 2016. In 2015, some 58,032 visitors arrived from these countries. Uganda topped the list of Kenyas top source markets in Africa, growing by 20.6% to 61,542 arrivals, Kenyas Tourism ministry said in its sector performance report for 2017. Arrivals from Tanzania also grew by an impressive 21.8% last year to 21,110, compared to 2016. Visitors from Rwanda increased to 12,193 in 2017 from 11,658 the previous year. Structural change in west Africa: a tale of gain and loss (World Bank) In a nutshell, the paper seeks to address the following main questions: What were the overriding trends underlying output, employment, and labor productivity in BBC? How do these trends compare with those of Asian economies (both when they were at BBCs stages of economic development and during their respective growth spurts) and SSA comparators? What has been the pace and nature of structural change in BBC and what similarities and differences would stand out from comparisons with Asian and SSA benchmark countries? How much of productivity growth and overall economic growth in the three West African counties can be traced to structural change and within-sector productivity gains/losses? Has structural change been growth-enhancing (with labor moving from low- to high-productivity sectors) or growth-reducing? Has structural change been driven by static or dynamic reallocation effects? What are the relative contributions of demographic changes and employment rate to per capita growth? G20 seeks greater collaboration with Africa (UNECA) We are here to listen and learn about what you consider as relevant for Africa and the African Union at the G20, said Ambassador Pedro Villagra Delgado, Argentinas Sherpa for the G20. ECAs Chief Economist and Deputy Executive Secretary, Abdalla Hamdock, described G20s effort to reach out to African countries as a step in the right direction. He highlighted trade and regional integration; illicit financial flows; climate change; technology; natural resources for development; macroeconomic policy; and migration as some of Africas priority areas where collaboration with the G20 will be helpful. Beijing Declaration on cross-border e-commerce (WCO) The First Global Cross-Border E-Commerce Conference, co-hosted by the WCO and the General Administration of China Customs has concluded in Beijing. Over 2,000 high-level policy and decision makers, as well as operational experts, from Customs administrations, other government agencies, e-commerce operators, international organizations, regional economic communities, civil society, academia and other stakeholders from over 125 countries deliberated on various aspects of cross-border e-commerce. The conference emphasized the need for an international standard, and supported the expeditious development of the WCO Framework of Standards on Cross-Border E-Commerce, the first guiding document on how the world Customs community and relevant border agencies can better regulate and provide enhanced facilitation to cross-border e-commerce. At the end of Conference, a Beijing Declaration, summarizing the discussions and outlining the future way forward, was adopted. [ICC update: E-commerce can make trade more inclusive, but greater coordination is needed] Anabel Gonzalez: Brexit, the US, China and the future of global trade (WEF) Some years ago, the distinguished economist Richard Baldwin said: Regional trade liberalisation sweeps the globe like wildfire. He was right. Preferential trade agreements (PTAs) increased from 20 in 1990 to close to 300 today, and have become a key feature of the international trade policy landscape. Every country in the world is party to at least one PTA, with Mongolia the last to join the pack when it signed a deal with Japan in 2016. But Brexit, the US withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement have been a major shock for the world trade system. What will the outcome of this shock be? Are we in for a recess, retreat or revamp of regional trade integration? Kathmandu, Nepal: The great festival of Mahashivaratri is being celebrated in Nepal and around the world by the Hindus by worshiping Lord Shiva at various Lord Shiva shrines, ponds and rivers. The Mahashivaratri is used to celebrate with the belief that Lord Shiva was born in the auspicious day. The festival is regarded as a national festival. The government has declared public holyday today to mark the day. There is a religious belief that Lord Shiva will bless to those who offers milk, Belpatra and Dhaturo observing the night-long fasting devoting Lord Shiva. There is also a tradition of warming to the Lord Shiva by organizing bonfires at public squares, houses, temples and Shiva shrines with prayers to please Lord Shiva at today night. Likewise, thousands of devotees from within and outside the country have thronged the Pashupatinath temple at Kathmandu from early morning. Sadhus and Babas have started congregating at Pashupatinath temple area. 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) PassiveHouse is for wimps; the Powerhouse standard is crazy tough. And these Norwegians do it in the dark. The Norwegian Powerhouse energy standard is, far and away, the toughest in the world. In fact, I once described it as "crazy talk". The building is not only Net Zero Energy, balancing energy production and energy purchases over the course of the year; it's not only Passive House -- it is "plus energy." A Powerhouse shall during its lifetime produce more renewable energy than it uses for materials, production, operation, renovation and demolition. Snohetta That's the full embodied energy in all the materials and construction equipment and trucks doing deliveries for the construction of the building, paid back over the estimated 60 year life of the building, generated through self-produced solar, wind, and cooling from the sea, air or the ground via heat pump. And this is in freaking Norway, north of the Arctic circle, where the sun barely shines much of the year. Where some would say that Passive House is not practical and solar power is impossible. It's nuts. Yet somehow, Snhetta keeps doing it; Svart is their third Powerhouse or Zero Energy Building. And they are all gorgeous. Snohetta Svart is a hotel built north of the Arctic circle at the foot of the Svartisen glacier in northern Norway. The design "is inspired local vernacular architecture in the form of the 'fiskehjell' (A-shaped wooden structure for drying fish) and the 'rorbue' (a traditional type of seasonal house used by fishermen)." It is built primarily out of wood, and supported on "weather resistant wooden poles stretching several meters below the surface of the fjord. The poles ensure that the building physically places a minimal footprint in the pristine nature, and gives the building an almost transparent appearance." Snohetta Snhetta's founder, Kjetil Trdal Thorsen, is quoted: It was important for us to design a sustainable building that will leave a minimal environmental footprint on this beautiful Northern nature. Building an energy positive and low-impact hotel is an essential factor to create a sustainable tourist destination respecting the unique features of the plot; the rare plant species, the clean waters and the blue ice of the Svartisen glacier. There are many who say that worrying about embodied energy is silly and pointless; that plastic foam saves much more energy than is used in making it, and that concrete lasts forever, so who cares. John Straube has written that "scientific life-cycle energy analyses have repeatedly found that the energy used in the operation and maintenance of buildings dwarf the so-called 'embodied' energy of the materials." In Positive Energy Homes, the authors say that it really doesn't matter in the long run and that it is not ever lost because everything can be reused if you are careful, "the landfills of today will become the hardware stores of tomorrow." Snohetta So why would anyone develop such a tough standard that makes you pay all that embodied energy back? The answer is simple. There are many ways to build an energy efficient building, but we have choices about which materials we use. Do we choose materials that take a lot of energy and fossil fuels to make and put out tons of CO2 in a massive hit right now, or do we strive to generate as little as possible and treat it as a loan we pay back? As the Powerhouse people note, We believe that energy-positive buildings are the buildings of the future. An energy-positive building is a building which during its operational phase generates more energy than what was used for the production of building materials, its construction, operation and disposal. The building is therefore transformed from being part of the energy problem to becoming part of the energy solution. Snohetta/ Larvik House It is a lot easier pay back the loan if you don't use materials with high embodied energy like concrete, plastic or aluminum. It is interesting to note that in Snhetta's Larvik House, by far the biggest pile of embodied energy was in the solar panels; the next biggest element was the exterior walls, most probably due to the glazing. Seriously, PassiveHouse is for wimps and don't even get me started about PHIUS; Snhetta has demonstrated once again that they can design stunningly gorgeous buildings, north of the Arctic circle, that meet the toughest energy standard in the world, and do it in the dark. Nothing else even comes close. Here is a link to the full Powerhouse standard (PDF); read it and weep. Snohetta If you or your SO are veterans OR the child of a military veteran please check out Veterans Advantage. Discounts offered are up to 15% and while we still check out other vendors looking to save money we have always found VA to be a better price, even after the $65 VA enrollment fee. Check out the Couples web site for more info or give either Couples or VA's office a call for more info. Other advice; depending on the day your plane lands, the time of day your plane lands, and how many planes are landing near the time you land (I know that's a lot to process LOL ) consider picking up the Club MoBay VIP offered at the airport in Montego Bay. It expediates you through immigration and customs. It's not always needed but as someone who has been stuck in line for hours trying to clear immigration and customs we almost always purchase it. I can tell you that we always book really early and usually do it during the Valentine's Day Sale. If the prices really go down, you can cancel and rebook, however, you might lose the credits and extra free day, if they are not offering it at that time. I usually book and then if I see another sale that looks better, I call them and tell them I want to book that instead. They just have me send them an email, confirming the new booking and I have never had any issues. The credits are great-I never spend any money on gift shop and we have also used them in the spa. Also, they haven't done the extra day for a few years and that is a great deal. Whether you book through a TA or on the website, I say, "go for it". PS, the flight on SW from Houston is a good flight. We took it last year. Flying to Rome on China Southern. There are 2 stops in China for layover and a refuel. Guangzhou for 3 h 5 m and then Wuhan for 1 h 40. I need to pay $109.5 for a visa even though I am not leaving the airport. Only bought this ticket as it was cheap but in hindsight should of paid $109 more and could of flown with a better airline eg Qatar or Emirates etc. How many other people are going to be in for a shock when they land and they find out they need a visa Hi, I will be flying from ROC to DAC . My first flight is from Rochester to JFK with Jetblue airways. Then I will be flying with Qatar airways from JFK to DOHA and from DOHA to DHAKA. My questions are: 1. Where will I have to clear immigration? is it ROC international airport or JFK? 2. Do I need to pick my baggage after arriving JFK or will I be able to pick my baggage from my final destination? Since one of these weeks surrounds Easter, you are traveling at an extremely busy time. You will be competing with Costa Ricans as well as international tourists for hotel space. I would say to book your flights first. It's also getting late to be doing that. See which airport you'd be flying into before considering areas, especially for the beaches. Try to find flights that land early and depart late in the day. Otherwise you'll have to spend your first and last nights near the airport. Tamarindo will make sense if you fly into Liberia. If the better flights land in San Jose, you should consider a more southern beach area. You should time the beach portion to avoid Easter week. You can get to Arenal and Monteverde from either airport about as easily. These are popular destinations for nature touring. You cannot stay near the beaches and really see all of the iconic natural beauty that CR has to offer. I would say that you should stay in at least two areas; you can easily incorporate as many as four without being rushed. Due to space availability, though, you may need to be flexible. Hello experts, We are travelling to Costa Rica in 2nd week of June. We are flying in to Liberia on monday night. We plan to go to a beach in Guanacaste region first and stay there Tuesday and Wednesday. We want to spend the rest of our time in La Fortuna area so may be check out wednesday and drive to La Fortuna. Spend Thursday/Friday/Saturday in La Fortuna. Our flight back is an afternoon flight the next Monday. We are a group of two boys (7 and 9 years old), 2 adults and 2 senior citizens. We are looking for a place on the beach. I have looked at RIU guanacaste and some hotels on Tamarindo beach. I am undecided because I am not sure what area to pick. Is RIU close to a town for exploring and shopping? Also, we are interested in ziplining, so should I do that in beach area or in Arenal? Any must see spots while driving from Guanacaste area to La Fortuna? What should I include in our activities once we are in La Fortuna because there is so much to do. What are some of must do activities in both areas? I will so much appreciate if you guys can help me zero down on activities in both places. -:- Message from Tripadvisor staff -:- This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one. To review the Tripadvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. Seven places, and in three countries, over 14 nights is, in my opinion, just no fun at all. You've got enough time for four, or perhaps five. Scott Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. I am planning to arrive in Nagano at 9:30 am, go to Zenkoji temple ( browse the omotesando) and be back at Nagano station at 13:15 to catch the 13:28 Nagano express to Yudanaka. I will be staying at Yuyado onsen overnight and returning to Yudanaka the next day to catch the 10:13 bus back to Nagano Station. I will have a JR pass and traveling mid April. My concerns are: - Are we able to buy tickets for the Nagano express ahead of time? How and where? Or do I need to buy my tickets to Yudanaka as soon as I get to Nagano station before I go to visit Zenkoji temple? I really don't want to miss this bus. Can I buy a round trip ticket or are round trip tickets only for one day use? If so, what about my return ticket to Nagano the next day at 10:13, Is there a way to buy this ahead of time? - With moderate amount of browsing the approach to the temple, do you think I have enough time to view Zenkoji temple and make it back in time for the 13:28 bus without being too rushed? thank you.. please comment Radiation spills from Fukushima Daiichi NPP - nothing to worry about whatsoever unless you go into the barricaded area and consume water from the ditches or the fuel cell pool there. Because you are not being that adventurous no worries. Water from tap is safe. You shouldn't drink water from streams or lakes in Hokkaido as it might be contaminated with fox pee (which has equinox). Zao Fox Farm does not allow visitors to touch the foxes; they are tested and vaccinated though to be equinox free, from what I have probably read before. I'm not sure whether this is a priority destination in the Tohoku Region for first time visitors. Deer in Nara Park are normally tame. Unless you do something silly like menace a newborn deer before a mother. In any case, deer is a secondary attraction in Nara City which has Todaiji. You go there, see the deer as in Youtube videos. You may give them deer biscuits if they seem tame enough; when you run out, do open you hands in the air that you no longer have any left. Pregnant mothers in Japan do normally eat fish including raw sushi and sashimi although keeping a watch on volume and frequency as recommended by the relevant health authorities. Edited: 3 years ago Re: New York City with children and car 1. Re: New York City with children and car You don't necessarily have to stay in the same place as your car. There are options for parking the car outside the city (cheaper parking, no bridge or tunnel tolls) and taking public transit in to a hotel within the city. Your direction of travel for arriving (and departing) are a factor in choosing the best place to park. For hotel advice, besides travel dates and parking needs - specify room/bed configuration needed and hotel budget.. - The combative lawyer who once represented President Uhuru Kenyatta in a presidential petition asked Miguna Miguna to stop crying foul after he was deported - Ahmendnasir Abdullahi cajoled Miguna telling him to stop fighting to come to Kenya in court but instead mobilse his 'army' and storm the country by force - Miguna was told by the lawyer to begin his forceful entry into Kenya from Kisumu - The self styled general of NRM was dramatically deported back to Canada following five days of detainment - He was arrested for allegedly declaring himself general of the proscribed NRM and for administering oath to Raila Odinga - The government claimed Miguna had denounced his Kenyan citizenship some years back and that he was Canadian Seasoned Lawyer Ahmdenasir Abdullahi, went straight for the general of the outlawed National Resistance Movement (NRM) Miguna Miguna's jagular, on Tuesday, February 13. He branded the barrister a cowardly general for opting to take the legal route to see him make a return to Kenya. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens Ahmednasir was perplexed at how Miguna was seeking court orders to have him return to his country of birth. READ ALSO: Mtangazaji wa K24 atahadharisha Wakenya baada ya kutapeliwa KSh 850,000 The former lawyer to President Uhuru Kenyatta was of the notion that Miguna should storm Kenya from Kisumu in military fashion ad triumphantly make his way back to his Runda house. Photo:Star The former lawyer to President Uhuru Kenyatta was of the notion that Miguna should storm Kenya from Kisumu in military fashion and triumphantly make his way back to his Runda house. "Very surprised that Miguna Miguna has gone to court to be allowed to come back to his country of birth...what a cowardly act," Ahmednasir's tweet seen by TUKO.co.ke read. READ ALSO: Heartbroken father of two pleads for KSh 7 million help from Kenyans as wife undergoes chemo The former lawyer to President Uhuru Kenyatta was of the notion that Miguna should storm Kenya from Kisumu in military fashion ad triumphantly make his way back to his Runda house. Photo: CGTN Africa Ever since Miguna found himself bungled out of the country following a radical government crackdown on members of the outlawed NRM, he has engaged in a series of tweeter wars from Canada. READ ALSO: Mwanamke ampa Larry Madowo busu la aina yake na kuisisimua mitandao Ahmednasir accused his fellow learned friend of cowardice following Miguna's decision to begin court procedures to see him allowed back in Kenya days after his deportation. "I thought he said he was an NRA GENERAL. Why doesn't he storm Kenya from Kisumu and go straight to his house at Runda... coward General Miguna!!!" Ahmednasir observed. READ ALSO: How to be a Good Girlfriend in High School According to Ahmednasir, this was not befitting of Miguna's rank as general and had envisaged a more heroic return or the besieged general. As TUKO.co.ke had earlier reported, Miguna Miguna, trained his guns towards Boni Khalwale, branding the former Kakamega Senator a coward, on Monday, February 12. Miguna has been at the helm of controversy following his deportation after he decided to boldly participate in the illegitimate swearing in of NASA leader Raila Odinga, on January 30. The fiery lawyer claimed that the pink slippers he was captured wearing in an Amsterdam bound KLM flight were offered to him by a Kajiado OCS who had sympathised with him. ALSO WATCH: Kenyans react to Miguna Miguna's deportation on TUKO tv Source: Tuko - Wiper Party boss Kalonzo Musyoka has refuted claims that he will be sworn-in by end of February - The NASA co-principal termed the reports as propaganda insisting that a new date will be announced later - Speculation about Kalonzo's loyalty have been rife after he failed to attend Raila Odinga's controversial swearing-in on January 30 - He however reassured his supporters saying he is ready to get sworn-in insisting that the coalition was stronger than ever before Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, on Monday, February 13, denied claims the he would take oath of office as the Peoples deputy president on February 28. Speaking from Machakos, the NASA deputy flag-bearer described the rumours as vicious propaganda aimed at instigating him into participating in an illegal activity. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens Kalonzo came under heavy criticism following his decision to back down form NASA's controversial oathing on January 30, with critics labeling his absentia as cowardice. READ ALSO: Mwanasheria Mkuu Githu Muigai ajiuzulu, Rais Uhuru atangaza atakayechukua wadhifa wake Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Monday, February 13, denied claims the he would take oath of office as the Peoples deputy president by the end of February. Photo: Kalonzo Musyoka/twitter However, Kalonzo held that it was precisely Jubilee's plan to use insidious intimidation as bait to lure him into their alleged trap whilst causing internal rifts within NASA. READ ALSO: Stop fighting your deportation in court like a coward,storm Kenya from Kisumu-Lawyer Ahmednasir mocks Miguna The former Vice President assured NASA supporters that co-principals had not agreed on his swearing-in date as they were assessing the countries state. Kalonzo maintained that NASA were fully fledged on resisting the current regime. "We are conducting a serious audit on what is happening in the country and are consulting with Nasa. We are focusing on the fight," Kalonzo said. READ ALSO: Heartbroken father of two pleads for KSh 7 million help from Kenyans as wife undergoes chemo The former Vice President assured NASA supporters that they had not agreed on his swearing in date. Photo:Capital FM As TUKO.co.ke had earlier established, Kalonzo, speaking from the Wiper party headquarters on February 6, said he did not want to issue empty promises to the people and vowed his commitment to take oath was unwavering. Whether this stands to be the case is yet to be proven as Kenyans remain skeptical over the co-principals commitment to the NASA cause. READ ALSO: How to be a Good Girlfriend in High School Wiper Deputy Party leader Farah Maalim, refuted claims that Kalonzo Musyoka would be sworn in as the Peoples deputy President as earlier anticipated. Maalim seemed to suggest that NASA was suffering from a potential meltdown ever since the controversial swearing in ceremony of leader Raila Odinga. ALSO WATCH: Kenyans react to Miguna Miguna's deportation on TUKO tv Source: Tuko Kenya - National Super Alliance deputy Principal , Kalonzo Musyoka, says the oath offered to Raila Odinga was illegal and they knew from the beginning - Kalonzo also revealed that they were expecting the arrest of Raila Odinga which is yet to happen - The WIPER part leader also said the coalition earlier plan was to have Raila Sworn-in alone so in any case he was arrested the other co-principals could lead legal procedures for his release - Kalonzo had earlier dismissed claims that he is set to be sworn-in on Tuesday, February 28 as the People's Deputy President Wiper party leader and National Super Alliance (NASA) deputy Principal. Kalonzo Musyoka on Tuesday, February 13, confirmed that the controversial swearing-in of Raila Odinga was illegal Kalonzo said that the opposition leaders knew from the onset that the oath taking, which he is also yet to take was a violation of the law and were expecting Raila to be arrested. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens Raila knew that it (swearing-in) is against the constitution, that is the truth of the matter We agreed that if we are oathed, which is against the Constitution, we will accept the consequences, said Kalonzo. READ ALSO: Jeff Koinange ashindwa kujizuia baada ya kudaiwa kumpachika mimba mtangazaji wa Citizen TV Raila swearing-in was illegal and we expected him to be arrested - Kalonzo Musyoka. Photo: Daily Nation READ ALSO: Kalonzo will not be sworn in as earlier promised-Wiper Deputy leader Farah Maalim A report by Citizen TV indicates that, Kalonzo was speaking in Machakos where he revealed that NASA leaders agreed to have Raila sworn-in alone so that in case he is arrested, they would lead a legal onslaught in his defence. Before the Machakos County Assembly forum, we met with Raila at Panafric Hotel and he told us once I take the oath I know theyll arrest me and you guys should come and get me out." he said. He however noted that the government could not arrest the NASA chief because they knew it would cause a political crisis and mayhem in the country. "But the government could not arrest Raila because they know it could cause a political crisis, he added. READ ALSO: Mixed reactions after Attorney General Githui Muigai resigned Kalonzo's statement came at the backdrop of claims that he will be taking his controversial oath of office on Tuesday, February 28. Claims he has since dismissed claiming the co-principals were still brainstorming on the controversial swearing-in. In apparent doublespeak, Kalonzo, who recently asserted he is ready to be sworn in said holding a mock oathing ceremony is not a light matter and it requires proper legal consultation. An earlier report by TUKO.co.ke indicated that Wiper Deputy Party leader Farah Mallim had refuted the claims that Kalonzo Musyoka would be sworn in as the Peoples deputy President as earlier anticipated. READ ALSO: Kisii residents threaten to disrupt NASA rally unless Babu Owino apologises to CS Matiang'i Kalonzo's statement appeared to be confirming sentiments by political analyst and commentator, Mutahi Nguyi that Raila Odingas scheme was to have the government arrest him after he was sworn-in Mutahi claimed that failure to arrest Raila by the government in the wake of his mock swearing-in as the People's President has left him utterly confused. According to Ngunyi, Railas scheme was to ride on the uproar that would have followed his arrest. ALSO WATCH: Do you support Raila Odinga's call for fresh presidential election? on TUKO tv Source: Tuko - Political analyst and commentator, Mutahi Ngunyi claims the self proclaimed leader of the outlawed National Resistance Movement, Miguna Miguna will be Raila's successor - Mutahi claimed that Mugina was the leader-in-waiting within the Luo nation - He also compared the succession of Miguna from Raila to that of Deputy president William Ruto from former president, Moi Political commentator and analyst, Mutahi Ngunyi on Tuesday, February 13 argued that the self proclaimed general of the outlawed National Resistance Movement (NRM), Miguna Miguna will be the next big thing after Raila. Mutahi argued that Miguna was a king in waiting with the massive Luo region to take over from National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Jeff Koinange ashindwa kujizuia baada ya kudaiwa kumpachika mimba mtangazaji wa Citizen TV Miguna Miguna will succeed Raila by force like Ruto did to Moi - Mutahi Ngunyi READ ALSO: 13 little known facts about immediate former AG Githu Muigai In a tweet post seen by TUKO.co.ke, Mutahi was preparing his followers for his next Youtube blog when he said that Miguna would succeed Raila the same way Deputy President William Ruto took over from the former President Daniel arap Moi. "Miguna is the king -in-waiting within the Luo Nation . He will inherit Raila by force the Way Ruto inherited Moi. My Column for this week." read Mutahi's tweet The controversial former gubernatorial candidate is alleged to have gained grounds in his political career since he proclaimed himself as the general of the outlawed NRM READ ALSO: Raila confused after Uhuru refused to arrest him Mutahi Ngunyi An earlier report by TUKO.co.ke indicted that, the controversial political analyst recently took to social media to celebrate the arrest of the former Nairobi gubernatorial candidate Miguna Miguna. The hard-hitting political analyst used Miguna Miguna's two books, 'Peeling Back The Mask' and 'Kidneys for the King' to mock him as he cooled his heels behind bars. READ ALSO: Raila swearing-in was illegal and we expected him to be arrested - Kalonzo Musyoka Miguna wasn't always an opposition loyalist. If you will remember, he and Raila Odinga fell out around 2011 and he went ahead and released a political tell-all book about Raila and other topics in his Peeling Back The Mask book. In this book, he revealed some of the private things Raila went through after he lost the 2007 election to former president Mwai Kibaki as well as his alleged emotional breakdown. In an excerpt, the current loyalist swore he would rather die than work with Raila again contrary to the recent past where he led the charge to see Raila controversially sworn in as the people's president on Tuesday, January 30. ALSO WATCH: Kenyatta's moves against Raila on TUKO tv Source: Tuko Newspaper - Tanzania burnt 5,000 chicks alive that they say were illegally imported from Kenya - Provincial Secretary Maria Mashingo claimed the importer lacked sufficient documentation - It is said that Tanzanian authorities burnt the chicks for fear of them carrying bird flu - This is likely to worsen the diplomatic ties between the two countries - It is the second time this has happened with a similar case of 6,000 chicks burnt 3 months ago The diplomatic rift between Tanzania and Kenya took a turn for the worst on Tuesday, February 13, when Tanzanian authorities incinerated 5,000 one-day old chicks alive. The chicks estimated at a value of KSh 500,000, were said to have been harbored through the northern Namanga border. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens Maria Mashingo, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Livestock said they found sufficient evidence to warrant the chicks as illegally in the country, with the importer lacking sufficient documentation. READ ALSO: Uhuru Kenyatta silently names three more Principal Secretaries as parliament approves all cabinet nominees Mashingo said Tanzania did not see the point in jeopardizing its chicken industry because of only 5,000 chicks. Photo:Wikimedia Mashingo said Tanzania did not see the point in jeopardizing its chicken industry because of only 5,000 chicks. READ ALSO: Heartbroken father of two pleads for KSh 7 million help from Kenyans as wife undergoes chemo "There is no need of destroying an entire chicken sector because of only 5,000 chicks," Mashingo said while addressing local media. READ ALSO: Judge who was accused of favouring Raila Odinga moved to Machakos in mass transfers However, Tanzania claims the move to burn the hatchlings was in a bid to prevent the spread of Bird Flu. Photo:Star However, Tanzania claims the decision to burn the chicks was in a bid to prevent the spread of Bird Flu. READ ALSO: KQ employee nabbed with 23 kilos of gold worth KSh 100 million in India This is the second time that chicks form Kenya have been burnt, a few months ago Tanzania scorched chicks worth an estimated KSh 600,000. As TUKO.co.ke formerly reported, the Magufuli government torched 6,400 chicks which were confiscated on the Tanzania side of the two countrys border after being illegally imported there. The diplomatic row between the two countries is likely to worsen following this recent move. ALSO WATCH: Kenyans react to Miguna Miguna's deportation on TUKO tv Source: Tuko Dnipro, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa have been named the most unsafe cities in Ukraine in terms of crime rate. Ukrainian National Police Chief Serhiy Knyazev said this in an interview with the gazeta.ua online publication. Dnipro, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa are four most problematic regions in terms of crime rate, Knyazev said. According to him, the lowest crime rate has been recorded in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Knyazev also added that among the most common types of crime in Ukraine is burglary: "house, adjoining territory, apartment burglaries." iy The Anti-Corruption Court should appear in Ukraine this year. President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko said this in an interview with the Profil Austrian media outlet. "The process should be completed this year. I hope that the relevant bill will be passed in the coming months," Poroshenko said. He said that he had already submitted the bill to the Verkhovna Rada, and now the parliament should conduct an open discussion on this issue with a view to creating a transparent, efficient and independent court. The President acknowledged that corruption remains to be the main problem in Ukraine. At the same time he highlighted the efficiency of such a body as the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and such a mechanism as the electronic declaration. According to him, a billion and a half dollars stolen under the presidency of Viktor Yanukovych have already been returned. "I support the transparency and efficiency of the fight against corruption," the President said, adding that he has been open for cooperation with the international institutions and special services, including the FBI and MI6, on recovery of the stolen assets. ol Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who heads Ukraine's Movement of New Forces party, has been expelled to Poland, according to Oleh Slobodian, spokesman for the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service. "Today, on February 12, servicemen of the State Border Guard Service, together with representatives of the State Migration Service and the National Police, notified Mikheil Saakashvili of the decision by a competent agency on his return to the country of his previous stay [Poland]. According to respective court decisions, this person illegally stayed on Ukrainian territory and, with the observance of all legal formalities, was returned to the country from which he arrived, by violating domestic legislation," he wrote on Facebook on Monday, February 12. He added that unidentified individuals from Saakashvili's entourage attacked law enforcement agencies during the fulfillment of the procedure. Border guards were forced to defend themselves and used "force support." On September 22, 2017, Mostyska District Court in Lviv region found Saakashvili guilty of illegally crossing Ukraine's border. On January 3, 2018, Kyiv District Administrative Court rejected Saakashvili's lawsuits against the State Migration Service on his recognition as a refugee. On February 6, Kyiv District Administrative Court again rejected Saakashvili's appeal against the State Migration Service's decision to refuse to issue documents for his recognition as a refugee or a person in need of additional protection. op At the next meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group for the settlement of the situation in Donbas, the Ukrainian side will initiate the creation of a search mechanism for missing persons in Donbas with the participation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Russia. Ukraines representative in the humanitarian subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group Iryna Gerashchenko wrote this on her Facebook page on the results of her visit to Luhansk region. "It is very important that the ICRC officially participates in this process, including in the occupied territories, and within the framework of the Minsk groups it is necessary to establish a mechanism with the participation of the Russian Federation, Ukraine and the ICRC and with the invitation of the representatives of ORDLO. We will talk about this at the next meeting in Minsk on February 14," she wrote. President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg plan to meet on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference this week. The head of the Alliance stated this at a press conference on Tuesday, own Ukrinform correspondent in Brussels reports. "I will meet with President Poroshenko later this week in Munich," the NATO Secretary General said. He stressed that NATO supports Ukraines territorial integrity and continues its cooperation with Kyiv, despite Hungary's attempts to block further Euro-Atlantic integration of the country. Stoltenberg also said he hopes that Ukraine and Hungary will settle issues related to the language law and the rights of national minorities, taking into account the recommendations of the Venice Commission. As earlier reported, the Munich Security Conference is to be held on February 16-18. iy Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Ukraine intends to open an honorary consulate in the city of Resistencia (province of Chaco, Argentina) to unite the Ukrainian community and solve their problems. Ukraines Ambassador to Argentina Yury Diudin said this during a meeting with representatives of Ukrainian communities in the province of Chaco, the Embassy of Ukraine in Argentina reports. Making the trips to San Bernardo, Roque Saenz Pena and Las Brenas, the diplomat informed the ethnic Ukrainians about the current situation in and around Ukraine. In addition, the participation of the Ukrainian community in the economic, social, political and cultural life of the province and preservation of the national and cultural traditions of the Ukrainian people were discussed. The Ambassador also informed the local residents about the prospects for opening of the Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in the city of Resistencia (with the consular district covering the province of Chaco). According to Mr. Diudin, the opening of the diplomatic mission will contribute to further uniting the Ukrainian community and solving their problems. As of now, the honorary consulates of Ukraine operate in the cities of La Plata and Posadas. According to estimates, about 30,000 45,000 ethnic Ukrainians live in the Argentinean province of Chaco. Photo credit: Embassys Facebook page ol The United States supports the holding of meetings of the NATO-Ukraine Commission at all levels, which are currently blocked by Hungary. Permanent Representative of the United States to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Kay Bailey Hutchison stated this, an Ukrinform correspondent in Brussels reported. "We support the holding of meetings between NATO and Ukraine, including at the level of heads of states and the level of ministers. We hope that Hungary and Ukraine solve their problem in accordance with the international law, which is in their interests," the U.S. ambassador to NATO said. The diplomat stresses that the holding of the meetings of the NATO-Ukraine Commission is an important format of cooperation for the parties. As reported, Hungary blocked the holding of the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission at the ministerial level for the second time because of unreasonable claims to the language article of the Ukrainian law on education. ish Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman met with former Ukrainian presidents Leonid Kravchuk, Leonid Kuchma and Viktor Yushchenko on February 13. The head of the government informed this on his Facebook page. "I met with the presidents of Ukraine. It was a very interesting conversation. They shared their experience and thoughts about the future of our state," Groysman wrote and posted photos from this meeting. ish Lyaskova's comment came hours after Sharoyko's lawyer, Larysa Bykava, said that her client had gone on trial. The Supreme Court of Belarus says it has started the trial of a Ukrainian journalist charged with espionage. Court spokeswoman Yulia Lyaskova told RFE/RL on February 12 that the trial of Pavlo Sharoyko is being held behind closed doors. "We cannot comment when exactly the trial started and who is the judge as the trial is closed for outsiders," Lyaskova said. Lyaskova's comment came hours after Sharoyko's lawyer, Larysa Bykava, said that her client had gone on trial. Sharoyko was detained in Belarus in November. Read alsoUkraine expels Belarusian diplomat as retaliationUkraine and Belarus expelled each other's diplomats after Sharoyko's arrest. Sharoyko's colleagues said at the time that he had been working on stories related to the search for Pavlo Hryb, a 19-year-old Ukrainian citizen who disappeared in Belarus after being arrested and was later found to have been sent to Russia, where he was charged with terrorism-related offences. Relations between Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine mostly Slavic former Soviet republics with deep historical and cultural ties have been strained since Moscow seized control of Ukraine's Crimea region and threw its support behind armed separatists in eastern Ukraine in 2014. Huzhva is being treated abroad and plans to return to Ukraine on February 20. Editor-in-chief of the online newspaper Strana.ua Ihor Huzhva, who fled to Vienna in early 2018, has been put on the wanted list. This was authorized by Kyiv's Shevchenkivsky district court on Monday, February 12, at prosecutors' request, Ukrainian TV Channel 5 reported. The prosecutor's office insists that the suspect evades the investigation. Read alsoCourt warrants detention of Strana.ua editor-in-chief Huzhva who fled to Austria"This is foreseen in the Criminal Procedure Code: a person who evades the investigation shall be put on the wanted list. When their whereabouts are established, they will be detained," a prosecutor said. At the same time, Huzhva's lawyers assured that their client was being treated abroad and would return to Ukraine on February 20. "I think this decision is ill-considered. The court has been provided with all the documents that he is undergoing treatment now. That's why this decision is hasty," Huzhva's lawyer Olena Klymenko said. As UNIAN reported earlier, Huzhva was detained on June 22 after a police raid at the Strana.ua editorial office. Criminal proceedings were initiated against him under Article 189 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (extortion). According to the law enforcers, Huzhva together with his accomplice Anton Filipkovskiy demanded $20,000 from Member of Parliament Dmytro Linko. Huzhva was detained after he had received half the amount ($10,000). Huzhva called the charges against him "fabricated." On June 24, the court ruled to remand Huzhva in custody, setting bail at UAH 544,000. On June 26, Huzhva's deputy, Svitlana Kriukova, put up for him. On January 31, 2018, it became known that Huzhva had left Ukraine for Vienna and applied for political asylum in Austria. Saakashvili says he wants to return to Ukraine. Ex-Georgian President, now leader of the "Movement of New Forces" in Ukraine Mikheil Saakashvili, who was detained in a Kyiv restaurant on Monday, has asked for help from the European Union and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "If the EU and, in particular, Angela Merkel do not take any steps, Ukraine will collapse," Saakashvili said in an interview with Bild on Monday, February 12, DW.com reports. Read alsoSaakashvili admitted into Poland"I was attacked by men wearing masks in Kyiv's cafe, they abducted me, threatened me and took me out on a private plane to Poland. Corrupt Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is behind this action," the politician said. "Poroshenko destroys this country and wants to get rid of me as I expose corruption," Saakashvili added. He announced that he would return to Ukraine in a legal way. "We will win that battle," the politician said. As UNIAN reported earlier, Saakashvili was detained by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine in a Kyiv restaurant on Monday, February 12. Later, he was put on a chartered flight to Poland. It is reported this was not an act of deportation but the return of an illegal immigrant to the country from where he illegally arrived in Ukraine. A Tbilisi court sentenced Saakashvili to three years in prison. Georgia will send a request to Poland for the extradition of its former President Mikheil Saakashvili, who was expelled from Ukraine on February 12, 2018. "If Saakashvili settles in Poland and moves there, the request will be sent there," Georgian MP Alexander Kantaria said, the news portal Georgia Online reported. Read alsoSaakashvili asks for help from EU, MerkelAt the same time, he recalled that a court in Georgia had passed a verdict against Saakashvili. "He is not a suspect, the trial took place and there was a verdict. And, of course, they are waiting for him here," Kantaria said. As UNIAN reported, on January 5, 2018, Tbilisi's city court found Saakashvili guilty of "malicious abuse of power" as Georgian president and sentenced him to three years in prison. Saakashvili called the verdict of the Tbilisi court unlawful and contrary to international, national laws and common sense. On Monday, February 12, Saakashvili was detained by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine in a Kyiv restaurant and sent back to Poland from where he had arrived in Ukraine. The Ukrainian authorities claim Saakashvili's arrival was illegal. Saakashvili says neither Georgian nor Ukrainian authorities have serious charges against him. Ex-President of Georgia and leader of the "Movement of New Forces" in Ukraine Mikheil Saakashvili, who was expelled from Ukraine on February 12, 2018, says he will not apply for political asylum in Poland, where he was forcibly sent by plane. Read alsoGeorgia to request Saakashvili's extradition from Poland"I am under protection of Polish police now. I talked with the senior officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs they phoned me when I was at the airport in Warsaw. I will not seek political asylum in Poland," he told a Ukrainian TV channel. Saakashvili also commented on the possibility of his extradition from Poland to Georgia. "As they say in Odesa, stop pulling my leg! Which request [for extradition]? These Georgian authorities fear me like the devil fears holy water. They are simply clowns. If they had wanted to extradite me, they should have done this yesterday. I said from the very beginning that neither Georgia nor Ukraine has serious charges against me," Saakashvili said. As UNIAN reported, Saakashvili was detained by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine in a Kyiv restaurant on February 12 and sent back to Poland from where he had arrived in Ukraine. The Ukrainian authorities claim Saakashvili's arrival was illegal. Sajdik says the Minsk talks are not the only format used to search for solutions to the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) Ambassador Martin Sajdik has said the Minsk process remains a working tool in a peace settlement in Donbas. "Acting as Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, I am deeply convinced that there is simply no alternative to the Minsk agreements for the peaceful settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. I cannot, in any way, agree with the statements that the Minsk agreements are not implemented and that the Minsk process is not working," he said on the third anniversary of the Minsk accords, the Belarusian Telegraph Agency (BelTA) reported. Read alsoOSCE envoy: TCG reiterates commitment to sustainable and unlimited ceasefireAccording to Sajdik, during talks in Minsk, the Trilateral Contact Group has managed to regulate various issues envisaged in the Minsk agreements. "Implementing the Minsk accords of September 19, 2014, and February 12, 2015, the Trilateral Contact Group adopted several decisions establishing a ceasefire. It also approved the supplemental weapons withdrawal agreement (September 29, 2015), the decision on anti-mine activity and the decision on the total ban on the exercises with the use of all kinds of combat arms near the contact line (March 2, 2016), the Framework Decision relating to disengagement of forces and hardware (September 20, 2016) prepared by the working group on security affairs headed by Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan," Sajdik said. As a result, he said, the number of civilian casualties in the conflict zone has reduced significantly. Thanks to the work of the group, the parties also regulated the civil population flows across the contact line, with the average number of crossings recently growing to 27,000 per day. "As for the political issues, we discussed in detail the modalities of holding local elections in the certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and also amnesty issues. Great headway was made in the humanitarian affairs. In late 2017, we prepared a big exchange of detainees. Although it was not the all-for-all formula as stipulated in the Minsk agreements, we continue actively working in this direction," the OSCE's special representative said. Sajdik noted that today's special focus is on the issues to provide necessary living conditions such as water, electricity and heat supply for civilians in the conflict zone. "The Minsk process is working. However, to my regret, there are still incidents because of the lack of political will of the parties, and because the decisions taken within the framework of the Minsk process are not being implemented or are not sufficiently implemented. Also, to my great regret, the staff of the OSCE SMM are still facing the obstacles that complicate their access for effective monitoring and verification of the ceasefire and the withdrawal of heavy weapons in the conflict zone, and first of all in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. I am also very sorry that we have not yet managed to produce the previously agreed withdrawal of forces and hardware in the area of Stanytsia Luhanska," the OSCE's special representative said. Sajdik also noted that the Minsk talks are not the only format used to search for the solutions to the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The Normandy Four is also actively involved in the matter. The Russian-U.S. consultations are held at the level of U.S. Special Representative Kurt Volker and Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov. The statement comes on the third anniversary of the signing of Minsk agreements. According to the U.S. State Department's Special Representative on Ukraine negotiations, Kurt Volker, the United States is ready to help stop the fighting in Donbas but Russia has to choose peace. Yesterday was the anniversary of the signing of the Minsk Package of Measures - three years later there is still a hot war. The U.S. is ready to help end the fighting, but Russia has to choose peace. Kurt Volker wrote on Twitter Tuesday, Feb 13. Read alsoVolker tells of "very detailed" discussion with Surkov on peacekeepers in DonbasUNIAN memo. On February 12, 2015, negotiations were held in Minsk to resolve the Donbas crisis. President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in negotiations. The talks saw a set of measures aimed at the implementation of the September Minsk accords being approved. In addition, a declaration was adopted by the four leaders in support of said measures. Among other things, the agreements reached by the Normandy Four provide for a cease-fire in the east of Ukraine and removal of all heavy weapons from the Ukrainian territory. The exchange and release of all hostages is also envisaged as well as the holding of local elections in Donbas. Education Reporter Mathew Burciaga is a Santa Maria Times reporter who covers education, agriculture and public safety. Prior to joining the Times, Mathew ran a 114-year-old community newspaper in Wyoming. He owns more than 40 pairs of crazy socks from across the globe. If the steps required by Budapest are not taken, Hungary will not cease blocking Ukraine-NATO cooperation. Hungary will not give up its current policy with regard to the Ukrainian Education Act without legal guarantees, Hungarys foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said at a press conference in Budapest on Monday, according to the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. If Hungary were to let go of its opportunity to veto in international organizations then it would be giving up the only instrument with which it can protect Transcarpathian Hungarians and force Ukraine to correspond to international regulations, the minister said. According to him, NATO planned to hold a meeting of NATO-Ukraine defence ministers on Feb 14-15, which Hungary has vetoed, and accordingly the Alliances Secretary General has informed member states that the session of the meeting will not be held. Read alsoKyiv, Budapest to find solution to unlock NATO-UA Commission ministerial-level meetingAlthough they tried to put pressure on Hungary to not exercise its right to veto, the country withstood these efforts, because it is the duty of Hungarian foreign policy to protect Hungarians, no matter where they live, the foreign minister claimed. He said everything is related to everything in international politics, and for this reason Hungary did not accept the argument that a minority issue should not be linked to a right to veto within an international organisation. Every country that works in close cooperation with NATO undertakes and implements an annual programme, and within that agreement Ukraine undertook to respect the rights of minorities. If Ukraine is serious about forging closer links to NATO and the European Union, then it must fulfil their expectations, he pointed out. For Hungary to lift its veto Ukraine must, in accordance with the expectations of the Venice Commission and the European Union, refrain from beginning the implementation of the Act until it has come to an agreement on every detail of the legislation with national minorities, including the Hungarian minority, he said. Read alsoHungary blocks NATO-Ukraine Defense CommissionIf the Ukrainian Government issues a decree according to which it will suspend the implementation of the Act until those consultations are over, that will be a good basis for negotiations with relation to finding a reassuring solution to the situation, he added. As UNIAN reported earlier, the new law on education, which entered into force on September 28, 2017, introduces a 12-year secondary education system in Ukraine with Ukrainian being used as the language of tuition. Children of national minorities can be taught in their mother tongue at classes (groups) along with the national language. Yet, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Greece and Bulgaria expressed concern over the language provisions of Article 7 of the law. Read alsoOSCE minorities commissioner speaks on Ukraine's education lawThe Venice Commission issued recommendations on December 8, 2017, that the Ukrainian authorities should balance the provisions of the language article. Ukraine's Ministry of Education and Science proposed three options for the implementation of Article 7, which will be stipulated in a draft law on general secondary education. A respective bill is expected to be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada for consideration this spring. The Ukrainians also face a ban on travel to Russia in the next five years. The so-called "Yevpatoria City Court" in Russian-annexed Crimea has ruled to expel 23 citizens of Ukraine from the peninsula for "working illegally." "Officers of the border department have established the fact of employment of 36 citizens of Ukraine in the Yakorek kindergarten in the village of Novo-Ozerne near the city of Yevpatoria," Crimea's Russian-controlled news agency CrimeaInform reported, citing the Russian FSB border department in Crimea as its source. Read alsoRussia's FSB claims it detains another "Ukrainian spy" in CrimeaThe de-facto Crimean authorities claim the employment was illegal, as it violates Article 13.3 of Federal Law No. 115 dated July 25, 2002, "On the legal status of foreign citizens." The news agency said that all the offenders had been made administratively liable as "foreign citizens or stateless persons working illegally in Russia." "In addition, 18 people were punished for violating the regime of stay in the Russian Federation. However, it was later revealed that the violations had been eliminated partially," it said. "Under a Yevpatoria court ruling, 23 Ukrainians were again held accountable under Part 3 of Article 18.10 of the Code of Administrative Violations of the Russian Federation: they were expelled from the country and banned from entering Russia in the next five years," it added. UNIAN memo. Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea in March 2014 after its troops had occupied the peninsula. An illegal referendum was held for Crimeans to decide on accession to Russia. De-facto Crimean authorities reported that allegedly 96.77% of the Crimean population had voted for joining Russia. On March 18, 2014, the so-called agreement on the accession of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to Russia was signed in the Kremlin. The West did not recognize the annexation in response to which sanctions against Russia were introduced. Ukraine's parliament voted to designate February 20, 2014, as the official date when the temporary occupation of Crimea began. The Ukrainian authorities have taken all the steps that could reasonably have been expected of them to ensure access to the judicial system for residents of territories outside Ukraine's control. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that Ukraine is not responsible for the failure to use legal remedies in Russian-occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. "There had been no violation of Article 6 Paragraph 1 (right of access to court) of the European Convention of Human Rights," the ECHR ruled in a case of Donetsk pensioners' complaints about access to a court. The court combined seven similar complaints from Ukrainian citizens residing in the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk, according to the Ukrainian news outlet Europeiska Pravda. "The case concerned a complaint by seven residents of Donetsk that they had not been able to bring cases challenging a suspension of pension payments and other social benefits ("social benefits") before a court in the city where they lived," the court said in its summary issued on February 13. Read alsoUkraine's justice ministry reports on payments under ECHR rulingsSeven retirees and individuals entitled to social benefits, born from 1926 to 1960, who stopped receiving social payments from the Ukrainian budget after the occupation of Donbas in 2014, filed lawsuits against Ukraine. Three of them appealed to the Ukrainian government in 2015 about the resumption of social payments, while others did not do that. None of the plaintiffs challenged the Ukrainian government's decision to cease social payments in Ukrainian courts, explaining this by the fact that the Ukrainian justice system was not functioning in Donetsk since all courts were evacuated from Donbas because of Russian aggression. "This was the main complaint made by the Donetsk citizens in Strasbourg: they think Ukraine has limited their ability to apply to a court for the resumption of their social payments," Europeiska Pravda wrote. "The Court noted that because of the conflict in eastern Ukraine the authorities had moved the Donetsk courts to neighboring regions which were under Government control. There was no evidence that the applicants' personal circumstances had prevented them from traveling to the area where the courts were now located to file claims and the Government's actions had not impaired the very essence of their right of access to a court," the ECHR said. The ECHR rejected all the complaints, taking the side of Ukraine. "The Court declared a complaint by the applicants under Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 (protection of property) to the Convention about the suspension of the social benefits inadmissible for failure to use available legal remedies as they had not gone to court in the neighbouring regions, even though that option had been available to them," it said. In addition, the ECHR rejected a complaint that the failure to pay pensions and social benefits violated the plaintiffs' right to life. This was a second ruling by the ECHR related to the conflict in Donbas. The previous one was issued in the summer of 2017. It concerned the loss of control over the city of Luhansk, which is also occupied by Russia. Now the ECHR referred to this previous decision, explaining that Donetsk, was the case with Luhansk, is beyond control of Ukraine, and therefore the proper functioning of the justice system is impossible there. According to the court, Ukraine has done its utmost to restore this control. "The domestic authorities had taken all the steps that could reasonably have been expected of them to ensure access to the judicial system for residents of territories outside Government control," the court said. The enemy used proscribed weapons, namely 120mm mortars, in the Luhansk and Donetsk sectors in eastern Ukraine. Russia's hybrid military forces mounted 11 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas in the past 24 hours, with one Ukrainian soldier reported as killed in action (KIA) and another two as wounded in action (WIA). Read alsoUkrainian soldier killed in action in Donbas Monday, another defender wounded - report"A hot spot in the Luhansk sector was outside the village of Krymske, where the enemy attacked our fortified positions several times, using 120mm and 82mm mortars, grenade launchers and small arms," the press center of the Ukrainian Anti-Terrorist Operation Headquarters reported on Facebook on Tuesday morning. "The enemy resorted to 82mm mortars near the town of Popasna. The occupiers also used grenade launchers of various types to attack the Ukrainian fortified positions near the town of Svitlodarsk, and the villages of Katerynivka, Novoluhanske and Zaitseve. In addition, several shots were fired from heavy machine guns near the village of Novhorodske," the report says. In the evening, the invaders used 120mm mortars and heavy machine guns near the village of Vodiane, which is close to the Ukrainian strategic port city of Mariupol in Donetsk region. In addition, the enemy opened fire on Ukrainian positions outside the village of Opytne, using automatic grenade launchers, small arms and heavy machine guns. Peace and denuclearization were on the agenda. U.S. President Donald Trump had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, February 12. Read alsoTrump nuclear doctrine takes tougher stance toward Russia"Trump expressed his condolences regarding the crash of Saratov Airlines Flight 703 on February 11. President Trump said that the United States was standing by to assist Russian authorities in their investigation," the White House said in a readout following the call. "President Putin noted that he would meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas later today, and President Trump said that now is the time to work toward an enduring peace agreement," reads the report. It is also reported the two presidents discussed other topics of mutual concern, in particular, Trump reiterated the importance of taking further steps to ensure the denuclearization of North Korea. The administration's decision last month to hold off on new penalties targeting the defense and intelligence sectors of President Vladimir Putin's government infuriated Democrats. Three senior Democratic senators on Monday introduced a resolution pushing President Donald Trump to use the new authority over Russia sanctions that Congress overwhelmingly gave him last year. The symbolic measure from Sens. Ben Cardin of Maryland, Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Robert Menendez of New Jersey marks the latest Democratic effort to pressure the Trump administration on its delay in implementing a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill designed in part as a response to Moscow's meddling in the 2016 election that the president signed only reluctantly, according to POLITICO. Read alsoPoland's Foreign Minister: Sanctions against Russia should remain in place Polish mediaThe administration's decision last month to hold off on new penalties targeting the defense and intelligence sectors of President Vladimir Putin's government infuriated Democrats, who pointed out that the bipartisan bill Congress approved with only five opposing votes last year had designed the sanctions as mandatory. "The lack of seriousness shown by the administration in the face of a clear national security threat and even clearer congressional intent is alarming and cannot continue," Cardin said in a statement on the resolution. That legislation allowed Trump aides to hold off on new sanctions, however, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has since said his department is working on future sanctions stemming from a list of Russian oligarchs that was also required by the bill. Each of the sanctions resolution's co-sponsors plays a central role in policymaking on the issue: Cardin helped shape last year's Russia bill as the Foreign Relations Committee's ranking Democrat, a post he recently ceded back to Menendez after the Justice Department ended its corruption case against the New Jersey senator. Brown is the senior Democrat on the Banking Committee, which also helped craft the sanctions legislation. The troops were also urged not to post information about their service and unit details, and to disable geolocation on their mobile devices. Russian defense ministry has issued a set of recommendations for its staff and all military personnel on the rules of using the internet, advising that they abandon social networks. According to the Russian edition of Izvestia, the military were also urged not to post information about their service and unit details, and to disable geolocation on their mobile devices. It is noted that as of today, the rules are of an advisory nature, but the agency is already drafting amendments to the legislation that will make them mandatory. Read alsoU.S. reportedly kills more than 100 Russian, Syrian-backed fighters in 3-hour military blitzAccording to the relevant document, soldiers and officers are notified that administrators of foreign online resources have full access to personal user data. The authors of the rules remind that the postings of Russian servicemen are constantly analyzed by foreign intelligence. In this regard, photographs and video materials, tied to the terrain, can "lead to the disruption of a combat mission." In addition, the military are advised to ask their families and friends not to disseminate information about their service. The defense ministry also reminds that the materials posted online cannot be entirely deleted. They also warn that publications that foment interethnic or interreligious discord may inflict "significant reputational damage to the armed forces", and their author may be subject to administrative, disciplinary or criminal liability. Read alsoSBU releases intercepted comms between PMC Wagner chief, Russian army General on Donbas incursionEarlier, the Conflict Intelligence Team research group, referring to the information of anonymous online experts, reported the names of several mercenaries who were part of the Russian "PMC Wagner" and killed in Syria on Feb 7. (@FahadShabbir) There is a good scope of collaboration between Pakistan and Thailand in agriculture and hospitality industry as Pakistan is an agrarian country while Thailand's agriculture sector has registered robust growth and contributed heavily in exports LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :There is a good scope of collaboration between Pakistan and Thailand in agriculture and hospitality industry as Pakistan is an agrarian country while Thailand's agriculture sector has registered robust growth and contributed heavily in exports. Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Malik Tahir Javaid expressed these views during a meeting with government officials of Thailand and speaking at supreme business forums, according to LCCI spokesman here Tuesday. Chairman of the Federation of Thail Industries Chen Namchaisiri Chairman, Dr. Boonpeng Santiwattanatam, Somyod Tangmeelarp, Achana Limpaitoon, Mingpant Chaya, Ms. Kultida Charoensawad, Chartchai Singhadeja, Manus Aree, Theeraphat Kaosaiyanant, Ms. Duangchai Oden, Parinya Ketkam, Panit Sricheewachart, Ms. Wareerat Chansoontorn Analyyst, Ms. Nuntanut Kumponkanjana International Business Development Manager, Somchai Muyjeen Manager, Petrochemical Industry Club and members of the LCCI delegation also spoke on the occasion. LCCI President said that private sectors of the two countries must forward to each other and establish long-term partnership to reap fruit of huge potential in two countries. He said that this collaboration would help share and technology transfer to Pakistani agriculture sector. With an aim to attract investors of Thailand, he said that economy of Pakistan was growing steadily and its consumer market was developing rapidly, and it was emerging as trade, energy and transport corridor in Asia and this advantage made Pakistan a destination full of opportunities. "Pakistan has very good strategical location and is a gateway to the oil and mineral resources rich Central Asian Republics and also a member of SAARC which together make up a market of 1. 5 billion people. It is also close to Gulf countries and African horn. Any investment made in Pakistan will find market in these countries," he continued. Malik Tahir Javaid mentioned that World Economic Forum had declared Pakistan better than India as an emerging economy, adding that Pakistan's GDP growth reached to 5.3 percent previous year while it was expected to reach up to six percent by end this year. He said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project would change the destiny of Pakistan, as the two countries were taking ahead the project to its next stages successfully, and today, the world was eying Pakistan besides terming it as an ideal country for investment. LCCI President urged the businessmen of both countries to join hands to give new height to their respective economies. Pakistan also offered a lot of opportunities for foreign investors in the form of joint ventures with Pakistani counterparts, he maintained. LCCI President said that Thailand had highly advanced industries such as electrical appliances, computers, televisions, integrated circuits, textiles & garments, furniture, plastics. It was the second largest tungsten producer and third largest producer of tin, therefore, Thai investors could relocate some of these industries in Pakistan. The LCCI delegation members Shahid Nazir, Muhammad Wasim, Haseeb Khawar, Shabbir Bhatti, Malik Muhammad islam, Muhammad Farooq, Mian Faisal Majeed and Muhammad Arshad Bhatti also had B-2-B (Business to Business) meetings with their Thai counterparts. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Federal Minister for Housing and Works Akram Khan Durrani Tuesday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for approving Rs 715 million grant for upgradation and extension of Bannu Airport PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :Federal Minister for Housing and Works Akram Khan Durrani Tuesday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for approving Rs 715 million grant for upgradation and extension of Bannu Airport. Talking to various delegations at his residence, he said A-320 and B-737 plans could land on the airport, adding that the airport would be a gift for local people. He said now the local people would not have to travel to other cities for going abroad rather Bannu airport would reduces distances besides playing an important role in China Pakistan Economic Corridor. He said that the federal government is utilizing all available resources for welfare and development of people of Bannu district. He said JUI-F would come up to the expectations of people and to be given mandate in next general elections. Pakistan offers tremendous opportunities for businesses and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects have increased Pakistan's regional importance LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :Pakistan offers tremendous opportunities for businesses and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects have increased Pakistan's regional importance. Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) Regional Chairman and Vice President Chaudhry Arfan Yousaf expressed these views on the inauguration of Flynas Airline, according to Federation's spokesman here on Tuesday. Chaudhry Arfan said, "We live in the world of connectivity, and airline industry is rapidly changing. The growth of this industry is strongly associated with the phenomenon of globalisation; therefore, addition of Flynas to our air connectivity will robust our cooperation." He said that Saudi Arabia was the largest trading partner of Pakistan in the middle East and most of the Pakistani overseas labourer worked in Saudi Arabia, which was evident from the fact that an estimated 2. 7 million Pakistanis residing in Saudi Arabia and their remittances were the highest from any single country in the world. FPCCI regional chairman hoped that the airline would ensure quality and affordable flights to business community, religious and other travelers to and from Saudi Arabia especially Hajj and Umar pilgrims. On this occasion, Chaudhry Arfan Yousaf, Flynas Country Head Manzoor Thanvi, TDCP Managing Director Ahmed Malick, Bukhari Group Chairman Rafique Khan also gave away free airline tickets to 10 participants through lucky-draw. Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Tuesday stressed need for creating maximum job opportunities to overcome the issues of brain drain and unemployment LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Tuesday stressed need for creating maximum job opportunities to overcome the issues of brain drain and unemployment. LCCI Acting President Khawaja Khawar Rashid and Vice President Zeshan Khalil stated here that Pakistan could achieve this target through industrial expansion, improvement in ranking of ease in doing business and public-private partnership. Ease of Doing Business in Pakistan averaged 112.78 from 2008 until 2016, reaching an all time high of 148 in 2015 and a record low of 85 in 2009, they mentioned. LCCI office-bearers said that cost of doing business was hindering the growth of all sectors of economy whether it was manufacturing or agriculture. They said that Pakistani merchandise were best of the best in the world but fast losing their due place in the international market because of high input cost. They said that country faced various economic challenges in last year including decline in exports and foreign direct investment, lowest tax-to-GDP ratio and low performance of public sector entities but these challenges could be coped through meaningful partnership and dialogues between the government and the private sector. They said the government would also have to focus on agriculture, manufacturing sector, education, water, human resources, minerals, public health, tax collection system and end of corruption should be focused to get rid of economic worries. Lahore Chamber's office-bearers said that agriculture was the largest sector of Pakistan as around 43 percent labour was dependent upon agriculture, and this largest sector needed revolutionary reforms on war footing, as growth of agriculture sector would not only ensure food security and provision of raw material to the larges export-oriented industry textile but also generate huge revenue for the government and vast employment opportunities. They said that country's population was growing at the rate of 2.10 percent every year and if this growth continued for next two decades, population would cross the mark of 240 million. Pakistan needed to increase the yield per acre on steady pace therefore government should plan to bring about nine million hectors of fertile land under cultivation which was remained useless just because of shortage of water. They also stressed the need for developing regional, product-specific and target-oriented marketing strategy, while new markets and products needed to be explored to reduce country's dependence on a few commodities and countries because Pakistan's exports were concentrated in few items. They also called for revival of Engineering Development board (EBD) and other public sector enterprises. (@ChaudhryMAli88) OPF has recovered Rs 3.7 billion from overseas employers and distributed among the legal heirs of deceased overseas Pakistanis so far, whose bread earners had expired abroad during work, said Managing Director OPF Habib Ur Rehman Gillani in an interview ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :OPF has recovered Rs 3.7 billion from overseas employers and distributed among the legal heirs of deceased overseas Pakistanis so far, whose bread earners had expired abroad during work, said Managing Director OPF Habib Ur Rehman Gillani in an interview. Talking to APP here on Tuesday, he said that OPF has disbursed the bank drafts and cheques amounting to Rs 290.5 million during the year 2017 according to the procedure set out by the host countries. He said that OPF has contributed lot of efforts to recover this amount through ensuring constant follow up of the cases with the help of Pakistani Missions abroad. Managing Director further explained that the recovery of dues in form of blood money and insurance claims is more tedious job as compared to realization of out-standing amount of salary and end service benefits from employers under the labour laws of host countries. He said that in case of murder of an overseas Pakistanis or accidental death (Including traffic accidents), the determination of compensation depends upon the police report which fixes quantum of responsibility on accused. Such claims depend upon the decisions of the Qazi courts and as such take sufficient time. Gillani said that fixation of the court cases in Saudi Arabia is time consuming job for which we push the matter through Pakistani Mission and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia. He said OPF documents each and every case like court case with the help of legal heirs and process free of cost to materialize the claim of deceased from abroad. He said more than 4200 cases are under process for realization of claims. While talking about the out-standing salaries and end service benefits of repatriated overseas Pakistanis from Saudi Arabia, he said that the M/S Oger and Saad Company of Saudi Arabia were declared defaulted and their matter is subjudice and pending before the court for hearing. This office has been pursuing the matter vigorously and hopefully cases will be finalized soon according to the available information, received from Pakistan. Mission he added. He said that OPF has been contributing in number of areas to look after the interest of Pakistani expatriates like resolving their complaints, extending financial assistance, scholarships, discount in tuition fees in OPF schools and colleges, free ambulance service for transportation of dead bodies and provision of housing facilities. "Due to its prudent economic policies, Pakistan has laid the foundation of sustained economic growth and macroeconomic stability; it offers attractive trade and investment opportunities, to Canadian Investors and, on reciprocal basis, seek greater market access for its products" said Mr. Pervaiz Malik Islamabad, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018) "Due to its prudent economic policies, Pakistan has laid the foundation of sustained economic growth and macroeconomic stability; it offers attractive trade and investment opportunities, to Canadian Investors and, on reciprocal basis, seek greater market access for its products" said Mr. Pervaiz Malik, Commerce Minister of Pakistan in his meeting with the Canadian Minister for International Trade, Mr. Francois-Philippe Champagne and Minister for Immigration Mr. Ahmed Hussen, yesterday, says a press release received here today from Ottawa. The Minister informed the Canadian counterpart that under the WTO, Pakistan is looking for level playing field for export of its goods to Canadian market and issues like, travel advisory for visit to Pakistan and visa restrictions for Pakistani businessmen are hampering bilateral trade. He urged for immediate removal of these irritants in order to enhance bilateral trade volume. The Minister added that Pakistan's Investment Policy, characterized by liberalization, de-regulation and privatization, is one of the most liberal in the region and provides a conducive environment for attracting FDI. He highlighted manifold increase in FDI in energy and infrastructure projects under CPEC and international investments in automobile, telecom, manufacturing and tourism industry in Pakistan. Minister Malik underlined that Pakistan meets the priority of Canada's foreign trade in consumer products, industrial machinery, ICTG, infrastructure, mining, oil and gas, clean technologies, agriculture and education sectors. He said that with, over 200 million consumer market and large booming middle class, Pakistan is a promising market for Canadian goods, services and investment. In his remarks Mr. Champagne expressed his gratitude to the Commerce Minister for accepting the invitation to hold trade dialogue in Ottawa. He said that Canada would like to increase the trade volume between the two countries and all practical steps would be taken to enhance cooperation in the areas of mutual interest. The Minister added that Canada also seeks to enhance relations with emerging economies and partners in Asia and Pakistan certainly provides opportunity for Canadian investors to benefit from increasing demand of consumer goods and services. The Canadian Minister for Immigration briefed the Commerce Minister about the steps being taken to ease visa processing for Pakistani businessmen, students and tourists. He said that Pakistan has great potential and Canada would like to ease and facilitate visa processing for all categories in order to increase people to people ties. Both the sides agreed to hold high powered joint working group meeting in Islamabad during March 2018 to remove the hurdles in enhancing bilateral trade and to engage meaningfully to develop partnership in economic, trade, agriculture and investment sectors. (@rukhshanmir) The Supreme Court on Tuesday fixed Rs 8000 as pension for retired bank employees ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :The Supreme Court on Tuesday fixed Rs 8000 as pension for retired bank employees. The court also directed banks for five percent annual increase in the pension. A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard the case. During the course of proceedings, a counsel for UBL Bank informed the bench that bank had fixed Rs 5250 as pension amount and five percent annual increase. The court was also informed that ABL and HBL had also fixed Rs 5250 as pension. The chief justice remarked that the court would enhance minimum amount of pension. The counsel for retired bank employees termed the increase in pension a good step. Advocate Ayesha Hamid informed the court that the government had fixed Rs 15000 as minimum salary. According to formula the pension amount should be Rs 7500. The court fixed the pension Rs 8000 and remarked that it would applicable after court verdict in the case. The second Multan Literary Festival would be organized on Feb 21-22, 2018 at different venues of Multan, including BZU, University Education and Multan Tea House and other places in the historic city MULTAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) The second Multan Literary Festival would be organized on Feb 21-22, 2018 at different venues of Multan, including BZU, University education and Multan Tea House and other places in the historic city. The Organisers explaining the objectives of the festival said the activity would be carried out to attach youth with rich centuries old art, culture and literature of Multan, one of the oldest city of world. The National Book Foundation in collaboration with national and regional publishers would arrange NBF Book Fair to promote book reading culture. The main activities of this mega event would include inauguration/concluding ceremonies, book launchings, poetry sessions, panel discussions with young writers & female writers, leading literary & academic personalities, local cultural performances & tribute to artists hailing from Multan, display of stalls etc. This year, it is expected that more than 15,000 persons would visit the festival. This Festival is being collaborated with number of national, provincial and regional government departments, universities and reputed literary organizations including Punjab Higher Education Commission, National Book Foundation Pakistan, Radio Pakistan Multan, Multan Tea House, Chamber of Commerce, Inter University Consortium for Promotion of Social Sciences, an alliance of more than 35 universities and other local literary organizations. Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nizamuddin Chairperson Punjab Higher Education Commission along with notable literary personalities would inaugurate the festival this year as well. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Education Muhammad Atif has said that by the end of PTI tenure in the province each and every public sector school would be provided all the modern facilities and provision of solar energy to primary schools of backward seven southern districts is one of such examples PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Education Muhammad Atif has said that by the end of PTI tenure in the province each and every public sector school would be provided all the modern facilities and provision of solar energy to primary schools of backward seven southern districts is one of such examples. He said this while addressing signing ceremony of trilateral agreement among DFID, SDF and UNOP for the provision of solar electricity to the primary schools of seven southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including D.I.Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Karak, Kohat and Hangu. He lauded the Saudi Funds for Development involvement and contribution to such education facilities and hoped that it would further cement relations between the two nations. The Minister said that "this initiative of providing schools of Southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with solar energy is henceforth a contribution to solve energy crisis in the area and provides electricity in the schools for improved learning environment. This will have a positive impact on enrollment rate of students, their interest to attend the school. He congratulated KP Department for International Development (DFID), UK and Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and UNOPS for making the decision for contributing towards greener and smarter future for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The UNOPS Country Office in Pakistan, Department of International Department (DFID) and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) signed a UNOPS pilot project aimed at Improving Quality of Learning through Provision of Sustainable Renewable Energy Solutions in Primary Schools in Southern Districts of KPK Province, Pakistan at Islamabad, said a statement issued here Tuesday. Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Minster Education, Minister Transportation, Education Secretariat, Directorate PEDO, Secretary Planning Development KP, Chief Foreign Aid Office and Secretary Energy were present at the occasion along with UN Resident Coordinator and heads of other UN agencies and representatives of foreign missions and donor agencies. The envisaged project is to be implemented by UNOPS Pakistan Office in partnership with KP Education Department through the joint financial support of Department of International Department (DFID) and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD). In total, the generous contribution from DFID and SFD for the duration of the project will amount to about US$ 8.5 million. During his speech the Regional Director Asia Region, Mr. Sanjay Mathur, said that "with respect to students, lack of school facilities affects health, behavior, engagement, learning, and growth in achievement. If Pakistani schools can save money on power, thousands of Rupees are suddenly freed up to put into other areas of teaching and learning. In addition to enhancing education, solar panels in schools may motivate students to explore a new career field they otherwise wouldn't have considered. (@FahadShabbir) The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Country Office in Pakistan, the Department of International Department (DFID) and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) have signed a UNOPS pilot project here Tuesday which aimed at Improving Quality of Learning through Provision of Sustainable Renewable Energy Solutions in Primary Schools in Southern Districts of KPK Province ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Country Office in Pakistan, the Department of International Department (DFID) and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) have signed a UNOPS pilot project here Tuesday which aimed at Improving Quality of Learning through Provision of Sustainable Renewable Energy Solutions in Primary Schools in Southern Districts of KPK Province. High officials from the Government including Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Minister Education, Minister Transportation, education Secretariat, Directorate PEDO, Secretary Planning and Developemnt KPK, Chief Foreign Aid Office and Secretary Energy were present at the occasion along with UN Resident Coordinator and heads of other UN agencies and representatives of foreign missions and donor agencies, said a press release issued here. The envisaged project is to be implemented by UNOPS Pakistan Office in partnership with the KPK Education Department through the joint financial support of the Department of International Department (DFID) and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD). In total, the generous contribution from DFID and SFD for the duration of the project will amount to about US$ 8.5 million. In his speech the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pervaiz Khatak said: "Solar is a great fit for the schools in these seven districts because the vast majority of their power usage is during the day, when the sun is at its peak. Solar power provides a more efficient way for schools to meet their energy needs. In the long term it is anticipated the provision of energy solutions in school will convince the parents of those children who are reluctant to otherwise send their children to schools due to want of basic facilities in schools. The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is thankful to the Department for International Development (DFID), UK, Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) for making this project happen." Minister for Education Atif Khan also addressed, "This initiative of providing schools of Southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with solar energy is henceforth a contribution to the solution of energy crisis in the area and provides electricity in the schools for improved learning environment. This will have a positive impact on the enrollment rate of students, their interest to attend the school and study hard for a bright future. During his speech Sanjay Mathur, Regional Director also appreciated the efforts taken by UNOPS Pakistan for taking on this initiative and recognizing the need for it. Special thanks to Department for International Development (DFID), UK and Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) for monetarily recognizing the importance of this project and investing their gratitude and adding to the economy of the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He thanked the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for their continuous support of this project and materializing this grant." In her address Head of Office, United Nations Resident (UNRC) Sarwat underlined that, "Where the sun is shining, it's a bit like a tap running, with no one collecting the water. We're wasting perfectly good, free power. By investing in solar power on their large estates, schools can save thousands of Rupees of money spent on in-house electricity bills. Providing with basic facilities like the provision of energy solution illustrates a bright future for children of this region. While addressing the ceremony Ms. Joanna Reid, Head of Department for International Development (DFID) said, "I am delighted to be here launching this project with the Saudi Fund for Development; the first ever collaboration between DFID and the Saudi Fund for Development. This project aims to provide a sustainable way for children to have electricity at school for the first time. Not to forget that electricity also gives children a chance to connect to other communication and open up new possibilities for learning. The funds provided will enable UNOPS to install off-grid solar power systems in nearly 2000 unserved schools." In his address the SFD Head said, "I am delighted to be launching this project in collaboration DFID. I also thank UNOPS and Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for their continuous support and cooperation in the implementation of this project. This will be a turning point in the implementation of large-scale renewable energy projects. It will empower the students, provide them with opportunities and lead the province to economic and social development." The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, helping a range of partners implement around $1.4 billion worth of peace-building, humanitarian and development projects every year. UNOPS strives to become a leader in sustainability. We are working closely with governments and communities to ensure increased sustainability for the projects we support. As mandated by the UN General Assembly UNOPS specializes in Sustainable Infrastructure, Sustainable Procurement and Sustainable Project Management. Governor Punjab Malik Muhammad Rafiq Rajwana who is also the Chancellor of Islamia University of Bahawalpur, has said that nations can only progress with a strong economy and academic profile Bahawalpur, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018) : Governor Punjab Malik Muhammad Rafiq Rajwana who is also the Chancellor of Islamia University of Bahawalpur, has said that nations can only progress with a strong economy and academic profile. He said that the era of globalization has opened new avenues of prosperity around the globe adding that government is paying special attention for the provision of quality education at highest level to the students of South Punjab. The Governor Punjab stated this while addressing as a chief guest of 13th convocation of the Islamia University of Bahawalpur on Tuesday. On this occasion, the Governor Punjab along with Prof. Dr. Qaiser Mushtaq, Vice Chancellor distributed medals and certificates among position holders' students which including 1877 graduates out which 24 scholars got degrees of PhD, 84 got MPhil, 99 got gold medals and 85students silver medal in various disciplines. Congratulating the successful students, Malik Muhammad Rafiq Rajwana urged them to share and use their expertise and knowledge in the practical field for the nation building of the society. He said that our youth has immense potential and guarantees bright future that is a reason the present government is investing in education. He said, we are facing huge challenges of global economic competition, only our youth with its capabilities can help to overcome these challenges. Malik Muhammad Rafiq Rajwana termed student's talent, a great asset, shaping our future and a great opportunity for our youth to brighten their career development. He asked the faculty members to come forward and impart quality education to students so that they can meet the challenges of modern age. He congratulated the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Qaiser Mushtaq on transforming this university into a hub of collaborative academic and research activities in the past three years. He hoped that the University will soon be among the top most universities of the country. Earlier, Prof Dr Qaiser Mushtaq, Vice Chancellor in his welcome address highlighted the achievements of the university and said that university's ranking among other universities of the country has increased manifolds and standing at eleventh position in national ranking and sixth in research in Punjab due to completion of different mega developmental and educational projects. The Department of International Department (DFID), The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and UNOPS Country Office in Pakistan sign a pilot project aimed at Improving Quality of Learning through Provision of Sustainable Renewable Energy Solutions in Primary Schools in Southern Districts of KPK Province, Pakistan ISLAMABAD,(UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018) : The Department of International Department (DFID), The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and UNOPS Country Office in Pakistan sign a pilot project aimed at Improving Quality of Learning through Provision of Sustainable Renewable Energy Solutions in Primary Schools in Southern Districts of KPK Province, Pakistan The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Education Muhammad Atif has said that by the end of the tenure of PTI led government in the Province each and every public sector school is not only completely provided all basic facilities but equipped with most modern facilities. The provision of solar energy to the primary schools of the otherwise backward seven southern districts is one of such examples. He lauded the Saudi Funds for Development involvement and contribution to such education facilities and hoped that it will further cement the brotherly relations between the two nations. He was addressing on the occasion of the signing ceremony of the trilateral agreement among DFID, SDF and UNOP for the provision of solar electricity to the primary schools of seven southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These Districts included D.I.Kha, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Karak, Kohat and Hangu. The Minister said that this initiative of providing schools of Southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with solar energy is henceforth a contribution to the solution of energy crisis in the area and provides electricity in the schools for improved learning environment. This will have a positive impact on the enrollment rate of students, their interest to attend the school and study hard for a bright future. Congratulations again to the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Department for International Development (DFID), UK and Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and UNOPS for making the decision to contribute to a greener, smarter future for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The UNOPS Country Office in Pakistan, the Department of International Department (DFID) and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) signed a UNOPS pilot project aimed at Improving Quality of Learning through Provision of Sustainable Renewable Energy Solutions in Primary Schools in Southern Districts of KPK Province, Pakistan at the Serena Hotel. High officials from the Government including Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Minster Education, Minister Transportation, Education Secretariat, Directorate PEDO, Secretary Planning Development KP, Chief Foreign Aid Office and Secretary Energy were present at the occasion along with UN Resident Coordinator and heads of other UN agencies and representatives of foreign missions and donor agencies. The envisaged project is to be implemented by UNOPS Pakistan Office in partnership with the KP Education Department through the joint financial support of the Department of International Department (DFID) and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD). In total, the generous contribution from DFID and SFD for the duration of the project will amount to about US$ 8.5 million. During his speech the Regional Director Asia Region, Mr. Sanjay Mathur, said that with respect to students, lack of school facilities affects health, behavior, engagement, learning, and growth in achievement. If Pakistani schools can save money on power, thousands of Rupees are suddenly freed up to put into other areas of teaching and learning. In addition to enhancing education, solar panels in schools may motivate students to explore a new career field they otherwise wouldn't have considered. With pleasure I appreciate the efforts taken by UNOPS Pakistan for taking on this initiative and recognizing the need for it. Special thanks to Department for International Development (DFID), UK and Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) for monetarily recognizing the importance of this project and investing their gratitude and adding to the economy of the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. I also thank the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for their continuous support of this project and materializing this grant. In her address Head of Office, United NationsResident (UNRC) Ms. Sarwat underlined that, where the sun is shining, it's a bit like a tap running, with no one collecting the water. We're wasting perfectly good, free power. By investing in solar power on their large estates, schools can save thousands of Rupees of money spent on in-house electricity bills. Providing with basic facilities like the provision of energy solution illustrates a bright future for children of this region. Also by having solar panels we are making a statement about how we feel about the environment. Generating enough clean electricity to power 1959 boys and girls schools could save thousands of volume of carbon emissions off the environment. While addressing the ceremony Ms. Joanna Reid, Head of Department for International Development (DFID) said, I am delighted to be here launching this project with the Saudi Fund for Development; the first ever collaboration between DFID and the Saudi Fund for Development. This project aims to provide a sustainable way for children to have electricity at school for the first time. Not to forget that electricity also gives children a chance to connect to other communication and open up new possibilities for learning. The funds provided will enable UNOPS to install off-grid solar power systems in nearly 2000 unserved schools. In his address the SFD Head Mr. Yousef Ibrahim Albassam said, I am delighted to be launching this project in collaboration DFID. I also thank UNOPS and Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for their continuous support and cooperation in the implementation of this project. This will be a turning point in the implementation of large-scale renewable energy projects. It will empower the students, provide them with opportunities and lead the province to economic and social development. The Islamabad based ambassador of Saudi Arabia Prince Nawaf Saeed Ahmed Al-Malkiy said that it is for the first time that the SDF was contributing to such a project and assured that it will further be extended. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, helping a range of partners implement around $1.4 billion worth of peace-building, humanitarian and development projects every year. UNOPS strives to become a leader in sustainability. We are working closely with governments and communities to ensure increased sustainability for the projects we support. As mandated by the UN General Assembly UNOPS specializes in Sustainable Infrastructure, Sustainable Procurement and Sustainable Project Management. Chinese Consulate, as part of its social responsibility initiatives has partnered with the Aman Foundation to support their life-saving Ambulance program. KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018) : Chinese Consulate, as part of its social responsibility initiatives has partnered with the Aman Foundation to support their life-saving Ambulance program. The partnership was announced at the launch of a woman empowerment event here at Aman Foundation head office. The woman empowerment program at Aman Tech is a female vocational training program focused to empower women from marginalized communities. The ceremony was attended by Mr. Wang Yu, Honorable Consul General of China and Mr. Nasir Hussain Shah, Information and Labor Minister among other supporters of Aman Foundation. The Aman Foundation's flagship Aman Ambulances have made 950,000+ interventions to date. While there are other ambulance services present and doing a great service to Pakistan, Aman Ambulances are the only ones with the necessary life-saving medicines and medical equipment, along with trained medical personnel to handle emergencies effectively. As of now, Karachi has only 1 life-saving ambulance for every 340,000 people whereas as per international protocols there must be 1 for every 100,000 people. Honorable Consul General of China, Mr. Wang Yu said on the occasion, We strongly believe in supporting societies we live and work in. China places great emphasis on contributing to the development in Pakistan. CPEC, a unit of the global Belt and Road programme, has successfully completed many infrastructure, transport and energy projects in Pakistan. As Chinese industry now increases its presence in Pakistan, it becomes even more necessary for Chinese businesses to contribute to local communities and integrate with them. I am pleased to contribute to Aman Ambulances and fully appreciate the remarkable service it is providing to people in Sindh by saving many lives. The Aman Foundation has developed some outstanding programs, and I am confident that they will continue to do so in the future, in order to solve the most pressing social issues facing the people in Pakistan. China is committed to investing in meaningful causes and working towards a more sustainable future for Pakistan. Nasir Hussain Shah, Information and Labor Minister, Sindh further added The woman empowerment initiative by Aman Foundation will spark a new wave of revolution. I strongly believe that a strong woman stands up for herself and for everybody else. After the success of the Aman Ambulance operations in Thatta and Sujawal, I congratulate the Aman Foundation for another milestone achieved. Our Sindh Peoples Ambulance Service operations in the two districts have created positive impact and we are working towards increasing the service throughout the province Malik Ahmad Jalal, CEO, Aman Foundation, expressed his gratitude by stating, I am pleased that Amans vision of transforming lives is shared by China and I thank them for their generosity and investment in providing better healthcare services for the citizens of Karachi via the Aman Ambulance service. We look forward to further collaborations with China and expand Amans life-saving ambulatory service to areas where CPEC projects are under implementation. Ahmad Jalal, stressed on the need of life-saving ambulances in the city Karachi alone needs more than 230 life-saving ambulances to cater to the demand. Through partnerships and donations, we strive to expand and save millions of lives. He added. (@rukhshanmir) UNITED NATIONS, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :Pakistan has called for expanding the United Nations Military Observer Mission in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), which monitors the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, to enable the mission deal with the rising tensions in the disputed region. "This (UNMOGIP) needs to be expanded to respond to existing threats and realities," Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, told the UN Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations on Monday. UNMOGIP, she emphasized, was a "critical factor for stability: in the region. The special committee brings together all stakeholders of peacekeeping -- the U.N.'s flagship activity -- troop and police contributors, financial contributors, Security Council members and the UN Secretariat. As the committee opened its 2018 substantive session, Ambassador Lodhi said that Security Council mandates based on political expediency complicated the situation on the ground vis-a-vis the security of United Nations peacekeepers. Peacekeeping fundamentals must be preserved even when adapting to changing realities, she said, adding that blurring the line between peacekeeping and peace enforcement would impact on the impartiality of the Blue Helmets. While underscoring the need for political solutions, the ambassador said there could be no lasting peace without addressing the root causes of conflict. "Peacekeeping needs to be strengthened through support for political solutions and mediation processes," she said. "The goal of protection of civilians is best served by preventing the outbreak of armed conflicts in the first place, addressing the root causes of conflicts, and finding inclusive political solutions to disputes." The lack of adequate resources inevitably led to non-implementation of mandates, the Pakistani envoy said. "We should be talking about enhancing capabilities, not across-the-board cuts in the peacekeeping budget," she said, adding that it was time to take stock of troop and equipment pledges in the light of remaining capability gaps. Ambassador Lodhi also called for addressing the growing threat to the safety and security of UN peacekeepers that are increasingly being deployed in complex and perilous operating environments. Citing the recent death of a Pakistani peacekeeper in the Democratic Republic of Congo, she said this does not weaken the troop contributors' resolve to serve the cause of international peace and security, but "we do want to take whatever steps we can take to ensure their safety." The Pakistani envoy referred to the recently released report on "Improving Security of United Nations Peacekeepers" that provides an insight into the challenges ahead and also the course that could be followed. The report was prepared for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres by Lt. Gen. Carlos Alberto dos Santos Cruz, a retired Brazilian military officer. In this regard, she said that useful discussion took place with Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Jean Pierre Le Croix on the report in the Pakistan/Morocco-led Group of Troop and Police Contributing Countries, and hoped for further deliberations on the matter. In his remarks, UN General Assembly President Miroslav Lajcak, underscoring the need for a stronger focus on conflict prevention in peace operations, declared: "The United Nations was created to save people from the horrors of war, not to react once those horrors are in motion." He appealed for a more inclusive approach to peacekeeping in general, including by bolstering the use of gender advisers and the deployment of women. Despite recent strides in that regard, "when it comes to gender, peacekeeping is in a bad state," he stated. APP/ift (@ChaudhryMAli88) Around 800,000 (0.8 million) unregistered Afghan refugees have been documented under Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) project introduced after the approval of Federal Cabinet to give them identity ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :Around 800,000 (0.8 million) unregistered Afghan refugees have been documented under Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) project introduced after the approval of Federal Cabinet to give them identity. These Afghans will be linked with government of Afghanistan and repatriated with assistance of International Organization for Migration (IOM). Highlighting the steps taken by government for repatriation of Afghan Refugees from the country during last four years, sources at States and Frontier Regions Division on Tuesday said a comprehensive policy for Management and Repatriation of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan is also under consideration. The sources said repatriation of registered Afghan Refugees is guided by principle of voluntarism and gradualism as embedded in Tripartite Agreement signed between governments of Pakistan, Afghanistan and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The sources said Federal Cabinet in its meeting held on January 03, 2018 extended legal stay of registered Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards and Tripartite Agreement upto January 31, 2018. The Ministry of SAFRON also submitted summary for further extension in PoR Cards and Tripartite Agreement till June 30, 2018 which is under consideration of the Cabinet. The sources said under this programme more than 4.3 million registered Afghan refugees have been repatriated to Afghanistan since 2002 which is marked as the largest voluntary repatriation programme in UNHCR's history. The government of Pakistan encourages repatriation of Afghan nationals to their country of origin. Repatriation of Afghans is also considered as the most preferred option. During last four years, maximum repatriation has been carried out in 2016 when repatriation grant for returnees was increased from US $ 200 to US $ 400 per returnee by UNHCR which was again decreased to US $ 200 in 2017. The government of Pakistan has approached the traditional/non-traditional donors to provide funding to increase repatriation grant to US $ 400 so that maximum reparation may be carried out. Similarly, Ministry of SAFRON is approaching government of Afghanistan to initiate developmental projects, especially for returnee Afghan Refugees from Pakistan. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb says Senate nomination papers of Ishaq Dar were rejected on baseless reasons. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Feb, 2018) : Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb says Senate nomination papers of Ishaq Dar were rejected on baseless reasons. In a statement on Monday, she said PMLN will not accept this rejection on technical objections and will appeal against this decision. She said Ishaq Dar has worked hard for improvement in the economy and his services were acknowledged internationally. The 107th birth anniversary of intellectual revolutionary and famous poet of the Urdu language, Faiz Ahmed Faiz was observed on Tuesday ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :The 107th birth anniversary of intellectual revolutionary and famous poet of the urdu language, Faiz Ahmed Faiz was observed on Tuesday . According to private news channel , Faiz Ahmed Faiz was born February 13 in 1911 in Sialkot in an academic family that was well known in literary circles. Local poets and writers were often gathered in his home, who met to promote the literacy movement in his native province. His father Sultan Muhammad Khan was a barrister who worked for the British Government, and an autodidact. Faiz was an intellectual, revolutionary poet, and one of the most celebrated writers of Urdu language, having been nominated four times for the Nobel prize for literature. Faiz also wrote poetry in Punjabi language. A notable member of the Progressive Writers' Movement (PWM), Faiz received the Lenin Peace Prize by the Soviet Union in 1962. His work remains influential in Pakistan literature and arts. Faiz's literary work was posthumously publicly honored when the Pakistan Government conferred upon him the nation's highest civil award, Nishan-e-Imtiaz, in 1990. . MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar will submit a plea in Election Commission of Pakistan seeking the dissolution of Rabta Committee Karachi, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018) : MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar will submit a plea in Election Commission of Pakistan seeking the dissolution of Rabta Committee. His decision came after the committee sacked him as convener of the political party and selected the deputy convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui on his place. Sattar has called for fresh intra-party polls on February 17. He has asked the Bahdurabad faction to return before the said date so that they can form the committee altogether. On the other hand, a spokesperson of ECP refuted the claims of MQM-P Bahadurabad faction and said that the party is not registered under the name of Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. He also said that the ECP has not entertained any application regarding change of MQM-P leadership and added that the party retains its old status in the ECP. The spokesperson further said that change in MQM-P leadership can be taken only after the new party elections. He also clarified that ECP's Sindh returning officer decided to award Senate ticket as per the MQM-P constitution. Apart from this, rift among the two factions over the party's election symbol 'kite' has also emerged. Pacing ahead, the Bahadurabad faction has placed kites outside their office. Earlier on Monday, Khalid Maqbool led MQM-P claimed that MQM-P is now registered under the name of Siddiqui,who will preside over the Rabita Committee meetings from now on. The party members also told that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has allotted them the Kite symbol, which they will use in the upcoming elections in the parliament. It should be noted here that MQM-P was divided into factions after Dr Sattar insisted to have Kamran Tessori contest Senate elections scheduled in March. ECP has accepted the nomination papers for upcoming Senate elections forwarded by Khalid Maqbool Siddique and Tessori. The commission accepted papers of Barrister Farogh Naseem and Nasreen Jalil which bore signatures of the newly-appointed convener. Earlier on Monday night, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan leader Farooq Sattar termed prevailing Rabita Committee (RC) illegal and unconstitutional. While talking to journalists outside his residence in PIB Colony, Sattar said that party activists authorized him to conduct intra-party elections. He urged the party workers and leaders to boycott the prevailing Rabita Committee. Farooq Sattar said that Bahadurabad drama should be closed. He said that he will issue the tickets for elections-2018 and added that the symbol of kite will be allotted to him. Sattar said that he will announced an interim committee tonight. (@ChaudhryMAli88) At least four people including women died and two others injured in separate incidents of roof collapsed due to heavy rain in Peshawar and Lower Dir on Tuesday Peshawar/lower Dir, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018) : At least four people including women died and two others injured in separate incidents of roof collapsed due to heavy rain in Peshawar and Lower Dir on Tuesday. According to details, two people including Jamil 55, and his 11-year-old son Noman died while a woman was injured when dilapidated roof of house in the provincial capital Peshawar collapsed after the heavy rain lashed the area. Two women died and a kid was injured when roof of house collapsed after heavy rain lashed tehsil Manda of district Lower Dir. The rescue teams in assistance with the local people pulled out the bodies and injured from the debris and shifted them to different hospitals of respective cities. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Newly appointed Turkish ambassador to Pakistan Ishan Mustafa Yurdakul called on Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday, said a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations. RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Feb, 2018) : Newly appointed Turkish ambassador to Pakistan Ishan Mustafa Yurdakul called on Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday, said a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations. During the meeting, the army chief and the Turk envoy discussed matters of mutual interest, including regional security issues. The two noted the exceptional mutual relations between the countries and pledged to further improve the same, added ISPR. Yurdakul, during his visit, also acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan Armys contributions for peace and stability in the region. In a separate meeting, the chief of army staff also met the Iranian ambassador to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost. During the meeting matters of mutual interest and Pak-Iran border management were discussed, said the army's media wing. (@FahadShabbir) Steady growth in the population of Karachi has turned provision for quality and cost effective housing facilities a serious challenge for the people as well as the government, said Sindh Governor, Muhammad Zubair KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :Steady growth in the population of Karachi has turned provision for quality and cost effective housing facilities a serious challenge for the people as well as the government, said Sindh Governor, Muhammad Zubair. Addressing a meeting to review New Malir Housing Scheme here Tuesday, he said government sponsored Low Cost Housing project was much warranted to meet the residential demands for people with limited resources. He appreciated that scheme for low income groups would enable them to acquire ownership of flats and plots on easy installments. The meeting was also attended by senior officials of Malir Development Authority (MDA) including Additional Director General, Muhammad Sohail Khan and others. Governor Muhammad Zubair expressed his confidence that timely and efficient completion of the scheme will help masses acquire their abode within their limited resources. Appreciating that provision of low cost housing schemes was among the priorities of the provincial government, he said Federal government is also willing to extend every possible support to further streamline the facility. He urged the MDA officials to expedite the development process of the scheme with adequate attention towards provision for essential civic amenities. Syed Shahid Aleem, a representatives of the concerned allottees on the occasion informed the Governor that of the total 25 sectors of the scheme possession has been given only in two sectors. Many of the allottees also built their houses in the given sectors, he said mentioning that non availability of basic facilities has, however, exposed them to grave difficulties. Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry has said that although Pakistan desired good relations with the US, it cannot be made a scapegoat for the failures of others in Afghanistan ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry has said that although Pakistan desired good relations with the US, it cannot be made a scapegoat for the failures of others in Afghanistan. "Peace in Afghanistan is in Pakistan's own interest. However, peace will remain elusive by the pursuit of a purely military solution and that political reconciliation is the only option to move forward," he said while delivering a talk on Pakistan-US relations at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) last night, a message received here Tuesday said. The event was arranged by the Center for India and South Asia of UCLA. In his remarks, the ambassador highlighted the importance of having good relations between Pakistan and the United States, which had historically seen highs and lows in the last 70 years. He said both countries had benefited whenever they had worked together. Therefore, he added, it was imperative that they continued to work together to secure peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region, despite strained ties due to divergent approaches. The ambassador said there were no safe havens in Pakistan today, thanks to the remarkable success of military operations in the tribal areas conducted by Pakistani security forces in the last three years. He added that relations between Pakistan and the US had always been broad-based and multifaceted and they could not be held hostage to the situation in Afghanistan. Drifting away from each other, he said, would not be in the interest of either country. He expressed the hope that even if relations between both governments were under stress, people to people contacts and private sector engagements remained strong and robust. In the Q&A session, the ambassador responded to queries related to Pakistan's relations with the US, China, Afghanistan, India and the situation in Central Asia as well as South Asia. Earlier, he gave an overview of the evolving global geo-strategic and socio-economic trends which were redefining international relations. Faculty members and students of UCLA as well as local Pakistani American community representatives attended the event. President Mamnoon Hussain on Tuesday said Pakistan had successfully overcome several complex issues including countering terrorism and stabilizing national economy ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :President Mamnoon Hussain on Tuesday said Pakistan had successfully overcome several complex issues including countering terrorism and stabilizing national economy. The President said this while addressing the inauguration ceremony of first International Deans Conference of Engineering Institutions organized by Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC). The President stated that during last few decades, the country had to face various problems including terrorism which caused a debilitating impact on the economy and increased unemployment. He said the situation also affected the people associated with the profession of engineering and he underlined that now there was a change in circumstances. He emphasized that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was not only beneficial for Pakistan and China but for the entire region. He underscored that it was an age of connectivity and its latest manifestation had emerged in the shape of CPEC. President Mamnoon expressed satisfaction that Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) was cognizant of the future requirements and they had also charted out a strategy in order to discharge these responsibilities. He highlighted that many countries of the world including those of Central Asia had pinned many expectations with this project. Therefore, it is necessary that PEC and all other national institutions should recognize their responsibilities in this regard, he added. He stated that PEC had also a huge responsibility in these matters apart from other relevant organizations and stressed that it was, therefore, imperative that international standards must be kept in consideration during the development of projects. He emphasized on ensuring quality of international standards in carrying out the projects related to CPEC and hoped that such discussions would provide basis for the improvement of engineering education and professional standards in Pakistan. He called upon the PEC to prepare viable proposals in this regard and expressed hope that these suggestions would be helpful in developing engineering service structure in the country. The President expressed his pleasure on Pakistan's becoming a signatory of Washington Accord last year and termed it of vital importance for the field of engineering. He hoped that participation in this important international forum would strengthen engineering sector in Pakistan and would also help in further accelerating the pace of national development. Chairman Higher Education Commission Prof Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Vice Chairman Pakistan Engineering Council, Secretary General Malaysian Society for Engineering and Technology Prof. Muhammad Noor, Engr. Dr. Jameel Ahmed and local and foreign experts were also present in the ceremony. Federal Minister for Science and Technology Rana Tanveer Hussain also addressed at the event. Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa said on Tuesday that the path to regional peace and stability passes through Afghanistan Rawalpindi, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018) : Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa said on Tuesday that the path to regional peace and stability passes through Afghanistan. According to the ISPR press release, the army chief attended Chiefs of Defence (CHOD) Conference held in Kabul today, which was attended by Commander US CENTCOM, Commander Resolute Support Mission (RSM) and Army Chiefs of Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. COAS Bajwa addressed the gathering, saying that regions develop as whole and not in the form of individual countries. The army chief said that Pakistan has eradicated all terrorist sanctuaries from its soil, however, residual signs of terrorists are being traced and targeted through the ongoing Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad. The ISPR mentioned that the army chief said terrorists try to take advantage of the presence of 2.7 million Afghan refugees and absence of effective border security coordination. The army chief once again assured that the Pakistani territory will not be used against any other country and Pakistan also expects reciprocation in this regard, said the ISPR press statement. He said that collaborative approach and persistence is the answer to all challenges, for which Pakistan is willing to play its part, said the ISPR. (@ChaudhryMAli88) RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa Tuesday reiterated that the path to regional peace and stability passed through Afghanistan. He was speaking at the Chiefs of Defence (CHOD) Conference held at Kabul, said a statement issued here by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Commander USCENTCOM, Commander Resolute Support Mission (RSM) and Army Chiefs of Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan also attended the Conference. The conference concluded to continue cooperation for peace and stability in the region. The COAS said that regions developed as a whole, not individual countries. He said Pakistan had eliminated all terrorist sanctuaries from its soil, however, residual signatures of terrorists, who take advantage of presence of 2.7 million Afghan refugees and absence of effective border security coordination, were also being traced and targeted through ongoing operation Radd ul Fasaad. He assured that Pakistani territory is not allowed to be used against any other country and Pakistan expected the same in reciprocity. He said that collaborative approach and persistence was the answer to all challenges, for which Pakistan was ready to play its part. Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said Tuesday that Afghanistan was our neighboring country and a peaceful Afghanistan was in the favour of Pakistan and the entire region ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said Tuesday that Afghanistan was our neighboring country and a peaceful Afghanistan was in the favour of Pakistan and the entire region. He said that Pakistan would like to have good relations with the United States as well as with all its neighbors based on mutual respect and equality. He said this while talking to Ambassador of Germany Martin Kobler and the participants of the 2018 Course for Senior Officials of the Federal academy of Security Policy of Germany in the meetings separately in Parliament House on Tuesday, said a press release here. He said that Pakistan and Germany enjoyed cordial and cooperative relations which needed to be further strengthened through substantive and long term parliamentary and economic cooperation. He emphasized the need for a regular interaction between political leadership, parliamentarians and people of both the countries that would take the existing relations to the new heights. Underlining the need for exploring possibilities, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq added that Pakistan was potential country for investment with emphasis on trade and development for enhancing cooperation between the two countries. This will strengthen impetus of bilateral economic relations among the two countries, he added. Exchanging views on global and regional issues, he remarked that Pakistan had a keen interest in promoting regional stability and was making consistent efforts for regional peace and economic stability. The speaker asserted that Germany remained one of the vocal and staunch supporters of Pakistan and political engagement on both sides of the country would bring the nations closer and pave ways for inter-parliamentary diplomacy and cooperation. While answering the question regarding stability in Afghanistan, the Speaker said that Pakistan wanted to strengthen relations with Afghanistan and work together for peace and prosperity in the region. "Pakistan and Afghanistan are victims of terrorism and both suffered a lot from the menace of extremism. Joint strategy and closer cooperation to address the root causes of terrorism should be needed between two neighbours" SardarAyazSadiqsaid. He also briefed about the visit of the high powered Pakistani parliamentary delegation to Afghanistan and shared the detail of the meetings with Afghan leadership. The Speaker also informed the objectives of the First Speakers Conference held in December 2017 where Speakers from Russia, Turkey, Iran, China and Afghanistan attended the moot and discussed the ways how to tackle the menace of terrorism in the region as well connect with each other for prosperity and development. Regarding Pak-US relation, the Speaker said that we would like to have good relations with the United States based on mutual respect and equality. All the political parties in the Parliament are on the same page on the issues of Pak- US relation that our foreign policy would never be shaped under any foreign influence, he said. While answering the question about Pak-India relation, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that we want better bilateral relations with India without any compromise on the dignity and honour of Pakistan. "Moving forward" with India is not possible by brushing Kashmir issue aside. Regional peace and inclusive development, not only for the sub-continent but for the entire region will remain a mere dream, if the international community keeps side stepping the Kashmir issue, the Speaker said. Earlier the German Ambassador Martin Kobler acknowledged the sentiments of the Speaker and said that his government also attaches immense importance to its relations with Pakistan and wants to further cement them through cooperation in diverse fields. He agreed that frequent interaction between business communities and parliamentarians would be beneficial for both the nations. He said that Germany, as Europe's largest economy, was keen to maintain intensive and friendly relations with Pakistan. He further said that Germany would continue to support Pakistan at the regional as well as international level in its efforts towards achieving democratic and economic development. Speaker National Assembly (NA) Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that Afghanistan is our neighboring country and a peaceful Afghanistan is in the favour of Pakistan and the entire region says Pakistan Wants Mutual Respect, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018) : Speaker National Assembly (NA) Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that Afghanistan is our neighboring country and a peaceful Afghanistan is in the favour of Pakistan and the entire region. He said that Pakistan would like to have good relations with the United States (US) as well as with our neighbours based on mutual respect and equality. The Speaker NA expressed these views while talking to Ambassador of Germany Mr. Martin Kobler and the participants of the 2018 Course for Senior Officials of the Federal academy of Security Policy of Germany in the meetings separately in Parliament House, on Tuesday. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that Pakistan and Germany enjoys cordial and cooperative relations which needs to be further strengthened through substantive and long term parliamentary and economic cooperation. He also emphasized the need for a regular interaction between political leadership, parliamentarians and people of both the countries that would take the existing relations to new heights. Underlining the need for exploring possibilities, the Speaker NA said that Pakistan is potential country for investment with emphasis on trade and development for enhancing cooperation between the two countries. This will strengthen impetus of bilateral economic relations among the two countries, he added. Exchanging views on global and regional issues, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq remarked that Pakistan has a keen interest in promoting regional stability and is making consistent efforts for regional peace and economic stability. The speaker asserted that Germany remains one of the vocal and staunch supporters of Pakistan and political engagement on both sides of the country will bring the nations closer and pave ways for inter-parliamentary diplomacy and cooperation. Responding to question regarding stability in Afghanistan, the Speaker NA said that Pakistan wanted to strengthen relations with Afghanistan and work together for peace and prosperity in the region. "Pakistan and Afghanistan are victims of terrorism and both suffered a lot from the menace of extremism. Joint strategy and closer cooperation to address the root causes of terrorism should be needed between two neighbours," Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said. He also briefed the visit of the high powered Pakistani parliamentary delegation to Afghanistan and shared the detail of the meetings with Afghan leadership. The Speaker also informed the objectives of the First Speakers Conference held in December 2017 where Speakers from Russia, Turkey, Iran, China and Afghanistan were attended and discussed the ways how to tackle the menace of terrorism in the region as well connect with each other for prosperity and development. Regarding Pak- US relation, the Speaker said that we would like to have good relations with the United States based on mutual respect and equality. All the political parties in the Parliament are on the same page on the issues of Pak- US relation that our foreign policy will never be shaped under any foreign influence, he said. While answering the question about Pak-India relation, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that we want better bilateral relations with India without any compromise on the dignity and honour of Pakistan. "Moving forward" with India is not possible by brushing Kashmir issue aside. Regional peace and inclusive development, not only for the sub-continent but for the entire region will remain a mere dream, if the international community keeps side stepping the Kashmir issue, the Speaker said. Earlier the German Ambassador Mr. Martin Kobler acknowledged the sentiments of the Speaker and said that his government also attaches immense importance to its relations with Pakistan and wants to further cement them through cooperation in diverse fields. He agreed that frequent interaction between business communities and parliamentarians would be beneficial for both the nations. He also highlighted that Germany as Europe's largest economy, is keen to maintain intensive and friendly relations with Pakistan. He further said that Germany would continue to support Pakistan at the regional as well as international level in its efforts towards achieving democratic and economic development. (@rukhshanmir) The Supreme Court, during the Naqeebullah Mehsud murder case hearing Tuesday, granted protective bail to former SSP Rao Anwar, ordering him to appear on Friday. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018) : The Supreme Court, during the Naqeebullah Mehsud murder case hearing Tuesday, granted protective bail to former SSP Rao Anwar, ordering him to appear on Friday. A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard the case of extra-judicial killing at the Islamabad registry. During todays hearing, a representative of Rao Anwar filed his letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan in which he claimed innocence. Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar observed that Rao Anwar should not be arrested but be given an opportunity to present himself before the court. Let him come to court. We shall constitute a JIT for him, said the chief justice. If something happens to Rao Anwar then all evidence will be eliminated. The bench granted protective bail to Rao Anwar and directed him to appear on Friday. Rao Anwar had claimed on January 13 he killed four operatives of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in an encounter near Shah Latif Town in Karachi. Naqeebullah was one of them. Naqeeb remained unaccounted for at least ten days after which his family recognized him when news channels aired pictures of terrorists killed in an encounter. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf Tuesday said that due to excellent Hajj arrangements made last year by the government in Saudi Arabia, record number of applications were submitted this year by the citizens for government Hajj scheme RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf Tuesday said that due to excellent Hajj arrangements made last year by the government in Saudi Arabia, record number of applications were submitted this year by the citizens for government Hajj scheme. He informed that the banks received over 375,000 applications for 2018 Government Hajj Scheme, out of which 120,000 intending Hajj pilgrims under the Scheme would be sent to Saudi Arabia. He said this while talking to media at the groundbreaking ceremony of a Jamia Masjid Fatima-uz-Zahra here at Adiala Road. He said, the government has formulated a policy to facilitate the intending hajj pilgrims. Sardar Yousaf, to a question informed that a quota of 65,000 Hujjaj would be given to the private sector so that they could also send the intending Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. He further said, the government had adopted a transparent policy for 2018 Hajj scheme, adding different committees formed in this regard were approved by federal cabinet. The Minister hoped that the Supreme Court would soon announce a verdict in Hajj quota case. The minister said, the government is also striving for the resolution of the problems being faced by prayer leaders (Imam Masajid). Sardar Yousaf said, all out efforts would be made to facilitate the Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and best arrangements would be made like last years. Record number of applications reflect the citizens' confidence on government hajj scheme as last year, the Pakistani Hujjaj were satisfied with the arrangements made in Saudia, he added. To another question he said, uniform prayer timings (Nizam-e-Salat) was prepared for federal capital but, it could not be implemented fully, adding, National Ulema and Mashaikh Council was constituted at central level to play a role in addressing the issues of Imams of Masajid. He said, support of the citizens particularly traders and civil society was needed to implement uniform prayer timings in Islamabad. Among others, Moulana Abdul Majeed Hazarvi from Jamia Farqania, Rawalpindi, Moulana Qari Wali ur Rehman Sajid, Shafqat Umar Bhatti and other ulema and Mashaikh were present on the occasion, . The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday restrained Sindh police from arresting former SSP Malir Rao Anwar facing charges of leading a fake encounter which resulted in the death of aspiring fashion model Naqeebullah Mehsud. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018) : The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday restrained Sindh police from arresting former SSP Malir Rao Anwar facing charges of leading a fake encounter which resulted in the death of aspiring fashion model Naqeebullah Mehsud. Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, who heard a suo motu case regarding the extrajudicial murder of Naqeeb, directed the police not to arrest the suspended police officer. He directed Anwar, who has been eluding the police since registration of a murder case against him, to appear before the court on next hearing on Friday. The chief justice ordered that the absconding police officer would be provided protection and a joint investigation team would be formed in line with his demands to probe the charges against him. Sindh police chief Allah Dino Khowaja informed the court that a committee had been constituted to trace whereabouts of Anwar. CJP Nisar admonished him over failure to arrest the absconding cop, saying the court would have to arrest him now. Quoting a letter written to him by Rao Anwar, the chief justice said the suspended SSP claimed that he was innocent and was not present at the time of the encounter. In an earlier hearing, the apex court had ordered all state institutions to extend support to Sindh Police to trace the former SSP Malir. He had set 10-day deadline for the Sindh police chief to ensure his arrest. Naqeebullah Mehsud was killed in a staged encounter led by former SSP Rao Anwar on January 13, 2018 in the eastern suburb of Karachi. The police officer claimed that Mehsud had links with proscribe organisations like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and the Islamic State. A Joint Investigation Team (JIT) formed to probe the case later revealed that Naqeebullahs death was an extrajudicial killing. It had found no criminal record of the deceased and thus, recommended registration of a murder case against Rao Anwar and his team that partook in the encounter. (@ChaudhryMAli88) The Supreme Court Tuesday summoned property documents of the Bani Gala residence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :The Supreme Court Tuesday summoned property documents of the Bani Gala residence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan from the Capital Development Authority (CDA). A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard the case regarding illegal structures erected in Bani Gala. The chief justice warned that the residential buildings in Bani Gala would be demolished if they were not constructed as per the laws and regulations of CDA. Building regulations must be abided by, he added. Imran Khan's counsel Babar Awan maintained that the CDA had no authority over private properties, adding that the constructions around Rawal Dam were illegal. The Attorney General for Pakistan submitted a report about constructions in zones 3 & 4 of Bani Gala. The CDA also suggested to ban construction in zones 3 and 4 of Bani Gala. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) would establish its Regional Sub Office in the areas having over 25,000 consumers of Sui gas, Parliamentary Secretary for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahzadi Umerzadi Tiwana told National Assembly on Tuesday ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) would establish its Regional Sub Office in the areas having over 25,000 consumers of Sui gas, Parliamentary Secretary for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahzadi Umerzadi Tiwana told National Assembly on Tuesday. Responding to a Calling Attention Notice moved by MNAs Dr Shezra Mansab Ali Khan,Ms Khalida Mansoor, Ms Arifa Khalid Pervez and Sheikh Fayyaz ud Din, she said the sub offices of SNGPL are established in an area on exceeding the number of consumers to 25,000 and currently there are only 10,000 consumers of sui gas in Nankana Sahib. She said a regional sub office of SNGP was working in Shaikhpura which is only 40 km from Nanakan Sahib. For improving gas pressure in Nankana Sahib, a six inches diameter pipeline would be laid in Nankana Sahib after getting No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Pakistan Railways. As many as 16 regional offices of SNGPL were working in the country. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Pakistan Meteorological Department Tuesday forecast mainly cold and dry weather in most parts of the country during next 24 hours ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :Pakistan Meteorological Department Tuesday forecast mainly cold and dry weather in most parts of the country during next 24 hours. However, the spokesman Pakistan Meteorological Department said that rain-thunderstorm with snowfall over the hills is expected at few places in'Malakand division and Gilgit-Baltistan. He said that Continental air is prevailing over most parts of the country. Lowest minimum temperatures recorded on Tuesday were SKardu, Parachinar -06'C, Ziarat -05'C, Malamjabba, Murree -04'C, Kalat, Drosh and 'Astore -03'C. (@ChaudhryMAli88) More than 15,000 Taiwanese citizens have taken advantage of driver's license recognition pacts Taiwan has signed with American states and Canadian provinces over the past five years, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) official said Tuesday, CNA reported TAIPEI,(APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :More than 15,000 Taiwanese citizens have taken advantage of driver's license recognition pacts Taiwan has signed with American states and Canadian provinces over the past five years, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) official said Tuesday, CNA reported. Remus Chen, director-general of the MOFA's Department of North American Affairs, said Taiwan has signed mutual driver's license recognition pacts with 25 US states and nine provinces in Canada since the foreign and transportation ministry initiated the programme in 2013. As of Dec. 2017, a total of 15,500 Taiwanese had made use of those agreement, with 10,700 of them using the license exchange service in US states and 4,800 using it in Canadian provinces, according to Chen. Most of those agreements have waived written and road tests for Taiwanese drivers who want to exchange their home license in a part of North America and vice versa. Taiwan has signed mutual driver's license recognition agreements with a total of 102 countries and territories since 2013, according to MOFA figures. (@ChaudhryMAli88) The prospects for implementing a Belarus-China investment project to grow and process flax in Mogilev Oblast were discussed in China's Jiangsu province, BelTA learned from the Belarusian Consulate General in Shanghai on Tuesday MINSK, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :The prospects for implementing a Belarus-China investment project to grow and process flax in Mogilev Oblast were discussed in China's Jiangsu province, BelTA learned from the Belarusian Consulate General in Shanghai on Tuesday. Consul General of Belarus to Shanghai Valery Matsel considered the matter as he paid a visit to the province. In particular, the development of flax industry was in the spotlight of his meeting with Wu Weifeng, Assistant General Manager of SUMEC Textile. The sides discussed in detail the prospects for carrying out the Belarus-China joint investment project. Valery Matsel also touched upon mutually beneficial cooperation with Belarusian scientific organizations and companies as he held talks with the president of Giant Light Metal Technology (Kunshan). The Belarusian diplomat also took part in a ceremony timed to the delivery of the first batch of Belarusian beef to China. (@FahadShabbir) Several Bosnian Muslim officials voiced concern Tuesday over the purchase of 2,500 new rifles by Bosnian Serb police, seeing it as an embryo of the entity's armed formation Sarajevo, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :Several Bosnian Muslim officials voiced concern Tuesday over the purchase of 2,500 new rifles by Bosnian Serb police, seeing it as an embryo of the entity's armed formation. Since its 1990s inter-ethnic war, Bosnia consists of two semi-independent halves the Bosnian Serbs' Republika Srpska (RS) and the Muslim-Croat Federation. The two entities share weak central institutions while each has its own government, parliament and police. However, the country has a joint army. Bosnian Serb President Milorad Dodik, regularly accused of separatist aspirations, on Monday confirmed the purchase of the rifles. "We are witnessing that Republika Srpska president is working on establishing some sort of armed formations," RS vice-president Ramiz Salkic, of the main Muslim SDA party, told Vijesti.BA news portal on Tuesday. According to Bosnia's constitution, each entity must have two vice-presidents from other ethnic groups than the president, meaning that RS has a Muslim and a Croat vice-president. "Are they (rifles) for special police? If that's the case it is too much, enormous," the Muslim-Croat entity's Interior Minister Aljosa Campara, also of the SDA, told reporters. The weapons, ordered from a Serbia's arms factory last October, should arrive in RS in March. Dodik told reporters that the purchase was "nothing more than the modernisation of police and strengthening of its role". A month ago Bosnian intelligence authorities said they were investigating media reports that a pro-Russian paramilitary unit has been set up with Dodik's approval. Dodik firmly rejected the claims. On Tuesday he said that the questioning of the arms purchase was aimed at "shifting the attention from fundamental security problems" which are, according to him, "presence of jihadist fighters in Bosnia". Once a darling of the west, the Bosnian Serb strongman now shows more sympathies for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Bosnia's 1992-1995 war between its Croats, Muslims and Serbs claimed some 100,000 lives. A half of the country's 3.5 million citizens are Muslims, a third are Serbs, while Croats make some 15 percent of the population. KUWAIT CITY, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :The international coalition against the Islamic State (IS) opened a meeting at the level of foreign ministers on Tuesday in Kuwait, Kuwait news Agency (KUNA) said, Xinhua reported. The meeting, attended by Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, aims to intensify the fight against terrorism and examine the strategy the coalition has formulated in its battle against the IS, KUNA said. The meeting is part of the ongoing Kuwait International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq, which kicked off the other day. (@FahadShabbir) Cuba to bring President Xi's books to more readers HAVANA,(APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :Cuba plans to publish the Spanish edition of at least two books on the thoughts and ideas of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Chinese and Cuban publishing houses have signed an agreement to jointly bring the Chinese leader's thoughts on state governance and other issues to a wider Cuban audience. The agreement was signed during the 27th edition of the Havana International Book Fair that ended Sunday. Hermes Moreno, of the Cuban publishing house New Millennium that signed the agreement, said 5,000 to 10,000 copies are planned to be printed. "In Cuba, 5,000 copies for such works are a respectable quantity, but it is the minimum that we are looking at," Moreno told Xinhua. Last week, Cuba's state daily Granma highlighted in its reports "the interest of Cuban readers in books containing texts (of articles and speeches) by Xi Jinping," saying it "reflects their eagerness to learn about the thinking of the top political leader of the People's Republic of China. " The 11-day book fair saw Spanish and English editions of Xi's books quickly sold out, especially his acclaimed "Xi Jinping: the Governance of China." "Xi's books were sold out very fast, only a few copies of the Russian and French editions remained," said Yu Xin, a young student volunteer in charge of the sale of Chinese books. Yu, who studies Spanish at the University of Havana, was surprised to see Cubans even snap up books in Chinese. Cuban readers are looking forward to having greater access to Xi's books, as well as classic and contemporary Chinese literary works, which New Millennium may publish in the near future. China, as the Havana book fair's guest country for the first time, sent a delegation of more than 200 writers, publishers and officials to take part in the major cultural event held in the Caribbean island nation. Guatemalan authorities on Tuesday arrested a former president, Alvaro Colom, and nine ministers from his 2008-2012 government on corruption charges, a top prosecutor told AFP Guatemala City, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :Guatemalan authorities on Tuesday arrested a former president, Alvaro Colom, and nine ministers from his 2008-2012 government on corruption charges, a top prosecutor told AFP. Colom, 66, was taken into custody at his home in an upmarket district of the capital, the head of the special anti-graft prosecution unit, Juan Francisco Sandoval, said. The allegations against him and his former ministers related to graft in the public transport system. Colom was in power for four years from 2008. He was succeeded in 2012 by Oscar Perez who is in jail pending trial over a separate corruption scandal. Guatemala's current president, Jimmy Morales, was elected in 2015 vowing to clean up rampant graft in the Central American country. But he too has come under scrutiny for suspected wrongdoing. Last month, the country's chief prosecutor, Thelma Aldana, said she did not see Morales "as an ally in the fight against corruption. " Morales triggered a public and political backlash last year when he tried to boot out the Colombian head of a UN-backed anti-corruption body that has been instrumental in bringing scrutiny to bear on graft cases in the country. - Suspect transport deal - Colom and the other suspects are accused of fraud and embezzlement in the 2009 purchase of hundreds of buses to ply routes in the capital, Sandoval said. Four companies were given 25-year government contracts to run the services. The buses were allegedly bought at inflated prices. Also in 2009, Colom's party, the center-left National Unity of Hope party, tried to pass a law exempting the transaction from taxes. Colom and the nine ministers -- from a 13-member cabinet -- signed the deal setting up the transport system, baptized TransUrbano. The former ministers include those who held the portfolios for finance, governance, education, defense, labor, health, and environment. (@FahadShabbir) In a strategic move to expand its footprint in the Indian Ocean region, India has secured access to the key Port of Duqm in Oman for military use and logistical support, Indian Express reported quoting top sources NEW DELHI,(UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) : In a strategic move to expand its footprint in the Indian Ocean region, India has secured access to the key Port of Duqm in Oman for military use and logistical support, Indian Express reported quoting top sources. This is part of Indias maritime strategy to counter Chinese influence and activities in the region. This was one of the key takeaways of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Oman over the last two days. He met Sultan of Oman Sayyid Qaboos bin Said Al Said and an annexure to the Memorandum of Understanding on Military Cooperation was signed between the two countries. Sources said following this pact, the services of Duqm port and dry dock will be available for maintenance of Indian military vessels. The Port of Duqm is situated on the southeastern seaboard of Oman, overlooking the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. It is strategically located, in close proximity to the Chabahar port in Iran. With the Assumption Island being developed in Seychelles and Agalega in Mauritius, Duqm fits into Indias proactive maritime security roadmap. Recently, Duqm has seen a rise in Indian activities. In September last year, India deployed an attack submarine to this port in the western Arabian Sea. The joint statement said the Indian side thanked Oman for facilitating operational visits by Indian Naval ships and aircraft as well as Indian Air Force aircraft to various ports and airports. They agreed to provide further impetus to the robust defence relations, including through regular joint exercises by the three defence forces, training of Navy, Air and Army officials, as also cooperation in the area of coastal defence and through participation in defence exhibitions, the statement said. Tehran's chief prosecutor on Tuesday accused a renowned Iranian-Canadian environmentalist who died in prison of being part of an espionage network set up by Mossad and the CIA Tehran, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :Tehran's chief prosecutor on Tuesday accused a renowned Iranian-Canadian environmentalist who died in prison of being part of an espionage network set up by Mossad and the CIA. Kavous Seyed Emami, 63, a renowned professor and founder of the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation, was buried on Tuesday in the village of Ammami around 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of Tehran. Officials say he committed suicide in his prison cell a fortnight after being arrested along with seven members of his NGO. Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi said the NGO was set up "about a decade ago" as a cover to collect "classified information in defence and missile fields". "Defendants in the case, under the guidance of the CIA and Mossad intelligence officers, have pursued a triple mission focused on the environment, infiltrating the scientific community and collecting information from the country's sensitive and vital centres including missile bases," he said, according to the judiciary-linked Mizanonline news agency. He said Emami was one of the main contacts for US agents and an intelligence officer had stayed at his home. "Members of this network installed cameras in strategic areas under cover of monitoring the environment, while in fact monitoring the country's missile activities," Dolatabadi said. One of the NGO's key projects was monitoring the endangered Asian cheetah, which meant they operated across large swathes of Semnan province, which is home to military sites and missile-testing grounds. Dolatabadi said the main financial backer was an Iranian-British-American citizen with the initials "MT" -- probably a reference to Morad Tahbaz, a wealthy businessman and board member of the wildlife NGO who was among those arrested last month. Iran does not recognise dual nationals and treats them purely as Iranians, denying them certain consular services. In November, the conservative-linked Tasnim news agency accused Tahbaz of being a big-game hunter who was trying to seize control of national park land in northern Iran. Tahbaz comes from a wealthy family who made their fortune before the 1979 revolution and once owned the renowned Kayhan newspaper, which is now controlled by the Islamic authorities. One in four Iraqi children are in poverty and 4 million in need of assistance as a result of the country's war with ISIS/Da'esh, the United Nations children agency has warned UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :One in four Iraqi children are in poverty and 4 million in need of assistance as a result of the country's war with ISIS/Da'esh, the United Nations children agency has warned. There were 150 attacks on education facilities and 50 attacks on health centres and personnel since 2014, UNICEF said in a statement. Half of Iraq's schools need repairs and more than 3 million children have had their education interrupted, it said. Iraq is seeking $100 billion in foreign investment in transport, energy and agriculture as part of a plan to rebuild parts of the country and revive the economy after declaring victory over ISIS/Da'esh in December. The country has now regained all of the territory captured by militants in 2014 and 2015. "Children are Iraq's future," Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF's regional director for the middle East and North Africa, said. He added that a conference in Kuwait about the rebuilding of Iraq was "an opportunity for world leaders to show that we are willing to invest in children, and through investing in children, that we are willing to invest in rebuilding a stable Iraq." Across Iraq, UNICEF has supported local authorities to rehabilitate 576 schools and has provided school supplies to 1.7 million children. The organisation recently appealed for $186m to allow it to respond to the needs of Iraqi children throughout 2018. In a recent statement, Cappelaere said that during last year alone"270 children were killed," while more than 1 million children had been "forced to leave their homes." The United States, which leads an international coalition that provided Iraq with key air support in the fight against ISIS, does not plan to contribute any money at the Kuwait conference, US and Western officials said. Denouncing the detention of two Supreme Court judges in the Maldives, United Nations human rights experts have warned that the independence of the judiciary is under "serious threat" in the country, as is the principle of separation of powers between the State and the courts UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :Denouncing the detention of two Supreme Court judges in the Maldives, United Nations human rights experts have warned that the independence of the judiciary is under "serious threat" in the country, as is the principle of separation of powers between the State and the courts. "It is clear that the rule of law in the Maldives is now under siege," the experts said in a joint statement issued Monday by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). "We call on the Government to refrain from any threats or interference that may hamper the court's independence as the supreme guardian of the country's constitution and legislation," they added. In the release, Jose Antonio Guevara Bermudez, the current Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; and Diego Garcia-Sayan, the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and magistrates, also stressed that judicial independence, enshrined in the national constitution and in international human rights treaties, had to be guaranteed by the State. Garcia-Sayan also raised concern over the timing of the arrests, five days after the Supreme Court had ordered the release and retrial of nine opposition leaders, including former President Mohamed Nasheed. Following the arrest of Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and Ali Hameed Mohamed " shortly after the Government declared a state of emergency" the three remaining Supreme Court judges overturned the order to free the nine leaders. In the same vein, Bermudez underscored that Judges should be able to decide all matters before them impartially, on the basis of facts, and in accordance with the law free of any intimidation."This is at best suspicious," Garcia-Sayan said, adding that the acts constitutes, an intolerable act of intimidation" against the highest judicial authority in the country. "However, this is not possible when their very liberty and security is threatened," he stressed. According to the news release, the UN experts have been in contact with the Government of Maldives regarding their concerns. Puebla, Mexico, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :An American citizen died and another was airlifted to hospital after an excursion to reach Mexico's highest summit -- the inactive Citlaltepetl volcano -- turned to disaster, authorities said Monday. Mexican officials initially said the pair were US diplomats, but an American source referred to them as embassy employees. One of the climbers suffered a fall, forcing the other to seek help from the US embassy, according to the civil protection authority for the state of Puebla. The rescue operation began Sunday, but had to be called off because gusts of wind made it too dangerous for helicopters. A helicopter finally managed Monday to reach 26-year-old Nathan Cahill, who was airlifted to a Mexico City hospital, Mexican officials said. Rescue workers recovered the other climber's body on foot. "The strong gusts of wind and the area where (the body) was recovered, close to the summit, made it too difficult by helicopter," a civil protection authority official said. Best known as Pico de Orizaba, the 5,610-meter (18,400-foot) mountain on the border between the states of Puebla and Veracruz attracts professional climbers from around the world as well as poorly equipped amateurs. Beer Park at Paris Las Vegas is tapping into the luck of the Irish with a St. Patricks Day celebration, complete with green beer, a DJ and a twist on traditional Irish fare all day on Saturday, March 17 (Pictured: St. Patricks Day Corned Beef Sandwich). In addition to green beer, Beer Park will serve a traditional corned beef sandwich. Served on warm French bread, the sandwich will be piled high with thick slices of corned beef and topped with fries, coleslaw and spicy mustard; priced at $9.95. Beer Park will keep the party going with a live DJ from 9 p.m. until close. Prime Minister Hun Sen has congratulated the Koreas on holding joint Winter Games, welcoming the move as a step towards peace. He also criticized other foreign powers, who he said had not supported the decision. While the United States has appeared to endorse the engagement, it has also said sanctions against the north must be intensified to push the regime towards negotiations to end its nuclear weapons program. In a speech to graduates in Phnom Penh, Hun Sen said Cambodias stance was to call for further engagement. When the situation is hot, [you all] jointly curse, but when it calms down, you all keep silent. But Cambodia wants to congratulate the step forwards of the two Koreas, who are brothers. The attitude shows the desire to compromise despite different political regime, he said. I think all the superpower countries and not only the superpower countries should congratulate and encourage the two Koreas cooperate with each other, he added. Arend Zwartjes, U.S. Embassy spokesman, declined to comment. On Monday, Mike Pence, U.S. vice president, was quoted by the Washington Post as saying that Washington was ready to engage in talks over North Korea's nuclear program. Japan and Singapore this week agreed to cooperate to prevent North Korea from evading U.N. Security Council sanctions. In September, Cambodia condemned North Koreas nuclear program and called on the regime to respect U.N. Security Council resolutions to cease nuclear tests. Paul Chambers, a lecturer at the College of ASEAN Community Studies, Naresuan University, in Thailand, said ASEAN can and should have a voice on the North Korea issue through the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), which has worked to diminish political tensions between Asian states in the past. Indeed ASEAN should now promote the resolution of the Koreas dispute through ARF, first because ARF has been successful in the past, and second because by suggesting ARF to the two parties, it advertises ASEAN as a credible facilitator of peace, he said in an email. A leaked document obtained by VOA Khmer has outlined the ruling Cambodian Peoples Partys political platform ahead of this summers general election. The 46-page document, the CPPs five-year plan, shows that the party intends to move closer to China while remaining on high alert for any attempt by foreign governments to agitate for a popular uprising. The plan says that the CPP expects to position itself within a multi-polar world where the superpowers compete for supreme hegemony and for influence on various fronts regardless [of whether] it is political, economic, military, technological, scientific, or cultural. The CPP says it will implement a process of reform in its foreign policy from traditional diplomacy towards economic diplomacy. [Cambodia will] continue to adhere with the One-China Principle and recognize the Chinas dynamic rise and growth as a contribution to the economic prosperity and the strengthening of peace and stability in the region and the globe as a whole, it reads. We will heighten serious caution to any attempts to apply color Revolution from external actors with the aim of toppling the legitimate Royal Government by opposing foreign interference in the internal affairs of Cambodia and work to retaliate against their dark tricks, the document reads. In November, the government won a case against the countrys main opposition, the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which saw the party dissolved. Its leader, Kem Sokha, was also jailed on treason charges over an alleged plot to overthrow Hun Sen involving the United States. Over the past several months the government has continued its crackdown on political dissent and civil society groups as anti-American sentiment has grown among the ruling class. In contrast, Beijing has continued to cement its ties with Phnom Penh, signing dozens of infrastructure deals worth billions of dollars. The two allies are due to hold military drills next month and China has donated some 100 tanks to the Cambodian military. China has come out strongly in defense of the Cambodian crackdown, saying the governments actions are necessary to maintain peace and stability. Suos Yara, a CPP spokesman, said the reference to foreign powers dark tricks in the five-year plan was not referring to any nation in particular. Any country coming to us with respect, we will respect them. Any country that attempts to mistreat us, we will clash with them in response. A Chinese Embassy spokesman could not be reached for comment. Miguel Chanco, an analyst with the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), said the new policy platform had merely confirmed what was already known: that Cambodia was firmly in Chinas camp. I think the notion of shifting away from traditional diplomacy is in reference to a general move away in Cambodia's foreign policy from the long-standing relationships within the world of Western donors, guided in part by China's growing influence and the US's relative decline on the global stage, he added. The United Nations has said it is deeply concerned over the arrest and deportation from Thailand of a Cambodian woman who was allegedly filmed throwing her shoes at a poster of the leaders of the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party. The woman, Sam Sokha, was deported on Thursday at the request of the Cambodian government and later charged with incitement. In a statement issued on Friday, the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said the organization deeply regrets her deportation. Simon Walker, an OHCHR country representative, said the U.N. would continue to monitor Sokhas case. OHCHR encourages an environment conducive to freedom of expression and public debate, in line with article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that Cambodia has accepted, particularly in the lead up to the national elections. On Friday, Human Rights Watch issued a statement calling on the government to immediately release Sokha, adding that her forced return to Cambodia violated international law. Local rights groups also said Sokhas arrest would place further pressure on Cambodians who dare to speak out against the regime. Chin Malin, a justice ministry spokesman, could not be reached for comment. Sokhas arrest came days after Hun Sen warned the former opposition leader, Sam Rainsy, that he could be arrested if he traveled to Asia. Last Thursday, a man from Kampong Cham province was arrested for insulting the CPP leadership on Facebook. The man, Sun Rotha, is alleged to control a Facebook group which regularly criticized the government over the dissolution of the CNRP. Sorry, but your browser cannot support embedded video of this type, you can download this video to view it offline. WASHINGTON - Highlights from President Donald Trump's budget for fiscal year 2019, released Monday. FILE - A MQ-9 Reaper drone taxis at Kandahar Airfi FILE - A MQ-9 Reaper drone taxis at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Dec. 27, 2009. MQ-9 Reaper drones are reportedly armed with Hellfire missiles, laser-guided bombs and other munitions. FILE - A MQ-9 Reaper drone taxis at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Dec. 27, 2009. MQ-9 Reaper drones are reportedly armed with Hellfire missiles, laser-guided bombs and other munitions. Defense Trumps budget for 2019 shows the administrations concern about the threat from North Korea and its missile program. The Pentagon is proposing to spend hundreds of millions more in 2019 on missile defense. The budget calls for increasing the number of strategic missile interceptors from 44 to 64 and boosting other elements of missile defense. The additional 20 interceptors would be based at Fort Greely, Alaska. Critics question the reliability of the interceptors, arguing that years of testing has yet to prove them to be sufficiently effective against a sophisticated threat. The Pentagon also would invest more heavily in other missile defense systems, including the ship-based Aegis system and the Army's Patriot air and missile defense system, both of which are designed to defend against missiles of various ranges short of the intercontinental ballistic missile that is of greatest U.S. concern in the context of North Korea. FILE - Three of U.S. President Donald Trump's eigh Three of U.S. President Donald Trump's eight border wall prototypes are shown near completion along U.S.- Mexico border in San Diego, California, Oct. 23, 2017. Three of U.S. President Donald Trump's eight border wall prototypes are shown near completion along U.S.- Mexico border in San Diego, California, Oct. 23, 2017. Border wall The second stage of Trump's proposed border wall in Texas Rio Grande Valley would be 65 miles (104 kilometers) long, costing an average of $24.6 million a mile, according to the president's 2019 budget. That matches the amount requested in Trump's 2018 budget to build or replace 74 miles (118 kilometers) in San Diego and Rio Grande Valley, the busiest corridor for illegal crossings. Walls currently cover about one-third of the border with Mexico, and the administration wants eventually to spend up to $18 billion to extend the wall to nearly half the border. Trump has insisted Mexico pay for it; Mexico says thats a non-starter. The proposal sets aside $782 million to hire 2,000 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, whose responsibilities include making deportation arrests, and 750 more Border Patrol agents toward Trumps long-term goal of 5,000. The proposal comes even as the administration has been unable to fill vacancies caused by attrition. The administration also wants to raise capacity at its immigration detention facilities to 52,000 people. It wants to collect $208 million in fees on legitimate trade and travel to pay for investigations into fraud and employers who hire people in the country illegally. The budget also calls for adding 450 Secret Service agents and support staff to reach 7,600 this year and inch toward a long-term goal of 9,500. It sets aside $6.9 billion for disaster relief. Medicare Trumps budget proposes major changes to Medicares popular prescription benefit, creating winners and losers among the 42 million seniors with drug coverage. On the plus side for seniors, the budget requires the insurance plans that deliver the prescription benefit to share with beneficiaries a substantial portion of rebates they receive from drug makers. The budget also eliminates the 5 percent share of costs that an estimated 1 million beneficiaries with very high drug bills now must keep paying when they reach Medicares catastrophic coverage. Instead seniors would pay nothing once they reach Medicares catastrophic coverage level, currently $8,418 in total costs. But on the minus side, the budget calls for changing the way Medicare accounts for certain discounts that drug makers now provide to seniors with significant drug bills. That complex change would mean fewer seniors reach catastrophic coverage, and some will end up paying more than they do now. It will increase costs for some, while saving money for others, said Tricia Neuman of the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation. Overall it could be a wash. The budget also makes multiple cuts in different streams of Medicare payments going to hospitals and rehabilitation centers. Medicare spending totals more than $700 billion a year, and hospitals represent the single biggest category of costs. Overall, the budget calls for about $500 billion over 10 years in cuts from projected Medicare spending. FILE - Elementary students work on computers in Lo FILE - Elementary students work on computers in Los Angeles, May 15, 2012. FILE - Elementary students work on computers in Los Angeles, May 15, 2012. Education School choice advocates will find something to cheer in Trumps budget. Fulfilling a campaign promise, he is proposing to put more decision-making power in the hands of parents and families in choosing schools for their children with a $1.5 billion investment for the coming year. The budget would expand both private and public school choice. A new Opportunity Grants program would provide money for states to give scholarships to low-income students to attend private schools, as well as expand charter schools across the nation. Charters are financed by taxpayer dollars but usually run independently of school district requirements. The budget also calls for increased spending to expand the number of magnet schools that offer specialized instruction usually focused on specific curricula. Last year, the Trump administration also called for boosting charter and private school funding, but those initiatives didnt win the approval of Congress. Among other key components is spending $200 million on STEM education and $43 million to implement school-based opioid abuse prevention strategies. Overall, the budget calls for a $7.1 billion, a 10.5 percent decrease from 2017. On the chopping block is $5.9 million in teacher preparation and aftercare programs. Last year, proposals for similar cuts were met with harsh criticism from teachers' unions and educators across the country. Robert Murray, founder and CEO of Murray Energy gr Robert Murray, founder and CEO of Murray Energy greets coal miners at the EPA hearing in Charleston, West Virginia, Nov. 28, 2017 before speaking to the panel supporting the repeal of the Clean Power Plan. Robert Murray, founder and CEO of Murray Energy greets coal miners at the EPA hearing in Charleston, West Virginia, Nov. 28, 2017 before speaking to the panel supporting the repeal of the Clean Power Plan. Environmental Protection Agency Climate change research is on the Environmental Protection Agency's chopping block. Trumps proposed 2019 budget calls for slashing funding for the Environmental Protection Agency by more than one third, including ending the Climate Change Research and Partnership Programs. The presidents budget would also make deep cuts to funding for cleaning up the nations most polluted sites, even as EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has said that is one of his top priorities. Trumps budget would allocate just $762 million for the Hazardous Substance Superfund Account, a reduction of more than 30 percent. Current spending for Superfund is already down to about half of what it was in the 1990s. Despite the cut, the White House's budget statement says the administration plans to accelerate site cleanups by bringing more private funding to the table for redevelopment. After the presidents budget was developed, Congress reached a bipartisan agreement that would boost non-defense domestic spending for the next fiscal year. In response, Trump budget director Mick Mulvaney filed an addendum that seeks to restore about $724 million to EPA, including additional money for Superfund cleanups and drinking water infrastructure grants. Still, Trumps budget calls for cutting programs that fight ocean pollution and raise public awareness about environmental issues and problems. The budget also would eliminate money for the popular Energy Star program, seeking instead to raise a modest fee from appliance and electronics manufacturers who seek to label their products as being energy efficient. Agency staffing would be cut by more than 20 percent from budgeted 2018 levels, from 15,400 full-time positions to 12,250. EPA's workforce has already shrunk dramatically in Trump's first year, as career employees left in droves while hiring has largely been frozen. There are currently 14,162 employees at the agency, the lowest staffing levels since the mid-1980s. Like Trump, Pruitt has expressed doubt about the consensus of climate scientists, including those at his own agency, that man-made carbon emissions are the primary driver of increasing average temperatures observed around the globe. The nation's top environmental official has instead advocated for the increased production and burning of fossil fuels. Obamacare The budget assumes that Congress will repeal and replace former President Barack Obamas health care law, although theres little evidence that Republican leaders have the appetite for another battle over Obamacare. Repeal of the Affordable Care Act should happen as soon as possible, say the budget documents. The Obama health law would be replaced with legislation modeled after an ill-fated GOP bill whose lead authors were Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said it would leave millions more uninsured. The budget calls for a program of block grants that states could use to set up their own programs for covering the uninsured. Vietnam veteran Dallas Brown, right, talks about f Vietnam veteran Dallas Brown, right, talks about food rations during the war with Tom Hara of the Fort Campbell Historical Foundation, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Oct. 27, 2017. Vietnam veteran Dallas Brown, right, talks about food rations during the war with Tom Hara of the Fort Campbell Historical Foundation, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Oct. 27, 2017. Veterans The Veterans Choice health care program would get a big boost under Trump's 2019 budget. The budget proposes an overall increase of $8.7 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, primarily to strengthen medical care for more than 9 million enrolled veterans. A key component is a proposed $11.9 billion to revamp the Veterans Choice program, a Trump campaign priority. The planned expansion would give veterans wider freedom to receive government-paid care from private doctors and MinuteClinics outside the VA system. It has yet to be approved by Congress, however, in part due to disagreement over rising costs and concerns over privatizing VA. Under the increased budget caps approved by Congress last week, the Trump administration also tacked on an additional $2.4 billion for Choice and other expenses. Lawmakers' delay in reaching agreement has meant that a larger overhaul of VA Choice isn't likely to be fully implemented until 2019 or later. VA Secretary David Shulkin says Choice will help significantly reduce wait times at VA medical centers. The program was put in place after a 2014 wait-time scandal that was discovered at the Phoenix VA hospital and elsewhere throughout the country. Veterans waited weeks or months for appointments, while phony records covered up the lengthy waits. The program allows veterans to go to private doctors if they endure long waits for VA appointments, but it has suffered extended wait times of its own. State Trumps budget includes a modest increase of $191 million for what's known as overseas contingency operations, or active war zones like Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had argued in the past that the impending resolution of major global conflicts would decrease the need for U.S. spending and allow the Trump administration to significantly reduce what it spends overseas. Some of the most dramatic proposed cuts affect the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, which would see its budget cut by about $126 million, a reduction of nearly half of what it received in the past. National parks traveler Mikah Meyer overlooks the National parks traveler Mikah Meyer overlooks the ancient stone structures at Chaco Culture National Historical Park in northern New Mexico. National parks traveler Mikah Meyer overlooks the ancient stone structures at Chaco Culture National Historical Park in northern New Mexico. Interior The Interior Departments proposed $11.7 billion budget includes $1.3 billion to address a growing backlog of projects to maintain and improve roads, bridges, park buildings and other infrastructure. The agency has an estimated $16 billion deferred maintenance backlog, including more than $11 billion for the National Park Service alone. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said the nations parks and wildlife refuges are being loved to death and need significant work to keep pace with an increased number of visitors. The National Mall in Washington, for instance, needs at least $800 million in maintenance, Zinke said. As part of the Trump administrations infrastructure plan, officials have proposed an $18 billion public lands infrastructure fund to help pay for repairs and improvements in national parks, wildlife refuges and schools overseen by the Bureau of Indian Education, an Interior agency. The fund, which needs congressional approval, would be paid for in part through a projected 50 percent increase in energy leasing and development on federal lands, part of the administrations strategy to achieve U.S. energy dominance in the global market. The budget also includes $17.5 million to begin to implement Zinkes plan to reorganize the department and shift staffers at some agency headquarters, including the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureaus of Land Management and Reclamation, to the West. FILE - In this March 16, 2011 file photo, steam is FILE - In this March 16, 2011 file photo, steam is released from Exelon Corp.'s nuclear plant in Byron, Illinois. FILE - In this March 16, 2011 file photo, steam is released from Exelon Corp.'s nuclear plant in Byron, Illinois. Energy The Trump administration is seeking $30.6 billion for the Energy Department, a figure that includes an additional $1.5 billion authorized under a two-year budget deal that Congress approved last week. Much of the additional funding, $1.2 billion, goes to the Office of Science to pay for basic scientific research. Energy Secretary Rick Perry said in a statement that the budget request supports the agencys push to enhance energy security and modernize the nuclear weapons stockpile while boosting funding for cybersecurity and emphasizing the role of the 17 national laboratories that do cutting-edge research on everything from clean energy technologies to supercomputing to nuclear science. The budget again proposes steep cuts to energy efficiency and renewable-energy programs and calls for eliminating DOE's loan program and the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, DOEs innovation arm. Members of Congress from both parties support all the programs and are likely to restore much of the funding, although the loan program could face cuts. The Senate approved record funding levels for ARPA-E for the current budget year despite Trump's plan to dismantle it. Trumps budget again proposes $120 million to revive a long-stalled nuclear waste dump at Nevadas Yucca Mountain. The states Republican governor and lawmakers from both parties oppose the plan. Homeless tents are dwarfed by skyscrapers as 63-y Homeless tents are dwarfed by skyscrapers as 63-year-old Vincent, who gave only his first name, sorts his belongings, Dec. 1, 2017, in Los Angeles. Vincent said he never had to worry about getting a job as a young man. "Things ain't the way they were any Homeless tents are dwarfed by skyscrapers as 63-year-old Vincent, who gave only his first name, sorts his belongings, Dec. 1, 2017, in Los Angeles. Vincent said he never had to worry about getting a job as a young man. "Things ain't the way they were any Housing The budget proposes deep cuts to funding for rental assistance programs, eliminates community block grants and references future legislation that will implement work requirements for some tenants receiving public assistance. Trumps proposal reduces the budget for rental assistance programs by more than 11 percent compared with 2017. It also eliminates funding for the Public Housing Capital Fund, dedicated to supporting public housing complexes, and Community Development Block Grants, which are doled out to cities, counties and communities for development projects. The budget also requests legislation that would require able-bodied tenants who are receiving federal housing assistance to work. In a two-year agreement passed last week and signed by the president, Congress included an additional $2 billion earmarked for HUD. That addendum adds $1 billion to avoid rent increases on elderly and disabled families receiving rental increases. It also adds another $700 million toward housing vouchers for low-income individuals and families, and $300 million to aide public housing authorities. Housing advocates say Trump's proposal is cruel and unconscionable. President Trump is making clear, in no uncertain terms, his willingness to increase evictions and homelessness for the families who could lose their rental assistance through severe funding cuts, and for the low-income and vulnerable seniors, people with disabilities and families with kids who will be unable to manage having to spend more of their very limited income to cover rent hikes, National Low Income Housing Coalition president and CEO Diane Yentel said in a statement. Justice Trumps 2019 Justice Department budget reiterates the administrations priorities: fighting the opioid epidemic, fighting violent crime and drug trafficking gangs while providing tough immigration enforcement. It seeks more than $109 million for crime-fighting efforts, including $70 million for a partnership with state and local authorities called Project Safe Neighborhoods that targets gun offenders. It would also move the tobacco and alcohol-related responsibilities of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives into the Treasury Department, which officials say would eliminate duplicative duties and allow the agency to focus more closely on fighting street crime. There's also a request for $13.2 million and 25 new positions to help modernize and speed up the ATFs ability to register restricted weapons, such as machine guns and suppressors, after a steady increase in applications. The budget also seeks $295 million directed toward the opioid epidemic. That includes a proposed $31.2 million for eight new heroin enforcement groups to be sent to hard-hit Drug Enforcement Administration offices. Additional agents would target Mexican drug gangs. The proposal also seeks $39.8 million for the Executive Office for Immigration Review, which oversees immigration courts and is still experiencing a backlog of immigration cases. That would include 75 new immigration judges and additional attorneys. The administration wants $25 million for a technological boost for that office, which it says still struggles with a wholly paper-based system that is both cumbersome and inefficient. Special counsel Robert Mueller's team investigating possible Trump campaign ties to Russia is funded separately and not affected by budget requests to Congress. FILE - A lunch is served in a New York City soup k A lunch meal is served in a New York City soup kitchen (file photo). A lunch meal is served in a New York City soup kitchen (file photo). Food stamps Trumps budget proposes massive cuts to the program that provides more than 42 million Americans with food stamps. The budget also floats the idea of new legislation that would require able-bodied adults to work or participate in a work program in order to receive benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The president's budget would reduce the SNAP program by roughly $213 billion over the next ten years. The budget calls for a $17 billion reduction in 2019, and proposes a bold new approach to administering SNAP that will include a combination of traditional food stamps and packages of 100 percent American grown foods provided directly to households. Stacy Dean, vice president for food assistance policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, said the proposed cuts to SNAP account for nearly 30 percent of the program. She said the proposal, if enacted, would be devastating for the one-in-eight Americans who use SNAP to put food on the table every day. It would reduce benefits and undercut the programs efficiency and effectiveness, she said. NASA astronauts Mark Vande Hei, left, and Scott Ti NASA astronauts Mark Vande Hei, left, and Scott Tingle work outside the International Space Station on Jan. 23, 2018, to give the robot arm a new hand. NASA astronauts Mark Vande Hei, left, and Scott Tingle work outside the International Space Station on Jan. 23, 2018, to give the robot arm a new hand. International Space Station The Trump administration wants NASA out of the International Space Station by 2025 and to have private businesses running the place instead. Under Trumps 2019 proposed budget, U.S. government funding for the space station would end by 2025. The government would set aside $150 million to encourage commercial development. Many space experts are expressing concern. Sen. Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat who rocketed into orbit in 1986, said turning off the lights and walking away from our sole outpost in space makes no sense. Retired NASA historian and Smithsonian curator Roger Launius notes that any such move will affect all the other countries involved in the space station; Russia is a major player, as are Europe, Japan and Canada. I suspect this will be a major aspect of any decisions about ISSs future, Launius wrote in an email. NASA has spent close to $100 billion on the orbiting outpost since the 1990s. The first piece was launched in 1998, and the complex was essentially completed with the retirement of NASA's space shuttles in 2011. Private businesses already have a hand in the project. The end of the shuttle program prompted NASA to turn over supply runs to the commercial sector. SpaceX and Orbital ATK have been making deliveries since 2012, and Sierra Nevada Corp. will begin making shipments with its crewless mini shuttles in a few years. The arts FILE - Musicians Wynton Marsalis, left, Branford M FILE - Musicians Wynton Marsalis, left, Branford Marsalis, center, and Delfeayo Marsalis perform at the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Awards Ceremony and Concert held in New York, Jan. 11, 2011. FILE - Musicians Wynton Marsalis, left, Branford Marsalis, center, and Delfeayo Marsalis perform at the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Awards Ceremony and Concert held in New York, Jan. 11, 2011. Trumps budget calls for the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities, two prominent grant programs founded in the 1960s that Trump proposed ending in last years budget. Under his proposal, the NEA and NEH would begin shutting down in 2019. Neither organization should be considered core Federal responsibilities. Each program currently receives just under $150 million. Although some conservatives have long complained about the NEA and NEH, the programs have bipartisan support and funding for them was restored by Congress in 2017. Trump is also seeking to shut down other arts and scholarly programs that Congress has backed, including the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The trial of a teenaged Palestinian girl whose assault on two Israeli soldiers gained global attention opened before an Israeli military court Tuesday, but the judge ordered the proceedings to be held behind closed doors. Ahed Tamimi, who turned 17 in prison last month, appeared fresh and confident as she was led into a courtroom packed with journalists and foreign diplomats. She briefly acknowledged relatives attending the hearing before the judge ordered everyone except her family out of the courtroom. After the prosecution read the 12-count indictment, the trial was adjourned until next month. Tamimi was arrested in December after she was filmed confronting two Israeli soldiers outside her West Bank home. The video showed Tamimi kicking one soldier in the leg and slapping his face before striking the other soldier in the face. The soldiers had deployed to the area during Palestinian protests against Israeli settlements. Tamimi faces assault and incitement charges and could spend years in prison if convicted. The Palestinian teenager has become the latest symbol of the long-running battle between Israelis and Palestinians over global public opinion. Her case highlights the issue of what constitutes legitimate resistance to Israeli rule over millions of Palestinians since the Jewish states capture of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem in 1967. Brazil will not block Venezuelans from entering the country through the border in the northern state of Roraima, but has launched a task force to organize the flow and provide resources for cities and states dealing with the refugees. Thousands of Venezuelans escaping hunger in the Andean country have crossed the border with Brazil in recent months, causing a humanitarian emergency in the city of Boa Vista, Roraima's capital. The local government said they already represent 10 percent of the population, or around 40,000 people, stressing public services. President Michel Temer flew to Boa Vista on Monday with some ministers and government officials for meetings with local authorities to better assess the situation. He promised to provide financial assistance for Roraima and to organize the flow of Venezuelans inside Brazil, including the possibility of transporting some of the refugees to other states. A Venezuelan man wears a backpack with the colours A Venezuelan man wears a backpack with the colors of Venezuelan flag as he sells car accessories at traffic lights in Boa Vista, Brazil, Nov. 18, 2017. A Venezuelan man wears a backpack with the colors of Venezuelan flag as he sells car accessories at traffic lights in Boa Vista, Brazil, Nov. 18, 2017. Many of the people coming from crisis-hit Venezuela have walked hundreds of kilometers to reach Boa Vista and have been sleeping in squares and other precarious areas in the city. Local authorities said they have no financial resources to deal with the influx alone. Temporary shelters are full. Last week, a house where dozens of Venezuelans were living in Boa Vista was set on fire by a Brazilian man, who was later arrested. Temer said after the meeting that the government will not forbid the entrance, but will try to organize the flow. FORT CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY - Dallas Brown can still see the bullets coming for him 50 years later, smacking into the dirt at his feet as north Vietnamese soldiers fired on his platoon during an ambush deep in the jungle. Minutes later, as the deadly firefight wound down, Brown and his fellow soldiers in the 101st Airborne would be immortalized. In one of the most searing images of the Vietnam War, Brown grimaces as he lies on the ground with a back injury. Not far away, a platoon sergeant raises his arms to the heavens, seemingly seeking divine help. Landing on the front page of The New York Times, the black and white image by Associated Press freelancer Art Greenspon gave Americans back home an unflinching look at the conditions soldiers endured in what would become the war's deadliest year. Captured on April 1, 1968, it was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and appeared prominently in Ken Burns' recent Vietnam War documentary. FILE - A photo shows the first sergeant of A Compa FILE - A photo shows the first sergeant of A Company, 101st Airborne Division, guiding a medevac helicopter through the jungle foliage to pick up casualties suffered during a five-day patrol near Hue, April 1968. FILE - A photo shows the first sergeant of A Company, 101st Airborne Division, guiding a medevac helicopter through the jungle foliage to pick up casualties suffered during a five-day patrol near Hue, April 1968. But for the young Americans who have decided to talk about it a half-century later, it was merely a moment in another sweltering day in a Southeast Asian jungle with well-hidden enemies all around. Some of them have spent years putting the experience in perspective. "When I look at that picture now, I say, 'If I can survive that, I can survive anything,'" said Tim Wintenburg, who in the photo helps carry a wounded soldier over brush hacked away to create a helicopter landing zone. Sgt. Maj. Watson Baldwin has his arms raised to guide in a helicopter that would take away the wounded men, including one shot in the leg by the Vietnamese soldier who was firing at Brown. Baldwin died in 2005, according to Fort Campbell officials who recently tracked down soldiers in the photo. Brown, who lives near Nashville, and Wintenburg, of Indianapolis, met with an Associated Press reporter at Fort Campbell in Kentucky to recount the events surrounding the photo their first news media interviews ever on the war. After he received his draft notice in 1965, Wintenburg visited a recruiting office and was told he looked "like Airborne material." By early 1968, he was 20 years old and on the front lines. Brown, who was 18 when he landed in Vietnam, remembers being inspired by "The Ballad of the Green Berets." He was encouraged to go through airborne training. Both men ended up at Fort Campbell, home of the 101st Airborne. In the spring of 1968, Brown and Wintenburg's squad was in the dangerous A Shau Valley on a weekslong "search and destroy" mission, meaning they never took prisoners. Firefights were commonplace. Brown recalls their battalion commander, a lieutenant colonel, telling them before one mission: "You get a body count, you get a prize." "To my knowledge we might have taken a handful of prisoners the whole time we was in Vietnam," Brown said. The soldiers were hiking up a slippery mountain trail after a monsoon when they paused to eat lunch. Brown, sitting on his rucksack with his M-16 rifle across his lap, thought he saw a sapling move down a ravine. He didn't feel any wind. He switched his rifle to full-automatic as an enemy fighter stepped into view. Known in the platoon as "hillbilly" for his Tennessee drawl and proficiency with a rifle, Brown fired on the first north Vietnamese soldier, killing him and then another behind him. He was reloading when a third enemy fighter fired back. "You know you see these movies where you see clods of dirt jumping up? I could see them, I mean they was coming right at me and that's when I got off that rucksack," Brown said. "I thought, this guy, he means to kill me as sure as the world." Brown lunged for cover, and a bullet struck the leg of a soldier who had been behind him. Once the ambush was put down, Brown carried the wounded man up the hill, injuring his back on the way. Brown grimaced as the photo was snapped. Wintenburg, who had lost his helmet, helped the wounded soldier up to the landing spot. He glanced back toward Greenspon. Greenspon now lives in Connecticut. He declined to be interviewed, saying the soldiers should always be the focus of any story about the photograph. Vietnam veteran Dallas Brown, right, talks about f Vietnam veteran Dallas Brown, right, talks about food rations during the war with Tom Hara of the Fort Campbell Historical Foundation, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Oct. 27, 2017. Vietnam veteran Dallas Brown, right, talks about food rations during the war with Tom Hara of the Fort Campbell Historical Foundation, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Oct. 27, 2017. Brown and Wintenburg each spent about a year in Vietnam, and both men struggled with anxiety for years. But now, 50 years later, they relish opportunities to reunite with fellow 101st Airborne members. Brown has a copy of the photo hanging in his home, and he has plenty of stories of how he convinced relatives and friends that he's in it. A few years ago, Brown's granddaughter and her boyfriend now her husband asked about it. Seeing it through their eyes reminded him of the growing pride he now takes in his piece of history. Wintenburg shares that pride, though he is perhaps more sanguine about what led him to that moment. "We didn't really have a choice back then," he said. "We did what we had to do." A New Jersey man convicted of setting off and trying to set off bombs in New York in 2016, one of which injured more than 30 people, was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison, the U.S. Justice Department said in a statement. Ahmad Khan Rahimi, 30, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, was found guilty in October of using a weapon of mass destruction, bombing a public place and other charges. "Today's sentencing assures us that Ahmad Khan Rahimi will spend the rest of his life behind bars," William F. Sweeney Jr., assistant director in charge of the FBIs New York Field Office, said in the statement. "Once again, the lesson learned is clear: If you plot to cause catastrophic damage against this city and our citizens, you will be held accountable." One of Rahimi's bombs exploded in the New York neighborhood of Chelsea on September 17, 2016, leaving more than 30 people injured and causing hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of property damage. A second bomb in the same area did not detonate. Earlier in the day, a pipe bomb Rahimi had planted near a Marine Corps charity footrace in Seaside Park, New Jersey, exploded but caused no injuries. On September 18, six other improvised explosive devices that Rahimi had planted were found in a backpack at the entrance to a transit station in Elizabeth, New Jersey. One went off while a bomb squad was using a robot to try to defuse it. Rahimi was arrested the following day in Linden, New Jersey, after an exchange of gunfire with police, the Department of Justice statement said. U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo strongly denied on Tuesday a report that Russia bilked U.S. spies out of $100,000 by offering compromising information on President Donald Trump. He told a Senate hearing that reporting on the matter was "totally inaccurate." GENEVA - The U.N. refugee agency reports thousands of people are taking deadly flight as ethnic violence grows in Democratic Republic of Congo's Ituri Province. Some people are losing their lives in their desperation to escape the increasingly bitter conflict between the Hema and Lendu ethnic groups in DRC's Ituri Province. The U.N. refugee agency reports four Congolese refugees seeking safety in Uganda have drowned after their boat capsized on Lake Albert two days ago. The UNHCR says several days prior to this tragedy, two other refugees died at the DRC shores of Lake Albert, where thousands of people are waiting to cross. Last week, the agency recorded a huge surge in the numbers of people fleeing Ituri, with more than 22,000 Congolese crossing Lake Albert to Uganda. This brings the total number of new arrivals in Uganda since the beginning of the year to 34,000. UNHCR spokesman, Babar Baloch, calls this very alarming. He tells VOA this is the biggest exodus of refugees from Ituri for two decades. That is when 400,000 people were displaced and tens of thousands were killed in clashes between the Hema and Lendu over cattle and grazing rights. "We remain worried," he said. " ... What we have seen in the last weeks, on average 3,000 people fleeing per day, and this could still go on as there are reports of thousands of others being stranded on the shores of Lake Albert inside DRC." Baloch says refugees recount gruesome stories of growing attacks against civilians in Ituri Province, as well as killings and destruction of private property. He says UNHCR has received many reports of civilians being hacked to death and killed with arrows. Baloch says arriving refugees are in great need of shelter, food and other vital support. He says new settlements must be built and it is critical for refugees to receive psychological counseling to help them overcome their trauma. LONDON - A London court will rule on Tuesday whether it would be in the interests of justice to pursue action against WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange for failing to surrender to bail back in 2012. If the judge rules in his favor, then Assange, 46, would be free to leave the Ecuadorean Embassy in London where he has been holed up for more than five years. However, he might still elect to remain in the embassy, where he has been granted political asylum, because he fears Britain would arrest him under a U.S. extradition warrant, the existence of which has neither been confirmed nor denied. Who is Julian Assange? Assange was born in Townsville, Australia, in July 1971, to parents who were involved in theater and traveled frequently. In his teens, Assange gained a reputation as a sophisticated computer programmer and in 1995 he was arrested and pleaded guilty to hacking. He was fined, but avoided prison on condition he did not reoffend. In his late 20s, he went to Melbourne University to study mathematics and physics. Wikileaks Assange launched WikiLeaks in 2006, creating a web-based "dead letter drop" for would-be leakers. It says it is a non-profit organization funded by human rights campaigners, journalists and the general public, with the aim of fighting government and corporate corruption. The website rose to prominence in April 2010 when it published a classified video showing a 2007 U.S. helicopter attack that killed a dozen people in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, including two Reuters news staff. In July that year, it released more than 90,000 classified U.S. military documents on the war in Afghanistan and then in October, it published about 400,000 more secret U.S. files on the Iraq war. The two leaks represented the largest security breaches of their kind in U.S. military history. It followed these up with the release of 250,000 secret diplomatic cables from U.S. embassies around the world, with some of the information published by newspapers such as the New York Times and Britain's Guardian. The leaks angered and embarrassed U.S. politicians and military officials, who said the unauthorized dissemination would put lives at risk, and drew similar condemnation from U.S. allies such as Britain. Arrest in 2010 On Nov. 18, 2010, a Swedish court ordered Assange's detention as a result of an investigation into allegations of sex crimes. He had spent much of the year in Sweden and the accusations of misconduct were made by two female Swedish WikiLeaks volunteers. On Dec. 7, 2010, Assange was arrested by British police on a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) issued by Sweden. Assange denied the allegations and was eventually granted bail on Dec. 16. He said from the outset that he believed the Swedish case was a pretext to extradite him to the United States to face charges over the WikiLeaks releases. His extradition to Sweden for questioning was ordered in Feb. 2011. Subsequent appeals failed and an order for his surrender was issued for June 29, 2012. On June 19, he entered the Ecuadorean Embassy in the upmarket Knightsbridge area of London seeking asylum. Ten days later a judge at London's Westminster Magistrates' Court issued a warrant for his arrest. Ecuadorean Embassy Ecuador granted Assange asylum on Aug. 16, 2012 and at the time he said he expected to wait six months to a year for a deal which would allow him to leave the embassy. British police mounted a round-the-clock guard to prevent his escape, saying he would be arrested should he leave. The impasse left Assange living in cramped quarters in the embassy with no political or legal solution to the saga in sight. A United Nations panel said in Feb. 2016 that Assange had been arbitrarily detained. Britain called that description "ridiculous", saying his detention was voluntary. British police ended their permanent guard in October 2015, having spent an estimated 12.6 million pounds, but said they would maintain "covert tactics" to arrest him if he left the embassy. Swedish Case Dropped On Nov. 14, 2016, Swedish prosecutors questioned Assange at the embassy in London about the alleged sex crimes for about four hours. Swedish prosecutors announced on May 19, 2017, that they had dropped their investigation and withdrawn their EAW. However, British police said he would still be arrested if he left the embassy because there was an outstanding warrant for failing to surrender to bail. In January this year, Ecuador granted Assange citizenship after Britain refused a request for him to be given diplomatic status, saying he would face justice if he left the embassy. New Court Challenge On Jan. 26, Assange's lawyers asked London's Westminster Magistrates Court to drop the arrest warrant against him because it no longer applied as Sweden's EAW had been withdrawn. They said Assange and his guarantors had forfeited more than 110,000 pounds ($156,000) when he failed to surrender and he had already spent 5-1/2 years in conditions which were "akin to imprisonment." Last Tuesday, Judge Emma Arbuthnot rejected his bid to have the warrant withdrawn. However, she then agreed to consider whether, even if Assange were arrested and brought to court, it would actually be in the interests of justice to take any further action against him. Her ruling will be made on Tuesday and if he is successful, it would mean there was no public, legal case in Britain against him. U.S. Criminal Investigation During his successful election campaign, U.S. President Donald Trump praised Assange's organization for releasing hacked emails from Democratic National Committee (DNC) computers, telling a rally in Oct. 2016 "I love WikiLeaks." There is no public record or evidence demonstrating any U.S. criminal charges are pending against Assange. When Barack Obama was president, the U.S. Justice Department leadership concluded it would be inappropriate to prosecute WikiLeaks because it was too similar to a media organization. However in March last year, U.S. federal prosecutors in Alexandria, Virginia, expanded a long-running grand jury investigation into WikiLeaks and its personnel including Assange. A Justice Department official recently confirmed to Reuters this investigation was still open. Last April, CIA Director Mike Pompeo described WikiLeaks as a "hostile intelligence service" abetted by states such as Russia, who had used it to distribute hacked material from DNC computers during the 2016 presidential election. He also called Assange a "fraud" and a "coward." Assange and his supporters believe that U.S. prosecutors have a sealed, therefore secret, indictment against him. They also suspect that Britain has received a U.S. extradition warrant linked to these charges and that he would be arrested by British police were he to leave the embassy. They hope if his court case is successful, it will put pressure on the British authorities to disclose what, if any, U.S. efforts are in place to prosecute him. BRATISLAVA - A Slovak court has rejected a demand by Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis to be cleared of cooperation with the communist-era secret police (StB), a court spokesman said on Tuesday. The ruling concludes a lengthy legal battle started by Babis, a Slovak-born billionaire businessman who rose last year to the top of the political ladder in the neighbouring Czech Republic, Slovakias former partner in the Czechoslovak federation that fell apart in 1993. The decision is mainly of symbolic value. It does not stop Babis from holding office nor from attempting to form a new government after his minority administration failed to win a vote of confidence in the Czech parliament last month. A spokesman for Czech President Milos Zeman said on Twitter the decision did not mean any change in the presidents plan to appoint Babis as prime minister again. Former secret agents involved Babis, helped by evidence provided by former communist-era secret agents, won the initial court battles in the case, but his fortunes turned when the Slovak Constitutional Court ruled last year that those witnesses were unreliable. It also ruled that Babis's suit against the Slovak UPN institute which keeps communist-era files was misplaced, saying the institute was only the keeper, not the author, of the files, which were compiled by the StB itself. The Constitutional Court sent the case back to the Bratislava regional court for a final ruling, which was made on Jan. 30 but not published until Tuesday. We will sue until death Babis has admitted to meetings with StB officers in the 1980s in the former Czechoslovakia when he was a Communist Party member and worked in foreign trade, but he insists he only discussed the countrys economic interests. For some Czechs and Slovaks, the injustices of the communist era of their joint past are still raw nearly 30 years on, but Babiss ANO party still easily won the Czech election in October with nearly 30 percent of the vote. Babis said on Tuesday he would fight the ruling with another lawsuit, although he did not know yet where it would be addressed. We will sue until death because we are in the right, he told the online version of daily MF Dnes. Faces fraud charges Babis moved to Prague in the 1990s and built up his Agrofert chemicals and farming business before entering politics in 2011. Babis is also facing fraud charges in the Czech Republic in a case involving 2 million euros in European Union and national subsidies a decade ago. That is the main reason other parties have refused to join a Babis-led government. He denies any wrongdoing and ANO has refused to nominate another candidate for the post of prime minister. Ukrainian opposition leader Mikheil Saakashvili said Tuesday he would continue rallying people against the nation's authorities from abroad, following his deportation. At a news conference in Warsaw, Saakashvili described his detention in Kyiv by armed, masked men and immediate ejection to neighboring Poland as a violation of international laws. He vowed to continue encouraging Ukrainians to stand up to authorities he considers "corrupt elites." "We will have millions of people protesting in the streets of Ukraine," said Saakashvili, who was Georgia's president before he took a government position in Ukraine. Saakashvili was deported to Poland because he entered Ukraine from the neighboring country last year. Speaking in Ukrainian and English, he said he would find a way to return to Ukraine, insisting it is his country. Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili is s FILE - Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili is surrounded by his supporters as he arrives at a checkpoint on the Ukrainian-Polish border in Shehyni, Ukraine, Sept. 10, 2017. FILE - Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili is surrounded by his supporters as he arrives at a checkpoint on the Ukrainian-Polish border in Shehyni, Ukraine, Sept. 10, 2017. Saakashvili and a small crowd of supporters shoved their way through a line of guards from Poland into Ukraine in September. "Warsaw-Kyiv, Kyiv-Warsaw, I have traveled that route many times and will do it again," Saakashvili said, without offering specifics. He said he planned to visit family in the Netherlands and to seek support for his political activity by meeting European leaders and lawmakers. Saakashvili was Georgia's president from 2004 to 2013, and later was given a governorship in Ukraine by then-ally President Petro Poroshenko. He has since criticized Poroshenko for failing to stem corruption and has led anti-government protests. The Different Faces of Love The woman whose friendship with former South Korean President Park Geun-hye sparked a massive corruption scandal that resulted in Park's fall from power has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Choi Soon-sil was sentenced Tuesday in the Seoul Central District Court on charges of abuse of power, bribery and meddling in state affairs. The court also imposed a hefty fine of nearly $17 million on Choi. South Korean ousted leader Park Geun-hye arrives f FILE - South Korean ousted leader Park Geun-hye arrives for her trial at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, May 25, 2017. FILE - South Korean ousted leader Park Geun-hye arrives for her trial at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, May 25, 2017. The 62-year-old Choi was accused of exercising not just influence but cult-like control over Park, even though she had no official government role, and to have exploited her personal relationship with the ex-president to coerce large corporations to donate over $68 million, which she then embezzled and funneled to two nonprofit corporations she controlled. The court also sentenced Shin Dong-bin, the chairman of the Lotte Group, one of South Korea's major conglomerates, to two-and-a-half years in prison for bribery. He was charged with donating over $6 million to a foundation backed by Choi in exchange for a state license to open a duty-free shop and other favors. A former presidential secretary Ahn Jong-beom arr A former presidential secretary Ahn Jong-beom arrives for questioning at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in Seoul, South Korea, Nov. 2, 2016. South Korean prosecutors requested an arrest warrant for a longtime friend of President Park Geun A former presidential secretary Ahn Jong-beom arrives for questioning at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in Seoul, South Korea, Nov. 2, 2016. South Korean prosecutors requested an arrest warrant for a longtime friend of President Park Geun In a third related case, Ahn Jong-beom, a former senior aide to ex-President Park, was sentenced to six years in prison for abuse of power. Another major figure caught in the scandal was billionaire Samsung Electronics heir Lee Jae-young, who was sentenced last August to five years in prison for bribery, embezzlement, money laundering, sheltering assets overseas and perjury of parliament. An appeals court suspended Lee's jail sentence last week and ordered his immediate release from prison. Parks relationship with Choi dates back to the 1970s, during the time her father Park Chung-hee ruled South Korea for 18 years after coming to power in a coup. Chois father Choi Tae-min, a religious cult leader, became a mentor to Park while she was acting as first lady, after her mother was killed during an assassination attempt on her father. The two women also became close friends during this period when they were both in their 20s. The revelations of Park's relationship with Choi and the allegations of bribery and influence peddling led to Park's impeachment by the South Korean legislature last March and her removal from office by the Constitutional Court. She has been behind bars since her ouster, and is currently on trial on charges of bribery, abuse of authority, coercion and leaking government secrets. GUATEMALA CITY - Former Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom and a former finance minister who is now chairman of Oxfam International were arrested on Tuesday as part of a local corruption investigation, the public prosecutors office said. One of the 10 people detained in todays operation is the ex-president of the republic, Alvaro Colom, Juan Francisco Sandoval, chief anti-corruption officer at the public prosecutors office, said on local radio. Juan Alberto Fuentes, a former finance minister who is currently chairman of Oxfam International, was also among those arrested, prosecutors said. Fuentes arrest ratchets up the pressure on the British charity, already reeling after reports of sex abuse by aid workers in Haiti. Juan Alberto Fuentes, former Guatemalan Minister o Juan Alberto Fuentes, former Guatemalan Minister of Finance and currently chair of the NGO Oxfam International, is flanked by police as they wait to enter a holding cell in a courthouse, in Guatemala City, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. Juan Alberto Fuentes, former Guatemalan Minister of Finance and currently chair of the NGO Oxfam International, is flanked by police as they wait to enter a holding cell in a courthouse, in Guatemala City, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. Fuentes has assured us that he has cooperated fully with the investigation in the confidence he did not knowingly transgress rules or procedures, Oxfam International Executive Director Winnie Byanyima said in a statement. Colom, 66, was president of Guatemala from 2008 to 2012. The corruption investigation is looking at buses bought during his administration for a large public transport program. We think everything was legal, but lets wait and see what the judge says, Colom said as he entered the courthouse, flanked by police. The eight other people arrested were Coloms former ministers who signed the deal to purchase the buses. Colom is not the first Guatemalan leader to face graft accusations. Current President Jimmy Morales, a former television comedian who ran on an anti-corruption ticket, came under fire last year from the United Nations, the European Union and the U.S. ambassador in Guatemala for attempting to expel a U.N.-backed prosecutor seeking to put him on trial for alleged corruption. The investigation into allegations of illicit campaign financing, which followed separate graft probes into members of the presidents family, had threatened Morales with impeachment. He escaped that fate but his authority has been seriously hampered. Morales predecessor, former president Otto Perez, is currently behind bars, awaiting trial on graft charges. Leading Iranian academics are demanding answers after officials said a renowned environmentalist had killed himself in prison. Officials told the family of Kavous Seyed Emami, 63, founder of the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation, that he had killed himself two weeks after he was arrested. Emami, a Canadian-Iranian citizen, was also a respected professor at Imam Sadegh University in Tehran. A group of four academic societies, representing some of Iran's top universities, wrote an open letter to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, demanding "immediate and effective action to seriously investigate the case ... and make the institutions involved in this painful loss accountable." "In addition to being a well-known professor, a distinguished scientist and war veteran ... he was a noble and ethical human being," they wrote. "The news and rumors related to his arrest and death are not believable." Omar Alghabra, Canada's parliamentary secretary for consular affairs, tweeted Monday morning that "Canada is concerned about the circumstances around the death of Mr. Seyed-Emami. Our thoughts are with his family. Canada has asked Iranian authorities for answers." Tehran's chief prosecutor had said Emami was part of a group of environmental activists arrested on suspicion of espionage. "Some people who collected and transferred information to strangers were identified and some were arrested, and some might be arrested in the future,'' Gholam-Hossein Esmaili said. The Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI), a nonprofit group based in New York, said at least nine other staff members and executives of Seyed-Emami's organization had been arrested on the same day as him, citing a relative of one of those detained. It said Emami's family was under pressure to immediately bury him and forgo an independent autopsy. "Claims that Seyed Emami's death was a suicide have no credibility whatsoever. This is a prison system out of control and a judiciary that is actively colluding in a massive cover-up," said Hadi Ghaemi, the CHRI's executive director. Israeli police have recommended that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu be indicted on corruption charges in two separate cases. The recommendation of criminal charges came Tuesday after a monthslong investigation into allegations that Netanyahu had accepted expensive gifts from billionaires. He also allegedly promised to do favors for a newspaper publisher in exchange for positive news coverage. The prime minister appeared on Israeli television Tuesday minutes after police made their recommendations public. "I will continue to lead the state of Israel responsibly and loyally as long as you, the citizens of Israel, choose me to lead you," he said. The prime minister also said the police recommendations for an indictment "will end with nothing." Netanyahu is accused of taking gifts, including cigars, cognac and jewelry, from billionaire benefactors, including Israeli-born Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian media magnate James Packer. Netanyahu's longtime rival, former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, called the alleged corruption "horrifying." But Netanyahu called himself the victim of a police and media "witch hunt." It is up to Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit to decide whether to indict Netanyahu. An indictment would not require him to immediately step down. But it would certainly cripple his ability to govern in what is already a shaky coalition government of hard-liners and liberals. Robert Berger contributed to this report. ROME - For years Ponte Milvio, an ancient bridge spanning the Tiber river in northern Rome, has been associated with romance. Couples attach love padlocks on the bridge and throw the keys into the river so theyll be locked together forever. Last week, though, love was not on the minds of masked fascists who unfurled a banner near the bridge paying tribute to an extremist gunman who wounded half a dozen migrants in a February 3 drive-by shooting 200 kilometers from the Italian capital. "Honor to Luca Traini," the black lettering on the white banner read in reference to the 28-year-old Neo-Nazi skinhead who wounded six migrants during a shooting spree earlier this month in the small central Italian town of Macerata. "The exposure of the banner in Ponte Milvio is a deplorable act," tweeted Romes mayor Virginia Raggi. "Violence is never justified," she added. Many refugees and migrants in Ventimiglia, Italy, Many refugees and migrants in Ventimiglia, Italy, live near the river Roya, where they wash clothes and bathe. Many refugees and migrants in Ventimiglia, Italy, live near the river Roya, where they wash clothes and bathe. But in the run-up to parliamentary elections on March 4 many Italians, including right-wing populist politicians, appear eager to blame migrants for any acts of violence against them, explaining attacks on the migrants as expressions of frustration at a migrant invasion, the issue uppermost in the minds of voters two weeks out from the polls, according to pollsters. On the election hustings Matteo Salvini, the head of the League Party, has been turning up the heat in his courting of the anti-migrant vote. Traini was a one time regional candidate for the League and while Salvini condemned the shooting he did so as much by blaming migrants for provoking the assault for the "chaos, anger" and "drug dealing, thefts, rapes and violence" they have brought with them. Since the shooting, which Traini carried out after the rape and murder of a Macerata teenage girl allegedly by Nigerian immigrants, Salvini has ratcheted up his demands and called for mass repatriation of migrants. Campaigning in Umbria Friday he called for the shuttering of hundreds of unlicensed mosques in Italy, describing Islam as "incompatible with our values, rights and freedom." There are 1.7 million Muslims living in Italy and the government has licensed just a handful of mosques. Most Muslims worship in make-shift mosques set up in vacant shops and businesses or apartments. FILE - Matteo Salvini, leader of the Northern Leag FILE - Matteo Salvini, leader of the Northern League party, meets the media at the Foreign Press Association headquarters in Rome, July 11, 2017. FILE - Matteo Salvini, leader of the Northern League party, meets the media at the Foreign Press Association headquarters in Rome, July 11, 2017. Salvini has ignored pleas from the Catholic Church and ministers with Italys Democratic Party government to temper his increasingly bellicose rhetoric demanding a "stop to the invasion." His party was called the Northern League until he decided to drop the goal of seeking secession for the more affluent north of the country and to court voters in the south, who he once castigated as parasites. Now independence for the north has given way to an unmitigated focus by the League on what Italy should do about the 600,000 migrants who have arrived in Italy in the past four years. Former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi was meant to be a moderating influence on Salvini and populists in another party, Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy), who hes in an electoral alliance with, but in the wake of the Macerata shooting, he too has has announced that all 600,000 migrants should be expelled, although he has stopped short of calling for the closure of mosques. Commentators say hes determined to ensure his Forza Italia party will secure a bigger share of the vote than the League. Winning votes Berlusconis deal with his election partners is that the leader of the party which secures the most votes will become the next prime minister, if as appears highly possible the right-wing electoral alliance is able to form a coalition government. "Those who justify incidents like the one in Macerata throw open the door to a return of fascism," said the countrys transport minister Graziano Delrio. Non-profits working with migrants say they are finding it increasingly difficult to secure cooperation from local municipalities and are encountering obstruction when they apply to open offices. Forza Italia party leader Silvio Berlusconi waves Forza Italia party leader Silvio Berlusconi waves as he leaves at the end of a rally in Catania, Italy, Nov. 2, 2017. Forza Italia party leader Silvio Berlusconi waves as he leaves at the end of a rally in Catania, Italy, Nov. 2, 2017. On the streets of Italian cities neo-fascists certainly appear emboldened, adding more toxicity to a notably bad-tempered election. On Saturday, an anti-Fascist march in Macerata was disrupted by members of Forza Nuova, a Neo-Nazi group Traini was once a member of, who staged a muscular counter demonstration in the towns medieval piazza and scuffled with police while chanting slogans of the Benito Mussolini era and brandishing the stiff-armed Roman salute of their grandparents. Neo-fascist and anti-migrant violence has been bubbling away for years. There have been reports of increasing street physical and verbal attacks on migrants and foreigners. Official hate crime records collated by the interior ministry have shown a sharp rise, from 71 hate crimes in 2012 to 803 in 2016. But rights campaigners say the official figures are a tip of the iceberg. Migrants and refugees have dinner near the underpa Migrants and refugees have dinner near the underpass in Ventimiglia, Italy. Many wait until nightfall to attempt their crossing in France. Migrants and refugees have dinner near the underpass in Ventimiglia, Italy. Many wait until nightfall to attempt their crossing in France. Two years ago just meters from where neo-fascists unfurled their banner lauding Luca Traini, a 45-year-old French woman resident in Italy was beaten up by two Italians in their mid-twenties, who broke one of her legs in several places. Eye-witnesses say that as they beat her up, her assailants yelled, "We are National Socialists", "We are the Aryan race." Ordinary Italians who demonstrated courtesy just a year ago to migrants in their midst are increasingly disgruntled when encountering them on their streets or when they panhandle outside supermarkets. Tightening his tattered jacket closer as he tries to keep the cold out, twenty-four-year-old Abeo, a Nigerian who arrived in Italy via Libya a year ago, says Italian shoppers curse at him when he asks for spare change outside a supermarket on the Via Cassia near Ponte Milvio. "They seem very angry," he says. Despite his name meaning bringer of happiness in his native Yoruba language, Abeo clearly doesnt bring joy to any to Italians scurrying past him to their cars. Anna-Maria, a 45-year-old housewife swings her grocery bag in Abeos direction as she explains she will be breaking her habit of voting for the left in the forthcoming election. "The Democratic Party has done nothing to end the invasion," she said. "These migrants are not us. We dont have enough money for ourselves and our kids cant get jobs. Enough is enough." WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump's $4.4-trillion budget request to Congress includes $28 billion for the Department of Justice, the nation's chief law enforcement agency. The proposed funding is largely in line with the departments budget in recent years, but it reflects the Trump administrations law enforcement priorities, including sizable increases in funding for national security programs, fighting violent crime, immigration law enforcement and combatting the opioid epidemic. While Trumps ambitious spending wish list stands little chance of passage, Attorney General Jeff Sessions is pressing Congress to approve his departments budget, arguing that the agencys aggressive law enforcement activities last year led to major successes that benefit the American people. Congress should invest in these efforts, because all of us benefit from a safer America, Sessions said in a statement. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, briefing reporters on the budget proposal, singled out a recent reduction in the violent crime rate following two years of sharp increases as one of the department's achievements under Trump. Reducing violent crime is a top priority for the Department of Justice, he said. With over 117,000 personnel, the Justice Department is the fourth largest federal government agency. U.S. Government Publishing Office employee Darlene U.S. Government Publishing Office employee Darlene Matthews arranges new copies of President Donald Trump's Budget for the U.S. Government for the Fiscal Year 2019 at the U.S. Government Publishing Office in Washington, Feb. 12, 2018. U.S. Government Publishing Office employee Darlene Matthews arranges new copies of President Donald Trump's Budget for the U.S. Government for the Fiscal Year 2019 at the U.S. Government Publishing Office in Washington, Feb. 12, 2018. Among major investment areas proposed by the Justice Department: $295 million for combatting the drug epidemic, a key Trump administration priority. While the proposal includes the hiring of 50 new DEA field agents and other initiatives, the lions share of the proposed funding increase will result from the transfer of a $254 million grant program for law enforcement agencies operating in critical drug trafficking regions from the Office of National Drug Control Policy to the Drug Enforcement Agency. $109 million for various violent crime reduction programs, including a doubling of funding for a national initiative by the Department of Justice to reduce gun violence. $66 million for immigration enforcement and border security, including $40 million to add 75 new immigration judges and their support to expand their total number to 524. Last year, the department hired 75 immigration judges. $25 million will be invested in transitioning the immigration court system's transition from a paper-based system to an electronic submission and case management system. $13 million to reform the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty program, which allows governments to assist one another in criminal investigations. $10 million to expand the Bureau of Prisons' apprenticeship initiative to provide job skills development and career training programs. The funding increase will be partly covered by the savings made from consolidating a number of department components, officials said. Among them, the Community Relations Service, the justice departments self-styled peacemaker for community conflicts, will be transferred to the Civil Rights Division, resulting in $15 million in savings. The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services grant programs for local law enforcement agencies will be consolidated into the Office of Justice Programs. Since 1995, the COPS office has invested more than $15 billion in community policing. The move will free up additional dollars for our grantees, said Assistant Attorney General Lee Lofthus. ISLAMABAD - Military chiefs from Afghanistans neighboring countries, along with U.S. and NATO commanders, met Tuesday in Kabul to discuss cooperation to fight narcotics trading and terrorism. Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said the conference intended to find ways to jointly deal with both security challenges. Officials said delegates at the day-long session decided to continue cooperation for peace and stability in the region. Pakistans army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, also attended the conference. Afghan and American officials accuse his army of harboring Taliban personnel in Pakistan and have been pressuring the neighboring country to take action against them. Pakistan has eliminated all terrorist sanctuaries from its soil, Bajwas spokesman quoted him as telling the conference. But the army chief said Pakistani forces are tracing and targeting residual signatures of terrorists who take advantage of the presence of 2.7 million Afghan refugees and the absence of effective border security coordination. Bajwa reiterated that Pakistani territory can't be used against any other country and Islamabad expected the same in reciprocity and called for a collaborative approach and persistence to respond to challenges facing the region. Army chiefs from Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan attended the meeting. U.S. CENTCOM chief General Joseph Votel and General John Nicholson, who commands the NATO Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, were also in attendance. Increasing terror attacks Tuesdays meeting came amid escalating terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, some claimed by loyalists of Islamic State. It also comes as Afghan poppy production has hit record levels. U.S. officials estimate income from the illegal narcotics made from poppies funds 65 percent of Taliban-led insurgent activities. FILE - Raw opium from a poppy head is seen at a po FILE - Raw opium from a poppy head is seen at a poppy farmer's field on the outskirts of Jalalabad, afghanistan. FILE - Raw opium from a poppy head is seen at a poppy farmer's field on the outskirts of Jalalabad, afghanistan. Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman Waziri said his government hopes a joint regional security strategy through conferences like the one Kabul hosted Tuesday would also help counter IS terrorists and address complaints by Iran and Russia that terrorism in Afghanistan threatens their sovereignty and regional security interests. "Regional countries, including Iran and Russia repeatedly raise alarms that Daesh could spill over their borders and discussions [in Kabul] are exploring ways to fight terrorism and counter narcotics through a common strategy or platform," Waziri noted, using the Arabic acronym for IS. Moscow and Tehran allege the Middle East-based terrorist group is increasing its footprint in the country with tacit support of the U.S. military. Washington rejects the allegations as "rumors" and cites sustained air and ground operations U.S. officials say have significantly degraded IS and killed hundreds of its fighters in Afghanistan. The U.S. military has recently unleashed a new air campaign to destroy Taliban-linked drug labs to disrupt their funding sources. The campaign began in November and has since destroyed dozens of narcotics factories and processing facilities, according to U.S. officials. Fighting in southern Afghanistan Meanwhile, Afghan security forces, assisted by NATO air power, repulsed a major Taliban offensive on a southern district center, killing dozens of insurgents. Officials said Tuesday the overnight multi-prong rebel assault to capture Nesh in Kandahar province could not succeed due to the timely arrival of local and foreign air support. Provincial police chief General Abdul Raziq told VOA airstrikes inflicted heavy casualties on the assailants before they retreated and fighting died down in the area. The fighting killed 43 Taliban insurgents and wounded 20 others, he said, but the officer would not say whether Afghan forces also suffered casualties. Kandahars northern Nesh district is located near the boundaries of Zabul and Uruzgan provinces and it had briefly fallen to the Taliban last year. A Taliban spokesman, Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, rejected as baseless propaganda official claims about insurgent casualties. He said the Taliban attack inflicted heavy losses on Afghan forces and captured two government outposts. Lesotho's leading opposition party has formed a coalition government, after a snap election gave no group an outright majority. Prime Minister Thomas Thabane's All Basotho Convention finished a close second in Saturday's election with 46 seats, one seat behind the Democratic Congress. Democratic Congress leader Pakalitha Mosisili has been declared head of a coalition that also includes the Lesotho Congress for Democracy and five smaller parties. Mothejoa Metsing, who served as deputy to the outgoing prime minister, has been named Mosisili's deputy. Friday, in an interview with VOA, Metsing had confirmed plans for a coalition government with Mosisili at the head. Voters in the tiny African enclave cast ballots for 80 parliamentary seats, while another 40 seats are distributed proportionally after the final tally. A majority of 61 seats was needed for an outright win. Results were released Wednesday with 100 percent of the vote counted, although the electoral commission had not yet made an official announcement. Saturday's election, two years earlier than scheduled, followed an attempted coup in August that forced Prime Minister Thabane to temporarily flee the country. Thabane had presided over a tripartite coalition government - the first of its kind in the country's history. Discord within the coalition built rapidly when Thabane declared a 10-month suspension of parliament last June. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) brokered an agreement with Lesotho's coalition parties to end the suspension of parliament in order to hold the snap election. PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron said his government is preparing to take fundamental steps to completely reform the lives and organizational structures of Muslims in the country. Speaking to Journal du Dimanche, Macron said he wants to bring an end to disputes nationwide triggered by jihadi attacks over the last few years. According to the French president, the reforms that will be initiated in the first quarter of 2018 include the fight against Islamic fundamentalism, restructure Muslim organizations and regulate their relations with the rest of the society. Macron told the newspaper that his governments reform project is still underway, so declined to speak about the details before it is complete. He said the countrys intellectuals and academics continue to exchange ideas to lay the groundworks of the project while referring to the need to reform what he terms, the problematic ties between Islam and the French Republic. France is a secular country by constitution. The country has a special law since 1905 requiring the separation of church and state, also prohibiting the state from recognizing or funding any religion. Recent debates included amending the current law, but Macron is known to be against the idea. Whatever we opt to do, my goal is to stimulate the very principle that exists within the heart of that law on secularity. In other words, to keep the rights to believe or not to believe, the free will and national harmony. The French government wants to find a nationwide solution to the issue of financing and training Islamic clergy. Paris says other governments meddle in the nation's affairs when they directly finance mosques and appoint imams despite the existing law on secularity. The government is looking for ways to finance mosques, regulate charities, raise funds to train imams and perhaps tax halal products to raise funding. The French government is reportedly working on the reforms through the presidents office, the Ministry of the Interior and the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) which was set up in 2003 by then-Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy. While Elysee Palace is in touch with Islam experts, academics and intellectuals, the ministry works through its own experts. The CFCMs own report on the proposed reforms will be ready in June. FILE - French President Emmanuel Macron gives a sp French President Emmanuel Macron gives a speech in the northern port of Calais on Jan. 16, 2018, vowing that France will not allow another migrant camp like the infamous "Jungle" to spring up in the city. French President Emmanuel Macron gives a speech in the northern port of Calais on Jan. 16, 2018, vowing that France will not allow another migrant camp like the infamous "Jungle" to spring up in the city. ?While the planned reforms aim to curb foreign influence on mosques and imams in France, it also proposes to require imams to take university-level studies where they will be taught secularism, civil liberties, theology, religious history and sociology. Also among the proposals is the election of a Chief Imam like the existing Chief Rabbi of France in the case of Jews to lead the French Muslims as the sole religious and moral authority and a strong communal representative. When Macron received Frances religious leaders in December last year, he reportedly said he wanted Islam (in France) restructured and asked the CFCM to create a working group to contribute to the project. Macron also wants to change the structure of the CFCM, a non-profit whose management is still influenced by leading Muslim countries. The CFCM itself also reportedly backs the proposed reforms. Anouar Kbibech, the vice-chairman of the organization said, there is already an awareness within the organization to reach out to the rest of French society. Ahmet Ogras, the CFCMs Turkish-French chairman also says the organization has also been pressing for reforms. The leader of the countrys nationalist party, Marine Le Pen rebuffed the project as unacceptable and she called on the government to stop financial aid to mosques. However the leader of Front National said she supports the idea of stopping foreign influence on French mosques. A recent survey by Institut Francais de l'Opinion Publique (IFOp) shows 56 percent of the participants agree to Islam and the French society can coexist. In 2016, at the peak of the jihadi attacks in France, that rate was 43 percent. LONDON - A U.N. peacekeeping force in eastern Ukraine could pave the way for local elections within a year, according to a new report that aims to build on international momentum behind establishing such a mission. The U.S. special envoy to Ukraine, Kurt Volker, advocated the deployment of peacekeepers several months ago. Russian President Vladimir Putin has since suggested that he may accept a small U.N. force. The new report, commissioned by former NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen, now an adviser to Ukraine's president, calls for a peacekeeping force of 20,000 soldiers from non-NATO countries, led by Sweden. It is hoped such a force would allow local elections to take place in eastern Ukraine within 12 months, a key part of the 2015 Minsk peace accords. The report will be presented to officials from all sides at this weeks three-day Munich Security Conference. The report was welcomed by the Principal Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission Alexander Hug, in an interview with VOA. It is a question of will by those who have it in their hands to bring this conflict to an end. Any additional measure that will help this happening, including further monitoring of the situation, but any other tool, should be welcomed. With regard to a potential U.N. operation in eastern Ukraine, this is a decision that the Security Council will have to decide, Hug told VOA. WATCH: UN Peacekeeper ?The OSCE warns the conflict has escalated in the first weeks of 2018, with up to 1,000 cease-fire violations on a single day. Hug says the 700 unarmed civilian monitors are often blocked from doing their job on the frontlines. That is done through passive obstacles, minefields, other physical obstacles that are put in our way that are not removed and represent at the same time a violation of the [Minsk] agreements. But then there is also active interference with our patrols; we are stopped at checkpoints and not let further, we are threatened at checkpoints, and the most serious cases - we are also intimidated by the use of [gun] fire. More than 10,000 people have been killed in the conflict between Ukrainian government forces and Russia-backed separatists since April 2014. Most civilians dont support the conflict or its aims, says Hug. The fact that up to 40,000 Ukrainians cross this line both ways on a single day, every day, is very promising. Normally the contact line is a division line. Not in this conflict. The line doesnt exist in their heads, its a tragic reality there on the ground. So I think even on behalf of the civilians that bear the brunt of this conflict, dialogue is required and they express that every day. Senior officials from Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France, the so-called Normandy format, will discuss the conflict on the sidelines of the Munich Conference, starting February 16. As a member of the U.N. Security Council, Russia could veto any peacekeeping mission. NEW YORK - Aimin Liu's food delivery job is an exercise of muscle memory and physical endurance. He scans the Chinese kitchen's receipts and addresses before placing his hands on the padded handlebars of his e-bike. Lifting his body, he is off as fast as the bike will allow, against the sting of the winter wind. The goal is to deliver 30 to 40 orders a day, six days a week, across New York's midtown and lower Manhattan, sometimes as far as 20 city blocks away. Liu has been doing this for almost as many years. "My legs are no good," Liu tells VOA in Mandarin, rubbing his 59-year-old kneecaps. "Both of my feet hurt. I have arthritis on both sides." If it weren't for his electric motor-powered bicycle, Liu says he might collapse or deliver half the number of orders on any 12-hour shift not an option in a low-wage profession that is dependent upon customer tips. Aimin Liu, 59, says he is able to continue deliver Aimin Liu, 59, says he is able to continue delivering meals because of his e-bike. My legs are no good, he tells VOA. Im not capable of riding a regular bike. Aimin Liu, 59, says he is able to continue delivering meals because of his e-bike. My legs are no good, he tells VOA. Im not capable of riding a regular bike. But that is the dilemma faced by Liu and thousands of delivery workers, most of them Chinese immigrant workers in their 50s and 60s. The e-bike which can typically reach speeds of 32 kilometers per hour is legal to purchase and own, but illegal to operate on New York streets, thanks to conflicting federal and state regulations. Workers like Liu have a choice: Use an e-bike and risk confiscation by the New York Police Department (NYPD), along with a $500 ticket, or don't use an e-bike and jeopardize a benchmark monthly wage. "We'll need to appear in court, which means we'll have to take days off, and to get the bikes back, and to go pay the fine," explained Liqiang Liu, 45, an e-bike delivery worker and spokesperson for the New York Delivery Workers Union. Liqiang Liu, 45, feels it is his responsibility to Liqiang Liu, 45, feels it is his responsibility to stand up for older e-bike delivery workers, many of whom work more than 60 hours per week to earn a livable salary. We cant take a day off even we are sick, he tells VOA. Liqiang Liu, 45, feels it is his responsibility to stand up for older e-bike delivery workers, many of whom work more than 60 hours per week to earn a livable salary. We cant take a day off even we are sick, he tells VOA. "When you are looking at the loss of four to five days' worth of pay, on top of the $500 fine, we are easily looking at a loss of over $1,000," he said. 'Economic pressure' The bags beneath Aimin Liu's eyes are pronounced. Once a farmer and truck loader in Fujian province, he became a political asylee in the United States in 1991 and now counts the years until he is eligible for social security benefits. Already, he has had several run-ins with the police for using an e-bike. But lacking English skills and physical strength, he cannot find another job. Many bicycle delivery workers put in 12 hours on a Many bicycle delivery workers put in 12 hours on an individual shift. But in the off-peak hours, business and tip-earning can be slower. Many bicycle delivery workers put in 12 hours on an individual shift. But in the off-peak hours, business and tip-earning can be slower. Fifty-three-year-old Deqing Lian, who works six 11-hour shifts every week, cares for his wife who is "not well," and sends additional money to his parents in China. He says the "economic pressure" he faces is worsened by customers' expectations to cover long distances and do it fast, an outgrowth of computerized ordering systems. "If we're too slow, the customers will be unhappy. They would refuse the meal and demand a refund," Lian said. "And when we get back from the run, our boss would be cursing at us." Measuring safety In October, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and the NYPD announced stricter measures to hold e-bike operators and the restaurants that use them accountable, citing hazardous use. "E-bikes are too often a danger on the city's streets and sidewalks," NYPD Commissioner James P. O'Neill said. But Do Lee, an advocate for The Biking Public Project and an Environmental Psychology Ph.D. candidate at the City University of New York Graduate Center, says arguments that deem e-bikes unsafe don't add up and, instead, impoverish "an already impoverished community." "It's largely these very privileged, wealthy residents who are complaining about very low-wage immigrant workers who often don't have English fluency and are very low-wage, and so they lack a lot of political capital to fight back on this," Lee said. Zheng, a Chinese delivery worker, repairs his bike Zheng, a Chinese delivery worker, repairs his bike on a New York sidewalk. Zheng, a Chinese delivery worker, repairs his bike on a New York sidewalk. His research, citing NYPD data from 2007 to 2015, suggests a disproportionate number of tickets were issued to bicyclists of color based on the neighborhoods where they live and work. Within the food delivery workforce, that largely equates to Latino and Asian immigrants. 'Simply too old' Among New York pedestrians and drivers, the very mention of an e-bike sometimes draws a visceral reaction. "They never stop on the red light; they go in any direction," said Lana Rayberg, a Belarusian-American artist. Kyshia Anderson was more sympathetic. "The e-bikes stop faster than the regular bike," she said. "I'm more paranoid of taxi drivers." Like his older peers, Deqing Lian feels he is out of options. Asked whether his kids might be able to help if he were out of a job, he replied, "They are hardly capable of taking care of themselves. How could I expect them care for us? "We don't want to rely on the government," Lian added. "We still have our hands and our feet. But without these e-bikes, we really don't have any other means. We are simply too old." UNITED NATIONS - The United States on Tuesday described Myanmar denials of ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims as "preposterous" as it called on the U.N. Security Council to hold the military accountable and pressure leader Aung San Suu Kyi "to acknowledge these horrific acts that are taking place in her country." "Powerful forces in the Burmese government have denied the ethnic cleansing in Rakhine State," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told the Security Council. "To make sure no one contradicts their preposterous denials, they are preventing access to Rakhine to anyone or any organization that might bear witness to their atrocities, including the U.N. Security Council," Haley said. French U.N. Ambassador Francois Delattre also told the Security Council that a massacre of Rohingya Muslims reported by Reuters could "constitute crimes against humanity." However, any push for U.N. Security Council action is likely to face resistance from council veto powers Russia and China, who both said on Tuesday the situation in Rakhine state was stable and under control. "Using labels and attempts to use contradictory and subjective reports of the media ... to find out who's guilty and condemn them only move us farther away from a solution," Russia's Deputy U.N. Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy warned. Nearly 690,000 Rohingya have fled Rakhine state and crossed into southern Bangladesh since last August, when attacks on security posts by insurgents triggered a military crackdown that the United Nations has said may amount to genocide. "Conditions are not yet conducive to the voluntary repatriation of Rohingya refugees," U.N. refugee chief Filippo Grandi told the Security Council. Rohingya refugees line up for daily essentials dis Rohingya refugees line up at a daily essentials distribution point at Balukhali camp, near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, Jan. 15, 2018. Rohingya refugees line up at a daily essentials distribution point at Balukhali camp, near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, Jan. 15, 2018. Calls for journalists release Myanmar has denied that ethnic cleansing has taken place. Myanmar told the U.N. Security Council not to visit during February because it was "not the right time," Kuwait's U.N. Ambassador Mansour Ayyad Al-Otaibi said this month. However, Myanmar U.N. Ambassador Hau Do Suan said that some other diplomats had been able to travel to Rakhine state. The Reuters special report, published last week, lays out events leading up to the killing of 10 Rohingya men from Inn Din village in Rakhine state who were buried in a mass grave after being hacked to death or shot by Buddhist neighbors and soldiers. Myanmar's Hau Do Suan said that an inquiry by the Myanmar military, known as the Tatmadaw, had found that 10 Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army militants had been arrested in Inn Din and executed and buried a day later. "Actions are being taken against 16 individuals, including army and police officers and some villagers who had acted in violation of standard operating procedures and the rules of engagement. This action of the Tatmadaw is positive step forward in taking responsibility and deserves encouragement," he said. WATCH: Rohingya crisis ?With reference to Reuters journalists arrested for reporting on the Rohingya, Hau Do Suan said Myanmar recognizes freedom of the press and the journalists were not arrested in December for reporting a story, but were accused of "illegally possessing confidential government documents." "Every citizen is bound by the existing law of the land. It is important that the actions of the journalists must also within the bound of the law," he said. Britain, France, the United States, the Netherlands and Kazakhstan all called for the release of the Reuters journalists during the Security Council meeting on Tuesday. U.S. National Intelligence Director Dan Coats told the Senate Intelligence Committee Tuesday during its annual worldwide threats hearing that North Korea's weapons of mass destruction will pose a significant danger to the U.S. and its allies in the near future. "North Korea will be the most volatile and confrontational WMD (weapons of mass destruction) threat in the coming year," Coats said. "In addition to its ballistic missile tests and growing number of nuclear warheads for these missiles, North Korea will continue its long-standing chemical and biological warfare programs also." Coats said North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is determined to develop long-range nuclear missiles capable of striking the U.S., which Coats said Kim views as critical to his country's security. "Kim also probably sees nuclear ICBMs as leverage to achieve his long term strategic ambition to end Seouls alliance with Washington and to eventually dominate the (Korean) peninsula." FBI Director Christopher Wray, accompanied by CIA FBI Director Christopher Wray, accompanied by CIA Director Mike Pompeo, right, speaks at a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing on worldwide threats, in Washington, Feb. 13, 2018. FBI Director Christopher Wray, accompanied by CIA Director Mike Pompeo, right, speaks at a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing on worldwide threats, in Washington, Feb. 13, 2018. Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo told lawmakers the U.S. and its allies "have built a global coalition pushing back against Kim Jong-un and his terror regime," and said he would disclose more information about the coalition's plans in a closed hearing later in the day. Russia, Coats said, will continue to be the world's "most capable WMD power" and is "expanding its nuclear weapon capability." Terrorism continues to be a major global threat, Coats said, including within U.S. borders. "U.S.-based home grown violent extremist terrorism, including inspired and self-radical individuals, represent the primary and most difficult to detect Sunni terrorism threat in the United States." Despite losing significant territory in Iraq and Syria, Coats said Islamic State "remains a threat" and will likely try to regroup in "ungoverned portions" of those countries. He said al-Qaida "will remain a major actor in global terrorism" and will remain "intent on attacking the United States and U.S. interests abroad." Iran will "remain the most prominent state sponsor of terrorism and an adversary" in the Middle East, Coats said. He said he expects Iran will bolster its regional influence by exploiting "the fight against ISIS to solidify partnerships and translate battlefield gains into political security and economic agreements." Coats also expressed concern that the "increasing, fractious political process" in the U.S. is threatening "our ability to properly defend our nation." "The failure to address our long-term fiscal situation has increased the national debt to over 20 trillion (dollars) and growing," Coats said. "This situation is unsustainable, as I think we all know, and represents a dire threat to our economic and national security." Companies selling some of the most lucrative prescription painkillers funneled millions of dollars to advocacy groups that in turn promoted the medications' use, according to a report released Monday by a U.S. senator. The investigation by Missouri's Senator Claire McCaskill sheds light on the opioid industry's ability to shape public opinion and raises questions about its role in an overdose epidemic that has claimed hundreds of thousands of American lives. Representatives of some of the drugmakers named in the report said they did not set conditions on how the money was to be spent or force the groups to advocate for their painkillers. The report from McCaskill, ranking Democrat on the Senate's homeland security committee, examines advocacy funding by the makers of the top five opioid painkillers by worldwide sales in 2015. Financial information the companies provided to Senate staff shows they spent more than $10 million between 2012 and 2017 to support 14 advocacy groups and affiliated doctors. The report did not include some of the largest and most politically active manufacturers of the drugs. FILE - Senate Homeland Security and Governmental A FILE - Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee ranking member Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., asks a question during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, June 6, 2017. FILE - Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee ranking member Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., asks a question during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, June 6, 2017. The findings follow a similar investigation launched in 2012 by a bipartisan pair of senators. That effort eventually was shelved and no findings were ever released. While the new report provides only a snapshot of company activities, experts said it gives insight into how industry-funded groups fueled demand for drugs such as OxyContin and Vicodin, addictive medications that generated billions in sales despite research showing they are largely ineffective for chronic pain. 'Pretty damning' "It looks pretty damning when these groups were pushing the message about how wonderful opioids are and they were being heavily funded, in the millions of dollars, by the manufacturers of those drugs," said Lewis Nelson, a Rutgers University doctor and opioid expert. The findings could bolster hundreds of lawsuits that are aimed at holding opioid drugmakers responsible for helping fuel an epidemic blamed for the deaths of more than 340,000 Americans since 2000. McCaskill's staff asked drugmakers to turn over records of payments they made to groups and affiliated physicians, part of a broader investigation by the senator into the opioid crisis. The request was sent last year to five companies: Purdue Pharma; Insys Therapeutics; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, owned by Johnson & Johnson; Mylan; and Depomed. Fourteen nonprofit groups, mostly representing pain patients and specialists, received nearly $9 million from the drugmakers, according to investigators. Doctors affiliated with those groups received another $1.6 million. FILE - Purdue Pharma offices are seen in Stamford, FILE - Purdue Pharma offices are seen in Stamford, Connecticut, May 8, 2007. FILE - Purdue Pharma offices are seen in Stamford, Connecticut, May 8, 2007. Most of the groups included in the probe took industry-friendly positions. That included issuing medical guidelines promoting opioids for chronic pain, lobbying to defeat or include exceptions to state limits on opioid prescribing, and criticizing landmark prescribing guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Doctors and the public have no way of knowing the true source of this information and that's why we have to take steps to provide transparency," said McCaskill in an interview with The Associated Press. The senator plans to introduce legislation requiring increased disclosure about the financial relationships between drugmakers and certain advocacy groups. 'Front groups' A 2016 investigation by the AP and the Center for Public Integrity revealed how painkiller manufacturers used hundreds of lobbyists and millions in campaign contributions to fight state and federal measures aimed at stemming the tide of prescription opioids, often enlisting help from advocacy organizations. Bob Twillman, executive director of the Academy of Integrative Pain Management, said most of the $1.3 million his group received from the five companies went to a state policy advocacy operation. But Twillman said the organization has called for non-opioid pain treatments while also asking state lawmakers for exceptions to restrictions on the length of opioid prescriptions for certain patients. "We really don't take direction from them about what we advocate for," Twillman said of the industry. The tactics highlighted in Monday's report are at the heart of lawsuits filed by hundreds of state and local governments against the opioid industry. The suits allege that drugmakers misled doctors and patients about the risks of opioids by enlisting "front groups" and "key opinion leaders" who oversold the drugs' benefits and encouraged overprescribing. In the legal claims, the governments seek money and changes to how the industry operates, including an end to the use of outside groups to push their drugs. U.S. deaths linked to opioids have quadrupled since 2000 to roughly 42,000 in 2016. Although initially driven by prescription drugs, most opioid deaths now involve illicit drugs, including heroin and fentanyl. Companies and their contributions Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, contributed the most to the groups, funneling $4.7 million to organizations and physicians from 2012 through last year. FILE - Different brands and dosages of fentanyl pa FILE - Different brands and dosages of fentanyl patches are seen, April 26, 2006. Although initially driven by prescription drugs, most opioid deaths now involve illicit drugs, including heroin and fentanyl. FILE - Different brands and dosages of fentanyl patches are seen, April 26, 2006. Although initially driven by prescription drugs, most opioid deaths now involve illicit drugs, including heroin and fentanyl. In a statement, the company did not address whether it was trying to influence the positions of the groups it supported, but said it does help organizations "that are interested in helping patients receive appropriate care." On Friday, Purdue announced it would no longer market OxyContin to doctors. Insys Therapeutics, a company recently targeted by federal prosecutors, provided more than $3.5 million to interest groups and physicians, according to McCaskill's report. Last year, the company's founder was indicted for allegedly offering bribes to doctors to write prescriptions for the company's spray-based fentanyl medication. A company spokesman declined to comment. Insys contributed $2.5 million last year to a U.S. Pain Foundation program to pay for pain drugs for cancer patients. "The question was: Do we make these people suffer, or do we work with this company that has a terrible name?" said U.S. Pain founder Paul Gileno, explaining why his organization sought the money. Depomed, Janssen and Mylan contributed $1.4 million, $650,000 and $26,000 in payments, respectively. Janssen and Mylan told the AP they acted responsibly, while calls and emails to Depomed were not returned. Thousands of Pakistanis turned out in the city of Lahore Tuesday to bid a final farewell to one of the country's most prominent human rights activists, who died of cardiac arrest Sunday at the age of 66. Friends, family, politicians and rights activists were among those who attended the funeral service for Asma Jahangir at the city's Gadhafi Stadium. Jahangir was one of the founders of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, a forum that went on to highlight rights violations across the country. FILE - Pakistani human rights activist Asma Jahang FILE - Pakistani human rights activist Asma Jahangir speaks to The Associated Press in Lahore, Pakistan, June 14, 2017. FILE - Pakistani human rights activist Asma Jahangir speaks to The Associated Press in Lahore, Pakistan, June 14, 2017. Jahangir also served as United Nations special rapporteur on human rights. On its website, the international rights body praised Jahangir for her contribution to the cause of human rights for which she received multiple awards both nationally and internationally. The U.S. State Department said Tuesday it was joining Pakistan and other countries around the world in mourning the death of the human rights and democracy advocate. "For years, she courageously defended the rights of those who did not have a voice, and championed the rule of law, democracy and human rights, including freedom of religion or belief," said spokesperson Heather Nauert, calling Jahangir a "global icon in human rights. "Her death is a great loss to the world, and she will be missed as a champion of her country, its people and the millions more around the world on whose behalf she spoke," Nauert added. Pakistani authorities are announcing a new program aimed at preventing billions of dollars in public donations to charities from ending up with banned militant groups. The "Safer Charity" initiative announced Tuesday urges people to use caution and donate to responsible humanitarian organizations. The move comes amid concerns that some militant organizations are using front organizations to collect money for allegedly humanitarian work. According to government officials, people in Pakistan donate up to $4.5 billion annually to help the poor and needy, as part of fulfilling the religious obligation of almsgiving, or zakat. "Pakistani citizens pay annually an estimated amount of 500 billion rupees [$4.5 billion] in charity and only a portion of that amount is being audited," Ibn Hayyan, a federal official in charge of Safer Charity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, told VOA. The new program urges citizens to ensure the groups they are donating to have not been banned by the government. "The charity money should reach needy and less fortunate people, not to those who are engaged to destroy the humanity," Noor Alam Khan, a local politician and former member of the National Assembly of Pakistan, told VOA. "There is a law that prevents people from giving charity to illegal militant groups, but it has not been put into practice," Khan added. Earlier this week, Pakistan amended its anti-terrorism law that authorizes the government to blacklist charities linked to Islamist leader Hafiz Saeed. Saeed has been wanted by the United States since 2012 for his role in planning the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. According to Islam, Muslims are required to pay 2.5 percent of their savings to charity annually. Pakistani activists of the Islamic hardline organi FILE - Pakistani activists of the Islamic organization Jamaat-ud-Dawa torch an Indian flag during a demonstration in Quetta, Oct. 10, 2014. FILE - Pakistani activists of the Islamic organization Jamaat-ud-Dawa torch an Indian flag during a demonstration in Quetta, Oct. 10, 2014. ?Banned groups The recent measure follows last month's announcement by the country's Ministry of Interior that it had blacklisted 72 charitable organizations suspected of involvement in militancy, barring them from fundraising in the country. The list includes Hafiz Saeed's Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and its subsidiary Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), which according to experts serve as the front organizations for Lashkar-e-Taiba, a U.S.- and European Union-designated terror group that is accused of involvement in both India and Afghanistan. JuD and FIF are also designated terror groups by the U.S State Department. Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was founded by Saeed in 1980s with the goal of liberating Indian-administered Kashmir and subsequently merging it with Pakistan. Over time, the group has also expanded its operations to neighboring Afghanistan. The terror group is accused of being behind Mumbai's 2008 terror attacks in which 166 people were killed, including six Americans. A press release from the Pakistan's Ministry of Interior warned citizens that aiding banned organizations such as JuD and FIF financially or otherwise would constitute a crime, punishable by law. ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has amended its anti-terrorism law that authorizes the government to blacklist charities linked to Islamist leader Hafiz Saeed. Two charities run by Saeed Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and the Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) have been outlawed by the U.N. Security Council for being "terrorist fronts" for Lashkar-e-Taiba, a group Saeed founded 30 years ago that has been blamed for the 2008 deadly attacks in India's financial capital of Mumbai. Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain last week quietly approved the amendments to the law, which the government only made public Monday. Until now, the organizations sanctioned by the U.N. Security Council were not automatically listed as terrorist entities in Pakistan, enabling JuD and FIF to conduct their charity-related activities around the country and collect donations. Hafiz Saeed, head of the Pakistan's Jamaat-ud-Dawa FILE - Hafiz Saeed, head of the Pakistan's Jamaat-ud-Dawa group waves to supporters at a mosque in Lahore, Pakistan, Nov. 24, 2017. FILE - Hafiz Saeed, head of the Pakistan's Jamaat-ud-Dawa group waves to supporters at a mosque in Lahore, Pakistan, Nov. 24, 2017. Islamabad's move comes a week before the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on terror financing holds a crucial meeting in Paris to assess Pakistan's efforts to choke funding sources to terrorist groups, including those linked to Saeed. Washington has offered a $10 million reward for bringing Saeed to justice and warned Islamabad of repercussions in November after a Pakistani court freed the cleric from months of house arrest, citing a lack of evidence linking him to the Mumbai attacks. Saeed has repeatedly denied involvement in the violence and alleges his house arrest was the outcome of U.S. pressure on Pakistan. The amended anti-terrorism law that was made public would also enable authorities to list two other charities in the country Al-Akhtar Trust and Al-Rashid Trust that the U.N. has designated terrorist groups because of their links to al-Qaida. India has long demanded Pakistan try and punish Saeed for planning the 2008 bloodshed. Islamabad maintains New Delhi has not provided enough evidence to arrest and successfully prosecute the cleric. Indian authorities allege organizations linked to Saeed are fueling a separatist insurgency in the India-rule portion of the divided Kashmir region. Bilateral tensions have been running high between the two nuclear-armed rival nations. Following the latest deadly militant attack against an army base in the disputed region over the weekend, Indian Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman warned Monday that Pakistan "will have to pay for the misadventure." Islamabad rejected India's allegations of Pakistani involvement in the attack. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry urged New Delhi to "refrain from any misadventure" across the de facto Kashmir border. MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin on Monday passed greetings from U.S. President Donald Trump to the visiting Palestinian leader, who responded that he doesn't want to cooperate with Washington following its decision to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital. Speaking at the start of their meeting in the Kremlin, Putin told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that he was just off the phone with Trump. Naturally, we spoke about the Palestinian-Israeli settlement, he said I would like to convey to you his best wishes. Abbas responded that the Palestinians dont want to cooperate with the United States as a sponsor of the peace process, but welcome multilateral cooperation. Trump honored a campaign promise in December by recognizing Jerusalem as Israels capital and vowing to relocate the U.S. Embassy there. The move outraged Palestinians and others across the Muslim world. Palestinian leaders have said it means that Washington can no longer serve as a Mideast peace broker. We refuse to cooperate with the Americans as co-sponsors, Abbas told Putin in remarks carried by Russian news agencies. President Trump again surprised us. His decision to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and consider Jerusalem the capital of Israel was like a slap in our face. WASHINGTON - The Pyeongchang Olympic organizers and the Korean public health organization have created a task force to contain an outbreak of the norovirus at the winter games, where more than 100 people have come down with the dreaded stomach bug. The organizations say they are quarantining affected people, sanitizing affected areas and telling those who are potentially impacted what they should do to contain the virus. South Korean Olympic organizers called in the police to take over from quarantined workers after some tested positive for the norovirus, a stomach bug that causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Dr. Cynthia Sears, an infectious disease expert at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, told VOA how easily the virus is spread. "Norovirus is a virus that's exceptionally contagious. It can be spread by simply touching surfaces," she said. Norovirus can survive for days or even weeks on a variety of surfaces. And, Sears said, it only takes a small amount of the virus to infect someone. "It can be spread by vomiting because it can aerosolize to some extent. People can pick up enough that way. It can be spread through the stool (fecal matter) if you accidentally get a little bit of feces on something," Sears said. The virus spreads quickly between people, especially in close quarters like cruise ships and nursing homes. It can spread wherever there are crowds. The norovirus can also be passed on through contaminated food and water, if the person handling it has the virus, or gets fecal matter on the food or in a drink. Symptoms normally last for a few days, but afterward, the sickness causes fatigue. The antidote is cleanliness. If food preparation surfaces are disinfected and food is cooked thoroughly, the virus's ability to survive is reduced. The best defense is lots of hand washing and disinfecting any surfaces that might be contaminated, especially kitchens and bathrooms, and keeping your fingers away from your face. WASHINGTON - With U.S. congressional primary elections just weeks away, top intelligence officials are warning that Russia appears intent on trying to disrupt the 2018 vote much as it tried to do during the 2016 presidential election. The heads of six major intelligence agencies told the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday that Moscow sees the midterm elections as a potential target for "influence operations." "At a minimum, we expect Russia to continue using propaganda, social media, false-flag personas, sympathetic spokespeople, and other means of influence to try to exacerbate social and political fissures in the United States," said Dan Coats, director of National Intelligence. WATCH: Russia probe on US elections ?The midterm elections are slated for Nov. 6. The earliest primary elections will be held March 6. U.S. officials have long worried that Russia might interfere in the upcoming elections, repeating a campaign of disruption it waged during the 2016 U.S. presidential vote and a series of European elections in 2017. ?Last month, CIA Director Mike Pompeo said he had "every expectation" that Russia will interfere with the midterm elections, a prediction he repeated Tuesday. "We've seen Russian activity and intentions to have an impact on the next election cycle here," he said. Other officials agreed. "This is not going to change or stop," said Mike Rogers, outgoing director of the National Security Agency. Voters fill out their general election ballots at FILE - Voters fill out their general election ballots at a polling place in Bradfordton, Illinois, Nov. 8, 2016. Russia's determination to interfere in U.S. democratic institutions is not going to change or stop, said one intelligence official. FILE - Voters fill out their general election ballots at a polling place in Bradfordton, Illinois, Nov. 8, 2016. Russia's determination to interfere in U.S. democratic institutions is not going to change or stop, said one intelligence official. Robert Cardillo, director of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, added that he agreed with the assessment about the "2018 occurrence." U.S. 'is under attack' The officials said they agreed with a January 2017 assessment by the U.S. intelligence community that Russia tried to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The assessment said Russian President Vladimir Putin personally ordered an "influence campaign" with the aim of boosting President Donald Trump's electoral prospects. While Trump has dismissed any suggestion that Russia sought to aid his campaign, the officials said they stood by the assessment. "I participated in the assessment. I stood by it then, and I stand by it now," Rogers said. Coats added that the intelligence community has seen no "evidence of a significant change [in the Russian threat posture] from last year." Concern about Russian meddling in elections runs across all 29 member NATO countries, he said. At a recent NATO meeting, Coats said, officials were asked for a show of hands or verbal response if they did not worry about Russian interference in their elections. "Everyone was silent," Coats said. "This is pervasive. The Russians have a strategy that goes well beyond what's happening here in the United States." Coats said Russia, China, Iran and North Korea "pose the greatest cyberthreats" to the United States. "Frankly, the United States is under attack, under attack by entities that are using cyber to penetrate virtually every major action that takes place in the United States," he said. "From U.S. businesses to the federal government to state and local governments, the United States is being threatened by cyberattacks every day." And yet the officials acknowledged that the U.S. has yet to formulate a national strategy to counter cyberattacks. Strategy needed Pompeo said U.S. intelligence has the capability to raise the cost for those who dare challenge the U.S. elections, but he added, "We do need a U.S. government strategy and clear authorities to go achieve that strategy." With the U.S. primary election season set to kick off next month, lawmakers expressed frustration that Congress has yet to pass legislation to safeguard the integrity of the U.S. election system. "Voting begins next month. It would seem to me that we'd need to be acting quickly," said Roy Blunt, a Republican member of the panel. Leaders of the intelligence panel said they'll recommend election security legislation when they release their initial findings into the 2016 Russian election interference in the coming weeks. "It is our hope and our belief that before the primaries begin, we intend to have an overview of our findings that will be public," said Senator Richard Burr, chairman of the panel. "It is the committee's intent to make recommendations that will enhance the likelihood that the security of our election process is in place." Senator Mark Warner, the ranking Democrat on the panel, said while many questions remain about Russia's actions in the 2016 vote, there is "a broad bipartisan consensus" on the intelligence panel that Moscow engaged in a coordinated attack to undermine U.S. democracy. "Make no mistake this threat did not begin in 2016, and it certainly didn't end with the election," Warner said. "What we are seeing is a continuous assault by Russia to target and undermine our democratic institutions, and they are going to keep coming at us." CAPITOL HILL - Partisan sniping dominated U.S. Senate deliberations one day after the chamber voted to launch debate on immigration reform, including the fate of undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, on Tuesday signaled his intention to conclude the immigration debate by week's end and accused Democrats of needlessly delaying floor action. "If we're going to resolve these matters this week, we need to get moving," McConnell said. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., fla FILE - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., meets with reporters at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 6, 2018. FILE - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., meets with reporters at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 6, 2018. Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York objected when McConnell moved to begin floor debate on legislation cracking down on so-called "sanctuary cities" municipalities that do not cooperate with federal authorities in identifying and handing over undocumented immigrants. Schumer said the proposal "doesn't address Dreamers, nor does it address [U.S.] border security," and "would be getting off on the wrong foot." Hundreds of thousands of young immigrants, sometimes referred to as Dreamers, received temporary permission to work and study in the United States under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, an Obama administration program that President Donald Trump rescinded last year. Trump challenged Congress to pass a law addressing DACA beneficiaries' legal status, reigniting an immigration debate that reached the Senate floor this week. "The key here is an immigration debate, not a DACA-only debate, not an amnesty-only debate," Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley said. "An immigration debate has to include a discussion about enforcement measures how to remove dangerous criminal aliens from our country." Trump has proposed a path to eventual citizenship for 1.8 million young undocumented immigrants, but also demanded funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, a reduction in the number of legal immigrants America accepts, and prioritizing newcomers with advanced work skills. "Republicans want to make a deal and Democrats say they want to make a deal," Trump tweeted early Tuesday. "Wouldn't it be great if we could finally, after so many years, solve the DACA puzzle. This will be our last chance, there will never be another opportunity! March 5th." 'We're on the verge' Trump set March 5 as the termination date for DACA, after which former beneficiaries would be at risk of deportation unless Congress acts. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., cent FILE - Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., center, speaks on Capitol Hill, Feb. 6, 2018. FILE - Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., center, speaks on Capitol Hill, Feb. 6, 2018. Any immigration proposal will need three-fifths backing to advance in the Senate, and Democrats argued that only a narrowly-tailored bill focusing on areas of general bipartisan agreement a DACA fix and boosting border security can pass. "We can get something done, we're on the verge," Schumer said. "Let's work toward that." Senate Republicans have unveiled a proposal that encompasses Trump's immigration priorities, including "merit-based" legal immigration that gives preference to those who can best contribute to U.S. economic output. Illinois Democrat Dick Durbin said such criteria would have excluded his relatives who came to America from Lithuania. "My grandparents and my mother didn't come to this country with any special skills or proficiency. They came here with a determination to make a better life, and they did for themselves and for me," Durbin said. "That's my family's story. That's America's story." BATIBO, CAMEROON - Cameroonian authorities continue to search for a senior regional official kidnapped Sunday by suspected separatist militants in the country's English-speaking northwest. The abduction followed the killing of three gendarmes that same day amid violence in other anglophone towns as officials tried to celebrate National Youth Day. Julienne Namata, wife of the most senior government official in the Batibo subdivision of Cameroons English speaking northwest, prays for the safe return of her husband, Joseph Namata. She says he was taken from their residence on Sunday as he was getting set to go to the towns ceremonial ground and preside over activities marking Cameroon's 52nd annual National Youth Day. "At about eight oclock in the morning, we heard gunshots and I rushed to the room to alert him but when I got to the room, he was not there. I asked the gendarmes who were around the house. They told me he went out with his driver," she said. Authorities suspect that armed men were able to get Namata into his car without alerting his protection detail. The vehicle was later found burned. Joseph Namata has not been seen since. "We have organized a search with all the security forces that are at our disposal and the reinforcement that the governor and the regional security heads sent to us to organize the search, and we want to be grateful to the population that has already started indicating to us and providing us with their assistance in the search," says Absalom Monono Woloa, senior divisional officer of the Momo Division, where the subdivision of Batibo is located. However, fearing a roundup by security forces, hundreds of youth have also reportedly fled the town. Woloa called on them to return. Government officials and lawmakers in Cameroons two English-speaking zones have faced intimidation and attack in the past year. This is the first kidnapping of an administrative official. What started as a strike by anglophone lawyers and teachers in November 2016 degenerated as it was overtaken by separatist groups demanding full independence for the countrys anglophone minority. Violence has escalated amid a government crackdown. FILE - A still image taken from a video shot on Oc FILE - A still image taken from a video shot on Oct. 1, 2017, shows protesters waving Ambazonian flags in front of road block in the English-speaking city of Bamenda, Cameroon. FILE - A still image taken from a video shot on Oct. 1, 2017, shows protesters waving Ambazonian flags in front of road block in the English-speaking city of Bamenda, Cameroon. The detention of 47 separatist leaders arrested and extradited from neighboring Nigeria last month has thrown oil on the fire. Armed separatist groups warned on social media that Cameroon should not attempt to celebrate National Youth Day February 11th in the English-speaking regions. Separatists have declared the northwest and the southwest regions a breakaway state they call Ambazonia. Local officials, protected by security forces, went ahead with the celebrations. Cameroons defense minister, Joseph Beti Assomo, said three gendarmes deployed to maintain peace in the southwestern town of Kembong were, in his words cold-bloodedly assassinated by terrorists" that same February 11. More than two dozen policemen, gendarmes and soldiers have lost their lives amid the unrest in the anglophone regions, according to the defense minister. He added that hundreds of the separatists have either been killed or arrested, a figure that VOA could not immediately and independently verify. LONDON/TUNIS - Thomas Cook flew British tourists to Tunisia on Tuesday for the first time since an Islamist militant killed 30 Britons on one of the North African countrys beaches in 2015. Tourism provides much needed jobs and foreign currency in Tunisia, but it has struggled since the attack in the resort of Sousse killed 39 holidaymakers and an earlier one at the Bardo National Museum in Tunis left 21 dead. The sector accounts for about 8 percent of Tunisias gross domestic product and the attacks worsened an economic crisis started by the overthrow of Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011. The 2015 beach attack, which was claimed by Islamic State, prompted Britain to advise against all but essential travel to Tunisia, and major operators scrapped their tour holidays there. However, Britains Foreign Office softened its advice last year and Thomas Cook said all three of its flights to Tunisias Enfidha airport were full. It will fly there three times a week, allowing Britons to join German, French and Belgian holidaymakers who have been going for the last two years. TUI Group, the operator with whom the victims had traveled, said last month it too planned to offer holidays in Tunisia again, starting in May. Its amazing to come back to Tunisia with my husband. Ill go to Sousse and Im not afraid, a British tourist who have her name as Julia said. Tunisia is obviously very secure. I want to spend a pleasant holiday again in the nice resort of Sousse. Revenues up TUI said its decision to resume holidays to Tunisia was due to returning appetite. Tunisias tourism revenues rose by 15.7 percent to 150 million dinars ($63 million) in January versus the same period last year, central bank data showed. We opened the destination because demand was there, thats very clear, CEO Fritz Joussen said after the company announced its first quarter results. Neji Ben Othman, the general director in the tourism ministry, told Reuters he hoped the return of Thomas Cook would encourage other Europeans to return too. Last year, the number of tourists visiting Tunisia rose by some 23 percent as hotels filled beds with Russian and Algerian visitors, but operators say they spend less than Western European holidaymakers during their stay. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned Tuesday of the need to remain focused on an "enduring defeat" of the Islamic State group, even though the militants have largely been ousted from the areas the once controlled in Iraq and Syria. Tillerson spoke at a conference in Kuwait for members of the coalition the United States set up in late 2014 with a multi-prong strategy of countering Islamic State, including through U.S.-led airstrikes and working to cut off the group's financing and flow of foreign fighters. "ISIS remains a serious threat to the stability of the region, our homelands and other parts of the globe," he said, using an acronym for the group. Tillerson said the militants are no longer in control of 98 percent of the territory they held at their height in 2014 when they declared the establishment of a caliphate in Iraq and Syria, but that they now pose a different threat. "In Iraq and Syria, ISIS is attempting to morph into an insurgency. In places like Afghanistan, the Philippines, Libya, West Africa and others it is trying to carve out and secure safe havens," he said. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (L) meets Eg U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (L) meets Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (R) and their delegations, in Cairo, Egypt, Feb. 12, 2018. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (L) meets Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (R) and their delegations, in Cairo, Egypt, Feb. 12, 2018. Tillerson announced $200 million in new aid to liberated areas of Syria. Later Tuesday, he is taking part in a donor conference aimed at rebuilding areas of Iraq. Ahead of the meeting, a senior State Department official said "the eyes have to be on the prize" when describing the need to focus on defeating Islamic State, and highlighted recent conflicts in the Afrin area of northern Syria between Turkish forces and the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces as a distraction from that goal. The official, and Tillerson in his Tuesday comments, recognized Turkey's concerns about Kurdish militants it considers a threat. "We believe theres a way to work through, walk through, these problems, and thats why the secretary is going to Ankara, to have those discussions," the official told reporters. Tillerson is on a five-nation trip in the region, which began in Egypt and includes stops in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon. WHITE HOUSE - U.S. President Donald Trump says he is considering tariffs, quotas, and retaliatory taxes on imports of steel and aluminum from countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea. The comments came during a wide-ranging trade discussion Tuesday between Trump and a bipartisan group of lawmakers at the White House. The president said U.S. steel and aluminum industries are being "decimated" by the "dumping" of cheap imports of those materials into U.S. markets. FILE - Entrance to idled U.S. Steel Corp steelmaki FILE - Entrance to idled U.S. Steel Corp steelmaking operations in Granite City, Illinois, U.S. FILE - Entrance to idled U.S. Steel Corp steelmaking operations in Granite City, Illinois, U.S. Trump has long threatened what he calls "reciprocal" trade action to deal with steel, aluminum, and other imports. But he has so far avoided taking any major steps, ostensibly out of fear of hurting the country's strong economic performance since he took office. Several lawmakers on Tuesday urged Trump to be cautious when considering retaliatory trade steps, saying such measures could spark a trade war that leads to higher prices for U.S. producers and consumers. "It's very, very much a double-edged sword," Trump conceded. "I want to keep prices down, but I also want to make sure that we have a steel industry and an aluminum industry," he added. The Trump administration is currently renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), as well as the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement with South Korea. Trump called the U.S.-South Korea deal "very, very bad" and "horrible." He also said Canada has "treated us very, very unfairly." Last month, the U.S. Commerce Department sent a so-called "232 report" to the White House, examining the national security impacts of steel and aluminum imports, and giving Trump 90 days to impose quotas or tariffs. Under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the president can initiate a probe to determine if imports threaten national security. "It's about our economy," Vice President Mike Pence during the meeting. "It's about our national security." Trade was a major topic for Trump during the presidential campaignhe vowed to impose a 45 percent tax on Chinese imports and a 35 percent tax on Mexican imports. But as president Trump has not followed through on those and other trade threats. VOA White House correspondent Steve Herman contributed to this report. U.S. President Donald Trump urged congressional lawmakers to find a solution to the vexing problem of immigration reform, saying the window of opportunity is closing fast to protect young immigrants brought illegally to the United States as children. "Republicans want to make a deal and Democrats say they want to make a deal. Wouldnt it be great if we could finally, after so many years, solve the DACA puzzle. This will be our last chance, there will never be another opportunity!" he tweeted Tuesday, referring to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Negotiations on DACA have begun. Republicans want to make a deal and Democrats say they want to make a deal. Wouldnt it be great if we could finally, after so many years, solve the DACA puzzle. This will be our last chance, there will never be another opportunity! March 5th. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 13, 2018 Last year, Trump terminated DACA, which temporarily protected young immigrants from deportation, and gave Congress until March 5 to enact legislation addressing their legal status. The U.S. Senate voted 97 to 1 late Monday to begin an extensive debate on immigration reform, as partisan differences swiftly emerged on the scope and substance of what lawmakers hope to see in a final package. "I hope this body can seize this opportunity and deliver real progress," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said. Trump has proposed granting DACA beneficiaries a path to eventual U.S. citizenship, something backed by large majorities of lawmakers from both political parties. But he has also insisted on constructing a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, reducing the number of legal immigrants America accepts, and prioritizing newcomers with advanced work skills. Senate Republicans unveiled a proposal, the Secure and Succeed Act, that encapsulates the White Houses blueprint for immigration. "I support the presidents proposal and my [Republican] colleagues proposal to implement it," McConnell said. "The Secure and Succeed Act is fair, addresses both sides most pressing concerns, conforming to the conditions the president has put forward." FILE - Demonstrators march during an immigration r FILE - Demonstrators march during an immigration rally in support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 6, 2017. FILE - Demonstrators march during an immigration rally in support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 6, 2017. Any immigration proposal will need three-fifths backing to advance in the Senate, where Republicans have a slim one-seat majority. Democrats signaled the Republican immigration plan is a non-starter. "The key is to find a consensus bill largely acceptable to significant numbers of members in both parties," Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said. "The only enemy here is overreach. Now is not the time nor the place to reform the entire legal immigration system. Rather, this is the moment for a narrow bill." Common sense, compromise seen as key Democrats and some Republicans have suggested limiting an immigration bill to a DACA fix and border security enhancements. That, too, is unlikely to succeed, according to California Democrat Dianne Feinstein. "There will probably be at least three bills," Feinstein told VOA. "The first would likely be a Republican bill; the second, a Democratic bill. They will probably both go down [to defeat], and then maybe the third bill will be the compromise." A compromise bill could come from a working group of Senate moderates from both political parties. Led by Maine Republican Susan Collins, the group helped forge an end to last months three-day partial federal shutdown. "I think it [Senate passage of an immigration proposal] is doable," Collins told VOA. "Were working on our bipartisan, common-sense coalition proposal, which I expect we will be releasing later this week." FILE - A supporter of President Donald Trump chall FILE - A supporter of President Donald Trump challenges police officers and a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program advocate during a rally outside the office of California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein in Los Angeles, California, Jan. 3, 2018. FILE - A supporter of President Donald Trump challenges police officers and a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program advocate during a rally outside the office of California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein in Los Angeles, California, Jan. 3, 2018. The Senate will consider individual immigration proposals as amendments to an uncontroversial bill that will serve as a legislative vehicle for immigration reform. "Its a topic weve been discussing for the last years," Republican Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming said. "So, Im expecting to have a very spirited debate and then votes - whoever gets to 60 votes wins." "Im not sure whats going to happen, because its been so long since we tried this [reformed U.S. immigration]," Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin said. "But it is exciting to think that men and women elected to this body, known as the greatest deliberative body, are finally going to deliberate." "Seventy or 80 percent of the American people, including me, agree that kids who grew up here that havent gotten in bad trouble [with the law] not only should be able to stay, but we have a vested interest in wanting them to stay and be part of a growing economy and a vibrant society," Missouri Republican Sen. Roy Blunt told VOA. "And 70 percent of the American people think we should be doing a better job at the border. Surely those two things can come together in a piece of legislation that winds up on the presidents desk." To become law, any bill the Senate passes would also have to be approved in the House of Representatives and get Trumps signature. VOA's Michael Bowman contributed to this report. ISTANBUL - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is taking a hard line against nations and foreign energy companies exploring for gas in the eastern Mediterranean, warning them not to "step out of line" and encroach on his country's territorial rights. Let them not think that the search for natural gas in Cypriot waters and opportunistic initiatives relating to islets in the Aegean have slipped our attention, Erdogan said Tuesday as he addressed his ruling AK Party parliamentarians. Both Greece and Turkey claim the islets, known as Imia and Greek and Kardak in Turkish. The two countries nearly went to war in 1996 over ownership of the islets. Erdogan made his remarks as Turkish warships continued to block an Italian ship from proceeding to search for energy in contested Cypriot waters. FILE - Turkey's President and leader of ruling Jus Turkey's President and leader of ruling Justice and Development Party Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses the members of his ruling party at the parliament in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. Turkey's President and leader of ruling Justice and Development Party Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses the members of his ruling party at the parliament in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. We warned Italy to not send oil company ENI to Cyprus for offshore drilling," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, adding that Ankara would defend what he said were Turkish Cypriot rights. Turkey claims as its own a part of the area designated by Cyprus for exploration. The government in Nicosia says Cyprus has a sovereign right to drill. The Turkish side made clear, what is unilaterally done [by Greek Cypriots] is totally unacceptable. The [exploration] blocks declared by the Greek Cypriot side overlap the blocks by Turkish Cypriot side, said former Turkish Ambassador Mithat Rende, who had responsibility for energy issues in his country's Foreign Ministry. The latest dispute also has embroiled Egypt, with Cairo criticizing Ankaras actions. Egypt and the Greek Cypriots have a partnership to search for energy together. The Egyptian Foreign Ministrys official spokesperson, Ahmed Abu Zeid, said in a statement that no party can dispute the legality of the agreement on the demarcation of the maritime borders between Egypt and Cyprus. In a related development, Greece says a Turkish coast guard vessel collided with a Greek coast guard boat off the disputed islets late Monday. No injuries were reported. The Greek vessel, however, was damaged. The Reuters news agency says Greece protested to Turkey over the incident and that the Turkish prime minister, Binali Yildirim, told his Greek counterpart, Alexis Tsipras, that Athens must take steps to decrease tension in the Aegean. FILE - Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, right, FILE - Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, right, shows the way to his Turkish counterpart Binali Yildirim, at the end of their joint news conference in Athens, Monday June 19, 2017. FILE - Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, right, shows the way to his Turkish counterpart Binali Yildirim, at the end of their joint news conference in Athens, Monday June 19, 2017. Earlier this month, the U.S. ambassador to Greece, Geoffrey Pyatt, warned of the danger of an accident between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean. The warning came as Athens claimed there had been a major surge in Turkish fighter jets infringing on its airspace over the waters. What we are seeing is an aggressive [Turkish] nationalist rhetoric, backed by action, exactly like Russia. Its quite likely to result in a confrontation, warned political scientist Cengiz Aktar. "Turkeys foreign policy is a return to the 19th century, based on the affirmation of the power. It's a muscle-flexing policy. This aggressive foreign policy feeds the nationalist feelings in the country. Its very functional for the regime in the upcoming elections. Turkey is due to hold local, general and presidential elections by 2019. The potent combination of electoral politics shaping foreign policy makes Ankara unpredictable, analysts say, in a region bereft of unresolved disputes. This all has a history; it's very much embedded in concepts on national causes, both on the Greek side and the Turkish side, said political columnist Semih Idiz of Al Monitor website. So Erdogan has to appear determined. This is one issue he has to be seen protecting Turkeys rights in the Aegean and Cyprus; in effect he is playing to the nationalist gallery. "Anything can happen at any time - a [Turkish] adventure in the Aegean [Sea] would mean occupation of a small island. For Cyprus, it would mean the annexation of the northern part of the island, said political scientist Aktar. Northern Cyprus is administered by a Turkish Cypriot government and recognized internationally only by Ankara. The rest of the island is ruled by a Greek Cypriot administration. Cyprus was partitioned after a 1974 Turkish invasion of the island following a Greek-inspired coup. The past couple of decades have seen diplomatic flareups among Ankara, Athens and Nicosia. The trouble occasionally has involved Ankara using strong rhetoric. Analysts point out that such disputes were contained by Turkeys bid to join the European Union, given that Ankara was aware any spilling over of diplomatic tensions into violence or even the very threat, likely would end its membership aspirations. Given that Turkeys EU bid is widely considered dead for the foreseeable future, the region could be entering a new era, according to Aktar. There are no more checks and balances that a future [Turkish] membership of the European Union is providing - owing to the difficult bilateral relations between the two countries [Greece and Turkey] and this is new, and that opens the door to a very dangerous future, Aktar underscored. All USD payments to T&T must be approved, come March 1 Finance Minister Social Share From the beginning of next month, all payments in United States dollars to Trinidad and Tobago will require the prior approval of the director of Finance and Planning. This is the temporary measure announced by the Ministry of Finance, in its attempts to address the problems being experienced by local exporters in repatriating income earned in Trinidad and Tobago. During the 2018 Budget address last week, Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves said while St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) pays Trinidad and Tobago for its imports in hard currency, our traders and the small farmers of SVG continue to suffer, because we have been unable to arrive at a satisfactory lasting solution with the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago. The Minister said at a recent meeting with local commercial banks, a proposal was made that payments to Trinidad and Tobago be conducted in TT$. Once implemented, this measure will bring relief to the situation, he said. According to Gonsalves, the banks have indicated that they will need to discuss the proposal with their head offices, but the fate of our farmers and traders acannot wait indefinitely on corporate consensus in far-flung bankersa boardrooms.a aAs such, in order to ensure that our farmers and other exporters receive timely payments for their sales to and from Trinidad and Tobago, I hereby announce that, as of 1 March 2018, the Ministry of Finance will enforce the relevant provisions of the Exchange Control Act with regards to payments in United States Dollars from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to Trinidad and Tobago. Accordingly, all USD payments to Trinidad and Tobago will require the prior approval of the Director of Finance and Planning. The Ministry of Finance will, of course, be happy to revisit this decision in the future if all parties can arrive at a less bureaucratically cumbersome solution. It is wrong and unfair for St Vincent and the Grenadines to be so disadvantaged in this matter,a the Minister said. Trinidad and Tobago, over the last five years, has enjoyed a trade surplus, on average, of $149.9 million annually with SVG. Over the last five years, SVG imported $167.1 million annually from Trinidad and Tobago while exporting an average of $17.2 million to Trinidad and Tobago. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Monday asked the Congolese foreign minister to deliver a message to President Joseph Kabila about the killing of two U.N. investigators: "Please ask Mr. Kabila what he did with my list." The list, which Haley told Kabila about when she met with him in Kinshasa in October, is of verified names of individuals involved in the murders of Zaida Catalan and Michael Sharp in March 2017, said the U.S. mission to the United Nations. Haley told Kabila "that justice for their murders was a priority for the United States," the U.S. mission said. Sharp, an American, and Catalan, a Swede, were killed in central Congo while carrying out independent investigations for a report to the U.N. Security Council. The bodies of Sharp and Catalan were found in a shallow grave two weeks later. Addressing Congolese Foreign Minister Foreign Minister Leonard She Okitundu during a U.N. meeting on Monday, Haley said: "I gave (Kabila) a list, and no action has been taken. That list is what we know needs to be looked at, and it is a serious list in reference to the deaths of those two people." Democratic Republic of Congo's President Joseph Ka Democratic Republic of Congo's President Joseph Kabila addresses a news conference at the State House in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo Jan. 26, 2018. Democratic Republic of Congo's President Joseph Kabila addresses a news conference at the State House in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo Jan. 26, 2018. A U.N. inquiry found in August that Sharp and Catalan were murdered by a group of Congolese, likely militia members from central Congo, but an absence of evidence "does not preclude the possibility that others are involved." Government spokesman Lambert Mende said in December that the authorities have not excluded the possibility that state agents were involved. A trial of a dozen suspected Kamuina Nsapu militia members started in June but was suspended in October pending the arrival in Congo of four U.N. experts in November to assist with additional investigations. The U.S. Mission to the United Nations said on Monday: "To date no serious action has been taken by President Kabila or the DRC government to investigate and arrest those involved with the murders of Michael and Zaida." Okitundu said investigations were ongoing and there must be a fair trial. He reacted angrily to a suggestion by Human Rights Watch during the U.N. meeting - on the Congolese electoral process - that the government was responsible. "You have to make sure you have proper serious evidence before you can accuse the government of murdering the U.N. experts," he said. "This is a serious accusation that can make your organization lose credibility." U.S. prosecutors on Monday announced charges against five former Venezuelan officials accused of soliciting bribes in exchange for helping vendors win favorable treatment from state oil company PDVSA, the latest case to stem from a $1 billion graft probe. The indictment by the U.S. Justice Department was filed in federal court in Houston, Texas, and was made public after Spain on Friday extradited one of the former officials, Cesar Rincon, who was a general manager at PDVSA's, procurement unit Bariven. Others charged included Nervis Villalobos, a former Venezuelan vice minister of energy; Rafael Reiter, who worked as PDVSA's head of security and loss prevention; and Luis Carlos de Leon, a former official at a state-run electric company. Those three like Rincon were arrested in Spain in October at the request of U.S. authorities amid a foreign bribery investigation into the financially struggling PDVSA, or Petroleos de Venezuela SA. De Leon, Villalobos and Reiter remain in Spanish custody. The indictment also charged Alejandro Isturiz Chiesa, who was an assistant to Bariven's president and remains at large. All five face conspiracy and money laundering charges. De Leon and Villalobos were also charged with conspiring to violate the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Fred Schwartz, a lawyer for Rincon, said he expected his 50-year-old client would plead not guilty when he is arraigned on March 6. Lawyers for the other defendants could not be immediately identified. The case flowed out of a U.S. investigation into what prosecutors have previously called a $1 billion bribery plot involving payments to PDVSA officials that became public with the arrest of two businessmen in 2015. The indictment announced on Monday said that from 2011 to 2013, the five Venezuelans sought bribes and kickbacks from vendors in exchange for helping them secure PDVSA contracts and gain priority over other vendors for outstanding invoices during its liquidity crisis. The indictment said the five Venezuelans then used various companies and bank accounts in Switzerland, Curacao and elsewhere to launder the money they received. Among the vendors that they promised to help in exchange for bribes were Roberto Rincon, who was president of Tradequip Services & Marine, and Abraham Jose Shiera Bastidas, the manager of Vertix Instrumentos, the indictment said. Both pleaded guilty in 2016 to conspiring to pay bribes to secure energy contracts. Eight other people have also pleaded guilty in connection with the U.S. investigation. CAPITOL HILL - The U.S. Senate voted 97 to 1 late Monday to begin an extensive debate on immigration reform, as partisan differences swiftly emerged on the scope and substance of what lawmakers hope to see in a final package. I hope this body can seize this opportunity and deliver real progress, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said. Days of freewheeling debate are expected as a deadline draws near for hundreds of thousands of young immigrants brought illegally to America as children. Last year, President Donald Trump terminated Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which temporarily protected young immigrants from deportation, and gave Congress until March 5 to enact legislation addressing their legal status. Trump has proposed granting DACA beneficiaries a path to eventual U.S. citizenship, something backed by large majorities of lawmakers from both political parties. But he has also insisted on constructing a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, reducing the number of legal immigrants America accepts, and prioritizing newcomers with advanced work skills. Senate Republicans unveiled a proposal, the Secure and Succeed Act, that encapsulates the White Houses blueprint for immigration. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., lea FILE - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., leaves the chamber after announcing an agreement in the Senate on a two-year, almost $400 billion budget deal, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 7, 2018. FILE - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., leaves the chamber after announcing an agreement in the Senate on a two-year, almost $400 billion budget deal, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 7, 2018. I support the presidents proposal and my [Republican] colleagues proposal to implement it, McConnell said. The Secure and Succeed Act is fair, addresses both sides most pressing concerns, conforming to the conditions the president has put forward. Any immigration proposal will need three-fifths backing to advance in the Senate, where Republicans have a slim one-seat majority. Democrats signaled the Republican immigration plan is a non-starter. The key is to find a consensus bill largely acceptable to significant numbers of members in both parties, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said. The only enemy here is overreach. Now is not the time nor the place to reform the entire legal immigration system. Rather, this is the moment for a narrow bill. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., cent FILE - Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., center, accompanied by Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., at left, speaks on Capitol Hill, Feb. 6, 2018 in Washington. FILE - Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., center, accompanied by Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., at left, speaks on Capitol Hill, Feb. 6, 2018 in Washington. Democrats and some Republicans have suggested limiting an immigration bill to a DACA fix and border security enhancements. That, too, is unlikely to succeed, according to California Democrat Dianne Feinstein. There will probably be at least three bills, Feinstein told VOA. The first would likely be a Republican bill; the second, a Democratic bill. They will probably both go down [to defeat], and then maybe the third bill will be the compromise. A compromise bill could come from a working group of Senate moderates from both political parties. Led by Maine Republican Susan Collins, the group helped forge an end to last months three-day partial federal shutdown. I think it [Senate passage of an immigration proposal] is doable, Collins told VOA. Were working on our bipartisan, common-sense coalition proposal, which I expect we will be releasing later this week. The Senate will consider individual immigration proposals as amendments to an uncontroversial bill that will serve as a legislative vehicle for immigration reform. Its a topic weve been discussing for the last years, Republican Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming said. So, Im expecting to have a very spirited debate and then votes whoever gets to 60 votes wins. Im not sure whats going to happen, because its been so long since we tried this [reformed U.S. immigration], Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin said. But it is exciting to think that men and women elected to this body, known as the greatest deliberative body, are finally going to deliberate. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, second from left, spe Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, second from left, speaks accompanied by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., left, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., and Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., during a news conference about an immigration bill on Capitol Hill, Feb. 1 Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, second from left, speaks accompanied by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., left, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., and Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., during a news conference about an immigration bill on Capitol Hill, Feb. 1 Seventy or 80 percent of the American people, including me, agree that kids who grew up here that havent gotten in bad trouble [with the law] not only should be able to stay, but we have a vested interest in wanting them to stay and be part of a growing economy and a vibrant society, Missouri Republican Sen. Roy Blunt told VOA. And 70 percent of the American people think we should be doing a better job at the border. Surely those two things can come together in a piece of legislation that winds up on the presidents desk. To become law, any bill the Senate passes would also have to be approved in the House of Representatives and get Trumps signature. A U.S. senator has asked four Florida universities to end Chinese government-run programs on their campuses. "There is mounting concern about the Chinese government's increasingly aggressive attempts to use Confucius Institutes ... to influence foreign academic institutions, and critical analysis of China's past history and present policies," Senator Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, wrote last week. Confucius Institutes are language and cultural programs worldwide that, in the past few years, have been accused of spreading Chinese propaganda. "The [People's Republic of China] continues its efforts to interfere in multilateral institutions, threaten and intimidate rights defenders and their families, and impose censorship mechanisms on foreign publishers and social media companies," Rubio's letter said. The institute says it is similar to cultural and language programs such as the British Council or Alliance Francaise around the world, according to its website. "As China's economy and exchanges with the world have seen rapid growth, there has also been a sharp increase in the world's demands for Chinese learning," according to the Confucius Institute website. "Benefiting from the U.K., France, Germany and Spain's experience in promoting their national languages, China began its own exploration through establishing non-profit public institutions, which aim to promote Chinese language and culture in foreign countries." Several educational institutions have severed ties with Confucius Institutes in their countries, including France, Japan, Germany, Canada and Australia. Rubio sent his letter to Miami Dade College, the University of North Florida, the University of South Florida, the University of West Florida, and Cypress Bay High School, asking them to sever their relationships with the Confucius Institutes. Congress Immigration FILE - Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., speaks with reporters at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 25, 2018. FILE - Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., speaks with reporters at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 25, 2018. The programs are used as a "tool to expand the political influence of the PRC," and the institutes promote self-censorship and "illiberal views of academic freedom," Rubio wrote. "I respectfully urge you to consider terminating your Confucius Institute agreement," he said. Response to allegations Qing Gao, the U.S. representative of the Confucius Institute, said he was not surprised by Rubio's assertions. "It's not the first time," Gao responded in a phone interview with VOA. "It's really an old allegation against this foundation with no factual basis." Gao denied Rubio's assertions. "The accusations are not founded," he said. "The Confucius Institute is a trans-cultural language institute and we do not teach history." Gao said that the Confucius Institute is about global education and is transparent in its partnerships with U.S. universities and schools. Other critics Rubio said that the University of Chicago, Pennsylvania State University, and McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, have terminated their agreements with the Confucius Institutes. He supported his argument with a statement from the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) published in 2014. "Confucius Institutes function as an arm of the Chinese state and are allowed to ignore academic freedom," AAUP wrote. "Their academic activities are under the supervision of Hanban, a Chinese state agency which is chaired by a member of the Politburo and the vice premiere of the People's Republic of China. Most agreements establishing Confucius Institutes feature non-disclosure clauses and unacceptable concessions to the political aims and practices of the government of China. "Specifically, North American universities permit Confucius Institutes to advance a state agenda in the recruitment and control of academic staff, in the choice of curriculum, and in the restriction of debate." Gao, the U.S. representative for the Confucius Institutes, denied these accusations. Gao said American host universities decide how to implement and evaluate the Confucius Institute program. He added that the teachers for Confucius Institute are typically local, American hires. According to Rubio, a 2017 NAS report found that, "to a large extent, universities have made improper concessions that jeopardize academic freedom and institutional autonomy. Sometimes these concessions are official and in writing; more often they operate as implicit policies." The Confucius Institutes is headquartered in Beijing. There are more than 100 U.S. universities and several lower schools that partner with the Confucius Institutes, including in Florida, according to the Institutes' website. The University of West Florida confirmed with VOA that it will end its agreement with the Confucius Institute. A media spokesperson said UWF would not renew the contract when it expires in May. Miami Dade College declined to comment. Go to our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn to tell us what you think, thanks! SAN FRANCISCO - Leaders of U.S. national security and law enforcement agencies said Tuesday the U.S. private sector has been helpful in efforts to keep the country safe. While the leaders did not name companies, industry sectors or what specific help has been provided, they did discuss the challenges of monitoring social media. The comments may reflect a shift in what law enforcement has seen as the technology industry's adversarial approach when it comes to fighting crimes and addressing national security issues. The most notable example of this tension was support by tech industry groups for Apple's battle with law enforcement over breaking the encryption of an iPhone used by the man who killed 14 people in the 2015 terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California. 'Forward-leaning engagement' At a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing Tuesday, Dan Coats, director of National Intelligence, said the U.S. government has received more support from those in the private sector "who are beginning to recognize ever more the issues that are faced with the material that comes through their processes." FILE - Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats speaks at a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing on worldwide threats, in Washington, Feb. 13, 2018. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats speaks at a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing on worldwide threats, in Washington, Feb. 13, 2018. Christopher Wray, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, referred to the help from the private sector as a "more forward-leaning engagement." "So, it's teamwork within the intelligence community and then partnership with the private sector, which is, I think, the other big change I've noticed is a lot more forward-leaning engagement with the private sector in terms of trying to share information and raise awareness on their end," said Wray, also speaking at the hearing. "Because at the end of the day, we can't fully police social media, so we have to work with them so that they can police themselves a little bit better as well," Wray added. Gates: Be careful of arrogance Separately, Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, said in an interview that tech firms need to be careful of being too arrogant when working in realms outside their businesses or they'll face the kind of government intervention his firm experienced in its antitrust dispute. FILE - Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his wif FILE - Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda, take part in an interview with The Associated Press in Kirkland, Wash., Feb. 1, 2018. FILE - Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda, take part in an interview with The Associated Press in Kirkland, Wash., Feb. 1, 2018. "The tech companies have to be careful that they're not trying to think their view is more important than the government's view, or than the government being able to function in some key areas," said Gates in an interview with Axios. Gates cited Apple's iPhone battle with the government, criticizing "their view that even a clear mass-murdering criminal's communication should never be available to the government." "There's no question of ability," he said about unlocking the iPhone. "It's the question of willingness." He also cited companies' "enthusiasm about making financial transactions anonymous and invisible." Microsoft's consent decree with the U.S. Justice Department came to an end in 2011, a result of the government's settlement with the software giant in its antitrust case. Remarks on Trump administration On Tuesday, Gates and his wife, Melinda, issued their foundation's annual letter. In terms of the Trump administration, Gates wrote that while "we disagree with this administration more than the others we've met with, we believe it's still important to work together whenever possible. We keep talking to them because if the U.S. cuts back on its investments abroad, people in other countries will die, and Americans will be worse off." Melinda Gates wrote that the president is a role model of "American values in the world." She continued, "I wish our president would treat people, and especially women, with more respect when he speaks and tweets." UNITED NATIONS - The United States warned the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday against using an electronic voting system for a long-delayed presidential election in December this year because it has the potential to undermine the credibility of the poll. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told an informal U.N. Security Council meeting on the Congolese electoral process that deploying an unfamiliar technology for the first time during a crucial election is an enormous risk. These elections must be held by paper ballots so there is no question by the Congolese people about the results. The U.S. has no appetite to support an electronic voting system, Haley told the meeting, which was organized by the United States. Several other countries on the 15-member council also raised concerns about the possible use of electronic voting. An election to replace President Joseph Kabila, who has been in power since his father was shot dead in office in 2001, is scheduled for the end of December. Congos electoral commission finished registering 46 million voters last month. Repeated stalling of the election has raised tensions across the country, triggering street protests and encouraging armed rebellions, especially since Kabila refused to step down when his mandate expired at the end of 2016. Corneille Nangaa, President of the Independent National Electoral Commission, told the informal Security Council meeting that using voting machines would reduce the weight of all the equipment deployed from 16,000 tons to less than 8,000 tons. Congo riot police patrol streets on trucks, after Congo riot police patrol streets on trucks, after violence erupted due to the delay of the presidential elections in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sept. 20, 2016. Congo riot police patrol streets on trucks, after violence erupted due to the delay of the presidential elections in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sept. 20, 2016. However, Rushdi Nackerdien, Africa director for the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, said these machines still need to be tested, configured, deployed and used in a tense mistrustful context. On a single day it is proposed that roughly 106,000 machines must work flawlessly across 90,000 polling stations, he said. Securing these machines and the data they transmit from cyber attacks will be critical and challenging. Kabilas ruling majority and opposition leaders struck a deal allowing him to stay in power but required that the election be held by the end of 2017. The countrys electoral commission, however, later said that was not possible and scheduled the vote for Dec. 23, 2018. The government is yet to take adequate steps to fully open political space and create an environment conducive to the holding of credible, free, fair and transparent elections, U.N. peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said. No credible elections can take place in a context of fear and oppression, he said. Judge Abdulqawi Yusuf has become the first Somali to lead the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands. "I am humbled by this election. And I feel that it actually shows the trust placed in me by my colleagues. That's why I'm extremely grateful to them," he told VOA's Somali service by phone. "I hope that I will be able to meet their expectations and to perform the responsibilities entrusted to me in the best way possible to show them that they have actually made the right choice in electing me as their president." The 15-member ICJ is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations. It issues final and binding rulings on disputes between states and advises the U.N. Yusuf, 69, a native of the Somali port town of Eyl, studied at Somali National University, the University of Florence and the University of Geneva. He will be the third African to lead the court. "It is a very heavy responsibility. And, of course, the challenge is to ensure first of all that the credibility, the respect in which the court is held by the international community, is preserved," he said. "We always try to improve the methods of work of the court and to adapt our methods of the work to the needs of a changing world. So that is what I will try to do. And, of course, the third challenge is to keep the members of the court united and to ensure that judgments which can be respected by those to which they are addressed will be issued by the court, as has been its tradition for the past 72 years." Upcoming cases Yusuf's leadership will be tested immediately. Among his first cases is a dispute between the U.S. and Iran over the freezing of Iranian assets inside the U.S. "We have 14 cases which are pending, and which, of course, concern all types of disputes between states," he said, including disputes about environmental protection, boundaries and diplomatic immunity. "We have been extremely busy for the past 10 years as a court, which shows the increase in the growing trust that the international community has in the World Court, in our court. And we are extremely happy with that development." Another case that will be closely watched in East Africa is a maritime boundary dispute between Somalia and Kenya. Role of nationality Yusuf said his nationality will not influence his work on the case. "My nationality does not matter. And, actually, it is the statute of the court which says that the judges to the World Court are elected irrespective of their nationality. ... So, my mission is to be impartial, to be objective and to apply the law. And for all cases, that's what I do." Yusuf has been on the court since 2009 and had previously served as the court's vice-president. He will serve a three-year term. South Africans are expressing mixed feelings on whether or not former leader of the ANC, Jacob Zuma, should leave office. Zuma, who has been under a cloud of controversy that led to his removal as president of the ANC, now faces losing the presidency. The United States Embassy says America has already notified the government that it will extend restrictive measures imposed on several Zanu PF officials, which are expected to expire soon. In a statement, the U.S. Embassy said, Zimbabwes recent change in government offers an extraordinary opportunity for Zimbabwe to set itself on a new path to implement reforms that could allow the United States to re-engage in ways not previously possible. We welcome President Mnangagwas stated intentions to carry out political and economic reforms, but our engagement will be based on demonstrations of those reforms. It noted that the President (Donald Trump) may sign a notice of continuation of the national emergency with respect to Zimbabwe. The continuation of this national emergency had been done yearly since 2003 and maintains sanctions implemented under Executive Orders 13288, 13391, and 13469 pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The embassy further noted that the United States does not maintain sanctions against the people or the country of Zimbabwe. In 2003, the United States introduced targeted sanctions under Executive Order 13288 against individuals and entities undermining the democratic processes or institutions in Zimbabwe. More specifically, these sanctions, as well as the sanctions imposed in Executive Orders 13391 and 13469, target certain persons who, among other things, are senior officials of the Government of Zimbabwe, have participated in human rights abuses related to political repression, or have engaged in activities facilitating public corruption by senior officials. The sanctions do not prohibit trade with non-sanctioned individuals or entities. Unless a transaction involves a blocked individual or entity, U.S. persons may conduct business in and trade with businesses in Zimbabwe and its people. Some of the top Zanu PF officials under targeted sanctions include President Emmerson Mnangagwa, former president Robert Mugabe and his wife, Grace, and several others accused of failing to conduct free and fair elections and human rights violations. Youth Assembly members of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Morgan Tsvangirai, currently ravaged by factionalism over the control of the party, have warned leaders of dire consequences if they promote anarchy in the party. The youth said they are not happy with the internal strife in the party pitting two vice presidents Nelson Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri, who claim to be legitimate acting presidents at a time when Tsvangirai is receiving treatment for colon of the cancer in South Africa. Youth Assembly leader, Happymore Chidziva, told journalists in Harare soon after attending an emergency meeting in the city seeking an end to factionalism, that the partys National Council should convene an urgent meeting to address the issue. He said they will take unspecified action if the MDC-T leaders continue fighting over the post of acting party president. Chidziva, who claimed that he is in constant touch with Tsvangirai contrary to the leaders family that he is not communicating with any party member, said Chamisa is the rightful holder of the MDC-T presidency. Chamisa convened a National Standing Committee meeting on Tuesday which was boycotted by Mudzuri, vice president Thokozani Khupe and other top MDC-T leaders, who are said to be opposing his leadership. Khupe is the legitimately-elected MDC-T vice president and is opposed to the MDC Alliance launched by Tsvangirai last year. In a related development, party spokesperson, Obert Gutu, has issued a statement stating that the MDC-T is expected to hold a crucial meeting on Thursday. In a statement, Gutu said, The National Standing Committee met today in the context of developments in the party. The meeting was held to bring order, sanity, traction and direction as the party builds momentum for victory in the upcoming 2018 elections. The National Standing committee, chaired by Acting President Hon. Advocate Nelson Chamisa, resolved that there be an extraordinary National Executive Committee meeting at 10:00hrs on Thursday at Harvest House. This will be followed by the National Council at midday to resolve and deal with all the issues to do with party cohesion and hygiene. The meeting was attended by 11 out of 15 National Standing Committee members. Indications are that top on the agenda will be the conflict between Chamisa and Mudzuri, which has thrown the party into disarray ahead of the forthcoming general elections. Tsvangirais spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka, recently claimed that the MDC-T leader has appointed Chamisa to lead the party while he is recuperating in hospital while Mudzuri says he spoke to Tsvangirai in hospital who urged him to keep on acting as the president until further notice. When Tsvangirai left for South Africa a month ago to receive treatment, he appointed Chamisa and Mudzuri as MDC-T acting president of the MDC Alliance and MDC-T president respectively. COP calls on public to assist with cold cases Social Share Commissioner of Police (COP) Colin John is asking the public to give information to the police in relation to any crime, no matter how long ago it was committed. In a recent interview with SEARCHLIGHT, the COP said that cold cases are never closed, and the police is soliciting the assistance of the public to help with any information regarding any case. One of the cold cases mentioned was the disappearance of Shanika Small. Small, 20 years old, disappeared from her Dauphine apartment some time between Friday, October 21 and early Saturday, October 22, 2011. a On Sunday, October 30, 2011, a partially decomposed body was found on the Minors Estate in the Welcome/Dauphine area and the police believe it is Smallas, although a post mortem and other tests, including a DNA test, came back inconclusive. Smallas mother later told police that she believed the body found was that of her daughter, because of clothing on the body. aa Smallas disappearance was, at the time, the most publicized missing persons incident in Vincentian history, as persons used the social media networks to discuss the disappearance and inform the public. The idea that Smallas disappearance came at the hands of someone who was close to her was widely circulated, but the police, although they questioned several persons, have never managed to charge anyone.a The search for Small was spearheaded by her friend, Nyasha Holder, who told reporters that she became concerned after she learnt that Small had sent a BBM message to her (Nyashaas) brother Orande Holder (now deceased) at about 3 a.m. Saturday, October 24, 2011, saying aCall 911a. aThis Shanika Small case or any other case that persons may think that they can assist the police with, they can give us the information,a said the COP, who added that he is in the process of speaking to officers attached to the Criminal Records Office (CRO) so that he can peruse several cold case files. aI want to look at some of these files, because coming from a prosecutoras standpoint, I want to see if I can find anything that officers may not have seen before and maybe we can follow that lead,a said Commissioner John. aThe public has been very supportive to the police. We have received very valuable and vital information from the public and I am asking them to continue giving us information. The information is kept confidential and that again you can guarantee, and I would really emphasize thata, said COP John, who added that he wants to get rid of the notion that SVG is not safe.(LC) This content is expired! Unfortunely this content is expired and cannot be viewed anymore; if You are the owner of this content please login to our Website, go to our access panel and enable this content again. 9 March. The Joel Nafuma Refugee Center (JNRC) at the American Episcopal Church of Rome, St Pauls Within the Walls, is holding a West African fundraising dinner on 9 March, at 19.00. The cultural fundraising dinner, the latest in a popular series, will include traditional cuisine from the West African countries of Liberia, Senegal and The Gambia. The menu includes regional specialties such as Jollof Rice, pepper soup (with or without fish fillet) with fufu, and lime chicken casserole, accompanied by salads and hot sauces. Proceeds will go toward the operational costs of the JNRC which hosts regular fundraising dinners to highlight the culture and cuisine of the countries of its guests. There will be a cash bar (soft drinks are included), and reservations are held on a first-come, first-served basis. To book email events@jnrc.it with number of people going, including whether adult, student/pensioner or child, meat-eater or vegetarian. The suggested donation for adults is 20, students/pensioners 15 and 10 for children. For those who cannot attend but would like to make a financial contribution, see website. Located in the crypt of St Pauls, the JNRC was founded in 1995 and welcomes more than 200 guests each weekday, from 08.30 to 14.00. For more details see Facebook event page or JNRC website. 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. Little substance in 2018 Budget presentation Dr Friday Social Share Part one of an alternative budget debate, dubbed aThe Peopleas Budget,a was held yesterday by the New Democratic Party (NDP) at their headquarters at Richmond Hill. Opposition Leader Dr Godwin Friday told SEARCHLIGHT that having the event gives the NDP an opportunity to let persons know what they think of the 2018 Budget, which was presented on February 5 by Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves. There was no debate on the Budget, because after the Opposition members of Parliament failed to show up to the House of Assembly on February 6, Leader of the House, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves asked the Finance Minister to wrap up the debate, without presentations from the other members of Government. Yesterday, during his presentation, Friday described the first Budget presentation of Camillo Gonsalves as having little substance. Friday touched on several topics, including the state of the economy, with reference to the December 2017 IMF report. He also said that in the Budget address, no mention was made on how cruise ship passengers were going to be encouraged to spend money in the country or how local farmers will benefit from medicinal marijuana. aI want to know what you can do for me to make farmers benefit from this.We want to see Argyle succeed and we in the New Democratic Party, we will work and do all that we can to ensure that that happens. aYou cannot run a tourist industry on one or two flights a week for a couple of months of the year. And more importantly, those flights tend to bring Vincentians home, which is a small base for what itas worth. In order to do that you have to bring in visitors,a Friday said. He, however, said that the only thing with which he agreed with the Minister of Finance during his Budget address was that St Vincent and the Grenadines was the most beautiful, diverse tourist destination in the region. Other members who spoke yesterday were parliamentary representative for East Kingstown Arnhim Eustace, parliamentary representative for the Southern Grenadines Terrance Ollivierre and senator Marcia aZitaa Barnwell. Part Two of aThe Peopleas Budgeta will be debated this afternoon, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the NDP Headquarters.(CB) Public Service Union to celebrate 75th Anniversary Social Share The St Vincent and the Grenadines Public Service Union (SVGPSU) will celebrate its 75th anniversary on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, under the theme a75 years of resilience ~ moving forward as a stronger public service union.a A release from the SVGPSU said the union is avery gratefula for the rich history created by its past leadership in their approach to the representation of its members. aAlso, the contribution, commitment and the invaluable service members have made towards the organizationas continued existence. aThe Public Service Union has endured many challenges and weathered many storms, but is determined to remain steadfast and resilient,a the release said. To commemorate the anniversary, the SVGPSU will host a series of activities: On Sunday, February 18 a A church service at the Kingstown Methodist Church, from 7 a.m; Wednesday, February 21 a An address by President Elroy Boucher on NBC Radio, a ground-breaking ceremony at the PSU building at McKies Hill and a social evening for its members at Frenches House; on Wednesday, February 28, a panel discussion will be held at the Kingstown Methodist Church Hall. Rubis renovates auditorium of primary school in Dominica Social Share As the vastarebuildingatask in Dominicaacontinuesaafter the passage of Hurricane Maria, Rubis West Indies Limited is playing their part. The energy company recently renovated theaauditorium ofatheaGoodwill Primary School.a The project involved theaaddition of eight classrooms toaaccommodateathe schoolas student body, as decided by the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development. aCompleted at a cost of EC$190,000, construction took approximately three months, under the watchful eye of the localacontractors Edghill Fortune Associates Ltd. Nicholson Dodds, country representative for RUBIS, explained:aaThe children were displaced from school in September 2017 after the hurricane and we saw the opportunity to assist with thearenovation of the Goodwill Primary Schoolas auditorium to ensure that the over 450 students returned to school as soon as possible.a a Dodds also spoke about Rubisa involvement in other community projects, such as Operation Youth Quake, a non-profit, non-government organization, working with troubled and displaced young people between 12-18 years. He said, aRubis has also rendered assistance to Operation Youth Quake by assisting with repairs to the organizationas facility.aa The children returned to the classroom on January 3, 2018 and principal Gretta Roberts and her staff have worked tirelessly to ensure a smooth transition for the children. a An official ceremony was held on January 19, 2018 to reopen the schoolsa auditorium and to recognize the efforts of those involved in the project. During the event, an award was presented to Rubis, in recognition of its contribution to the development of education in Dominica. Two Humber College students to receive CAD$5,000 grant Social Share Local businessman Keith Boyea, on behalf of the local Humber College alumni, has pledged CAD$5,000 to two local students who decide to enrol at Humber. And, as a result, Humber College has matched that pledge with another CAD$5,000, meaning that each of the two students will benefit from a total grant of CAD$5,000. Boyea made the pledge on February 5, while delivering remarks at the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College (SVGCC), where an articulation agreement was signed between Humber and the SVGCC. The articulation agreement means that students who choose to further their studies at Humber, and hold associate degrees in business from the SVGCC, can now move straight into year two of Bachelor of Commerce programmes at Humber in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Fashion Management, Management Studies and Digital Business Management. Boyea, who studied at Humber in the early 70s, said that this agreement is aa great opportunitya for students. He noted that having one year off university is going to make life easier for students. aIt is not that you are going to do less studying, but it will give you more time to do other things,a explained Boyea, who noted that in his time, he had done A level subjects here, but they were not recognized at Humber and he and others had to start from scratch. aOn behalf of the alumni, we have always tried our best to keep the name Humber going. You will not understand the influence that Humber has left on our community; a lot of businesses are staffed and supported by Humbera to witness this agreement is great,a said Boyea. He said that noted architects Moulton Mayers and Sibert Liverpool are Humber taught professionals and he is encouraging persons to take advantage of the opportunity to join Humber. aWe have some funds, and we want to offer some help to the first set of studentsawe will commit to $5,000 Canadian,a announced Boyea. In response, Humberas associate director of International Recruitment and Market Development for the Americas, Amanda Koski, said that they will match the contribution with an additional CAD$5,000. She said that Humber has been working for two years to have the articulation agreement signed, so they are thrilled to see it become a reality. Koski revealed that currently, there are 10 students from SVG enrolled at Humber, making a total of 285 students from other Caribbean countries at the college located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. aWe are a diverse and multicultural institution,a said Koski. Vincentian students at Humber are currently pursuing studies in paralegal studies, law clerk, health care management, hospitality and tourism management and graphic design Woman brings defamation charges against sister Social Share Catisha Pierre has pleaded guilty to four counts of defamation under the CyberCrime Act and now awaits sentencing on Friday. Pierre, of Lower Questelles, was charged with four counts of libel, using electronic communication, before the Kingstown Magistrateas Court yesterday. The charges stem from Facebook posts made by Catisha Pierre on January 30, 2018 against her sister Crystal Pierre, which allege that Crystal wishes to put their mother on the street and sell their motheras land, using stolen documents. She also alleged on the social media website that Crystal had tried to kill their mother, by poisoning her food. Catisha was subsequently given station bail, being charged before senior magistrate Rickie Burnett yesterday. Under the Cybercrime Act of 2016, s19(1) dealing with libel by electronic communication, A person who uses a computer system to unlawfully publish any defamatory matter concerning another person, with intent to defame that other person, commits an offence. The senior magistrate has reserved his sentencing for February 16. There is little case guidance in sentencing for these matters, as the CyberCrime Act is relatively new, being implemented in 2016. However, within the Act, anyone charged with an offence under s19(2), will be liable to a fine of up to $50,000 or to imprisonment for two years or both, upon summary conviction (before a magistrate as both judge of fact and law). [CORRECTIONS February 15, 2018, 12:54 pm: An earlier version of this story (1) cited the Cybercrime Bill, instead of the Cybercrime Act; (2) the earlier version said that Pierre was charged under s16(2), however, she was charged under s19(1), the sections having been changed in the final version of the Bill; (3) Under s19(2) the maximum punishment is a fine of $50,000 and not $100,000 as was previously published. In preparing this story, SEARCHLIGHT had inadvertently referred to an earlier version of the Cybercrime Bill and not the final version that was passed into Law.] You need to test local marijuana? Social Share Beginning this Friday, Invest SVG will accept written requests from individuals and businesses who have interest in testing local strains of marijuana to determine their drug profiles. This is the word from Minister of Agriculture and Industry Saboto Caesar, who told SEARCHLIGHT on Monday that Invest SVG, on receiving the written requests, will guide the interested parties on the next steps. The Minister said that after the request is reviewed, an order will be done and the commodities for testing will be provided to the tester. The St Vincent and the Grenadines Bureau of Standards will supervise the testing process. The order comes under the local Drug Act, which allows marijuana testing for scientific or research purposes. aAnybody, whether local, regional or international, can submit in writing to the Invest SVG,a said Caesar. According to leafly.com, marijuana testing is the scientific process of measuring different chemicals and compounds in the product. The testing can measure beneficial constituents like cannabinoids and terpenes, or not-so-desirable contaminants, such as pesticides, mould, and residual solvents. The first official tests to be carried out on locally grown marijuana took place last Thursday and revealed that the herb, which is still illegal here, is high in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), while it also possesses satisfactory amounts of cannabidiol (CBD). The tests, streamed Live on Facebook by SEARCHLIGHT, were conducted by Frederick Nesbitt lll, an internationally renowned chef, who infuses marijuana into his cooking. a After the broadcast, some people took to social media, stating that the tests were conducted by a chef and not a qualified scientist. Some accused the government of duping people. Nesbitt, a graduate of the Santiago State University, is also certified by the University, of Vermont Department of Pharmacology in cannabis science and medicine (the first and only post PhD medical programme in cannabis in the USA). He was accepted into the post PHD programme because of his 27 years of experience in medical cannabis. Nesbitt has been involved in the treatment of HIV, cancer and physical ailments with cannabis use and has a culinary art degree from the California Culinary Academy. Nesbit incorporates his knowledge of cannabis into cooking for high profile athletes and actors. aThere is always a room to have fun with serious matters,a said Caesar, commenting on the social media criticisms. aThe tests that were done last week were not commissioned by the government, nor did the government pay to have the tests done. A potential international investor applied and was given the go ahead and that investor brought in Fred Nesbitt III, who has worked for them for years and has 27 years of experience,a explained Caesar. He added, aThey must know something about this man; why they would use him and his expertise to advise them as to whether or not they had the requisite properties in the commodity for them to invest?a The Minister said he welcomes the scrutiny, because in light of potential growth from such a massive industry, people will have a lot to say. aSome persons would not be as informed on the issue as others, but I donat see it as mischief making. The issue is so big and any how you are going to do something very big, man going to sing song on it, man going write poem, man going be on the block talking, because the imagination is fully occupied; so I not vex with a man who say the man is a chef and go on Facebook.a aThe man was featured on National Geographic. An ordinary chef doesnat get featured on National Geographic. What this guyas main business is, is that he has created a very high-end niche market where he does cannabis infused food.a Caesar said the Government was involved in the testing, because it had to be done under the supervision of the Bureau of Standards. He added also that some people had claimed that the weed that was tested had been in storage or had been brought from overseas, but that is not the case, as the marijuana was brought fresh from the mountains of St Vincent. Caesar also revealed that already, five other companies have sought permission to test the local strains of marijuana. aIf a man is interested in selling buds, his test will be different than if a man wants to infuse food; it will be different if a man will be doing oil. In fact, Fred Nesbitt will return to SVG in two weeks, I was advised by the company he works for, to do testing for the company on the oil content,a said Caesar, who is encouraging persons to get involved. Last weekas testing, which took place at the conference room of the Fisheries Department, revealed an average of 20.7 per cent THC content in the eight samples. According to Nesbitt, anything over 20 per cent THC is ideal for medicinal marijuana purposes. The average CBD content was 1.07. One of the tests conducted on a sample of the marijuana from the Larakai mountains came back with over 25 per cent THC and Nesbitt said this is extraordinary, as the highest THC content he has ever seen is 35 per cent and that was grown in a highly controlled environment. That sample had a CBD content of 1.08. STAMFORD Doctors and public officials have welcomed OxyContin maker Purdue Pharmas announcement that it is ending opioid marketing to medical professionals, but they warn further measures will be needed to combat the opioid crisis. They certainly have come to the table late in making this decision, but better late than never, said Dr. Jeff Gordon, immediate past president of the Connecticut State Medical Society and a specialist in cancer-pain management. Its fine to decrease marketing, but you really want them to put their money where their mouth is and work more strongly with everyone. Actions will speak louder than words. The new strategy cuts the Stamford-based companys salesforce by more than 50 percent, to a total of about 200. Remaining sales representatives will focus on Symproic, which treats opioid-induced constipation in adult patients with non-cancer chronic pain, and other potential non-opioid drugs. In a letter Monday to prescribers, Purdue framed the decision as one that reflected its continued efforts to support responsible opioid utilization. Prescribers questions and requests for information about opioids such as OxyContin will now be handled by Purdues medical affairs department. Many medical experts say aggressive and often misleading painkiller marketing in recent years by Purdue and other pharmaceutical firms helped catalyze the explosion of opioid abuse. From 1999 to 2016, more than 200,000 people in the U.S. died from overdoses related to prescription opioids, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Overdose deaths involving prescription opioids in 2016 totaled five times the toll in 1999, while sales of those drugs quadrupled, the CDC said. Purdue's announcement demonstrates how many are now starting to acknowledge the significant role that prescription opioids have played in contributing to the national opioid epidemic, Dr. Mark Chrostowski, an anesthesiologist at Greenwich Hospital, said in an email. We now know, without a doubt, that giving opioid as a first-line pain medication is often not best practice, especially for acute pain. There are various non-opioid medications or therapies that should be first line. OxyContin, which went on the market in 1996, brings in annual revenues of billions of dollars as Purdues top-selling drug. The companys annual spending for OxyContin advertising jumped from about $700,000 in 1996 to approximately $4.6 million in 2001, according to a 2003 federal Government Accountability Office report. Powered by the heavy promotion, OxyContins annual sales surpassed $1 billion by 2001, making it the most-prescribed brand-name narcotic of its kind in the U.S., the report said. By 2000, nearly 700 Purdue sales representatives had a total call list of approximately 70,500 to 94,000 physicians, according to the report. At that time, each representative was expected to make about 35 physician calls per week and typically called on each physician every three to four weeks. In its most-severe penalty to date for marketing violations, Purdue pleaded guilty in federal court in 2007 to illegally misbranding OxyContin to mislead and defraud physicians and patients. The company agreed to pay some $600 million in criminal and civil penalties and other payments. At the same time, three executives pleaded guilty, as individuals, to misbranding and incurred close to $35 million in fines. None of the three currently works for the company. Tackling the crisis Amid the marketing changes, Purdue remains the target of an ever-growing list of lawsuits from cities, counties and states from around the country for alleged deceptive marketing of its opioids. Ohio Attorney Gen. Mike DeWine, who sued the company last year, said in a statement Sunday that Purdues announcement represented a victory for everyone and that he was happy they are stopping the lies. But he also described the change as too little, too late and a move that should have been made years ago by Purdue and other opioid makers. Their actions had fundamentally changed the prescribing culture of doctors, led to tens of thousands of deaths and cost the country billions of dollars, he said. If they are truly serious about this, they could lead the way in cleaning up the mess they created and pay their fair share to fund desperately needed treatment, prevention education, naloxone, and expansion of the foster care system, DeWine said. They have an obligation to now re-educate the American public and the medical community about the real dangers of these drugs. Purdue officials counter that the company has sought for years to take on the epidemic of opioid abuse. Among its initiatives, Purdue said it has directed prescribers for the past two years to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain. The company said it has also referred prescribers to an open letter from Dr. Vivek Murthy, published when he was the U.S. surgeon general, urging medical professionals to join him in efforts to mitigate the crisis. Purdue's decision is important, but it alone will not be enough to significantly alter practitioner prescribing patterns, Chrostowski said. Prescribers need more education about the national opioid epidemic and the role of prescription opioids. They also need to become aware of all the other non-opioid regimens that are available. Without this knowledge, any change in prescribing patters will not be as significant as it should be. pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; twitter: @paulschott If you are currently a print subscriber but don't have an online account, select this option. You will need to use your 7 digit subscriber account number (with leading zeros) and your last name (in UPPERCASE). WATERBURY A judge has refused to throw out a lawsuit against the city of Bridgeport by a former assistant police chief who claims the city owes him $1 million. Superior Court Judge Salvatore Agati denied a motion to strike the claims of James Nardozzi on the grounds of legal insufficiency. The court finds that sufficient facts have been alleged to support the causes of action for each of the counts being challenged, the judge ruled. Nardozzi was fired from his $123,000 job in January 2015 by Mayor Joe Ganim under a reorganization of the Bridgeport Police Department that saw then-Chief Joseph Gaudett retire and Armando Perez take his place as the city's top cop. Nardozzi sued the city contending he was wrongfully terminated and that the city breached his contract. "Mr. Nardozzi is demanding to remain on the city payroll collecting his full salary, until the end of his employment contract; maintain health and other benefits provided by the city; and at the expiration of his contract, be allowed to retire and collect a pension per the terms of his employment contract, his lawyer, Eric Brown stated at the time the suit was filed. However, the city claims that Nardozzi was an employee at will and could be fired as a result of a reorganization. STAMFORD - This time Mother Natures recipe for potholes took three days to make. It began with Sundays soaking rain and unusual winter warmth, followed by a sub-freezing Monday night and a Tuesday thaw. Water that fell into cracks in the road expanded to ice, which can push through asphalt and crack it. The ice melts and cars drive over the cracks, collapsing them into holes. The ingredients - water and see-sawing temperatures - are plentiful this winter, creating a large menu of potholes. I drive down Hope Street zigging left and zagging right so I dont hit them, Glenbrook resident Marie Flynn said. I want to know what the city is doing about it. Crews are patching potholes using two trucks equipped with hot boxes that keep asphalt heated so it adheres better to pavement, said Libby Carlson, special assistant to Mayor David Martin. Connecticut asphalt plants are closed during the winter, so the trucks travel to a plant in New York almost daily to pick up hot asphalt, Carlson said. Together the trucks can lay down as many as 8 tons a day, she said. Crews use cold patch, an ineffective repair because it doesnt last, only when hot asphalt is not available, Carlson said. But there are five weeks left to a winter that has been a roller coaster for temperatures. Its been marked by multiple freeze-thaw cycles, sometimes with swings of 30 degrees. The result is that most of the citys streets have potholes, said Bob Katchko, owner of Katchko & Sons, which has been paving residential and commercial properties in Stamford for 31 years. The roads in Stamford were in rough shape going into the winter. Many of them have a lot of cracks, Katchko said. The water goes in, freezes and expands and lifts the asphalt up. Even frost will heave it up. A road with cracks will only get worse in winter. Hes right about the condition of Stamford streets. In September the mayor said that, before he began his first term 2013, the city was spending about $3 million a year repairing roads, but the need was for twice that amount. But he was able to devote the needed $6 million to repaving only last year, the final one of his term, Martin has said. He was re-elected in November. To decide which streets to fix first, Martin, for $144,000, contracted with a company called Infrastructure Management Services to measure road surfaces and devise a priority list for the next two years. The initial priorities included 125 of Stamfords 1,231 streets. About 40 were fixed last year. Carlson said the hope would be that there arent any potholes on the streets that were just fixed, but the roads that havent been paved as recently may be affected by the temperature swings. Pothole predictions Pothole repairs begin in earnest after the areas asphalt plant opens, usually at the end of March or beginning of April, Katchko said. The only plant between Greenwich and Bridgeport is O&G, and they dictate when they open, Katchko said. Potholes are expensive to fix, damaging to cars, dangerous to motorists, and so despised that theres a website, www.pothole.info, devoted to news about them. The website offers Pothole Predictions for Winter 2017-18, which examines weather forecasts to point out areas likely to have a large number of potholes. It predicts that New York and Boston - Stamford is right in between - will be cities where potholes might be costly, slow traffic, and lead to accidents in 2018. Its already noticeable. In Manhattan, a man this month filled potholes with soil and planted trees in them until the Department of Transportation stopped him. Coby Persin, a professional prankster, filmed his effort for his YouTube channel. Carlson said Stamford highway department crews are seeing more potholes than usual. Theres no indication it will end before spring. Temperatures are expected to continue bouncing like a car on a street full of holes. The prediction for Tuesday night is 25 degrees. On Thursday its forecast to hit 58 degrees - or more than double in 36 hours. Residents can request pothole repairs by calling the Citizens Service Center at 203-977-4140 or filling out a form on the citys website, www.stamfordct.gov. acarella@stamfordadvocate.com. GREENWICH Sophomore Kate Murray will continue as a student at Sacred Heart Greenwich with her Planned Parenthood sticker, her parents announced Monday. The school has reversed their earlier decision and is allowing Kate to leave the sticker on her laptop, Kates mother Tracy Murray wrote in an email Monday. Kate has chosen to continue to display the sticker and is happy to remain a part of such a special community. We are moved by the outpouring of support by the alumnae and the community at large and are heartened by its encouragement of one young womans voice. Kate Murray was told by administrators of the all-girls Catholic school last week that a Planned Parenthood sticker on her laptop would not be tolerated. She was given the choice of leaving the school immediately or leaving at the end of the academic year, if she kept the sticker on. The decision drew fierce backlash from alumnae of the school, many of whom sent letters to the administration to express their dismay. More than 2,800 people signed an online petition supporting Kate, as of 4 p.m. Monday. The petition stated Unless Kate is allowed her freedom of speech, all of my future donations that would have been allocated to Sacred Heart Greenwich will now and forever be donated to Planned Parenthood. The story, first reported by Greenwich Time, grabbed headlines online in the New York Times, Washington Post and USA Today, among others, including the Daily Mail and Independent in England. In an Op-Ed published in Greenwich Time Sunday, Head of School Pamela Hayes suggested that expelling Kate was now out of the question. We would never dismiss a student for what she believes or a cause she supports and will not now, Hayes wrote. Sacred Heart discourages students from displaying political stickers, banners and buttons on campus and sometimes instructs students to take them down, Hayes wrote. Some have misinterpreted our position as opposition to a specific organization or an attempt to shut down independent thinking on our campus, Hayes wrote. We believe that despite the powerful role these communications tools may play in the public square, their presence in a private educational environment can stifle learning and limit honest debate ... While, of course, not all messages on stickers are controversial or offensive, political, provocative or promotional displays can have unintended consequences in an academic setting. Sacred Heart Greenwich did not have any new comment Monday, school officials said. The Roman Catholic Church opposes abortion and artificial contraception. Planned Parenthood counts these among its health services, which include cancer screenings, pregnancy care and other womens health measures. Bishop Frank Caggiano of the Diocese of Bridgeport consulted with Hayes on her decision to ask Kate to remove the sticker. The Catholic Churchs opposition to abortion is almost universally understood, as is its consistent pro-life ethic, which defends the right to life of all those among us, particularly the most vulnerable in our society, the diocese said in a statement last week. As such the diocese fully supports the commitment of Head of School Pamela Hayes to affirm the Churchs teaching, while also recognizing and respecting the right of students to question and challenge as they grow in the learning process. As a private school, Sacred Heart Greenwich has a right to regulate student expression on its grounds. (The First Amendment) only limits what the government can and cannot do, said Daniel Klau, professor at the University of Connecticut School of Law, who studies the First Amendment. It is completely up to the private school to decide how much it wants to respect free expression by its students. Nicole Narea, a Sacred Heart Greenwich alumna and legal and political journalist at Law360, said while she respects her alma maters legal right to limit student expression, she does not appreciate when that right is applied arbitrarily. Pamela Juan Hayes touts school policy of being apolitical outside of the classroom, she wrote in an email Friday. Not only does that policy sound wildly unrealistic in 2018, but it has also been selectively enforced. There was a pro-life student club during my time there, and they went down to Washington, D.C. for yearly rallies. Fellow students had Obama campaign stickers on their laptops, but they were not ordered to remove them. Alumna Kyra Baldwin, who graduated in 2013, said the schools pro-life club sometimes gave presentations at the schools morning meeting that included images of fetuses. She was disappointed when she and some classmates were blocked from starting a Gay Straight Alliance club at the school because the Diocese opposed it, she said. We felt the existence of a pro-life club while there was no pro-choice club or GSA allowed was extremely hypocritical, especially when the pro-life club was so active, she said. Sacred Heart Greenwich said Monday no pro-life club, pro-choice club or GSA currently exists on campus. In theology class, Sacred Heart juniors debate abortion, euthanasia and the death penalty, Hayes said in her op-ed, calling that a far more rigorous and enriching exercise, we believe, than debating a slogan on a locker or laptop. Sacred Heart Greenwich parents have shared many opinions over the schools handling of the sticker situation. I support Planned Parenthood and the the amazing and necessary womens health services they provide, said Lesley King. And in addition I support a young womans right to have a strong opinion about any issue and express that with bumper stickers or slogans on clothing. One mother, who requested anonymity so her daughter would not be retaliated against, said she plans to pull her daughter out of the school at the end of the year. I dont want her there. We marched in the Womens March. We donate to Planned Parenthood, she said. She is in the school because we want her to be able to speak up. Another mother, who also is an alumna, and who requested anonymity to protect her daughter, said she thought Kate Murray should have just taken off the sticker right away. It is a Catholic school so these are the values that they feel they want to embrace, she said. I think this is sad that this is happening. However, she noted that her daughter and other students support Kate and want her to be able to keep the sticker. emunson@greenwichtime.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson DANBURY Moments after becoming the first person convicted under a 2013 state law against human trafficking, Westport resident William Trefzger walked out of court Friday as a free man. Trefzger and two other men had been charged last year with involvement in a sex-trafficking ring, which authorities said had been forcing young men with mental disabilities into prostitution for more than two decades. Trefzger, who was accused of patronizing the ring, accepted a plea deal Friday after agreeing to testify against Robert King, who police said masterminded the scheme, and Bruce Bemer, said to be another of its longtime clients. The deal called for a 10-year prison sentence, suspended after one year served, and 10 years of probation. Trefzger had been in custody since his arrest last spring and was released within hours of the plea. Bemer rejected a similar deal last week that called for probation without any prison time. Authorities have said that victims of the ring, most of them young men with mental illnesses or disabilities, were plied with drugs until they accumulated large debts and then pushed into prostitution to pay them off. Edward Gavin, a Bridgeport-based attorney who represents Trefzger, said his client has cooperated with authorities since his arrest and has given a full statement about his participation in the ring. Trefzger pleaded guilty to one count of patronizing a trafficked person, marking the first time anyone was convicted of trafficking under state law. Human trafficking is more often dealt with in federal courts. As part of the deal, you will have to cooperate with the states case and testify against Bemer and King, Judge Susan Reynolds said in court Friday. Yes maam, Trefzger replied. Lyn Marino, whose son was a victim of the ring and later died in an auto accident during a police chase , was in the courtroom Friday. I hope Trefzger, Bemer and King are imprisoned for the rest of their lives, just like they enslaved my son with drugs so they could abuse him, she said afterward in a written statement provided to The News-Times. They are responsible for the loss of my precious son, Sam. To them he was just another addict. But my son Sam is mourned by his entire family and extended family. King befriended members of her family while providing drugs to Sam and selling him to men like Trefzger, Marino said. These men have no morals and no remorse, Marino wrote in her statement. I have no forgiveness in my heart for what they have done to my family. Jillian Gilcrest, chairperson of the Connecticut Trafficking in Persons Council, praised law enforcement last March for charging patrons of sex traffickers. (I)f there wasnt any demand, then we wouldnt have any trafficking she said shortly after members of the ring were arrested last year. Bemers attorney, Anthony Spinella, said his client hopes to avoid a felony conviction, which is why he refused to accept the plea deal. Marino and several other victims and their families have filed civil lawsuits against the defendants. Bemer, a wealthy businessman who owns the Waterford Speed Bowl, has already agreed to set aside $25 million of his assets for a potential judgment. Joel Faxon, an attorney representing several victims in the lawsuit, said their families could take some solace in the fact that a member of the ring took responsibility for his crimes. Given that Trefzger has agreed to fully cooperate with the authorities, its only a matter of time until King, and particularly Bemer, experience the same uncomfortable reality of a long term prison stay, he said. After Trefzger entered his guilty plea, Reynolds reduced his bond from $250,000 to a written promise to appear for his sentencing on March 28, when he will receive credit for the year he spent in jail while the charges were pending. dperrefort@newstimes.com NY Times editorial laments "The Problem With Parole" | Main | Marti Gras highlights from Marijuana Law, Policy & Reform This recent local article from Arizona, headlined "Tucson grand jurors rebel against drug prosecutions," provides an interesting report on some interesting work by a local grand jury. Here are highlights: You may have heard that saying: If prosecutors want to, they could get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich. Its a knock on how much control prosecutors hold over the grand juries to whom they give evidence for possible indictments. The 269th Pima County Grand Jury could not be controlled like that. That 16-member grand jury met from July to October last year, one of two county grand juries meeting twice a week in Tucson at the time. But this one was led by a criminal-defense attorney and populated by freethinkers who took to heart their role as conscience of the community. They went so far as to decline to indict people even though there was enough evidence to show probable cause, foreman Natman Schaye and others told me. That, in essence, is grand-jury nullification not carrying out the law because, in the jurys opinion, it is unjust. There were cases where we felt like, maybe theres probable cause, but this is not something that we believe should result in a felony, Schaye said. Rick Myers, a well-known Tucsonan who is a member of the Arizona Board of Regents, also was on the Notorious 269th. What bothered him was the many cases of small quantities of drugs that were charged as Class 4 felonies, as state law dictates. He said he began making a distinction between whats actually a crime and whats breaking the law. The reason, another grand juror, Jodi Kautz, said was: They were presented with possession cases involving drug amounts as tiny as 2/100th of a gram, a trace amount. We left every day frustrated, and frustrated for society, Myers said. Theres a whole lot of people getting charged for things that are not hurting other people. As a grand juror, he said, You want to not just be a rubber stamp. You want to do whats right.... Deputy County Attorney Malena Acosta, who runs the grand juries, and Thomas Weaver, the chief criminal deputy, told me the number of drug cases is a function of the number of arrests by police. We respond to what comes through the door, Weaver said. If were getting more cases presented to us, then there will be more cases charged. He also noted that a significant proportion, maybe half, of the cases brought to them are never brought to a grand jury, because of problems with the cases. And its not as if the prosecutors have a choice on how to charge the possession cases involving any drug except marijuana. Meth, cocaine, heroin whatever someone has, and however much, that will earn them a class 4 felony. Marijuana possession can be treated as a misdemeanor. LaWall explained her thinking on charging decisions: If police officers bring us cases, and the evidence is there, we make our decisions based on legal reasoning. If the evidence proves a crime was committed, we have an ethical obligation to follow the law. She also noted that her office has created various programs that are alternatives to prison for drug offenders, but they occur after they are convicted, so theyd have to be charged to take part. As to the grand jurors decision to reject some cases with adequate evidence, Acosta said that really isnt their place. They take an oath to follow the law before taking their seats, she said. If somebody has a particular agenda, I suppose they can go to the Legislature and say, We dont like this law, maybe you should change it. But the grand jury isnt the place for that kind of activity, she said. Joel Feinman was happy to hear of grand jurors exercising their usually unused muscles. The Pima County public defender has been compiling data on the steadily growing number of felony cases and drug prosecutions in an effort to reduce jail stays and prison sentences. His most stunning discovery concerned the amount of drugs possessed by those charged in the 725 felony drug cases his office has received in the last five months. The median amount in all those cases, he said, was 0.496 of a gram. Felony filings are at an all-time high, felony drug filings are at an all-time high and are a plurality of the cases and the median amount is half a sugar packet, he said. Thats what bothered some of the grand jurors of the Notorious 269th. The drugs are the ones that bug me, said Myers, the regent. I feel like we have a puritanical view of even a minuscule amount of drugs. Said Schaye: Its tremendously frustrating. We put far too many people in prison, and it does no good.... We all took it extremely seriously, because these are peoples lives. A felony really screws you over. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 12/2/2018 (1309 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. At last, we are freed of the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. Fifty Shades Freed the third and final film based on E L James bestselling books finds Anastasia Grey, nee Steele (played Dakota Johnson) married to sulky billionaire Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan). But its not all champagne, fast cars and lukewarm sex for our rich, unhappy couple: Jack Hyde (Eric Johnson), Anas abusive former boss from Fifty Shades Darker, has made bail and hes out for blood. Free Press Arts & Life writers/apparent masochists Erin Lebar, Jill Wilson and Jen Zoratti went to go see this fresh hell so that you dont have to. Theyd warn you about spoilers, but that would imply this movie had a plot. There is no buildup to the much-hyped wedding between Anastasia Steele (Johnson) and Christopher Grey (Jamie Dornan). The nuptials take place right at the beginning, and are hardly referred to afterwards. (Universal Pictures) Jill Wilson So, this was somehow so much more boring than the other two. Jen Zoratti There was also, like, zero sex in this movie. Erin Lebar Very little exciting sex, anyway. It was 90 per cent missionary, 10 per cent annoying. Jill Three per cent sticky ice cream yecch. All I could think of was, Ugh, you have to have a shower now. (Note: Theres an "erotic" scene involving a pint of Ben & Jerrys.) Erin Thats expensive ice cream. Jen I was dying to know what flavour it was. Erin It looked like Half Baked to me. Jen How fitting so was the plot of this movie. Jill See, again, when you are focusing more on the flavour of the ice cream, that is a problem. The most exciting part of that movie was when I discovered two popcorn kernels in the cowl neck of my sweater. Jen Speaking of clothes, can we talk about Christians weird Sex Jeans? He was wearing them in one Red Room scene, and then she laid them out for him another time. Jill I wonder if he has some sort of childhood connection with jeans and pain. Erin Well, maybe thats a plot point they could have explored in this movie with no plot. Jen They were quite worn out in the crotch. Erin They were distressed. Jill I was distressed. Jen That entire movie was mostly a tedious music video. Jill The music is so inappropriate the tone of it is unfitting. Erin On a technical level, it was SO LOUD compared to the dialogue. Dakota Johnson returns as Anastasia Steele. (Universal Pictures) Jen OK, so, we kick off with their wedding. Anas dress was, objectively, phenomenal. But really? Thats it? I was expecting some wedding porn with my softcore porn. Jill Im so anti-wedding in real life, but in movies I like to see the lead-up and seeing them planning it. Erin Thats what I thought this movie was going to be about. Jen No, this is a movie about pregnancy and how Christian is so insecure that hes jealous of a fetus. Jill I would like to know how Red Room torture works when youre pregnant. Erin Only butt play. She opened that box, literally. Jen Also, she had a truly terrible bodyguard. You are bad at your job, Sawyer. He kept putting her directly into harms way. Erin In every scene he was like, Whered she go!? Jen YOU HAVE ONE JOB, SAWYER. Jill Theres so many weird trailing things. The architect hired to redesign their house who is attracted to Christian? That goes nowhere. Erin You never hear about the house again. Jen And a whole scene dedicated to Anastasias friend Kates engagement who cares? Jill When they were at the mountain house, I was like, Who are these people? They are very bad at call-backs to the previous movies, which I have seen. Erin The lady driving the car, Jill leaned over to me and was like Who is that? Its Liz from the office! (Note: a co-worker of Anas is blackmailed into working for Jack.) Jill That disguise really fooled me. Jen I suspected Liz was shady and in cahoots with Jack. Jamie Dornan as Christian Grey. (Universal Pictures) Jill Oh, and the driving: shes secretly always been a NASCAR driver? I know for a fact she drove a Beetle in the book. Erin I feel like it was a non-subtle way to say, Now that theyre married, he can relinquish some control! Jen Except, I like how near the end shes literally lying in a hospital bed with a bruised face and is still the one reassuring him. Hes so insecure, which is deeply unsexy. Jill Lets jump back to the beginning, which was so problematic in the same way the other two have been where his control issues are creepy and unforgivable. Her not changing her name on her email and him not "allowing" her to take off her bikini top on a European beach its just so unsexy. I dont understand the appeal of it. Jen Or when shes out with her friend Kate, and her friend says she never sees her anymore. And instead of expressing concern, Kate just says, "Oh youre so married," and "It suits you!" Erin I was really offended by that, actually. Jill And Anas genuine concern that she was going to be in "so much trouble" with Christian? Thats abusive husband behaviour. Ive had friends whose husbands didnt "allow" them to go out with their friends, and it was not a good scene. Its not something you brush off. Jen And when Christian storms down to Anas office and INTERRUPTS HER MEETING to yell at her, all because she hadnt changed her work email address to her married name? Come on. Jill Ana does call it out when he takes her into the Red Room and she says that its clear hes trying to punish her. But that doesnt make it any less problematic to me. Why are we watching this and making a mainstream romance out of it? Jen I think because theres actually dearth of sex in these movies, we dont explore that power dynamic with sex. We explore it in their daily, real life. Jill I dont know a lot about BDSM, but its not about real punishment. Theres no anger involved in it. His is clearly retribution for her being a bad girl not a "bad girl." He legitimately felt he was wronged because she "disobeyed" him. Erin I took real issue with the fact they seem to know so little about each other. Like, "Hey Christian, were already married, but do you want to have kids?" Is that not a discussion you have beforehand? How are you surprised he owns a plane? I see no romance in that. And the dialogue is just exhaustingly bad. Jill Theres no wit. What they consider banter... Jen These movies are supposed to be about fantasy and kink and sexy sex but this instalment read weirdly puritanical to me, what with the emphasis on marriage and having a nuclear family, etc. Erin Have you seen that level of freak-out over a married pregnancy? I havent seen a reaction like that since Teen Mom. I like when she told him to grow the f--- up in her change room... Jen Although, who gets dressed in this order Jill ... I was just about to say! Jen ...underwear, stockings, BOOTS, dress? Erin No wieners again, but they got pretty close. Jill The strategically placed leg she had when they were doing the ice cream thing. Erin Foiled again! Jen All we got to see was his ice cream-smeared mons pubis. Mmmmmm sexy. Erin And shes really doing that! I hope she got paid a lot of money to lick ice cream out of his pubic hair. Jill See, and again, you should be swept away not thinking about how theyll have to clean up. Eric Johnson as Jack Hyde (Universal Pictures) Jen Im still not over how terrible her bodyguard was. Erin What happened to the woman bodyguard? She only shows up once to punch Jack in the face when hes attempting to kidnap Ana, even though she was clearly superior. Neither of them had handcuffs, though. Jill Dont need em! Ana has a room full of them! I also loved how they had to hire a private investigator to find out Jack went to Princeton and graduated summa cum laude. Jen and Erin in unison, quoting Christian: "Smart guy." Erin That was definitely the worst of the three, by far. Jill I find it hard to imagine that even fans of the books are going to go to this and be satisfied by it. Jen Hope they like montages! Erin Starwipe, Geneva, Starwipe, Paris, Starwipe, three days ago, Starwipe, champagne on the plane. Jen The final montage was my favourite, when shes fondly watching him play piano and reminiscing about their relationship Jill with him on the pommel horse! (Note: It was a call back to the one good scene from 50 Shades Darker, in which Christian shows off his improbable tricep strength.) Jen I know! It was like, couple shot, couple shot, couple shot, pommel horse. Jill Even poor weepy Jack Erin ... Pink-Eye Jack. Jill Its all so expository. When he tells Christian You owe me a life, we all know exactly what he means Christian got the family Jack wanted when they were in foster care, and yet she has to announce it. Erin And then when she shows him the picture and hes like, Thats Jack and thats me, and she asks, You were in the same foster home? and he was like We must have been!" Jen Even though he was like Erin 11 years old in that picture. Jill And visiting his moms grave! He lays down some flowers and thats it, end scene. Jen Jen Zoratti | Next A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. This movie. Woof. Erin Woof indeed. Winnipeg has once again been named one of the seven finalists in the Intelligent Community of the Year program, the third time in the last five years it has been in the running. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/2/2018 (1309 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Winnipeg has once again been named one of the seven finalists in the Intelligent Community of the Year program, the third time in the last five years it has been in the running. It is the New York-based think tanks 16th annual top seven list. Last year Melbourne, Australia, took top honour. Winnipeg has made it to the top 21 six times in the past 10 years. The theme of this years process was to highlight the concept of humanizing data, which the Intelligent Communities Forum characterizes as exploring the "intersection between big data and open data, and the impacts of a data-driven economy on communities." The forum noted Winnipegs efforts in "pursuing economic growth by better connecting industry and education, while better equipping its large Aboriginal population for opportunity." "Third time in five years," said Dayna Spiring, CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg. "How great is that? It is exciting. Everyone likes to be called intelligent." The citys large Indigenous community means opportunities and challenges. Spiring noted the fact that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is based here "is a feather in our cap." "We have digitized lots of those stories," she said. "It is important work that is happening here in Winnipeg." Spiring said the undertaking to produce the application means "we go out and turn over every rock to see what everyone is doing." "It gives us great market intelligence," she said. Spiring said she believes the more Winnipeggers and outsiders know about the successes occurring here, it will encourage more of the same. "We all know about SkipTheDishes and Farmers Edge and the big data work at the city," she said. "We need to understand what our success stories are. I do believe that success breeds success." Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The Intelligent Community of the Year will be announced at an event in London, England, on June 4. Joining Winnipeg as the seven finalists are: Chiayi City, Taiwan; Espoo, Finland; Hamilton, Ont.; Ipswich, Australia; Tainan City, Taiwan; and Taoyuan, Taiwan. Espoo, Hamilton and Tainan City are making their first appearances on the list. Along with Winnipeg, it is also Ipswich and Taoyuans third appearances among the final seven. Its the second time Chiayi City has made it to the finals. While some might raise their eyebrows at the frequency in which Winnipeg ranks highly in this program, Spiring said the city is fully prepared to keep raising its hand to get noticed. "Some people say, Winnipeg. Are you kidding?" she said. "Well, were not kidding and we will keep sticking up our hand." martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca "Brain Development, Social Context and Justice Policy" | Main | Mapping the politics and making the case against the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2017 February 13, 2018 Retired Missouri judge now expressing regret about giving 16-year-old offender 241 years in prison for role in two armed robberies Evelyn Baker, a retired Missouri circuit court judge, has this notable new opinion piece in the Washington Post under the headline "I sentenced a teen to die in prison. I regret it." Here are excerpts: You will die in the Department of Corrections. Those are the words I spoke as a trial judge in 1997 when I sentenced Bobby Bostic to a total of 241 years in prison for his role in two armed robberies he committed when he was just 16 years old. Bostic and an 18-year-old friend robbed a group of six people who were delivering Christmas presents to a needy family in St. Louis. Two shots were fired. A bullet grazed one person, but no one was seriously injured. The two then abducted and robbed another woman who said she was groped by Bostics accomplice before the two released her. They used the money they stole from her to buy marijuana. Despite overwhelming evidence against him, Bostic chose to go to trial. He was found guilty. Bostic had written me a letter trying to explain his actions, but despite this, he had not, in my view, demonstrated sufficient remorse. I told him: You are the biggest fool who has ever stood in front of this court. . . . You made your choice. Youre gonna have to live with your choice, and youre gonna die with your choice. . . . Your mandatory date to go in front of the parole board will be the year 2201. Nobody in this room is going to be alive in the year 2201. I thought I was faulting Bostic for his crimes. Looking back, I see that I was punishing him both for what he did and for his immaturity. I am now retired, and I deeply regret what I did. Scientists have discovered so much about brain development in the more than 20 years since I sentenced Bostic. What I learned too late is that young peoples brains are not static; they are in the process of maturing. Kids his age are unable to assess risks and consequences like an adult would. Overwhelming scientific research shows that children lack maturity and a sense of responsibility compared with adults because they are still growing. But for the same reason, they also have greater capacity for reform. Thats perhaps not surprising. As a society, we recognize that children and teens cannot and do not function as adults. Thats why below a certain age you cannot vote, join the military, serve on a jury or buy cigarettes or alcohol.... Most courts have understood the Supreme Courts 2010 decision to mean that the Constitution prohibits sentences like the one I gave to Bostic. While I did not technically give him life without parole, I placed on his shoulders a prison term of so many years combined that there is no way he will ever be considered for release. He wont become eligible for parole until he is 112 years old which means he will die in prison, regardless of whether he rehabilitates himself or changes as he grows older. I see now that this kind of sentence is as benighted as it is unjust. But Missouri and a handful of other states still allow such sentences, and the Missouri courts have affirmed the sentence I handed down. This week, the Supreme Court will consider whether to take Bostics case and, if the justices do, they will decide whether his sentence is an outcome the Constitution can countenance. The court should take the case and give Bostic the chance I did not: to show that he has changed and does not deserve to die in prison for something he did when he was just 16. Imposing a life sentence without parole on a child who has not committed murder whether imposed in a single sentence or multiple sentences, for one crime or many is wrong. Bostic was immature, and I punished him for that. But to put him, and children like him, in prison for life without any chance of release, no matter how they develop over time, is unfair, unjust and, under the Supreme Courts 2010 decision, unconstitutional. I am pleased to see a judge who imposed a functional LWOP sentence now recognizing and advocating that functional LWOP sentences create the same constitutional concerns as formal LWOP sentences that the Supreme Court found to violate the Eighth Amendment in Graham. That said, I find it a little rich this judge now asserting that she "learned too late" that juvenile brains are different than adult brains. Also, as the judge's commentary hints and as this local article from a few years ago about the case confirms, it seems Bostic's decision to go to trial rather than his crimes largely accounts for his need now to seek constitutional relief from the Supreme Court: Bostic is serving a vastly greater sentence than Hutson, his accomplice, who received 30 years and will be eligible for parole six years from now. Both men were accused of firing guns that night. The only difference: Bostic went to trial and Hutson pleaded guilty. February 13, 2018 at 04:16 PM | Permalink Comments These crimes are not the type I'd think someone who believes in giving life to sixteen year olds would deem worth it. There are some really horrible non-capital crimes involved out there in many cases. This isn't one of them. That is a major problem here. Posted by: Joe | Feb 13, 2018 6:50:31 PM "What I learned too late is that young peoples brains are not static; they are in the process of maturing. Kids his age are unable to assess risks and consequences of hormone-blockers and sex-change surgery." Well duh! Why would you give someone under 18 hormone-blockers when they aren't even mature enough to cast a ballot for dog-catcher? Posted by: Owing the Benjamins | Feb 13, 2018 7:10:14 PM "The only difference: Bostic went to trial and Hutson pleaded guilty." The sixth amendment says that the tax for exercising your right to a trial is a longer prison sentence. The founders put that in there because they knew that if everyone exercised their rights the people would get a superiority complex; so you keep the people humble by punishing them every time they act like free citizens rather than enslaved subjects of the king. Not giving people who go to trial a longer sentence would be like letting people vote for free or letting women into the Virginia Military Institute. Posted by: Dendrite | Feb 13, 2018 7:15:57 PM And if I had my druthers both would have been executed. Armed robbery is far over the line of what behavior should be forgiven even once regardless of age. Posted by: Soronel Haetir | Feb 13, 2018 9:38:40 PM Adolescent brains are different. They are totally superior to adult ones, in every way, including morality. These two should have been executed on the spot. The lawyer profession knows shit. It thinks it knows more than the rest of us, and imposes its idiotic tyranny on crime victims. The curve of the horizon is self evident, yet your morons call the earth, flat. The superiority of adolescents is across the board, yet you morons call adolescents less culpable. Posted by: David Behar | Feb 14, 2018 2:39:13 AM Joe. Thank you for your fact free ipse dixit. Also, thank you for not saying, on the other hand ... Posted by: David Behar | Feb 14, 2018 8:09:49 AM What I "regret" is that some moronic Missouri politician made Evelyn Baker, or anyone else who thinks 241 years is appropriate for a juvenile of 16 whose juvie codefendant got 30 on a plea to the facts as described, a judge. Anyone with even a trace of experience with 16 year old boys -- or in the alternative half a brain-- would have to question this determination long before the sentencing proceeding, and the certitude Her Dishonor exhibited in imposing this benighted sentence for a lack of "sufficient" remorse is shocking in its shallowness, and only barely exceeded by her newly enlightened "oopsie, sorry". This is on her, and the courts which affirmed this travesty. Posted by: miketrials | Feb 14, 2018 8:51:26 AM Note that the "sane" penalty here for the co-defendant (he was 18 but given people 16 in various cases are treated like an adult, not sure how much this matters) "received 30 years and will be eligible for parole six years from now." I don't think sixteen year olds should generally get thirty years in prison and to a sixteen year old (or to a college student probably) that very well might seem almost akin to a life sentence as is. Many adults have a short term view of life, only thinking of the present. A teenager particularly has such a mentality. So, I'm not surprised that he decided to take a risk of a trial. The judge calling him out as selfish is "duh" moment. Teens generally are selfish, those who commit crimes more likely as such. Anyway, as noted by our resident pro-death penalty for single armed robberies by early teenagers show us, ymmv, but for non-capital crimes committed in 2015, especially ones not involving really horrible things like rape or the like, I think from my understanding of societal beliefs from long term observation and study that many tough on crime types will judge getting out in 2035 is not overly lax. Posted by: Joe | Feb 14, 2018 10:22:15 AM Hi, Joe. This guy is 19. Frontal lobes are not fully myelinated. Maybe, he can be sent to family court, and placed in foster care until age 21. I think he was overly impetuous. He should mature in a few years. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/breakingnews/17-dead-15-wounded-after-expelled-student-shoots-up-florida-high-school/ar-BBJ94GA?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp Posted by: David Behar | Feb 15, 2018 12:22:09 AM I don't know. There so many innocent people in prison that it's hard for me to get too worked up about this guy. Here are some names. Adnan Syed (MD) Barton McNeil (IL) Edward Ates (TX) Michael Ware (TX) Joey Watkins (GA) Jamar Huggins (GA) Jesse Eldridge (TX) Willie Veasy (PA) Terrance Lewis (PA) The details differ, but in each case there is enough evidence to find the person innocent beyond a reasonable doubt. Posted by: William Jockusch | Feb 17, 2018 9:27:44 PM Post a comment Mayor Brian Bowman will in Ottawa Wednesday for a meeting of the Big City Mayors caucus. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/2/2018 (1309 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Mayor Brian Bowman will in Ottawa Wednesday for a meeting of the Big City Mayors caucus. Bowman told reporters the caucus, which is a sub-group of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, will be discussing several issues including the upcoming federal budget, a national housing strategy, impacts from the legalization of cannabis, infrastructure, mental health, and opioids and crystal meth issues. As the groups name implies, it represents the mayors of 22 of the countrys largest municipalities, including Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax. The group is chaired by Edmonton mayor Don Iveson. Former cabinet minister Stan Struthers declined Monday to talk about the growing number of women who have accused him of inappropriate sexual touching while the NDP was in power. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 12/2/2018 (1309 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Former cabinet minister Stan Struthers declined Monday to talk about the growing number of women who have accused him of inappropriate sexual touching while the NDP was in power. "Thanks for the opportunity, but I will stick with the statement I put forth last week," he told the Free Press by email. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Dauphin NDP MLA Stan Struthers in his Manitoba Legislative Assembly Chambers seat in 2014. Nor is former Manitoba premier Greg Selinger talking about what he knew about Struthers and when he knew it at least not yet. The St. Boniface MLA is back from vacation, but, "He wont be making any media statements today," said Rorie Mcleod-Arnould, press secretary to NDP Leader Wab Kinew. "Wab and Greg did not speak over the weekend." Kinew will soon be naming his commissioners who will be investigating what happened under the former NDP government, Mcleod-Arnould said. Kinew has called what happened a failure in leadership. Although he wasnt a part of that government, Kinew said the buck now stops with him whats not clear is if Kinew believes the buck stopped with Selinger. Joelle Saltel-Allard and Shannon VanRaes, two former press secretaries in the NDP government who say officials did nothing when they complained about Struthers, have recently heard from more women with similar stories. As of Friday, at least eight women had accused Struthers of groping them. And Kinew has reached out to one of them. "I have been contacted by about a half-a-dozen women who told me privately about their own sexual harassment from Stan. Some of them might consider coming forward, but are currently seeking legal advice," said Saltel-Allard. "Many other women have thanked me about speaking out and told me about their own sexual-harassment experiences, not related to Stan. "(Current chief of staff) Liam Martin reached out to Matt (my husband) and has offered to have Wab call me at some point this week. Ive also been contacted by several ex-cabinet ministers and other NDP party members, including a past party president," she said. Saltel-Allard said shes received "hundreds of messages" of support in recent days, since telling her story of unwanted touching by Struthers. "Ive heard from women who suffered the same thing from Stan and other women who endured sexual harassment in general," she said Monday. "Ive had contact from numerous, numerous, numerous party members and... ex-cabinet ministers." Saltel-Allard said some party members and former NDP staffers have told her: We knew this was going on and never did anything, and feel horrible about it." Saltel-Allard said she never brought her concerns directly to then-chief of staff Michael Balagus, although she is convinced her former boss, Jay Branch, passed the information on to him. "He (Branch) came back to me and told me they (senior staff) werent going to do anything about it. There was an election coming up and I just had to kind of shut up if I wanted to keep my job." Branch no longer lives in Canada. He has not responded to repeated email requests for an interview. However, VanRaes said she hasn't been contacted by the NDP since going public. "No, I have not heard from Wab Kinew or any of his staff since the story broke. But I have encountered other women with similar experiences since then. None of whom are interested in going public, but yes, some individuals have reached out," VanRaes said Monday. VanRaes said last week after she complained about Struthers, word came back to her through Branch that Balagus told her to "suck it up." Saltel-Allard, who now operates a consulting business, left government in April 2011, six months before the general election that resulted in the NDP winning its largest majority. Asked if she was confident the NDP is now trying to get to the bottom of the issue and ensure such incidents do not happen again, she said: "Theyre talking the talk right now. I hope that they walk the walk." Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Meanwhile, Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said Monday, through an aide, she would have no more to say about placing Balagus, her chief of staff and election campaign manager, on indefinite leave. Horwath would not say if she talked to anyone in Manitoba before making her decision. In a statement Friday, Horwath said she was shocked to hear the women were saying Balagus had done nothing to help them when they complained about sexual misconduct by Struthers. Only three hours before Horwath announced she had suspended Balagus, he told the Free Press in a phone interview none of the complaints ever got to him -- they got no further than Branch, then-head of cabinet communications. Mcleod-Arnould said Kinew and Horwath did not speak Monday, but would not say if they spoke last week before Horwath put Balagus on leave. larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca Sen. Murray Sinclair is calling for changes in laws that govern how justice is served in Canada. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 12/2/2018 (1309 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Sen. Murray Sinclair is calling for changes in laws that govern how justice is served in Canada. In his first public comments since a jury last week acquitted Saskatchewan farmer Gerald Stanley in the 2016 shooting death of 22-year-old Colten Boushie, the independent senator told a media scrum Monday in Winnipeg that Canadas justice system needs to be fairer and more inclusive of Indigenous people. "There are laws that can be changed. And the laws that contributed to this (the Stanley verdict) that need to be reviewed. Thats my intention going back to Ottawa this week," Sinclair said. "Well take a look at the Criminal Code and the provisions relating to peremptory challenges. Ill have to take a look at the way juries are called and the use of provincial jury processes." Boushie was shot and killed in August 2016, after he and a group of friends from the Red Pheasant Cree Nation drove onto the Stanley farm outside Biggar, Sask. Stanley testified at his second-degree murder trial the death was an accident. The subsequent verdict of not guilty from a jury publicly criticized as being made up of Caucasians, ignited outrage and sparked rallies across Canada. "This is not simply about people protesting and waving signs and then it gets forgotten," Sinclair said Monday. "If we dont do anything there will be another trial, that will create similar results." An icon in Canadas Indigenous world, Sinclair is the former chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which probed the dark history of the countrys Indian residential schools. (The final TRC report in 2015 made 99 calls for action which laid the groundwork for reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada.) Sinclair was in Winnipeg to give a speech about a new North End reconciliation initiative: the second healing forest in Canada (the first is in Edmonton) will be installed in St. Johns Park this summer, as a living memorial to Indigenous children lost or affected by residential schools. The diverse crowd of roughly 100 included parishioners from the St. Johns Cathedral, as well as university academics, politicians, Indigenous advocates, elders and residential school survivors. The politicians included the first Indigenous female MLAs for the local ridings, NDP MLAs Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns) and Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas) as well as former NDP provincial cabinet minister Gord Mackintosh and NDP MP Judy Wasylycia-Leis. In a sympathetic address, Sinclair urged people who are building the installation to press forward with reconciliation. "We are at a challenging time right now, because we wonder whether we are there yet. Unfortunately, we are not," said the first aboriginal judge appointed in Manitoba, suggesting the surge of public support in response to the Stanley verdict demonstrations might usher in a wave of change. "I think were going to see more and more steps taken to affect social change. Not only at the national level, but at the legislative level as well. I predict there will be a lot of impact that decision is going to have, because of the efforts of young Indigenous leaders. "One of the interesting reactions to the Boushie trial is that its being led by young Indigenous people. Young Indigenous people are particularly well-placed through their knowledge of the history of this country, their own education and their commitment to the future to know there are positive steps they can take that will affect change." Sinclair said the issues raised in the Boushie case are not new; they were among the fundamentals in Manitobas Aboriginal Justice Inquiry (AJI), too. The AJI, which Sinclair co-commissioned, probed racism in Manitobas justice system following the 1988 death of Indigenous leader J.J. Harper, who was shot by police on a Winnipeg street. Meanwhile, Canadas minister of justice has said changes to the system need to be made in the wake of the Stanley acquittal, but her Manitoba counterpart isnt wading into the issue. Manitoba Justice Minister Heather Stefanson, while expressing sympathy about Boushies death, said she will not be commenting on what Jody Wilson-Raybould said Friday on social media. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Boushie family and their friends," Stefanson said Monday after attending a groundbreaking ceremony at Siloam Mission in Winnipeg. "Its always difficult and tragic with a loss in a family and in a community, so our hearts go out to the family and the friends in the community." Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. When asked specifically about her thoughts on Wilson-Rayboulds statements, Stefanson added: "I will say though, as the attorney general and minister of justice of Manitoba, it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further on this... Again, our hearts and prayers and thoughts go out to the community at this time. "I will not make a comment on this." On Friday, the federal justice minister posted on Twitter: "My thoughts are with the family of Colten Boushie tonight... I truly feel your pain and I hear all of your voices. As a country we can and must do better I am committed to working every day to ensure Justice for all Canadians." with files from Kevin Rollason alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca A child died this morning after being hit by a vehicle while crossing the street at a pedestrian crosswalk in St. Vital just before 8:30 a.m. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/2/2018 (1309 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A child died this morning after being hit by a vehicle while crossing the street at a pedestrian crosswalk in St. Vital just before 8:30 a.m. The boy was eight years old and a student at Ecole Varennes. The vehicle collision happened on St. Anne's Road where traffic is still blocked in both directions between Bank and Varennes avenues. The area is expected to be closed for the evening rush hour. The child was rushed to hospital, while the driver of the vehicle remained at the scene. A father dropping off his child at nearby Ecole Varennes said he saw the aftermath of the collision. An adult was doing chest compressions on the boy. The witness, who asked not to be named, said there is normally a crossing guard at the affected intersection, but he didn't see one today. "I parked on a side street and got out to help, but by then there (were) people everywhere. A woman in nurses scrubs ran past me, so I just got out of the way," he said. Ecole Varennes confirmed in an email notice to parents that the young boy was one of its students. The school declined further comment. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "Families will need to find alternate routes to access the school to pick up their children," the school told parents by email. Later, a letter was distributed to parents informing them of the child's death. "The family and the school community have been notified and tomorrow morning classroom teachers will share the news with their students about the loss of a classmate," the letter reads. "Please be assured that student support services are available for all students and families tomorrow and over the coming days." jessica.botelho@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @_jessbu Say what you want about former NDP premier Greg Selinger, but he isn't a stupid man. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/2/2018 (1308 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Say what you want about former NDP premier Greg Selinger, but he isn't a stupid man. Throughout his decades as an elected public servant a career that began at Winnipeg city hall and culminated in the Manitoba legislature Selinger proved himself to be capable, intelligent and well-versed in the issues and operations of government. However, in recent years, Selinger has also shown himself to be incredibly stubborn to the point of delusion. Selinger refused to step down before the 2016 election, despite being told by just about every caucus colleague and senior adviser that his party could not win with him at the helm. He continued to cling to his job, even after five of his own ministers broke rank and publicly asked him to step down. After the election, when most vanquished leaders fade into the background, he stubbornly insisted on keeping his seat. All of which makes the events of this week a lot easier to understand. During the noon-hour Tuesday, in his tiny cinder-block constituency office in St. Boniface, Selinger faced reporters to express his regret over allegations that one of his cabinet ministers Stan Struthers had sexually harassed several female staffers. All on Selinger's watch. Sporting a blue corduroy suit and open dress shirt, Selinger calmly read from a prepared statement in which he unequivocally apologized to the women who came forward recently to detail Struthers' behaviour. As the leader at the time, he accepted full responsibility and pledged his support to efforts that would make it easier for women in politics and government to bring their concerns forward. Selinger also acknowledged that current NDP Leader Wab Kinew asked him not to hold a news conference, and to resign his seat in the legislature. To both requests, Selinger said no, claiming it would be disrespectful to the people who helped him get elected in St. Boniface if he left now. The democratic process, Selinger noted, needs to be respected. And as far as he is concerned, both his riding association and his constituents want him to stay. As Selinger explained his rationale for staying, there were no obvious signs of stress. No perspiration on his upper lip. No wavering voice. No shaking hands. He appeared much as he has always appeared, the very picture of confidence. And let it be said that confidence is an essential ingredient for politics, and in particular, political leadership. However, it takes a special kind of confidence to walk deliberately down the middle of railway tracks into the path of an oncoming train and question the legitimacy of the train. For all his apologies and regret, Selinger seems unable to grasp the peril that surrounds him on this issue. John Woods / The Canadian Press Files Former Manitoba remier Greg Selinger is capable, intelligent and well-versed in the issues and operations of government, but has shown himself to be incredibly stubborn to the point of delusion. As former leader, he has accepted the ultimate responsibility for his party's failure to act on the allegations against Struthers. But at the same time, he has refused to show accountability by stepping down. A resignation would be a purely symbolic act now, many years after the incidents in question took place. But it is the price that political leaders pay when they acknowledge a failure to execute the duties of their offices. Everywhere, it seems, but in Selinger's world. This refusal to acknowledge reality is even more difficult to understand in the #MeToo era, where there are swift and severe consequences for anyone who engaged in sexual harassment, and anyone who knew there was a problem and failed to act. In the current social environment, there is little room for, "I'm really sorry, but it shouldn't cost me my job." Selinger was premier when a female communications staffer alleged in 2011 she was groped by Struthers during a flight aboard a small plane. The staffer said she brought the incident to the attention of her supervisor, who claimed he took it to his superior who claimed he was never alerted about what happened. The result was that nothing was ever done. Selinger said at no time did anyone from his government bring the incident to his attention. Two complaints against Struthers did surface in 2015 but the women involved did not want to pursue them officially. Struthers was warned to change his behaviour. The bottom line is that the then-governing party of Manitoba failed to act on multiple incidents of abhorrent behaviour involving a senior cabinet minister. The rules of political leadership demand that, as leader at the time of the alleged incidents, Selinger must make a more profound gesture of accountability. Dan Lett | Not for Attribution A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world that is sent every Tuesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. It should be noted that there isn't much left of the Selinger administration to punish. Drubbed in the last election and reduced to just a dozen seats, the NDP is a shell of its former self. Although recent poll results have shown the NDP competing head-to-head with the ruling Progressive Conservatives in Winnipeg, few political pundits see a major breakthrough brewing in the 2020 election. Kinew acknowledged recently that the NDP "did not deserve to win the last election." It was largely interpreted as his attempt to formally sever his leadership from the legacy of the Selinger government. On Tuesday, Selinger was asked whether he agreed with that statement. The former premier explained that when it comes to the tenure of any government, the will of the electorate is paramount. "At the end of the day, it's the people that make the final decisions on these matters." What seems to have escaped Selinger is that when it comes to his continued presence in politics, the public has spoken. And they do not want him to stay. dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca The top four priorities for the 18th Asian Games are competitions, administration, support and security, according to Erick Thohir, President of Indonesias Asian Games Organising Committee. The Asian Games will be co-hosted by Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra, simultaneously from August 18 to September 2, 2018. Some 9,500 athletes, 2,500 staff members of the Asian Olympic Council, and 5,500 technical delegates from 45 countries will participate or be involved in the event. At least 3,500 media representatives are expected to cover the event. Earlier, Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno, emphasised that security will be one of the top priorities of Indonesia during the 2018 Asian Games. Security efforts will be undertaken with coordination of various parties, particularly the police, and with the support of the Indonesian Defence Forces. At least 1,700 officers of the Jakarta police and military will be deployed, and they will be supported by civilian security guards. Thousands of CCTV cameras will be installed, including at least 600 in Palembang. Venues to be guarded and have security cameras include athlete villages, sport venues, and airports. Meanwhile, Japan has pledged technical assistance to Indonesia in hosting the Asian Games 2018 by providing and support security and sport equipment as well as LED lights. Under the support scheme, the Japanese Government has allocated 500 million JPY (4.49 million USD) to provide facial recognition devices, which are expected to secure the Asian Games from any act of terrorism or extremism. Apart from the Government level, technical assistance will also be provided by a number of Japanese companies operating in Indonesia. Panasonic, for instance, has provided more than 1,000 high-grade LED lights to adorn both exterior and interior facilities of the stadium.-VNA A hundred or more Metis commercial fishers are expected today in Winnipeg to discuss the future of the provinces freshwater fishery. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/2/2018 (1309 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A hundred or more Metis commercial fishers are expected today in Winnipeg to discuss the future of the provinces freshwater fishery. The day-long meeting called by the Manitoba Metis Federation follows a foray into the open market that left four Manitoba fisheries reporting they were left nearly $1 million in the hole this winter. Metis fishers are critical of what they call the hasty rollout of a Pallister government decision to pull the province out of the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation (FFMC) and open up the market to private sales. "The system doesnt work the way it was set up. There was no plan when the government opened the market up, no strategy, nothing in place, no transition for the fishermen," Duck Bay fisher John Parenteau said Monday on the eve of the summit. A election promise by Premier Brian Pallister to open up Manitobas fishery was enacted through provincial legislation Dec. 1, 2017, allowing the provinces estimated 1,400 commercial fishers, the majority of whom are First Nation or Metis, to either work with the FFMC or sell their catch privately. The four groups of fishers Dawson Bay Fish Packers, Eddystone Fisheries Co-op, Ashern Fisheries Co-op and Waterhen Winter Fisheries negotiated private sales, but reported last month they were owed anywhere from $750,000 to $1 million on the deal. Parenteau, who is also the MMF fisheries minister, said about 100 fishers were affected, and they are expected to turn out for the day-long meeting at a Polo Park-area hotel. At the same time, local fishers arent happy with the FFMC, either. The MMF, which represents the provinces 100,000 Metis, believe the monopoly created by the federal Crown corporation hasnt done any favours for the industry. Sales and processing were exclusively handled by the corporation for decades, up until the province pulled Manitoba out with its open-market decision. "Freshwater fish is the last surviving traditional economy of our people. We must ensure it survives and thats why we called this meeting," MMF president David Chartrand said in a recent interview. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. He said he intended to float the concept that Metis fishers form a collective co-operative to handle sales on the open market. "We need to educate fishers they cant operate (alone) amongst themselves. You cant have an agent find a buyer and survive. The industry will eat them up," Chartrand said. The FFMC declined an interview on the Metis meeting. A woman, who identified herself as an assistant to the current interim president, said 98 per cent of the provinces commercial fishers have signed contracts to have the Crown corporation handle sales since word of the private-market setback became public. Parenteau and Chartrand said fishers signed up with the marketing corporation out of desperation and every one of them who signed up late paid a penalty. "The fishermen are locked into these contracts which were forced into because we have no buyers," Parenteau said. A provincial fisheries report, released last March, also called for private buyers to be bonded, as a way to protect the financial interests of the fishers. That wasnt done, critics said. If the MMF gains the support of the industry to move forward with a co-operative, Chartrand said it would ultimately mean breaking free of the marketing corporation altogether. alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca The decision by an all-white jury, presided over by a white judge, to acquit the killer of Colten Boushie, a young Indigenous man from the Red Pheasant Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, is a severe test of the settler-based Canadian legal system. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/2/2018 (1309 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion The decision by an all-white jury, presided over by a white judge, to acquit the killer of Colten Boushie, a young Indigenous man from the Red Pheasant Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, is a severe test of the settler-based Canadian legal system. Its nice that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged "the grief and sorrow the Boushie family is feeling tonight," while "sending love to them." But its time to step things up including an overhaul of how juries are selected, an inquiry to ensure that Indigenous victims are not treated as criminals and a deep investigation into embedded racism within the police forces and the courts. Those of us who are settlers must take responsibility for our institutions and stand with Indigenous peoples to ensure they can implement their own justice systems. Clearly ours are working all too well, but in destructive ways. Media accounts provide a good overview of how Boushies friends were held and interrogated by RCMP in August 2016, who then released a statement intimating that his friends might have been thieves. Boushies friend Belinda Jackson, taken into police custody before she provided a statement, did not sleep or eat for 19 hours. Boushies mother Debbie Baptiste was told to "get herself together" after being informed her son had been killed. Is it normal for police to tell you that your son is dead, imply you have a drinking problem and then search your home for clues? It seems so in Saskatchewan. The police acted as if they were an army of occupation in someone elses home. 'Not only are white farmers above the law, but young Indigenous men may well be below it' What does colonization and occupation look like? Statistically like this: in mid-2016, Macleans surveyed the 265 most powerful positions in Saskatchewans legal, educational, business and legislative systems: 4.5 per cent of positions were filled by Indigenous peoples. Only two of 101 judges are Indigenous in a province where 81 per cent of inmates in provincial jails are Indigenous. A recent poll indicated Saskatchewan residents viewed the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people more negatively than anywhere else in Canada, and 41 per cent of respondents blamed "Aboriginal peoples" for inequalities and problems. Saskatchewan was also the home of the last federally funded Indian Residential School. One of its survivors, Darren Maxie, told Macleans: "It is their system, not ours Every institution belongs to them. We are not allowed in." Maxies observation rang true over the course of the murder trial of white farmer Gerald Stanley. Boushies family filed five complaints against the RMCP for their mistreatment and petitioned for a Crown prosecutor from outside the province to lead the case. The larger context of this acquittal is cultural genocide even genocide as defined by the United Nations. Over two years ago, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission concluded cultural genocide had been committed in the Indian Residential Schools system. Because of its mandate, the TRC could go no further, although commissioners also articulated the case for the violation of the United Nations Convention on the Prevention of Genocide. We can see the residential schools as genocide and the use of starvation tactics to "clear the plains" of Indigenous peoples, a term popularized by James Daschuk in his book Clearing the Plains. Echoes of the past In 1991, a notorious racist from Prince Albert stood trial for the murder of Cree trapper Leo LaChance. LaChance walked into a pawn shop owned by Carney Nerland, only to be shot in the back and killed by Nerland. Nerland claimed he accidentally fired his rifle because he did not know there was a bullet in the chamber. Sound familiar? Gerald Stanley provided a similar justification for his "accidental" shooting of Boushie. Nerland, head of the Church of Jesus Christ Christian Aryan Nations, was found guilty of manslaughter and was sentenced to four years. In this small world of prairie law, the presiding judge over the Stanley trial was Martel Popescul, who represented the RCMP in the Nerland trial. After that trial, many rightly called for an inquiry to investigate the extent to which Nerlands racism was a factor in Lachances killing, an inquiry Popescul sought to block on behalf of the RCMP, arguing that police informants might be exposed. The Stanley decision demonstrates yet again that not only are white farmers above the law, but young Indigenous men may well be below it. That is, they cannot rely on the protection of settler law because it is not designed to protect them. The basis of this goes way back to the Doctrine of Discovery the 15th-century belief that Europeans "discovered" North America and gained sovereignty and title despite the fact Indigenous peoples had owned the land for many millennia. Because this doctrine remains embedded in Canadian law, racist violence may continue indefinitely unless we stop it. Even south of the border, where guns proliferate, between 2010 and 2014 there were no justifiable homicides involving American Indians either as victims or shooters, according to a Violence Policy Center report from May last year. Stolen land In a different world, Colten Boushie might have owned his own farm. It did not just "mysteriously" happen that most of the farmers in Saskatchewan are white or that the legal system is dominated by settlers. Indigenous peoples were prohibited by the 1867 Indian Act from homesteading on the prairies. In section 70 we had "Disabilities and Penalties," confining Indigenous families to a maximum of 160 acres for a family of five (much less for smaller families). By contrast, settlers could gain free land: "160 to 320 acres per head of family." This is connected to many other issues, such as the pass system, which kept Indigenous people from selling or trading without permission, the residential schools, which took Indigenous children from their families, and the '60s scoop, where Indigenous children were again taken, partially on the basis that their families couldnt support them. The 'disappearing Indian? Much was made about Boushie and his friends having had too much to drink on the day he was killed. The concept of "drunken Indians stealing" from white settlers also goes back to the early days of colonization. In 1868 federal laws prohibited Indigenous peoples from purchasing or consuming alcohol. Under the Indian Act, even possessing alcohol was illegal. This was only formally changed by an amendment in 1985. In her recent book Dying from Improvement, Sherene Razack observes that as western settlement proceeded, Indigenous peoples were marked "materially and symbolically," as bodies who were "not up to the challenge of modern life, a condition that leaves the settler as "legitimate heir to the land." Myths of the inevitability of Indigenous disappearance allowed settlers to evade responsibility for the negative impacts of colonization, since they are only there to promote western civilization and law, while Indigenous peoples are "dying due to an inherent incapacity to survive modern life." It seems that even when a white farmer pulls a trigger, these types of ingrained myths continue to be influential. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The jury could have found Stanley guilty of manslaughter: "A homicide committed without the intention to cause death, although there may have been an intention to cause harm." With a firearm involved, the minimum sentence is four years. Nerland received four years in prison and served three. Stanley is free and gained almost $33,000 in one day from almost 500 people through online crowdfunding. The TRC, in Call to Action 45, called on the federal government to repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery while implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Thanks to the stellar efforts of MP Romeo Saganash, Bill C-262, "An Act to ensure that the laws of Canada are in harmony with UNDRIP" has just been passed in the House of Commons. This bill wont change attitudes, but it can shift the underlying laws and the frameworks for making policy, and ensure that Indigenous peoples and settlers who support them can ensure that there are no more miscarriages of justice. David MacDonald is a professor of political science and research leadership chair for the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences at the University of Guelph. This article was first published at The Conversation Canada: theconversation.com/ca. The jury in the Gerald Stanley trial gave its verdict Friday. On the weekend, hundreds of protesters in cities across Canada responded with their own verdict, shouting that Canadas justice system is guilty of systemic racism. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/2/2018 (1309 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Editorial The jury in the Gerald Stanley trial gave its verdict Friday. On the weekend, hundreds of protesters in cities across Canada responded with their own verdict, shouting that Canadas justice system is guilty of systemic racism. Fear and anger exploded in Battleford, Sask., and many other cities following the acquittal of Biggar-area farmer Gerald Stanley on a charge of second-degree murder for the killing of Colten Boushie, a member of the adjacent Red Pheasant Cree community. The 2016 incident grew into a national scandal because it crystallized ill feelings between Canadas Indigenous people and settler people. Those ill feelings go back many generations and will take a long time to heal. Colten Boushie and his friends, who had been drinking, drove their damaged car onto the Stanley farm looking for help to fix a flat tire. In the neighbourly tradition of the sparsely populated prairies, it is perfectly normal to ask a neighbour for help. Mr. Stanley, however, suspected they were up to no good and ordered them off his farm. In the ensuing confrontation, the gun he was holding discharged, killing Mr. Boushie. The jury at his murder trial found Mr. Stanley not guilty, to the dismay of Mr. Boushies family, who thought he was obviously guilty of something. They wondered why the jury included no person of Indigenous appearance. It looked for all the world as though the white peoples justice system had assembled a jury of white people to protect the white accused and deny justice to the Cree victim and his family. But Canada is now struggling with something deeper than a faulty justice system. It is dealing with deep-seated mistrust between the descendants of European settlers and Indigenous people. Most of the time, that mistrust simmers quietly. In the Boushie case, it has exploded into the open. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission under Justice Murray Sinclair proposed steps toward a brighter future arising from the bitter experience of Indigenous people who were compelled to attend residential schools, where they were cut off from their families and ancestral languages, and many were abused. Some of his proposals were acted upon, others await action. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The national reaction to Fridays Saskatchewan verdict has the feel of a flashpoint, as if the outrage at such a blatant example of injustice wont fade away. Although its unusual for politicians to offer opinions on jury verdicts, both federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould and Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott offered public statements asserting the need for improvements in the justice system. And Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed sympathy for Mr. Boushies family, saying, "I know Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians alike know that we have to do better." He has that right. And, as the prime minister of a majority government, he also has the power to make changes. Reforms to criminal procedure might help restore public confidence in the criminal courts. Why are Canadas prisons overpopulated with Indigenous offenders? The Boushie case, like others before it, suggests one dismaying factor: Canadas courts seem to acquit white accused and convict Indigenous people. Better assurance that juries have a more balanced makeup would probably help. The words of compassion from the prime minister are appreciated by those who feel aggrieved. But many Canadians hope the federal governments expressed concerns about the justice system will go beyond words. The new grand coalition in Germany is planning a massive expansion of the German army (Bundeswehr) mission in Iraq. This was announced by Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen (Christian Democratic Union, CDU) in the course of her trip to the Middle East last weekend. Von der Leyen praised Germanys cooperation with the Peshmerga [Kurdish military forces] during her visit to Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Autonomous Region in northern Iraq. The Bundeswehr has been arming and militarily supporting the Kurdish force for three and a half years. It was impressive to see the great success of the Peshmerga training mission, she said, thanking Bundeswehr soldiers on the spot. Von der Leyen then announced that in future the Bundeswehr would be deployed throughout Iraq. There will be another mandate, she said, a mandate with a new balance between Baghdad and Erbil on equal terms on both sides. The defense minister made no concrete statements about the planned operation, but left no doubt she envisaged a long-term military engagement throughout Iraq. Both in Kurdistan, as well as in the central government in Baghdad, there is a request above all to help in the implementation of reforms, in the construction of ministry structures, the minister said. In Erbil, for example, the construction of an entire sanitary unit is necessary, but this also involved of course the entire planning, organisation, recruitment and training. There is also considerable demand for logistics. Germany wanted to make its contribution to provide Iraq with independent, loyal operational forces for the long term. In Baghdad on Saturday, von der Leyen justified the German offensive by referring to the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS). She had experienced a country that, on the one hand, is heavily marked by the devastation left by ISIS, but, on the other hand, is full of pride that it has succeeded ... in beating ISIS. Everybody knew, however, that ISIS has been hit hard, but is still not completely defeated. Von der Leyens attempt to portray the deployment of the Bundeswehr as an anti-terrorist operation, or as part of the fight against the devastation of Iraq, is pure propaganda and lies. It is common knowledge that the US invasion under George W. Bush in March 2003 initiated the destruction of Iraq, and that ISIS was the product of the countrys subsequent occupation and Western cooperation with Islamist militias in the regime-change wars launched against Libya and Syria. In the cases of Iraq and Libya, Germany largely abstained from participating in the US-led wars, but it has been playing an active role in the war against Syria from the start. The Bundeswehr has resorted to terrorist methods, both directly and indirectly, to defend the economic and geo-strategic interests of German imperialism in the Middle East. The allied Peshmerga units and Iraqi forces killed tens of thousands of civilians in the so-called liberation of Mosul from ISIS, with the German air force providing target coordinates for massacres carried out by the anti-ISIS coalition in Syria. Instead of ending the Bundeswehrs brutal and unpopular foreign deployments, the new federal government plans to intensify them. In Baghdad, von der Leyen openly stated that the expansion of the mission in Iraq corresponded to the plans drawn up by a new grand coalition. She told her partners in Iraq that in the coalition negotiations we agreed we will move from our mandate in the fight against terrorism to another form of engagement. In the coalition agreement, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the conservative Union parties also agreed to continue their commitment within the framework of the anti-ISIS coalition and to adapt it. In addition, the section on current foreign missions reads: The Bundeswehr mission in northern Iraq was successful, the ISIS there has been largely pushed back militarily. Therefore, we can phase out and end the training mandate in northern Iraq In a further step, we plan to develop this mandate for a comprehensive stabilisation and sustained fight against ISIS terror, in particular through capacity building. Over the weekend, leading SPD politicians criticised von der Leyens announcement. The defence ministers commitment to a future mandate in Iraq is premature and has not been agreed by the acting government, declared SPD vice-chairman Rolf Mutzenich. Only a new federal government could decide on a new mandate. In addition, the statements of the defence minister did not reflect, what was agreed in the coalition agreement. What was agreed in the drafting of the coalition agreement, and what are the concrete plans of the SPD leadership for capacity building in Syria and Iraq? Workers and young people, but also the over 450,000 SPD members who are due to vote on the coalition pact in the coming weeks, have a right to know exactly what was agreed. It is becoming increasingly clear that far-reaching military decisions were made behind the scenes. At the end of last week it was revealed that the German army is to establish a new NATO headquarters in Germany. The Socialist Equality Party rejects the coalition pact, which focuses on the return of Germany to an aggressive foreign and great power policy, and calls for the disclosure of all the talks. Under conditions of escalating warfare in Syria and Iraq, and US preparations for war against North Korea, which threaten to provoke a Third World War, this demand, along with the demand for new elections, is becoming increasingly urgent. On February 8, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents took the unprecedented step of arresting an asylum applicant, Omer Abdelmaed, after he appeared for an interview at a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) building in San Francisco. Abdelmaed, a resident of San Jose, California showed up at the asylum office in San Francisco to explain his fear of returning to Sudan, having fled after being arrested and tortured. After the customary interview, which lasted two hours, Abdelmaed and his attorney, Caleb Arring, began to leave the office. However, as Arring explained in a Facebook post, as they began to leave, someone who I assume is a supervisor at the asylum office came in with 3-4 ICE Officers. The ICE Officers put handcuffs on my client and said they were taking him into custody. I asked why. At first they wouldnt even answer me. The highly provocative arrest is part of a pattern of blatant illegality on the part of ICE, which functions as a law unto itself. While the Obama administration deported more people per year than Trump did in 2017, the latters administration has carried out a deliberate policy to instill terror among immigrants, making random, warrantless arrests outside churches, at courthouses, government buildings, schools, workplaces, on buses, and in other public places. The Trump administration made 37,734 arrests of immigrants with no criminal records in the 2017 fiscal year, more than double the total from 2016. Arring explained in his post: My client has NEVER been arrested in the United States. He has a completely clean record. He has a social security number. He works and contributes to our society. He has a United States Citizen Child. His wife and other child both have green cards. Abdelmaeds arrest is a violation of the 1951 UN Convention on the Status of Refugees, which states, Refugees should not be penalized for their illegal entry or stay and prohibits immigrants from being arbitrarily detained purely on the basis of seeking asylum. Arring said the government will give me NO information about why he was taken into custody during what is meant to be a safe and non-adversarial process. When ICE made the arrest, Arring challenged the officers and told them the Asylum Office retained custody over his case while his asylum application was pending. The officer said, not anymore, we just arrested him so the asylum office doesnt have jurisdiction anymore. The Trump administration has launched an assault against asylum applicants, proposing to slash in half the total number of asylum applications it will grant per year from roughly 37,000 to 18,000. In October 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions called on Congress to toughen rules for asylum seekers who he claims use rampant abuse and fraud to escape their home countries. The system is being gamed. Over the years, smart attorneys have exploited loopholes in the law, court rulings, and lack of resources to substantially undermine the intent of Congress, Sessions said, failing to clarify how it could be fraudulent to cite court rulings in legal proceedings. The immigration system is overloaded with fake claims for asylum, he added. This is the opinion of a large number of senators heading into this weeks debate over immigration reform. In reality, nearly six in ten asylum applications are denied in immigration court, including 90 percent of those applications filed by immigrants too poor to afford legal representation since there is no equivalent to the public defender system in immigration court. Between 75 percent and 90 percent of all asylum applications from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Mexico were denied between 2011 and 2016. The arrest of Abdelmaed is another sign of the danger posed not only to immigrants, but all workers whose democratic rights are under attack when the government conducts illegal arrests and locks up people seeking refuge from persecution. A 38-year-old teacher and mother of two died Sunday from complications stemming from the influenza epidemic currently hitting the US. Heather Holland of Weatherford, Texas fell ill last Monday and was diagnosed with the flu on Wednesday. Doctors prescribed Tamiflu, an antiviral medication widely used to treat the flu by lessening the severity of its symptoms. But the second grade teacher did not take the medication because of its $116 price tag, according to her husband Frank. He eventually bought the prescription drug for her on Thursday when her symptoms did not improve. Friday night, things escalated and she ended up in the ICU, Frank told weatherforddemocrat.com. The doctors got the blood cultures back and they had to put her on dialysis early Saturday. By then, Heathers body had gone into septic shock, one of the most dangerous complications of the flu. She died the next day. Heather, described by her husband as a passionate educator and a loving wife and mother, is just one of many victims of this years flu epidemic. Hers was one of 20 reported flu-related fatalities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area this flu season. Her death casts a grim light on the deplorable state of the US health care system and the governments lack of preparedness and funding in the face of this seasons particularly deadly epidemic. The latest report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that 63 children have died nationwide so far from the flu. Only pediatric deaths are tracked weekly by the agency. The CDC predicts yearly deaths from the flu in the range of 12,000 to 56,000 and warns that this year will be closer to the highest number, as there are no signs of the disease waning. Flu virus activity is widespread in 48 US states. The South continues to be hard hit. At least 2,355 people have died of influenza and pneumonia across Texas through January, according to health officials. Medical officials in Louisiana say the state is on track to record some 1,000 flu-related deaths this season. The Georgia Department of Public Health says there have been at least 66 flu-related deaths in the state so far this year. Alicia Budd, an epidemiologist in the Influenza Division of the CDCs National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, believes there could be about 35 million illnesses and approximately 700,000 hospitalizations associated with the flu this season, comparable to conditions during the 2009 swine flu. One in 10 deaths nationwide is currently estimated to be flu-related. At least three-quarters of those testing positive for the flu are infected by the Influenza A H3N2 virus, a particularly virulent strain. This years vaccine is a poor match, probably 30 percent effective or less. This is in part because, with current vaccines, H3N2, which rapidly mutates, is the strain most resistant to inoculation. Many young and otherwise healthy people, outside of the usual high-risk groups that include pregnant women, small children and the elderly, are dying from the flu. Some of these deaths are attributed to secondary infections and conditions. Pneumonia, causing inflammation of the lungs, can hit when a patient starts feeling better a few days after the flu has struck. Sepsis, which claimed Heather Hollands life, can be triggered by infections in the lungs, kidneys, skin and gut as a result of the flu. A patients immune system can overreact as it releases chemicals into the bloodstream to fight infections, causing inflammation and damage to several organs. Doctors, hospitals and pharmacies are still dealing with shortages of medical supplies and medicines. Florida pediatrician Dr. Lisa A. Cosgrove, who practices telemedicine in Georgia, Florida, Illinois and North Carolina, told CNN, Tamiflu is becoming hard to find in Georgia. Hospitals are still struggling with IV bag and saline shortages, a direct result of the devastation still plaguing Puerto Rico as a result of Hurricane Maria. The island is home to one of the main manufacturers of IV bags. It is under these conditions the US government agencies charged with protecting the health of Americans are facing cutbacks. The CDC estimates total yearly expenditures for flu outbreaks, in both direct and indirect medical costs, amount to $87.1 billion. But last years budget provided just $57 million for influenza pandemic planning. The CDC has also been hit by a scandal forcing the head of the agency to resign. Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald, a former OB-GYN doctor and Georgia health commissioner, who was named by President Trump last summer to head the agency, stepped down from the post last week after reports surfaced that she traded in tobacco and health care stocks. Among Fitzgeralds investments are Japan Tobacco, a multinational that markets Winston and Camel cigarettes, known carcinogens; pharmaceutical giants Merck & Co. and Bayer; and health insurer Humana. In an appointment that typifies his administration, Trump tapped an individual whose beliefs and actions directly oppose the fundamentals of the agency she was to head. The budget unveiled by the president Monday includes a sharp cut to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees the CDC. Trumps proposed budget allocates just $68.4 billion to HHS, $17.9 billion less than the agency received in fiscal 2017, a draconian 21 percent decrease. The development of a universal vaccine to fight influenza is one of the most critical challenges facing medical professionals and researchers. This could potentially protect against all strains of the flu over the course of a persons lifetime, replacing the yearlyand often ineffectivevaccines. The federal National Institutes of Health (NIH), while publicly declaring the development of a universal vaccine a priority, committed only $30 million in funding out of an already inadequate overall budget of $230 million last year to the project. The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, another federal agency, is spending an equally miserly $43 million on a project in pursuit of game-changing influenza vaccines. As with all vital health needs in America, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices and treatments, research and funding for the development of a universal vaccine is left to the private sector and subordinated to profit. French-based Sanofi Pasteur has signed a deal with SK Chemicals to get exclusive US and European rights to sell any vaccines developed through SKs cell technology and more advanced vaccine technology that holds promise for the universal flu vaccine. One of the reasons the current flu vaccine is relatively ineffective is that most of the vaccine is prepared in fertilized chicken eggs, a method that is particularly ineffective against this seasons predominant H3N2 strain. A more promising method is to prepare vaccines in cultured cells, which are removed from animals and grown under controlled conditions. However, in the for-profit health care system in the US, rational development of vaccines is beholden to the profit-motive of the health care industry. Residents of Martin County, Kentucky have received notices warning them that water service will be turned off if payments are not received by February 20. At the same time, county water district officials are seeking state approval to raise rates 49.6 percent. This is the latest affront to citizens in the former coal mining county, where water service was repeatedly disrupted last month due to failing infrastructure, and residents have long complained of discolored, foul-tasting water, which causes skin rashes. The threat of water shutoffs is being used to blackmail residents into paying for a financial crisis that they did not create. The district is $816,000 in debt and is functioning on a cash-only basis with vendors that supply replacement parts, pipes, pumps and other badly needed equipment. It is estimated that $13 million is needed for repairs. In January, the Martin County Water District shut off service for several hours each day to the countys nearly 1,400 residents. The procedure went on for a number of days because an intake pump and service pipes froze during severely cold weather. Many residents did not have water at all or only intermittently for more than a week. Local schools were closed, and many were forced to rely on volunteers who donated and distributed bottles of water. For years the water system, which has had no substantial investment in nearly fifty years, has been losing between 50-60 percent of its treated water due to aging, leaky pipes, which can also allow untreated groundwateror worseto seep in. A significant scientific study conducted in Great Britain may shed light on the condition of the water in eastern Kentucky. In 2015, the University of Sheffield engineers published the results of a study, entitled, Leaky pipes can allow contaminants into our drinking water. The study is the first to prove conclusively that contaminants can enter pipes through leaks and be transported through the pipe network. The pressure in mains usually forces water out through leaks, preventing anything else from getting in. But when there is a significant pressure drop in a damaged section of pipe, water surrounding the pipe can be sucked in through the hole. It had been assumed that only clean water from the leak would be sucked in, and that even if contaminants were sucked in these would simply be ejected once the pressure returned to normal. The new study has shown, however, that groundwater from around the pipewhich often contains harmful contaminantscan be sucked in, remain in the pipe and travel on through the network. Researchers looked at tainted water and water loss. In England, it is estimated that 20-40 percent of the nations water supply is lost through leaking pipes. That is still far less than the 60 percent seeping away in Martin County. Water loss in the United States is estimated on average to be 14-18 percent, resulting in the loss of 36 billion gallons or one-sixth of the public supplies passing through costly treatment systems. In areas such as Flint, Michigan the percentage of treated water lost through leaks is about 50 percent. Previous studies have shown that material around water pipes contains harmful contaminants, including viruses and bacteria from feces, so anything sucked into the network through a leak is going to include things we dont want to be drinking, said lead Researcher Professor Joby Boxall in the Sheffield report. A significant pressure drop is exactly what occurred last month when the Martin County Water District turned the water off for 12 hours on at least two occasions in January. While the Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection website mentions problems with backflow and backsiphonage, it does not mention the danger from leaking waterlines in Martin County. Many local residents attribute water pollution to the coal mining industry, which has pumped billions in profits from the working class and has largely abandoned the area, leaving behind an environmental and economic disaster. Martin County was the scene of the October 11, 2000 disaster when the bottom of a coal slurry impoundment owned by Massey Energy broke, sending an estimated 306 million gallons of thick, black waste into two tributaries of the Tug Fork River. The spill, which contained arsenic and mercury, killed everything in the water and was over five feet deep in places and covered nearby residents yards. County water bills come with warnings on the back, notifying residents that high levels of disinfectant byproducts could increase their risk of liver and kidney problems and cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency has turned a blind eye to Martin County Water Districts numerous violations of the EPAs safe drinking water standardswhich have occurred 36 times since 2012most often for excessive levels of disinfection byproducts, such as trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids. Martin County families have been protesting the lack of safe clean water for more than 18 years. The issue only gained national attention after an online video of a district public hearing went viral last month. Gary Michael Hunt, 39, a former coal miner, was choked and escorted out of an emergency public meeting by a state trooper last month because he voiced his opposition to the water shortages. More than half of a million people have now viewed the video. Just like the working-class families poisoned by lead in Flint, Michigan, the residents of eastern Kentucky are now being forced to pay for water that is systematically undermining their health. The threat of rate hikes and water shutoffs has only deepened the anger of local residents. Lynn Sites posted on Facebook, During the mandatory cut-offs I went a week with no water, pregnant and alone. I got snowed in for 3 days with no water and had to pack in snow to melt and use. But who am I to complain? Just someone who has had to be put on steroids while pregnant (for) a skin rash I developed while bathing in Martin County water. Scooter Lemaster, another Martin County resident, posted on Facebook, they charge you to poison your own children with the contamination they need to be in the penitentiary! Whether it is in Martin County, Flint, Puerto Rico or Cape Town, South Africa, the provision of the most essential necessity of life is subordinated to the drive for ever greater corporate profit. This will not be overcome by any section of the political establishmentDemocrat or Republicanwhich all have a vested interest in defending the bondholders, banks, and profits of the financial oligarchy. The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) are hosting a February 21 meeting at the University of Michigan, Flint to discuss a strategy to unify the working class nationally and internationally to fight for the social right to clean safe water. To get involved contact us at https://www.facebook.com/SEPFlint/. Approximately 610 workers at paper products manufacturer Kimberly-Clark in northeastern Wisconsins Fox River Valley learned late last month that they will lose their jobs by 2019 as their plants are shuttered as part of an international restructuring. The global producer of brand products such as Huggies diapers, Kleenex facial tissues, and Cottonelle toilet paper announced the imminent closure of two plants: Neenah Nonwovens located in the city of Neenah, and Cold Spring Mill in the village of Fox Crossing. Workers at the Cold Spring Mill are represented by the United Steelworkers (USW), while the Nonwovens facility is non-unionized. The announced layoffs and closures are part of a plan, announced by the company on January 23, that would cut as much as 5,500 jobs companywide, roughly 13 percent of its entire workforce. Citing a decline in annual sales between 2013 and 2016, the restructuring plan will involve the closure or selling off of 10 of its plants across the world. Kimberly-Clarks sales rose slightly in 2017 from the previous year, netting $2.28 billion in profits. Audaciously, the company announced that it plans to spend up to $1.7 billion on its restructuring, utilizing funds gained from the Trump tax cuts to partially fund the plant closures along with delivering increased capital returns to its shareholders. Paper manufacturing presently employs around 31,000 workers in Wisconsin, which has historically been the top producing state nationwide, with annual production yielding approximately 5.3 million tons of paper and 1.1 million tons of paperboard. Many of the major paper producers operate along the Fox River, which flows into Lake Michigan through Green Bay. Kimberly-Clark was founded in Neenah in 1872 and currently employs about 3,200 workers in the northeast region of the state. However, the states paper manufacturing industry has experienced a staggering decline over the last two decades, resulting in part from the shift to digital over print communication, changes in methods of manufacturing, and difficulty competing with competitors with lower production costs and more affordably priced goods. At least 34 paper facilities were shuttered between 2000 and 2013, eliminating 17,000 jobs. More than 1,400 paper manufacturing jobs were lost in the Fox River Valley in just the last five months of 2017. As part of the broader trend of deindustrialization in the United States Midwestern Rust Belt, Wisconsin has lost more than 120,000 manufacturing jobs since 2000 and experienced the largest decline in middle-class income households in the US between 2000 and 2013, according to a research study by the Pew Charitable Trusts. In response to the announced layoffs and plant closures, Wisconsins Republican Governor Scott Walker announced that he would propose legislation for a scheme utilizing Wisconsins Enterprise Zone Program to raise Kimberly-Clarks tax credits from 7 percent to 17 percent of the companys payroll in hopes that the tax credit would spur retention of a portion of the workers slated for layoff and halt closure of the two plants. This proposed increase in job retention credits is nearly identical to the one that was awarded to Taiwan-based electronics manufacturer Foxconn by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation for agreeing to construct a TV screen factory in Mount Pleasant and hire up to 13,000 workers. Foxconn was awarded $3 billion in tax credits for agreeing to invest $10 billion in the construction of its new operations, a giveaway of public money that will take an estimated 25 years for the state to recoup. The same day, Democrats in the state legislature made a counterproposal, in the form of legislation dubbed the Papermaker Fund bill, which would reallocate $60 million in state aid from the Foxconn deal, 2 percent of the $3 billion investment, to provide Kimberly-Clark and other privately owned paper mills with public funds to make upgrades in energy efficiency and produce more desirable grades of paper. Predictably, local Democratic politicians promoted economic nationalism, attacking Walkers tax giveaways from the right. I understand that if the state of Wisconsin can muster $3 billion for a foreign company, it can spare 1 percent for one of its own. We need to help the home team. Thats why were here today, stated Tom Nelson, the county executive of Outagamie County, where both Kimberly-Clark plants are located. Democratic State Senator Dave Hansen quipped, Unfortunately our governor cant seem to give enough of our tax dollars to a Taiwanese giant, Foxconn, and doesnt seem to care. At present, Kimberly-Clark has not publicly responded to either of the competing offers. In a similarly fashioned self-exposure of the political bankruptcy of the economic nationalism of the unions, USW President Leo Gerard lamented in an article published by Alternet that Trump had not enforced a 45 percent tariff on Chinese imports that he promised during his presidential campaign, claiming the governments failure to enforce international trade law bankrupted many of the Fox Valley plants as China plastered the U.S. market with underpriced, illegally subsidized paper. ... Exposing the role of the USW in functioning as labor police in the driving down of wages and benefits to maximize profitability and market competitiveness, Gerard continued The USW workers at the Cold Springs [sic] factory thought they would be spared. Their plant was profitable, and over the past several years, workers had collaborated with managers to reduce costs. Just a few weeks ago, corporate officials told the Cold Springs [sic] plant that it achieved the best overall cost reduction. Gerard previously served on President Obamas Advisory Committee on Trade Policy and Negotiations and has been one of the most enthusiastic supporters of Trumps America First reactionary nationalism, promoting trade war against China alongside Steve Bannon, Trumps fascistic former chief strategist. After announcing the end of lifetime employment guarantees for public sector workers, French President Emmanuel Macron is preparing to end these guarantees for rail workers, another social right established during the Liberation from Nazi Occupation at the end of World War II. Jean-Cyril Spinetta, former CEO of Air France, is preparing a report commissioned by Prime Minister Edouard Philippe in October, about a strategic reorientation of rail transport amid the European Union (EU)-mandated opening of French railways to private competition. EU rules foresee the opening to private competition starting on 25 December 2023 for regional rail transport, and by 14 December 2020 for high-speed trains (TGV). French officials are drafting a bill to turn the EU directive on the SNCF (National Society of French Railways) into domestic French law. Spinettas report has not yet been published, but Le Parisien is already indicating various options being studied by Macron. In its article titled Maximum risk of social conflict at the SNCF, it mentions a possible privatization of the SNCF: Its current statute as a Public Establishment of Industrial and Commercial character (EPIC) is threatened by the EU, which considers that it hinders competition, according to Gilles Savarya former Socialist Party (PS) deputy. This gives the SNCF a universal guarantee protecting it from bankruptcy. If it were transformed into a private corporation, partially owned by the Caisse des depots [i.e., the French government], it would conserve its public status while conforming to European regulations. The privatization of the SNCF would go hand in hand with the abolition of the statute of rail workers. Le Parisien notes, This is the most explosive issue. Based on a 1950 decree, it completes the Labor Code and defines rules specific to the railway workers on pay, vacations, career pathways, and trade union law. It is an advantageous statute, guaranteeing lifetime employment for railway workers This is one way of blowing up the taboo of the sacred statute of the rail workers that automatically increases the wages bill for the SNCF by 2.4 percent every year... As at Orange (formerly France Telecom) and the Post Office, the statute could be suppressed for new hires at the SNCF, emptied of its content, or simply eliminated altogether. Thus Macron declared last summer, Protecting you does not mean protecting your statute or your job of yesterday, but protecting you as an individual so you can get your job of tomorrow. To impose the directive on free competition in the railways, Macron tried to blackmail the workers by laying down harsh conditions for the state to buy up SNCF debt: Lets speak frankly, if we buy the debt, lets ask what is the new social pact the SNCF is willing to have? We are asking the SNCF to go further on reforms, on statutes, on flexibility, on pensions. By moving to scrap the rail workers statute, Macron is also preparing the pension cuts announced for 2019. Indeed, during the presidential election, he pledged to replace the roughly 30 different existing pension schemes in France by one unified, pay-as-you-go system. Thus, the rail workers pension scheme, already slashed in 2007 under President Nicolas Sarkozy, would be destroyed and the entire populations pensions cut to the same rock-bottom level. Plans to scrap the rail workers statute are part of a broad attack by the financial aristocracy across Europe on all the social gains of the working class obtained after the October 1917 revolution and the victory over Nazism in 1945. This is above all the product of a deep and intractable crisis of European and French capitalism. The government aims to smash the rail workers statute to boost productivity and competitiveness at the SNCF, which like many French firms, is rapidly failing faced with global competition. Leon Blums government created in SNCF in 1937 as a joint public-private enterprise that was 51 percent state-owned, unloading billions of francs of private rail operators losses on the public. At the same time, his government was isolating the revolutionary struggles of the Spanish workers in the Spanish Civil War against Francisco Francos fascist coup, and brutally smashing strikes in France. This counterrevolutionary policy proved utterly bankrupt three years later, with the Nazi invasion of France and the collaboration of the French bourgeoisie with the Nazis. Rail workers played an important role in the resistance to Nazi Occupation. As the SNCF helped the Nazis deport hundreds of thousands of Jews or resistance fighters to death camps, important sections of railway workers joined the resistance. Approximately 800 SNCF employees were shot by the Nazis for disobeying orders. Nearly 1,200 were deported to concentration camps for sabotage or acts of insubordination, and 2,361 were killed by bullets, mines or in aerial bombardments. The statutes of public sector workers and of railway workers were guaranteed after the Soviet Unions defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II and the Liberation of France. Now, nearly three quarters of a century later, Macrons attacks on the railway workers aim to scrap these social rights. This offensive against social rights established during the 20th century is yet another historic confirmation of the Trotskyist critique of Stalinism, and in particular of the class-collaborationist policy of the Stalinist French Communist Party (PCF) at the Liberation. Insofar as it left the capitalist class in power and blocked a struggle by the European proletariat to overthrow it and build socialism, none of these social rights were in fact safe. Macrons offensive against the railway workers points to the irreconcilable character of the class struggle, which unfolds over decades. Under the Nazis and the Nazi-collaborationist Vichy regime, the bourgeoisie massacred thousands of railway workers during World War II; by attacking the workers today, the ruling class is spitting on these workers graves. Having handed itself trillions of euros in bank bailouts since the 2008 financial crisis, the financial aristocracy is attacking basic social rights across Europe. In Germany, the EUs largest economy, the ruling elite is trying to assemble a conservative/social-democratic Grand Coalition government preparing deep attacks on the workers to finance German rearmament. In Greece, the pseudo-left government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras of the Coalition of the Radical Left is applying draconian EU austerity measures. Workers want to struggle to defend their rights and boost long-stagnant wages, while the ruling elite raked in untold billions of euros during repeated bank bailouts. This can only be done, however, in opposition to the pseudo-left and the trade union bureaucracy, which hypocritically declaims on its indignation at Macron while negotiating the attacks with him and with business groups. These forces will not halt Macron or the reactionary governments across Europe. This requires the formation of organizations of the working class independent from the trade unions, waging an international campaign to unify workers struggles across Europe. The basis of this struggle is a truly socialist and internationalist program for the construction of the International Committee of the Fourth International as the revolutionary vanguard of the working class, fighting for a program of the taking of power by the workers and building the United Socialist States of Europe. 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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Can someone please get Chloe Kim some ice cream now? The 17-year-old snowboarder made good on her dominating track record in the halfpipe event to date, easily winning a gold medal at her competition on Tuesday morning (Monday night stateside) in Pyeongchang, South Korea, at the 2018 Winter Olympics. The showing easily put her ahead of second place Liu Jiayu, of China, who scored an 85.50. And for the remainder of the competition, Kim never fell out of the top spot. (She even found time to tweet between her runs, writing, Wish I finished my breakfast sandwich but my stubborn self decided not to and now Im getting hangry.) Food wasnt far from Kims mind, it seems: A day earlier, between the qualifying runs for the halfpipe event where previewed her first-place abilities, she had tweeted: could be down for some ice cream rn. A follower asked: Wasnt she competing at the moment? To which she responded, yes Less than a day before qualifying, Kim shared on Twitter that she was so nervous!!!!!!! then she posted an update minutes later. Oh and I also had 2 churros today and they were pretty bomb so if you ever get nervous go eat a churro, she wrote. As she previously explained to PEOPLE, despite her many successes, she still deals with nerves before she drops into the pipe. But once Im moving, I feel fine and I feel relaxed, she said. Chloe Kim This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. On Tuesday, in the second run, American Kelly Clark topped her first score (76.25), earning an 81.75. Australian Kelly Arthur botched her showing when she tumbled down the halfpipe at the start of her showing, scoring a paltry 9.25 in her chase to catch Kim. American Maddie Mastro received a 7.50 after failing to stick a landing. Chinas Jiayu remained Kims closest competitor, scoring an 89.75 in her second attempt, all but cementing a medal and showing she was a threat for first. Kims second showing saw her fall after attempting a frontside 1080, earning her just a 41.50. But at the start of the third run, after Jiayu fell on her last run, Kim had a firm grasp on the gold. Story continues Keep Following PEOPLEs Complete Coverage of the 2018 Winter Olympics This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The real fight going ended up being for the bronze medal, with Team USAs Arielle Gold scoring an 85.75 to claim the third-place slot held by snowboarding legend Clark, who came out with a great attempt to inch back into third, but only earned 83.50. Gold was supposed to compete four years ago, at the Sochi Games, but couldnt after injuring herself in training. Together with Kims gold medal, her bronze boosted the U.S.s overall medal count to six. Chloe Kim This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. American Maddie Mastro had a disastrous showing during her third run, falling after a 1080 attempt. Jiayu was the only athlete left with a chance to dethrone Kim, but she fell while going to the 1080 clinching the gold for Kim before her third time down the snow and giving her the opportunity for a victory run. Even so, for good measure, Kim scored a 98. 25 in her last showing. I feel like now is a cool time for me, she told PEOPLE in the fall, before heading to Korea. Im going to turn 18 next year. Im going to go off to college, and I just think having that experience and going through all of it before another big part of my life comes around is going to be really exciting for me. The 2018 Winter Olympics are airing live on NBC. To learn more, visit teamusa.org. Arie Luyendyk Jr. may have felt confident in his decision to send Bekah Martinez home but Bachelor Nation is torn. On Monday evenings episode of the ABC reality series, Luyendyk Jr., 36, said goodbye to the 22-year-old contestant she went viral earlier this month after being removed from a missing persons list in California when someone recognized her from the show during a two-on-one dinner date that also included Tia, who had previously shared her reservations about Bekahs seriousness with the Bachelor earlier in the episode. Although Bekah thought shed be progressing to hometown dates I am so excited about the prospect of him meeting my family. I think he likes me a lot, she exclaimed with crossed fingers earlier in the day. I hope so! and said she was absolutely ready for marriage, Luyendyk Jr. extended the last rose of the night to Tia. I am confident in this decision and Tia, will you accept this rose? Luyendyk Jr. said at the table. Of his decision to send Bekah home, Luyendyk Jr. who was visibly emotional admitted that hes been talking myself out of being with Bekah for a long time. Its hard because I dont see our lives fitting together, but I really, really liked her. After the ABC leading man said goodbye, Bekah broke down in the car: Its hard for me to accept that this is over that this journey is over for me. Like Bekah, some were sad. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. 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Man Accused of Murder: 'Can't Stop Thinking About Killing People' Malik Vincent Murphy, the Colorado man accused of stabbing his younger brother and sister to death as they slept, allegedly told investigators he thought about killing his family for months, according to multiple reports. Murphy is accused of attacking his younger siblings and father with a hunting knife on Oct. 17. He has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his brother Noah Murphy, 7, and sister 5-year-old Sophia Murphy. He is also charged with attempted first degree murder for allegedly stabbing his father, who went to check on Sophia after hearing her screams, in the neck. 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. Murphy allegedly told investigators he had thought about killing his family for months. Saying it was something that [he] had to do, KMGH-TV reports. When asked why, Murphy allegedly replied, to be by myself. During the hearing, prosecutors discussed Murphys alleged history of violent thoughts and mental illness, which included being treated at local psychiatric facilities multiple times, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette. Two years before the alleged October attack, Murphy allegedly hid in the bathroom of his Lincoln, Nebraska, high school with a plan to strangle the next person who came in, the Gazette reports. He never carried out his plan due to his nerves, he told investigators. The hearing was attended by Murphys parents, who sat in the front row and were visible upset, according to the paper. For more compelling True Crime coverage, follow our Crime magazine on Flipboard Murphy told police he had been diagnosed with anti-social personality disorder and depression, the Gazette reports. He allegedly admitted to not taking his medication regularly and having violent thoughts against his family. Murphys next scheduled court appearance is in April. His public defender could not be reached for comment Monday. Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon loves Twitter and it loves him right back. Minutes after a free skate in the figure skating team event on Monday morning at the Winter Games in South Korea and Rippon, 28, was already a trending topic on the site in the U.S., with users alternately basking in his third-place finish and confusedly wondering how he came in behind Mikhail Kolyada, the Olympic athlete from Russia. Less than a point separated them (though to judge solely by the audiences reaction in the 12,000-seat Gangneung Ice Arena, Rippon appeared to have the more compelling skate). I cant control the score, Rippon, 28, tells PEOPLE not long after leaving the rink. But to the people that were distressed I hope maybe you can be on a judging panel someday. Keep Following PEOPLEs Complete Coverage of the 2018 Winter Olympics Speaking to reporters after he competed, Rippon said he was proud of his Olympic debut, both for himself and for what it contributed to Americas chances of a podium spot in the team event. Im really excited that I was able to kind of go out there, show who I am, skate so strong, he said, and more than that, I really hope I can help Team USA get a medal today. Skating first to The Cinematic Orchestras Arrival of the Birds and then to O by Coldplay, and while he admitted to an attack of nerves just before taking the ice, Rippon seemed to skate without a hitch. As he finished, to waves of applause from the crowd, the moment caught up with him and celebration broke across his face. I hope theres a skating judge whos like, Uh hey guys, Adam Rippon didnt give us quads but he did give us THE TRUTH, writer Louis Virtel tweeted. Adam Rippon during his free skate at the figure skating team event in the 2018 Winter Olympics In recent days Rippon has become something of a social media sensation, both among spectators at home and celebrities (including Reese Witherspoon) who are charmed by his drive, wit and candor. An alternate at the 2010 Winter Games who missed the cut in 2014, and already a history-maker for being the first openly gay athlete to ever compete for America in the Winter Olympics, Rippon said later that what he has accomplished in spite of his age skating, as ever, privileges youth and other obstacles is a victory he will never lose. Story continues He has also not shied away from the role fame gives him as an advocate for the broader LGBTQ community. PEOPLEs special issue The Best of Olympic Figure Skating is available now in the Time Inc. store, on Amazon and wherever magazines are sold. Well I had those doubts too, Rippon continued. And I say that I can go out there and I want to show those young kids that anything is possible. It doesnt matter where youre from or what other people say about you, you can put that all behind you and you can go out there and show the world what you have to offer. Adam Rippon And while he joked with PEOPLE about his impending individual mens performance (I definitely want to get a few more points, talk to those people on Twitter), he did not let the significance of the day slip past him. This is a moment Ive been waiting for my entire life, he said. Now Im actually an Olympian. They have footage, they can pull it up. We love the records. Let the record show: Adam Rippon is an Olympian. The 2018 Winter Olympics are airing live on NBC. To learn more, visit teamusa.org. Kathy Griffins red carpet drought is officially over. On Sunday night, the comedian made an appearance at the Writers Guild Awards and even presented an award. This marks the first time Griffin walked a red carpet since May 2017, when she slowly retreated from the spotlight after posing for a photo that almost ended her career. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Feels great to be back, she wrote on Instagram alongside an image of herself standing in front of a podium while presenting an award. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. At the awards show, which wasnt televised, she actually slammed the Writers Guild. But first she addressed her new look. Its me, Kathy Griffin I got a haircut and I lost my career in a day. Hi!, she began before giving out the nights animation award. I just want to thank all the powerful writers and showrunners in this room for f***ing no support. Where the f*** have you been?I was supposed to thank everyone for their support, and no one [lifted] their finger. Griffin went on to express a desire for people to learn from her jarring experience being ostracized by Hollywood. Since May 30, 2017, when a picture in which Griffin appeared to be holding President Donald Trumps severed head was shared on her social media accounts, she has lain low, lifting her head only for press conferences and videos about the scandal. Comedian Kathy Griffin poses at the 2018 Writers Guild Awards at the Beverly Hilton on Feb. 11, 2018, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Honestly, if you think it cant happen to you, it can, and it can happen like that, she said, snapping her fingers. You may have hated that photo, and thats OK, but if one of your 12-year-old kids puts it on Twitter, they shouldnt have to be under a two-month federal investigation, be on the No Fly List and the Interpol list. After complaining about not being in the Writers Guild and about her inability to get on a union show in part, she claimed, because shes a 57-year-old woman she admitted that she was, in earnest, very honored to be here. The photo landed her in a federal investigation and ousted from CNNs New Years Eve special. But the federal investigation closed this summer, and clearly, shes still as ballsy as ever. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: With his rendering of President Barack Obama, Kehinde Wiley became the first African American to ever paint an official presidential portrait, but the new-found fame has also drawn attention to some of the artists more boundary-pushing past works. Two paintings from 2012, depicting the Biblical story of Judith beheading the Assyrian general Holofernes, began making the rounds online on Monday. In Wileys rendering, Judith is depicted as a black woman and Holofernes as a white woman. Fans of the Obama portrait will recognize Wileys photo-realistic human figures, distinct colors and prominent use of floral backgrounds. Also Read:Twitter Drags Obama Portraits: 'Yikes, That's Awful' This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Judith and Holofernes is from Wileys most recent body of work and his first series of paintings to feature female subjects, a 2012 explanation of the work from the North Carolina Museum of Art foundation reads. Wiley translates this image of a courageous, powerful woman into a contemporary version that resonates with fury and righteousness. In a New York Magazine piece also from 2012, Wiley explained that the impetus for the work came from the renditions of the Biblical scene by Renaissance artists Caravaggio and Gentileschi. In keeping with his long-running style of painting black subjects in poses based on classic imagery from Western art and iconography, Wiley depicted Judith as a powerful black woman. His reasons for keeping Holofernes white and changing the general into a woman remain less clear. A representative for the artist did not immediately respond to request for comment from TheWrap. Related: Watch news, TV and more on Yahoo View. Related stories from TheWrap: Twitter Drags Obama Portraits: 'Yikes, That's Awful' Jeanine Pirro Under Fire After Blaming President Obama for Rob Porter Mess You Read That Right Donald Trump's First SOTU Address Audience Dwarfs Barack Obama's Final One Ratings: Trump's SOTU Down From Obama's 2010 Debut and Fox Is to Blame American special operations forces and FBI agents on the ground in Syria are actively searching sites where they believe Western hostages, including Americans executed by ISIS, may have been buried, counterterrorism officials told ABC News. Three officials briefed on the ground searches by U.S. commandos -- the first real effort to recover the remains of two American journalists and two American humanitarian aid workers killed from 2014 to 2015 -- said they were undertaken on the basis of new intelligence from two ISIS members from London captured last month by Syrian Kurds. Intel people are digging hard and directing ground guys to locations, a counterterrorism official who is not authorized to speak publicly told ABC News. Two other counterterrorism officials confirmed to ABC News that ground searches have begun and suggested the efforts are limited so far but could be expanded. The remains are believed to be spread out over several sites. PHOTO: A combination picture shows (L-R) Alexanda Kotey and Shafee Elsheikh, who the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) claim are British nationals, in these undated handout pictures in Amouda, Syria released Feb. 9, 2018. (Syrian Democratic Forces/Handout via Reuters) Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh are two of the most important ISIS figures ever captured on the battlefield. U.S. commanders at Joint Special Operations Command and CIA have had a policy of carrying out targeted killings with armed drones of the terrorist group's senior leadership rather than more risky attempts to capture them. The two ISIS fighters taken prisoner last month were half of a quartet of British guards dubbed the "Beatles" by the hostages who tortured and beheaded their captives. Their leader, Mohammed Emwazi, was called "Jihadi John" and died in a CIA airstrike in Raqqa, Syria, in November 2015. Another member, Aine Davis, was captured in Turkey last year. The two men are being interrogated by U.S. officials and are providing information about burial sites of American hostages they tormented and executed while running a kidnap and ransom operation for ISIS, which began in 2013. Ransom demands were halted after a July 4, 2014 failed Delta Force rescue raid and the subsequent U.S.-led coalition air campaign against ISIS. Story continues PHOTO: A November 2012 file photo shows journalist James Foley while covering the civil war in Aleppo, Syria. The Islamic State group released a video on Aug. 19, 2014, showing a jihadi beheading Foley, a 40-year-old journalist from Rochester, N.H. (AP, FILE) The U.S. Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell has contacted families of the hostages who died -- some of whom were shown having their heads cut off by Jihadi John on video -- many of whom welcomed the capture of the pair and U.S. efforts to find the remains of their loved ones. Diane Foley, mother of journalist James Foley, the first to die on video in August 2014, told ABC News, that knowing that U.S. forces are searching for burial sites of her son and his fellow captives is emotionally difficult but gratifying. "I am grateful for all these efforts but bringing these two jihadists to justice gives us more hope and solace than the return of Jim's remains," she said. Foley's execution was followed by the killings on video of fellow American hostages Steven Sotloff, a journalist, and Abdul-Rahman (Peter) Kassig, a humanitarian medic and former Army Ranger. Five more men two from Britain, two from Japan and one from Jordan also died in horrific videos released over several weeks by ISIS into early 2015. Kayla Mueller was the only westerner whose death did not play out in a Jihadi John video. ISIS announced the death of the humanitarian aid worker from Prescott, Ariz. in a Feb. 6, 2015 tweet, claiming a Jordanian airstrike killed her in Syria. The captors sent her parents three photos of her lifeless face when they asked for proof. "I don't know what happened to Kayla. I don't where Kayla is. I need her home," said her mother, Marsha, on Friday. "She belongs here." PHOTO: Kayla Mueller poses after speaking to a group in Prescott, Ariz., May 30, 2016. (Matt Hinshaw/The Daily Courier via AP, FILE) Kayla's father, Carl Mueller, said he appreciates that any effort to recover the remains of his only daughter, whose death is still a mystery. The Muellers recently pressed U.S. hostage recovery officials in a Washington briefing to reveal how their daughter died and were told specific details have eluded investigators. "Unlike the other families, we don't have the gruesome execution video, Carl Mueller told ABC News. We need to know she's gone. Beyond the effort to examine sites in Syria, the Muellers want any information about Kayla's last days, when according to fellow captives who later escaped she was forced to be the sex slave of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS. Sources have told ABC News that al-Baghdadi is believed to have been most likely killed in a U.S. airstrike in July, though his death was never confirmed. "I would like anyone who has information about Kayla to share that with us," her mother said. That includes Kotey and Elsheikh, who may know how she died and where she is buried. According to J.M. Berger, author of ISIS: The State of Terror, Kotey and Elsheikh are the most important ISIS figures captured in several years. "This is a really big development," Berger said. "ISIS has provided an incredible documentation of its atrocities and we havent seen anyone held to account for that. It would be hard to see how these guys could get off. People need to see justice being done." As the Winter Olympics kicked off in PyeongChang, South Korea, this weekend, the media turned their attention to one notable nonathlete attendee: Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean Supreme Leader and frequent target of President Trumps Twitter attacks Kim Jong Un. Photos: Getty Images Kim Yo Jong is believed to be between 28 and 30 years old and is the youngest of former Supreme Leaders Kim Jong Ils three children with mistress Ko Yong Hui. (Kim Jong Il also had a son and a daughter from separate, previous relationships before beginning his relationship with Ko Yong Hui.) And Kim Yo Jong was recently appointed to an official state job within the ruling Korean Workers Party Central Committee for all intents and purposes the propaganda arm of the North Korean regime. Her increased public presence, many say, is a concerted strategy on the part of the North Korean government to soften Kim Jong Uns image with Eastern and Western audiences alike. Many media outlets seemed to take the hypothetical bait. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. And just as quickly, others in the American press took the response to Kim Yo Jong one step further, comparing any positive reviews largely based on her style and appearance to that of Americas first daughter, Ivanka Trump. Like Kim Yo Jong, Ivanka has long maintained seemingly separate interests than her political father. And like Kim Yo Jong, Ivanka has also assumed an official position her familys respective administration. But according to a searing piece in the Washington Post, the similarities dont end there. Both Kim Yo Jong and Ivanka Trump, they argue, are readily positioned by their families to offer a smiling, conventionally beautiful, and glamorous veneer to cover up more damaging and dangerous political agendas. That is, the supreme leaders sister and presidents daughter are connected through a common bond of utilizing style to mask, and encourage further, complicity. And while other members of the press have, in turn, lashed out at such comparisons, saying they undermine the known human rights abuses committed by the North Korean government by comparing them to the policies of the Trump administration, the larger question still remains as to whether there should even be a dialogue comparing the two women in general and if it would be happening if the two public figures in question were both men. Story continues This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The comparisons between Kim Yo Jong and Ivanka Trump have everything to do with gender, their relationships to powerful men, and how they look, Laura Castaneda, a former journalist and a professor of professional practice at the University of Southern Californias Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism in Los Angeles, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. I doubt that if either were male, these types of stories would be covered. Castaneda points out that the way both women position themselves and their public personas around their personal style is also inherently deeply gendered, and largely why the two figures are of public interest, and often in a positive way. As evidence, she says, look no further than how former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton figures into popular opinion. Lots of people didnt like Hillary Clinton. There were lots of reasons for that, but I believe a big part of it for some segments of the electorate was her no-nonsense attitude. She is not glamorous. Shes had a powerful career. I think people saw her as hard and unapproachable, whereas women who are known primarily for their beauty and fashion are more palatable, Castaneda says. With Ivanka, her image is easy to swallow for Trump supporters shes a mom, wife, and dutiful daughter. Stine Eckert, chair of the feminist scholarship division of the International Communication Association (ICA) and an assistant professor of communications at Wayne State University in Detroit, notes that there is one particularly notable comparison that should be made between the two women in question. They are both blueprints for whatever at the time their society and current administration needs in terms of a tool to advance their political agendas, Eckert says. They are both empty vessels that are filled with whatever their respective administrations need to communicate. And the news media plays into that. She continues, They are both made into objects, made to be styled a certain way to be worked for whatever it is their governments want to accomplish. They are both in this position because they are a part of the current ruling family. And part of that is that they are then advised on their appearance and their makeup to communicate a certain kind of message one that is also what the majority is supposed to look like in their country, in terms of ethnicity. They both represent a look that, in turn, represents why their family is in power their families are both in power because they are currently oppressing minorities. Because of that, their appearance and to be seen as stylish is a means to accomplish a political end. Eckert also says that the attention on Kim Yo Jong is a symptom of media hunger for newsworthiness and the sight of any new face out of shadowy North Korea is always deemed as such. Because that face is a woman, she will be covered as a woman and based on her appearance. She says the drive to compare Kim Yo Jong to Ivanka Trump is also largely rooted in the news medias frequently relied-upon device of introducing new subject matter to their audience through a recognizable framework. And so Ivanka Trump has been chosen as a reference point to understand North Korea. Shes a means for establishing a connection between American news consumers and a topic they may not be interested in or understand. But Eckert says, if anything, the comparisons being made between Kim Yo Jong and Ivanka Trump tell us more about the universality of the objectification of women than any one countrys given politics. No matter if you have a country that claims to be a democracy or a country that in Western terms is viewed as a dictatorship, women are still viewed as objects and seen through the male gaze, Eckert says. When the New York Post reports on Ivanka Trump making a trip having to do with the Small Business Administration, they report on what shes wearing, her jewelry, her makeup and then theres a sentence underneath about her husband getting out of the car at the event. Theres no mention of whether he is wearing earrings. But most troublesome, Eckert says, is that neither the coverage of Kim Yo Jong nor that of Ivanka Trump typically triggers larger coverage of the situation of women overall. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. When we are talking about this particular woman from North Korea in relation to Ivanka, the criticism of that comparison is always about human rights violations, but not about the structural oppression for women in North Korea, Eckert says. And with Ivanka Trump, other than recent references to her being offended by the situation with Rob Porter, mention of her doesnt really spark conversation about discrimination against women in the U.S. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. One of the strangest (and, lets admit, funniest) stories to come out of season 22 of The Bachelor was that contestant Bekah Martinez (AKA Bekah M.) had been mistakenly reported as a missing person in California. Martinez is now attempting to clear the air, explaining exactly how the misunderstanding went down. (Warning: If youre not caught up on The Bachelor, there are minor spoilers ahead!) First of all, a lot of people thought I lied to my mother, saying that I was on a farm when I was actually on The Bachelor, but no, I had already been eliminated from the show, the 22-year-old said on Jimmy Kimmel Live! following her Monday night elimination. According to Martinezs mom, her daughter had allegedly gone to Humboldt County, California, to work on a marijuana farm. When she couldnt reach Bekah for several days, she reported her missing. They spoke on the afternoon she filed the report, but since officials were unable to contact Martinez directly, she remained on the missing persons list. It was only after her photo showed up in the local North Coast Journal that readers recognized her and alerted the publication to her reality TV whereabouts. Martinezs elimination had not yet aired on the show, however, so she took to social media to jokingly scold her mother. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. So what really happened? [After being eliminated], I just decided to go up to the mountains with some friends for a couple of weeks, and I was there for six or seven days without phone service, which I thought I was going to have phone service and I told my mother that I would, Martinez explained to Kimmel. I just had this weird feeling like on the sixth or seventh day, I need to go home now. So I got in my car, drove to where I had service, called my parents, and then come to find out only 12 hours before my mother had called the Humboldt Sheriffs Department saying that I was missing. Martinez also told Kimmel that some friends of hers own a marijuana farm, but that she never worked on it shes still working as a nanny in LA. Her experience on The Bachelor remains a surreal one, though, and after telling Kimmel that she had wanted to go on the show for years, she admitted that her elimination has been difficult. Story continues You know, Im hanging in there. It was shocking for me, as well, she said. But Im picking up the pieces as I go along. What do you think of Bekahs explanation for the missing-person story? Let us know @BritandCo! (photo via ABC/Craig Sjodin) You Might Also Like Former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama continue to inspire Americans beyond their time in the White House, and their official portraits are no exception. Standing onstage at the Smithsonians National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., on Monday morning, the couple watched as their official portraits were unveiled. And while some on Twitter said the paintings inspired a sense of hope, Barack couldnt help but notice his wifes hotness. Side by side, the portraits of Barack and Michelle painted by Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, respectively each selected by his and her subject were uncovered in front of an awestruck audience, before the Obamas and the artists took the podium to speak about the art. The collaborative work that went into each of the paintings was revealed in the sentiments of all of the speakers. But the most relatable expression of gratitude came from Barack himself. Amy, I want to thank you for so spectacularly capturing the grace and beauty and intelligence and charm and hotness of the woman I love, Barack said with a chuckle, which incited quite the reaction on social media. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Beyond Baracks charismatic remark, however, are the most important recognitions of how historic these portraits are, and what theyll mean to Americas youth. Michelle took to her own Instagram after the ceremony to share her gratitude for being recognized in such a remarkable way. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This is all a little bit overwhelming, she wrote, especially when I think about all of the young people who will visit the National Portrait Gallery and see this, including so many young girls and young girls of color who dont often see their images displayed in beautiful and iconic ways. I am so proud to help make that kind of history. And people on Twitter couldnt agree more. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. All in all, the historical context of each portrait is important as are the personal touches on the paintings. While Wiley paid homage to the former presidents origins with each of the flowers in the works background, Sherald collaborated with designer Michelle Smith of Milly to portray the former first lady in one of the brands gowns. Story continues This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Kylie Jenner Tyga has reportedly not been able to leave his ex-girlfriend Kylie Jenner alone after the birth of her first child, Stormi Webster. The 28-year-old posted a photo of himself Feb. 8 looking longingly in front of him from a balcony while a panther is seated in the grass ahead. Though the picture itself is interesting, fans are really questioning the caption that accompanies it. RELATED: The Weird Reason Why Kylie Jenner And Travis Scott's Baby Girl Might Be Named Butterfly The message reads as follows: "I been waitin right here, Still I been everywhere #KYOTO." With Kyoto being the name for the rapper's upcoming album, the caption is most likely a lyric from a song from the album. But with recent rumors about Tyga contacting Kylie in mind, people are wondering if the song is about his ex. Kylie gave birth to her daughter Feb. 1, and her boyfriend/baby daddy Travis Scott is apparently not too happy that Tyga sent her a congratulations message after Stormi was born. "Tyga sent Kylie a brief text congratulating her on her new baby, a source said. He told her that he was happy for her as he knew this was something she has always wanted." "Tyga also told Kylie that he knew she was going to be an amazing mother. RELATED: 5 New Details About Kylie Jenner's New Baby, Why She Kept Her Pregnancy A Secret And The Sweet Announcement Video She Released After Her Birth But Tyga didn't end the message there. The message was short, sweet, but it also included that he misses her, the insider admits. He told her he hopes to meet the baby. When Travis learned that Tyga had reached out to Kylie, he was angry. They supposedly had a huge fight over the text. Travis was furious by the message from her ex and told Kylie that she needs to tell Tyga to stay away from my baby, the source said. RELATED: 9 Cringey Details About Kylie Jenner & Travis Scott's Relationship Emily Blackwood is an editor at YourTango who covers pop culture, true crime, dating, relationships and everything in between. Every Wednesday at 7:20 p.m. you can ask her any and all questions about self-love, dating, and relationships LIVE on YourTangos Facebook page. You can follow her on Instagram (@blackw00d) and Twitter (@emztweetz). Keywords: celebrity, kardashian read more Abby Beckley was working on an Alaskan fishing boat back in 2016 when she discovered something fishy in her left eye. Actually, it wasnt fish, it was worms 14 of them. The 28-year-old Oregon resident felt a prick under her eyelid and figured it was just a stray lash. But after a week, she decided to see what was causing the irritation. I put my fingers in there in kind of a picking motion and I pulled out a worm, Beckley told BuzzFeed. I looked at my finger and it was moving and I was shocked. It gets grosser. She pulled out about six more of the tiny worms over the next few days. An Oregon woman found herself infected with 14 parasitic worms in her eyeballs. (Photo: CDC via WGN TV) Fearing a serious problem, Beckley got in contact with Dr. Erin Bonura, an infectious disease specialist and assistant professor at Oregon Health & Science University. Her boyfriends dad is a physician and he said, My sons girlfriend has worms in her eye. What should we do? Bonura told OregonLive.com. Doctors who examined Beckleys eye werent sure what they were seeing. Its very uncommon to have worms in the eye, Bonura said. She consulted with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which identified the worms as Thelazia gulosa, a parasite typically found on cow eyeballs. Richard Bradbury, team lead of the Parasitology Reference Diagnostic Laboratory at the CDCs Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, told CBS News that 14 worms were removed from Beckleys eye over a 20-day period. They werent able to remove them all at once. They had to remove them as they became present and visible, Bradbury said. All of the worms pulled from Beckleys eye were less than a half-inch long. Although the worms cause eye irritation, Bradbury said theres likely no permanent damage. Its just really gross and very psychologically disturbing to see multiple small worms crawling across the surface of your eye, Bradbury said. Doctors believe Beckley was infected when a fly landed on her eye while she was traveling through cattle fields in southern Oregon, according to USA Today. Story continues This is only the 11th case of a human being infected in North America. Previous cases of similar eye worm infections have been found predominantly in Europe and Asia and in rural communities with close proximity to animals and with poor living standards, the researchers told the New York Post. A study on Beckleys eye worm infection appears in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene. Meanwhile, Beckley said she wants to get the word out about what she went through. If this happens to anyone else, I just want them to know that Im OK, Beckley told BuzzFeed. CORRECTION: The headline in a previous version of this story incorrectly indicated doctors removed the worms from Beckleys eye. She removed most of them herself. Also on HuffPost A South Korean mans left hand had to be amputated after it became infected from a bacteria he contracted after eating raw sushi SpongeBob A toddler in Saudi Arabia swallowed this Spongebob pendent. Scissors in the Abdomen - Feb. 16, 2011 An X-ray shows a pair of surgical scissors in the abdomen of Anne, a woman in Lyon, France, who complained of abdominal pain after a surgery. Five months after the operation, Anne realized the scissors had been forgotten in her womb when the point of the scissors pierced her navel following a coughing fit. Face In A Testicular Ultrasound Doctors examining an ultrasound of a testicular tumor in Canada were shocked by the resemblance to a face in agony. "It was very ghoulish, like a man screaming in pain," said Doctor Naji Touma, who works at Queen's University, according to The Toronto Star. Spear in man's head These CT scans show a 6-inch spear lodged in the head of Emerson de Oliveira Abreu, who sought treatment at a hospital in Brazil in late March. The spear pierced his head during an underwater fishing accident. After doctors operated to remove the spear, Abreau said he would never fish underwater again. Prisoner X-rays in May 2006 X-rays from Central Prison in Raleigh, N.C., on display in May 2006 show items such as bed springs and batteries that prisoners swallowed to gain trips to outside hospitals. Blow Dart A 15-year-old had a blowgun dart stuck in his throat. Reproduced with permission from Pediatrics, Copyright @ by the AAP. Full text may be available from Pediatrics' website: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/. live ammo in skull A CT scan shows a 14.5 millimeter live round of ammunition lodged in the skull of an Afghan soldier. A U.S. military doctor successfully removed the unexploded round -- more than 2 inches long -- at the Bagram Air Field hospital in Afghanistan last month. Steel balls and magnets inside a child, May 8, 2008 An 8-year-old girl from Indiana swallowed steel balls and magnets from a toy set in May. The child required emergency surgery and was hospitalized for two weeks. Cocaine Smuggler In this Monday Sept. 12, 2011 image of a CAT scan released by Brazilian Federal Police on Sept. 16, 2011, bags loaded with cocaine are seen inside the body of an unidentified man after he was arrested at the Congonhas airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Monday. According to a federal police press release, the man is identified as a young Irish male who tried to board a flight to Brussels after swallowing 72 capsules containing a total of 830 grams (1.82 pounds) of cocaine. Snake and blanket July 2006 Houdini, a 12-foot python, swallowed an electric blanket in July 2006 that his owner put in his cage for warmth. The snake was doing fine after surgery. Tired Traveler This dozing drunk caught a free ride on the baggage belt at a Rome airport, and received a free full-body X-ray in the process. Nails in skull A nail gun shot six nails into construction worker Isidro Mejia's head during an April 2004 accident. He survived and was expected at the time to recover fully. Knife in Face A stunning X-ray image shows a knife stuck deep inside a Chinese teenager's cheek. Ren Hanzhi, 13, tripped and fell while peeling an apple -- jamming himself in the face with a nearly 8-inch knife on Jan. 31. Amazingly, the blade did not strike the boy's brain and doctors were able to remove the knife, expecting him to make a full recovery. Spearfishing Accident A Miami teen who impaled himself in the forehead in a spearfishing gun accident is very, very lucky, according to surgeons who were able to remove the long piece of metal that was lodged all the way through his brain. Pruning Shears In this image provided by the University Medical Center in Tucson, a CT scan shows a pair of pruning shears embedded in the head of an 86-year-old Green Valley, Ariz., man before it was removed by Medical Center surgeons in Tucson on July 30, 2011. Leroy Luetscher was accidentally impaled through his eye socket after falling on the shears while working in his yard, the handle penetrating his eye socket and reaching down into his neck. He is expected to make a full recovery. (AP Photo/University Medical Center,Tucson, Arizona) Dante Autullo, a 32-year-old Chicago man, accidentally shot a 3.5 inch nail in his brain and didn't notice for more than 24 hours. In January of 2012, doctors at Advocate Christ Medical Center successfully removed the nail and replaced a piece of his skull with a mesh patch and titanium plate. Marilyn Monroe chest x-ray - June 28, 2010 Three X-rays of Marilyn Monroe's chest and pelvis taken during a 1954 hospital visit have sold for more than 10 times their presale estimates, earning $45,000. Metal Bar Through Skull This tomography scan released Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012 by the Miguel Couto hospital, show the skull of 24-year-old construction worker Eduardo Leite pierced by a metal bar in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Doctors say Leite survived after a 6-foot metal bar fell from above him and pierced his head. Luiz Essinger of Rio de Janeiro's Miguel Couto Hospital Friday told the Globo TV network that doctor's successfully withdrew the iron bar during a five-hour-long surgery. Alien Tumor -- Feb. 14, 2011 When California vice principal Josh Abken told his doctor he was having persistent back pain about a year ago, the doctor took an X-ray. They discovered a soccer-ball sized "alien" tumor that had become as solid as a rock and even had growing tentacles. Surgical scissors in Australian woman A 6-inch pair of surgical scissors appears in the abdomen of Australian Pat Skinner in April 2004 -- 18 months after her initial operation. Real Smooth A 30-year-old Atlanta woman with a history of bulimia swallowed a knife while demonstrating that she no longer had a gag reflex for friends, according to the New England Journal of Medicine. Hitting The Nail On The Head Yang Yi Kui, of China, accidentally lodged an 8-cm nail in his head, and didn't even realize it was there until he went to the hospital because he felt sick. Read the whole story here. Cutis Verticis Gyrata The man has a condition called cutis verticis gyrata, which is when the scalp has "ridges and furrows resembling the brain's surface." Invasive Species? Man Hospitalized With Eel In Butt A man in China's southeastern Guangdong province admitted himself to a local hospital after he reportedly got a live eel stuck inside him. According to British tabloid The Sun, the man inserted the 20-inch-long Asian swamp eel into his anus after seeing it done in a porn movie, and he had to endure all-night surgery to have it extracted. (Read More) PVC pipe in corpse in February 2006 A film released in February 2006 shows PVC plumbing pipes put into a deceased person as part of an alleged body parts ring. Several people were charged in the case. Lee Gardner's Fork, PRE-OP Yeah, it's disgusting. Sorry about that. Fork In Tummy Lee Gardner got a plastic fork stuck in his stomach. FOR 10 YEARS. Here's the fork in it's glory, after the operation. Nail in skull A nail rests in a South Korean man's skull in December 2004. He sought help for a bad headache and upon discovery said it likely happened four years earlier. Chair January 2007 The leg of a chair thrown outside a Melbourne, Australia, club in January 2007 speared Shafique el-Fahkri's eye socket down to his neck. He spent a month in intensive care but has mostly recovered. Prisoner who swallowed a cell phone, Sept. 2006 Cell phones were found in the intestines of four prisoners in El Salvador's maximum-security prison, authorities said in September 2006. Suspicious prison officials took X-rays of each of the prisoners. Chen Liu of China Police in Sydney, Australia, released this X-ray of the skull of Chen Liu, 27, who died after being shot in the head with a nail gun 34 times. Liu's bound body was found in a river in November. The photo was released as part of a public plea for more information in the case. Liu is shown on the upper left in an undated photo. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. A school in West Haven, Utah is under fire for a policy mandating that girls say yes when boys ask them to dance at the upcoming Valentines Day dance. According to the local Fox News affiliate, school officials at Kanesville Elementary say they imposed the very peculiar rule in an effort to teach kids how to be inclusive. One mother, however, is voicing serious concerns about the message it sends. Natalie Richard, the mother of a sixth-grade girl who attends the school, said the rule teaches kids wrong lessons about consent and interacting with the opposite sex. After asking a teacher about the rules and whether her daughter had the ability to say no, Richard reported that the teacher said she cant. She has to say yes. She has to accept. Richard took her concerns to the schools principal Justin Willie, but was essentially told that because the school had imposed the rule in the past without issue, doing it this time should be fine as well. Lane Findlay, who works with the Weber School District under which West Haven falls, said the point of the dance is meant to teach students how to be inclusive. Prior to the dance, students are asked to fill out a card with the names of five people with whom they would want to dance, and students are encouraged to make it known if someone of the card makes them uncomfortable. Regardless, the rule, per Richard, sends a bad message to girls that girls have to say yes, and sends a bad message to boys that girls will can`t say no. Richard, of course, is right. The dances framework undermines the very idea of consent. Even if the schools intent is to make sure no one feels the sting of rejection, telling a young girl that she must say yes to a boy renforces the idea that they are not allowed to be in control of themselves. Last year, the Girl Scouts penned an open letter urging parents to remind their daughters that they didnt have to hug or touch anyone, even relatives, during the holiday season. The notion of consent may seem very grown-up and like something that doesnt pertain to children, said Girl Scouts developmental psychologist Dr. Andrea Bastiani Archibald in the letter, but the lessons girls learn when theyre young about setting physical boundaries and expecting them to be respected last a lifetime and can influence how she feels about herself and her body as she gets older. Story continues Dr. Bastianis assessment is echoed in a survey commissioned by Planned Parenthood that said more than 70 percent of people think that middle schools should teach children about how to ask for and give consent. Moreover, of the people surveyed, only 14 percent said theyd learned about consent when they were middle school aged, and to take the conversation a step further, the percentage of people who think consent should be taught in school only increases as children get older and enter high school and college. As of right now, the dance at Kanesville Elementary is still on. School officials dont seem any more inclined to rethink the harmful rule. If there is an issue, if theres students that are uncomfortable or have a problem with another student, I mean, thats certainly something that can be addressed with that student and parents, Findlay said. Related Articles: The post Elementary School Hosts Sixth Grade Valentines Day Where Girls Cant Say No If Asked appeared first on Fatherly. School dances have been causing controversy for promoting sexist stereotypes, and now, blurring the lines of consent between boys and girls. The latest example involves a Utah mother and her daughters elementary school dance, which requires girls to accept boys invitation to hit the floor. Mom Natalie Richard told Salt Lake City local news station Fox13 that she was in disbelief when her sixth-grade daughter came home from Kanesville Elementary with a set of ground rules for an upcoming dance: Students fill out cards with the names of five people with whom theyd like to dance, and if someones name is picked, they must fulfill the request. School dances have sparked serious debate recently. (Photo: Everett Collection) The teacher said she cant [say no], Richard told the station of her daughters obligation should she be selected to dance. She has to say yes. She has to accept, and I said, Excuse me. When Richard spoke to the school principal, He basically just said theyve had this dance set up this way for a long time, and theyve never had any concern before. A representative from the Weber School District told Fox13 that the rule is meant to be positive. Please be respectful, be polite, the rep told the station. We want to promote kindness, and so we want you to say yes when someone asks you to dance. Kanesville Elementary agreed to send permission slips to parents who werent aware of the rule. However, thats not sufficient for Richard, who told ABC13, Psychologically, my daughter keeps coming to me and saying I cant say no to a boy. Thats the message kids are getting. School dances pose potential problems for some. (Photo: Paramount Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection) Last week, there was outrage among Staten Island parents when an elementary school rescheduled its father-daughter dance for kids and caregivers of any gender due to state guidelines that discourage gender-based practices on the basis of sexism and stereotyping. Parents complained about the decision on Twitter, and as one told the Post, All this gender crap needs to just stop. Gender-based activities are rooted in old-fashioned gender stereotypes, Lenora Lapidus, director of the ACLU Womens Rights Project, previously told Yahoo Lifestyle. For example, father-daughter dances exclude children raised by single moms, lesbian couples, a grandmother, or who otherwise dont have male figures in their lives. Story continues Meanwhile, on Monday, the Post reported that several other New York schools plan to move forward with their own father-daughter dances, although the Department of Education is involved to ensure inclusivity. Generally speaking, school dances have been on the decline over the past few years, due in part to social media. As one assistant principal told Business Insider of her schools lackluster dance attendance, Technology definitely allows the kids to find easier and faster ways to interact with one another, so maybe they dont feel like going to a school dance is a necessary way to socialize. But its disappointing to watch the tradition fade. The hook-up culture is also problematic, playing out on the dance floor. In 2015, a principal in Maine banned school dances due to dancing that simulated sex. It came to a point where I had to say no. Weve got to do better, Gorham High School principal Chris Record told the New York Daily News, blaming pop culture in a memo, writing, It is by no means the students fault, but the dancing they have witnessed on MTV/VH1/movies involves primarily only sexually suggestive grinding. In 2013, a principal in Vermont canceled all school dances, with the exception of a prom, writing in a blog post, Students and adults alike are uncomfortable with grinding as this style of dance is called. It is inappropriate, demeaning, and does not represent our values in both school and community. The emergence of strict dance dress codes has also left many less than enthused about the school tradition. In September, a school in Wisconsin refused to sell dance tickets to students who wouldnt allow officials to pre-approve their dresses, triggering complaints of sexism. And in 2015, a student wearing a floor-length prom gown was threatened with suspension for showing too much cleavage, a claim her mother felt was discriminatory toward her plus-size daughter. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Emotional support animals seem to be in the news constantly these days, with endless stories of people brandishing official documentation as they try to get their peacocks, turkeys, and hamsters a seat next to them on a flight. And what pet owner among us hasnt briefly looked into getting our own animal registered as an ESA (emotional support animal), thinking it would be a pleasant (and cheaper) alternative to a pet-sitter for our next trip out of town? But these situations, and internal queries, raise real questions, like: Do animals really help people? Does that mean the animals get carte blanche to go everywhere? Are emotional support animals even legitimate? Photo: Getty Images People take advantage of [ESA status] just to fly its gone bad, for lack of a better word, Rachael Silverman, a clinical psychologist in Boca Raton, Fla., tells Yahoo Lifestyle. While she feels that some people are abusing the practice, she wholeheartedly embraces the therapeutic benefits of animals. I prescribe emotional support animals for my patients because I believe in the healing powers of animals and the unconditional support and comfort they truly do provide, she says. Silverman has suggested animals for veterans with PTSD, children with anxiety disorders, people who suffer from depression, and autistic patients. For example, she recommended that an older man whose wife had recently died get a dog in order to make sure he socialized and left the house. She also helped a teenager with severe social anxiety work up the courage to talk to strangers by taking her dog to the park. She wrote a letter to allow a young girl with recently divorced parents to take her cat to her fathers no-pets-allowed apartment so she could sleep at night. I dont prescribe an emotional support animal until well into the therapy, she says. These emotional support animals are not the treatment they are part of the treatment for these individuals. Thats an important distinction because not everyone agrees on the scientific evidence that animals can help people with mental disorders. There are studies available showing that guinea pigs can help autistic children socialize. Dogs and their famous unconditional love can calm vets with PTSD, who have reported feeling less lonely and depressed after adopting a canine. Caring for an animal has also been shown to help those with long-term mental health problems or chronic pain by distracting them from symptoms and encouraging activity. But several scientists have conducted comprehensive reviews of research into animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and found that many of the studies have flaws, such as small sample sizes, not enough randomization, and inadequate controls. Usually these reviews conclude that animals are probably beneficial, but more research needs to be done to define how and for whom. Story continues Still, Silverman knows what shes seen in her patients, and some have gone so far as to tell her their animals give them a reason for living. It would take a lot to convince her that the impact of animals isnt real and beneficial. While the majority of Silvermans patients turn to cats and dogs for this type of support, she hasnt prescribed a specific species to the emotional support status. Does that mean peacocks can be legitimate support animals? Ecologist and evolutionary biologist Marc Bekoff recently told National Geographic that they very well could be. I think any living creature could be an emotional support animal, Bekoff said. Support is just in the eyes of the beholder. Pet Partners, an organization that brings therapy animals (not necessarily support animals) into hospitals, assisted-living facilities, and schools, invites more than just dog and cat owners to volunteer their pets services. Volunteers can get their horses, birds, pigs, llamas, alpacas, rabbits, rats, and guinea pigs approved as Pet Partners as well. But just because someone can turn to a llama for comfort does not mean they absolutely need to have it on the plane next to them. According to Silverman, that depends on the diagnosis and the trip. As many of these much-hyped news stories have highlighted, the vague wording of fair housing laws and the Air Carrier Access Act have made it possible for people to go online and pay a fee to a service that will connect them with a therapist who will sign a letter designating their pet an emotional support animal. The services sometimes sell kits that include special vests and collars, so owners can take their dogs into other restricted areas, like subways, without cases. None of the sites offering this service make it sound like theres a chance of getting denied this doctors note. This has the unfortunate effect of casting doubt on even those people who really do need their animals. This is a letter of disability, says Silverman, who is in favor of stricter regulations around ESAs. Its a serious letter, and it needs to be taken seriously. While stories of flushed hamsters make some onlookers question the validity of ESAs, Silverman says some good may eventually come out of all this attention. The one thing the media has done thats a positive thing is bring this [subject] to light, she said. Its being seen as something worth investigating more. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. America is in the midst of record-breaking influenza outbreak, one that experts say rivals the 2009 swine flu pandemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, its an epidemic thats active in 48 states and Puerto Rico and has led to 17,000 hospitalizations in the past four months alone. Beyond its pervasiveness, the infection has proven to be alarmingly lethal, killing (in combination with pneumonia) as many as 4,000 Americans a week. While the highest-risk populations remain infants, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems, young and healthy individuals can experience a severe flu infection too. If left untreated, this can turn deadly. (Photo: Getty Images) Anyone who doubts this need look no further than the internet. In the last three months, stories of young, seemingly fit people falling gravely ill from the flu have begun to populate the news cycle with unsettling regularity. Most recently, there was Heather Holland, a 38-year-old mother of two in Texas, who ended up in the intensive care unit after deciding to forego Tamiflu, a flu medicine. Two days after arriving in the ER, Holland died from organ failure. Her husband told a local Dallas news station that his wife was otherwise healthy with no underlying medical conditions. Then in December there was the story of 21-year-old fitness buff Kyler Baughman, whose parents say he looked rundown after contracting the flu around Christmas. Baughman, who was a bodybuilder studying to become a personal trainer, decided to stick it out. Twenty-four hours after being rushed to the ER, he was dead. While stories like this are prevalent, theyre not necessarily new. Back in 2015, a 26-year-old newlywed in Wisconsin named Katie McQuestion was rushed to the hospital with a dangerously low temperature and fast heart rate. Despite getting a flu shot, shed contracted the illness a few weeks prior and watched it get progressively worse. Twelve hours after arriving at the hospital, McQuestion was pronounced dead. Story continues In all three cases, theres a common denominator a lethal, often- overlooked complication of influenza (as well as other illnesses), one that kills as many as 500,000 Americans every year: sepsis. At its simplest, sepsis is an overreaction a response to an infection thats too extreme and subsequently makes things worse. More specifically, its the result of an excess of inflammatory mediators (cells meant to fight infection) entering the bloodstream and sending the body into overdrive. This abundance of inflammation in the body triggers what scientists call a cascade of changes that cause tissue damage, organ failure, and ultimately if not caught early enough death. While sepsis or more specifically septic shock (the most severe stage) is not the only life-threatening complication of this flu, its one that can be stopped in its tracks if its caught early. Philippe Bauer, MD, a pulmonologist and researcher at the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, says one of the biggest obstacles to successfully treating sepsis is getting people to recognize its severity. Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction its an explosive response to the infection, Bauer tells Yahoo Lifestyle. Its an emergency. Within hours you can develop organ failure and die. While, in most people, a release of inflammatory cells is balanced out by normal ones, in those with sepsis for reasons that are still unclear the body cant keep up. The inflammatory cells far outnumber the normal ones. Since these cells are designed to quickly ward off an infection, Bauer says, they are extremely potent. The resulting exuberant reaction can cause death within hours. So what does someone look for if they want to prevent this? From a clinical standpoint, the most obvious feature is that you dont look right, says Bauer. The brain is involved very early, so you usually have some mental status change you look confused, drowsy, dizzy. You may be unable to walk. Next there is difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, and decreased temperature. Its this last one that seems to dissuade people from getting treatment. The problem is when you dont have a fever, people say it cant be that bad, Bauer says. They think, Maybe its nothing. But Bauer says its just the opposite. Although sepsis can cause a slight fever, he says the patients he sees almost always have the opposite: a low body temperature. Aside from ignoring a lack of fever and watching out for mental shifts like dizziness and confusion, Bauer says people who suspect a loved one may have sepsis shouldnt think twice. If caught early enough, sepsis can be treated through IV fluids and medicine. But once organ failure has begun, its generally too late. Sepsis is acute, says Bauer. Minutes count. Editors Note: An earlier version of this article stated that Katie McQuestion died this year. McQuestion actually passed away in 2015. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Inside the Obamas' Portrait Unveiling at the National Portrait Gallery Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama in Peter Pilotto Photo: Getty Images Former Vice President Joe Biden Photo: Getty Images Steven Spielberg Photo: Getty Images Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald Photo: Getty Images Tom Hanks Photo: Getty Images No one in my family has had a portrait done, let alone one that will hang in the National Gallery. Right, Mom? A beaming Michelle Obama, regal in a navy Peter Pilotto dress, addressed an audience of friends and familyincluding her proud mother, Marian Robinsonat the National Portrait Gallery on Monday morning. The star-studded crowd, which included former Vice President Joe Biden and Smithsonian patron Steven Spielberg, audibly gasped as the former First Lady and her husband, former President Barack Obama, joined the painters Amy Sherald and Kehinde Wiley in unveiling their official portraits, which, by Washington standards, are two of the most anticipated works of art in years. The unveiling marked a reunion of sorts for former East and West Wing staffers, with a bright splash of celebrity: there was the First Ladys former Chief of Staff Tina Tchen hugging the infant son of former White House chef Sam Kass and CBS News Alex Wagner while Valerie Jarrett greeted Shonda Rhimes and David Axelrod. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson took their seats as Attorney General Eric Holder and former press secretary Josh Earnest greeted former Obama Chief of Staff Denis McDonough; Gayle King strode past. Both Wiley and Sherald, the first black painters to receive a presidential portrait commission from the National Portrait Gallery, alluded to the exhilaration and anxiety of interviewing for the gigs in the Oval Office with the former president and First Lady. Neither needed to worry. As Michelle Obama said of Sherald, I was intrigued before she walked into the room. And then she walked in, and she was fly and poised. She had this lightness and freshness of personality. Sherald spoke on Michelle Obamas power as a public figure, saying, We can see ourselves in you. That relatable quality is at the center of Sheralds portrait, in which the former First Lady wears a Milly (by Michelle Smith) gown infused with geometric patterns. Inspired by Piet Mondrians linear paintings and Gees Bend, an Alabama quilting community founded by women of color, Sherald, who wore a checked two-piece dress by Australian designer Dion Lee for the unveiling, painted Obama from a photograph against the palest blue background, the gown billowing forth into the foreground, creating a juxtaposition of ethereal strength. Story continues Of her portrait dress, Obamas stylist Meredith Koop told Vogue it was one of two options the former First Lady looked at. When I pick out clothes for her, Im always thinking, What will this look like in 20 or 25 years? Koop said. And it was important the dress be accessible, not couture. It has the perfect modern feel. The former President noted his own sartorial difference with Wiley, whose wide windowpane-checked black-and-white suit stood out among the sea of D.C. gray. Subdued by Wileys standards, the Presidents portrait features him surrounded by botanicals, including chrysanthemumswhich Wiley referred to as Chicagos state flowerand plants native to Hawaii and Kenya, where Obamas relatives live. The artist told the audience the tangled flowers are intentionally circling the former Presidents feet; he wanted Obamas personal history to be entwined with the man himself (What Im doing is charting his path on earth through those plants). Obama appreciated the theme: I was always struck by the degree to which they challenge our conventional views of power and privilege, Obama said of Wileys paintings, before echoing his wifes thanks to former White House curator William Allman, former White House curator Thelma Golden, and designer Michael Smith for advising on the short list of artists from which the Obamas selected Wiley and Sherald. Obamas portrait will enter the Gallerys permanent collection, as do all presidential portraits, though Mrs. Obamas will only be on public display until November 2018, after which plans for the painting are to be determined. Unmentioned and unrepresented at the event was Obamas Oval Office successorno doubt to the relief of all present, who for a day seemed happy to recall a recent past. I miss you guys, said the former president, gazing out at a sea of former advisors and a few familiar reporters. We miss you too, the crowd shouted back. Another day, another stunning style moment courtesy of Meghan Markle! The 36-year-old just stepped out again in a royally-chic look that will make anyone whos skeptical of wearing plaid rethink the print. The bride-to-be arrived with her soon-to-be-hubby in Edinburgh for their first official joint visit to Scotland, where she gave a big nod to the host country in a tartan-print coat. Clearly, she was 100 percent spot-on with the countrys official print! (We mean, how cute is it that shes twinning with this Scottish horse?) The Double-Breasted Tartan Wool and Cashmere-Blend Coat ($2,895) from the quintessentially-British brand, Burberry, features structured shoulders, six black buttons, and a midi-length cut. The brunette beauty paired the outwear with a pair of simple black flared trousers. The fashionistas statement coat wasnt the only sartorial nod to Scotland, though; she also carried a Scottish-made crossbody purse from the Edinburgh-based company, Strathberry. Apparently the Suits actress is fond of the handbag label because, according to reports from People, she also carried a Strathberry bag at her very first official royal outing in Nottingham. We cant wait to see what other looks this beauty dishes up over the course of her royal duties! What do you think of Meghan Markles plaid look? Let us know @BritandCo! (Photos via Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/ WireImage, Andrew Milligan WPA Pool/Getty, Net-a-Porter, Chris Jackson/Getty) You Might Also Like Mirai Nagasu just made history and she made it look easy! The world-class athlete is now the first American woman to land a triple axel at the Olympics, and you have to witness this stunning feat. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The 24-year-old was the first of five women to perform in the womens free skate during the team competition in Pyeongchang over the weekend, and she made sure she was a tough act to follow. Just 21 seconds into her routine, she jumped, spun, and twisted her way through a successful triple axel. Ah-maz-ing! This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. It was so incredible that even Nagasus competitors on Team Canada started cheering when her blade touched the ice. And once the music stopped, she threw her hands in the air with a smile that will give you ALL the feels. (She finished with an overall score of 137.53, which put her in second place and helped Team USA to a bronze medal for the figure skating team event.) This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Not only is Nagasu the first US woman to pull off the incredibly difficult trick at the Winter Games, but shes also just the third woman EVER to successfully complete a triple axel at the Olympics. Japanese skaters Midori Ito and Mao Asada are the only two to have done it before her. (Two other American women, Tonya Harding and Kimmie Meissner, have landed the jump in competition, but not at the Olympics.) After her accomplishment, Nagasu said, [I] knew in my heart that this day would come. This is definitely history, or herstory, whatever way you want to put it. We cant wait to see who else makes herstory at the 2018 Games. Whats your favorite sport to watch at the Olympics? Let us know @BritandCo! (photo via Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) You Might Also Like Presidential portraits tend to have a sort of staid dignity to them. Until Barack Obama, they've also all been of white men. There's Ronald Reagan with coiffed hair, smiling his actor smile in front of a stately column. There's Bill Clinton in a light blue tie, with an expression that reads a bit uneasy. There's George W. Bush in another blue tie, looking off into the distance while clutching the back of a fancy chair. Portraits of first ladies? Same thing. Laura Bush in a taffeta gown, as if ready to attend a gala. Hillary Clinton fresh-faced and very '90s in a black pantsuit with short hair. The artwork isn't one bit fresh or experimental. Then, along came Kehinde Wiley, a 40-year-old artist with a history of subverting those same staid ideas of masculinity, race, and power, who is known for painting Black men and women in heroic postures. Borrowing from the Old Masters, he recasts Black men as figures like Napoleon, riding high on a white horse as he commands his army. (See: 2005's "Napoleon Leading the Army over the Alps.") "What I was struck by when I saw his portraits was the degree to which they challenged our conventional views of power and privilege, and the way that he would take extraordinary care and precision and vision in recognizing the beauty and the grace and the dignity of people who are so often invisible in our lives, and put them on a grand stage," President Barack Obama said of why he chose Wiley to paint his official presidential portrait, which along with first lady Michelle's was unveiled Monday at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. "Painting is about the world that we live in. Black men live in the world. My choice is to include them. This is my way of saying yes to us," Wiley has said about his work. It seems it's Wiley's life calling to depict Barack Obama for this occasion. Wiley, a queer artist, is also the first African-American to execute an official presidential portrait for the gallery's collection. Story continues In 2012, Wiley told BBC News: "The reality of Barack Obama being the president of the United States quite possibly the most powerful nation in the world means that the image of power is completely new for an entire generation of not only Black American kids, but every population group in this nation." Wiley shows Obama as deep in thought, looking straight ahead with intensity as though working out a problem in his head. The facial expression is at once more complex and more realistic than that of his predecessors' portraits, but the background is pure symbolic fantasy. Instead of the bookshelves, columns, and curtains meant to give other presidential portraits imperial gravitas, he sits amid greenery. "I'm charting his path on Earth through those plants," Wiley said at the unveiling. There's "a fight going on between him in the foreground" and the plants in the background, which represent his past. Each flower popping against the verdant backdrop has a meaning: The African blue lilies are for his father's birthplace of Kenya; the jasmine represents his own birthplace, Hawaii; and the chrysanthemums, the official flower of Chicago, remind us of where Obama got his start as a political organizer and met Michelle LaVaughn Robinson. "We had an immediate connection with the two artists that are sitting here today," Obama said, noting that despite sartorial differences (Wiley is fond of suits in bright colors and prints like paisley and plaid) they have a lot in common: Both had American mothers who gave "extraordinary love and support," and African fathers who were absent from their lives. Wiley's father was from Nigeria, and the artist did not grow up with him, although he visited Nigeria to reconnect with him back in 1997. Photo: Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post/Getty Images. For her own painting, Michelle Obama chose Amy Sherald, a Baltimore-based artist with a small profile compared to that of Wiley. Sherald's work focuses on social justice issues around race and identity in the U.S., and she paints her African-American subjects' skin in grays while using plenty of vibrant colors otherwise as a way of challenging ideas of color and race. Seeing the poverty in Baltimore has inspired her to paint her subjects in environments that are different from their lifestyles. Sherald painted Michelle sitting in a regal pose, wearing a ballgown with a geometric design. "I'm...thinking about all the young people, particularly girls and girls of color, who in years ahead will come to this place and they will look up, and they will see an image of someone who looks like them hanging on the wall of this great American institution. I know the kind of impact that will have on their lives, because I was one of those girls," Michelle Obama said of her portrait. "Amy, I want to thank you for so spectacularly capturing the grace and beauty and intelligence and charm and hotness of the woman I love," President Obama said. The portraits are already affecting people in profound ways. In online culture magazine Into, writer Antwaun Sargent recalls when a mutual friend of his and Wiley's sent him a photo of Obama being photographed for a "special project for the Smithsonian." Sargent had a feeling he knew what it was really for. "It was in that moment, I realized that Wiley would be painting Obamas official portrait," he writes. "Words cant describe what I felt knowing that a Black queer male who has spent his career painting us into the frame of history would use his hands to paint for the nation, one of my hometown heroes. In that moment, the Black queer kid in me, who once poured over Wileys pictures because they showed men who are like me and who knocked on doors in the dead of a Chicago winter for then-Senate candidate Barack Obama, who opposed the Iraq War, felt seen." Photo: TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images. Related Video: Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here? Campus Assault Survivors Are Feeling Left Behind By #MeToo Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Sexual Harassment Protection "Shouldn't Stop With Prominent People" Trump Reverses Plans To Cut Student Parent Support Program Yahoo Life Videos By Erin Donnelly On Monday, Sept. 13, after 16 months of pandemic-forced cancellations and postponements, the famed Met Gala will at last return, with throngs of A-listers descending upon New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art in their most inventive fashions. Though this year's long-awaited event often referred to as fashion prom is being billed as more intimate in scale this go-around, rumors are already running rampant about who might be on the star-studded guest list, notoriously vetted by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. As the 2021 co-chairs, Timothee Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman and Naomi Osaka alone are guaranteed to be gracing the most thrilling red carpet in the world, with this year's theme devoted to American fashion. But it's the legacy of a Brit that carries special significance, as this year marks the 25th anniversary of Princess Diana's visit to fashion's big night out. (In a stroke of symmetry, 2021 also marked what would have been the late royal's 60th birthday, on July 1, and 40 years since her July 29, 1981, wedding to Prince Charles.) Princess Diana's appearance on Dec. 9, 1996, remains noteworthy on several counts: her daring, lingerie-inspired dress, designed by a visionary young John Galliano in his first season at Dior; the rarity of a British royal attending the gala (although Wintour herself is a dame); and the moment's encapsulation of her transition, as Eloise Moran of Lady Di Revenge Looks puts it, "from royal to international celebrity." Moran, whose popular Instagram account chronicles Diana's "sassiest post-divorce looks" and will release The Lady Di Look Book: What Diana Was Trying to Tell Us Through Her Clothes in June 2022, says the then-35-year-old royal's attendance came as she was finding new footing among New York City's fashion crowd in the months since her scandalous split from Prince Charles. The former couple finalized their divorce on Aug. 28, 1996 a year and three days before Diana would die from injuries sustained in a Paris car crash, and just three months before the Met Gala. Was Diana's dress a "revenge" look? "One hundred percent," says Moran. For its theme that year, the gala which started in 1948 as a more staid fundraising dinner for the Met's Costume Institute, until the legendary fashion editor Diana Vreeland came on as a consultant in the early 1970s and transformed it into the splashy, starry spectacle it is now had chosen the work of Christian Dior. Though the eponymous French designer died in 1957, his fashion house remains one of the leading luxury labels. In 1996, all eyes were on the young British-Gibraltarian man who had just taken over as head designer, John Galliano. In his first couture collection for Dior, Galliano included a slinky midnight-blue silk slip dress reminiscent of a negligee, black lace trim emphasizing the boudoir-chic effect. It's this dress that Diana chose to wear. The princess reportedly had her reservations about the provocative look, however. According to the royal biographer Katie Nicholl, author of 2010's William and Harry, Diana worried that the dress might embarrass her then-14-year-old son William, who was struggling with his parents' split. Ultimately, the urge to make a bold sartorial statement as a newly single woman won out. Diana paired the Dior dress with a matching navy silk robe-style cover up perfect for fending off the December chill but didn't shy from adding some ice in the form of her sapphire and diamond cluster drop earrings. The jewels perfectly complemented her sapphire engagement ring which, along with the earrings, has since been passed down to her daughter-in-law Kate Middleton and the pearl and sapphire choker necklace made famous for its appearance during her 1985 dance with John Travolta. Diana also carried her go-to quilted Dior handbag, a style now known as the Lady Dior in her honor. Dressed to the nines, the princess arrived in the company of her friend Liz Tilberis, then the editor of Harper's Bazaar and a co-chair for that year's gala. (In a rare absence since becoming chairwoman of the Costume Institute now part of the Anna Wintour Costume Center in 1995, Wintour did not co-chair the 1996 event, though another princess, Marie-Chantal of Greece, stepped in.) Tilberis, wearing a velvet turtleneck dress with matching opera-length gloves in the same shade of midnight blue as her royal pal, was at the time undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer, and would die from the disease in 1999. Galliano himself also stayed close to Diana's side throughout the evening, reportedly introducing the princess to fashion's own version of royalty. By all accounts the mother of two was the "belle of the ball," though Moran notes that her dress now considered an iconic look that's been displayed at London's Victoria and Albert Museum fell flat with some more conservative royal-watchers. "That was one of her most shocking dresses, and it got slated because they said it didn't suit her figure because she obviously had quite broad shoulders," Moran says. "But I thought she looked fabulous. She just looks so happy and confident." The dress's shock value may have been the appeal, Moran adds, noting that Diana was well aware of the reaction her outfits received. What better place to push the envelope than at the Met Gala? "I think she was embracing it and enjoying it," Moran says. "She knew she could never get rid of the attention and the spotlight on her, but I think she was positioning it in a different way, as a kind of international megastar, Marilyn Monroe-type icon rather than a member of the royal family. And I think the dress really reflected that." Read more from Yahoo Life: Dwyane Wade wears Princess Diana's famous 'I'm a Luxury' sweater Prince Harry says Meghan Markle was the reason he started therapy: 'She could tell that I was hurting' 10 years after Alexander McQueens death by suicide, a look at mental health in the fashion world Want lifestyle and wellness news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Lifes newsletter. Witnesses reporting seeing an airplane in flames falling out of the sky. A Russian passenger jet crashed Sunday 50 miles outside of Moscow, with none of the 71 people onboard surviving, according to Reuters. The cause of Saratov Airlines Flight 703 crash is still unknown, but the plane went missing just minutes after taking off from the Domodedovo Aiport, the Associated Press reported. Flight 703 was en route to Orsk, a Russian city near the border of Kazakhstan. All possible causes of the fatal crash are being looked into by Russias Investigative Committee. Witnesses reported hearing a huge explosion and seeing an airplane in flames falling towards the ground, while Russian news agencies said wreckage has been spotted in a field near Moscow, the Washington Post reported. Unnamed investigators told Russian website gazeta.ru that the pilot asked for emergency landing clearance after reporting some type of malfunction, according to the BBC. Tass, Russias state news agency, said the plane, which was manufactured in Ukraine and Russia, had been flying since 2010, but stopped for two years because of a parts shortage in Russia, according to the Associated Press. Russia has had numerous high-profile plane crashes in previous years. The most recent crash happened in December 2016 when a Russian Defense Ministry plane headed to Syria fatally crashed in the Black Sea, killing all 92 people on the plane. Nine months before that, a FlyDubai Boeing 737-88 aircraft crashed in Southern Russia, killing all 65 people on board, reported The Guardian, saying the crash was a result of bad weather and pilot error. Victoria Beckham's eponymous fashion labeled celebrated a decade in New York City today, where the designer showed her latest Fall 2018 collection. To mark the occasion, the designer kept things simple and sophisticated in tailored topcoats and sleek underpinnings, the very ethos behind her line. Heading out from her hotel earlier today, Beckham stuck with a black and blue pairing for a knockout approach to modern minimalism. However, for the Beckhams post-show brunch, the designer switched things up in a straight-from-the-runway moss green felt coat and head-to-toe black. The core of both ensembles lies in the tailoring: Beckham kept her silhouettes similar for both occasions in a fitted turtleneck, flared trousers, and Savile Row-esque cut coats. Her navy blue coat took cues from traditional suiting and featured a double breasted, peak-lapel finish, which was a boyish foil to her feminine flared trousers. Beckham continued the effect after her Fall 2018 show in an open-front, self-belted coat style overtop all black. A feminine pocketbook was carried, and square frame glasses infused the look with a Jackie O-like finish. Victoria Beckham Photo: Getty Images See this weeks best dressed celebrities: 10 Best Dressed: Week of February 5, 2018 Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images Photo: Backgrid Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images Abraham Lincoln, who would have celebrated his 209th birthday on Feb. 12, left behind an impressive legacy during his time in office but many Americans still associate the 16th president, first and foremost, with his towering height. Standing 64?, Lincoln is, to this day, the tallest president ever, edging out Lyndon Johnson by a full inch. Height wasnt Lincolns only distinguishing physical characteristic. While he was in office, a journalist described the presidents long pendulous arms and hands of extraordinary dimensionsfar exceeded in proportion by his feet, according to the book Abraham Lincolns DNA. These unique descriptors have led doctors to wonder if Lincoln perhaps had Marfan syndrome, a relatively rare genetic condition that was first identified decades after the politicians death. Heres what to know about Marfan syndrome, and the debate about whether or not Lincoln may have had it. What is Marfan syndrome? Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the bodys connective tissue, which acts as a glue between cells, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The disease is usually passed down through generations, and children who have one parent with the disease have a 50% chance of getting it, according to the NIH. There is no cure for Marfan syndrome, though if its individual symptoms are treated and managed well, those who have it can expect to live a normal lifespan, according to the Marfan Foundation. What are the symptoms of Marfan syndrome? Most people with Marfan syndrome are tall, lanky and loose-jointed, according to the NIH. But since connective tissue is found all over the body, the condition can lead to many different symptoms, and not every sufferer will develop every one. Common signs include long limbs and phalanges; a long, thin face; heart murmurs, enlarged aorta and other cardiovascular issues; vision problems; and stomach and leg pain, the NIH says. Why do people think Lincoln had Marfan syndrome? Story continues An Ohio physician first suggested in 1962 that Lincoln may have had Marfan syndrome, noting that the former presidents mother was also exceptionally tall and lanky, according to Clinical Correlations. Two years later, a California doctor treated a young Marfan syndrome patient whose ancestry could be traced back to Lincoln, adding fuel to the theory. Since then, doctors and scientists have gone back and forth. While Lincoln did have some physical characteristics associated with Marfan syndrome, some experts have pointed out that he lacked certain hallmark symptoms, including a heart murmur and vision problems, Clinical Correlations notes. In 2009, the University of North Carolinas Dr. John Sotos suggested that Lincoln may, in fact, have suffered from a related but distinct genetic disorder that eventually causes cancer. Will we ever know for sure? Maybe. There have been on-and-off efforts to test Lincolns DNA over the years, and in 2009, Sotos tested a bloodstained dress worn by one of the actresses in the play Lincoln attended on the night of his assassination. The results pointed to MEN 2B, the genetic disorder Sotos suggested Lincoln may have had, but were not conclusive enough to say for sure. Potentially, future genetic testing could offer new insights about Lincolns health. By Hamid Shalizi KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan President Ashraf Ghani plans to retire more than 2,000 army generals and other senior officers, aiming to bring new blood into the military's top ranks to battle a resilient Taliban insurgency, officials said. Many of the existing commanders are "too old to keep up with modern warfare", a senior military official said, adding that the U.S. military had been pressing for a clear-out of the ranks. The army structure is top-heavy with senior officers, reflecting a country that has been at war for nearly 40 years. But the plan is causing resentment among the veteran officers, many of whom fought in U.S.-backed mujahideen against Soviet occupation in the 1980s, the civil war in the 1990s, or were part of the 1990s Northern Alliance opposition to Taliban rule. "We have more generals and colonels than the U.S. army ... generals and senior officers going back generations who can't fight, can't lead and have occupied their posts for years," said a senior government official involved in the reform effort. "The shake-up is absolutely necessary because our allies, particularly the Americans, have clearly told that us they won't be able to win with this current set-up," said the official, who declined to be identified. Dawlat Waziri, spokesman at the Ministry of Defence, said 164 generals and other senor officers were retired last week, adding that about 2,100 more generals and colonels would be retired in phases over the next 18 months. Younger officers had been frustrated by a lack of promotion for years, Waziri said. "They were stuck in one post and could not get promotion and it was hurting their morale," he said. Retiring officers would get $250 for every year of service, plus a pension of several hundred dollars a month, the first official said. Younger officers welcomed the plan. "I knew one day the government would realize that we need to rise up the ranks as we shoulder most of the fighting," said Lieutenant-Colonel Mohammad Rasuli, a squad leader in the army's 215 Corps based in the southern province of Helmand. "This decision will give our young officers hope and better morale to defend their country," Rasuli, 29, said by telephone from the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah. 'PAVING WAY TO SUCCESS' A spokesman for the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan said the government was fully responsible for the Afghan security forces and their reform, with U.S. and other foreign forces playing a supporting role. "This reform will pave the way for long-term success as ranks replenish," said the spokesman, Captain Tom Gresback. The retiring officers could use their knowledge and experience to help build the country's "civilian backbone", he said. Afghanistan's security forces reflect the fortunes of the different factions that have battled for supremacy for decades. Many top commanders were former members of the Northern Alliance, dominated by ethnic Tajiks, who, backed by U.S. forces, drove out the Taliban in 2001. The ouster of the Taliban also cleared the way for veteran officers from the Soviet-backed army in the 1980s to return to the ranks. Ghani, a former academic and World Bank technocrat who became president in 2014, wants to bringing younger, better-educated people into all sectors of government, not just the armed forces. But his plan has met with opposition, including from some senior officers who see the process as an attempt by Ghani's administration to remove ethnic Tajik officers from power. Ethnic tensions are running high amid political squabbling between factions and polarization between the two main ethnic groups, the Pashtuns and Tajiks, as the country prepares for a delayed parliamentary election due this year and a presidential election next year. "I served in the army for 15 years and in no way is this decision acceptable to me because it's a political decision by Ghani who wants to systematically erase ethnic Tajiks from the force," General Sameem Sameen, who was one of the officers retired last week, told Reuters. "This is an insult to me and to many other generals who have served their country with pride," he said. But another young army officer, First Lieutenant Hujatullah Hazrat, said the time was right for a clear-out. "The old generals have no stamina to do their duties and they were there only to get their salaries," Hazrat, 29, told Reuters. "They're not familiar with modern weapons and military doctrine and they've caused us a lot of failures." (Additional reporting by Abdul Aziz Ibrahimi, Mohammad Stanekzai in LASHKAR GAH; Editing by Robert Birsel and Alex Richardson) A Palestinian teenager who was filmed slapping and hitting two Israeli soldiers at her home in the West Bank went on trial at an Israeli military court on Tuesday behind closed doors, where she could be sentenced to years in prison. Tamimi, who turned 17-years-old in prison last month, has been imprisoned since December for what Israel says was a series of offenses that included assault and incitement to violence. The footage shows her slapping and lashing out at two Israeli soldiers who the Tamimi family say were standing on their property. Israel alleges that she has frequently been used as a prop in filmed and staged altercations with Israeli soldiers in the West Bank. Trending: Undocumented Father Of 5-Year-Old With Cancer Allowed to Stay in Country for One Year, ICE Says But Palestinians have hailed her as a symbol of resistance against Israel's military occupation of the West Bank, and pointed out that she was reacting after her 14-year-old cousin had been shot in the face at close range by an Israeli soldier after clashes nearby the incident in the village of Nabi Saleh. The Israeli military says the soldiers were there to stop stones being thrown at Israeli motorists. More than 600,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank in outposts the majority of the international community consider to be illegal under international law. Tamimi arrived at Ofer military court on Tuesday, pictured smiling before the judge ordered the courtroom closed. Family members could stay, but diplomats and journalists were asked to leave. Don't miss: Trump Says Democrats Hate His BudgetBut Some Republicans Don't Like It Much Either 02_13_Ahed_Tamimi Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty "I didn't think it's good for the minor that there are 100 people in the courtroom," Lt. Col. Menachem Lieberman said, according to the Associated Press. Story continues Tamimi's Israeli lawyer said the family wanted the proceedings to be open and that the Israeli military was preventing scrutiny of the trial. Most popular: Couple Mistakenly Takes Romantic Holiday to See Red Hot Chilli Pipers (Not Peppers) Her mother, Nariman, and cousin, 20-year-old Nour, are also set to go on trial on Tuesday. Approximately 300 Palestinian minors are currently held in Israeli prisons, two of them in administrative detention, where no charges are given for their being held, according to Israeli rights group B'Tselem. Amnesty International has decried the arrest and incarceration of Tamimi and called for her immediate release. It said her "continued detention is a desperate attempt to intimidate Palestinian children who dare to stand up to repression by occupying forces." This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek With the training heats underway in skeleton, the competition is not exactly friendly between the American and Russian racers this week in PyeongChang. According to Reuters, racers from the two countries are not on speaking terms in a dispute that centers on the widespread doping among the Russian contingent. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) banned Russia from competition due to systematic manipulation of doping tests during the 2014 Sochi Games. However, the IOC allowed Russians without doping violations to compete as Olympic Athletes from Russia under a neutral flag. That hasnt erased the tension. Obviously there is some language barrier that exists between all nations, U.S. skeleton athlete Matt Antoine said. Do I believe theyve competed fairly? No, and Ive been very vocal about that. So I dont really have a need to have a conversation with those athletes. Nikita Tregubov said he and countryman Vladislav Marchenkov have been scolded without evidence by American and British skeleton racers. We used to get along great. People have changed abruptly, Tregubov told Reuters. Two Brits, Jerry Rice and Dom Parsons, attributed the apparent coldness to a language barrier. Matt Antoine of United States slides down the track during a training run for the mens skeleton at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) From Reuters: Im friendly with everyone around the track, Rice said. Theres always the language barrier with obviously some nations. I dont speak Russian, they dont speak English. Parsons said athletes were also focused on the competition, not each other. I think when were at the track all of us are very focused on what we are doing anyway, he said. A ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) led to the IOC overturning doping bans for 28 Russian athletes earlier this month. Many of those athletes filed appeals to compete in South Korea. However, just before the PyeongChang Games began, the CAS ruled that they would not be eligible for competition. In all, 169 Russians are competing as Olympic Athletes from Russia. That includes Tregubov and Marchenkov. Story continues The skeleton training heats continue through Wednesday before the mens competition begins Thursday. Medals for the men will be awarded on Friday with the womens final coming on Saturday, Feb. 17. Sam Cooper is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter! More Olympics coverage from Yahoo Sports: More from Yahoo Sports: Now finally an Olympian, Adam Rippon hope reach extends beyond gay community How Jamie Anderson beat the wind to win Olympic gold How Russias Olympic fans are making a mockery of the IOC The NHLs best (Zamboni drivers) are in PyeongChang, no matter what people tell you Polish luger loses protective visor, makes run anyway PYEONGCHONG, South Korea The most American story of the PyeongChang Games unfolded atop a mountain here Tuesday morning. The daughter of two immigrants who was pushed to perform extreme feats as a moppet and grew to document them through social media ubiquity won an Olympic gold medal. She is the spinning, flipping, dyed-blonde zeitgeist. Chloe Kim, still every bit of 17 years old, still excited to go shopping with her grandma and snap selfies and tweet about her hunger pangs between runs down the snowboard halfpipe, was made for the moment she created at Phoenix Snow Park. Every move for the past decade, from sending her to Switzerland for elementary school to globetrotting in search of competition to crafting the cereal-box-ready image of a California girl who was her parents American Dream, was GPS-guided toward this. This is how you build a child into a brand in 2018. America had fallen in love as America is wont to do when the story is literally as picture perfect as Kims well before the stunning third run that came after she had locked up gold with a first-run 93.75. Kim heaved herself high above the 22-foot wall to grab her board on the first hit and followed with the trick unique to her: back-to-back 1080s, twirling three times each. Three more flawless jumps followed, and her score of 98.25 blew away silver medalist Jiayu Liu and American Arielle Gold, who took bronze. I dont really know whats happening, and I actually feel a little anxious right now, Kim said. Im a little overwhelmed. But this is the best outcome I could ever ask for. Its been such a long journey. Ahhh. Going home with a gold is amazing. It is so much, so soon, though that captures the essence of Kims existence. Tears flooded her eyes as she stood atop the podium, and her mom couldnt stave them off, either, and her sister was bawling into Kims hair. Only Jong Kim, her father, who had held aloft the laminated sign that said Go Chloe!, staunched the blubbering. Story continues My dad didnt cry, which I dont get at all, Kim said. Like, what are you doing? Chloe Kim had both of the top two runs in the womens Olympic halfpipe final. (Getty) What he has always done: straddle the existence between assertiveness and nuisance. Parents of prodigies have long struggled with that fine line, and Jongs involvement with Kims career is unmatched in snowboarding. He saw genius in his daughter. When she was 8, Jong said, I thought, Well, maybe I can bring her to the Olympics. So he quit his job and devoted his life to Kim. She moved to Geneva to live with her aunt. When Jong visited, they went to France so she could ride the halfpipe in Avoriaz. He accompanied her around the world at 10, when she would show up to competitions and flummox organizers that couldnt fathom a girl this young, this good. Whatever potholes presented themselves Girls are kind of very difficult to take care of, Jong said were filled in with the promise of what was to come. Kim, her father likes to say, was born in the year of the dragon an important animal in Korea, where he lived until he moved to the United States in 1982. Legend says a dragon isnt born a dragon. It is a giant serpent called an imugi that takes 1,000 years to grow into a dragon. Today, Jong said Tuesday, is the day imugi turns to dragon. Kims competitors saw nothing but the straight fire to which theyre accustomed. By 13, she was good enough to qualify for the Olympics and probably medal but age restrictions kept her from the Sochi Games. This gold was four years in the making, and it gave Kim and her team of handlers ample time to mold her image and persona. There were the between-runs tweets about wanting ice cream and being hangry and the full-throated endorsement of churros as a performance enhancer. There was the cultivation of an Instagram account with such a big audience that her mom begs her to comment on her photos or like them to boost her following. The NBC commercials, the ad campaigns, the sponsorships all of it followed the formula at which the snowboarding community writ large forever has sneered. Kim wasnt a snowboarder who became a star. She was a creation for mass consumption, the evolutionary inevitability of what happens when a sport like snowboarding hits the Olympic mainstream: Within two decades, along comes a manufactured luminary without a whit of the counterculture verve that was long the sports essence. It still exists, to a point, and always will. There is room, too, for Chloe Kim to burn brighter than Sirius, even if what lit her wasnt made of organic materials. Plenty of time exists for her to understand herself outside of the bubble in which she was built before she knew what it was. For now, shes just a kid doing amazing things. As she embraced her parents, reporters jostled for a look, one nearly coming to blows with a pushy photographer trying to capture the scene. Later, the dimples in her cheeks caved beneath a combination of joy and relief. This was over. And this was just starting. If Kim is lucky, so much, so soon wont turn into too much, too soon. Shell keep sticking her tongue out in pictures and will take the SATs and will navigate far harder transitions than any she faces on a snowboard: from girlhood to womanhood, from passenger to driver, from Olympic gold medalist to whatever she pleases. Because while her father lived his American Dream in his homeland Tuesday, Chloe Kims story was just beginning. More from Yahoo Sports: Wetzel: Rippon, Zhou are emblematic of melting pot U.S. figure skating team Olympic champion takes out media members during crash Wetzel: Married figure skaters bring Valentines Day to the Olympics Katie Couric wants to make up with Dutch after embarrassing gaffe Shaun White nearly perfect in advancing to halfpipe finals Ankara (AFP) - The street in Ankara where the American embassy is located will be renamed after Turkey's operation against a Kurdish militia in Syria that has sparked concern in Washington, the mayor of the Turkish capital said Monday. The renaming of the street in the centre of Ankara as "Olive Branch Avenue" is the latest example of the testy relations between the two NATO allies who have bickered fiercely during the last months over a string of issues, including Syria. "I have signed the proposal necessary to change the name of the street that the US embassy is on from Nevzat Tandogan Avenue to Olive Branch," Mustafa Tuna said on Twitter. He said the proposal will be presented to the Ankara municipality assembly on Monday evening for approval. Nevzat Tandogan was a former governor of the Turkish capital between 1929 and 1946. "Olive Branch" is the name given to Turkey's operation launched on January 20 against the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in its western enclave of Afrin. Although the US embassy is found on Nevzat Tandogan Avenue, the mission gives Ataturk Boulevard, named after Turkey's post imperial founder and which part of the building backs onto, as its official address. Relations are strained between the US and Turkey over multiple issues including Washington's arming of the YPG and the failure to extradite the suspects accused of ordering the July 2016 coup bid. Turkey has called on the US repeatedly to stop working with the YPG, which it views as a "terrorist" group. But Washington has expressed concern about the Olive Branch operation and urged restraint from Turkey. Turkey has in recent months made the renaming of streets into a tool of diplomacy. The latest proposal follows the symbolic riposte to the United Arab Emirates last month when Ankara renamed the street where Abu Dhabi's embassy is located after an ex-Ottoman governor of Medina. The move came shortly after tensions following a retweet by the UAE foreign minister of a post claiming that Fahreddin Pasha -- governor of Medina from 1916 to 1919 -- stole from the people of the sacred Islamic pilgrimage city. The solar systems strange cigar-shaped visitor 'OumuamuaHawaiian for scout or messengeris tumbling chaotically as the result of a violent collision. And the interstellar object will continue to spin for billions of years as it journeys through space, scientists have reported in a study published in Nature Astronomy. This is the latest of several revelations following the first-ever discovery of a solar system invader last October. Initially believed to be a comet, then an asteroid, scientists think the wandering interstellar object is a hunk of ice wrapped in organic sun-blocking material. 1_5_Oumuamua M Kornmesser/ESO/Flickr Trending: How Many Dictatorships Are Taking Part in the Winter Olympics? "At some point or another it's been in a collision," Queen's University, Belfast, research fellow and lecturer Wes Fraser told the BBC. The research team watched 'Oumuamuas brightness change over time to model exactly how it was spinning. 'Oumuamua appears to be in an excited rotational state undergoing non-principal axis rotation the study authors wrote. This unusual excited movement is better known as tumbling. Don't miss: Who is Sabrina Dhowre, Idris Elbas Fiancee? Tumbling is an unusual state of rotation, Fraser said during Sundays episode of the BBCs long-running Sky at Night show. It quickly starts to wobble around chaotically. The icy cigar was probably knocked askew by a violent collision with another object. The researchers dont know exactly when this happened, but suspect it took place before 'Oumuamua left its home stellar system. "It's hard to know if it was during planet formation or after the planet formation process," Fraser said during the show. "Certainly, more collisions happen while planets are growing than afterwards, so thats a very good guess. But unfortunately we cant get a high-resolution image of this thing to see what kind of crater is on it that might be attributed to the collision that caused it to start tumbling." Story continues Most popular: Can Pot Make Yoga Better? New Classes in Colorado Let Yogis Smoke While Posing The team think 'Oumuamua may eventually move less chaotically. "The tumbling actually causes stresses and strains internal to the object, and that slowly but surely squeezes and pulls on the object just like tides on the Earth to remove energy from the spin," Fraser said. But, at least for the next few billion years, the space invader is destined to continue its topsy-turvy spin. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek London (AFP) - WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will on Tuesday find out whether the British arrest warrant hanging over him is to be cancelled, potentially paving the way for him to leave Ecuador's London embassy. Assange has been holed up in the embassy since 2012, dodging a European arrest warrant and extradition to Sweden over a 2010 probe into rape and sexual assault allegations against him. Sweden dropped its investigation last year. But British police are still seeking to arrest him for failing to surrender to a court after violating his bail terms during his unsuccessful battle against extradition. Assange's legal team has asked a British court to cancel the warrant, but a judge last week dismissed his claims that the document was rendered null-and-void because there was no longer any underlying crime. "I'm not persuaded that the warrant should be withdrawn," Judge Emma Arbuthnot told a court in London, explaining that Assange had breached his bail conditions in 2012. But she said she would rule on Tuesday on another application from Assange's lawyers asking her to consider whether it would be in the "public interest" to keep the warrant in place. The former hacker fears that arrest by British authorities could lead to him being extradited to the United States over WikiLeaks' publication of secret US military documents and diplomatic cables in 2010. US Attorney General Jeff Sessions last year said his arrest was a "priority". Assange wrote on Twitter that his latest legal argument hinged on an alleged "cover-up" by the British government to keep him detained. - 'Severe punishment' - He highlighted a Guardian report which quoted emails sent by Britain's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to Swedish counterparts in 2012, urging them not to drop their application for a European arrest warrant. In the emails, a CPS lawyer apparently commented on a 2012 article saying that Sweden was dropping the case by writing: "Don't you dare get cold feet!" Story continues Swedish prosecutors told the CPS in 2013 that they "felt obliged" to lift the warrant, but only announced last year that it had finally been dropped. The CPS also admitted it destroyed emails relating to the case after the lawyer handling the British response retired in 2014. Ecuador's foreign ministry said it wants to reach a solution with Britain that satisfies both sides and respects Assange's human rights. Assange's lawyer Mark Summers said his client had been living in conditions "akin to imprisonment" and his "psychological health" has deteriorated and was "in serious peril". "The last five-and-a-half years that he has spent may be thought to be adequate, if not severe punishment, for the actions that he took," Summers told court. The court heard that the 46-year-old was suffering from a bad tooth, a frozen shoulder and depression. Assange only very rarely emerges onto the balcony of the embassy building, citing concerns for his personal safety, but he frequently takes part in media conferences and campaigns via video link. Ecuador in December granted citizenship to the Australian-born Assange, and asked Britain to recognise him as a diplomat, in an unsuccessful attempt to provide him with immunity and usher him out of the embassy without the threat of arrest. But London swiftly rejected the move. "Ecuador knows that the way to resolve this issue is for Julian Assange to leave the embassy to face justice," the British government said. London (AFP) - WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Tuesday lost his legal battle to overturn a British arrest warrant against him, and with it his hopes of freely leaving Ecuador's London embassy where he has been holed up since 2012. In a court in the British capital, Judge Emma Arbuthnot rejected his lawyers' argument that upholding the warrant was no longer in the public interest. "I find arrest is a proportionate response even though Mr Assange has restricted his own freedom for a number of years," she said. Assange was awaiting extradition to Sweden over a 2010 investigation into claims of rape and sexual assault when he breached his bail conditions to seek refuge in the embassy. Sweden dropped its investigation last year, but the British warrant for his arrest for jumping bail remains, meaning he would be detained as soon as he steps outside. The judge rejected claims that Assange was suffering from his confinement, saying: "Mr Assange's health problems could be much worse." She had last week rejected claims by Assange's team that the warrant was rendered null-and-void because there was no longer any underlying crime. Assange says he fears his arrest could lead to his extradition to the United States over WikiLeaks' publication of secret US military documents and diplomatic cables in 2010. US Attorney General Jeff Sessions last year said his arrest was a "priority". But the judge rejected this, adding: "He appears to consider himself above the normal rules of law and wants justice only if it goes in his favour." Gareth Peirce, one of Assange's lawyers, told AFP it would be possible to appeal against the judge's decision, but she said this had not yet been decided. - 'Akin to imprisonment' - Assange wrote on Twitter before the hearing that his latest legal argument hinged on an alleged "cover-up" by the British government to keep him detained. Story continues He highlighted newspaper report which quoted emails sent by Britain's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to Swedish counterparts in 2012, urging them not to drop their application for a European arrest warrant. In the emails, a CPS lawyer apparently commented on a 2012 article saying that Sweden was dropping the case by writing: "Don't you dare get cold feet!" Swedish prosecutors told the CPS in 2013 that they "felt obliged" to lift the warrant, but only announced last year that it had finally been dropped. The CPS also admitted it destroyed emails relating to the case after the lawyer handling the British response retired in 2014. Ecuador's foreign ministry said it wants to reach a solution with Britain that satisfies both sides and respects Assange's human rights. Assange's lawyer Mark Summers said his client had been living in conditions "akin to imprisonment" and his "psychological health" has deteriorated and was "in serious peril". The court heard that the 46-year-old was suffering from a bad tooth, a frozen shoulder and depression. Assange only very rarely emerges onto the balcony of the embassy building, citing concerns for his personal safety, but he frequently takes part in media conferences and campaigns via video link. Ecuador in December granted citizenship to the Australian-born Assange, and asked Britain to recognise him as a diplomat in an unsuccessful attempt to provide him with the immunity that could see him walk free. But London swiftly rejected the move. HMS Sutherland - PA Beijing has warned against "stirring up trouble" in the South China Sea after Britain vowed to send a warship through the heart of disputed waters next month. Gavin Williamson, British Defence Secretary, said HMS Sutherland, an anti-submarine frigate, would sail through the sea on its way home from Australia to assert freedom of navigation rights. "She'll be sailing through the South China Sea and making it clear our Navy has a right to do that," he told The Australian newspaper after a two-day visit to Sydney and Canberra. China claims nearly all of the strategic waters, despite partial counter-claims from Taiwan and several south-east Asian nations including the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Observers say China is developing its military capabilities by fortifying and building infrastructure on what were previously reefs and partially-submerged islets in the sea, where more than $5 trillion (3.8 trillion) of trade passes every year. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said the situation on the South China Sea was "improving with each day" and he urged "those outside the region" to respect efforts made by China and its neighbours to resolve differences. "Currently the South China Sea is calm and tranquil," he added, in response to a question from The Telegraph on the British plans. "We hope other countries won't begin stirring up trouble." construction at the disputed Spratley Islands in the south China Sea by China Credit: ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES Beijing has been enraged with previous freedom of navigation patrols which have been carried out by the US Navy, and has sent out warships to confront them. The US patrols have sailed within 12 nautical miles of disputed territory or artificial islands built by China - the distance internationally recognised as a territorial limit. HMS Sutherland is the first Royal Navy warship to sail through the South China Sea since HMS Daring in 2014. Then the Type 45 destroyer did not challenge any of Chinas territorial claims. Story continues Mr Williamson would not say whether the frigate would sail within 12 nautical miles of the land formations. However, he added: "We absolutely support the US approach on this, we very much support what the US has been doing." Richard Bitzinger, a regional defence expert with the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said the international community was powerless to react to China's assertiveness in the region despite the UK's tough words. Territorial confrontation in the South China Sea "Its all huff-and-puff, and everything stays the same," he said. "The fact of the matter is, China has created a fait accompli with these islands. The South China Sea is part of its strategic national interests, and hence Chinese presence in the South China Sea is permanent and perhaps becoming hegemonic. And there is very little anyone can do about it." Bonnie Glaser, senior adviser for Asia at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said Australian, New Zealand, Japanese and probably French navy ships had sailed through the waters, but most countries "remain silent about such operations". "There are navies other than the US Navy that sail through the South China Sea, but they dont necessarily call them freedom of navigation operations," Ms Glaser told The Telegraph. Activists carry placards during a protest in front of the Chinese consulate in Manila on February 10, 2018, against Beijing's claims in the South China Sea Credit: AFP "I doubt any country other than the US is sailing inside 12nm around any land feature." Ms Glaser said she doubted China would be enraged by these type of low profile "transit patrols", however, Beijing sharply criticised the UK last summer when it first raised the prospect of a freedom of navigation patrol. Boris Johnson, Foreign Secretary, said he wanted to send the Royal Navys new aircraft carriers into the South China Sea, while former defence minister Sir Michael Fallon said Britain would exercise the right to navigate the South China Sea. Lu Kang, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, said in response that countries involved with the territorial stand-off were working together to safeguard peace. Yet we see other countries who insist on stirring up trouble while the situation is heading towards calm in the South China Sea, Mr Lu told a regular briefing in Beijing. The spokesman then continued with unusually harsh language which appeared to be also directed towards Britains broader policy of allying itself with the US over major global issues. He said: "Whatever banners these countries or officials claim to uphold, and whatever excuses they say they have, their track record of bringing chaos and humanitarian disasters through their so-called moral interventions in other parts of the world is enough to make nations and peoples in the region maintain high vigilance." In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, Chinese navy's missile destroyer DDG-112 Harbin fires a shell during the China-Russia joint naval exercise in the Yellow Sea Credit: Xinhua The Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) navy regularly sails patrols and carries out drills throughout the region. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in 2016 that China had no legal basis for its nine-dash line, which defines its claims. The court ruled against China on virtually every substantive point at the end of the case, which was brought by the Philippines. However, Beijing said it does not recognise the courts ruling. Additional reporting by Christine Wei For much of 2016, the Wall Street attitude toward cryptocurrency could be summed up as, blockchain good, bitcoin bad. Banks and financial institutions were vocal about their interest in testing out blockchain (or decentralized ledger) technology, but didnt want to have anything to do with bitcoin. In 2017, as the price of digital assets like bitcoin, ether, litecoin, and ripple soared to all-time highs, the narrative shifted back, as financial giants witnessed the sudden mainstream interest in investing in cryptocurrencies. But if you ask Adam Ludwin, CEO of Chain, which builds private blockchains for enterprise clients, the distinction was always misleading. I think the dichotomy between public and private [blockchains] is a false one, and its actually not helpful, Ludwin said on stage last week at the Yahoo Finance All Markets Summit on cryptocurrency. Instead, I would separate out whether were talking about a new assetbitcoin, ether, lumens, Zcashwhere you have a whole new asset class, the creation of which and the purpose of which is native to some public network, or existing financial assets that large public companies want to move around using blockchain. As Ludwin describes it: How can we take a share of Apple stock, how can we take a Starbucks loyalty program, how can we take a dollar that needs to move from a company in California to a company in Thailand? And how can we make those assets operate in such a way that theres more integrity, theres more visibility, theres high scale. Blockchain CEO Peter Smith (L) and Chain CEO Adam Ludwin at the Yahoo Finance All Markets Summit: Crypto on Feb. 8, 2018. (Gino DePinto/Oath) Its an interesting way to flip the prevailing framing of this issue. The bitcoin blockchain, the litecoin blockchain, and Ethereum are public blockchains, meaning that they are open-source, decentralized, and accessible to anyone (permissionless). The IBM blockchain that Walmart, Unilever, Kroger and other grocers recently used to track food shipments, and the rails that Chain has built for clients like Visa and Citi, are private, meaning they are accessible only to those granted access to them (permissioned). Story continues Ludwins point is: Rather than distinguish between public vs private blockchains, focus on the assets that these companies are using blockchain to move back and forth. Its a bit of spin, some might say, but its also not unreasonable. Think of the asset first, not the architecture first, he said. Besides, the distinctions will soon fade further, Ludwin predicts, as the two types of blockchain work together. Over time, I think youre going to see a convergence, he said. You have a company here at Yahoo, you have a local area network, its private, it also connects into the public internet. There are files here that sit behind a wall, and then sometimes those files go flying out over to some other organization. Different architectures, different software companies that are going to be focused there. Over time: convergence. Peter Smith, CEO of Blockchain, a company that provides digital wallets for storing cryptocurrencies, agreed with Ludwin that, Eventually theres going to be a big convergence. Theres just one problem: the banks move ever so slowly, said Smith, speaking from experienceand as a result, he predicts, it is public blockchains that will spur faster innovation. Three-and-a-half years ago, we did some of these projects with the banks, which is something we havent really discussed publicly all that often, Smith said. And at the end of them, we came away with this real firm conviction that innovation within that space was going to be very slow. And at the same time, innovation within the public space is going to be very fast. Daniel Roberts covers bitcoin and blockchain at Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter at @readDanwrite. Read more: Blockchain CEO on Just Hold mantra: I dont believe in that Bank of America CEO: We have a ton of blockchain patents How blockchain can be used to verify sports memorabilia ICO funding exploded in December The 11 biggest names in crypto right now Kano (Nigeria) (AFP) - A man involved in the 2014 kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok in northeast Nigeria has been jailed for 15 years, the government confirmed on Tuesday. The conviction of Haruna Yahaya, 35, is the first in relation to the mass abduction, which triggered global outrage and sparked a worldwide campaign for the girls' release. A total of 276 students were seized from the Government Girls Secondary School in the remote town in Borno state on the evening of April 14, 2014. Fifty-seven escaped in the immediate aftermath. Since May 2016, a further 107 have escaped, been found or released after government talks with the jihadists, leaving 112 still in captivity. Justice ministry spokesman Salihu Isah said Yahaya admitted to being involved when he appeared at a special court trying hundreds of Boko Haram suspects on Monday. Nigeria began prosecuting people arrested during the insurgency last October, starting with 1,669 suspects held at a military detention facility in Kainji, in the central state of Niger. "It is true that a member of Boko Haram who took part in the kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls was given 15 years jail," said Isah. "Haruna Yahaya, who is 35 and handicapped with a paralysed arm and a deformed leg, was arrested in 2015 by the Civilian JTF," he said, referring to the joint task force militia. "He confessed to having taken part in the abduction." - Forced conscription? - Isah said Yahaya's defence lawyer "pleaded for leniency" on the grounds that he was "forcibly conscripted into the group and he acted under duress". Yahaya was previously a trader in the town of Potiskum, in Yobe state, northeast Nigeria. He claimed he was forced to carry an AK-47 assault rifle during the Chibok abduction. Boko Haram has used kidnapping as a weapon of war in its quest to establish a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria, seizing thousands of women, young girls and men of fighting age. Story continues "But the court dismissed his plea on the grounds that he had the option not to take part in Boko Haram activities... His sentence starts from the time of conviction," said Isah. Yan St-Pierre, a counter-terrorism specialist with the Modern Security Consulting Group, said: "Involvement with Boko Haram is not necessarily voluntary. But it's very difficult to prove." The presence of young boys in the Islamist ranks was an indication of coercion but others in the impoverished region may become involved for financial reasons, he added. - Mass trials - A total of 468 of the 1,669 Boko Haram suspects held at Kainji were released last year after it was found they had no case to answer. Forty-five others were sentenced to between two and 15 years in jail, and 28 had their cases transferred. A further 82 pleaded guilty in exchange for a lesser prison sentence or release taking into account time served in custody. On Monday, 19 defendants were jailed for between three and five years, said Isah. Once the cases at Kainji are finished, the courts will move to Iwa barracks in the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, to try 651 others held there. Boko Haram has also targeted Chad, Cameroon and Niger, where fighters have been prosecuted behind closed doors. Niger is looking to introduce deradicalisation and reintegration schemes. - Military abuses - Nigeria's government initially banned the media and public from attending the trials, sparking criticism from the UN and human rights groups. But the second phase of proceedings at the remote military base have now been opened to some civil society groups, including human rights organisations and the media. Nearly nine years of conflict have left at least 20,000 dead and forced 2.6 million others from their homes, triggering a humanitarian crisis across the region. Nigeria's military has been accused of arbitrarily arresting civilians and holding them for years on end without access to lawyers. Conditions have been described as overcrowded and unsanitary, while detainees have allegedly been tortured, died from illness or disease or were summarily executed. St-Pierre said questions remained about the reliability of Nigeria's justice system. "One trial is not going to change years of abuse," he added. Dave Majumdar Security, A recent incident points out the potential challenges from the "fog of war". Could Russia and America Accidently Go to War in Syria? With American, Russian, Syrian government, Syrian rebels, Iranian forces, Turkish forces, ISIS and others operating in the close confines of Syria, there is a real possibility that a miscalculation or error might lead to a wider conflict. Indeed, one only needs to look to a recent confrontation between U.S. forces and the Syrian regime in eastern Ghouta to see the potential danger. In the ensuing battle, U.S. forces killed approximately 100 regime fighters. While there were no Russian forces present at the battle, there is always a danger that there might be an inadvertent confrontation if both sides are not careful. The Pentagon points out that the United States and Russia maintain a deconfliction line to ensure that American forces and the Kremlins dont come into direct contact. Recommended: How North Korea Could Start a War Recommended: This Is What Happens if America Nuked North Korea Recommended: The Colt Python: The Best Revolver Ever Made? The deconfliction communication line with Russia is constantly used, defense secretary James Mattis told reporters on Feb. 11. We keep each other informed. The Russians profess that they were not aware when we called about that force that had crossed, and it came closer. They were notified when the firing began. That's when we heard there were no Russians there. And we go out of our way to ensure that we do not endanger the Russians, as you know. Mattis took pains to emphasize that deconfliction is not the same as coordination. We do deconfliciton, Mattis said. We don't do coordination with the Russians. We do deconfliction. Because we have a deconfliction line, it doesn't need a lot of coordination, if you see what I mean, until someone decides they're going to come across the line. And we're OK with that in places where they need to go after ISIS, and they need to goand they're taking fire from the other side of the river, hey, we'll coordinate to make sure that we have nobody there. And what they do is up to them. Story continues However, American forces will not hesitate to defend themselves with lethal force when they come under attack. But in the case of the Ghouta confrontationit is unclear why the Syrians would attempt to attack U.S. forces. However, in any conflict, the fog of war is ever presentand that might be one of the reasons the Syrians undertook such foolhardy action. When we took them under fire, that's when they began the indirect fire, the artillery fire, Mattis said. We went after them. And to us, no, it's not a concern right now. We're watching it. Why do I say it's not a concern? We're quite capable of rebuffing them. It's perplexing why they would do it. They have nothing to gain by fighting us. There's ISIS to be fought. It doesn't make sense, and I think that's probably why the Russians, too, at least appear to be perplexed by it. While the fog of war may have contributed to the incident, U.S. forces are committed to holding the territory gained by the Syrian Democratic Forceseven if that means confrontation with other groups. What we are going to do is hold that territory and get it back in local leaders hands, Mattis said. Use Steffan de Mistura's Geneva Process to come up with a post-conflict map and post-conflict plan for the way ahead, and assure that ISIS 2.0 doesn't rise in the middle of all of that, and derail everything we're fought for, and many people have paid the price on this thing. We don't simply up and leave when most of the caliphate's done, before the caliphate's really finished, and leave the diplomats without a leg to stand on against people who have no diplomatic inclination. Given the situation, one can only hope that Syria does spiral further out of control. Dave Majumdar is the defense editor for The National Interest. You can follow him on Twitter: @davemajumdar. Image: Creative Commons. Read full article By John Mair WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Tonga's neighbours scrambled to deliver emergency relief on Tuesday after Cyclone Gita tore across the Pacific island nation in the middle of the night, flattening the parliament, tearing roofs off homes and causing widespread flooding. There were no confirmed reports of deaths from the Category 4 storm that bought winds of around 200 km (125 miles) per hour, but there were a lot of injured people, some seriously, said Graham Kenna, an Australian government adviser at Tonga's National Emergency Management Office. Photos posted on social media showed a wrecked Parliament House building in the capital, as well as extensive flooding and downed power lines. Access to areas outside the capital were hindered by the storm damage and debris. "The full extent of damage caused by Cyclone Gita is still being assessed but there is an immediate need for assistance on the ground," NZ Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said in a statement. "About 5,700 people sought shelter in evacuation centres overnight, and it is expected these numbers will increase substantially tonight." New Zealand is donating NZ$750,000 ($545,000) in aid, and a NZ Air Force Hercules aircraft was due to fly emergency relief supplies into Tonga on Tuesday. Australia is donating A$350,000 ($275,000) worth of emergency shelter, kitchen and hygiene kits, while the country's foreign minister said the Australian Defence Force personnel would assist with clean-up efforts. The cyclone was heading towards Fiji's southern islands on Tuesday, with some forecasts reporting it intensifying towards a Category 5 storm. Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama warned residents to "heed warnings and prepare", although the storm is expected to bypass heavily populated areas. Gita had pummelled Samoa and American Samoa, about 900 km (560 miles) to the northeast, over the weekend, flooding the Samoan capital, Apia. Story continues POWER DOWN Tonga's clean-up began in the early hours of Tuesday as the tail of the cyclone was still over the capital, Nuku'alofa. "Every second power pole has been knocked over and the lines are just everywhere," Kenna said, saying it would likely be days before power could be restored. Water supplies and radio networks were also disrupted. "They turned the power off very early before the cyclone came, knowing that the power lines would be blown down, which was a good move." The worst of the cyclone hit around a low tide, so there were no reports of storm surges worsening the impact of the wind and rains. Kenna estimated around 40 percent of houses in the capital had suffered some damage, many with roofs blown off. "A lot of the older houses, especially some of the older heritage houses, have been badly damaged or destroyed, which is very sad, they're quite historical," he said. "They've been through cyclones before, but this is the biggest cyclone this island has had for at least 60 odd years." ($1 = 1.3776 New Zealand dollars) ($1 = 1.2718 Australian dollars) (Reporting by John Mair in Wellington.; Additional reporting by Colin Packham in Sydney; Editing by Jane Wardell and SImon Cameron-Moore) When Jordan DeCicco was looking for a healthy source of energy during his nocturnal college days, high-calorie coffee and sugary energy drinks werent cutting it. Fast forward two years later, the 21-year-old and his two older brothers are raking in sales for their low-calorie coffee choice, Sunniva Super Coffee. Featured on Sunday nights episode of Shark Tank, Jordan, Jimmy and Jake DeCicco were pitching their product to intimidating sharks Barbara Corcoran, Robert Herjavec, Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner. And while they walked away without a deal, the handsome (and single) brothers are just getting started. The three DeCiccos stopped by The Morning Breath on Monday to talk about their appearance on the show and share their coffees success story. Admitting that their application to Shark Tank was practically a pipe dream with only one in 40,000 applications being selected, their journey through the process was unforgettable. We didnt hear from ABC for like six months, says the eldest DeCicco brother and Sunniva C.E.O. Jimmy. One significant rumor circling the business was brought up by Breath co-host Claudia Oshry. Even if you dont get a deal, ABC takes 60 percent of your profits for like 60 days after the show because they gave you so much press, Claudia commented. That turns out to be an unfounded rumor. No, we heard that too. Maybe in previous seasons, but not anymore, responded Jimmy DeCicco. When asked about how the Sharks are in person, the boys were quick to reveal their two favorites. We were out there for an hour and [Robert Herjavec] was super friendly, like wanted to go to the bar after, Jimmy recalled. Even friendlier was Barbara Corcoran. Barbara was really flirty, Jimmy added. Though their desired investor, Corcoran, passed on the deal, the Sunniva brothers cant deny a post-Shark Tank boom. We were on there to raise money and just the exposure alone has attracted a lot of investors, so the last couple of weeks have been busy raising money from private investors. Raising $1.4 million for Super Coffee, the brothers can safely agree that their Tank exposure did Super Coffee justice. Donald Trump Jr. took to Twitter Monday afternoon to confirm that his wife, Vanessa, and five young children are safe after the family received a suspicious letter containing a white, powdery substance earlier in the day. Thankful that Vanessa & my children are safe and unharmed after the incredibly scary situation that occurred this morning, President Trumps oldest son tweeted. Truly disgusting that certain individuals choose to express their opposing views with such disturbing behavior. Trump Jr.s sister Ivanka also tweeted about the incident, writing, Thinking of @MrsVanessaTrump & wishing I was by her side today. No one deserves to be frightened this way. There is no excuse. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Vanassa, a former model who was crowned Miss USA in 2004, was reportedly hospitalized on Monday after opening the letter addressed to her husband at their Manhattan apartment, NBC News and other outlets reported. A spokeswoman for the NYPDs office of the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information confirmed to PEOPLE that Trump Jr.s family received a letter containing a powdery substance that was tested and proven to be non-hazardous. The spokeswoman said three people were taken to a local hospital for observation but could not confirm their names. According to NBC News, senior law enforcement and city officials said Trump Jr.s wife was taken to New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center strictly as a precaution. The outlet also reported that there is no indication anyone suffered any injuries. Law enforcement sources who spoke with the New York Post said Vanessa Trump opened the letter at 10 a.m. at an East 54th Street apartment in Manhattans Sutton Place neighborhood. In March 2016, amid President Trumps campaign, his son Eric also received a threatening letter containing a white powder substance. Erics wife, Lara, opened the letter and called the police. The FBI and the NYPD investigated the incident and determined that the white substance was not hazardous. Back in 2011, Donald Trump railed about a food stamp crime wave in his book Time to Get Tough, arguing that benefits should be only temporary and that the Obama Administration had loosened the rules too much. The food stamp program was originally created as temporary assistance for families with momentary times of need. And it shouldnt be needed often, he wrote. But when half of food stamp recipients have been on the dole for nearly a decade, something is clearly wrong, and some of it has to do with fraud. As president seven years later, his proposed budget would slash the food stamp program while dramatically reshaping it to send food directly to recipients instead of allowing them to buy their own. During a briefing Monday, budget director Mick Mulvaney described the proposal as a Blue Apron-type program, comparing it to the high-end service that delivers $10 meal kits for recipes like roasted cauliflower and farro salad. (The average food stamp benefit works out to about $1.40 a meal, by comparison.) What we do is propose that for folks who are on food stamps, part not all, part of their benefits come in the actual sort of, and I dont want to steal somebodys copyright, but a Blue Apron-type program where you actually receive the food instead of receive the cash, Mulvaney said. Like most of the rest of Trumps budget, the changes to food stamps seem unlikely to pass any time soon. Presidents budgets are typically met with indifference at best on Capitol Hill, though ideas in them can often turn into legislation down the road. The proposal would mark a dramatic shift in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food assistance to people who make less than 130% of the federal poverty line $1,702 or less a month for a family of three under the current calculations. (The cutoff varies based on family size.) The budget Mulvaney was outlining would spend $17 billion less on food stamps in 2019 and about $213 billion less over the next decade while making other cuts to federal safety net programs such as Medicaid. Story continues Instead, lower-income families who get more than $90 in SNAP benefits a month would receive something called Americas Harvest Box, items such as canned meat, noodles, juice and shelf-stable milk that the government would buy at wholesale prices. Read More: The Very Short History of Food Stamp Fraud in America Under the current program, families on SNAP receive an electronic benefits transfer card that works like a debit card they can use to buy groceries. Trumps proposal met with concern from hunger advocacy groups, who charged that it would give families less control over what they eat than the current EBT card system. Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America, told NPR the proposal would move away from a free market model to a far more intrusive, Big Government answer. They think a bureaucrat in D.C. is better at picking out what your family needs than you are? Representatives of grocery stores were also concerned, with the Food Marketing Institute, a trade organization, arguing that the program would be costly and inefficient. As for Trumps claim of a food stamp crime wave: According to the U.S. Department of Agricultures own report, the rate of food stamp trafficking has actually gone down in recent years, reaching just 1.5% in 2017, largely due to the more-secure EBT cards. The Hague (AFP) - Dutch Foreign Minister Halbe Zijlstra resigned Tuesday after admitting lying, triggering a political bombshell and a vote of no-confidence in the country's prime minister. Prime Minister Mark Rutte overwhelmingly survived the vote brought by his arch-foe far-right politician Geert Wilders, with 101 MPs against and only 43 in favour. But the scandal has erupted in just a few days in the Netherlands, and threatens to undermine Rutte's fledgling and fragile four-party coalition. The drama came after Zijlstra admitted he had falsely claimed to have attended a 2006 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "This is by far the biggest mistake I have made in my career," he told the lower house of parliament, adding tearfully that he had no option but to resign. Rutte then found himself in the firing line, when MPs grilled him about why he had not informed parliament sooner after being told about Zijlstra's deception on January 29. "It was an error of judgement on my part," Rutte said. "I didn't think this affair would have such a political fallout. I underestimated the impact of this lie." - Lack of experience - Zijlstra, a member of Rutte's Liberal VVD party, had only been in the post for four months, and his appointment in October had already raised eyebrows due his lack of experience. His resignation came just hours before he was set to leave for Moscow to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. They had been due to discuss among other things the 2014 downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 shot down by a missile fired from territory held by pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine. The tragedy in which all 298 people on board died, most of them Dutch, has soured ties and led to accusations that Moscow is not being truthful about the events. A Dutch foreign ministry official told AFP that the Moscow "meeting will not go ahead, for obvious reasons" and they would try to look "at a later date". Story continues Stepping down, Zijlstra told MPs Tuesday that the credibility of the country's foreign minister must be "beyond doubt, both inside and outside of the country". He resigned after finally admitting that his long-held claim to have attended a 2006 meeting in Putin's dacha, which included Jeroen van der Veer, Shell's former chief executive, was false. "I have spoken about an incident of great importance, saying I was there in person, while that was not the case," Zijlstra told MPs on Tuesday. "I wanted to tell this story convincingly without revealing my source, it was obviously the wrong choice. I should not have done it. I am sorry." - Fake news - A former Shell contractor, Zijlstra told a VVD party congress in 2106 that during the meeting Putin allegedly spoke about his definition of a "Greater Russia". Putin "wants to go back to a 'Greater Russia' and his answer was that it included Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and the Baltic States," Zijlstra had claimed. The Russian embassy angrily waded into the scandal on Tuesday, accusing the Dutch of spreading "fake news". "In the Netherlands, Russia is being blamed for disseminating disinformation. Dutch officials are constantly making such unfounded statements," it said in a statement. Trying to attribute to Russia "great-power ambitions and the desire to recreate 'the Soviet Empire' do not hold up," the embassy added, saying such claims were "conceived in someone's inflamed imagination". It was not immediately clear who would replace Zijlstra as the country's top diplomat, although the Dutch ANP news agency said Trade and Development Minister Sigrid Kaag would take over some of his duties temporarily. By Bart H. Meijer AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Dutch Foreign Minister Halbe Zijlstra admitted on Monday he had lied about hearing Russian President Vladimir Putin make comments about plans for a "greater Russia", unleashing a storm of criticism. "I told an untruth, it was unacceptable," he told reporters. Zijlstra, who is scheduled to meet his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow in two days' time, said he had been "stupid" and regretted his behavior. While election campaigning two years ago, Zijlstra said that in 2006 he had been at Putin's dacha when he heard the Kremlin leader speak of plans for a "greater Russia" which would include some of Russia's neighbors. "I was tucked away back in the room, but I could clearly hear Putin's answer to the question about what he considered greater Russia," Zijlstra told a gathering in 2016 of his People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, which heads the new Dutch government. "He said this included Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and the Baltic states, and, well, Kazakhstan would be 'nice to have'," he said in his speech, which was recorded on video. But on Monday he acknowledged he had never been at the meeting with Putin and had heard of the comments secondhand. "I wasn't present at the meeting in President Putin's dacha," the minister said in statement on Monday. "The discussion did take place and someone who was there told me what President Putin said about greater Russia." Zijlstra said he was prepared to discuss the matter with parliament, which has the power to dismiss him. His admission led opposition parties to demand his resignation, but the governing parties stood by him. Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Zijlstra had a made a "big mistake", but remained a credible member of the government. In a scathing editorial, the prominent daily business newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad called on the minister to step down. "Staying on would undermine the credibility of the Cabinet. Not only in criticizing Russia, but also in the campaign against fake news," it wrote. Zijlstra is to meet Russian minister Lavrov on Wednesday. Relations between the two countries have been poor since the downing of Malaysia Airlines MH17 over eastern Ukraine in July 2014, killing all 283 passengers and 15 crew. The airliner had been flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, and 196 of the victims were Dutch. Dutch authorities say it was brought down by a Russian-made Buk missile, fired from territory held by pro-Russia separatists, and hope to identify suspects to be put on trial in the Netherlands. It is not clear how far Russia will cooperate with a Dutch court. Moscow denies one of its rockets could have been used against the airliner. (Reporting by Bart Meijer; Editing by Andrew Roche) By Anthony Deutsch AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Dutch Foreign Minister Halbe Zijlstra resigned on Tuesday after admitting that he had lied about attending a meeting in 2006 at which he said Russian President Vladimir Putin had outlined a strategy for building a greater Russia. The incident has embarrassed Prime Minister Mark Rutte's four-party coalition government, which has a precarious parliamentary majority of just one seat. It risks undermining Dutch foreign policy at a time when diplomatic ties between the Netherlands and Russia have hit a low point, largely over the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over Ukraine, allegedly by pro-Russian separatists. Zijlstra, visibly emotional as he took the floor during a parliamentary debate convened to discuss his behavior, said he had decided to tender his resignation to the king because the situation risked harming the work of the Foreign Ministry. "We live in a country where the truth matters. That's why I see no other option than to resign," said Zijlstra, who had held the job for less than four months. "The office (of foreign minister) must be above all doubt, both at home and abroad." Junior Foreign Minister Sigrid Kaag, who led a United Nations mission to destroy Syria's chemical weapons in 2013-2014, will assume Zijlstra's responsibilities until a permanent replacement is found, a government official said. Lawmakers grilled Rutte, who had previously defended Zijlstra despite having known since late January that he had not actually met Putin. They asked repeatedly why Rutte had failed to inform parliament during the three weeks before the affair went public. Rutte acknowledged he had underestimated the impact the affair would have. "A lie is a sin, but not a mortal sin," he said, adding that Zijlstra's remarks were accurate. RUSSIAN "EXPANSION" "If you look at what Russia has done in the past 10-15 years, the policy that they have followed, you must say that it's aimed at expansion," Rutte said, citing Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region and its support for the separatists battling Kiev's forces in eastern Ukraine. Rutte comfortably survived a no-confidence vote. The handling of Zijlstra's case is the first serious test for Rutte's coalition since it took office in October. Zijlstra admitted on Monday that he had lied in 2016 when he said he had attended a meeting a decade earlier at which Putin reportedly spoke of plans for regional expansion. He acknowledged he was not at the meeting, but insisted he had heard about Putin's remarks from a reliable source he needed to protect. The Russian Embassy said in a statement that Zijlstra's allegations "do not hold up against any criticism and are only intended to spread false perceptions of Russia's intentions". "Russia is being blamed for disseminating disinformation," Moscow's embassy in The Hague said in a statement. "Dutch officials are constantly making such unfounded statements... Isn't this an example of fake news directed against our country?" Zijlstra had been due to travel to Moscow for a previously scheduled meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday. That meeting was canceled, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. The dispute comes at an awkward time for the Dutch, who are preparing indictments against suspects in the shooting-down of MH17 over Ukraine in July 2014 with 196 Dutch citizens on board. Dutch authorities have said the plane, flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was brought down by a Russian-made Buk missile, fired from territory held by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. Russia has denied this. (Additional reporting by Toby Sterling and Bart Meijer; Editing by Gareth Jones) Cairo (AFP) - A major operation against jihadists in Egypt has killed 28 fighters in the Sinai Peninsula since it was launched by the military on Friday, the army said on Monday. Another 126 jihadists have been arrested since "Operation Sinai 2018" was launched in the Sinai across from Israel, the central Nile Delta and the Western Desert near the border with Libya, the army said. The security sweep comes as President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is seeking re-election in March, after a first term in office that has seen him crack down on an Islamist insurgency and other opponents. Egypt's security forces have been increasingly targeted by jihadists since the army in 2013 -- then headed by Sisi -- overthrew Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. Militants linked to the Islamic State group have waged a deadly insurgency in the Sinai against Egyptian security forces. The Egyptian air force and the navy have been taking part in the operation, with the Sinai sweep focusing on targets in the north and centre of the peninsula. On Sunday the army said it had killed 16 jihadists in the Sinai, and on Monday spokesman Tamer el-Rifai reported 12 others were killed in clashes with troops. In total 126 jihadists have been arrested and as many of their hideouts destroyed, the army has said. The operation has also destroyed several vehicles and warehouses, it added. In November, Sisi ordered his armed forces chief of staff to restore security in Sinai within three months after militants killed more than 300 worshippers at a mosque. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Egypt has been under a state of emergency since April last year, after two suicide bombings at churches claimed by IS killed at least 45 people in the cities of Tanta and Alexandria. By Ercan Gurses and Daren Butler ANKARA/ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A U.S. decision to continue funding the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia will affect Turkey's future moves, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday ahead of a visit this week by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. U.S. officials have said that Tillerson expects to have difficult conversations when he visits Turkey on Thursday and Friday, given that the NATO allies have starkly diverging interests in Syria. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Tillerson's trip showed "just how serious this matter is." "This is one of the areas of deep, deep concern on the part of the administration and the U.S. government," she told a briefing on Tuesday. "We certainly don't want to see ... violence further escalate." Turkey has been enraged by U.S. support for the YPG, which Ankara sees as a terrorist organisation and an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) that has been waging an insurgency on Turkish soil for over 30 years. Washington has backed the YPG in the fight against Islamic State in Syria. "Our ally's decision to give financial support to the YPG ... will surely affect the decisions we will take," Erdogan said in a speech to members of his AK Party in parliament. His comments followed the release of the U.S. Defense Department's 2019 budget, which includes requests for funds to train and equip local forces in the campaign against Islamic State militants in Syria. The Pentagon requested $300 million for Syrian "train and equip activities" and $250 million for border security requirements, according to a copy of the budget. While it did not specify how much of this, if any, was earmarked for YPG-led forces, Turkish media interpreted it to mean that the Pentagon had allocated $550 million to the YPG in 2019. "It will be better for them not to stand with the terrorists they support today. I am calling on the people of the United States - this money is coming out of the budget of the United States, it is coming out of people's pockets," Erdogan said. Story continues OPERATION OLIVE BRANCH Turkey last month launched a military incursion, dubbed "Operation Olive Branch", into the Kurdish-held Afrin region of Syria to sweep the YPG away from its southern border. It has also threatened to press on to the Syrian town of Manbij, under the control of a YPG-led force, and warned U.S. troops stationed there not to get in the way. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said his Turkish counterpart Nurettin Canikli had attended a meeting in Rome on Tuesday to discuss strategy against Islamic State. "On Afrin, we all spoke with the Turkish minister of defence today. He laid out the rationale, we laid out the rationale for working this to a solution that took into account Turkey's legitimate security concerns and we'll still work it," Mattis told reporters travelling with him to Brussels. He said he would meet with his Turkish counterpart later this week during a NATO gathering. Washington says it has no plans to withdraw its soldiers from Manbij and two U.S. commanders visited the town last week to reinforce that message. "It is very clear that those who say 'we will respond aggressively if you hit us' have never experienced an Ottoman slap," Erdogan said in parliament. That was an apparent reference to comments made by U.S. Lieutenant General Paul Funk during a visit to Manbij. (Additional reporting by Ezgi Erkoyun, Idrees Ali and David Alexander; writing by David Dolan; editing by Dominic Evans and Mark Heinrich) BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission will decide next month whether to take legal action against nine member states for breaching EU air pollution rules after they submitted plans to address the issue. EU Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella had told ministers from the nine nations, including the bloc's biggest economies Germany, Britain and France, at a meeting last month that Brussels' patience was running thin. The countries, which also include Italy, Spain, Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, were given 10 days to present "additional credible, timely and effective measures" to reduce pollutants such as nitrogen oxide and particulate matter, a Commission spokeswoman said. "The Commission can confirm that all member states concerned have submitted additional information, which we will evaluate," the spokesman said. "We will come back to the matter in mid-March." The Commission estimates that 400,000 people die every year as a result of airborne pollution, and targets introduced for 2005 and 2010 are still being exceeded in 23 of 28 EU countries. Germany, in a letter to the Commission dated Feb. 11 and seen by Reuters, said it was considering plans to make public transport free in cities suffering from air quality problems. It also outlined more conventional measures such as low emissions zones. France's environment minister in turn said in a statement on Tuesday that it plans a meeting on Thursday with local officials in areas in breach of pollution limits to draft a plan by the end of March. It said that a national plan presented last May should help reduce health-harming emissions. Italy sent its own letter to Brussels last week outlining plans to spend 6.5 billion euros to improve air quality "in coming years", according to a ministry statement. Among the projects are upgrades to local and regional buses and incentives for sustainable transportation projects. The EU Commission can take countries to Europe's top court if they breach EU law. Poland as well as Bulgaria have already faced legal action over air quality issues. (Reporting by Robert-Jan Bartunek in Brussels; additional reporting by Steve Scherer in Rome, Michelle Martin in Berlin and Nina Chestney in London; Writing by Alissa de Carbonnel; Editing by Adrian Croft) By Pavel Polityuk and Natalia Zinets KIEV (Reuters) - Ukrainian opposition leader Mikheil Saakashvili was deported to Poland on Monday, the Ukrainian border service said, after he was detained in a Kiev restaurant by law enforcement agents in camouflage. Poland's border service confirmed that he had arrived and that Warsaw had agreed to let him enter. The deportation appears to bring an abrupt end to a months-long cat-and-mouse game between Saakashvili and the Ukrainian authorities, which saw street unrest during previous attempts to arrest him. Some critics, including in the opposition, said his movement distracted from the broader opposition's campaign to hold the Kiev leadership to account. "This person was on Ukrainian territory illegally and therefore, in compliance with all legal procedures, he was returned to the country from where he arrived," border service spokesman Oleh Slobodyan said in a post on Facebook. In a statement, Saakashvili denounced President Petro Poroshenko. "This is not a president and not a man. This is a lowlife crook who wants to wreck Ukraine. All this shows how weak they are. We will of necessity defeat them." Saakashvili, who served as president of his native Georgia for most of the period from 2004-2013, was invited to Ukraine by Poroshenko, who took power after protests toppled a pro-Russian leader in 2014. He held a regional governorship from 2015-2016 before falling out with Poroshenko and joining the opposition. Poroshenko stripped Saakashvili of his Ukrainian citizenship last year, but Saakashvili re-entered Ukraine anyway from Poland in September, promising to confront the president, whom he accuses of corruption, which Poroshenko denies. Slobodyan said law enforcement officials were obliged to use force while detaining Saakashvili in Kiev as his supporters had attacked them. A video posted on Saakashvili's official Facebook page showed several armed men in green military uniforms approaching a man lying on the floor of a restaurant. "Such actions should not have been carried out against Saakashvili, but unfortunately they were," his spokeswoman said by telephone. She said Saakashvili's supporters would gather outside the presidential administration in Kiev at 1630 GMT to protest against his treatment. But there was no immediate sign of public outcry, unlike in December when police tried to arrest Saakashvili but he escaped custody during street protests. Saakashvili is wanted in Georgia on embezzlement charges that he says are politically motivated. He says he has given up his Georgian citizenship. Saakashvili also faces criminal charges in Ukraine. The authorities accuse him of assisting a criminal organization, which he calls a fabricated allegation to undermine his campaign to unseat Poroshenko. (Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Toby Chopra, Alison Williams and Peter Graff) By Drazen Jorgic and Asif Shahzad ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - The United States has put forward a motion to place Pakistan on a global terrorist-financing watchlist with an anti-money-laundering monitoring group, according to a senior Pakistani official. Pakistan has been scrambling in recent months to avert being added to a list of countries deemed non-compliant with terrorist financing regulations by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a measure that officials fear could hurt its economy. The United States has been threatening to get tough with Islamabad over its alleged ties with Islamist militants, and last month President Donald Trump's administration suspended aid worth about $2 billion. Islamabad, which denies assisting militants in Afghanistan and India, has reacted angrily to U.S. threats of further punitive measures. A meeting of FATF member states is due to take place next week in Paris, where the organization could adopt the motion on Pakistan. The FATF, an intergovernmental body based in Paris, sets global standards for fighting illicit finance. Pakistan's de facto finance minister, Miftah Ismail, told Reuters that the United States and Britain put forward the motion several weeks ago, and later persuaded France and Germany to co-sponsor it. "We are now working with the U.S., UK, Germany and France for the nomination to be withdrawn," Ismail said, speaking by telephone from Europe. "We are also quite hopeful that even if the U.S. did not withdraw the nomination that we will prevail and not be put on the watchlist." Pakistan had been on the FATF watchlist from 2012 to 2015. A senior U.S. official who follows U.S. policy in the region said Pakistan has "always been selective" in cracking down on militants who use its territory as a base. "It is time for that to stop, and so we are working with our allies, who also are affected, to see effective action against groups such as the Haqqanis and elements of the Taliban," said the official, referring to militants operating along the border with Afghanistan. MONEY FLOWS The FATF had previously warned Islamabad it could be put back on the watchlist without further efforts to crack down on the flow of funds to militants. Pakistani officials and Western diplomats say that being put on the FATF watchlist could deal a blow to Pakistan's economy as it would make it harder for foreign investors and companies to do business in the nuclear-armed South Asian nation. "If you're put on a terror watchlist, you're made to go through all the (extra) scrutiny," Pakistan's former counterterrorism chief, Khawaja Khalid Farooq, told Reuters. "It can hurt the economy very badly." Officials also fear it would be harder and more expensive for Pakistan to borrow money from international debt markets if it was put on the FATF monitoring list. Ismail said the FATF motion focused on Hafiz Saeed, a Pakistan-based Islamist whom India accuses of masterminding the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people. That suggested the United States had put forward the motion at India's behest, he said. A spokesperson at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad said the United States was "absolutely not" acting on behalf of India. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said "the U.S. has consistently expressed our long-standing concern about ongoing deficiencies in Pakistans implementation of its anti-money laundering/counterterrorism finance regime. "In addition to broader systemic concerns, this also includes Pakistans non-compliance with its commitments under UN Security Council Resolution 1267," she added. Resolution 1267 requires all states to freeze the assets of people and organizations on a list established by the resolution, including Saeed and his "Islamic charities." Washington has designated Saeed a terrorist. Saeed has repeatedly denied involvement in the Mumbai attacks and says the charitable organizations he founded and controls have no ties with militants. On Monday, Pakistan announced it had amended its anti-terrorism law to ban militant groups and organizations that are listed as "terrorists" by the United Nations, a move seen to be targeting those charities. Pakistan's attorney general, Ashtar Ausaf, told Reuters the law changes approved by the country's president were meant to reflect obligations under the U.N. Security Council charter. "We have to march with the changing times," Ausaf said, adding that the new laws would enable the government to track fundraising activities of all the U.N.-proscribed groups and take punitive action such as freezing their assets. "MAKES NO SENSE" In December, Pakistan's government drew up plans to seize control of Saeed's Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and the Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation charities. Critics say previous such efforts have faded once pressure on Pakistan eased. Washington and the U.N. say JuD and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation are a front for the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant group, which Saeed founded in 1987. Ismail said Pakistan had already taken over some parts of Saeed's organizations and that he believed other FATF nations would recognize Pakistan had made serious efforts to deal with militant financing. He added that moves to put Islamabad on the FATF watchlist were counter-productive when Pakistan was already undergoing "mutual evaluation" by experts from other countries, who are measuring progress in curbing illicit fund flows. "It's a very intrusive process and...we are happy to work with them, but while we are being given mutual evaluation, it makes no sense for us to be now put on the watchlist," Ismail said. (Reporting by Asif Shahzad and Drazen Jorgic; Additional reporting by John Walcott and Jonathan Landay in Washington; Writing by Drazen Jorgic; Editing by Alex Richardson and Leslie Adler) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump gave Congress a wish list for funding cuts to domestic programs in his latest budget on Monday, calling on lawmakers to avoid spending all the money agreed to in a budget deal that was approved last week. The deal allowed the Trump administration to spend $131 billion more on non-defense programs than originally planned, but the White House asked Congress to slice $57 billion from that total. Here are some highlights: AID FOR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE Eliminates $3 billion in Community Development Block Grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and $715 million in Community Services Block Grants from the Department of Health and Human Services. Eliminates the $3.4 billion Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Proposes a new system to replace a portion of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as food stamps, with a package of staple foods like shelf-stable milk, pasta, peanut butter, beans and canned fruit, vegetables, and meat. The new system would save more than $213 billion over 10 years. Reverses $1.7 billion in cuts to HUD support for elderly and disabled households. RESEARCH Keeps National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding at the 2017 level of $33 billion, instead of cutting $9.2 billion as originally proposed. Adds $300 million for space exploration. Reverses $1.5 billion in proposed cuts to Energy Department research programs and reverses $192 million in cuts to Agriculture Department labs. Adds $2.2 billion for the National Science Foundation for research, education, and Antarctica research facilities. Eliminates the Energy Department's $305 million Advanced Research Project Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). FOREIGN AID Reverses $1 billion in proposed cuts to humanitarian aid from the original plan to cut a total of $4.6 billion in total State Department and aid spending. Adds $100 million to United Nations funding. Adds $400 million for PEPFAR, the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, keeping funding stable. Eliminates the McGovern-Dole food aid program and Title II food aid. AGRICULTURE Proposes $47 billion over 10 years in cuts to farm subsidies like crop insurance premiums. Proposes new user fees for Agriculture Department inspection programs. VETERANS AFFAIRS Adds $2.4 billion in spending for veterans' medical care. TRAINING AND EDUCATION Keeps steady Labor Department funding for workforce development grants instead of cutting $1.5 billion. Reverses $1.7 billion in proposed cuts for Education Department work study grants and other programs. ARTS Eliminates funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Paul Simao) You wouldnt think the new Peter Rabbit movie would be in any way controversial, but the film is facing serious backlash from parents because of a scene in which the rabbits attack the character Mr. McGregor with blackberries, knowing full well that he has a severe allergy to them (enough to require him to inject himself with an EpiPen to prevent anaphylaxis). Sony Pictures has apologized, saying in part that it and the filmmakers sincerely regret not being more aware and sensitive to this issue, and we truly apologize, according to the Associated Press. But parents are continuing express their concerns and outrage on social media including via the trending hashtag #boycottpeterrabbit and through an online petition, which has more than 11,000 signatures over what amounts to allergy bullying. Some allergy organizations have also released statements warning parents about the scene, as well as sharing their disappointment with the film. The Kids With Food Allergies Foundation a division of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) wrote a letter to Sony Pictures and shared two posts on its Facebook page, including one focusing on why its so dangerous to make light of serious food allergies: Portraying anaphylaxis as a joke can cause some people to have a cavalier attitude about food allergies, which can put kids with food allergies at risk. We are asking filmmakers to work with us to raise awareness about the seriousness of food allergies, and help us promote positive attitudes and safe environments for kids with food allergies. Peter Rabbits filmmakers are in hot water for mocking life-threatening food allergies in the movie. (Photo: Columbia Pictures) About one-third of kids have been bullied over a food allergy, which is a growing problem in schools across the country, according to FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education). FARE launched the PSA Its Not a Joke in 2013 to help raise awareness of food allergies and why allergy bullying is so harmful. Kenny Mendez, AAFAs CEO, tells Yahoo Lifestyle that he went to see Peter Rabbit with his wife after hearing about the uproar on social media. Mendez knows firsthand the dangers of food allergies both of his children have them, and one continues to live with a life-threatening food allergy. Story continues When I saw the scene, I cringed, he says. You wouldnt play other disabilities for laughs. Mendez notes that 6 million kids have food allergies in the U.S. Having a life-threatening food allergy can be very scary, and this was a movie directed at a kids audience, he says. It just made light of food allergies. They didnt need to have that. While Mendez appreciates Sonys apology, he says more is needed namely, education and awareness. Its a good first step, but those scenes are still in the movie and will be there in the DVD release, and are still troublesome to me, he says. Educating the public about life-threatening allergies and allergies in general is very important. One out of every 13 kids has allergies. Thats basically two kids per classroom in the U.S. They can be bullied. Having more empathy and understanding is really important. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co on Monday warned an additional 33,000 owners of older pickup trucks in North America to stop driving them until potentially defective Takata Corp air bag inflators can be repaired. In January, Ford told 2,900 owners of model year 2006 Ford Ranger trucks to stop driving immediately after a second death was linked to inflators built on the same day. The expanded warning was prompted by additional testing, Ford, the second largest U.S. automaker, said in a statement, and now covers a broader time frame of production. Mazda Motor Corp said it was issuing a similar expansion for about 1,800 2006 Mazda B-Series trucks that were built by Ford after it had issued a warning for 160 trucks in January. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the vehicles pose "an immediate risk to safety" and urged owners to immediately schedule a free repair. Ford and Mazda have replacement air bag inflators available now and will tow vehicles to a dealership for repairs as well as provide loaner vehicles free of charge, the companies and NHTSA said. About 90 percent of the vehicles subject to the "Do Not Drive" warning are in the United States. Two U.S. senators in January questioned why Fords warning only applied to a small number of the 391,000 2004-2006 Ranger trucks recalled because of Takata air bags in 2016 in the United States. Ford said last month the death in a July 2017 crash in West Virginia in a 2006 Ford Ranger was caused by a defective Takata inflator after a similar 2015 death in South Carolina. At least 22 deaths worldwide are linked to the Takata inflators that can rupture and send deadly metal fragments into the drivers body. The faulty inflators have led to the largest automotive recall in history. The other 20 deaths have occurred in Honda Motor Co vehicles, most of which were in the United States. About a quarter of the 2,900 vehicles have been repaired since Ford issued the warning last month, the company said on Monday. Story continues Takata said in June it has recalled, or expected to recall, about 125 million vehicles worldwide by 2019, including more than 60 million in the United States. About 19 automakers worldwide are affected. Takata inflators can explode with excessive force, unleashing metal shrapnel inside cars and trucks and have injured more than 200 people. The defect led Takata to file for bankruptcy protection in June. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Grant McCool and Jeffrey Benkoe) Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. More 2006 Ford Ranger and Mazda B-Series trucks are now under a rare stop-driving recall, with federal regulators urging owners to tow the vehicles to dealers to have Takata airbag inflators replaced. The Monday advisory raises the number of 2006 Rangers involved to 30,603 in the U.S., says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Mazda is expanding its advisory to include 1,955 B-Series pickup trucks from model year 2006, up from the original 160, a Mazda spokeswoman said in an email. NHTSA said in a statement that the automakers will tow the small pickups to local dealers and replace the parts, all free of charge. Ford said in a statement that its dealers will provide a free interim loaner if needed. So far, 15 people have been killed by exploding Takata airbags in the U.S., NHTSA says. The recall is one of the biggest and most complex in U.S. history, involving 37 million vehicles across multiple models and years. This is the second stop-driving notice for these pickups from the 2006 model year. On Jan. 11, NHTSA and Ford first told owners of about 3,000 Rangers from the 2006 model year to stop driving after a July 2017 death blamed on a Takata airbag, the second fatality in a 2006 Ranger. David Friedman, director of cars and product policy and analysis for Consumers Union, the advocacy division of Consumer Reports, says the recall expansions show that automakers need to be more transparent about safety issues. Automakers need to stop waiting till people get hurt or killed to act more aggressively when it comes to airbag inflators we already know are deadly, Friedman says. Ford should make their testing data public, so consumers can make informed decisions about their own safety, and NHTSA should do the same for all other vehicles with Takata airbags. Friedman noted that do-not-drive orders are very rarely issued, and they only occur when the risk is believed to be extreme. Story continues Why did Ford expand the number of trucks involved, but not to all of the Rangers produced for the 2006 model year? Because when Ford issued the initial do-not-drive order in January, its investigation into the July 2017 death wasn't complete, according to company spokeswoman Elizabeth Weigandt. The expansion of the order on Monday came after the automaker received additional data indicating an elevated risk in these 30,000 trucks. "We make decisions on safety actions based on data," Weigandt says. "We haven't found the same kind of data on other vehicles." In a statement to Consumer Reports, NHTSA said it takes a proactive approach to safety and continues to be in close communication with Ford, Mazda, and Takata regarding these pickup trucks. NHTSA said it has asked all parties to look for defects in other model years, too. The Rangers in this do-not-drive order were built at Twin Cities Assembly Plant from Aug. 10, 2005, to Dec. 15, 2005, and from Aug. 5, 2005, to Nov. 4, 2005, says Ford, adding that it's not aware of any injuries or fatalities involved in these additional trucks. All Ford Rangers from the 2004 through 2006 model years built in North America also are included in the Takata recall, for driver- and passenger-side frontal airbag inflators. Certain Rangers from the 2007 through 2011 model years are also covered by the Takata recalls. You can check whether there are any outstanding recalls on your car by going to nhtsa.gov/recalls and entering your vehicle identification number (VIN). You'll find the VIN on car registration forms, behind the lower portion of the windshield on the drivers side, or on a label located on the drivers doorjamb. More from Consumer Reports: Top pick tires for 2016 Best used cars for $25,000 and less 7 best mattresses for couples Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright 2018, Consumer Reports, Inc. A pitbull puppy left to die in freezing waters has been nursed back to health and adopted by a police officer. The dog, now named River, was left under a bridge in Daytona Beach, Florida, in below freezing temperatures. Thankfully an anonymous call was made and animal control officers John Pearson and James Lee rescued the shivering pup. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. In a post on their Facebook page, Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD) said: "We really want to thank the person, whoever you are, who called and let DBPD know that River had been left to die under the Seabreeze Bridge in mid-January." Despite her traumatic ordeal River is said to be in good health and has since been adopted by a Daytona Beach police officer, who regularly visited her while she was recuperating. DBPD said: "This beautiful, spunky puppy was nursed back to health at Halifax Humane Society. One DBPD officer kept visiting River while she recovered. That officer, District One's Kera Cantrell, fell in love with this little canine and the feeling was mutual!" Gigi Hadid is done explaining herself! The 22-year-old supermodel took to Twitter on Sunday following some social media backlash to her recent runway looks. Hadid, who has been modeling since she was a teenager, began by talking about her start in the industry and the criticisms about her body shes faced since then. For those of you so determined to come up w why my body has changed over the years, you may not know that when I started @ 17 I was not yet diagnosed w/Hashimotos disease; those of u who called me too big for the industry were seeing inflammation & water retention due to that, she wrote. Noting that she has since received medication to help with the symptoms caused by Hashimoto's disease, Hadid added that this explained her weight loss over the past few years. Although stress & excessive travel can also affect the body, I have always eaten the same, my body just handles it differently now that my health is better, she continued. I may be too skinny for u, honestly this skinny isnt what I want to be, but I feel healthier internally and am still learning and growing with my body every day, as everyone is. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. She went on to note that this will be the last time she defends her body type, writing, I will not further explain the way my body looks, just as anyone, with a body type that doesnt suit ur beauty expectation, shouldnt have to. Hadid also slammed rumors that she was taking drugs, saying, Not to judge other, but drugs are not my thing, stop putting me in that box because u dont understand the way my body has matured. Please, as social media users & human beings in general, learn to have more empathy for others and know that you never really know the whole story. Use your energy to life those that you admire rather than be cruel to those u dont. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Shortly after her posts, Hadid got lots of love online from fellow models. Chrissy Teigen replied, Alternative tweet: f**k off, and Ruby Rose wrote, Cant wait to see you in Milan. Sorry you have to explain something so ridiculous to people. Love to you. Love to the people who try to tear down others also because they are just people who havent had the spiritual growth that needs to occur to love and accept one another. Story continues This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Its already been a banner year for the model, who recently posed nude with her younger sister, Bella Hadid, for the cover of British Vogue. Watch the clip below for details on their shoot! RELATED CONTENT: Bella and Gigi Hadid Pose Naked for British 'Vogue' -- See the Pics! Bella and Gigi Hadid Share Heartbreaking Pics From Their Flooded California Hometown Gigi Hadid Gushes Over Boyfriend Zayn Malik on His Birthday: 'Love This Man' Related Articles: ATHENS/ANKARA (Reuters) - Greece complained to Turkey on Tuesday that a Turkish vessel had collided with a Greek coastguard boat off disputed islets in the Aegean Sea, but Turkey denied the Turkish ship was at fault. The Greek coastguard said in a statement that the incident took place off Imia, known as Kardak in Turkish, at about midnight on Monday. A Turkish patrol vessel "made some risky maneuvers" striking the left side of the Greek coast guard vessel patrolling the area, and damaging it. There were no injuries, the coastguard said. Turkey and Greece, NATO allies, have been at odds over a host of issues from ethnically split Cyprus to sovereignty over airspace and overflights. They came to the brink of war in 1996 in a sovereignty dispute over the islets, but tensions have eased since. "Dangerous incidents, such as this one, which put human lives in danger, are the result of the escalating and provocative behavior shown increasingly by Turkey in recent days," the Greek Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "Turkey must end the violations of international law and acts that do not contribute in the development of the two countries' relations," it said, adding that Turkey's ambassador to Athens had been summoned. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told his Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras in a phone call that Greece needed to take necessary measures to decrease the tension in the Aegean Sea, a source from Yildirim's office said. Turkey's Foreign Ministry denied the Turkish vessel was at fault. It said the Greek statement misled Greece's own public and distorted the truth "as always". It said Ankara had in fact contacted Athens regarding the "dangerous maneuvers" by the Greek coast guard, and informed them that Turkey "would not tolerate continuing hostile behavior by the Greek armed forces." Tensions between the two countries have been on the rise since a Greek court blocked the extradition of eight Turkish soldiers Ankara accuses of involvement in a failed coup against President Tayyip Erdogan in 2016. (Reporting by Renee Maltezou and Ali Kucukgocmen; Editing by William Maclean and Peter Graff) Guatemala City (AFP) - Guatemalan authorities on Tuesday arrested former president Alvaro Colom on corruption charges, along with 10 members of his 2008-2012 government, including the current chairman of scandal-hit Oxfam International, officials said. Colom, 66, was taken into custody at his home in an upmarket district of the capital, the head of the special anti-graft prosecution unit, Juan Francisco Sandoval, told AFP. Also arrested was Juan Alberto Fuentes Knight, a former finance minister and current chairman of Oxfam International, the British-based charity rocked by accusations of sexual misconduct and exploitation by some staff members in Haiti, Chad and South Sudan. There was no suggestion of any link between the Guatemala graft accusations and the scandal engulfing Oxfam. The allegations against Colom and his former ministers related to graft in the public transport system. The ex-president told reporters as he was brought to the main court building in Guatemala City that he was confident of being exonerated. "I am certain this will turn out without foundation ... For us, everything is legal," Colom said. "I am confident that everything we did was correct," he said, speaking calmly and wearing a dark blue suit. The judge hearing the case said a decision would be announced February 23 as to whether the matter would go to trial. Colom was in power for four years from 2008. He was succeeded in 2012 by Oscar Perez, who is in jail pending trial over a separate corruption scandal. - Suspected embezzlement - Guatemala's current president, Jimmy Morales, was elected in 2015 on his promise to clean up rampant graft in the Central American country. But he too has come under scrutiny for suspected wrongdoing. Last month, the country's chief prosecutor, Thelma Aldana, said she did not see Morales "as an ally in the fight against corruption." Morales triggered a public and political backlash last year when he tried to boot out the Colombian head of a UN-backed anti-corruption body that has been instrumental in bringing scrutiny to bear on graft cases in the country. Story continues Colom and the 10 other suspects are accused of fraud and embezzlement in the 2009 purchase of hundreds of buses to ply routes in the capital, Sandoval said. Four companies were given 25-year government contracts to run the services. The buses were allegedly bought at inflated prices. The original plan called for purchasing 3,500 buses, but in the end only 400 were delivered, and of those only 50 are running, according to Citizens Action, a Guatemalan group linked to the watchdog Transparency International. Also in 2009, Colom's party, the center-left National Unity of Hope party, tried to pass a law exempting the transaction from taxes. Colom and the nine ministers and one deputy minister arrested signed the deal setting up the transport system, baptized TransUrbano. The former ministers include those who held portfolios for finance, governance, education, defense, labor, health and environment. - Oxfam chairman - Fuentes, who served as Colom's finance minister, was appointed chairman of Oxfam International in April 2015. An Oxfam spokesperson said: "As far as we are aware, no formal charges have been made against Dr Fuentes Knight. He has been entirely open with the Oxfam board and executive about the investigation which began after he was appointed as Oxfam chair." Fuentes "maintains his innocence and assures us that he has cooperated fully with the investigation," the spokesperson said. Revelations that Oxfam staff used prostitutes in Haiti and Chad, as well as new accusations of sexual assault in South Sudan, have put the charity -- partly funded by the British government -- under pressure. Oxfam deputy chief Penny Lawrence resigned on Monday after the Haiti allegations came to light, saying "I am ashamed that this happened on my watch and I take full responsibility." By Christine Kim SEOUL (Reuters) - A prim, young woman with a high forehead and hair half swept back quietly gazes at the throngs of people pushing for a glimpse of her, a faint smile on her lips and eyelids low as four bodyguards jostle around her. In her first appearance on the global stage, Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, had her every move closely scrutinized. Crowds applauded as she stood for the South Korean anthem during the opening ceremony for the start of the Winter Olympic Games, while her big smiles and relaxed manner left a largely positive impression on the South Korean public. But her sometimes aloof expression and high-tilted chin also spoke of someone who sees herself "of royalty and above anyone else", leadership experts and some critics said. Kim Yo Jong's visit to South Korea, the first by a member of the North's ruling bloodline since their 1950-53 war, could hardly have come at a more acute time. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence was also in town, leading international pressure on North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program and reminding the world of the Kim family's brutal regime. When shaking hands or eating meals with officials such as South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Kim Yo Jong was all smiles, even agreeing to give a toast suddenly requested of her by the presidential Blue House's chief of staff. "I can't speak very well in public," she told guests attending a dinner at the five-star Banyan Tree Club and Spa in Seoul. "I never thought I would visit (the South) so suddenly and believed much would be strange and different but I saw many things that were similar or the same. I hope the day we become one comes soon and hope to see all your friendly faces in Pyongyang." SOFT POWER With so little known about her (even her age of 28 is unconfirmed), scrutiny on Kim Yo Jong was intense, dominating local media and internet chatrooms. Personally I think she looked very relaxed during her visit to South Korea," said Kang Mi-jin, a North Korean defector who works at the Seoul-based Daily NK website. "Her facial expressions were cool and she didnt seem flustered." Reportedly schooled in Switzerland, the youngest daughter of former leader Kim Jong Il was promoted by her brother to the country's top decision-making body in October. Kim Man-heum, head of the Korea Academy of Politics and Leadership, said Kim Yo Jong left a largely positive impression on the South Korean public. "North Korea used 'soft power' this time to engage the South and her being a woman may have contributed more in that aspect," Kim told Reuters. Even her elegant, sloping handwriting was parsed in South Korean media. Experts said it conveyed confidence, superiority and reflected a positive attitude. Not everyone was impressed, however. Kim Yo Jong's aloof expression when she wasn't meeting with high-ranking South Korean government officials and high-tilted chin prompted scorn from many South Koreans, who said she looked "too haughty" or "uppity". "Her neck is straight and her head is skewed to the right, automatically sending her gaze down. I think this comes from her thinking she is above everyone else," said Bae Sang-hoon, professor of police science at Seoul Digital University and a former criminal profiler at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. BRUTAL REGIME Critics also highlighted Kim Yo Jong's senior role in a regime accused by a United Nations inquiry of systematic torture, starvation and killings comparable to Nazi-era atrocities. Last January, the U.S. Treasury Department blacklisted her along with six other North Korean officials for severe human rights abuses and censorship that concealed the regimes inhumane and oppressive behavior. "Among the upper class in Pyongyang, she is a frightening presence, because of her relationship with her brother, said An Chan-il, a former North Korean military officer who now runs a think tank in Seoul. "She has been thought of as royalty since she was born, and she sees herself that way as well." The body language of the high-ranking North Korean officials who accompanied her was also telling of her status in the North, said analysts. North Korea's 90-year-old nominal head of state Kim Yong Nam deferred to her upon arrival, asking her to sit down first ahead of tea with the South's unification minister. It is customary in Korea and some other Asian countries for the highest ranking, usually the eldest, person in the group to sit down first for a meal or meeting. While Kim Yo Jong demurred in front of the cameras, insisting Kim Yong Nam sit first, the impression had been made. "This showed Kim Yo Jong was the real person in power, and not just because of her lineage," said Cheong Seong-chang, senior research fellow at the Sejong Institute. (Reporting by Christine Kim; Additional reporting by Heekyong Yang; Editing by Soyoung Kim and Lincoln Feast) South Korea will this week debate whether to pay a 2.9 billion won ($2.7 million) bill for North Koreas Olympic participation. Chaired by unification minister Cho Myoung-gyon, the South and North Exchange and Cooperation Promotion Council will meet Wednesday to vote on whether South Korea should shoulder the financial burden, Yonhap news agency reported. The money would cover the costs incurred for the accommodating dozens of North Koreans who came to the South to participate in cultural and sporting events at the Winter Olympic Games, including the 200-strong cheer squad, the 137-member orchestra, 22 athletes and various officials and reporters. Trending: Skater Adam Rippon On His Feud With Vice President: I Don't Want My Olympic Experience To Be About Mike Pence The Samjiyon orchestra returned to Pyongyang Monday. The performers had traveled to South Korea via ferry and North Korea demanded fuel payment for the way backan action prohibited under U.N. sanctions. The two parties debated the issue but the North Korean side eventually withdrew the request, returning home and leaving the orchestra to travel to Pyongyang via land route. Upon their return, the artists and the officials were welcomed by leader Kim Jong Un. He warmly congratulated the orchestra upon its successful performances that conveyed the warm mind of the people in the north hoping for the successful Winter Olympics and the national concord and delighted the fellow countrymen in the south, an article in the ruling party-controlled newspaper Rodong Sinmun read. 02_13_Moon_Kim South Korean Presidential Blue House via Getty Images Story continues Don't miss: Julian Assange Still Faces Arrest if He Leaves the Ecuadorian Embassy After Bid for Warrant to Be Lifted Fails The high-ranking delegation of North Korean officials who had been sent to the South returned to Pyongyang on Sunday, welcomed by a red carpet, military troops and party and army officials. According to a separate article detailing Kim Jong Uns meeting with the delegation, the countrys nominal head of state Kim Yong Nam reported back about the opening ceremony and the visit to the South Korean presidential building. The supreme leader's sister, Kim Yo Jong, reportedly told her brother about the meeting with South Korean president Moon Jae-inwho was invited to visit Pyongyang at an unspecified timeand her encounter with the U.S. side, who sat in front of the North Koreans at the opening ceremony. Kim Jong Un reportedly responded positively to their accounts of events, commenting on how impressive the welcoming of the North Korean delegation was and expressing his gratitude. He expressed the desire to continue efforts toward reconciliation and dialogue, according to Rodong Sinmun, and gave instructions on how to act toward this goal, details of which were not disclosed in the report. North Korea has yet to respond to South Korea's offer of military talks and the recent U.S. change of stance on starting a dialogue. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek The leader of ISIS was wounded in an airstrike and had to give up control of the terror group. it has been reported. CNN reported that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was injured in an airstrike near Raqqa, Syria, in May last year. It quoted US officials who said Baghadi had to relinquish command of ISIS for up to five months because of the injuries he sustained in the missile attack. The aftermath of an airstrike on Raqqa, Syria, last month (Picture: Getty) It reported that US intelligence agencies had assessed with a high degree of confidence that Baghadi, the worlds most wanted man, was in Ragga when the missile hit. MOST POPULAR TODAY ON YAHOO UK Officials said the intelligence only emerged months later after reports from refugees and ISIS detainees in northern Syria. Although the ISIS leaders injuries were not thought to be life-threatening, he did have to temporarily give up command on a day-to-day basis. At the time of the missile attack, ISIS was on the verge of losing control of the Iraqi city of Mosul, while Raqqa had been encircled by US-backed troops. ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (Picture: Getty) CNN said it is not clear if Baghadi was the target of the attack or collateral damage. It is unclear if the missile fired belonged to the US or to Russia. There have been isolated strikes by Russians in Raqqa, but as theres no timeline to it, we dont know if its ours, a US official told CNN. Another US official said Baghadi was now back in charge of ISIS. Yes. I do not know how much Baghdadi is day-to-day running the shop, he said. By Jeffrey Heller JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The United States dismissed as false an Israeli assertion on Monday that the two countries were discussing the possibility of Israel annexing Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, in a rare display of discord between U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "On the subject of applying sovereignty, I can say that I have been talking to the Americans about it for some time," Netanyahu told a closed-door meeting of his right-wing Likud party's legislators, according to the party's spokesman. Netanyahu was referring to applying Israeli law to the settlements, a step tantamount to annexation. They are currently under the jurisdiction of Israel's military, which has occupied the West Bank since the 1967 war. Later on Monday, the White House denied having such discussions and a senior Israeli official said Netanyahu had not made a specific annexation proposal to Washington. "Reports that the United States discussed with Israel an annexation plan for the West Bank are false," White House spokesman Josh Raffel said. "The United States and Israel have never discussed such a proposal, and the presidents focus remains squarely on his Israeli-Palestinian peace initiative." Issuing a clarification, the prime ministers office stepped back from any suggestion of a dialogue with Washington on any government annexation plan. It said Netanyahu had only updated the Americans on proposed legislation in parliament. Some commentators suggested Netanyahu's remarks to Likud might have been a move to placate right-wingers in his cabinet rather than a concrete plan. The remarks stoked Palestinian anger, already high over Trump's Dec. 6 announcement that the United States recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a reversal of decades of U.S. policy. Nabil Abu Rdainah, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said any annexation would "destroy all efforts to try and save the peace process". "No-one has the right to discuss the situation of the occupied Palestinian lands," Abu Rdainah said from Moscow, where Abbas was holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin amid reports they may discuss new options for Middle East mediation. Most countries regard Israel's settlements as illegal. Israel disputes this. Trump, in a phone call with Putin, said "now is the time to work toward an enduring peace agreement," a White House statement said. NO TIMEFRAME The Likud spokesman did not mention a timeframe for an annexation or go into further details on the U.S. discussions. He quoted Netanyahu as telling the lawmakers that any change in the settlements' status must first be coordinated, "as much as possible" with the United States, Israel's main ally. "Israel updated the Americans about different proposals being raised at the Knesset and the U.S. expressed its clear position that it wishes to advance President Trump's peace plan," a statement from Netanyahu's office said. An Israel Radio political affairs commentator described Netanyahu's comments as largely ideological in nature and said it was unlikely any practical steps would be taken in the near future. Netanyahu's comments to the legislators appeared, at least in part, to be an attempt to soften any political fallout within Likud over his decision on Sunday to block a bill proposed by several right-wing lawmakers to annex settlements. A source at the prime minister's office said on Sunday the bill was blocked in order to give diplomatic efforts more of a chance. The Trump administration has been less critical than the administration of President Barack Obama of Israeli settlement policy. But in an interview published on Sunday in Israel Hayom, a pro-Netanyahu newspaper, Trump urged Israel to tread cautiously. "The settlements are something that very much complicates and always have complicated making peace, so I think Israel has to be very careful with the settlements," Trump said. Trump also voiced doubts about Palestinian and Israeli commitment to making peace. Asked when he would unveil a promised new peace plan, Trump said: "We are going to see what goes on. Right now, I would say the Palestinians are not looking to make peace, they are not looking to make peace. And I am not necessarily sure that Israel is looking to make peace." U.S.-brokered peace talks collapsed in 2014, with the settlement issue one of the main factors behind their failure. (Reporting by Jeffrey Heller; Additional reporting by Steve Holland in Washington and Ali Sawafta in Ramallah and Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem; Editing by Grant McCool and Tom Brown) A woman who kidnapped an infant from a Florida hospital and raised her as her own child has pleaded guilty to abducting the baby nearly 20 years ago. Gloria Williams, 52, under the terms of plea agreement, could face as many as 22 years behind bars when she is sentenced in May. Williams took the newborn from a Jacksonville maternity ward by posing as a hospital worker, authorities said. Williams took the child to South Carolina and raised her there. Now 19, the young woman in now named Alexis Manigo. Williams was dressed in scrubs when she went into the room of 16-year-old Shanara Mobley in 1998 and told the teenager her hours-old baby was feverish and needed an exam. Williams walked out the door with the baby, who had been named Kamiyah Mobley by her birth mother. In August 2016, an anonymous caller tipped the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, which led to the arrest of Williams at her Walterboro home in January 2017. The victim was in anguish, sobbing at the arrest and in the police station after Williams was questioned, according to local reports. The case brought out a confusing array of emotions from a teenage girl who was ripped from the only mother she ever knew and confronted with her distraught birth parents, who were total strangers. Williams, the girl said, had been a good mother and she loved her very much. Neither the teenager nor her birth parents were in court Monday. The young woman divides her time between Walterboro and Jacksonville as tries to develop a relationship with Shanara Mobley and her father, Craig Aiken. She communicates with Williams via letters and phone calls to a jail in Duval County, the Florida Times-Union reported. RELATED STORIES Baby Kidnapped From Florida Hospital in 1998 is Found Living in South Carolina With Alleged Abductor Cops: 8-Month-Old Baby Kidnapped by His Own Parents Found Safe 2,000 Miles Away After Kamiyah Mobley Kidnapping, Experts Show Technology Being Used to Track Newborns in Hospitals Related Articles: The political arm of the network helmed by conservative and libertarian mega donors Charles and David Koch is investing millions in an ad buy targeting two Democratic Senators up for reelection this year in states President Trump won by a landslide for failing to support the tax reform bill. The group, Americans for Prosperity, is launching the $4 million ad campaign on Feb. 15 against Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill and Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly. Joe Donnelly and Claire McCaskill promised tax reform for years but chose partisan politics over Indiana and Missouri families when they had a once-in-a-generation opportunity to provide tax relief. Americans deserve better, which is why AFP is committed to ensuring citizens see the pro-growth benefits of tax reform despite dismissals and deception from no votes like Donnelly and McCaskill, AFP President Tim Phillips said in a statement. Both ads tout the economic benefits of tax reform in Indiana and Missouri, and pointedly note that both Senators stood with Democratic leadership; the ads specifically call out Senate and House Minority Leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi. Senator Claire McCaskill said shed support tax cuts for hard working Missourians, the ad against McCaskill states, but when she had the chance, she said no, voting against tax cuts for you. The Koch network had already invested $20 million in pushing for the passage of the tax reform bill, and had announced at its annual winter gathering in California last month that it was planning on spending an additional $20 million to sell it. In total, the politics and policy arm of the network could spend a record setting $400 million for the upcoming midterm elections. But the massive investment comes in a political environment that is highly unfavorable to Republicans. Even though Trump won Missouri and Indiana by almost 20 points, Democrats are expected to emerge as the victors in what could be a wave election, regaining control of the House of Representatives. The map is less favorable to the Democrats in the Senate, and the non-partisan Cook Political Report has rated McCaskill and Donnellys seats as toss-ups. But both candidates had significantly out-raised their potential Republican counterparts by the end of 2017, according to disclosure records from the Federal Election Commission. Story continues These are all factors that officials with the network have openly acknowledged. These elections are going to be brutally tough, Emily Seidel, Chief Executive Officer of Americans for Prosperity, said at the seminar last month. Weve never faced a challenge like this one. With reporting by Phil Elliott (Disclosure: Time Inc., TIMEs parent company, has been acquired by Meredith Corp. in a deal partially financed by Koch Equity Development, a subsidiary of Koch Industries Inc.) The Obamas presidential portraits just came out, and they are amazing. SEE ALSO: The internet is enthralled by the Obamas' official portraits I want a print of each one for my home. Everyone wants a print of each one for their home. Barack Obama's portrait should be every album cover from now on. The Obamas portraits are made even better by the fact that until them, presidential portraits were either the most boring or the strangest creations of all time, and nothing in between. If I weren't from America and looked at these presidential portraits without knowing anything else, I would think it was a list of potential actors to be cast as the lead of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. So let us take a trip down memory lane at how presidential portraits past were simply nothing until the Obamas came along. George W. Bush Image: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution Ah yes, George W. Bush. There he is. There he is looking like a tall Bilbo Baggins after he finished "There and Back Again: A Hobbit's Tale." The only thing helping this photo is the fact that there is at least a vase of flowers in the background. Otherwise, very boring portrait that looks like it was taking from my living room, as if I'm on the other side of that couch watching HGTV. And it's George W. Bush, renowned artist. They couldn't have let him paint his own portrait? John F. Kennedy Image: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution To this I must say, what the hell. I mean, the guy was shot two years into his presidency and you memorialize him with this? This is an insult! It's as if he died and no one could remember what he looked like so they had a fourth grader who met him once scribble down their best effort. It's as if he testified in court but the courtroom sketch artist didn't have enough time so they just tried their best. If I were there when this portrait was unveiled, I would say "Ah yes, I can't wait to remember JFK as someone with a hamburger bun for hair and literally no feet." A stylistic choice perhaps, but whose? JFK's middle school bully? Didn't Jackie go through enough? Story continues Lyndon B. Johnson Image: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution Ah yes, a portrait of Lyndon B. Johnson who historically walked to work every morning with one book in his hand, I guess. He looks like he's playing hooky but since he's not rebellious at heart is just going to take his homework to a Barnes & Noble and get work done there. This is one of the better portraits, but still. What's going on here? Harry S. Truman Image: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution I will say things got a little more exciting with Harry S. Truman, which is odd because his portrait was before all of these other presidents, so why didn't they follow his lead. Truman looks like he was placed in an enchanted forest just outside of Washington D.C. and handed some papers that look like they're right out of Harry Potter. But seriously? Three blank papers? I'm assuming they illustrate the fact that, as president, one must sign things? Abraham Lincoln Image: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution This just looks like no one would let Lincoln use the bathroom until they were finished. All I can say is, thank God for Obama, who will now be remembered as someone who always shoved a chair into a wall of bushes to watch cars pass by the White House, and looked great while doing it. By Joseph Ax and James Giahyue NEW YORK/MONROVIA (Reuters) - Four survivors of a church massacre that killed 600 people during the Liberian civil war on Monday filed a civil lawsuit in U.S. court against the man they accuse of having ordered the attack. The lawsuit, brought in federal court in Philadelphia, accuses Moses Thomas of directing the mass killing on July 29, 1990, while a colonel in the Armed Forces of Liberia. Thomas came to the United States under an immigration program intended to help victims of the conflict and now lives in a Philadelphia suburb, according to the lawsuit. Attempts to reach Thomas were unsuccessful late on Monday, but he told the BBC that the allegations were "nonsense," according to a report on the broadcaster's website. The church killing was among the most brutal atrocities committed against civilians during 14 years of near-constant conflict, which saw child soldiers enlisted in the war before it ended in 2003. Hundreds of families took refuge at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, a Red Cross humanitarian shelter, in the country's capital of Monrovia, seeking protection from the violence ravaging the city. Thomas headed up the army's elite anti-terrorism unit, according to the lawsuit, and ordered approximately 45 soldiers to enter the church and open fire indiscriminately. Soldiers then used machetes to hack others to death, while some victims survived by hiding under the bodies of others. The lawsuit can only recover monetary damages from Thomas if successful. It could potentially lead to other actions against him, but lawyers for the victims noted that Liberia has never established a tribunal to investigate wartime human rights violations. The case was filed under U.S. laws that allow foreign victims of war crimes abroad to sue the perpetrators in U.S. courts. "Cases like these should be tried in the countries where the crimes were committed," Nushin Sarkarati, an attorney with the Center for Justice and Accountability, which represents the four anonymous plaintiffs, said in a statement. "Because that is not yet possible in Liberia, the victims have to push to try perpetrators in the courts of the countries where they have chosen to hide." Story continues Activists hailed the case as a first step toward holding those responsible for the church massacre accountable. "I think victims and survivors of the St. Peter Lutheran Church massacre will be at peace this evening," said Peterson Sonyah, executive director of the Liberia Massacre Survivors Association. (Reporting by Joseph Ax in New York and James Giahyue in Monrovia; Editing by Tom Brown) Lawyer Lisa Bloom hired her daughter Sarah to work at her firm. Is that a good idea? (Photo: Getty Images) Prominent lawyer Lisa Bloom just announced the addition of a new employee to her firm: Her daughter Sarah. Look at this brilliant feminist attorney who just joined my law firm my hardworking hotshot lawyer daughter, Sarah Bloom! the 56-year-old daughter of womens rights attorney Gloria Allred, wrote Tuesday in a Facebook post. So now there are TWO Blooms at the Bloom Firm. Get ready, world. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Sarah, who graduated from law school in 2015 where she published a note on criminalizing revenge porn, was hired as an associate-level attorney at her moms Los Angeles-based law firm. When talking with Yahoo Lifestyle, Lisa reiterated her excitement over her brilliant daughter joining the family business. We have already talked about many of the sexual harassment cases she will likely be working on, and she is as passionate about this work as I am, and brimming with fresh new ideas, she says. Lisa adds, I joke that we have a pro-nepotism policy at The Bloom Firm. For us, it works. We confront challenges directly, talk out our differences, and celebrate the good times. I am so honored and lucky to be able to work with family members I love. The lawyers husband Braden Pollock also works at the Bloom Firm, running the business division, an arrangement Lisa calls beautiful due to their separately-defined roles and lively dinner conversation. Lawyer Lisa Bloom has represented high-level clients like Kathy Griffin. (Photo: Getty Images) Lisa, known as the Hollywood lawyer, has handled high-profile cases such as Kathy Griffin, who in May was investigated (and then exonerated) by the Secret Service after holding up a fake, bloody replica of President Trumps head on Facebook, multiple women who accused Bill Cosby of rape, and Blac Chyna for whom she obtained a restraining order against ex Rob Kardashian when he posted sexually-explicit images of her online. Her most controversial client was accused rapist Harvey Weinstein, a case she admitted in October was a colossal mistake and one that earned her a public scolding from Allred. Story continues Had I been asked by Mr. Weinstein to represent him, I would have declined, because I do not represent individuals accused of sex harassment, Allred said in a statement, according to The Wrap. I only represent those who allege that they are victims of sexual harassment. Allred continued, While I would not represent Mr. Weinstein, I would consider representing anyone who accused Mr. Weinstein of sexual harassment, even if it meant that my daughter was the opposing counsel. Lisa Bloom worked to obtain Blac Chyna a restraining order against her ex-partner Rob Kardashian. (Photo: Getty Images) Mixing business with family carries pros and cons. On the one hand, theres usually an inherent trust between relatives, due to years of familiarity, and if the business is family-owned, a deeper investment in its success. However, sometimes family ties can skew perception of an employees capabilities and cause strife among staff for example, when Donald Trump hired daughter Ivanka as special assistant to the president, backlash erupted over her lack of experience and at the notion of nepotism, the practice of favoring a family member over other employees. One of the biggest challenges of hiring family members is competence, Wayne Rivers, president of the Family Business Institute, a North Carolina consulting firm, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. Is Sarah Bloom the most talented, hot-shot lawyer in the hiring pool? Maybe or maybe not. The first step is creating an accountability system so Sarah is treated as an employee, not a daughter. Sarah shouldnt report to Lisa and her compensation must be market rate, says Rivers. That goes for privileges too if Lisa takes the summer off to travel, it wouldnt be appropriate for her daughter to come along. Working in Sarahs favor is the fact that she spent two years at a Denver-based law firm, where she represented Syrian refugees and a domestic violence victim, per her Bloom Firm bio page. According to Rivers, prior work experience will position her favorably with colleagues who may feel her hire falls into nepotism. Relatives may never convince their co-workers that theyre the best hire but we always advise that before people join a family company, they work elsewhere, screw up a few times, earn a few promotions, and prove theyre able to lead, says Rivers. And Lisas daughter would be advised to work diligently as a team player and help her coworkers shine where she can. In a family business, relatives work in a fishbowl, says Rivers, but if they can work hard and pay their dues, theyll earn their spurs. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. PYEONGCHANG, South KoreaOne second. Thats how long it takes for an Olympic dream to vanish. One second, one bump, gone. Maame Biney came into Tuesday nights 500-meter quarterfinals riding high. Shed won this event at the U.S. team trials, shed posted the 10th-fastest time in the initial heat, and shed had a good few days of practice since then. But when the gun sounded and the skating began in Heat 3, Biney found herself bumped and boxed out. She couldnt ever close the gap between herself and her competitors, and she finished a painful, disappointing fourth, with a time of 44.772 seconds, in a heat where only two skaters would advance. I got bumped, and I dont usually get bumped in the start, Biney said after the race. It was a big shock to me. I need to figure out how to get my rhythm back. She tried to say more, and then tears rolled down her cheeks. Theres a sad symmetry to the fact that Bineys sudden defeat came just hours after Chloe Kim won gold in dominating fashion in the halfpipe, about a 45-minute drive from the Gangneung Ice Center. Kim is just three months younger than Biney, who just turned 18. Both have devoted their lives to their sport Biney emigrated from Ghana and fell in love with skating at age six, for instance. And both had major branding pushes built around them; had Biney medaled, she would have been introducing a gold medal-branded Kelloggs Corn Flakes on Thursday. Biney still has another chance to race in this years Olympics, in the 1500m event that begins Saturday. But her prospects in that event arent nearly as bright as they were in the 500. Its OK, Ill be fine, um she said, her voice trailing off. I just have to wait four more years to get back onto this big stage. I cant wait to get back. ____ Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter or on Facebook. More from Yahoo Sports: Shirtless flag-bearer unsure of familys safety after cyclone hits Tonga Wetzel: Rippon, Zhou are emblematic of melting pot U.S. figure skating team America has really come around on snowboarding, and heres the proof Olympic champion takes out media members during crash Katie Couric wants to make up with Dutch after embarrassing gaffe Struggling through tears, the mother of an 8-year-old who was abducted from a Florida Walmart and later raped and killed said the man accused of the crime had convinced her he was a good Samaritan who was trying to help her family out. Rayne Perrywinkle sat facing 61-year-old defendant Donald Smith in a Jacksonville courtroom, and testified about the day her daughter, Cherish Perrywinkle, disappeared. Smith is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and rape. If convicted, he faces a possible death sentence. Rayne Perrywinkle said Smith had been hovering around she and her three daughters while they shopped at a discount store earlier in the day. She was looking for clothes for all three children and could not afford it. Smith watched as Rayne tried to work out how to pay for the clothes, Rayne testified, and said when she came outside he was waiting. He offered to take them to a nearby Walmart and make purchases with a gift card. The mother testified that she was wary, but accepted because Smith assured her his wife would meet them at the Walmart. He looked into my face and told me I was safe, Rayne Perrywinkle said. Did you want to believe him? prosecutor Mark Caliel asked. Very much so, Rayne replied. The mother and her three daughters piled into Smiths white van. They went to a nearby Walmart and she began shopping with her girls, placing three small piles of clothing in a shopping cart. It got late, after 10 p.m., and Smiths wife never appeared. Rayne said her daughters were getting restless because they had not had dinner. Smith told Rayne he would go to a McDonalds inside the store and get them cheeseburgers. Cherish followed him and was never seen alive again. Rayne Perrywinkle said some 20 minutes later, she realized the McDonalds inside the Walmart was closed and she began to panic. Her cellphone didnt work a daughter had dunked it water to try and clean it so she cried out for help realizing her daughter had been taken. Story continues I was yelling Call 911! My daughters been taken, and no one would help me right away, she said. About 40 minutes after her daughter disappeared, an employee gave her a cellphone and she called 911, prosecutors said. Surveillance footage from the store caught the image of Smith and Cherish exiting, the girl skipping out behind him. No one noticed. It looked like a grandfather and a granddaughter, State Attorney Melissa Nelson told the jury during her opening statement. She said Cherishs mutilated body would later be found in a creek. Shed been raped, smothered and had blunt force trauma to the back of her head. She was wearing an orange dress with a fruit pattern on it. When Smith was arrested, Nelson said he was wet from the waist down. Smiths defense attorney, Julie Schlax, suggested to the jury that Rayne Perrywinkle made poor decisions getting into the van. She said she would cross-examine Rayne, but after the mothers testimony Smith told his attorneys not to cross examine her, so they told the court they had changed their mind. Before his arrest for Cherishs death, Smith had a long criminal history dating back to the 1970s related to lewd and lascivious conduct. Doctors determined that he met the criteria of a violent sexual predator after arrests in 1999, and he had served prison time and been ordered to get treatment, according to the Florida Times-Union newspaper. In 2009 he posed as a child welfare worker and asked a child sexually explicit questions on the telephone and was arrested on felony charges, which were later reduced to misdemeanors, the newspaper reported. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive at Edinburgh Castle [Photo: Getty] Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have arrived in Edinburgh for their fourth joint royal engagement. The soon-to-be newlyweds were greeted by flag-bearing crowds who patiently awaited their arrival since the early hours of the morning. While the Royal Marines Scotland band were left in charge of giving the couple a traditional Scottish welcome. For her first official visit to the capital, Meghan donned one of her greatest looks to date. In celebration of Scotlands heritage, the royal-in-waiting chose a 1,995 tartan coat by Burberry and teamed the look with a pair of Veronica Beard flared trousers (sorry but theyve already sold out). We predict a sell-out, after Meghan Markle donned a 1,995 tartan coat by Burberry on her most recent royal engagement [Photo: Burberry] And yet another surprising sartorial move, the 36-year-old eschewed tradition with a 274 cross-body Strathberry bag (which will no doubt sell out in record time). Meghan Markle championed Brit label Burberry yet again for her first official visit to Edinburgh [Photo: Getty] It is rare that a female member of the Royal Family is photographed without a clutch or long-handled bag to hand, as it is a breach of royal protocol. Meghan looked to Scottish brand Strathberry for her emerald-hued cross-body bag [Photo: Strathberry] The pairs first pit stop will take place inside the castle at the historic Edinburgh Garrison. The couple will watch as the One oclock Gun is fired, a tradition which first began back in 1861 when it allowed ships in the Firth of Forth to set the maritime clocks they needed to navigate the sea. Harry and Meghan will then head into the New Town to visit Social Bite, a social enterprise cafe which distributes 100,000 items of food and hot drinks to homeless people across Scotland every year. The soon-to-be newlyweds were greeted by crowds in Edinburgh [Photo: Getty] This will enable the couple to meet members of staff and learn more about the initiative. And the sandwich shop will be well prepared for the visit, as Social Bite has welcomed A-list names such as Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney in recent years. To end their engagement in Edinburgh, the couple will later attend a reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in celebration of Scotlands Year of Young People 2018. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Story continues Read more from Yahoo Style UK: Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys Scottish titles announced Everything we know about the royal wedding so far Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys wedding plans: Timings, reception plans and a royal ride through Windsor Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet Cruachan the Shetland pony during trip to Edinburgh Castle [Photo: Getty] Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are in Edinburgh today on their fourth joint royal engagement. Met by bustling crowds under the shadow of the capitals castle, the soon-to-be newlyweds greeted hundreds of well-wishers. But one Shetland pony was particularly thrilled to meet the couple. Video footage depicts the pair meeting Cruachan the mascot pony for the Royal Regiment of Scotland, as they chatted with Major Mark Wilkinson. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. But as Prince Harry mindlessly petted the animals shaggy mane, Cruachan was quick to nip his hand. And Meghan couldnt help but fall into a fit of giggles, as the 33-year-old yelped: Hey! Meghan Markle couldnt control her laughter, as Prince Harry was nipped by Cruachan the pony [Photo: PA] The couples first pit stop of the day was at the historic Edinburgh Garrison where the pair watched as the One oclock Gun was fired, a tradition which first began back in 1861. Later this afternoon, Harry and Meghan will then head into the New Town to visit Social Bite, a social enterprise cafe which distributes food and hot drinks to the homeless across Scotland. They will end their trip at a reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in celebration of Scotlands Year of Young People 2018. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Read more from Yahoo Style UK: Everything we know about the royal wedding so far The ultimate Meghan Markle style file Meghan Markle dresses diplomatically for first Scotland visit in tartan coat and Strathberry bag U.S. President Donald Trump receives a briefing from senior military leadership accompanied by his new National Security Adviser John Bolton at the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC, U.S. Curt Mills [timestamp] Security, Europe The national security advisor, a hardliner, has always been a vehement foe of talks with Americas strategic adversaries. Bolton Defends Putin Meeting, Planned Trump Summit John Bolton, the presidents hardline national security advisor said to have fallen out of the White House inner circle after Donald Trumps rapprochement with North Korea, was dispatched to Russia Wednesday, and took to the podium to defend a course on Moscow he had previously decried. During the presidential transition in late 2016, having just been passed on for secretary of state and national security advisor, Bolton said recent Russian sanctions didnt go far enough. But Bolton has said repeatedly that he is not the president, and that he will, in his new role, defer to Donald Trump, who clearly favors improved relations with Moscow. President Trump asked me to come and speak to Russian authorities about the possibility of a meeting between him and President Putin, Bolton told reporters. And there will be an announcement on that tomorrow, simultaneously, in Moscow and Washington. Some in the room commented that Bolton looked pained. Bolton's press conference had to be one of the weakest I've been to. He didn't tell us when and where the Trump-Putin meeting will be, gave one-sentence answers besides for the final planted question & finally openly said I'll just duck that question, tweeted Telegraph correspondent Alec Luhn. A Kremlin official told the Wall Street Journal that the meeting will occur, in a third country, and will focus on ties between Washington and Moscow, arms control and Syria. Speculation had been mounting that the meeting would occur in Russia proper, with the possibility that Donald Trump would attend the World Cup final with Putin, concurrent with his planned trip to London in July to meet Theresa May. Others, including former administration officials, told me that the Russia meetings are a bad idea in light of the ongoing Robert Mueller probe on Russias interference campaign in the 2016 election. Story continues Bolton said Wednesday: We did indeed talk about Russian interference in the elections and I expect it will be a subject of conversation between the two presidents as well. And at the very least, he maintained a public face of supporting the administrations tact, and provided cover for the president against some of the more pointed, partisan criticisms of his approach to Russia. I think a lot of people have said, or implied over time, that a meeting between President Trump and President Putin would somehow prove some nexus between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin, Bolton said. Which is complete nonsense. Boltons trip to Moscow not only confirms fact of summit [is happening] but seriousness with respect to preparing agenda, Matthew Rojansky, director of the Kennan Institute at the Wilson Center told me. A summit can help revive essential working level contacts between the two sides which have been all but frozen. But Rojansky urged focus. Bolton is right we have many disagreements and we shouldnt expect them to be easily resolved. Urgent issues are strategic stability in nuclear realm and containing and de-escalating risks of direct conflict, especially in the Baltic region and around Syria. The goal should be to empower working level follow up on these and other issues, he said. At the very least, Boltons trek confirms information relayed by Victor Cha, Trumps scuttled Korean ambassador, at the W hotel in Washington earlier this year. Secretary of State Pompeo has been given the North Korea portfolio, while Bolton has been given the Russia and Syria portfolios, which the administration sees as increasingly linked-- a deal must be hatched to deal with Moscows client, Bashar al-Assad. It is unusual that the State Department and Boltons National Security Council, occasionally at odds, have a partition arrangement, but it is the management style the president prefers. A former senior administration official told me that Trump would ideally have no chief of staff, with a rotating cadre of perhaps ten advisors with various roles; the president isnt a stickler for credentialism-- tellingly, the head of the Pentagon, James Mattis, wasnt present at the North Korean negotiations, even as the president, without telling Mattis, not only floated but criticized American military drills around the Korean peninsula. True to form, the State Department referred me to the NSC and the White House for this story. A White House official declined to elaborate. Curt Mills is a foreign-affairs reporter at the National Interest. Follow him on Twitter: @CurtMills. Read full article MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A Mexican presidential candidate denounced on Tuesday alleged surveillance of his movements by the government and demanded an explanation, the latest in a series of accusations that Mexico is spying without due cause on its own citizens. Ricardo Anaya, a former congressman in second place in many opinion polls ahead of July's election, published a video on Twitter that shows him confronting the driver of a vehicle following him on a highway who identifies himself as a member of the country's main intelligence agency, CISEN. In the video, the smiling agent says he is following Anaya "so that there's no problem." Government surveillance has raised major concerns in Mexico in recent months, with reports of journalists, NGO workers and opposition politicians being tracked. Fears about Russian attempts to influence the election have also made headlines. Anaya, who is a critic of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) of President Enrique Pena Nieto and leads a left-right opposition coalition, also posted photos of another vehicle he claims was following him. "Instead of following criminals, they spy on opponents of the government," said Anaya, the former president of the conservative National Action Party (PAN), in a post on Twitter. Anaya demanded in a statement that the government explain the criteria it uses to "spy on opposition politicians." A government official denied that Anaya was a surveillance target. "This is not a case of espionage or spying on opponents or clandestine measures," said Interior Minister Alfonso Navarrete at an event in Mexico City when asked about Anaya's comments. "We follow up on all important activities that happen in the country." Leftist presidential hopeful Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the front-runner in polls, said last week that he and his family have also been targets of spying. Last year, the Pena Nieto government was criticized by United Nations human rights experts over University of Toronto research findings that it had targeted activists and journalists using sophisticated spying software known as Pegasus. The software is marketed by Israeli company NSO Group, which only sells it to governments. The researchers said they had found a trace of the Pegasus software in a phone belonging to a group of experts backed by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. The group had investigated the 2014 disappearance of 43 students that marked one of Mexico's worst atrocities. (Reporting by Lizbeth Diaz; Writing by David Alire Garcia, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) Barack and Michelle Obama made a rare public appearance in Washington D.C. Monday morning at the Smithsonians National Portrait Gallery to unveil their official portraits, which expertly depicted major aspects of their lives. Obama was painted by artist Kehinde Wiley and featured a backdrop made up of flowers representing his roots in Chicago, Hawaii and Kenya, while Mrs. Obamas, painted by artist Amy Sherald, showed her against a pale blue background in all her sartorial glory, wearing a custom Milly gown. The halter dress with floor-length skirt was specifically designed by Milly designer Michelle Smith for Mrs. Obamas portrait. According to a press release, the design was loosely based on a runway dress from the spring 2017 collection, below. According to an Vogue interview, Smith said that she created a dress that Mrs. Obama could wear in every day life and an official portrait which matched her approachable style sensibilities throughout her time as First Lady. Its made of a stretch cotton poplin print in a clean, minimal, geometric print without a reference to anything past or nostalgic, which gives the dress a very forward-thinking sensibilitythis is very Michelle Obama, Smith said. Plus, this dress design reveals her arms, which Smith believes is groundbreaking and very modern for a portrait of the First Lady. Overall,Smith says her portrait completely captures her intelligence, modernity, confidence, sensuality, and kindness. Its a very open, honest, and beautiful portrayal of her. She was so happy to be able to work on this project that she included a note encouraging Mrs. Obama to run for president: I begged her to do so in a handwritten note. Although Michelle hasnt worn this exact gown before, she has favored the designer in the past. In fact, she fittingly wore a striped Milly top with flared statement sleeves during her final stroll through the White House. Back in 2016, she wore a pair of printed gray Milly pants with a cutout tank for an appearance at The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Story continues And on the October 2016 cover of Essence in which she posed alongside Barack, she wore an off-the-shoulder Milly dress with bell sleeves. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. When honored with the portrait, Mrs. Obama said that she felt overwhelmed, humbled, proud and grateful. When she first met Sherald, she said they hit it off immediately. She physically turned to me and said, Im really hoping we can work together,' Mrs. Obama recalled. After that she and I started talking and Barack kind of faded into the woodwork, she joked, saying that they share a sista-girl connection. During Obamas remarks, he praised Sherald, saying she captured the charm and hotness of the woman that I love. Obama also praised Wiley, saying working together was a great joy, and joked that Wiley was working at a disadvantage because his subject was less becoming, not as fly as Mrs. Obama. Vice president Mike Pence is scary and thinks Jesus tells him to say things, according to a former Trump administration official. Omorosa Manigault Newman, who left the White House in December, cautioned critics of Donald Trump against impeachment, because it would mean the extreme Mr Pence would inherit the presidency. "Can I just say this? As bad as yall think Trump is, you would be worried about Pence, Ms Manigault Newman, who is starring in the US version of Big Brother, told housemates on Monday evening. Everybody thats wishing for impeachment might want to reconsider their lives. You would be begging for the days of Trump back if Pence became president. Hes extreme. Im Christian, I love Jesus. But he thinks Jesus tells him to say things, and Im like, Jesus didnt say that. Scary. Ms Manigault Newman, the former White House director of communications for the Office of Public Liaison, also warned about the crackdowns being imposed on immigrants under the Trump administration. The crackdowns are happening and theyre aggressive and theyre intentional and theyre about to get worse but dont get me wrong, the Obama administration was aggressive on deportation, too, she said. The 44-year-old claimed she always intended to quit her White House job after a year of service, though other reports suggested she was forced out by chief-of-staff John Kelly. After leaving her role in December, the former contestant on Mr Trumps The Apprentice show admitted she was left upset by events she had seen in the Trump administration, suggesting those issues were race related. Mr Trump has reportedly mocked Mr Pence's Evangelical Christian views on abortion and LGBT rights throughout his presidency. According to The New Yorker, he joked that Mr Pence wants to hang all gay people. A Texas teacher and mother of two has died of complications related to the flu after reportedly forgoing medicine she felt was too expensive. Heather Holland was sick for about a week before she was rushed to the hospital with the flu, pneumonia and sepsis, according to relatives. She was admitted into the Intensive Care Unit and put on dialysis, but she could not be saved. Holland died on Sunday, Feb. 4. She was 38 years old. Holland planned to pick up flu medication, but thought the $116 copay was too high, her husband told the Weatherford Democrat. He said he bought the medication when he found out she planned to go without, but things got worse. I have to be strong for the kids but it's still surreal," Frank Holland told the Democrat. "It hasnt all set in." The couple married in 2004 after dating for seven years. They have a 10-year-old daughter and a 7-year-old son together. Weve been together a long time, over half my life, he said. Shes my best friend, my soulmate, my everything. She had been employed as a second grade teacher at Ikard Elementary School since 2014. Heather was an outstanding educator... and touched the lives of many students, parents, and staff members, Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Hanks said in a statement. Our thoughts remain with the Holland family and our Ikard staff during this difficult time. The parents of her students were among many who donated to a GoFundMe page created to help the offset medical and funeral expenses for the Holland family. "My twins adored her and hugged her daily walking through the halls of school," one donor wrote. As of Monday, the page had surpassed its $15,000 goal. Thank you from our entire family for loving and caring about Heather and her family, the page noted. Hollands death comes as health officials warn this flu season has reached the intensity of the 2009 swine flu epidemic and shows no signs of slowing down. "Right now, one of the biggest health threats we are facing is influenza," Dr. Anne Schuchat, the acting principal director of the CDC, said at a Feb. 2 press briefing. Weve probably got several weeks left of increased flu activity. Story continues Hospitalizations due to the flu are at the highest officials have seen in recent years, with hospital overcrowding and a shortage of antiviral medications and rapid influenza tests reported in some areas as a result, she said. At least 63 children have died as a result of the flu. There were 40,414 deaths in the U.S. during the third week of 2018, and 4,064 were from pneumonia or influenza, CDC data shows. "Flu is incredibly complex and difficult to predict and this season is a somber reminder of why flu is one of the worlds greatest public health challenges" Schuchat said. Many strains of the flu have simultaneously occurred nationwide over the past several weeks, making the issue a more difficult one to contain. This is an unusual pattern for flu in the U.S., Dr. Dan Jernigan of the CDC said. Authorities recommend getting vaccinated, noting that although the vaccine does not protect against all strains of the flu, it can help reduce the severity of symptoms if a person becomes sick. It is not too late to get the vaccine, Schuchat said. She urged people feeling sick to stay home to help prevent spreading respiratory viruses to others, to frequently wash their hands to reduce the spread of infection and to cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze. Most people who get flu have mild illness and will get better without medical care or antiviral drugs, Schuchat said. However, those who obviously are very sick or at high risk of developing serious flu complications should be treated as soon as possible with antiviral drugs. Remember that young children, people 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with heart or lung disease have a particularly hard time with the flu. Hollands loved ones gathered together for her memorial on Friday and her funeral on Saturday. Her family asked that in lieu of flowers, people donate books to a library in Hollands honor. Heaven gained a pretty freaking awesome angel, her sister-in-law wrote on Facebook. You will be missed my sweet friend. Folks [its] no joke, do not mess around with the flu this season, Hollands sister-in-law continued. Please get a flu shot, and at the first sign of any symptoms seek medical attention. Dont try to tough it out. Be safe! RELATED STORIES ER Nurse Rips ER Visitor Hygiene Amid Flu Outbreak: 'Wash Your Stinking Hands!' As the Flu Runs Rampant Across U.S., How to Avoid the Deadly Virus at Your Super Bowl Party 2 More Children, ages 7 and 12, Die From Dangerous Strain of Flu Virus Related Articles: Frontline: The Gang Crackdown. (Photo: PBS) Given the inflammatory coverage the violent gang MS-13 receives on Fox News, which in turn disproportionately influences President Trumps statements about immigration policy, its great to have the evenhanded reporting Frontline has done for its new edition titled The Gang Crackdown, premiering Tuesday on PBS. While making terrifyingly clear the horrible violence that MS-13 has inflicted upon innocent Americans, The Gang Crackdown also confirms what you might suspect: that the Trump administration policies to combat the gangs real menace often make things more difficult for law-abiding people and has fostered racial animosity toward legal and illegal immigrants. The hour-long documentary traces the Central American gang violence that is being exported to the U.S. in the form of MS-13, a vicious group that bullies young people into joining on the threat of death. Producer Marcela Gaviria focuses on Long Island, N.Y., which has been a particular target of gang violence and where MS-13 gang members occupy forested areas of Suffolk County. At least 25 dead bodies were found in that county in 2016, victims of gang violence, brutally killed with machetes and other weapons. Most of the dead are from local immigrant communities. Youd think thered be lots of concern for the victims and their families. Instead, right-wing media forces have seized upon the gangs activities as a justification for all sorts of broad-brush, anti-immigration advocacy, calling for the deportation of people who have nothing to do with gang culture. Once Fox News talking heads like Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity started inflating the size and scope of MS-13 out of all proportion, it was only a matter of time before avid Fox News watcher Donald Trump began invoking MS-13 as being essentially synonymous with illegal immigrants. The Gang Crackdown profiles a couple of young people who were rounded up in anti-gang efforts by local police and government ICE agents. These youths were held in high-security prisons for months with no due process, no access to their lawyers, until their cases were examined. Some were ultimately freed for lack of evidence of gang involvement. The Frontline report makes clear that the Latino population on Long Island is being doubly wronged: victimized by MS-13 but also made hesitant of going to the police for protection, out of a fear of being suspected of illegal immigration status. Thanks to Frontline for crediting us with enough intelligence to recognize the evil of MS-13 without also obliging us to become rabid anti-immigrationists. Is it any wonder that Trumps newly released budget proposal eliminates funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting? Story continues Frontline: The Gang Crackdown airs Tuesday on PBS. Check local listings for time. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he has been discussing legislation with the United States that would effectively annex settlements in the occupied West Bank, a spokesman said. The move would severely damage remaining prospects for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and draw international outrage. "Regarding the issue of applying sovereignty, I can tell you that I have for some time been speaking with the Americans about it," Netanyahu told lawmakers from his Likud party, according to comments relayed by a spokesman. Netanyahu said he wanted to coordinate any such "historic" move with the United States because of the country's strategic importance to Israel, his spokesman said. Some Israeli media interpreted the comments as the first time Netanyahu expressed support for annexing the settlements. Saeb Erekat, secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, condemned the remarks as amounting to "land theft" with US complicity. The comments come with Netanyahu under pressure from right-wing politicians to move ahead with legislation that would apply Israeli sovereignty to settlements in the West Bank. Two lawmakers, including one from Netanyahu's party, have proposed such legislation. Netanyahu blocked it from being advanced on Sunday, with officials citing the need to focus on security issues following a confrontation that led to Israeli air strikes in Syria at the weekend. Unilateral annexation of settlements would be sure to draw international outrage, though Netanyahu's government has been bolstered by the unstinting support of US President Donald Trump. Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December in a move praised by Netanyahu as "historic" but denounced by the Palestinians and most of the rest of the world. But as Netanyahu's comments made headlines on Monday and US officials failed to confirm the discussions he spoke of, an Israeli official issued a clarification. Story continues Netanyahu "did not present the United States with specific annexation proposals, and in any case the United States did not give its consent to the proposals", the official said on condition of anonymity. "Israel updated the United States on various proposals raised in the (parliament), and the United States expressed its clear position that it seeks to advance President Trump's peace plan." The official added that Netanyahu's position "is that if the Palestinians persist in their refusal to negotiate peace, Israel will present its own alternatives". - 'Not necessarily sure' - While Israel would expect to retain certain settlements in any two-state peace deal, longstanding international consensus has been that their status must be negotiated. The same consensus has been in place for decades regarding the status of Jerusalem, with the Palestinians wanting the Israeli-annexed eastern sector of the city as the capital of their future state. Israeli settlements are located in what is known as Area C of the West Bank, which accounts for more than 60 percent of the Palestinian territory. Annexing all settlements would leave little space for a Palestinian state. Netanyahu heads what is seen as the most right-wing government in Israeli history, and prominent ministers openly oppose a Palestinian state. Those who oppose a Palestinian state advocate for Israel to annex most of the West Bank, citing Jews' historical ties to the land from the biblical era. Netanyahu says he wants the Palestinians to govern themselves, but in recent months has declined to specify whether that would mean an independent Palestinian state or some lesser form of autonomy. He has stressed recently that Israel must retain security control in the Palestinian territories under any peace arrangement. While Trump has offered strong support of Israel, he said in an interview published Sunday that he was "not necessarily sure" the country was seeking to reach a peace agreement with the Palestinians. "Right now, I would say the Palestinians are not looking to make peace," Trump said in the interview with right-wing Israeli paper Israel Hayom. "And I am not necessarily sure that Israel is looking to make peace." In a rare rebuke, he also said Israeli settlement building "complicates" peace efforts. Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he has discussed legislation with the United States that would annex settlements in the occupied West Bank, but the White House denied it in a rare show of disunity. Netanyahu later issued a clarification somewhat backing away from the deeply controversial statement. Annexing settlements would severely damage remaining prospects for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and draw international outrage, but Netanyahu has been under heavy political pressure to support it. "Regarding the issue of applying sovereignty, I can tell you that I have for some time been speaking with the Americans about it," Netanyahu told lawmakers from his Likud party, according to comments relayed by a spokesman. Netanyahu said he wanted to coordinate any such "historic" move with the United States because of the country's strategic importance to Israel, his spokesman said. Some Israeli media interpreted the comments as the first time Netanyahu expressed support for annexing the settlements. But when it became clear the White House was not confirming the remarks, Netanyahu's office issued a clarification. Netanyahu "did not present the United States with specific annexation proposals, and in any case the United States did not give its consent to the proposals," an Israeli official said on condition of anonymity. "Israel updated the United States on various proposals raised in the (parliament), and the United States expressed its clear position that it seeks to advance President Trump's peace plan." The official added that Netanyahu's position "is that if the Palestinians persist in their refusal to negotiate peace, Israel will present its own alternatives". White House spokesman Josh Raffel said "reports that the United States discussed with Israel an annexation plan for the West Bank are false." Story continues "The United States and Israel have never discussed such a proposal, and the president's focus remains squarely on his Israeli-Palestinian peace initiative." Saeb Erekat, secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, had condemned Netanyahu's earlier remarks as amounting to "land theft" with US complicity. A spokesman for Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas warned such measures could only "lead to more tension and instability". "They will eliminate all international efforts to save the political process," said Nabil Abu Rudeina. - Limits to backing? - Netanyahu faces pressure from right-wing politicians to move ahead with legislation that would apply Israeli sovereignty to settlements in the West Bank. Two lawmakers, including one from Netanyahu's party, have proposed such legislation. Netanyahu blocked it from being advanced on Sunday, with officials citing the need to focus on security issues following a confrontation that led to Israeli air strikes in Syria at the weekend. Israel has sought to take advantage of Trump's strong support, highlighted by his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December, called "historic" by Netanyahu but denounced by the Palestinians and most of the rest of the world. Monday's episode showed there may be limits to Trump's backing as he pledges to reach what he calls the "ultimate deal" -- Israeli-Palestinian peace. While Israel would expect to retain certain settlements in any two-state peace deal, longstanding international consensus has been that their status must be negotiated. The same consensus has been in place for decades regarding the status of Jerusalem, with the Palestinians wanting the Israeli-annexed eastern sector of the city as the capital of their future state. Israeli settlements are located in what is known as Area C of the West Bank, which accounts for more than 60 percent of the Palestinian territory. Annexing all settlements would leave little space for a Palestinian state. Netanyahu heads what is seen as the most right-wing government in Israeli history, and prominent ministers openly oppose a Palestinian state. Those who oppose a Palestinian state advocate for Israel to annex most of the West Bank, citing Jews' historical ties to the land from the biblical era. Netanyahu says he wants the Palestinians to govern themselves, but in recent months has declined to specify whether that would mean an independent Palestinian state or some lesser form of autonomy. He has stressed recently that Israel must retain security control in the Palestinian territories under any peace arrangement. While Trump has offered strong support of Israel, he said in an interview published Sunday that he was "not necessarily sure" the country was seeking to reach a peace agreement with the Palestinians. "Right now, I would say the Palestinians are not looking to make peace," Trump said in the interview with right-wing Israeli paper Israel Hayom. "And I am not necessarily sure that Israel is looking to make peace." In a rare rebuke, he also said Israeli settlement building "complicates" peace efforts. Separately, Abbas met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday. Putin said at the start of the talks that he "just spoke" with Trump on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. mib-jjm-arb-mjs/dv With three weeks to go until protections for certain undocumented immigrants expire, Congress is preparing this week to launch into frenetic debate on immigration reform. What the result will look like, however, is anyones guess. The issue at hand is the fate of Dreamers, the several million individuals who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children. Roughly 700,000 of them are protected under the Obama-era executive program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, which President Donald Trump ended in September. It is slated to expire in the first week of March. After stalling for months on producing a legislative replacement, the Republican-led Senate will open the floor on Monday evening for a uncommon open debate on the issue in which lawmakers will contribute amendments and proposals to an unrelated bill that offers a tabula rasa vehicle for an immigration solution. The debate will likely be freewheeling and open-ended: a sign of the mixed feelings immigration evokes in Congress. There are a lot of different groups, as you know some of them bipartisan, some of them Republicans only discussing the way forward, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters at a press conference last Tuesday. In the Senate, on those rare occasions when we have these kinds of open debates, whoever gets to 60 wins. It will be an opportunity for a thousand flowers to bloom. He stressed that theres no secret plan to push this in any direction. The Senates going to work its will, he said. The greatest disparity of opinion is among the Republicans. (Democrats, for their part, are largely united in their objective: a path to citizenship for Dreamers, with funding for border security thrown in as a compromise.) Moderate Republicans like Sens. Jeff Flake of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina are keen on securing protection though not necessarily immediate citizenship for Dreamers, along with funding for a border wall and an end to the diversity visa lottery, which aims to bring immigrants to the U.S. from underrepresented countries and is a particular bete noire of conservatives. Story continues Some conservatives, like Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and a number of his Republican peers in the House of Representatives, call for a far less generous compromise. A bill introduced on Sunday night by Cotton and other Republicans, called the Secure and Succeed Act of 2018, would provide a path to citizenship for 1.8 million DACA beneficiaries, but also allocate $25 billion for border security, eliminate the diversity visa lottery and drastically curtail so-called chain migration, limiting family-based immigrant visas to spouses and unmarried children younger than 18. This proposal largely echoes the outline provided by Trump in late January. When the debate begins on Monday night, many skeptics will be watching. In a meeting with reporters last week, Flake, who has been an outspoken voice within his own party for a moderate immigration solution, hedged his optimism about reaching a deal. Its tough to see, Flake said. The problem is, right now, most people on the Democratic side see symmetry in the presidents 1.8 million [DACA recipient] figure for the border security money. Theyre saying: we can swallow the wall; its a tough sell among the base, but we can do that in exchange for the 1.8 million.' Republicans, he continued, were less flexible. Most people on my side on the aisle see a different type of symmetry. Symmetry to them would just be an extension of DACA. As soon as you add in a path to citizenship, you have to deal with chain [migration] and a lot of other things. And any bill that passes the Senate then faces an uncertain future in the House. There, Republicans are on the whole far less amenable to compromise with Democrats on the matter of immigration. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan has not committed to any legislative outline, saying only that he would said back a bill that would earn Trumps support. Conservative Republicans in the lower chamber have clamored for a vote on a hardline bill sponsored by Rep. Bob Goodlatte, but even if it sees a vote in the House, it would invariably fail in the Senate. Still, Ryan said he was dedicated to finding a solution in some form. If anyone doubts my intention to solve this problem and bring up a DACA and immigration reform bill, do not, he told reporters last week. We will bring a solution to the floor, one the president will sign. As the Senate starts to debate immigration, two words gaining a lot of traction are chain migration. Also known as family reunification, the process through which immigrants can bring relatives to the U.S., is something the Trump administration is looking to nullify. But what is chain migration, and is it true that it allows immigrants to bring virtually unlimited numbers of distant relatives into the country? Former US President Barack Obama unveils his portrait alongside the portrait's artist, Kehinde Wiley, at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington - AFP Barack Obama has praised the importance of invisible workers who underpin America in an apparent dig at the Republican immigration stance during his official portrait unveiling. The former US president said that the cleaners, food servers and garbage collectors who are so important to the countrys success are too often overlooked. He said such people belong at the centre of American life and warned against simply celebrating the high and the mighty. It comes as the Senate debates whether to grant citizenship to millions of migrants brought to America illegally while children, many of whom now work in the country. Mr Obama gave these so-called dreamer migrants a path to citizenship while in office, however Mr Trump ripped up his presidential protections and instead handed the issue to Congress. Mr Obama was giving a rare public speech at the unveiling of the official portraits of himself and his wife Michelle at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC. His portrait, featuring Mr Obama sitting in a chair before a colourful background of leaves, was painted by Kehinde Wiley while Mrs Obamas was done by Amy Sherald. Former President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama hold hands prior to portraits unveiling at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington Credit: Reuters Discussing what impressed him about Mr Wileys past portraits, Mr Obama mentioned the way they challenged our conventional views of power and privilege. Mr Obama said the artist focused on the beauty and the grace and the dignity of people who are so often invisible in our lives and put them on a grand stage, on a grand scale and force us to look and see them in ways that so often they were not. He added: People in our families, people who helped to build this country, people who helped to build this capitol, people who to this day are making sure that this place is clean at night and serving food and taking out the garbage and doing all the other stuff that makes this country work, so often out of sight and out of mind. Kehinde lifted them up and gave them a platform and said they belong at the centre of American life and that was something that moved me deeply because in my small way thats part of what I believe politics should be about. Story continues Not simply celebrating the high and the mighty, expecting that the country unfolds from the top down but rather that it comes from the bottom up. The comments, while not mentioning immigration or the Republican Party explicitly, come in a week when a fierce political battle about the future of undocumented migrants is playing out in Washington. .@MichelleObama: I am humbled. I am honored. Im proud. But most of all, Im so incredibly grateful to all the people who came before me in this journey. pic.twitter.com/Dyo6mBv5j8 Fox News (@FoxNews) February 12, 2018 The Senate is due to debate immigration legislation all week, though it remains unclear what proposals will be voted on or whether a majority can even be achieved. Mr Trump has proposed giving a path to citizenship for 1.8 million dreamer migrants but only in return for $25 billion to fund his Mexican border wall and tighter rules on legal migration. Mr Obama has largely been reluctant to criticise Mr Trump since leaving in January 2016, in line with predecessors who have held their tongue. During the ceremony on Monday, Mr Obama also joked that he had asked for his portrait to have less grey hair and smaller ears than in real life, but the artist rejected his requests. Meanwhile Mrs Obama said she hopes an official portrait of her will serve as an inspiration to young black women who will see "someone who looks like them" hanging in Washington's National Gallery. Artist Amy Sherald and former first lady Michelle Obama participate in the unveiling of Mrs. Obama's portrait at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington Credit: Reuters She told the audience: "I'm thinking about the young people, particularly girls and girls of colour who in years ahead will come to this place and they will look up and see an image of someone who looks like them...I know the kind of impact that will have on their lives, because I was one of those girls." The paintings were unveiled on Monday at the gallery, which is part of the Smithsonian group of museums. The gallery has a complete collection of presidential portraits. In an emotive speech, Mrs Obama said: "I've never had any portrait done let alone a portrait that will be hanging in the National Gallery. But all those folks who helped me be here today, they're with us physically and in spirit. "I'm thinking of my grandparents... they were all highly intelligent capable men and women. Their dreams and aspirations were limited because of the colour of their skin. Artists Sherald and Wiley gather with Hanks prior to unveiling of Obamas' portraits at the Smithsonian Credit: Reuters "I'm thinking of my dad, who sacrificed everything for me and my brother. And I'm thinking of my mum... always putting herself last. "I'm also thinking of the young people, the young girls who in the years ahead who will come here and see someone who looks like them hanging on the wall of this great institution. And I know what kind of impact that will have on their lives, because I was one of those girls." In a reference to the current political climate, Mrs Obama said: "We have come so far, and yes, as we see today we still have a lot more work to do. But we have every reason to be hopeful and proud." Jacob Zuma leaves Tuynhuys, the office of the Presidency in Cape Town - REUTERS South Africa's ruling party says the scandal-tainted President Jacob Zuma must leave office. Ace Magashule, secretary-general of the African National Congress, confirmed the party's national executive committee has decided to "recall" Mr Zuma, who has been discredited by corruption scandals. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Mr Magashule said Mr Zuma previously had agreed to resign but wanted to stay in office for several more months, a condition that the party committee rejected. If Mr Zuma refuses his party's instruction, the matter could go to parliament for a vote on a motion of no confidence. Mr Zuma's presidency has been marred by corruption scandals, slow economic growth and record unemployment that have fuelled public anger in Africa's most developed country. Cyril Ramaphosa, the deputy president, told a meeting of African National Congresss leaders on Monday night that Mr Zuma had 48 hours to resign or face dismissal in a no-confidence debate in parliament later this week. After a nine-hour meeting, the ANCs 86-member National Executive Committee (NEC) agreed to recall Mr Zuma from his position. Mr Ramaphosa then left the meeting at midnight and took the ultimatum to Mr Zuma at his official residence in Pretoria, according to the South African Broadcasting Corporation and the Cape Times. Profile | Jacob Zuma He told Mr Zuma, whose term as head of state is not up until next year, that if he does not resign by midnight on Wednesday he will be sacked by parliament where the ANC has a 62 per cent majority. All South Africas 13 opposition party MPs would vote with the ANC. Earlier on Monday, in a long and politically charged day, South Africas opposition parties called for parliament to be dissolved and early elections to be held while the ANC remained locked in talks on whether or not to recall Jacob Zuma. Story continues The president has faced a barrage of calls to step down in recent weeks. Mr Ramaphosa has been negotiating with Mr Zuma over the terms of an early exit for days before he called a special meeting of the 86 member NEC, including several cabinet ministers loyal to Mr Zuma, to decide whether or not the party should recall the president. In a speech on Sunday afternoon, Mr Ramaphosa said the matter of Mr Zumas leaving office would be finalised during an NEC meeting. Earlier in the day the SABC, South Africas public broadcaster, reported that Mr Zuma had agreed to step down, but the presidents spokesman denied the reports, calling them fake news. As the talks carried on, several opposition parties issued a joint ultimatum demanding that a vote of no confidence against Mr Zuma, currently scheduled for Feb 22, be moved forward to this week, so that parliament be dissolved and that fresh elections be held. To think that when Zuma leaves our problems are going to disappear, that is disingenuous, said Julius Malema, head of the radical Left Economic Freedom Fighters. The problem is not Zuma. The problem is not Cyril. The problem is the ANC. So the ANC must be voted out. Several cabinet ministers loyal to Mr Zuma and who were in the difficult NEC meeting are likely to lose their jobs when Mr Ramaphosa becomes president of South Africa, either after Mr Zumas resignation or following his departure via the vote of no confidence. Guatemala City (AFP) - The chairman of under-fire British charity group Oxfam International, Juan Alberto Fuentes Knight, was arrested Tuesday in his native Guatemala in a swoop related to government graft allegations, officials said. He was detained along with former president Alvaro Colom, and other members of Colom's 2008-2012 government, in which Fuentes served as finance minister. Fuentes's arrest came as Oxfam is being shaken by revelations that some of its staff used prostitutes in Haiti and Chad, as well as accusations of sexual assault in South Sudan. The allegations have led to the resignation of Oxfam's deputy chief Penny Lawrence and intense scrutiny from the British government, which partly funds the charity, to the tune of $44 million last year. There was no suggestion of any link between the Guatemala graft accusations and the scandal engulfing Oxfam. An Oxfam spokesperson said: "As far as we are aware, no formal charges have been made against Dr Fuentes Knight. He has been entirely open with the Oxfam board and executive about the investigation which began after he was appointed as Oxfam chair." The spokesperson said Fuentes "maintains his innocence and assures us that he has cooperated fully with the investigation." Oxfam International is a confederation of 20 non-governmental organizations that fight poverty in more than 90 countries. London (AFP) - Scandal-hit British charity Oxfam was reeling Tuesday after fresh claims of sexual assault and rape, this time between aid workers in South Sudan. Helen Evans, former global head of safeguarding, also warned of assaults on children volunteering in Oxfam's hundreds of high-street charity shops in Britain. She accused senior managers of failing to act, heaping pressure on chief executive Mark Goldring just hours after his deputy resigned over a scandal involving aid workers' use of prostitutes in Haiti. Evans told Channel 4 News of a survey conducted during her 2012-2015 tenure which exposed a "culture of sexual abuse" in some Oxfam offices. The survey of 120 staff across three countries found between 11 and 14 percent said they witnessed or experienced sexual assault. Seven percent of staff in South Sudan -- four people -- witnessed or experienced rape or attempted rape involving colleagues. - Sex for aid - She said she asked to take her findings to the senior leadership team at Oxfam, but the meeting was cancelled and Goldring said that discussing the report would not take things any further. Later during her tenure, Evans said she received three new allegations in a single day in February 2015, including one woman forced to have sex for aid. "There was one of a woman being coerced to have sex in a humanitarian response by another aid worker, another case where a woman had been coerced to have sex in exchange for aid, and another one where it had come to our attention where a member of staff had been struck off for sexual abuse and hadn't disclosed that," she said. Evans -- now a local councillor in England -- said she "struggled" to understand why senior management did not give her more resources to address the problem. In a separate issue, Channel 4 cited figures showing seven incidents of "inappropriate conduct with children" in Oxfam's shops in 2013/14. One case involving an adult volunteer assaulting a child -- the minimum age for volunteers is 14 -- went to court, Evans said. Story continues Oxfam has been battling accusations it covered up a scandal involving its aid workers in Haiti, which has put government funding at risk and threatens its global reputation. It has denied covering up misconduct allegations against staff members accused of using prostitutes in Haiti following a devastating 2010 earthquake, but admits it could have been more transparent. Oxfam deputy chief Penny Lawrence resigned on Monday, saying: "As programme director at the time, I am ashamed that this happened on my watch and I take full responsibility." London (AFP) - Scandal-hit British charity Oxfam was reeling Tuesday after fresh claims of sexual assault and cover-up in South Sudan, as Haiti's president condemned the behaviour of some of its staff in his country as "undignified and dishonest". The latest revelations by Helen Evans, former global head of safeguarding, heaped pressure on chief executive Mark Goldring just hours after his deputy resigned over a scandal involving aid workers' use of prostitutes in Haiti and Chad. Evans accused senior managers of failing to act and also warned of assaults on children volunteering in Oxfam's hundreds of charity shops in Britain. The charity group's name took another hit on Tuesday when Oxfam International's chairman Juan Alberto Fuentes Knight was arrested in his native Guatemala over government graft allegations unrelated to the sexual assault claims. A spokesman for Oxfam International -- the umbrella group for 20 national and regional affiliates -- said Fuentes "maintains his innocence" and is cooperating "fully with the investigation". The sex scandal was slammed Tuesday by Haitian President Jovenel Moisem who said on Twitter that there was "nothing more undignified and dishonest" than humanitarian aid workers exploiting "needy people". Minister of Planning and External Cooperation Aviol Fleurant condemned "serious sexual crimes" carried out by staff members and said they had used money destined for victims of a devastating 2010 earthquake. Oxfam has been battling accusations it covered up allegations about the use of prostitutes by staff members in Haiti and admitted it could have been more transparent with regulators. Following an internal investigation, some staff members were dismissed and others including country director Roland van Hauwermeiren were allowed to resign. The Times newspaper, which broke the story, reported a fellow aid worker made a complaint about van Hauwermeiren over his alleged sexual misconduct back in 2004 while working for the charity Merlin in Liberia. Story continues - Minnie Driver quits - Evans told Channel 4 News of a survey conducted during her 2012-2015 tenure which exposed a "culture of sexual abuse" in some Oxfam offices. The survey of 120 staff across three countries found between 11 and 14 percent said they witnessed or experienced sexual assault. Seven percent of staff in South Sudan -- four people -- witnessed or experienced rape or attempted rape involving colleagues. The revelations have caused outrage in Britain, where Oxfam received A31.7 million (35.7 million euros, $43.8 million) from the government last year. The charity's deputy chief Penny Lawrence resigned on Monday, saying: "As programme director at the time, I am ashamed that this happened on my watch and I take full responsibility." Actress Minnie Driver became the first Oxfam ambassador to step down from the role late Tuesday. "Devastated for the women who were used by people sent there to help them, devastated by the response of an organisation that I have been raising awareness for since I was nine years old," she wrote on Twitter. - 'Scope for abuse' - Britain's international development ministry has begun a wider review of how the foreign aid sector deals with allegations of sexual misconduct in the workplace. "Emergency situations are almost a perfect environment for these kind of activities to emerge," Mike Jennings, head of the Department of Development Studies at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies, told AFP. "You have extremely vulnerable people... and a few people who are effectively controlling access to resources, or have huge amounts of power," he said. Megan Nobert, who was drugged and raped by a fellow aid worker in South Sudan in 2015, told BBC radio that sexual violence in humanitarian workspaces was a "common occurrence". She drew parallels with the #MeToo campaign of denouncing sexual harassment, which started in Hollywood and has since expanded to different sectors such as the media, politics and the world of music. "The humanitarian community is the latest to have to grapple publicly with an issue that it's been trying to figure out how to respond to quietly," Nobert said. Evans said she asked to take her findings about abuse to the senior leadership team at Oxfam, but the meeting was cancelled and Goldring told her that discussing the report would not take things any further. Later during her tenure, Evans said she received three new allegations in a single day in February 2015, including one woman forced to have sex for aid. Evans -- now a local councillor in England -- said she "struggled" to understand why senior management did not give her more resources to address the problem. In a separate issue, Channel 4 cited figures showing seven incidents of "inappropriate conduct with children" in Oxfam's shops in 2013/14. One case involving an adult volunteer assaulting a child -- the minimum age for volunteers is 14 -- went to court, Evans said. ISLAMABAD/SRINAGAR, India (Reuters) - Pakistan warned India against cross-border strikes in the disputed region of Kashmir after Indian authorities blamed a Pakistan-based group for an attack on an army camp in which soldiers and their families were targeted. Saturday's attack on the camp near Jammu, the winter capital of the revolt-torn state of Jammu and Kashmir, was the worst in months, with five soldiers and the father of one of the soldiers killed and women and children among the ten wounded. India said the heavily armed attackers were members of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militant group, drawing criticism from Pakistan about rushing to judgment without a full inquiry. "It is a well established pattern that Indian officials begin making irresponsible statements and levelling unfounded allegations, even before any proper investigation in any incident has been initiated," Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement. India, it said, was making these allegations to divert attention from its brutality in trying to control the armed revolt in Kashmir, and warned against any retaliatory measures across the Line of Control that divides Kashmir between the nuclear-armed countries. "We hope that the international community would urge India to stop the untold atrocities and gross violations of human rights in IoK (Indian Occupied Kashmir) (and) refrain from any misadventure across the Line of Control..." it said. India has long accused Pakistan of training and arming militants and helping them infiltrate across the heavily militarized Line of Control into Jammu and Kashmir, its only Muslim majority state. The head of the Jammu and Kashmir state police, S.P. Vaid, told reporters over the weekend that they had communications intercepts pointing to the JeM, which has emerged as a top group fighting hundreds of thousands of Indian forces in Kashmir. The army said the attackers wore fatigues and had assault rifles, a grenade launcher and grenades. Story continues In 2016, India said its elite troops had crossed the Line of Control into Pakistan and carried out a raid on militants after 18 soldiers were killed in an attack on an Indian army base in Kashmir. Pakistan denies giving material aid to the fighters in Kashmir and says it only provides diplomatic and moral support to the Kashmiri people in their struggle for self-determination. On Monday, Indian soldiers foiled an attack on another camp in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir. (Reporting by Kay Johnson in Islamabad and Fayaz Bukhari in Srinagar, writing by Rupam Jain in New Delhi, Editing by Sanjeev Miglani and Nick Macfie) By Joseph Ax (Reuters) - Pennsylvania's top court was set to lay out new congressional voting districts for the state after Democratic Governor Tom Wolf on Tuesday rejected a version drawn by Republican legislative leaders as unfairly skewed in their party's favor. In a 5-2 party-line vote, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's Democratic majority last month invalidated the existing map as an unconstitutional gerrymander, ruling that Republican lawmakers marginalized Democratic voters to win more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. A new map is expected to boost Democrats' chances of winning several Pennsylvania seats in November's midterm elections, when they need 24 nationwide to take control of the House from Republicans. Republicans hold 13 of 18 congressional seats in the closely contested swing state. Legal battles are playing out in several U.S. states over partisan gerrymandering, the process by which district lines are manipulated to favor one party over another. Pennsylvania has long been seen as one of the worst offenders, with one of its more oddly shaped districts nicknamed "Goofy Kicking Donald Duck." "The analysis by my team shows that, like the 2011 map, the map submitted to my office by Republican leaders is still a gerrymander," Wolf said in a statement. "Their map clearly seeks to benefit one political party, which is the essence of why the court found the current map to be unconstitutional." Absent an agreement between Wolf and the Republican-controlled legislature, the court plans to draw new lines itself by Monday, with help from an independent redistricting expert. Both sides can submit proposed maps for consideration by Thursday. Republican state legislative leaders called Wolf's pronouncements "absurd" in a letter to the governor. "This entire exercise, while cloaked in 'litigation,' is and has been nothing more than the ultimate partisan gerrymander," wrote House Speaker Mike Turzai and Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati. Story continues Republicans have also threatened a federal lawsuit challenging the court's mapmaking authority. The U.S. Supreme Court last week rejected Republicans' appeal of the state court's ruling. Any new map would likely result in incumbents, candidates and thousands of voters suddenly living in new districts, ahead of May's primary elections. Wolf's office retained Moon Duchin, a Tufts University mathematician, to analyze the Republican proposal. In a statement, Duchin said she calculated there was a 1-in-1,000 chance that a map drafted to comply with the court's order would result in such a large advantage for Republicans. "The proposed Joint Submission Plan is extremely, and unnecessarily, partisan," she said. (Reporting by Joseph Ax in New York; Editing by Scott Malone and Jonathan Oatis) Ohio authorities are investigating after a mothers Facebook complaint that her ex-husband cut their daughters hair as punishment for getting highlights went viral. Tens of thousands of people have seen and shared Christin Johnsons Facebook post, which features three photos: one of a smiling young woman with long hair, and then two of a short-haired person hiding her face. This is what my daughter looked like Sunday when I took her home and the other two pics is what happened today before she was brought to me... all over me having highlights put in her hair for her birthday, Ms Johnson wrote. The Haskins Police Department has confirmed it investigated Ms Johnsons complaint alleging that the daughters father and stepmother forcibly cut her hair. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Ive been doing this since 92 and Ive never had a case, I would say, thats like this, Haskins Police Chief Colby Carroll told Fox8. Mom was upset with how her child was being cared for. A spokesman for the department said the case had been turned over to the county child services department and that no charges had been filed. A representative for the Wood County Jobs & Family Services department did not respond to The Independents request for comment. The local fire department, where the father and stepmother reportedly volunteer, confirmed that it had suspended them while it conducted its own investigation. It is our firmest duty to protect the citizens of Middleton Township and keep the public informed with pertinent information as it develops, the Middleton Township Fire Department said in a statement. San Juan (AFP) - Most of San Juan and a strip of northern Puerto Rico municipalities were plunged into darkness Sunday night after an explosion at a power station, five months after two hurricanes destroyed the island's electricity network. The state electric power authority (AEE) said the blast was caused by a broken-down switch in Rio Piedras, resulting in a blackout in central San Juan and Palo Seco in the north. "We have personnel working to restore the system as soon as possible," the AEE said. San Juan's mayor, Carmen Yulin Cruz, said on Twitter that emergency services and local officials attended the scene in the neighborhood of Monacillos, but no injuries were reported. Meanwhile, the Puerto Rican capital's airport said it was maintaining its schedule using emergency generators. The blackout comes as nearly 500,000 of AEE's 1.6 million customers remain without power since Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck the US territory in September 2017. AEE engineer Jorge Bracero warned on Twitter that the outage was "serious," and advised those affected that power would not be restored until Monday. Last week, news broke that Rob Porter, one of the presidents aides, had been accused of physical abuse by both of his ex-wives, who abruptly resigned from his position at the White House. The news upset many, and only more so once the president came out in support of his former aide. While Porter denied the allegations, the president tweeted over the weekend, accusing false allegations of ruining peoples lives and of course, many took it to mean that Trump stands by his former aide. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Peoples [sic] lives are being shattered and destroyed by a mere allegation, the president tweeted Saturday morning. Some are true and some are false. Some are old and some are new. There is no recovery for someone falsely accused life and career are gone. Is there no such thing any longer as Due Process? Porters ex-wives both spoke with CNN Wednesday to outline their allegations, with his first wife, Colbie Holderness alleging that the Porter first abused her during their honeymoon in 2003, when she alleged that Porter kicked her during a fight. Holderness also accused her ex of punching her in the eye while the pair were in Italy on a separate vacation in 2005. Porters second ex-wife Jennifer Willoughby told the network that she mostly suffered verbal abuse from Porter, beginning during her honeymoon in 2009. He started calling me names, calling me a f*cking bitch, how I behaved was f*cking ridiculous and most of that was instigated around my not having sex with him often enough on our honeymoon, Willoughby said. She also accused Porter of physically assaulting her once in 2010, which resulted in police recommending that Willoughby take out a temporary protective order against Porter. A third, unnamed woman has also accused Porter of abuse as recently as 2016. The presidents assertion this weekend that individuals accused of assault or abuse lose their careers is a false one. The president himself has nearly 20 active claims of assault against him but it didnt stop him from being elected to the highest office in the country. Men like Bill Cosby, Johnny Depp, and others remain in profitable careers even after allegations of abuse. Story continues Besides that, false allegations are very rare. Trumps tweet in apparent support of Porter prompted many on Twitter to call the president out for his previous false allegations, most famously against the Central Park Five five young racialized men (four of whom were Black and one Hispanic) who were falsely accused of assaulting a white female jogger in 1989, and spent between six and 13 years in prison for the crime that DNA evidence would later prove they did not commit. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. What do you think of the presidents tweet? Let us know @BritandCo! (Photos via Mark Wilson/Getty Images) You Might Also Like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle headed to Scotland on Tuesday for their first official joint visit to the country. The two greeted adoring fans lining the streets of Edinburgh, despite the rain. Kensington Palace said they planned to visit Edinburgh Castle, drop by a cafe that employs the homeless, and will end their day with a reception celebrating youth achievement at Holyroodhouse, the Queens Scottish palace. Despite the warm welcome, Harry got a rather icy reception from Corporal Cruachan IV, a Shetland pony and mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. The pony tried to take a bite out of Harrys hand more than a few times. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Hey! the prince said at one point, narrowly avoiding a bite. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Probably wise not to get too close! (Photo: Mark Cuthbert via Getty Images) For the occasion, Markle wore a few pieces that were a subtle nod to Scotland. She paired a black bodysuit and wide-legged pants from Veronica Beard with a Burberry tartan coat that retails for $2,765. The coat was the perfect statement for the occasion, as the tartan pattern is often associated with the Scottish. The coat is a part of Scottish designer Christopher Kanes runway collection for the British design house, Burberry. Markle accessorized with a purse from the brand Strathberry, an Edinburgh-based luxury label, according to People. Such a gorgeous coat. (Photo: Chris Jackson via Getty Images) Markle, who is an American but will become a British citizen before her wedding, is wearing more and more British labels. (Photo: Karwai Tang via Getty Images) Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visit a cafe and social business called Social Bite. (Photo: POOL New / Reuters) The two only have a few more months until their big day on May 19. Kensington Palace recently released more details about the royal wedding, which will start around 7 a.m. EST. After exchanging vows, Prince Harry and the former American actress will hop into a carriage to ride around the town of Windsor around 8 a.m. EST. Mark your calendars and set your alarms now! Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. Related... Why Prince Harry And Meghan Hold Hands But Prince William And Kate Rarely Do Here's What To Expect At Prince Harry And Meghan Markle's Royal Wedding Kensington Palace Shares All The Royal Wedding Date Details You Need To Know Also on HuffPost Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens, Kensington Palace on Nov. 27, 2017 in London, England. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens, Kensington Palace on Nov. 27, 2017 in London, England. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens, Kensington Palace on Nov. 27, 2017 in London, England. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend the Wheelchair Tennis on day 3 of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 at Nathan Philips Square on Sept. 25, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are seen at the Closing Ceremony on day 8 of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 at the Air Canada Centre on Sept. 30, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are seen at the Closing Ceremony on day 8 of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 at the Air Canada Centre on Sept. 30, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are seen at the Closing Ceremony on day 8 of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 at the Air Canada Centre on Sept. 30, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are seen at the Closing Ceremony on day 8 of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 at the Air Canada Centre on Sept. 30, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are seen at the Closing Ceremony on day 8 of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 at the Air Canada Centre on Sept. 30, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are seen at the Closing Ceremony on day 8 of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 at the Air Canada Centre on Sept. 30, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Kuwait City (AFP) - US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday called for an end to the more than seven-month dispute between a Saudi-led bloc and Qatar, warning it is harming regional security. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt broke off ties with Qatar in June, accusing it of supporting extremists and being too close to Iran, Riyadh's arch-rival. Qatar denies the allegations and accuses the bloc of aiming to incite regime change. Tillerson, in Kuwait for a meeting of the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group, said the United States was working to settle the Gulf dispute. "This type of division is counterproductive to the security of the region," the top US diplomat said, speaking alongside his Kuwaiti counterpart at the meeting. Qatar is home to the largest US airbase in the Middle East, Al-Udeid, which houses some 10,000 American troops and has been key in the war against IS. Countless stories are contained within the theme chosen for 2018s Black History Month observance, African Americans in Times of War. From the famed Tuskegee Airmen to the disproportionately large number of African-American men who fought in Vietnam, African-Americans have been part of Americas military history since the very beginning. On the anniversary of President Abraham Lincolns Feb. 12, 1809, birth, one particular slice of that history is likely to be brought to mind: the Civil War. One of the most poignant reminders that the African-Americans experience of military service has not always been the same as that of other servicemembers comes courtesy of a man named James Henry Gooding, whose explanation of one part of that problem directed at none other than Lincoln himself puts the situation in stark terms. We have done a Soldiers Duty, he stated. Why cant we have a Soldiers pay? As explained by Chris Barr, a guide at the National Park Services Andersonville National Historic Site, Gooding was born enslaved in 1838, but his freedom was purchased (perhaps by his father) and he was sent to school in New York City as a child. Although he made a good living in the whaling industry at the time of the Civil War, he was driven to enlist in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry in February of 1863, shortly after the Union Army began to allow black soldiers to join. His letters from the front were published in his local paper in the months that followed, but it was a different letter that has become particularly famous in the years since. On Sept. 28, 1863, from Morris Island, S.C., Corporal Gooding wrote a letter to President Abraham Lincoln, the original of which is held in the National Archives. As Gooding explained in his letter, he and the other black soldiers with whom he served received $3 less per pay period than white soldiers did. But this didnt make sense: not only were they risking their lives just as much, but they were also uniquely familiar with the iron heel of oppression that the Union fought against. Story continues A few months later, however, he was captured in battle and taken to the prisoner-of-war camp at Andersonville. While he was there, Congress in fact equalized pay for black Union troops, just as he desired but Gooding died a prisoner just weeks later. Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter Read the full text of the letter below, as transcribed for the book Free at Last: A Documentary History of Slavery, Freedom, and the Civil War. Your Excelency will pardon the presumtion of an humble individual like myself, in addressing you. but the earnest Solicitation of my Comrades in Arms, besides the genuine interest felt by myself in the matter is my excuse, for placing before the Executive head of the Nation our Common Grievance: On the 6th of the last Month, the Paymaster of the department, informed us, that if we would decide to recieve the sum of $10 (ten dollars) per month, he would come and pay us that sum, but, that, on the sitting of Congress, the Regt would, in his opinion, be allowed the other 3 (three.) He did not give us any guarantee that this would be, as he hoped, certainly he had no authority for making any such guarantee, and we can not supose him acting in any way interested. Now the main question is. Are we Soldiers, or are we LABOURERS. We are fully armed, and equipped, have done all the various Duties, pertaining to a Soldiers life, have conducted ourselves, to the complete satisfaction of General Officers, who, were if any, prejudiced against us, but who now accord us all the encouragement, and honour due us: have shared the perils, and Labour, of Reducing the first stronghold, that flaunted a Traitor Flag: and more, Mr President. Today, the Anglo Saxon Mother, Wife, or Sister, are not alone, in tears for departed Sons, Husbands, and Brothers. The patient Trusting Decendants of Africs Clime, have dyed the ground with blood, in defense of the Union, and Democracy. Men too your Excellency, who know in a measure, the cruelties of the Iron heel of oppression, which in years gone by, the very Power, their blood is now being spilled to maintain, ever ground them to the dust. But When the war trumpet sounded oer the land, when men knew not the Friend from the Traitor, the Black man laid his life at the Altar of the Nation, -and he was refused. When the arms of the Union, were beaten, in the first year of the War, And the Executive called more food. for its ravaging maw, again the black man begged, the privelege of Aiding his Country in her need, to be again refused, And now, he is in the War: and how has he conducted himself? Let their dusky forms, rise up, out the mires of James Island, and give the answer. Let the rich mould around Wagners parapets be upturned, and there will be found an Eloquent answer. Obedient and patient, and Solid as a wall are they. all we lack, is a paler hue, and a better acquaintance with the Alphabet. Now Your Excellency, We have done a Soldiers Duty. Why cant we have a Soldiers pay? You caution the Rebel Chieftain, that the United States, knows, no distinction, in her Soldiers: She insists on having all her Soldiers, or whatever, creed or Color, to be treated, according to the usages of War. Now if the United States exacts uniformity of treatment of her Soldiers, from the Insurgents, would it not be well, and consistent, to set the example herself, by paying all her Soldiers alike? We of this Regt. were not enlisted under any contraband act. But we do not wish to be understood, as rating our Service, of more Value to the Government, than the service of the exslave, Their Service is undoubtedly worth much to the Nation, but Congress made express, provision touching their case, as slaves freed by military necessity, and assuming the Government, to be their temporary Gaurdian:Not so with us Freemen by birth, and consequently, having the advantage of thinking, and acting for ourselves, so far as the Laws would allow us. We do not consider ourselves fit subjects for the Contraband act. We appeal to You, Sir: as the Executive of the Nation, to have us Justly Dealt with. The Regt, do pray, that they be assured their service will be fairly appreciated, by paying them as american SOLDIERS, not as menial hierlings. Black men You may well know, are poor, three dollars per month, for a year, will suply their needy Wives, and little ones, with fuel. If you, as chief Magistrate of the Nation, will assure us, of our whole pay. We are content, our Patriotism, our enthusiasm will have a new impetus, to exert our energy more and more to aid Our Country. Not that our hearts ever flagged, in Devotion, spite the evident apathy displayed in our behalf, but We feel as though, our Country spurned us, now we are sworn to serve her. James Henry Gooding Copyright 1992 by The New Press. This excerpt originally appeared in Free At Last: A Documentary History of Slavery, Freedom, and the Civil War edited by Ira Berlin, Barbara J. Fields, Steven F. Miller, Joseph P. Reidy & Leslie S. Rowland, published by The New Press. Reprinted here with permission. Kevin Nicholson is attempting to unseat Democrat Senator Tammy Baldwin: Alex Wong/Getty Images The parents of a Republican Senate candidate in Wisconsin have donated to the Democrat he hopes to unseat in November. Federal records show that Michael and Donna Nicholson, parents of candidate Kevin Nicholson, both gave the maximum $2,700 donation in December to Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin. The amount is the largest allowed under FEC rules during the primary election, but they can give the same amount again during the general election. CNN was the first to report the donation, which was made in December 2017. Mr Nicholson announced last July he would seek the Republican nomination for US Senate in Wisconsin. His mother, Donna, has a history of donating to liberal candidates, but it is the first time both his parents have donated the maximum amount. My parents have a different worldview than I do, Mr Nicholson, a former Democrat, told CNN. It is not surprising that they would support a candidate like Tammy Baldwin who shares their perspective. Mr Nicholson became president of the College Democrats of America in 1999 while at the University of Minnesota. The role involved a position in the Democratic National Committee in Washington and a speaking opportunity at the partys 2000 convention. But Mr Nicholson has said he became disillusioned with the Democratic Party after serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. We were stabilising that country. We made incredible amounts of progress. And what I was hearing back home was a complete and absolute lie, as politicians were running around calling it a failure, he told Politico. When he returned to the US in November 2007, Mr Nicholson supported Republican Senator John McCain's ultimately unsuccessful bid for President. Mr McCain lost to Barack Obama in 2008. Mr Nicholson would have to win the Republican Senate primary in Wisconsin before being able to face off against Ms Baldwin, who is still expected to win the state's Democratic primary. President Donald Trump won Wisconsin in 2016. Story continues But in January, the states Republican Governor Scott Walker issued a warning to Republicans following a Democratic victory in a Republican-leaning district. In a special election on Tuesday, Democrat Patty Schachtner won the states 10th Senate District, which had voted heavily for Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election. Mr Walker called Ms Schachtners win a wake up call for Republicans in the state. Kris Osborn Security, North America The U.S. Army and Air Force are teaming up with a series of new Wargames to develop new cross-domain warfare doctrine. Revealed: The Army and Air Force Are Working on New War Plans for the Future The Army and the Air Force are launching a new, collaborative war-gaming operation to assess future combat scenarios and, ultimately, co-author a new inter-service cross-domain combat doctrine. The concept of cross-domain fires, something inspiring fast-growing attention at the Pentagon, is grounded in the premise that future war challenges will require air, land, sea, space and cyberspace synergies to a much greater extent than may have been envisioned years ago. Operating within this concept, Army TRADOC Commander Gen. David Perking and Air Force Air Combat Command Commanding General are launching a new series of tabletop exercises to replicate and explore future warfare scenarios the kind of conflicts expected to require technologically advanced Army-Air Force integration. In a Pentagon report, Holmes said the joint wargaming effort will turn into a doctrine and concept that we can agree on. Such a development would mark a substantial step beyond prior military thinking, which at times over the years has been slightly more stove-piped in its approach to military service doctrines. Interestingly, the new initiative may incorporate and also adjust some of the tenants informing the 1980s Air-Land Battle Doctrine; this concept, which came to fruition during the Cold War, was focused on integrated air-ground combat coordination to counter a large, mechanized force in major warfare. While AirLand battle was aimed primarily at the Soviet Union decades ago, new Army-Air Force strategy in todays threat environment will also most certainly address the possibility of major war with an advanced adversary like Russia or China. In fact, the Armys new Operations 3.0 doctrine already explores this phenomenon, as it seeks to pivot the force from more than a decade of counterinsurgency to preparedness for massive force-on-force warfare. Story continues Recommended: America Has Military Options for North Korea (but They're All Bad) Recommended: 1,700 Planes Ready for War: Everything You Need To Know About China's Air Force Recommended: Stealth vs. North Koreas Air Defenses: Who Wins? Jumping more than 40 years into the future beyond AirLand Battle into to todays threat climate, the notion of cross-domain warfare has an entirely new and more expansive meaning. No longer would the Air Force merely need to support advancing armored vehicles with both air cover and forward strikes, as is articulated in Air-Land Battle, but an Air Force operating in todays war environment would need to integrate multiple new domains, such as cyber and space. After all, drones, laser attacks, cyber intrusions and electronic warfare (EW) tactics were hardly on the map in the 1980s. Forces today would need to harden air-ground communications against cyber and EW attacks, network long-range sensor and targeting technology and respond to technologically-advanced near-peer attack platforms, such as 5th-generation stealth fighters or weaponized space assets. These considerations are at the heart of the Army-Air Force initiative. A recent article in the National Defense University Press, authored by Holmes and Perkins, defines the parameters of this emerging Army-Air Force cross-domain initiative. The rate and speed of current and future world events will not allow us the time to synchronize federated solutions. In order to present the enemy with multiple dilemmas, we must converge and integrate our solutions and approaches before the battle starts. We must also become sensor-shooter agnostic in all our platforms, and we must develop a common operating picture, the article in the National Defense University Press states. While the particulars of any new doctrine have yet to be determined, based in large measure upon what is learned through these upcoming war games, the U.S. military services are already moving forward testing and advancing the broad parameters of cross-domain fires. At exercises such as Northern Edge, fighter aircraft have been used in close coordination with Army ground weapons and surface ships to identify and attack targets together in a coordinated fashion. One senior Army official, speaking at length to Warrior Maven, explained that many current mobile ground-attack systems, such as artillery, can be used and adapted for attacks on air and sea enemy targets. To cite an example, the senior official said an Army M777 Howitzer could be used in strategically vital areas, such as the South China Sea, to hold enemy aircraft or enemy ships at-risk. The Armys Program Executive Office Missiles and Space, as part of this strategic effort, is currently pursuing software upgrades to the ATACMS missile to better enable the weapon to hit targets at sea. These concepts, which seek to envision roles and dynamics not initially envisioned for a ground-to-ground weapon, comprise the conceptual epicenter of cross-domain fires. The notion of Cross-Domain fires is woven into the recognition that new sensor technologies, faster computer processing and things like artificial intelligence increasingly enable attack platforms to function as sensors nodes on a larger, joint, integrated combat enterprise. A uniquely modern element of this hinges upon the rapid evolution of networking technologies connecting domains in real-time to shorten sensor-to-shooter time and respond to the widest possible range of threats in combat. The Armys emerging Integrated Battle Command System is engineered for the purpose of networking nodes within a broader combat apparatus, able to detect threats and relay information across domains. For instance, a land-based sentinel radar could cue a Patriot missile battery or air-attack platform. Operating through modern command and control systems, aerial ISR nodes could identify targets and relay coordinates to surface ships or ground weapons using next-generation datalinks. The Air Force plans to actualize key aspects of this with, for instance, LINK 16 upgrades to the F-22 that enable it to improv data-sharing with the F-35 and 4th-generation aircraft in real-time in combat. The F-22 program is developing enhanced 5th-to-5th generation and 5th-to-4th generation aircraft communications via the TACLink 16 program, Capt. Emily Grabowski, Air Force Spokeswoman, told Warrior Maven. Grabowski added that this program includes hardware and software modifications to field LINK 16 transmit on the F-22. While not eliminating the need for voice communication, transmitting and receiving via LINK 16 datalinks can expedite data- and video-sharing, target coordination and more secure non-voice connectivity. Air Force officials tell Warrior Maven that cross-domain operations are currently figuring prominently in the ongoing Red Flag exercise at Nellis AFB, Nevada. Exercises, such as Red Flag, ensure we and our allies are ready to respond to contingencies by providing realistic, advanced, multi-domain combat training in a contested, degraded and operationally-limited environment employing assets in air, space and cyberspace, Maj. Christina Sukach, Public Affairs Chief, 99 Air Base Wing, told Warrior Maven. The Red Flag combat exercises, while not discussed in detail by Air Force officials, did assess the challenge of cross-domain connectivity in a GPS-denied environment. This scenario, wherein satellites are attacked or disabled by enemy weapons, speaks to the importance and challenge of cross-domain fires. Both the Army and the Air Force are currently exploring a wide range of high-bandwidth frequencies and other communications technologies able generate what the military calls Positioning, Navigation and Timing, in the absence of GPS. These moves are of great relevance to the emerging Army-Air Force cross-domain effort because both services currently rely heavily upon GPS for combat systems. The Armys Blue Force Tracker and handheld navigation systems, coupled with Air Force JDAMS air-ground coordination are all, at the moment, reliant upon GPS. Any new cross-domain doctrine, it therefore stands to reason, would need extend these efforts to specifically incorporate Army-Air Force combat connectivity in a war without GPS. This article by Kris Osborn originally appeared on Warrior Maven. Image: Flickr Read full article MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Monday it could take two to five months to exit a global oil output cut deal with OPEC and non-OPEC countries if and when such a decision was taken, the Interfax news agency reported. Global producers late last year extended a global oil output cut deal between members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and non-OPEC states until the end of 2018. The duration of that deal is expected to be reviewed at OPEC's next meeting in June when member countries will consider the current oil price and forecast prices when considering what action, if any, to take. "It could take three, four, five months or maybe just two (to exit the deal)," Novak said in an interview with Interfax. He said that an exact time frame for exiting the deal would be discussed when participating countries decided to end it. "Everyone supports this scenario," Novak said. "Our goal was to take surplus oil away from the market. At the moment, we see that this goal is achieved by two thirds," Interfax cited him as saying. "We cannot rule out that the target level for global oil reserves may be reached by the end of 2018." Novak said any decision about a gradual exit from the deal would be taken once global oil reserves had fallen back to their five-year average. (Reporting by Andrew Osborn; Writing by Maria Tsvetkova; Editing by Adrian Croft) Moscow (AFP) - Russian citizens died last week in eastern Syria, where a US-led coalition bombed pro-regime fighters to fend off an attack on its local allies, groups representing them said Monday. Vladimir Loginov, a 52-year-old from Russia's western Kaliningrad region "died in an unequal battle in the area of Syria's Deir Ezzor," according to a statement by the Baltic Cossack Union in Kaliningrad. The statement said Loginov was "heroically defending our Motherland in its far reaches from crazy savages" when he was killed on February 7. The local Cossack ataman (leader) Maksim Buga told AFP that Loginov had been a sapper working in Syria as a volunteer with other Cossacks since late last year. Buga could not explain the exact circumstances of the "battle", but it happened the same day the US-led coalition killed at least 100 regime and allied fighters in Deir Ezzor province, after positions held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces were attacked by pro-regime fighters. At the time of the attack, the Russian defence ministry said "there are no Russian servicemen in Deir-Ezzor". However, many Russian citizens are fighting in Syria as mercenaries working for a private military company called Wagner, according to numerous reports. Another Russian, Kirill Ananyev, was also killed in Syria on February 7, the nationalist Other Russia organisation said on its VK social networking page. Ananyev was killed "in battle on the Euphrates near the Syrian town Khsham," the group said. Buga said he "cannot say" whether Loginov fought for Wagner, though he said he "probably received payments" for his "volunteer" involvement. "Our Cossacks are there as part of a volunteer group," he told AFP. Cossacks are a paramilitary pro-Russian association dating back to tsarist times. In October, two Russian citizens were captured by the Islamic State group, their respective paramilitary associations said. A brother of one of the men said he was in Syria with Wagner. Story continues Their fate is unknown. Conflict Intelligence Team, which monitors social networks for information about Russians in Syria, said at least three other Russians also died in Deir Ezzor on February 7. - Presidential politics - Russian liberal presidential candidate Grigory Yavlinsky on Monday called on President Vladimir Putin to explain why many Russians appear to have died in clashes last week. "If massive Russian casualties took place, then relevant officials... must announce this to the country and find out who is responsible," Yavlinsky, who is running on the ticket of the opposition Yabloko party in the March polls, wrote on Facebook. "I demand to explain why Russian citizens are participating in ground operations in Syria despite declarations by the president and defence minister about the pullout of troops from this country," he wrote. The Russian military has fought a campaign for over two years in Syria, launched in September 2015 in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, helping to turn around the multi-front war. Putin said in December that Moscow's military brief in the Syrian conflict has been largely completed and ordered a partial pullout of the country's troops. United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The United Nations is in talks with North Korea over its unpaid dues, which Pyongyang said it could not settle because of banking sanctions, a spokesman said Monday. North Korean Ambassador Ja Song Nam met Friday with the UN head of management to discuss the money owed to the world body. North Korea maintains that it is unable to transfer nearly $121,500 owed to the United Nations after its Foreign Trade Bank, which handles most foreign currency exchanges, was put on a sanctions blacklist in August. In a statement, the North Korean mission slammed "illegal and unlawful" sanctions for preventing Pyongyang from "honoring its obligation as a UN member-state." Countries that fail to pay their dues can eventually lose their voting rights at the UN General Assembly, if the amount totals more than the two previous year's contributions. UN management chief Jan Beagle told the North Korean mission "that the UN would work with them to try to find a way through which they could pay," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. One solution would be for North Korea to open an account at the UN Federal Credit Union, which serves mostly UN employees. There are currently eight countries that have lost their voting rights due to arrears: the Central African Republic, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Libya, Suriname, Venezuela and Yemen. Led by the United States, the Security Council last year imposed three new sets of sanctions on North Korea aimed at piling pressure on Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear and missile tests. The United States wants to isolate North Korea by cutting off its access to international banking. Reports suggest high number of casualties in Deir Ezzor region US officials say airstrikes carried out against pro-regime force Syrian government forces in Deir Ezzor. US officials said the forces who attacked their allies were fighting on the side of Bashar al-Assads regime. Photograph: George Ourfalian/AFP/Getty Images Scores of Russian mercenaries were reportedly killed when US forces carried out air strikes against a pro-regime force in eastern Syria last week, according to US and Russian reports. If the high estimates of Russian casualties are confirmed, it would be the most lethal clash between US and Russian citizens since the end of the cold war, and it comes at a time when proxy forces in Syria are increasingly coming into contact, as they compete for territory vacated by retreating Islamic State militants. Bloomberg News quoted Russian sources as saying as many as 200 Russian nationals could have been killed in a clash last Wednesday and Thursday around the oil fields of Deir Ezzor region between forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad and a Kurdish-led opposition force supported by US advisers. The New York Times said that Russian and Syrian officials had estimated that dozens of Russians had been killed. US Central Command said on Tuesday that US forces came under fire from a tank, and that they responded with three hours of intense strikes from drones and B-52 bombers against the attackers, which it described as a unit of 300 to 500 fighters. Air force Lt Gen Jeffrey Harrigan said US advisers had been in an operating base alongside units of the mostly-Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the course of anti-Isis operations, when they came under tank fire. He added that the senior officer at the base called in airstrikes in response. Harrigan said the attacking forces were fighting on the side of Bashar al-Assads regime, but said he would not speculate on the composition of this force, or whose control they were under. He said: This is a hostile force that was coming after our partners and coalition advisers so we are going to defend ourselves. The Conflict Intelligence Team, a group of well-respected Russian online researchers, said it had found three Twitter posts announcing the deaths of Russian mercenaries in Syria on 7 February. Story continues It is beyond doubt that this incident indeed took place. It is notable that the posts about their deaths emerged rather quickly relatives and colleagues often learn of Russian mercenaries deaths weeks or even months after the fact, the group said in a post. Grigory Yavlinsky, an opposition politician, said that if Russian citizens had been killed in large numbers, Vladimir Putin and other officials owed the country an explanation. I demand an explanation as to why Russian nationals take part in ground military operations in Syria, despite the statements by the president and defense minister that Russian military formations will be withdrawn from this country, Yavlinsky said. Without mentioning the incident directly, Russias foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, warned on Tuesday that Americans have taken dangerous unilateral steps in Syria in siding with SDF forces, who control an extensive region in northern Syria. Those steps look increasingly as part of efforts to create a quasi-state on a large part of Syrian territory from the eastern bank of the Euphrates all the way to the border with Iraq, Lavrov said, in remarks that highlighted the geopolitical jostling in Syria in the wake of the fight against Isis. Igor Strelkov, a nationalist army veteran who was instrumental in Russias military operations in eastern Ukraine but now opposes the Kremlin, said in an online post that the deaths should be a warning for any Russians considering going to Syria to earn [money]. Dmitry Peskov, Putins spokesman, said the Kremlin had no information about the deaths of any Russian mercenaries in Syria. We only deal with the data that concerns Russian forces servicemen, he said. We dont have data about other Russians who could be in Syria. Secret documents detailing special prosecutor Ken Starrs investigation of President Bill Clinton will reportedly be unsealed following a federal courts ruling Monday and could be used as a roadmap for Special Counsel Robert Muellers probe into possible collusion between President Donald Trumps campaign and Russia. Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell, of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, stated that the court would release some of the documents, per CNNs request, but that the court will also review other documents and determine if those will be made public. Among other things, the documents reportedly describe how Starrs team and Clintons attorneys negotiated for six months before the president sat down for an interview under oath. Trending: Black Panther Owes its Success to Heroes of Color Who Paved the Way Howell explained that some of the records should have been made public before, but that no proper direction had been given for their release. Howell is also the judge likely to oversee Muellers grand jury in Washington, D.C., according to The National Law Journal. GettyImages-632239204 AFP via Getty Images/Molly Riley "Apparently, after issuance of the Starr Report, no specific direction was provided to the Clerk's Office as to which documents included in the Starr Report were to be disclosed, and the Clerk's Office rightfully carefully maintains the confidentiality of sealed matters unless expressly directed to unseal records, Howell wrote in her ruling. Don't miss: Dog Running as a Republican in Kansas Governor Race Has Bid Rejected Still, some records are being kept secret, with the Justice Department being given until February 23 to respond to requests to make them public. Story continues A potential showdown between Mueller and Trump has weighed heavily on the presidents lawyers and his allies. Trumps attorneys are reportedly worried about the presidents manner of speaking and afraid he could lie to the special counsel, even unwittingly, and have encouraged him not to meet with Mueller. Others, like Trump confidant Roger Stone, have long stated that Mueller intends to charge Trump and that the president could be walking into a perjury trap if he were to be interviewed. Trump, who has repeatedly denied any collusion between his campaign and Russia to win the 2016 election, labeling the special counsels probe a witch hunt, has said publicly that he would be happy to speak to Muellers team under oath. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek How much does your co-worker make? Its a question we all ask ourselves, and oftentimes, we never get the answer. But work culture is starting to shift, and more and more American workers are discussing their salaries with co-workers. In 2014, Whole Foods started an open policy where employees could look up anyones salary from the previous year. And the social media company Buffer made headlines when it made every employees salary public. Even so, the process of asking can be awkward. Here are some of the benefits of sharing your salary, and a few obstacles you may encounter along the way. The benefits Addresses gender pay gap A 2016 Glassdoor study looked at 505,000 salaries shared by full-time U.S. employees. From those numbers it found that, on average, men earn 24.1% more in base pay than women. However, that gap fell to 5.4% for workers when the same job title, employer and location were compared. While more attention is being paid to the gender wage gap, its still having a negative impact on the wallets of American women. Over a lifetime, that is a loss of tens of thousands to even millions of dollars for women, said Sarah Stoddard, Glassdoors career trends expert. By embracing greater transparency in the workplace, companies can truly evaluate their pay policies and help to eliminate these gaps. Strengthens negotiations Sharing your salary can help you secure higher pay. If your co-worker is doing the same job but is making more money, it gives you a valuable tool when you head into salary negotiations. Improves work environment If you dont know how much your co-worker makes, theres a good chance youll overestimate their salary. In some cases, this could lead to resentment and feelings of frustration and anger in the workplace. On the flipside, a 2013 study by Emilio Huet-Vaughn, an assistant professor of economics at Middlebury College, found that employees were more productive when they knew and could compare their salaries with those of other workers. Story continues A similar study found that participants were more likely to work together when they understood the companys pay structure. The obstacles Even though sharing your salary could be beneficial for you, it could also be met with opposition. Here are a few reasons your co-workers might stay mum about their earnings. Should you share your salary? Age A recent survey from the financial blog Cashlorette found that 33% of older millennials (ages 27-36) openly shared their salary with co-workers. This was more than any other group. Only 8% of baby boomers (ages 53-71) disclosed their pay to co-workers, likely because they adhere to the traditional idea that its rude to discuss money. Overall, just 20% of the respondents said they shared their salaries with co-workers, so dont take it personally if a co-worker decides to keep their salary private. Pride The Cashlorette survey found that employees making less than $30,000 are less likely to share their salary with others. The biggest obstacle to salary transparency is pride and fear, said Stoddard. Those can be mitigated by organizations that have open conversations about pay ranges for positions within their company. How to talk money Talking about your salary with co-workers will not be a one-size-fits-all approach. Before you start the conversation, it would be a good idea to compare your salary with those of other people in the job market by using a site like Glassdoor. Its Know Your Worth tool gives you an estimate of your salary based on your title, company, location and experience. Payscale has a similar feature. If you see large discrepancies between your pay and the current job market, it may be time to gain some insights from colleagues. Try to select an employee who has a similar title and job responsibilities. You might get some resistance, and thats OK. Instead of asking for a precise figure, ask your co-worker for a range theyd be comfortable with. This will allow them to speak in general terms without feeling too exposed. With this new information youll be in a better position to negotiate your salary. In this case, Stoddard suggests being patient and persistent with your manager. If you dont receive an immediate uptick in salary, stay positive and work with your employer to come up with an action plan so you can exceed expectations and secure that pay increase in the near future, she said. Brittany is a reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter. How the Marriott, Starwood merger will affect loyalty program members Marriott, Starwood unveil new credit perks that could benefit you Marriott CEO on how Trump administration could affect travel industry This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Now its Shaun Whites turn. What has become a festival of red, white and blue at Phoenix Snow Park in South Korea began with 17-year-old American Red Gerard putting down an epic final gold-medal winning run, continued with Jamie Anderson surviving a blustery course that saw nearly every rider take a fall, reached full dominance with the lovable Chloe Kim, whose stunning, near-flawless display in the halfpipe earned the 17-year-old a gold medal and a legion of social media followers. And all of this is, unbelievably enough, the warm-up to what is likely to be the final act of the magnificent, decorated career of Shaun White. Shaun White flies through the air during qualifying at Phoenix Snow Park. (REUTERS) You know Shaun White. Even if you dont know snowboarding, youve likely heard the name, or perhaps a few of his other monikers, namely The Flying Tomato. Hes won a pair of Olympic golds, and his score in the halfpipe from the Turin Olympics in 2006 still stands as the record. If you sort of care for snowboarding, White is the owner of 13 X Games golds. If you dont care for snowboarding or the X Games, he has his own video game. On Tuesday in PyeongChang, he showed the world, again, why hes still the best in the world, despite a disappointing miss on the podium in Sochi in 2014. His first halfpipe qualifying run of 93.25 put him atop the standings, and with 12 riders making it through to Wednesdays finals, there was no doubt that he would, for the fourth consecutive Olympics, vie for a medal. A gold is still far from a guarantee. Japanese sensation Ayumu Hirano briefly took the top spot with his 95.25, which preceded Australian flag bearer Scotty James scintillating run and a 96.25. But then White upstaged them all, just because, scoring a 98.50 on his final run, reintroducing himself as the favorite to win gold. Advancing alongside White are Americans Ben Ferguson, Jake Pates and Chase Josey. The finals begin on Wednesday. More Olympic coverage from Yahoo Sports: Now finally an Olympian, Adam Rippon hope reach extends beyond gay community How Jamie Anderson beat the wind to win Olympic gold How Russias Olympic fans are making a mockery of the IOC The NHLs best (Zamboni drivers) are in PyeongChang, no matter what people tell you Polish luger loses protective visor, makes run anyway By Denis Dumo JUBA (Reuters) - A South African on trial in South Sudan could face the death penalty if found guilty of charges including conspiracy to overthrow the government and supplying weapons, his lawyer said on Tuesday, a day after his co-defendant was sentenced to death. South African national William John Endley served as an advisor to rebel leader Riek Machar, whose forces have been fighting those loyal to President Salva Kiir in a civil war since 2013. On Monday South Sudan's High Court handed the death sentence to James Gatdet Dak, a former spokesman for Machar, as well as a combined 21 years for incitement and conspiracy against Kiir's government. The charges against Endley, a retired army colonel, that carry the death penalty are conspiracy to overthrow the government, espionage and supply of weaponry, his lawyer Gardit Abel Gar, told Reuters. He has also been charged with insurgency, sabotage, terrorism and illegal entry into South Sudan, he said. The exact charges against Endley had previously been unclear. South Africa's Foreign Ministry did not respond to a request for comment. The court adjourned Tuesday's hearing to Feb. 15 after witnesses called by the defense did not appear. "We were unable to get the witnesses. Some them are outside the country," Abel said. The court was not giving the defense enough time to summon its witnesses, he said. South Sudan, which won independence from Sudan in 2011, descended into civil war in 2013, months after Kiir fired his then deputy Machar. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and a third of the population have fled their homes. Machar, who fled to Democratic Republic of Congo after fierce fighting broke out in Juba in July 2016, is now in South Africa. Diplomatic and political sources say he is being held by South African authorities at an unknown location to keep him from participating in the conflict. Pretoria says he came to South Africa for medical treatment and was staying as a "guest of the government". A relative of Endley, who did not want to be named, said South African officials in Juba had worked hard to provide consular support but Pretoria could do more to push his case. "They've helped us in getting money and parcels to him, but I think more could be done at the diplomatic level," the family member said. A ceasefire agreement signed between Kiir's government and the rebels in December is intended to revive a 2015 peace deal which lasted less than a year before collapsing. Talks on a new power-sharing arrangement and an election are scheduled to follow but clashes have continued to break out, prompting the United States to impose sanctions. On Monday, the government accused rebels of launching attacks in the northeastern town of Nassir. An internationally backed ceasefire monitoring team said it was sending a team to investigate the violence in the next 24 hours. (Reporting by Denis Dumo in JUBA and Ed Cropley in JOHANNESBURG; Writing by Duncan Miriri in NAIROBI; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky) Sri Lanka's former leader Mahinda Rajapakse on Monday demanded a snap general election and challenged his successor's right to govern after drubbing the ruling coalition in crucial mid-term polls. Rajapakse's new party secured two-thirds of Sri Lanka's councils in a surprise blitz of local elections, humiliating the governing alliance as it reels from internal crises and divisions over leadership. "The government no longer has a mandate," said Rajapakse, who lost presidential and parliamentary polls in 2015 after ruling the island with an iron fist for a decade. "I ask the president to call a general election." Rajapakse, whose family wields enormous influence in Sri Lanka, staged a dramatic comeback at the weekend as his Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna -- SLPP or People's Front -- pulled off the landslide victory. Rajapakse's party comfortably won in all regions bar the battle-scarred north and east where, as president, he brutally crushed a separatist Tamil movement to end the island's ethnic war in 2009. The vote affects only the lowest rung of politics but the result is being seen as a stinging rebuke to the ruling coalition, which has struggled to pass promised post-war reforms. President Maithripala Sirisena was elected in part on a promise to reform the constitution, grant greater autonomy to minority Tamils and reconcile for a decades-long ethnic war that claimed more than 100,000 lives. Parliament has been debating the proposed arrangements to share political power with Tamils but has made little ground. Rajapakse -- a member of the majority Sinhalese community -- said the election result at the weekend was a referendum on these reforms. "People voted against the division of the country," he said. The president has no power to sack the legislature but parliament -- whose term ends in 2020 -- can vote to dissolve and call early elections with the support of two-thirds of its members. There has been no reaction from Sirisena or his coalition ally Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe since their thumping defeat. Their alliance has frayed as both men have levelled allegations of corruption and backstabbing against the other, and they campaigned separately for their parties in this latest poll. BEIRUT/GENEVA (Reuters) - The United Nations said on Monday the suffering of civilians in Syria has worsened since it called for a ceasefire six days ago in a humanitarian initiative that was rapidly derailed by an even more intense bombardment. Fighting has involved pro-government air strikes on the opposition enclave in eastern Ghouta outside Damascus, an offensive against rebels in the northwestern Idlib province and Turkey's assault on the Kurdish-held Afrin region. "The call for an immediate cessation of hostilities... has gone unanswered," the United Nations resident and humanitarian coordinator in Syria Ali al-Za'tari said of the Feb. 6 appeal. The conflict also threatened to escalate on another front on Saturday, with Israel launching its heaviest air strikes yet against Iranian targets in Syria after Syrian air defenses shot down an Israeli F-16, though tensions have since been contained. Surging violence has led to reports of "hundreds of civilian deaths and injuries, massive displacement and the destruction of civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities," Za'tari said in a statement. He described it as "some of the worst fighting of the entire conflict", a war that is entering its eighth year and has killed hundreds of thousands of people and driven millions from their homes. Since Russia entered the war on the side of President Bashar al-Assad and his Iranian and Shi'ite militia allies in 2015, the government has reclaimed large areas including all the big rebel bastions in Syria's main cities. However, while rebel hopes of ousting Assad by force appear thwarted, and while major offensives last year took back most ground held by Islamic State, the multi-sided war still has the potential to spiral out into new conflicts. Turkey's offensive in Afrin pits it against the Kurdish YPG militia, which also holds swathes of land in northeast Syria supported by Ankara's NATO ally Washington. In the southwest, the downing of an Israeli jet by Syrian anti-aircraft fire on Saturday underscored the possibility of a wider escalation between Israel and Iranian-backed forces in Syria, including Lebanon's Hezbollah group. "The military escalation throughout Syria, including the events we have seen on the Israeli border over the weekend, is deeply worrying. It could indeed lead to a dangerous spillover," a spokeswoman for the European Commission said on Monday. 'HUNDREDS OF CIVILIAN DEATHS' U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is visiting Jordan and Turkey this week as part of a Middle East tour to discuss issues that include Syria. U.N.-led diplomacy toward ending the conflict is making little or no progress. The Kremlin said on Monday that U.S. support in stabilizing Syria had been inadequate, but without spelling out how. "There is a shortage of this help," spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. On Saturday, U.N. rights chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein said that Syrian and Russian airstrikes in rebel-held areas of Idlib and eastern Ghouta had killed 230 civilians in the past week and that they might constitute war crimes. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said on Monday that air strikes had killed 15 more civilians, including three children, and injured another 85 in eastern Ghouta since Saturday. "I am again appealing to all parties, and those with influence over them, to listen to us and to the affected population: end this intolerable human suffering," Za'tari said. The United Nations called on Feb. 6 for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire of at least a month across the country. More than 700 patients in the besieged Damascus enclave of eastern Ghouta now await medical evacuation, said Elizabeth Hoff, World Health Organisation (WHO) representative in Syria. The WHO, a United Nations agency, has sent 11 requests to the Syrian foreign ministry since last May, but only 29 of the most critical cases were evacuated in late December, Hoff said. The Jaish al-Islam rebel group released 29 detainees in eastern Ghouta at the time, as part of a deal with the government. "This is a political issue which cannot be resolved with humanitarian efforts," Hoff told Reuters in Geneva on Monday, speaking from Damascus. "Unfortunately the list of patients is only growing." "The security situation is very bad, there are not sufficient medical teams on the ground. They haven't got supplies. We have not been able to deliver anything since November 28," she added. (Reporting By Angus McDowall in Beirut and Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva, additional reporting by Gabriela Baczynska in Brussels and Maria Tsvetkova in Moscow; editing by John Stonestreet, William Maclean) She has left behind her husband, 10-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son: WISD A 38-year-old primary school teacher in Texas died because of complications from the flu after she delayed picking up her medication because of its cost, her husband has said. Heather Holland, a second-grade teacher and mother of two, is said to have refrained from collecting her prescription drugs because of a $116 (84) payment. Ms Hollands husband, Frank, told local paper the Weatherford Democrat that his wife thought the medicine was too expensive. Mr Holland said he bought the prescription for her when he found out, but her health quickly deteriorated. Friday night, things escalated and she ended up in the ICU, Mr Holland said. The doctors got the blood culture back and they had to put her dialysis early Saturday." Ms Holland, who had a 10-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son, died the next morning, on 4 February. Her husband added: I have to be strong for the kids, but its still surreal, it hasnt all set in. Weve been together a long time, over half my life. Shes my best friend, my soulmate, my everything. Dr Jeffery Hands, the administrator in charge of the local school district Weatherford ISD, said: This is a sad time for our WISD family, especially for those who knew Ms Holland as a friend and colleague. Heather was an outstanding educator." The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that this years flu season is as bad as the swine flu epidemic in 2009. A US Government report which came out on Friday showed that during the last week of January, one in every thirteen visits to the doctor was for fever, cough and other flu symptoms. A US school teacher died from complications caused by flu after deciding not to buy medication because it was too expensive. Mother-of-two Heather Hollands husband reportedly said that his wife chose not to buy medication that was prescribed by doctors, saying: Its principle with her. Shes a very frugal person in general, always has been. He bought the Tamiflu medicine for his 38-year-old wife for $116 (84) a day before she went to hospital, but by that point it was apparently too late. She was put on dialysis on Saturday but died on Sunday morning, he told the Weatherford Democrat newspaper. Frank Holland said it just sounded like his wifes throat was scratchy at first but her symptoms had worsened through the week. I have to be strong for the kids but its still surreal, it hasnt all set in, he said. Weve been together a long time, over half my life. Shes my best friend, my soulmate, my everything. Expensive Mrs Holland reportedly refused to buy the medication she was prescribed because it was too expensive (Picture: Getty) A statement on the Weatherford Independent School District, Texas, where Mrs Holland worked, paid tribute to the mother-of-two, who was a second grade teacher at Ikard Elementary School. Dr Jeffrey Hanks, superintendent, said: This is a sad time for our WISD family, especially for those who knew Mrs. Holland as a friend and colleague. Heather was an outstanding educator. Most popular today on Yahoo News UK She had been a member of the Ikard family since 2014 and touched the lives of many students, parents, and staff members. Our thoughts remain with the Holland family and our Ikard staff during this difficult time. The US is in the grip of a flu outbreak that is thought to be one of the worst in history. (Top picture: Weatherford Independent School District) CAIRO (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in Cairo on Monday it was up to North Korea to decide when it was ready to engage in sincere talks with the United States. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said in a newspaper interview that Washington and Seoul had agreed on terms for further diplomatic engagement with North Korea, possibly leading to direct talks without pre-conditions. Tillerson told a news conference it was too early to judge whether this was the start of a diplomatic process. (Reporting by Yara Bayoumy, Writing by Arwa Gaballa; editing by Sami Aboudi and John Stonestreet) CAIRO (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Monday urged department employees to intervene if they witness sexual harassment, two days after U.S. President Donald Trump expressed sympathy for those accused of harassment and not given due process. "There is no form of disrespect for the individual that I can identify, anything more demeaning than for someone to suffer this kind of treatment," he said. "It's not OK if you're seeing it happening and just look away. You must do something. You must notify someone. You must step in and intervene," Tillerson added, speaking in Cairo to about 150 U.S. embassy staff outside the ambassador's residence. Tillerson's comments came amid a chorus of sexual misconduct accusations against powerful men in media, business and politics in the United States that in recent days has reached top aides in the White House. His remarks also stand in stark contrast to those expressed by Trump, who last week defended a top aide who resigned after domestic violence allegations against him came to light and over the weekend also took to Twitter to raise doubts about such allegations. A second White House aide left late last week after domestic violence allegations against him also surfaced. Both men have denied the accusations. Reuters has not independently verified either case. "(People's) lives are being shattered and destroyed by a mere allegation. Some are true and some are false. ... Is there no such thing any longer as Due Process?" Trump said on Twitter on Saturday. Tillerson, in contrast, on Monday emphasized that all State Department employees would undergo mandatory training to be completed by June 1. The training was announced last month, according to the department. Speaking in Cairo at the start of a Middle East tour, he said respect for one another is a key value at the State Department, noting that a prime example is the problem of sexual harassment. In November, some 200 women who worked in national security, including at the State Department, signed a letter calling for mandatory training and channels to report abuse without fear of retribution. Asked about Trump's public defense of one of the now-departed aides, Rob Porter, White House spokesman Hogan Gidley on Monday said that, while Trump has not spoken out publicly against the allegations in that case, the president has in the past said domestic abuse is "disgusting." "There is no place for it in this country and no place for it in the White House, and the president won't stand for it," Gidley told Fox News in an interview. (Reporting by Yara Bayoumy; Writing by Makini Brice and Susan Heavey; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe) If approved the new system will affect 16.4 million households: Getty The Trump administration has proposed a plan to cut food aid for low-income families by giving them boxes of government-selected canned foods instead of food stamps. The new system signals a total overhaul of one of Americas most vital safety net welfare schemes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap), previously referred to as food stamps. The idea, which was announced on Monday, means benefit recipients largely lose the personal choice to choose the food they buy with their Snap benefits. The White House proposal has been widely condemned by anti-hunger charities and analysts who argue it not only shares parallels with wartime rations and soup lines during the Great Depression but would also be a logistical catastrophe. Under the new system, low-income Americans who receive at least $90 (65) a month - just over 80 per cent of all Snap recipients will get about half of their benefits in the form of a USDA [United States Department of Agriculture] Foods package. If approved, the new system, which the Department of Agriculture is branding Americas Harvest Box, will affect 16.4 million households. The package, which will not include fresh fruit or vegetables, would be made up of "100 per cent US grown and produced food" and was described in the budget as consisting of "shelf-stable milk, ready to eat cereals, pasta, peanut butter, beans and canned fruit and vegetables". The White House Office of Management and Budget director, Mick Mulvaney, described the proposal as a Blue Apron type program a reference to the high-end meal kit delivery company that had one of the worst stock debuts in 2017. He claimed the new system, which the US Department of Agriculture says will save over $129bn over a decade, would not just curtail government spending but also give recipients more nutritious food than they are currently eating. Nevertheless, the package the Trump team are proposing shares little in common with firms like Blue Apron because they do not comprise fresh food. Story continues The New York Times' op-ed writer, Bryce Covert, drew attention to the disparity between the two schemes on Twitter. He said: With Blue Apron, you get to pick your meals and decide when they come. And it gives you all the ingredients you need to complete it. Under Trump's plan, the government decides what you get and when you get it. Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America, a campaign group that helps clients access food-assistance services, also condemned the administrations proposal. While its always shocking to see $213bn in cuts - $20bn more than proposed last year to one of the most effective anti-poverty programmes available, the structural changes to Snap will make it even harder to combat hunger in America, he said in a statement. It would require a massive new governmental bureaucracy to micro-manage the food consumption of low-income Americans. Amazingly, this proposal would slash food aid but somehow manage to grow the size of big government. Theres no way one can improve nutritional outcomes in families on Snap by reducing the amount of money they have available for fresh fruits, vegetables, and milk. The proposal is included in the Trump administrations budget request for fiscal year 2019 and needs approval from Congress. It is not clear how the new scheme will be adapted for families who might have healthcare needs like diabetes or have young children. The plan has been criticised by food companies particularly Aldi, Walmart and Target who could lose billions if it were implemented. When pressed about how delivery would be carried out, Mr Murtaugh said states would have flexibility in how they chose to deliver the parcels but he made it clear they would not be using an Amazon style of delivery system. The projected savings does not include shipping door-to-door for all recipients," he said. President Donald Trump's $4.4 trillion 2019 budget proposal would deeply cut domestic programs, sharply increase military spendingand add at least $7 trillion in deficit over the next decade. Sure, it's likely to be rewritten by legislators, but like all budgets, it offers a look into the president's priorities. So whats in it? Here are eight takeaways: It increases America's national debt Trending: Congress Members Are Wasting Hundreds of Thousands By Filing Paper Election Donation Records, Says Elections Commissioner The $7.1 trillion added to the deficit over the next decade by this budget proposal assumes an ambitious rate of growth of at least 3 percent each year. If the economy is less strong before 2029, that number could get a lot higher. One estimate shows that the national debt could grow to $30 trillion in a decade if the plan is enacted as is. The 2019 budget is about $300 billion larger than its predecessor and comes on top of a $1.5 trillion tax cut that will decrease government revenue. Republican leadership regularly criticized the Obama administration for adding to the national debt, but has largely remained silent while the current administration does the samea move Senator Rand Paul calls hypocritical. "The people who voted for tax cuts and spending increases I think there is some hypocrisy there and it shows they're not serious about the debt," he said on CBS News' Face the Nation on Sunday. Trump would cut $1.7 trillion to Medicare and other entitlements The Trump budget proposes cutting $266 billion from the Medicare program over the next decade, despite campaign promises to keep the program as is. The plan would also cut $214 billion from food stamps over the next decade by eliminating cash payments in favor of American grown food packages given directly to recipients. Instead of using their own discretion at food markets, the White House proposes that recipients receive parcels that "include items such as shelf-stable milk, ready to eat cereals, pasta, peanut butter, beans and canned fruit, vegetables, and meat, poultry or fish. Story continues The budget claims it will save money by cutting back on alleged welfare fraud. Millions of Americans are in a tragic state of dependency on a welfare system that does not reward work, and in many cases, pays people not to work, the president's budget message claims, without providing evidence. These programs, expanded during the previous administration, must now be reformed. Don't miss: On 39th Anniversary, Guardian Angels Say Community Involvement Will Help Protect Cities From Mass Attacks SNAP, America's food stamp program, currently gives about 42 million Americans an average of $125.79 per month. That money can currently be redeemed for food items at a grocery store. $716 billion will go to national security Under Trumps plan, the Pentagon would receive a generous increase in funding to focus on competing with military powers like Russia and China. The budget calls for 25,900 new jobs, 10 new naval ships and three new combat planes in 2019. It would also increase spending on missile defense to fight nuclear threats from North Korea. It would maintain this quirk of addition: The U.S. spends more on the military than the next eight largest spenders combined. Amtrak funding is cut in half Trumps budget would cut federal contributions to the national train service from $1.495 billion to $738 million in one year. The budget follows comments Trump has made previously about Amtrak, Americas troubled passenger rail system, which he believes should focus only on profitable, crowded routes such as the Northeast Corridor. But the argument has a chicken-and-egg quality: the U.S. invests a much smaller amount in passenger rail than many countries in Europe and Asia do. Plus, the Northeast Corridor currently has a repair backlog of $28 billion. The EPA gets slashed Most popular: DNA Test Reveals If Your Baby Is Prone to 193 Medical Conditions Trump would cut the Environmental Protection Agency's budget by about 34 percent, or $2.8 billion. The budget would hand some regulatory duties to state officials and stresses voluntary compliance assistance, programs that would specifically assist the oil and chemical industries. The budget would end EPA programs such as Indoor Air and Radon Programs; the Marine Pollution and National Estuary Programs; the Environmental Education Program; and the Beaches Program, which it calls lower priority. It also mentioned climate change a few times...but only in passages that proposed cuts, such as the elimination of the Climate Change Research and Partnership Program. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The Opioid Epidemic gets priority The White House budget dedicates nearly $17 billion to combat the opioid crisis, which killed more than 42,000 Americans in 2016. The money would be split between programs that combat and treat opioid abuse and addiction and programs that help detain drug traffickers. An additional $100 million would go towards a public-private partnership with pharmaceutical companies to develop prevention and treatments for addiction and overdose-reversal. Hes building the wall The budget proposes an additional $25 billion for border security over two years, of which $18 billion would go towards a border wall between the United States and Mexico. Additional spending will fund more ICE agents, border patrol and more beds for detained immigrants. The budget reects my Administrations serious and ongoing commitment to fully secure our border, take the ght to criminal gangs like MS-13, and make our immigration system work for Americans, Trump wrote. It could hurt the health and safety of Americans The proposal slashes the budget of nearly every federal oversight agency. The Department of Agriculture is cut by 16 percent, the Department of Education is cut by 10.5 percent, the Department of Health and Human Services by 21 percent, the Department of Housing and Urban Development by 18.3 percent, the Department of the Interior by 16 percent, the Department of Labor by 21 percent, the Department of Transportation by 19 percent, in addition to the EPA cut. Such cuts mean less money to guarantee food is uncontaminated, workers are safe and the environments we live in are inhabitable. Despite the overall cut to the Department of Labor, Trump's budget calls for an increase to monitor labor union finances and elections by "supporting more audits and investigations to uncover awed ofcer elections, fraud, and embezzlement"a move that would shift one priority of the department from workers to management. Read the full budget here. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek President Donald Trump's budget for the 2019 fiscal year is set to be released Monday and will include a reported $13 billion in funds to fight the opioid crisis plaguing the U.S. An outline of the proposals released from the White House Office of Management and Budget shows that the president intends to give $3 billion in 2018 and $10 billion in 2019 to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Bloombergreported. The annual budget proposal from the White House does not guarantee the exact dollar amount, as congress will determine how much money exactly will be allocated. However, the budget highlights issues that the White House and the president plan to prioritize for the next year. Trending: Free Speech Zones on Campus Are On Their Way Out. Good riddance The funds given to HHS will be used to expand treatment, recovery, mental health, and prevention programs for opioid users, The Hill reported. Trump's budget will also seek $21 billion to put towards infrastructure spending and $23 billion towards border security, including his infamous border wall. GettyImages-909837270 Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images Ahead of the budget's release, President Trump called attention to the opioid crisis in a tweet early Monday morning, addressing a mother whose son died of an overdose. Sue Kruczek appeared on Fox & Friends to discuss a letter she sent to Trump for Valentine's Day in which she commended him for addressing the widespread abuse of opioids. Trump assured the mother that he would fight hard against the opioid epidemic. Don't miss: Who is Kehinde Wiley? Artist Unveils Barack and Michelle Obama's Official Portraits Story continues "Thank you to Sue Kruczek, who lost her wonderful and talented son Nick to the Opioid scourge, for your kind words while on @foxandfriends. We are fighting this terrible epidemic hard - Nick will not have died in vain!," Trump tweeted. Last October, Trump declared a 90-day public health emergency due to the opioid crisis, but one member of Trump's opioid commission, former Democratic Representative Patrick Kennedy, said that the declaration meant nothing without funding. Most popular: The Six Big Myths About the CIA Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway was appointed by Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions to oversee the response to the opioid epidemic. A February 6 report from Politico said that Conway and her staff's main response the crisis plaguing the nation has been to plan a "just say no" campaign and to promote the construction of a border wall with Mexico. On Monday, Purdue Pharma, the maker of the opioid OxyContin, announced it would stop promoting its opioid drugs to physicians and would lay off about half of its sales staff. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported this month that more than 115 Americans die from opioid overdoses every day. A budget deal passed by congress last week includes $6 billion in funds for opioids and metal health. Related video from go90 This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek In what would be one of the biggest shakeups of the U.S. food-stamp program in its five-decade history, President Donald Trump is proposing to slash cash payments and substitute them with 100 percent American grown food given to recipients. The changes, outlined Monday in Trumps budget proposal, would reshape the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which supports roughly one in eight Americans, by reducing cash spending by about one-third from current levels. The plan is part of an effort to reform SNAP and save a projected $214 billion over a decade. It would give all households receiving more than $90 a month in cash a food-aid package that would include items such as shelf-stable milk, ready to eat cereals, pasta, peanut butter, beans and canned fruit, vegetables, and meat, poultry or fish, according to the proposal. Shares of Dollar Tree Inc. and Dollar General Corp. both dropped on Monday after the plan was unveiled. The so-called USDA Americas Harvest Box is a bold, innovative approach to providing nutritious food to people who need assistance feeding themselves and their families and all of it is home grown by American farmers and producers, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said in a statement. The program would provide food-stamp recipients with the same level of food value as the current system, Perdue added. Reaction was muted on Capitol Hill, where both congressional agriculture committees are working on reauthorizations of the food stamp program as part of a farm law that expires Sept. 30. The task at hand is to produce a Farm Bill for the benefit of our farmers, ranchers, consumers and other stakeholders, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Michael Conaway of Texas and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts of Kansas, both Republicans, said in a joint statement. This budget, as with every other presidents budget before, will not prevent us from doing that job. USDA Programs Story continues The food stamp program served 42.2 million people and 20.9 million households on average during the 2017 fiscal year. The average household benefit was $254.14, thus 81 percent of homes receiving aid would be included in the initiative, according to the USDA. SNAP assistance cost $68.1 billion in 2017, with $63.7 billion given out as benefits. Under the plan, the amount of food a household receives would be scaled to the size of the allotment, with about half of the assistance coming as food instead of cash. The USDA already buys commodities for other programs, such as the National School Lunch Program, and states would largely be in charge of distribution, the department said. States can distribute these boxes through existing infrastructure, partnerships, and/or directly to residences through commercial and/or retail delivery services, the department said in a statement. The USDA also touted tightened eligibility rules for recipients, such as stricter work requirements, as well as changing income and benefits calculations to ensure benefits are targeted to the neediest households. Major agricultural and food lobby groups refrained from comment, while one anti-hunger group was alarmed at the proposal. The plan would replace a system thats working with a Rube-Goldberg designed system of commodity distribution via food boxes that will be administratively costly, inefficient, stigmatizing, and prone to failure, Jim Weill, president of the Washington-based Food Research & Action Center, said in a statement. After one year in office, President Donald Trump has a positive net approval rating in only 19 U.S. states, half as many as when he first took office in January 2017, according to the latest polling data. While the Republican has seen a slight increase in overall net approval rating over the past several months, Trumps work during his first year in office was widely panned by respondents, Morning Consults data from all 50 states released Tuesday showed. Last month, Trump had a 44 percent approval and 51 percent disapproval rating among registered voters. Those numbers still represented a two-point increase in net approval ratingthe difference between approval and disapproval ratingsin September and a four-point jump compared to October and November. Trending: Student Pictures Single Trapped Atom, Wins National Science Photography Prize But while Trumps overall numbers may have improved recently, over the past year hes lost support from more than a dozen states. When he first entered office in January 2017, Trump had a positive net approval rating in 38 U.S. states. West Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee and Wyoming led the pack, all with a net approval rating of at least 34 percent. Trump managed to maintain those strongholds but has since seen his net approval drop across the country. Even in West Virginia, Trump went from a 37 percent net approval to 22 percent over 12 months. Similarly, Kentucky and Tennessee both went from 34 percent to 16 percent, while Alabama dropped from 36 percent to 29 percent. GettyImages-917850866 AFP via Getty Images/Mandel Ngan Don't miss: Trump Still Doubts Russia's Election InterferenceThat's Giving A 'Green Light' to Putin, Says Ex-CIA Analyst Those drops weren't the only bad news for the president. The number of respondents who strongly disapproved of Trump's performance also climbed significantly. A year ago, 28 percent strongly disapproved of Trump, but last month that number had increased to 39 percent. Conversely, 27 percent strongly approved in January of last year, and now only 22 percent have the same feeling. Story continues Still, Trump has managed to rally Republican support as 2018s midterm elections draw closer. Last month, 48 percent of GOP voters strongly approved of Trumps work, a significant increase from 43 percent in September. The data was based on Morning Consult surveys taken between January 20, 2017, and January 29 of this year and drew responses from more than 800,000 voters from all 50 states. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek The headquarters for NPR are seen in Washington, DC: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump has again proposed eliminating federal funding for news outlets like National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Services (PBS). A newly unveiled budget proposal would stem the flow of public dollars to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which oversees an array of journalism and public affairs programming, slashing its allocation from $495m (358) to $15m (11m). CPB grants represent a small share of the total funding for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR), which primarily rely on private donations to fund their operations, the proposal said. But CPB president Patricia Harrison warned in a statement that there is no viable substitute for federal funding. The elimination of federal funding to CPB would at first devastate, and then ultimately destroy public medias ability to provide early childhood content, life-saving emergency alerts, and public affairs programs, Ms Harrison said. Our nations non-commercial public media is made possible by a uniquely American, entrepreneurial, public-private partnership, Ms Harrison added. Eliminating public subsidies for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting has long been a goal of conservatives who decry outlets like NPR and PBS as left-leaning. Mr Trumps last budget also sought to phase out federal funding. ANKARA (Reuters) - The mayor of the Turkish capital of Ankara said on Monday he had approved re-naming a street outside the U.S. Embassy as "Olive Branch", the name Turkey uses for its ongoing military campaign in Syria. Ankara has been infuriated by Washington's alliance in Syria with forces led by the Kurdish YPG militia, which Turkey is targeting in its offensive. President Tayyip Erdogan has promised to sweep the militia from Turkey's southern border, a move that could put Turkish troops in confrontation with U.S. forces on the ground in Syria. "We have signed the necessary proposal to change the name of the Nevzat Tandogan Avenue in front of the U.S. Embassy to 'Olive Branch'. May it go well, may the souls of our saintly martyrs rejoice," Ankara Mayor Mustafa Tuna tweeted. The proposal will be presented to the municipal parliament later on Monday, he said. It will most likely be approved, just days before U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is due to visit Ankara on Thursday. The U.S. Embassy in Ankara and the Ankara mayor's office were not immediately available for comment. According to a poll published on Monday by the Center for American Progress, 83 percent of Turks view the United States unfavorably, and 46 percent think their country should do more to confront it. Tuna had ordered the re-naming of the street where the United Arab Emirates mission is located to that of the Ottoman former governor of Medina, following a row between the two countries about the state of the holy city under Ottoman rule. (Writing by Ali Kucukgocmen) Ankara (AFP) - The Turkish army on Monday said 31 soldiers had been killed since Ankara launched its offensive against a Kurdish militia in Syria last month. Another 143 Turkish soldiers were wounded in the operation dubbed "Olive Branch" which began on January 20 against the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia in the western region of Afrin, a statement said. While the United States has given armed support to the YPG against the Islamic State group in Syria, Turkey says the militia is a "terrorist" offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The PKK, proscribed as a terrorist organisation by Ankara and its Western allies, has waged a three-decade insurgency against the Turkish state. Turkey has been supporting Syrian rebels with ground troops and air strikes during the operation which Ankara has threatened to extend eastwards towards other YPG-held towns. Turkey suffered its bloodiest day on Saturday when 11 military personnel were killed, including two after a helicopter taking part in the offensive was downed. Some 1,369 "terrorists" had been neutralised during the operation, the army said, referring to those killed but also those captured or wounded. It was not immediately possible to verify this figure. But according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 152 YPG fighters and 165 Turkey-backed Syrian rebels have died in the operation. The Observatory said at least 74 civilians have been killed in the operation so far. Turkey has repeatedly insisted it is taking all the necessary precautions to avoid harming civilians and says there have been no civilian casualties to date. At least seven civilians have been killed in Turkish border towns after rockets were sent from Syria in attacks Ankara blames on the YPG. Boston radio station WEEI may have suspended host Christian Fauria for using a stereotypical Asian accent to mock Tom Bradys agent, but that wasnt enough for some of their sponsors. At least two companies have suspended their advertising at the station due to the incident, according to the Boston Globe. Comcast and the City of Boston Credit Union are have pulled out of their campaigns after Fauria mocked Bradys agent, Don Yee, by using a stereotypical Asian accent. Fauria received a five-day suspension from the station for his actions. Comcast did not directly address the reason it pulled support, but the City of Boston Credit Union made it clear it was at least partially due to Faurias conduct, according to the Boston Globe. The incident and others have made it clear that the culture of the station is not reflective of our values of inclusion, acceptance and mutual respect, Dan Waltz, president of the City of Boston Credit Union, said in a statement. We have a responsibility to our diverse membership to spend their advertising dollars responsibly and cannot support what is, in our opinion, the hateful and divisive content that seems to have become a matter of course at WEEI. The and others above likely refers to an incident in late January where one of the stations hosts called Bradys five-year-old daughter a pissant. That host, Alex Reimer, was also suspended by the station. WEEI is no stranger to controversy. The station has had ads pulled in the past after controversial or unacceptable comments from their on-air talent. While the actions of both Comcast and the City of Boston Credit Union speak loudly, its tough to expect WEEI to change course given its history. Christian Fauria was suspended for mocking an Asian accent on WEEI. (AP Photo) More coverage from Yahoo Sports: Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik American luger Emily Sweeney crashed during the womens singles competition at the Winter Olympics on Tuesday, and was reportedly taken to a hospital for evaluation. Sweeney, 24, was speeding around a curve when she lost control, bounced off the walls and flew off her sled. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. She was conscious and was able to walk off the ice with some assistance. She was later seen being escorted to an ambulance and taken to a hospital for evaluation, according to online reports. According to an NBC reporter, citing a USA Luge source, the hospital evaluation is likely part of concussion protocol. Though this is Sweeneys first Olympic appearance, she is no stranger to the competition. She narrowly missed a spot at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Her older sister, Megan, ultimately nabbed that spot, NBC reported. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Related... An American Man Actually Won A Luge Medal At The Olympics Russian Rival Offered To Lend Luge To Struggling U.S. Silver Medalist Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. By Patricia Zengerle and Doina Chiacu WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. director of national intelligence warned on Tuesday that time was running out for the United States to act on the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear weapons program. North Korea presents "a potentially existential" threat to the United States and is likely to conduct more weapons tests this year, Dan Coats said at the Senate Intelligence Committee's annual hearing on "Worldwide Threats." "Decision time is becoming ever closer in terms of how we respond to this," Coats said. "Our goal is a peaceful settlement. We are using maximum pressure on North Korea in various ways." The warning came despite an easing of tensions on the Korean peninsular after talks resumed between North and South Korea, and as the North participated in the Winter Olympics hosted by the South. While the Trump administration has stressed its preference for a diplomatic solution to the crisis over North Korea's development of nuclear weapons that are capable of hitting the United States, it has warned that all options on are on the table, including military ones, to prevent this. Last month, CIA Director Mike Pompeo said North Korea could be only "a handful of months" away from being able to make a nuclear attack on the United States. Pompeo told Tuesday's hearing that despite the North-South talks, there was "no indication there's any strategic change" in North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's desire to remain a nuclear threat to the United States. Talk of preventative military strikes has eased since the Koreas resumed dialogue last month and Washington has appeared to endorse deeper post-Olympics engagement between the two Koreas that could lead to U.S.-North Korean talks. But it has also stressed the need to ramp up sanctions to force North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons. Last year, North Korea conducted dozens of missile launches and its sixth and largest nuclear test, in defiance of U.N. sanctions. However, it has now been more than two months since its last missile test in late November. Coats said North Korea's repeated statements that nuclear weapons were the basis for its survival suggest government leaders there "do not intend to negotiate them away." "In the wake of accelerated missile testing since 2016, North Korea is likely to press ahead with more tests in 2018, and its Foreign Minister said that Kim (Jong Un) may be considering conducting an atmospheric nuclear test over the Pacific Ocean," he said. Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein asked whether U.S. intelligence has looked into what it might take to bring North Korea to the negotiating table, but Pompeo declined to discuss the subject during a public hearing. Feinstein said she had participated in a classified briefing recently on North Korea and described it as "difficult and harsh." (Reporting by Doina Chiacu, Patricia Zengerle and David Brunnstrom; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Andrea Ricci) By Yara Bayoumy CAIRO (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Monday Washington stood by Egypt in its fight against Islamist militants as he began a Middle East tour at a time of increasingly complex local and proxy conflicts. Tillerson stressed a need for free and fair elections in all countries ahead of a March presidential vote in Egypt, but withheld direct comment on what critics say is a crackdown on some rivals seeking to challenge President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the polls. The United States has become more embroiled, diplomatically and militarily, in regional conflicts since President Donald Trump took office more than a year ago. It stepped up support for Kurdish-led forces in Syria before its NATO ally Turkey began a military operation against them last month, and has sided firmly with Israel in recognising Jerusalem as its capital, angering Palestinians and drawing rebukes from Arab leaders. The United States has also forged closer ties with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab states while taking a tougher line against Iran since Trump took office. Tillerson and his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry delivered a message on Monday that relations remained strong with one of the key U.S. Arab allies. "We agreed we would continue our close cooperation on counterterrorism measures," Tillerson said. "Egypt deals with the threats of ISIS themselves and are dealing with it certainly currently in the Sinai. "The U.S. commitment in continuing to support Egypt in its fight against terrorism and bringing security for the Egyptian people is steadfast and will continue," he said. Egypt last week launched a large military operation against Islamist militants, focused on defeating Islamic State in the Sinai peninsula. Tillerson arrived in Egypt, one of the main recipients of Washington's foreign aid, at the start of a regional tour amid heightened tension between Israel, Syria and Damascus's ally Iran after an Israeli F-16 aircraft was shot down, crashing in northern Israel. Story continues Shoukry said Cairo and Washington had agreed to hold strategic dialogue talks at the level of foreign ministers later this year. Tillerson also met Sisi before leaving the country. He was to attend a conference on Iraqi reconstruction in Kuwait. MILITARY OPERATION Sisi is running against a single competitor in the March 26-28 poll after more challenging opponents pulled out, some citing intimidation of supporters and other tactics designed to give the incumbent an easy win. Sisi, a former military chief, gave the armed forces three months to clear Sinai of militants after more than 300 people were killed by gunmen at a mosque in Sinai in November. The Egyptian army said at least 28 suspected militants have died in clashes since the operation began on Friday. Egypt receives $1.3 billion annually from the United States. Last year, Washington withdrew some financial aid to Egypt saying it had failed to make progress on respecting human rights and democracy. Asked about concerns over the election, Tillerson said the United States supported a credible, transparent vote in Egypt, Libya and elsewhere. "We have always advocated for free and fair elections, transparent elections not just in Egypt but in any country," Tillerson said. Egypt says it will conduct free and fair elections, but opponents of Sisi have criticised what they say is a government-led crackdown on challengers. Later a senior State Department official said some of the issues "pending" in the U.S.-Egyptian relationship included a law regulating nongovernmental organizations, concerns on civil society and "democratic process baskets." The issue of American nationals detained in Egypt was also raised. The official described the meetings with the Egyptians as "a positive, substantive engagement on both sides. And from that we have to hope that similarly, there will be positive, substantive movement." Tillerson said the United States was also keen to continue supporting Egypt in its economic recovery, after the country implemented tough economic reforms tied to a $12 billion International Monetary Fund loan. Shoukry said Egypt stressed the need for a peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "We discussed how to reach a solution for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of a two-state solution and the importance of maintaining U.S. efforts to reach this final settlement," Shoukry said. Tillerson said Washington remained committed to working for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, adding that Trump's decision on Jerusalem in December did not set final boundaries for the city and that Washington believes it has an "important role to play to bring a resolution" to the crisis. The decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital led to clashes in the West Bank, was opposed by Arab and EU countries, and reversed decades of U.S. policy. (Reporting by Yara Bayoumy; Additional reporting by Mostafa Hashem,; Writing by Sami Aboudi, John Davison; Editing by Toby Chopra, Alison Williams, William Maclean and Jonathan Oatis) The undocumented father of a cancer-stricken 5-year-old boy will be allowed to stay in the U.S. and work for at least a year after taking refuge from immigration officials in an Arizona church. Jesus Berrones says he was brought to the United States from Mexico as a toddler and has since married an American citizen with whom he has five children. That's why Berrones, 30, told CBS News he sneaked back into the U.S. after being deported twice, in 2006 and 2010, following an arrest for driving with a fake driver's license. "I've been here since I was a little kid, so I feel like I'm from here," Berrones said. "I really don't want to be deported because I don't have life over there." And now Berrones has an even bigger reason to want to stay in the country where he's spent most of his life: his son Jayden. Jayden has leukemia and, in order to stay with the boy, Berrones took refuge in a Phoenix church as his deadline to turn himself in for deportation approached Monday. Pastor Ken Heintzelman of the Shadow Rock United Church of Christ told CBS News he fully believes Berrones deserves to stay in the country. "Here's a man who crossed the desert," Heintzelman said, referring to Berrones' border crossing. "It took great risks in order to be unified with his family. He shouldn't be prosecuted." On Monday, the family learned that, at least for now, Berrones can remain in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has granted Berrones a stay and a one-year work permit. While temporary, the decision came as a huge relief to Berrones, who told KPHO he hopes the stay will continue to be extended. "This is my home," he said. "I just want to support my family and work and have good status in the United States." RELATED STORIES Jurors Convict House Cleaner for Stealing Jewelry Then Pay Her Fine Undocumented Immigrant Found Not Guilty in Death of Kate Steinle on San Francisco Pier Story continues Authorities Release Undocumented 10-Year-Old With Cerebral Palsy Who Was Detained After Surgery Related Articles: The heads of six top U.S. intelligence agencies said on Tuesday that Russian interference in American democracy has not diminished since the 2016 presidential race and is continuing in advance of this years midterms. During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., the directors of the CIA, FBI, National Intelligence, National Security Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency were asked to reaffirm their view that Moscows election meddling has continued since the election of President Trump. They did so unanimously. Frankly, the United States is under attack, Dan Coats, the director of National Intelligence, said at the start of Tuesdays hearing. Under attack by entities that are using cyber to penetrate virtually every major action that takes place in the United States. Influence operations, especially through cyber means, will remain a significant threat to U.S. interests, Coats continued. Russia probably will be the most capable and aggressive source of this threat in 2018. The director warned that the Kremlin will continue to use sympathetic spokesmen to advance its disinformation agenda, pushing propaganda, social media, false-flag personas and other means of influence to try to exacerbate social and political fissures in the United States. There should be no doubt that Russia perceives its past operations as successful, Coats added. FBI Director Christopher Wray, CIA Director Mike Pompeo, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, Defense Intelligence Agency Director Robert Ashley, National Security Agency Director Michael Rogers and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Director Robert Cardillo testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday. (Photo: Leah Millis/Reuters) In October 2016, U.S. intelligence officials announced for the first time publicly that the Russian government was behind the hacking of the Democratic National Committee earlier in the year. In early January 2017, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a report on Russias interference in the U.S. presidential election, concluding with high confidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the U.S. presidential election. Putins goals, the report said, were to undermine public faith in the U.S. democratic process, denigrate Secretary Clinton, and harm her electability and potential presidency and to boost Donald Trumps election chances. Story continues But President Trump has repeatedly refused to accept the conclusion that Russias interference tipped the scales in his favor, even as three separate investigations into his campaigns contacts with Russia and possible collusion with the Kremlin continue. This Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made-up story, Trump said last May, shortly after firing FBI Director James Comey, who was overseeing the federal probe. Its an excuse by the Democrats for having lost an election that they shouldve won. In his testimony, Coats decried those who have dismissed Russias election meddling. We need to inform the American public that this is real, he said. We are not going to allow some Russian to tell us how were going to vote. There needs to be a national cry for that. Read more from Yahoo News: By Karen Pierog CHICAGO (Reuters) - Illinois' upcoming elections are casting a shadow over the state's ability to pass a new budget, tackle its financial liabilities and keep its credit ratings from sinking into junk, analysts said. Illinois is a prime example of U.S. state fiscal woes. With a huge $129 billion unfunded pension liability and a chronic unpaid bill backlog, it has the lowest credit ratings among states, and political dysfunction left it without complete budgets for an unprecedented two-straight fiscal years. The Democratic-controlled legislature, with the help of some Republican votes, finally enacted a fiscal 2018 budget in July over Governor Bruce Rauner's vetoes. On Wednesday, Rauner, a Republican, is set to unveil his fiscal 2019 budget plan. "This coming budget process is really important for the state's creditworthiness," said Gabriel Petek, an analyst at S&P Global Ratings, which rates Illinois one notch above junk at BBB-minus. "The fact it's an election year usually does not make the process easier." He added there was no sign the political battle between Rauner and Democrats that led to the budget impasse had eased. Rauner, seeking a second term in November, is facing one primary opponent, while six Democratic candidates are also vying for the nomination. In the legislature, 157 of the 177 seats are up for election. BUDGET TIGHT SPOT The governor has promised to produce a balanced fiscal 2019 budget that includes a path toward rolling back a $5 billion income tax hike the legislature approved over his veto last year. Democrats are dubious. "I'm waiting anxiously to hear his speech and his proposals and see the math of how this works," said State Representative Greg Harris, House Democrats' budget point person. House Speaker Michael Madigan, the target of a long-shot Rauner effort to strip him of his long-time leadership post, has suggested the governor remain on the sidelines this session, while lawmakers work in a bipartisan fashion to move the state forward. Story continues Even if Illinois slows expenditure growth, which has outpaced revenue growth, to the lowest rate among states, it would take almost two decades to achieve a balanced budget, according to David Merriman, co-director of the Fiscal Futures Project at the University of Illinois' Institute of Government and Public Affairs. There is limited wiggle room in Illinois' $37 billion general fund budget. Medicaid, debt service on bonds, pensions, and retiree healthcare account for about 40 percent of spending, compared to a state median of around 28 percent, according to S&P's Petek. "Illinois begins its fiscal discussion with less discretion over budget resources than the typical state," Petek said. Payments to its five employee retirement funds will jump to an estimated $8.54 billion in fiscal 2019 from $7.99 billion this year with the general fund absorbing 88 percent of the cost, according to an Illinois legislative commission. The October sale of $6 billion of general obligation bonds to pay overdue state bills will help push GO debt service costs to $4.04 billion in fiscal 2019 from $3.456 billion this year. Wary bond investors continue to demand much higher yields for Illinois GO bonds compared to other states. Illinois' so-called credit spread over the municipal market's benchmark triple-A yield scale for 10-year bonds is 183 basis points. The spread for New Jersey, the next lowest-rated state after Illinois at A-minus, is only 78 basis points. Eric Kim, an analyst at Fitch Ratings, which rates Illinois BBB with a negative outlook, said while the enactment of a fiscal 2018 budget was a positive step, the election may complicate further progress. He said it was critical for the state to continue to address its big backlog of unpaid bills that ballooned to a record $16.67 billion last year and accrued $1.03 billion in late payment penalties. The governor's budget office has warned that without changes to the current trajectory of the state's finances, the backlog, which stood at $8.67 billion last week, will rise starting in fiscal 2019. "If (the backlog increases) that certainly would be a concern for us and something we said could be a potential negative rating factor," Kim said. (GRAPHIC: Illinois v. New Jersey credit - http://reut.rs/2BUCEY1) (GRAPHIC: Illinois unpaid bill backlog - http://reut.rs/2Bpq81E) (Reporting by Karen Pierog; Editing by Daniel Bases and Tom Brown) Kuwait City (AFP) - Washington's top envoy Tuesday called on allies to keep fighting the Islamic State group, saying the end of major combat did not mean "enduring defeat" of the extremists. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spoke at a ministerial meeting in Kuwait of the US-led military coalition that has been fighting IS in Iraq and Syria. The jihadist group has lost much of the territory it once controlled when it seized large swathes of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014. "ISIS is failing but the end of major combat operations does not mean we have achieved the enduring defeat of ISIS," Tillerson said, using another acronym for IS. "ISIS remains a serious threat to the stability of the region, our homelands and other parts of the globe," he said. Iraq declared victory over IS in December, but the extremist group still has a presence in Syria, where the US-led coalition has backed a Kurdish-Arab alliance fighting the jihadists. Tillerson said the United States would maintain an "ISIS-focused military presence in Syria" and "continue to train local security forces". The US-backed campaign against IS in Syria has been complicated since Turkey-supported rebels last month launched an offensive against Kurdish militia in the northwestern region of Afrin. The Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) have been a key component of the US-backed alliance fighting IS, but Washington's NATO ally Turkey says they are a "terrorist" offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). "We remain concerned over recent events in northwest Syria and call on all parties to remain focused on defeating ISIS," Tillerson said. "We will continue to be completely transparent with Turkey about our efforts in Syria to defeat ISIS and we stand by our NATO ally in its counterterrorism efforts." A Russian-made tank seconds before it was destroyed by a US drone near Deir Ezzor, three days after Russian fighters were killed there - CNN A US air and artillery strike has killed Russian combatants in the first lethal violence in Syria between the two nuclear powers, according to sources on both sides. The battle, which was briefly alluded to in a US-led coalition statement last week, took place in the oil-rich Deir Ezzor province in eastern Syria. On 7 February, a large force loyal to Bashar al-Assad and supported by tanks and artillery advanced and fired at a Syrian Democratic Forces base manned by Kurdish troops and American military advisors, a US military spokesman said in a statement to Bloomberg on Tuesday. The United States, which was communicating with the Russian side during the clash, drove the attackers back with aircraft and artillery fire, suffering no fatalities, the spokesman said. On 10 February, a US drone destroyed an advancing Russian-made T-72 tank from the same hostile force, the US military said on Tuesday. While reports have varied widely, claiming anywhere from a handful to more than a hundred Russians were killed and describing them alternately as military troops or private contractors, the 7 February clash nonetheless appears to have been the deadliest between US and Russian citizens since the Cold War. A US military adviser shakes hands with a Kurdish commander in Manbij in northern Syria last week Credit: Susannah George/AP Photo On Monday, the Russia-based independent research group Conflict Intelligence Team published the names of four Russians who had been killed by the US strike. It said the men were mercenaries from the Wagner group, a highly secretive private military company whose alleged commander was photographed with Vladimir Putin in 2016. Friends and relatives confirmed to RBC newspaper that the men had been killed in Syria on 7 February. Conflict Intelligence Team told The Telegraph on Tuesday that three other Russians were also killed in the attack, which it said was the only time Russians had been killed by the Western coalition. The independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta reported that 13 Russians had been killed and 15 wounded in the strike. It said Wagner troops had been operating with a special forces unit known as the ISIS Hunters. Story continues Bashad regime soldiers wounded in the US strikes near Deir Ezzor are seen in a hospital last week Credit: AFP/Getty Images Igor Strelkov, a nationalist with links to Russian intelligence who commanded Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, said 100 Wagner employees had died in the strike. Bloomberg quoted Russian sources as saying that 200 professional soldiers, most of them Russian, were killed, while an American official told the publication about 100 had been killed. If true, those numbers would easily eclipse previous Russian losses in Syria, which has been presented by Mr Putin as a largely bloodless conflict. Russia has insisted it does not have troops on the ground even as reports have mounted of small numbers of soldiers and mercenaries killed. Surveys have shown Russians are largely lukewarm toward the Syrian conflict. Vladimir Putin speaks to servicemen at Russia's airbase in Syria in December Credit: Mikhail Klimentyev/Pool Photo via AP In other circumstances, such a clash would have likely sparked a diplomatic crisis, but the Kremlin did not appear to want to discuss possible casualties before Mr Putin stands for re-election next month. After liberal presidential candidate Grigory Yavlinsky called on the president to comment on the Russian deaths, Mr Putin's spokesman said these reports need verification and argued that so many Russians were located in so many countries it was difficult to have any detailed information. In a statement last week, the defence ministry said no Russian soldiers were in that area of Deir Ezzor and claimed that the US strike had hit Syrian rebels by mistake, injuring 25 of them. A memorial ceremony for Russian air force pilot Roman Filipov, who killed himself with a grenade after his aircraft was shot down over Syria this month Credit: Vadim Savitsky/Handout via Reuters If public opinion paints a picture for itself that the Syrian war will require losses and those to blame are not terrorists but American soldiers, then they will have to react, and no one wants to react to this right now, said Carnegie Centre Moscow analyst Alexander Baunov. The clashes in Deir Ezzor bode ill for the future of the war, suggesting that conflicts between the many regional powers present in Syria could grow more frequent even as the terrorists are defeated. The fight with the Islamic State is being replaced by old and new conflicts amid the intersection of internal and external players' interests, said Conflict Intelligence Team researcher Ruslan Leviev. With the Lunar New Year around the corner, many people in Hong Kong are having their fortunes told for the Year of the Dog. A common method of reading the future is through the use of kau chim, or divination sticks. The idea is that you bear a question in mind (Will I get married this year? Will my business prosper?) as you shake a cylindrical container of 100 bamboo sticks each about the same size and shape as a chopstick and engraved with a number. You keep shaking the container until a single stick works its way free of the bunch and falls out on to the ground. The number on that stick corresponds to a short allegory or verse that, traditionally, interpreted by a soothsayer. But this being futuristic Hong Kong, the interpreting these days is just as often done by a kau cim mobile application. A popular place to perform kau chim is at the splendidly named Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple, founded in 1921 in honor of a fourth-century Taoist hermit. I set out for it with the app loaded onto my phone. Worshippers with kau cim divination sticks at Wong Tai Sing temple in Hong Kong on Feb. 4, 2018. When I arrived at the sprawling temple complex last week, passing a shrine to the Taoist gatekeeper deity Wang Ling-guan, the main altar was already full of devotees lighting incense and making requests of the temples patron. Some had brought offerings of food and drink. The soft cascading sound of kau cim sticks, not unlike rain, filled the square. This temple is a famous powerful place, says Akito Watabe, 20, a Japanese university student visiting Hong Kong on holiday. His friend, Yuri Suzuki, 21, tells me that it was his first time praying with kau cim sticks. I prayed for health, fortune. And for family, of course, he says. It wasnt just spiritual energy buzzing through the temples pavilion each of the bamboo fortune telling sticks at Wong Tai Sin is embedded with a radio transmitting chip to help the staff ensure each bucket contains the full set of 100 potential destinies. Temple visitors can borrow sets of 100 kau cim sticks from an office in the temple's pain pavilion. Peter Mar, 68, a widower and native Hongkonger, says he performs kau cim two to three times per week: More than some people go to the Jockey Club, he says, referring to the Hong Kong institution that holds a gambling monopoly on the citys popular horse races. The retired aerospace engineer was at the Wong Tai Sin temple today to pray for luck in love, since he and his new girlfriend dont always see eye to eye. Story continues She is Year of the Dog, I am Year of the Ox, he says. So sometimes we dont get along. Having explored the pavilion, including the trio of Taoist shrines to the divinities of wealth, Chinese medicine, and virtue, it was time for me to see how my own fortune shook out. Time to face my fortune with a set of bamboo kau cim sticks. Settling my knees into well-worn indentations of a prayer cushion, I lifted my kau cim bucket and began to rock it back and forth in the direction of the main altar as my eyes began to water from the incense. A temple visitor demonstrates excellent kau cim technique. After a bit of experimental rocking to get a feel for the weight of the sticks, and a few false-starts in which I dumped my entire bucket of divination sticks and attracted more than a few judgmental looks I managed to work one stick forward of its companions. A few more careful wiggles, and it was knocked it clear from the cup. Success. My stick of destiny. For worshippers who prefer a more personal touch, the temple hosts an arcade of fortune tellers, who interpret your number (and read your palm or perform numerology) for a negotiable price. The temple hosts a wing of traditional fortune tellers, who will interpret your fortune for a small fee. But for visitors in a rush (or on a budget), the temple has installed an e-Stick fortune-telling booth beside the temple administrative office, which dispenses fortunes free-of-charge. The temple's administrative office. The e-Stick booth is to the right of the door. The keeper of my fate Wong Tai Sin temple's fortune s-Stick reader. The kiosk asks you to key in your stick number, and prints a fortune and short thematic poem on a pink slip of paper or makes it available for QR code scan. The service is only available in Chinese, but fortunately for non-Chinese speakers, the temples mobile app and web platform allow you to key in your kau cim number for an English translation. My fate still a beguiling mystery. My printed fortune in hand, I retreated from the sea of rustling sticks to the Yue Heung Shrine, a charming adjacent Buddhist pavilion built in 1933. Taking a seat in the shadow of an hexagonal, fire-engine red sanctuary, and the Yik Yik lotus fountain, I took a deep breath, cast my best intentions to the stars, and fired up the app. An inauspicious fortune, fetched via the Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple app. The outlook wasnt favorable in fact, it was poor, the lowest of the apps five ranked grades. I braced myself and scrolled, hoping the future that unfurled itself on my touch screen wasnt as dire as I feared. It was. The sick will be in critical condition. The pregnant will encounter alarm. Travelers will be deterred on their way. Well that certainly doesnt sound good. The app cautioned me that my family will not achieve peace, business will be unprofitable, and neither wealth nor fame will charm my future. Search for lost items will be in vainIll luck is inevitable. So much for a sweet New Year. For fortune-seekers abroad or pressed for time, the temple also has a Taoist web portal that allows users to file prayers and submit fortunes remotely. As for this writer, I know where Ill be when the Year of the Dog rolls around: at home, my passport and checkbook in a lockbox and my tail between my legs. The Russian military has announced successful tests of a new rocket designed to nuke any missiles fired towards Moscow, hailing the weapon as a major defense upgrade. Russia has several programs geared towards modernizing defensive and offensive missile systems as the Kremlin continues to transition away from Soviet-era kit. The Ministry of Defense posted video of the test launch, which took place at Kazakhstans Sary Shagan test range. The latest launch appeared to check the readiness of a modernized version of a rocket for Russias current anti-missile system, A-135. Reports did not reveal the name of the new item or in what way it outperforms current rockets, but the Air Gorces deputy commander told military newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda that the rockets success was a leap forward in capability. Trending: How Many Dictatorships Are Taking Part in the Winter Olympics? Related: Russias military ally scrapped a U.S. base after being told to fear a missile strike Its tactical and technical characteristics with regards to range, precision, time frame of use, all significantly surpass firearms that exist in use today, Colonel Andrey Prikhodko said. There is no doubt that this anti-missile rocket, just like all elements of the anti-missile defense that are presently undergoing modernization, will be able to carry out their task in providing a reliable defense of their region. Reliable defense could include warding off ballistic missiles, he added. Don't miss: Who is Sabrina Dhowre, Idris Elbas Fiancee? The system is the formidable line of defense around Moscowone of the worlds most heavily guarded cities. The A-135 is an upgrade activated in the 1990s to replace the Soviet-era A-35 anti-missile system. A-135 is designed to intercept a strike against the Russian capital by not merely hitting an incoming missile, but potentially detonating a nuclear blast in a general area of the sky. 02_12_anti_missile Sergei Gapon/AFP/Getty Images Story continues Statistically, such missile defense tactics stand a much better chance of eliminating threats with fewer anti-missile rockets fired but there are significant risks. A higher elevation blast, while avoiding close contact with Moscow residents, could cause electromagnetic interference with satellites or energy supply. Russias most popular city is perpetually surrounded by 68 nuclear missiles, which would exponentially raise the impact of any fire or mishap. During the Cold War, the United States and Russia struck an arms control deal to limit the number of defensive weapons each side had, which spurred additional investment in offensive weapons. Per the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, each side was allowed to keep a site of its choice. Absent Moscow's level of centralized national government and population density, Washington chose to guard its formidable arsenal at a base in North Dakota before shutting the program down in 1975. Russia retained its program throughout the Cold War. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek The Trump White House has taken an unusual position on Hope Hicks romantic relationship with alleged domestic abuser Rob Porter, MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell has claimed. On Monday, O'Donnell slammed counselor Kellyanne Conway for her assertion that the White House Communications Director Hicks is a strong woman. On his show, The Last Word with Lawrence ODonnell, the host singled out White House counselor Kellyanne Conway for claiming she is not worried about communications director Hicks' relationship with Porter because Hicks is a "strong woman." Trending: Trump Once Told Alex Jones Budget Would Destroy U.S. Unless Balanced I am very close to Hope Hicks and I don't worry about her in that respect, Conway said in a CNN interview over the weekend. I'm sorry for any suffering [Porter's ex] has endured, but in the case of Hope, I rarely met somebody so strong with such excellent instincts, and loyalty, and smarts," Conway said. Don't miss: Thank Goodness the Stock Market is Sliding. Its About Time "I didn't have the presence of mind and professional capabilities at her age that I see in her every single day," she added, in comments that were slammed by O'Donnell. ODonnell took issue with how Conway positioned Hicks as strong because it insinuated that Porter's alleged victims were weak. He added that Conway's remarks seemed to suggest Hicks was the "immune to the possibility of physical abuse by a man she is dating." Rob Porters former girlfriend just wasnt strong enough. Thats why he physically abused her, ODonnell said. Most popular: Ryan Mason Injury Update: Hull City Star Instagrams Retirement Statement after Life-Threatening Injury His two former wives just werent strong enough. Thats why he physically abused them. Thats why he punched Colbie Holderness and gave her that black eye. Because she wasnt strong enough. Thats the Trump White House position on why no one has to worry about Hope Hicksbecause shes stronger than the women Rob Porter victimized," he continued. Story continues Conways apparent assertion that someone so strong would not be the victim of abuse was also slammed by Porters first wife Colbie Holderness, who stated in an op-ed for The Washington Post on Tuesday that Recognizing and surviving in an abusive relationship takes strength." The White House has also faced criticism over President Donald Trumps reaction to the allegations made against Porter, after the outgoing staff secretary received well wishes from POTUS. He worked very hard and we found out about it recently and I was surprised by it, but we certainly wish him well. Its obviously a tough time for him, Trump told reporters. The president's comments were criticized as insensitive and resulted in White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders stating, in a bold spin, that the president wished all Americans well, not Porter in particular. This article was first written by Newsweek More from Newsweek (Reuters) - In the dog-eat-dog world of U.S. politics, a 3-year-old wire-haired Vizsla in Kansas was scratching his head, and behind his ears, after being denied a chance to run for governor, his owner said on Tuesday. The Kansas man, who registered his dog named Angus for governor, said the secretary of state's office has halted the campaign to put his pooch in politics. "His platform was going to be free Chuckit balls for life," said Terran Woolley, of Hutchinson. "He is a little heartbroken and a little relieved because he doesn't have to go to all those pointless debates," Woolley said by telephone. Woolley said he registered Angus after reading news reports that teenagers had filed candidacy paperwork and there were almost no requirements on who could run. But there is at least one. "A dog cannot run for governor," Kansas Secretary of State spokeswoman Samantha Poetter said in a statement. "Kansas statute and the Kansas Constitution make repeated references to a person being governor." One person running for governor is Kris Kobach, a Republican who is secretary of state. "I am sure that Kobach is scared to lose to Angus in the general election," Woolley said. (Reporting by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Sandra Maler) New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said Monday that it is unacceptable for the new owners of the Weinstein Co. to maintain the previous management team, including David Glasser, who was expected to be named CEO. In a press conference in Lower Manhattan, Schneiderman discussed the extensive allegations of sexual misconduct and corporate enabling detailed in the lawsuit his office filed on Sunday. We have never seen anything as despicable as what weve seen right here, Schneiderman said. The attorney generals lawsuit has thrown the pending sale of the company into doubt. A bid group backed by investor Ron Burkle and fronted by Maria Contreras-Sweet, the former head of the Small Business Administration, was expected to finalize terms on a $500 million acquisition on Sunday. The investor group had promised to clean up the company by installing a female-majority board and putting in place a victims compensation fund. But in the press conference, Schneiderman argued that those promises were largely illusory. The CEO was supposed to be David Glasser not a female last time I checked, he said. The lawsuit alleges that Glasser, as chief operating officer, had oversight of the human resources department at the Weinstein Co. The complaint alleges that numerous complaints of sexual misconduct against Harvey Weinstein were not properly handled, and that accusers were vulnerable to retaliation because complaints were forwarded to Weinstein. The putting in charge of a newly configured company the same people who were involved in perpetuating for 12 years this pattern of misconduct, should be unacceptable to anyone who wants to reimagine the company, Schneiderman said. The attorney generals office has sought to negotiate with the Contreras-Sweet group, but has not gotten very far. Schneiderman said that Contreras-Sweets lawyer called back and said, Why should we talk with you? Story continues It remains to be seen whether Contreras-Sweet would be willing to dispense with Glasser, which seems to be close to non-negotiable for the attorney general. Its also unclear if she would be able to change the terms of the deal to increase the amount allotted to victims of Weinsteins abuse, which might be a greater sticking point. Related stories Weinstein Responds to Lawsuit, Says He Feels Like a 'Scapegoat' N.Y. Attorney General Suit Details Culture of 'Harassment and Intimidation' at Weinstein Co. Weinstein Co. Sale in Doubt as N.Y. Attorney General Files Civil Rights Lawsuit Subscribe to Variety Newsletters and Email Alerts! Bari Weiss, an op-ed writer for The New York Times, triggered an intense online debate on Monday when she tweeted about Mirai Nagasus historic Olympic performance. Weiss captioned a video from the NBC Olympics account Immigrants: they get the job done, after Nagasu became the the first American woman to land a triple axel in Olympic competition. The problem is that Nagasu isnt an immigrant. She was born in California to Japanese immigrants and maintained dual U.S. and Japanese citizenship until she was 22 years old. Many people criticized Weiss now-deleted tweet for othering Nagasu implying that because she is not white, she is an immigrant. Weiss pushed back, saying shed used poetic license in quoting the line from the wildly popular Broadway show Hamilton. Wow, this is utterly breathtaking in its bad faith, Weiss responded to one critic. Her parents are immigrants. And my tweet was obviously meant to celebrate her accomplishments. Perhaps youd be more comfortable with an outlet like Think Progress making the same point. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. To be fair, it is clear that Weiss meant to be positive and praise Nagasu for her history-making performance at the 2018 Winter Olympics. Weiss defended herself by saying that many outlets were celebrating Nagasu as the child of immigrants, including HuffPost. Weiss characterized the backlash to her tweet as another sign of civilizations end. However, Weiss may have missed the point of the criticism. For minorities in the U.S., not being white often means having your status as an American questioned. It comes in the form of microaggressions such as being asked No, where are you really from? or being told to go back to your country because its assumed you cant really be from the United States. The fervor with which people attacked Weiss tweet may also be partly due to her reputation for controversial viewpoints. The Intercepts Glenn Greenwald described Weiss as a writer who thrives on cheap, easy, and superficial controversy after the Times hired her. Story continues Also on HuffPost Yuna Kim of South Korea competes in the Women's Figure Skating Free Program on day 13 of the Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 20, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. Gracie Gold of the United States competes in the Women's Figure Skating Free Program on day 13 of the Winter Olympics in Sochi. Russia's Julia Lipnitskaia performs in the Women's Figure Skating Free Program at the Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 20, 2014. Russia's Adelina Sotnikova performs in the Women's Figure Skating Free Program at the Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 20, 2014. Ashley Wagner of the United States performs in the Women's Figure Skating Free Program on Feb. 20, 2014. Russia's Adelina Sotnikova performs in the Women's Figure Skating Free Program on Feb. 20, 2014. Gracie Gold of the United States performs in the Women's Figure Skating Free Program at the Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 20, 2014. Ashley Wagner of the United States performs in the Women's Figure Skating Free Program on Feb. 20, 2014. Germany's Nathalie Weinzierl performs in the Women's Figure Skating Free Program at the Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 20, 2014. Russia's Julia Lipnitskaia competes in the Women's Figure Skating Free Program at the Iceberg Skating Palace. Russia's Julia Lipnitskaia performs in the Women's Figure Skating Free Program at the Iceberg Skating Palace. South Korea's Kim Yu-Na performs in the Women's Figure Skating Free Program on Feb. 20, 2014. Italy's Valentina Marchei performs in the Women's Figure Skating Free Program at the Sochi Winter Olympics. Polina Edmunds of the United States performs in the Women's Figure Skating Free Program at the Iceberg Skating Palace. Japan's Akiko Suzuki performs in the Women's Figure Skating Free Program on Feb. 20, 2014. China's Li Zijun performs in the Women's Figure Skating Free Program at the Sochi Winter Olympics. China's Li Zijun performs in the Women's Figure Skating Free Program at the Iceberg Skating Palace. China's Zijun Li of China competes in the Women's Figure Skating Free Program in the Sochi Winter Olympics on Feb. 20, 2014. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Let me tell you a story. In 1926, the Conservative Movement in North America bought a nice plot of land in the heart of Jerusalem. Two and a half acres, between the center of town and the Rehavia neighborhood. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The Conservatives, who identified with Zionism from its beginnings, believed it was not enough for the Jewish national home to come into being on a basis of secular Zionism alone. They believed there needed to be a major synagogue in the heart of Jerusalem which would be modern, with the right mixture of old and new, of tradition and change. It was a marvelous vision, but there were not many new immigrants at the time, and those who did come were Socialists looking to change the world and werent so in tune with religious sentiment. The plot of land remained bare and empty. It stayed that way until 1934, when the Conservative Movement agreed, happily, to make a present of it to a promising-sounding new initiative. An Orthodox group called Yeshurun aimed to build a synagogue in Jerusalem with a more modern character, which would attract young people. An aesthetically appealing synagogue where services would be conducted with decorum, with a slightly more liberal attitude toward women. (Photo: Yeshurun synagogue) On that plot of land today stands the famous Yeshurun synagogue. The Conservative Movement not only donated the site, it also made a generous contribution toward the financing of the building. For many years, the synagogue has been the place of prayer for the elite of the Poel Mizrahi, later the National Religious Party. Dr. Yosef Burg used to stroll there from his nearby home every Shabbat. Its the synagogue where to this day the Chief Rabbi of Israel gives the Shabbat Hagadol sermon on the Shabbat before Seder night. Somewhere at the entrance to the building you can still see a brass plaque with the inscription, In testimony and commemoration of the United Synagogues of America, who redeemed this holy land within the Holy City of Jerusalem and donated it in perpetuity to 'Yeshurun' for the establishment of a great synagogue and place of Torah in Israel, and also donated generously to this building, the first building of Yeshurun. May God bless them from Zion. Ah, history. There are times when it has an odd way of looking at you with a rueful smile. I think this is one of those times. (Photo: Yeshurun synagogue) Just imagine what could have happened. How would Israel look today if the Conservative Movement had made a decision to hold back as long as the altruistic approach of All Israel was marginalizing investments that could have promoted an alternative to the existing religious establishment in Israel? Over the years, Conservative Judaism has contributed billions of dollars to the State of Israel. It did so deliberately, out of Zionist ideology and philanthropic practice, in a non-sectorial fashion. From a historical perspective it acted nobly. But politically? It was shooting itself in the foot. Why? Because there is a market failure in the religious sphere in Israel. The state invests NIS 3.7 billion a year in Orthodox religious and cultural services. A huge sum, which is entirely invested in maintaining the Orthodox Jewish narrative. Against this backdrop, non-Orthodox Israeli Judaism has made fantastic achievements: it has managed to establish itself in spite of institutional malpractice and budgetary lockout. This year the Masorti movement is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its establishment in Israel. The pioneers who founded it deserve to be awarded the Israel Prize. Thats not going to happen. But just look at the number of Jews in Israeli who identify with non-Orthodox denominationsover half a million (about a quarter of a million for each movement). Thats 100 percent growth in ten years. In a dysfunctional market, where the regulator himself benefits from lack of competition and even promotes it, you couldnt ask for a more authentic and moving achievement. Joining the campaign by rabbis against women enlisting in the IDF, dozens of high school girls took part in a new campaign where they were photographed holding up signs in support of Sherut Leumi (Israel National Service), in lieu of military service. The girls say they were subject to pressure at school to join the IDF. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The organization Chotam (dedicated to restoring Judaism to the center of public agendaed), which organized the campaign, blames Education Minister Naftali Bennett for bowing to pressure by liberal groups and allowing them to operate in all-girls schools and try to convince the students to choose IDF service against the position of the rabbis and religious educators. Chotam campaign against religious women serving in IDF (Photo: Chotam) "We believe in National Service" (Photo: Chotam) Opponents argue that the aggressive pro-enlistment campaign the girls are subjected at school is a violation of their belief and ideals as religious girls. They hope for a widespread web campaign whereby girls declare: Stop interfering with our education, we believe in National service. Chotam Director Amital Bareli said: The Education Ministry under Shai Piron (the previous head) understood that one cannot force a foreign worldview upon girls in the religious educational system; graduates of religious education contribute in the form of National Service. It is unfortunate that the current Education Minister bowed to pressure from pluralist groups that influence the education of religious girls. Hundreds of girls decided to initiate this protest that is gathering steam and we are calling on the minister to prevent interference from foreign elements with motives that are opposed to most of the national-religious population. Kolech , an orthodox feminist movement , commented on the new campaign: Attempts to portray the discourse between National service and IDF enlistment as a conflict between liberals and conservatives prevents the real dialogue regarding education. Unfortunately, pressure applied by the educational institutions is actually against choosing military service as part of an idealization of National service and ignoring its inherent challenges. Rather than engage in a campaign which chooses to malign one choice or another, Chotam should support the freedom of choice by young women in high school and present them with all their options as part of an ethical dialogue displaying all the challenges, both in the military as well as in National Service, as part of a desire to prepare the girls for a meaningful service using the right tools to handle their challenges and an attentive ear to their wants and needs. "Reports that the United States discussed with Israel an annexation plan for the West Bank are false," said the White House spokesman Monday on the heels of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement that he was having talks with the Americans about applying Israeli sovereignty in the region. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter "The United States and Israel have never discussed such a proposal, and the Presidents focus remains squarely on his Israeli-Palestinian peace initiative," the White House spokesman added. PM Netanyahu (L) and US President Trump (Photo: Reuters) In response, the Prime Minister's Office clarified that Netanyahu "updated the Americans on the (annexation) initiatives being raised in the Knesset, and the Americans expressed their unequivocal position that they are committed to advancing President Trump's peace plan." The PMO added that the prime minister did not present the United States with any specific annexation proposals, and that in any case the administration in Washington did not express its consent to it. "The position of Prime Minister Netanyahu is that if the Palestinians persist in their refusal to negotiate for peace, Israel will present its own alternatives," the PMO said. Earlier that day, Netanyahu told Likud members that he is guided by two principles on the matter: "Coordinating as much as possible with the Americans, with whom the relationship is a strategic asset to the State of Israel and to the settlement enterprise," and the legislation "must be a government initiative and not a private one, because this is a historic move." PM Netanyahu (Photo: Amil Salman/PMO) Coalition heads decided on Sunday to postpone an upcoming vote at the Ministerial Committee for Legislation on an annexation bill sponsored by Likud MK Yoav Kisch, with the official reason being the security events of the past weekend in northern Israel. Kisch's proposal seeks to apply Israeli law, judicial system and sovereignty in all West Bank settlements. It is identical to a resolution unanimously adopted by the Likud Central Committee a month ago. Members of the coalition have proposed quite a few annexation bills during the 20th Knesset's term: Kisch and Bayit Yehudi MK Bezalel Smotrich submitted a proposal to annex the settlement of Ma'ale Adumim; MK Moti Yogev (Bayit Yehudi) and MK Miki Zohar (Likud) sought to annex Gush Etzion, the city of Ariel and the Jordan Valley; Minister Yisrael Katz (Likud) tried to promote a bill proposal to annex Givat Ze'ev; MK Shuli Mualem-Rafaeli (Bayut Yehudi) proposed to repeal the Disengagement Law in the northern Samaria region. All of these proposals were sidelined by the coalition, mostly to avoid censure from the international community. Rabbi Yosef Kelner, a teacher at the Eli pre-military academy who made deprecating comments about women and subsequently apologized, appears to have backtracked on his apology, claiming his words were edited in an idiotic and malicious manner. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter We were presented with a transcript of what I said, and I did not know which lesson it was from or what the context was. At face value, it did not look good. There was the pressure of the media deadline, the management of the academy was very concerned, and the spokesman was pressed for a statement, Kelner wrote in a document published by Avishai Grinzeig, a reporter at the B'Sheva newspaper. Rabbi Kelner It was only the following night that the full recording of the lesson came to my attention, Kelner wrote, "and suddenly a flashback. I remembered the lesson and with great clarity, the situation that brought me to use this style of speech came to my mind. A student innocently noted that It is known that women are more spiritual and men more practical and I felt disgusted by the brainwashing of the feminist media emanating from his throat. I found it necessary, and I do not regret it, to 'shake' him out of the hollow slogan of this bizarre notion with the style of the words I used. Kelner argued that "malicious and foolish editing" of the recording of his lesson led to a misunderstanding of his meaning. "The long sentence that clarifies my intention was omitted: When I say that women are spiritually limited, the intention is that the high brow of world trends, the increase of global perceptions, is not where we expect women to reach notable achievements. The omission precludes understanding that there is a deeper context to the words other than 'they are stupid,'" he wrote. In the lessons, I explained about the important feminine sense, that when it is kept well developed, they do not need to study. Only today, when everything is crooked and they are raised crooked, an unfortunate need was created to hospitalize them in learning centers - in spiritual hospitals that help the precious girls return to their natural healthy state and restore what they have lost, he claimed. Later, he continued, The intention of my words regarding the 'spiritual limitation of women' is that their spiritual attainments should not be measured by men's measurements of broad worldviews and high spiritual aspirations, they have been blinded by standards, and this cry of truth must be heard!" The rabbi's explanation document is puzzling in light of the explicit words of the head of the Eli Academy, Rabbi Eli Sadan, after the release of the recordings: "I do not agree with all of these things either in terms of content or style, and they do not represent the academy. The academy refused to discuss the clarification document. A book self-described as "The first definitive history of the Mossad, Shin Bet, and the IDF's targeted killing programs" has been at the top of international bestseller lists for the past two weeks. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter "Rise and Kill First: The Inside Story and Secret Operations of Israel's Assassinations," published on January 30 and penned by Yedioth Ahronoth award winning journalist Dr. Ronen Bergman , has also been received with wide critical acclaim, with top critics calling it "an exceptional work" and "a must-read." The book The book ranked sixth in the combined (Hard cover+ ebook) nonfiction category of the American newspaper New York Times Bestsellers list, and fourth on German weekly news magazine Der Spiegel parallel list. On Amazon, the book ranked eighth among the best selling books on the site. The book, a fruit of eight years of work, describes the history of the Israeli intelligence communityMossad, Shin Bet, MID and IDF's special operations units. It begins in 1907 in the home of former President of Israel Yitzhak Ben-Zvi in Jaffa, where the first Zionist armed organization, the Bar-Giora, was established, and ends in September 2017. Bergman describes these 110 years through the statements of some 1,000 interviewees, many of whom speak on their behalf, and thousands of documents that have not been disclosed. Dr. Bergman (L) receives the Sokolov Award from Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai (: ) The New York Times called Bergman's work "never loses sight of the ethical questions that arise when a state, founded as a refuge for a stateless people who were targets of a genocide, decides it needs to kill in order to survive," adding it is "full of shocking moments, surprising disturbances in a narrative full of fateful twists and unintended consequences." Newsweek, meanwhile, called Bergman "Israels premier chronicler of the countrys principal spy services." Yedioth Ahronoth is Ynet's sister print publication. The High Court of Justice rejected Monday a petition calling on Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan to instruct Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh not to include police recommendations on indictment in investigation files, including in the cases against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Justice Uri Shoham stated in his decision that the petition, filed by attorney Yossi Fuchs, "should be dismissed out of hand," as Fuchs failed not give any substantial legal reason for intervening in such a way. Fuchs (L) and PM Netanyahu (Photo: Amil Salman) Earlier that week, the State Attorney's Office said the petition is destined to be rejected, clarifying that the police do not give the prosecution a "recommendation" as to whether a suspect should be prosecuted, ie, whether to indict him. "All that the police transmit, in accordance with the Attorney General's instructions, in cases in which such a report is transmitted, is a summary of the investigation file and its position regarding the entirety of the evidentiary infrastructure that was created during the interrogation," the State Attorney's Office said. On Sunday, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit asked the police to hold off on releasing their recommendations in the cases against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu until the state has a chance to respond to Fuchs' petition. AG Mandelblit (Photo: EPA) A statement on behalf of the prime minister noted that "We are not familiar with this petition, which was apparently submitted a long time ago. It was of course not done on our behalf, and we were not aware of it. Regardless, we don't attach any importance to the recommendations, the value of which everyone now understands." The police have been considering delaying the release of the recommendations in the wake of the weekend's escalation in the north. On Wednesday, Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh met with the police's senior brass to discuss the recommendations , with seeming consensus forming on recommending charging Netanyahu on the illicit gifts affair , as sufficient evidence exists to indict him for receiving bribes. Police Commissioner Alsheikh (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky) Several hours later, Netanyahu launched an unprecedented attack on Alsheikh, after the police chief accused "powerful" elements of trying to collect information about police officers involved in the investigations against the prime minister. Over the weekend, Netanyahu and his aides have considered petitioning the High Court of Justice to prevent the publication of the police recommendations until the police chief's accusations are looked into. A mentally unstable Lebanese national was repatriated Tuesday after infiltrating Israel by crossing the border fence earlier in the week. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The suspect was under constant surveillance by Israeli security forces even before he crossed into Israel and was detained shortly thereafter. File photo. The Lebanese border fence (Photo: AP) The foreign national said during his interrogation that he was sent by two Hezbollah operativesbrothers Mehdi and Ali Shahrur of the Lebanese village of Habbouchto check the border fence's condition. Brothers and Hezbollah operatives Mehdi and Ali Shahrur allegedly sent the mentally ill man to infiltrate Israel The infiltrator further claimed the two had threatened him with forced hospitalization if he did not attempt to cross into Israel to ascertain the border fence's permeability. He was brought near the border fence on a bike ridden by Mehdi Shahrur, he added. The IDF said that with this action, as in other actions, Hezbollah continued cynically abusing the Lebanese populace for its own ends in contravention of United Nations Security Council resolutions. Defense establishment officials said Monday night that had it not been for the security coordination between the IDF and Palestinian security services, the attack on two soldiers in Jenin would've ended much worse. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Israelismostly civilians but also soldiersenter areas A and B of the West Bank accidentally or intentionally almost on a daily basis. Usually, it's thanks to the quick operations of the Palestinian police that these incidents end without violence. However, Palestinian security services prefer not to take the credit, as they fear they would be perceived as traitors among the public in the West Bank. The wounded soldier, right, and the vehicle that came under attack "Israel has to understand that while we are committed to agreements, and that is why we intervene in such incidentswe're not Israel's new 'Lahad army.' That won't happen," said an official in the Palestinian security forces, referring to Antoine Lahad, the leader of the South Lebanon Army. The official said he has been witnessing radicalization on the Palestinian street. "I've been part of the Palestinian security services since they were founded, and I've never come across such a climate of radicalization like what exists on the Palestinian street these days. Even during the second intifada, there wasn't such a hostile atmosphere on the Palestinian street," he said. The average Palestinian, he said, "looks around, sees the settlements developing at full speed ahead, sees an Israeli government that is not moving towards a diplomatic agreementall of that has been happening for a while. Now, there is an anti-Palestinian American administration, and we simply don't interest the Arab states. The average Palestinian feels abandoned from all directions. It brings out negative energy from the streets, the likes of which we haven't seen since the establishment of the Palestinian Authority." IDF soldiers accidentally enter Jenin X Two IDF soldiersa non-commissioned officer (NCO) and a female conscript soldier under his commandwere making their way from the settlement of Shavei Shomron to Afula using the navigation app Waze because they were unfamiliar with the area. They accidentally entered Jenin, where they were attacked by young Palestinians who encircled the military vehicle and threw stones at it. Palestinian police officers helped rescue them from the mob. The female soldier sustained light to moderate wounds in her face and legs from the windshield glass. Images released by the Palestinians show her bleeding from her face. She was evacuated to a hospital in Afula. The NCO has already been discharged from the hospital, while the soldier was kept in for observation. The IDF is investigating the incident to determine whether to discipline the NCO, who was in command of the drive. An initial investigation found the two ignored a road sign barring the entry of Israelis to Jenin. According to the NCO and soldier's version, the Palestinians threw "chairs and stones non-stop" at them. They described the experience as "terrifying and scary." The IDF's Judea and Samaria Division has barred the use of the Waze app after a previous incident in which two soldiers got lost and accidentally entered Qalandiya. Nazareth Illit Mayor Ronen Plot visited the female soldier, a resident of his city, on Monday. "I spoke with the soldier's mother. She's very upset. Everyone is stressed out because of what happened, and they are all wondering what could've happened if heavens forbid this had ended differently," Plot said. He noted the soldier's family claimed there was no gate or signs to indicate the entrance to Jenin. Waze said in response, "While we can't comment on a specific drive, we would like to stress that the Waze app includes a default setting that prevents navigation through areas marked as dangerous or as barred for Israelis. There is also an alert that pops up when entering an area forbidden for entry." The Palestinian Authority has returned to security forces the weapons stolen Monday from the two soldiers who inadvertently entered Jenin. The two soldiers suffered light to moderate wounds and were taken for further treatment at HaEmek Medical Center in Afula. Education Minister Naftali Bennett asserted Tuesday that a right-wing government, which enjoys the support Israel does from the Trump administration, and nevertheless does not annex West Bank settlements, has failed. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter "The current American administration provided fertile ground for realizing this policy, despite its current unfamiliarity with the ideas behind it," Bennett told Ynet. Bennett's statements came on the heels of a blanket denial issued by the White House on Monday concerning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's earlier claims that he was in talks with the administration of President Donald Trump regarding annexing the West Bank. Education Minister Bennett (L) said not annexing the West Bank under the Trump administration would be considered a failure (Photo: Motti Kimchi, AFP) "I launched the sovereignty scheme for the first time seven years ago," Bennett said. "I'm pleased Prime Minister Netanyahu has joined in on the effort to apply sovereignty to Judea and Samaria." "The test will naturally be in implementing statements. Either way, the sovereignty bill is on the table and will be brought to a vote in the near future. A right-wing government with such an American administrationif it completes its term with half a million second class Israelis, it will be considered a failure," stated the leader of the hawkish Bayit Yehudi party. Likud ministers also weighed in on the controversy engendered by the premier's comments. Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage Minister Ze'ev Elkin, for one, said, that, "Implementing the Likud Central Committee's decision on applying Israeli sovereignty to the West Bank settlements is a paramount Israeli national and security interest, and should be sought even if the international community is not in lockstep on the matter, including a close ally such as the United States." Minister Elkin said fmr. PM Begin also faced opposition from President Begin regarding the annexation of the Golan Heights (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg) "When (former prime minister) Menachem Begin was spearheading the effort to apply Israeli sovereignty to the Golan Heights," Elkin expounded, "he was faced with stringent opposition from an American president considered very friendly to IsraelRonald Reaganopposition that was even accompanied by harsh punitive measures on the part of the US. "No one remembers those punitive measures today, but the Golan Heights remained Israeli thanks to Begin's determination. This determination is needed again today to realize the vision of Israeli sovereignty on Judea and Samaria, the cradle of the Jewish people's history." Minister Regev said Israel was not an occupier in its own territory (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky) Sports and Education Minister Miri Regev added to Ynet, "Israel is not a foreign occupier in Hebron, Shiloh or Jerusalem. That's clear to everyone today, including the American administration." "The slightly different definitions of the prime minister's wording and the White House's statement do not alter this fact. As the White House's spokesperson said yesterday, the prime minister made it clear to the American administration that Israel had its own alternatives," Regev concluded. Terrorist Ayman Kurd, who stabbed and critically wounded a female police officer near Herod's Gate in Jerusalem's Old City, was convicted Tuesday of two counts of attempted murder. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter According to the indictment, after the death of his cousin in a shooting in Hebron, Kurd, 21, from Kafr 'Aqab, decided in September 2016 to "carry out a sacrificial attack and die a martyr's death." To that end, he wrote several wills meant for his family and friends, urging them to celebrate his death. Ayman Kurd at court (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg) Kurd then took a knife from his home, made his way to the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City, and spent about 15 minutes sitting on a bench and listening to quotes from the Quran via earphones. He was looking for a soldier or a police officer in order to stab them, while at the same time writing a goodbye message to his father on Facebook. When he noticed two police officers walking on their way to the Shalem Police Station near Herod's Gate, he followed them. As he got near them, he jumped officer Koby Krudo from behind, stabbing him in his upper body and neck several times. Kurd then knocked officer Tzipi Yaakobiyan to the ground and stabbed her in the neck multiple times. Yaakobiyan was paralyzed as a result of the attack. "I have no feeling in my legs, my back, and my chest. My hands are very weak," she told the court during the terrorist's trial. Police have arrested a Palestinian from Umm ar-Rihan in the West Bank who held millstones and other antiques worth NIS 200,000 in his home. Police said the Palestinian claimed he found the antiquities. A Palestinian diplomat speaking to students at the United Nations headquarters in New York told them the Palestinians were proud to be throwing stones at Israeli forces and will continue teaching their children to do so. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter In a recording obtained by Ynet, Abdallah Abushawesh, who serves as a senior adviser to the UN's Development Group and as a member of the Palestinian UN mission, is heard saying in broken English, "We are very clever and very expert at throwing the stones. We are very proud to do that. We will not stop to learn our kids (to do that)." Abdallah Abushawesh tells students about stone throwing X To the sound of sniggering from his listeners, Abushawesh went on to say that every Palestinian caught throwing stones by Israel gets sent to jail. "We are very proud that we are stone throwers. I'm one of them. Now I became a little bit older, but I stay resistant in the name of my kids," he continued. The Palestinian diplomat later told the students about his own past as a stone-thrower during the first intifada. "I was in high school. I never missed an opportunity to throw stones. This is our life. We develop our resistance every day. We're proud of it," he said. Abushawesh was speaking to a group of international relations students from McGill University who were at the UN for a tour and a series of meetings as part of their program. Abdallah Abushawesh The students also met with Palestinian envoy to the UN, Riyad Mansour, who told them about Palestinian efforts to be recognized as a state by the UN. "There's a country in the Security Council, the US, which won't allow us to realize what's ours, and it is blocking us for political and ideological reasons, and not for legal reasons," Mansour said. Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, slammed Abushawesh's comments, saying, "The Palestinians are no longer trying to hide the truth. The Palestinian leadership and its representatives are inciting against Israel and openly encouraging terrorism. The international community must not allow it." "It cannot be that inside the UN, which is supposed to make peace and protect human rights, a diplomat will incite to violence and terrorism, which wound and even kill innocent Israelis," Danon added. US President Donald Trump threatened in December to cut funding for countries voting at the UN against his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital , but according to his administration's proposed 2019 budget, not a single country lost funding for that reason. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter According to Buzzfeed, countries such as Zimbabwe, Somalia, and Nigeria, which were among the 128 nations that voted in favor of a UN resolution cancelling the American recognition , are still set to receive aid as part of next year's budget. : X "If you look at our budget, it is focused on where we think the most appropriate assistance level should be, based on where our security needs are," said Hari Sastry, the director of the Office of US Foreign Assistance Resources. According to Buzzfeed, when Sastry was pressed on the matter by reporters, he said, "There's nothing specific just tied to that, because that is only one factor." US President Donald Trump (Photo: AFP) Ahead of the vote, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley sent a letter to UN member states in which she warned of possible retaliation should they support a resolution criticizing Washington's decision. The US "will be taking names," she threatened, asserting Trump will take the vote "personally." Trump himself told reporters at the White House, "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 dont care." The Syrian government said on Tuesday that Israel would face "more surprises" in future attacks on Syria's territory, after Syrian air defenses shot down an Israeli F-16 jet during the fiercest flare-up between the old foes in 36 years. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Syrian anti-aircraft fire downed the F-16 as it returned from a retaliatory bombing raid on Iran-backed positions in Syria after the incursion of an Iranian drone into Israeli airspace early on Saturday. Both Iran and Russia are supporting President Bashar Assad in Syria's near seven-year civil war. "Have full confidence the aggressor will be greatly surprised because it thought this warthis war of attrition Syria has been exposed to for yearshad made it incapable of confronting attacks," assistant foreign minister Ayman Sussan said. An official in Bashar al-Assad's regime said Syria had 'more surprises' in store for Israel (Photo: EPA) "God willing they will see more surprises whenever they try to attack Syria," Sussan said during a Damascus news conference. The downed F-16 was the first warplane Israel has lost to enemy fire since its 1982 Lebanon war. Its two-man crew survived, with injuries, after bailing out of the stricken jet. Israel retaliated by destroying around half of Syria's anti-aircraft batteries, according to an initial assessment shared with Reuters by an Israeli official who requested anonymity. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israeli forces would press ahead with Syria operations in Syria, where it has launched scores of sorties against suspected arms transfers to Iranian-sponsored Lebanese Hezbollah terrorists. In Kiryat Shmona on Tuesday, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman told reporters, "There are no limitations (on military operations), and nor do we accept any limitations ... We will respond to every provocation." "We will continue to defend our vital security and other interests. And I would like to paraphrase the well-known saying: 'This is not the time to bark, this is the time to bite.'" Defense Minister Lieberman said, 'Now is the time to bite' (Photo: Effi Sharir) Tehran's involvement in Syria, including the deployment of Iran-backed forces near the Golan Heights, has alarmed Israel. It has also has accused Iran of building precision-guided missile factories for Hezbollah in Lebanon. Syria and Hezbollah celebrated the F-16 shoot-down as a blow to Israeli military superiority. Israel's Army Radio said on Tuesday that investigators believed pilot errorrather than Syrian capabilitieswere mainly at fault for the F-16's failure to evade what was probably an aged SA-5 missile. Saturday's incident stirred up further questions in Israel about the effectiveness of a coordination mechanism set up with Russia, which has also been reinforcing and arming Assad's army. Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to the flare-up by urging Prime Minister Netanyahu to avoid escalation in Syria. Moscow said on Monday it did not have information to support Israel's allegation about an Iranian military presence in the site bombed for launching the drone. Minister Elkin (center) was present at the meeting between Russian President Putin (L) and PM Netanyahu (Photo: Kobi Gideon/GPO) Ze'ev Elkin, a Russian-speaking Israeli cabinet minister who serves as Netanyahu's interpreter in the talks with Putin, defended the coordination mechanism on Tuesday as granting Israel "freedom of action in the skies above Lebanon and Syria." "I don't think the Russians ever pledged that they would take military action against the Iranians and the Syrians for us," Elkin told Israel Radio. "We are going one-on-one against the Syrians. We don't need assistance from the Russians. We know how to deal with Syrian anti-aircraft fire, as everyone ultimately saw." MOSCOW Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that in Syria the United States has been acting unilaterally in a "dangerous way", undermining the country's integrity, RIA news agency said. Lavrov also reiterated that Russia remains in favor of Kurdish participation in the Syrian peace process. DAMASCUS Syria's government on Tuesday rejected efforts led by the United Nations to form a committee to rewrite Syria's constitution, the main result of a peace congress among Syrian groups in Russia last month. "As a state, we are not bound by, nor have any relation with, any committee that is not Syrian formed, led and constituted," said Ayman Soussan, an assistant to the Syrian Foreign Minister, at a press conference in Damascus. "We are not bound by anything that is formed by foreign sides, whatever their name or state, we are not bound by it and it is of no concern to us," he added. Participants at the Sochi congress, a centerpiece of diplomatic efforts by Damascus' ally Russia to end the war, agreed on Jan. 30 to set up the constitutional committee in Geneva, and to hold democratic elections in Syria. The Petah Tikva Magistrates' Court remanded the West Bank woman suspected of committing sexual offenses until Wednesday. The suspect was arrested on suspicion faking mental illness in order to avoid extradition to Australia on the sexual offenses for which she was wanted. Backstreet Boys will be returning to Israel this coming April two years after a successful three-show run in the Holy Land. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter This time, the band is only scheduled to play one concert, on April 22 at the Live Park in Rishon LeZion. Pre-sale tickets for the general admission area will cost NIS 285 and will later climb to NIS 315. Backstreet Boys are coming back to Israel X Tickets for the "golden ring" area will cost NIS 595, allowing fans to get closer to the band. The concert will be based on the band's Las Vegas residency at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, "Backstreet Boys: Larger Than Life." Backstreet Boys: Howie, Nick, AJ, Kevin and Brian (Photo: PR) The setlist is made up all of BSB's greatest hits, including "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)," "Larger Than Life," "As Long As You Love Me" and "I Want It That Way." The band, which was formed in 1993 in Orlando, includes Kevin Richardson, his cousin Brian Littrell, AJ McLean, Howie Dorough and Nick Carter. Zionist Union Chairman Avi Gabbay attacked religious-Zionist rabbis Tuesday morning for what he perceived to be impropriety in their conduct regarding issues on the public agenda, including co-ed service in the IDF, with Gabbay claiming the rabbis maintaining their silence constituted division and incitement. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Gabbay, who spoke during a conference organized by the B'Sheva newspapera religious publicationin Jerusalem, said, "Your silence echoed in the days of (the Oslo peace accords), and reached its zenith in the days before (former prime minister Yitzhak) Rabin's murder." "You have may have had a public self examination then, but it passed the moment you returned to power," Gabbay said. "When the head of a pre-military preparatory program accuses the army of conscripting young women and turning them against Judaism, you remain silent. Zionist Union Chairman Gabbay blasted religious-Zionist rabbis for their silence (Photo: Motti Kimchi) "When that same rabbi degrades the LGBT community, you remain silent. When the rabbi of a city, so brazenly calls for the dismissal of the army's chief of staff in light of the creation of co-ed units, you remain silent. When that same rabbi calls on his adherents to avoid renting apartments out to Arabs, you remain silent." "Even when the prime minister and other ministers incite against half of the Jewish people and say they're traitors and enemies, you remain silent. "When millions of Conservative and Reform Jews find themselves excluded from the Kotel's plaza , and become second class Jews under the auspices of the Israeli government, you not only remain silent but play an active role in that extremism, which is not backed by any religious edict. After all, both the Western Wall rabbi and (Attorney General) Avichai Mandelblit recommended the aforementioned agreement ." "Good Lord, when will you stop remaining silent?" Gabbay exhorted the rabbis. "When have you given up on the people of Israel? I know the criticism levied here is harsh, but I also know that many in this hallas well as others listening right nowagree with it. There may be moderate voices within your own camp, but they are hardly ever heard." Concluding his remarks, Gabbay said, "I'm taking advantage of this pulpit to tell you, those moderate voices: in your silence, you legitimize these grave statements, thereby deepening and expanding the split within the people of Israel. "You, the rabbis, may have a central role in turning Israeli society into an exemplary one, a prosperous society with equality between all people at its center. Take this role. It's yours." National Union party Chairman Ofir Sofer said Gabbay would be better off dealing with his own party's rogue MKs (Photo: Abigail Uzi) Gabbay was soundly bashed for his statements by the National Union party's chairman Ofir Sofer, who said, "Gabbay had better deal with his fellow party members Merav Michaeli, who supports dismantling the family, Zouheir Bahloul , who refuses to deem someone who tries killing Jews a terrorist, and his other party members who air extremist views that may lead to the country's destruction." "It's time for Mr. Gabbay to cease preaching his morality to a public wholly loyal to the state. The religious public will not shut its rabbis' mouths and will fight for their right to voice the opinion of the Torah," he stated. After Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan expressed his opposition to the export of medical cannabis, Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman also withdrew his support for the move. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter "I think that cannabis is a drug like all other drugs, there is no difference, the public is wrong," Litzman said in an interview on Army Radio. "It's shameful that the State of Israel exports cannabis because it's a drug." Litzman added that he will remove his objections only if two conditions are fulfilleda significant portion of the export revenues will be transferred to the health system in Israel and significant manpower will be added to monitor possible leakage of medical cannabis to unauthorized persons. Last week, a meeting was held with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the export of medical cannabis. Minister Erdan expressed his opposition, claiming that the cannabis could "spill over" and be sold by criminal elements. At the same time, despite Erdan's arguments, no cases have been filed in the past year for such incidents. "Israel is a medical cannabis power, Israeli research in the field precedes all countries of the world in 5 to 7 years. Turning Israel into an exporter of cannabis will first of all make it easier for the sick, provide a livelihood for our excellent farmers and bring in billions into Israel," said Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel. It is estimated that if Israel approves exports of medical cannabis, it will be able to generate NIS 1 billion to NIS 4 billion a year in profits. Deputy Health Minister Litzman (Photo: Motti Kimchi) Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked reiterated Ariel's assertions, stating that "medical cannabis is important to medicine, and to date, there have been 0 indictments concerning spillover from the farms for criminal purposes. "Israel is the only country in the world that can grow cannabis with a breakthrough clinical method. There is no reason why we should not act for both global medicine and the Israeli economy." According to estimates by growers and other experts in the industry, the total global market size for medical cannabis is more than NIS 100 billion a year. Export approval is expected to provide work in agriculture, production and agricultural research, to strengthen Israeli exports and to increase state revenues. The market size of medical cannabis in countries that have shown an interest in importing medical cannabis from Israel is between NIS 1 billion and NIS 4 billion a year. Yuval Landschaft, Director of the Israeli Medical Cannabis Agency at the Health Ministry, said this is an "opportunity that comes only once every 50 to 100 years," and stressed that not seizing it is tantamount to "not approving Internet in the nineties." The Hungarian government says it is submitting an anti-migration bill to parliament dubbed "Stop Soros," targeting civic groups which organize, support or finance migration. The measures propose that such groups would need permission from the interior minister for their activities. Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is radically opposed to migration, claims the groups are carrying out what Orban calls a plan by Hungarian-American billionaire and philanthropist George Soros to bring millions of migrants from Africa and the Middle East to Europe. Bence Tuzson, state secretary for government communications, said Tuesday that compared to an earlier version, the draft bill has been made even more strict based on over 600 suggestions from citizens. Critics fear the law will be used to stigmatize or intimidate civic groups, especially those receiving funding from abroad. The Israel Police announced Tuesday there is sufficient evidence to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in two cases against him, Case 1000 and Case 2000. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Case 1000 concerns illicit gifts Netanyahu allegedly received from business moguls Arnon Milchan and James Packer, whereas Case 2000 concerns talks the premier had with Yedioth Ahronoth owner and publisher Arnon Mozes regarding the Israel Hayom daily. The police also recommended the indictment of Milchan for giving bribes and Mozes for offering bribes. PM Netanyahu (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky) The recommendations now go to Attorney General Avihai Mendelblit, who will review the material before deciding whether to file charges. Netanyahu can remain in office during that process, which could drag on for months. Case 1000: History of favors given, gifts taken In Case 1000, the police announced that evidence and testimonies indicate that Netanyahu used his position to influence government policy for the betterment of his associates, while he and his family received kickbacks in return. The gifts the Netanyahus receivedsuch as cigars, champagne and jewelrywere given over the course of about a decade, reaching a total of about NIS 1 millionNIS 750,000 in gifts from Milchan and about NIS 250,000 from Packer, according to the police. Among other things, the police said that Yesh Atid party leader MK Yair Lapid served as a key witness in Case 1000. Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid, a key witness in Case 1000 (Photo: Amit Shabi) The police rejected Netanyahu's explanation to the gifts as being part of his close friendship with Milchan, explaining that "among friends, there is mutuality," which they claim was absent in this case. "One recives gifts, not demands," the police stressed, noting that "there was a demand (by the Netanyahus) to receive the goods in a systematic and covert manner." The police described the relationship between Netanyahu and Milchan as a "relationship of bribery, which amounts to a criminal offense, and not an innocent relationship between friends." The police further noted that "a relationship in which a public employee or representative who receives benefits from someone (even if he is a friend), while at the same time using his authority, power and influence to promote the interest of that person - is forbidden by law." Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, and Milchan (Photo: AFP, EPA) Furthermore, police noted that as Netanyahu's star rose in politics, the demands for gifts increased. "After Netanyahu's election to the premiership in 2009, the scope and frequency of goods increased significantly. The investigation found that the goods were given to the prime minister in light role as prime minister and minister of communications during the relevant period, and in return for his activity - directly or indirectly - to promote different matters that benefited Mr. Milchan's businesses, financial situation, status or reputation," the police stated. In some of the instances, police noted, "things were done contrary to the interests of the state." Several examples were given by the police of the numerous decisions and actions Netanyahu took in favor of Milchan. Tax benefits - One such favor was the premier's invested interest in extending tax benefits for returning residents to over 10 years, something the police estimated would have saved Milchan millions of dollars. Finance Ministry officials rejected the proposal, saying it was contrary to the public interest, because fewer taxes would be collected. US visa - Netanyahu is also suspected of working to aid Milchan renew his visa to the US. The prime minister allegedly turned to then-US Secretary of State John Kerry, then-US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro and Israel's Ambassador to the US Ron Dermer, asking for their help in extending Milchan's visa. Channel 2 merger - The prime minister allegedly worked to promote the unification of the two TV networks that shared Channel 2, Keshet and Reshet, where Milchan sought to run, in addition to owning shares in the competing commercial Channel 10. "Communications Ministry Director General Shlomo Filber intervened and acted on behalf of Netanyahu in order to advance Milchan's affairs. In return, the prime minister was promised to receive sympathetic coverage," police said. Milchan and Netanyahu with Ariel Sharon in a photo from 2005 (Photo: Moshe Milner/GPO) The Tata project - According to the police, the most glaring example of Netanyahu working against Israel's interests to benefit Milchan was his efforts promote a free trade zone on the Israel-Jordan border, a project Milchan sought to promote as part of his partnership with Indian industrialist Ratan Naval Tata. The project, which police noted went against the recommendations of the defense establishment, would have generated Milchan and Tata "a huge profit," but ended up being scrapped because it would've cost the state an unreasonable amount in security expenses. Channel 10 - Netanyahu allegedly acted in violation of the law when he handled the affairs of Channel 10, despite knowing his friend Milchan owns shares in the channel. Case 2000: Rival's weakening in return for favorable coverage According to the police, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Yedioth Ahronoth owner and publish Arnon Mozes discussed mutual assistance to promote one another's interests during private meetings that began in 2009 and lasted for several years. As part of these talks, the two allegedly discussed the possibility of Mozes helping Netanyahu establish himself as prime minister through positive and favorable coverage in Yedioth Ahronoth. In return, the prime minister would aid Mozes promote Yedioth's financial interests by initiating and supporting moves to weaken rival newspaper Israel Hayom. Arnon Mozes (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky) The investigation further found Netanyahu and Mozes took actual steps to promote each other's interests as part of the understandings reached between them, "or at the very least made it appear to the other they were doing so," police noted. Among the steps Netanyahu allegedly took to aid Mozes were: his support of a bill to prevent the free distribution of newspapers, dubbed the Israel Hayom bill as the daily is handed out for free; his efforts to reduce Israel Hayom's distribution; and his efforts to cancel the paper's weekend edition. In addition, Netanyahu, the minister of communications at the time, allegedly mediated between Mozes and potential buyers for Yedioth Ahronoth. The police investigation was based on two recordings done at the behest of Netanyahu, without Mozes' knowledge. The recordings document meetings between Netanyahu and Mozes at the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem and were recorded by his then-chief of staff Ari Harow on his cellphone. Recommendations 'will end in nothing' In a nationwide TV address, Netanyahu denied all allegations against him, insisting the police's recommendations to indict him "will end in nothing" and exclaiming that his lengthy political career has been solely "for the good of the nation." On the police's decision to indict him in the illicit gifts case, Netanyahu said, "How can one take seriously the claim that I acted on Milchan's behalf in exchange for cigars? I did the exact oppositeby endeavoring to close Channel 10, partly owned by Milchan himself." "How can you say that I acted on Milchan's behalf for cigars if one of my actions as finance minister was to break his monopoly in the car parts market, in complete contravention of his interests?" Netanyahu further demanded. He acknowledged aiding Milchan with his visa issues, but said Milchan had done much for Israel and noted that the late president Shimon Peres had also been close to Milchan. On the police's decision to indict him for his ties to Mozes, Netanyahu said, "How can it be said that I wanted to act on Mozes's behalf by passing the bill to close down Israel Hayom, when in reality I did the opposite? I voted against the bill, dissolved the Knesset and risked my political future." "Unlike me, 43 ministers and MKs acted on Mozes's behalf and as his emissaries. They promoted his bills and in return received flattering coverage from Yedioth Ahronoth. Why has no recommendation been made against them?" The prime minister wondered. (Photo courtesy of Channel 2) Netanyahu charged that all the allegations against him over the years had one goal: "to topple me from government." He accused the police of going on a witch hunt against him and vowed to remain in office and run for re-election. "I'm only driven by a single thing," Netanyahu said, "to preserve our country's future. I will continue leading Israel with the utmost responsibility and loyalty so long as you, the people of Israel, elect me to do so." "I'm certain the truth will come to light, and I'm also certain I'll once again be awarded your trust in the next elections, God willing," Netanyahu concluded. Attorneys Navit Noga and Iris Niv-Sabag, who represent Mozes, said their client was in possession of "sound legal arguments, and we believe that after further inspection of the investigation's findings by the State Attorney's Office, the case against him will be closed, and it will be determined he was not guilty of wrongdoing. "The relationship between the media and public officials, including politicians, is a cornerstone of a democratic state. Any attempt to portray such a relationship - as complex and complicated as it may be - as criminal, is problematic and dangerous. Arnon Mozes (Photo: Yaron Brener) "Unlike others, Mozes avoided addressing the issues that came up during the investigation, and he will continue to do so now. In time, he would be able to address these issues." Milchan's legal team said that "the police's recommendation to indict for bribery will not stand. The recommendation ignores fundamental facts, which none dispute, including the fact that the relationship between Mr. Milchan and Mr. Netanyahu began in the early 2000s, when Netanyahu was not holding any public office. This relationship was characterized by friendship between the two and their families. As part of this relationship, Mr. Milchan gave gifts to the Netanyahu family from time to time, devoid of any business interest. "Mr. Milchan had been called to provide his testimony and did so in good faith, without even consulting lawyers, under the deep belief there was nothing wrong with his actions. The recommendations interpret - in a distorted and artificial manner - matters that have no connection to these gifts, and it is surprising that a disconnected decision was made to choose such an extreme offense, which is not in line with this simple procedure. We are confident that a professional examination of all of the data will lead to one obvious conclusion: It is not possible to file an indictment for bribery. If such an unprecedented indictment is filed, the court - any court - is expected to reject it." Netanyahu, who has been prime minister for nine straight years, and his family have become embroiled in a series of scandals in recent months. Recordings recently emerged of his wife, Sara, screaming at an aide, while separate recordings emerged of his eldest son, Yair, on a drunken night out at a series of Tel Aviv strip clubs while traveling around in a taxpayer-funded government car with a government-funded bodyguard. Netanyahu has said the scandals are all the work of the media out to get him. Earlier Tuesday, as part of the preparations for the publication of the recommendations, Netanyahu convened his associates and lawyers for consultations. On Monday, the High Court of Justice summarily rejected a petition which sought to prevent the police from attaching recommendations to cases it had investigated in general, and to Netanyahu's cases in particular. Eli Senyor, Moran Azulay and Itamar Eichner contributed to this article. WASHINGTON A US military drone aircraft destroyed a Russian-made T-72 tank in Syria over the weekend, US officials said on Tuesday, in the second defensive strike against pro-Syrian government forces in less than a week. No US-led coalition or coalition-backed local forces were killed in the strike by a US MQ-9 Reaper drone, which took place near Al Tabiyeh, Syria, on Sunday. Lieutenant General Jeffrey Harrigian, top US Air Force general in the Middle East, declined in a briefing with reporters to speculate on who was driving the tank. One US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said at least two pro-Syrian government forces were killed. The US military said it destroyed the tank after it moved within firing range of the US-backed forces while being supported by artillery fire. The police and Yesh Atid Chairman MK Yair Lapid came under fire Tuesday night following the publication of the police's recommendations to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in two separate cases,while the embattled premier received support from both members of his own party and other members of the coalition. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon wrote on his Facebook page, "I'm aware of murmurs in the publicboth on the Left and the Rightregarding the police's recommendations on the prime minister's investigations. The law states that only the attorney general may make the final decision on whether to indict or not. "Until such time as he does, I'll continue leading and steering Israel's economy for the betterment of all Israelis." Finance Minister Kahlon (R) said the only one capable of making the final decision on whether to indict PM Netanyahu was AG Mandelblit (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky) "I call on everyoneboth the Right and the Left," Kahlon added, "to hold back on attacking either the police or the apparatuses of the rule of law. They should be allowed to operate without pressures, from either the Right or the Left, and do so in an orderly, professional and reasoned fashion." Coalition Chairman David Amsalem (Likud) insisted that "There is nothing new here." He claimed the police had "marked" Netanyahu two years ago and have been doing everything in their power to "hit their mark," calling it "an illegitimate process that would endanger any democracy in the world." "A government is replaced through the ballot box and not the army or police," Amsalem added. MK Lapid (L) and PM Netanyahu (Photo: Motti Kimchi and Gil Yohanan) Tourism Minister Yariv Levin (Likud) called the police's recommendations to indict the leader of his party a "contemptible play for a government coup that flies against the will of the electorate." "It's a disgrace that the star witness against Prime Minister Netanyahu is a politician, Yair Lapid, who for years has been trying to replace him," he lambasted. "The truth will undoubtedly come to light and (this) government will continue leading Israel our own way, with the trusted stewardship of Prime Minister Netanyahu." Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev (Likud) also slammed Lapid, saying, "I'm not surprised by the police's recommendations, they were foretold and carry no legal weight. The only revelation tonight is in exposing Yair Lapid's true facea failed politician who chose to join those brandishing guillotines in Rothschild in an attempt to take down Netanyahu and the Likud in undemocratic ways. "Divulging his identity as the central witness (in the illicit gifts affair) is the final nail in his political coffin." Minister of Jerusalem Affairs and Environmental Protection Ze'ev Elkin (Likud) called the "well-orchestrated media festival surrounding the publication" of the recommendations a "regrettable attempt to apply illegitimate pressure on the public and political system to bring down a right-wing government in complete contradiction to the provisions of the law." He added that it is his belief that Netanyahu will continue to serve as the leader of the country for many years to come. L to R: Elkin, Regev and Levin (Yaron Brener, Ofer Meir and Ido Erez) Science Minister Ofir Akunis (Likud) commented on the police's decision on Facebook, where he wrote, "In a country governed by law, a prime minister is not convicted on the basis of police recommendations or television studios. "I believe the prime minister's words. I'm telling you again tonight: the citizens of Israel elect the prime minister, only in free and democratic elections." Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman (United Torah Judaism) also attacked Lapid, saying "his continued attempt at a putsch against Netanyahu" was shamefully and publically revealed today. Opposition members side with the police Members of the opposition, meanwhile, backed the police's conclusions, calling on the prime minister to step down. Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid explained his part in Case 1000, in which he was named a key witness. "As part of the investigation into Case 1000, the police approached me and asked me to provide testimony about my time in the Finance Ministry. As is expected of any law-abiding citizen in the State of Israel, I provided a short testimony about the attempt to extend the 'Milchan law' to 20 years," Lapid said. "I would like to stress that despite pressure to do so, I refused to pass the law." The Yesh Atid leader added that "even if the law doesn't require the prime minister to resign, in a civilized nation, a man who faces such serious accusations - the great majority of which hasn't been denied - cannot continue serving as the prime minister, who is entrusted with the security and well-being of the citizens of Israel. There is no way one could run a country while fighting such serious suspicions." Zionist Union faction chairman MK Yoel Hasson asked Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit to set a date for a decision to be made about whether or not to indict Netanyahu. "Once all the investigative activities have been completed, and all that is left is the task of legal interpretation, I request of you to please set a final date for the decision to indict the prime minister," he wrote in his letter to the AG. Zionist Union leader Avi Gabbay reiterated Hasson's request, saying the premier should "immediately announce a leave of absence. If he does not, heads of the coalition parties should make the decision for him." "The police's recommendations are clear, severe and decisive. It's time to put an end to the culture of political graft that is destroying this country," he added. Labor Party Chairman Gabbay (Photo: Motti Kimchi) Former prime minister Ehud Barak, a bitter rival of Netanyahu, called on him to suspend himself and for the coalition to appoint a replacement on Wednesday morning. "The depth of corruption is horrifying," Barak said. "This does not look like nothing. This looks like bribery." The Israel Police announced Tuesday there is sufficient evidence to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in two cases against him, Case 1000 and Case 2000. Case 1000 concerns illicit gifts Netanyahu allegedly received from business moguls Arnon Milchan and James Packer, whereas Case 2000 concerns talks the premier had with Yedioth Ahronoth owner and publisher Arnon Mozes regarding the Israel Hayom daily. Forty-five years ago this month, a telescope tucked inside a 14-story, 500-ton dome atop a mile-high peak in Arizona took in the night sky for the first time and recorded its observations on glass photographic plates. Today, the dome closes on the previous science chapters of the 4-meter Nicholas U. Mayall Telescope and starts preparing for its new role in creating the largest 3-D map of the universe. This map could help determine why the universe is expanding at faster and faster rates, driven by an unknown force called dark energy. The temporary closure sets in motion the largest overhaul in the telescopes history and sets the stage for the installation of the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), which will begin a five-year observing run next year at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Tucson, Arizona. This day marks an enormous milestone for us, said DESI Director Michael Levi of the Department of Energys Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, which is leading the projects international collaboration. Now we remove the old equipment and start the yearlong process of putting the new stuff on. More than 465 researchers from 71 institutions are participating in the DESI collaboration. Installing DESI on the Mayall will put the telescope at the heart of the next decade of discoveries in cosmology, said DESI collaboration spokesperson Risa Wechsler, an associate professor of physics and astrophysics at DOEs SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University. The amazing 3-D map it will create may solve some of the biggest outstanding questions in cosmology, or surprise us and bring up new ones. Star trails take shape around the 14-story Mayall Telescope dome in this long-exposure image. Installation of the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) will soon begin inside this dome. (P. Marenfeld/NOAO/AURA/NSF) Besides providing new insights about the universes expansion and large-scale structure, DESI will also help set limits on theories related to gravity and the formative stages of the universe, and could even provide new mass measurements for a variety of elusive yet abundant subatomic particles called neutrinos. One of the primary ways that we learn about the unseen universe is by its subtle effects on the clustering of galaxies, said DESI collaboration spokesperson Daniel Eisenstein of Harvard University. The new maps from DESI will provide an exquisite new level of sensitivity in our study of cosmology. A Rich History The Mayall Telescope has played an important role in many astrophysics discoveries, including measurements supporting the discovery of dark energy and measurements of galaxy rotation that established the role of dark matter in the universe. Its observations have also been used in determining the scale and structure of the universe. Dark matter and dark energy are together believed to make up about 95 percent of all of the universes mass and energy. It was one of the worlds largest optical telescopes at the time it was built, and because of its sturdy construction it is perfectly suited to carry the new 9-ton instrument. We started this project by surveying large telescopes to find one that had a suitable mirror and wouldnt collapse under the weight of such a massive instrument, said Berkeley Labs David Schlegel, a DESI project scientist. The entire top end of the telescope, which is as heavy as a school bus and houses the telescopes secondary mirror and a large digital camera, will now be removed and replaced with DESI instruments. This 2-meter-tall corrector barrel was used for imaging in previous surveys at the Mayall Telescope. A new corrector barrel will replace this one and perform spectroscopic surveys for the DESI project. (P. Marenfeld/NOAO/AURA/NSF) Breaking New Ground DESI will scan one-third of the sky and will capture about 10 times more data than a predecessor survey, the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS). The new instrument will use an array of 5,000 swiveling robots, each carefully choreographed to point a fiber-optic cable at a preprogrammed sequence of deep-space objects, including millions of galaxies and quasars, which are galaxies that harbor massive, actively feeding black holes. The fiber-optic cables will carry the light from these objects to 10 spectrographs, which will measure the properties of this light and help pinpoint how far away the objects are and how fast they are moving away from us. DESIs observations will provide a deep look into the early universe, back to about 11 billion years ago. Astrophysicists Kevin Reil and Aaron Roodman from the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology (KIPAC), a joint institute of SLAC and Stanford, were involved in developing another key component of DESI. The instrument will feature small imaging cameras on the edge of the fiber array, Roodman said. Theyll let us guide the telescope and optimally focus and align the DESI corrector an active optics capability that will help us get the best performance for the exciting science to be done with this innovative instrument. View of a partially assembled focal plane petal with an array of robotic positioners that are each connected to a fiber-optic cable. DESI will feature 10 of these petals with a total of 5,000 robots that will individually move the fiber-optic cables to gather light from specific objects in the sky. The light the cables collect will be measured in devices called spectrographs. (M. Chung/Berkeley Lab) The Mayall Telescope has most recently been enlisted in a DESI-supporting sky survey known as the Mayall z-Band Legacy Survey (MzLS), one of four sky surveys DESI will use to preselect the objects it will target in the sky. We can see about a billion galaxies in the survey images, which is quite a bit of fun to explore, Schlegel said. The DESI instrument will precisely measure millions of those galaxies to see the effects of dark energy. Installation of DESIs components is expected to begin soon and to wrap up in April 2019, with first science observations planned in September 2019. DESI is supported by the Department of Energy Office of Science; the National Science Foundation; the Science and Technologies Facilities Council of the United Kingdom; the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; the Heising-Simons Foundation; the National Council of Science and Technology of Mexico; the Ministry of Economy of Spain; and DESI member institutions. The DESI scientists are honored to be permitted to conduct research on Iolkam Duag (Kitt Peak), a mountain with particular significance to the Tohono Oodham Nation. For more information on DESI and its member institutions, visit desi.lbl.gov. Editors note: This feature is based on a press release by Berkeley Lab. For questions or comments, contact the SLAC Office of Communications at communications@slac.stanford.edu. SLAC is a multi-program laboratory exploring frontier questions in photon science, astrophysics, particle physics and accelerator research. Located in Menlo Park, Calif., SLAC is operated by Stanford University for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit science.energy.gov. - Music producer, Kaywa, has claimed that apart from Ebony's accident, some earlier prophecies of his have come to pass - He stated that he predicted the split of the Ruff-n-Smooth group as well as Blakk Rasta's invitation to Parliament Sound engineer and music producer, David Kojo Kyei, popularly referred to as Kaywa, has disclosed that he knew of major events in Ghana before they occurred. According to him, apart from the death of Ebony, he prophesied about the breakup of the music group, Ruff-n-Smooth, as well as Blakk Rastas meeting with parliaments Privileges Committee. He revealed that two months before Blakk Rasta appeared before the committee, he told him that I can see you would have an issue with the Parliament of Ghana. Ebonys childhood friend, Kaywa READ ALSO: Only occultists could have 'seen' Ebony's death Kaywa added that I was in the studio when he came with a letter and asked me are you a wizard or something? The reggae presenter was dragged to parliament for saying that 80% of the legislators smoke marijuana. In his interaction with Andy Dosty on Daybreak Hitz a few hours after the accident which claimed the lives of Ebony and two others on Thursday, February 8, 2018, Kaywa said that the accident could have been avoided. This, he added, is because he predicted the incident days before it happened. According to him, he relayed the message to the artiste and her manager, Bullet, and asked them to pray against it. The sound engineer advised that people should take prophecies seriously, noting prayers can change a lot for those directly affected by such messages. READ ALSO: Veteran actor, Super OD dead Want to be featured on YEN.com.gh? Send us a message on our Facebook page or on Instagram with your stories, photos or videos Source: Yen Apart from the tragedy of three people who drowned at Mulinuu two weeks ago, the Police say the festive season was relatively safe. This was confirmed by the Polices Media Officer, Maotaoalii Kaioneta Kitiona, who acknowledged the members of the public for working together with the Police to keep Samoa safe. According to Maota, there were no major incidents during Christmas and New Years. While there were the odd scuffles between drunks here and there, he said the strong police presence in the community made the festive season a lot safer. More than 600 officers took part in the police operation during the festive period. They were stationed at different outposts across Upolu and Savaii. Maota congratulated the officers for a job well done. It wasnt easy as most of them would have loved to spend the time with their families but they are dedicated to their work and we are glad that it has been relatively safe, he said. The most cases we dealt with involved drunk drivers and other minor incidents. As for the drowning deaths at Mulinuu, Maota said they are continuing their investigation. The festive season operation ends today and all the officers will be back to their normal duties and their divisions, he said. 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. Attendees at Tuesday mornings Coffee & Conversation program played trivia for candy in light of Valentines Day. Marrinsons Senior Service sponsored this weeks program at Pride Center at Equality Park. Lori Musto asked questions which all had a red theme. Marrinsons operates three senior assisted living facilities in Wilton Manors Independence Hall, Williamsburg Landing and Manor Pines. Elsewhere, Pride Center Chief Executive Officer Robert Boo announced he would be leading a tour to Italy later this year. The 10 day tour has space for 14 people with Rome, Florence and Venice as destinations. Pride Center Development Director Roger Roa said he would be in tights for next weeks Wrestling with Pride at The Manor. Doors open at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22. Advance tickets are $20. Jim ORourke announced the Gay Mens Chorus of South Florida is hosting its annual fundraising gala brunch on Sunday, March 4 at 11:30 a.m. at Pier 66 Marina in Fort Lauderdale. ORourke sings bass in the chorus. Tickets for the Mad Hatters themed gala brunch start at $75. Lorenzo Robertson, Pride Center Emerging Interventions Manager, said the center is collecting donations for the 2018 Florida AIDS Walk. The walk is March 18 in Fort Lauderdale Beach. Betty Gambino with AARP announced a smart driving class would be offered soon at the center to help lower car insurance rates. For more information about coffee and conversation, contact Bruce Williams, Senior Services Coordinator at 954-463-9005, ext. 109 Le Collectif Cheikh Yassine a organise un certain nombre dactivites et de festivites pour les enfants de Gaza sous le theme La joie des enfants de Gaza pour lAid . Ces activites ont commence le premier jour de lAid et continue jusquau 4eme jour de lAid dans la bande de Gaza. Plusieurs activites, ont ete organisees parmi lesquelles : des competitions recompensees par des prix, des jeux, des animations et des chants presentes par un groupe ainsi que des distributions de cadeaux et daides financieres. He came. He saw. He conquered. Thrice. Driver Billy Dobson celebrated Abe Lincolns 209th birthday Monday night with a honest-to-goodness memorable Yonkers Raceway performance. The Saratoga standout came downstate for three drives, resulting in three off-the-pace winseven if one was behind a trotter. Said trotter was Western Credit ($14.60), who reeled in a stubborn fave Aruba Vacation late in the $7,500 second race. The margin was a neck in 1:58.1. Next, a last-to-first Stonedust ($41.60), overcoming the eight-hole in the $10,000, third-race pace (1:56.2). The four-year-old Sagebrush gelding was making just a seventh career start. Dobsons three-fer was completed in the $17,000, seventh-race pace, pouncing after a contested battle to prevail with Gussys Dragon ($10.20) in 1:55.3. Gussy held off 8-5 choice Queen Josephine by a scant nose. Donald Billings-trained Western Credit, who turned out to be a one start rent-a-trotter, while Monica Krist trained both Stonedust and Gussys Dragon. (Yonkers) Standardbred Canada is pleased to announce that Murielle Thomassin, the general manager of Hippodrome 3R in Quebec, has joined SCs Board of Directors. On Saturday, February 3 at the SC Board of Directors meeting, Thomassin was appointed to replace Brian Paquet as Quebec Track Director on the SC Board for the remainder of the 2017-2019 term. Paquet has made the tough decision to resign from the SC Board after many years of passionate service to the SC membership. It was the right time for me to step away, said Paquet, and seeing as though Murielle is the GM of Hippodrome 3R, she is the logical choice to fill the position. Murielle is familiar with the staff at Standardbred Canada and shell be a good fit. Shes going to do a great job. Standardbred Canada would like to thank Paquet for his dedication, input and hard work on behalf of the industry. Murielle Thomassin (SC Photo) The name Murielle Thomassin is a familiar one in the Canadian harness racing industry. Thomassin worked in her native Quebec for trainers Serge Turenne and Mario Lachance before moving on to Ontario, where she was instrumental in the Rick Zeron Stable. From there, she transitioned into an office role with SC's Member Services Department in Mississauga, Ont. After leaving her member services role with SC, Thomassin moved on to a position with AgriCorp a Crown agency that deals with farming insurance and then vaulted to a position with the ACC (Agricultural Credit Corporation), an agricultural loan agency. When the general manager position at Hippodrome 3R became available last summer, Thomassin jumped at the opportunity and enjoyed her first campaign at the helm. She has told Trot Insider that she is humbled by the opportunity to join the SC Board. "I am thankful for the opportunity presented to me," Thomassin told Trot Insider. "I look forward to working with many great industry participants towards a better future." Horseman Bruce Weymouth McGhee, the owner of McGhees' Mile in Aiken, South Carolina, passed away on Wednesday, February 7 at the age of 89. McGhee absolutely loved his facility, which had been known as the Aiken Mile Track before it was renamed. He liked flying his plane and helicopters in his spare time, Bruces wife, Janis, has told the Aiken Standard. But he told me he got more of a thrill behind the starting gate when they said go (during a harness race) than when he was flying. Bruce relocated his family to Aiken in the late 70s. It was a match made in heaven. Somebody came to him and said, You ought to go to Aiken. Its a really nice place, and there is a track there that might be for sale, Janis explained. He had never heard of Aiken before, but when he got here, he fell in love with the town and the track. He liked the atmosphere because it was a horsey community. The people were really nice and friendly to him. And the track was beautiful, with big oak trees and red clay that was great for the horses feet. The article explains that this years edition of the annual McGhees Mile Standardbred Races is scheduled to take place on March 10, but they will be renamed the Bruce McGhee Memorial Harness Races. The Aiken Standard piece explains that in addition to his wife Janis, Bruce is survived by four sons Robert, Mark, Bruce Jr. and Matt and three daughters Bonnie Jean, Jessica and Ashley. Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Bruce McGhee. (With files from the Aiken Standard) The Delaware Standardbred Owners Association is hosting its third annual stallion auction for PACE (Political Action Committee for Equines). PACE is an important fund that makes political contributions to candidates and politicians who support the Delaware harness racing community and its issues. The DSOA would like to thank all the owners who have graciously donated these breedings and the bidders who will be using them. PACE 2018 Delaware Stallion Service Auction Stallion-Fee-Gait-Donated by-Standing Anders Bluestone-$3,000-(T)-Kenny Wood-Delaware Art Director-$2,000-(P)-Kovach Stables-Delaware Artzina-$2,000-(P)-Winbak Stables-Delaware Barber Pole-$3,000-(P)-Barbara and Gary Isles-Delaware Delmarvelous (3)-$3,000-(P)-Teague Stables-Delaware Hes Spooky-$2,500-(T)-Virginia Louthan-Delaware Life Sizzles-$2,000-(P)-Andrew Markano-Delaware Mr Wiggles (3)-$4,000-(P)-Teague Stables-Ohio Mutineer-$3,000-(T)-Winbak Farms-Delaware No Spin Zone-$2,500-(P)-Virginia Louthan-Delaware Papa Ray-$1,000-(P)-Wayne Givens-Delaware Powerful Mist-$1,000-(P)-Wayne Givens-Delaware Rolls Blue Chip-$1,000-(T)-Wayne Givens-Delaware Rustler Hanover-$2,000-(P)-Winbak Farms-Delaware Southwind Lynx (3)-$3,000-(P)-Teague Stables-Delaware Xactly Hanover-$1,500-(T)-Andrew Markano-Delaware The auction will be held online at ongait.com starting on Monday (Feb. 19) and closing on Wednesday (Feb. 21) at 8 p.m. All bids may be made directly on the ongait.com website. Winning bidders will be notified by email and must send a 10 per cent deposit payable to PACE at the DSOA, 830 Walker Square, Suite 11-2, Dover, DE 19904 at that time. To place a bid online: Go to ongait.com, read the terms posted and please follow the directions Look for a stallion service you want to purchase and place your bid It will be noted what the next bid amount would need to be A 10 per cent deposit on all winning bids is due within 15 days payable to PACE Balance of bid is due at the time of live foal For information contact Sal DiMario, Executive Director of DSOA, at 302.678.3058 or [email protected] Bidding Rules: Horsemen may bid on an unlimited number of stallions All contracts are subject to PACE and farm approval and are not transferable to another mare or individual The winning bidder must make a deposit for 10 per cent of the bid, with a $100 minimum The balance (90 per cent) is due upon the birth of a live foal. Make all checks payable to PACE If there is no live foal, the deposit, will be donated to PACE. There is no return privilege. Do not bid for mares over 20 years old or mares that have been barren two or more consecutive years. Do not bid on a stallion for which you already have a contract. Failure to present your mare to the stallion without justifiable cause will result in forfeit of entire deposit. No ownership change on a mare is permitted until service is paid unless a statement from a licensed veterinarian declaring the mare not in foal is provided to PACE. (DSOA) New Yorker Presents Editorialized Speculation and Hearsay on Terri Schiavo as News, Offers No Correction Contact: Tom Shakely, Executive Director, Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network, 855-300-4673, tshakely@lifeandhope.com PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 13, 2018 /Standard Newswire/ -- Rachel Aviv's "What Does it Mean to Die?" profiles Jahi McMath, outlining this resilient and courageous young girl's situation in much of its depth, conveying the complex nature of Jahi's medical and legal situation as it relates to the neurological criterion for death ("brain death") and many medical, bioethical, philosophical, and religious dimensions of the issue of human life. Unfortunately, in this same piece the New Yorker presents editorialized speculation and hearsay on Terri Schiavo as if it were objective news. Worse, after nearly two weeks of appeals, the New Yorker's "fact checking" staff and editors refused any correction. The New Yorker editorializes that footage of Terri Schiavo appearing conscious and aware "had been edited, giving the illusion that she was tracking people with her eyes, even though she was blind." These "fact free" assertions dramatically misleads readers about the nature of the early 2000s Terri-related footage. A much more objective and medically sound characterization in the form of a correction was proposed to the New Yorker but rejected: "Short video footage of Dr. Ronald Cranford's neurological examination of Terri Schiavo on behalf of her husband, Michael Schiavo, remains controversial, due to the uncertain nature of her visual and cognitive abilities." After nearly two weeks, the New Yorker simply changed "illusion" to "impression," while adding that "Bobby Schindler, Terri Schiavo's brother, contends that, although an autopsy confirmed that she was blind at the time of her death, it is unclear if she was blind when the video was recorded." Egregiously, the New Yorker's "fact checking" department reached out to Bobby Schindler prior to publication of "What Does It Mean to Die?" but did not disclose these assertions about Terri. "There is zero value to maintaining a so-called 'fact checking' department that not only refuses to check its journalists' facts, but worse refuses to issue legitimate corrections when called out," said Bobby Schindler. "Characterizing footage of Terri's neurological examinations as having been 'edited' is a too-clever-by-half attempt to imply this footage was altered, manipulated or doctored in post-production," explained Tom Shakely, executive director of the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network. "Not only was the footage never altered or manipulated, but it was in fact presented as court evidence, thereby meeting a very high standard for its authenticity." "The footage of Terri with which so many are familiar," continued Schindler, "includes a neurological examination by Dr. Ronald Cranford and other neurologists. Dr. Cranford, in particular, was a physician ultimately hostile to Terri's right to life but who nonetheless acknowledges in the footage that Terri seems aware and conscious. We released that footage so many years ago not to establish Terri's degree of sight, but first and foremost to demonstrate that Terri was potentially in a 'minimally conscious' state rather than totally unresponsive. It certainly stands as evidence that she was not comatose, as had been widely misreported at the time. Now, years later, the New Yorker strongly implies that we manipulated footage to portray Terri's condition falsely. These are outrageous lies, and just the latest example of the strange and frankly bizarre obsession so many apparently still have with continuing to denigrate Terri and her memory, long after she suffered death by a horrendous starvation and dehydration death." Notably, while Terri's autopsy established that she was blind at the time of her death, to state definitively and without caveat that Terri was simply "blind" prior to her fatal dehydration is simply not supported by any medical evidence. "The incredible footage of Terri Schiavo opening her eyes, smiling at her mother's voice, and attempting to respond to physician commands demonstrates that Terri Schiavo was at least minimally responsive. Moreover, whatever her condition, Terri was a living human being, whose basic dignity and right to life should never have been denied simply due to her cognitive ability," observed Shakely. "That footage demonstrates that she was not dying. That footage demonstrates that she was not reliant on artificial life support. That footage demonstrates that Terri was not a comatose 'vegetable' on the edge of life, but a lively and disabled American who deserved the love and rehabilitative support of a society that should have responded differently than it did. And for all these reasons and more, too many in our culture try to bury the truth about Terriand about our horrendous cultural choice to dehydrate her to deathbecause distracting lies about her birth family's credibility or her degree of vision are more comfortable than the painful truth: a disabled American in the 21st century had less legal protection that someone on death row." The Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network upholds human dignity through service to the medically vulnerable. This mission is expressed by affirming essential qualities of human dignity, which include the right to food and water, the presumption of the will to live, due process rights for those facing denial of care, protection from euthanasia as a form of medicine, and access to rehabilitative care. The Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network has supported more than 2,700 patients families through its National Crisis Lifeline and has directly advocated hundreds of cases since its founding. Reference: Dr. Ronald Cranford's Neurological Examination- youtu.be/5rqMZDcl9n4 Dr. Hammesfahr's Examination (Swab)- youtu.be/Be5ZpXSgVXQ Dr. Hammesfahr's Examination (Open Your Eyes)- youtu.be/v-mtNm-BO2A Djibouti Telecom/Government in late March to discuss collaboration in the Djibouti African Regional Express (DARE) project The DARE undersea fiber optic cable is planned to run from Djibouti and Mombasa with planned branching units for Berbera, Bosasso, and Mogadishu. Speaking after concluding a two-day visit to Djibouti, the minister said this meeting is in line with the discussions he had with his counterpart in Djibouti to bring together the Djibouti Telecom and Somali operators to move forward with the DARE project. The minister added that the passage of the telecom law and the limited number of fiber optic cables in Somalia opened a window of opportunity for Somalias telecom industry to seek partnerships in the region. H.E. Abdi Bashir Hassan also noted that Somalias postal gateway through Djibouti is now operational for incoming mail for Somalia, while plans are under way to start outgoing mail in the next couple months. The visit comes nearly six months after holding initial discussions with his Djiboutian counterpart, H.E. Abdi Youssouf Sougueh, in which the two ministries agreed to collaborate in the areas of telecommunications and postal services. "I would like to thank the minister of communications of Republic of Djibouti for the warm welcome. We hope the Mogadishu conference will decide the future cooperation between the two ministries and telecom operators, including consortium partners for DARE, concluded the Minister. Somalia's minister for post, telecom and technology after meeting with his counterpart in Djibouti said his Ministry is organizing in Mogadishu a conference for the telecom operators of Somalia, At Club Menelik, the buzzing nightclub on the ground floor of the eponymous three-star hotel in the city of Djibouti, the party runs nonstop, even at midnight on a Monday. On the dance floor, men and women, old and young, twirl happily all night long to Nigerian and French pop hits. The regulars are Djiboutians, Ethiopians, Americans and from across Europe; on occasion, there are visitors with Arabic and Hispanic roots. That may appear a loud and strange welcome to this country of 950,000 citizens a majority of them Muslims where working weeks stretch from Sunday to Thursday. But its part of a carefully crafted plan that represents the governments resolve to increase attention to the overlooked tourist spots of Djibouti, at a time when the country is opening up to the world like never before. Since Djibouti became independent in 1977, its unique strategic location the tiny nation sits on the Horn of Africa has drawn Western powers like the U.S. and Italy to set up military bases here, following the example of the countrys former colonial ruler, France. But its only in recent years that the country has grown confident enough to position itself as a regional logistics hub. China opened a naval base in Djibouti last year. And Djibouti, keen to attract the attention of its landlocked neighbor, Ethiopia, and other countries in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) bloc, has established four new seaports, a second airport and a brand-new rail link components of a free-trade zone, backed by investment from China and the Middle East all in the past decade. All of this has fueled a flurry of tourists and visitors, and corresponding ambition within the countrys government, which wants to dramatically increase incoming tourist numbers currently under 100,000 to 500,000 a year by 2035, under the Vision 2035 the country has unveiled. It has plenty to offer: Osman Abdi Mohamed, who was appointed director-general of the Office National du Tourisme de Djibouti a little over a year ago, lists out Lac Assal the worlds third-lowest spot on land, at 153 meters below sea level Lac Bee to the countrys north, and beaches where tourists can swim with whale sharks as among major attractions. That may appear a loud and strange welcome to this country of 950,000 citizens a majority of them Muslims where working weeks stretch from Sunday to Thursday. But its part of a carefully crafted plan that represents the governments resolve to increase attention to the overlooked tourist spots of Djibouti, at a time when the country is opening up to the world like never before. Since Djibouti became independent in 1977, its unique strategic location the tiny nation sits on the Horn of Africa has drawn Western powers like the U.S. and Italy to set up military bases here, following the example of the countrys former colonial ruler, France. But its only in recent years that the country has grown confident enough to position itself as a regional logistics hub. China opened a naval base in Djibouti last year. And Djibouti, keen to attract the attention of its landlocked neighbor, Ethiopia, and other countries in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) bloc, has established four new seaports, a second airport and a brand-new rail link components of a free-trade zone, backed by investment from China and the Middle East all in the past decade. All of this has fueled a flurry of tourists and visitors, and corresponding ambition within the countrys government, which wants to dramatically increase incoming tourist numbers currently under 100,000 to 500,000 a year by 2035, under the Vision 2035 the country has unveiled. It has plenty to offer: Osman Abdi Mohamed, who was appointed director-general of the Office National du Tourisme de Djibouti a little over a year ago, lists out Lac Assal the worlds third-lowest spot on land, at 153 meters below sea level Lac Bee to the countrys north, and beaches where tourists can swim with whale sharks as among major attractions. The state Senate, which in June unanimously approved a bill to allow LA County to give back land to the descendants of the original Black property owners, must vote one more time this week before sending it to Newsom's desk. Israeli settlements complicate peace process: Trump US President Donald Trump (R) speaks with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Davos, Switzerland HuffPost : "I don't know frankly if we are going to even have talks, we will see what happens," he said in an interview published Sunday with the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom. "Right now, I would say the Palestinians are not looking to make peace, they are not looking to make peace. And I am not necessarily sure that Israel is looking to make peace." One of the primary issues is the continued Israeli push to build settlements on Palestinian territory. In a possible jab at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose time in office has been defined in large part by settlement expansion, Trump acknowledged that settlements are making the peace process more difficult. "Israel has to be careful with settlements," Trump warned. "The settlements are something that very much complicates and always have complicated making peace." He appeared to contradict himself, expressing doubt about the likelihood of a peace process but also proclaiming that the opportunity has never been more ripe. U.S.-Israeli relations are at an all-time high, he said, and the chance to make peace "will never happen after this." Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in December, announcing an imminent embassy move from Tel Aviv. Protests raged for days following the announcement, although Trump says he views the decision as one of the highlights of his first year in office. "The capital, having Jerusalem be your great capital was a very important thing to a lot of people," Trump said. "I have been thanked and in some cases not thanked, to be 100% honest about it. But it was a very important pledge that I made and I fulfilled my pledge." Netanyahu praised the move, while a furious Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said he would refuse to let the U.S. serve as a peace mediator going forward. Trump followed up by withdrawing $65 million in aid from the U.N. agency that serves Palestinian refugees. AFP adds: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he has been discussing legislation with the United States that would effectively annex settlements in the occupied West Bank, a spokesman said. The move would severely damage remaining prospects for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and draw international outrage. "Regarding the issue of applying sovereignty, I can tell you that I have for some time been speaking with the Americans about it," Netanyahu told lawmakers from his Likud party, according to comments relayed by a spokesman. Netanyahu said he wanted to coordinate any such "historic" move with the United States because of the country's strategic importance to Israel, his spokesman said. Some Israeli media interpreted the comments as the first time Netanyahu expressed support for annexing the settlements. Saeb Erekat, secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, condemned the remarks as amounting to "land theft" with US complicity. The comments come with Netanyahu under pressure from right-wing politicians to move ahead with legislation that would apply Israeli sovereignty to settlements in the West Bank. Two lawmakers, including one from Netanyahu's party, have proposed such legislation. Netanyahu blocked it from being advanced on Sunday, with officials citing the need to focus on security issues following a confrontation that led to Israeli air strikes in Syria at the weekend. Unilateral annexation of settlements would be sure to draw international outrage, though Netanyahu's government has been bolstered by the unstinting support of US President Donald Trump. Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December in a move praised by Netanyahu as "historic" but denounced by the Palestinians and most of the rest of the world. But as Netanyahu's comments made headlines on Monday and US officials failed to confirm the discussions he spoke of, an Israeli official issued a clarification. Netanyahu "did not present the United States with specific annexation proposals, and in any case the United States did not give its consent to the proposals", the official said on condition of anonymity. "Israel updated the United States on various proposals raised in the (parliament), and the United States expressed its clear position that it seeks to advance President Trump's peace plan." The official added that Netanyahu's position "is that if the Palestinians persist in their refusal to negotiate peace, Israel will present its own alternatives". Turkey assails US over ties with Syrian Kurdish militia Reuters, Ankara : A decision by the United States to continue to fund the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia will affect Turkey's decisions, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday, ahead of a visit this week by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Erdogan made the comment in a speech to members of his ruling AK Party in parliament. Turkey's foreign minister assailed the United States on Monday, claiming that American forces in Syria are intentionally stalling the fight against Islamic State militants as an excuse not to cut ties with Syrian Kurdish militiamen as Ankara has demanded. Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters in Istanbul that U.S. forces are leaving "pockets" with IS militants intact to justify continued cooperation with the Kurdish militia. Speaking ahead of a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson later this week, Cavusoglu said Turkey's ties with the U.S. are at a make-or-break stage and that Washington needs to take "concrete steps" to regain Turkey's trust. "Our relations are at a very critical stage," Cavusoglu said. "Either we will improve ties or these ties will totally break down." Ankara is riled over Washington's support for the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units, or YPG - the top U.S. ally in the fight against the Islamic State group. Turkey considers the YPG a "terrorist" group linked to Kurdish insurgents fighting within Turkey's own borders. Turkey's military launched a cross-border operation into the Syrian Kurdish-held enclave of Afrin in northern Syria to rout the YPG from the region. Ankara has also threatened to expand its offensive to the YPG-held town of Manbij, east of Afrin, where the U.S. has a military presence, setting the scene for a potential showdown between the two NATO allies that back different sides in Syria's complex and multi-layered civil war. Kamal urges Canada to invest more in BD Business Desk : Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal on Tuesday urged Canada to invest in Bangladesh in a larger volume utilising the existing investment-friendly policy of the government. The Minister came up with the call when Canadian High Commissioner in Dhaka Benoit Prefontaine met him at his office on Tuesday, said a press release of the Planning Ministry. During the meeting, they discussed various issues relating to bilateral interests and hoped that the continued partnership of the two countries would expedite towards further developing the potential sectors of the economy in the future. Terming Canada a genuine friend of Bangladesh, Mustafa Kamal, commonly known as Lotus Kamal, said Bangladesh has made unimaginable progress during the tenure of the present government under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. "Bangladesh has been transformed into a very lucrative and profitable destination of investment due to various investment-friendly programmes of the government," he said. The Planning Minister underscored the need for further enhancing the economic partnership between Bangladesh and Canada. In response, the Canadian envoy expressed his country's interest to develop various infrastructures of Bangladesh, especially making investment on Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) basis. Winmax mobile retailers confce held Chittagong Bureau : Daylong Retailers conference of Winmax Mobile was held at Chittagong Boat Club with launching colourful programs . Chairman of MH technology Ltd Winmax Mobile Md. Hossain Khan formally inaugurated the daylong programs by cutting cake with declaration of 111 days replacement guarantees as chief guest.Head of Sales of Winmaz Mobie SS Rahat, Md. Shakiluzzaman, Kallol Kar Bairagi and Chittagong regional Manager Md Akbar Hossain were present in it as special guests. Among others, Distributor of Bablu Electronics, and proprietors of Taha Enterprises Md. Taslim, Md. Delwar Hossain, M. Sadmi Hossain Rabbi were present on the occasion. Chairman of the Winmax Mobile Md. Hossain said our company is pledged bound to ensure services. He also said to reach our services, we introduced replacement guarantee for 111 days with its service centres in 64 districts. He also assured to provide facilities of foreign tour of our retailers in future. Television, Radio and stage presenter Dilruba Khanam and Md. Aminul Hoque Shaheen conducted the whole programs. In second phase of the program, a cultural function following by Raffle draw was held on the occasion. Invest in sustainable rural dev Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressing the opening ceremony of 41st session of IFAD meeting in Rome as key speaker on Tuesday. UNB, Rome (Italy) : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday urged the development partners for investing in sustainable rural economies to ensure resilience to agricultural crisis as the inclusive and sustainable rural transformation hold key to eliminate poverty and hunger. "The development partners have to be a little more generous in order to eliminate poverty and hunger. The world appears to me to be ready now for it. I would like to urge you for investing in sustainable rural economies," she said. The Prime Minister made the call while delivering her keynote speech in the 41st Session of the IFAD's Governing Council held at the Headquarters of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) here with its president Gilbert Foussoun Houngbo in the chair. The theme of the session was 'From fragility to long-term resilience: Investing in sustainable rural economics'. Sheikh Hasina said, "We believe that in order to ensure resilience, investment in rural economy is a key factor. This, we believe, cannot be achieved without global partnership and cooperation." Noting that sustainability cannot be achieved without creating long-term resilience she said, "A comprehensive sustainable rural economy requires investment in the development of the rural social fabric and climate resilience." Focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, the Prime Minister said, "Inclusive and sustainable rural transformation is the key to reaching the goals of poverty elimination, hunger elimination and leaving no one behind." Mentioning that Bangladesh having over 160 million people is the most densely populated country in the world, she said it is poised to achieve the SDG goals well ahead of 2030 and it estimates that poverty will be eradicated altogether by 2024. But, Bangladesh faces other formidable challenges as it is likely to lose 40 percent of its productive land by 2080 if sea levels rise 65 centimetres only. "Changes in crop production due to the impact of climate change will increase the number of people living in poverty. Therefore, significant resources must be tapped in order to ensure better adapted and resilient agricultural practices," she added. Amala Paul shares new details on sexual harassment incident South Indian actor Amala Paul has issued a public statement in order to protect her manager Pradeep Kumar after a section of media reports suggested his hand in the sexual harassment incident faced by the actor. In the statement, she also revealed that the accused who approached her with ill-intentions was a member of an organised sex racket. Not just Amala's, he also had all the information, including phone numbers of other actresses, who were part of the star show that happened earlier this month in Malaysia. Amala said the person in question invited her to attend a special dinner after the event in Malaysia. Amala asked him to elaborate on what is 'special dinner'. "he shrugged and said don't be a fool, you are not a kid. I got startled because when I looked around no one was present at that moment aside me and him and this disgusting conversation," she noted in her statement. After his conversation, he waited outside the studio, where Amala was practising for her performance, for a 'positive answer.' Amala earlier this month filed the complaint saying she suspected a close source to the event must have been involved as the accused, who approached her exactly knew about her whereabouts at the time. "Thank you Vishal for standing by me and assuring me that I must not let it go, and I didn't, now I believe it's every woman's duty, to not let it go and stand for themselves. He was ready to trade me off like a meatloaf, his guts make me sick, his existence makes me sick #MeToo," Amala wrote on her Twitter account, thanking actor Vishal, who had issued a statement lauding her bold move following the incident. Here is the full statement issued by Amala Paul: "On 31st Jan while I was practising at a Chennai based studio for a dance performance. A man entered the premises and approached me saying there is something important he needs to discuss with me regarding the event. He offered me to attend a special dinner after the event which was to be concluded in Malaysia. When I cross questioned him what special dinner he is talking about, he shrugged and said don't be a fool, you are not a kid. I got startled, because when I looked around no one was present at that moment aside me and him and this disgusting conversation. While this guy went out the studio, saying he is waiting for my positive answer, I called my well-wishers and staff to come to my rescue. It took them 30 odd minutes to reach to the spot and catch hold of him, while he was patiently and confidently stood outside the studio as if this is his normal day at a business negotiation. Seeing my team approaching towards him, he tried to escape the situation by saying 'she can also say 'no' if she doesn't want, what's the big deal?'. When he tried to push my team and run, they caught hold of him and locked him up in the studio. While this ordeal was going on, I realised he is a member of an organised sex racket as he had my latest number stored in his phone and had all the information related to me and other actresses performing in the event. When the police arrived to the scene on complaints of nuisance by the locals around the studio, we submitted this guy to the Mamangalam police station T Nagar. I too rushed to the police station to file FIR 2 'JMB militants' held in city Two JMB activists were arrested from city\'s Tejgaon area with some locally made weapons and Jihadi books by RAB-2. This picture was taken from RAB Media Centre on Tuesday. Staff Reporter : Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Tuesday claimed to have arrested two militants of the banned Islamist outfit Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) from the city's Tejgaon area on Tuesday. The arrested men have been identified as Nuruzzaman Labu, 39, and Nazmul Islam Shaon, 26. RAB claimed to have seized some local arms, extremism-inciting books and foreign currencies in their possession, they RAB official said. In a primary interrogation, they confessed that were involved in militant organization in 2015, the CO said. They also targeted to kill a newly converted Christian according to him. Labo was bomb expert and was made the chief of JMB of Jhenaidah unit, he added. Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police have arrested the sister of the Australia's "IS-inspired knife attack" suspect Momena Shoma for allegedly attacking a policeman in Mirpur of Dhaka and for her involvement with banned militant outfit Neo-JMB. A faction of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists and Dhaka Union of Journalists formed a human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club on Tuesday demanding release of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Cementing the friendly relation between Bangladesh and Vietnam Ibraheem Rahman : After the dissolution of the USSR (Soviet Union) an anti communist phobia prevailed all over the world. Notwithstanding the negative attitude towards the communist world, People's Republic of China, Vietnam, North Korea and Cuba could be able to retain their communist character and philosophy. Other than China and Vietnam, Korea and Cuba have created many disputes and controversies but China and Vietnam have been working silently and proceeding towards massive development. China is a big country having a gigantic economy. With the tremendous effort China has reached the peak of industrial, commercial and infrastructural development. China with its unfathomable economy is now challenging the world even the biggest economy of USA. With an isolated atmosphere China confined herself in her own domain. There was a whispering in the world that China is sleeping. With translation of her plan into China with her massive economy emerged as an economic tiger and have started looking outside. China has blinded the world with her wonderful 'One belt one route' initiative. Most of the countries of the globe have welcomed the majestic venture and expressed their intention to be the participant to this venture. Linking Asia, Europe and Africa this initiative has become a talk of the globe. Pakistan has become an active participant in this venture. The Mega Project of Gwador deep-sea port with $ 60 bn has become a wonder of the world. The Highway built by China from Gwador to Zing Ziang has diminished the road from 20 days to 2 days only. Pakistan is going to be an economic tiger to challenge any economy whatsoever. Democratic Republic of Vietnam is undoubtedly a participant of the 'One belt one route' initiative. After driving away the US force from Vietnam under the leadership of uncle Ho Chi Min Vietnam confined herself in her own national development. With silent working for long time Vietnam has awaken and started exposing herself to the outside world. By this time Vietnam has proved that Vietnamese people are not poor. This stage they have reached not by taking any help from other county it is absolutely by their own effort. After the recognition of Bangladesh by Vietnam a very good friendly relation between Bangladesh and Vietnam prevailed till today. Cementing the friendly relation and the spirit of development in different sectors were the central point of the friendly relation. The aim of the two countries is to cement and expand the horizon of development and advance further. In the field of trade, commerce, culture, education and human resources development bond of friendship between the two countries are moving towards greater co-operation. Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was the first Leader of Bangladesh to visit Vietnam. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Vietnam several times. Besides delegations of various categories of both the countries visited mutually. This way bond of friendship between two countries has been further cemented. The President of Vietnam is scheduled to visit Bangladesh on March 4. :,' With this visit of the President the friendly relation will reach its highest peak. Vietnam and Myanmar are the two ASEAN Countries. Myanmar has created a humanitarian problem for Bangladesh by driving 1 million of her Rohingya citizens towards Bangladesh. This is a very gigantic problem for Bangladesh. The UNO and world communities have come forward to assist Bangladesh on this issue. We expect Vietnam with all logistic and diplomatic support will stand by us. Vietnam achieved independence by a long bloody war under the heroic leadership of Ho Chi Min. We have also achieved independence by a guerrilla warfare following the footprints of the Vietcong guerillas. We are the two brothers-in-war. As a result our friendship will last long as war heroes. Bangladesh will accord hero's welcome to Vtetnam President. Long live Bangladesh-Vietnam Friendship. Govt violated HR: Over 4550 held: Token hunger strike today BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir addressing the sit-in programme in front of party\'s Nayapalton office on Tuesday demanding early release of Begum Khaleda Zia. Staff Reporter : BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday alleged that the government has violated human rights by keeping former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in an abandoned prison. "Our National Constitution clearly states that no citizen can be kept in a solitary confinement ever. But the government has violated human rights by keeping Khaleda Zia isolated from any human contact and sending her in a long abandoned building," he said while addressing the party men in a sit-in programme in front of its Nayapaltan office. Demanding Khaleda Zia's immediate release from jail, he said, "We will free our leader Begum Khaleda Zia through agitations of the people of Bangladesh." "The incumbent government is an illegal one and the ruling quarter must be tried for violating the rights of Khaleda Zia," Fakhrul said. A special court of Dhaka has given the BNP chief five years jail in a graft case on Thursday. The huge gathering of BNP leaders and activists turned the one-hour long sit-in programme like a public meeting. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee Members Dr. Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain, Barrister Moudud Ahmed, Mirza Abbas, Nazrul Islam Khan, Vice-Chairmen Advocate Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain and Abdul Awal Mintoo, among with other leaders joined the programme. Several leaders from BNP led-20 party alliance also joined the sit-in programme. Started at 11:00am, the sit-in programme ended at 12.0o noon. The BNP will observe a token hunger strike nationwide today (Wednesday) for demanding release of Khaleda Zia. The leaders and activists chanted different slogans such as 'Why Khaleda kept is in jail?' 'Our leader, our mother cannot be kept in jail for long', 'We will not give up movement without release of our leader'. Mirza Fakhrul asked the leaders and activists to strengthen the on-going movement to bring Khaleda Zia out of jail and restoration of democracy in the country. He said no one can keep any popular leader in prison for long. This government also must be failed to keep Khaleda Zia in jail for a long time. He also vowed to make Khaleda Zia free soon and the government cannot hold national polls keeping her in jail. BNP Senior Joint-Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged that police arrested more than 4,550 party men from across the country till Tuesday. He made the allegation while addressing a press briefing at BNP's Nayapaltan office yesterday. He claimed that around 150 leaders and activists were arrested from Tuesday's sit-in programme from Dhaka and different other districts. Myanmar must take back its nationals UNB, Rome (Italy) : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinaon Mondayrenewed her call to the international community, including the Holy See, for continuing their pressure on Myanmar to take back their nationals from Bangladesh. The Prime Minister said this when she met Secretary of State of Vatican City Cardinal Pietro Parolin at his office here. Foreign Secretary Shahidul Huq and Ambassador to the Vatican City Shamim Ahsan briefed reporters after the meeting. Shamim Ahsan said the Prime Minister informed the secretary of state that Bangladesh and Myanmar signed an agreement to send back over one million Rohingyas from Bangladesh to their homeland. "The problem has been created on the other side of the border and the solution of this problem also lies there. That's why the bigger responsibility of implementing the agreement lies on Myanmar shoulder, but we haven't got that kind of response from Myanmar yet," she said. Hasina said the process of repatriation of the Rohingays has to be started. "The situation which will encourage the Rohingyas to go back to their homeland has to be created by Myanmar. Myanmar has to take that responsibility," the PM was quoted as telling Parolin. She also renewed her five-point demand she placed in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) last year. Hasina also said the report of the Kofi Annan Commission is yet to be implemented by Myanmar. She Hasina urged the Holy See and the international community to keep up their pressure on the Myanmar government to implement the Kofi Annan Commission report. Some 689,040 Rohingya people have crossed over to Bangladesh from Myanmar since August 25, 2007 amid persecution by Myanmar military in its Rakhine State. On September 21, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina placed a five-point proposal at the 72nd UNGA session for a permanent solution to the crisis. Myanmar must unconditionally stop the violence and the practice of ethnic cleansing in the Rakhine State immediately and forever, the UN Secretary General should immediately send a fact-finding mission to Myanmar, all civilians irrespective of religion and ethnicity must be protected in Myanmar, ensuring their sustainable return and implementing the recommendations of the Kofi Annan Commission Report. About terrorism, the Prime Minister renewed her government's stance that her government would never tolerate anybody to carry out insurgent acts from Bangladesh soil. Hasina said terrorists cannot continue their evil acts without the support of people and that mass people are now aware against such social menaces following an anti-terrorism campaign by her government. Pietro Parolin highly appreciating the move taken by Hasina's government in this regard and said, "That's the right way." Earlier the Prime Minister met Pope Francis at his office in the Vatican City. During the meeting, Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque said, Pope Francis highly appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for sheltering over one million Ronigyas forcibly evicted from Myanmar saying Bangladesh has now become an example to follow for its humanitarian role. Pope was very critical against the countries, including the USA, for not hosting the refugees, Shahidul Haque said adding that he described the Rohingya issue as very important in this regard. The Foreign Secretary mentioned that Pope Francis also lauded the existing religious harmony in Bangladesh and said Bangladesh has been recognised worldwide as a country of humanity and communal harmony. He said the highest leader of the catholic Christian community wanted to know whether the Rohingyas will be repatriated to their homeland with safety, security and sustainability. In response, the Prime Minister apprised him of the entire issue saying Bangladesh signed a deal with Myanmar so that the Rohingyas could return to their homes safely. Hasina also highlighted her government's success stories and development strides in various sectors. BNP briefs diplomats on latest pol situation Staff Reporter : The BNP on Tuesday briefed the foreign diplomats stationed in Bangladesh on the country's latest political situation. The briefing began at the party chairperson's office in Gulshan at around 4:15 pm and ended by 5:20pm. The party's senior leaders led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir were briefing the diplomats. Sources said that the meeting also discussed Khaleda Zia's conviction and the condition of her prison cell. Khaleda Zia is now in jail as a special court on February 8 sentenced her to five years imprisonment in a graft case. BNP Standing Committee Members Barrister Moudud Ahmed, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Chairperson's Advisor Reaz Rahman, Sabihuddin Ahmed, Special Secretary Dr. Asaduzzaman Ripon and Executive Committee member Tabith Awal were also present in the meeting. Diplomats from the United States, UK, China, France, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Germany, Kuwait, Qatar, Japan, Canada, Australia, India, Pakistan, Spain, Switzerland and Sweden were present in the meeting. When contacted, several senior leaders of the BNP said that the meeting was a part of regular discussion with the foreign diplomats. They said that there was nothing to disclose to the media. BNP last briefed the diplomats on January 30 at the same venue. ICB, 4 SOBs agree to save ailing Farmers Bank Experts oppose the move: Public money put at risk The Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) and the four state-owned banks have decided to inject Tk 1100 crore bailout fund to cash strapped Farmers Bank in line with a government plan to save the falling private bank founded by Awami League lawmaker and former Home Minister Dr. Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir. These public sector financial institutions came up with the decision at a meeting convened by the Bangladesh Bank (BB) on Tuesday. Governor Dr Fazle Kabir presided over the meeting held at the BB's headquarters in the capital. Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers of the Investment Corporation of Bangladesh and four state-owned banks (Sonali, Janata, Agrani and Rupali) attended the meeting. Journalists were prevented from entering the central bank's headquarters until the meeting ended at 3:00pm. "The investment issues were discussed at the meeting. The ICB and the respective state-owned banks have placed their proposals in this regard. All the financial institutions, however, unanimously decided to invest into the bank to sustain its operation," ICB Chairman Dr. Mojib Uddin Ahmed told The New Nation. Earlier, the Board of Farmers Bank decided to raise the bank's capital to Tk 1100 crore from Tk 400 crore by offloading shares through private placement. But it didn't get the expected investors. Under these circumstances, the central bank advised the state-owned banks to invest into the scam-hit bank as part of a bailout package. "We convened the meeting to discuss the forms and ways of bailout package as outlined to save this private bank," a senior BB official told The New Nation on condition of anonymity. He said the state-owned lenders have agreed in principal to invest into the bank by buying shares or other means. The bailout fund would help bolster capital base of the cash strapped bank amounting to Tk 1,500 crore from Tk 400 crore. It will also help sustain the bank's operation and pay off depositors. Earlier, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said that the government has moved with a plan to save the Farmers Bank. "The government can't allow a bank to fail. Bank failure is a horrible thing for any country," he said. Banking analysts opposed the government move to inject bailout fund to ailing Farmers Bank saying the move would put the public money at risk further as the bailout package involving state-owned financial institutions. "It would be a 'pervasive incentive' for the falling bank. The government's move would be regarded as a bad example in the country's financial sector," former BB governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed told The New Nation. He said the bank got license under the government's political consideration. So, a flaw was prevailing at the very inception of the bank badly affecting its corporate governance. "The governance problem later reflected on the lending practices of the bank, which was already hamstrung by loan scams and defaulted loans," he said, adding, "The bailout fund without reshaping the flaw would not bring any good for the bank rather put the public money at risk." Opposing the government's move, Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said, "It is a rare instance to rescue a private bank through selling shares to public financial institutions. No question would be raised if the government moves whether rescuing public entitles with bailout funds." "The government should stop providing fund risking of citizens' money to rescue a private bank. The bank directors should be given the responsibility to raise the bank's capital and recover the defaulted loans to make up its liquidity crisis," he added. Terming the government's move 'illogical', Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management Director General Toufic Ahmad Choudhury said that Farmers Bank should be shut down because of the unprecedented irregularities that had taken place in it. "I see no moral and ethical ground to extend the bailout package to save the falling bank," said former BB Deputy Governor Dr Khandoker Ibrahim Khaled. He said the way the government is going to inject fresh fund would not be effective unless the errant directors are removed from the bank. The government should take other options to save the bank. "The current deplorable condition of the bank has created panic among the depositors who rushed for taking out their money in the bank. But it is failing to pay off the depositors sending a wrong signal to the financial sector," he said, adding, "The government should take punitive measures against those responsible for pushing the bank on the brink of collapse." Dudu lands in jail Court Correspondent : The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court of Dhaka yesterday sent BNP Vice-Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu to the jail in a sabotage case filed with Ramna Model Police Station of the city. Magistrate AKM Moin Uddin Siddiqui of the CMM Court passed the order rejecting the bail plea of Dudu's counsels. Earlier, investigation officer of the case, Ramna Police Station SI Sudip Kumar Ghosh produced Shamsuzzaman Dudu in the court and prayed to the court to keep the accused in the jail custody till the police inquiry ends. Meanwhile, Dudu's lawyers sought division for him in the jail, while the court directed the authorities to take necessary steps as per the jail code. However, the court rejected the bail petition, filed on behalf of Shamsuzzaman Dudu. Police detained Dudu around 12 noon on Monday. Earlier, the BNP leader and other BNP men formed a human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club amid tight security. Among others, Advocates Sanaullah Mia, Syed Joynul Abedin Mesba and Helal Uddin moved the case on behalf of the Defence. BD, a lucrative country for foreign investors: Tofail Staff Reporter : Commence Minister Tofail Ahmed on Tuesday said, Bangladesh is a very lucrative country for foreign investors as highest facilities are given here. A good number of foreign investors by this time have invested in different sectors including apparel, power generation and telecom. The Minister invites Singapore's business group to invest in Bangladesh as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared it Special Economic Zone. The Minister said it while he was addressing a seminar held in Singapore 'to promote trade and commerce relation between Bangladesh and Singapore, organized by Bangladesh Business Chamber of Singapore. Businessmen from different countries are investing in Bangladesh and getting profit. Businessmen of Singapore can take this opportunity, Tofail said. "In Bangladesh there are some advantages for investment such as available workers at cheap wages and opportunity of investment in local and global markets," he said. "Bangladesh Prime Minister announced to make 100 special economic zones where foreign investors will be given priority," the minister said. The president of Bangladesh Business Chamber in Singapore Md Shahiduzzaman chaired the function. Bangladeshi ambassador to Singapore Md. Mustafizur Rahman spoke in the seminar. Yes, the decision belongs on the local level No, no one should be able to dictate whether people wear masks Vote View Results Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Jakarta Mon, February 12, 2018 18:50 1310 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9c52efa0 2 National IS,jakarta,terror-attack,Philippines Free The Indonesian leader of an Islamic State-linked militant group was jailed for seven years Monday over plans to smuggle weapons from the southern Philippines, a court said. Zainal Anshori, 43, head of Jamaah Ansharut Daulah, was found guilty of committing a "criminal act of terrorism" by the Jakarta court. His group is believed to be responsible for several terror plots in Indonesia including a January 2016 attack in Jakarta that left eight people dead, including four militants. Prosecutors had called for a 10-year prison term. The cache of some 50 weapons, which did not reach their destination, were intended to be used in future attacks in Indonesia, the court said. Indonesia, the world's biggest Muslim majority nation, has been on heightened alert following a string of IS-inspired attacks and plots. Many jihadists from Indonesia -- which has long struggled with Islamist militancy -- have in recent years travelled to join IS in Syria and the Philippine city of Marawi. Foreign and local IS supporters ravaged Marawi before being defeated in October, ending a five-month conflict with the military that left about 1,100 people dead. Last week, a Jakarta court sentenced an Islamist militant to ten years in prison for buying a cache of guns from a rebel group in the Philippines. My good buddy Gordon Lewis likes to joke that when I'm 90 and on my deathbed, I'll read about the introduction of an upcoming camera, croak "That's it! Just what I wanted! Finally!"and then expire. Yes, Gordon is a wiseass. "Sardonic"* would be the real English word. New Panasonic GX9, with the kit lens it will be bundled with at first The new Panasonic GX9, hastened to market to combat the mostly unfair but still lingering charges of "shutter shock" leveled against the GX8 (now $848 in the less popular silver color), has just been announced. It's a curious pastiche of existing and past models, betokening a further morphing of the Panasonic lineup, which changes as often as the platforms of political parties. The GX8 was positioned as the "top stills camera," the GH5 being the top video camera. But now, the new G9 has taken its place as the top stills camera. (And the GH5s has arrived as an alt-GH5.) So then where does the GX8 lineage go? Apparently, the GX85 (GX80 in Europe) and GX8 lines are being merged, and the new GX9 is now being positioned as the "top street-shooting camera"a light, handy, slimmed-down and pared-down rangefinder-styled ILC without all the bells and whistles and extreme features of the G9. So the GX9 is not a GX8 IIit's a mashup (the real word is "amalgamation," but I'm trying to be hip) of the existing GX85 and GX8. Current GX85 vs. GX8. The new GX9 is almost exactly the size of the camera on theleft, within a few millimeters in every dimension. Comparison from Camerasize.com. The GX8 got blowback for being too large (I thought it was perfect, but I have biggish hands), so the new GX9 is much closer in size to the smaller GX85 (or the older GX7). The deep handgrip is now optionalthe camera has a slight vestigial bump of a grip molded in, but there will be an add-on handgrip offered separately. The articulating video-shooter's screen has been replaced with a flip-up viewing screen, often preferred by street shooters. (And by me.) However, the 90 tilting eye-level VF, Dual I.S., and 20.3-MP sensor have all been retained from the GX8. Of course it'll have the shutter from the GX85, so no more talk of "shutter shock." Screenshot from Wex Camera video showing the tilting viewfinder and flip-up screen, the two features I personally most wanted in a GX8 successor. About the only misstep from the point of view of the model's stated purpose is that it's not weatherproof, something street shooters might have appreciated. But oh well. Street shooters do tend to shoot out of small shoulder bags, generally. Or just keep large Ziploc baggies in their back pockets for when they get caught in the rain. And it's going to be priced lower than the GX8, tooinitially, $999 with its 1260mm kit lens, which probably means $799 or less when the camera is eventually offered body-only. (If it ever is. Panasonic likes to sell you a lens with its lesser bodies. I assume the kit lens is optimized for the Dual I.S., something not all Panasonic's lenses are.) A large rubber eyepiece and deep add-on handgrip are accessories. So, Gordon, does this mean I'm about to kick the bucket? Nah, I think I'll stick around. I would enjoy this. Available in March. Mike (Thanks to John Ironside and, he said sardonically, Gordon) *Disdainfully or skeptically humorous: derisively mocking (Webster's). Original contents copyright 2018 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. B&H Photo Amazon US Amazon UK Amazon Germany Amazon Canada Adorama (To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.) Featured Comments from: Anders Holt: "Still prefer the Olympus Pen-F. ;-) " Mike replies: Understandable. It doesn't give up much if anything to this new one, save perhaps the tiltable EVF. I've been more of a Panasonic fan since the GF1, though. Gordon Lewis: Don't worry, Mike. According to the grim scenario I so puckishly portrayed, your passing on to The Other Side will be imminent only when you believe that such as thing as 'the perfect camera' has been introduced at last. As long as you continue to believe that your creator has a master plan to deny you said camera, you may live forever." Mike replies: In that case, I'll continue to find something wrong with every camera that comes along. :-) Andrew Molitor: "I now imagine a camera company executive, once trivially slighted by Mike, driving his team to create the perfect camera with the express intent of hastening the death of his hated enemy. He pets his cat and grates out, 'No. Smaller. And it has to be black-and-white only. Sooooon. Soooooon my precious.'" Frank Mueller: "In Japan it will be called GX7 Mark III, just like the GX80/GX85 was called the GX7 Mark II. A clear sign of heritage. Too bad...I was hoping for a GX8 with 5-axis stabilization and G9 tiltable EVF :-) ...let's wait for the GX10. :-D " Mike replies: Won't that just be a GX7 Mark IV? I should have pointed out, very mournfully, that the GX8 is...so far...orphaned, just as I feared. Alas, GX8, we hardly knew ye. Kalli: "I joked earlier today about Panasonic just launching new camera models to spite me. That since I bought the G80 at a very attractive price last summer, before an upcoming trip, because I reasoned that a 20-MP Micro 4/3 camera suitable for me and at a suitable price wouldn't show up for a good while. Then the GX9 arrives. And Panasonic is indeed just doing this to spite me. Not weather sealed? Regrettable, but not a deal breaker. Not an articulated rear display, but one that flips? No big deal. I could go on, but after reading about half a page on DPReview's first impressions article I came across the words 'field sequential.' Field sequential EVF. Never mind. Not interested anymore. [Here's a poll asking whether photographers have been bothered by effects from field sequential EVFs. Ed.] "I do agree with you regarding the size. The battery capacity looks to be way down, too, which is another strike against it. That accessory grip looks nice, but Olympus and Panasonic need to stop making stupid (non-battery) grips that block battery access. I mean, is that just bad engineering or is it some sort of a Leica fetish? Also, regarding the shutter unit in the GX9, it has a higher X-sync speed than the electromagnetic shutter unit in the GX80 and G80." 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. Bahrain is looking at introducing a new maritime code to help boost its maritime transportation and logistics sector and further enhance the customer experience at its main seaport Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP), a top official of the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications (MTT) said. The updated maritime law is currently in legislative process and forms a part of MTT strategy to boost maritime transport sector, stated Hassan Ali AlMajed, the undersecretary for Port and Maritime Affairs (PMA) at the ministry, while addressing a joint media briefing hosted by PMA and APM Terminals Bahrain yesterday. APM Terminals (APMT) Bahrain is the operator of the Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) which is designed to handle 1 million twenty feet equivalent (TEU) per annum. As the regulator for the sector, PMA is working on introducing a new maritime law that has all of the updated regulations needed for businesses to further thrive, and we are also working on deepening Bahrains channel to allow the third generation container vessels to access the port, remarked AlMajed. We have always implemented a partnership approach with our stakeholders, and in addition to our regular discussions with APMT, we also regularly meet our clients who are operating in the sector to make sure that the services the port provides are in line with their expectations, and that we are offering efficiency levels that help them conduct their business, he added. AlMajed said this year, with customer centricity as one of the key focus areas for KBSP, APMT Bahrain will be actively working on offering a range of transport and logistical solutions or value-added services to its customers in Bahrain. This includes end-user services which include cargo stuffing and stripping and bonded storage of the goods at KBSP. This will help create an effective supply chain which will directly increase savings and eliminate wastage for companies, further enabling them to focus on their core business areas, he added. Additionally, the port is also working on launching a dedicated IT self-service portal that will allow customers to track shipments, book appointments and make payments online. Highlighting the positive growth achieved by KBSP in container volume and general cargo, Al Majed said: KBSP, operated by APMT Bahrain, has witnessed container volume growth by a CAGR of 10 per cent between 2009 and 2017. The port has also recorded an impressive 7 per cent growth in container volume in 2017, with an additional 21 per cent spike in general cargo with a positive outlook estimated for 2018, he added. According to him, the majority of this volume is attributed to gateway cargo with the KBSP currently also handling two deep sea services - The Ocean Alliance MEA3 & MSC Cheetah Service. We are pleased to report this positive growth for 2017, which is in fact an extension of our growth over the past few years, he stated. "PMA has been working hand in hand with APMT Bahrain to ensure that our customers get the very best services possible and that the regulatory environment is in place to enable this," he added. AlMajed pointed out that Bahrain, currently offers port facilities that some of the neighbouring countries dont have in place. "So we are pleased to be able to offer trans-shipment services to shipping lines that want to call the region. The growth volumes speak for themselves and Im happy that our joint efforts have succeeded in achieving our common goals," he noted. In 2018, APMT Bahrain will be moving ahead to attract increased trans-shipment volumes to targeted countries such as Kuwait and Iraq in the Northern Gulf. It also plans to demonstrate cost savings to shipping lines by routeing these volumes via Bahrain especially with some of the mainliner services connecting Bahrain directly to key destinations in Asia. Mark Hardiman, the CEO/Managing Director of APM Terminals Bahrain said: "KBSP is a world-class, multi-purpose facility that is strategically located in the heart of the Gulf and well-equipped to meet the ever-increasing demands for port infrastructure to facilitate trade." "As we strive towards achieving further growth our focus is to increase the service offerings to our landside customers as a port integrator of choice," he noted. "To achieve this objective, we continue to work very closely with the various government agencies including the MTT, the Bahrain Economic Development Board and Department of Customs Affairs to attract more investments into the country by offering attractive supply chain solutions," he added. The port also operates a passenger terminal thereby directly contributing to developing the tourism sector in the kingdom. Working closely with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, MTT and APMT have been successful in attracting cruise tourism traffic to Bahrain, witnessing a 3 per cent growth in cruise vessel calls and a 23 per cent increase in passenger flows last year, further substantiating its role in uplifting Bahrain trade and tourism sectors.-TradeArabia News Service The Embassy of Latvia has announced the opening of new external visa application centres in the UAE in Abu Dhabi and Dubai - in partnership with VFS Global. The new centres, which are operational from today, were inaugurated by Astra Kurme, ambassador of Latvia to the UAE, and Melvin Duart Dsouza, head of operations - UAE, VFS Global. The centres will be managed and operated by VFS Global, the worlds largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for diplomatic missions worldwide. Visa applicants from the UAE need not henceforth approach the Embassy of Latvia for their visa requirements as VFS Global is mandated to handle the applications as well as biometric enrolment. Speaking at the inauguration, Kurme said: It is an important step towards facilitating contacts between people and nations. The possibility to apply and receive visa to visit Latvia will significantly improve tourism and business exchange not only between Latvia and the UAE, but also the whole Gulf region as the embassys consular mandate covers all GCC region. The VFS Global Latvia visa application centre in Abu Dhabi is located at Level 25, Shining Tower on Mubarak bin Mohammed Street next to Khalidiya Mall. In Dubai, the VFS Global centre is located at Wafi Mall, Level 2, Umm Hurair. Visa applicants from the UAE can direct their queries and appointment requests to the call centre or communicate with the centre at [email protected] Commenting on the launch, Vinay Malhotra, COO Middle East & South Asia, VFS Global, said: The new visa centres are opening at a high point in the context of potentially increasing travel requirements from the UAE, be it for leisure, tourism or business purposes. We are honoured to be part of this growing relationship between the two countries and are confident to bring enhanced level of efficiency in services and a seamless, delightful customer experience to the visa applicants from the UAE. The opening of the visa centres in the UAE follows VFS Global winning the outsource mandate from the Government of Latvia for various countries including in the UK, China, India, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Lebanon and South Korea. The VFS Global centres for Latvian Schengen visa applications are managed by professionals who are trained to provide secure and time-efficient processing of entry permit requirements in a friendly ambience. Applicants can also opt for the comfort of a Premium Lounge for more personalised service. Some of the key features of the centres include convenience in terms of location, automated queue governance for smooth flow of applicants and a dedicated website for easy access to information including visa categories, requirements, check-list and applicable fees. Apart from these, VFS Global staff is well trained in 100 per cent secure handling of passports, documents and personal information. Door-step delivery of passport is also yet another service VFS Global offers. - TradeArabia News Service Flynas, a Saudi-national airline, has announced plans to launch flights from Dammam, Riyadh and Jeddah to Lahore and Islamabad in Pakistan. Flights from Riyadh to Lahore will commence on February 15, followed by Riyadh-Islamabad and Dammam-Lahore on February 16. Flights from Jeddah to Lahore will launch on February 17. Flynas flights between the Kingdom and Pakistan will utilize A320 fleet, and new B767 aircraft. Booking can be made through Flynas' smartphone application, travel agents, and the Flynas website. These new Flynas routes will serve business travellers from and to Saudi Arabia, as well as Hajj and Umrah visitors. It will also connect passengers to many different cities within the Kingdom with Flynas' network, which includes 17 domestic destinations. Flynas CEO Bander Al-Mohanna said: "Ever since Flynas was established over10 years ago, we have been continuously finding new opportunities and reaching new destinations, in order to deliver the best services and connectivity to our dear guests. "We continue our journey with consumers, promising 2018 to be the year of expansion, to cater to their needs and aspirations to reach further domestic and international destinations." TradeArabia News Service CapitaLands wholly owned serviced residence business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott), is ramping up its expansion with a target to double its portfolio to 160,000 units globally by 2023. Hot on the heels of its recent signing of nine management contracts in China, Ascott has clinched contracts to manage another four properties with 1,200 units in new cities such as Malacca in Malaysia and Davao in the Philippines while deepening its presence in Guangzhou in China and Cebu in the Philippines. CEO Kevin Goh said: "With the global economic upswing and international travel arrivals hitting a new high, we are confident of exceeding 80,000 units this year. We see immense potential to scale up to 160,000 units worldwide in the next five years." Besides accelerating our growth through management contracts, which currently make up 60 per cent of our portfolio, we will continue to seek opportunities for strategic investments in strong operating businesses that will widen our customer reach and give us a competitive edge, stated Goh. "We will also grow our franchise business, particularly through our Citadines and Quest brands, and form strategic alliances with leading companies that have a pipeline of properties for us to manage," he added. Goh said the focus will be on key gateway cities in its two biggest markets, China and Southeast Asia, as well as existing and emerging markets, including across the Middle East. "Expanding our global network will allow us to leverage greater economies of scale and strengthen our earnings. To position Ascott for the future, we will harness digital innovation and technology to enhance customer experience. For instance, our coliving brand, lyf, targeted at the millennials will provide guests with a complete digital experience," he added. With its latest deals, Ascott has entered new attractive investment destinations Malacca and Davao. Its Somerset property in Malacca, Ascotts largest property to date, will benefit from an upcoming free economic zone and sea port. Meanwhile, the foray into Davao will anchor Ascott in the Philippines third fastest-growing economy which also serves as the economic and tourism hub of Southern Philippines, said the top official. Ascotts fifth property under its lyf brand will be in Cebu, the top investment destination in the Philippines outside Metro Manila. With Ascott also increasing its presence in Guangzhou, it has reinforced its leading position as one of the largest serviced residence operators in China. "The Chinese are our top customers at our properties globally and continues to be the fastest growing segment in 2017, growing at 33 per cent year-on-year," stated Goh. "Besides opening more properties in China, we have stepped up our online marketing efforts tailored for the China market to better capture the Chinese travellers demand for properties both in and outside of China," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Charity Gives Aid to Repair 2,000 Assyrian Homes in Iraq Assyrian family in north Iraq. ( Aid to the Church in Need) Christians forced out of their ancestral lands in northern Iraq are rejoicing after a leading Catholic charity announced an urgent injection of aid to rebuild an extra 2,000 homes. The US$5 million ( By TCN News Manipur: The ninth annual India Health Initiative (IHI), a program created by US-based NGO India Muslim Relief and Charities (IMRC) to provide medical services to poorest of poor in India, concluded with its last free health camp organised in the northeast state of Manipur on February 11th, 2018. Support TwoCircles As a part of the 9th IHI, free health camps were organised for 12 days in three Indian States: Telangana, Assam, and Manipur from January 27 to February 11, where 9,612 poor and needy patients were treated by US-based IMRC doctors. In Telangana, 2,793 patients were treated in four-day health camp from January 27 to January 30, in Assam 3,226 patients were treated from February 2 to February 6, whereas in Manipur 3593 patients were treated from February 9 to February 11, 2018. In all the medical camps, patients were provided with free medicines after free check-up of vital health signs and cases which needed follow-up were compiled into a list and referred to the local doctors whose expenses will be paid by the IMRC. The ninth annual initiative saw 15 doctors from the USA namely Dr. Jawad Ahmed (General Physician), Dr. Irfan Moin (Geriatrics), Dr. Jerome Stefenko (General Surgeon), Dr. John Rosenberg (ER Physician), Dr. Farida Ghogawala (Gynaecologist), Dr. Mohammad Gafoor (Family practice), Dr. Sabiha Gafoor (Pediatrician), Dr. Moustafa Abouelkheir (Surgeon), Dr. Jowairia Qadri (Gynaecologist), Dr. MK Ahmed (Paediatrician), Dr MY Ahmed (Surgeon), Dr Sana Ahmed (Paediatrician), Dr. Mir Mumtaz Ali (Internal and Pulmonary medicine),Dr Mohammad Haq (Internal Medicine), Dr. Reshma Mohiuddin (General Physician), Dr Noureen M Haroon (Ophthalmologist) and Shaheda B Ahmed (Pathologist), who have been working with IMRC to provide their services at four camps in Hyderabad, then in Assam and Manipur. We were lucky to have the opportunity to go with the India health initiative organised by IMRC. It was really a great experience seeing more than 500 + patient every day. We saw lots of pathologies, patients with diabetes, hypertension, gastro and joints related problems and we are looking forward to being part of this noble initiative every year, said Mohammad Yousuf Ahmed, a surgeon from the USA. This is my third time coming with IMRC India health initiative camps. It was a unique experience for us. We were able to reach out to a population which usually have very less access to health care facilities. Like every year, the experience this year has been accomplishing, said Mohammad Kamal Ahmed, a pediatrician from the USA. The India Health Initiative was started by IMRC in 2010 and is organised by Hyderabad based Sahayata Trust.Since its inception, IMRC has successfully conducted nine India Health Initiatives comprising of medical camps across different rural areas, poor localities and slums in India. Every year, IMRC assembles a team of doctors from the United States of America to volunteer for the health camps. The medical camps are organised for three weeks in semi-slums and rural areas of different states to target poor patients. By Twocircles.net Staff Reporter The face of Junaid, who breathed his last in the lap of his brother after he was lynched by a mob in Haryana, seems to have struck a chord with Malayalam author K P Ramanunni. Support TwoCircles The Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award winner, who is known for his secular stand and efforts to strengthen communal harmony, has donated his cash prize of Rs 99,997 to Junaids family. Ramanunni met Junaids mother Saira Begum after receiving the prestigious award in Delhi and handed over the amount to Junaids mother. Interestingly, the author kept Rs 3 with him, saying its the price of his award winning work Daivathinte Pusthakam (Book of God). Ramanunni told media persons after handing over the amount that he was announcing that he is a real Hindu by helping family of a teen who was killed for being a Muslim. I am a real Hindu. And I want to declare it, he said. The amount was handed over in the presence of Youth League leader C K Subair. Earlier, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) had given financial aid to Junaids family. When I was in my early twenties I remember going on holiday to France. I bought a very cheap France Vacances train ticket and had a great two weeks travelling around what is surely one of the most beautiful and varied countries in the world. The ticket began at calais station and I remember the anticipation of walking from the ferry port to the train station in the middle of the town, in the early morning sun. It was one of the highlights of the holiday. The abandonment of Calais to anarchy Now that same journey would be as hazardous as walking along the North/South Korean border or the area separating Indian and Pakistan troops in Kashmir. The lovely town of Calais and its environs have been abandoned to the squalor and violence of an illegal immigrant stronghold, where marauding groups of almost exclusively young men try every means at their disposal to get into the UK. Barriers are thrown across motorways risking death to ordinary people, haulage drivers are abused, threatened, sometimes assaulted, commerce and travel are interrupted as the invaders try to walk down Channel tunnels, running fights with French and English authorities and security staff prevail and thousands of these men get across to England before claiming asylum or, more often, disappearing to other unsuspecting English haunts. These men are predominantly Muslim. They cannot have been properly vetted and the murderous ISIS group who have recently been dislodged from Syria and Iraq have vowed to send their fighters to Europe and the USA to supplement those countries own home grown imbeciles. None of these people are valid refugees. To be so they have to claim asylum in the first safe country - Turkey, Italy, France, Greece, Spain perhaps. Help refugees on their country's borders. It's international law and here's why David Cameron got many things wrong as Prime Minister but one thing he got absolutely correct was refusing to take in so-called refugees from Calais and similar areas. Instead the UK provided support for them on the Borders of the country they were fleeing from. This made identifying genuine refugees more possible, it supported the more vulnerable women and real children who were not strong enough to make the journey to Calais (not thirty-year-olds hoodwinking naive or complicit charity workers into believing they were fourteen). It damaged the vermin involved in people trafficking and it facilitated the return to their country of origin for genuine refugees when the crisis had passed. Instead Angela Merkel invited all of Africa and Asia to come on over. Jean Claude Juncker and his band of idiots demanded borders remain completely unprotected. The Southern European countries, overrun with illegal immigrants, took to shipping them North in trains and busses rather than stopping them and turning them back, with a vast number ending up in Calais, intent on getting to the UK to take advantage of our ridiculously generous welfare system. The next step was inevitable. Imbecilic, virtue signalling British celebrities, Arch Bishops, Union activists, naive teenagers, Antifa thugs and Marxists began demanding the UK take them all in and pay for them forever with someone else's money. Now as the education, welfare, housing, policing and especially the Health services begin to crack under the strain of taking between a third and a half million people a year, every year (no one knows the exact number because so many have sneaked in), those very same people are screaming at everyone else to hurry up and pay more. We help no one by destroying ourselves I do not blame anyone, other than murderous terrorists, for trying to get a better life. But the UK has been developed over centuries to get to the position it was in a few years ago. The previous generation and dozens of generations before them had worked and fought and suffered. They had taken in a controllable number of refugees in real crisis and provided generously for other nations around the world to grow. They also provided the people of the UK with the right to continue making the best choices for their country without being dictated to by EU unelected gravy train surfers or left wing fanatics who do nothing with their own money but demand others fund every lunatic scheme imaginable. This is wrong. The only viable way forward is to halt all immigration until it can be controlled again. Make sure that everyone knows people who enter illegally will be held in detention whatever the EU courts demand and then quickly shipped out of the UK. By doing this, the belief that we are a soft touch will quickly be proven wrong and demand will reduce. The town of Calais should be cleared of these shanty towns for good. Recently people living in these areas have been killed by other groups living in them. This must surely illustrate, even to the very stupid that nobody, not the UK, France, nor indeed these would be immigrants themselves benefit by allowing pits of disease and violence to remain. We cannot thrive as a country by providing within our borders for half of Africa and half of Asia. No one benefits when we become poor and barbaric ourselves and need to crawl to another country to help us survive. If the EU demands that is what member states do it is up to them, although Hungary, Austria, Italy, Greece, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, even Germany itself are beginning to rebel to one degree or another, refusing to accept quotas or demanding votes to leave the EU, or delivering right wing anti Islam politicians to positions of power in unprecedented numbers. The UK, however, has, thankfully, chosen to leave the EU and govern ourselves. As the wicked, self-destroying stupidity illustrated above demonstrates, implementing that decision fully, cannot be done quickly enough. THERESA MAY was dealt a Brexit blow last night after it was revealed that the Government will accept the official leave date drawn up by Michel Barnier, Whitehall sources, as cited by The Mirror, stated that the EU timetable was the working assumption and that no one seems too upset by that. The timetable states that the UK would officially leave the EU, after the transition period, on New Years Eve 2020. This would mean that the UK has 3 months less than previously thought to agree substantial amounts of trade agreements with the EU and across the globe before we hurtle off the cliff, headed by a department that has been officially described as not fit for purpose. Brexit means...? The difficulties of Brexit have been significantly underlined and the UKs ability to deal with the coming issues is lacklustre at best. 3 months less than previously assumed also adds to the mounting pressure, especially as preparations have deemed a risk of becoming damaging and unmanageable muddle unless the government increases its efforts to prepare substantially. The influential Commons committee, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) have said that Whitehall has been too slow and lacks a credible plan. Should the government does choose to accept the timetable set by Barnier, it gives them less time for negotiations during the transitional period, increasing the pressure for quick deals that puts UK public assets at risk to being opened for foreign investors and businesses, for example Theresa May has refused to rule out that the NHS wont be part of negotiations that could leave it open to US health firms. Furthermore, Theresa May has categorically said that the UK will leave the customs union after Brexit. This came after she had held a working lunch with Michel Barnier but after he had a meeting with David Davis, Barnier said that trade barriers would be unavoidable if May decides to go ahead with the plan to leave the customs union. Any form of trade barrier would be seriously detrimental to the UK and this was highlighted after the well publicised reports into the affects to different parts of the UK by Brexit. The North-east would come off worse with no sense of irony after it overwhelmingly voted to leave, with London fairing significantly better. There would be an 11 per cent decrease in economic growth with the governments preferred outcome of a Free Trade Deal with the EU but leaving with no deal would cause a 16 per cent hit in the North-east, staying in the single market would cause a 3 per cent drop. The West Midlands would see a 8 per cent decline with a freelancer trade deal, under a no deal it would be hit 13 per cent and just 2.5 per cent if the UK remained in the single market. Northern Ireland, who voted to remain and historically shouldnt even be part of the UK or in my personal opinion exist, would see 8 per cent drop with a free trade deal, 12 per cent with a no deal and 2.5 with the single market. London, who fair significantly better, would see just a 2 per cent decline in growth with a free trade deal, 3.5 per cent with no deal and 1 per cent if the UK remains in the single market. OCCUPATION of the Palestine is growing more violent as Israel move their plan further to wipe Palestine off the map. The response of violence by Palestinians, whilst bad, is born from their rights being removed and their homes being taken from them by illegal settlements from far-right idealists. Israel then respond by sending in the military and shooting Palestinians indiscriminately, then when met with protests, open fire on them with live rounds. Every time the west stays silent over the way Israel conduct themselves or actively support Israel, shows that they support Israel in their ideological desire to wipe Palestine off the map entirely, as is the desire of Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud Party. Netanyahus plan to steal more land from Palestine Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has said that he has been discussing potential legislation to annex the illegal settlements in West Bank with the US, however, the US have stated that Netanyahu has not made a specific annexation proposal. This would considerably harm the prospect of a two-state solution and after growing pressure from members of his far-right party, the Likud Party to press ahead with legislation to apply Israeli sovereignty to the settlements. Benjamin Netanyahu had previously furthered the cause of wiping Palestine off the map by saying that ministers would grant formal authorisation to a rogue West Bank settlement in response to the murder of a rabbi last month. The announcement came after Israeli soldiers shot dead a Palestinian teenager during a raid to arrest the rabbis killers. The move also comes after a vow of revenge by the Israeli government. The illegal settlements tend to be home to far-right and rabid supporters of the Israeli government. Meanwhile, after a similar visit by Netanyahu, the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas visited Russia in a bid to secure the support of Vladimir Putin over the USs decision to officially recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital. Previously, the US were playing a big role in the Peace Process but since this, it is becoming more evident that Russias voice is becoming the most important in several Middle Eastern peace processes. Violence begets violence Last Monday, an Israeli settler was stabbed in the settlement of Ariel in West Bank, the man was treated at the scene but despite attempts, died. Israel responded by sending in forces to search for the assailant. However, rather than conduct themselves fairly, they opened fire with live rounds when met with stone-throwing protestors, it was reported that one Palestinian was killed with 29 others wounded. Further violence occurred after Israeli forces shot and killed an individual who they believed to be behind the killing of another settler on the 9th January. Palestinian Ahmad Jarrar was killed during a wide-scale military operation in the town of al-Yamoun, however, Jarrar was merely a suspect with there being no evidence to suggest that he was definitely the killer. Hundreds of Palestinians took to the street to mourn his death. Last Monday, Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, warned that recent developments in the Middle East could bury a two-state solution. Guterres told a Palestinian rights committee, Negative trends on the ground have the potential to create an irreversible one-state reality The Middle East peace process was severely hindered after the US President, Donald Trump, officially recognised Jerusalem as Israels capital, ignoring the international consensus view that the status of the Holy City would be decided in peace negotiations. Adults and children across the autism spectrum are finding more and more acceptance in society and social consciousness, and the media has been part of the change. Thanks to campaigns and media presence of Autism Speaks, including outspoken parents like Jenny McCarthy, not to mention the countless blogs written by parents, the world is seeing what real life looks like for the autistic person. When James Copeland wrote For the Love of Ann in 1973, it was one of the only true life accounts of an autistic child's journey to adulthood. No matter the acclaim of the film, the lives of most people in close connection with someone with autism are very different from the relationships of Rain Man, no matter how heartfelt at the end. Worldwide audiences now see Julia cope with autism on Sesame Street, and the character of Dr. Shaun Murphy on The Good Doctor has captured a more multidimensional portrait of balancing genius and social deficits while creating a meaningful life beyond the surgery suite. Education and therapy techniques have made tremendous strides in teaching the way an autistic student can learn, but what happens after degrees are earned? Very capable and eager pools of employees are passed up because the poise factor may never be displayed in the typical job interview. Major companies are making decisions to catch up for lost time and specifically capture employees from the autistic community. Approval ratings on both sides are off the charts, as reflected in a February 11 Sunday Morning feature on CBS. Rising from rejection Christopher Pauley can never be accused of not pursuing employment with the petal to the metal. He has a roster of 600 employers who received resumes from the California Polytechnic State University graduate, with an honored computer science degree. That effort and output yielded barely a nibble, much fewer chances to walk through company doors. There were definitely days when Christopher lost spunk, fearing he might be in the statistics of 80 percent unemployment for those with autism. He didnt make the Please give me a chance plea often, because he didnt want to come off as desperate. He wanted to prove his capabilities, and as it happens, Microsoft was looking for someone just like Chris. Rather than the standard, seated, and stale job interview, Microsoft Accessibility Officer, Jenny Lay-Flurrie, works to develop projects in groups that run for weeks. Assignments put prospective employees in problem-solving scenarios. This approach allows supervisors to not only see thinking and skills put into action, but also allow social skills to come to the surface. Ms. Lay-Flurrie affirms that people with disabilities are a strength, and a force of nature in this company, myself included. She is profoundly deaf but seamlessly proficient in lip-reading and with some support from an interpreter. Microsoft hired Chris Pauley as a software engineer in 2016, and his manager says he is constantly thinking-out-of-the-box and coming up with things new to him, that means innovation for the company. Pauley prefers not to speak of exact numbers in salary, but he lives in a high rise apartment on his own now, and recently bought a car. He loves driving to work and feeling acceptance. The money is nice, but I'd be happy with half as much money, the employee declares. Social and succeeding German software company SAP joined 50 other companies last April for the Autism at Work summit last April. Jose Velasco runs the program at SAP, where it began five years ago. He was immediately amazed not just at the number of immensely qualified applicants, but that their study and skills covered the entire gamut-- from literature and history to the science and technology track. Velasco calls his involvement with this employment program the most rewarding of his long career. SAP has hired 128 employees on the Autism Spectrum and has a goal of 600. One of those employees is about to head to Germany to train and learn at SAP headquarters in Germany for a month-long span. Another employee with a very positive and productive outlook is Gloria Mendoza. Gloria is now 26, and vividly recalls her life as a child, not very socially skilled, and displaying some of the challenging behaviors that a child on the autism spectrum would have. Fortunately, Glorias parents invested much time, effort, and funds into speech and occupational therapy, and from some very qualified doctors, and their daughter made great strides. She earned 2 degrees from Gettysburg College, one in music, and the other in computer science. Part of Mendozas five weeks of training before taking her position in Digital Business Services was honing her social skills. Now, she spends most of her day in customer service, asking questions and optimizing the client experience for her company. A unique feature in both the Microsoft and SAP autism employee initiatives is that hired employees are not left adrift after getting their official name badges and titles. Mentors are assigned from within the company, and consider it a mutual benefit. Mentors usually have a personal connection to autism, like Chris Pauleys mentor, who has a son with autism and feels hope from meeting with Chris and seeing his success. Gloria most loves that she can use the skills she has studied while being around people who understand who I am and how I am different from other employees. Not just program managers, but every employee, seems surprised by the asset that those in the autism programs have become. Besides lunch breaks, there are game nights and other social opportunities that ensure these employees feel valued as people, beyond just know how. Gloria Mendoza adds another worthy aspect of the programs, not having people look at me weird. Christopher Pauley reminds that future applicants with autism should never fail to aim high and shoot for the stars since one never knows what will happen, and for many waiting, ready, and willing future prospects, this is the time to take a shot. Bio note I understand breaking down the walls and ceilings faced by disabled employees. A summa cum laude education and special education graduate with a lifetime passion to teach and cerebral palsy, my first teaching job came after 400 applications and interviews. I spent 24 years teaching, and teaching future teachers. The greatest lesson any teacher can give is to let a student see the talent only he/she has to give and to never give up. The battle does bring heartbreak, but the reward lasts. Hollywood is often seen as the sacred land for film fans everywhere; and with this allure, it draws in masses of aspiring actors, actresses, and producers. But everything is not as it seems, as highlighted by the recent scandals in the news. With all of this focus surrounding the imperfections of this seemingly perfect world, we are now seeing the dark underbelly. But how will this change Hollywood in the future? Hollywood's underbelly If you have kept your ear to the ground recently, then you've probably heard the maelstrom of controversy tear through the Hollywood landscape like a tornado. Scandals have always been rife in Hollywood, and it was almost accepted that this was the reality. With many aspiring actors, actresses, and directors alike embracing this lifestyle. But that was the way things were. The Hollywood system was shaped by bankable names, star-studded studios, and most notably the money. All of these inevitably lead to a sink or swim mentality. You either made it, or you didn't. You'd be chewed up and spat out without a single shred of remorse; because at the end of the day, in a dog-eat-dog world, it is up to you to not be the main course on the menu. Systems of repetition Systems of repetition are all too common when large sums of money get involved. This is not an exception for the world of film. With blockbuster budgets thrown around like spare change its easy to see how control is of the highest importance. For example, we can look at how the big six operate. The big six is the nickname given to the six largest production studios in Hollywood, who have almost complete control of the film markets due to their prolific presence and ownership of franchises, companies, and assets; which all ensure massive profits for them. With just six studios being the main production companies, it's easy to see how familiar names and faces get around so easily and penetrate each and every aspect of the industry. They are able to create these systems in which they stay in total control of everything that happens with seamless ease; and why? It's mainly due to their power over people. Studios have a hold on directors, directors have a hold on actors/actresses, and unfortunately, they are the ones that suffer. Which leads me to why the Hollywood system is about to be shaken up. Our mentality In recent years we have seen many massive changes in our modern day world. Donald Trump becoming President of The United States, Britain choosing to leave the EU under Brexit, and the scandals being exposed in Hollywood. All of which are great examples of how we have begun making massive changes towards how we operate. It is clearly an understatement to say that the people of the world want change. And change is exactly where Hollywood is heading. Uma Thurman's recent reveals about the disgusting acts Hollywood director Harvey Weinstein allegedly performed on her is a detailed instance of just how systematic the abuse of power is in Hollywood. But not for much longer. As previously mentioned, the massive world events that have unfolded in the 21st Century have shown that the world was in need of a shakeup in order to disrupt the current state of inertia. Harvey Weinstein, Quentin Tarantino, Roman Polanski, Woody Allen, and Kevin Spacey have all become examples of how the movements towards the intolerance of sexual assault prove to be effective. They have been singled out and held accountable for their actions; because the people want change. No more cyclical abuse. No more systematic manipulation. No more. The people of the world are standing up, finding their voices, and speaking out. New Hollywood order This is a huge shift in power. Control is being torn out of the hands of the ones who misuse it; and with these huge changes, we must look at the future of Hollywood. We may see the rise of aspiring young directors taking the reigns of beloved film franchises after studios chose to cut ties with directors after the assault allegations against them. We may see movements such as feminism flourish to the forefront of new productions and not be suppressed by the manipulative hierarchy. This will completely change the way how films are made, and how the film industry will move forward. Hollywood is clearly about to change, but a massive question still remains - will the change be a help or a hindrance for the industry? "Days Of Our Lives" spoilers suggest that Hope Brady and Rafe Hernandez may be in store for some major relationship drama very soon. The pair, who are set to walk down the aisle very soon, may never get to make it to the alter due to a possible surprise guest. As many "DOOL" fans know, Rafe is hiding a huge secret from his fiance, and it seems that the news is bound to get to Hope. Rafe and Sami's secret could ruin lives According to the latest "Days of our Lives" news and spoilers, Rafe's secret is beginning to spread, and it seems that Hope will find out what he's been hiding. As many viewers will remember, Rafe and his ex-wife, Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) had a steamy one night stand while she was in Salem. The two sought comfort in each other after a rough time in both of their lives. Rafe and Hope had just gotten into a big fight and she even game him her engagement ring back. Sami was a should for Rafe to cry on and things escalated quickly between the two former spouses. The next day, they both immediately realized it was a mistake, and Sami pushed Rafe to try to win Hope back. Ciara and Tripp know the truth about the affair Later, Hope's daughter, Ciara Brady, overheard Rafe and Sami talking about their hook up, and "Days of our Lives" fans knew it was only a matter of time before Hope found out the truth. Although Ciara head Rafe's side of the story and ultimately decided to keep the secret from her mother, other people have started to find out the truth. Ciara told her roommate, Tripp Dalton, about the affair. Although it doesn't seem that Tripp would tell anyone, someone could overhear the two talking about the secret. Carrie Brady could tell Hope the truth In addition, "Days of our Lives" viewers watched as Sami's sister, Carrie Brady, returned to Salem to help her mother and father, Anna DiMera and Roman Brady, out of some legal trouble. It was then that she told Rafe that she knew about his affair with Sami. Rafe asked her to keep quiet with the information, but things got complicated when Hope decided to invite Carrie to the couple's wedding. Meanwhile, when Eli confides in Rafe about his affair with Lani, Rafe will also tell hi co-worker that he had an affair with Sami. This means that at least four other people know about Rafe's secret, and any one of them could spill the beans before the wedding. Sami or Rafe may also confess to Hope. It looks like the couple's wedding day really could be doomed. Jenelle Evans filed Cease and Desist letters against her "Teen Mom 2" co-stars a few months ago. She wanted to prove a point that her co-stars were constantly talking about her and that she wanted them to stop. Evans has often referred to herself as a negative one on the show, and she often claims that the MTV producers are trying to portray her in a negative light. She has called her fellow co-stars "saints" as their storylines on the show appear to be near perfect. But it sounds like the cease and desist letters didn't exactly help her as to of her co-stars recently discussed her on a podcast. Jenelle lashed out at Kailyn Lowry and Leah Messer this past weekend as she learned that Leah had gone on Kailyn's podcast. On Twitter, she explained that she was furious that her co-stars were talking about her and she revealed that her co-stars should not be talking about her or her husband, David Eason. According to a new tweet, Jenelle Evans is now revealing that she should be the one with the podcast talking about her fellow co-stars. Legal threats didn't seem to matter It sounds like Jenelle Evans' threat with the cease-and-desist letters didn't mean much to her co-stars. While some of her co-stars are no longer talking about her, such as Chelsea DeBoer, sounds like Kailyn and Leah have no issues talking about her despite having cease-and-desist letters with their names on them. Jenelle revealed that the cease-and-desist letters were issued to her co-stars in hopes of getting them to stop gossiping about her life. Both co-stars have said that they never talk negatively about Jenelle, but it sounds like they didn't say positive things on the podcast this weekend. Jenelle seems furious that her former friends are discussing her life, her marriage, and recent behavior. It's possible that Jenelle could take legal actions as her former friends have now broken the cease-and-desist requests that she said sent out a couple of months ago. Jenelle is branching out For weeks, Jenelle wanted to start her own YouTube channel because she didn't feel that the MTV producers put her in a positive light on the show. She claimed that MTV didn't show fans the truth about her life. She wanted to share how happy and positive everything was despite the constant fighting on the show. Some fans were thrilled about the idea, while others didn't really seem to like the idea. Now that Evans is threatening to start her own podcast, it sounds like she could gain some attention as she seems ready to spill the beans about all of the drama that happens with her co-stars behind the scenes. It's possible that she will launch a podcast with the only goal of hurting her co-stars and getting back at everything they have said about her. It's uncertain what her MTV contract says about these kinds of things but she may feel that she has a case after Lowry's podcast this weekend. How do you think Jenelle Evans is handling the situation? Are you surprised that Kailyn and Leah are ignoring the cease-and-desist letters? Kyle Richards' "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" co-star, Lisa Rinna, shared an impressive photo of her bikini body over the weekend while in the Bahamas for an interview on "Live with Kelly and Ryan." A short time later, Richards took to her Twitter page to applaud the 54-year-old reality star and soap actress on her toned physique. Unfortunately, Richards' kind message to her friend resulted in some unwanted criticism in regard to her own frame. "I have to say ... [Lisa Rinna] kills it all day long," Kyle Richards wrote in response to her co-stars' now-viral photo. In the photograph, Rinna was seen posing with her arms above her head as she stunned in a lacey black bikini in a bathroom. As "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" viewers well know, Rinna takes good care of her body and never hesitates to show it off. In fact, throughout her vacation in the Bahamas, she's been sharing a number of photos of herself in bikinis. Kyle Richards fights back against weight backlash In response to Kyle Richards' comment about Lisa Rinna's hot bod, Twitter user @markamunoz1 offered a stern message to the mother of four, telling her that if she would lose 60 pounds, she'd look just as good as Rinna. "Get of the carbs," the person added. Shortly thereafter, Richards quoted the message on her own Twitter page and added a message of her own. "Thanks for the helpful tips," she tweeted, along with a thinking face emoji. As soon as Richards' message was shared, a number of people flooded her with comments applauding her for her beauty and slamming the Twitter user for making such a harsh statement about her weight. After all, Richards looks incredible and if she were to lose 60 pounds, she'd surely look quite unhealthy. Kyle Richards spoke about her weight struggles in 2015 During a March 2015 interview with People magazine, Richards admitted that she's simply not someone who can just eat whatever she wants. Ive always battled my weight," she explained. "Im much curvier than my sisters. Its always been my Achilles heel. The struggle is real! Continuing on to the magazine, Richards said that she's always been someone who has to eat way less than others and work out way more just to be able to remain at the weight she is currently. To see more of Kyle Richards, Lisa Rinna, and their co-stars, don't miss new episodes of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" season eight on Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. on Bravo TV. Lisa Rinna may be in her 50s but her body doesn't show any signs of aging. Over the weekend, according to a report by People magazine on February 10, the longtime "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star and soap actress posted a stunning image of herself posing in a lingerie-esque bikini in her bathroom. As fans know by now, Rinna never shies away from a bikini photo and for the past several years, she has continued to stun fans with her impressive physique. Most recently, just days ago, Rinna showcased what People magazine described as a "scintillating snap" of herself in a black lace bikini, that perfectly showed off her toned abs, arms, and even her legs. Thanks for the swim suit [PilyQ Swimwear]," Rinna wrote in the caption of her photo. Last week, Lisa Rinna traveled to the Bahamas to appear on "Live with Kelly and Ryan" and while there, she shared a number of photos of herself on the beach. Wish you were here, she wrote in the caption of one of her beach photos. Along with another, Rinna wrote, "old school," and in the image, she was seen sporting a bikini from Ed Hardy. Lisa Rinna debuted extensions earlier this month During a recent appearance on "Watch What Happens Live," the nightly talk show of "Real Housewives" creator Andy Cohen, Rinna showcased a new look. Although Rinna has been known for decades for her signature shortcut, she debuted extensions during the appearance and later revealed her decision to try something new was due to it being "time" for a change. The last time I grew my hair out was when I had [Delilah Belle Hamlin]... 19 years ago! Rinna explained to People at the time. I think spending the last two years with [Erika Girardi] has rubbed off on me. It really has. As Lisa Rinna explained, Erika Girardi's hair is always done incredibly and several months ago, Rinna tried out a look with her hairstylist in which her hair was off her face and she really liked it. "This seemed like the next thing to try! she added of her decision to get extensions. Lisa Rinna recently returned to 'Days of our Lives' As she filmed the eighth season of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" last year, Lisa Rinna also reprised her role on "Days of our Lives." As some may know, Rinna has appeared on the soap as Billie Reed on and off for the past several years. To see more of Lisa Rinna and her co-stars, don't miss new episodes of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" on Tuesday nights at 9 PM on Bravo TV. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 What to See and Do in Europe Europe offers families and couples a great choice of hotels, inns, historic castles, cities, shopping and restaurants. Visit a major city like London or Paris to tour famous sights or explore an off the beaten path country like Slovenia. European cities offer a mixture of historic sights and modern attractions. In Paris, visit the famous Louvre museum, the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. The Eiffel Tower has three levels for visitors and you can take an elevator to the top. The first and second levels have restaurants if you want to dine with a view of Paris. Best European vacations: London London has many places to stay, whether you want a five star honeymoon suite in a luxury hotel like the Savoy or the Connaught, or a room in a more intimate townhouse hotel like the Charlotte Street Hotel or 51 Buckingham Gate. Sample food from around the world in the city's diverse restaurants, watch a musical and go shopping on vacation. Visit famous museums, take romantic walks through manicured parks and sample different flavors at the city restaurants. If you are looking for something unique to do on your weekend, London is a 7 hour flight from New York City. Choosing a great hotel is everyone's priority on a romantic weekend getaway - you may decide to order room service and stay in while enjoying the view. The Dorchester Hotel and Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park both overlook the famous Hyde Park, one of the Royal Parks of London. Visit the famous Speakers' Corner where people speak out on almost any subject. Kensington Gardens, adjacent to Hyde Park are a beautiful romantic spot for picknics in the summer. Walk to the main entrance to Buckingham Palace, the primary residence of the British royalty. At One Aldwych, guests are surrounded by a private collection of contemporary art. There is also an indoor pool where you can listen to music underwater while doing laps. Venice Italy offers many things to do: wishing fountains, delicious food and rooms with a view. Venice is famous for its antique palazzos, the Grand Canal, St Mark's Square and romantic ambiance that attracts honeymooners. Il Palazzo at the Bauer features individually decorated rooms. On your romantic getaway to Venice, go on a gondola ride and explore famous sights. If you are a fan of classical or modern art, Venice, like most Italian cities, offers a great selection of museums with permanent and special exhibits. There is also fun shopping, whether you are looking for the latest in Italian fashion or gifts for family and friends at home. Stay at the Gritti Palace in Venice, a grand hotel located right on the famous Grand Canal. The palace was built in 1525. Spend your days visiting local attractions, taking romantic gondola rides and dining with a view. Sample delicious Mediterranean cuisine at the Club del Doge restaurant, adjacent to the Grand Canal. Gritti Palace is located next to many famous attractions, shops and restaurants which you can explore on your romantic honeymoon. The hotel concierge can assist you with finding an authentic tour of Venice and its surroundings, by foot, boat or helicopter. If you want to play golf on your honeymoon, the Venice Golf Club features an 18-hole international golf course, one of the first in Italy, located on the Lido island. Best European vacations: Florence Florence is another great spot to put on your itinerary when planning a romantic trip to Italy. From great hotels, romantic restaurants, world-famous paintings and designer shopping, Florence can meet the needs of nearly every couple. Head to a museum featuring beautiful Renaissance art, such as the Ufizzi Gallery or the Pitti Palace. Take an evening walk along Arno and across Ponte Vecchio. Villa San Michele, located in the hills above Florence features a facade designed by Michelangelo. If you are looking for a seaside getaway, take a look at the island of Capri where hotels offer scenic views and romantic dining. Positano is another good choice - you can plan scenic drives and boat rides. Ireland Trips in Ireland include historic castles and estates where you can enjoy an array of outdoor activities, such as fishing, boating and biking. Many hotels offer spas offering a variety of relaxing treatments, including couples massages, yoga and meditation. If you want to play golf, take a look at Adare Manor Hotel. You can spend a day in Dublin, dining out and visiting museums. Dromoland Castle is a secluded Irish castle hotel with beautiful gardens ideal for walks on a romantic getaway. Ashford Castle is another castle getaway in Ireland, featuring individually decorated rooms and suites. Aghadoe Heights Hotel overlooks the Lakes of Killarney and offers an Aveda concept spa which will make you feel pampered and relaxed on your romantic getaway. Ballyvolane House in southern Ireland offers fly fishing in its private lakes and just six individually furnished guest accommodations. Best European vacations: Portugal In Portugal, choose from hideaways with scenic ocean views, great dining and spas. The country offers sea adventures, cultural tours, historic villages, wine tasting vacation ideas, golf getaways and other romantic getaway ideas. Taste the delicious and diverse Portugal cuisine such as grilled fish, meat and vegetable stews, and great pastries coupled with famous Madeiran wine. At Hotel Albatroz in Portugal you can spend your vacation relaxing in the sun and savoring gourmet food at the hotel restaurant. Reid's Palace Hotel on the island on Madeira offers two sea-water swimming pools and beautiful tropical gardens. Also on Madeira, Choupana Hills Resort and Spa has a wellness center and bungalow-style guest accommodations on stilts. Couples enjoy exploring castles and historic villages in Portugal. The World Heritage Douro valley is a romantic vacation destination, featuring a beautiful river and the Gaia wine cellars. You can tour the area by boat. If you are looking for an island getaway, take a trip to Madeira or the islands of the Azores which may have been the site of the ancient city of Atlantis. Best European vacations: Greece Greece is home to many unique getaways, including city hotels, island getaways and spa vacations. Porto Elounda Resort is a scenic resort on Crete, featuring the famous Six Senses Spa with beautiful indoor and outdoor facilities. Crete is the largest of the Greek islands, offering couples many cultural attractions, beautiful scenery and sandy beaches. The island is 160 miles long and has three airports, so be sure to choose the closest one to the resort or villa you are staying at. Kivotos Club Hotel on Mykonos has a beautiful spa with a hamman, yoga and Pilates studio where you can tone up your body on your romantic getaway. Mykonos is a scenic greek island, part of the Cyclades. The island is famous for its nightlife, diverse restaurants and panoramic ocean views. At Elounda Bay Palace, you can learn to dive on your romantic getaway, relax on two private beaches and stay in an ocean view room. The Tsitouras Collection Hotel in Santorini is a luxury romantic getaway with five individually furnished houses and a luxury villa with spectacular views of the Mediterranean sea. Visit the Wineries of France and Tour Paris Explore the scenic wine country at stay at Abbaye de la Bussiere which has an excellent restaurant. Or visit the south of France and relax at the Byblos Saint-Tropez spa. Villa Marie, also in Saint Tropez, has an outdoor swimming pool, beautiful gardens and an outdoor terrace overlooking the ocean. Hameau Albert 1er in Chamonix is a romantic mountain weekend getaway with indoor and outdoor pools. Hotel Martinez Cannes features luxury guest rooms with signed furniture, works of art and paintings. Paris is quite easy to get to from East Coast because there are so many flights. Some of the most famous attractions in Paris include the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum (the home of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa) and Avenue des Champs-Elysees, a popular shopping street. You may also enjoy visiting the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame and the Tuileries Gardes on your romantic vacation getaway to Paris. The Tuileries Garden, located between the Louvre Museum and the Place de la Concorde, is a beautiful public park where you can go on romantic walks and take beautiful vacation photos, espacially on a sunny day. There are many famous sculptures in the Tuileries Garden, including The Kiss by Auguste Rodin and Theseus and the Minotaur by Jules Ramey. Stay in a stylish hotel, go shopping and enjoy gourmet dining. Hotel San Regis Paris is located near the Champs-Elysees - walk to many boutique shops and do your holiday shopping during the Christmas season. Hotel de La Tremoille is another grand hotel in the area and a beautiful romantic weekend getaway. Hotel de Sers offers contemporary rooms and spacious suites, as well as a gourmet restaurant. Meurice Hotel Paris overlooks the Tuileries Garden, near Palais Royal and the Louvre. Hotel de Crillon is situated in a beautiful historic 18th century Louis XV palace. Hotel Lancaster Paris has a romantic garden patio and a feel of a private residence. Best European vacations: Vienna Vienna shouldn't be off your radar - it's a beautiful historic city to visit. Stay at the modern Le Meridien Vienna, the luxury Hotel Imperial where you can literally immerse yourself in the city's history, or the more affordable Das Triest. Ljubljana A two-and-a-half hour car ride to the north of Venice lies the city of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. If you have time for a side tour, visit this charming town which is still off the beaten path in Europe. Ever since Slovenia joined the European Union, Ljubljana, the capital city, has become one of the hottest new places to visit in Europe. Outdoor cafes, restaurants and boutique shops create a lively atmosphere in the historic city center, especially during the warm months. For those interested in cultural attractions, Ljubljana has a restored castle, museums and architectural sites, including several beautiful bridges that cross the river Ljubljanica. Head to the city center to see the Three Bridges, the open-air market and other historic buildings. Ride the Castle Train up to the Ljubljana Castle, enjoying views of the city along the way. Stop for a cold drink, fresh fruit or ice cream at one of the outdoor cafes overlooking the river. Accommodations in the city range from inexpensive to luxury. If you want to splurge, stay right in the city center at the historic Grand Hotel Union. Other good choices in the city center are Hotel Slon and Lev. For a list of other accommodation options, including hotels, apartments and private rooms, visit the Ljubljana Tourist Information web site. The best months to visit are May and September when the weather is usually sunny and warm. Summers in the city get quite hot, so if you are traveling to Slovenia in July and August, spend a few days in Ljubljana and then head to the mountains where it's cooler. Best Wellness Vacations in Europe Healing Waters of Iceland Thousands travel to Iceland's Blue Lagoon each year to bathe in its geothermal seawater and indulge in relaxing treatments. Geothermal seawater, which originates 2,000 meters beneath the surface and makes its way up through porous lava, is said to be especially beneficial for the skin. Visitors bathe in the lagoon which holds six million liters of water. Coastal Tuscany Combine a weekend of mind-body relaxation with visiting historic sites at Terme di Saturnia on the coast of Tuscany, Italy which has been a wellness destination since the Etruscan era and was very popular during the times of the Roman Empire. Today, the resort has four outdoor thermal pools, a full-service European spa, art gallery and even a nine-hole golf course. Madeira The wellness center at Choupana Hills Resort in Portugal offers a large selection of treatments, including massages, aromatherapy, reflexology and diet plans. The resort, which offers scenic views of the island Madeira, has an outdoor lagoon swimming pool as well as an indoor pool. While staying at Choupana Hills Resort, be sure to sample delicious Madeira wine and visit the enchanting Laurissilva Forest of Madeira. Scotland The Gleneagles Hotel features the elegantly designed Spa by ESPA, complete with crystal steam rooms, tropical showers, chilling ice rubs, saunas and the vitality pool. South of France When a great location, luxury room, and a trip to the swimming pool are not enough to relax you, you need professional help. If you are looking for beauty treatments and a relaxing massage in Cannes, France, than you should go to the Givenchy Spa. The Wellness Center on the recently restored seventh floor of the Hotel Martinez is a haven for relaxation and beauty. Choose from a variety of treatments, ranging from massages to algae wraps. There is also a sauna, fitness room and hairdressers. The highly trained beauty staff treat guests with the entire Givenchy product range. The first night of this year's Rabbis Without Borders alumni fellows gathering opens with a jam-session-style ma'ariv (evening service). Rabbi Ben Newman of Shtiebl has assembled a set of songs that fit the evening service -- sometimes using English words, often using secular melodies. (For instance, for our ma'ariv aravim / God-who-brings-on-the-evening prayer, he's set words about evening and transition to the melody of "Good Night, Irene." When people figure out what melody he's chosen, a ripple of satisfaction and laughter flows around the room.) There are a handful of guitars, a tenor ukelele, a djembe, some tambourines, and a couple dozen rabbis singing with gusto. What a glorious way to start the retreat! The next morning I get to co-lead davenen with Rabbi David Markus and Rabbi Evan Krame, two of my Bayit co-founders. Rabbi Evan offers his beautiful singable ashrei variation composed of alphabetical quotes from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Rabbi David offers the Gettysburg Address in haftarah trope because it's Lincoln's birthday. I offer Listen Up, Y'all, which I wrote for a service I co-led here two years ago at this retreat. We interweave nusach (the weekday melody-system) with melodies. We sing in harmony. I come away beaming. This is one of the things I love most about gatherings like this one: the opportunity to daven with people who care about these words as much as I do. (Not to mention the opportunity to sing in harmony with friends, which is one of the most emotionally and spiritually satisfying things in the world for me.) I lead davenen regularly at my synagogue, and I always get some good "juice" from praying, but there's nothing quite like davening with friends in harmony while relaxing into the way the words and melodies and shared intentions can buoy me. About half of the programming this year is provided for us / by us -- sessions on the things we're doing, or our areas of expertise, or various forms of self-care for rabbis. My Bayit co-founders and I offer a session on what we're doing and how we hope our RWB colleagues will partner with us. I attend a terrific session on the tension between pursuing social justice and ministering to a politically diverse congregation, and another on mysticism, shamanism, and folk practices (from angels to hamsas to amulets), and another on experiential pluralism through the lens of complementary flavors. During our plenary sessions (the theme is "Leading in Challenging Times") we hear from Dr. Connor Wood of Faith In Depth, about conservatism and liberalism and how they play out in the religious sphere. We hear from Rev. Dr. Derrick Harkins about vocation, balancing the pastoral and the prophetic, and being a religious leader during turbulent times. We break into small groups and discuss pluralism, how we invest our stories with meaning, where and how we build bridges and where and how we draw our lines. Both speakers are good, though honestly I'm here more for the hevreschaft (collegiality / friendship) than for expert speakers. And the hevreschaft is sweet and satisfying and enriching b'chol olamot (on all levels). Really what draws me here are the conversations: at mealtimes, on couches in the hallways, over coffee in the morning and other beverages once night falls. We talk about life and relationships and transitions and spiritual practice and texts and Torah -- about what we're reading, how we're davening, what brings us joy in our work -- about innovation and pluralism and the cutting edge of spiritual life and what real spiritual R&D might be. This is what I'm thirsty for, in the ordinary sometimes-isolation of serving a congregational community solo, and I drink it up like a happy plant receiving longed-for rain. When the time comes for me to take my leave of everyone (a bit early -- before the retreat has officially ended, alas) I'm sorry to go... but grateful to have had this opportunity to replenish mind, heart, and spirit with colleagues who care about spiritual life, innovation, and the Jewish future in some of the same ways that I do. Last week, a branch of the Baku International Multiculturalism Center was opened in Los Angeles. Consul-generals, artists, scientists, religious leaders, journalists, representatives of Azerbaijani, Jewish, Turkish, Korean, and other communities participated in the event organized by the General Consulate of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles and the Baku International Multiculturalism Center. Nasim Agayev, Consul-General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles, spoke about centuries-long traditions of multiculturalism and tolerance. Jerusalem Post reports in its article Azerbaijan Intercultural-Multiculturalism Mindset is Spreading Wide that Azerbaijan was a satellite of the Soviet Union and proclaimed its independence from the Soviet oppression on 30 August 1991. In fact the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic proclaimed its first independence in 1918 and became the first democratic majority Muslim state. Two years into its independence, in 1920, the country was incorporated into the Soviet Union as the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. The modern Republic of Azerbaijan filed its 2nd independence on 18 October 1991, when the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan adopted a Declaration of Independence, affirmed by a nationwide referendum in December 1991, prior to the official dissolution of the USSR on December 26, 1991. Just as Azerbaijanis were settling their mindset on living in a sovereign republic, in September 1991, the Nagorno-Karabakh War began. Armenia violated Azerbaijans recognized borders and sovereignty and assumed aggressive military rule over the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven adjacent districts outside it. These regions, internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, are pending a hopeful solution according to four United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions, calling for the withdrawal of Armenia troops from Azerbaijan territory, and through hopeful negotiations facilitated by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Yet, with the pain of fruitless diplomatic efforts, the pain of 1 million Azerbaijani refugees and Internally Displaced Azerbaijanis, forced to flee their homes and settled by the Azerbaijani government inside the country, and a population suffering from internal anger of injustice, Azerbaijan chose to continue on the path it is so familiar with: tolerance, coexistence and embracing all fellow man. In Azerbaijan they call it multiculturalism, Jerusalem Post calls it interculturalism. People are most familiar with the modern social term, multiculturalism, which is the presence of, or support for the presence of, several distinct cultural or ethnic groups within a society. If a nation wishes to preserve its national identity I see multiculturalism a divisive factor. Having been to Azerbaijan, one clearly sees the unifying interculturalism factor of this country; interculturalism being the support for cross-cultural dialogue and challenging self-segregation tendencies within cultures, involving moving beyond mere passive acceptance of a multicultural fact of multiple cultures, effectively existing in a society, and instead promoting dialogue and interaction between cultures. When one thinks of a Muslim country, one thinks autocracy, affront to freedom and human rights, social unrest and violence, internal fighting and danger to ones life. Not in Azerbaijan, a Muslim majority country. There, in this small country, nestled in a problematic neighborhood next door to hegemony seeking Shia Muslim Iran, antagonistic Russia and hostile Armenia, they embrace harmonious coexistence mentality they export in abundance. In Azerbaijan, Jerusalem Post met low-key people, mannered, hospitable to the hilt and open minded. A young country that is doing all that it can to get out of the Communism mentality the old generation is accustomed to, and has given the baton of leadership to its highly educated, progressive younger generation, who, together, are propelling all aspects of the country to great heights. Though Azerbaijan is a country where oil flows under your feet that is not Azerbaijans main treasure. Multiculturalism, which I strongly call to rename interculturalism, is the countrys chief treasure and the motto of each day in the life of the country. The Baku International Multiculturalism Center (BIMC) is one important stop when visiting the capital, Baku. BIMC already operates several branches around the world, the latest, BIMC-US, was launched this month in an official Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony, at the Azerbaijan Consulate General in Los Angeles. Azerbaijan is where 28 ethnic groups live in harmony and the three monotheistic religions i.e. Islam, Judaism and Christianity, hold unconditional respect for each other. In fact this coexistence and accepting and embracing of others is Azerbaijan's new religion it is exporting the world over. The country is a missionary in promoting its intercultural platform of coherent dialogue on tolerance, interfaith acceptance and harmony. There, in Azerbaijan, they believe that this is the highway to a more peaceful world. In 1919 universal suffrage was introduced in the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, thus making Azerbaijan the first Muslim-majority country ever to enfranchise women, giving women the right to vote. The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified on August 18, 1920, granting American women the right to vote, a right known as woman suffrage. If Azerbaijani woman suffrage came about ahead of the United States, known to be the freest society on earth, can you imagine what the future holds for this open-minded society? Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili held a special meeting with the government to discuss dangerous situation around agreement on visa-free travel to the Schengen states. The agreement came into force in the end of March of last year, but several high-ranking officials of European countries, primarily Germany, called on the EU leadership to cancel or suspend it, explaining their position by the growth of crime and illegal emigration rate and excessive number of asylum seekers. Georgian leadership immediately reacted to this demand - the visa-free regime with states of the Schengen zone remains the only real and tangible achievement of pro-Western course pursued by all authorities since 1992 for the country's citizens. If the government of Kvirikashvili loses "visa-free travel", such defeat will become a powerful argument for the opposition, especially for the former president Mikheil Saakashvili. He probably will accuse the ruling "Georgian Dream" party of being unable "to protect simple Georgians' dream to freely travel to Europe." The reason for this problem is that too many Georgian citizens, who went to the Schengen zone states since the end of March last year, stayed in Europe for more than three months. Apparently, they illegally found job in European countries. Some of them were even caught for thievery and robbery. Over the past year, law enforcement agencies of European countries have conducted a number of coordinated operations against criminal elements from Georgia, many of whom got into the EU thanks to the visa-free regime. Most illegalemigrants are working at the best of their capabilities, but they EU views any violation of its policy very seriously. According to the EU data, after the introduction of the visa-free regime, over 15,000 Georgian citizens didn't return to their homeland. It would seem that it's not a huge number, compared to the number of travelers from Georgia. But in reality this figure is simply catastrophic if we compare it not with the total number of travelers, but with the number of those who went to the EU after March 29, 2017. The vast majority of Georgians, who entered the Schengen zone for the first time, taking advantage of new agreement on visa-free travel, remained there, and no one knows where they are. Of course, corresponging EU services catch them. But there's another problem - those who were caught say that they wanted to ask for asylum in the EU, but didn't have enough time or were afraid. Although the European states declared Georgia to be a safe country, the union's laws imply that it's necessary to carry out separate investigation of every case, which costs a lot of money. In other words, European politicians warn Tbilisi - if Georgia doesn't show activity or willingness to resolve this problem, the EU will take necessary measures, because under current agreement, it's possible to suspend visa-free regime in the event of increase in illegal migration rate. How will the Georgian leadership react? The authorities can't detect who visits Europe for sightseeing and recreation or for illegal employment, especially when it comes to criminal groups. However, as Justice Minister Tea Tsulukiani said, offenders will be punished - after deportation to their homeland they will be fined. "These sanctions should have a certain effect," she said. On the other hand, credibility of such measures is questionable. Most likely, relevant legislative norms will be adopted only formally, in order to convince European colleagues that Georgian side is taking at least some actions. In reality, Georgian diplomacy is making every effort to persuade Brussels to not take radical measures. The only way for all sides to save face is to introduce pre-registration, when a person wishing to travel to the countries of the Schengen zone fills electronic application and pays for it (10 euros), attaching necessary documents to it (bank statement, certificate from work and so on). Then he waits for an answer, which should come within a few days. Such applications can be turned down, and then it's pointless to fly to Europe, since such people won't be allowed to cross the border. The Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea is set to be signed later this year at the next summit of the heads of state of the five littoral countries (Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan). Offshore reports in its article Signs of progress emerge on Caspian offshore delimitation that according to analyst Wood Mackenzie, there were positive statements late last year on determining the offshore median lines, especially from Russias Foreign Minister. However, Iran appears to be sticking to its claimed territorial rights, undermining the likely scope of this years agreement. As a minimum, Iran wants an equal 20% share of the Caspian Sea, rather than the 11-13% provided by a median line approach. Nevertheless, Wood Mackenzies view is that any progress is noteworthy, particularly if it creates a framework for future bilateral talks on disputes in the south Caspian. The analyst also sees possible developments on stranded fields and suspended exploration projects in the Caspian region. Moving forward is the BP-operated Shah Deniz Phase Two development, set to come onstream during the second half of this year. The $20-billion upstream project will be one of the largest global start-ups of the year, the analyst points out. Azerbaijan and Europe are also close to realizing their Southern Gas Corridor, with first gas due to enter Turkey in 2018 followed by deliveries to Italy, Greece, and Bulgaria from 2020 via the Trans Adriatic Pipeline. Later this year, construction will also start on the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria gas system. Wood Mackenzie does not foresee any major final investment decisions on new projects during 2018, aside from the single-well Absheron early production scheme in Azerbaijan (effectively sanctioned in 2017). Instead, the focus will be on preparing for approvals in 2019, including front-end engineering and design (FEED) and further optimization studies for new phases at the ACG and Kashagan developments offshore Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. Kazakhstans new Subsoil Code and Tax Code should largely take effect this year, following approval in late 2017. It is designed to simplify and improve investment conditions for all natural resources, with reduced bureaucracy and faster approvals. Changes to the Tax Code include an alternative subsoil tax for new offshore and deep onshore. At qualifying fields, operators can opt for this arrangement to replace Mineral Extraction Tax, Rent Tax on Export, and Excess Profit Tax. The new tax will be levied on profit, with rates based on the prevailing oil price. These represent the deepest reforms to the countrys subsoil regulations since 2009, Wood Mackenzie said, and although attracting new investment is the main issue, there should also be benefits for existing concession operators. This could lead to IOCs re-evaluating the Kazakh offshore, the analyst claimed, following Enis recent entry into the offshore Isatai block. Eni, ExxonMobil, and Shell have also expressed interest in partnering NC KazMunaiGas at the Abai block. Azerbaijan as a multicultural and tolerant country continues to develop interreligious and intercultural dialogue. Thus, the visits of Pope John Paul II in 2002 and Pope Francis in 2016 to Azerbaijan opened a new historical page in the Azerbaijan-Holy See relations. Now a delegation of the Holy See led by Secretary for Relations with States within the Holy See's Secretariat of State, Paul Richard Gallagher, recently arrived to Baku. On Saturday, speaking at the meeting with President Ilham Aliyev, Gallagher stressed the great importance of Azerbaijan's Catholic community, as evidenced by the promotion of the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Church's Apostolic Prefecture in Azerbaijan Vladimir Fekete to the bishop's rank under the order of Pope Francis. Today, First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva has met with a delegation of the Holy See. Representatives of different religions, cultures and nations have lived in peace and mutual respect for centuries in Azerbaijan, and the Azerbaijani people highly appreciate the atmosphere of tolerance and peace. Mehriban Aliyeva described this as both the policy of the Azerbaijani government and the lifestyle of the Azerbaijani society. "This is one of the greatest assets of Azerbaijan, and an important message to the unstable world," the first vice-president of Azerbaijan assured. She also recalled the events that were held on the occasion of the restoration of Azerbaijan's state independence and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2011- 2012 in the Vatican with the support of Paul Richard Gallagher, as well as the launch of the exhibition at one of the Vatican's museums, featuring Azerbaijan's history and traditions. Azerbaijan became the first Muslim country to organize the exhibition at the Vatican museum, and now it contributes to the preservation of famous Christian monuments. The Saint Marcellino and Pietro's Catacombs, which were open to the public in 2016, were restored with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The Foundation also participated in the restoration of the Pio-Clementine Museum's sculpture of Zeus and the reconstruction of the Sistine Chapel. Now the restoration of the tombs in the Catacombs of San Sebastiano is underway. The project is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Mehriban Aliyeva thanked the delegation of the Holy See for the opportunity provided by Azerbaijani scientists to work in the Vatican's secret archive. Paul Richard Gallagher, in turn, said that he is deeply impressed with his visit to Azerbaijan. Last week, the first freight train was sent off along the North-South International Transport Corridor from Azerbaijan's Astara to Iran's Astara to test the newly constructed section of the railway. For the first time in history six cars with timber used a single railway route from Russia to Iran, with transit through the territory of Azerbaijan. It was the last step in the construction of the North-South corridor, the official opening of the Astara-Astara road is planned for March, and its launch will made Azerbaijan a key infrastructure hub in the South Caucasus, through which people and goods move from the east to west (the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars road) and from the south to the north (the North-South International Transport Corridor). Thus, the North-South corridor project through the territory of Armenia will be closed, which means that Yerevan won't be involved in both directions of traffic flows in the region. The deputy chairman of the Armenian National Congress party Aram Manukyan told Vestnik Kavkaza about Armenia's current role in the region. - Aram Vigenovich, in your estimation, what role does Armenia currently play in the picture of regional interstate economic ties? - It plays almost no role. We are bypassed by all regional and international routes - transport, railway, oil, gas, any others. Armenia is not just under the political blockade, but also under the economic one, it is blocked on every side and not involved in any regional projects. Even our government does not want to participate in regional programs, that is, we simply do not exist in the Caucasus, and this situation has not changed in last 20 years. Over the years, we have been bypassed by a lot of projects, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars road, which were built through Georgia instead of Armenia, and now these are the North-South International Transport Corridor and China's Silk Road. We seem to be out of the region. De jure there is Armenia in the Caucasus, but it is not involved in any of the projects passing through the Caucasus. We are at an economic impasse, and therefore no one invests in Armenia. If before we received at least $3-4 billion of investments a year, then last year the republic received only $120 million of investments, it's nothing. The situation is complicated by corruption, because of which any normal person will not risk investing money in Armenia. - A number of Armenian experts wrote that the uresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict hinders the development of Armenia and its integration into the regional economy. What do you think about this position? - I could not agree more. The war cannot help the state's development, because the development and growth of the economy requires a calm, stable domestic political and foreign situation. And we do not have this because of the conflict: the situation of semi-war, semi-peace is not an environment where you can invest money. Armenia's very first problem and the biggest challenge is the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. This problem must be solved, and last year we put its settlement at the corner of our political program when we participated at the parliamentary elections. Only our party came up with a program proposing to resolve the conflict. We understand that the end of the war is the only way to contribute the development and integration of Armenia. - In this regard, what measures could Armenia take to strengthen its positions in regional economic cooperation? - It must solve the Karabakh problem, intensify its political and diplomatic efforts, resolve the issue of the status quo. I think this is the most important thing that our people need to do - to get out of the current impasse, in which we have been living for 24 years. We can't go on like this. The Karabakh war lasted for only two years, and already 24 years have passed since that time, and there is not progress in the conflict post-war situation. It wears peoples and states out, prevents countries from developing. We must get out of this hole, this situation. If we could resolve the Karabakh conflict, then the issue of unblocking of our borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey will be resolved. Turkey and Azerbaijan are united in the issue of resolving the Karabakh conflict and lifting of a blockade, they work in a cohesive manner in this direction. The Armenian National Congress stands for good relations with all its neighbors, especially economic ones, since it will ensure the development of our country - that's our party's program. Azerbaijan's Ministry of Taxes is developing a new package of amendments to the Tax Code, the republic's Minister of Taxes Mikayil Jabbarov said at the 'Taxes. Transparency. Development' conference. He noted that a package of changes to the Tax Code will help solve key problems in the tax administration that entrepreneurs face. "This package will be submitted to the Government for consideration as part of the process of forming the 2019- state budget," the minister said. He stressed that the main attention will be paid to reducing the share of the shadow economy and encouraging the transition to a legal economy. "We intend to ensure this transformation so that it become favorable for entrepreneurs. We are ready to cooperate both with businessmen, and with the government and parliament to develop the changes," the minister noted. The Council of Europe's chief Thorbjorn Jagland will arrive in the Turkish capital Ankara on February 15 on a two-day working visit, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said. "Secretary General [Thorbjorn] Jagland was the first international figure to visit our country after July 15, [2016] to show his solidarity with our government and our people," the ministry said in a statement, referring to last years defeated coup attempt. "The secretary generals visit will be the third visit to our country after the coup attempt, Hurriyet Daily cited the statement as saying, A total of 1439 terrorists have been killed since the launch of Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin region, the Turkish General Staff said in a statement. According to the military, Turkish Armed Forces' overnight airstrikes neutralized 70 terrorists on Monday, Anadolu Agency reported. On January 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and ISIS terrorists from Afrin in northwestern Syria. Iran is ready to launch the railway with Armenia, but under one condition, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Armenia Seyed Kazem Sajjadi said yesterday. "Iran-Armenia relations are very good. We are ready to launch the railway if Yerevan introduces its investor. It's necessary to make joint investments in these areas. Take the first step and we will take the next step," Novostink.ru cited the ambassador as saying. The Armenian side should try to find investors," Sajjadi added. The head of the analytical center Alternative, Tatul Manaseryan, speaking with Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that Armenia will not be able to build an Iran-Armenia railway at its own expense. "I do not think that Armenia will be able to finance such a huge project of strategic importance from its state budget," he said, expressing confidence that only Russia is able to pay for the construction of this road for Armenia. According to the expert, Russia has showed interest in this project during the signing of a protocol of intentions at the exhibition of Armenian goods in Iran in 2016 by the representatives of the South Caucasus Railway. "I think that the desire should be expressed by the parties that have economic and political interests in this project, first of all, Russia, Armenia and Iran. There is also the possibility of attracting Chinese capital, but if the tripartite agreement comes into force," Tatul Manasaryan believes. The chairman of the economic commission of the Armenian National Congress, ex-mayor of Yerevan Vahagn Khachatryan, explained Iran's requirements with its previous negative experience of cooperation with Armenia. "Iran is ready to participate in the project, but wants the Armenian side to find money first, as it remembers the gas pipeline project to Armenia, for constructing which Yerevan did not have money. As a result the gas pipeline was completed by Russia's Gazprom. Perhaps, Iran fears that Yerevan will do the same thing again, and therefore requires money first," he reasoned. "The financial situation in our country is problematic, the debt is huge, and in such conditions the construction of this railway is clearly not a top priority for the republic. They started talking about the project in 2010 - but even then experts were sure that the project was not feasible, since its implementation will require huge money for the country, at least $2.5 billion. And now it makes no sense to talk about it," Vahagn Khachatryan stressed. "Armenia cannot even finish the highway, which is being built along the North-South route. As for the second very important investment program related to the Armenian nuclear power plant in Metsamor, here Armenia is assisted by Russia. The republic has no money to extend the nuclear power plant's service life for 10 years, and therefore we borrowed $250 million from Russia. As you can see, Armenia does not have money even for vital ongoing projects and investment programs, what can we say about the new railway construction program," the ex-mayor of Yerevan concluded. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov did not rule out that the United States intends to stay in Syria for a long time, if not forever. Lavrov said that the Americans say their presence in Syria is necessary not only to solve military issues, "but until there is a stable political process there that should end with the transition of power that would be acceptable to all, that is, regime change." "In general, we suspect that the United States wants to stay there for a long time, if not forever," he noted. The minister noted that Washington is trying to create some quasi-state on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River in Syria and these steps are dangerous. "To my mind, the Americans are trying to act through dangerous unilateral steps rather than by way of thoroughly developing general accord," Russias top diplomat noted. "These steps increasingly look like part of the course towards cresting some quasi-state on a large part of Syrian territory - on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River up to the Iraqi border," TASS cited him as saying. "Russia has supported all along direct participation of Kurds in all efforts on the Syrian settlement and continues to support it. Kurds are an integral part of the Syrian society," the minister stressed. Oil prices are growing this morning, after OPEC said it expects higher oil demand this year. April Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, gained 39 cents (0.62%) to end at $62.98 a barrel on Londons ICE Futures exchange. Meanwhile, March West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) added 32 cents (0.54%) to settle at $59.61 a barrel, near the days low of $59.29. It was trading higher at around $59.80 before the shale-oil output forecast. Prices lost nearly 10% last week. OPEC said the healthy world economy should provide the backdrop for faster-than-expected oil demand, Reuters reported. OPEC Secretary General Mohammed Barkindo said that Russia has pledged not to abandon a deal with OPEC to keep a lid on oil supplies, even as crude prices rise. Barkindo said that he received assurances both from President Vladimir Putin and Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak that they will remain committed to the OPEC, non-OPEC collaboration and the Declaration of Cooperation "They have proved this beyond any reasonable doubt through their high level of conformity to their supply adjustment, so I think there's no concern here. We are all in the same boat," the OPEC chief told CNBC on the sidelines of the Egypt Petroleum Show in Cairo. According to Barkindo, it is in the interest of OPEC, Russia and other non-OPEC producers to continue coordinating policy even after the market rebalances. "This is a work in progress and we are confident that a global forum such as the Declaration of Cooperation will serve as an insurance against future severe volatility and downturn that we had seen beginning in the autumn of 2014," he said, referring to the start of a punishing three-year downturn in oil prices. "I think we have learned enough lessons, and we are beginning to put some building blocks in order to institutionalize this partnership," the secretary general stressed. Almost 100% of Iranians support the existing political system in the country, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said, addressing a meeting in Tehran attended by governor generals of provinces. President Rouhani said if Iranians were asked whether they preferred to decide about their fate or be dependent on foreigners, the answer by over 98.2% would be independence. "Our nation would continue the path of Islamic Revolution which it has chosen before," the Iran Project cited him as saying. Rouhani said that the Islamic Revolution was aimed at gaining independence, forging national sovereignty, achieving freedom, spreading Islamic and national culture, republicanism, and Islamism. The volume of bad assets has continued to grow in Russia's banking system. In recent years, it has more than doubled, according to the Russian Analytical Credit Rating Agency (ACRA). "The number has increased from 1.6 trillion rubles (2014) to 3.8 trillion rubles," the head of ACRA's Financial Institutions Ratings Group, Kirill Lukashuk, said at a joint conference of the agency and the Moscow stock exchange. He noted that there is a "long structural crisis" in the market. At the same time, the financial position of bad borrowers, with rare exceptions, does not improve. Lukashuk also stressed that there are no economic obstacles to the transfer of bad but well-reserved loans from the balance of banks to the balance of any management company. If the state decides to create the tool for it, there will be more advantages, he believes. According to Lukashuk, this step will reduce the operating costs of banks from working with such debts. He particularly pointed to the growth of the state's share in the banking system and the risks of delaying the resolution of largest banks. The head of the department of stock markets and financial engineering of the Faculty of Finance and the Banking Business of RANEPA, Konstantin Korischenko, speaking to Vestnik Kavkaza about causes for bad assets, noted that there was a two-fold change in the ruble exchange rate in the period of 2014-2017, due to which all currency assets doubled their volume in rubles. "The second point is that in 2015-2016 there was a significant decline in GDP and overall credit activity in Russia, as well as a deterioration in the quality of bank balances," the expert said. Commenting on ACRA's call to create a single infrastructure tool for dealing with bad debts, the economist noted that such an instrument already exists - the Fund for the Consolidation of the Banking Sector. The vice-rector of the Academy of Labour and Social Relations Alexander Safonov, in turn, recalled that for a sufficient length of time the Central Bank had been engaged in withdrawing from the banking market and depriving of licenses those banks that lost their capital. "Since the crisis started, the process has started to increase. Those projects related to the construction of shopping centers and so on, were not in a great demand, so banks received illiquid assets, securities of companies that went bankrupt during the current crisis," the expert said. "Bad assets are formed from credit commitments to ensure projects that were either unsuccessful or were used to withdraw assets when shareholders understood that the bank would be liquidated by a decision of the Central Bank. And of course, now it is not possible to realize these assets, they simply do not exist physically: either a project is unfinished, or these are projects are at the initial stage, but still not in demand by the market, or these are companies that have been bankrupt or are in a pre-bankrupt state," he listed. Alexander Safonov drew attention to the fact that a single tool for working with bad assets would not be of interest to banks. "In part, it is already implemented in the form of individual deposits insurance and the protection of individual entrepreneurs' accounts. In fact, constructive discussion can only be conducted around a reserve insurance fund that would receive insurance payments from banks for a certain type of operation that are associated with the risks of non-repayment of loans, and then this fund would pay banks money and worked with bad debts," he noted. A Russian lawmaker Frants Klintsevich has resigned as deputy head of the Russian Federation Council's Defense Committee. Klintsevich did not elaborate on his reason for resigning as first deputy chairman of the Defense and Security Committee in the upper house of the Russian parliament, but told the Kommersant daily that "apparently, not everyone at the Federation Council liked my openness." The Federation Council will consider whether to approve Klintsevich's resignation at a plenary session on February 14, RFE/RL reported. The foreign ministers of Russia, Iran and Turkey plan to meet next month to discuss the situation in Syria, Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov said. Abdrakhmanov said that the sides have yet to fix the exact date and location, but one of the options is the Kazakh capital, Astana, which will also host a fresh round of lower-level talks on Syria between the same three parties, Reuters reported. Ex-Georgian President and former Ukraines Odessa Region Governor Mikhail Saakashvili has addressed the European Union and German Chancellor Angela Merkel asking to help him resists Ukraines President Pyotr Poroshenko. Saakashvili said that he "was attacked in Kiev by masked people, who seized him, threatened him and took him to Poland on board a private plane." "Corrupt Ukrainian President Poroshenko is behind this action," he affirmed. However, Saakashvili said that he wants to return to Ukraine. "If the European Union and chiefly Chancellor Angela Merkel do not take measures, Ukraine will collapse," he told the Bild newspaper. "Poroshenko is destroying this country; he wants to distance me, because I am fighting with corruption." "There are planned massive demonstrations, and I will return to Ukraine in a lawful way," TASS cited him as saying. Yesterday, Saakashvili was detained in Kiev and then ejected to Poland. Former Georgian President, the leader of Ukraines Rukh Novykh Sil (or the Movement of New Forces), Mikhail Saakashvili, has arrived in Poland, the countrys border service said in a statement. "Mikhail Saakashvili has been received on Polands territory. The relevant decision was based on the readmission request the Ukrainian National Migration Service sent to the border services chief. Given that Mikhail Saakashvili is the husband of an EU member state citizen, Ukraines request has been granted," TASS cited the Polish border service as saying. Spokesman for Ukraines State Border Service Oleg Slobodyan said that there were no legal reasons for Saakashvilis return to Ukraine. "As of now, there are no legal reasons for that. The said person was present on Ukraines territory illegally, as confirmed by a number of decisions. In fact, the way he entered Ukraine was illegal in itself," Slobodyan told the 112.Ukraina TV channel. Government to cut half of business conditions in 2018 Updated: 11:28 - 13/02/2018 To promote fast and sustainable economic growth, efforts should be devoted to further improving the business climate and economic competitiveness, reforming specialized inspections of imports and exports and cutting business conditions. Processing frozen shrimps for export in Cuu Long Sea Products Company in Tra Vinh province__Photo: Trong Dat/VNA This is highlighted in Resolution 01/NQ-CP inked by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on the first day of 2018, which outlines the tasks and solutions for implementing the socio-economic development plan in the year. The resolution sets the targets of achieving an economic growth of 6.7 percent, maintaining macroeconomic stability, and gearing up the process of economic restructuring and growth model change toward sustainable development. It identifies nearly 250 specific tasks for ministries, sectors and localities to perform according to specific objectives, roadmaps and deadlines. The resolution states that the Government will concentrate on reforming administrative formalities related to land, tax, customs, agriculture, information technology application, startup, tourism, credit access and social insurance, aiming to slash time and costs for people and businesses. The Government will further amend regulations on business and investment conditions. Particularly, it will cut in half the list of goods and products subject to specialized inspection and streamline inspection procedures, In 2018, government leaders will continue to hold regular dialogues with businesses to hear and promptly settle their petitions. Efforts will be made to drastically improve indicators of the business climate and competitiveness of the economy in order to lift Vietnam to the top ASEAN-4 countries in terms of competitiveness and business climate by the end of this year, the resolution says. According to Minister of Justice Le Thanh Long, there are now approximately 4,284 business and investment conditions applicable to 243 conditional business lines. Yet, regulations on business conditions change frequently so it is hard to have an accurate count of them. He said there is even a business line regulated by different decrees as it falls under the management scope of many ministries and sectors. That business line is food trading, he said, which is placed under the management of three ministries: Industry and Trade, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Health, and regulated by the Law on Food Safety and four governmental decrees, namely Decree 38 of 2012, and Decrees 66, 67 and 77 of 2016. It is assessed that there remain many irrational business and investment conditions that restrict market access and hamper the competitiveness and labor productivity of businesses. They also create loopholes for negative practices to occur. Therefore, ministries and sectors need to further abolish these conditions while ensuring state management requirements, especially for special business lines. According to the Ministry of Justice, since July 1, 2015, the effective date of the 2014 Law on Investment, it has detected 31 documents that contain inappropriate provisions concerning investment and business conditions, including six found in 2017 alone. So far, 26 out of these 31 documents have been revised or cancelled by related ministries, sectors and localities. Results by end-2017 Reforming the regulations on business conditions to boost competition and development of businesses has been considered a key task of the Government in recent years. In the Governments meeting with local leaders held last December, the Prime Minister asked ministries to review and eliminate at least one-third to half of existing business conditions and administrative formalities that are causing obstacles and difficulties to investment and business activities. According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, by the end of last year, it received reports from only five ministries on their reviews of investment and business conditions under their management and elimination plans. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is the first in proposing the elimination of 675 out of 1,216 investment and business conditions (accounting for 55 percent). On January 15, the Prime Minister issued Decree 08 to approve the ministrys proposals, cutting the above number of business conditions in eight fields: petrol and oil, tobacco, electricity, commercial franchise, e-commerce, chemicals, industrial explosives, and food trading. Meanwhile, out of total 345 business conditions under its management, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development proposed cutting 65 and modifying 53, accounting for 34.2 percent. Yet, the ministry has not yet come up with any specific plan for such reduction. The Ministry of Construction proposed removing four business lines from the list of conditional business lines for lack of the criteria specified in Article 7 of the Law on Investment. The ministry also suggested abolishing 89 conditions (accounting for 41.3 percent), simplifying 94 conditions (43.7 percent), and retaining 32 conditions (15 percent) out of total 215 investment and business conditions under its management. These proposals will be incorporated into a draft law revising the Construction Law, Housing Law, Law on Real Estate Business and Law on Urban Planning, and in a draft decree amending, supplementing and cancelling a number of provisions on investment and business conditions managed by the Ministry of Construction. These drafts are slated to be presented to the Government this month. The Ministry of Information and Communications also completed the review and proposed to trim 51 conditions (16 percent) but not yet produced a specific plan for its proposal. Particularly, the State Bank of Vietnam will retain all existing business conditions in the banking sector due to the peculiarities of credit institutions compared to other types of business and the high risks of banking operations. While expecting to receive similar reports from other ministries, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said the review results revealed that ministries are still confused between business conditions applicable to business lines and specialized management of products and goods. So far, many conditions on specialized management of products and goods have been imposed as business conditions. General conditions, such as business registration certificates; fire prevention and fighting requirements; environment; and occupational safety), which are managed by such agencies as planning and investment, public security, natural resources and environment, and labor, war invalids and social affairs, are still imposed by other agencies. There remain many business conditions which are unnecessary, unclear and unspecific. Some revisions are merely re-wording, not bringing about changes truly favorable for businesses. Expectations of businesses and economic experts At the Governments meeting with local authorities, representatives of some businesses said the simplification of many administrative procedures was just formalistic. Talking to Lao Dong (Labor) newspaper, Do Duy Hung, Director of Vietnam HiNet Technology JSC in Hanoi, said the reduction of business registration procedures and conditions has given more autonomy to businesses in production and business activities. A specific example is the grant of business registration certificates without writing information on business sectors, which allows businesses to carry out any production and business activities not banned by law. However, he said, the elimination of many administrative procedures was formalistic, such as the online bill payment, which many businesses have so far not applied. Phan Tien Dung, a representative of Thao Nguyen Breed JSC in Phu Yen province, said the biggest difficulty now for businesses was the licensing procedures through multiple agencies from commune to provincial levels. Taking bank loans remained a big problem for startups as they are required to have collateral and not allowed to mortgage their projects and project land. In order to create conditions for businesses, the Government needs to eliminate more administrative procedures, especially sub-licenses, he said. At a recent cabinet meeting on lawmaking work, Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management Nguyen Dinh Cung said that regulations on conditional business sectors and business conditions pose a burning issue in the legal system on business in general and business environment in particular. He asked the Prime Minister to eliminate nearly 3,000 business conditions. In order to increase Vietnams business climate ranking up 14-18 places this year, Cung said the Government should focus on such indicators as business startup, construction licensing, property ownership registration, tax payment, social insurance, and cross-border trading. Other solutions include changing from prior-registration inspection to post-registration inspection and increasing the number of procedures performed via the Vietnam National Single Window portal to at least 30. The year 2018 should continue to be the year of cost cutting for businesses, he said.- (VLLF) , , , , HCM CITY People are preferring confectionery products from Vietnamese manufacturers than foreign products in preparing for the coming Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday. Wholesale markets of Ben Thanh, An ong, Tan inh and Binh Tay are offering traditional candied lotus, coconuts, squash, soursop and sweet potatos from local brands such as Bao Hien Rong Vang, Bao Minh, and Thai Huong. Most are competitively priced at VN150,000-200,000 (US$6.6-8.8) per kilogramme. Phung Thi Mai, who owns a stall at Binh Tay Market in District 6, said though confectionery imported from Thailand, Australia and the US are selling well, customers like Vietnamese products such as sunflower seeds, cashews and pistachio nuts. Sunflower seeds cost VN120,000-140,000 ($5.3-6.2) per kilogram, while cashew and pistachio nuts are priced from VN350,000 400,000 ($15.4-17.6). According to Mai, 70 per cent of confectionery products in Binh Tay market are from Vietnamese manufacturers. In big supermarkets such as BigC and Coopmart, traditional jams by local brands such as Huong Viet and Golden Farm are popular. They are offered at affordable prices, such as VN100,000-190,000 ($4.4-8.4) for a kilogram. Nguyen Thanh Mai from District 10 said in previous years, she had bought imported products from the whole markets. But this year, she chose products from famous Vietnamese brands in the supermarket to ensure quality. Confectionery by big brands like Kinh o, Hai Ha and Bibica are packed in colourful tin boxes and sold at reasonable prices, she said. Organic products The demand for organic rice, vegetables and fruits spike on this occasion as well. Famous organic farms such as Nong Gia Mien Tay and Hello Rice produce their sweets made from organic fruits to serve the market in Tet. The candied fruits are priced from VN50,000-80,000 ($2.2-3.5) per package of 350 grams. This years market also sees the popularity of mushroom floss made from organic mushrooms. Although pricey at VN1.2 million ($53) per kilogram, it has sold like hotcakes. Phan Van Hiep, who lives in District 11, said: Today people love clean food to ensure their health. I choose organic products from prestigious manufacturers to prepare for Tet. VNS HA NOI The Government hopes to attract 135,000 new firms in 2018. Vu Tien Loc, chairman of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), said this was achievable, but would require quick reforms. This is an important set in fulfilling the Governments plan of having one million efficient firms by 2020, Loc said in an interview with Viet Nam News Agency. Institutional reforms must be sped up, he said. Loc said reform was still slow and the Governments determination for reform had not reached all local authorities and agencies. The most important thing is action and local authorities and agencies must hasten reforms. Besides, he said it was critical to improve the business climate and national competitiveness as well as simplifying checking procedures for imports and exports. Loc said the Government should also promote the private sector by providing public services to help them develop. This year could be the start of a period of reform, Loc said, adding that businesses were putting trust in a constructive Government. In a recent document to answer queries from National Assembly deputy Nguyen Phi Thuong, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that the Government would coninue to focus on cutting costs for businesses. The Government said that administrative reform in land, tax, customs, agriculture, rural development, information technology and start-up would be enhanced. The Government also planned to create breakthroughs in business-climate indicators and economic competitiveness and listen to firms and their difficulties. Support would also be provided to promote start-ups, small and medium sized enterprises, co-operatives and business households as well as create a fair playing ground for all participants. The number of new firms set record highs in the last two years. In 2017, more than 126,800 new firms opened, exceeding the record of 110,000 new firms in 2016. Last year, Viet Nam had 561,000 operating firms, statistics showed. VNS The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has asked the Ministry of Finance to remove the special consumption tax for locally-manufactured auto parts. Photo vietnambiz.vn HA NOI The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has asked the Ministry of Finance to remove the special consumption tax for locally-manufactured auto parts. This is part of a recommendation document that MoIT sent to the finance ministry in order to revitalise domestic automobile industry in the future and reduce the import of autos. The MoIT said that it is needed to have more measures to help local automakers cut production cost and accelerate the products competition capacity as well as revising policies on tax and fees. The ministry wanted the finance ministry to exempt the import tax on materials for part and components manufacturers who invest in Viet Nam, which should be in association with their commitment on long-term investment, volume of products, technology transfer and use of local labour force. The MoIT also recommends the application of a tax payment guarantee for a period of eight months instead of the current 30 days. The MoIT expected the finance ministry to study to amend and supplement a number of the above contents, which were proposed by Thanh Cong Group, with regard to laws on value-added tax, special consumption tax, and corporate income tax, in addition to personal income tax and natural resources protection tax. Earlier, at the review conference of the industry and trade sector held in Ha Noi on January 15, General Director of Hyundai Thanh Cong Le Ngoc uc proposed that the MoIT, in co-ordination with the finance ministry, consider several recommendations as those mentioned above. According to uc, in order to achieve the goal of developing the automobile industry in Viet Nam, the Government has issued decrees such as Decree 116 on conditions for production, assembly, import and business of warranty service, car maintenance, and Decree 125 that regulates the roadmap for import duty exemptions of parts and components for manufacturers who meet conditions such as emission standards, engine displacement capacity for the car with nine seats and less, passenger car and truck. However, he said such privileges were not strong enough to be of significant priority for locally-assembled autos to help them compete with complete built-up units imported from ASEAN. Under the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) commitments, a zero per cent tax has been applied on cars imported from the bloc with a localisation rate of 40 per cent or more in the country of origin from January 1. A MoIT report quoted by enternews.vn showed that the price of an automobile in Viet Nam is currently high in the region but its quality is lower than an imported one. Locally-assembled autos in Viet Nam have a similar price doubling as those seen in regional countries and much higher than other countries which have a stable automobile industry such as Japan and the United States, said the report. "The domestic automobile industry has not yet reached the standards of the real automobile industry because most are at the level of simple assembly; the production line mainly consists of four key stages including welding, painting, assembly and inspection. There is no co-operation, linkage and specialisation between automakers and assemblers and part suppliers. There is no such system used by material suppliers and large-scale parts and components makers. "The localisation rate of new autos is only between 7 per cent and 10 per cent on average (compared to the target of 40 per cent in 2005 and 60 per cent in 2010). Currently, locally-produced products with very low technological content are tubes, tires, chairs, mirrors, cables, plastic products and batteries," the report pointed out. MoIT has on numerous occasions warned that if such privileges and incentives were not approved, the domestic automobile industry would find it difficult to compete with imported cars. VNS A Lunar New Year festival has been held at an ancient communal house in So Village, Cong Hoa Commune, Quoc Oai District, 20km west of Ha Noi. The event, run by the inh Lang Viet (Vietnamese Communal House) Group, a Ha Noi-based community keen on preserving the ancient values of communal houses, gathered hundreds of locals, tourists. It included a ceremony to erect cay neu, a tall bamboo tree. The bamboo pole is stripped of its leaves, except for a tuft on top so that it can be wrapped or decorated with red paper for good luck. Bows, arrows, bells and gongs are hung on the treetop with the hope that the bad luck of the past year is chased away and everyone has a happy New Year. A traditional worship ceremony was held together with events featuring the art of calligraphy and folk singing. LONDON Burberrys outgoing head said Monday he was dedicating his final collection to gay rights campaigns and models at London Fashion Week will wear the brands classic tartan weave in the colours of the rainbow flag. "My final collection here at Burberry is dedicated to and in support of some of the best and brightest organisations supporting LGBTQ+ youth around the world," Christopher Bailey said in a statement. "There has never been a more important time to say that in our diversity lies our strength, and our creativity." The company said its new "rainbow check" pattern in the colours of the internationally-recognised gay pride flag would feature "prominently" at Baileys last catwalk show at London Fashion Week last Saturday. Burberry said it would also be making donations to three gay rights charities: the Albert Kennedy Trust, the Trevor Project and ILGA (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association). The Albert Kennedy Trust helps homeless young gay people in Britain, while the Trevor Project provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention in the United States and the ILGA is an umbrella body. Bailey, who is credited with transforming Burberry into a fashion powerhouse, was the first openly gay head of a company on Londons benchmark FTSE 100 index when he was appointed chief executive in 2014. The company, where sales are now stagnating after a period of rapid expansion under Baileys leadership, replaced him as chief executive last year with Marco Gobbetti, former head of French luxury brand Celine. Bailey will be stepping down from his other roles as president and chief creative officer this year. AFP Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hands over gifts to the High Command of Ha Noi while visiting the unit on Monday on the occasion of the upcoming Tet (Lunar New Year) festival. VNA/VNS Photo Thong Nhat HA NOI Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc praised the High Command of Ha Noi for its comprehensive performance of tasks over the past year while visiting the unit on Monday on the occasion of the upcoming Tet (Lunar New Year) festival. He highlighted the units proactive advising of local authorities on the implementation of defence-military missions in close connection with the socio-economic development of the capital city; maintaining combat readiness and effectively co-ordinating with other forces to ensure absolute safety during critical political events and major anniversaries. Regarding key national defence and security tasks in 2018, PM Phuc said apart from advantages, the regional and international situations remained complicated and the imperatives of national construction and national defence created new tasks and requirements. He urged the Ministry of National Defence and Ha Noi authorities to pay special attention to building strong armed forces to effectively fulfill assigned tasks. They should proactively advise local authorities on the implementation of Party resolutions on national defence and security; continue innovation in defence activities focusing on improving the qualification, training and education of members of the armed units; incessantly improve their political firmness; and master the use of specialised and advanced equipment and techniques in defence activities, he said. The unit should also effectively co-ordinate with other forces to ensure absolute safety during critical political events and major anniversaries, as well as national security, social order and safety for the capital city, the PM noted. It was necessary for the unit to speed up international integration and improve external defence relations; proactively participate in supporting needy people and in natural disaster prevention and mitigation, as well as in search and rescue activities. Regarding the upcoming traditional Tet festivities, PM Phuc asked the units leaders to pay more attention to the spiritual and material life of its troops, particularly those who are on duty during Tet and those from disadvantaged families. As the Lunar New Year is drawing near, the PM wished the command, its troops and militia and self-defence force good health, happiness and success in task performance. VNS HCM CITY More toll collection lanes and limited access to expressways during the Tet holiday are expected to reduce traffic congestion on the HCM City Trung Luong and HCM City Long Thanh Dau Giay expressways. The Viet Nam Expressway Services Engineering (VECE) said the HCM City Long Thanh Dau Giay Expressway is expected to serve an average volume of 50,479 vehicles per day this year, and up to 64,940 vehicles per day during peak hours during Tet. Traffic hotspots include the intersection of Ring Road No 2 in District 9; Long Thanh Bridge which links HCM City with ong Nai Province; Long Phuoc and Dau Giay toll stations and toll station No 51; and the intersection at National Highway No 51 and HCM City Long Thanh Dau Giay Expressway. If congestion occurs on Ring Road 2, drivers should go straight to the An Phu intersection, authorities have recommended. If traffic congestion extends over 500m at Long Phuoc and Dau Giay toll stations, VECE will divert traffic flows to An Phu, Ring Road 2, National Highway No 51 and Dau Giay intersections, avoiding the expressway. Ngo Ba Thang, director of the Yen Khanh companys branch office, which manages the HCM CityTrung Luong Expressway, said the volume of traffic on the expressway would increase up to 45,000 vehicles per day during Tet against 35,000 vehicles, mostly cars, on normal days. He said two additional toll collection lanes that use both cash and pre-paid cards have been opened on the expressway, while more toll booths that collect cash only have opened as well. If accidents occur, authorities should direct traffic off the expressway and toward National Highway 1, Thang said. Gridlock Last Sunday, tens of thousands of vehicles from HCM City heading to provinces in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta crowded National Highway 1A and many other roads. Rach Mieu Bridges Toll Station saw 17,000 vehicles per day, up more than 3,000 vehicles compared to normal days. According to the transport sectors forecast, National Highway 1A will be busy until February 15 (December 30 on the lunar calendar) from HCM City to the Mekong Delta region. Traffic jams often occur in specific spots such as sections and intersections on National Highway 1A, National Highway No 50, HCM City-Trung Luong Expressway, as well as Rach Mieu and My Thuan bridges and many small bridges. VNS HCM CITY For the last 14 years, Le Thi Quyen from Ha Tinh Province did not return to her hometown for Tet holiday because she did not have enough money to travel. Ive worked in the southern region for 14 years. My two sons and I have never returned to my hometown, even during Tet. My income is just enough for daily expenses, so travel is something of a luxury, said Quyen, who works in the shoemaking industry in Binh Duong Province. But this year, were so happy to receive free tickets donated by the provinces labour union and Binh Duong authorities, she added. Quyen is among thousands of migrant workers who have received free tickets and Tet gifts from the trade unions in three southern provinces and HCM City. The government of HCM City and the management board of industrial parks and export processing zones have given 37,000 workers travel tickets and Tet gifts. Most of the workers are from central coastal provinces hit by serious floods last year. Ton That Thanh, a worker in HCM City, said: My family and I have not gone home for Tet for the last five years. The cost is expensive for us. Each ticket from HCM City to Quang Tri Province is about VN1 million (US$45), meaning we would need to pay VN3 million for my whole family. Thanh and his wife earn just around VN10million ($450) each month. But this year, weve received support from the city authorities and the trade unions, he said. The Labour Federation in Binh Duong Province has raised more than VN150 billion (about US$7 million) from enterprises in the province to support migrant workers. Aside from 20,000 free tickets given to migrants to return to their hometowns, the provinces worker support programmes have donated 500,000 gifts to another 140,000 workers who have decided to stay near their workplace during Tet. In addition, the Viet Nam General Federation of Labour has given 1,200 train tickets and 160 bus tickets to low-income workers in Binh Duong, Long An and ong Nai provinces so they can return to their hometowns in the central and northern provinces. VNS HA NOI Although the Ha Noi Peoples Committee has recently tightened dog management by asking dog owners to register their pets, the vast majority of people have remained unaware of the policy. According to the national blueprint on prevention and elimination of rabies in the period between 2018 and 2021, the local authorities request dogs to be registered, leashed or kept in owners living spaces and muzzled when playing in public areas. Dog owners have to pay fines when their off-leash dogs are seized by law enforcement. If off-leash dogs bite people, their owners must pay for the victims medical needs. However, the policy has caught little attention of dog owners as dogs are still allowed to run off leash without muzzles and defecate on streets. The situation is more common in Ha Nois surburban districts. Pham Quoc Thang, director of TS Milan, a Vietnamese national standard dog farm, told Thanh Nien (Young People) Newspaper that he knew nothing about the new regulation. Professional dog trainers mostly register for certificates of breeds for their dogs. These dogs are also microchipped for management, he said. He also stressed the significance of leashing and wearing muzzles for dogs to protect pets and humans. Lan Khue, a dog owner in Nhat Tan Commune, Tay Ho District, had never heard of dog registration. However, Khue said that she would comply with the new regulation. On the other hand, many people find it troublesome registering their pets. I have raised dogs for some decades and they are all friendly. Since I already give them rabies vaccinations annually, I think that to have dogs registered is unnecessary and a waste of time. I wonder how the authorities will manage dogs. We have not done the registration and no one has asked us to do so, he said. Local authorities are struggling to implement the regulation. It is difficult to ask people to register their dogs, although we make a list of dog owners, said Trinh Chi Thanh, head of Buoi Wards Peoples Committee in Tay Ho District. Hoa Xuan Thuan, deputy head of the committee, said that the locality had established an interdisciplinary team to impose the regulation. No violations had been detected although dog faeces are still easily found on streets, Thuan added. Therefore, we mainly focus on raising awareness of dog owners about hygiene and safety for people and surroundings, he said. Nguyen Ngoc Son, head of the Ha Noi Department of Veterinary issues, blamed local authorities for not strictly adopting the regulation. Therefore, dog owners have not paid enough attention to muzzling their dogs in public spaces, registering and cleaning after their pets. The data collected by Ha Nois district authorities shows that there are about 426,000 dogs and cats in Ha Noi. Ninety per cent of them are vaccinated and more than 90 per cent of dog owners know and obey national policies against rabies. VNS HCM CITY The Department of Health in HCM City has instructed all hospitals in the city not to refuse emergency aid to patients during the Tet (Lunar New Year) period. The department has told doctors and other health staff to prepare medicine, materials and equipment to deal with any outbreak during the holiday. Hospitals at the grassroots level, which do not have capacity to treat severely ill patients, should provide first aid and then transfer patients to appropriate hospitals. Medical facilities have also been told to prepare for cases of acute pneumonia or stroke among seniors and respiratory ailments and disease among children. City officials and all medical staff should provide thoughtful care to their inpatients during the Tet holiday, the department urged. Tang Chi Thuong, the departments deputy head, said the citys Emergency Aid Centre and its 22 satellite stations throughout the city as well as outlying districts were prepared for Tet. Hospitals such as the Paediatrics Hospital 1 and 2, Oncology Hospital and others have opened satellite health clinics at many other hospitals in the city to reduce patient overcrowding. In response to the requirement, Dr Nguyen Thanh Hung, director of Paediatrics Hospital 1, said that a sufficient number of doctors and other health staff were ready for emergency aid before, during and after the holiday period. At least 200 doctors, nurses and other health staff will be working each shift at the hospital, Hung told Viet Nam News Agency. The Paediatrics Hospital 1 admits 1,000 inpatients and 700 to 1,000 outpatients every day. Dr Nguyen Truong Son, director of Cho Ray Hospital, said the hospital has completed preparations for the holiday and made a plan to deal with patient overcrowding. Every hospital department has drawn up plans for red alert emergency aid and gold intervention, which calls for urgent surgery. It has also ensured that emergency surgery can be performed within a proper amount of time. The hospitals Blood Transfusion Centre has stored 7,000 units of blood for emergency treatment and will provide blood to other hospitals in the southeastern region. The HCM City Hospital of Hematology and Blood Transfusion has stored 12,000 units of blood for use at all city hospitals during Tet. Tran Thi To Nhu, head of the citys Humanitarian Blood Donation Centre, said the centre has a sufficient amount of blood stored for the holiday, and there will be no shortages of rare types of blood. Huynh Van Hieu, head of the HCM City Red Journey Club, which encourages blood donations, said that its 50 members and volunteers would be available to donate blood during the holiday, if needed. VNS Around Midland and around the world, loving and leading all people to deeper life in Jesus Christ. Calloway County Sheriff's Office Arrests Five People Over the Weekend Through Various Investigations An investigation is underway in regards to conditions at an animal rescue in Wetzel County. Katrina Marie Morgan, proprietor of Hope Valley Rescue, was served Feb. 1 by the Wetzel County Sheriffs Office with a warning notification of violation of anti-cruelty laws. According to court documents at the Wetzel County Magistrate Office, Morgan, of Burton, was found to be cruelly mistreating and neglecting animals by failing to properly clean up dog and other animal feces. Conditions were allegedly found to be unsafe for the animals. According to the documents, approximately 20 dogs along with goats, ponies, and chickens were discovered on the premises of about two acres where animal feces had not been cleaned. It was discovered that some of the dogs, inside of the house, were staying in unfit conditions, where feces had not been removed. The sheriffs department alleged that Morgan was leaving animals unattended for long periods of time. A civil suit was filed against Morgan in Wetzel County Magistrate Court by Deputy Dustin Bickerstaff of the Wetzel County Sheriffs Office. Bickerstaff also serves as the countys humane officer. A hearing was held on Feb. 8, before Magistrate Judith Goontz. A civil judgement for the plaintiff was ordered after Morgan agreed to immediately surrender and forfeit the animals to Bickerstaff for distribution, according to law. The defendant did not have to post a required bond in the case as a joint motion to dispense the requirement was granted by Magistrate Goontz. Morgan was assessed court costs of $50. There were a total of 37 dogs seized by local law enforcement on Feb. 1, 13 of which were taken to Ohio County for treatment for Parvo and other underlying conditions. The remaining dogs were taken to the Wetzel County Animal Shelter and other local area treatment facilities. At this point some have been fostered out. According to a spokesperson at one of the treatment facilities, pups have been discharged after recovering. As of this writing there are still four pups fighting to recover, and the bills have reached over $15,000. According to a statement in the court documents, a couple reported that they adopted two puppies from Hope Valley Rescue; the couple provided the statement to support the suit against Morgan. The couple wrote that the puppies were Pit Bull/Boxer mix and were from a rescue litter. The couple said their daughter had met with a Hope Valley Rescue representative in Wileyville, at the gas station. The meeting request was at the request of Hope Valley Rescue, which said their vehicle had been involved in an accident. Hope Valley Rescue said another individual would be bringing the puppy. The daughter of the couple paid the agreed fee of $100 and signed the adoption contract. She then received the pup. The couple said the pup was thin, and its ribs were showing. Otherwise it appeared to be love-able and docile. The next day, the couple decided to adopt the remaining dog, a brown male pup. The couples oldest daughter met with Hope Valley at the same location and paid the $100, but was not asked to sign a contract. She said the pup was thin and malnourished while showing signs of illness and low weight. A few days later, on Jan. 6, both pups began showing signs of illness such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and loss of appetite. The couple stated they requested records of shots from Hope Valley and received a computer screen picture that alleged they were vaccinated and were given worm medicine. However, the couple didnt believe that to be the case. The worst case pup was taken to Parkersburg and tested positive for Parvo. On Jan. 9, both pups were taken to a Mineral Wells vet clinic for extensive, in-patient treatment. Both dogs had Parvo. The female pup recovered, but the male passed away. Records show $990.15 was paid to the clinic for the treatment of the pups. According to Wetzel County Prosecutor Tim Haught, the current case between Hope Valley and the sheriffs office is a civil suit that resulted in the defendant Katrina Morgan, agreeing to the seizure and forfeit of 37 dogs to the humane officer. Haught stated the case remains under investigation, and criminal charges could still be filed. Hope Valley Rescue is also no longer in operation. In a Feb. 12 social media post, the Wetzel County Animal Shelter requested donations for the Parvo treatment of 13 puppies. The shelter said the pups were seized by law enforcement, along with 24 other dogs. The shelter said the pups were hospitalized on Feb. 1, straight from the seizure. The shelter mentioned the four remaining pups that are so close to recovery. Individuals are asked to donate toward the recovery costs by calling Town and Country veterinary hospital in Wheeling, West Virginia. The number is 304-242-9575. Folks can request to donate toward the Wetzel County Parvo Puppies bill. 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19 (18) Jan 18 (26) Jan 17 (24) Jan 16 (23) Jan 15 (30) Jan 14 (20) Jan 13 (18) Jan 12 (24) Jan 11 (11) Jan 10 (23) Jan 09 (22) Jan 08 (17) Jan 07 (17) Jan 06 (9) Jan 05 (18) Jan 04 (15) Jan 03 (19) Jan 02 (14) Jan 01 (6) Dec 31 (12) Dec 30 (4) Dec 29 (15) Dec 28 (11) Dec 27 (7) Dec 26 (10) Dec 25 (16) Dec 24 (13) Dec 23 (16) Dec 22 (11) Dec 21 (26) Dec 20 (28) Dec 19 (14) Dec 18 (25) Dec 17 (23) Dec 16 (19) Dec 15 (22) Dec 14 (38) Dec 13 (26) Dec 12 (25) Dec 11 (27) Dec 10 (31) Dec 09 (15) Dec 08 (30) Dec 07 (31) Dec 06 (27) Dec 05 (38) Dec 04 (25) Dec 03 (27) Dec 02 (15) Dec 01 (36) Nov 30 (23) Nov 29 (17) Nov 28 (23) Nov 27 (13) Nov 26 (16) Nov 25 (14) Nov 24 (18) Nov 23 (21) Nov 22 (21) Nov 21 (24) Nov 20 (20) Nov 19 (23) Nov 18 (17) Nov 17 (17) Nov 16 (34) Nov 15 (25) Nov 14 (17) Nov 13 (21) Nov 12 (18) Nov 11 (9) Nov 10 (15) Nov 09 (9) Nov 08 (9) Nov 07 (12) Nov 06 (8) Nov 05 (4) Oct 29 (1) Oct 01 (1) Jul 29 (1) May 11 (1) Jul 11 (1) Westminster Magistrates' Court has ruled against withdrawing an arrest warrant for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. The order, which is centered on the information activist absconding bail, remains active in the United Kingdom. Emma Arbuthnot, the senior district judge who ruled on the case, said she was unconvinced by the argument presented by Assange's legal defense. I find arrest is a proportionate response even though Mr. Assange has restricted his own freedom for a number of years ... Defendants on bail up and down the country, and requested persons facing extradition come to court to face the consequences of their own choices. He should have the courage to do the same. It is certainly not against the public interest to proceed, she said. However, Mark Summers QC, Assange's lawyer, said that detaining was no longer proportionate nor in the public interest, as Sweden had withdrawn its extradition request. He went on to argue that the years Assange has spent within the confines of the Ecuadorean Embassy in London were adequate, if not severe punishment for his actions, citing a report by a U.N. committee stating that the Australian national was being arbitrarily detained, according to The Guardian. Assange, who has been holed up in the Ecuadorean Embassy for over five years, will continue to face arrest if he leaves the premises. The court was tasked with ruling on a legal bid to dismiss any further action against Assange on the charge. Assange, however, can still face extradition to the United States to answer to charges related to the operations of WikiLeaks, which published a large volume of classified military and diplomatic documents one of the most extensive information leaks in U.S. history. While the U.S. Justice Department, during former U.S. President Barack Obama, declared that WikiLeaks was similar to a media organization and its prosecution would be inappropriate, and current U.S. President Donald Trump said during a campaign rally, I love WikiLeaks, a Justice Department official confirmed to Reuters that an investigation into the organization was still open in the state of Virginia. An international anti-corruption commission says Honduran political class should be "very nervous. An international anti-corruption commission says that the organized crime ring within the Honduran government involved upwards of 140 elected officials and functionaries. Juan Jimenez Mayor, lead spokesperson and investigator of The Commission Against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH) formed in 2016 by the Organization of American States (OAS), says MACCIH previously thought the alleged ring, known as the Network of Functionaries consisted of around 60 officials. He says the case allegedly involves around 140 former and current government and elected officials. According to Mayor, the network, comprised mainly of congress members and non-government organization (NGO) leaders, illegally channeled approximately US$55million in state funds meant for community social projects, into their own pockets. Of the 140 implicated, 30 are NGO leaders. Up until two weeks ago Mayor and the nine other MACCIH lawyers were investigating the illicit network. On Jan. 18 the right-wing National Party majority Congress passed a budgetary law that took away the MACCIH and the state prosecutors office from investigating embezzlement cases since 2006 and gives it to the Superior Accounts Tribunal (TSC) a governing body with no legal authority to indict. Five elected officials of the network, who had been detained since December, were immediately released when the law passed. The law allows the TSC to take up to three years to carry out their audits, essentially sidelining the MACCHIH in the meantime. Mayor tells El Pais in an interview yesterday that the new law is very irregular and very negative for the fight against impunity. (The MACCIH) considers it an impunity pact. The MACCIH lawyer said the commission is going to continue in Honduras and were going to present our next cases. Mayor adds the committee has information that current National Party congress members were involved in a money laundering scandal covered by the construction of a hydroelectric dam that Berta Caceres fought against until she was assassinated by the military for her public opposition. The MACCIH lawyer said these investigations are making the large part of the political class very nervous. The summer of 2018 is already heating up big time with back to back biggies releasing in a days gap. With already films like Kaala and Bharath Ane Nenu confirmed for 27th of April, the makers of Naa Peru Surya have decided to release the film at the same time. The only difference is that the film will release one day in advance on the 26th of April 2018. As all the biggies are coming in at the same time, we need to see whether the makers will stick on to this date or look for another feasible date. Allu Arjun plays the lead role in this film which is being directed by debutante Vakkantam Vamsi. Vishal Shekhar composes music for this film which has Anu Emanuel as the female lead. Tamil hero Arjun also plays a crucial role in this film. Lagadapati Sreedhar produces this film. Articles that might interest you: SBD is perfectly positioned at the center of a multi-modal transportation corridor, offering the logistics industry significant efficiencies and development options. SAN BERNARDINO, CA, February 13, 2018 /24-7PressRelease/ -- San Bernardino International Airport (SBD) will be at AirCargo 2018, from February 18-20, to meet with airlines, freight forwarders, truckers and expediting companies looking for new opportunities and expansion potential into Southern California. SBD's facilities and infrastructure enable air cargo operators to fast-track their deliveries. Located 60 miles east of Los Angeles, in one of Southern California's major transportation corridors, SBD has made key investments to support large-scale, air cargo activities. Surrounded by interstate highways and new construction warehousing, the Airport provides a compelling opportunity to the air cargo industry. "Our air cargo businesses are growing rapidly and enjoy the region's lowest airport user fees, a Group VI runway that can accommodate the world's largest aircraft, highly-skilled airport staff and uncongested airspace," explains Mark Gibbs, Director of Aviation. "SBD is perfectly positioned at the center of a multi-modal transportation corridor, offering the logistics industry significant efficiencies and development options." SBD provides many competitive advantages and tremendous expansion possibilities to air cargo companies and freight forwarders looking to expand their presence in Southern California. In addition, onsite U.S. Customs and bonded storage offer international air cargo goods movement in an increasingly connected world. SBD's spacious state-of-the-art facilities offer the region's lowest airport user fees, 60 plus acres of concrete ramp, a new 5,000 sq. ft. cross-dock building with 1.6 acres of secured landside ramp, and a bonded storage warehouse. In addition, the Airport has nearly 100 acres of developable land for cargo services all with access to a foreign trade zone, and expedited U.S. Customs clearance. The Airport has also invested in a wide range of cargo handling equipment to ensure fast and efficient turn times for unscheduled cargo flights. AirCargo 2018, at the Renaissance Austin Hotel, will highlight trends, challenges, opportunities and the future of the air cargo industry. SBD will be exhibiting in booth 211. SBD International Airport is located in the heart of a growing goods movement corridor surrounded by the I-10, I-210 and I-215 freeways where the Airport offers state-of-the-art facilities, specialized cargo equipment, and an attractive cost structure for air cargo activities. To learn more about SBD International Airport visit, http://www.sbdairport.com. # # # William Archila in AGNI: I was ten and my father was gone, already living here in the States, when my mother woke me up in the middle of the night to listen to a strange voice coming out of the transistor radio. It was Pablo Neruda reciting his love poems while violins and guitars played in the background. For two years I fell asleep to the voice of Neruda rising and falling like waves in the distance, like seagulls swooping down, my head filling with poetry. The broadcast was interrupted in November, 1980, when I fled El Salvador and the war that was tearing my country apart. I was twelve years old. I arrived in Los Angeles, California, with many questions unanswered, conversations unfinished and years of my young life unfulfilled. I gave up much of my national culture and Spanish language to learn a new culture and language. My English was full of street vernacular and strong raw accentsmy words squashed, shredded, forced to dance a Shakespearian rag. I became part of the growing immigrant community, speaking ghetto Spanish. Go back to your country echoed throughout these years. Ahead a long road stretched into darkness. In high school I began writing long before I read any poetry that excited me. My writings were fragmentsverses and scribbles not meant to be taken seriously or shared. I pursued this calling in secret, writing only for myself. In college I tried to read the masters of the English language: Shakespeare, Milton, Keats, Dickinson, Whitman, but none of them spoke to meor maybe I wasnt ready to listen. It wasnt until I read Ginsbergs Howl that I was amazed to discover I was not the only young man who saw the best minds of his generation destroyed. More here. Intermin consolidates tenure south of the Golden Mile Perth, Feb 13, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Intermin Resources Limited ( ASX:IRC ) ("Intermin" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the consolidation of tenure making up the Lakewood Gold Project, 8km south east of Kalgoorlie-Boulder in Western Australia (see Figures 1 and 2 in link below). The Company is currently mining and generated cash from the Teal gold mine and will soon commence a self-funded 50- 60,000m new discovery and resource growth drilling program.HIGHLIGHTS- New tenure pegged making up the Lakewood Gold Project, 8km southeast of Kalgoorlie-Boulder in the Western Australian goldfields (see Figure 1 in link below)- Project area covers 115km2 of greenstone belt comprising 42 Prospecting Licence applications and one Exploration Licence application- Lakewood is located within the highly prospective Black Flag Group which hosts the Teal-Jacques Find-Peyes Farm deposits in close proximity to all required infrastructure- Data compilation and target generation underway for initial drilling upon final granting of applications expected in the second half of 2018 (see Note below)Commenting on the Lakewood acquisition, Intermin Managing Director Mr Jon Price said:"We have been extremely fortunate to pick up such a large contiguous block of prospective greenstone belt in the heart of the Kalgoorlie goldfields which is consistent with our strategy of low cost acquisition of assets on major geological structures. Preliminary assessment has highlighted a number of high quality targets that remain untested and we look forward to commencing drilling on the project once the tenements have been granted."OverviewLakewood comprises 42 prospecting licence applications and one exploration licence application with a total area of 115km2 on the greenstone belt south of Kalgoorlie-Boulder's Golden Mile and adjacent to the 1Mtpa Lakewood toll milling facility.On final grant of the applications, expected in the second half of 2018, the Company's 100% owned project area will increase to 472km2. Data compilation and initial drill targeting has commenced with several high quality targets identified that remain untested.The project is located within the highly prospective Black Flag Group which also hosts the Teal-Jacques Find-Peyes Farm deposits. The area was pegged and applications for tenements submitted at a total cost of $50,000.The interpreted geology of the Lakewood Gold project is dominated by metamorphosed sedimentary rocks and felsic volcanic/intrusive porphyritic rocks of the Black Flag Formation (similar to Teal), together with lesser basalts and ultramafic and minor dolerite.Only a small portion of the project area is covered by in situ soils, and there is virtually no outcrop. Within the remainder of the project, a thin veneer of soils overlies plastic clays that vary in thickness from 2-40m and below this are 3-30m of unconsolidated clays and sands. Sandy grey clay filled palaeo-channels exist within the tenement area, some of which host alluvial gold.The major regional Gidji Shear is interpreted to cut across the centre of the project, whilst the Boorara Shear and the Boulder-Lefroy Fault are likely to be present below the area. All of these structures are associated with significant gold mineralisation in the region.History of the Lakewood ProjectGeological interpretations based on down hole geology, geophysics, and historical Western Mining Corporation deep diamond drilling in the vicinity suggest that the Kalgoorlie Group and, in particular, portions of the Golden Mile Dolerite and ultramafic units as seen within the Super Pit, may also occur within the western portion of the Lakewood Gold Project area (Cibej 2006). Published stratigraphy also identifies these units further south at New Celebration and St Ives (Stolz and Roache 2007, Norris 1990) which further supports this interpretation.Ground holdings in the Lakewood Gold Project area were historically fragmented until around 2005 when the area was consolidated by Mawson West Ltd. The exploration history of the area was summarised by Mawson West in 2005 as follows:Sovereign Gold explored part of the tenement group from 1983 to 1989. Activities were focused on discovering shallow bedrock gold deposits that could be developed into open pits. A total of 400 RAB holes were drilled with about three quarters of these holes believed to have been drilled too shallow to penetrate below the zone of gold depletion. Some 45 RAB or aircore holes that returned results of >100ppb Au were not followed up. No surface geochemical programs were conducted.Pancontinental Mining Ltd joint ventured with Sovereign Gold in 1989 to 1990 and conducted some geochemical surveys. Pancontinental sampled buried "ironstone" layers on a 0.5km x 1km wide grid utilizing a shallow RAB program. This drilling identified some broad low-level Au and As anomalies. They also conducted a soil sampling program and an auger program targeting the pedogenic carbonate layer. Some anomalies defined by these programs were drilled with minor bedrock anomalism recorded in a few holes.Zanex Resources NL, Orion Resources NL and Herald Resources NL explored various tenements in the area from 1991 to 1997. Between 1992 and 1995 Orion Resources conducted extensive soil geochemical surveys. Sampling was initially conducted on a 400 x 25m grid which was followed up by 25 x 200m grid in anomalous areas. Orion recorded results including 1m at 1.1g/t and 1m @ 2.5g/t Au in their aircore drilling program in 1995. They also reported finding extensive porphyry, dolerite and basalt rocks and also veining similar to that seen at Golden Mile.In 1997 Sons of Gwalia Ltd (SOG) conducted a pedogenic carbonate soil geochemical survey and analysed for pathfinder elements. Some gold anomalies were defined by Orion and SOG which were followed up by some limited drilling with a best result of 7m @ 0.53g/t Au including 1m @ 2.85g/t Au. Orion surmised that the soil Au anomalies could be related to the edges of concealed alluvial channels.In 1996 Herald Resources conducted a detailed aeromagnetic survey which showed that dolerite could exist within the tenement area. Aircore drilling found bedrock comprising basalt and porphyry in a felsic volcanic sequence. The best intercepts were 3m @ 1.73g/t Au, including 1m at 4.28g/t Au in weathered rock.In 1997 to 1998 Battle Mountain (Australia) Inc. (BM) held the Lakewood tenement group and carried out geochemical surveys and bedrock geochemical drilling. The geochemical survey was conducted on the north-eastern side of the area and defined some Au and broad platinum anomalies in mainly residual soils. A surface sampling program of limonitic clay over interpreted ultramafic rocks at depth was strongly anomalous in platinum. BM also drilled 53 holes to test a number of the surface anomalies. The drilling program met with significant trouble including sticky clays, cemented sands, and unconsolidated sands. BM subsequently withdrew from Australia leaving all anomalies untested.Lakewood Gold NL conducted a detailed aeromagnetic survey in 1997 on a 50m line spacing and 25m terrain clearance. Several structural targets were defined by the aeromagnetics including the contact between the eastern and western terrains, where it is intersected by north-east and eastern lineaments. It is unclear whether these targets have been adequately drilled.Geoscience Australia (then AGSO) between 1997 and 1999 conducted seismic, gravity and magnetic profiling to the north of the project area. From the data, they were able to interpret gabbro (high density), dolerite or basalt, felsic volcanics and sediments in this region. They suggested that the eastern Kalgoorlie sequence comprising the Golden Mile Dolerite lies within the tenement area at depth. This is a similar interpretation conducted by WMC in the 1960's when they drilled several deep holes located about 1.5km north-west of the project area.After consolidation of the project area in 2005, various exploration programs were conducted across the tenements by Mawson West and then by St Barbara Mines under a JV between 2007 - 2008 with the later undertaking a substantial re-logging program of historic drilling and also drilling 420 AC holes, 15 RC holes and flying an airborne EM (TEMPEST) survey.Mawson West spun-out the Lakewood Gold Project into Orrex Resources Limited during 2010. Since then Orrex have undertaken various data-compilation and targeting exercises and completed 5 aircore drilling programs, one RC drilling program and in conjunction with the DMP, drilled a 1,099m deep diamond hole to test the conceptual extension of the Golden Mile Dolerite, as postulated by AGSO.Intermin intends to undertake a more detailed review of the historical exploration and compile a working database with a view to target generation. Work will be fast tracked once the tenements are granted.Note:1 See Forward Looking Statement on Page 6To view figures, please visit:About Horizon Minerals Limited Horizon Minerals Limited (ASX:HRZ) is a gold exploration and mining company focussed on the Kalgoorlie and Menzies areas of Western Australia which are host to some of Australia's richest gold deposits. The Company is developing a mining pipeline of projects to generate cash and self-fund aggressive exploration, mine developments and further acquisitions. The Teal gold mine has been recently completed. Horizon is aiming to significantly grow its JORC-Compliant Mineral Resources, complete definitive feasibility studies on core high grade open cut and underground projects and build a sustainable development pipeline. Horizon has a number of joint ventures in place across multiple commodities and regions of Australia providing exposure to Vanadium, Copper, PGE's, Gold and Nickel/Cobalt. Our quality joint venture partners are earning in to our project areas by spending over $20 million over 5 years enabling focus on the gold business while maintaining upside leverage. First Half FY18 NPAT up 25%, EBITDA up 19%, Gross Margin up 27% Sydney, Feb 13, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The Board of Australian communications software specialist MNF Group ( ASX:MNF ) is pleased to report strong growth for the six months ended 31 December 2017. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 19% to $11.9m, with net profit after tax (NPAT) increasing by 25% to $6.1m, when compared with the same period a year earlier. Gross Margin for the half increased by 27% to $34.1m, as a result of strong organic growth within the business.The strong increase in gross profit for the period versus the prior corresponding period is attributable to solid growth in all three operating segments of the business: Domestic Retail, Domestic Wholesale and Global Wholesale:- The Domestic Retail segment grew 39% and benefited well from the addition of the CCI business for the full first half. Additionally, Small Business margins continued to grow offsetting the slight structural decline in legacy Residential products. The company is seeing encouraging increases in government business. A recent example of this is CCI's New Zealand Government deal, which we expect will deliver new margin streams well into the future.- MNF has relaunched Pennytel as a national brand to take advantage of a segment we expect will deliver significant future growth, based around our mobile first (MVNO) software platform (see link below).- The Domestic Wholesale segment grew 17% organically due to the ongoing increase in its recurring revenue streams. Additionally, this segment saw strong growth of 47% in iBoss hosted services, with even larger growth expected in H2.- The Global Wholesale segment performed very well with 27% organic gross margin growth over the prior corresponding period, it's encouraging to see a changing revenue mix from usage based business to recurring revenue business.Business Outlook and Guidance:Leveraging on our existing software platforms which have been enabling mobile services for some time now, MNF will invest up to $3.5m in FY18 to launch Pennytel as a new suite of mobile products under a national brand, operating in the retail segment. "The relaunch of the Pennytel brand represents a unique opportunity for MNF Group to benefit from the mainstream telco market", said CEO Mr Rene Sugo. "Our strategy is to lead with a mobile first product offering based on our Telstra Wholesale MVNO agreement and taking advantage of our vast mobile enablement platform. We will later look to introduce an NBN based product line once the brand is established, and the NBN roll-out has matured to make customer acquisition easier," he added.MNF sees the Pennytel launch as an enormous opportunity only made possible by MNF's extensive software ecosystem. We are seeking to acquire 250,000 subscribers by June 2020, anticipating an EBITDA contribution of circa $7.9m in that year.The company has updated its FY18 forecast based on this once-off strategic investment as follows: (see link below).The MNF Group board remains confident that the company will achieve strong organic growth in the remainder of the year and into the future.Investor Teleconference:There will be a teleconference and results presentation held on Tuesday 13 February at 3:00 pm AEDT. For details please check http://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/BGMUVZ16 A recorded version of this presentation will be made available for later viewing at the same web address.To view tables and figures, please visit:To view Half Year Investor Presentation, please visit:About MNF Group Ltd MNF Group Limited (ASX:MNF) is one of Asia-Pacific's fastest growing technology companies. Listed on the ASX since 2006, it is now capitalised at around $380m, and twice winner of the Forbes Asia-Pacific "Best under a Billion" award. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, the company has over 500 people located across Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America. MNF develops and operates a global communications network and software suite enabling some of the world's leading innovators to deliver new-generation communications solutions. As the world moves to IP, MNF Group is building the brands, services, network and technology to lead the way. For further information about MNF Group Limited please visit: http://mnfgroup.limited/ Ruby Project Operations Update Sydney, Feb 13, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Mustang Resources ( ASX:MUS ) ( OTCMKTS:GGPLF ) is pleased to announce that bulk sample processing and exploration activities on its Montepuez Ruby Project, in Northern Mozambique are delivering increasingly strong results.Key Points- Exploration, pitting and trenching program increases known gravel extension from 3.3km to 4.2km- Exploration program identifies additional gravel bed targets over a 3km-long river and associated tributaries system- Optimisation of processing plant with improvements and upgrades completed during December quarter 2017- Average grade increases 10% from October 2017 onwards compared with average grade for all previously processed material- Ongoing bulk sampling and processing of stockpiled material delivers positive results- 80,658 tonnes processed in Q4 2017 with 29,983 carats recovered at an average grade of 0.37ct / tonne- 17,025 tonnes processed in Q1 to date with 7,495 carats recovered at an average grade of 0.44ct / tonneThe results demonstrate that Mustang's strategy to establish Montepuez as a world-class ruby project with consistent production and exploration upside is on track.Mustang Managing Director Dr. Bernard Olivier said: "Having spent time on site in recent weeks, I am very pleased to report that exploration, bulk sampling and processing activities on the Montepuez Ruby Project are meeting our targets. These results reflect the skills and commitment of Mustang's motivated and experienced operational team."The Q4 2017 plant optimisation program is generating the intended results with further improvements and upgrades now being implemented. The overall results demonstrate that Montepuez is highly prospective and technically sound."We will provide an update shortly on the marketing and sales progress we are making."ExplorationThe ongoing exploration activities conducted during Q4 2017 and Q1 2018 have already delivered positive results. The exploration, pitting, trenching and bulk sampling program has now extended the gravel bed extension from 3.3km to 4.2km. At total of 69 sampling pits were developed and processed during the period while a total of 14,502 tonnes of material were excavated and extracted as part of the bulk sampling process. The geology team has also analysed the exploration dataset and selected further targets for additional pitting. During the remainder of Q1 2018, the exploration program will focus on identifying further high-grade targets for large-scale bulk sampling excavation and processing, as well as further delineating the dimensions and ruby distribution of the deposit, which remains open in all directions.Bulk Sampling and ProcessingDuring Q4 2017, significant improvements were made to the processing plant to optimise its efficiencies and reduce processing costs. Average grades increased by more than 10% from October 2017 onwards compared with the total average grade achieved from previous bulk sampling.Mustang is also implementing further processing, sorting and grading improvements to increase overall efficiencies.Ongoing processing of bulk sample material since October 2017 has returned the following results:- 80,658 tonnes processed in Q4 2017 with 29,983 carats recovered at an average grade of 0.37ct / tonne- 17,025 tonnes processed in Q1 to date with 7,495 carats recovered at an average grade of 0.44ct / tonneAs at 31 January 2018, the Company had inventory available for sale of 302,028 carats.To view figures, please visit:About New Energy Minerals Ltd New Energy Minerals Ltd (ASX:NXE) (FRA:GGY) is an ASX listed junior mining company, that recently announced the divestment of the Company's Caula vanadium - graphite project and the Montepuez Ruby project in Mozambique. Strong Level of Entitlement Offer Acceptances Perth, Feb 13, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Blackham Resources Limited ( ASX:BLK ) ( OTCMKTS:BKHRF ) ("Blackham" or "the Company") advises that the Company's fully underwritten, renounceable pro-rata entitlement offer ("Entitlement Offer") closed at 5.00pm (WST) on 12 February 2018. Under the Entitlement Offer, the Company is able to issue up to 897,670,820 New Shares on the basis of five (5) New Shares for every two (2) Blackham Shares held on the record date at an issue price of $0.04 per New Share, together with one (1) free attaching option (exercisable at $0.08 on or before 31 January 2019) ("New Option") for every two (2) New Shares subscribed for.The Company is pleased to advise that it has received applications for entitlements totalling $26.19m (before costs) from existing shareholders and rights holders, representing acceptances of approximately 73%. In addition, the Company has received additional applications from existing shareholders for a further $4.97m to give a total shareholder take-up of up to 87% on the Entitlement Offer. These amounts are subject to the final reconciliation of applications and proceeds received.The following table (see link below) sets out the number of New Shares (and New Options) for which entitlement applications were received and the resultant offer of Shortfall Securities. The additional applications for securities received from eligible shareholders in excess of their entitlement, will be allocated by the Company along with the Shortfall Securities pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement with Hartleys Limited, in accordance with the Prospectus dated 22 January 2018.The anticipated date for despatch of holding statements for the New Shares and New Options is 20 February 2018, with normal trading of the New Shares and New Options is expected to commence on 20 February 2018.Blackham's Chairman, Mr Milan Jerkovic, said:"It was very pleasing to see such a high level of participation in the Entitlement Offer and I would like to thank all shareholders for their continued and valued support. We would also like to take the opportunity to welcome our new shareholders who will be taking up Shortfall Securities pursuant to the issue of Shortfall Securities to sub-underwriter clients of Hartleys Limited.The funds raised from the Entitlement Offer puts Blackham in a strong position to execute on its free milling mine plan, as well as to advance exploration focussed on growing our free milling mine life. As demonstrated by the strength of our operations in December 2017 and January 2018, the Company is at an exciting stage, with 2018 likely to be a transformational year of strong operational and financial performance."To view tables, please visit:About Wiluna Mining Corporation Ltd Wiluna Mining Corporation (ASX:WMC) (OTCMKTS:WMXCF) is a Perth based, ASX listed gold mining company that controls over 1,600 square kilometres of the Yilgarn Craton in the Northern Goldfields of WA. The Yilgarn Craton has a historic and current gold endowment of over 380 million ounces, making it one of most prolific gold regions in the world. The Company owns 100% of the Wiluna Gold Operation which has a defined resource of 8.04M oz at 1.67 g/t au. In May 2019, a new highly skilled management team took control of the Company with a clear plan to leverage the Wiluna Gold Operation's multi-million-ounce potential. Lee Hollingworth, Head of DC Consulting, Hymans Robertson, says: It is great to see that auto enrolment has successfully encouraged more employers to help more people save for their retirement, but there is no time to relax and think that this is job done. In reality, with more employers providing AE pensions, many will be believing that their pension contributions will provide them with a comfortable income in retirement. Instead, they will be surprised to find, when they retire, that they simply havent saved enough. Now we must address the challenge of ensuring, and encouraging, people to increase their savings to meaningful levels that will provide them with adequate retirement incomes. Recent ONS figures showed that while the overall amount (aggregate wealth) being saved into DC pensions increased in 2014-16 compared to 2012-14, undoubtedly due to AE, the level of pension pot (median) held by each individual has decreased. Even with the increase in contributions levels to 5% in April, and a further increase to 8% in 2019, people will be massively under-saving. The reduction of the AE starting age to 18 and changing the entry threshold to base contributions from the very first pound, announced in the recent auto enrolment review, will help. These moves alone, however, will not achieve enough and other measures, such as pushing out the target retirement date to coincide with their State Pension Age and further increasing contributions to a total of 12%, will be needed to achieve an adequate income in retirement. At 12% we would begin to see a contribution that will have a meaningful impact for employees retirement savings. At that level we can see far greater certainty of them reaching a target income that they can live on in retirement. Kate Smith, head of pensions at Aegon comments: This is a fantastic milestone for workplace pensions. One million employers helping more than 9 million employees save for retirement is a huge achievement in less than 6 years. It will be interesting to see how things develop when contributions are increased this April and then again in April 2019, when the total rate jumps up to 8%. But we mustnt forget the 5 million self-employed individuals representing 15% of the UKs workforce that are waiting for the solution to their own retirement saving needs. Following the Governments recent review of auto-enrolment, it promised to look at how to kick-start the self-employed into pension saving. Extending auto-enrolment to the self-employed will be a hard nut to crack. The self-employed, are an incredibly diverse group, but a solution must be found to stop this growing group missing out and the pension gap between them and employees widening. Government needs to grasp the nettle and address this growing savings gap before its too late. Steve Webb, Director of Policy at Royal London said: This is a huge milestone and everyone involved in making automatic enrolment work deserves huge credit. Getting more than nine million workers started on the journey of pension saving is a crucial first step, and a pause for celebration is in order. But now the real work starts. The step up in contributions in April 2018 and April 2019 has to be handled well and we urgently need a plan to get people beyond the 8% minimum contribution planned under existing legislation. Getting so many people started with pensions is a tremendous achievement, but they risk being disappointed with the outcome if we do not get those savings levels up to more realistic levels as quickly as possible. Government announce 1 millionth employer enrols staff into workplace pension Emirates and Airbus have firmed up an earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and signed a contract for the 20 additional A380s with a further 16 options to be confirmed at a later date, bringing the total agreement value for 36 aircraft at US$16 billion. Deliveries are to start as early as 2020. The agreement was signed at the World Government Summit by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group; and Mikail Houari, Airbus President for Africa and Middle East. HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, ruler of the Emirate of Dubai and Edouard Philippe, Prime Minister of France were also present (above). HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group said: This agreement underscores our commitment to the A380 programme, providing stability to the A380 production line and supporting thousands of high-value jobs across the aviation supply chain. For Emirates, the A380 has been a successful aircraft for our customers, our operations, and our brand. We look forward to continue working with Airbus to further enhance the aircraft and onboard product. We thank Emirates, HH Sheikh Ahmed, Tim Clark and Adel Al-Redha for their continued confidence in the A380, which has so successfully transformed air travel in the 21st century, said Fabrice Bregier, Airbus President Commercial Aircraft and Chief Operating Officer. This latest agreement further demonstrates the strength of our valued partnership with Emirates in support of their impressive growth. The A380s wings are built at the Airbus' plant in Broughton in north Wales, which are then shipped for final assembly in Toulouse. By John Stone In an interview for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine website, Heidi Larson, founder of the Vaccine Confidence Project housed at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine: Yes, there are potential risksthere will always be potential risks with any medical treatment. And we dont talk enough about that. Heidi, it is funny you should say that, because no one is stopping you from talking about it. For the rest of us there are people like you trying to stop us. For instance, Seth Berkley director of GAVI back in June was calling for so-called anti-vaxxers to be banned from social media. Now, I am sure you would not dissent from viewpoint that an anti-vaxxer is a blanket label for anyone at all who questions the vaccine program, its safety, the wider project of the vaccine lobby. Meanwhile, the program just expands vaccines for diseases which may either not be mostly very serious, diseases which may be more serious but which you are relatively unlikely to get. But administered in gigantic clumps to infants who are increasingly diagnosed with developmental disabilities. And people like us who are often people who have experienced the harms of vaccines are really just the people you should be keen to listen to, instead of treating us like scientific specimens, or the objects of loathing to be wiped out as voices on the web. You cannot have a conversation without having a conversation, you cannot put yourself up as some kind of honest broker when what you are really doing is just trying to annihilate dissent. By John Stone I have been meaning to write about the New Year message of Heidi Larson of the Vaccine Confidence Project, a group funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Health Organization. Dr Larson is remarkably calling for an end to vaccine mandates, and is openly critical of recent events across Europe but in California, India and Australia. It is just possible that she was responding to an article by myself addressed to her early in December pointing out the paradoxical nature of her position: the draconian drive against citizens rights which we have been seeing across the globe was incompatible with her mission to create confidence: they were indeed contradictory projects. She writes: Somehow the assumption that populations would accept and continue to accept more and more vaccines, just because they are good for personal and public health, needs a reality check. The ever-changing political, cultural and emotional lives of people have different notions of what is good for them, and we need to listen. Well and good. Dr Larson goes on: This does not mean agreeing with misinformation about vaccines that is circulating on the internet and social media, but listening to the deeper, underlying sentiments the feelings of alienation, the loss of personal contact and peoples sense of feeling counted rather than cared for. And here, of course, we part company (we were bound to). It is not only alienation it is that the primary source of misinformation about vaccines are government and global bodies like the WHO, GAVI and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Members of the public want to discuss the small print. If Dr Larson is herself confident she ought to welcome dialogue: it may be an improvement being nice but of course it is not only uneducated people that are critical of vaccine program (the complaint very often is that they are educated), there are many doctors and scientists who often face a professional persecution for voicing their doubts. And it is also necessary to listen to the people - and their families - who have been hurt. Another problem Larson ought to consider, beside the iron fist of mandates is the hate campaigns against vaccine critics that rage through the mainstream media and in comment columns. The CEO of GAVI, Seth Berkley, has called for vaccine dissent to be removed from the web in the crudest terms. This, also, is the route away from trust. Worse, we are being deprived of the most basic intellectual freedoms. There is no core body of evidence for the safety of the expanding vaccine schedule. In the last decade Paul Offit floated the idea of 10,000 vaccines being safe: it was taken up particularly by British health officials (Prof David Salisbury, Sir Liam Donaldson, Prof Elizabeth Miller) but now even Offit himself seems to be claiming he never said it via the website of Every Child By Two and it has not been replaced by any other theory. What we have are multiple products with different levels of effectiveness in suppressing disease by sparking inflammation, different safety profiles, and ever more of them which the infant body particularly then has to tolerate at any one time. It is a mighty assumption that more and more vaccines are the path to health heaven. The most vaccinated nation in the history of the earth, the USA, is drowning in child neuro-developmental disability, chronic ill-heath, and poor child mortality figures. It is becoming an economically unsustainable society. Work has begun on the long-awaited new United States Embassy in Mexico City that will be one of the most expensive in the world at nearly $1 billion. The $943 million embassy is expected to be completed in 2022, when the U.S. will leave its current building on the Mexican capital's grand Paseo de la Reforma boulevard, which has been a regular site of marches and protests over the years. U.S. Ambassador Roberta Jacobson and Mexico City Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera participated in the ceremonial ground breaking at the 8.5-acre site Tuesday. The new embassy with an environment-friendly design will be on a former industrial site that required extensive toxic cleanup. The construction contract was awarded to Alabama-based Caddell Construction in September 2017. A Florida carrier says it will begin daily flights between Orlando and Huntsville in May. Silver Airways today announced it will start daily nonstop service between Orlando International Airport and Huntsville International Airport May 23. For a limited time, Silver is offering introductory fares starting at only $99 through Dec. 19 at the airline's website. The airline says the Huntsville route will be operated with Silver's new fleet of ATR-600 aircraft, which will be introduced into service beginning this year. It boasts leather seating, more leg room and overhead bins to accommodate full-size, carry-on roller bags. Flights to Orlando will leave at 9:45 a.m. each day, while the flights from Orlando will arrive in Huntsville at 7:24 p.m. In addition, Silver will offer one-stop connections from Huntsville to Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, and Key West with introductory fares starting at $109. One-stop connections from Huntsville to Marsh Harbour and Freeport in the Bahamas also have introductory fares starting at $129, but only for a limited time through the website. "Considering NASA, Huntsville and Florida's space coast have many close ties, and we expect this new nonstop service to attract business travelers and vacationers alike headed to Orlando and beyond to Silver's many destinations in Florida and the Bahamas," Jason Bewley, Silver Airways President and CFO, said. "The new Huntsville route begins just before Memorial Day weekend and marks the beginning of Silver's transition to an all new ATR-600 fleet." The Rev. David Platt, former pastor of a Birmingham megachurch, announced Monday that he will be leaving as president of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Platt announced to staff on Feb. 12 that he has asked trustees of the mission board to search for his successor. He will stay in office until a new president is selected. Platt was previously senior pastor of The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham for eight years. At 28, he became one of the youngest megachurch pastors in America when he took over as pastor of the 4,300-member Brook Hills congregation. He announced his resignation from Brook Hills on Aug. 27, 2014 to become president of the International Mission Board. Platt has written several bestselling books, including "Radical," "Radical Together," "Follow Me," and "Counter Culture." He is the founder of Radical, a ministry devoted to promoting discipleship. Platt last year accepted a teaching pastor role at McLean Bible Church in Northern Virginia while continuing as IMB president. "I have come to the realization that it is not viable long-term for me to lead as president of the IMB while serving as teaching pastor in a church," Platt wrote in a letter announcing his decision. "This realization has been sobering, for I don't believe I can choose between preaching and leading in the local church, and mobilizing and shepherding people in global missions. Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that if I am going to serve in this way in the local church, then I need to serve in different ways for the cause of global missions." "I love this IMB family, and I want to encourage you continually with God's Word, I want to mobilize limitless missionaries to join you, and I want to work with you overseas in any ways I can help you," Platt said. "In short, I want to do anything I can to see missions succeed across and beyond IMB and the SBC for the glory of God." Platt encouraged the more than 3,500 Southern Baptists missionaries around the world to remain steadfast. "You know better than anyone else: the nations need the gospel," he wrote. "I am thankful that David will continue to lead until a new president is elected," said International Mission Board trustee chairman Dr. Rick Dunbar, a member of First Baptist Church Madison, Mississippi. "He wants to continue IMB's momentum and progress in reaching this lost world and making us a more effective organization to do that." The IMB board of trustees will meet Feb. 28-March 1 near Richmond, Va. The meeting will include the appointment of new Southern Baptist missionaries. "We are sad, but also feel confident in the future as we move forward," Dunbar said. "We trust that David's gifts of preaching, teaching and writing will continue to bless the work of the IMB for many years to come, and we look forward to a long-term relationship." A Letter from David Platt Note: David Platt sent this letter to IMB trustees, field personnel, and staff on Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. Dear Brothers and Sisters, Language is insufficient to express all that is on my heart and mind as I write these words, but I want to let you know that I have asked trustees to begin a search for a new president of the IMB. The paragraphs below are my best attempt to explain why and what that means. I am more passionate today than I have ever been about getting the gospel to the nations, and I want to spend what little time I have left on this earth with urgency toward that end. This passion is what drove me to become IMB president, and I have sought to honor Him and you in this role over the last four years. Along the way, as I have shared with you, I have been burdened to continue preaching and leading in the local church amidst the lack of biblical literacy and missional urgency in the church and culture around me. That is why I began volunteering as Teaching Pastor in a church alongside my leadership in the IMB. However, through concentrated prayer and fasting alongside counsel from various leaders across the SBC over recent months, I have come to the realization that it is not viable long-term for me to lead as president of the IMB while serving as Teaching Pastor in a church. This realization has been sobering, for I don't believe I can choose between preaching and leading in the local church, and mobilizing and shepherding people in global missions. Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that if I am going to serve in this way in the local church, then I need to serve in different ways for the cause of global missions. This is why I have asked trustees to begin a search for a new president. To be clear, I am not resigning now, but I will resign upon the election of a new president. Until that new president is found, I am committed to serving you faithfully in my current role. Trustee leaders have communicated a desire for me to serve with the IMB in the future in some capacity, and I am certainly willing to do so if the Lord so leads. I love this IMB family, and I want to encourage you continually with God's Word, I want to mobilize limitless missionaries to join you, and I want to work with you overseas in any ways I can help you. In short, I want to do anything I can to see missions succeed across and beyond the IMB and the SBC for the glory of God. So what does this mean for now? While this search begins for a new president, trustee leaders have asked me to continue implementing the initiatives that our leaders here and around the world have put in place aimed toward fulfilling our mission as the IMB. In other words, we will keep moving forward together in all the ways we are currently moving forward. By God's grace over recent years, we have come to a stable, healthy financial position, we have clarified our mission, and we have recalibrated our internal systems and structures around that mission. We have set the stage for a limitless mission force that is focused on the missionary task with urgent motivation and strong biblical, theological, ecclesiological, and missiological foundations. We have sought to create collaborative processes in the IMB such that what we do doesn't revolve around one leader, but around all of us working together. Consequently, our vision for the future remains the same: we will continue partnering with churches to empower limitless missionary teams who are evangelizing, discipling, planting and multiplying healthy churches, and training leaders among unreached peoples and places for the glory of God. Specifically, I want to encourage you to remain steadfast in your devotion to the missionary task wherever God has placed you. You know better than anyone else: the nations need the gospel. Please, please, please don't let this distract you from getting the gospel to them. As I spent time with the Lord this morning, I was reminded that my life, along with yours, is His to spend for His glory however, wherever, and whenever He wants. I know that you are serving where you are because you believe this same truth. So this morning my prayer for your life and mine was the same--that one day, Lord willing, we will kneel before His throne together with every tribe, tongue, and nation, and He will say to each of us, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Yours in Christ, David If you love pancakes, today is your day. It's Shrove Tuesday, also known as Shrovetide Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday. So what does "Shrove" mean? And why are so many people eating pancakes today? Pancakes were traditionally eaten on the day before Ash Wednesday because they were a way to use up eggs, milk, and sugar before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent. Liturgical fasting during Lent emphasizes eating plainer food and refraining from "pleasurable" foods such as meat, dairy and eggs. Many people "give something up" during Lent as a way to prepare for Easter. Shrove is the past tense of shrive, which means to gain absolution of sins by confession and repentance. Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Tuesday in some western European countries. The pancake aspect is not as widely observed in the United States as it is in England. Episcopal churches, being affiliated with the Church of England, carry on the tradition of Shrove Tuesday pancake suppers. Of course, in America, today is more popularly known as Mardi Gras, which is "Fat Tuesday" in French. It's the same idea: the last day to eat "fat" before Lent. It's called Fat Tuesday because it's the last day of indulgence before Ash Wednesday, when ashes are imposed on the forehead in the mark of a cross, with the minister quoting Genesis on the mortality of man. Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, a period of 40 days, not including Sundays, which comes before Easter in the Christian calendar. Christians who observe Lent use it as a time for prayer and penance to be spiritually prepared for Easter, which commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus. Easter will be celebrated April 1 in Catholic and Protestant churches. Orthodox churches will celebrate Easter on April 8. Here are some churches celebrating Shrove Tuesday: St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Mountain Brook, 3736 Montrose Road, 5 to 6:30 p.m. pancake supper in Graham Hall, $8 adults, $5 kids, $20 family. All Saints' Episcopal Church, 110 West Hawthorne Road, Homewood, 5-8 p.m., pancake supper, Great Hall, $7 person, $20 family. St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 207 E. Washington St., Athens, 6 p.m., pancake supper, donations accepted. Homewood Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 513 Columbiana Road, pancake supper, 6-7 p.m. St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 2870 Acton Road, Birmingham, pancake supper, 5-7 p.m., Wingo Hall. Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 1912 Canyon Road, Vestavia Hills, pancake supper, 7-9:30 p.m. St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Greensboro, pancake supper, $5 adults, $2 kids, $15 family. St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 3775 Crosshaven Drive, Mardi Gras party, 5:45-7 p.m., music by the Southside Brass Band, parade at 6:30 with scooters and tricycles. Church of the Nativity, 208 Eustis Ave., Huntsville, Mardi Gras dinner, 5:30-7:30, jambalaya and king cake, $12 adults, $5 pizza for kids, call 256-533-2455 for reservation. St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 429 Cloudland Drive, Hoover, Mardi Gras dinner, gumbo, $10, call 205-822-2330 for reservations. St. James Episcopal Church, 100 St James Place, Eufaula, spaghetti supper, adults $9, kids $7. St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, 500 N Reus St., Pensacola, pancake supper, 4-7 p.m., $7 per person. Berry Perry, the Magic City's beloved peanut salesman, has died of apparent natural causes, authorities said. He was 62. Perry, who had cerebral palsy and was wheelchair bound, was found dead Tuesday morning in his north Birmingham apartment. Perry recently said he had been hospitalized for heart problems, but was looking forward to moving forward with his therapy and said he was feeling well. "I work for money and I save money... You don't take nothing from nobody," Perry said. He was most known in the community for selling bags of peanuts for one dollar, and was affectionately known as "B.P.," "Speedy," or "Mr. Perry" to his many friends and customers. Perry was born with the disorder, and was in a wheelchair for most of his life. He had no control of his legs or one of his hands, and depended on his electric wheelchair for mobility. He carried his personal items and peanuts in a plastic bucket strapped around his neck with a cord. Every weekday, Perry would leave his house and catch the bus to the new Peanut Place off Morris Avenue. He bought his peanuts and headed downtown to the Jefferson County Criminal Courthouse building, where he would sit beneath his favorite tree outside and sell peanuts. Perry had dozens of close friends, including the judges, judicial assistants, and attorneys he saw daily coming in and out of court. When it was cold outside, Perry would sit inside the building near the security line. Jefferson County sheriff's deputies who work in the front of the courthouse always welcomed him in. In the afternoons, Perry rode to the city's Southside to talk with his friends at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and finish his errands. Perry always tried to maintain his independence, only having nurses come daily to bathe him and change his clothes. Last year, Perry was attacked and robbed in his apartment by a man who was living with him at the time. That case is pending in court. Several years ago, Perry suffered another attack that left him in the UAB Intensive Care Unit for days. Perry, of Marengo County, was raised with his three brothers by a single mom, Annie Lee Perry. He didn't have a wheelchair until he was about 14, so growing up, he would crawl or hold onto things to get around. Occasionally, his mother or older brothers would carry him. Annie Perry, who cleaned houses and later worked as a janitor at a school in Linden, tried to get him into school in the 1960s but the board of education in Marengo County wouldn't let him, he said. "I sat at home all day," Perry said. While Perry didn't attend school, Annie Perry taught him simple math and how to write his name. He learned to cook, clean house, and bathe himself from his mom and grandmother, Emma Jane Perry. Charles Perry, one of his brothers, taught him how to count and tell time. Walter Perry, another of Perry's brothers, recently visited Birmingham and saw his brother. He also visited Perry's new apartment in north Birmingham, which Perry moved into earlier this month and was thrilled to show off. "As he got out he wanted to go out on his own," Walter Perry said. "He can do most everything." Perry always offered words of wisdom to his many friends across town, but one of his favorite phrases came from his mother: "Don't try to compare yourself with nobody else." Funeral services will be held February 24 at 12:00 p.m. at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Linden, located at 450 Bethlehem Baptist Church Rd. Visitiation will be at 11 a.m. the same day. A memorial in Bimringham, arranged by many of Perry's close friends, will happen Friday, Feb. 23 at 12 p.m. in front of the Jefferson County Criminal Courthouse. A third person was injured by gunfire in Birmingham Monday night after she got in a verbal altercation with her ex-boyfriend near Belview Heights. Two other people were killed after shootings in Birmingham Monday night. A woman was shot in the leg Monday night after she was in a verbal altercation with her ex-boyfriend, police said. The two had a child together. The shooting happened at 1382 Bessemer Road. During the altercation, the offender began shooting at the suspect, striking her in the leg and shooting into the store, police said. No one else was injured. She was taken to UAB Hospital for treatment. Police said her injuries are not life-threatening. The offender fled in the victim's vehicle and is still at large. Two earlier shootings happened around 9 p.m. and lead to two teenagers being killed and two children injured from gunfire. The victims were a black male, 19, and a white female, 18. Two teens were killed on 12th Avenue North in the Fountain Heights community after someone opened gunfire on them. They were pronounced dead on the scene around 9:30 p.m. The suspect fled the scene. Two boys, ages 8 and 16 years old, were injured by gunfire in 5000 block of Sugar Ray Drive in Roosevelt City around 9 p.m. when the 8-year-old was playing with a pistol and the 16-year-old tried to get the gun away from him, causing both boys to be shot. Both children were taken to the hospital and are in stable condition. Anyone with information on the shooter in the double homicide is asked to call Birmingham homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. It's been two weeks since a Hoover teen seemingly vanished, and police said they've becoming increasingly concerned about her welfare. Ajah Blackledge, an 18-year-old Lawson State Community College student, was last seen about 8:30 a.m. in Hoover Jan. 29. Police said she left her Hoover apartment that morning and was headed to class in Bessemer. Blackledge stopped at Compass Bank at 1789 Montgomery Highway and withdrew cash from an ATM, Hoover police Capt. Gregg Rector said Monday. Surveillance video from the bank does not indicate she was under any type of duress during the bank transaction. Nine minutes later, Rector said, at 8:32 a.m., she used the same debit card to buy breakfast at McDonald's on Montgomery Highway, across from the Riverchase Galleria. She never showed up for class at Lawson State. Blackledge was last seen driving a gold, 2008 Ford Fusion with Alabama tag number 1BK1358. Rector said family and friends have had no contact with her since that day. "Our concerns about Ajah's whereabouts and safety have increased over the past two weeks,'' Rector said. "There have been no sightings of her vehicle and no additional transactions involving her debit card." Police said there have been reported sightings of Blackledge in Central Park, Ensley, Bessemer and Fairfield, but none of the sightings could be confirmed. Her cell phone appears to have been turned off except for a very brief time frame last week. In that instance - on Feb. 7 - the phone was possibly activated in Hollywood, Fla. Because she is 18, Blackledge is considered an adult and it's possible she left the area on her own. However, Rector said, foul play cannot be ruled out either and police previously noted that "this is unusual behavior for her." "When this case was first reported, it appeared the most likely scenario was that Ajah had left home on her own. However, detectives have been actively working the case and pursuing leads since Day One,'' Rector said. "We've looked at cell phone records, financial records and all other electronic means by which she might be found. We still hope that Ajah has simply chosen not to come home for whatever reasons and she certainly has that right, being an adult." "But as each day passes, we are becoming more and more concerned about her. She's still a teenager and we need to find her,'' he said. "If there's a friend or someone else that knows her whereabouts they need to call us. Better yet, they should urge Ajah to give us a call." Blackledge is 5'2" and weighs 120 pounds. She has brown eyes and brown hair. Anyone with information as to her whereabouts is asked to call Det. Drew Mims at 205-739-7274 or Sgt. Matt Savage at 205-739-6780. Authorities have released the names of a young couple gunned down on a Birmingham street Monday night. The victims have been identified as 19-year-old Ty Alexander Pepper and 18-year-old Elizabeth "Liz" Annette Price. Both had previously attended Clay Chalkville High School. Pepper and Price were standing on the northwest corner of 12th Street and 12th Avenue North in Fountain Heights when someone approached them and opened fire. Police arrived on the scene to find them both shot multiple times. The couple was pronounced dead on the scene at 8:54 p.m. Sgt. Bryan Shelton said the preliminary investigation revealed Pepper had returned home from work and met Price up the street on the corner. Shortly after that, multiple gunshots were heard and both victims were found deceased on the sidewalk. He said investigators don't believe the killings were random. "Both victims barely entered adulthood and lost the chance to experience life,'' Shelton said. "While on scene, you felt like the suspect had no value for them at all. Sad situation all around." Pepper was living with his aunt in Fountain Heights. Price had moved back home with her father in eastern Jefferson County. Price's sister, Aubrie Price, said she dropped her off at the 12th Avenue location so she could see Pepper. The two had been dating for about a year. Aubrie Price told her sister she was going to get gas and would be back to pick her up because they had to get back to their father's house, where they both lived. "Ty gave me money to go to the gas station,'' she said. "When I dropped her off, I said, 'Be ready because we have to get back home.''' Aubrie Price returned to flashing blue lights and crime scene tape. She approached Pepper's aunt, and that when she learned both had been shot and killed. "I was shocked,'' she said. "If I'd even had a gut feeling something was going to happen, I wouldn't have taken her over there." "I don't know who would have done this or why,'' she said. "Liz didn't have trouble with anybody. I still don't believe it." Aubrie Price said her sister was sweet and smart. She was about to start a new job at a fast-food restaurant and had plans to get her driver's license and buy a car. "She had it all planned out, but she was going to start small,'' she said. "She was really trying to get a better life. She just wanted to do better for herself." Pepper and Price are the city's 14th and 15th homicides so far this year. Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Alabama's conservation department is banning the importation of deer carcasses from Mississippi to stop the spread of disease. A statement released Tuesday says a 4-year-old buck found dead in Mississippi in January tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease. The neurological disease affects deer, elk and moose and is always fatal. Hunters can still transport deboned meat, cleaned skulls with antlers, teeth and tanned hides. A statement from Alabama Wildlife Section Chief Keith Gauldin says the state has closely monitored the deer population for years and found no evidence of the disease. Gauldin asks the public for help to keep the state disease-free. Alabama bans importing deer carcasses from all 25 states that have confirmed presence of chronic wasting disease. Alabama has partnered with federal wildlife officials and nonprofit groups to add 251 acres of sensitive coastal marshes, creeks and forests to the popular Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge's Little Point Clear Unit on the Fort Morgan Peninsula in Baldwin County. The Conservation Fund recently purchased and transferred the property to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the request of the FWS and the state of Alabama for addition to the Refuge. The nonprofit group made the purchases with funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund. That money stems from criminal settlements with BP and Transocean following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. "We are so fortunate to have partners in conservation such as NFWF, The Conservation Fund, and the State of Alabama," said Jereme Phillips, Refuge Complex Manager with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "Without their strong support, this project would have never happened. "Acquiring this property will ensure that a large, contiguous tract of wildlife habitat is protected forever for the benefit of the American people." The addition of this land to the Refuge will provide expanded fishing, wildlife viewing, photography, boating, paddling, walking trails, as well as other potential public recreational opportunities enjoyed by the more than 100,000 visitors to the Refuge each year. "This acquisition is a prime example of the commitment our state and federal partners share to ensure the protection of coastal Alabama for generations to come," Gov. Kay Ivey said in a news release. "I am proud to have worked to protect this land for all Alabamians to enjoy for recreational boating and fishing. "The State of Alabama appreciates the support of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation on this priority acquisition and is certainly grateful for The Conservation Fund's hard work to bring it to fruition. We look forward to continuing these partnerships in an effort to further protect our treasured natural resources." The latest addition to the refuge is located on the Fort Morgan Peninsula near Gulf Shores and adjacent to state and federally protected lands. It features a variety of coastal habitats at Navy Cove, including shoreline, pine flatwoods, saltwater marsh, freshwater lagoons and wetlands, dune systems, maritime forests, and tidal creeks. The site provides ideal habitat for numerous species, including, young adult Kemp's ridley sea turtles foraging for crab and other crustaceans, snowy plover, piping plover, Wilson's plover, as well as the endangered Alabama beach mouse during storm events. The conserved property also has the potential to benefit manatees migrating through the northern Gulf. The Alabama Congressional delegation representing Baldwin County, including U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, U.S. Senator Doug Jones, former U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions, and U.S. Representative Bradley Byrne, have supported the ongoing efforts to enhance and strengthen the Little Point Clear Unit of the Refuge. Shelby, Jones, and Byrne issued statements in support of the purchase. "The expansion of Little Point Clear and the preservation of this natural habitat is excellent news for Baldwin County and the entire state," Shelby said. "The Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is an asset to our Gulf Coast. It is important that we do everything we can to ensure its safekeeping for future generations." "In Alabama, we know all too well how important a healthy coast is for both our economy and for future generations," Jones said. "Today's announcement is another positive step towards restoring our natural habitats after the tremendous damage caused by the Deepwater Horizon Spill. "I applaud The Conservation Fund, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the State of Alabama for their commitment to protecting our wildlife along the coast and look forward to working with them in the future to continue preserving one of our state's greatest assets." "I was glad to play a part in adding an additional 251 acres to Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, a real asset to our community," Byrne said. "Protecting our coastal environment has long been a priority of mine, and this new land will give people along the Gulf Coast even more opportunities to explore our remarkable coastal ecosystem. "I look forward to continuing my work with the various stakeholder groups on projects like this for the benefit of all Alabamians." There may be future additions to the Refuge as well. The Conservation Fund said it is working with the Fish and Wildlife Service and the state to protect an additional 236 acres of critical coastal habitat to the Refuge's Little Point Clear Unit in the future. Together these two additions will increase the protected lands for wildlife and public recreation by approximately 25 percent at the Refuge. Athens police are investigating after an apparent explosion caused a fire at a the Bomar Inn Monday morning. There were multiple reports of smoking coming from one of the rooms and Athens police responded to assist the Athens Fire Department around 9 a.m. Monday. Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson said police believe there is high probability the fire was caused by an explosion in the room. "Part of the door frame and the entire window and air conditioning unit were blown out as if there was an explosion in the room," he told AL.com Monday afternoon. Athens police say it's probable an explosion caused a fire at Bomar Inn around 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 12. Police have not arrested anyone in connection to the incident. Firemen told responding officers the fire started near or on one of the beds, he said. Floyd said the fire caused significant damage in the room. Investigators gathered evidence from the room and will be sending it to a lab to determine what caused the fire, police said. No one was in the room at the time of the fire and no one was injured. Police are still investigating and have made no arrests at this time, Johnson said. After more than a decade of pressing Congress for funding to build a new campus in the Washington suburbs, the FBI is now proposing that it keep some of its employees exactly where they are - on Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Washington - and moving 2,300 out of the Washington area altogether, to Alabama, Idaho and West Virginia. The proposal is a dramatic about-face from the stance the government took under presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. For years the General Services Administration, which oversees federal real estate, had insisted to lawmakers and the public that the FBI required a suburban Washington campus where it could consolidate 11,000 FBI personnel in a modern and secure facility. Instead, on Monday the Trump administration proposed keeping about 8,300 FBI headquarters staff in the Washington area, split between a new headquarters to be built in place of the aging J. Edgar Hoover Building and Quantico, Va., home to the bureau's training academy. Another 2,300 headquarters staff would move to new facilities around the country. Pocatello, Idaho would receive data center and administrative staff. Clarksburg, West Virginia, would receive criminal justice services, data center and biometrics employees. Huntsville would receive explosive analytics workers and staff. Assistant Attorney General Lee Lofthus told reporters at a press briefing that $2.175 billion from the administration's infrastructure budget would be added to FBI funds previously set aside for the project. He said the total $3.5 billion would afford "a modern and secure building" across the street from the Department of Justice headquarters but that there is no timeline available yet. The new money is part of the administration's infrastructure package, but still has to be approved by Congress. "This is an important part of the president's infrastructure building and folks are pleased that we can have money for the FBI Building," Lofthus said. Despite President Donald Trump's repeated calls to "drain the swamp," the decision still stunned FBI experts and members of Congress. The GSA and FBI spent several years, thousands of hours of staff time and millions of dollars securing approvals for sites in Greenbelt and Landover, in the Maryland suburbs, and in Springfield, Virginia. Instead, in a 23-page report to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, obtained by The Washington Post, the GSA calls for a "nationally-focused consolidation plan." House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., called the decision "inconceivable." "This sudden and unexpected decision by the Trump Administration raises serious questions about what or who could have motivated such a decision. Why the Trump Administration would so suddenly forgo years of study that led to careful recommendations - not to mention the millions of dollars spent in the effort to move the Bureau's headquarters - is beyond astounding, and quite frankly, extremely alarming," he said in a statement. He called for Congress to reject the plan. For more than a decade, there has been widespread agreement that the Hoover Building needs to be replaced. Netting hangs on the Ninth Street facade to prevent broken concrete from hitting passersby 160 feet down on the sidewalk below. The building falls well short of many security requirements put in place after the Sept. 11 attacks. Within the federal government, some have argued that the FBI should stay where it is to make sure the agency is still in close and constant contact with the Justice Department - because putting more physical distance between the two agencies could give the FBI more leeway than it should have when conducting important investigations, according to people familiar with the discussions. That argument, however, is based on a particular view of the politics of federal bureaucracy - that moving the FBI out to a suburban area could give elected officials less understanding and control of what the FBI is doing. Experts said the government's expectations of cost savings weren't likely to come true based on unrealistic expectations on the administration's part about how little its plan will cost. "It ignores multiple hundred-million-dollar costs in order to inaccurately and shockingly say that building in place is the cheapest option," said one expert who has studied the project for years but who was not authorized to speak publicly about it. "Five years ago, the GSA rightly said building in place was the most expensive option." When the GSA canceled the previous plan, in July, it cited the need for appropriations as the reason. But the new plan calls for seeking $2.2 billion in appropriations. "It completely contradicts their July analysis," the expert said. Spokespersons for the GSA and FBI did not immediately return requests for comment. Sen. Slade Blackwell's surprise late entry into the Alabama governor's race was short-lived. Alabama Republican Party spokeswoman Katie Lansford said the Mountain Brook senator withdrew from the race today. Blackwell could not be reached for comment today. His withdrawal leaves five candidates for the Republican primary - Gov. Kay Ivey, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, evangelist Scott Dawson of Birmingham, Sen. Bill Hightower of Mobile and Michael McAllister of Troy. The primary is June 5. Blackwell had initially said he planned to run for another term in his Senate district, but signed up to run for governor on Friday instead. Friday was the qualifying deadline for the Republican and Democratic parties. Former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox are running for the Democratic nomination. Other Democrats who qualified for the race are James Fields of Cullman, Christopher A. Countryman, Doug "New Blue" Smith and Anthony White. An appeals court has upheld the capital murder conviction of a Mobile County man sentenced to life in prison for a 2014 shooting. Alwin Javon Tillman was accused of breaking into the apartment of his estranged wife, Octavia Tillman, in the early morning hours of July 27, 2014. He opened fire on her and 44-year-old Ronnie Minefield. Minefield was fatally injured, and Alwin Tillman was charged with murder, attempted murder and first-degree burglary. In early 2017 Tillman was sentenced to life without parole. According to information released Monday by the office of Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, he appealed on the grounds that the jury should have been allowed to consider a claim of self-defense. According to information released by Marshall's office, the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals ruled on Friday that "Tillman was the initial aggressor and was not entitled to a self-defense jury instruction." John Kelly White House Chief of Staff John Kelly walks on the tarmac as he arrives Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (Alex Brandon) John D. Saxon By John D. Saxon, a Birmingham attorney who represents people mistreated in the workplace. He spent ten years in Washington, working in the Carter White House, for four committees of the U.S. Senate, and for two Fortune 50 companies. His two ex-wives and a former girlfriend came forward last week to accuse senior White House aide Rob Porter of domestic violence. Sooner than you can say "Weinstein, Lauer and Franken," on Wednesday, February 7th, he was gone. Two days later, a White House speech writer, David Sorensen, was gone for similar reasons. The Tweeter-in-Chief defended Porter on Friday, two days after Porter resigned, saying "he says he's innocent and you have to remember that", and on Saturday morning tweeted "Peoples [sic] lives are being shattered and destroyed by a mere allegation." Neither by statement to the press nor by tweet has President Trump expressed one word of sympathy or support for the alleged victims of domestic abuse, nor condemned the practice itself. Trump's quick and unnuanced defense of Rob Porter is reminiscent of his defense of numerous other alleged offenders: Judge Roy Moore, Bill O'Reilly, and Roger Ailes, among others. Trump also tweeted, about Porter, "Is there no such thing any longer as Due Process?" Yes, Mr. President, there is due process in a court of law. But not necessarily in the court of public opinion. Domestic abuse and sexual harassment should not be conflated. They are not the same. But certain guiding principles regarding the two are substantially similar: 1) There is no place in civil society for domestic abuse. None. Zero tolerance. 2) Likewise, for sexual harassment. It is legally and morally wrong, and if permitted, is corrosive of healthy work environments built on trust and mutual respect. Employees should want to come to work, not just because they have to have that paycheck. And they need not worry each day whether that creep or pervert is going to do it again. 3) Employee vetting at all levels is important and should be done by means of an intentional, objective process. Allegations of misconduct or lapses in judgment should be thoroughly investigated. 4) Security clearances are serious business. I have had clearances for Army Intelligence, the White House, and working on the Senate Ethics, Armed Services and Iran-Contra committees, ranging from Secret to Top Secret/Codeword/Sensitive Compartmented Information. For Rob Porter to be Staff Secretary to the President, managing the paper flow which crosses his Oval Office desk - - including classified information - - and not be fully cleared is not only inexcusable. It is dangerous. For Chief of Staff John F. Kelly to have known for some months that allegations against Porter were holding up his clearance and done nothing is likewise inexcusable. The "What did he know, and when did he know it" question is a good one. The country needs answers. As a retired 4-star Marine General, Kelly knows the function and value of security clearances. Both Trump and Kelly praised Porter for his ability and contributions to the office. Porter is a Harvard graduate and Rhodes Scholar. For those of us who know his father, Roger, it comes as no surprise. Roger is also a two-time Harvard graduate, was a Rhodes Scholar and White House Fellow, and served in similar positions in the Ford, Reagan, and George H. W. Bush Administrations. He teaches the course at Harvard's Kennedy School on "The American Presidency." Of course Rob Porter would be a great Staff Secretary to the President. It's in his genes. But neither heredity, outstanding credentials, nor competent performance is an excuse for spousal abuse. As for Trump, who has been tone-deaf regarding these matters, he should understand that leadership starts at the top, as does the tone, the culture, which says domestic violence and sexual harassment will not be tolerated - - at least not in this workplace over which I have some control. There are issues which deserve our attention. One, we can't play favorites. If I liked Al Franken on Saturday Night Live, or, as a Democrat, want him on the Senate Judiciary Committee asking tough questions of Trump judicial nominees, I can't look the other way when credible evidence exists of sexually inappropriate conduct. And we need a better understanding of what evidence is. That Rob Porter's ex-wife produced a photograph of herself with a blackened right eye does not mean, as one CNN commentator put it, that Porter did it. It clearly got there somehow. And if Porter did do it, that is domestic abuse worthy of our highest condemnation. But a woman's mere allegation is not proof. Nor, Mr. President, is a man's denial. Yet there is something Trump seems unwilling to admit: men don't usually grab and grope women during staff meetings. There are no witnesses. And men don't slug their wives during family reunions. There are no witnesses. When a woman says I was groped, or hit, or he put a cigarette out on my arm, there should be an investigation. Promptly. Objectively. Thoroughly. Trump seems dismissive of women and their claims. Yet if early signs bear out, women may get their revenge this November, and in 2020, at the ballot box. Finally, these matters raise three important questions for contemporary American society. One, how many violations of acceptable norms, and how egregious must a violation be, before a person gets no second chance? What justifies the "death penalty" of resignation, termination or permanent ostracism such as we have visited on John Conyers, Al Franken, Matt Lauer, Charlie Rose, Kevin Spacey, and Rob Porter, among others? Second, how much, if any, of a public official's or public figure's personal life should be fair game in judging or evaluating their professional or public life? Nashville citizens are weighing that one right now regarding the recent admission by their Mayor, Megan Barry, of an affair with the head of her security detail. Third, what effect should we give an electoral ratification of questionable behavior? When Americans, via the electoral college vote, put Donald Trump in the White House, it was after release of the Access Hollywood tape in which he boasted - - and all of American voters knew - - of what can only be termed sexual assault. Does that give Trump special license to believe men, and not women, to look the other way when boorish or arguably criminal conduct is engaged in by those who serve him well (Porter), or whom he wants elected to high office (Roy Moore)? I say not. The President may well disagree. History will judge which of us is right. One hundred years after the Spanish Flu outbreak that killed tens of millions, experts recount little known stories. I had a little bird, its name was Enza. I opened the window and in-flu-enza. Almost like the creepy theme tune to a horror film, the rhyme above became a common refrain for young girls as they played and jumped rope in 1918 when the Spanish flu began its deadly global rampage. The 1918 1919 Spanish flu so called because the virus was first widely reported in the Spanish press killed at least 20 to 40 million people worldwide, claiming more lives than the First World War. One hundred years ago this year, the world was a weary and battered place: the First World War would not end until November 1918. In some countries, boys wore bags of camphor around their necks in the hope of escaping the flu bug [Getty Images] The H1N1 pandemic ran in three waves and was first recorded in Camp Funston, Kansas, in March 1918. It saw the young and fit perish at an astonishing rate due to their strong immune systems which, scientists say, went into overdrive and turned against them. Many died from pneumonia or septicaemia. The contagion killed notable figures such as Mark Sykes the British co-architect of the controversial 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement, which carved up the Middle East into colonial spheres of influence. The Spanish flu took around 250,000 lives in the UK and 500,000 to 675,000 lives in the US. But what of other parts of the world and other peoples little mentioned in retrospective accounts of the deadliest pandemic in modern history? Al Jazeera has spoken to four experts The Navajo experience Benjamin Brady of The University of Arizona co-authored The Influenza Epidemic of 1918 1920 among the Navajos: Marginality, Mortality, and the Implications of Some Neglected Eyewitness Accounts: [Our paper] emerged as an offshoot of [a colleagues] effort to edit and publish the history of four Franciscan monks who struggled for decades to establish a mission among the Navajo. While living on the reservation and running a mission school, the missionaries corresponded with each other and unwittingly recorded in their letters previously unpublished details around the severity of the flu on the reservation. The reservation death rate was about 12 percent, far exceeding the overall flu fatality in the US which remained less than one percent. Benjamin Brady, researcher With this additional evidence, we made the argument that Navajo mortality from the Spanish flu had been undercounted and actually appeared to be around twice what was officially tallied. We made the case that the reservation death rate was about 12 percent, far exceeding the overall flu fatality in the US which remained less than one percent. The Navajo were a perfect storm of vulnerability. This is not to say they were a deficient people, but that like many other indigenous and marginal peoples, they did not yet possess institutional knowledge and lacked important resources to prevent infection or treat symptoms in the same way as other groups. Doctors and their medicines were largely ineffective against this flu modern technology or Western medicine does not explain differential rates of survival, but more basic resources like the ability to rest and receive nursing and assistance in meeting basic needs like warmth, food and water. Lower socioeconomic status, living in small and spread-out groups, and not having prior exposure or cultural knowledge to identify flu symptoms, for example, led to increased risk among the Navajo When Navajo died, it was not uncommon to find multiple deaths among families, who lived in remote areas or camps, having died together. The South African experience Howard Phillips, emeritus professor of the University of Cape Town, authored In a Time of Plague: Memories of the Spanish Flu Epidemic of 1918 in South Africa: South Africa, by and large, was not affected by the first wave, so when the second wave hit, there was very, very little immunity. So the mortality was sky high. It was probably the third or fourth worst hit country or territory in the world with about four or five percent mortality. The reasons for that include the fact that South Africa has a better rail network than anywhere else in Africa, which means that people move around in great numbers. The second thing is that South Africa has an unusually large number of young men on the move, such as soldiers and migrant labourers, but particularly labourers working in the mines. If you look at the 1911 census and project what the population ought to have been in 1921 - projecting forward at the same rate of population increase - there's a shortfall of about 350,000 people Howard Phillips, professor The moment the mines are hit [with the virus], particularly in Kimberley [in Northern Cape Province], the labourers are desperate to get out. And what they do is go back to their homes in rural areas so they carry the flu into areas that otherwise would have been quite isolated. The actual number of recorded deaths is only a fraction of the actual number of deaths. There was a census in 1911 and a census in 1921. If you look at the 1911 census and project what the population ought to have been in 1921 projecting forward at the same rate of population increase theres a shortfall of about 350,000 people. The Australian Army and Egyptian Expeditionary Force EEF experiences in Palestine Dennis Shanks authored the academic paper, Simultaneous epidemics of influenza and malaria in the Australian Army in Palestine in 1918, at the Australian Defence Force: Military operations favour the spread of infectious diseases due to crowding, stress and movement through hostile environments. Palestine in 1918 was a conjunction of adverse events, [including] two simultaneous infectious disease epidemics that struck roughly at the same time. No one could have planned for the epidemics but they struck just as the great Egyptian Expeditionary Force cavalry offensive started from mid-September 1918. Malaria incapacitated the soldiers starting 10 days after the start of the offensive which is the incubation period for malaria. It is likely that influenza was already in the civilian population which then spread to or from the troops. Both diseases together were synergistically lethal for unclear reasons. There would be no way to distinguish between the two diseases symptomatically except that influenza would have also caused respiratory symptoms such as coughing and increased secretions. The [EEF] which actually had more Indian soldiers than Australians or New Zealanders ground to a halt at the same time they cut off and defeated the Turkish armies. At one point it was stated that there were barely enough well men to water the horses in one cavalry division. All military operations stopped and all forces did their best to deal with a combined epidemic that had not been previously observed. Death rates were particularly high in soldiers who were already incapacitated such as Turkish POWs. Even with post-mortem examinations it was very difficult to say which infection caused any particular death it was a synergistic product of two lethal diseases. The Fijian, Samoan and Tongan experience Phyllis Herda, lecturer at the University of Auckland, authored an academic paper Disease and the Colonial Narrative: The 1918 influenza pandemic in Western Polynesia. With the arrival of the virus on the steamship Talune [in November 1918] the flu spread quickly through each of the archipelagoes. Steamship day was a big event in all three places so people would come down to the wharf. In Western Samoa [now Samoa] and Tonga, people would come from the villages to meet the ship. The virus was, thus, easily spread across each of the islands. In addition, in Fiji, several indigenous Fijians who worked on the Talune as stevedores, who were ill, were allowed to return to their villages. In both Fiji and Western Samoa, the colonial administrations blamed the habits of the indigenous people for the high death rates and described the pandemic in a manner which re-inscribed the superiority of the food, medicine and lifestyles of the West thereby indirectly legitimising their rule in each archipelago. Phyllis Herda, lecturer As elsewhere, once among the population the virus spread very quickly with fatal results. Unfortunately, the colonial medical administration in [the Fijian capital] Suva believed it was the normal annual flu rather than the deadly Spanish flu, which they knew was abroad. In the end, 8,145 deaths were recorded for Fiji amounting to five percent of the population of the British colony. In Western Samoa, approximately 8,500 people died, nearly 22 percent of the population, as a result of contracting the flu. By contrast, American Samoa suffered no deaths due to a complete maritime quarantine imposed by the governor there. In Tonga, almost 2,000 people died which amounted to approximately eight percent of the population. In both Fiji and Western Samoa, the colonial administrations blamed the habits of the indigenous people for the high death rates and described the pandemic in a manner which re-inscribed the superiority of the food, medicine and lifestyles of the West thereby indirectly legitimising their rule in each archipelago. Follow Alasdair Soussi on Twitter: @AlasdairSoussi The St Louis Red Cross Motor Corps on duty with mask-wearing women holding stretchers at the backs of ambulances during the Influenza epidemic, St Louis, Missouri, October 1918 [Photo by Underwood Archives/Getty Images] The 1918 Influenza pandemic killed a total of 50-100 million people [Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images] Sanaa, Yemen Rocked by more than three years of conflict, the majority of those living in Yemen are in need of humanitarian assistance. The civil war escalated in March 2015 when a Saudi-led coalition launch air attacks on Yemen against Houthi rebels captured much of the country. Since then, more than 10,000 people have been killed, millions have been forced to flee and the country has been ravaged by disease and hunger. This photo essay is provided by the UN refugee agency, UNHCR. Iraqis still remember the more than 400 civilians the US military killed in a single bombing in Baghdad in 1991. Sinan Antoon is an Iraqi poet and novelist. His latest novel is The Book of Collateral Damage. Iraqi collective memory is crowded with signifiers of pain and loss. Recent years have only added to the piles of bodies and rubble and their signifiers in a country ravaged by decades of brutal dictatorship, genocidal sanctions, and wars. The 2003 Anglo-American invasion (also known by its Orwellian name, Operation Iraqi Freedom) dismantled what was left of the Iraqi state drained by wars and sanctions. It also triggered and normalised the politics of chaos, corruption, and sectarian civil wars. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) was only the most recent and visceral byproduct of that invasion. While its discursive and symbolic repertoire digs deep into the distant past, ISILs umbilical cord was formed and nurtured around 2003. Iraqis are still reeling from the violence and horror unleashed by the rise of ISIL and its occupation of Mosul and other cities in 2014 and the massacres and destruction it left behind. Mosul and other cities and towns are liberated now, but hundreds of thousands of Iraqis are still displaced in camps far away from their now destroyed homes. Promises of reconstruction and rehabilitation by one of the most corrupt regimes in the world are yet to be translated to concrete results. But today, as with every year, many Iraqis will mark and mourn a massacre that took place 27 years ago. Al-Amiriyya is still a major entry in the Iraqi book of pain. At 4:30 am on February 13, 1991, two US F-117 flying over Baghdad fired two laser-guided smart bombs, each weighing 2000 pounds (900kg). Their destination was a large civilian shelter (number 25) in al-Amiriyya, a residential neighbourhood in western Baghdad. A thousand civilians were sleeping in the shelter that night. The first bomb pierced the fortified concrete wall through the ventilation opening. The second one followed through and exploded deep inside. The bombing killed408 civilians, including 261 women, and 52 children. The youngest victim was seven days old. Most of the victims were incinerated by the heat of the explosion. The bodies taken out by rescue workers later were charred and unrecognisable. The smell of burned flesh stayed in the neighbourhood for days. Amir Adnan, a survivor of al-Amiriyya shelter tragedy, celebrates his birthday inside the shelter on January 10, 2001. Adnans seven-member family was among the more than 400 civilians who were killed inside the shelter [Reuters] The Pentagon insisted that the al-Amiriyya shelter was a bunker used as a military command centre. It claimed that US surveillance had detected signs indicating that it was a military installation in the days before the bombing. The Pentagons operation director at the time said that both bombs landed right where they were programmed. But foreign journalists who visited the site right after the bombing found no indication whatsoever that the place was anything but a civilian shelter. President George HW Bushs spokesperson, Marlin Fitzwater, said: We dont know why civilians were at that location, but we do know that Saddam Hussein does not share our value for the sanctity of human life. [He] kills civilians intentionally and with purpose. Dick Cheney, who was defence secretary at the time, laid the blame on Iraq and suggested that it was intentionally putting civilians in military sites. The daily bombing campaigns all over Iraq had been ongoing since January 17 of that year. The declared objective was to drive the occupying Iraqi army out of Kuwait, which it had invaded in August 1990. But it resulted in crippling Iraqs infrastructure by destroying 134 bridges, 18 of Iraqs 20 power-generating plants, industrial complexes, oil refineries, sewage pumping stations, and telecommunications facilities. Postwar electricity was reduced to four percent of prewar levels. Just as Secretary of State James Baker had warned, Iraq was bombed back to the pre-industrial age. The economic loss of the 43-day bombing campaign was estimated to be $232bn. A few months later, on June 8, a victory parade was held in Washington, DC to celebrate the end of Operation Desert Storm. General Norman Schwarzkopf, who led the operation, joined Bush Sr in the reviewing stand. But back in Iraq, another war went on in a different manner and would go on until 2003. The economic sanctions that were imposed on Iraq to force it out of Kuwait were kept in place despite their cruelty and devastating effects on all facets of life. By 1995, the UN reported that more than half a million Iraqi children had died because of these lethal sanctions and that far from hurting the regime, they were killing civilians and destroying Iraqs social fabric. Still, Madeleine Albright, the then US ambassador to the UN, said in an infamous interview that the political price was worth it. So much for the sanctity of life. Every US administration after Bush Sr has bombed Iraq for one reason or another. Some of the same characters who oversaw the first Gulf War in 1991 made a comeback in in the beginning of this century to sell and execute the 2003 invasion of Iraq. An Iraqi woman who lost eight of her children during the bombing of al-Amiriyya shelter in 1991 explains to visiting members of an Arab union who attended a conference in solidarity with Iraq in February 1999 [Reuters] The Iraqi regime made use of the tragedy and the site for its propaganda purposes. The destroyed al-Amiriyya shelter became a memorial. The black-and-white photographs of the 408 victims hung on the walls of its dark chambers. Some of the scorched and eviscerated bodies of the victims had left their marks on the walls and floor. Survivors and relatives would visit to mourn and remember. A mother who lost eight of her children became a guide. Today, however, the site is neglected and closed to the public. An Iraqi army unit is stationed there. There will be no official mention or commemoration of the al-Amiriyya massacre. The Iraqi government and the entire political class are beneficiaries of the US and its wars. They recognise and commemorate the crimes of Saddam Hussein and the Baath regime and now ISIL and exploit them for their narrow and sectarian political purposes. But Iraqis will never forget al-Amiriyya. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. On February 5, in an article published in the opinion section of Al Jazeera English, author Eisa Khan Ayoobi classified Afghan President Ashraf Ghani as an ethnonationalist, surprising many people who have been following Ghanis political career and tenure as president closely. I have known Ghani personally for several years I served as the senior policy adviser at the Afghanistan Security Transition Commission which he chaired, I was a member of his electoral campaign team on behalf of the Afghanistan Social Democratic Party, and for the past year, I have been serving as a deputy minister in his National Unity Government. I can confidently say that the president I know and work closely with is not an ethnonationalist. In his article, Mr Ayoobi implied that President Ghani came to power as result of a fraud-ridden election. It is true that the 2014 presidential election in Afghanistan was a difficult one, with widespread allegations of irregularities. But in September 2014, Afghanistans election commission conducted a UN-sponsored audit of all votes to lay the aforementioned fraud allegations to rest and declared Ghani as the legitimate winner of the election. Even though Ghanis victory was confirmed by both local authorities and independent international observers, the Afghan society was still deeply divided following the challenging electoral process. The Pashtun majority in the country, who overwhelmingly voted for Ghani, was content with the final election result, but his rival Abdullah Abdullahs supporters were still dissatisfied. To bridge these divisions within the society, even though he was under no obligation to do so, Ghani agreed to the formation of a National Unity Government (NUG) in which he would share power with Abdullah. When President Ghani visited Washington in March 2015 along with Abdullah who had become Afghanistans first chief executive officer thanks to the agreed power-sharing mechanism the then US foreign secretary John Kerry applauded Ghani for taking such a unifying stance following the election. [Ghani] was not required by any law, by any rule, by any precedent to share power and create a unity government, Kerry said. But, he did so because he believed it was in the best interests of Afghanistan and it was the best way to move forward. Therefore, the formation of the NUG in itself can be seen as a clear indication that President Ghani is not an ethnonationalist but a unifying force working to bring the divided Afghan society together. Ghani owed his electoral success to the Pashtun community, yet he still made certain that different ethnicities of Afghanistan are represented in his government. Today, those chosen by Ghani as ministers, heads of powerful independent directorates and key advisers are not only Pashtuns. Some of Ghanis most powerful ministers and closest advisors are also non-Pashtuns or Dari-speakers. He also makes second-tier appointments, such as deputy ministers, based on merit and not ethnicity. Ghani even angered or alienated some Pashtun activists who actively supported him during his electoral campaign by not offering them positions in his government. According to the Afghan constitution, Pashto and Dari are the two official languages of the state. President Ghani, an ethnic Pashtun, delivers almost most of his public and official speeches in Dari the variety of the Persian language spoken in Afghanistan. Similarly, he speaks in the cabinet and other high-level meetings mostly in Dari. He does so intentionally to demonstrate that he is the leader of Afghanistan and not merely the representative of the Pashtun majority that voted for him. It must be noted that Afghanistans Pashtun establishment has traditionally played the role of Big Brother, offering candidates from ethnic minorities powerful positions in the government in an attempt to reassure minorities that they are an important part of the Afghan society. President Ghanis political behaviour with regards to dealing with Afghanistans ethnic minorities fits very well with this unwritten rule that has long been practiced by Afghanistans Pashtun rulers. Some Pashtun political circles are increasingly critical of such conduct and consider it as a gateway to the gradual marginalisation of the Pashtun majority, while others view it as a political necessity to keep the multiethnic nation united. President Ghani clearly agrees with the latter group. The peace deal President Ghani signed with Hezb-i-Islami party leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar should also be seen as a great breakthrough in peace efforts and unification of the Afghan society. Hekmatyar is not merely a tribal chief but the leader of one of the most influential Islamist political parties in the country. The peace agreement that brought him into the mainstream politics was based on national consensus. The agreement was widely welcomed both nationally and within international circles, as it was for the greater good of the country. This agreement was welcomed because many people agree that Hekmatyar doing politics within the confines of Afghan constitution is a thousand times better than a scenario in which he takes up arms against the state, jeopardising our national security. In this context, it is clear that President Ghani cannot be classified as an ethnonationalist. Of course, Ghani may be labelled as a nationalist in the broader sense, as he is a die-hard patriot, but his patriotism is not in any way limited to the Pashtun ethnicity. So far, he has played the role of a unifying figure for all Afghans, and this will definitely give him an edge over his political rivals in the upcoming presidential election. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Syrian poet Adunis may be at the heart of modern Arabic poetry, yet the Arab Spring has consigned him to irrelevance. Indigenous leaders say not guilty verdict in Native mans killing highlights deep-seated racism in Canada. The family of an indigenous man who was killed in 2016 in Canada has taken their fight for justice to the countrys capital after a white farmer was found not guilty in the shooting death of their relative. Colten Boushie, a 22-year-old indigenous man from Red Pheasant First Nation in Saskatchewan, a province in central Canada, was shot dead after he and some friends drove onto a farm in search of help with a flat tyre. A jury acquitted Gerald Stanley, who shot Boushie in the head, of second-degree murder and the lesser charge of manslaughter on Friday. The white farmer testified that he never meant to kill anyone and that his gun just went off. The case has re-ignited long-standing racial tensions in the province and raised questions about equal access to justice for First Nations peoples across the country. Boushies cousin, Jade Tootoosis, is among several members of the Boushie family who are meeting with government ministers in Ottawa this week, where they are expected to demand changes to the Canadian justice system. Tootoosis said she wants Canada to take action so that no other families go through what we went through. Were hoping that we have these meetings and our concerns are heard and not just listened to, but taken into action, she told CBC News. {articleGUID} We have questions and we want answers, she added. The family met Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett and Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott on Monday. They also plan to meet Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale and Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould on Tuesday, both ministries told Al Jazeera. We will fight for generations to come, Alvin Baptiste, Boushies uncle, told reporters on Monday. I dont want my grandkids to live like this, to see this day that we have suffered, or any other families that suffered. My heart cries today. Judicial reform Asked about the verdict in the House of Commons on Monday afternoon, Justin Trudeau, Canadas prime minister, said it would be inappropriate to comment on the specifics of the case. There are systemic issues in our criminal justice system that we must address, Trudeau said, adding that his government was committed to broad-based reform. As a country, we must and we can do better, he said, without going into any specifics. Earlier this month, Wilson-Raybould, the justice minister, raised concern about the under-representation of indigenous peoples on Canadian juries, which she described as an issue in several provinces and a reality I find concerning. That under-representation is caused by a number of factors, including distrust in the justice system and the use of peremptory challenges, a legal mechanism that allows Crown and defence attorneys to dismiss potential jurors without needing to provide a reason. A 2013 inquiry into First Nations representation on juries in Ontario, Canadas most populous province, recommended that Canadas Criminal Code be reformed to prevent the use of peremptory challenges to discriminate against First Nations people serving on juries. There reportedly were no indigenous peoples on the 12-person jury in the Stanley case. The defence [lawyers for Stanley] used those peremptory challenges to eliminate anyone who looked Indigenous, Toronto-based criminal lawyer David Butt said in a recent article in The Globe and Mail newspaper. Butt said a solution would be to limit or override peremptory challenges if it becomes clear they have created an inappropriately homogeneous jury. Canada could also ensure the pool of prospective jurors is so large, and so diverse that peremptory challenges would not prevent a diverse jury, he wrote. Canada polarised But indigenous leaders say the case hints at a deeper problem of anti-indigenous racism in Canada. Niigaan Sinclair, an associate professor in the Department of Native Studies at the University of Manitoba, described the verdict as yet another unsurprising example of the treatment of indigenous lives in Canada, which is always second class, which is lesser than. This is what you get when you spend 150 years perpetuating genocide and continuing violent policies, Sinclair told Al Jazeera. Indigenous leaders have questioned Trudeaus promise to pursue reconciliation [Chris Wattie/Reuters] Over the weekend, rallies were held in solidarity with the Boushie family in several Canadian cities, including Toronto, Vancouver, and Regina, the capital of Saskatchewan. Sinclair, who helped organise a rally in Winnipeg on Saturday, said tens of thousands of indigenous and non-indigenous people took part in protests over the weekend to demand justice for Boushie. An online fundraiser for the Boushie family had raised almost $110,000 (over $138,000 Canadian) by Tuesday morning. But despite this showing of support, a GoFundMe page in support of Stanley has also drawn over 1,900 backers and raised almost $108,000 (about $136,000 Canadian). Those supporters feel its a good thing that theres another Indian dead, Sinclair said. Its a very polarised country at the moment when it comes to indigenous issues. David Pratt, second vice-chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, which represents dozens of First Nations in Saskatchewan, told Al Jazeera the verdict sets a very, very dangerous precedent and underscores the fact that there is institutional, systemic racism in Canada. Pratt said he met with the provinces deputy premier on Monday, while the provincial premier also met with the Boushie family. Indigenous leaders in the province and across Canada are calling for an overhaul of the justice system, he added. We dont want to just meet and discuss for the sake of a picture, Pratt said. We want meaningful change, systemic change. We want legislation to be changed. We want representation. We want a justice system that actually serves our people because this has to end. Negative stereotypes Alika Lafontaine, former president of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada, told Al Jazeera negative stereotypes about indigenous peoples in Saskatchewan played a role in the outcome of the Stanley case. Part of that narrative is that First Nation and Metis people are aggressive, [that] you have to be careful and aware around them, said Lafontaine, who grew up, studied and worked in Saskatchewan until 2011. The narrative that the jury probably believed before even coming into the case was that Colten Boushie had no business being on that property and that he was probably there to cause trouble. With those stereotypes deeply embedded in the psyches of non-indigenous peoples in Saskatchewan and across Canada, Lafontaine said the trial made it clear that Stanleys supporters see themselves in the farmer. I think what the Gerald Stanley trial really brought out is that a lot of the people who cause harm to indigenous peoples are just average Canadians, he said. For indigenous peoples, however, the verdict is painful because this is what we live with every day. This isnt just about Colten Boushie. This is about not being believed, about myths that paint us as being aggressive, untrustworthy, et cetera, Lafontaine said. This has to do with the story of Canada. Murray Sinclair, a Canadian senator and former chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which investigated Canadas abusive residential school system, said he grieved for Canada after the Stanley verdict. I grieve for a family that has seen only injustice from the moment a farmer with a handgun (why does a farmer need a handgun?) killed their son, the senator wrote in a poem shared on social media. I may grieve for some time. But then again we have been grieving a long time. Tamimis case has become a rallying cry against Israels policy to detain hundreds of Palestinian children in jail. Bethlehem, occupied West Bank The trials of a prominent Palestinian teen activist and her mother have begun behind closed doors after an Israeli military judge banned media from entering the court. Ahed Tamimi, 17, was arrested in December after a video of her slapping and hitting two Israeli officials outside of her house in the village of Nabi Saleh went viral. Her mother, Nariman, was arrested soon after. Court proceedings began on Tuesday at Israels Ofer detention centre, with only family members allowed into the hearing after the judge barred reporters despite a request for a public trial by Gaby Lasky, the lawyer of the Tamimis. The court decided to close the doors because they think that its not good for Ahed. But what I think is that the court doesnt think its good for the court, Lasky told reporters. The hearing was the first court session since the judge ruled last month to keep the mother and daughter in Israeli custody for the duration of their trials. Aheds hearing lasted for two hours and her next court session is scheduled on March 11. She is tried separately from her mother, whose next hearing is set on March 6. The teen, who turned 17 while in detention, is facing 12 charges, including alleged assault and incitement, and could spend up to 10 years in prison if found guilty. The viral video was filmed shortly after Ahed was informed that her 15-year-old cousin had been severely wounded by Israeli forces who had shot him in the face with a rubber-coated steel bullet. Completely routine Amit Gilutz, spokesperson for Israeli rights group BTselem, said all of the practices being used against Ahed and Nariman are completely routine for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The military courts themselves are one of the most injurious mechanisms of the occupation and are not designed to seek justice or truth, but to maintain the occupation, Gilutz told Al Jazeera. Ahed Tamimis father, Bassem, waves as she arrives for her trial in West Bank on Tuesday [AFP] Both Ahed and her mother have been held in Israels HaSharon prison for almost two months. Ahed has since become an icon for the 330 Palestinian children currently held in Israels prisons, and rights groups have demanded her immediate release. As an unarmed girl, Ahed posed no threat during the altercation with the two Israeli soldiers who were heavily armed and wearing protective clothing, Magdalena Mughrabi, deputy director for Amnesty Internationals Middle East and Africa programme, said in a statement on Monday. Mughrabi said Ahed had not done anything that could justify her continued detention and the long, aggressive interrogation sessions she has been forced to endure. Yet again, the Israeli authorities have responded to acts of defiance by a Palestinian child with measures that are entirely disproportionate to the incident in question, she added. Human Rights Watch (HRW) also condemned the teens detention. Tamimis trial is both a violation of international law and unnecessary, Bill Van Esveld, an HRW senior researcher, said in a statement on Monday. Her case raises concerns that Israels military justice system, which detains hundreds of Palestinian children every year, is incapable of respecting childrens rights. Palestinian children simulate a detention and interrogation by Israeli forces [Courtesy Manal Tamimi] Since Aheds arrest, Israeli forces have continued a crackdown on Nabi Saleh residents, according to Manal Tamimi, a relative of the teen and her mother. Manals two sons have been held in Israeli custody since being arrested by Israeli forces last month. Since Aheds arrest, at least nine other members of the Tamimi family have been arrested, five of whom remain in Israeli custody. Most were detained during overnight Israeli army raids. Amid this environment, Manal said that Nabi Saleh residents initiated training and drill sessions for the communitys children and young adults to prepare them for potential arrests and interrogations by Israeli forces. During the training, children were blindfolded and their hands bound behind their backs a typical scene during overnight Israeli raids in the occupied West Bank. Manal told Al Jazeera the drills were necessary to prepare our children for Israeli detention tactics and to make sure they understand their rights. The village has also faced rising threats from settlers residing in Israels illegal Halamish settlement, located adjacent to the home of the Tamimi family. Earlier this month, locals said Israeli settlers had snuck into Nabi Saleh in the middle of the night and sprayed graffiti around the village, including slogans such as Death to Ahed Tamimi and Theres no place in this world for Ahed Tamimi. Minister Ayelet Shaked says keeping Israels Jewish majority is justified, even at the price of rights violations. Israel must safeguard a Jewish majority even at the expense of human rights, the countrys justice minister has said in a speech defending a bill that would legally define Israel as the national home of the Jewish people for the first time. Ayelet Shaked said on Monday that Israel must maintain both a Jewish majority and democracy, but stressed that keeping the states Jewish character may come at the price of human rights violations. There is place to maintain a Jewish majority even at the price of violation of rights, Shaked told a conference in Tel Aviv on Monday, Israeli media reported. In her speech, Shaked, a member of the far-right Jewish Home party, defended the so-called Jewish Nation-State Bill, which would constitutionally define Israel as the national home of the Jewish people for the first time. There are places where the character of the State of Israel as a Jewish state must be maintained, and this sometimes comes at the expense of equality, Shaked said, as reported by Israels Haaretz newspaper. Shaked said Israel must administer equal civil, but not national, rights. Israel is a Jewish state. It isnt a state of all its nations. That is, equal rights to all citizens but not equal national rights, she said. Highly dangerous The contentious Nation-State Bill, which still needs to be approved by Israels parliament, the Knesset, passed a preliminary reading last May. It is expected to be brought to a first reading later this year. The bill states that the right to exercise national self-determination in the State of Israel is unique to the Jewish people. It also demotes Arabic from an official language to a language with special status, even though it is the mother tongue of approximately 1.7 million Palestinian citizens of the state. Adalah, a legal centre for Palestinian citizens of Israel, said that, because the bill would become a Basic Law in Israel, i.e. constitutionally binding, its enactment could be used to justify through law widespread discrimination against Israels non-Jewish citizens. For that reason, it is highly dangerous, the group said. The bill would also force all citizens of the state, regardless of their religion, to comply with Jewish civil law, often without legal precedent, explained Mossawa, an advocacy centre for Palestinian citizens of Israel, in a position paper. The legislation clearly denigrates the non-Jewish, Palestinian Arab minority to the status of second-class citizens, Mossawa concluded. Displaced by war and endangered by assimilation, the Maronites of Cyprus fear for the future of their community. Kormakitis, Cyprus The fitful chirps of birds are the only sounds to break the silence, as Iosif Skordis, a robust 89-year-old with a taste for fuzzy wool caps, unhurriedly takes his usual seat on the narrow balcony outside this decades-old cafe. Turning slightly to his right, he points through an open green door to the handful of men all in their 60s, at least huddled around a card game beneath yellowed posters of Catholic popes and Lebanese leaders. These ones over there, they are the youngest of those of us still living here, Skordis says between sips of coffee, as afternoon breaks in Kormakitis. This tiny hilltop village in the horn of northwestern Cyprus is home to some 100 elderly Maronites, followers of one of the Catholic Churchs oldest branches. To be sure, time passes slowly here. But in fact, time is fast running out. We are headed towards extinction, says Antonis Haji Roussos, 78, sitting just a few metres away, in the shade of well-kept oleander trees. There is no future for our community, he adds, his voice calm yet imbued with a single, brittle note of emotion. Kormakitis resident Iosif Skordis, 89: Theres nothing like our village, I wouldnt change it for paradise [Dimitris Sideridis/Al Jazeera] A winding maze of sloping pathways and brick-and-stone houses, Kormakitis is pinned to the east and west by green rolling plains and idyllic beaches. Although fluent in Greek, its grey-haired inhabitants share news, jokes and thoughts in their indigenous tongue: a unique variety of Arabic heavily influenced by Aramaic, the language of Jesus. They are descendants of Christians who fled to Cyprus from modern-day Syria and Lebanon in four successive waves from the late 7th century onwards. Less than 50 years ago, Kormakitis was home to about 2,000 people. It was the beating heart of the islands small but vibrant Maronite community. But then in 1974, a brief Greece-backed coup prompted a military intervention by Turkish forces, which effectively divided the island between a Turkish Cypriot north and a Greek Cypriot south. The Maronites, who resided in four neighbouring northern villages, suddenly found themselves in the middle of an ethnic conflict that would have a devastating effect on their community. Their ancestral villages, which had for centuries shielded their culture and customs, were instantly seized by the Turkish army. Overnight, about 80 percent of Cyprus Maronites were uprooted, seeking shelter in the Greek-speaking south. But in Kormakitis, the largest of the villages, hundreds opted to stay behind. They were unharmed by the fighting, but life became increasingly difficult. With work opportunities shrinking and the villages only school shut, many especially the youth felt they had no choice but to leave Kormakitis for the more affluent south. Kormakitis is home today to about 100 year-round residents [Dimitris Sideridis/Al Jazeera] Yet for some, abandoning Kormakitis was never an option. Where could I have gone? Skordis asks, without waiting for an answer. This is where my father was born and died; my mother and siblings, too. Ive been a farmer all my life and everything Ive done, Ive done it here. In the end, some 120 Maronites remained enclaved in Kormakitis, living north of a United Nations-controlled no-mans land dividing the Mediterranean island. For decades, before the easing of border restrictions in 2003, the villagers would need to secure special permission to see their displaced loved ones in person. Contact was brief and sporadic. Life was lonely, recalls 71-year-old Annetta Maurohanna, who has been working at the cafe by the imposing St George Cathedral in the heart of Kormakitis for the past 30 years. But I didnt want to leave, she adds. Everyone craves to be at home. Each week, a UN truck would visit the largely cut off villagers to deliver foodstuffs, medicine and other vital supplies. Youd have to have been here to be able to understand the hardship that we went through, says Skordis, a father of six, pausing to hold back tears. Three of my daughters sent me messages before their weddings saying they didnt have any money to get married and I couldnt send them any, he continues. We suffered a lot, and thats why we now avoid remembering those times, so we dont get upset. Kormakitis resident Annetta Maurohanna, 71: My village means everything to me all my life, all my memories [Dimitris Sideridis/Al Jazeera] Today, the islands Maronites number an estimated 6,000 people. They are scattered across southern towns and villages, bar the band of elderly farmers, herdsmen and pensioners residing in Kormakitis and a handful of families living in Karpasha, further southeast. Two other nearby Maronite villages Asomatos and Ayia Marina (a previously mixed Maronite and Turkish Cypriot village) are empty of their residents and now used by the Turkish army as military bases. About half of the Maronite population is believed to trace its roots back to Kormakitis, and the vast majority of them have been allowed to repair their previously deserted houses. Its residents have ownership rights and can also sell or rent their land, as well as inherit it, but subject to specific conditions. The village comes alive again on weekends and holidays, its square filled with children and its cafes and tavernas overflowing with patrons. The school remains shut, but in the summer children here attend short language camps to learn Cypriot Maronite Arabic (CMA), referred to locally as Sanna. Passed down from generation to generation through everyday conversation, the centuries-old CMA is a variant of Arabic thats rooted in Aramaic but has taken words from Greek, Turkish and Latin. It is classified as a seriously endangered language by the Council of Europe, while 10 years ago experts created a written alphabet with the aim of codifying and preserving it. Mysteriously, the ancient dialect is only spoken by Kormakitis natives and not by any others Maronites from the communitys other remaining villages. Until 1974, children in Kormakitis would only begin learning Greek in the first grade. Currently, about 1,000 people speak our language, but theyre all aged over 40 and 50, says Mihalis Hadjiroussos, chairman of the Xki Fi Sanna NGO. The group, whose name translates to Speak Our Language, was set up more than a decade ago to protect and promote CMA through summer camps, afternoon lessons and cultural activities. Mihalis Hadjiroussos, 70: Cyprus is our homeland and Lebanon is our second homeland [Dimitris Sideridis/Al Jazeera] But such revival efforts dont go very far. Following international pressure, the Cypriot government in 2008 recognised CMA as a minority language, but it did not formally incorporate it into the education system. That means that summer camps and afternoon classes aside, many younger Maronites see little use in learning a moribund language distancing themselves further from their endangered communitys identity. Our chance to survive as a community, and to save our language, is to go back to our villages, says Hadjiroussos, 70, sitting around other elderly Maronites in their communitys club in Nicosia, Cypruss capital. If 2,000 people go back to the village and stay there then the right conditions will be created for people to speak the language and for weddings between people from the village to take place. Thats at the heart of Maronites fears over their communitys looming extinction. Dispersed among Greek Cypriots and away from their parents villages, the overwhelming majority of Maronites an estimated nine out of 10 marry outside their community. Giorgos Skordis, a 47-year-old actuary, is a rare exception. His wife, Antoinetta, was the last person to be born in Kormakitis, while the couples wedding in 2008 was the first in the village after 1974. The community has been almost fully assimilated, says Skordis, in a cafe in Nicosia. Many, perhaps even most [Maronites], have started feeling like Greeks. Even though they came from Lebanon, spoke Arabic and ethnically theyre not Greeks owing to their schooling, mixed weddings and displacement, he explains. And the ones who dont feel like that, theyre forced to, in a way, because their children and their grandchildren are Greek Cypriots. The Kormakitis cafe is a regular meeting spot for Maronites in Nicosia [Dimitris Sideridis/Al Jazeera] Cyprus is home to one of the worlds longest-running frozen conflicts. Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders have long worked towards a deal to reunify the island, but several UN-mediated attempts to reach an agreement have collapsed, often in mutual recrimination, insults and anger. Amid the charged and pervasive reality of a divided Cyprus, smaller communities such as the Maronites feel trapped between two fronts. Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots have massive differences, and we are the victims of that, says Haji Roussos. He should know. As a non-voting representative of the Maronite community in Cypruss House of Representatives for 20 years, Haji Roussos experienced marginalisation first-hand. I once met the US ambassador and told him that, We wont be able to survive without support,' Haji Roussos says. He responded, I realise this, you are like the ball in a ping pong match being hit around, but we cant do anything about it.' Under the Republic of Cyprus Constitution of 1960, the Maronite community is recognised as a religious group but not a minority. Haji Roussos and others have long campaigned for the change of the communitys status but to no avail. Although there was goodwill on behalf of the [Greek Cypriot] government and the parliament, but they used the argument that they couldnt change the Constitution, he says. Antonis Haji Roussos, ex-Maronite representative in Greek Cypriot parliament [Dimitris Sideridis/Al Jazeera] At independence in 1960, Cypruss bicommunal constitution arranged for a Greek Cypriot president and Turkish Cypriot deputy, in a power-sharing agreement that was short-lived. Solely identified as a religious group, the islands Maronites, Armenians and Latins were asked to choose which of the two largest communities to join and all three opted to be identified as Greek Cypriots due to religious affinity and linguistic and cultural bonds adding yet another layer to the islands complex reality. The Cyprus problem is presented as simply a Greek-Turkish problem, which results in all other important matters being ignored and side-stepped, says Costas Constantinou, a professor of international relations at the University of Cyprus. There is assimilation, while others say that the Cyprus problem shouldnt be complicated any further by also looking at the issues of minority groups, he adds. Last summer, Turkish Cypriot leaders announced that a plan would be presented about the opening up of the rest of Maronite villages to their former inhabitants and the completion of infrastructure work to make resettlement possible. Not much has since happened, but the Greek Cypriot side at the time rejected the move, calling it communications tricks and part of a plan to not place such villages under Greek Cypriot administration after a solution to the islands division is reached. Back in Kormakitis, Maurohanna, the cafe server who has known no other home than this village, said time is of the essence. We sacrificed ourselves and we managed to keep our villages, she says. But if no people return, everything will cease to exist. This is what we want: a peaceful resolution to the Cyprus problem and everybody to come back. Donors pledge more than $300m for post-ISIL Iraq Non-governmental organisations at the Kuwait-hosted conference over reconstruction in war-torn Iraq have pledged more than $300 million, far short of the $100 billion requested. Egyptian authorities have arrested Hisham Genena, the countrys former top auditor and aide to Sami Anan, Egypts former chief of staff who is currently imprisoned. Genenas lawyer confirmed to local media on Tuesday that he was taken from his home in the New Cairo district of the capital this afternoon. It is unclear where he will be transferred to at this time. He had been assisting Anan in his presidential campaign before it was abruptly suspended last month. Anan, who is held in a military prison, was detained on allegations he committed violations that warrant official investigation, and incitement against the army. On Monday, the Supreme Committee of the Armed Forces (SCAF) said it will launch an investigation into both the ex-presidential candidate and his campaign manager, over remarks in which Genena claimed Anan held secret documents and evidence that would undermine the country and its leadership. Genena also said that the files would incriminate people in power for incidents that followed the January 25 uprising. In a statement, SCAF spokesman Tamer Rifai had said that the armed forces will use all the rights it is guaranteed by the constitution to take legal action against the defendants. In televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says police recommendation will end with nothing. Israeli police have recommended indicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for bribery, fraud and breach of trust after months of investigation into two corruption cases. The recommendations on Tuesday will now go to the attorney general, who will decide whether to prosecute him or not. Netanyahu appeared defiant in a live television address later on Tuesday, saying he intends to stay in power and that the police recommendations would end with nothing. All I did was for the benefit of the state of Israel, Netanyahu said, as reported by The Jerusalem Post. This is what I did up until now and what I will continue to do. Two cases The prime minister has been investigated in relation to two corruption cases. In the first investigation, known Case 1000, Netanyahu is suspected of accepting gifts from wealthy businessmen in exchange for political favours, Israeli media reported. There is sufficient evidence against the [prime minister] on suspicions for the offence of accepting bribes, fraud and breach of trust, Israeli police said in a statement. Police allege Netanyahu received champagne, cigars, jewellery and clothing valued at around $280,000, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported. The second investigation, Case 2000, involves allegations that Netanyahu tried to come to a deal for positive coverage in Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, in exchange for weakening its rival, Israel Hayom. Police said that probe also turned up sufficient evidence to charge Netanyahu with bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Al Jazeeras Harry Fawcett, reporting from Jerusalem, said Netanyahus response was in line with his position throughout this case, still insisting that he is innocent, that nothing will come from this. Its now being passed over to the attorney general to decide whether to indict him or not, Fawcett reported. Later on Tuesday, Ayman Odeh, head of the Joint List, a bloc of Palestinian political parties in the Israeli parliament, said that Netanyahu was corrupt and dangerous. Netanyahu must go home, he wrote on Twitter. Former South Korean President Park Geun-hyes confidante found guilty of using her ties for personal gain. A close friend of the former South Korean president, Park Geun-hye, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison over corruption, in a case that led to Parks impeachment. Choi Soon-sil was found guilty on Tuesday by the Seoul Central District Court of using her friendship with Park to meddle in state affairs for personal gain. She was convicted of bribing South Korean conglomerates including Samsung, in a scandal that triggered chaos among the countrys political and business elite. The 61-year-old, who was detained in November 2016, was also fined $16.6m. Choi is the confidante of Park, who was dismissed from the presidency last year after being impeached over a corruption scandal that paralysed her administration and triggered massive street protests. Park denies any wrongdoing. Prosecutors had demanded a 25-year sentence for Choi. Al Jazeeras Natasha Ghoneim, reporting from the South Korean capital, said: Prosecutors described Choi as a woman who shook South Korean societys foundation and paralysed the political process to the extent that this will impact generations to come. Choi has said all along that this was political revenge, she is innocent and that she believes due to the bias against her she was not going to be able to get a fair trial, Ghoneim added. Earlier this month, an appeals court freed Samsung Group heir Lee Jae-yong and reduced his five-year jail term, as it dismissed a number of charges against him. The billionaire was convicted in August last year of bribing Park with $8.2m in return for government backing of a business merger. Amid the bribery claims, thousands protested calling for Park to step down. She was indicted on multiple charges, including bribery, a month after she was fired as president by the top court in March. A verdict in her case is expected in the next couple of months. Liberal politician Moon Jae-in was elected the new president in May. Ukraine deports opposition leader Mikheil Saakashvili to Poland, months after stripping him of Ukrainian citizenship. Mikheil Saakashvili, Georgias former president who turned to opposition politics in Ukraine, has been making international headlines over the past months with a string of dramatic scenes of unrest. Last September, he used a crowd of supporters to barge past guards to enter Ukraine from the Polish border, to protest against the Ukrainian governments decision to strip him of his Ukrainian citizenship. In December, Saakashvili climbed on the roof of a building in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, as armed police stormed his apartment. After he was dragged down by the security forces and bundled into a police van, a group of supporters rushed to his aid, ripping off the doors of the vehicle to allow his escape. The latest dramatic episode came on Monday, when a large group of men in military uniforms dragged him out of a restaurant and deported him to Poland. Saakashvili called the move kidnapping. Whats behind the ordeal? Saakashvili was granted Ukrainian citizenship in 2015 by President Petro Poroshenko, who made him governor of Ukraines Odessa region. Poroshenko said Saakashvili would help Ukraine battle corruption, citing his success of all but eradicating it in Georgia during his presidency there from 2004 to 2013. But a year later, Saakashvili resigned and called for Poroshenkos removal, accusing the Ukrainian president of protecting corrupt Ukrainians. The president reacted by stripping his former ally of his citizenship in July 2017, turning him into a stateless person, since Saakashvili lost his Georgian citizenship to accept the Ukrainian one. The development gave him more notoriety, boosting his voice against the Ukrainian leader. Saakashvilis political arena became larger after becoming stateless [Gleb Garanich/Reuters] Why Poland? The Ukrainian government had three choices in dealing with Saakashvili: an arrest, deportation to Georgia, or exile in Poland. Ukrainian prosecutors accuse Saakashvili of having assisted a criminal organisation a charge that is widely seen as trumped up. Security services said he received financing from a criminal group linked to former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich during the 2014 Ukrainian revolution. The Ukrainian government refrained from arresting Saakashvili to avoid turning the former Georgian politician into a cause celebre, and to avoid international condemnation for holding a political prisoner. The second option would have had a similar effect, since Saakashvili faces prison in Georgia for what he calls politically-motivated charges over abuse of presidential office with his pardon powers. Saakashvili believes that the Georgian government asked Ukraine not to extradite him to Tbilisi, the Georgian capital. The Georgian government is afraid of me, he told Ukraines News One broadcaster. Exile in Poland would hardly stop Saakashvili from campaigning against Poroshenko, but it seems to have been considered the least damaging for Ukraines image. He crossed the border into Ukraine without a passport from Poland, so it seemed logical to return him to the country. What next? Shortly after his deportation on Monday, Saakashvili told his supporters through a phone comment to News One that he would fight to the end against Poroshenkos government. I am with you and I will fight to the end. To their end and to our victory, he said. He also said that he was not claiming asylum in Poland. On Tuesday, Saakashvili appealed for help to the European Union and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. In an interview with German publication Bild, he described the deportation as kidnapping. If the European Union and especially Chancellor Angela Merkel dont finally do something Ukraine will break apart, he said, directly accusing Poroshenko of ordering the operation against him. Saakashvili appealed for help to the European Union [Oleh Tereshchenko/Reuters] Carl Bildt, a former Swedish prime minister, said on Twitter: Depriving Saakashvili of his only citizenship was a clear violation of his human rights. Forcibly deporting him makes things even worse. Serhiy Leshchenko, a Ukrainian journalist and member of parliament, said the move was the worst example of selective justice, adding that Poroshenko shot himself in the foot. Georgias Defence Minister Levan Izoria supported Ukraines move, saying: When there are facts indicating breach of law, one must face justice [even if he is a former president]. Al Jazeera talked to Saakashvili recently about his standoff with Poroshenko. The interview can be viewed below. Defence minister says Pakistan to pay for misadventure after loss of six Indian soldiers in attack on Jammu army camp. New Delhi, India India has warned Pakistan that it will pay for its misadventure in Indian-administered Kashmir in the wake of a deadly attack on an army camp in Jammu city. At least six Indian soldiers were killed after fighters stormed the Sunjuwan army camp on Saturday. The three attackers were killed in the ensuing gun battle that continued for more than two days. Pakistan is expanding the arc of terror We will be providing evidence to prove that the handlers are back in Pakistan and they are the mastermind, influencing all this Pakistan will pay for this misadventure, Nirmala Sitharaman, Indias defence minister, said on Monday. Her comments came as the divided Himalayan region witnessed two deadly attacks in three days, raising tension between the South Asian neighbours. Indian officials blamed Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), a Pakistan-based armed group, for the Jammu attack, but Pakistans foreign ministry said in a statement the Indian allegations are premature and inopportune. Mohammed Faisal, Foreign Office spokesperson, on Tuesday said Indias tendency of apportioning blame to Pakistan, without a shred of evidence, is regrettable and carries no credibility. He added: More deplorable is [Indias] threatening tone [that] further vitiates the already tense environment marked by unprecedented ceasefire violations by India. Separately, Khurram Dastgir, Pakistans defence minister, said: Any Indian aggression, strategic miscalculation, or misadventure shall be met with an equal and proportionate response. Srinagar attack On Tuesday, an official from Indias Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) said a paramilitary soldier and two fighters were killed in another attack in Srinagar, the main city of Indian-administered Kashmir. Rajesh Yadav, the CRPF spokesperson, told Al Jazeera that a search operation in the area had triggered a gun battle with the attackers. The encounter continued for around 20 hours, in which we lost one paramilitary personnel. The two terrorists were also killed who were hiding in a huge building. The operation is over, the official said. Initial inputs suggest both of them belonged to Lashkar-e-Taiba group although we are yet to confirm their identity, Yadav said. Two deadly incidents in three days has raised India-Pakistan tensions[Danish Ismail/Reuters] Saturdays assault on the army base was the biggest since September 2016 when separatist fighters stormed an army base in Kashmirs border town of Uri, killing 18 Indian soldiers. According to the Jammu & Kashmir government, at least 56 Indian security forces have been killed in the last three years in cross-border exchanges, ending a largely successful ceasefire agreement signed in 2003. The government blames Pakistani soldiers for the deaths of as many as 97 people, including 41 civilians, and injuries to 383 others in 834 ceasefire violations in the last three years. Call for dialogue The ongoing low-intensity conflict in Kashmir has raised questions about the efficacy of Narendra Modis inflexible approach. Mehbooba Mufti, who governs Jammu & Kashmir as the chief minister of a coalition that includes Modis BJP, on Monday urged India and Pakistan to hold talks. Our basic problem has not been resolved. There is no solution without dialogue, she said. Experts say the violence could escalate in the days ahead unless the governments of India and Pakistan take urgent measures. The increasing violence on the border and terror attacks in the state signifies the inability of the Indian and Pakistani governments to arrive at a modus vivendi for conflict de-escalation, Happymon Jacob, professor at the School of International Studies at New Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University, told Al Jazeera. But with national elections coming up in 2019, the political leadership in both countries are seen as having few incentives to make peace overtures or come up with diplomatic proposals. Broadly speaking, Pakistan should rein in the anti-India terror groups, and New Delhi should be willing to discuss outstanding issues with Pakistan including that of Kashmir. Unless there is political will on both sides, none of this can be achieved, Jacob said. Rifat Fareed reported from Srinagar. India blames Saturdays assault in Jammu on Pakistan-based fighters [Mukesh Gupta/Reuters] Palestinian children speak of beatings in Israeli detention Fawzi al-Junaidi, the 16-year-old Palestinian boy whose arrest while blindfolded by a group of Israeli soldiers in occupied Hebron was captured in a photo that went viral, has spoken to Al Jazeera about his detention. Rights groups say Israel responsible for more than 50 deaths in besieged Gaza Strip in 2017 for lack of medical permits. Israel was responsible for at least 54 Palestinian deaths last year as it rejected hundreds of medical permit requests it received from Gaza residents seeking treatment outside the besieged strip, rights groups have said. In a joint statement on Tuesday, the Gaza-based Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), and Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI), highlighted the immediate need for Israel to end its decade-long siege of the Gaza Strip. In 2017, Israeli authorities approved fewer than half the medical permit requests it received, which were tied to appointments and treatment sessions in hospitals across the occupied territories and Israel the lowest level since 2008. More than 25,000 permit requests were submitted to Israeli authorities. Of those, 719 were refused, often under the pretext of security. Another 11,281 applications are still pending approval meaning thousands of people are in a state of jeopardy. Samir Zaqout, Al Mezan director, told Al Jazeera that there is no real rational reason why patients in need of urgent medical assistance are denied hospital access. Israel is under a legal obligation to facilitate the freedom of movement of the Palestinian people, he said. It decided when it blockaded the strip not only to deny Gazans of the right to free movement, but it also punished the ill who have a right to access healthcare. In 2007, following the election victory of Hamas and the groups assumption of control over the territory, Israel imposed a strict land, aerial and naval blockade on Gaza. In 2013, neighbouring Egypt, which has largely closed its border crossing with Gaza, blocked tunnels connecting Gaza with Egypts el-Arish, shutting off the only other route out of the strip. The main alternative is a path via the Erez crossing, which transfers people to Israel and the rest of the occupied territories. 25,000 Gazans on lifes edge Over the years, Israel has placed obstacles in the way of those seeking medical permits, which facilitate the movement of the ill. For instance, child patients must have a guardian who is over 50 years old in order to travel. Children with cancer without a guardian of the correct age, therefore, have not been able to access life-saving hospital appointments, Zaqout said. Although Israel approves between 10 and 15 percent of permit requests, the bulk of the applications remains under review for months at a time, forcing many to reschedule appointments several times. The Israelis stall with the application requests and sometimes, not issuing a refusal at all makes it impossible for the patient to follow up with a lawyer or a rights organisation, Zaquot said. Only patients who are in need of urgent care are eligible to apply for medical permits, meaning more than 25,000 Gazans are between life and death. Who else do we turn to? Hani, father of seven-year-old cancer patient Ruba, said his daughter was recently denied a medical permit for the first time in seven years. Shes not the only one, said Hani, who chose to conceal his last name for fear of reprisal. I had a daughter who died when she was just seven months old, he told Al Jazeera. She suffered from the same cancer, and we lost her six years ago. I dont want to lose another daughter. Ruba was diagnosed with cancer when she was a toddler. She underwent a bone marrow transplant in January last year in a procedure that cost the family its savings. Ruba received the tissue donation from her brother. I made sure it was my healthiest son, I wanted her to have the best chance of surviving, Hani said. But without necessary treatment, he fears for his daughters life. Shes such a good girl, shes so pretty and smart, he said. Were good people and do everything right we face no problems with the authorities and our paperwork is always in order. Hani said the family had received permits before on some 300 occasions and was not given a reason for the latest refusal. I dont even understand why, there were no reasons given to me this time, and I utilised every contact I had nothing is more important to me than my childrens wellbeing. Who else do we turn to? Israel has over the past decade launched three major assaults on Gaza, worsening a stark humanitarian situation. With a major fuel and power crisis, the UN last week warned Gazas emergency fuel supplies would soon run dry unless it received immediate donor support. Fuel for generators to operate hospital supplies is largely absent. Since 2008, Gazas population has doubled while medical facilities remained poor. With severe restrictions on access to basic services, Gaza has been dubbed the worlds largest open-air prison. Follow Farah Najjar on Twitter: @NajjarF91 UNHCR head Filippo Grandi says refugees in Bangladesh in grave danger, with monsoon season beginning in March. Rohingya refugees are still not allowed to return to Myanmar, the United Nations high commissioner for refugees has told the UN Security Council. According to Filippo Grandi, conditions in Myanmar are not yet conducive for the 668,000 Rohingya to return home. The refugees fled to neighbouring Bangladesh after the Myanmar authorities launched a violent crackdown in northern Rakhine state last August. The causes of their flight have not been addressed, and we have yet to see substantive progress on addressing the exclusion and denial of rights that has deepened over the last decades, rooted in their lack of citizenship, he said. Grandi also said the office of the UNHCR lacks access to Rakhine, where hundreds of villages have been burned down by the Myanmar military. Humanitarian access, as you have heard, remains extremely restricted. UNHCR has not had access to affected areas of the northern part of Rakhine state, beyond Maungdaw town, since August 2017, and our access in central Rakhine has also been curtailed, he said. {articleGUID} UNHCR presence and access throughout the state are essential to monitor protection conditions, provide independent information to refugees, and accompany returns as and when they take place. Grandi recognised the efforts put in by both the government and the people of Bangladesh to house the Rohingya refugees, but warned that conditions have to improve for the hundreds of thousands of refugees especially with monsoon season starting in March. We are now in a race against time as a major new emergency looms. We estimate that more than 100,000 refugees are living in areas prone to flooding or landslides. Tens of thousands of particularly vulnerable refugees need to be urgently relocated, Grandi said. Their lives are at grave risk. After Grandi gave his recommendations to the Security Council, Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, commented that the UN had so far failed in its response to the crisis in Myanmar. {articleGUID} Haley, for her part, criticised Myanmars leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi for failing to halt the violence against the Rohingya. This council must hold the military responsible for its actions and pressure Aung San Suu Kyi to acknowledge the horrific acts taking place in her country, Haley said. No more excuses. Ambassador Haley went on to say that the goal of the Myanmar authorities is to blame the media for whats going on, Al Jazeera Diplomatic Editor James Bays, reporting from New York City, said. Haley and several other UN ambassadors referred specifically to the arrest of two journalists from international news agency Reuters. The journalists were arrested while investigating a story about mass graves in Rakhine. For the Myanmar government, their ambassador said that the country respects the freedom of the press. It says the journalists were arrested because they broke state secrecy laws, our correspondent said. {articleGUID} Nearly 690,000 Rohingya have fled Rakhine and crossed into southern Bangladesh since August, when attacks on security posts by rebels triggered a military crackdown that the UN has said may amount to genocide. Myanmars government has denied the allegations. Since August, the number of refugees fleeing to Bangladesh has gone down, with up to 1,500 arriving in the last month, according to the UN. Last month, Bangladesh announced it would delay the repatriation of hundreds of thousands of displaced Rohingya amid fears over their safety once they return. Saakashvili deported from Ukraine after kidnapping Mikheil Saakashvili, a Ukrainian opposition leader and a former president of Georgia, says he has been kidnapped in Kiev and sent to Poland. Security footage showed Saakashvili being dragged from a restaurant by men in military uniforms. ANCs National Executive Committee says Zumas removal should be treated with urgency, but no deadline is set. South Africas ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), says it has decided that President Jacob Zuma must leave office, but said no deadline was set for him to resign. ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule said on Tuesday that the partys National Executive Committee (NEC) believes Zumas removal should be treated with urgency. However, he said that the NEC had not discussed any motion of no-confidence against the embattled president of the country. #Magashule This decision will be communicated publicly and through appropriate forums to all structures of the ANC, Alliance Structures and all the Mass Democratic Formations. African National Congress (@MYANC) February 13, 2018 The NEC therefore decided as follows: To recall its deployee, Comrade Jacob Zuma, in accordance with Rule 12.2.21.2 of the ANC Constitution, which accords the NEC the authority to recall any public representative. Magashule added we will deal with that matter if Zuma refuses to heed the party decision, which was taken after exhaustive discussion. The ANC decision is only a party-level instruction. Zuma is under no constitutional obligation to resign, which means if he refuses to step down, the party will have to navigate the prospect of calling for a motion of no-confidence against Zuma in parliament. The president faces hundreds of corruption charges but has previously vowed to stay in office until his term ends next year. Zuma was found to have given favour to an Indian-born immigrant family known as the Guptas, in what became known as the state capture scandal. But there are still some who defend Zuma, saying he is being targeted unfairly in a system that is underpinned by corruption. Zuma joined the ANC in 1958 and is considered one of the party stalwarts. He spent time on Robben Island and lived in exile before returning to the country in 1990. Known for being an astute political operator, Zuma has survived several no-confidence votes in parliament and, until early February, believed he would survive another. But the tide has changed and several of his allies abandoned him. Since being elected president of the ANC in December, Cyril Ramaphosa has been clear that he had no intention of humiliating Zuma. The party reportedly wants him to bow out rather than drag the process to a no-confidence vote in parliament, which he is likely to lose. The ANCs statement did little to stem the tide of frustration among South Africans who want the president gone, and there is still no indication that Zuma is willing to stand down SA is, in all intense and purposes, leaderless. The old is dying, the new is struggling to be born. Nobody's telling. The country's in the dark. Rumours are having a field day #ZumaRecall Barney Mthombothi (@mthombothi) February 13, 2018 The ANC has been careful in trying to spin the recall of Zuma as a matter of transitioning to Ramaphosa and not as a punitive measure. This has only muddled the decision to recall Zuma even further. Tillersons comments come during donor conference in Kuwait to support reconstruction and stabilisation efforts in Iraq. The fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group is far from over, the US secretary of state has said, urging unity among Arab countries in the Gulf for the sake of regional stability. Rex Tillerson says the rift between Qatar and its former allies in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) namely Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, as well as Egypt is counterproductive to efforts to root out the group. The countries imposed a blockade on Qatar last June. The end of major combat operations does not mean we have achieved the enduring defeat of ISIS, Tillerson said during a meeting on Tuesday in Kuwait City. He said US priorities are to prevent ISIS from establishing a so-called caliphate in Iraq and Syria, recruiting new members and being able to train for future attacks. Without continued attention and support from coalition members, we risk the return of extremist groups like ISIS in liberated areas of Iraq and Syria and their spread to new locations, he said. The US also pledged $200m to support stabilisation efforts in Syria, Tillerson announced. Ibrahim Fraihat, professor of conflict resolution at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies in Qatar, said Tillerson was sending a message that the two tracks cannot be disconnected: that the war on terrorism can be affected by instability in the Gulf. Iraq reconstruction Tillersons comments came during a three-day donor conference in Kuwait to support reconstruction and stabilisation efforts in Iraq. Experts estimate $88bn is needed to fund the reconstruction efforts, and, of that, $22bn is urgently needed to begin the rebuilding process, said Fraihat. Large parts of Iraqs second-largest city, Mosul, which was long held by ISIL fighters, are still in ruins more than six months after it was retaken by the Iraqi government. The US role is always key in any process, especially in Iraq. This whole thing started back in 2003 with the American invasion of Iraq and the regime change the US caused there, Fraihat told Al Jazeera. So far, the groups leading the reconstruction process in Iraq have been the European Union, World Bank, UN, Kuwait and the Iraqi government itself, he said. The US should be taking a leading role in this, whether its in terms of financing, or in terms of providing the support for this reconstruction process. Judge rules it remains in public interest to enforce UK warrant against WikiLeaks founder for breach of bail conditions. A judge has upheld a UK arrest warrant for Julian Assange, saying the WikiLeaks founder should have the courage to face the consequences of breaking the law. The decision on Tuesday means the 46-year-old Australian could still be arrested if he left Ecuadors embassy in London, where he took refuge in 2012 to avoid being extradited to Sweden for alleged sex crimes. Sweden later shelved its investigation, but Assange faces arrest by British authorities for skipping bail in the Swedish case. Assange fears British authorities would then allow his extradition to the United States where he is wanted for the publication of classified information in 2010 by WikiLeaks. Judge Emma Arbuthnot said that by jumping bail Assange had made a determined attempt to avoid the order of the court. She added: He appears to consider himself above the normal rules of law and wants justice only if it goes in his favour. In a post later on Twitter, Assange said he and his team were surprised by the judges decision, saying the court had made factual errors in its judgment. https://twitter.com/JulianAssange/status/963452054273429504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Al Jazeeras Neave Barker, reporting from Britains capital, London, said the ruling, in essence, meant very little changes for Assange. We can probably assume there will be an attempt to appeal this latest verdict by the Westminster Magistrate Court, Barker said. {articleGUID} Tuesdays ruling was the second time in a week that a British judge had ruled against an appeal by Assange. Last week, his defence team had argued there was no longer a need to have this warrant in place largely because Swedish authorities had scrapped their warrant for his arrest. Immediately after that decision, they filed another appeal saying that it wasnt in the interest of justice to have this warrant remain in place, but the prosecution has always said he should not be rewarded for the Swedish investigation, and as a result, this warrant should remain in place, Barker said. Assange and his defence team hoped the court would rule in their favour after a request under the Freedom of Information Act revealed that the British prosecutors had been in touch with the Swedish investigators. {articleGUID} It appeared the prosecution here had tried to persuade the Swedish investigators not to scrap their investigation as far back as 2013, several years before they ended up doing so, Barker said. Assange became known when he founded whistle-blower website WikiLeaks, which has, among other things, published documents about the killing of civilians and journalists by US soldiers in Iraq. Before the 2016 US presidential elections, WikiLeaks also published a trove of private documents from the Democratic National Committee and John Podesta, campaign chairman for presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton. Growing up in rural Nepal, where water is the most limited resource, Krishna Bhattarai was inspired to research water efficiency and help others. After studying in the U.S. for about four years, he will go back overseas to another rural area in Uganda. Although he wont spend time looking into water conservation, he will help solve agricultural issues faced by local farmers. Bhattarai, a 30-year-old UF doctoral environmental horticulture student, was one of nine UF graduate students selected to work on a project by the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for the Horticulture 2018 Trellis Fund, said Lauren Howe, the program manager. The lab announced the winners Friday. The Trellis Fund works with local organizations in developing countries to propose a horticultural project suited for each area, Howe said. It then awards a $4,000 grant to each organization and connects them with graduate students. It connected 15 projects to 16 students two will work on one project together, Howe said. The graduate students will each receive a $300 fellowship and have their travel expenses funded. Only students from UF, University of California at Davis, University of Hawaii at Manoa and North Carolina State University could apply to the program. About 30 students submitted 60 applications. The nine chosen UF students will be traveling to Ghana, Uganda and Rwanda to collaborate on short-term projects to address challenges faced by local farmers, Howe said. Bhattarai said he is working with the Environmental Conservation and Agricultural Enhancement Uganda. He will work in the country for two weeks this summer. I was very excited when I found out my project application was selected, he said. This is one of those rare opportunities that students get. He will work to improve postharvest handling and irrigation of mushrooms, and the commercialization of tomatoes in Kira Town in central Uganda. The town has an interest in growing large amounts of tomatoes and processing them to increase their shelf life, he said. Bhattarai said he wants to share his knowledge from the experience and apply it in other countries. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now I hope this program expands so that more graduate students can have the opportunity for global experience in their field, he said. Two hours after shooting and killing two people and abducting the office manager at Summer Place Villas on Tuesday, a Gainesville man was taken into custody in another state, Gainesville Police said. Cedric Tremaine Plummer Police said Cedric Tremaine Plummer, 23, shot two people in the leasing office of Summer Place Villas apartment complex, located at 3316 SW 41st Place, before fleeing to Lowndes County, Georgia, where he was arrested. He was found driving north on Interstate 75 at about 3:30 p.m. with a gun and the office manager at least an hour and a halfs drive from Gainesville. Police identified the two employees killed as 28-year-old Jude Onyegbulam Osuji, Jr. and 61-year-old Robert Earl Brumbaugh. Police are unsure if the gun found was used in the shooting, GPD spokesperson Officer Ben Tobias said. Officers responded to a call at the apartment at about 1:30 p.m. and found a bullet hole in window and two bodies, Tobias said. Tobias said police used witness accounts and electronic communications to figure out who the suspect was. Within about two hours from when GPD started investigating, Georgia law enforcement had the suspect within custody and had recovered a woman who was taken by the shooter. The shooter, who was a resident of the complex, had taken office manager Hailey Roberts, 19, against her will, said Roberts boyfriend, Troy Matthews, 22. He received a call at about 2:30 p.m. at his job at Zaxbys. He went to the scene and was told she was missing. Less than an hour later, Matthews and friends and family of Roberts, who were gathered at the entrance of the apartments driveway, learned that she had been found by police. They cheered, cried and hugged in front of the crime scene tape blocking off the parking lot. Shes going to come home safe, Matthews said. Thats all that matters. A detective took Roberts parents to Georgia to pick up their daughter. Police are still investigating why she was taken, Tobias said. Police closed Southwest 41st Place for about three hours and told residents to avoid leaving shelter while they tried to locate the shooter. Some UF students in the area were concerned UF Public Safety didnt share an alert for the shooting, which happened about a mile from campus. UF spokesperson Steve Orlando said alerts are sent out when the incident happens less than 1,000 feet from campus. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now Dillon Edens, a UF biology sophomore passed the crime scene on their way to Dollar General. It would be nice to know to take some precautions, Edens, 19, said. James Workman, 60, lives in the apartment complex and heard the news about the shooting from police who asked him to leave his apartment during the investigation. He watched detectives go in and out of the leasing office and worried about Roberts, who he said was a sweetheart. The apartment manager declined to comment. Residents who could not drive on the street gathered in the parking lot of Dollar General. They were shocked to see patrol cars in their neighborhood. Tobias said crime like this is uncommon for the area. When I heard the call go out, I said to myself, This is too weird in this area to be a call, Tobias said. Unfortunately, it was a real call. Contact Meryl Kornfield at mkornfield@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter at @merylkornfield. Summer place Apartments, located at 3361 SW 41 Place. Two people are dead after an apparent shooting. Among the candidates is Rick Saccone , a highly qualified conservative state legislator. Saccone served in the U.S. Air Force as counterintelligence and a special agent for more than ten years. He also served as a civil employee of the U.S. Army in Iraq from 2004 to 2005. He taught as a professor at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Saccone served as a diplomat to North Korea from 2000 to 2001. Saccone is pro-life and opposes abortion. On March 13, 2018, we have a special election in Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district, located southeast of Pittsburgh, to fill the seat of retired Republican Tim Murphy. Murphy, who ran as pro-life, resigned after it was reported he had asked his girlfriend to have an abortion . President Trump endorsed Saccone and will campaign for him later this month. Vice President Pence has already done so. It is an important election to maintain Republican control of the House and to elect a strong conservative. Saccone is opposed by Democrat Conor Lamb. Lamb comes from a Democratic political family. His grandfather, Thomas Lamb, was the Democratic majority leader of the Pennsylvania Legislature from 1970 to 1974. His uncle, Michael Lamb, is controller of Allegheny County. Lamb served in the U.S. Marine Corps and worked as a federal prosecutor. Lamb appears as an attractive, well spoken candidate who tries to project himself as a "moderate" by saying he would not vote for Nancy Pelosi. The phony part is that in his TV ads, in print, and on his website, he regularly boasts that he attended Central Catholic High School, a well known Catholic high school in Pittsburgh, implying that he is pro-life. But when Lamb was asked about abortion, he replied: "I come from a Catholic background, but choice is the law of the land." He refused to give specifics on his position. This is the standard cop-out: "I am personally opposed to abortion, but it is the law, and I will not impose my religious beliefs on others." It was perfected by Mario Cuomo. His son Andrew, the current N.Y. governor, has "evolved" to say that those who support right to life have no place in New York State. Opposition to abortion is not simply a religious belief; it is a fundamental civil and moral belief. This copout is the same as saying before the 13th Amendment was passed that "I am opposed to slavery, but it is the law of the land." Saying the Supreme Court cases of Planned Parenthood v. Casey and Roe v. Wade are the "law of the land" is the same as saying Dred Scot v. Sanford, 60 U.S. 393 (1857), was the "law of the land." They are only Supreme Court decisions that got it wrong. Lamb advertises himself as a Catholic to get votes. It is basic Catholic teaching that abortion, the killing of an unborn child, is an intrinsic evil. There is no rational way for a Catholic voter, or a voter of any religion that respects and protects innocent life, to vote for a Democrat, like Lamb, who supports abortion. We are killing an unborn child. This is not just a religious belief. It is a fact based on science and logic. You do not have to be Catholic to oppose abortion. The Democrats in the 18th District chose Lamb over Gina Cerilli, of Greensburg, Pa., who said she is "pro-life" and a "moderate." This angered the "progressives" in the party, and she lost the nomination to Lamb. The Democrats could have nominated a pro-life, politically moderate woman to run, which would have supported their claim of diversity. But their claim for diversity does not extend to diversity of opinion on abortion or on any other important issues. It extends only to differences in skin color and gender, not diversity of views. You cannot say you are pro-life if you are a Democrat running for office. The last well known Democrat politician who was proudly pro-life was Pennsylvania governor Robert Casey, who served from 1987 to 1994. Casey was barred by the Clintons from speaking at the 1992 Democratic Convention because he intended to give a speech opposing abortion. Governor Casey signed the Pennsylvania abortion law that was challenged by Planned Parenthood and is now the "law of the land" in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833 (1992). Justices O'Connor, Kennedy, and Souter, all appointed by Republican presidents, struck down most of the law to uphold abortion as a constitutional right. The U.S. Senate just defeated 51-46 the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act that would have banned abortions after 20 weeks in the U.S. "Catholic" senators Cantwell (D), Collins (R), Durbin (D), Gillibrand (D), Heitkamp (D), Kaine (D), Leahy (D), Markey (D), Masto (D), McCaskill (D), Menendez (D), Murray (D), Murkowski (R), and Reed (D) all voted against protecting the unborn after 20 weeks. Lamb could have shown courage by taking a firm stand, like Governor Casey, against abortion. But sadly, Lamb is following the easy path to get Democratic votes and fundraising by implying he may be pro-life because he is Catholic and attended Catholic schools but refusing to take a stand against abortion. This is the only way for a Catholic politician to run as a Democrat today. For example, Lamb's ground game has some canvassers telling voters that Saccone supports school vouchers even, horror, for students who attend Catholic schools. There is no room for diversity of opinion in the modern Democratic Party. Lamb is another phony like Pelosi, Biden, Cuomo, and the above-named senators. At least Tim Murphy had the principles to resign after it was revealed that he had acted contrary to his opposition to abortion. Democrats are not burdened by such principles. They just want to win. I have no assurances that my suppositions are correct, but I'm beginning to think that at the next hearing of this case, Judge Sullivan will hear Mueller dismiss the case. Here's how I come to that. I have been wondering why, shortly after Judge Rudolph Contreras was (without explanation) recused from hearing the Michael Flynn case and Judge Emmet G. Sullivan took over, Special Counsel Robert Mueller agreed to postpone the sentencing until May, after the inspector general's report is due. The only reason I can imagine why Judge Contreras was recused note: did not recuse himself is that he was a member of the FISC, the court that grants surveillance warrants under FISA. As the evidence mounts that the warrant was improperly granted, someone perhaps the chief judge of the district removed him from further participation in the case, likely because Contreras approved the warrant and its extension. If the warrant was improperly issued, all the evidence it garnered is tainted. As to why the agreed upon delay, my thought is that Mueller wants to wait until the inspector general report so that, in a sense, his hands will be clean if the case is dropped, that he was compelled by the record to do so. I missed it earlier, but on December 12 of last year, Judge Sullivan issued a tough demand of the prosecution. They are compelled immediately to turn over all exculpatory material in their possession to General Flynn. The last paragraph of the order is particularly strong: Finally, if the government has identified any information which is favorable to the defendant but which the government believes is not material, the government shall submit the material to the Court for in camera review. Judge Emmet G. Sullivan. The order is not, to my knowledge, standard. Most courts rely on the government counsel to follow the dictates of what is known as the Brady Law, which requires them to provide such material to the defendant. But Judge Sullivan has good reason to depart from this view. He was made aware too late for the trial of the unethical conduct of the Department of Justice lawyers who prosecuted Senator Ted Stevens. He has proposed that all federal judges issue the same sort of orders, specifically noting how the government abused its powers and withheld evidence against Senator Stevens that would have cleared him of the charges brought against him (citations omitted): In 2008, Senator Theodore "Ted" Stevens (R-AK) was running for re-election for his seventh term. He was also a criminal defendant in a case over which I was presiding. After a four week trial, and about one week prior to election day, a jury found Senator Stevens guilty of lying on Senate disclosure forms. Stevens lost the election, a Democrat replaced him, and the balance of power shifted in the Senate. This consequential chain of events may well have turned out differently had the government followed the law because during the course of post-trial proceedings, it became clear that the Stevens prosecution was permeated by systematic concealment of evidence favorable to the Senator in violation of the law, the Constitution, and the prosecutors' ethical duties. About six months after the verdict was returned, then-Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. moved to dismiss the indictment against Senator Stevens with prejudice. As it appeared to me that prosecutorial misconduct had tainted the proceedings in my courtroom, where I have sworn, for over thirty years on the bench, that every defendant will receive a fair trial, I appointed a highly regarded lawyer and former Assistant United States Attorney, Henry F. Schuelke, III, to investigate what went wrong in the investigation and prosecution of the Stevens case, and to recommend whether there was a basis to prosecute the prosecutors for criminal contempt of court. After an investigation of nearly three years, during which both Senator Stevens and one of the attorneys who prosecuted him died, and following extensive collateral proceedings, Mr. Schuelke's report was made public. Based on his exhaustive investigation, Mr. Schuelke and his colleague William Shields concluded that "[t]he investigation and prosecution of U.S. Senator Ted Stevens were permeated by the systematic concealment of significant exculpatory evidence which would have independently corroborated [his] defense and his testimony, and seriously damaged the testimony and credibility of the government's key witness." Mr. Schuelke further found that at least some of the concealment was willful and intentional, and related to many of the issues raised by the defense during the course of the Stevens trial. Despite his findings of significant, widespread, and, at times, intentional misconduct, Mr. Schuelke did not, however, recommend prosecution for criminal contempt. This was because he found that the court had not issued an order specifically instructing prosecutors to obey the law by turning over any exculpatory evidence. Noting that, "[i]t should go without saying that neither Judge Sullivan, nor any District Judge, should have to order the Government to comply with its constitutional obligations, let alone that he should feel compelled to craft such an order with a view toward a criminal contempt prosecution, anticipating its willful violation," Mr. Schuelke nevertheless recommended that, without disobedience of a "clear and unequivocal" order, the prosecutors not be charged with criminal contempt. As a result of the Stevens trial and its aftermath, I suggested that an amendment to Rule 16 be revisited to require the government to disclose exculpatory evidence to the defense, as set forth in Brady and its progeny. I have also suggested that certain changes to the local rules of the District Court for the District of Columbia would ensure that the government is fully aware of its disclosure obligations. Finally, I now issue a standing Brady Order in each criminal case on my docket, which I update as the law in the area progresses. In sum, as regards Judge Sullivan, the government has lost the presumption of ethical conduct, which many courts still afford prosecutors. Actions have consequences. But Mueller knew he'd have to provide exculpatory evidence to the defendant prior to the sentencing hearing, and it's hard to imagine that his big, well financed crew didn't have it in hand. Unless, of course, as I suspect, the exculpatory evidence is being collected by the Office of the Inspector General. And if it is and is made public before the sentencing hearing, Mueller will have hands-off reason to dismiss the case, without anyone being able to credibly charge that he threw it. Update: And what sort of exculpatory evidence could have been withheld? According to Byron York in the Examiner: In March 2017, then-FBI Director James Comey briefed a number of Capitol Hill lawmakers on the Trump-Russia investigation. One topic of intense interest was the case of Michael Flynn, the Trump White House national security adviser who resigned under pressure on Feb. 13 after just 24 days in the job. (snip) According to two sources familiar with the meetings, Comey told lawmakers that the FBI agents who interviewed Flynn did not believe that Flynn had lied to them, or that any inaccuracies in his answers were intentional. As a result, some of those in attendance came away with the impression that Flynn would not be charged with a crime pertaining to the Jan. 24 interview. That's my supposition. Chicago's murder problem may make headlines around the world, but back home in the Windy City, the good folks are worried about the skyrocketing carjacking rate. The gang warfare that generates the huge body count is confined to a couple of ghetto communities, but drivers of nice cars, and therefore carjackers, are found all over the city. It's such a political problem for Mayor Rahm Emanuel that he has established a task force to solve the thorny problem. Or maybe it isn't so thorny at all, as CWB Chicago explains: In 2015, the year before the current rise in vehicular hijackings began to build, Illinois changed the way it handles some juveniles who are charged with the crime. Under the new law, defendants age 15- through 17-years-old would no longer be tried in adult court for serious crimes such as committing armed robbery or carjacking with a firearm. The usual suspects in Chicago, starting with the powerful president of the Cook County Board, Toni Preckwinkle (who led the disastrous push of a sugary soda tax that backfired and had to be repealed), went all out in support for a little compassion for the thugs: From a 2015 Chicago Tribune story: "Anyone who can remember their teenage years or knows a teenager knows teens are impulsive. They don't think of the consequences of their actions," Preckwinkle said. "Knowing about teenage behavior told us that it was the right thing to do, to create a separate system to keep juveniles focused on rehabilitation for everything except the most serious crimes." So how's that compassion workin' out for ya? as Sarah Palin used to ask. Here are the crime stats: Compared to 2015, the year before all hell broke loose, last year's violent crime count last year was up nearly 14%. Did you catch that? Since penalties against juveniles were rolled back in 2015, more people are being shot than ever in Chicago. Since penalties against juveniles for armed carjacking were rolled back in 2015, carjackings have skyrocketed. It's enough to make you think that maybe, just maybe, carjackings aren't the only crime that is on the increase because penalties are on the decrease. And how is Chicago doing now? Frank Main writes in the Chicago Sun-Times: Dozens of juveniles were charged last year in Chicago for allegedly pointing guns at motorists and stealing their cars, but most were not detained longer than 24 hours, according to court records obtained by the Sun-Times. [M]ore juveniles than adults were arrested for armed carjacking last year. Most charged were later released on electronic monitoring ordered by juvenile court judges. ... About 700 juveniles were arrested in Chicago in connection with all types of gun-related crimes during the first seven months of 2017. Those crimes ranged from murder to armed robbery to carjacking to unlawful possession of a firearm. Of those 700 juveniles, 42 percent were arrested again. Of those arrests, half were for offenses involving guns. There are some grownups walking the streets: "Crime has to have consequences," said Smith, a former federal prosecutor whose ward includes the Gold Coast, Old Town[,] and Lincoln Park. "We're not helping our community and we're not helping our kids. We're not even giving them a 'time out' for carrying a gun." Can liberals ever comprehend this? Stay tuned. Hat tip: Peter von Buol Never was this disconnect more evident than reaction to remarks by Attorney General Jeff Sessions about the common heritage of law and law enforcement we Americans share with Great Britain. Eschewing facts and denying reality is basically a pocket definition of modern liberalism. Don't like the facts? Change them. Hate reality? Ignore it. ABC News: Attorney General Jeff Sessions sparked controversy Monday after making reference to the "Anglo-American heritage of law enforcement," a comment interpreted by critics as racially insensitive. The remark was made in a speech to the National Sheriffs' Association's winter conference in Washington, D.C., as he thanked those in attendance and outlined the history of their positions in law enforcement. "I want to thank every sheriff in America. Since our founding, the independently elected sheriff has been the people's protector, who keeps law enforcement close to, and accountable to, people through the elected process," said Sessions, adding, "The office of sheriff is a critical part of the Anglo-American heritage of law enforcement." The Founding Fathers were, until July 4, 1776, British citizens. The colonies were governed by the same laws that governed Great Britain. When they declared their independence and later wrote the Constitution, they, quite naturally, adopted many of the same laws and traditions of law from the mother country. But who cares about the facts when you can accuse a Trump Cabinet official of being "racially insensitive"? While the attorney general's phrasing alone caught the attention of many on social media, the situation was further complicated by the fact that the description was not included in a copy of Sessions'[s] prepared remarks. In that version, distributed by the Department of Justice after the event, the line reads: "The Sheriff is a critical part of our legal heritage." Among those who weighed in on Sessions'[s] speech included Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, who called the phrase a "dog whistle" and expressed continued pride in his opposition to the attorney general's nomination last year, and California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a candidate in the state's 2018 gubernatorial election, who called Sessions an "outright racist." Newsome is an outright idiot. As for Schatz, get a load of this ignorant tweet: Do you know anyone who says Anglo-American heritage in a sentence? What could possibly be the purpose of saying that other than to pit Americans against each other? For the chief law enforcement officer to use a dog whistle like that is appalling. Best NO vote I ever cast. Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) February 12, 2018 Who says "Anglo-American" in a sentence? How many times in the last 25 years have you heard the phrase "Anglo-American Alliance" to describe our "special relationship" with Great Britain? Too many to count. Schatz is a moron. "Anglo" is not a description of race. Only racist Hispanics use it in a derogatory fashion to describe white people. The term denotes a geographic area, a culture, or a national identity, depending on the context in which it is used. Sessions's context for "Anglo-American" was him simply expressing the reality of where our body of laws and tradition comes from a common heritage shared by most countries who identify with Western civilization. If Sessions had declared his respect and admiration for sharia law, what do you think these racialists would have said then? The FBI and the Justice Department have become targets of dirty tricks. The unfair charges are gutter politics: trashing American institutions to protect a president from the due course of the law[.] ... Regarding the memo on the "Steele dossier" released by the Republican-controlled House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), in the Washington Post , writes: The memo from Nunes (R-Calif.) uses the same ['smear'] technique in alleging abuses of power by the FBI in the Russia investigation. Specifically, the memo accuses the FBI of misleading the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act court in applying for surveillance warrants[.] ... The FISA court approval process is shrouded in secrecy, and for good reason: Our intelligence services need to carefully protect their sources and their methods. Our intelligence services need to protect their sources and methods when employed in the legitimate use of their powers, but what if those powers are abused? FISA court applications and approvals may contain information about both. Note that Whitehouse does not say the House Intelligence memo actually "contained such information," but only that it "may" have done so. Whitehouse is talking in generalities but is not necessarily saying that they apply to the specific facts of the memo. Releasing FISA-related information, as the Intelligence Committee Republicans have done, threatens serious damage to our intelligence collection and endangers national security. Whitehouse fails to provide any specific examples that actually do that. Again, he speaks only in generalities, without providing support. So let's try to help the senator out. Here, from National Review's Andrew McCarthy, are some specifics: The memo states that the Obama administration concealed from the court that the dossier was commissioned and paid for by the political campaign of Donald Trump's Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton. Hmm. The "source" is actually the candidate of the Democratic Party for the presidency of the United States. Why should that source be protected? In case some political candidate wishes to use the FBI again? The dossier was a compilation of Steele's reports, based on anonymous Russian sources. His informants provided information based on accounts that were multiple levels of hearsay removed from the events they purported to describe. Moreover, despite presenting dossier information as probable cause on four separate occasions for the initial FISA warrant in October 2016, and three times in the ensuing months the FBI failed to verify the dossier's explosive allegations and failed to inform the court [emphasis added] that its efforts to corroborate the allegations had been unavailing. In a later article, McCarthy puts these points in perspective: A judge would need to know whether Steele's sources were reliable[.] ... This is not esoterica. In the investigations biz, this is so basic that to call it 'Warrants 101' doesn't do it justice. If you don't have witnesses with verifiable, first-hand knowledge, you don't have anything. So, the FBI didn't have anything zero, nada, zip but it repeatedly renewed the warrant anyway. And this is the "methodology" we need to protect? Again, in case Whitehouse's party regains control? The scary thing is, at one point or another, it will. Bert Peterson operates 4thofjuly.info, and is author of Does Our Banner Yet Wave?: The NFL Protests, Donald Trump and the Demand of Democracy. The campaign of incumbent Senator Tammy Baldwin released its FEC filings, which show that Donna and Michael Nicholson each donated $2,700 to her re-election committee. Washington Times: Mr. Nicholson has long acknowledged coming from a family of Democrats and said in a statement to CNN that the donations are unsurprising. "My parents have a different worldview than I do, and it is not surprising that they would support a candidate like Tammy Baldwin who shares their perspective," he said. The current Republican-primary candidate was a Democrat himself as a younger man, being the president of the College Democrats of America in 2000. But "I'm a conservative today not because I was born one, but because of the experience I earned as a Marine in combat, my experience as a husband and father, my choice to be a Christian, the schools I chose to attend[,] and the decision to pursue the career that I have," he told CNN. When the issue of his political conversion came up last fall, he told Politico that he definitively left the Democratic Party as a result of its conduct during the occupation of Iraq, which he said left him "livid." "I knew what we were doing there," he said of his 2007 deployment to Iraq. "We were stabilizing that country. We made incredible amounts of progress. And what I was hearing back home was a complete and absolute lie, as politicians were running around calling it a failure." I can identify with the younger Mr. Nicholson entirely. I come from a family of FDR Democrats. My parents, Chicago Democrats, never voted Republican in their lives. My nine siblings are all, to one degree or another, liberal Democrats. But the summer after I graduated from college, my father presented me with a copy of Russell Kirk's The Conservative Mind. I don't recall why, except he and my mother were determined to raise independent thinkers. My dad's huge library featured works by Marx, Adam Smith, and Bishop Sheen. Reading Kirk made me realize I was far more conservative than others in my family, and I became a Reagan Republican. If I had ever run for office, my parents would have voted for the Democrat. That's why this story is a bogus hit piece. Politics is not love. My family and I might have had some loud arguments at the dinner table about politics, but that never got in the way of how we felt about each other. In fact, we probably would have joked about their support for my opponent if I had run. The suggestion with these stories of Nicholson's parents supporting the Democrat is that there is something wrong with their child, which is why they are voting against him. That's nuts, and Nicholson set the record straight with his statement. As for his "conversion," there have been three seminal moments for conservatism in my lifetime that forced many liberals to rethink their ideology. The first was the run for president by George McGovern in 1972, which put the "New Democrats" in power for the first time. These were radicals who rejected American leadership in the world and turned the Democratic Party into a far-left swamp a "riot of conceits," as R. Emmett Tyrell called it. The second seminal moment occurred when Ronald Reagan was elected president. Reagan drew working-class Democrats of which there were a lot more back then than now because of his support for traditional values. The last moment in time that "woke" liberals was 9/11. The response of Democrats to that act of war convinced many liberals that they were backing a suicidal ideology. This is one of the things that apparently forced Mr. Nicholson to abandon his flirtation with liberalism and become a conservative. If anything, Mr. Nicholson's conversion shows a streak of independent thinking that would be more than welcome in the U.S. Senate. Posted on: February 13, 2018 3:39 PM The spot at Bishopscourt the official residence of the Archbishops of Cape Town where Nelson Mandela first addressed the worlds media as a freeman, has been marked with a commemorative plaque. Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years of captivity on 11 February 1990. He spent his first night as a freeman as a guest of Archbishop Desmond Tutu at Bishopscourt and gave his first press conference the following day from a terrace in front of the house. Yesterday (Tuesday), on the 28th anniversary of that press conference, the current Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba, unveiled the plaque marking this historic spot. After unveiling the plaque in memory of Nelson Mandela known as Madiba Archbishop Thabo reflecting on the Mandelas long walk to freedom, saying: I have often celebrated his release on February 11 by visiting the gates of the former Victor Verster Prison near Paarl. On other occasions I have sat and meditated in the apartment at Bishopscourt which Archbishop Tutu made available to him for his first night away from prison. Among the volumes of words written about or used by Nelson Mandela, the 13 that I most often remember are those from the poem by W E Henley which sustained him in prison: I am the master of my fate and the captain of my soul. Those words are as true for us as when they first inspired Madiba. Nelson Mandela greets the worlds media at Bishopscourt, the official residence of the Archbishops of Cape Town, following his release after 27-years of captivity. Photo: Screengrab As he made his comments, leaders of the ANC were meeting to decide the future of current President Jacob Zuma. Today, it was revealed that they are taking steps to recall him from his presidential role The emotional vertigo of the Zuma decade that has left each of us, our families, our friends, our communities and our nation feeling like we have been on the deck of a ship in the middle of the fiercest storm, is close to ending, Archbishop Thabo said yesterday. South Africas destiny now is a choice that we all have in our hands: black hands, white hands, brown hands, yellow hands rainbow hands. At the same time, I am a realist. Unquestionably, I believe in South Africans and in South Africa. But as the boxer portrayed in the film Rocky Balboa says, let me remind you of something you already know: the world is not all sunshine and rainbows. It can be a very mean and nasty place and I dont care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. Despite the progress made since Madibas release, South Africans have been hit hard by many things over the past 20 years. We have been slowed down, we have been diverted, and we at times have been stopped by barriers thrown up by morally corrupt leaders who have created a most unequal society in terms of service delivery, education and healthcare. My principal concern is the way in which inequality has remained pervasive, hitting the poor again and again. But, to invoke Rocky Balboa again, the key to winning, surviving and thriving is, in the end, how much you can take and keep moving forward. Thats how winning is done! The 11th of February 1990 was a moment of destiny. Seeing Nelson Mandela elected president of a free South Africa was another. Now, in 2018, we stand at the dawn of a new age where the dizziness of uncertainty can be replaced by the equilibrium of equality. We are again witnesses to a moment of destiny in which a decade of corruption can be replaced with the birth of a South Africa which, despite its many challenges, has a chance to unite, not as a political party but rather as a society committed to becoming a nation of extraordinary achievers of equality. Archbishop Thabo Makgoba inspects the plaque marking the spot where Nelson Mandela first addressed the worlds media following his release from prison, in the grounds of Bishopscourt, the official residence of Archbishops of Cape Town, watched on by his staff. Photo: ACSA In a message to South Africans, he asked what they and Nelson Mandela had in common, adding: We are a nation of bridge builders. We will bridge the barriers of bigotry, bridge the chasms of inequality and bridge the barricades which block everyone from having equal opportunities. So, my countrymen and women: start cleaning the tools which we will use to build prosperity, start finding trust again in your hearts, and most importantly, start asking not what South Africa can do for me, but what I can do for South Africa. Archbishop Thabo called on people to pray for the all the countrys leaders, but in particular for the National Executive Committee of the ANC, for Cyril Ramaphosa, the partys president, and for all members of Parliament as they chart the way forward in the coming days. Watch Nelson Mandelas first press conference from the grounds of Bishopscourt, the official residence of the Archbishops of Cape Town: Posted on: February 13, 2018 2:37 PM The umbrella ecumenical group in Malaysia has called for the release of Pastor Raymond Koh, who was violently abducted from the streets of Petaling Jaya, near Kuala Lumpur, one year ago today (13 February 2017). Writing ahead of todays first anniversary, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, Julian Leow Beng Kim, in his role as chairman of the Christian Federation of Malaysias executive committee, urged churches and Christians to continue to look to God in prayer and to seek a closure to this dastardly act on a servant of God. The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) brings together the three national church bodies: the Catholic Bishops Conference of Malaysia, the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship, and the Council of Churches of Malaysia, which includes the Anglican dioceses of West Malaysia, Kuching and Sabah. Let us in the coming days go before Almighty God to make intercession before Him that Pastor Raymond Koh may be found and be reunited with his family, Archbishop Julian said. Let us remember his beloved wife Susanna and his dear children Jonathan, Esther and Elizabeth in our prayers. That they be given great endurance and patience, be filled with the love of God and the peace which transcends all human understanding and find strength in their joy in the Lord is our fervent cry. We call on the authorities to complete with all urgency and diligence, all investigations into finding Pastor Raymond Koh and also Amri Che Mat, Joshua Hilmy and his wife Ruth Sitepu. The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) began an inquiry into the abduction of Pastor Koh, but this was brought to an abrupt halt once Suhakam was informed that a person had been charged with criminal kidnapping and abduction. But no information has been forthcoming about Pastor Kohs whereabouts, and the arrest did not however alleviate the anxieties of many with regard to his well-being, Archbishop Julian said. We remain nonetheless hopeful that as it continues to probe the disappearances of Amri Che Mat, Joshua Hilmy and his wife Ruth, Suhakam will be able to elicit facts to assuage the fears and concerns of many Malaysians struggling to understand how and why fellow Malaysians can suddenly disappear and not be found for such extended periods of time. In August, the Synod of the Diocese of West Malaysia passed a resolution marking 200 days since Pastor Kohs capture. As we observe this unfortunate anniversary, we continue to uphold Pastor Raymond Koh in our thoughts and prayers, asking for Gods protection to continue to be over him wherever he may be, they said. Speaking to the MalaysiaKini newspaper today, Pastor Kohs daughter said: As Im 22 this year, all my friends are like, come lets just not live in Malaysia, lets go live somewhere else where it is safer, where you dont have to suffer. It really makes me sad to see that these things can happen in my country, and I want to be proud to say Im Malaysian. Pastor Kohs wife, Susanna Liew, speaking to the same newspaper, thanked people for their support. We know we are not alone, she said, so thank you to everyone who helped us to get closer to the truth of what happened to Raymond. Posted on: February 13, 2018 1:39 PM [Anglican Journal, by Joelle Kidd] Celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday, Shrove Tuesday (also called Pancake Tuesday or Pancake Day) is the final day before the 40-day period of Lent begins. This year it falls on 13 February. Its name comes from the Germanic-Old English word shrive, meaning absolve, and it is the last day of the liturgical season historically known as Shrovetide. Because it comes directly before Lent, a season of fasting and penitence, this was the day that Christians would go to be shriven by their confessor. Shrove Tuesday also became a day for pre-fasting indulgence. In particular, the need to use up rich ingredients such as butter, milk, sugar and eggs before Lent gave rise to the tradition of eating pancakes on this day. There are even historical references to a pancake bell in English towns being rung around 11 am on this day to signal that it was time to get frying. For Anglican churches across Canada, Shrove Tuesday means gathering for a pancake supper. Many churches host dinners or luncheons, serving pancakes usually with a range of toppings, fruit, and sides like bacon or sausages. Visitors are usually asked to give a small contribution or freewill offering. Among the creative crepe events this year is a joint Anglican and United Church hosted pancake supper at the Territory of the Peoples St Peters Anglican Church, in Williams Lake, British Columbia. Christ Church, Scarborough, in the diocese of Toronto, will be holding a pancake and samosa supper, and Christ Church in Stouffville, Ontario, will take a cue from New Orleans with a pancake dinner set to the tunes of live jazz. Feasts and fests around the world While in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries, pancakes are traditionally eaten, other countries across the globe celebrate with different dishes. In Spain, the day is named dia de la tortilla, or omelette day, and the traditional food is an omelette made with sausage or pork fat. In Madeira, Portugal, and Hawaii, malasadas doughnut-like, sugar-coated confections are eaten. In Iceland, people traditionally gorge on salted meat and peas on the day illustratively called Sprengidagur (Bursting Day). Green pea soup and a whipped-cream-filled pastry are the orders of the day in Finland and Estonia. Louisiana famously celebrates Mardi Gras (French for Fat Tuesday) on this day, a carnival that includes a giant parade through the city. Other countries, including Brazil, Belgium, the Cayman Islands, France, Russia and Ukraine, hold Mardi Gras celebrations with carnivals and festivals. Pancake parties In Newfoundland and Cape Breton Island, an added tradition sees small items baked into the pancakes that are served on Shrove Tuesday. These objects have symbolic value: a coin means the person finding it will be rich; a pencil stub means he/she will be a teacher; a holy medal means they will join a religious order; a nail that they will be (or marry) a carpenter, and so on, according to the Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage website. Many towns and villages throughout the United Kingdom celebrate with pancake races, in which runners with frying pans and often wearing aprons or chefs hats race while tossing and catching a pancake. In London, the Rehab Parliamentary Pancake Race takes place every year, with members of Parliament, Lords and members of the press pick up frying pans and compete to raise money for charity. Stop Press: The media team won this week's Rehab Parliamentary Pancake Race Georg Bartischs fabulous eye surgery illustrations from the 16th Century The Kilroy supercut is must-see TV After Afghanistan and the War on Terror: US State Department works hard for US State Department Jean Paul Belmondo Everyone wants to say hes flattened Belmondo. Ode to a Highflying Bird Charlie Watts Jazz Book When and why Charlie Watts punched Mick Jagger, by Keith Richards 20 years of nailing it Afghanistan watch four culpable US presidents bullshit the world How to be good at body language and make other people listen and obey (ANSA) - Brussels, February 13 - EU border agency Frontex said Tuesday that migrant arrivals in Italy were up last month. "The number of migrants arriving in Italy via the Central Mediterranean route in January rose to more than 4 800, double the figure from the previous month, when the smuggling activities were affected by fighting near the departure areas and poor weather," Frontrex said. "The monthly total was roughly in line with January of last year. "According to preliminary data, Eritreans were the largest group of migrants detected on this route, followed by nationals of Pakistan and Tunisia. "In recent months, Frontex also noted an increase in the number of Libyans making their way across the Mediterranean". (ANSA) - Rome, February 13 - Italy is to halve its 1,500-strong military contingent in Iraq this year, the defence ministry confirmed Tuesday. Italy will "guarantee its commitment in Iraq inside the Coalition, reducing by about a half its military deployment on the basis of developments in the security situation and the Iraqi needs and on the basis of future common objectives agreed during an anti-ISIS ministerial meeting which took place in Rome today," it said. In Iraq, the ministry said, "Italy has contributed in a substantive way to the defeat of Daesh (ISIS) through the reconstruction of the Iraqi security forces, including the Kurdish component. "The current scenario enables Italy to start a significant reduction of the national contingent (currently composed of around 1,500 soldiers) which can be roughly halved". During the course of the anti-ISI country ministers' meeting, "Iraq thanked the coalition and especially Italy for the important contribution given to the fight against terrorism and the training of soldiers and police forces at Baghdad, Erbil and Mosul". photo: Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti AMMAN - Jordan has lifted visa restrictions on Indian nationals in a bid to attract businessmen and tourists from the world's second largest populated country, officials said today. The move was initiated by Jordan Investment Commission (JIC) two days after the arrival of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi who discussed with king Abudllah means of boosting economic cooperation between the two countries, Petra news agency said. The eased restrictions will facilitate the entry of Indian businesspeople and boost the tourism movement, in addition to increasing Indian investment volume and saving effort and time of investors, according to JIC. With India being the third biggest economic partner of the Kingdom after the US and China, Jordan is keen to build on this relation, and provide gateway for Indian investors to access the Gulf countries, Syria and Iraq. The subcontinent imports large amounts of potash, fertilisers and phosphoric acid from the Kingdom, while it exports frozen meat, tea, coffee, sugar, rice, garment, tobacco, electrical devices and chemicals, among others. ISTANBUL - The tension between Turkey and the United States over American support for the Syrian Kurds of YPG has also become a war of symbols. The mayor of Ankara, Mustafa Tuna, has said that on Monday evening the city council governed by the AKP of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will vote to change the name of the road hosting the US embassy to 'Olive Branch' after the name of the Turkish military operation currently underway against the Kurdish-Syrian enclave of Afrin. The initiative comes just a few days ahead of the arrival in Turkey of US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. On Monday Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said bilateral relations with the US "are at a very critical point". ISTANBUL - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking in Ankara to a parliamentary group of his AKP party, said efforts to search for gas off Cyprus and "opportunistic initiatives" on the cliffs of the Aegean Sea "don't escape our attention". "We are warning those who have crossed the limits in Cyprus and in the Aegean Sea to not miscalculate," Erdogan said. Since last Friday, the Turkish Navy has blocked drilling on Italian energy giant ENI's Saipem 12000 rig off Cyprus. "We are advising foreign companies operating off Cyprus to not trust the Greek side and not be tools of initiatives that go beyond their strengths," Erdogan said. Jordan lifts visa restrictions on India to attract business Two days after visit by Prime Minister Modi in Amman (ANSAmed) - AMMAN, FEBRUARY 13 - Jordan has lifted visa restrictions on Indian nationals in a bid to attract businessmen and tourists from the world's second largest populated country, officials said today. The move was initiated by Jordan Investment Commission (JIC) two days after the arrival of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi who discussed with king Abudllah means of boosting economic cooperation between the two countries, Petra news agency said. The eased restrictions will facilitate the entry of Indian businesspeople and boost the tourism movement, in addition to increasing Indian investment volume and saving effort and time of investors, according to JIC. With India being the third biggest economic partner of the Kingdom after the US and China, Jordan is keen to build on this relation, and provide gateway for Indian investors to access the Gulf countries, Syria and Iraq. The subcontinent imports large amounts of potash, fertilisers and phosphoric acid from the Kingdom, while it exports frozen meat, tea, coffee, sugar, rice, garment, tobacco, electrical devices and chemicals, among others.(ANSAmed). Clash in Aegean Sea between Turkish and Greek coast guards Tension in disputed area, no injuries but Athens sites damages (ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, FEBRUARY 13 - Tension between Greece and Turkey is rising in the Aegean Sea, with authorities in Athens reporting that a Turkish Coast Guard patrol boat rammed a Greek Coast Guard vessel on Sunday night near some small rocky islands in dispute between the two countries. The Greek report said there were no injuries in the clash but the Greek vessel was damaged after its aft was hit by the Turkish boat's bow. Greek authorities said the clash took place off the pair of uninhabited islands of Imia (Kardak in Turkish), which are under Greek control but claimed by Turkey. In 1996, a conflict broke out between the two countries over the disputed islands, and since that time periodic clashes have occurred.(ANSAmed). ANSAmed - Today's events in the Mediterranean (ANSAmed) - ROME, FEBRUARY 13 - These are some of the main events scheduled for today in the Euro-Mediterranean area: MARRAKECH - The third edition of Photovoltaica, which focuses on alternative energy kicks off (through 15/2). KUWAIT CITY - Ministerial meeting of the International Coalition against the Islamic State with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini (also 14/2). TEL AVIV - Hearing in a trial against Ahed Tamimi, a 17-year-old Palestinian accused of incitement and of repeatedly hitting two Israeli soldiers. BEIRUT - Anniversary of the death of Hezbollah commander Imad Moughniyah. MILAN - International Tourism Bourse, with Turkey's participation). ABU DHABI - Exhibition titled 'From Barcelona to Abu Dhabi: Works from the MACBA Art Collection in Dialogue with the Emirates' runs until March 17. (ANSAmed). Greece summons Turkish ambassador over Aegean boat incident 'Collision result of Turkish provocation,' Athens says (ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, FEBRUARY 13 - Tension grew between Greece and Turkey on Tuesday after Turkish and Greek coast guard vessels collided off disputed islets in the Aegean Sea. The Greek foreign ministry summoned the Turkish ambassador, blaming Turkey for the "dangerous incident" that was the result of "provocative behaviour". (ANSAmed) Vucic in Zagreb, difficult to easy tensions 'Past is still divisive, but we must look to the future' (ANSA) - ZAGREB - A first important step towards an easing of tensions in the difficult relations between Croatia and Serbia seems to have been taken in Zagreb at the meeting between the presidents of the two countries, who discussed all the issues on the table except the most divisive ones. ''We have not talked about the past, which is the issue that prevents us from being able to establish friendly relations between our two countries'', said Croatia's president, Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic, at the joint press conference which took place immediately after the long talk with Serbian colleague Aleksandar Vucic. Referring to the ongoing verbal disputes between Serbian and Croatian politicians, Vucic explained that ''as for the past we can not reach an agreement on any point, but at least we agree on the need to look to the future for the good of our two peoples''. The two presidents discussed the economic relations, Serbia's path towards EU membership, and even some serious issues, such as the demarcation of the Danube border, the missing persons from the war in the 1990s and the protection of their respective minorities. Vucic has also pledged to welcome in the coming days the representatives of the associations of the families of the missing Croatians, visiting Belgrade for the first time in the coming days. As a gesture of goodwill, the Serbian president handed documents on the fate of three people, out of the 1,495 still missing, 23 years after the end of the conflict. With regard to the border issue the two sides agreed to try to find a bilateral solution with negotiations over the next two years, and in the event of talks failing to achieve a solution, they agreed to appeal to the international arbitration. Anyway, all these agreements will have to be confirmed by the respective governments. And whereas in Belgrade Vucic holds a tight rein over Serbian foreign policy, in Zagreb President Kitarovic often happens to have disagreements with the government led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. The two presidents also attended a bilateral economic forum at the headquarters of the Croatian Industry and Trade Association (Hgk), urging their entrepreneurs to invest more. A meeting between the Serbian president and the cardinal and archbishop of Zagreb Josip Bozanic is scheduled to take place this evening. (ANSA). Boeing has appointed Linda Mills as vice president of Communications for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, the companys $58 billion business unit that designs and builds the worlds most advanced and efficient jetliners. Mills, an award-winning executive with 20 years of strategic communications experience, joins Boeing from Seattle-based Starbucks, where she served as vice president of Global Communications. In her new role, Mills will work with a team of communications and marketing professionals responsible for global media relations, employee and executive communications, social media engagement, advertising, and other communications disciplines. Mills will report to Phil Musser, senior vice president of Communications, and Kevin McAllister, president & CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Kevin and I are thrilled to have someone with Lindas talents and proven track record join our Communications team and help share Boeings amazing stories during our second century of aerospace innovation, said Musser. Mills said: Boeing has a storied culture of innovation spanning the past century, and I am grateful for the opportunity to join an exceptional team during an exciting time of transformation in the aerospace industry and in the practice of communications. Mills succeeds Sean McCormack, who announced in September his decision to leave Boeing after nearly a decade with the company. He led Communications at Commercial Airplanes and, before that, Communications for Government Operations in Washington, D.C. Sean did an outstanding job leading our team during a period of significant achievements, including record commercial airplane production, overseeing Boeings centennial celebrations in the Puget Sound, and development of advanced jets such as the 787-10 Dreamliner. We'll miss him at Boeing but respect his decision to start something new, said Musser. Emirates has made several management appointments within its outstation commercial operations team. The changes place top Emirati talent in key country management positions in the Far East and Africa. The commercial appointments further demonstrate the airlines commitment to strengthening its strategic direction and commercial position within these markets. The new appointments will see three UAE National commercial managers take on leadership roles in Japan, Malaysia and Zambia. Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Airline said: The combined commercial expertise and industry knowledge our UAE Nationals bring to each role will be essential to meeting our challenges, and advancing new business development opportunities as we continue to develop and grow our operations in Japan, Malaysia and Zambia. Investing in our people is core to our strategy, and we are lucky to have tremendous resources within the commercial team to take on these roles. Salem Al-Marri, will take on the role as the new Country Manager for Japan. In his new role, Salem will further Emirates' mission to grow its brand domestically and to become the preferred airline for travellers in Japan. Abdalla Al Zamani has been appointed Country Manager, Malaysia, and will lead growth efforts across the country. Abdulla becomes the first Emirati to take on the role of Country Manager for Malaysia. Mohammad Bin Hafiz has been appointed as Manager Zambia. Mohammad joined Emirates February 2010 as a Commercial Support Manager and was then appointed as District Manager Riyadh in 2013. In March 2014, Mohammad was promoted to Manager Morocco. He then joined the National Military Service in January 2016, where he served his term until January this year. Abdalla Al Zamani The UAE Space Agency has announced a new satellite project called MeznSat, a 3U CubeSat which will study Earths atmosphere being developed in partnership with Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, part of the Khalifa Institute of Science and Technology, with the American University of Ras Al Khaima (AURAK). The CubeSat project will see undergraduate students design and construct the MeznSat before using it to collect and analyse data on carbon dioxide and methane levels around the UAE. The project seeks to realise the Space Agencys strategic goals of capacity development, promoting scientific research and coordinating national space sector activities. MeznSat will be developed by undergraduates at AURAK, who will avail themselves of the world-class facilities available at Masdar Institute. The satellite is to be launched in late 2019 from a site in Japan, in coordination with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Once in orbit, the team of students will then monitor, process and analyse the data from a ground station in the UAE. The processes and expertise involved in monitoring the atmosphere are similar to those employed during conventional Earth Observation programs. The project will support Emirati youth in developing the skillsets necessary for the UAEs ambitious National Space Program and its future projects. Using a visible camera as well as a shortwave infrared spectrometer, the CubeSat will measure the abundance and distribution of methane and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It will also provide valuable insight into the concentration of nutrients in the coastal waters of the Arabian Gulf, which will allow for more accurate predictions of algal blooms and supports the timely implementation of relevant precautionary measures. The project meets objectives laid out in the Space Agencys Science, Technology and Innovation Roadmap, particularly those related to developing earth science research capabilities. Similarly, in providing insight into the effects of carbon dioxide and methane emissions on the environment, the team of university students will produce valuable scientific data for analysis. CubeSats such as the MeznSat offer distinct advantages for developing relevant skillsets among students and early career professionals in the space sector, providing an accessible educational platform for satellite engineering and management. Generally weighing a little more than 1 kilogram, the satellites can be launched as additional payloads aboard third-party launches for relatively low costs. H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills and Chairman of the UAE Space Agency, said: Collaborating with higher education institutions throughout the country, and enabling their access to cutting-edge space technology, forms a part of the UAE Space Agencys core mandate. These efforts are part of our mission and vision to establish the national space sector as a leading force for space exploration and utilization, both in the region and beyond. This project will provide tangible experiences and results that will have a direct impact on our future space sector leaders and pioneers. Our work to encourage Emirati youth to engage with advanced STEM fields, and to facilitate their higher education pursuits, will be central to succeeding in our short-, mid- and long-term goals. He added: Working with higher education institutions such as Masdar Institute and the American University of Ras Al Khaima is one of our top priorities during this vital period for the local space sector. In collaboration with key space sector stakeholders, the Space Agency has made significant progress over the past three years, and we look forward to continuing our monumental efforts throughout the future. H.E. Dr. Mohammed Al Ahbabi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency, also emphasised the strategic objectives fulfilled through the collaborative program. A major aspect of our federal mandate at the Space Agency is to coordinate with academic institutions and space sector stakeholders. This project is a great example of the ways in which we organize collective efforts towards shared goals, and apply our national resources to developing our space sector capabilities. Dr. Steve Griffiths, Interim Executive Vice President of Research at Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: Masdar Institute is proud to be a partner in the development of the UAEs space sector. We have been privileged to receive the UAE leaderships support to gather world-class space expertise and research infrastructure for our space activities. We are pleased to share these capabilities and infrastructure with AURAK to help train and inspire its students to join the countrys space sector. Prof. Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim of the American University of Ras Al Khaima welcomed the agreement, said: We pride ourselves in being a government-owned university, and are always eager to contribute to the advancement of this country. This cooperation with the UAE Space Agency represents a significant opportunity for mutual benefit, which will ultimately strengthen our national space sector. Furthermore, embarking on a project with such a prestigious entity underlines the quality of the research going on at AURAK, through our Ras Al Khaimah Research and Innovation Center, as well as our ICT Center for Teaching and Creativity in Informatics Communication and Networking. Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) has launched a humanitarian aid mission in support of Rohingya refugee families. The campaign commenced with the distribution of garments, dry food packages, and blankets to more than 3,000 Rohingya families in Bahukhali Bazar in Bangladesh. The initiative is funded by the generous miles donations of Etihad Guest members, in addition to donations made at various Abu Dhabi-based sporting and social events, as well as the electronic Dirham initiative. The mission also included humanitarian aid distribution at a hospital jointly operated by Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The EAG delegation included Khaled Al Mehairbi, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Etihad Airport Services - Ground, and CSR Strategy, Ali Al Shamsi, Vice President Global Airports, and Dougie Douglas, General Manager, commercial activities in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Earlier this year, EAG announced a year-long programme of activities and humanitarian initiatives to mark 2018 as the Year of Zayed. Al Mehairbi said: Today, the Rohingya are in dire circumstances and it is incumbent upon us to do all we can to support them. Driven by our founding father, the late Sheikh Zayeds decades-long charitable activities, Etihad Aviation Group is hoping to play a small role in alleviating the Rohingyas current conditions. In recent months, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have fled violence to Cox's Bazaar - a district in Bangladesh. The vast majority are women and children, including new-born babies. It is known as the fastest-growing refugee emergency in the world. Many refugees have experienced extreme trauma, both from the attacks and the difficult journey to the Bangladeshi border. They arrive hungry, in poor physical condition and in desperate need of life-saving support. Implemented via an agreement between EAG and the UAE Embassy in Bangladesh, this humanitarian mission was undertaken in cooperation with the Emirates Red Crescent and the Bangladeshi Red Crescent. The UAE government has already pledged US$7 million in support of the Rohingya community. During the past five years, EAG has also supported refugees in Greece, Serbia, Lebanon and Jordan. Latest News Global Aviation Technologies installs Goji Geotainment IFE System Global Aviation Technologies (GAT) has successfully installed the first Goji Geotainment system, a plug-and-play replacement for legacy Airshow cabin entertainment systems ideal for business jets. GACA certifies ExecuJet MRO Services to maintain Falcon 900 jets Saudi Arabias General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has certified ExecuJet MRO Services Middle East to carry out maintenance on Dassault Falcon 900B aircraft. Etihad Airways signs multi-year deal with Amadeus Etihad Airways is set to embark on a major digital transformation following the signing of a landmark multi-year deal with Amadeus. Gulf Air launches direct flights to Tel Aviv Gulf Air will commence direct flights to Tel Aviv, Israel starting from 30 September with two weekly flights. EgyptAir to operate non-stop services between Cairo and Dhaka EgyptAir plans to operate non-stop flights between Cairo and Dhaka in Bangladesh by November 2021. To celebrate the launch of Qatar Airways inaugural flight to Canberra, the capital city of Australia, Qatar Airways Group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, hosted a press conference today at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra. Al Baker highlighted the airlines robust expansion plans, as well as its commitment to bringing more travellers to Australia, and to connecting Canberrans to its extensive global network via the award-winning Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Doha. We are tremendously excited to launch our new daily service to Canberra, our fifth destination in Australia. Having inaugurated flights to Adelaide and Sydney in 2016, we quickly realised the need for further expansion of our footprint in Australia, and what better place than the capital, Canberra? This new daily service will without doubt offer our Australian passengers more convenience and an extensive choice of destinations on our global network, as they transit through our award-winning hub, Hamad International Airport. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Chief Minister Andrew Barr, who welcomed the arrival of the second international airline to service the capital, said: It is wonderful to have Qatar Airways make the decision to come to Canberra in 2018 a year in which our city was recognised as the third best city in the world to visit by Lonely Planet. Canberra Airport managing director, Stephen Byron, added: We appreciate Qatar Airways strong support for the nations capital. An airline of this stature will further boost Canberras reputation as a leading tourist destination, on the back of record numbers of international visitors coming in 2017, and Lonely Planet nominating the city as a top three destination for 2018. The launch of a daily service to Canberra increases the airlines number of flights a week into the country to 42. Qatar Airways already operates a daily service to Adelaide, Melbourne Perth and Sydney. The Canberra service will also stop in Sydney, where passengers can disembark, creating a second daily flight into the popular destination. Designed around a contemporary interpretation of Arabic patterns, calligraphy and Omani culture the Mysk Al Mouj is an internationally branded hotel operated by Shaza Hotels Group. A sense of location was the main inspiration running through the hotel. Through distilling the essence of the surroundings we aimed to create a contemporary 4-star hotel with a sense of belonging. The sights, sounds, light and materials of the marina together with the Muscat coastline were studied and referenced throughout the interior design. The approach for the lighting design was to express architectural elements and forms by night reflecting the buildings presence and creating a subtle but effective scheme. The integrated light pays due consideration to the surrounding environment, the hotels proximity to the marina and its vistas. Due to the tight irregular shaped site and the limited view opportunities on two of the available three facades, an early design decision was to focus on creating an exciting series of internal spaces that mimic the feeling of exploring the local wadis which are deep canyon like river beds carved out of the soft stone. Like these natural features they funnel light deep into the building which is constantly changing as the sun angle moves throughout the day and seasons. With all rooms facing into the central space the internal circulation appears to be always active as guests traverse horizontally through the open corridors and vertically through the scenic lifts to all day dining located on the base of the largest atrium. Where possible the main facades where then rotated to maximise the views towards the marina and rising sun. A light palette with subtle overtones of local arabesque geometry was chosen to enrich the interior spaces and acknowledge the proud culture of Oman in a contemporary fashion. Using light colours helped to reflect light deep into the central spaces whilst unifying the appearance of the exposed corridors walls, doors and signage which is exposed to the arrival space. At night the internal space changes character as the skies darken and artificial lighting creates a warm glow from the sculptural atrium lights and secondary lighting highlights the geometric detailing. The accent colours used throughout were chosen from an analysis of the aqua marine colour of the Indian Ocean and white sands. For this project we considered the lifespan of the items as the maintenance turnaround on the hotel furniture is much higher than in our homes so wear and tear is a factor when selecting the best items for the different areas within the hotel. Hard finishes specifically for high traffic areas were specified for the floors and we used double rub fabric and upholstery specifications for the furniture to ensure durability. Most of the furniture pieces have been manufactured locally and many of the fabrics, where possible, were selected from a local mill to help reduce the carbon footprint. The end result is a timeless design that has been created through quality details and distinctive furniture. Amy, who has made a name in the South industry and has now apparently bagged this coveted role in Salman Khan film. 'Kick 2' will be directed by Sajid Nadiadwala and is slated to release on Christmas 2019. Mumbai: Salman Khan will be back as Devil in Kick 2, a sequel to his blockbuster Kick starring Jacqueline Fernandez opposite superstar. Kick marked the directional debut of producer Sajid Nadiadwala which set the box-office on fire in 2014. There is a lot of excitement about which actress will star opposite Salman Khan in the forthcoming sequel. Speculations were rife that Jacqueline too would be reprising her role in the sequel, but now the reports suggest that Amy Jackson has been roped in to play the lead in Kick 2. Amy, who has made a name in the South industry and has now apparently bagged this coveted role in much anticipated sequel of a Bollywood film. According to some sources, Amy fit the bill perfectly and has made it to the final list of the films cast. Kick was produced and directed by Sajid Nadiadwala. It was an official remake of the 2009 Telugu movie Kick. Apart from Salman Khan and Jacqueline Fernandez, the film also featured Randeep Hooda and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Nawazuddin played the main villain in the film. 'Kick 2' will be directed by Sajid Nadiadwala and it is slated to release on Christmas 2019. Meanwhile, Amy Jackson will be next seen in Rajinikanth-Akshay Kumars 2.0, which is slated to release later this year. Salman Khan is busy shooting for Race 3 and has begun prepping for Bharat. The Tiger Zinda Hai actor will reportedly go under extensive prosthetic make-up to look a certain age. Neeraj Pandeys Aiyaary, also starring Manoj Bajpayee in the lead role, will release on Friday ie. on 16th February. Mumbai: Sidharth Malhotra is one lucky man. An outsider for Bollywood, he got to not only meet, but also received appreciation from Salman Khan for his third movie Ek Villain. Recalling one such incident, Sid told Bollywood Life, I got to know him (Salman Khan) really well during Ek Villain actually. I had met him a couple of times before that but I remember on this one Saturday, I was having a small get-together at my house; we were celebrating the film where I called the cast and the producers. And he (Salman) was very sweet to just call up and say, Hey congratulations, I heard the film did really well. I said ya sir thank you and he was like, call me Bhai. You know I dont know him so much so I just couldnt call him Bhai because it was a little bit odd to talk to Salman Khan. I said you know we are right here and I also stay in Bandra so please come over if you are free. But he said no, I wont come you guys carry on. But that was not the end. Salman in fact ended up on Sids doorstep as a surprise. The Aiyaary actor adds, After about 45 minutes, we are all in our apartment and everything else is happening, theres music and the bell rings and you find Salman standing at the door. It was very cool and gracious of him. He came with his friends, he had this smile on his face and he is like how are you man? Congratulations. Neeraj Pandeys Aiyaary, also starring Manoj Bajpayee in the lead role, will release on Friday ie. on 16th February. However, the big hoo-ha over the veteran actor being named after 24 actor, has finally ended in an anticlimax. For his character on the successful Canadian series Bellevue, Anupam Kher was named after his long-time friend and actor Anil Kapoor. When the news broke, it created quite some buzz. However, the big hoo-ha over the veteran actor being named after 24 actor, has finally ended in an anticlimax. Anupam has now decided to change his characters name. There are a lot of Indians across the world who watch Bellevue. Calling myself Dr Anil Kapoor in the series would have seemed gimmicky to them. So, Ive decided to ask the producers to change my name. Earlier this week, there was a hue and cry over Anupam being named after his friend. Even Anil jokingly tweeted that he would like royalty for his name being used. It was all getting a little too messy, says Anupam. Of course, Anil asking for royalty was a joke, but so much was made out of it. In our country, we like to focus on irrelevancies, he continues. The actor leaves for New York in March to shoot the pilot of Bellevue. He will be flying in and out from Mumbai to New York to continue with the shooting of the show in the second-half of the year. I love to challenge myself as an actor. And I am lucky enough to get those challenges in America. When I do work there I am treated as a newcomer. So I work with the enthusiasm of someone who is just starting out (in the West). Harvey was fired from The Weinstein Company on Sunday following an expose of sexual harassment allegations made against him by women. Harvey Weinstein, the sharp-elbowed movie producer whose combative reign in Hollywood made him an Academy Awards regular, was fired from The Weinstein Company on Sunday following an expose that detailed decades of sexual harassment allegations made against Weinstein by actresses and employees. In a statement, the companys board of directors announced his firing Sunday night, capping the swift downfall of one of Hollywoods most powerful producers and expelling him from the company he co-created. In light of new information about misconduct by Harvey Weinstein that has emerged in the past few days, the directors of The Weinstein Company Robert Weinstein, Lance Maerov, Richard Koenigsberg and Tarak Ben Ammar have determined, and have informed Harvey Weinstein, that his employment with The Weinstein Company is terminated, effective immediately, the companys board said in a statement on Sunday night. Weinstein had previously taken an indefinite leave of absence following the revelation of at least eight allegations of sexual harassment uncovered in an expose Thursday by The New York Times. The board on Friday endorsed that decision and announced an investigation into the allegations, saying it would determine the co-chairmans future with the company. But the Weinstein Co. board, which includes Weinsteins brother, went further on Sunday, firing the executive who has always been its primary operator, public face and studio chief. Under his leadership, the Weinstein Co. has been a dominant force at the Oscars, including the rare feat of winning back-to-back best picture Academy Awards with The Kings Speech and The Artist. In recent years, however, Weinsteins status has diminished because of money shortages, disappointing box-office returns and executive departures. An attorney for Weinstein didnt immediately return messages Sunday. A spokesperson for The Weinstein Co. declined to provide further details on Weinsteins firing. Messages left for attorney John Keirnan of the firm Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, who had been appointed to lead an investigation, werent immediately returned Sunday. Weinstein on Thursday issued a lengthy statement that acknowledged causing a lot of pain. He also asked for a second chance. But Weinstein and his lawyers also criticized The New York Times report in statements and interviews, and vowed an aggressive response. The New York Times said it was confident in the accuracy of our reporting. The MEA has written to the ministries of law and home to consider the proposed amendments in the CrPC pertaining to court summons. If a man fails to present himself after three court summons, he will be considered as absconding and his name will be proposed to be added to a list of absconders on the MEA website, women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi said.(Photo: Representational/File) New Delhi: To address the problem of NRI husbands abandoning their Indian wives and absconding from appearing in courts, the Centre has swept into action and is looking to initiate a crackdown on absconding husbands. Property of NRI husbands could be confiscated if they desert their wives and not respond to repeated notices issued to them. Union Women and Child Development (WCD) minister Maneka Gandhi on Monday said the government is considering crucial changes in the criminal law that will allow seizure of the property of NRI men for abandoning their wives. As per reports, WCD ministry has said a person will be assumed that he is evading summons if he doesnt appear after three notices have been served. The person will be treated as an absconder. Reports quoted WCD secretary Rakesh Srivastava as saying that enforcement agencies will be authorised to attach the property of such persons and their families. Srivastava said that the ministry has sought an amendment in the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) that will allow a summons hosted on the website of ministry of external affairs (MEA) to be treated as deemed to have been served. If three such notices have been served and the person does not appear, it will be assumed that he is evading summons and will be treated as an absconder. The enforcement agencies will be authorised to attach the property of such persons and their families. The MEA has already written to Ministry of Home Affaird (MHA) proposing the changes to CrPC, Srivastava said at a press conference. Currently, a woman has to file a complaint with police, which write to embassies. The embassy then tries to serve the summons. According to reports, latest statistics show that the MEA has received 3,328 distressed calls from NRI wives between January 2015 and November 2017. Earlier in January, the governments nodal agency on NRI marital disputes sought revocation of passports of as many as 10 offenders. The decision was taken after Minister of Women and Child Development (WCD) Maneka Gandhi chaired the first meeting of the integrated nodal agency on NRI marriages, in January. The WCD ministry tweeted INA reviewed the 10 cases of revocation of passport request made by NCW (National Commission for Women), and the MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) was asked to expedite action. The body constituted to look into complaints arising out of marital disputes of NRIs will be empowered to issue look-out circulars against absconding husbands, the ministry said. In order to restrict NRI husbands abandoning their wives, the government will also collect data on all registered marriages. According to reports, the WCD ministry has also asked the Law Ministry to make registration of NRI marriages compulsory, which will be done by amending the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969. At least 2 people are said to be trapped inside the ship and rescue operations are on to evacuate them. Eleven persons trapped inside the ship were evacuated and rushed to various hospitals in the city, a CSL spokesperson said. (Photo: Representational/File) Kochi: At least five people were killed and 10 others injured in a blast that took place inside a ship at the Cochin Shipyard in Kochi on Tuesday. The blast took place around 10:45am onboard Sagar Bhushan, a Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) drilling ship, that was berthed for repair. At least 2 people are said to be trapped inside the ship and rescue operations are on to evacuate them. Eleven persons trapped inside the ship were evacuated and rushed to various hospitals in the city, a CSL spokesperson said. Police and fire and rescue service personnel have rushed to the yard to carry out rescue operations. Union Minister of Shipping and Water Resources Nitin Gadkari directed MD Cochin Shipyard to provide all medical support to the victims and initiate inquiry into the incident. Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) is the largest shipbuilding and maintenance facility in India. Further details are awaited. In 2017, CM Siddaramaiah was involved in a controversy for eating fish at lunch before going to the Lord Manjunatha Swamy temple. Speaking to reporters earlier at Shahpur in Yadgir district, Gandhi on Monday defended his visits to temples and religious places, asserting that he would continue them. (Photo: File) Bengaluru: Karnataka BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa on Monday hit out at Congress President Rahul Gandhi for reportedly visiting a temple after eating "Javari chicken" during his ongoing tour of northern parts of the poll-bound state. "At one side there is 10 per cent CM Siddaramaiah who took darshan of Dharmasthala Manjunatha after eating fish, on the other side there is Election Hindu @OfficeOfRG (Rahul Gandhi) who took darshan of Narasimha swamy after eating Javari chicken," Yeddyurappa said in a tweet in Kannada. "Why is Congress repeatedly hurting Hindu sentiments? Looking at every one equally is Samajawad (socialism), yours is majawad (enjoyment)," Yeddyurappa, the Chief ministerial candidate of BJP, said in the tweet with clippings of reports about Gandhi visiting the temple after eating chicken. In 2017, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was involved in a controversy for eating fish at lunch before going to the Lord Manjunatha Swamy temple. It was seen as disrespect to the main deity of the temple, with the issue creating a buzz in the social media. However, Siddaramaiah had dismissed the criticism. Gandhi, who is on a temple trail during his election campaign in northern Karnataka districts, had on Sunday stopped at Kanakagiri in Koppal district and visited the Kanakachala Laxmi-Narasimha temple. The temple, built by a local chieftain, has a history of 500 years of existence. Speaking to reporters earlier at Shahpur in Yadgir district, Gandhi on Monday defended his visits to temples and religious places, asserting that he would continue them. "I like going to temples, wherever I get religious place I go there. I feel good and feel happy, and I will continue (to go)," he told reporters. On a four-day election campaign in Karnataka, where assembly elections are due early this year, Gandhi was responding Yeddyurappas earlier "Election Hindu" jibe at him. "I heartily welcome #ElectionHindu @OfficeOfRG to Ballari. The #Congress President will fulfill our dream of a #CongressMuktKarnataka," Yeddyurappa had said in a tweet, ahead of Gandhis visit to the state from February 10. The university warned that disciplinary action would be taken against those found violating the advisory. The varsity indirectly asked students to celebrate Maha Shivratri and avoid the influence of 'Western' culture. (Photo: PTI) Lucknow: In a bizzare incident, Lucknow University issued an advisory asking its students to not roam in the university premises on Valentine's Day. It warned that disciplinary action would be taken against those found violating the advisory. The varsity indirectly asked students to celebrate Maha Shivratri and avoid the influence of 'Western' culture. The advisory also asked parents to not send students to the campus on the day. Lucknow University issues advisory to its students to not to roam inside the premises of the university on Valentine's Day (14.2.2018). Disciplinary action will be taken against whosoever is found violating the advisory. pic.twitter.com/dQ8cdESICK ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 13, 2018 Students protested against the move and called it 'an example of chhoti soch'. "You've declared a holiday on that day, but telling students to not enter university premises isn't right at all. If we won't enter the university, then who will?," a student asked. In what is being seen as a veiled message to India, China described the situation in the archipelago nation as the internal affairs of that country. New Delhi: China on Monday said it had not grabbed any land or island in the Maldives, lambasting former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed for reportedly making allegations to this effect. Beijing also pointed out that development projects involving it were started during the tenure of Mr Nasheed himself, adding that Mr Nasheed seemed to have made the remarks for political motives. In what is being seen as a veiled message to India, China described the situation in the archipelago nation as the internal affairs of that country. Incidentally, Beijing has emerged as the main backer of the government of President Abdulla Yameen, who had declared emergency in his tiny nation a few days ago after refusing to obey a Supreme Court order there. Exiled former President Nasheed is currently based in Sri Lanka. In a statement from New Delhi, spokesperson of the Chinese embassy in India counsellor Ji Rong said, Recently, former Maldivian President Nasheed made a lot of false remarks... He pointed fingers at the practical cooperation between China and Maldives and alleged that China engaged in so called land grabbing of Maldivian islands, which undermines the security of the Indian Ocean region. These allegations are apparently groundless with no regard to facts. The AAP government completes three years in office on February 14. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal held a high-level meeting with chief secretary Anshu Prakash, other senior IAS officers to enquire about the status of the proposed advertisement. (Photo: File/PTI) New Delhi: A proposed television advertisement featuring Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, issued to mark three years of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi on February 14, is stuck with officers in a fix over a reference in it to "seen and unseen forces". In the video advertisement, the chief minister talks about works done by the AAP government in health, education and other sectors in the last three years and the hurdles it has faced since coming to power. The AAP government completes three years in office on February 14. Kejriwal, in video which has been pending for clearance, says, "Jab aap sacchai aur imaandari ke raaste par chalte hain, toh iss brahmaand ki drishya aur adrishya saari shaktiyan aapki madat karti hain.(When you walk on the path of truth and honesty, all seen and unseen forces of the universe help you). Sources said that the chief minister held a high-level meeting with Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash and other senior IAS officers and enquired about the status of the proposed advertisement which was to be aired from Monday. Sources said that the heads of various departments have denied certification to the particular line in the advertisement, citing the Supreme Court guidelines as they were "unclear about which department would clear it". As per the guidelines of the Supreme Court, all facts should be checked and cleared by the respective departments mentioned in the advertisement before being published or aired, officials said. In Monday's meeting, the chief minister expressed displeasure over the attitude of officers in clearing the advertisement, sources said. (With PTI inputs) In response, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said, 'Tejashwi was just an excuse. Paltu chacha had vicious plans beforehand. The Grand Alliance collapsed in July 2017 after Nitish Kumar resigned over graft charge against his then deputy, Tejashwi Yadav. (Photo: File/PTI) Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday claimed that he knew "from the very beginning" that his alliance with Lalu Prasad's RJD "would not last for more than a year-and-a-half", but he did his best to carry on in the Grand Alliance, which ultimately disintegrated in 2017. The Grand Alliance ministry, headed by Kumar, collapsed in July 2017 after the chief minister resigned over graft charge against his then deputy, Tejashwi Yadav. Subsequently, Kumar joined hands with the BJP to form another coalition government in Bihar. "The very day the Mahagathbandhan government was installed, I had said to those close to me that this was not going to last for more than a year-and-a-half. I knew it from the very beginning. I still managed to carry on for 20 months," the JD(U) chief told reporters in Patna on the sidelines of his weekly "Lok Samvad" (public interaction) programme. He said this while reacting to the allegations of "betrayal of mandate", levelled against him by the RJD and the Congress -- the two other constituents of the erstwhile "Mahagathbandhan". The Grand Alliance was formed shortly after the 2014 Lok Sabha polls when Kumar and Prasad decided to bury the hatchet. Both the JD(U) and the RJD had suffered a severe drubbing in the Parliamentary election, which saw the BJP putting up its best ever electoral performance, riding on a strong wave in favour of Narendra Modi. However, Kumar's statement drew flak from former JD(U) president Sharad Yadav, who had raised a banner of revolt when the Bihar chief minister joined hands with the BJP. "If he (Kumar) knew that the alliance was not going to last, why did he agree for such a tie-up in the first place. It is an illogical thing to say. He is suffering from pangs of guilt for his volte face and trying to justify his actions by such utterances," Yadav told a TV news channel in Delhi. Yadav was disqualified from the Rajya Sabha a couple of months ago, following an application by the JD(U), which had held that the former party president's presence at rallies and meetings organised by the RJD-Congress combine were tantamount to his having "voluntary renounced" the membership of the party. Reacting to Kumar's statement, Tejashwi Yadav tweeted, saying, "This is what I have been saying since the beginning that Tejashwi was just an excuse. Paltu chacha (turncoat uncle) had vicious plans beforehand." "The respected 67-year-old should be ashamed that he made a 28-year-old an excuse for his shenanigans. Uncle, you could have parted ways like a man," Yadav, who is the younger son of Lalu Prasad, said. Pakistan-based group for an attack on an Army camp in which soldiers and their families were targeted. Pakistan-based group for an attack on an Army camp in which soldiers and their families were targeted. (Representational image) Islamabad: Pakistan on Monday warned India against cross-border strikes in the Kashmir after Indian authorities blamed a Pakistan-based group for an attack on an Army camp in which soldiers and their families were targeted. In a statement, the ministry of foreign affairs said: It is a well established pattern that Indian officials begin making irresponsible statements and levelling unfounded allegations, even before any proper investigation in any incident has been initiated. India, it said, was making these allegations to divert attention from its brutality in trying to control the armed revolt in Kashmir, and warned against any retaliatory measures across the Line of Control that divides Kashmir between the nuclear-armed countries. We hope that the international community would urge India to stop the untold atrocities and gross violations of human rights in Kashmir, refrain from any misadventure across the LoC, the foreign office said. In a latest, Aiyar said that Pak wants cordial relations with India, but India is 'still caught in a partially 1947 situation'. The comment by Aiyar came two days after Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists attacked an Army camp in Jammu. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: Senior Congress leader and former MP, Hanumantha Rao has said that he will write to party chief Rahul Gandhi requesting him to expel Mani Shankar Aiyar for saying that while most political parties in Pakistan want cordial relations with India, those in India are "still caught in a partially 1947 situation". Aiyar, who was suspended by the Congress in 2017 after his "neech" remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, made the latest comment in Karachi. "All political parties except the Jamaat-e-Islami say they want peace with India. Now this change in mindset that is taking place in Pakistan is not reflected in India," Aiyar said. The comment by Aiyar was well-timed as it came two days after Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists attacked an Army camp in Jammu, killing five soldiers, one civilian and injured 10 people, including women and children. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on Monday, warned that "Pakistan will pay for its misadventures". Also Read: Pak will pay for 'misadventure': Sitharaman on J&K terror attacks "Mani Shankar Aiyar should stop giving such remarks, he has already been suspended. He should stay quiet," Hanumantha Rao told news agency ANI, adding, "I am writing to Rahul Gandhiji asking him to expel Aiyar from the party." Rao termed Aiyars remarks as weird and said that it may damage the Congress prospects in upcoming polls in Karnataka. "The BJP can take advantage of this," Rao fumed, also stating, "He has earlier given such kind of a wrong statement during the Gujarat election campaign and we have suffered a lot because of that. Later Congress President Rahul Gandhiji even suspended him but still he said that I have got lot of love and affection from Pakistan. What nonsense is he really talking about?" BJP's Sambit Patra said Aiyar is a repeat offender, pointing out that "we have seen him in the past also going to Pakistan and saying Modi ko hatana hoga. Soon after getting criticism from Congress and BJP, Mani Shankar Aiyar, who is in Pakistan, told ANI, Thousands of people, whom I don't know, hug me, wish me. I receive much more hatred in India than the love I receive in Pakistan. So I am happy to be here. They are clapping for me because I speak of peace. Patra added that Aiyar was not the only Congress leader to do this. "We have also seen Salman Khurshid going in the past to Pakistan and praising Pakistan and demeaning India. Such is the culture of the leaders of the Congress party, where P Chidambaram speaks about azaadi (independence), in the sense that it means autonomy... where they, in fact, speak against the Indian Army, saying that Indian Army chief is like 'sadak ke goonde' (road-side goons)," Patra said. Just ahead of the Gujarat Assembly elections in December 2017, Aiyar had called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a neech aadmi, a comment that earned him a reprimand and a suspension order from Rahul Gandhi. Modi during his election campaign in Gujarat said Aiyar had not only insulted him but his entire home state of Gujarat and urged voters to punish the Congress. The Congress posted its best performance in Gujarat in years, narrowing the margin, but it was the BJP that won the state for the fifth time in a row. The remark against Modi before the Gujarat polls was not for the first time, ahead of the 2014 general election Mani Shankar Aiyar had derided Modi as a tea seller who could never be Prime Minister. BJP leaders, ministers rush to defend Bhagwat as Rahul, others seek apology. New Delhi: The RSS, BJP and Union ministers on Monday rushed to the defence of Sangh Parivar boss Mohan Bhagwat over allegations that he had tried to undermine the Armys preparedness and had disrespected martyrs. As Congress president Rahul Gandhi attacked Mr Bhagwat, saying his remarks were an insult to every Indian and demanded an apology, Union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju, along with the RSS, jumped to defend the Sangh Parivar supremo. While the RSS claimed that its boss statements were misrepresented, Mr Rijiju defended him by saying that in emergency situations every Indian must volunteer to stand with the defence forces and Bhagwatji only said it takes 6-7 months for a person to be a trained soldier and if the Constitution permits, the RSS cadres have the ability to contribute BJP ally JD(U)s chief and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar also tried to defend the RSS boss when he asked: If an organisation says that it is eager to safeguard the borders, is it a matter of controversy? Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijiyan tweeted that Mr Bhagwats statements exposes the RSS hidden agenda to float parallel militias to wreak havoc, and crush national unity as it has no respect for Indias institutions. Mr Bhagwat, who has been camping in Bihar, had purportedly claimed on Sunday that the RSS could prepare military personnel faster than the Army. But the RSS claimed that Mr Bhagwats remarks were only made as a comparison between ordinary citizens and Sangh volunteers (swayamsevaks) and were in no way a comparison with the Indian Army. Sarsanghchalak Moh-an Bhagwats speech in Muzaffarpur (Bihar) is being misrepresented. Mr Bhagwat had said that if situation arises and the Constitution permits, the Indian Army would take six months to prepare society, whereas Sangh swayamsevaks can be trained in three days, as swayamsevaks practise discipline regularly, said RSS Akhil Bhartiya Prachaar Pramukh Manmohan Vaidya in a statement. Minister of state for civil aviation Jayant Sinha said it was a case of misconstrued statement and that the Opposition was making unnecessary noise... We are fully with our Army. In Agartala, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav, who is a Sangh pracharak, said Mr Bhagwat might have made the comments to highlight the organisations tatparta (state of readiness). He said: I dont know what he exactly said... He would have said so to highlight the readiness of RSS volunteers. RSS volunteers are always willing to stand with the Army for the nations security. Asked for his reaction on Mr Bhagwats comments, BJP president Amit Shah said he had heard about them only through the social media, and would react after getting to know what he had exactly said. Targeting Mr Bhagwat, Congress president Rahul Gandhi tweeted: The RSS chiefs speech is an insult to every Indian, because it disrespects those who have died for our nation. It is an insult to our flag because it insults every soldier who ever saluted it. Shame on you Mr Bhagwat, for disrespecting our martyrs and our Army. #ApologiseRSS. Later, speaking to the media in Karnataka, Mr Gandhi said: Mohan Bhagwats remark is absolutely wrong, Im pained at bhearing it... Our soldiers shed their blood, stand at the borders and work, they give their lives... Mohan Bhagwatjis statement is absolutely wrong, he has to apologise. He has to say that he has committed a mistake... Soldiers, whether from the paramilitary forces or the Army, Air Force or Navy, or whoever works for the security of this country, he has said this against them. What he has said is absolutely wrong and he has to apologise. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan tweeted: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwats comments on the Indian Army are in poor taste, against constitutional propriety; confirms our worst fears about the Sangh that it has no respect for Indias institutions. His statement exposes the RSSs hidden agenda to float parallel militias to wreak havoc, crush national unity. He also tweeted: RSS wants to turn India into Mussolinis Italy and Hitlers Germany. Parallel Army he is talking about is what we have always warned against: Hindu terror. Running down the Army amounts to treason. RSS chief must apologise to the people of India for this treacherous remark. PM Narendra Modi should clarify his govts position over Bhagwat belittling Indian Army. Jawan killed; second attack in 3 days on security forces in J&K. Srinagar: The security forces on Monday foiled what could have been a second major terrorist act on their encampments in Jammu and Kashmir in three days by forcing the assailants to flee. However, one CRPF jawan was killed and a J&K policeman was injured in a gunfight raging in the neighbourhood of the CRPFs 23rd Battalion camp, the intended target, in Srinagars Karan Nagar area. Officials said the assailants have been holed up inside an under-construction building in the area. Intermittent firing continued till reports last came in. Local residents have been evacuated from the area. Intermittent firing continued till reports last came in whereas the local residents have been evacuated. The officials said the gunmen tried to storm the CRPF camp shortly before dawn, exactly the way a group of militants believed to be members of Jaish-e-Mohammed did at an Army station at Sanjwan in the winter capital, Jammu, over the weekend. But this time the militant attempt was foiled by an alert sentry who, officials said, on noticing suspicious persons at around 4.30 am carrying backpacks and weapons, challenged them and opened fire as well. The militants fled into a nearby under-construction building. They were encircled by reinforcements and a gunfight is underway, said a police official. CRPF spokesman Rajesh Yadav said that the building where the two militants had taken positions was a huge structure. He said Constable Mujahid Khan of the CRPFs 49 Battalion was critically injured in the clash and later succumbed in hospital. The Lashkar-e-Tayyaba claimed responsibility for the incident and said our mujahedin have taken control of Indian forces stronghold. Its chief Mehmood Shah said in a statement to local news agency GNS: The mujahedin of LeT continue to seize control of the stronghold in Karan Nagar. Amid the clash, mobile phone companies snapped the high-speed mobile Internet service in Srinagar after an order to this effect by the district administration. The mobile Internet speed was reduced to 2G as soon as we got the order, an official said. The incident came 48 hours after a group of heavily equipped and highly motivated terrorists stormed the Armys 36 Brigade headquarters of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JKLI) at Sunjwan in Jammu city, leaving five soldiers and the father of one of them dead, and 11 persons, including an officer of the rank of major, injured. The Army had on Sunday claimed four militants were also killed in retaliatory action but officials have now said only three militants, five soldiers and a civilian died in the armed standoff. The operation was called off at 10 am today, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced at a press conference in Jammu on Monday evening. Earlier, the J&K government made a statement in the state Assembly, now holding its budget session in Jammu, that five soldiers, three militants and one civilian have been killed and 11 persons injured in the Sunjwan fidayeen attack. Minister for revenue and parliamentary affairs Abdul Rehman Veeri said that the militants carried out the fidayeen attack on February 10 by opening indiscriminate fire and lobbing grenades inside the Army station. He added: Three militants were also killed. The firing stopped at 2 am on February 11 but the area is still under cordon and is being sanitised. Army officials said the militants were wearing combat fatigues and that during the operation the IAFs Para commandos, airlifted from the garrison town of Udhampur and Sarsawa in Haryana, and the Armys special forces acted in concert to flush out the attackers while Army helicopters and drones and IAF aerial surveillance were used to neutralise the holed-up militants. In the backdrop of these attacks and constant cross-border firing and shelling incidents, in which scores of people, mostly civilians, have been killed and wounded over the past three weeks, J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday once again advocated the resumption of a peace dialogue with Pakistan which, she said, was vital in order to seek an end to the suffering of the people of the state. She tweeted: Dialogue with Pakistan is necessary if we are to end bloodshed. I know I will be labelled anti-national by news anchors tonight, but that doesnt matter. The people of J&K are suffering. We have to talk because war is not an option. She added: If we (Kashmiris) dont talk about it (dialogue), who will? Not a Bihari, not a Punjabi. Later, the chief minister, while speaking separately in the two Houses of the J&K legislature, reiterated that the people of the state have been the worst victims of continued violence and uncertainty and said dialogue is the best way to resolve issues and end this acrimonious situation. She added: The people of Jammu and Kashmir have been caught in the web of violence for the past 30 years or so, and it is out of this pain and suffering that they have been demanding a dialogue and better relations between India and Pakistan. For how long shall the people continue to die and for how long shall we be laying wreaths?, she asked. She regretted that some television channels were creating unnecessary acrimony about the state in order to increase their TRPs. This way they are alienating more the people of the state from the national mainstream, she said, and appealed to the media to play a positive and constructive role while reporting and discussing developments about the state. The boat was intercepted and brought ashore for investigation along with the seven crew members. The fishing boat, 'Al-Hilal', was detected inside Indian waters around 16 nautical miles off the coast of Jakhau in Kutch region by the Indian Coast Guard. (Photo: AFP) Ahmedabad: The Indian Coast Guard on Tuesday apprehended seven Pakistani fishermen and seized their boat for venturing into Indian waters off Gujarat coast. "The fishing boat, 'Al-Hilal', was detected inside Indian waters around 16 nautical miles off the coast of Jakhau in Kutch region by the Indian Coast Guard Ship 'MeeraBen'," a defence statement said. The boat, with seven crew members on board, was eventually intercepted and brought ashore for investigation along with the seven crew members, it said. In December 2017, six Pak fishermen were nabbed by the Coast Guard for catching the fish inside Indian waters after crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Earlier in November, as many as 15 Pakistani fishermen on two boats were apprehended by the Coast Guard for venturing into Indian waters off Gujarat coast. He said ADM Jabalpur was a limited regime, whereas Aadhaar is unlimited. New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Tuesday urged the Supreme Court to strike down the Aadhaar law as unconstitutional, pointing out that this was the most important case since Independence. Summing up his arguments before a Constitution bench of Chief justice Dipak Misra and Justices A.K. Sikri, A.M. Kanwilkar, D.Y. Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan, the senior counsel said that the present case was more important than ADM Jabalpur case during the Emergency, when the apex court upheld suspension of fundamental rights. He said ADM Jabalpur was a limited regime, whereas Aadhaar is unlimited. Mr Sibal said, This judgment will decide the course that this country takes. Will we live in a country where there is choice, or do we live in a country where the State is the arbiter of choice. The Bench hearing the PIL was led by CJI Misra, Justices Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud. New Delhi: A new Bench of Supreme Court will hear the plea for revival of the Rs 64 cr Bofors case after Justice A.M. Khanwilkar announced on Tuesday that he was recusing himself from the case. One of the three judges who was hearing the case, Justice Khanwilkar did not give any reason for his decision. During the resumed hearing of the petition filed by advocate Ajay Agarwal challenging the Delhi high courts discharge of UK-based industrialists Hind-ujas in the Bofors guns pay-off case, Justice Khanwilkar, without giving any reason told the counsel that he was recusing himself. The CJI then said that the matter would be posted before another bench for hearing on March 28. Mr Agarwal had sought the recusal of Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra alleging that he was prejudiced and bent upon dismissing the politically-sensitive case without going into its merits. The Bench hearing the PIL was led by CJI Misra, Justices Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud. Mr Agarwal said he was compelled to file the petition against the high court judgment as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had failed to approach the apex court with a Special Leave Petition (SLP) against the verdict. On behalf of the CBI, it was brought to the courts notice that an appeal was filed earlier this month. Appearing for the CBI, additional solicitor general Tushar Mehta submitted that the agency has appealed the high court decision to discharge the Hindujas in 2005, and that the appeals are being cured of defects in the SC registry. The CBI had moved the Supreme Court despite a negative opinion from attorney-general K.K. Venugopal that such an appeal, delayed by over a dozen years, would be rejected by the apex court. The 69-page appeal defended the delay by saying that crime never dies and lapse of time is no bar to proceed against offenders however powerful they may be. The Delhi high court had in May 2005 quashed all charges against the Hinduja brothers Srichand, Hinduja, Gopichand and Prakashchand and the Bofors company and criticised the CBI for its handling of the case saying it had cost the exchequer Rs 250 crore. The petition by CBI relies on a media interview given by investigator Michael Hershman, who has given new information which, the CBI says, must be probed and the case re-opened. Further, CBI said the Delhi high court had rejected the agencys evidence relying on some Swedish documents. The high court, the CBI submitted, was wrong in rejecting these documents which are in public domain and must be accepted. According to the CBI, Mr Hershman, the first secret investigator into Bofors papers, had revealed the truth for the first time in a TV interview and exposed former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi and the then Congress-led government. Mr Hershman hinted that powerful politicians exist in India who fear being identified in Bofors. He further alleged that the Congress government had sabotaged his investigation. Mr Hershman, who is the president of US-based private detective firm Fairfax, said that Rajiv Gandhi was furious when he found a Swiss bank account uncovered. He has expressed willingness to testify and help Indian agencies in the Bofors gun pay-off scandal, the CBI said in its appeal. The sniper rifles will be bought under the Buy Global category. The Defence Acquisi-tion Council also cleared the procurement of Advanced Torpedo Decoy Systems (ATDS) for the Indian Navy. NEW DELHI: The government on Tuesday addressed a long and crying need from the soldier at Ground Zero for an effective mainstay small weapon when the defence ministrys apex procurement panel, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), approved the buying of a huge small arms arsenal of 7,40,000 assault rifles, 5,719 high-precision sniper rifles and Light Machine Guns (LMGs) for the three wings of the armed forces. Amid increasing casualties of soldiers falling prey to terror attacks, the proposal acquires top significance even as the low intensity conflict in the border areas and hinterland of Jammu and Kashmir rages. Tuesdays meeting, chaired by defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, just back from her Jammu visit, where she met injured soldiers and many family members of jawans who had sustained injuries during the latest terror attack in an army camp, cleared capital acquisition proposals valued at Rs 15,935 crore. While the assault rifles are estimated to cost Rs 12,280 crore, the LMGs will cost about Rs 1,819 crore, while the 5,719 sniper rifles would come for around Rs 982 crore. The assault rifles will be produced in India under the Buy and Make (Indian) category through both state-run Ordnance Factory Board and private sector, an essential quantity numbers of LMGs will be put through the fast track route primarily to meet the operational requirement of the troops deployed on the borders. The sniper rifles will be bought under the Buy Global category, while the ammunition for these weapons will be initially procured and subsequently manufactured in India. The Defence Acquisi-tion Council also cleared the procurement of Advanced Torpedo Decoy Systems (ATDS) for the Indian Navy at a cost of Rs 850 crore which the ministry said will enhance the anti-submarine warfare capabilities of Indian Navy. Khan was referring to former Indian Naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav. New Delhi: Hours after defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman vowed to hit Pakistan for the Jammu terror attack, her Pakistani counterpart Khurram Dastgir Khan warned that his country will pay India in its own coin in case of any Indian misadventure. He also dismissed New Delhis claim that Islamabad was behind the storming of the Sunjwan Army camp in Jammu in which five Armymen and a civilian were killed. Responding to Ms Sitharamans remark on Monday that India reserves the right to respond adequately at the time of its choosing, Mr Khan said, Any Indian aggression, strategic miscalculation, or misadventure regardless of its scale, mode or location will not go unpunished and shall be met with an equal and proportionate response. Instead of the knee-jerk reaction of blaming Pakistan without substantiation, India must answer for state-sponsored espionage against Pakistan, Mr Khan said in a statement. He was referring to former Indian Naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of terrorism. Claiming that Pakistans armed forces are alive to all possibilities, the Pakistani minister said that an aggressive Pak-centric doctrine and arrayed forces under a belligerent regime leading to possible strategic miscalculation by India will seriously impact the strategic stability in South Asia. Later, the Pakistan foreign office too stepped up the attack on India, saying, The now familiar Indian tendency of apportioning blame to Pakistan, without a shred of evidence, is regrettable. Denying any role in the Jammu attack, the Pakistan foreign office said, The Indian allegations are premature and inopportune, especially as India itself admits that the operation still continued and investigations had just started, when these comments were made. We have repeatedly seen India arrogating to itself the role of judge, jury and executioner. The reflex assignment of blame and smear campaigns, based on unfounded allegations, carry no credibility. More deplorable is the threatening tone of the Indian comments that achieves nothing, but further vitiates the already tense environment marked by unprecedented ceasefire violations by India on the Line of Control (LoC), it added. The Congress has been terming the alliance between the BJP and PDP in Jammu and Kashmir unholy since its inception. New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday criticised the government over its Kashmir policy. PDP says talks with Pakistan. BJP Defence Minister says Pakistan will pay the price. While our soldiers pay with their blood for BJP/PDPs opportunistic alliance and non-existent Kashmir policy; Modiji dithers, he tweeted. The Congress has been terming the alliance between the BJP and PDP in Jammu and Kashmir unholy since its inception. On Monday, following an attack on a CRPF camp in Srinagar, J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti had called for India-Pakistan talks to resolve the long-pending issue of Kashmir. Dialogue with Pakistan is necessary if we are to end bloodshed (in the state). I know I will be labelled anti-national by news anchors tonight but that doesnt matter. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are suffering. We have to talk because war is not an option, she said. On the same day, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said that Pakistan will pay for this misadventure. Singh hailed the decision by the apex court to reject the PIL. New Delhi/Bhopal: The Supreme Court on Tuesday gave a clean chit to Chattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh in the helicopter purchase from Agusta Westland holding that there was no fraud or illegality found in the deal. Dismissing PILs filed by Swaraj Abhyan through Prashant Bhushan and two others, a bench of Justices A.K. Goel and Uday Lalit said, The question is whether the allegations are substantiated against the son of the Chhattisgarh chief minister, Abhishak Singh. Even though the submission initially appeared to require consideration on account of which the state was directed to produce the record and explain the position after due consideration, we find it difficult to accept the same. Mr Singh hailed the decision by the apex court to reject the PIL in a strange way by tweeting, Satyam Kim Pram-anam, the Sanskrit quote if loosely translated says truth ultimately prevails. In fact, he tagged his comment with the Twitter accounts of Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhupesh Baghel and Congress Legislature Par-ty leader T.S. Singhdeo, who have been vocal in demanding a CBI probe into it for the past several years. AICC general secretary in-charge of Chhattisgarh P.L. Punia, however, said the apex courts dismissal of the PIL did not amount to giving clean chit to the chief minister on the issue. The matter is currently being probed other Central government agencies, he observed. Supreme Court recently directed the Uttar Pradesh government to submit a vision document on the preservation of the monument within four weeks. . As of now, there is no separate fee for entry to the main mausoleum. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: In an effort to preserve the Taj Mahal, tourists visiting the historic monument will have to shell out extra money from April 1 as the government has decided to introduce Rs 200 charge for seeing the main mausoleum and also raise the entry fee to Rs 50 from Rs 40. As of now, there is no separate fee for entry to the main mausoleum. Culture minister Mahesh Sharma on Tuesday told reporters that the changes have been effected to preserve the Taj Mahal and for a better crowd management. We need to preserve the Taj Mahal for the generations to come. New barcoded tickets would cost Rs 50 instead of the earlier Rs 40 and it would be valid only for three hours, said Mr Sharma. A separate ticket of Rs 200 will be needed to enter into the main mausoleum at the Taj Mahal to ensure the protection of the area and better crowd management, he said. The minister pointed out that a recent report by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), which had conducted a study on Tajs load-bearing capacity, had recommended immediate steps to reduce the number of footfalls into the mausoleum to protect its integrity. We thought capping the number of tourists per day was not a viable option, but we had to do something. The hike in prices is not to generate revenue, but to ensure that only people who are genuinely interested enter the area, the minister said. The Supreme Court recently directed the Uttar Pradesh government to submit a vision document on the preservation of the monument within four weeks. The tenant, Avadesh Sakya, an IAS aspirant, was 'unhappy' with the boy's family as they had objected to his partying in the house. Police said that looking at the condition of the body, the boy might have been killed immediately after his abduction. (Representational image) New Delhi: A seven-year-old boy was murdered and his body found hidden in a suitcase in the house of a former tenant of the boy's family in northwest Delhis Swaroop Nagar. The boy had been missing since January 7. The tenant, Avadesh Sakya, an IAS aspirant, was "unhappy" with the boy's family as they had objected to his partying in the house, the police said according to a report in NDTV. Sakya, who had stayed with the family for eight years in Swaroop Nagar, had recently shifted to another house in the same neighbourhood. He used to visit the family regularly. After the boy went missing, Sakya had also joined the search party and had also gone to the police with the child's parents. The child's body was found in the suitcase on Tuesday following rising stench from Sakya's home, which he had blamed for dead rats. "My son used to call him Avadesh Uncle. He fed him Chhole Kulche and also promised him a new cycle. That day, he asked me to go to Chachi's house and then he never returned," the child's mother was quoted as saying by NDTV. The police believe that Sakya couldn't dispose off the body as the area was continuously being investigated after the child's abduction. They said that looking at the condition of the body, the boy might have been killed immediately after his abduction. The JD-U has decided not to field any candidate in by-polls to the Araria Lok Sabha seat and Jahanabad and Bhabhua assembly seats. 'Our party has decided that we will not participate in the by-poll,' the Chief Minister said. (Photo: ANI) Patna: The Janata Dal (United) will not contest any seat in Bihar by-poll next month, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said on Monday. The JD-U has decided not to field any candidate in by-polls to the Araria Lok Sabha seat and Jahanabad and Bhabhua assembly seats. "Our party has decided that we will not participate in the by-poll," the Chief Minister said. "It is a state unit decision and every party has a right to take its own decision," he added. When asked about Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's comment that the Sangh can create an army in three days, Nitish Kumar said: "If any organisation or an individual says that he will fight for the country then it means he is showing enthusiasm for the country," he said. On long-pending Ayodhya issue, the Chief Minister, said it was for everyone's betterment that the issue is resolved out of the court. Nitish Kumar said he always believed in out of court settlement in connection with the Ayodhya issue. The central probe agency had earlier questioned Rabri Devi and her son Tejashwi Yadav in the case. New Delhi: The Enforcement Direct-orate (ED) on Monday questioned RJD chief Lalu Prasads son-in-law Rahul Yadav in connection with its money laundering probe into the IRCTCs hotel scam. According to sources Rahul Yadav appeared before the investigating officer of the case at about 1 pm and his statement was recorded under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Rahul Yadav is the husband of Lalu Prasads fourth daughter. The ED first summoned Rahul Yadav last month after it allegedly detected movement of funds from him to his mother-in-law, Rabri Devi. The ED is already probing the role of Lalu Prasads eldest son-in-law Shailesh Kumar, who is married to Misa Bharti, in a separate money laundering case linked to the purchase of alleged tainted assets involving a firm, Ms Mishail Packers and Printers Pvt Ltd. This firm is said to be linked to Misa, a Rajya Sabha MP of the Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD), and Shailesh Kumar. A charge sheet in the case has been filed before a court here. As part of the fresh summonses, the ED wants to seek an explanation from Rahul Yadav about the transfer of funds to the tune of about Rs 1 crore, apart from answering few other queries related to a firm embroiled in this case, Delight Marketing, sources said. The central probe agency had earlier questioned Rabri Devi and her son Tejashwi Yadav in the case. Tejashwi Yadav was, till recently, Bihar deputy chief minister in the government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Kumar later broke ties with the RJD and formed government with the BJP. The ED, in July last year, had registered a case against Lalu Prasad, his family members and others under various sections of the PMLA. Before that, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered a first information report and conducted multiple searches on the properties of Lalu Prasad and others. The CBI FIR alleged that Lalu Prasad, during his tenure as railway minister in the UPA-I government, handed the maintenance of two IRCTC hotels to a company in 2004 after a bribe in the form of prime land in Patna through a benami company owned by Sarla Gupta, the wife of Prem Chand Gupta, a former Union minister. The ED registered the criminal case against his family members and others under the PMLA, based on this CBI FIR. These petitions are filed for extraneous petitions with oblique motive. New Delhi: The Maharashtra government on Monday strongly opposed in the Supreme Court plea for a probe into the death of CBI Judge H.B. Loya and said the petitions are politically motivated just because the judge is connected with a criminal case involving a political functionary (Amit Shah) heading a political party (BJP). Making this submission before a three-judge Bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A.M. Kanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud, senor counsel Mukul Rohatgi appearing for Maharashtra said, Apart from politics, there is nothing amiss in the death of Loya. Mr. Rohatgi said, These petitions are filed for extraneous petitions with oblique motive. The unfortunate death of judge Loya is sought to be politicised just because the judge is connected with the criminal case in which a political functionary heading a political party was discharged from the case. Press conference is held (by Congress party) for a probe to politicise the issue. Mr Rohatgi pointed out that there was not even a whisper by any of these petitioners, Bombay Advocates Association, Congress leader Tehseen Poonawala or journalist Bhandhuraj Lone till a magazine raised a suspicion about Loyas death based on wrong facts. He said four district judges who were present with Loya from November 29 till the afternoon of December 1, 2014, had given statements as to how the judge died of a heart attack. Draft document threatens Opp. unity ahead of 2019 polls. New Delhi: In a setback to hopes of Opposition unity before the 2019 general elections, a draft political resolution to be taken up at the CPI(M) party congress in April has ruled out any truck with the Congress despite declaring BJP as enemy number one. The draft, which was released on Tuesday for public debate, appeared to be self-contradictory on many issues as it could not provide a vision for defeating the BJP without any electoral understanding with the Congress, which is the biggest Opposition party at the national level. Also, there was no clarity on post-poll options for the party. The so-called political-tactical line of the party in fact seemed confused on how to deal with the Congress which it branded as a party which represents the interests of the bourgeois-landlord classes. The document said that the Congress professes to be secular but it has proved to be incapable of consistently fighting the communal forces. The document said, The main task is to defeat the BJP and its allies by rallying all the secular and democratic forces. However, this has to be done without having an understanding or electoral alliance with the Congress. In an apparent contradiction, a few sentences later, the draft said, Appropriate electoral tactics to maximise the pooling of anti-BJP votes should be adopted. It offered no explanation as to how anti-BJP votes can be maximised without aligning with the Congress. Sources said that the final draft is a substantial climb down from the majority draft circulated at the Central Committee meeting last month and has gone through at least six revisions. At least two paras on alliances with regional parties have been deleted. Factions led by party general secretary Sitaram Yechury and his predecessor and Politburo member Prakash Karat have been locked in a bitter debate over whether or not to align with the Congress in 2019. Many, however, see this as a battle of personalities and a turf war with drafts circulated by both at the Central Committee meeting having very little difference and agreeing in principle that the partys main objective is to defeat the BJP. In January, the Central Committee approved a no alliance, no understanding with the Congress line advocated by Mr Karat, rejecting a slightly different formulation put forward by Mr Yechury by a 55-31 vote. The final draft exhibits interesting coinage of phrases as far as the BJP was concerned. Without branding the BJP as a fascist party, the draft identified the RSS as a fascist force which was guiding it: The BJP is no ordinary bourgeois party as the fascistic RSS guides and dominates it. When the BJP is in power, the RSS gets access to the instruments of state power and the state machinery. There has been a divergence of views between Mr Yechury and Mr Karat on whether the Narendra Modi government is exhibiting authoritarian tendencies or a movement towards fascism. Supporters of Mr Yechury had argued that if the BJP is branded fascist then its communal and fascist agenda will have to be countered through broad-based alliances. The draft will next be taken up at the party congress in Hyderabad in April. Sources said that amendments can be moved to the existing document by individuals as well as state units. His stand was in sharp contrast to the assertion by Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia. Bhopal: AICC general secretary and former chief minister Digvijay Singh has hinted that he will be active in Congress politics in Madhya Pradesh after he completes his Narmada Parikrama, a religious tour he begun in September last year to make round of the sacred river on foot. I am a politician, wont fry pakodas after Narmada Parikra-ma, Mr Singh, who is scheduled to comple-te his parikrama, by the end of March this year, said in a statement. Incidentally, his MLA son Jaivardhan Singh had also earlier indicated that his father would take a plunge into active politics in MP as soon as he completed his parikrama. The AICC general secretary had earlier generated heat in Congress politics here by suggesting that the party should go forward for the upcoming Assembly elections, due in MP in November-December this year, under a collective leadership. His stand was in sharp contrast to the assertion by Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia, a front-runner in the race for chief minister post, that Congress should declare its face in MP ahead of the polls. Remark amid India, Pak standoff over attack on Army, CRPF camp. New Delhi: Suspended Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, whose neech remark for Prime Minister Narendra Modi spelt trouble for the Congress during the Gujarat Assembly elections, has stirred a new controversy by saying I love Pakistan. A worried party MP now wants him sacked before he can damage the partys prospects in Karnataka Assembly polls. I love Pakistan because I love India, Mr Aiyar said urging India to love thy neighbour as thyself at the Karachi Lit Fest on Sunday. His controversial remarks came amid a standoff between India and Pakistan over attacks on an Army camp in Sunjwan and a CRPF camp in Srinagar. While defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that Pakistan will pay a price for its misadventure, Islamabad on Tuesday responded by saying that any Indian aggression will not go unpunished. He also criticised the Indian government for not talking peace with Pakistan. All Pakistani political parties except the Jamaat-e-Islami say they want peace with India. Now this change in mindset that is taking place in Pakistan is not reflected in India, he said. While most political parties in Pakistan want cordial relations with India, those in India are still caught in a partially 1947 situation, said the former Indian Foreign Service officer who served in Karachi from 1978 to 1982. Pushing for an early dialogue between the two neighbours, the suspended Congress leader said, There is only one way to resolve the India-Pakistan issue and that is by way of uninterrupted and un-interruptible dialogue. Despite the criticism back home and heightened diplomatic tension between Islamabad and New Delhi, Mr Aiyar on Tuesday continued to praise Pakistanis. He said he receives much more hatred in India than the love showered on him by people in Pakistan. Thousands of people, whom I dont know, hug me, wish me. I receive much more hatred in India than the love I rec-eive in Pakistan. So I am happy to be here. They are clapping for me because I speak of peace, he said. Sensing electoral reverses in Karnataka over Mr Aiyers remarks, Congress MP V. Hanumantha Rao has urged the party chief to expel him. Bhagwat had said in Bihar that if need arises, RSS volunteers would be reday to take on Pakistan even before the Army. Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati on Tuesday strongly condemned the statement made by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on the Indian Army. In a statement issued here, Ms Mayawati said that the RSS chiefs statement was not only an insult to the Indian Army, but also reflected the fact that RSS volunteers were militants. Mr Bhagwat had said in Bihar that if need arises, RSS volunteers would be reday to take on Pakistan even before the Army. If the RSS is so confident of its cadres, why has Mohan Bhagwat tak-en the protection cover of NSG? His own cadres should guard him, she said. She said that the RSS chiefs statement would dampen the spirits of Army personnel and added that Mr Bhagwat should apologise for his comments. She added that the RSS was turning into a political entity and was no longer a social organisation. Replying to a women entrepreneur, Mr Gandhi said that he was for encouraging more women in different fields including politics. Kalaburagi (Karnataka): Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused the RSS of trying to capture every institution and charged that NDA ministers at the Centre were not operating independently as the Sangh Parivar outfits men have been planted in each ministry. He also said the idea of demonetisation was given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by a particular ideologue of the RSS. In every single ministry in India, at the national level there is an OSD from the RSS working with the minister The minister is not operating on his own, he said. Interacting with professionals and the business community at the end of his four-day campaign in poll-bound Karnataka, Mr Gandhi said, The approach is of capture an institution as opposed to allowing an institution to serve the people of India and allowing the people of India to capture the institution. This is the fundamental conflict we have with the BJP. Their idea is wherever they go, they plant people with their ideology into that organisation, he said. The Congress idea is to democratise institutions while the BJP believes in bureaucratising institutions, he said. Mr Gandhi said the idea of note ban was also given by an RSS ideologue. Do you know where the idea of note bandi (note ban) came from? Do you know who gave the idea of note bandi to the Prime Minister It was not RBI, it was not Arun Jaitley (finance minister), it was not an officer in the finance ministry, Mr Gandhi said. It was a particular ideologue of the RSS. Now you imagine the RSS places an idea into the Prime Ministers mind and the Prime Minister launches that idea, said Mr Gandhi, who blamed the PM for the ill-advised move saying it had wreaked havoc on the lives of people. He said even a child will know that it is not a good idea to destroy Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes that allowed the corrupt to convert their black money into white. The ruling Congress is seeking to retain power in Karnataka where Assembly polls are due in May this year, while the BJP is eyeing to wrest it from it in the only southern state the saffron party has ever ruled. The BJP was in power in Karnataka from May 2008 to May 2013. During this period, the saffron party named three chief ministers B.S. Yeddyurappa, D.V. Sadananda Gowda and Jagadish Shettar. Reiterating his strong opposition to the Gabbar Singh Tax(GST), Mr Gandhi made a promise to reform and simplify it (when his party comes to power). He again blamed Mr Modi for introducing GST solely with the intent to show off to the world. The Congress had a simple concept about GST. It wanted one tax slab for a large number of items used by the general public and another slab for the rest. Moreover, we had suggested introducing it as a pilot project for three months and later on extending it after seeing the results. When this suggestion was put before finance minister Arun Jaitley, the latter expressed his inability saying that the PM had already made up his mind. Its a self-inflicted injury and the result of Mr Modis desire to show off to the world. We will reform and remove the hurdles that have been created, Mr Gandhi assured. Replying to a women entrepreneur, Mr Gandhi said that he was for encouraging more women in different fields including politics. I want to bring more women from panchayat bodies to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. I want to see more women MLAs, MPs and CMs. I will speak to my party CMs in different states in this regard. Im also of the view that bank loans should be given directly to women entrepreneurs, he added. The present series in acrylic colours on canvas reveals his perceptions about the Energy prevalent in a sensitive soul and spirits. Artist has endeavored to depict subtle nuances of energy in vivid arenas using the 5 eternal elements as iconic muses. Pune based artist, Nilesh Pawar is all geared up to display his works at a solo art exhibition at Jehangir Art Gallery, Hirji Gallery, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai from February 19 to 25. The exhibition will run everyday between 11am to 7pm. A creation by Nilesh Pawar Entitled Energy, the exhibition will reveal his artistic perceptions about the latent energy prevalent in the subconscious mind of a sensitive human mind and soul in the apt arenas. Pawar who hails from Pune and has had his art education at L.S. Raheja School of Arts, Bandra, Mumbai has showcased solo exhibition in leading art galleries across Pune, Mumbai and other cities. Nilesh Pawar creation The present series in acrylic colours on canvas reveals his perceptions about the Energy prevalent in a sensitive soul and spirits. Deeply impressed by the relevance of this latent energy present in a sensitive soul, he has endeavored to depict the subtle nuances of the same in vivid arenas using the 5 eternal elements as iconic muses. Pawar attempts to etch the subconscious energy of the human mind. The artist has skillfully demonstrated the omnipresence of this latent power in a sensitive soul in company of nature and its 5 divine elements viz Air, Water, Sky, Light and Earth. A Nilesh Pawar creation. Pawar has highlighted the mindscapes of sensitive souls being obsessed by this power and energy that lead to interactive dialogues or interrelations with others in the arenas. Vivid characters in his works have been blessed with omnipresent interactive urge from within i.e. subconscious mind which results in useful peaceful virtues leading to pleasure, happiness etc in apt arenas. A Nilesh Pawar creation. Using optimum colour tones with spraying technique and well achieved tonal harmony and rhythm he has enhanced the visual aesthetic quality of each work. If you plan on staying single this Valentines Day, the city has a lot on offer. From punching out your bad relationship memories to drinking with your friends, here is all that you can do. Mumbai: With the air brimming with love, Valentines Day might as well be the lovers paradise. Some spend the day celebrating the little things, while others believe in a grand gesture to emote their feelings. And even as couples in the city gear up for the day, singles have their own share of options to make the most of it. For one, you could gather up your girl gang and head to Agent Jacks Bar to be greeted by their witty AI system. At the bar, which houses the AI system, one can bargain with the AI for a drop in its price. However, as one is greeted with amusing and sarcastic remarks on a regular basis, for Valentines Day, it has some special plans in place. We want to make the day a fun celebration for our single patrons, says Rahul Dhingra, founder of the bar. For this, we will be presenting a completely different avatar of Agent Jack (the AI). He has decided to put forward his romantic side by putting on a flirty avatar during negotiations. You can ask the Agent for two orders of the same drink and hell answer with a Darling, why dont we make it four instead of two to make this a night to remember? laughs Rahul. And while you have a flirty Agent tending your table, Rahul recommends picking up a drink or two from its specially curated menu of cocktails for the day. We also have a twist planned. We plan to give out vouchers to innovative proposals to Agent Jack on social media, says Rahul. Hoppipola, on the other hand, is hosting a speed-dating session in association with LOL Social Club, for the singles who hope to change their relationship status. The modus operandi is quite simple: one has to chat with a minimum of eight eligible singles for eight minutes each, and score them. The team evaluates the score and passes on details via email. The cats and the staff at Cat Cafe Studio will play cupid this year too. Yashmi Adani, social media manager for the cafe, says its Valentines speed-dating session is going to be different from the usual ones. We are hoping to get someone really famous and loved to host the evening, who will provide some comic relief for the awkward first-timers, she laughs. Through their celebratory week, the studio also has other activities planned. The team behind The Bombay Bronx hopes to be a little more inclusive, and get everyone to have fun on Valentines. Celebrating Valentines Day is too cliche. We want our patrons to celebrate the day with our wide range of LIITs. The first LIIT is on the house for girls, says Nakul Kumar, co-founder of the space. His recommendations for LIITs stand strong on Cupid is Stupid or X Boyfriend. And if love is not your cup of tea at all, Irish House is hosting an entire week of celebrating singlehood. Write about your singledom and stick it on their freedom wall. Or box away your bitter memories of a sorry ex along with potent LIITs. Whatever may be your plan on Valentines, Mumbais eateries and pubs seem ready to cater to your tastes on the day of love. To stage Jan Andolan on February 14 to expose govt failures. NEW DELHI: Highlighting the three years of misrule of Arvind Kejriwals government, Delhi BJP will be launching a week-long protest across the capital. Sharing the details of protest on the eve of completion of three years of the Kejriwal government, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said that the AAP government had failed on all fronts. Mr Tiwari announced that from February 14 to 22, Delhi BJP will run a Jan Andolan to expose the failures of Kejriwal government on development and administrative fronts and its corrupt deeds. Elaborating, Mr Tiwari said that how three years of corrupt rule of the Kejriwal government has pushed Delhis development back by 30 years and has become synonymous with corruption, misconduct and dirty politics. The people of Delhi view it is a government of urban naxalites and the Vikas Yatra taken out by AAP has been seen as Vinash Yatra by the people, Mr Tiwari added. Delhi government widely publicises both within the country and abroad the high standards of its schools and mohalla clinics, but the recent reports indicate that around 69 per cent of the government school students have failed in the pre-board school exams, which speaks volumes of the standards. Similarly, most mohalla clinics today remain closed due to missing doctors or medicines, said Mr Tiwari. Mr Tiwari said it was sad the governments dual standards are influenced by caste or religion even in sanctioning compensation on human tragedies. A weekly meeting of Delhi BJP today passed a resolution condemning the governments corruption and misrule and elaborated on the programmes scheduled fto expose the governments failures. Development stands stalled in Delhi and this government is known for its corrupt ministers and MLAs. The nexus of corruption between minister Satyender Jain and official Rishi Raj is unprecedented and proves how strong it is, he said. Shikha Rai acknowledged that there was still a lot of taboo attached to menstrual hygiene, and 'many girls skip schools during cycle'. SDMC House on Monday cleared the civic body's annual budget, which includes property tax exemption for medal winners in Olympics and other top games, and free-of-cost sanitary pads to girls in schools when needed. (Photo: Representational) New Delhi: The South Delhi Municipal Corporation or SDMC House on Monday cleared the civic body's annual budget, which includes property tax exemption for medal winners in Olympics and other top games, and free-of-cost sanitary pads to girls in schools when needed. Leader of the House in the BJP-led South Delhi Municipal Corporation, Shikha Rai, finalised the estimated SDMC budget for 2018-19, and rejected the new tax and hike in the property tax proposed in the Commissioner's budget in December. The budget was cleared in a special session of the SDMC House chaired by Mayor Kamaljeet Sehrawat. The decisions approved will come into effect after formal approval by the municipal commissioner. "Martyrs belonging to the armed forces and the para- military forces and their widows; medal winners in Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games will get full exemption on payment of property tax for one residential property," the SDMC said. "Ex-servicemen are to get 30 per cent rebate, on lumpsum payment of property tax, up to June 30, for one residential property," it said. Shikha Rai later interacting with reporters, acknowledged that there was still a lot of taboo attached to menstrual hygiene, and "many girls skip schools during menstruation". "So, we have decided to give sanitary pads to girls in schools, when they need it. We have also sensitised our teachers about it," she said. The budget has also accepted one of the suggestions made by BJP's Malviya Nagar councillor Nandini Sharma, to offer wood shavings for use in the funeral pyre, to the poor at no cost. "The wood left from pruning of trees and plants will be given to the poor for free for cremation. So, the department concerned would coordinate with the horticulture department in future," she said in her budget speech. Incidentally, the Opposition AAP heckled her multiple times, saying, many of the announcements made by Shikha Rai, including on the matter of all 104 wards of SDMC becoming open defecation-free, were "mere claims" and "existed on papers only". Ford meanwhile sought help from the chief minister for making the ISKCON Mayapur a world heritage centre. 'I have requested Mr Ford (Alfred Ford) to plan a new manufacturing unit here in West Bengal. They have one in Chennai. He said he will look into it,' Banerjee said. (Photo: PTI) Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday "requested" Alfred Ford, the great grand son of Henry Ford, to consider setting up a manufacturing unit of Ford Motor Company in the state. She said Ford has stated that he will "look into" the request. The chief minister made a pitch for the unit while she came to the Mayapur ISKCON temple in Nadia district, where she was greeted by Alfred Ford, the great grandson of Henry Ford, the founder of the US auto major. "I have requested Mr Ford (Alfred Ford) to plan a new manufacturing unit here in West Bengal. They have one in Chennai. He said he will look into it," Banerjee said. Asked whether he would consider her request, Alfred Ford, whose initiated name is Ambarish Dasa, told PTI, "I have told her that I really do not have very much to do with that anymore, but I will put in a word for her." Ford India Pvt Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, has an integrated manufacturing plant in Maraimalai Nagar near Chennai in Tamil Nadu. The facility has an annual production capacity of 200,000 vehicles and 340,000 engines. It was the first visit to the Mayapur ISKCON temple by any chief minister of the state. Ford meanwhile sought help from the chief minister for making the ISKCON Mayapur a world heritage centre. "We will surely help them in that. I am so happy to coming here," Banerjee said. She later said in a tweet that ISKCON Mayapur will definitely be a new landmark in the religious tourism destination, not only in the state and the country, but also in the world. The deceased and Bunty were repeatedly assaulted by Gavas with a wooden log. The incident happened at an industrial area in the Goddev village area of Bhayandar (east) at around 2 am on Sunday. (Representational Image) Mumbai: Less than 10 hours after a 27-year-old youth was murdered during a drunken brawl between a group of friends in Bhayandar, the police has arrested Sandip Gavas for his involvement in the crime. The incident happened at an industrial area in the Goddev village area of Bhayandar (east) at around 2 am on Sunday. The deceased has been identified as Achyut Chaubey (27) a local resident who owned a Chinese eatery in the region. Another youth-Vivek Singh alias Bunty has been seriously injured. During a binge session, up to five men including the deceased and Bunty, were repeatedly assaulted by Gavas with a wooden log following an argument over a petty issue. The assailant and other friends fled leaving the victim in a profusely bleeding state, which led to his death in the absence of timely medical help. The entire sequence of events that led to the gruesome murder had been captured in the CCTV cameras located in the vicinity. We have arrested the accused who has been remanded to police custody till February, 15 after we produced him before the court on Monday. said Senior Police Inspector- Ram Bhalsingh who led the investigating team under the supervision of ASP- Atul Kukarni. A case under section 302 of the IPC has been registered against the accused at the Navghar police station. With the death of Kamble in Parbhani, the death toll in the hailstorms in the state since Sunday had risen to four. A woman was on Monday killed, and nine others injured, in a hailstorm that hit Purna tehsil of Parbhani district. (Photo: Representational Image) Mumbai: A woman was on Monday killed, and nine others injured, in a hailstorm that hit Purna tehsil of Parbhani district. "Bhagirathibai Kamble, a resident of Chudawa village in Purna tehsil of Parbhani district, died day after a part of a cattle shed fell on her. She had taken refuge there during the hailstorm but strong winds brought down the cattle shed killing her," P Shiv Shankar, district collector of Parbhani told PTI. "Selu, Manvat and Jintur tehsils had experienced hailstorms yesterday. Today it hit Purna tehsil, injuring at least nine persons including six men and three women. They were treated at a local hospital. None of the injuries are serious," he said. The damage assessment was already in progress in the district and staff would be visiting the places which had been hit by hailstorms on Monday to photograph damaged property and record injuries to cattle, officials said. With the death of Kamble in Parbhani, the death toll in the hailstorms in the state since Sunday had risen to four, said officials. Officials said that Namdev Shinde, 65, from Vanjar Umrad village and Asaram Jagtap, 60, from Nivdunga village of Jafrabad tehsil in Jalna, and Yamunabai Humbad, 60, from Washim district had died Sunday. When The Asian Age tried contacting the firm of the developer accused of cheating, it could not be reached despite various attempts. Mumbai: The MIDC police has registered a case of cheating against a suburban developer who allegedly sold flats twice, first to the complainant and then to a second buyer, giving the latter possession. When confronted, the accused allegedly conspired with the second owner and concocted a fake story to cover his tracks. The accused gave the complainant receipts of payments made but at the time of drafting the agreement, did so in the name of the second owner. The police said it is gathering evidence following which the accused can be arrested. When The Asian Age tried contacting the firm of the developer accused of cheating, it could not be reached despite various attempts. According to the complainant, Hemant Gupta (57), a resident of Andheris Sher-e-Punjab Society, he had paid Rs 80 lakh for two flats (211 and 214) in a building that would be constructed on a plot in Sher-e-Punjab Colony. Mr Gupta and Biju Penkar, father of the owner of the two flats, entered a verbal contract stating that since the latter was in monetary distress, he was selling the flats to Mr Gupta. Soon after the verbal contract, Mr Penkar set up a meeting with the developer who would construct the building and asked Mr Gupta to pay the token amount and transfer fees to acquire rights of the flats. Eight years after the verbal contract and the exchange of money and receipts, much to his shock, Mr Gupta found that the two flats had been sold to two persons, Manoj Gupta and Gangaram Patel. Upon confrontation, the developer denied having made any verbal contract with or given any receipts to Mr Gupta and said that the sale agreement had been made in the name of the two said owners. Mr Gupta then approached the MIDC police and registered a formal complaint in the case. The police officer investigating the case said that the facts and paperwork were being verified, following which appropriate action would be taken. The arrests were carried out with the help of Sahar police who was informed about the accused being in a hotel in their jurisdiction. Mumbai: The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Mumbai customs arrested two persons, including a Kenya Airways crewmember, for alleged gold smuggling on Sunday night. The arrests were carried out with the help of Sahar police who was informed about the accused being in a hotel in their jurisdiction. A police team then rushed to Grand Hyatt hotel and apprehended the airline crewmember. The officials seized 156 gold biscuits weighing 2.2kg worth Rs 6.37 crore that was concealed in specially made kneecaps and vest belt. The crewmember was identified as Abdalla Ali Said, attached with Kenya Airways, who had arrived by flight KQ 210. Officials said that Said passed through the channel and exited the airport without raising any suspicion. After he reached the hotel, the AIU officials received a tip off the said smuggling. The AIU officials informed the Sahar police and passed on Saids details to them. We were informed about the foreign airline crew member. We reached the hotel and with their staff, reached his room and frisk checked the crewmember only to find the gold. The duo was handed over to the AIU for further investigation, said a policeman. AIU officials said that the accused had concealed the gold in specially made kneecaps and waist belt and worn it under his trousers. Upon his questioning by the AIU, he named another accomplice, Ibrahim Ali Hussein. He had come to receive the seized gold but was apprehended soon after the first arrest. As per the department, the revenue expenditure has increased by 80 per cent in the last four years, but revenue receipts have not risen. Mumbai: After hailstorm damaged around one lakh hectre land in Marathwada and Vidarbha, there is an apprehension that compensation amount will affect the upcoming state budget. The state is already grappling with financial crunch due to farm loan waiver and uncertainty over collecting revenue after the introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST). However, the finance minister said that the state would be able to manage its finances. Over 1,086 villages from 11 districts of Vidarbha and Marathwada lost their crops in last three days. The hailstorm may again hit the state in a couple of days. This time, the farmers were happy over the rainfall, and the crops were in the final stage. However, wheat, jawar, onions have destroyed completely, according to the primary report. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced compensation for the farmers after the panchnama. This, according to the finance department sources will put more burden on the state exchequers which is already facing crunch. As per the department, the revenue expenditure has increased by 80 per cent in the last four years, but revenue receipts have not risen. This means an increase of Rs 5.25 lakh crore of debt burden on the state in the next financial year. So, though revenue has increased in comparison with last year, the state will have to face a financial crunch and a record-breaking fiscal and revenue deficit in the current as well as the next financial year. This will reflect in the budget which will be presented on March 9. The state has released only 70 per cent of funds for welfare schemes to all the department due to financial crunch. However, finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said that despite the odds, the government would ensure that the farmers will get their compensation. We will ensure budgetary provision for the farmers affected by hailstorm this time, Mr Mungantiwar added. The robot has a set of commands and can be directed to a particular object. The trial of such robot has already been taken in Chandigarh and an order for two robots have been placed. (Photo: ANI) Mumbai: Maharashtra Polices Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) are set to induct two robots in their team. The wireless bomb disposal robot, a compact machine, will not only be able to indicate the nature of an explosive device but also be able to defuse bombs and that too without risking the human lives. The trial of such robot has already been taken in Chandigarh and an order for two robots have been placed. The robot has a set of commands and can be directed to a particular object by remote control, according to a police source. It can be mounted with many accessories such as scissors, torches, water dispensers and sometimes even a weapon. It can cover a distance of 100 metres. It can also locate a bomb, cut the wires, pick it up and even bring it to you, he said. In 2016, senior police officials had unveiled the plan to induct robots for bomb-disposal. The source said, Private firm Security Defence Systems of Chandigarh has entered into an agreement with Mumbai police and will be providing the required robots. Used by many police forces across the world, a bomb disposal robot is equipped control application like remote monitoring and controlling application for analysis of any suspicious thing. It also allows the user to handle the bomb using the robotic arm and also allows the used to blast it then and there. The cops can stand at a distance and diffuse the bomb without even risking themselves. R. D. Shinde, Additional CP, Protection and Security Branch, Mumbai police, said, We will get the robot. I cant say how much time it will take. Government spokesmen of course gushed over its historic nature as indeed it was the first visit by any Indian Prime Minister to Ramallah. The hug-and-talk diplomacy on Prime Minister Narendra Modis three-day West Asia and Gulf tour from February 10 to 12 actually began in Amman, the capital of Jordan, from where his Royal Jordanian Army helicopter was escorted by Israeli warplanes to Ramallah, the Palestinian headquarters. This methodology was necessitated as Israel controls all access to the West Bank under Palestinian control. Government spokesmen of course gushed over its historic nature as indeed it was the first visit by any Indian Prime Minister to Ramallah. The visit was more to balance Mr Modis earlier standalone visit to Israel in July last year as well as the hosting of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in India last month with excessive exuberance, which included the lockdown of Ahmedabad for a street-level cultural extravaganza. India announced a $50 million aid package to the Palestinian Authority but dropped some crucial formulations, including a reference to East Jerusalem as the future capital of Palestine, a standard incantation in the past. Also, the need for a two-nation solution was omitted. Murmurs were heard that Mr Modi had set forth on West Asian peace-making, which many in the past have attempted and failed at, including some powerful US Presidents. More likely it was a bucket-list trip to observe a formality. The situation in West Asia has mutated drastically since the Syrian civil war began half a decade ago. Syrias President Bashar al-Assad, an Iranian ally, has survived, albeit with diminished territory. Iran is embedded in the region with bases in Syria and its close allies, the Hezbollah, bloodied and emboldened in Lebanon. An Israeli plane attacking Syrian targets was shot down by Syria on the eve of Mr Modi visit. Hamas, which controls Gaza, in defiance of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, has restored its links to Iran after falling out in 2011 over its refusal to support Mr Assad. In fact, its leaders had shifted from Damascus to Qatar, which itself has fallen out with Saudis and the Emiratis. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump ruffled Arab and Muslim feathers with his December 6decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital and announcing the shifting of the US embassy there. Mr Modis amnesia now about Jerusalem as the joint capital of Israel and Palestine widens options as India had earlier voted at the UN to condemn the US move. But President Abbas is an isolated and increasingly marginalised figure surviving more on Israeli goodwill than Palestinian support. The Prime Ministers visit to the United Arab Emirates was pegged on two items foundation-laying of a temple and attendance at a global governance summit. Mr Modi laid a wreath at the UAEs martyrs memorial Wahat Al Karma, commissioned in 2015. Although among its 200-odd names are a few who died during past conflicts with Iran and during the liberation of Kuwait, the bulk relate to the UAE Operation Restoring Hope in Yemen since 2015. UAE troops are fighting in Yemen against Houthis, who are Iranian allies. The Iranian IRGC will note the gesture. Indias leaders are best advised to remain neutral in the raging wars within the Islamic world, as wise Indian leaders have done in the past. The allotment of land for a temple in Abu Dhabi is noteworthy but hardly epoch-making. Temples have existed in Dubai for decades. In 2001, when I was Indias ambassador to the UAE, late President Sheikh Zayed allotted a huge chunk of land for a cremation ground in Abu Dhabi. This was necessitated as Sharjah and Dubai were making it difficult to use their cremation grounds dating from before their independence in 1971. Within the grounds, the construction of a temple had been allowed and indeed planned. Then home minister L.K. Advani, when calling on late President Sheikh Zayed in mid-2001, had thanked him. Sheikh Zayed had replied that if Allah wanted all to be Muslims, that would have been so. Because it was not, the Nehyan ruling family recognised religious pluralism. History did not begin four years ago when NDA-2 came to power. It merely marches on in new hands, in India as well as in the UAE. The stopover in Oman was necessary as Sultan Qaboos is aging and infirm and has no clear heir. Thus, chemistry with his successors is necessary. Often it is said that Oman sits facing India across the ocean with its back to the Gulf. It controls the cone of territory, north of UAE, overlooking the Straits of Hormuz. It also maintains excellent relations with Iran and all five other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, despite the bitter quarrel of some with Qatar. Military and naval cooperation has existed in the past and will get a fillip now. Even in early 2000-01 the Dolphin project was proposed for piping gas through a sub-sea pipeline from the Omani coast to Gujarat. Today technology for such a venture exists. It could be Iranian or Qatari gas as the main gas field is shared by both. That pipeline would bypass Pakistan, with its attendant security issues. But as Prime Minister Modi toured the extended western neighbourhood of India, the real challenge lurked in the nations immediate maritime domain. The Maldives has been slipping towards dictatorship and into the Chinese sphere of influence since 2012, when President Mohamed Nasheed was ousted in a bloodless coup. Matters reached a climax on February 1 when its Supreme Court ordered the release of detained senior political leaders. A state of emergency was imposed by the incumbent ruler and even some judges arrested, including the Chief Justice. Instead of intervening swiftly to restore order, India has dithered. China, on the other hand, has gone from general formulations about non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations to warning India. The window for power projection is fast slipping. Temples, new or old, in the UAE and Oman will not stall a predatory China. Deft diplomacy and military muscle in Indias immediate periphery may. Moon had to deal with Shinzo Abes prod on military exercises in the spring and yet he ensured Japan was not offended in the Korean diplomatic dance. The atmospherics were great as Kim Jong-uns sister, Kim Yo Jong, was the cynosure of all eyes at the Winter Olympics in South Koreas Pyeongchang. The media fawned over the always-smiling younger sister of North Koreas dictator as she grabbed everyones attention as US vice-president Mike Pence sat in a row below at the opening and studiously ignored her. North Korea is even tipped as likely winner of the diplomatic gold and its South Koreas President Moon Jae-in whos bang in the middle of this diplomatic churning. Hes caught between his belief in the power of Koreans talking to Koreans, and his nation being part of the US-Japan axis to check North Korea as well as to tackle China. The tangible aspect of the dragons diplomatic dance is that Kim may have sent an invitation to Moon for a summit in the North on the woes that have overtaken the Korean peninsula. However, while he may have been inclined to accept, its learnt the South Korean President sent a subtle message back that inter-Koreas talks could resume only if the North talks directly with the United States on its nuclear missiles. The possible response to this can well be imagined. Moon may have the support of some countrymen for a rapprochement with the North, but hes still bound by ties to the US as South Koreas key ally and protector. Moon had to deal with Shinzo Abes prod on military exercises in the spring and yet he ensured Japan was not offended in the Korean diplomatic dance. The world cant be sanguine yet about the prospect of peace talks between the Koreas. The situation in the Maldives today is a clear warning on the future scenario in Indias northeastern frontier. The Maldives is the second youngest of the South Asian countries. It came into existence as an independent nation in 1965, when it had a population of one lakh. Today its home to more than four lakh people, who face the real possibility of extinction should the God Almighty be unkind enough to allow the Indian Ocean to inflict a six-foot wave-tsunami on it. Of the 1,200 islands in the Maldives, over 900 are uninhabited, posing a potential threat to its very existence due to calculated infiltration, organised smuggling, illegal occupation and the forced use of its territory as a terrorist training ground. India was one of the first to recognise the Maldives as an independent country and also the first to open its diplomatic mission in Male. Consequently, India-Maldives bilateral ties flourished. So much so that when the bona fide, legitimate government in Male headed by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was threatened by terrorists in 1988, then Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi quickly rose to the occasion and rushed its armed forces to save the country and rescue its leaders from an impending disaster. In Churchillian terms, 1988 was their finest hour, an apogee of the New Delhi-Male bilateral bonhomie. In reality, the seeds for this were sown much earlier. It was the strategic ocean foresight of then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi that resulted in the Indo-Maldives Preferential Trade Agreement being signed in 1981; which among other things ensured the supply of all essential commodities to the Maldives from India. In return, the Maldives could sell anything and everything it manufactured to India without any restrictions. This scenario was too good to last. For the dragon entered South Asia to sail into the sea, and make a space for itself in the coveted island nation. In September 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Male to sign a series of agreements on trade, infrastructure development, defence, security and tourism, clearly targeting the Indian position. Here too, the real game had started much earlier; when then Maldives President Mohammed Nasheed had allowed China to open its diplomatic mission in 2011, just a day before it was to host the Saarc summit. (The Chinese are now playing the same trick and trying desperately to open their embassy in Indias northeastern landlocked neighbour of Bhutan as a way to corner India.) The situation in the Maldives today is a clear warning on the future scenario in Indias northeastern frontier. When incumbent Maldives President Abdulla Yameen and Chinas President Xi Jinping signed a free trade agreement in December 2017, it crossed the rubicon for India. The move is clearly a long-term outflanking strategic manoeuvre against India. The Maldives Majlis (Parliament) simply rushed through the agreement late at night, in a record 15 minutes. Though the pact was apparently aimed at bilateral ties between Beijing and Male, the target, without an iota of doubt, is Indias position in the South Asian region. Chinese pressure and direct intervention in the island stands at its supreme and sovereign best to make Male capitulate and crawl before the dragon. The Communist czars in Beijing desperately need to depict Indias democracy in a poor light despite the fact that the Han mandarins actually run a open-market capitalist order, with its dictatorial tradition upheld by eruptions like Tiananemn Square 1989. Today, the Maldives Abdulla Yameen seeks (certainly not on his own volition) a similar FTA with India despite being fully aware that the Sino-Maldives FTA has already opened the floodgates to cheap (and substandard) goods into his country. He seems to be either ignoring or forgetting the fact that under the 1981 Male-New Delhi trade agreement, India had allowed the former unfettered access to this country, in which there was no room for third country re-exports. Thus the recent Beijing-Male FTA is one of the many ways China will try to access the Indian market through a neighbouring country. In nearby Sri Lanka too, the Hambantota SEZ is targeted towards the Indian market for Chinese goods. It comes as no surprise, therefore, to see the Chinese medias stern warning to India saying that for a long time the Maldives ... (was) being manipulated by India... (which) has a strong desire to control South Asian countries. It goes on to say that India regards the region (South Asia) as its backyard. Should then India leave the geography of South Asia for good, and the subcontinent be turned into Far East Chinas courtyard of one-way, monopolised laissez-faire? Or should India remain, and play the perennial second fiddle? The absurdity goes on: India takes it for granted that it can openly intervene in their (small South Asian countries) domestic affairs... The Maldives sovereignty should be respected. But when has India ever failed to respect the sovereignty of the Maldives? Or is Beijing confusing this with its own acts of omission and commission from Tibet to Taiwan, Xinjiang to the South China Sea, Senkaku to the Spratly Islands, and beyond? Maturity is sorely needed in diplomacy and the conduct of international relations. What then explains Chinas attitude towards India? Is it because China feels boxed in? Or is it a prelude to ensure that the Maldives goes bankrupt and is then forced to hand over some its islands to China, which can then use them to set up a naval base? The developments in the Maldives can no longer be seen as a Sino-Indian tug of war in the Indian Ocean. The Maldives constitutes Indias fifth front. There are two land fronts (Pakistan and China) and three naval ones (Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean). The idea is to bleed India white; increase expenditure on the Pakistan Army-ISI-run terrorists deep inside the hinterland; hike the budget for two-front land warfare; spend more money for an expanded Indian fleet to face the Chinese Navy, which now has a 360-degree unfettered command, control, communication, intelligence, surveillance and deployment facility and operational flexibility pertaining to its fleet in the Indian Ocean. If the Chinese can virtually overnight build islands in the South China Sea, the 900-plus unihhabited islands of the Maldives will present very little challenge. Let us see who finally manages to prevail. But unfortunately, the victim in this scenario is sure to be Maldives if not today, then surely tomorrow. The DT 240 PRO is claimed to work with most devices due to its low-ohm acoustic transducer. German audio accessories brand beyerdynamic has launched its latest affordable studio-quality headphones in India. Called the DT 240 PRO, the headphone has been designed for musicians, podcasters and filmmakers looking for audio equipment on a budget. The DT 240 PRO is priced at Rs 7,500. The DT 240 PRO is claimed to be compatible with most professional audio equipment as well as laptops, smartphones, tablets and MP3 players, as the headphone utilises low-ohm acoustic transducer, thereby negating the need for amplifiers. The headphone supports a frequency range of 5 35,000Hz and has a Nominal SPL of 99dB. The headphone weighs around 196g and comes with up to 3m of cable. beyerdynamic describes this headphones mixture of on-ear and over-ear design as "compact over ear", where both ears are firmly enclosed, but the monitor can still be transported in a notebook or camera bag. The company claims that the headphones detachable coiled cable and replaceable ear pads ensure an extended life of the headphones. The DT 240 PRO is available at most stores specialising in audio accessories. (source) Zuma is expected to respond to the recall on Wednesday, and could be ousted in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence if he clings to office. JOHANNESBURG: South Africas ruling ANC party on Tuesday recalled scandal-tainted President Jacob Zuma from office but set no deadline for him to step down, pitching the country into further uncertainty. ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule told reporters that Mr Zuma had agreed in principle to resign and had proposed leaving in three to six months a delay that the party rejected. Mr Magashule said there was no date for Zuma to stand down, and added that there would be continuing interaction between ANC officials and Zuma. The NEC (National Executive Committee) decided... to recall its deployee Jacob Zuma, Magashule told reporters, saying the move was taken only after exhaustive discussion on the impact such a recall would have on the country. The ANC party can recall the head of state, but the process is a party-level instruction and Mr Zuma is under no constitutional obligation to obey. Mr Zuma is expected to respond to the recall on Wednesday, and could be ousted in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence if he clings to office. The power struggle over Zumas departure has put him at loggerheads with Cyril Ramaphosa, his expected successor, who is the new head of the African National Congress. The ANCs leadership committee met for 13 hours at a hotel outside Pretoria, and decided in the early hours of Tuesday to recall Mr Zuma from his post. A committee member confirmed to AFP that the president had asked for three more months in office, and described the request as hogwash. We just felt he meant three months of looting, the member said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Local media reported that Mr Zuma was pushing for an exit deal that included covering his potentially ruinous legal fees from prolonged court battles against multiple criminal charges. One case relates to 783 payments he allegedly received linked to an arms deal before he came to power. He is also reportedly seeking legal protection for his family and other associates involved in controversial deals. Ben Payton of the London-based Maplecroft risk consultancy said the recall was a political death sentence for the president. If Ramaphosa had agreed to help protect Zuma from prosecution in any way, his leadership would have been tainted -- perhaps fatally, he added. The impasse has plunged South Africa the continents most developed economy into confusion over who is running the country, with national events cancelled last week including the annual State of the Nation Address to Parliament. We know you want this matter to be finalised, Mr Ramaphosa, 65, told a party rally in Cape Town on Sunday. We know you want closure... Because our people want this matter to be finalised, the NEC will be doing precisely that. South African Opposition parties have called for early elections as the ANCs slow-motion transfer of power to Mr Ramaphosa grinds on. Trump and Putin spoke after US Vice President Mike Pence, in an interview, raised the prospect of talks with North Korea. In an interview with Reuters in January, Trump accused Russia of helping North Korea evade international sanctions meant to punish Pyongyang for its pursuit of a nuclear-armed missile capable of reaching the United States. (Photo; AFP) Washington: US President Donald Trump, who complained last month that Moscow was not helping us at all with North Korea, told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday that more needs to be done to scrap Pyongyangs nuclear program, the White House said. President Trump reiterated the importance of taking further steps to ensure the denuclearization of North Korea, the White House said in a statement about the call with Putin. In an interview with Reuters in January, Trump accused Russia of helping North Korea evade international sanctions meant to punish Pyongyang for its pursuit of a nuclear-armed missile capable of reaching the United States. Russia is not helping us at all with North Korea, Trump told Reuters. Moscow denies it has failed to uphold UN sanctions. Trump and Putin spoke after US Vice President Mike Pence, in an interview with the Washington Post, raised the prospect of talks with North Korea. But Pence, who travelled to South Korea for the Winter Olympics, also said Washington would intensify its maximum pressure campaign against Pyongyang until it takes a meaningful step toward denuclearization. In 2017, North Korea conducted dozens of missile launches and its sixth and largest nuclear test in defiance of UN resolutions. Russia signed on to the latest rounds of United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea imposed last year, including a ban on coal exports, which are an important source of the foreign currency Pyongyang needs to fund its nuclear program. But North Korea shipped coal to Russia at least three times last year after the ban was put in place on August 5, three Western European intelligence sources told Reuters. The North Korean coal was shipped to the Russian ports of Nakhodka and Kholmsk, where it was unloaded at docks and reloaded onto ships that took it to South Korea or Japan, the sources said. The anti-submarine frigate HMS Sutherland will sail through the area on its return from a visit to Australia beginning this week. Such cruises, known as freedom of navigation operations, routinely draw protests from Beijing. (Representational Image) Beijing: Britain's defence minister says his country will sail a warship through the South China Sea to assert the right of free passage amid Chinese claims to virtually all of the strategic waterway. Gavin Williamson was quoted by The Australian newspaper on Tuesday as saying the anti-submarine frigate HMS Sutherland will sail through the area on its return from a visit to Australia beginning this week. Williamson didn't say whether the Sutherland would sail near Chinese-controlled islands in the area as American Navy ships have done. Such cruises, known as freedom of navigation operations, routinely draw protests from Beijing. China has carried out extensive land reclamation work on many of the islands and reefs it claims, equipping some with air strips and military installations. Williamson visited Australia earlier this week. Police in Punjab province's eastern Hafizabad district arrested five suspects after being tipped off by relatives of a woman victim. Police officials suspect the fluid was being sold on the black market to be used in bone marrow transplants. (Photo: File) Islamabad: Pakistan police have arrested a gang accused of extracting spinal fluid from swindled victims, officials said Tuesday, the latest case involving the country's notorious medical black market. Police in Punjab province's eastern Hafizabad district arrested five suspects after being tipped off by relatives of a woman victim, who was told the procedure was needed for a programme which offers free wedding dowries. Officials suspect the fluid was being sold on the black market to be used in bone marrow transplants. "They confessed to extracting the spinal cord fluid from at least 10 women in the area and selling it to a cleaner at a local government hospital, who has also been detained," Abdul Majeed, an investigator with the Hafizabad police department, told AFP. Another police officer, Muhammad Imran, confirmed the incident. "Further investigation is underway," Majeed said. The top-selling Urdu-language newspaper, Jang, said the accused had extracted fluid from at least 90 impoverished women who were left disabled by the procedure. Pakistan is infamous for illegal kidney transplants that have attracted customers from across the world. Authorities in Lahore arrested a group of medics for performing illegal kidney transplants for two Oman nationals in 2017. Organs can only be donated by close relatives in Pakistan and buying and selling them is illegal. Officials said the new ordinance meant that all those individuals and entities listed by the United Nations also stand banned under Pakistani laws. Islamabad: Pakistan has finally declared alleged Mumbai terror attacks mastermind Hafiz Mohammed Saeed under a new ordinance. President Mamnoon Hussain signed the new ordinance paving the way for the government to proceed against suspected masterminds of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Officials said the new ordinance meant that all those individuals and entities listed by the United Nations also stand banned under Pakistani laws. The government did not give any details on what action could be taken against Saeed but police removed barricades outside the Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) chiefs house on Tuesday. Under the existing provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act, groups sanctioned by the UN Security Council were not automatically listed as terrorist organisations in Pakistan. The ordinance amends Sections 11B and 11EE to include groups that have been sanctioned by the UN Security Council. Both sides underlined the importance of coordinated efforts to disrupt terrorist networks, their financing and movement. Muscat: India and Oman will coordinate efforts to counter the misuse of religion by groups and states for perpetrating acts of terrorism as they called for isolating its sponsors, in an apparent reference to Pakistan. According to a joint statement issued on Monday at the end of Prime Minister Narendra Modis two-day visit to Oman during which he met Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the two leaders exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest, including the security situation in West and South Asia. The two sides acknowledged the common threat posed by terrorism to peace and security and agreed to continue working together bilaterally, regionally and globally to counter this menace, said the statement. It said the two leaders called for isolating the sponsors and supporters of terrorism and agreed that the international community should take urgent action against all such entities, which support terrorism and use it as an instrument of policy. The two sides agreed to coordinate efforts to counter extremism and radicalisation and misuse of religion by groups and countries for inciting hatred and perpetrating acts of terrorism, the statement said, indirectly referring to Pakistan, which is blamed for providing safe havens to terrorists and training Islamist militants. Prime Minister Modi and Sultan Qaboos decided to promote the experiences of India and Oman in building inclusive societies as effective models in countering extremism and radicalisation. Both sides underlined the importance of coordinated efforts to disrupt terrorist networks, their financing and movement. The sources in the National Counter Terrorism Authority confirmed the new move, saying the ministries are working together on the matter. India also blamed JuD leader Saeed for the Mumbai attacks of November 2006, but Pakistan argues that New Delhi has failed to provide incriminating evidence against him. (Photo: File) Islamabad: Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain has signed an ordinance aimed at reigning in individuals and organisations like the LeT, Al-Qaeda and Taliban, which have been banned by the UN Security Council, a media report said on Monday. The ordinance amends a section of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), enabling the authorities to take action against the UNSC-proscribed individuals and terror outfits, like sealing their offices and freezing their bank accounts, The Express Tribune reported. The sources in the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) confirmed the new move, saying the ministries of Interior, Finance and Foreign Affairs as well as NACTA's Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT) wing are working together on the matter. An official in the Presidency familiar with the development confirmed the said legislation but refused to share details, saying the Ministry of Defence was the notifying authority. "The relevant ministry will notify and comment on it," the official said. It is learnt that the authorities are bound under international obligations to take measures against such outfits under the framework of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) an international body that combats money laundering and terrorist financing. The UNSC sanctions list includes Al-Qaeda, Tehreek-e- Taliban Pakistan, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and others. In December 2017, the government had planned to take over two charities belonging to Hafiz Saeed, the JuD and the FIF and an action plan in this connection was supposed to be submitted. In January, the government had also banned companies and individuals from making donations to the JuD, the FIF and other organisations. Jundullah was the last organisation declared "proscribed" by the government of Pakistan on January 31, 2018 on the NACTA website. However, the JuD and the FIF continue to be on the NACTA "watch list". Laskar-e-Taiba was declared a banned organisation under the UNSC resolution 1267 in 2005. The US State Department in 2014 had named the JuD as a "foreign terrorist organisation", a designation that freezes assets the organisation has under the US jurisdiction. India also blamed JuD leader Saeed for the Mumbai attacks of November 2006, but Pakistan argues that New Delhi has failed to provide incriminating evidence against him, the report said. by Card. Joseph Zen Reconciliation between official and underground communities may be difficult, but it is possible. The Chinese state aims to build a national and schismatic Church. The Vaticans veneration of Ostpolitik risks helping Beijing "enslave the Church". The manipulation of the words of Benedict XVI and obedience to Pope Francis. Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - Reconciliation between official and underground communities in China, is not "without difficulty but possible"; the need for dialogue between China and the Vatican to clarify intent, "a true religious freedom" and not a situation in which "the State ... manages the Catholic Church in China", in short a "schismatic" church; the accusations that Vatican diplomacy is "manipulating" Benedict XVIs Letter to Chinese Catholics and their "veneration" of Card. Agostino Casarolis dated Ostpolitik; submission to the judgment of Pope Francis who, according to the author, is not in line with his collaborators in the Curia. These are some of the themes addressed in this essay sent to us by Card. Joseph Zen, bishop emeritus of Hong Kong. All emphasis from the original. A response to "Why we are in dialogue with China", the interview that His Eminence Cardinal Parolin gave to Gianni Valente (that is, an interview cooked up between the two). I read the interview several times, now I read it again (even if the reading repels me) in order to honestly make my comments. I am grateful to His Eminence for recognizing that "it is legitimate to have different opinions". (1) First of all, we note the insistence with which His Eminence affirms that his point of view and the purpose of his activities are of a pastoral, spiritual, evangelical and faith-based nature, while our thinking and acting is only in a political key. What we see instead is that he venerates the Ostpolitik diplomacy of his master Casaroli and despises the genuine faith of those who firmly defend the Church founded by Jesus on the Apostles from any interference by secular power. I will never forget my amazement at reading a report in the Osservatore Romano a few years ago on a speech that he had given where he describes the heroes of the faith in the central European countries under the communist regime (Card. Wyszynsky, Card. Mindszenty and Card. Beran, without mentioning them) ) as "gladiators", "people systematically opposed to the government and eager to appear on the political stage". (2) We also note the repeated mention of his compassion for the suffering of our brothers and sisters in China. Crocodile tears! What suffering is he talking about? He knows very well that they are not afraid of poverty, nor the limitation or deprivation of liberty, nor even the loss of life. But he has absolutely no respect for all of this at all (they are "gladiators"!) He also speaks of wounds that are still open and his intention to treat them by applying "the balm of mercy". But what wounds is he talking about? Towards the end of the interview, at one point he says: "To be frank, I will tell you: I am also convinced that part of the suffering experienced by the Church in China is not so much due to the will of individuals as to the objective complexity of the situation". So he knows very well that in the Church in China it is not (if not infrequently) a case of personal offenses or resentments, but persecution by an atheistic totalitarian power. Use the balm of mercy? It is not a question of personal offenses to be forgiven. It is a slavery from which to free oneself. Mercy for the persecutors? For their accomplices? Rewarding traitors? Castigating the faithful? Forcing a legitimate bishop to give way to an excommunicated one? It this not more like rubbing salt on these still open wounds? Let us return to the "objective situation". The painful state was not created by us, but by the regime. The communists want to enslave the Church. There are those who refuse this enslavement, there are those who suffer, unfortunately there are those who embrace it. Faced with this reality is it possible not to speak of "power, resistance, conflict, compromise, giving in, surrender, betrayal"? Parolin wants us to talk about communion and collaboration. But are the conditions right? Where is this unity? How can we collaborate? Thus, we must analyse the two fundamental points that need clarification. (3) What is the unity you want to achieve? a) His Eminence praises Chinese Catholics and states that "there are not two Catholic Churches in China". If I'm not mistaken, I was the first to affirm this at a meeting of the Synod of Bishops, because, in both communities, the faithful in their hearts are loyal to the Pope (today with the increasing number of opportunists in the community run by the Government I no longer dare to apply this affirmation to the entire Church in China). But Parolin cannot deny that, for the moment, there are two communities with two structures based on two different, opposing principles. One structure is founded on the principle of the Primacy of Peter on which Jesus established his Church, the other structure is imposed by an atheistic government intent on creating a schismatic Church subject to its power. b) Eliminating this division and achieving unity must be the desire of every Catholic, but not with one wave of a magic wand, let alone by manipulating the Letter of Pope Benedict. In the Letter by Pope Emeritus there is this paragraph (8.10): "Some (bishops), not wishing to be subjected to undue control exercised over the life of the Church, and eager to maintain total fidelity to the Successor of Peter and to Catholic doctrine, have felt themselves constrained to opt for clandestine consecration. The clandestine condition is not a normal feature of the Church's life, and history shows that Pastors and faithful have recourse to it only amid suffering, in the desire to maintain the integrity of their faith and to resist interference from State agencies in matters pertaining intimately to the Church's life. "Father Jeroom Heyndrickx citing out of context the phrase "the clandestine condition is not a normal feature of the Church's life," has made it his mission to spread the word throughout China (where he enjoyed great freedom of movement):"because clandestine communities should not exist anymore, everyone must come to the open and become part of the community subject to the Government. In the Commission for the Church in China we pointed out this grave error, but both the Secretariat of State and the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples ignored this warning, obviously supporting Father Heyndrickx theory. It was only two years later, when this mistake had already done immense damage, that we managed to include some notes in the "Compendium" booklet to try to distinguish the reconciliation of hearts from unity in structures. c) Parolin says that one should not maintain "a perennial conflict between opposing principles and structures". But obviously this does not depend on us alone, because one of the two structures is under Government power, which certainly exercises control over it and shows no sign of giving it up. Pope Benedict says that the journey of unity "is not easy and cannot be accomplished overnight" (6.5, 6.6). But our diplomats want a miracle and they want it now, and not only. They also accuse others of clinging to the spirit of opposition to condemn his brother or use the past as an excuse to stir up new resentments and closures " and of not being ready "to forgive, this means, unfortunately, that there are other interests to defend: but this is not an evangelical perspective". These are really cruel reproaches to address to faithful members of the Church, who for many years have suffered every kind of deprivation and oppression for their fidelity to the true Church! When the other party has no intention of respecting the essential nature of the Catholic Church and on our part one wants unity at all costs, there is only one possible choice, that of forcing everyone to enter the birds cage". d) With the solution of the "enlarged cage" will this encourage people to walk together? To embark on a new path? With serenity? With confidence? It is said that it will be a gradual process, but let us suppose that the authors already have the next steps to be taken after the legitimization of the illegitimate in mind. What will become of those Bishops who are legitimate according to the law of the Church but who are not recognized by the Government? Will they be "accepted"? That is, admitted to the cage? Will it finally be "a" legitimate episcopal conference? (With the Government holding the key to the cage?) Parolin and company recognize that this solution is not perfect, it is a lesser evil. You can endure and suffer an evil (damage), but you can never do wrong (sin), great or small. Our suffering at the creation of a schismatic Church by others may be inevitable, but we cannot assist in its creation. Moreover, a schismatic church created by the party is not a cause for fear, it will fade with the fall of the regime. Instead, a schismatic church with the Pope's blessing would be horrifying! (4) Having clarified the nature of the unity to be reached, it is easy to consider the following problem: How do we achieve this unity? With reconciliation (ad intra) and dialogue (with the Government). a) Reconciliation is not without difficulty but possible, because it depends only on our goodwill, dialogue with the Government is more difficult. b) Pope Francis in Seoul had said: "The first condition of a dialogue is consistency with one's own identity." It is a matter of honesty, of justice. We need to know and let it be known where we want to arrive, that is, what our conscience dictates as a desirable outcome to dialogue. In our case, obviously it is: "a true religious freedom which not only does not harm but favours the true good of the nation". Will we be able to manage this dialogue? Is there a hope of success? Is there at least a minimum foundation to hope in the present situation when the Chinese Communist Party is more powerful and overbearing than ever? When, both its words and actions point to an even more rigorous control of every religion, but in a special way of the so-called "foreign" religions. The Communists no longer feel the need to save appearances. Photographs show that it is the State that manages the Catholic Church in China, which is no longer Catholic but Chinese, schismatic. (The joint meeting of the Patriotic Association and the so-called "episcopal conference is [always] led by a government official") The Popes refrain from using the word "schism" for compassion for those who find themselves not of their own will under severe pressure. From what we can observe see, the Holy See is acquiescing to this unacceptable reality. (Is it really sure that this is for the good of the Church?) In order for a dialogue to be true, it must start from a position of equality. There is no real dialogue between the jailer and the prisoners, between the victor and the vanquished. But our own seems to start from a position of weakness. Reliable source says that the Vatican Delegation could not discuss the case of Bishop James Su Zhi Min who has been in the hands of the government for more than twenty years, because our interlocutors refused. In my opinion, our delegation should have left the negotiating table and come home. Accepting their refusal is like kneeling down to them from the outset. After all we are not the vanquished. Do our diplomats not know that the faithful of the clandestine community constituted, and perhaps still constitute, the majority? That they have churches and cathedrals in various places? That in the city, where obviously they cannot have churches, they say Masses in private homes so as not to be disturbed by the public security authorities who are also aware of everything. Unfortunately, as of February 2018 we can expect a much stricter control by the Government on the activities of these our brothers and sisters, also because the Government knows that by now it also has the consent of the Holy See. c) While supporting the need for external dialogue with the government, the Vatican has stifled dialogue within the Church. With a supremely rude gesture it dismissed the Pontifical Commission for the Church in China set up by Pope Benedict without so much as a word. The only competent Chinese voice in the Vatican was Archbishop Savio, sending him as Nuncio to Greece. So much for "finding synthesis of truth"! So much for "discovering God's plan together"! They are convinced that they "have considered everything properly". (5) The most repugnant thing I find in the whole interview is the dishonest exploitation of expressions of the Letter of Pope Benedict, making it appear as if he was a faithful supporter of the Pope Emeritus, whereas in reality he and the then Prefect of the Congregation for 'Evangelization of the Peoples have thwarted all of Pope Ratzinger's efforts to bring the Church in China back on the right path. At the beginning and end of the interview he made two citations respectively. a) In Chapter 4 Paragraph 7 Pope Benedict says: "The solution to existing problems cannot be pursued via an ongoing conflict with the legitimate civil authorities; at the same time, though, compliance with those authorities is not acceptable when they interfere unduly in matters regarding the faith and discipline of the Church.. " b) In Paragraph 6 he had said: (Citing "Deus caritas est") "The Church cannot and must not replace the State. Yet at the same time she cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice.." In both quotes, Parolin took advantage of the first half, leaving out the other half, losing the balance of Pope Benedicts thought. (6) Given the recent controversies, I feel the desire to clarify my relationship with Pope Francis who, whenever I meet him, fills me with tenderness. It is true that my revelations of a private interviews may have caused him embarrassment and for this I am sorry. But I am still convinced that there is a void between the way of thinking of His Holiness and the way of thinking of his collaborators, who readily take advantage of the Pope's optimism to pursue their goals. Until proven otherwise I am convinced that I have defended the good name of the Pope from the responsibility of the erroneous judgement of his collaborators and that he has communicated his encouragement to my brothers in China who are, as we say in China, "in the burning fire and in deep water". If, by chance, one day a bad agreement is signed with China, obviously with the approval of the Pope, I will withdraw in silence to "monastic life". Certainly as a son, even if unworthy, of Don Bosco I will not make myself the head of a rebellion against the Roman Pontiff, Vicar of Christ on earth. Let us pray for Pope Francis "that the Lord will preserve him, give him strength, make him happy, and save him from the hands of his enemies." For several days, the Eni Saipem 12000 drill ship has been held up in the eastern Mediterranean, 50 km off the coast. Block 3 in Cypruss EEZ is at the heart of the controversy. The Cypriot government signed an agreement with the Italian energy giant, but Turkey wants all activity in the area stopped, insisting on its right to it. Ankara (AsiaNews) Energy could cause another flare-up in the Eastern Mediterranean. First came the Block 9 issue between Lebanon and Israel, now it is the turn between Europe and Turkey. ENIs Saipem 12000 drill ship is now in the middle of a controversy after the Turkish Navy stopped it on its way to Block 3 in Cypruss Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ), which Turkey claims. The geopolitics of energy is at the heart of the dispute that could escalate at both regional and international levels. More specifically, it involves ENIs exploration rights in the area. Turkey, which occupied the northern part of Cyprus in 1974, claims that those rights belong to the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which rules the northern part of the island. However, Turkeys president Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants to develop the gas fields to ensure his countrys energy independence. In July, the "sultan" warned energy companies not to sign any off-shore exploration and drilling agreements with the Republic of Cyprus or risk losing Turkeys friendship. The former rules the Greek side of the island, and is the islands only internationally recognised government. Last week Erdogan warned the Italian government not to engage in any unilateral actions near Cyprus. In his meetings with Italys President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, he expressed concerns regarding ENI's activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Italian energy giant plans to invest 150 million euros (US$ 185 million) in the area. For Erdogan, any actions would be seen as a threat to Northern Cyprus and Turkey. Since then, the Turkish government took action. On Saturday, its Navy intercepted the ENI drill ship on its way to Block 3 under license of the Cypriot government. For the past few days, the Saipem 12000 drill ship has been held up in the eastern Mediterranean and so far, nothing indicates any possible avenue for a solution to the controversial situation. According to a Cypriot TV report, the ship is located about 50 km from its intended area of operation south-east of the island. A Cypriot government spokesperson said that Turkeys notice reserving areas for naval exercises that include Block 3, which expires on 22 February, violates international law. Cyprus wants to ensure that it can work with ENI so that the Saipem 12000 drill ship can begin its operations. ENI has been present in Cyprus since 2013 and holds interests in six licenses, located in the island nations exclusive economic zone (blocks 2, 3, 6, 8, 9 and 11), five of which are operated. In early February, the company announced that one gas reservoir was discovered in Block 6, offshore Cyprus, with Calypso 1 NFW. More exploration is needed to determine its size. At the Egypt Petroleum 2018 show in Cairo, ENIs CEO Claudio Descalzi said that operations are taking place within Cypruss EEZ. In Rome Italian authorities have activated their diplomats to protect the interests of one of Italys largest conglomerates. The European Union has also waded into the affair. "The EU also stresses the need to respect the sovereignty of member states over their territorial sea and airspace," European Commission Spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said. Turkey, she added, needs to avoid any kind of source of friction, threat, or action directed against a member state". He was a member of the Politburo and touted as Xi Jinpings successor. His trial will take place in Tianjin, where Zhou Yongkang and Ling Jihua were tried. Both belonged to groups not in step with Xi. Tianjin (AsiaNews/Agencies) Sun Zhengcai, former Chongqing Party secretary, has been formally charged with bribery and influence peddling. Sun, 54, a member of the Politburo and a candidate to succeed President Xi Jinping, was abruptly sacked as party boss of the megacity Chongqing in July. After coming under investigation for corruption in the run-up to the Communist Partys leadership reshuffle in October, he was replaced by Chen Miner, a close protege of Xi and a rising political star. In addition of corruption charges, he was eventually accused of abuse of power and leaking state secrets. Now the Supreme Peoples Procuratorate has formally charged him of bribe-taking and abuse of power. A trial date has not yet been set but it is expected to be in Tianjin where two other party heavyweights were tried after President Xi Jinping launched his anticorruption drive. Zhou Yongkang, a former member of the Politburo Standing Committee, and Ling Jihua, former President Hu Jintaos right-hand man, were tried behind closed doors because of "state secrets". Tighter controls in Beijing drive factories south. Chinas average PM2.5 emissions is 64 micrograms per cubic metre, more than six times the acceptable level set by the World Health Organisation. Shanghai (AsiaNews/Agencies) Smog levels rose 20 per cent in the Yangtze River Delta, near Shanghai, in January, official data showed on Monday, raising fears that the pollution crackdown in northern China has forced heavy industry to move further south. PM2.5 concentrations in the delta region registered an average of 72 micrograms, more than seven times the WHOs recommended level of 10 micrograms. PM2.5 levels were unusually high in the first two months of last year, which prompted dozens of cities to declare a red alert and impose emergency traffic restrictions, like closing factories and schools. In order to cope with the pollution spike, 28 northern Chinese cities pledged to cut PM2.5 by 10-25 per cent between October 2017 and March 2018. This led to an average fall in PM2.5 emissions of 33 per cent to 64 micrograms per cubic metre, which is still more than six times the level recommended by the World Health Organisation. In August, the countrys rising lung cancer rate due to air pollution set off alarm bells. The Pearl River Delta region around Hong Kong also saw PM2.5 rise 3.9 per cent year on year. An ambitious plan to convert millions of households from coal- to natural gas-fired heating has also proved a major challenge, with many villages left without gas supplies during parts of the freezing winter. by Melani Manel Perera The former president's Sri Lanka People's Front won about 230 councils out of 341. The incumbents party only got just over 8% of the vote. Some call for early parliamentary elections. For others, the defeat should be a lesson to the government to keep its promises. Colombo (AsiaNews) Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's party won big in local elections on Saturday in the first poll since January 2015, when incumbent President Maithripala Sirisena was elected. Sources told AsiaNews that the resounding defeat is a loud wake-up call for the ruling party, and should be a spur to keep its campaign promises, which it has not yet fulfilled, starting with corruption and national reconciliation. The latter remains a top priority in the wake of the countrys 30-year civil war that pitted the military against Tamil Tigers. Out of a total of 341 local authorities, the Sri Lanka People's Front, commonly known by its Sinhalese name Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), won 44.65 per cent of the vote, taking 230 local councils. The United National Party (UNP) of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe came in second place with 32.63 per cent. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) of President Sirisena came in third with 8.94 per cent. Following the poor showing, a number of cabinet ministers called on the president to sack the prime minister and replace him with someone from the UNP. Former President Rajapaksa responded to the unexpected victory by calling for the immediate dissolution of the national parliament and fresh elections. The latter would normally come to an end in 2020. In 2014 Sirisena quit as Rajapaksas health minister and split from the then ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) coalition. In 2015 he won the presidency thanks to a delicate balancing act between left-of-centre and right-of-centre parties, united by a desire to remove Rajapaska from office. The latter had starting to act as a dictator after his victory over Tamil rebels, and had been accused of corruption and war crimes. For Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika, "The vote shows that the coalition government has not implemented its promises like social peace, decentralisation, fight against corruption and limiting the power of the military. It must carry out the reforms. A democratic government must always take into account the opinion of the people ". According to Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) party, "the government has failed because it has not been able to free the nation from the debt trap and economic turmoil." For many in Colombo the defeat represents "a good lesson for the government, which has not kept the promises [it made during] the electoral campaign. For others, they are reaping what they sowed. The president and the prime minister must learn from this defeat and work hard over the next two years if they want another victory in 2020." by Santosh Digal Farming is the main activity for 80 per cent of the population of a region known as the countrys rice greenery. The local Church has undertaken various social development initiatives, including womens empowerment and a feeding programme for children. Manila (AsiaNews) - The diocese of San Jose, in northern Philippines, has decided to promote integrated organic agriculture to empower farmers. Speaking to AsiaNews, the local bishop, Mgr Roberto Calara Mallari, said that the initiative is designed to meet the needs of the local population, "80 per cent of whom are farmers, who need the Churchs support and guidance. Through the diocesan Social Services Centre, farmers acquire skills and know-how to boost the local economy. The diocese is about 130 km from the capital Manila, in the province of Nueva Ecija. Created in 1984, it is suffragan to the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan. Some 700,000 Catholics live in the area, served by 45 priests and 20 nuns in 21 parishes. The most recent challenges are illegal mining, the rise of rebel groups and unstable weather. The region is known as the countrys rice greenery, with rice as the staple food, Mgr Mallari said. "Our farmers dont know how to grow organic rice. We encourage them to opt for medicinal plants, as well as indigenous alternative medicine. The diocese is also involved in "empowering women, the prelate said. Women need skills to take advantage of job opportunities. Through the diocesan family life [programme], we are trying to empower them to become agents of social change. Likewise, the diocese has feeding programme for children so that they can have a healthy life. In fact, For a child, nutritious food is important to grow into a healthy person. When children lack nutritious food, their brain development is affected. When that happens, they may not develop into productive adults later. At the same time, Our feeding programme is part of a broader social project. By Denis Muller, Senior Research Fellow in the Centre for Advancing Journalism, University of Melbourne The Labor Partys recent decision to ban its candidates from using their own social media accounts as publicity platforms at the next federal election may be a sign that societys infatuation with social media as a source of news and information is cooling. Good evidence for this emerged recently with the publication of the 2018 findings from the Edelman Trust Barometer. The annual study has surveyed more than 33,000 people across the globe about how much trust they have in institutions, including government, media, businesses and NGOs. This year, there was a sharp increase in trust in journalism as a source of news and information, and a decline in trust in social media and search engines for this purpose. Globally, trust in journalism rose five points to 59%, while trust in social media and search engines fell two points to 51% a gap of eight points. In Australia, the level of trust in both was below the global average. But the 17 point gap between them was greater 52% for journalism and 35% for social media and search engines. Read more: Social media is changing the face of politics and it's not good news Consequences of poor social media savvy Labors decision may also reflect a healthy distrust of its candidates judgement about how to use social media for political purposes. Liberal Senator Jim Molans recent sharing of an anti-Islamic post by the British right-wing extremist group Britain First on his Facebook account showed how poor some individual judgements can be. If ever there was a two-edged sword in politics, social media is it. It gives politicians a weapon with which to cut their way past traditional journalistic gatekeepers and reach the public directly, but it also exposes them to public scrutiny with a relentless intensity that previous generations of politicians never had to endure. This intensity comes from two sources: the 24/7 news cycle with the associated nonstop interaction between traditional journalism and social media, and the opportunity that digital technology gives everyone to jump instantaneously into public debate. So Molans stupidity, for example, now attracts criticism from the other side of the world. Brendan Cox, the widower of a British politician, Jo Cox, who was murdered by a man yelling Britain first, has weighed in. The interaction between traditional journalism and social media also means journalists can latch onto stories much more quickly because there are countless pairs of eyes and ears out there tipping them off. Read more: Social media can bring down politicians, but can it also make politics better? The result of this scrutiny is that public figures can never be sure they are off-camera, as it were. This means there has been a significant reduction in their power to control the flow of information about themselves. They are liable to be on the record anywhere there is a mic or a smartphone and may not even know it. Politics then and now On Sunday night, the ABC aired part one of the two-part documentary Bob Hawke: The Larrikin and the Leader. In it, Graham Richardson says of Hawke: He did some appalling things when drunk He was lucky that he went through an era where he couldnt be pinged. We didnt have the internet. We didnt have mobile phones. Lets face it, a Bob Hawke today behaving in the same manner would never become prime minister. Hed have been buried long before he got near the parliament. Would we now think differently of a politician like Bob Hawke if some of his well-documented excesses had been captured and circulated on social media in this way? Perhaps not. Hawke was of his time, an embodiment of the national mood and of what Australians imagine to be the national larrikin character. He might have thrived. With Hawke, what you saw was what you got. So he had a built-in immunity to social medias particular strength: its capacity to show people up as ridiculous, dishonest or hypocritical. And his political opponent Malcolm Fraser was, in his later years, adept at using Twitter to criticise the government of one of his Liberal successors as Prime Minister, Tony Abbott. Yet by exerting the iron discipline for which he was famous, saying exactly what he wanted to say and not a word more, Fraser avoided the pitfalls that the likes of Senator Molan stumble into. Indeed, US President Donald Trumps reputation for Twitter gaffes hasnt hurt his popularity among his base, and is even lauded by some as a mark of authenticity. So it is likely that the politicians of the past would not have fared very differently from those of the present. The competent would have adapted and used social media to their advantage; the incompetent would have been shown up for what they are. Read more: Why social media may not be so good for democracy Social platforms under fire Social media has the potential to strengthen democratic life. It makes all public figures including journalists more accountable. But as we have seen, especially in the 2016 US presidential elections, it can also be used to weaken democratic life by amplifying the spread of false information. As a result, democracies everywhere are wrestling with the overarching problem of how to make the giant social media platforms, especially Facebook, accountable for how they use their publishing power. Out of all this, one trend seems clear: where news and information is concerned, society is no longer dazzled by the novelty of social media and is wakening to its weaknesses. Denis Muller does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Originally published in The Conversation. Signwave is opening a new franchise in Adelaide, which will be located in Mile End on the edge of the city, its first in SA. The new store is being opened by Jodie and Ian Sims, owners of an existing business in the city which offers window tinting, Window Shields. The Sims say that expanding into signage was a natural progression to complement the tinting business. Co-branding with Signwave was appealing because of the support and resources of a national brand, while allowing me to help support the visual communication needs of this citys ever-growing festival industry among other opportunities. The new store is the first that has been opened under Signwave Australias current management, which took over in 2014. The focus until now was in growing its existing stores, with management noting 40 per cent of centres now exceed $1m in average sales. With the new year comes a new strategy, as it looks to open new centres to complete its national footprint. Linda Sultmann, general manager, Signwave Australia says, It officially launched yesterday, phones are open, the website is open, and production is ready to go. We are finishing the centres signage as we speak, but are ready to start serving customers. The business has the latest HP Latex printer, and Rollsroller flatbed applicator which is accurate and can do huge panels. It gives us the capability of a flatbed printer, and it has plotters to cut vinyl. The company is running an online POS system where it can interact with Signwave through portals for artwork approval, and all the latest technology. Sultman says, What we thought the Adelaide market was looking for is a professional, dependable knowledgeable sign supplier for mid-tier organisations who will generally have recurring needs. Most of our centres are in NSW, Victoria, focused in the capital cities. We have one centre in Perth, and we want to complete the national network. We did not mind whether it was Brisbane or Adelaide first, as it happens, it was Adelaide. We are looking for suitably qualified business person to start a centre in Brisbane now. In Adelaide we have co-branded with a window tinting business. There are different reasons as to why people would co-brand. People currently in printing or associated signage businesses, like Jodie and Ian Sims, can leverage their existing clients. As we know, printing has been contracting for some years. Co-branding with Signwave is an opportunity to create sustainability while leveraging existing clients. With print runs declining you need to move into a strong product category. Dean Rowland, franchise operations manager, Signwave Australia says, We are excited about the momentum we are building to complete our national network and the excellent returns we are providing our centre owners. Comment below to have your say on this story. If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at [email protected] Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter Photo of 2018 Outback 50th Anniversary Edition courtesy of Subaru. Subaru of America is celebrating 50 years of selling vehicles in the U.S. by producing anniversary editions of its vehicles that will be offered in limited numbers, the company announced. The 50th Anniversary Edition models will be offered in the 2018 model year. Production quantities have been set at 1,050 vehicles for Outback, Legacy, Forester, Impreza, and Crosstrek. Subaru will offer a combined total of 1,050 of WRX, STI, and BRZ. The models will carry the Heritage Blue exterior color, satin chrone exterior trim and badging, alloy wheels, and side mirrors with satin chrome. The cabins will feature black upholstery with silver stitching, silver seatbelts, and the 50th anniversary logo embroidered on front seats and floor mats. The 50th Anniversary Outback will retail for at least $35,995 for the 2.5i Limited. A comparable non-anniversary model would retail for $33,610. Subaru of America was founded on Feb. 15, 1968, and operated in Balboa Park, Calif., before moving to the Delaware Valley. The company is based in Cherry Hill, N.J., and will be moving to a new headquarters in Camden this spring. Dmitry Driving Dynamics Inc. has promoted Irena Dmitry into the role of director of marketing and communications, the fleet driver training company announced. She will report to Art Liggio, president and CEO. The company describes Dmitry as a seasoned B2B marketing professional with experience managing multi-channel traditional and digital marketing programs and more than 15 years in the fleet industry. Since 2014, she has providing marketing consultancy services to the company. In her expanded director role, she is responsible for translating the company's business objectives into marketing strategies and tactics that build brand equity across existing and new markets, reinforce the value of Driving Dynamics' services and grow market share and revenue for the company, according to the company. "Throughout her career, she's brought an entrepreneurial approach to marketing programs and has a progressive skill set that spans across a broad range of marketing and communications functions," said Liggio. "Those qualities, combined with her knowledge of Driving Dynamics' culture and services made her the right choice for the newly formed director position." Most recently, Dmitry was a self-employed senior marketing consultant specializing in the financial services sector. Among her key long-term clients was Pershing LLC, a global provider of business solutions to registered investment advisors and financial retail organizations. There she oversaw a variety of marketing projects through the formal development process, managing resource from creative concept through to legal and compliance sign off. In her prior role, Irena served as senior manager of marketing and communications at The CEI Group, Inc. (CEI), a fleet accident and risk management business. During her nearly 12 years with CEI she was instrumental in defining and leading the overall marketing strategy and brand functions for the business, according to the company. Dmitry is a past committee member and elected chairperson of the Exhibit Advisory Committee for the Risk and Insurance Management Society and is a current member of both the American Marketing and eMarketing and Associations. Photo: Eric Guinther at the English language Wikipedia Lawmakers in Maui County, Hawaii proposed a tax on car rentals to fund projects in West Maui, according to a report from the Maui News. Senate Bill 3009 and House Bill 2601 are proposals that will add a rental car tax of $4.50 per vehicle, per day on top of the existing fee of $3 per vehicle, per day, for a total of $7.50 per vehicle, per day. The money collected from the fees are planned to be set aside for construction of the Lahaina and Paia bypass projects, as well as other public road projects that are estimated to cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Harold Pierce covers education and health for The Californian. He can be reached at 661-395-7404. Follow him on Twitter @RoldyPierce 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. We want the international community to know what is going on in Kenya where impunity and flagrant disregard of judicial process, press freedom and the rule of law seem to the norm, Ms Beatrice Oduor read the groups statement. They said the administration was engineering the re-emergence of intolerance of opposing views experienced during the one party dictatorships of former presidents Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel arap Moi. Kenyans fought hard to free themselves from infamy. The scars of those years are still fresh in the national psyche and that is why we have collectively resolved to never again allow dictatorship to thrive, Mr Nick Oguttu of Amnesty International said. (Raila Odinga swear in ceremony aftermath.)The said that Kenya has gone to anarchy state as it was before colonisation. The deportation of Miguna Miguna and the crackdown on opposition shows that the country is heading in a bad direction. A pastor is accused of sexually battering a 17-year-old girl after telling her she was possessed by a demon, Pasco County authorities say. Pastor accused of sexual encounters with girl Sheriff's affidavit says he told girl she had multiple personalities Deputies: 1 of the personalities was possessed by demon, he told girl RELATED: Winter Haven-area pastor charged with child sex crimes Pastor Gerardo "Jerry" Martinez of Miracle Christian Church on Thursday was charged with two counts of sexual battery/custodial authority solicits victim, according to a Pasco County complaint affidavit. He has bonded out of jail. Authorities started an investigation into the 52-year-old Martinez after a 17-year-old parishioner came to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office in December, according to the affidavit. In April of last year, the girl and her family started to attend the New Port Richey church on 5724 State Road 54 where she "was advised by (Martinez) she... suffered from multiple personalities and that one of the personalities was possessed by a demon," stated the Sheriff's affidavit. Martinez gained the trust of the girl's parents, and "he maintained a custodial figure" while he and the girl were together, even going to her Tarpon Springs home while her parents were away, the affidavit said. Between April and October of 2017, Martinez and the girl engaged in sexual contact numerous times at various places, either at the church, her home and a Publix parking lot while in the New Port Richey man's vehicle, according to the affidavit. "The defendant did so without the victim's consent and was in a position to manipulate the victim," deputies stated in the affidavit. During a "non-custodial interview," Martinez denied driving to the girl's house from the church during this time period but changed his testimony and indicated he would drive her part way, the affidavit stated. Martinez told investigators said that he only went to the girl's home because she asked him to help walk her dog while her parents were away, but he claimed that he did not go into the home. However, he later admitted he did go inside, deputies said. Martinez's wife denied knowing her husband was going over to the girl's house to walk her dog, the affidavit said. Martinez denied having sexual encounters with the teenager and would not talk with authorities after that. Spectrum Bay News 9 tried to call the New Port Richey church for comment, but the phone number was disconnected. Someone picked up twice for calls placed to Martinez's personal number, but the person only listened before hanging up. A biography on the church's website said Monday that Martinez is a New Jersey native and married with three children, and how he found God after being in prison. "At 18, he moved back to New Jersey and soon found himself involved in the drug world and continued on in Philadelphia where he was arrested around the age of 28. In prison, Pastor Jerry went to a church service and had an encounter with God that radically changed his life," the website stated. Last week, the 43-year-old pastor of a Winter Haven-area church was charged with child sex crimes. A magazine about Lakeland has grown increasingly popular during the past five years. "Lakelander" grows in popularity The magazine is published by Curt Patterson It presents positive stories about Lakeland "Lakelander" magazine is published by Curt Patterson. Patterson had spent many years in the magazine publishing businesses when he decided Lakeland needed its own magazine. Fifteen thousand copies of each free monthly edition quickly disappear from distribution points that include coffee shops and fitness centers. "Lakelander" presents a stylish image of Lakeland with positive stories. Well, we believe that the mission of the magazine is somewhat like us living here in Lakeland, Patterson said. We are proud of Lakeland. We feel it is our job to incite pride of place. Patterson and "Lakelander" have become boosters of the city. Patterson takes copies of the magazine with him as he attends Chamber of Commerce committee meetings. Lakeland Regional Health puts copies of the magazine in goodie bags it gives to doctors it is trying to recruit. Physician recruitment director Joseph Davis believes Lakelander presents a vision of the city doctors would need to see to convince them to move here. Absolutely, absolutely. Its a great place to raise a family. Its a great place for your kids to go to school, he said. Patterson also publishes a similar magazine about Winter Haven. Its called "WH." A woman who was a member of the Pinellas Park Civic Orchestra was shot and killed Monday night on a Pinellas Park street. Police: Woman shot, killed on Pinellas Park street She has been identified as Caroline Morton-Hicks Shooting happened Monday night on 78th Ave near city hall Police said they believe shooting is an isolated event Pinellas Park police are investigating the shooting that happened just before 10 p.m. in the 5100 block of 78th Avenue, near city hall. Police said the woman, identified as 59-year-old Caroline Morton-Hicks, was a trombone player attending an orchestra practice at the performing arts center. As she left, there was some kind of altercation in a parking lot between the performing arts center and city hall. Someone with a gun chased Morton-Hicks and shot her on 78th Avenue. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect is being sought. "She seemed very nice, she was quiet," neighbor Kay Dauphinais said of Morton-Hicks. "Sadness and hurt to think that somebody would do that to somebody else." Police said they are not sure what led to the fight but are surprised the shooting unfolded on a public street. "This is not a typical area where we have a high volume of crime," said Pinellas Park Sgt. Michael Lynch. "It's an area where you have city buildings, it's not an area where we have crime, let alone this sort of thing in general." Business owners and neighbors in the area agree. "Naturally I was alarmed at first," said David Greer, GM of National Auto Service. "This type of thing doesn't happen here. It's a pretty safe area." Later on Wednesday, a rose sat in a chair at The New Horizons band practice in Gulfport, a chair where Morton usually sat playing trombone. Fellow band members at the practice said Morton Hicks's death just didn't make sense. "We are all shocked and saddened by her passing," said bandmate Tom Kaltenbaugh. "I really cant speculate on what went wrong -- it wasnt like her to argue with people," said friend Joanne Van Voorhies. "I heard there was an argument. Thats really not how she was." "It's going to gnaw at me," said friend Chris Clement. "I mean Im still in a daze. I lost my place in the music a couple of times letting my mind wander." "She had no knowledge of it coming, but still not being able to say goodbye and say the things that need to be said," Clement continued. "So you've got to live each day like your last." Her friends and band members say all they can do now is wait for answers and keep playing. "It was rought at first because other news agencies came in and pointed at her chair that was empty. But as we got to playing you could hear the music that she loved so much. She's playing up there," said band member Pam Hugaert. Officers said they believe this is an isolated incident. "I hope it was random," Dauphinais said. "I just hope it wasn't anybody out for her. I can't see why." An investigation is ongoing and officers are talking to witnesses and trying to determine if surveillance video will help find the gunman. Publisher Files Censorship Suit Against Illinois Department Of Corrections The Human Rights Defense Center, a non-profit organization based in Lake Worth, Florida, will file a federal lawsuit Tuesday against the Illinois Department of Corrections alleging constitutional violations related to censorship of HRDC's publications mailed to Illinois state prisoners. HRDC publishes Prison Legal News, a 72-page monthly publication that covers news and court rulings related to the criminal justice system. PLN has been published for more than 27 years and has received the First Amendment Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. HRDC also distributes around 50 self-help and legal books of interest to prisoners. More than 200 Illinois prisoners subscribe to PLN. According to the complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, "certain prisons within the state of Illinois have withheld all or part of issues of Prison Legal News, as well as books published and/or distributed by HRDC" in violation of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Further, IDOC has failed to provide notice of such censorship, or has provided inadequate notice, in violation of the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The lawsuit cites specific examples where PLN was censored by prison officials, including multiple issues of the publication not being delivered to subscribers at the Big Muddy River Correctional Center between June 2016 and October 2017. The suit also claims that the Decatur Correctional Center "imposed a blanket ban against the receipt and distribution of Prison Legal News." Additional incidents of censorship were cited at the Hill, Menard, Stateville, and Pontiac Correctional Centers, among other IDOC facilities. "In adopting and implementing the above censorship policies and practices," the complaint states, "Defendants have knowingly violated, continue to violate, and are reasonably expected to violate in the future, HRDC's constitutional rights, and have caused HRDC serious and irreparable harm including, but not limited to: suppression of its political message, frustration of its organizational mission, loss of its ability to recruit new supporters, subscribers, and writers, loss of subscriptions, loss of opportunities for purchases and sales of its publications, loss of opportunities for book sales, and diversion of its resources." The lawsuit seeks 1) a declaration that the IDOC's censorship of PLN and other publications violates HRDC's constitutional rights, 2) a preliminary and permanent injunction against such censorship; 3) compensatory, punitive and nominal damages; 4) and attorneys' fees and costs. HRDC is represented in its suit by Chicago attorneys Marc Zubick, Jason Greenhut and Sarah Wang with the law firm of Latham & Watkins; attorneys Alan Mills and Nicole Schult with the Uptown People's Law Center; and HRDC general counsel Sabarish Neelakanta and staff attorneys Masimba Mutamba and Dan Marshall. "The hostility of IDOC towards publishers who report on legal and human rights abuses of the prisoners in their care is contrary to the norms of a free press and free speech alike," said Paul Wright, director and founder of HRDC. "Prison Legal News is one of the only sources available to prisoners regarding the law and legal developments," said Alan Mills, executive director of Uptown People's Law Center. "Depriving prisoners of this important information is an affront to the Constitution." HRDC has previously filed successful censorship cases against 10 other state Departments of Corrections, resulting in settlement agreements and consent decrees. The organization has also sued more than a dozen local jails nationwide, including a lawsuit filed against the Cook County Jail on June 30, 2016, which remains pending. * The Human Rights Defense Center, founded in 1990 and based in Lake Worth, Florida, is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting human rights in U.S. detention facilities. HRDC's advocacy efforts include publishing two monthly publications, Prison Legal News, which covers national and international news and litigation concerning prisons and jails, as well as Criminal Legal News, which is focused on criminal law and procedure and policing issues. HRDC also publishes and distributes self-help reference books for prisoners, and engages in state and federal court litigation on prisoner rights issues, including wrongful death, public records, class actions, and Section 1983 civil rights litigation concerning the First Amendment rights of prisoners and their correspondents. The Uptown People's Law Center is a nonprofit legal services organization specializing in prisoners' rights, Social Security disability, and tenants' rights and eviction defense. UPLC currently has seven pending class action lawsuits regarding jail and prison conditions. Latham & Watkins is a global law firm with a Chicago office. - See also by WBEZ's Natalie Moore: My Book Is Banned In Illinois Prisons - I Tried To Figure Out Why. - Comments welcome. Permalink Posted on February 13, 2018 Lesbos (Greece) After a bitterly cold night, in a far too small boat, Nasser (8) has finally made it: He has arrived in Europe on this early morning. More precisely, in Lesbos, a Greek island very close to the Turkish coastline. He fled the so-called Islamic State's terror in his home in Iraq together with his family and around 40 other people. Their boat nearly capsized during the journey. There was water everywhere. But now he is laughing, doing wild dances and is animating the other kids to join in. For one moment it seems like he has escaped his terrible reality. Once they arrived in the emergency camp, the clowns start their show for the traumatised kids. First of all they seem very shy, but Ash can quickly break their anxiety and make them take part Foto: Giorgos Moutafis The reason behind this: The Clown Ash Perrin and his team from The Flying Seagull Project. They were called to the emergency makeshift camp in the north of Lesbos directly after the boat was spotted. Now they are performing in front of the exhausted and terrified kids and their families, who for the past weeks have experienced nothing else but suffering and fear. The Clown-Project We give them their smiles back and want to free them from all the terror, even if its only for a moment, says Ash Perrin, the founder of the project, to BILD. Some of the kids look like grandpas, stuck in a small body. They lost their childish innocence in this war. Ash Perrin (left) with BILD-Reporter Henry Donovan in the main circus tent of the Flying Seagull Project. The clowns perform inside here during the cold winter months Foto: Giorgos Moutafis The Flying Seagull Project was found by Ash Perrin about ten years ago. Back then, he had just been traveling the world as a student, typical backpacker as he puts it, and volunteered wherever he could. Upon others, he worked at an orphanage in Cambodia. One thing struck him during his time: None of the kids was really able to laugh. From that moment on he was sure, that there should be no child wherever in this world, that cannot laugh. Back home he quit drama school in London and started his own project, together with two close friends. The name of the project derives from the children's novel Jonathan Livingston Seagull by the US-Author Richard Bach. In this wonderful story, a seagull tries desperately to be more than it seems to be. He doesn't just want to fly, like the others but fly exceptionally well. The message of this story: All limitations in life are just in your head. And exactly this is what the team (aprox. ten people per tour) have been trying to teach the kids for the past two years, not only in the refugee camps in Lesbos, but also in Idomeni (Greece) and Serbia. And have achieved so with great success. The project is financed by about 300 private donors and smaller NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations). In order to stay independent and non-political, they keep away from taking large donations. This is very important for the way they work, in these extremely difficult areas of this world. For the time in Lesbos, the young team was able to rent a small house right next to the huge Moria-Camp (the main refugee camp of the island). They all share a room. Even Ash, the head of the group. He is currently sharing with two others. It is very important, that there is no real hierarchy amongst them. They plan and practice their shows here and then drive into the camp. Just as they did the night we met them. The team wants to be there for the traumatised kids, right from the moment they land in Lesbos. For the past few weeks those small souls have seen nothing else than angry and yelling men. They are scared to death! They have lost their childhood Yet the question remains: How do you get these kids to laugh and smile again? First of all we let them stand in a circle. A circle is something very special, there is no beginning and no end, everyone is equal, Ash tells BILD before the show. The clowns then smile over their whole faces, they look upbeat and spread their positive energy. But mainly they make a fool of themselves, They behave as if it were sunny, as if the world really isn't full of agony. The grown ups are animated to join in the fun! Fun is not only for kids. We're all kids deep down inside, Ash Perrin tells BILD Foto: Giorgos Moutafis Ash Perrin grabs a coin and lets it vanish in front of the crowd, which is silent in disbelief. Suddenly: The coin has reappeared! A classic magic trick! It's the universal trick. Everyone loves it, all around the world. Back in the camp, Nasser's mother starts laughing, the kids follow in. The whole crowd follows in. And suddenly, on this cold night, it seems, as if everything is fine. Ash approaches Nasser and asks him to assist him for the next trick. He first shrugs back, shakes his head but he is smiling. If the kids are too shy, or scared, I obviously leave them alone. But if you see them smiling, it means they are up for it, just slightly embarrassed in that moment. I then animate them to join, Ash tells us during our meeting. Ash tries again and asks Nasser to step forward. The crowds starts cheering, Nasser gets up and boldly steps towards Ash. His exhausted eyes are suddenly shining, as Ash points, with his magic wand, to a hat Nasser is holding in his hands. Abrakadabra!, Ash sends a spell to the hat and pulls a colourful flag out of it. The kids are absolutely amazed. In the end they all dance around in a circle, to the funny melodies Ash plays on his tuba, while fooling around. The kids love it! And even the grown ups join in. Ash Perrin playing his Tuba in a very silly, funny way. It makes everyone laugh and join in Foto: Giorgos Moutafis The tents will not give them a decent shelter for the nights ahead, the refugees all know this bitter fact. Yet for this evening the clowns were able to cheer them up and give them a warm feeling. When you laugh, there is no room for sadness or fear. This is exactly what we need to show them, Ash says to BILD. It needs more than just a smile These kids have to endure a long and tough winter in the over filled and cold tents of the refugee camp in Lesbos. But for this evening they can forget all the horrors of the war Foto: Giorgos Moutafis And this is very important for them to know, as the next few weeks and months ahead will be unbearably hard for them. The winter is there and at night it is extremely cold. Too cold to sleep in a normal tent, every night. They have to survive the winter in the Moria camp, in over-crowded tents, without any heating or decent washing facilities. Moria is actually meant to be a transitional camp for refugees arriving in Europe. They are supposed to register here. Some of the inhabitants have been here for more than a year already. The camp is built for 3800 people. Today they are trying to give a shelter to around 7000. It is desperately too small. Just one night here is unbelievably hard. It will need more than just a smile for the kids here to survive. PS: Sind Sie bei Facebook? Werden Sie Fan von BILD.de-Politik! For Immediate Release, February 13, 2018 Contact: Tierra Curry, (928) 522-3681, tcurry@biologicaldiversity.org Trump Budget Is Death Sentence for Endangered Species 47 Percent Cut Proposed to Already Meager Fund for Protecting Species, Habitat WASHINGTON The Trump administrations budget released Monday proposes slashing the annual amount spent on protecting additional species as endangered, as well as protecting critical habitat for already protected species, from $20.5 million to just under $11 million. The cut to the listing budget could mean extinction for some of the more than 500 species awaiting protection decisions from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Since the Endangered Species Act was passed, at least 46 species have gone extinct waiting for protection, including most recently the Beaverpond marstonia snail. The Trump budget is an absolute disaster for Americas endangered species, said Noah Greenwald, endangered species director at the Center for Biological Diversity. An administration that splurges on first-class travel for cabinet secretaries wants to shortchange crucial efforts to save our most imperiled animals. The American wolverine and Sierra Nevada red fox are among the hundreds of species that could be lost if this reckless proposal becomes law. Trumps budget slashes the Fish and Wildlife Services overall budget by $300 million or 19 percent. This will certainly harm endangered species recovery. The agencys budget for recovery is already a fraction of whats needed. One in four species receives less than $10,000 a year in recovery dollars less than the $12,375 in taxpayer money Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has spent on a single chartered airplane flight. In addition to endangered species, a massive budget cut will harm management of the nations national wildlife refuges, which, besides providing habitat for wildlife, are enjoyed by millions of Americans. This budget will keep Fish and Wildlife officials from doing their job to protect endangered species, said Greenwald. Given the numerous and growing threats to wildlife from habitat destruction, pollution and climate change, cutting the agencys budget is 180 degrees wrong. In 2016 the Fish and Wildlife Service developed a National Listing Workplan that was intended to prioritize the agencys workload based in part on the degree of imperilment of species awaiting protection. The agency has already fallen behind on this workplan. In fiscal year 2017, 12 species that were supposed to get protection decisions did not, including the Neuse River waterdog salamander, and another 18 already protected endangered species did not get critical habitat decisions as required by the workplan. The Center has filed a notice of intent to sue the agency over findings for several of these species. Endangered whooping cranes, grizzly bears and many more of the nations more than 1,700 listed species would suffer under this deeply irresponsible budget, said Greenwald. For Immediate Release, February 13, 2018 Contact: Miyoko Sakashita, (510) 844-7108, miyoko@biologicaldiversity.org Trump Administration Sued for Letting Oil Companies Dump Offshore Fracking Waste Into Gulf of Mexico NEW ORLEANS The Center for Biological Diversity, Gulf Restoration Network and Louisiana Bucket Brigade today sued the Trump administration for permitting oil companies to dump waste from fracking and drilling into the Gulf of Mexico without evaluating the dangers to water quality, marine species or the environment. Todays lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, challenges the Environmental Protection Agencys Clean Water Act permit for new and existing offshore oil and gas platforms operating in federal waters off Texas and Louisiana. The permit, finalized in September, allows oil companies to dump unlimited amounts of waste fluid, including chemicals used in fracking, into the Gulf of Mexico. The Trump administration is letting oil companies dump toxic fracking chemicals into the Gulf with no regard for the risks or the law, said Kristen Monsell, a senior attorney at the Center. Thats just unacceptable. The EPA is supposed to protect water quality, not give oil companies free rein to use our oceans as their garbage disposal. Federal waters in the western Gulf of Mexico host the largest concentration of offshore oil and gas drilling activities in the country. Federal documents revealed that oil companies dumped more than 75 billion gallons of wastewater into these waters in 2014 alone. Records also show that fracking has been on the rise in the Gulf and that the EPA has failed to conduct any meaningful review of the environmental impacts of dumping fracking waste into the water. The EPA is putting marine wildlife and coastal communities at risk by rubber-stamping the dumping of dangerous fracking chemicals into our oceans. But were confident the court will set the record straight, said Monsell. Todays lawsuit notes that the EPAs issuance of the permit failed to comply with federal environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act and National Environmental Policy Act. The suit aims to force the EPA to prohibit the dumping of fracking chemicals and other dangerous waste fluids into the Gulf unless and until the agency adequately studies and discloses the risks. At least 10 fracking chemicals routinely used in offshore fracking could kill or harm a broad variety of marine species, including marine mammals and fish, Center scientists have found. The California Council on Science and Technology has identified some common fracking chemicals to be among the most toxic in the world to marine animals. Discharging fracking chemicals into the Gulf raises grave ecological concerns because the Gulf provides important habitat for whales, sea turtles and fish as well as being federally designated critical habitat for imperiled loggerhead sea turtles. Dolphins and other species in the Gulf are still suffering the lingering destructive effects of 2010s Deepwater Horizon oil spill. For Immediate Release, February 12, 2018 Contact: Greer Ryan, (812) 345-8571, gryan@biologicaldiversity.org Trump's Draft Budget Slashes Renewable Energy, Efficiency Funding Proposed Cuts Threaten Jobs, Climate Progress WASHINGTON President Trumps draft budget released today proposes to slash funding for the Department of Energys Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) program by $1.3 billion, a 65 percent cut from the 2017 budget. Trumps budget serves as a starting point for congressional negotiations as well as a blueprint for the administrations priorities. Trumps steep cuts are a really ugly assault on clean energy. This is a counterproductive move that will threaten our climate, good jobs and economic progress, said Greer Ryan, renewable energy and research specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity. While the proposal is unlikely to make it through Congress, its another clear signal that Trump will do anything to prop up dirty coal and nuclear power. The EERE program, which includes programs to increase the generation of electricity from clean energy sources and improve the efficiency of homes, businesses and industries, has been widely successful. A third-party analysis found that $12 billion in funding yielded an estimated $230 billion in net economic benefit to the U.S. The administration also proposed to eliminate funding for the popular Energy Star program as part of cuts to the EPA. The budget proposes that the programs administrative costs be covered by user fees, which companies would have to pay to use the label. To protect our planet and maintain a livable climate, we need to move rapidly to wildlife-friendly renewable power sources while reducing energy waste, said Ryan. We should be investing more in these successful programs rather than threatening them with misguided cuts. Internet penetration is creeping up in Africa, bringing the prospect of digital dividends to a continent long marked by digital divides. faithie via 123RF Digital dividends Levelling the playing field Analogue complements Africa has reached a penetration which has broken the barrier of 15 %, and thats important, says Nii Quaynor, a scientist who has played a key role in the introduction and development of the internet throughout Africa. He is known as the father of the internet on the continent.However, Africans have not developed the ability to produce enough software, applications and tools to give economies the dividends they sorely need.The shift to low-cost submarine connections from satellite connections is less than a decade old. The new undersea fibres have led to a remarkable increase in data transmission capacity that drastically reduces transmission time and cost.Today 16 submarine cables connect Africa to America, Europe and Asia, and international connectivity no longer presents a significant problem, reports Steve Song, founder of Village Telco, an initiative to build low-cost telephone network hardware and software. This has allowed countries to share information, both within the continent and worldwide, more directly. It has created more space for innovation, research and education.Networks have ended the isolation of African scientists and researchers. You now have access to information from the more developed countries, and this is changing the way people think, says Meoli Kashorda, director of the Kenya Education Network.Internet penetration on the continent has not kept pace with mobile phone diffusion. In 2016 only 22% of the continents population used the Internet, compared to a global average of 44%, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN agency that deals with issues concerning information and communication technologies. And only 11% of Africans could access 3G internet, which allows mobile operators to offer a high data-processing speed.The ITU notes that the people most likely to have access to digital technology in Africa are males living in urban areas or coastal cities where undersea fibres are available.McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm, estimates that if Internet access reaches the same level of penetration as mobile phones, Africas GDP could get a boost of up to $300 billion. Other experts concur that better access to technology could be a game changer for development and the closing of the income inequality gap in Africa.In sub-Saharan Africa, the richest 60% are almost three times more likely to have internet access than the bottom 40%, and those in urban areas are more than twice as likely to have access as those in rural areas, according to the World Banks World Development Report 2016.The World Banks development report of 2016 notes that digital dividends, which it describes as broader development benefits from using these technologies have not been evenly distributed. For digital technologies to benefit everyone everywhere requires closing the remaining digital divide, especially in internet access, maintains the Bank.Businesses that incorporate digital technologies into their practices will create jobs and boost earnings, according to the African Development Bank (AfDB). The bank reported in 2016 that two million jobs will be created in the ICT sector in Africa by 2021. Analyst programmers, computer network professionals, and database and system administrators will find jobs in the sector.Although the World Bank paints a less rosy picture for digital dividends in Africa, the potential for millions of jobs in the sector is encouraging news for the continents youths, who make up 60% of Africas unemployed and are jobless at a rate double that of adults. Youths can easily take advantage of the jobs that digital revolution brings, says Bitange Ndemo, a former permanent secretary in Kenyas ministry of information and Communication.Technology can also help bridge inequalities caused by the education gap. According to the UN UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, over one-fifth of children between the ages of six and about 11 are out of school, along with one-third of youth between the ages of about 12 and about 14. Almost 60% of youth between the ages of about 15 and about 17 are not in school.On the bright side, as mobile internet access expands, so will the internets potential to narrow the continents education gap. elearning continues to grow due to its affordability and accessibility. In fact, IMARC Group, a market research company with offices in India, the UK and the US, reported earlier in 2017 that the e-learning market in Africa will be worth $1.4 billion by 2022. It will improve the education level of Africas workforce that will contribute positively to the continents economies.Eneza Education, for example, a Kenya-based learning platform, surpassed one million users in 2016. The platform allows users to access learning materials using various devices. They can access courses and quizzes via text messages for only 10 Kenyan shillings ($.10) per week. Eneza caters to students and teachers in rural areas where opportunities are limited.Also, Samsungs Smart Schools initiative equips schools around the world with tablets, PCs and other devices, and builds solar-powered schools in rural areas. Currently 78 Smart Schools are operating in 10 African nations, including Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya and Uganda. The companys strategy is to encourage underprivileged students to use digital devices.With women 50% less likely to use the internet than men, some organisations are now making efforts to attract women to the digital world. Digital technologies can provide opportunities for women in the informal job market by connecting them to employment opportunities.High digital penetration is good, but good governance, a healthy business climate, education and health, also known as analogue complements, will ensure a solid foundation for adopting digital technologies and more effectively addressing inequalities, advises the World Bank. Even with increased digital adoption, the Bank says, countries neglecting analogue complements will not experience a boost in productivity or a reduction in inequality.Not making the necessary reforms means falling farther behind those that do, while investing in both technology and its complements is the key to digital transformation, notes Bouthenia Guermazi, ICT practice manager at the World Bank.Yet digital migration is receiving pushback from obsolete analogue operators who are concerned about the risks of digitizing. Automation poses a threat to those whose jobs can be done by cheaper and more efficient machines, a phenomenon that primarily affects already disadvantaged groups. For example, many banks and insurance companies have automated customer services.The United Nations has set the goal of connecting all the worlds inhabitants with affordable, high-speed internet by 2020. Likewise, the African Union launched a 10-year mission in 2014 to encourage countries to transition to innovation-led, knowledge-based economies. This mission is part of its ambitious Agenda 2063, aimed at transforming the continents socioeconomic and political fortunes.Rwanda is leading the charge via its Vision 2020 programme, which aims at developing the country into a knowledge-based middle-income country by 2020. Earlier this year, Rwanda rolled out its Digital Ambassadors Programme, which will hire and train about 5,000 youths to teach digital skills to five million people in the rural areas.Unfortunately, digitisation ranks low on the priority lists of many developing countries. And according to a recent report by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), productivity gains from digitalisation may accrue mainly to those already wealthy and skilled, which is typical in internet platform-based economies, where network effects (additional value for service as more people use it) benefit first movers and standard setters.In the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, an intergovernmental economic organization of 35 countries, where the digital economy has evolved the most, growing use of ICT has been accompanied by an increasing income gap between rich and poor.The UNCTAD report also states that developing the right ICT policies depends on countries readiness to engage in and benefit from the digital economy, but the least-developed countries are the least prepared. To ensure that more people and enterprises in developing countries have the capacity to participate effectively, the international community will need to expand its support.Guermazi urges leaders to develop a comprehensive approach to transforming their countries rather than rely on ad hoc initiatives.Digital dividends are within reach, Guermazi insists. The outlook for the future is bright.Source: Africa Renewal Burson-Marsteller Africa has strengthened its financial and investor relations offering to deliver integrated communications solutions for its clients across Africa. Nicholas Williams Nicholas Williams has been appointed as a senior counsel. Williams brings more than 20 years of experience in investor relations both in the UK and South Africa, with particular expertise in capital markets.Robyn de Villiers, chair and chief executive of Burson-Marsteller Africa, said: I am delighted that Nicholas has come on board as a member of our extended team. He brings a wealth of experience for companies looking to have the highest standing with their shareholders and other financial stakeholders. He will add important expertise in delivering integrated communications solutions for our clients across Africa.Williams has advised leading JSE Top 40 and mid-cap public companies in South Africa, as well as internationally, in all areas of capital markets PR. He was notably active in the communications of capital transactions including initial public offerings (IPO), fundraisings, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and black empowerment. He advised on the largest ever IPO in South Africa as well as on many significant stock exchange introductions and M&A.Before his tenure as managing partner at Instinctif Partners Africa (previously known as College Hill), a strategic corporate communications firm, which he established, Williams worked with Barclays Bank globally, including as head of private banking in sub-Saharan Africa and in corporate banking in Botswana. His background in finance has stood him in good stead to interact with companies in their boardrooms as well as with institutions, investment banks, sell-side analysts, financial journalists and other stakeholders who influence the reputation of business in the financial markets.Williams will work with Burson-Marsteller partners in South Africa as well as other parts of the group where there is an African requirement, including other financial public relations firms owned by the group outside Africa. The United States International University - Africa (USIU-Africa), in collaboration with Microsoft's 4Afrika Initiative, has launched Kenya's first AppFactory at the Incubation and Innovation Center (I2C) in Nairobi, aimed at improving local IT skills. The I2C AppFactory aims to address the competency gap between ICT graduates and employment, by equipping students with high-level skills in designing, developing, implementing and managing modern software solutions.The initiative will provide an experiential way of learning, encouraging students to develop new skills, attitudes and ways of thinking. It will also provide access to first-grade jobs through the Microsoft Partner Network, increasing the employability of USIU-Africa students and unemployed graduates from other universities who participate in the programme.Despite hundreds of students graduating in ICT, IT companies are still finding it difficult to recruit graduates who are ready to contribute as software developers, without first taking them through extensive on-the-job training, said Professor Paul Zeleza, vice chancellor of USIU-Africa.The I2C AppFactory is the 14th AppFactory to be launched in partnership with Microsoft 4Afrika on the continent, with others in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Egypt, Uganda, Rwanda, Mauritius, Malawi and Ethiopia.In 2017, 500 students graduated from the African AppFactories, with 85% securing full-time jobs within three months of graduation. Others have started their own businesses.Graduates from the AppFactory are highly sought-after. Virtually all of them find work often before they even graduate, said Lutz Ziob, dean of the Microsoft 4Afrika Academy. Across Africa, AppFactory students are learning how to build digital solutions in business, finance, healthcare, education, agriculture, tourism and transportation. As they become experienced software engineers working with modern technologies from cloud computing to secure coding, bots and data analytics startups and corporates are snatching them up.USIU-Africa will host the AppFactory, while Microsoft will provide assistance and access to various platforms, tools and networks to successfully operate the programme. The I2C AppFactory will target final year ICT students at USIU-Africa and fresh graduates from other universities. Every six months, 30 students will become software apprentices and receive training and mentorship by senior software craftsmen.Enrolment for the AppFactory is currently ongoing here AfriDocs, the free streaming platform for the best documentaries in Africa, in conjunction with UNESCO, is presenting the unique film project Colours of the Alphabet for streaming for free for 30 days. Colours of the Alphabet. Colours of the Alphabet, directed by Alistair Cole, with Nick Higgins as producer, streams on the AfriDocs platform from 21 February 2018. This exciting and innovative project is actually one film with 27 language versions, all of which will be available via the AfriDocs You Tube platform, while the English sub version of the film will be live on the AfriDocs website.The streaming of the film is part of a campaign supported by UNESCO and the filmmakers in honour of International Mother Language Day on February 21.This partnership with the producers of Colours of the Alphabet (COTA) will result in the continents first ever simultaneous multi-lingual release of a documentary across the whole of Africa.In-keeping with the subject of the film that explores the challenges faced by children in rural Zambia for receive education in their mother tongue, the films producers have created a network of translators who have provided subtitles in 25 indigenous languages for the film.In addition to English, Portuguese and French, this will make the film available in 27 languages across the continent.Colours of the Alphabet producer Higgins has this to say of the partnership with AfriDocs: "We are delighted to be working with AfriDocs and UNESCO to bring this unique documentary film to audiences all across Africa. For many viewers this will be the first time they will see a film subtitled in their own language and we hope this new network of film translators will continue to subtitle films for AfriDocs and others, in what would be a fitting legacy for International Mother Language Day 2018."The release will be accompanied by an online social media campaign, #mytonguemystory, that will allow audiences to share their own stories of mother tongue education in their own languages.To watch all the language versions of Colours of the Alphabet as well as all AfriDocs documentaries visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/AfriDocs AfriDocs films are FREE to screen anytime and from anywhere in Africa on www.afridocs.net The Zimbabwean government has reportedly set up a committee that will spearhead the process of compensating white farmers whose farms were seized during the country's controversial land reform programme. TheDigitalArtist via pixabay A new farming system According to Daily News, President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration appointed the permanent secretary of the land and agriculture ministry, Ringson Chitsiko, to chair the committee until October next year. The report said that the appointment of Chitsiko was seen as "signalling the commencement of efforts to make agricultural production attractive again" in the southern African country.The development came just a few weeks after some of the evicted white farmers demanded a $9bn pay-out for assets expropriated during the land redistribution programme. The Financial Gazette quoted sources as saying that the compensation claim had since been tabled before President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The figure included land, which the farmers valued using regional rates, as well as fixed assets, the report said.Zimbabwe embarked on a violent land reform programme in 2000, taking over white-owned farms to resettle landless blacks. Thousands of white farmers were forced off their land by mobs or evicted, with ex-president Robert Mugabe saying the reforms would help black people marginalised under British colonial rule.Critics blamed the land redistribution for the collapse in agricultural production that saw the former regional breadbasket become a perennial food importer.The Daily News reported that close to 690,000 hectares of land were forcibly taken from the white farmers, including farming equipment, livestock and personal possessions.Mnangagwa told the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland recently that his new government believed thinking along racial lines was "outdated" when it came to farming and land ownership.He said that white Zimbabwean farmers left on the land had integrated "happily" into the country's new farming system, albeit on smaller land holdings."We don't want to think along racial lines - that there are white farmers and black farmers. That should be a philosophy of the past," Mnangagwa said. NIAMEY, Niger - Privately-run newspapers and radio and TV channels in Niger protested last week over a tax audit that they said sought to "stifle" the country's independent media. Paul Stringer via 123RF Media owners last week said they had been advised that inspectors would carry out a check on tax for which they were liable from from 2014 to 2017, as well as the coming tax year.At least five broadcasting groups in Niamey halted their programming on Monday morning, with three TV stations leaving a protest message on screens reading, "Stop the murder of Niger's independent press".Media owners issued a joint statement on Sunday to attack what they called the "curious" decision to unleash the tax inspection.They also accused the government of failing to make payments on an annual fund to subsidise the private media, worth 250 million CFA francs ($470,000, 381,000) annually."We are henceforth convinced that the government's clear will is to stifle the private media," they said.They also accused the security forces of carrying out physical assaults and arbitrary arrests among reporters covering anti-government protests.Niger has a dozen private TV channels, nearly two dozen private radio stations and about four dozen print outlets.Source: AFP. The co-marketing agreement between Cape Town Tourism and NYC & Company which sees the two destination marketing agencies pool their resources to market each other's destinations is going live in February 2018. With special airfare offers and more, Cape Town is set to receive more New Yorkers. Encouraging international tourism is essential Cape Towns many attractions will appear on 62 bus shelters and over 1,000 outdoor LINK kiosks across New Yorks five boroughs, introducing US locals to whats on offer. New York will be marketed to Capetonians via Cape Town Tourisms mobile Visitor Information Centre that travels to events and hotspots throughout the city, a city centre digital billboard, and in Tsogo Suns print and TVC media.The tourism fraternity continues to promote tourism internationally while cautioning that saving water is essential.Cape Town Tourism CEO, Enver Duminy has eagerly awaited the live launch of the campaign: This is groundbreaking for us, its the first time New York City has partnered with anyone on the African continent. The synergy between the two cities is remarkable, and this is the result of many years of relationship-building. Encouraging international tourism is essential, especially during this water crisis, since the contribution those visitors make to the economy allows for sustainability in employment and for infrastructural improvements to the city. We simply ask that all locals and visitors concentrate their efforts on saving water. Were anticipating that this will introduce many New Yorkers to Cape Town as the Gateway to Africa, with all this wonderful continent has to offer.Tourism in Cape Town contributed almost R15bn to the local economy as a result of the active work of almost 50,000 tourism employees (directly and indirectly) - according to the economic study conducted by Grant Thornton.We are proud to kick off the second phase of our city-to-city tourism partnership with Cape Town our first partnership with a city in Africa with the launch of dynamic advertisements across both destinations. There are more reasons than ever to visit New York City, and we look forward to welcoming even more Capetonians in the months and years to come, said Fred Dixon, president and CEO, NYC & CompanyBesides the two tourism organisations, the campaign is being run in partnership with Tsogo Sun, South African Airways and SA Tourism, further boosting marketing capacity. CC BY-NC-ND Water researchers (like Dr Mary Lundeba and Esther Lee, pictured here at work in Zambia) need more support. WorldFish/Flickr Shortcomings and struggles Working together Putting water research first Its more than just a climate issue. Water plays a role in political instability degrading ecosystems and disease If African governments are serious about overcoming these challenges, one of the things they must focus on is developing and supporting highly-skilled water professionals. This describes anyone involved in the management of water. It could range from a person who manages a citys sanitation services to a hydrologist generating data to help guide national water policies.This can be most effectively achieved through research and education in Africa thats led by African institutions. And that requires investment. The continents universities need more money and resources to run water-related professional courses and degree programmes. Both governments and the private sector should be looking to provide the necessary resources.In this way, Africa will be better placed to take a strategic approach to meeting its water research and education needs. This should integrate the strengths and resources of all the countries on the continent to meet common goals: fostering water research that is important to Africa; led by African institutions and committed to developing the skills of African water professionals.There are some serious shortcomings in Africas tertiary institutions that hinder research and education. One of the most critical is a lack of research capacity.This manifests in many ways : under-qualified research staff, a lack of specialist scientific equipment, tiny or non-existent budgets for maintenance and repairs. People also struggle with heavy work loads and a lack of mentorship.There are also very few water-related professional courses and degree programmes. This is in stark contrast with developed countries. For example, the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education in the Netherlands says it has provided graduate education to more than 15,000 water professionals from over 160 countries. It would be great if a similar programme existed in Africa.Another serious challenge is that most African countries make little budgetary allocation to research and development. South Africa invests the most of any African country among the organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. But even this is still less than 1% of its GDP, well below most other OECD nations.Researchers then have to depend on non-African countries and organisations for funding and those funders set the research objectives and agenda. International organisations often dont fully understand the complexity of problems facing African countries or regions. Also, research groups from outside the continent usually conduct their research and then leave when the project is complete. That means such projects offer very little sustainable benefit to ordinary people in Africa.The funding available for water research in Africa from national research councils is also never guaranteed. This is because economic conditions and political priorities are constantly shifting.Collaboration is going to be crucial in the coming years and decades if Africas institutions are to crack this problem.Some of this collaboration and sharing is already happening.The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) was set up to facilitate collaboration, knowledge transfer, equipment sharing, pooling of resources and development of mutually-beneficial partnerships across Africa. In this spirit, it proposed the formation of Centres of Excellence across Africa related to key thematic areas. Water is among them.Rhodes University in South Africa was recently awarded the Water Conservation Centre of Excellence. It will be led by the universitys Institute for Water Research . The centres role will be to administer research funds and provide key administrative support related to research and training.All of this will involve co-ordination with other countries involved in ARUA : Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda and Ethiopia. In this way, different countries strengths can be shared to further common research goals and education needs.The success of this centre, and others, will depend to a large extent on their ability to attract long-term research funding.There are models which prove this one on the African continent already WaterNet brings together the complementary strengths of institutions in southern and eastern Africa that specialise in water. The purpose is capacity building in the sector.Since its inception in the year 2000, WaterNet has graduated 378 water professionals through its MSc degree programme. It has also trained 737 professionals through short courses. Its retention rate is also commendable.This model, along with one like the Carnegie Foundation-funded Regional Initiatives in Science and Education and its successor, the AESA-RISE Postdoctoral Fellowship Program , demonstrate the significance of sustainable long-term support for research and capacity development.Not all of these initiatives were water-research specific. But they could be adapted to support emerging initiatives like the Water Conservation Centre of Excellence.Collaboration is important, but individual African research institutions will also need to play their part. They can do this by facilitating their researchers career enhancement, helping them to obtain PhDs. Training is also vital. Everyone benefits when researchers are taught to write better papers and funding proposals.African countries can continue neglecting their homegrown water management capacity, stumbling from one climate disaster to the next. Or they can take their rightful place within the global community, and ensure solutions for Africa by Africa. Before man-made climate change kicked in - and well before "Day Zero" in Cape Town, where taps may run dry in early May - the global water crisis was upon us. Freshwater resources were already badly stressed before heat-trapping carbon emissions from fossil fuels began to warm Earth's surface and affect rainfall. In some countries, major rivers - diverted, dammed or over-exploited - no longer reach the sea. Aquifers millennia in the making are being sucked dry. Pollution in many forms is tainting water above ground and below.Cape Town, though, was not especially beset by any of these problems. Indeed, in 2014 the half-dozen reservoirs that served the South African city's four million people brimmed with rainwater.But that was before a record-breaking, three-year, once-every-three-centuries drought reduced them to a quarter capacity or less. Today, Capetonians are restricted to 50 litres a day - less than runs down the drain when the average American takes a shower. Climate scientists foretold trouble, but it arrived ahead of schedule, said Helen Zille, premier of the Western Cape province."Climate change was to have hit us in 2025," she told a local news outlet. "The South Africa Weather Services have told me that their models don't work anymore."Worldwide, the water crises hydra has been quietly growing for decades. Since 2015, the World Economic Forum's annualhas consistently ranked "water crises" as among the global threats with the greatest potential impact - above natural disasters, mass migration and cyberattacks."Across the densely-populated Indo-Gangetic Plain" - home to more than 600 million people in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh - "groundwater is being pumped out at an unsustainable and terrifying rate", said Graham Cogley, a professor emeritus at Trent University in Ontario Canada.More than half the water in the same basin is undrinkable and unusable for irrigation due to elevated salt and arsenic levels, according to a recent study. Groundwater provides drinking water to at least half of humanity, and accounts for more than 40% of water used for irrigation.But underground aquifers do not fill up swiftly, as a reservoir does after a heavy rain. Their spongy rock can take centuries to fully recharge, which makes them a non-renewable resource on a human timescale. As a result, many of the world's regions have passed the threshold that Peter Gleick, president-emeritus of the Pacific Institute and author of, has called "peak water"."Today people live in places where we are effectively using all the available renewable water, or, even worse, living on borrowed time by overpumping non-renewable ground water," he told AFP.Exhausted groundwater supplies also cause land to subside, and allow - in coastal regions - saltwater to seep into the water table. Dozens of mega-cities, rich and poor, are sinking: Jakarta, Mexico City, Tokyo and dozens of cities in China, including Tianjin, Beijing and Shanghai have all dropped by a couple of metres over the last century."Half a billion people in the world face severe scarcity all year round," said Arjen Hoekstra, a water management expert at the University of Twente in the Netherlands.More than one in three live in India, with another 73 million in Pakistan, 27 million in Egypt, 20 million in Mexico, 20 million in Saudi Arabia and 18 million in war-torn Yemen, he calculated in a recent study."Global warming comes on top of all this," said Hoekstra.For each degree of global warming, about 7% of the world's population - half-a-billion people - will have 20% less freshwater, the UN's climate science panel has concluded. By 2030, the world will face a 40% water deficit if climate change continues unchecked.Glaciers in the Himalayas and Andes upon which half-a-billion people depend are rapidly retreating. At the same time, global water demand is projected to increase 55% by mid-century, mainly driven by the growth of cities in developing countries.For Gleick, global warming is already a threat multiplier. So far, Earth's surface temperature has risen by 1C, and the odds of meeting the UN goal of capping the rise at "well under" 2C lengthen each year. Global warming alters wind and humidity, in turn affecting rainfall patterns."Climate changes caused by humans are driving changes in our water resources and demands," Gleick told AFP. "As climate change worsens, impacts on water resources will also worsen."The prospect of empty water pipes haunts other urban areas in climate hot spots. California has just emerged from a five-year drought, the worst on record. In 2014-15, Sao Paulo's 12 million souls came close to its own "Day Zero". Beijing, New Delhi, Mexico City and Las Vegas are among other cities that have been facing "huge water supply risks for more than a decade", noted Hoekstra.When climate change really kicks in, large swathes of Africa - the Sahel, along with its southern and western regions - will be especially vulnerable.Currently, only 5% of the continent's agriculture is irrigated, leaving its population highly vulnerable to shifting weather patterns. Two-thirds of Africans could be living under water stress within a decade, according to the World Water Council. For Cape Town, drought conditions may be a taste of things to come."Our new normal, at least when it comes to rainfall, is that the chance of dry years increases as we go forward toward the end of the century, and the chance of wet years decreases," said Piotr Wolski, a hydro-climatologist at the University of Cape Town who had compiled data going back more than a century. The South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) will be issuing a set of commemorative banknotes to honour Nelson Mandela's centenary. The South African Reserve Bank will this year launch a set of commemorative South African banknotes in honour of what would have been Nelson Mandelas centenary. These notes will cover all denominations R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200 the bank said.In addition, the South African Mint, a subsidiary of the SARB, will issue a new R5 circulation coin to celebrate the event..The existing Mandela series of banknotes as well as the existing R5 coin in circulation will remain legal tender and will continue to be issued. This means that the new commemorative banknotes and coin will circulate alongside the existing banknotes and coin, said the central bank.The Sarb expects the commemorative banknotes and coins to be introduced into circulation from 18 July, what would have been Mandelas 100th birthday.The current banknotes in circulation that bear the former statesman's image were unveiled in his honour in 2012.Nelson Mandela represented the best version of ourselves as South Africans. While preserving the value of money is our main mandate, our purpose is to be a bastion of institutional strength, contributing to a stable and prosperous economy that serves the well-being of all South Africans, and guided in part by Madibas values, said Governor Lesetja Kganyago. Scientists from 11 African countries and delegates from the UK and elsewhere recently joined in Bristol for the inaugural launch conference of Connected - a ground-breaking project which aims to build a sustainable network of international scientists and researchers to tackle vector-borne plant disease that devastates crops in sub-Saharan Africa. The launch conference Funding for research activities The network is led by Professor Gary Foster from the University of Bristols School of Biological Sciences jointly with Professor Neil Boonham from Newcastle University and Fera Science Ltd. The network is funded by a 2m grant from the UK governments Global Challenges Research Fund, which supports research on global issues that affect developing countries.The Connected Network Launch conference began with a meeting of the projects management board, led by the UKs Chief Plant Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spence. Scene-setting presentations were made by Foster, Spence and Boonham. Question and answer sessions focused on the pump-prime research funding opportunities the project will be enabling in the coming months.The second day was led by input from African delegates, with presentations from four of the project management boards African-based researchers including: Prof Lava Kumar, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), NigeriaIntegrated approaches for severing the virus-vector connection in Sub-Saharan Africa Dr Anne Wangai, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO), KenyaManagement of maize lethal necrosis disease outbreak through multi-institutional co-operation Dr Titus Alicai, National Crops Resources Research Institute. UgandaCONNECTED: an opportunity for sustainable management of plant virus diseases in Africa Prof Emmanuel Okogbenin, African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), KenyaSafeguarding Africas food security against crop viral diseasesA series of workshops followed for the remainder of the conference, led by the University of Bristols Cabot Institute, which is providing input and expertise to the Connected project. The workshops gathered thoughts, ideas and views from delegates, helping to shape the next steps in the project, setting priorities for pump-prime funding and guiding future network action planning.Foster said: This hugely successful event brought world-leading researchers and plant virologists together in a conference that was bustling with expertise, experience, energy and enthusiasm for the challenges ahead.The Management Board and network team are now reflecting on the many thoughts and ideas that flowed from delegates, incorporating them into our action plan. An important part of this involves setting out details of pump-prime funding opportunities that will be made available in the coming weeks. The best way for interested people to ensure they receive updates is to join the network ."The outputs from the UK Launch Conference will be reviewed and supplemented by our forthcoming Launch Conference in Africa in Spring 2018.African delegates from Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Ghana, South Africa, Mali, Egypt, Rwanda and Cote dIvoire were joined by researchers from the UK, USA, India, Taiwan and Denmark. As the project progresses, Connected will run further meetings, training courses, seminars and networking events in both the UK and Africa with the aim of promoting interdisciplinary working and strengthening research capacity and capability.Connected will provide pump-prime funding for a range of innovative and potentially-transformative research activities, whose impact will be thoroughly evaluated. These research activities focus on five key areas: Control strategies Vector biology New diseases Vector/virus interactions Diagnostics/surveillance/forecastingThe research projects with the greatest regional impact will then be grown into larger scale activities to achieve still greater bearing on the battle to control plant disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Connected will also provide training and capacity-building opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa. Ursula Human of AgriOrbit approached several research institutions and agricultural organisations to find out which research projects they are starting or completing in 2018. Below is a list of ten interesting and important agricultural research projects in no specific order. pixel2013 via pixabay 1. Soil 2. Macadamias 3. Biofuel 4. Fruit 5. Livestock 6. Conservation agriculture 7. Wine 8. Renewable energy 9. Wheat 10. Climate change Healthy soil is the foundation of sustainable agricultural activities and, according to Dr Gerhard Nortje, senior lecturer at the Department of Environmental Sciences at Unisa, soil research should also form an integral part in any conservation efforts in wildlife-protected areas. Nortjes hypothesis is that when the soil is degraded, the vegetation dies which will lead to a reduction in herbivores and their predators and eventually tourists.Studies in the Kruger National Park have shown that soil surface crusting and sub-soil compaction directly affects the vegetation, as well as the recovery of the soil and vegetation. Nortjes PhD study in the Kruger National Park has also shown that game drive vehicles damage the surface soil structure, which leads to soil crust formation and subsurface compaction. The most important finding of this study is that off-road driving has strong negative impacts on soil crusting and sub-soil compaction.Correct soil management should form the basis of soil research in protected areas and game farms in the future. Research is currently being initiated on the development of bare soil patches because of overgrazing, which do not recover due to soil surface crusting, and the prevention of bare patches and the recovery thereof once it happened, says Nortje. Click here for more information. Barry Christie, operations manager for macadamias at the South African Subtropical Growers Association shared the following research projects that they are excited about in 2018. Although none of the research projects is new, they are still of the utmost importance to the macadamia nut industry.The Macadamia Protection Programme (MaPP), launched in 2017, is a project lead by the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) at the University of Pretoria and the Southern African Macadamia Growers Association. Dr Gerda Fourie is the lead researcher for this project and will focus on pests and diseases in the macadamia nut industry. The overall focus of the MaPP will be to assist in the development of commercially viable biological control options, as well as alternative management strategies. The programme will also assist in the selection of resistant or tolerant cultivars.A project run by Willem Steyn, a nematologist at the Tropical and Subtropical Crops division of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), could possibly provide answers in the field, or rather in the orchard, this year. Steyns research focuses on the use of nematodes to control macadamia pests.A research project led by prof Ben Botha and Andre Botha in collaboration with Insect Science, that focuses on stinkbug control, has been running for a few years and will continue to do so for a few more years. Stinkbugs cost the macadamia industry between R190m and R320m annually. Their research is looking into the use of kairomones chemical substances emitted by organisms. In 2017 these two researchers succeeded in attracting and trapping the two-spotted stinkbug using kairomones. Although this research is still far from commercialisation it shows the potential of this method to improve stinkbug control.The ARCs Institute for Agricultural Engineering always has some interesting research up their sleeves. This institute is conducting several research projects centred on generating knowledge and developing sustainable technologies and processes for the bioenergy sector. Such projects include investigating the product spectrum of a food waste anaerobic biorefinery; promoting organic waste-to-energy and other low carbon technologies in small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) scale: Accelerating biogas market development in South Africa; bio-ethylene production from crude glycerol; optimisation of biochemical and thermochemical waste-to-energy conversion routes.Additionally, the Institute has embarked on setting up a bio-energy laboratory to service the emerging bio-energy sector. The laboratory is equipped with state of the art equipment (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Gas Chromatography, Automated Biomethane Potential (BMP) analyser, multiple fuel analyser, inductively coupled plasma, near- infrared spectroscope, essential oils distillation unit, biodiesel plant, screw press, and tensile strength tester).The laboratory offers services such as biomass feedstock characterisation and screening, rapid BMP tests for biogas feedstock, process parameter optimisation and analysis and characterisation of various bio-products such as biogas, bio-hydrogen, VFAs, alcohols, organic solvents, bio-digestate, bio-char, bio-oil, bio-ethanol, essential oils, etc.The leading research in the fruit industry is as varied as is the industry itself. Hortgro Science, the research department of the deciduous fruit industry body, has 116 research projects running this year that cover the entire value chain. Research is divided into three main areas namely, crop production, crop protection and post-harvest sectors. For crop production water use is taking centre stage this year, especially due to the severe drought in the Western Cape, the main fruit production area of South Africa. The following research projects focus on water use: Water requirement of high yielding apple orchards. Water use of pome and stone fruit: Knowledge status, relevance and gap analysis. Water stress tolerance of different apple rootstocks.For crop protection, alternative pest management in the form of biological control is the main focus. This is partly due to the increased concern of pesticide residue on fruit exported to Europe and other countries. Examples of biological control projects that are running this year: Pre-harvest biological control of insect pests. Postharvest biological control of pests and diseases. Alternatives for managing apple replant disease.Postharvest research is mainly aimed at improving shelf-life and food safety. It includes the following research: Management of superficial scald in apple and pears in the absence of diphenylamine (DPA). Implementation of next-generation packaging systems in high cube refrigerated containers for efficient cooling and improved volume usage. Purification of antimicrobial lipopeptides produced by Bacillus spp. for biological control of postharvest phytopathogens in the perishable fruit industry. Application of postharvest edible coatings to alleviate shrivel in plums and nectarines.Prof Michiel Scholtz, specialist researcher at the ARC for animal production in Irene, shared information on research being done on broken genes."Selection for many of the traditional traits will increase production, but not necessarily productivity or efficiency of production. The trait with the biggest effect on the efficiency of production in beef cattle is the frequency at which a calf is produced. The contribution of fertility to the cows efficiency of production varies between 44% and 51%, depending on the frame size of the cow, Scholtz explains.One of the focuses of the ARCs Animal Breeding Group is the presence of broken genes in beef cattle, which may impact on fertility. Broken genes refer to the phenomenon where genes from the bull and cow are not compatible and the fertilised egg does not develop or there is early embryonic death. The cow is then deemed to be low or even infertile. Yet, if she was mated to another bull, she may be perfectly fertile. If alleles and/or genes with a detrimental effect on female fertility in beef cattle can be detected, it will result in herd management that can increase fertility.It is also important to investigate the use of alternative measures of fertility other than calving interval and days to calving. The same group at the ARC is looking at using the random regression approach, to estimate breeding values (EBVs) for Expected number of calves for the cow at X years of age. The relevant breeders society can decide what age X should be.Dr Hendrik Smith, the conservation agriculture (CA) facilitator at Grain SA elaborates on new research on CA that aims to make integrated crop and livestock farming sustainable.Current research focuses on the integration of livestock with existing CA systems as one of the most important principles and practices in a mixed production system to ensure economic and ecological sustainability. This will also allow producers to be more resilient. Key concepts of importance in CA systems are minimal soil disturbance, crop diversification (e.g. crop rotation) and permanent organic soil cover, with crop residues or cover crops. These practices improve the biological, physical and chemical qualities of soil but can also be successfully applied to serve as animal feed. In fact, most crops used as cover crops or as part of a crop rotation system have been commonly used as animal feed, long before their benefits for improving soil health became known.The research focuses on the testing of the integration of various grain and cover crops to improve the productivity of livestock farming. Important components include the use of ultra-high density grazing and the planting of suitable cover crops of high quality that accelerates animal growth and serves as valuable feed in the winter and early spring. An example of such cover crops is pulses or legumes. Trial tests are also done on other crops that provide winter feed such as types of radish, turnips, clover, oats and vetch. These crops are of significance since they are of higher nutritional value and quality than feed usually available during this time.The research measures the following: Ecological indicators of the system, such as carbon sequestration, increased biodiversity, ecological regeneration and improved soil health. Economic indicators, which include biomass and meat production per hectare, profitability, efficiency of production inputs, labour and risk. Socio-cultural indicators such as food diversification, food security, demand and preferences of consumers. Click here to watch a video of Grain SAs other projects that focus on conservation agriculture.Winetechs Technology Transfer Coordinator for Viticulture, Lucinda Heyns says that it is predicted that the Western Capes rainfall will decline by 30% by 2020. The responsible and effective management of water on wine farms and in cellars will not just become a necessity but will be the key to economic viability.With this outlook in mind, Wine Industry Network for Expertise and Technology for the Wine Industry (Winetech) launched a number of research projects in 2018 that focus on water usage and management in the sector. See a summary of these below: One of these projects evaluates new wine grape cultivars for their drought resistance in South African conditions. Another trial compares different combinations of grafted rootstock and scion cultivars and their reaction to water stress. A research project in cooperation with the South African Water Research Commission (WRC) is aimed at developing a tool to assist producers to determine their water footprint. The goal of this tool is to enable producers to identify where in the production process the most water is used. This may indicate where they can focus on implementing water saving practices where it will have the biggest impact.The knowledge gained from these research projects will equip the industry to make better long-term decisions that help to save water and improve water use efficiency.Nicole Algio, regional secretariat manager for REEEP, a partner of the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) shared her take on why research in renewable energy in agriculture should be one of the most important research projects for 2018.The agricultural sector, and especially the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, is currently faced with unpredictable changes in food availability and low crop yields due to changes in weather and climate patterns with a visible shift in seasons and rainfall. Other factors impacting agricultural production levels are labour, water and energy-intensive agricultural methods. This has had a negative knock-on effect on local food prices, agricultural export, employment, social development and overall economic output.The region also continues to face significant challenges in energy access, development and usage. Access and use of clean, alternative energy and opportunities for energy efficiency in the agricultural sector have not yet been fully explored in Southern Africa. These are critical in achieving sustainable energy in the agriculture sector and improving socio-economic activities. According to Algio, research and development are critical in ensuring that targeted action is taken to address energy and the water issue in agriculture to foster innovation, adapt to climate change and reduce socio-economic stress. Algio pointed out the following research themes that are critical to the sector: Understanding the full energy production potential in agricultural value chains Understanding the full energy consumption in agricultural value chains Understanding the full water consumption in agricultural value chains The energy-water nexus in agriculture Socio-economic impacts of energy and water consumption in agriculture Understanding the food-energy-water nexus and its impacts on sustainable agriculture Understanding clean energy systems for sustainable agricultureREEEP and SANEDI are involved in several ongoing projects that bring renewable energy to farmers. Click here to read more about one of these projects called Switch Africa Green.In November 2017 the South African Cultivar and Technology Agency (SACTA) was launched to address the lack of cultivar development in the wheat and oilseed sectors. In the wheat industry specifically, research is being done to improve wheat cultivars. Dr Francois Koekemoer, director of research and development at Sensako said they are focusing on breeding wheat cultivars with increased yield. According to Koekemoer, it is a well-known fact that yield and quality (milling and baking quality) is negatively correlated.Since the agricultural industry moved to a free-market trade system, an emphasis was given to develop wheat cultivars with acceptable milling and baking qualities as well as high yield. Thus, all new wheat cultivars qualities are measured against a biological standard for an average of 21 characteristics which predict milling and baking qualities for commercial use.Although South African breeders have succeeded in developing cultivars that is on par or even surpassed international standards, it has also led to increased importing of more affordable wheat of a poor quality. This flour is then mixed with high-quality local wheat which drives down the Safex price to below what the wheat is supposed to be worth. Following this, Sensako decided to keep high yielding cultivars in breeding programmes in the hope that this will provide information on how high the yield could be if there was no focus on breeding for certain qualities.Although the process is a long one, it aims to include high-yielding wheat in breeding programmes to be evaluated despite not having accepted milling and baking quality as required by the processing industry. However, the current identified higher yielding varieties tend to show better milling and baking quality than that of the imported wheat. Click here for more information on wheat breeding.Wiltrud du Randt from the ARCs Grain Crops Institute shared information about research in progress to help the agricultural industry and communities to adapt to climate change. Read more below:Climate change is expected to affect different communities in different ways depending on location, terrain, land use patterns, social networks, infrastructure, planning capacity, institutional, political and financial realities. These are relevant when communities/persons select their own adaptation measures.To capture such complex biophysical and socio-economic heterogeneities, and to improve understanding of the impacts of climate change on agricultural outputs at a national and regional level in southern Africa, consistent methods and protocols are required. The agricultural model, Intercomparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP), has developed a range of climate, crop/livestock and economic modelling methodologies, protocols and tools to enable integrated climate change assessments. These tools and methodologies were tested by a multi-national and multi-institutional team of scientists under the lead of the ARC and the University of Cape Town.A first phase study undertaken at household level in Namibia, Botswana and district level (Bethlehem) in South Africa was completed in 2015. In the second phase, that is just finishing completion, this study was up-scaled to cover the Free State. Whilst the first phase of the study looked at the impact of climate change under a business as usual scenario (moderate sustainable growth), the second phase of the study investigates the impact of climate change under two different futures that are associated with different representative agricultural pathways.The first future scenario looked at an economic-environmental trade-off with sustainable low growth linked to a low emissions scenario, whilst the second scenario investigated economic-environmental trade-off with unsustainable high growth and fragmentation, linked to a high emissions scenario.In addition, an adaptation strategy option was developed and tested under current and future climate. Inputs to develop these scenarios were solicited through stakeholder engagement workshops, previous research and interviews. The study linked climate-, crop- and socio-economic models through a geographic information system (GIS) in order to produce scalable information, which had never been done in previous assessments. In this study, it has become clear that, in order for stakeholders, policymakers or farmers to make informed and well thought through decisions, they require reliable evidence to support their decision process. The structure and methodology of this study allowed the researchers to link quantitative and qualitative evidence in a scientific process and to unpack the complex research questions.Findings of the study will be made available to stakeholders and policymakers soon through a web-based portal (Impacts explorer) and publications. Theatre, as a medium of communication of climate change, developed through the project was well received by both the public and scientific communities as it is fun filled and understandable. The Labour Court in South Africa recently considered whether an employer could restrain its former employees from commencing employment with its competitors, without having an agreed restraint of trade. The cases of Absa Insurance and Financial Advisors v Jonker and Another; and Absa Insurance and Financial Advisors v Jonker and Another (Case numbers C741/14, C742/17) were originally two separate cases against the married respondents, who were former financial advisors for Absa Insurance and Financial Advisors (AIFA), but they were consolidated due to the similarities in the facts of the cases. The application was heard on an urgent basis as Mrs Jonker, who had resigned from AIFA, was due to take up employment with a competitor within three days of the application being made. At this time, Mr Jonker, who had taken early retirement from AIFA, had already started working for the competitor.The Jonkers had entered into employment agreements with AIFA in their respective financial advisory roles. Their employment agreements contained confidentiality and protection of client information and company interest provisions, placing obligations on the Jonkers to not disclose any confidential AIFA information. However, the agreements did not expressly contain restraint of trade provisions.The Jonkers' client base was centred around a small town called Robertson. Mr Jonker serviced 470 clients whereas Mrs Roberson serviced 792 clients. Upon the Jonkers' respective resignation and retirement, AIFA instructed them to return their company equipment, including their laptops and other software, in accordance with their employment agreements. During this time, AIFA enlisted its "sky agents" to contact the clients who had been serviced by the Jonkers whilst still in AIFA's employ. When the sky agents contacted these clients, it was discovered that five of them had been in contact with Mr Jonker and had decided to stay with him as their financial advisor. Mr Jonker admitted to speaking with his old clients after they called him due to their unhappiness with AIFA's call centre. Meanwhile, Mrs Jonker admitted to sending an email to her old clients informing them that she was leaving, however, she did not indicate to these clients where she was going.As the agreements did not contain any restraint of trade provisions, this raised the question as to whether an employer can rely on the confidentiality (and protection of proprietary interests) provisions to prevent former employees from poaching and enticing its clients and/or ensuring that confidential information is not used to gain a competitive advantage. AIFA argued that a restraint of trade is not the only way for an employer to protect itself. There are two forms of unlawful competition, namely the unfair use of a competitor's fruit and labour and the misuse of confidential information to advance one's business interests and activities at the expense of a competitor.The Labour Court, in applying the facts, stated that AIFA did not establish a clear right to the extraordinary remedy and that an interdict was drastic. There was no proof that the Jonkers actively disclosed AIFA's confidential information and proprietary interests. The fact that the Jonkers took up employment with a competitor, even while in possession of client confidential information, did not amount to unlawful competition. AIFA cannot prevent clients from making their own election to continue with the Jonkers and as a result the application was dismissed.In light of this, it is important for businesses that rely heavily on the sanctity of trade secrets, trade connections and confidential information to protect their proprietary interests adequately. If there is a real risk that an employee could use such information to advance either their own interests or those of another, an employer should include both a restraint of trade and confidentiality provisions in their employment agreements to avoid a similar outcome. The leaked conversation between a sales rep from the insurance company MiWay and King Goodwill Zwelithini contravened the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). We at MiWay regret that our sales guy called His Excellency by his first name, but he obviously wasn't aware who he was speaking to. The amazing thing is that His Excellency didn't take offence and (fortunately for us) saw the funny side of it. We salute his humanness! Rene Otto (@reneotto5901) February 9, 2018 This was said on Monday by Advocate Johannes Collen Weapond from the Information Regulator during an interview on Radio 702."In this case the clip was released to the public which means that confidential and sensitive information between a potential and contracting party was released in the public space and that can then constitute a leak of data."The leaked conversation begins with the sales rep addressing Zwelithini by his first name. The king then reprimands the sales rep.Prince Thulani said on Saturday in a statement on behalf of the royal family they considered it an insult to the Zulu Nation."In what the Royal Family regards as a violation of privacy, the sales agent phoned His Majesty and addressed him by his name. In the Zulu culture, it is highly disrespectful for anyone to address His Majesty by his first name."Weapond said consumers have to give companies consent to use their personal information. He added that the onus lies on public and private bodies to show they lawfully obtained consumers' personal information."You [public or private bodies] must then prove that the information that you have in your possession is then lawful and you've either got the information in the performance of a contract or concluding some duty which is lawful."Weapond said they will approach MiWay to find out what measures they have put in place to prevent similar incidents happening again.MiWay CEO Ren Otto tweeted an apology on Friday.Weapond said one of the regulator's struggles was that POPIA had only been partly enacted. POPIA was partly enacted on 11 April 2014 to establish the Information Regulator.The Information Regulator consists of five personnel appointed for five years. This includes a chairperson, two full-time and two part-time employees.Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services said on Sunday it supported Zwelithini's decision to lay a complaint against MiWay.Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services chairperson Dr Mathole Motshekga said the telephone call was "clearly" a violation of POPIA. Global air travel continues to grow and authorities are under increased pressure to reduce queues at border control and strengthen protection against threats such as illegal immigration. By supplying Cairo International Airport with automated document readers, Gemalto is enabling faster border crossings for millions of travellers while ensuring rigorous security checking of passports and other identity credentials. Cairo International Airport is the second busiest airport in Africa and currently welcomes 15 million passengers every year.Addressing both of these challenges, the Gemalto document reader AT9000 MK2 rapidly authenticates ICAO-compliant passports as well as other official documents such ID cards, visas and driver's licenses. A simple scanning of documents at virtually any orientation enables quick operation by staff. The reader automatically detects and checks document security features, including those visible under UV and IR light. Anti-glare technology minimises the interference that can be caused by materials such as shiny laminates."Cairo International Airport is Egypt's most important gateway for business visitors, tourists and citizens returning home," Magdy Ishak, chairman of Cairo Airport Co. "Investment in Gemalto's highly efficient document readers demonstrates our commitment to both enhancing the traveller experience and protecting Egypt against ID fraud .""Border control is an important first impression that a country makes on its overseas visitors," said Mohamad Eit, regional manager for identity management system in Middle East for Gemalto. "The automated document readers will put Cairo International Airport at the leading edge of fast, accurate authentication of travel documents, helping authorities strike the right balance between a warm welcome for legitimate passengers and water-tight defence against security threats." Few things are as nostalgic as the humble radio. It's been an integral part of the South African fabric of life as well as marketing plans ever since the first commercial radio station, took to the airwaves in 1950. SplitShire via Pexels Captive audience Digital first Multi-channel, wider reach Radio was and still is a crucial communication medium in small communities, giving citizens who might not have access to the internet an important platform to add their voice to public debate and to stay informed on current affairs. So too in this age of over-communication radio makes sense of the chaos.People will always love radio. In a way, it was the very first form of social media. It united us around music and common interests and helped us to feel connected to other people. Our loyalty to radio is ingrained.And so, as we celebrate World Radio Day on 13 February, its worth considering radios crucial role in a brands integrated marketing strategy, especially as radio itself has reinvented itself time and again evolving into todays ultimate multi-channel communication medium, making it more important, as a marketing tool, than ever before.The latest Broadcast Research Council of South Africas (BRCs) Radio Audience Measurement (RAM) data proves that radio is alive and well in South Africa.For the six months to December 2016, nine out of 10 adults (aged 15 and over) tuned into radio for an average of four hours a day, across all provinces.Today, South Africa has 39 commercial and 233 community radio stations. More than 38.3 million listeners tune in 60% of them living in rural areas making radio the most consumed form of media in the country.Radio gives brands access to a massively broad audience, while still being able to target very specific groups of people, like Sesotho or Swati speakers, or people living in certain communities. And because 64% of listeners only listen to one radio station, brands are guaranteed access to a specific demographic.Listeners are not only tuned in during the popular morning and afternoon drive shows. RAM data shows that radio has high engagement during office and lunch hours, meaning a perfectly-timed advert could very well drive sales of a lunch special at the local eatery.Another important development in radio is that it is fast becoming a digital-first medium and, as with every other industry, radio has had to embrace new technologies to remain relevant in the always-connected, fast-paced digital world.While three-quarters of listeners still tune in via radio sets in their homes or cars, a third listen to their favourite stations on their phones and more people are listening on the go, via mobile apps and streaming audio, making radio the all-the-time channel of choice for South Africans.Radio stations are extending their reach into other platforms, becoming multi-channel communicators in their own right.Theyre creating and publishing content of important conversations, allowing consumers to listen when its convenient for them. Theyre repurposing their news content for their websites, leveraging their reputation as trustworthy news sources to access diverse audiences online. This cutting-edge content keeps listeners hooked from in the car to constantly in my hand mobile.Theyre creating loyal, massively engaged communities on social media, where fans and followers interact with their content in new ways. Listeners have committed relationships with radio, not only allowing them into their homes and taking them along on commutes but also choosing to see them on their social media newsfeeds and telling their friends about them. On-air personalities have become influencers in their own right, making radio stations more human and accessible than they ever have been.Combined, this is marketing gold. Radio allows brands to reach a much wider audience, generating what we call frequency of exposure for advertisers. And possibly the best part about radio advertising is that there is very low ad avoidance. Unlike internet radio, which gives listeners the option to skip an advert, few people will turn off the radio or switch channels during ad breaks.Clearly, brands who ignore radio as part of their integrated marketing and advertising strategy do so at their peril. Radio has never been more important as a way to reach an engaged, always-listening audience. With well-timed adverts and a solid targeting strategy, brands will see a better return on their radio investment than they were expecting. Challenge your media owners to come up with fresh integrated radio ideas for your brands this World Radio Day and youll thank us! Cape Town Yoga Experiences, a travel experiences company offering premium yoga experiences to the Cape Town tourism market, has announced a partnership with Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. The partnership offers guests unique access to a yoga experience by taking the first cable car of the day. This means an unparalleled experience on top of the mountain, in the quiet of the early morning before the crowds arrive. The full experience, which lasts three hours, includes the return cableway car, a private yoga and meditation class for a small group of up to eight people maximum, an African Wisdom Stone reading session, followed by a breakfast of coffee and muffins in the Wi-fi Lounge - all facilitated by local expert instructors. The return cableway ticket means that guests can ride down again at a time of their choosing leaving them free to spend the full day on the mountain if they so wish - to join a free guided walking tour or simply enjoying the views.Cape Town Yoga Experiences has also partnered with Satori Africa to begin promoting the experience to international guests via their network of operators, and is working to expand their roster of promotional partners. There will be opportunities for media and trade partners to experience the offering in the upcoming weeks, and visitors and the general public can purchase tickets for the experience at http://www.capetownyogaexperiences.com Speaking about the launch, Cape Town Yoga Experiences CEO Sharni Quinn says, After discussing this project for some time, we are very proud to see it finally happen. We know this will provide guests to Cape Town with an unforgettable experience that they will share with their friends and family, and that hopefully means more visitors to our beautiful city."Wahida Parker, MD of the of Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, said, Table Mountain is such a unique attraction and such a big part of the city - we are very pleased to add this exclusive experience to the cableways overall offerings and make a special day even more exciting.For more information on the experience please visit http://www.capetownyogaexperiences.com/table-mountain-yoga , call Sharni Quinn at +27 79 365 9862, or email moc.secneirepxeagoynwotepac@olleh Founded by Follow the Sun CEO Sharni Quinn, Cape Town Yoga Experiences delivers premium and exclusive yoga experiences to the Cape Town tourism market. Launching with a focus on the flagship Table Mountain Yoga Experience, we also offer private and personalised yoga packages at the location of your choice. In the near future we will also be expanding our range of yoga experiences in unique locations aimed specifically for the inbound tourist market. We love adventure that combines incredible locations, inspiring yoga and interesting people. We look forward to sharing our beautiful city and its playground of mountains, valleys and oceans with you. (Follow the Sun, trading as Cape Town Yoga Experiences)Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Co. (Pty) Ltd aspires to be the leading attractions management company in Africa. Its mission is to provide access to the awe-inspiring Table Mountain, a New 7 Wonder of Nature. The company is located in the Table Mountain National Park. Table Mountain Cableway prides itself on being environmentally responsible in all facets of its business - from waste, water and electricity management to their various social practices. It is the only South African attraction operator to be awarded International Organisation For Standardisation (ISO) certification for its environmental management system. It is also currently the only attraction in South Africa to have a Diamond Heritage rating for sound environmental practices, as well as being named the Overall Winner of the 2011 Imvelo Responsible Tourism Award. Table Mountain Cableway works in partnership with South African National Parks who are custodians of Table Mountain National Park. For information visit http://www.tablemountain.net Satori Africa offers the most exclusive and personalised wellness travel itineraries throughout Southern Africa. After working in the industry for many years we have forged relationships with some of the top properties, chefs, restaurants, producers and wellness practitioners in southern Africa and cannot wait to share these with you. We personally produce your itineraries and tours for you, by cultivating an understanding of your needs to provide a seamlessly choreographed excursion, alleviating the usual worries often associated with travel in foreign countries. DIVO - Villagers in central Ivory Coast are savouring a rare victory after reaching a deal with a Canadian gold mine operator following a four-year battle for compensation that at times turned violent. Agbaou gold mine. Photo: Endeavour Mining Since it began operating in 2014, the Agbaou gold mine -- which covers an area of 334km, or nearly 10 times that of New York's Central Park - has been hit by demonstrations by local people angered that they had not received money for the loss of lands used for agriculture.Protesters staged a string of activities that braked activity at the mine, an open-cast facility run by Endeavour Mining that extracts around three tonnes of gold per year.With the authorities keen to develop the mining sector, the standoff eventually led to talks which culminated in a deal.Under it, the mine agreed to offer employment to around 100 young people and pay out an unspecified sum."I am happy," said Allalo Grah Jephte, a representative for the youth of Agbaou, which lies about 200km northwest of the coastal city of Abidjan, Ivory Coast's economic capital.The dispute arose when work began on the mine in 2012. When the site became operational two years later, it sparked demonstrations which at times turned violent with locals frequently blocking access to the site.The deadlock cost the company $1.12m annually, Endeavour said.In its defence, it said it had paid out a total of 6.7bn CFA francs in compensation over the previous five years, earmarked to more than 1,100 farmers and landowners.The remaining 1.5 million was given to a local development committee to finance roads, education and health infrastructure, Endeavour said.But local residents say they never saw a penny of this money - and their resentment quickly turned into protest.In order to draw a line under the standoff, Endeavour Mining and its affiliates working at Agbaou and another mine in the western village of Ity held two days of talks involving the local authorities, traditional elders and groups representing women and young people.According to the document outlining details of the agreement, both sides agreed to "end all forms of violence and intimidation" through the establishment of a mechanism "for direct communication in order to identify possible crises and tensions between the mines and local stakeholders"."It's a first, we want to develop a social dialogue... which aims to avoid misunderstandings and conduct likely to block... the mine's activity," said Daniel Yai, who heads Endeavour's operations in Ivory Coast."Blocking the mines creates problems for everyone."Although Endeavour did not comment on the specifics of the deal, Jephte said the firm had agreed to take on and train around 100 local youths.Further financial payouts are also included in the deal, but the sum has not been disclosed.Until now, residents from the Agbaou area have only made up about a third of the 900 or so people employed directly or indirectly by the mine, company figures show.Last year, Jephte spent six months in prison along with two others for allegedly instigating the protests, a charge they deny.The new consultation framework would help bring about "the training of young people to work in the mines," he said.Koffi Amenan, who heads the local women's association, also welcomed the plans to offer much-needed employment to the area's youngsters."Because the mine took over our agricultural land, we don't have any more farming jobs," she said.Industrial production of gold in Ivory Coast reached 25 tonnes in 2017, up two percent on the previous year, government figures show but further promising deposits are still in development.In a country where cocoa remains the main export commodity, the mining industry accounts for just three percent of gross domestic product today.President Alassane Ouattara wants to exploit the country's huge mining potential, and although only gold and manganese are industrially produced, there are also deposits of iron, nickel, bauxite and copper in its soil. PR Newswire PASADENA, Calif., Feb. 12, 2018 PASADENA, Calif., Feb. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following up on claims that they have been unfairly and illegally targeted by government overreach and discrimination, Employee Health Systems Medical Group (EHS) today brought suit against the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) and its director, Gov. Jerry Brown appointee Shelley Rouillard. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (Los Angeles Division), claims a recent DMHC Order exceeds DMHC authority, violates due process, and discriminates against minority-owned EHS in violation of state and federal civil rights laws. The EHS suit stems from a December 26, 2017 DMHC Order requiring health plans contracting with EHS to transfer 600,000 EHS patients 90 percent of them Medi-Cal recipients with few provider options - out of EHS's care. The DMHC Order was issued following a newspaper story detailing a whistleblower complaint that alleged misconduct by SynerMed, a medical services administration company and former EHS contractor who has been accused of a practice called economic profiling. Upon learning of the allegations in late October 2017, EHS terminated its contract with SynerMed. While the Order directs health plans to terminate EHS physician network, it does not address or apply to other physician groups that contracted with SynerMed during the same period. Further, because the Order was directed at SynerMed actions and EHS is not named as a respondent to the Order, the physician group has no right to appeal the Order or request a hearing, one of the bases for the federal lawsuit. "The DMHC and Director Rouillard's illegal targeting of EHS is simply unconscionable," said EHS spokesperson Denise Ng. "Despite the fact that EHS had no knowledge of SynerMed's alleged wrongdoing and that our medical professionals have proven over decades their deep commitment to our patients and the underserved, the DMHC Order outrageously smeared our physicians and damaged our company in violation of state and federal law." "State regulators never contacted us about the allegations in the Order. And, there has been no investigation of the findings," said Ng. "There have been no complaints about our company or the care we provide." "It's concerning when the government ignores its own laws as DMHC has done here," said Michael McClelland, an attorney and former DMHC Chief of Enforcement. "It's more concerning when the government targets with different treatment certain minority-owned medical groups serving minority communities. And it's reprehensible for the government to arbitrarily target EHS with no regard for the need of continuity of care of 600,000 of California's most needy." Following is a summary of the claims contained in the EHS lawsuit against DMHC and Shelley Rouillard: Claim One - Injunctive Relief from Order (Against DMHC and Rouillard): The DMHC Order violates a California law stating that health plans may not transfer or redirect more than two thousand members at a time without 75-day notice. The DMHC Order called for health plans contracting with EHS to move patients immediately, jeopardizing patient continuity of care and health. Claim Two - Violation of Due Process (Against DMHC): Although targeted, EHS was not made a respondent in the DMHC Order and therefore has no legal right to appeal the Order or request a hearing, a violation of due process per the fifth and fourteenth amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Claim Three - Violation of Excessive Fines (Against DMHC): The DMHC Order alleges SynerMed engaged in economic profiling without appropriate notice having been filed by the health plans, as required by law. By removing patients from EHS care, DMHC wrongly penalized and has done irreparable harm to the company. Claim Four - Declaratory Relief (Against DMHC and Rouillard): The suit claims DMHC and Rouillard acted in a wrongful manner, causing damage to EHS. The suit asks for an official declaration of the rights and interests of parties in the matter. Claim Five - Discrimination (Against DMHC and Rouillard): Although SynerMed provided similar services to other medical groups, DMHC and Rouillard did not issue Orders against those companies. In targeting minority-owned EHS and depriving them of their interests, DMHC violated California's equal protection law. The suit asks the Court to void the Order. Claim Six - Discrimination in Violation of the Federal Civil Rights Act (Against Rouillard): The suit points out the DMHC licenses and regulates health plans, not independent practice associations (IPAs) like EHS, pursuant to the Knox-Keene Act governing California managed health care. Despite this, Brown appointee Rouillard has undertaken two actions against IPAs, both of which were owned and/or operated by physicians of Asian or South-Asian descent. During the same period, DMHC initiated no actions against medical groups owned or operated by non-minority physicians. Rouillard's actions as alleged were intended to, or have had the effect of depriving minority-owned EHS their right to be free from racial discrimination pursuant U.S. Civil Rights Act. Pertaining to the claims in the suit, EHS requests the court invalidate the DMHC Order targeting EHS and award punitive damages and attorney fees to the company. "We are hopeful the court will see that the DMHC Order is illegal and damaging, and immediately put an end to this government overreach and discrimination," said Ng. "Moreover, Governor Brown, the Department and Director Rouillard must be held accountable so that they can never unfairly target businesses in the future." View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/physician-group-dedicated-to-low-income-patients-files-discrimination-civil-rights-suit-against-california-department-of-managed-health-care-and-gov-brown-appointee-300597563.html SOURCE Employee Health Systems Medical Group (EHS) BORDERLAND BEAT The Most Extensive and Reliable Source of Information Related to the Mexican Drugs Cartels. You will not find this level of coverage anywhere else, join us! Send information, pictures or videos, you remain 100% anonymous. Envia fotos, videos, notas, enlaces o informacion todo 100% Anonimo. General Mail Box: borderlandbeat@gmail.com Want to be a contributor or citizen reporter for Borderland Beat? We love to have you in our team, send us an email! WARNING: Posts may contain strong violent material, discretion is advised. COMMENTS: We do not publish all comments, and we do not publish comments immediately. Chinese New Year celebration at UB combines traditional and contemporary performing arts Some 250 performers will take the stage Feb. 17 in the UB Center for the Arts to celebrate the Chinese New Year. What makes the event so special is that it brings Chinese and non-Chinese people together on a grand scale to showcase their talents and renew friendships. BUFFALO, N.Y. For the eighth consecutive year, the University at Buffalo Confucius Institute and the Chinese Club of Western New York (CC-WNY) will mark the arrival of the Chinese New Year with a diverse program celebrating Chinese culture on Saturday, Feb. 17, from 2:30-5 p.m. at UBs Center for the Arts. The popular free event has often filled the CFAs Mainstage to capacity with guests enjoying a spectacular display of art, language, music, storytelling and martial arts demonstrations. The Chinese New Year celebration is the culmination of our year-round activities promoting a better understanding of Chinese culture both on and off the UB campuses, says Zhiqiang Liu, an associate professor in UBs Department of Economics and director of the Confucius Institute. What makes the event so special is that it brings Chinese and non-Chinese people together on a grand scale to showcase their talents and renew friendships. This years program builds on previous events and will include performances representing a broader background than ever before, according to Zhen Liu, president of the Chinese Club of Western New York. That diversity is a sign of growing pride in the Chinese-American community, says Liu. UBs celebration comes one day after the actual arrival of the Chinese New Year, a date determined by the lunar calendar. One of 12 different animals represents each of the calendars annual cycles -- 2018 is the Year of the Dog. According to myth, people born in the year of the dog exhibit intense loyalty in all of their relationships, whether friends, family members or work colleagues. Recent dog years include 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994 and 2006, beginning their 12-month cycle generally in late January or early February because of the lunar rather than solar reference point. In China, the arrival of the lunar New Year is a public holiday celebrated in many ways. At UB, approximately 250 performers will take the stage during the afternoon program that will honor both traditional and contemporary elements of Chinese culture. Highlights include: Lion Dance: Gold Summit Martial Arts Institute Lion Dance is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture and other Asian countries in which performers mimic a lions movements to bring good luck. Spring embroidery A graceful and joyous dance performed by the CC-WNY high school dance group. Big Fish: City Honors High School Chinese Language Student Chorus The song Big Fish interprets a story of love that is as deep as the sea. Picking Osmunda: Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart The dance, inspired by a poem in the ancient Chinese Book of Songs, depicts women picking vegetables, symbolizing a peaceful and prosperous village life. A Lovely Rose: Xinjiang Male and Female Group Dance A Lovely Rose is a household folk song that depicts how young hearts are bewitched by the song. This is a wonderful way to draw attention to Chinese language, culture and traditions as a unique heritage shared by our growing Chinese community with the broader Western New York community, says Stephen Dunnett, UB professor and vice provost for international education. The New Year celebration provides a large and enthusiastic audience for this important cultural outreach by our Confucius Institute. Campus News New program to help women in STEM overcome gender discrimination By CORY NEALON Were great at teaching women science and engineering, but weve done a poor job equipping them with skills to overcome gender discrimination, bias and inequity. Co-workers say youre too aggressive, and suggest you act more feminine. Your boss continuously questions your work, but readily accepts the work of male counterparts. Your PhD adviser suggests that your pregnancy is distracting you from finishing your thesis. Many women pursuing careers in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) workforce face such scenarios. Yet they seldom receive instruction on how to best handle them. The result? Women leave STEM jobs or are dissuaded from seeking leadership roles. A novel educational program, called the NAVIGATE Project, under development by a UB-led, multidisciplinary research team aims to counteract this trend. It will provide women graduate students with skills to recognize and overcome gender inequality, ultimately helping solve the gender gap in STEM fields in the United States and elsewhere. Were great at teaching women science and engineering, but weve done a poor job equipping them with skills to overcome gender discrimination, bias and inequity, says Liesl Folks, a principal investigator of the research team and dean of UBs School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The U.S. has made some progress addressing the gender gap in the STEM workforce. But problems persist. For example, women fill 47 percent of all U.S. jobs but only 24 percent of STEM jobs, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And gender inequality has roiled Silicon Valley in recent years, from Ellen Paos highly publicized discrimination lawsuit to scandals involving Uber, Google and other tech giants. The research team, which has received nearly $500,000 in National Science Foundation (NSF) grants, will address the problem by utilizing the case study teaching method, which presents content in a narrative format accompanied by questions and activities that promote group discussion and the solving of complex problems. Using the case study method in the classroom to develop problem-solving skills related to bias and discrimination will increase students confidence in dealing with real-world problems that they may encounter, either during their studies or in the workplace, Folks says. For example, a group of students could be assigned a case that describes what its like to be a young female computer scientist who is continuously asked by her boss to join him for drinks after work. Because lessons are blended into compelling and relatable stories, students move beyond simply recalling knowledge to a much deeper understanding involving decision-making and analytical skills. The case study method allows students to work together and develop practical and strategic responses to scenarios. Our goal is not only for them to understand the complexity of barriers to womens success and advancement in STEM workplaces, but also learn the knowledge and skills needed to combat bias, discrimination and inequities to persist in their fields, says Coleen Carrigan, assistant professor of anthropology in the Department of Social Sciences at California Polytechnic State University and also a principal investigator on the research team. Researchers will create case studies based on lived experiences and then collect qualitative and quantitative data that evaluates how effective the cases are. The cases will be made available to the public through educational websites. The team will benefit from UBs expertise in the case study method, which has proven effective in business, law and other fields, but has not been studied as a tool to overcome gender inequality. UB is a host for the NSFs National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science (NCCSTS), and Nancy Schiller, a co-principal investigator of the grants, is a co-director of the center and engineering librarian in University Libraries. Ultimately, the project aims to boost the number of women participating in the STEM workforce at all levels, and may be adopted for other underrepresented groups in the STEM workforce, Folks says. Other co-principal investigators, all from UB, include Glenna Bett, associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Xiufeng Liu, professor; Graduate School of Education; and Laurene Tumiel-Berhalter, associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine, Jacobs School. The research is supported by the NSFs Innovations in Graduate Education program, which supports projects that pilot, test and validate innovative and potentially transformative ways to teach STEM. Grants that support the work: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1735143&HistoricalAwards=false and https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1735218&HistoricalAwards=false. Plans to close two thirds of Somersets childrens centres have been unanimously agreed by county councillors this week but Highbridges centre has been saved from the cuts. The centre in Highbridges Coronation Road is one of eight that will retain its Sure Start Childrens Centre designation and become a family centre. Conservative Somerset County Council Cabinet members met at County Hall in Taunton on Monday to agree the plans, which form part of a wider shake-up of family services. 24 Sure Start centres will be replaced with eight family centres, which will co-ordinate work in the surrounding areas. About 40 protesters, including health workers, gathered outside ahead of Mondays meeting to protest against the plans, with the Unite union saying the changes risk wrecking a great service. A Somerset County Council spokesperson told Burnham-On-Sea.com: Highbridge will be one of the eight buildings which will retain their Sure Start Childrens Centre designation for the purposes of Department for Education registration. The other 16 buildings will have their Childrens Centre designation removed, but still offer early childhood services including education and nursery places. Burnham and Highbridges former Lib Dem MP, Tessa Munt, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: Its good to see Highbridge Childrens Centre is safe for the moment, but it is a deep concern to see other centres losing their Childrens Centre designation. By merging the council services into fewer buildings, the overall provision to is being weakened and diluted. She added: Given that the County Councils Cabinet has decided to save Highbridge Childrens Centre based on local need, surely the same criteria must now apply to Highbridge Library too and it will be retained because of local need? This weeks decision by the County Council follows a period of public consultation in the autumn. It brings together the Councils getset service which includes Childrens Centre services and the support offered by Health Visitors and School Nurses, with more emphasis on delivering support in community venues and peoples homes. Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Councillor Frances Nicholson, said: These plans are all about making it easier for people to get the support they need so we can prevent small problems becoming big ones, and that is something we all want. This support is important and valued and I thank everyone who took part in the consultation. The feedback has helped our thinking and highlighted areas where more work is needed, but we firmly believe that these proposals are still the best way forward for families and children across the county. The changing status of buildings does not mean a reduction in support and the hundreds of activities that are there now will carry on. I understand that some people are anxious, but this is about doing things better, and the next steps will be taken carefully and at the right pace. Councillors also agreed to bring the employment of the countys health visitors and school nurses in-house from April 2019. In a letter to the authority last month, health visitors expressed heartfelt concerns about the changes which would bring them under the umbrella of the new council-run service. Unite, which represents the majority of the 200 affected staff, said it believes a hidden agenda of cost-cutting was behind the changes. The following buildings will be de-designated as Sure Start Childrens Centres: Victoria Park, Bridgwater; Hamp, Bridgwater; Brock House, Norton Fitzwarren; The Hollies, Taunton; Wellington; Bishops Lydeard; Alcombe, Minehead; Little Vikings, Watchet; Birchfield, Yeovil; Oaklands, Yeovil; Chard Little Marsh, Ilchester; Balsam Centre, Wincanton; The Bridge Centre, Frome; The Link Centre, Coleford; and The House, Shepton Mallet. Burnham-On-Sea is not included in the changes as it is not a Sure Start centre. 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 A robust number of domestic air passengers last year made Delhis Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport the sixth-busiest airport in Asia and one of the top 20 busiest in the world. It entered the 60-million club by handling as many as 63.5 million passengers in 2017 more than some of the busiest airports like Changi, Incheon and Jakarta. Of the 21 airports that handled more than 60 million passengers during the year, 10 were in Asia, five in North America, five in Europe, and one in the Gulf. The rate of overall traffic growth, however, slowed to 14 per cent ... Karnataka BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa on Monday hit out at Congress President for reportedly visiting a temple after eating "Javari chicken" during his ongoing tour of northern parts of the poll-bound state. "At one side there is 10 per cent CM Siddaramaiah who took darshan of Dharmasthala Manjunatha after eating fish, on the other side there is Election Hindu @OfficeOfRG (Rahul Gandhi) who took darshan of Narasimha swamy after eating Javari chicken," Yeddyurappa said in a tweet in Kannada. "Why is Congress repeatedly hurting Hindu sentiments? Looking at every one equally is Samajawad (socialism), your's is majawad (enjoyment)," Yeddyurappa, the Chief ministerial candidate of BJP, said in the tweet with clippings of reports about Gandhi visiting the temple after 'eating' chicken. Last year, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was involved in a controversy for eating fish at lunch before going to the Lord Manjunatha Swamy temple. It was seen as disrespect to the main deity of the temple, with the issue creating a buzz in the social media. However, Siddaramaiah had dismissed the criticism. Gandhi, who is on a temple trail during his election campaign in northern Karnataka districts, had on Sunday stopped at Kanakagiri in Koppal district and visited the Kanakachala Laxmi-Narasimha temple. The temple, built by a local chieftain, has a history of 500 years of existence. Speaking to reporters earlier at Shahpur in Yadgir district, Gandhi today defended his visits to temples and religious places, asserting that he would continue them. "I like going to temples, wherever I get a religious place I go there. I feel good and feel happy, and I will continue (to go)," he told reporters. On a four-day election campaign in Karnataka, where assembly elections are due early this year, Gandhi was responding Yeddyurappa's earlier "Election Hindu" jibe at him. "I heartily welcome #ElectionHindu @OfficeOfRG to Ballari. The #Congress President will fulfill our dream of a #CongressMuktKarnataka," Yeddyurappa had said in a tweet, ahead of Gandhi's visit to the state from February 10. A blast on Tuesday morning in Oil and Natural Gas Corporation's (ONGC) drillship Sagar Bhushan has claimed five lives and injured another six, say Kerala Police, adding the cause of the incident is yet to be known. The drillship was under repair at Cochin Shipyard's facility in Kochi, Kerala. According to a police official, one of the workers who has been hospitalised has burnt almost half of his body, while others have minor injuries. Those with minor injuries have been working on the dock, while those dead were working near a water tank inside the ship. The workers in ... Goa Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai on Monday said a 'Gangs of Wasseypur'-like situation would arise in Goa if "outsiders" gain control of the mining industry in the state, days after the apex court quashed renewal of 88 mining leases and provided an option of an auction. Directed by Anurag Kashyap, 'Gangs of Wasseypur' -- the two-part crime film -- is centred on the coal mafia operating in Dhanbad in Jharkhand, and the underlying power struggles, politics and vengeance. Sardesai also said it would be better to close down the mining industry than it be handled by people from outside Goa. "There is a possibility that if you come out with auctioning, you will have 'Gangs of Wasseypur'-kind of situation in Goa. What happened for coal in Dhanbad can happen in Goa. And this is my fear," he said. Sardesai's Goa Forward Party (GFP) is one of the constituents of the BJP-headed NDA government in the coastal state. The other alliance partners are the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and three Independent MLAs. "Those involved in making policies related to mining should see that they make right ones (policies). What had happened all this while is that the mining industry was with the Goan mine owners. "Tomorrow (after auctioning) if mine owners, truck owners, drivers of trucks and machine operators all are from outside, then why do we require mining industry in the state?" the minister told reporters here. Sardesai had stoked a major row last week when he termed domestic tourists visiting Goa as the "scum of the earth" and claimed that "North Indians" wanted to "create a Haryana" in the coastal state. "We are dependent on north Indians and this is what they do. They are not bothered about Goa. They will like to recreate a Haryana in Goa," he said while speaking at Goa Biz Fest. The Supreme Court had on February 7 quashed the second renewal of iron ore mining leases given to 88 companies in Goa in 2015. The apex court directed the Centre and the Goa government to grant fresh environmental clearances to them. The SC also said the state government was obliged to grant fresh mining leases in accordance with law, in view of its previous judgement, and not second renewals to mining lease holders. The mining industry in Goa had expressed apprehension that the SC order would lead to the total closure of operations. To a question, Sardesai said the implication of the SC order is that the government may have to make new policies. "I am part of the government to make the policies. But at the same time, what we fear is what I have expressed," he said. Asserting that the policy of the GFP that is Goa's wealth should remain with Goans, Sardesai said, "The one who works out policies should think about it. Has Pakistan turned over a new leaf when it comes to aiding, harbouring and turning a blind eye to terrorist organisations operating from its soil? Has it finally heeded India's warnings or US President Donald Trump's threats? One might be inclined to believe so, to some extent, given that the ordinance promulgated by Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain last week will reportedly lead to the proscription of Hafiz Saeed-linked Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF). 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 With the recovery of another soldier's body during searches inside the Sunjuwan army camp, the death toll in the terror attack in Jammu has risen to seven, the Army said. The body of the sixth soldier was recovered on Monday evening during the searches, the Army said on Tuesday. With this, the death toll in the terror attack on the army camp that started on Saturday has risen to seven, including six soldiers and a civilian. Ten others, including six women and children, were injured. A group of heavily armed Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) terrorists entered the Sunjuwan army camp on February 10 after hurling grenades and using automatic gunfire. Three terrorists, all of them Pakistan nationals who managed to enter the Junior Commissioned Officer's residential quarters, were killed in the anti-terror operation by the security forces. Women employees, be it at senior or junior levels, must be judged on the basis of their work and not on ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation, IBM Chairman and CEO has said. Speaking at the two-day IBM "The THINK Forum" here that kicked off on Monday, Rometty said that people should feel comfortable being whosoever they are. "The lesson in my story is that please evaluate my work and then judge me. I do not want to be known as the first woman CEO of IBM. I just want to be known as the CEO of IBM," Rometty told the gathering. According to Chanda Kochhar, CEO of ICICI Bank, fighting gender bias still remains a slow and tedious process in India while the country has made a great deal of progress in representing women across domains. "I have always put forward this approach let the work speak. Within the organisation, I was fortunate enough to be the one hugely evolved in achieving gender diversity goals. We never felt that somebody is given a job because he is a male or another task if she is a female," Kochhar told reporters here. "If you are capable, you will get your next job or your next responsibility," she said, adding that as long as you get what you deserve is also equality. During the two-day event, senior IBM and key business leaders from the country will discuss the future of business and technologies that will shape the economy and society. The sessions will touch upon the characteristics of the "Cognitive Enterprise" and IBM's "Innovation Outlook", a forward-looking view from IBM Research. Congress president today accused the NDA government of creating a "problem" in India's foreign policy and said the country stood "isolated" in the region. Underlining China's expanding influence, Gandhi said the most important part of a country's foreign policy was having a "good relationship" with others. "Today India is actually isolated in the region," he told professionals and business people here during an interaction on the last day of his four-day 'Janashirvad Yatra' in the northern region of poll-bound Karnataka. India should work for creating as many jobs as there are in China, he said, adding that New Delhi must find a peaceful and not aggressive way to counter Beijing. "We have to find a way, not an aggressive way, not a military way, but a peaceful way to compete with the Chinese," he said. Gandhi referred to the "massive expansion" of Chinese presence in the region. "You see the Chinese have a presence in Nepal, they have a presence in Pakistan, in Sri Lanka, in Maldives... They have a presence in Burma (Myanmar)," Gandhi added. He said the NDA government had created a "problem" in India's foreign policy. India's "old friend Russia" was now "cosying up to our neighbours on the western side", he said, adding, "This is actually a serious problem which is not getting discussed." Hitting out at the Union government on employment generation, Gandhi claimed that while China was creating 50,000 jobs in24 hours, the NDA government was generating 450 jobs in 24 hours. "The simple thing is, there is only one measure, not two: how many jobs is India creating and how many jobs is China creating. I'm sad to say that over the last four years it (job creation) has become a really serious problem," he added. On economic growth, he said India was "doing okay, (but) it was doing much better before". The issue of jobs, he said, was not being publicly discussed. "When it comes to jobs, India is failing completely and this is not something that is publicly in the discourse at all," he added. Gandhi, however, conceded that to an extent even during the Congress-led UPA rule, "we were nowhere near the number of jobs that needed to be created". He also spoke about the "massive increase" in the defence budgets of the US, China and Russia, and said, "We are now entering a new phase in world politics where you are going to see the increased tension between US, China and Russians." "In this situation, India has to have a clear understanding of the path going forward," he said. Time for the memories of humiliation and harassment in the name of moral policing to haunt those who commit the crime of dating. Time for the looming threat of abuse and assault to strike again. Another Valentines day is upon us and young men and women across India will risk head shavings, face blackening, public thrashings and forcibly solemnised marriages all in the name of saving our impressionable youth from the wicked influence of sinful ... 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 Even as this was significantly higher than its usual count, the number would seem rather unimpressive when compared with the 969 ATMs achieved a few days ago by the Mumbai airport, which has only one runway. Why does Delhi handle so few ATMs in a day despite three runways? There certainly is no dearth of demand the average consolidated demand from all airlines would require the ... 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 In its letter dated February 12, GMOEA said, as the livelihood of several dependent segments would be affected due to ceasing of mining activities in the state, it would leave the stakeholders of the industry without any alternate source of income. The Supreme Court last week cancelled 88 iron ore licences in Goa where these lease holders have now been told to stop operating by March 16 and ... 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 Japanese cryptocurrency exchange Coincheck Inc, stung by the theft of $530 million of digital money in January, is expected on Tuesday to file a report with regulators on the hacking. The Financial Services Agency ordered Coincheck to raise its standards after the hack and gave the exchange until February 13 to submit a report on the heist, the safety of its systems, and measures it would take to prevent a repeat. Coincheck said on Friday it would allow customers to restart yen withdrawals on Tuesday. The exchange, which froze all withdrawals of yen and digital currencies ... US President Donald Trump has proposed $ 256 million in civilian and $80 million in military aid to Pakistan, down about $ 10 million, in the annual budget, but linked the defence assistance to Islamabad's action against terror safe havens on its soil. The proposed aid is the part of a $4 trillion annual budget for the financial year 2019 beginning October 1. The proposal of aid to Pakistan comes weeks after Trump administration suspended nearly $2 billion in security assistance to Islamabad due to its inability to take action against terrorist groups operating from its soil. The White House has said it would consider lifting the freeze if it sees action by Pakistan against terrorist groups. The budgetary proposal says that the military aid depends on Pakistan taking action against terrorist safe havens. "The budget requests $256 million for Pakistan in economic and other assistance to help increase stability, promote economic growth and create opportunities for US businesses," said the annual budgetary proposals sent by the White House to the Congress. The Budget requests $ 80 million in Foreign Military Financing assistance to enhance Pakistan's counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency capabilities, contingent on Pakistan taking appropriate action to expand cooperation in areas where US-Pakistan interests converge and to address areas of divergence, in line with the administration's South Asia strategy, the White House said. "Pakistan's assistance in total is down about $10 million..," Hari Sastry, Director of the Office of US Foreign Assistance Resources at the State Department, told reporters at a State Department news conference after the release of the budget proposals. The budget furthers the US goal of a stable and secure South Asia by supporting the Afghan government and security forces in their fight against the Taliban insurgents and jihadist terrorist organisations such as al-Qaeda and ISIS. It requests more than $5 billion for continued US training and assistance for the Afghan security forces and would enable US forces to conduct counter-terrorism operations to ensure that the region cannot be used by jihadist, terrorist groups to plot transnational attacks against the US homeland, citizens overseas, or allies and partners. "The budget also continues to include funding to support America's partnership with Pakistan," it said. The budget's more than $630 million for civilian assistance supports the President's new strategy to empower the people of Afghanistan to take ownership of their future, the White House said. In addition, the budget strengthens and sustains improvements in education, health, governance and other sectors that are essential for securing a stable and prosperous Afghanistan. It also allows the US to honour the pledge made at the Brussels conference on Afghanistan, which anticipated gradually declining assistance levels, it added. Since taking office, Trump has been critical about Pakistan over its failure to rein in terror groups. In his first tweet of the year, Trump had accused Pakistan of lying and deceiving America by sheltering terrorists while receiving billions of dollars in foreign aid. Security forces arrested four Naxals from Jharkhand's Giridih on Monday. The operation that lasted for three days was jointly conducted by Jharkhand Police and CRPF 7th Battalion Security forces. During the search operation, a rifle, a locally made pistol, live cartridges and a cache of Maoist-related items, including the material used in making explosives, were recovered from the Naxals. "The police launched a search operation in the interiors of forest area near Dewari police and arrested two cadres, later identified as Sanjay Hansda and Sukhdeo Murmu. Both Hansda and Sukhdeo were interrogated who gave information about two others rebels who were settled near Barkhutia forest with explosives and arms later arrested and identified as Prakash Murmu, and Ambu Marandi," Surendra Kumar Jha, SP Giridh told media. Last week, two women Naxals were arrested in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed that at least five insurgents have been killed in operations conducted across the country by its security forces. Tolo News quoted the MoD as saying in a statement that two other insurgents were wounded, and another was arrested. The operation was reportedly launched in Nangarhar, Paktia, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Zabul, Faryab, Takhar, Nimruz and Helmand province of Afghanistan. "Forces have also discovered three motorbikes during the operations," the statement said. "The forces launched 11 clearing operations, 21 special operations in eight provinces while the air forces carried out 33 support operations," it added. However, the MoD didn't mention that the killed militants belonged to which insurgent group. Earlier this month, at least 25 militants, belonging to the insurgent group Taliban, were killed and 13 others injured in an operation by security forces in central Ghazni province. Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence said that at least one hundred militants were killed by the security forces in the past 24 hours across the country. The operation was conducted after three major militant attacks had taken place in Kabul during the past two weeks. Since January 20, militants have stormed a luxury hotel, bombed a crowded street and raided a military compound in Kabul, killing more than 130 people. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least eight militants were killed and six others got injured in operations carried out by the Afghan forces in northeastern Badakhshan province of Afghanistan. The Khaama Press quoted the 209th Shaheen Corps of the Afghan Military in the North as saying that the security forces targetted militants hideouts with the artillery strikes in Jurm district. Tajikistan nationals were among those killed or wounded, the Shaheen Corps said. Meanwhile, the Afghan forces discovered and defused a barrel bomb planted on a roadside in Baharak district. Earlier this week, at least 25 terrorists belonging to the Islamic States (IS) group were killed in the airstrikes carried out by the United States in the northern Jawzjan province bordering Turkmenistan. In January, 15 terrorists hailing from Tajikistan were killed and 11 others injured in a series of airstrikes carried out in northeastern Badakhshan province. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a probe into alleged irregularities in the Chhattisgarh government's purchase of an AgustaWestland helicopter case. Yesterday, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special court allowed AgustaWestland scam accused, Shivani Saxena, to travel abroad for medical treatment. He is the director of two Dubai-based firms M/s UHY Saxena and M/s Matrix Holdings and is an accused in the money laundering case pertaining to the chopper deal scam. Earlier on February 9, a Delhi Court sought the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) response on the plea filed by Saxena. Saxena was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate from Chennai on July 17 last year and granted bail by the Delhi High Court on December 15 on various conditions, including that she will not leave the country without the court's permission. According to the case filed by the Enforcement Directorate, UK-based AgustaWestland International Limited had paid 58 million euros as kickbacks through Tunisia-based Gordian Services Sarl and IDS Sarl. These companies siphoned off the money in the name of consultancy contracts to Interstellar Technologies Ltd and others and the funds were further transferred to UHY Saxena and Matrix Holdings Ltd in Dubai. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) on Tuesday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for not attending the event of unveiling former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa's portrait at the state Assembly. "When Narendra Modi was announced as PM candidate Jayalalithaa greeted him as a friend. TN BJP leaders could have attended Jaya portrait event with gratitude," said M Thambidurai, AIADMK Leader, and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker. The AIADMK leader further said that the event was opposed by many due to their male chauvinist attitude. "Its due to male chauvinism many oppose Jayalalithaa's portrait in TN assembly," added the Lok Sabha speaker. In the presence of Chief Minister E Palaniswami, Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and other MLAs, the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker P. Dhanapal unveiled the portrait of Jayalalithaa in the state Assembly. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) later filed a petition in the Madras High Court against the unveiling of the former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa's portrait at the state Assembly. The DMK even boycotted the entire event, stating that the former chief minister had been convicted in a disproportionate assets case after her death and therefore she is not eligible for such honour. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Leading global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) announced the firm's expansion with the launch of its New Delhi office. Furthermore, the company appointed Nitin Jain and Vivek Kamra as Managing Directors to lead the A&M's performance improvement and restructuring in the National Capital Region (NCR) and North India. Over the last decade, A&M has exponentially expanded from a restructuring and turnaround consulting firm to five dedicated units, including corporate and private equity performance improvement, commercial, financial and operations due diligence and disputes and investigations. "This year marks a significant milestone for A&M as we complete ten years in India. The opening of our new office in New Delhi coupled with the new leadership appointments will enable us to serve clients in NCR and North India markets. Together, Nitin and Vivek bring 46 years of deep operating and industry expertise along with the ability to lead and scale our footprint in the NCR and North India," said Vikram Utamsingh, Country Head of A&M India and a Managing Director with Alvarez & Marsal's Transactions Advisory Group, India. Kamra brings over 25 years of experience in leadership positions across steel, automotive and construction industries in India and Southeast Asia. Prior to this appointment, he headed the Tata Steel's Supply Chain team, where he was the head of the Tubes and Pipes Division. He also served as the President and CEO of NatSteel Holdings Singapore, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Steel with operations in Singapore, Australia, China, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia, and as President of the India operations at JK Tyre & Industries. On the other hand, Nitin Jain brings over 19 years of experience in leadership positions in the textile retail, home furnishings, specialty chemicals and horology in the U.S., People's Republic of China (PRC) and India. Prior to joining A&M, Jain served as the President, CEO and Managing Director of OCM Private Limited, a men's formal fabric apparel retailer and worked with Burlington Industries (now ITG) in the U.S. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian Army chief of staff General Bipin Rawat arrived in the Nepalese capital late on Monday to attend the Army Day of Nepal. Nepal will celebrate its' Army Day on the day of Shivaratri on Tuesday, the festival or the night that is devoted to Lord Shiva. The country on Tuesday will be celebrating its 250th year of unification as a nation, which was initiated by the late King Prithvi Narayan Shah. General Rawat, who arrived on a three-day visit, on the invitation of his Nepali counterpart Rajendra Chhetri, will be amongst the chief guests at the Nepal Army Day parade at Tundikhel playground in central Kathmandu. This year, the Indian Army band will be performing along with the Nepal Army, on the occasion of the Nepal Army Day. The Nepalese army officials acknowledged that it is the first time that the head of the military staff will be attending the Army Day parade as the chief guest, though no official records are kept. After attending the parade, General Rawat will have a courtesy call on the President of Nepal, Bidhya Devi Bhandari, Prime Minister of Nepal, Sher Bahadur Deuba and Defence Minister of Nepal, Bhimsen Das Pradhan. Prior to the visit of General Rawat, British and American Chief of Army Staffs and other senior officials came on a visit to the Himalayan nation. But amongst all, the visit of General Rawat is being kept at the centre as Nepal will be soon having a new government under the leftist leadership after successfully conducting the three-tier election within a year and a half. Last year, General Rawat was conferred the title of honourary general of the Nepal Army by President Bhandari. The visit comes after External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj visited the Himalayan nation on February 1 and 2. By Binod Prasad Adhikari . (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Tyre Safety Pavilion set up by Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA) in Hall 8 at the ongoing Auto Expo 2018 has emerged as a centre of attraction amongst visitors. Auto Expo visitors turned out in large numbers to play a tyre safety quiz at the ATMA pavilion. Besides distribution of safety booklets and one-on-one interaction with visitors on ways to improve safety, what has grabbed attention were interesting animation films that presented sequences from day-to-day life and underlined the message of tyre safety. Auto Expo visitors were being encouraged to play the creatively designed short quiz "How Tyre Smart You Are" on a specially launched app on tyre safety. The participants are being given prizes and a certificate of recognition lands in their inboxes appreciating their contribution to tyre safety. "Sensitizing road users about safety is not an easy task. ATMA has designed an engaging way of spreading awareness on Tyre Safety through the launch of an app. Participation in the quiz and Instant recognition through certification acts as a major morale booster and helps motorists take pride in keeping their tyres in shape besides acting as a constant reminder," said Satish Sharma, Chairman of ATMA. "There are several benefits of well-maintained tyres, including efficient braking, good ride and handling and fuel economy. Worn out and poorly maintained tyres are a big safety hazard. It is gratifying to note that visitors are responding to our call for Tyre Care & Safety and we are overwhelmed by the large turnout. We are sure this exercise will really help spread the awareness on safety and prevent accidents," added Sharma. In a series of tyre safety campaigns over one year, more than 100 service engineers from ATMA member companies carried out safety checks covering over 22,000 tyres across New Delhi, Chennai, Mysore, Chandigarh and Greater Noida. The survey found that over 60% of the cars do not have properly maintained tyre pressure which undermines safety and fuel efficiency. ATMA members which participated in Tyre Safery campaigns include Apollo Tyres, Birla Tyres, Bridgestone India, CEAT, Continental India, Goodyear India, JK Tyre & Industries, Michelin, MRF, TVS Tyres and Yokohama. ATMA is amongst the most active national industry bodies in the country representing Rs 55,000 crore (USD 8 billion) automotive tyre industry. Eleven large tyre companies comprising mix of Indian and International tyre majors and representing over 90 percent of production of tyres in India are members of the Association. ATMA members include Apollo Tyres, Birla Tyres, Bridgestone India, Ceat, Continental India, Goodyear India, JK Tyre & Industries, Michelin, MRF, TVS Tyres and Yokohama. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) will pave the way for new opportunities for Nepal to realise its dream of development and economic prosperity, according to various government officials and experts. The comments came after a one-day seminar titled - "Strengthening cooperation to promote the construction of the Belt and Road" was organised by Nepal China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCCI) in Kathmandu on Monday, the Xinhua reported. "We have chalked out strategies and plans to implement the initiative but I believe Belt and Road Initiative is a much broader concept. We should have three tracks of approach, including the government one, business to business approach including private sector and knowledge-based approach to gain maximum benefits," Shanker Das Bairagi, Secretary at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said after inaugurating the event. He stated that Nepal was a land-locked and a less developed country and needed the cooperation of its neighbours, especially China, to upgrade its status to a developing country. On the other hand, Chinese officials acknowledged the same and pointed out the need of a concrete mechanism for implementation. Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong said that development of the BRI needed sincerity, political resolution and the vision of all parties. "China is willing to work closely with Nepal to seize the historical chance to develop concrete cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and bring China-Nepal relations to a new height," Yu said. The Chinese ambassador in a statement noted key issues to enhance the cooperation with Nepal such as - strengthening policy coordination and consolidate mutual trust, expanding connectivity and sharing experience for economic development, promoting the unimpeded trade, deepening the financial integration and constructing the road for innovation and strengthening the people-to-people bond for mutual learning. Dr Rajesh Kazi Shrestha, President of Nepal China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, "We are eager to welcome investment under the Belt and Road Initiative in various possible sectors like hydropower, agriculture, trade-related infrastructure, tourism, herbs and herbal products, natural resources and service sectors." Around 100 experts from different countries, investors, traders and business community members attended the one-day seminar in Kathmandu. Nepal and China had signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the BRI in May last year. The BRI aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes of Silk Road. It will bring opportunities in multiple fields including trade, connectivity, physical infrastructure development, tourism and investment. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is a part of this initiative has been criticised by India since it passes through the disputed Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) region. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India's largest online marketplace for logistics BlackBuck on Tuesday announced hiring Venkatesh Bhat as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Venkatesh, who was previously the Group CFO and later COO at Atria Convergence Technologies Pvt. Ltd (ACT FiberNet), is a chartered accountant by training, he comes with 24 years of rich expertise and has held senior leadership positions at GE Healthcare, Whirlpool India, and Hindustan Unilever Ltd. "We are delighted to welcome Venkatesh to BlackBuck. He brings significant industry experience and excellent track record of leading finance teams during exponential growth phase. His deep financial expertise and past operations stint would strengthen the management team as we continue to expand our geographical footprint and offer superior experience to our partners and customers," said CEO BlackBuck, Rajesh Yabaji. "BlackBuck team is well known for redefining rules of the logistics industry. Over the past three years, BlackBuck has established a clear leadership position through a unique platform approach, creating first ever marketplace for Intercity Trucking in India. I am honoured to be part of this team which is relentlessly crossing higher milestones," said Venkatesh Bhat on his appointment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The mortal remains of one more Army personnel was recovered on Tuesday from Sunjwan Army Camp. A total of six army personnel and one civilian have been killed in recent terror attack at Sunjwan Army Camp. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Deputy CM Nirmal Singh attended the wreath laying ceremony of four Army personnel, who lost their lives in the Sunjwan attack. Chief Minister Mufti even met the family members of the deceased jawans. On a similar note, an encounter is still underway in Srinagar's Karan camp, where one CRPF personnel have lost his life on Monday. "Encounter is still going on, we are operating cautiously to avoid any collateral damage to citizens and property,"Zulfiqar Hasan, IG Operation told media. Security forces are even conducting search operation in Jammu's Raipur Domana area. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Britain has outlined plans to sail a warship through the disputed South China Sea on its way home from Australia, in a move designed to assert freedom of navigation rights through the region. British officials first flagged the voyage six months ago. "We've got HMS Sutherland currently approaching Australia and after she's been to Australia, she'll be going through the South China Sea," UK's Secretary of State for Defence Gavin Williamson told the Australian. Williamson's comments came as he wrapped up a two-day visit to Sydney and Canberra where he met with key military and political figures. China claims nearly all of the strategic waters, despite partial counter-claims from Taiwan and several south-east Asian nations including the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam. It has been turning reefs and islets into islands and installing military facilities such as runways and equipment on them, according to the reports. He would not say whether the frigate would sail within 12 nautical miles of a disputed territory or artificial island built by the Chinese, as US ships have done. But he said: "We absolutely support the US approach on this, we very much support what the US has been doing." Speaking in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang, in this regard, said,"All countries in accordance with international law enjoy freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea. There is no disagreement on this." HMS Sutherland is an anti-submarine warship similar to the design the UK is hoping to build for Australia as part of the $35 billion Future Frigate Program, which is also being contested by Spanish and Italian shipbuilders. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A recent video that has gone viral is showing Congress leader and Punjab Technical Education Minister Charanjit Singh Channi tossing a coin to decide a transfer case. The incident has prompted the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to demand Channi's resignation. Channi is yet to come out with a clarification. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress leader V Hanumantha Rao on Tuesday criticised Mani Shankar Aiyar for his 'I love Pakistan because I love India' remark, saying he might be expelled from the party. Rao told ANI that Aiyar should refrain from making such statements which would affect the Congress Party ahead of the Karnataka assembly elections. "Something wrong has happened to Mani Shankar Aiyar these days. Prior also, he gave such kind of a wrong statement during the Gujarat election campaign and we have suffered a lot because of that. Later Congress president Rahul Gandhi ji even suspended him, but still he said that I have got lot of love and affection for Pakistan. What nonsense is he really talking about?" he said. "Being such an educated person, he is talking such frivolous. Because of him, this generation is suffering. Better he should stop talking such weird things because it can distract majority workers of Congress party," he added Rao further said that Aiyar is trying to get publicity by making such statements, adding, "We do not want to face any kind of damage in Karnataka election after such statements." Speaking at a function in Karachi over the weekend, Aiyar said the need of the hour was for both countries to engage in an uninterrupted dialogue. Aiyar said that while Islamabad has accepted the policy of and need for continuous dialogue to resolve issues of bilateral importance, New Delhi has not. "There is only one way to resolve the India- Pakistan issue and that is by way of uninterrupted and un-interruptible dialogue," he said. He added, "I love Pakistan because I love India. India should love thy neighbour as thyself. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) IMAX Program, a personalised start-up that serves over 800 schools and 300,000 students across India, has raised USD 13.5 million, focused on providing curriculum services to K-12 schools in India. The current infusion of funds in 2018 will be used to further innovate the product, enhance in-school service experience and expand the customer base through multiple distribution channels. IMAX will also explore working with K12 publishers internationally, to deliver high quality in-school remedial programs to a global student base. The IMAX Program includes textbooks, workbooks, school exams, feedback reports and individualised remedial worksheets along with teacher manuals and teacher training modules. To ensure smooth integration with schools, the technology platform works at the backend to deliver exams, reports and remedial worksheets in print. The exam-remediation loop ensures that the key learning gaps are identified and bridged, thereby maximising learning. Till date, IMAX Program has delivered more than 1.7 million individualised remedial worksheets. "With this round, we will now further deliver a better experience for our customers and partners, and accelerate the expansion of our commercial operations in India. We will also be selectively looking at prospective markets abroad. We aim to impact 2 million students by 2020," said Varun Kumar, Co-founder, IMAX Program. IMAX conducted more than 500,000 assessments across 11 states in India, developing a deep understanding of classroom transactions and student learning. This helped them conceptualise and build an innovative curriculum program leveraging internal school exams in the process. In 2015, Aspada, an investor in this round, had invested USD 1.8M to help IMAX implement affordable technology to the classrooms to enhance school's ability to measure and impact learning outcomes effectively. The other investors in this round of funding include Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and LGT Impact Ventures. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least five people were killed on Tuesday in a fire incident due to an explosion at Cochin shipyard. The blast took place in an under repair Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) drilling ship, which was in dry docks. At least three persons were also injured in the incident. After explosion, police and Naval fire tenders immediately rushed to the yard to douse the fire. At the time of filing this report, the fire was under control. Nitin Gadkari, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India has expressed his condolences for the deceased. "Shocked by unfortunate blast at Cochin Shipyard where 4 people have died. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families. I have spoken to MD, Cochin Shipyard n asked him to provide all necessary medical support to victims n to initiate immed inquiry with help of concerned agencies (sic)," Gadkari tweeted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Delhi Court on Tuesday issued fresh production warrant against gangster Abu Salem in 2002 Delhi extortion case. The court will next hear the case on February 16 for final arguments. On January 16, Salem claimed that the prosecution did not have enough evidence against him in the case. Through his lawyer, the gangster also claimed that his trial in the case violated an order by which he was extradited to India from Portugal in 2005. Salem is facing trial for allegedly demanding Rs. 5 crores as protection money from Delhi businessman Ashok Gupta in 2002. He has already been granted bail regarding the case; however, he continues to be in jail in various other cases, including the 1993 Mumbai blasts case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday underscored that India supports the Myanmar peace process. "India supports the Myanmar peace process. Comprehensive peace and national reconciliation in Myanmar will also be conducive for the peace and prosperity of the North eastern States of India," MEA's official spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, in response to a query on India's presence at the signing of National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in Myanmar. India extended its support to the NCA in Myanmar with Deputy NSA (National Security Advisor) Rajinder Khanna present at the signing ceremony. Two ethnic rebel groups on Tuesday joined Myanmar's long-delayed peace process, a small step forward in ending decades of civil strife. The signings of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement in Myanmar's capital, Naypyitaw, by the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) were the first since the original eight groups joined in 2015 under the previous military government. "Given the positive bilateral relationship between India and Myanmar and the significance for India of the Myanmar peace process, Myanmar had earlier invited India (together with China, Japan, Thailand, UN and EU) to sign the NCA as international witnesses in October 2015 NSA Ajit Doval had represented India on that occasion," MEA said, in a statement. "Today's event is another step in the process with two more parties, the NMSP and the LDU, agreeing to sign the NCA. The presence of our representative demonstrates India's continued support to the peace process in Myanmar, "the statement added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A group of friends waiting for a pizza in Capitol Hill, Seattle were racially assaulted by an American woman. According to the metro.co.uk, Aditya Sastry, who is an Indian-American, secretly began recording the woman's racist, expletive-filled rant. In the video, the woman could be seen as asking them 'Where are you from? You're not white' before telling them to 'Go back to your own fucking country' and that they are 'Not white enough.' The unidentified racist continue yelling at the group and at one point she yells, 'Have more respect you fucking terrorist ass' and calls Sastry a 'Saudi n***a'. The video ends abruptly as she broke Sastry's phone from which he was filing her racist remarks. The incident took place last week and came to notice after Sastry took to Facebook to describe the ordeal. He posted a picture of his shattered phone along with the video. "It became quickly apparent that her issue was with Joey and my appearance as we are ethnically Puerto Rican and Indian, respectively. We've both faced racist incidents before, but this is the second time this year I've been accosted by white Americans claiming this country is theirs," he wrote on Facebook. "I was born and raised in this country and have been blessed with opportunities that don't exist or aren't as accessible elsewhere, but I find myself having a more and more difficult time feeling welcome in my own country," Sastry added. Sastry, who is originally from San Jose, California said he is sharing the video to "highlight the reality of the current socio-political climate". He also appealed people that if someone recognised the woman in the video to contact Seattle Police Department. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa, an organisation headed by Mumbai-terror mastermind Hafiz Saeed, is using children to promote jihad against India. In a procession organised in Islamabad, JuD leader Sadaqat allowed his minor son to lead with a gun in his hand. The protesters were holding a banner which said that Kashmir is the integral part of Pakistan and support would continue to be extended for the liberation of Kashmir. JuD is a charity wing of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, one of the largest and most Islamic of terrorist militant organisations in South Asia. It encourages children from parts of Pakistan and Kashmir to join the outfit and wage a jihad against India and the United States. The organisation runs several madrassas or Islamic religious schools across Pakistan and brainwashes children into joining the holy war for the liberation of Kashmir. They are also being used as human shields and also to organise anti-India or anti-U.S. protests. The United Nations had designated Hafiz Saeed a terrorist after the 26 November 2008 attacks in Mumbai, which killed 166 people. The organisation had designated him a terrorist under UNSC Resolution 1267, while the United States Department of the Treasury designated Saeed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224 in May 2008. Unfortunately, the Pakistan Army and its spy agencies use Hafiz Saeed for its proxy war against India and allow its organisations to hold rallies in cities across Pakistan and in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. LeT and its charity organisations recruit small children and engage them for its nefarious activities against India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An anti-terrorism court (ACT) in Pakistan has framed charges against Imran Ali, the man accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a seven-old-girl and seven other minors. On Monday, the ATC indicted Ali and started regular proceedings after the accused refused to accept the charges levelled against him in the challan submitted by the police, the Express Tribune has reported. ATC Judge Sajjad Ahmad recorded statements of at least 20 prosecution witnesses during Monday's proceedings that lasted for around 11 hours. Judge Ahmad summoned more witnesses from a list of 56 prosecution witnesses to appear before the court on Tuesday. Earlier, ATC prosecutor Abdul Rauf Wattu informed the court that evidence had been collected against the accused, including the CCTV footage, the DNA test, polygraph test, the accused's clothes and others. The prosecutor also submitted a list of prosecution witnesses before the court, according to the Express Tribune. As per orders of Lahore High Court, the trial of the accused has to be conducted on a daily basis and should conclude within a week. Last month, the ATC placed Imran in police remand for 14 days. He was presented before the court from February 8. As of now, he is languishing in Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore. The minor, who was a resident of the Kasur district of Pakistan's Punjab province, was kidnapped on her way to a tuition centre on January 4. Five days after her disappearance, she was found raped, dead and buried in a garbage dump on January 9 near Kashmir Chowk. According to the initial post-mortem report, the minor was strangled to death after being raped multiple times. As per the autopsy, the girl had marks of torture on nose, neck, and other parts of the body, the report said. This incident incited huge protests in Kasur and other major cities of Pakistan. The protesters had demanded an immediate arrest of the culprit, which resulted in an unprecedented search, where all law enforcement and secret agencies took part. The DNA test was conducted on more 1,100 people living in the vicinity. The massive search led to the arrest of Imran, whose DNA sample matched with those of eight victims. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A US-based Software Company has organised a unique two-day campaign to create awareness among the masses on menstrual hygiene. The software company 'Navigant', located in Thiruvananthapuram's Techno Park has started a "Padaid" campaign on January 25 in which they placed pad aid boxes in different parts of the office and encouraged its employees to contribute by dropping sanitary napkins in it. "When we started the campaign we were not sure how many people will participate in it. But later lots of employees contributed to this cause," said one of the organiser. "Some men employees offered money, but we encouraged them to purchase the sanitary napkins and drop them," another organiser added. The initiative undertaken by the company received an overwhelming response with other organisation located in the region showing interest in taking part in it. The company has decided to hand over the collected napkins to the representatives of "sakhi" an NGO working for women. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 30-year-old Youth Congress worker was hacked to death, while two others were injured in Kerala's Kannur city. This incident took place on Monday night, when a gang of men allegedly attacked him with sharp weapons. The deceased has been identified as Shuhaib, 30. He was rushed to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, but succumbed to his injuries on the way. The Congress alleges that Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) is behind the murder and has called for a day-long 'hartal' in the district. A case has been registered and further investigations are on. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The military in Maldives on Tuesday blocked Member of Parliament (MPs) from entering into the Parliament building. On Saturday, embattled Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen refused to meet with diplomats from the European Union, Germany and the United Kingdom after the state of emergency was imposed in the Maldives last week. Earlier, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, termed the Maldives' state of emergency as an "all-out assault on democracy". The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also appealed to the Maldivian government to lift the emergency soon. The Maldivian capital remained tense as opposition leaders across were being rounded up and placed under detention as Yameen, who has been refusing to obey SC's orders directing him to release nine prominent leaders from prison, gave sweeping powers to the security forces. Last week, the Maldivian Supreme Court acquitted former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed, former Maldivian Vice President Ahmed Adeeb and ordered the reinstatement of the 12 other parliamentary members. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Committee to Protect Journalists (CJP) has blamed Myanmar for suppressing freedom of the press in the country. The CJP in a report published on its website said, "Myanmar's media, both local and foreign, are under heavy assault as security measures used to suppress the press under military rule are reactivated under Suu Kyi's quasi-democratic regime, several journalists who cover the country told CPJ." "It marks a dramatic reversal in recent press freedom gains and augurs ill for the country's delicate transition from military to elected rule," it added. The CJP further highlighted that authorities are increasingly abusing various draconian colonial and military era laws to repress reporting on a widening range of topics. "Many journalists and activists had hoped the laws would be amended or scrapped when Suu Kyi came to power with a strong electoral mandate to push democratic change through liberal reforms," it said. The report also mentioned that Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Esther Htusan fled the country last year after she was threatened for her critical reporting. Htusan, who is a reporter with The Associated Press, reported on various sensitive topics including the Rohingya refugee exodus, the military's controversial counterinsurgency operations in Rakhine State, to State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi's handling of the crisis. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) North Korea's United Nations mission on Monday slammed the UN and U.S. for the strict sanctions imposed on the country due to its nuclear weapons programme. North Korea's United Nation mission on Tuesday slammed the UN and United States' decision of imposing sanctions on the isolated country due to its persistent nuclear missile tests. In a written statement, the North Korean mission called the sanctions "despicable" and "criminal", saying they are "suffocating" people's livelihood and public health in North Korea, the Anadolu news agency reported. "This clearly proves that the UN Security Council, overpowered by high-handedness and arbitrariness of the U.S., has only turned into the tool of infringement on people's rights and barbarous state sponsored terrorism. Such "illegal" sanctions threaten the exercise of human rights of the North Korean people," said the mission in a statement, blaming the US Government. Last week, US Vice-President Mike Pence said Washington D.C. was planning to impose "toughest and most aggressive" sanctions against Pyongyang. The US has repeatedly made its position clear that North Korea should first abandon its nuclear weapons programme, if it wanted talks with the US on ending sanctions. The US and North Korea have long been engaged in back-and-forth barbs over the latter's threat of a nuclear attack. The UN Security Council had imposed new sanctions on North Korea, seeking to limit its access to refined petroleum products and crude oil after the latest intercontinental ballistic missile test by Pyongyang in December last year. US President Donald Trump threatened to rain "fire and fury" on North Korea and also called North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as "Little Rocket Man", while North Korea denounced Trump as a "mentally deranged" US dotard. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Investigation Agency and 210 COBRA Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in a joint operation have arrested another Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) member from Guwahati city of Assam. The accused was wanted in the December 23 killings by the NDFB and the 2014 assault in Kokrajhar's Pakriguri. At least 30 people, including women and children, were killed in a firing initiated by the NDFB in Pakriguri area of Kokrajhar on December 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Tuesday has arrived here to attend a high-level military meeting. According to The Khaama Press, the Afghan army chief, commander of the United States Central Command, and the U.S. forces and Resolute Support Commander Gen. John Nicholson will also participate in the conference. Sources in Afghanistan's ministry of defence confirmed General Bajwa's visit for participating in the conference. Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained frosty due to the latter's constant blame game on Pakistan's non-cooperation in tackling terrorism and insurgency and also sending terrorists to Afghanistan to conduct suicide. Pakistan has urged Afghanistan to stop the blame game and asked for its co-operation in combating terrorism. Last week, in a televised speech to the nation, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani had alleged that the "centre of Taliban terrorism is in Pakistan". Afghanistan has been ravaged by a series of deadly terrorist attacks during the last few days, particularly in Kabul, which killed nearly 150 people and wounded hundreds more. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday said Pakistan does not deserve friendly relations with any country. Taking part in a question and answer session at the ANI-organised India Infracon 2018 here, Pradhan lambasted Pakistan for frequent ceasefire violations and terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. "Pakistan is not a country which deserves friendly relations with any country. Some people want talks, we did that initially with all honesty, but Pakistan is now crossing all limits," Pradhan said. The Minister assured that Indian Army will give a befitting reply to Pakistan. In a recent anti-India activity, Pakistan backed terrorists attacked an army camp in Sunjwan area of Jammu on Saturday. At least five army personnel and a civilian were killed in the attack at Sunjwan Army base. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said Pakistan will pay for the Sunjwan attack. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh on Tuesday said Pakistan out of desperation is infiltrating terrorists in India. "It's Pakistan's desperation that they're pushing terrorists this side. All infiltrators are basically Pakistanis," Singh told ANI. Singh also criticised All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi and said the latter is trying to "polarise the society on the basis of the communities". "Owaisi has always polarised society on the basis of community. People like him are taking undue advantage of greatness of the democracy," said Singh here. Singh's comments came in the view of continuous terrorist taking place in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier in the day, two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists were killed in an encounter in Srinagar's Karan Nagar area. The encounter between security forces and militants is still on near the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) 23 Battalion headquarters. The Pakistan-based terrorist group LeT claimed responsibility for the attack. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed around Allahabad University campus after the death of LLB student Dileep Saroj. Twenty-six-year-old Saroj was thrashed by a group of people during an argument in Katra Bazar on Saturday. He succumbed to his injuries on Sunday. The situation is tensed after a group of people burnt a bus on Monday in a protest against death of Saroj. The Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday arrested the main accused in the case after a video of the incident went viral on social media. The police also identified, Vijay Shankar, a Train Ticket Examiner (TTE) as one of the attackers. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minitser Yogi Adityanath on Monday announced Rs. 20 lakh ex-gratia to the kin of Saroj. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said it is the victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that Congress president Rahul Gandhi described himself as a "Janeudhaari Hindu". "It our victory that Rahul Gandhi, whose ancestors used to say that they are 'accidental Hindus', today says that he is a 'Janeudhaari Hindu'," Adityanath said while addressing a rally in Tripura's Sabroom. The UP Chief Minister is in Tripura to campaign for the BJP, which is trying to uproot the Left Front government that is ruling Tripura for the last 25 years. Election to the 60-member Tripura Assembly will be held on February 18, while the counting of votes will be done on March 3. The BJP is contesting the polls in alliance with the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT). The BJP is contesting 51 seats, while the IPFT has fielded nine candidates. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday expressed shock at the murder of the party's youth wing General Secretary T. H. Shuhaib in Kerala, and hoped the perpetrators are brought to justice soon. "I am shocked to hear about the murder of Kerala AYC General Secretary T.H. Shuhaib. I hope the perpetrators of this cowardly act are brought to justice soon," the Congress President said. "My condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace," Gandhi tweeted. Shuhaib was on Monday night was allegedly hacked to death allegedly by Communist Party of India (Marxist) workers in Kannur district. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Tuesday said that public interest litigation (PIL) on AgustaWestland helicopters scam case is 'politically motivate'. Singh's statement comes hours after the Supreme Court dismissed PIL seeking probe into the alleged irregularities in purchase of the above case. "This petition was motivated by political interests. From people's court they have been defeated thrice, that is why they are indulging in such tactics," Singh told ANI. The plea was filed by Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Swaraj Abhiyan seeking probe into the purchase of the VVIP choppers in 2006-07 and the foreign bank accounts purportedly linked to the son of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister. The plea was dismissed by the division bench of Justice AK Goel and Justice UU Lalit, saying they did not find any merit in it. Hearing the arguments into the plea, the court had earlier said that it was concerned whether any fraud was committed while purchasing a VIP AgustaWestland helicopter. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the NGO, said that a proposal of the state in December 2006 stated that there should be open bid to purchase the helicopter. It said that helicopter firms should be invited but no company was called and a tender was issued only for AgustaWestland. He had also told the court that the documents received under the RTI showed that although the Bell helicopter was denied a bid, the government was still hiring it on rent. However, the Chhattisgarh government had said court that there was nothing wrong in the bid and that at present 24 AgustaWestland helicopters were flying in the country. Denying the allegations, the state government had called the claims reckless and politically motivated aimed at maligning the reputation as elections were due in Chhattisgarh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rwanda has dismissed the reports of having a deal with Israel to host African migrants being deported from the Jewish state. Anadolu Agency quoted Rwandan Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe as saying, "First, we don't have any deal with Israel." Adding, "Second, we will only receive the migrants who are willing to express [their] will to come to Rwanda, not those, who are deported against their will." Earlier reportedly, around 10,000 African refugees in Israel were at risk of being deported by force to Rwanda that would allow the Rwandan government to earn USD 5,000 for every refugee it takes in. However, Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe clarified and said the recent reports are "fake news". The Rwandan minister further said that his country was willing to host African migrants stranded in Libya. "Rwanda has expressed its willingness to host African migrants that are stranded in Libya," he said. "So, we say that those, who are willing to come to Rwanda, we will receive that," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) United States President Donald Trump has dwelled upon the ongoing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) negotiations stating that "this will be our last chance." "Negotiations on DACA have begun. Republicans want to make a deal and Democrats say they want to make a deal," Trump tweeted "Wouldn't it be great if we could finally, after so many years, solve the DACA puzzle. This will be our last chance, there will never be another opportunity! March 5th," he further wrote. The Senate on Monday evening started debate on the future of DACA recipients, often called "Dreamers." The word Dreamer is used to refer to the group of undocumented immigrants, who came to the US as children. The DREAM Act - an acronym that stands for Development, Relief, and Education of Alien Minors, was introduced in the Senate in 2001. The act gave the name to that generation of immigrants: the DREAMers. Last year, Trump made an announcement that he was ending the Obama-era DACA program, which offered Dreamers a temporary reprieve from deportation. Furthermore, he gave Congress until March 5th to craft a legislative fix, setting off a scramble among lawmakers to negotiate a deal to enshrine the program's protections into law, reported the Hill. However, lawmakers have struggled to reach consensus and be on the same page on the issue, by far. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) American President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone on a series of topics including North Korea's nuclear threats, the White House confirmed. President Trump reiterated the importance of taking more steps to ensure that North Korea is denuclearized. Among the other issues discussed were a potential peace deal between the Palestinians and the Israelis, according to Fox News. "President Putin noted that he would meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas later today, and President Trump said that now is the time to work toward an enduring peace agreement," Fox News quoted the White House as saying. Following President Trump's declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel last year, Abbas had encouraged Putin to assist in peace talks claiming that the U.S. could "no longer play a leading role". President Putin also met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month. Discussions of relations between the Israelis and Palestinians came amid heightened tensions after Israel shot down an Iranian drone earlier this week. Moreover, the conversation between the two global leaders came a day after a plane crash in Moscow killed all 71 people on board. President Trump offered his sympathies following the crash of a Russian airline's plane over the weekend. Trump reassured Putin that the U.S. was standing by to assist Russian officials in their probe of the deadly event. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists have been killed in an encounter in Srinagar's Karan Nagar area. Director General of Police (DGP) of Jammu and Kashmir S P Vaid confirmed the same on Tuesday. The encounter between security forces and militants is still on near the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) 23 Battalion headquarters. Yesterday, a CRPF personnel lost his life in the exchange of fire. The Pakistan-based terrorist group LeT claimed responsibility for the attack. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ukrainian opposition leader Mikheil Saakashvili was deported to Poland after being detained in Kiev by law enforcement agents. Saakashvili was deported on February 12. According to The Independent, associates of the former Georgia President said that he was detained by armed men in camouflage at a restaurant in Kiev and driven to the airport. Earlier last week, Saakashvili's lawyer said that he could face imminent deportation or extradition after he lost a court appeal. Further, a spokesman for the Ukrainian border guards, Oleh Slobodyan, on Facebook said that the agency's personnel had to use force to counter his supporters at the airport. "This person was on Ukrainian territory illegally and therefore, in compliance with all legal procedures, he was returned to the country from where he arrived," The Independent quoted Slobodyan as saying. Saakashvili entered Ukraine in September 2017, despite being stripped of his Ukrainian citizenship in a protracted standoff with authorities in Kiev, whom he had accused of corruption. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least three people of a family were killed and two others injured after a vehicle rammed into a bridge on Agra- Lucknow Expressway, near Talgram area of Uttar Pradesh's Kannauj district. A couple and their daughter died on the spot, while the injured have been taken to nearby hospital for immediate treatment. The deceased are yet to be identified. The family was returning from Lucknow when the incident took place. The reason for the accident was the uncontrolled speed that led to the accident. On immediate information, the Uttar Pradesh Police rushed to the spot and removed the damaged car, bodies and injured to the hospital. A case has been registered. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vice President Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday extended his greetings to the nation on the occasion of Maha Shivratri which is being celebrated across the country. Naidu took to Twitter and in a series of tweet said, "Dear Sisters and brothers across the world, I convey my greetings to devotees all over the world who are celebrating the Mahashivaratri Festival. This is an occasion to pray, to meditate and derive renewed energy to do good. #MahaShivaratri" (sic) The annual festival marks the mythical wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is considered one of the holiest festival by the Hindu community. "Let us pray that our lives are continuously lit with good cheer, health, thoughts and actions. As the Vedic rishis have said - "Tanme Manah Shiva Sankalpamastu" (Let my mind be filled with beautiful and good thoughts). My Prayerful salutations to Lord Shiva''Om Namah Shivaya" (sic) In his third tweet, Naidu said "Shiva is one of the Holy Trinity, three important Hindu Gods, the other two being Brahma and Vishnu. He is Adi Yogi, the first yoga guru. He is Dakshinamurthy, the great teacher. He is Rudra, the ferocious destroyer of evil. He is Nataraja, the Lord of Dance. #MahaShivaratri" (sic) Meanwhile, U.S Ambassador to Nepal, Alaina B. Teplitz also took to Twitter and shared her wishes on the festival saying, "Happy Mahashivaratri #Nepal, a festival focused on overcoming darkness and ignorance! Love seeing the photos from this lively and colorful festival!" (sic) Earlier in the day, devotees throng Mumbai's Babulnath temple on the auspicious occasion. Many devotees also performed special prayers at Bhimashankar temple near Pune. Meanwhile, in Chhattisgarh devotees took a holy dip in Mahanadi river at 'Rajim Kumbh' in Rajim. On this day devotees worship and offer sacrifices to Shivalingam as part of their prayers to the god. Devotees on this special day observe fast and chant shlokas. They offer milk, water, bel leaves (three leaves stalked in one) and fruits to the Shivalingam. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At the closing ceremony of the recently concluded WIMUN conference in New York, the theme for this year's WIMUN India conference was launched by the conference co-hosts World Federation of UN Associations (WFUNA) and Worldview The conference theme 'Sustainable Future: People, Prosperity, Planet and Peace' was announced amidst the 1000 student delegates from around the world who were present at the ceremony in New York attended by senior members of WFUNA & Worldview and educators from over 40 countries across the world. Under this theme, the 500 student delegates from across 60 schools who are expected to attend WIMUN India will discuss and debate a variety of topics including crime prevention and criminal justice, improving the situation of women and girls in rural areas, biodiversity, peace in West Africa among others. Over the 4 days, the students will attempt to come to a consensus on some solutions to further the work on the issues mentioned above. WIMUN India 2018 will be held from April 27 to May 1 in Agra at the Jaypee Palace Convention Center. Introduced to students in India in 2016, WIMUN India is in its third year. In the past two years, WIMUN India has seen the participation of school students from different countries across the world including USA, Lebanon, Kuwait, Qatar, Russia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka to name a few. As part of the Leadership Forum at the conference, distinguished guests such as Derk Sagaar (Director- UN Information Centre for India and Bhutan), Kiran Bedi (Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry), Rajiv Chandra (National Information Officer, UNIC India and Bhutan) and senior executives from Coca-Cola India and professors from FLAME University have addressed the students in the past years. The World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) is a global non-profit organisation representing and coordinating the membership of over 100 national United Nations Associations and their thousands of constituents. WFUNA supports the inclusion of people from different walks of life in formulating ideas and solutions to help create a brighter and sustainable future. WFUNA has been partnered with Worldview since 2014 for its flagship conference in New York as well as the India conference in Agra. Worldview is an organisation that offers experiential learning programs for Generation-Z. Worldview's programs use tools such as travel, case studies, simulations, outdoors and conferences and focus on global challenges and problems and engage students in finding solutions to them. Through this, Worldview aims to build the curiosity in Gen-Z to become a Generation of Solvers and also provides them with the perfect training and application ground to build their capacities to realise their dreams. Schools interested in registering delegations for WIMUN India can visit www.wimun.org/india. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shri Hardeep Puri, Minister of State (I/C) for Housing & Urban Affairs has informed that till December 2017 a total of 2,45,348 beneficiaries have been assisted under DAY-NULM for setting up individual/ group micro enterprises. He was chairing the fourth meeting of the Governing Council of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM). During the meeting, it was informed that the total utilisation of funds by the States since 2014-15 is so far Rs.2149.37 crores. More than 3,48,200 SHGs have been dispersed loans under SHG-Bank linkage programme so far under the mission. A total of 13,259.33 crores is the amount of credit disbursed till December 2017. Beginning 2014-15, a total of 2,54,631 SHGs have been formed and 1,79,061 SHGs have been given revolving funds. More than 5.7 lakh street vendors have also been issued ID cards so far. While in Phase-I between 2014-16, 790 cities were covered under the DAY-NULM, the coverage has been expanded to include 4041 cities in Phase-II from 2016 onwards. Social Mobilisation and Institutional Development (SMID), Employment through Skill Training and Placement(ESTP), Self-Employment Programme(SEP), Shelters for the Urban Homeless(SUH) and Scheme for Urban Street Vendors(SUSV) are the key components of DAY-NULM. As part of the new initiatives, an MOU was recently signed with Allahabad Bank to set up an interest subvention portal. The software requirement specifications for the same have already been finalised and letters have been sent to States informing them about the proposed web portal for seeking their inputs. A Consultative Working Group of various stakeholders has also been formed to provide suggestions for the portal. Under PARAS - Personalised after training Rapid Assessment System which was launched on 5.12.2017, efforts are on to create awareness among the beneficiaries to enhance the feedback response. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday termed as "grave" the statement by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat that RSS could raise an army in three days. The Hyderabad MP said that this statement needs to be looked into deeply as has lot of messages, repercussions and ramifications, while asking Bhagwat to clarify how a cultural organisation trains its cadre as an army.A The RSS chief has said that his organisation could get its cadre to be ready militarily in three days, while the Army would take 6-7 months. "He can be right but how is that a cultural organisation trains its cadre as an army," Owaisi said, asking to know if Bhagwat is saying that RSS is efficient than army. "How can anyone compare a cadre with Indian Army. There can be no comparison as our brave Armymen are sacrificing their lives for the country. "Does he know what goes into making an Indian soldier," the MIM leader asked. Owaisi remarked that if RSS chief is so confident of their ability, he should lead them at the border. On terrorist attack on Army camp in Jammu, Owaisi said that "we the failed to learn lessons from similar attacks in the past". He said the terrorists had carried out attack in Sunjunwan area in 2003 and lessons were not learnt from Pathankot, Uri and Nagrota attacks. He asked BJP to clarify where is the responsibility for this lies. "Is it not the failure of IB as well," he asked. Stating that out of seven brave soldiers who laid down their lives, five were Kashmiri Muslims, Owaisi said why those TV channels which question the nationalism of Indian and Kashmiri Muslims were silent. Owaisi said even Prime Minister has not tweeted over the Jammu attack. On Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti calling for talks with Pakistan, he said Modi should respond. "BJP is sharing power with PDP in Jammu and Kashmir and when their Chief Minister has raised this demand, it should come out and say what it thinks," he added. On Ram Rajya Ratha Yatra being launched from Ayodhya on Tuesday, Owaisi said this was aimed at diverting people's attention from real issues like jobs, GST and increasing terrorist incursions. --IANS ms/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Tuesday appealed for an ordinance to stop the sealings currently underway and restore due process of law in such matters. The traders' body has also demanded that the government should notify 351 roads as commercial or mixed land use immediately to provide relief to traders. In a communication sent to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the CAIT claimed that democratic and due process of law pertaining to sealing of business establishments have not been followed. Accordingly, the CAIT has demanded either an ordinance be brought to immediately stop the sealings or a special session of the legislative assembly be convened "to pass a Bill imposing moratorium on the sealings". In its communication, the CAIT said ongoing sealing of business establishments in the city has become a cause of great harassment and victimisation of traders and shall prove to be detrimental to the economy of the state and livelihood of not only traders but of their employees as well. It further said that the concerned authorities "under the guise of order of Supreme Court, are conducting sealing drive in an arbitrary manner". "The Court has mandated the Monitoring Committee to look into commercial activities only in residential areas, whereas the Committee, while exceeding its jurisdiction is conducting sealing activities anywhere and everywhere in Delhi," the traders' body added. The CAIT had carried out a 48-hour 'Delhi Trade Bandh' on February 2-3 over the sealing drive, also demanding the central government to bring in a Bill in Parliament to protect Delhi trade and traders from the sealing drive. --IANS ppg/pgh/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) People born with heart defects may be at higher risk of developing dementia in adulthood, according to a new research. The findings, led by scientists from the Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark, showed that the risk of dementia was higher in people born with heart defects who developed other heart disease risk factors later in life, such as atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and diabetes. For these people, the risk of dementia from any cause, including vascular dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and others, was 60 per cent higher overall than the general population. They were also 160 per cent (2.6 times) at higher risk for developing early-onset dementia before age 65 and 30 per cent higher risk for dementia after age 65, said the researchers in a paper published in the journal Circulation. "Previous studies showed that people born with heart defects have a higher risk of neurodevelopmental problems in childhood, such as epilepsy and autism, but this is, to our knowledge, the first study to examine the potential for dementia later in adult life," said lead author Carina N.Bagge, from the varsity. For the study, the team examined the occurrence of dementia in 10,632 individuals (46 per cent male) born with heart defects, matching each with 10 members of the general population. While the researchers did find an association, the study does not mean that every person who was born with a heart defect will develop dementia. The study observed a higher risk but did not prove cause and effect. --IANS rt/and/rn (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A museum showcasing the culture of Uttar Pradesh will come up soon in Gorakhpur district, Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma said on Tuesday. "...The upcoming museum will highlight the life of Guru Gorakhnath. This will help to strengthen the culture of the region," Sharma added while addressing a press conference here. The Minister stated that he had a meeting with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath two days back where he had proposed the museum. Sharma also mentioned that two more museums have been finalised in Uttar Pradesh -- one at Allahabad and the other at Ayodhya. "The museum at Allahabad will highlight the famous Kumbh Mela and at Ayodhya we will have a museum on Lord Ram which will be presented through virtual medium," the Minister said. "The work has already begun and we are hoping that it will be made open for public very soon," he added. Gorakhpur Lok Sabha constituency was earlier represented by Adityanath who has been a five time MP from the region. --IANS som/qd/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court on Tuesday upheld its order which dismissed airline IndiGo's plea against DIAL's decision to shift a part of its operations from Terminal 1 to the newly-opened Terminal 2 of the IGI here. The court's direction came while hearing an appeal filed by IndiGo, India's biggest private airline by market share, challenging the single-judge order of December 20, 2017, upholding Delhi International Airport Ltd's (DIAL) decision related to shifting a part of the airline's operations to a new terminal of the Indira Gandhi International Airport. A bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Rekha Palli observed that the decision of DIAL cannot be said unreasonable only because it may operate harshly against IndiGo and ruled that "when public interest competes with private interest, then the latter has to give way to public interest". "In the present case, public interest lies in expediting the redevelopment activity at T-1, which is a purely administrative decision," the court said while pointing out to delay in renovation work. "It is not as if IndiGo, and for that matter, SpiceJet and GoAir have been banished forever from T-1. If we may twist the American idiom, 'My way or the Highway' to fit the present context, then the IndiGo cannot be heard to say that it is either their way, or the runway," the court said. "IndiGo are tending to forget that this part relocation from T-1 to T-2 proposed by the DIAL is only a temporary measure and once T-1 is renovated and commences its operations after capacity building, all the airlines can operate from there full throttle and take wings." However, the division granted a last opportunity of one week to IndiGo and SpiceJet to approach DIAL to suggest other sectors that they would be ready and willing to shift from T-1 to T-2, as long as they collectively meet the yardstick of one-third passenger traffic volumes of their operations at T-1. "In the event such a request is received by the DIAL within the stipulated timeline, the same shall be considered and a decision taken under written intimation to both the airlines within one week from the date of receipt," the court said. "If no such request is received within the stipulated timeline, then DIAL shall fix a deadline for shifting one-third of the flight operations of the concerned airlines from T-1 to T-2, under written intimation to them." On December 20, 2017, a single judge bench had rejected IndiGo's plea. "We are of the opinion that there is no illegality, arbitrariness or infirmity in the impugned judgment (December 20 order) that warrants interference. Moreover, the learned Single Judge has gone to the extent of watering down the option given by DIAL to IndiGo and SpiceJet by directing that in the event they make a request to shift one third of their operations by excluding the three identified sectors, i.e., Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru, they may do so within one week from the date of the judgment," the division bench said. The court held that "logistics are aspects that need expertise in the technical field and have attendant financial and administrative dimensions of serious magnitude, apart from other practical considerations, best left to be handled by experts". DIAL, which operates the airport here, had asked three airlines operating from T-1 to shift a third of their flights to T-2 to enable it to expand the terminal to meet growing passenger traffic. Defending its decision, DIAL had said T-1 had already exceeded its capacity and if airline operations were not shifted partially, it would lead to overcrowding of the airport. DIAL had said the safety and security of passengers was its primary responsibility and in case of fire or a terror threat, an overcrowded airport would lead to serious consequences for which it alone would be answerable, not the airlines. IndiGo contended that shifting partially from T-1 to T-2 would result in confusion and cause inconvenience to passengers. By this decision, IndiGo will be spread across three terminals as it operates international flights from Terminal 3 (T-3). Seeking quashing of DIAL's decision, IndiGo said the decision would strain its operations and proposed an alternative solution of giving the entire T-1 exclusively to it and shifting the other two carriers to T-2. The DIAL had directed IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir to relocate their operations in "parts" and split their operations by shifting flights to and from some sectors, namely Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru, to T-2. It also said that the capacity of the three airlines to and from the three sectors would amount to around eight million persons per annum and shifting those to T-2 would considerably reduce the burden on T-1. --IANS akk/pgh/rn (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The West Bengal government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that the fundamental question in Aadhaar is whether citizens have a choice of identity or state will impose one s it argued that Aadhaar violated several fundamental rights including right to life and privacy. Contending that Aadhaar overrides the some of the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution, the West Bengal government told the five judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra that any validation of Aadhaar would bind the generations to come. Other judges oil the constitution bench are Justice A.K.Sikri, Justice A.M.Khanwilkar, Justice D.Y.Chandrachud and Justice Ashok Bhushan. "The Effect of ADM Jabalpur judgment (in 1976) was temporary as it ended with (the lifting) of emergency (in 1977) but the verdict in Aadhaar case upholding it would bind our children, grandchildren and unborn," said senior counsel Kapil Sibal arguing for the state, Trinamool Congress lawmaker Mahua Moitra and lawyer Raghav Tankha. The top court in ADM Jabalpur case had upheld the suspension of fundamental rights during the 21-month emergency (June 25, 1975-March 21, 1977) by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi government. Taking the court through various provisions of the Constitution to show that they were shadowed by the State's insistence on Aadhaar, Sibal said: "My right to livelihood is protected by the Constitution. (But State says) you will not get your right to livelihood unless you prove your identity (by insisting on Aadhaar). That will amount to extinguishing my right." He said these entitlements are based on the Constitution andcan't be taken away by the Aadhaar Act, adding powers of the State are limited and it can do things only within the constitutional framework. At this Justice Chandrachud said that government may be seeing Aadhaar as an enabler to access benefits' under the welfare schemes for those have no other identity proof. Questioning Sibal's submission that every citizen has some or the other identity proof, he said: "You may be wrong to assume that every Indian has one or the other proof of identity. Suppose the government was to assert that there is a large segment of society, including migrant labourers, who have absolutely no proof of identity. Then the Aadhaar is an enabler." Sibal said that if a person does not have any of the identity proof then he can't get Aadhaar in the first instance. As Justice Sikri said that government's rational of Aadhaar biometric could be that other identities are prone to fraud or being faked, Sibal said: "If there is a violation of law, punish those but can't have a policy to make all to have another identity (Aadhaar) who are not involved in any violation of law." Sibal maintained people have right to open a bank account, free movement and travel and so on but conditions are imposed, then the rights are "manipulated", adding that citizens have 18 different identities including passport, PAN, ration card, driving licence and why can't they be allowed to use one of them to access benefits. ReferrinA to a widow living in a shelter home being asked to produce Aadhaar number to get benefits, senior counsel Gopal Subramanium drew a parallel with the freedom struggle when a number was given to the freedom fighter in jail by the colonial rulers. Appearing for Maj. General S.G. Vombatkere (retd) and Col. Mathew Thomas (retd), he said: "A human identity can't be translated into digital identity." Referring to the doctrine of strict necessity, Subramanium said that insistence on Aadhaar compromised the fundamental rights involving dignity, freedom, equality and privacy and anonymity of the citizens receiving doles from the state under welfare scheme was part of Article 21 as it involved their dignity. The court asked him whether the sustenance of anonymity would not run counter to the entitlements under the Directive Principles of State Police under Part IV of the Constitution. Citing the distinction between a natural person and the digital person, the court asked whether digital person is dehumanised one and asked him to address it on both counts on next hearing on February 15. --IANS pk/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday warned that his country's military offensive into northern Syria against Kurdish militias could affect the US troops deployed in the area to support the Kurds against the Islamic State terror organization. Erdogan was referring to the possible expansion of fighting against Kurdish YPG militias, which have been armed and trained by the US, but are considered terrorists by Turkey, Efe news reported. "Obviously we will not attack them (US troops) intentionally, but we will eliminate all the terrorists we see, then they will realize that it would be good for them not to stand by the terrorists," Erdogan said during a speech in Ankara. On January 20, the Turkish Army launched a cross-border invasion of the Syrian Kurdish enclave of Afrin, with the Turkish government threatening to extend the operation to Manbij, a Syrian region in the hands of the YPG militias since 2016. Unlike Afrin, Manbij contains troops on the ground from the US-led international coalition in support of the Kurdish militias against IS fighters. "If a terrorist organization attacks an allied country, as a member of NATO (the US) must oppose," said the Turkish President. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is set to visit Ankara on Thursday to discuss with Turkish authorities the different points of tension between the two countries, both of whom are allies in NATO. Tillerson is scheduled to meet Erdogan and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. --IANS soni/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday ordered an inquiry into the blast at Cochin Shipyard in Kerala in which five persons were killed. The Minister, however, confirmed the death of four persons. "Shocked by the unfortunate blast at Cochin Shipyard where four people have died. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families," Gadkari tweeted. "I have spoken to MD, Cochin Shipyard and asked him to provide all necessary medical support to (the) victims and to initiate immediate inquiry with the help of concerned agencies," he said. According to the police, five persons were killed and a dozen others injured in the blast inside an Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) tanker. Those working at the time of the blast mostly included daily labourers and contract workers. Tuesday being a holiday, no regular workers of the shipyard were present. The blast took place around 11 a.m. in the water tank of the berthed ONGC tanker Sagar Bhushan when some 20 workers were working in the tanker ship. The Sagar Bhushan has been docked at the Cochin Shipyard for a month for repairs and maintenance. --IANS vv/in/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Google shipped 3.9 million Pixel and Pixel 2 devices in 2017 which is nearly double the units it sold in 2016 but a tiny fraction of the global smartphone market that numbers 1.5 billion units. According to Francisco Jeronimo, Research Director at International Data Corporation (IDC), "#GooglePixel shipments continue to grow, but they still represent a tiny portion of the smartphone market." The Pixel sales is also less than a typical week's worth of iPhone sales for Apple, 9to5google.com reported. "Presumably, the jump to 3.9 million is largely thanks to the Pixel 2 but discounts on the original Pixel earlier in the year (and following the 2's debut) could tip the numbers in the other direction," the report added. Google recently acquired Taiwan-based HTC's smartphone design team for $1.1 billion. Google now has access to HTC's intellectual property to support the Pixel smartphone family. This is the second time Google has acquired a smartphone manufacturer. It announced a $12.5 billion buyout of Motorola Mobility six years back and in 2014, sold it again to Lenovo. Last month, the price of the first-generation Rs 76,000 Pixel XL "quite black" colour variant was slashed by Rs 36,000 on e-commerce platform Amazon in India. --IANS na/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The excess power capacity in India is an aberration in a situation where large parts of the country are yet to get electricity, Power Minister R.K Singh said on Tuesday. Adressing the Indian Power Stations conference here, he also said that India can explore export of power to neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal and Bangladesh, which were viable markets for export of power as the per unit cost of electricity was very high in these areas. "If you look at the entire power sector, the demand has been suppressed because not everyone is connected. "We have just started taking-off and are going to enter double digit growth. What we see as excess capacity today may not turn out to be enough if we unlock that demand," he said. The minister also said the rise in power demand will lead to an increase in demand for coal, for which India needs to be prepared. "The unlocking of demand will come but with some constraints. We don't have a shortage of coal but we need to put in place mechanisms to get coal from underground to over ground and then to the power stations," he said. The Minister said that state-run generator NTPC, earlier known as National Thermal Power Corp, must aim to become the biggest power producer globally. "Globally, NTPC is currently ranked 12th in terms of power generation. But in my view, NTPC hasn't reached its limit. "Why can't NTPC set up power plants in other nations and why can't the company emerge as our multinational? Why can't NTPC become world's largest power generator," he asked. In this connection, Singh said that neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal and Bangladesh were viable markets for power and the government is looking at sending teams to these countries to assess the demand. --IANS bc/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A ceremonial Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) between Indian and Chinese army on the occasion of Chinese spring festival was held on Tuesday in Chushul sector of Ladakh region, an Indian Army statement said. The statement said the meeting was held at Chinese BPM hut in Moldo garrison of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in Chushul sector of eastern Ladakh. "The delegations were led by Colonel Deependra Jasrotia on the Indian side and Senior Lieutenant Colonel Bu Hong Dong from the Chinese side," it said adding that "the BPM was marked by saluting the national flag of China by both the delegation members. This was followed by the ceremonial address by both delegation leaders covering exchange of greetings, wishes and vote of thanks which reflected the mutual desire of maintaining and improving relations at functional level at the border." Thereafter, a cultural programme showcasing vibrant Chinese culture and traditional grandeur was organised, followed by lunch, the statement said. "Both the delegations interacted in a free, congenial and cordial environment. The delegation parted amidst feeling of friendship and commitment towards enhancing the existing cordial relations and maintaining peace along the line of actual control (LAC)," it said. Both sides also sought to build on the mutual feeling to uphold the treaties and agreements signed between the governments of the two sides to maintain peace and tranquillity along the LAC, according to the statement. --IANS sq/nir/hs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Malaysia-based Indian-origin man, on death row for drug possession in Singapore, has been acquitted by the country's Supreme Court. According to the judgment released on Tuesday, 32-year-old Gopu Jaya Raman proved that he did not know that controlled drugs were hidden in the bike that he rode into Singapore in 2014, the Straits Times reported. Earlier, he had contested the High Court's judgment for not giving "due weight to evidence" showing that he did not know about the drugs. On March 24, 2014, Raman was found trying to enter Singapore from Malaysia through Woodlands Checkpoint with three black bundles of the illicit substance diamorphine hidden in his bike's fender. During a routine check, the police found the substance and Raman was arrested. He told police officials that he entered Singapore to meet his girlfriend along with another friend. Raman said he wasn't aware about the drugs and the bike was not his. He said that he had stopped on his way to refuel the bike and at that time the drugs were not there. Raman, however, admitted that he had brought drugs into Singapore on two earlier occasions as he was trying to pay back a loan to the man who had gotten him the bike. Raman said the man had threatened to hurt his family if he did not traffic the drugs. After the authorities found the drugs, they asked for Raman's help to try to nab the others in the ring who might turn up to collect the drugs. The operation, however, was called off when no one turned up at the scheduled meeting. The Supreme Court stated that there "were no material pieces of evidence to connect Raman with the drugs he possessed, and thus he was acquitted from the case". --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kuwait City, Feb 13 (IANS/AKI) Italy's Foreign Affairs Minister Angelino Alfano held talks with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu here on Tuesday amid efforts to end the blockade by Turkish military vessels of a drill ship belonging to the Italian oil and gas firm Eni in waters off Cyprus. "The minister agreed on the need to take into account their respective national interests and the concerns of Italian and Turkish governments," the Italian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "This is also in order to keep the necessary climate of trust for current and possible future energy projects," the statement underlined. The meeting between Alfano and Cavusoglu took place on the sidelines of a summit in Kuwait City of the US-led global coalition against the Islamic State jihadist group. In a phone conversation with Cavusoglu on Monday, Alfano raised the issue of the Eni-owned drill ship which Turkish warships blocked on Friday off the southwest coast of Cyprus and ordered not continue its journey to an area off the southeast coast of the island to explore for natural gas. During Monday's call, Alfano underlined to Cavusoglu "Italy's hopes of reaching a shared solution under international law and in the interests of Eni and countries in the region, as well as the two Cypriot communities," the Foreign Ministry said. Turkey, which does not have diplomatic relations with Cyprus, claims that part of Cyprus's offshore maritime zone falls within the jurisdiction of Turkey or of Turkish Cypriots. The contested prospect is Block 3 of Cyprus's exclusive economic zone, Eni said. The European Union on Monday deplored Turkey's blockade of the drill ship, calling on the country to respect states' sovereignty "in their territorial waters and air space". --IANS/AKI vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Supreme Court judge Justice A.M. Khanwilkar on Tuesday recused himself from hearing the case of alleged corruption in the purchase of Bofors 155 mm howitzers guns. Justice Khanwilkar, part of a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, did not give any reason for recusing himself. The matter will now be heard before a new bench on March 28. Bharaitya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ajay Agrawal had challenged the May 31, 2005 verdict of the Delhi High Court discharging Britain-based Hinduja brothers - Srichand, Gopichand and Prakash Hinduja - in the case of alleged corruption in the purchase of Bofors. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) told the apex court that it has also filed an appeal against the high court order on February 2. In its plea against the 2005 high court verdict, it had cited some new facts that need to be investigated as a ground for the reopening of the Bofors case. Though CBI cited "new facts" but it will have a difficult task in persuading the top court to entertain its plea after sitting over it for 12 long years. Agrawal, who had contested the 2014 Lok Sabha election from Rae Bareli against then Congress President Sonia Gandhi, has been pursuing the case for over a decade in the top court. The court had asked Agrawal to satisfy it on his locus as a third party to challenge an order in a criminal case. He had filed the appeal after the CBI had failed to challenge the high court verdict within the mandatory 90-day period. Earlier, Attorney General K.K. Venugopal had told the government that, in his opinion, it will be faced with the difficulty in justifying the delay of over a decade in moving the top court against 2005 Delhi High Court order. In a letter to the Secretary, Personnel, Venugopal said: "Now, more than 12 years have elapsed. Any SLP filed before the Supreme Court at this stage, in my view, is likely to be dismissed by the Court on account of the long delay itself." However later, said sources, Venugopal gave his oral consent to the probe agency's move to challenge 2005 order. The Rajiv Gandhi government (1984-89) was rocked over the allegations of kickbacks in the purchase of 155 mm Howitzers guns from the Swedish arms manufacturer. The CBI had on January 22, 1990, registered an FIR for alleged criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery under the provisions of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act against Martin Ardbo, the then President of AB Bofors, alleged middleman Win Chadha and the Hindujas. The Rs 1,437-crore deal between India and Swedish arms manufacturer AB Bofors for the supply of 400 155mm Howitzer guns for the Indian Army was entered into on March 24, 1986. --IANS gt/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said there should be proper and fast administration of justice which should also send the message that wrong-doers will be punished. "The administration of justice needs to be competent, swift, objective and efficient," said Naidu after releasing book "Trials of Truth" authored by Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand and Gauri Goburdhun. He further said that while protecting the rights of citizens, judiciary must instill the confidence that law will indeed take its own course and the guilty will be punished. "This book deals with some of the landmark criminal cases and provides an insight into their proceedings from a lawyer's perspective. It indeed will hold the interest of both lawyers and non-lawyers as criminal trials always evoke people's curiosity," he said. Citing Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's immortal creation Sherlock Holmes who said: "It has long been an axiom of mine that little things are infinitely the most important", Naidu said that many times, those "little things" could be the cause for a major crime and people become ever eager to know exactly what made somebody to commit criminal acts. All in all, this book is truly gripping and will be a valuable addition to the existing literature on criminal jurisprudence, he said. Naidu said that one must continue the process of review and evaluation and continue learning from good practices. For an ideal society, we need an efficient law as well as its effective implementation, he added. The Vice President also said that one must never forget five things -- their mother, native place, mother tongue, mother land and teachers in their life. --IANS mgu/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The administration of Lucknow University has banned its students from coming to the campus on February 14, celebrated as Valentine's Day, and warned of action against those violating the guideline. In a notice issued to the students, proctor Vinod Kumar Singh has asked students to "keep off" the campus and ensure that the guideline of the administration is adhered to. The university, like other educational institutions and government offices, is closed on Wednesday on the occasion of Maha Shivratri. Students have been warned against celebration of Valentine's Day on the campus and the notice says that anyone found involved in any festivities will be acted upon. The notice further mentions that it being a holiday on Wednesday, there would neither be extra classes or practical exam. The presence of students on the campus, hence, is not required, the notice says. The proctor has also made an appeal to the parents of the students not to send them to the university on Wednesday. Teachers and the fourth class employees along with security guards have been asked to step up vigil and keep a watch on anyone breaching the measure. The students have criticized the diktat and have questioned its necessity. "We know that the varsity is closed on Wednesday on account of Maha Shivratri, why to link it with Valentine's Day and unnecessarily needle us," said a history student from the university. Students also said that they should have the freedom to do what they like and there should be no imposition on them either to celebrate Valentine's Day or not. --IANS md/qd/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met members of the Samjiyon orchestra that had performed at the ongoing PyeongChang Winter Olympics in South Korea and congratulated them on their success, state media reported on Tuesday. Kim had a photo session with the members of the 140-member group when they returned to Pyongyang on Monday and praised their "high artistic ability", reports Efe news. "Kim Jong-un warmly congratulated the orchestra upon its successes by conveying the warm mind of the people in the North, who are hoping for the successful Winter Olympics and national reconciliation," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. According to KCNA, the leader received a report from the orchestra about the atmosphere during their performances and said he was pleased that "the fellow countrymen in the South, including President Moon Jae-in and his wife expressed satisfaction over the performances". Concerts in South Korea by the orchestra, led by Hyon Song-wol, who is also part of the famous North Korean all-female band Moranbong, were a part of agreements signed in January by the two Koreas about the North's participation in the Winter Olympics, which started on February 7 in PyeongChang. The group held a concert on February 8 in the South Korean city of Gangneung, an Olympic venue, and another on Sunday 11 in the National Theater of South Korea, attended by Kim Yo-jong, the North Korean leader's sister and Kim Yong-nam, leader of the North's national assembly. Samjiyon's performances were the first by North Korean artists in the South since 2002. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) LG Electronics will showcase a suite of AI technologies for its smartphones at the "Mobile World Congress" (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain from February 26-March 1. To begin with, the AI technology will arrive first in LG V30 -- the company's most advanced flagship smartphone to date, it said in a statement on Tuesday. One such AI technology is "Vision AI." With camera features like dual lenses, wide-angle low-distortion lenses and the all-glass Crystal Clear Lens, "Vision AI" makes the camera of LG V30 smarter and easier to use. "Vision AI" automatically analyses objects and recommends the best shooting mode from eight modes available -- portrait, food, pet, landscape, city, flower, sunrise and sunset. LG image recognition technology will analyse over 100 million images in order to develop the phone's image recognition algorithms. Over 1,000 unique image categories have been created for more accurate image analysis, resulting in better shooting mode recommendations, the company said. Another feature "Voice AI" allows users to run apps and change settings through voice commands. Working alongside Google Assistant, the 32 "Voice AI" commands -- up from 23 commands in 2017 - the "Voice AI" eliminates the need to search through menu options and allows for direct selection of specific functions. "The future for LG lies in AI, not just hardware specifications and processing speeds," said Ha Jeung-uk, Senior Vice President and business unit leader for LG Electronics Mobile Communications. "Creating smarter smartphones will be our focus going forward and we are confident that consumers will appreciate the advanced user experience with the enhanced V30 that many have been asking and waiting for," he added. --IANS na/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Malaysian newspaper has sparked widespread outrage by publishing a list on how to spot gay people, a media report said on Tuesday. The list featured in an article on how LGBT people can be invited to seek religious counsel on the Malay-language Sinar Harian daily on February 9, the BBC report said. As part of the story, there was a checklist on how to spot a gay person. Aside from sporting beards, gay men like to go to the gym to check out other men or to wear branded clothes, the list said. Lesbians, according to the list, like to belittle men and walk around holding hands and hugging each other. "I was absolutely baffled by this article," activist Arwind Kumar told the BBC. "And obviously I was disappointed with how misleading the content was. It was pure nonsense." Homosexual activity is illegal in Malaysia under both secular and religious laws. The article first sparked criticism on social media and was then picked up by Kumar for a Youtube video. In the widely shared clip he goes though the list of alleged claims, dismantling them and showing how illogical they are. While activists like Kumar have no trouble speaking out, he said that many others are "filled with so much of fear in them". "Transgenders have been murdered in this country," he told the BBC. Last year, the Health Ministry launched a contest for the young on how to "prevent" homosexuality. In March 2017, the release of Disney's Beauty and the Beast was postponed in Malaysia, because it contained "a gay moment". --IANS ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actress Geetanjali Thapa, who won the National Award for her performance in "Liar's Dice" -- India's official entry for the 87th Oscars -- says winning the accolade did not work like a "godmother's wand" in her career. But she admits it helped to be a project "sifter". Gearing up for her new film, Onir's "Kuch Bheege Alfaaz", releasing on Friday, Geetanjali says the prestigious award which she won in 2014 helped her get the kind of work she wanted. "It ( National Award) didn't suddenly open doors. It's not like godmother's wand that everything changed overnight. But, yes people started taking me more seriously then," Geetanjali told IANS. "But I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing because after receiving the award, they (filmmakers) started thinking that 'Isko National Award mil gaya hai toh ye serious roles he karegi (She will be doing serious roles only since she has got a National Award). It does tend to happen. "However, it also helps me get the kind of work I want to do. It comes to me... like a natural sifting in a way," added the actress, who was here to promote "Kuch Bheege Alfaaz", in which she essays Archana Pradhan. Another struggle for her has been racial discrimination. In fact at a press conference here, a mediaperson asked her if she belongs to another country, given her distinct looks. Born and raised in Sikkim, Geetanjali said she has faced such bias so much that it has become a "part of life". "I haven't faced it much at work, but I face racial discrimination and I am very open about it. I have been facing it for long now but now I have grown a thick skin I guess," said the actress, who feels it is "very sad" that people discriminate like this. Nevertheless, pointing at the brighter side Geetanjali said there are filmmakers who don't care about her looks and give her good work. "I have worked with Indian directors from around the country. They still cast me. There are filmmakers who really don't care how I look and where I am from," said the actress, who debuted in the film world in 2010 with "Tina Ki Chaabi" and then impressed cinema lovers with her work in "Trapped", "I.D", "Monsoon Shootout", "That Day After Everyday" and "Tigers". "I have worked with some of the best... I would say brilliant filmmakers of India. There are people who are willing to work with me. I am reading scripts and getting work. I am also still in a privileged stage... I am getting to choose what work I do. Is not like whatever little I am thrown, I have pick it up." Currently in a "happy" space of life, Geetanjali says she is glad that she "gets to do films that I believe in and I have a lot of fun doing". (Kishori Sud can be contacted at kishori.s@ians.in) --IANS ks/rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday requested his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N. Chandrababu Naidu for a probe by a special agency into the death of Sambalpur teenager in Visakhapatanam. Shreyash Shreyash Kesharwani, a student of Sri Chaitanya Junior College at Marikavalasa in Visakhapatnam city, was thrashed by a few college students that led to his death in January 2018. The Odisha Chief Minister spoke to Naidu on phone and urged for a probe so as to bring out the truth behind the 16-year-old's death. Earlier, the parents of Shreyas on Tuesday met the Chief Minister at the State Secretariat here. On December 26, Shreyas had allegedly received repeated blows to his chest, for which he received treatment first at Rourkela and then in Bhubaneswar. The boy left for home in Garposh in Sambalpur, citing ill health on December 29. But, he succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Bhubaneswar on January 6. The bereaved family claimed that the student succumbed to his injuries due to ragging by fellow students in the engineering college and that college authorities did not act on ragging complaints. --IANS cd/tsb/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Juan Alberto Fuentes, Chairman of the charity Oxfam International, was arrested in Central American country of Guatemala, media reported on Tuesday. He was detained as part of an investigation into a corruption scandal dating back to his time as Guatemala's Finance Minister, BBC reported. According to the report, his arrest is not related to his role at Oxfam but it will mount further pressure on the charity, which was reeling from revelations that its staff hired prostitutes in Haiti. Oxfam International's Executive Director Winnie Byanyima said that Fuentes had been "entirely open with his Oxfam board". "He has assured us that he has co-operated fully with the investigation in the confidence he did not knowingly transgress rules or procedures," Byanyima was quoted as saying. The Haiti and Chad sex scandals involving aid workers from the British charity claimed its first high-profile casualty on Monday when the charity's deputy CEO resigned. "As Programme Director at the time Oxfam workers were in Chad and later in Haiti after its 2010 earthquake, I take full responsibility," said Penny Lawrence, reported Xinhua. "I am ashamed that this happened on my watch and I take full responsibility," she added. Lawrence issued her statement as Oxfam executives were responding to a demand for full information from the British government's Department for Development (DFID) which has threatened to cancel its multi-million dollar funding package. --IANS sku/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that powered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity, development and good governance, the BJP will oust the Left parties from power in the February 18 Tripura Assembly polls. "After the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) comes to power in Tripura, there will be one ruling party in the state and at the Centre. It will ensure rapid development of the state. Besides, Modiji's popularity, growth and good governance is the main thrust of the BJP in these polls," he told the media here. Adityanath, who has addressed four election rallies in northern Tripura since coming to the state on Monday, said if the CPI-M government could not even satisfy its own employees, how would it please the people. The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, who will address three more public meetings in southern Tripura during the day, said there are many central schemes for roads, houses, safe drinking water, health services, and public welfare, but the Left government of Manik Sarkar did not implement more than 115 such schemes. "The Uttar Pradesh government has given higher salaries as per Seventh Pay Commission recommendations to its 14 lakh employees but the Tripura government has not been able to do so." Adityanath claimed that law and order in Uttar Pradesh had improved a lot in the last 10 months. "There is no riot, no curfew and 22 crore residents of the state are very happy with my government's performance," the BJP leader said. Addressing an election rally in southern Tripura, he said the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist's cadres had siphoned off Rs 1,500 crore meant for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act scheme. --IANS sc/tsb/bg (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.) Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday charged the RSS was behind the policies and programmes of the NDA government, especially demonetisation. "With an RSS functionary posted as an officer on special duty in every central ministry, the BJP's parent organisation is guiding the NDA government in framing policies and programmes for the country," Gandhi said at an interaction with entreprenuers and businessmen in north Karnataka's Kalaburgi town, about 630km from Bengaluru. As an instance of the RSS role in the government's functioning, he said an RSS ideologue was behind demonetsation and not the Reserve Bank of India or Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitely. "Instead of the RBI or Jaitley, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had suddenly declared the note ban (on November 8, 2016) on the advice of an RSS ideologue," asserted Gandhi on the fourth day of his visit to the state's northern region. Gandhi, on his maiden visit to Karnataka after taking over the party in December, is since Saturday on a "Jan Ashirwad Yatra" for the people's blessings ahead of the assembly poll in the state, due in late April or early May. Accusing Modi of implementing every idea of the RSS, Gandhi said the organisation had been interfering in the administration of the country since the NDA came to power in May 2014. "The setting up of the NITI Ayog after scrapping the Planning Commission is another instance of the RSS hand in running the NDA government," he alleged. Taking exception to the remarks of RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat on the Indian Army, Gandhi said by comparing the Hindu body's cadres with the troops, Bhagwat had insulted the brave soldiers and offended their families. In a speech at an RSS rally in Bihar's Muzzafarpur on Sunday, Bhagwat remarked that the Army took six months to prepare for war while his outfit's cadres could do in just three days. The RSS, however, on Monday clarified that Bhagwat's observation was misinterpreted by a section of the media and quoted him out of context. Party's senior leader Mallikarjun Kharge, who represents the Kalaburgi reserved constituency in the Lok Sabha, state unit President G. Parameshwar, in-charge of the party's state affairs K.C. Venugopal and party leaders participated in the hour-long interaction at a local college here. Gandhi wrapped the four-day visit to Ballari, Koppal, Raichur and Kalaburgi by visiting the Anubhava Mantapa temple at Basavakalyan in the neighbouring Bidar district before flying back to Delhi later in the evening. --IANS bha-fb/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea seeking a SIT probe into alleged irregularities in Chhatisgrah's purcchase pf a AgustaWestland helicopter for VIPs in 2006-07 and also into the foreign bank accounts purportedly linked to Chief Minister Raman Singh's son. A division bench of Justice A.K. Goel and Justice U.U. Lalit dismissed the plea filed by the NGO Swaraj Abhiyan, saying it does not find any merit. "There is no material to prima facie hold that beneficiary of transaction was Abhishak Singh (Chief Minister's son). We do not consider it necessary to go into the allegation of mere procedural irregularities. "We broadly find that no case is made out for interference by this court for issuing a direction as sought in absence of allegation of extraneous consideration being substantiated," said the court in its order. Chhattisgarh had denied the allegations, calling them "reckless" and a "politically motivated" filed to malign reputations as elections were due in the state. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the NGO, had told the bench that a bank account in the name of Abhishak Singh was opened in July 2008 in British Virgin Islands, and on August 1, 2008, one of the firms which was purportedly involved in the deal was wound up. He had alleged that there was a strong possibility that the money paid as commission in this deal has ultimately reached the foreign bank account. Bhushan added that a proposal of the state in December 2006 said that there should be open bid to purchase helicopter and helicopter firms should be invited but no company was called and a tender was issued only for a AgustaWestland chopper. An extra amount of $1.324 million was paid to a firm Sharp Ocean over and above the cost of the helicopter which was $5.246 million, said Bhushan. The bench in its order, however, said that it cannot be disputed that the state government was entitled to make a choice to purchase the AgustaWestland helicopter and there is "nothing on record to show that the helicopter could have been procured for lesser price". "No person claiming to give a better deal has come forward. Thus, in absence of clear evidence that loss was caused to public exchequer by way of commission payment to Sharp Ocean Investments Limited which was only a route to send the payment to the son of the Chief Minister, interference by this court is not called for," it added. --IANS gt/qd/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NCP chief Sharad Pawar has again mooted the idea of a coalition of "like-minded" parties to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the 2019 general elections. In an interview with The Wire, the veteran politician said the current mood in the country particularly of farmers and middle class and even youth was "against" Prime Minister Modi who has "failed to provide jobs to the youth". "As of today, Modi has a comfortable position in Parliament, his party is in power in many states. But the situation emerging is there is a big change in the mood of the farming community, the middle class, minorities, even youth. "The Modi government talks about giving employment, but as (P.) Chidambaram showed in Parliament, there are lakhs of government job vacancies in both Centre and states. Naturally, young people are unhappy with this government, they want a viable alternative and if we succeed to provide and create confidence among this section, then we have a good chance," Pawar said. Asked if it was possible because similar previous attempts in the recent past had failed, he sounded optimistic but said it was for other parties also to take the initiative and not leave it to the NCP only. "Something similar happened in 2004. (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee was the most popular Prime Minister at the time, though he was not happy with the way things were going But who would have believed Manmohan Singh would become Prime Minister? I believe if like-minded forces come together and work, I will not be surprised if we collectively form the government." He said he was certain yet about the idea but "I can't do it alone, it has to be decided collectively". Pawar made a similar attempt recently by personally inviting party leaders from the Congress, Trinamool Congress, CPI, CPI-M, National Conference, Samajwadi Party to attend the "Save the Constitution" march in Mumbai on January 26. He later invited party leaders to another meeting at his residence in Delhi where, he said, it was suggested that since Sonia Gandhi was still head of the UPA, she should take the initiative. Gandhi invited 16-17 parties for a meeting in Delhi and all of them attended. "We discussed the national situation and the failures of the Modi government but there was no definite understanding nor did we come to any conclusion that we should contest the election together." Asked how did he feel since Modi has threatened to throw every corrupt politician into prison "in a bid to break prospective alliances", Pawar said: "Modi is a vindictive politician. In my many years in public life, I have seen people don't like vindictive "When Morarjibhai was Prime Minister and he got Indira Gandhi arrested and sent her to prison, it changed the people's mood against his government, even though the Janata Party had a comfortable majority. That one action changed its political destiny." About accepting Congress President Rahul Gandhi, whom he had once called immature, as a joint Prime Ministerial candidate, Pawar skirted a direct reply and said: "Where's the question of taking names, I have not discussed this with anyone as yet. Unless and until we reach an understanding, then only will a name emerge for leadership." --IANS sar/rn (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) South African President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday defied an ultimatum from the ruling African National Congress to resign within 48 hours, pitching the nation into an unprecedented political crisis. The decision to ask Zuma to stand down or face being stripped of his office was taken at a specially convened emergency session of the ANC's national executive committee (NEC) near Pretoria, the administrative capital, late Monday night, reports the Guardian. The meeting was called after it became clear over that nearly five days of talks between Zuma, who has been the President since 2009, and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, who took over the ANC's leadership in December, had failed. After nearly 10 hours of heated debate, Ramaphosa and a key ally of Zuma left the meeting to drive to the President's official residence to deliver an ultimatum: stand down or face "recall", a technical term for the process of forcing an ANC official to leave their post. If Zuma is ousted by a no-confidence vote, the speaker of parliament will serve as an interim President until elected representatives chose a new head of state. However a "defiant" Zuma demanded a three month "notice period" before resigning, an ANC official told the Guardian. A press conference has been announced at the ANC headquarters here later on Tuesday. Zuma headed the ANC, the party that led South Africans to freedom from apartheid in 1994, from December 2007 to December 2017. His nine years as President have been marred by economic decline and multiple charges of corruption that undermined the image and legitimacy of ANC. However, the 75-year-old retains significant support inside the party and at a local level in many parts of South Africa, the Guardian reported. Ralph Mathekga, a political analyst and author, said: "Zuma is not just a person. He is a system. There are a whole lot of people whose fortunes are tied to his. "We are watching a battle for the soul of the ANC. It's a referendum on the true balance of power within the party." --IANS ksk/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Microsoft Corporation co-founder Bill Gates and his wife Melinda on Tuesday expressed their concern over US President Donald Trump's "America First" philosophy in their annual letter to the world. "More broadly, the America First worldview concerns me. It's not that the US shouldn't look out for its people. The question is how best to do that," said Bill Gates. He said that engaging with the world instead of withdrawing from it has proven over time to benefit everyone, including Americans, Xinhua news agency reported. "Even if we measured everything the government did only by how much it helped American citizens, global engagement would still be a smart investment," he said. Gates also said the Trump administration's policies affect the foundation's work in various areas, with "the most concrete example" of foreign aid, which can create jobs at home, prevent disease outbreaks from becoming epidemics, as well as make Americans more secure and poor countries more stable. Although the Bill and Melinda Foundation disagrees with the Trump administration "more than the others we've met with", Gates said, he and his wife still believed that "it's still important to work together whenever possible". "We keep talking to them because if the US cuts back on its investments abroad, people in other countries will die and Americans will be worse off," Gates added. Melinda Gates, co-chair of the foundation, said one of the duties of the US President is to champion American values on the world stage. The President has a responsibility to "set a good example and empower all Americans through his statements and his policies", she said. The Gates' made the statement in their annual letter answering the "10 toughest questions" they had received. Since 2009, the couple has published such correspondence with the world about their philanthropic work and lessons learned each year. The US Department has confirmed that it was no longer investigating civil rights complaints from transgender students banned from using bathrooms conforming with their gender identity, the media reported. Monday's announcement reverses a 2016 guidance by former President Barack Obama's administration that directed public school students to use the bathroom that matched their gender identity, CNN reported. The administration's position was that Title IX, the federal law that bans sex discrimination in schools, protects transgender students. However, the department under President Donald Trump's administration has a different interpretation of Title IX. "Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, not gender identity," department spokeswoman Elizabeth Hill told CNN on Monday. "Therefore the question is whether a student (regardless of gender identity) has been discriminated against on the basis of sex. Where students, including transgender students, are penalised or harassed for failing to conform to sex-based stereotypes, that is sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX. In the case of bathrooms, however, longstanding regulations provide that separating facilities on the basis of sex is not a form of discrimination prohibited by Title IX. "The secretary and the department believe strongly that all students are to be protected from harassment and bullying and have the opportunity to learn in a safe and nurturing environment," Hill added. The announcement was widely criticised by civil rights groups, who said it could endanger the welfare of transgender students, CNN reported. "Once again, Secretary DeVos proves she is not interested in protecting transgender students and instead is choosing to advance the dangerous Trump-Pence anti-LGBTQ agenda," said HRC Legal Director Sarah Warbelow. --IANS ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US and Israel held their first foreign policy dialogue here to discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest, the State Department said in a statement. The dialogue on Monday touched upon opportunities for cooperation in Africa on development, economics, and counterterrorism; ways to advance shared interests in the Asia Pacific region; and efforts to advance shared approaches to regional engagement in the Americas in collaboration with the Organisation of American States, the statement said. It also focused on digital diplomacy and recent developments in research and social media technology, reports Xinhua news agency. The gathering was co-chaired by US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon and Yuval Rotem, director general of the Israeli Foreign Ministry. Both sides expressed their interest in continuing the dialogue on a regular basis in Washington and Jerusalem. Earlier on Monday, the State Department announced that it would provide $3.3 billion in military aid for Israel in its fiscal year 2019 budget proposal. It noted that Washington was also "prioritizing funding for a US embassy facility in Jerusalem which will begin once design and construction plans are finalised". --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the fate of hundreds of thousands of young, undocumented immigrants in the balance, the US Senate has begun an open-ended debate on immigration, the media reports said. This is an exceedingly rare step that, in effect, will allow senators to attempt to build a bill on immigration from scratch on the floor of the House, Efe news reported. The highly unusual debate, expected to unfold throughout the week, will test whether a series of legislative concepts and proposals championed by President Donald Trump can garner 60 votes, the threshold for a measure to pass the Senate, the New york Times said. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell promised Democrats the discussion in exchange for their willingness to end a government shutdown. The Democrats had forced the shutdown in hopes of getting Republicans to approve a permanent solution for beneficiaries of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The push on immigration comes against the backdrop of a ticking clock, and months of congressional inaction. Launched in 2012 by then-President Barack Obama, DACA has protected some 700,000 young undocumented immigrants from deportation. In September 2017, Trump announced that he would end DACA on March 5, 2018, and urged Congress to pass legislation to regularise the situation of the beneficiaries, known as "Dreamers". Trump has put forward an immigration plan that includes a path to citizenship for roughly 1.8 million undocumented young people, while simultaneously demanding $25 billion to build his proposed wall on the Mexican border. Trump has made it clear that he will not sign legislation that doesn't include money for the wall and limit family migration. The President's proposal would also place significant new limits to legal immigration, by restricting the issuance of family-reunification visas and eliminating the visa lottery. While seven Senate Republicans have written a draft incorporating Trump's priorities, Democrats - and some GOP moderates - are adamantly opposed to the White House position. With the Senate divided 51-49 between Republicans and Democrats, no bill can gain the necessary 60 votes without bipartisan support. --IANS in/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As the European Union (EU) prepares to introduce the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in May to harmonise data privacy laws, Facebook-owned WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new data privacy option in compliance with the new legislation. The new WhatsApp feature, to be remotely enabled by "no later than May 25" for its over one billion users, will also reportedly be extended to Facebook and Instagram, WABetaInfo, a popular website that tests new WhatsApp features early, said on Tuesday. "WhatsApp has submitted a new update through the Google Play Beta Programme, bringing the version up to 2.18.50. A new GDPR privacy option is under development that will also affect Facebook family of companies," the website said. The new feature will offer users more control over their data on Internet, ensuring more protection transparency and uniformity for them. Under the "Account" settings, the users will see a new icon titled "Download my data". "Create a report of data from your account. This file can be ported to another service or maintained for backup," the instructions in the Beta version read. The process may require time and WhatsApp will notify the user when the report is ready to be downloaded. "We will send you a notification when the data is ready. This can take as long as 20 days. Your report will be deleted from the server in 30 days," the instructions continued. The feature is currently under development and will be remotely enabled in next updates, the report said. The EU GDPR, effective from May 25 this year, replaces the Data Protection Directive "95/46/EC" and has been designed to harmonise data privacy laws across Europe -- to protect and empower all EU citizens data privacy and to reshape the way organisations across the region approach data privacy. After four years of debate, the GDPR was finally approved by the EU Parliament on April 14, 2016. Organisations that fail to comply with the new regulation may face hefty fines. The EU data regulators are concerned over WhatsApp's sharing of user data with parent company Facebook. On August 25, 2016, WhatsApp released a new version of its Terms of Service and Privacy Policy where it explained that "from now on, its users' data is transferred to Facebook for three purposes: targeted advertising, security and evaluation and improvement of services (business intelligence)". Concerned over data privacy of its citizens, France's privacy watchdog in December issued formal notice to WhatsApp, asking the popular mobile messaging app to stop sharing user data with the parent company Facebook within a month. Germany has ordered Facebook to stop collecting data from WhatsApp users. The Supreme Court of India has also directed WhatsApp and Facebook to specify whether they were sharing the data with any third-party entity. --IANS na/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Citing the five Kashmiri Muslims, including soldiers, killed in the terror attack on a Jammu Army camp, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday slammed those who question the patriotism of Muslims, asking why they were silent on this issue. "Every day at 9 p.m. on television the nationalism of Muslims is questioned and questions are also raised on Kashmiris. "Out of the seven killed in Jammu, five were Kashmiri Muslims including a woman who was pregnant. Now everybody is silent on their death," Owaisi said, asking "why such silence on this issue"? The Hyderabad MP said the people "who question the integrity of Muslims and those who call Muslims Pakistani" will have to take a lesson from this. "We (Muslims) are giving our lives but the terrorists are killing us too as they are not discriminating anybody on the basis of religion. They treat everyone as Indian. But there are many such people in the country who still question our integrity," Owaisi added. He was referring to the death of seven persons, including six soldiers and a civilian, in the Sunjuwan military camp terror attack. On February 10, a group of heavily armed Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) terrorists entered the camp after hurling grenades and using automatic weapons. Ten others, including six women and children, were injured in the attack. --IANS aks/him/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Attacking the Narendra Modi government over lack of policy towards Pakistan, the Congress on Tuesday asked it to spell out its response to Jammu and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti that India should be talking to the neighbouring country. It also asked the government when would it act against terror. "The NDA-BJP government has come out with a very ingenuous formulation that terror and talks cannot go together but that does not preclude us from talking about terror. "What we would like to ask them is - that when would the time of talking about terror be over and when would you start acting on terror?" said Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari. "This country does not want you to talk to Pakistan about terror, it wants you to act on the commitment that you had made to the people of India that you would act on the question of terror," he added. The Congress said that there have been 206 major terror attacks in the past 45 months and it 44 days of 2018 has commenced, there have been 160 major ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and the international border. Citing Defence Minister Nirmala Sitaraman who said India would respond to Pakistan "at an appropriate time", he asked the government if it had any policy towards Pakistan, and if som what was it. "At a point in time when our brave soldiers are combating the depredations of thee terrorists, the ally of the BJP - the PDP with whom they are running a government has come out with a statement that we should talk to Pakistan," said Tewari, adding this had "very profound national security implications" and the BJP should spell out where they stand on this demand. --IANS sid/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), was on the button when he declared on Sunday that, if war broke out, the military would not be ready for at least six to seven months. The RSS chief did not mention that those months would fly past in emergency procurement of weaponry for the army, probably at usurious prices. And he was laughably naive in boasting that the RSS could fill the gap while the army prepared for operations. Yet, Mr Bhagwat perceived the worrying lack of defence readiness, even though it apparently escapes those whose primary responsibility ... In turn, the 80-page draft political resolution of the CPI (M) takes note of the CPIs political line of uniting with all the secular parties, including the Congress. However, the CPI (M) draft rules out any electoral understanding with the Congres or treating that party as an ally or a partner in a united front, since it has the same class character as that of the BJP both being the ... 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 Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Tuesday launched an attack on the BJP and IPFT, saying there was a concerted effort to assume power in the poll-bound state by creating rifts in the society. The 60-member Tripura Assembly is slated to go to the polls on February 18. The BJP-IPFT alliance has emerged as the main contender of the CPI(M)-led Left Front, which has been in power in the north-eastern state for the last 25 years. The results of the Tripura election will be declared on March 3. At an election rally here, Sarkar alleged that there was a concerted effort to assume power in the state by creating rifts in the society and accused the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) of maintaining clandestine links with terrorists. "Separatist forces had tried to secede Tripura from the Indian Union in the past. The demand has now changed to a separate state," the veteran CPI(M) leader said. He pointed out that the IPFT had raised the demand for a separate "Twipraland" for the indigenous communities of the state during its inception in 2009. The Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), a banned insurgent outfit, was still active across the international border in Bangladesh, Sarkar said, adding that it was trying to "divide the state". Describing the IPFT as the over-ground mask of the NLFT, he criticised the BJP for forging a pre-poll alliance with the outfit. In an oblique reference to the BJP-led Assam government's idea of a Register of Citizens (NRC), Sarkar, who has been the chief minister of Tripura for 20 years, said a conspiracy was being hatched to "drive out" those who were evicted from the then East Pakistan after the partition of the country and given shelter in Tripura. Stating that according to the Constitution, all the citizens of the country, irrespective of their religion, had equal rights, the Left leader alleged that the BJP was trying to change the Constitution and transform India into a "Hindu nation". Sarkar also said that the "Hindutva" propagated by the BJP-RSS was against the true Hindu ideals, as championed by religious leaders such as Ramakrishna, Lokenath, Anukulchandra etc. (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 ethnic rebel groups today joined Myanmar's long-delayed peace process, a small step forward in ending decades of civil strife. Other major groups continue to keep their distance. The signings of the Nationwide Cease-fire Agreement in Myanmar's capital, Naypyitaw, by the New Mon State Party and the Lahu Democratic Union were the first since the original eight groups joined in 2015 under the previous military government. Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government, which took power in 2016, pursued the process. The government hopes to achieve a comprehensive cease-fire with all groups, but the biggest and most powerful ones, especially the Kachin and the Shan, have not signed, insisting they want a comprehensive political solution before laying down their arms. Heavy combat continues intermittently in areas settled by the Kachin and the Shan. Government officials who signed the agreement on Tuesday included the army chief, the president and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, the country's top leader. In a speech at the signing, Suu Kyi said: "let us take one bold step forward. Leaving aside our weapons, let us meet at the negotiation round table and try and discuss candidly like family members." "With the organizations which have not signed the NCA, we will work to reduce armed conflicts by meeting them and seeking solutions," she said. "We will strive to bring all these organizations under the NCA umbrella and urge them to participate in the political dialogue." After taking office, Suu Kyi established the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference, which has met twice and is scheduled to meet again next month. The conference is intended to carry the cease-fire agreement forward into a political dialogue, but ethnic leaders said it has failed to meet their expectations. "The peace conference is just a ceremonial showing off," said Maj. Thar Aik Kyaw of the Ta'ang National Liberation Army, one of the armed groups that has not signed the peace accord. "The government has no ability to resolve conflicts in the ethnic regions." Rights groups and legal experts say the government's cease-fire accord lacks legal assurances for ethnic minorities and that human rights violations by the army are usually not part of the discussions. Hundreds of ethnic civilians have been killed and more than 120,000 people have been displaced in the country's north during the past few years of fighting between the army and ethnic armed groups. The hostilities between the military and the Kachin Independence Army in the north have underlined doubts about the Suu Kyi-led peace process under her civilian government. "I think it's quite clear that the so-called peace process has failed because fighting has actually intensified since the former government announced the 'peace plan' back in 2011," said Bertil Lintner, a Swedish writer on Myanmar's minorities. "Since then, the fighting has been the heaviest since the 1980s, so it's evidently a sham." The army-imposed 2008 constitution ensures that Myanmar's military retains power over security matters, and ultimately, over the country's administration. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An absconding dreaded gangster whose 'gala' birthday bash helped the city police nab over 70 history-sheeters at gun point surrendered before police here today, a senior official said. "Binu surrendered before police today," Assistant Commissioner of Police, SRMC, K Kannan told PTI. Binu was one of the persons who managed to flee the spot when police made a midnight swoop last week among the partying rowdies after being tipped off by another history-sheeter who was on his way to the birthday bash. The images from the 'gala event' had showed Binu cutting a cake with a machete. Kannan said two more persons were still absconding and that a search was on to nab them. The city police had arrested 75 history-sheeters at gun-point after raiding the birthday party of Binu, wanted in cases of alleged murder and extortion among others. The police personnel went in private vehicles to avoid detection. The revellers were caught off-guard on seeing the policemen and tried to flee the spot. However, they were nabbed at gun-point by the raiding teams while locals kept in the loop by the police about the operation, caught hold of those who managed to sneak into the village. The arrested history-sheeters were wanted in cases like murder, attempt to murder and robbery. Weapons such as machetes, knives and sickles, besides 60 expensive mobile phones were seized from those who were nabbed. Seven cars and 45 two-wheelers were also seized from the spot. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) will send three large ships carrying crude oil beginning April to fill half of the 1.5 million tonnes strategic oil reserves India has built at Mangalore. Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said ADNOC last week signed an agreement to use half of the underground storages built at Mangalore as part of emergency stockpile. ADNOC has indicated its oil consignments for next two months are booked and it would start filling the Mangalore storage it has taken from April, he said. It would take three very large crude carriers (VLCCs) to fill 5.86 million barrels or 0.75 million tonnes of space it has taken in Mangalore. The storage would be filled by May, he said. ADNOC had last year given up its crude storage lease in South Korea and instead agreed to store oil at Mangalore in a bid to establish ground presence in world's third largest oil consuming nation. Out of the crude stored, a part would be used for commercial purposes by ADNOC, while a major part would be purely for strategic purposes. Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd (ISPRL) has built around 39 million barrels (5.33 million tonnes) of strategic crude oil storage at three locations -- Padur and Mangalore on the western coast and Visakhapatnam on the eastern coast. The oil stored in the underground rock caverns at the three locations are to be used in an emergency. "India currently has storages that can meet requirement for 66 days. The strategic storages can meet requirement of 10 more days," Pradhan said. The Visakhapatnam facility can meet two-and-half days need while Mangalore can meet 2.8 days requirement. Padur can meet 4.7 days requirement, he said. The Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) at Mangalore consists of two compartments with a total storage capacity of 1.5 million tonnes (11 million barrels), he said. While one compartment has been filled with crude oil through funds made available by the government, the other compartment will be filled by crude supplied by ADNOC, he said. India imports over 80 per cent of its crude oil needs, out of which about 8 per cent is supplied by the UAE. ADNOC hired the Mangalore storage just as it ended a contract to store 6 million barrels of crude oil at Korea National Oil Corp's Yeosu facility in the country's southwest coast. South Korea had first right over the oil in the event of a supply emergency. While the Vishakhapatnam storage of ISPRL has a capacity of 1.33 million tonnes (9.77 million barrels) of crude oil, Padur can stock 2.5 million tonnes (18.37 million barrels). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A fully-refurbished World War II-era Dakota, belonging to the vintage of the iconic military transport aircraft that played a crucial role in the 1947 Indo-Pak War, is all set to be flown to India next month, to become a proud possession of the IAF. The plane, which underwent a six-year-long restoration in the UK, will join the vintage fleet at the Hindon Air Base in Uttar Pradesh. The aircraft is a gift from Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekar to the India Air Force, and at a function held here today, the Bengaluru lawmaker ceremonially handed over the papers and deeds to Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa. Hailing the qualities of the aircraft, the Chief of Air Staff, said, "They were introduced in the 1930s... As part of the 12th Squadron of the then Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF), Dakotas were the main workhorse in Ladakh and Northeast region. And, they intervened in time to save the Valley of Kashmir (in 1947)." "Military historian Pushpindar Singh had said that Dakota is the reason why Poonch is still with us. They helped in hastening the fall of Dhaka and liberation of Bangladesh. And, in 2014, we had given a shell on the Dakota to the Bangladesh Air Force," Dhanoa said. Douglas DC3 aircraft, better known as the Dakota, carried the troops of the Army's 1 Sikh Regiment to Srinagar on October 27, 1947, during the first Indo-Pak War, besides carrying supplies and refugees. The Dakota, christened 'Parashurama', will bear the tail number VP 905, the same as the first such aircraft in the Indian service that transported the troops during the 1947 war to Jammu and Kashmir. Chandrasekar's gift, will make it the first vintage Dakota for the IAF, which currently, has a Tiger Moth and a Harvard aircraft stationed at the Hindon Air Base. "The Dakota is currently kept at Coventry airfield in the UK. It is set to fly next month. The vintage plane will traverse over 4,800 nautical miles. From the UK, the route will be through France, Italy, Greece, Egypt, Oman, in that order. In India, the first stop would be Jamnagar, from where it will fly to Hindon," he told PTI on the sidelines. According to a short film screened at the function, the aircraft was acquired from scrap and underwent six years of painstaking restoration in the UK, and the IAF had technically accepted it late last month. The IAF has helped the MP in getting the aircraft registered and in upgrade of the navigation system. "Since it has to fly through multiple foreign airspace, we helped them in getting permission," the IAF chief said. In his address, he had called the gifting of the Dakota to the IAF a "great gesture" for funding the acquisition, repair and eventual ferrying of the aircraft. The MP said, "I acquired it around 2011 and this gift is a permanent way of honouring the men and their machines, who make us all proud today as a nation," adding, "finding and restoring this bird was a huge challenge". Chandrasekhar's father Air Commodore (retd) M K Chandrasekhar, who was present at the function, was a Dakota pilot in the IAF, and the lawmaker said, "the seeds were sown perhaps very young." "My father is 84 now. And, I grew up seeing him flying Dakota. So, my passion for planes is natural. And, it is on behalf of my father that this gift is being made to the IAF, in dedication to the air warriors. And, I hope it will inspire future air warriors," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A senior BJP cabinet minister in Maharashtra today said his party and its bickering ally Shiv Sena will lose the 2019 Assembly polls if they fight separately, and discussions for alliance are going on. "A Sena leader close to (Shiv Sena chief) Uddhav Thackeray recently came to my house and we held talks about alliance. Preserving the alliance is a necessity for both the parties, because if the Congress and NCP fight together and we fight separately, both (saffron) parties will lose. If we come together, we will win around 190 seats (out of 288)," the minister told PTI on the condition of anonymity. When asked about Thackeray's assertion that his party will fight all polls in future on its own, the minister pointed out how the equations changed dramatically in Bihar. "Nitish Kumar had publicly insulted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but later he joined us. It will happen here as well," he said. "If a leader like Modi can accept Nitish for the sake of the country, we (state leaders) are small fry. What ego we should have," he said. A large number of people in both the BJP and Sena want the alliance to continue, he claimed. "There will be so much pressure from people and party workers that alliance will become inevitable," he said. When asked for reaction, a senior Sena leader categorically denied that any such talks are underway. "It's just kite-flying," the leader said. Uddhav Thackeray had stated last month that his party will have no tie-up with the BJP in future elections, and accused the latter of trying to upstage the Sena on its home turf. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP president Amit Shah will address two election rallies in Meghalaya on Friday, state party president Shibun Lyngdoh said today. He is scheduled to address one rally at Jowai at 12 noon and another one at Malki ground here at 3 pm. Local music icon Lou Majaw whom the party has roped in for campaigning will perform before Amit Shah addresses the rally, Shibun told PTI. The BJP is contesting in 47 of the 60 seats in the February 27 Assembly elections in Meghalaya. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The TDP government in Andhra Pradesh, which has openly voiced its pique about 'inadequate' allocation for the state in the Union Budget, is planning to drag the Union government to the Supreme Court over the issue of Central grants, a senior official said today. Relations between the allies TDP and BJP have come under strain over the issue of allocation of funds for the state. TDP MPs raised the issue vociferously in Parliament earlier this month. The state government has already filed a contempt petition last week, alleging non-compliance of Supreme Court directives on distribution of assets between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana by the BJP-led NDA government. The bone of contention is the quantum of revenue deficit that needs to be bridged by the Centre, said a senior state official. The state calculated the deficit for 2014-15 (following the bifurcation of united Andhra Pradesh) at Rs 16,078.76 crore, while the Centre released a grant of Rs 2,303 crore, bringing down the net revenue deficit to Rs 13,775.76 crore, the official said. "Of this (balance deficit) the Centre has released Rs 3,979.50 crore. The Government of India now says the state's total entitlement is only Rs 4,117.89 crore," said AP State Planning Board Vice-Chairman Kutumba Rao. During a recent meeting with the Union Expenditure Secretary, the state officials presented revised figures of revenue deficit after omitting Rs 7,070 crore towards farmers debt redemption scheme. "The Expenditure Secretary agreed that their calculations were wrong and the actual revenue deficit stood at Rs 7,509 crore. But still they are not ready to release even the balance amount (Rs 3,520.50 crore) and say we will get only Rs 138.39 crore more," Rao said. The state government also told the Centre that AP did not pay many bills, adding up to Rs 8,100 crore, which were carried forward to the next financial year. It wanted the Centre to add this to the revenue deficit. "We requested the Centre to constitute a committee headed by former RBI governor Y V Reddy or someone else to determine the exact amount and pay us accordingly. But they are disinclined to do that," Rao claimed. According to AP officials, though the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 does not provide for Centre making allocations for the state's revenue deficit, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had given an assurance in the Rajya Sabha to this effect on February 20, 2014 before the bill was passed. "The Centre has taken a stubborn stand. We have offered alternative solutions to resolve the dispute but to no avail. We are now left with no option but to take the Centre to court. Necessary paperwork is being done to file a petition in the Supreme Court in the next few days," a key government functionary said. The state government has also filed a contempt petition over the Centre's 'failure' to implement a 2015 ruling of the apex court. The SC had ordered that the assets of united Andhra Pradesh be distributed between AP and Telangana in the ratio of 58:42 (the population ratio), but the Centre ordered that immovable properties be apportioned on the basis of location. The AP government is hoping that the contempt petition will come up for hearing "possibly this week", the senior official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 28-year-old army man was killed in celebratory firing at a wedding function in Shyam Nagar area here, police said today. The man, identified as Kuldeep Dixit, died after being hit by a bullet allegedly fired from his licensed rifle to celebrate his friend, Shiv Prakash's marriage, Superintendent of Police (east), Anurag Arya said. While the guests were busy dancing, the victim's another friend, Sanjay Maurya, fired several shots in the air to celebrate and a bullet accidentally hit Dixit in the stomach, the SP said. He was rushed to Kanshiram trauma centre, where he was declared brought dead, Arya said. After hearing about the incident, top police officers including SSP, Akhilesh Kumar, rushed to the site and arrested Maurya, he added. The victim hailed from Rae Bareli and was posted in Ambala. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The body of a minor boy was on Tuesday found stuffed in a suitcase from an apartment in north west Delhi's Swaroop Nagar, following, which the tenant was arrested for allegedly killing him, the police said. Awadhesh Shakya (27), a civil services aspirant, was arrested this morning after recovery of body of seven-year-old boy, who had gone missing for over a month, a police officer said. The boy was missing since January 6 and a complaint was lodged in this regard, the police said. During interrogation, the accused told the police that the boy's father was opposed to his fondness towards Shakya for which he killed the minor. Shakya wanted to dispose off the body and demand ransom from the boy's father, the police officer said. The accused, however, was forced to keep the body at his place due to intensified police patrol in the area. According to a police officer, the accused was once a tenant of victim's father in the same area and was close to the boy. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) today appealed to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to bring an ordinance or a bill in the Delhi Assembly to stop the ongoing sealing drive in the city. The CAIT also said that on the Valentine's Day, traders across Delhi will observe it as 'My Valentine-My Shop' and offer roses tomorrow to the mayor and other officials of the MCD at the Civic Centre. In a communication sent to Kejriwal, the CAIT alleged that "democratic and due process of law pertaining to sealing of business establishments have been completely kept aside and the sealing is being done in most arbitrary manner and as such has necessitated the intervention of the state government". Accordingly, the CAIT has demanded that the Delhi government should bring an ordinance to immediately stop the sealing and restore due process of law or convene a special session of the Legislative Assembly immediately to pass a bill, imposing a moratorium on sealing, the CAIT said in a statement. In the communication, the industry body has also reiterated its demand that the 351 roads in Delhi be notified as commercial or mixed-land use, immediately to provide relief to traders. The sealing is being done in Delhi at the instance of a Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee for violation of civic norms. A rally will be held on February 15 at Ghantaghar area in Chandni Chowk, the CAIT said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said today that doing nothing with foreign fighters captured in Syria "was not an option" after a meeting of the US-led anti-Islamic State group coalition in Rome. During the fierce offensive to oust the IS group from its former stronghold Raqa, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have captured "hundreds" of foreign jihadists, Mattis said. The United States does not want the prisoners to remain in Syria where they fear the power vacuum could allow the fighters to escape and once again take up arms. They say foreign fighters should be to be dealt with in their country of origin. "The bottom line is, we don't want (the jihadists) to go back on the streets of Ankara, (...) Tunis, Paris or Brussels, (...)," said Mattis following the meeting with 13 of his international counterparts. "It is an international problem, it needs to be addressed by all engaged." But several countries do not want the jihadists to return home. Two Britons said to have carried out numerous beheadings are among the detainees. Alexanda Amon Kotey and El Shafee el-Sheikh -- suspected members of a jihadist cell known "The Beatles" because of their British accents -- are accused of abducting and decapitating around 20 hostages. The victims included American journalist James Foley, who was beheaded in 2012. "I don't think they should ever set foot in this country again," Britain's Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson recently told the Sun daily newspaper. The question of whether the detainees could be imprisoned at US military's Guantanamo Bay prison was raised, but when asked directly for an answer Mattis declined to comment. The US Secretary of Defence now travels to Brussels for the second-leg of his European visit dedicated to the anti-jihadist fight. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CBI has registered two separate cases related to the alleged tampering of revenue records of gram sabha land in Asola village in south Delhi's Delhi upmarket Saket area, officials said. The cases relate to the alleged transfer of gram sabha land, believed to be worth crores, to private individuals in connivance with revenue department officials. The case has been registered on a complaint of then SDM (Saket) Ankita Chakravarty, who alleged that there was a criminal conspiracy to sell prime property owned by the gram sabha by tampering revenue records. She has alleged the involvement of the 'patwari' posted in the area and private persons in the complaint. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat along with two other members of the EC will visit Nagaland and Meghalaya from tomorrow ahead of the February 27 polls in the two northeastern states. Rawat along with the two commissioners would first visit Nagaland and then Meghalaya over the next three days, officials in the Election Commission (EC) said. They would be interacting with officials of the state governments, those attached to the poll panel for holding elections, representatives of political parties and top officials involved with law and order. In Nagaland, most candidates representing political parties had filed nominations on the last day on February 7 amid calls for boycotting the elections. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today said if the BJP was voted to power in Tripura, it would ensure that all welfare schemes of the Centre reach the poor, even in the farthest corner of the Northeastern state. Adityanath, who arrived here yesterday to campaign for party candidates, said the Left Front government failed to reap the benefits of various central schemes in its 25 years of rule in Tripura. He said if the BJP came to power in the state, it would maintain "excellent relations" with the Centre and extend benefits of all central welfare schemes. "Development projects are easier to implement if the same party is in the central and state governments," the UP CM said. He also said people in Tripura were denied the benefits of the Centre's flagship schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, Startup India, Stand-Up scheme, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, among others. "The Left Front government is in many ways an impediment for implementing central welfare schemes on poverty alleviation and other sectors," Adityanath told reporters. Tripura is set to go to polls to elect a 60-member Assembly on February 18 and the results would be declared on March 3. Adityanath also alleged that Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and his government have "next to zero" interest in development, despite huge fund allocation from the Centre for education, health and other key sectors. He said the ruling CPI(M) is "promoting anarchy in Tripura" which is why ousting them from power in the ensuing elections is necessary. "The BJP could be the only alternative for good governance in the state," he said, appealing to the electorate to vote for the party to form a "pro-people" government. Adityanath alleged that law and order had completely collapsed in Tripura and the government had no moral right to remain in power. If voted to power, the BJP would implement the 7th central pay commissions recommendations which were not introduced in Tripura, much like what it did in Uttar Pradesh after it came to power 10 months ago, the party leader said. He, however, denied allegations made by Left parties that law and order had deteriorated in Uttar Pradesh. "Law and order is completely under control. There was no incident of riots and central forces did not have to interfere even once in the newly formed BJP governments rule in UP," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A former senior Communist Party leader, accused of being part of a coup against President Xi Jinping, has been charged with with bribery and corruption, China's top prosecutor said today. Sun Zhengcai, a former secretary of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has been charged with bribery, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said. The first branch of the Tianjin People's Procuratorate had delivered the indictment paper to the First Intermediate People's Court of Tianjin. Sun is also a member of previous Politburo of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) during Xi's first tenure. The Chinese President, who is also head of the CPC and military began his second five-year tenure last year, following a national Congress of the CPC. Sun was removed from the post of the head of the Congress in October last year. Before the Congress, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission Liu Shiyu had said Xi has foiled a coup plot by former political heavy weights who were at the receiving end of his high-profile anti-graft campaign. Liu has been accused a string of disgraced cadres of plotting to capture power, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported in October last year. Among those who were named named was, Sun, who along with his wife were summarily removed by Xi. Both were taken away for disciplinary investigations, the Post reported. Sun is accused of taking advantage of his posts to seek profits for others and illegally accepted huge amounts of money and property during several positions held by him including as the Agriculture Minister, state-run Xinhua agency reported. The prosecutors have informed Sun of his litigation rights, interrogated him, and listened to his lawyer's opinions, the SPP said. A high profile anti-corruption campaign launched by Xi which began five years ago, has led to the downfall of a number of high-level officials. Xis critics also allege that he has used the campaign against his rivals. Since last year's Congress several officials at or above deputy ministerial level and senior military officials have been investigated or punished, including former Chinese military chief of staff Fang Fenghui, and Lu Wei, former deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, as well as vice governors of Shaanxi, Shandong and Jiangxi provinces. Last year, nearly 450 people were probed and punished for fraudulent claims or misappropriation of funds and 730 million yuan of misused funds recouped, the Xinhua report said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In the run-up to the Chinese New Year, cultural troupes from the neighbouring country put up a splendid display of dance, music, ancient magic art and acrobatics at the 'Spring Festival' held here. Chinese Liuzhou Arts Theatre of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Acrobatic Group and Guilin Drama Creative Research Institute of Guangxi presented an over two-hour long show yesterday night. Consul General Ma Zhanwu said he was happy to see the response of the Indian audience, consisting high school students and others, as the musicians, magicians, dancers and acrobats performed on stage which proved art has its own language. "Also, during the acrobatic performance, an image of lotus came in the background. And lotus is the national flower of India. The image was put up with a purpose, to show our deep rooted ties," he said. The Consul said there is a lot of common interest shared between Indians and the Chinese, one of which is the love for music, literature and films. The Chinese New Year 2018 falls on February 16. Zhanwu said the Chinese consulate would be organising the Dragon Boat festival and Mid-autumn festival in the city to showcase multifaceted Chinese culture and heritage as part of boosting bilateral ties. The consulate is also planning to host a Chinese food festival, he said. "We are thinking about organising a Chinese food festival. In Kolkata there is no need to promote Chinese food which is already quite popular here. But we are going to promote further exchanges through the food route. We will do something in coming days," he said. Referring to the 80-year old Department of Chinese language and Culture at Cheena Bhavan in Visva Bharati and China's deep-rooted ties with the department set up by Tagore, Zhanwu said, many students of the Chinese language department at Cheena Bhavan visit China for higher studies. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Indian Coast Guard today apprehended seven Pakistani fishermen and seized their boat for venturing into Indian waters off Gujarat coast. "The fishing boat, 'Al-Hilal', was detected inside Indian waters around 16 nautical miles off the coast of Jakhau in Kutch region by the Indian Coast Guard Ship 'MeeraBen'," a defence statement said. The boat, with seven crew members on board, was eventually intercepted and brought ashore for investigation along with the seven crew members, it said. In December last year, six Pak fishermen were nabbed by the Coast Guard for catching the fish inside Indian waters after crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Earlier in November, as many as 15 Pakistani fishermen on two boats were apprehended by the Coast Guard for venturing into Indian waters off Gujarat coast. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The commerce ministry has cancelled approval granted to eight special economic zone projects of Navi Mumbai SEZ. The decision to cancel the formal approval to these projects was taken during the meeting of the 'Board of Approval' on February 5. These SEZ projects are facing certain operational and regulatory issues in Maharashtra. The board, highest decision making body on SEZ related matters, has stated that ample time had been given to the developer and state government of Maharashtra for resolving their issues and despite that no concrete action seems to have been taken. "The board, after deliberations, decided to cancel the formal approval granted to the eight SEZs," according to the minutes of the meeting. Earlier the Maharashtra government had sought more time from the Board of Approval (BoA), headed by Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia, to resolve all the issues faced by Navi Mumbai SEZ Ltd (NMSEZ). The BoA had extended the validity of the formal approval beyond September 18, 2017. The developer has planned eight SEZs. Out of this, six zones got formal approval from the board in 2007, while the remaining two were approved in 2009. The eight zones are from IT/ITeS (4), multi-services (2), multi-product (1), gems and jewellery (1) sectors. An SEZ area is considered to be a foreign territory for trade operations and duties. They are developed as export hubs. Exports from SEZs grew nearly 12 per cent to Rs 5.24 lakh crore in 2016-17. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Koderma district Congress president Shankar Yadav and his personal bodyguard were killed when unidentified assailants hurled a bomb on his vehicle in Koderma district, police said today. The driver of Yadav's SUV was critically injured in the explosion that occurred near Dhab in Chandwara police station area on Koderma-Hazaribag border. Yadav (50) died on the spot while his bodyguard and the driver were seriously injured in the attack, Superintendent of Police Shivani Tiwari said. The bodyguard succumbed to his injuries in a hospital here while the driver was shifted to a hospital in Ranchi, she said. Yadav's SUV was attacked when he was returning from a stone crusher unit in Hazaribag district that he owned. The reason behind the attack is being investigated, Tiwari said. She said the Congress leader had suffered serious injuries when unidentified gunmen fired at him about three months ago and he was recently released from the hospital. Congress' Jharkhand unit president Dr Ajoy Kumar condemned the killing and demanded a CBI probe into the incident. He also demanded immediate dismissal of the district's SP and deputy commissioner in view of the incident. 'Jungle raj' is prevailing in Jharkhand, Kumar alleged and held the administration responsible for the killing. The party called a Koderma bandh to protest against the killing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The RJD and the Congress alliance appeared heading for a crisis over bypolls on three seats in Bihar next month with the latter today making claims over the Bhabhua seat even as the Lalu Prasad-led party has said it would contest all these constituencies. The Grand Alliance disintegrated last year after Nitish Kumar walked out of the grouping over graft charge on his then deputy Tejaswi Yadav. He later joined hands with the BJP to form a coalition government in the state in July 2017. The RJD and the Congress are still continuing together as rivals of ruling JD(U) and BJP. Signalling a tiff, Congress Legislature Party leader Sadanand Singh told reporters here, "I would urge the party high command to take a decision in favour of fielding our own candidate from Bhabhua even if the RJD insists on contesting the assembly seat". Singh was responding to a query on reports about jailed RJD supremo Lalu Prasad having said in Ranchi that his party was thinking of contesting "all the seats" where bypolls were scheduled next month. Former BPCC president Ashok Choudhary said, "We must contest the Araria parliamentary constituency which has a sizeable population of the minorities. We are a national party and a victory from such a seat will help us build a momentum in our favour." Bihar will see bypolls on March 11 on the Araria Lok Sabha seat along with that of two assembly constituencies, Jehanabad and Bhabhua, necessitated by death of the incumbents. While Araria and Jahanabad were held by the RJD, Bhabhua was with the BJP. The Congress had contested Bhabhua the seat in 2015 assembly polls, which it fought in alliance with the RJD and the JD(U). Acting BPCC president Kaukab Qadri, however, said, "Neither we nor the RJD has taken any official decision on the by-polls so far. I am sure we will reach an agreement that is mutually beneficial. Our top priority is to ensure emphatic victory for the Mahagathbandhan in all the three seats." He also said, "As a matter of fact, there is no dispute over the Araria (Lok Sabha seat) and Jahanabad assembly seat. Both were represented by the RJD and we respect our ally's claim to these. "In Bhabhua, our party has a strong base. That is why we hold the view that the Congress should be allowed to contest the seat. But, I don;t think it would involve any confrontation with the RJD. Leaders of both the parties will sit together and arrive at a solution," Qadri said. Asked to comment on the statements of Singh and Choudhary, RJD vice president and former chief minister Rabri Devi told reporters, "If the Congress wants to contest any seat, its leaders should come and meet us. What would issuing statements in the media achieve". Talking to PTI over phone from Ranchi, RJD national general secretary Bhola Yadav said, "The RJD is on a very strong footing in Bhabhua and the seat has been won by our party or our allies a number of times". "The Congress has been in a bad shape over the years. Yet, if it insists on contesting the seat, leaders of the two parties can sit together and arrive at an amicable solution." The RJD MLA said his party's parliamentary board today met at Patna and authorised Lalu Prasad to take a call on all the three seats where by-polls are due. The NDA is also yet to arrive at a decision on fielding candidates on the seats. Nitish Kumar, however, yesterday made it clear the JD(U) would not contest any of the three. The NDA choice of candidates would from among the BJP, the RLSP and the HAM of Jitan Ram Manjhi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Accusing the ruling CPI (M) of being behind the killing of its youth-wing leader in Kerala's Kannur district, the Congress said today that the Marxist party has unleashed "red terror" in the state. Congress Working Committee member and former defence minister A K Antony said the killing of Youth Congress leader T H Shuhaib was the latest episode of "red terror" unleashed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Police have become "mere spectators" to attacks carried out by the CPI(M), Antony said, adding that the left party has again proved that it was not ready to eschew violence. Antony alleged that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who holds the home portfolio, has "failed" to maintain law and order in Kannur district. He also expressed doubts whether it would be possible to bring the culprits behind the attack, before the law. Stating that the BJP and the CPI(M) have virtually destroyed the state's unity and peace with their "cycle of violence," he alleged that both parties were two sides of the same coin in matters related to political violence. Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala, KPCC president M M Hassan and former chief minister Oommen Chandy also condemned the killing. Chennithala claimed that 21 "political killings" have taken place in Kannur district after the CPI(M)-led LDF government came to power in 2016. "CPI-M has unleashed red terror in the district," he charged. "The attitude of CPI(M) not allowing other political parties to function is terrorism." Hassan said the "distorted face" of CPI(M) has been exposed again with the killing of the Youth Congress leader. Youth Congress leader and Mattanoor party Block Secretary Shuhaib was hacked to death allegedly by CPI(M) workers at Mattanur in Kannur district. The killing happened late last night when four assailants came in a car and hurled crude bombs and attacked the victim and two other party members with machetes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Delhi court today framed conspiracy and other terror charges against Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal and his associate in a case related to the September 2008 serial blasts in Delhi that claimed 26 lives and left 135 people injured. Additional Sessions Judge Siddharth Sharma put Bhatkal and his associate Asadullah Akhtar on trial for various offences punishable under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Explosive Substances Act. The present case relates to the twin explosions at Greater Kailash-I in South Delhi where nine people were injured in the twin blasts at the M-block market. The charges framed by the court include criminal conspiracy (120B) punishable under Indian Penal Code, various sections UAPA, including conspiracy for committing terror act (section 18) and being member of a terror organisation. The court posted the matter for further hearing on February 28. The accused persons, represented by advocate M S Khan, pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. The police had said that Bhatkal and Akhtar, along with others, were part of the conspiracy to carry out the blasts at several places in Delhi on September 13, 2008. They had claimed that the accused had waged war against India by carrying out the terror attacks. Bhatkal was arrested by the National Investigation Agency from Indo-Nepal border on the night of August 28, 2013. Later, Delhi Police took his custody in blast case at Greater Kailash-I. Five cases were lodged in connection with the blasts at Ghaffar Market in Karol Bagh, Barakhamba Road near Connaught Place, besides the one at Greater Kailash and the recovery of a bomb near India Gate. All the five cases were clubbed by the trial court for the purpose of framing of charges and trial on the ground they arose from the series of the same transaction. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Central Road Fund's (CRF) expansion is unlikely to affect allocations to the road sector, rating agency ICRA said today. The recent amendments to the CRF Act, 2000 makes it more flexible and allocations would now depend on priority of the infrastructure projects, ICRA said in a statement. However, given the high fund requirements for the ambitious new road development programme, the surplus for other sectors is expected to remain minimal, it said. With the remaining portion of the National Highway Development Programme (NHDP) getting subsumed into the new road-development programme (83,000 km including Bharatmala- Phase-I) and a significant portion of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) set to be concluded by 2019, the government intends to deploy the CRF in other infrastructure sub-sectors. "Starting with national waterways in June 2017, the scope of deployment of the CRF has been significantly expanded in the Finance Bill, 2018, by adding other infrastructure sub- sectors. So, the CRF was renamed as the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF)," the statement said. Shubham Jain, Vice-President & Sector Head, Corporate Ratings, ICRA said while the intent of the scope expansion is positive, the deployable surplus in the newly added infrastructure sub-sectors could be paltry. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The death of Pakistan's human rights activist Asma Jahangir is a great loss to the world, the US said today. Asma, 66, Pakistan's human rights icon and staunch critic of the country's powerful army, died of cardiac arrest on Sunday in Lahore. The funeral prayers were offered in Lahore today at the Gaddafi Stadium which was attended by thousands of mourners, including women. Her work in Pakistan, including as a founder and chair of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, and with the United Nations and groups such as the International Crisis Group and the South Asia Forum for Human Rights, made her a global icon in human rights, State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said. We join Pakistan and others around the world in mourning the untimely death of Pakistani human rights and democracy advocate, Asma Jahangir, she said. For years, she courageously defended the rights of those who did not have a voice, and championed the rule of law, democracy, and human rights including freedom of religion or belief, Nauert said. Most recently she served as the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran, tirelessly fighting on behalf of the Iranian people as they demanded freedom, dignity, and respect for human rights. As the third UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion or Belief, she improved the worlds understanding of the plight of religious minorities worldwide through her in-depth research and sustained engagements and fought for the protection of the persecuted, Nauert said. Her death is a great loss to the world and she will be missed as a champion of her country, its people, and the millions more around the world on whose behalf she spoke, the State Department spokesperson added. Asma has received several awards including the 2014 Right Livelihood Award, 2010 Freedom Award, Hilal-e-Imtiaz in 2010 and Sitara-e-Imtiaz. She was also awarded a UNESCO/Bilbao Prize for the Promotion of a Culture of Human Rights and an Officer de la Lgion d'honneur by France. She has also been an outspoken critic of the Pakistan's powerful military establishment, including during her tenure as the first-ever female leader of Pakistan's top bar association. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Egyptian police today arrested former anti-corruption chief Hisham Geneina after he suggested that a presidential hopeful he campaigned for possessed damning material against state officials, his lawyer said. Geneina was an aide to Sami Anan, a former military chief of staff detained after the army accused him of illegally announcing his intention to stand in the March election against President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. He was the latest candidate to be sidelined after announcing his intention to run against Sisi, a former army commander who came to power in an election after ousting his Islamist predecessor. In an interview with HuffPost Arabi published late on Monday, Geneina said the documents, held at a "secure" place abroad, could be released if any harm came to Anan. Anan "has documents and evidence regarding all the major events in the country... they of course would change the course and condemn many", he said. Geneinas lawyer Ali Taha told AFP police arrested Geneina at his home and "are supposed to be taking him to military prosecution". The military responded to Geneinas interview with a statement saying it had demanded an investigation against both Geneina and Anan. In 2016, Geneina was sacked by Sisi as head of the Central Auditing Authority after being accused of exaggerating the cost of corruption in Egypt. The documents Anan is claimed to have possessed "revolve around political events and crises Egyptian society has passed through" since the January 2011 uprising, Geneina said. The uprising toppled veteran strongman Hosni Mubarak, with a military group led by Anan and commander-in-chief Hussein Tantawi assuming control of the country. In Egypts first free election in 2012, voters narrowly elected the Muslim Brotherhoods Mohamed Morsi as president. Anan was armed forces chief of staff from 2005 until 2012 when he and Tantawi were sacked by Morsi, who appointed Sisi to lead the army. But after a year of divisive rule and mass protests against Morsi, the army overthrew the Islamist in 2013. Sisi, who was defence minister when Morsi was toppled, was elected president a year later in 2014. He is all but certain to win next months election. His only opponent is the leader of a small party who campaigned for Sisi before announcing his bid. Another rival, the Mubarak-era prime minister Ahmed Shafiq, withdrew from the race after his aides claimed he was deported to Egypt from the United Arab Emirates and held in a hotel. Shafiq denied in an interview that he had been held against his will. Yet another potential candidate, military colonel Ahmed Konsowa, was sentenced to six years in prison for illegally announcing his candidacy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Family members of a 32-year-old man have lodged a complaint with the police claiming that he died after being allegedly thrashed by the staff of a hospital in south-west Delhi, a charge denied by the facility. Sonu had gone to the Rao Tula Ram (RTR) Hospital in Jafarapur on Sunday with his wife, where he had some quarrel with the hospital staff, a family member claimed. "He was then thrashed by staff of the hospital and died of injuries later," the family member alleged. Police said that it has received a complaint from the family, but not yet registered a case. "We will take a call after the post-mortem report is out," a police officer said. Medical Superintendent, RTR Hospital, Sangeeta Basu, denied the allegation, saying, "We have checked the CCTV footage, and there was no episode of any kind of assault, as alleged by the family." She in turn alleged that the man, had come to the hospital in an "inebriated state". "Sonu had first come to our hospital on February 11, when her wife had been brought by a police personnel, after she had consumed some unknown poison. In the evening, he again came to the hospital in drunk and started shouting," Basu claimed. "We treated her and she was discharged. At 2 am, the wife then brought Sonu to the RTR Hospital, saying he was having pain in the stomach," Basu said. The medical superintendent said, at around 12 noon on February 12, after examining him, "we referred him to the DDU Hospital, and he was sent in a conscious state, in an ambulance". "We only heard of his death through the media reports," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Alfred Ford, the great grandson of Henry Ford, has requested West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to help ISKCON set up a world tourism centre at Mayapur in Nadia district. ISKCON devotee Ford, who is the chairman of a project for building a Rs 700-crore temple at Mayapur, told PTI here yesterday, "We are extremely happy to work with the present government. They have helped us in so many ways". ISKCON said that it is constructing the biggest Vedic temple of the world popularly known as the Temple of Vedic Planetarium at Mayapur dham, the birth place of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The Chief Minister had said yesterday that ISKCON was setting up a world tourism circuit centre at Mayapur. "They have sought our assistance. We would be very happy to help them," Banerjee had said during her visit to Mayapur. Ford has heaped praise on the Trinamool Congress government for helping the ISKCON build the grand temple at Mayapur and said that the erstwhile government in the state was "very difficult to work with". Talking about his expectations from Banerjee after her visit to the temple yesterday, Ford said, "Personally, I really have no expectations from her. "But her visit is quite important for us. I hope she has enjoyed visiting the new ISKCON temple here. We wanted to welcome her here and serve her so that this whole place can flourish and develop. She can help us sure." Stressing that it was a long way for developing the infrastructure at Mayapur, Ford said that they need help in this regard from the state government. Hopeful that the temple would open up a new horizon for the tourists, Ford said it would attract millions of tourists from around the globe. "I think the traffic will increase quite a bit and many more people will be coming here from around the world. It was the desire of Srila Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON, to see people from every country coming here. He wanted to bring in Europeans, Americans and Russians to ISKCON and we are helping to fulfil his dream," Ford said. On when he was hoping the project to be completed, Ford said, "It is difficult to build the temple. It is an ongoing struggle. We are hoping that the temple will be completed by 2022." The project reached a major milestone with the installation of two ton 'sudarshan chakra' on the domes of the temple earlier this month. The temple which is almost the size of the Giza pyramid, is spread over four lakh sq ft. Capable of holding more than 10,000 people inside the main hall, the temple will have vedic interpretations of the universe in the form of a 3D mobile model suspended from the ceiling of the main dome. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Fortis Healthcare today said it has entered into definitive agreements with Singh Brothers- promoted RHT Health Trust (RHT) to acquire entire portfolio of assets of the Singapore-listed entity for an enterprise value of Rs 4,650 crore. The definitive agreement to acquire all the securities of clinical establishments and businesses indirectly held by RHT follows the approval of Fortis' board in November last year for a major restructuring aimed at consolidating the entire Indian asset portfolio, the company said in a BSE filing. Last year, Fortis Healthcare board had approved the proposed acquisition of entire portfolio of Singapore-listed RHT Health Trust (RHT) for an enterprise value of around Rs 4,650 crore. RHT is promoted by brothers -- Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh -- who had recently resigned from the board of Fortis Healthcare. The step was a part of a restructuring initiative aimed at consolidating the entire Indian asset portfolio comprising various clinical establishments and two operating hospitals of RHT Health Trust into Fortis. The assets include 12 clinical establishments, four greenfield establishment and two operating hospitals, Fortis Healthcare said. "The proposed acquisition involves the acquisition of all the securities of RHT's entities in India holding (directly or indirectly) clinical establishments and businesses via a purchase of securities for an enterprise value of approximately Rs 4,650 crore," the company said. This includes debt of around Rs 1,152 crore, which will be repaid, it added. The company further said it is expected that a substantial part of net proceeds from the consideration, after repaying debts and transaction expenses, received by RHT would be distributed to its unit-holders, including Fortis, thereby reducing the net investment consideration that Fortis would incur. Fortis said, "it is a controlling unit holder with an indirect interest of 29.76 per cent in RHT." The company had used proceeds from listing of RHT on Singapore stock in October 2012 exchange to deleverage its balance sheet. It had also entered into hospital and management services agreement with entities held by RHT, for which it paid service fees. Claiming that the proposed transaction would potentially enhance value for its stakeholders, Fortis also said with the unwinding of structure, it would also make it easier for investors and other stakeholders to better understand the company's business and financial performance. "Upon completion of the securities acquisition, the service fees that Fortis was paying will be completely eliminated thereby improving significantly its operating profitability and cash flows," it said. The expected incremental improvement in EBITDA would be approximately Rs 270 crore and in addition, with the acquisition of 49 per cent of Fortis Hospotel Ltd (FHTL), which is a part of this proposed transaction, there will be an interest saving of around Rs 75 crore on annualised basis, it said. Fortis said it would fund the proposed transaction with a combination of equity, quasi-equity and/or debt. The company further said it has an enabling resolution to raise capital of up to Rs 5,000 crore and it has been in active dialogue with financial/strategic investors to raise funds, supported by Standard Chartered Bank as its financial advisor for this purpose. The proposed transaction is subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Working frequent night shifts may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, regardless of genetic predisposition, a study has warned. Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital in the US leveraged data on hundreds of thousands of people in the UK Biobank to better understand how shift work - especially frequent night work - contributes to the likelihood of type 2 diabetes. The team also developed a genetic risk score for type 2 diabetes, examining genetic data for tens of thousands of workers in the database. They found that more frequent night work increased the odds of type 2 diabetes, regardless of genetic type 2 diabetes risk, among the population studied. "We see a dose-response relationship between frequency of night shift work and type 2 diabetes, where the more often people do shift work, the greater their likelihood of having the disease, regardless of genetic predisposition," said Celine Vetter from Brigham and Women's Hospital. "This helps us understand one piece of the puzzle: frequency of night shift work seems to be an important factor," said Vetter, co-first author of the study published in the journal Diabetes Care. The team examined data from more than 270,000 people, including 70,000 who provided in-depth lifetime employment information and a subgroup of more than 44,000 for whom genetic data were available. More than 6,000 people in the sample population had type 2 diabetes. Using information on more than 100 genetic variants that are associated with type 2 diabetes, the research team developed a genetic risk score that they used to assign a value to each participant. As expected, those with the highest genetic risk scores were almost four times as likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to individuals who had lower genetic risk scores. Shift work did not change this probability, suggesting similar effects of night shift work regardless of an individual's genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes, researchers said. The team found that, compared to day workers, all shift workers were more likely to have type 2 diabetes, except for permanent night shift workers. Those who reported working irregular or rotating shifts with usual night shifts were 44 per cent more likely to have type 2 diabetes, after taking into account other established risk factors. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Ashok Chavan today accused the BJP of attempting to wipe out the country's tallest leaders from history to hide its own "black past", adding that BJP leaders needed "psychiatric treatment". He was reacting to a decision by the state Education department to buy over a lakh books on Prime Minister Narendra Modi which are expected to be handed out to students, for extra reading, by the end of the month. "The BJP is indulging in such acts out of sheer intellectual frustration and hatred. Their own organisation has a black history. BJP leaders need physiatric treatment," Chavan said. In a jibe at School Education minister Vinod Tawde, Chavan said the decision to purchase books on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in higher numbers than those on leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Mahatma Phule and Dr B R Ambedkar was a "vinod" (Marathi for joke) Chavan charged BJP leaders with indulging in self-praise, stating that the party had earlier removed the picture of Mahatma Gandi from the Khadi and Gram Udyog calender and replaced it with that of Modi. "The government has tried to remove names of leaders who sacrificed for the country, and is spending money on the books of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, who made no contribution to the country," Chavan alleged. He accused the BJP of distorting history by maligning tall figures, interfering in the education sector to propogate its own version, including a deliberate attempt to suggest that there was a rift between Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel. He taunted the BJP asking how the party planned to remove the names of these leaders from the hearts of the people. On the book purchase issue, a senior education official said, "The order also includes books on the life of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr B R Ambedkar but their number is lesser than that of the Modi books. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today expressed grief over the death of a CRPF constable and an Army jawan, both hailing from Bihar, while fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, an official release said. Kumar announced that funeral of the martyrs would be accorded with full police honours. Mujahid Khan, a CRPF constable, hailed from Piro in Bhojpur district while Army jawan Kishore Kumar Munna was a resident of Brahma village of Khagaria district. The CM announced that the state government would pay an ex-gratia amount to the next of kin of the two martyrs, the release said. In his condolence message, Kumar said, "The entire country would remember the supreme sacrifice of the brave sons. Entire Bihar is with the martyrs' family. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Meghalaya Governor Ganga Prasad today inaugurated the "Friendship Gate" constructed with an aim to have a Wagah-like beating retreat ceremony for the Indian and Bangladesh border guards. The Friendship Gate has been constructed near Integrated Check post here, 90 km South of capital Shillong on border with Bangladesh. Speaking at the event, Ganga Prasad assured that he will take up necessary steps to promote tourism in the area. The Governor also met Border Guard of Bangladesh's Additional Director Zahid Hasan, who was present on the occasion, and distributed sweets to both the troops at the venue. BSF Meghalaya Frontier IG P K Dubey said the day is not that far when tourists from all over the country and across border will enjoy the joint retreat ceremony at ICP Dawki by troops of the BSF and the BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh). Dubey also briefed the Governor on the border domination and the security situation at border and also updated him on the armoury and special surveillance equipments available with the force. The Governor also inaugurated a BSF Border outpost at Umsyiem during his visit to the border. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CBI has registered two separate FIRs in connection with the transfer of about 30 acres of prime government land, worth hundreds of crore, in South Delhi's posh Saket area to private individuals through alleged tampering of records, officials said. The cases relate to the alleged transfer of gram sabha land, under the control of the Delhi Government, in Asola village to private individuals in connivance with revenue department officials. It is alleged that some officials of the revenue department tampered the land records to insert the name of Mahesh as the land owner (Bhumidar) of these government properties, the officials said. Mahesh later sold these properties to a woman, Raman Mehra, at prices which were alleged to be just a small fraction of the prevailing market rates, they said. After the scam surfaced, an inquiry was ordered by the office of Lt Governor Anil Baijal, who had recommended a CBI probe into the matter. "Since, Mahesh is the main beneficiary as he received Rs 1.40 crore from Raman Mehra by selling 10 bighas gram sabha land, he is also responsible for this conspiracy out of the said tampering," the inquiry report said. The report was cited by Ankita Chakravarty, the then SDM (Saket), in her complaint given to the local police. "...The said tampering was done after January 30, 2014, and prior to April 24, 2015, (the date of the report of Inderjeet Patwari, a revenue department official, by which Mahesh was first time recognised as Bhumidar fraudulently)," it said. Mahesh allegedly sold 10 bighas of gram sabha land to Mehra for Rs 1.40 crore, the report said. Patwari, whose role is under the scanner of authorities, has told the Delhi government inquiry team that his letters sanctioning the no objection certificates and sanctioning the mutation were written by his three private assistants. The report had said that the role of these three purported assistants cannot be ruled out. "It is requested that an FIR may be lodged under the relevant sections of the IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act for tampering with government records by revenue officials in connivance with private persons," it had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Guatemalan authorities have arrested former president Alvaro Colom on corruption charges, along with 10 members of his 2008-2012 government, including the current chairman of scandal-hit Oxfam International, officials said. Colom, 66, was taken into custody at his home in an upmarket district of the capital, the head of the special anti-graft prosecution unit, Juan Francisco Sandoval, told AFP yesterday. Also arrested was Juan Alberto Fuentes Knight, a former finance minister and current chairman of Oxfam International, the British-based charity rocked by accusations of sexual misconduct and exploitation by some staff members in Haiti, Chad and South Sudan. There was no suggestion of any link between the Guatemala graft accusations and the scandal engulfing Oxfam. The allegations against Colom and his former ministers related to graft in the public transport system. The ex-president told reporters as he was brought to the main court building in Guatemala City that he was confident of being exonerated. "I am certain this will turn out without foundation ... For us, everything is legal," Colom said. "I am confident that everything we did was correct," he said, speaking calmly and wearing a dark blue suit. The judge hearing the case said a decision would be announced February 23 as to whether the matter would go to trial. Colom was in power for four years from 2008. He was succeeded in 2012 by Oscar Perez, who is in jail pending trial over a separate corruption scandal. Guatemala's current president, Jimmy Morales, was elected in 2015 on his promise to clean up rampant graft in the Central American country. But he too has come under scrutiny for suspected wrongdoing. Last month, the country's chief prosecutor, Thelma Aldana, said she did not see Morales "as an ally in the fight against corruption." Morales triggered a public and political backlash last year when he tried to boot out the Colombian head of a UN-backed anti-corruption body that has been instrumental in bringing scrutiny to bear on graft cases in the country. Colom and the 10 other suspects are accused of fraud and embezzlement in the 2009 purchase of hundreds of buses to ply routes in the capital, Sandoval said. Four companies were given 25-year government contracts to run the services. The buses were allegedly bought at inflated prices. The original plan called for purchasing 3,500 buses, but in the end only 400 were delivered, and of those only 50 are running, according to Citizens Action, a Guatemalan group linked to the watchdog Transparency International. Also in 2009, Colom's party, the centre-left National Unity of Hope party, tried to pass a law exempting the transaction from taxes. Colom and the nine ministers and one deputy minister arrested signed the deal setting up the transport system, baptised TransUrbano. The former ministers include those who held portfolios for finance, governance, education, defence, labour, health and environment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Allahabad High Court today dismissed a PIL seeking directions to Meerut Mayor Sunita Verma to give due respect when 'Vande Mataram' was being played or sung in the municipal House. The PIL had also sought that people of Meerut be sensitised about their fundamental duties to respect the national song and that it should be publicised. The bench comprising Chief Justice D B Bhosale and Justice Suneet Kumar dismissed the petition filed by Ramakant Sharma, a resident of Meerut. In the petition it was alleged that many councillors as well as the mayor did not give due respect to the song when it was being sung in the Meerut Municipal Corporation House. The petitioner relied on newspaper reports and a photo published in a newspaper where the mayor was allegedly seen sitting at the time of singing of 'Vande Mataram'. Sharma's counsel argued that in the municipal House some councillors were not willing to sing 'Vande Mataram' while others were advocating that all should sing it. Hence, to avoid any unpleasant situation, it was necessary that all should be sensitised about role of the national song in the freedom struggle, the counsel said. A message must be also given to all that it had nothing to do with religious belief, though at the same time, it should be made clear that no one can be forced to sing it, the counsel said. The bench on this said that it can neither direct elected members and councillors to behave in a certain manner nor it can pass a general direction to sensitise residents of Meerut about their fundamental duties as per the Constitution and dismissed the petition as withdrawn. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bombay High Court today asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to file a reply on a 31-year-old woman's plea seeking that she must not be compelled by the civic authorities to record the name of her daughter's biological father on the birth certificate. The petitioner, a single, unwed mother from Nalasopara, gave birth to the girl following a test tube method in August 2016. She then requested the BMC's birth registration department to permit her to leave the space for the father's name on the child's birth certificate blank. When the BMC refused permission, she approached the high court. While the high court issued a notice to the BMC in December last year, the corporation is yet to respond to it. The petitioner also cited the 2015 landmark judgement of the apex court that stated that single mothers must not be compelled to disclose the name of their child's biological father in the birth certificates. A bench of justices A S Oka and P N Deshmukh thus granted the BMC a last chance to file its reply within two weeks. Meanwhile, the bench while hearing a petition by another 22-year-old single unwed mother, summoned her child's biological father to the court on the next date of hearing later this month. In this petition, the woman, who gave birth to a child out of wedlock in November 2013, has sought that she be permitted to delete the name of the child's biological father from the child's birth certificate. The BMC, however, has denied permission to her saying that the state's rules permit the civic body to amend an entry on a birth or death certificate only if it finds the same to be erroneous. The civic body told the high court that in the above case, at the time of the birth of the child, the petitioner had willingly disclosed the name and occupation of the biological father. Since a mere change of mind on the same does not amount to an erroneous entry in the child's birth records, the petitioner cannot be permitted to delete or amend the same. The bench, therefore, summoned the child's biological father to enquire whether he consented to having his name removed from the child's birth certificate. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court on Tuesday upheld its single-judge order accepting DIAL's decision to partially shift Indigo and Spicejet operations from IGI airport's terminal T-1 to T-2. A Bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Rekha Palli, however, directed Indigo and Spicejet to approach Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) within one week. The airport regulator shall in another week decide when the airlines have to shift their operations. The Bench also said that if the airlines failed to approach DIAL, the airport regulator was free to send them a communication about shifting of their services. The high court's decision came on Indigo and Spicejet's plea challenging its single-judge order of December 20 last year, upholding DIAL's decision to partially shift the operations of private carriers Indigo, GoAir and Spicejet from Terminal-1 (T-1) to Terminal-2 (T-2) at the IGI Airport. On October 21 last year, DIAL had asked the three airlines to shift their flights to and from Delhi to Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru to T-2 from January 4. All other flights of the airlines would continue to operate from T-1, the airport operator had said. While upholding DIAL's decision, the single judge had given the airlines time till February 15 to partially shift their operations. GoAir shifted all its operations to T-2, saying partial shifting of its operations would "kill" it as it was a smaller airline. The Madras High Court has dismissed petitions challenging an industrial tribunal's order upholding sale of a sugar factory to EID Parry India Ltd in 1992 and also directed the company to offer re-employment to nearly 450 workers of the acquired firm. Justice V Parthiban upheld the tribunal's 2008 order and dismissed petitions filed by the union of erstwhile workers of the Nava Bharat Ferro Alloys Ltd's sugar factory in Pugalur in Tamil Nadu seeking their re-instatement and by EID Parry challenging the tribunal's direction to offer re-employment. Lauding the tribunal for striking a balance in adjudicating the dispute, the judge, in his recent order, noted that the principal aim of the Industrial Dispute Act was to achieve industrial peace and equity can play a pivotal and monumental role in achieving the same. The tribunal had attempted precisely that by offering a solution to the vexed legal battle between the workers and the management, he said. Noting that the claim for reinstatement by workers alone was prohibited when compensation amount had been paid as per the Industrial Dispute Act, the judge said there was no bar on ordering re-employment of the workers. "The learned tribunal has precisely done that on the basis of the fact that the dispute was kept pending for 16 years and nearly 200 erstwhile workers had been re-employed on fresh terms by the EID Parry India Ltd," he said. It has applied the principle of equity, fair play and good conscience without undermining the statutory scheme and granted the relief to the workmen by means of ordering re-employment and not re-instatement, the judge observed. "... The impugned award passed by the tribunal does not suffer from any infirmity or irregularity calling for interference of this court," Justice Parthiban said. EID Parry had entered into an agreement to buy the sugar unit with building and machinery but without employing 650 workers of Nava Bharat Ferro Alloys Ltd. According to the agreement, Nava Bharat Ferro Alloys Ltd., terminated the services of the employees by settling their dues in terms of statutory regulations as per the Industrial Dispute Act, facilitating the acquisition in November, 1992. Later, EID Parry recruited its own employees on fresh terms and offered fresh employment to more than 190 erstwhile workers of the Nava Bharat Ferro Alloys Ltd. Aggrieved by the transfer of ownership and resultant non-employment, the other workers took up the matter with state government which had referred it to the tribunal. The tribunal had held that the sale of the unit to EID Parry was a genuine transaction and the same was not a sham and nominal. It further directed the re-employment of other workers. EID Parry later filed a writ petition in the high court against the tribunal's directive for re-employment. The workers unions also moved the court challenging the award of the tribunal, which did not direct reinstatement of the workmen and only restricted its order to re-employment with effect from December 1, 2008. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Imported motorcycles from high- end brands, including Harley Davidson and Triumph, are set to get cheaper as the government slashed customs duty to 50 per cent. Earlier, import of motorcycles with engine capacity of 800cc or less used to attract 60 per cent duty, while those with capacity of 800cc or more attracted 75 per cent duty. The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), through a notification on February 12, has slashed the duty on both these variants of motorcycles imported as completely build units (CBU) to 50 per cent. Experts said the import duty rates have been rationalised for these motorcycles as it has been an industry demand for long and such high-end bikes are not manufactured in India at present. "The government has reduced the basic customs duty rate to 50 per cent on import of completely built motorcycles. The reduced rates should abet price reduction of motorbikes which are imported in a finished state for sale in India," EY Partner Abhishek Jain said. According to the CBEC notification, import duty on engine, gearbox, or transmission mechanism as a completely knocked down (CKD) kit in pre-assembled form of motorcycles, not mounted on a body assembly, has been reduced to 25 per cent. These pre-assembled parts attracted customs duty of 30 per cent earlier. Meanwhile, to promote local assembling as part of 'Make in India' initiative, the CBEC has hiked customs duty to 15 per cent on import of engine, gear box and transmission mechanism as a CKU kit which are not pre-assembled. The duty on these was 10 per cent earlier. "By increasing customs duty on engine, gearbox and transmission mechanisms, government is sending out a loud message that it will protect automobile ancillary industry. This policy would encourage global auto ancillary industry to have a preference for India as a manufacturing base for global supply," Deloitte India Senior Director Anoop Kalavath said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Days after the massive fire at the famous Meenakshi temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu government has directed holding of safety audits of big temples in the state. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami gave the directions to officials at a review meeting held in this connection with senior cabinet colleagues and officials yesterday, an official release said today. There should be an immediate safety audit in big "senior grade temples," where existing safety measures, including fire prevention activities must be reviewed, Palaniswami said. He directed that a report be filed with a proposed Chief Secretary-led panel of Secretaries, listing out the required manpower, including technical experts, to take up various works in this regard and the financial requirements, it said. That panel will further submit its recommendations to the Chief Minister, it added. Removal of shops abutting temple walls as well as located in temple premises and their possible relocation, two-three tier fire prevention measures and availability of a fire engine near such temples and fire extinguishers were the other measures suggested by the Chief Minister, the release said. A massive fire on the premises of the famous Meenakshi temple in Madurai on February 2 reduced 40 shops to ashes. A preliminary probe had revealed the fire broke out due to an electrical short-circuit in one of the shops situated near the 1,000-pillar hall. The famous Sri Meenakshi Amman temple, one of the oldest in the country, attracts thousands of devotees every year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Credit ratings of Fortis Healthcare and its four arms have been downgraded by ICRA following disclosure by the healthcare chain about transfer of considerable funds to third parties, which were later classified as promoter entities. The four subsidiaries which have been downgraded by ICRA are Fortis Hospitals Ltd, Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre Ltd, Hiranandani Healthcare Pvt Ltd and Fortis C-Doc Healthcare Ltd, Fortis Healthcare said in a BSE filing. As per the filing, ICRA downgraded ratings on Fortis' total debt of Rs 1,170 crore under various instruments while keeping them on watch with negative implications. The material event, ICRA said for such a downgrade was the "recent disclosure by Fortis Healthcare Ltd (FHL) indicating that considerable funds were transferred to third parties, which were later classified as promoter entities and the current outstanding amount towards such entities is Rs 473 crore." According to ICRA, the long term rating for Rs 250 crore non-convertible debenture programme, Rs 105 crore fund-based limits, and Rs 195 crore term loans has been revised from [ICRA]A+ to [ICRA]A-. Further, the short-term rating for Rs 600 crore commercial paper programme and Rs 20 crore non-fund-based facilities has been revised from [ICRA]A1+ to [ICRA]A2+, it added. "The ratings continue to be on watch with negative implications," ICRA said. As per the ratings agency, its "action takes into account the disclosure about the advances extended by FHL to related parties which in ICRA's views has a significant impact on FHL's credit and liquidity profile". ICRA also said inordinate delays in releasing results for second quarter of FY2018 constrained its ability to monitor the performance of Fortis Healthcare. Following the action on Fortis Healthcare, ICRA also downgraded Fortis Hospitals Ltd's (FHL) long-term rating for Rs 417.8 crore term loan and Rs 235 crore fund-based limits to [ICRA]A-(SO) structured obligation from [ICRA]A+(SO). Moreover, the short-term rating of FHL's Rs 97.2 crore non-fund-based facilities has been revised from [ICRA]A1+(SO) to [ICRA]A2+(SO), the ratings agency added. Likewise, ICRA also downgraded ratings on Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre Ltd's long-term rating for Rs 78 crore term loan and Rs 20 crore fund-based limits along with short-term rating for Rs 5 crore non-fund-based facilities. Similarly, Fortis C Doc Healthcare Ltd's long-term rating for Rs 10.31 crore fund-based limits was also downgraded. ICRA also downgraded Hiranandani Healthcare Pvt Ltd's long-term rating for Rs 42.98 crore term loan and Rs 3 crore fund-based limits. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Lokayukta Police in Madhya Pradesh has booked senior BJP leader Madhu Verma and 14 others in a 2009 case of alleged irregularity in allotment of plots by the Indore Development Authority (IDA) and launched investigation against them. "The alleged scam was executed in year 2009 in collusion with the state government officials," Superintendent of Police (Lokayukta) Dilip Soni said today. During that period, Verma was the chairman of the Indore Development Authority (IDA). "The then IDA officers had allotted four plots to Faizal Ibrahim, a member of Chhatrapati Griha Nirman Sahkari Sanstha, in contravention of rules. "Ibrahim's wife Amira was also given a permission for construction of a building on these plots under the mixed-use (residential-cum-commercial) category by the Indore Municipal Corporation in violation of rules," the officer said. For alleged irregularities in allotment of the plots, a case was registered against Verma, Ibrahim and Amira, CB Singh, the then CEO of the IDA, two other officers of the IDA, eight office-bearers of the Sanstha besides the officers of the building permission section of the civic body. The 15 persons were booked under section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC and relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Most of the accused officers in this case already retired from service. The Madhya Pradesh government had last month appointed Verma as the chairman of the State Electronics Development Corporation. However, he refused to accept the post citing his business. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat, who is on a three-day visit to Nepal, is to meet the country's top leaders today. Gen Rawat arrived here yesterday on the invitation of Nepal Army chief Gen Rajendra Chettri, to attend the Army Day function, which coincides with the 250th anniversary of the Himalayan nation's unification. According to Nepal Army headquarters sources, Gen Rawat is to meet President Bidya Bhandari and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. "He will also hold talks with his Nepalese counterpart at the Army Headquarters in Kathmandu," they said. Gen Rawat today visited the Bindhyabasini temple in Pokhara, where he and other Nepal Army officers were welcomed by the temple development committee. "There has been close and cordial relations between Nepal Army and Indian Army since a long time and there is a tradition of inviting inviting chiefs of Nepalese and Indian Army during special occasions," according to a Nepal Army statement. High-level visits between the two armies will further strengthen bilateral relations and promote mutual interests, the statement said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Army men from India and China today held a ceremonial Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) at a Chinese garrison in Chushul Sector of eastern Ladakh during which both sides reaffirmed their commitment in maintaining peace along the border, officials said. The meeting was held at Chinese Army's Moldo Garrison on the occasion of Chinese spring festival, they said. "Delegations of both countries reaffirmed their commitment towards enhancing existing cordial relations and maintaining peace," said an army official. There are five BPM points along the nearly 4,000 km-long Sino-India border. The BPM points are Kibithu, Bum La, Daulat Beg Oldi, Chushul and Nathu La. Troops of India and China were locked in a 73-day-long standoff in Doklam last year after the Indian side stopped construction of a road in the disputed area by the Chinese Army. The face-off had began on June 16 and ended on August 28. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On the occasion of "Chinese Spring Festival", Indian and Chinese armies today held a ceremonial Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) in the latter's Moldo garrison in Chushul sector of Eastern Ladakh. "The delegations were led by Colonel Deependra Jasrotia of the Indian side and Senior Lt Col Bu Hong Dong from the Chinese side," a defence spokesperson said here. The BPM was marked by saluting the National flag of China by both the delegation members, he said. "This was followed by the ceremonial address by both delegation leaders covering exchange of greetings, wishes and vote of thanks which reflected the mutual desire of maintaining and improving relations at functional level at the border," the spokesperson said. A programme showcasing Chinese culture and tradition was organised, he said. "Both the delegations interacted in a free, congenial and cordial environment," the spokesperson said. He said both the sides sought to build on the mutual feeling to uphold the treaties and agreements signed between the governments of the two countries to maintain peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Indian Navy and Coast Guard are doing an extraordinary job to keep the sea lanes safe, the Indian envoy here has said as he praised them for protecting offshore assets, handling distress fishermen and even protecting endangered species of turtles. Giving assessment of the ever challenging task of coast guard and the ICGS Vaibhav, Indian High Commissioner, Jawed Ashraf, said "the spectrum of activities that they perform are truly head on. The range of the duties that they are performing truly deserved our greatest gratitude and admiration." The High Commissioner highlighted and praised their efforts and ever ready spirit to keep the sea safe. "Imagine what they are doing from protecting our biggest offshore assets to protecting this endangered species, olive ridley turtles, that visits the Odisha coast from around November to May every year for nesting. "It is their wonderful compassion at hands and the duty that they perform at saving these beautiful but endangered species to locating and rescuing fishermen caught in storms," he said. The global economy in some sense is driven in what happens in this region, he pointed out. "The Navy and Coast Guard (force) are doing an extraordinary job of keeping the sea lanes safe," said the High Commissioner of the regional navies and coast guards that interact with their Indian counterparts. Nothing symbolises than the acts of cooperation and collaboration more than what the coast guards of these (regional) countries are doing together, Ashraf told some 200 guests at a reception on board the ICGS Viabhav. "They learn a great deal from each other and share the best practices, they understand that when the time comes, and a call of duty summons them, they have the capacity and familiarity with each other to respond in a coordinated and cooperative manner to any distress in this region whether it is in term of national disaster or crime on sea or in terms of piracy," he underlined. ICGS Vaibhav and its coast guards have been at sea since last November and were involved in locating and rescuing fishermen in the Bay of Bengal-Indian Ocean. ICGS arrived in Singapore yesterday on a goodwill- training visit. It will leave tomorrow for Darwin in Australia and stop at Kuantan in Peninsular Malaysia on the way back in March. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a rare case, an Indian-origin Malaysian on death row in Singapore for possessing drugs has been acquitted by the country' apex court. According to the judgement yesterday, Gopu Jaya Raman successfully proved that he did not know that controlled drugs were hidden in the motorcycle he was riding into Singapore. On March 24, 2014, Gopu was arrested after he entered Singapore through Woodlands Checkpoint on the north with three black bundles of diamorphine hidden in his motorcycle's fender. Diamorphine also known as Heroin, is an opioid most commonly used as a recreational drug for its euphoric effects. When immigration officers stopped him and found the drugs, he said he did not know the drugs were hidden in the motorcycle. Gopu, also claimed the motorcycle was not his. Tay Yong Kwang, the sole dissenting judge in yesterday's judgement, noted that Gopu had trafficked drugs into Singapore on two other occasions before he was caught on March 24, 2014. He had been trying to repay a 4,000 Malaysian Ringgit loan. He was not convinced by Gopu's reasons for entering Singapore or how he came to possess the motorcycle. He said Gopu's admission to trafficking drugs into Singapore on the same motorcycle on two other occasions did not bolster his credibility. After the authorities found the drugs, they got Gopu's help to try to nab others in the ring who might turn up to collect the drugs, the judgement stated. The operation, however, was called off when no one turned up. Authorities monitored his conversation with the man who had helped to get him the motorcycle. After listening to a number of exchanges, officers told Gopu to send a message, indicating that he had no knowledge of the drugs. In yesterday's judgement, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon and Judge of Appeal Judith Prakash found that Gopu would have missed the drugs when he was checking for them, given the bundles' "size and dark colour". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court today posed whether the government was not entitled to seek proof of identity from citizens if their entitlement to certain benefits were dependent upon their identities. A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra also said that idea behind the Aadhaar scheme could be the reason that people should have one ID card. "If your entitlement depends on who you are, then can the government not require proof on that count? Is it not a reasonable condition," a bench, which also comprised Justices A K Sikri, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan, asked. The bench, hearing pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar scheme and the enabling 2016 law, said, "even if entitlement is beyond dispute, there has to be minimal way of proving who you are". "A condition is unconstitutional if it requires you to relinquish a constitutional right," the bench said. The observations came after it was argued that the primary status of a person is that of a citizen and not an Aadhaar card holder. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the West Bengal government, said the proof of identity has to be linked with the status of the person which entitles him or her for the benefit and moreover, the citizens must have the choice to prove their identity. He then referred to the example of a woman entitled for widow pension, and said it was her status which enabled her to get the benefit and not the identity, and the State cannot insist that the identity has to be proved through Aadhaar only. "I can have different ways of proving my identity as a citizen. There are various ways of establishing identity. Aadhaar does not establish my status," Sibal said, adding that the biggest identity is the identity as the citizens. On the issue of some people having multiple passports and ration cards, the senior advocate said there were laws to deal with law-breakers and it does not mean that the State will make a statute having unconstitutional provisions to deal with law abiding citizens. Sibal termed the Aadhaar case as "the most important case since independence" as it would decide the future course to be adopted by the nation. "The judgement in this case will decide the course that this country takes. Will we live in a country where there is choice - or do we live in a country where the State is the arbiter of choice," he said, adding that what the court will decide would relate to "me, my children, my grand children and their unborn children". At the outset, the senior lawyer said in most secured countries, the government takes the citizens' information for 10 years only and then all database are deleted. And this data is used for limited purposes. Terming information as the most important aspect, he said that firms, involved with IT, were creating more wealth than traditional companies and gave illustrations of Tripadvisor, Alibaba, Uber, WhatsApp and other websites. Referring to various provisions of the Aadhaar Act, he said that architecture of the law was "unconstitutional" and submitted that the nine-judge bench's privacy judgement had laid down that "the identity of a person cannot be made a public identity and the identity details cannot be centralised". "Our fundamental identity is that we are the citizen of India," he said and added that the Aadhaar law presumed a "person to be criminal until he is proved innocent". He said that there was no difficulty in connecting identity to status, but the primary status of a person is that of a citizen and not as an Aadhaar card holder. Referring to the doctrine of "unconstitutional conditions", Sibal said the State cannot make a benefit or privilege conditional upon an individual giving up his or her other rights including fundamental ones. Highlighting the impact of the Aadhaar scheme, he said the members of the society cannot surrender the rights on behalf of future members which are yet to come to the world. The CJI summed up the submission of Sibal saying that "you cannot be asked to barter or surrender one fundamental right in order to have access to another". After Sibal concluded his submissions, another senior lawyer Gopal Subramanium began his arguments saying the Aadhaar scheme infringed dignity, freedom and equality and turns a person into a digital entity. The hearing will resume on February 15. Earlier, the court had said that issues like denial of benefits to citizens for either want of Aadhaar or due to its non-authentication may not be a ground for holding the law as "unconstitutional". The apex court had on December 15 last year extended till March 31 the deadline for mandatory linking of Aadhaar with various services and welfare schemes of all ministries and departments of the Centre, states and Union territories. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today led the wreath-laying ceremony organised to pay tributes to four of the six soldiers who were killed in a terror attack on the Sunjuwan Military camp here. Mufti joined the cabinet colleagues and senior Army and police officials and laid floral wreaths on the bodies of four Army personnel, hailing from Kashmir, at the Jammu airport, an official spokesperson said. A group of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists struck the residential quarter inside the Army camp at Sunjuwan here on Saturday, killing seven people -- six soldiers, including two junior commissioned officers (JCOs) and father of one of the slain soldiers -- and injuring 10 others. Three heavily-armed JeM terrorists were killed in the retaliatory action by the Army. Deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh, ministers Abdul Haq Khan and Choudhary Zulfkar, state BJP president and MLA Sat Sharma, among others, were present ceremony. Senior Army and police officials also laid wreaths on the bodies of the Army personnel, the spokesperson said. JCO Madan Lal Choudhary (50) of Kathua was cremated with full military honours at his village yesterday, while the body of Havaldar Rakesh Chandra of Pauri Garhwal district in Uttarakhand was recovered from the scene of the gunfight yesterday. Later, the spokesperson said the chief minister interacted with the family members of the slain Army personnel and consoled them. She conveyed her heartfelt condolences and prayed for peace for their loved ones. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) today staged a protest outside the residence of Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh against the terror attack on an Army camp here and controversial slogans by a National Conference (NC) MLA in the legislative assembly. JKNPP activists, led by party chairman and former minister Harsh Dev Singh, gathered outside the residence of Nirmal Singh at canal road here and began shouting slogans demanding his and BJP legislators resignation. "We gheraoed the residence of Nirmal Singh as the sinister coalition between the BJP and PDP is responsible for the deteriorating situation in the state," Harsh Dev Singh said. "We sought the resignation of the deputy CM as well as the BJP MLAs for maintaining the stoic silence while the anti-national slogans were raised on the floor of the House," he said referring to NC legislator Mohammad Akbar Lone's pro-Pakistan slogans in the House last Saturday. He said the frequent terror attacks on the camps of the security personnel had shaken the belief of the civilians on the present regime as far as the "credibility, efficiency and the intentions" of the incumbent government were concerned. Paying homage to the slain soldiers, the JKNPP chairman said despite spurt in terror attacks the BJP-PDP government had not "learnt lessons well from its past mistakes and grossly failed to plug the holes in the security lapses which had been a root cause of such fatal attacks". Expressing displeasure over the sloganeering by the NC legislator, he said the BJP MLAs have "hurt the nationalist sentiment once again by maintaining stoic silence while such treacherous slogans were raised on the floor of the House". He wondered that instead of taking a strong action against the legislator for his "seditious conduct", the assembly speaker despicably allowed the proceedings of the House to carry on. Harsh Dev Singh said it was shocking and painful that Pro-Pakistran slogans were raised from the 'temple of democracy' at the time when the operation by the Army at Sunjuwan base camp was underway. A police contingent rushed to the scene and asked the protesters to disperse, officials said. A group of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists had struck the Sunjuwan military camp in the wee hours on Saturday, killing seven people, including six soldiers. Three terrorists were also gunned down. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : Kerala today sought Chief Ministerial level talks with Tamil Nadu as early as possible to sort out the issue relating to the sharing of Parambikulam-Aliyar project waters. In a letter to his Tamil Nadu counterpart, K Palaniswami, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said CM level talks should be held in the coming days to sort out the issue and urged him to fix up an appropriate time for the same. Kerala should get 400 cusecs of water till February 15 as per the water sharing agreement under the PAP project, Vijayan said in his second letter to Palaniswami this month. This was not being implemented, he had said in a letter of February 8. However, even after that there has been no change in the situation. On February 11 and 12 Kerala received only 80 cusecs of water, he said. Farmers of Chittor region at Palakkad, who depend mainly on the release of water under the PAP pact, were in distress due to non-release of water as per the agreement,Vijayan said. There is a severe shortage of drinking water in the Chittor river basin, resulting in drought and crops getting destroyed in the area, he said. Kerala was keen to resolve the issue by holding talks with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister in Chennai and an appropriate day and time needs to be fixed soon for the meeting, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three days after being kidnapped by a group of unidentified men, a contractor has been rescued from a jungle in Miao police station area of Changlang district, the police said today. Taru Tana, vice president of a construction company, was abducted on February 9 night from his rented residence cum office in Goju village of Miao same sub-division. Tana was supervising the works of Mahadevpur-Buri Dehing NH-52 B, SDPO Tashi Darang said. The kidnappers have reportedly demanded ransom for release of the victim. After the victim's brother lodged a complaint, the police started an investigation and rescued him yesterday night from a jungle between Nayang and Kamlang villages under Miao police station area, the SDPO said. The kidnappers had fled abandoning the contractor, he said adding it was found Tana had suffered injuries on his head and hip and he is under treatment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lawyers in 22 districts of western Uttar Pradesh today abstained from work after one of their colleagues in Muzaffarnagar was booked by police under the provisions of the Gangsters Act, a senior lawyer said. Ranjan Mittal was booked under the Act nearly two weeks ago in connection with land grab cases. Lawyers have been protesting against the police action, claiming that Mittal was falsely implicated, and are demanding the withdrawal of cases filed against Mittal. Rohitash Kumar Aggarwal, chairman of the committee behind the protest, told PTI that lawyers in 22 districts abstained from work and demanded withdrawal of the cases against Mittal. The lawyers submitted memorandums to authorities in the districts, including Muzaffarnagar, in support of their demand. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil today alleged irregularities in the purchase of the books for extra curricular reading for school students in Maharashtra by the BJP-led state government. He also alleged that part of the purchase was made from a publication linked to the RSS at inflated rates. "State government's Education department had purchased books for school children for extra reading worth Rs 41 crore and out of them books worth Rs 8.17 crore were purchased from the Bhartiya Vichar Sadhana, a publication liked to the RSS," the Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly said while addressing a press conference here. He accused the government was promoting the "agenda" of the RSS as "majority of books are based on the mythology and religion, and not history". Citing two books from the publication, Vikhe Patil alleged the government purchased books at a far higher price than the original printed price. "I purchased two books from the publication's office which are on a state government list. The actual price of these two books is Rs 20, but the state government purchased them for Rs 50," he said. The Congress leader also claimed the content and the language of the books is difficult to comprehend for primary level students, for whom they are supposed to be used. "With such books based on mythology and religion, there is an attempt to inculcate certain ideology among young minds," he alleged. "We demand that the state government stop the distribution of all these books and withdraw the list of books meant for extra curricular reading as soon as possible," he said. Vikhe Patil also referred to the state education department ordering a purchase of nearly 1.5 lakh books on the life of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also accused the Maharashtra government of roping in the RSS-linked institutions to carry out a study on the Maratha reservations. "Mumbai-based Rambhau Mhalagi Probodhini and Nagpur-based Sharda Consultancy Services have been given responsibility to carry out a study on the Maratha quota on the basis of the social, economic and educational aspects," he claimed. According to Vikhe Patil, Sharda Consultancy Services has no experience in carrying out such studies but has been entrusted the responsibility in Vidharba region only due to its link with the Sangh. The RSS, which has been opposing reservations, is now giving the work of study to such institutions, which is a big joke on the Maratha community, he said. "We have been demanding that such study work should be given to acclaimed institutes likes the Tata Institute of Social Sciences or the Gokhale Institute of and Economics," he said. In a dig, Vikhe Patil said he would not be surprised if the state government holds its future meetings at "Keshav Srushti", an institution dedicated to RSS founder K B Hedgewar near Mumbai, and assembly sessions at Reshim Baug, the RSS headquarter in Nagpur. He also opposed the state government's decision to announce funds for historian Babasaheb Purandare's upcoming epic park project, "Shiv Srushti", in Ambegaon Budruk in Pune district. "Many people have accused Purandare of distorting the history of Shivaji Maharaj. Since the government is funding the project, it should appoint a high-power committee of acclaimed historians and experts. The Shiv Srushti should be built on the basis of recommendations of historians and experts, and not on the basis of Purandare's imagination," the Congress leader said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 36-year-old man was arrested on charges of sexually exploiting an Irish woman for years after promising to marry her and duping her of nearly Rs 4 lakh, police said today. Vivek Awasthi was arrested from Tapovan area of the town late last night on the basis of a complaint lodged by the woman from Ireland, Muni-ki-Reti Police Station SHO Shanti Prasad Dimri said without disclosing the name of the victim. The 48-year-old woman accused Awasthi of sexually exploiting her from 2012- 2016 after promising to marry her, he said. She also accused him of refusing to return her Rs 3.70 lakh, which he had borrowed from her when they were in a relationship, the sub-inspector said. The man was booked under sections 376 (rape) and 420 (cheating) of the IPC. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Union Home Ministry has sought a report from the Bureau of Immigration on the recent deportation of a former Swiss diplomat from Ahmedabad, an official said today. The Bureau of Immigration has been asked to explain the circumstances leading to the deportation of former diplomat Kurt Vogele, a home ministry official said. Vogele, who had served in India, was deported soon after he landed in Ahmedabad on January 22. He was allegedly told he had "no right" to enter India and was "deported" without explanation. His passport was returned in Geneva. In a letter to Sibi George, Indian Ambassador to Switzerland, Vogele demanded to know the reason for the "blacklisting". Though there was no official word on why Vogele, who in the past represented the Swiss Development Cooperation in India, was deported, media reports suggested it could be because of his association with the SDC. Reports said SDC was understood to have funded a Dalit rights organisation-Navsarjan Trust- whose Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licence was cancelled in 2016 over allegations of engaging in "undesirable activities" that could disturb harmony. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Key WTO trade ministries from both rich and developing economies will discuss challenges being faced by the multi-lateral organisation at a meeting being hosted by India here on March 19 and 20. The meeting, a sort of mini-ministerial, has been convened by India in the aftermath of failure of the trade talks at Buenos Aires last year on account of differences among the members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). India has invited ministers from the US, European Union, Australia, China, New Zealand and several African countries. According to an official, the objective of the meeting is to initiate a free and frank discussion on various key issues and challenges facing the Geneva-based WTO. Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu had earlier said that the meeting will seek to revitalise the multi-lateral trade body. The meeting also assumes significance as rich nations are forming groupings to prepare ground for pushing new issues such as investment facilitation, preparing rules for e- commerce, promoting gender equality and reducing subsidy on fisheries. India has been keenly pushing agriculture issues at the World Trade Organisation. It has also been raising its voice against bringing new issues, especially those which are not directly linked to trade, on the negotiating table. The talks at the WTO's 11th ministerial conference collapsed after the US went back on its commitment to find a permanent solution to the public food stockholding issue, a key matter for India. The four-day conference in Argentina, which ended without a ministerial declaration or any substantive outcome, did manage to make some feeble progress on fisheries and e- commerce by agreeing to work programmes. A dejected WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo expressed disappointment over the way the negotiations progressed and called for soul-searching among the member countries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be able to establish peace between Palestine and Israel through mediation as he is a "global leader" that both sides trust, Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla said today. Terming Modi's visit to Palestine last week as crucial, Heptulla said that she herself was involved with the issue (conflict between Palestine-Israel) for around 40 years and on the basis of her experience she could say that Modi can establish peace between the two nations. "I don't know when and how, but I feel with the faith that the people of Palestine and Israel have in Modi, the prime minister will act a mediator and be able to bring a solution to the crisis between the two nations," Heptulla told reporters during a press conference here. Modi being honoured with the "Grand Collar of the State of Palestine,", the highest honour given to foreign dignitaries by the country, during his visit to Palestine signified the trust the people of the country had in him, Heptulla said. "The respect he received in Palestine shows that he is accepted as a world leader," she said. The Manipur governor, who is visiting Delhi, also met Union Home minister Rajnath Singh. She apprised Singh of the "improved" law and order situation in Manipur and discussed ways to resolve the drug abuse problem prevalent in the region. Heptulla also mentioned a proposal of the Home ministry of issuing certificates or visas to monitor and restrict the movement in the border areas to curb drug and arms smuggling. "Home Minister has come up with a good initiative as part of which certificates/visa will be given for 15 days so that people of India can go to Myanmar freely and natives from Myanmar can come to India through the border freely and vice versa. "It will put a check on the illegal movement and a record can be maintained that can help curb the drugs, arms and ammunition smuggling," she said. Heptulla said that the law and order situation in Manipur has improved over the past few months as markets remain open even after 7PM, extortion cases have stopped and elections have been held peacefully. Heptulla also said that she wants to promote tourism in Manipur and poor connectivity was a major barrier in achieving that goal. She called for the introduction of direct flights. Heptulla said she had requested the Ministry of Civil Aviation for introducing a direct flight from Delhi to Imphal after which Air India introduced one such flight. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A New York judge today sentenced a US restaurant worker to life in prison following a September 2016 bombing that wounded 31 people in Manhattan's upscale Chelsea neighbourhood. Afghan-born Ahmad Khan Rahimi, 30, was convicted at trial last October on eight counts linked to two bombs he planted in New York, and others found in New Jersey. "There is nothing that could justify anything but a life sentence," US District Judge Richard Berman told the court. "There is no comparison between the grievances that you may feel and the actions you took," he said. "The conclusion is inescapable that you remain extremely dangerous." At Rahimi's two-week trial, prosecutors said it was a "miracle" that nobody was killed in the September 17, 2016 attack. A second bomb forced the cancellation of a US Marine Corps run in the New Jersey town of Seaside Park. Police also defused another device in Chelsea and found additional pipe bombs in Rahimi's hometown of Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he worked in his family's fried chicken restaurant. Rahimi was critically wounded in a shootout with police on September 19 before being captured, and was found with a handwritten journal lauding Osama bin Laden and US-born Al-Qaeda recruiter Anwar al-Awlaki. Since his arrest, two other lone-wolf attackers have carried out bombings in New York. A Bangladeshi driver detonated a bomb in a subway passageway, wounding himself and three other people in December. On October 31, an Uzbek immigrant, also reportedly inspired by the Islamic State extremist group, killed eight people on a bike path by ramming his truck into cyclists. New York retains stringent security, which was drastically stepped up after the September 11, 2001 Al-Qaeda hijackings brought down the Twin Towers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The NHRC has sent a notice to the Karnataka government over reports that three people have died and 35 others have been hospitalised due to gastroenteritis after allegedly consuming contaminated water at Maidolalu village of Shivamogga district. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued the notice to the chief secretary of the state, seeking a detailed report in four weeks. "The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that as many as three persons have died and 35 others have been hospitalised owing to acute gastroenteritis at Maidolalu village in Bhadravati taluk of Shivamogga district of Karnataka," the rights panel said in a statement. Reportedly, the district health officer has said that the consumption of contaminated piped drinking water is suspected to be the reason behind the outbreak of gastroenteritis. The piped drinking water is supplied by the gram panchayat. "It has observed that the contents of the report, if true, raise serious issue of violation of right to life and health of the victims, as drinking water is the basic amenity and the state is bound to ensure its uncontaminated supply," the statement said. As per the report, the water samples have been collected from two overhead tanks in the village and from the houses of the patients. "These have been sent to the laboratory for examination. The residents have, reportedly, expressed their anguish that the water tanks are not cleaned regularly. It is further mentioned that a similar outbreak of gastroenteritis was reported from the same area in 2017," the NHRC said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Customs officials in Nigeria today said they had seized banned drugs, including the powerful pain killer tramadol popular with jihadists such as Boko Haram. Nigeria Customs Service spokesman Joseph Attah said it was discovered in four containers of controlled and prohibited pharmaceuticals that arrived in Lagos from India. The head of customs at the seaport, Jubrin Musa, said the drugs were not certified by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control as they exceeded required limits. "Tramadol is not under trade prohibition but it is controlled and regulated," he told AFP. "Where you import milligrammes over and above the control limit, that is where the law is infringed upon." Boko Haram fighters are known to have used tramadol during their nearly nine-year quest to establish a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria. In December last year, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime also issued a warning about the non-medical use of the synthetic opioid across West Africa and its use by jihadists. It said the rise in consumption and trafficking of the drug was "serious, worrying and needs to be addressed as soon as possible". Yearly seizures of tramadol in sub-Saharan Africa have risen from 300 kilogrammes (660 pounds) to more than three tonnes since 2013, according to the UNODC's World Drug Report 2017. The report said the drug was mainly manufactured in South Asia and smuggled through the Gulf of Guinea by international criminal gangs into areas where Islamist extremists operate. In September last year, more than three million tablets were discovered in Nigeria in boxes marked with the UN logo packed on a truck driving from Nigeria to northern Mali, it added. Nigeria is currently battling a number of security challenges, including Boko Haram's insurgency. Jubrin said the drug "could have further aggravated the already tense situation in the country" had it found its way into wider circulation. One suspect has been arrested over the imports, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) North Korea says President Donald Trump's decision to invite a defector from the North to the State of the Union address and Vice President Mike Pence taking the father of Otto Warmbier to the Olympics show the US is "horrified and confused" by Pyongyang's nuclear forces. North Korea's UN Mission today called both acts "desperate attempts" by the Trump administration to keep up "its 'human rights' racket" against the country. The mission called defector Ji Seong-ho "human scum. "Warmbier, a college student, died days after being returned to the US from a North Korean prison. The United States has been very outspoken against human rights violations in North Korea. The North Korean mission's statement calls the US "the principal violator of human rights ever seen in the human history. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Norway's sovereign wealth fund, the world's biggest, today told the 9,000 firms that it owns stakes in to boost their anti-corruption measures, including by offering whistleblowers better protection against reprisals. "We expect all companies we are invested in to have effective anti-corruption measures in place," fund chief Yngve Slyngstad said in a statement. "Companies should have a whistleblowing mechanism that provides a separate and confidential escalation route when reporting through a line manager is not appropriate, or if the whistleblower wishes to remain anonymous," the fund said. The Norwegian wealth fund, which has more than $1 trillion under management, regularly pushes companies in its portfolio to adopt more ethical practices, and often divests if they fail to do so. Corruption costs the world around two percent of its wealth each year and hampers fair income distribution, the International Monetary Fund said in a 2016 report. Kickbacks total between $1.5 and $2 trillion per year, the IMF said, the equivalent of the gross domestic product (GDP) of Italy or India. The Norwegian sovereign fund, tasked with managing the country's oil wealth, is currently worth 8.128 trillion kroner ($1.028 trillion). It is managed by the Norwegian central bank and follows ethical guidelines that prevent it from investing in companies that are guilty of serious human rights violations, make nuclear or other "particularly inhumane" weapons, produce coal or make tobacco products. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti called for dialogue with Pakistan to end the bloodshed in the state, the BJP today said talks were not suitable at a time when the neighbouring country was "supporting" militant attacks. "Amid the sound of bullets and spilt blood, a certain section is advocating talks between Pakistan and India, which is not at all suitable at a time when Pakistan is openly supporting militant attacks in the state," J&K BJP spokesperson Sunil Sethi told reporters here. He said the Centre takes a call on talks with Pakistan and there was no scope of interference by others. Dialogue can be considered if Pakistan "pulls back" from supporting subversive acts in the region and the environment is conducive, he said. Mufti yesterday said in the assembly: "If Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti say hold talks with Pakistan, they are dubbed anti-national. There is no alternative except talks. If we don't talk about it, who will? Not a Bihari, not a Punjabi." "Dialogue with Pakistan is necessary if we are to end bloodshed. I know I will be labelled anti-national by anchors tonight but that doesnt matter. The people of J&K are suffering. We have to talk because war is not an option," she later tweeted. Referring to the terror attack on the Sunjuwan Army camp on Saturday which left 6 soldiers and a civilian dead, Sethi said the three militants killed belonged to Pakistan. The BJP leader criticized National Conference legislator Mohammad Akbar for "hailing Pakistan" in the assembly, saying he insulted the whole Muslim community. "This is an extremely serious matter, not only due to his anti-national utterance but also in view of an attempt to divide the population," he said. Sethi demanded that the speaker refer the matter to the privilege committee "as this is clearly a matter of breach of privilege of the House". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NTPC, India's biggest electricity producer, today said it has won a tender to supply 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Bangladesh for 15 years. Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) had invited tenders for supply of 500 MW power from India for short term (June 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019) and long term (January 1, 2020 to May 31, 2033). NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN), Adani Group, PTC and Singapore-bases Sembcorp submitted bids by the scheduled date of January 11. Financial bid was opened on February 11, the company said in a statement. "NVVN, wholly-owned subsidiary of NTPC Limited, emerged as successful bidder (L1), both in short term and long term for 300 MW power," it said. Without giving details of the rate at which power will be supplied, NTPC said supply of electricity is likely to commence from June 2018 after commissioning of 500 MW HVDC inter-connection project between India and Bangladesh. India currently exports approximately 600 MW electricity to Bangladesh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) State-run power giant NTPC's arm NVVN has emerged as the lowest bidder for supply of 300 MW power to Bangladesh for 15 years at an estimated tariff of Rs 3.42 per unit. The company is expecting a revenue of Rs 900 crore every year for supplying 300 MW under a tender floated by Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), a source said. Rough calculations estimate that the company would supply power at Rs 3.42 per unit to Bangladesh under this tender. "NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN), wholly-owned subsidiary of NTPC Limited, emerged as successful bidder (L1), both in short term and long term for 300 MW power," the company said in a statement. Financial bid was opened on February 11, it said. The company, however, did not disclose the tariff it quoted to emerge as L-1 bidder under the tender floated by Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). According to company estimates, its average tariff for the nine-month period from April till December for this fiscal was Rs 3.26 per unit. The BPDB had invited tenders for supply of 500 MW power from India for short term (June 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019) and long term (January 1, 2020 to May 31, 2033). NVVN, Adani Group, PTC and Singapore-bases Sembcorp submitted bids by the scheduled date of January 11. NTPC said supply of electricity is likely to commence from June 2018 after commissioning of 500 MW HVDC inter- connection project between India and Bangladesh. At present, India exports approximately 600 MW electricity to Bangladesh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Accusing the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh of not being serious on the issue of education, Opposition parties staged a walkout from the state Assembly today. During the Question Hour, Samajwadi Party member Nitin Agarwal sought to know whether the Kanya Vidya Dhan scheme had been discontinued. UP's Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna replied that as there was no provision in the budget, the scheme was not being run. Not satisfied with the answer, the SP member alleged that the government was not serious on the issue as a scheme for the welfare of girl students had been discontinued. Leader of Opposition Ram Govind Chowdhury said the government was not giving a satisfactory reply following which the SP members walked out. BSP leader Lalji Verma also walked out with his party members accusing the government of being not concerned about the education of the poor. Congress Legislative Party leader Ajay Kumar Lallu said that over 10 lakh students had not taken the UP board examinations. "Will the government take their responsibility? Poor students are the sufferers," he added while walking out with party members. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) More than 10 lakh foreign tourists visited India in January, around eight per cent higher than the corresponding month last year, the tourism ministry said in a statement today. The number of foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in January, 2018 was 10.66 lakh as compared to FTAs of 9.83 lakh in January, 2017, and 8.45 lakh in January, 2016. "The growth rate in FTAs in January, 2018 over January, 2017 was 8.4 per cent, compared to 16.4 per cent in January, 2017 over January, 2016," the statement said. The percentage share of FTAs in India during January 2018 among the top 15 source countries was highest from Bangladesh (16.36 per cent) followed by the USA (14.10 per cent), the UK (10.81 per cent), Canada (4.63 per cent) and the Russian Federation (4.49 per cent). The ministry compiles monthly estimates of FTAs, including those with e-tourist visas, on the basis of their nationality and the port. The estimates are based on data received from the Bureau of Immigration (BOI) The percentage share of FTAs in India during January 2018 among the top 15 ports was highest at the Delhi airport (28.03 per cent) followed by the Mumbai airport (17.47 per cent), the Haridaspur Land Check Post (7.63 per cent), and the Chennai Airport (7.17 per cent). During the month of January, 2018, a total of 2.40 lakh foreign tourists arrived on e-tourist visas as compared to 1.52 lakh during the month of January, 2017 registering a growth of 58.5 per cent. The percentage share of top 15 source countries availing of e-tourist visa facilities during January, 2018 was the UK (18.6 per cent), the USA (10.6 per cent), the Russian Federation (6.5 per cent), France (5.4 per cent%), Canada (5.3 per cent) and China (4.8 per cent). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi today slammed those who question the patriotism of Muslims as he referred to five Armymen from Kashmir who laid down their lives fighting Pakistani terrorists at Sunjuwan in Jammu. The Hyderabad MP also attacked the government for "not learning lessons" from terror attacks on army installations in the past. The so-called "9 pm" nationalists (those who appear in prime time tv debates) question the nationalism of Muslims and Kashmiri Muslims, Owaisi said here. "In this (Sunjuwan attack) incident, five Kashmiri Muslims have laid down their lives. Why aren't you talking about it? This is a reminder to all those nationalists who question my integrity and the love for this country," the AIMIM chief said. He said, "This (terror attack) is not the first incident which has happened in Sunjuwan. Earlier, in 2003, terrorists had killed our soldiers in Sunjuwan." A group of Pakistan-based JeM terrorists had struck the Sunjuwan military camp in Jammu early on Saturday, killing seven people. "We have not learnt lessons from Uri, Pathankot and Nagrota (terror attacks)... we would like to know from the BJP government where the responsibility lies now?" Owaisi asked. He wondered if the attack on the Army camp was a failure of the Intelligence Bureau and said lessons must be learnt and responsibility fixed as this a "continuous pattern" which has to end. Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his foreign tours, the AIMIM chief said, "I am sure he is free now after his recent foreign tours. He is yet to tweet on this attack. What is happening to the talks of our NSA (national security advisor) and the Pakistan NSA which took place in Bangkok." Referring to the Sunjuwan terror attack, Owaisisaid the "heinous act was committed by terrorists who came from a neighbouring country and no one can deny that". "I condemn this attack. But we also have to know what are the answers from this government," he said. To a question on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti making a fresh pitch for dialogue between India and Pakistan, Owaisi said, "It is for the BJP to say, because you (BJP) are supporting Mufti. Your own supported CM is saying talks should happen." "I want to know from the Union government headed by Prime Minister Modi what is your opinion on this," he said. On RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's remarks that the Sangh could "prepare" a military force faster than the Army, Owaisi said it was a "grave" statement. "How can a cultural organisation train cadres as an army? Is he trying to say that they are (more) efficient than the Army? This statement has to be looked into very deeply. "How is it that you are comparing your cadre with the Army? No cadre can be compared with our Indian Army... This is a very grave statement which has lot of messages, repercussions and ramifications," he said. "Does he know what goes into the making of an Indian soldier and how bravely our soldiers are laying down their lives?" the MP asked. "In a lighter vein, if that is what he (Bhagwat) seriously believes, then he should lead and stand in front of the LoC and border," Owaisi said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Americas intelligence chief today warned that Pakistan-supported terrorist groups would continue to carry out attacks inside India, thus risking escalation of tension between the two neighbours. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats' remarks came days after a group of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists struck the Sunjuwan Military Camp in Jammu on Saturday, killing seven people including six soldiers. Pakistan, in fact, will continue to threaten US interests by deploying new nuclear weapons capabilities, maintaining its ties to militants, restricting counter- terrorism cooperation, and drawing closer to China, Coats said in his testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. "Militant groups supported by Islamabad will continue to take advantage of their safe haven in Pakistan to plan and conduct attacks in India and Afghanistan, including against US interests," Coats said during the hearing on 'Worldwide Threat Assessment' of the US intelligence community. He said Pakistans perception of its eroding position relative to India, reinforced by endemic economic weakness and domestic security issues, almost certainly will exacerbate long-held fears of isolation and drive Islamabads pursuit of actions that run counter to US goals for the region. Without specifically referring to any terrorist incident by Pakistan-based groups, Coats told the lawmakers that he expects tension between the two Asian neighbours. "Relations between India and Pakistan are likely to remain tense, with continued violence on the Line of Control and the risk of escalation if there is another high-profile terrorist attack in India or an uptick in violence on the Line of Control," Coats said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan is developing new types of nuclear weapons, including short-range tactical ones, that bring more risks to the region, America's intelligence chief warned. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats' remarks came days after a group of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists struck the Sunjuwan Military Camp in Jammu on Saturday, killing seven people including six soldiers. Pakistan is developing new types of nuclear weapons, including short-range tactical weapons, Coats told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing on worldwide threats organised by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Pakistan continues to produce nuclear weapons and develop new types of nuclear weapons, including short-range tactical weapons, sea-based cruise missiles, air-launched cruise missiles, and longer-range ballistic missiles, he warned. These new types of nuclear weapons will introduce new risks for escalation of dynamics and security in the region, Coats said, reflecting on the risks involved in developing such types of nuclear weapons. Coats said North Korea will be among the most volatile and confrontational weapons of mass destruction (WMD) threats to the US over the next year. North Korea's history of exporting ballistic missile technology to several countries, including Iran and Syria, and its assistance during Syria's construction of a nuclear reactor -- destroyed in 2007 -- illustrates its willingness to proliferate dangerous technologies. In 2017 North Korea, for the second straight year, conducted a large number of ballistic missile tests, including its first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) tests. Pyongyang is committed to developing a long-range, nuclear-armed missile that is capable of posing a direct threat to the United States. It also conducted its sixth and highest yield nuclear test to date. We assess that North Korea has a longstanding Biological Weapons (BW) capability and biotechnology infrastructure that could support a BW programme. We also assess that North Korea has a Chemical Weapons (CW) programme and probably could employ these agents by modifying conventional munitions or with unconventional, targeted methods, he said. Coats said state efforts to modernise, develop, or acquire WMD, their delivery systems, or their underlying technologies constitute a major threat to the security of the United States, its deployed troops, and its allies. Both state and non-state actors have already demonstrated the use of chemical weapons in Iraq and Syria. Biological and chemical materials and technologies -- almost always dual-use -- move easily in the globalised economy, as do personnel with the scientific expertise to design and use them for legitimate and illegitimate purposes. Information about the latest discoveries in the life sciences also diffuses rapidly around the globe, widening the accessibility of knowledge and tools for beneficial purposes and for potentially nefarious applications. Keen to avert international sanctions, Pakistan has quietly amended its anti-terror laws to include Hafiz Saeed-linked Jamaat-ud-Dawa and Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation and other militant outfits on the list of UN proscribed groups, a media report said today. A major impact of a new ordinance promulgated by Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain would be the proscription of Saeed-linked JuD and FIF along with the UN listed outfits of Al Akhtar Trust and Al Rashid Trust, Dawn newspaper reported. Saeed, the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, heads the charity JuD, believed to be a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group. The move to amend the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 ends an old discrepancy between the UN sanctions list and the national listing of terrorist groups and individuals, the report said. It has come ahead of the crucial Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting in Paris, scheduled to be held from February 18 to 23. The US and India are spearheading an effort to get Pakistan included in the watchdog's international money-laundering and terror-financing 'grey list', the paper said. Pakistan was last placed on FATF's grey list in February 2012 and stayed on it for three years, the report said. Last week, Pakistan's National Security Committee (NSC) had directed the "ministries concerned to complete the few outstanding actions at the earliest". Pakistan's top civil-military coordination forum had reviewed the steps taken by the federal and provincial governments for compliance with FATF requirements in view of the upcoming FATF plenary meeting, which will take up a report to be submitted by Pakistan on actions taken to choke funding of JuD chief Saeed and the organisations linked with him. The intergovernmental body had at its plenary in Buenos Aires held in November last year had asked Pakistan to furnish a compliance report on actions taken against the Lashkar-e-Taiba and JuD at the Paris meeting. The UNSC sanctions list has Al-Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), Lashkar-e-Taiba (Let) and others. A UNSC 1267 sanctions committee's monitoring team visited Pakistan in January to review the compliance, but analysts fear that the FATF review could be tougher for the country, the report said. It is feared that the international body can take some punitive action against Pakistan, it said. The FATF maintains grey and black lists for identifying countries with weak measures to combat money laundering and terror financing. The watchdog does not have the powers to impose sanctions on a country found not meeting the required standards. However, its listing can affect international transactions from the country concerned as those would then become subject to greater scrutiny. This will increase the cost of doing international transactions and ultimately higher cost of doing business locally. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Rajasthan Water Sector Restructuring Project will focus on effective utilisation of excess rain and flood water of major rivers flowing into Pakistan, an official said. An MoU was signed with the New Development Bank (NDB) for a loan of Rs 1,000 crore for the Rs 3,300-crore project in Delhi today. "The project aims to better utilise rain and flood water of Ravi, Beas, Sutlej and Ghaggar rivers that flow into Pakistan," Principal Secretary (Water Resources) Shikhar Agrawal said. Rs 1,000 crore would be spent in the first phase. The loan amount for the second phase will be provided in April. Additional Chief Engineer (Water Resources) Ravi Solanki said that restructuring and repair of canals built under the Indira Gandhi Canal Project will be carried out. It will curb water losses and water locking problems so that farmers get ample water for irrigation. Solanki said the project will be completed in five years. The project will solve drinking and irrigation water woes of 10 districts of the desert state -- Sriganganagar, Hanumangarh, Churu, Nagaur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Barmer. A flood management system for Ravi, Beas, Sutlej and Ghaggar rivers will also be developed under the project, Solanki added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi today expressed shock at the murder of the party's youth wing leader in Kerala's Kannur district and hoped the perpetrators of the "cowardly" act are brought to justice soon. Gandhi also conveyed his condolences to the family of the slain youth Congress leader TH Shuhaib. "I'm shocked to hear about the murder of Kerala AYC General Secretary, T H Shuhaib. I hope the perpetrators of this cowardly act are brought to justice soon. My condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace," the Congress president tweeted. Youth Congress leader and Mattanur party Block Secretary Shuhaib was hacked to death allegedly by CPI(M) workers in Kannur district. The incident occurred late last night when four assailants came in a car and hurled crude bombs and attacked the victim and two other party members with machetes. Congress Working Committee member and former defence minister A K Antony said the killing of Shuhaib was the latest episode of "red terror" unleashed by ruling the CPI(M). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Home Minister Rajnath Singh today conveyed his wishes to an army man's wife, who delivered a healthy baby after braving the bullets of terrorists during the attack on Sunjuwan camp in Jammu, and hailed her courage. On behalf of the home minister, special director of the CRPF, S N Srivastava, presented a bouquet to Shehzad Khan, wife of Rifleman Nazir Ahmed, at a hospital in Jammu. "HM Shri @rajnathsingh conveyed his good wishes to Mrs Shehzad Khan, wife of Rifleman Nazir Ahmed, who was seriously injured during the terror attack on Sunjuwan Army camp in Jammu," the home minister's office tweeted. Singh has deeply appreciated the courage shown by the woman and also conveyed his blessings for the new-born. The home minister has also praised the efforts of the doctors and the medical staff of the Army hospital in Jammu. The pregnant woman was injured in the terror attack at the Sunjuwan Army camp in Jammu on Saturday in which six Army personnel and a civilian were killed. She was admitted to the hospital where she delivered a baby girl on Sunday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mukesh Ambani-headed Reliance Industries (RIL) has sought the Andhra Pradesh government's support for setting up an international submarine cable landing station (CLS) at Visakhapatnam, an official said today. Ambani mooted the proposal for setting up the CLS during his two-hour meeting with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at the Secretariat here tonight. The CLS will connect the east coast to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Myanmar, south-east Asia and onwards. No further details of the proposed project were revealed because of "strategic reasons", the official said. RIL has also proposed to set up state-of-the-art telecom and information technology infrastructure on a 10-acre site "to propel AP into a data superpower", he said. The Indian industry behemoth has also come forward to set up an electronic manufacturing cluster on a 150-acre site near Tirupati to produce mobile and electronic set-top boxes. "Besides this, Reliance proposed to promote clusters of educational institutions like ITIs and diploma colleges in the vicinity to create employment right after education. "Reliance will also develop a workmen housing corridor in the vicinity of Tirupati Growth Corridor. Financial aspects of these projects have not been disclosed yet," a senior official present at the meeting said. Reliance will also set up a 150 MW solar power plant and data centre on its own site near Samalkot in East Godavari district. After the meeting, Naidu drove Ambani to his riverfront residence at Undavalli and hosted dinner. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Rohingya issue in Myanmar and Bangladesh may expand opportunities for recruitment of terrorists, America's intelligence chief warned today. Some 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Myanmar's western state of Rakhine and taken refuge in Bangladesh after the country's military launched a brutal crackdown in August last year after attacks. The turmoil resulting from more than 600,000 Rohingyas fleeing Burma (Myanmar) to Bangladesh increases regional tension and may expand opportunities for terrorists' recruitment in South and Southeast Asia, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said in his testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Further operations by Burmese security forces against Rohingya insurgents or sustained violence by ethnic Rakhine militias probably would make it difficult to repatriate Burmese from Bangladesh, Coats said during the hearing on 'Worldwide Threat Assessment' of the US intelligence community. Coats said democracy and human rights in many Southeast Asian countries will remain fragile in 2018 as autocratic tendencies deepen in some regimes and rampant corruption and cronyism undermine democratic values. Countries in the region will struggle to preserve foreign policy autonomy in the face of Chinese economic and diplomatic coercion, he said. The crisis resulting from the exodus of more than 600,000 Rohingyas from Burma to Bangladesh will threaten Burmas fledgling democracy, increase the risk of violent extremism and provide openings for Beijing to expand its influence," Coats said. Cambodian leader Hun Sen will repress democratic institutions and civil society, manipulate government and judicial institutions and use patronage and political violence to guarantee his rule beyond the 2018 national election. Having alienated Western partners, Hun Sen will rely on Beijings political and financial support, drawing Cambodia closer to China as a result, he said. In the Philippines, President (Rodrigo) Duterte will continue to wage his signature campaign against drugs, corruption and crime. Duterte has suggested he could suspend the Constitution, declare a 'revolutionary government' and impose nationwide martial law, Coats said. His declaration of martial law in Mindanao, responding to the ISIS-inspired siege of Marawi city, has been extended through the end of 2018, he said. Thailands leaders have pledged to hold elections in late 2018, but the new Constitution will institutionalise the militarys influence, Coats told lawmakers. On Afghanistan, he said that the overall situation in the war-torn country will deteriorate modestly this year. The overall situation in Afghanistan probably will deteriorate modestly this year in the face of persistent political instability, sustained attacks by the Taliban-led insurgency, unsteady Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) performance and chronic financial shortfalls, Coats said. The National Unity Government probably will struggle to hold long-delayed parliamentary elections, currently scheduled for July 2018, and to prepare for a presidential election in 2019, he said. The ANSF probably will maintain control of most major population centres with coalition force support, but the intensity and geographic scope of Taliban activities will put those centres under continued strain, Coats said. Afghanistans economic growth will stagnate at around 2.5 per cent per year, and Kabul will remain reliant on international donors for the great majority of its funding well beyond 2018, he said. Coats said Sunni violent extremists -- most notably ISIS and al-Qaeda -- pose continuing terrorist threats to the US interests and partners worldwide, while the US-based homegrown violent extremists (HVEs) will remain the most prevalent Sunni violent extremist threat in America. ISIS and al-Qaeda and their respective networks will be persistent threats, as will groups not subordinate to them, such as the Haqqani Terror Network, Coats said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court today cited the ghastly 26/11 Mumbai attack and 2016 Patiala House court violence in Delhi to count on the benefits of installations of CCTV cameras in courts and tribunals, saying it wanted to bring discipline, security and oversight in judicial proceedings. The top court, while referring to the CCTV grab of convict Ajmal Kasab at Victoria Terminus railway station, said it had proved detrimental for him during the trial. Similarly, the bench also cited case of Swapnil alias Pintu Shirke, who was lynched inside district court premises in Nagpur on February 11, 2002, saying there was no CCTV evidence and despite the murder having taken before hundreds of people, no one came forward. A bench of Justices Adarsh Goel and U U Lalit lauded the government for the "good work" done in installations of CCTV cameras in several tribunals, including the National Green Tribunal, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal and National Company Law Tribunal. "Like 26/11 Mumbai attacks where CCTV cameras at the Victoria Terminus railway station caught one of the perpetrators of the incident, the CCTV use can be beneficial," it said. There were attacks in court premises also, like the Nagpur court case where the murder took place in broad daylight but no one came forward, it said. The bench referred to other incidents of violence in court premises and said the JNU case in which then students union leader Kanhaiya Kumar was attacked, even in Tis Hazari Court murder had taken place, CCTV had recorded the incident. "We want to ensure discipline, security and oversight in courts with the help of CCTV cameras. If there is any privacy issue, then the CCTV cameras can be switched off," it said and advocated the adoption of new technology. It asked the Centre to consider installation of CCTV cameras in state tribunals and quasi-judicial authorities, including the executive magistrate, revenue courts and availability of a terminal with oversight bodies. "As far as central quasi judicial authorities are concerned, the Ministry of Law and Justice may consider this aspect within four weeks. As far as state tribunals and state quasi judicial authorities are concerned, we request the High Courts to consider this aspect on the administrative/judicial side," the bench said. It said the question whether the terminal of CCTV cameras can be available with the oversight bodies may also be considered by the central government and the concerned High Courts. The top court also asked the high courts and the Centre to look into the concerns raised by amicus curiae Sidharth Luthra on the identity of sexual offence victims and protected witnesses appearing in anti-terror laws like MCOCA and UAPA. The bench posted the matter for further hearing on April 5. Earlier this month, the apex court had pulled up the Centre for adopting a "callous approach" on the issue of installation of CCTVs in courts and tribunals for recording judicial proceedings and sought a status report on the work done on it till now. The apex court said it will first see the response of the pilot project of CCTV installations in trial courts and tribunals and then would look for the possibility in high courts and the Supreme Court. The apex court was hearing a plea filed by a man named Pradyuman Bisht seeking audio and video recording of court proceedings in order to bring transparency. On December 11 last year, the apex court had asked the Centre to look into the possibility of connecting live video recordings of court proceedings with National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG). On November 23 last year, the Centre had informed the apex court that live video recordings of judicial proceedings have started in several trial courts and tribunals in various states with the help of CCTVs installed in court rooms. Live video recording of judicial proceedings assumes significance as the apex court and various high courts had in the past refused to allow it. Taking a reformatory approach and in a bid to bring in transparency, the top court had on March 28 last, for the first time, directed the installation of CCTV cameras in courts of two districts of each state and union territory. The apex court later expanded its order and directed for installation of CCTVs in all the trial courts and tribunals. The apex court had earlier said there was no need for privacy in courtrooms as nothing private happened there and had favoured early installation of close circuit televisions in the courts. The top court had said that the installation of CCTV cameras in the courts would be in larger public interest, discipline and security. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Favouring the use of modern technology for investigating crimes, the Supreme Court today asked the Centre to look into a suggestion of policemen using GPS enabled digital cameras having a time stamp system for taking photographs of crime scenes. The apex court also asked the Centre to consider whether states could create portals for uploading of crime scene images, from which time stamp and reference numbers can be noted. A bench of Justices Adarsh Goel and U U Lalit, which heard the submissions of senior advocate Arun Mohan, who has been appointed as amicus curiae in the matter, said the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) can issue a manual. Mohan suggested in his submission that these digital cameras were available in market for a cost of Rs 8000 each but the final specifications could be laid down by the BPR&D. He said once the images are uploaded on the portal, the digital images can be sent to the concerned police stations where it could be downloaded and added to the case diary. "The BPR&D may also prepare crime scene photography manual in English and regional languages," he said and added that money for these steps can be used from funds which are lying largely unutilised. Counsel appearing for Centre said the government can contemplate use of digital cameras by policemen at the metros, which can later be used in suburban and rural areas due to internet connectivity issues. The bench then said the government should consider using this technology at least in all district head quarters and subsequently move to rural areas in a time bound manner. The bench asked the counsel for Centre to consider the submissions of Mohan and the court and respond to them by March 7. The issue of digital photography of crime scenes had come up before the bench while examining a question whether videography of the scene of crime or scene of recovery during investigation should be necessary to inspire confidence in the evidence collected. The Centre had on October 12, 2017, informed the top court that the issue of video recording of crime scenes was discussed by the union home secretary with the chief secretaries of the States in which a decision was taken to constitute a Committee of Experts (COE) to facilitate and prepare a roadmap for use of videography in the crime scene and propose a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). However, several counsels had cast apprehensions about the implementation of the measure on account of scarcity of funds, issues of securing and storage of data and admissibility of evidence. The court had then suggested that even still-photography may be useful on account of higher resolution for forensic analysis. "Digital cameras can be placed on a mount on a tripod which may enable rotation and tilting. Secured portals may be established by which the Investigation Officer can e-mail photograph(s) taken at the crime scene. Digital Images can be retained on State's server as permanent record," it had said. The Centre had earlier told the top court that videography will help the investigation and was being successfully used in other countries. It had referred to the perceived benefits of "Body-Worn Cameras" in the United States and the United Kingdom and said these body cameras also acted as deterrent against anti-social behaviour and is also a tool to collect the evidence. The government had said that new technological device for collection of evidence are order of the day and referrance was made to the Field Officers' Handbook of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) under Ministry of Home Affairs. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi today accused the Centre of having a "non-existent" policy for Kashmir and blamed the BJP-PDP alliance for the bloodshed in the region. He also attacked the prime minister, saying while he was "dithering", soldiers were paying with their blood because of the "opportunistic" alliance in Jammu and Kashmir. "PDP says 'talks' with Pakistan. BJP Defence Minister says 'Pakistan will pay the price'. While our soldiers pay with their blood for BJP/PDP's opportunistic alliance and non-existent Kashmir policy; Modi Ji dithers," he said on Twitter. The Congress has often attacked the government on Kashmir and its alliance with the PDP in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Eastern Railway will run a special train from Budge Budge to Sealdah on February 19 to mark the 122nd return day of Swami Vivekananda from Chicago where the monk had delivered a historic lecture, railway sources said today. On his way back to Kolkata from the US city in 1897, Vivekananda had travelled from Madras (now Chennai) by steamer, which docked at Budge Budge on the banks of River Hooghly, 25 km away from the metropolis. Vivekananda had travelled by train to Kolkata from Budge Budge, in South 24 Parganas district, on February 19, 1897, to a rousing welcome and reception at the railway station here. Swami Vivekananda had delivered the historic lecture at the Parliament of the World's Religions in 1893 but returned to India four years later after extensively travelling through the US and UK, delivering lectures. To commemorate the occasion, Eastern Railway will run one Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) special train from Budge Budge to Sealdah (South) station on February 19, an ER spokesman said. The flower-bedecked train will leave Budge Budge station at 11 am and arrive at Sealdah (South) station at 12.10 pm, the official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Tamil Nadu minister for Information and Public Relations Kadambur C. Raju today said the government expected that all stakeholders would come to a consensus on choosing the location for setting up an All India Institute of Medical Sciences in the state. Responding to reporters' questions on the proposed AIIMS project, the minister said central government's schemes that are beneficial to Tamil Nadu will always get the support of the state government. "We are opposing only the Centres National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admission as it is against the interests of Tamil Nadu students," he said. Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey has recently asked the state government to speed up the process to identify the location for setting up AIIMS, as announced by the Centre some time ago. Referring to the health sector in the state, Raju said Tamil Nadu stood second at the all India level, next only to Kerala. He was speaking to reporters after inaugurating a Health care centre at Melapalayam. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Uzbek asylum seeker who confessed to wanting to mow down "infidels" in an April 2017 Stockholm truck attack that killed five people pleaded guilty to terrorism charges today as his trial opened. Rakhmat Akilov appeared in the Stockholm courtroom, handcuffed amid tight security, wearing green prison clothes and with a shaved head and a beard, accompanied by his lawyer Johan Eriksson. Akilov, whose Swedish asylum application had been rejected in 2016, had sworn allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) on the eve of his assault in one of Europe's safest cities, though the jihadist group never claimed responsibility. On the afternoon of Friday, April 7, Akilov stole a beer delivery truck and barrelled down a bustling pedestrian shopping street, swerving wildly to hit as many people as possible. He killed five and injured 10. Rakhmat "Akilov took the truck ... and drove it the way the prosecutor described. He killed five people and physically injured 10," his lawyer Johan Eriksson told the court. "The motive was to instigate fear and to get Sweden to end its participation in the coalition against the Islamic State," he added. Akilov fled the scene and was arrested several hours later thanks to public transport video surveillance images. He confessed in police questioning. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A strong nation-wide mechanism is required so that major organs from brain dead persons could be immediately available to a needy patient, director of a government agency working for organ transplant said today. The gap between the needy and the donor cannot be bridged unless organs are taken from brain dead patients, National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) Director Dr Vimal Bhandari told reporters here. "The NOTTO aimed at having a stronger system to ensure that organs like hearts and livers from brain dead persons are immediately made available to a needy patient through a networking mechanism," he told reporters. There should be a network across the nation, so that the heart of a brain dead person can be taken from Kolkata to Delhi in the quickest possible time, said Bhandari who attended a workshop on organ donation of the brain dead here. This system will bridge the huge gap between donor and recipients as only live organ donation is not enough, he said. Bhandari said under NOTTO, five Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisations (ROTTO) centres have come up in the country. One of them is at the Post Graduate Medical Education and Research in Kolkata that covers five states of the East - Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Sikkim and West Bengal, he said. Besides, 18 private hospitals in the state are registered under NOTTO. Bhandari said 21 states, from all over the country, have adopted NOTTO and among them "Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Maharashtra, Kerala and Karnataka are really doing well. We hope West Bengal will catch up in another 3-4 years." Joint Director ROTTO, Prof Arpita Ray Chaudhury said, in 2017 there was only one case of the organ transplant of a brain dead person in West Bengal while there were five cases in 2016. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Security forces on Tuesday launched a massive search operation after Army personnel foiled a suspected terrorist attack on their camp in Jammu, three days after a deadly strike by Jaish-e-Mohammad group killed seven people at Sunjuwan military station, an official said. "An attack (on a camp) was averted and the terrorist fled away," Jammu-based Army spokesperson Lt Col Devender Anand told PTI. A senior police officer said two motorcycle-borne terrorists are believed to have approached the main gate of the camp at Domana on Jammu-Akhnoor road around 0430 hours and fired on the sentry post after security officials signalled them to stop, prompting retaliation. "An investigation has started and a search operation is underway to trackdown the fleeing terrorists," the official said adding that an alert has been sounded in the area. Heavily-armed terrorists of Pakistan-based Jaish-e- Mohammad (JeM) group struck an Army camp in Sunjuwan area in Jammu on Saturday morning, triggering a gunbattle in which six soldiers and a civilian died. Three terrorists were also killed by the security forces. Yesterday, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited Jammu to take stock of the situation following the attack. She blamed Pakistan for the attack and said Islamabad will pay the price for the "misadventure". "Pakistan will pay for this misadventure. I repeat Pakistan will pay for it," she told reporters. Asked whether the Indian government was sharing evidence with Pakistan, Sitharaman said "yes". "Yes, all the evidences which have been collected will be compiled and definitely the evidences will be given - as always - to Pakistan. But Pakistan, inspite of being given dossiers after dossiers, has not taken any action," she said. Her visit came as another encounter between security forces and terrorists began to unfold in Srinagar's Karan Nagar area. The ecounter was still on, a CRPF official said this morning. It is a marriage made in Heaven for cute-obsessed Japan: this Valentine's Day, lovers can present the object of their affection with a world first -- naturally bright pink chocolate. The KitKat store in the glitzy shopping area of Ginza in Tokyo is a riot of wall-to-wall pink, as marketing departments go into overdrive to promote the "fourth" type of chocolate, after milk, dark and white. And the salespeople have chosen their moment wisely: Valentine's Day is massive business in Japan -- with tradition dictating that the women give presents to the men. "I love pink. I love chocolate. So this is just great for me," said 24-year-old Natsuko Takeuchi, searching for a sweet treat at the Ginza store. "Knowing that this chocolate is created purely naturally, without any additional flavour or colour. I think it's really good," added Takeuchi, who operates a food trolley on Japan's iconic bullet trains. For more than 80 years, when white chocolate was invented, the world has had to be content with just three varieties. Then in September, Swiss group Barry Callebaut unveiled its new "ruby" type -- the fruit of more than 10 years of research -- and five months later, bars appeared on shelves in both Japan and South Korea. The pink colour is obtained naturally, without using additives or artificial colouring, explained Akiko Hara, a manager for Barry Callebaut in Japan. The colour comes from ruby cocoa "that can be found in normal plantations," Hara told AFP. The firm's R&D department keeps the recipe a closely guarded secret, locked away in a safe. The result is a chocolate that tastes both creamy and fruity, with a subtle hint of raspberry. If Japan is the testing ground for the new variety of chocolate, it was well chosen. The Japanese chocolate market is worth nearly five billion dollars per year, according to figures from research group Euromonitor. This places Japan still way behind the United States ($18.9 billion) but still at the top of the Asian league table. Japanese consumers also crave a huge variety of products, as can be seen from the enormous range of KitKat flavours -- from wasabi to green tea to sake. So consumers have a huge choice in what chocolates to buy: "Honmei-choco" for lovers, "giri-choco" for male bosses and colleagues and "tomo-choco" for close friends. In a sign of how seriously Valentine's Day is taken, Belgian chocolate firm Godiva created a storm when it called on people to forgo the chocs for colleagues (known as "obligation chocolate") to focus on loved ones. Convenience stores on every corner are packed with potential presents and master chocolatiers also go to town for the occasion, creating ornate shapes such as pink high-heeled shoes made of chocolate. The result: huge sales. This year, love-struck Japanese are expected to shell out 130 billion yen (one billion dollars) on Valentine's Day chocolates, according to Kinenbi Culture Laboratory, a research group on Japanese festivals. The tradition of women giving chocolate to men stems from a promotional campaign at the end of the 1950s. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nearly 2,000 Tamil Nadu fishermen were allegedly chased away by the Sri Lankan Navy while they were fishing in Indian territorial waters, a fishermen association leader said. The fishermen from this island town had put out to sea yesterday in 400 boats and were fishing in the Indian waters when the Lankan Navy transgressed the International Maritime Boundary Line and warned them against venturing near the Katchatheevu islet, Rameswaram Fishermen Association President S Emerit alleged. Following the incident, all of them returned to the shore this morning, he said and alleged that they were being prevented from exercising their traditional fishing rights in the Indian waters now. Two days back, over 3,000 fishermen from here were chased away by the island nation's naval personnel when they were allegedly fishing near the Katchatheevu islet. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least two men died today in clashes between demonstrators and riot police in Guinea, following protests over local election results and the resumption of a teachers' strike, a government spokesman said. "There have been two deaths today in circumstances yet to be established," said spokesman Albert Damantang Camara. "The two were killed by police during clashes with youths in Hamdallaye district," an opposition fiefdom in the capital Conakry, a security source said. Demonstrators gathered less than a week after at least 50 people were arrested over an arson attack that killed five children, in post-election violence in central Guinea. The opposition has claimed "massive fraud" by the authorities in the February 4 local election, leading to unrest in the West African country which has now claimed at least nine deaths, including four minors. With around half of the results from 342 communes now declared, the independent electoral commission Ceni put the party of President Alpha Conde neck and neck with that of opposition leader and former prime minister Cellou Dalein Diallo. The vote was the first of its kind since a military dictatorship ended a decade ago and followed eight years of delays blamed on a lack of funds, political infighting and the 2013-16 Ebola crisis. Opposition leaders denounced the poll, alleging vote rigging with proxy ballots at several polling stations in favour of Conde's party. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, special representative for the United Nations Secretary-General in the area, said in a statement Monday after a five-day visit to Conakry it was "fundamental for the Ceni to be able to carry out its work calmly and serenely." He urged rival factions to put aside their "discourse of hatred, acts of violence and violations of freedoms and fundamental rights." The Economic Community of West African States also urged an end to the violence on Sunday. The resumption of a strike by teachers meanwhile drew widespread support in Conakry and several provincial cities, according to teachers and witnesses interviewed by AFP, though the government said the dispute was mainly confined to primary and secondary schools. Teachers had in December agreed to suspend for two months a month-old stoppage over salaries which drew widespread support from students following an offer by religious leaders to mediate talks with the government. Several trade unions had also threatened a nationwide "general strike" if the striking teachers were punished. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 32-hour gunbattle between security forces and two LeT terrorists, who hid in a building in Karan Nagar here after their attempts to attack a CRPF camp failed, ended today with them being killed, police said. The security operation to flush out the terrorists from the under-construction building in the heart of the city was carried out by a Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force, a police official said. The Army was not involved in the operation, he clarified. The official said two bodies - along with weapons - have been recovered from the encounter site. Ravideep Sahi, IG-CRPF, Srinagar, said the forces recovered two AK-47 assault rifles and eight magazines from the site. The gunbattle, which began yesterday morning, came two days after Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists attacked an Army camp in Jammu's Sunjuwan area, killing seven people, including six Army soldiers. Three terrorists were also killed in retaliation by the Army. Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, S P Pani said the terrorists who tried to attack the CRPF camp in Karan Nagar area early yesterday morning belonged to the Lashkar-e- Taiba (LeT) group. "The materials we recovered from the site of the encounter suggest that the militants belonged to LeT. But the militants have not been identified yet and we are trying to ascertain their identity," he told reporters at a joint press conference with CRPF officials. Pani said it was a clean operation without collateral damage, adding that it continued for so long as the building where the terrorists were hiding was a five-storey structure. An alert sentry had foiled their attempt to attack the CRPF camp by opening fire on the terrorists, after which they took shelter in the under-construction structure in Karan Nagar locality that has both commercial and residential buildings. A CRPF jawan was killed and a policeman injured in the initial exchange of fire with the terrorists yesterday. After an overnight lull, the operation resumed this morning. According to the IG-CRPF, security forces conducted a comprehensive recce of the area and devised a strategy before launching the operation. "We rescued five families of CRPF personnel as well as a few civilians and once the sanitisation (process) of the area was done, the operation was launched," he said. The paramilitary force, he added, could have suffered huge losses had it not been for the alert sentry who thwarted the fidayeen attack. "In this operation, I think the credit goes to our sentry a constable who first stopped this fidayeen attack to enter the battalion headquarters. Had they entered, there would have been a lot of losses," he said. Asked if there could be more militants hiding in the area, Sahi said the sentry saw only two terrorists. "The sentry has done a commendable job and once the dust settles, we will surely award him," he said. Asked if there were reports of more militants in the city or inputs of more attacks, the CRPF officer said the forces were on the alert. "The conditions and the environment in which we are working, I can only say this, that our jawans on ground are very alert to the security challenges which we face. Our jawans and officers are sensitive and whatever challenges are there, we will face them," he said. Security forces had evacuated the area and moved civilians out before launching an assault on the terrorists. Authorities had imposed restrictions in the area as a precautionary measure to stop people from converging near the encounter site. As part of the measures, Internet speed were reduced in the area, a police official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Ram Nath Kovind today said the 'Ujjwala Yojana' being run by the government is a step towards women's empowerment. Kovind said this while hosting an 'LPG Panchayat' at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Speaking on the occasion, the president said that the 'Ujjwala Yojana' is strengthening women's empowerment, a Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson said. He congratulated the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas for making efforts to advance social justice through health, welfare and empowerment of women, the spokesperson said. The president said that he was confident that these panchayats will prove to be very useful. The 'LPG Panchayat' was organised by the Oil ministry with an aim to provide a platform for LPG consumers to interact with each other, promote mutual learning and share experiences. Each such panchayat has about 100 LPG customers coming together, near their living areas, to discuss safe and sustainable usage of LPG, its benefits and the link between clean fuel for cooking and women's empowerment. The ministry intends to conduct 1 lakh such panchayats across India before March 31 next year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a huge setback to Julian Assange, a British court today for the second time ruled that a UK arrest warrant against the Wikileaks founder was still valid, making it clear that he could be arrested if he tries to leave the Ecuadorian embassy where he has been holed up since 2012. Senior District Judge Emma Arbuthnot, handing down her judgement before a packed courtroom at Westminster magistrates court, said that she was not persuaded by the argument from Assange's legal team that it was not in the public interest to pursue him for skipping bail. "I find arrest is a proportionate response even though Mr Assange has restricted his own freedom for a number of years," Judge Arbuthnot said. The judge said: "Defendants on bail up and down the country, and requested persons facing extradition, come to court to face the consequences of their own choices. He should have the courage to do the same. It is certainly not against the public interest to proceed". Assange, 46, skipped bail to enter the Ecuadorian embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden over allegations of sexual assault and rape, which he denies. Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot, the judge who is currently also presiding over the extradition trial of liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya, the next hearing date for which is expected in mid-March, had reserved her judgement in the Assange case last month. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Asserting that India is progressing in the right direction on creating a stronger intellectual property rights environment, a top advocacy group representing Indian and US companies has sought a bilateral dialogue between the world's two largest democracies. While, the Indian government "has taken several important steps to implement IPR policy, some industry concerns remain unaddressed," Mukesh Aghi, president of the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF) said in a written submission to the US Trade Representative (USTR) as part of the latter's Special 3-1 Review. The Indian government "should initiate a bilateral IP-Dialogue to signify the importance of IP for an enhanced commercial and strategic partnership," USISPF said. India is progressing in the right direction on creating a stronger IP environment, USISPF said as it commended New Delhi on the positive steps it has taken in 2017 to implement its 2016 IPR policy. "We recognise that India advanced six spots last year to be ranked 60th out of 127 countries on the Global Innovation Index (co-authored by Cornell University and the World Intellectual Property Organisation - WIPO), and patent applications in India are increasing at double digit rates," it said. Continued progress supported by consistent government-to-government engagement/exchanges on a variety of IPR issues, including the US-India Trade Policy Forum are important to support and better understand the efforts and progress India is making, it added. At the same time, USISPF listed some areas of concerns coming from its members. India, it said, should produce stronger and clearer legal provisions and greater enforcement related to IPR infringements to better protect patent rights and promote predictability in the market. Noting that bio-pharmaceutical companies continue to see infringements of their patents, USISPF said such infringements are often detected in the marketplace, and therefore, much of the damage is already done by the time the patent holders seek recourse. Pharmaceutical companies, it said, have voiced their concern regarding the pending threat of stricter price controls for patented drugs. In its submission, USISPF said that it has urged India to desist from introducing compulsory licensing of patented technologies or imposing artificial price ceilings, which would discourage investment in innovation and new technologies. India should not drop the 'Protection of Regulatory Data' under the Pesticides Management Bill, it said. Stating that preventing online pirated content and preserving copyright is a principal concern, USISPF said India's lack of an explicit safe harbour framework for online intermediaries leaves Internet companies unprotected from third party liability in India for user actions in case of copyright infringements. It urged India to develop an enforcement framework that facilitates the removal of copyright works online and that does not necessarily put the liability on the Internet companies but on the individual infringers themselves. As India may consider encryption policies, USISPF urged the development of a policy that does not mandate companies releasing their encryption keys or other sensitive intellectual property. Aghi said the US industry's intellectual property experience differs by sector. For many of its members, their IP experience in India has been positive, and notably they have not faced serious issues, such as state-sponsored IP theft, as in other world markets. "However, in sectors such as pharmaceutical, agriculture, media and the digital economy, there remain valid concerns," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Renowned fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, today responded to the backlash over his comments on Indian women and the saree, saying the matter has snowballed into an unintended "gender issue." The designer said his remarks at the Harvard India Conference, which were in response to a query on the difficulties that women face in draping a saree, were intended to be a reflection on the "celebration of our clothing history and heritage". Sabyasachi told PTI over an e-mail exchange from Boston: "What was intended to be a comment on celebration of our clothing history and heritage became a debate on feminism. This is not a gender issue. Since the question was about the saree, women were involved. "I would take the same stand on men's national clothing too. I have not made any statement on a woman's choice on what she wishes to wear which is always her own prerogative." Talking to the Indian students gathered in Cambridge on Saturday, the celebrity designer had said, "I think, if you tell me that you do not know how to wear a saree, I would say shame on you. It's a part of your culture, (you) need to stand up for it.""Women and men are trying very hard to be something that they are not. Your clothing should be a part of who you are and connect you to your roots," he had added. In one of his comments at the event, the couturier had then, in fact, credited Indian women for keeping the saree alive, but declared that the "dhoti is dead". Referring to his remarks, the Kolkata-based Sabyasachi said he had only expressed his "personal point of view". The designer said he had often observed women confessing they do not know how to wear a saree "with a hint of pride". "My observation came from the fact that I often meet those who say it with a hint of pride on how they don't know how to wear a sari and I find it very dismissive of our heritage. It's a personal point of view." "You don't need to live your culture all the time but you can merely acknowledge it and celebrate it," said Sabyasachi, who was also in the recently for designing the wedding dresses of Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma. Bollywood star Deepikia Padukone was often seen in Sabyasachi designer sarees during her promotional events for the movie Padmaavat. Sabyasachi is the latest name to be embroiled into a Twitter controversy, with many taking offence to the remarks and calling them patriarchal and anti-feminist. Some even went on to point out that a Sabyasachi label saree costs a fortune and he should instead sell the garment at reasonable prices. The designer, although concerned, is not taking the censure on the Internet negatively. "What social media does is that it brings forward a democratic debate and that is always healthy," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The White House today flatly denied Israeli claims that talks are underway to annex land claimed by Palestinians, in a rare public show of disunity. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had been in talks with Washington about annexing settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move that could shatter a peace process that is already on life support. That was denied by White House spokesman Josh Raffel, who works closely with Jared Kushner. "Reports that the United States discussed with Israel an annexation plan for the West Bank are false," he said. "The United States and Israel have never discussed such a proposal, and the president's focus remains squarely on his Israeli-Palestinian peace initiative. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 29-year-old Youth Congress leader was hacked to death allegedly by CPI(M) workers at Mattanur in Kannur district, police said today. The incident occurred late last night when four assailants came in a car and hurled crude bombs and attacked S P Shuhaib and two other party members with machetes, they said. Shuhaib, the Mattanur block Youth Congress secretary, was at a roadside tea shop at Therur with Riaz and Naushad when the attack happened. The critically-injured Shuhaib was rushed to the Indira Gandhi Co-Operative Hospital at Thalassery where he succumbed, police said adding that the injured persons were stable. Police suspect it could be related to the incidents of violence in the area last week. Cases under sections 307 (attempt to murder), 324 voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 302 (read with 34) of the IPC and sections 3 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act have been registered. No one has been arrested in connection with the incident and further investigations were on, police said. Meanwhile, the Congress has announced a dawn-to-dusk hartal in the district today against yesterday's attack. Kannur in north Kerala has witnessed a series of political murders and violence after the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government came to power last year. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Thomas Wilson and Takahiko WadaTOKYO (Reuters) - After the Mt. Gox cryptocurrency exchange was stung by a half-billion dollar theft in 2014, Japanese regulators swung into action. Their goal was to craft rules that both protected traders and allowed a promising sector to flourish. By last April, they thought they had arrived at a set of guidelines that did just that.Japan's national system to oversee cryptocurrency trading was the world's first, rolled out even as policymakers elsewhere grappled with how to deal with the sector. Under the Japanese framework, some exchanges would be allowed ... (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday asked Congress to allow federal power companies such as the Tennessee Valley Authority to divest transmission assets to state, local or private entities, as part of its outline for rebuilding infrastructure in America:- Federal ownership of these assets can result in "sub-optimal investment decisions and create risk for taxpayers," the White House said.- Providing federal agencies authority to divest of federal assets where the agencies can demonstrate an increase in value from the sale would optimize the taxpayer value, the plan said.- ... | BY Ricki Green | Clemenger BBDO Melbourne has announced the appointment of Gavin Chimes as senior copywriter. Chimes joins from Marcel Sydney, where he was an associate creative director and part of the agencys founding team, leading creative for the agencys global Tiger Beer account. Prior to Marcel, Chimes held roles at M&C Saatchi and Droga5 and has worked across clients including Qantas, OPSM and American Express, among others. Named Australasian Creative of the Year at AWARD awards in 2017, Chimes body of work has seen him recognised at Cannes Lions, D&AD and Spikes for his work on Tiger Air-Ink, Tiger Trading Co. and Dry Dock Beer. Says Evan Roberts, executive creative director, Clemenger BBDO Melbourne: Were very excited to have Gav join the team. He has that rare mix of talent, humility and drive which is vital for a modern day creative. Were looking forward to Gav forming an important part of the Clemenger creative offering. | BY Lynchy | Grey Malaysias executive creative director Graham Drew (pictured left) reflects on the launch of Elon Musks Tesla into space My old English teacher used to complain about the misuse of words. There were many abuses, but in his view, by far the biggest violation was Awesome. In its true definition it is something that inspires awe that rare kind of slack-jawed speechlessness that only happens when babies pop out or Northern Lights streak the sky. That was over 20 years ago, its only got worse. Now a latte is awesome. But just a few days back I, just like everyone else, saw Elon Musk launch a rocket in the sky then land it again it a way that in itself seems to defy gravity. But thenthen I saw the Tesla cam, I saw StarMan. Id missed all the pre-publicity, so knew nothing about it till I saw it. It was awesome. I first encountered Elon Musk in 2012 at SXSW. It was my first time there and was totally bewildered by the whole thing so just went to the keynotes in the first couple of days. I had no idea who he was nor had I heard this scrabble-like name before. He was just there on stage, chatting to some other Silicon-Valley type. But pretty soon I was struck by the sheer pragmatism of the guy. He talked about how he started, grew, then sold PayPal and made millions and got bored. How he then just looked around for something to do, something to fix. What were the big problems in the world? The plague of online payment was sorted, so what next? In short, he talked about how NASA inspired him as a youth but the US had been bankrupted by foreign policy. How fossil fuels were unsustainable and choking us all. Space, Power and Pollution.Or, as we know now, Space X, Solar City, Tesla. WTF. How one man has become a real Tony Stark is well documented, maybe too much already. Back to StarMan. Amongst the forest of awesomes that hes achieved I think I love this one the most. Because it feels utterly self indulgent. And maybe because its the best car ad ever made. But really, I just love the sheer bravado of sticking his car on top of his rocket it speaks directly to the child in all of us. To us Ad people this inevitably calls paralells to Red Bull and their great space adventure which revolutionalised branded content forever and would have swept the board at Cannes (if they had entered) But the Red Bull stunt was brand first, it was a genuis feat of brand marketing. So is StarMan, but this has so much more of a sense of mischief and ego-centric f**k it about it. At a time when we are all sharpening our pencils for the Croisette, finding new ways to solve the worlds problems or maybe just our clients issues. Along comes something out of left field that is such an epic mic drop its just Notice for the Postmedia Network This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Monday, February 12, 2018 at 10:05PM We reported back in December that Apple was set to buy music discover app Shazam. The tech giant reportedly signed a US$400m acquisition deal with the London-based company. And now it seems the European Commission wants to investigate the deal following requests from seven countries that fear the agreement will adversely affect competition. The seven petitioners include Austria, France, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Spain, and Sweden. When Apple made the announcement last year, it said the deal will be less than the turnover threshold for the European Commission. However, its above the merger notification threshold for Austria, which is leading the quorum of countries worried about the deal. This investigation forces Apple to let the EU authorities know about the deal and have to wait for the investigation into the deals implications. The EC has up to 35 working days for the initial investigations and another 105 working days if there are serious concerns that need to be looked into. Apple will then have the opportunity for approval by answering and addressing the concerns. Source: The Guardian Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at 8:47AM LUMIX DC-GX9MK, a sleek, compact new Digital Single Lens Mirrorless camera. This compact camera enables users to shoot vibrant, true-to-life, high-quality images in their own creative way with excellent resolution, high contrast and impressive colour reproduction. The LUMX DC-GX9MK features a 20.3-megapixel Digital Live MOS Sensor without a low-pass filter and Venus Engine to drive maximum lens performance while rendering natural, high-precision images. The L.Monochrome D mode is newly added to Photo Style, making it easy to shoot detailed dynamic monochrome photos with emphasized highlights and shadows. The Panasonic LUMX DC-GX9MK (GX9 body plus a LUMIX 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 lens) will be available at select Canadian retailers and on the Panasonic eStore in April with an MSRP of $1299.99 (CDN). news, latest-news ACT Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris says a bad flu season was to blame for Canberra Hospital being in almost permanent "emergency response" mode to deal with capacity issues for three months last year. But the opposition says it shows the ACT's health system is in "crisis mode". Responding a question on notice from opposition health spokeswoman Vicki Dunne, Ms Fitzharris said Canberra Hospital was at alert level three throughout July, August and September last year. That is compared to 2016 when there were just five equivalent code yellows during the same period. Alert level three - formally known as code yellow - is an emergency response to deal with an internal incident that threatens the flow of critical services to patients. It is triggered when two or more events relating to bed occupancy or service capacity occur. The health minister could not immediately identify which triggers led to the alerts throughout the three month period. A spokeswoman said it could have been any one or a combination of any of those events, on any given day during that period. The Canberra Times reported in August the emergency departments were "standing room only" and corridors were "lined with beds". "As you can appreciate, last year was a particularly bad flu season .. the ACT was not immune," Ms Fitzharris said. "We saw hospitals across the country struggling to keep up with the significant impact of a particularly ... bad flu season. "We have a very good plan in place not only to deal with this upcoming flu season but to deal with the upcoming needs of the people in the territory." Ms Fitzharris said a number of measures were put in place during to period to safely manage capacity. This included additional nurses recruited in paediatrics, adjusted ward rosters, more hospital assistants and improved communication strategies. Asked whether Canberra Hospital was equipped to deal with crises, Ms Fitzharris said there had been increased collaboration between Canberra and Calvary hospitals. She said the opening of Canberra rehabilitation hospital in July would ease pressure off main general hospitals. But Mrs Dunne said the government should have planned for potential bad flu outbreaks. "We have a flu season every year, this is a foreseeable event that the government should know to plan for," she said. "While last year was worse than most the other sick people in Canberra shouldn't have to be put on hold because of the government's poor planning." Mrs Dunne said Ms Fitzharris should confirm exactly how many, and which criteria triggered the alert level threes. "This is an alarming revelation," she said. "Minister Fitzharris keeps assuring Canberrans that our health system is in good form when the naked truth is; our health system is in crisis mode. "We have missing and manipulated health data, we have long and painful waiting times, we have overflowing emergency departments, and we have high risk critical infrastructure. "The government's irresponsible handling of our hospitals is compromising patient safety. "She should deliver a comprehensive and actionable strategy to prevent this from happening again." Triggers for alert level three: /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/8c2866a4-ace8-45ab-8841-7432939e7901/r0_129_2000_1259_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news The chief executive of Qatar Airways has indicated he would like to build a new five-star hotel in Canberra - but only if he gets a good deal on the land from the ACT government. The airline's first flight into Canberra landed on Monday, and Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker - who is also chief executive of the Dhiafatina Hotel group and the Hamad International Airport - said he wanted to bring one of the top hotel brands to the nation's capital. But Mr Al Baker said he was not prepared "to write a big cheque for that real estate". "We see there is potential for more five-star room nights [but] we would need to be provided real estate that is appropriately priced, I would prefer it to be free over say a 99-year or 100-year lease," Mr Al Baker said. "You know Canberra is not an ultra large city, but its a very beautiful place, I think Canberra has a lot of potential and if the state authorities give us recommendations we will possibly look at it because I think the capital city of this great nation deserves more options for people." Mr Al Baker made the surprise comment during a joint press conference with Chief Minister Andrew Barr on Tuesday. The airline has spared no expense in launching its service to Canberra, even commissioning a hot air balloon for the occasion. Mr Barr, who appeared startled by the investment proposal, said the ACT's leasehold system would allow the government to release land for the purpose of the hotel "that would significantly reduce its price". He said the idea showed a "very serious and long term commitment" to the Canberra market. "I've been talking about the need for more five star hotels in Canberra for a number of years now," Mr Barr said. "We have sites that are available and clearly there are also desirable sites held by the private sector. Our planning system allows for that kind of land release so clearly it's a competitive process and there are many parties interested in investing in new hotels in Canberra but this is a very practical example of the work my government has been undertaking in partnership with Canberra Airport and others in the tourism sector for many years now." Qatar Airways now flies 35 times a week to Australia, with double daily flights to Sydney now thanks to the addition of the Canberra route. But Mr Al Baker said it was the length of the runway, not the desire to get an extra flight into Sydney that necessitated the 70-minute technical stop. "Unfortunately the runway is not long enough to fly here direct, though we may be able to land here direct, we will not be able to take off direct to go from Doha to here because when you are going for such an utter long haul flight, the aircraft is very heavy so it would need a minimum of 4300 metre long runway for us to be able to fly from here direct from any destination," Mr Al Baker said. "We don't intend to land anywhere midway so this is the only alternative, we have to land in Sydney in order for us to be able to refuel for us to be able to go up to our hub in Doha." Canberra Airport managing director Stephen Byron said the airport's masterplan allowed for another 600 metres to be added to the main runway. However that would only take the runway to a length of 3883 metres. Mr Byron said the runway length was "something we can address with our masterplan over time", but did not think the stop at Sydney would deter Canberrans from flying with Qatar Airways. "I think any of us who've had to fly to Sydney on a domestic flight and transfer, been delayed, had to transfer terminals, been caught in the traffic and had very significantly long changeover times would recognise the opportunity to avoid all that," Mr Byron said. "To be guaranteed to be on the same aircraft, on the same seat, to have your bags already on the plane and doing your baggage and customs in the elegant and efficient Canberra Airport is a substantial advantage over the alternative." Mr Al Baker said Qatar would continue to lobby the Australian government for extra frequencies as part of the country's Air Services Agreement with Australia. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/735be1d4-3415-41b1-9539-c16331d5d8aa/r0_941_1671_1885_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news A specialist legal and social work service that helps some of Canberra's most vulnerable avoid evictions, including those fleeing family violence, could be forced to shut its doors by July. The free service has been run by Canberra Community Law since 2014, helping residents with disabilities, indigenous Canberrans and those experiencing family violence facing eviction and homelessness. While it has been funded by philanthropic foundations since July 2014, those grants from the Snow Foundation and Clayton Utz Foundation are set to end in July this year, leaving the law centre without money to keep it running. Law centre executive director Genevieve Bolton said the service, called the socio-legal practice clinic (SLP), was the first of its kind in the ACT - bringing a social worker and lawyer in to work "hand-in-hand" with highly vulnerable people facing complex legal and social situations. "The majority of clients are facing eviction proceedings often as a result of coming into rental arrears, property condition issues and neighbourhood issues," she said. "But in order to maximise their prospects of people actually achieving sustainable housing, we understood we had to help unpack some of the underlying issues that were actually leading to the legal problems." Of the 79 clients it helped last financial year, 77 per cent had a disability; 87 per cent had Centrelink payments as their main source of income and 60 per cent reported facing issues of family violence. A possible indicator of the complexity of the work the clinic handles was the 105 actual cases it managed for those 79 clients, with several needing help with more than one legal issue. Ms Bolton said the law centre wanted to ensure the clinic was achieving its aims, and had commissioned two "independent, external reviews" of the SLP clinic in the years since its inception. "The independent external evaluation of the [initial] project found it led to more sustainable outcomes," she said. "From the clients feedback to those reviews, it showed it was not only addressing their legal needs abut was providing vital support to help them address their social needs." While Ms Bolton said the centre had urged the territory government to fund the $90,000 a year it cost to keep the clinic running, in a submission to this year's ACT budget. She said for many clients, the clinic had "often meant the difference between being evicted or accessing public housing in a timely way". "We've done the hard yards in terms of developing the program, we've been able to attract philanthropic funding, and we're had two independent evaluations which found it be highly effective," she said. "Having seen the results and value that the program provides, we're now asking the ACT government to come and support this level of intensive assistance for some of the community most vulnerable people." The government has previously said it does not comment on budget deliberations. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/ed36f25e-eab0-4687-9b74-00e33ac5ccb4/r0_133_1999_1262_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, federal-politics Embattled Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce insists he can survive the scandal that has rocked his personal life and political career as Fairfax Media revealed he charged taxpayers to spend 50 nights in Canberra when Parliament was not sitting in 2017 - more than any other cabinet minister. Official expense records show Mr Joyce claimed $16,690 in travel allowance for out-of-session nights in the nation's capital between January 1 and September 30, 2017. That is significantly more than top government figures such as Treasurer Scott Morrison, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. Mr Joyce was acting Prime Minister for 10 of those 50 nights. Under the rules, Mr Joyce was entitled to claim $276 per night for official business as Deputy Prime Minister and $565 per night as acting Prime Minister. As Mr Joyce faced a sustained opposition attack in Parliament for the second consecutive day, he attempted to reassert control over his personal-political crisis, first by making a terse verbal statement to reporters, followed shortly after by a printed statement. In both he publicly apologised to his wife Natalie, their daughters and to his new partner Vikki Campion for the pain he has caused them. He also dismissed reports of an incident at a Canberra bar seven years ago as untrue and "peddled by the bitterest of political enemies". Mr Joyce also later apologised to the Coalition joint party room on Tuesday but signalled he has no intention of resigning, telling the meeting: "Every political career has a time of trial." Labor, which had initially treated Mr Joyce's marriage breakdown as a private matter, used question time to ramp up the pressure on Mr Joyce and directly link Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to his deputy's scandal. Mr Turnbull and other senior Liberals have been at pains to distance themselves from the scandal, placing responsibility for Ms Campion's employment by Mr Joyce, senator Matt Canavan and backbencher Damian Drum squarely on the Deputy Prime Minister's shoulders. As more confronting details came to light of Mr Joyce's affair with Ms Campion - who is expecting their child in mid-April - Nationals expressed grave concerns over the contradictory message his choices transmitted on behalf of the Coalition. Mr Joyce's colleagues described the affair variously as "embarrassing" and "a distraction". Even MPs who are close supporters of Mr Joyce are now questioning whether he will last until the end of the week in his leadership role. Some Nationals MPs have indicated to Fairfax Media they do not want to move against Mr Joyce, and would prefer he resigned. Discussions have already begun about who would replace him, with Michael McCormack and Darren Chester named. Former Nationals leaders declined to speak on the record, fearing it would simply cause more pain for their party, but none contacted expressed any confidence that Mr Joyce can expect his reputation to be restored "anytime soon". Mr Joyce's extramarital affair with Ms Campion, who lived in Canberra throughout 2017, has been linked with his split with his wife. Mr Joyce's office blamed the high number of nights in Canberra on the fact regional Australian cities - such as Tamworth and Armidale in Mr Joyce's electorate - do not have permanent commonwealth offices like capital cities. "It should be expected that the Deputy Prime Minister would use the Canberra office more frequently than those ministers who have capital city bases," the spokesman said. However, Mr Joyce opened two brand new offices in his electorate in 2015, costing taxpayers $670,000. He opened a new electorate office in Tenterfield ($305,148) and a dedicated ministerial office in Armidale ($365,748). Mr Joyce's claim of 50 nights of travel allowance while in Canberra is more than any other minister of the Turnbull cabinet, and far more than any other minister of a similar level of seniority. Fairfax Media does not suggest any of the Deputy Prime Minister's claims were outside the rules that govern MPs entitlements. Mr Joyce also claimed for 62 sitting nights - meaning he spent a total of 112 days in Canberra, out of 272 days, in the period examined. In comparison, Treasurer Scott Morrison claimed travel allowance for just 23 nights in Canberra in non-sitting weeks, including 11 consecutive nights in the lead up to the federal budget in May. Finance Minister Mathias Cormann claimed for just 18 nights in Canberra in non-sitting weeks, including 7 consecutive nights before the budget. Like Mr Joyce, both Mr Morrison and Senator Cormann are members of the powerful expenditure review committee and the national security committee of cabinet, which can involve extra time in Canberra. Deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop claimed travel allowance for just four nights in Canberra in a non-sitting week, while former deputy Nationals leader Fiona Nash did not claim a single night. After Mr Joyce, the next highest claim was by Nationals' Senate leader Nigel Scullion, who claimed for 43 nights in Canberra. However, Senator Scullion is based in Darwin - a six hour flight from Canberra - whereas Mr Joyce is based near Tamworth, which is about 2 hours away from Canberra. In addition, Mr Joyce has easier access to government VIP charter flights as Deputy Prime Minister. Fellow Catholic conservative Cory Bernardi was scathing in his assessment of the crisis now dominating the Coalition, telling Sky News that voters have a right to expect two things from politics. "One is that the Australian people will not get screwed by their government and two, ministers will not screw their staff," the Australian Conservative senator said. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/75db350c-6ef3-44be-a8d7-813aad3acf83/r0_157_3046_1878_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, federal-politics Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has made sweeping changes to his office designed to sharpen Labor's political messaging and help ready the party for a federal election. Mr Shorten announced late Tuesday communications specialists Ryan Liddell and Gerard Richardson would move into new and more high profile roles. Mr Liddell, formerly Mr Shorten's communications director, has been promoted to chief of staff, the most senior position in the office. Mr Richardson filled the vacancy created by Mr Liddell. The appointment of the well-regarded Mr Liddell, who has served Mr Shorten since he became opposition leader in October 2013, caps a meteoric rise for the Melbourne-based staffer, who began as a fresh-faced media adviser in Canberra in 2011 under former attorney-general Robert McClelland. Mr Liddell then joined the office of the then treasurer Wayne Swan, where he worked alongside Andrew Thomas, a former Treasury official who was Mr Swan's chief of staff. Mr Thomas returned to federal politics in July 2016 to serve as Mr Shorten's third chief of staff. But the recent birth of his first child has led Mr Thomas to resign from the role. He will spend six months as his son's full-time carer. Mr Richardson began working for Labor frontbencher Jenny Macklin and switched to Mr Shorten when Labor moved into opposition. Sharon McCrohan, who has served as media chief to Victorian premiers Steve Bracks and John Brumby, will work with the office as a consultant. Mr Shorten's first chief of staff was former Rio Tinto executive Ken Macpherson; he was followed by Queensland Labor factional heavyweight Cameron Milner, who left soon after the 2016 election. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/ce89ba1e-5255-4c33-8b45-d028c0ab3b12/r0_104_2000_1234_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg A newly formed land trust celebrated its first purchase of an environmentally sensitive property in Cape Coral Tuesday. The Cape Coral Wildlife Trust, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 305 N.W. 7th Terrace, a quarter-acre lot said to be habitat for multiple gopher tortoises. Many area conservationists from the trust and the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife were there to help celebrate the occasion the protection of more than 30 gopher tortoise burrows, giving the species an opportunity to thrive in perpetuity on the parcel. Cheryl Anderson, a board member of the trust, said the whole idea is to buy environmentally sensitive lots or have lots donated to them to preserve them for the wildlife that live there. Its very expensive to remove these animals, which is called mitigation and take them to another site, Anderson said. We paid $6,500, but that does not include all the mitigation funds that will be put into the property because of the UEP. The lot was sold to the trust by a woman who lived in Puerto Rico, who needed the money to rebuild her home there following the hurricanes, Anderson said. The trust was formed in November to acquire burrowing owl and gopher tortoise habitat. Both are threatened species. Both species are covered by Florida statutes, but their numbers have been declining statewide and in Cape Coral, where development has impacted their habitats. People are very sympathetic to the idea of buying property to save the animals, Anderson said. We havent run into anyone who isnt sympathetic to this project. Everyone sees the way building is going that these properties are disappearing. Among those who have done it on their own is Rick Aliperti, who bought property in the southwest part of the city that abuts 50 acres the city owns, with more than 45 tortoise burrows. Hopefully, between what Ive done and what theyve done, we can start to preserve our wildlife because thats why many of us moved here to begin with, Aliperti said. Pascha Donaldson, president of the Cape Coral Wildlife Trust, said the land is for all the wildlife because with all the development, these animals are disappearing quickly. Unless we protect the land and the space, all the wildlife will disappear, Donaldson said. This is economics for Cape Coral. People come here to see out wildlife, so its good business to protect them. Carl Veaux, vice president of the trust and one of the citys most vocal conservationists, said as a result of this purchase, there will be gopher tortoises in the Cape for now and for all times. But they need help from others, either monetarily or in land donation, to help keep these animals thriving. This is a kickoff drive for people to donate land with burrowing owls and gopher tortoises on it, Veaux said. Were looking for people to buy lots with burrowing owls on it. Photo: Contributed If you've been looking for a reason to celebrate, look no further than the 24th Annual Spring Okanagan Wine Festival. The annual festival returns May 2, and tickets to events are now on sale. Spring is a special time for all the member wineries and tourism partners of the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society, said board chair Lindsay Kelm of Quails Gate Winery. aFor us, this festival is the unofficial kickoff to the busy summer season. Not only does it give us the chance to celebrate the new spring releases, but also the opportunity to reconnect with fellow wineries and industry partners to toast the beginning of another successful year. More than 90 events are listed on the festival website, including annual favourites like the iconic WestJet Wine Tastings. Signature events include the Iron Sommelier British Columbia wine and food pairing competition at Okanagan College in Kelowna, as well as the finale on Mothers Day, a rose brunch at Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos. Dozens of wineries also put on events of their own, contributing to a wide range of things to do during the spring festival. I am a former member of the Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform for BC, the group of 162 voters that worked in 2004 to study electoral systems and make a recommendation for all of BC on electoral reform. We first decided that change was needed from our current FPTP system, we then choose BC-STV, a single transferable voting system. It was the view of that Assembly in 2004 that STV offered far more choice to the voter. They could vote based on party, geography, they could focus on a candidate, etc. The idea of having more choice was important to the voter and we believed that the single transferable vote system not only provided more choice, but more meaningful choice, the expanded choice offered by the preferential ballot in BC-STV provided all voters more power over the MLA to serve the voters of the riding. The other day I received the How We Vote pamphlet in the mail. We all have the opportunity to engage again in the process by answering a questionnaire, and or submitting written feedback to Engage.gov.bc.ca/Howwevote. I suggest that you narrow your focus to two electoral systems that would be appropriate for BC. MMP (Multi Member Plurality) and STV (Single Transferable Vote). These two electoral systems are clearly the most commonly used systems around the world and both generate proportional results. The Engage website also has a section that gives a good general description of three electoral systems. After more than a decade of being away from the Citizens Assembly I still strongly support the decisions we made as voters for all voters of BC. I dont believe that the values and concerns BC voters expressed to us 2004 have changed, they are still the concerns we share today. We need to make a change from our current FPTP system and BC-STV is still clearly the best alternative for BC. Get educated and make an informed decision, all your future votes are in the balance! Harley Nyen Disabled Veteran Brock Blaszczyk asked Prime Minister Trudeau his question regarding the poor benefits affording Canada`s disabled Veterans. To quote Trudeau, he said: Veterans are asking for more than we're able to give. During question period in the House of Commons you are requested to stand up for Canada`s disabled Veterans who seek fairness in the application of the previous Pension Act for Canada`s disabled veterans. Let us remind you that the Equitas Law firm must now continue with their class action law suit to the Supreme court of Canada. Another quote from Prime Minister Trudeau August 24, 2015, "If I have earned the right to serve this Country as your Prime Minister, no Veterans will be forced to fight their own Government for the support and compensation they have earned." Needless to say that we now know why less than 30% of recruits re-engage to serve our Country. In the last election campaign Canadians choose to eliminate the undermocratic views of the Harper Government and elected a inconsiderate Trudeau. Governments gives out billion of dollars to foreign countries and war criminals but now have no money left to support our disabled veterans who left their families to support and protect Canada. Veterans are disgusted with the lack of compassion afforded to our veterans and their families. Members of the opposition you are requested to unite and stand up on behalf of Military/RCMP Veterans during question period in the House of Commons. John Labelle Photo: Contributed Calling all young Okanagan innovators, TEDxYouth wants you. Organizer Jordan Kleckner is hoping Okanagan youth will embrace the opportunity to get engaged, "this is an open opportunity for our youth to get involved and work with a mentor to present at the TEDxYouth event in May. The theme is innovative youth, innovative ideas in the Okanagan. The idea is to give youth an avenue to have their voices heard." TEDxYouth is officially coming to Kelowna next May 17th. The event will give youth from across the Okanagan the opportunity to share their innovative ideas at the Innovation Centre on Doyle Avenue. "Our committee will actually be working with youth to pair them with a mentor to make sure they are prepared for the event. A former Ted x speaker will be providing mentorship and support to help our young speakers to prepare for their Ted Talk." That's why we're doing the launch now to ensure plenty of time to prepare. We're looking for a diverse range of ideas, things that are affecting us globally and locally as well." If you or someone you know are interested in becoming a TEDxYouth speaker, there is a launch event tonight from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Hollywood Road Educational Services in Kelowna, BC. Get details at the launch event on: What a TEDxYouth Talk is The selection process and criteria Details on how to make an effective TED talk Applications for youth to become a speaker for this event will open Tuesday, February 13th and close on Tuesday, March 13th. All applicants will be notified via email by Friday, March 16th. Madison Erhardt Westcorp is standing up for the new design of its proposed downtown Kelowna hotel. City planning staff are recommending council deny a new development permit and variance permit application for the hotel on the former Willow Inn site. Staff said the size, height and massing of the newly-designed 33-storey hotel is overwhelming and lacks sensitivity for the site. Council will review the application on Feb. 20. Castanet hit the streets to find out if you're onboard with the new hotel. If you have a thought on this topic, send us a letter to the editor at [email protected] Photo: North Shore Search and Rescue North Shore Search and Rescue were busy Monday after a series of rescues. CTV Vancouver reported that SAR first rescued a snowshoer in his 50s from Mount Seymour. The man had hurt his ribs and lower legs. The man is in stable condition. Next, they were called to Cypress Mountain for two more rescues. Another man in his 50s who was out snowshoeing suffered a dislocated shoulder near the Bowen Lookout, and a woman snowshoeing on Hollyburn Mountain also needed help. CTV reports that a total of 25 NSR members and two helicopters members were used in the search and rescue efforts. Photo: CTV A pilot suffered only minor injuries after his 'unique' aircraft made a hard landing at Victoria International Airport Monday afternoon. CTV News Vancouver Island reports that the man was flying an autogryo, which is similar to a helicopter but its main horizontal rotor is not powered when it crashed down between two runways around 12:30 p.m. The pilot was taken to the hospital. A TSB spokesperson said it's the first time in the decade he's been on the job that he's seen a hard landing involving an autogyro. The agency is still gathering information on the incident. Two runways were temporarily closed but the airport's director of operations and safety Ken Gallant said operations weren't majorly affected. Photo: Renee Bell A moose strolling around the Glenrosa area of West Kelowna is turning into a bit of a celebrity. After being spotted on Glen Eagles Drive this weekend, several more reported sightings have popped up. Renee Bell was coming home with her kids Monday afternoon when she spotted the moose just hanging out. "We pulled over to the side of the road and watched him," said Bell "He was eating the branches on the tree and was very calm. He wasnt bothered by us at all. Our kids Cohen and Bria (2+4) were so excited watching him out the window. They had never seen a moose before so it was a very special moment for our little family." That excitement has been shared on social media as well. With terms like magical and stunning. "How cool is that! Hope it will find its way to safe ground," one person posted on Facebook. Another posted an 'I told ya so' message. "No one believed me when I told them I saw a moose.. See told ya." One person even joked that the moose might be doing its civic duty ahead of this week's byelection: "Trying to get to the advance polls." And while many people are excited to see a moose in the Okanagan this close to a major urban centre, others are worried for its safety. "I feel sorry for them, not much space anymore for all the wildlife." It's not just moose in West Kelowna, recently a moose was spotted near an urban area of Salmon Arm. Moose call the Okanagan home, but they are not as common in the Valley as they are in other parts of B.C., according to the provincial environment ministry. Photo: CTV Alex Gough captured Canada's first-ever medal in women's luge. The Calgary native won the bronze medal in the women's singles race at the Pyeongchang Winter Games. Competing at her fourth Olympics, Gough finished with a combined four-run time of three minutes 5.64 seconds. German Natalie Geisenberger captured her second consecutive gold medal in 3:05.232 while compatriot Tatjana Huefner was second in 3:05.599 to duplicate their 1-2 German showing at the 2014 Sochi Games. More coming. Photo: CTV UPDATE 12:37 p.m. North Shore Rescue crews have pulled a couple from a Vancouver-area mountain near a peak known as the Widowmaker. Rescue workers say they received a distress call from the man and woman on Crown Mountain last night from a satellite phone with a spotty signal. Peter Haigh says the woman could not walk after suffering ankle and other injuries after she apparently slid about 45-metres down an icy slope. ORIGINAL 8:45 a.m. Rescuers are preparing to head out into Vancouver's North Shore mountains this morning, searching for a couple who had to spend the night on Crown Mountain -- just north of Grouse Mountain. A tweet from North Shore Rescue says the call came in it at about eight last night, capping a day that included six rescues as people took advantage of a sunny long weekend to venture into the unexpectedly icy backcountry. First responders believe one of the two people on Crown Mountain may have an ankle injury. A helicopter will be dispatched as soon as possible, with plans to lift the injured person to safety. Photo: Google Street View Travel Penticton's visitor centre will be closed beginning Tuesday until early March, as the company moves from the SOEC complex back to its old space on 888 Westminster Avenue West. Penticton city council approved the move last month. The building's current tenant, B.C. Wine Authority, will be reimbursed $19,000 for moving expenses from the city, as compensation for breaking their existing lease. The city also has budgeted $30,000 for minor renovations to the building. For more information regarding Travel Penticton's temporary closure, the public can contact Jo Charnock at 250-276-2161 or at [email protected] Photo: Elections BC Voting was light but steady during six days of advance polls in Wednesday's Kelowna West byelection. A total of 6,142 votes were cast during advance polls, which ended Sunday, including nearly 2,300 on the weekend. The numbers are more than 2,700 votes shy of those cast during advance polls for last year's general election, but 400 more than the 2013 byelection, in which Christy Clark was elected to the riding. However, only four advance polls were held in 2013. General voting day is Wednesday, with 12 polling stations open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Seven polling stations are open in West Kelowna, four in Kelowna and one in Killiney Beach. Click here for a complete list of locations. Results will be available shortly after the polls close. Five candidates are vying for the seat left vacant when Clark resigned in August, including former MLA Ben Stewart (BC Liberals), Shelley Cook (NDP), Robert Stupka (Green), Kyle Geronazzo (Libertarian), and Mark Thompson (BC Conservatives). Photo: RDCO Residents in Killiney Beach will be without water Valentine's Day. Service will be shut off to customers above Westside Road from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Regional District of Central Okanagan advises. The work is to complete a connection to the new Winchester reservoir and control room. Crews will work as quickly as possible to complete the connection, but customers may wish to stockpile water for drinking and other household needs. Once the water supply has been restored, its recommended that residents run a cold water tap for five to 10 minutes to ensure that the water runs clear. Residents below Westside Road will not be affected. Google Maps(INDEPENDENCE, Mo.) -- An Applebee's franchise in Independence, Missouri, has fired three employees after two African-American women alleged they were victims of racial profiling at the restaurant. After an afternoon of shopping at Independence Center shopping mall, Alexis Brison and her friend Asia Hardy stopped at Applebee's for a bite to eat. As the pair enjoyed plates of buffalo wings and mozzarella sticks, Brison said in a Facebook post they were approached by an Independence police officer, mall security guard and Applebee's manager. Brison said on Facebook that the trio accused her and Hardy of skipping out on a bill the night before. During the confrontation, Brison started filming, posting the video to her Facebook page, where it has been viewed over 2 million times as of Monday. In the video, the two women deny the accusation, saying they were not at the restaurant the night before. They suggest they were racially profiled because they are African-American. "This is what black people have to deal with," one of the women can be heard saying in the video. The restaurant manager and police ask the women to pay their bill, leave and not come back, which they complied with, Brison wrote on Facebook. In a statement to ABC News, an Applebee's spokesperson said, "After an internal investigation and in-line with our values, the franchise terminated the manager, server and another employee involved in the incident. We do not tolerate racism, bigotry or harassment of any nature and we have taken additional steps to close the restaurant at this time in order for the team there to regroup, reflect, learn and grow from this." On Facebook, Brison wrote, "This is a clear example of RACIAL PROFILING that should not be stood for. Just because we are black does not mean we are all criminals and I will not be treated as such." Brison said she was bothered that their accuser could not remember any defining characteristics about the women they believe skipped out on their check. "Our accuser remembered that there was a SKINNY girl and a girl who wore MAKEUP. In 2018 is this really what we're debased to? Our weight and whether or not we wore makeup. She could not recognize any facial features," Brison posted on Facebook. An Applebee's spokesperson said the restaurant is reaching out to the guests involved to apologize directly. "We know rebuilding trust with those affected by the incident will take time, and we look forward to finding resolution in the coming days, an Applebee's spokesperson said in a statement to ABC News. Simon Property Group, Inc., which owns Independence Center shopping mall, and the Independence Police Department did not immediately respond to ABC News' requests for comment. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Three semi-finalist teams chosen to create design concepts for the Ed Johnson Memorial will present their work to the public this week. The permanent memorial at the south end of the Walnut Street Bridge will commemorate the life of Ed Johnson, honor the courageous work of his attorneys and recognize the resulting United States Supreme Court case. The artist and design teams will be in Chattanooga on Thursday, and will present their designs at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center beginning at 5:30 p.m. After the presentation, everyone is invited to talk to the teams and to submit written comments and feedback. All feedback will be compiled and given to the Selection Committee, who will choose a final design. The teams visited Chattanooga last fall after they were selected and have spent the last three months working on their concepts. Their presentations on Thursday will include models, poster boards and digital presentations of their work. A selection committee of Chattanooga citizens nominated by Public Art Chattanooga and the Ed Johnson Committee will choose the final design, which will be announced in March. The selection committee is comprised of a diverse group of professionals, artists and community representatives in order to provide a range of perspectives. The three semi-finalist teams are: Rodney Leon, of Rodney Leon Architects; artist Ai Qiu Hopen: and Elizabeth Kennedy, of Elizabeth Kennedy Landscape Architect; NBW Landscape Architects and Lord Cultural Resources; Jerome Meadows, of Meadowlark Studio; Mike Fowler and Aaron Shugart-Brown, of Ross/Fowler Landscape Architecture; artists Jan Chenoweth and Roger Halligan; Charlie Anderson, of Full Circle Stoneworks; and LesLee Ames, community and team coordinator. To learn more about the teams and to see their previous work, visit www.edjohnsonproject.com/semi- finalist-teams/ . The teams have designed and created outstanding public art, commemorative sites and memorials across the country. Their previous work includes the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania; the African Burial Ground Memorial in New York; the Gate of Freedom in Birmingham; and theAfrican Burying Ground and Memorial Park in New Hampshire. Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute biologist Dr. Josh Ennen holds female, left, and male examples of the Florida Red-bellied Cooter. In a recently published study, Ennen found that primarily aquatic species such as the Florida Red-bellied Cooter, females tend to far outsize their male counterparts - photo by Casey Phillips In addition to size, another example of a sexually dimorphic trait between male and female Florida Red-bellied Cooters is claws. On males, right, the claws tend to be longer, a trait they make use of during courtship behavior by fluttering them in the face of prospective mates. - photo by Casey Phillips Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute biologist Dr. Josh Ennen holds female, left, and male examples of the Florida Red-bellied Cooter. In a recently published study, Dr. Ennen found that among aquatic turtle species like this one, females tend to outsize males. - photo by Casey Phillips It may sound like a lofty concept, but understanding sexual dimorphism or the difference in size or appearance between males and females of a particular species is simple enough if you consider male birds. From crimson Cardinals and azure Peafowl to emerald-crowned Wood Ducks, the bird world is packed with examples of males exhibiting brighter, more vivid coloring than their comparatively drab females counterparts. Among turtles, sexual dimorphism tends to boil down to a difference in size, but the factors that drive female turtles to tower over males, or vice versa, is a largely understudied topic. Recently, however, researchers from the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute and the University of California, Davis, sought to fill this gap in herpetological knowledge. By parsing data from many previously published studies, the group was able to create a meta-analysis that highlights, on a global scale, the natural forces that determine how male and female turtles measure up to each other. Body size has a lot to do with overall fitness of an organism, said Tennessee Aquarium biologist Dr. Josh Ennen. The institutes geographic information systems analyst, Sarah Sweat, also co-authored the study. Many people have looked at habitat or reproductive behavior as correlates to tell if males will be larger than females, or vice versa, Dr. Ennen said. But what people had not yet done was combine that data with temperature and other environmental variables to see if theres a more complex story there. After analyzing data on more than 135 species from nine turtle families, the study found links between the direction of sexual size dimorphism and the latitude at which a species is found, the temperature variation and precipitation of its habitat, and whether that habitat was primarily aquatic, semi-aquatic or terrestrial. Towards the poles and in regions with widely varying temperatures, females tended to be larger than males. Conversely, towards the equator, males tended to outsize females, especially among terrestrial and semi-aquatic species, while females were larger among predominantly aquatic species. Our study not only highlights how modern climates may influence sexual size dimorphism in turtles but shows that these patterns are not random among closely related species, said Mickey Agha, a PhD candidate at UC Davis and the studys lead author. We found that a portion of the variation in sexual size dimorphism is due to some species shared evolutionary history. The publication of this study opens the door to follow-up research into how environmental factors drive sexual dimorphism on a finer continental or regional scale in turtles. As ectothermic or cold-blooded animals, turtles derive their heat from their environment, meaning the study also has potential application for scientists analyzing how environmental changes could impact reptiles, Ennen says. With turtles, in general, there are a lot of research opportunities, Dr. Ennen said. Climate change is definitely a big deal for reptiles. A few of the ways in which climate impacts turtles is in growth and reproduction. While developing, the sex of embryos of many turtle species is determined by the ambient temperature. There may be a time that the ambient nest temperatures become too hot, and that will affect the sex ratios of their nests. More embryos develop as females when temperatures get warmer. In some parts of the world, turtles may already be impacted by a warming climate. A study published onJan. 8 in the journal Current Biology found that recently hatched Green Sea Turtles from the northern stretches of Australias Great Barrier Reef have been more than 99 percent female due to increased temperatures at their nesting sites. The Tennessee Aquarium exhibits the worlds largest collection of freshwater turtles, from Pignosed and Giant Snake-necked Turtles to Radiated and Gopher Tortoises. Visitors to the Aquarium can engage in citizen science as they explore by looking for sexually dimorphic traits that distinguish males and females. If they see a Box Turtle with red eyes, for instance, its a male. And in the Delta Country gallery, guests can tell female and male Florida Red-Bellied Cooters apart by the females stubbier tails and the males long claws, which they delicately flutter in the face of prospective mates. Thirty-One Gifts announces it has selected Kersten Hicks for its fifth annual Cindy Monroe Values and Vision Scholarship. Ms. Hicks, 17, is a senior at Notre Dame High School.Thirty-One Gifts established the scholarship in 2013 with a $31,000 endowment to give back to the community where Cindy Monroe founded the company in 2003. The annual college scholarship is a $12,400 award, available to one girl each year in grades 11 or 12 who attends school in Hamilton County, either in private or public schools. Ms. Hicks will receive $3,100 a year over the course of four years.The scholarship recognizes a girl who embodies core values of building relationships, leadership and community involvement.She also must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and plan to attend an accredited two- or four-year U.S. college or university full-time.Ms. Hicks plans to study nursing at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. She has earned a 3.71 GPA, despite having a reading-related learning disability and medical condition. She was class president while in middle school, and has logged more than 530 community service hours in high school.Ms. Hicks was selected as a God Camp leader, Catholic Youth Camp leader and Winter Catholic Youth Camp leader. She also has served on the Diocesan Youth Ministry Advisory Council for the Diocese of Knoxville for three years, an exception to a two-year term limit.She has volunteered at a craniofacial camp for children with facial deformities, and at CHI Memorial Hospital and Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, where she has devoted more than 110 hours of service.I have served the greater Chattanooga community in a variety of volunteer efforts during my high school tenure, said Ms. Hicks. By leading church-related activities, I have gained confidence in myself and have impacted many children and teens by helping them rediscover their faith and apply it to real-world situations. I also have learned what it feels like to be a hospital patient and would like to be on the other side of the hospital bed. Im inspired to become the nurse who shows compassion, understanding and kindness to the patient like me when they really need it.She also has gained insight into the issues of self-esteem in girls, and would like to impact her community by showing that one persons actions can make a difference.We must always be true to ourselves and compassionate to others, says Ms. Hicks. While the advancement of technology has positively impacted many peoples lives, it also has made young girls feel pressured into being something they arent. I would like every girl to realize beauty doesnt come from the outside, but rather from our own individuality and uniqueness. Every person is empowered to make positive changes in their community through their actions and efforts.Thirty-One Founder and CEO Cindy Monroe is a native of Chattanooga and graduate of Hixson High School and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She founded Thirty-One in Chattanooga with a mission to celebrate, encourage and reward women, providing an opportunity for them to achieve financial freedom, find personal fulfillment and realize dreams through becoming successful business owners. The scholarship is part of that mission, providing opportunities for girls to reach their full potential.The scholarship is offered through Thirty-One Gifts philanthropic initiative, Thirty-One Gives, which has a mission to support nonprofit organizations that strengthen families and empower women and girls. Thirty-One Gives was founded in 2012 and to-date has donated $100 million in products and cash to charitable organizations that share their mission.In 2008, Thirty-One moved to Columbus, Oh., where they are headquartered today. They currently have more than 1,000 employees, and there are more than 63,000 independent sales consultants who sell their products at home parties and online. The company was named for Proverbs 31, a chapter of the Bible that celebrates womens strengths. Their product line includes totes, purses and wallets, thermal bags, jewelry, home decor and more.Ms. Hicks is the daughter of Richard and Trina Hicks of Chattanooga. Materials with controllable quantum mechanical properties are of great importance for the electronics and quantum computers of the future. However, finding or designing realistic materials that actually have these effects is a big challenge. Now, an international theory and computational team led by Cesare Franchini from the University of Vienna, find that multiple quantum interactions can coexist in a single real material and show how an electric field can be used to control them. Next generation electronics and quantum computers rely on materials that exhibit quantum-mechanical phenomena and related properties, which can be controlled by external stimuli, e.g. by a battery in a microelectronic circuit. Quantum mechanics governs, for example, how fast and if at all electrons can move through a material and, thereby, determine whether the material is a metal which conducts an electric current or whether it is an insulator which cannot conduct a current. Furthermore, the interaction of the electrons with the crystal structure controls whether a material can be ferroelectric. In this case one can switch between two electric orientations by applying an external electric field. The possibility to activate multiple quantum-mechanical properties in one single material is of fundamental scientific interest but can also expand the spectrum of potential applications. An international team of researchers led by Professor Cesare Franchini and Dr. Jiangang He of the Quantum Materials Modelling Group at the University of Vienna, in cooperation with Professor Rondinelli of Northwestern University and Professor Xing-Qiu Chen of the Chinese Academy of Science has now demonstrated that multiple quantum interactions can, indeed, coexist in a single material and that it is possible to tune between them with an electric field. This is like awakening different kinds of quantum interactions that are quietly sleeping in the same house without knowing each other, explains Prof. Franchini. For their discovery the scientists solved the relativistc form of the Schrodinger equation, by performing computer simulations on the Vienna Scientific Cluster. The material of their choice, the compound Ag2BiO3, is exceptional for two reasons; on the one hand it is composed of the heavy element bismuth, which allows the spin of the electron to interact with its own motion (spin-orbit coupling) - a feature that has no analogy in classical physics. On the other hand, its crystal structure does not exhibit inversion symmetry, suggesting that ferroelectricity could occur. Harmonizing multiple quantum mechanical properties which often do not coexist together and trying to do it by design is highly complex, states Professor Rondinelli.The application of an electric field to the oxide Ag2BiO3 changes the atomic positions and determines whether the spins are coupled in pairs (forming so-called Weyl-fermions) or separated (Rashba-splitting), and whether the material is electrically conductive or not. We have found the first real case of a topological quantum transition from a ferroelectric insulator to a non-ferroelectric semi-metal, beams Prof. Franchini. The spin-orbit coupling is of fundamental importance, as it can yield the formation of novel quantum states of matter, and represents one of the hottest research area in modern physics. Also in view of potential applications, there are promising prospects: the control over quantum interactions in a real material could enable ultrafast, low-power electronics and quantum computers for qualitative leaps forward in data acquisition, processing, and exchange. Voice of the People I find it hard to believe that the majority of Town employees will put their self-interest over the GREATER GOOD which is, the viability of the Town of Chesterton by not getting vaccinated. Our town tried to save money by self-insuring itself. We could be... Guest Commentary Local coalition aspires to achieve smokefree air for all More than 1 in 5 Indiana adults smoke cigarettes (21.5%), one of the highest rates in the nation, while the number of youths using vaping products remains a concern for anti-smoking advocates. Secondhand smoke is estimated... Voice of the People Well so much for the Tribune allowing only letters focusing on local issues. Tuesdays letter giving Biden a pass on his totally irrational screw-up of the Afghanistan withdrawal, ends if under the circumstances if they could do better. The answer is absolutely. The... 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... The 106-year-old company had been touting its 100 percent satisfaction guarantee for more than a decade, but times have changed. Abuse of the return policy increased as people shared their stories on social media, the company said. Customers were sending in decades-old gear and clothing pulled from junkyards or thrift stores and expecting the company to replace them. The state recently agreed to ask the federal government for $360 million more to add to the assessment pot, raising hopes that it would cover the needs of the safety-net hospitals, many of whose budgets depend heavily on the Medicaid money. Indeed, safety-net and rural critical-access hospitals, which together comprise more than 70 hospitals across the state, collectively would receive more than half of the new federal funding included in the plan, said Danny Chun, spokesman for the Illinois Health and Hospital Association. Simmons wants to believe that everyone respects each other all the time, but he said he knows there are moments that arent on his or Szafranskis radar. They have tried to keep a conversation regarding the #MeToo movement going with their employees over the past several months. It helps that workers know where they stand, and they can learn about where the employees stand, Simmons said. When last we heard from Jordan in November, Johnnys Grill had just closed after a two-year revival in Logan Square by management company Element Collective. Previously, the native of Ireland and the Jean Banchet Pastry Chef of the Year award winner in 2013, had worked at Blackbird, GT Fish & Oyster and Boka. However, the smart scout may have found a little wiggle room in regards to GSA location policies. Girl Scouts are allowed to sell cookies on "walk-abouts" around neighborhoods while accompanied by a parent or guardian. So instead of parking her wagon outside of the dispensary, the young entrepreneur moved it up and down the sidewalk while accompanied by her father. Although some are still finding issue with the dispensary being in a "commercial zone" instead of a "neighborhood," a spokeswoman for Girl Scouts San Diego told the San Diego Union-Tribune that Scout's method was a "gray area." A store-bought item turned into art merely because an artist in 1914 said so is the moment at which art traditionalists roll their eyes forcefully enough to dislodge a contact lens. It is also where devotees of modern art recognize the genius of the gesture, a foreshadowing of the kind of appropriation that has seeped into the very pores of contemporary artistic practice and culture more broadly. They understand that one of the iconic objects of the genre talismanic, in the word of the Art Institutes director has now joined the collection of the encyclopedic museum on South Michigan Avenue. Our relationship with the museum goes back 50 years last fall, to when it was just a germ of an idea presented by President Edward Levi to the Smart Family Foundation, Bob Feitler said in a statement. As the Smart begins a new chapter under Alis leadership, Joan and I thought there could be no better way to inspire a new generation of students and scholars than to create a lasting home for active learning and study through the visual arts. While noting people are fearful because of what theyre seeing in the federal government, Schoettes said in a recent interview that people should not panic. There are, he said, good people still in the federal government and HHS who know what needs to be done to combat the HIV epidemic. They will, he predicted, keep pushing back and implementing programs. ... A lot of people are fighting on your side. It is obvious that she took her job seriously. It is obvious how much she cared about children. And it is obvious that she was a woman of fierce determination, one who would not easily take no for an answer. A really, really, really upset caller: I get really, really, really upset when the leaders of this county say, "Oh, the American people are pro keeping DACA." That is absolutely not true. If you want to know how untrue it is, put it out for a vote to 100 percent of the voting American public. Of course, 100 percent should be citizens and be able to vote. We have a lot of illegal immigrants voting, and those of us monitoring it know it. We know how to get fake IDs. We are not opposed to immigration. We are opposed to illegal immigration. Martin granted the certificates to nine of the men but held off on deciding on the others. In his view, he said, state statute allows such certificates to be granted only to those who served prison sentences. The remaining six men instead were sentenced to boot camp or probation. Cmdr. Paul Bauer, 53, was shot to death at the Thompson Center after chasing a man fleeing from tactical officers who tried to stop him, police officials said. Bauer confronted the man, who opened fire as the two struggled, killing the 31-year department veteran, according to police officials and other sources. Bauer had been in the area after attending active shooter training, which prepares officers for mass shootings. He also had a meeting with aldermen scheduled for later in the day. Responders with the American Red Cross tended to the family, giving them potato chips and granola bars. They also arranged temporary lodging for them. Trevor was lying on a fleece blanket and curled up underneath a large jacket placed over him. He was quiet and asked his mom for a few sips of water. The woman did not appear to have been shot, according to police. Her exact cause of death was pending an autopsy expected to be conducted Tuesday, but the woman was found near a bathtub and may have been drowned. What his piece also accomplishes is getting the Senate president some attention ahead of Rauner's budget speech, a day when it's difficult for officials to cut through the noise and get noticed. After the speech, swaths of attention-hungry candidates, lawmakers and lobbyists swarm the third floor of the Capitol, waiting for reporters and cameras to notice them, in hopes of getting some TV face time or a quote in print. The fact of the matter is, we can no longer say, Oh, that's Uncle Mike, that's just how he is, Drury said. We need to stand up as a General Assembly and say we are better than this. We are not going to tolerate this. It is not enough to just say #MeToo. It's not enough just to say we have a task force. We need to stand up, and we need to do what's right by the women in the state of Illinois. Wearing a shirt that says, "Visible for those that can't be", a transgender high school student has her portrait taken in Palatine, Ill, on April 3, 2017. The Education Department said Feb. 12, 2018, that it will no longer investigate civil rights complaints from transgender students who are barred from school bathrooms that match their gender identity. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) Nehlen drew flak again last month when he tweeted a list of his critics and claimed that most of them are Jewish. "74 are Jews," he wrote, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Nehlen later posted the names and contact information of critics who reached out to his campaign, some of whom said they had received harassing calls and messages. The comments came the day after the Senate voted 97-1 Ted Cruz, R-Texas, provided the sole "no" vote to plunge into an open-ended immigration debate that's been promised by McConnell. Both parties' leaders hope debate can be concluded this week, but it's unclear if that will happen or what the product, if any, will be. One day, in the midst of grumbling to myself about the projected length of the ride Id just picked up and in no mood for my passengers unrelenting positivity, I found myself carried away by the mans stories about his life and lengthy acting career. He estimated he was one of the oldest working actors in Chicago, and by my calculation he had to be in his 90s. His outlook and dedication helped make my day. Hasbrouck was born in 1931 on a farm in the western Iowa town of Mapleton. He received his architectural engineering degree from Iowa State College (now Iowa State University) in 1954 and worked in the Illinois Central Railroads building department from 1954 to 1968, rising to the post of architectural engineer. He then served as executive director of the Chicago chapter and Illinois council of the American Institute of Architects before opening his architectural practice, now known as HPZS, in 1975. Even after he retired from the firm in 1996, Hasbrouck, a gregarious figure with a neatly clipped white beard, remained a fixture on the Chicago architectural scene. If you hadnt heard, youd know anyway because on Monday, newly minted Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson briskly pivoted and retreated from a plan to close three South Side high schools to make way for a new Englewood high school. She announced that the district would phase out the high schools Harper, Hope and Team Englewood over three years rather than shutter them this summer. The fourth, Robeson, would still close this summer and be demolished to make way for a new $85 million campus scheduled to open in fall of 2019, pending a final Chicago Board of Education vote. Tehrans vision of Syria as the ideal place to set up militarily alongside Israel cannot go unchecked. Israel will be spinning its wheels if it tries to thwart Irans plans on its own. It needs to team up with Washington. So far, though, that kind of collaboration has been missing in action. If you are committed to countering Iran in the region, then you must do so in Syria, Chagai Tzuriel, director general of the Israeli Ministry of Intelligence, told The New York Times this week. What would McCarthy say about the very troubling images on the video, the accounts of officers on the scene that conflicted with those images and about the way the incident further poisoned police relations with the African-American community? How would he distance himself from the actions of Officer Van Dyke, who is now charged with first-degree murder and awaiting trial? Immigration officials first arrested Arias at the county's St. Charles courthouse while he was free on bond after a hearing in May. Kane County prosecutors sought a series of bail and custody orders in an effort to keep him here for trial. The former PepsiCo building also has enough extra space to be used as a relocation/safe shelter in the event of an emergency that requires evacuation from the high school, he said. The 90 parking spaces at the new building also will be available during special events at Barrington High School. "The students all agreed that there was a huge rise in the number of students using e-cigarettes, even after the use of traditional cigarettes among teens had dropped dramatically during the past 20 years," Epstein said. "We've come so far, and now there's these new tobacco products with flavors like mango. ... It's still a disgusting habit, but the tobacco companies are trying to make the kids think vaping is cool." Straub said he is still considering a hiring his own lawyer to sue Durkin. He said he didn't expect the race to get this heated and he compared it to the Wild West. The case had far-reaching implications: The two other officers involved pleaded guilty, and both are serving prison sentences of more than 20 years. The arrests also led authorities to drop charges against 20 alleged offenders whose cases were handled by the officers and resulted in multiple civil lawsuits and payouts from the village to people who said the cops violated their rights. The Schaumburg Police Department was also overhauled in the wake of the officers arrests, and the special investigations unit the men worked on was disbanded. The county grant is meant to provide money related to damages caused by severe flooding in April and May of 2013. Caveney said damage from those storms, along with a series of flash floods that occurred throughout the spring and summer of the following year, caused lasting damage in Midlothian. According to the 100 Club of Chicago, Kozik also was a coordinator for its annual First Responder Motorcycle Ride, a benefit ride for the nonprofit, which provides financial assistance for families of first responders in Cook and Lake counties who die in the line of duty. First Presbyterian Church of Homewood: 17929 Gottschalk Ave. Free community dinners will be from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday evenings in Westminster Hall. Tuesday Bible Study will meet from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Panera Bread, 18416 Governors Highway, Homewood. Participants do not need to be Presbyterian and no purchase is necessary. The annual Meeting of the Congregation and the Corporation will be at 12:30 p.m. Feb. 18. A potluck luncheon will be held in Westminster Hall prior to the meeting. The Chancel Choir will participate in the South Suburban Church Choir Festival at Flossmoor Community Church, 2218 Hutchison Road, at 3 p.m. Feb. 25. Information: www.fpchw.org or 708-798-0490. 31795 Hanlon Road, Libertyville: $1,250,000 | Listed: Aug. 3, 2021 This five-bedroom home has four bathrooms, oak floors, a barn, a carriage house and a three-and-a-half car heated garage. The kitchen features double ovens, a Sub Zero refrigerator, a stone backsplash, granite countertops, under-cabinet lighting and an island. A butlers pantry with custom cabinetry and wine refrigerator is adjacent to the kitchen. A dining room that seats 20 has custom built-ins and a fireplace, and the family room has three walls of glass and French doors that open onto a stone patio. The primary bedroom suite has Palladium windows, a walk-in closet with organizers and a bath with a soaker tub, dual vanities and a walk-in shower. A fun feature of this home is the screened childrens playhouse. A front veranda and a portico between the kitchen and the carriage house offer space for outdoor entertaining. Agent: Millie Kepler and Therese Schaefer, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, 847-490-3052 and 847-878-0963 *Some listing photos are virtually staged, meaning they have been digitally altered to represent different furnishing or decorating options. To feature your luxury listing of $800,000 or more in Chicago Tribunes Dream Homes, send listing information and high-res photos to ctc-realestate@chicagotribune.com. Join our Chicago Dream Homes Facebook group for more luxury listings and real estate news. According to the letter, the owner states the business will follow village codes, secure building permits and other approvals for work performed on the property, maintain existing landscaping and screening so that business operations are not visible and control unnatural odors in compliance with village ordinance, among other things. On the petition, several parents and at least one student said the district had overreacted to a few parents who felt the show was not suitable for their students. A more sensible approach would have been for those families to opt out of the field trip, they said. "We didn't discuss much much about it," she said. "We're operating as normal Valentine's Day. I think people will celebrate as normal. I think most people will eat fish and seafood that's my personal opinion unless someone was perhaps less religious and wanted to order a steak or any other meat off the menu." A main restriction under the change, residential property owners in South Barrington now cannot lease or rent their homes out to others for less than a four-month period. Anyone in violation of the new prohibition can be fined between $1,000 and $5,000 a day, the ordinance states. Spray candy mold with non-stick spray being careful not to get spray in the area used for the sticks. Place a candy thermometer on the inside edge of a medium pot with a heavy bottom. Add the sugar, corn syrup, candy and water to the pot. Stir gently and cook over medium high heat until candy thermometer reads 295 degrees. Be sure not to let any candy stick to the bottom while cooking. Remove pot from heat and let cool until temperature falls to 280 degrees. Carefully spoon the liquid into the molds and add the stick. Spoon a little more liquid over the stick to cover it but be careful not overfill. Be sure to pour out any extra liquid and fill pot with water to clean it as soon as you are finished making the candy. When cool, remove lollipops from mold and wrap. Makes 15 lollipops. These lollipops can be made in other flavors. Omit red hots and increase sugar to 1 cups. Cook mixture until it reaches 280 degrees and then add flavoring and color of your choice. Finish following recipe. "Tools such as challenging petitions are abused by individuals in power to maintain power," Clark said. "I believe whoever wants to run should run. I believe in nurturing leadership. If they do something nefarious, you put that out to the public and let the public decide. The public should hear everyone's vision for the district and the future." "I think a lot of people know this is a long time coming," Trustee Andrea Button said. "This is several years of accumulation and thinking about the best way to use these funds. I think these are really great proposals. I don't know how far you go with this. I am supportive of some of these large-scale projects. This is the beginning of a discussion." Parents were urged to participate in several new groups being formed by district officials as part of the effort to improve the district's special education programs. That push was prompted by objections lodged by some parents to a proposal to have some students with disabilities start middle school one year early. District officials have since dropped that plan. Attorneys for the residents argued that the judge should have considered the element of timeliness in the context of the history of the site, where it took decades to stop companies from polluting the neighborhood; the EPA didn't declare it a Superfund site for 24 years; funding for the cleanup wasn't negotiated until five years after the Superfund designation; significant clean up didn't start for two years; and the EPA, in 2016, began telling residents about the high levels of contamination. GEO Foundation president Kevin Teasley said there were fewer students at the high school than elementary last year. "Our elementary took in larger numbers of students from traditional Gary schools that were failing/closing. Our elementary performance took us down to a D. I'm still waiting to appeal," he said. "It's rare to have one school with 900 students and another with 600," said Hinckley, a retired Indiana superintendent. "High schools are expensive to run and one high school with 1,000 to 1,200 would allow for more comprehensive offerings." The list of candidates wanting to become Lake County's top cop continues to grow. Last-minute Democratic additions to the list on Monday included Wally M. DeRose, of Schererville, and Maria Dominguez, wife of former Lake County Sheriff Roy Dominguez. The two Monday filings bring the total number of candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for to the post to eight. Republican Dan Bursac also filed Monday. Bursac is the lone Republican seeking the nomination. Hanna said the transit development districts that the RDA wants to develop around South Shore stations could provide some funding for the projects. The RDA and the cities and towns with stations would issue bonds to help pay for development in those districts, and the bonds would be repaid by the increase in property taxes there. The two other suspected carjackers remain at large as of Tuesday afternoon, after police say they led officers on a 20-plus mile chase to an apartment complex in the Bronzeville neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago the day of the incident. Eligible property owners or tenants can apply for rebates for exterior storefront work for up to 40 percent of the cost up to a maximum of $25,000. Architectural design fees of up to $3,000 are available as well. I want my life to be about service and contribution, said Flores, who was born and raised in Chicago. I want to get to the end of my life and be used up. I dont mean, on my deathbed, I want to be clinging to spreadsheets and proposals; I want love and family and friends. But I want to feel like the talents I have, the talents God gave me, the talents my family helped cultivate in me got used and for something thats bigger than me. Forty-four percent of millennials are racial minorities: Latinos, blacks, Asians and other smaller groups. Three out of 10 are first- or second-generation Americans, and 1 out of 6 are multilingual. Millennials are thus on the front lines of the nation's diversity shift, between the baby boomers and Gen Xers who are more white, and the post-millennials, sometimes called Generation Z, who are less white. By the year 2035, millennials' elders will be 65 percent white, and those younger than them, who will make up nearly half of the population, will be 46 percent white. For Subscribers Soundscapes of the People to document musical history in Pueblo Musical traditions spanning Pueblo's diverse cultural populations and how they've made music together is focus of new program. By Dezan Shira & Associates Editor: Zolzaya Erdenebileg In China, companies, banks, and individuals must comply with a closed capital account policy. This means that money cannot be freely moved into or out of the country unless it abides by strict foreign exchange rules. China made promises to liberalize its foreign exchange market when acceding to the World Trade Organization (WTO), but changes are being introduced gradually. Currently, the government is using the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone to test full currency convertibility and further liberalizations for foreign investors. If successful, regulators will likely expand liberalizations nationally. Chinas foreign exchange system The main bodies responsible for overseeing the flow of foreign exchange is the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) and the Peoples Bank of China (PBOC), the central bank. SAFE is the administrative agency responsible for managing foreign exchange activities in China, setting relevant regulations, and administering Chinas foreign exchange reserves. SAFEs approval or record-filing is required for a range of transactions involving inbound and outbound forex payments. Pre-Investment, Market Entry Strategy Advisory Services from Dezan Shira & Associates In the Chinese foreign exchange system, there are two main accounts: the current account and the capital account. The current account applies to ordinary recurring business transactions, including trading receipts and payments, payment of interest on foreign debt, and repatriation of after-tax profits and dividends, amongst other transactions. The capital account, on the other hand, deals with capital import and export, direct investments, and loan and securities, including principal repayment on foreign debts, overseas investments, investment in FIEs, and more. Compliance requirements According to SAFE rules, incorporated foreign invested enterprises (FIEs) are subject toa general debt to equity ratio requirement.This means that out of the total investment of an FIE, a certain percentage must be comprised of capital contributed by the investors. Previously, SAFE required all FIEs to submit a Statement of Foreign Investors Equity in order to clarify and demonstrate the proposed outflow and inflow of foreign currency. Additionally, an authorized domestic CPA firm had to issue a Foreign Exchange Annual Inspection Report. However, with the issuance of the Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving the Foreign Exchange Management Policies for Direct Investment on June 1, 2015, the foreign exchange annual inspection for foreign investors was cancelled. Instead, investors must submit anExisting Right Registration before September 30 of each year. If the FIE fails to comply with SAFE requirements, the foreign exchange bureaus can take over the capital account information, and banks will refuse to process any foreign exchange business under the FIEs capital account. Furthermore, if the FIE does not meet SAFEs conditions, then banks will not allow the FIE to distribute profits to foreign shareholders. Common challenges for foreign businesses Given Chinas restrictions on foreign currency exchange, companies have to be strategic about their funding plans early in the pre-investment stage. Running out of funds A common pitfall for foreign businesses is underestimating their costs, and overestimating their profits, leading to a shortfall of capital. In one case, Company A optimistically established itself in China with a lower amount of registered capital on the assumption that it would be able to generate revenue quickly. The assumption was based on an agreement with a large client whereby the client would place a sizeable order and settle payment within 90 days. However, the payment was delayed and the company was unable to meet its cash flow target. Company A incurred substantial startup costs, including warehouse rent, raw materials expenses, and salary commitments. To meet costs, the overseas parent company initiated steps to inject more registered capital, but it would be weeks before the entire process could be completed. In the meantime, Company A was unable to pay its employees and missed mandated social insurance contributions. Therefore, besides its initial costs, the company faced additional penalties including a fine and potential labor disputes. Restrictions on overseas transfers FIEs may find that repatriating capital or profits out of China now includes increased layers of inspection and security from the government. Due to record levels of outbound direct investment (ODI) in recent years, the Chinese government introduced new capital controls through a number of announcements by government agencies at the end of 2016. The announcements indicated that certain outbound transactions would not be approved unless given specific approval. The transactions in question that can affect FIEs include: Outbound investments made by limited partnerships; FDI involving an acquisition of 10 percent or less of the shares of an overseas listed company; Overseas investments made by newly-established entities without substantial operations; Outbound transactions inside the core business of the company involving US$1 billion or more; Transactions involving domestic capital participation in the delisting of overseas listed Chinese Government scrutiny of ODI varies based on the amount of money being sent, the industry of the target, the receiving country, and the investor. Starting July 2017, banks and financial institutions in China have to report all domestic and overseas cash transactions of RMB 50,000 (US$7,600) or more; the previous threshold was RMB 200,000 (US$30,350). Any overseas transfers by individuals of US$10,000 or more will also be reported. Additionally, those seeking to transfer money will need to explain how they plan to use the foreign currency and fill out an online form pledging not to use foreign exchange to purchase overseas property, securities, life insurance, or similar products. RELATED: Calculator for Registered Capital and Total Investment in China Importance of pre-investment capital planning The amount of registered capital to be invested into an FIE is a crucial decision. Companies should be careful not to invest too little, as injecting additional capital is a time-consuming process that takes anywhere from eight to 12 weeks. Companies also want to be careful not to invest too much, as excess capital will sit idly in the account and cannot be freely moved to more profitable avenues. A safe and general rule of thumb is that a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE) should have enough capital to fund itself for the initial three to five years. If a company does end up running out of capital, then another option may be to obtain a company loan. The procedures involved in using a company loan to increase working funds is simpler and faster than injecting new capital, generally taking about four weeks to complete. Moreover, a company loan can be returned to the shareholder or related party according to the terms of the loan agreement. However, companies should note that there are regulations on what portion of the total investment of the company will be comprised of registered capital and a company loan, respectively. Often, FIEs are uncertain about how much to commit towards their registered capital. For some, a company loan may help to bridge differences between theory and reality. However, FIEs should carefully consider various funding options that fit their business model and market aspirations in order to better mitigate risks and additional unforeseen costs. This article is an excerpt from the November issue of China Briefing magazine, titled Managing Chinas Financial System . 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. A photo exhibition entitled "China Stories" as well as an exhibition of intangible cultural heritage crafts kicked off in Pakistan on Feb. 5, showcasing a dynamic and innovative China combining its traditional cultural heritage and modern development. The exhibition was sponsored by the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, the Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Xicheng district government of Beijing municipality, and the China Cultural Center in Pakistan. It featured over 80 pictures depicting China's cultural, economic and social development. You Yi, Chinese cultural counsellor in Pakistan, sent best wishes to the visiting guests in his speech at the opening ceremony. He said the Chinese Embassy has promoted a series of cultural activities to celebrate Chinese New Year, with the ongoing photo and handicraft exhibitions presenting more opportunities for guests to learn about China's traditional cultural heritage. "As the key partner of China under the Belt and Road Initiative, the increasing cultural exchange and expanding cooperation play a positive role in connecting people and culture in both countries," he said. Li Yi, deputy head of Xicheng district in Beijing, said the Chinese capital is bountiful in cultural resources, and it will strengthen the cultural links with countries along the Belt and Road route, taking the Chinese New Year celebrations as a platform to promote Beijing's history and culture overseas as well as to present China's drastic changes to the world. Syed Junaid, joint secretary of the National History and Literary Heritage Division of Pakistan, said in his speech that China enjoys a long history and glorious culture, with rich experience in protecting its cultural heritage. China and Pakistan hereby share extensive potential and promising prospects with regard to cooperation on cultural and heritage protection, he said. Through performances brought by seven inheritors of intangible cultural heritage from Beijing's Xicheng district, visitors to the exhibitions learned about the delicate Chinese folk arts such as maned figurines, painted snuff bottles, papercutting and others. Over 140 representatives from governments, institutions, Pakistan-based universities and Confucius Institute, as well as major local media outlets attended the exhibitions. China's Ministry of Commerce will impose anti-dumping measures on imported styrene monomer by requiring importers to pay a cash deposit on purchase. The Chinese mainland's styrene monomer industry has been "substantially" damaged by the dumping of styrene monomer from the Republic of Korea and the United States, as well as from the island of Taiwan, the ministry said in its preliminary ruling following an investigation launched last year. Starting on Tuesday, importers of the product from the above areas must place deposits with Chinese customs based on dumping margins of between 5 percent and 10.7 percent. Styrene monomer, also called phenylethylene, is widely used to make polystyrene, which in turn is used to make plastics and foam containers. The ministry launched investigations into the product in June 2017 after receiving complaints from domestic companies. The combined brand value of Chinese companies will rise to 911.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2018, nearly ninefold that of 10 years ago, Brand Finance said in a report. China's share of the global brand value rose to 15 percent this year from 3 percent in 2008, ranking second after the United States, according to the consultancy firm's annual report on the world's most valuable brands. Twenty-two Chinese brands were listed in the top 100, with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China holding its 2017 rank as the 10th most valuable brand in the world. The report forecast strong growth in the digital sector in 2018, citing the possible high brand value growth boasted by Chinese technology brands, with Alibaba, Tencent, WeChat, Baidu, JD.com and NetEase going up by an average of 67 percent year on year. The growth of Chinese brands extends beyond the technology sector as the country continues to narrow the value gap with the United States at an impressive rate, the report said. China's utility giant State Grid ranked 19th as the biggest new entrant of the year, with a brand value of 40.9 billion dollars. The fastest-growing brand of 2018 was Wuliangye, as the spirit industry champion rose 184 places to 100th with a brand value of 14.6 billion dollars, up 161 percent year on year. "Huawei, Ping An, State Grid, Evergrande, ICBC, Yili, Haval, Wuliangye and many others are now being recognized worldwide as quality brands. We expect to see this develop rapidly in more and more sectors," said David Haigh, CEO of Brand Finance. Ar-Raqqah, Syria [Photo/Xinhua] The Syrian conflict is getting nastier instead of calming down. It has become a hotbed of overlaying regional rivalries and international power struggles. The tussle between Israel and Iran is one of these streams of competitive politics and strategic interests. This was visible after Israel lost one of its fighter aircrafts, which had bombed "targets" inside Syria. The debris of the aircraft fell in northern Israel, with the two pilots surviving by ejecting before the crash. Israel did not declare that the F-16 was brought down by "enemy" fire. But indicators show that Syria's anti-aircraft defense system was involved in the incident. Israel has undertaken several intrusive missions to bomb various targets in Syria during the deadly civil war, but this is the first time that one of its warplanes has been destroyed by Syrian forces. The destruction of the jet was a serious jolt to the pride of the Jewish state. Reports suggest that it might be the first such incident of an Israeli fighter plane being shot down by enemy fire since the 1982 Lebanon War. Israel's main concern is the presence of Iran in Syria and the support it provides to both the Syrian regime and Hezbollah fighters. The downing of its jet is also linked with Iran, as Israel claimed that it intercepted a drone sent by Iran and bombed the site used to launch it in retaliation. Israel's Minister of Intelligence Yisrael Katz reportedly said on Sunday that his country sent a clear message to Iran by hitting key Iranian sites in Syria. Katz also stated that his country would not tolerate an Iranian military foothold on its doorstep. The minister further warned about increasing Iranian involvement along its borders with Syria and Lebanon. Israel fears that Iran could create a direct land corridor to link up with Hezbollah, which has sworn to destroy Israel. Another worry for Israel is reporting that Iran might be interested in a permanent base in Syria. Such reports could be exaggerated, because any such facility would risk a direct confrontation with Israel and even the United States. Iran would not like to be involved in any such situation. The fact is that Tehran has stood firmly with Syrian President Bashar Assad and provided resources in terms of men and materials. Its help was crucial to tilt the balance of war in favor of Damascus despite massive opposition by regional powers backed by the U.S. The destruction of an Israeli jet by Syrian anti-aircraft fire is indicative of changes in Syria's tactics. Previously, Syrian responses to numerous provocations by Israel were limited to empty warnings and vows of retaliation. But the counterstrike at the aircraft shows that Syria has upped the ante, with a strategic shift in the Syrian military's calculations. Under the new rules of engagement, Israel could now face a calibrated response to any future aerial intrusions. Syrian security forces are apparently more confident after a series of recent successes against rival groups, including Islamic State fighters. The armed forces are getting bold enough to challenge aerial violations by their opponents, no matter how powerful they are. President Assad is also getting the political and diplomatic support of Russia apart from Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin after the jet was shot down to seek support, but Russia's Foreign Ministry later rebuked him by saying that Syria's sovereignty should be respected. If Russia is siding with Syria, Israel has the unflinching support of the United States. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert, in a loaded remark, said that Iran was involved in "calculated escalation" and threatening regional peace. This shows that the Syrian conflict could easily escalate to a full-scale regional war or even direct conflict between the great powers. Any such occurrence would further destabilize the region; the situation demands care and caution. In the prevailing environment of mistrust and tension, even an unremarkable incident can spiral into a major showdown. However, the shooting down of the Israeli jet is not an ordinary incident. It will have serious implications, as Netanyahu has warned that Israel will continue its attacks in Syria. But Israel's increasing involvement is playing into the hands of Iran. By sucking the country into the conflict, both Syria and Iran will be able to contend that Israel is the main culprit. This will only garner them more support from the rest of the Muslim world. Sajjad Malik is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SajjadMalik.htm Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. Flash Authorities in Indonesia's resort island of Bali are making preparations to welcome Chinese tourists during the Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, an official said. Head of Indonesia's Bali provincial tourism office Agung Yuniarta said measures aimed at assuring security and safety for Chinese tourists have been carried out by the local authorities. "These measures were intended to make Chinese tourists comfortable during their stay to celebrate the Lunar New Year here," Agung said in a statement released on Monday. He added that facilities to welcome tourists to take part in the New Year's Eve celebrations in Bali have also been set in all access to Bali, including in the airport and seaports. He said the seaports in Gilimanuk and Padang Bai would facilitate domestic tourists to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve from neighboring islands of Java and Lombok. "Bali remained a favorite place to spend the Chinese New Year holiday for local and foreign tourists, which this year would be dominated from China," Agung added. Director of Greater China Marketing Development at the Indonesian Tourism Ministry Vincensius Jemadu said earlier that some 1,500 Chinese tourists would come to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Bali. The upcoming New Year celebration event in Bali is supported by the ministry and Chinese Consulate General in Bali. Indonesian Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said it proves that Bali is still the irreplaceable destination among international tourists with its natural beauties and various marine attractions, coupled with its cultural and traditional attractions. Indonesian authorities have downgraded the alert status for Mount Agung volcano on the island from the highest alert to standby last week following receding volcanic activities. The authorities also shrank the dangerous area radius from 6 to 4 km from the volcano summit due to the developing situation. The eruption of the volcano since last September has tarnished the island's main sector, leaving those in the tourism business living in despair. Flash The Haiti and Chad sex scandals involving aid workers from the British charity Oxfam claimed its first high-profile casualty Monday when the charity's deputy CEO resigned. Penny Lawrence said in a statement that as program director at the time Oxfam workers were in Chad and later in Haiti after its 2010 earthquake, she took full responsibility. Lawrence added: "I am ashamed that this happened on my watch and I take full responsibility." She issued her statement as Oxfam executives were responding to a demand for full information from the British government's Department for International Development (DFID) which has threatened to cancel its multi-million dollar funding package. Lawrence said: "Over the last few days we have become aware that concerns were raised about the behaviour of staff in Chad as well as Haiti that we failed to adequately act upon. It is now clear that these allegations, involving the use of prostitutes and which related to behaviour of both the Country Director and members of his team in Chad, were raised before he moved to Haiti. "I am desperately sorry for the harm and distress that this has caused to Oxfam's supporters, the wider development sector and most of all the vulnerable people who trusted us." Mark Goldring, Chief Executive of Oxfam GB, said: "I deeply respect Penny's decision to accept personal responsibility. Like us, she is appalled at what happened and is determined to do what is best for Oxfam and the people we exist to help." Lawrence joined Oxfam in February 2006 as Program Director and became Deputy Chief Executive in 2016. You are here: World Flash Officials from China and the Philippines formally broke ground on Monday on the second Chinese-financed drug rehabilitation center in Agusan Del Sur Province in the southern Philippines. Philippine Undersecretary of the Department of Health Roger Tong An and Chinese Embassy's Economic and Commercial Counselor Jin Yuan attended the groundbreaking ceremony. Representing the Philippine government, An lauded the project and thanked China for its help in the government's relentless fight against illicit drugs. An expressed hope that the facility will be finished soon so it can be used by the local residents. In a statement, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said the drug rehabilitation center, which has a floor area of 6,750 square meters, can accommodate approximately 150 beds. On Jan. 12, Chinese and Philippine officials also held a groundbreaking ceremony for a drug rehabilitation center in Sarangani province, also in the southern Philippines. Economic and Commercial Counselor Jin said the building of the drug rehabilitation centers showed that the new partnership between Beijing and Manila is further strengthening. Jin said the development of the China-Philippines relationship will eventually benefit people from both countries. The drug rehabilitation center project in Agusan del Sur is expected to be completed in 21 months. In October 2016, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte visited Beijing and reached an agreement with China on the building of drug rehabilitation centers in the Philippines. The two sides later announced that China will help build two drug rehabilitation centers in Sarangani and Agusan del Sur, both in the southern Philippines. The Philippine government under Duterte launched the anti-drug campaign when he assumed the presidency on June 30, 2016. Flash Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain sent a Lunar New Year greeting to China and the Chinese people through the Pakistani Embassy in China and China.org.cn. The full text is as follows: On behalf of the Pakistani government and people, I wish to extend my best wishes and warmest congratulations to the people of China on the occasion of the Chinese New Year celebration. As close neighbor linked by mountains and rivers, China and Pakistan have a lips-and-teeth relationship. We are Iron Brothers, all-weather strategic cooperative partners. Our friendship is higher than mountains, deeper that oceans, stronger than steels and sweeter than honey, and engaged in all-round cooperation, setting a shining example of friendly state-to-state relations. In 2017, China played a leading role in the reform of global governance, made great progress in building a community of shared destiny with Pakistan. The success of the 19th Communist Party of China National Congress marks the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. With the joint efforts of both sides, the construction of China Pakistan Economic Corridor has been proceeding smoothly. Pakistan-China friendship and people to people contact are firmly consolidated through frequent cultural exchange and cooperation. I sincerely hope that under the great leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Communist Party of China, China will further flourish in the coming new year and our brotherly friendship will be further strengthened in 2018. May the Pakistan-China friendship be everlasting and pass on from generation to generation! ALGIERS - Algeria is going to have one of the largest mosques in the world, as China State Construction Engineering Corporation is doubling efforts to finish this mega project in 2018. The 265-meter-high minaret of the Great Mosque of Algiers, or Djamaa El Djazair, can be seen from all places in Algiers. It is the highest minaret in the world, and stands as a symbol of Muslim Algeria. Present in Algeria for 30 years, CSCEC has already been taken part in the construction of mega projects, including housing, roads, highways, bridges, schools and hospitals. This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below: Password: An anti-persecution charity has urged Christians not to forget North Korea's persecution of believers despite its show of unity with South Korea during the pro-unification flag show in the Winter Olympics. Aside from the pro-unification flag show, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister and South Korea's president also shook hands during the event in Pyeongchang. In light of these events, Open Doors told Christians not to be fooled by the reclusive state's attempt to forge a friendly faAade to the world, Premier detailed. "As many nations come together to take part in the Winter Olympics, let us not forget that every day over 300,000 Christians are denied the right to take part in the religious observance of their choice," Open Doors advocacy policy officer Dr. Matthew Rees said. "They are a beleaguered community who are fighting for their very survival." A North Korean refugee named Timothy has described the country's human rights level to be "zero percent" and said the citizens absolutely have no freedom and were required to revere their national leader as a god. However, even with the extreme persecution, Open Doors said the Christian church there was flourishing and that there were now around 300,000 believers in the country. Last month, The Express published photos provided by Open Doors showing "show churches" that North Korea allegedly used to cover up its human rights abuses against Christians. These so-called fake churches were reportedly filled with worshippers, particularly during times when there are foreign visitors, to prove that people have religious freedom in the country. Defectors, however, have reportedly claimed that the churches were merely "show pieces." Some photos also had television screens where parishioners sitting at the back watched preachers deliver their sermons, while others featured churches with its worshippers scattered widely around the pews. North Korea's treatment of Christians has earned it the top spot once again in Open Doors' annual persecution watch list. A Christian group in the Philippines recently gathered to protest an anti-discrimination measure called the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill, saying the legislation was not necessary in the country. On Saturday, Feb. 10, members of the Christian Coalition for Righteousness Justice and Truth (CCRJT) converged at the People Power Monument to question the necessity of the SOGIE bill, claiming there was no systemic discrimination against LGBT individuals in the Philippines. The Christian group also said the existing laws protect the LGBT community from discrimination, GMA News relayed. In a statement, CCRTJ said the real intention of the SOGIE bill was to pave the way for the legalization of same-sex marriage in the Philippines. The group added that the bill aimed to redefine the "original meaning of sex and gender." The SOGIE bill looks to criminalize discriminatory practices based on gender, with penalties ranging from P100,000 to P500,000 and jail time of one to six years. The House of Representatives approved the bill during its final reading in September 2017, but the Senate still has not approved its second reading. In December, the Mindanao Evangelical Leaders Council (MELC) renewed its call to oppose the SOGIE bill. The group's president, Bishop Genes Udang, said evangelical churches respect the members of the LGBT community, but they cannot allow legislation to be approved if it would "discriminate" against the majority of the citizens, Sun Star reported. "In crafting the bills aimed at protecting the LGBT members, our lawmakers didn't realize that the same bills will actually discriminate us, the majority," said Bishop Udang. "If that is your lifestyle, so be it, we don't have anything against it. But to try to enforce it that will, in effect, disorient our lifestyle, that is something that we must make a stand on because it curtails and it violates our Constitutional rights." Like the CCRJT, Bishop Udang said the laws of the Philippines guarantee protection for the LGBT community against discrimination. He also noted that LGBT individuals enjoy acceptance and tolerance in the country. 'They Are Treasured by God': Over 540 Churches Host Tim Tebow's 'Night to Shine' Special Needs Proms 12 February, 2018 by Michael Gryboski , | More than 540 churches in the United States and abroad hosted "Night to Shine" proms for those with special needs as part of an annual global event organized by the Tim Tebow Foundation. The 2018 Night to Shine proms took place last Friday across the U.S. and in 16 countries, including Tebow's birth place of the Philippines. One location was St. Paul Lutheran Church of Boca Raton, Florida. Hosting their third "Night to Shine" prom, the event had about 160 guests. The Rev. Steve Carretto, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran, told The Christian Post that the prom was a "great success" full of "laughing and smiling." "Our hope is that they see that they are treasured by God, that they had a night celebrating them because God celebrates them daily," said Carretto. "I hope they took away that there is a community called the Church that loves to love people and care for them and their families and in so doing receive such a blessing from God." Melanie Gibbs, co-chair for the Night to Shine prom held at First Presbyterian Church in Douglasville, Georgia, described the event, which had about 150 guests and 160 caregivers, as "Spirit-filled" and "Christ-centered." "It was fun. It was a slice of the Kingdom of Heaven. From the time the first ladies showed up for hair and makeup appointments until the last song was over, such joy radiated on the faces of our guests and our volunteers," said Gibbs to CP. "There isn't anything else quite like this prom. Just watching the guests enjoy themselves on the dance floor is an unforgettable sight." Read more about Night to Shine on The Christian Post. US Pastor Andrew Brunson Writes Heartbreaking Message to Wife From Turkish Prison Christian Post Contributor | 12 February, 2018 by Stoyan Zaimov American evangelical pastor Andrew Brunson has sent a "heartbreaking" message to his wife as he continues to languish in a Turkish prison 16 months after his arrest. He admitted he is struggling to deal with his situation. "I am very discouraged. Please have prayer for me," Brunson said in a note to his wife, Norine, via an embassy official, according to the American Center for Law and Justice. "I love you can't handle the thought of growing old in this place, without you." The ACLJ, which has been assisting the pastor's family in the U.S., insists that Brunson is an "innocent U.S. citizen" who is being held as a political prisoner by the government of Turkish President Recep Erdogan. The law group has also warned that the pastor's emotional and physical state continues to deteriorate, with little being accomplished in the way of his freedom, despite finally being allowed to formally meet with the prosecutor in Turkey last week. The pastor, who had lived in Turkey for over two decades and led a small Protestant church in Izmir, was arrested in October 2016, accused by authorities of having links with a terror group. Officials apparently believe that Brunson has ties to U.S.-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Erdogan has blamed for the failed 2016 coup against his government. The pastor has denied such links. The ACLJ has warned that Brunson can be held in prison for as many as seven years without any formal charges being filed against him. The pastor has filed a case for wrongful detention, but it is still pending. Read more about Andrew Brunson 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. When David Platt became a teaching pastor at a DC-area megachurch last year, onlookers wondered whether the president of the International Mission Board (IMB) could really do both jobs. Platt answered them this morning, announcing that he will end his three-and-a-half-year tenure at the IMB to work at McLean Bible Church as soon as the Southern Baptist missions agency can find his replacement. I have come to the realization that it is not viable long-term for me to lead as president of the IMB while serving as teaching pastor in a church, said Platt, who brought his radical approach to faith to the IMB during a major budget crisis. This realization has been sobering, for I dont believe I can choose between preaching and leading in the local church, and mobilizing and shepherding people in global missions, he said. Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that if I am going to serve in this way in the local church, then I need to serve in different ways for the cause of global missions. Platt has clarified the news is not an immediate resignation; he has asked trustees to begin the search for a new president, and will resign once his successor is elected. Prior to being named IMB president in 2014, Platt led the Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, as one of the youngest megachurch pastors in America. He soon instituted major changes at the IMB, drawing in record missionary offerings and balancing the budget after several years of overspending. The organizationbased in Richmond, Virginiais one of the countrys biggest missionary-sending groups, with a $300 million budget and 3,500 missionaries around the world. When Platt assumed the presidency, the IMB faced a $21 million deficit due to giving in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) not keeping up with the expense of sending more and more missionaries overseas over the decades. In 2015, Platt announced plans for 600 to 800 staff layoffs, fewer missionaries, and a tighter budget. The following year, the IMB ended a six-year deficit streak that had drained $210 million from reservesthough it lost almost 1,000 missionaries in the process. The author of The New York Times bestseller Radical, Platt also loosened restrictions that once disqualified missionaries from serving with the IMBincluding a ban on speaking in tongues. Platt sought to implement his vision of a new IMB, but his short tenure means we will never know if that vision was going to succeed, wrote Dave Miller, editor of SBC Voices and an Iowa pastor who took over the SBCs annual pastors conference last summer. The IMB needs a new leader now, one who has both a passion for world missions and an understanding of Southern Baptist cooperative missions. I do not envy the trustees of the IMB in their difficult task of finding the next leader for our world mission effort. Southern Baptists celebrated the 38-year-old Platts impact during some of the most tumultuous years for the agency, which dates back to 1845. Daniel Akin, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary president, tweeted that he was grieved and saddened by the announcement. Several fellow leaders, including Chuck Kelly, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (Platts alma mater), Russell Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, and Daniel Yang, director of the Send Institute, praised Platt for his dedication to international missions. Even critics commended Platt for the IMBs financial turnaround and for his humility in choosing to preach rather than stretching to do both. I sympathize with his desire to preach and I appreciate how he has improved the finances of the @IMB_SBC, tweeted Texas SBC pastor Bart Barber. I have BIG TIME respect for a guy who, of his own accord, would look in his heart and say, Im committed to preaching and @IMB_SBC needs more than I can give. Last September, Platt was installed as a teaching pastor at McLean Bible Church, a suburban DC congregation that ballooned as an influential nondenominational church under the leadership of his predecessor, Lon Solomon. (The New Republic once called it a holy destination for GOP senators and Bush aides.) McLean is new to the Southern Baptist realm. It ended up joining the SBC in 2016, following its involvement with North American Mission Board (NAMB) church planting efforts in the DC area, and affiliated with the SBC of Virginia the following year. The church, which broadcasts to five campuses, lists Platt at the top of its pastor page, with the title of pastor-teacher. Others on the team include a lead pastor, a teaching pastor, and Solomon as pastor emeritus. Platt is also among the eight elders of the church, tasked with financial oversight, doctrinal integrity, policy matters, and overall strategic direction. When Platt took on the preaching role, he said he did not take a salary from McLean and assured Southern Baptists, I am all in as IMB president. Me teaching Gods Word in the local church is not in any way indicative of a desire to do less at IMB. I am not changing anything when it comes to my commitment to the IMB. IMB trustees said they would continue to evaluate Platts commitment, as he traveled during the week and returned to Virginia to preach on weekends. In September, CT blogger and SBC expert Ed Stetzer gave three reasons why Platt could do both. The previous IMB president, Tom Elliff, had a short tenure too, of just three years. We are sad, but also feel confident in the future as we move forward, said trustee chairman Rick Dunbar, who will lead the search for Platts replacement. We trust that Davids gifts of preaching, teaching, and writing will continue to bless the work of the IMB for many years to come. Platts senior aide said he remains hopeful about the agencys future, following Platts creation of a guiding missiological document for IMB outreach and his vision to explore new avenues for sending missionaries. Still, Paul Akin wrote, Organizational leaders come and go, but the real heroes of the IMB always have been and always will be the anonymous and unknown missionaries (and the national brothers and sisters they partner with!) who are faithfully serving Christ around the world. Missionaries themselves weighed in on the merits of these shifts from their perspective in the field at SBC Voices. One noted that the initial bump in giving under Platt has sinced leveled out and critiqued some of the disadvantages of appointing a leader without direct experience in missions administration. The day after Platts announcement, the outgoing president spoke to state-level convention leaders about the work of the IMB. This week is not about me, he said. Dont miss the salvation testimonies from around the world that happened too. Thats the real story. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form 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. Apel de exprimare a interesului privind intentia de participare la serviciile de suport la formarea/consolidarea grupurilor de femei pentru accesarea granturilor din cadrul Proiectului de Rezilienta Rurala AKRON, Ohio - As new income tax dollars begin to slowly roll in, the Akron Fire Department is working toward securing the equipment necessary to keep firefighters and the public safe. Akron voters passed Issue 4 in November, levying an additional .25 percent income tax to improve roads and support police and fire services. The tax, which took effect Jan. 1., will bring in $13 million, or or 11 months' worth of taxes, in its first year. Going forward, the tax will generate an estimated $16 million over a full year. "It's not instantaneously in your pocket," said Chief Clarence Tucker. "We're being very cautious to make sure we don't spend more than we have. We're doing exactly what we promised our taxpayers we would do." Fire Station 2 The city expects to break ground this year to replace Akron Fire Station #2 in theMiddlebury neighborhood. The current station is so old the floors must be supported from the basement to hold the weight of the fire trucks. The fire department is working with city engineers in the selection of architects specializing ni designing fires stations to it ensure the new station will meet the city's needs, Tucker said. No estimates on cost to build the new station are available yet. The station will remain in the same location and the department plans to preserve the boy-and-girl-under-the-umbrella fountain known as "The Babies," which is more than a century old. Ladder truck The department's Engine #7 has the most miles and will be replaced at a cost of about $900,000, Tucker said. A plan is in the works for how the 75-foot ladder truck should be designed and built, which takes more than a year. "You don't just order a new truck like a new vehicle," he said. " They're built to your specifications to meet the needs of your city." As far as replacing old trucks, up next will be Akron's a 100-foot-platform truck, used to fight larger fires. Plans will be developed next year for the new roughly $1 million platform tuck, which will likely be delivered in 2020. Firefighting gear The department will is looking to purchase 275 sets of state-of-the-art gear so all firefighters have two sets. That used to be the standard in Akron, before the Great Recession, Tucker said, but many firefighters only have one set. Firefighters need to be able to change out of gear that has absorbed carcinogens and other toxins from a fire, before heading to a second call. Thermal imagers These are the devices on fire trucks that help firefighters penetrate smoke to locate trapped in buildings. Some imagers will be replaced this year. Extractors Appearing similar to large clothes dryers, extractor machines are designed to pull the toxins out of the uniforms and other gear worn into fires. Each of Akron's 14 stations should have an extractor, but currently only nine stations do. With two allocated in the city's 2017 budget at about $7,000 each, the department is asking Akron City Council clearance to seek bids for three more, bringing the city's total to 14. Between fighting fires, answering emergency calls and planning for the new equipment the fire department has been busy. "It's a wonderful problem to have; we are blessed," Tucker said. "The citizens have shown a great deal of trust and we appreciate the fact that they think this is a worthwhile effort." Want more Akron news? Sign up for cleveland.com's Rubber City Daily, an email newsletter delivered at 5:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, Ohio - The city hopes to build a community amphitheater on the City Hall campus at Broadview and Oakes roads. The amphitheater would cost between $175,000 and $200,000 to build, according to a rough estimate by city officials. A local foundation is raising money for the project, and the city has applied for two grants that would help cover the costs. "The goal is to place the amphitheater on city property," Kristina Sorensen, Broadview Heights' economic development coordinator, said in an email to cleveland.com. "There is an area on the (City Hall campus) property on the southeast corner, near Broadview Road, which appears to lend itself grade-wise to a natural bowl shape of an amphitheater, so that is where we are thinking." The amphitheater would be one of several improvements, either proposed or under way, to the City Hall campus, which also holds a recreation center. The city is expanding its recreation center, which shares a building with City Hall. Also, Broadview Heights Spotlights Theater, the city's community theater, is preparing for an expansion this year, and the city would like to pave and improve a multipurpose trail that encircles City Hall. Sorensen said a community amphitheater makes sense because the city hosts several events on the City Hall campus every year. The events include Home Days on the Green, the Nights in the Heights summer outdoor concert series, Spotlights outdoor performances and outdoor movie nights. "We have also been approached by residents and asked to hold guest speaker events, arts fairs, outdoor workout events (and other events)," Sorensen said. "In general, there is a need for a public venue space within the city so folks can hold their own events if they wanted." The Broadview Heights Community Foundation, an independent nonprofit, has been raising funds for the amphitheater and has pledged $25,000 toward the project. Also, in November, the city applied for funds through the Cuyahoga County Supplemental Grant Program, which helps pay for community-improvement projects. The grant is capped at $50,000, Sorensen said. In January, the city applied for an Ohio State Capital Improvement Program grant that city officials hope will cover the balance of the costs. "We are hoping that we can obtain one or both of the grants so that the community amphitheater can become possible," Sorensen said. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Don't plan on lower electric bills anytime soon reflecting the fat tax cut Ohio's electric utilities are already enjoying. FirstEnergy, American Electric Power, Duke Energy and Dayton Power & Light have made it clear to the PUCO that passing on their windfall tax break from 35 percent to 21 percent will take a long time to figure out. In a rare, joint reply to the Public Utility Commission of Ohio's Jan. 10 order asking utilities to begin looking into how much of the tax break could be passed onto customers and to begin keeping track of what they are over-charging customers, the four companies threw down a barrage of legal objections -- even that they have already been deprived of "due process." They also included a reference to state law and Ohio Supreme Court rulings that customer refunds are not legal in Ohio because they would constitute "retroactive rate making," unless provisions were made for them in a rate case. In other words, even if the PUCO were able eventually order a rate cut based on the lower taxes the utilities are paying, none of the over-collection from the preceding months could be refunded. Other objections include arguments that: The commission cannot, under Ohio law, unilaterally decide on a new (lower) rate without going through a series of hearings (due process). The commission cannot change rates based on one issue issue (tax windfall). "It would be unreasonable and unlawful for the Commission to unilaterally force base rate reductions based on a single expense reduction." The commission cannot now remove a tax "rider" or add-on to a utility's base rate approved in a previous rate case to cover tax expenses without the consent of the utility. Establishing rates "must be done ... as part of a comprehensive review of the [company's] costs in accordance with the traditional rate making formulas and processes found in [state law]. The bottom line? The companies will fight the commission if it attempts to adjust rates based on this one expense -- the windfall tax break. And that fight will probably take many months. The utilities are drawing a line in the sand despite the PUCO's initial explanation of its order as more of an "investigation." When explaining the Jan. 10 order, PUCO chairman Asim Haque tried to make it clear that the commission had no intention of running roughshod over the utilities. "Broadly speaking, the Commission authorizes utilities to recover expenses from their customers, including federal tax obligations," he said after the vote. "If that federal tax obligation is reduced, then utility rates should also be reduced, creating savings to customers." Ohio Consumers' Counsel Bruce Weston said the utilities are basing some of their objections to changes in state law approved in 2008 (Senate Bill 221) that favor utilities over consumers. "Our view is that utility consumers should see reduced charges from the federal corporate tax cuts, and sooner rather than later. And, in general, utility regulation in Ohio should be reformed," he said, adding that lawmakers should start by approving legislation introduced by State Rep. Mark Romanchuk, a Republican from Mansfield. The legislation, House Bill 247, repeals parts of the changes made in 2008. The tough negotiating stance from Ohio's utilities comes as utilities in other states are cooperating. Boston-based Eversource, for example, has already agreed to pass through about $56 million in tax savings to 1.4 million customers in Massachusetts. Meanwhile, attorneys general and consumer advocates in at least 19 states have already asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to investigate whether the federal tax cut for electric utility interstate transmission line companies and natural gas pipeline companies should be passed on to customers. Edited to include reaction from Ohio Consumers' Counsel Bruce Weston. CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cuyahoga County's Department of Consumer Affairs would be empowered to investigate and enforce consumer laws under legislation that is expected to be introduced Tuesday at County Council. The legislation would create a new section in the county's code that would: Grant the director of consumer affairs the authority to conduct investigations and to enforce consumer protection laws. Enforce the existing consumer protection laws and weights and measures laws, including those in the Ohio Revised Code and Ohio Administrative Code. Conduct initial investigations and review and select the areas of enforcement most beneficial to Cuyahoga County consumers, in addition to referring investigations to the appropriate agency. Provide a forum to protect as well as educate Cuyahoga County consumers on their rights. See the proposed legislation below or click here if on a mobile device. Currently, people can file complaints with the department. Investigators, who can contact the business and attempt to mediate a resolution, refer cases to an appropriate agency that can pursue legal action. If the legislation is approved, department Director Sheryl Harris may: Investigate a violation or a complaint. Attempt dispute resolution, including mediation with the parties. Refer a complaint or a violation to the county prosecutor, Ohio attorney general, Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or other appropriate agencies with jurisdiction over the complaint. Enforce violations through civil actions. "Our Department of Consumer Affairs does great work throughout our region to keep our residents and businesses safe from fraud and scams," County Executive Armond Budish said in a news release. "The introduction of this legislation to County Council will give Cuyahoga County residents and businesses comfort in knowing that we are committed to creating and enforcing a county-wide consumer protection standard." Summit County's Department of Consumer Affairs has enforcement powers. Summit County is the only other charter county in the state. The City of Cleveland's Office of Fair Housing & Consumer Affairs also has enforcement authority written into its ordinance, county spokeswoman Mary Louise Madigan said. Cuyahoga County's ordinance is modeled on the state's existing Consumer Sales Practices Act, which businesses are required to follow, Madigan said. She said the department is not requesting a budget increase. "Since county council established the Department of Consumer Affairs in 2012, it has proven itself as an effective and outspoken advocate for county consumers," Dan Brady, president of County Council, said in a news release. "We have looked forward to enhancing the protections this department enforces. These ordinances will protect county residents from fraudsters and scammers and reinforce trust in local businesses." According to the legislation, the department "shall have jurisdiction over all consumer transactions which take place within Cuyahoga County, regardless of the residence of any of the persons directly or indirectly affected by such transaction. For purposes of online and/or telephone consumer transactions, the location of the consumer or the supplier within Cuyahoga County at the time of the transaction shall establish jurisdiction." CLEVELAND, Ohio - Shaker Heights Mayor Earl Leiken has been named chief of staff to Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish. Leiken replaces Sharon Sobol Jordan who resigned Friday to become CEO of Unify Project, a startup designed to fight poverty with big data. "I am delighted to say that Earl Leiken has agreed to come on board as my new chief of staff," Budish said in a news release. "Earl has a long and storied career here in Cleveland. His leadership as mayor of Shaker Heights has been exemplary and visionary. I am looking forward to having Earl here as part of my leadership team as we take our strategic plan and bring it to life." The county did not post the position. Officials have been asked to provide Leiken's salary. Leiken will begin on April 1. Sobol Jordan is transitioning out of the job in the next few weeks and he will transition in, said county spokeswoman Mary Louise Madigan. Shaker Heights Vice Mayor Anne Williams will become acting mayor until City Council appoints an interim mayor. An election will be held Nov. 6 for the unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2019. Leiken, 76, has served 10 years as Shaker Heights mayor and was elected to a third four-year term in 2015. He has led the city to a strong financial position with an AAA bond rating, the highest achievable. He has known Budish for decades. The attorneys first worked together at Hahn, Loeser. "I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with Armond Budish to help him achieve his important goals as County Executive and am also extremely pleased to be working with members of County Council and the staff," Leiken said in a statement. "As a mayor, I am keenly aware of the fact that many of the most important challenges to our area's future can be addressed most effectively at the regional and county level. I am deeply grateful to the residents of Shaker Heights for the opportunity to serve them as mayor for over 10 years and want to assure them of a smooth and successful transition to my successor." As mayor, Leiken provided leadership in bringing the city's Van Aken economic development project to reality, the county said. Working with his staff and City Council, Leiken created strategic economic development and housing plans and implemented an infrastructure plan which is repaving Shaker's roads, dredging its lakes and rebuilding its 100-year-old sewer system. A strong proponent of regional collaboration, Leiken worked with other mayors to create the Heights Hillcrest Dispatch Center to dispatch police and fire calls for five cities. He has served as chair of the First Suburbs Consortium, a board member of NOACA and on the executive committee of the Cuyahoga County Mayors and Managers. Prior to serving as mayor, Leiken was a member of City Council for eight years and was president of the Shaker Heights Board of Education. Leiken was a partner in the law firm of Baker Hostetler for 21 years before becoming mayor. Before that, he was at Hahn, Loeser, where he and Budish first worked together. Prior to entering law practice, Leiken was an assistant dean and associate professor of law at Case Western Reserve Law School. Leiken received his bachelor's and law degrees from Harvard College. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When Corner 11 Bowl & Wrap in Tremont starts serving its first customers this week, it will become the third Poke restaurant in Northeast Ohio to open just in the last month. While the food trend from Hawaii has spread from coast to coast over the past year or so, Poke -- bowls of diced sushi-grade raw fish -- is just now gaining a foothold here with the arrival of 2nd and High Poke House + Bar in downtown Cleveland and the fast-casual Poke Fresh in West Akron. Enter Corner 11 Bowl and Wrap, at 2391 W. 11th St., which is having a soft opening this week and a grand opening in March. "Poke has been trendy and spread out around the USA, but not in Cleveland yet," owner Thiwaporn Sirisuwan says. "My husband and I love traveling and our most impressive trip has been to Hawaii. I would say we love Hawaiian food, especially Poke. ... We would like to introduce something new in Cleveland." Like other fast-casual Poke places that have sprouted up across the country, Corner 11 Bowl and Wrap allows customers to create their own bowls by going down a line, Chipotle-style, and picking their ingredients. "People have changed their lifestyle of eating," the owner, who also goes by Noina, says. "They are looking for something healthy, delicious and creative. They want to select their dish and what they want to eat." Customers build their poke bowls ($8.50-$14.50) by selecting a base such as rice or greens and then adding a protein such raw tuna or salmon, cooked shrimp, scallops, chicken or tofu. Available toppings include seaweed salad, guacamole, pineapple, and veggies such as edamame, corn, carrots and more. The dish is finished off with one of the restaurant's special sauces. In addition to Poke, the restaurant's signature wrap is loaded with pork, lemongrass chicken, rice noodles, veggies and sauce. Soups ($2.50-$12.50) include Kao Soi (Northern Thai-style curry soup) and Yen-Ta-Fo (pink soup with squid). The appetizers menu ($3.50-$6.50) features two kinds of Thai sausage, spring rolls, steamed buns, gyoza and Ka Nom Jeeb (Thai dumplings). Vegan and gluten-free options are available as well. Corner 11 is located next Merchant Street Eatery and overlooks Lincoln Park in the heart of Tremont. Noina says the neighborhood has been very welcoming and supportive since the couple's arrivial in November. She hopes to spread that love to customers by making the space feel like an extention of their homes. "We want to make you comfy, happy, and healthy." The restaurant's soft opening is set for Thursday, Feb. 15, with the grand opening on Mar. 1. Regular hours will be 8 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekedays and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekends. UPDATED: 9:24 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 CLEVELAND, Ohio - Walk into Key Tower's lobby and you will see a bustle during the day, people coming, going, working. And we're not talking about the tenants. It's the construction workers and the painters, the builders nailing, drilling and fixing up the spacious lobby of the massive tower rising along St. Clair Avenue. And with any gathering space food becomes an anchor. The Millennia Hospitality Group - which owns LockKeepers in Valley View and Marble Room Steaks and Raw Bar downtown - held three job fairs in January for 125 positions at several restaurants and an event space. Il Venetian, an upscale Italian restaurant, along with its sister eatery, a smaller fast-casual doughnuts and gelato version, and Marble Room Sushi are scheduled to open in the Key Tower lobby. St. Clair Ballroom, the event space, is booking now. "Rather than being driven away, everything is here," said Malisse Sinito, president of Millennia Hospitality Group. A patio will be covered, and the lobby space will become "more of a living room of the building," she said. That "living-room" vision attests to the approach the company is taking: Creating a community in an office building. And that community will center around food options, which Sinito said tenants wanted. Il Venetian, which has seating for 130 diners, looks to open in the beginning of March, Sinito said. Staff training is under way. A wall wine cellar will be visible. Overlooking the Old Stone Church on Ontario Street, it is in the space formerly occupied by David's at the Marriott. Alberto Leandri by way of LockKeepers and Venice, Italy, is the chef. The upscale modern Italian restaurant, which will be opened seven days a week, will start with breakfast and lunch before adding dinner hours. Il Venetian's casual counterpart - a made-from-scratch, doughnuts-and-gelato restaurant - will offer takeout. A glass window will offer transparency for folks to see the treats being made. Marble Room Sushi, which will offer poke bowls, recently hired an executive sushi chef, Sinito said, and should open "right beyond" Il Venetian. And the St. Clair Ballroom space, located on the Marriott's fourth floor in the old Key Club, is taking reservations now. The ballroom's cocktail reception and bar area overlooks the Fountain of Eternal Life on the mall downtown. A trio of massive caged lights hangs above the 5,000-square-foot space in its main room. Seated events will be limited to 300 guests though cocktail receptions can handle 450, said Anne Rusnak, director of sales and private dining for the ballroom. Jake's Bar will become a lobby space bar for lunch and dinner under a new name. Jake's current space will become an M Club Lounge, a private Marriott club. Meanwhile, improvements are being made in the lobby of Ohio's tallest building. Key Bank is the anchor in the skyscraper that is 93 percent leased. Key Center is owned by The Millennia Companies, whose chief executive officer is Frank T. Sinito. Key Center encompasses Key Tower, the Cleveland Marriott Downtown and the Historic Society for Savings Building as well as Memorial Plaza and Memorial Plaza Garage. "They want food options, music, art, patio," Malisse Sinito said. "Before it was cold and sterile and empty. It was not a gathering space." The Sinitos' vision is just that - a gathering space for anyone working in the building or passing through. "Your ultimate goal for Cleveland is to bring businesses from out of town - new businesses, new residents, more growth," Malisse Sinito said. "Tenants and visitors will have every service here." Other changes include: * The lobby will have live music, with local college music students performing. The first was violinist Kiarra Saito-Beckman of Cleveland Institute of Music. * Artwork is being displayed in conjunction with The Bonfoey Gallery. The art is up and for sale. Also, artists will be brought in to create and sculpt works as live-performance art for passersby. * Furnishings include large light fixtures being installed. A centerpiece will be "Spiral Galaxy," an artistic fixture composed of 3,000 glass orbs from Scott Fitzel and Kathleen Grennan. * Lynch Design has a florist stand in the lobby. Its young owner, William Lynch, drew attention when Khloe Kardashian tweeted about his work. He is a student at John Carroll University. * An upscale barbershop is planned. * Vedas fitness center, with state-of-the-art equipment and classes, is now in the building. A full-treatment spa is being added. * A valet cutout will be coming on St. Clair Avenue. CLEVELAND, Ohio - Nostalgia was a big seller on Paczki Day at Rudy's Strudel in Parma. Nostalgia in the form of a Hough Bakery-inspired buttercream-filled paczki, the 2018 flavor at the 70-year-old bakery in Parma's Polish Village area. "We did the math and we are looking at selling 77,321 paczki from Thursday to Tuesday (today)," says Rudy's Strudel owner Lidia Trempe. "The Hough-inspired paczki is selling like crazy. It's been a blast. Everybody has a Hough story to share when they pick up their paczki." In recent years, Rudy's (5580 Ridge Road; 440-886-4430) has become Paczki Central on Fat Tuesday, with crowds lining out the door into the frigid winter morning beginning at 4 a.m. After all, for the rest of the world Tuesday is Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday. In strongly Polish Cleveland, though, this is Paczki Day -- the day when hundreds line up at Polish bakeries to have one last hurrah in the form of a paczki (pronounced PUNCH-ki), a deep-fried, filled Polish pre-Lenten doughnuts. "I felt bad, but I couldn't let people in at 4, we weren't ready," says Trempe, a floral babushka covering her red hair, her "Born to the Babushka" shirt dusted with powdered sugar. They did start letting paczki fans in at 5 a.m. They drove from as far as Columbus in search of the sweet Polish treats. This year, Rudy's had 400 dozen pre-orders, in addition to thousands of walk-up paczki sold. For the first time, pre-orders could be picked up in a separate space in the front of the Ridge Road building, which Trempe and her mother Eugenia Polatajko are converting into a cafe. In addition to the new Hough packzi and a Valentine's Day-themed chocolate- covered strawberry, the paczki party featured more than 30 flavors, including savory offerings such as The Parma Paczki, with potato and cheese filling, and The Clevelander Paczki, with sauerkraut and kielbasa. The sweet treats run the gamut from traditional fillings such as poppyseed, prune and rose petal to pina colada and mocha. Customers picked up checklists and pencils when they entered Rudy's to have their order ready at the counter. Though the line was about an hour long at 7:30 a.m., the mood was upbeat and festive. DJ C.Randolph C. kept the party going with a set of polka varieties. More than a few of those in line tapped their feet to Lil' Richard and the Polka All Star's "Chocolate Soda Polka" and Ferd Buchel's cover of Kris Kristofferson's "Help Me Make it Through the Night." Mimosa samples from Parma's Little Birdie Wine Nest, and beer from Brick and Barrel, located on Columbus Road in the Flats, also helped with the party mood. Karl Spiesman of Brick and Barrel recommended the McTavish Wee Heavy Scotch Ale as a good sweet paczki pairing. Lakewood's The Tea Lab was serving hot drinks to those who were on their way into work and couldn't imbibe the stronger stuff. Paul Scholz of Parma was on his way home from work on the third-shift. The Polish-American was ordering traditional poppyseed paczki. He'd been in line for an hour, but didn't mind. "It's worth it every time." Janice Buildt of Lakewood was picking up two-dozen paczki for her German-Polish family. Her order included some Hough paczki: "'Cause I'm a Clevelander!" Nurse Megan Ballard of North Ridgeville was on her way to work when she made her annual Fat Tuesday stop at Rudy's. By 8 a.m., she was behind the counter in a "Pierogis, Polka, Paczki" shirt. "Lidia was drowning, she needed the help," say the devoted customer. "I just got behind the counter and started filling orders ... I guess you could say I have a paczki problem," she laughed. "But I do need to go to work soon, I have a meeting in an hour and I still haven't picked up my order!" The Paczki Party is set to continue through the day at Rudy's. Polka act Tom Mroczka and the Music Box were scheduled to perform at 11 a.m. Rudy's will sell paczki till they run out. COLUMBUS, Ohio -- State regulators did not check whether applicants to grow medical marijuana had the required cash, chose a grow site that complied with Ohio law or met other pass-fail criteria outlined in the application, raising questions about the fairness of the application scoring process. But the Department of Commerce says it didn't have to verify applicants' claims because the provisional license winners have nine months to fully comply with all state laws, rules and regulations for the medical marijuana program. A cleveland.com investigation found four provisional cultivator license winners were not technically in compliance with Ohio law barring marijuana businesses from locating within 500 feet of a church, school, playground, library or other prohibited location when they submitted applications in June 2017. Since then, each has carved out a property that meets the requirement from the larger properties identified in their applications. Application reviewers checked whether applicants submitted a map demonstrating the proposed site's distance from prohibited facilities but did not check whether the map was accurate. "All applicants that received a provisional license passed this section of the application, based on the information and certification of compliance with the 500-foot rule," spokeswoman Stephanie Gostomski said. "To receive a certificate of operation, each provisional licensee will have to comply with all statutory and rule requirements, which the department will verify." Gostomski confirmed the department also did not check applicants' claims to have sufficient liquid assets or economically disadvantaged status as a minority, which caused two applicants to receive licenses instead of higher-scoring companies. The department issued 12 small-scale grow licenses Nov. 4 and 12 large-scale grow licenses Nov. 30. The provisional license holders have nine months to meet all the obligations of the law, according to department rules, including the 500-foot-buffer. But unsuccessful applicants contacted by cleveland.com say they went to great lengths to fully meet the pass-fail requirements before the June deadline, not just sign off that they would meet them. They might have located elsewhere if they had known the site didn't need to fully comply until nine months after a provisional license was awarded. "That was never in the rules," said Andy Joseph, a Johnstown businessman who applied for a license with others as Ohio Grown Therapies LLC. "That was never implied that was the rule. And if that was, why didn't the department say we don't have to go through this much effort if that was the case?" Several applicants declined to be named in this story because they feared their critical comments would jeopardize pending appeals before a department-appointed hearing officer. Joseph said he assumed the department was verifying application information during the five months it took to review the applications. Charles Bachtell, CEO of provisional licensee Cresco Labs Ohio, said the department was correctly applying its own rules to give licensees nine months to meet all requirements. "Commerce and the legislature recognized that many actions would be contingent on license award," such as purchase of a property or construction of a cultivation facility, Bachtell wrote in an email. Applicants' word Cultivator applicants had to complete two parts of the application. The first, graded pass-fail, included information about the site, the owners and affiliated businesses in other states. The second contained operating plans, including security details, and was not supposed to include any names or other identifying information. Applicants were asked to sign forms certifying they had enough liquid assets ($50,000 for large growers) and could easily obtain a surety bond or escrow account ($750,000 for large growers), if they met the state's definition for being owned by a minority and other qualifications. They also had to submit a map showing the proposed site met the 500-foot-rule, which is defined in state rules as measured from property line to property line. The Commerce Department checked to make sure those forms were filled out, but did not perform any additional checks or tests. In contrast, the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy, which plans to award dispensary licenses this spring, will check to make sure each proposed dispensary site complies with the 500-foot-rule before awarding a license, a spokesman told cleveland.com. Four sites initially didn't comply Cleveland.com reviewed the site plans submitted by the 24 companies awarded provisional cultivator licenses alongside county auditor property records. Cleveland.com first requested the submitted plans under Ohio public records law in July, but the Department of Commerce didn't release them until after it announced provisional license winners in November. Four companies proposed sites with property lines within 500 feet of a prohibited facility: Cresco Labs Ohio LLC, Grow Ohio Pharmaceuticals LLC, Harvest Grows LLC and Terradiol Ohio LLC. Each had proposed building their facility on part of a parcel that had not yet been divided when their applications were submitted. Map of Cresco Labs Ohio's proposed site in its application Cresco Labs had been working with Yellow Springs officials to buy village-owned land. The property butted against a church and was across the street from a middle school. In its application, it proposed an 8-acre plat in the northwest corner of the property. Cresco Labs Ohio's final site in Yellow Springs That plat didn't exist in June, when applications were due. Village planning officials met in November 2017 to discuss the parcel, and it was split later that month, according to planning meeting records. The split was revised in January, according to county records. Cresco is now building on a 12.25-acre plat in the northeast corner of the property, which complies with the 500-foot rule. "Cresco and Yellow Springs had fully developed our real estate plan, including the option to purchase and sub-divide Village-owned property, prior to submitting the application for our cultivation license," Bachtell said. "Customary local review and approval processes were completed." Harvest Grows proposed site on Cleveland's east side Harvest Grows submitted two applications, one on Cleveland's east side and another in Lawrence County. In the Cleveland application, Harvest Grows included documentation from city officials showing an 88-foot carve out distancing the site from a Head Start preschool was practically a done deal. A letter from an engineer hired by Harvest Grows pledged the site would be recorded with the county "once the State of Ohio approves the cultivator application." The application also included an undated receipt showing the final plan was submitted to the city. But the plan was not recorded until Sept. 8, according to county records. The company has since decided to grow at the southern Ohio site. Southern border of the original property lines of Grow Ohio Pharmaceuticals' proposed site in Muskingum County Grow Ohio's site map was redacted from the public record provided to cleveland.com, but a company spokesman said it too included supporting documentation, and the final deed has since been filed with county officials. Grow Ohio's application listed an address for a 157-acre parcel south of Zanesville. The southern border of the larger parcel is roughly 422 feet from the East Fultonham United Methodist Church, according to county records. Grow Ohio carved out a smaller parcel at the northern end and has started building a grow facility there. The area south of Terradiol's proposed site was part of the property when the company applied for a cultivator license. Terradiol submitted a map showing a nearby Jehovah's Witness hall was farther than 500 feet from the southeastern edge of the property, but the actual property line at the time stretched roughly 70 feet farther south, putting it within the prohibited zone, county property records show. The parcel was divided in two in December to distance the site from the religious building, according to Stark County auditor's records. Legal sites hard to find The four noncompliant sites and reaction from other applicants highlight the difficulty of finding a site that checks all boxes. In addition to the 500-foot-rule, applicants could not apply for sites in municipalities with a temporary ban on marijuana businesses. Cleveland lifted its ban weeks ahead of the June application deadline. One applicant said their company spent several months finalizing site plans with the local government ahead of the June deadline. Joseph said he spent a lot of money and time to ensure the properties he proposed for cultivation, processing and dispensary sites met the rule. Applicants had to submit a $20,000 nonrefundable application fee, and Joseph said the application cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to prepare. "We spent tens of thousands of dollars more than we had to," Joseph said. "If we'd known we could have picked a site where that doesn't matter -- as long as we could show it could at some point in the future -- we would have." AKRON, Ohio - An Akron man is accused of leaving a dog to starve to death when he vacated an apartment, police said. Kenneth E. Weaver III, 25, left a Rottweiler behind when he vacated an apartment on 17th Street Southwest near West Wilbeth Road, police said. The dog was dead when officers searched the apartment Feb. 3, police said. Weaver's landlord could not say when he vacated the apartment, but the landlord estimated it was sometime after Nov. 1, according to a police report. The dog had no access to food or water, and the apartment had not heat or electricity, police said. Weaver is charged with cruelty to animals and abandoning animals in the case, according to court records. Officers were searching the apartment because a landlord reported that a tenant stole appliances when he vacated the apartment. Weaver has not been charged in connection with the theft, court records show. Investigators obtained a warrant for Weaver's arrest on Friday, court records show. He was arrested at his new address in Akron, police said. He remains in custody at the Summit County Jail on $5,000 bond, records show. To comment on this story, visit Monday's crime and courts comments page. COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio Supreme Court justices were wary this morning of how the ECOT online charter school wants to be funded as the school and Ohio Department of Education pleaded their cases to the court. The department and the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT) have been fighting for two years over a shift in how the state views funding for the school - from giving it tax dollars based just on its enrollment to requiring evidence of students participating in their online classes. After two courts sided with the state and its attempts to recover nearly $80 million in alleged overpayments to the school, the Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments today to make a final resolution of the fight. The hearing went well over the scheduled 15 minutes per side, with justices peppering lawyers about language in school funding laws, how funding is set for traditional schools as well as online schools like ECOT and about hypothetical and extreme cases to test each side's position. Department lawyer Douglas Cole repeatedly blasted ECOT's position that it should be paid for every student enrolled at the school, regardless of how long they spend working on their online classes. "The department says that's an absurd result and the court should be leery about reading that intent (into the law)," Cole said. His argument appeared to carry weight with Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor, who led most questioning and who grilled ECOT lawyer Marion Little on it near the close of the hearing. If a student is enrolled at ECOT and does not participate in classes, she asked, did Little believe ECOT should receive full funding? "If enrollment is the test...that's how it results," Little responded. "How is it not absurd?" O'Connor asked. Little said that law does not call for participation in classes for a school to be paid and that the state is improperly mixing funding rules and other measures of how a school is doing. "There are other ways to test if school is discharging its responsibility," he said. O'Connor's question was the sharpest against ECOT at the hearing. Justice Terrence O'Donnell had a different approach in his questions for Little and Cole. One sequence of questions allowed Little to affirm key points of the school's argument that charter schools were always paid based on the number of students until the state changed its method in 2016. Has funding been based on enrollment, O'Donnell asked Little, to which Little said yes. Did the law change, O'Donnell asked? Little said no. Did the state's contract with ECOT change? No. How much weight should the prior pattern of payments be given, O'Donnell then asked? That pattern matters, Little said. But even more important, he said, the law doesn't allow any change either. Funding laws, he insisted, refer mainly to enrollment, not participation. "If the general assembly wanted to write participation (in the law), they could have," Little said. Cole, though, pointed to portions of the law that refer to hours of learning and said the law is clear. Justice Patrick DeWine pressed Little on that language, asking why the law would mention them if they don't matter. Cole also said it is unfair for ECOT to use the "head in the sand" defense that the department surprised them with the change. He compared it to being audited by the Internal Revenue Service. Though the IRS may not demand to see receipts for expenses every year, you know you might be asked for them. The funding change has had a giant impact on the school. Under the new requirements, ECOT could document class participation of only 6,300 of its 15,300 students for the 2015-16 school year-- a 59% gap - leading the state school board to demand that ECOT repay $60 million. Then again last September, the state found that for the 2016-17 school year ECOT can properly document about 11,600 of the 14,200 students it claimed. ECOT could not prove that the other 18.5 percent of its students did enough classwork to satisfy the state. ECOT has returned about $26 million of that money to the state since last July, calculations by State Auditor Dave Yost show. But Yost and the school project that returnng money at the same $4 million-per-month pace would leave ECOT broke by March. The school was shut down Jan. 19 - at the end of its second quarter - to avoid running out of money mid-term. RIVERSIDE, Ohio -- Investigators are searching for answers after the body of an infant was found buried in the backyard of a home in this Dayton suburb. The Dayton Daily News reports the Montgomery County Coroner's Office has identified the baby as Addalynn Marie George, who was born on Dec. 17. The girl was found dead Sunday evening after police were called to the home at about 5:30 p.m. The coroner tells WDTN Channel 2 the baby was a newborn. Although an autopsy has been performed, no cause of death has been reported. Police records show it as investigation of abuse of a corpse, the Associated Press reports. Riverside Police Major Adam Colon tells the Daily News there currently are no suspects. The death remains under investigation. To comment on this story, visit Monday's crime and courts comments page. KENT, Ohio - Kent State University will pay actor Michael Keaton $100,000 to speak at commencement on May 12. That is the same amount paid last year to actress Octavia Spencer, and the fee will be covered by unrestricted private funds as it was in 2017, said spokesman Eric Mansfield. "No money will come from taxpayers or students' tuition," he said in a statement. "Our students and alumni are already excited to hear Mr. Keaton's message of moving from a wide-eyed young performer on our Kent Campus in the early 1970s to an Oscar-nominated lead actor in demand across Hollywood. America's premier universities routinely bring in top-notch speakers to inspire their graduates with messages of accomplishment as they head into the real world." The contract with the speaker's bureau handling Keaton's arrangements has not yet been finalized so no other details were available, Mansfield said. The university announced Monday that Keaton, who attended the college in 1971, would deliver the university's second all-campus commencement address in Dix Stadium. Keaton, who was raised about 100 miles from Kent in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, enrolled in Kent State to major in journalism and speech. His attention and passion shifted to acting, and he went to Pittsburgh before heading to Hollywood. "Michael Keaton developed big dreams and a passion for bringing his characters to life that was sparked in part by his time at Kent State," Kent State President Beverly Warren said in a news release. "This is a rare opportunity for our students to hear from someone who has walked in their shoes and now has risen to the top of his field." The university chose Spencer in 2017 as it sought a high-profile speaker to highlight the first time it had gathered graduates from the eight-campus system in one place. It began posting clues on Keaton Sunday on Twitter Can you guess who will be speaking at Kent States Spring 2018 One University Commencement? Heres a hint. pic.twitter.com/6wfb96EohF Kent State (@KentState) February 11, 2018 Top speakers also draw media attention, which can lead to more visibiity. "The media coverage of last year's speaker, Octavia Spencer, was shared in all 50 states and parts of Europe," Mansfield said in his statement on Monday. "With more than four decades of noteworthy performances, the interest in Mr. Keaton's message to our graduates will likely reach even further." One year after sweeping criminal-justice reforms became law in New Jersey, the state has "successfully transformed an antiquated money bail system into a modern risk-based system," the state's courts reported Tuesday. The reforms brought greater fairness to bail decisions, and led to a dramatic decline in the number of defendants detained while awaiting trial, according to the New Jersey Courts' 2017 Report to the Governor and the Legislature. The jail population in the state as of Jan. 1, 2018, was down 20 percent from Jan. 1, 2017, and down 35 percent from Jan. 1, 2015, the report states. Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer have advocated for similar reforms to bail systems in Ohio as part of the ongoing series, Justice for All. Four committees empaneled by Cuyahoga County's top judge, John Russo, to study possible reforms is expected later this month to release their findings. Meanwhile, bipartisan support is shaping up in Columbus for a bill that advocates for a variety of bail reforms statewide. How does the New Jersey system work? Bail terms in New Jersey courts are based on the seriousness of the charge and also an assessment of whether the defendant poses a threat to the public or is likely to skip court appearances. Defendants deemed to be of the lowest risk are released on without bail. Those at a higher risk level may be placed on home detention that could also include electronic monitoring. In all cases, defendants can opt to receive notification of their next court date using text, email or a phone call. Prosecutors can seek to detain those charged with more serious charges such as domestic violence. Those defendants, however, will be allowed to object at a hearing with representation by a public defender, if eligible. How are suspects assessed? The pretrial services workers use a highly regarded risk-assessment method to predict whether a defendant will skip out on court or commit a crime while awaiting trial. The assessment method, developed by the nonprofit Laura and John Arnold Foundation, is now being used in Cleveland Municipal Court and may eventually be extended to the other 12 suburban municipal courts in Cuyahoga County. In New Jersey, the Arnold Foundation's risk scores are meshed into a risk-management strategy that also takes into account the seriousness of the charge. Judges then receive "informative and consistent recommendations of release that are aligned with a defendant's risk level," the report states. The New Jersey pretrial services program employs 267 managers, supervisors and additional staff and operates around the clock. The law calls for release decisions to be made within 48 hours, with judges presiding over special courts six days a week. More than 81 percent of releases in 2017 that met the conditions of the new rules were made within 24 hours, according to the report. Last year, the Pretiral Justice Institute gave New Jersey an A for its bail reforms, the only state to receive such a grade. The institute gave Ohio a C, but stated that the state was making progress. What's New Jersey's next step? The report says that continued success of the reforms hinges on expanding the state's "social-care system" to provide a greater array of pretrial services and also on finding the money to pay for the pretrial services staff. Expanded social services are critical to the New Jersey system because more people who need help for underlying problems are being released under supervision. "Defendants are at times in need of support to address outstanding mental health, housing, or substance abuse issues," the report states. "In order for these individuals to be truly successful, the state needs to develop access to community-based substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, and housing assistance programs." Court fees, however, will not sustain the pretrial services program, the report states, and a "stable and dedicated funding stream" from the state's general fund will be required. The New Jersey legislature approved the Criminal Justice Reform Law in 2014. Later that year, voters amended the New Jersey constitution to allow judges to deny bail for certain serious crimes. The changes in law were based on recommendations made by the Joint Committee on Criminal Justice formed in 2013 by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner and including "representatives from all branches of government." New Jersey Courts expects to report recidivism results and statistics related to missed court appearances later this year. COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio's push to improve charter school quality has booted a major city school district - the Cincinnati Public Schools - out of the charter school business. With a vote that, by law, should have happened almost a year ago, the state school board on Monday yanked authority to create and oversee charter schools from Ohio's third-largest district. Blocking a major city from sponsoring charter schools is a significant change for Ohio, which used to be one of the most permissive states for charters. It's also a departure from what happens in most states, where districts are often the main overseer of schools in their area. But the Cincinnati district was rated as a "poor" oversight organization - called a "sponsor" in Ohio and an "authorizer" in most states - in the fall of 2016. That rating should have killed the district as a charter sponsor then, but its appeal dragged on through the summer, into this school year and even past the next round of sponsor reviews. Other sponsors who rated as poor that fall had to cease charter operations months ago. Though the district scored better in its second rating - ranking as "ineffective" - it lost its appeal and the "poor" from 2016 was upheld. The district did not object to receiving the lowest possible score for the academic performance of the two schools it sponsored, but said its rating for using "quality practices" in its oversight was too low. It claimed that the state did not give it enough warning and preparation to submit the proper documents for its review - a common claim from sponsors that year who felt rushed. It also complained that the state did not allow it to fill in gaps later that would have made a better case. But a state hearing officer ruled that he would only consider whether the state made a fair decision using materials made available by the original deadline. Though he made small score adjustments, they still resulted in the "poor" rating. With that ruling in hand, board made little comment as it voted 15-0 to carry out the penalty mandated by state law. Board member Pat Bruns, of Cincinnati, abstained. The district had little response, issuing a statement confirming that the board took action but that the district did not know what its next steps would be. The schools won't have to close - at least not immediately. Under the law, the Ohio Department of Education will take over oversight of the Lighthouse Community School, a dropout prevention and recovery school of about 60 students, and the Carpe Diem school with 223 students. The department will decide this summer if it wants to continue sponsoring the schools. But charter advocates in Ohio and nationally said the move was regrettable, but fair. State Rep. Andrew Brenner, who chairs the House Education Committee, pointed to the F grades of charters overseen by the district and said they need to improve. "If a major city is failing to educate kids through their sponsorship of charter schools, then they shouldn't be sponsoring charter schools," Brenner said. Peggy Young, who heads Ohio's association for sponsors, said districts should not receive any special treatment and the state should have acted against Cincinnati months ago. "All sponsors - districts, ESCs and not-for-profits - should be held to the same standards and subject to the same consequences!" she wrote in an email to The Plain Dealer. Officials at the National Association of Charter School Authorizers were not familiar with the details of Cincinnati's case, but were not bothered, so long as schools had other sponsors to look to. "NACSA does support monitoring charter sponsors and using appropriate sanctions to ensure they are producing the positive outcomes for children and families they are responsible for," said NACSA spokesperson Corrie Leech. "Charter schools hoping to open in Cincinnati can still look to other sponsors that are achieving strong outcomes across the state." CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Funds for NASA and its Glenn Research Center will grow in fiscal 2019 if Congress approves today's budget proposal by President Trump. Glenn's budget would grow from a current $650 million to $712 million in 2019, then drop to $640 million in 2020. The 2019 sum would be the center's biggest in seven years. NASA's overall budget would climb from $19.5 billion to $19.9 billion for 2019, then dip to $19.6 billion the next year. In a NASA TV telecast today, Robert Lightfoot, NASA's acting administrator, predicted a bustling future aloft. By 2030, he predicts fleets of drones, supersonic planes and personal "Jetson cars." Further out in space, he envisions long-term lunar orbits and frequent landings by that year. He also expects samples from Mars and progress toward human landings there. No one knows what Congress will do for 2019, considering it hasn't passed a 2018 budget yet. NASA is working with a tentative budget for the current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. But Glenn's director, Janet Kavandi, spoke optimistically about 2019 at a press conference today following Lightfoot's telecast. "There may be some small changes," she said, "but the big, overarching content of this budget should stand." For the second year in a row, Trump proposed wiping out NASA's education office. But Congress restored it for 2018. With or without that office, said Kavandi, Glenn would continue its internships, fellowships, and visits to local schools and other institutions. The budget reflects no new programs for Glenn but a new building: a $47 million Aerospace Communications Facility to arise on a parking lot on the western side of the center's 350-acre headquarters in Brook Park. The facility would consolidate existing work. Glenn would continue to play a leading role in developing Gateway, a platform expected to enter lunar orbit in 2022 and stay there for perhaps 15 to 20 years. Among other tasks, Glenn will develop the platform's power and propulsion element. Glenn also has key duties in developing Orion, which will take people to Gateway and beyond. NASA expects to use techniques in lunar missions for eventual manned flights to Mars. Glenn is one of 10 NASA centers around the country. It includes 6,400 acres of testing grounds in Perkins Township, near Sandusky. It has about 3,400 workers, half on staff, half hired by contractors. In 2014, NASA Glenn's budget fueled more than double that amount in economic benefits to the region, according to a study by Cleveland State University. The U.S. Senate has not voted yet on Trump's nominee for NASA's administrator: Jim Bridenstine, a Republican Congressman from Oklahoma. Lightfoot, the acting administrator, said NASA aimed to "raise the bar for human potential and improve life across the globe." He said the agency would expand commercial and international partnerships, especially for orbiting Earth. Trump's proposal for NASA is part of a $4.4 trillion plan for the federal government. The budget is based on projections of swift economic growth. CINCINNATI (AP) -- A white nationalist's plan to speak on the University of Cincinnati campus during spring break has been scuttled by a legal standoff over the Ohio school's demand for a security fee of nearly $11,000, an attorney for Richard Spencer said Monday. Attorney Kyle Bristow told The Associated Press that Spencer's tour organizer, Cameron Padgett, is now hoping that the appearance can be rescheduled for summer or fall. The University of Cincinnati president confirmed in a message Monday to the school community that the March 14 date proposed was no longer an option. He said couldn't speculate on any potential future date or on the outcome of the lawsuit filed against the school over the fee. UC President Neville Pinto said the school's public safety department requires at least six weeks to prepare for the safety needs for such an event. He added that the university has "historically" charged security fees and costs of the rental of any of its facilities by an outside entity. "The uncertainty inherent in the timing and outcome of this proposed event and any litigation naturally brings frustration, impatience and a sense of being unsettled," Pinto wrote. "I full understand what a trying time this is for our community." The school agreed last October to allow Spencer's appearance. At the time, UC's board of trustees condemned hate, but cited the fundamental right to free speech at a public university. Bristow then said Spencer would speak March 14, while students are on spring break, but no contract was agreed upon after the school insisted on the security fee that Spencer's side said was discriminatory and unconstitutional. They filed a federal lawsuit, which the school asked a judge to dismiss. Bristow has sued several other schools, including Ohio State University, for not allowing Spencer to speak. His next potential target for litigation is Kent State University, after the northeast Ohio school on Friday repeated that no suitable space was available for Spencer to speak there this spring. Bristow said he is tied up with other cases, but plans to sue if they don't agree to a Spencer appearance. "I will not tolerate left-wing university bureaucrats spitting upon the First Amendment rights of right-wingers," Bristow said by email, then paraphrasing a line from HBO's "Game of Thrones" series, he wrote: "I will make Kent State University's administrators bend the knee like the others." In a Jan. 4 letter to Bristow, UC General Counsel Lori Ross said the school had begun "preliminary preparations" for a March 14 appearance, but that much remained to be done. She told Bristow that the school needed to have a signed rental agreement, insurance certificate and total $11,333 payment for rental and security by Jan. 12. The letter was obtained by The Associated Press through a public records request. Bristow responded with the Jan. 9 federal lawsuit seeking a "reasonable fee." The school said it was asking for "a mere fraction" of anticipated costs. Authorities estimated security costs at $600,000 for Spencer's Oct. 19 appearance at the University of Florida. Spencer was a scheduled speaker at a "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, last August that led to deadly violence when a man struck and killed a protester with his car. Spencer has popularized the term "alt-right" to refer to a fringe movement that's a mix of white nationalist, white supremacist, anti-Semitic and anti-immigrant beliefs. COLUMBUS, Ohio - A simple, two-page Ohio Senate bill may be heavily rewritten Tuesday to ensure Ohio aligns with Internal Revenue Service changes recently adopted by Congress. About every year, lawmakers in Columbus revise state tax law to follow tweaks to U.S. tax code. But in December, Congress overhauled taxes and state Senate Bill 22, which was originally written to conform with previous federal changes, had already passed the Senate. Now, lawmakers need to act quickly on an update, according to Tuesday morning's Capitol Letter, cleveland.com's daily Statehouse briefing. SB 22 is in the Ohio House Ways and Means Committee. Sponsor Sen. Bob Peterson, the second in GOP Senate leadership, said the legislature's nonpartisan staff was working Monday on an amendment to the bill. The amendment will largely be technical, Peterson said. The biggest change, he said, is that the Ohio Department of Taxation will have to track dependents. The federal $4,150 exemption for taxpayers and dependents is going away - replaced by an increased standard deduction and a form of the child tax credit. Since the exemption remains intact in Ohio, the state will have to revise tax return forms, he said. While most people's income tax filings won't switch to the new IRS rules until next year, some aspects of the law affecting businesses and military personnel go into effect this year. Peterson said the business community has been pressing the legislature to adopt SB 22, which would go into effect immediately. "They always want it done yesterday," he said. "I feel for them. I'll be filing my return by the end of the month, so it needs to be done." The Ohio Society of CPAs will be interested in reviewing the amendment, said Greg Saul, its director of tax policy, who said the organization generally has supported Ohio legislation that conforms with IRS changes. The seven-member Ohio Supreme Court is hearing arguments this morning in a case whose outcome may kill or revive the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow, or ECOT, the online charter school that shut down last month. But two justices are weighing ECOT's arguments even though they received large campaign donations from ECOT's founder. That's indefensible. One such justice is lame-duck Terrence O'Donnell, a Greater Cleveland Republican. The other is first-term Justice R. Patrick DeWine, a Cincinnati Republican whose father, Attorney General Mike DeWine, is running for governor. Republican Justice Judith French of the Columbus area, who also received thousands of dollars from ECOT's William L. Lager, recused herself in the case last year, apparently because of a conflict involving her husband. In 2012, the last time O'Donnell ran for re-election, his campaign received $3,450 from Lager, as well as another $4,450 from employees of Lager's Altair Management. O'Donnell then agreed, after receiving a personal call from Lager, to speak at the 2013 ECOT graduation. Patrick DeWine's campaign got $3,600 from Lager in December 2015, shortly after DeWine launched his bid for the high court spot, which he won in 2016. Patrick DeWine has other conflicts in the case, since his father represents the state. Both issues require him to step down, or recuse himself, from the case. French's campaign received $2,000 from Lager in October 2014, during her campaign to retain the high court job to which Gov. John Kasich had appointed her. When French recused herself from the ECOT case last year, she did not cite a reason, but The Columbus Dispatch has reported that her husband is a magistrate in the court of Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Jennifer French (no relation), who ruled in 2016 that state officials could keep trying to recover money from ECOT despite its objections. Taking Judith French's place in the case is Judge W. Scott Gwin of the Canton-based 5th Ohio District Court of Appeals, a Democrat. The power of campaign dollars to infect such a high-profile case before the Ohio high court is troubling. And that three of the seven Ohio Supreme Court justices got these big ECOT-related dollars also raises questions about whether Ohio's current general election campaign contribution limits for Ohio justices, of $3,000 from an individual and $7,000 from an organization, are too generous -- and being enforced effectively. Coming in the wake of then-Justice William O'Neill's refusal last year to resign from the court even as he ran from the bench for the Democratic nomination for governor, the failure by O'Donnell and DeWine to acknowledge their campaign-donation conflicts and step away from the ECOT case adds to the impression that Ohio high court justices care more about their political self-interest than impartial justice. Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor, or a justice she designates, has the constitutional power in Ohio to decide whether a state appellate court or common pleas court judge should be disqualified from hearing a case in those courts. It appears, though, that a Supreme Court justice is the sole decider of whether to step away from a case because of real or perceived conflicts. That is wrong. The Ohio Supreme Court must review its recusal practices. Either the seven justices meaningfully (and on the record) must regulate recusals relating to campaign dollars and other reasons, or voters should step up. In 1938 and 1987, Ohioans rejected merit selection for choosing justices of the state Supreme Court and state appellate judges. It's a reform our editorial board long has advocated the state reconsider. Now, in 2018, there are several more good reasons for Ohioans to take another look at merit selection or a hybrid appointment process for choosing judges. One of those reasons is named Terrence O'Donnell; the other is Pat DeWine. 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. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Controlled Release Fertilizers Market is the customized fertilizers that are coated to provide the long-lasting effect on soil. These are the granulated fertilizers which gradually releases nutrients and minerals into the soil. As the traditional fertilizers are soluble in water, nutrients will be dispersed quickly. Hence farmers are adopting usage of controlled release fertilizers as they are insoluble in water and the dispersion of the nutrients will be slow and sustainable. Market Outline: Global Controlled Release Fertilizers Market Increasing demand for high-efficiency fertilizers, shrinking farmland and land productivity, and the environment-friendly operation mode of these fertilizers are the key factors driving the market demand for controlled release fertilizers. The gradual increase in global population, rising demand for a productivity of crops are expected to accelerate the growth of controlled release fertilizers market. As per to the report of Food and Agriculture Organization, the arable land ratio has been dropped to 0.197 hectares/person globally in 2013. However, regulatory and environmental constraints for some coated products and high manufacturing costs restrain the market. A sample of this report is available upon request @ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-controlled-release-fertilizers-market/#ulp-4H8Z4LpNMLEuOnnx The controlled release fertilizers are classified on the basis of product type, application and geography. Based on the product type, controlled release fertilizers is segmented as Polymer coated NPK fertilizer Polymer sulphur coated urea/sulphur coated urea Polymer coated urea Based on the application, controlled release fertilizers is segmented as Fruits & vegetables Cereals & grains Oilseeds & pulses To view TOC of this report is available upon request @ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-controlled-release-fertilizers-market/#ulp-c654SbFYO64MsOhu Controlled release fertilizers are highly used in cultivation of pulses, cereals, grains, fruits and vegetable and oil seeds. Controlled release fertilizers can also be used for growing ornamental and turf plants. Mostly farmers use Controlled release fertilizers in grains and cereals crops. Market players of controlled-release fertilizers are adopting various growth strategies like acquisitions, new product launches, collaborations and geographical expansions and investments in order gain the upper hand in the Controlled release fertilizers market. Need more information about this report @ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-controlled-release-fertilizers-market/#ulp-14mlyhjMGhVjZqa3 On the basis of geographical regions, controlled release fertilizers market is classified as into five key regions as Europe, Asia- Pacific, North America, Middle East & Africa and Latin America. U.S. controlled release fertilizers market is expected to dominate the regional revenue share owing to adoption of sophisticated agriculture technologies and inclination towards novel cultivation technologies in production of cereals and grains. Europe is the largest producer of Fruits and Vegetables, hence, it is anticipated to witness healthy growth in controlled release fertilizers market. Asia-Pacific region is expected to be fastest-growing market due to the shortage of arable land in countries in APAC particularly in developing countries such as India, China. Some of the players in controlled release fertilizers Kingenta Ecological Engineering Group Co. Ltd. (China), EuroChem Agro Gmbh (Germany), Yara International ASA (Norway), Haifa Chemicals Ltd. (Israel), Agrium, Inc. (Canada), The Chisso Corporation (Japan), The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (Ohio) Nufarm Ltd. (Australia), and Israel Chemicals Ltd. (Israel). Email: sales@precisionbusinessinsights.com Toll Free(US): +1-866-598-1553 Get access to full summary @ Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Phosphates are the inorganic salts of the phosphoric acid which is extracted from the phosphate rock. Phosphorous is an essential nutrient for the animals and it helps to maintain, repair, and growth of body tissues. Phosphorous is administered along with the feed in the form of calcium phosphate. The other advantages with feed phosphate include the improvement in the quality of meat products, enhancing the feed digestion, and improvement in the nutritional quality. Feed phosphate also helps in the development of growth in the life cycle stages, fertility development, and improve the bone development. Phosphate is manufactured from the mixture of calcium sulphate or calcium carbonate and phosphoric acid. The feed phosphate market is growing at a significant CAGR due to increase in adoption of livestock. Increasing meat consumption around the globe, rise in demand for milk and other dairy products, industrialization of meat processing, and rise in the disposable income expected to fuel the feed phosphate market over the forecast period. Moreover, rise in the government initiation for promoting the animal husbandry, grow in the awareness about animal health, growing research and development activities, and development of livestock during their growth stages might boost the feed phosphate market. However, increase in raw materials cost, global scarcity of the phosphate reserves, stringent regulations for the animal husbandry and rise in demand for alternative products such as phytase might restrain the feed phosphate market growth over the forecast period. A sample of this report is available upon request @ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-feed-phosphate-market/#ulp-4H8Z4LpNMLEuOnnx/ Feed phosphate market is segmented on the basis of phosphate type and species Based on the phosphate type, feed phosphate market is segmented into the following: Mono-dicalcium phosphate Dicalcium phosphate Monocalcium phosphate Deflourinated phosphate Tricalcium phosphate Others Based on the species, feed phosphate market is segmented into the following: Ruminants Cattle Swine Aqua Poultry Equine Others To view TOC of this report is available upon request @ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-feed-phosphate-market/#ulp-c654SbFYO64MsOhu/ Acquisitions and mergers between the market players, patent approvals, and product launchings are key strategies to increase the revenue of feed phosphate market. For instance, in September 2011, Mosaic Feed Ingredients has received the patent approval for the mono-dicalcium phosphate product Nexfos used in animal and poultry feed. Moreover, rise in research and developing activities expected to fuel the feed phosphate market over the forecast period. For instance, EcoPhos focus on the development of innovative technology for production of phosphate and its derivatives with low cost. Need more information about this report @ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-feed-phosphate-market/#ulp-14mlyhjMGhVjZqa3/ Geographically, global feed phosphate market segmented in to following regions Viz. North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific region exhibiting significant growth in feed phosphate market owing to increase in poultry and pork industries majorly in India and China. Rise in the income per capita, rise in the preference for healthy meat and dairy products, and growth in the farm animal adoption rate might fuel the feed phosphate market. Europe accounts for the significant share due to increase in demand for meat and dairy products, stringent regulatory policies for the feed products approvals, and increase the production of aquatics majorly in Norway, U.K, Ireland in Europe region. North America holds a key share due to increasing the expenditure for animal welfare, rise in the demand for healthy meat and dairy products, and increasing research and development activities for new products development expected to bolster the feed phosphate market. Latin America and Middle East and Africa also contributes a good share in feed phosphate market owing to rising awareness about animal diseases and preference for animal adoption farming in rural areas. Some of the players in global feed phosphate market are The Mosaic Company (U.S.), EcoPhos (Belgium), Phosphea (Roullier) (France), Eurochem Ltd. (Russia), PhosAgro (Russia), S.A. OCP (Morocco), Potash Corp. (Canada), Sichuan Lomon Corporation (China), and Yara International ASA (Norway) to name a few. Get access to full summary @ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-feed-phosphate-market/ Email: sales@precisionbusinessinsights.com Toll Free(US): +1-866-598-1553 Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Food preservation is one of the oldest technologies to prevent the food from deterioration. There are several ways to preserve food such as boiling, pasteurizing, freezing, pickling and dehydrating. In conventional methods, sugar, salt and mineral salts are used as preservatives to preserve food. Preservatives play a vital role in sea food, poultry and meat industry. Addition of preservatives to the food enables eradicate the growth of microorganisms and prevents the food from decomposing and provides long shelf life. Dramatic changes in lifestyle of people, changing trend towards consumption of processed food and canned food, inclination towards ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook food expected to trigger demand for preservatives across the globe. Rapid increase in demand for alcohol beverage products such as beer, wine are expected accelerates the significance of preservatives. However, surge in the awareness about the adverse effects of preservatives and stringent government regulations pertaining to the preservatives are few challenges expected to restrain the food preservatives market. For instance, Russia has banned benzoate group of preservatives due to adverse effects like asthma, skin allergies, and brain damage. In June 2016, Indian Governments Food safety and standards authority of India banned the usage of potassium bromate and potassium cyclamates in food and in May 2015, National food safety standards for food additive use was introduced in China by National and Family Planning Committee of China. A sample of this report is available upon request @ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-food-preservatives-market/#ulp-4H8Z4LpNMLEuOnnx/ The Food Preservatives Market is classified on the basis of function, type, source, application, form and geographical regions. Based on function, Global Food Preservatives Market is segmented as Antimicrobials Anti-oxidants Chelating agents Based on type, Global Food Preservatives Market is segmented as Benzoates Sorbates Nitrates Sulphites Vitamin E&C Polyphosphates Disodium EDTA Others Based on Source, Global Food Preservatives Market is segmented as Chemicals Micro organisms Plants Based on application, Global Food Preservatives Market is segmented as Bakery Beverages Oils and fats Dairy products Seafood, poultry and meat industry Snacks Confectionery Others To view TOC of this report is available upon request @ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-food-preservatives-market/#ulp-c654SbFYO64MsOhu/ Market players are focused on the developments of natural preservative due to the growing preference for the natural preservatives. For instance, Carbionspurac Company has a wide range of natural preservative products line such as Verdad powder N6, N8 and N9. Moreover, huge support from the governments is expected to witness growth in the market for food preservatives. For example, in 2015 July, Indian Government setup a 13 mega food parks in various states Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh etc. to promote the benefits of food and the additives used in them. Need more information about this report @ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-food-preservatives-market/#ulp-14mlyhjMGhVjZqa3/ Geographically Food Preservatives Market is segmented as Latin America, North America, Asia- Pacific, The Middle East & Africa and Europe. North America accounts for significant market share in food preservatives market followed by Europe and Asia Pacific, owing to the rise in demand for the natural preservatives, high consumption of meat and poultry products. In Europe, growing health concerns and high consumption of bakery products and processed food are expected to accelerate the market growth for food preservatives owing to high demand for the convenience food, changing in the life style in developing countries, presence of large number of untapped markets are propelling the market growth for the food preservatives in Asia Pacific region. Some of the players in Food Preservatives Market are Danisco A/S (Denmark), Akzo Nobel N.V. (Netherlands), Cargill, Incorporated (U.S.), DSM (Netherlands). Univar Inc. (U.S.), Tate & Lyle (U.K.), Brenntag Solutions Group, Inc. (Germany), Kemin Industries, Inc. (U.S.), Hawkins Watts Limited (New Zealand) and Galactic (Belgium) to name some few. Get access to full summary @ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-food-preservatives-market/ About Precision Business Insights Precision Business Insights is one of the leading market research and business consulting firm, which follow a holistic approach to solve needs of the clients. We adopt and implement proven research methodologies to achieve better results. We help our clients by providing actionable insights and strategies to make better decisions. We provide consulting, syndicated and customised market research services based on our client needs. Contact to Precision Business Insights, Kemp House, 152 160 City Road, London EC1V 2NX Email: sales@precisionbusinessinsights.com Toll Free (US): +1-866-598-1553 Website @ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com Stop the drive to war CPA statement With the appointment of Admiral Harry Harris, Pacific Commander of US forces in the Indo-Pacific, as the new US ambassador to Australia, the Trump administration has in place the main link in its chain of command for overseeing Australias role in a planned Asia-Pacific conflict. The Harris appointment came as PM Malcolm Turnbull last week concluded talks with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, officially signing off on the deployment of Japanese military forces in Australias north, joining the growing US military presence in the top end. Australias intended role is as a platform for land and air attacks and provision of facilities for the planned joint naval offensive, a scenario constantly rehearsed in war games and the development of the interoperability of the US-Australian militaries. This strategy is integral to the role of the US bases on Australian soil, in particular the Pine Gap spy base. Preparations are underway for Australias part in a predatory, imperialist war fought on behalf of the transnational corporations challenged by Asias in the first place Chinas emergence as an economic powerhouse. Domestically, the means have been put in place to silence voices of dissent, including the introduction of laws to jail journalists who may be caught up in a net of legislation open to wide interpretation and based on the assumption of guilt for simply doing their job. The word treason now accompanies laws threatening to defund advocacy groups critical of government policies or in receipt of monies deemed to be foreign influence. War rhetoric In terms of propaganda, it is instructive to note some of the contradiction in the war rhetoric coming from the US and its various lap dogs, including the Turnbull government. The government is now labelling a growing number of things deemed foreign to be by definition suspicious, first and foremost things Chinese. This, even as last Novembers foreign policy white paper noted with almost salivating anticipation that Chinas domestic purchasing power alone is set to grow to $21 trillion by 2030. At the same time the Communist Party of Chinas sinister influence has supposedly spread to universities around the country. Foreign students are Australias third biggest export earner, including almost 132,000 Chinese citizens studying at more than 30 Australian universities. The white paper also attacked Chinas rightful land reclamations in the South China Sea, saying it is in contravention of international law, while hailing the US as founder and chief defender of the rules-based order, in spite of the US not even having ratified the maritime law it insists China is breaking. The government of the US is now an open and unambiguous dictatorship of money with, as its crowning achievement, a billionaire property developer. Those elements of the ruling class which support Trump and ensured his enthronement in the Oval Office have set the US on the path of the most reactionary and militaristic elements of monopoly capital toward war and destruction, no less than nuclear conflagration. A few facts The US refusal to accept the legitimacy of the government of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) is part of a long-term policy that any state in the world that follows an independent course is subject to being overthrown by the US. The DPRK, Vietnam, Cuba, the USSR (and now Russia), Syria, Venezuela, China have all been targeted by the US politically and militarily. In terms of the region, the notion that DPRK poses a threat to the US and international security and peace, is false to the point of absurdity. CONCLUSION (for your enhancement) Banning the Eureka flag will not break our spirit! CPA statement The recent decision of the Turnbull government to ban the Eureka flag from construction sites is a further attack on the spirit and organisational capacity of Australias workers. The Eureka flag has been a symbol of resistance to injustice since it was first flown at the uprising on the gold fields at Ballarat on December 3, 1854. It was raised by workers from many countries to express their willingness to fight against oppression. We swear by the Southern Cross to stand truly by each other and fight to defend our rights and liberties. - the Eureka oath. Workers on todays Australian building sites are now harassed and prosecuted for taking legitimate industrial action, ripped off by unscrupulous employers and their unions targeted with crippling fines and denial of the right of entry. On average, one construction worker per week dies on Australian building sites. If the government were concerned about workers, it would move quickly to stop these outrages. Instead, they are engaging in an ideological struggle to break working class solidarity right down to the banning of symbols. Construction workers are defying this bullying action on the part of the Turnbull government. Other unionists are showing their support. The public shares their outrage at the pettiness of the move and the disrespect for Australias working class history and traditions. The Communist Party of Australia stands squarely with construction workers against this latest attack, which is part of an ongoing campaign to destroy our unions and leave us defenceless in the face of ruthless exploitation. The CPA demands the repeal of the Building Code 2016 and the abolition of the anti-union Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC). The fightback against the Coalitions agenda is ongoing and gathering strength. The workers of Australia can and will win this battle. Oppose Welfare Reform Bill To: Senate Cross Bench The Turnbull governments Social Services Legislation Amendment (Welfare Reform) Bill 2017 is scheduled to return to the upper house this month. As the representative body for unemployed workers, we write to you to express our strong opposition to a series of brutal reforms that are designed to make life even tougher for welfare recipients who are locked out of the labour market through no fault of their own. Far from providing basic security and care for an ever-growing number of un/underemployed workers, this new Bill will relegate job seekers to a constant state of deprivation, anxiety and stress. As senators, you have the power to prevent the passage of such a needlessly cruel and punitive Bill. These reforms are a shameless attempt by this government to shift the responsibility for the unemployment crisis away from its policies and onto the unemployed themselves. The Australian Unemployed Workers Union is calling on the Senate Crossbench to protect the unemployed from such unjust, unreasoned policies. Why is this important? This Bill proposes three major attacks on the rights and dignity of unemployed Australians. First, there is the demerit point system. The Bill will impose harsher financial penalties on unemployed workers through a new demerit point system that can dock job seekers up to a month of pay for failing to attend the barrage of appointments, Work for the Dole activities, training programs, and volunteer work placements. Job seekers who miss appointments due to serious drug or alcohol related illnesses wont even be allowed to exempt themselves from incurring demerit point penalties under this new scheme. Here, private job agencies are to be given unprecedented powers to make compliance decisions without any governmental oversight; while unemployed workers will be left with no ability to launch appeals against judgments of their supposed non-compliance. Gifting job agencies even more power over the unemployed is disturbingly ill-advised, especially when you consider how many of these (primarily for-profit) companies are already failing to enforce the compliance system fairly. As documented recently by the National Welfare Rights Network, nearly half of [job agency] provider [compliance] reports are rejected by Centrelink. Yet, the government plans to remove all checks and balances in a dysfunctional system it already knows needs closer regulation and scrutiny. Under the new reforms, Centrelink will no longer be in a position to consider whether suspending someones pay will cause undue financial hardship (i.e. is likely to result in homelessness) when making its determinations. According to the governments spin, the demerit point system is designed to get unemployed workers more engaged with their activity requirements. Revealingly, in almost the same breath, the Coalition predicts that this system will also yield a budget saving of $204 million over four years by imposing more financial penalties. This is an extraordinary admission that, rather than being engaged with these requirements, many people (in their failure to comply) will in fact be punished and stigmatised by them. Considering that, in 2015-16, the number of penalties imposed on job seekers by their agencies exceeded two million for the first time (an increase of around seven-fold since 2011) this Bill will make surviving on Newstart that much more difficult and stressful. Second, there is the increased job seeker requirements. Despite already having one of the strictest requirements in the world, the Coalition wants to enforce more demands on unemployed Australians to justify their claim of benefits. Under the Bill, close to 300,000 people aged between 30-49 will be forced to clock 50 hours a fortnight of Work for the Dole and other job seeking activities (20 more hours than currently required). Unemployed citizens aged 50-59 will have to attend 30 hours of work and training per fortnight (up from 15 hours). While jobseekers 60 and over will now have to attend at least 10 hours of voluntary work per fortnight to keep paltry benefits that are almost $200/week below the poverty line. It beggars belief that the government wants to force hundreds of thousands of unemployed Australians to attend significantly more hours at a Work for the Dole activity. This is a program that, according to two separate reports commissioned by the Coalition, is both dangerous and pointless. As a result of these ramped-up requirements, the government estimates that 80,000 people will lose one to four weeks worth of their Newstart. This is a devastating punishment for those who rely on paltry payments to survive. Undoubtedly, such a punishment will directly result in homelessness and destitution for tens of thousands of Australians. Finally, there is the longer waiting period for Newstart. Its no secret that, through this Bill, the government wants to make applying for Newstart significantly harder. Currently, jobseekers are able to receive payments from the day they submit their application (i.e. the day they start requiring support). However, under the new reforms, unemployed workers wont receive their first Newstart payment until the day they attend their first appointment with a job agency. Going by current processing times, this means a delay of at least 16 working days a devastatingly long time to leave vulnerable Australians without an income. The government estimates that unemployed workers will lose $198 million worth of payments as a result of this measure. Australian Unemployed Workers Union Banks Royal Commission The bastards after your super The main target of the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industries is the retail superannuation sector which the banks have their eyes on. The terms of reference drafted by the big four banks are designed to produce a whitewash of the corruption, fraud, malpractices and other misconduct by banks and insurance companies. This is the Royal Commission the banks will be happy to have. Former High Court judge Kenneth Hayne has been appointed as Commissioner and given a budget of $75 million. Its first public hearing was held in Melbourne this past Monday, February 12. The Royal Commission was announced out of the blue by the Prime Minister on November 15, 2017. It was set up a month later. The banks, insurance companies and industry advocates were immediately invited to make submissions. The public, the victims of their malpractices, are still waiting to hear if and how they can make submissions. The Prime Ministers sudden turnaround came after months of strenuously resisting mounting public and Opposition pressure for a Royal Commission. He was faced with several backbench National Party MPs who were threatening to cross the floor in Parliament and support a bill which would have had far stronger terms of reference. The big banks were extremely concerned that they would be faced with a genuine inquiry if the bill was passed. They turned up on Turnbulls doorstep with draft terms of reference for a Royal Commission designed to do minimal damage to their reputations and permit business as usual. Rorting banks Families and small businesses are subjected to huge banking fees and charges. The profits of the Big Four Banks continue to soar, hitting a total of more than $30 billion last year. We have seen a string of scandals and rip-offs and rorts costing many Australians their homes, retirement savings and businesses and even facilitating the laundering of drug money. The Royal Commission has been given very wide scope to pick and choose what it inquires into, but it is not required to inquire into a particular matter to the extent that the matter relates to macro-prudential policy and regulation. Macro-prudential policy and regulation is defined as policy and regulation including as to the structure, role and purpose of financial regulators, that is concerned with containing systemic risk, which have widespread implications for the financial system as a whole. It is also not required to inquire into matters that are being or will be dealt with by another inquiry or a criminal civil proceeding. That would appear to rule out much of the serious fraud and other misconduct by banks and insurance companies. In effect these provisions rule out recommendations for tough regulation of the financial sector, gutting the Commission of its potential to recommend real change to protect clients. Superannuation The banks also took the opportunity to include superannuation in the terms of reference, the target being the industry superannuation funds that outperform the retail and corporate funds by miles. There had been no suggestion of misconduct by industry funds, let alone a campaign for a Royal Commission into them. There have, however, been complaints about the retail, for-profit superannuation funds that are run by the big banks and insurance companies. Not only do they charge higher fees and make smaller average returns for workers on their investments, but their conduct has left a lot to be desired on occasions. For example, the ANZs superannuation fund Prime Access was forced to refund millions of dollars of fees charged for services not supplied to its members. Retail super funds are soaking up half of all fees in the superannuation system despite holding only 29 percent of retirement savings, according to research carried out by Rainmaker for Industry Super Australia. But that is not all the private, for-profit sector pockets. It is even worse than that. Of that $31 billion in fees, the for-profit sector (which also includes self-managed super funds) ends up with $28 billion, or 91 percent, Rainmaker found. That is because, while the not-for-profit sector (including industry, public sector and corporate funds) charged a total of $12.7 billion in fees, $9.9 billion of that went to private sector wealth managers to provide insurance and fund management services. The not-for-profit sector kept only $2.8 billion. Industry funds do more than just offer superannuation products. CBus, for example, which is specifically tailored to workers in the building and construction industry, offers insurance products to cover Death and Total and Permanent Disablement, income protection, etc. The premiums are paid out of the super fund and are cheaper than the for-profit-insurance companies. Its investments have resulted in the creation of thousands of jobs in the industry. The average return per annum over the last 33 years is 9.4 percent. Clause (c) of the Royal Commission terms of reference states: whether the use by financial services entities of superannuation members savings, for any purpose, does not meet community standards and expectations or is otherwise not in the best interests of those members. So, what are the best interest of members? Is ethical investment considered as not meeting their best interests because it might not make the highest returns? Would offering additional insurance products or investing as does Cbus in the building and construction industry be considered not in their best interests? The terms of reference, drafted by the banks, not surprisingly offer the financial sector considerable scope to attack industry superannuation funds, despite their superior performance. The banks and insurance companies have been pushing to gain control of these funds for decades. The Howard Coalition government introduced reforms in 2004 requiring an employer to deposit compulsory superannuation payments in the fund of each employees choice, in the hope that there would be a mass exodus from industry funds. Nothing of the sort happened. Workers were not duped. The boards of industry funds have equal employer and union representation. Enterprise agreements often specify default industry superannuation funds. The private, for-profit sector wish to reduce union representation to a small minority and have their own representatives in control. They also want default funds removed from enterprise agreements. The Commission is authorised to issue an interim report by September 30 this year and the deadline for its final report is February 1, 2019. Members of the public are invited to make submissions but must use the special form supplied by the Commission. Copies of this form are on their website. (See below.) Home page: https://financialservices.royalcommission.gov.au. Link to form: https://royalcommissionwebform.lawinorder.com.au Voices for Peace Armaments merchant To The Hon Marise Payne Minister for Defence PO Box 6100 Parliament House, Canberra, 2600 Dear Ms Payne, As we approach this year, the centenary of the cease fire of the war to end all wars, it is disturbing to say the least that our government wants to remember the loss of 60,000 lives with a massive program for Australia to be a major armaments merchant. We believe that more taxpayer dollars should not be committed to the manufacture of weapons used in war. The $3.8 billion Defence Export Facility to assist arms industry companies wanting to find overseas markets serves only the forces that in fact brought us World War One. In the spirit of the voices of over 100 years ago that called for world peace, Australia should be an independent voice seeking diplomatic and peaceful resolution of conflicts, not a country boosting the arms race and the profits of arms manufacturers who rely on the existence of conflicts. The doubling of military exports from Australia between 2013 and 2015 and a further 50% in 2015 and now the talk of further increases, is clearly not in the spirit of the mentioned forebears. As you know, the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty came into force in December 2014, and has 130 signatories, and 89 ratifications, including Australias. As you know many Australians who have demonstrated on many occasions their opposition to arms trade fairs we hope you can acknowledge that they dont want to go down the path of militarisation of society. Australia has a history of positive actions for peace internationally and whilst in recent decades this admirable record has been reversed we would ask that you join in dialogue with Australian peace groups, such as ours, to reassert Australia as a nation genuinely championing peace. We would assert that it is not strong defence exports that will safeguard Australia against conflict, but strong and respectful relationships between Australia and countries in and outside our region. Your governments assertion that arms exports will only be to countries where there are strict controls in place, is not borne out by current practice, for example where Australian firms have received contracts to supply Saudi Arabia with military equipment, despite the appalling human rights record in that country and its ongoing war on Yemen. In this time of growing inequality in both the world and Australia our tax dollars would be better invested in areas such as health, education, transport, and import replacement initiatives that serve and develop local opportunities for the diverse regions of Australia. The AABC along with other local peace groups believes our governments foreign policy should be focused on dialogue with and support for other countries to address the causes of war and offer resources to help create the conditions of peace not actively promote measures which perpetuate war. Yours sincerely, Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition What alternative? To The Hon Richard Marles MP Shadow Minister for Defence PO Box 6022 House of Representatives Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Your reported comments in the Mercury newspaper and in other news outlets to the effect that a future ALP government would allow the US to expand its military footprint in Australia is extremely worrying. Not so long ago your leader said there was not a cigarette paper of difference between his position and the Prime Ministers position on so-called national security. We now see that the reason for voting ALP has disappeared as you and your government would be as uncritical of the bellicose Trump administration as the Turnbull government. We need calm voices in Australia to protect us from the scourge of war yet your voice as the alternative government to the smug and uncritical tones coming out of Julie Bishops mouth and others in the Liberal National government is just as bad. We ask you how many more US bases can we host in Australia? How many more exercises can we participate in? How many more large tracts of land are to be contaminated by US ammunition used at practice or bombing ranges? When will any ALP government draw the line and say enough is enough? At present we have 50 US facilities and our ADF is constantly exercising either in this country or overseas. The stationing of US Marines in Darwin has meant that we (the Australian taxpayer) have to pay for their accommodation to the tune of $2.3 billion. Apart from loading us up with extra debt and neglecting the ALPs so-called consideration for the ordinary working family of Australia. Clearly, this policy from these perspectives is ridiculous, as it sets up an Australian government that will continue to neglect education, health, and social welfare just the Liberal Nationals are doing. Internationally the US has 1,000 bases in 40 countries and yet you are suggesting that they be given more? Your policy will mean that expenditure on the US military will threaten domestic objectives but more that it will threaten trade. This will mean loads of job losses. Yet you in an ideological straight jacket have deemed it is a fair enough risk to run against the very workers who so faithfully support the ALP. How long can China maintain a reasonable relationship with Australia if it continues to give bases to the US from which that aggressive country can attack or at least threaten China. Yours sincerely Denis Doherty National Coordinator AABCC Racism a capitalist tool Prior to the Second World War, the heartland of capitalism the place that set the systems policies, methods and style was England. But after WW2, capitalisms heartland shifted base to the USA, where, 80 years after the end of the American Civil War the war to free the slaves a deep and pervasive racism operated. In the southern half of the country, blacks and whites were ruthlessly segregated, at school, on public transport, at work, everywhere. The system worked to the benefit of capitalism, keeping workers divided by race and at the same time giving poor whites the illusion that they were not really being ruthlessly exploited because there was a sizeable segment of the population coloureds who were not only visibly worse off than they were but were clearly inferior to them. And capitalist propaganda hammered home the message that that was exactly the way things should be, because poor blacks were undeserving alleged to be shiftless, lazy, ignorant and prone to criminality. Despite the courageous civil rights movement which ended the worst aspects of the racist Jim Crow system in the USA segregation, overt racial abuse, lynchings and other symptoms of white supremacist terrorism racism itself did not disappear, a fact which did not overly discommode capitalism. Racism has always been part and parcel of capitalisms stock of weapons. It was used to divide and conquer the numerous different peoples who found themselves within one or another of the colonial empires. And when the natives fought back, they were labelled terrorists, as in Kenya, Algeria or Malaya. The national liberation struggles that followed WW2 were emboldened by the historic victory over fascism and the progressive ideas that had underpinned that momentous event. And all of them acknowledged the debt they owed to the Great October Socialist Revolution. Capitalism reacted with concentration camps (e.g. in Kenya), state terrorism (Algeria) or open warfare (Malaya, Indonesia, Borneo, The Philippines, Indo-China). At the same time, US imperialism (with the full support of its British counterpart) set out to roll back Communism by starting a war on the Korean peninsula. The Koreans they fought were labelled gooks. While Americans were soon to be found engaged in combat for US imperialisms strategic interests in numerous parts of Asia and South and Central America, at home racism determined the nature of national policy or warped policies that were meant to combat racism. Even as President Johnson was talking up his Great Society, he had to use the army to escort nine black teenagers to high school in Arkansas as racists angrily resisted integration. But if segregation was out of favour and losing traction, the right wing in the US simply changed tactics. Instead of ranting against niggers, they now argued for states rights and railed against big government. In the lexicon of US racism, big government is a euphemism for welfare payments to the undeserving poor in other words, to people of colour. Paradoxically, it is used to justify tax cuts for the rich and big corporations, on the grounds that if they are left with more money, they will employ more people. In fact such tax cuts merely mean government income is reduced so government has less money with which to make welfare payments. Since the majority of welfare recipients are in fact poor whites, these cuts adversely affect the very constituency the Right is trying to win. Undeterred, they fall back on propaganda: implying rather than stating outright that if it wasnt for all the money being wasted on Latino and Black welfare recipients, poor whites could almost wallow in luxury! Its sheer nonsense of course, but they can hardly tell people the truth: that shortage of funds for welfare payments (if true) can only be the result of corporate greed. Poverty is endemic across the US. However, the poverty rate among people of colour is higher than among whites. Consequently, the need for social programs is correspondingly higher, too. But the Republican Right is not concerned with logic, still less with humanity. They are concerned with building a power base, so they resort to lies, half-truths and distortions. The task of ensuring that the Blacks and coloureds stay in their place falls to the USAs massive militarised police forces and law enforcement agencies (for many years when J Edgar Hoover headed the FBI, that organisation gave serious attention to ways of preventing the coming Black uprising). In a culture where virtually all young Black men are regarded as potential criminals, and possession (and use) of guns is common place, the killing of young Black men in particular by the police is also distressingly commonplace. So commonplace in fact, that it has generated the active and significant Black lives matter movement. The role of police forces under capitalism is to safeguard the rule of capital, to protect private property, the wealthy and corporate power. Racism, historically a major tool of capitalism, pervades all the activities of capitalisms police forces. Young Black men are arrested in grossly disproportionate numbers and make up the bulk of those unfortunates confined in the private industrial prisons that have spread across the USA, providing US capitalism with a new form of highly profitable slave labour. While people of colour demonstrate against police killings, the right-wing calls for law and order, which is code for prevent the Blacks from rioting. Donald Trump ran for president on an openly racist platform that advocated making welfare payments only to the deserving poor (i.e. poor whites). Since taking possession of the Oval Office, his racism has become even more overt and more blatant. From offending Native Americans with a crude racist slur against Democrat Congresswoman Elizabeth Warren (calling her Pokahontas), to pandering to Israels desire to conquer and absorb the whole of Palestine, Trump has blended his far-Right politics with crude racism to the delight of his base constituency (uneducated poor whites). William C Anderson, a contributing editor covering race, class and immigration at the Praxis Centre for the USAs Kalamazoo College, has pointed out that White supremacy, too, is a grounding undercurrent of this countrys history and present-day functioning. If the Trump presidency concludes, we will still be faced with a powerful system of oppressions. Until we confront the systems that enabled Donald Trumps rise to power, well always be at risk of seeing someone like him empowered again. But let's turn the the actual plan itself, not just the opening rhetoric. I'm only going to focus here on item number 1: more financial education. This might qualify as Worst. Consumer. Protection. Idea. Ever. Second, there is a curious solicitousness for the rights of states and Indian tribes. The CFPB has never previously been accused of trampling the rights of states, but the inclusion of states is all the more confusing given the Bureau's newfound commitment to protecting the sovereignty of Indian tribes. The only relevance of Indian tribes to the CFPB is that a few of them partner with "fintechs" in rent-a-tribe schemes to avoid state regulation, particularly state usury laws. It would seem that upholding state sovereignty and rights would require cracking down on rent-a-tribe schemes; the idea that a tribe has immunity for commercial activities extending outside of tribal lands is clearly wrong--were it so all of federal law could be subverted. It looks like someone forgot to remove the "states rights" talking point from the usual GOP talking points deck because someone didn't realize that it conflicts with the new tribal rights talking point. Oops. I've written about e nvelope pushing and Mick-Mulvaney-Think previously, but there's two new things here. First there's the claim that going beyond the Bureau's statutory responsibilities violates the will of Congress. (Note the unusual addition of "the White House" to the formulation.) Narrowly that's uncontroversial, but the way Mulvaney-Think approaches the Bureau's statutory responsibilities, if there isn't a statutory clearly and directly prohibiting something, then there's no prohibition. Standards-based regulation is gone, even if that is exactly what Congress (and the White House when the bill was signed into law) demanded. If there is one way to summarize the strategic changes occurring at the Bureau, it is this: we have committed to fulfill the Bureaus statutory responsibilities, but go no further. Indeed, this should be an ironclad promise for any federal agency; pushing the envelope in pursuit of other objectives ignores the will of the American people, as established in law by their representatives in Congress and the White House. Pushing the envelope also risks trampling upon the liberties of our citizens, or interfering with the sovereignty or autonomy of the states or Indian tribes. The CFPB is out with its Strategic Plan for FY 2018-2022 , also known (without any apparent irony) as The Five Year Plan. Lots to chew on in this doozy, starting with this: Now wait, Levitin, what are you possibly talking about? You're going to write a screed against "education"? Isn't that an admission against interest from a professor? Who could possibly oppose eduction? And anyhow, didn't Congress, in its in its deep and infinite wisdom required that the CFPB have a financial education mission and mandate a Consumer Education and Engagement Office in the Bureau? I've got nothing against education generally. But regulators should pursue strategies that are calibrated to the problems that actual exist in the markets they regulate and likely to fix those problems. Viewed this way, financial education is largely worthless for most (but not all) consumer finance issues. In most cases it's going to be as helpful as one of Gwyneth Paltrow's coffee enemas (a/k/a 21st century Carbolic Smoke Balls). Here's why: First, financial literacy only matters when there is a possibility of consumer choice in a market. That's not the case with several key consumer financial product markets: debt collection, loan servicing, and credit reporting. The consumer doesn't pick the service provider in these markets. Critically these are the markets with the most consumer complaints filed with the CFPB. So Second, given the poor state of American numeracy, the idea that we're going to achieve financial literacy of any material sort is silly. When folks can't do simply arithmetic operations, it doesn't matter much if they understand theoretically what compound interest means. Third, some things are in fact complicated and hard, so that even very numerate, very financially literate folk don't intuitively understand them. Try amortization schedules: can you explain the Rule of 78s? Do you really think that you can teach people to understand it readily? (And yes, it still applies to some auto loan transactions.) I've taken classes of very bright first year law students through credit cardholder agreements and asked them to explain what the agreements mean. They can't. That should given anyone who preaches financial literacy and education some pause. Fourth, even if consumers were financially literate, they regularly encounter transactional settings that discourage careful consideration of options. Examples here are when the consumer is told the terms of the deal over the phone or when the consumer goes to a car deal and is given the hard sell in the F&I office after having sunk a few hours into picking a car, negotiating a price and a trade in, etc. Likewise, for a small dollar transaction, how much time is a consumer rationally going to sink into evaluating and comparing options? Fifth, businesses have incentives to interfere with consumer understanding--if the consumer perceives a price as being lower than it is, the consumer will overconsume, which is what the business wants--more sales. Don't think businesses do this? Look at the CFPB's own complaints. CFPB & FDIC entered into a consent order with Discover Bank that alleged, among other things, that Discover sales reps started speaking real fast when it came time to disclose material terms. That's a pretty crass way of doing things, but it doesn't seem so different than using fine print or a hard-to-read font or burying information in long, prolix disclosures. Sixth, literacy doesn't help with fraud or deception. Nor does it help when a financial institution doesn't act in good faith once a deal has been made. Those are the situations that UDAAP is supposed to police. Those are what virtually every CFPB enforcement action has been about. Yet that seems to be precisely what Mick Mulvaney says the CFPB won't be doing--UDAAP actions are entirely discretionary--the CFPB isn't required to bring any UDAAP enforcement actions or undertake any UDAAP rule makings, and "unfair, "deceptive," and "abusive" are, to some degree, in the eye of the beholder. The Mick Mulvaney-administered CFPB seems to have a declared policy of extreme myopia--see no evil, hear no evil, but a healthy does of financial literacy enemas. Obviously there are some places where some greater financial literacy helps. It helps for a consumer to understand the risks inherent with particular products. What happens if I can't refinance this mortgage when the rate resets? What happens if I co-sign a loan and the other co-signor dies? Etc. But I don't think this is what the CFPB means in terms of financial literacy. Still, let me end with a positive recommendation. If the CFPB wants to do one simple thing that will help American consumers, it will engage in a very proactive advertising campaign to let people know that they should get pre-approved for a car loan before going to look for a car at a dealership. If you go into the dealership without an alternative offer, you've just walked into a monopoly market, where the dealer is not incentivized to find you the cheapest loan term. Some folks are smart enough to get offers from third-party lenders before they go shopping for a car. Everyone should or at least everyone should know that they should. If the CFPB takes financial literacy and education seriously, this is a very concrete, easy step to take. We are building the largest and most comprehensive portal about the island of Cyprus. On Cyprus.com you can find what youre looking for easily, get detailed information about it, see what others have to say and even share your own experiences. Its useful and fun! Join us today and Make the Most of Cyprus! Celebrity chef Silvia Colloca has revealed she once ended a relationship with a man because he preferred his steak well done. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the Italian media personality explained why food played such an important role in any relationship. With Valentine's Day just a day away, the wife of Australian actor Richard Roxburgh said the way to a loved one's heart was through their stomach. And a new research, conducted by Mutti Parma, has found 88 per cent of Australians would rather have a home-cooked meal from their partner than an extravagant gift on February 14. Here, the mother revealed the missing ingredient to a long-lasting relationship - and her delicious recipes to surprise your partner on the romantic day of the year. Celebrity chef Silvia Colloca has revealed why food can 'make or break a relationship' The wife of Australian actor Richard Roxburgh (pictured together) said the way to a loved one's heart was through their stomach 'Food can make or break a relationship. I once broke up with a guy because he liked his steak well done,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'Look, I am sure there were other reasons for the split, but this was definitely a contributing factor. 'Preparing and enjoying food as a couple can be a great way to get some quality time together, so sharing an appetite for preparing fresh home-made meals is a sure fire way to getting some quality time scheduled in.' Growing up, Silvia said her family life was always centred around food. 'All important conversations happened at the dinner table and gatherings were arranged as an excuse to spend quality time together over a meal,' she said. 'The food was never complicated, so I have learned that sometimes it's the most simple, yet delicious meals that are the best for bringing people together.' The media personality revealed she once ended a relationship with a man because he preferred his steak well done Around 83 per cent of women think men who can cook are sexy while two in five people admit to being pleased when their partners whip up a meal for them. 'The act of preparing food is extremely sensual, so it makes perfect sense to give it a romantic connotation,' Silvia said. 'I personally find it irresistible when my husband cooks for me.' Proving that men are onto what women want, 47 per cent of men say they're happy to cook for their partner in order to make them happy. For singles, four in five Australians admitted they are more likely to 'swipe right' on a dating profile if a love for food or dining is mentioned. For anyone who can't cook but would like to give it a go in the kitchen, Silvia suggested: 'Keep it light and simple. And when in doubt, add chilli' For anyone who can't cook but would like to give it a go in the kitchen, Silvia suggested: 'Keep it light and simple. And when in doubt, add chilli. 'I would say to try and perfect the simple dishes that requires minimal technique, but rely on wonderfully on natural flavours. 'A simple bruschetta topped with cherry tomatoes, torn buffalo mozzarella, herbs and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil is just one example of how you can present something delicious with minimal effort. 'Or a bowl of pasta simply tossed with finely chopped tomatoes is easy as it gets and a crowd-pleaser.' Here, Silvia Colloca shares her delicious home-cooked meal recipes: BAKED GNOCCHI SORRENTINA Serves 4 INGREDIENTS Gnocchi Full-cream ricotta (450g) 2 egg yolks 1/2 teaspoon salt flakes 1 pinch freshly ground white pepper Plain flour, plus extra for dusting (100-120g) 2/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving (50g) 5-6 basil leaves, finely shredded Sauce 2 400g tins of Mutti Cherry Tomatoes 2 shallots, finely chopped 4 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil 1 garlic clove, skin on, bashed with back of a knife 1 small celery stick, finely chopped Salt flakes, to taste Garnish A handful of basil leaves 1 cup of bocconcini Freshly grated parmesan cheese METHOD Heat oil in a large heavy-based frying pan. Fry the shallots, celery and the garlic on medium heat for 1-2 minutes or until the shallots turn translucent and slightly golden and the garlic smells fragrant. Add the Mutti Cherry Tomatoes, season with salt and cook on medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the celery and basil leaves. Cover with a lid and set aside. In the meantime, make the gnocchi. Discard any excess liquid from the ricotta and put it in a large mixing bowl with the egg yolks, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Add the flour and work with floured hands or a wooden spoon until you have smooth soft dough it should be pliable and a little sticky but not too wet. Don't be tempted to add lots of flour to make it easier to work the dough, as the resulting gnocchi will almost certainly be dense and doughy. Flour your hands and cooking bench generously and divide the dough into 6 pieces. Take 1 piece, sprinkle it with flour and roll it with your hands to form a log. Cut the log into small rectangles and set aside on a floured wooden board. Repeat with the remaining dough. Turn the heat back on under the tomato sauce on low and preheat your oven to 200 C. Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil and drop the gnocchi into the pan, in two or three batches, stirring gently. Cook for 12 minutes or until they come up to the surface, lift them out with a slotted spoon and drop them straight into the pan with the tomato sauce. Repeat until all the gnocchi is cooked. Coat them well in the sauce. Place the gnocchi and sauce in a large oven safe dish. Distribute the Bocconcini evenly, grate parmesan on top and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the gnocchi looks bubbly and irresistible. Serve with basil leaves and drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, if desired. Advertisement A 30 highlighter created by a former beauty counter assistant from Essex has become the go-to illuminating product for the A-list and beauty fans alike, selling a bottle every two minutes. Iconic London's vegan illuminator drops sold out within 10 minutes of launching and is a favourite with the likes of Chrissy Teigen, J Lo and the Kardashian sisters to name just a handful of celebrity fans. The brand was set up by Jade Elliott, 32, from Essex who set up the brand in her bedroom after spending her teenager years working on a beauty counter at a department store in Australia. The liquid shimmer, which comes in four shades, is designed to be added to foundation, primer or moisturiser, or used on its own as a highlighter and promises to add a 'soft focus effect to even the most lacklustre complexions Fans rave about its smooth texture and intense pigment, saying it banishes the caking effect that comes with other highlighters. Iconic London's vegan illuminator drops, as worn by J Lo, sold out within 10 minutes of launching Chrissy Teigen is another fan of the brand set up by Jade Elliott, 32, from Essex who used to work at a beauty counter Model Jourdan Dunn shows off her glow thanks to the Iconic illuminating drops that come in four different shades Jade set out to create on-trend makeup at an affordable price point and her range has been snapped up by Harvey Nichols, Fortnum & Mason and Cult Beauty. But despite the affordable price point it's also been adopted by celebrity make-up artists working with some of the world's biggest stars. Last year, Kim Kardashian's makeup artist, Ariel Tejada, created a look on the reality star using Jade's 20 strobing stick and it sold out overnight as a result. Then Vanessa Hudgens wore the brand's 30 illuminator at the Billboard Awards and it sold out four times, with pre-orders for new stock going through the roof. Kim's makeup artist, Ariel Tejada, created a look on Kim using Jade's 20 strobing stick and it sold out overnight as a result Jade Elliott, 32, launched Iconic London in her bedroom in Essex and now the Kardashians and Chrissy Teigen love her products, which are stocked in the beauty stores where she first started working A bottle of the 30 illuminator, which comes in four shades, is sold every two minutes and sold out within 10 minutes of launching 'The British brand started in a bedroom in Essex really has hit Hollywood,' said Jade. 'A few years ago I decided to start my own brand and I risked everything. I quit my job as a successful stylist and sold my car to fund the first contour palette production.' While it was extremely hard to start something on her own, Jade believes it was her drive that helped get ICONIC off the ground. 'With no team, morale can go very quickly,' she said. 'Looking back, that's what makes ICONIC and me different. I had the determination and energy not to give up and to keep fighting.' Former TOWIE star Lucy Mecklenburgh relies on the drops to Vanessa Hudgens wore the brand's 30 illuminator at the Billboard Awards and it sold out four times, with pre-orders for new stock going through the roof 'I had the belief and confidence that I was on to something. It's a mindset.' ICONIC was a hit from the start, getting featured in Vogue UK and finding a home in the high-end department store Harvey Nichols within the first year of its launch. But one of the biggest moments was the endorsement by Kim's make-up artist. 'I woke up to my phone going off the hook,' Jade said. 'My orders went crazy and I remember screaming and jumping around my flat with excitement.' 'I will never forget that moment, it was an unbelievable feeling.' Jade, who went on to work as a stylist after relocating to Essex from Australia, quit her job as a successful stylist and sold her car to fund the first contour palette production Can teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds really go on to succeed - that's the question posed by a new documentary following six teenagers every year from the age of 13 to 16. Generation Gifted, which starts on BBC2 tomorrow, will explore the challenges the girls and boys face - and whether they prove wrong expectations that they will 'end up in McDonald's cleaning toilets'. In the first of the six-part series - which will see two films aired every year until 2020 - viewers meet Jada, Anne-Marie and Shakira, who reveal their dreams and aspirations, as figures show children living in poverty are half as likely to achieve the top GCSE grades as their better-off classmates. The 14-year-old girls all hail from low-income households. Homeless Jada wants to get into grammar school to learn how to appear posh; while Anne-Marie, whose family live on benefits, wants to become a criminal psychologist. And Shakira, who lives on the Belgrave estate, which is one of the most deprived parts of Tamworth, in the West Midlands, hopes to become a tattoo artist. Jada, whose parents divorced five years ago, said: 'It doesnt matter what class you come from because theres a ladder and you can climb it.' Edmund Coulthard, 57, creative director of TV production company Blast! Films, who came up with the idea for the show, said: 'It seemed like Britain was, and is, becoming a place where a childs talent or ambition is secondary to their parents and postcode in enabling success.' The show, he added, would look at the obstacles the teenagers faced. Here, FEMAIL reveals the stars of tomorrow night's show. Jada is one of three girls featured in the BBC Two documentary which explores the challenges children from low-income familes face as they progress from ages 13 to 16 and hope to go on to further education JADA, 14, FROM BIRMINGHAM Jada has ambitions to win a place at the local grammar school, where she wants to learn to appear more upper class. 'Going to grammar school will help me feel more intelligent I guess, most people that go there are intelligent and have earned their spot. It would feel like I have actually earned something. 'I recently saw one of my friends who went to the grammar school and thought "wow she has changed so much". She sounds more proper than the normal kids from here. She sounds all posh like the Queen,' she explains to the camera. She is determined to succeed and isnt bothered about her circumstances affecting her chances at a better education - but she needs straight As to secure a place. 'My goals are to get good GCSEs to get into the best university and to become a paediatrician, that is my dream,' she adds. Jada is determined to succeed and won't let her disadvantaged upbringing stand in the way of getting the best grades she can to go on to study at a local grammar school Her teacher, Mr Panjanadin, at St Johns Wall Catholic School in Handsworth agrees saying of his passionate student: 'I think she will be a roaring success in whatever she does.' Even aged just 14, Jada already places immense amounts of pressure on herself and is always thinking about how she do better at school work and on exams. Her mother is desperate to give her daughter the best opportunities she can and that means agreeing to Jada's demand for extra tuition in the summer to improve her grades. Money worries are the last thing on the teenager's mind: 'I shouldnt have to worry about that because I am a child and they are not my responsibility. 'Im not scared of my disadvantage, nothing will get in the way of my goal, but there will be setbacks. But you just have to get up and dust yourself off and keep on going,' she says. Anne-Marie lives with her mother, step-father and four siblings in Port Talbot. They rely on benefits as her parents are full-time carers for her younger brother who suffers from autism ANNE-MARIE, 14, FROM PORT TALBOT Anne-Marie is a child full of potential, but lacking in self-esteem and living in a small town with no opportunities. Her parents split when she was seven, and she now lives with her mother Robyn, step-father and four siblings. They have to survive on benefits because her parents are full-time carers for her younger brother who has severe autism. But she finds solace in books and hopes to become a criminal psychologist: 'Writing gives me the chance to express myself without have to explain to people how I feel. 'Its like if one life isnt good enough for you, then you can always write.' The 14-year-old finds solace in writing and reading but admits she lacks confidence in herself to do well WHY IS BRITAIN IN A SOCIAL MOBILITY CRISIS? Britain is in a grip of social mobility, with children in some areas getting a poor start in life from which they can never recover. Children living in poverty are half as likely to achieve the top GCSE grades as their better off classmates. Research by the Social Mobility Commission suggests 51 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds believe family and economic circumstances determines chances of success in life. This compares with just 40 per cent of the older generation of those aged 65 and over, the poll of 5,000 people by YouGov found in 2017. The postcode lottery exists in Britain today where the chances of someone from a disadvantaged background succeeding in life is bound to where they live. Regional disparities in economic performance are greater in the UK than in any other European country. Following the release of the report Prime Minister Theresa May vowed to tackle the 'burning injustices' that held people back, but was left embarrassed when her entire social mobility then quit. In December 2017 it was reported that they had warned her to focus on Brexit which meant she had 'zero' chance of helping the poor. Source: Social Mobility Commission, MailOnline Advertisement After a visit to nearby Cardiff University as a way to encourage pupils to think about their future Anne-Marie is disheartened to learn that tuition fees could amount to 45,000 if she wants to study her chosen topic for five years. While she acknowledges that she doesn't come from an affluent background, she explains that she isn't jealous of those that are. Instead she believes that working hard for what she wants will help her to succeed, and that means placing an immense amount of pressure on herself just like Jada. 'I dont want to fail and disappoint people. I feel like I have responsibility to do well, then like help my family and stuff like that,' she explains. 'If I can do something good and go to uni and earn that amount I can help my family, I feel that it is my responsibility because I am the eldest. I would rather them be comfortable then them live in a small house.' Shakira excels in art and wants to become a tattoo artist but her teachers want her to push her further and reach her full potential SHAKIRA, 14, WEST MIDLANDS It's explained how the children that usually struggle are the ones that turn to creative subject, and for Shakira she has hopes of turning her creative streak in to a profession as a tattoo artist. The 14-year-old lives on the Belgrave estate, which is one of the most deprived parts of Tamworth, in the West Midlands, with her mother Gemma, her mothers partner and four siblings. They survive on 200 a week in benefits, most of which come from disability living allowance as her younger brother Leo suffers from Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. It causes a range of physical, cognitive, and medical challenges. Shakira's brother is her main concern, and is one of the reasons she admits she doesn't see herself getting out of her situation. Asked whether she will leave home when she's 18 to go to university she scoffs: 'No not really. 'Ive got better things to do like think about my brother and hospital appointments. Hes more important, he could go at any minute He could die because of all his problems, so Id just think about him all the time.' The talented youngster builds up her confidence enough to perform at the end of year school talent show impressing her mother who wants her to keep pursuing her dreams Just like any teenager she throws tantrums. She describes one such moment when she accidentally pulled her bedroom door of its hinges, and with no money spare to get it fixed it is propped up against her wall adorned with her artwork. 'When I get angry I just come up and draw. I feel happy when I can escape, like some people can escape in a book, but when Im drawing I just feel like I am escaping from everything around me,' she explains. The shy pupil who excels in art is encouraged by her teachers to join the after-school drama club, where she reveals her amazing singing talent. When she performs in the end of year talent show in front of 250, Shakira's eyes are anew with potential for her future - and her mother who just made it in time to see her daughter perform sees it too. 'The more you do it the more successful you'll get,' she proudly tells her. And Shakira adds: 'I was shocked that I did it because I didnt have any confidence but then I felt really proud of myself afterwards.' Generation Gifted airs on Wednesday on BBC Two at 9pm A therapy dog has captured the hearts of thousands after his owner shared heartbreaking photos of the lonely-looking pooch waiting for children to read to him at the library. John Muellner, 56, and his dog Sting visit the Ramsey County Library at White Bear Lake, Minnesota, twice a month so children can read to him as part of the Paws to Read program. However, the 10-year-old greyhound was all by his lonesome on Wednesday evening, prompting his owner to take to Facebook to share photos of Sting looking forlorn while lying on the floor of the reading room. Heartbreaking: John Muellner, 56, took to Facebook on Wednesday to share photos of his lonely-looking therapy dog Sting waiting for children to read to him at the library Feeling forlorn? John takes Sting to the Ramsey County Library at White Bear Lake, Minnesota, twice a month for the Paws to Read program, but no children showed up last week Heartbreaking: In one of the photos, poor Sting is lying on a blanket just waiting for someone to come by and read to him during his shift at the library 'Unfortunately nobody signed up to read to Sting at the White Bear Lake library tonight,' he wrote. 'If you know of a 4 to 8yr old who would like to read to a dog. Please contact the White Bear Lake library by phone or their website about the Paws to Read program. Sting will be there Feb 21st 6:30 - 7:30.' In one of the photos, poor Sting is lying on a blanket just waiting for someone to come by and read to him during his shift at the library. The Paws to Read program allows children to practice their reading skills with therapy dogs or shelter cats, which provide a judgement-free presence for struggling readers. Sting typically stays at the library for an hour, meeting with three children for 20 minutes each. Although there weren't any takers last week, photos of the pooch looking sad quickly went viral. Going viral: The photos of a sad-looking Sting in the library have been shared more than 98,000 times on Facebook, with many people offering to read to the pup Local celebrity: Librarian Ann Wahlstrom (pictured with Sting) said people have been calling library and offering to read to the pooch over the phone Not-so-lonely! Sting's Paws to Read sessions at the library are now booked through April. The greyhound is pictured with a little girl who gave him a hug while he was out to lunch with John John's post has been shared more than 98,000 times, with people all over the country asking how they can help Sting. 'Poor guy, Id read to him in a heartbeat!' Britney Blevin commented, while someone else asked: 'Can I read to him over the phone? 'Please go because Im in Texas and I am so sad I cant go read to him,' a woman named Hannah begged. Concerned fans have been calling the library nonstop in hopes of cheering up Sting. 'People are asking if we could hold the phone to Sting's ear so they could read to him,' Ramsey County Library children's librarian Ann Wahlstrom told Today. 'The whole staff of a Petco in California called to say they love Sting. It's just amazing, the outpouring.' In demand: Lacey, the library's other reading dog, is also close to being fully scheduled Heart of gold: When he's not being read to at the library, Sting is a therapy dog at the local hospital Don't worry! John also pointed out that Sting wasn't sad in the photos, insisting that's 'just his look' Sting is so in-demand, he is now booked through April, and the library's second therapy dog Lacey is also close to being fully scheduled. The photos undoubtedly helped find more readers for Sting, but people will be happy to know that he wasn't actually that lonely. Kids and members of the library's staff stopped to pet him and say hello even throughout the evening, even though there wasn't anyone to read to him. And while the pooch looks heartbroken in the snapshots, John explained his dog wasn't really sad. That's 'just his look.' Sting is a former racing go who retired seven years ago. When he's not being read to at the library, he is a therapy dog at the local hospital. Ginger Zee and her husband, Ben Aaron, welcomed their second child over the weekend, and it looks like their two-year-old son Adrian is already enamored with his baby brother. The 37-year-old Good Morning America meteorologist gave birth to a baby boy named Miles Macklin on Friday morning in New York City, later announcing the news on Twitter. The proud mom took to Instagram after the announcement to share heartwarming photos of her family's newest addition including a sweet snapshot of little Adrian leaning over to cuddle his little brother. Look of love: Ginger Zee and her husband, , Ben Aaron, welcomed their second child, Miles Macklin on Friday morning in New York City Already best friends: The 37-year-old meteorologist took to Instagram over the weekend to share an adorable photo of her two-year-old son Adrian hugging his baby brother Too cute: The couple is over the moon about baby Miles, who already has a full head of hair 'This is pure joy,' Ginger captioned the image, which shows Miles sleeping on her chest while Adrian is giving him a quick squeeze. While posting another black and white photo of little Miles' hand, Ginger revealed that he weighed 8lbs, 7oz and was 21.5 inches long at the time of his birth. In another photo, Ginger is kissing her baby boy on the head while he is swaddled in a hospital blanket. And she isn't the only one who can't get enough of her son. Ben, 36, also took to Instagram to share photos and videos of little Miles. Precious moment: When Ginger shared this black and white photo of Miles, she revealed he weighed 8lbs, 7oz and was 21.5 inches long at the time of his birth Doting dad: Ben took to Instagram on Monday to share this photo of himself kissing Miles Nap time: Ben also posted a video of little Miles fast asleep in his arms 'Different boy, same love... #adrian #miles,' captioned an image of himself kissing Miles on the head on Monday. He also shared an Instagram Stories clip of little Miles asleep in his arms. Ginger announced Miles' birth on Twitter Friday while sharing an adorable photo of Adrian wearing hospital scrubs that have the words 'Big Brother' written on the front. 'Scrubbed in, delivered a healthy baby boy and got a cookie to celebrate. Its been a good day,' she wrote. On Thursday, just one day before she gave birth via C-section, Ginger walked the runway for at the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women's Red Dress Collection show. Happiness: Ginger announced on Twitter Friday that she had given birth to her baby boy Cutie pie: While announcing the news, Ginger shared an adorable picture of Adrian wearing scrubs that say 'Big Brother' on the front Day before: Ginger walked the runway at the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women's Red Dress Collection show on Thursday during New York Fashion Week Mom and dad: Ginger and Ben (pictured in 2015 said 'I do' in June 2014 The soon-to-be mother of two strut down the catwalk in a form-fitting red gown that hugged her baby bump. Ginger, who had her C-section scheduled for the next day, spoke with Us Weekly backstage, saying: 'My ankles are so swollen. You know what? I'll put on some heels and I'll walk a runway because that'll make me feel better.' The ABC News meteorologist first shared the news that she and Ben were expecting their second child in August during a morning forecast on Good Morning America. After announcing that she was expecting a baby boy, Ginger hugged her co-stars and explained that she had to tell everyone because she had five months left before her due date and was already starting to show. Freelee the Banana Girl has offered a glimpse into the new 'off grid' lifestyle that she claims has not only improved her wellbeing but helped her save thousands of dollars. Originally from Queensland, the popular vegan YouTuber is currently living in a cabin in a jungle in South America with her partner where they grow their own fruit, weave their own mats and enjoy a minimalist lifestyle. The blogger has also given up all cosmetics (razors, make up and shampoo) which alone has saved her more than $4,000 in less than 12 months. Scroll down for video Freelee the Banana Girl has offered a glimpse into the new 'off grid' lifestyle that she claims has not only improved her wellbeing but helped her save thousands of dollars Originally from Queensland, the popular vegan YouTuber is currently living in a cabin in a jungle in South America with her partner where they grow their own fruit, weave their own mats and enjoy a minimalist lifestyle Pictured is a home in South America that they stay in In a video posted to her YouTube channel, Freelee shared her 'day in the life' which began with a bike ride and an outdoor shower - the showerhead embedded next to one of the trees on their property. She then enjoyed a jackfruit for breakfast which was grown on the property before she set off mulching and feeding her fruit trees, collecting drinking water from the creek and eating homegrown papayas and bananas for lunch. Afterwards, she filmed herself eating 'sweet leaf', waving palm leaves for mats and roofing and eating some more homegrown fruit and vegetables grown. 'I used to work in a concrete jungle, now I just work in the jungle,' she said 'I spend most of my day nude; free of restrictive clothing. I feast mostly on organic fruits and vegetables picked from the land,' Freelee said '11 years ago I renamed myself Freelee during a waterfast because freedom is what I hold most sacred in life,' she wrote on Instagram recently. 'Since then I've been shedding the layers that hold me back. I freed myself from the 9-5 slave drive and moved to the jungle. 'I spend most of my day nude; free of restrictive clothing. I feast mostly on organic fruits and vegetables picked from the land. 'I shower in monsoonal rains and drink from pristine creeks. I quit an unhealthy relationship and found peace. Freelee often enjoys jackfruit for breakfast which she grows herself Pictured above are fruits and vegetables that Freelee grew for herself on the property 'I haven't shaved my body hair, dyed my hair, or worn makeup in over six months... I'm feeling freer than ever in life,' she said 'I haven't shaved my body hair, dyed my hair, or worn makeup in over six months... I'm feeling freer than ever in life. This is not random good luck! You too CAN create this freedom, and I'm here to inspire you.' Freelee is aware her lifestyle is viewed as unusual by many, and to those she says 'being a weirdo is my specialty'. 'Please don't ever be afraid to be different, BE afraid to be like everyone else. You are a limited edition,' she said. Freelee decided to adopt a jungle lifestyle one morning when she woke up 'dreading the work day ahead'. Freelee grows fruit trees and enjoys gardening every day 'On the right I was presenting a false image of myself to others. The "pretty" me meant to impress strangers and often people I didnt even like,' she said of this image 'I was exhausted with the 9-5 grind. Waking to an alarm, commuting over a hour a day dressed in a restrictive suit, painting my face to "look the part", binding my feet in high heels, and faking a smile to the public,' she said. 'I was sick of working my life away making someone else rich. Maybe the worst, I was bored. I wanted to be turned on and to FEEL something meaningful everyday. 'That morning I decided to free myself from being a slave. There wasn't any social media back then so I transitioned by becoming a personal trainer with my own business. Soon after I found veganism and my true passion in life.' In October, 2017, the YouTuber hit back at male critics who insulted her body hair. Pictured is a glimpse inside the house she and her partner live in This is a picture of an average breakfast Freelee enjoys The 37-year-old, who has gained a large following for her often controversial videos, had shared a snap of herself showing off her armpit hair on Instagram. 'I haven't shaved my furry armpits in ages now and I love it. Not only that but I no longer shave my legs, arms, face or pubes,' she said. 'No more cuts, bumps, rashes, wasting time with hot waxes and painful strips or visiting expensive salons. 'Best of all I find it really empowering as a female to embrace all my hair and not give a f**k what the brainwashed mainstream thinks.' In October, 2017, the YouTuber hit back at male critics who insulted her body hair The 37-year-old vegan blogger, who has gained a large following for her often controversial videos, had shared a snap of herself showing off her armpit hair on Instagram She also took to YouTube to explain her decision and why she feels it's important to embrace her natural appearance. 'I have been through periods in my life where I haven't shaved anything and it felt good... but for some reason I came back and started shaving but not anymore,' she said. 'I actually feel so liberated and empowered from the simple act of not shaving. When you think about it, it's actually a big deal not to shave in this suppressive society. I am no longer conforming to a sexist standard set by the media. 'I haven't shaved my furry armpits in ages now and I love it. Not only that but I no longer shave my legs, arms, face or pubes,' she said She also took to YouTube to explain her decision and why she feels it's important to embrace her natural appearance 'If I was born with this hair, why am I trying to constantly get rid of it?' As a result, Freelee's Instagram page and YouTube channel were flooded with comments criticising her armpit hair and labelling her 'disgusting'. 'It's a strange world we now live in. I was somewhat surprised and disappointed about the amount of insulting comments coming from men on my hairy armpit post,' Freelee said. 'This IS a gender issue. Let's remind ourselves that men HAVE ARMPIT HAIR and don't have any pressure or expectation to shave it. The good thing is ladies that your natural body hair will repel these superficial men who can't handle you being your unapologetic self. 'If I was born with this hair, why am I trying to constantly get rid of it?' She said As a result, Freelee's Instagram page and YouTube channel were flooded with comments criticising her armpit hair and labelling her 'disgusting' 'You will attract a more confident secure man who will appreciate your decision to embrace your authentic self. What a gift!' Shaving is not the only thing Freelee has given up, with the blogger also ditching all make up, shampoo and beauty treatments. As a result, she has saved more than $4,000. 'It's been almost a year since I've dyed my hair, I calculated I've saved around $2,000 on that,' she said. 'It was exhausting trying to maintain an unrealistic standard set by fake photoshopped media pics,' she said 'I've stopped wearing synthetic eyelashes at around $100 a month. No longer getting eyebrows sugar waxed and tinted around $50 a month. Not to mention trying expensive face treatments in the past (did nothing) or the make up I spent too long applying. 'I used to put makeup on my red dot between brows, shave my baby hair fluff on my face and cover my freckles. Mostly to 'look good' for complete strangers. 'These human characteristics are only sold to us as 'flaws that need fixing' in order to sell us useless expensive f*****g products. Ugh. It was exhausting trying to maintain an unrealistic standard set by fake photoshopped media pics.' Shaving is not the only thing Freelee has given up, with the blogger also ditching all make up, shampoo and beauty treatments Freelee also recently shared a photo of her 'hairy legs' online and said that while she has changed now, she has posted 'fake posey photos' in the past to look like the 'standard desirable female stereotype'. 'I know many of you don't follow me on YouTube for female empowerment and authenticity posts but that's the direction I'm heading, of course veganism ties in nicely,' she said. 'This may negatively impact my channel and social media but I just gotta go with my heart. I'm not claiming to be the realest b***h out there but I'm peeling the layers.' With Valentine's Day just around the corner, plenty of would-be romantics will be scouring the shelves for a bargainous bottle of bubby or wine for their cosy night in. Look no further. Thanks to a slew of delicious, yet affordable varieties on sale, savvy buyers won't have to break the bank just to clink a glass of celebratory champagne. Here, FEMAIL reveals the best wine and champagne bottles you can get your hands on this Valentine's Day - with one delectable French option costing as little as AUD $8. Cheers! With Valentine's Day just around the corner, plenty of would-be romantics will be scouring the shelves for a bargainous bottle of bubby or wine for their cosy night in (stock image) Here, FEMAIL reveals the best wine and champagne bottles you can get your hands on this Valentine's Day - with one option costing as little as AUD $8 (pictured) Over at ALDI , there's a dreamy Valentine's Day offering, in the shape of their Veuve Olivier French Sparkling Wine NV, which retails for $7.99 (left, right, stock image) Over at ALDI, there's a dreamy Valentine's Day offering, in the shape of their Veuve Olivier French Sparkling Wine NV, which retails for $7.99 and is already proving popular: 'From the Charente region in France and the Mancha region of Spain, this fresh, dry and fruit-driven bubbly is full of citrus and toasted honey flavours,' a spokesperson explained. The purse-friendly option will pair beautifully with fish or chicken this Valentine's Day night - and has already received rave reviews on social media with people describing it as 'a snip' and 'very impressive'. Aldi are also offering bouquets of 50 red roses for $50, from Wednesday 14 February, as part of their Special Buys range, as well as a Corte Carista Prosecco DOC NV, for $9.99. Dan Murphy's also has plenty of good choices, including the $24.99 Lovers Not Toreadors Rose (left), and the Freixenet Prosecco NV, for $24.99 (right) Meanwhile, at Dan Murphy's, there is an array of choices for your special night. The Minchinbury Moscato, which retails for $10, features 'notes of musk and candied strawberries to create a vibrant finish'. Wine experts from the Dan Murphy's wine panel also said the option would work perfectly with 'appetisers, sweet brunch dishes, dessert or alone as an aperitif'. If rose is more your style, why not try the Chapel Hill Sangiovese Rose 2017, which costs $20? 'Perfect for a romantic evening with your loved one, the 2017 Sangiovese is full of fresh and juicy flavours, brimming with cranberry and pomegranate aromas,' the wine experts told FEMAIL. They recommend pairing this option with grilled seafood and simple pasta dishes. The Minchinbury Moscato, which retails for $10, features 'notes of musk and candied strawberries to create a vibrant finish' (left), while the Chapel Hill Rose costs $20 (right) Dan Murphy's is also currently home to a Freixenet Prosecco NV, for $24.99. Sold in a striking gold bottle and 'designed to be a sparkling showstopper', the Prosecco is filled with 'fresh citrus, apple and floral aromas'. 'It's perfect as an accompaniment to seafood, cured meats, summer salads and hard cheeses'. The wine experts also recommended a $24.99 bottle of Lovers Not Toreadors Rose, 2015, from Dan Murphy's. 'Wanting to bring a bit of European flair to dinner with your significant other? Add a touch of passion from Espana with Lovers Not Toreadors Rose,' they explained. 'This wine is generously packed with fresh cherry and strawberry tones which nod to its vibrant colour. Herb aromas, supple textures and seductive mineral length make this an ideal lovers' wine.' Enjoy with rustic tapas, seafood paella, Jamon Iberico and cheese. Last but not least, on the more luxe side of things, you can invest in a Lanson Rose gift box, for $72.99, which comes with two champagne flutes (pictured) The Joseph Perrier Josephine Brut Cuvee Vintage 2004 (left), costs a cool $164.99 (right, stock image) Last but not least, on the more luxe side of things, you can invest in a Lanson Rose gift box, for $72.99, which comes alongside two champagne flutes, or a Joseph Perrier Josephine Brut Cuvee Vintage 2004, for a cool $164.99. 'The Lanson Rose Label exudes delicacy and purity, making it delicious to enjoy on its own or the perfect accompaniment when served with goat's cheese, salmon or even fresh red berry desserts,' the wine experts revealed. 'The Cuvee Josephine invites you to a fine meal to match its complex yet subtle expression: Foie Gras fried with assorted caremlised fruits (figs, oranges, bilberries) has a softness and richness that echoes the structure of the champagne,' they added. Over the past few months, clever interior design pros have been sharing their genius Kmart 'hacks' and thrifty creations on social media. And now Lisa McInnes-Nelson, the founder of Leilah and Lyla Home, has shared one of the most luxe transformations yet. The 37-year-old, from Melbourne, has been into interior design for many years as a hobby and had been searching everywhere for bar stools to match her white kitchen and gold decor/taps. Lisa McInnes-Nelson, the founder of Leilah and Lyla Home, has shared one of the most luxe Kmart transformations yet (pictured is the original Kmart stool) The 37-year-old, from Melbourne, has been into interior design for many years as a hobby and had been searching everywhere for bar stools to match her white kitchen and stunning gold decor/taps (pictured is the final result) But when all the stools she came across cost upwards of $500 - some even as much as $1,000 - she decided to take matters into her own hands and get crafty with her DIY skills. Ms McInnes-Nelson began by purchasing three 'White Industrial Stools' from Kmart which are just $25 each. 'Basically I went into Kmart, bought three of the stools and found a factory that could sand blast them to take off the white paint,' she told FEMAIL. Ms McInnes-Nelson began by purchasing three 'White Industrial Stools' from Kmart which are just $25 each The stool on the left costs a staggering $539 while the one on the right costs $579.99 Ms McInnes-Nelson regularly shares snaps of her stunning home interiors on Instagram 'After they sand blasted the paint off I went to Bunnings and bought gold paint and sprayed them - the paint cost just $10 a tin.' Ms McInnes-Nelson then took the stools to a kitchen shop to be two packed to match the exact white shade of the kitchen - a process that cost around $90 a stool but left them in immaculate condition. The stylish interiors pro was thrilled with the result and said while her stools cost around $150 each, she has seen very similar stools for over $1,000 in other stools. 'I know the style is something that will probably go out of fashion in a year or two so I didn't want to spend a heap of money,' she said. This isn't the first time Ms McInnes-Nelson has impressed with her Kmart hacks, with the clever stylist also turning a $15 Kmart pet bowl into a chic gold and white creation to match her kitchen To do so, she purchased two white bowls for $2 and made a contraption that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing 'I took the chance and it paid off. I've been contacted by so many people asking me how I did it! 'I have such a passion for decorating and I love sharing my tricks and tips with others. I live and breathe interiors.' This isn't the first time Ms McInnes-Nelson has impressed with her Kmart hacks, with the clever stylist also turning a $15 Kmart pet bowl into a chic gold and white creation to match her kitchen. To do so, she purchased two white bowls for $2 and made a contraption that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands was back to her polished best as she carried out a second day of royal duties in Indonesia. The Dutch royal, 46, looked sleek in a navy and cream ensemble as she met with the country's president Joko Widodo before visiting a group of local motorcycle taxi drivers in the capital of Jakarta on Tuesday. She donned a chic cropped cream jacket and fitted navy pencil skirt, which she teamed with a pair of elegant nude and black heeled pumps. Maxima accessorised the look with a pair of pearl drop earrings and a matching necklace. She wore her blonde locks straight and in a simple down do. Ready for business! Queen Maxima of the Netherlands opted for a sleek cream and navy ensemble as she carried out a busy day of engagements in Jakarta on Tuesday Local business: Maxima stopped to pose with drivers who work for a motorcycle taxi firm Maxima appeared in excellent spirits as she carried out the engagements, sharing a joke with President Widodo as they met in one of the palace's grand reception rooms. She later beamed as she perched on the back of a moped while meeting employees of Go-Jek - an Asian taxi and logistics company. The mother-of-three, who is on a working visit to southeast Asia, spent two days in China with husband King Willem-Alexander last week where she joined Dutch Ambassador to China Ed Kronenburg and his wife Liliane for luncheon in Beijing. Royal visitor: The Dutch queen consort arrives at the presidential palace for a meeting Good spirits: The mother-of-three smiled and laughed as she carried out meetings on Tuesday Business first: Maxima and President Widodo chatted as they toured the presidential palace She is now enjoying on a two-day solo visit to Indonesia in her capacity as the United Nations Secretary-Generals Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development. According to the Royal Household of the Netherlands, Maxima's visit aims to boost Indonesias National Strategy for Financial Inclusion, helping locals to access savings accounts, loans, pensions and insurance. After stopping off at Lampung on the island of Sumatra yesterday, she will meet with the secretariat of the Inclusive Finance National Council on Tuesday. Light-hearted: The pair found time to share a joke while discussing the financial issues Photo call: Maxima and President Widodo shake hands in a reception room inside the palace Productive visit: Maxima meets with Minister of Human Development Puan Maharani Local connection: Maxima met with employees of Go-Jek, an Asian mobile transport service The glamorous royal has visited Indonesia twice before in her UN role, in April 2012 and in August 2016. An international financier by training, Maxima was born in Argentina and married into the Dutch royal family in 2002, three years after meeting her husband-to-be in Seville, Spain. The King and Queen are parents to three daughters; Catharina-Amalia, 14, Alexia, 12, and Ariane, 10. Despite reportedly having no inkling that Willem-Alexander was heir to the throne when the pair first met, she eventually became Queen consort when her husband ascended to the throne. Willem-Alexander became king after his mother, Beatrix, abdicated in April 2013 after 33 years as reigning monarch. Terminally ill actress Leah Bracknell has called for more NHS funding after revealing how over-stretched doctors missed her cancer. In 2016 the former Emmerdale star, 53, suddenly felt breathless while climbing stairs and her abdomen swelled up, but she saw four GPs in 10 days before she was finally taken to A&E. 'I was dying, but the urgency of the situation was completely missed,' she told The Daily Star, as she called for the government to give the NHS a cash injection. 'The funding crisis and resultant staff shortages cannot meet demand.' The star who played Zoe Tate as diagnosed with inoperable and incurable stage 4 lung cancer and started targeted biological therapy on the NHS to prolong her life. On her blog, Something Beginning With C, she's also spoke about how long it takes to get urgent diagnostic tests from the overstretched health service. 'Even now, receiving treatment at a cutting edge NHS cancer centre, urgent scans are taking up to three weeks to come back due to the severe shortage of qualified radiographers,' she said. In August 2017, the actress and yoga teacher revealed the treatment had stopped working and that she was relying on alternative treatments such as plant-based healing oils and sessions in an infrared sauna. Scroll down for video Former Emmerdale star Leah Bracknell, 53, has revealed that doctors initially missed her cancer before she was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in October 2016 Leah was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in October 2016, and feared she would die within a year of receiving the devastating news Her now husband Jez set up a GoFundMe page in the hope of raising funds to pay for further immunotherapy and integrative medicine at a German Clinic, raising 64,560 thus far. Last month, it emerged that Leah wed her long-term partner author Jez Hughes, 44, in March last year after discovering her treatment had stopped working. The husband and wife said their vows in the drawing room at Park House - a grade II listed Georgian building Horsham, Sussex on March 10. In December the actress and yoga teacher appeared on Lorraine where she told the host that she wanted to teach people how to embrace life, and said that she still has hope for the future despite feeling 'written off' by some. Former Emmerdale star Leah Bracknell quietly married her long-term partner Jez Hughes in a small ceremony in March last year The star is a devoted yoga practitioner and has tried alternative treatments such as healing In a blog post last month to mark a year since her diagnosis, Leah insisted she sees cancer as a teacher she can learn from rather than an enemy DOES THE NHS RECEIVE ENOUGH FUNDING? Campaigners have argued for years that the NHS is strapped of cash and desperately needs more funding to cope on a day-to-day basis. it is now in the midst of its worst financial crisis in a generation, they warn, as the health service struggles to function on a tightly-constrained budget. A&E waiting times have soared to record levels, tens of thousands of patients have had to wait outside casualty units for treatment and dozens of trusts have reported they have no free beds this winter. NHS England has been allocated 123 billion this financial year from the Budget - but further cash injections have been asked for. Last November, Chancellor Philip Hammond promised the health service a 2.8 billion cash injection over two years but this was a third of what experts demanded. Health trusts across the country have reported severe financial constraints in recent years as chiefs tightens their purse strings. Advertisement 'It is still my life, other people were writing me off quicker. Even people close to me, I don't mean to be unkind, but people are embarrassed, they dont know what to do,' she said on the show. 'They... are feeling very pitiful. The one thing that nobody wants is to be pitied. 'It feels like all my power has been taken away,' she said. 'This [her positive approach] is very much about how we can hold onto our power in order to deal with doctors and hospitals and retain authority. 'The point is, its life and living. I am alive until the point I am not. That for me is the key, not to surrender to something else.' But she recently revealed in an interview with the Mirror how people had stopped offering her work since learning of her cancer battle. 'No one is employing me since I was diagnosed, the phone hasnt been ringing,' she said. Despite the setbacks, Leah said she is determined to remain positive and insists she sees cancer as a 'teacher' she can learn positive lessons from, rather than an enemy. She has undergone immunotherapy treatment in Germany, which is not available on the NHS. The treatment 'reprogrammes' the body's defence system to attack cancerous cells. Trials show it could stop cancer from spreading and reduce tumour size. LEAH BRACKNELL'S BATTLE WITH CANCER Leah was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in October 2016 and faced a race against time to raise 50,000 to pay for pioneering treatment in Germany. The award-winning actress, who played lesbian Zoe Tate in the ITV soap for 16 years, had been told by doctors that her cancer is not curable and not operable. An online appeal was launched to raise funds so Leah could visit the clinic that specialises in DNA-based immunotherapy and within 24 hours of her announcement fans had raised a staggering 40,000. Donations poured in from more than 1,700 people, including a 5,000 pledge from one anonymous donor. Now that total is up to 62,355 and Leah has been receiving treatment she hopes will increase her life expectancy. Miss Bracknell, a 52-year-old mother-of-two to Lily, 25, and Maya, 21, who is believed to be a vegetarian and a non-smoker, said she felt fit and healthy just weeks before she was diagnosed. She was about to start rehearsing for a comedy play alongside her work as a yoga teacher. But in a matter of days she had become breathless climbing stairs and her abdomen swelled so much that she looked heavily pregnant. When her heart rate rose to 180 beats per minute she was taken to hospital. There, a litre of fluid was drained from her heart and doctors diagnosed her with stage four lung cancer. In an emotional post online, Miss Bracknell said: 'I was told later, without that [emergency procedure], I would have died. So I am beyond grateful. The bad news is that I have been diagnosed with lung cancer, stage 4. In their opinion, that means it's terminal, not curable, not operable. 'A fairly brutal and bleak diagnosis but one I am determined to challenge and see from the perspective of 'a glass half full', going against a lifetime of pessimism, negativity and fear!' Mr Hughes explained the 50,000 target would pay towards Miss Bracknell receiving potentially life-saving treatments at the Hallwang clinic. He explained that the clinic uses 'DNA testing to attack the specific cancer cells in your body', and there are cases where 'previously 'incurable' cancers go into complete remission'. In his fundraising appeal he said: 'She has responded with incredible positivity and we're determined to fight this. 'After a month of researching and getting advice from professionals, we've found there are incredible breakthroughs being made in clinics in Europe that combine the best of integrative (alternative) medicine with the most cutting edge modern treatments such as immunotherapy.' As vet and landowner Zoe Tate in Emmerdale, Miss Bracknell portrayed the first lesbian in a British soap. Her farewell from the show in 2005 won her the 'Best Exit' at the 2006 British Soap Awards. She has also appeared on TV in Judge John Deed, A Touch Of Frost, DCI Banks and daytime soap The Royal Today. She has also toured the country on stage in productions ranging from Shakespeare to pantomime. Miss Bracknell lived in Yorkshire for 25 years before moving to Worthing, West Sussex. Advertisement The experimental treatment isn't a permanent medication as it stops working when the cancer starts to resist it. She's also had Mexican shamans by her hospital bed in an attempt to heal her. Shamanic healers believe that illness has a spiritual cause and results in a loss of energy or power. Leah has been practicing yoga for 15 years and also teaches it. She cites it as a way to keep her calm and positive in the face of her devastating diagnosis. Sir David Hare's new political thriller for BBC2 is set in modern day London so it's little surprise that the capital's rich cultural make-up is reflected in the show's characters. The four-part series aired its first episode last night and the majority of viewers glued to the detective drama were quick to praise the diversity of characters, portrayed by an all-star cast that includes Carey Mulligan, Billie Piper and John Simm. However, the drama, which asks questions about the treatment of immigrants in the UK, was accused by some of playing 'PC bingo', saying the programme was 'stuffed' to the gills with 'PC stereotypes'. Scroll down for video Sir David Hare's new four-part drama for BBC2, starring Carey Mulligan as pregnant Detective Inspector Kip Glaspie, aired last night and was widely praised by viewers for showing an accurate portrayal of modern day London in its cast of characters Mulligan's character is called to investigate the killing of a Syrian refugee Abdullah, who was slain while delivering a pizza by what appears to be a mystery markswoman The discovery of Abdullah's body led Glaspie's team to a garage, where his two sisters, also immigrants from Syria were living Polictical: Hare's drama questions how Britain treats refugees arriving in the UK The first episode of the show saw Abdullah, a Syrian refugee working as a pizza delivery driver slain while delivering a quattro formaggio with a mysterious 'special k' topping to the upper-class single mother Karen Mars (Billie Piper). The ensuing hour saw a diverse spectrum of characters introduced by Hare including the family of immigrants Abdullah left behind, a pregnant police officer (Carey Mulligan's Kip Glaspie) and a lesbian vicar...and the realistic reflection of London's cultural melting pot was praised by many. @GlobalMatters17 wrote: 'The "PC gone mad" crowd are in their usual state of angry fuming at #Collateral showing South London diversity right now. Good job BBC.' @avocadamn added: 'Yawning at the people moaning about the BBC being overly PC by including diverse minorities in #Collateral. It would be inaccurate to not present south london as a fantastic melting pot of cultures.' Last night's episode also saw Nicola Walker's character Jane Oliver, a vicar, embroiled in a potential scandal after she persuades her local MP (John Simm's David Mars) to sign an illegal visa form for her partner Linh (Kae Alexander) The couple will potentially be torn apart after drug-taking Linh gets caught up in the murder of the Syrian refugee after witnessing the attack Others disagreed, suggesting the BBC was shoehorning in characters to show a diverse range of people. @Sage_Opinion wrote: 'Sounds like they needed to meet some diversity quotas and decided to get it over with in one show...' @GirlOnStuff added: '#collateral Bloody hell was the script writing playing PC bingo?! They need to shout 'House'' @h8kes added: #collateral Anymore PC stereotypes that the BBC can stuff in to this?' @WonderlandsFan penned: 'Cliches & stereotypes galore in supposedly 'high octane' #Collateral. More like biodiesel. Most exciting thing was the pizza.' Carey Mulligan leads a glittering cast in Collateral, who were clearly tempted in by the chance to work with Sir David Hare. While filming, Mulligan revealed how she coped with being pregnant on set. The BAFTA Award-winning actress said she told series writer Dave Hare that she was expecting her second child as the show was being cast. She then asked if she could still play the part while pregnant to which he said yes. 'I loved that he didn't rewrite my character, that he just didn't make a fuss about it. It felt more real to life, because when you're pregnant you do just go about your life,' she said. A woman whose weight plummeted to just 89lbs when she was in the grip of anorexia has revealed how the turning point came when doctors warned her her body was 'shutting down'. Em Haas, 24, from New Jersey, in New York, was just five when she was first targeted by school bullies, an ongoing ordeal that - coupled with her family's habit of comparing her to her slimmer sister - she says set her on the path to a devastating battle with the eating disorder. By the time she was 15, Em weighed just 89lbs (6st 5lbs), and wore a US size 0, after dramatically restricting her calorie intake and lying to her parents about what she was eating - by 'burying, hiding or throwing away' her food. After becoming 'obsessed' with further reducing her shrinking frame, Em says the shocking remarks by doctors - who told her her heart rate had slowed from a normal rate of between 60 to 100 beats per minute to just 35 - made her realise she had to change. Now 24 and 140lbs, not only has Em battled her way back to health after taking up weight training, she's achieved something she never would have thought possible as a desperately frail teen - she's a qualified fitness trainer. Em Haas, 24, from New Jersey, whose weight plummeted to six stone after bullies drove her to become an anorexic has defied them by recovering from her condition (seen left before and right after) After landing the fashion industry job she'd dreamed about when she regained her health, Em realised her new passion was actually the weight lifting she'd taken up to gain pounds - something she now puts into use almost daily in her role as a personal trainer. Opening up about her journey, Em admits her confidence issues were triggered by comments made about her body. 'I was bullied in school and by family members regarding my weight, and constantly compared to my older sister who didn't struggle as much with a weight issue,' she said. 'What was being absorbed into my sub-conscious at a young age grew, and I became super body-conscious as a teenager who equated worthiness or acceptance with being thin. 'The beginning of my illness started simply by restricting my food and doing long hours of cardio, quickly realising that the more I did and less I made up for it in the kitchen, the more I lost. 'I became obsessed with getting smaller as it meant more instances to show my family and others who had teased me growing up that I was 'good enough', out of spite and self-hatred. Em was only five years old when she started getting bullied at school, and the negative comments began sinking into her subconscious, leading her to restrict her food (seen on the road to recovery) By the age of 17, she reached a healthy weight of 10st (140lbs) and UK size 6 to 8 (US size 10-12), landing a role in the fashion industry before pursuing a career in fitness (seen now at 24) 'The more people noticed or commented on how small I was, the better I felt about myself. From April to August, I had gone from 135lbs to 140lbs (10 stone) to about 89lbs (6.5st),' she said. 'My whole summer was spent lying to loved ones, pushing my worried family away so I could be alone with my illness. 'I would bury, hide and throw away food, kicking and screaming when my mum would sit me down to watch me eat, feeling like a child all over again.' 'I became super body-conscious as a teenager who equated worthiness or acceptance with being thin', she said (pictured as a teen when she dropped to just 6st 5Ibs) 'I became obsessed with getting smaller as it meant more instances to show my family and others who had teased me growing up that I was 'good enough' out of spite and self-hatred', Em admitted 'I would bury, hide and throw away food, kicking and screaming when my mum would sit me down to watch me eat, feeling like a child all over again,' Em said of her illness (seen left when she did 'hours' of cardio and right when tripled her calorie count and started weight training) Em's toxic relationship with eating finally began to change when a doctor told her that her body was shutting down, and that she would never achieve her dream of working in the fashion industry if she continued to starve herself. 'But this time, I never felt more disgusted, ashamed and uncomfortable in my own skin,' she remembered. 'With a heart rate of thirty-five beats per minute, the doctors finally just told me and my parents, for me to start recovering or my body was going to continue shutting down,' said Em. 'After a few months of just 'going through the motions', putting on weight for family and doctors to get off my back, I started to realise how much I was missing in my life. 'I began to notice girls my age having curves, going out with boys, fitting into clothing, while the opposite sex was afraid to touch me; all the bones were still showing through my clothes and dresses were the only thing that fit me. When a doctor told her that her body was shutting down and she would never reach her dream of working in the fashion industry if she continued starving herself she turned her life around 'Another huge wake-up call was when my doctor pointed out to me during a check-up that my dream of going to New York and pursuing my career in fashion design would never happen if I didn't recover,' Em said (seen during her recovery) 'Another huge wake-up call was when my doctor pointed out to me during a check-up that my dream of going to New York and pursuing my career in fashion design would never happen if I didn't recover,' she added. 'Overcoming anorexia has allowed me to have a new appreciation for my body than just looking a certain way.' Em began training in the gym, building up her weight and muscle mass, noticing that her confidence was slowly improving. 'After feeling my muscles burning out with five-pound dumbbells, my joints feeling brittle and my heart racing when I would sneak out on runs while my mum was at work, there is no greater feeling than feeling like my body has no limit when it comes to reaching its optimal potential,' she said. Em began training in the gym, building up her weight and muscle mass, noticing that her confidence was slowly improving 'Overcoming anorexia has allowed me to have a new appreciation for my body than just looking a certain way', she said (seen now aged 24) 'It physically does not make sense that I am even alive today so therefore I feel like I was given a second chance for a reason.' From consuming as little as 230 to 290 calories a day, Em now eats a wide variety of high fiber food, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and good sources of fat. She now consumes between 2,000 and 2,100 calories a day, and weight trains four days a week. 'I found that by chasing the physical side of recovery first, is what took my confidence so long to heal,' Em said. 'It physically does not make sense that I am even alive today so therefore I feel like I was given a second chance for a reason,' Em admits she was close to dying From consuming as little as 230 to 290 calories a day, Em now eats a wide variety of high fiber food, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and good sources of fat. She now consumes between 2,000 to 2,100 calories a day and weight trains four days a week (L now- R before) 'Stop living in your head and start living in your heart. Your life begins the moment you love yourself,' Em is now happy in herself (seen before left and after right) 'This is something that I continue to stress to my clients now; chasing the physical side of fitness won't last long, it's developing the mindset and the self-confidence that makes you recover. 'My family and friends see how motivated, happy and self-confident I am without having the illness control me anymore. 'Stop living in your head and start living in your heart. Your life begins the moment you love yourself. 'I find myself to be a strong, beautiful light in this world that I want to continue to shine on others who are still in the dark.' A size eight model says laxatives have 'ruined' her body - after she became addicted to them while coming under pressure from an agency to lose weight. Nia Marshalsay-Thomas, 30, from Aberystwyth, described how she began taking over-the-counter laxatives in a bid to get 'the perfect figure'. The former Miss Wales explained how she started by taking one a day, before increasing the dosage until her body 'no longer worked'. She said a doctor told her that she had become 'dependent' on them, and she has now been prescribed laxatives that she has to take twice a day. Scroll down for video Model Nia Marshalsay-Thomas, from Aberystwyth, described how she began taking over-the-counter laxatives in a bid to lose weight Speaking on the S4C programme Ein Byd, or Our World, Nia explained how she was made to feel 'ashamed' of her body while working in the fashion industry, including one instance when she was asked to model bridal dresses. 'All of the sample size dresses were a UK size 6-8, and I'm an 8-10,' she said. I felt like I was the biggest one there. 'I left there feeling really degraded. I felt like they were trying to hide my body under the bigger dresses because the smaller ones didn't fit me. I was made to feel ashamed of my body.' Shortly afterwards, Nia said she received a message from a modelling agency who expressed an interest in representing her. The former Miss Wales said she was approached by a modelling agency who said they would represent her if she slimmed down The model and presenter began taking laxatives and says she has now become dependent on them. After seeing a doctor, she was prescribed laxatives (pictured) to take twice a day After sending her measurements to the agency, she was told that they would only be willing to represent her if she lost weight and slimmed down to a 'genuine size eight'. Feeling under pressure to lose weight, she said she turned to over-the-counter laxatives. 'I started off taking one a day,' Nia said. 'Then when my body got used to that and it no longer worked for me. 'I increased the dosage until I was taking so many that my body just didn't work without them.' Nia said she was made to feel 'ashamed' of her body while working in the modelling industry She said the agency told her they would only represent her if she slimmed down to a 'genuine size eight' The former Miss Wales described one instance where she was asked to model bridal dresses and she felt like the 'biggest one there' Once the laxatives had stopped having an effect, Nia was forced to go to her doctor where it became apparent that her body had become dependent upon them. Since then, the model and TV presenter has been prescribed laxatives which she takes twice a day, every day. Speaking to Ein Byd, the presenter said: 'My life now revolves around it - it's really embarrassing. Nia says her life 'now revolves' around laxatives, describing it as an 'embarrassing' situation She says she hopes others can learn from her experience by being happy in their own skin Nia described her story on the S4C programme Ein Byd, or Our World, which airs tonight 'If you go anywhere, you have to take it with you. It's had a massive impact on my life 10 years down the line.' Nia, who still works in modelling, said she was hopeful others could learn from her experience by being happy in their own skin, rather than feeling the pressure to fit a 'perfect image'. She said: 'If I'd have realised before that I could do all this as me and embrace who I am, rather than trying to change to suit the industry, I would never, ever have done it and my body would still be working as it should be.' Ein Byd airs at 9.30pm on S4C on February 13. Nia, who is still a model, said she wishes that she'd realised that she could still work in the industry while embracing her natural size, instead of trying to change her body Viewers have slammed a woman who said crying babies should be removed from cafes. Journalist Kelly Rose Bradford said mothers should be more considerate and take their children outside - and out of earshot - when they cry, and not be offended at being asked to leave. Her remarks come after it emerged that a mother had been asked to step outside of a busy south London cafe to settle her crying baby, because it had screamed consistently for three minutes. The decision sparked an onslaught of criticism from fellow parents on social media, but the cafe's owner insisted: 'We are a cafe, not a creche.' The stance was backed by Bradford - a mother of one - on This Morning today, who argued that some mothers are more interested in taking photos of their food to post on Instagram than attending to their crying children. But viewers watching at home branded her 'obnoxious', and urged her to be more sympathetic to mums struggling to calm their children down. Journalist Kelly Rose Bradford said crying babies should be banne from cafes because they are inconsiderate to other diners Bradford said that parents don't get as frustrated by their babies' cries as other people might, because they 'zone it out'. She explained: 'I know what when I sit in cafes I see women with their prams, baby red-faced and screaming in the pram, they'll be jiggling the pram with one hand, phone out taking a picture of their cake to put on Instagram with the other. 'I think it's about attending to your baby's needs straight away.' Viewers were shocked by her argument, with many telling her to 'get over it'. Viewers slammed her argument, with one saying 'People forget we were all children once' One tweeted: 'Sometimes settling a baby is a challenge. Being told to leave would be humilating & infuriating. Babies cry, get over it.' 'OMG if someone asked me to pop outside in winter with my new baby because he was crying he wouldn't be the only one crying by the time I'd finished!' another said. Another argued: 'Parenthood is hard enough, ive started breastfeeding to quieten my baby and then get judged for that! Cant win whatever you do![sic]' 'The owner of the Brick House Bakery said customers were complaining about the levels of noise Nilufer Ati called the cafe's decision 'discrimination' and said the mother was 'shamed and humiliated' by them At the weekend staff approached a woman at the Brick House Bakery in East Dulwich, and requested that she step outside to settle her screaming infant, because the noise was disturbing her fellow customers. Bradford said it was inconsiderate of the mother in question to let her baby cry, at the expense of other people were in the cafe trying to enjoy their food. She went on: 'There are an awful lot of other people in that cafe who want to enjoy their lunch, their cup of tea or what have you, and three minutes is an awfully long time to be listening to the ear splitting sound of a baby crying.' Bradford was countered in the debate by mum Nilufer Atik, who said the cafe's decision was a clear example of 'discrimination'. Atik said: 'I can't even begin to imagine how humiliated this poor woman felt when when she was asked to leave because her baby was crying for what, three minutes? The cafe owner couldn't tolerate it for three minutes. 'She was made to go stand outside in the cold with a tiny baby I think that's appalling. I think she was shamed and humiliated in front of all these people it was unnecessary.' A row broke out on social media hours after the mother told her friends she was suddenly asked to leave the trendy bakery A row broke out on social media hours after the mother told her friends she was suddenly asked to leave the trendy bakery. The owner of the cafe Owner Fergus Jackson previously told MailOnline: 'Parents have a responsibility to look after their children. We are a cafe, not a creche. 'We've had a number of complaints recently that our cafe is turning into a creche. We don't have a policy about crying children but as business owners we are responsible for the overall environment. 'She was very politely asked if she would step outside for a minute to settle the baby but she chose to leave.' A singleton looking for love in the First Dates Hotel felt herself blushing for all the wrong reasons, after she told her potential love match that she thought the Leaning Tower of Pisa was actually made from pizza. Twitter was awash with incredulity from viewers who saw Louise Whittaker, from Newport, make the embarrassing clanger in front of her date Ryan, from Birmingham. Barman Merlin Griffiths managed to just about keep a straight face...but there was plenty of social media guffawing on Twitter. Scroll down for video Louise Whittaker's date with rugby-playing Ryan was going pretty well...until she asked the question about what Italy's famous landmark was made of Realising that the Leaning Tower of Pisa probably wasn't made of stacked margherita pizzas An incredulous-looking Ryan asks Louise if she's being serious; when he realises she actually is, he throws his head back in laughter In their very first conversation after meeting at the bar, the couple had been discussing Florence - the First Dates Hotel is in Italy - and rugby-playing Ryan revealed that he had once been to Pisa on a sporting tour. Louise looked a little confused before asking her date whether the actual Leaning Tower of Pisa was made with pizza. It didn't take long for the clanger to get picked up on Twitter, with images of Leaning Towers of Pizza soon being shared. @magicme84 questioned: 'Omg @FirstDates...did she seriously just say that she thought it's called leaning tower of pizza?' Awkward! Barman Merlin Griffith manages to keep a straight face as the couple's first conversation takes an embarrassing turn @RichardHK83 created a comedy dialogue: 'HER: A leaning tower of pizza? ME : Sorry, it won't work out. Goodbye.' @YoyoS29 added: '"leaning tower of pizza". Frigging hilarious. She needs to work on her Geography.' Louise and Ryan's date did get better, as the Newport girl regaled her love match with tales of her cats; Persia and 'ASBO cat' Jackson, named after Michael Jackson. The pair seemed to get on like a house on fire despite Ryan admitting that he had ogled his dates breasts over the dinner table. Louise chastised him, saying: 'My mum and dad are watching this!' At the show's end, it was revealed that Louise had invited Brummie Ryan to her 30th birthday party - and that her dad had even begun topping up the wedding fund. Royal fans might have expected Meghan Markle to liven up the royal dress code with a touch of Hollywood glamour, but the bride-to-be has been adding her own style stamp by adding 'cool edges' to her chic outfits. As today's official visit to Scotland proves, the former Suits star, 36, is making subtle but significant style statements, stepping out in an unstructured, adrogynous coat, as opposed to the smart tailored number favoured by the Duchess of Cambridge This is Meghan's fifth official engagement with Harry and her Veronica Beard flares make it the fourth time she's worn trousers, even donning jeans for her first official visit to Wales in January. And rather than carrying a neat clutch like Kate or a handbag in the style of the Queen she was the first royal to step out with a trendy cross body bag, opting again for Scottish brand Strathberry. While the Queen and Kate are never seen in all-black outfits, except for events such as Remembrance Sunday or on the red carpet in the case of the Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan has made it her signature look since taking up royal duties. Celebrity stylist and designer Lucas Armitage told Femail: 'The cross body bag adds a cool girl edge in keeping with Meghan's signature style. 'Overall it's a chic looks but with a few cool edges. The tartan gives some added interest to an extremely polished appearance. She's being appropriate but definitely retaining her own look.' Meghan Markle today gave royal dressing an injection of cool in an androgynous Burberry tartan coat, a cross body bag and wide-legged trousers Rather than carrying a neat clutch like Kate or a handbag in the style of the Queen she was the first royal to step out with a trendy cross body bag from Strathberry Crowds have been gathering outside Edinburgh Castle since this morning in anticipation of the royal visit. Despite cold and wet weather royal fans braved the conditions to stake the best place to spot the couple on the castle's esplanade. Harry and his bride-to-be started the visit with a walkabout, meeting well-wishers before heading inside the historic fortress to watch as the One O'clock Gun is fired, a tradition started in 1861 to mark time for ships in the Firth of Forth. Ashley Torres, 25, a law student at Edinburgh University, had brought a bunch of tulips for the couple. She said: 'I bought these last night, I don't mind if Meghan or Harry takes them. For her most recent public appearance, Meghan surprised royal fans by wearing an Alexander McQueen trouser suit for her first red carpet event with Prince Harry Meghan, pictured with Harry in Brixton in January, has a penchant for unstructured coats with an androgynous feel and is making black trousers her uniform for public appearances The former Suits star chose black skinny jeans for her first official visit to Wales in January 'It's such a cute love story ... being set up by mutual friends. And it will be nice to see an American part of the British monarchy.' Friends Maggie Binnie, 29 and Alice McCourt, 23, both Scottish students, had staked a place on the esplanade against the crash barriers and waved Union flags featuring a picture of the prince and his fiancee. Ms Binnie said: 'I really do admire Meghan, she's got a good head on her shoulders and I also admire Harry for the mental health work he does and his work with military veterans.' The bride-to-be is determined to forge her own style path, by adding an edge to her polished outfits for official engagements The trip to Scotland is the fourth public appearance Ms Markle and Harry have made together and follows successful visits to Nottingham, Brixton in south London and Cardiff in the months that followed their engagement announcement in November. Kensington Palace said: 'Throughout the day Prince Harry and Ms Markle will have the opportunity to meet members of the public, learn more about organisations that work in the local community and nationwide, and celebrate youth in the Scottish Year of Young People 2018.' After the castle visit, the couple will move on to the New Town to visit Social Bite, a social enterprise cafe which distributes food and hot drinks to homeless people across Scotland each year, as well as employing staff who have experienced homelessness themselves. In the cafe, Harry and Ms Markle will learn more about the enterprise, as well as meeting staff and touring the kitchen. They will be the latest in a string of high-profile visitors to Social Bite premises. Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio stopped for lunch at Social Bite venture Home in Edinburgh's west end in November 2016, while the Duchess of Cornwall and actor George Clooney have been to Social Bite's Rose Street branch. Five elderly care home couples who haave been married for over 50 years have told their love stories ahead of Valentine's Day - including the secret to a long and successful marriage. Iris and Sidney Grimes, who are from Mildenhall, Suffolk, and have been married for over 73 years, were among the care home residents who shared their memories in a touching video made by Care UK. When asked if he was still in love with 94-year-old Iris, Sidney sweetly replied that he would 'rather hold her hand than anybody else's', before adding 'I think she's wonderful'. Meanwhile, Eric Halls, 91, from Lowestoft, revealed the secret to his marriage to wife Betty, 90 - commenting 'There's only one boss in the house and it's never the man!' Care home residents Iris and Sidney Grimes, from Mildenhall, Suffolk, have been married for over 73 years. When asked if he was still in love with Iris, Sidney replied that he would 'rather hold her hand than anybody else's' In the moving video, the older couples recalled their memories of their wedding day all those years ago. Eric said: 'When they stood outside, I mean everybody, even locals who came to see the wedding, all commented on Betty and her dress. Yes, breathtaking it was.' Meanwhile, Sidney, 96, added: 'As she walked up the aisle, I thought Grimes you've done yourself proud.' The couples also shared their tips for having a long and successful marriage. Betty and Eric Halls, from Lowestoft, have been married for 73 years. Eric, 90, revealed the secret behind their marriage - realising he's not the boss of the house Marion and Ray Old, from Cobham, have been married for 52 years. Marion, 73, described how she believes 'a ring on your finger is for life' Marion Old, 73, who has been married to husband Raymond for 52 years, said: 'You have your ups and downs, but you've got to be honest with each other.' She later described how 'A ring on your finger is for life', before turning to her husband and commenting 'Hope you think that'. Eric also added: 'The first thing you learn is not to be the boss of the house, there's only one boss and it's never the man!' The video also featured Joan and Bill Miles, from Orpington, who have been married for 64 years. Joan and Philip Osborne, from Hailsham, have been married for 60 years. Philip described how they met 'over a bucket', adding cheekily that he had been 'handsome' Joan and Bill Miles, from Orpington, have been married for 64 years. Bill, 88, described how he 'can't possibly manage without Joan' Asked whether he would be able to live without his wife, 88-year-old Bill replied: 'I can't possibly manage without Joan.' Joan and Philip Osborne, from Hailsham, who have been married for 60 years, described how they met 'over a bucket' in the video. When asked what first attracted 85-year-old Joan to Philip, he cheekily replied: 'I was handsome wasn't I?' The touching video featuring five couples who have been married for over 50 years was made by Care UK Geoff Edwards, operations director for Care UK, said: 'Many of the residents often speak fondly about their partners, how they met, their wedding day and their children and it's always so lovely to hear. 'We regularly celebrate big anniversaries at our care homes and understand the importance of maintaining relationships and celebrating life's milestones. 'At undoubtedly the most romantic time of the year, filming the video has been a really valuable reminiscence activity for residents particularly those living with dementia. 'It's been great for residents to share their life experiences and memories of their loved ones.' Meghan Markle may have barely touched down in Edinburgh, but her appearance has already sparked a sales frenzy with her 425 crossbody bag selling out in record time. Prince Harry's fiancee, 36, opted for a bottle green Strathberry East/ West mini for her first official visit to Scotland today - and within minutes it was listed as out of stock on the retailer's website. In a subtle nod to her hosts, Meghan paired the stylish dark green accessory - by an Edinburgh-based designer - with a tartan coat from Burberry. And the princess-in-waiting had barely stepped out with her fiance in Edinburgh before royal-watchers began snapping up her bag online. Scroll down for video The Meghan effect in full swing: Ms Markle opted for a bottle green Strathberry East/ West mini for her first visit to Scotland today, and within minutes it was listed as out of stock Sold out: Commenting on Meghan's latest accessory, Lucas Armitage told Femail: 'The cross body bag adds a cool girl edge in keeping with Meghan's signature style' MailOnline has contacted Strathberry for comment. The Spanish-made East/ West Mini, which comes in 12 different colourways, features the label's distinctive gold bar closure and is described as 'elegant and timeless'. Today's appearance is not the first example of the so-called 'Meghan effect'; the former Suits actress caused another Strathberry bag to fly off shelves back in December. She was spotted carrying the label's 495 midi-tote in burgundy, navy and vanilla for her first official engagement as Harry's bride-to-be back in November. And the stylish bag was later revealed to have sold out in just 11 minutes according to the label, launched in 2013. Sales boost: Meghan also carried Strathberry's 495 midi-tote in burgundy, navy and vanilla for her first official engagement as Harry's bride-to-be - and it sold out in just 11 minutes A spokesperson for Strathberry told MailOnline FEMAIL: 'We are pleased to welcome Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to Edinburgh on their first official visit to Scotland, and the support they are giving projects in our historic city is fantastic. 'It is such an honour to see Meghan carrying a Strathberry bag again; this time an East / West Mini in Bottle Green. 'We are especially thrilled that Meghan is carrying Strathberry in our home city and also after she chose to carry her Strathberry Midi Tote for her first royal engagement back in December. We wish them the very best for their upcoming nuptials.' For a family famous for their love of all things equestrian, there is one particular pony breed that really don't seem to have much time for the Windsors. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle became the latest victim of horseplay today, when they arrived in Edinburgh this morning and found themselves almost upstaged by an animated Shetland pony called Cruachan IV. The jet-black breed, nine, offered an over-familiar welcome to the soon-to-be-wed couple, with Harry forced to hold out his hands in defence at one point. After some nervous laughter as they awaited the animal's next move, the prince eventually he managed to stroke the decorated horse's nose. Don't start! Decorated Shetland pony Cruachan IV may have been wearing the same tartan as Meghan Markle but he wasn't in the mood for fun Prince Harry looked a little nervous in the presence of the highland breed, who appeared to be a little agitated Meghan laughs as Prince Harry eventually manages to stroke Cruachan IV I don't care who you are, I'm hungry! Cruachan IV, the mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, felt the wrath of the Queen last summer after he dared to eat her posy during a tour of Stirling Castle An offer from the Queen to pat the animal's nose got short shrift, as Cruachan IV's minder keeps him on a tight leash Cruachan IV, has form when it comes to accosting royals. The pony, who is the mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, was part of the guard of honour who greeted the Queen as she arrived to mark her 70th anniversary as Colonel-in-Chief of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. On camera, the pony's minder could be heard saying be 'gentle' as Her Majesty extended her gloved hand towards him. However, the decorated animal was having none of it and promptly found the pretty bouquet of flowers the Queen was holding as a light snack. Quit the horseplay! When the Queen spotted what the pony was up to, she told the decorated animal to 'go away' The Queen, who has a lifelong love of horses, swiftly pulled the blooms behind her back before saying to the pony's minder: 'They always try to eat the flowers'. The 91-year-old monarch was filmed telling Cruachan IV the Shetland pony to 'go away' when he tried to take a bite out of her posy during a visit to Stirling Castle last summer. And Camilla was also caught unawares, albeit by a different horse, when she visited an equestrian centre in Brixton, South London in February last year. Upstaged by a miniature pony! The Duchess of Cornwall found herself playing second fiddle to a white breed during a trip to a South London equestrian centre in 2017 The gathered photographers had a field day as the pony edged ever closer to the royal derriere Eventually Camilla picked up on the four-legged imposter - and dished out a few choice words Peace finally reigned after Camilla gingerly extended a hand towards the pony This time it was a white miniature pony that decided to get playful in the presence of royalty. With Camilla dressed in an eye-catching coat, the Duchess was upstaged by the pony as she posed for the press. The mischievous animal nudged up against the royal - and eventually caught her attention. Camilla then turned around swiftly and appeared to chastise the animal. Meghan Markle appeared to be channeling Princess Diana in Edinburgh today as she chose a tartan coat for the visit. The royal bride-to-be, 36, looked chic in the 1,995 Burberry coat, while giving a nod to Scotland with the tartan fabric. Her choice of navy and green check also bears a striking similarity to a dress worn by the Princess of Wales while attending the Highland Games in Bute in 1987. Diana, who was 26 at the time, wore a tartan wool dress by Bellville Sassoon, which featured a lace collar and sleeves, along with a pleated skirt. Meghan appeared to be giving a nod to Princess Diana with the Burberry tartan coat that she wore on a visit to Edinburgh with Prince Harry today The Duchess of Cambridge has also previously sported tartan in the past, wearing an Alexander McQueen coat dress to mark St Andrew's Day back in 2012. Commenting on Meghan's choice of tartan, stylist Lucas Armitage told FEMAIL: 'Tartan is synonymous with Scottish culture and its not just Meghan who has thought about giving a nod to all thing tartan, princess Diana before her also created a bold look utilising the traditional fabric. 'Diana's style was closely watched and noted for not always being traditional for a royal so perhaps Meghan has taken inspiration for her own choices.' Rochelle White adds: 'Personally, I love this look. Meghan has such a good way of keeping true to her and her style while still embracing traditions. Princess Diana, who was 26 at the time, wore a tartan wool dress by Bellville Sassoon while attending the Highland Games in Bute in 1987 'This look is has a classic feel with a trendy touch that not suits Megan, but appeals to all her new fashion followers.' Meghan appears to be following in the footsteps of Kate, 36, in mastering the art of diplomatic dressing in choosing a tartan coat for her visit to Edinburgh with Prince Harry today. However, unlike the tailored coats often worn by the Duchess, the former Suits actress chose an unstructured, androgynous design - adding her own 'cool edges' to her ensembles. Meghan also gave another subtle nod to Scotland by choosing a cross-body bag by Scottish brand Strathberry. Meghan looked stylish in her green and navy checked coat, which is priced at 1,995 She also gave another subtle nod to Scotland with her cross-body bag by Scottish brand Strathberry, which sold out within minutes Meghan opted for an unstructured coat, paired with flared trousers by Veronica Beard The 425 bottle green bag sold out within 11 minutes of Meghan and Harry arriving in Edinburgh. She finished off her stylish look with a pair of Veronica Beard flares and a pair of black heels. Today is not the first time that Meghan has sported a checked print, appearing to give a nod to her father-in-law to be by choosing a Prince of Wales check for her visit to Cardiff last month. Diana was photographed wearing tartan on a number of occasions, including on official engagements to Scotland. Following her death in 1997, Lochcarron of Scotland created a bespoke blue and pink tartan in memory of Diana. Meghan wore an off-the-shoulder top featuring a Prince of Wales check during her visit to Cardiff last month A Utah elementary school has told girls attending its Valentine's Day dance that they are not allowed to turn down boys who ask them to dance. Kanesville Elementary in West Haven holds annual holiday dance every year and has enforced this rule in the past, but this year, a parent is finally taking issue with it. Natalie Richard, whose daughter is in the sixth grade at the school, told Fox 13 that she thinks the policy sends a harmful message to both male and female students. Scroll down for video #ThemToo: Kanesville Elementary in West Haven is enforcing a school dance rule that girls cannot refuse a dance to a boy who asks Teaching them young: Natalie Richard, whose daughter is in the sixth grade at the school, spoke to the local news about her concerns Richard didn't believe it at first when her daughter told her of the school policy. She said the girl, who is 11 or 12, had told her that she wasn't allowed to say no if a boy asked her to dance at the Valentine's Day dance. The mother insisted her daughter must have misunderstood the instructions but later, she asked her daughter's teacher about the rule, and learned that the girl was not mistake at all. 'The teacher said she cant. She has to say yes. She has to accept and I said, "Excuse me?"' Richard said, and went on to discuss her concerns with the school's principal. 'He basically just said they've had this dance set up this way for a long time and they've never had any concern before,' she went on. Lane Findlay, a Community Relations Specialist who works for the Weber School District, said the rule was supposed to teach students to be more inclusive, 'respectful,' and 'polite' 'We want to promote kindness, and so we want you to say yes when someone asks you to dance,' Findlay explained. Richard said she understands the importance of inclusivity, but thinks this particularly way of teaching it is a poor one, and missed the mark. In fact, she said, not allowing one student to turn down physical contact or a romantic gesture from someone else can do more harm than good. '[It's] Sends a bad message to girls that girls have to say "yes" [and] sends a bad message to boys that girls cant say "no," she said. 'Psychologically, my daughter keeps coming to me and saying "I can't say no to a boy,'" she said. 'Thats the message kids are getting.' The school insists that there is a system set up to ensure that no student will be made uncomfortable. Each one fills out a dance card of five people before the event, and if they are selected by a student who makes them uncomfortable, they are allowed to say so in advance. However, this means having to seek out a faculty member or teacher to explain that they are uncomfortable, rather than simply saying 'no' when they don't want to dance. Since the story broke, several people have taken issue with the school's actions, especially in light of the #MeToo movement and greater discussions about consent and pressure in relationships. Backlash: The school is now facing backlash online, as well as from at least one parent Not OK: Many agree with Richards, saying boys should be learning that they aren't entitled to the attentions of a girl Bad idea? Many take issue with the lessons the school is teaching both boys and girls What's next? They say that these girls are learning that they must submit to the wills of boys, and boys learn that they can get whatever they want from girls Reasoning: The school's principal said that rule has been in place for some time and was never an issue before Several women who have shared their #MeToo stories have pointed out that sometimes they don't feel like they can say 'no' to unwanted advances, because of a different in power or societal expectations. Critics of the school's policy have voiced concern that this only reinforces those issues and teaches them in an alarming way to young girls and boys. 'Teach your girls to say no. Teach them early, remind them often,' wrote one woman on Twitter. 'Wow - this sets girls up for submission - and boys a feeling of power,' wrote another. 'Im no freaking feminist but I would NEVER allow a child of mine be put in either situation.' Added a third: 'I guess they will be teaching these girls they cant tell a boy NO if asked for sex next either???!! Might hurt his feelings and make him feel rejected as well?! We live in IDIOT times folks!!! This is crazy!' 'This Utah school is literally teaching male entitlement and not allowing girls to say no if asked to dance. Its an actual rule. This is when boys grow up to be men who cant hear no for an answer and end up harassing, abusing, or assaulting women,' said one more. Huma Abedin made an appearance at New York Fashion Week on Tuesday, attending Alice + Olivia's show with her younger sister Heba. Both sisters, who are respectively 41 and 38, were seen today at the show in New York City and posed with creative director Stacey Bendet during the event. Huma is a known fan of the brand and is frequently photographed wearing Alice + Olivia's designs. Her picks have included a colorful faux fur coat and a pair of embroidered jeans, both by the label. Trio: Huma Abedin (left) and her sister Heba (right) posed with creative director Stacey Bendet (center) on Tuesday at Alice + Olivia's New York Fashion Week show Collection: The political staffer, 41, is a known fan of the brand and is frequently photographed wearing Alice + Olivia's designs And Tuesday's outing was no different, as Huma chose to attend the show in a $595 blue dress from the brand, which featured a red floral pattern and a plunging neckline, along with a pair of black boots. She paired the design with a bright red lipstick and a matching manicure, while finishing up her outfit with a pair of blue earrings. Heba, meanwhile, went with a $580 emerald green ensemble, also from Alice + Olivia, worn with multicolored earrings echoing her sister's look. Stacey, who was herself wearing a floor-length, ruffled blue skirt with a black top, had an arm wrapped around each sister as the trip posed for a group shot. Huma was seen no earlier than last month in an Alice + Olivia faux fur coat while taking her son to school, not long after she and her disgraced husband Anthony Weiner, 53, called off their divorce in favor of a private settlement. She wore the $695 Alice + Olivia coat over an all-black ensemble while taking her son Jordan, now six, to school. Outfit: On Tuesday, Huma chose to attend the show in a blue dress with a red floral pattern and a plunging neckline, along with a pair of black boots Colorful: Last month, Huma wore this $695 Alice + Olivia coat over an all-black ensemble while taking her son Jordan, now six, to school During the outing, donned dark, oversize sunglasses, a gold necklace, and knee-high, wedge boots featuring silver studs. It was not the first time that Huma had sported the vibrant colored faux fur; in December she stepped out in the same designer jacket during a solo evening on the town in New York City. She also owns a multi-colored $995 patchwork mink vest from the same brand, which she wore while dropping her son off at school back in November. Huma wore the mink coat with a $950 dark skirt suit by Scanlan Theodore featuring a peplum jacket, along with tan brown heels and dark glasses, also from Scanlan Theodore. She also chose to wear an Alice+ Olivia design in September last year, during her first public outing after her husband received a 21-month sentence for sending sexually explicit material to a minor. On that occasion, Huma wore a pair of embroidered Alice + Olivia jeans, paired with a white pussy blouse, sunglasses, and hoop earrings. Her eye-catching jeans, which were once worn by Amal Clooney, came from Alice + Olivia's 2016 pre-fall collection are as such, were no longer available when Huma wore them, but it is estimated that an equivalent model from the next season would have cost between $800 to $900. Fan of the brand: She also owns a multi-colored $995 patchwork mink vest from the same label, which she wore while dropping her son off at school back in November Something for every season! In September last year, Huma wore these embroidered jeans by Alice + Olivia in New York City Case: Huma and her disgraced husband Anthony Weiner (pictured with her in court in September last year) have called off their divorce in favor of a private settlement Last month, a lawyer for Huma submitted paperwork in New York Supreme Court last Wednesday just a few hours before a scheduled 2:15 p.m. hearing in the divorce case with Judge Michael Katz. That filing was signed by both Huma and her husband, who is serving out his 21-month sentence in a Massachusetts prison. 'In order to ensure the proceedings have a minimal impact on their child, the parties have decided to attempt to reach a settlement swiftly and privately,' Huma's lawyer told Page Six in a statement at the time. Huma had submitted her divorce papers on the same day her husband had appeared in court to enter his guilty plea back in May. This sudden change of heart came just two days after DailyMail.com reported that Huma had downloaded classified emails on to his computer. The former congressman is behind bars after entering a guilty plea to a single charge of transferring obscene material to a minor last year. Those charges arose after DailyMail.com revealed in September of 2016 that he had been sexting a 15-year-old high school student from North Carolina for months. J. Mendel's Fall 2018 collection was all about the 'femme liberee' the liberated woman. Turning to film icon Katherine Hepburn and '20s actress Louise Brooks as muses, designer Gilles Mendel celebrated the mix of strength and femininity with his latest designs, which he presented at New York Fashion Week on Tuesday. 'The mood and the shape of the collection, I call it retro Hollywood,' he told Daily Mail Online at the show, which was held at the Laduree bakery in Soho. Sumptuous: The J. Mendel Fall 2018 collection debuted at New York Fashion Week on Tuesday Ta-da! Designer Gilles Mendel walked FEMAIL through the new collection Gorgeous: The collection's made with rich fall colors like saffron, topaz, garnet, and scarlet Strength: The designer said he looked to mix the feminine with the masculine Throwbacks: He went for some Old Hollywood glamour for the gowns and dresses Touchable: Rich textures like fur silk velvet, and corduroy silk reigned Both Hepburn and Brooks managed to be both incredibly feminine and intriguingly masculine at the same time (Brooks is famous for popularizing the bobbed haircut). Mendel look to them and Canadian painter Tom Thompson for the collection, using the artist's fall-focused color palette for his fabrics. Dresses, skirts, and coats come in rich hues of saffron, garnet, topaz, jade, and scarlet, and are made of even richer fabrics like fur, silk velvet, and corduroy silk making for an endlessly touchable collection. '[Thompson] made these amazing paintings of fall, the colors of fall. Strong colors. I love them so much that Ii did this collection based on this color palette,' Mendel said. Glam: Simple silhouettes were made more glamorous with hand beading Ooh-la-la! The collection celebrates the 'femme liberee' the liberated woman Ladylike: There was also plenty of beautiful micropleating and tulle In the details: Each piece took plenty of work, with some requiring three to four weeks to finish 'Each piece here is done by hand. But at the end it feels, to me, effortless,' Mendel said With song strong hues and fabrics, he kept the shapes simple so the details could really shine. Embroidery, beading and appliques, threadwork, velvet applications, and micropleating were all done by hand, meaning there's much to discover about each piece and the more intricate ones take up to a month to make. 'Each piece here is done by hand. But at the end it feels, to me, effortless,' Mendel added. 'That is to me what luxury is about. When you feel like it's so good, but you don't know what it is, its not obvious.' Attention to detail: All of the beading, and velvet touches were done by hand Fashion: The collection was shown on Tuesday morning at Laduree in Soho Must-haves: Foil detailing and sequins added subtle hints of shine A-list: Mendel also talked about the Oscars, saying he couldn't possibly pick a star he'd most like to dress for the event Special: The feathered bags were made with vintage frames, each of which is one-of-a-kind There are also noteworthy accessories, like feathered bags made with vintage frames, each of which is one-of-a-kind. 'Whoever buys one of these bags, it's their own and unique,' he said. As for where he sees his designs fitting in on the upcoming Oscar's red carpet, Mendel said he couldn't possibly choose a single star he'd like to see in his dresses. 'There are so many women that I would love to dress,' he said. 'Of course, if Nicole Kidman wanted to try something from me, I wouldn't mind... and I haven't dressed her yet.' Classic with a twist! Badgley Mischka showcases effortlessly elegant Fall/Winter 18 collection that celebrated glam gowns and understated glitz By Aoibhinn McBride at New York Fashion Week for DailyMail.com Mark Badgley and James Mischka's Fall 2018 runway was a familiar lesson in effortless elegance and timeless style. The designers travel the world to consult their clients and facilitate their need for glamorous gowns and statement tailoring, and the latest collection in inspired by Italian painter, Caravaggio, epitomized this in abundance. From statement sequins, embellishment and beautifully textured brocade, the collection undoubtedly harked back to a bygone era, but it also offered more pared back pieces that emphasized how the classic concept of the little black dress can continue to be innovative and inspiring. Striking style: Badgley Mischka designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka debuted an elegant Fall 18 collection at New York Fashion Week on Tuesday High tech: During the show, Badgley Mischka debuted a new app that allowed attendees to rate the looks on the runway Inspiration: Mischka revealed that the show was inspired by Caravaggio's use of 'chiaroscuro' - the effect of darkness surrounding light And for the first time ever, the brand brought technology to the fore with the launch of its Badgley Mischka Runway app, which allowed those in attendance to vote for their favorite looks as the show took place. Though technology was at the forefront of the brand's Fashion Week moment, the focus remained on the looks; Badgley Mischka, a red brocade ball gown that harkened back to 17th century art stole the show. 'We were inspired by the painter Caravaggio and his beautiful use of "chiaroscuro", the effect of the darkness surrounding the light coming through the center,' Mischka said. 'So it inspired our fabrications, our colors, our prints for the beginning of the season.' Chic: Badgley Mischka played with different textures and fabrics that caught the light Elegance: Many of the designs were demure - however some had sexier aspects courtesy of low-cut necklines and sheer fabrics Red carpet ready: The dresses showcased on the runway would be a perfect option for the Oscars Spicing things up: Black dresses were given a funky twist in the form of fun embellishments and asymmetrical silhouettes Tailored: The collection included chic suits as well as princess-style ballgowns Advertisement Advertisement It is not custom for the royal family to embrace members of the public, however Prince Harry's fiance Meghan Markle did away with tradition as she shared an 'emotional' hug with a charity worker on Tuesday. The 36-year-old joined her husband-to-be in Edinburgh today where the pair paid a visit to the Social Bite centre, a Scottish charity for the homeless. While she was there she met with the charity's co-founder Alice Thompson who told the bride-to-be that she had been 'deeply inspired' by her speech made at the UN Women conference in 2015. The speech given by Meghan saw the former actress discuss female empowerment where she discussed tracing her feminism back to when she was 11 after becoming tired of women in the media represented 'in the kitchen.' After hearing Alice's praise Meghan was pictured giving the charity worker a warm embrace after being 'clearly touched' by the woman's comments. Meghan Markle stepped away from royal custom when she embraced charity worker Alice Thompson during her visit to Edinburgh on Tuesday The bride-to-be hugged the co-founder of homeless charity Social Bite after she revealed she had been inspired by Meghan's 2015 UN Women's speech Journalist Omid Scobie, who had been at the scene tweeted: 'Meghan shared a special moment with @SocialBite_ co-founder @AliceThommo, who admitted she had been deeply inspired by her 2015 @UN_Women speech. Clearly touched (and a little emotional), Meghan embraced her in a hug.' Local university student, Phoebe Libbish later tweeted a picture of the pair commenting 'Love this photo' to which Alice responded 'safe to say I love it too'. Prince Harry appeared to be feeling equally friendly during his visit today reserving praise for one well-wisher. The 33-year-old royal complimented a red-haired hipster in the crowd during the walkabout on the couple's first official visit to Scotland, pointing at him before saying: 'Love your beard, well done!' Meghan also revealed to onlookers that her hen do is all planned, although she does not know what it is. She told well-wishers in Edinburgh that it is 'sorted', although party-loving Harry isn't quite as prepared. Alice (pictured) said that she 'loved' the photo after it was shared on Twitter by a local university student Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit the Social Bite social enterprise, which distributes 100,000 items of food and hot drinks to homeless people across Scotland each year Prince Harry (left) complimented a red-haired hipster (far right) in the crowd during his walkabout in Edinburgh today The 33-year-old royal pointed at the man in the crowd in Edinburgh today, before saying: 'Love your beard, well done!' Prince Harry received a rapturous welcome in Edinburgh todya but also reserved praise for the red-haired man 'We asked them what they were doing for their stag and hen dos,' said Tom Martin, 30, who was visiting Edinburgh from London with Francesca Short, 27. 'Meghan said 'I'm not sure - it's sorted but it will be fun.' Harry said he didn't know. I'm sure William's got something up his sleeve.' Ms Short added: 'They seem really nice, happy and relaxed. She seemed to take it all in her stride.' And Mr Martin said, 'She was introducing herself with 'Hi, I'm Meghan' as if no-one knew who she was.' They were standing with au pair Josefine Hess, 28, an au pair from Germany - who stood out in a bright jacket. 'Harry said I was very clever for wearing a pink jacket,' she said. 'They were very confident together.' Meghan said to one group: 'Thank you for waiting in the cold for us. It's chilly.' The couple ended the day at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where they met the First Minister during a reception to celebrate the achievements of young people in Edinburgh Harry and Meghan meet Cruachan IV, the regimental mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, outside Edinburgh Castle Harry and Meghan appeared to be delighted to meet Cruachan IV - and its very impressive hair - outside Edinburgh Castle Harry and Meghan smile next to Cruachan IV as they make their first visit to the Scottish capital together today Harry and Meghan meet the pony as they go on a walkabout outside Edinburgh Castle in the Scottish capital today Harry and Meghan meet Pony Major Mark Wilkinson and regimental mascot Cruachan IV today Pony Major Wilkinson introduced Meghan and Harry to Cruachan IV, the mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland The nine-year-old pony famously tried to eat the Queen's posy once but was on slightly better behaviour for the couple Harry and Meghan laugh with each other as they meet Pony Major Mark Wilkinson at Edinburgh Castle today Prince Harry and Meghan Markle smile as they meet well-wishers outside Edinburgh Castle on their visit to Scotland today Harry insists work done by homeless cafe must be made UK-wide Prince Harry said work done by a cafe supporting homeless people 'needs to be across the UK as soon as possible'. Harry and Meghan were at Social Bite in Edinburgh to meet those who use and work with the organisation. Co-founder Josh Littlejohn said they aim to get people off the streets by giving them employment and helping them find their own accommodation. Harry said: 'When are you bringing this down south? When you've proved it really works, it needs to be across the UK as soon as possible.' Speaking afterwards, Mr Littlejohn said they were willing to share what they have learned with other organisations to tackle the issue elsewhere. But he said Social Bite's focus was on eradicating homelessness in Scotland first. He said: 'If we can make real inroads, there's no reason we can't pass that on down south.' Harry and Meghan spoke with the organisation's volunteers, customers and also staff who have been affected by homelessness. It comes as it emerged the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead could fine rough sleepers up to 100 for begging or leaving their bedding in public places. The council came under fierce criticism last month when council leader Simon Dudley said the number of rough sleepers would put Windsor in a 'sadly unfavourable light' when it hosts the royal wedding in May. Simon Dudley survived a vote of no confidence, and now the council is preparing a consultation to try to get the borough's 14 or so long-term rough sleepers off the streets. Advertisement Pony Major Mark Wilkinson introduced Meghan and Harry to Cruachan IV, a Shetland pony, at the end of their walkabout where they received flowers, posed for pictures and sympathised about the cold conditions. The nine-year-old pony - the mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland - famously tried to eat the Queen's posy during the monarch's visit to Stirling Castle - and this time startled away Harry. He seemed intent on nibbling Harry's fingers for a treat. Pony Major Mark Wilkinson said: 'They were asking about him saying he's a wee star, he knows he's on parade and is showing off - they said it was lovely to meet him.' Meghan - who wore a 2,000 Burberry tartan coat, matching that worn by the pony, with trousers by Veronica Beard - was handed an early Valentine's gift on a heart from a young admirer as the couple delighted royal fans. One amorous male well-wisher gave Ms Markle a bunch of roses and told her 'Don't marry Harry, marry me' as she and Harry greeted crowds on the castle's esplanade. Ryan Davey, 32, had his six-year-old daughter Hannah perched on his shoulders so she could get a better look at the couple as they passed by. He said: 'We've come up from Durham to see them, this is the nearest place for us but it's been worth it.' Hundreds of well-wishers had braved the conditions to stake the best place to spot the royal couple on the esplanade outside Edinburgh Castle this morning, despite the cold and wet weather. With the centuries-old fortress as a backdrop the couple began shaking hands, saying hello and thanking the well-wishers for coming to see them. Harry and Meghan were also both given gifts by young fans. Harry and Ms Markle joined Sergeant Dave Beveridge, District Gunner, Royal Artillery for the firing of the One O'Clock Gun. They were given ear defenders before standing behind the gun which dates back to 1861. The couple also chatted to cadets and took in views across the city, before briefly waving to the crowds as they departed. Harry and Meghan later arrived at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in their final public engagement on their visit to Edinburgh. The couple were attending a reception to celebrate youth achievements as part of Scotland's Year of Young People 2018. Crowds lined the approach to the palace as the royal couple arrived. Ben Mason, nine, and the First Minister's mentee Charlotte Liddell, 21, took the royal couple around the reception for the Year of Young People 2018. Harry and Meghan smile during their visit to the Social Bite social enterprise cafe in Edinburgh today The cafe offers work to those without their own accommodation as part of efforts to end the homelessness issue in Scotland Harry and Meghan were welcomed at the sandwich shop in the Scottish capital which supports homeless people Prince Harry and his American fiancee attend a reception for young people at the Palace of Holyrood House The couple attended a reception to celebrate youth achievements as part of Scotland's Year of Young People 2018 Harry and Meghan went to the Palace of Holyrood House for their final public engagement Harry and his bride-to-be went inside Edinburgh Castle today to watch as the One O'clock Gun was fired The couple were given ear defenders at Edinburgh Castle before standing behind the gun which dates back to 1861. Meghan paid tribute to her Scottish hosts by wearing a tartan coat by Burberry, a long, navy blue and dark green wool and cashmere-blend said to cost 1,995 Harry and Meghan greet the crowds during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle today Meghan and Harry were greeted by Frank Ross, Edinburgh's Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost, who represented the city Harry and Meghan arrive at Edinburgh Castle (left) as she puts her hand on her fiance's back as they speak to the crowds First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was also in attendance as Harry and Meghan spoke to representatives from youth groups and charities on the final public engagement of their Edinburgh visit. Sarah Coronado, 28, a masters student from Mexico studying at Edinburgh University, was one of the first well-wishers to arrive at the castle's esplanade. She said: 'Seeing the couple is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We don't have these visits in Mexico or my hometown of Monterey. 'They are also the hot couple of the moment because of their marriage coming up. I also think Meghan is a role model, she's not just a pretty face. I think she's going to change the face of the monarchy.' The fashionable Markle wore a tartan coat by Burberry to honour the plaid for which Scotland is know The visit was the couple's fourth official engagement together as Harry introduces Meghan to various parts of Britain Harry and Meghan smile as they arrive at Edinburgh Castle at lunchtime today for their first official joint visit to Scotland Meghan looks at the gifts she has been given by admirers during the walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle today Meghan stretches out her hand to meet that of a young boy as she meets people outside Edinburgh Castle Harry holds his jacket as he meets well-wishers (left) and puts both thumbs up to a royal fan (right) Meghan puts her hand on Harry's back as they meet members of the crowd after arriving for a visit to Edinburgh today Ashley Torres, 25, a law student at Edinburgh University, had brought a bunch of tulips for the couple. How Meghan Markle wore Black Watch tartan for her Scots trip Meghan was wearing a 1,995 Burberry coat with the official tartan of Black Watch, the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. The choice was not only a nod to her being in Scotland, but also that her future father-in-law Prince Charles is Royal Colonel of the battalion. The Black Watch tartan was said to have been initially used by the Independent Companies who policed the Highlands under General Wade. They were formed in 1725 and later became the Black Watch in 1739. The material is also the same tartan as the Campbell clan tartan, but it is now 'universal' and can be worn by anyone with no tartan or clan connections. Advertisement She said: 'I bought these last night, I don't mind if Meghan or Harry takes them. It's such a cute love story ... being set up by mutual friends. And it will be nice to see an American part of the British monarchy.' Friends Maggie Binnie, 29 and Alice McCourt, 23, both Scottish students, had staked a place on the esplanade against the crash barriers and waved Union flags featuring a picture of the prince and his fiancee. Ms Binnie said: 'I really do admire Meghan, she's got a good head on her shoulders and I also admire Harry for the mental health work he does and his work with military veterans.' Carolyn Chisholm, 43, from Airdrie, gave her some heart-shaped potato scones from the bakery she runs with her husband, and a favour of artificial flowers from her wedding 17 years ago. I just thought for Valentine's the scones were a wee gift of Scottishness.' Her mother had the mildest complaint, however. 'She gave them to her aide, saying they were scones,' said Lynda Clark, 70 pronouncing the word to rhyme with 'Gone'. She added: 'The correct pronunciation is 'Scone' to rhyme with bone. Thea Ward, nine, came all the way from Preston with her mother Danielle, 35, and brought with her a fluffy white dog to give Ms Markle. Harry, however, got there first. 'He said, was it for me?' said Mrs Ward. 'Diplomatically, she said 'Both of you.' Maya Moss, 22, from Sweden, who is studying law at the university, said: 'She said she was freezing. She told someone, 'You're cold too.' Meghan looks emotional as she meets royal well-wishers outside Edinburgh Castle with Harry today Meghan holds a small cuddly toy after being presented with it in Edinburgh (left) and shakes the hand of a well-wisher (right) The American actress paid tribute to her Scottish hosts by wearing a Burberry coat featuring a design very similar to the famous Black Watch tartan Meghan and Harry walk along next to Frank Ross, Edinburgh's Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost, in the city today The former Suits actress wore a Burberry coat, with trousers by Veronica Beard As the band of HM Royal Marines Scotland played outside the entrance to the castle, two young girls gave Harry a hand-made sign decorated with hearts and the couple's names albeit with a slightly premature promotion for Ms Markle. 'It said, 'Princess Meghan and Prince Harry',' said Orlaidh Connors, 10, from Edinburgh. 'They both said thank you.' What did she think of Harry and Meghan? 'They're cool!' she said enthusiastically. Harry and his bride-to-be met well-wishers before heading inside the historic fortress to watch as the One O'clock Gun was fired, a tradition started in 1861 to mark time for ships in the Firth of Forth. The couple ended the day at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where they met the First Minister during a reception to celebrate the achievements of young people in Edinburgh The prince and his bride-to-be also met Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and were offered the services of a local band for their forthcoming wedding - if Ed Sheeran does not perform at the bash First they had what one royal aide described as a 'five minute warm up' in the Governor's house before watching the firing of the gun. The loved-up couple adorably held hands as they strolled onto the ramparts to watch the 105 millimetre L118 Light Gun go off. After a briefing from Sergeant Dave Beveridge, of the Royal Artillery, who fires it daily from Tuesday to Saturday, they put in ear defenders and waited for the blank to send a powerful explosion ringing out. Sergeant Beveridge then pulled the still smoking 'cartridge case' - which had been packed with six ounces of gun powder from the chamber. He said: 'I gave Prince Harry and Meghan a very brief history of the 1 o'clock gun and why it was still firing. Harry asked me about my history, so I told him I did 24 years in the army and then I got this job. 'He asked about the gun and where it's been - I was very conscious of the time though because the gun still does have to go off at 1pm. I was worried I'd have to stop talking.' Harry gets out of his car for a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle today, for the royal couple's visit to Scotland Harry speaks to a royal fan outside Edinburgh Castle and hands her back her Scottish flag (right) Harry looks at a gift next to a young well-wisher outside Edinburgh Castle as the couple visit the Scottish capital today Harry brings a smile to the face of his young well-wisher as the couple meet the people of Edinburgh outside the castle today Meghan is handed a gift by an admirer during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle today The couple's first stop first stop is at the esplanade in front of Edinburgh Castle today, where they are being welcomed Harry holds a CD of harp music which he was given during the walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle today Two young women excitedly respond as Meghan talks to them outside Edinburgh Castle with Harry today Meghan shakes the hand of a young admirer as she holds roses during a walkabout on the Edinburgh Castle esplanade today Pony 'claims Harry was teasing me' as Twitter account insists it was 'greeting' the Prince... not biting his hand Shetland pony Cruachan IV has its own Twitter account, and 'tweeted' today: 'Loved it, couldn't believe all these people came to see me! But was lovely to meet His Royal Highness Prince Harry and Ms Markle.' When someone tweeted the account saying there was a 'shovel called into action' after he got 'stage fright', the account responded: 'If you could clean that up for me that would be great. I was too busy seeing my adoring public. Sorry, sir.' And when it was put to the account that the pony was 'having a wee swipe of the Prince's hand', it replied: 'The Prince was teasing me, sir.' Asked if he bit Harry, it replied: 'Not at all, I was greeting Prince Harry.' Advertisement The tradition dates back to 1861 and is intended to help ships in the Firth of Forth keep time. After the blast, Meghan and Harry chatted to cadets and their instructor. The US actress said: 'Scotland is wonderful.' Instructor Colour Sergeant William Millar said: 'Meghan was saying how lovely Scotland was. It's the first visit she's been but she would like to come back. It's definitely a lovely place. She just said 'Scotland is wonderful'.' Una Mallon, a mother of four, 47, from Belfast, was excited as she tried to catch a glimpse of the couple. She said: 'We are expecting to see Meghan and Harry, we are so excited. 'My prediction is that Meghan is going to be our new Diana. A wee touch of Meghan adds a bit of sparkle. She's already working behind the scenes as she's doing secret visits. 'She is passionate about her causes and I think Harry and her are going to be the perfect team. I always have a soft spot for Kate and William but I think together the boys are doing a great job and their partners show great support. Excited crowds gather this morning ahead of the visit by Harry and Meghan to Edinburgh Castle A view of the crowds who have gathered for the visit by Harry and Meghan to Edinburgh Castle today Despite cold and wet weather, and with the arrival some time away, royal fans braved the conditions to stake the best place Well-wishers Aoife Mallon, 13, Sarah Mallon, 10 and Grace Mallon, 14, wait to see Harry and Meghan at Edinburgh Castle today Well-wishers have been lining up to spot the couple on the esplanade outside Edinburgh Castle today Crowds gathered in Edinburgh today for Harry and Markle's first joint official visit to Scotland Some people in Edinburgh hold flags as they wait for the royal couple to arrive in the city this morning Three women wait to see Harry and Meghan at Edinburgh Castle today for the couple's first official joint visit to Scotland Royal fans await the arrival of Harry and Meghan outside Edinburgh Castle as the couple make their first joint visit to Scotland Royal fans laugh as they wait for Harry and Meghan to arrive at Edinburgh Castle today for their hotly-anticipated visit Harry and his bride-to-be went on a walkabout, meeting well-wishers before heading inside the historic fortress 'We are big fans of the Royal Family. We are visiting Edinburgh for the half term and we are actually considering moving to Edinburgh soon.' Kim Cameron, 55, from Danderhall, Midlothian, added: 'I just want to see them because I love the Royal Family. I want to show them love and support. Harry is our favourite, he seems more down to earth. 'He could be your best friend, just the kind of guy you want to have a beer with. Both of them are like that. They seem happy and they try to be as normal as possible. It's just very exciting and I love the energy too.' The trip to Scotland is the fourth public appearance Meghan and Harry have made together and follows successful visits to Nottingham, Brixton in south London and Cardiff in the months that followed their engagement announcement in November. Also on the esplanade were the Royal Marines Band Scotland who played for Meghan, the former Suits actress, and the Prince who became Captain General of the Royal Marines in December 2017. Kensington Palace had said: 'Throughout the day Prince Harry and Ms Markle will have the opportunity to meet members of the public, learn more about organisations that work in the local community and nationwide, and celebrate youth in the Scottish Year of Young People 2018.' Crowds line the barriers as they gather ahead of the visit by Harry and Meghan to Edinburgh Castle today The trip to Scotland was the fourth public appearance Meghan and Harry have made together Crowds hold flags with a picture of the couple ahead of the visit by Harry and Meghan to Edinburgh Castle today Two young women await with anticipation for the visit by Harry and Meghan to Edinburgh Castle today Three young royal fans await the arrival of Harry and Meghan outside Edinburgh Castle this morning Well-wishers wait to see Harry and Meghan at Edinburgh Castle for their first official joint visit to Scotland today Hannah Davey, six, gets a good vantage point as she joins crowds ahead of the visit by Harry and Meghan to Edinburgh today The couple's first stop was at the esplanade in front of Edinburgh Castle, where they were officially welcomed to the city Two royal fans hold flags with the couple's picture on as they await their arrival at Edinburgh Castle today Royal fans braved the conditions to stake the best place to spot the couple on the esplanade Earlier this morning, the One o'clock Gun is cleaned ahead of the visit by Harry and Meghan to Edinburgh Castle Inside the castle at the historic Edinburgh Garrison, which looks out across the city, the couple watched as the One o'clock Gun was fired, a tradition started in 1861 to mark time for ships in the Firth of Forth. The couple also went to the New Town to visit Social Bite, a social enterprise cafe which distributes 100,000 items of food and hot drinks to homeless people across Scotland each year, as well as employing staff who have experienced homelessness themselves. They were the latest in a string of high-profile visitors to Social Bite. Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio stopped for lunch at Social Bite venture Home in Edinburgh's west end in November 2016 while the Duchess of Cornwall and George Clooney have been to Social Bite's Rose Street branch. Prince Harry and Ms Markle rounded off their visit by attending a reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse to celebrate youth achievements marking Scotland's Year of Young People 2018, an initiative that aims to inspire Scotland through its young people. It was revealed yesterday that Harry and Meghan Markle will parade through Windsor in a carriage after making their wedding vows in front of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The couple, who will marry on May 19, will make a two-mile journey through the town cheered on by crowds from around the world. Their route will see them pass along six streets before ending up back at Windsor Castle, according to details released today by Kensington Palace. The marriage service, in the castle's 15th century St George's Chapel, will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor, the Right Rev David Conner. The couple will then make their wedding vows in front of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. How Shetland pony Cruachan IV has a rather naughty history... and once tried to eat the Queen's posy! Cruachan IV is a Shetland pony and mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland with a very naughty history when it comes to the Queen. The nine-year-old pony famously tried to eat the Queen's posy during the monarch's visit to Stirling Castle in July 2017. And disaster also nearly struck in August 2014 when the naughty pony rolled his top lip back as the Queen approached and appeared to try to bite her. The pony Cruachan IV famously tried to eat the Queen's posy during the monarch's visit to Stirling castle in July 2017 The Queen meets the previous Cruachan at Howe Barracks in Canterbury, Kent, in November 2004 Last July the Queen was filmed telling Cruachan IV to 'go away' when he tried to take a bite out of her posy during a visit to Stirling Castle. The Queen, who has a lifelong love of horses, swiftly pulled the blooms behind her back before saying to the pony's minder: 'They always try to eat the flowers'. The minder could be heard telling the pony to be 'gentle' as Her Majesty extended her gloved hand towards him. A month later in August the Queen was reunited with the pony, who was on much better behaviour but did neigh as the Queen turned to walk away. Three years earlier in August 2014, disaster almost struck when the naughty pony rolled his top lip back as the Queen approached him. The Shetland mascot tradition began in 1928. The first to march with the regiment was Cruachan I, a jet black Shetland pony gelding, who joined with the title of 'Pony Major'. Since then, the position has been held by another three black Shetland geldings, with Cruachan III, a pony especially adored by the Queen, retiring at the grand old age of 23 in 2012. During his tenure, he made regular visits to Balmoral and led the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the Royal Regiment of Scotland, at events and parades, including the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. 'He's done a lot of parades in his time and he was a real favourite of the Queen,' revealed handler Captain Dougie McDougall at the time of his retirement. Her Majesty is a long-standing fan of Shetland ponies, having begun her own riding career at the age of four on the back of another Shetland, Peggy. She is also a fan of another Scottish breed, the Highland pony, which she breeds from a stud attached to Balmoral. Advertisement Cardiff, January 18: Harry and Meghan watch a performance while at Cardiff Castle for a day showcasing the heritage of Wales Brixton, January 9: Harry and Meghan visit the radio station Reprezent FM to learn about its work supporting young people Nottingham, December 1, 2017: Megan and Harry meet well-wishers on their first public outing as an engaged couple Kensington, November 27, 2017: Harry and Meghan pose at Kensington Palace after the announcement of their engagement Social enterprise cafe distributes 100,000 items of food and hot drinks to the homeless each year (plus it's been visited by George Clooney AND Leonardo DiCaprio) Social Bite is a cafe network that distributes 100,000 items of food and hot drinks to the homeless each year. The organisation runs social enterprise cafes throughout Scotland with the aim of tackling homelessness. It employs staff who have faced homelessness themselves and are working on a housing project for the homeless. George Clooney takes a selfie with staff as he visits Social Bite, the cafe in Edinburgh which helps the homeless, in November 2015 Leonardo DiCaprio with (from left) Colin Childs, Biffy Mackay and Sonny Murray as he visits Social Bite in Edinburgh in November 2016 The Duchess of Cornwall speaks to Bonnie Burton (right) as she donates money during a visit to Social Bite,in Edinburgh in June 2016 During their visit today, Harry and Meghan are learning more about the social enterprise and touring the kitchen. The royal couple will be the latest in a string of high-profile visitors to Social Bite premises. Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio stopped for lunch at Social Bite venture Home in Edinburgh's west end in 2016. Meanwhile the Duchess of Cornwall and actor George Clooney have been to Social Bite's Rose Street branch. Advertisement No clutches and court shoes here! Meghan reinvents royal dressing in androgynous tailoring, all-black outfits and flared trousers (and she's the FIRST to rock a cross body bag) Royal fans might have expected Meghan Markle to liven up the royal dress code with a touch of Hollywood glamour, but the bride-to-be has been adding her own style stamp by adding 'cool edges' to her chic outfits. As today's official visit to Scotland proves, the former Suits star, 36, is making subtle but significant style statements, stepping out in an unstructured, adrogynous coat, as opposed to the smart tailored number favoured by the Duchess of Cambridge This is Meghan's fifth official engagement with Harry and her Veronica Beard flares make it the fourth time she's worn trousers, even donning jeans for her first official visit to Wales in January. And rather than carrying a neat clutch like Kate or a handbag in the style of the Queen she was the first royal to step out with a trendy cross body bag, opting again for Scottish brand Strathberry. While the Queen and Kate are never seen in all-black outfits, except for events such as Remembrance Sunday or on the red carpet in the case of the Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan has made it her signature look since taking up royal duties. Celebrity stylist and designer Lucas Armitage told Femail: 'The cross body bag adds a cool girl edge in keeping with Meghan's signature style. 'Overall it's a chic looks but with a few cool edges. The tartan gives some added interest to an extremely polished appearance. She's being appropriate but definitely retaining her own look.' Meghan Markle today gave royal dressing an injection of cool in an androgynous Burberry tartan coat, a cross body bag and wide-legged trousers Rather than carrying a neat clutch like Kate or a handbag in the style of the Queen she was the first royal to step out with a trendy cross body bag from Strathberry For her most recent public appearance, Meghan surprised royal fans by wearing an Alexander McQueen trouser suit for her first red carpet event with Prince Harry Meghan, pictured with Harry in Brixton in January, has a penchant for unstructured coats with an androgynous feel and is making black trousers her uniform for public appearances The former Suits star chose black skinny jeans for her first official visit to Wales in January She may be approaching her 75th birthday but Queen Silvia is still prepared to make a statement when it comes to style. The Queen of Sweden made sure that all eyes were on her as she arrived at a charity gala in Stockholm on Tuesday. The mother-of-three opted for a bold colour combination of green and purple in the form of a metallic fitted jacket as she stepped onto the red carpet tonight. Queen Silvia and King Carl Gustaf of Sweden attended a glittering charity gala in Stockholm on Tuesday night In honour of the occasion the 74-year-old royal opted for a floor sweeping skirt in a complementary shade of purple as she posed for photos. She kept her accessories to a minimal in the form of a small gold clutch and matching court shoes this evening. She was joined by husband King Carl Gustaf, 71, who looked dapper in black tie as he joined his wife and other distinguished guests for the event. Stockholm's glitterati had assembled for the gala in aid of the Baltic Sea Salmon Foundation held in the capital's Berns Salonger. The grandmother-of-six opted for a bold fashion choice of green and purple for the event The charity event was held in aid of the Baltic Sea Salmon Foundation, with guests posing for photos as they headed into the venue Guests posed for photos upon arrival before making their way into the venue where they were treated to an evening of dinner and speeches. The Baltic Salmon Fund's purpose is to promote sustainable management of wild salmon and sea trout stocks in the Baltic Sea and its rivers. At the age of 71, the king is the second-longest reigning monarch in Swedish history - who took to the throne in 1973 and survived the country's landmark constitution the following year - still has an active role in public duties, albeit mainly ceremonial. Guests attending the event on Tuesday were treated to an evening of dinner and speeches The king and his wife Silvia, nee Sommerlath, 74, a German-Brazilian former flight attendant have been handing over increasing numbers of engagements to their eldest daughter Victoria in recent years, fuelling speculation that the monarch may abdicate, allowing the Crown Princess to take the throne. The presenter of the Nobel Peace Prize and a keen environmental campaigner has been embroiled in a string of controversies over the years including accusations of secret affairs and wild parties. The grandfather-of-six is said to own a fleet of Porsche 911s and was involved in a high-profile car crash in 2005 which made international headlines. It's a classic English teatime treat - which may explain why British chocolate lovers are going wild for new a new lemon drizzle flavour of KitKat. They're going down a storm with slimmers too as the twin wafer fingers contain only 105 calories - though some are not as certain that the new flavour will work. Up until a few years ago, it was only possible to try unusual flavours of KitKats in Japan or the US, but now the makers of KitKat, Nestle, have released far more versions of the original chocolate wafer bar in the UK too. The new lemon drizzle KitKats are only available at ASDA supermarkets in packs of nine for now, priced at 1.50 The unusual flavour highlights how British chocolate fans are becoming increasingly open to trying new tastes, as Nestle now offers several flavours in the UK, such as cookies and cream, mocha and dark mint. The latest is lemon drizzle, but is currently only sold at ASDA supermarkets in packs of nine for 1.50. The bars are supposed to taste like the classic English cake, which is traditionally a lemon sponge, which bakers then pour a lemon sugar syrup over while it is still warm so that the lemon icing soaks into the cake and leaves a crunchy sugar topping. Chocolate fans on social media are going wild for the new flavour, with many keen to get their hands on the bars Chocolate fans who have already tried the new bars have approved the flavour on social media One Youtuber, Chocolo Roberto, shot a 17-minute video reviewing the new flavour and said that it did have the taste of a 'lemon sponge or a lemon drizzle cake'. KitKat is known for releasing unusual flavours, but Japan has the largest number, with flavours such as wasabi and matcha green tea. Last month, it launched the world's first commercially available ruby chocolate bar, a millennial pink Chocolatory Sublime Ruby wafer. Nestle said the chocolate offers 'a new taste experience, a kind of berry flavour made from the all-natural Ruby cocoa bean with a characteristic pink hue'. An Oregon woman has become the first person worldwide known to have had an eye infestation by a tiny worm species previously seen only in cattle. Abbey Beckley, now 28, was working on a commercial fishing boat in Alaska in the summer of 2016 when she felt something behind her eyelid two weeks into the trip. When she got to shore five days later, she tried to dig out what she assumed to be an eyelash, but discovered inflamed skin and a wriggling worm. Confused, she went to an eye doctor, who pulled out four more worms - but had no idea what it was. Eventually, she was transferred to an eye specialist in Portland, who sent off samples to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, concluding that she had contracted Thelazia gulosa, a parasite never seen in humans that is spread by flies that feed on eyeball lubrication. Horrific: Abbey Beckley, now 28, (left) was working on a commercial fishing boat in Alaska in the summer of 2016 when she felt something behind her eyelid. It turned out to be a parasite (pictured, right) that has never infected humans, only cattle Thelazia gulosa (pictured, circled, in Abbey's eye) is a parasite never seen in humans that is spread by flies that feed on eyeball lubrication 'My left eye just got really irritated and red, and my eyelid was droopy,' Beckley, who was 26 at the time, told CNN. 'I was getting migraines too, and I was like, "What is going on?"' She eventually found a mirror, lifted her eyelid up and was stunned to pull out a worm. 'I pulled down the bottom of my eye and noticed that my skin looked weird there. So I put my fingers in with a sort of a plucking motion, and a worm came out! 'I was just in shock. I ran into my crewmate Allison's room, and I said, "I need you to see this! I just pulled a worm out of my eye!" 'I looked at it, and it was moving. And then it died within about five seconds.' In total, 14 translucent Thelazia gulosa worms, all less than half an inch long, were extracted from Beckley's eye over the course of 20 days. This species of Thelazia worm was previously seen in cattle throughout the northern United States and southern Canada, the researchers reported in a study published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. They said the study indicates that North Americans may be more vulnerable than previously understood to such infections. If the worms remain in a person's eye for a prolonged time, they can cause corneal scarring and even blindness, according to the researchers. 'Cases of eye worm parasitic infections are rare in the USA, and this case turned out to be a species of the Thelazia that had never been reported in humans,' said study lead author Richard Bradbury, who works with the CDC's Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria. In total, 14 translucent Thelazia gulosa worms, all less than half an inch long, were extracted from Beckley's eye over the course of 20 days Bradbury said previously it was thought there were only two different species of these eye worms that infected humans worldwide, and that Thelazia gulosa is now the third. Beckley, from the city of Gold Beach, located on Oregon's coast along the Pacific Ocean about 40 miles north of the California border, said she is now determined to help any other potential sufferers to understand this baffling condition. 'Part of the reason I'm speaking out is that I had wished I could find one article or source that would reassure me this happened to someone else and they are fine,' Beckley said. 'If this does happen again, I'm hoping my story will be out there for the next person to find.' Previous cases of such eye worm infections have been reported worldwide, predominantly in Europe and Asia and in rural communities with close proximity to animals and with poor living standards, the researchers said. Eye worms are found in a variety of animals including dogs, cats and certain wild carnivores. If you've ever felt naked without your smartphone, you're not alone. Americans check their phones 80 times a day on average - or every 12 minutes, according to a study by technology insurance provider Asurion released in November. The average person was prepared to go a maximum of four hours without checking their phone, the study found. Research like this has contributed to an increasing amount of concern around the topic of smartphone addiction. Stanford University psychiatrist Dr Anna Lembke says while many users will not develop a problem, it's important to know the signs of problematic smartphone use. The topic of smartphone addiction has received an increasing amount of attention in recent years as doctors, researchers and users question the degree to which they use devices 'Technology addiction is a growing issue in my clinic and definitely a pressing concern for all of us right now,' she said. While there is not a large amount of research available on smartphone addiction, Dr Lembke says that data isn't the only thing that can indicate a problem. 'There's no way to actually tell how widespread an issue it is especially since smartphone technology is relatively new,' she said. 'With this topic you pretty much just have to open your eyes and look around you to notice that this is a growing problem.' When identifying addiction, clinicians look at three different components: control, compulsion, and continued use despite consequences. Dr Lembke emphasized that addiction is a spectrum and severity is based on a combination of each of the 'three C's'. 'There are absolutely mild, moderate and extreme forms,' she said. There are, however, a set of specific behaviors that are seen as indicators for potential smartphone addiction. Smartphone addiction red flags 1. Using the phone longer than you planned to In the case of smartphone addiction, Dr Lembke says, the element of control comes into play when a person puts a limit to the amount of time they'll be on their phone and consistently exceeds it. Examples of this include pressing snooze on your alarm in the morning because you've got one more social network to check or running late for a meeting because you got caught up checking emails. 2. Using it in inappropriate settings like while driving or going to the bathroom 'We've all seen people using phones while driving or in other situations that are just obviously unreasonable,' she said. 'Before there were physical barriers to where you used technology, but now these mobile devices are 24/7 in my bed, in my car, always just right there,' she said. Dr Lembke suggests that portability is a main reason that smartphones are more addictive than other technology. Just because you can bring your phone with you everywhere doesn't mean that you should. 3. Giving up other activities because you're on your phone Ditching the gym because you have to catch up with your Twitter timeline? Dr Lembke says when phone use begins to take over time allotted for other activities, it's considered a red flag for addiction. 'Our "work hard play hard" culture can make people feel as if they can't possibly be unplugged because they'll miss something important, and that's how they justify excessive use,' she said. 4. Feeling anxious when not on your phone A key component of the compulsion factor of addiction is feeling uncomfortable or anxious when not on one's phone. 'Some people get so they're worried they're missing something that they'll pull out the phone while in a meeting or even while having an emotional one-on-one conversation,' Dr Lembke said. 5. Negatively impacting your relationships Ever tried to have a conversation with someone who won't look up from their phone and make eye contact with you? Excessive phone usage can negatively impact personal relationships because it can make others feel as if they aren't as important as whatever is going on in their device. 'An example would be if your partner asks you to put down the phone and spend more time with them or with the kids but you ignore that request,' Dr Lembke said. 6. You use your phone as a security blanket in uncomfortable situations When in an awkward or tense social situation, it can often be enticing to turn to your phone as an escape from the discomfort. However, this kind of behavior is a common indicator that you may be a little too attached. Key ways to detox from your device Dr Lembke says there are many ways that people can combat smartphone addiction and be more mindful about their use. 1. Take a 'drug holiday' One of Dr Lembke's favorite methods is what she calls a 'drug holiday,' which involves blocking out a period of time every week without any smartphone use at all. 'Taking a break allows the brain to reset and gives you a chance to recognize that the world won't end just because you're not on your phone,' she said. She recommends a 24 hour break, but says that any considerable break is helpful when trying to detox. 2. Keep physical boundaries Creating rules for where phone use is acceptable is another simple way to combat obsessive behavior. Examples of places that are better as no-phone zones include at the dinner table and by the bed at night. 'One of the simplest ways to detox is just to remove yourself from the problem. It's similar to how alcoholics know that keeping alcohol out of the house is the simplest way to avoid drinking and learn moderation,' Dr Lembke said. 3. Use the grayscale phone setting A more unique method that Dr Lembke's patients have used is turning the smartphone screen to grayscale so it's less enticing. 'The colors have a surprising impact on the desire to be using the phone,' she said. Former Design Ethicist at Google Tristan Harris swears by the grayscale method to combat addiction, comparing the temptation behind the bright buttons to slot machines. Turning your screen to grayscale will make photo-centric apps like Snapchat and Instagram considerably less engaging and easier to close out of. On iOS, grayscale can be enabled by going to Settings -> General -> Accessibility -> Display Accommodations -> Color Filters and clicking 'Grayscale'. Turning the phone's display to grayscale can make scrolling through time-wasting apps considerably less enticing, specifically with photo-centric ones like Instagram and Snapchat 4. Turn off notifications Another simple method is to turn off notifications that might tempt users to check their phones. According to Dr David Greenfield, a psychologist and founder of the Center for Internet and Technology Addiction, alerts and notifications play a key role in problematic smartphone use. Dr Greenfield, an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Connecticut, says the compulsive need to be checking one's smartphone can be traced back to basic brain chemistry. Each time a phone pings or dings to alert that it's received a new message, the brain releases dopamine, a pleasure chemical related to getting a reward. 'That ping is telling us there is some type of reward there, waiting for us,' Greenfield told NPR. 'Smartphone notifications have turned us all into Pavlov's dogs.' He's referring to century-old research by Russian psychologist Ivan Pavlov, who used a bell to condition a group of dogs into expecting food when they heard the chime. After pairing the bell with the food enough times, the dogs associated the bell itself with getting fed and began salivating before receiving the food. When it comes to smartphones, when a notification sound is paired with a new text, tweet, Facebook post or other form of social communication, the bell itself triggers the dopamine before the message is even seen, adding to the addictive nature of smartphones. 5. Get over the FOMO FOMO, or fear of missing out, involves an irrational feeling that you're missing something when you're not at an event or in the case of smartphone addiction, not on your device. Harris suggests a simple fix for people who suffer from FOMO - or what he called FOMSI - fear of missing something important: put it into perspective. 'If we zoom into that fear, well discover that its unbounded: we'll always miss something important at any point when we stop using something,' he writes on his website. 6. Replace the habit A common way to break a bad habit for a good one is to replace it with a new one. This same method can be applied to changing smartphone use patterns. Adam Alter, a professor of marketing at NYU and author of Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked, told The Week: 'What you want to do is you want to find a behavior that is a stand-in for the behavior that you don't want to be doing. 'You replace the bad thing that you shouldn't be doing with something good that you should be doing.' Examples of beneficial replacement behaviors reading a book or magazine, spending uninterrupted time with family and friends, going for a walk or picking up a new hobby like drawing or cooking. The Battery tab in iOS Settings shows which apps are using the most battery life and helps pinpoint what you might want to get rid of to reduce time spent on your phone 7. Get rid of unnecessary apps Just because your phone has enough storage capacity for a large number of apps doesn't mean you have to use all of it. Combing through your applications and identifying the ones that are most distracting or least important can help cut down on the number of justifications you have to pick up your phone. Specific examples include apps like Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest that have a desktop function and are thus not essential to have on your phone. 8. Pinpoint apps that are taking up the most of your time Figuring out which apps you're using most can help identify which ones might be most beneficial to get rid of. On iOS, an easy way to check usage is by looking at the Battery subsection in Settings and seeing which ones are taking up most of your charge. Specific apps such as BreakFree and StayOnTask are also available that show you which apps you use most and let you put limits on the time you use them. Scoffing your food too quickly increases the risk of becoming overweight, research suggests. A study of 60,000 people found those who ate slowly were 42 per cent less likely to be overweight than fast eaters. The research, published in the journal BMJ Open, also found eating evening meals at least two hours before going to bed cut the risk of being overweight by 10 per cent. A study of 60,000 people found those who ate slowly were 42 per cent less likely to be overweight than fast eaters Experts believe chewing slowly, savouring every mouthful and taking time over a meal could be a successful weight-loss strategy. This is because it takes some time - roughly 20 minutes - for the brain to receive the message that the stomach is full. So fast eaters keep on gobbling down their food well after they have had enough food. The researchers, from Kyushu University in Japan, wrote: Fast eaters may continue to eat until they feel full despite having already consumed an adequate amount of calories, and the combined effect of eating quickly and overeating may contribute to weight gain. In contrast, eating slowly may help to increase feelings of satiety before an excessive amount of food is ingested. The team, who tracked participants for six years, also found fast eaters had waist sizes a quarter of an inch (0.62cm) larger than slow eaters. The researchers found that of the 60,000 participants, 22,070 people routinely wolfed down their food, 33,455 ate at a normal speed, and 4,192 classed themselves as slow eaters. Experts believe chewing slowly, savouring every mouthful and taking time over a meal could be a successful weight-loss strategy They wrote: Interventions aimed at reducing eating speed may be effective in preventing obesity and lowering the associated health risks. The team also found people who ate their evening meal at least two hours before they went to bed three times a week were 10 per cent less likely to be overweight, which they defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of more than 25. But skipping breakfast does nothing to decrease weight. The bodys metabolism slows down towards the end of the day, so eating too late means calories are not burned off. Scientists believe this is because the human body evolved to expect meals much earlier in the day, because in pre-industrial times people went to sleep when it got dark. Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, said: The speed at which a lot of people wolf down their food is undeniably a contributor to obesity. It takes fast eaters longer to feel full simply because they dont allow time for the gut hormones to tell the brain to stop eating. Eating quickly also causes bigger blood sugar fluctuations which can lead to insulin resistance. In particular, workers who snatch their lunch at the desk are doing their health no favours. They should stop what theyre doing, switch off their phones and emails and preferably take a half hour away from the office altogether. A previous study, by experts at North Carolina State University in the US, found mindful eating savouring every mouthful, concentrating on flavour and eating with purpose helped people lose six times as much weight as other slimmers. The researchers behind that project encouraged people to remove all distractions while eating, including turning off the television at dinner time and not eating lunch at their desk. They found overweight people who followed the mindful eating mantra lost four and a half pounds (1.9kg) in 15 weeks, compared to other slimmers who just lost just two thirds of a pound (0.3kg). Impressively, six months after the trial stopped three quarters of participants in the mindfulness programme had kept their weight off or lost even more. Swimming in cold water could be an alternative to strong painkillers, doctors believe. A short, sharp plunge into the open sea cured a British man of the debilitating pain he had been suffering for two and a half months. Experts at Cambridge University and the University of East Anglia have now called for research into cold-water therapy as a treatment for serious pain, in light of his case. Doctors believe the shock of sudden immersion may have disrupted his nervous system, jolting him out of a cycle of pain. A short, sharp plunge into the open sea cured a British man of the debilitating pain he had been suffering for two and a half months (file photo) Writing in the journal BMJ Case Reports, Dr Tom Mole from UEA, and Pieter Mackeith from Cambridge, report the unexpected, immediate, complete and sustained remission of the persistent pain suffered by a 28-year-old patient following an operation. The man, who is not named, had been suffering from debilitating pain for 10 weeks when he decided to jump from a rocky outcrop into the sea as distraction. He said: I initially thought damn this is so cold Im going to die! I just swam for my life Once I was in the water, I had tunnel vision for the first time in months, I completely forgot about the pain or the fear of shooting pains in my chest if I moved. My entire body tingled with the cold. I just knew if I didnt keep swimming, Id soon freeze. After a few moments I actually enjoyed it - it was just an immersive rush of adrenaline. I bet I couldnt have felt my pain, even if I tried. He added: When I came out of the water, I realised the neuropathic pain had gone away. I couldnt believe it. The man had undergone surgery 10 weeks earlier to reduce extreme and involuntary blushing of his face. The operation, a minor keyhole procedure, involves cutting nerves that control bloodflow to the face, which run inside the rib cage near the top of the chest. Experts at Cambridge University and the University of East Anglia have now called for research into cold-water therapy as a treatment for serious pain But during the operation there was slight damage to some neighbouring nerves, which resulted in repeated stabbing pain in the following weeks. The man was given strong painkillers and physiotherapy, but two months later he had not recovered. The doctors wrote: The patient reported pain was associated with significant distress, prevented return to preoperative levels of recreational sport and impaired quality of life. The man, who had previously competed in triathlons, decided to take matters into his own hands. He decided to go for a swim off the coast at a place he had previously competed, in an attempt to manage the pain through distraction. Doctors believe the shock of sudden immersion may have disrupted his nervous system, jolting him out of a cycle of pain The only way to was to jump in from a rocky outcrop. Remarkably, just 60 seconds in the water completely cured him. To his surprise, the he felt no pain while he was in the water and nor has he felt any since, and he has completely stopped all painkillers. Given the absence of any alternative explanations other than pure chance, it seems as if the cold water plunge actually cured him. His doctors believe the shock of the sudden cold water immersion induced a wave of activity across his nervous system which led to an altered state of consciousness. This in turn altered his perception of pain, offering instant relief. The pain relief he felt in the water then enabled him to move freely, for the first time in weeks, breaking the cycle of pain. The doctors concluded: Further prospective [exploratory] investigation is needed to assess the replicability and feasibility of forced cold water swimming as a potentially effective, natural intervention to enhance recovery outcomes from common postoperative complications. Doctors are being urged not to comfort patients with a hug in case they complain. They are being warned to err on the side of caution as a well-meaning embrace could easily be misinterpreted. Instead, the Medical Defence Union suggests that if they wish to comfort a patient, they offer a handshake to avoid embarrassment. The MDU, the UKs largest body to defend doctors against legal claims, also urges them to be firm in refusing a hug from patients who may have amorous feelings for them. Doctors are being urged not to comfort patients with a hug in case they complain (file photo) They should clearly explain to the patient that hugging is inappropriate and risks overstepping the professional boundaries. If they do hug a patient or are embraced unwillingly doctors should document it in case there are repercussions. Dr Ellie Mein, medico-legal adviser at the MDU, said: Doctors must be able to comfort and show human compassion to their patients, but physical contact can easily be misinterpreted, particularly if coupled with other words or actions the patient may feel are inappropriate. This can trigger a complaint or even lead to an investigation by the General Medical Council or the police. If the patient initiates the hug it can also be difficult for the doctor to know what to do, especially if the patient is upset. She advised doctors to make a judgment based on their knowledge of the patient, as well as factors such as age and gender. Doctors are being warned to err on the side of caution as a well-meaning embrace could easily be misinterpreted (file photo) The advice comes a week after a Government report found foster carers were afraid of hugging the children they looked after in case they were accused of abuse. Some local authorities had issued guidance to foster parents on how to handle physical contact with children. Dr Mein added: This is an area that is potentially fraught with problems and it may be better for doctors to err on the side of caution. Even though hugs are meant to comfort a patient, they can be misconstrued and may be best avoided. Offering a patient your hand instead, for example, can avoid embarrassment or accusations of unprofessionalism. The MDUs advice also instructs doctors to weigh up all situations before offering patients any form of physical comfort. The guidelines are further evidence of how doctors are living in fear of being sued or referred to their regulator, the General Medical Council. GMC chair Professor Terence Stephenson has said doctors have become increasingly defensive in recent years due to fear of litigation. A GMC spokesman declined to comment on the hugging advice but pointed out it had produced general guidelines on professional boundaries. The Medical Defence Union suggests that if they wish to comfort a patient, they offer a handshake to avoid embarrassment (file photo) Published in 2013, it states that medics must not be seen to be abusing their professional position. GPs are carrying out up to 70 patient consultations a day nearly three times the level deemed to be safe. While the average is 41.6 contacts daily, including face-to-face appointments and those done over the phone, a fifth of doctors held more than 50 a day. EU guidelines recommend GPs conduct no more than 25 consultations a day. The figures come from a survey of 889 GPs last month by Pulse magazine. One of Britain's oldest nurses, who has worked in the profession for over 65 years, has spoken of her fears about the NHS becoming privatised. Aileen Coomber, of Worthing, West Sussex, who became a nursing cadet in July 1951, registered as a nurse in January 1976 and has seen many changes throughout her career, and has no plans to retire, despite being 81. She now works at Shepherd House in Worthing. Just 11 when the NHS was established on 5 July, 1948, what worries her the most is the threat of privatisation. Aileen, who was named the Royal College of Nursing Institute bank nurse of the year in 2017, said: 'I feel quite sad that the NHS is being increasingly privatized. Private companies want to make a profit. Ill health should never be about profit making. Pictured: Aileen in the 1960s (left) and today (right). Aileen is one of Britain's oldest nurses, and has seen medicine move from the era of Electroconvulsive therapy to the modern day. 'I went into nursing to help people' 'I feel that, as a country, we need to value people equally and everyone should be entitled to the same healthcare. 'When I look at America, you see how, if you have insurance and can afford it, you can get better treatment. I don't want it to go that way I want anyone who needs treatment to be able to get it. 'My late daughter, Lynda, lived in America and she had a friend who was a single parent of a little girl, but she couldn't afford healthcare and she died in her 20s. 'I went into nursing to help people, so I find the idea of it being about money really difficult. It affects all areas of nursing and I really struggle seeing cutbacks to things that are helping people. 'I would tell the government that the work that nurses and doctors do is so important in our society and they need to be supported as much as possible.' Since the NHS began, she has seen innovations like the first pacemaker, the first vaccine for measles, the first organ transplants, mumps and rubella vaccines, the eradication of smallpox and the development of IVF. Just 11 when the NHS was established on 5 July, 1948, Aileen says what worries her the most is the threat of privatisation (pictured while training in 1951) Pictured left: Aileen Coomber and her mum in 1982. 'She had such a big heart,' she of her mother. 'She delivered babies, she helped terminally ill people and would support their families and then helped to prepare their bodies after they died.' Aileen is pictured on right volunteering while in India. A candid photo of Aileen Coomber laughing while at work, in 1974. 'I really know the value of the NHS,' she said, 'as I remember what life was like before it and I am worried about going back to a place where it's not free and available for everyone.' 'My mother Edie Fitzpatrick was like everybody's best friend' Born in 1936, just before the outbreak of the Second World War, Aileen felt nursing was her calling from an early age. She said: 'My mother Edie Fitzpatrick was like everybody's best friend. 'We lived in a little village and she would go out and reach out to people in distress. She delivered babies, she helped terminally ill people and would support their families and then helped to prepare their bodies after they died. She had such a big heart. 'My uncle Jimmie, who was her brother, worked in Gosford Asylum. I would listen to him talk about his work and he showed so much respect for the people he was caring for, while my dad Bob Fitzpatrick was a very strong, passionate man and always taught me to support people. Pictured: Aileen Coomber in 1973, left, and, right, in 1993. Many years on and still smiling Aileen Coomber pictured with her father, 1979. Coomber says her relationship with her parents was part of what lead her to become a nurse. She says her father, Bob Fitzpatrick, inspired her to support people 'My background really inspired me to be nurse. I admired my parents and my uncle and it just felt natural. I never thought about doing anything else.' Just 15 when she left school and joined the nurse cadets programme, she continued to study subjects like maths and English, alongside anatomy and physiology, but also experienced her first taste of the profession that would remain one of her driving forces throughout her life. 'I saw Electroconvulsive therapy, where seizures were induced using electric shocks to provide relief from psychiatric disorders, for the first time when I was about 15-and-a-half,' recalled Aileen. 'I watched as people were held down, while they were shocked, which was standard for that time. 'I know that treatment is very different now, but seeing it back then really cemented my wish to go into this career, so I could help people.' Marrying her husband, Luke, when she was 18, she put her career on hold, to help care for his younger siblings, as his mother died around the same time they married. 'I always felt drawn to mental health nursing in particular. For me, my greatest skill is listening and helping people to see a different path' 'I always felt drawn to mental health nursing in particular' When their daughter, Lynda, was born, 13 months after their wedding, Aileen took more time out to spend with her baby. But, at the age of 20, her vocation called her back and she started working as a nursing assistant at St James University Hospital in Leeds a job she enjoyed until 1976, when she began training to become a fully registered nurse. Although she had to complete some general training, mental health nursing was always her true passion. She explained: 'I always felt drawn to mental health nursing in particular. For me, my greatest skill is listening and helping people to see a different path. Mental health nursing can be challenging, but so rewarding and I just always knew that was what I wanted.' However, Aileen is alarmed that the NHS today is a very different service to the one she joined and has fears for the future. She said: 'I was only a child when the NHS started. I have scars on my knees from when I fell as a child, but my mother couldn't afford to take me to the doctor. Aileen is alarmed that the NHS today is a very different service to the one she joined and has fears for the future Despite the many challenges facing staff in the NHS, Aileen still loves her job and has no plans to give up any time soon Aileen (pictured at work) has spent the great majority of her life working for the NHS, and hopes that it will remain a service for everyone 'My young sister Katherine had pneumonia, but my mother couldn't afford treatment and had to treat her at home. She got through it but it was very hard. She got leukemia a few years later and although she died, the care she received in the newly formed NHS was great. 'This means I really know the value of the NHS, as I remember what life was like before it and I am worried about going back to a place where it's not free and available for everyone.' 'I have seen how we have problems recruiting and retaining nurses' With figures from the Royal College of Nursing showing that there is a shortage of 40,000 nurses, and that there are a third less nurses starting training than there were three years ago, Aileen understands why the profession is not always attractive to younger people. Aileen Coomber is presented with her award at the Royal College of Nursing institute bank, as nurse of the year, by Kate Garraway and Karen Barraclough from NHS Professionals 'I feel like I have been valued by my patients and colleagues throughout my career and I think that has really helped me to maintain my passion,' Aileen said. Aileen said: 'Any time I am off sick for a few days or anything, I realise how much nursing is a part of me. Even for a few days, I really really miss it. It is just who I am now. 'I have seen how we have problems recruiting and retaining nurses,' she continued. 'For me, it is a job that I love so much, but I can see that it's a hard and very stressful job, too. 'And it's becoming even harder when we are losing staff.' Still, throughout her long career, Aileen has felt well supported by her colleagues and feels it is important to support the younger generation, too. HOW BAD IS THE NHS RECRUITMENT CRISIS? The NHS recruitment crisis has become so bad that some parts of the country are only hiring one nurse for every 400 jobs advertised. Official figures have laid bare the true extent of nursing shortages across the country with just one in seven advertised jobs getting filled. There were 34,260 vacant nursing and midwifery roles advertised across England at the end of September - a record high. Nursing leaders have claimed the Government 'can no longer deny the staffing crisis' on the back of the NHS Digital data. It comes after a scathing analysis last week revealed a greater number of nurses and midwives are now leaving the health service than joining. More than 33,000 walked away from nursing last year in England - about 10 per cent of the entire workforce. Around half were under the age of 40. Advertisement She said: 'I know some student nurses and I think one of the problems is that they feel really undervalued. 'I feel like I have been valued by my patients and colleagues throughout my career and I think that has really helped me to maintain my passion. 'Last year, I won the Royal College of Nursing institute bank nurse of the year award and it showed me the importance of being recognised within the industry. 'Sadly, though, I have spoken to a few student nurses, who are already talking about changing their course, because they feel the work they do is not valued. 'I think it's important to celebrate our staff and our NHS. My manager Sarah Kramp at Shepherd House, where I work now, is fantastic at supporting us, no matter what, and showing us how valued we are.' Despite the many challenges facing staff in the NHS, Aileen still loves her job and has no plans to give up any time soon. She said: 'When I reached 62, I had to officially retire, but I was determined never to stop working. 'Any time I am off sick for a few days or anything, I realise how much nursing is a part of me. Even for a few days, I really really miss it. It is just who I am now. 'I do have a great life outside nursing - like my amazing little granddaughter Lola who is five and my other grandchildren Kirsten, 33 and Nicholas, 36. But I still try to do as many nursing shifts as I can manage and can't imagine not going to work.' The 2018 RCNi Nurse Awards are now open for entries until Friday 23rd February. Enter yourself or another deserving nurse you know here: www.nurseawards.co.uk Heartbroken parents have revealed how their teenage son died from meningitis - despite not having the tell-tale purple rash. Lewis Hilton, 19, from Greetland, near Huddersfield, was killed by meningitis B - a deadly strain that he wasn't protected against. It claimed his life within 72 hours of his first flu-like symptoms, which prompted his concerned father, Morley, to send him home from work. But by the time the rugby player arrived in A&E the next day, following a phone call to NHS 111, he was unable to walk by himself or talk. Doctors did 'everything they could' to try and save his life, but it overwhelmed his body. He passed away on January 28 at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary. Mr Hilton, who started playing rugby at the age of six, had been vaccinated against four other strains of meningitis in September. Lewis Hilton, 19, from Greetland, near Huddersfield, was killed by meningitis B - a deadly strain that he wasn't protected against Recalling her phone call to NHS 111, his mother Tracy told the Halifax Courier: 'I knew they were talking me through meningitis symptoms. 'There was no rash, he was OK with light. The only thing on the list was he couldnt put his chin to his chest. 'Then we took him straight to A&E and by the time we got there his headache was really bad. His leg was going numb and we had to help him walk in. 'We saw a nurse, by which time his other leg and his arms were going numb, and he couldnt hold himself up.' Mrs Hilton, who praised hospital staff, continued: 'He was taken into a treatment area and by the time he was on the bed he couldnt really speak. 'He was treated for viral and bacterial meningitis as they couldnt test which it might be at that point. It claimed his life within 72 hours of his first flu-like symptoms, which prompted his concerned father, Morley, to send him home from work Doctors did 'everything they could' to try and save the life of Mr Hilton - who was a keen rugby player, but it overwhelmed his body. He passed away on January 28 'He was then transferred to intensive care, Huddersfield. By 11 oclock on Friday night he couldnt breathe on his own, so was on a ventilator.' She added: 'If wed taken him to A&E any earlier theyd have said it was flu. 'So many people have had flu recently and youd have thought thats what it was, until he got the headache in the morning, and by then it was too late.' His parents, who are 'absolutely overwhelmed' by the response to their son's death, are now trying to raise awareness of meningitis. They revealed Mr Hilton was given a jab against the 'devastating' bug in September, believed to protect against A,C,D and E, but it didn't cover the strain he had. Vaccinations against meningitis B have been available for babies up to a year old on the NHS since 2015 but not for older children. Campaigners have repeatedly called for the Government to ensure all children are protected against the killer strain. More than 800,000 people signed a landmark petition created in February 2016 after the killer bug claimed the life of two-year-old Faye Burdett. The Government reiterated in the same year that making the vaccine available to all children was 'not cost effective'. Mr Hilton, who started playing rugby at the age of six, had been vaccinated against four other strains of meningitis in September (pictured: his team, Old Rishworthians, taking part in a one minute clap in his memory) His parents, who are 'absolutely overwhelmed' by the response to their son's death, are now trying to raise awareness of meningitis (Mr Hilton is pictured at the front) WHAT IS MENINGITIS? Meningitis is caused by bacteria and results in an infection in the spinal cord and brain lining. It can also lead to blood infections. The disease commonly occurs among people who seem perfectly healthy and its onset is without warning. You can catch the disease by being in close contact with someone who has it - such as kissing them or absorbing their germs when they cough. It is easily spread among people living in tight quarters. For this reason, it is commonly perceived as a disease that mainly affects students living on college campuses. Even when treated, the disease kills 10 to 15 of every 100 infected people. And 10 to 20 of every 100 survivors will be disabled after contracting the disease. Advertisement The vaccine is privately available in Superdrug, Boots and in private clinics from 210 for a two-dose course. One in 10 of the 3,200 cases of the bacterial meningitis in the UK per year are fatal, with one in three left with permanent disabilities. Public Health England data in 2016 showed since the jab was introduced it has been behind a 42 per cent drop in cases of Men B. Meningitis B most often strikes children under the age of one, and symptoms can include cold hands, confusion and headaches. A rash is deemed the most common sign of the infection that strikes the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The bacterial infection isn't always fatal - but it can leave victims with long-lasting problems, such as amputation, deafness and learning difficulties. It follows the emergence of Meningitis W - a deadly strain of the infection that is on the rise that has prompted concerns. PHE urged students to get themselves vaccinated against the strain before starting university in September. Older teenagers and students are encouraged to get the Men ACWY vaccine, added to the national immunisation programme in 2015. This group is thought to be at a higher risk of infection because they mix closely with lots of new people - some of whom may unknowingly carry the meningococcal bacteria at the back of their noses and throats. Medical marijuana eases pain in more than 90 per cent of elderly patients, new research suggests. Among those over 65 suffering from discomfort, 93.7 per cent report an improvement after taking cannabis for six months, an Israeli study found. Out of a pain scale of 10, taking the class-C drug for half a year reduces older people's scores from an average of eight to four, the research adds. Cannabis also causes 18.1 per cent of opioid users to stop taking the painkiller or reduce their dose, the study found. Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska and Colorado have legalised marijuana for medical or recreational use. Opioids, which often lead to addicts experimenting with illegal substances such as heroin, have caused more deaths by accidental overdose than any other drug in US history, leading to a national public health emergency being declared in October last year. Earlier this month, experts in the UK announced patients prescribed powerful painkillers, such as opioids, should be monitored by hospital units rather than GPs to curb the addiction crisis. Medical marijuana eases pain in more than 90 per cent of elderly patients (stock) DOES CANNABIS INCREASE THE RISK OF PSYCHOSIS? Going from being an occasional marijuana user to indulging every day increases the risk of psychosis by up to 159 percent, research revealed in July 2017. Marijuana is thought to cause psychosis-like experiences by increasing a user's risk of depression, a study found. The two mental health conditions have previously been linked. Frequently abusing the substance also significantly reduces a user's ability to resist socially unacceptable behavior when provoked, the research adds. Study author Josiane Bourque from the University of Montreal, said: 'Our findings confirm that becoming a more regular marijuana user during adolescence is, indeed, associated with a risk of psychotic symptoms. '[Psychosis symptoms] may be infrequent and thus not problematic for the adolescent, when these experiences are reported continuously, year after year, then there's an increased risk of a first psychotic episode or another psychiatric condition.' The researchers, from the University of Montreal, analyzed around 4,000 13-year-olds from 31 high schools in the surrounding area. Every year for four years, the study's participants completed questionnaires about any substance abuse and psychotic experiences. Psychotic symptoms included perceptual aberration - for example feeling that something external is part of their body - and thinking they have been unjustly badly treated. The participants also completed cognitive tasks that allowed the researchers to assess their IQ, memory and stimuli response. Advertisement 'Cannabis is safe and efficacious in the elderly population' The researchers wrote: 'The therapeutic use of cannabis is safe and efficacious in the elderly population. 'Cannabis use may decrease the use of other prescription medicines, including opioids'. In terms of side effects, the results further reveal some 9.7 per cent of elderly people taking cannabis experience dizziness, while 7.1 per cent complain of dry mouth. The findings were published in the European Journal of Internal Medicine. How the research was carried out The researchers, from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, analysed 2,736 people aged over 65 who received medical cannabis between January 2015 and October 2017 in specialised marijuana clinics. The study's participants completed a questionnaire about their pain intensity and quality of life after six months of marijuana use. Some 66.6 per cent of the participants were taking marijuana for pain, while 60.8 per cent took the class-C drug for cancer. Alcohol damages the brain more than cannabis This comes after research released earlier this month suggests alcohol damages the brain more than cannabis. Unlike booze, marijuana does not affect the size or integrity of white or grey matter in the brain, even after years of exposure, a study found. Grey matter enables the brain to function, while white controls communication between nerve clusters. Study author Professor Kent Hutchison from the University of Colorado Boulder, said: 'While marijuana may also have some negative consequences, it definitely is nowhere near the negative consequences of alcohol.' The scientists add, however, research into cannabis' mental effects are still very limited. Lead author Rachel Thayer said: 'Particularly with marijuana use, there is still so much that we don't know about how it impacts the brain.' Some 93.7 per cent report an improvement after taking cannabis for six months (stock) Patients given powerful painkillers should be managed by hospitals In the UK, experts have called for strict rules that mean anyone given analgesics higher than a certain dose would be referred to specialist pain units. The team, led by academics at University College London, said this would help ensure patients are not left on the drugs for months without review. This comes off the back of a study published in the British Journal of General Practice. Lead author Dr Luke Mordecai said anyone given a drug with an equivalent strength of 120mg of morphine a day should be referred. He added: 'They need to be monitored in specialist care as happens with other conditions. 'If you had bad asthma, for example, you would not be looked after by your GP you would be sent to a hospital team. 'If you are being given high doses of powerful pain relief, you should be referred to hospital.' A controversial hormonal pregnancy test from the 1960s and 70s may have caused serious birth defects, new research suggests. When components of the test, known as Primodos, are given to embryonic zebrafish, the animals display significantly reduced movement and 'morphological defects' within just four hours of exposure, a UK study found. This comes after a recent review concluded scientific evidence 'does not support a causal association' between the use of hormonal pregnancy tests (HPTs), such as Primodos, and birth defects or miscarriage. Campaigners called the review, by the Commission on Human Medicines, a 'whitewash', saying the expert working group did not examine all of the available evidence on the use of these drugs. Past research suggests Primodos, which was introduced in 1958 and may have been prescribed to up to 1.5 million women in the UK, made expectant mothers up to five times more likely to have a disabled child. The latest findings may give hope of compensation to those affected by the HPT. Previous investigations reveal complications of the Primodos, which was never even tested on animals, were deliberately swept under the carpet by its manufacturer. Although Primodos was withdrawn from the market in 1978 amid links to cleft palates, limb defects and heart problems, its two key components, Norethisterone acetate and Ethinyl estradiol, are included in period delayers today. A controversial hormonal pregnancy test from the 1960s-70s may have caused birth defects WHAT IS PRIMODOS? Primodos is an oral hormonal pregnancy test that was prescribed to women in the UK between 1958 and 1978. It was withdrawn amid fears the test was linked to cleft palates, limb defects and heart problems in babies. Research suggests women who took Primodos were five times more likely to have a disabled child. Primodos' two key components, Norethisterone acetate and Ethinyl estradiol, are included in period delayers today, but at a much lower dose. How did the test work? A controversial hormonal pregnancy test from the 1960s-70s may have caused birth defects Primodos worked by causing a rapid spike in progesterone levels, which resulted in a small menstrual-like bleed in non-expectant women. Due to pregnant women producing higher amounts of progesterone to maintain their gestation periods, it was assumed these excess hormone levels would be balanced out in expectant mothers. Primodos is thought to have caused infant disabilities due to foetuses' livers not being sufficiently developed to process excess progesterone. Complications swept under the carpet In May last year, Health Minister Lord OShaughnessy announced the Government had ordered medical chiefs to investigate the HPT scandal, saying: Its vital we take concerns such as these seriously. Thats why weve asked the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to conduct a thorough scientific review of the evidence. Professor Bill Inman, who established the Drug Research Safety unit, carried out research in 1975 demonstrating Primodos' risks. Yet these findings were only passed to the drugs manufacturer, German pharmaceutical firm Schering, and not made public. Investigations also reveal the potent hormone pills were never tested, even on animals, before being given to women. Safety alarms were first raised in 1967, however, it was eight years before warnings were placed on packaging. A damages claim was launched in 1982 but dropped over fears that victims would struggle to prove Primodos caused the malformations. Campaigners want justice A recent review concluded scientific evidence 'does not support a causal association' between the use of HPTs, such as Primodos, and birth defects or miscarriage. Campaigners called the review by the Commission on Human Medicines a 'whitewash', saying the expert working group did not examine all of the available evidence on the use of the drugs. Before Primodos was introduced, pregnancies were confirmed by sending samples from women to a laboratory where it was injected into a toad. If the toad produced eggs in response to the high levels of hormones, it suggested the patient was expecting. Advertisement 'The damage occurs rapidly' The researchers wrote: 'Norethisterone acetate and Ethinyl estradiol cause embryonic damage in a dose and time responsive manner. The damage occurs rapidly after drug exposure, affecting multiple organ systems.' They also found drug components accumulate in forming zebrafish embryos for at least 24 hours. The findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports. Lead author Dr Neil Vargesson from the University of Aberdeen, said: 'What this study highlights is that there is a lot still to be learned about Primodos and more widely its components effects on mammals. 'Our experiments with the zebrafish embryos shows quite clearly the effects the Primodos components have. 'This does not mean it would do the same in humans of course, we are a long way from saying that, but we need to carry out more research into these components because they are still in drugs today and in some cases in much higher doses than those found in Primodos. 'The assumption by some previously has been that the doses given to mothers was too low to cause any damage but our study shows that the levels of Primodos' components accumulate in the embryos over time because they don't have a fully functional liver that can break down the drug. 'This, too, is new information and if the same thing happens in mammals, these drugs could build up in the embryo to much higher levels than shown in the mother's blood.' How the research was carried out The researchers exposed embryonic zebrafish to primodos' main components at 24, 48 or 72-hours post-fertilisation. This is a key period for tissue and organ development in such animals. In human embryo development, this period is around six-to-10 weeks post-fertilisation, which is when hormonal pregnancy tests are most likely to be used. The animals were exposed to doses equivalent to those given to pregnant women. Complications swept under the carpet In May last year, Health Minister Lord OShaughnessy announced the Government had ordered medical chiefs to investigate the HPT scandal, saying: Its vital we take concerns such as these seriously. Thats why weve asked the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to conduct a thorough scientific review of the evidence. Professor Bill Inman, who established the Drug Research Safety unit, carried out research in 1975 demonstrating Primodos' risks. Yet these findings were only passed to the drugs manufacturer, German pharmaceutical firm Schering, and not made public. Safety alarms were first raised in 1967, however, it was eight years before warnings were placed on packaging and 10 years before the medication was withdrawn. A damages claim was launched in 1982 but dropped over fears victims would struggle to prove Primodos caused the malformations. Past research suggests the test, known as Primodos, may have been prescribed to up to 1.5 million women and made them up to five times more likely to have a disabled child (stock) Study welcomed by campaigners Marie Lyon, chairwoman of the Association for Children Damaged by Hormone Pregnancy Tests, welcomed the latest study, adding the campaign group had 'no confidence' in the Commission on Human Medicines report published last year. Dr June Raine, director of vigilance and risk management of medicines at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, added: 'Patient safety is our highest priority and the safety and effectiveness of all available medicines is kept under constant review. 'As new data comes to light, action is taken as appropriate to make sure the benefits of medications outweigh the risks. 'The expert working group of the Commission on Human Medicines conducted a comprehensive independent scientific review of all available evidence including this then-unpublished scientific study and their overall conclusion was that the available scientific evidence, taking all aspects into consideration, did not support a causal association between the use of hormone pregnancy tests such as Primodos during early pregnancy and birth defects or miscarriage. 'While the review cannot take away from the very real suffering experienced by the families involved, it helps shape the path to further strengthen the scientific evidence which supports safety monitoring of medicines in pregnancy.' Rappers Kanye West, French Montana and Rick Ross have all been blamed for the rise in use of MDMA - known as molly. Researchers name-checked the stars on the back of a new study which shows hip-hop music is coaxing black listeners into using the drug. Four fifths of African American adults surveyed admitted the genre influenced their decision to try molly, confirming a link that has existed for decades. University of South Florida scientists have warned of the dangers of the drug, which has the potential to kill unaware teenagers seeking a quick thrill. Fellow high-profile rappers Lil Wayne and Jay-Z were also mentioned in the study, which quizzed 100 adults of African American descent. The researchers, led by Dr Khary Rigg, warned these artists were encouraging use of the drug because they are viewed as 'highly regarded and trend setting'. Researchers name-checked rappers Kanye West (left) and French Montana (right) on the back of a new study which shows hip-hop music is coaxing black listeners into using the drug Dr Rigg commented: 'Molly, although not as dangerous as opioids, has been linked to psychiatric problems, sexual risk taking and adverse health outcomes.' He warned it is linked to seizures, irregular heartbeats and even death, with 63 known to have died from taking MDMA in 2016 in the UK. Kanye, who married influential TV personality Kim Kardashian in 2014, is one of the most respected names in the hip-hop genre. He has mentioned molly in his song 'Blood on the Leaves', which reached 89 in the US Billboard 100 charts in 2013. The drug was also mentioned in 'Mercy'. French Montana, who has 2.9 million Twitter followers and used to date Kim's sister Khloe, has dedicated an entire song to the drug, titled molly. Rick Ross, followed by more than 4 million on Twitter, referenced putting the drug in a girl's champagne in his 'U.O.E.N.O' song. And Lil Wayne, who has released 12 studio albums, mentioned 'popping' the drug while featuring on Nicki Minaj's 'Roman Reloaded'. However, Jay Z, who recently admitted to cheating on his wife Beyonce, rapped the lyric 'I don't pop molly' in his song 'Tom Ford'. WHEN HAVE HIGH PROFILE HIP-HOP STARS MENTIONED MOLLY IN THEIR SONGS? Molly is also known as MDMA Kanye West BLOOD ON THE LEAVES - Let's take it back to the first party, when you tried your first molly MERCY - Something about Mary, she gone off that molly French Montana MOLLY - Baby trying to leave this party, we can roll up on some molly POP THAT - Let's get these h*** on that molly Rick Ross U.O.E.N.O - Put molly all in her champagne, she aint even know it Lil Wayne ROMAN RELOADED (NICKI MINAJ'S SONG) - Pop a molly, smoke a blunt, that mean I'm a high roller Jay Z TOM FORD - I don't pop molly, I rock Tom Ford Source: RapGenius Advertisement Fellow high-profile rappers Lil Wayne (right), Rick Ross (left), 50 Cent and Jay-Z were also mentioned in the study, which quizzed 100 adults WHAT IS MDMA? Ecstasy, known chemically as MDMA or molly, has been used by clubbers for decades due to its effects in helping keep people awake. It can come in the form of various pills and often takes about 30 minutes for its long-lasting effects to kick in, which can include feelings of love. In the UK, possession of any form of ecstasy - considered a Class A drug - comes with a potential jail term of up to seven years. In the US, the jail term can be as severe as 40 years in some states. Drug campaigners warn the biggest of taking MDMA revolves around the fact that many users are unaware of what is in the substance they are taking. It can include other drugs, such as PMA, which can be fatal in lower doses than MDMA itself. The Office for National Statistics recorded an eight fold increase in ecstasy deaths last year compared to 5 years ago. The statistics showed that 63 people died from taking MDMA in 2016 - significantly higher than that of the record low in 2010 of eight deaths. Advertisement Participants said they felt comfortable trying the drug only after trendsetting rappers like Kanye and French mentioned it in their lyrics. They said molly, a synthetic drug, was depicted by rap stars as the new 'it' drug that has no serious consequences, unlike heroin or crack cocaine. One volunteer, whose named was withheld, told researchers: 'I'm just trying to party like a rock star, not get strung out. 'Whenever they [rappers] mentioned it [molly], they are either partying, drinking [alcohol], smoking [weed], or having sex. All of the things I love to do most. 'I never heard about anyone getting addicted or dying. That made me feel better about trying it.' There is an abundance of song lyrics that glorify the drug, describing it as a way to party and lower sexual inhibitions, researchers said. Links between taking molly and listening to hip-hop music have become prominent in recent years. But previous studies mostly focused on populations that are white, European, and regular listeners of electronic dance music involved in the rave scene. The new research is believed to be the first of its kind to delve into whether hip-hop is actually influencing some African Americans to try molly. Dr Rigg said: 'The behaviors of millennial African-Americans are probably the most likely to be influenced by hip-hop music as the artists themselves are typically from that demographic. 'This suggests rappers may be effective sources for prevention, health promotion, and harm reduction messages aimed at African-Americans.' The study, in the Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, follows the claims that British grime artists, such as Stormzy, were fueling the use of cannabis. Ian Hamilton, based at York University, warned the popular music genre contains hundreds of lyrics glorifying the use of the class B drug. Gigi Hadid has spoken out again about the thyroid condition she claims is affecting her weight. The 22-year-old model, who openly spoke about Hashimoto's disease since 2016, took to Twitter Sunday to say it is responsible for her weight fluctuating over the past few years. Since these tweets, there's been a huge surge in Google searches for Hashimoto's disease. Daily Mail Online explains what the condition is, and how it may have impacted Hadid's weight. Hashimoto's disease can cause swelling at the front of the throat, hair loss and weight gain. Pictured: Gigi Hadid walking for Anna Sui Fall Winter 2018 show on February 12, 2018 Searches for 'Hashimoto's disease' have spiked after the catwalk star spoke out about the condition Hashimoto's disease affects 14 million people in the US, yet experts are still not sure what causes the disease. It is a condition where the immune system creates antibodies to damage the butter fly-shaped thyroid gland, which produces hormones that regulate the body's metabolic rate, muscle control, heart and digestive function, according to the society for Endocrinology. This causes the thyroid gland to not produce enough hormone, leading to weight gain, muscle weakness and a puffy face. This can also cause sensitivity to cold, hair loss, fatigue, and swelling at the front of the throat. When Hadid first signed to IMG agency five years ago, she was heavier, had rounder face and was criticized for being too fat to model. 'When I started [at] 17, I was not yet diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease,' she tweeted. 'Those of [you] who called me 'too big for the industry' were seeing inflammation and water retention due to that.' In 2015, she even spoke with Daily Mail Australia about changing the face of fashion with her body type, and said she 'eats like a man' and grew up with 'huge thighs.' Since then she's become more waif-like, and many people think it's due to pressure from the modeling industry. Gigi Hadid took to Twitter Sunday to say the disease is responsible for her weight fluctuations over the past few years The 22-year-old model said she suffered extreme fatigue and metabolism issue due to the thyroid disorder However, Hadid tweeted: 'I have always eaten the same, my body just handles it differently now that my health is better.' The model said she's been 'properly medicated' to treat symptoms associated with the disease, including metabolism issues and extreme fatigue. She said she was also part of a holistic medical trial that helped balance her thyroid levels out. Hadid isn't the only one in her family to suffer from an autoimmune disease. The rest of her family - Bella, Anwar and Yolanda Hadid - suffer from Lyme disease, an infectious tick-borne illness. The 22-year-old catwalk star, however, doesn't suffer from the condition. Hashimoto's disease, which is usually diagnosed with a blood test, is the most common thyroid disorder in the US, primarily affecting middle-aged women,yet there is no cure for the disease. The exact cause of the disease is unknown, but experts believe people are more likely to develop it if they have family members with condition or other autoimmune diseases such as celiac disease, type 1 diabetes and lupus. Since women are eight times more likely to develop the condition than men, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Kidney Diseases, experts believe sex hormones may play a factor. If untreated, this condition can lead to other health problems. Low levels of thyroid hormones allow levels of 'bad' cholesterol to rise, this increased the risk of heart disease. Babies born to women with untreated hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto's disease also have higher risk of birth defects than do babies born to healthy mothers. As stated earlier, there is no cure for this disease, but doctors often prescribe hormone medications to regulate hormone levels and restore normal metabolism. A transgender woman has become the first in the world to exclusively breastfeed her baby despite not giving birth nor undergoing gender-reassignment surgeries. The 30-year-old woman, who has not been identified, told doctors at Mt Sinai's Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery that her partner was pregnant but did not wish to breastfeed, and she hoped to try instead. For three-and-a-half months before the birth, the woman was put on a dose of hormone replacement therapy which the patient obtained from Canada, as well as breast pumping, until she could produce eight ounces of milk a day. By the time the child was born, the patient was producing enough milk to exclusively nurse for six weeks, then continued breastfeeding alongside other food sources for six months. Uniquely, she hadn't had any gender reassignment surgeries like a breast augmentation or a vaginoplasty to construct a vagina or vulva, which can change a person's hormone levels and in theory affect the ability to breastfeed. The 30-year-old woman, who is not identified, told Mt Sinai's Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery that her partner was pregnant but did not wish to breastfeed, and she hoped to try instead (file image) The case study, published today in the journal Transgender Health, is the clearest evidence to date that DIY hormone therapy can allow transgender women the experiences of childbirth and pregnancy. 'We believe that this is the first formal report in the medical literature of induced lactation in a transgender woman,' the authors wrote. Speaking to Daily Mail Online, the patient's doctor Tamar Reisman, MD, said the milestone was a breakthrough for transgender medicine, adding: 'We are happy that the patient shared her experience with us, and we are happy to help our patients build happy, healthy, transgender families.' The patient, who was in good health with no medical issues, had started a hormone regimen independently of Mt Sinai in 2011. She was taking a testosterone suppressor called spironolactone, estradiol which is near-identical to the hormones produced by ovaries, and micronized progesterone. When the patient came to the center, she told Dr Reisman and program manager Zil Goldstein she had obtained domperidone from Canada. The drug, commonly used around the world for gastric procedures and to induce lactation, is not approved by the FDA but is commonly used by Americans in 'DIY hormone therapy'. Dr Reisman said that the FDA's reluctance to approve domperidone is partly to do with reports of patients injecting the gastric drug intravenously, and developing cardiac issues. Regulators also harbor unsubstantiated concerns that we do not know how it affects breast milk, though no studies have found reason for concern. The medical team started the patient on 10mg a day of domperidone, as well as five minutes a day of breastfeeding. Within a month, she was producing droplets. They upped the dosage to 20mg a day, while doubling her increasing her 'feminizing hormones' (micronized progesterone and estradiol), plus an extra breast pump per day. A month later, they increased her progesterone and estradiol doses once again. By the third month, two weeks ahead of the baby's due date, she was producing eight ounces of milk a day, and was able to lower her progesterone and estradiol doses. The baby, who was born weighing 6lbs 13oz, was then breastfed exclusively for six weeks, and doctors reported the child was healthy and developing at the same rate as other babies. Dr Reisman said it is possible the mother could have produced breastmilk with a breast pump alone, and that the domperidone was merely supplementary. It's an area she is keen to investigate, though it will require a randomized control trial, and that depends on garnering enough interest to compare different methods. For now, Dr Reisman said, she is happy to have reached this breakthrough with this patient. 'We know that breastfeeding has a lot of benefits,' she said, referring to the scores of research that show babies breastfed for the six months of their life tend to have better digestive health and immunity. 'That doesn't mean that all patients have to want to breastfeed, but for this patient in particular it was the right choice and I'm happy we could help.' Make no mistake. The threat by Unilever to pull its advertising from social media giants unless they remove content which damages children and provokes hate is a watershed moment in the battle to clean up the web. For too long, Facebook, Google, YouTube and others have shirked moral responsibility to remove extreme pornography, child abuse videos, terrorist training manuals, cyber-bullying and fake news. In turn, governments have failed to introduce laws that properly regulate the arrogant, filth-peddling, tax-dodging internet giants. All the while, the billionaires who control them shrug their shoulders, denying all responsibility for grotesque offences against civilised values committed on their websites. Now, at last, a company has said it will act. And this poses a serious threat to the Silicon Valley behemoths as they depend on advertising for much of their income. Champion The emergence of Anglo-Dutch consumer giant Unilever maker of more than 1,000 brands worldwide such as Dove soap, Ben & Jerrys ice cream and Marmite as the champion of social responsibility on the internet will not be an enormous surprise to its investors, employees and other stakeholders The emergence of Anglo-Dutch consumer giant Unilever maker of more than 1,000 brands worldwide such as Dove soap, Ben & Jerrys ice cream and Marmite as the champion of social responsibility on the internet will not be an enormous surprise to its investors, employees and other stakeholders. Cleanliness and moral hygiene have been part of the groups DNA since it was founded at Port Sunlight on the Wirral in the 1890s. The firm was created out of Lever Brothers, whose first proprietor, William Hesketh Lever, saw Sunlight soap and the cleaning products which the firm produced as the route to a more sanitary Britain. Lever believed they would make cleanliness commonplace, foster health and contribute to personal attractiveness that life may be more enjoyable. Today, Unilevers chief marketing officer, Keith Weed (who runs one of the worlds largest advertising budgets), is acting in the same spirit. He said: We cannot have an environment where our consumers dont trust what they see online, adding that his firm cannot continue to prop up a digital supply chain which he said at times, is little better than a swamp in terms of its transparency. Unilever, worth 113 billion and with huge influence, will no longer invest in platforms it says do not protect our children, create division in society and promote anger and hate. This intervention is particularly timely in respect of Twitter, which hosts so much social media bile. Days ago, it announced it had broken into profit for the first time in its 12-year history. This was the result of better-than-expected advertising revenue. What Unilever does, other major firms are likely to copy.Its annual marketing budget is more than 6 billion and is rising dramatically as it expands in the developing world. Parents see social media as the biggest threat to childrens welfare, with the vast majority thinking that web giants do too little to protect them from online porn, self-harm websites and cyber- bullying with Facebook among the worst offenders Recent data shows that it spends 24 per cent of this budget on digital platforms across the board, with half targeting such platforms in the U.S. and China where internet use is strongest. Clearly, Unilever is also reacting to public anger. Parents see social media as the biggest threat to childrens welfare, with the vast majority thinking that web giants do too little to protect them from online porn, self-harm websites and cyber- bullying with Facebook among the worst offenders. Then there was the outrage from families of those killed in the Westminster Bridge terror attack in London, who complained about the widespread availability of extremist material online and how web giants offered encrypted messaging services to terrorists. Google, Facebook and Twitter refused to tell the Commons home affairs committee how many staff they employ to monitor and remove inappropriate content (pictured Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg) As a result, digital bosses had to give testimony before Parliament and to the U.S. Congress, to explain why their sites host terror organisations, propagate weapon-making materials and make it easy for children to access pornography. Of course, major advertisers such as Unilever have only limited ability to police where their digital advertising is placed, as so much is put online via so-called programmatic advertising, a process by which ads are displayed using a system driven robotically by algorithms. Explaining their failure to remove undesirable material, Silicon Valley bosses lamely claimed it is a huge task but that they are trying to improve their alert procedures. Nevertheless, Google, Facebook and Twitter refused to tell the Commons home affairs committee how many staff they employ to monitor and remove inappropriate content. In response, MPs said in a report last year that social media companies were putting profit before safety and should face fines of tens of millions of pounds for shamefully failing to remove extremist and hate crime material. (Since then, Google says 10,000 staff will hunt down extremist content on YouTube.) Meanwhile, in America, digital giants hide behind the first amendment to the constitution which guarantees Press liberty and freedom of speech. Craven Cynically, digital companies believe their pursuit of global domination means they can bypass the laws of mere states This is the same excuse used for decades by overtly racist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan for propagating anti-black and anti-Semitic material. Cynically, digital companies believe their pursuit of global domination means they can bypass the laws of mere states. And they are allowed to get away with it because of the craven way in which too many politicians court their favour. For example, when David Cameron was PM, the door of No. 10 seemed permanently open to Google executives. Rachel Whetstone, godmother to Camerons son, was then its vice-president of global communications. During her tenure, the tax-dodging giant enjoyed what critics called revolving door access to the Cameron government. In comparison with other media, web companies get kid-glove treatment. Notoriously, the Leveson inquiry into Press ethics (set up by Cameron) devoted one page to the internet, which has far more power to do harm than the Press. That harm becomes clearer every day that passes. The Home Office (not known for its technological prowess) says it can now block 94 per cent of Islamic State propaganda without any human involvement. So why are the web giants so slow? After a campaign by the Mail, they did show they can act incorporating software into their systems so users could block child pornography. Powerful Be in no doubt, this is the great battle of our age. And for its part, when it comes to marketing, Silicon Valley stops at nothing. Under CEO Paul Polman, Unilever is also a powerful advocate of environmentally-friendly production techniques Facebook, for instance, harvests members private pages for material about personal likes in order to send them adverts for products they believe they might buy. If they are capable of this, surely identifying and closing down dangerous material in what the Unilever boss has described as the swamp ought to be simple? It has become fashionable, particularly in the wake of the Carillion and East Coast main line debacles, to denigrate corporate Britain for its lack of ethical underpinnings. So it is greatly encouraging that one of our greatest consumer companies should take such a strong moral stand. Of course, like other major firms, Unilever is not faultless. But it has never forgotten its Port Sunlight roots and spends vast sums on research, development and testing to put consumer safety first. Under CEO Paul Polman, it is also a powerful advocate of environmentally-friendly production techniques. Now, with its challenge to the Silicon Valley companies which refuse to disinfect the cesspool of hate, violence and pornography, it is performing a great global public service. Investment firm Fidelity International is launching a new fund-of-funds based on its 'Select 50' list of recommended funds. The 'Select 50 Balanced Fund' is managed by multi-asset fund manager Ayesha Akbar and offers clients exposure to between 20 and 40 of Fidelity's top 50 recommended funds at any one time. The actively managed asset allocation will have weightings in the range of a typical globally diversified balanced investment fund. The majority will be split between equities and bonds funds while some alternatives offerings such as commodities funds will also be included, and some left as cash. Fidelity International's London office can be found on Cannon Street in the City. At least 80 per cent of the fund will be invested in the Select 50, with the remainder invested in funds outside the list or held as cash. It has no specific benchmark or targeted total return at this stage, with the aim being simply to achieve 'long-term capital growth'. Fidelity claims the new fund offers investors 'a quick and easy way to access the investment expertise that underpins the Select 50.' The Select 50, is a list of 50 actively managed funds available in the UK across various asset classes which Fidelity's investment analysts consider most worthy of recommendation. The list includes some of Fidelity's own in-house funds as well as third party offerings. The full list can be found below. The ongoing fee for the new fund is 1.25 per cent. This is composed of a fixed 0.5 per cent paid to Fidelity, and around 0.75 per cent to cover the cost of the underlying funds. This element could be slightly lower depending on the make-up of the fund and the fees charged to Fidelity by third parties. It is available for inclusion in ISAs, SIPPs and standard investment accounts via the firm's personal investing platform. Funds of funds have come under increased scrutiny of late as asset managers face pressure to cut down on fees and make the charges more transparent. A fund of funds will typically have higher fees than a single strategy fund as both the firm offering it and the the underlying funds take a slice of money. The argument justifying the greater fees centres on the claim that a fund of funds can offer investors easy access to the services of a broad range of experts in their specialist areas, resulting in better returns and lower risk. Tom Stevenson, investment director for Personal Investing said: 'For some investors, the challenge of putting together a portfolio of funds that complement each other is too difficult or time consuming. For others, even the narrow choice of funds on the Select 50 offers too many options.' 'We launched the Fidelity Select 50 Balanced Fund to help this segment of investors so that we could offer them a new one-stop fund that makes it easier than ever to tap into the expertise behind our popular Select 50 'best buy' list.' 'We believe each fund that makes up the Select 50 Balanced Fund brings something unique to the table and allows us to deliver a globally diversified portfolio that will help us deliver long term capital growth for our clients,' Akbar added. Vue International is making its first foray into Saudi Arabia just months after a 35-year ban on commercial cinemas was lifted. The firm has paired with Abdulmohsin Al Hokair Holding Group which operates a raft of leisure and hospitality centres to launch 30 cinemas over the next three years. International outlook: The firm has paired with Abdulmohsin Al Hokair Holding Group to launch 30 cinemas over the next three years The joint venture will see Vue establish cinemas in some of Al Hokairs existing sites as well as new developments, with the first cinema expected to open its doors later this year. The Saudi government said it expected 300 cinemas to be open by 2030. Millions of Barclays customers face turmoil as it battles a fraud case that could see it stripped of its licence to operate. The lender has been charged over a 7.3bn fundraising drive which saved it from needing a state bailout during the 2008 financial crisis. It has been claimed that, as part of this fundraising, Barclays illegally loaned 2.1bn to the Qatari state which was then used to buy shares in the bank. Caught in a storm: Barclays has been charged over a 7.3bn fundraising drive which saved it from needing a state bailout during the 2008 financial crisis This is illegal under the Companies Act 1985 because it is a form of market manipulation that lets businesses artificially boost their share price. A guilty verdict would leave Barclays open to unlimited fines that could run into the hundreds of millions or even billions of pounds. The scandal has already seen its former chief executive John Varley, 61 (pictured) and three other former executives charged with conspiracy to commit fraud. Last year the banks holding company, Barclays Plc, was charged with fraud and providing unlawful financial assistance. But yesterday the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) charged operating company Barclays UK Plc the part of the bank which actually deals with its 48m customers money. It will now be tried alongside the other defendants in 2019 and, if found guilty, could be stripped of its banking licences. It is feared this could leave Barclays unable to handle deposits or make loans in Britain and other key markets such as the US, crippling the institution and plunging its clients finances into chaos. Raising private money to get it through the financial crisis meant that Barclays, unlike rivals Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland, was able to avoid needing a bailout. Accepting state help would have given ministers a say over its casino banking operation and multi-million-pound bonus schemes. Insiders at the bank last night played down the risk of losing its banking licence, saying it remains a distant prospect. Other observers argued that the SFOs decision is a negotiating tactic aimed at bouncing Barclays into pleading guilty to the charges against its holding company, where a criminal conviction would have less impact on day-to-day operations. The bank has vowed to fight the claims, as have Varley and the others charged Roger Jenkins, 62, Thomas Kalaris, 62, and Richard Boath, 58. A spokesman said: Barclays PLC and Barclays Bank PLC intend to defend the respective charges brought against them. Barclays does not expect there to be an impact on its ability to serve its customers and clients. Sources said by the time the case is over, Barclays will have split its UK retail bank into a separate business under new regulations. This may protect the consumer arm from losing its licence even if the regulator decides to act, although the vitally important investment bank would still be hammered. If Barclays is found guilty, axing its licence would be a drastic step that regulators might decide was against the public interest. Barclays also faces a 700m lawsuit over the Qatar deal from financier Amanda Staveley, who acted for Abu Dhabi during the same 2008 fundraising and claims she was unfairly treated. It is fighting a separate case in the US after handling 14bn of toxic mortgage debt during the financial crisis. Barclays shares rose 0.2 per cent, or 0.42p, to 193.32p in a sign that traders took the latest charging decision in their stride. BHP Billiton, the multinational mining company, has been hit with a 1.3bn bill following changes to corporate tax law in the US. The expense, which will be treated as an exceptional item, will consist of a $898m non-cash charge on deferred taxes and a $843m charge on foreign tax credits. The mining company said that the lower corporate tax rate will benefit its U.S. attributable profit in the longer term. BHP Billiton said a lower corporate tax rate will help its U.S. profits going forward The company's share price has not been significantly moved by the news, rising 1 per cent to 1520p. BHP Billiton's first-half results are due on February the 20th. In its second-quarter production report last month, the company had hinted at a charge arising from the lowering of U.S. corporate taxes. The mining company has recently come under pressure from activist investor Elliott Advisors, which owns a stake in the company. The Australian company has been urged to review and unify its dual-listed status; it currently appears on both the UK and Australia's stock market. The U.S. House of Representatives in December approved the biggest overhaul of the U.S. tax code in 30 years, lowering the corporate tax rate to 21 percent from 35 percent. Australian engineering firm WorleyParsons and education provider Navitas have also flagged one-off charges in relation to the U.S. tax reform. Alyssa Pladl had always yearned for news of the adorable, brown-eyed baby girl she reluctantly gave up for adoption after becoming pregnant in her teens. So when her daughter Katie Fusco turned 18 and tracked down her biological parents, Alyssa wept for joy at the prospect of getting to know the child she feared she would never meet. Two years later, however, their fledgling bond is in tatters and 20-year-old Katie is languishing in a North Carolina jail facing the almost unthinkable charge of incest. Katie's alleged crime: marrying her own father, Alyssa's ex-husband Steven Pladl, who is now out on bond, and having his baby. Now, in a heartrending exclusive interview with DailyMailTV, 37-year-old Alyssa has spoken for the first time about the warped affair that has ripped her family apart, describing it as the 'ultimate betrayal'. The mother-of-three has also told how she learned of the alleged incest by reading about it in her and Steven's younger daughter's journal, which has now been seized by police as evidence. The confused sibling, 11, had drawn pictures of her pregnant sister and father, depicting them as devils and stating that, since her dad was 'Satan', Katie's child would be born 'half-demon'. Katie Fusco, 20, and Steven Pladl, 42, were arrested in late January after the biological father and daughter had an alleged incestuous relationship and had a baby together in September 2017. Steven, along with his ex-wife, gave up Katie for adoption as a baby. She tracked down her parents and the family was reunited in June 2016 (pictured) Katie reached out to her biological parents in August 2015, writing: 'Don't know if you're ok with this or not but I thought I'd give it a shot. hi'. Pictured: Katie with her son Shortly after Katie moved back in with her parents, Steven (pictured with his newborn son) and Alyssa legally separated. The wife told police Steven had been sleeping in Katie's room Alyssa Pladl (pictured with a baby photo of Katie), 37, the ex-wife of Steven Pladl and mother of Katie has spoken for the first time to DailyMailTV about the warped affair that has ripped her family apart, describing it as the 'ultimate betrayal' Alyssa lays the blame squarely on her 42-year-old ex-husband, insisting he brainwashed and seduced Katie after she moved into their marital home in Henrico, Virginia. 'There are no words to describe the sense of betrayal and disgust I'm feeling,' she told DailyMailTV. 'I waited 18 long years to have a relationship with my daughter - and now he's completely destroyed it.' After divorcing Alyssa in March 2017 and impregnating Katie, Steven Pladl appears to have made little attempt to conceal their alleged incestuous union from the world. The brazen couple posted tender portraits of their baby son on social media after his birth last September as well as photos from their July 2017 'wedding'. In one snap taken at the romantic lakeside ceremony, Steven can be seen passionately embracing his heavily pregnant 'bride'. Incredibly, another photo shows Katie's adoptive parents, Kelly and Anthony Fusco, joining the newlyweds for a group shot and smiling for the camera. Neither looks especially perturbed despite having just watched the daughter they raised from eight months old marry her biological father. Completing the lineup is Steven's 72-year-old mother Grace - who had just seen her son tie the knot with her granddaughter. 'From what I know it was an official wedding, even if it was illegal. They just didn't disclose their father-daughter relationship,' added Alyssa, a supervisor for T-Mobile. 'They were all there for an incestuous wedding and she's pregnant with his baby. How they could be there celebrating is beyond me.' Alyssa says her heartbreak can be traced back to her agonizing decision to give away her firstborn child, known then by her birth name, Denise. Both Steven and Katie have been charged with incest, adultery and contributing to delinquency. They were each issued a $1 million bond. Steven bonded out of jail, but Katie remains behind bars in North Carolina Katie and Steven were allegedly married in July 2017 in front of family members, including Steven's mother (left) and Katie's adoptive parents Anthony and Kelly Fusco (right). Alyssa said: 'They were all there for an incestuous wedding and she's pregnant with his baby. How they could be there celebrating is beyond me' Overwhelmed by the pressure of being a 17-year-old mom, Alyssa (right with Katie as a baby) and Steven, then 22, decided adoption would give their baby daughter a better chance in life Overwhelmed by the pressure of being a 17-year-old mom, she and Steven, then 22, decided adoption would give their baby daughter a better chance in life. They would go on to marry in 2006 and raise two more daughters, but Alyssa says she never overcame her feelings of guilt and regret. 'I went into a really dark place for a long time. To help myself cope with it whenever her birthday would come around I would find a picture of her or think of her. 'Every January 29 I would say happy birthday Denise, I love you,' she told DailyMailTV. 'I hoped somehow she could sense it.' When Katie first made contact in August 2015, Alyssa had never heard her adopted name before and was unaware who she was. She dismissed the message - 'Don't know if you're ok with this or not but I thought I'd give it a shot. hi' - as spam. But when Katie sent a follow up to Steven via a genealogy website they realized the sender was their estranged daughter, who had just turned 18. The teenager took a train to Virginia in June 2016 to meet her biological parents. The meeting was a success and weeks later Alyssa and Steven were in Wingdale, New York, to watch Katie's high school graduation. 'Her voice sounds like mine. Even though we weren't around each other we spoke in the same way,' Alyssa recalled excitedly. 'She was a black sheep in a good way, sort of like me. She stood out from the crowd. She was an independent young woman, she was funny, she was sarcastic. Seeing all those traits in her was amazing.' Alyssa discovered the alleged incestuous relationship after reading her younger daughter's journal, where the 11-year-old wrote Katie was pregnant and the baby would be a 'half demon'. Pictured: Alyssa, Katie and the two younger daughters in June 2016, the first time meeting Katie Steven told Alyssa in March 2017 that their 11-year-old daughter was acting up whenever she visited him. He brought along the troubled youngster's journal for Alyssa to read - the girl had made frightening drawings of her father and sister with devil horns and tails The confused sibling, 11, had drawn pictures of her pregnant sister and father, depicting them as devils and stating that, since her dad was 'Satan', Katie's child would be born 'half-demon' The girl had made frightening drawings of her father and sister with devil horns and tails, writing: 'Katie is pregnant. Dad says they feel like couples. Did they get a little too drunk that night? My dad is a slut' The 11-year-old wrote in her journal about her father Steven: 'He's Satan. He's f**king SATAN. He'll go to hell but he won't be the one getting tortured, he'll be the one torturing people' In another harrowing entry, the child wrote: 'My dad calls her baby also his baby. Did he make her pregnant? My dad even says she's my stepmom wtf. He doesn't even want me to say or call her sister anymore' By August of that year mom, dad and their three daughters were living under one roof for the first time. It was hardly a happy family, however, as behind the scenes Alyssa and Steven's marriage was crumbling and the couple had discussed divorce. Steven, who worked from home testing products for Amazon, began to spend more time alone with Katie, spending nights sleeping on her bedroom floor. When Alyssa complained it was inappropriate she says he flew into a rage. 'He became furious. How dare I suggest that anything might be going on. He was throwing things, he was yelling,' Alyssa said. 'I spoke to Katie and she assured me she was just trying to help us keep the peace.' When Alyssa decided to move out several months later, taking their two younger daughters with her, Katie chose to stay with her father. Alyssa suspected her ex-husband was slowly poisoning her relationship with Katie but never suspected her ex was capable of incest. That was to change, however, when Steven asked to speak with her in March 2017 about their 11-year-old daughter, who he said was acting up whenever she visited him. He brought along the troubled youngster's journal for Alyssa to read - and what the shaken mom discovered inside its pages would tear her world apart. The girl had made frightening drawings of her father and sister with devil horns and tails, writing: 'Katie is pregnant. Dad says they feel like couples. Did they get a little too drunk that night? My dad is a slut. 'He's Satan. He's f**king SATAN. He'll go to hell but he won't be the one getting tortured, he'll be the one torturing people. ' Alyssa lays the blame squarely on her ex-husband, insisting Steven brainwashed and seduced Katie after she moved into their marital home in Henrico, Virginia. 'There are no words to describe the sense of betrayal and disgust I'm feeling' The disgusted mother and ex-wife said Steven said 'his mother knew. He said [Katie's] adoptive parents knew, that they didn't like it at first but they've all come to accept it' Alyssa has little sympathy for her ex-husband but wants to see Katie (pictured with her child) treated as the victim of her father's alleged predatory, incestuous desires rather than a perpetrator. She said: 'Even though she was an adult at the time, he was the father and he should have stopped any feelings between them. That is all on him' The journal writing continued: 'Wait one second if he's Satan and Katie is a human then the baby will be half demon.' In another harrowing entry, the child wrote: 'My dad calls her baby also his baby. Did he make her pregnant? My dad even says she's my stepmom wtf. He doesn't even want me to say or call her sister anymore. 'Katie is my sister, she's probably his wife now, but in nature she's only my sister. Does she see me as a daughter or sister?' Alyssa believes Steven wanted her to read about the alleged incest because he was too cowardly to tell her himself. 'I lost it. I started screaming. I felt like I was going to throw up,' recalled Alyssa, choking back tears. She said: 'I called him and I said so there was something in this journal that I should be concerned about? I said is Katie pregnant with your baby? He said I thought you already knew. 'I just tore into him, I was screaming. I said is this why you've been trying to rush our divorce, are you trying to marry her and he said, yes. 'He said his mother knew. He said [Katie's] adoptive parents knew, that they didn't like it at first but they've all come to accept it. 'That they are not going to change for anyone. That they are in love and if anyone finds out he would leave town with Katie and leave everything else behind.' Alyssa alerted police to the journal's contents and immediately sought a protective order for her younger daughters, with whom she and Steven shared joint custody under the terms of their divorce. The order was granted which meant Alyssa was similarly barred from contacting either Steven or Katie and hasn't spoken to either since. Alyssa alerted police to the journal's contents and immediately sought a protective order for her younger daughters. Pictured: The family home near Richmond, Virginia, where Steven lived with his wife and two kids before moving to North Carolina with Katie It wasn't until January 27 of this year, however, that the pair were arrested at their new marital home in Knightdale, North Carolina, that they shared with Steven's mother. According to warrants issued by Henrico County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, they are both charged with incest, adultery and contributing to delinquency. They could face up to ten years behind bars if found guilty. Steven has since been released on $1 million bond, however Katie remains behind bars at Wake County Detention Center pending her extradition hearing on February 28. 'She's a breastfeeding mother. She's in there struggling emotionally and physically. But he's used whatever financial resources he can get his hands on to get himself out, not her,' raged Alyssa. She continued: 'That should tell you all you need to know about what kind of husband and father he is. There is no way I'm ever having him around his daughters again. I think he needs to go to jail and pay for what he's done. 'Even though she was an adult at the time, he was the father and he should have stopped any feelings between them. That is all on him.' Alyssa has little sympathy for her ex-husband but wants to see Katie treated as the victim of her father's alleged predatory, incestuous desires rather than a perpetrator. She says it's too early to say if she and Katie can ever rebuild their relationship but hopes by speaking out, her eldest child will realize she doesn't hate her or wish to see her suffer. 'I don't think prison is the answer for her,' said Alyssa. 'I think she needs to get some therapy. She needs to get some help, she needs to be shown how to prioritize that child and rebuild her life.' Katie's adoptive parents Kelly and Anthony Fusco could not be reached for comment and did not return calls. When DailyMail.com approached Grace Pladl for comment she smiled, shook her head and closed the door to her Knightdale home without saying a word. Ten years ago today, Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd stood in front of parliament and said sorry to the Stolen Generation - the Aboriginal children taken from their homes and given to white Australians or missions to raise. 'We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country. 'For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry,' Mr Rudd told Federal Parliament on February 13, 2008. Scroll down for video Ten years ago Kevin Rudd apologised to the Stolen Generation which was an emotional day for many Indigenous people However with more Indigenous children in out-of-home care than ten years ago, are Aboriginal affairs improving? Kevin Rudd apologised ten years ago (left) but MP Linda Burney (right) believes Aboriginal affairs are instead going backwards Despite the apology being made in February it wasn't until later in the year that specific ways to minimise the disadvantage between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia were announced, known as Close The Gap targets. But, as it has emerged that only three out of seven Close The Gap targets are on track, MP Linda Burney believes Indigenous standard of living is getting worse. She told Daily Mail Australia: 'I believe that Aboriginal affairs are going backwards in this country. The targets were on track for the first five years and the last five years were disastrous for those targets.' What's 'Close The Gap'? The targets for 2018 include: - Halving the gap in mortality rates for Indigenous children under five - Making sure more Indigenous children are keeping up school attendance - Improving reading, writing and numeracy achievements in Indigenous students - Halving the difference in employment outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians Other targets are: - Increasing the number of Indigenous Australians with Year 12 attainment by 2020 - Increasing the number of four-year-olds enrolled in early child learning centres to 95 per cent by 2025 - Closing the life expectancy gap within a generation by 2031 Advertisement At a breakfast to mark the tenth anniversary of the apology Kevin Rudd and wife Therese Rein hugged a Stolen Generation survivor 'My aspiration at the time was to set hard targets. Hard targets because overcoming 210 years of disadvantage was a bloody hard thing,' Kevin Rudd said on Sky News An Indigenous woman wipes away her tears as she hears Kevin Rudd's apology Last year the only target on track was the goal to have more Indigenous people attain Year 12 by 2020. Now three of the seven are on track according to the 2018 report, including having more Indigenous youth reach attainment in Year 12, improve early child learning centre attendance and halve child mortality rates. A ten-year review released last week by the Close the Gap Campaign Steering Committee, which was funded by Oxfam Australia, discussed ways the strategies had fallen short and how they may be improved upon. But one target, closing the life expectancy gap, is actually widening as of 2017 according to the review. Three targets will lapse this year without being met. According to The Australian more than $130.2billion has been spent on programs to help achieve the Close the Gap targets in the eight years leading up to 2016. Opposition leader Bill Shorten announced that if elected $10 million would go towards setting up a 'Healing Fund'. Stolen Generation survivors in the Northern Territory and ACT would also receive $75,000 and an additional $7,000 to cover funeral costs. Labor Member for Barton Linda Burney (left), Senator Pat Dodson (back, left) and Senator Malarndirri McCarthy (right) stand with Opposition leader Bill Shorten (centre) at a press conference According to the ten-year review published by Close the Gap Campaign Steering Committee the life expectancy gap is widening 'My aspiration at the time was to set hard targets,' Kevin Rudd said on Sky News. 'Hard targets because overcoming 210 years of disadvantage was a bloody hard thing. 'So when people say they're too hard, that we aren't on track to meet them all, I say, "You know, so what?".' He argued that while only three of targets are on track, there has been improvements in all of the targets since Closing the Gap began. He also said that financial commitment needs to be maintained or the states and territories will fall away. Ms Burney, the Member for Barton, also believes there is a creeping 'sense of paternalism' coming back into Aboriginal affairs. She said that Aboriginal people have the solutions to the issues but they are not involved in the decision-making process about how to close the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. The MP believes it was instructive that the Uluru Statement of the Heart that outlined that the Indigenous community want a voice in parliament was 'dismissed out of hand'. Aboriginal people had waited since the 1997 Bringing Them Home report to hear the words that formally and nationally acknowledged what happened when the Australian government introduced policy that led to between one in ten and one in three Aboriginal children being taken between 1910 and 1970. Ms Burney, the first Aboriginal woman to be elected and serve in the House of Representatives, was in the galleries on February 13, 2008 the day Mr Rudd gave the apology that his predecessor John Howard had refused to make. She said: 'It was one of the most remarkable days of my life. 'What it really felt like was that the country was holding its breath for a long time and it just felt such a relief.' Indigenous Australians filled the galleries to hear Kevin Rudd's apology Indigenous people travelled across the country to witness the apology that had been in the making since the 1997 Bringing Them Home report It was Ms Burney, according to Jenny Macklin, who suggested that elders be invited to the apology. Ms Burney told Daily Mail Australia that it was seeing those people in the gallery that you could no longer deny the reality. Ms Macklin was the Minister for Indigenous Affairs at the time of the apology. In an essay for Meanjin she wrote that the way the apology was delivered had to be fought for even in the final hours and days beforehand. Kevin Rudd was the first Prime Minister to say sorry to the Indigenous people The Close The Gap targets aren't the only concern of the Indigenous community. Change The Date is also an issue the community is vocal about The issue of compensation and reparation was a big issue in how the apology was handled. Even now this has not been delivered at a Federal level. To be heard is not the only fight for equality Indigenous people are now facing. The movement to change the date of Australia Day has heated up in recent years with many calling the day Invasion Day and seeing it as a day of mourning. According to a 2016-2017 Child Protective Services report, 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are over-represented in the child protection system.' As of June 30, 2017, there were 17,664 Indigenous children across Australia between 0 and 17 who were in out-of-home care compared to 9,070 between 2007 and 2008. Dallas Brown can still see the bullets coming for him 50 years later, smacking into the dirt at his feet as north Vietnamese soldiers fired on his platoon during an ambush deep in the jungle. Minutes later, as the deadly firefight wound down, Brown and his fellow soldiers in the 101st Airborne would be immortalized. In one of the most searing images of the Vietnam War, Brown grimaces as he lies on the ground with a back injury. Not far away, a platoon sergeant raises his arms to the heavens, seemingly seeking divine help. Landing on the front page of The New York Times, the black and white image by Associated Press freelancer Art Greenspon gave Americans back home an unflinching look at the conditions soldiers endured in what would become the war's deadliest year. Captured on April 1, 1968, it was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and appeared prominently in Ken Burns' recent Vietnam War documentary. This April 1968 photo shows the first sergeant of A Company, 101st Airborne Division, guiding a medevac helicopter through the jungle foliage to pick up casualties suffered during a five-day patrol near Hue. Two soldiers in the photo, Dallas Brown, bottom, and Tim Wintenburg, far right, recently reunited to talk to The Associated Press about the iconic photo and the war But for the young Americans who have decided to talk about it a half-century later, it was merely a moment in another sweltering day in a Southeast Asian jungle with well-hidden enemies all around. Some of them have spent years putting the experience in perspective. 'When I look at that picture now, I say, "If I can survive that, I can survive anything,"' said Tim Wintenburg, who in the photo helps carry a wounded soldier over brush hacked away to create a helicopter landing zone. Sgt. Maj. Watson Baldwin has his arms raised to guide in a helicopter that would take away the wounded men, including one shot in the leg by the Vietnamese soldier who was firing at Brown. Baldwin died in 2005, according to Fort Campbell officials who recently tracked down soldiers in the photo. Brown, who lives near Nashville, and Wintenburg, of Indianapolis, met with an Associated Press reporter at Fort Campbell in Kentucky to recount the events surrounding the photo - their first news media interviews ever on the war. After he received his draft notice in 1965, Wintenburg visited a recruiting office and was told he looked 'like Airborne material.' By early 1968, he was 20 years old and on the front lines. Vietnam veteran Brown, left, pointing to himself in a Vietnam War-era photo in Fort Campbell, Ky. Fellow veteran Wintenburg is at the far right in the iconic war photo, taken nearly 50 years ago Brown and Wintenburg recently visited Fort Campbell to share their stories about an iconic Vietnam War photo they were pictured in on its anniversary this year Brown, who was 18 when he landed in Vietnam, remembers being inspired by 'The Ballad of the Green Berets.' He was encouraged to go through airborne training. Both men ended up at Fort Campbell, home of the 101st Airborne. In the spring of 1968, Brown and Wintenburg's squad was in the dangerous A Shau Valley on a weekslong 'search and destroy' mission, meaning they never took prisoners. Firefights were commonplace. Brown recalls their battalion commander, a lieutenant colonel, telling them before one mission: 'You get a body count, you get a prize.' 'To my knowledge we might have taken a handful of prisoners the whole time we was in Vietnam,' Brown said. The soldiers were hiking up a slippery mountain trail after a monsoon when they paused to eat lunch. Associated Press freelancer Art Greenspon (pictured) captured the iconic 1968 photograph Brown, sitting on his rucksack with his M-16 rifle across his lap, thought he saw a sapling move down a ravine. He didn't feel any wind. He switched his rifle to full-automatic as an enemy fighter stepped into view. Known in the platoon as 'hillbilly' for his Tennessee drawl and proficiency with a rifle, Brown fired on the first north Vietnamese soldier, killing him and then another behind him. He was reloading when a third enemy fighter fired back. 'You know you see these movies where you see clods of dirt jumping up? I could see them, I mean they was coming right at me and that's when I got off that rucksack,' Brown said. 'I thought, this guy, he means to kill me as sure as the world.' Brown lunged for cover, and a bullet struck the leg of a soldier who had been behind him. Once the ambush was put down, Brown carried the wounded man up the hill, injuring his back on the way. Brown grimaced as the photo was snapped. Wintenburg, who had lost his helmet, helped the wounded soldier up to the landing spot. He glanced back toward Greenspon. Greenspon now lives in Connecticut. He declined to be interviewed, saying the soldiers should always be the focus of any story about the photograph. Brown and Wintenburg each spent about a year in Vietnam, and both men struggled with anxiety for years. But now, 50 years later, they relish opportunities to reunite with fellow 101st Airborne members. Brown has a copy of the photo hanging in his home, and he has plenty of stories of how he convinced relatives and friends that he's in it. A few years ago, Brown's granddaughter and her boyfriend - now her husband - asked about it. Seeing it through their eyes reminded him of the growing pride he now takes in his piece of history. Wintenburg shares that pride, though he is perhaps more sanguine about what led him to that moment. 'We didn't really have a choice back then,' he said. 'We did what we had to do.' Police arrested a man Friday who they say broke into people's homes in Massachusetts while they attended wakes or funerals. Authorities say they began to suspect 35-year-old Randy Brunelle during an investigation into a series of break-ins on Cape Cod. Brunelle has been charged with breaking and entering in the nighttime to commit a felony. He has also been charged with felony breaking and entering and larceny following September and December break-ins. According to the newspaper, the break-ins took place at the residence of widows who were at their husband's funerals. Police arrested 'obit bandit' Randy Brunelle, 35, on Friday after they say broke into people's homes in Massachusetts while they attended wakes or funerals Brunelle previously had served an 18-month prison sentence on a 2012 conviction for breaking into a police officer's home as the officer attended his mother's funeral. Barnstable police say they followed his car Friday while other officers went to homes of residents attending funerals. Officers discovered a break-in and pulled Brunelle over. Police say they arrested him after finding jewelry in his pockets. Brunelle, who police nicknamed the 'obit bandit,' is facing multiple charges including felony breaking and entering. The Cape Cod Times reports that he ignored a reporter's questions while entering court for his arraignment Monday. A Russian 'hacking genius' accused of helping defraud $530 million out of Americans, enjoyed hiding out in Thailand and posing with exotic snakes, crocodiles and tigers before his arrest, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal. Sergey Medvedev, 31, was arrested in Bangkok on February 2 by local authorities on an United States extradition demand. The hacking supremo is at the heart of $530 million suspected scam, where he allegedly ran a 'one-stop shop for cyber-criminals', including selling hardware to compromise cash machines in many countries. Medvedev is seen in photos with his Thai wife holding a python, and in another, posing with his pet Mexican Black King Snake, which he feeds live mice. The snake-lover also flaunted his toned body and described himself as a 'strongman wannabe', as the Russian showed all the signs of enjoying his luxury tropical lifestyle. Sergey Medvedev, 31, a Russian 'hacking genius' is accused of helping defraud $530 million out of Americans. Before his arrest on February 2, he enjoyed hiding out in Thailand and posing with exotic snakes, crocodiles and tigers (pictured) Medvedev is seen in photos with his Thai wife - name unknown - holding a python (pictured) The hacking supremo (pictured posing in front of a pit filled with crocodiles) is at the heart of $530 million suspected scam, where he allegedly ran a 'one-stop shop for cyber-criminals' Medvedev, 31, was arrested in Bangkok in early February (pictured) by local authorities on an United States extradition demand Medvedev beams in a photo where he stands in front of a tank of crocodiles. He also calls himself a 'competitive eater and food lover'. The suspected cyber criminal king did not try to hide himself away in five years of regular visits to Thailand. His pictures from social media are a stark contrast to images showing him handcuffed in Bangkok, as the U.S. demands for his extradition to face trial. There are no clues in his picture collection about his alleged double life, except for one photo where Medvedev uses an ATM. Medvedev is accused of running a 'one-stop shop for cyber-criminals', including selling hardware to compromise cash machines in many countries, and faces extradition to the US in around one month, Thai authorities said. His operation caused astonishing half billion dollar losses for individuals and businesses who were compromised when their bank accounts, credit and debit cards were hacked, the US Justice Department said. Originally from the Ural Mountains, he is also suspected of involvement in selling drugs and weapons, Russian news agency Sputnik said. Thai authorities said their US colleagues had been tracking Medvedev and his associates for two years. Pictured: Medvedev being arrested on February 2 in Bangkok There are few clues in his picture collection about his alleged double life, except for one photo where Medvedev uses an ATM (pictured) Originally from the Ural Mountains, Medvedev (pictured) is suspected of involvement in selling drugs and weapons, Russian news agency Sputnik said He possessed more than 100,000 bitcoins when he was detained on February 2, the Bangkok Post reported. His 'criminal group' used the motto 'In Fraud We Trust', it is alleged. The U.S. indictment described Medvedev as his criminal group's co-founder along with Svyatoslav Bondarenko, It is claimed he had operated a payment system for 11,000 members who gained access to business and private bank accounts and cards. It is not immediately clear if he is suspected of collusion with the Russian authorities but members of his cyber criminal network were forbidden from stealing from people in his motherland, it is alleged. Thai authorities said their U.S. colleagues had been tracking Medvedev and his associates for two years. Police Major Nuthapong Rattanamongkolsak said:'Before the operation could be ready, they had to recheck their targets in various countries.' The snake-lover also flaunted his toned body on social media and described himself as a 'strongman wannabe' It is not immediately clear if he is suspected of collusion with the Russian authorities but members of his cyber criminal network were forbidden from stealing from people in his motherland, it is alleged. Pictured: Medvedev with his wife Pictured: Medvedev and his wife on their wedding day (undated) He told journalists: 'Medvedev is the head of a criminal organisation which has affected the global economy and public in general. 'He concealed his identity in cyberspace and traded in illicit items using digital currency to avoid arrest.' Medvedev made repeated trips to Thailand using tourist visas, it is claimed. He had a hideout in a Bangkok condominium. He had been travelling to Thailand since 2012, yet found time to graduate from Ural Federal University in 2014, it is claimed. The US-led crackdown, called Operation Shadow Web, on the dark-web organisation occurred simultaneously in 14 countries last week. Accomplices were arrested in Australia, Britain, Italy, Ivory Coast, Kosovo and the US. 'It is one of the biggest crackdowns on international criminal syndicates by the Justice Ministry [Department} of the US,' a Thai police source said. Medvedev was one of the 36 individuals cited in an indictment for racketeering and their involvement with Infraud, which allegedly allowed its members to buy and sell credit card and other financial information. Medvedev poses with his pet Mexican Black King Snake which he feeds live mice Medvedev made repeated trips to Thailand using tourist visas and had a hideout in a Bangkok condominium. He had been travelling to Thailand since 2012, yet found time to graduate from Ural Federal University in 2014, it is claimed. Pictured: Medvedev's snake cages A police statement said officers were able to arrest Medvedev by performing stake-outs, behavioral analyses, and by investigating his online activity. His operations led to drug-selling, rare illegal weapons and involved stolen credit card PINs, protected wild animals and illegally obtained government documents. The Russian embassy in Bangkok has complained that they had not been informed officially about Medvedev's detention. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has accused Washington of 'hunting' for Russian nationals in third countries. Medvedev is now 'detained at Bangkok Remand Prison waiting for U.S. authorities to take him for prosecution in the U.S.,' Thai sources said. When Ibrahim was nine Boko Haram militants chopped off his friend's hand and dipped the stump in boiling oil When Ibrahim was nine years old, Boko Haram militants chopped off his friend's hand and dipped the stump in boiling oil. Much of his family had been butchered by the group; when he was 11, he saw a jihadi shooting his father dead. 'When I think about Boko Haram I have no emotion,' he told MailOnline in Bikari camp in Maiduguri, the wartorn capital of Borno state in northeastern Nigeria. 'I don't think I feel anything any more.' Ibrahim, 13, is just one of millions of Nigerians displaced by the savage nine-year insurgency, which has claimed over 20,000 lives, triggered malnutrition and disease, and forced entire communities to flee their homes. Now there is a growing fear that the African terror organisation parts of which are affiliated to ISIS is threatening to spill into Europe along migrant routes. MailOnline visited the city of Maiduguri, the war-torn capital of northeastern Borno state, to see first-hand the scale of the disaster. We travelled with the British charity Street Child, one of a small number of NGOs that helps children caught up in the conflict. Nigeria was the third biggest source of illegal migration into Europe last year with 37,000 new arrivals, behind only Syria and Afghanistan and ahead of Iraq by 10,000. Last month, a hardened Boko Haram fighter who had admitted slaughtering schoolchildren, burning down churches and taking girls hostage, was arrested by German police in Munich. MailOnline visited the city of Maiduguri, the war-torn capital of northeastern Borno state, to see first-hand the scale of the disaster. Pictured: Beggar boys known as Almajiri at the Goni Habeb Sangaya school in downtown Maiduguri We travelled with the British charity Street Child, one of a small number of NGOs that helps children caught up in the conflict. Pictured: Children beg by the roadside Boys study maths at Street Child's Jajeri Bayan Texaco school in Maiduguri So far, most Nigerian migrants have come from parts of the country free from the terrorist threat. But if the terror group is not suppressed, experts believe that a new surge in migration to Europe may be on the way with more terrorists hiding in its ranks. Fatima Akilu, a former NHS psychologist who leads Nigeria's de-radicalisation programme, told MailOnline: 'As Boko Haram gets squeezed in Nigeria by the military, what is the next stage? Embed themselves in other countries far from their homeland? That could be the plan.' Maiduguri's population has doubled to two million with an influx of people fleeing the group, which seeks to establish a caliphate in the northeast, as well as parts of neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger. In the city's largest camp, Dalori, we captured drone footage to illustrate the magnitude of the staggering humanitarian emergency. In the city's largest camp, Dalori, we captured drone footage to illustrate the magnitude of the staggering humanitarian emergency More than 50,000 traumatised refugees in the Dalori camp's two sections could be seen living in fear and deprivation beside open sewers An aerial view of Dalori camp, Maiduguri, the largest in Nigeria Former Boko Haram child soldiers at Bakasi refugee camp, Maiduguri More than 50,000 traumatised refugees in the camp's two sections could be seen living in fear and deprivation beside open sewers. The camp is poorly defended and close to jihadi areas, making it a prime target for terrorists. Attacks take place with gruesome regularity. Two weeks ago, a suicide bomber infiltrated the camp and killed five people, including a 60-year-old man and his nine-year-old son. 'The refugees are living here in fear, like hunted animals,' said head of security Baba Shehu, 51, who ferried the dead and wounded to hospital in a wheelbarrow in the aftermath of the atrocity. A child separated from his parents at a Street Child facility at Jajeri Bayan Texaco school Standing at the scene of the blast, Mr Shehu described how the horror unfolded. 'A car pulled up at the gates and two women got out,' he said. 'When the security guards questioned them, they began to run.' The first woman stumbled, he said, causing her bomb to detonate. It killed her but nobody else was hurt. The second attacker ran towards the camp. 'We saw in the light of the explosion that she was climbing a pile of refuse, trying to get in,' he said. 'She jumped over the wall, rushed to a group of people and fell inside them. The bomb went off and her head flew upwards into a tree. There were bodies and screaming people everywhere.' More than 626,000 displaced people live in 180 squalid camps like Dalori, with over 6,700 new arrivals in a week. Many of the younger generation have now begun to dream of a new life in Europe. 'Of course the youth wants to leave here and go to the EU,' said Abdul Hamid, a social worker in the Bakasi camp. 'The only thing that stops them is the money.' Last week, a village less than half a mile from the camp was razed to the ground by militants, leaving at least three dead and seven injured, as well as the loss of 57 homes. This is business as usual in Maiduguri, which saw the highest concentration of fatalities in the country last year. In January, 12 people were killed and 48 injured in a double suicide bombing at the market downtown. The streets are dotted with armoured cars which train their guns on thousands of yellow 'KK' tuk-tuks. Motorcycles, the terror group's favoured method of transportation, have been banned and a defensive trench has been dug at the city's edge. The push factors are obvious. The streets are dotted with armoured cars which train their guns on thousands of yellow 'KK' tuk-tuks. Motorcycles, Boko Haram's favoured method of transportation, have been banned and a defensive trench has been dug at the city's edge Sergeant Abdullah guards the gates of Dalori camp, Maiduguri, the largest in Nigeria, which is frequently attacked by Boko Haram A single armoured car protects the gates to Dalori camp, Maiduguri, one of Boko Haram's prime targets Children and young people, who are more likely to journey to Europe, have been particularly affected by the crisis. Boko Haram which achieved international notoriety in 2014 when it kidnapped 276 Chibok girls has been known to use those as young as five to carry out its brutal suicide attacks. It is also known for its child soldiers. Youngsters who have escaped the group comprise some of the the most traumatised refugees in the camps. Several former child jihadis in Bakasi camp gave a harrowing account of life inside the terror organisation, describing an Islamist cult of brainwashing, torture and beheadings. Ibrahim, 13, was seized from his family at the age of nine and forced to read the Koran day after day for months while a boy of his own age beat him with the butt of an AK-47. Eventually, he was given a gun of his own and welcomed into the terror group. Ironically, he was appointed jailer, replacing the boy who had beaten him so brutally before. 'My mother was crying and crying when they took me,' he said. 'I never felt 100 per cent Boko Haram. Every night we went to sleep hungry and we pounded leaves to eat.' He was rescued during a gunfight with a group of traditional hunters who have been fighting the jihadis. 'They forced me to put down my AK,' he said. 'Then a man took my hand and I realised it was my father fighting for me and I was safe.' Tragically, however, his relief was shortlived. 'The shooting started again and my father was hit in the head,' he said. 'The bullet went into one temple and came out the other side. I saw him die.' Ibrahim is part of a group of former Boko Haram members who are often shunned by society when they return, and are dreaming of a life in the West. There are about 300 such children and teenagers in the Bakasi camp, which has an overall population of 21,000. Hassan, 15, had 21 siblings before the insurgency. Only five of them are alive today. His entire family was forcibly recruited by Boko Haram and after a period of brainwashing, he too became infatuated with the terror group. 'I saw a lot of people getting killed but I was never selected for an operation,' he said. 'I wanted to be selected. It would give me pride, I loved it. 'I liked the Amirs (leaders), I saw them as good people. I wanted them to like me so I would be selected for an operation.' Former Boko Haram child soldier Hassan at Bakasi refugee camp, Maiduguri. Hassan, 15, had 21 siblings before the insurgency. Only five of them are alive today. His entire family was forcibly recruited by Boko Haram and after a period of brainwashing, he too became infatuated with the terror group Hassan, pictured at the Bakasi refugee camp, Maiduguri, added: 'I wanted to be selected. It would give me pride, I loved it. 'I liked the Amirs (leaders), I saw them as good people. I wanted them to like me so I would be selected for an operation.' After two years, his father confided that he wanted to run away. Hassan decided to go with him, together with his brother, mother and aunt. The rest of the family refused. They were pursued, however, by his 13-year-old cousin who caught them up on a bicycle. He shot the women dead, while the men who were further up the road managed to escape. Experts fear that if these traumatised children find their way to Europe as migrants, they would be in serious danger of re-radicalisation. 'This is absolutely a risk,' said Fatima Akilu. 'In Nigeria I run a comprehensive de-radicalisation programme that covers ideology, livelihood and education. But we don't have the resources to reach many of the children in the camps, and they certainly wouldn't get it in Europe.' A major Nigerian military offensive codenamed Deep Punch pushed the terror group out of urban areas last year and won territorial gains. In response, Boko Haram has ghosted into more remote locations and is focusing on soft targets, with an increased use of suicide bombs in Maiduguri. Yet with an eye on the upcoming elections, the country's president, Muhammadu Buhari, bizarrely declared that the terrorists had been 'defeated'. His words rang hollow on Wednesday, when Boko Haram released a 10-minute video of their leader, Abubakar Shekau, taunting the army and calling himself 'invincible'. He also claimed to be holding wives of policemen as hostages. Analysts agree that Boko Haram has indeed lost some ground. But contrary to Mr Buhari's claims, BBC research shows that the number of people slaughtered by the jihadi organisation actually increased last year. 'Every time the Nigerian government declares victory, it loses credibility,' Grant T Harris, formerly President Obama's senior adviser on Africa, told MailOnline. 'Any claim that Boko Haram has been defeated is incredulous. The war will become all the more political in the run-up to the Nigerian election. In turn, Boko Haram will try to prove it is a salient and capable force by mounting fresh attacks.' Mr Harris, now CEO of Harris Africa Partners, added: 'I don't see any quick resolution. We have a long way to go to truly cut off Boko Haram's resources and stifle its recruitment. This can only be done with a humanitarian programme to encourage development alongside the military response.' Some children displaced by Boko Haram have found their way into Islamic madrassas in the city, which teach them the Koran and send them out into the streets to beg. Known as 'Almajiri' children meaning 'itinerant youngsters under Koranic instruction' they constitute the largest group of out-of-school children in Nigeria. Goni Usman, 50, head of the Goni Habeb Sangaya school in downtown Maiduguri. At the Goni Habeb Sangaya school in downtown Maiduguri, MailOnline visited a dirty, squalid and windowless room measuring about 15 sq ft which served as a bedroom for 20 child beggars. 'Our children study the Koran for one-and-a-half hours, then we send them begging for two-and-a-half hours,' said the head imam, Goni Usman, 50. 'They have to pay for their tuition somehow. We used to have them farm during the rainy season to generate money for the school, but we have not been able to do this for seven years because of the conflict.' Boko Haram has killed more than 2,295 teachers and displaced 19,000 since the insurgency began in 2009. When the new term began last September, more than 57 per cent of schools in Borno state remained closed. According to the UN, over three million Nigerian children are in need of emergency education support. Street Child currently provides learning facilities for 23,000, in the hope that foreign aid efforts may help to some extent to alleviate the crisis. The luckier children can be seen every day on the streets of Maiduguri in colourful school uniforms, and a few NGOs like Street Child are helping to provide an education to the most deprived children, including the Almajiri. At the Jajeri Bayan Texaco school set up by the charity, hundreds of orphans and children who lost their parents as a result of the insurgency are provided with a Western-style education. At the Jajeri Bayan Texaco school set up by the charity, hundreds of orphans and children who lost their parents as a result of the insurgency are provided with a Western-style education. Pictured: A girl separated from her parents playfully salutes at a Street Child facility The school lies a short distance from the ruins of a house that belonged to the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, who was using it to plan an attack when it was destroyed by the army. A girl there separated from her parents playfully salutes for the camera A girl separated from her parents cares for a baby at a Street Child facility at Jajeri Bayan Texaco school The school lies a short distance from the ruins of a house that belonged to the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, who was using it to plan an attack when it was destroyed by the army. Other initiatives are also in force, such as a seed finance programme that provides a small sum of money to female heads of families so that they can set up their own small businesses. As things stand, however, both military and humanitarian resources are insufficient to remedy the huge crisis which may soon arrive on Europe's doorstep. Last April, Nigeria's chief humanitarian coordinator, Ayoade Alakija, warned: 'The world could see a mass exodus from a country of 180million people if support is not given, and fast.' Fatima Akilu agreed. 'This is a strong possibility,' she said. 'At the moment, people still trust that the Government will resolve the problem. But if they lose all hope of returning to their homes, they may very well be triggered to leave.' She added: 'As Boko Haram comes under military pressure, it will no longer see itself as attached to Nigeria, but more connected to other parts of the world through ISIS. 'We already know that Boko Haram cooperates with other groups and fights with ISIS in a variety of countries. Europe could be the logical next step.' Street Child's latest appeal, Right to Learn, will support 10,000 children across Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia to go to school and learn. Through UK Aid Match, the UK government are matching all donations, pound for pound, until 15th February. To donate, visit: street-child.co.uk Advertisement This heart-warming image of a gentle moment between a gorilla and a rescuers who saved her from being slaughtered is the winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice Award beating nearly 50,000 images to win the much respected prize. Canadian photographer Jo-Anne McArthur's shot, called 'Pikin and Appolinaire' emerged as the favourite. Jo-Anne's image was chosen from a shortlist of 24, selected by the Natural History Museum from almost 50,000 entries submitted for the 2017 competition. Pikin and Appolinaire: The winning image from nearly 50,000 entries in the Natural History Museum's wildlife photography competition was captured by Canadian Jo-anne McArthur in Cameroon. It shows lowland gorilla Pikin who was rescued from becoming bushmeat by Appolinaire Ndohoudou, and Ape Action Africa It shows Pikin, a lowland gorilla, in the arms of Appolinaire Ndohoudou, who had just rescued her from being sold for bushmeat. Appolinaire works for Ape Action Africa. He was moving Pikin from her former enclosure within a safe forest sanctuary in Cameroon to a new and larger one, along with a group of gorilla companions. She was first sedated, but during the transfer to the new enclosure she awoke. As she was in the arms of her caretaker, she remained calm for the bumpy ride. Jo-Anne said: 'I'm so thankful that this image resonated with people and I hope it might inspire us all to care a little bit more about animals. 'No act of compassion towards them is ever too small. I regularly document the cruelties animals endure at our hands, but sometimes I bear witness to stories of rescue, hope and redemption. Such is the case with the story of Pikin and Appolinaire, a beautiful moment between friends.' Like Pikin, Appolinaire Ndohoudouwas forced from his home,having fled Chad because of a civil war. As he rebuilthis lifein Cameroon, his work in protecting wild animals revived his appreciation for the natural world. He has built loving relationships with the gorillas he helps to rear-some of these animals have known him almost all their lives The picture will be showcased in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London until it closes on 28 May. Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the Natural History Museum's annual showcase of the world's best nature photography and wildlife photojournalism on one global platform. Seen by millions of people all over the world, the images shine a spotlight on nature photography as an art form, whilst challenging us to address the big questions facing our planet. The Natural History Museum has also released the four finalists and 24 shortlisted images. One of the four finalist was taken by Ray Chin, from Taiwan. It shows two humpback whales around the island of Vava'u, Tonga. The mother and calf were migrating south from their Antarctic feeding grounds to give birth in warm water off Tonga, in the South Pacific, a journey humpback whales take every year from July to late October. Ray encountered this pair while peacefully floating in the plankton-filled water. After Ray gently approached them, the giants swam a bit closer to have a look at him. While they made this elegant turn, Ray took the shot. He later converted the image into black and white which he felt represented the simplicity of the scene. One of the four finalists: 'Elegant mother and calf'. Captured by Ray Chin from Taiwan off the waters of island of Vava'u, Tonga, the humpback whales are making their journey south from their feeding ground of Antarctica to Tonga, in the South Pacific Sloth hanging out: Taken by Luciano Candisani from Brazil. Luciano had to climb the cecropia tree, in the protected Atlantic rainforest of southern Bahia, Brazil, to take an eye-level shot of this three-toed sloth The second of the four final photos, was taken by Luciano Candisani, from Brazil. Luciano had to climb the cecropia tree, in the protected Atlantic rainforest of southern Bahia, Brazil, to take an eye-level shot of this three-toed sloth. As sloths like to feed on the leaves of these trees,and they are often seen high up in the canopy. Another of the finalist photos 'Warm embrace' was taken by Debra Garside from Canada. It depicts a polar bear mother hugging her cubs as they emerge from their dens in the early spring. The cubs stay close to their mothers for warmth and protection. Once the cubs are strong and confident enough,they make the trek to the sea ice with their mother so that she can resume hunting for seals. Photographer Debra waited six days near the den of this family, in Wapusk National Park, Manitoba, Canada,before they finally emerged. In the most challenging conditions she has ever faced, temperatures ranged from -35 C (-31 F) to -55 C (-67 F) with high winds, making it almost impossible to avoid frostbite and keep her camera gear functioning properly. One of the finalists: Warm Embrace. Taken by Debra Garside in Wapusk National Park, Manitoba, Canada. Debra waited six days in -55 C temperatures to capture this heartwarming moment Roller Rider: this photo was captured by Lakshitha Karunarathna from Sri Lanka. It was taken when Lakshitha was on safari in Maasa Mara National Reserve, Kenya. He spotted an unusual sight a lilac-breasted roller riding a zebra The last of the finalists was taken by Lakshitha Karunarathna from Sri Lanka. It was taken when Lakshitha was on safari in Maasa Mara National Reserve, Kenya. He spotted an unusual sight a lilac-breasted roller riding a zebra. Normally they prefer to perch high up in the foliage, but this roller spent an hour or more riding around and enjoying the occasional insect meal. Lakshitha waited for the surrounding zebras to form the perfect background before taking this tight crop. Other photographs that made the shortlist include giraffes, zebras, owls, and sealife taken all over the world. One called 'Kick back and chill' was taken in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda by American Alan Chung. It shows part of a 'Hirwa' family group of 16 mountain gorillas led by a silverback feeding their young on bamboo shoots. Kick back and chill: Taken by American Alan Chung in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda by American Alan Chung. It shows part of a 'Hirwa' family group of 16 mountain gorillas led by a silver back feeding their young on bamboo shoots The below, was taken by Uri Goldman from Denmark. He had spent a week taking black and white photographs in Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, mostly taking pictures of big cats. After six days he came across six giraffes walking in formation. He followed and when three broke away and walked into the shadows he got this incredible shot. British photographer Luke Masey captured this amazing shot of a flock of Lillian's lovebirds congregating on the coast during the drought in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park. Dark side of the plains, taken by Uri Goldman from Denmark after six days of waiting in the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya Pool Party: Lilian's lovebirds, also known as, Agapornis lilianae, bathe in South Luangwa NP in Zambia. Taken by British wildlife photographer Luke Masey Charl Senekal, from South Africa took the below shot of five zebras called 'The Nightcap'. The herd came out to a waterhole during the dry season in the Zimanga Game Reserve in South Africa. Another South African photographer, Jan Kolbe saw a small southern white faced owl nesting in a tree at a campsite in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa. Charl Senekal, from South Africa took the below shot of five zebras called 'The Nightcap'. The herd came out to a waterhole during the dry season in the Zimanga Game Reserve in South Africa. What are you looking at? Another South African photographer, Jan Kolbe saw a small southern white faced owl nesting in a tree at a campsite in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa Hammerhead by Adriana Barques: Adriana took the photo of a hammerhead of a 'clear day' with 'good visibility' off the waters off the Cocos Island, Costa Rica Brazilian American Adriana Barques took this shot of scalloped hammerhead sharks in the waters off Cocos Island, Costa Rica. It's a particularly tricky shot as the currents are often tough and the visibility is unclear - but Adriana was lucky during the day of the dive. After a school of cottonmouth jacks swam by, she waited to see if a hammerhead shark may appear. When it did, she took the shot. Grooming the descendant by Claudio Contreras Koob, Mexico: This flamingo chick was only five days old when this photo was taken in the Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, Yucatan, Mexico Claudio Contreras Koob from Mexico captured this shot of a fluffy Caribbean flamingo chick before the bird was even five days old. It was being preened by one of its parents in the Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, Yucatan, Mexico. As the chick was still in its nest and highly sensitive to the human presence, Claudio had to hide while taking these shots. The below is called 'Cleaning Season' and was taken by Jordi Chias Pujol from Spain. It was taken in the protected waters around Carall Bernat, Medes Islands, Spain. Jordi approached the wrasses and took a shot while they were went to work picking off the skin parasites, which the sunfish often have. Cleaning session by Jordi Chias Pujol, Spain: It was taken in the protected waters around Carall Bernat, Medes Islands, Spain. Jordi approached the wrasses and took a shot while they were went to work picking off the skin parasites, which the sunfish often have Holding on by Jami Tarris, UK: A touching moment as an infant orangutan lays his small hand ( Pongo pygmaeus ) in the big hand of its mother, Borneo, Indonesia This close-up captures the touching moment an infant lays its small hand in the big hand of its mother in Borneo, Indonesia. British Jami took this photograph in Borneo. She was in the country working on a story about the effects of palm-oil agriculture on orangutan habitat. South African Peter Chadwick took the below photo in a protected area of Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It shows a ranger's bloody hand resting on a heavily grained ivory tusk, which is also covered in the blood of an African elephant. Africa's Wildlife Warriors - Blood Ivory: A rangers hand covered in the blood of an African Elephant that had been shot. The tusks were removed to a place of safe keeping in Zululand, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa Reach for the sky: Steven Baldwin, USA was photographing a group of adult roseate spoonbills in a rookery in Tampa Bay, Florida, when he noticed an unusual bird flying in Steven Baldwin, from the USA, was photographing a group of adult roseate spoonbills in a rookery in Tampa Bay, Florida, when he noticed an unusual bird flying in. He managed to step back and get the stunning symmetrical shot just in time. Another American photographer, Josh Anon, was on a boat in a fjord across from Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway, when he saw this polar bear walking along the edge of the ice. Land of Snow and Ice: Josh Anon, from the USA, was on a boat in a fjord across from Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway, when he saw this polar bear walking along the edge of the ice Leopard gaze, by Martin Van Lokven from the Netherlands taken during a three-week stay in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania Martin Van Lokven from the Netherlands spotted Fundi, the female leopard, pictured above, several times during his three week trip to the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. One afternoon, Fundi stopped by Martin's car where he got this fantastic shot. German photographer Eva Hauner was aiming to get a good shot of this colourful blue feather leg dragonfly in Bad Alexandersbad, Bavaria, Germany. But she got incredibly lucky when this fly appeared. Brown bears flee to the Kuril Lake in Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia, every year due to the millions of Salmon spawning there. Marco Urso from Italy took the below picture of the two brown bears when he noticed how curious they looked. Beauty and the beast by Eva Hauner, Germany: Eva captured this shot of a colourful blue feather leg dragonfly in Bad Alexandersbad, Bavaria, Germany The brothers by Marco Urso from Italy: Brown bears flee to the Kuril Lake in Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia, every year due to the millions of Salmon spawning there Warning wings by Mike Harterink from The Netherlands shows a 'flying' gurnard, which he captured using a slow shutter speed to capture the fish's movement. He took it after diving off Blue Bead Hole in St Eustatius, Caribbean. Settled in by Ryan Miller from the USA is shown below. Ryan took this photo in Anchorage, Alaska, where moose are often spotted. This bull is known as Hook, Ryan captured the photo in the night, hours before the bull shed his antlers. Shaking off by Connor Stefanison from Canada shows a white snowy owl. About every five years flocks of snowy owls makes fly down from the Arctic, where they breed, to the Pacific north-west of North America. Connor got this shot in Delta, British Columbia Warning wings by Mike Harterink from The Netherlands shows a 'flying' gurnard, which he captured using a slow shutter speed to capture the fish's movement. He took it after diving off Blue Bead Hole in St Eustatius, Caribbean Settled in by Ryan Miller from the USA: Ryan took this photo in Anchorage, Alaska, where moose are often spotted. This bull is known as Hook Shaking off by Connor Stefanison from Canada. About every five years flocks of snowy owls makes fly down from the Arctic, where they breed, to the Pacific north-west of North America. Connor got this shot in Delta, British Columbia The Director of the Natural History Museum, Sir Michael Dixon, of the winning image: 'Like our blue whale, Hope, has become, Jo-Anne's inspirational image is a symbol of humanity's power to protect the world's most vulnerable species and shape a more sustainable future for life on our planet. 'Photographs like Jo-Anne's are a reminder that we can make a difference, and we all have a part to play in addressing our impact on the natural world. 'Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the Natural History Museum's annual showcase of the world's best nature photography and photojournalism. 'Seen by millions of people all over the world, the images shine a spotlight on nature photography as an art formas well as challenge us to address the big questions facing our planet. Winner Jo-Anne McArthur is an award-winning photographer, author and educator based in Toronto, Canada. Through her long-term body of work, We Animals, she has been documenting our complex relationship with animals around the globe. Since 1998, her work has taken her to over fifty countries. Her photography and writing has been in publications such as National Geographic and National Geographic Traveller, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Lens Culture, the LA Times and Elle Canada. More than five million people visit the Natural History Museum every year, and the website receives over 500,000 unique visitors a month. A judge awarded $6.7 million Monday to graffiti artists who sued after dozens of spray paintings were destroyed on the walls of dilapidated warehouse buildings torn down to make room for luxury high-rise residences. U.S. District Judge Frederic Block in Brooklyn said 45 of the 49 paintings were recognized works of art 'wrongfully and willfully destroyed' by a remorseless landlord. Twenty-one aerosol artists had sued the owner of a Long Island City, Queens, site known as 5Pointz under the Visual Rights Act, a 1990 federal law that protects artists' rights even if someone else owns the physical artwork. Their graffiti was painted over in 2013, and the buildings were torn down a year later. People explore the outside of the 5 Pointz Building, a landmark in the New York graffiti scene that has attracted artists from around the globe, on October 28, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens U.S. District Judge Frederic Block awarded $6.7 million to graffiti artists who sued after their work was destroyed on buildings torn down to make room for luxury condos Twenty-one aerosol artists sued the owner of a Long Island City, Queens, site known as 5Pointz The graffiti was painted over in 2013 and the buildings were torn down a year later. The ruling followed a three-week trial in November Before they vanished, the graffiti artworks became a tourist attraction, drawing thousands of spectators daily and forming a backdrop to the 2013 movie, 'Now You See Me,' and a site for an Usher tour, the judge noted. All the while, the crime-ridden neighborhood gradually improved and it became the 'world's largest collection of quality outdoor aerosol art,' though a system set up by the artists meant some paintings were temporary while others were given permanent status, Block wrote. The ruling followed a three-week trial in November, when Block said the 'respectful, articulate and credible' artists testified about 'striking technical and artistic mastery and vision worthy of display in prominent museums if not on the walls of 5Pointz.' He noted one artist came from London, another from rural West Virginia, while others were products of prestigious art schools. Some were self-taught. The site owners hired workers to paint over a majority of the graffiti art in the neighborhood The historic graffiti mecca 5 Pointz is seen after being painted over by developers in the dead of night The 5 Pointz Building is a landmark in the New York graffiti scene that has attracted artists from around the globe He said he was impressed with the breadth of the artists' works and how many works 'spoke to the social issues of our times.' Jerry Wolkoff, who owned the buildings, had conceded he allowed the spray-paint artists to use the buildings as a canvas for decades but said they always knew they would be torn down someday. His lawyer, David Ebert, did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. The artists had once hoped to buy the properties, before their value soared to over $200 million. Block noted Monday there was no remorse from the owner of the warehouse buildings A mural of The Notorious B.I.G at 5 Pointz dated June 30, 2011 in Long Island City, Queens Block said he hoped the award would give teeth to a federal law that should have kept Wolkoff from demolishing them for at least 10 months, when he had all his permits. Artists then could have easily rescued some paintings from siding, plywood or sheet-rock before the rollers, spray machines and buckets of white paint arrived. 'Wolkoff has been singularly unrepentant. He was given multiple opportunities to admit the whitewashing was a mistake, show remorse, or suggest he would do things differently if he had another chance,' Block said. 'Wolkoff could care less. As he callously testified,' the judge said. 'The sloppy, half-hearted nature of the whitewashing left the works easily visible under thin layers of cheap, white paint, reminding the plaintiffs on a daily basis what had happened. 'The mutilated works were visible by millions of people on the passing 7 train.' Provocative AFL Footy Show host Sam Newman is considering running for Melbourne Lord Mayor after the former one stood down amid sexual harassment allegations. Mr Newman has told News Corp he is considering a tilt at the job on a platform of getting rid of homelessness in the CBD, cleaning up graffiti and ignoring minority group agendas. The Lord Mayor role is empty after Robert Doyle resigned while fighting allegations of sexual harassment. Provocative AFL Footy Show host Sam Newman is considering running for Melbourne Lord Mayor on a platform of getting rid of homelessness, cleaning up graffiti and ignoring minority group agendas The TV host has not been without controversy throughout his lengthy career In 1999, Mr Newman was slammed for wearing black face live on air (left). On two occasions, in 2007 and 2009, he pretended to smoke marijuana at his desk (right) Moreland City councillor Oscar Yildiz confirmed he would also run to be Lord Mayor, state Labor MP and former emergency services minister Jane Garrett said she had been approached to run, while acting Lord Mayor Arron Wood had yet to confirm if he would contest. Former City of Melbourne councillor Tessa Sullivan in December claimed sexual misconduct by the then-Lord Mayor against her and colleague Cathy Oke and the allegations are being investigated. Mr Newman, who said he toyed with the idea of running in the 2016 council election, told the Herald Sun the role of mayor would allow him to fight the politically correct agendas of minority groups. 'We get bogged down with delusional psychotic anarchists who push all sorts of agendas because they have a point to plead and usually the general interest of the community is thrown under the bus,' he said. 'I'm sure that the majority of people are worried about the homeless in the CBD, the graffiti, [and councils] using motorists as a tool to balance the budget.' Mr Newman said the role of mayor would allow him to fight the politically correct agendas of minority groups In July, Mr Newman shocked his audience when he declined to perform his usual segments on the show refused to properly answer questions from his co-hosts Mr Newman told the publication he will encourage 'anyone out there who thinks that [he] might have been part of some sexual harassment' to come forward 'before [he] embarks on any public office'. He said he is certain no one would come forward. The TV host has not been without controversy throughout his lengthy career. In 1999, Mr Newman was slammed for wearing black face live on air during a Footy Show segment after indigenous AFL player Nicky Winmar refused to appear on the show. In 2001, Hawthorne legend Shane Crawford yanked down Mr Newman's pants during a skit, showing his genitals to the audience. He enraged viewers again in June 2017 when he referred to Caitlyn Jenner as 'it' and was defiant when questioned by other members of the panel In 2001, Hawthorne legend Shane Crawford yanked down Mr Newman's pants during a skit, showing his genitals to the audience On two occasions, in 2007 and 2009, he pretended to smoke marijuana at his desk. He enraged viewers again in June 2017 when he referred to Caitlyn Jenner as 'it' and was defiant when questioned by other members of the panel. He later apologised for the remark. In July, Mr Newman shocked his audience when he declined to perform his usual segments on the show refused to properly answer questions from his co-hosts. At one point, he also sat meekly with his shoulders hunched and flashed his middle finger at the camera. Fans were left confused and put-off by Newman's sudden change in personality. Jose Martin Duran Romero, 27 (pictured), was reportedly driving drunk on Sunday when he crashed into an ambulance carrying a three-year-old boy to a hospital. The boy, who has not been named, later died A toddler who was being transported to hospital in an ambulance has died after a drunk driver struck the vehicle. The Winston-Salem Police Department says they were informed at 6:05pm on Monday that the three-year-old boy had died at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Authorities offered no additional details. The boy was being taken to the hospital trauma center around 1am Sunday when a drunk driver - who turned out to be an illegal immigrant - hit the medical transport, causing it to roll over on its side, police said. The driver, 27-year-old Jose Martin Duran Romero and his passenger, 33-year-old Andres Leon, initially tried to flee the scene. A witness stopped one of the men from leaving while the other was quickly apprehended by police. Two hours after the crash, Romero submitted to a breathalyzer and registered more than two times the legal limit of alcohol in his system. Police also learned that he is in the country illegally and that he has never had a driver's license. Scroll down for video The family has not identified the boy. However, the boy's mother, who was in the car with him at the time and suffered minor injuries, has been identified as Lyndsay Ann Oakes, right. Oakes is pictured above with her boyfriend and two of their sons According to court documents, a witness told police after the crash that Romero had 'bloodshot, glassy eyes', slurred speech' and looked 'grossly impaired'. He was allegedly so drunk that he couldn't even sign his name to court documents and wasn't aware that he had hit an ambulance with a small child inside. Gary Oakes of Wise, Virginia, said in a brief phone interview Monday that his grandson had been under medical care before the crash but didn't want to elaborate. Asked how the family was coping, Oakes said, 'It's devastating.' Romero crashed into the side of the ambulance, causing it to roll over onto the side of the road The ambulance had been driving for more than three hours when the crash happened. It had picked up the boy and his mother from their home in Wise, Virginia and was just minutes away from their destination - Wake Forest Baptist Medical - when the crash happened The boy's mother, 27-year-old Lyndsay Ann Oakes, was in the ambulance with him and suffered minor injuries. Reached by phone, she declined to be interviewed. The driver of the ambulance, 34-year-old Joshua Sewayne Church, and its paramedic, 55-year-old Rickey Clayton Ratliff, also sustained minor injuries. It's not clear why the boy was being treated before the crash, but Police Lt. Rick Newnum has said the boy was in stable condition before the ambulance was hit. The ambulance had been driving for more than three hours, after picking up the boy and his mother in Wise. The boy's name hasn't been released. Romero faces charges of driving while intoxicated, failing to reduce speed to avoid a crash and driving without a license. He was initially ordered held on $50,000 but that bail was later revoked and authorities have put him under an immigration detainer, meaning U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will be able to take him into custody when he is released from jail for possible deportation. Romero's passenger was charged with failure to render aid and was ordered held on $1,000 bail, but appears to have bonded out by Sunday night. Romero is set to make his first appearance in Forsyth District Court Tuesday morning, following by a hearing on April 17. President Donald Trump said on Monday he would push for a 'reciprocal tax' against countries, including U.S. allies, that levy tariffs on American products, although aides asked for details said there was nothing formal being planned. Trump floated the 'reciprocal tax' in a meeting about infrastructure on a day his budget blueprint was released. But aides did not provide details on how such a tax would be structured or what goods it would apply to. During his populist 2016 presidential campaign, Republican Trump railed at countries that had trade surpluses 'taking advantage of the United States' and he revisited the theme on Monday. 'We cannot continue to let people come into our country and rob us blind and charge us tremendous tariffs and taxes and we charge them nothing,' Trump told reporters at a White House event to announce a proposed infrastructure plan. President Donald Trump said on Monday he would push for a 'reciprocal tax' against countries, including U.S. allies, that levy tariffs on American products 'We are going to charge countries outside of our country -- countries that take advantage of the United States,' Trump said. 'Some of them are so-called 'allies,' but they're not allies on trade. They'll send in their product, and we won't charge them anything. And we send them our product -- same product as they're sending us -- and they'll charge us 50 and 75 percent tax, and that's very unfair,' he complained. Immediately after Trump spoke, a senior administration official told Bloomberg there was no formal plan in the works, and that Trump was restating his own long-held views. Trump brought up the case of Wisconsin-based Harley Davidson, which faces prohibitive tariffs in India and other countries. 'They're treated very unfairly in various countries. You know the countries I'm talking about,' Trump said. 'So we're going to be doing very much a reciprocal tax. And you'll be hearing about that during the week and during the coming months.' Trump called for 'reciprocal taxes' on countries he said don't treat the U.S. fairly Immediately after Trump spoke, a senior administration official told Bloomberg there was no formal plan in the works Trump spoke after the trade deficit grew to $566 billion on his watch during the last year, the highest level since 2008. The trade deficit rose 8 per cent with China, the Wall Street Journal reported last week, based an array of factors including the growing U.S. economy and tech imports from China. Trump said the issue was that the nation was being 'taken advantage of.' 'That's why we have these big trade deficits. That's why we have tremendous problems with trade. We're, as you know, renegotiating NAFTA now. I always said, we're either going to renegotiate it or terminate it,' Trump said. At one point, Trump asked Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross if he agreed with 'what I said about the tax with countries coming in and taking advantage of our country? I assume.' 'Sure,' Ross replied. President Donald Trump speaks with Harley Davidson CEO Matthew Levatich as he arrives to meet with Harley Davidson executives and union representatives on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 2, 2017 'If you don't -- oh, would he be in trouble,' Trump quipped. 'Could you imagine if he said no?' 'A reciprocal tax, Wilbur. How do you feel about that?' Trump pressed. 'Well, we gave away so much unilaterally that we really have to claw it back. A lot of these trade things are self-inflicted wounds,' Ross responded. The United States loses 'vast amounts of money with China and Japan and South Korea and so many other countries ... It's a little tough for them because they've gotten away with murder for 25 years. But we're going to be changing policy,' he said. President Donald Trump speaks in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Feb. 12, 2018, during a meeting with state and local officials about infrastructure Trump said his administration will impose a 'reciprocal tax' to charge other countries - 'some of them are so-called allies but they're not allies on trade.' Retailers and trade associations have fought a Republican proposal on how imports are taxed because they believe it hurts their businesses and would lead to higher prices for consumers on basic items such as food and clothing. Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives, as they began to assemble a tax reform plan last year, proposed imposing a 20 percent border-adjustment tax on imports that was designed to offset the value-added tax refunds that some countries grant to their exporters. But the idea was dropped after it ran into stiff opposition from retailers and other industries that depend on imported materials. The National Retail Federation called it a 'bad tax' that would 'drive up the prices of countless products Americans use every day.' Last April on Fox Business Network, Trump suggested that if he said the U.S. would charge a 10 percent or 20 percent border tax 'everyone goes crazy, because they like free trade' and added: 'But when you say 'reciprocal tax,' nobody can get angry ... OK, you say, 'whatever you charge, we're charging.'' A convicted murderer living in an aged-care facility has stabbed another man over a Kenny Rogers CD. George McLeod, 78, served time in prison for shooting his wife in the face with a sawn-off shotgun and bashing another woman to death with an iron bar. After his release from prison, McLeod moved into Annie Green Court, an aged-care facility run by Mission Australia in Redfern, Sydney's inner-south where he is accused of knifing his lunch buddy. McLeod now faces a trial at Downing District Court charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after he allegedly repeatedly stabbed his friend, Tom Bermingham, at the aged care facility on September 26, 2016. After his release from prison, McLeod moved into Annie Green Court (pictured) an aged-care facility run by Mission Australia in Redfern, Sydney's inner-south where he is accused of knifing his lunch buddy The Crown told the court McLeod stabbed Mr Bermingham because the 63-year-old continued to ask for his Kenny Rogers CD to be returned. The Crown said McLeod was armed with two knives when he allegedly stabbed his victim in the face near his jaw and another four times in the shoulder and upper-back. Mr Bermingham said he had no idea his friend was a convicted murderer. 'I'm so bloody angry it was a convicted killer, fair dinkum,' he told The Daily Telegraph. McLeod's defence solicitor Michelle Swift told the court her client suffered from vascular dementia and had an 'episode of delirium' when he allegedly knifed Mr Bermingham. McLeod pleaded not guilty on grounds of mental illness, The Daily Telegraph reported. Following the alleged attack at the aged-care home, McLeod was disarmed by carers and taken back to his room. A convicted murderer living in an aged-care facility has stabbed another man over a Kenny Rogers CD (Kenny Rogers pictured) Back in his room, McLeod reportedly asked the carer to wash his bloody shirt, insisting he watch as she put it in the machine. The court heard details of McLeod's history of violence, including shooting his wife in the face in 1974. His wife survived the attack, and McLeod was sentenced to 11 years behind bars. Upon his release, McLeod bashed his new partner to death using an iron bar. McLeod told the police he bashed the woman, Heidi Virag, when she asked him for $100 for her services after she had sex with him, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. In sentencing McLeod, then Acting Justice Lusher said: 'For some reason he struck Ms Virag over the head and killed her, being fully aware of what he was doing'. He was sentenced to life in prison for the 1989 murder, but the sentence was reduced to 12 years on appeal. He was released from prison in 2001, and finished his parole period in 2004. He is being held behind bars at Long Bay prison. The trial continues. The Department of Education under the Trump administration will not take action if transgender students make bathroom access complaints. BuzzFeed News pinned down the new policy after the department, led by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, said for months it was merely studying the issue. On Thursday, spokesperson Liz Hill told the online publication, 'yes, that's what the law says,' when asked if the Education Department's current position was that restroom complaints coming from transgender students were not covered by Title IX. Scroll down for video The Department of Education, led by Secretary Betsy DeVos, told BuzzFeed last week that it would not take actions if transgender students complained about not being able to use the bathroom corresponding with their gender identity Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is photographed last month in the Russell Building on Capitol Hill taking part in 'National School Choice Week' The 1972 law doesn't allow public schools or programs receiving public funds to discriminate, exclude or deny benefits to an individual 'on the basis of sex.' 'Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, not gender identity,' Hill said. The Department of Education spokeswoman also told BuzzFeed that while transgender bathroom complaints may not be investigated by the federal government, other types of complaints may still be. 'Where students, including transgender students, are penalized or harassed for failing to conform to sex-based stereotypes, that is sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX,' Hill explained as an example. 'In the case of bathrooms, however, long-standing regulations provide that separating facilities on the basis of sex is not a form of discrimination prohibited by Title IX.' Courts, however, have not decided that's the case. The Supreme Court was set to hear a case coming from the 4th Circuit on the transgender bathroom question, but vacated an earlier ruling in March 2017 after the Trump administration rescinded Obama-era guidance on the issue. In May 2016, the Departments of Education and Justice sent out a letter advising schools on the protections that transgender students have under Title IX, specifically saying, 'The Departments treat a student's gender identity as the student's sex for purposes of Title IX and its implementing regulations.' A month into office, in February 2017, Trump said good bye to that guide. Two other circuits, the 6th and the 7th currently the highest courts to rule on the subject have both found that Title IX does guarantee that transgender students have access to the bathrooms that correspond to their gender identity, BuzzFeed pointed out. A three-judge panel for the 7th Circuit wrote in May 2017 that a 'policy that requires an individual to use a bathroom that does not conform with his or her gender identity punishes that individual for his or her gender non-conformance, which in turn violates Title XI.' While candidate Trump said he would 'fight' for the LGBT community if he came into office, as president he's done nothing of the sort. His most eyebrow-raising move came last July, when he used a series of tweets to announce that he wanted to reverse a policy that would allow openly trans individuals to serve in the military. A JetBlue plane was forced to make an emergency landing after a drunk woman allegedly fondled a male passenger's head, threw food and broke free from handcuffs during the flight. Robin Ducore, 30, was on board the flight from the Dominican Republic to New York back in July when she allegedly drank four glasses of wine before drunkenly lashing out at the crew. She was charged with interfering with flight crew members and attendants after the plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Washington DC. Ducore, who is believed to work in merchandising for Cartier, is due to face court in Virginia this week. The 30-year-old was charged with interfering with flight crew members and is due to face court in Virginia this week Witnesses told police that Ducore drank four glasses of white wine in about 90 minutes after getting on the plane, according to court documents. A flight attendant refused to serve her more alcohol and told authorities that Ducore then grew increasingly loud and began to curse. Ducore allegedly went on to flirtatiously touch the head of the man sitting next to her, court documents state. When the flight attendant tried to give Ducore snacks and water to sober her up, she allegedly threw them across the aircraft. Ducore was placed into 'flexcuffs' in a bid to restrain her but allegedly broke out of them about five minutes later. She is accused of calling the flight attendant a 'f***ing a**hole' and kicking him in the leg. The JetBlue flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Washington DC. It had been en route from the Dominican Republic to New York in July last year (stock image) Witnesses told police that Ducore drank four glasses of white wine in about 90 minutes after getting on the plane, according to court documents 'The flight crew made the decision to divert the aircraft to Washington Dulles International Airport due to a Level II security threat to the aircraft. A Level II security threat involves physically abusive behavior, such as pushing, kicking, hitting, or inappropriate touching,' the court documents state. Ducore allegedly passed out for the last 20 minutes of the flight. Her defense attorney Nina J. Ginsberg says Ducore claims she was intoxicated prior to boarding the flight but was still allowed to consume four drinks. Ginsberg will question why Ducore was allowed to board in such a state given it violates federal regulations. 'Airline personnel may not allow a person who appears intoxicated to board a flight and are similarly not permitted to serve a passenger alcohol who appears to be intoxicated,' Ginsberg said. 'The affidavit states she was served four drinks. Her credit card shows that she was charged for three drinks.' DailyMail.com contacted JetBlue but they would not comment. A far-right group has 'declared war' on a Sydney council after it announced it will consider scrapping referring to January 26 as Australia Day. The proposal to the Inner West Council by Greens politicians is to replace the national day with an 'indigenous commemorative event'. They want the council to 'cease referring to the January 26 public holiday as Australia Day in its communications' and lobby the Federal Government to change the date. The proposal will be considered at a council meeting on Tuesday where security will be ramped up after 'Cooks Convicts' - formerly known as 'Patriot Blue' - wrote to representatives saying they would 'tear up' the council, the Inner West Courier reported. A Sydney local council will formally consider scrapping its Australia Day celebration and replacing it with an 'indigenous commemorative event' (Redfern protests pictured) Cooks Convicts organiser Neil Erikson said councillors were 'wasting ratepayer money' debating the issue of the date of Australia Day The proposal to the Inner West Council by Greens politicians will likely be the first item on the list at the council's first meeting of the year next Tuesday Cooks Convicts organiser Neil Erikson said councillors were 'wasting ratepayer money' debating the date of Australia Day. 'We will declare war on your council if you declare war on Australia,' he said. 'I have to send a warning - you know who we are, you know what we do - we tear these councils up.' Erikson - a convicted stalker - led a tirade against former Labor Senator Sam Dastyari at a Melbourne bar in November, calling him a 'monkey' and a 'terrorist'. Greens councillor Louise Steer said the threat has been reported to the police. 'This a serious security issue and against everything the progressive councillors of the inner west stand for,' she said. Greens councillor Tom Kiat will move the motion and call for January 26 to instead be an 'indigenous-led commemorative event'. 'I want to hear from the Indigenous community what we should do instead. It's about listening,' he told the Sydney Morning Herald. He said it would be fitting for the Inner West to be the first to dump Australia Day as it was on its native people's land that the British colony was founded. Cr Kiat is following national Greens policy, as federal leader Richard di Natale declared changing the date was a top priority for this year. However, the proposal will almost certainly fail as the Greens don't have the numbers to and Mayor Darcy Byrne and his Labor councillors won't support it. Mayor Byrne was concerned the council would be stripped of its ability to hold citizenship ceremonies, as happened to others in Melbourne and Perth. Erikson - a convicted stalker - led a tirade against former Labor Senator Sam Dastyari at a Melbourne bar in November, calling him a 'monkey' and a 'terrorist' Greens councillor Tom Kiat will move the motion and call for January 26 to instead be an 'indigenous-led commemorative event' However, the proposal will almost certainly fail as the Greens don't have the numbers to and Mayor Darcy Byrne (pictured) and his Labor councillors won't support it He instead wants the day to be one of 'reflection and commemoration', and will call for it to be kept as such using his 'mayoral minute' at the meeting. That meant it would be the first motion considered and have the support of his four other councillors, two Liberals, and at least one of three independents. 'I'm not going to play into [Home Affairs Minister] Peter Dutton's hands and have migrants in the inner west, the birthplace of Australian multiculturalism, being prevented from becoming Australian citizens in our community,' he said. Mayor Byrne wants the council to erect a Frontier War Memorial for slain Aboriginals and spend $5,000 on an Aboriginal languages pilot program. The Greens would need the support of all three independents, plus its five councillors, to get the eight votes needed on the 15-member council. One of the independents already ruled out his support, and the other two are open to change but thought it was moving too fast and didn't have community support. Newspoll earlier this week found poll found 65 per cent of Australians were in favour of Australia Day remaining on its current date. An embattled former Labor senator has predicted Barnaby Joyce will resign as Deputy Prime Minister before more revelations emerge about his private life. Sam Dastyari, who quit parliament in December, said Mr Joyce's days as Nationals leader were numbered. While Mr Joyce on Tuesday morning publicly apologised to his estranged wife Natalie, his four daughters and his 33-year-old pregnant former staffer Vikki Campion, Mr Dastyari said he would not survive this adultery scandal. Scroll down for video Former Labor senator Sam Dastyari says Barnaby Joyce (pictured) won't survive as deputy PM Mr Dastyari said Mr Joyce's resignation was inevitable. 'If he thinks there's a lot more out there, that he's worried, he'll resign,' he said. 'If he's worried, he'll resign,' Mr Dastyari told KIIS-FM Sydney radio personalities Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O. 'If he thinks there's a lot more out there, that he's worried, he'll resign. His resignation is inevitable. 'It may not come now, it may come in a month or two but in the medium term there is no way he can survive this.' Mr Dastyari said new revelations about Mr Joyce would be worse than a woman's allegation to The Daily Telegraph the Nationals MP drunkenly pinched her bottom in a bar after the Rural Women's Agricultural Awards in Canberra seven years ago. Mr Dastyari told Kyle and Jackie O there was 'worse' rumours to come, adding Mr Barnaby had 'lost control' of the situation 'They get way worse than that. Barnaby's just lost control over it. The rumours that are out there about Barnaby are so much worse,' he said. The former Labor powerbroker, whose involvement with Chinese Communist Party-linked billionaire Huang Xiangmao last year ended his political career, made the call shortly before Mr Joyce issued a public statement. The Nationals leader, who will be Australia's acting prime minister next week as Malcolm Turnbull visits U.S. President Donald Trump, apologised to his wife of 24 years, who is also the mother of his four daughters. 'I would like to say to Natalie how deeply sorry I am for all the hurt this has caused. To my girls, how deeply sorry I am for all the hurt that it has caused them,' Mr Joyce said. Mr Dastyari has unleashed on Barnaby Joyce and his affair with a Nationals staffer, saying 'everyone' in politics knew about their relationship 'To Vikki Campion, how deeply sorry I am that she has been dragged into this. 'I would like to also say to my supporters and people in my electorate how deeply sorry I am that this personal issue - deeply personal issue - has gone into the public arena.' Mr Dastyari, on Monday night ended his two-month Twitter sabbatical to attack Mr Joyce. 'Hey Twitter - am I allowed back ? (So much to say about Barnaby),' he said. '1.Everyone. And I mean EVERYONE in Federal Parliament knew about Vikki and Barnaby. Anyone who claims they didn't know Is either bulls****ing or so out of touch they shouldn't be in Parliament.' Mr Joyce's marital breakdown became public knowledge late last year when he returned to Parliament as deputy PM Mr Joyce, 50, and his former staffer Vikki Campion, 33, (pictured) were recently given the keys to the three-bedroom townhouse The former General Secretary of Labor in New South Wales went on a tirade over Joyce's scandal on Twitter Monday night, Dastyari suggested Joyce's relationship with Vikki Campion, who is now pregnant with his child, was a 'clear breach of the rules'. Ms Campion became a senior adviser to Nationals minister Matt Canavan, on a $191,000 salary, after her relationship with Mr Joyce became the subject of rumour, The Australian reported. The pair will be reportedly living rent-free for six months - saving a whopping $14,000 - in the New England property owned by businessman Greg Maguire. '2. The job relocation is a clear breach of the rules. We all assumed it would come out during the by-election,' Dastyari tweeted. Dastyari claimed Joyce's relationship with Vikki Campion, who is now pregnant with his child, is a 'clear breach of the rules' 'For f***s sale (sic) - how can you construe the pregnant woman Barnaby left his wife for as NOT his 'partner'. Who was she then?????' He then tweeted directly at the embattled deputy prime minister, saying he lost his job for actions less severe. 'Hey @Barnaby_Joyce, I went for a LOT less. Quit while you are behind. Trust me - it only gets a LOT worse from here,' he said. He then tweeted directly at the embattled deputy prime minister, saying he lost his job for actions less severe A former Perth private school teacher has been found guilty of possessing thousands of child pornography images. Jeffrey Jay McKinnell, who taught at the elite Guildford Grammar School, stood trial in the WA District Court and was convicted on Monday of one charge of possessing child exploitation material. McKinnell, 39, held his face in his hands after the jury returned its verdict and repeatedly shook his head. Former Guildford Grammar School private school teacher Jeffrey Jay McKinnell (centre), has been found guilty of possessing thousands of child pornography images Jeffrey Jay McKinnell taught at the elite Guildford Grammar School in Perth The court heard during the trial that McKinnell had 3009 images on his computer. He had claimed that because he had a habit of downloading a lot of pornography, he inadvertently had the child exploitation images on his laptop. He told police he was not interested in 'kiddie porn'. Some of the images showed young girls on the cusp of puberty in sexually abusive situations or posing while scantily clad. McKinnell will face a sentencing on April 18 McKinnell has been granted bail with a $5000 personal undertaking and $5000 surety. His strict bail conditions include that he surrender his passport, report to police regularly, not use torrent websites and not have contact with children under 16. McKinnell will face a sentencing hearing on April 18. Two Baltimore police detectives face up to 60 years in prison after being convicted in an explosive corruption case which has rocked the city's police department. Daniel Hersl and Marcus Taylor were shackled and led out of court where some of their relatives burst into tears, while one of their victims called out: 'Justice.' They now face an anxious wait to find out how long they will be sentenced to, having been found guilty of robbery, racketeering, and conspiracy. The pair were part of a wider group in the force who targeted bigtime drug dealers with huge loots of cash and narcotics to steal. Armed with machetes and sledgehammers, the detectives' organization was based on a simple mantra - steal from drug dealers because they have nowhere to turn. But it turns out the criminals did have somewhere to turn - the stand to having testified against the officers, who now face up to 60 years in jail. Daniel Hersl (left) and Marcus Taylor (right) were shackled an led out of court where some of their relatives burst into tears, while one of their victims called out: 'Justice' The first drug dealer to take the stand last Tuesday was Dennis Armstrong, who says officers stopped him trying to leave a storage container where he stored cocaine. He said officers stole $8,000 from him and reported seizing just $2,800 - secretly pocketing the rest. He said they also destroyed his storage unit and stole two kilograms of cocaine. Armstrong says he never reported the missing drugs because he feared he would face additional jail time. The rest of the dealers took the stand on Wednesday. Sergio Summerville, a self-confessed small-time drug dealer, described a similar incident in September 2016, when he too was stopped by members of the GTTF while leaving the storage unit where he was living. He said one of the officers claimed to be a member of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and that they had a warrant to search his unit. Both turned out to be false. 'They didn't even know my name, after we talked for awhile,' Summerville said. 'I said, 'If you have a warrant and know everything, why are you asking my name?'' Nonetheless, the officers raided his storage unit and took the $4,800 he had hidden in a sock. He says the officers appeared to be disappointed by the amount. They then left without arresting him. 'They came at me like a gang or something,' Summerville said. Oreese Stevenson is another former dealer who made a deal with prosecutors to testify during the trial. He said he was about to sell drugs from his car when Taylor arrested him. Officers then stole his keys and searched his home, finding 10 kilos of cocaine and $200,000-$300,000 dollars. He says officers stole about $100,000 of the cash and some of the cocaine. Earlier in the trial, two officers testified that the split the $100,000 and went gambling with the money that night. Stevenson's longtime girlfriend Keona Holloway also testified and said the officers took an expensive watch and a bag of clothes. Holloway said she did not know the drugs and cash were inside the home. Oreese Stevenson was among several former drug dealers who took the stand this week to testify against two corrupt Baltimore cops Jemell Rayam (left) and Momondu Gando (right) are among the detectives who already pleaded guilty On Monday evening, acting US Attorney Stephen Schenning said he was hopeful that the police corruption case 'will begin a long difficult process of examining how' the Baltimore force polices its own. 'We hope that police officers live up to the honor and privilege of the badge,' Schenning said on the courthouse steps. The trial was dominated by four ex-detectives who testified that the police department's elite Gun Trace Task Force was actually made up of thugs with badges who stole cash, resold looted narcotics and lied under oath to cover their tracks. They detailed acts of astonishing police criminality, including armed home invasions, stretching back to 2008. Acting Police Commissioner Darryl DeSousa said in a statement immediately after the verdict that the department will move to fire Hersl and Taylor, who have been suspended without pay since being indicted and arrested in March. Much of the testimony focused on Gun Trace Task Force members who pleaded guilty, including the unit's onetime supervisor, Sergeant Wayne Jenkins (pictured) 'We recognize that this indictment and subsequent trial uncovered some of the most egregious and despicable acts ever perpetrated in law enforcement,' DeSousa said. William Purpura, Hersl's lead attorney, said the family was disappointed in the verdict but noted that the jury 'did acquit him of one of the more serious crimes'. He said a decision about a possible appeal would be made later. Both men were cleared of possessing a firearm in pursuance of a violent crime. Taylor's defense team and his relatives did not immediately speak to reporters after the Monday evening verdict. Much of the testimony during the trial focused on Gun Trace Task Force members who pleaded guilty, including the out-of-control unit's onetime supervisor, Sergeant Wayne Jenkins. He was portrayed as a wildly corrupt officer leading his unit on a tireless quest to shake down civilians and find 'monsters' - bigtime drug dealers with lots of loot to steal. His subordinates testified that the onetime amateur mixed martial arts fighter told his officers to carry BB guns in case they ever needed to plant weapons and occasionally posed as a federal agent when shaking down targets. Former colleagues said Jenkins' sledgehammer approach to policing extended to having actual sledgehammers - along with crowbars, grappling hooks, black masks and even a machete - stored in his police-issued car to ramp up illegal activities. It's not clear when Jenkins and the other ex-detectives who pleaded guilty will be sentenced by a federal judge. Four disgraced ex-officers testified for the government in hopes of shaving years off their sentences. The defense teams for Hersl and Taylor had asked jurors to distrust the motivations of the government's witnesses, including a number of convicted drug dealers who received immunity for their testimony in the case. Schenning said he was thankful the jurors saw through that. 'That was the business model for this organization - they thought if you rob drug dealers they have no place to go,' he said. Pictured left: Evodio Hendrix. Pictured right: Maurice Ward. They await their sentencing by a judge Purpura did not deny that his 48-year-old client took money but said the thefts didn't rise to the more serious charges of robbery or extortion. The two defense teams also attacked the veracity of the four disgraced detectives, noting that they've admitted to lying for years to juries, judges, colleagues and their families. Assistant US Attorney Leo Wise reminded jurors that the central question in the trial was the actions of the rogue police unit, and whether some of their robbery victims made money 'selling drugs or Girl Scout cookies' was irrelevant. Public defenders say there could be a few thousand tainted cases stretching back to 2008 involving the jailed members of the disbanded Gun Trace Task Force. So far, roughly 125 cases involving the eight indicted Baltimore law enforcers have been dropped. 'Beyond the sheer credibility issues that should have been raised at the time, given how embedded their crimes were in their police work, all cases involving these officers are tainted,' said Debbie Katz Levi, head of special litigation for Baltimore's Office of the Public Defender. Karl Stefanovic has weighed in on the Barnaby Joyce affair scandal, saying the embattled Deputy Prime Minister should move to the backbench. The comments came during a Tuesday morning discussion with broadcaster Ray Hadley about Mr Joyce's affair with his former staffer Vikki Campion. Despite calls for his resignation, the Nationals leader has refused to resign but made a public apology to his wife Natalie, his daughters, and Ms Campion. Scroll down for video Karl Stefanovic (pictured) has weighed in on the Barnaby Joyce scandal, saying the embattled Deputy Prime Minister should move to the backbench The comments came during a Tuesday morning discussion with broadcaster Ray Hadley (pictured) about Mr Joyce's affair with his former staffer Vikki Campion 'I would be very surprised if Barnaby Joyce (pictured) is not on the backbench by this time next week,' said Ray Hadley 'I would be very surprised if Barnaby Joyce is not on the backbench by this time next week,' said Hadley on the Today show. 'Don't you think that he probably needs to do that anyway, just to clear the air, give it some time?' asked Karl. 'If he goes to the backbench, that surely has to happen before next week, before him becoming Acting Prime Minister?' Despite calls for his resignation, the Nationals leader (pictured, right) has refused to resign but made a public apology to his wife Natalie, his daughters, and Ms Campion (pictured, left) 'If he goes to the backbench, that surely has to happen before next week, before him becoming Acting Prime Minister?' asked Karl (pictured are Mr Joyce, right, and Mr Turnbull, centre, in Question Time in Monday) Mr Joyce is scheduled to act as PM when Malcolm Turnbull is in the US to meet with President Donald Trump. A growing group of Liberal MPs are putting pressure on their Nationals counterparts to dump Mr Joyce as leader before Mr Turnbull leaves, The Herald Sun reported. One MP said the Joyce affair has caused 'chaos' in the government and said the scandal threatened the Coalition's 'moral authority'. Mr Joyce said Ms Campion (pictured) was not his partner when she got a job in Matt Canavan's office, and Damien Drum was not a minister when she started work for him Mr Joyce publicly apologised to his estranged wife Natalie, his daughters, his pregnant staffer Ms Campion, his supporters and people in his electorate. He said Ms Campion was not his partner when she got a job in Matt Canavan's office, and Damien Drum was not a minister when she started work for him. The Nationals leader also strenuously denied fresh allegations published on Monday night. A learner driver has caused a high-speed crash on a western Sydney road after driving blindly through an intersection. The crash at Schofields Road happened about 4.40pm on Sunday, after a silver Toyota drove out into oncoming traffic. With no time to stop as the Toyota creeps forward, an oncoming vehicle smashes into it. A dashcam has caught the terrifying moment a car inexplicably pulls out in front of another in a busy intersection, leading to a scary crash The footage was captured on a busy street in Sydney's north-west, showing a car proceeding through roadworks when a Toyota sedan pulls out in front The impact was filmed on a dashcam inside the oncoming vehicle. The driver of the oncoming car said the airbag under the steering wheel deployed after the collision. The force of the airbag injured both of the driver's legs. 'Nothing broken, just a couple weeks' rest and a bit of a limp.' Footage of the crash was uploaded to Facebook on Monday through the Dash Cam Owners Australia page. It has been viewed more than 58,000 times. After the video was posted commenters chipped in with their own opinions on who was to blame for the smash. The Toyota sedan then suddenly appears into shot, not appearing to brake as it enters the area The car proceeds directly across the oncoming traffic, resulting in a heavy collision that is all captured on the dashcam 'Learner driver, obviously has a lot to learn before getting behind the wheel again. [For f***k's sake], who the hell was instructing that fool? Both need to be off the road and both need to be held accountable for the crash,' one person said. Another pointed out the car ahead of the Toyota also failed to give way before pulling out from the intersection. A lack of traffic lights at the intersection was also blamed for the crash. 'The number of accidents per fortnight there as no one stops to cross from where the grey sedan came from is ridiculous. They need those lights up [and] functioning [as soon as possible]. 'I hate having to go through there,' they said. Footage shows the vehicle spinning violently as airbags are deployed throughout the car After the video was posted commenters chipped in with their own opinions on who was to blame for the smash Another pointed out the car ahead of the Toyota also failed to give way before pulling out from the intersection Jungarai was also the first indigenous person to feature on an Australian stamp The elder caught the world's attention after his picture graced a magazine cover Jungarai, known as 'One Pound Jimmy', survived the Coniston massacre of 1928 The Aboriginal man on the $2 coin was based on a drawing of Gwoya Jungarai He stands proudly beneath the Southern Cross, his long beard flowing and powerful chest crossed with tribal scars. Almost every Australian has seen the face of the Aboriginal man on the $2 coin, but just who was he and why was he chosen to appear on the currency? Gwoya Jungarai was a husband and father, the survivor of one of the last recognised massacres of indigenous Australians and in the middle of last century the face of a tourism campaign. He was also the first Aborigine to appear on a postage stamp and was once so famous international travelers sought his autograph. Gwoya Jungarai was born in 1895 and survived one of the last recognised massacres of Aboriginal people; an image inspired by a drawing of him is pictured on the $2 coin Jungarai caught the world's attention after Roy Dunstan's 1935 photograph featured on the cover of Walkabout Magazine in 1936 and 1950 (pictured) Jungarai was born about 1895 in the Tanami Desert, approximately 200 kilometres north-west of Alice Springs, in the Northern Territory. In 1928, he survived a massacre near the Coniston cattle station in Central Australia, but many of his relatives were butchered in the atrocity. While official records show 31 people were killed, historians believe the number of men, women and children slaughtered could be up to 110. Also known as Gwoya Tjungurrayi and Gwoya Djungaraim, Jungarai trapped dingoes and made and sold boomerangs. It has been claimed that when asked how much he charged for handcrafts or odd jobs Jungarai would answer 'One pound, boss'. A Warlpiri-Anmatyerre elder, he became best known outside his people as 'One Pound Jimmy'. In 1935 photographer Roy Dunstan captured Jungarai in an extraordinary image that was seen around the world. The picture of Jungarai on the $2 coin was inspired by a drawing by artist Ainslie Roberts Gwoya Jungarai survived a massacre of Aborigines near Coniston cattle station in 1928 A tourism executive from Melbourne, Charles H Holmes, described his and Dunstan's encounter with Jungarai. 'During a visit to the Spotted Tiger mica mine out east of Alice Springs, I once met as fine a specimen of aboriginal manhood as you would wish to see,' Holmes wrote. 'Tall and lithe, with a particularly well-developed torso, broad forehead, strong features and the superb carriage of the unspoiled primitive native, he rejoiced under the name of "One Pound Jimmy".' Jungarai's features appeared on the cover of Walkabout Magazine, a publication featuring stories about travel, culture and geography, in 1936. International recognition brought tourists to Central Australia seeking Jungarai's autograph. Newspaper reports state Jungarai once shaved off his beard to be less recognisable. His picture again graced the cover of Walkabout in 1950, the same year Jungarai became the first Aboriginal person to be featured on an Australian postage stamp. In 1950 Jungarai was the first Aborigine to feature on an Australian postage stamp (pictured) Who is the man on the $2 coin? Gwoya Jungarai was born about 1895 in the Tanami Desert, approximately 200 kilometres north-west of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. In 1928 he survived a massacre of dozens of his people near the Coniston cattle station in Central Australia. A photograph of Jungarai taken in 1935 was used on the cover of Walkabout Magazine in 1936 and again in 1950, bringing him international recognition. Also in 1950, an image of Jungarai became the first of an Aboriginal person used on an Australian stamp. A drawing of Jungarai was used as the basis for the Aboriginal figure on the $2 coin when it replaced the $2 note in 1988. Jungarai was known as 'One Pound Jimmy', supposedly because that was what he charged for odd jobs or handcrafts such as boomerangs. Advertisement In March 1952, the Centralian Advocate stated 'One Pound Jimmy' was possibly the 'most publicised Aborigine in Australia'. More than 30 years later Jungarai's face became known to new generations when a his likeness was chosen to appear on the 'reverse', or back, of a coin to replace the $2 note. According to the Royal Australian Mint the design brief for the $2 coin called for 'a representation of the head and shoulders of a traditional Australian Aboriginal, a representation of the Southern Cross and a representation of Australian flora.' Although the design was not intended to depict any particular person, the face on the coin was designed by Horst Hahne based on a drawing of Jungarai by artist Ainslie Roberts. A portrait of the Queen is on the obverse, or front, of all Australian coins. Jungaria, who had a wife and three sons, died in March 1965, but his face will never be forgotten while the $2 coin remains in circulation. Bank transfers will take just moments for customers of three of Australia's four biggest banks from Tuesday onwards. The process, which used to take up to three days, will be sped along as Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank and Westpac roll out their New Payments Platform. Customers will be able to transfer money in the blink of an eye from Tuesday, as the new system is rolled out. ANZ customers won't be able to use the new system yet, as the bank completes 'rigorous testing' to ensure the safety of the new system. Some Australian bank customers will be able to transfer funds online immediately from Tuesday. Commonwealth (bottom left), Westpac (top right) and NAB (top left) will begin to roll out a new payments platform from Tuesday, and ANZ customers (bottom right) will need to wait a little longer A spokesman for ANZ said more information on the roll out would be available in coming weeks. Commonwealth customers will be able to register a PayID through the CommBank app, removing the need to provide their BSB and account number for funds transfers from other participating financial institutions, the bank said in a statement on Tuesday. A PayID can be something easy to remember, like a person's phone number or email address. Commonwealth Bank Executive General Manager of Digital, Pete Steel, said the bank had offered real time payments for years, and looked forward to an industry-wide adoption of the process. Customers will set up a PayID, which could be something like their phone number or email address, making account numbers and BSB's things of the past (stock image) 'We are committed to delivering a safe, high quality option to our customers. We have offered instant payments between our customers for some years now and we look forward to seeing the take up across the industry now that the Platform has launched.' A spokeswoman for Westpac said the bank's roll-out will begin with a small group of customers before the platform is opened to all general customers. Commonwealth Bank Executive General Manager of Digital, Pete Steel (pictured) said the bank is looking forward to an industry-wide roll out of instant banking After this, business, institutional and government customers will be granted access, as will customers of St George, BankSA and Bank of Melbourne. The system was created in light of a review conducted in 2012 on Australia's payment infrastructure. Rather than a 18 character limit in the payment description, an expanded 280 characters will be allowed. While the platform is geared towards improving efficiency, lowering operating costs and helping businesses improve their customer service, it doesn't come without its security concerns. Fraud expert Albert van Wyk has warned of increased fraudulent activity on implementation of a real-time payments system, alluding to Britain's online banking fraud spike to 132% in 2008 after it introduced a fast payment system in 2008. But Mr Lovney says updated security measures and consistent monitoring of activity would keep customers safe once the platform was being used. 'With any new system that is introduced, you will see a spike in activity as people think about how they can take advantage of the change, but banks will continue to put in place systems behind the scenes to try to protect customers from being tricked,' he said. Mr Lovney explained banks would conduct real-time screening of transactions to weed out suspicious activity like people logging in from unfamiliar phones. About 50 small institutions including banks, credit unions and building societies are also expected to offer their customers use of the revolutionary platform. NNP is owned by the 13 banks funding the $1 billion project which will operate as a utility. A woman claiming to be 'Mother Mary' told police after leading them on a high speed chase that God allowed her to drive 120 mph. Connie Lynn Allen, 52, was arrested in Kentucky on Saturday when police were eventually able to pull her over on Interstate 65. She told the officers that she was en route to pick up baby Jesus. Connie Lynn Allen, 52, was arrested in Kentucky on Saturday when police were eventually able to pull her over on Interstate 65 following a high speed chase Allen also allegedly admitted that she knew police were chasing her, but she had authority from God to drive at such a high speed. A Kentucky State Police trooper reported that he spotted Allen speeding along the interstate and cutting across the emergency lane to pass other vehicles. She reached speeds of 120 mph while refusing to stop, despite the officer turning on his siren and lights. Allen told the Kentucky State Police trooper who arrested her that she was en route to pick up baby Jesus (file photo) Another trooper joined the chase before Allen was eventually forced to a stop. Police say they had to smash one of the windows of her car after Allen refused to get out of the vehicle. She was arrested and charged with reckless driving, evading police and endangerment of a police officer. Allen is being held in the Hardin County Detention Center in lieu of a $5,000 bond. Barnaby Joyce has finally broken his silence and made a public apology to his wife and daughters for his affair with pregnant former staffer Vikki Campion. 'I would like to say to Natalie how deeply sorry I am for all the hurt this has caused. To my girls, how deeply sorry I am for all the hurt that it has caused them,' he said. 'To Vikki Campion, how deeply sorry I am that she has been dragged into this. 'I would like to also say to my supporters and people in my electorate how deeply sorry I am that this personal issue - deeply personal issue - has gone into the public arena.' Scroll down for video The embattled Deputy Prime Minister (pictured, right) has spoken out about his affair with staffer Vikki Campion (pictured, left) Speaking on Tuesday morning, the embattled Deputy Prime Minister (pictured) strenuously denied fresh allegations he pinched a woman's bottom at a Canberra bar in 2011 'I would like to say to Natalie (pictured, left) how deeply sorry I am for all the hurt this has caused,' said Mr Joyce (pictured, right) 'To my girls, how deeply sorry I am for all the hurt that it has caused them,' said Mr Joyce (pictured with Natalie and their four daughters) Speaking on Tuesday morning, the embattled Deputy Prime Minister strenuously denied fresh allegations he pinched a woman's bottom at a Canberra bar in 2011. The Nationals leader said Ms Campion was 'without a shadow of doubt' his current partner, slamming accusations he used his position to get her ministerial jobs. 'I am very aware of the Ministerial Code of Conduct. It is without a shadow of a doubt that Vikki Campion is my partner now. 'But when she worked in my office, she was not my partner. When she worked in Matt Canavan's office, she was not my partner. 'And Damien Drum was not a minister. I think this is vitally important in how we differentiate between the public and the private.' Mr Joyce also addressed new allegations that surfaced overnight, saying they are 'a story that is not the truth'. The Nationals leader said Ms Campion (pictured) was 'without a shadow of doubt' his current partner, slamming accusations he used his position to get her ministerial jobs Barnaby Joyce (pictured) made a statement about his affair with a former staffer, Vikki Campion 'But when she worked in my office, she was not my partner. When she worked in Matt Canavan's (pictured, right, with Ms Campion) office, she was not my partner,' said Mr Joyce on Tuesday Full Statement from Barnaby Joyce Guys, how are you going? I'll make a statement. I won't take any questions. Ready? This morning, in the Telegraph and the Courier-Mail, and referred to in other papers, is a story that is not the truth. The story it's not a case that I didnt recollect it. It did not happen. This is a story that has been brought about by a person unnamed, at a venue unnamed, at a time unnamed, seven years ago, and has been peddled by the bitterest of political enemies to me. It is not something that I'm unaware of. They've had it on social media for years. It's just, in the past, I don't believe it dignified a response. But today, it's in the paper and, as such, I reserve all my legal rights as to what action I should pursue. On another issue, I would like to say to Natalie how deeply sorry I am for all the hurt this has caused. To my girls, how deeply sorry I am for all the hurt that it has caused them. To Vikki Campion, how deeply sorry I am that she has been dragged into this. I would like to also say to my supporters and people in my electorate how deeply sorry I am that this personal issue deeply personal issue has gone into the public arena. I am very aware of the Ministerial Code of Conduct. It is without a shadow of a doubt that Vikki Campion is my partner now. But when she worked in my office, she was not my partner. When she worked in Matt Canavan's office, she was not my partner. And Damian Drum was not a minister. I think this is vitally important in how we differentiate between the public and the private. Thank you. Advertisement 'The story it's not a case that I didnt recollect it. It did not happen,' said Mr Joyce. 'This is a story that has been brought about by a person unnamed, at a venue unnamed, at a time unnamed, seven years ago, and has been peddled by the bitterest of political enemies to me. 'It is not something that I'm unaware of. They've had it on social media for years. It's just, in the past, I don't believe it dignified a response. 'But today, it's in the paper and, as such, I reserve all my legal rights as to what action I should pursue.' A shadow has been cast over Mr Joyce's position as Deputy PM and Nationals Leader by revelations he has been in a relationship with a former staffer (pictured is Mr Joyce, right, with Mr Turnbull in Question Time on Monday February 12) 'My understanding is that Barnaby Joyce (pictured, centre left, with Ms Campion, centre right) will make a statement about everything that's in the newspapers today,' Mr Tehan HOW THE BARNABY JOYCE AFFAIR UNFOLDED 2016 May - Vikki Campion assists Barnaby Joyce's election campaign as media adviser, having previously worked with NSW government ministers and News Corp August - Campion joins Joyce's staff. She splits with fiance John Bergin, three months before they were due to wed. Friendship develops between Joyce and Campion December - Chief of staff Di Hallam reportedly seeks Joyce's approval to have Campion transferred out of office. Hallam later quits to take up departmental role 2017 February - Campion is photographed in a Sydney bar with Joyce, as revealed by Daily Mail Australia April - Barnaby's wife Natalie reportedly confronts Campion in Tamworth. Campion goes to minister Matt Canavan office as adviser. Natalie and Barnaby seek to make marriage work May - At New South Wales Nationals conference in Broken Hill colleagues describe Joyce as 'a mess' June - Natalie and Barnaby show up together at Canberra press gallery midwinter ball July - Campion leaves her $191,000 job in Mr Canavan's office after he quits frontbench over citizenship. She temporarily goes back to Joyce's office August - Campion moves to Damian Drum's office in a social media adviser position specially created for her. He already has a media adviser. In this time she oversees just 50 posts to Facebook Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is reportedly reassured by Joyce the relationship with Campion is over. Drum says he was told the same thing. Former Joyce chief of staff Di Hallam takes up a senior position with the Inland Rail project September - Natalie reportedly asks family friend, Catholic priest Father Frank Brennan, to counsel Joyce. Campion is seen managing Joyce media events at federal Nationals conference in Canberra October - Campion reportedly takes stress leave. Writ issued for New England by-election after Joyce quits over dual citizenship November - Natalie holidays in Bali with a daughter. Man in a pub in Inverell angers Joyce during election campaign by reportedly saying: 'Say hello to your mistress' December - Joyce wins by-election. Joyce tells parliament during same-sex marriage debate he is separated. Campion's redundancy package is approved. They move into an Armidale property provided rent-free by businessman Greg Maguire 2018 January - Joyce and Campion holiday in north Queensland and NSW north coast February - Joyce tells reporters Campion is now his partner. But denies she was his partner when she worked in Canavan's office March - Joyce casts doubt on the baby's paternity, calling it a 'grey area' and claiming journalists never asked him if Ms Campion's child was his April 16 - Sebastian Joyce born May 8 - Baby boy seen for the first time May 26 - Details emerge of Barnaby Joyce's paid $150,000 interview May 30 - Seven Network reveals Vikki Campion pressured to have abortion June 5 - Joyce announces he intends to re-contest the seat of New England at the next election June 21 - Natalie Joyce speaks out in a tell-all unpaid interview 2019 January 20 - Ms Campion and Mr Joyce announce they are expecting a second son June - The couple welcome their Thomas Michael Timothy Joyce Advertisement The new allegations were made by a woman who said she approached Mr Joyce in a bar following the Rural Women's Agricultural Awards in Canberra in 2011. 'I went over to the bar and he was very, very drunk and nearly falling over,' the woman told The Daily Telegraph. 'I said "Barnaby, I think you should go home. You're very drunk". "He leant over and he pinched my bottom.' A spokesman for Mr Joyce strenuously denied the incident occurred, and said the Nationals leader did not go to a bar or club after the awards. Mr Joyce is set to serve as Acting Prime Minister during Malcolm Turnbull's visit to the United States to meet President Donald Trump next week. Ahead of that, the Nationals leader told his party MPs on Tuesday morning he would politically survive. 'Everyone in politics goes through a time of trial,' Sky News reported him saying. 'This is mine but I'll emerge from it.' A growing group of Liberal MPs are putting pressure on their Nationals counterparts to dump Mr Joyce as leader before Mr Turnbull leaves, The Herald Sun reported. One MP said the Joyce affair has caused 'chaos' in the government and said the scandal threatened the Coalition's 'moral authority'. Social Services Minister Dan Tehan said the Nationals leader will make the statement on Tuesday morning (pictured are Barnaby and Natalie Joyce in 2015) The new allegations were made by a woman who said she approached Mr Joyce following the Rural Women's Agricultural Awards in Canberra in 2011 (pictured is Ms Campion, left, and Mr Joyce and Ms Campion, right) A spokesman for Mr Joyce strenuously denied the incident occurred, and said the Nationals leader did not go to a bar or club after the awards (pictured is Ms Campion, right, with Samantha Armytage, left) A shadow has been cast over Mr Joyce's position as Deputy PM and Nationals Leader by revelations he has been in a relationship with a former staffer. Mr Joyce is expecting a child with his former media adviser Ms Campion, 33, having split with his wife Natalie after 24 years of marriage. Poll Should Barnaby Joyce resign? Yes No I don't know Should Barnaby Joyce resign? Yes 944 votes No 205 votes I don't know 39 votes Now share your opinion The Coalition has been under pressure over jobs offered to Ms Campion after she left Mr Joyce's office when their affair allegedly created tensions in the office. Ministerial code of conduct prevents close relatives and partners being appointed as staffers 'without the Prime Minister's express approval'. Mr Turnbull told federal parliament on Monday the 'distribution of those staff members between Nationals offices is a matter for the National Party'. Despite Ms Campion expecting a baby with Mr Joyce, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister denied he breached the code because she 'could not be considered his partner at the time'. Ms Campion worked for Mr Joyce from May 2016 until May last year. She fell pregnant to the National Party leader a couple of months later. Former Nationals leader John Anderson told The Australian Mr Joyce (pictured) must take responsibility for the political damage the revelations have caused to the party Following her departure from Mr Joyce's office, Ms Campion worked for Resources Minister Matt Canavan, and then Nationals MP Damian Drum. 'There were rumours around the parliament that something was going on, but certainly at the time that Vikki came to work in my office, my understanding was that it was no longer an ongoing affair,' Mr Drum told ABC radio. Former Nationals leader and deputy prime minister John Anderson told The Australian Mr Joyce must take responsibility for the political damage the revelations have caused to the party. 'The issue is creating a problem within the National Party and for the government and must be resolved,' he said, without saying directly what should be done. Asked if voters would agree Ms Campion wasn't Mr Joyce's partner at the time of her appointments, Treasurer Scott Morrison said it was difficult to untangle. 'He can't have two partners at the same time and he was obviously still married,' he told ABC TV on Monday night. Mr Joyce is expecting a child with his former media adviser Vikki Campion (pictured), having split with his wife of 24-years, Natalie, in December last year Mr Joyce (pictured, left) is expecting a child with his former media adviser Ms Campion, 33, having split with his wife Natalie (pictured, right) after 24 years of marriage Cabinet minister Mathias Cormann insisted Mr Joyce's (pictured) position was a matter for the National Party Labor is demanding Mr Joyce be 'utterly complete' in his statement. 'It is very clear that Barnaby Joyce and, frankly, Malcolm Turnbull need to make a full account of their knowledge and their actions in all these matters,' shadow treasurer Chris Bowen told ABC radio. Mr Joyce would need to fully deny the latest allegations because his position was becoming 'increasingly untenable'. 'Any incident in which something has happened particularly to a woman which has made her feel uncomfortable I think is serious,' Mr Bowen said. Cabinet minister Mathias Cormann insisted Mr Joyce's position was a matter for the National Party. 'But of course we all support Barnaby as a valued friend and colleague,' he said. 'You've got to remember, these are allegations that are sourced by a long-time political rival.' Mr Joyce (pictured) is set to serve as acting Prime Minister during Malcolm Turnbull's visit to the United States to meet President Donald Trump next week She had previously worked as a senior adviser to New South Wales Police Minister Troy Grant when the Dubbo MP was deputy premier and was an adviser to Racing Minister Paul Toole when the Bathurst MP had the local government portfolio. Before becoming a political staffer Ms Campion worked for eight years as a journalist with The Daily Telegraph, where she was on the news desk for seven months until July 2014. Months before it was reported Ms Campion was pregnant to Mr Joyce she began withdrawing from public view. On December 7, the Nationals leader used the parliamentary debate on same sex marriage to confirm he was no longer with Natalie, the mother of his four daughters. Following her departure from Mr Joyce's office, Ms Campion worked for Resources Minister Matt Canavan (pictured), and then Nationals MP Damian Drum Statement from Natalie Joyce on the Deputy Prime Minister's affair I am deeply saddened by the news that my husband has been having an affair and is now having a child with a former staff member. I understand that this affair has been going on for many months and started when she was a paid employee. This situation is devastating on many fronts. For my girls who are affected by the family breakdown and for me as a wife of 24 years, who placed my own career on hold to support Barnaby through his political life. Our family life has had to be shared during Barnaby's political career and it was with trust that we let campaign and office staff into our homes and into our lives. Naturally we also feel deceived and hurt by the actions of Barnaby and the staff member involved. The situation for myself and the girls will be made worse by the fact that this will all be played out in public so at this time. I would ask that the girls and I are given some privacy and time to come to terms with the consequences and take steps to plan our future. Advertisement 'I don't come to this debate pretending to be any saint or anything like that but I do believe in the current definition of marriage, which has stood the test of time,' Mr Joyce said. 'Half of them fail, I acknowledge that, I'm happy to acknowledge that I am currently separated so that is on the record.' Mr Joyce moved out of his Tamworth family home in December and later moved into the Armidale townhouse he now shares with Ms Campion. Mrs Joyce has said she felt 'deceived' by the news that Ms Campion is pregnant with her husband's child and claimed the relationship began when she was a paid staffer. Meghan Markle reportedly made secret visits to the Grenfell Tower site to console victims of the tragedy that killed 71 people. The actress is said to have made the appearances alone, on two occasions, and comforted those whose communities were torn apart in the blaze. Prince Harry's fiancee visited the Al Manaar community mosque in North Kensington, West London, according to reports. Meghan Markle reportedly made secret visits to the Grenfell Tower site to console victims of the tragedy The US actress arrived without Harry but was accompanied by royal officers to keep her safe. 'Meghan's visits mean so much to us. She has a special place in our hearts,' A leading Grenfell community member told the Mirror. A royal source said Ms Markle had 'regularly' been visiting the organisations - echoing the charitable work of her fiance's late mother, Princess Diana. A spokesman for Kensington Palace told MailOnline: 'Meghan has been regularly making private visits to organisations as she gets to know the UK charity sector.' Abdulrahman Sayed, chief executive of the Al Manaar mosque, said there had been at least three trips from members of the royal family since Prince Harry and the Duke of Cambridge met with those affected, according to The Telegraph. The Al Manaar mosque was opened by Prince Charles in 2001. Her visit comes after Harry and his older brother William publicly visited the mosque in September to support victims of the June 14 fire. The pair went to the mosque on September 5 where they spoke with Syrian refugee Omar Al Haj Ali, 25, who managed to escape from the 14th floor flat he shared with his brother Mohammad, 23, who perished in the fire. The June 14 blaze killed 71 people and tore apart an entire community The royal brothers also met therapists and the Grenfell Women's Group, which has played a massive part in the relief effort. This comes as Meghan and Prince Harry get set for a royal walkabout to meet the people of Edinburgh when they begin their official visit to Scotland today. In the shadow of the city's world famous castle, crowds are expected to gather on the esplanade today to meet the prince and his fiancee as they greet well-wishers. The trip to Scotland will be the fourth public appearance Ms Markle and Harry have made together and follows successful visits to Nottingham, Brixton in south London and Cardiff in the months that followed their engagement announcement in November. Also on the esplande will be the Royal Marines Band Scotland who will play for Ms Markle, the former Suits actress, and the Prince who became Captain General of the Royal Marines in December 2017. The couple will then move on to the New Town to visit Social Bite, a social enterprise cafe which distributes 100,000 items of food and hot drinks to homeless people across Scotland each year, as well as employing staff who have experienced homelessness themselves. Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio stopped for lunch at Social Bite venture Home in Edinburgh's west end in November 2016 while the Duchess of Cornwall and George Clooney have been to Social Bite's Rose Street branch. Prince Harry and Ms Markle will round off their visit by attending a reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse to celebrate youth achievements marking Scotland's Year of Young People 2018, an initiative that aims to inspire Scotland through its young people. Margaret Calvert (pictured) has done more than any other living person to shape the face of Britain Margaret Calvert has done more than any other living person to shape the face of Britain and, in doing so, stopped a million marital arguments on journeys across the country. Yet you have probably never heard the name and only now is her amazing talent being recognised. Sixty years ago, Calvert revolutionised the look of the humble road sign, a feature of everyday life so ubiquitous we barely notice it. Before you wonder what is so remarkable about that, just consider the school sign showing a girl leading her little brother across the road. That wasnt just designed by Calvert she based the girl on herself. The roadworks sign of a workman digging, jokingly likened to a man opening his umbrella? That, too, was designed by Calvert. The clear blue motorway signs and their equivalents on A-roads and country lanes? Also Calverts. Some of her signs were mocked by critics at first. The uneven road signs two bumps were compared to actress Diana Dorss breasts when it was unveiled, and snobs attacked her clear letters and symbols as common. In fact, the only thing common about them was that they were and still are commonly understood by everyone. That is their magic and her unique, unmissable legacy. The talented young typographer designed pictograms so stylish they have barely changed in six decades and are the envy of the world. Before you wonder what is so remarkable about that, just consider the school sign showing a girl leading her little brother across the road. That wasnt just designed by Calvert she based the girl on herself Despite their Britishness, the signs have even been adopted by other countries because they are universally understandable and safe. Compared with her designs, road signs abroad are often confusing and insubstantial. Over the years her signs have saved thousands of lives, not to mention preventing thousands of wrong turns (and arguments). For decades, Calvert continued designing in her studio in Islington, North London, with little recognition. But in 2016 she received the OBE and this year she was nominated as one of the women of the century on Radio 4s Today programme celebrating the centenary of votes for women (though she failed to make the final shortlist). Calvert, born in South Africa in 1936, but educated in London from the age of 14, was only 21 when she began the Herculean task of rebranding Britains road system. She had just left Chelsea School of Art, where she had been taught by a respected graphic designer called Jock Kinneir. But in 2016 she received the OBE and this year she was nominated as one of the women of the century on Radio 4s Today programme celebrating the centenary of votes for women Together, the pair got the job of designing the signs for Britains first motorway, the Preston By-pass, opened 60 years ago in 1958 by Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. At the time, we were way behind the Continent in motorway development the Italians and Germans had been building impressive autostradas and autobahns since before the war. The Preston By-pass was a mere eight-and-a-quarter miles long a tiddler compared with European motorways. But Calvert and Kinneirs signs were a revelation. From the start, their creations were modern, clear and colour-coded, so you knew exactly what type of road you were on. That distinctive, uncluttered blue and white of the motorway sign was chosen to be prominent. But the sky blue was also a recessive colour that didnt clash with the surrounding countryside. The white paint is reflective, while the blue background is not and at night appears black, making the words even clearer. Calvert and Kinneir designed their own new typeface, or font, for the signs, later named Transport. They also invented another Motorway to be used for the route numbers (M1, M4, etc) on motorway signs. They made the Transport font curvier and softer than the brutal, modernist letters favoured by most countries in Europe. They wanted their signs not just to be clear to drivers, but to be liked by them, too. The roadworks sign of a workman digging, jokingly likened to a man opening his umbrella? That, too, was designed by Calvert The signs also had to be easy to read at high speed. In 1958, the 70mph speed limit had yet to be imposed; Barbara Castle, as Transport Minister, only formally introduced it in 1967. Roads were much more dangerous than today, with many more deaths and widespread drink-driving. Sign clarity was vital. The size and lettering of Calvert and Kinneirs signs were rigorously tested to make sure they were readable, however recklessly anyone was driving. In defiance of convention, the designers used upper and lower case letters rather than block capitals because capitals proved harder to read. To test their signs, airmen were positioned on a platform at RAF Benson airfield in Oxfordshire, with the signs placed on cars driving towards them. The airmen then announced at what point they could read the lettering. The shape and size of letters were tinkered with so they could be read at a safe distance. As it happened, neither Calvert nor Kinneir could drive at the time so they had to imagine themselves as drivers. Calvert says: You thought of everything from the standpoint of: What if I am at the wheel, doing speeds of over 70mph? Some of her signs were mocked by critics at first. The uneven road signs two bumps were compared to actress Diana Dorss breasts when it was unveiled, and snobs attacked her clear letters and symbols as common Five years later, in 1963, the pair extended their designs beyond motorways to all British roads.Until then, local authorities had put up different road signs of their own choosing. The result had been a confusing mess, as drivers passing from one county to another would be greeted by completely new signage. Most road signs had a cluttered appearance and were impossible to read at distance. When the Ministry of Transport decided to standardise them, they turned to Kinneir and his young assistant and in came the distinctive and memorable colour-coding that survives today. On primary roads, they used white letters for place-names and yellow road numbers on a green background. On secondary roads, they used black letters on a white background. But it was in their pictures that Calvert and Kinneir really made their distinctive mark on Britain. Many of them were based on Calverts childhood memories. The cow for the farm animals crossing sign was based on Patience, a cow Calvert had seen on a relatives farm in Warwickshire. On primary roads, they used white letters for place-names and yellow road numbers on a green background With many of her pictograms, she made the figures a little softer than their Continental equivalents. She took particular care over the children crossing sign. The first school sign was a torch, then a boy followed by a girl with a satchel it looked very grammar school, Calvert has said. I wanted it to look more inclusive, so you couldnt tell if it was secondary modern or grammar. And I wanted it to be more caring so I made the girl lead the little boy. But it needed to have something urgent about it. She based the girl on a childhood photograph of herself, fattened up somewhat because she was so skinny although in reality she didnt have a little brother to lead by the hand. As for that workmens sign, she wishes with hindsight she had made the shovel more shovel-like so it didnt look like an umbrella, but still believes it passes muster. Over the decades since Calvert and Kinneirs designs were introduced there have been small changes, including the introduction of the brown signs used for heritage attractions. Calvert still notices small errors in new signs when she drives across the country. It has been a nightmare all my life, she has said. I am plagued by the sloppiness of something not being done well the spacing being wrong, for instance. Still, Margaret Calverts extraordinary effect on the look of Britain remains largely intact. While practically everything else in the country has changed in appearance over the past 60 years, our road signs incredibly have not. Because they were perfect in the first place. Dog owners are being cautioned about the risks of walking their dogs along beaches between January and April as a number of toxic black sea hares are washing up on shore. So far there have been two reported incidents of black sea hares on Whitfords Beach, located 24.6km North West of Perth in Western Australia. Jo Robertson happened upon a pair of the creatures at 5am on Monday morning, one on the shore and the other in the water, Perth Now reported. Black sea hares commonly wash up on beaches in the South West of Western Australia between January and April and animals can be exposed to toxins from licking the surface 'One was in the sea and our dog tried to have a look and the sea slug let out purple ink,' she said, adding the creatures were about a foot long. 'My dog came running out of the water, quickly.' The creature was identified by Murdoch University senior lecturer in veterinary emergency and critical care Dr Lisa Smart as a black sea hare. 'If it is a black sea hare then it is potentially toxic towards dogs if they eat it, lick or rub their fur on it, because the toxins, we think, are in the secretions of the sea hare, so animals can be exposed just by licking the surface,' she explained. Whitfords Beach in Western Australia is known as a hot spot for black sea hares washing up on shore Dr Smart said black sea hares were more likely to wash up on shorelines between January and April and most commonly in the South West of Western Australia. Symptoms for dogs exposed to the toxins vary from drooling and trouble walking to vomiting, tremors of the body, muscle twitching, seizures and even death in the most severe cases. 'The toxicity can start to take effect within a couple of hours but it can also take up to 12 to 18 hours for symptoms to be apparent as well, so it is a very variable onset,' she said. Dog walkers in Western Australia are being cautioned about letting their dogs off the lead while walking on beaches as toxic black sea hares are washing up on sure Currently no antidote exists with research so far unable to determine conclusively what the causative toxins are. Dr Smart said anyone who thinks their dog may have come into contact with a black sea hare should immediately take it to their nearest vet. People walking their dogs along West Australian beaches are encouraged to keep them away from any black sea hares they may come across. The treatment available for dogs exposed to the black sea hare toxin are seizure management and supportive therapy but recovery is not guaranteed. An Australian man facing an Indonesian court for the possession of methamphetamine has spoken out, warning people to avoid taking the highly addictive substance. Isaac Emmanuel Roberts, a 35-year-old accountant from Toowoomba, South Queensland, was arrested at Bali's Ngurah Rai airport on December 4, 2017, after arriving on a flight from Bangkok. Customs officers discovered 14.3 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 14 ecstasy tablets and 22 mils of a psychotropic substance in his luggage. 35-year-old accountant Isaac Emmanuel Roberts was arrested in Bali in December for possession of methamphetamine and other substances His trial began Monday at the District Court in Denpasar, Bali's capital. He has violated anti-narcotics laws, say prosecutors, and if found guilty could face anywhere between four years and life in prison, as well as a fine of at least $A5600. Speaking to reporters after court, Roberts said that methamphetamine was 'very, very bad', and warned that 'it's very easy to slip into the habit. 'If anyone is considering taking methamphetamine, do not,' he said. Roberts' trial started on Monday. If found guilty he could face anywhere between four years and life in prison Roberts has previously admitted to being a 'f***ing addict', but denies being a dealer. He was taken to a police hospital in January after complaining of feeling sick and appearing to be raging and talking to himself in his prison cell. Roberts was also rushed to hospital in December after suffering from shock, and his lawyer said he suffered from depression and was at risk of committing suicide. He told reporters that methamphetamine is 'very, very bad', and warned people not to take it 'He got sick. He was shocked after the press conference today,' another of his lawyers, Deni Sedana, said. 'He has a big tendency to do suicide because he often feels depression. He has a mental disorder.' Roberts ran as a Liberal Democrat candidate in the seat of Higgins in Melbourne in 2009. He was unsuccessful, polling eighth out of 10 candidates. Brussels is preparing to improve its Brexit trade offer amid disarray at Michel Barnier's hardline approach. EU chiefs said there was pressure from EU capitals to scrap its chief negotiator's strategy. They want to 'leave the door open' to Theresa May but only if she reveals what she wants from a future relationship. Brussels is preparing to improve its Brexit trade offer amid disarray at Michel Barnier's hardline approach Last week Mr Barnier claimed disagreements put the two-year Brexit transition period in doubt. His threat of a 'punishment clause' on the UK during the transition period, which would allow the bloc to impose tariffs until 2021, has also left several EU states reeling. But EU diplomats and officials yesterday hinted Brussels was prepared to soften its stance. It would see the bloc offering the UK a 'tailor-made' trade deal, rather than a deal similar to the EU and Canada's, which has been suggested and which Mrs May deems unacceptable. A senior EU official said: 'Some member states are saying 'we can't prescribe what the UK should do', others are saying 'yes but we should leave the door open'. EU chiefs said there was pressure from EU capitals to scrap its chief negotiator's strategy 'We are not in the business of closing doors, so it is tricky. But we need some kind of guidance from the UK.' Australia has vowed to do 'substantially' more trade with us if we quit the customs union. Alexander Downer, the high commissioner to the UK, yesterday said: 'We want to build back our trade with the UK.' Two top Republican senators want to know why President Obama's National Security Advisor Susan Rice sent an 'unusual' email to herself on President Trump's Inauguration day, which recounted an Oval Office meeting about the Russia investigation. Republicans Sens. Chuck Grassley, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Lindsey Graham, who chairs a Judiciary subcommittee, penned a letter to Rice and made it public Monday, asking her to answer questions about the note, dated January 20, 2017. The message, which includes redactions, features a January 5 meeting between Rice, President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, along with former FBI Director James Comey and Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates. Two Republicans senators are calling attention to an email President Obama's National Security Advisor Susan Rice (pictured) sent herself on President Trump's inauguration day, detailing a meeting she had on January 5 in which the Russia probe was discussed Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (left) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (right), who chairs a Judiciary subcommittee sent a letter to Susan Rice asking questions about the email and if the meeting had anything to do with the so-called 'dirty dossier' 'President Obama began the conversation by stressing his continued commitment to ensuring that every aspect of this issue is handled by the Intelligence and law enforcement communities "by the book,"' Rice wrote. 'The president stressed that he is not asking about, initiating or instructing anything from the law enforcement perspective.' 'He reiterated that our law enforcement team needs to proceed as it normally would by the book,' Rice continued. At that point in the meeting, Rice indicates that Obama then spoke of national security concerns. 'President Obama said he wants to be sure that, as we engage with the incoming team, we are mindful to ascertain if there is any reason that we cannot share information fully as it relates to Russia,' Rice said. The next portion of her email remains classified and is blacked out. 'The president asked Comey to inform him if anything changes in the next few weeks that should affect how we share classified information with the incoming team,' Rice said. 'Comey said he would.' In writing to Rice, Grassley and Graham said, 'It strikes us odd that, among your activities in the final moments on the final day of the Obama administration, you would feel the need to send yourself such an unusual email purporting to document a conversation involving President Obama and his interactions with the FBI regarding the Trump/Russia investigation.' The two senators also note that while Rice said that Obama instructed Comey to proceed 'by the book,' the Republicans claim that 'substantial questions have arisen about whether officials at the FBI, as well as the Justice Department and the State Department, actually did proceed "by the book."' Grassley and Graham then asked Rice a series of questions asking her to get back to them by February 22. A number of the senators' questions have to do with Christopher Steele, the ex-British spy, and the so-called 'dirty dossier,' which was financed partially by the Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton's campaign, after a Republican rival of Trump originally funded the opposition research into the now-president's links with Russia. From Rice they want to know if Comey brought up Steele or the dossier and whether the FBI chief discussed the bureau's relationship with the former spy. A source familiar with the content of the meeting told Fox News that it had nothing to do with Steele nor the dossier, but rather how the FBI and the intelligence community had to handle relations with the Trump transition team in light of the Russia probe. Capitol Hill Republicans have been keen to use the dossier as proof that the Russia investigation started under false pretenses, however the much-discussed, GOP-written memo that President Trump allowed to be released publicly dispelled that theory. The four-page memo released earlier this month indicated that the FBI's counterintelligence probe into Russia and Trump's associates was 'triggered' by aide George Papadopoulos, who was told by a British professor with ties to Russia that the Russians had dirt on Hillary Clinton. Papadopoulos relayed that gossip to an Australian diplomat, who, in turn, informed the U.S. about what he had heard once Democratic emails started being released. Faced with a 7.5 per cent surge in crime one would expect the countrys largest police force to be swamped with investigations. But it turns out Met Police has responded to the swell in criminal activity by looking into even fewer cases than before. New data shows it has responded to the rise in crime by giving up on 9,000 cases a month. Last September Met Police announced it would stop investigating low-level crimes such as car crime and criminal damage (pictured Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick) Last September Met Police announced it would stop investigating low-level crimes such as car crime and criminal damage. As a result police officers in the capital are allowing thousands of crimes to go unexamined and criminals unpunished. There were 37,370 fewer cases investigated between September and December last year when compared with the same period in 2016, according to data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by the Sun. Just 33 per cent of burglaries were followed through with a proper investigation a drop of 51 per cent from the previous year. There were 37,370 fewer cases investigated between September and December last year when compared with the same period in 2016, according to data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by the Sun This is despite robberies rising by 40 per cent in the past year. Mick Neville, an ex-Met Police DCI, ridiculed his former police force. He said: Police are waving the white flag at crimes. There is little doubt other forces will follow. Under the new system crimes involving a loss of under 50, minor assaults and car crime are only investigated if a suspect is already identified. And CCTV is only scanned for crimes that require less than 20 minutes viewing time. Burglaries are also only investigated if the criminal used violence or deceit to trick their way in. The decision to stop investigating minor crimes is part of a plan to save 400 million by 2020. Mark Simmons, deputy assistant commissioner at Met Police, defended his forces decision by claiming it was forced to balance the books with fewer officers and less money. Top RBS bosses were ultimately responsible for failings at the bank's toxic business turnaround unit, a damning leaked report claims. Thousands of small businesses fell into the clutches of RBS's global restructuring group (GRG) during the financial downturn. But instead of being helped back on their feet, they were hit with massive fees which many claim made their situation worse. RBS has admitted a catalogue of failings but long resisted claims that top managers knew what was going on. A secret report written for the Financial Conduct Authority watchdog (FCA) and leaked online last night alleges that the toxic culture came from the top. Top RBS bosses were ultimately responsible for failings at the bank's toxic business turnaround unit, a damning leaked report claims The report names Nathan Bostock, who at the time was head of risk, as the manager with responsibility for overseeing the GRG. It states that he in turn reported directly to then-chief executive Stephen Hester. Neither of the two men are personally criticised in the report. But it alleges that bosses were behind a hard-driving culture which put the squeeze on customers. It said: 'The dominant messages from management concerned GRG's own commercial objectives. 'Objectives that might have mitigated adverse impacts for customers, such as the importance of 'treating customers fairly', the need to explore opportunities for turnaround and successful return of customers to mainstream banking were largely absent from the messages emphasised by managers at all levels.' The report names Nathan Bostock, who at the time was head of risk, as the manager with responsibility for overseeing the GRG The report written by consultant Promontory Financial Group claims there was a general failing by GRG to balance customers' welfare with the desire to make money. It added: 'The steps necessary to start to address the issues we identify were not taken until towards the very end of the relevant period.' The FCA finished the report in 2016 but insisted they could not release it because of legal rules requiring everyone identified to get a right of reply. Although the report claims top managers were responsible for the profit-focused culture in the division, it does not accuse them of knowing about or getting actively involved in individual cases of wrongdoing, said to have taken place between 2008 and 2013. RBS could not be reached for comment last night. The bank launched a 400million compensation scheme for GRG customers who can prove they were mistreated, and is refunding any complex fees charged. Britain has been warned not to 'stir trouble' by Beijing, after announcing that a warship will travel through the disputed South China Sea next month. Anti-submarine frigate HMS Sutherland will sail through the sea on its way back from Australia, in order to assert freedom-of-navigation rights, British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said today. When questioned about the travelling plans, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that all nations are already free to sail through the sea, adding that the UK should stop 'stirring up trouble'. Smooth sailings? British anti-submarine frigate HMS Sutherland, pictured, is to sail through the disputed South China Sea next month 'She'll be sailing through the South China Sea (on the way home) and making it clear our navy has a right to do that,' Mr Williamson told The Australian newspaper after a two-day visit to Sydney and Canberra. He would not say whether the frigate would sail within 12 nautical miles of a disputed territory or artificial island built by the Chinese, as US ships have done. But he said: 'We absolutely support the US approach on this, we very much support what the US has been doing.' In January, Beijing said it had dispatched a warship to drive away a US missile destroyer which had 'violated' its sovereignty by sailing close to a shoal in the sea. Williamson said it was important that US allies such as Britain and Australia 'assert our values' in the South China Sea, which is believed to hold vast oil and gas deposits and through which $5trillion (3.6trillion) in trade passes annually. Troublemakers: The point of the route is to 'assert freedom-of-navigation rights', but Beijing says all nations are already free to move through the South China Sea 'World dynamics are shifting so greatly. The US can only concentrate on so many things at once,' he said. 'The US is looking for other countries to do more. This is a great opportunity for the UK and Australia to do more, to exercise leadership.' When asked about a possible freedom of navigation voyage by the British, China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said all countries have 'navigation and overflight freedom in the South China Sea'. 'We hope other countries will stop stirring up trouble,' Geng said. China in December defended its construction on disputed islands, which are also claimed by Southeast Asian neighbours, as 'normal' after a US think tank released new satellite images showing the deployment of radar and other equipment. In a separate interview with broadcaster ABC, Williamson warned of the need for vigilance to 'any form of malign intent' from China, as it seeks to become a global superpower. 'Australia and Britain see China as a country of great opportunities, but we shouldn't be blind to the ambition that China has and we've got to defend our national security interests,' he said. 'We've got to ensure that any form of malign intent is countered and we see increasing challenges - it's not just from China, it's from Russia, it's from Iran - and we've got to be constantly making sure that our security measures, our critical national infrastructure is protected.' Australia has been ratcheting up the rhetoric against China in recent months, with ties tested in December when parliament singled out Beijing as a focus of concern when it proposed laws on foreign interference. Two teenage girls are facing serious charges after they allegedly broke into a classmate's house and carried out wicked acts of cruelty. The teens, Hallie Lauren Pate, 17, and Jordan Alexis Ruiz, 18, broke into the home of a girl they went to school with in North Carolina, it is claimed. Once they were inside, they allegedly killed the girl's pet birds smearing blood on the furniture, before setting the family's car ablaze as they left. The pair were arrested on Thursday on a dozen charges including breaking and entering, larceny and cruelty to animals. Hallie Lauren Pate, 17, left, and Jordan Alexis Ruiz, 18, right, allegedly broke into a home in North Carolina where they then killed the family's pets inside before setting the car ablaze as they left The pair have been close friends for years as photos on their social media profiles clearly show Pate had tweeted in October that she was petty and childish in the past Homeowner Mack Price told WITN-TV in Greenville that the pair killed his daughter's two parakeets and then deliberately sprayed the birds' blood all over the kitchen cabinets. Price said lighter fluid was also poured throughout the house. The Lenoir County Sheriff's Office said the teens broke into the home February 4 and stole property. The duo also allegedly took a number of items from the car before they decided to set the vehicle on fire. Police have suggested that Pate, left, and her accomplice, Ruiz, right, went to school with girl whose pets they killed The girls were caught they decided to sell some of the stolen items, it is claimed. Both teens were booked at Lenoir County Sheriff's Detention Center, where they each are being held on a $50,000 bond. They also face charges for breaking and entering a motor vehicle, burning personal property, obtaining property by false pretense and injury to personal property. 'It would be bad enough if they just broke in and attempt to take something but when you break in to a home, kill an animal and then attempt to burn the place, that's very disturbing,' Sheriff Ronnie Ingram said. At this time, Ingram said there is no clear motive. However, he believes Pate and Ruiz go to the same high school as the daughter whose pets were killed. Unsatisfied, she emailed the company and was referred to CEO Elise Gillespie A Melbourne woman has been left horrified after she unwittingly served her friend maggot-infested bread - and didn't see the creepy crawlies until it was too late. Belinda Lee bought the sausage buns from Bakers Delight, refrigerated them overnight and then gave one to her friend the next day. Video obtained by the Herald Sun shows maggots wriggling in and out of the sausage - and to make matters worse her house guest didn't make the gruesome discovery until he had already eaten one. A woman has been left horrified after she unwittingly served her friend maggot-infested bread Although sausage buns used to be Ms Lee's favourite, she says she 'can't stomach them' now 'I've been going there for years,' Mrs Lee said, explaining that she can longer stomach the thought of sausage buns, even though they had been her favourite snack for years. 'But [it's] still in my mind. I can't forget, I can't erase this...And my poor visitor. Every time I buy something now, he says, 'Oh, are there maggots in it?' A disgusted Ms Lee returned the contaminated buns to the store, but was 'insulted' when she was only offered two almost-expired $20 vouchers as compensation. Taking matters into her own hands, she emailed the company, saying that the whole incident had left a bad taste in her mouth. 'It was fortunate for Bakers Delight that he did not land up in hospital with severe food poisoning or severe stomach cramps as a result.' Baker's Delight corporate communications manager Scott Darkin assured Ms Lee that 'we do take these matters very seriously and your experience is certainly not consistent with the high standards of product and service we pride ourselves in'. The matter has been referred to one of the company's CEOs Elise Gillespie. Bakers Delight also offered Ms Lee vouchers with an extended expiry date, in a bid to provide Ms Lee with 'an opportunity to enjoy some other Bakers Delight products at no charge'. A disgusted Ms Lee returned the contaminated 'maggot-infested' buns to Baker's Delight In a statement, the company said: 'Bakers Delight Holdings is fully committed to food safety, which is why all bakeries are required to implement and maintain the Bakers Delight Food Safety and Pest Control Programs. Ms Lee's complaint has been referred to one of the company's CEOs Elise Gillespie (pictured) 'Monthly reviews are completed as part of this program by licensed technicians who work closely with our bakeries to ensure issues are identified and actions implemented to reduce pest activity. 'The bakery's most recent quality and pest control reports show no indication of abnormal pest activity within the bakery. 'The bakery was visited by the local council following the incident and found the franchisee to be in full compliance with the relevant food safety regulations. 'In this particular case, due to the short life cycle of moths and flies, our investigation was unable to determine if this contamination occurred at the bakery level, or once the product left the bakery. The scheme was brought in by the Coalition government under pressure from Nick Clegg (pictured) A flagship scheme that pays new mothers to go straight back to work has been snubbed by the vast majority of couples. Only one in 50 of those who qualify has taken up shared parental leave since it was introduced in April 2015. The scheme was brought in by the Coalition government under pressure from Nick Clegg who was then the leader of the Lib Dems and deputy prime minister. It lets couples split their statutory time off work, allowing new mothers to go back more quickly while the father stays at home with the baby. Fewer than 6,000 couples a year have taken advantage. Department for Business officials said 285,000 couples qualify each year, but the take-up could be as low as 2 per cent 5,700 couples even though around half the population have heard of the scheme. Ministers are now relaunching it with a 1.5million publicity campaign intended to help couples share the joy of parenthood. It lets couples split their statutory time off work, allowing new mothers to go back more quickly while the father stays at home with the baby It is also aimed at closing the gender pay gap. Minister for women Victoria Atkins said: To do this we need to support women to fulfil their potential in the workplace and giving women the choice to share childcare with their partners is crucial to that. Critics of the campaign to push new mothers rapidly back to work condemned the relaunch. Author and broadcaster on the family Jill Kirby, a former director of the Right-leaning Centre for Policy Studies think-tank, said: Shared parental leave is just social engineering. She said all the evidence suggests mothers want to use maternity leave to bond with their babies, and there is little enthusiasm from fathers for taking time off work. Yesterday a minister involved in the relaunch said he will not be taking up his statutory shared leave when he becomes a father in April. Small business minister Andrew Griffiths told Radio 5 Live: Its because Im an office holder rather than an employee. Ministers arent allowed to. He will however take two weeks of paternity leave. An aspiring model was struggling to keep her eyes open when she was found behind the wheel of her car during an MDMA come-down. When Emma-Leigh Claire McDonald drove to Zarraffa's Coffee about 11am on October 18, her behaviour worried one onlooker so much that he took the 20-year-old's keys. McDonald was found sitting in her car in a daze when police arrived at the drive-thru coffee shop on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, the Sunshine Coast Daily reported. Emma-Leigh Claire McDonald, 20, (pictured) pulled her car into Zarraffa's Coffee about 11am on October 18, driving under the influence of drugs When she was pulled from her car, she was unable to stand up, a court heard. Police breath tested the 20-year-old but her test came back negative for alcohol. McDonald admitted to police she took the party drug MDMA and had not slept in days when she was found at the coffee shop. A woman later approached the police to say McDonald had side-swiped her car on her way to the cafe. McDonald said she had no recollection of the collision. McDonald, who boasts more than 68,000 followers on Instagram, promotes herself as a model with Neon Model Management. McDonald admitted to police she took the party drug MDMA and had not slept in days Sunshine Coast woman, Emma-Leigh Claire (pictured), was arrested and taken back to the police watchhouse The 20-year-old Sunshine Coast woman was arrested and taken back to the police watchhouse. She pleaded guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Tuesday, charged with driving under the influence of drugs. Her solicitor told the court McDonald was hospitalised for overdosing on the drug the night before she was caught drug driving. McDonald's psychologist told the court her patient suffered from severe depression and was working hard to get her life back on track. Magistrate Ron Madsen fined McDonald $650, and suspended her from driving for six months. McDonald (pictured) pleaded guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Tuesday, charged with driving under the influence of drugs McDonald, who has garnered a mass following on social media, was featured in a Bodyscience.com.au blog in 2016. Body Science said McDonald was a 'big believer in taking care of your body in the healthiest way possible'. 'Emma-Leigh strives to become the best version of herself possible. 'She loves to encourage and motivate others to get active and to always be confident and happy with themselves.' The American tourist charged with the manslaughter of 42-year-old Melbourne man Benjamin Robb has killed before, court documents reveal. Jose Manuel Polanco Jr, a high school student at the time, was charged with the second degree murder of Michael Cooper, who had paid him $20 to look at a car problem in 1993. Later, a friend of the man told a teacher Polanco was responsible for the murder and police were called, at which point the New Yorker confessed twice, both at the school and at the police station. Court documents reveal Polanco told police where the weapon used in Mr Cooper's death was located, and where his blood-stained clothes had been hidden. Scroll down for video New Yorker Jose Manuel Polanco Jr, 43, has been charged with manslaughter after the death of Melbourne man Benjamin Robb Pictured: Polanco's mugshot from his manslaughter with firearm charge over the 1993 death of Michael Cooper 'After questioning defendant for an hour and ten minutes, defendant confessed to the murder. At that point he was arrested and given Miranda warnings,' documents read. 'He then gave another statement confessing to the murder. He also told the detectives where he disposed of the murder weapon, which was not recovered, and where he disposed of his own bloody clothing, which was recovered.' Later, his charges were downgraded to manslaughter with a firearm. A file of his conviction and mugshot reveal Palanco served less than two years, from 1996, for his crimes. Polanco got into an altercation with Melbourne man Benjamin Robb in Thailand on Friday night, which resulted in Mr Robb's death hours later. Benjamin Robb, 42, was drinking in the red light district of Pattaya, Thailand, when he was allegedly attacked by Polanco in Ruby Club Police have said Polanco became aggressive after Mr Robb, 42, allegedly picked up a Thai woman in the bar by the throat, and squeezed until she began to turn blue. He initially fled from Ruby Club in Pattaya after the altercation, but later surrendered to local authorities and was charged with manslaughter, news.com.au reported. 'Polanco saw the incident and told [him] to stop it. [Mr Robb] didn't stop and started fighting [with Polanco] a number of times,' Pattaya police Captain Sombat Kaewpoonmuk told News Corp. Following the fight, Mr Robb was taken to hospital, but later died of a brain injury. Polanco has denied the charge, and said he was acting in self-defence, but did not apply for bail. Witnesses claimed over social media an American tourist had approached Robb and threw him across the bar before punching him several times in the face. Others claimed Mr Robb had been in an argument with four or five foreign men, all of whom were intoxicated and aggressive. Pictured: The passport of US man Jose Manuel Polanco Jr who handed himself in to police after an Australian man died in a brutal bar bashing in Thailand An American man then allegedly approached the Australian as he lay on the floor and 'stamped on his head multiple times', according to an eyewitness who recounted the horrific incident in a Facebook group. Bar staff contacted paramedics, who rushed to the venue just after 7.30pm as a 'patron with medical experience' put Mr Robb in the recovery position and attempted to administer first aid. Mr Robb (pictured) was taken to hospital after the attack and died soon after of brain injury 'He [the attacker] smashed his foot from above in the guys [victim's] face at least 10-15 times with full force. That whole incident lasted probably 20 seconds', the witness wrote. These reports have devastated Mr Robb's family, a friend of the Melbourne man has said. The friend told News Corp Mr Robb was 'coward punched' by a single attacker. 'Ben hit his head on the ground hard after the American guy punched him in the face,' they said. 'It was a coward punch. There is an investigation going on right now.' The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the man's death to Daily Mail Australia. A spokeswoman said DFAT is: 'providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian man who died in Thailand'. Polanco Jr (pictured) was reportedly present at the time of the incident but left the bar following the fight, before turning himself into authorities Ruby Lounge has also released a statement regarding the incident, and confirmed that no other customer of staff member was injured during the incident. 'An altercation lasting less than 20 seconds between two customers on Friday night resulted in one person being taken to hospital with serious looking injuries, which sadly resulted in him passing away in the early hours of Saturday morning. 'The other individual involved handed himself in to police and it is understood he is to remain in custody until a court appearance in 10 days or so. 'Whilst our thoughts remain with the victims relatives, we would also like to thank the emergency services for their prompt and professional attention in dealing with the incident.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ruby Club for further comment. Exports of British-made gin topped 500million for the first time last year amid booming demand for the spirit once dubbed Mother's Ruin. A so-called 'ginaissance' has seen the popularity of the drink grow at home and abroad in recent years boosting business for distilleries across the country. Figures from HM Revenue & Customs show 530million of the juniper-based spirit were exported in 2017 equivalent to 189million bottles. The UK sends more gin around the world than beef, with exports up 12 per cent on 2016 and more than double the 258million sold overseas a decade ago. Exports of British-made gin topped 500million for the first time last year amid booming demand for the spirit once dubbed Mother's Ruin Craft gin producers in the UK have enjoyed the spirit's revival over the last decade as younger drinkers spend more money on fewer, better quality drinks. Consumers are becoming more experimental with their drinks, as small batch gins flavoured with ingredients like rhubarb, orange peel and cucumber becoming increasingly popular. And it is fans across the pond that are raking in the most business for Britain' s gin producers, as sales to the US totalled 184million, up 12million on a year earlier, according to analysis of the HMRC figures by the Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA). Within the EU, Spain dominated imports of British gin, buying 100million worth of the spirit more than Germany, Italy, France, Greece and Belgium combined. Sales to British consumers continued to beat all other countries, as Brits bought 1.2billion worth of the drink in the year to September equivalent to more than 47million bottles of gin. Consumers are becoming more experimental with their drinks, as small batch gins flavoured with ingredients like rhubarb, orange peel and cucumber becoming increasingly popular. Pictured, an apple and salted caramel flavoured gin The WSTA now expects gin to become a 2billion industry for the UK by the end of 2018. The trade body has called on the Government to offer more support so exports of gin can be increased to countries outside the EU like Australia, Japan, China and the US after Britain leaves the EU. It says that the removal of export tariffs will enable Britain to maintain its position as the world's largest spirits exporter, boosting the economy and creating more jobs. Miles Beale, chief executive of the WSTA, said: 'It has been another phenomenal year of export growth for our British gin producers. 'There's no doubt that those overseas are drawn to the quality of gin made here but gin is also a quintessentially British spirit, and perfect for anyone looking to tap into Brand Britain overseas. 'Ambassadors and senior diplomats can start supporting our mission to help gin exports grow even further by committing to serve British gin at events both home and abroad.' Flights to tropical islands for a romantic getaway just in time for Valentine's Day are on sale for as little as $119 - but holiday-makers will have to be quick to make the most of the cheap prices. Cebu Pacific is offering flights from Sydney to the Philippines for $119 on February 14. The discount sale will not last long, with the cheap flights only available from Valentine's Day until Thursday. Cebu Pacific is offering flights from Sydney to the Philippines for $119 on February 14 (Boracay pictured) The discount sale will not last long, with the cheap flights only available from Valentine's Day until Thursday (Cebu pictured) Travel must be between June 1 and December 31, 2018. Cebu Pacific has put together a list of the top destinations for travellers once they arrive in Manila. One of the destinations featured is Cebu, which is perfect for island-hopping with diving and snorkling on offer. Also included in the list is Boracay, described as the 'ultimate romantic getaway'. The airline is encouraging people the chance to swap the hustle and bustle of daily life for time spent with a significant other on white, sandy beaches. Those looking to pop the question while on holiday are encouraged to travel to Palawan. Those looking to pop the question while on holiday are encouraged to travel to Palawan The airline is encouraging people the chance to swap the hustle and bustle of daily life for time spent with a significant other on white, sandy beaches With picturesque surroundings, it provides the perfect backdrop to ask someone to get married. Sargao offers ideal surfing conditions in crystal blue waters, with an abundance of beachside bars for after the waves. Flights must be booked by Thursday to avoid missing out. A man has been arrested at Sydney International Airport in relation to the shooting murder of criminal lawyer Ho Ledinh late last month. The 65-year-old was gunned down as he sat outside Happy Cup cafe in a prominent shopping strip in Bankstown, in the city's west, on January 23. A 38-year-old man was arrested by NSW homicide squad as he prepared to board a flight to Bali just before 10am on Tuesday. He has been taken to Mascot Police Station, where he is assisting with inquiries. Scroll down for video A man has been arrested at Sydney International Airport in relation to the shooting murder of lawyer Ho Ledinh (pictured) late last month Mr Ledinh stands out the front of the Happy Cup cafe with his wife and two young children Strike Force Eugene was set up in response to the shooting of Mr Ledinh, a leading lawyer in the city's west who had represented gangland clients. Mr Ledinh was brutally murdered when a gunman wearing a hi-vis top rushed inside the Happy Cup cafe, shot him up to four times and fled as he fell to the floor. Despite the best efforts of paramedics and a close friend, crying out 'say something, please!', they could not revive him. Family friend Vivian Vo told Daily Mail Australia that that his youngest child had gone looking around the house for the siblings' father. 'They really miss daddy,' Ms Vo said. The motive for Mr Ledinh's slaying is unknown, but he is known to have been in debt and dealt with alleged criminals in his job and had outspoken political views. Vivian Vo, a family friend of Mr Ledinh, collapses to the ground where Mr Ledinh was gunned down The footpath outside the Happy Cup cafe lays splattered with blood following the shooting Detectives comb over the scene where Mr Ledinh was gunned down outside Happy Cup cafe Mr Ledinh was sometimes late in paying the rent for his office suite, just metres away from where he was killed. Colleagues said he was often too embarrassed to ask his clients for money and did his job pro bono regularly. Mr Ledinh's wife and two children were overseas at the time of his death and weren't aware of the brutal killing until their return home. Prisoners are being given acupuncture and mindfulness classes to help them get to sleep. Inmates are using the practices to nod off in their cells making them less likely to rely on drugs at night. Bosses at HMP Dovegate, a Category B jail run by private firm Serco, turned to alternative therapies after a rise in numbers of convicts using the 'zombie drug' spice. Prisoners are being given acupuncture and mindfulness classes to help them get to sleep. Inmates are using the practices to make them less likely to rely on drugs at night (file photo) Bosses at HMP Dovegate (pictured), a Category B jail run by private firm Serco, turned to alternative therapies after a rise in numbers of convicts using the 'zombie drug' spice Watchdogs praised the 'sleep hygiene' schemes at the jail near Uttoxeter in Staffordshire for helping wean the criminals off smuggled narcotics. However, the revelations will raise eyebrows at a time when there are fears that prisons are becoming too cushy. A Whitehall source said: 'The public will be concerned if they think HMP Dovegate is more like a health retreat and less like a prison.' Tory MP Philip Hollobone said: 'You couldn't make it up. Prisons should be a place of punishment and, ultimately, rehabilitation. It is not meant to be a relaxing holiday retreat and spa.' A report by the prison's independent monitoring board said acupuncture and mindfulness classes, paid in part by the taxpayer, assisted in stopping inmates 'reaching for illicit substances'. Derived from ancient Chinese medicine, acupuncture involves fine needles being inserted at certain sites in the body for therapeutic or preventative purposes. The needles are understood to stimulate sensory nerves under the skin and in the muscles. This results in the body producing natural substances such as pain-relieving endorphins. The practice is said to help combat insomnia and addiction. Another initiative launched in the prison is the introduction of so-called 'sleep hygiene' courses, which include tips on how the 1,000-plus male inmates can get a good night's rest. There are also mindfulness classes, which aim to teach inmates how to meditate. By improving their mental health, prison chiefs hope the convicts will avoid returning to a life of crime. The monitoring board's report said: 'The board welcomes the willingness of the integrated substance misuse team to take initiatives such as the provision of sleep hygiene groups to help prisoners avoid reaching for illicit substances when sleepless.' It added that the classes were 'important' because, since a smoking ban was introduced in July, more inmates had been resorting to drugs such as spice when they could not fall asleep. More than 120,000 users of crack cocaine betting machines could be classed as problem gamblers, a report has found. The toll is exposed in a report by economists, who conclude that gambling on fixed-odds betting terminals is hitting the poorest parts of the country hardest. It all adds up to an economic loss of almost 10,000 each to problem gamblers, in terms of the hit to their job prospects, family and health. The study, by economics consultancy CEBR, was commissioned by the British Amusement Catering Trade Association, which represents companies who make slot machines for amusement arcades. BACTA is calling on the government to cut the permitted maximum spin on FOBTs from the current 100 to 2. More than 120,000 users of crack cocaine betting machines could be classed as problem gamblers, a report has found Culture Secretary Matt Hancock is currently considering how far to cut the maximum stake. John White, the chief executive of BACTA, said: This research starkly demonstrates the human cost that FOBTs bring, to both problem gamblers and their families. Only by cutting FOBT stakes to 2 can we begin to make progress with the huge task of tackling problem gambling, one that starts with removing the most obvious incentives to harm. The terminals are known as the crack cocaine of gambling because they are so addictive, allowing users to lose large sums of money in one go. Amusement arcade owners and the makers of slot machines have seen their businesses suffer since the proliferation of FOBTs a decade ago. BACTA asked the CEBR (the Centre for Economic and Business Research) to quantify the loss of welfare to problem gamblers who use FOBTs, taking into account the impact on their employment, mental and physical health, and financial, family and housing stability. It estimates a total loss in welfare of 1.12billion to FOBT problem gamblers. The worst affected place was Glasgow, where problem gamblers suffer to the tune of 27million. The other worst-hit places are Birmingham (20.9million), Liverpool (18.7million), Manchester (14.6million) and Leeds (14million). All five of these local authorities rank highly on the Index of Multiple Deprivation, a government metric which assesses deprivation across indicators including health, education and crime. Other authorities experiencing high levels of gambling-related harm from FOBTs are Edinburgh, Westminster, Brent, County Durham and Newham in east London. CEBRs research indicates there are 121,000 FOBT users who could be classed as problem gamblers, with each suffering an average annual welfare loss of 9,353. In addition to the direct loss of welfare to problem gamblers through FOBT use, the research estimates a cost to people directly affected by their behaviour of 372million, with the loss of financial and family stability especially high. The study, by economics consultancy CEBR, was commissioned by the British Amusement Catering Trade Association, which represents companies who make slot machines for amusement arcades Ronnie Cowan, SNP MP for Inverclyde, said: CEBR has shown that problem gambling is a huge cost to the government. It has estimated that gambling costs 1.12billion a year when its impact on wider social welfare is taken into account including areas such as employment, mental health and financial stability. The UK government now has a real opportunity to take drastic action on tackling gambling related harm. One of the measures must be to reduce the maximum unit stake on FOBTs to 2 per spin. However, this must sit alongside a raft of measures which aim to reduce problem gambling and ensure the necessary support is made available to individuals and their families who suffer with gambling related harm. BACTAs call for FOBT stakes to be reduced to 2 is backed by the General Synod of the Church of England, the Royal Society for Public Health, and 93 local authorities across England and Wales. The former boss of Britain's foreign aid department faces questions over his part in an alleged 'cover-up' of sex abuse involving charities. A Tory MP asked what Sir Mark Lowcock permanent secretary at the Department for International Development between 2011 and 2017 knew about claims of sexual harassment. It comes after former aid minister Priti Patel claimed there was a 'culture of denial' across the sector about the extent of the problem. She said she believed officials at Dfid knew about abuse at charities and in United Nations agencies, but did little to counter it. Scroll down for video A Tory MP asked what Sir Mark Lowcock (pictured) permanent secretary at the Department for International Development between 2011 and 2017 knew about claims of sexual harassment Last night Nigel Evans, who sits on the Commons international development committee, said Sir Mark was in the post at the time when Oxfam workers were accused of using prostitutes in Haiti. Sir Mark stepped down last year and is now under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs at the UN. Mr Evans said: 'We need answers from the department to see what they knew and what actions they took to clean up Oxfam and the whole international development arena. If this is happening in Haiti, it's happening all over the world. 'Sir Mark has definitely got questions to answer. We need to know what he knew and what actions he took. 'We need to know why it is that the secretary of state was kept out of the loop.' It comes after former aid minister Priti Patel (pictured) claimed there was a 'culture of denial' across the sector about the extent of the proble A spokesman for Sir Mark at the UN declined to comment. Former aid secretary Miss Patel said on Sunday that 'people knew in Dfid' about wider problems of sex abuse in the aid sector. She said she had not been aware of allegations about Oxfam but had raised directly concerns about abuse. Yesterday Downing Street refused to say that aid officials had the full backing of Theresa May following the claims. Asked if Mrs May retained full confidence in senior Dfid officials, No 10 said: 'The Prime Minister, of course, has full confidence in the Secretary of State to lead this department ... which has already taken action on this issue.' Advertisement The wife of a fallen soldier from Fort Bragg, North Carolina who was just six weeks pregnant when she found out her husband had been killed by a suicide bomber, has shared stunning photographs of her pregnancy. Britt Harris received the tragic news last August that U.S. Army Spc. Christopher Harris, 25, has been killed by a suicide bomber while serving in Afghanistan. She said that her husband left her a 'little miracle'. His fellow soldiers revealed to her that she would be giving birth to a baby girl as they performed a gender reveal in honor of their fallen comrade. In late January Harris hired Pinehurst Photography to do a maternity shoot along the French Broad River in Asheville, North Carolina and the results are simply stunning Britt Harris, the wife of a fallen Fort Bragg soldier, Army Spec. Christopher Harris, was just six weeks pregnant when she found out she would never see her husband again. She has now taken part in a special pregnancy photoshoot as her due date nears The striking photos show Britt reflecting on the past while looking towards a hopeful future as she stands alongside the banks of the French Broad River U.S. Army Spc. Christopher 'Chris Harris, 25, was killed August 2, by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan After his death his fellow soldiers held a gender reveal at the base in Afghanistan, showering themselves with pink confetti Determined to capture her pregnancy in all its glory, Britt decided to have a photo shoot that involved her dressing in a striking red dress while wandering among nature in the North Carolina countryside. The pictures reveal a deep yearning while displaying a remarkable positivity that knowing that out of such terrible heartache, a new life is set to emerge. Britt can be seen holding and stroking her baby bump as she thinks about the life she shared with her husband. Incredibly, she has proved herself to be immensely strong - conveyed by her decision to wear scarlet while standing alongside the French Broad River in Asheville. Britt is due to give birth on March 24. She plans to name her daughter Christian Michelle for her late father, Christopher Michael. She said her husband's fellow the soldiers have been there for her every step of the way. When her husband was alive, his fellow platoon even performed a gender reveal celebration for him, showering him in pink confetti. 'They have been phenomenal and done everything they can to watch over me even from a distance,' she told WFMY. Britt says she now has a mission of her own to make sure her 'little miracle princess' grows up knowing all about her dad. 'I want her to know that she's her dad's legacy,' she said. Her daughter is due on March 24. Harris wants to name her daughter Christian Michelle for her late dad, Christopher Michael The pictures show Britt in a striking red dress in the depths of winter, with a hopeful spring and better tomorrow on the way Donald Trump Jr and his wife Vanessa have praised emergency services for their quick response after the mother-of-five was hospitalized following a terror scare when she opened a letter with a white powder inside. The frightening episode happened after 10am on Monday when Vanessa, 40, opened the letter addressed to the president's son at her mother's midtown Manhattan apartment. She called 911 immediately and said she was coughing and felt nauseous. The former model, her mother Bonnie Haydon and another person were decontaminated and taken to New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center as a precaution, according to NY Fire Department officials. Scroll down for video Vanessa Trump was hospitalized on Monday after opening a letter with a white powder inside of it. She is pictured above with her husband, Donald Trump Jr, in April 2016 Vanessa praised the NYPD, NYFD and Secret Service in a tweet on Monday evening Don Jr also thanked emergency personnel for making a 'rough day manageable' Police later said the substance wasnt dangerous and law enforcement sources told the New York Post that the powder turned out to be cornstarch. Officially though, an NYPD spokesman wouldn't say what the powder was but said it was 'deemed to be non-hazardous' and is being taken to their lab for 'further analysis'. Vanessa praised the NYPD, FDNY and Secret Service on Monday evening. 'Thank you so much for all the help today in NYC! I appreciate all the quick response to make sure that I was safe!' she tweeted. Her husband also thanked the personnel for making a 'rough day manageable'. A special thanks today to the great men & women of the @NYPDnews @FDNY @SecretService @NewYorkFBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force for their decisive action and incredible words of support to my wife and family. Their professionalism under pressure made a rough day manageable.' In an earlier tweet, Don Jr said he was disgusted and disturbed by the incident. 'Thankful that Vanessa & my children are safe and unharmed after the incredibly scary situation that occurred this morning. 'Truly disgusting that certain individuals choose to express their opposing views with such disturbing behavior,' Donald Jr tweeted after the incident. Donald Jr tweeted that he was glad that his wife and children 'are safe and unharmed' Members of Don Jr and Vanessa Trump's Secret Service detail were spotted leaving their home just hours after the scare happened on Monday A Hazmat truck is seen outside Vanessa Trump's parent's apartment building on Monday The NYPD's intelligence division and the Secret Service are investigating the incident. 'The Secret Service and our law enforcement partners in New York City are investigating a suspicious package addressed to one of our protectees received today in New York, New York. This is an active investigation and we cannot comment any further,' the Secret Service said in a statement. Donald Jr's sister Ivanka sent her thoughts from Washington, DC. 'Thinking of @MrsVanessaTrump & wishing I was by her side today. No one deserves to be frightened this way. There is no excuse,' she tweeted The view outside NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center where Mrs Trump was taken on Monday The daughter-in-law of President Trump and former model is pictured above in new York City on January 31 Sister-in-law Ivanka Trump sent her thoughts from Washington, DC after the incident on Monday President Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, weighed in with a statement of his own. 'How disturbed must a person be to do what they did to a mother of five young children? This dangerous and reckless act goes beyond political differences,' Cohen said according to the Post. The incident recalled the scary days after 9/11 when letters containing lethal anthrax spores were sent to the offices of several politicians and media outlets - resulting in five deaths. Donald Jr, 40, is the eldest son of President Trump, followed by his sister Ivanka, 36; brother Eric, 34; half-sister Tiffany, 24; and half-brother Barron, 11. As a child of the president, Donald Jr and his family were assigned a Secret Service detail when his father was elected. He voluntarily gave up his Secret Service protection in September, wanting more privacy, but his detail was reinstated about a week later. Donald Jr and his wife are pictured above with four of their five children voting on election day in 2016 Don Jr and model Vanessa Hayden married in August 2005 at his father's Mar-a-lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. The pair were actually introduced by the future president when Don Jr attended a fashion show with his father the previous year. Having met at the beginning of the show, Trump Sr was said to be so smitten with Vanessa that he re-introduced his son to her at intermission. 'Donald comes back up to me again, "I don't think you've met my son Donald Trump Jr," Vanessa told The New York Times in 2006. She responded: 'Yeah, we just met, five minutes ago'. The couple finally started a relationship after being introduced a third time at a party by a mutual friend. Trump Jr, then 26, proposed to her in front of a jewelry store, complete with paparazzi, with a $100,000 engagement ring, which he is said to have wrangled for free in return for publicity. They have five children, daughters Kai, 10, and Chloe, three; and sons Donald III, eight, Tristan, six, and Spencer, five all of whom regularly feature on Don Jr's Instagram account. Since his father and sister Ivanka moved to Washington, DC., Donald Jr and his younger brother Eric have taken over control of their family company. Last year, Eric was sent a threatening letter with a white powder in it to his New York City apartment as well. A seven-year-old boy is still in a critical condition fighting for his life after falling from the window of a unit in Bankstown, in Sydney's southwest, on Monday night. The boy fell from the bedroom window of a third-floor unit on Chapel Road about 7.20pm. Photographs from the scene show a protective flyscreen laying discarded on the ground floor of the unit block. A seven-year-old boy fell three storeys from the top floor window of a unit block in Bankstown A protective flyscreen lay detached on the ground floor outside of the unit block The boy, who fell the full three storeys from the top floor of the unit block, suffered critical head injuries. He was rushed to Bankstown Hospital by family members, before being conveyed to Sydney Childrens Hospital, Randwick. Detectives from Bankstown are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. This follows a similar incident in the same area around this time last year, when a five-year-old girl and a three-year-old boy fell from the third-floor window of a Bankstown apartment block on the morning of February 12th. An Indiana family is mourning the unexpected death of a three-year-old girl who died after falling ill with the flu. It was left to the child's grandmother, Tameka Stettler, to share the sad news that her granddaughter, three-year-old Alivia R. Viellieux, passed away on Monday morning. 'I'm sure every one has seen the reports and media that my grandbaby passed away this am from the flu.. I can't stress to anyine [sic] to be safe,' Stettler wrote on Facebook just hours later. The coroner confirmed that Alivia R. Viellieux, 3, died on Monday, after suffering from flu and a secondary infection of pneumonia. She had been released from the hospital on Thursday Alivia's grandmother, Tameka Stettler, posted a loving memorial collage on Facebook just hours after she informed friends and family that Alivia had passed away Stettler asked that the family, including Alivia's mother, Aabriey Viellieux, be given the 'time and space' as they 'deal with one of the most painful things a parent or grandparent has to deal with.' Stettler then posted several sweet photos and the lyrics to 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' as a way of memorializing the three-year-old. Alivia, who would have turned 4 on March 20, was admitted to the hospital on February 6, where she tested positive for influenza virus Type A, according to WTSP. The day after being admitted to hospital, Alivia's mother, Aabriey, noted on her Facebook account that Alivia's temperature had dropped from 106 degrees to 103.4 degrees and that she was so sick that she needed to wear a diaper because she couldn't control her bowels properly. Alivia was admitted to the hospital on February 6, with a fever reading 106 degrees. After two days, she appeared to be recovering and was released from the hospital and sent home The day after she was admitted to the hospital, Alivia's mother, Aabriey Viellieux, said that her daughter's temperature dropped from 106 degrees to 103.4 degrees Stettler shared the sad news that Alivia had passed away on Monday morning Aabriey also noted that her daughter was so weak, she couldn't walk anywhere and needed to be carried around. Alivia was kept at the hospital, under observation, until Thursday, when it appeared that her condition was improving and she was sent home, the Indy Channel reported. The improvement was only temporary though, as she was found dead at her home on Monday morning. The Delaware County coroner has confirmed that Alivia died of the flu and a secondary infection of pneumonia, making her the first child in Muncie to die from the flu virus this year. Alivia's autopsy showed that in addition to the flu, she suffered from pneumonia as a secondary infection. Stettler memorialized her granddaughter, Alivia, who would've turned four in March, with the lyrics to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and a photo collage that included this picture The coroner, Scott Hahn, told WTSP that previous instances of death related to the flu this year involved people who had the flu plus a contributing health issue. Alivia is believed to have been the second flu death in the state of Indiana of children ages 0 to four years old this flu season. Nationwide, 16 children have been reported as having died from the flu during the last week of January, with the total number of flu-related child deaths is said to be 53 this season. The New York Post reported that an unnamed five-year-old girl from New Jersey died on Monday after experiencing flu-like symptoms. The North Bergen School District posted condolences on Facebook, alerting parents about precautions the schools have been taking to disinfect desk surfaces, as well as doorknobs, toilets, sinks and other surfaces where the flu virus can linger. A woman has admitted to driving drunk down a busy boardwalk while three times over the limit - and says she has no idea how she managed to do it. Cheryl Taylor, 40, appeared at the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with high-range drink driving, driving without a licence and driving an unregistered vehicle. She told reporters she had no memory of driving from Fernvale to South Bank, an hour-long journey, and was unsure how she managed to drive on the timber river boardwalk on January 17. 'I was only taking the dog for a swim,' she explained. Cheryl Taylor, 40, appeared at the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with high-range drink driving, driving without a licence and driving an unregistered vehicle She told reporters she had no memory of driving from Fernvale to South Bank, an hour-long journey, and is unsure how she managed to drive on the timber river boardwalk Officers stopped Taylor shortly after she drove past pedestrians and cyclists onto the boardwalk, and a breath test later revealed her blood alcohol limit was allegedly 0.153 'I don't know what happened that day. I don't even know how I got on there.' When asked if she accepted she could lose her licence and potentially serve a jail sentence, Taylor said: 'Yeah I'm prepared, I'm psyched', Nine News reported. Taylor said she had received a phone call from her 18-year-old son before jumping in her car and heading to Brisbane to try and clear her head on what she described as a 's**t day'. 'All I remember was one o'clock in the morning my (girlfriend) coming to get me,' she said. 'If I could turn back that day I would.' Officers stopped Taylor shortly after she drove past pedestrians and cyclists onto the boardwalk, and a breath test later revealed her blood alcohol limit was allegedly 0.153. When asked if she accepted she could lose her licence and potentially serve a jail sentence, Taylor said: 'Yeah I'm prepared, I'm psyched' Taylor, who has been caught drink driving before, said she was concerned she could be jailed but understood the ramifications of her actions. 'Do the crime, do the time,' she said. Taylor is expected back at court on March 6. A former Labor senator has described Parliament House as a place where lots of sex happens between late-night parties. Sam Dastyari, a federal politician from 2013 until last year, said MPs were making love with their staff and journalists when they weren't making laws. 'The reality is this. The amount of r**ting that goes on in a place like Canberra in Parliament House,' he told KIIS-FM's Kyle and Jackie O on Tuesday. Scroll down for video Sam Dastyari said Parliament House in Canberra was a hotbed of sex and lots of alcohol-fuelled passion 'Youve got 4,000 people in this building called Parliament which is mostly just journos, staffers and politicians living in a strange world of kind of alcohol, late night sittings and everyone in there is telling each other how important they are all the time and all of this fuels this really weird kind of environment.' 'Politics is show business for ugly people.' He added that unlike Hollywood star Ryan Gosling, most politicians weren't naturally good looking and weren't used to recognition. 'Ryan Gosling always looked like Ryan Gosling. Ryan Gosling spent his life being good looking,' he said. 'Most of us pollies, and Im a former pollie now, we ran political clubs at university.' Mr Dastyari told Kyle and Jackie O alcohol and late-night sittings fuelled a 'really weird kind of environment' Mr Dastyari said Barnaby Joyce (pictured) wouldn't survive as Deputy PM following a revelation of his affair Mr Dastyari also predicted Barnaby Joyce would resign as Deputy Prime Minister before more revelations emerged about his private life. The former Labor powerbroker, who quit parliament in December, said Mr Joyce's days as Nationals leader were numbered. While Mr Joyce on Tuesday morning publicly apologised to his estranged wife Natalie, his four daughters and his 33-year-old pregnant former staffer Vikki Campion, Mr Dastyari said he would not survive this adultery scandal. 'If he's worried, he'll resign,' Mr Dastyari said. 'If he thinks there's a lot more out there, that he's worried, he'll resign. His resignation is inevitable. 'It may not come now, it may come in a month or two but in the medium term there is no way he can survive this.' Mr Dastyari said new revelations about Mr Joyce would be worse than a woman's allegation to The Daily Telegraph the Nationals MP drunkenly pinched her bottom in a bar after the Rural Women's Agricultural Awards in Canberra seven years ago. Mr Dastyari said Parliament House was full of 4,000 people who lived in a 'strange kind of world' involving alcohol and late sittings (Vikki Campion pictured right) 'They get way worse than that. Barnaby's just lost control over it. The rumours that are out there about Barnaby are so much worse,' he said. Mr Joyce has denied the accusation. The former Labor state secretary, whose involvement with Chinese Communist Party-linked billionaire Huang Xiangmao last year ended his political career, made the call shortly before Mr Joyce issued a public statement. The Nationals leader, who will be Australia's acting prime minister next week as Malcolm Turnbull visits U.S. President Donald Trump, apologised to his wife of 24 years, who is also the mother of his four daughters. 'I would like to say to Natalie how deeply sorry I am for all the hurt this has caused. To my girls, how deeply sorry I am for all the hurt that it has caused them,' Mr Joyce said. Mr Dastyari has unleashed on Barnaby Joyce and his affair with a Nationals staffer, saying 'everyone' in politics knew about their relationship 'To Vikki Campion, how deeply sorry I am that she has been dragged into this. 'I would like to also say to my supporters and people in my electorate how deeply sorry I am that this personal issue - deeply personal issue - has gone into the public arena.' Mr Dastyari, on Monday night ended his two-month Twitter sabbatical to attack Mr Joyce. 'Hey Twitter - am I allowed back ? (So much to say about Barnaby),' he said. '1.Everyone. And I mean EVERYONE in Federal Parliament knew about Vikki and Barnaby. Anyone who claims they didn't know Is either bulls****ing or so out of touch they shouldn't be in Parliament.' Mr Joyce's marital breakdown became public knowledge late last year when he returned to Parliament as deputy PM Mr Joyce, 50, and his former staffer Vikki Campion, 33, (pictured) were recently given the keys to the three-bedroom townhouse The former General Secretary of Labor in New South Wales went on a tirade over Joyce's scandal on Twitter Monday night, Dastyari suggested Joyce's relationship with Vikki Campion, who is now pregnant with his child, was a 'clear breach of the rules'. Ms Campion became a senior adviser to Nationals minister Matt Canavan, on a $191,000 salary, after her relationship with Mr Joyce became the subject of rumour, The Australian reported. The pair will be reportedly living rent-free for six months - saving a whopping $14,000 - in the New England property owned by businessman Greg Maguire. '2. The job relocation is a clear breach of the rules. We all assumed it would come out during the by-election,' Dastyari tweeted. Dastyari claimed Joyce's relationship with Vikki Campion, who is now pregnant with his child, is a 'clear breach of the rules' 'For f***s sale (sic) - how can you construe the pregnant woman Barnaby left his wife for as NOT his 'partner'. Who was she then?????' He then tweeted directly at the embattled deputy prime minister, saying he lost his job for actions less severe. 'Hey @Barnaby_Joyce, I went for a LOT less. Quit while you are behind. Trust me - it only gets a LOT worse from here,' he said. Advertisement Sydney has paused to remember those who lost their lives when a exploded on George Street outside the Hilton hotel 40 years ago. The 1978 bombing, one of Australia's first domestic terror attacks, left two garbage collectors and one policeman dead, and injured 11 more. Families of the victims gathered outside the hotel, in the heart of Sydney's central business district, on Tuesday to lay a wreath and hear from one of those injured in the bombing, Senior Constable Terry Griffiths. Sydney has paused to remember those who lost their lives when a exploded on George Street outside the Hilton hotel 40 years ago (pictured is the scene of the bombing) The 1978 bombing, one of Australia's first domestic terror attacks, left two garbage collectors and one policeman dead, and injured 11 more (pictured is the scene of the bombing) Families of the victims gathered outside the hotel, in the heart of Sydney's central business district, on Tuesday to lay a wreath and hear from one of those injured in the bombing, Senior Constable Terry Griffiths (pictured is the scene of the bombing) Relatives of the three victims - Alec Carter, Arthur Favell and Constable Paul Burmistriw - gathered outside the hotel in remembrance (pictured is the scene of the bombing) Relatives of the three victims - Alec Carter, Arthur Favell and Constable Paul Burmistriw - gathered outside the hotel in remembrance. The wreath-laying ceremony was also attended by Police Minister Troy Grant, Police Commissioner Mick Fuller and Opposition Leader Luke Foley. Cassandra Favell, who was only seven when she lost her father Arthur in the bombing, laid bouquets and wreaths with family and friends at the memorial and spoke out about his death for the first time. 'I remember the knock on the door when the police came and Mum going into hysterics and falling on the ground,' she said of the moment she learnt her father had died, The Daily Telegraph reported. The wreath-laying ceremony was also attended by Police Minister Troy Grant, Police Commissioner Mick Fuller and Opposition Leader Luke Foley (pictured are family members of victim Arthur Favell) Cassandra Favell, who was only seven when she lost her father Arthur in the bombing, laid bouquets and wreaths with family and friends at the memorial and spoke out about his death for the first time (pictured is Senior Constable Terry Griffiths, who was wounded in the bombing) 'I remember the knock on the door when the police came and Mum going into hysterics and falling on the ground,' she said of the moment she learnt her father had died (pictured is the brother of the policeman who died in the bombing) Cassandra (pictured, centre) said the loss of her father was devastating to mother Jeanett, who died of a heart attack just three years later 'I came home from school and found her dead on the couch from a massive heart attack. She was only 34. I often say that she died of a broken heart,' said Cassandra (pictured is the scene of the bombing) 'I am always in pieces at this time of year. I lost Dad on the 13th of February and Mum on the 10th,' said Cassandra (pictured, centre) Wal Burmistriw, brother of New South Wales Police Constable Paul Burmistriw, was also in attendance supported by family members, laying a wreath under the anniversary plaque (pictured are attendees at the memorial) Cassandra said the loss of her father was devastating to mother Jeanett, who died of a heart attack just three years later. 'I came home from school and found her dead on the couch from a massive heart attack. She was only 34. I often say that she died of a broken heart.' 'I am always in pieces at this time of year. I lost Dad on the 13th of February and Mum on the 10th.' Wal Burmistriw, brother of New South Wales Police Constable Paul Burmistriw, was also in attendance supported by family members, laying a wreath under the anniversary plaque. Retired Detective Chief Inspector Gary Raymond was one of the first responders, and paid tribute to those first on the scene, ABC News reported. Former NSW Senior Constable Terry Griffiths, who was seriously injured in the 1972 Hilton Hotel bombings, lays a bouquet of flowers during the 40th anniversary memorial ceremony Retired Detective Chief Inspector Gary Raymond was one of the first responders, and paid tribute to those first on the scene (pictured is the family of Constable Paul Burmistriw) 'Keep in mind, we didn't know if there was a second device or a sniper or anything else around but we came and did our duty anyway,' he said at the memorial service (pictured is a man at the memorial) 'Keep in mind, we didn't know if there was a second device or a sniper or anything else around but we came and did our duty anyway,' he said at the memorial service. The bronze memorial plaque was laid at the site of the blast on George Street on the 30th anniversary of the bombing. Police Minister Troy Grant spoke of the impact the bombing had on the nation, and how people reacted with complete shock and grief. 'The bombing of the Hilton Hotel was described at the time as a black day for Australian freedom,' he said. Arthur Favell and Alec Carter were killed when a bomb concealed in their garbage truck exploded outside the Sydney Hilton. The device exploded when it was tipped from a rubbish bin into the truck and was crushed, killing the pair of garbage collectors. Constable Burmistriw, who was guarding the entrance to the hotel lounge, was hit by shrapnel and died of his injuries nine days later, aged 31. The bronze memorial plaque was laid at the site of the blast on George Street on the 30th anniversary of the bombing (pictured, centre, is Cassandra Favell) Arthur Favell and Alec Carter were killed when a bomb concealed in their garbage truck exploded outside the Sydney Hilton (pictured are attendees at the memorial service) The device exploded when it was tipped from a rubbish bin into the truck and was crushed, killing the pair of garbage collectors (pictured is Cassandra Favell, centre, the daughter of one of the victims) Constable Burmistriw, who was guarding the entrance to the hotel lounge, was hit by shrapnel and died of his injuries nine days later, aged 31 (pictured are Constable Burmistriw's family and friends) The bombing is believed to have targeted then-prime minister Malcolm Fraser and 11 foreign leaders, who were staying in the hotel during the innaugural Commonwealth Heads of Government Regional Meeting. Two members of the Ananda Marga sect, Timothy Anderson and Evan Pederick, were charged over the bombing, and both were given jail sentences. Anderson was acquitted on appeal and Pederick was released after serving half of his sentence, but unanswered questions about the bombing have led to conspiracy theories about the perpetrators. United Services Union boss Graeme Kelly said anyone with information about the attack should be ashamed of themselves. 'We need to make sure that we keep in the forefront of people's minds that this act of terrorism did happen and people did lose their lives and dads did not go home after a shift at work.' The bombing is believed to have targeted then-prime minister Malcolm Fraser and 11 foreign leaders, who were staying in the hotel during the innaugural Commonwealth Heads of Government Regional Meeting (pictured is the brother of the policeman killed laying a wreath) Unseen CCTV footage and images of a man who may be able to assist with police inquiries has been released. Investigators are re-appealing for witnesses after two young men were stabbed on a tram in Footscray, an inner-west suburb of Melbourne on July 28. Both men, aged in their 20s, were on a tram travelling north along Droop Street about 8.45pm when they were approached by another man. Police release new vision of man who may be able to assist with their inquiries Two men were stabbed on a tram in Footscray, Melbourne on July 2 and police believe this man may be able to help The 26-year-old Maribyrnong man and a 20-year-old Footscray man were taken to hospital in a stable condition. Detectives have released unseen CCTV footage and images of a man who may be able to assist with their inquiries. 'We need to solve this so it doesn't happen again,' Transit CIU Detective Senior Constable Mick Keane told 9 News. 'We haven't had relevant information to identify the person of interest.' Investigators have released images and CCTV footage of the man in question A 26-year-old Maribyrnong man and a 20-year-old Footscray man were taken to hospital in a stable condition 'From now we need help from the public to identify the male.' Police say he is perceived to be of African appearance and was wearing a dark coloured overcoat, and a dark or black coloured beanie and scarf. Officers believe after the stabbing the suspect discarded some of the items immediately and was last seen wearing a black singlet. He is believed to have a tattoo on his upper left arm. Anyone who recognises the man or with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A plumbing company have been fined $121,500 after they underpaid an employee more than $20,000 and told him to 'f**k off'. Melbourne man Michael Pulis from Pulis Plumbing Pty Ltd was fined $21,500 after telling a labourer to 'f**k off' when he inquired about money he was owed, the Bendigo Advertiser reported. Pulis was fined a further $100,000 for underpaying the labourer $26,882 over a period of three months in 2014. A plumbing company have been fined $121,500 after they underpaid an employee more than $20,000 and told him to 'f**k off' (stock image) Judge Riethmuller in the Federal Circuit Court said Pulis' actions were an 'outrageous exploitation of a young person'. He said Pulis' conduct was 'such to arouse much emotion' and 'nothing short of avarice'. The labourer was underpaid while working in Bendigo, Melbourne and Geelong from September to December, 2014. Pulis told the employee he was hired as a second-year apprentice but he was never properly signed up. Pulis Plumbing Pty Ltd paid the labourer an apprentice rate of $12.18 an hour, which Judge Riethmuller siad was a fifth of what he should have been paid. Melbourne man Michael Pulis from Pulis Plumbing Pty Ltd was fined $21,500 after texting a labourer telling him to 'f**k off' when he inquired about money he was owed (stock image) The judge said Pulis had shown no 'credible expression of regret'. The employee worked 10 to 12 hours a day and despite not being counselled about work practices, he was told by Pulis that his skills and attitude were not to standard three months into the job. The employee sent a text message to Pulis asking when the outstanding wages would be paid, and Pulis responded: 'Seriously, f**k off. When I'm ready.' Advertisement As a rock star photographer, Matias Altbach has rubbed shoulders with some of the world's most famous musicians. Now, the award-winning photographer from Argentina is sharing a glimpse of some his favorite moments with artists right before, or just after, they've taken to festival stages across the world. Speaking to DailyMail.com, Altbach has also revealed some of the secrets behind the tour he shared with Pete Doherty, how he met Liam Gallagher and the time The Hives decided to perform as animals just for him. The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Radiohead, Rihanna, Coldplay and Nicki Minaj are among the other top artists he has also photographed. Altbach has been working the festival scene in Europe for the past three years but now plans to take his photography to the United States. Pete Doherty at VORTERIX in Argentina: Rock star photographer Matias Altbach is sharing a glimpse of some his favorite moments with artists including this shot of Doherty's dressing room - complete with empty alcohol bottles, pizza boxes and lighters strewn across the room Mac de Marco in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2014: Altbach says this photo of Mac crowd surfing was not only one of his favorites but also one of the most important he has ever taken Altbach on his favorite photo: The photo of Mac DeMarco is not only one of my favorites but also one of the most important I've ever taken! I won the NME Music Photography Awards with that photo. I have always been a fan of NME, even before I was a photographer, so it was an honor to have that recognition. Moreover, since the NME award my career as a professional music photographer took off and I started to work at the European Summer Festival Season, so that photo represents a real breaking point for me. It was a life changing experience. It is very difficult to choose favorites between so many shows, festivals and bands, but I always enjoy taking photos of crowd surfing. I love to capture the passion and intensity of those moments. In my portfolio I have photos of different artists throwing themselves to the public or being passed overhead, from Fran Carter and Foals to Mac DeMarco and Die Antwoord. When The Rolling Stones visited Argentina I covered their shows (three shows in one week!) and it was amazing to capture all the energy they have on stage through my lens. Best experience ever !! Those are obviously some of my favorite photos as well. Liam Gallagher at Lollapalooza in Paris in 2017: Altbach says 'As a fan, all I ever wanted was for Liam to give me the finger' Behind the scenes with Pete Doherty in Argentina in 2014: 'Pete is a God. He is the number one rockstar,' according to Altbach The Rolling Stones in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2016: Altbach shot all three of their shows in the space of a week Rihanna at Sziget Festival in Budapest in 2016: Albach says Sziget in Hungary where he shot this photo is among his favorite festivals to shoot The craziest moment you captured backstage? One of the craziest moments I captured was at Roskilde 2015 when Damon Albarn was kicked out of the stage by a security guard. The festival was almost over, it was very late, Damon was playing and most photographers had already left. Matias Altbach, the photographer, is pictured above at Home Festival in Italy last year Either way, I was still covering the show, always working with enthusiasm until last minute, so when the festival was over, I was able to pass through security entering backstage. There, I met Damon just before he was kicked out and shoot one of the few photos of that moment. We discussed about Argentina, Messi and politics, and then I asked him if I could make a portrait. He smiled at me, so I told him how much I love his smile and that I wanted to see his golden tooth. So there he was smiling at me again and showing his whole mouth. That photo conclude a very important event of that festival. In 2016, after his tour with The Libertines, Pete Doherty stayed in Argentina and offered a few shows, so I decided to make an approach by giving him some of my pictures. That is how I met Pete for the first time at MOD club in Argentina and after that, I don't really know how, I ended up partying with him and a very close group of friends chanting Argentinian songs all night. It was amazing! A few months later, when he came back to Argentina, I also had the opportunity to work with Pete and his band in a road trip and it was one of the coolest experiences I've ever had. Even though I couldn't capture this, I also had the chance to meet Jack White in New York in 2012 when I sneaked backstage after the show, and it was unbelievable! Last year I also met Julian Casablancas at Vorterix. After the show in which I made a collaboration, we talked about politics, democracy and Donald Trump. It was incredible to share such a deep talk with a character as Julian. Die Antwoord at Sziget Festival in Budapest in 2016: Altbach says he loves to capture the passion and intensity of moments like when artists crowd surf M.I.A at Melt Festival in Germany in 2017: Last year was Altbach's first time shooting at Melt, which takes place at an abandoned coalmine Fatboy Slim at Melt Festival in Germany in 2017: The award-winning photographer shot this photo of Fatboy Slim right before his epic four hour festival set The Hives at Lollapalooza in Paris in 2017: Altbach shot this photo of the band right before they went on stage. He said they started jumping around with the same energy they have on stage What festival is your favorite? Who does it best? Years before I have started my career as a photographer I saw a documentary about Roskilde and I was fascinated about it, so the first time I went there I instantly got goosebumps and I was moved to tears for making my dream come true. Nowadays I work as an official photographer at Roskilde and still enjoy every minute. One of the things I like the most is that you have to be all week in it, camping !! So it is a full festival experience. It also has one of the best lineups in Europe which makes it unforgettable. Another festival I really like is Sziget. It is also a seven day festival and it gathers an eclectic audience from different cultures and nationalities, so it feels like a cultural exchange for me! It has great lineups and it is located in Budapest, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Any crazy ways some artists prepare to go onstage? At Lollapalooza Paris I was shooting some pictures of The Hives before they go on stage and ask them to stand on the grass to have a particular view of the racecourse. As they placed in position, they started to act as different animals, jumping and shouting with that same energy they have when they perform on stage. It was like a wild prelude of their show and it was astonishing! The rock star that surprised him most: I am a fan of Oasis since I was a teenager. First, I met Noel Gallagher in an interview for a radio station and some years later I met Liam at Lollapalooza Paris. As soon as I saw Liam I decided to make an approach and asking him to do some portraits. He hugged me and arranged everything with his manager. I couldn't believe this was actually happening! When the moment came, there were three photographers accredited and I was the last one, so I knew I had to be quick and precise. I analyzed the scenario while the other two photographers were doing their jobs, and I decided to make a serie of portraits where he would be standing right in front of the camera doing different things with his hand, looking provocative and rebel. It was finally my turn and Liam followed my instructions perfectly. Just for a few moments, I had complete control over him! Contrary to the character he may shows to the media, he was kind and reachable. Being able to speak with Liam and took photos of him was a very special moment for me, both as a photographer and as a fan. The Foals at Mad Cool Festival in Madrid in 2017: The photographer shot this photo of lead singer Yannis giving a killer look while smoking a cigarette back stage Glass Animals at Melt Festival in Germany last year: The band were spotted hanging back stage drinking beers The Kills at Melt Festival in Germany in 2017: US singer Alison Mosshart and English guitarist Jamie Hince pose up a storm Blur at Roskilde Festival in Denmark in 2015: One of Altbach's craziest moments was photographing Damon Albarn - Blur's lead singer - after he was kicked off the stage by a security guard What is Pete Doherty actually like? Pete is a God. He is the number one rockstar. The time I shared with him on tour, I realized he is very sociable and funny, his charisma is contagious and appealing. He also has a great approach with the public, he stays after each show to talk with the fans, signing autographs and taking photos. I think that, as every great artist, he lives through his fans' energy. The Gossip announced that they have split - what was it like capturing their backstage moments? I started working as a photographer in 2010 and I worked with Gossip in 2011 so it was one of the first times I was at a festival with full access to backstage covering so many international bands. I met Beth Ditto at backstage, she was really nice and she was delighted to be in Argentina. I didn't have the chance to talk much more with her or the band though, because I was a bit shy at that time and I didn't know how to approach artists yet. Later on, when she was about to get on stage she recognized me and smiled at me. A second later, I took that photo where she is running into the stage prepared to give everything to the public. Justice at Ultra Music Festival in Argentina in 2017: Gaspard Auge and Xavier de Rosnay or the French electronic duo are spotted backstage waiting to go on The Gossip at Pepsi Music in Argentina in 2011: Altbach says some say this gig was one of his first jobs on stage with an artist All you need is love: Paul McCartney in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2016 Gogol Bordello at Groove in Argentina in 2012: Altbach shot this pic of the Gypsy punk band from New York The Libertines at Home Festival in Italy in 2017: He snapped this photo of Pete Doherty, Carl Barat and Gary Powell embracing off stage Your recent project Curtain Call has been in the works for a few years now. What made you release it now? In my career as a professional photographer I have worked many years as the curator of the Photographic Museum of Humanity so I have a lot of experience in documentary photography. As I was preparing my portfolio I found a lot of pictures with a common theme and I wanted to produce a personal project connecting my knowledge of documentary photography and music photography. In this sense, I have decided to gather images of different artists captured right before they went on stage. It is still a work in progress and I will definitely keep on adding new artists to this series. Also, as I am already having a great response, I think it would be shown later on as an exhibit or be published as a book. Did you learn anything about any of the artists while shooting this series? I have learned a lot by working with artists live. From knowing where do I have to stand to wait for the best shot, to think in advanced a good framework where I will have to lead them before the show for the Curtain Calls series. Even if my job is to capture the instant, I have to be always prepared and have a plan b in case things don't work out. That balance between spontaneity and a good plan is the most important thing I have learned. Altbach's new photo series is called Curtain Call. Muse at Lollapalooza Festival in Berlin in Germany in 2015 A former gang member has written a heartfelt letter to his victim's family after serving 19 years in prison for murdering a father who testified against their Black Power group. New Zealand's Brownie Mane was one of four men convicted of killing Christoper Crean in 1996 to prevent the New Plymouth man from giving evidence against the Taranaki Black Power gang. Mane was sentenced to life in prison and served 19 years behind bars before he was released on parole. Now two years after his release, Mane has written an emotional tell-all apology to Mr Crean's family. 'There are no amount of apologies I can ever say to compensate this family for what I did,' Mane (pictured) said 'There are no amount of apologies I can ever say to compensate this family for what I did,' Mane said. 'I can never wipe up all the tears that have fallen by this family for their loved one so I will never be seeking forgiveness for what I've done. 'The 19 years I spent in prison may seem like a long time to some. In my view, this 19 years is nothing compared to my victim's family. 'Even though it's nearly been 22 years since this crime happened, I can only imagine that their pain and hurt is still very raw and that it must only feel like yesterday for them that this devastating event took place.' Mane was the vice-president of the Taranaki Black Power's New Plymouth chapter when he ordered the assassination of Mr Crean. Mr Crean was a police witness when he was assassinated by a Black Power gangster at his home. Mr Crean (pictured) was a police witness when he was assassinated by a Black Power gangster at his home Actor Jamus Webster (pictured) played Brownie Mane in a movie called Resolve Mane spent time behind bars at Auckland's Paremoremo maximum security unit (pictured) In Mane's post, which was shared by the Maori Prison Support Services Facebook page, he described his victim as 'an innocent man whose only so-called crime was that he testified against myself and two others for a violent attack on a rival gang member in 1996'. Mane was one of three men convicted of Mr Crean's murder in 1996. Robert Shane Maru and Denis Luke remain in prison, and Symon George Manihera is on parole. On the night Mr Crean was killed, he answered the door with his baby in his arms and his killer, Robert Shane Maru, decided not to shoot. Maru returned later that night and shot Mr Crean when he was not holding his daughter. Mane's public apology comes one year after Mr Crean's daughter Stephanie forgave her father's killers. Mane's public apology comes one year after Mr Crean's daughter Stephanie (pictured) forgave her father's killers 'I forgive you, not because what you did in murdering my father was right, because that was not right,' Stephanie Crean (pictured) said 'I forgive you, not because what you did in murdering my father was right, because that was not right,' she said. 'I forgive you even though there was mention of shooting me only at the age of two. 'I forgive you so that you may have peace and I too. So that our families may have peace and so that the community may have peace also. So that the nation may have peace, because that is what is right. 'Whether or not you are changed men, I forgive you.' Stephanie was only two-and-a-half-years-old when her father was killed. A man who set off small bombs in two states, including a pressure cooker device that blasted shrapnel across a New York City block, was sentenced Tuesday to multiple terms of life in prison. Ahmad Khan Rahimi, a 30-year-old naturalized US citizen who was born in Afghanistan and lived in New Jersey, injured 30 people when one of his bombs exploded in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood on a September night in 2016. A second bomb planted nearby did not detonate. That blast happened just hours after a small pipe bomb exploded along a Marine Corps road race in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, frightening participants but injuring no one. The bombings triggered a two-day manhunt that ended in a shootout with police in Linden, New Jersey. Ahmad Khan Rahimi (seen here in an Elizabeth, New Jersey, courtroom in December 2016), 30, set off small bombs in two states, including a pressure cooker device that blasted shrapnel across a New York City block. He was sentenced Tuesday to multiple terms of life in prison Rahimi is a 30-year-old naturalized US citizen who was born in Afghanistan and lived in New Jersey. He is seen above on the left in a drawing by a courtroom artist during the reading of a verdict in his trial on October 16, 2017 Rahimi was shot several times but survived. Federal prosecutors said in court papers that Rahimi has not shown remorse and had tried to radicalize fellow prisoners at the federal jail in New York where he has been imprisoned since his arrest. 'He is proud of what he did, scornful of the American justice system, and as dedicated as ever to his terrorist ideology,' they wrote. Rahimi, given a chance to speak at his sentencing, said: 'I don't harbor hate for anyone.' Rahimi, prosecutors said, gave inmates copies of terrorist propaganda and jihadist materials, including speeches and lectures by Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden and Anwar al-Awlaki, a US-born cleric who inspired attacks on America and was killed in a US airstrike in September 2011. Rahimi also allowed some inmates to view materials on his laptop or provided electronic copies as he spread The Book of Jihad, bomb-making instructions and various issues of a propaganda magazine. Rahimi injured 30 people when one of his bombs exploded in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood on a September night in 2016 A second bomb planted nearby did not detonate. The above photo shows the aftermath of the Chelsea bombing Prosecutors say the inmates Rahimi shared the materials with included Sajmir Alimehmeti, a Bronx man who has been charged with providing material support to the Islamic State. Rahimi shared the materials with inmates during Friday prayer sessions at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, the Manhattan jail where inmates are housed while they await trial or sentencing, the federal government alleged. After employees at the jail learned of Rahimi's 'radicalization efforts,' they searched his personal property and found an address book with names and inmate numbers of other suspected terrorists, including Muhanad Mahmoud Al Farekh and Maalik Alim Jones, the federal government alleged. Al Farekh, a native of Texas, was convicted in 2009 of helping to plot an attack on a US military base in Afghanistan. Jones, a native of Maryland, pleaded guilty to providing aid to the Shabab terrorist organization in Somalia. Rahimi, prosecutors said, gave inmates copies of terrorist propaganda and jihadist materials, including speeches and lectures by Osama bin Laden (left) and Anwar al-Awlaki (right), a US-born cleric who inspired attacks on America and was killed in a US airstrike in September 2011 Defense attorney Xavier Donaldson said that Rahimi had once aspired to be a police officer and worked as a security guard after studying criminal justice at a community college. 'It was Mr. Rahimi's belief that he could help people while employed in a position that would guarantee him some type of pension,' Donaldson wrote. While imprisoned, Rahimi has completed classes in business, entrepreneurship and drama, Donaldson wrote. In December, it was learned that Rahimi wrote a letter to the judge saying that he went on a hunger strike on December 8. According to the letter, Rahimi went on hunger strike to protest the decision by authorities not to allow his family to visit him in jail. A category five cyclone around Tonga could see beaches along Queensland's Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast closed over waves reaching three metres high. The tropical cyclone, south of Fiji, is combining with a high-pressure system that will cause a 'large and powerful easterly swell,' James Thompson, a meteorologist for the Bureau of Meteorology, told Daily Mail Australia. 'Waves will increase to about two-and-a-half to three metres going into the weekend, and hold until Monday,' he said. A category five cyclone around Tonga could see beaches along Queensland's Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast closed over waves reaching three metres high The tropical cyclone, south of Fiji, is combining with a high-pressure system that will cause a 'large and powerful easterly swell' Australia is sending $350,000 worth of emergency equipment to Tonga after Cyclone Gita battered the Pacific nation Mr Thompson said it would be a dangerous time to be out in the surf, as there would be little wind, and otherwise warm weather. 'You'll go to the beach thinking it's a nice day, which is why it can be so dangerous for people going out in the surf or on their boats,' he said. 'The conditions will be quite nice, and that's where the danger kicks in.' The area is expecting an extended heatwave until the end of the week. The Bureau labelled reports the cyclone itself could hit Queensland as 'rubbish', and said the weather event was very far from Australia. A Royal Australian Air Force Globemaster will leave on Tuesday night to deliver emergency tents, food and hygiene kits to help 2000 people in need There are no confirmed reports of deaths from the cyclone, but some people were injured and Tonga's parliament was flattened A spokesman for Surf Life Saving Queensland told Daily Mail Australia lifesavers make the decision to open or close a beach each morning. 'Surf lifesavers and lifeguards will continue to closely monitor surf conditions over the coming days and particularly leading into the weekend. 'If the swell significantly increases, or conditions deteriorate, to the point where there's a risk to public safety, surf lifesavers and lifeguards will close the beach. 'If that occurs, the beach will remain closed until surf lifesavers and lifeguards are confident that conditions have improved.' Australia is sending $350,000 worth of emergency equipment to Tonga after Cyclone Gita battered the Pacific nation. A Royal Australian Air Force Globemaster will leave on Tuesday night to deliver emergency tents, food and hygiene kits to help 2000 people in need. There are no confirmed reports of deaths from the cyclone, but some people were injured and Tonga's parliament was flattened. Chief Roger Gilbert Jr., 43, of Spartansburg, Pennsylvania is a sex offender and had been re-elected to a second term A registered sex offender who was elected fire chief of a Pennsylvania town has resigned after the news of his prior convictions were revealed . 'My family and our community are being attacked. I didn't want that to continue. All I have done for 18 years is good things. But outsiders are tearing us up. I felt the best thing to do was back away,' Roger Gilbert Jr. told JET24. Gilbert says as well as resigning as chief, he has also resigned from the fire department. Gilbert, of Spartansburg was convicted of sexual intercourse with a four-year-old girl in 2001 and completed a five to 10 year sentence for 'involuntary deviate sexual intercourse'. Gilbert, 43, joined Spartansburg Volunteer Fire Department in 2010 and was recently re-elected to the position of fire chief for a second term, sparking outrage. The news sparked outcry demanding Gilbert be removed from the position. Despite the critics, the town mayor Ann Louise Wagner supported Gilbert in his post. Wagner said she and the volunteer firefighting department are aware of Gilbert's history. The position is unpaid. 'I support the fire department and their decision to have him as chief,' Wagner told The Corry Journal at the time. Gilbert joined the volunteer fire service (building above) in 2010 and had risen to the highest rank 'The firemen have always elected their own officers and that's how it's always been done. We don't question their decisions,' she said. However, the victim's mother does not believe Gilbert should be in a post where he could interact with children after his crime in 2000 in the nearby city of Corry. Gilbert vowed that he has changed. Spartansburg Mayor Ann Louise Wagner supported Gilbert despite his 2001 conviction of having sex with a four-year-old girl 'That was 20 years ago. You know, the story you are telling kids is once you make mistake, you will be punished for the rest of your life. I've changed my life for the better,' he said to the Journal. 'Every day I get up and try to do good,' he added. State police said it is up to each individual community to decide whether to allow sex offenders who have completed their sentences to serve in an office at the local level. Spartansburg is a small town with around 300 residents. 'No grown man that has had intercourse with a four year old should still be alive! Much less fire chief where they are looked to as a refuge from harm,' Terry Sheets wrote on Facebook after Gilbert's history was revealed. Despite the outcry against him Gilbert said 'I've changed my life for the better' since the crime' 'Why is he even allowed to work in a profession where children are taught to trust and turn to them?!?! His job should NEVER allow him to be in the vicinity of children. SICK,' another user Danielle Card wrote. Others began to critic the people who elected him to the position. 'He needs to be in prison. What is wrong with the people who elected him? It doesn't say much for the mayor,' Barb Reynolds added. 'WTF!!!!!!! I don't care if it was 50 years ago and if the person was now 100-years-old, he should never be allowed to participate in areas where he has access to children,' user Reta Hull said. A toddler who hurt his arm after falling off a coffee table was given an old-fashioned painkiller when his parents made a makeshift cast out of an old wine box. Two-year-old Reggie Stockman hurt his arm badly while playing at home in Kairi, in Queensland's Tableands, on Tuesday night - but after a late-night visit to the hospital, he was sent home and told to return in the morning. When the pain didn't go away, the toddler's worried parents called Dial-A-Doctor and were advised by Dr Brenton Wilson to create a temporary splint out of household items until a proper cast could be fitted. Two-year-old Reggie Stockman (pictured) hurt his arm badly while playing at home in Kairi, in Queensland's Tableands, on Tuesday night When the pain didn't go away, the toddler's (pictured) worried parents called Dial-A-Doctor and were advised by Dr Brenton Wilson to create a temporary splint out of household items until a proper cast could be fitted Reggie's mother Kimberley Stockman told Daily Mail Australia her youngest child was wincing in pain and desperately needed medical attention. 'When the doctor came into to check his arm he immediately woke up in pain. The doctor decided he needed to make a temporary cast so Reggie was not in constant pain all night,' she said. 'He asked if we had anything we could use, perhaps a cardboard box.' Reggie's father Scott emerged from his search with an old wine box and some bandages; and it was more than enough for the inventive Dr Wilson. 'My husband went looking around and came back with a wine box. The doctor proceeded to construct a cast from the cardboard,' the mother-of-three added. Reggie's mother Kimberley Stockman told Daily Mail Australia her youngest child (pictured) was wincing in pain and desperately needed medical attention 'When the doctor came into to check his arm he immediately woke up in pain. The doctor decided he needed to make a temporary cast so Reggie was not in constant pain all night,' she said Reggie (pictured left with Kimberley and his siblings) felt much better after his temporary cast was applied 'When he placed the cast onto Reggie's arm it was immediate relief for him. He basically fell asleep straight away and did not wake up until morning!' Mrs Stockman said her son then fell asleep comfortably with his cardboard cast until they visited the hospital again the following day. 'A perfect nights sleep with his wine cask cast. It ended up being for around 15 hours until he could get a real cast on,' she added. Dr Brenton learned this small piece of medical ingenuity while working in Indonesia where doctors had to improvise with what little tools they had at their disposal. Reggie returned with his parents to Alice Street Medical Centre where he was given a proper arm cast. Doctors have not yet determined the source of his pain and are waiting to administer an X-ray. Police continue to be concerned for the welfare of 12-year-old schoolboy Alex Batty The grandmother of a missing 12-year-old schoolboy believes her daughter and ex-husband have taken him to live an 'alternative lifestyle' abroad. Police continue to be concerned for the welfare of Alex Batty, who did not return from a holiday to Spain with his mother and grandfather last year. Alex, who turns 12 today, flew out on a pre-agreed trip with Melanie Batty, 37, and David Batty, 58, for a week-long stay in the Benahavis area, near Marbella. However they did not come back home as expected on October 8. Inquiries have found they may have tried to sail on the same date from Malaga to Melilla on the Moroccan border. Alex's guardian, grandmother Susan Caruana, 62, says her daughter and ex-husband previously lived on a commune in Morocco with Alex in 2014 as part of an 'alternative lifestyle' which she believes lies behind the youngster's disappearance. Alex's guardian, grandmother Susan Caruana, 62, believes her daughter and ex-husband have taken the schoolboy to live an 'alternative lifestyle' abroad She said: 'On the Sunday, they were due back in the afternoon and my husband was going to go and pick them up. I got this message on Facebook and it was a YouTube video of the three of them. 'They all spoke on it and Melanie said the reasons why they had done what they had done. Alex said it was a million times better being with his mum and granddad. Obviously it hurt me a bit but then my other concerns kicked in. 'The reason I believe they have done this is because basically my lifestyle, my belief systems, are not what they agree with - just simply living day to day, how normal people do. 'They didn't want him to go to school, they don't believe in mainstream school.' Alex flew out on a pre-agreed trip with Melanie Batty (left), 37, and David Batty (right), 58, for a week-long stay in Benahavis. However they did not come back home as expected on October 8 She added: 'I just want to say to my grandson Alex, I love you so much and please, please just get in contact. 'We always did something nice with him on his birthday. We'd have a party or go bowling with his friends, his cousins or we've gone trampolining. 'He loved his birthdays and Christmas. I just hope they do something nice with him today.' Both Miss Batty - who does not have parental guardianship - and Mr Batty are wanted by police in connection with Alex's abduction. Alex (above) previously lived with relatives in a commune in Morocco in 2014 as part of an 'alternative lifestyle', which the grandmother believes could lie behind his disappearance Detective Sergeant Pete Morley, of Greater Manchester Police, said: 'I would implore any of Melanie's or David's friends, who might have heard from them, to please contact police immediately. Alex's friends may have also heard from him. 'I understand this is an emotive situation but ultimately Alex should be at home in Oldham and there are genuine concerns about his welfare. 'He has been missing out on school and we don't know how the family are funding their lifestyle abroad.' Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 8972 (+44 161 856 8972 if you are abroad) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. A 53-year-old man died in hospital after staff overdosed him with opioid painkilling medication, an inquest has heard. Stephen Robert Atkins died in the Adelaide's Flinders Medical Centre in March 2015, after he was administered Fentanyl and Oxycodone to manage his chronic neck pain. Counsel assisting Kathryn Waite told the South Australian Coroner's Court that the hospital had failed Mr Atkins on two levels. She said staff administered him potentially lethal opioids without closely monitoring him, and said there were also questions as to whether the medication should ever have been prescribed. Stephen Robert Atkins died in the Adelaide's Flinders Medical Centre in March 2015, after he was administered Fentanyl and Oxycodone to manage his chronic neck pain In her evidence, wife Lee-Anne Atkins (centre) said Mr Atkins told hospital staff he did not want to take opioids for fear he would become dependent on them Ms Waite said one of the biggest criticisms levelled at the hospital would be that Mr Atkins was administered doses of Fentanyl and Oxycodone 30 minutes apart early on the morning he died. He was observed by staff snoring at 5am, but by 6.10am was unresponsive and subsequent attempts to resuscitate him failed. He had been admitted to the hospital three days earlier with Horner's Syndrome - a condition described by Ms Waite as 'not life-threatening'. In her evidence, wife Lee-Anne Atkins said Mr Atkins told hospital staff he did not want to take opioids for fear he would become dependent on them, but was reassured by a doctor there would be no possibility of addiction during his short stay. She said she told hospital staff her husband had been diagnosed with sleep apnoea - a condition that makes a patient more susceptible to opioid overdose. Outside court, Ms Atkins, flanked by three of her children and her husband's parents, said she hoped the inquest would shed light on the case 'He went into hospital for some tests and we expected him to come out and so we just hope that the coronial inquest will find some answers,' she said The inquest also heard from Dr Cheryl Charlwood , a forensic pathologist who performed an autopsy on Mr Atkins. Dr Charlwood said his opioid levels "certainly represent a valid reason for death to occur" but could not determine whether or not they were definitely the cause. Outside court, Ms Atkins, flanked by three of her children and her husband's parents, said she hoped the inquest would shed light on the case. 'He went into hospital for some tests and we expected him to come out and so we just hope that the coronial inquest will find some answers,' she said. Police have released an image of the man they would like to interview regarding the savage attack on an 85-year-old grandmother, which left her with swollen shut eyes and a cracked skull. LAPD released a surveillance shot of the 'person of interest' in the attack on Saturday afternoon's violent attack on Mi Reum, 86, who was walking to Hannam Market on Olympic Boulevard and Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles. 'We need your help! Retweet to help us locate this person of interest in the violent attack of an 86-year-old grandmother this past Saturday in #Koreatown,' the official LAPD account tweeted on Monday. Scroll down for video The LAPD released this surveillance shot of a 'person of interest' wanted for questioning in the attack of an 86-year-old woman, Mi Reum, in Los Angeles' Koreatown on Saturday afternoon Police describe the man wanted for questioning at Hispanic, 35 years old and about 5'5" tall The tweet went on to describe the man wanted for questioning as 35 years old and Hispanic, standing 5'5" tall and weighing 150 pounds. The picture showed a short-haired man wearing a light colored shirt, dark pants and sneakers. He was also wearing a black backpack. Anyone with information about the man's identity was encouraged to contact LAPD Olympic detectives. Reum was walking to Hannam Market on Olympic Boulevard and Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles on Saturday when the suspect apparently approached the senior citizen and punched her in the face, which 'caused her to fall and split her head open,' according to Reum's family members. The suspect did not rob Reum, but simply fled after the attack. Mi Reum, an 86-year-old grandmother, was punched while she was out walking in Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon. She was left with her eyes swollen shut and her skull cracked Reum was walking to Hannam Market around 2pm when she was punched in the face, causing her to fall to the pavement and crack her head open. Photos snow a small knot formed on the middle of her forehead, both eyes swollen shut, cuts and scabs on the bridge of her nose, and a brown medical wrap icovering the top of her skull (left and right) Her granddaughter, Yujin Audrey Ko, posted a photo of injuries sustained in the brutal attack on Facebook. It has been shared more than 3,000 times. Reum has a small knot in the middle of her forehead and both eyes are swollen shut with deep purple bruising. She has cuts and scabs on the bridge of her nose and a brown medical wrap is covering the top of her skull from where she needed stitches. The grandmother, who only weighs 90 pounds, told Ko that all she remembers is the man walking beside her and then hitting her head before she woke up. 'There seemed to be no motive as he had no relation to her nor did he take any of her belongings,' Ko wrote. 'She told me to let this go because she wants to forgive the man that did this but I can not [sic] and I am livid.' Ko said there were several witnesses who helped her grandmother immediately after the attack, and asked that they come forward with any information they have to help catch him. Her granddaughter, Yujin Audrey Ko, posted a photo of the brutal attack on Facebook, which has been shared more than 3,000 times, and is imploring any witnesses to come forward with information (pictured) The suspect, who is described as a Hispanic man dressed all in black and his mid-30s, did not rob Reum but simply fled after the attack (Pictured, the location of the attack) Officials from LAPDs Olympic station confirmed they are searching for a suspect in the attack, which they believe was random, and are looking for surveillance video from nearby stores to help find the woman's attacker (Pictured, the location of the attack) Surveillance video shows Reum walking by the Smoky Tango Shop on Vermont Avenue, according to NBC4. Approximately two to three minutes later, a small commotion is visible before a man is seen running in the opposite direction. Anyone with information on the case is urged to call the LAPD Olympic Division at (213) 382-9045. Former White House staff secretary Rob Porter reportedly told senior staffers that his ex-wife's black eye was an 'accident' as he tried to downplay the allegations of domestic abuse leveled against him. Porter resigned from his position last Wednesday after both of his ex-wives - Jennie Willoughby and Colbie Holderness - came forward and claimed that they had been abused by him during their marriages. Soon after DailyMail.com published photos of Holderness with a black eye that she claims was a result of Porter punching her in the face, the White House staffer apparently told his colleagues it was an 'accident'. Rob Porter resigned from his position last week after both of his ex-wives came forward and claimed that they had been abused by him during their marriage Sources told ABC News that Porter said the couple had been arguing over a vase in their hotel room on a holiday in Italy in the early 2000s early on in their marriage when Holderness fell. Porter reportedly said they started struggling after Holderness was 'ready to throw glass onto the floor to smash'. He said he never punched her and she suffered the black eye when she fell during the struggle. Holderness, however, claims her husband at the time did punch her. 'We were arguing and he punched me in the face. He left visible marks when he punched me and I have pictures of that. I didn't go the police because I was scared, I was in Italy alone and I didn't know what to do,' she said. Willoughby, Porter's second wife, alleged that Porter once dragged her wet and naked out of the shower and was verbally abusive, calling her a f***ing b***h' on their honeymoon. Porter resigned from his position as staff secretary after DailyMail.com published photos of bruises (pictured above) that Holderness said her husband gave her during their marriage His first wife Colbie Holderness claims Porter choked and punched her during their marriage Several months into their marriage, Willoughby filed a police complaint that stated Porter had punched the glass on the door to their home, cutting his hand in the process. Willoughby says she called police before later filing a temporary protective order. But Porter reportedly told his staff that he had just been tapping on the glass with his index finger when it broke. He said he went into the house to treat the cut on his knuckle, but Willoughby ordered him to leave and she called the police. Porter has denied both of the women's accusations but still resigned protesting his innocence. The President addressed the allegations against Porter for the first time on Friday, saying that he was 'sad' to learn of the situation. Jennie Willoughby, Porter's second wife, alleged that Porter once dragged her wet and naked out of the shower and was verbally abusive, calling her a f***ing b***h' on their honeymoon Porter, described as one of the most important players in Trump's circle, resigned from his role as White House staff secretary last week following claims of domestic abuse 'He did a very good job when he was in the White House and we hope he has a wonderful career, and hopefully he will have a great career ahead of him,' Trump said in the Oval Office. 'Now, he also, as you probably know, he says he's innocent. And I think you have to remember that. He said very strongly yesterday that he's innocent.' The controversy has embroiled the White House given senior White House aides - including chief of staff John Kelly - were supposedly made aware of the allegations against Porter in November after the FBI learned about them during a background check. His two ex-wives said they spoke to the FBI during its standard background check on the White House official who was seeking a government security clearance for his high-level position. The allegations delayed Porter's ability to get permanent clearance. He was granted interim clearance when he joined the White House in January 2017. The timeline of who knew what, and when, is still in question in relation to Porter's abuse allegations. A brutal street fight reportedly involving British tourists broke out on a busy red-light district street in Thailand - just 24 hours after an Australian tourist was beaten to death at a nearby bar. Video shows a group of at least eight men fighting on the notorious Walking Street - known for its 'go go bars' - in Pattaya, Thailand, on Saturday night. The fight allegedly involve British tourists, seen in shorts and flip-flops in the footage, and a group of Middle Eastern holidaymakers. Fight: Video footage shows a group of men, reportedly British and Middle Eastern, fighting in the street in Pattaya, Thailand The group fought in the streets for several minutes before several women, reportedly working as prostitutes in a nearby bar, stepped in to break up the brawl. Onlooker John Paget, 30, said: 'Men this age should know better, but the heat, beer and testosterone are heady mix and seem to make people behave in ways they wouldn't do at home. 'Luckily nobody was injured and it dispersed without consequence.' The punch-up took place some 24 hours after Australian Benjamin Robb, 42, was killed on a neighbouring street. Mr Robb died after allegedly being punched, thrown across the room and having his head stamped on 'ten to 15 times' by Jose Manuel Polanco Jr, 43, from New York, U.S. Fists flying: The argument had reportedly started in a nearby bar and spilled out onto the street in Pattaya's notorious red-light district The group fought in the streets for several minutes before several women, reportedly working as prostitutes in a nearby bar, stepped in Polanco Jr - previously jailed in 1993 for manslaughter - turned himself in to police claiming self-defence after allegedly trying to break up a scuffle between Robb and a bar maid. The street brawl on Saturday night was followed by another incident involving a British citizen. An unnamed British man ended up in a fight with his landlord outside his rented Pattaya home in the early hours of Sunday morning. The British man was filmed sitting helplessly on the ground with blood pouring from his head after an apparent disagreement over unpaid rent. He was taken to the police station for questioning and received treatment for the wounds. The resort of Pattaya - dubbed the 'sex capital of the world' - has been plagued by extreme incidents over the last year and accusations that it is a haven for criminals. In February 2017, Briton Tony Kenway, a 39-year-old father-of-four, was executed in broad daylight. Last month, British ex-soldier Reece Vella was arrested over the death of prostitute Wannipa Janhuathon, 26, who plunged from a hotel balcony while they had sex. Thailand's central administration in Bangkok - keen to rid the country of its seedy image and attract families who typically spend more - has tried clean up the resort with a series of top-down orders for raids and safety initiatives. But it appears to have so far had little effect, with sex and violence still prevalent in the former sleepy coastal fishing village. Police Major General Wattana Pradit, Deputy Head of investigations at Pattaya Police, said today: 'Me and my team will continue to fight against crime and law-breaking in Pattaya. 'We respond quickly to any incident and prosecute any offenders fully. 'This is not the place where people should come if they want to commit crimes. 'Pattaya is a place that is safe for families and young people from around the world to have a safe and happy holiday.' William Hague (file image) today warned cutting the foreign aid budget over the Oxfam scandal would be a strategic 'blunder' for Britain William Hague today warned cutting the foreign aid budget over the Oxfam scandal would be a strategic 'blunder' for Britain. Shocking revelations of Oxfam workers paying disaster victims and swapping aid for sex has engulfed one of Britain's biggest charities this week. The claims have fuelled long-running calls for Theresa May to end the Government's legally-backed promise to spend 0.7 per cent of national income on foreign aid - currently about 13billion. Aid Secretary Penny Mordaunt has warned she will cut the Government's 32m-a-year contribution to the charity unless it meets tougher standards. Speaking this morning she warned she is 'considering' her decision. But Mr Hague, the former Tory leader and foreign secretary, insisted today the development budget was crucial to Britain's interests abroad. Writing in the Telegraph, he said: 'Yet a reduction in aid would be a strategic blunder, ultimately damaging our own national interest and our ability to deal with one of the biggest problems heading our way. 'This is that over the next 30 years more than half the growth in the world's population is expected to be on just one continent - Africa.' He said there was an 'overwhelming strategic, as well as moral, imperative to deliver aid to the world's poorest people', but that the sector needs to show it is setting and meeting the highest standards. 'The case for the type of work done by Oxfam is too strong to allow it to be undermined by bad behaviour and inadequate standards of disclosure or investigation,' he said. Tory Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg (file image) took a petition against the aid budget to Downing Street last week and said today there was no penalty for not meeting the spending target Prime Minister Theresa May (pictured in Belfast last night) has repeatedly stood by the aid budget but is yet to personally intervene on the Oxfam scandal 'The case for an aid budget that tackles the world's biggest issues will get stronger, not weaker, in the years ahead. The response to this appalling scandal needs to be tough enough to convince the public that their generosity will not be abused.' Oxfam has apologised to donors, supporters and the Government for the way it dealt with the allegations. Speaking this morning, Ms Mordaunt said: People will be worried about the charity they will be worried about the money but we needed to be guided by what the charity commission are doing. And also I have made it very clear to Oxfam what we expect to hear from them. Former Oxfam employees in Chad claimed staff held sex parties with prostitutes. Pictured: Roland van Hauwermeiren, 68, who admitted to having sex with vulnerable prostitutes at his Oxfam villa But these decisions shouldnt be taken hastily, but I am considering them. Tory Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg took a petition against the aid budget to Downing Street last week. He insisted today there was nothing to punish the Government in the law that mandates minimum spending. He told the Guardian: 'If the 0.7 per cent commitment were not met, the law requires that the secretary of state makes a statement to parliament. 'The relevant act was a private member's bill, so could neither authorise nor command government expenditure. 'In current circumstances, it would not seem unreasonable for the secretary of state to make such a statement on the basis that HM Government cannot be certain that all the money is being well spent.' Commuters in Sydney were barred from train platforms tonight as chaos continued ten hours after an explosive building site fire rocked Circular Quay. Dramatic pictures shared by frustrated commuters showed crowds packed into stations as extensive delays and cancellations continued across the city. Commuters at Wynyard station in the city centre were being banned from platforms three and four because of dangerous overcrowding at around 7.30pm. The delays are a result of disruption caused by a major fire on a building site at 9am which required workers to evacuate as flames raged beneath them and black smoke plumed into the sky. Chaos: Commuters in Sydney were being barred from train platforms as chaos continued nine hours after an explosive fire rocked Circular Quay Dramatic pictures shared by frustrated commuters showed crowds packed into stations as extensive delays continued across the city Commuters at Wynard station in the city centre were being banned from platforms because of overcrowding at around 7.30pm The delays are a result of disruption caused by a major fire on a building site at 9am which required workers to evacuate as flames raged beneath them and black smoke plumed into the sky The fire started on 'one of the lower levels of the building' but spread up via a flammable mesh screening wrapped around scaffolding outside the building, Superintendent Ticehurst of NSW police said. Engineers are now inspecting the material as police investigate if the fire was started deliberately. Superintendent Ticehurst added: 'It is not known if there are any suspicious circumstances; inquiries are continuing.' Angry commuters expressed their frustration at the delays on Twitter. One wrote: 'Sydney trains is a disaster'. Another added: 'Train line in Somalia is better than #sydneytrains'. Angry commuters expressed their frustration at the delays on Twitter. One wrote: 'Sydney trains is a disaster'. Another added: 'Train line in Somalia is better than #sydneytrains'. Sydney Trains released a service alert amid severe delays caused by the fire A Sydney Trains spokesman told Daily Mail Australia: 'Sydney Trains apologises to customers impacted by delays on our network this afternoon. The delays are due to a fire earlier today at Circular Quay, which resulted in us having to close the entire city circle for safety reasons. This caused significant disruption to our services across the network. As a result of this, there have been some cancellations and changes to timetabled services on the T1 North Shore, Northern and Western, T2 Inner West and Leppington, T3 Bankstown, T5 Cumberland and T8 Airport and South lines. This means customers may experience extra travel time due to these service gaps. Buses are supplementing train services at Bankstown, Blacktown, Campbelltown, Glenfield, Hornsby, Lidcombe and Olympic Park. Customers are being advised to listen to station announcements, check indicator boards or visit our website and Twitter channels for updates.' A massive inferno has broken out at a construction site in Sydney's Circular Quay The flames broke out at the construction site about 9am on Tuesday, while workers remained on the roof Chaos broke out among the workers and morning traffic was brought to a standstill Fire and Rescue New South Wales said multiple crews responded to the fire, which engulfed the popular tourist destination in a thick black haze Shocked onlookers watched as giant fireballs fell from the sky and loud explosions rang through the city centre as flames tore through the building The building is on the site of a $1billion One Circular Quay harbourside development that was sold only two weeks ago by China's biggest property developer, Wanda. Witness Olivia Mocevakaca, 26, was working on a wharf nearby when she heard four massive eruptions just before 9am. 'It shook the wharf ... there were four explosions and it shook the wharf,' she told the Daily Telegraph. 'There were fireballs from the top falling to the ground. 'It really did vibrate the whole area, we thought a train had crashed.' Fire and Rescue New South Wales said 15 crews responded to the fire, which engulfed the popular tourist destination in a thick black haze. Loud gas explosions were reportedly ringing out every minute while more than a dozen workers remained on-site. Loud gas explosions were reportedly ringing out every minute while more than a dozen workers remained on-site Billows of thick black smoke blanketed the area in Sydney's Circular Quay on Tuesday morning Southbound lanes on Pitt Street were shut down to all traffic and people were told to avoid the area at all costs Witnesses said the construction workers on top of the building were narrowly rescued just before the explosions, 7 News reported. The 13 workers on-site were treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation and didn't require transport to hospital, a NSW Ambulance spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia. Gas cylinders on the bottom floors are believed to have contributed to the blaze, which is now under investigation. It remains unclear if the cylinders were involved in the fire's ignition, a NSW Fire and Rescue spokesperson said. Southbound lanes on Pitt Street were shut down to all traffic and people were told to avoid the area at all costs. Crowds gathered near Circular Quay on Tuesday morning as firecrews tackled the blaze Gas cylinders on the bottom floors are believed to have contributed the blaze, which is now under investigation NSW Fire and Rescue said the fire was contained moments after 10am, and fully extinguished about 12pm Witnesses said the construction workers on top of the building were narrowly rescued just before the explosions Firecrews remained on-site battling the blaze after it was contained about 10am NSW Fire and Rescue said all people have been evacuated from the site, while 13 were treated for smoke inhalation All trains on the City Circle were shut down for about 30 minutes due to the fire, with Circular Quay station being closed entirely. Trains to the north shore were still operating out of nearby Wynyard and Town Hall stations. Normal services resumed on the City Circle shortly before 10am. NSW Fire and Rescue said the fire was contained moments later, and fully extinguished about 12pm. Two weeks ago it was revealed Wanda had sold the fire-ravaged site to the son of Chinese businessman and political donor Huang Xiangmo. Wanda had been planning to develop a luxury hotel, 186 apartments and space for retail on the site. The company announced the purchaser was AWH Investment Group, of which Mr Huang ceased to be a shareholder about a month ago. The building is on the site of the $1billion One Circular Quay harbourside development (artist's impression) which was until recently being undertaken by China's biggest property developer, Wanda Chinese billionaire Huang Xiangmo with Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister, Julie Bishop Two weeks ago it was revealed Wanda had sold the fire-ravaged site (pictured) to the son of Chinese businessman and political donor Huang Xiangmo The billionaire's 23-year-old son Huang Jiquan, who lives at Mosman on Sydney's lower north shore, replaced his father on the share register as a director of AWH. AWH was formed late last year as Wanda, which has been under pressure from the Chinese Government to reduce its foreign debts, was searching for a buyer for its Australian assets. Labor senator Sam Dastyari, who received political donations from Huang Xiangmo and made comments supporting China's stance in the South China Sea against his party's position, recently resigned from Federal Parliament. Wanda sold One Circular Quay and the Jewel project on Queensland's Gold Coast which were once valued at $1billion each - for a total of $1.119billion made up of $312million in cash and $807.1million in debt repayment. The site of the proposed One Circular Quay apartment development at 1 Alfred Street Britain is set to break free of the EU three months earlier than expected as negotiators accepts Brussels demands transition ends on December 31, 2020. Theresa May set out in her Florence speech a transition that ran for 'around two years - taking the transition until the spring of 2021. But the EU has warned this would mean entering the next seven-year budget cycle and demanded an earlier end to transition. Downing Street sources insisted today that the 'details of the implementation period are a matter for negotiation'. The latest apparent climbdown came as Chancellor Philip Hammond launched a charm offensive in five European capitals and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson prepared the first of a series of major Government speeches on the 'road to Brexit'. Theresa May (pictured in Belfast last night) set out in her Florence speech a transition that ran for 'around two years - taking the transition until the spring of 2021 but it could now end in December 2020 The latest apparent climbdown came as Chancellor Philip Hammond (pictured in Davos last month) launched a charm offensive in five European capitals A Whitehall source directly involved with the UK's exit planning told The Sun: 'The EU timetable is the working assumption and no one seems too upset by that.' WHEN WILL BRITAIN BE OUT OF THE EU? Britain triggered Article 50 on March 29, 2017, starting a two year process for leaving the EU: March 2018: Outline transition deal agreed, running for about two years June 2018: EU summit that Brussels says should consider broad principles of a future trade deal. October 2018: Political agreement on the future partnership due to be reached Early 2019: Major votes in Westminster and Brussels to ratify the deal March 29, 2019: Article 50 expires, Britain leaves the EU. Transition is expected to keep everything the same for about two years December 31, 2020: Transition expected to come to an end and the new relationship - if it has been agreed - should kick in Advertisement The details of the transition period are currently the subject of detailed negotiations and a major row broke out last week between Brexit Secretary David Davis and EU negotiator Michel Barnier. The goal is to agree a transition period by the time of an EU summit in March. Britain hopes a whirlwind round of diplomacy, combined with a series of major speeches including two from Mrs May, will break the deadlock in its favour. Mr Hammond will be in Norway and Sweden today, before travelling on to Amsterdam, Spain and Portugal later in the week. The blizzard of diplomatic work comes amid claims Brussels is preparing to improve its Brexit trade offer amid disarray at Mr Barnier's hardline approach. EU chiefs said there was pressure from EU capitals to scrap its chief negotiator's strategy. The details of the transition period are currently the subject of detailed negotiations and a major row broke out last week between Brexit Secretary David Davis and EU negotiator Michel Barnier (pictured last week in Brussels) They want to 'leave the door open' to Mrs May but only if she reveals what she wants from a future relationship. EU diplomats and officials yesterday hinted Brussels was prepared to soften its stance. It would see the bloc offering the UK a 'tailor-made' trade deal, rather than a deal similar to the EU and Canada's, which has been suggested and which Mrs May deems unacceptable. A senior EU official told the Mail: 'Some member states are saying 'we can't prescribe what the UK should do', others are saying 'yes but we should leave the door open'. Senior Commonwealth officials are due to meet in London for secret talks to consider whether Prince Charles should take over when the Queen dies. The organisation, which is not hereditary, has set up a 'high level group' of seven leading figures to discuss 'wider governance considerations' - code for the succession, according to insiders. The group is expected to report to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on its findings in London in April, which is expected to be the last the Queen will attend. Commonwealth officials are holding secret talks about who should take over as head of the organisation when the Queen dies. Her Majesty is seen inspecting a guard of honour at Malta International Airport in November 2015 Queen Elizabeth II accepts flowers from schoolgirls during a walkabout at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture in Canberra on March 27, 2000 The Queen, who turns 92 in April, was proclaimed Head of the Commonwealth at her coronation when she was head of state in seven of its eight members, and wants Prince Charles to succeed her. The Queen wants Prince Charles (pictured at the British High Commission in Colombo, Sri Lanka on November 14, 2013) to take over as head of the Commonwealth, but some fear this will not seem democratic But it is not a hereditary position that will pass automatically to the Prince of Wales, who will be head of state in only 15 of the 53 member nations that now make up the Commonwealth. A senior source told the BBC, which saw the agenda of the high level meeting: 'I imagine the question of the succession, however distasteful it may naturally be, will come up.' The agenda is reported to say: 'Discussions will take into consideration the issues raised in the first session and also the wider governance considerations of the Commonwealth.' Any decision about the future would have to be made by the Commonwealth heads of government at the time of the Queen's death, but there is no formal process for choosing her successor. Who is in the high level group? Chairman Anote Tong, former president of Kiribati; Lord Howell, former British energy secretary; Louise Frechette, former United Nations deputy secretary general; Robert Hill, former Australian defence minister; Dame Billie Miller, former deputy prime minister of Barbados; Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Nigerian minister of finance; George Vella, former deputy prime minister of Malta. Advertisement While many Commonwealth figures presume there will be no realistic alternative to Charles, there has in the past been talk of electing a ceremonial leader to improve the organisation's democratic credentials. Her Majesty has been sending officials around the world to lobby Commonwealth leaders to ensure Prince Charles succeeds her. At the most recent CHOGM two years ago in Malta, the Queen said she could not 'wish to have been better supported and represented in the Commonwealth than by the Prince of Wales who continues to give so much to it with great distinction'. The developments will be of interest to Theresa May's government, which has emphasised the importance of the Commonwealth post-Brexit. The Queen, (pictured meeting Dr Censu Tabone, President of Malta, on May 28, 1992, with Prince Philip) was proclaimed Head of the Commonwealth at her coronation Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles and Prince Philip attend the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Valletta on November 27 In March last year, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson pointed out the Commonwealth will soon overtake the EU in terms of the size of its economy. He said it illustrated how important it is to get good trade deals with the Commonwealth, and how the UK can survive outside the EU. How and when will we know if Prince Charles will succeed the Queen as the head of the Commonwealth? Prince Charles The Queen, who turns 92 in April, was proclaimed Head of the Commonwealth at her coronation when she was head of state in seven of its eight members, and wants Prince Charles to succeed her. But it is not a hereditary position that will pass automatically to the Prince of Wales, who will be head of state in only 15 of the 53 member nations that now make up the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Secretariat insists the leader must be chosen by Commonwealth heads of government, such as the Prime Ministers of New Zealand and Canada. It is believed that the decision will take place tomorrow during the leaders' retreat at Windsor Castle - a frank discussion between the nations' leaders without aides or advisers present. Theresa May's spokesperson, when asked about the succession, said: 'This is obviously a decision that is taken later in the week, a decision taken by all the members together. 'I think that all happens on Friday.' While they are widely expected to fulfil the hopes expressed by the Queen, there was no official confirmation that Charles will be offered the role on Friday. Spokesmen could not even confirm that any decision would be announced at a press conference following the leaders' retreat at Windsor Castle. Many want an elected head to make the organisation more democratic, including Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Yet others, such as the former Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key, think differently. He argued in 2015 that the succession 'should just go with the crown'. In a highly unusual move the Queen made clear her thoughts today, telling the presidents and prime ministers gathered at Buckingham Palace she hopes one day they will choose Charles to carry on the important work started by her father. Advertisement He told ITVs Peston on Sunday: It is a stunning fact that when the UK joined the Common Market back in 1973, the 28 countries then had about 38 per cent of global GDP. The Commonwealth then was about a quarter of that. The EU and the Commonwealth in GDP, in output terms are now roughly level-pegging and the Commonwealth is growing far faster. Now, of course the EU is massively important for us and will continue to be colossally important for our trade and our investment. But we now have the opportunity to do deals with the Commonwealth. Mrs May said: The UK has a long-standing and firm commitment to the Commonwealth and to the values it upholds, of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. And in hosting the Commonwealth summit next year, the UK is committed to working with all members not only to reaffirm these shared values, but also to re-energise and revitalise the Commonwealth to cement its relevance to this and future generations. As we look to create a truly global Britain, the deep partnerships that we share through a 21st century Commonwealth can help us strengthen the prosperity and security of our own citizens, and those of our many friends and allies across the world. The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall attend a Gurkha Reception at the Edinburgh Palace in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, on November 2, 2017 Furious rock fans are rushing to sell their 220 Reading and Leeds festival tickets after the line-up released earlier today revealed a horde of rap and pop stars. Festival Republic published the bill for the August Bank Holiday weekend event on Twitter this morning. With Glastonbury cancelled this year, thousands stumped up the 205 ticket price along with a 16.50 booking fee to attend the event. But many have been left feeling short-changed after the alternative festival's line-up announced American rapper Kendrick Lamar as the headline act. Short-changed: Fans across social media have slammed the line-up for Reading and Leeds festival this year after it was announced at 7.51am this morning (pictured above) Within minutes, ticket holders posted to Twitter putting their festival passes up for sale. Social media user Lea joked: 'I'm putting my ticket up for sale for 17pence because that's all the line-up is worth.' Another said: 'Waited so long for Reading line up and its rubbish. I'm selling my ticket.' While one man wrote: 'Selling my Reading ticket and early access, direct message me for offers.' The decision to sell their tickets has been blamed on the bill for the 2018 festival. As well nostalgic rock bands such as Sum 41, Kings of Leon and Fall Out Boy, organisers have invested in bringing in pop acts like New Rules singer Dua Lipa. One woman wrote: 'Whats Dua Lipa doing at Reading?' Another said: For a V festival line up maybe, Dua Lipa should be nowhere near Reading Festival.' And a man added: 'Reading and Leeds line up is shocking. Instead of Kasabian, Paramore, and Foo Fighters they get Dua Lipa, Wretch 32, and Kendrick Lamar. Pretty sure it's not T4 on the beach.' Pictured: Popstar Dua Lipa (left, performing in San Jose, USA in December) and American rapper Post Malone (right, at the 16 Million Dollar Pegasus World Cup in January) are among those to headline Up for sale: Within minutes of the announcement, rock fans posted their passes up for sale with oneTwitter user (above) joking they were shifting their ticket for just 17pence as that was 'all the lineup is worth' The rest of the artists booked for the three-day event - held in two separate sites in West Yorkshire and Berkshire - are a mixture of nostalgic banks like Fall Out Boy and Sum 41 and an array of grime and rap artists. Upset festival goers have fumed on Twitter, with one ticket buyer writing: 'I can't believe I've paid 220 for this ****!' And other adding: 'Can't believe I've waited over a month for this line-up after buying my ticket. This is worse than finding out you're adopted.' The fallout echoes the furore the year Jay Z topped the Glastonbury bill in 2008. Stateside rockers Fall Out Boy and Kings of Leon will also headline, with rappers Post Malone and British grime artist Skepta playing key slots on the Friday and Sunday. A handful of fans on Twitter said it was 'great' to see more grime artists performing. Another enthused that Kendrick Lamar would be playing on British soil. The August Bank Holiday event - known for its long association with rock music - will give its Saturday evening top spot to American rapper Kendrick Lamar (pictured above at the MTV VMAS in Los Angeles in 2017) 'Music if officially dead': A fan upset at the number of rap acts took to Twitter to ask, 'What the **** is going on?' Home-grown talent: British rappers J Hus (left, performing at a Spotify event in London last November) and Skepta (right at ACL Music Festival in Austin, Texas in October 2017) are topping the bill in both Reading and Leeds Just three minutes after the line-up was announced, this Twitter user put his weekend ticket up for sale on Twitter (above) While one described the line-up as a 'BTEC version of Wireless festival', in reference to the college-equivalent of a A Level qualification. While another person simply wrote: 'Music is officially DEAD. A festival like Reading and Leeds so well known for its rock music is mostly rap. What the **** is going on?' Carl Knott added: 'Imagine pre-paying for Reading and Leeds festival after last years festival, and seeing today's line up! Worst line up I've seen.' Many pointed out the lineup's nostalgic feel with punk poppers Sum 41, popular with teenagers in the early noughties, down to play on Sunday. A wry person wrote: 'This marks the death of music as we know it. Most of the bands on here are at least ten years old. The industry is in crisis.' Fury: Disappointed Twitter user who has already purchased the 220 ticket likened the line-up to urban festival Wireless Is this a joke? Another responded to the festival's Twitter page but insinuating the bill must be a prank Things change: One Twitter user tweeted out the festival's line-up in 2008 which saw the likes of Rage Against the Machine, The Killers, Metallica and Queens of the Stone Age perform For sale: Shortly after the announcement this morning, dozens of Twitter and Facebook users put their Reading and Leeds tickets up for sale 'Thought this was a rock festival, my mistake': Fans used to the three-day festival's usual acts were disappointed by pop acts like Dua Lipa From Liam Gallagher to Post Malone: One Twitter user wondered how the historical music event had gone from booking British Indie rockers to young American rappers One music fan with a good memory pointed out headliner's Kings of Leon had better prepare themselves for the audience this year. The Nashville natives previously played Reading Festival in 2009 with bandmates taking to Twitter afterwards to criticise the fans, who booed throughout their set. Frontman Caleb Followill actually apologised a year later in an interview with NME, calling it his 'Kurt Cobain moment'. He admitted they took out their 'unhappiness on the crowd'. The Twitter user wrote: 'Kings of Leon are definitely going to be ****** off this year when a bunch of wannabe roadmen there aren't joining into any of their songs and only two of their tracks get sung along to.' Organisers Festival Republic have been contacted by MailOnline for comment. Reading and Leeds Festival runs this year from Friday, August 24, until Sunday, August 25. Reading is one of the longest running events in the UK, with a history dating back to the 1950s. Since moving to its Berkshire site in the 1970s, the annual extravaganza has seen the likes of The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, The Jam and The Who perform over the years. As of 2011, the capacity for the Reading site was 87,000 and Leeds 75,000. President Donald Trump has spoken with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin about North Korea's nuclear program, the Israel-Palestine conflict and Sunday's tragic plane crash outside Moscow. The Kremlin said the two leaders discussed some aspects of the Middle East peace process in the telephone conversation before Putin's meeting with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the Russian capital. They also discussed North Korea's bid to develop nuclear weapons, with the White House explaining President Trump had 'reiterated the importance' of ensuring the Stalinist dictatorship is denuclearized. President Donald Trump pauses to speak to guests as he leaves the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington on Monday (left); while Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at the Congress of Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs in Moscow on Friday (right) Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas (pictured) has refused any contact with Trump's administration since Washington's decision at the end of last year. They also discussed North Korea's bid to develop nuclear weapons, with the White House explaining President Trump had 'reiterated the importance' of ensuring the Stalinist dictatorship is denuclearized. Pictured: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un Trump last month accused Russia of helping North Korea evade international sanctions meant to punish Pyongyang for its pursuit of a nuclear-armed missile capable of reaching the United States. 'Russia is not helping us at all with North Korea,' Trump said then. 'I just spoke with American President Trump,' Putin told Abbas yesterday before continuing the talks behind closed doors. 'Obviously we spoke about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.' The Palestinian leader was visiting Moscow in a bid to secure Putin's support after Trump outraged the Palestinians and their allies by recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The 'situation is far from what we want to see,' Putin said, adding that he has 'always supported the Palestinian people'. 'It is very important for us to know your personal opinion in order to set the record straight and put in place a common approach to solve this problem,' Putin told his guest. Trump told Putin that 'now is the time to work toward an enduring peace agreement', according to a White House statement. Abbas's meeting with Putin came two weeks after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured) also visited Moscow Abbas has refused any contact with Trump's administration since Washington's decision at the end of last year. 'Given the atmosphere created by the United State's actions, we ... refuse any cooperation with the United States as a mediator,' said Abbas. 'In case of an international meeting, we ask that the United States be not the only mediator, but just one of the mediators.' The White House said Trump repeated his belief that it is time to work toward a lasting peace agreement. The Palestinians have said they no longer consider the US to be an honest peace broker after Trump announced his intention to move the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Israel-Palestine discussions have been further strained recently after Israel shot down what it said was an Iranian drone that had entered its territory from Syria over the weekend. Trump and Putin last spoke in December, when Putin called Trump to thank him for a CIA tip that was said to have helped thwart bombings in St Petersburg. President Trump also offered his condolences to President Putin on Monday for the crash outside that killed 71 people, the Kremlin and White House both said. The White House said Trump assured Putin that the United States is 'standing by to assist Russian authorities in their investigation' into why a Russian airliner on a regional flight crashed, killing everyone on board. Putin repeatedly has said he hopes Trump can follow through on his campaign promises to improve relations with Russia but thinks pressure from Trump's opponents has gotten in the way. Abbas's meeting with Putin came two weeks after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also visited Moscow. The White House said Trump assured Putin that the United States is 'standing by to assist Russian authorities in their investigation' into why a Russian airliner on a regional flight crashed Sunday, killing everyone on board. Pictured: Emergency teams gather for a morning briefing prior to their work at the scene of a AN-148 plane crash in Stepanovskoye village Netanyahu on Monday said he had been in talks with Washington about annexing settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move condemned by a top Palestinian official as 'land theft'. The White House denied Netanyahu's claims, in a rare public show of disunity. Palestinians see the US Jerusalem decision, which broke with years of international diplomacy, as a denial of their claim to East Jerusalem as the capital of an eventual Palestinian state. Abbas, who is due to speak at the United Nations Security Council on February 20, has promised his people to work towards full recognition of a Palestinian state by the UN. Palestinian statehood is recognized by more than 130 countries. A father left his young son in a car on a 40-degree day all because he wanted to play pokies and could not take the boy in with him. But the 32-year-old man from Guildford, west Sydney, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, has avoided prison. Instead he has been handed a 10-month driving ban and fined $4,500 after appearing at court on Tuesday. The 32-year-old man from Guildford, west Sydney, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, has avoided prison The court was told he left the two-year-old inside the car for around an hour while he gambled at the Guildford Hotel on a hot December day. It was only when a parking ranger noticed the car in a loading zone outside the hotel that the boy was found, Nine News reports. The father had left a bottle of water in the car and the air conditioning on, the court heard. But when he was approached by Nine reporter Kelly Fedor outside court, he ran from the camera and turned to criticise her for her choice of dress. The court was told he left the two-year-old inside the car for around an hour while he gambled at the Guildford Hotel He was charged with putting the child at risk and was banned from getting behind the wheel for 10 months after it emerged it he had already been using a cancelled licence. Paramedics have warned parents it is never acceptable to leave a child in a car and have issued the advice ahead of several hot days planned in New South Wales. He was approached by Nine reporter Kelly Fedor outside court but he ran from the camera Heatwave conditions are predicted for NSW, Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory over the coming days. The Australian Red Cross has told people how to avoid the effects of heat stroke which is a potential killer in extreme heat. It includes to find shade, rest and relax and to drink water to combat heat exhaustion and advice to call 000 if you notice symptoms of heat stroke. Signs include thumping pulse, dry skin, headache, red and hot. Seventeen-year-old Ahed Tamimi (pictured) is being tried as a minor in a military court The Israeli military trial of a Palestinian teenager charged after a video showing her slapping two soldiers went viral began today. The judge, Lieutenant Colonel Menachem Lieberman, ordered journalists to be removed from the courtroom and ruled that open proceedings would not be in the interest of 17-year-old Ahed Tamimi, who is being tried as a minor. 'I didn't think it's good for the minor that there are 100 people in the courtroom,' he said. Only family members were allowed to remain with diplomats from both nations also asked to leave. A large crowd of journalists had shown up to cover the trial of Tamimi, whose case has gained international attention. Trials of minors in military court are typically closed, but Tamimi's lawyer said previous hearings for the teenager were open and she argued for it to remain that way. Ahed Tamimi, who turned 17 in prison last month, appeared fresh and confident as she was led into a courtroom packed with journalists and foreign diplomats. A well-known campaigner against Israel's occupation, Tamimi stands for the beginning of her trial in the Israeli military court at Ofer military prison in the West Bank village of Betunia She briefly gestured to relatives in the back of the room before the judge ordered everyone out except her family. 'Stay strong! Stay strong!' shouted her father, Bassem Tamimi. After the prosecution read the indictment, the trial was adjourned until next month. Tamimi's mother, Nariman, and cousin Nour, 20, are also due to go on trial later today. Ahed Tamimi and her mother will be held in custody until the end of the proceedings, while her cousin has been released on bail. 'They understand that people outside Ofer military court are interested in Ahed's case, they understand that her rights are being infringed and her trial is something that shouldn't be happening,' Tamimi's lawyer Gaby Lasky told journalists after having unsuccessfully objected to the judge's decision to close the trial. 'So the way to keep it out of everybody's eyes is to close doors and not allow people inside the court for her hearing.' Speaking in court, Lasky said she considers the session as an organ of what she described as an 'illegal occupation' and that the indictment must be thrown out. 'It is a trial of occupation,' Lasky told reporters after the session. 'This is a court of occupation, and Ahed was resisting occupation.' The judge ejected journalists from the courtroom, saying their presence would not be in favour of the minor Several senior Israeli officials have called for harsh punishment for Tamimi, describing her either as a terrorist, a serial troublemaker or a gullible teen being cynically manipulated by others. Earlier in the day, Tamimi's father said he came to court 'with no good expectations, because this a military court and it's part of the Israeli military occupation.' Bassem Tamimi added that 'having people attend the court - journalists, consuls, diplomats, observers and lawyers - is very important because it keeps them safe and makes us feel that those in court are safe.' The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has criticised Israeli authorities' actions in the case, while the European Union has expressed concern over Israel's detention of minors, including Ahed Tamimi. Amnesty International has called for her immediate release, saying her 'continued detention is a desperate attempt to intimidate Palestinian children who dare to stand up to repression by occupying forces.' Tamimi has been hailed as a hero by Palestinians who see her as bravely standing up to Israel's occupation of the West Bank. Israelis accuse her family of using her as a pawn in staged provocations. The footage was taken in the wake of the riots which followed Donald Trump's announcement that the US embassy would move to Jerusalem A then 12-year-old Ahed Tamimi shouts at an Israeli soldier during a protest in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh in 2012 She has been charged with 12 counts including assault and could face a lengthy jail term if convicted. The charges relate to events in the video and five other incidents. They include stone-throwing, incitement and making threats. The incident occurred during a day of clashes across the West Bank against US President Donald Trump's controversial recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Violence since Trump's decision has left 12 Palestinians dead with most killed in clashes with Israeli forces. The Tamimi family says a relative was shot in the head with a rubber bullet during protests the same day the video was filmed. The footage shows Tamimi and her cousin approaching two Israeli soldiers and telling them to leave before shoving, kicking and slapping them. The heavily armed soldiers do not respond in the face of what appears to be an attempt to provoke rather than seriously harm them. She was praised for her actions by then Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who presented her with a 'courage' award Ahed was arrested alongside her mother Nariman who was also involved in the altercation Tamimi's lawyer said: 'The way to keep [the truth] out of everybody's eyes is to close doors and not allow people inside the court for her hearing' Tamimi, an icon for Palestinians, was filmed slapping two soldiers and faces charges in a military court. Tamimi was seen smiling in court - she celebrated her seventeenth birthday less than two weeks ago Tamimi has been marching since she was a young child. Here she is pictured (left) during a protest against discrimination and Jewish settlements in Ramallah, West Bank They then move backwards after Tamimi's mother Nariman becomes involved. Some Israelis hailed the restraint of the soldiers, but others said the Tamimis' actions merited a tougher response and called for a heavy sentence. Ahed Tamimi has become something of an icon for Palestinians. She was photographed biting the hand of an Israeli soldier in 2015 to try to stop the arrest of a brother. A years-old photograph of her raising her fist at a soldier led to her being received by then Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2012. A man who filmed two women neighbours having sex and uploaded the videos onto the internet faces jail and may be deported. Wawan Pradiat, an Indonesian man who has been in Sydney three years, is on a 457 visa. He uploaded the private videos of his neighbours to a porn site where they were viewed thousands of times. Wawan Pradiat, 23, (pictured) has been refused bail at Parramatta Bail Court where he was accused of recording and distributing intimate images of four victims in Surry Hills In a Sydney court Mr Pradiat claimed he 'accidentally' uploaded the videos for his own personal use and didn't realise it was illegal, Seven News reported. The network reported Magistrate Christopher Halburd said: 'That's why the legislation is there, so people aren't subjected to people like you.' Mr Pradiat was jailed for eight months but will be eligible for parole in just weeks, where he may face deportation to his home country. His lawyer told Seven News he could not comment on the deportation as it would be a matter for the Immigration department. The Indonesian national handed himself into Surry Hills Police Station last year after police raided his apartment where he lives with his partner and brothers. He gave police his username details to a website where the videos were uploaded police who discovered further videos. The accused Australian drug smuggler has been released from Kerobokan prison and has been taken to a mental health institute. Joshua James Baker was arrested by police at an airport in Bali on October 8 for allegedly bringing a mix of marijuana, tobacco and prescription-only drugs into the country. Mr Baker faced 15 years in prison but was released on Tuesday and taken to a mental health institution where he was greeted by his sister. Scroll down for video Joshua James Baker greeted his sister (pictured together) after being allowed to leave Kerobokan jail in Bali for a mental heath institute Mr Baker was arrested by police at an airport in Bali on October 8 for allegedly bringing a mix of marijuana, tobacco and prescription-only drugs into the country The Queensland man's (pictured) lawyers were able to arrange a deal with local authorities Mr Baker (pictured) was facing up to fifteen years behind bars in an Indonesian jail The Queensland man's lawyers were able to arrange a deal with local authorities according to 9 News. The 32-year-old was seen hugging his sister at what appeared to be a reception area for the mental health unit, which is a far cry from the notorious, overcrowded jail cells of Kerobokan prison. After being arrested, Mr Baker managed to escape police, leading them on a 10 hour chase when he allegedly escaped after asking to visit the toilet. Mr Baker charged with drug importation after he was allegedly found with 28 grams of marijuana mixed with tobacco and 37 Diazepam pills. The Mt Isa man's lawyer Pande Putu Maya Arsanti was extremely concerned for Mr Baker's well-being. 'Police have tried to stop his medication so that they know the reaction,' she said, expressing concerns for her client's health as well as the health and safety of those around him. 'He has an extreme headache. His mood is very bad. He always says, "I have a headache, it hurts. Why did they bring me here",' Ms Arsanti said previously. Mr Baker's trial has been delayed. The Mt Isa man's lawyer Pande Putu Maya Arsanti was extremely concerned for Mr Baker's well-being A touching new advert by McCain that featured lesbian and gay couples has been praised by teary-eyed viewers. The new commercial also features a paralympian and a range of people drom diverse backgrounds. The 60-second advert begins: 'When it comes to love, what's normal? Normal isn't normal. 'Love doesn't care about gender, where you're from, or what others may think. It won't judge on ability, or so-called disability.' It continues: 'Here's to every kind of love.' The video features a range of couples of different ethnicity, genders and sexual orientations, including the dancers Kimberley and Molly, and Andy and Tara, a gold medal-winning Paralympian who is now a disability rights campaigner. McCain was applauded for the heartwarming advert, with fans praising the McCain across social media. @boscovici tweeted: 'Good on you for being inclusive. It means a lot to some people.' Amanda Burgess said: 'Good to see that @McCainUK have put a same-sex couple on their ads. Power of social media.' @leeabbie added: 'The McCain advert nearly just made me cry. How lovely.' The video features a range of couples of different ethnicity, genders and sexual orientations, including the dancers Kimberley and Molly The new advert hit screens on Friday night and opens with the questions: 'When it comes to love, what's normal? Normal isn't normal' It continues: 'Love doesn't care about gender, where you're from, or what others may think. It won't judge on ability, or so-called disability' It comes months a gay couple Lee and Mat Samuels-Camozzi were subjected to horrendous online abuse for appearing in a previous ad by McCain. The couple, who appeared in the advert alongside their baby, were called 'sick' by one person. They said they were shocked by the abusive comments posted across social media. But the frozen food firm stood by the campaign, adding it 'celebrates real homes and [is] depicting honest, modern day family life'. Social media users applauded the frozen food firm and took to Twitter to congratulate McCain for the advert The touching advert also features Andy and Tara, a gold medal-winning Paralympian who is now a disability rights campaigner More than 80 per cent of those who took part in McCain's survey said they could not recall seen anything that had featured a family like theirs The advertisement, which was created by agency adam&eveDDB - famous for creating the tearjerking John Lewis Christmas ads - features eight couples from diverse backgrounds. McCains said its advertising strategy was developed from research showing half of the British public do not believe popular culture on television reflects the modern reality of families. More than 80 per cent of those who took part in McCain's survey said they could not recall seen anything that had featured a family like theirs. A man raped, tortured and murdered a 13-month-old baby girl he snatched from her parent's hotel room before dumping her lifeless body in a water tank. The parents of the unnamed child woke to find their daughter missing from their hotel room in the city of Florencia in the southern Colombian department of Caqueta. They launched a desperate search for the baby and her tiny body was found shoved inside one of the hotel's water tanks. The parents of a 13-month-old child woke to find her missing from their room in the El Bostezo hotel in the city of Florencia, Colombia. Her tiny body was found inside a water tank. Pictured: the child's grandmother, Nelly Tique, addresses local press A man has been arrested by local police who refused to release his identity. Police believe she was kidnapped, raped and killed by another guest staying at the El Bostezo hotel. Hotel owner Jose Hernandez admitted the security guard in charge of the area had fallen asleep on duty. Nelly Tique, the baby's grandmother, is demanding justice for the family. Police have sent the baby's body for an autopsy and Javier Navarro, head of police in Caqueta, said an arrest had been made but the investigation was still ongoing. Officers needed more time to investigate and collect evidence, he said. The baby was snatched from the city's El Bostezo hotel, pictured, which has now been cordoned off as a crime scene The child's lifeless body was found in one of the hotel's water tanks Javier Navarro, the head of police, spoke to the local press about the incident, saying that a suspect had been arrested but that he would not reveal their identity Police are withholding the name of the suspect, as well as that of the little girl and her parents - who are now receiving counselling. Psychologist Karen Abudinen said: 'It is a harrowing situation that the young mother is going through, that is why we are not going to leave her for a single moment while she tries to come to terms with it.' The girl's family were stopping at the hotel on their way from the neighbouring department of Huila to the city of San Vicente del Caugan in Caqueta. The haunting voice of Soham killer Ian Huntley was heard for the first time in 10 years after his leaked confession tapes were played on Good Morning Britain. In the recordings, the warped former school caretaker apologised for murdering ten-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, back in 2002. His voice cracked with emotion in the tape recorded behind bars. Huntley is heard saying: 'What I will say is that I am so terribly, terribly sorry for what I have done. 'I know the people of Soham took me into their community, they trusted me, gave me a job and a home, and I betrayed them in the worst possible way.' But viewers were furious with GMB for broadcasting the killer's voice. Minutes after the clips were aired, they took to Twitter to share their disgust. The haunting voice of Soham killer Ian Huntley was heard for the first time in 10 years after his leaked confession tapes were played on Good Morning Britain One fumed: 'Really poor taste.' While another questioned: 'Why are GMB even giving Ian Huntley air time!?' A third raged: 'GMB who cares what Ian Huntley thinks and feels? What about those poor girls lives he took away, also the families life! Keep him out of the lime light!' Another wrote: Listen there are certain things you can say sorry for... but not murder. Ian Huntley is a beast.' One viewer tweeted: 'Listening to the recording of Ian Huntley and his apology. I don't believe it, it sounds rehearsed and extremely fake. 'No mate, if those girls were my daughters, I'd want blood. #GMB' The recordings, leaked in full to the Sun, hear Huntley apologise to his victims' families and his own loved ones. He said: 'And I am sorry for what I have done, sorry for the pain I have caused to the families and friends of Holly and Jessica, for the pain I have caused my family and friends, and for the pain I have caused the community of Soham. 'I am genuinely, genuinely sorry and it breaks my heart when it is reported I have no remorse, that I relish something. I do not.' He added: 'I can't change anything. I cannot remove that day from history, what I have done. I know those girls would be 26 this year with families of their own, jobs and lives. I thought about them when they were turning 21 and when they were turning 18. I know no matter what I say that people are not going to think any better of me but I would much rather people have the truth about how I feel. I have nothing to gain by saying these things. 'I know I am never getting out. I have accepted that from day one.' Huntley said he does not want to be freed from prison and had allegedly heard about the plan to release taxi rapist John Worboys. He insisted he will not apply for parole out of 'consideration' for his victims' families. 'I accepted a long time ago my life was in jail,' he said. 'I don't really think about getting out, it is a non-starter. I hear about other prisoners coming up for parole. That makes you think a bit. 'I will never apply for it. I want it made quite clear that I never ever, despite legal advice, thought about appealing against [my] sentence. 'Because I did not want to cause the families any more pain, I did not want to prolong things. 'I will never ever apply to leave prison. Never ever apply for parole. I will die in prison. I accept that.' He added: 'I don't believe I should be free. Not because I believe I am a danger but because two young girls are dead and I do not deserve to be released.' Best friends Holly Wells (left) and Jessica Chapman (right) were murdered by Ian Huntley in 2003 in Soham, Cambridgeshire Huntley murdered the two girls at his home in Soham, Cambridgeshire. They had been at a family barbecue in August 2002, when they left to walk to a nearby sweet shop. Their bodies were found nearly a fortnight later, around 14 miles away in a ditch near Lakenheath, Suffolk. Holly and Jessica's families were subjected to a full court hearing in 2003 because Huntley refused to plead guilty. He was later sentenced to two life terms, with a minimum 40-year tariff at the maximum security Frankland prison in Durham. He has now reportedly admitted on the recordings to killing Jessica to prevent her from raising the alarm, after Holly died in his bath in what he claims was an accident. Huntley said: 'I maintain that the first one was a genuine accident. OK, the second one I panicked whilst I said in court I just acted instinctively, I knew I had to stop her leaving the house.' Huntley can be heard on the recording stating that he wanted to confess to the manslaughter of Holly and to the murder of Jessica. 'That was never going to happen as I wanted to be able to say what happened in court,' he said. 'It was something I thought very long and hard about because I did not want families through that trial.' In a TV interview following the disappearance of Holly and Jessica, Huntley said that he was likely to be the last person to have seem them that day after they were reported missing. Despite knowing that he had killed them, he also said he hoped the girls were still alive. The murderer even gave his condolences to Holly's father Kevin. However, 16 years after the murders, Huntley claims he was set up. He said: 'Obviously prior to my arrest, OK, I feel like I was betrayed by the Press because I was pestered because I lived on-site and I did not give an interview for a while and I did not want to either Obviously they found out I had said to the police that I was one of the last people to see the girls. 'But when the Press found that out, they started hounding me and I refused to give an interview I never wanted to court the Press or to give any interviews. I made the decision to give the interview to stop the pestering.' Huntley whined in the tape about food in prison and said he spends his time playing chess and painting. 'Prison is a very strange thing,' he said. 'You develop acquaintances more than friends The prison food is shocking. We send out for meals like fish and chips every weekend. 'I am a painter, I play chess, I play scrabble, do crosswords. I used to be a good chess player but I keep getting all these headaches. 'Everybody knows I have had suicide attempts and I have been in a coma. I have had a lot of health problems since and they have deteriorated over the years to the point now where I am really struggling. Nobody can seem to figure out what is wrong with me. 'Every time they put me on medication, my body reacts very badly to it. They keep saying it is down to stress.' The murderer then spoke about things he misses while in prison, such as 'cuddling a girlfriend' and alcohol, adding: 'Prison is difficult, and the reason it is difficult, I mean they take away your independence and, believe me, people don't realise what that is until you lose it.' Huntley said he spends his days reflecting on his offences. 'I think about why I am in almost every day,' he said. 'When you don't read papers or see documentaries you lose contact with the reality of the situation because it is like a totally separate world out there to what I have in here.' The killer said he was 'answerable to the family and friends of Holly and Jessica, to the community of Soham and to my family and friends', but added: 'I understand and accept what I did did affect the country as a whole and I am sorry for the way I made the country feel and for how it has affected people.' Accomplice Maxine 'is a liar but deserves every happiness,' says Huntley By Fiona Parker Huntley has spoken of how he wishes Maxine Carr 'every happiness', despite believing that she betrayed him during his murder trial. In the prison tapes, Huntley denies still being in love with her. But he says that he wishes her 'all the best' and hopes that she 'has been able to move on'. Maxine Carr was cleared of two charges of aiding an offender but served 21 months in jail for perverting the course of justice His former lover was jailed for giving Huntley a false alibi. Then a 25-year-old teaching assistant, Carr claimed she had been at home with Huntley on the night Holly and Jessica disappeared prompting police to eliminate him as a suspect. In the tapes, Huntley is heard saying: 'I wish her all the very best. I hope she is happy in what she is doing. I just hope she has found happiness. I hope she has been able to move on from all this.' Carr was cleared of two charges of aiding an offender but served 21 months in jail for perverting the course of justice. She was released in May 2004 then granted a lifelong anonymity order and a new identity. Carr was not exposed until a teenage rugby player she was having an affair with came forward to reveal she had been with him on the night in question in her hometown of Grimsby. By the time police arrested Carr and Huntley on August 17, 2002, she had cleaned his cottage where the girls died. A few hours later, the bodies of Holly and Jessica were found. Because of Carr's lies they lay undiscovered in a ditch for 13 days. Carr turned on Huntley during his murder trial, describing him as 'that thing in the box' as he sat in the dock at the Old Bailey. Huntley has previously claimed that it was Carr who orchestrated the cover-up. He said she told him to move the girls' bodies from his car boot to remote woodland near Lakenheath, Suffolk. In the tapes Huntley says: 'In court she told some lies in order to distance herself from me and I understand that. I was a little bit shocked at how far she actually did go.' Carr, now 40, had a child in 2014 and went on to marry that year at a luxury hotel. Second prison bid to kill Ian Huntley: Soham murderer was attacked last year in his cell by fellow inmate who tried to slit his throat, he reveals in new jail recordings A fellow prisoner tried to slit Ian Huntleys throat in a brawl, he claims eight years after a similar attack on him behind bars By Jacob Furedi A fellow prisoner tried to slit Ian Huntleys throat in a brawl, he claims eight years after a similar attack on him behind bars. The Soham murderer said that the violent offender attempted to stab him with a homemade knife at HMP Frankland in County Durham last May. In March 2010 a jailed armed robber also used a makeshift knife to cut Huntleys throat, leaving him requiring 21 stitches. In a recording of a telephone conversation from prison, Huntley, 44, claimed he was attacked last year by a prisoner he had beaten up. There was an attempt on my life, he claimed. It was a prisoner who tried to kill me. He came into my cell armed with a weapon and tried to cut my throat. I managed to kick him in the chest and then to the stomach. I took the weapon off him and he was on the floor. At that point, one of my friends turned up and I said: He has got a weapon just as this man was getting back to his feet. The man then looked at him then looked back at me and then my friend grabbed him from behind. Shortly afterward staff arrived. The attacker, who apparently used a razor blade attached to a toothbrush, is said to be serving six years in the maximum security prison for grievous bodily harm. Huntley, who is in cell 33 on A-wing, added: He was a bad debtor, he had got himself into an awful lot of debt and wanted to get shipped out the prison. It did not work. He is still in the prison. Basically he got beat up by me which has caused him a lot of embarrassment. Huntley claimed his attacker has now been moved to another wing. In the recording, which was leaked to the Sun, he said: By and large I get on with most of the people on this wing. You are always going to get people who wont talk to you because of why you are in prison. But we have all committed horrendous crimes and we all have victims and I think none of us are in a position to judge anyone else. Most are sensible to realise that. Despite the attack Huntley prefers HMP Frankland over his time in HMP Wakefield. He said: Frankland, in terms of location, is not ideal by any stretch of the imagination. I used to see my family every single week. I have not had a visit in over three years and that is very, very difficult. A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said last night: We cannot comment on individual cases. A 19-year-old woman who was brutally stabbed and left to die on a backcountry road has been praised for giving cops information about her killers with her final breaths. The woman was found dumped outside Livermore, near San Francisco, after leaving a 100-yard blood trail while crawling to the roadside. She had been stabbed multiple times, had bled so much it was impossible to tell her hair color and looked at first to have lost one of her arms. Scroll down for video She was found at around 2am on the rural Tesla Road by Richard Loadholt and three of his friends. Pictured: Emergency services at the scene The woman was found dumped outside Livermore, near San Francisco, after leaving a 100-yard blood trail while crawling to the roadside She had been stabbed multiple times, had bled so much it was impossible to tell her hair color and looked at first to have lost one of her arms, witnesses said. Pictured: A helicopter on the scene Loadholt said she behaved 'like a warrior', adding: 'You could tell it was so bad to where you just had to give her comfort Two suspects - a man and a woman aged 19 - have been arrested in Modesto in connection with the murder, which investigators are calling 'gruesome' and 'gory', KRON4 reports. But the man who found her said she 'fought like a soldier' before succumbing to her wounds, managing to give police crucial information about her killers. 'This victim really tried to survive, and she fought and she fought,' Sgt Ray Kelly, from Alameda County Sheriff's Office, added, according to Fox40. 'The last thing, we believe, that she was able to do was to point us in the direction of the people that killed her. 'And that's pretty remarkable.' He added that the killing was 'tragic'. She was found at around 2am on the rural Tesla Road by Richard Loadholt and three of his friends. Loadholt said she behaved 'like a warrior', adding: 'You could tell it was so bad to where you just had to give her comfort. 'Anything else was gonna be painful.' The identity of the suspects and the victim have not yet been revealed. The descriptions she gave cops, however, led to the arrests in Modesto. Pictured: A helicopter at the distressing scene Two suspects - a man and a woman aged 19 - have been arrested in Modesto in connection with the murder, which investigators are calling 'gruesome' and 'gory'. Pictured: Firefighters at the scene She was flown to Eden Hospital but died about two hours after being found. The descriptions she gave cops, however, led to the arrests in Modesto. The identity of the suspects and the victim have not yet been revealed. 'Her internal fortitude, to stay alive and to fight, is pretty remarkable,' Sgt Kelly told the San Francisco Chronicle. 'This young woman clung to life when she was left for dead and was able to live for another couple hours and get us that information. Ultimately that led us to these arrests.' He added: 'I've been around a long time, and I can only think of two to three times that I'm aware of in our agency that we've been able to get a dying declaration like that.' British tennis star Emma Raducanu today put her success at the US Open down to her 'tough' and 'very, very hard to please' parents, praising them for bringing her up to have mental strength. The 18-year-old said her father Ian (top left, together) and mother Renee Raducanu (top right, together as a young child) had been hugely influential in her sporting prowess and they were 'just so happy and proud of me' when she spoke to them on the phone after her win. They could not be in New York to see her extraordinary journey through to the tournament's final because of strict Covid-19 rules in the US which meant they would have needed a special exemption visa to travel. But Raducanu told ABC's Good Morning America today (centre): 'I think that from a young age I've always sort of been brought up to have mental strength. My parents, you know, they played a huge part of my upbringing. They were pretty tough on me when I was young but it kind of shaped the way and I think now it's helping on the biggest stages in the world and Arthur Ashe Stadium when you really need it and it was basically a full capacity - so it was very, very cool. ' Four Kiwi thugs are facing deportation from Australia for the horrific coward punch and brutal bashing of a defenceless young father after a case of mistaken identity. Melbourne man Kane Dulieu was celebrating his 24th birthday in November of 2016 with a group of mates when they were confronted by the men who wrongly believed they had damaged a car, the Herald Sun reported. Mr Dulieu was then viciously punched from behind by one of the men, before the rest of the group began violently kicking and punching him while he lay unconscious on the ground. Four Kiwi thugs are facing deportation from Australia for the horrific coward punch and brutal bashing of a defenceless young father Melbourne man Kane Dulieu was celebrating his birthday in November of 2016 with a group of mates when they were confronted by the men who wrongly believed they had damaged a car Mr Dulieu was then viciously punched from behind by one of the men, before the rest of the group began violently kicking and punching him while he lay unconscious on the ground Kane Dulieu, now aged 25, has a young child with his partner Footage of the heinous attack that occurred in the early hours of November 18 outside a bar in Melbourne's CBD shows Mr Dulieu walking along the footpath before a man delivers a brutal and unprovoked coward punch to the young father. He falls heavily to the ground, before the group of four thugs start punching and kicking his unconscious body. A friend attempts to run to the aid of the defenceless Mr Dulieu, but he too receives a strike that sends him to the ground. Mr Dulieu was rushed to Royal Melbourne Hospital with bruising to his brain and a broken jaw and cheekbone. Friends and family were worried Mr Dulieu, who was placed in a coma after the assault, would not awake or would sustain permanent brain damage as a result. Miraculously, he emerged from the coma days later in high spirits. Footage of the heinous attack shows Mr Dulieu walking along the footpath before a man delivers a brutal and unprovoked coward punch to the young father He falls heavily to the ground, before the group of four thugs start punching and kicking his lifeless body A friend attempts to run to the aid of the defenceless Mr Dulieu, but he too receives a strike that sends him to the ground The four men: Maele Maele, 28, his two 20-year-old nephews Apisai and Leti Maele, and friend Andrew Apineru, 26, are facing deportation back to their home nation of New Zealand following their release from jail for their respective and disgusting roles in the attack. Each pleaded guilty to three counts of intentionally causing injury and one count of recklessly causing injury. Mr Apineru, who delivered the coward punch to Mr Dulieu, was the victim of a similar attack in Auckland in 2013. The Melbourne County Court heard he suffered a brain injury as a result, and that played a part in his terrible decision making in attacking the Melbourne father. He was sentenced to three-and-a-half years behind bars, but will be eligible for parole in two years and three months. Maele Maele, who has a license to work as a security guard, was jailed for four-and-a-half years for instigating the fight. Judge Mark Dean said he should have known better, but instead 'inflamed' the situation. His two nephews were sentenced to two years and nine months behind bars. Maele Maele, who has a license to work as a security guard, was jailed for four-and-a-half years for instigating the fight Mr Dulieu told the Herald Sun he felt 'lucky' to be alive. 'This could have ended so differently and my son would have had to grow up without a dad,' he said Judge Dean described their attack as 'savage and cowardly' and 'without any justification whatsoever'. 'The punches and kicks delivered by the accused are of significant intensity,' he said. 'Violence of this nature has no place whatsoever in our society.' Mr Dulieu told the Herald Sun he felt 'lucky' to be alive. 'This could have ended so differently and my son would have had to grow up without a dad,' he said. 'That's what makes me angry.' Iran has unveiled a ballistic missile reportedly capable of carrying nuclear warheads and with a sufficient range to reach Israel or U.S. military bases in the Gulf. The Qadr H missile was put on display during military parades held in the capital Tehran this weekend to celebrate the 39th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The unveiling of the Qadr H and several other short-range missiles on Sunday was seen as a show of defiance of Western pressure on Iran to curb its ballistic missile programme. Fire power: A surface-to-surface missile is displayed by Iranian Revolutionary Guard during a rally marking the 39th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday The Qadr H 'can be launched from mobile platforms or silos in different positions and can escape missile defense shields due to their radar-evading capability,' FARS News Agency reports. Experts speaking to U.S. website Free Beacon said the Qadr H is nuclear-capable and 'appears to share similarities with North Korean technology'. Iran has previously maintained that all of its missiles are designed to carry conventional warheads only and has limited their range to a maximum of 2,000 kilometres, although commanders say they have the technology to go further. That makes them only medium-range but still sufficient to reach Israel or US bases in the Gulf. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani gestures as members of Iranian armed forces take part in a rally marking the anniversary of Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution, in Tehran on Sunday Protest: An Iranian girl holds a placard reading 'down with U.S.A. and 'down with Israel' during a ceremony marking the 39th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution in Tehran Flag burning: Iranians burn Israeli and British flags in the Azadi (Freedom) square during the celebrations in Tehran on Sunday Iran, which fought a brutal war with neighbouring Iraq in the 1980s, sees missiles as a legitimate and vital part of its defence - particularly as regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Israel import huge amounts of military hardware from the West. The military display took place on Sunday, the day after after Israel intercepted an Iranian drone launched from Syria, a claim denied by Tehran. That prompted Israel jets to strike a region in Syria that Iranian forces are known to occupy, with one being shot down as it returned to Israel. Both pilots escaped, but one was badly injured. It marked the first time an Israeli jet has been lost in combat since 1982. Following the loss of the jet, Israel said it carried out strikes that destroyed 12 military sites, including four allegedly occupied by Iranian forces. On Sunday, Israel issued stark warnings over Iran's presence in neighbouring Syria, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying Israel 'will continue to harm anyone who tries to harm us.' Police were called to reports that a man had jumped from a second storey flat window in Ancoats in Manchester A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman's body was found inside a flat on a busy city centre street. Police were called to reports that a man had jumped from a second storey flat window in the Ancoats area of Manchester. A short time later they received further reports that a number of people nearby had been assaulted. Officers then gained entry to a flat and found the body of a woman inside. A 37-year-old man was arrested nearby on suspicion of murder and he remains in custody for questioning. Police were initially called to the scene after a man covered in blood jumped 40ft from a window on to a car and allegedly attacked the family inside it before running down the road assaulting pedestrians. Superintendent Chris Hill, of GMP's City of Manchester team, said: 'This was clearly a very traumatic incident that will have shocked people in the area but I want people to know we have a team of detectives working to establish the exact circumstances of what has happened. 'We have not yet been able to inform the family of the woman of her death but are working tirelessly so we can offer them specialist support at this upsetting time. 'Although we received reports that a number of people were assaulted, thankfully none of them were seriously injured.' A man covered in blood jumped from a window on to this car (pictured) and attacked the family inside it before running down the road in Manchester assaulting pedestrians Ben Sheridan (pictured) was travelling inside the car with his mother Lynn and dad, Peter, when they were attacked. The family had just parked up and were preparing to go to work when they felt a huge bang on the roof and realised a man had fallen from the window above Police were called to reports of a man behaving 'erratically' on a street in Manchester City Centre at 7.40am this morning and arrested a suspect. Bloodstains remain visible on the windows of an apartment block at the scene. Ben Sheridan, 28, was travelling inside the car with his mother Lynn and dad, Peter, when they were allegedly attacked by the man, who plunged 40ft from a second-floor apartment. The family from Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, had just parked up and were preparing to go to work when they felt a huge bang on the roof and realised a man had fallen from the window above. They initially jumped out to help him but they say the man started to attack them. Ben, 28, a web developer, said: 'A guy jumped out of the window onto our car, tried to steal it and then he's run off. He attacked a few other people and then smashed a few other cars up as well. 'Our car crumpled and we just tried to help him to see if he was all right. Bloodstains remain visible on the windows of an apartment block at the scene 'I tried to call the police and was a bit panicky and then he just tried to jump in the car from the passenger side as we were getting ready to leave. 'He hit my mum a couple of times. She is being checked by paramedics but is fine. 'He was off his head on something, covered in blood and those windows are as well. He kept shouting a name like Tim but I was fumbling trying to call the police.' His father added: 'It's the first time I've ever had to fight. My wife has a huge lump on her face. We are all very shaken up.' The suspect is then said to have run down the street, reportedly assaulting other people before eventually being 'pinned to the ground by officers covered in blood' Mr Sheridan said the man then ran down the street, smashing the window of another car with his hands and 'assaulting people'. Witnesses said the man jumped from a window on to a car before attacking the family who were in it and on their way to work. The suspect is then said to have run down the street, reportedly assaulting other people before eventually being 'pinned to the ground by officers covered in blood'. When police arrived, they found a number of people had been assaulted. Officers are currently interviewing witnesses in the Burton Arms, opposite the scene. There is a police cordon in place and part of the street in Ancoats - the road down which the man is understood to have run after falling on the car roof - is closed. The badly damaged black Hyundai is still at the scene and a white car seen further down the street is also understood to have been damaged. Images shared on social media show blood on apartment windows while witnesses said five police vans and two ambulances were at the scene. The badly damaged black Hyundai is still at the scene and this white car seen further down the street was also damaged A jacket and a fire extinguisher are next to the car under the window from which the man jumped A spokeswoman for North West Ambulance Service said it was called to the scene and one person has been taken to Salford Royal Hospital. There are no details of any injuries at this stage. Marie Cusack, 56, landlady of Burton Arms in Manchester's Northern Quarter, said: 'Things like this happen in Emmerdale Farm but you don't expect it here. 'Many different people stay in those apartments. In the week workers from the building site stay there and then at the weekends you get hen and stag dos.' A North West Ambulance Service spokesman said: We have attended and taken a patient to Salford Royal.' The victim, thought to be in her 20s, and the murder suspect are believed to know each other. Police retained a cordon around the scene this evening as a murder investigation was launched. Advertisement A former windmill which has been converted into a luxury home has gone on the market for an eye-watering 750,000. Swingate Mill is a rare example of a tarred brick tower mill in Guston, near Dover in Kent, and includes a successful holiday cottage on the site. Every room in the quirky home is circular or curved and has stunning views of the surrounding countryside and as far as the sea. The current owners have refurbished the property to make it modern and cosy but now have to relocate and are selling their unique home with estate agents Fine & Country. The former windmill (pictured) has been transformed into a spectacular and unique home which has now gone on the market for 750,000 This is one of the tree curved bedrooms inside the home which has received a remarkable makeover after the current owners purchased it The property has a curved front room and it has retained some of its period features including wooden beams and a fireplace The well-presented main bathroom has a freestanding bath and like every room in the unique home, it has a curved wall The property offers stunning views of the surrounding Kent countryside and as far as the sea and there are a number of horses living in neighbouring fields Swingate Mill, which is a Grade II listed building, was built for miller John Mummery in 1849 and was worked by the family until 1936 and entirely wind powered. An electric motor was later added and in 1943 the sails were damaged by a Luftwaffe attack in the Second World War. There was an RAF station at Swingate and many residents in Guston fled to the Welsh and English countryside due to the constant bombing from across the Channel. Swingate Mill ceased to function after that and the site was used for stabling horses. A new pair of sails were fitted in 1947, but the mill was tail-winded - when the wind blows towards the rear side of the sails and reverses the rotation - in 1959 and lost its cap and sails. It became derelict until it got planning permission to be converted into a home in the 1980s. Owners Horst and Lyn Pint bought the windmill four years ago and have worked tirelessly to bring the unusual home up-to-date. The windmill has most of the accommodation on the ground floor with a circular sitting room surrounded by a curved kitchen, three bedrooms and two bathrooms, above that on the first floor the Pints use the room as a snug lounge, a study on the second floor and a gym on the third, with storage in the cap of the former mill. There is also a holiday cottage with an open plan kitchen/dining/living area and a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor. The curved kitchen is brand new and is large enough to host people who come and visit the unique home which has gone on the market The property also includes a pleasant holiday cottage on the site which comes with n open plan kitchen/dining/living area The living area inside the holiday cottage is large enough for people to relax and has room for two sofas and a television Owners Mrs Pint said: 'We liked the history to it but we also just loved the exposed bricks and wooden floors and nice high ceilings' The windmill has most of the accommodation on the ground floor with a circular sitting room surrounded by a curved kitchen, three bedrooms and two bathrooms Mrs Pint, 55, said: 'We were looking for a cottage initially and then we found this windmill. We fell in love with it the moment we saw it. 'We liked the history to it but we also just loved the exposed bricks and wooden floors and nice high ceilings. 'We bought it four years ago and have refurbished the mill completely as we thought we would be living here for a long time but sadly my husband's job means we have to move to another part of the country. 'We put in underfloor heating and new kitchen and bathrooms and we restored the outside to the natural black colour. 'The location is stunning, we are just surrounded by fields and paddocks. We never get tired of looking at the view and particularly enjoy the peace and quiet. 'You can see the sea from the second floor, which we use as a study. It has a replacement cap on the top, which you can climb into. There's no views from there because there's no windows, we use it for storage. 'There is also a cottage on the site which we refurbished and started letting as a holiday cottage last year, that's been very successful. 'It's very close to Dover docks so perfect for trips to the continent, and we've got the white cliffs so there's lots of lovely walks and cycle routes. 'It's a really good location because you feel like you're in the country but it's quite easy to get places as well.' Have you ever worried your belongings might be stolen when you go through security checks? This passenger in China certainly did. A woman insisted that she climb into an X-ray machine with her handbag at a train station because she feared it might be stolen otherwise. Security staff were shocked to see the silhouette of a woman as they monitored the X-ray screens. An X-ray image shows the woman in China kneeling on the conveyor belt, still in her high heels Reports said the woman feared her handbag might be stolen if she didn't see to it personally The bizarre incident occurred on February 11 at a train station in Dongguan, southern China's Guangdong Province, according to Pear Video. Extraordinary images show the female passenger, still wearing her high-heeled shoes, kneeling down on the conveyor belt behind her belongings as they went through the check. Pear Video's footage also shows the woman climbing down from the X-ray machine afterwards. The passenger (circled) climbs out of the machine after going through the X-ray check She checks her handbag after personally going through the X-ray machine to ensure its safety She then checked her handbag and a suitcase before leaving the checkpoint. The incident happened as millions of Chinese people pack their bags to go home for the upcoming Lunar New Year, which falls on February 16. The Lunar New Year travel rush, dubbed the largest annual human migration, began on February 1 across China. Around the nation, some 390 million people are expected to travel by train in a 40-day period. A total of 2.98 billion trips would be made by the 1.4 billion Chinese citizens by train, bus and air during the epic holiday season, according to China Central Television Station. Damascus has warned that Israel can expect 'further surprises' if it launches more attacks Syrian soil after one of its jets was shot down on Saturday. Assistant foreign minister Ayman Sussan warned that his country is more than capable of 'confronting attacks' despite being wracked by civil war. Sussan spoke after Syrian anti-aircraft fire downed an Israeli F16 as it returned from a bombing raid on Iran-backed positions in Syria early on Saturday. Damascus has warned of 'further surprises' for Israel if it launches attacks on Syrian soil after an F16 jet was shot down while returning from a bombing run on Saturday He said: 'Have full confidence the aggressor will be greatly surprised because it thought this war - this war of attrition Syria has been exposed to for years - had made it incapable of confronting attacks. 'God willing they will see more surprises whenever they try to attack Syria.' Israel accused Iranian forces in Syria - which are backing the government of Bashar al-Assad - of flying a drone into their territory early on Saturday. As a result they launched airstrikes against Iranian positions deep inside Syria, which resulted in one of their jets being shot down as it returned to Israel. In retaliation, Israel lauched more strikes in Syria, saying it destroyed 12 targets including four Iranian bases. On Sunday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the success of the strikes, but made no mention of future operations. Israel launched a series of bombing runs in Syria after its jet was shot down, saying it had destroyed 12 targets, including four Iranian bases The Syrian government spoke out after Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had struck a 'hard blow' to Iranian and Syrian targets 'We inflicted on Saturday a heavy blow to Iranian and Syrian forces,' he said. 'We made clear to everyone that our rules of engagement will not change in any way. 'We will continue to harm anyone who tries to harm us. This was our policy and this will remain our policy.' Irans involvement in Syria, including the deployment of Iran-backed forces near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, has alarmed Israel, which has said it would counter any threat and has mounted regular attacks into Syria. Israel also has accused Iran of planning to build precision-guided missile factories in Lebanon, which is home to the powerful Hezbollah movement, one of the groups fighting in support of Assad in Syria. A senior congressman has said Britain will be able to strike a trade deal with the US 'as quickly as possible' after we quit the EU. George Holding, a Republican and chairman of the British-American parliamentary group, said America is ready to get 'around the table' and thrash out a deal. But he warned if the UK stays in the customs union or highly aligned to EU rules after Brexit would be a 'mistake' and endanger the prospect of a swift deal with the US. Mr Holding, who is married to a British woman and has a dog named after Winston Churchill, said: 'Trade agreements take a long time, but the politics are very good for it. 'Our big financial services stakeholders in the US are big stakeholders in the UK. 'I think as soon as you exit the EU we will be able to be at the table and have something concluded as quickly as possible as far as trade agreements go.' George Holding, a Republican and chairman of the British-American parliamentary group said America is ready to get 'around the table' and thrash out a deal (file pic) But he warned that hopes of a swift deal with America after Brexit would be imperiled if the UK continued to stay aligned to EU rules and regulations. What has the US said about the prospect of a post Brexit trade deal, and how has the tone changed since Trump was elected? Donald Trump (pictured in Washington yesterday) has dubbed himself 'Mr Brexit' and talked up the prospects of a US UK trade deal after arriving in the White House Barack Obama, April 22 2016 At the height of the EU referendum campaign the then US President warned the UK would be 'at the back of the queue' for a trade deal if we quit the EU. His remarks sparked huge controversy and critics accused Mr Obama of trying to interfere in domestic British politics. Donald Trump, August 18 2016 The entrepreneur turned Republican Presidential candidate truck a very different tone from Barack Obama by dubbing himself 'Mr Brexit'. His friendship with Nigel Farage encouraged Donald Trump to embrace the UK's looming departure and talk up the prospects of a trade deal. Paul Ryan, April 19 2017 The powerful Republican speaker of the House of Representatives said the US stands ready to do a trade deal with the UK as soon as possible after Brexit. Paul Ryan made the comment while on a trip to meet with Cabinet ministers in the UK. Donald Trump, 25 July 2017: The US President promised a 'very big and exciting' trade deal with the UK after Brexit, in a post on Twitter. Advertisement He told Politico: 'I think that would be a mistake. 'If the United Kingdom went with an EU standard whether it is the tech industry, financial services and did so in a way that makes it more difficult to do something with the United States. 'I think that is a missed opportunity for the United States and the United Kingdom.' Mr Holding said America is 'concerned' at the push among some Remainers to keep the UK in the EU customs union - saying this could stop a trade deal being done with America. He said: 'I think I understand it as well as anyone can. I don't get too flustered about it. I think you will do the right thing. '[But] we watch with concern anything in the customs union, or any agreement that the U.K. would have with the EU which would preclude a closer relationship in services, or ultimately goods, with the United States.' He added: 'You compare the EU27 market and potential and the U.S. market and potential I think there is more potential in the United States.' He said that Cabinet ministers including International Trade Secretary Liam Fox and Chancellor Philip Hammond have been visiting America to drum up interest in a trade deal. Mr Holding said: 'Liam Fox has been here a number of times over the past year. Boris Johnson has been here a number of times, I've been with Philip Hammond here. 'I would describe the people engaged in trade here as looking forward to [a deal], particularly in the area of financial services.' The comments come as Mr Hammond visits Sweden and Norway today as part of a Brexit charm offensive. He is meeting with politicians and business leaders to drum up support for the UK in the negotiations and for a future trade deal. While over the next two weeks a string of cabinet ministers will lay out their hopes for Britain's future in a series of 'road map to Brexit' speeches. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson - a leading Brexiteer - is kicking off the series with a speech tomorrow, on valentine's Day - which will spell out how he hopes the country can unite behind the potential of a post Brexit Britain. A firefighter is fighting to stop his wife from being deported to Bolivia after it was revealed that she has been living in Britain for 15 years on a visitor's visa. Colin Jones, 44, says his wife Elizabeth Madrid could be ordered to leave the country 'at any time' after arriving in 2003 as part of her studies. More than a decade later the couple met at the fire station where she worked as a cleaner in Holloway, north London and married in 2015. She applied for a new visa that year but the Home Office has now informed her that the application has been rejected and she must leave the UK within 28 days. Colin Jones (pictured left), 44, and his wife Elizabeth Madrid are shown on their wedding day in 2015 (right) Mr Jones said that officials had told his wife that it was 'not in the interest of the UK' for her to stay, despite her paying tax and national insurance during her stay. His wife must now sign a register at Becket House immigration centre in Lambeth each week until she leaves. Mr Jones told the Islington Gazette: 'They told us if we wanted to be together we had to go to Bolivia. 'I'm dumbfounded by it all. 'Immigration centres are a real eye-opener. They talk to you like you are nothing. Elizabeth is just waiting to be deported basically. It's so stressful. Mr Jones said that officials had told his wife that it was 'not in the interest of the UK' for her to stay, despite her paying tax and national insurance during her stay 'It's ironic; The firefighters are all being given the freedom of the borough of Islington, but my wife hasn't got the freedom to be in this country.' The family has launched a petition in a bid to stop Mr Jone's wife from being deported, with more than 6,500 already adding their name to the cause. Commenting on the petition, fellow firefigher Gareth Cook wrote: 'Colin and his wife are decent people. 'Colin has served his community and the people of London for nearly three decades. Colin and his wife deserve happiness without concern.' 'Colin has given the best part of his life to helping others In need. Firefighters find it extremely hard to ask for help, please recognise the significance of this.' A Home Office spokesman told MailOnline: 'There were no exceptional reasons for her to remain in the UK because her relationship could continue overseas. 'We expect people with no legal basis to remain in the UK to leave the country voluntarily.' A Republican congressional candidate has been banned from Twitter after he posted a racist picture targeting Meghan Markle. Paul Nehlen superimposed a picture of Cheddar Man, the name given to the recreation of the face of an early Briton, onto that of the Royal bride-to-be with the caption: 'Honey, does this tie make my face look pale?' The Cheddar Man reconstruction was made after new DNA analysis of the oldest complete skeleton found in Britain suggests he had dark skin and dark, curly hair. Nehlen superimposed a picture of Cheddar Man onto the face on Meghan Markle (pictured on Tuesday during a walkabout at Edinburgh Castle with fiance Prince Harry) Nehlan has been described as a 'defiant mouthpiece for the racist alt-right' and is challenging House Speaker Paul Ryan in Wisconsin Nehlan, who has described himself as 'pro-white', claimed the research on Cheddar Man is aimed at 'disappearing whites or dispossessing whites of their homelands'. The businessman's tweet sparked an online backlash, with Meghan's Suits co-star Patrick J. Adams calling him 'a sad and sick man with no sense of shame or class'. 'Get a life. And don't go anywhere near MM she's got more power, strength, honour and compassion in her fingernail than you'll ever know in this lifetime. Way above your weight class.' Nehlen is running to replace House Speaker Paul Ryan in November's Republican Primary for Wisconsin's 1st congressional district elections. The GOP candidate has questioned whether the Cheddar Man (pictured) recreation is a way of 'disappearing whites' 'Sad and sick man': Markle's Suits co-star Patrick J Adams hit out at Nehlen, saying that Prince Harry fiancee has 'more power, strength, honor and compassion in her fingernail than you'll ever know in this lifetime' Happy days: Adams then celebrated the notification that Nehlen's Twitter account had been suspended from the social media site The Southern Poverty Law Center said: 'In recent months, though, Nehlen has become a defiant mouthpiece for the racist 'alt-right,' whose members see in the Wisconsin businessman a chance to further a foothold in culture and politics.' A Twitter spokesperson told Newsweek that 'while we normally do not comment on individual accounts, I can confirm that we have permanently suspended this account for repeated violations of our terms of service.' His tweet came after the London Natural History Museum's Professor Ian Barnes and Dr Selina Brace took hair and skin DNA profiles from the skeleton, which was found at Gough's Cave in Somerset's Cheddar Gorge in 1903. Cheddar Man's head was reconstructed by model makers Adrie and Alfons Kennis using the 3D printer made for the International Space Station. A jealous woman who left her partner needing surgery to his private parts after catching him semi-naked on the phone to his lover has avoided a jail sentence. Rachael Biscoe, 44, from Poundbury, Dorset, grabbed fiance Trevor Camp between the legs and sliced open his scrotum with her diamond engagement ring, causing heavy bleeding. She had flown into a rage after returning home to find Mr Camp in bed and speaking to a Chinese woman he was romantically involved with. Rachael Biscoe, 44, from Poundbury, Dorset, grabbed fiance Trevor Camp between the legs and sliced open his scrotum with her diamond engagement ring, causing heavy bleeding. Pictured is a file photo of the Poundbury estate Biscoe accused Mr Camp of cheating on her and the pair grappled over the phone before the fight spilled over into the kitchen. Mr Camp was naked from the waist down and during the scuffle felt pain to his groin area and noticed he was bleeding. Mr Camp's female friend, who remained on the phone throughout, later told police he had shouted out to her 'she's got a knife and she sliced me.' However no weapon was ever found at their flat in Poundbury - Prince Charles' designer village on the edge of Dorchester. Mr Camp admitted being drunk at time and said he did not know what caused the eye-watering injury to his own crown jewels. Biscoe left him writhing in agony while she went out to walk the couple's dog. The victim called for an ambulance at 2.20pm on December 8 and was taken to hospital. He needed surgery to the wound but later had to be readmitted to hospital after getting an infection to the area. Elizabeth Valera, prosecuting, told magistrates the couple had been in a relationship for six years but things went downhill when Biscoe found out he had an affair. Mr Camp was naked from the waist down and during the scuffle felt pain to his groin area and noticed he was bleeding. Pictured: An aerial photo of Poundbury In a statement Mr Camp said: 'She found it hard to trust me and was suspicious of my movements. 'Although we've had a volatile relationship, I really did not expect her to be so vicious.' He added that at the time he was exposed as he had no pants on but did not know how he came to be wounded. Ms Valera told magistrates the injuries had been caused by Biscoe's diamond engagement ring when she grabbed him. The pair are now no longer together and Mr Camp, who is also a transvestite, has since moved to China to live with the woman on the phone. Aileen Tring, defending, said shortly after they started their relationship Mr Camp revealed to Biscoe that he was also a cross-dresser, which she accepted. But he had failed to tell her he also had a drink problem. Miss Tring said: 'She felt she wasn't able to leave and when he was sober he was a good person.' Biscoe, who now lives in Ilminster, pleaded guilty to a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm. She was handed a four month prison sentence suspended for 12 months by magistrates in Weymouth. She was also given a concurrent two month suspended sentence for breaching a conditional discharge from a previous assault conviction. Biscoe, who wept throughout the hearing, was also ordered to undertake 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, 160 hours of unpaid work and pay 300 compensation to the victim. A police dashcam captured this terrifying footage of a vehicle doing 75mph in a 30mph zone on the wrong side of the road before crashing into a driveway. In the clip, Callum Molloy, from Castle Gresley, Swadlincote, in Derbyshire, flouts road laws as he ignores lane markings and wildly swerves across the road in his Ford Fiesta. Even as two of his tyres blow out he tries to keep going, before crashing spectacularly into a driveway as the police car collides with him. In the terrifying clip, captured on a police dashcam, a Ford Fiesta is seen swerving wildly and driving on the wrong side of the road The car, which was travelling at 75mph in a 30mph zone, narrowly avoids colliding with an Audi on the opposite side of the road After the five-mile high-speed chase, Molloy still attempted to run out of his car to escape PC Owen Davies from the Avon and Somerset Constabulary. The officer began chasing him after spotting him driving at 96mph through roadworks on the M5 where an advisory limit of 40mph was in place at 12.25am on December 5, 2017. Callum Molloy, from Swadlincote in Derbyshire, was given a 20-month suspended jail sentence and was disqualified from driving for two years at Taunton Crown Court During the pursuit, Molloy drove on the wrong side of the road, crossed double white lines, went through red lights on a crossroads at 70mph, mounted and drove across a pavement and reached speeds of 75mph in Taunton Road, where the limit is 30mph. At one point, an Audi travelling in the opposite direction was forced to take evasive action to avoid a collision as Molloy drove straight towards it. Molloy ended up crashing his car at Puriton Hill. The chase lasted around five minutes. The 24-year-old was given a 20-month suspended jail sentence and was disqualified from driving for two years after admitting charges of dangerous driving and driving with no insurance at Taunton Crown Court. PC Davies, from the Roads Policing Unit, said: 'Callum Molloy had no regard for other road users' safety that day and drove at extremely dangerous speeds during the pursuit. 'Towards the end of the incident he was continuing to drive despite the vehicle suffering two blown tyres. 'His actions could easily have had fatal consequences had he been in collision with another motorist or pedestrian.' PC Owen Davies from the Avon and Somerset Constabulary began chasing Molloy after spotting him driving at 96mph through roadworks on the M5 at 12.25am on December 5, 2017 After a five-mile chase two of the car's tyres blow out and the vehicle crashes into a drive way Western spies used lizards which can 'attract atomic waves' to spy on Iran's nuclear programme, the former chief-of-staff of the nation's armed forces has claimed. Hassan Firuzabadi, senior military advisor to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said he did not know the details of the cases, but that the West had often used tourists, scientists and environmentalists to spy on Iran. Firuzabadi was responding to questions from local media on the recent arrest of environmentalists. Hassan Firuzabadi (pictured), said Western spies used a special type of lizard which could 'attract atomic waves' 'Several years ago, some individuals came to Iran to collect aid for Palestine,' he said. 'We were suspicious of the route they chose. In their possessions were a variety of reptile desert species like lizards. 'We found out that their skin attracts atomic waves and that they were nuclear spies who wanted to find out where inside the Islamic republic of Iran we have uranium mines and where we are engaged in atomic activities,' he added. His comments come after news that a leading Iranian-Canadian environmentalist, Kavous Seyed Emami, died in prison after he was arrested along with other members of his wildlife NGO last month. The deputy head of the Environmental Protection Organisation, Kaveh Madani, was also reportedly detained temporarily over the weekend. Firuzabadi is senior military adviser to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (pictured) Firuzabadi said Western spy agencies have 'failed every time'. He also mentioned another espionage case which involved a couple from Germany. 'They got them on a fishing boat from Dubai and Kuwait and sent them to the Persian Gulf to identify our defence systems,' he said. 'But when we arrested them, they said they had come for fishing and were tourists.' In October 2008 Iranian security forces arrested two pigeons suspected of spying on its nuclear facilities. The birds were captured near the heavily-bunkered underground uranium enrichment plant in Natanz. An Iranian newspaper at the time quoted a source as saying one of the pigeons was 'caught bearing a blue-coated metal ring, with invisible strings'. The source gave no further description of the pigeons, what country they may have been spying for, nor what their fate might be. Denise Whitworth (pictured) claimed to have a bad back while she treated patients at a private clinic A psychologist who claimed sick pay from the NHS for a bad back while running a private 80-an-hour clinic has been struck off. Denise Whitworth, 51, moonlighted to 1,760 while receiving her full wage after telling bosses she was unable to work. She charged 80 per one-hour session and treated patients on 22 different occasions, the court heard. Whitworth, from Port Talbot, South Wales, was convicted of fraud but a disciplinary panel gave her an indefinite ban, saying she had failed to remedy her 'failings'. The hearing in Cardiff was told Whitworth had also not voluntarily removed herself from being able to practice despite indicating she had now 'retired'. The Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service panel ruled it was in the public interest to give a striking off order. Whitworth was sacked from her job with Cwm Taf University Health Board after being found guilty at Swansea Crown Court. The court heard she had cashed in 1,760 for undertaking private work at the same time as she was claiming full sick leave. Nuhu Gobir, prosecuting, said: 'While Mrs Whitworth was receiving her full wages she saw patients at a private clinic she ran in Cardiff for 80 per session. 'In total she received 1,760 after seeing patients of 22 occasions. In a nutshell the defendant was on sick pay while at the same time working privately.' Whitworth left work complaining about a back problem in October 2012 - the same day she had told a manager she was 'unhappy' with the distances she had to travel to meet patients. Four months later a tip off to the NHS counter fraud specialist alerted them to a private consultations she was holding in a rented private consulting office. Whitworth, 51, was sacked after being found guilty at Swansea Crown Court (pictured) Whitworth claimed she was forced to undertake the extra work despite her back condition because she was under 'severe financial strain'. But she was ordered to repay the NHS 1,690.54 in compensation and was handed a 12 month community order. Her conviction led to her being suspended from the Health and Care Professions Council Register for one year in February 2017, before her case was reviewed last week. Whitworth did not attend or choose someone to represent her at the hearing in Cardiff. A man is facing deportation after being snared by paedophile hunters while attempting to meet a 13-year-old girl for sex. Apu Raihan, who is originally from Bangladesh, believed he was talking explicitly to the teen online. However, the 29-year-old had been duped by a decoy from Guardians of the North, an undercover group who aim to expose adults looking for illegal contact with children. David Crook, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court how Raihan organised to meet the girl after talking to her for just over a day. Apu Raihan, who is originally from Bangladesh, believed he was talking explicitly to the teen online. He is pictured being confronted by Guardians of the North However, when he arrived to meet the youngster at Newcastle's Millennium Bridge he was confronted by members of Guardians of the North and the police. Mr Crook told the court: 'She repeatedly reminded him she was 13. 'There was discussion about sex and plans to meet. 'He was interviewed and he made no comment but pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.' Raihan, of Condercum Road, Newcastle, admitted attempting to meet a child after grooming. When he arrived to meet the fake youngster at Newcastle's Millennium Bridge he was confronted by members of Guardians of the North and the police Nick Cartmel, defending, said: 'He is not a practised paedophile. 'He will say this is the first foray he has ever had and it is one that takes place in entrapment. 'He's pleaded guilty and he's truly sorry. 'The Home Office will take action and he will no longer be a resident. 'He will be held in a detention centre.' The court heard how Raihan has no previous convictions. The judge, Recorder Benjamin Nolan QC, told Raihan: 'Apu Raihan you pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming. Recorder Nolan QC sentenced Raihan to 12 months prison suspended for 12 months, ordered that he must abide by a sexual prevention order for five years and sign the sex offenders register for 10 years 'This is only an attempt so the sentence I will impose of custodial length is one year or 12 months. 'You have no previous convictions. 'I am prepared to suspend that [sentence] of 12 months, not that that has any practical value to you. 'Your immigration status is in jeopardy and it is likely you will be deported back to Bangladesh.' Recorder Nolan QC sentenced Raihan to 12 months prison suspended for 12 months, ordered that he must abide by a sexual prevention order for five years and sign the sex offenders register for 10 years. A spokesman for Guardians of the North said: 'He wanted sex and wanted to bring condoms. 'He knew he had ruined his life, he was devastated. It is one less problem we have to deal with in this country. 'Suspended sentences just send the message that it's okay. What's the point being suspended? It is no deterrent what so ever.' A Brazilian man was caught trying to smuggle 2.2lbs of cocaine into Portugal, buy giving himself a very pert, fake bottom. The cocaine was packaged as two buttocks and hidden in the lining of a pair of swimming trunks. The man arrived at Lisbon International airport on a flight from the city of Belem do Para, in northern Brazil. Budgie smuggler: The cocaine was packaged as two fake buttocks and hidden in the lining of a pair of swimming trunks worn by a Brazilian man arrested at Lisbon International airport Lisbon police arrested the man and were later able to located a second suspect at a train station, believed to be the intended recipient. The two men have made their first appearance in court and are being held without bail. The pair, aged 32 and 40, are facing drugs trafficking charges, Lisbon police said. Big bust: The swimming trunks contained a total of 2.2lbs of cocaine This comes just a few weeks after Portuguese and Spanish police were able to bust a Colombian drug ring trying to smuggle cocaine in pineapples. A cocaine bust in Spain in November had led police to an import company shipping fruit from Panama to Portugal and to a search of ships at the port of Lisbon. The searches uncovered wax-covered cylinders hidden inside pineapples and containing more than 300kg (660 pounds) of cocaine in all. Also seized was 400,000 euros ($489,000) in cash. The Iberian Peninsula is a major entry point for cocaine and other drugs to Europe, either directly from Latin America or via North and West Africa A devoted husband in China has expressed his love and dedication to his wife of 50 years - even though she was in a coma and couldn't hear it. The 78-year-old man, known by his surname Feng, put a golden ring on his wife's finger as he celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in her hospital ward in Haining, Zhejiang Province. His 73-year-old wife, known by her surname Wang, has been under intensive care for three years; and to help her recover, Mr Feng comes to the hospital every day to hold her hand and talk to her, according to a local report. To have and to hold: Mr Feng looks at his wife lovingly during the ceremony in a hospital I give to you this ring: The man, in China, put a golden ring on his wife's hand helped by a nurse The touching ceremony had been planned as a surprise by the medical staff, who treated the elderly couple as their own family. Mr Feng said he was deeply moved by the staff's kindness, and his wife's heart rate increased on the day. During the heart-warming event on February 7, Mr Feng not only gave his wife a new ring, but also cut a wedding cake. Hospital staff took pictures for the couple as Mr Feng stood by his wife's bed looking at her lovingly. Ms Wang was knocked into a coma in July, 2014, after suffering from a stroke. Apparently, it had always been a dream for Mr Feng and Ms Wang to be able to have a set of 'romantic' wedding pictures taken, reported state-run Qianjiang Evening News. The couple got married in 1960s and didn't have the luxury to do so at the time. Although unconventional, their new 'wedding photos' were full of love. Mr Feng believed his wife was happy when a nurse took the pictures for them. 'I feel she could feel it because she had big reactions. Her opened her eyes bigger than usual as if she wanted to see the moment and remember it,' Mr Feng told Qianjiang Evening News. Heart-warming ceremony: Mr Feng has looked after his wife, who is in a coma, for three years Happy golden wedding anniversary: Hospital staff has bought a cake for the elderly couple Love and care: The head nurse bought the set of rings and wrote a touching note to the couple Head nurse Zhou Juping said she and her staff felt Mr Feng and Ms Wang had become their family after three years. Nurse Zhou said: 'Normally there is really not much we could do, but as long as there is an opportunity we would help them as best as we can.' The nurse recalled how Mr Feng would come to the ward just to hold his wife's hand. The elderly man also loved talking about household stuff with his wife, hoping a familiar voice could help her regain consciousness. Earlier this month, hospital staff overheard the man saying the couple were welcoming their golden wedding anniversary and he hoped to have some pictures taken with his wife. Doctors and nurses decided to help him realise his wish by organising a special ceremony. Mr Feng and Ms Wang's wedding ceremony falls on February 20 - the fourth day of the Lunar New Year. The staff decided to hold the ceremony two weeks earlier to make sure they could buy the cake and decorations from shops. We are family: After three years, the couple and the medical staff have formed a tight bond Head nurse Zhou even bought the couple a set of wedding rings with money out of her own pocket. Mr Feng burst into tear on the day: 'I thank them so much. I'm so touched.' Miraculously, Ms Wang's heart rate increased from around 70 to around 110 beats per minute during the ceremony, the report said. Head nurse Zhou told the reporter: 'We were strangers before, but Ms Wang's sickness has brought us together. She said it had been her pleasure to support and care for the elderly couple. A nun whose recovery from decades of spinal problems was declared a miracle insists that she is 'not a star' but just a 'little sister' glad to be able to walk freely again. Sister Bernadette Moriau, 79, visited the holy spring of Lourdes, southwest France, in 2008, seeking a cure to her chronic sciatica or pinched spinal nerve. Sister Bernadette's problem disappeared after her pilgrimage, an event which has now been recognised as the 70th miracle at France's fabled shrine of Lourdes. Blessed: Sister Bernadette Moriau, 79, visited the holy spring of Lourdes in July 2008, after which her chronic sciatica was 'cured' - an event which has been declared a divine miracle Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday, Sister Bernadette claimed she gave up morphine and her leg brace after visiting the shrine. 'I am here to bear witness, but I am not here to make you believe me.' Sister Bernadette, who was first diagnosed with her condition aged 27, had undergone four operations on her spinal column between 1968 and 1975 and was declared a full invalid in 1980. One foot was permanently twisted, requiring her to wear a brace and use a wheelchair. She took what she said were significant doses of morphine for pain. 'She experienced an unusual feeling of relaxation and heat in the whole of her body (and) heard a voice telling her to take off her equipment, the corset and the leg brace,' said a statement from her Catholic parish in Beauvais in the north of France. Sister Bernadette and bishop Jacques Benoit Gonnin leave after a press conference where she revealed how she had been able to give up morphine and her leg brace after visiting Lourdes Pained: Sister Bernadette had been diagnosed with acute sciatic nerve issues aged 27 The Massabielle cave, where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared, is pictured during a flooding in 2012 After further examinations by doctors and three meetings of church figures in Lourdes, the medical committee in the town confirmed that Moriau's recovery could not be explained scientifically, the statement said. 'Sister Bernadette Moriau now has a perfectly normal life,' the committee's president Alessandro de Franciscis told AFP. 'She is in very good health and herself visits the sick on a regular basis.' Lourdes is one of the most revered sites for the world's 1.2 billion Catholics because the town is said to be where the Virgin Mary appeared to a peasant girl in a grotto. The water from a spring in the Grotto of Massabielle is believed to have curative powers that attract pilgrims from around the world. A press conference will be held Tuesday in Beauvais featuring Sister Bernadette, De Franciscis and the bishop of the local diocese, Jacques Benoit-Gonnin. Counter terrorism police were today called into the Houses of Parliament after a 'suspicious package' containing white powder was delivered to an office in the ministerial corridor. Armed police closed off an area in the basement of the Palace of Westminster while specialist officers examined the substance. They later ruled that the substance was 'non harmful' and did not place Parliament in lockdown. According to one report the package was sent to Home Secretary Amber Rudd's office - but police refused to confirm this. Ms Rudd is currently abroad in the United States where she is holding talks with tech firms about safety on the internet. The security scare comes after Donald Trump Jr's wife Vanessa was rushed to hospital in New York on Monday after opening a letter with white powder inside. Armed police were seen at the entrance of parliament after a suspicious package containing white powder was sent to an MP Counter terror cops were called in to inspect the substance, which was later ruled not to be harmful Police (pictured leaving Parliament today) closed off an area of Parliament's basement as they investigated the security scare today British MPs have been the target of high levels of abuse and four have had death threats sent to them by an anonymous person who signed off 'the real 48 per cent'. The Houses of Parliament is a major terrorist target and was attacked by Khalid Masood in March last year. He ploughed his car into five passers-by on Westminster Bridge before leaping out ans trying to storm Parliament, stabbing PC Keith Palmer to death. Scotland Yard said its Counter Terrorism Command is investigating. A spokesman said: 'At approximately 11.36am on Tuesday, February 13, police were informed of a suspicious package that had been delivered to an office within the Palace of Westminster. Police are at the scene and dealing. 'The letter contained a white powder which is currently being assessed by specialists. 'The office remains closed at this time, but the rest of the Palace of Westminster is open.' Counter terror police were called into Parliament today to investigate a suspicious package containing white powder which had been sent to an office on the estate Vanessa Trump, pictured with her husband Donald Trump Jr, was rushed to a hospital in New York on Monday after opening a letter containing white powder The scare comes after it emerged that four MPs who backed Brexit received death threats in the past week - including Commons leader Andrea Leadsom. Mrs Leadsom, who was one of the leading faces of Vote Leave in the Brexit referendum, posted a picture of the threat on Twitter yesterday. It read: 'If you attempt to take away part of someone's identity, there are consequence. 'We have watched as you have led u to the edge of the abyss. We will watch no longer. 'You have taken lives on our side. No we will take lives on yours. We are coming for you.' Mrs Leadsom has referred the threat to the police, who are also investigating similar poison pen letters sent to three other politicians. The son of a millionaire property tycoon accused of butchering his family with an axe smoked cigarettes while waiting for his wounded sister to die, a court has heard. Henri Van Breda waited for hours, called his girlfriend and 'did nothing' to help his relatives who lay bleeding to death in their bedrooms at the family's luxury Cape Town villa, prosecutors at his murder trial said on Tuesday. Van Breda, who previously lived in Perth, claims a masked intruder killed his mother, father and brother and left his sister with life-threatening wounds in the 2015 attack. He says he fought with the masked man before the attacker fled, before a gap of several hours between when the attack happened and when he first called police. Henri van Breda is accused of butchering his mother, father and brother with an axe before leaving his sister to bleed to death during a horror attack in Cape Town in 2015 Marli Van Breda, who was just 15 at the time of the attack, suffered a severed jugular from a blow to her neck but somehow survived her injuries When the former Physics student did finally contact emergency services, he was so calm the operator thought the call was a prank. Van Breda stands to lose his inheritance if he is convicted of murdering his brother and parents in a savage attack. In his own evidence to the court, the former Perth student, admitted witnessing the gurgling and twitching of stricken brother Rudi and sister Marli, then 15, who survived her injuries. Sporting a recently-shaved head, Van Breda betrayed little emotion as state lawyers wrapped up their case against him after a long break in his murder trial. Prosecutor Susan Galloway told the High Court in Cape Town that the victims must have known their killer because none had tried to hide or call for help. She described Van Breda's delayed account to the court as 'well rehearsed' and far fetched - he blamed the shocking carnage on a laughing, balaclava-clad intruder, whom he thought was black. Van Breda, who stands to inherit the family millions if he is found innocent, claims a masked attacker killed his family with this axe before he fought him off Martin Van Breda (right), who made his fortune in the Australian property market, wife Teresa, and eldest son Rudi (centre) all died from horror head wounds they suffered during the attack. Marli (front) survived. Henri (back left) is accused of the attack He described watching helpless from only a few metres away as the killer rampaged through the first floor of the family home, on a security estate in the winelands outside Cape Town. Breda said the intruder took an axe to the heads of his parents and siblings, before he single-handedly disarmed him. Mrs Galloway described the superficial wounds Van Breda suffered in the life or death struggle as 'textbook' and 'self-inflicted'. He explained the delay in summoning help with a lengthy loss of consciousness after slipping on the staircase as he sprinted after the murderer, the court heard. But, Ms Galloway told the court, Van Breda's account did not tally with his demeanour when emergency services arrived at the house, which was 'was calm enough to direct them up the stairs and was not unfocused and distraught'. 'This was not consistent with a house robbery or armed robbery,' Mrs Galloway told the presiding judge who will decide Van Breda's fate. Prosecutors say injuries Van Breda sustained that night (left) are 'textbook' examples of 'self-inflicted' injuries. Marli (right) was unable to give evidence during the trial 'None of the victims made an attempt to hide or call for help ... that is because the attacker was known to them.' That Marli survived having her jugular vein slashed, along with other injuries, was 'not indicative of a lesser attack, but rather a miracle', Mrs Galloway added. On Tuesday the defence began its summing up, arguing that the state had failed to prove its case against Van Breda beyond reasonable doubt. Pieter Botha told Judge Siraj Desai that prosecutors had relied on circumstantial evidence which was not sufficient to prove his client's story was not true. Asked by the judge why Van Breda had failed to help the younger sister he knew was badly injured, but still alive, Mr Botha told the court he would deal with that issue in his closing arguments. Van Breda has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one of attempted murder. President Trump whacked the Democrats Tuesday morning for not immediately getting on board with his infrastructure plan, which was released the day before. 'Our infrastructure plan has been put forward and has received great reviews by everyone except, of course, the Democrats,' Trump tweeted. 'After many years we have taken care of our Military, now we have to fix our roads, bridges, tunnels, airports and more. Bipartisan, make deal Dems?' The president was correct in interpreting Democrats' response to the plan which throws $200 billion at state and local governments to entice them to fix the problems as the minority party called it a 'scam.' President Trump, seen at a meeting with state and local officials as part of the roll-out of his infrastructure plan Monday, is complaining that Democrats - who have said they want an infrastructure deal - didn't immediately gravitate to his plan President Trump woke up early Tuesday to grumble over the fact that Democrats are already stiffly opposing his infrastructure plan, which the White House rolled out on Monday. Democrats don't like that the cost burden is being shifted to states and local governments 'After a full year of empty boasts, the President has finally unveiled a puny infrastructure scam that fully fails to meet the need in Americas communities,' said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi in a statement Monday. 'The Trump plan is to raise tolls on commuters, increase the burden on cities and states, sell our essential infrastructure to the whims of Wall Street, and yank away the protections that keep consumers safe and our air and water clean,' she said. Over on the Senate side, Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said the plan would lead to 'Trump tolls,' as consumers would be left with the bill, as the feds push the responsibility to states, cities and towns. Trump's infrastructure plan puts the heavy lifting on the shoulders of local governments, using some federal funds to compel states and local governments to invest in bridges, roads and the like. His administration claims that $100 billion in incentives doled out over 10 years could spur more than $1 trillion in infrastructure investments. Not only will the White House be counting on local municipalities to act, but it has also challenged Congress to come up with the money to pay for the plan to the cost of $200 billion. This could prove difficult as Republicans already added to the deficit by approving last year's tax package the first major piece of legislation Trump ushered through Congress and both GOP and Democratic lawmakers just got a two-year budget bill passed. And so while Trump is complaining about Democratic resistance to his plan, he may have to contend with Republican opposition as well. Deficit hawks, for example, will likely not want to add more dollars to the national debt, while moderate Republicans have opposed the administration's proposed cuts to transportation, like those found in the proposed budget, also released Monday. A council has threatened court action against the parents of one of the child stars of the West End stage show Matilda for schooling her at home. Lilian Hardy, 12, who played the lead role at London's Cambridge Theatre for six months until September, has 'thrived' by being taught at home, according to her parents, Edward Hardy and Eileen Tracy. Westminster Council heard of Lilian's situation when Matilda's production company applied for a child performance licence following casting, prompting officials to send her parents a school attendance order. Westminster Council heard of Lilian's situation when Matilda's production company applied for a child performance licence following casting. Pictured: Lilian as Matilda in an undated photo This letter, seen by The Guardian, requires the couple to send Lilian to the local Westminster Academy within 15 days or prove she is receiving a sufficient education. Failure to meet the demands could lead to a fine or prosecution. Mr Hardy and Ms Tracy said they have sent plenty of evidence that Lilian is progressing well, including samples of her work, but officials have said this is not enough. Ms Tracy said: 'If the state doesn't have evidence of a problem, as in our case, then it's really important that state officials don't have the power to intervene, so that children and their families can be left in peace to work their own magic.' Westminster Council said: 'In Westminster, the majority of families meet with the home education adviser to discuss their education. 'Alternatively, parents have the option to provide endorsements from an education professional involved in the delivery of child's education. 'We have explained to Mr Hardy and Ms Tracy that we cannot solely rely on samples of their child's work to form a view about the suitability of their education. 'They unfortunately have also declined meetings and have not provided the endorsements we have sought. We remain keen to resolve this matter amicably.' It is legal for children of all ages to learn at home. Under the Education Act, it is the parent's duty to make sure their child receives a proper education. Parents do not have to inform your local education authority if their child has never been a registered pupil at a state school (unless you live in Scotland where the law requires this information). However, if they are withdrawing your child from a state school in England and Wales the head teacher must remove your child's name from the register and inform the LEA. Parents who home school their children do not have to follow the National Curriculum. The Education Act states parents can educate their children as they wish and formal testing is not required. Your local education authority may send an adviser at intervals to monitor your child's progress. President Donald Trump upped his pressure campaign on Democrats to make a DACA deal on Tuesday, telling lawmakers on Capitol Hill that this is their 'last chance' to save the Dreamers. Trump noted in an early morning tweet that the immigration debate in the Senate has formally begun. 'Republicans want to make a deal and Democrats say they want to make a deal. Wouldnt it be great if we could finally, after so many years, solve the DACA puzzle,' the president said, adding, 'This will be our last chance, there will never be another opportunity! March 5th.' SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO President Donald Trump upped his pressure campaign on Democrats to make a DACA deal on Tuesday, telling lawmakers on Capitol Hill that this is their 'last chance' to save the Dreamers Trump needled Democrats a second time at the White House later in the day during an infrastructure meeting. 'We want to help DACA. You dont,' Trump told Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown with reporters in the room. 'Im kidding. Im sure you do. I hope we can,' he added. Before reporters were booted, Trump said, 'Everybody is in there working hard on it right now. I think we can have a chance to do DACA very bipartisan. I think that can happen, and I hope were going to be able to do that, Senator.' Trump told legislators to focus on DACA this week so that they can clear the deck for his infrastructure proposition. 'And lets see if we can get that done, and it would be a great achievement. Theyve been talking about it for many years, and, if we could do it, it would be a great achievement,' he said of immigration reform. 'And it would be something on a humane-basis, would be excellent.' Yesterday, Trump challenged Democrats to rally around immigration reforms he can throw his support behind as the Senate moved ahead with an open-ended debate on the subject. Trump reminded lawmakers of his oft-stated desire to end chain migration and the diversity lottery with compromise legislation. 'We think there's a good chance of getting DACA done if the Democrats are serious and they actually want to do it,' he said. As part of an earlier agreement with Democrats to fill federal coffers, Mitch McConnell, the top-ranking senator, released his iron-fisted grip on the upper chamber's schedule and began a free-flowing debate on reforms to the immigration system to take place on the Senate floor. 'The American people have heard no shortage of rhetoric on this issue. They have heard many of my colleagues across the aisle insist this issue requires swift action. Now it is time to back up this talk with the hard work of finding a workable solution,' McConnell said Monday on the floor of the Senate. The process allows for an unlimited number of amendments and leaves the final outcome of the debate wholly up to office-holders who make up the U.S. Senate. Republicans have the slimmest of majorities in the upper chamber at 51 seats to Democrats 49 seats. Any legislation that reaches the Senate's 60 vote threshold would necessarially be bipartisan. Trump's opening salvo was a legislative framework that offered 1.8 million Dreamers a pathway to citizenship over 10-12 years. The group includes current participants in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program that's set to end in three weeks and immigrants who'd qualify but did not sign up. In the swap, the president requested $25 billion for his border wall and border security and reforms to the visa system that could cut lawful immigration by as much as half. McConnell threw his support behind Trump's asks on Monday, telling fellow senators, ''The time for political posturing is behind us. Now we have an opportunity to resolve these issues. I hope we make the most of it.' Senators must come up with a bill that can pass the House of Representatives and win over the hard-to-please head of the executive branch. 'It wont be easy, but its certainly achievable,' Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Monday in a floor speech. 'Democrats are fully committed to protecting the Dreamers, and we have long supported effective border security. Many Republicans are in the same boat. The only enemy to this process is overreach.' The president has the authority to veto legislation that was not approved by a two-thirds majority of Congress. He has sent mixed signals this year as to whether he'd use it if immigration legislation lands on his desk that he doesn't like. Trump has consistently a hardline against immigration measures that do not fund the wall he promised his supporters he'd build. 'Any deal on DACA that does not include STRONG border security and the desperately needed WALL is a total waste of time,' Trump said in a tweet last week. 'March 5th is rapidly approaching and the Dems seem not to care about DACA. Make a deal!' On March 5, work permits and other documents protecting DACA participants from deportation were due to begin to expire. A court injunction has created uncertainty, however, and immigration authorities are currently operating under the terms that were set forth before the Trump administration rescinded it. Trump could step in and formally extend the program his administration says is unconstitutional, but White House Chief of Staff John Kelly said the president is unlikely to do so last week. As part of an earlier agreement with Chuck Schumer and the Democrats (left) to fill federal coffers, Mitch McConnell, the top-ranking GOP senator (right) pledged to release his iron-fisted grip on the upper chamber's schedule and allow a free-flowing debate on reforms to the immigration system to take place on the Senate floor Trump said Monday that he was optimistic that lawmakers would hammer out their own agreement. 'I hope to be able to make a deal. I hope the Democrats are not going to use it just as a campaign. You know, they've been talking about DACA for many years, and they haven't produced,' he said. DACA was left out of at two-year budget agreement that Republicans and Democrats struck last week in the midst of a spending crisis. 'We didn't want to have it in the big budget, because if we have it in the big budget it's going to get mixed up with all of the other things,' Trump explained on Monday. 'So now we have our military taken care of, and now we start very serious DACA talks today.' Trump said he'd 'love' to sign legislation codifying the protections is predecessor gave illegal immigrants who came to the United States as children. 'I think we'll produce, but if the Democrats want to make a deal, it's really up to them,' the president said. 'Because we want really tremendous border security, but we have to have Democrat support for DACA.' Senator Jeff Flake, a Republican who is part of a bipartisan group of senators seeking comprehensive immigration reform, said Sunday that 'we really don't know what the outcome is going to be.' If legislators in the upper chamber 'put a good bill to the president' that has a veto-proof majority behind it, Flake told NBC that he believes that Trump and the House will accept it. Trump also has to stick to his word, though, the retiring senator who represents Arizona, a border state, said. 'We have had some issues of him saying, "Well, this looks good, and we hope that you in the House and Senate will work it out, and I'll sign whatever." And then later saying, "No, I don't like this proposal," or, "I don't like that." 'But I do think that this week is going to be, like I said, something we haven't seen before. And I'm looking forward to it, as are my colleagues,' Flake said on Meet the Press. The diary entries of a male prostitute, who suffered a fatal overdose at the home of a prominent Democrat donor last year, allege that the friend of Hillary Clinton was the one who got him hooked on drugs. Gemmel Moore, 26, was found dead at the West Hollywood home of Ed Buck on July 27. Authorities initially ruled his death an accidental drug overdose of methamphetamine. But the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office have since launched a homicide investigation after Moore's family published pages from his journal which suggested Buck pushed the drugs on him. Since the investigation was launched, a number of other men of color have come forward to claim political power player Buck, who is single and came out as gay at 16, paid them to take drugs. Gemmel Moore, 26, (right) was found dead at the West Hollywood home of Ed Buck (left) on July 27 The coroner's report, from July 31, noted that investigators spoke with a woman who knew Moore, who said that the prostitute had told her about another man he knew that had been tied up by Buck 'over a year ago', who then 'held him against his will at the residence in West Hollywood.' The report also stated that Buck's apartment was full of drug paraphernalia including dozens of syringes containing brown residue, five glass pipes with white residue, several baggies of white power, and a bag of a 'crystal-like' substance, such as crystal meth. Pages from Moore's personal journal allege that Buck had a strange fascination with watching others take drugs, and had even supplied him his first hit of crystal meth. The diary entries of Moore who suffered a fatal overdose at the home of the prominent Democrat donor last year, allege that Buck was the one who got him hooked on drugs 'I honestly don't know what to do,' he wrote in the excerpt from December 2016, published by the family, and advocate Jasmyne Cannick. 'I've become addicted to drugs and the worst one at that. 'Ed Buck is the one to thank. He gave me my first injection of crystal meth it was very painful, but after all the troubles, I became addicted to the pain and fetish/fantasy.' 'My life is at an alltime [sic] high right now & I mean that from all ways. I ended up back at Buck [sic] house again and got munipulated [sic] into slamming (injecting drugs) again. I even went to the point where I was forced to doing 4 within a 2day [sic] period. This man is crazy and its [sic] sad. Will I ever get help?' His final entry, dated December 3, 2016, read: 'If it didn't hurt so bad, I'd kill myself, but I'll let Ed Buck do it for now.' Cannick says she has spoken to a number of other gay black men who claim Buck would invite them to his house, then pay them several hundred dollars to take drugs. Ed Buck (Pictured) has been a high-profile Democratic donor for decades (Pictured June 2015) Buck pictured with California Governor Jerry Brown (Pictured November 2010) She shares reports from at least three men, under pseudonyms, who alleged that Buck would pay them between $100 and $1,000 to 'Party n Play', meaning to get high with them, and perform sexual acts. Buck, a prominent Democratic donor, has given more than $500,000 to party members including Clinton, Barack Obama, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and many others. The 64-year-old became a successful businessman, pioneering in computer technology, specifically in electronic information services, in Arizona before moving to Los Angeles. A one-time registered Republican, Buck began getting involved in Southern California politics in the early 1990s. His attorney, Seymour Amster, told Fox News that his client is innocent. Family: Gemmel Moore is pictured here with his sister and his mother, LaTisha Nixon Moore's mother LaTisha Dixon (pictured with her son) said she just wants justice for her son who had been working as a sex worker for several years 'There's nothing there. As we always stated, this was an accidental overdose that Ed Buck had nothing to do with and it's a tragedy,' Amster said. 'The coroner has not changed his opinion from an accidental death. Until that happens, and that's not going to happen, we're done.' Lt. Joe Mendoza, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Office homicide bureau, told Fox News that once their investigation was concluded, they would hand the findings over to the DA or even bring it before a grand jury. 'We don't want to move forward with anything else without every single piece of information,' said Mendoza, who explained they had granted immunity to witnesses for unrelated minor crimes so they can come forward without fear of arrest. Moore was just 26 when he died, leaving his family and friends devastated The family of Moore are now considering filing a wrongful death lawsuit. Moore's mother LaTisha Dixon said she just wants justice for her son who had been working as a sex worker for several years. 'I called one of my son's friends and was like, 'who the hell is Edward Buck?'' Nixon said, speaking from her home in Spring Texas. 'And my son's friend was like, 'oh my God, that's that white guy, that wealthy white politician guy he was like 'oh my God' Dogs are well-known for their loyalty - not only towards the family who adopt them, but also towards their pooch playmates. Residents in a Chinese city yesterday witnessed how a faithful dog tried to revive a companion which had been killed by a car. The black dog was seen trying to drag its dead companion to the pavement before nudging it repeatedly in hope of waking it up. According to a report from bjnews, the video was captured in Yibin, south-west China's Sichuan Province. The yellow dog was knocked down and killed while running across a road in front of a hotel, said the report. The car that hit the pooch drove away without stopping. The yellow dog was left in the middle of the road twitching. None of the passing drivers or pedestrians stopped to check on it. A video shared by bjnews shows three of its playmates coming to check on the yellow dog as it was struggling. The black dog was one of them. Ms Zhang, who works at a nearby shop, told bjnews that she saw the black dog shaking the dead yellow dog by the side of the road at around 1pm. The black dog drags its dead playmate to the pavement before nudging it in hope of waking it up on a street in Yibin, China. The yellow dog had been knocked down and killed by a car They had been seen playing together often in the area, according to local residents. Ms Zhang said staff from a local vet later arrived and dealt with the dead body of the yellow dog. There is no law in China to protect pet dogs and other small animals. The public awareness for dogs' well-being is relatively low compared to the West. Yesterday, an undercover investigation by PETA Asia revealed how purebred dogs in China were squeezed into tiny, rusty cages in extremely filthy conditions by greedy breeders and forced to reproduce non-stop. PETA Asia's investigation exposed the conditions in 13 dog breeding farms in Shanghai, Guangdong Province and Shandong Province. An alleged rapist is on the run in Victoria for days has been arrested in Moe, Latrobe Valley. Clinton Burke, 42, was found in the same town he allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl he met at a train station. Victorian Police put a call out on Monday for assistance to find Mr Burke, who failed to turn up to court on January 25. Alleged rapist Clinton Burke was missing in Victoria until police cried out for help Police posted the relieving news he had been located on their Facebook page just after midnight Tuesday morning. 'Clinton Burke is no longer wanted,' the statement read. 'With the assistance of the public police arrested Burke in Moe last night. 'He is currently in police custody.' He is charged with three counts of allegedly raping a 15-year old girl he met in Moe Mr Burke is facing three charges of allegedly raping a girl in his home after approaching her at a train station. A Victorian Police spokesperson told the Daily Mail the man has been missing since he failed to appear in court in late January. She said he was found a few hours after police put out the call for help on Monday but could not reveal any new charges he faces. The body of a newborn girl was found buried in the backyard of a residential home in Ohio, police have said. Riverside Police have identified the body as Addalynn Marie George, who was born on December 21, 2017. The infant was found dead on Sunday evening behind a home on Richland Avenue, according to police records. Officers have said there are not suspects - and that it is being investigated as an abuse of a corpse. Scroll down for video The body of a newborn girl was found buried in the backyard of a residential home in Ohio, police have said. Riverside Police have identified the body as Addalynn Marie George, who was born on December 21, 2017 The infant was found dead on Sunday evening behind a home on Richland Avenue, according to police records. Officers have said there are not suspects - and that it is being investigated as an abuse of a corpse Police said they are talking with dozens of witnesses, according to Dayton Daily News, and have also identified a couple believed to be the child's parents. 'It's tragic,' Major Adam Colon told the paper. The autopsy was performed Monday but the Montgomery county coroner's office has not determine a cause of death, or the exact age of the child at her death. Officers found the body after receiving a report of a dead infant. They went to the home around 5.30pm Sunday where they discovered the body buried behind the residence. The coroner's office was then dispatched to the home around 11.20pm Sunday, and neighbors told the Daily News they watched trucks with large portable lights illuminate the back yard. Other neighbors said they were shocked to find out a child had been found dead, because it's a 'very quiet' neighborhood. An investigation is ongoing. Video courtesy WRGT: Rather than distancing itself from staff secretary Rob Porter after learning new details of spousal abuse by the senior aide, the White House arranged a platform for him to make his case to reporters. Porter than used the forum to repeat a defense he also made to White House staff that his ex wife hurt her eye in a struggle over a Venetian vase, rather than after he punched her in the face as she claimed. The White House had already gone into damage control mode Tuesday, Feb. 6, after DailyMail.com shared detailed allegations of abuse against Porter by two ex wives. The White House issued statements from chief of staff John Kelly and White House press secretary Sarah Sanders defending him. On Wednesday morning, DailyMail.com published another story with a picture of Porter's first ex wife Colbie Holderness with a black eye that she says she got when Porter punched her in the face. Then on Wednesday afternoon, just hours after the photo injected new urgency to the situation, Sanders arranged for an off-the-record meeting in the West Wing where Porter got the opportunity to make his case, Politico reported. Former White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter watches as President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with North Korean defectors in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC on Friday, Feb. 02, 2018. Porter made his case to reporters in a meeting arranged by the White House after publication of abuse allegations against him At the meeting, Porter told his story and also took questions from the group. He disputed his ex wife Colbie Holderness's account, that she got a black eye after he punched her in the face. By Porter's telling, she got it when she fell after the two had an argument while struggling over a Venetian glass vase. Porter did, however, confirm one detail of an account his second wife, Jennifer Willoughby, wrote about in a blog post that was published by DailyMail.com. 'The first time he called me a 'f*****g bitch' was on our honeymoon. (I found out years later he had kicked his first wife on theirs,' Willoughby wrote. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders answers questions during the daily White House briefing February 7, 2018 in Washington, DC. Sanders arranged a briefing for reporters with Porter after abuse allegations were revealed The meeting was arranged by Sanders, and was also attended by her deputy, Raj Shah, as well as Josh Raffel, another press aide who assists Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner. In the meeting with reporters, Porter conceded calling Willoughby by that name, Politico reported. Attending were Maggie Haberman of the New York Times, Josh Dawsey of the Washington Post, Michael Bender of the Wall Street Journal, and Jonathan Swan of Axios. Other reporters awaiting Sanders' afternoon White House press briefing observed the group walking out of the press area Wednesday afternoon. Then, reporters who got the briefing with Porter began tweeting that Porter would resign something Sanders would announce before the TV cameras shortly thereafter. Dawsey tweeted at 1:30 pm: 'Senior White House aide Rob Porter has resigned after accusations of abuse from ex-wives.' It was not previously reported that Porter was at the meeting with the group, although contemporaneous accounts cite information from senior administration officials. Reporters who got the briefing from Porter tweeted out the first word of his resignation Reporters who got the briefing from Porter tweeted out the first word of his resignation Reporters who got the briefing from Porter tweeted out the first word of his resignation ABC News has reported on other efforts by Porter to spin his situation. He told White House staff that Holderness got a black eye when she fell during a struggle over a Venetian glass vase in the early 2000s. Hodlerness says Porter punched her in the face. Porter also had an explanation for an incident with ex wife Jennifer Willoughby that resulted in a criminal complaint. Willoughby says he punched through a glass door of her house while they were separated. Porter resigned from his position as staff secretary after DailyMail.com published photos of bruises (pictured above) that Holderness said her husband gave her during their marriage His first wife Colbie Holderness claims Porter choked and punched her during their marriage Jennie Willoughby, Porter's second wife, alleged that Porter once dragged her wet and naked out of the shower and was verbally abusive, calling her a f***ing b***h' on their honeymoon Porter, described as one of the most important players in Trump's circle, resigned from his role as White House staff secretary last week following claims of domestic abuse Porter says he went to the house to get his clothes, and while tapping the glass door with his index finger, 'his knuckle went through the glass,' ABC reported he told staff. Porter then went inside the house to dress the wound, prompting Willoughby to tell him to leave and call the police. Two days after the off the record briefing, Kelly told staff once he learned the full extent of the accusations against Porter, 'he was gone 40 minutes later.' Accounts on Porter's resignation published after the off the record briefing noted that Kelly had urged Porter to stay and fight. A Bafta-nominated director sexually assaulted an actress at her flat after he promised to help her career, a court heard today. Stephen Fingleton, 34, met the woman - who was in her 20s - at a British Film Institute event in Leicester Square, central London. At her home he became sexually aggressive and dragged her across the floor as she broke down in tears, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard. Fingleton later attended a police station voluntarily and claimed that the sexual discussion they had was in the context of film. Film director Stephen Fingleton, 34, (pictured) is accused of sexually assaulting an actress He completely denied any of the sexual touching and claimed that he was instead attempting to gauge her suitability for the role. Philip Lemoine, prosecuting, said: 'Mr Fingleton is a film director, the complainant is a young actress. 'They first met on October 4 last year at the British Film Institute in Leicester Square and exchanged phone numbers. 'They arranged to meet up, but their first arrangement was cancelled. 'They met again on October 15 at the British Film Institute's Closing Gala and discussed plans again. 'On October 23 the defendant texted her and they agreed to meet at her home address at lunch time to discuss the film project of his. 'On October 27 the defendant arrived at her flat, he started introducing sexual references to nudity and masturbation not long afterwards.' Fingleton then attacked the woman as she bent down to unload a washing machine, it is claimed. At her home he became sexually aggressive and dragged her across the floor, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard (pictured) He is a writer and director who has made a number of films, his debut 'The Battersea Ripper,' was screened at the Screentest Festival in Bristol in 2006. In 2015, Fingleton's debut film 'Survivalist' was selected for Bafta's Brits to Watch: The Screenings events and was also chosen as Bafta's Breakthrough Brit. In 2016, Fingleton was nominated by Bafta in the Outstanding Debut category. Fingleton, of Enniskellen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, is charged with sexual assault. He was bailed to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on March 13 for a plea and trial preparation hearing. Pastor charged: Gerardo Martinez, a 52-year-old pastor from Florida, has been charged with sexual battery on a 17-year-old girl A married Florida pastor has been charged with having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old female parishioner he claimed was 'possessed by a demon.' Gerardo Martinez, 52, was arrested on Friday evening and booked on two felony counts of sexual battery. According to the Pasco County Sheriffs Office, the victim joined Martinez's Miracle Christian Church in New Port Richey last April. Detectives say Martinez told the teenage parishioner she had 'multiple personalities' and that one of them was possessed. 'In doing so the defendant gained the trust of the victims parents' so that they would allow her to travel with the pastor and visit her at home when she was by herself, according to an arrest report. According to authorities, the pastor and the girl had multiple sexual encounters from April to October in Martinezs vehicle, at the church and at the victims home. The sheriff's office began investigating Martinez in December 2018 when the teen contacted the authorities accusing the cleric of sexual misconduct, reported Tampa Bay Times. Place of worship: Deputies say some of the sex acts took place at Martinez's Miracle Christian Church (pictured) in New Port Richey, Florida, where the victim was a parishioner When confronted about the allegations, deputies say Martinez denied sexual contact with the girl. Martinez was taken into custody shortly before 7pm on Friday and was released on $100,000 bond the following night. The clergyman and his wife of 20 years have two sons and a daughter together, according to his official biography posted on Miracle Christian Church's website. The bio section of the site states that Martinez 'had an encounter with God' while serving a sentence on a drug conviction in his late 20s, and after he regained his freedom, he reinvented himself as a pastor. He started his own church in New Port Richey in 2013, focusing on 'the supernatural, healing, deliverance, and spiritual warfare,' the website proclaims. 'Pastor Jerry also has a passion to see the youth experience the power of God as opposed to the powers of darkness that they are attracted to.' A doctor sexually assaulted five female patients over a 10-day period, including a woman who was groped after complaining of a high temperature, a court has heard. Dr Amirul Haque, aged 33, is alleged to have ignored chaperone guidelines while also targeting patients being assessed for ear pain, a sore throat, and an eye problem. Haque, of Ladypool Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, denies five counts of assault while training in general practice at a surgery in the Dudley area of the West Midlands. Dr Amirul Haque has been charged with sexually assaulting patients Opening the case against Haque, prosecutor Philip Bradley QC alleged that all of the women felt the doctor pressing his groin against parts of their bodies. One of the alleged victims, the court heard, claims Haque sexually assaulted her after asking her to move her bra aside as he checked her heartbeat. Explaining the issue due to be considered by the jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Mr Bradley said: 'It is a feature of this case that because he was new to general practice, he was allowed 30 minutes with his patients as opposed to the usual 10. 'It is common ground that if Dr Haque acted in the way these women allege, there could be no medical justification for doing so.' Claiming Haque had committed the offences for sexual gratification, Mr Bradley added: 'The prosecution case is that Dr Haque breached guidelines on intimate examinations and chaperones and that those breaches were not inadvertent, rather they were necessary to commit these offences. 'The issue in this case is straightforward and best understood by Dr Haque's response to all of this. 'Police twice interviewed him under caution when these allegations came to light.' Haque, Mr Bradley said, had chosen not to answer the officers' questions but had submitted a prepared statement denying that he had sexually assaulted any of the women. Mr Bradley told the jury panel: 'It follows that the issue that you have to determine in each count is can you be satisfied so that you are sure that each of these women is telling the truth? 'If having heard the evidence your answer to that question is yes, your verdict would be guilty. If you are not sure, it would be not guilty.' The trial continues. Two police officers were in a 'life or death situation' when they opened fire and killed a drunken, knife-wielding Australia Post worker, an inquest has been told. Eyewitness Lynette Sartori told the Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday plain-clothes officers Jamie Taylor and Darren Hamilton had no choice but to shoot an agitated Stephen Hodge, 51. For the first time CCTV footage revealed the horrifying moment Hodge stormed into the store. Scroll down for video Jamie Taylor and Darren Hamilton had no choice but to shoot an agitated Stephen Hodge, 51 Ms Sartori said Constable Taylor was cornered in the Warners Bay post office car park by Mr Hodge who was advancing on him with the large knife and ignoring pleas to drop the weapon. The post office manager, Brendan Hogan, had earlier told the court he had been dealing with Mr Hodge's erratic behaviour for years until the mentally ill postal services worker snapped and chased him with a large knife before being shot four times by police. Constable Hamilton told the court how both officers drew their guns as soon as they saw Mr Hodge armed with the knife in the car park on September 9, 2015. He said neither officer was carrying a taser because they had been in plain clothes conducting mainly surveillance operations for the Special Operations Group at the time and tasers were too bulky to be concealed, whereas their revolvers could be hidden in holsters under their shirts. Constable Hamilton claimed the officers drew their guns because Mr Hodge was within six metres and presented a real danger to their safety and others nearby. The offices opened fire when Mr Hodge refused to drop the knife and began advancing towards them. When Mr Hodge's mother, Janet, arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting she asked one police officer, 'Why did youse do this? He wouldn't hurt anyone. Why?' Mr Hogan had earlier told the court that on the day of the shooting he argued with Mr Hodge who had been drinking and returned late to work after his lunch break. Police called to the scene with reports he threatened to stab his manager He said Mr Hodge complained to him in the back office how he did not respect him and that he was suffering from depression. Mr Hogan said Mr Hodge later left the post office and he assumed he had gone home sick. But a short time later Mr Hodge returned holding a large knife by his side in his right hand and blood was smeared on his left hand. Without saying a word, Mr Hodge then raised the knife shoulder high and began walking towards the terrified post office manager. 'I was just scared for my life at that point,' Mr Hogan told the court. Mr Hogan backed his way into the main post office area, always making sure he had Mr Hodge in his sight as he pleaded with him to drop the knife. Stephen Hodge shot dead by two constables in a Warners Bay car park in 2015 At one stage Mr Hogan called out to the customers in the post office, 'He's got a knife, please get away.' Mr Hogan then yelled out to his staff to press the duress alarm as Mr Hodge chased him outside. The post office manager was able to get to a back door in the loading bay and lock it behind him as Mr Hodge twice tried to force it open. The inquest before acting State coroner Teresa O'Sullivan resumes on Wednesday. Advertisement Nearly half a century ago, Faith Ringgold marched outside New Yorks Whitney Museum of Art with dozens of other women protesting against the gallerys latest modernism exhibition comprised only of white male artists. Today, one of Ringgolds most iconic pieces inspired by being called a n***** for the first time in her life while protesting that day is prominently displayed inside that very same establishment after the Whitney bought it for an undisclosed sum. The 2007 painting shows a confederate flag branded with the words HATE IS A SIN, while an inscription around the flag blasts the Whitney for discriminating against black artists. It also describes the shocking incident that happened outside in front of her two teenage daughters. Ringgold, now 87, lives in a spacious New Jersey ranch house, where several paintings, photos and her story quilts adorn the walls. It is here, while sipping green tea and reaching into a bowl of raw almonds and cranberries, she recalls that painful day outside of the Whitney. She speaks softly, hands clutched in her lap before breaking them apart to touch her face as she remembers January 31, 1971: I was standing outside the Whitney holding flyers with my daughters Michelle and Barbara as we demonstrated against the museums discrimination against black artists and how they did not include women in their latest exhibit. This little white girl was with her father and he was going into the Whitney with her but she was fascinated by my signs and everything and she stopped to get a flyer from me. This little girl wanted to talk to me, you know shes a little kid and is curious. But her father says Dont talk to that n***** or something like that to his young daughter. And I said Oh my goodness what did that man say? I was shocked. You know, he sees us out there demonstrating and hes going to call me a n***** right there? Right there in front of my daughters?. Her voice rises, the decades-old incident as fresh as the day it happened. That was the first time in my life I had been called n*****. Nearly 50 years ago, artist Faith Ringgold was protesting outside of the Whitney Museum against the discrimination of female and black artists. It was there that she was called n***** for the first time by a white man January 31, 1971 The artist is circled above with her then-teenage daughter, Michelle, following behind her holding a sign outside of the Whitney Museum on the day the incident happened Now, one of her most iconic prints about the incident is on display at the New York museum. The 87-year-old artist is pictured above next to a print of Hate Is a Sin Flag that is displayed inside her New Jersey ranch house During the 1971 incident, Ringgold was protesting with fellow artists and her two daughters, Michelle and Barbara Wallace. At the time, both girls were teenagers and were equally shocked about what happened. She is pictured above being embraced by her daughter Michelle I cannot cease to be amazed that the Whitney bought the print all these years later and that they would tell that story, she adds of her Hate Is A Sin Flag which is part of the Incomplete History of Protest exhibit. She takes another sip of tea, leaving behind a red lipstick mark before adding: Thats good though, its art. It makes me feel great, that they bought it. The 2007 painting shows a confederate flag branded with the words HATE IS A SIN, while an inscription around it blasts the Whitney for discriminating against black artists. It also describes the shocking incident that happened where she was called 'n*****'. Pictured above is a print of Hate Is a Sin Flag inside her home Raised by liberal parents in Harlems vibrant Sugar Hill neighborhood, Ringgold was encouraged for her profound talent and artistic creativity. It also helped that the family counted Billie Holiday, Langston Hughes, Duke Ellington and James Baldwin as friends and neighbors while living in the area influenced by jazz musicians. While growing up, she suffered from asthma which forced her to be home schooled by her mother. As a result, Ringgold was not openly exposed to the discrimination others experienced during the 1930s and 1940s when schools, facilities, housing, medical care, employment and transportation were segregated. Her mother, a fashion designer, encouraged her daughter to explore the visual arts and attend the City College of New York to study art. She aspired to break the color barrier and become the first black person and woman to be allowed to study art at the college when she enrolled in 1950; but segregation had not yet ended across all the states and in fact did not end until 14 years later when the Civil Rights Act was put in place by lawmakers. I was not taking no for answer when they told me I couldnt major in art at the City College of New York. I wanted to study art and nothing else but they kept telling me no that I could not attend the school to study art. Finally I met with the top administrator who made a deal with me. He said he would allow me to attend but on one condition I had to major in art education which was something women were allowed to study at the time because most went on to become teachers. So thats what I did. Ringgold finished college in 1955 after marrying her first husband - a jazz musician - and having her two daughters. She began working as a public school teacher by day, and worked on establishing herself within the changing Big Apple art scene in her spare time. Of her work being displayed at the Whitney Museum, she told DailyMail.com: I cannot cease to be amazed that the Whitney bought the print all these years later and that they would tell that story. Raised by liberal parents in Harlems vibrant Sugar Hill neighborhood, Ringgold was encouraged for her profound talent and artistic creativity. It also helped that the family counted Billie Holiday, Langston Hughes, Duke Ellington and James Baldwin as friends and neighbors while living in the area influenced by jazz musicians. She is pictured above inside her spacious studio Ringgold has created pieces for dozens of prominent figures including Oprah Winfrey and Maya Angelou. The image above was taken in the early 1990s during a surprise party hosted by Oprah for Maya, Ringgold told DailyMail.com She also created a painting for former President Bill Clinton and presented it to him at the White House in the 1990s. The painting is currently housed at William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum in Little Rock, Arkansas. The above photo was taken during one of her visits to the White House and hangs inside of her studio During this time period in Harlem, you know drugs started to emerge in the jazz scene and a lot of people I knew as friends were dying from overdoses, she noted. One of those people included her husband, who became addicted to heroin. As a result, they separated and he later died from an overdose. Despite the tragedy, Ringgold kept raising her daughters, teaching by day and painting by night in her apartment. She fell in love for a second time with a man who she had known for most of her life, Burdette Birdie Ringgold. They married and he encouraged her to continue creating art pieces which were inspired by Harlem, Africa and racism, all of which fueled her passion to paint, but it was also that which made many galleries in New York unwilling to sell or display her work, prompting Ringgold became an activist, joining artists, feminists and anti-racism groups to fight against the exclusion of women and black artists from the major New York museums in the late 1960s and 1970s. She breaks off to talk about when she and Birdie bought the New Jersey house in the 1980s and the discrimination they faced buying in a white neighborhood and begins a tour of her apartments. She may be approaching 90, but Ringgold is still active today as a painter, writer, sculptor, quilter and illustrates childrens books. She has also received nearly three dozen honorary degrees and awards for her work over the past few decades The mother-of-two was commissioned by Yale University for a series of stained glass windows that will be installed in the next coming months. Above she points to the colored sketches of the designs she has created for the windows Besthe creating new pieces, the 87-year-old also has a busy travel schedule. Last month she spent time in Los Angeles and is set to head to London for the Tate Modern gallery and Humboldt University in Germany in April They did not want us here at all and made it known through several actions but that did not stop us from moving in, it was our right and we had the freedom to do so. I wanted to build a second level to this house and found a great architect who designed a magnificent space for me to continue creating my art. But my neighbors took me to court in protest against me doing that. We battled for two years before I finally got the green-light to have it built. While climbing the steps, Ringgold pauses to explain the different prints and pieces she created over the years that are hanging on the walls. One in particular is a sketch drawing of her house in black and white. You see how long I drew the road and driveway to my house? I made it that way because we were on a long road to get here fighting against my racist neighbors, she says. Entering the studio, natural light floods through the skylights before she flips a switch to turn on the custom lighting fixtures inside the huge space where her sculptures, paintings and prints are on full display with her awards, family photos and honorary degrees. She points to one: This photo was taken in the early 1990s at a surprise party for Maya Angelo that Oprah hosted for her. Maya didnt like to be surprised and hated it, but you know, Oprah insisted on doing it and she commissioned me to make one of my story quilts to surprise her with. So I did it and boy was Maya surprised when she walked into that party. Every day millions of commuters pass her distinctive mosaics on the walls of the New York City and Los Angeles subways. Youve almost certainly seen her work. Pictured above is her Flying Home mosaic mural inside the 125th Street Station in New York City that honors Harlem notables and makes them fly Pictured above are the 52 individual smalti (glass) mosaics that Ringgold designed for the Los Angeles Metro station downtown across four mezzanine walls. Each is a personification of creativity, performance, sports and fashion It was such a good time. She kind of looks like shes still surprised in the photo of the three of us, Ringgold says while pointing to the image pinned on one of the walls next to a letter from former President Bill Clinton thanking her and Birdie for joining him and Hillary at the White House for dinner. Of the story quilt that was gifted to Angelou for her 61st birthday, it was sold at an auction in 2015 for a whopping $461,000 by the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. The artist has received dozens of awards including the National Endowment for the Arts awards in sculpture, the National Endowment for the Arts awards in painting, a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship, and most recently was awarded a Chubb Fellowship by Yales Timothy Dwight College. She also previously served as a professor at the University of California, San Diego and has received dozens of honorary degrees. Ringgold may be approaching 90, but Ringgold is still active today as a painter, writer, sculptor, quilter and illustrates childrens books and is currently working on a series of stained glass windows that were commissioned by Yale University. Ringgold is just as passionate as ever, the 87-year-old artist doesnt hold back from expressing her opinion. She told DailyMail.com: ...I don't let those people tell me what to paint, we're talking about freedom of speech' She added, 'I do what I want and dont let anyone stop me. Sorry, if you don't like me' She still counts media mogul Winfrey as one of her long-time friends. Ringgold, who splits her homes in New Jersey and California, also painted a portrait for the Clintons that hangs inside the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum in Little Rock, Arkansas. The 'Hate Is a Sin Flag' will stay on display at the Whitney, as the museum does not have an end date for 'An Incomplete History of Protest: Selections from the Whitneys Collection, 19402017' exhibit. She also has pieces on display at New York's major museums including the Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim. Every day millions of commuters pass her distinctive mosaics on the walls of the New York City and Los Angeles subways. Youve almost certainly seen her work. And shes just as passionate as ever and doesnt hold back from expressing her opinion. ...I don't let those people tell me what to paint, we're talking about freedom of speech. I do what I want and dont let anyone stop me, she says, adjusting her waist length dreadlocks. Sorry, if you don't like me. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has lost his latest court bid to have his UK arrest warrant dismissed after a judge said he should have the 'courage' to face the charges against him in court. The 46-year-old whistleblower has spent that last five years holed up inside Ecuador's London embassy. He had skipped bail in 2012 to claim political asylum in the embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden over allegations of rape and sexual assault against him by two women. Assange denies the charges. Lawyers for Assange had claimed it was no longer in the public interest to arrest him after the charges against the Australian national were dropped in Sweden. However Assange still faces arrest if he leaves the London embassy for breaching his bail condition in the UK. Lawyers for the WikiLeaks founder had asked for the warrant to be withdrawn as Sweden no longer wants to extradite him. Yet Judge Emma Arbuthnot told Westminster Magistrates Court she was not persuaded by his lawyer's arguments and said she found that 'arrest is a proportionate response' to Assange's actions. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has lost his latest court bid to have his UK arrest warrant dismissed She said: 'I find arrest is a proportionate response even though Mr Assange has restricted his own freedom for a number of years. 'Defendants on bail up and down the country, and requested persons facing extradition, come to court to face the consequences of their own choices. 'He should have the courage to do the same. 'It is certainly not against the public interest to proceed.' Judge Arbuthnot said: 'The impression I have, and this may well be dispelled if and when Mr Assange finally appears in court, is that he is a man who wants to impose his terms on the course of justice, whether the course of justice is in this jurisdiction or in Sweden. 'He appears to consider himself above the normal rules of law and wants justice only if it goes in his favour. 'As long as the court process is going his way, he is willing to be bailed conditionally but as soon as the Supreme Court rules against him, he no longer wants to participate on the court's terms but on his terms.' During the trial, a lawyer for Assange cited a report by a United Nations commitee that argued that the British arrest warrent, issued in 2012 should be thrown out. Mark Summers said the UN committee's report found that Assange had been arbitrarily detained, claiming the five years he had spent in Ecuador's Lodnon embassy were 'adequate, if not severe' punishment. Julian Assange still faces an arrest warrant in the UK after a judge at Westminster Magistrates' Court threw out his appeal A cat named 'James' wearing a collar and tie yawns by the window of the Ecuadorian Embassy today where WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been holed up for over five years As the judgement was read, supporters held up banners reading 'free Assange' outside court. The judge was critical of Assange's decision to avoid the British justice system and added that he had access to the internet, a computer and 'unrestricted visitors' during his five year stint in the embassy. She said: 'It is true that he has restricted freedom in the Ecuadorian Embassy, but there is a distinction between being held in Wandsworth Prison and living in the embassy. 'Firstly, he can leave the embassy whenever he wishes; secondly, he is free to receive, it would seem, an unlimited number of visitors and those visits are not supervised; thirdly, he can choose the food he eats, the time he sleeps and exercises. Yet Judge Emma Arbuthnot told Westminster Magistrates Court she was not persuaded by his lawyer's arguments and said she found that 'arrest is a proportionate response' to Assange's actions 'He can sit on the balcony, I accept probably observed by the police and his supporters, to take the air. He is not locked in at night. 'Importantly for a man who spends a great deal of time on his computer, he is free to use multi-media, whether his computer or a mobile telephone, in a way that prisoners are not allowed to do.' A member of Assange's legal team said it would be possible to appeal against the ruling. Before the hearing today, Assange's lawyer Jennifer Robinson said the US government had made it clear it wanted to prosecute WikiLeaks. She said: 'The UK FCO [Foreign and Commonwealth Office] refuses to confirm or deny whether there is an extradition request for Mr Assange. 'In our recent FoI challenge against the CPS [...] the CPS refused to disclose certain material because it would 'tip off' Mr Assange about a possible US extradition request. It is time to acknowledge what the real issue is and has always been in this case: the risk of extradition to the US.' Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno (centre) said Ecuador will continue to protect Julian Assange, a refugee at his embassy in London since 2012, following the decision of the British justice to maintain the arrest warrant against him He said: 'Whether it is pursued is another question. 'The history of the case from start to finish is extraordinary. 'Each aspect of it becomes puzzling and troubling as it is scrutinised.' Midway through the reading of the judge's decision, Assange tweeted: 'Not looking good. So far, judge is just defending UK state actions.' Judge Arbuthnot went on: 'I accept that Mr Assange had expressed fears of being returned to the United States from a very early stage in the Swedish extradition proceedings but, absent any evidence from Mr Assange on oath, I do not find that Mr Assange's fears were reasonable. 'I do not accept that Sweden would have rendered Mr Assange to the United States. 'If that happened there would have been a diplomatic crisis between the United Kingdom, Sweden and the United States which would have affected international relationships and extradition proceedings between the states.' The woman said she got in the car when suspect Jose Ramos Sandoval (pictured) pulled over and asked if she wanted a ride A kidnapped woman saved herself by mouthing 'help' at a Florida store clerk through the window of a car she was being held in. The woman was spotted by the clerk while sat in a car parked outside Kangaroo Express in Jacksonville at around 1am on Sunday. Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said the employee called cops after the woman mimed 'help'. With the aid of the clerk's description, the car was spotted by police. Officers tried to stop the car, but the driver fled before being arrested soon after. The woman, who had remained in the car, said she got in when suspect Jose Ramos Sandoval pulled over and asked if she wanted a ride. She told police she thought she recognized Sandoval as a friend of a friend, but later realized he was a stranger. When Sandoval started driving in the wrong direction, she explained, she tried to get out of the car - but claims he yanked her hair and stopped her from leaving. She later told police that silently appealing to the store clerk was her only chance of escape. The woman was spotted by the clerk while sat in a car parked outside Kangaroo Express in Jacksonville at around 1am on Sunday Sandoval has admitted to being responsible after being arrested on charges of false imprisonment, fleeing police and violating probation, police said. In a statement, the police wrote: 'A big thank you to the alert employee at this gas station. 'Getting involved makes a difference, we can't thank you enough.' Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made a harsh comment on the Greek attempts to extract oil in Cyprus and the Greek actions in the Aegean Sea, Diken reports. February 13, 2018, 15:13 Erdogan threatens Greece STEPANAKERT, FEBRUARY 13, ARTSAKHPRESS:During a session of the AK party, Erdogan addressed Greece and threatened that the Turkish Navy can commence actions at any time. Our battleships, air force and other security forces are closely monitoring the developments in the region and are authorized to carry out any intervention, Erdogan said. On February 12, the Greek foreign ministry said that Turkey is violating international rights and the sovereign rights of Cyprus by disrupting the driling works in the Cyprus special economic zone (SEZ). The Turkish Navy blockaded the marine Saipem 12000 driling station, which is driling in the Cyprus SEZ for the Italian ENI oil company. The Navy isnt alowing the station to go further to the 3rd block and commence works. Greek President Nicos Anastasiades said on February 11 that Turkey is continuing provocations in the Cypriot SEZ and that Nicosia intends to reach an end of the international rights violations of Turkey. The Greek foreign ministry said Turkish actions are illegal. Turkey continues to question international rights by grossly violating the sovereign rights of Cyprus in Eastern Mediterranean, the ministry said, caling on Turkey to refrain from further ilegal actions. An obsessive fan, who was plotting to murder a YouTube star's boyfriend after watching the couple's online videos, was shot dead by police after breaking into their home. Popular YouTube couple Megan Turney, 30, and Gavin Free, 29, were forced to hide in their own wardrobe after Christopher Giles, 23, broke into their Austin home in Texas, last month. The terrified entertainers called 911 as Giles, who was armed with a handgun, smashed a window to gain access to their home, waking them up at 3.40am on January 26, KVUE reports. An obsessed fan broke into the Austin home of Megan Turney (pictured) who is renowned for her sexy cosplay, after becoming infatuated with her The popular YouTuber, who lives with her boyfriend and fellow YouTube star Gavin Free (pictured together) were forced to hide in their own wardrobe after an intruder broke in last month Obsessive fan Christopher Giles (left and right) was infatuated with Turney and hoped that her boyfriend would 'die alone, with no children' Giles, who had driven 11 hours from New Mexico, walked around the YouTubers' home looking for the couple, and firing his gun. Unable to discover Turney, who is renowned for her sexy cosplay, and Free, the gunman returned to his car, just as police arrived at the scene. He opened fire on the cops, who shot back, killing the intruder. Police said 'it was apparent that Giles' sole intent was to cause harm to someone who resides there.' They described Giles as 'single, lonely and disturbed'. After the fatal shooting, officers searched Giles' home and cellphone where they found more evidence of his obsession with Turney. Cops found several notes in Giles' phone referring to Turney and her boyfriend Free by name. Many of the notations revealed a 'fondness' for Turney but others suggested he was jealous of Free and bitter of his life and success. Court documents stated: 'Threatening thoughts were recorded by Giles and directed toward Gavin Free, i.e., "I want Gavin Free to die alone, with no children."' They also found evidence that Giles had been planning the 'burglary and homicides of Megan Turney and Gavin Free' at his home. The search also revealed Giles 'was an avid player of video games and was known for watching YouTube videos.' Free has since tweeted his thanks to the Austin police for their quick reaction. Giles was shot dead within ten minutes of the couple's initial 911 call. Turney frequently posts half naked pictures of herself in different costumes, such as this 'rabbit' as part of her cosplay Police say Giles, described as 'single, lonely and disturbed' had a serious crush on the YouTuber Turney, pictured in a sexy nutcracker outfit on Instagram, has an estimated net worth of $500,000, and is known for cosplaying and for being a host of internet news programs SourceFed and Rooster Teeth's The Know, as well as her own vlog channel Both she and her boyfriend posted on Twitter, thanking everyone for their support after the break in 'Hey everyone. I just wanted to say thanks for all the support and concern regarding the recent incident,' he tweeted on Monday. 'It's been a rough time for Meg and myself the last few weeks but we are doing ok. 'I want to give a huge thanks to @Austin_Police for the amazing response time.' Turney added: 'Thank yall so, so much for each and every kind message today and a special thank you to the @Austin_Police for their quick response that night and their ongoing support during this difficult time. Heart you guys so much.' Turney, of Austin, who has an estimated net worth of $500,000, according to Celebrity Net Worth, is known for cosplaying and for being a host of internet news programs SourceFed and Rooster Teeth's The Know, as well as her own vlog channel. She has more than 400,000 YouTube subscribers and more than 500,000 Instagram followers. The terrified couple (pictured together) hid in their wardrobe after they heard the intruder breaking into their home on January 26 Brit Free and Austin-born Turney called 911 while Giles stalked their home looking for them Free and Turney have since tweeted their thanks to the Austin police for their quick reaction Her boyfriend Free, who she has been dating since 2013, is worth as estimated $5 million. The British-raised Free was a creative director at Rooster's Teeth and host of the Slow Mo Guys. Free has 10 million YouTube subscribers. The couple each have their own channels, but would often do videos together. Just a month after the terrifying experience, fellow YouTube star Logan Paul found an intruder on his couch. The disgraced YouTuber, who recently had all ads pulled from his videos by YouTube for posting inappropriate content including footage of the body of a man who had just committed suicide and the YouTuber tasering rats, made a citizen's arrest after discovering the 20-year-old asleep in his home. Paul initially claimed he wouldn't press charges, saying: 'I feel like the kid made a mistake. God knows for what f**king reason that happened, but seriously if there's one thing I've learned in this past month it's forgiveness.' He later made a U-turn on his decision, and decided to take the man to court. Last week, the intruder was sentenced to 30 days in jail for aggravated trespass. While Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys engagement may have eclipsed the news of Kate Middletons royal baby for a few moments, speculation that the Duchess of Cambridge may be having twins has captured the nation again. Kensington Palace confirmed that Kate and Prince William were expecting a brother or a sister for Prince George and Princess Charlotte in late 2017. After suffering from severe morning sickness during the early stages of her pregnancy, she was forced to reveal that she was expecting. But when is Kate due to give birth? Kate, Duchess of Cambridge's third pregnancy was confirmed by Kensington Palace in 2017 When did Kate announce her pregnancy? Kates pregnancy was confirmed by Kensington Palace in September 2017 in a statement that said: Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child.' The Duchess was forced to make the announcement early after suffering from severe morning sickness, otherwise known as hyperemesis gravidarum, as she did during her first two pregnancies. After taking a short hiatus from public engagements, Kate returned to royal duties at the start of 2018 and sported her bump visiting west Londons Reach Academy Feltham that works with the childrens mental health charity Place2Be. Prince William and Kate enjoyed a skiing break in the French Alps with George and Charlotte When is Kate Middleton due to give birth? With the announcement being released when Kate was six to eight weeks pregnant, it is predicted that she will have her third baby in late April or early May. This was confirmed in a tweet from Kensington Palace in October 2017 that said: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to confirm they are expecting a baby in April 2018. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to confirm they are expecting a baby in April 2018. pic.twitter.com/jOzB1TJMof Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 17, 2017 The royal baby is expected to arrive around the time of Princess Charlottes birthday on May 2 and Kate and Williams wedding anniversary on April 29. Is Kate Middleton having twins? During 2018s Centrepoint awards, Prince William joked with Anston Properties boss Raymond Stoner about the new arrival and admitted that he would struggle to cope with twins. In reply to Stoner suggesting that the Duke could save time by having twins, William is rumoured to have said: Twins? I think my mental health would be tested with twins. Two is fine, I dont know how Im going to cope with three, Im going to be permanently tired, Prince William said. What will the new Royal Baby be named? Despite Alice being tipped as the top name choice if the royal baby was a girl, Mary is now the favourite with odds of 7-1. Paddy Power suspended bets on the third child being a girl and also slashed odds for Mary from 12-1 to 3-1. Mary is one of The Queens middle names as well as her grandmothers name, Queen Mary, who was married to George V. Victoria and Alexandra are also top choices with odds at 8-1 and 16-1 respectively with Albert or Arthur at 12-1 for a baby boy. The baby will join the Royal Family pictured during the Queen's 90th birthday celebrations When was Prince George born? Kate and Williams first child and heir to the throne, Prince George, was born on July 22, 2013 in the Lindo wing at St Marys Hospital in Paddington, London. Both George and Charlotte are expected to follow Meghan down the aisle on the day of the Royal Wedding. Prince George, was born on July 22, 2013 in the Lindo wing at St Marys Hospital in Paddington When was Princess Charlotte born? Known for her striking similarity to the Queen, Princess Charlotte was born on May 2, 2015 in the same hospital as her brother George. Inheriting what is being dubbed as the Cambridge effect from her mother, Charlotte has accrued more selling power in terms of sartorial influence than her brother George. Duchess Kate and Princess Charlotte are pictured at Pippa Middleton's wedding in May 2017 Princess Charlotte has driven sales and website traffic to retailers like Pepa & Co., M&H and My1styears.com and is reportedly worth 3.2 billion to the UK economy compared to her brothers worth of 2.4 billion. When is the Royal Wedding? While there are no plans for a Bank Holiday on the day of Prince Harry and Meghan Markles wedding, the day will not overshadow the birth of William and Kates third child. Meghan and Harry will be tying the knot on May 19, 2018 at St. Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle. Derrick Aaron Kinchen, 28 (pictured), of Lansing, Michigan, pleased guilty after he allegedly attempted to a seven-year-old girl at the home where he was renting a bedroom in Minnetoka, Minnesota A Michigan has pleaded guilty to attempting to sexually assault a seven-year-old girl while renting a room as an Airbnb guest in Minnesota. Derrick Aaron Kinchen, 28, of Lansing, entered the amended plea on Monday after initially pleading not guilty to one count of attempted second-degree criminal sexual conduct of a victim under age 13. He entered a Norgaard plea, which is an agreement that there is enough evidence for a jury to convict him. However, Kinchen stated at his court appearance that he could not remember the events of the night in question, the attorney's office says. Kinchen, who will be sentenced on May 18, is expected to receive a sentence of five years on probation with 18 months in prison if he violates the terms of his probation, reported KTSP. According to a criminal complaint, police officers were dispatched to a home in Minnetoka on Bellevue Drive at around 12.22am on the night of September 24. A man told officers that Kinchen that tried to assault his seven-year-old daughter. According to the witness, Kinchen had rented a spare bedroom in the home through Airbnb and returned from a wedding around midnight. Around 15 minutes later, the witness said he saw that his daughter's bedroom door was open and said that Kinchen was lying next to her naked. The witness then said he yelled at Kinchen, whom allegedly grabbed his suit coat and wallet and fled the home. Kinchen (pictured) returned the home from a wedding he was attending around midnight. Around 15 minutes later, the host said he saw that his daughter's bedroom door was open and said that Kinchen was lying next to her naked Kinchen's relatives allege that he reportedly got drunk at the wedding reception he was attending and, when he returned to the Airbnb home (pictured) he was renting the bedroom from, he went to the wrong bedroom and passed out The complaint states that officers began a K-9 search and found Kinchen hiding in a partially-covered fishing boat at a neighboring residence, allegedly naked except for his suit coat. Kinchen's relatives allege that he reportedly got drunk at the wedding reception he was attending and, when he returned to the Airbnb home, he went to the wrong bedroom and passed out. Ben Breit, a spokesperson for Airbnb, said in a statement at the time that the company is upset by the activity alleged to have been committed by Kinchen and supports the host family. 'The reported abhorrent behavior has no place on Airbnb and we will not tolerate it,' the statement said. 'We are focused on providing our host family with our full support, we are working with the local police to ensure they have our assistance, and we banned this user from our community.' The 70-year-old wife of an elderly medical professor appeared in court on Tuesday morning to be charged with his murder which police believe may have happened eight months before his body was found. On February 5, police found Pierlugi Bigazzi's body at the home he shared with his wife Linda Kosuda Bigazzi in Burlington, Connecticut. Police had been called there to perform a welfare check after receiving a concerned phone call from Pierlugi's colleagues at the University of Connecticut Health Center. Authorities at first were unable to identify the corpse. Days later, once they had determined that it was Pierlugi, they arrested Linda, 70, for his murder. She posted her $1.5million bond and has been at home since. On Tuesday, she arrived at Bristol Superior Court flanked by a legal team. She said nothing as she entered the courthouse. Linda Kosuda-Bigazzi appears in court on Tuesday morning to be arraigned on murder and evidence tampering charges. She is accused of murdering her elderly husband then hiding his body in their home for as many as eight months The doctor had been working remotely to write study materials which students could access online. In August 2017, his key card was used on campus. The university said they had no reason to suspect anything was wrong until January this year when they tried to contact him and he did not reply. On February 5, having still not heard from him, they asked police to perform a welfare check. Police will not say how long ago they believe he died but they have yet to find anyone who has spoken to him since June. They are appealing to contractors or construction workers who did work at the home but will not say why. Neighbors have since told how the couple were rude and kept to themselves. They were married for 38 years but did not have any children together. Much of the case remains a mystery, including where in the house Pierlugi's body was found and why police believe his wife killed him. Linda's arrest affidavit, which likely includes such information, is under seal. As part of their investigation, they have asked the man's first wife, Anna, to turn over the alimony checks she received from him in the last year to determine who wrote them. That woman told The Hartford Courant she knows nothing more about his death. 'The state police asked me to request copies of the checks from the bank and I am waiting for them. 'I really havent had any contact with my former husband in 40 years and I have no idea what is going on,' she said. Pierlugi married his second wife in 1975, six months after he divorced his first. Bigazzi, 70, kept her head down as she arrived at court on Tuesday morning and said nothing to the media gathered outside The couple lived together in this home in Burlington, Connecticut. Police found Pierlugi's body there 'wrapped up' after being called by his worried colleagues who had not heard from him in months Linda also worked at the university though her job is not known. Colleagues have since revealed that they did not know the pair were married and that when they worked together on experiments, he had 'total control'. 'I had no idea that they had a personal relationship. She was very quiet seemed like she was more like a technician who was working for him, not a fellow scientist,' David Greiner, who worked with them on several projects in the 1990s, said. Kosuda-Bigazzi, 70, is pictured in her February 9 mugshot Other colleagues said they were 'antisocial but inseparable'. 'They came to work together and left together,' Nicholas Potter said. He said Linda followed her husband's orders and was never in charge of their experiments despite being a qualified scientist herself. 'She wasnt on that track so he would have been the one making decisions regarding projects. 'She was just a very quiet person who did whatever he told her to do.' The university confirmed that she worked there as a 'science instructor' from 1986 to 1998 but then carried on assisting her husband until the summer of 2017. The pair co-wrote medical texts about auto-immune diseases. Before his death, Pierlugi had been producing online materials for them. Police are yet to establish a suspected motive. Sources said Linda has access to $4million in property assets including a $300,000 condo in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and a home in Switzerland. The house where she lived with her husband is roughly valued at $290,000. Pierlugi earned $200,000 from the university. This is the moment a US fighter jet destroyed a Russian tank in Syria after it emerged that hundreds of Russian mercenaries are secretly fighting in the country. The US jet destroyed a Russian-made T-72 tank during a bombing raid designed to protect rebel fighters in Syria on Saturday, reportedly killing hundreds of fighters, including a number of Russian mercenaries. If that proves true it would be the biggest clash between American and Russian forces since the end of the Cold War - and represent an escalation of tensions between the world's two most powerful armed forces who are engaged in a war by proxy in Syria. The tank was targeted near Al Tabiyeh in a bid to stop it firing towards a position held by American forces and their Syrian allies, a Pentagon spokesman said. It happened days after the US military said its anti-jihadist coalition had carried out strikes in 'self-defense' against forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the same region, leaving an estimated more than 100 pro-regime personnel dead. It comes after reports that more than 200 private Russian military contractors were killed in a failed attack on a base held by U.S. and Kurdish forces last week, Bloomberg reports. Footage captures the moment a US fighter jet destroyed a Russian tank in Syria after it emerged that hundreds of Russian mercenaries are secretly fighting in the country The US jet destroyed a Russian-made T-72 tank during a bombing raid designed to protect rebel fighters in Syria on Saturday Kremlin lies: President Vladimir Putin is accused of covering-up his reliance on mercenary soldiers, pictured, to minimise the extent of regular army casualties in Syria In recent weeks, more than 600 Russian mercenaries have reportedly been killed in Syria, many of them in airstrikes carried out by the U.S.-led coalition. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been challenged to publicly admit to the mass deaths and accused of covering up his government's reliance of hired guns to minimise the extent of regular army casualties. Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov refrained from commenting on the reports about the deaths last week, saying on Tuesday that they need to be verified. Asked during a conference call with reporters if Putin raised the episode during Monday's phone conversation with President Donald Trump, Peskov said the situation in Syria wasn't discussed during the call. The Kremin said it had no information about Russian mercenaries being killed in Syria, saying it only knew about Russian nationals who have been deployed there as members of the armed forces. 'We don't have information about other Russians who might be in Syria,' Peskov told reporters on a conference call. The denial comes despite the leader of one of the private armies of mercenaries being photographed meeting Putin and attending a ceremony in the Kremlin. Opposition politician Grigory Yavlinsky, who is standing against Putin in next month's presidential election, has called on him to come clean on his use of mercenaries to prop up Syrian president Bashar-al-Assad - and to tell the Russian people the scale of the losses. Mr Yavlinsky claims mercenary forces 'are trained at Russian army facilities' and 'receive military awards in the Kremlin' in secret, he alleged. 'They are, in essence, special troops of the Russian army - despite the fact that mercenaries and private military companies are officially banned in Russia'. 'Officially denying deaths of armed Russian citizens that fight in Syria by the leadership of Russia is absolutely unacceptable,' he said. Killed: Vladimir Loginov and Igor Kosoturov were both reportedly killed in Syria this month Russian mercenary soldier Alexey Ladygin, 26, from Ryazan, perished in Syria last week 'I call on Russian president Vladimir Putin to clarify this. If there were mass deaths of Russian citizens, then relevant officials including Commander-in-Chief of Russian Armed Forces (Putin), must announce it to the country and determine who is responsible.' The Kremlin has consistently refused to talk about the deployment of mercenaries - which is illegal in Russia - to Syria and rebel-held eastern Ukraine. According to Igor Strelkov, a former intelligence officer who was a commander of pro-Putin clandestine military operations in Ukraine, said the number of Russians killed in bloody clashes recently could be as high as 600. Dead: Stanislav Matveyev, 38, was also reported killed in Syria 'It is clear that there are hundreds of dead and injured, several hundreds,' he said. 'But the latest figure looks too extreme, it's allegedly over 600.' He claimed he was told by Russian private army sources in Syria that by Saturday, 644 had been killed, but he could not verify the figure. Pictures of a handful of the mercenaries who perished in Syria in the past week have emerged. One was Cossack fighter Vladimir Loginov, 51, from Kaliningrad, a father of two who formerly worked for the Russian Interior Ministry, who died in a U.S.-led coalition airstrike on February 7. He fell 'heroically defending our Motherland in its far reaches from crazy savages', according to the Baltic Cossack Union in Kaliningrad. Other mercenaries killed were Stanislav Matveyev, 38, and Igor Kosoturov, 45, from Asbest, Alexey Ladygin, 26, from Ryazan and Kirill Ananyev, 33, also with the same private military unit. Several of the mercenaries killed were reportedly employed by a shadowy private army called Wagner, which has close ties to the Russian defence ministry and whose leader has met Putin. Wagner - or Vagner - is the nickname of an ex-Russian special forces officer called Dmitry Utkin, who runs the private army. Utkin is reported to be the ex-commander of the famous Pskov special forces brigade and has been photographed with other Wagner army chiefs and Putin at a Kremlin ceremony. Other leaders of Wagner include decorated former senior Russian army personnel. Such 'deniable' forces enabled Russia to deploy in Crimea, other areas of Ukraine and Syria, while denying its soldiers were on the ground. Accusations: Putin has been accused by opposition politician Grigory Yavlinsky, pictured together, of lying about the government's ties to the mercenary armies The funding for the secret army is believed to come from Russia's military budget. A military analyst said: 'Russia is putting these mercenary forces in harm's way on the ground, while the regular army and Air Force are not at the frontline. Russian media said the Russian private contractors were part of pro-government forces that advanced on oil fields in the eastern Deir el-Zour province and were targeted by the United States. The reports cited activists who confirmed that at least four Russian citizens were killed in Syria last Wednesday. US JET DESTROYS RUSSIAN-MADE TANK IN SYRIA A US jet has destroyed a Russian-made T-72 tank during a bombing raid designed to protect rebel fighters in Syria, it has emerged. The tank was targeted near Al Tabiyeh on Saturday in a bid to stop it firing towards a position held by American forces and their Syrian allies, according to a Pentagon spokesman. The tank had been 'maneuvering with coordinated indirect fire' on a position held by Syrian Democratic Forces - a US backed rebel movement that has been battling ISIS. While America has been training and equipping SDF rebels during the brutal civil war in Syria, Russia has been backing forces loyal to dictator Bashar al-Assad operating nearby. Advertisement The U.S. military said last week it launched air and artillery strikes on Syrian government-backed troops after some 300 attackers launched what appeared to be a coordinated assault on Syrian opposition forces accompanied by U.S. advisers in the province of Deir el-Zour. It said it was in regular communication with Russian counterparts before, during and after the attack, and Russian officials assured coalition officials they would not strike coalition forces. It said the U.S. strikes, which reportedly killed about 100 of the attackers, were in self-defense. The Russian Defense Ministry said 25 Syrian volunteers were wounded in the U.S. strike and insisted that its troops weren't involved in Wednesday's incident. It said that pro-government forces that advanced toward the area under control of the U.S.-supported forces had failed to coordinate their action with the Russian military in Syria. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Thursday dismissed any suggestion that Russia had any control over the attacking force, whose nationalities, motives and makeup he could not identify. The U.S. strike came as U.S.-backed Kurdish-led forces were vying for control of the oil-rich Deir el-Zour province with Russian-backed Syrian troops that are reinforced by Iranian-supported militias. The Russian and the U.S. militaries have maintained regular communications to avoid collisions on the chaotic Syrian battlefield. Mercenary leader: Several of the mercenaries killed were reportedly employed by a shadowy private army called Wagner, whose leader, Dmitry Utkin, pictured, has met Putin Making friends: Utkin, far right, is photographed with other Wagner army chiefs and Putin at a Kremlin ceremony If the death of Russian private contractors is confirmed, it could further strain ties between the two countries that have plummeted to the lowest levels since the Cold War over the Ukrainian conflict, the war in Syria and the alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election. Without mentioning the U.S. strike, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted on Tuesday that 'Americans have taken dangerous unilateral steps.' 'Those steps look increasingly as part of efforts to create a quasi-state on a large part of Syrian territory - from the eastern bank of the Euphrates River all the way to the border with Iraq,' he said. The state Tass news agency on Tuesday cited Natalya Krylova, a municipal lawmaker in the town of Asbestos in the Urals, as saying local residents Igor Kosoturov and Stanislav Matveyev were killed in Syria Wednesday. The Interfax news agency said that the Cossack group in the westernmost Kalningrad region said a member named Vladimir Loginov was killed in combat in the province of Deir el-Zour. Putin's friend: Dmitry 'Wagner' Utkin, circled, is pictured at the reception dinner at the ceremony in Kremlin It also quoted Alexander Averin, leader of extreme leftist group Another Russia, as saying that one of its activists, Kirill Ananyev, was killed by the U.S. strike near Khusham. Liberal politician Grigory Yavlinsky, who is running for president in Russia's March 18 presidential election, urged Putin to come into the open regarding the deaths of Russians in Syria, saying that official silence on the subject was 'unacceptable.' 'If many Russian citizens were killed, officials, including the commander-in-chief, must tell the nation about it and determine who is responsible for that,' he said. Russia has waged a military campaign in Syria since September 2015, helping Syrian President Bashar Assad's government seize large chunks of territory and turn the tide of war into its favor. Russian media have reported that in addition to Russian servicemen deployed to Syria, thousands of Russians also fought there as private contractors, allowing the Kremlin to keep the official death toll from its campaign in Syria low and avoid the negative public response. The Kremlin and the Russian Defense Ministry have refused to comment on media reports on Russian private contractors in Syria. A photographer from Scotland has been crowned the British Underwater Photographer of the Year for his stunning picture of two swans entwined above and below the water. Grant Thomas, from Glasgow, who now lives in New Zealand, came top in the British section of the annual competition, which celebrates photography beneath the surface of the ocean, lakes and even swimming pools. More than 5,000 photographers from over 40 different countries entered the contest, which had 11 categories this year. Grant, whose picture, entitled Love Birds, was taken in Loch Lomond in Scotland, said: 'I have always been fascinated by over-under photography, connecting the everyday terrestrial world that we all know with the less familiar underwater secrets. 'I chose Loch Lomond as the location for this shot due to its idyllic scenery, water access and friendly swans. 'My initial idea was to frame a split shot of one swan feeding below the surface of the water but when I noticed how comfortable they were around me I was confident, with some patience, I could get that magical shot of the two. 'It was midday, sun high in the sky, I waded slowly into the shallow water, allowing the swans to become comfortable with my presence. When they began searching for food below the water line I just had to wait for that perfect moment of synchronicity.' Gavin Williamson has pledged to send Royal Navy warship HMS Sutherland to sail across the disputed South China Sea in an act of defiance to Beijing. The Defence Secretary said the anti-submarine frigate would be sent to 'assert our values' and international right to navigate the waters. His vow comes amid ongoing tensions in the resource-rich sea, which China has laid claim to - seizing control of reefs and islats and building artificial islands out of them. Beijing has tried to drive other countries away from the area and in January dispatched a warship to scare off a US missile destroyer which it said had sailed too close to its territory. Gavin Williamson has pledged to send Royal Navy warship HMS Sutherland (pictured) to sail across the disputed South China Sea in an act of defiance to Beijing But speaking on a trip to Australia, Mr Williamson vowed not to be intimidated by China and to send the British ship through the disputed waters after it docked in Down Under. He said: 'She'll be sailing through the South China Sea (on the way home) and making it clear our navy has a right to do that.' But he said: 'We absolutely support the US approach on this, we very much support what the US has been doing.' Mr Williamson said it was important that US allies such as Britain and Australia 'assert our values' in the South China Sea. Speaking to The Australian, he added: 'World dynamics are shifting so greatly. The US can only concentrate on so many things at once.' Gavin Williamson, pictured yesterday visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier, vowed not to be intimidated by Beijing Gavin Williamson, pictured meeting his Australian counterpart Marise Payne in Sydney, said the UK must play its part in asserting international sailing rights in the disputed waters 'The US is looking for other countries to do more. This is a great opportunity for the UK and Australia to do more, to exercise leadership.' The move comes just a fortnight after Theresa May travelled to China with her husband Philip to hold talks with President Xi Jinping. She took dozens of Britain's leading business leaders and several ministers with her for the diplomatic and trade mission. The mission saw 9 billion worth of trade deals done - including agreements to export Aston Martins across China. Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale from West Midlands Police was found guilty of gross misconduct against him. Mr Beale leaving West Midlands headquarters on 7/12/2017 One of Britain's most senior counter-terrorism officers who had top secret documents stolen from his car could face the sack. A disciplinary panel found Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale guilty of gross misconduct following a hearing at West Midlands Police headquarters today and recommended he be dismissed. Beale, 54, is just weeks from retirement but is now set to lose a 215,000 tax-free pension lump sum, the hearing in Birmingham was told today. The 54-year-old had left the documents in a briefcase in the boot of his car for five days, in which time he went to the pub, went supermarket shopping and enjoyed away for weekend with his wife - while the car was left parked at a train station. The case was only discovered missing when he stopped at Warwick Services on May 15, 2017, while en-route to Oxford for a meeting. The briefcase includes four documents, including minutes from a counter-terror meeting, counter-terrorism profiles, details of regular organised crime and other highly-sensitive information. At least one of the documents was classified as secret and another as top secret, the highest level of government classification. Delivering the panel's verdict, chairman Corinna Ferguson said: 'We have decided to recommend dismissal as the appropriate outcome. She added: 'We consider this as the necessary sanction for what we regard as a serious breach of protocol as to the handling of top-secret and secret material, as it is necessary to retain public confidence and the reputation of the police.' At the hearing, his QC John Beggs urged the panel to recognise the 'exceptional circumstances' of Mr Beale's case and pointed to the fact Beale worked 'exceptionally long hours, five days a week'. Mr Beggs said: 'Save for this blemish on his career, ACC Beale has at all times in virtually 30 years upheld the highest standards of policing. 'Nobody is going to suggest he needs to be deterred from a repetition of his misconduct nor do I anticipate that it applies nobody is going to suggest he himself is a danger to the public.' 'Anything I say is speculative; is it because he is doing exceptionally long hours, five days a week, in punishingly difficult circumstances - he does not know. 'It may be nothing more complex than that even the finest human beings and professionals make mistakes.' Despite Beggs' pleas not to find his client guilty of gross misconduct, Fiona Barton QC, representing the force, said: 'The impact could have been catastrophic. The 54-year-old had left the documents in a briefcase in the boot of his car for five days (stock image) 'It is a matter of luck the documents do not appear to have seen the light of day.' Mr Beale, who headed the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit, was prosecuted last year, and admitted a breach of the Official Secret Acts at Westminster Magistrates' Court in December, for which he was fined 3,500. The three-member panel has already been told Mr Beale would be retiring in April, regardless of the ruling. Mr Beggs said: 'It is not in dispute that there was misconduct. 'It is not in dispute it is conduct likely to bring discredit on the police service. Servicing and former police chiefs, community leaders, trade unionists from Unite and other paid tribute to Mr Beale's 'competence and professionalism' as 'one of the police's finest leaders'. However, Ms Barton QC said: 'The documents should never have been in a locked briefcase and in an unattended car certainly not for a few minutes, let alone days.' Now the panel has said he should be dismissed, the final decision on Mr Beale's future with the force then rests with Chief Constable David Thompson. Bill Paxton's family is suing the world-renowned heart surgeon who operated on him last February for carrying out a 'maverick' procedure which led to his death. Ali Khoynezhad and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles have been named in a lawsuit brought by the Apollo 13 and Titanic star's wife, Louise, and their two children. The suit alleges that Khoynezhad performed a 'maverick' operation on the 61-year-old's heart and he and his family were not fully briefed on the dangers before his operation on February 14 2017. They also claim they later learned the procedure was not necessary. The star immediately suffered complications and then died on February 25. Bill Paxton (right) died almost a year ago from complications from heart surgery. He is seen above with his wife, Louise, in 2016 Paxton's family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the heart surgeon and the hospital which treated the late actor. Paxton is seen above with his wife, Louise, and their two children - James and Lydia - in 2011 Paxton's official cause of death was listed as a stroke. Shortly after Paxton's death, Khoynezhad stepped down from his position as a surgeon at Cedars-Sinai. 'We are pursuing accountability and justice from a physician and a hospital that failed to adequately protect Mr. Paxton,' the family lawyer, Steve Heimberg, says in the release. Paxton was survived by his wife of 30 years, Louise, and their two children, James and Lydia. According to the lawsuit, both Khoynezhad and the hospital failed to clearly explain to the family the risks of a 'minimally invasive surgery on an aaortic aneurism' that Paxton underwent on February 14 of last year. Paxton at the time was diagnosed with two specific heart-related ailments bicuspid aortic valve, a congenital condition, and aortic aneurysm. Paxton died 11 days after undergoing heart surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles (seen above) This birth defect leaves the aortic valve - the main artery from the heart that distributes oxygen-rich blood to the body - operating with just two small leaflets that help regulate blood flow as opposed to three in a healthy heart, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The condition is not considered debilitating and does not produce noticeable symptoms. An aortic aneurysm is a bulge in a section of the aorta. The lawsuit also names the surgeon who performed an operation on Paxton just before he died, Ali Khoynezhad This condition is potentially life threatening since it can cause the aorta to burst, leading to massive bleeding and eventually death in a short amount of time. Khoynezhad and the hospital recommended that Paxton undergo surgery for aortic aneurysm, according to the lawsuit. The family say they later learned the star's operation was 'unnecessary'. The family also alleges that neither Khoynezhad or Cedars-Sinai staff adequately made them aware of the potentially negative consequences of the surgery for Paxton. According to the Paxton family, Khoynezhad and Cedars-Sinai failed to 'disclose that performing the procedure as a minimally invasive surgery was novel, unconventional, and not the standard of care.' The lawsuit also alleges that Khoynezhad 'lacked experience and/or expertise' in performing the procedure as a minimally invasive surgery.' Furthermore, the lawsuit alleges that Khoynezhad and Cedars-Sinai acted 'beyond the scope' of Paxton's 'consent' in performing a 'high-risk and unconventional' surgery on the late actor. The lawsuit alleges that the surgeon and the hospital allowed the unconventional operation to go forward in order to enhance their 'personal and reputational benefit.' Had Paxton or his family been aware of the nature of the operation, they likely would have declined 'a dangerous and risky' surgery, the lawsuit says. The lawsuit alleges that Khoynezhad may have had a financial incentive to go through with the procedure that he chose, which in turn 'affected [his] professional judgment'. The family says that after the operation, Paxton started to have complications. One of Paxton's better-known roles was as a storm-chasing meteorologist alongside Helen Hunt (left) in the 1996 action drama Twister During these complications, Khoynezhad wasn't even at the hospital, 'causing a delay in treatment resulting in damage,' the lawsuit alleges. The family says that the initial failed operation led to subsequent surgeries on Paxton, including a 'coronary artery bypass graft, the placement of an intra-aortic balloon pump, the placement of a right ventricular assist device, and an ECMO (extracorporeal membrance oxygeneration) support' (also known as life support). Cedars-Sinai released a statement on Tuesday saying: 'State and federal privacy laws prevent us from commenting about patient care without written authorization.' Nonetheless, '[n]othing is more important to Cedars-Sinai than the health and safety of our patients. These remain our top priorities. 'One of the reasons for our high quality is that we thoroughly review concerns about any patients medical care. 'This process ensures that we can continue to provide the highest quality care.' Khoynezhad has been practicing medicine for over two decades and is considered an internationally renowned heart surgeon, according to US News and World Report. He is currently working for MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center in Los Angeles. A spokesperson for MemorialCare said all questions on the operation should be referred to Cedars-Sinai and that Khoynezhad is 'in good standing with our organization.' Paxton rose to stardom in such Hollywood blockbusters as Titanic and inspired budding meteorologists as a tornado chaser in Twister. Paxton, who appeared in more than 90 films or television shows over four decades, had recently starred in the HBO television series Big Love about a polygamous Mormon family Paxton, who appeared in more than 90 films or television shows over four decades, had recently starred in the HBO television series Big Love about a polygamous Mormon family, and acted alongside Tom Cruise in the 2014 film Edge of Tomorrow. For his role in Apollo 13, Paxton won a Screen Actors Guild Award for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture in 1996. The son of a Texas businessman, Paxton had a brush with history on Nov. 22, 1963, when as an 8-year-old he saw President John F. Kennedy speak outside a Fort Worth hotel hours before Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. A photo of Paxton held above the crowd to catch a glimpse of the president became famous, and 50 years later, Paxton narrated the documentary JFK: The Final Hours. DUP leader Arlene Foster today blasted Theresa May's visit to Belfast as a 'distraction' from talks to restore powersharing. The Prime Minister raised hopes of a breakthrough in the 13-month stalemate by announcing the surprise visit, which also include Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. But as talks broke up last night little progress had been made and the two main parties - Mrs Foster's DUP and Sinn Fein - never met face to face. Devolution has been on ice for more than a year after Sinn Fein collapsed the power-sharing executive and demanded Mrs Foster's resignation. DUP leader Arlene Foster (pictured today in Belfast) has blasted Theresa May's visit to Belfast as a 'distraction' from talks to restore powersharing The Prime Minister (pictured at Stormont last night) raised hopes of a breakthrough in the 13-month stalemate by announcing the surprise visit As talks broke up last night Mrs May urged the parties to make 'one final push' to strike a deal to salvage powersharing. But Mrs Foster said while the leaders were welcome, their presence proved a 'bit of a distraction' as it interrupted negotiations. She said the governments had been told in advance of their trip that 'the deal wasn't done'. Downing Street declined to comment on Mrs Foster's remarks, insisting Mrs May had made the reason for his trip clear last night. Speaking outside Stormont last night, the PM said: 'I believe it is possible to see the basis of an agreement here. 'There is the basis of an agreement and it should be possible to see an executive up and running in Northern Ireland very soon.' 'We should be able to see an executive up and running very soon.' Sinn Fein's leadership (including Mary Lou McDonald left and Michelle O'Neill right) have insisted the moment has arrived to strike a deal On the issues in the talks, Mrs Foster today repeated her insistence her party would not sign off on a stand-alone Irish Language Act - a key Sinn Fein demand throughout the 13-month impasse. She also ruled out any laws that would require bilingual road signs in Northern Ireland; compulsory teaching of Irish in schools; or quotas of Irish language speakers within the civil service. Sinn Fein senior negotiator Conor Murphy said an Irish Language Act was essential to any deal to restore the political institutions. He said talks were at a critical stage and the party was focused on achieving a deal. 'However they want to describe it, the DUP know that agreement requires an Acht Gaeilge. 'The DUP need to make up their mind about whether they are up for a deal or not. 'This is a time for leadership and calm heads and there is a responsibility on all involved not to react to some of the noise from people who simply don't want an agreement.' Criminal cases have been filed against four Turkish citizens, and on charges of violation of the Armenian-Turkish border. February 13, 2018, 16:06 Turkey launches criminal cases against 4 citizens that violated Armenia border STEPANAKERT, FEBRUARY 13, ARTSAKHPRESS:In Digor district of Turkeys Kars Province, four persons had entered the prohibited border zone with Armenia to look for their horses; but three of them were detained by the Turkish gendarmerie, according to Hurriyet newspaper of Turkey. And the other one of them had gone even further, and he was detained by Armenias border guards. The Turkish side had petitioned to the Armenian side. And as a result of negotiations, this Turkish citizen was returned to Turkey. Now, criminal cases have been filed against these four persons, and on charges of violating the state border. This is the moment a US fighter jet destroyed a Russian tank in Syria after it emerged that hundreds of Russian mercenaries are secretly fighting in the country. The US jet destroyed a Russian-made T-72 tank during a bombing raid designed to protect rebel fighters in Syria on Saturday, reportedly killing hundreds of Russian mercenaries. If that proves true it would be the biggest clash between American and Russian forces since the end of the Cold War - and represent an escalation of tensions between the world's two most powerful armed forces who are engaged in a war by proxy in Syria. The tank was targeted near Al Tabiyeh in a bid to stop it firing towards a position held by American forces and their Syrian allies, a Pentagon spokesman said. It happened days after the US military said its anti-jihadist coalition had carried out strikes in 'self-defense' against forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the same region, leaving an estimated more than 100 pro-regime personnel dead. Footage captures the moment a US fighter jet destroyed a Russian tank in Syria after it emerged that hundreds of Russian mercenaries are secretly fighting in the country The US jet destroyed a Russian-made T-72 tank during a bombing raid designed to protect rebel fighters in Syria on Saturday A US jet has destroyed a Russian-made T-72 tank (file picture) during a bombing raid designed to protect Syrian rebel figthers, it has emerged The tank had been 'maneuvering with coordinated indirect fire' on a position held by Syrian Democratic Forces - a US backed rebel movement that has been battling ISIS. While America has been training and equipping SDF rebels during the brutal civil war in Syria, Russia has been backing forces loyal to dictator Bashar al-Assad operating nearby. US Marine Corps Major Adrian J.T. Rankine-Galloway told Business Insider that the SDF's 'position was within effective range of the hostile weapons systems.' There were no deaths or injuries among the SDF or Coalition units following the tank attack, he added. The T-72 is a Soviet battle tank that entered production in 1971. About 20,000 were built with many exported and entering service in 40 countries and in numerous conflicts around the world. On February 7, US Central Command said the coalition had carried out strikes to counter an 'unprovoked attack against well-established Syrian Democratic Forces headquarters.' The bombing raid happened days after the US military said its anti-jihadist coalition had carried out strikes in 'self-defense' against forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (pictured) in the same region, leaving an estimated more than 100 pro-regime personnel dead While America has been training and equipping SDF rebels (file picture) during the brutal civil war in Syria, Russia has been backing forces loyal to dictator Bashar al-Assad operating nearby 'We estimate more than 100 Syrian pro-regime forces were killed while engaging SDF and coalition forces,' while one SDF member was wounded, a US military official said. According to CENTCOM, 'coalition service members in an advise, assist, and accompany capacity were co-located with SDF partners during the attack.' 'The coalition conducted strikes against attacking forces to repel the act of aggression,' it said. The US military official said the attack - which began on Wednesday - involved some 500 personnel from 'pro-regime' forces armed with tanks, artillery and mortars. The SDF and the coalition targeted the attacking forces with air and artillery strikes after '20 to 30 artillery and tank rounds landed within 500 meters of the SDF headquarters location,' the official said. The official did not specifically identify the attacking forces, which could have been Syrian or from one of a number of allied militia units, including from Iraq and Lebanon, that are backing Assad in the country's seven-year civil war. Russia is carrying out strikes in support of Assad, who has received substantial support from Iran as well. Kremlin lies: President Vladimir Putin is accused of covering-up his reliance on mercenary soldiers, pictured, to minimise the extent of regular army casualties in Syria Killed: Vladimir Loginov and Igor Kosoturov were both reportedly killed in Syria this month CENTCOM said the attack occurred eight kilometers (five miles) east of the 'Euphrates River de-confliction line,' referring to a boundary agreed to by Russia and the US, with the former's area of operations to the west of the river and the latter's to its east. 'Coalition officials were in regular communication with Russian counterparts before, during and after the thwarted' attack, the US military official said, adding that 'Russian officials assured coalition officials they would not engage coalition forces in the vicinity.' The SDF - an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters - is working with coalition support to uproot the last IS jihadists from the east bank of the Euphrates, after capturing IS's main Syrian stronghold Raqa. The main Kurdish component of the SDF, known as the YPG, or People's Protection Units, is the target of a military operation in northern Syria by US ally Turkey, which considers the YPG a 'terrorist' group. The attack on the SDF in eastern Syria could spell further trouble for the US-backed forces, which have largely avoided confrontation with pro-Assad units until now. Accusations: Putin has been accused by opposition politician Grigory Yavlinsky, pictured together, of lying about the government's ties to the mercenary armies It comes after reports that more than 200 private Russian military contractors were killed in a failed attack on a base held by U.S. and Kurdish forces last week. In recent weeks, more than 600 Russian mercenaries have reportedly been killed in Syria, many of them in airstrikes carried out by the U.S.-led coalition. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been challenged to publicly admit to the mass deaths and accused of covering up his government's reliance of hired guns to minimise the extent of regular army casualties. Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov refrained from commenting on the reports about the deaths last week, saying on Tuesday that they need to be verified. Asked during a conference call with reporters if Putin raised the episode during Monday's phone conversation with President Donald Trump, Peskov said the situation in Syria wasn't discussed during the call. The Kremin said it had no information about Russian mercenaries being killed in Syria, saying it only knew about Russian nationals who have been deployed there as members of the armed forces. 'We don't have information about other Russians who might be in Syria,' Peskov told reporters on a conference call. The denial comes despite the leader of one of the private armies of mercenaries being photographed meeting Putin and attending a ceremony in the Kremlin. Gunfire erupted inside a busy Whataburger eatery in Texas on Sunday, leaving two customers injured in a bloody incident that was captured on cellphone video. Police in Victoria responded to the fast-food restaurant on Houston Highway at 2.30am on Sunday after getting reports of shots fired. According to police department spokesman David Brogger, Rudolfo Estrada, 35, and Lorenzo Banda, 34, had an altercation inside the crowded burger joint and opened fire on each other. Rudolfo Estrada, 35, is seen shooting at Lorenzo Banda (off screen) after the man allegedly shot him in his midsection at a Whataburger in Victoria, Texas, on Sunday Estrada is seen slumped on the floor against a blood-spattered wall after suffering two gunshot wounds Another customer used some napkins to apply pressure to Estrada's wound in an effort to stop the bleeding. The man later required surgery to repair the damage to his intestine The men suffered at least two gunshot wounds each and both were taken to area hospital for treatment. Witness Orlando Cantu told Victoria Advocate that Banda fired twice on Estrada, who then wrestled the gun from his alleged assailants hands and returned fire. A short cellphone video recorded at the scene of the incident begins with an already wounded Estrada aiming the gun at someone off-screen and squeezing off two rounds before collapsing to the floor. Distraught customers can be heard screaming in panic and shouting expletives in the background. Several people rush to Estrada's aid, who is seen slumped against a blood-spattered wall. The 21-second video does not show Banda shooting at Estrada. Police in Victoria responded to the fast-food restaurant on Houston Highway at 2.30am on Sunday for reports of shots fired Ariana Munoz, a family friend of Estrada's, revealed that he underwent a five-hour surgery on Sunday and was in a medically induced coma but was expected to make a recovery. She said one of the bullets pierced his intestine and shattered his tailbone. Based on his Facebook page, Estrada lives in Victoria with his three young children and works construction. His friend described Estrada as a hard-working family man who minds his own business and never asks for trouble. According to Munoz, early Sunday morning Estrada was getting food after attending a birthday party when the attack happened. Estrada (left and right) is a father-of-three who works construction in Victoria. A friend said he keeps to himself and is not one to get into trouble After the shooting, witness Orlando Cantu said Estrada was bleeding out and he grabbed some napkins and applied pressure to the wound until help arrived. It is unclear whether or not Estrada and Banda knew each other prior to the violent altercation. Banda was listed in critical condition at University Hospital in San Antonio as of Monday. The 34-year-old has a prior criminal record, that includes charges of theft, bail jumping and traffic violations. So far, no arrests have been made in connection to Sundays shooting. Baltimore has gone 11 days without a homicide - the longest streak since the infamous Freddie Gray riots which engulfed the city in 2015. With more than 340 killings in 2017, Baltimore is still recovering from the uprising which followed the death of Gray - a young black man who died in police custody. But after a community-led 72-hour ceasefire on February 2, it appears there is temporary calm in the Maryland city. Baltimore (pictured) has gone 11 days without a homicide - the longest streak since the infamous Freddie Gray riots which engulfed the city in 2015 With more than 340 killings in 2017, Baltimore is still recovering from the uprising (pictured) which followed the death of Gray - a young black man who died in police custody According to experts, overcoming the distrust between police and the community in Baltimore, to which the Gun Trace Task Force case contributed, will be a lengthy process. Baltimore's homicide rate last year was the nation's second-worst, and led to the replacement of the city's police chief in January. Baltimore Ceasefire organizer Erricka Bridgeford told the Baltimore Sun: 'I am losing my mind thrilled. 'It's really exciting. Baltimore deserves this boost of love.' She has been staying up for days until midnight to check her town has made it to the end of another day without a murder. The previous longest streak is thought to be 17 days in March 2014 - a month which saw just seven killings. That is tied for the fewest in a month since 1970. Since the unrest in 2015, the longest period without a killing has been nearly eight days from February 28 to March 8 last year. Gray's funeral on April 27, 2015, was the catalyst for violent clashes in the city - with much of the anger aimed at police. Police vehicles were torched, officers attacked and there was bedlam on the streets as angry demonstrators protested. Pictured: You and Yours host Winifred Robinson (pictured in her garden in 2017 ) asked the caller if his views seemed 'out of touch' A divorced barrister has prompted outrage after insisting wives should stay at home during a BBC Radio 4 call-in about parenting. Peter, from Wiltshire, said he believed it was 'simply not practical' for men to look after babies. The retired lawyer told the Your & Yours programme: 'All this nonsense about men spending time with babies is simply some sort of weird, fashionable ideology. 'It is not the function of men to have very much to do with babies, they should be with their mothers.' He said it was not the role of a mother to work but a man as it was his duty to provide. BBC presenter Winifred Robinson asked him whether he thought his outlook was 'out of touch', he said it was 'absurd'. The journalist asked him about his own wife and her background. Ms Robinson said: 'Have you got children yourself?' Peter said he had four sons but was working as a barrister when they were children. He told the programme: 'I simply couldn't take time off or abandon my clients to go messing about with babies, which is not my function, it's not the function of men to have very much to do with babies they should be with their mothers.' A shocked but professional Ms Robinson replied: 'What did your wife do before you had the family then?' Throwback: Twitter user Nick likened Peter's comments to something The Fast Show character Rowley Birkin QC might say 'A total dinosaur!': Dozens of people took to Twitter to denounce Peter's comments after the You and Yours phone-in Peter: 'She was most simply my wife! It's not right for a man to have his wife working. A man should be able to look after his wife, and all his dependents.' His comments attracted ridicule on Twitter from people who praised the presenter for handling his 'dated' views. A public relations agency tweeted: 'The former barrister on You and Yours had us choking on our sandwiches. So confident in his view that women should not work once married, men have no place looking after babies 'I could not abandon my clients' to look after the children'.' Another joked: 'I heard Jacob Rees-Mogg has just phoned up using a pseudonym, 'Peter the Barrister'.' One man wrote: 'How does BBC Radio 4 always manage to find a Peter from Wiltshire? 'My wife never worked. A woman's place is in the home.' 'No, I'm divorced.' #YouAndYours Praise: Holly Tarquini tweeted her support of presenter Winifred Robinson for how she handled the old-fashioned caller Old school man alert: Beth Follini tweeted a word of warning to Twitter users after hearing Peter's comments on the radio 'Unparalleled professionalism': Alicia Quills described the barrister as 'nasty' and 'sexist' One wrote: 'Love that ex-barrister calling #youandyours @BBCRadio4 'a man of tradition.' A producer of a phone-in show can't buy such a caller. Get him on @BBCWomansHour @janegarvey1 While another said: 'Quick! Comedy gold on #youandyours as a crusty old barrister says having children is a function of women.' One person didn't believe Peter could be a real person. Laurence Phillips wrote: 'I have a sneaky suspicion that jaw-droppingly neanderthal vintage barrister on #youandyours might just have been a spoof. Since it cannot have been Peter Cook nor Peter Sellers, my money is on Jack Dee.' The discussion marks the three year anniversary since the government introduced shared parental leave, giving fathers the chance to share maternity leave. Figures suggest few men so far have done so. The government says that as little as 2 per cent of eligible couples have taken up the opportunity. Shared parental leave allows parents to share 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay after they have a baby. Parents can take the time off separately or can choose to be at home together for up to six months. An 11-year-old boy shot by his mother before she turned the gun on herself has died in hospital. Jefferson County Sheriff deputies were called to the family home in Barnhart, Missouri, just after midnight on Saturday where they found a woman and boy with gunshot wounds. The woman - identified as Tara Kelleher, 49, was pronounced dead at the scene, but her son Sammy Schweitzer survived until Monday morning before passing away shortly after 5am. Jefferson County Sheriff deputies were called to the family home in Barnhart, Missouri, just after midnight on Saturday where they found a woman and boy with gunshot wounds The woman - identified as Tara Kelleher, 49, was pronounced dead at the scene, but her son Sammy Schweitzer survived until Monday morning before passing away shortly after 5am in hospital The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department confirmed the death this morning after the incident in Valley Drive. Sammy was rushed to hospital where he was stabilized, but medics could not save his life. Kelleher's fiance was inside the home at the time, but police told the St Louis Post Dispatch he was not being considered a suspect. While investigators work to establish a possible motive, police are still reeling from a similar incident which occurred just days ago less than 20 miles from Barnhart. In that case, a mother killed her three-month-old baby, shot her husband then turned the gun on herself, investigators believe. Mary Jo Trokey, 32, of St. Louis, Missouri, may have been suffering from postpartum psychosis when she murdered husband Matthew Trokey, 33, and their daughter Taylor Rose Trokey,(pictured at their baby's baptism in December) Police surround the St. Louis, Missouri, home of the Trokeys after a family friend made the grisly discovery Mary Jo Trokey, 32, of St Louis, Missouri, may have been suffering from postpartum psychosis when she murdered husband Matthew Trokey, 33, and their daughter Taylor Rose Trokey, before killing herself last week, police say. Postpartum psychosis, a disorder which can be triggered by childbirth, is known to cause delusional and irrational behavior, and in rare cases, can even cause the mother to harm her child. The trio were found dead from gunshot wounds after a concerned family member went round to check on them after they hadn't heard from the Trokeys. Police have smashed a criminal network using hand car washes 'as a front for people smuggling'. Officers raided 20 homes across Milton Keynes this morning as a part of a crack down on modern slavery. Thirty-six people feared to have been held as slaves were discovered by police and taken into care. Thirteen others were arrested on suspicion of people trafficking, conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and immigration offences. Pictured: More than 180 police officers swooped on car washes and homes in Milton Keynes this morning (Peartree Bridge Hand Car Wash pictured above) as part of a crack down against modern slavery Thirty-six people feared to have been held as slaves were discovered by police and taken into care A police investigation found an organised crime group had been operating in the Buckinghamshire town using hand car washing businesses to front illegal activities Two of 'modern slaves' found were two teenage boys, aged 16 and 17. A police investigation found an organised crime group had been operating in the Buckinghamshire town using hand car washing businesses to front illegal activities. Officers also found large amounts of Class A drugs were being moved into Milton Keynes from London then being dealt by local dealers. A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: 'This group using hand car washes as a front for their criminal activity and we believe individuals may be being trafficked into Milton Keynes, and might be the subject of modern slavery. 'Warrants have been carried out at four hand car washes in Milton Keynes, and one in Bedford.' Police said they have taken 36 people who they believed to be victims of modern slavery into safety. Police said they have taken 36 people who they believed to be victims of modern slavery into safety Officers also found large amounts of Class A drugs were being moved into Milton Keynes from London then being dealt by local dealers Officers also carried out a number of warrants at 20 residential addresses. A spokesman said: 'We have seized a large quantity of cocaine, cannabis and also thousands of pounds worth of cash, and a Mercedes ML 250.' Detective Chief Inspector, Nicole Murphy of Milton Keynes Local Policing Area, said: 'Today we have carried out a number of warrants to disrupt an organised crime group that has been operating in Milton Keynes. 'We have made a number of arrests and have safeguarded a number of individuals who we believe may have been subjected to modern slavery offences, and tackle a people smuggling network. Officers also carried out a number of warrants at 20 residential addresses 'To offer support to vulnerable individuals who may have been trafficked, or those who need help with drugs addiction, we have been working with Milton Keynes Council, HM Immigration, The Samaritans, The Salvation Army, The Red Cross, the Gang Master Licensing Authority and HMRC. 'Additionally we have disrupted this organised crime group, to stop them from bringing drugs into Milton Keynes, and protect our community from the damaging health and social effects of drug abuse. 'This organised crime group has used hand car washes in Milton Keynes, in order to act as a front to mask their criminal activity. 'By continued working with the community and our partners we hope to stop these groups from establishing roots within our communities in this way. 'In order to tackle serious and organised crime we need the public's help and support. We would ask anyone who thinks someone is being exploited to please report it. 'Some of the common signs of modern slavery and exploitation can be found on our Hidden Harm page. 'If you have information which could assist us in tackling serious and organised crime please call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.' A slight increase in deadly car crashes has been found to exist on April 20 after 4.20 pm, which is widely known to be the unofficial 'high holiday' of marijuana users, an analysis of 25 years of data found. The 25-year time span studied coincides with shortly after the first publication of 4/20 as a cannabis culture holiday in High Times magazine, in 1991. The study lacks evidence on whether cannabis use was involved in any of the additional '420' crashes, but notes that higher blood concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a chemical present in marijuana, have been found to decrease reaction times, and can therefore impair driving ability. Previous studies have also shown that many pot-using motorists drive after smoking or otherwise ingesting weed, and think it's safe to do so. 'Policy makers may wish to consider these risks when liberalizing marijuana laws, paying particular attention to regulatory and enforcement strategies to curtail drugged driving,' said lead author Dr. John Staples at the University of British Columbia. A slight increase in deadly US car crashes has been found to exist on April 20 after 4.20 pm, which is widely known to be the unofficial 'high holiday' of marijuana users [Stock photo] The study, which was published on Monday on JAMA Internal Medicine's website, analyzed US government data on fatal traffic accidents from 1992 through 2016. The study compared the number of driver deaths April 20, with the number of driver deaths on April 13 and April 27, during the study period. 'We examined a quarter-century of national data and found a 12 percent increase in the relative risk of a fatal traffic crash after 4.20 pm on April 20, compared with identical time intervals on control days [of April 13 and 27],' a summary of the study's findings read. Other studies have found a similarly elevated risk linked with alcohol and driving on Super Bowl Sunday and New Year's Eve, the study said. Most accidents had no police data on drug testing so there's no way to confirm that marijuana was involved, but researchers think the drug was responsible for some crashes. 'It's a really relevant question to be thinking about now since legalization seems to be progressing across the United States and in Canada,' Staples said. Marijuana is legal for medical use in most US states and in Canada. Marijuana is legal for medical use in most US states and in Canada; Recreational use has been legalized in nine states plus Washington, DC and is expected to become legal in Canada in July Recreational use has been legalized in nine states plus Washington, DC and is expected to become legal in Canada in July. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana can impair driving ability. However, the US agency also notes that directly linking marijuana use with car crashes can be difficult because it's often used while drinking alcohol, as well. An earlier survey of college freshmen found that driving after marijuana use and riding with someone using pot was common, especially among young men, and more common than alcohol-linked driving. And a 2014 study in six states found that marijuana was increasingly detected in drivers killed in car crashes during a 10-year period. It's a recognized risk in Colorado, where voters approved legalizing it in 2012. Last year the state's transportation department partnered with Lyft and a pot industry group to offer discounted rides for pot users partaking in 4/20 festivities. The program runs through April this year. Data shows that 15 percent of DUI arrests in Colorado last year involved marijuana, and a 2016 survey found that about half of users in the state think driving under the influence of pot is safe. Dr. Andrew Monte, an emergency medicine physician and toxicology expert at the University of Colorado, said his hospital typically sees a slight increase in marijuana-using patients on April 20, but that vomiting and intoxication are more common reasons than car crash injuries. Still, he said the study offers an important message about how commonplace, and accepted, cannabis use has become in America. 'We think about cannabis as being ubiquitous in our society,' he said. 'However we need to realize that people should not be using this and driving.' The origins of the now-widely publicized date and time dedicated to smoking weed reportedly dates back to five high school students in Marin County, California, who chose 4.20 pm, on any given day in 1971, to gather at San Rafael High School and partake in the recreational drug, and used '420' as a code to talk about. The are rumored to have referred to themselves as 'the Waldos.' On a timeline of the history of 4/20, published by High Times magazine in February 2014, the magazine wrote: '[In 1990,] a mysterious flyer promoting 420 circulates at Grateful Dead shows, especially in Northern California. A copy of the flyer finds its way from a show in Oakland to High Times offices in New York. San Rafael was the home of Grateful Dead Productions, supporting a link back to the original Waldos, who are not mentioned in the flyer. '[In 1991,] High Times publishes the text of the mysterious flyer, which claims that 420 started in San Rafael, California, "as a police code for marijuana smoking in progress." It also promotes "the grandmaster of all holidays: 4/20, or April 20th."' A man shot dead a woman sex worker who he hired for a party to celebrate the birth of his son while his wife was in maternity hospital, say state prosecutors in Russia. Sportswear shop owner Konstantin Zaytsev, 31, had invited a number of his male friends and three 'prostitutes' to his flat in the Russian town of Minusinsk. At the time, his wife Elena Postnova, 23, was recovering at a local maternity hospital after giving birth to his son. Authorities say Konstantin Zaytsev shot dead Snezhana Chepsorakova (left) who he hired for a party to celebrate the birth of his son while his wife Elena Postnova (right) was in maternity hospital Sportswear shop owner Konstantin Zaytsev (pictured) had invited a number of his male friends and three 'prostitutes' to his flat in the Russian town of Minusinsk During the party, Zaytsev got into an argument with one of the women, 22-year-old Snezhana Chepsorakova, over her demand for an additional payment for staying longer than previously agreed, it is alleged. According to police and prosecutors, he suddenly grabbed a hunting gun and shot her in the head. The woman, a single mother of one, died on the spot, they said. A spokesman for the state prosecutor's office in the Krasnoyarsk region of Siberia said: 'A man was celebrating at his home the birth of his child in the company of friends and women who provide intimate services for money. Zaytsev's wife (pictured with him) has not commented publicly on the incident on February 7 'At night, there was a conflict between the owner of the apartment and one of the women over payment for services during which the man killed her with a shot to the head.' The Investigative Committee, in charge of probing serious criminal cases in Russia, said: 'Currently, the suspect is being questioned, and does not admit his guilt. 'He claims that the deceased shot herself. Zaytsev got into an argument with Snezhana Chepsorakova (pictured) over her demand for an additional payment for staying longer than previously agreed, it is alleged At the time, his wife Elena Postnova (pictured) was recovering at a local maternity hospital after giving birth to his son The Investigative Committee, in charge of probing serious criminal cases in Russia, said: 'Currently, the suspect is being questioned, and does not admit his guilt' 'The investigation of the criminal case is continuing.' He is suspected of murdering Ms Chepsorakova, officials conformed. At least one of the other women had left the flat before the shooting incident, it was reported. The man's wife has not commented publicly on the incident on February 7. Relatives of Ms Chepsorakova are caring for her three-year-old daughter. She's known for her fierce feline features and flashy lifestyle. But 'Catwoman' Jocelyn Wildenstein has dispelled rumors about her cosmetic surgery in her first television interview in two decades. Speaking exclusively to DailyMailTV, alongside her fashion designer fiance Lloyd Klein, the Swiss-born Manhattan socialite explained that her distinct appearance dates back to her youth. She credits her Swiss background for her 'high cheekbones and long hair,' which she says helped her channel French actress Brigitte Bardot. 'It's wild. Usually when we go to restaurants or some French places, they go,"Hi, Brigitte." And I'm like, "actually you do, you do look like Brigitte Bardot,"'Lloyd said. 'And I don't understand the whole press and the Catwoman thing because Jocelyn always looked like that. 'She never really did anything to change her face. I have pictures from 16 years old where she looks exactly the same as today.' Scroll down for video 'Catwoman' Jocelyn Wildenstein, 77, revealed details of her divorce, upcoming marriage to fashion designer Lloyd Klein (left) 50, and cosmetic surgery in her first TV interview in 20 years Speaking exclusively to DailyMailTV, alongside her fashion designer fiance Lloyd Klein, the Swiss-born Manhattan socialite told how her distinct look dates back to her youth The socialite is known for her fierce feline features and flashy style Jocelyn credits her Swiss background for her 'high cheekbones and long hair,' which she says helped her channel French actress Brigitte Bardot (right) When asked if she has undergone surgery Jocelyn, 77, said: 'No, especially when we look back at my pictures - I think of course I am maybe more beautiful [back then]. 'When we are young there's a certain freshness we lose with the years. But you still find the same eyes, same high cheeks, or same nose. I think I was more pretty.' Lloyd added: 'Look, Jocelyn is beautiful, she's magical. The first time I met her, I was almost mesmerized by the beauty, the eyes, the personality. And I work in fashion and I see all these supermodels, and I see everyone, and I see the most beautiful women on the runway, right? But Jocelyn, has something to offer that not a lot of women have.' Jocelyn said her looks first attracted media attention during her divorce from French billionaire art dealer Alec Wildenstein in the late 1990s. According to Jocelyn, she had undergone a surgical procedure that her ex-husband did not approve of, so he went to the press in an alleged attempt to smear her. The couple's marriage ended in 1999 and landed her with a then-record $2.5 billion divorce settlement. Alec Wildenstein died in 2008. Since then, Jocelyn went on to date Klein, who is set to become her second husband this year after dating for 14 years. The pair have become known for their constant ups and downs, including a recent hiccup during which cops were called to their home after neighbors heard screaming coming from their apartment. Police arrested both in November after they arrived at 1am to find a shattered casserole dish on the kitchen floor, bruises to Jocelyn's neck and arms and a cut to Lloyd's forehead. Fashion designer Lloyd Klein is set to become Jocelyn's second husband this year after dating for 14 years. He proposed last summer with a 32 carat pear-shaped snakeskin inspired engagement ring (right) But Lloyd later insisted that he was injured after the dish exploded on the stove. He said Jocelyn came to treat him and the two went on to have noisy sex that was mistaken for an altercation. The two were also arrested in 2016 after Jocelyn sank her claws in Klein's face and scratched him with scissors in a now-notorious catfight. After their spats were exposed in court, Klein revealed he made up with Jocelyn with two 'sorry' gifts - one 200 carat ring composed of emeralds and diamonds, the other a 32 carat pear-shaped snakeskin inspired engagement ring. He said: 'Jocelyn loves, as you see, wildness, so it's a snakeskin in titanium. It was a gift and a pleasure to propose to Jocelyn. Lloyd popped the question last summer at the Versace Mansion in Miami, as the opulent landmark has personal ties to the couple. Jocelyn explained: 'I knew Gianni Versace because at the time he bought the townhouse at the time next to our townhouse when he was still alive. He was a very good, close friends of ours, very charming person. 'So to go to his townhouse, you remember the person, like he is ready to come out of the door. Also it is a beautiful place.' Lloyd added: 'Because it was his 20-year anniversary of when he got shot and we were very sad about it. He was a good friend of mine. He was very supportive when I started my career, I was a baby. 'He helped me a lot. Gianni was a very generous person and helped me go through my show in Paris. His spirit, when we were there, he came back. I'm very spiritual and I felt his presence. It was beautiful, emotional.' The pair have become known for their constant ups and downs, including a recent altercation which resulted in both of them being arrested (Above they are pictured in Manhattan Court in November 2017) The two were also arrested in 2016 after Jocelyn sank her claws in Klein's face and scratched him with scissors in a now-notorious catfight. The two later reconciled when Klein proposed The two remained tight-lipped on their wedding plans, but Lloyd let slip that despite having lived in Trump Tower, the president won't be getting an invite, although Ivanka might. He laughed and said of the First Daughter: 'I think she's wonderful. Ivanka came to my show a few times. I think she is just so perfect.' The couple has a stark age difference, 27 years between them. But Lloyd pointed out that it is hardly uncommon for men to have younger wives, using President Trump, 71, and Melania, 47, as example. The designer said they could be used as examples of romances between older women and younger men, much like French president Emmanuel Macron, 40, and his wife Brigitte, 64. Jocelyn said: 'I think the age difference a lot of it depends on the person, the passion you have, the passion you can share together. It's a lot of the connection you have together more than the age.' Lloyd added: 'We should be open minded about it. 'I think what matters the most is to have a connection.' Theresa May is to fly out to Berlin to hold one on one talks with Angela Merkel as the Government steps up its efforts to make progress on Brexit. The two leaders will meet in the German capital on Friday where they are expected to discuss Britain's future relationship with the bloc. Mrs May will lobby Mrs Merkel to get support for a Brexit transition deal, which she hopes will be signed off at an EU summit later this month. It comes as Chancellor Philip Hammond has been dispatched to make his own tour of Europe as part of a Brexit charm offensive. He has today visited Sweden and Norway and is due to go on to Holland, Spain and Portugal as he holds meetings with political leaders across the bloc. Theresa May is to fly out to Berlin to hold one on one talks with Angela Merkel (who she is pictured with, alongside Emmanuel Macron, at an EU summit last October) as the Government steps up its efforts to make progress on Brexit While leading members of the Cabinet are set to deliver a series of speeches over the next week to spell out 'Britain's road map to Brexit'. Mrs May and Mrs Merkel will hold talks at the German Chancery on Friday - the day before the PM gives a major speech in Munich on Britain's security relationship with the EU post Brexit. It is part of a strategy by the British Government to try to bypass the EU and go straight to the heads of EU member states to press their Brexit case. Number 10 have wanted to get the Brexit transition deal signed off by the Brussels club by the end of the month so we can move on to talks about or future trading relationship. As the Govenrment goes on a fresh charm offensive abroad, ministers will be holding a series of speeches at home in a bid to unite warring Tories over their vision for Brexit. The PM's meeting with the German leader comes as ministers embark on a series of speeches dubbed 'Britain's road map to Brexit' which will spell out their hopes for the future. It will be kicked off tomorrow by Boris Johnson (pictured inspecting an elephant tusk in Thailand yesterday) who is making a major speech Boris Johnson is kicking off the series tomorrow with his Valentine's Day address, when he will call for leavers and remainers to abandon their campaign affiliations and unite behind Brexit opportunities. The Foreign Secretary's intervention - the first of half a dozen major Government speeches in the coming weeks - will promote his vision of a 'liberal Brexit'. On Saturday Mrs May will speak on the UK's 'security partnership' with the EU, and the next fortnight will see speeches by Brexit Secretary David Davis and International Trade Secretary Liam Fox. The only Remain backer giving a speech will be Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington - Mrs May's de facto deputy. Mrs May will then set out her goals in a speech billed within Whitehall as the successor to her Lancaster House address last year, when she first declared that she wanted the UK to leave the single market and customs union. LILLIAN KENEQA | EMTV | Edited CANBERRA - John Kali, just appointed as Papua New Guineas high commissioner to Australia, has reunited with his former teacher after 44 years. It was an emotional meeting as Mr Kali met the man who had a great impact on his life, Richard (Dick) Clark. Mr Kali says that this is the man who helped him become who he is today for which he is forever grateful. In June of 1964, 21-year-old D ick Clark arrived in PNG. He had met all the requirements to become a teacher and was prepared to spend time in remote parts of the then territory. Mr Clark taught at the school in which John Kali was a student at. Mr Kali states that, because of the quality of teaching Mr Clark delivered, his class was the top in the country. Mr Clark returned to Australia in 1974 but the impact of his life and teaching made a big difference. Mr Kali attributes his success to his teacher. He states that with his new appointment in Australia, he will make a bigger impact in PNG. Actor Patrick Boll was arrested Friday for allegedly trying to buy a prostitute Gossip Girl actor Patrick Boll was among a group of men arrested at a Florida hotel for allegedly trying to buy a prostitute. The married 53-year-old father-of-two, and five other men, were busted at a hotel in Naples on Friday after police said they tried to arrange a meeting with a prostitute, who was really an undercover cop. Each of the men either texted or called the hooker, Naples Daily News reports, to negotiate a price and arrange for the prostitute to meet them at the hotel. Boll had allegedly agreed to pay $150 in cash and 'negotiated to have straight sex', according to TMZ. Instead Boll, who is married to New York University costume director Therese Bruck, was arrested and booked f or soliciting prostitution. Boll, 53, agreed to pay the prostitute $150 but the hooker was an undercover police officer doing a sting. He was charged with solicitation of prostitution Boll has two kids and is married to Therese Bruck, costume director at New York University Boll stared in a number of TV shows including Gossip Girl, as seen above in a grab from the show with actor Chace Crawford Boll also starred in Law & Order, pictured above in a scene from the show. The actor was released from jail after posting his $2,000 bond Boll, who also starred in TV series such as The Good Wife and Law & Order and the film How To Be Single, has already been released from jail after posting his $2,000 bond. He's expected to be arraigned in Collier County Court on March 7. Boll, who resides in New Jersey, was in Florida performing in the play The King & I as Captain Orton and Sir Edward Ramsey. The play ended on Sunday. Judge Jay Rosman, who served a chief judge of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit from 2011 to 2015, was also arrested in the undercover sting. The Miami Herald reports that the 64-year-old judge allegedly offered to pay $300 to have sex with the prostitute. Rosman was the only one who resisted arrest, resulting in an additional charge. The other men arrested in the sting were identified by police as Howard Cornibe, 70; Peter W. Bradshaw, 70; Richard A Cecil, 47; and William B. Darmoh III, 29. All six men were charged with solicitation of prostitution. Sen. Bernie Sanders is heading to Iowa for the first time this year, spawning speculation that he might, again, throw his hat in the ring for the Democratic nomination in 2020. Sanders, according to the Des Moines Register, will be stumping for his former aide Pete DAlessandro, who is now running for U.S. Congress in the state's 3rd District. When running in the Democratic primary in 2016, Sanders didn't pay much attention to down-ballot races, so his endorsement and appearance on behalf of DAlessandro is a noteworthy change, furthering speculation that the Vermont independent is already laying presidential groundwork in the state. Sen. Bernie Sanders, captured on Capitol Hill on Friday, is heading to Iowa later this month to stump for a former campaign staffer who's running for Congress During Bernie Sanders' presidential run he paid little attention to down-ballot races. Now, he's involved in an Iowa House race, which suggests there may also be something in it for him Iowa, of course, holds the nation's first contest and has given a boost to non-frontrunners before, including Barack Obama, who surprised the political world with his win in 2008 against Democratic standard-bearers like Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Joe Biden. Bernie Sanders is campaigning for Pete DAlessandro (pictured) who ran his Iowa operation in 2016 In what could be a crowded 2020 field, Sanders would benefit from an early win in Iowa, which would take him into New Hampshire, a state where he soundly beat Clinton in 2016 thanks to the Vermonter's next-door-neighbor status with significant momentum. Sanders is already polling strongly against President Trump, with CNN finding last month that he would beat the Republican in a head-to-head 55 to 42 per cent. The Vermont liberal might have trouble, however, if Biden decided to jump in. The former vice president performed better against Trump among registered voters in the CNN poll, with Biden garnering 57 per cent of the vote to Trump's 40 per cent. Talk show host Oprah Winfrey, a fantasy candidate at this point, beat Trump in this particular survey, but didn't perform as well against the president as Biden and Sanders. Sanders' trek to Iowa, which will take place on February 23 in Des Moines, will make the third time he's been to the state since last summer. In July, the Vermont senator gave what the Register described as a 'campaign-style' speech to 1,100 people gathered at the Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement's annual convention. The former candidate then returned to the state in the fall as part of his book tour. In a statement to the Register, DAlessandro who helped Sanders come within spitting distance of Clinton in the Iowa caucuses made clear how important the Hawkeye State was to the senator's last presidential campaign. He then hopped on Sanders' coattails to promote his own run. 'We can take our country back and continue the movement Bernie started here in 2016,' DAlessandro said. Impressive footage shows a man in a kayak rescuing two rabbits stranded in the middle of a flood. Footage shows the man, from the Dogman Tierhilfe animal rescue service, rowing around the Rhine, which overflowed onto the banks after heavy rainfall. He had spotted one rabbit fighting for its life after being caught in the difficult weather conditions in the town of Leichlingen in Germany. Speaking in German, he can be heard speaking in German to himself as they desperately try to reach the frightened creatures. The first rabbit is spotted in the middle of the water before the kayaker plucks it out and puts it in a backpack to keep it safe. The kayak then approaches the trees where the other startled rabbit is clinging to the branches of a tree almost engulfed by water, trying to find a way to reach the bank. Filming on his GoPro, the kayaker can be seen approaching the little rabbit, but it scampers away as soon as he draws near. Impressive footage shows two men in kayaks rescue a rabbit which became stranded in the middle of a flood in the town of Leichlingen in Germany Footage shows the two men, from the Dogman Tierhilfe animal rescue service, rowing around the Rhine, which overflowed onto the banks after heavy rainfall But suddenly the rabbit emerges from the water and he manages to grab it with his bare hands. He carefully places it in a plastic cage and rows to shore where his colleague is waiting. The rabbit is transferred to another box and taken away to be treated, before being released back into the wild. It is not clear exactly where on the river the rescue teamperformed their impressive rescue. Suddenly the rabbit emerges from the water and he manages to grab it with his bare hands It is transferred to another box and taken away to be treated, before being released back into the wild For more videos like this follow Daily Mails Watch show Not All Heroes Wear Capes Police are searching for a man who allegedly followed a woman through a New York subway station while he masturbated. According to the New York Police Department, a 22-year-old woman was waiting on a train at Chambers Street in Manhattan when the incident occurred on January 10. The woman told police she heard a man call over to her around 8.15pm that night. Police are still searching for a man (pictured) who allegedly followed a 22-year-old woman through a New York subway station while he masturbated When she looked up, she saw the suspect exposing himself while he masturbated. He then walked up the stairs and continued to masturbate while staring at her, according to NBC. Police released surveillance photos of the suspected subway masturbator Monday morning. Authorities are asking for the public's help identifying and locating him. He is believed to be in his 30s. Officers are also looking for another man in a separate incident. According to NBC, a 16-year-old girl was on an L-train to Manhattan Tuesday morning when the man allegedly grabbed her buttocks. She immediately confronted the man who had grabbed her and took photos of him on her phone. Anyone with information about either incident are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS. Hope Hicks was spotted heading out of her Washington DC apartment and into a waiting town car on Tuesday as she headed off to work at the White House. She looked to be in mourning as she made her way to the car in head-to-toe black, a surprising choice for the White House Communications Director who mostly favors colorful patterns and prints. Hicks, who is almost always seen in a dress or skirt, also opted for a pair of perfectly tailored flare pants. The lone pop of color came from the baby-blue coat she carried in her arm and the same fuchsia lip and pearl studs she wore on Monday. The 29-year-old rolled out this funereal look on the heels of FBI Director Christopher Wray revealing that the FBI handed over the results of their background check on Rob Porter last summer. 'What I can tell you is that the FBI submitted a partial report on the investigation in question in March and then a completed background investigation in late July,' said FBI Director Christopher Wray on Monday. Back in black: Hope Hicks was photographed heading to work at The White House on Tuesday (above) in black slacks, a black blouse and black heels Maybe she's born with it: This sartorial choice comes in the wake of FBI Director Christopher Wray's claim that the FBI handed over the results of Rob Porter's background check in July Gossip girl: It was a surprising choice for Hicks, who is almost always in dresses and often chooses more colorful or patterned looks Little House on the prairie: Hicks was in a far more colorful look on Monday (above) Axios reported on Sunday that President Trump does think Porter is guilty of spousal abuse, citing four sources who had spoken to him in the wake of the scandal. He also is reported to have said that he believes men who abuse their wives are 'sick puppies' and cannot be reformed. President Trump has of course been accused of sexual misconduct by over 15 women, and his ex-wife Ivana Trump accused him of raping her in 1989 during a deposition in their divorce case before walking back on those claims. This now marks Hicks' third day working at a Porter-free White House. She looked a bit more lovely as she headed off on Monday in a high-necked blouse and bare legs, opting however for the same black suede heels. On Friday, Hicks found nothing to smile about as she made her way to the Oval Office to hear President Trump deliver prepared remarks about her newly unemployed boyfriend. Hicks was photographed at one point listening in while a smiling Kellyanne Conway spoke into her ear, but her somber expression remained fixed on her face. And later, she could be seen placing her hand on John Kelly's back as the forlorn Chief of Staff stood solo in a corner while watching President Trump speak. Despite the claims of frustration, President Trump released a statement on Friday which said: 'Hope is absolutely fantastic. 'She was with the campaign from the beginning, and I could not ask for anything more. Hope is smart, very talented and respected by all.' The President's daughter, Ivanka, who hired Hicks several years ago to work for her company before she moved on to the Trump campaign, called her a 'team player. She added: 'Most importantly, the President has deep respected for her, cares about her greatly, and listens to her. That's not true of everyone. She's earned that.' President Trump defended Porter when he spoke to reporters in the Oval Office on Friday. He said of the allegations: 'I found out about it recently and I was surprised by it. But we certainly wish him well. It's obviously a tough time for him.' 'He did a very good job when he was in the White House and we hope he has a wonderful career, and hopefully he will have a great career ahead of him.' Steady as she goes: Wray also said that the FBI first began sharing information with members of the administration in March of last year Dressed in distress: The lone pop of color came from the baby-blue coat she carried in her arm and the same fuchsia lip and pearl studs she wore on Monday Watch me go: Hicks pants were perfectly tailored top her very high heels President Trump then continued to defend Porter. 'It was very sad when we heard about it,' Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, 'and certainly he's also very sad. 'Now, he also, as you probably know, he says he's innocent. And I think you have to remember that. He said very strongly yesterday that he's innocent. 'So you'll have to talk to him about that. But we absolutely wish him well. He did a very good job when he was at the White House.' There was no mention of the three women who have accused Porter of abuse, and as soon as President Trump finished he quickly dismissed all assembled members of the press pool. It was less than 24 hours after DailyMail.com first broke the story about Porter's alleged abuse. Porter stepped down from his job following on-the-record claims to DailyMail.com from his ex-wives Colbie Holderness and Jennifer Willoughby about the abuse they say they suffered during their marriages to the former Trump aide. Holderness claims Porter choked and punched her during their marriage, while Willoughby says he dragged her wet and naked out of the shower and was verbally abusive. On Friday, DailyMail.com also reported that Kelly was told in October 2017 that Porter's ex-wives were prepared to level devastating accusations of spousal abuse against him. Porter's then-girlfriend told Kelly personally that Porter had abused his two exes, according to a White House official. White House counsel Don McGahn had known since early 2017 that Porter was at risk of being accused of being violent with the women. But the news made it to Kelly when Porter's girlfriend told him, after contacting a White House aide who reported to him. A former special education teacher from South Dakota has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for carrying on a months-long sexual relationship with her 15-year-old student. Kari Jo Boll, 31, a married mother-of-two, earlier pleaded guilty to fourth-degree rape and sexual contact with a child under 16 after admitting to having sex multiple times with the student, who was 15 at the time. Boll initially faced 21 charges that could have led to a maximum 300 years in prison upon conviction. A plea deal capped the sentence at 30 years. Boll was a teacher at West Central High School for three years before her arrest in 2016. Teacher sentenced: Kari Jo Boll, 31, a former special education teacher from South Dakota (pictured left and right in court), has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for having sex with her 15-year-old student Place of learning: Boll was a teacher at West Central High School for three years before her arrest in 2016 According to court documents cited by the Argus Leader, she told investigators her relationship with the student began after he started working at her Hartford farm and told her he had feelings for her. Investigators said the illicit relationship between the student and his teacher began in May 2016 and continued until shortly before her arrest in August 2016. The Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation into the suspected sexual misconduct after receiving information from a mandatory reporter, who provided several text messages in which Boll admitted to having a sexual relationship with the teen. Boll is a married and has two children. She told police following her arrest in 2016 that her relationship with the boy began after he started working at her Hartford farm and told her he had feelings for her When interviewed by the authorities, Boll confessed but initially claimed she and the boy had waited until he turned 16 years old to have sex, because the age of consent in South Dakota is 16. The married teacher later admitted that their affair began earlier, and that they had sex more than 20 times, including in her car, in a barn on her property and at her home. During Boll's sentencing hearing on Monday, the victims mother read a statement to the court, saying the boy and his family have been greatly impacted by what had happened to him. 'He was robbed. He was taught deception and lying is okay,' the mother said, before addressing Boll directly and telling her: 'I hope your kids never have to go through something like this,' reported the station KDLT. Boll's husband and her mother spoke out in her support, arguing that she could be rehabilitated and vowing to be there for her when she is released from prison. As she was being led out of the courtroom in handcuffs, Boll and her family said 'I love you' to each other. Israeli police have recommended the country's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu be charged with corruption Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to remain in office and today insisted his government is 'stable' after police recommended he should be indicted on bribery and breach of trust charges. The recommendations came after Netanyahu allegedly accepted gifts from Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer. There were also suspicions that he offered to give preferential treatment to a newspaper publisher in exchange for favourable coverage. And the fresh development will deal an embarrassing blow to the embattled prime minister and is likely to fuel calls for him to resign. Following the announcement late on Tuesday, Netanyahu angrily rejected the accusations, which included accepting nearly $300,000 dollars in gifts from the two billionaires. Mr Parker is one of several wealthy businessmen Israeli police questioned about expensive gifts allegedly given to Netanyahu and his family. These items included champagne, hotel rooms, meals and cigars. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Mr Packer. Mr Packer struck up a close friendship with Netanyahu in 2014 after the pair were introduced by mutual friend, Arnon Milchan, a major Hollywood producer. The Australian billionaire later bought a waterfront home next door to the Israeli PM's private beachfront home in Caesarea and was a special guest at speeches delivered by Mr Netanyahu to the US Congress and UN General Assembly in New York in 2015. Netanyahu later accused police of being on a witch hunt and vowed to remain in office and even seek re-election. Netanyahu said: 'I will continue to lead the state of Israel responsibly and loyally as long as you, the citizens of Israel, choose me to lead you. 'I am sure that the truth will come to light. And I am sure that also in the next election that will take place on time I will win your trust again, with God's help.' The police recommendations now go to Attorney General Avihai Mendelblit, who will review the material before deciding whether to file charges. Netanyahu is allowed to remain in office during that process, which is expected to drag on for months. But with a cloud hanging over his head, he could soon find himself facing calls to step aside. During similar circumstances a decade ago, Netanyahu, as opposition leader, urged then-prime minister Ehud Olmert to resign during a police investigation, saying a leader 'sunk up to his neck in interrogations' could not govern properly. Olmert resigned from office after police recommended he be indicted for graft. He was freed from prison in July after being granted parole from a 27-month sentence. In the immediate aftermath of the police announcement, reactions quickly fell along partisan lines. Police were investigating Netanyahu over suspicions that he received expensive gifts, including pricey cigars, from wealthy supporters such as Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer (pictured) Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured) has lashed out at police with detectives reportedly on the verge of recommending his indictment for taking bribes Former prime minister Ehud Barak, a bitter rival of Netanyahu, called on him to suspend himself and for the coalition to appoint a replacement on Wednesday morning. He said: 'The depth of corruption is horrifying. This does not look like nothing. This looks like bribery.' But key members of Netanyahu's Likud Party rallied behind him. Cabinet minister Miri Regev said she was 'not excited' by the police recommendations and urged patience while the attorney general reviews the case. She said the biggest surprise was that Yair Lapid, leader of the opposition Yesh Atid party, had been a witness. David Amsalem, another Netanyahu confidant, called Lapid a 'snitch'. Lapid later issued a statement calling on Netanyahu to resign. He said: 'Someone with such serious accusations against them, many of which he does not even deny, cannot continue to serve as prime minister with responsibility for the security and well-being of Israel's citizens.' For months, police have been investigating two cases against him. In one probe, Mr Netanyahu reportedly received over $100,000 in gifts from Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan (centre, with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in Los Angeles) and other wealthy supporters in return for 10-year US visas Netanyahu posted a response on Facebook late last Wednesday in which he lashed out at the police commissioner, calling suggestions that he sent private investigators on such a mission 'ridiculous'. His post said: 'It is shocking to discover that the commissioner has repeated the mistaken and ridiculous suggestion that Prime Minister Netanyahu sent private investigators after the police who are investigating him.' He also referred to claims that sexual harassment allegations against the head of the unit investigating Netanyahu were an attempt to smear him because of the graft probe. His post added: 'Any honest person would ask himself how people who say such delusional things about the prime minister can objectively investigate him and honestly give unbiased recommendations. 'A large shadow was cast tonight over the police investigations and their recommendations related to Prime Minister Netanyahu.' The investigation has raised the possibility that Netanyahu, prime minister for a total of nearly 12 years, will eventually be forced to resign. His wife allegedly received bottles of pink champagne. The gifts were reportedly worth some tens of thousands of dollars. They were also probing allegations that he sought a secret deal for favourable coverage with the publisher of top-selling newspaper Yediot Aharonot. Police have released CCTV images of a man they want to quiz in connection with the attempted rape of 10-year-old girl. The child was walking with friends in Openshaw, Greater Manchester, on Saturday afternoon, when she became separated from them. A man approached her and led her to an area of wasteland where he sexually assaulted her before attempting to rape her. Pictured: The man police want to speak to in connection with the attempted rape of 10-year-old girl in Openshaw, Greater Manchester, on Saturday The girl was walking with friends when the suspect approached her and led her to an area of wasteland where he sexually assaulted her Police were called to the scene, off Kincraig Street, shortly after 2pm after the girl managed to flee and run towards a dog walker who raised the alarm. Officers conducted an immediate search of the area but the offender could not be located. Further enquiries have since established that a man matching the description of the offender was seen arriving at the nearby Clayton Hall tram stop at 1.33pm after travelling there on the Ashton line from the previous tram stop, Edge Lane. Greater Manchester Police are hunting a suspected sex attacker who tried to rape a 10-year-old girl near Kincraig Close in Openshaw, Manchester He was also spotted in other locations in Openshaw that day, both before and after the incident took place. Detectives are keeping an open mind as to whether or not the offender may have come from a different area of Greater Manchester. Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Boyce, of GMP's City of Manchester Division, said: 'We are continuing to do all we can to find the man responsible for this horrendous attack on an innocent young girl but we still need the public's help. Patrols have been stepped up in the area near Kincraig Close in Openshaw (shown on map) 'We have released images of a man that we wish to speak to in connection with this incident and I would like to appeal to anyone who may recognise him to please come forward. 'If you see the man pictured then please do not approach him but contact us straightaway instead.' Anyone with information should call CID on 0161 856 1146, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555. Mardi Gras celebrations are currently underway in many cities across the world. The festival, held just before the onset of Lent for Christians, features jubilant parties and colorful parades, the most famous of which is held in New Orleans. The famous Brazilian Carnivals are also held this time of year and share many similarities to Mardi Gras. But what exactly is Mardi Gras? Here's everything you need to know about what it is, when it is, what Fat Tuesday is and when Fat Tuesday 2018 is. Mardi Gras, held just before the onset of Lent for Christians, features jubilant parties and colorful parades, the most famous of which is held in New Orleans, pictured here What is Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras is a Carnival celebration held in some countries on or after the feasts of the Epiphany in the Christian church. It is held the day before Ash Wednesday and signifies a period of light-hearted celebration before the onset of Lent, a period of fasting and prayer. The event is typically celebrated with parades and jubilant parties. The festivities started in medieval Europe and have continued for centuries. Mardi Gras was introduced to the United States by French explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville in 1699. The first official Mardi Gras celebration in the country was held in 1703 near present-day Mobile, Alabama. A Mardi Gras reveler holds out a fistful of beads which are traditionally worn in New Orleans Though observed in a number of countries around the world, the most famous Mardi Gras celebrations take place in New Orleans. Other Mardi Gras celebrations are held in France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and other countries. In Brazil, the famous Carnival celebrations are held on the Friday before Ash Wednesday until Ash Wednesday itself and share many similarities to the other Mardi Gras events held in the United States, Europe and elsewhere in the world. When is Mardi Gras 2018? Mardi Gras 2018 will be held on Tuesday, February 13. In New Orleans, celebratory parades are held two weeks before and through the Tuesday before the start of Lent. What is Fat Tuesday? Fat Tuesday, also known as Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras in French, is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday on which Mardi Gras celebrations are traditionally held. The day sees many parties and colorful, celebratory carnivals held in cities throughout the world. When is Fat Tuesday 2018? Fat Tuesday 2018 will be on February 13. It always falls exactly 47 days before Easter. Mardi Gras History Mardi Gras has been celebrated since the Middle Ages, starting first in Europe before spreading to the New World. Mardi Gras food in the United States is often Southern and Creole-themed and includes crawfish, shrimp Malacca, gumbo and jambalaya. The first Mardi Gras was celebrated in New Orleans in 1856 after being organized by a group of local businessmen called the Mistick Krewe of Comus. The first official parade was held a year later in 1857 while the event was declared a legal holiday in the state of Louisiana in 1875, according to History.com. Over the years, its become known for its lavish parades and reputation for hedonism. #Orpheus might be my favorite parade. The floats are beautiful, the crowds are nice and I love seeing the celebrities. @KeeganMKey!! I hope hes having a blast this #MardiGras. pic.twitter.com/aFUGY4vmGE Carolyn Carnival Time Scofield (@NewsCarolyn) February 13, 2018 What is Ash Wednesday? Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent for many Western Christian denominations. A day of fasting, it occurs 46 days before Easter and is observed by abstaining from a particular habit for 40 days. Observant Christians often attend church on this day and receive an Ash cross on their foreheads. Just before Ash Wednesday during the Mardi Gras period, King Cake is often eaten as a treat. Mardi Gras Parades 2018 The famous Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans are currently underway and are scheduled daily, weather permitting, during the two weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday. Other Mardi Gras parades are held around the world in Nice, France, Cologne, Germany, Venice, Quebec City and many other cities around the world. How Much Does it Cost to Go to Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans and around the world are free of charge for revelers. The parents of a conservative, Republican senate hopeful have given the maximum donation possible to his Democratic opponent. Kevin Nicholson, 40, is challenging Wisconsin's Democratic junior senator Tammy Baldwin in the primary election. His parents Michael and Donna have pledged their support with Baldwin and each donated $2,700 - the maximum amount a person can donate in the primaries - to her campaign in December. Kevin, who was a staunch Democrat until he served in the Iraq war, said his parents were of 'a different world view'. The couple routinely donate to the Democratic party and have given money to Baldwin in the past. Their donations this year are their largest to Baldwin, who was the first openly gay Senator when she was voted in in 2012. Kevin Nicholson's parents have given the maximum donation they each can to his opponent, Democrat Tammy Baldwin (right) ahead of the August primary election Kevin, a proud Christian and gun owner who emphatically supports the 2nd amendment, acknowledged the rift on Monday, telling CNN: 'It is not surprising that they would support a candidate like Tammy Baldwin who shares their perspective.' His parents did not return requests for comment on Tuesday morning. Kevin has not revealed whether he and his parents are on good terms despite their affiliation. For most of his life, he shared their political views and even acted as the president of the College Democrats of America. He said he changed his views during his tours of Iraq and Afghanistan where her served as a Marine. 'I'm a conservative today not because I was born one, but because of the experience I earned as a Marine in combat, my experience as a husband and father, my choice to be a Christian, the schools I chose to attend and the decision to pursue the career that I have. 'Regardless of who may disagree with my life decisions, I would not trade these experiences for anything, and they will always guide my views as Wisconsin's next U.S. senator,' Nicholson said. After returning from the war, Nicholson obtained a business administration degree from Harvard Business School. He said it was both those things which spurred his candidacy. Nicholson is a Marines veteran and served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He describes himself as a Christian and is a proud gun owner. He is pictured with his wife Jessie and their oldest child Nicholson (pictured center) said his political views changed when he returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. Until then, he had been a Democrat Top of his agenda is the nation's spending and the military. He describes himself as a gun owner and says he is a firm supporter of the 2nd amendment. By contrast, Baldwin's focus is on education, healthcare and the local economy in Wisconsin. She was the first openly gay Senator when she was appointed in 2012 and was the first woman from Wisconsin to serve in the Senate in the country. Unlike Nicholson, she has spent much of her tenure campaigning for tighter gun laws. Nicholson is not the only Republican running for the seat. Leah Vukmir, Griffin Jones and John Siess are also running campaigns. While Nicholson does not have his parent's support, he has won hefty endorsement from other Republican mega donors. Among them is Richard Uihlein who gave $3.5million to a Super PAC to help him further his chances. Vukmir currently sits on the state senate for its 5th district. U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has pledged to no longer accept donations from corporate political action committees to fund her campaign or the Off the Sidelines PAC she established to encourage more women to run for office. Gillibrand, D-N.Y., announced her decision Tuesday. By declining to take corporate PAC contributions, she received an endorsement from End Citizens United, a leading campaign finance reform group. In a video posted to her Twitter account, Gillibrand explained why she will no longer accept checks from corporate PACs. One reason is her concern with the 2010 Supreme Court decision in the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission case. The court ruled that free speech protections apply to corporations wishing to support political campaigns. "We have a system where corporations can spend unlimited money that isn't even disclosed so there's no transparency," she said. Gillibrand has been a prodigious fundraiser during her time in Congress. In the 2018 Senate election cycle, which began in January 2013, she has received more than $14.6 million in contributions. Most of her money has come from individuals. But more than $1.1 million in donations has come from "other committees," such as PACs. A police officer cradled the body of a little boy who died after the boat he was in capsized on its way to Greece. Three people died and four were missing on Tuesday after a refugee boat carrying eight people capsized in a river that flows between Turkey and Greece. The eighth refugee had made it into Greece, a spokeswoman for Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Organisation (AFAD) said. A Turkish gendarmerie officer carries the body of a boy who died after the boat he was in capsized on its way to Greece The boat was travelling along the Maritsa River, in Turkey's northwestern province of Edirne, when it capsized early on Tuesday, the first aid organization said. Nearby residents heard yells and informed the local gendarmarie forces. Searchers recovered three bodies, it said, adding that two of them were children - one around 12 years old and the other around four. The causes of death were not yet determined. Rescue teams searching for survivors of a boat that capsized in the river along the Turkish-Greek border have recovered the bodies of two children Three people died and four were missing on Tuesday after a refugee boat carrying eight people capsized in a river that flows between Turkey and Greece AFAD was still looking for the four others on the boat, but said the cold temperatures and the strong currents in the water was impeding operations. A 2016 deal between Turkey and the European Union sharply reduced the flow of refugees into the bloc, many of whom had made the short but dangerous sea crossing from Turkey to Greek islands a few miles offshore. Overall Mediterranean arrivals to the European Union, including refugees making the longer and more perilous crossing from north Africa to Italy, stood at 172,301 in 2017. The number was down from 362,753 in 2016 and 1,015,078 in 2015, according to U.N. data. The boat was travelling along the Maritsa River, in Turkey's northwestern province of Edirne, when it capsized Twitter users were left scratching their heads after it appeared the artist who painted former President Barack Obama's official portrait had given the former head of state a sixth finger. Kehinde Wiley, 41, who was commissioned to paint the portrait that will hang in the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. While the painting drew praise for its bright background and Obama's relaxed pose, some eagle-eye viewers drew attention to the former president's left hand. Many Twitter users said that where the pinky finger creased, it looked like it featured an extra finger tucked under his palm. Another critique was that the ex-commander-in-chief's hands seemed way too large, almost as long as his forearms and twice as big as his head. Twitter users were left scratching their heads after it appeared the artist who painted former President Barack Obama's official portrait had given the former head of a state a sixth finger Many Twitter users said that where the pinky finger creased, it looked like it featured an extra finger tucked under his palm. Twitter users quickly flocked to social media to ask others the question puzzling them all. 'What's extra weird: Obama has an extra finger growing beneath his pinky on his left hand,' one user tweeted. 'Serious Question - why does Obama have the appearance of a 6th finger?? Mistake? Or something else??' another one wrote. One user commented: 'Why does Obama have an extra finger tucked behind his others?' Twitter users quickly flocked to social media to ask others the question puzzling them all about the extra appendage (above) Unveiled yesterday, the portraits of Barack Obama and Michelle Obama will hang at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. 'That's pretty sharp,' the ex-president said as he and artist Kehinde Wiley pulled the cloth off Obama's portrait, which showed the Democrat in a tie-less get-up, seated, surrounded by a floral motif. Michelle Obama's portrait, created by Amy Sherald, had been unveiled first, and the former president quickly applauded the artist for capturing the 'hotness of the woman that I love.' Both of the Obamas talked about the intimate process of getting their portrait painted, including the fact that each artist had to interview with the then-president and first lady in the Oval Office. Unveiled yesterday, the portraits of Barack Obama and Michelle Obama will hang at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery Obama joked that he had asked Wiley to make his hair less gray and his ears smaller in his portrait Michelle Obama's portrait, created by Amy Sherald, had been unveiled first, and the former president quickly applauded the artist for capturing the 'hotness of the woman that I love Obama (pictured, Monday) also said that Wiley wanted to make the portrait more grandiose than having the former POTUS simply sit in a chair 'I'm sorry, I'm so sorry,' the former FLOTUS told the two artists, saying her first order of business was to apologize to them for making them go through those grillings. The Obamas noted how neither had sat for a portrait before, with the ex-president calling attention to his high school yearbook photo saying it was 'no great shakes.' The ex-president also said that he had asked Wiley to change certain things about his appearance, including making his hair which was jet black when he entered the White House less grey, and shrinking his trademark big ears. Obama also said that Wiley wanted to make the portrait more grandiose than having the former POTUS simply sit in a chair. 'I had to explain that I have enough political problems,' Obama said, suggesting that the artist wanted to mount him on a horse, among other ideas. 'Gotta bring it down just a touch.' Wiley's works are often easily identifiable by their wild backgrounds, with the flowers behind Obama symbolizing places where he has roots: chrysanthemums for Chicago, jasmine for Hawaii and African blue lilies for the birthplace of Obama's late Kenyan father. The sister of a Bangladeshi woman who allegedly stabbed her Melbourne home-stay host in an 'ISIS-inspired' attack has been arrested after reportedly attacking a police officer. Asmaul Husna is accused of stabbing the male officer at her home in Dhaka on Monday night, Dhaka Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner Masudur Rahman told The Daily Star. Mr Rahman said the incident occurred after a group of police arrived to talk with Husna, otherwise known as Shumona, about the arrest of her sister Momena Shoma in Melbourne on Friday. The officer was taken to the hospital for treatment. Scroll down for video Asmaul Husna, the sister of a Bangladeshi woman who allegedly stabbed her Melbourne home-stay host in an ' ISIS -inspired' attack on Friday (pictured Momena Shoma, 24), has been arrested for stabbing a police officer Shoma, 24, is accused of stabbing Roger Singaravelu, 56, (pictured) in the neck Fat his Callistemon Rise home in Mill Park Momena Shoma, 24, is accused of stabbing Roger Singaravelu, 56, in the neck Fat his Callistemon Rise home in Mill Park. Police revealed the following day the woman had been charged with one count of engaging in a terrorist attack after becoming 'self-radicalised'. During questioning, Husna, 22, admitted to be involved with Neo-JMB, an ISIS-linked group in Bangladesh, Mr Rahman told the Daily Star. Shoma attended North South University until late last year - the same institution where a group of men linked to Bangladesh's worst act of terrorism were students,The Australian reports. Current and former students at North South were among extremists killed in an attack on a restaurant that left 29 people dead, according to Bagladeshi authorities. ISIS gunmen behind a 2016 attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery - a popular spot for Westerners - killed 22 people, including police officers and a former North South student. Just weeks later, four students from North South were among ISIS extremists killed in police gunfights after being identified to be linked with the group that attacked the restaurant. Shoma attended North South University (pictured) until late last year - the same institution where a group of men linked to Bangladesh's worst act of terrorism were students Taj-Ul-Haque Rashik was among the group, who also attended Mastermind School - the institution Shoma attended prior to North South. Shoma travelled to Melbourne on February 1 on a student visa and was renting a room at Mr Singaravelu's property while studying at La Trobe University. Detectives at the scene alleged she was dressed in a black burka and used a knife to attack the father as his daughter watched on. Mr Singaravelu regularly opened his home to international students and was known as a 'nice guy' from a caring family who would share food with their neighbours. Mr Singaravelu regularly opened his home (pictured) to international students and was known as a 'nice guy' from a caring family who would share food with their neighbours He remained in hospital in a 'serious but stable' condition, according to police. Before moving into the Mill Park home, Shoma stayed with a family in the nearby suburb of Bundoora, who said they were 'more than surprised' to hear of the stabbing. It is unknown why she moved residences, but Australian Homestay Network chief executive Julie Manche said the occurrence was not uncommon. 'It's not unusual to move a student to find a more suitable host family at the request of the host or the student, but we can't comment on a particular case,' Ms Manche said. Advertisement A large sinkhole that opened up in a Texas neighborhood has revealed a massive 200-foot underground cave. Last Thursday, a 20-foot sinkhole emerged on Cambria Drive around 3am. Residents said they heard what they believed was thunder amid the collapse before they even learned of the sinkhole. Williamson County officials worked over the weekend with environmental consultants to explore the caves, which led to the discovery of three chambers. By Sunday, officials announced that a fourth chamber in the cave had been discovered. A large sinkhole that opened up in a Texas neighborhood has revealed a massive 200-foot underground cave (pictured) Williamson County officials said on Sunday that a fourth chamber (pictured) in the cave was discovered by environmental consultants Last Thursday, a 20-foot sinkhole (pictured) emerged on Cambria Drive around 3am. Residents said they heard what they believed was thunder amid the collapse before learning of the sinkhole 'This chamber is approximately 30 ft long, bringing the total length of the cave to approximately 200 ft,' officials wrote on Facebook. According to the consultants, the additional chamber is not as tall as the other three chambers at approximately three feet high. Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District workers discovered the sinkhole and cave while responding to reports of a water outage. About a dozen residents in the area lost water service, but that has since been restored, according to Patch.com. Officials said part of the road collapsed due to continual dripping water from a pipe leak. According to the county, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is working to determine the best solution to repair the road. A map shows the length of the cave in Brushy Creek, which is now considered to be 200 feet long Environmental consultants (pictured) have already mapped the cave, which starts at approximately the middle of the roadway 20 feet west of the curb. The height of the cave varies reaching a maximum height of approximately 22 feet near the entrance The 8400 block of Cambria Drive is closed and will remain closed for several weeks during the remediation effort. Environmental consultants have already mapped the cave, which starts at approximately the middle of the roadway 20 feet west of the curb. The height of the cave varies reaching a maximum height of approximately 22 feet near the entrance with an average of 10-15 feet. Structural engineers are still evaluating the cave to help determine the stability of the cave as well as different options for repairs. Williamson County officials are requesting the public respect the barriers put in place for their safety. The 8400 block of Cambria Drive is closed and will remain closed for several weeks during the remediation effort. Officials said part of the road collapsed due to continual dripping water from a pipe leak (pictured) New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman lashed out at Weinstein Company executives on Monday, just days after his office filed a complaint against the company and its founders Bob and Harvey Weinstein. 'We have never seen anything as despicable as what weve seen right here,' said Schneiderman of the sexual harassment and discrimination carried out by Harvey and his top lieutenants. 'They knew what was happening. It was flagrant. It was flamboyant. They knew how pervasive it was and not only did they fail to stop it, they enabled it and covered it up.' Schneiderman then took aim at the company's CEO David Glasser and alleged that he knew of every complaint and payout that was made over the years. 'A deal that essentially removes the two Weinstein brothers but leaves the rest of management intact, we think, should be unacceptable,' said Schneiderman. This threw a huge wrench in the proposed $500 million sale of the company to a group led by Maria Contreras-Sweet, who served as Administrator of the Small Business Administration under President Obama. Scroll down for video O brother where are thou: A lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein, his brother Bob and the Weinstein Company has halted a possible $500 million sale (Harvey and Bob above in 2006) 'CEO David Glasser who supervised the human resources department did not stop this discrimination, harassment and abuse even though he was in charge of handling dozens of shocking complaints,' said Schneiderman. 'The board failed to act, and this is critically important both the board and management have legal duties to stop this type of misconduct.' Scheniderman then pointed out that human resources and management at the company 'never launched a single formal investigation into any of the complaints of discrimination, harassment or abuse' at the company despite the fact that there were 'many complaints.' It has been made very clear by Scheniderman that he will only consider a sale of the company which includes a victim compensation fund, employee protection, and no lingering sign of any former executives like Glasser. He filed his lawsuit on Sunday, over four months after claims were first made against Weinstein. 'As alleged in our complaint, The Weinstein Company repeatedly broke New York law by failing to protect its employees from pervasive sexual harassment, intimidation, and discrimination,' said Schneiderman in his filing. Over 20 women have come forward with stories of forced sexual encounters, which led to Weinstein's firing from the film company he founded with his brother Robert and expelled from Hollywood's movie academy. 'To work for Harvey Weinstein was to work under a persistent barrage of gender-based obscenities, vulgar name-calling, sexualized interactions, threats of violence, and a workplace generally hostile to women,' according to court papers. Schneiderman's investigation found that employees were subjected to various verbal threats from Weinstein such as 'I will kill you, I will kill your family', and 'you don't know what I can do.' In one case, the probe found that 'in a fit of rage against one female employee, he yelled that she should leave the company and make babies since that was all she was good for.' A serious man: New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman (above) filed a complaint detailing how execs and board members enabled Harvey's sexual misconduct for years Female executives were forced to facilitate Weinstein's sexual conquests with promises of employment opportunities to women who met his favor, according to the lawsuit, which also accused the company of being 'responsible for the unlawful conduct' by failing to stop the abuse. The company and co-owner Robert 'are liable because they were aware of and acquiesced in repeated and persistent unlawful conduct by failing to investigate or stop it,' court papers said. The attorney general's office said in a statement that it brought the lawsuit on Sunday partly due to reports of the company's imminent sale, saying it believed it would leave victims without adequate redress. 'Any sale of The Weinstein Company must ensure that victims will be compensated, employees will be protected going forward, and that neither perpetrators nor enables will be unjustly enriched,' said the court papers. Weinstein was quick to respond to this lawsuit. 'We believe that a fair investigation by Mr. Schneiderman will demonstrate that many of the allegations against Harvey Weinstein are without merit,' said the mogul's lawyer Ben Branfman. 'While Mr. Weinstein's behavior was not without fault, there certainly was no criminality, and at the end of the inquiry it will be clear that Harvey Weinstein promoted more women to key executive positions than any other industry leader and there was zero discrimination at either Miramax or TWC.' He went on to state: 'If the purpose of the inquiry is to encourage reform throughout the film industry, Mr. Weinstein will embrace the investigation. If the purpose however is to scapegoat Mr. Weinstein, he will vigorously defend himself.' A Pennsylvania pastor with a wife and children has been cited for open lewdness and indecent exposure after police say he was caught with a bound naked man in his car - but the preacher insists he was just doing some counselling. George Nelson Gregory, 61, of Munhall, Pennsylvania, had some explaining to do when police were called to the 800 block of Beechland Street in Homestead at around 11.30pm on Friday after getting reports of a naked man spotted in a parked car. Responding officers arrived at the scene to find Gregory in the backseat and a totally nude man tied up with nylon rope in the front seat. Scroll down for video Preacher arrested: Pastor George Gregory, 61, seen in a video delivering a sermon on Romans 8:5, has been allegedly caught with a bound naked man in a parked car Gregory, seen being interviewed with his wife behind him, insisted that he was just counseling the man for his drug addiction According to a criminal complaint obtained by KDKA, when the officers asked Gregory what was going on, the pastor replied that they were 'just playing' and added that he and the other man 'meet from time to time to play with each other.' The restrained naked man confirmed to the officers that the encounter was consensual. Gregory has been cited for open lewdness and indecent exposure When confronted by a reporter from KDKA at his home the following day, however, Gregory denied ever having that conversation with police and offered a wholly different version of events. 'I have nothing to hide,' he stated,' with his wife standing by his side. 'I did nothing wrong.' Gregory, who is the pastor at the Waterfront Christian Community Church in West Homestead, claimed that police were summoned because someone had thought there was a medical emergency. I was counselling a young man with a drug problem, Gregory said. It did turn strange, but it wasnt my doing, OK? And I was adamant that Im not participating in that way. Gregory said he and his wife have been trying to help the unnamed man with his substance abuse problem for a few years. I wont deny that he began to take his clothes off and propositioned me, but I will deny, on a stack of Bibles with God as my witness, that I did nothing, Gregory proclaimed. Family man: Gregory and his wife (left and right) have been married for nearly 35 years and have a grown son and daughter, as well as grandchildren Gregory further added that he was clothed during the incident and argued that there was no reason for police to charge him with lewdness. The pastor and the other man will be receiving their summonses in the mail. According to his bio on the Waterfront Christian Community Churchs website, Gregory decided to become a preacher at age 25 and attended the Johnson Bible College in Tennessee. Gregory and his wife have been married for nearly 35 years and have a grown son and daughter, as well as grandchildren. 'If you have ever heard him preach or teach, you will agree that he is definitely using the gifts God gave him, the churchs site reads, referring to Gregory. He speaks with clarity and conviction. There is no doubt that George believes and lives what he preaches. Minnie Driver quit her role as an Oxfam global ambassador citing the 'abhorrent mistakes' in relation to the sex scandal. The 48-year-old actress, who was one of the charity's 16 ambassadors, said she was 'in no uncertain terms' withdrawing her support. The British star has worked with Oxfam for 20 years, donating a 72,000 lunch date to its 2008 Ebay auction. 'I am nothing short of horrified by the allegations against Oxfam International,' the Good Will Hunting actress said in a statement. Scroll down for video The 48-year-old actress, who was one of the charity's 16 ambassadors, said in a series of tweets that she was 'devastated' by the Oxfam revelations Driver hit back against a critic who claimed her decision to quit the role was because of her 'pandering to the media' Minnie Driver has quit her role as celebrity ambassador for Oxfam in protest at the charity's sex scandal 'In no uncertain terms do I plan to continue my support of this organization or its leaders. 'And though it is unfortunate that after 20 years I am no longer able to advocate and defend through this specific framework, social and economic injustice is more globally prevalent than ever.' She added that she won't let the 'abhorrent mistakes of a troubling organization' stop her or anyone else from 'working with good people in this space to support a population of human beings around the world that needs our help.' In a statement to MailOnline, Oxfam said Ms Driver's decision to step down 'saddens us deeply.' 'Minnie Driver has been a devoted Oxfam supporter for many years, and we are grateful for her commitment to ending global poverty,' it said. Driver said there were 'many other organisations' who were helping relieve poverty in developing countries She hit out against another Twitter user who claimed the scandal had been 'spun' She also responded to David Sarley, who expressed his concern about the damage the scandal would cause to poorer communities Her decision to step down as an Oxfam Ambassador saddens us deeply, but we also understand and respect her choice. As an organization, we are ashamed by the actions of some of our former members of staff and are more committed now than ever to learn from our mistakes and ensure we uphold the highest levels of safeguarding standards in our work around the world.' Oxfam's list of celebrity global ambassadors include Helen Mirren, Coldplay, Desmond Tutu and Bill Nighy. The British star has worked with Oxfam for 20 years, donating a 72,000 lunch date to its 2008 Ebay auction A regional Oxfam director and aid workers are alleged to have exploited locals for sex at a luxury apartment block (pictured) in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake The deputy head of the charity resigned on Monday, saying Oxfam had failed to adequately respond to past allegations of sexual misconduct by some staff in Chad and Haiti. On Friday, the Times reported that some staff who were in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake there had paid for sex with prostitutes. Oxfam has neither confirmed nor denied that specific account but has said an internal investigation in 2011 had confirmed sexual misconduct had occurred. Haiti's President Jovenel Moise said 'what transpired is a violation of basic human decency' and he would not tolerate support from charities whose staff exploited communities. 'There is nothing more shameful than a sexual predator using the veil of catastrophe as a means to exploit the vulnerable in their most defenceless moments,' he said in a statement. Four members of Oxfam staff were dismissed and three, including the country director Roland van Hauwermeiren (pictured) resigned before the end of the 2011 investigation Haiti's minister of planning and external cooperation summoned Oxfam representatives to a meeting on Thursday. 'These would be both serious sexual crimes and a crime against development in light of the potential diversion of external assistance for the purpose of illegal criminal activities,' the minister, Aviol Fleurant, said. Prostitution is a crime in Haiti, but it was not entirely clear what other crimes the Oxfam officials may have committed. Oxfam officials in Haiti were not immediately available for comment during the countrys carnival holiday. Aid minister Penny Mordaunt has threatened to withdraw government funding from Oxfam unless it gave the full facts about events in Haiti. She has written to all British charities working overseas to demand that 'they step up and do more, so that we have absolute assurance that the moral leadership, the systems, the culture and the transparency that are needed'. Britain's Charity Commission has launched an inquiry into whether Oxfam disclosed details about the allegations at the time in 2011 and its handling of the incidents since. On Tuesday, Oxfam faced fresh pressure on Tuesday after a former senior member of staff said her concerns about 'a culture of sexual abuse' involving aid workers had not been taken seriously by the charity's bosses. Helen Evans (pictured), Oxfam's former global head of safeguarding, said she begged senior staff, ministers and the regulator to act on allegations of sexual abuse allegations Helen Evans, Oxfam's former global head of safeguarding, told Channel 4 News that she begged senior staff, ministers and the regulator to act on allegations of sexual abuse allegations. She also detailed three new allegations made against Oxfam staff overseas in a single day. Ms Evans, who was in charge of investigating allegations against Oxfam staff members between 2012 and 2015, said abuse cases she had heard of included a woman who had been coerced into having sex in exchange for aid. Another involved an assault on a teenage volunteer by a staff member in an Oxfam charity shop in Britain, she said. 'There was one of a woman being coerced to have sex in a humanitarian response by another aid worker, another case where a woman had been coerced in exchange for aid and another one where it had come to our attention where a member of staff had been struck off for sexual abuse and hadn't disclosed that, and we were then concerned about what he might be doing, and that was three allegations in one day,' she said. Now, the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme has told Channel 4 News that they are 'reviewing our association' with Oxfam in light of the concerns about the safety of children volunteering in charity shops. In a new profile in Elle, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin's wife Louise Linton continued her apology tour, while the Trump cabinet member said his wife is just 'misunderstood.' 'She has a huge heart, is sensitive deeply compassionate, and kind. She has humility and gentleness. She's also funny and makes people laugh,' Mnuchin said. 'She loves gadgets and has a bird feeder in the backyard. She reads John Stuart Mill and writes notes in the margins of her books.' He ended the list by saying that Linton, who he married in June, is 'incredibly warn and loving.' However, Linton's antics on Instagram along with the gloved photo of she and the treasury secretary holding up brand new cash have led to comparisons to Darth Vader, Marie Antoinette, Cruella de Vil, or a new Bond villain. The Scottish actress turned political wife pointed to this transition when explaining how things went wrong. Scroll down for video Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin (left) defended his wife, actress Louise Linton (right), calling her funny, warm, loving and noting that she likes to read John Stuart Mill and has a birdfeeder in the backyard Louise Linton (left) explained that this much-memed moment happened because she was cold, and thus kept on her gloves, while also attempting to be more fashionable, like Jackie O Louise Linton looked to fellow actresses when following how to act, with many of them tagging designer brands. She did the same thing, which caused an Instagram user to call her out. Linton's reaction to the negative comment went viral Louise Linton was angered that the commenter called her a 'deplorable' and lashed out, making the suggestion that she and Mnuchin, who are immensely wealthy, 'sacrifice' more to the country than the woman in question 'I wasn't thinking about who I am,' Linton said. 'I wasn't thinking, I am the wife of this person and thus I should act like the wife of this person.' Linton had turned to pop culture in order to figure out how to behave. 'I was tagging things [on Instagram] because I thought I had seen other actresses doing that, and I was like, I should do that, too. I should be more fashionable. I need to play that role; I need to be more elegant; I need to be more stylish,' Linton explained. 'I look at amazing fashion icons like Jackie O and I'm like, "Why can't I wear gloves?"' Well, tag things on Instagram and wear gloves she did, which led to the two most notorious moments of Linton's life since relocating to Washington, D.C. On Instagram, Linton was called out for her designer garb as she deplaned from a government jet. The actress didn't take the criticism well. 'I think after being kicked and slapped on social media a billion times, I had this one time. This lady said I was a deplorable human being, and that hurt,' Linton said, calling her response in which she suggested her wealth, and with it a higher tax burden, meant she sacrificed more for the country 'a knee-jerk reaction.' 'I was feeling like a regular person. And regular people, when someone says something mean to you social media, regular people are allowed to respond,' she added. But Linton, who grew up in a Scottish castle and now resides in a $12.6 million Massachusetts Avenue Heights mansion, is nowhere near middle income. First Lady Melania Trump, President Donald Trump, Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, Louise Linton, Vice President Mike Pence, and Second Lady Karen Pence pose at the wedding of Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin and Louise Linton on June 24, 2017 at Andrew Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC And so things were made worse when she showed up to the U.S. mint and held up sheets of cash alongside Mnuchin, wearing her long, black leather gloves. 'I just didn't bother taking the gloves off because it was kind of cold in the bureau,' she said. 'And I didn't expect I would be pulled into the picture!' she added to Elle. All that being said, the profile suggests that Linton is finally settling into D.C. The author points out that most people who work for Trump know they could get fired any day as the president has the highest turnover rate for employees of any Oval Office occupant in decades. Linton knew that and sounded frustrated. 'Especially because I just finished decorating my house, and I just started making friends in D.C.,' she said. But the upside is that she could again wear those leather gloves and black skirt. 'I really hope someday I can wear that outfit again,' she told Elle. 'Because I really liked it.' The deputy mayor of a New Jersey town has stepped down after a shocking Facebook post comparing illegal immigrants to 'rabid, messy, mean raccoons'. Republican Rick Blood resigned Monday as deputy mayor of Mendham Township, the hometown of former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, amid a furious backlash over the post. Blood was explaining in the Facebook post on Sunday morning, why he believes the country voted in Donald Trump, even though Americans think the president is 'an a**' and an 'egomaniac'. He compared Trump to the only exterminator who could get rid of a raccoon infestation. The raccoons in this ill advised analogy stood for illegal immigrants. Republican Rick Blood (left and right) resigned Monday as deputy mayor of Mendham Township 'You've been on vacation for two weeks, you come home, and your basement is infested with raccoons. Hundreds of rabid, messy, mean raccoons have overtaken your basement. You want them gone immediately,' he wrote. He added that you try several different exterminators, but one only 'one guy' - Donald Trump - 'guarantees you to get rid of them.' 'You don't care if the guy smells, you don't care if the guy swears, you don't care if he's an alcoholic, you don't care how many times he's been married, you don't care if he voted for Obama...you simply want those raccoons gone!' the post continued. 'Here's why we want Trump, yes he's a bit of an ass, yes he's an egomaniac, but we don't care,' Blood wrote. 'This country is weak, bankrupt, our enemies are making fun of us, we are being invaded by illegals, we are becoming a nation of victims where every Tom, Ricardo, and Hasid is a special group with special rights to a point where we don't even recognize the country we were born and raised in...and Trump is the only guy who seems to understand what the people want,' he continued. 'The raccoons have got to go.' Blood was explaining in the Facebook post on Sunday morning, why he believes the country voted in Donald Trump, even though Americans think the president is 'an ass' and an 'egomaniac' when he made the ill advised comparison The post sparked fury when it was posted last week, and by Sunday afternoon, Blood had deleted the offensive message and issued an apology. 'It was insensitive at best and it was cruel at the worst. I am most heartily sorry,' Blood said at a Mendham Township Committee meeting on Monday, adding that, while he made a mistake, he had no plans to resign, NJ.com reports. But residents remained 'appalled', with local Pat Kelly, telling Blood he acted like a 'bully.' Others dismissed the deputy mayor's suggestion it was a mistake, and said he'd lost their trust. The committee decided to discuss the issue in private, and when they returned, Mayor Richard P. Diegnan Jr. announced Blood's resignation. Blood spent just two months on the committee, where he appointed to full a vacancy and then elevated to deputy mayor in January. Unlike all the other committee members, he wasn't voted in. A raid is underway at the offices of the garbage truck company involved in a crash that killed a grandmother who was pushing her grandson in a pram. Hane Mathieson, 58, was on Moorilla Street in Dee Why, on Sydney's northern beaches, last Thursday when she was hit by the truck. Police from the Traffic Taskforce arrived at the waste management company's sites at Middleton Road, Cromer and Spencer Street, Five Dock at 5.30am on Wednesday. Hane Mathieson (pictured) was on Moorilla Street in Dee Why, on Sydney's northern beaches, last Thursday when she was hit by the truck A raid (pictured) is underway at the offices of the garbage truck company involved in a crash that killed a grandmother who was pushing her grandson in a pram 'Last week's crash (pictured) in Dee Why is nothing short of a tragedy. Thankfully, the young child the woman was pushing in a pram was not injured,' said Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy The 58-year-old grandmother died after she was knocked to the ground by the reversing garbage truck during her daily walk. Ms Mathieson managed to push her 18-month-old grandson's pram away before she was fatally struck, and the toddler escaped unscathed. A rescue helicopter made an emergency landing as witnesses tried to keep Ms Mathieson alive, but she could not be saved. The 58-year-old grandmother (pictured) died after she was knocked to the ground by the reversing garbage truck during her daily walk At first light on Wednesday, the Traffic Taskforce began a compliance inspection at the waste management company's site in Five Dock (pictured) At first light on Wednesday, the Traffic Taskforce began a compliance inspection at the waste management company's site in Five Dock. 'While the matter is now before the court, I can say that today's operation is in direct response to the crash,' Commander of the Traffic & Highway Patrol, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said in a statement. 'Today, we will be going over trucks owned by the company with a fine-tooth comb. 'Last week's crash in Dee Why is nothing short of a tragedy. Thankfully, the young child the woman was pushing in a pram was not injured,' he said. A rescue helicopter made an emergency landing as witnesses tried to keep Ms Mathieson alive, but she could not be saved A 27-year-old garbage truck driver has been charged with dangerous driving occasioning death and negligent driving occasioning death (pictured is the scene of the crash) 'The operation today should serve as a warning to all other companies, that we will inspect your entire fleet if one of your trucks is involved in a serious incident. 'Dont wait until you or one of your drivers gets involved in a serious crash, get your fleet and processes in place now, so that it doesn't happen at all.' A 27-year-old garbage truck driver has been charged with dangerous driving occasioning death and negligent driving occasioning death. He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear in Manly Local Court on next month. Three years after beating him in a two-man race to become majority leader, state Sen. John Flanagan is supporting his colleague, state Sen. John DeFrancisco, in the campaign for governor. Flangan, R-East Northport, announced his endorsement Tuesday. He is the latest Senate Republican to support DeFrancisco's gubernatorial campaign. "John DeFrancisco is a strong, smart and principled leader for New York, and I am confident he possesses the character and the skill set to be an outstanding governor," Flanagan said in a statement. "I am pleased and proud to endorse his candidacy, and urge my fellow Republicans to organize and energize behind him." DeFrancisco, R-DeWitt, is one of two Republicans remaining in the race after Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, who had his share of support from GOP leaders across the state, ended his campaign Friday. Joel Giambra, a former Erie County executive, is also in the race. Joe Holland, a former aide to ex-Gov. George Pataki, is considering a gubernatorial bid. For now, DeFrancisco has the momentum in the race for the Republican nomination. Flanagan's support should boost his campaign. A man who bashed his own grandmother before attacking and repeatedly raping his teenage half-sister has been sentenced to six and a half years' prison. The 25-year-old - who cannot be named to protect the victims' identities - was jailed on Tuesday after details of his 30-minute violent rampage in July were laid bare in the District Court of Western Australia. Court heard the attack began at his grandmother's house, in Perth's south-east, after the man consumed alcohol and cannabis earlier in the day, WA Today reported. He was weighing himself in the bathroom with his grandmother, aged in her 70s, when he turned on her by grabbing her by the neck and hurling her towards the floor. A man who bashed his own grandmother before attacking and repeatedly raping his teenage half-sister was sentenced to six and a half years' prison in the District Court of Western Australia (pictured) on Tuesday She was then punched in the head and face between six to 12 times and also kicked, court heard. Leaving his grandmother savagely beaten on the bathroom floor, he then went to his half-sister's bedroom and began punching her repeatedly before smashing her over the head with a teacup. The woman, aged in her late teens, was then dragged to the front of the house where she was repeatedly sexually assaulted. Court heard the man excessively watched violent pornography in the years prior to the attack. Both victims were told they would be killed if they didn't do what the man said. He then drove off in his grandfather's car and threw his half-sister's phone out the window. Both victims were taken to hospital with horrific injuries, while the man was arrested and confessed to the acts later the same day. Prosecutor Sarah Jessup told the court the man went to his grandmother's with the intention of 'losing it'. Court also heard the man's offending appeared to be linked to the consumption of alcohol and cannabis earlier in the day. The man pleaded guilty to nine charges, including one count of aggravated grievous bodily harm and six counts of aggravated sexual penetration. Judge Christopher Stevenson said the offences were 'extremely serious', involving attacks on people 'very close' to the man. He added: 'At the same time as physically punching and kicking the victims, you also threatened to kill them. The conduct was obviously degrading to both of them and unexplainable. 'The impact of the offending on each of the victims cannot be overstated.' He will be eligible for parole after serving four and a half years. Esther McVey publicly called on John McDonnell to apologise for joking about her being lynched Esther McVey last night publicly called on John McDonnell to apologise for joking about her being lynched. In her first major comments on the row, the Work and Pensions Secretary said the shadow chancellor had effectively given permission for a Labour hate mob to target her online. Ms McVey said even Labour MPs had told her he should apologise. She also condemned Jeremy Corbyn for promising a kinder, gentler politics and then promoting Mr McDonnell. In her first interview since her remarkable Cabinet comeback, the 50-year-old former television presenter also told Tory colleagues they should rally around Theresa May but refused to rule out a possible leadership bid in the future. Miss McVey was the most high-profile Tory casualty of the 2015 general election when she was ousted in Wirral West following a nasty union-backed campaign. Mr McDonnell, who was a backbencher at the time, has repeatedly refused to apologise for joking at a comedy night in November 2014 how people in the seat wanted to kill Miss McVey. To applause, he said: I was up in Liverpool where Alec McFadden, one of our [union] organisers, launched the Sack Esther McVey Day on her birthday. I spoke at a packed public meeting there was a whole group in the audience that completely kicked off quite critical of the whole concept, because they were arguing Why are sacking her? Why arent we lynching the b*****d? Miss McVey returned to parliament last June after replacing George Osborne in the Tatton seat in Cheshire and was promoted to Cabinet as Work and Pensions Secretary in Theresa Mays reshuffle last month. But within hours, Labour supporters reopened their nasty online campaign against her with a barrage of disgusting messages. Last night, Miss McVey said the Labour Party had resorted to personal attacks because it is devoid of ideas. This is about bullying and intimidation and its three-fold, she said. It is about trying to prevent anybody having a different opinion. The second thing this ongoing perpetual abuse tries to do is undermine and smear somebodys character. And then the third bit is to deter anybody else from walking down that path and that is not going to be me. The Work and Pensions Secretary said John McDonnell (pictured) had effectively given permission for a Labour hate mob to target her online Miss McVey said Mr McDonnells refusal to apologise for his lynching remarks, had signalled to Labour supporters that it was acceptable to resort to hateful attacks. What enabled people and permitted them to bully me online was the words of John McDonnell, because that gave permission, she said. No more six-week wait for benefits New claimants of benefits will no longer have to wait up to six weeks for their first Universal Credit payment, Esther McVey said last night. The Work and Pensions Secretary affirmed her commitment to rolling out the key welfare reform, first dreamt up by Iain Duncan Smith. But she pledged to make changes when the system is found not to be working. Where we see a process that hasnt worked you have to go mea culpa that didnt but the vision is right and what were creating is the first of its kind, she said. Universal Credit combines six benefits (jobseekers allowance, tax credits, housing benefit, income support, child tax credits and employment and support allowance) into one monthly payment. It is designed to make the welfare system less complicated and ensure no-one faces a situation where they would be better off claiming benefits than working. But MPs and charities had warned that long delays in payments for new claimants, introduced by George Osborne when he was chancellor to save money, were causing suffering for vulnerable families. In order to mirror the world of work, the benefit is paid four weeks in arrears, based on your earnings in the previous month. There is a further week for administration and an additional arbitrary waiting week, which was added by Mr Osborne. Miss McVey last night said the the waiting week would be axed from today, as part of a 1.5billion overhaul announced in the Budget in November. She added: It can be a worrying time looking for work and our priorities are to help people find employment quickly and to improve lives. Our package of support affords better help for people as soon as they make a claim to Universal Credit. We will be removing the seven waiting days, which means no one has to wait six weeks for their first Universal Credit payment and will benefit the average household by around 160. Miss McVey said the legacy benefits, which Universal Credit replaces, werent working as people found they lost out if they took on extra hours at work. When I go out to the job centres and I see the people who were working on this day to day, they say: This is transformational, she added. Advertisement Labour MPs come to me privately and say he should apologise. And when Corbyn said he wants a gentler, kinder politics and yet he promoted this man afterwards to be their shadow chancellor, they have got to reflect on that. Miss McVey, who started her ministerial career at the Department for Work and Pensions in 2012, said attempts to smear her showed Labour had lost the argument on policies. When youre devoid of ideas, then it is far easier just to diminish me, which is what the abuse is, she said. Its about diminishing me in the eyes of other people. Speaking about her delight to return to her old department as Secretary of State, Miss McVey said: There is an element of completing something that I started. She added: I guess as a young girl growing up in Liverpool in the 80s when unemployment was high, my ideal job would have been to have been Minister for Employment to see can you solve these problems? Can you get people into work? When she lost her seat in 2015, Miss McVey said she had pledged: I will be back. The irony was not lost on me that there I was Minister of State for Employment only to find myself unemployed, she added. So of course you have to take that on the chin because thats the game of politics, one minute you could be employed and the next minute you might not. I said on the night, I remember the interview with Dimbleby, I will be back because this is what I want to do and this what I believe in and what the Department of Work and Pensions has done helping people into work, supporting people, listening to their concerns and Im a problem-solver. Thats what youve got to be to be an MP, a problem solver, how can I help you? How can I engage? What do you need? And thats what were doing with Universal Credit. Its brand new, nobodys done it before and when youre walking on a path that has not been there before, youre going to come across hurdles. Its how you get over those hurdles. So obviously Im a sticker, Im a trier, Ive got determination in resilience and thats what you need to put in place a brand new process to help people and thats what its about, helping people. Turning to Brexit, she said Tory MPs need to rally around Theresa May to get the best deal or they will never be forgiven by voters. But she refused to rule herself out from standing in any potential Tory leadership contest. Asked about divisions in the party over Brexit, Miss McVey said: Some of the stuff Ive read in the papers seems a bit exaggerated but what you need to do is rally around. 'Lets get behind it because I see this as the future of the country not as an individual. Nobody will forgive us if we dont get the best deal for the country. Asked if she would ever run to be Tory leader, she said was supporting Mrs May and her policies all the way but added: Well take one day at a time. An email chain about a failed sponsorship deal has exposed embarrassing spelling errors made by disgraced former deputy mayor Salim Mehajer. The emails were in response to queries by the Auburn Warriors rugby league club asking when Mehajer would pay up his promised $100,000 sponsorship deal. The club alleges he is yet to pay them a single cent, and as a result the 65-year-old club had been forced to withdraw from competition in 2018 and is at risk of folding. 'Please Cosinder [sic] this as a formal emailto [sic] confirm that the sponsorship is still at foot,' Mehajer wrote in August,' the emails obtained by Daily Mail Australia state. The Auburn Warriors were counting on Salim Mehajer's (pictured) promised $100,000 to keep their players on the field, however without the cash the Western Sydney team can now no longer compete, the club president claims 'He didn't pay us. He didn't pay a cent,' Auburn Warriors (logo pictured) president Fedi Sleiman said 'We are still willing to relpay [sic] release $100,000.00 subject to it being 100% tax decidable [sic],' it read. The Auburn Warriors were counting on Mehajer's promised $100,000 to keep their players on the field, and had foregone other sponsorship offers because Mehajer's deal was in place. 'He didn't pay us. He didn't pay a cent,' Auburn Warriors president Fedi Sleiman told the publication. 'He kept saying 'it will be this week, I'm talking to my accountant, they froze my accounts, blah, blah'.' 'Please Cosinder [sic] this as a formal emailto [sic] confirm that the sponsorship is still at foot,' Mehajer wrote in August,' the emails (pictured left and right) obtained by Daily Mail Australia state Mehajer struck a deal with the NRL club (pictured) which would see the name of his company, Mehajer Brothers, printed on the Warrior's jerseys and on signage at Lidcombe Oval in exchange for the lucrative sponsorship deal Mehajer struck a deal with the NRL feeder club which would see the name of his company, Mehajer Brothers, printed on the Warrior's jerseys and on signage at Lidcombe Oval. Mr Sleiman said he attempted to renegotiate the deal in order to collect the sum over two years instead of one, however Mehajer did not cooperate. The club laid bare the grossly misspelled emails Mehajer sent in August 2017 where he repeatedly promised he would honour the six-figure deal. Emails sent to a third party (pictured) reveal Mehajer's intent to 'push this for the club like there is no tomorrow' 'I promised a young talented rugby league team I would sponsor them' (Emails pictured left and right) But while the Auburn Warriors (pictured) honoured their part of the deal, the club alleges Mehajer failed to pay a single cent in return Mr Sleiman told the publication he attempted to renegotiate the deal in order to collect even some of the outstanding sponsorship funds, however Mehajer (pictured) did not cooperate Mr Sleiman said he has tried to save the Auburn Warrior's from folding by paying out of his own pocket and was forced to knock back a $50,000 deal because of his contract with Mehajer. The Auburn Warriors were founded in 1953 and had teams compete in the Sydney Shield and Ron Massey competitions, even making it to the Ron Massey 2017 grand final. But the star players are now left in limbo with no club to represent - and without a last-minute sponsorship the Warriors could be out for 2019 too. Mehajer remains behind bars after he was refused bail over allegations he staged a car crash in October last year to avoid a court appearance for an assault. The former Auburn deputy mayor is in a maximum security prison while he awaits trial for perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to cheat and defraud. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Auburn Warriors rugby club and Mehajer's legal team for comment. A sex offender is facing the death penalty after being convicted of raping and murdering a 14-year-old girl. Christopher Whitaker, 45, was convicted on Tuesday of the murder of teenager Alianna Defreeze whose body was found in an abandoned home in Cleveland, Ohio, in January 2017. Whitaker, who pleaded not guilty, kidnapped the teenager from a bus stop as she waited for the bus to school. He took her to the abandoned home where he raped and beat her then stabbed her to death, leaving her body inside. Christopher Whitaker, 45, (left in court on Tuesday) was convicted of the 2017 rape and murder of 14-year-old Alianna Defreeze who he kidnapped from a bus stop as she waited to be taken to school then assaulted in an abandoned house before killing her While she was still alive, he used a collection of tools including an electric drill to inflict horrific injuries on her. Alianna was reported missing by her mother later that day. Police searched for her for three days before finding her discarded body. DNA evidence collected at the scene led police to Whitaker. He confessed to the killing and told police his drug addiction caused him to do it. At the time of the killing, Whitaker was high on cocaine. During the trial, his lawyers did not argue with prosecutors' chain of events but they said he should not be held responsible for the murder because of his state of mind at the time. Whitaker took Alianna to this home in Cleveland, Ohio, where he hurt her with a collection of tools then stabbed her to death Whitaker, 45, said he was high on cocaine when he attacked the girl. He was previously jailed for raping and stabbing another woman who survived Alianna's body was found three days after she vanished On Tuesday, a jury rejected that argument and convicted him. They will now decide his sentence. After the jury returned their verdict, Alianna's mother told reporters outside the courtroom she was 'relieved and happy' with the decision. 'Justice has been served,' Donnesha Cooper said. 'The law was on our side. 'I'm just anxious to move on to the next phase,' she said. At the time of the killing, Whitaker had already served four years behind bars for the rape and stabbing of another woman in 2005. That woman was not killed. Poundland has taken exception to being compared to a school Grade 4 (new C) in the new GCSE exam-mark system by a weekly eduation publication. The discount giant's PR and charity manager Andrea Ross has written a strongly worded statement to Tes - written by Stephen Petty, head of humanities at Lord Williams's School in Thame - in which she strongly denounced his comparison. 'To suggest conflating lesser grades with Poundland simply perpetuates Britain's systematic class system,' she said. Poundland is one of the UK's leading high street discount stores The company prides itself on providing good value for money 'I hope my assumption that part of the ethos at your school is to use language respectfully and in a way that doesn't promote stereotypical thinking. 'Let me tell you that I know my 19,000 colleagues at Poundland will find your use of our company name as a pejorative adjective belittling to them and how hard they work'. In her response she pointed out that Poundland attracts a high volume of 'AB' shoppers - not dissimilar from that of the U.K. as a whole. 'After you have got over your surprise that someone at Poundland reads the TES or can translate your school motto, perhaps we can respectfully ask that you avoid using our name as a judgmental adjective in future, if only so people are less likely to jump to conclusions about you.' In his article Petty argued that Grade 5 - while technically a C grade - is deemed a 'Waitrose C', and held in much higher esteem than a Grade 4. 'They may be numerical next-door neighbours,' he wrote, 'but in terms of social status, the numbers four and five have been drifting apart from each other for many years.' He said that when the Department of Education first let slip that the new GCSE Grade 5 would be a 'good' pass, 'we could immediately sense the ground crumbling beneath the feet of vulnerable little Grade 4'. 'Even though they then altered the word 'good' to 'strong' and reassured everyone that 4, too, could be called a pass a 'standard' pass the underlying message was clear to all: Grade 4 was going to be in their middle-class world a flaky Poundland Grade C, while 5 would be the equivalent of a Waitrose C. 'Ofsted confirmed this Waitrosification when it declared that Grade 5 would now be its new line in the sand when assessing school 'pass' rates, despite 4 being the fairer comparison with previous results.' Petty was writing in Tes - formerly known as the Times Educational Supplement - now a weekly publication aimed primarily at school teachers in Britain. Major firms have said they would review their relationship with the charity Oxfam was facing a devastating backlash from sponsors, celebrities and donors last night over its sex abuse scandal. Major firms said they would review their relationship with the charity because of its failure to protect the vulnerable. The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme has threatened to stop its children working in the charity's shops following allegations of abuse across its store network. Minnie Driver became the first of the charity's global ambassadors to break ranks and quit And more than 1,200 people have cancelled their monthly donations to Oxfam after reports emerged of its aid workers using prostitutes. Minnie Driver became the first of the charity's global ambassadors to break ranks and quit in protest. The actress is stepping down after 20 years, saying she was horrified by the allegations. As former international development secretary Priti Patel led calls for Oxfam chief executive Mark Goldring to stand down: It emerged that the Oxfam aid boss in the Haiti sex scandal had been forced out of another UK charity for allegedly using prostitutes in Liberia; The president of Haiti accused the charity of an 'extremely serious violation of human dignity'; The chairman of Oxfam International was arrested in a corruption probe; A report detailed widespread sackings of the charity's workers who exploited or abused beneficiaries; And almost 5,000 serious incidents where children and vulnerable adults were put at risk were made to the charities regulator over the past six years; Miss Patel's successor Penny Mordaunt warned that she would withdraw funds from any charity that failed to protect the vulnerable. Many of Oxfam's corporate donors were considering distancing themselves from the organisation last night. Only Waterstones wholeheartedly backed the charity, saying: 'We remain a committed supporter of Oxfam. 'The work of the charity, as of its peers, is of great value. We listen to, and seek to understand, the assurances given by the Oxfam leadership.' But a spokesman for Visa said the financial firm was talking to Oxfam to understand what had happened and what the response would be. 'We are committed to the highest standards of professional and personal conduct, and we expect the same from our partners,' the spokesman said. An M&S spokesman said: 'These are very serious allegations. M&S continues to monitor the situation very closely as we seek to understand the steps that Oxfam is taking to address them and develop a robust safeguarding plan for the future.' Former international development secretary Priti Patel (pictured) has led calls for Oxfam chief executive Mark Goldring to stand down James Daunt, managing director of Waterstones, said the allegations were 'reprehensible and beyond comprehension'. 'It sounds as though what went on in Haiti betrays the fundamental values of Oxfam,' he added. 'The part we have worked with I have been impressed by, though that is not to excuse the utterly abhorrent behaviour in Haiti. 'I expect Oxfam to give a full and frank explanation, and if there is something to apologise for, to apologise.' The Innocent drinks company, which gives Oxfam around 100,000 a year, said it wanted to see a clear plan 'for how this could not ever happen again'. Richard Reed, the millionaire co-founder of the juice firm, said: 'As a corporate sponsor, we would want to see a very, very clear comprehensive plan for how this could not ever happen again. 'If these actions turn out to be true, then of course we would revisit the funding. Because you're giving money to do good. You're not giving money to do these other things.' Heathrow Airport, which also has a corporate partnership with Oxfam, said: 'We are in touch with the charity and are taking this matter very seriously' Heathrow Airport, which also has a corporate partnership with Oxfam, said: 'We are in touch with the charity and are taking this matter very seriously.' The Co-operative Bank said: 'We are monitoring the situation closely.' Three other major partners Sainsbury's, Unilever and Accenture did not respond to requests last night to issue public backing. Mr Goldring has emailed corporate donors to say he felt 'great shame in the behaviour of those few who did not uphold Oxfam's or society's values'. The revelations had been 'painful and shocking for Oxfam supporters around the world' but did not represent the charity', he wrote. In just three days individual donors have withdrawn 1,270 direct debit instructions, Oxfam admitted yesterday. The cancellations represented a possible loss of 12,039 a month, or 144,468 a year, based on the average monthly donation of 9.48. Mark McElroy, 82, from Derby, told the Guardian: 'I have been a direct debit contributor for several years. Oxfam's CEO Mark Goldring (left) has emailed corporate donors to say he felt 'great shame in the behaviour of those few who did not uphold Oxfam's or society's values' 'I am shocked that some of my donations have been used in the way it appears. If these allegations are not true then I shall reinstate the direct debit I cancelled today.' One volunteer-led store, Belfast Books in Northern Ireland, tweeted to say: 'The directors of Belfast Books have unanimously decided to suspend all book donations to Oxfam until further notice.' Earlier in the week it emerged that that not all Oxfam shop volunteers had received criminal record checks and that the charity had received multiple allegations, including of abuse of children by volunteers. A spokesman for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award said: 'The safety of participations is the DofE's biggest priority. In light of these allegations, we will be reviewing our association with Oxfam as a participant volunteering provider.' It said it knew of no allegations related to children on its scheme. Miss Patel said: 'The abuse and crimes committed by aid workers are appalling. 'Heads of all organisations are ultimately responsible and accountable for the actions and inactions that happen which cause serious harm to others. 'This scandal has been mishandled from the start and Mark Goldring needs to step down so Oxfam can rebuild their reputation and focus on helping the poorest in the world. This is a defining moral issue, there can be no more excuses, we need accountability, justice and a voice for the victims now.' Mr Goldring has refused to step down even after admitting he had not acted quickly enough when a whistle blower raised concerns about abuse. Helen Evans, Oxfam's former head of safeguarding, accused her bosses and the Charity Commission of not doing enough when she revealed allegations that its workers had been involved in abuse. Tory MP Nigel Evans, who is a member of the Commons international aid committee, said: 'Mark Goldring did not act quickly enough on the whistleblowing, and this has clearly led to more of it happening. If he agrees that he was slow in listening to the siren warnings from senior officers in his organisation, then he should go.' Yesterday the chairman of the Oxfam board of trustees, which has the power to declare no confidence in the chief executive, gave Mr Goldring her backing. Caroline Thomson told Sky News: 'I have complete confidence in Mark Goldring. He's doing a brilliant job and Oxfam's a wonderful organisation which is going through some difficult times. 'Haiti is a disgrace and we're very ashamed of what happened there but we're going to move on and continue to earn the support of the British public.' Mr Goldring's deputy, Penny Lawrence, fell on her sword on Monday. The Oxfam aid chief at the centre of the Haiti sex scandal was forced out of another UK charity for allegedly using prostitutes in Liberia. Roland van Hauwermeiren left his job at the medical charity Merlin in 2004 after a colleague claimed he hosted sex parties. Despite this, he was recruited by Oxfam to lead a team in Chad, where he was accused of cavorting with prostitutes in 2006. Bosses again turned a blind eye and Mr van Hauwermeiren took charge of Oxfam's response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010. According to an investigation the following year, he admitted inviting prostitutes to his 1,500-a-month hilltop villa the Eagle's Nest rented for him by Oxfam. Roland van Hauwermeiren (pictured) left his job at the medical charity Merlin in 2004 after a colleague claimed he hosted sex parties Sources told the Daily Mail yesterday that prostitutes were delivered by pimps. His favourite was said to be a teenager known as Mika, whom he requested regularly. Neighbours said he 'loved young girls' and that they saw a parade of beautiful teenagers going into his home, in one of the wealthiest areas of Haitian capital Port-au-Prince. 'He would bring them here once or twice a week,' said security guard Moliere Moise. 'They were maybe 18, 19 years old. They would pull up on a motorbike and he would meet them at the bottom of the hill. They would talk and he would take them inside. Other times he picked up a girl down the hill on his way home. There's lots of prostitutes around here.' A cook who used to work at the house said staff were not allowed to stay overnight because he 'liked to be left alone to do his thing'. He admitted inviting prostitutes to his 1,500-a-month hilltop villa (pictured) the Eagle's Nest rented for him by Oxfam Sources told the Daily Mail yesterday that prostitutes were delivered to the villa in Haiti (pictured) by pimps Instead of being dismissed, Mr van Hauwermeiren was allowed a 'phased and dignified exit' and given a month's notice. The 68-year-old Belgian then became head of mission for Action Against Hunger in Bangladesh between 2012 and 2014. The French charity claimed Oxfam did not give them the reason behind his resignation. Concerns over his behaviour were first raised in 2004 by Amira Malik Miller, a Swedish civil servant. She made a formal complaint to Merlin, a London-based medical emergency relief charity which has since merged with Save the Children. An internal investigation found that four male members of the charity's management team had paid for sex in Liberia, where they were helping the population recover from a four-year civil war. The aid workers had been using Merlin cars to drive sex workers to and from parties at the charity's guest house, investigators found. Mr van Hauwermeiren denied the accusations, but agreed to resign. Four years later while working for the Swedish government's aid department, Miss Miller realised he was running Oxfam's mission in Chad. She alerted Per Byman, then humanitarian director of the Swedish national aid agency. The outcome of the complaint is unclear. That year the agency gave Oxfam 540,000 for its work in Chad. 'Oh my God, it has been 14 years,' she told charity website IRIN. 'He just goes around the system from Liberia to Chad to Haiti to Bangladesh. Someone should have checked properly. Instead of being dismissed by Oxfam, Mr van Hauwermeiren was allowed a 'phased and dignified exit' and given a month's notice 'The behaviour at that time in Liberia was insane. I think Merlin were a bit worse, but plenty of UN types were doing the same. Lots of sleazy bars, girls on the beach.' Miss Miller, who worked for Merlin, said she complained to the London office after she found one of her colleagues joking with and fondling a young Liberian woman in the kitchen of their shared house. Immediately, she took him aside and explained she would not going to tolerate sex workers in the house. From that point, Miss Miller said the atmosphere was 'quite intimidating' because the four senior managers 'constantly had their eye' on her. The lead investigator claimed Merlin had lacked sufficient proof to pursue a prosecution and that the report from Miss Miller was the first he had heard of claims of misconduct. However, a third source, an aid worker familiar with the episode, said the head office had already been aware of the allegations. Save the Children said it was unable to comment on the case as it did not merge with Merlin until 2013, nine years after the incident. The Charity Commission said it has no records for Merlin in 2004 and could not comment on whether it was alerted to the case. Geoff Prescott, chief executive of Merlin at the time of the 2004 allegations, was unavailable for comment yesterday. An Oxfam spokesman said: 'Roland van Hauwermeiren started working for Oxfam in Chad in April 2006. 'In the time available and 12 years later, we can't find the files relating to his recruitment but our policy at the time was to get two references including the former employer before hiring new staff. 'This case further illustrates the need for a sector wide approach to track individuals guilty of misconduct and why we announced on Sunday a package of measures to strengthen our vetting and recruitment procedures.' The widow of a slain police officer gave birth to a baby boy on Tuesday - just four days after her husband was gunned down by a suspect while delivering a warrant. Alex Maddox on Tuesday gave birth to Bodie Allen Maddox. Both mother and son are healthy and doing fine. The news of the birth was reported by WSB-TV in Atlanta. The bittersweet news comes just four days after Alex's husband, Chase Maddox, 26, was fatally shot in the head after a man opened fire on him and two sheriff's deputies as they tried to arrest him. Police officer Chase Maddox, 26, (pictured with his pregnant wife, Alex, before she gave birth on Tuesday to their second child) was killed by the suspect on Friday Alex Maddox on Tuesday gave birth to Bodie Allen Maddox. Both mother and son are healthy and doing fine The bittersweet news comes just four days after Alex's husband, Chase Maddox, 26, was fatally shot in the head after a man opened fire on him and two sheriff's deputies as they tried to arrest him A GoFundMe page set up to help Alex Maddow and her two children raised over $100,000 The shooting occurred in Locust Grove, 40 miles southeast of Atlanta, Georgia, on Friday morning as the officers were serving an arrest warrant. The charge was related to a failure to appear in municipal court. Sheriff's deputies Ralph Sidwell 'Sid' Callaway and Michael Corley arrived at the home first and spoke with the suspected shooter - 39-year-old Tierra Guthrie - for around 10 minutes before trying to arrest him. He resisted and they called for backup. Chase Maddox, a 26-year-old married father who had been a police officer for just four years, arrived to help them. All three were shot. Sheriff's Deputies Michael Corley (left) Ralph Sidwell Callaway (right) were both injured and taken to hospital. Callaway was hit in the lower abdomen and required surgery. Corley's injuries were less serious Maddox was described by officials as a 'smart young man'. He and his wife Alex had one son before Alex gave birth on Tuesday. The young police officer is the only one the police department has ever hired straight out of school. 'He was a good young man who did a good job,' Locust Grove Mayor Robert Price said. 'We just need a lot of prayers for he and his wife and the baby that's coming into this world without a daddy because of somebody...' the mayor said on Friday, choking up. 'We got to pray for the two county officers that's wounded. One's not doing so hot and the other is better.' An autopsy performed on Maddox showed that he died of a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Maddox was shot three times. A date for his funeral has yet to be announced, though Alex Maddox has said she wants to attend. A GoFundMe page set up to help Alex Maddow and her two children raised over $100,000. Corley's brother spoke outside the hospital where he was taken to ask reporters and well wishers for prayers. Both of the sheriff's deputies were wearing bullet proof vests at the time. The bullet which struck Corley went through his vest and grazed his ribs but he was not seriously hurt. Callaway was struck in the lower abdomen in an area which the vest was not protecting. He required surgery immediately after arriving at the hospital. The scene on the street where the shooting happened in Locust Grove, Georgia, on Friday morning. Police closed off the entire residential street to investigate Maddox had worked for the police department for four years and was hired straight out of school Corley's brother Wade asked for prayers for the officers' families and said he felt lucky his brother was not more seriously hurt. 'Thank God for the bulletproof vest. 'The bullet went through the vest and caught him near the right side of his ribs,' he told WFAA. Georgia Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Nelly Miles said Friday night that Corley was released from the hospital hours after Friday's shooting. Miles said Callaway was listed in stable condition at a hospital. The home where it happened is nestled inside a suburban subdivision known as Hawthorn at Linden Park. There are many families on the street and the streets surrounding it. At a press conference on Friday afternoon, Henry County Sheriff Keith McBrayer said: 'You never know when you go to take somebody into custody what kind of response you are going to get. 'From our information, it was obvious that the individual was not going to go. Shocking surveillance footage has been released showing the moment a gunman pretends to walk away from an argument before shooting a Brooklyn barber with a gun hidden inside his sweatshirt pocket. The New York City Police Department released surveillance footage of the suspect and victim arguing outside the Fifth Unisex Salon located at 2177 Claredon Road, just moments before the shooting. In the video, the suspect is seen appearing to turn around and walk away from the 32-year-old victim Friday night. Shocking surveillance footage shows the moment a gunman (pictured) pretends to walk away from an argument before shooting a Brooklyn barber (muzzed in footage) in a surprise attack The New York City Police Department said they are looking for this man and are asking the public for their assistance with identifying him But seconds later, the suspect is seen with his hand in the pocket of his hoodie. The video then shows the moment he pulled the trigger and shot the victim with a gun that was hidden in his hoodie before walking off. According to police, the victim suffered a single gunshot wound to his lower torso. The victim was transported via EMS to Kings County Hospital, where he was treated and later released. According to police, the gunman is described as a Black male, approximately 30-years-old, 5'9' tall, 220 pounds, with a stocky build, medium complexion, black hair, brown eyes and a goatee. He was last seen wearing a light colored hooded sweatshirt with unknown cursive writing on the front, a wool hat, baggy jeans, black gloves and dark colored sneakers. They asking for the public's assistance in identifying the individual depicted in the attached surveillance photograph and video in connection to an assault that occurred within the confines of the 70 Precinct. Details are as follows: Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The surveillance footage was released of the suspect and victim arguing outside the Fifth Unisex Salon located at 2177 Claredon Road, just moments before the shooting The video then shows the moment he pulled the trigger and shot the victim while still holding the gun in his hoodie before walking off. According to police, the victim suffered a single gunshot wound to his lower torso In a major speech titled 'A United Kingdom', Boris Johnson (pictured this morning running in central London) will call on Leave and Remain campaigners to come together for the future of the country Boris Johnson will today warn that keeping Britain shackled to EU laws after Brexit would be 'intolerable, undemocratic' and make it all but impossible to sign trade deals. In a major speech titled 'A United Kingdom', the Foreign Secretary will call on Leave and Remain campaigners to come together for the future of the country. Setting out his upbeat vision, Mr Johnson will say leaving the EU is 'grounds for hope, not fear' and will warn that any attempts to reverse the referendum would be a 'disastrous mistake and a betrayal'. He will also argue efforts by Remain-supporting ministers to keep Britain closely aligned with Brussels rules after Brexit would not amount to 'taking back control'. The British people should not have new laws imposed from abroad, he will declare, extolling the benefits of leaving the EU's customs union and the single market. But leading Remainers branded his intervention 'deeply cynical and dishonest' and dismissed his Valentine's Day offer of an olive branch. Andrew Cooper, a pollster who was director of strategy for David Cameron before being sent to the House of Lords, wrote on Twitter: 'Vote Leave made a Farageist, not *liberal* case for Brexit. 'Cutting immigration & boosting the NHS is what Johnson, Gove & co. sold to the British people. Deeply cynical & dishonest for Johnson to try to re-frame Brexit as *liberal* now.' Tory MP Antoinette Sandbach - one of the leading Remainer rebels on the Conservative benches - also poured scorn on the speech. She wrote: 'Reports of Johnson speech seem to indicate we shouldn't be subject to EU laws as we can't influence them. However that is inevitable consequence of Brexit, if we want to continue to export to EU we have to comply with their rules!!' Mr Johnson's demand that Britain should have a clean break from Brussels rules will ratchet up the pressure on Theresa May, who is seeking to find a compromise to please the warring factions of her Cabinet. The dramatic intervention comes as Theresa May (pictured outside Stormont on Monday) prepares to hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday as the Government steps up efforts to make progress on Brexit During talks, Mr Johnson has faced resistance from Chancellor Philip Hammond (pictured lin Downing Street last week) and Home Secretary Amber Rudd, who fear moving too far from EU regulations could damage existing export markets During talks, Mr Johnson has faced resistance from Chancellor Philip Hammond and Home Secretary Amber Rudd, who fear moving too far from EU regulations could damage existing export markets. Some Tories fear the Foreign Secretary could walk out of the Government if the Prime Minister attempts a fudge that does not see Britain fully go its own way after Brexit. Meanwhile, in a newspaper article today, Mr Johnson described Britain's departure from the EU as 'the great project of our age'. How are Remainers reacting to Boris Johnson's Valentine's Day speech on Brexit? Leading Remainers have poured scorn on Boris Johnson's Valentine's Day bid to woo them Lord Adonis, Labour peer and former Cabinet minister 'Time to unite ... behind him and his bunch of charlatans. 'We are in this mess because his motto was the most infamous line in Milton: ''Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven''.' Tory grandee Sir Nicholas Soames 'You can't go Global unless you have a properly adequately resourced Diplomatic Service and Armed Forces capable of doing the business.' Eloise Todd CEO of Anti-Brexit organisation Best for Britain 'Usually people hope to be swept off their feet on Valentine's day but this speech was a Valentine's day disaster. 'The only thing Boris wants on Valentine's is the love of the Tory party.' Open Britain campaigner Chuka Umunna 'This was an astonishing exercise in hypocrisy from Boris Johnson. His vision of Brexit may be many things, but it is not liberal.' Lord Cooper, pollster and David Cameron's ex director of strategy 'Vote Leave made a Farageist, not *liberal* case for Brexit. Cutting immigration & boosting the NHS is what Johnson, Gove & co. sold to the British people. 'Deeply cynical & dishonest for Johnson to try to re-frame Brexit as *liberal* now.' Antoinette Sandbach, Tory MP and leading Remainer rebel 'Reports of Johnson speech seem to indicate we shouldn't be subject to EU laws as we can't influence them. 'However that is inevitable consequence of Brexit, if we want to continue to export to EU we have to comply with their rules!!' Tom Brake, Lib Dem MP and Brexit spokesman 'If this speech was supposed to offer an olive branch to Remainers, Boris must have picked up the other version.' Advertisement Writing in The Sun, he said: 'When the history books come to be written, Brexit will be seen as just the latest way in which the British bucked the trend and took the initiative and did something that responds to the needs and opportunities of the world today.' His speech is the first of six by Mrs May and Cabinet members to set out the Government's road map for Brexit. Brexit Secretary David Davis, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox and Mrs May's deputy David Lidington are set to speak in coming weeks. In Westminster this morning, Mr Johnson will warn Europhiles that efforts to stay in the EU would permanently damage the trust of voters. 'I fear some people are becoming ever more determined to stop Brexit, to reverse the referendum vote of June 23, 2016, and to frustrate the will of the people,' he will say. 'I believe that would be a disastrous mistake that would lead to permanent and ineradicable feelings of betrayal. We cannot and will not let it happen. 'But if we are to carry this project through to national success, as we must, we must also reach out to those who still have anxieties.' He will add: 'I want to try today to anatomise at least some of those fears and to show to the best of my ability that they are unfounded and that the very opposite is usually true that Brexit is not grounds for fear but hope.' Reaching out to Remainers, Mr Johnson will say the country 'must not repeat the mistakes of the past when pro-EU voices too often ignored the voices of those who opposed EU membership'. 'It is not good enough to say to Remainers you lost, get over it; because we must accept that many are actuated by entirely noble sentiments, a real sense of solidarity with our European neighbours and a desire for the UK to succeed,' he will say. But Mr Johnson, who yesterday returned to work in London after a tour of south Asia, will also take a swipe at the leaked civil servant reports which claimed Britain would be better off if it stays closely tied to Brussels. Leading Tory Remainer Antoinette Sandbach poured scorn on Boris Johnson's speech on the twitter - saying Britain will have to stick to EU rules if it wants to sell to the bloc He will say: 'The British people should not have new laws affecting their everyday lives imposed from abroad, when they have no power to elect or remove those who make those laws 'To those who worry about coming out of the customs union or the single market please bear in mind that the economic benefits of membership are nothing like as conspicuous or irrefutable as is sometimes claimed.' Mr Johnson will add: 'It is only by taking back control of our laws that UK firms and entrepreneurs will have the freedom to innovate, without the risk of having to comply with some directive devised by Brussels 'That would be intolerable, undemocratic, and would make it all but impossible for us to do serious free trade deals.' But Lib Dem MP and Brexit spokesman Tom Brake was dismissive of the Foreign Secretary's pitch to lead the charge for a 'liberal Brexit'. 'If this speech was supposed to offer an olive branch to Remainers, Boris must have picked up the other version,' he said. 'If Boris is seeking to establish himself as the standard bearer of liberalism, he should dump plans to come out of the Single Market and Customs Union and campaign to stay in the world's largest free trade area. 'He could also bolster his liberal credentials by giving people a vote on the deal and an exit from Brexit.' Security at Britain's borders will be 'at risk' because the Home Office is unprepared for Brexit, a report warns today. MPs on the home affairs committee said there were 'real concerns' Border Force does 'not have the capacity' for extra checks on people and goods, raising the prospect that illegal immigrants and terrorists will find it easier to sneak in. "There were several doctors examining my eye, and at first, they were a bit skeptical, because who comes in and claims they have a worm in their eye?" Beckley remembered. "I am thinking to myself, 'Worms, please show up,' because sometimes they would go behind my eye and under the eyelid, and you couldn't see or feel them anymore." Luckily, she says, after a half-hour, the worms made an appearance. "I felt one squiggle across my eye, and I told the doctors, 'You need to look right now!' " Beckley said. "I'll never forget the expression on their faces as they saw it move across my eye." 'I tried not to go to the darkest place' While some of the worms Beckley removed were sent off to the CDC for identification, she frequently visited the university for vision tests and eye washes designed to flush out additional worms. Although her vision remained fine, the flushes were unsuccessful. "I just kept pulling the worms out of my eye at home, but when I went to the office, they would flush, and nothing would come out," Beckley said. "They were trying to figure out what to do because there was no road map, no protocol for this." The worst part, she says, was wondering what the worms might do to her body, "so close to my brain and eyes." Beleaguered Oxfam trustee Caroline Thomson, who made a 'full and unqualified apology' to Britain and Haiti, is no stranger to being at the vortex of a major corporate scandal. In a previous role at the BBC, she was dragged into the controversy over the cover-up of paedophile DJ Jimmy Savile's activities, as well as a row over excessive pay-offs for BBC executives. There was widespread criticism of Ms Thomson who uses her maiden name rather than her title by marriage, Lady Liddle when, before she became chairman of Oxfam's trustees, she left the BBC (where she was chief operating officer) with a 670,000 pay-off more than twice her 330,000 salary. Astonishingly, she got this eye-watering sum even though she wanted to quit. Scroll down for video In a previous role at the BBC, Oxfam trustee Caroline Thomson was dragged into the controversy over the cover-up of paedophile DJ Jimmy Savile's activities Indeed, she was one of several BBC bigwigs who left with huge pay-offs totalling 4 million in one year after the Savile scandal. As a result, Margaret Hodge, then chairwoman of the Commons spending watchdog, said there was 'gross incompetence' in the way the BBC handled the golden handshakes. The MP had questioned senior BBC executives and said it was an 'unedifying experience' watching them 'try to avoid responsibility'. During questioning, former BBC director general Mark Thompson defended the severance payments, denying that the Corporation had 'lost the plot'. In reference to Ms Thomson, Ms Hodge said her redundancy pay-off was effectively paid to 'compensate' her for missing out on the job of director-general during the fallout from Savile. To compound matters, when one shamed BBC executive repaid part of his 300,000 settlement, Ms Thomson was asked if she would do the same. With haughty disdain, she replied: 'No. I'm not.' Insisting that the licence-fee-payers' funded money was her contractual entitlement, she said: 'I would have earned a lot more when I was working for ITV.' Caroline Thomson was one of several BBC bigwigs who left with huge pay-offs totalling 4 million in one year after the Savile scandal. Above, Jimmy Savile This debacle followed the Jimmy Savile scandal when it was alleged that the BBC had pulled a BBC2 Newsnight investigation into allegations that the DJ had indulged in under-age sex and that Ms Thomson, along with other executives, failed to heed warnings that Savile was a serious paedophile. 'In retrospect,' she said after Savile died, 'no one thought of it as a story about the BBC. I look back now and say: 'Why didn't I think it was a problem?' But I didn't.' After quitting the BBC with her pay-off (including 14,000 for lawyers to negotiate the deal) and a 1.9 million pension pot, she became executive director of the English National Ballet. Asked why she didn't take a job in commercial TV (where she'd said she'd have earned much more), she responded: 'I felt bruised by the manner of my departure and the speed of it. I wanted to do something different.' Caroline Agnes Morgan Thomson, 63, has strong political links. Her father was Labour MP for Dundee before defecting to the SDP, became head of the Independent Broadcasting Authority and was ennobled as Baron Thomson of Monifieth. After studying at York University, Ms Thomson joined the BBC as a trainee journalist. There, she met her future husband Roger Liddle, an early SDP activist who was a very close friend of Peter Mandelson, with whom he co-authored The Blair Revolution, which championed an EU 'of deeper economic integration among nation-states bound together by common rules and united by a clear social purpose'. Margaret Hodge, then chairwoman of the Commons spending watchdog, said there was 'gross incompetence' in the way the BBC handled the golden handshakes They also said: 'The single currency is the natural complement to a single market'. Liddle then became a policy adviser to Blair on Europe, in 1997, and joined him as an aide in No 10 for seven years. But 'Mandelson's bagman' became embroiled in a sleazy cash-for-access scandal. Another Mandelson crony, Derek 'Dolly' Draper, was caught telling an undercover reporter posing as a businessman that he could provide early sight of confidential government reports and that in exchange for money he would open government doors to him one being that of Liddle's office. Draper duly pressed Liddle into service and the latter was quoted telling the undercover reporter: 'There is a circle and Derek is part of the circle . . . Whenever you are ready, tell me what you want, who you want to meet, and Derek and I will make the call for you.' Blair rejected demands to dismiss Liddle who denied the allegations the consensus being that he was saved solely because his reported remark was not tape-recorded. After Downing Street, Liddle was an adviser to European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso and having been ennobled for long service as a Blairite ultra is a key figure in the Lords in the battle against Brexit. During a debate about leaving the EU, he declared his intention to fight Brexit as long as he lived. As for his wife, she continues to amass well-paid public jobs: chairman of Digital UK (which is responsible for digital terrestrial TV); a director of UKGI (a government quango responsible for corporate governance); as well as two in the private sector, a director of Vitec Group (which provides services for broadcasters) and on the board of CN multi-media group. Thomson once said women in business 'must have the self-belief to say you don't understand some-thing in meetings . . . Men always say when they don't get things.' Yet by her own admission, she did not ask the right questions about Jimmy Savile. Might she now be asking similar questions of herself about Oxfam? ... AND LABOUR MONEY MAN WHO BECAME CHARITY'S TREASURER A former adviser to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, David Pitt-Watson, 58 Oxfams honorary treasurer since 2011 was finance director of the Labour Party from 1997-99. He was offered the post of Labour general secretary in 2008 but decided not to take it to the disappointment of Brown, then PM. The City fund managers influence at Oxfam along with his links to the Labour Party may partly explain why the charity has become highly politicised and veered dramatically to the Left. David Pitt-Watson (pictured) Oxfams honorary treasurer since 2011 was finance director of the Labour Party from 1997-99 In 2014, Oxfam was criticised for a faux film poster, showing a broiling sea under clouds titled: The Perfect Storm. Added were the words starring zero hours contracts, high prices, benefit cuts, unemployment, childcare costs. A message above read: Lifting the lid on austerity Britain reveals a perfect storm and its forcing more and more people into poverty. Meanwhile, on Twitter Oxfam invited people to hear how we investigate the reasons why so many people are turning to food banks in Britain 2014. Pitt-Watson (pictured), also an executive fellow at London Business School, was chairman of the United Nations environment programmes finance initiative in the run-up to the Paris Climate summit. The son of a cleric his grandfather was moderator of the Church of Scotland in the Fifties. He has written a number of books and pamphlets but denies hes a member of an ivory-towered elite. I have never understood the notion that there is a divorce between the real world and the academic world, he says. I dont get it. The academic world is there reflecting, explaining, understanding the real world. He is one of South Africa's richest businessmen and has faced claims of being a 'silent deputy' during Jacob Zuma's scandal-hit administration. Cyril Ramaphosa has now replaced the veteran president after the 75-year-old finally resigned. A veteran of the struggle to end apartheid, the 65-year-old has promoted himself as a reformer - but is not free from controversy himself. Many South Africans remember that Mr Ramaphosa was a board member of the Lonmin mining group at the time of the Marikana killings in 2012, when police shot dead 34 striking mine workers. In 2017, he was accused of having affairs with several young women, which he denied. Cyril Ramaphosa (pictured) is the man lined up to replace the veteran president when the 75-year-old finally leaves office Nelson Mandela (left) once described Ramaphosa (right) as one of the most gifted leaders of the 'new generation' Elected to lead the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in December, Ramaphosa was also the party's candidate for president in the 2019 run off. He held off competition from Zuma's ex wife and former cabinet minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma in a bitter political campaign which threatened to tear the party apart. Ramaphosa's long and eventful career has taken him from trade union activist to multi-millionaire and now to within touching distance of the South African presidency. After South Africa dismantled apartheid, Ramaphosa saw his hopes for the country's top job dashed. True to his pragmatic character, he opted instead for life in business - a move that brought him spectacular wealth. But his election last year as head of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) brings him to the brink of realising his dream. A veteran of the struggle to end apartheid, the 65-year-old has promoted himself as a reformer - but has not been free from controversy himself. Ramaphosa is pictured, left, with Jacob Zuma It was after Ramaphosa failed to clinch the ANC nomination to succeed president Nelson Mandela in 1999 that he swapped politics for a foray into business that made him one of the wealthiest people in Africa. Mandela once described Ramaphosa as one of the most gifted leaders of the 'new generation' - the young campaigners who rose in the 1970s, filling the void left by their jailed elders. During his business career, Ramaphosa held stakes in McDonald's and Coca-Cola and made millions in deals that required investors to partner with non-white shareholders. He became one of the richest men on the continent - reaching number 42 on Forbes list of Africa's wealthiest people in 2015 with a net worth of $450 million (383 million euros). Ramaphosa became one of the richest men on the continent during his business career Out of politics for a decade, Ramaphosa returned to frontline politics in 2012 when he was elected to the ANC's number-two post. He became deputy president of the nation in 2014, but had to tread a careful line. He had to both serve Zuma - tarred by accusations of corruption and incompetence - and also deliver occasional, cautious criticism of his political master. His ambivalence has led to criticism. Mmusi Maimane, leader of the main opposition Democratic Alliance party, accused Ramaphosa of being 'at best a silent deputy president, and at worst a complicit one'. Born on November 17, 1952 in Soweto township west of Johannesburg - a centre of the anti-apartheid struggle - Ramaphosa became involved with student activism while studying law in the 1970s. He was arrested in 1974 and spent 11 months in solitary confinement. After studying, he turned to trade unionism - one of the few legal ways of protesting the white-minority regime. He founded the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in 1982 which grew to 300,000 members and led massive mine strikes in 1987 that shook the foundations of white rule. When Mandela was released in 1990 after 27 years in prison for opposing apartheid, Ramaphosa was a key part of the taskforce that led the transition to democracy. Ramaphosa (pictured with Zuma) has promoted himself as a reformer, despite being a key part of Zuma's administration, and has promised to steer South Africa away from corruption scandals which have blighted it in the past His popularity was badly shaken in 2012 when 34 striking mine workers were killed by police at the Marikana platinum mine (pictured), operated by London-listed Lonmin, where he was then a non-executive director. Ramaphosa won global prominence as the ANC's lead negotiator, with his contribution seen as one factor in the success of the talks and the resulting peaceful democratic handover. He then led the group that drew up the country's world-renowned new constitution. Ramaphosa - who is relaxed and low-key at public appearances - has managed to steer clear of major corruption scandals but his return to politics has not been free from controversy. His popularity was badly shaken in 2012 when 34 striking mine workers were killed by police at the Marikana platinum mine, operated by London-listed Lonmin, where he was then a non-executive director. Shortly before the massacre - the worst police killing since the end of apartheid - Ramaphosa had called for a crackdown on the strikers, whom he accused of 'dastardly criminal' behaviour. Ramaphosa has four children with his second wife Tshepo Motsepe, a doctor. In 2017, he was accused of having affairs with several young women, which he denied. Ramaphosa did admit to an extramarital affair but told local media that he had since disclosed the relationship to his wife. Some saw the sudden revelations as a smear campaign by associates of President Zuma determined to ensure that Dlamini-Zuma takes the ANC top job. The impact of the scandal was short-lived, and Ramaphosa based his campaign on his pledge to rebuild the country's economy, boost growth and create much-needed jobs. Sep 25, 2017: Stokes is involved in an incident near Bristol's Mbargo club which left another man needing hospital treatment. Stokes is arrested and released under investigation. Sep 27: England include Stokes in Ashes squad, even though he has a minor finger fracture on his right hand. Footage is released which allegedly shows the incident of the pair from two days earlier. Sep 28: The ECB announces that Stokes and Alex Hales, who was present with Stokes, will not be considered for selection until further notice. Oct 28: England fly out to Australia for the Ashes without Stokes. Scientists have discovered strange stones in Denmark on the island of Bornholm that have raised questions about sun-worshipers who lived around 5,000 years ago. Among their new finds are 'spider stones', which are marked with a pattern similar to that of a spider's web. Additionally, researchers discovered copper at the site, noteworthy because scientists do not believe copper could not have been produced by the inhabitants living on the island at the time, Live Science reported. The new discoveries point to unsolved mysteries about Denmark's history, researchers concluded. Archaeologists have discovered 'spider stones' on Bornholm Island in Denmark. They believe the remains were left by sun worshipers who lived 5,000 years ago The spider stones resemble the likes of 'solar stones' or 'sun stones', hundreds of which have been found on the island since the 1990s. The remains have been located around a walled Neolithic enclosure that is about 650 feet wide. The enclosure sits at Vasagard archaeological site on Bornholm. The island is situated between Sweden's southern tip and Poland's coast in the Baltic Sea. Inhabitants polished and marked a kind of local stone to create the sun stones, which are hand-sized and round. The newly-discovered spider stones were found in the Baltic Sean between Sweden and Poland The patterns that are found on the stones mimic the sun's rays. These patterns have turned up on rocks at a number of prehistoric sites across the globe, either engraved or painted on the stones. But the new spider stones are different, researchers have claimed. This is because they are inscribed with straight lines that run across and between radiating lines, and this gives the look of a spider's web. About six of the stones have turned up at the Vasagard site, which scientists think was of significance to Neolithic sun-worshipers. Researchers discovered what could be the oldest known maps on Bornholm Island two years ago. Pictured is Vasagard archaeological site where the remains were found Director of Bornholm Museum Finn Ole Nielsen said that he found a historical reference to spider webs that could be of significance at a church in France. A web is painted on the ceiling of the Medieval structure, and researchers think it might represent the transition from life to death. However, archaeologists can't be certain what the newly-discovered spider stones mean, Nielsen told Live Science. In addition to the spider stones archaeologists excavated what was left of round timber structures. A number of these structures were 30 feet wide, and the remains have been found near the main walled compound at Vasagard. WHAT ARTIFACTS HAVE BEEN FOUND ON BORNHOLM ISLAND? Archaeologists discovered 'spider stones' on Bornholm Island in Denmark Archaeologists have discovered 'spider stones' on Bornholm Island in Denmark. Their name is derived from the patterns found on the round stones, which resemble spider webs. But the discovery isn't the first to be made on the island, which is located in the Baltic Sea. Two years ago researchers discovered fragments of rocks known as 'field stones' or 'map stones' on the island. Some speculate that these stones could be the earliest known maps. But Fleming Kaul, an archaeologist at the National Museum of Denmark, told Live Science that these stones could have had an even deeper meaning. Kaul said that they might have been part of a religious ceremony during which Bornholm inhabitants tried to ensure that their farmland, community or family would be blessed with weather that would allow crops to grow. Researchers have learned about life on Bornholm Island in Denmark thanks to finds at Vasagard archaeological site Advertisement It was among these structures that archaeologists discovered a piece of copper that was 1.6 inches long. The find dates back to an era during which researchers don't believe the inhabitants had access to copper. Another Bornholm Museum employee, archaeologist Michael Thorsen, told Live Science that the copper was perhaps a piece of an axe that was imported or that it could have been been part of a religious sacrifice. Thorsen explained that it must have traveled to the island from somewhere far away, such as from the Balkans or the Mediterranean. He believes that the structure the copper was found at had a religious significance. Thorsen said: 'I think the most obvious function is some kind of religious building. 'This copper must have come a very long way. For me, it just makes the structure even more important, because they were offering a rare piece of copper like this.' A new generation of quiet supersonic aircraft has moved a step closer to reality after Donald Trump gave the go-ahead to plans for a quiet 'Son of Concorde'. The plane, proposed by Nasa, is dubbed the Quiet Supersonic Transport (QueSST) low-boom flight demonstrator. It aims to cut out the noisy sonic booms that echoed above cities in the era of Concorde, while travelling at speeds of 1,100mph (Mach 1.4 / 1,700 km/h). QueSST will make its first flight in 2021 if production goes according to plan and could one day halve travel times from London to New York to just three hours. Scroll down for video A new generation of quiet faster than sound aircraft has moved one step closer, after the US government gave the go-ahead to plans from Nasa that aims to cut out the noisy sonic booms that echoed above cities in the era of Concorde Nasa's vision has been approved In the latest proposed US budget released by the Office Of Management And Budget In Washington, DC. The space agency was awarded $19.9 billion (14.3bn) for the next year, $500 million (360m) more than the previous year. It is not known what proportion of this will be spent on the supersonic aircraft project. QueSST is the latest addition to the X-series of experimental aircraft and rockets, used to test and evaluate new technologies and aerodynamic concepts. Their X designation indicates their research mission status within the US system of aircraft naming. This all dates back to Chuck Yeager's sound-barrier-breaking craft, the X-1, a rocket enginepowered aircraft, designed and built in 1945, that achieved a speed of nearly 1,000 miles per hour (1,600 kmh) in 1948. QueSST will be used as a test bed for technologies that could make their way into commercial planes. Writing in the budget, its authors said: 'The Budget fully funds the Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator, an experimental supersonic airplane that would make its first flight in 2021. 'This X-plane would open a new market for US companies to build faster commercial airliners, creating jobs and cutting cross-country flight times in half. ' In June 2017, Nasa announced that it planned to begin work on the supersonic X-plane as early as 2018. Lockheed Martin has been working on the preliminary design, with hopes to move on to build the demonstrator, but NASA also opened the door for other companies to submit their own designs as well. The space agency is working on designs futuristic supersonic X-plane, the Quiet Supersonic Transport (QueSST) low-boom flight demonstrator. It could make its first flight in 2021, if production goes according to plan The space agency is hoping to achieve a sonic boom 60 dBA lower than other supersonic aircraft, such as the Concorde, a turbojet-powered supersonic passenger jet that was operated until 2003. The QueSST low-boom flight demonstrator (LBFD), or X-plane, aims to produce a much lower 'boom' than other supersonic aircraft at speeds beyond Mach 1. It is designed to fly at Mach 1.4 (1,100mph / 1,700 kph), 55,000 feet (10 miles) above the ground. The aircraft is shaped to separate the shocks and expansions associated with supersonic flight to reduce the volume of the shaped signature, and was developed by Lockheed's Skunk Works over 20 years. HOW WILL NASA REDUCE THE SOUND OF SONIC BOOMS? In a conventional supersonic aircraft, shockwaves from the nose, cockpit, inlets, wings and other features come together as they move through the atmosphere into strong shocks emanating from the nose and tail. These are known as bow and tail shocks, respectively. As these shockwaves pass over the ground, air pressure rises sharply, declines, then rises rapidly again. It's this that produces the classic 'double-bang' sonic boom. In a conventional supersonic aircraft, shockwaves from the nose, cockpit, inlets, wings and other features come together as they move through the atmosphere into strong shocks emanating from the nose and tail Reshaping the aircraft to produce a longer, more slender shape is the best way to generate shockwaves of lower, more equal strength that do not form into such strong bow and tail shocks. Nasa and other organisations are working on creating shapes to reduce sonic booms. Stretching the nose to break the bow shock into a series of weaker shockwaves is particularly effective. This lowers and spreads that initial pressure peak and softens the first bang of the sonic boom. Advertisement Recent research has shown it is possible for a supersonic airplane to be shaped in such a way that the shock waves it forms when flying faster than the speed of sound can generate a sound at ground level so quiet it will hardly will be noticed by the public, if at all. The space agency is hoping to achieve a sonic boom 60 dBA lower than other supersonic aircraft, such as the Anglo-French Concorde. In a written statement, a Nasa spokesman previously said the aim was to create a boom 'so quiet it hardly will be noticed by the public, if at all... like distant thunder [or] the sound of your neighbor forcefully shutting his car door outside while you are inside.' It's been decades since Nasa has worked on a manned supersonic X-plane, and after the contract is awarded, the winning team will undergo critical design review in 2019 to bring the plan closer to life. Lockheed Martin has been working on the preliminary design, with hopes to move on to build the demonstrator, but NASA also opened the door for other companies to submit their own designs as well Nasa is hoping to see the first flight tests take place in the first quarter of 2021. For the most part, the demonstrator tests will take place across two phases at the Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, and culminating at the base housing at Edwards AFB. The first will focus on aircraft build, checkout, and supersonic flight envelope expansion set for late 2021, followed by efforts focusing on low-boom acoustic validation, according to Aviation Week. Then, in 2022, researchers will assess the ground signature of the demonstrator, and the effects on atmospheric and flight conditions from the boom. WHAT WAS CONCORDE? Concorde was a turbojet-powered supersonic passenger jet that was operated until 2003. It had a maximum speed over twice the speed of sound at Mach 2.04 (1,354mph or 2,180k per hour at cruise altitude) and could seat 92 to 128 passengers. It was first flown in 1969, but needed further tests to establish it as viable as a commercial aircraft. Concorde was a turbojet-powered supersonic passenger jet that was operated until 2003. It had a maximum speed over twice the speed of sound at Mach 2.04 and could seat 92 to 128 passengers Concorde entered service in 1976 and continued flying for the next 27 years. It is one of only two supersonic transports to have been operated commercially. The other is the Soviet-built Tupolev Tu-144, which ran for a much shorter period of time before it was grounded and retired due to safety and budget issues. Concorde was jointly developed and manufactured by Aerospatiale and the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) under an Anglo-French treaty. Concorde's name, meaning harmony or union, reflects the cooperation on the project between the United Kingdom and France. In the UK, any or all of the type are known simply as 'Concorde', without an article. Twenty aircraft were built including six prototypes and development aircraft. Air France (AF) and British Airways (BA) each received seven aircraft. The research and development failed to make a profit and the two airlines bought the aircraft at a huge discount. Concorde was retired in 2003 due to a general downturn in the commercial aviation industry after the type's only crash in 2000, the September 11 attacks in 2001, and a decision by Airbus, the successor to Aerospatiale and BAC, to discontinue maintenance support. Advertisement Nasa is hoping the low-boom X-plane will support changes in US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, to allow supersonic flight over land. Whenever an aircraft flies supersonic, or faster than the speed of sound, it produces shockwaves that is eventually heard on the ground as a loud sonic boom. This is the driving factor behind the FAA restriction on supersonic flight over land. Nasa intends to demonstrate quieter supersonic flight through the LBFD, and should the quiet thump of the shockwaves prove to be within acceptable limits to the FAA and communities on the ground. Incredible images of an Air Force jet (pictured) passing in front of the sun revealed how Nasa will visualise shock-waves of supersonic planes The agency said it brings them one step closer to being able to visually capture the shockwaves of its future supersonic X-plane, also know as a low boom flight demonstration aircraft (LBFD). According to predicted sound levels, it may open the future to supersonic flight over land on a commercial level. Incredible images of an Air Force jet passing in front of the sun revealed in December 2017 show how Nasa will visualise shockwaves produced by the QueSST. The space agency's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California captured the images of its Test Pilot School T-38 as it transitioned from subsonic speed to supersonic using a technique called schlieren photography. The agency said it brings them one step closer to being able to visually capture the shockwaves of its future supersonic X-plane. A submerged volcano off the coast of Japan that erupted 7,300 years ago could be preparing to make a comeback. Scientists have discovered evidence of a giant dome of lava in the Kikai volcano's collapsed magma chamber. They believe it contains about 32 cubic km (7.68 cubic miles) of magma, and distortions on its surface suggest the dome is growing. Currently the dome is around 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) wide and 1,968 feet (600 meters) tall. Scientists say an eruption could take place without warning, and if it does, it could kill as many as 100 million people and trigger a 'volcanic winter'. Japanese researchers have found evidence of a giant dome of lava containing about 32 cubic kilometres (7.68 cubic miles) of magma. The dome lies within Kikai Caldera, which lies beneath Satsuma Iojima (pictured, which belongs to the southerly Osumi Islands Archipelago) The study, conducted by researchers with the Kobe Ocean-Bottom Exploration Center (KOBEC) at Kobe University, confirmed that the giant lava dome was created after a caldera-forming supereruption 7,300 years ago. That eruption is thought to have wiped out the prehistoric Jomon civilisation in southern Japan. If the new lava dome erupts, it could eject huge amounts of debris into the atmosphere, potentially blocking out the sun for some areas to trigger a 'volcanic winter'. It could also cause tsunami that would hit southern Japan and the coasts of Taiwan and China, before striking the coasts of North and South America. The paper says such supereruptions are 'rare but extremely hazardous events, and also have severe global impacts such as 'volcanic winter'. A relief image map of Kikai Caldera. Inner and outer caldera rims are shown by solid lines. Magma movement (yellow) can be seen in this image along the caldera's rim. Dredge (yellow diamond), ROV diving (blue diamonds), and scuba diving (yellow triangles) points where researchers conducted their studies are shown 'Many of these super-volcanoes repeat super-eruptions in their multi-million year histories', the report said, adding that the scientists hope to be able to use their research in 'preparation for the next super-eruption'. The lava dome is in a caldera - a cauldron-like depression that forms following the collapse of a volcano into itself, forming a crater. These collapses are usually triggered when a magma reservoir beneath a volcano is emptied as the result of a volcanic eruption. Since KOBEC was established in 2015, the Center has carried out three survey voyages. The lava dome rises to 600 metres (1,968.5 feet) above the seabed and is now only 30.5 metres (100 feet) beneath the surface. According to the study, the outer and inner caldera rim may overlap on Satsuma Iojima and Takeshima Islands, which belong to the southerly Osumi Islands Archipelago off southern coast of Japan. Japanese researchers have found evidence of a giant dome of lava containing about 32 cubic kilometres (7.68 cubic miles) of magma. The expanding dome lies within the Kikai Caldera, a mostly submerged caldera south of Kyushu Island, the southernmost of Japan's main islands Six samples collected so far from this dome are rhyolites, a type of igneous rock that forms through the cooling of magma or lava, suggesting that the dome could contain lava. The researchers discovered several intrusions on the surface of the dome, leading them to believe that lava is building up underneath the dome. They also spotted active gas bubbling, as well as super-heated water columns, near the caldera. Professor Yoshiyuki Tastsumi, head of KOBEC and a magma specialist, as well as the first author of the study, told The Mainichi newspaper that 'Although the probability of a gigantic caldera eruption hitting the Japanese archipelago is 1 percent in the next 100 years, it is estimated that the death toll could rise to approximately 100 million in the worst case scenario'. Lava domes form when less viscous lava erupts from a vent. Because it is less viscous, the lava does not spread far, so it cools and hardens rapidly. The lava piles up around the vent, and the dome grows. Lava domes usually have steep walls because the lava piles up around the vent Researchers equipped training ship Fukae Maru, part of the Kobe University Graduate School of Maritime Sciences, with the latest observation equipment to survey the Kikai Caldera. During the three voyages, KOBEC carried out detailed underwater geological surveys, seismic reflection (estimating the properties of the Earth's subsurface from reflected seismic waves), observations by underwater robots, samples and analysis of rocks, and observations using underwater seismographs and electromagnetometers. In their upcoming March 2018 voyage, the researchers plan to use seismic reflection and underwater robots to clarify the formation process of the caldera revealed in previous surveys and the mechanism that causes a giant caldera eruption. Researchers observed active gas bubbling, as well as super-heated water columns, near the caldera, supporting the idea that lava is building up underneath the dome. Pictured are a water column anomaly (a) and gas bubbling (b) at the dome surface They will also use seismic and electromagentic methods to determine the existence of a giant magma build-up, and in collaboration with the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology will carry out a large-scale underground survey, attempting to capture high-resolution visualizations of the magma system within the Earth's crust. Based on results from these surveys, the team plans to continue monitoring and aims to pioneer a method for predicting giant caldera-forming eruptions. Japan sits atop four different tectonic plates, making it one of Earth's most seismically active regions. Japan and its islands lie within the Pacific 'Ring of Fire' - a horseshoe-shaped geological zone that is a hot bed for tectonic and volcanic activity. The lost settlements of one of Scotland's most visited landscapes, infamous for the worst murders of the clan era, are to be traced by archaeologists for the first time. Glencoe was the scene of a massacre of the MacDonald clan, which saw more than 30 members of the kinship group slain exactly 362 years ago today. Their murders were ordered by the state after the clan chief tried but failed to meet a deadline to pledge allegiance to King William II. Experts hope to uncover some of the six settlements that are believed to have existed in the area in 1692, when the brutal attack took place. The lost settlements of one of Scotland's most visited landscapes, infamous for the worst murders of the clan era, are to be traced by archaeologists for the first time. A turf house was found at Achtriochtan (pictured), near the loch of the same name, during a routine inspection The National Trust of Scotland has carried out initial survey work at three former settlements, Achtriachtan, Achnacon and Inverrigan, with more detailed studies due to follow. A turf house was found at Achtriochtan, near the loch of the same name, during a routine inspection. The remains are quite difficult to see as all that survives is a low, spread, earthen bank defining the roughly rectangular outline of a building. Evidence of turf and stone dwellings have also been uncovered at the other two sites. Derek Alexander, head of archaeology at the trust, speaking ahead of the anniversary of the 1692 massacre, said: 'There are thousands of people who drive up the road through Glencoe and stop and look at the majestic beauty of the place, but I think the human side of the story is often overlooked. 'This is an iconic landscape and what we are trying to find are the physical remains that tie that landscape to the story of the massacre. 'I'm surprised that is not been done before.' At least 38 MacDonalds of Glencoe were murdered by troops led by Robert Campbell of Glenlyon. Many more Highlanders are believed to have died after fleeing their townships, with some leaving their homes in advance after being tipped off about the planned execution. Eighteenth-century military maps show six settlements in total through the glen, but by the 19th century, they disappear from documents, given the townships were later cleared for sheep. Mr Alexander said: 'We can see there are eight buildings at Achtriachtan and the same again at Achnacon. WHAT LED TO THE GLENCOE MASSACRE? The signed order for the Massacre of Glencoe led to one of the darkest episodes in Scottish history. The paper served as a mandate for one of the most infamous events in the nation's past. It instructed the Campbells were to attack their hosts, the MacDonalds, and 'putt all to the sword under seventy'. It followed a proclamation issued in August 1691, requiring the chiefs of the Scottish clans to take an oath of allegiance to William III before the end of the year. Alasdair MacDonald of Glencoe, known as Maclain, missed the deadline by a few days, providing the authorities with an opportunity to crush his clan. Scotland's Secretary of State, John Dalrymple, Master of Stair, spotted the opportunity. The signed order for the Massacre of Glencoe led to one of the darkest episodes in Scottish history. The paper served as a mandate for one of the most infamous events in the nation's past Dalrymple was a Lowlander and a Protestant who disliked the Highlanders and viewed their whole way of life as a hindrance to Scotland, which would be better served in union with England. He had a particular dislike for the MacDonalds of Glen Coe and Maclain's failure to sign the oath on time gave him the perfect pretext for action. The Secretary of State's orders were explicit: the MacDonalds were to be slaughtered - 'cut off root and branch'. Three commanders were to be involved, two from the Campbell-dominated Argyll regiment and one from Fort William. In the end, two of those never arrived in time, claiming they were delayed by bad weather. It was Captain Robert Campbell of Glenlyon, a desperate man who had lost his all through gambling, who carried out Stairs final order. On the night of February 12, a blizzard howled through Glen Coe (pictured), giving whiteout conditions. As the clan slept Captain Robert Campbell of Glenlyon's troops gathered and set about systematically killing everyone they could The soldiers arrived at Glen Coe 12 days before the massacre. They came as friends, seeking shelter due to the fact that the fort was full. The MacDonalds honoured the Highland hospitality code and gave the soldiers quarter in their own houses. They lived together with neither the clan nor the common Argyll soldiers knowing what lay ahead. On the night of February 12, a blizzard howled through Glen Coe, giving whiteout conditions. As the clan slept the house guests gathered, received their orders, signed by Campbell from his superior officer, Major Duncanson, and set about systematically killing everyone they could. Thirty-eight men lay dead the next morning, including the chief, MacIain. About 40 women and children, including MacIains elderly wife, are believed to have died of exposure on the mountainside after they were burned out of their homes. Advertisement Glencoe was the scene of a massacre of the MacDonald clan, which saw more than 30 members of the kinship group slain exactly 362 years ago today. This artwork depicts the brutal scenes 'There might even be evidence of an inn. 'You are looking at between 40 to 50 or 60 people living in the one settlement. 'We know 30 were killed during the massacre but we don't know how many died getting away. 'Once you start to look at the massacre from a landscape point of view you can plot the sequence of what happened and see how some people managed to get away, probably through the valley of Gleann Leac na Muidhe.' It was at Achnacon that Sergeant Robert Barber gathered his men in the early morning of February 13, 1692, some time before 5am, and ordered the kill. The soldiers then marched through the townships, with Barber taking 18 men to the home of his host, MacDonald of Achnacon. Musket shots were fired through the windows, according to author John Prebble's book on the massacre, with the host's brother instantly killed. Achnacon managed to escape after being dragged outside. Meanwhile, 14 people were reportedly burned to death in one cottage. Life-sized camel sculptures dating back 2,000 years have been found at an inhospitable site in the Saudi desert. While artistic depictions of camels have existed in the region going back millennia, the latest discovery is described as 'unprecedented' in its scale. Located in the province of Al Jawf in north-west Saudi Arabia, Camel Site, as it is known, was explored by a Franco-Saudi research team. The sculptures, some incomplete, were carved into three rocky spurs, and the researchers were able to identify a dozen or so reliefs representing camels. However, why the artists chose to carve these animals in such a remote area remains a mystery. Scientists suggest the area may have once been a place of worship, or that the camels were used as boundary markers. Pictured is a camel relief carved in rock (circled in red). The sculptures, some incomplete, were executed on three rocky spurs at the 'Camel Site' the province of Al Jawf in north-west Saudi Arabia The study was conducted by researchers based at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) in France and colleagues from the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), who explored the Camel Site in 2016 and 2017. Archaeologist Guillaume Charloux, a research engineer at CNRS in France, said: 'Though natural erosion has partly destroyed some of the works, as well as any traces of tools, we were able to identify a dozen or so reliefs of varying depths representing camelids and equids. An animal scene represented at the Camel Site in Saudi Arabia. Located in the province of Al Jawf in north-west Saudi Arabia, Camel Site, as it is known, was explored by a Franco-Saudi research team 'The life-sized sculpted animals are depicted without harnessing in a natural setting. 'One scene in particular is unprecedented: it features a dromedary meeting a donkey, an animal rarely represented in rock art. 'Some of the works are thus thematically very distinct from the representations often found in this region. Archaeologists say the 'unprecedented' camel relief find sheds new light on the evolution of rock art in the Arabian Peninsula. Located in the province of Al Jawf in north-west Saudi Arabia, Camel Site, as it is known, was explored by a Franco-Saudi research team 'Technically, they also differ from those discovered at other Saudi sites - frequently simple engravings of dromedaries without relief - or the sculpted facades of Al Hijr. 'In addition, certain Camel Site sculptures on upper rock faces demonstrate indisputable technical skills. 'Camel Site can now be considered a major showcase of Saudi rock art in a region especially propitious for archaeological discovery.' Pictured is a camel relief (circled in red) carved in a rock site in Al Jawf in north-west Saudi Arabia. The site, dubbed the 'Camel Site', was explored by French and Saudi researchers in 2016 and 2017 According to the study, engraving and, less often, painting were the most commonly used techniques in Arabian rock art, whereas sunken reliefs and sculptures in high-and-low relief were reserved for architectural decoration. As such, Arabian rock art from the Neolithic period (10,000 BC) to modern times tends to be linear and two-dimensional. The most common themes in the Arabian peninsula are scenes of war, hunting, processions of animals (dromedaries, ibex, wild goats, cattle), enigmatic symbols and geometric, zoomorphic and anthropomorphic figures engraved among graffiti and monumental rock-cut inscriptions. A figure of a camel head can be seen in this rock-relief. This new finding is rare, as Arabian rock art from the Neolithic period (10,000 BC) to modern times tends to be linear and two-dimensional. The outline of what it looks like is shown right The researchers wrote in their study that the 'relative scarcity of ancient Arabian rock reliefs has been a significant barrier to understanding the development, function and socio-cultural context of such art'. The researchers said that, though the site is hard to date, comparison with a relief at Petra in Jordan leads them to believe the sculptures were completed in the first centuries BC or AD. They said its desert setting and proximity to caravan routes suggest Camel Site - ill suited for permanent settlement - was a stopover where travelers could rest or a site of worship. The researchers wrote in their study that the 'relative scarcity of ancient Arabian rock reliefs has been a significant barrier to understanding the development, function and socio-cultural context of such art'. Pictured is a site with a camel relief (top left) at Al Jawf, Saudi Arabia Life-sized camel sculptures dating back 2,000 years have been found in the Saudi desert - unlike any others in the region. Pictured is a site with a camel relief at the Camel Site in north-west Saudi Arabia The intelligence of our childhood best friends may have a lasting impact on how smart we are as adults, according to new research. Experts found that spending time with intelligent children at age 11 improves our IQ later in life, possibly because we absorb their superior knowledge and skills. The study shows that the influence of our childhood peers is important to our early development, scientists said. Scroll down for video The intelligence of our childhood best friend may have a lasting impact on how smart we are as adults, according to new research. Experts found that the IQ of those we spend time with at age 11 improves our intelligence, possibly because we absorb their knowledge (stock image) 'Overall, our results provide support for the hypothesis that having more intelligent friends is associated with higher future levels of intelligence.,' the researchers, led by Dr Ryan Meldrum of Florida International University in Miami, wrote in their paper. 'Our findings add another layer of evidence for the important and pervasive influence of peers on a host of traits during adolescence.' The team used data collected from hundreds of families from 10 US cities between 1991 and 2007 as part research run by the National Institute of Child and Human Development. They used intelligence test results from 715 participating children completed when they were aged 10 and then again at 15. 'Target children' from the study were linked with the intelligence test scores of their individual best friends, who took part in the study aged 11-12. Most best friends were the same sex as each target child, and were no more than two years older or younger. The study shows that the influence of our childhood peers is important to our early development, scientists said (stock image) The researchers found that the IQ of target children at age 15 was strongly linked to the intelligence of their best friend at age 11. The more intelligent target children's best friend was at 11 years old, the more intelligent the target child was likely to be as an adolescent. This was true even after factoring out the target child's own IQ score at age 10-11, as well as a range of more than nine other variables, including their mothers' IQ and education level and the opportunities they had to 'enrich' their learning at home. WHICH ARE SMARTER: CHIMPS OR CHILDREN? Most children surpass the intelligence levels of chimpanzees before they reach four years old. A study conducted by Australian researchers in June 2017 tested children for foresight, which is said to distinguish humans from animals. The experiment saw researchers drop a grape through the top of a vertical plastic Y-tube. They then monitored the reactions of a child and chimpanzee in their efforts to grab the grape at the other end, before it hit the floor. Because there were two possible ways the grape could exit the pipe, researchers looked at the strategies the children and chimpanzees used to predict where the grape would go. The apes and the two-year-olds only covered a single hole with their hands when tested. But by four years of age, the children had developed to a level where they knew how to forecast the outcome. They covered the holes with both hands, catching whatever was dropped through every time. Advertisement Researchers said this shows children had not merely chosen best friends with a similar IQ to their own, but were directly influenced by the smarts of their peers. Experts suggested a high-achieving childhood best friend may improve our intelligence by motivating us to study harder, giving a lasting positive impact on IQ. We are also likely to absorb the knowledge and skills of our peers, meaning the brainier they are, the better our own intelligence. The research was published to the pre-print journal PsyArXiv and so has not yet been peer-reviewed. A medical test to detect 'true love' will be available in by 2028, according to one of the world's leading neurologists. The painless test will work by detecting the presence of potent 'love' chemicals in the brain using an MRI-type scanner. While most people will use the test for 'fun', others will use them to avoid marrying the wrong person or finding out if their relationship is worth the hassle, according to California-based neuroscientist Dr Fred Nour. Scroll down for video A medical test to 'true love' will be available in Britain within a decade, says one of the world's leading neurologists. The painless, non-invasive procedure will enable doctors to accurately determine whether a patient is truly smitten or 'faking it' (stock image) The test will detect chemicals, called nonapeptides, that are only produced in significant quantities when a person is truly in love, researchers believe. Dr Nour spoke about the test yesterday at the Los Angeles launch of his new book, 'True Love: Love Explained by Science'. He said: 'In theory, this test could provide a definitive answer to whether someone was truly in love or not. 'If nonapeptides aren't present in high levels in the brain, then it's a tell-tale sign that a person is not truly in love as it's scientifically impossible to be in true love without them. 'For many couples, the test would be just another novelty, but in some cases a pre-marital scan could help people avoid marrying someone with ulterior motives.' While most people will use the test for 'fun', others will use them to avoid marrying the wrong person, according to US neuroscientist Dr Fred Nour (stock image) At present, the procedure for measuring the volume of nonapeptides in the brain can be done only in living laboratory animals. But advances in medical technology means a brain test could become a reality by 2028, Dr Nour said. Unlike lie detectors and other existing devices, such a scanner could not be duped and would boast an accuracy rate of between 97 and 99 per cent. Dr Nour estimates that at least two-in-three people who undergo the procedure, which would confirm within a few hours whether they are truly in love, will do so for fun or as a romantic gesture. WHAT ARE THE FIVE STAGES OF A RELATIONSHIP AND HOW DO THEY AFFECT THE BODY? Psychologists suggest there are five stages of love - butterflies, building, assimilation, honesty and stability. Each of these stages has a different impact on our psyche and health, researchers at eHarmony found in a 2014 survey. 1) Butterflies Marked by intense infatuation and sexual attraction, symptoms noted by couples included weight loss (30 per cent) and a lack of productivity (39 per cent). Biologically, it's reported that during this early stage of dating, both men and women create more of the sex hormones testosterone and oestrogen. As a result more than half - 56 per cent - noted an increase in their libido. Psychologists suggest there are five stages of love - butterflies, building, assimilation, honesty and stability 2) Building As the initial attraction gives way to learning more about one another, the honeymoon stage subsides and a couple begin to build their relationship. eHarmony's study estimated around three per cent of Britons in relationship are currently at stage two. The body releases neurochemicals called monoamines, which speed up heart rate, trigger rushes of intense pleasure and replicate the effects of Class A drugs. The biological effect culminates in a feeling of 'happy anxiety', where people can think of little else than their blossoming relationship. Forty-four per cent of the study participants noted a lack of sleep while 29 per cent reported a their attention span had been adversely affected. 3) Assimilation Having established whether the other person is 'right', stage three forces a couple to question whether the 'relationship' itself is right. Questions over the future of the union and forming boundaries in the relationship can lead to a rise in stress levels, reported by 27 per cent of those taking part in the study. Each of the five stages of a relationship has a different impact on our psyche and health, researchers at eHarmony found in a 2014 survey (stock image) 4) Honesty Stage three combines with stage four, where people open up showing the 'real you' sees the first real rise in stress levels and anxiety. 'This stage deals with the concept behind how we all put on our best faces, through social media we edit our lives as well as our pictures to make it appear as though everything is fine,' psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos, who assisted with the study, told MailOnline. Opening up completely triggered feelings of doubt and increased vulnerability in 15 per cent of participants. 5) Stability If a couple can weather the emotional rollercoaster of the first four stages, the fifth and final stage, stability, brings with it increased levels of trust and intimacy. eHarmony found 50 per cent of respondents had reached this stage, and 23 per cent reported feeling happier as a result. Biologically, vasopressin - a powerful hormone released by men and women during orgasm - strengthens feelings of attachment. Meanwhile oxytocin - released during childbirth - deepens feelings of attachment. 'This is where we see a real level of contentness,' Dr Papadopolous told MailOnline. 'We found the body releases wonderful hormones which helps couples bond. We noted a real sense of attachment, and a sense of "you have got my back and I've got yours".' Advertisement But the remainder are likely to be the rich and famous who want to protect their fortunes from 'fakers and gold diggers' ahead of tying the knot. A pre-marital scan may even become a necessary - and legally admissible - element of a pre-nuptial agreement. Dr Nour said: 'Nonapeptides are the markers of true love in humans, known to cause the long-term bonding process. 'We can't currently detect the levels of nonapeptides in the living human brain except through invasive procedures, which is why it is only performed on research animals. 'However, there is already a non-invasive test similar to this called DaT scan which measures the levels of dopamine in the living human brain. It takes around two hours to get the results and is virtually painless and harmless to perform. 'As medical scanning technology continues to improve, I think a similar test to measure these love chemicals in the living human brain could be available within a decade.' In 2005 a team of American non-medical researchers claimed to have found the first direct evidence of love-related changes to the brain. Using functional MRI scanners, they reportedly identified a 'love map' after detecting increased activity in certain areas of the brain linked to reward and motivation in people who were in love. However, Dr Nour points out that the medical community does not accept the functional MRI as a real test, while neurologists and neurosurgeons worldwide never use it to study or diagnose conditions in the brain. From his extensive research Dr Nour believes that the only way to scientifically prove that love exists is to measure the volume of nonapeptides in the intermediate-aged limbic part of a patient's brain. Nonapeptides, which comprise oxytocin and vasopressin, are already known to encourage life-long bonding and monogamy between mates. Its presence can currently only be detected in living brains following an invasive procedure, where a tiny tube is inserted directly into the brain to extract these chemicals for subsequent analysis at a laboratory. This is not a practical approach for humans and, to date, they have only been measured in significant quantities in the brains of research animals. Dr Nour, a global authority on the physical brain science of love, claims that the next generation of brain scanners capable of measuring the love chemicals in the living is only a decade or less away. 'There are so-called love tests available today, but they don't address the actual biological mechanisms,' he said. 'The true love test would probably work by injecting a radioactive dye into a patient, which would then bond with the nonapeptide receptors in the brain and show up when the brain is scanned. 'No medical test is 100 per cent accurate, but the love test would be correct 97, 98 or even 99 per cent of the time, and this will only improve with ongoing research.' It is unlikely to be made available on the NHS for privacy and ethical reasons, he says, but will instead be developed for private medical practices where scans could cost up to 500 ($700). Dr Nour said: 'A love test brings along with it a big ethical problem as no doctor would be comfortable telling a client that their partner doesn't actually love them. This would be doing harm, which is against medical ethics'. 'I've no doubt, however, that those outside of the medical profession will seek to commercialise it as the potential market for such a device would be huge.' 'The love test will enable people to confirm that the person they intend to wed really means 'I do' and not, 'I do*want your money.' The Wells College Model United Nations team will benefit from two fundraiser nights at Moe's Southwest Grill in Auburn. From 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 13 and 27, those who purchase food at the Auburn Plaza restaurant can turn in their receipt to support the college team's trip to the National Model United Nations Conference in Manhattan in March. The team has been attending the conference for 15 years, but due to insufficient funding for student activities, it has to seek alternative fundraising opportunities to ensure all its students can take part in the experience. For more information, visit wells.edu. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Mammoth footprints from 43,000 years ago suggest that the huge beasts took care of their elderly. The 117 tracks, found in Lake County, Oregon, belong to a Colombian mammoth family that roamed the area during the Ice Age. A set of 20 of the tracks intrigued scientists because they were especially close together and deeper on one side. They believe the deep prints belong to a limping elderly mammoth who was helped along on their journey by the younger mammoths in the group. Scroll down for video Researchers from the University of Oregon excavated 117 mammoth prints in total and a group of 20 prints indicated an adult was limping. There were also two sets of prints going back and forth indicating two juveniles were caring for the wounded giant The fossilised footprints were first discovered during a 2014 University of Oregon field trip by a group of students led by Professor Greg Retallack. He later returned to excavate the find with a team from the University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History, the Bureau of Land Management and the University of Louisiana. Last year, the team received permission from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to dig up the site and found an intriguing group of about 20 footprints. 'These prints were especially close together, and those on the right were more deeply impressed than those on the left-as if an adult mammoth had been limping,' said Professor Retallack. The study reveals that despite struggling, the animal wasn't alone. Two sets of smaller footprints appeared to be approaching and retreating from the limper's path. 'These juveniles may have been interacting with an injured adult female, returning to her repeatedly throughout the journey, possibly out of concern for her slow progress,' Professor Retallack said. 'Such behaviour has been observed with wounded adults in modern, matriarchal herds of African elephants.' Researchers believe the footprints belong to the Colombian mammoths which roamed what is now the modern-day United States. They believe the wounded animal was looked after by younger animals who were concerned about it COULD WE RESURRECT MAMMOTHS? Male woolly mammoths were around 12 feet (3.5m) tall, while the females were slightly smaller. They had curved tusks up to 16 feet (5m) long and their underbellies boasted a coat of shaggy hair up to 3 feet (1m) long. Tiny ears and short tails prevented vital body heat being lost. Their trunks had 'two fingers' at the end to help them pluck grass, twigs and other vegetation. They get their name from the Russian 'mammut', or earth mole, as it was believed the animals lived underground and died on contact with light explaining why they were always found dead and half-buried. Their bones were once believed to have belonged to extinct races of giants. Woolly mammoths and modern-day elephants are closely related, sharing 99.4 per cent of their genes. The two species took separate evolutionary paths six million years ago, at about the same time humans and chimpanzees went their own way. Woolly mammoths co-existed with early humans, who hunted them for food and used their bones and tusks for making weapons and art. The most widely used technique, known as CRISPR/Cas9, allows scientists to create a hybrid animal from the preserved fossils of woolly mammoths and merging it with cells from a living elephant. The two species share 99.4 per cent of their DNA 'De-extincting' the mammoth has become a realistic prospect because of revolutionary gene editing techniques that allow the precise selection and insertion of DNA from specimens frozen over millennia in Siberian ice. The most widely used technique, known as CRISPR/Cas9, has transformed genetic engineering since it was first demonstrated in 2012. The system allows the 'cut and paste' manipulation of strands of DNA with a precision not seen before. Using this technique, scientists could cut and paste preserved mammoth DNA into Asian elephants to create and elephant-mammoth hybrid. Mammoths roamed the icy tundra of Europe and North America for 140,000 years, disappearing at the end of the Pleistocene period, 10,000 years ago. They are one of the best understood prehistoric animals known to science because their remains are often not fossilised but frozen and preserved. Advertisement As part of the 2017 study, Neffra Matthews of the Bureau of Land Management's National Operations Centre in Denver, helped survey, map and document the trackway. She helped the scientists take accurate measurements based on land-based or aerial photographs. 'There is a vast storehouse of natural history found on BLM-managed land, and it's exciting to work with researchers like Professor Retallack in capturing 3D data on fragile paleontological resources,' she said. Found in Fossil Lake, Oregon, the tracks show the complex social structures of the ice-age giants. Similar to their modern-day descendants, they were highly intelligent creatures that lived in matriarchal (female led) social groups. The Colombian mammoths remain more mysterious than their cousins the Woolly mammoths and less is known about them. Woolly mammoths lived further north, in a colder climate which better preserved many specimens The Colombian mammoths remain more mysterious than their cousins the Woolly mammoths and less is known about them. Woolly mammoths lived further north, in a colder climate which better preserved many specimens. The two species were similar in size - adults were roughly 13 feet (4 metres) tall at the shoulder and weighed 22,000 lb (10 tonnes). The coat of the Woolly mammoth was probably thicker, in order to protect against the bitter cold in the Artctic. All species of mammoth went extinct during the Quaternary extinction event, which began 40,000 years ago and peaked between 14,000 and 11,500 years ago. All species of mammoth went extinct during the Quaternary extinction event, which began 40,000 years ago and peaked between 14,000 and 11,500 years ago. The two species were similar in size - adults were roughly 13 feet (4 metres) tal and weighed 22,000 lb (10 tonnes) This coincides with both the end of the latest ice-age and when human hunter-gatherers first reached the Americas. 'America's public lands are some of the world's greatest outdoor laboratories. Localities such as this mammoth tracksite are unique parts of America's heritage and indicate that there are many special sites still to be discovered,' said study co-author Brent Breithaupt, a paleontologist in the Wyoming State Office of the Bureau of Land Management. 'Tracks sometimes tell more about ancient creatures than their bones, particularly when it comes to their behaviour,' he said. 'It's amazing to see this kind of interaction preserved in the fossil record.' Artificial intelligence could evolve to be 'billions of times smarter' than humans. That's according to Ipswich-based 'futurist' Ian Pearson who claims that people will need to merge with machines in order to survive. 'The fact is that AI can go further than humans, it could be billions of times smarter than humans at this point,' Pearson said. 'So we really do need to make sure that we have some means of keeping up.' Artificial intelligence could evolve to be 'billions of times smarter' than humans. That's according to Ipswich-based 'futurist' Ian Pearson who claims that people will need to merge with machines in order to survive Pearson, who works at Futurizon, made the comments during a panel hosted by CNBC at the World Government Summit in Dubai. He claims humans can protect against the rise of the machines by linking their brains with AI so that they have the same IQ. 'I don't actually think it's safe, just like Elon Musk to develop these superhuman computers until we have a direct link to the human brain and then don't get way ahead,' he said. Pearson's comments echo that of ex-Uber and Google engineer Anthony Levandowski who has formed the first church to follow an artificially intelligent being. The religion, known as 'Way of the Future', claims our species can better itself by following the instructions of a robot that is 'a billion times smarter than humans'. WOTF will eventually have a gospel called 'The Manual', as well as rituals and even a physical place of worship. Levandowski named himself as 'dean' of WOTF, giving him complete control until his death or resignation. Anthony Levandowski (right) who has registered the first church of AI says he is 'raising a god' that will treat humans as esteemed elders. He is pictured with Uber founder and ex-CEO Travis Kalanick. Levandowski is also currently at the heart of a legal fight between Google and Uber WHY ARE PEOPLE SO WORRIED ABOUT AI? It is an issue troubling some of the greatest minds in the world at the moment, from Bill Gates to Elon Musk. SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk described AI as our 'biggest existential threat' and likened its development as 'summoning the demon'. He believes super intelligent machines could use humans as pets. Professor Stephen Hawking said it is a 'near certainty' that a major technological disaster will threaten humanity in the next 1,000 to 10,000 years. They could steal jobs More than 60 percent of people fear that robots will lead to there being fewer jobs in the next ten years, according to a 2016 YouGov survey. And 27 percent predict that it will decrease the number of jobs 'a lot' with previous research suggesting admin and service sector workers will be the hardest hit. As well as posing a threat to our jobs, other experts believe AI could 'go rogue' and become too complex for scientists to understand. A quarter of the respondents predicted robots will become part of everyday life in just 11 to 20 years, with 18 percent predicting this will happen within the next decade. They could 'go rogue' Computer scientist Professor Michael Wooldridge said AI machines could become so intricate that engineers don't fully understand how they work. If experts don't understand how AI algorithms function, they won't be able to predict when they fail. This means driverless cars or intelligent robots could make unpredictable 'out of character' decisions during critical moments, which could put people in danger. For instance, the AI behind a driverless car could choose to swerve into pedestrians or crash into barriers instead of deciding to drive sensibly. They could wipe out humanity Some people believe AI will wipe out humans completely. 'Eventually, I think human extinction will probably occur, and technology will likely play a part in this,' DeepMind's Shane Legg said in a recent interview. He singled out artificial intelligence, or AI, as the 'number one risk for this century'. Musk warned that AI poses more of a threat to humanity than North Korea. 'If you're not concerned about AI safety, you should be. Vastly more risk than North Korea,' the 46-year-old wrote on Twitter. 'Nobody likes being regulated, but everything (cars, planes, food, drugs, etc) that's a danger to the public is regulated. AI should be too.' Musk has consistently advocated for governments and private institutions to apply regulations on AI technology. He has argued that controls are necessary in order protect machines from advancing out of human control Advertisement He said his robot god, which will be a 'billion times smarter than humans' will take charge of its subjects, who will relinquish power to a being of higher intelligence. The filed documents for WOTF give its purpose is to 'develop and promote the realisation of a Godhead based on Artificial Intelligence'. Workshops and educational programs have already begun in the San Francisco area. However, not everyone is as welcoming to AI technology as Levandowski. In August last year, Tesla founder Elon Musk warned that AI poses more of a threat to humanity than North Korea. 'If you're not concerned about AI safety, you should be. Vastly more risk than North Korea,' the 46-year-old wrote on Twitter. 'Nobody likes being regulated, but everything (cars, planes, food, drugs, etc) that's a danger to the public is regulated. AI should be too.' Musk has consistently advocated for governments and private institutions to apply regulations on AI technology. He has argued that controls are necessary in order protect machines from advancing out of human control A flurry of earthquakes has hit Earth's Pacific plate over the past week, renewing fears a massive tremor is on the way after four disasters jolted the region in January. Quakes have hit near Japan, Guam and Taiwan around the planet's so-called 'Ring of Fire', a horseshoe-shaped zone that is a hotbed for tectonic and volcanic activity. Some have suggested the frequency and proximity of the tremors are signs of a bigger earthquake to come. Experts have claimed events around the Ring of Fire are rarely linked and that in most cases adjacent disasters are a coincidence. Scroll down for video Following from January's events, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake (pictured) struck Taiwan's east coast on February 6, killing 17 people and injuring at least 180. Some have suggested the frequency and proximity of the tremors are signs of a bigger earthquake to come After a series of quakes hit the Ring of Fire last month, a 6.4 quake struck Taiwan's east coast on February 6, killing 17 people and injuring at least 180. A series of tremors reaching magnitude 5.7, 5.6, 5.4 and 4.9 shook the US island territory of Guam early on Tuesday. And since February 11, three earthquakes have struck Japan: A 4.8 magnitude quake 103 kilometres from Hachijo, a 4.5 magnitude quake 55 kilometres from Nemuro, and a 4.5 magnitude earthquake 103 kilometres from Tokunoshima. But scientists say such activity is normal for the Ring of Fire, adding that there is no chance of a 'domino effect' triggering a larger quake. 'The Pacific Rim is in a period of activity,' Toshiyasu Nagao, head of Tokyo-based Tokai University's Earthquake Prediction Research Centre, told Japan Times. 'In terms of volcanic history, however, the current activity is still regarded as normal.' Dr Janine Krippner, a volcanologist at Concord University in Athens, West Virginia, tweeted: 'It's not referred to as the "ring of fire" because it sits there doing nothing ... it is normal to have so much activity.' On January 22, Mount Mayon in the Philippines sent lava more than 600 metres into the air, and over 61,000 people were forced to evacuate from nearby villages as thick smoke descended from the mountain At least four natural disasters jolted the Pacific Rim in January, including a 7.9 magnitude earthquake in Kodiak, Alaska, which sparked a tsunami warning. A 6.4 quake hit Indonesia the same week, and Mount Kusatsu-Shirane in Japan erupted, killing one and injuring 15. The Indonesian island of Java was hit by the 6.4 magnitude earthquake on January 23, forcing thousands to evacuate Also in January, Mount Mayon in the Philippines sent lava 600 metres (1,970 ft) into the air, forcing 61,000 people to evacuate from nearby villages as thick smoke descended from the mountain. Some researchers, however, said that this string of events in January were not connected. 'There's not really likely to be any connection,' Professor Chris Elders, a geologist at Curtin University in Perth, Australia, told The New Daily. 'While they do indeed have the same origin - the Ring of Fire - these recent events are a coincidence. 'The region itself is a breeding ground for seismic activity.' Roughly 90 per cent of the world's earthquakes occur in the Ring of Fire - a Pacific region home to three in four of the world's active volcanoes. A 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck off Alaska's Kodiak Island early on Tuesday, January 23, prompting a tsunami warning for a large swath of the state's coast and sending some residents fleeing to higher ground. Pictured are residents in Kodiak, Alaska driving for higher ground WHAT IS EARTH'S 'RING OF FIRE'? Earth's so-called 'Ring of Fire' is a horseshoe-shaped geological disaster zone that is a hot bed for tectonic and volcanic activity. Roughly 90 per cent of the world's earthquakes occur in the belt, which is also home to more than 450 volcanoes. The seismic region stretches along the Pacific Ocean coastlines, where the Pacific Plate grinds against other plates that form the Earth's crust. It loops from New Zealand to Chile, passing through the coasts of Asia and the Americas on the way. In total, the loop makes up a 25,000-mile (40,000-kilometre) -long zone prone to frequent earthquakes and eruptions. The region is susceptible to disasters because it is home to a vast number of 'subduction zones', areas where tectonic plates overlap. Earthquakes are triggered when these plates scrape or slide underneath one another, and when that happens at sea it can spawn tsunamis. Advertisement The ring loops from New Zealand to Chile, passing through the coasts of Asia and the Americas on the way. The region is susceptible to disasters because it is home to a vast number of 'subduction zones', areas where tectonic plates overlap. Following from January's events, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan's east coast on February 6, causing a hotel to collapse and injuring at least 180 people and killing 17. A group of 8,000-year-old human skulls, some embedded on stakes, has been found in a mysterious underwater grave that has baffled archaeologists. One of the pierced skulls, found preserved in what was once a prehistoric lake in Sweden, was discovered with some of its brain tissue still intact. The gruesome discovery challenges our understanding of European Stone Age culture and how these early humans handled their dead, experts said. Scroll down for video Two 8,000-year-old human skulls have been found embedded on stakes in a mysterious underwater grave that has baffled archaeologists. One of the pierced skulls(pictured) was discovered with some of its brain tissue still intact The finding, from researchers at Stockholm University and Sweden's Cultural Heritage Foundation (CHF), is the first evidence that Stone Age hunter-gatherers displayed heads on wooden spikes. 'Here, we have an example of a very complex ritual, which is very structured,' lead researcher Dr Fredrik Hallgren, from CHF, told Live Science. 'Even though we can't decipher the meaning of the ritual, we can still appreciate the complexity of it, of these prehistoric hunter-gatherers.' Uncovered at the Kanaljorden excavation site near Sweden's Motala Strom river, the skulls were found alongside the remains of at least 12 individuals, including an infant. Of the adults found, four were identified as male, and two as female. One of the men was in his fifties when he died, while two were younger, aged between 20 to 35. The infant skeleton is nearly complete, suggesting the child was either stillborn or died shortly after birth. The finding is the first evidence that Stone Age hunter-gatherers displayed heads on wooden spikes. The gruesome discovery challenges our understanding of European Stone Age culture and how these early humans handled their dead, experts said Seven of the adults likely died in agony and had suffered serious trauma to their head before they died, which researchers suggest were the result of non-lethal, violent blows. These may have been the result of interpersonal violence, forced abduction, warfare and aids of socially-sanctioned violence between group members. The bodies were placed atop a densely packed layer of large stones in what would have been an elaborate underwater burial between 7,500 and 8,500 years ago. Only one of the bodies still had a jawbone when it was buried, which experts suggest were removed as part of the burial ritual. Interestingly, the group's head injuries were gender-specific, with males found with marks near the top of the head, above the so-called hat brim line, while the females had cracks near the back and right side of their skulls. The pierced skulls were found alongside the remains of at least 12 Stone Age people. Seven of the adults left in the lake had suffered serious trauma to their head before they died, which researchers suggest were the result of violent blows (marks pictured) Scientists said they don't know what sort of weapon was used to inflict the damage, and that the wounds were serious but could not be tied to the cause of death. 'Though the lesions were not lethal, they must have affected the individuals - induced pain, bleeding, and a risk of secondary infections,' study coauthor and Stockholm University archaeologist Dr Anna Kjellstrom told Gizmodo. 'Furthermore, even less severe head trauma may cause loss of consciousness, internal bleeding, or even permanent mental impairment.' Three of the skulls, including two with stakes driven through them, showed evidence of sharp force trauma after death. The stakes were forced upwards through the foramen magnum, the large oval opening at the bottom of the skull and reached through the top of the head. They were likely used to mount the skulls before they were buried in the lake. Scientists said they don't know what sort of weapon was used to inflict the damage, and that the wounds were serious but could not be tied to the cause of death. Pictured is evidence of posthumous carving of the remains as part of the burial ritual 'The fact that two crania were mounted suggests that they have been on display, in the lake or elsewhere,' Dr Kjellstrom said. Skulls whose jaws had been removed were chosen for the display. 'Since we did not find any sharp trauma showing active attempts to separate the lower jaw from the skulls, this indicates that the individuals much likely were buried in another place before the depositions... One interpretation could be that this is an alternative funeral act.' Experts uncovered 400 intact and fragmentary pieces of wooden stakes at the site, a number of which may have been used to mount objects that have since decayed. As well as human remains (red in right image), the Stone Age site (left) was littered with butchered animal bones, including brown bear (blue in right image) and wild board (yellow) As well as human remains, the Stone Age site was littered with butchered animal bones, including several severed jaws, and tools carved from antler horn. Researchers say further research is needed to understand why the ancient group buried their dead in such an unusual fashion. Stone Age hunter-gatherers are not known to remove body parts as part of burials, with many grave site showing evidence of a respect for bodily integrity after death. Only until later in history did groups begin to display heads on stakes, such as European colonists mounting skulls of murdered indigenous peoples. The remains of at least 12 prehistoric people have been uncovered at the Kanaljorden excavation site near Sweden's Motala Strom river The Stone Age burial was likely a group of key tribe members that were removed from where they were initially displayed and placed in the lake, researchers said. 'The people who were deposited like this in the lake, they weren't average people, but probably people who, after they died, had been selected to be included in this ritual because of who they were, because of things they experienced in life,' Dr Hallgren said. Dr Mark Golitko, an archaeologist at the University of Notre Dame, who was not involved in the study, told Live Science: 'There's clearly something ritual going on here. What all that means, I don't think we'll ever know.' Brimming with instantly recognisable landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and the Sacre Coeur, Paris is famously one of the most photographed cities in the world. Check out these eight iconic spots for the best Instagram-worthy views of the French capital. Stunning view from the Notre-Dame overlooking the skyline of Paris Le Sommet of the Eiffel Tower The one and only downside about the far-reaching views from the Eiffel Tower is the absence of Pariss most iconic monument. But theres good reason that seven million visitors ride to the top of the tower each year. At 1063ft (324m) high, the Eiffel Tower is the tallest structure in Paris. From Le Sommet, the observation deck at 984ft (300m), you can see the whole of Paris laid out in front of you like a map. Grab a glass of fizz from the Champagne Bar and see everything from the unmissable white turrets of the Sacre-Cur Basilica to the Frank Gehry-designed Fondation Louis Vuitton in the Bois de Boulogne. Metro: Trocadero The observation deck of the Montparnasse Tower Standing 689ft (210m), the city's iconic 1970s skyscraper famously has one of the best views in Paris. Maligned by city residents when it was first built, this unappealing office block has a jewel in its crown; the panoramic observation deck on the 56th floor. A spacious open-air terrace promises 360-degree views of the city. Get your phones/cameras ready for one of the finest shots of the Eiffel Tower in the city. Aside from the Iron Lady, youll capture a birds-eye view of the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe and the Sacre-Cur Basilica in one fell swoop. Metro: Gare Montparnasse The dome of Sacre-Cur Basilica Reverse the view from the Eiffel Tower, by heading to the gleaming white turrets of the Sacre-Cur Basilica in Montmartre. Perched on top of Montmartre Hill, the ornate, meringue-white church was built in the early 1900s and can be reached by climbing the 270 steps or hopping on the funicular. For the very best views, climb the 300 narrow stone steps to the dome where you'll be rewarded with 360-degree views of the city and the perfect shot rolling down to the Eiffel Tower. Metro: Anvers Notre-Dame Towers Climbing up the windy Gothic towers of the 12th century Notre-Dame Cathedral is not for the faint-hearted, however, its a rare opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with the churches famous gargoyles. Follow in the fictional footsteps of Victor Hugos Quasimodo as you squeeze past the bell in the belfry to the cathedrals panoramic terrace and witness some of the finest views in Paris, including the gracious Eiffel Tower, the golden dome of Les Invalides, and the River Seine as it snakes through the city. Metro: Cite Paris is a beautiful city and the views are always spectacular Le 43 Up on the Roof bar at the Holiday Inn, Saint-Germain-des-Pres Finding a bar with amazing views is one of the highlights of a visit to Paris. Located on the ninth floor of the Holiday Inn Notre-Dame is 'Le 43 Up on the Roof' bar which is famous for its iconic front-facing view of the Eiffel Tower. Guests of the hotel have free access to the terrace, while visitors must make a reservation. However, it's hard to find a better spot for a sundowner overlooking the Eiffel Tower. Metro: Odeon Le Georges at Centre Pompidou Promising rooftop views of Les Halles, the winding streets of Le Marais, the twin towers of Notre-Dame, and of course, the Eiffel Tower, dinner at Le Georges restaurant on the top floor of the Centre Pompidou is regarded as one of the most romantic restaurants in Paris. This modern restaurant and bar makes the most of its prestigious corner spot position with floor-to-ceiling windows and a vast open-air terrace with 180-degree views of the city. Metro: Rambuteau You can't miss a sighting of the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris The terrace from Parc de Belleville Perched on the hills of Montmartre, the lush green Parc de Belleville has some of the prettiest viewing point of the city. Home to one of the city's last remaining vineyards, the park has a 98ft (30m) tall terrace which boasts sweeping views of Paris from the peaks of the 20th arrondissement. It's also a short stroll to Belleville stalwart, Le Baratin Bistro, a favourite haunt of foodies throughout the city. Metro: Pyrenees The Roof of Printemps Haussmann department store After spending a king's ransom on designer threads in one of Paris's premier luxury department stores, recover with a coffee or a pastis on the rooftop cafe and terrace on the ninth floor of the department store. From this prime perch, shoppers are rewarded with magnificent 360-degree views of the city, from the rooftops of Boulevard Haussmann, the famed golden statues on the roof of Palais Garnier opera house, to the Gothic twin towers of Notre-Dame Cathedral. Metro: Havre-Caumartin Advertisement On opening my minibar fridge I was delighted, not by an exotic whisky selection, but by the fact I'd found a Welsh cake. Growing up in Wales these fatty, sugary patties were one of my favourite sweet treats. But I was more than 7,500 miles away from Wales - in the small city of Puerto Madryn in Argentina. I quickly learned on landing at the nearest airport - Trelew - and being greeted by a jolly guide, who sported a tan and an odd Welsh lilt, that this area in Patagonia was settled by the Welsh in the mid-19th century and the valley spirit is still very much alive. MailOnline Travel recently explored Puerto Madryn, a remote town in Argentina that was settled by the Welsh in the mid-19th century in a bid to keep their culture alive As we take a bus through the arid countryside with the summer sun shining, the guide explains that there's more sheep than people in this Argentinian province with five million of the creatures to 500,000 humans. So, where did the Welsh link begin? Well, in the mid-19th century many people in Wales were worried about the erosion of their culture and language due to the influx of foreigners during the coal industry boom. In 1861, a group of men met to discuss the possibility of founding a new Welsh 'promised land'. There had been previous attempts to land in America but the areas were too well populated and the pressure to adopt English was too great. The group of Welshmen - headed up by staunch nationalist Michael Jones - decided Patagonia in Argentina might have everything the colonists would need and a relocation plan was hatched. The Argentinean government granted their request to start a settlement, as the Welsh could act as guardians of a large tract of land that was the subject of dispute with Chile at the time. In a bid to promote the Patagonian scheme, a Welsh emigration committee met in Liverpool and published a handbook, Llawlyfr y Wladfa (which translates to Colony Handbook), which was distributed throughout Wales and also in America. Towards the end of 1862, Captain Love Jones-Parry and Lewis Jones - a printer - left to scope out a good spot to land in Patagonia. They were driven into a bay during a storm, which they named 'Porth Madryn' after Jones-Parry's estate in Wales and it was here they decided to invite others to come. MailOnline Travel's Sadie Whitelocks found a Welsh cake in the minibar of her fridge in Puerto Madryn, priced at a reasonable 1.10. The traditional Welsh treat features fat, sugar and dried fruit Rambling around the town of Puerto Madryn, Sadie spotted dozens of Welsh flag stickers proudly displayed on cars and motorbikes The first group of settlers, around 150 people gathered from mainly North and mid-Wales, landed at Puerto Madryn after a pretty epic journey crossing the Atlantic on the Mimosa clipper ship. Even today it takes a long time to get there. I'd taken a flight from London to Rome, then Rome to Buenos Aires before hopping on a two-hour internal flight to Trelew. Admittedly I had nothing to groan about, as it took the original explorers two months to get there by boat from Liverpool. Each adult passenger paid 12 for the journey - around 1,400 by today's standards - while tickets for children were half that amount. Rambling around the town of Puerto Madryn - which is peppered with retro architecture - I spot dozens of Welsh flag stickers proudly displayed on cars and motorbikes. Some of the streets I go past were also named in honor of the first Welsh settlers. For instance, there is an avenue signposted 'Abraham Matthews'. Matthews, who was a minister from Llanidloes and immigrated to the area with his family when he was 32, was one of the leading figures of the landing party. At one point, when several of the settlers yearned to return home and abandon the mission, Matthews persuaded them to stay. Abraham Matthews from Llanidloes immigrated to Argentina with his family when he was 32 and he was one of the leading figures of the travelling party It took the original explorers from Wales two months to get to Puerto Madryn by boat from Liverpool Strolling by a restaurant named En Mis Fuegos, Sadie spotted a dessert taking Welsh cakes to a whole new level Life was apparently pretty miserable when they first landed and farming in such an arid area proved tricky. Gradually the settlers moved further inland, where the Chubut River provided irrigation to help cultivate the land. Back to the walk, another road I turn down is named '28 de Julio', honoring the day the first Welsh settlers landed back in 1865. Then strolling by a restaurant named En Mis Fuegos, I spot on the menu, along with lamb, a dessert taking Welsh cakes to a whole new level. The sweet concoction features a sugary blend of lukewarm Welsh cake, white chocolate soup finished with a 'savoury citric dressing'. Not sure what Matthews and the original settlers would think to that! Further encouraging the Welsh link, today Puerto Madryn is twinned with Nefyn, a small town on the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales. Sadly I don't hear any Welsh speakers during the short time I'm in the town but I'm told that I would have to travel to towns such as Dolavon, Gaiman and Trevelin for a real taste of Welsh Patagonia. These settlements are home to Welsh-speaking schools and locals also hold annual eisteddfods, a traditional Welsh festival celebrating the arts. Many Welsh teachers also travel to these spots to do work placement exchanges. While the scene in Puerto Madryn isn't bustling, there is a constant flow of tourists who flock to see the Magellanic penguin colonies and orcas along the coast The town is peppered with retro architecture (left) and the Welsh flag is another a prominent feature Today Puerto Madryn (seen above) is twinned with Nefyn, a small town on the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales While the scene in Puerto Madryn isn't bustling, there is a constant flow of tourists who flock to see the Magellanic penguin colonies along the coast. The orcas that exhibit unusual feeding behaviour on the nearby Valdes Peninsula by hauling themselves on to the beach, are another prime attraction. I'd journeyed to the small city before boarding a polar cruise with Poseidon Expeditions. Leaving the port at sunset one evening I looked back towards the silhouetted coastline imagining how the original Welsh settlers must have felt. From the lush green valleys to a scorched flat landscape, these two places couldn't be more different. But now, thanks to the work of Matthews and his crew, a common theme bonds these two spots on the map. Welsh cakes being one of the linking features. The first package holidays to Tunisia for British holidaymakers since the Sousse massacre have resumed today. Thomas Cook will be flying from Birmingham to Enfidha as the tour operator restarts its flight and holiday programme in the North African country following the easing of travel advice by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the shoring up of security there by MI6 officers. The FCO advised against all but essential visits following the June 2015 beach attack in which 30 Britons were killed. Thomas Cook has resumed package holidays to Tunisia after three years following the Sousse massacre But this guidance was withdrawn for the majority of the North African country last year. This prompted Thomas Cook to resume holiday sales to UK customers in August and trips to Tunisia began again today. The programme will start with three weekly flights to Enfidha, from Manchester, London Gatwick and Birmingham, expanding to include Glasgow from April and Newcastle and London Stansted from May. The company did not stop selling package holidays to French, German and Belgian tourists after the Sousse attack. This is because their governments did not recommend that their citizens should not visit Tunisia. Figures from the Office of National Statistics showed that 440,000 people from the UK visited in Tunisia during 2014. Gunman Seifeddine Rezgui massacred a total of 38 tourists who had been relaxing on the beach in the Tunisian resort of Sousse The following year demand for holidays to the country was even higher until the attack, which saw gunman Seifeddine Rezgui massacre a total of 38 tourists who had been relaxing on the beach. After the mass shooting, terror group ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack. And now with UK tourists set to return to Tunisia, it has been reported that British security experts, including officers from MI6, have been helping the country to increase safety. This includes helping to overhaul the security at airports including Tunis and Enfidha, according to the BBC. It has also been reported that the Ministry of Defence has assisted in helping train the Tunisian National Guard in port security. British tourists lay floral tributes on the beach after the attack. ISIS claimed responsibility for the shooting Tourists pay their respects to those killed in the attack in 2015. It has been reported British security services, including MI6 officers, have been training airport staff and those working in resorts to help them spot suspicious behaviour Meanwhile Metropolitan Police counter-terrorism detectives are said to have been working with resort staff to help them spot any suspicious activity. However, despite security being stepped up for British tourists visiting Tunisian resorts, people were taking to Twitter to say they still wouldn't feel safe returning to the country. In reply to a tweet by BBC Breakfast showing an interview with a Thomas Cook official, Colin McCulloch wrote: 'Great. Tunisian police on the beaches. I think I'll pass on that.' Inveryes wrote: 'Why wouldn't you want to lie on a beach whilst heavily armed police on quad bikes cruise up and down. Sounds positively idyllic.' While Tracy Pembroke added: 'I was there on that day and there is no way I would ever go back, what good were the police then?' However, Keith Moir wrote: 'I would have gone back in 2016 had I been allowed to the pity is they are not doing holidays in Sousse.' But Chris Mottershead, managing director at Thomas Cook UK said: 'Tunisia has been a popular tourist destination for decades and with our first three flights sold out, there is an appetite from our customers. 'Its soft, long beaches, year-round sun, historic ruins and tasty local food mean it attracts lots of loyal visitors, as well as those visiting for the first time. Tunisia is once again proving to be a popular choice for a value for money holiday.' While Thomas Cook's chief executive Peter Fankhauser said it had done everything it could in terms of security. He told the BBC's Radio 4 Today programme: 'It would be foolish of me to say that any destination is 100 percent safe but what I can say is that we have taken time to make the decision to prepare our programme.' TUI will also restart holidays to Tunisia in May and say its decision to resume packages to the country was due to a returning appetite. Advertisement Forget luxurious lodgings in Paris or Venice, the ultimate Valentine's Day hotel package has arrived in Croydon, south London. Bear with us. Sure, Croydon isn't often thought of as a wooing hot spot, but easyHotel has changed all that, because at its property there couples can transform their budget room into a love nest courtesy of a self-assembly four-poster bed they can hire for just 5. What's more, for an extra 3 the hotel will throw in a bottle of fizz - Fanta, that is - and a Terry's Chocolate Orange. The DIY pink-and-orange four-poster bed canopy that guests can hire for 5 at Croydon's easyHotel Guests can hire the romantic bed at reception. Jorge Rodriguez, 'romantic experience coordinator' at easyHotel, said: 'There's no beginning to the steps we will take to add extra romantic touches to our guests' experience at easyHotel' The 25kg pack can be hired from reception and folds out into a pink canopy with orange chiffon-effect netting. The Fanta, meanwhile, comes in the form of a litre bottle. What else? Jorge Rodriguez, 'romantic experience coordinator' at easyHotel, said: 'There's no beginning to the steps we will take to add extra romantic touches to our guests' experience at easyHotel. 'For 5, and with a little imagination and a bit of elbow grease, guests can transform their rooms into romantic havens. 'This, combined with the bedside bottle of bubbly, will no doubt be irresistible for some.' Two guests place the metal four-poster frame above the bed and fold out the red-and-pink canopy to go over the top EasyHotel said: 'Croydon, famed for its cultural life, parks, evocative street names and world-class cuisine, is often compared to Paris as a leading European romantic destination' EasyHotel's flagship Croydon hotel has been undergoing refurbishment, with major improvements to decor, beds, bathrooms and finishing touches, such as the bedside integrated USB charging points Guests can pay an extra 3 to have bubbly and chocolates in the shape of a litre bottle of Fanta and a Terry's Chocolate Orange left in their room The DIY four-poster feature is being run out on a trial basis at the hotel in Croydon, which the company says is just as romantic as the city of love. It claims: 'Croydon, famed for its cultural life, parks, evocative street names and world-class cuisine, is often compared to Paris as a leading European romantic destination.' EasyHotel's flagship Croydon hotel has been undergoing refurbishment, with major improvements to decor, beds, bathrooms and finishing touches, such as the bedside integrated USB charging points. She has actively been promoting her new single - the first in nearly twelve years- on social media. And on Monday, Paris Hilton continued to tease the release of her new track with a very racy photo. With her latest post, the hotel heiress took a hint from American Beauty, as laid in a bed of roses. Scroll down for video '2 Days till #INeedYou': On Monday, Paris Hilton, 36, continued to tease the release of her new track with another photo '2 Days till #INeedYou,' she captioned the photo. Paris looked to channel Marilyn Monroe with her vintage-inspired, wavy curls. The 36-year-old wore dramatic make-up, pairing a heavily winged eye with bold, red lips. Inspiration: With her latest post, the hotel heiress took a hint from American Beauty, as laid among a bed of roses Party: Over the weekend, Paris enjoyed an early birthday celebration in Brazil On Valentine's Day on Wednesday, Paris will release her new single, I Need You. It's been nearly twelve years since she released her hit single, Stars Are Blind. Her last track, Stars Are Blind, released in June 2006, and peaked at number 18. The single was off of her first album, Paris, which peaked at number six. Fit for a queen: The professional DJ was treated to presents and a large cake Sweets for everyone! In addition to her cake, a table full of delicious treats greeted the heiress Over the weekend, Paris enjoyed an early birthday celebration in Brazil. The professional DJ was treated to presents and a large cake, along with multiple delicious treats. Although it was her special day, the stunning blonde handed out gifts of her perfume to her fans. Showing her thanks: Although it was her special day, the stunning blonde handed out gifts of her perfume to her fans Paris is set to wed actor fiance, Chris Zylka, 32. The two became engaged over New Year's weekend, while on a skin trip in Aspen, CO. 'I've been traveling a lot since I got engaged so I'm going to have a meeting with my mom soon,' Paris began, in an interview with E!. 'We've been on the phone all the time just trying to figure out where we want to do it and the date. It's a lot to plan.' 'It's so hard to plan something like this. My schedule is so crazy. I have friends and family all over the world and I really want it to be the perfect day. Hopefully somewhere close so that everyone can make it from my family.' On Friday she made her first public debut in West Hollywood since giving birth to her daughter Gia, just last month. And Australian model Nicole Trunfio, 31, has proven a post-baby bounce back is more than possible. Taking to Instagram this Tuesday, the brunette beauty stripped down to her swimwear, revealing her enviable post-baby figure in a behind-the-scenes snap of herself on the set of a photo-shoot. Bounce back, baby! Australian model Nicole Trunfio, 31, proved a post-baby bounce back is more than possible, revealing her enviably toned figure just one month after giving birth to daughter Gia Wearing a white low-cut, frill-embellished top and paired with high-waisted black bikini bottoms, Nicole showcased her slender physique. She captioned her post: When you invite friends over, throw up a canvas and shoot at your house in between breastfeeding breaks. Despite giving birth just weeks ago, the beauty has already returned to business-as-usual, stepping out in West Hollywood just a month after giving birth to Gia, alongside her three-year-old son, Zion. Business as usual! Dressed in Gucci leather slippers, a one-shoulder layered floral shirt and accessorised with over-sized retro Celine sunglasses, Nicole took to Instagram to upload a selfie ahead of Gias first public debut The beauty made sure to share an Instagram selfie ahead of Gias first public debut. Dressed in Gucci leather slippers, a one-shoulder layered floral shirt and over-sized retro Celine sunglasses, the model was seen posing next to her tiny tot on the changing table. Heading to her daughters first doctors appointment, Nicole captioned the post: Gias first Dr visit. No baby steps here! Nicole took no time out before returning to business-as-usual, stepping out in West Hollywood just one month after giving birth, alongside her three-year-old son, Zion She added the hashtags: #Iloveyou and #babyGiGi The model shared her pregnancy through a series of both professional and candid photographs across her social media platforms, as she did throughout her pregnancy with Zion. The model is married to musician Gary Clark Jr and together share Zion and Gia. As a condition of his plea of guilty, Fandrich agreed to sentence Lenton to no worse than one to three years in prison with a shock camp order. He also said he would consider granting youthful offender status. Lenton remained out on $250 cash bail. His sentencing was scheduled for March 27. A Moravia man was sentenced Tuesday to five years probation and time served for damaging a car with a tire iron and shovel. In November, Dusty Townsend, 27, of 1997 Townline Road, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal mischief, a class E felony. While he could have faced up to four years in prison, Fandrich sentenced him to a term of shock probation. He also ordered Townsend to pay roughly $2,200 in restitution for the damage he caused to the vehicle in January 2017. An Auburn man was sentenced to five years probation for violating an order of protection in August. Ronald Ostrander, 28, of 35 Cayuga St., pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal contempt in December. At the time, he admitted to having a physical altercation with a 28-year-old woman at Oak Creek Town Homes. The woman had an order of protection put in place against Ostrander earlier last year. On Monday she lashed out at her Twitter trolls, taking them to task for criticizing her weight. But later that day her good mood was back, as 22-year-old Gigi Hadid exited her apartment in a bright outfit. The centerpiece of the outfit was an adorable Anna Sui T-shirt featuring bright cartoon animals. Scroll down for video Rose-colored glasses: Only hours after lashing out at her Twitter trolls, Gigi Hadid's good mood was back, as the 22-year-old exited her apartment in a bright outfit The Baby Guess model paired the colorful top with white trousers and a trenchcoat over a black hooded sweatshirt. The daughter of model Yolanda Hadid and sister of model Bella wore a pair of black Dr Martens Lazy Oaf jungle boots. The model, born Jelena Noura Hadid, wore her blonde tresses pulled back in a tight, low bun and she perched a pair of rose-tinted glasses on the end of her nose. Cute: The centerpiece of the outfit was an adorable Anna Sui T-shirt featuring bright cartoon animals Eye-catching garb: The Baby Guess model paired the colorful top with white trousers and a trenchcoat over a black hooded sweatshirt Side-eye: The daughter of model Yolanda Hadid and sister of model Bella wore a pair of black Dr Martens Lazy Oaf jungle boots Earlier in the day the cover girl took to Twitter to address her health, calling out those who were 'so determined to come up with why my body has changed over the years.' She penned: 'For those of you so determined to come up w why my body has changed over the years, you may not know that when I started @ 17 I was not yet diagnosed w/Hashimotos disease; those of u who called me too big for the industry were seeing inflammation & water retention due to that.' She explained she has been 'properly medicated' the past several years to manage the autoimmune condition which attacks her thyroid, and admits her figure isn't what she 'wants it to be'. Annoyed: Earlier in the day the cover girl took to Twitter to address her health She continued: 'Although stress & excessive travel can also affect the body, I have always eaten the same, my body just handles it differently now that my health is better. I may be too skinny for u, honestly this skinny isnt what I want to be, but I feel healthier internally and am still learning and growing with my body everyday, as everyone is. '...Not to judge others, but drugs are not my thing, stop putting me in that box just because u dont understand the way my body has matured (sic).' She ended her message asking for all to 'have more empathy' and to 'use your energy to lift those that you admire rather than be cruel to those u don't.' The American beauty has previously opened up about dealing with the condition, saying the medication was responsible for her slim physique. She told Elle last year: 'My metabolism actually changed like crazy this year,' she said. 'So for the VS show I didn't want to lose any more weight.' She is known for her famously curvaceous figure, which has bagged her more than 6 million followers on Instagram. And Demi Rose Mawby appeared more than confident to show it off during her recent holiday to Cape Verde. The British model, 22, displayed her jaw-dropping frame in a barely-there crochet bikini, as she exfoliated herself with the mud of a salt lake during a trip to a dormant volcano on the island of Sal. Jaw-dropping: Demi Rose Mawby showed off her famously curvaceous figure during her recent holiday to Cape Verde Life's peachy: The model, 22, displayed her jaw-dropping frame in a barely-there crochet bikini, complete with thong bottoms, during a trip to a dormant volcano on the island of Sal Demi commanded attention in the skimpy two-piece, which showcased her famously voluptuous figure for all to see. The top, lined with vibrant red, yellow and blue crochet, first plunged into a daring depth at the chest, to flash of her ample assets to all. Cutting off just below her bust, the bralet then left her impressively petite waist on show for all to see, as she paraded across the sand. Stealing the show: Demi commanded attention in the skimpy two-piece, which showcased her famously voluptuous figure for all to see Simply the breast: The top, lined with vibrant red, yellow and blue crochet, first plunged into a daring depth at the chest, to flash of her ample assets to all Svelte: Cutting off just below her bust, the bralet then left her impressively petite waist on show for all to see, as she paraded across the sand Life's peachy! The beauty paired the top with matching briefs, which rose high at her hip before cutting into a thong at the back, to give an eye-popping glimpse of her derriere Confident: Demi was the picture of confidence as she paraded across the sand The buxom beauty paired the top with matching briefs, which rose high at her hip before cutting into a daring thong at the back, to give an eye-popping glimpse of her rounded derriere to all. Letting her physique take centre stage, Demi left her hair in loose waves, but accentuated her naturally stunning features with a smoky eye and thick false lashes. The model first enjoyed a stroll along the beach with a friend, before they proceeded to paddle in the water, and lather themselves in the exfoliating mud from the salt lake. Natural: Letting her physique take centre stage, Demi left her hair in loose waves, but accentuated her stunning features with a smoky eye and thick false lashes Scrubbing up well: The model first enjoyed a stroll along the beach with a friend, before they proceeded to paddle in the water, and lather themselves in the exfoliating mud from the lake Cheeky: Becoming more playful, the pair were then spotted cheekily rubbing the mud onto each other's rears Having a ball: The girls could not help but giggle as they massaged each other with the mud Becoming more playful, the pair were then spotted cheekily rubbing the mud onto each other's rears, before they reclined back in the water to top up their tans. Demi appeared to be in good spirits as she holidayed with a gal pal, instead of her boyfriend Chris Martinez. The couple confirmed their romance just after Christmas, and were seen packing on the PDA while preparing to jet out of Madrid airport. Millionaire star Martinez is usually seen performing alongside his brother Stevie as part of the house DJ'ing duo. Sun worshippers: The girls then reclined back in the water to top up their tans Close: The girls happily held hands as they basked in the sunshine Girls just wanna have fun: Demi appeared to be in good spirits as she holidayed with a gal pal, instead of her boyfriend Chris Martinez Demi rocketed to fame after enjoying a brief fling with Tyga in May 2016, when the US rapper was on a break from seeing his on/off girlfriend at the time Kylie Jenner. Speaking to The Sun last year, the Birmingham-born beauty recently gave a rare glimpse into their whirlwind romance - but she admitted she wasn't left heartbroken by the rapper. She said: 'It was interesting, it just happened really fast. He had been messaging me then I went to a party in Cannes and bumped into him. He was nice and we got along. And I spent some time with him. 'We ended up spending the rest of our time there together. We really liked each other but logistically it didn't work out in the end. 'But you know, everything happens for a reason. Im not heartbroken though. For now Im just doing me!' Cindy Crawford dressed up her all-American white T-shirt and blue jeans with a sophisticated black blazer while running errands in her Malibu neighborhood on Monday. The back of the evergreen mother-of-two's jacket was emblazoned with the word 'Love' and she wore black Sarah Flint 'Trish' flats and a matching handbag for her sunny outing. Believe it or not, February 20 marks the Pepsi brand ambassador's 52nd birthday, so she's likely planning festivities with her second husband, nightlife impresario Rande Gerber. Scroll down for video Sophistication: Cindy Crawford dressed up her all-American white T-shirt and blue jeans with a black blazer while running errands in her Malibu neighborhood on Monday Back it up! The back of the evergreen mother-of-two's jacket was emblazoned with the word 'Love' and she wore black Sarah Flint 'Trish' flats, and a matching handbag for her sunny outing Crawford - who boasts 6.2M social media followers - then shared a nineties retro MTV News snap captioned: 'Suited up for #MTVMondays.' On Saturday, Cindy (born Cynthia) had a very close encounter with a butterfly that landed on her left elbow during an invigorating Malibu hike. With a gentle blow, the Illinois-born beauty - who relies on fitness trainer Sarah Hagaman - sent the flying insect on its way back into the sky. Blowout? Believe it or not, February 20 marks the Pepsi brand ambassador's 52nd birthday, so she's likely planning festivities with her second husband, nightlife impresario Rande Gerber Crawford - who boasts 6.2M social media followers - then shared a nineties retro MTV News snap captioned: 'Suited up for #MTVMondays' Nature walk: On Saturday, Cindy (born Cynthia) had a very close encounter with a butterfly that landed on her left elbow during an invigorating Malibu hike Animal lover: With a gentle blow, the Illinois-born beauty - who relies on fitness trainer Sarah Hagaman - sent the flying insect on its way back into the sky Careerwise, the Becoming author was last pictured hard at work on the 'sandy' Malibu beach set of a Town & Country Magazine photo shoot by lensman Victor Demarchelier and creative director Nicoletta Santoro. Meanwhile, Cindy and Rande's daughter Kaia, 16; and son Presley, 18; signed with IMG Models at the tender ages of 13 and 16, respectively. Kaia, in particular, is quite in demand at the moment and she is currently storming the runways at New York Fashion Week. 'More coming soon!' Careerwise, the Becoming author was last pictured hard at work on the 'sandy' Malibu beach set of a Town & Country Magazine photo shoot Shes a style icon in her own right. And on Monday, Naomi Watts stepped out at New York Fashion Week, cementing her ever-timeless fashion status in the Big Apple. Dressed in a head-to-toe cream, the 49-year-old showed face at the Zadig & Voltaire's autumn/winter fashion show. All-white, everything! On Monday, Naomi Watts stepped out at New York Fashion Week, cementing her ever-timeless fashion status in the Big Apple, donning a creme-hued pantsuit Perfecting the art of layering, Naomi donned an off-white, streamlined pantsuit, paired with a tucked-in matching-hued top, over-layering the look with a rose silk-lined trench coat. Opting for all-white, buckle-studded leather boots, the beauty strayed in shade, pairing her look with an all-black carry bag. The pantsuit sure to be a next-season staple has made its rounds, showcasing female empowering in the chicest of ways. What a stud! Naomi donned an off-white, streamlined pantsuit with buckle-studded leather boots at Zadig & Voltaire's autumn/winter fashion show Seated front row and next to fellow fashion icon Natalia Dyer, the blonde beauty radiated, opting for pared-back makeup to perfectly partner her minimalist outfit. Keeping her strands simple, Naomi steered clear of her go-to style, picking a slight-right part instead. Skin dewy and glowing, Naomi kept her makeup light and natural, sweetening her cheeks and lips with a tickled-pink hue. Last Thursday, the blonde beauty attended a Chloe dinner at The Webster in New York to celebrate the launch of Natacha Ramsay-Levi's collection. FROW Pals! Seated front row and next to fellow fashion icon Natalia Dyer, the blonde beauty radiated, opting for pared-back makeup to perfectly partner her minimalist outfit Walk the line! Naomi Watts stepped out at New York Fashion Week, cementing her ever-timeless fashion status in the Big Apple There's 15 years difference in their ages. And that was too much for Kourtney Kardashian, 38, when she first learned that her ex Scott Disick, 34, was dating Sofia Richie, 19, according to People. 'The initial reaction from Kourtney when she found out that Scott was dating Sofia was not positive,' a source told the magazine. Kourtney Kardashian, 38, was not happy when she first learned that her ex Scott Disick, 34, was dating Sofia Richie, 19, [pictured September 2017] according to People However, that was before the eldest Kardashian sister started dating 24-year-old Younes Bendjima - who is 14 years her junior. It seems like the new life experience might have given the reality TV star some perspective, according to People. 'Kourtney is happy Scott is doing better. Things between Kourtney and Scott are civil.' Displeased: 'The initial reaction from Kourtney when she found out that Scott was dating Sofia was not positive,' a source told People. The targets of her ire are seen here in December 2017 Disick recently revealed he kept his relationship with Sofia Richie a secret out of 'respect' to his former partner Kourtney Kardashian. The reality TV star began dating the much younger daughter of music legend Lionel Richie last year, but there had been whispers about their relationship for quite some time before they confirmed that they were in a romantic relationship. During Sunday night's episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, filmed in the early stages of his relationship with Sofia, Scott was seen being pressed about his romance with the young model by his ex's mother Kris Jenner, 62. Under wraps: Scott Disick, right, has revealed that he kept his romance with Sofia Richie, left, under wraps out of respect for his ex Kourtney Kardashian. Pictured in December The ex factor: Scott was in a long-term relationship with Kourtney Kardashian and the exes share three children: Mason, eight, Penelope, five, and Reign, three In response, Scott - father of Mason, eight, Penelope, five, and Reign, three - admitted that he wanted to keep the then-blossoming romance quiet for the sake of protecting the feelings of the mother of his three children. Expressing discomfort at discussing his personal life with Kris, he said: 'Kris really is like my mom to me, so I don't ever feel like she's putting me on the spot. 'But I don't really feel comfortable talking to her about my personal or dating life. For me, to see that Kris is invested in my life means the world to me. Because she's got so many other kids and so many other things going on. No judgment: Kim Kardashian gave her approval to Scott's relationship with Sofia during Sunday's episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians Hot seat: Kris Jenner grilled Scott about his love life, asking if he was 'going steady' with Sofia Relationship: Their conversation was filmed during the early stages of his new relationship 'So the fact that she actually worries, loves and cares about me is probably one of the best feelings I have. 'Truthfully, as much as I'd like to be honest with her and tell her how I'm how I'm really feeling, I also do want to respect Kourtney and her feelings. 'Maybe down the line. But right now, my biggest thing is just being respectful of everybody.' Elsewhere in the show, Kris spoke to her daughter Kim Kardashian about Scott, but the 37-year-old star said she didn't 'care' who Scott dated as long as he was moving on from Kourtney, 38 - who is now dating Younes Bendjima, 24 - and was 'happy'. Age difference: Scott pointed out that Kris was younger than Sofia , 19,when she first started dating the late Robert Kardashian Not comfortable: The father-of-three admitted that he wasn't comfortable talking to Kris about his dating life Mother figure: Kris affectionately informed Scott that she was always going to be his 'mom' Mother-of-three Kim told her mother: 'Whatever makes him happy - I don't judge, I don't care. I think it's a good thing. I just hope that he's making good choices and having fun and that nothing is getting crazy. 'Scott has been so good in New York. I mean, it's not like we can keep tabs on him forever. He's got to live his life. Kourtney's moved on, Scott's eventually going to move on. If it ends up turning into something, great.' During her chat with Scott, Kris brought up the age gap between the 34-year-old and 19-year-old Sofia, who is currently enjoying a career as a rising model. Scott pointed out that Kris at age 17 was younger than Sofia when she started dating the late Robert Kardashian when he was 29. Going public: The couple have since gone public with their romance, which has raised eyebrows because of their sizeable age difference Moving on: Meanwhile, 38-year-old Kourtney has embarked on a romance with Younes Bendjima, who is also considerably younger at 24. Pictured in September 'You were underage and she's not. You guys were in the wrong. Not me,' he quipped. Asked whether he would ever bring Sofia over to say hello, Scott frowned: 'No. That's bizarre.' Kris told Scott: 'I just feel like I'm always going to be your mom, so you might as well just surrender.' He joked: 'I did a long time ago, when I used to have to take the trash out. I surrendered then.' Fashion week: During Sunday night's episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Kim worried that she and Kris would end up babysitting Scott at New York Fashion Week Before and after: The brunette transformed into a blonde on the show after a 12-hour hair dying session for NYFW Kris's bonding moment with Scott came after the pair flew to New York City with Kim for Fashion Week. While Kim expressed concern that they would be forced to babysit Kourtney's ex, Kris admitted she felt 'stressed' wondering what newly sober Scott was doing in New York. Sitting down to lunch, Kris told him: 'I'm just going to surrender to the fact that nothing good really happens after 10 o'clock at night. I think people should just stay in.' Scott said: 'That depends what you're doing. I've been going out every night. It's nice to stay busy when I'm here.' Candid conversation: Kris and Scott spoke candidly about the father-of-three's sobriety status Top honor: Kendall Jenner accepted a modeling award with her family supporting her Fashion show: The model was seen strutting her stuff as she walked the Alexander Wang show As Kris appeared worried, Scott reassured her that he was staying sober and getting up early in the morning hangover free. He said: 'I almost have a new-found respect for myself and for New York. It's amazing.' Scott accompanied Kris and Kim as they attended an awards ceremony honoring Kendall Jenner. Kendall kept it simple and sincere during her acceptance speech and later walked the outdoors Alexander Wang show. Front row: Kris and Kim supported Kendall as they took pride of place at the hot-ticket show Toy purge: Also, Khloe Kardashian and Kim helped Kourtney sort through her children's toys While Scott was in New York with Kim and Kris, Kourtney was battling a tarantula invasion at her house in Calabasas, California. After spotting two huge spiders with Kim and Khloe, she laid eyes on another during a sunbathing session with pal Larsa Pippen. As the girls leapt up and screamed, Kourtney said: 'I called pest control. They came and they sprayed two times. Worst nightmare: A frightened Kim was seen after spotting tarantulas at Kourtney's house Big spider: During the show, cameras zoomed in on the creepy crawlie as Kim sprinted away 'I don't know what to do. I swear we're outside 50 per cent of the time and I've already had the exterminator out to spray. I won't be able to sleep at night and I won't feel comfortable until these tarantulas are fully gone.' Kourtney called pest control once again and was informed that it was mating season for tarantulas, but she and Larsa spotted a second spider while she was on the phone. A terrified Larsa declared: 'I'm leaving. I'm going back to Beverly Hills. This wild, wild west is not for me. I'm out of here.' Pest control: Kourtney got on the phone with pest control after seeing another tarantula while sunbathing with friend Larsa Pippen Wild west: Larsa also expressed that she was not comfortable hanging out with tarantulas Getting out of there: Following Kim's lead, Kourtney and Larsa were seen fleeing the tarantulas Kourtney, unhappy with the presence of the tarantulas, took her children to Khloe's house and informed her sister that they were moving into the guest house for three weeks while exterminators sorted out the spider problem. 'Three weeks?' a shocked and pregnant Khloe asked. 'And all you guys all four of you are going to stay in the guest house?' She told the cameras: 'Kourtney really is delusional. I live less than a block away, so if there are tarantulas in your property, they're probably at mine too.' Moving in: The mother-of-three took her children over to Khloe's place during the episode Stay: A visibly surprised Khloe was unaware that Kourtney and her kids planned to stay over As Kourtney's children were running riot around her house, she sighed: 'I only have a few months left of peace and quiet. This is not what I need right now.' Khloe attempted to scare Kourtney into leaving by dressing a dog in a spider costume while she told a spooky tale around the fire pit about a 'human eating spider'. Her plan failed, however, when the costume was not remotely scary. Spider story: The pregnant reality star gathered Kourtney and her kids around to tell a scary story about a human-eating spider Nice try: Playful Khloe tried out a prank with her dog, but it didn't exactly work out as planned 'Who is this dog and why is it dressed up in a fur coat?' Kourtney asked before taking the hint and telling Khloe: 'Thank you for your amazing hospitality, but I'm going to go home and tough it out with the big tarantulas.' While Kourtney was waging war against tarantulas, Kim threatened to do the same against anyone leaking information about her surrogate. As news broke of her surrogate's pregnancy, Kim said: 'I'm absolutely fuming that there are all of these articles coming out about our surrogate. People started to write me and ask me if it was true and I just said we didn't really want to talk about it right now. Information: On the show, Kim was dealing with information about her surrogate being leaked Crisis mode: The 37-year-old reality star talked to husband Kanye West about the situation 'I signed up for this life and I know how to handle it, but someone like her does not and I would never want to put her in that situation. All I can do is hope that all of these rumours just die down.' Speaking on the phone to husband Kanye West she said: 'I'm so upset. It has the nationality of the surrogate, how old she is, where she's from, that she has two kids they know every last detail about her.' Asking her attorney to threaten legal action, she said: 'They have information about the surrogate that I don't know. That's what weirds me out.' Keeping Up With The Kardashians will return next week on the E! network. Personal details: The reality star was upset about details published about her surrogate Gigi Gorgeous and girlfriend Nats Getty were eager to heat up the front rows of New York Fashion Week. The YouTube sensation and oil heiress were packing on the PDA during Libertine's runway presentation on Monday. Sitting front row at the event, the Canadian born vlogger, 25, turned heads in a technicolor skull-patterned frock which hugged her every curve. Head's up! Gigi Gorgeous stunned in a colorful skull frock while steaming up the front row of New York Fashion Week with girlfriend Nats Getty Gigi teamed the very colorful dress with patterned stiletto boots that featured semi-sheer fabric contrasting a vine-like design up the leg. She also accessorized with diamond studs and a boxy white clutch. The internet personality-turned-model drew attention to her full pout with bright orange lipstick. Her platinum blonde was styled into princess-like braids along the side of her head. Sealed with a kiss! The YouTube sensation and oil heiress were packing on the PDA during Libertine's runway presentation on Monday Rainbow bright! The Canadian born vlogger, 25, turned heads in a technicolor skull-patterned frock which hugged her every curve Sweater weather: Besides the social media beauty was partner Nats Getty who looked cool in colorful grandpa sweater, dark pants and rubber boots Orange crush! The internet personality-turned-model drew attention to her full pout with bright orange lipstick Besides the social media beauty was partner Nats Getty, 25, who looked cool in colorful grandpa sweater, dark pants and rubber boots. The model/LGBT activist accessorized with a wide-brimmed hat and retro purple sunglasses, which looked like a perfect compliment to her slick blue hair and edgy face tattoos. She slathered her other-half in affection, seen peppering the beauty with kisses throughout the show. Nats is one of the heirs to Getty oil fortune which estimated to be worth around $5billion. Packing on the PDA! Getty slathered her other-half in affection, seen peppering the beauty with kisses throughout the show Rich kid: Nats is one of the heirs to Getty oil fortune which estimated to be worth around $5billion Late last year the couple made waves when they joked about welcoming a baby on Instagram. 'Thank you so much to our beautiful surrogate,' she wrote in the caption, implying that she and Nats had welcomed a child. Days later they clarified the post, when a rep explained: 'Gigi's use of the word surrogate was not meant the way it was received. Her use of the term while holding her friend's new baby was meant playfully.' Oh baby! Late last year the couple made waves when they joked about welcoming a baby on Instagram Just kidding: Days later they clarified the post, when a rep explained: 'Gigi's use of the word surrogate [in the photo's caption] was not meant the way it was received' Not camera shy! Also at the event was striking cotton candy haired model Jennifer Grace, who turned heads in an ultra sheer highlighter yellow blouse which did little to hide her intimate bits Color me chic! Libertine's collection was a embellishment-heavy exploration of texture and color that gave tribute to the city of Los Angeles with eclectic patches, tassels and fringe The blonde bombshell who rose to fame while candidly detailing her life as a transgender woman. Also at the event was striking cotton candy haired model Jennifer Grace, who turned heads in an ultra sheer highlighter yellow blouse which did little to hide her intimate bits. Libertine's collection was a embellishment-heavy exploration of texture and color that gave tribute to the city of Los Angeles with eclectic patches, tassels and fringe. The fashionista-beloved line was founded by designer Johnson Hartig in 2010 and has been 'championed by the likes of Anna Wintour, Karl Lagerfeld, Future, Mick Jagger and Cher,' according the brand's website. Anna Friel has broken her silence about claims she experienced 'unwanted advances' from a shamed Amazon boss, saying she didn't report the incident because she felt strong enough to 'handle it' herself. Ex-Amazon Studios president Roy Price allegedly behaved inappropriately towards the actress at the Edinburgh TV Festival in 2016, prompting her to flee the event. But Miss Friel, 41, has now said the incident 'did not damage me enough to comment on' at the time. Anna Friel (pictured) has broken her silence about claims she experienced 'unwanted advances' from a shamed Amazon boss She said: 'It wasn't something that was big enough to talk about. I'm a very strong girl, I know how to handle myself, and I didn't report that story, it was bystanders and onlookers. 'But I don't want to add fuel to the story. I am very, very, very much in solidarity with anybody who has been put into a horrific situation, in all areas of life, but it wasn't something that damaged me enough to give comment to. 'I've got my own way of handling things. I don't feel I should be pressured. You've also got the right not to speak about something.' Miss Friel told Radio Times she had experienced 'so many' instances of abusive behaviour in her career, but it had 'not had an effect' on her. Ex-Amazon Studios president Roy Price (pictured left, with Harvey Weinstein and Lila Feinberg) resigned following the allegations last autumn and his fiancee, TV writer Lila Feinberg, called off their November wedding Price (pictured with Woody Allen) was also accused of ignoring actress Rose McGowan's claims that Weinstein raped her Instead, she insisted her experiences had only served to make her 'very, very strong'. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Price has been accused of sexually harassing Isa Hackett, the producer of Amazon show The Man In The High Castle. Unless you are of a certain age, the experience of dancing with a partner is all but unknown. In fact, says Joanna Lumley, it is hard to dance together nowadays without it being seen as some sort of 'sexual embrace'. The actress, 71, told Radio Times she's hooked on tea dances, adding: 'You can have tea or champagne and cake, a big band plays, and you dance with total strangers. 'The human touch of old-fashioned dancing is also good for us we've been guided away from ever touching anybody unless it's a kind of sexual embrace.' Advertisement Price, who is understood to be a friend of disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, was also accused of ignoring actress Rose McGowan's claims that Weinstein raped her. The 50-year-old resigned following the allegations last autumn and his fiancee, TV writer Lila Feinberg, called off their November wedding. He has been contacted for comment by the Mail. Miss Friel also said the advice and support she received from older actresses, including Dame Maggie Smith and Dame Judi Dench, at the beginning of her career had helped her. 'They had dinner with me quite a few times, gave me advice, looked after me and called to ask how I was doing. I'll never, ever forget that kindness. So, I wasn't really one to mess with.' Jamie Lee Curtis shared a portrait of herself taken on the set of the new Halloween movie on Monday. The 59-year-old actress sported wavy shoulder-length blonde hair for her character Laurie Strode. She was also makeup free showing off a youthful vibe as she stood half in shadow. Iconic role: Jamie Lee Curtis, 59, stands half in shadow in character as Laurie Strode in this portrait she shared from the set of the new Halloween movie She captioned the photo: 'Set self portrait of Laurie Strode 2018. A survivor and a protector.' Curtis is reprising her John Carpenter-created character pone final time for the horror movie set for release in October. According to IMDb, it promises a 'final confrontation' between Strode and Michael Myers, 'the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago.' Back in January 30, she had posted the first picture of herself from the set showing her standing next to director David Gordon Green who was holding a clapperboard. 'Same slate. Same Laurie': Curtis had shared this snap with director David Gordon Green on the first day of filming back on January 30 Another Halloween: The new film due out in October promises a 'final confrontation' between Strode and the masked Michael Myers, pictured in 2002's Halloween: Resurrection In September it was announced she would reprise her role in a reboot of the horror movie, which will be released nearly 40 years to the day the original film directed by John Carpenter hit theaters. It will be the fifth time that Curtis, the daughter of Hollywood legends Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis, has played the role. She debuted the character in the original 1978 film Halloween, then again in the 1981 sequel. In 1998, she starred in Halloween H20: 20 years Later and again in 2002 in Halloween: Resurrection. He's best known for playing superhero Thor in the Marvel film series. And Chris Hemsworth showed he's in peak physical shape even while on holidays, enjoying a recent getaway with wife Elsa Pataky and their three adorable children. The 34-year-old showed off his massive biceps while departing Adelaide on Monday after spending time on South Australia's Kangaroo Island and the world-famous Barossa Valley. Scroll down for video Sun's out, guns out! Chris Hemsworth showed he's in peak physical shape even while on holidays, enjoying a recent getaway with wife Elsa Pataky and their three adorable children It's believed the Hollywood actor and his brood stayed at the Barossa Valley's upscale Kingsford Homestead, used in the filming of TV series McLeod's Daughters. They then headed to Kangaroo Island, where Chris, a Tourism Australia ambassador since 2016, promoted his native country in a series of Instagram uploads. The handsome movie star had his 'guns' on display in a a grey sleeveless top and shorts as he assisted staff in placing luggage and surfboards aboard the plane. Traveling man: The 34-year-old was spotted departing Adelaide on Monday after spending time on South Australia's Kangaroo Island and the world-famous Barossa Valley Heavy artillery! The handsome movie star had his 'guns' on display in a grey sleeveless top and shorts as he assisted staff in placing luggage and surfboards aboard the plane Tourism ambassador: Chris and his family headed to Kangaroo Island during their trip, where Chris promoted his native country in a series of Instagram uploads His actress wife Elsa donned a a maxi-dress paired with a grey cardigan and a straw hat to cover her from the summer sunshine. Their flaxen-haired children were dressed in a colourful mix of t-shirts, shorts, loose pants and sneakers. The famous family appeared to enjoy their vacation, sharing snaps of Chris and Elsa in a wine-tasting affair where he explained he was 'blending my own unique Shiraz!' Low-key: His actress wife Elsa donned a maxi-dress paired with a grey cardigan and a straw hat to cover her from the summer sunshine Casual: Their flaxen-haired children were dressed in a colourful mix of t-shirts, shorts, loose pants and sneakers Family ties: Elsa and Chris married in 2010 after a whirlwind romance and have three children, four-year-old daughter India and three-year-old twin sons Tristan and Sasha Chris also got friendly with a variety of animals during the idyllic getaway, where he hyped Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park and Seal Bay Conservation Park on Instagram. Believed to be in partnership with his ambassador role, Chris told his 14 million followers: 'Another amazing place to visit in @australia @sealbay @kiwildlifepark.' Elsa and Chris married in 2010 after a whirlwind romance and have three children: four-year-old daughter India and three-year-old twin sons Tristan and Sasha. Since it premiered last Monday night, Married At First Sight has quickly become the most talked about show in the country. Promising no shortage of drama, the 'social experiment' features 11 pairs of strangers who tie the knot after meeting at the altar. But this season has shocked even the most steely-hearted of viewers, with 'emotionally abusive' contestants, jaw-dropping 'affairs', and a brutal commitment ceremony that left a number of the show's stars humiliated and in tears. Scroll down for video Shocking: Married At First Sight has pushed the boundaries in 2018, shocking even the most seasoned of viewers with its jaw-dropping drama (pictured: contestant Jo McPharlin after she was brutally rejected by her husband Sean at a commitment ceremony) 26-year-old Instagram model Davina Rankin is perhaps this year's most controversial contestant- no easy feat given the number of pugnacious participants. 'Married' to Sydney-based tradie Ryan, the stunning brunette raised eyebrows when she openly began flirting with another of the show's participants, Dean Wells, at a group dinner party. 'I think Deano is an absolute babe,' she was heard saying, before giving him an enticing wink across the table. 'I think Deano is an absolute babe': Davina raised eyebrows after she was seen openly flirting with another woman's husband on the show Drama: Dean has similarly not escaped the wrath of stunned viewers, as he reciprocated Davina's advances whilst lying to his wife, Tracey Jewell However, she still insisted to husband Ryan that she wanted to give their marriage a proper try whilst organising to meet up with Dean behind his back. Media commentator Clementine Ford took to Twitter accusing Davina of being emotionally abusive, 'gaslighting' Ryan with her 'mean' and 'ruthless' actions. 'Does Davina have any boundaries she wont cross? Oversharing, putting down her partner in public and openly flirting with another married man,' another social media user stated. 'Toxic toxic behaviour! Disgusting use of manipulation and control': Dean has similarly not escaped the wrath of stunned viewers, as he reciprocated Davina's advances whilst lying to his wife, Tracey Jewell (pictured) Dean has similarly not escaped the wrath of stunned viewers, as he reciprocated Davina's advances whilst lying to his wife, Tracey Jewell. 'Dean is exactly the kind of behaviour society needs to reject. Toxic toxic behaviour! Disgusting use of manipulation and control,' one Twitter user wrote during Monday night's episode. In a preview of Tuesday night's episode Dean and Davina are seen meeting up and sharing a steamy kiss, whilst their respective spouses remain blissfully unaware. 'Does Davina have any boundaries she wont cross?': Davina insisted to husband Ryan that she wanted to give their marriage a proper try whilst organising to meet up with Dean behind his back Shocking: In a preview of Tuesday night's episode Dean and Davina are seen meeting up and sharing a steamy kiss, whilst their respective spouses remain blissfully unaware Dean and Davina aren't the only two on the show who have appeared to partake in partner swapping. Sensational photos of contestants Troy Delmege and Carly Bowyer were published on Monday, showing them romping in a park, despite the fact they are both married to other people on the show. However, there is no accusation that the couple are having an affair, as the series was filmed ahead of time and the two may have decided to pursue a romance with one another after both of their 'marriages' naturally came to an end. Public romp: Sensational photos of contestants Troy Delmege and Carly Bowyer were published on Monday, showing them romping in a park, despite the fact they are both married to other people on the show The pictures came after Sunday night saw Married At First Sight's first 'commitment ceremony'- where each contestant on the show publicly reveals whether they want to stay with their spouse or leave them. Single mum-of-two Jo McPharlin was left humiliated and heartbroken when her 'husband' Sean Donnelly announced he wanted to leave her, just minutes after she optimistically voted to stay in their relationship. As she broke into tears, one viewer called out Married First Sight for making a spectacle of the couple's relationship. 'Gosh this is heart breaking to watch': One viewer complained about Married At First Sight saying 'tv ratings cant be worth absolutely humiliating somebody 'Gosh this is heart breaking to watch......Poor Sean and shame shame MAFS. Surely tv ratings cant be worth absolutely humiliating somebody,' they wrote. Due to the show's unusual rules, if one person in the couple decides to stay while the other votes to leave the relationship, the pair are forced to endure another week together. Trying to remain composed, Jo asked to change her vote so she could go home, but subsequently had to move into an apartment complex with Sean following the show's outlined stipulations. Jaw-dropping: The public commitment ceremony had each of the contestants reveal whether they wanted to stay or leave their marriages AURELIUS The town of Aurelius plans to make renovations to the New York State Police barracks on Clark Street Road in hopes that the state will renew its lease of the building for another 10 years. Over 20 years ago, when troopers outgrew their previous station in Aurelius, the town built a new building and leased it to the state. That lease expired in November, and the town has been working to keep the troopers where they are. There was some talk of (the troopers) moving out to the county sheriff's office, said town board member Stanley Hoskins. Instead of having both entities out in Sennett, we decided we wanted their presence in our town. New York State Police is looking to renew its lease but the state is requiring some renovations to the bathrooms and the locker room before it does, Aurelius Town Supervisor Ed Ide said. What seemed to be a shortfalling was the size of a locker room we built, Hoskins said, adding that it was built to accommodate 22 troopers and they are reaching that capacity. All eyes were on Romee Strijd in her eccentric PVC ensemble as she arrived at the Ralph Lauren FW/18 presentation during New York Fashion Week in Manhattan on Monday. The 22-year-old IMG Model paired her black pleather chain overalls and jacket with a crisp white cold-shoulder blouse and black sneakers. Once inside the venue, the Dutch blonde underwent a preppy all-American makeover to strut her stuff down the runway for the 78-year-old designer (born Lifshitz). Scroll down for video Slippery: All eyes were on Romee Strijd in her eccentric PVC ensemble as she arrived at the Ralph Lauren FW/18 presentation during New York Fashion Week in Manhattan on Monday Shiny: The 22-year-old IMG Model paired her black pleather chain overalls and jacket with a crisp white cold-shoulder blouse and black sneakers Romee - who was first scouted at age 14 - covered up in a white-knit nautical turtleneck featuring a ship design and navy wide-leg trousers with colorful stripes on the sides. 'I like showing my personality on the runway,' Strijd said in the January edition of ELLE UK. 'The highlight of my career so far has to be my first fashion week...Once you start walking, you just focus on the end of the runway and everything else falls away.' The 5ft10in catwalker is clearly in demand, having also taken part in NYFW shows for designers Prabal Gurung, Brandon Maxwell, and Jeremy Scott this week. Ship shape: Once inside the venue, the Dutch blonde underwent a preppy all-American makeover to strut her stuff down the runway for the 78-year-old designer (born Lifshitz) Nautical: Romee - who was first scouted at age 14 - covered up in a white-knit turtleneck featuring a ship design and navy wide-leg trousers with colorful stripes on the sides Strijd said in the January edition of ELLE UK: 'Once you start walking, you just focus on the end of the runway and everything else falls away' 'I like showing my personality on the runway': The 5ft10in catwalker also took part in NYFW shows for designers (from L-R) Prabal Gurung, Brandon Maxwell, and Jeremy Scott this week The 2U video vixen has been romancing her boyfriend Laurens van Leeuwen since 2009 when she was a teenager and his sister introduced them. The Dutch 27-year-old is the nepotistically-privileged son of popular Netherlands presenter Bert van Leeuwen, best known for hosting Family Dinner. 'Il Pastaio in Beverly Hills is my favourite restaurant for a date,' Romee told ELLE. 'My boyfriend and I sit outside, put our phones away and always have the best time. The pasta is so delicious. If you go late at night, you see all these crazy cars driving past, which we love.' Inseparable: The 2U video vixen has been romancing her boyfriend Laurens van Leeuwen since 2009 when she was a teenager and his sister introduced them (pictured Wednesday) 'It's the worse. I have no idea what's going to help': In Romee's February 3 vlog she asked fans for advice on how to better manage her debilitating migraine headaches Strijd lamented: 'It always kind of starts with blurry vision and I feel like I'm on boat, like dizzy, [until I can't] stand the light anymore. Most of the times I try to sleep, sometimes I have to throw up' In Strijd's February 3 vlog - titled 'Miami & Bahamas' - she asked fans for advice on how to better manage her debilitating migraine headaches. 'It always kind of starts with blurry vision and I feel like I'm on boat, like dizzy, [until I can't] stand the light anymore,' the dimpled beauty lamented to her 4.4M subscribers/followers. 'Most of the times I try to sleep, sometimes I have to throw up...It's the worse. I have no idea what's going to help.' The Victoria's Secret Angel - who got her 'wings' in 2015 - has worked for the San Francisco lingerie label for the last four years. It's the cheating scandal that will send shockwaves across Australia. And a preview for the latest episode of Married At First Sight has hinted that Dean Wells and Davina Rankin will be taking their affair to the next level on Tuesday. A trailer posted to the show's Instagram page begins with Dean and Davina sitting in a cafe before Dean suggests they 'don't tell anyone else about this'. Scroll down for video 'These guys are cheating now': A preview for the latest episode of Married At First Sight has hinted that Dean Wells and Davina Rankin will be taking their affair to the next level on Tuesday The promo then cuts to relationship expert John Aiken, who tells the other matchmakers that Dean and Davina are 'now cheating'. 'It's a betrayal,' he declares. Next, Dean's 'wife' Tracey Jewel is seen talking with fellow bride Gabrielle Bartlett about her relationship. 'I feel like I'm beginning to know a different side of Dean I didn't see before,' she says, before adding: 'We do have that chemistry'. The betrayal: A trailer posted to the MAFS Instagram page begins with Dean and Davina sitting in a cafe before Dean suggests they 'don't tell anyone else about this' She doesn't have a clue! Next, Dean's 'wife' Tracey Jewel (right) is seen talking with fellow bride Gabrielle Bartlett (left) about her relationship and how she believes they are making progress Later, Dean is shown looking rather pleased with himself as he walks into the cafe for his rendezvous with Davina. Davina appears slightly embarrassed when she tells Dean their secret meeting is 'so bad', before they start cuddling in front of the cameras. Later in the promo, Dean and Davina are seen embracing outside the cafe. It is unclear whether they leave the venue together or go their separate ways. Last kiss? Aside from the cheating scandal, the preview also reveals that a 'much-loved' couple will end their relationship this week Where's Sarah? Tellingly, as the voice-over announces the latest bombshell, Telv Williams is shown waking up alone without bride Sarah Roza by his side Aside from the cheating scandal, the preview also reveals that a 'much-loved' couple will end their relationship this week. Tellingly, as the voice-over announces the latest bombshell, Telv Williams is shown waking up alone without bride Sarah Roza by his side. A woman is then next shown standing with her suitcase in a lift as the doors shut. Married At First Sight continues Tuesday at 7:30pm on Channel Nine James Franco may have been keeping a low profile since being accused by five women of sexual misconduct but HBO still wants him back for season 2 of The Deuce. One of the show's writers Megan Abbot told reporters at the Writers Guild Awards on Sunday that 'of course' Franco will be back, according to UsWeekly. The actor, 39,stars as twin brothers Vincent and Frankie Martino, co-proprietors of a pair of Mob fronts in 1970s Times Square in the series about the birth of the porn industry. He has also directed a couple of the show's episodes. Leading role: James Franco will be back for season 2 of HBO's The Deuce despite sexual misconduct allegations made against him by five women, a writer on the show has said Five women came forward to tell the Los Angeles Times to allege that Franco had engaged in inappropriate and exploitative behavior, some of which occurred during acting classes he taught in LA and New York. He denied the allegations in a statement to the Times and during an appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, he also called the claims 'not accurate.' 'Not accurate': The 39-year-old actor has denied allegations made against him by the women who accused him of inappropriate and exploitative behavior Integral character: Franco plays twin brothers on the HBO series set in 1970s New York and has also directed a couple of episodes. He's pictured with co-star Zoe Kazan The Deuce co-creator and executive producer David Simon told Variety last month that there had been no issues with Franco during the making of The Deuce. 'Ive checked with all my fellow producers and other personnel. We have no complainant or complaint or any awareness of any incident of concern involving Mr. Franco. Nor has HBO been approached with any complaint,' Simon said in a statement. 'In our experience, he was entirely professional as an actor, director, and producer,' he added. Franco won a Golden Globe earlier this year for his leading role in The Disaster Artist and had been widely tipped to receive his second Academy Award best actor nomination for the performance. However, he was not among the Oscar nominees announced on January 23. She has found national fame as a reality star on Married At First Sight. But before Gabrielle Bartlett signed up for the Channel Nine romance experiment, she appeared in a 2016 television infomercial for the EuroBed brand. The 44-year-old, who is paired with Nasser Sultan on MAFS, is seen shopping with her daughter when approached by host Ed Phillips and asked about the product. Screen star: Before Gabrielle Bartlett signed up for Married At First Sight, she appeared in a 2016 television infomercial for the EuroBed brand 'Oh I've seen this, I know this, I've seen this on TV!' the Sydney-based plus-size model exclaims to the host as she approaches the promotional area with her nine-year-old. Her daughter then curiously proceeds to start jumping up and down on the airbed, which leaves Gabrielle to ask Ed if her apparently spontaneous activity is okay. 'Yeah, it's tough! This is a EuroBed, remember!' the host enthuses. Enthusiastic: The 44-year-old, who is paired with Nasser Sultan on MAFS, is seen shopping with her daughter when approached by host Ed Phillips and asked about the product The blonde beauty is paired with Nasser on Married At First Sight, and their relationship appears to be going from strength to strength on the TV program. Meanwhile, Gabrielle recently revealed she was hospitalised for toxic shock syndrome. Talking about the condition, she told the Daily Telegraph 'things went pear-shaped' when the infection, combined with her low blood pressure, sent her to the ER. Back then: The mother-of-two appears in the commercial with her daughter 'My family and I get quite teary about how serious this could have been had my sister not taken me to the hospital a few weeks ago,' she explained. Toxic shock syndrome is a potentially life-threatening bacterial condition and is often caused by the use of super absorbent tampons. While Gabrielle and Nasser's relationship appears to be strong, he was snapped putting on an amorous display with their co-star Ashley, 28, in a nightclub last week. Bekah Martinez was rejected by Arie Luyendyk Jr. on Monday's episode of The Bachelor. The 22-year-old nanny was left sobbing after the former race car driver ditched her during a cringeworthy group date. 'It's hard for me to accept that this is over,' bawled the California native as she left. It's over: Bekah Martinez sobbed after being eliminated during Monday's episode of The Bachelor Arie, a 36-year-old realtor, also axed Seinne Fleming, a 27-year-old commercial real estate manager from California. Jacqueline Trumbull, a 26-year-old research coordinator from West Virginia, left of her own accord, after struggling with 'doubts'. The action all happened in Tuscany, Italy. Becca Kufrin scored the first one-on-one date, a romantic walk in the medieval village of Barga. Tears flowing: The California nanny could not hold back her tears They drove there in a nifty little convertible. 'We have missed that romantic connection, and I feel like we were kind of stuck,' said Arie. Becca was rather more smitten. Nice ride: Arie drove Becca Kufrin in a sweet convertible in Italy 'I don't know what to do with these emotions,' smiled the 27-year-old publicist, who hails from Minneapolis. They drank wine and smooched for a long time. Over dinner she talked about her family, whom she promised would not be 'overbearing'. Romantic connection: The former race car driver wanted to establish his romantic connection Rose offered: Becca admitted that her emotions were hard to process Becca admitted that, despite having a seven-year relationship, she'd never had a serious introduction between a boyfriend and her whole family. 'I'm falling for youI can see a future with you,' she told him. Arie gave her the rose, saying: 'Today was incredibleI'm falling for you'. Falling hard: The Minneapolis publicist told Arie that she was falling in love with him 'The passion is there, she's an amazing woman,' he decided. 'I see my future partner and husband,' she cooed. Meanwhile Jacqueline was having cold feet. Cold feet: Jacqueline meanwhile admitted that she was having cold feet about Arie 'I don't really trust my instincts, I always sabotage good things,' she admitted. She went to talk with Arie over some wine. 'I think that maybe I'm not confident enough in the feelings that I have to justify that (the hometowns) at this point,' she said, noting that she had felt doubts on their last date. Not confident: The research coordinator admitted that she wasn't read for the hometown visit Kissing session: Arie kissed conflicted Jacqueline 'I don't know how to stay when that's the case, I'm sorry,' she cried. 'I'm also like outrageously attracted to you,' she backtracked, while leaning in for a kiss. 'I'm going to miss you..if you ever change your mind come back to me,' he told her. Offer stands: Jacqueline cried as Arie said she could come back to him if she had any regret 'I feel like I kind of suck at being happy,' she sobbed on her way out. Lauren Burnham, a 25-year-old tech salesperson, snagged the next one-on-one. They explored the small Italian town of Lucca on bikes. Bike ride: Lauren Burnham and Arie rode bikes during their date in Lucca Arie tried to impress the Dallas resident by standing on the crossbar. They ate gelato and pizza, but Lauren didn't say much. 'I'm trying to see if you're ready,' he probed. Showing off: The 36-year-old realtor showed off in front of Lauren Smooch time: Arie and Lauren kissed during their one-on-one date 'It does freak me out that I'm putting myself in such a vulnerable position,' she admitted. At dinner they toasted to 'breaking down the walls' between them. 'I hate saying that I'm scared, that I'm terrified, but I really am,' she said. Walls falling: Lauren admitted that she was scared about falling in love with Arie 'Every time I'm with you it's very obvious that I'm starting to fall in love with you,' she said. Arie looked uncomfortable, then excused himself from the table. 'I said too much, too soon,' she fretted. Being honest: The technology salesperson told Arie that she was falling in love with him After a brief walk Arie returned. 'I picture myself sitting there with your familynothing is off,' he said, giving her the rose. 'I'm falling so deeply in love with you, it's crazy,' he breathed. He's back: Arie had to walk it off after Lauren said she was falling in love with him but he returned and gave her a rose The final one-on-one was with Seinne. 'I've been crazy about Seinne for a very long time,' he raved. They searched for truffles with a local Italian man and his sniffer dog. They then cooked heart-shaped pizzas and ate them with the truffle hunter's family. Group dinner: Seinne and Arie ate dinner with an Italian family 'I'm trying to follow my heart,' she told them. The family chanted 'kiss' in Italian, instigating a PDA at the table. Over dinner they tackled the logistics of what might happen next. Getting cozy: Arie and Seinne kissed during their date 'After today I do feel ready,' she said bluntly. He was struggling. 'Something is off,' he said. Not right: Their relationship fizzled as Arie admitted something was off between them 'I feel like we should be further along than this, I can't give you the rose,' he told her. 'I was blindsided,' she gawped. The final date was a three-on-one with Tia Booth, Kendall, and Bekah M. Total surprise: Seinne said she was blindsided when Arie declined to offer her a rose Two roses were up for grabs. They went to a historical estate that was once owned by Napoleon's sister. 'I don't plan to be in a long distance relationshipI want to be around you, to feel you,' Kendall told him. Close distance: Kendall told Arie that she didn't want to be in a long distance relationship Tia decided that Bekah M might have a 'lack of seriousness' in the situation. 'I feel like it's my duty almost to tell Arie,' mused the 26-year-old physical therapist. He brushed off the issue, telling her not to worry. Looking out: Tia felt it was her duty to tell Arie that Bekah probably isn't ready for marriage 'I love your lips,' he sighed to her as they kissed. Bekah started crying when Tia told her that she'd thrown her under the bus with Arie. 'I feel hurt and I feel misunderstood,' she sobbed. Getting emotional: Bekah started crying after learning that Tia talked to Arie about her and said she felt misunderstood Shoulder offered: Arie offered Bekah a shoulder to cry on Strong chemistry: Bekah and Arie kissed after she stopped crying 'I wouldn't be here if I wasn't serious,' she told Arie. Despite Bekah's tears Kendall received the first rose. Arie then sat down for an awkward dinner with Tia and Bekah M. Rose offered: Kendall received the first rose from the group date Big hug: Arie gave Kendall a hug after setting up a date to meet her parents 'My love for you grows every time I see you,' Tia told him. 'Have a little faith in my 22-year-old self,' begged Bekah M. Tia got the rose. Next week the remaining women - Lauren B., Becca K., Tia and Kendall - will take Arie to meet their families. LIttle faith: Bekah urged Arie to have a little faith in her One rose: Arie gave the rose to Tia over Bekah Ride home: After dishing out his final rose Arie escorted Bekah to a waiting car Tears everywhere: Arie wiped away tears as he recalled how fun Bekah was as she sobbed away It's the fictional town of Erinsbrorough where Neighbours are supposed to become good friends. But according to Natalie Bassingwaite that's not always a good thing. The actress revealed there was one aspect of her role she was not looking forward to doing when she decided she would return to the soap that made her a star. Scroll down for video 'It's worse than kissing a stranger': Natalie Bassingwaite reveals she DREADED having to lock lips with Alan Fletcher following her explosive return to Neighbours Speaking on hit105's Stav, Abby and Matt, Natalie revealed her unease when it came to locking lips with her fellow co-star Alan Fletcher. 'Kissing Dr. Karl Kennedy is weird,' she said. 'Alan is one of my best friends, so now we're so close that I'm like if I have to kiss you this is just going to be weird.' The former Rouge Traders front woman added that kissing a close-friend was 'weirder' than kissing a stranger. She played seductress Isabelle 'Izzy' Hoyland on Neighbours from 2003 to 2006. Awkward: Speaking on hit105's Stav, Abby and Matt, Natalie revealed her unease when it came to locking lips with her fellow co-star Alan Fletcher (seen) Too close for comfort: 'Alan is one of my best friends, so now we're so close that I'm like if I have to kiss you this is just going to be weird' Her 2018 debut in special movie-length episode of the iconic Australian soap - which took place Monday night - marks a return after an 11-year hiatus. Without giving too much away about her return, the blonde beauty has said that Jackie Woodburne's character Susan Kennedy - whose husband Karl (Alan Fletcher) previously had an affair with Izzy - should be particularly concerned. She's back! Her 2018 debut in special movie-length episode of the iconic Australian soap - which took place Monday night - marks a return after an 11-year hiatus Trouble maker: Without giving too much away about her return, the blonde beauty has said that Jackie Woodburne's character Susan Kennedy - whose husband Karl (Alan Fletcher) previously had an affair with Izzy - should be particularly concerned The multi-talented entertainer described how hesitant to return to Ramsay Street. 'They've been asking me for a while,' she told the radio show. 'Ive always been of the belief that youve just got to let things lie. If you close one door another door will open. But they kept coming back year after year.' She kept the recent surgery for her foot injury under wraps, only showcasing a select few snaps on social media to share the unfortunate news in December. And on Tuesday, Fiona Falkiner's successful road to recovery became evident when a a dancing boomerang post was uploaded to social media by the former Biggest Loser host. In the clip, the 34-year-old was seen back into active wear, out and about for a stroll around New South Wales' Coogee bay. 'Not being able to go for a walk for the past 8 weeks has been so frustrating': Fiona Falkiner ditches her wheelchair for Nike trainers as she continues to recover from foot surgery The Aussie model wore head-to-toe black gym attire with matching black Nike trainers, and was all smiles during her first unassisted walking outing for some time. Grinning ear-to-ear and doing an Elvis-inspired boogie, Fiona captioned the post: 'It's the little things you take for granted. For me not being able to walk for the past eight weeks has been so frustrating.' She continued: 'But it makes me appreciate my heath and this beautiful place we live in.' Keeping mum: Fiona kept the recent surgery for her foot injury under wraps, only showcasing a select few snaps on social media to share the unfortunate news in December The hashtags '#thelongroadtorecovery'and '#gettingthere' completed her post. Fiona first let her social media followers know about her impending surgery back in early December, when she posted a photo of herself looking happy and healthy in activewear at Sydney's Bondi Beach. Her post was captioned: 'Ok here it goes! Final training session for 8 weeks.... #whenyourfeetfailyou #surgeryday.' While little has been shared about the procedure, she did upload a series of clips showcasing her 'new wheels' after the surgery. She also shared before and after X-rays of her feet. Things are still going strong between Leonardo DiCaprio and his much younger girlfriend Camila Morrone, who were spotted attending Ellen DeGeneres' star-studded 60th birthday bash together in West Hollywood on Saturday night. At 20, the IMG Model is 23 years younger than the Oscar winner, who placed a protective hand on her behind as they entered the posh party at The Lot Studios. The May-December duo - first pictured leaving her LA home on December 16 - are 'old family friends' due to Camila's Argentinian mother Lucila Sola dating Leo's friend Al Pacino, according to Us Weekly. Scroll down for video Still going strong! Leonardo DiCaprio and his girlfriend Camila Morrone were spotted attending Ellen DeGeneres' star-studded 60th birthday bash in West Hollywood on Saturday Caught red handed! At 20, the IMG Model is 23 years younger than the Oscar winner, who placed a protective hand on her behind as they entered the posh party at The Lot Studios Rocking a ponytail extension, Morrone flaunted her taut midriff in a black off-the-shoulder crop-top, matching ruffled midi-skirt, and high-heeled leather boots. The habitual modelizer - sporting his signature goatee and New York Yankees cap -previously loved and left stunners like Nina Agdal, Kelly Rohrbach, Blake Lively, Rihanna, Gisele Bundchen, and Bar Refaeli. Once inside, DiCaprio rubbed elbows with fellow famous folks such as Oprah Winfrey, The Weeknd, Bruno Mars, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Lawrence, Pink, Jennifer Aniston, John Legend, Melissa McCarthy, and Kanye West. It surely was an impressive PR feat for the talk show host - who technically turned 60 on January 26 - to assemble so many A-listers at one place and one time to celebrate her life and career. First pictured leaving her LA home on December 16: The May-December duo are 'old family friends' due to Camila's Argentinian mother Lucila Sola dating Leo's friend Al Pacino Ornate belt: Rocking a ponytail extension, Morrone flaunted her taut midriff in a black off-the-shoulder crop-top, matching ruffled midi-skirt, and high-heeled leather boots Sporting his signature goatee and New York Yankees cap: The habitual modelizer previously loved and left stunners like Nina Agdal, Kelly Rohrbach, Gisele Bundchen, and Bar Refaeli Mingle: Once inside, DiCaprio rubbed elbows with fellow famous folks such as Oprah Winfrey (L), The Weeknd (R), Bruno Mars, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Lawrence, Pink, and Kanye West '#ellens60th': It surely was an impressive PR feat for the talk show host - who technically turned 60 on January 26 - to assemble so many A-listers at one place and one time Last week, the Titanic alum officially signed on as an investor for the free art-identifying app Magnus launched in 2016 by New York-based German academic and entrepreneur, Magnus Resch. 'Visual art is a powerful tool for spreading ideas, memorializing history, and bringing people together around a common purpose,' the three-time Golden Globe winner said in a statement. 'I am proud to partner with Magnus as the app continues to educate people about the art around them.' Later this year, Leonardo will portray NYPD officer Joe Petrosino in Paramount's big-screen adaptation of Stephan Talty's 1903-set detective novel The Black Hand. 'I am proud to partner with Magnus!' Last week, the Titanic alum signed on as an investor for the free art-identifying app Magnus launched in 2016 by Magnus Resch 'Italian Sherlock Holmes': Later this year, the three-time Golden Globe winner will portray NYPD officer Joe Petrosino in Paramount's big-screen adaptation of Stephan Talty's 1903-set detective novel The Black Hand The vaping environmentalist is also producing Otto Bathurst's Robin Hood remake starring Jamie Foxx, Jamie Dornan,Taron Egerton, and Ben Mendelsohn which hits US theaters on September 21. Meanwhile, the Miami-born beauty will next play Bruce Willis and Elisabeth Shue's onscreen daughter Jordan Kersey in Eli Roth's remake of the 1974 vigilante flick Death Wish, which hits US theaters March 2 and UK theaters April 6. 'I stopped modeling to focus on acting a year-and-a-half ago,' the Never Goin' Back actress told Women's Wear Daily last month. Remake of the 1974 vigilante flick: Meanwhile, the Miami-born beauty will next play Bruce Willis (R) and Elisabeth Shue's (M) onscreen daughter Jordan Kersey in Eli Roth's Death Wish, which hits US theaters March 2 and UK theaters April 6 The Never Goin' Back actress told WWD last month: 'I stopped modeling to focus on acting a year-and-a-half ago...Acting has always been the thing Ive wanted to do. Modeling was just a path to getting there' (pictured Wednesday) 'I was always doing theater and auditions and commercials, and it was kind of a stepping stone, but acting has always been the thing Ive wanted to do. Modeling was just a path to getting there.' Camila added: 'After this I'm going to finish a movie called Valley Girl, which is an MGM studio remake of the film from the eighties [with] Nicolas Cage. I'm just opening and closing the movie with Alicia Silverstone and that's it. 'I was just completely geeking out just because she is, you know, Cher [from Clueless], but she's also not, and I wanted to [say] "As if!" She would probably think I was so weird if I did that [so I] totally held it in.' She's the My Kitchen Rules contestant known for her cosmetically-enhanced face. And as she arrived at work in North Sydney last week, Emma Byron flaunted her trademark full pout and taut visage. With her blonde locks tied in a tight ponytail, the 33-year-old was able to highlight her noticeably large lips and wrinkle-free skin. Paying lip service! My Kitchen Rules 'villain' Emma Byron (pictured) flaunted her trademark full pout and taut visage as donned lace blouse and floral skirt to attend work last week The reality TV star also appeared to have ensured her face was looking its best, with Emma opting for a full face of makeup, while her eyebrows had been immaculately styled and shaped. For what was sure to be a busy day at work, an expressionless Emma had opted for conservative yet stylish attire. The real estate worker donned a lace-detailed sleeveless blouse teamed with a black maxi-skirt emblazoned with a pale pink flower pattern. Hanging from her arm was a luxurious magenta Louis-Vuitton handbag. Conservative yet stylish: Emma donned a lace-detailed sleeveless blouse teamed with a black maxi-skirt emblazoned with a pale pink flower pattern While she and her sister Jess have previously come under fire for their cosmetic surgery use, Emma told Sunrise last week a 'bout of contact dermatitis' left her lips and face swollen during filming. During the interview, host Samantha Armytage noted the significant amount of criticism Emma has copped about her looks from viewers and questioned how she has responded to it. 'I'm so sorry for being so ugly! I cannot believe what a bout of contact dermatitis did to my lips and face, I have literally offended the nation and I apologise profusely,' Emma replied. 'They did eventually go down after getting proper medication, but I offended myself looking at that, so apologies to everybody who has to look at me.' 'They did eventually go down after getting proper medication': Emma (pictured with sister Jess) claimed a 'bout of contact dermatitis' left her lips and face swollen during filming during an interview with Sunrise However, Emma's claims were at odds to what she had confessed in a previous interview with Who magazine. 'I've had my lips done and I do botox,' the blonde told the magazine. 'I don't walk around as a poster child for telling people that's what they should do. That's what I should do, but Jess will sit and talk about it 'til the cows come home Emma and Jess have received backlash from MKR viewers due to their physical appearance, resulting in a string of cruel comments hurled at them on social media. One viewer called them 'puffer fish' while another wrote, 'don't let them near the stove, they'll melt'. Roxy Jacenko has finally told her six-year-old daughter Pixie that her father Oliver Curtis spent a year in prison for insider trading. Speaking exclusively with Daily Mail Australia at the Sante by ENJO breakfast event on Tuesday, the 37-year-old PR queen revealed she broke the news last weekend, after previously telling Pixie that Oliver was simply away on business in China. 'I needed to tell her that I lied, and that lying wasn't the right thing to do - but in the circumstance I was in, I needed to do it,' Roxy said. 'I needed to tell her I lied': Roxy Jacenko (right) has finally told her six-year-old daughter Pixie (left) that her father Oliver Curtis spent a year in prison for insider trading Roxy, who is already the face of multiple brands and runs three businesses of her own, is the latest celebrity ambassador for ENJO. The Sweaty Betty PR founder's decision to tell Pixie the truth about her father was prompted by an incident that occurred in the schoolyard earlier this month. After the episode, Roxy sat her daughter down for a one-on-one talk last Saturday. Told Pixie on the weekend: Roxy spoke exclusively with Daily Mail Australia at the Sante by ENJO breakfast event on Tuesday Busy lady! Roxy is the latest celebrity ambassador for ENJO. Pictured with Sally Obermeder 'She cried, it was sad': Roxy previously told Pixie that her father was away on business in Chin 'She cried, it was sad,' Roxy revealed, adding that Oliver was at the gym when the mother-daughter discussion took place. 'I told her exactly what happened... she cried but now she understands as best a six-year-old can,' she continued. 'I'm glad I've done it, I made her promise she must not tell her brother (Hunter) yet, because he's only three'. Roxy clarified that she would tell the truth to her youngest child 'in due course'. 'I'm glad I've done it': Roxy has made Pixie promise she won't tell little brother Hunter, three, the truth about their father's 12-month absence When asked if she confronted the parents of the children who had teased Pixie at school, the PR queen replied: 'Don't mess with Roxy!' She added: 'I'll broach it, I'm not afraid to. No one's child should be in that position, it's not nice and they (the parents) wouldn't want it for their own kids.' Oliver spent a year in Cooma Correctional Centre in regional New South Wales after being convicted of insider trading. Happy family! Since Oliver was released from prison last June, the family-of-four have been inseparable - with Roxy and Oli putting any previous marital problems behind them He was released in June 2017 and Pixie and Hunter were there to greet their father as he boarded a private jet to fly home to Sydney. The family-of-four are often seen out and about together, with Roxy enthusiastically praising Oliver in her wide-ranging interview with Daily Mail Australia. 'He's an amazing father (and) he's 200 per cent supportive of me. He's all about "What can I do to back you?"' she said. WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump sent Congress a sweeping plan Monday to rebuild the nation's depleted roads and bridges then immediately raised doubts about how committed he was to delivering on that campaign promise. "If you want it badly, you're going to get it," Trump told state and local officials during a meeting at the White House. "And if you don't want it, that's OK with me too." Trump suggested that his proposal aimed at spurring $1.5 trillion in spending over a decade was not as important to him as other recent administration efforts to cut taxes and boost military spending. "If for any reason, they don't want to support to it, hey, that's going to be up to them," Trump said of the Republican-controlled Congress. "What was very important to me was the military, what was very important to me was the tax cuts, and what was very important to me was regulation." Speaking of infrastructure, Trump added: "This is of great importance, but it's not nearly in that category. Because the states will have to do it themselves if we don't do it. But I would like to help the states out." She is about to walk down the aisle with her fiance DJ Ruckus. But before she becomes a bride, Shanina Shaik sheikh-ed things up for her 27th birthday. To mark the special occasion, the Australian model posted a series of party shots and videos to Instagram, documenting her Middle Easterninspired affair. Scroll down for video A Chanel cake, hookah pipes and racy outfits! Shanina Shaik documents her wild Middle Eastern-inspired party as she celebrates her 27th birthday Shanina kicked off the affair by posting an Instagram video of her enjoying a Hookah pipe, an instrument historically used for smoking flavoured tobacco. The exotic beauty was seen puffing away as she stared seductively into the camera. Meanwhile, another one of her stories showcased the brunette beauty's designer birthday cake. The three-tier cake featured three monochromatic boxes, each branded with the Chanel logo, complete with edible bows, lipsticks, powder cases and eye shadow pots. The Melbourne-born model also flaunted her endless birthday gifts, including a bouquet of white roses and a black leather YSL clutch. Middle Eastern-inspired: Shanina kicked off the affair by posting an Instagram video of her enjoying a Hookah pipe, an instrument historically used for smoking flavoured tobacco Happy Birthday Shanina! Meanwhile another one of her stories showcased the brunette beauty's designer birthday cake On Sunday, the Australian model posted an adorable throwback picture of her to Instagram. In the snap, Shanina is seen sitting pretty in a pram as a baby. 'BIRTHDAY GIRL. It's my Birthday in Australia today and tonight when the clock strikes 12,' she wrote alongside the vintage snap. She added the hashtag, 'birthday turn up.' Much loved: The Melbourne-born model also flaunted her endless birthday gifts, including a bouquet of white roses and a black leather YSL clutch 'Birthday turn up': On Sunday, the Australian model posted an adorable throwback picture of her to Instagram Shanina began her modelling career at the age of eight and was the runner-up on Australian reality show Make Me A Supermodel in 2008. She went on to make her Victoria's Secret runway debut in 2011, and has since appeared in campaigns for Good American, Seafolly and Karen Millen. Shanina's personal life is also going swimmingly, engaged to DJ Ruckus, real name Gregory Andrews. Ruckus proposed at his cousin Lenny Kravitz's Bahamas property in January 2016. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia in April last year, Gregory gushed of Shanina: 'She's a legend in Australia. I'm very, very proud of her. 'She's incredible. Her work ethic is just amazing. I love being with somebody who has that sort of energy.' Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen came to the defense of his longtime friend Sarah Jessica Parker during his radio show Monday after Kim Cattrall called her 'cruel' and 'exploitative' on social media Saturday. The 61-year-old Golden Globe winner was publicly grieving the loss of her younger brother Chris - whose body was found February 4 - when she scoffed at her 52-year-old former castmate's innocuous condolence comment. 'I don't need your love or support at this tragic time @sarahjessicaparker,' the English-Canadian actress replied before posting it separately on Instagram Saturday. Scroll down for video Choosing sides: Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen (L) came to the defense of his longtime friend Sarah Jessica Parker (R) during his radio show Monday after Kim Cattrall called her 'cruel' and 'exploitative' on social media Saturday (pictured January 31) 'My Mom asked me today, "When will that @sarahjessicaparker, that hypocrite, leave you alone?" Your continuous reaching out is a painful reminder of how cruel you really were then and now. Let me make this VERY clear. (If I haven't already). You are not my family. You are not my friend. So I'm writing to tell you one last time to stop exploiting our tragedy in order to restore your "nice girl" persona.' This, after 'heartbroken' SJP had repeatedly denied any feud over their six seasons of Sex and the City (1998-2004) and two film spin-offs playing introspective writer Carrie Bradshaw and sex-positive publicist Samantha Jones. 'I thought it was fake. I was like, "There's no way Kim Cattrall has posted this on her Instagram,"' 49-year-old Cohen explained on Radio Andy. 'I was thinking about it over the weekend, and I was like, well, she follows Kim on Instagram, Kim posted about her brother dying, and she expressed her condolences on the post. I would not call that exploiting a tragedy. Did she say something bad? I don't understand. I don't get it.' The 61-year-old Golden Globe winner was publicly grieving the loss of her younger brother Chris - whose body was found February 4 - when she scoffed at her 52-year-old former castmate's innocuous condolence comment The English-Canadian actress posted on Instagram Saturday: 'I don't need your love or support at this tragic time @sarahjessicaparker...You are not my family. You are not my friend. So I'm writing to tell you one last time to stop exploiting our tragedy in order to restore your "nice girl" persona' 'Colleagues': This, after 'heartbroken' SJP had repeatedly denied any feud over their six seasons of Sex and the City (1998-2004) and two film spin-offs playing introspective writer Carrie Bradshaw and sex-positive publicist Samantha Jones 49-year-old Cohen explained on Radio Andy: 'I thought it was fake. I was like, "There's no way Kim Cattrall has posted this on her Instagram"' (pictured Tuesday) The Emmy-winning presenter went on to say he didn't like 'that people were characterizing this as a cat fight.' 'There's only one person fighting here,' the Real Housewives producer blasted. 'Sarah only said the nicest things about her. The only thing she's ever commented about the movie or about Kim not wanting to do the movie was that she was disappointed that the studio pulled the plug on it. I don't get it. It's a cat fight of one, from where I see it.' The four-time Golden Globe winner hopes the 'damn good' Sex and the City 3 script will eventually get made, and she even auditioned Andy for the Samantha role on the January 31 episode of his boozy late-night talk show. 'There's only one person fighting here': The Emmy-winning presenter went on to say he didn't like 'that people were characterizing this as a cat fight...Sarah only said the nicest things about her. I don't get it' (pictured in 1995) Wigging out: The four-time Golden Globe winner (L) hopes the 'damn good' Sex and the City 3 script will eventually get made, and she even auditioned Andy for the Samantha role on the January 31 episode of his boozy late-night talk show Pictured (from L-R) 2014-2016: Parker then said 'signs are pointing to yes' when Cohen asked on-air if he could attend this year's religion-themed Met Gala as her date for the 'fifth of sixth year in a row' Parker then said 'signs are pointing to yes' when Cohen asked on-air if he could attend this year's religion-themed Met Gala as her date for the 'fifth of sixth year in a row.' Fans can catch more of the married mother-of-three as Francis, a woman whose affair ends her marriage, on the eight-episode second season of Divorce, which airs Sundays on HBO. And UK fans can catch Kim as US President Helen Tyler in the second season of Swedish psychological thriller Modus, which airs Saturdays on BBC Four. Airs Sundays on HBO! Fans can catch more of the married mother-of-three as Francis, a woman whose affair ends her marriage, on the eight-episode second season of Divorce They opened the first Instant Restaurant of Group 2 on their sprawling truffle farm in Deloraine, Tasmania. And siblings Henry and Anna Terry left judge Manu Feildel almost lost for words at their 'Black Diamond' dining experience on Tuesday's episode of My Kitchen Rules. Self-professed amateur cooks Henry, 26, and Anna, 24, were visibly left emotional after Manu delivered his historic shock verdict for their entree dish. Scroll down for video Shock verdict: Siblings Henry and Anna Terry left judge Manu Feildel almost lost for words at their 'Black Diamond' dining experience on Tuesday's episode of My Kitchen Rules Anna was initially fearful of Manu's opinion of their food, acknowledging the pressure of 'cooking truffles for a Frenchman' in the opening scenes of the episode. Henry explained if the duo were to 'crack anything above 60' in their final score he would be happy as a 'non-cook'. The siblings decided to serve a whipped truffle brie cheese spread for their entree, with Anna making French baguette sticks as an accompaniment with Manu in mind. Stressed: Anna was initially fearful of Manu's opinion of their food, acknowledging the pressure of 'cooking truffles for a Frenchman' in the opening scenes of the episode Before allowing the table of contestants and judges to try the dish, Henry revealed his family grew the first truffle ever in Australia on their farm in 1999. After serving their entree, Manu hesitated to give his initial opinion on the dish. 'You would hope someone who has worked on a truffle farm for a long time would know what to do with it,' he began, eliciting a fearful groan from Henry and Anna. 'This is what I think about your dish,' he continued, as he happily held up his empty plate to the siblings' relief. 'This is what I think about your dish,' he continued, as he happily held up his empty plate to the siblings' relief 'It was absolutely delicious; it all made sense,' he continued. Manu then declared: 'It is my favourite dish of the whole nine years of this competition!' The overjoyed pair gasped and embraced each other, heading back to their kitchen to break down in tears. Emotional: The overjoyed pair gasped and embraced each other, heading back to their kitchen to break down in tears The siblings' main course of venison was equally well-received, however the duo burned the top of their apple crumble dessert and quickly anticipated a backlash. 'Your dessert definitely isn't as strong as your other dishes,' confirmed judge Peter Evans, admonishing the crumble but calling their vanilla bean ice cream 'perfect'. The teams gave Henry and Anna a combined score of 58 out of 70, while the judges both rated the entree 10 out of 10, the main 8 and 9 out of 10 and dessert 6 out of 10. The siblings went on to receive a final score of 107, which was higher than all of Group 1's scores. She's the loved-up Married At First Sight bride who recently announced she's giving it another go with her TV groom. But on Sunday, Erin Bateman will become almost unrecognisable to fans of the show as she bravely shaves off her brunette locks for charity. In a post shared to Instagram, the former reality star said she was quietly 'sh*tting herself,' about the courageous act, which will raise money for Shave for a Cure. 'Quietly sh*tting myself': Former Married At First Sight star Erin Bateman has confessed she's nervous about shaving her head on Sunday. The brunette shaving her locks in order to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation Posting a picture of herself with her shiny brunette hair as the focal point, the MAFS bride let it be known that she was feeling nervous. 'Quietly sh*tting myself over shaving my head this Sunday,' the 28-year-old wrote in the caption. 'Figured I better spend the week working on my 'face game,' as it will be on full show this time next week!' 'I'm shaving my head in the hopes I'll emerge looking like Ruby Rose': The former reality star said she was hoping to channel Aussie Hollywood actress, Ruby Rose, with her new hair style The brunette beauty finished off the caption with: 'Starting with a fresh set of lashies from ma Doncaster gurl Jess.' In January, Erin revealed she was planning to shave her head and said she hoped she would look like Hollywood actress, Ruby Rose. 'I've been saying I'd do this for five years,' she said at the time. 'Awareness to Trichotillomania': The glamorous 28-year-old said she was doing it for a number of reasons, including bringing awareness to Trichotillomania, an impulse control disorder she's struggled with 'I'm shaving my head in the hopes I'll emerge looking like Ruby Rose and not regretting my decision... although both are doubtful.' The starlet also revealed a more courageous reason for shaving her locks. 'I am also shaving my head for a second (more personal) reason - to bring awareness to Trichotillomania, an impulse control disorder I've struggled with for over 10 years.' Erin, who rose to stardom on season two of MAFS, told fans she is raising money for the Leukaemia Foundation. The former reality star has already smashed her $1,000 goal. 'Bryce even wants to have a small thing too': The reality show star has revealed she and her TV groom Bryce Mohr will tie-the-knot off screen after a rocky relationship Also last month, the MAFS fan favourite told NW magazine it was a case of when - not if - she will tie the knot with TV groom Bryce Mohr. Erin added she will opt for a small celebration: 'I never really wanted to have a wedding,' she said. 'I would rather put money towards something else. I thought that before the show and it's good that Bryce even wants to have a small thing too it's perfect for us.' Lea Michele is keeping strong through tough times. The 31-year-old was snapped Monday leaving the the posh Nine Zero One Salon in West Hollywood, smiling as she showed off a refreshed, silky mane upon her departure. The 5ft3in beauty was clad in a woolly grey ribbed long-sleeved sweater, black leggings and black sneakers, as she held a black box presumably full of high-end hair care items for the road. Scroll below for video Strong front: Lea Michele, 31, was snapped Monday leaving the the posh Nine Zero One Salon in West Hollywood The Glee star, whose full name is Lea Michele Sarfati, accessorized with dark sunglasses and had a white purse draped over her shoulder while carrying a water bottle on the sunny Southern California afternoon. The outing came about two weeks after the shocking death of her Glee co-star Mark Salling at 35, after the actor, who played Noah 'Puck' Puckerman on the high school-themed musical show, took his own life via hanging on January 30 in Sunland, California. Authorities with the Los Angeles County Coroner's confirmed earlier this month that the troubled entertainer - who was slated to be sentenced for child pornography possession in March - had died of asphyxia by hanging. In the wake of Salling's death, insiders told Life & Style that Michele was 'having a really hard time with Marks death,' the second premature death linked to the show after her ex, actor Cory Monteith, died at 31 in July 2013 following a heroin overdose. Lustrous: The multi-talented performer kept hydrated with a bottle of water All smiles: Michele walked with a pal out of the high-end hair salon, which sits on the famed Melrose Avenue The source noted that while Michele and Salling 'werent close in recent years,' Michele 'considered Mark a brother' during the six years they co-starred on the Ryan Murphy hit, from 2009-2015. 'Its particularly heartbreaking for her after Corys death, the source said, noting that Lea 'cant believe another person from the cast is gone.' Salling was arrested in late-December 2015 in connection with child porn possession. Stylish: The Mayor star carried a box, presumably of hair supplies, out of the salon Made in the shade: The TV stalwart had a pair of designer shades on the sunny day Satisfied customer: Lea took to Instagram later Monday to show off the resplendent 'do Michele took to Instagram about five and a half months later, when she posted a Glee cast shot, expressing her strong emotions in a caption she added. She wrote: '#tbt 7 years ago.. It's unbelievable how quickly time can go by.. To think we aired 7 years ago today.. Found this photo from our Upfronts trip to NYC just days before the premiere. We were all so excited. She continued, 'We went around the table and each said something we loved about each other.. No matter where we all are now.. I will always think back to this night. #glee.' Premature deaths: Glee actors Cory Monteith (L) died in 2013 at 31 from a drug overdose in Canada, while Mark Salling (R) hanged himself at 35 last month outside of LA Bella Hadid looked downcast as she left Italian restaurant Cipriani in Manhattan on Monday night after a full day of modeling in New York Fashion Week. The 21-year-old catwalker - who relies on stylist Elizabeth Sulcer - wore blue patchwork Re/Done jeans with an olive purse, cropped black bomber, plunging top, scarf, and matching patent leather pumps. Despite it being evening, the Bulgari brand ambassador was wearing square-framed sunglasses with her slicked-back raven bob. Scroll down for video Exhausted? Bella Hadid looked downcast as she left Italian restaurant Cipriani in Manhattan on Monday night after a full day of modeling in New York Fashion Week On Wednesday, Bella revealed her Valentine's Day plans to W Magazine: 'I'll probably just be with my girlfriends.' Also spotted dining at Cipriani on Monday were Society Model Jasmine Sanders, Keeping Up with the Kardashians' Jonathan Cheban, and IMG Model Devon Windsor. Ultraviolet songstress Justine Skye sported her signature purple locks at the high-end eatery where IMG Model Shanina Shaik was also spotted mingling. Earlier on Monday night, Hadid was seen wearing the same jeans with a grey-striped blazer as she stopped by her 22-year-old sister Gigi's New York apartment. Out and about: The 21-year-old catwalker wore blue patchwork Re/Done jeans with an olive purse, cropped black bomber, plunging top, scarf, and matching patent leather pumps Impaired: Despite it being evening, the Bulgari brand ambassador was wearing square-framed sunglasses with her slicked-back raven bob On Wednesday, Bella revealed her Valentine's Day plans to W Magazine: 'I'll probably just be with my girlfriends' Denim days: She highlighted her sensational frame in her kooky denims Wrapped up: Bella wrapped up in a satin cropped bomber jacket Bag it up: The model beauty carried her suede tote in her manicured hand Afterparty: Also spotted dining at Cipriani on Monday were (from L-R) Society Model Jasmine Sanders, Keeping Up with the Kardashians' Jonathan Cheban, and IMG Model Devon Windsor Staircase: Ultraviolet songstress Justine Skye sported her signature purple locks at the high-end eatery where IMG Model Shanina Shaik was also spotted mingling Gigi (born Jelena) - who relies on stylist Mimi Cuttrell - bared her belly in an Anna Sui crop-top beneath a Burberry raincoat, khakis, and $220 Dr. Martens 'Lazy Oaf Jungle' boots. Like her little sister, the Maybelline muse sported circular sunglasses over heavy-handed eye make-up despite it already being dark outside. The British Vogue cover duo opened the Prabal Gurung FW/18 presentation side by side as well as the Anna Sui FW/18 presentation. Party Girls: Gig and Bella and Inez & Vinoodh celebrated NYFW with a pop-up store event at the V Magazine offices for Wardements followed by a private dinner at the Clocktower Restaurant at the New York Edition The iconic duo Inez & Vinoodh hosted a launch event in celebration of the Wardements pop-up shop at the V Magazine offices in New York City, followed by a private dinner with busy sisters Bella and Gigi Hadid. Limited edition pieces benefiting the Orange Babies Foundation were created for the collaboration by famed hairstylist Ward Stegerhoek. The pop-up shop runs for three weeks starting today, February 13th, with the full collection available at the V offices on 11 Mercer St. The night included guests like Margaret Qualley, Miles Chamley-Watson, Grace Elizabeth, Binx, Lexi Boling, Peter Phillips, Ward, Romee Strijd, Georgia Fowler, Simone Aptekman, Mel Ottenberg, Adam Selman, Stephen Wonderboy Thompson, Nico Tortorella, Nicola Formichetti, Liya Kebede, Honey Dijon, Hanne Gaby Odiele, Denise Gough, and more. Photo op: Gigi Hadid had a lie down after a busy day of fashion week at the event Together: Earlier on Monday night, Hadid was seen wearing the same jeans with a grey-striped blazer as she stopped by her 22-year-old sister Gigi's New York apartment Relies on stylist Mimi Cuttrell: Gigi (born Jelena) bared her belly in an Anna Sui crop-top beneath a Burberry raincoat, khakis, and $220 Dr. Martens 'Lazy Oaf Jungle' boots Impaired: Like her little sister, the Maybelline muse sported circular Oliver Peoples sunglasses over heavy-handed eye make-up despite it already being dark outside The Hadids' sighting came after the New School drop-out tweeted a rant directed at her body shamers and haters, explaining her slim 5ft10in frame was due to chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis aka Hashimoto's disease. 'Over the last few years Ive been properly medicated,' Gigi - who boasts 51.1M social media followers - wrote. 'I will not further explain the way my body looks, just as anyone, with a body type that doesnt suit ur "beauty" expectation, shouldnt have to. 'Love thy sister!' The British Vogue cover duo opened the Prabal Gurung FW/18 presentation side by side (pictured) as well as the Anna Sui FW/18 presentation 'I will not further explain the way my body looks': The Hadids' sighting came after the New School drop-out tweeted a rant directed at her body shamers and haters, explaining her slim 5ft10in frame was due to chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis aka Hashimoto's disease Ralph Lauren FW/18 show: Meanwhile, Bella and their 18-year-old brother Anwar (R) take '30 pills and self-administers two shots a day in the keester' just to properly function with their Lyme Disease - according to InStyle 'Not to judge others, but drugs are not my thing, stop putting me in that box just because u dont understand the way my body has matured. (sic)' Meanwhile, Bella and their 18-year-old brother Anwar take '30 pills and self-administers two shots a day in the keester' just to properly function with their Lyme Disease - according to InStyle. The half-Jordanian, half-Dutch siblings - whose mother Yolanda was a Ford Model for 15 years - signed with IMG Models in 2013, 2014, and 2016 respectively. Bekah Martinez set the record straight about being reported missing on Monday's episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! after she was eliminated from The Bachelor. 'I'm hanging in there. It was shocking for me as well, I'm picking up the pieces as I go along,' the 22-year-old nanny from Los Angeles told host Jimmy Kimmel. 'For one thing, I have been a fan of the show for years I've been telling my family and friends like, ''Yeah I'm going on The Bachelor one day'',' she continued. Back story: Bekah Martinez, 22, set the record straight on Monday's episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! after she was eliminated from the reality dating show When asked why she would publicly date on a nationally televised show, the adorable brunette said she was hoping for a different suitor. 'Well, I was hoping it would be Peter [Krause] and it ended it up being Arie,' Bekah explained regarding the fan favorite who made it to the finals on The Bachelorette season featuring Rachel Lindsay. Bekah has the strangest backstory in The Bachelor franchise history after being put on a missing persons list while filming the show. Shock and awe: The Los Angeles nanny told host Jimmy Kimmel she was 'hanging in there' and was shocked at being eliminated She made headlines after it emerged her mother had made her an official missing person while her daughter was filming the secretive show - with a fan spotting her on one of the missing person posters. But during her Jimmy Kimmel appearance, Bekah let her fans know what actually went down during the missing persons scandal. 'First of all, a lot of people thought I lied to my mother saying that I was on a farm when I was actually on The Bachelor, but no I had already been eliminated from the show,' she began. Big fan: Bekah said she's been a fan of the show for years Tears flowing: The nanny cried during Monday's episode after feeling misunderstood 'I just decided to go to the mountains with my friends for a couple weeks and I was there for six or seven days without phone service which I thought I was going to have phone service and I told my mother that I would,' Bekah recalled. 'I just had this weird feeling like on the sixth or seventh day, I need to go home now. So I got in my car, drove to where I had service, called my parents and then come to find out only 12 hours before my mother had called the Humboldt Sheriff's Department saying that I was missing,' she added. 'To set the record straight I'm not a weed farmer. I'm still a nanny in L.A.,' Bekah quipped with Jimmy. The bitter war between Hollywood couple Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux and their elderly neighbour Norman Resnicow has intensified. According to a new report in Grazia, court documents show the famous pair have accused Resnicow of spying on them at the New York apartment block they share. Resnicow has previously given DailyMailTV a tour of his apartment amid growing tension between the lawyer and his famous neighbours over renovation works. Round two! The bitter war between Hollywood couple Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux and their neighbour Norman Resnicow has intensified as the pair accuse Resnicow of spying In new court documents seen by Grazia, Justin has claimed that Resnicow has been spying on their Greenwich Village home, and even taking photos through their windows. Resnicow was caught on camera filming from his deck as builders worked on Theroux and Aniston's home last year. According to insiders, the battle with Resnicow has been causing tension between Jennifer and Justin, with the actress, who gave a tour of her stunning LA home to Architectural Digest this month, now reportedly refusing to spend any time at their East coast base. Ongoing battle: Resnicow, 69, gave DailyMailTV a tour of his apartment in October amid growing tension between the lawyer and his famous neighbours over renovation works 'It's causing a lot of tension between them and Jen's barely travelling to New York any more,' said a source. 'She's an incredibly private person and hates the feeling that she might be spied on. It is a huge sticking point for her and Justin.' In October Resnicow gave DailyMailTV an exclusive tour of their apartment building while lashing out at the actor over his million dollar home renovations and for taking over the building's basement with 'junk' he has collected off the street. The 69-year-old lawyer was left fuming when Theroux sued him for $350,000 for interfering in his renovations through bullying and intimidation. Home: In new court documents seen by Grazia, Justin has claimed that Resnicow has been spying on their Greenwich Village home, and even taking photos through their windows 'Tension': Acording to insiders, the battle has been causing tension between Jennifer and Justin, with the actress reportedly refusing to spend any time at their East coast base Resnicow then filed his own lawsuit against Theroux in August for harassment, bad construction and his yowling dogs, demanding he pay to soundproof his apartment. The battle went into another round after Theroux filed a response, in which he included a photo of what he claims shows a pyjama-clad Resnicow harassing builders on his property. In an interview with DailyMailTV that aired Thursday, Resnicow said he and Theroux used to be friends years ago but their relationship soured when the actor stopping giving a 'damn about the people who live downstairs'. 'I had been particularly close to Justin in the building,' he said. But Resnicow claims Theroux has now become cavalier about the whole building and even now takes up basement storage with what he calls 'Justin's junk'. He showed DailyMailTV multiple storage boxes stacked up in the basement labeled with Theroux's name. Theroux, however, has denied all the allegations leveled against him by his disgruntled neighbor. Take me to LA: 'Jen's barely travelling to New York any more,' said a source. 'She's an incredibly private person and hates the feeling that she might be spied on' In the latest court documents, Theroux's lawyer said: 'Resnicow is observed compulsively involving himself in his neighbors' business, including just days ago when he literally climbed out of his second-floor window wearing pajamas and brazenly trespassed onto Mr Theroux's property to confront Mr Theroux's workers.' The bitter dispute between the neighbors is said to have escalated when Resnicow asked his famous neighbor to soundproof his apartment in his million dollar renovation due to the noise. 'When someone is doing a million dollar plus renovation and you've been hearing stuff for years, come on,' Resnicow said. Resnicow had demanded that Theroux provide funds of up to $30,000 for sound-proofing, according to court documents. He claims he has suffered from leakage and mold ever since Theroux started his apartment renovations. While Resnicow admits he has never spoken to Jennifer, he claims she looks miserable every time she is pictured leaving the apartment. He added that he hoped her love of Los Angeles would keep them both away. Mr. Theroux' spokesperson was not pleased with the house tour, telling DailyMailTV, 'Norman Resnicows continued attempts to badger Mr. Theroux are disturbing. Inviting a television crew into a residential building that is home not just to Mr. Theroux, but to a number of other private residents, further validates why Mr. Theroux had to bring this nuisance lawsuit in the first place.' 'In the end, Mr. Resnicows campaign of harassment makes the rope of liability for him even longer.' Accusations: He claimed multiple storage boxes stacked up in the basement labeled with Theroux's name contained junk that Justin had collected off the street Solo outing: Justin was spotted out and about on Monday in the Big Apple Warm beverage: He was spotted holding a coffee on Monday while leaving a hotel in the city, dressed in jeans, a hoodie and a denim jacket, adding suede boots Focused: One day earlier, Justin was spotted in the midst of a boxing session in New York City on Sunday In the moment: He showed off his sculpted arms while training with an instructor Chloe Lewis hit back at social media followers earlier this month when she was mocked for posting a 'weird' photo cuddling up to her dad. And Danielle Lloyd has also slammed the TOWIE star's photo, saying the snap looked like something a couple would share, and that she understands why there was a backlash. Speaking to Closer Magazine, the 34-year-old former Miss Great Britain said: 'I think trolling is disgusting, but I get why people thought it was weird, it does look like the kind of shot you would post with your boyfriend. Backlash:Danielle Lloyd has slammed TOWIE star Chloe Lewis' photo with her dad, which was branded 'weird' by her social media followers 'Weird': Speaking to Closer Magazine, the 34-year-old former Miss Great Britain said: I get why people thought it was weird, it does look like the kind of shot you would post with your boyfriend' Further laying into the photo, which showed a smiling Chloe, 27, sat between her father's legs as he rested his hand on her thigh on the beach, Danielle said: 'I'm a real daddy's girl too, but I wouldn't have posed like this and posted it. 'As a celeb, you have to be mindful of trolls and other people thinking the worst.' Chloe proved to have the last laugh as she hit back at trolls in a lighthearted way - by sharing an almost identical snap with her boyfriend Danny Flasher on February 7. The star grinned from ear-to-ear as she sat on her beau's lap in a wicker chair, with the sweet photograph very similar to the one she had with her dad. Opinion: Further laying into the photo, which showed a smiling Chloe, 27, sat between her father's legs as he rested his hand on her leg, Danielle said: 'I'm a real daddy's girl too, but I wouldn't have posed like this and posted it' Showcasing her toned mid-section in a flattering white crop top and beige chinos, the beauty entrepreneur appeared loved-up as she cuddled with her hunky partner. The stunning reality star protected her eyes behind chic circular frames while donning a stylish trilby hat on the beach. Poking fun at the storm caused by her earlier photograph, Chloe cheekily captioned the image: 'Beach bums... and yes his hand is on my ass!' Her banker boyfriend displayed his toned physique in a simple white tee and light pink shorts while holding on to his lady. Last laugh: Chloe Lewis, 27, hit back at trolls who mocked her for posting a 'weird' snap with her father as she shared a near-identical image with her boyfriend Danny Flasher on Tuesday The pair first went public with their relationship on Valentines Day 2017 after Chloe endured a tumultuous on/off relationship with former co-star Jake Hall for seven years. Chloe's adorable picture comes after the reality star found herself targeted by malicious comments from some fans after she posted a holiday snap showing her cuddling up to her dad. The Essex starlet captioned the post: 'Me and my papa', but it wasn't long before she hit back at trolls for suggesting the picture was 'weird'. Fan backlash: The reality starlet hit back at fans on the photo-sharing site for suggesting the picture was 'weird' Wearing a white crop top and bikini bottoms, a barefoot Chloe sat in between her dad's legs as she smiled for the photo. Her dad rested his hand on his daughter's thigh as they posed for the sweet moment in the sunshine while enjoying some drinks. The post received over 23,000 likes, but some fans were left unimpressed at the loving display. One commented: 'So sitting in between your father's legs with your butt pressed against his genitals and his hand lingering on your hip is normal?.' Furious: The beauty entrepreneur immediately hit back, replying to the negative comments suggesting her dad's hand was on her 'ass' Chloe immediately hit back, replying to the negative comments suggesting her dad's hand was on her 'ass'. She added: 'Serious issues it's my dad... he bloody made me. It's worrying that you find it weird. Sod being your child. Ps. It's not my 'ass'. 'Your strange! I never comment back on stupid comments. But it's actually worrying the way the lot of you think. It's my dad... he made me! Grow up!!! [sic]', she continued. 'I actually feel sorry for you! He's my dad. It's strange you would think anything of sitting with your dad like this. Maybe you should look at yourself & your relationship with your dad', she concluded. 'Worrying': She added, 'Serious issues it's my dad... he bloody made me. It's worrying that you find it weird. Sod being your child. Ps. It's not my "ass"' 'Sort your head out': Another understanding follower said, 'Gorgeous photo. Soo sad to see how people's minds works it's an innocent photo' Other fans were more supportive of Chloe, with one fan suggesting those who think it's weird to 'sort your head out!' 'I literally cannot believe some of these comments' they wrote. 'YOU are the WEIRD one for even thinking those things!!!!! This is a father and daughter pic!!! Sort your heads out!!', they posted. Another understanding follower said: 'Gorgeous photo. Soo sad to see how people's minds works it's an innocent photo'. Chloe later took to her Instagram stories to re-post the hotly debated photo with a caption saying: 'Can't believe the comments I have had on this picture. He is my dad. It worries me the people that find this weird. 'I think you need to take a look at yourself and your relationship with your dads'. Model and beautician Metisse Campbell is set to join The Lodge during Tuesday's episode of Survival Of The Fittest. The 21-year-old stunner - who boasts Lethal Bizzle as one of her best friends - will join the girls team after Tia Latham was axed from the show. Revealing how she plans to make her mark on ITV2 viewers, she explained: 'I am going to be able to manipulate the men which will come in handy.' New arrival: Model and beautician Metisse Campbell is set to join The Lodge as a new addition to the girls team during Tuesday's episode of Survival Of The Fittest She continued: 'Ive got a flirty personality. Ill make the men feel a kind of way and try and manipulate certain situations.' Speaking ahead of her arrival in the South African lodgings, she described herself as 'bubbly, likeable and an all-rounder', and revealed her goal is to find a boyfriend. She added that she thinks the women will be winning the tasks from now on, reasoning: 'I do think females are the stronger sex, not just in regards to this show but in life, I think women are so much stronger. 'We are stronger minded, we are the mothers, we are the nurturers. Women are very important... Its about time that men were put down a little bit. They need to get off their pedestal. Itll be good for people to see men put back in their box.' Replaced: The 21-year-old stunner - who boasts Lethal Bizzle as one of her best friends - will join the girls team after Tia Latham (pictured) was axed from the show Metisse added that she won't be overwhelmed with appearing on television and the fame that surrounds that as she has friends in showbiz circles. The Birmingham native revealed: 'I do music videos so Im around artists a lot. Im friends with Lethal Bizzle, Chipmunk, Lotto Boyzz. Ive been in the music video for No Don (remix) with Chip and Not3s and Lotto Boyzz on it. Ive been in Lethal Bizzle and Donaeos video.' Metisse is set to join The Lodge following two girls leaving the show. Cheeky: Revealing how she plans to make her mark on ITV2 viewers, she explained: 'I am going to be able to manipulate the men which will come in handy' Pals: Metisse added that she won't be overwhelmed with appearing on television and the fame that surrounds that as she has friends in showbiz circles, including rapper Lethal Bizzle Despite Dani Dyer being booted out of Survival Of The Fittest after a mere 24 hours thanks to getting injured, Monday night saw the first official eviction of the show. And with the boys tasked with choosing which girl should leave The Lodge, they decided on sending Tia Latham home. Tia has since teased that, had she stayed, a romance might have been on the cards for her and Warren Phillips. 'If Id stayed a bit longer, something might have blossomed!' Tia Latham was AXED from The Lodge... but admits she took a shine to Warren Phillips 'I did take a bit of a liking to Warren,' she admitted after being evicted. 'I thought he dropped a few hints to me and little compliments. There was definitely something there. 'Maybe if Id been in there a bit longer, something might have blossomed but obviously I would have tried to stay focused on being loyal to the girls team.' She also hinted at whom else she saw love on the horizon for. 'We thought Georgie fancied Ryan and vice versa but when we asked Georgie, she said no. He was a little puppy dog sometimes. If she was frying her eggs, hed be there. If she was on the lounger, hed be there,' she observed. He caught her eye: Stating her 'twerking' as her standout memory from the show, Tia said she wants to be remembered for being herself Facing the chop: The girls lost the first team challenge on Sunday nights episode and the public were asked to vote to save their favourite female contestant out of Georgia, Georgie, Jenny, Mariam and Tia No regrets: Of her time on the show, she said 'I wouldnt have done anything differently. Everything happened the way it was supposed to happen and I always look to the positive' The girls lost the first team challenge on Sunday nights episode and the public were asked to vote to save their favourite female contestant out of Georgia, Georgie, Jenny, Mariam and Tia. Laura Whitmore came to deliver the news as the men tried to decide who to kick off the show out of Tia, Georgia and Mariam. Yet Tia has insisted that she still enjoyed her very brief time on the series. 'The people that I met, the whole experience. You forget that the cameras are there and you start settling in,' she said, before adding: 'I think on the first morning I woke up, I farted. I really settled in!' Her ability to break wind clearly wasn't enough to save her, with the boys even stating that she was beginning to come out of her shell. Clearly, this wasn't enough to keep her around. Who's it gonna be? Laura Whitmore came to deliver the news as the men tried to decide who to kick off the show out of Tia, Georgia and Mariam Stating her 'twerking' as her standout memory from the show, Tia said she wants to be remembered for being herself. 'Being open and showing the world that there are people like me out there and we are normal, we look normal, we interact normally, people interact normally with you and there is nothing to fear and it is what it is. We are all human,' she said, referencing the fact that she was actually born with female chromosomes but her body 'didn't know which direction to go in'. Of her time on the show, she said: 'I wouldnt have done anything differently. Everything happened the way it was supposed to happen and I always look to the positive. 'It was a very beautiful experience and I feel like Ive left my mark and Ive still got lots to do this isnt the last time youll see me.' Survival of the Fittest, weekdays at 9pm on ITV2 WASHINGTON (AP) Highlights from President Donald Trump's budget for fiscal year 2019. DEFENSE Trump's budget for 2019 shows the administration's concern about the threat from North Korea and its missile program. The Pentagon is proposing to spend hundreds of millions more in 2019 on missile defense. The budget calls for increasing the number of strategic missile interceptors from 44 to 64 and boosting other elements of missile defense. The additional 20 interceptors would be based at Fort Greely, Alaska. Critics question the reliability of the interceptors, arguing that years of testing has yet to prove them to be sufficiently effective against a sophisticated threat. The Pentagon also would invest more heavily in other missile defense systems, including the ship-based Aegis system and the Army's Patriot air and missile defense system, both of which are designed to defend against missiles of various ranges short of the intercontinental ballistic missile that is of greatest U.S. concern in the context of North Korea. BORDER WALL The second stage of Trump's proposed border wall in Texas' Rio Grande Valley would be 65 miles (104 kilometers) long, costing an average of $24.6 million a mile, according to the president's 2019 budget. That matches the amount requested in Trump's 2018 budget to build or replace 74 miles (118 kilometers) in San Diego and Rio Grande Valley, the busiest corridor for illegal crossings. Walls currently cover about one-third of the border with Mexico, and the administration wants eventually to spend up to $18 billion to extend the wall to nearly half the border. Trump has insisted Mexico pay for it; Mexico says that's a non-starter. The proposal sets aside $782 million to hire 2,000 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, whose responsibilities include making deportation arrests, and 750 more Border Patrol agents toward Trump's long-term goal of 5,000. The proposal comes even as the administration has been unable to fill vacancies caused by attrition. The administration also wants to raise capacity at its immigration detention facilities to 52,000 people. It wants to collect $208 million in fees on "legitimate trade and travel" to pay for investigations into fraud and employers who hire people in the country illegally. The budget also calls for adding 450 Secret Service agents and support staff to reach 7,600 this year and inch toward a long-term goal of 9,500. It sets aside $6.9 billion for disaster relief. MEDICARE Trump's budget proposes major changes to Medicare's popular prescription benefit, creating winners and losers among the 42 million seniors with drug coverage. On the plus side for seniors, the budget requires the insurance plans that deliver the prescription benefit to share with beneficiaries a substantial portion of rebates they receive from drug makers. The budget also eliminates the 5 percent share of costs that an estimated 1 million beneficiaries with very high drug bills now must keep paying when they reach Medicare's "catastrophic" coverage. Instead seniors would pay nothing once they reach Medicare's catastrophic coverage level, currently $8,418 in total costs. But on the minus side, the budget calls for changing the way Medicare accounts for certain discounts that drug makers now provide to seniors with significant drug bills. That complex change would mean fewer seniors reach catastrophic coverage, and some will end up paying more than they do now. "It will increase costs for some, while saving money for others," said Tricia Neuman of the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation. "Overall it could be a wash." The budget also makes multiple cuts in different streams of Medicare payments going to hospitals and rehabilitation centers. Medicare spending totals more than $700 billion a year, and hospitals represent the single biggest category of costs. Overall, the budget calls for about $500 billion over 10 years in cuts from projected Medicare spending. EDUCATION School choice advocates will find something to cheer in Trump's budget. Fulfilling a campaign promise, he is proposing to put "more decision-making power in the hands of parents and families" in choosing schools for their children with a $1.5 billion investment for the coming year. The budget would expand both private and public school choice. A new Opportunity Grants program would provide money for states to give scholarships to low-income students to attend private schools, as well as expand charter schools across the nation. Charters are financed by taxpayer dollars but usually run independently of school district requirements. The budget also calls for increased spending to expand the number of magnet schools that offer specialized instruction usually focused on specific curricula. Last year, the Trump administration also called for boosting charter and private school funding, but those initiatives didn't win the approval of Congress. Among other key components is spending $200 million on STEM education and $43 million to implement school-based opioid abuse prevention strategies. Overall, the budget calls for a $7.1 billion, a 10.5 percent decrease from 2017. On the chopping block is $5.9 million in teacher preparation and aftercare programs. Last year, proposals for similar cuts were met with harsh criticism from teachers' unions and educators across the country. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Climate change research is on the Environmental Protection Agency's chopping block. Trump's proposed 2019 budget calls for slashing funding for the Environmental Protection Agency by more than one third, including ending the Climate Change Research and Partnership Programs. The president's budget would also make deep cuts to funding for cleaning up the nation's most polluted sites, even as EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has said that is one of his top priorities. Trump's budget would allocate just $762 million for the Hazardous Substance Superfund Account, a reduction of more than 30 percent. Current spending for Superfund is already down to about half of what it was in the 1990s. Despite the cut, the White House's budget statement says the administration plans to "accelerate" site cleanups by bringing "more private funding to the table for redevelopment." After the president's budget was developed, Congress reached a bipartisan agreement that would boost non-defense domestic spending for the next fiscal year. In response, Trump budget director Mick Mulvaney filed an addendum that seeks to restore about $724 million to EPA, including additional money for Superfund cleanups and drinking water infrastructure grants. Still, Trump's budget calls for cutting programs that fight ocean pollution and raise public awareness about environmental issues and problems. The budget also would eliminate money for the popular Energy Star program, seeking instead to raise "a modest fee" from appliance and electronics manufacturers who seek to label their products as being energy efficient. Agency staffing would be cut by more than 20 percent, from 15,400 full-time positions to 12,250. Like Trump, Pruitt has expressed doubt about the consensus of climate scientists, including those at his own agency, that man-made carbon emissions are the primary driver of increasing average temperatures observed around the globe. The nation's top environmental official has instead advocated for the increased production and burning of fossil fuels. "OBAMACARE" The budget assumes that Congress will repeal and replace former President Barack Obama's health care law, although there's little evidence that Republican leaders have the appetite for another battle over "Obamacare." Repeal of the Affordable Care Act should happen "as soon as possible," say the budget documents. The Obama health law would be replaced with legislation modeled after an ill-fated GOP bill whose lead authors were Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said it would leave millions more uninsured. The budget calls for a program of block grants that states could use to set up their own programs for covering the uninsured. VETERANS The Veterans Choice health care program would get a big boost under Trump's 2019 budget. The budget proposes an overall increase of $8.7 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, primarily to strengthen medical care for more than 9 million enrolled veterans. A key component is a proposed $11.9 billion to revamp the Veterans Choice program, a Trump campaign priority. The planned expansion would give veterans wider freedom to receive government-paid care from private doctors and MinuteClinics outside the VA system. It has yet to be approved by Congress, however, in part due to disagreement over rising costs and concerns over privatizing VA. Under the increased budget caps approved by Congress last week, the Trump administration also tacked on an additional $2.4 billion for Choice and other expenses. Lawmakers' delay in reaching agreement has meant that a larger overhaul of VA Choice isn't likely to be fully implemented until 2019 or later. VA Secretary David Shulkin says Choice will help significantly reduce wait times at VA medical centers. The program was put in place after a 2014 wait-time scandal that was discovered at the Phoenix VA hospital and elsewhere throughout the country. Veterans waited weeks or months for appointments, while phony records covered up the lengthy waits. The program allows veterans to go to private doctors if they endure long waits for VA appointments, but it has suffered extended wait times of its own. STATE As he did last year, Trump proposes to cut funding for the State Department and USAID by nearly one-third. Yet Congress has steadfastly refused to cut so deeply. One notable shift is that Trump's budget proposes moving all $12.3 billion in "overseas contingency operations" funds for active war zones like Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria into the State Department's regular budget. In the past, it made sense to separate those funds because they were exempt from budget caps put in place by Congress. But last week's two-year spending deal approved by Congress raised those caps. Trump's budget calls for increasing U.S. security assistance to Israel to $3.3 billion and to Jordan to $1.275 billion. The U.S. recently signed a new 10-year memorandum of understanding with Israel on aid and is expected to sign one with Jordan when Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visits Amman later this week. Some of the most dramatic proposed cuts affect the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, which would see its budget cut by about $126 million, a reduction of nearly half of what it received in the past. Trump's budget also proposes to fund only 56 percent of the U.S. commitment to United Nations peacekeeping operations. INTERIOR The Interior Department's proposed $11.7 billion budget includes $1.3 billion to address a growing backlog of projects to maintain and improve roads, bridges, park buildings and other infrastructure. The agency has an estimated $16 billion deferred maintenance backlog, including more than $11 billion for the National Park Service alone. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said the nation's parks and wildlife refuges "are being loved to death" and need significant work to keep pace with an increased number of visitors. The National Mall in Washington, for instance, needs at least $800 million in maintenance, Zinke said. As part of the Trump administration's infrastructure plan, officials have proposed an $18 billion public lands infrastructure fund to help pay for repairs and improvements in national parks, wildlife refuges and schools overseen by the Bureau of Indian Education, an Interior agency. The fund, which needs congressional approval, would be paid for in part through a projected 50 percent increase in energy leasing and development on federal lands, part of the administration's strategy to achieve U.S. "energy dominance" in the global market. The budget also includes $17.5 million to begin to implement Zinke's plan to reorganize the department and shift some agency headquarters, including the Bureaus of Land Management and Reclamation, and the Fish and Wildlife Service, to the West. ENERGY The Trump administration is seeking $30.6 billion for the Energy Department, a figure that includes an additional $1.5 billion authorized under a two-year budget deal that Congress approved last week. Much of the additional funding, $1.2 billion, goes to the Office of Science to pay for basic scientific research. Energy Secretary Rick Perry in a statement said the budget request supports the agency's push to enhance energy security and modernize the nuclear weapons stockpile, while boosting funding for cybersecurity and emphasizing the role of the 17 national laboratories that do cutting-edge research on everything from clean energy technologies to supercomputing to nuclear science. The budget again proposes steep cuts to energy efficiency and renewable energy programs and calls for eliminating the department's loan program and the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, its innovation arm. Members of Congress from both parties support all of the programs and are likely to restore much of the funding for them, although the loan program could face cuts. The Senate approved record funding levels for ARPA-E for the current budget year despite Trump's plan to dismantle it. Trump's budget again proposes $120 million to revive a long-stalled nuclear waste dump at Nevada's Yucca Mountain. The state's Republican governor and lawmakers from both parties oppose the plan. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Married At First Sght's 11 couples moved into their own apartments on Monday night, in an attempt to form stronger bonds with each other. But newlyweds Sean and Blair were noticeably absent from Tuesday's episode, appearing only ONCE for eight seconds during the 90 minute show. The young couple appeared to be butting heads in the clip, with Sean unhappy with taking orders from Blair during 'yes' week. Scroll down for video Blink and you missed it! MAFS couple Sean and Blair barely appear in latest episode... amid rumours they get BOOTED from reality show for being 'too boring' In the brief blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment, Sean bemoaned, 'I don't like being told what to do' after his 'wife' teased: 'Someone is really struggling with relinquishing control.' The young couple had chosen to stay in the experiment during the first commitment ceremony on Sunday, but admitted they were struggling to find a 'spark'. Sean broke down, swore and stormed out of the room in tears when he attempted to tell Blair of a past relationship that burned him for future partnerships. Blair comforted Sean at the time, as she revealed: 'I'm 100 per cent here for you. I'm not running away.' Did you catch it? In the brief blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment, Sean bemoaned, 'I don't like being told what to do' after his 'wife' teased: 'Someone is really struggling with relinquishing control' However, the lack of the unlucky-in-love duo on TV screens comes after New Idea claimed they could be booted from the show this week. According to an inside source, Sean and Blair were accused of being 'too boring' and 'dull' and were given the ultimatum to 'create more drama' or leave the show. 'They hardly knew each other and the producers sat them down and said they were getting the boot because they were too dull,' the mysterious insider told the publication. 'Producers sat them down and said they were getting the boot': An inside source claimed to tell New Idea this week that Sean and Blair were accused of being 'too boring' and 'dull' and were given the ultimatum to 'create more drama' or leave the show The insider claimed the couple attempted to work with producers and were devastate by the news when 'they kicked them off anyway'. 'They got them to fake a big argument so it looked there was another reason for them to leave, but in reality they didn't want to pay a crew to follow them around when they knew there was hardly any airtime in it,' they continued to claim. Daily Mail Australia have reached out to Channel Nine and couple Blair and Sean for comment. Married At First Sight airs on Nine from 7pm Sunday to Thursday She rose to fame on the X Factor back in 2014, with her old Hollywood glamour style setting her apart from other contestants. But Chloe-Jasmine Whichello looked worlds away from her TV talent show days as she showed off her model prowess in a new high fashion photo shoot, released on Tuesday. The television personality, 26, slipped her svelte figure into a PVC dress before donning a pale pink bustier. Unrecognisable: Chloe-Jasmine Whichello looked worlds away from her X Factor days as she showed off her model prowess in a high fashion photo shoot, released on Tuesday Showing off her edgy side, Chloe switched up her usual pin-curled hairdo for a pixie crop and flaunted her lithe limbs in a risque tutu for the sizzling snap. She amped up the look with smudged black eyeliner and a slick of magenta lipstick and accessorised the ensemble with a thick black choker. In another shot, the former Celebrity Big Brother star showed off her versatility in a pale pink bustier which was adorned with gold flowers. Not one to shy away from statement looks, she dyed her cropped locks pink and paired the ensemble with a purple furry skirt which clung to her hourglass curves. Posing up a storm: In another shot, the former Celebrity Big Brother star showed off her versatility in a pale pink bustier adorned with gold flowers New look: Showing off her edgy side, Chloe switched up her usual pin-curled hairdo for a pixie crop and flaunted her lithe limbs in a risque tutu for the sizzling snap The model opted for softer make-up with a nude lip, blush-swept cheeks and black eyeliner. Chloe has since turned her talents to modelling after her short-lived time on the X Factor. During her time on the show back in 2014, the blonde beauty struck up a surprise romance with fellow contestant Stevi Ritchie, 37. Back in 2016, the couple appeared on This Morning to discuss their wedding blessing in Cyprus, which they say cemented their love for one another. Revealing their parents didn't attend the secret ceremony, Chloe denied reports of a rift with her relatives, stating: 'I have an amazing family, they're just incredible. New venture: Chloe has turned her talents to modelling after her short-lived time on the X Factor in 2014 'We don't know where this comes from but they have said, "You need a house, you need to live together. It could be seen as a publicity stunt". And even some of my mum's friends have said, "Is this real?".' Stevi - who has a daughter, Summer, from a previous relationship - added: 'My mum and dad and my daughter didn't come either.' Chloe said: 'It would have been upsetting to have one set of parents there and not the other.' The couple explained they decided to have the blessing to prove to the world their romance is 'real and genuine'. James Hewitt, the former secret lover of Princess Diana, has long denied decades of speculation he was Prince Harry's biological father. And Diana's former butler, Paul Burrell, revealed his take on the paternity rumours while on Australia's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! on Tuesday. The 59-year-old confessed who he believed with absolute certainty was Harry's real dad while sharing a chat with his celebrity camp mates in South Africa. Scroll down for video 'She hadnt yet met James!' Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell rubbishes persistent rumours Diana's secret lover James Hewitt is Prince Harry's biological father Paul was Diana's butler for 10 years between 1987 and 1997, when Diana tragically died in a car crash. Real Housewives Of Sydney star Jackie Gillies asked Paul: 'Do you believe that Prince Harry is Prince Charles child?' Without hesitation, Paul responded: 'Yes. Absolutely.' 'So, It's not the other... with the orange hair?' Jackie asked. Princess Diana's former lover James Hewitt (pictured left in 1995) has openly denied he is Prince Harry's father - after decades of speculation 'Absolutely': Diana's former butler, who worked for the Princess for 10 years between 1987 and 1997, claimed he was certain Prince Charles was Harry's biological father 'She (Princess Diana) didnt know James Hewitt when Harry was born. Thats fact,' Paul explained. 'Five years into the marriage, she had Harry. She hadnt yet met James Hewitt. That's the truth.' Hanging off his every word, Jackie was satisfied with his response: 'Thanks. That's awesome! I believe you.' Host Dr Chris Brown then returned to address viewers: 'Well, case closed!' 'I believe you': RHOM star Jackie Gillies was satisfied by Paul's admission of Princess Diana not meeting her former secret lover James until AFTER Harry was born 'No, I'm not!' In an interview with Sevens Sunday Night last year, James Hewitt himself was asked by host Melissa Doyle point blank if he was Prince Harrys biological father, which he fiercely denied In an interview with Sevens Sunday Night last year, James Hewitt himself was asked by host Melissa Doyle point blank if he was Prince Harrys biological father. He firmly responded: 'No, I'm not!' Asked about the rumours that have persisted for decades, he said: 'It sells papers. It's worse for him, probably, poor chap.' Princess Diana started her affair with Mr Hewitt - who now leads a lonely life as a recluse in Devon - after she asked him to be her horse riding instructor in 1986. Her secret relationship blossomed as rumours swirled around her husband Prince Charles, who was seeing his former flame Camilla Parker-Bowles at the time. I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! airs on Ten from 7.30pm Her new boyfriend has been accused of being 'fame hungry', using her to increase his own profile. Yet Scarlett Moffatt didn't seem to be letting the allegations get to her as she headed to the Heat radio stations in London on Tuesday. Looking in good spirits, the 27-year-old reality star beamed broadly as she made her way into the studios. Moving past it: Scarlett Moffatt didn't seem to be letting allegations about her boyfriend's intentions get to her as she headed to the Heat radio stations in London on Tuesday Cutting an effortlessly stylish figure, the Gogglebox star dazzled in a pair of skinny jeans that clung to her shapely pins, whilst she boosted her frame with velvet ankle boots. Complementing her tanned complexion, the pretty brunette donned a pink jumper with a khaki suede jacket, whilst she accessorised with a small Louis Vuitton handbag. Scarlett finished off the look by styling her glossy chestnut locks in voluminous waves that framed her pretty features. All-smiles: Looking in good spirits, the 27-year-old reality star beamed broadly as she made her way into the studios 'He's a cheat': Her outing came as the ex-girlfriend of Scarlett's new beau Lee Wilkinson (L) has claimed the hunk is 'fame hungry', and is using the Gogglebox star to increase his own profile Her outing came after her relationship with male model Lee - who she only went public with on Sunday - came under fire. Speaking to OK! on Monday, Lee's ex-girlfriend, who remained anonymous, branded him 'a cheat' and claimed he messaged her last week, to tell her he was finding it difficult to move on from their romance. Lee's ex was quick to slam the hunk as a 'cheat', after revealing the pair had been dating over Christmas - when he was first linked to Scarlett. Leggy lady! Cutting an effortlessly stylish figure, the Gogglebox star dazzled in a pair of skinny jeans that clung to her shapely pins, whilst she boosted her frame with velvet ankle boots Layering up: Complementing her tanned complexion, the pretty brunette donned a pink jumper with a khaki suede jacket, whilst she accessorised with a small Louis Vuitton handbag She told the magazine: 'Lee was with me at Christmas. Hes a cheat and always has been. He has no respect for anyone and hes fame hungry and using her.' Claiming with Scarlett for the 'attention', she added: 'He regularly told me how he just wanted to be known as Instagram famous thats the type he is.' Only making matters worse, the jilted ex even revealed Lee had messaged her last week to express his sadness over their breakup, and telling her he's finding it 'hard to let go'. Brunette beauty: Scarlett finished off the look by styling her glossy chestnut locks in voluminous waves that framed her pretty features Scarlett is said to have started seeing Durham based Lee - who trains college students - over Christmas, but have known each other for a decade. Yet, the former I'm A Celebrity winner looked more besotted than ever with Lee as she confirmed their romance with an Instagram snap on Sunday. Cuddling up to the beefcake for the camera, she wrote to her 1.7 million followers: 'love this one... love a night in Newcastle #datenight'. 'He has no respect for anyone': Lee's ex recently slammed the hunk as a 'cheat', after revealing the pair had been dating over Christmas - when he was first linked to Scarlett (above) The new romance follows her long-term relationship with hairdresser Luke Crodden, who left her heartbroken when he broke up with her on her birthday. She wrote on Facebook back in October: 'Im gonna have to write it because I feel a bit awkward as Ive done some interviews about him being in my book that arent out for a while due to timings of the magazines ... but me and Luke have finished due to a number of different things. 'It was Lukes choice in the end but its because we both just see each other in more of a friendly way than a romantic way. 'We both respect and love each other enough to know we need to call it a day and not be one of those couples thats off and on.' She concluded graciously: 'I wish him all the luck and happiness in the world, just sometimes these things happen (happy birthday Scarlett by the way ha).' Her handsome husband has been sharing a number of sweet snaps during their family holiday to South Australia's Kangaroo Island. And on Tuesday it was Elsa Pataky's turn, with the gorgeous 41-year-old posting a picture of herself with a Koala who shares the same moniker as the Spanish model. 'Who is cuter,' she captioned the photo, which included her eldest child and husband Chris Hemsworth. Scroll down for video 'Which one is cuter?' Elsa Pataky holds a koala who shares her famous moniker and cuddles a kangaroo as she enjoys a family vacation at South Australia's Kangaroo Island With many of her 1.8 million followers suggesting it was her Thor-playing partner stealing the show, Elsa decided to share more images to sway the vote. Speaking in her native tongue the blonde bombshell introduced a white kangaroo and quoll to the camera, her children protectively cradling the animals. It comes just a day after Chris shared his own up close and personal photo with nature's wildlife. Cute and cuddly! With many of her 1.8 million followers suggesting it was her Thor-playing partner stealing the show, Elsa decided to share more images to sway the vote Chris Hemsworth swims with dolphins and gets up close and personal with a slippery serpent and cuddly koala during family holiday in South Australia's Kangaroo Island How sweet! The Australian actor uploaded snaps holding a snake and cuddling up to a koala The Australian actor uploaded snaps holding a snake and cuddling up to a koala. Chris showed off his muscular biceps as he held the creatures, while wearing a singlet tank top. Believed to be in partnership with his Tourism Australia ambassador role, Chris told his 14 million followers: 'Another amazing place to visit in @australia @sealbay @kiwildlifepark.' 'Hanging with the locals at Kangaroo Island': Chris posed for a selfie with dolphins, before diving in for a swim with the creatures All smiles! The Thor star filmed himself grinning underwater as he swam with the dolphins Chris added: 'Koalas, snakes, sea lions, dolphins, check out #kangarooisland.' Cutting a casual figure while on holidays, he wore a black Emery Surfboard singlet and matching cap while he happily posed with the animals. In a short clip, the former Home And Away star swam with dolphins, gleaming from ear-to-ear as he filmed himself under the water. He wrote: 'Hanging with the locals at Kangaroo Island, cheers to @kimarineadventures for dropping me in the thick of it! #kangarooisland @australia.' Family time: Getting in touch with nature, Chris also appeared to enjoy a spot of fishing with his three young children Reel-y buff! Chris took his shirt off to showcase his muscular frame while holding a fishing rod to reel in fish Getting in touch with nature, Chris also appeared to enjoy a spot of fishing with his three young children. Holding the fishing rod, he was seen helping his children reel in a catch. Wife Elsa even uploaded pictures and videos of the family interacting with sea lions and told her followers the family had caught a squid while fishing. Meanwhile, Chris appeared comfortable holding a snake in his hands, with Elsa revealing last year that the couple keep a pet snake of their own in their bedroom. Sss..easoned pro! Chris appeared comfortable holding a snake in his hands, with Elsa revealing last year that the couple keep a pet snake of their own in their bedroom 'I don't mind the wild, people are like 'You have a snake in your bedroom!' And I'm like, 'I know! I love it!'' She revealed to Husskie at the time. The self-confessed animal lover also keeps horses on their sprawling Byron Bay property, revealing she feels lucky to raise her three children in touch with nature. Elsa and Chris married in 2010 after a whirlwind romance and have three children together - a four-year-old daughter India and three-year-old twin sons Tristan and Sasha. The in-demand models have both flaunted their enviable physiques in lingerie when walking the runway for the prestigious Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. And Georgia Fowler and Victoria Lee revealed more of their svelte frames this month, stripping nude for Australia's Harper's Bazaar March issue. The stunners left little to the imagination as they seductively posed for the black-and-white photo shoot in the magazine's 20th anniversary issue. In her birthday suit! Victoria's Secret model Georgia Fowler, 25, left little to the imagination when she posed NUDE for Harper's Bazaar this month for their 20th anniversary issue New Zealand model Georgia, 25, bared her pert derriere as she she sat on a sheet with her back to the camera. She wore an oversized floppy hat, with her arms strategically concealing her assets from view. Pleased with how her image turned out, Georgia shared the shot on Instagram: 'Happy birthday @bazaaraustralia in my birthday suit! What a pleasure to be a part of such an iconic shoot.' 'It was one my dreams to always be in the pages of Harper's Bazaar and to be in the anniversary issue is a real honour,' Georgia told Sydney Morning Herald. That's cheeky! The VS models both bared their pert posteriors while modestly concealing their assets in the chic black-and-white photo shoot Also appearing in the revealing spread is Georgia's friend and fellow Victoria's Secret model Victoria Lee. The new David Jones ambassador, 27, stood tall with her trim pins and posterior on show, as she played coy by avoiding eye contact with the camera. Also wearing a hat, Victoria cupped her breast modestly with her delicate hand in the alluring photo. They're NOT shy! In demand models Georgia (L) and Victoria (R) have both flaunted their enviable physiques in lingerie, walking the runway during Victoria's Secret Fashion Show The pictures appear within Harper's Bazaar's 'Girls Weekend' feature in the March issue. The 20th anniversary issue, with Margot Robbie on the cover, was unveiled at a VIP party at Matt Moran's Smoke rooftop bar at Sydney's Barangaroo House last week. While Victoria attended the launch, Georgia was unable to attend as she had already flown back to America to prepare for New York Fashion Week. The March issue of Harper's Bazaar is on sale now. Kim Kardashian gives some serious vintage vibes in a new image from her ODDA magazine shoot. The 37-year-old reality star flashes a sultry gaze at the camera and the only thing giving it away that it's modern-day snap is the glimpse of a silver grill on Kim's lower teeth. 'Good Morning!' The mother-of-three captioned the photo which she posted to Instagram on Tuesday. Sultry: Kim Kardashian oozes vintage style in an image from ODDA magazine she shared on Tuesday The KUWTK star sits in a patterned robe and her hair wrapped in a salmon pink towel. Adding a little fun to her look are some banana-shaped earrings. Kim gazes down at the camera, her voluptuous lips parted slightly to reveal the glimmer of metal in her mouth. The image follows two previous photographs from the edgy cover shoot which Kim has shared in recent days. She's the queen! Last week the 37-year-old reality star posed next to trash cans decorated with the Louis Vuitton logo for the new cover of Odda magazine Monogrammed madness: Kim also shared this snap of herself posing on all fours while wearing Fendi stockings and a matching tied up top One photo saw her posing on all fours while wearing Fendi stockings and a matching tied up top. Her taught tummy and bodacious behind were on full display in the snap she captioned: 'Fendi fan.' Kim's blonde locks were worn down flowing over her shoulder as her make-up included smokey eye and shiny pink lip. The stunner also posted another snap from the issue where she could be seen wearing fake fur from Fendi as she squatted down next to trash cans decorated with the Louis Vuitton logo. Several weeks ago the siren was seen next to the same cans in a Snapchat video. So three weeks ago! Several weeks ago the siren was seen next to the same cans in a Snapchat video as she posed with a pal in red When fans saw the clip, they went crazy. Several mistakenly guessed they belonged to the star as they made their remarks. One said, 'Stupidest thing I've ever seen' while another said, 'Donate money to children with cancer instead of things that don't matter in life!' Another added 'that's dumb' while someone wrote, 'a hot mess.' But most followers found humor in the visually arresting images. 'Even Kim Kardashians trash is more beautiful than me,' said one while another added he 'aspired to be this extra.' Edgy dame: The mother to North, Saint and Chi also showed off a grill Odda is a relatively new magazine that promises to cover that 'now feeling': 'Its a moment where celebrities dont care about sexuality or provocation, but instead, freely express their ideologies connecting with not just their fans, but the whole of humanity.' This cover comes after it Kim showed off her new girl Chicago, her third child with husband Kanye West. Kim could be seen in sister Kylie Jenner's 11-minute long baby reveal video that was shared on Sunday just before the Super Bowl kicked off. The siren hands off Chicago - nicknamed Chi - to Kylie, 20, who coos over the little one, bundled up in a white blanket. Britney Spears will be honoured with the 2018 GLAAD Media Vanguard Award. The 'Slumber Party' hitmaker follows in the footsteps of last year's winner, actress Patricia Arquette, and the likes of Demi Lovato, Janet Jackson and Jennifer Lopez in receiving the accolade, which recognises stars who are long-standing allies and supporters of the LGBTQ community. The 36-year-old pop megastar has used her platform over the years to speak out on issues affecting people of all sexual preferences across the globe. She shared the news with her fans on Instagram, writing: 'Honored to be receiving the Vanguard Award at the @GLAAD Media Awards this year! The LGBTQ community means the absolute world to me and inspires me every day. I am proud to be an ally and I will continue to support equality and acceptance for all!!' 'Honored': Britney Spears revealed on Instagram that she will be the Vanguard Award recipient at the 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles this April Sarah Kate Ellis, the President and CEO of GLAAD, said: 'An irrefutable icon, Britney Spears has entertained the world while also embodying the spirit of GLAAD's Vanguard Award by speaking out on significant issues that face her fans - from the Dream Act to anti-transgender bills in Texas. 'She is a force in the music world who has used her global platform to share messages of love and acceptance, something that the world needs today more than ever.' The nominees for the 29th Annual ceremony were announced last month, and include Miley Cyrus, Halsey, Kesha, Sam Smith and St Vincent, who are up for Outstanding Music Artist. Hit maker: The iconic artist is set to return to the stage for a new residency in 2019 after a wildly successful four-year run in Las Vegas during her Piece of Me tour Meanwhile, 'Call Me by Your Name', 'Lady Bird', and 'Battle of the Sexes' have all received a nod each for Outstanding Film. Commenting on the nominations, Sarah said: 'At a time when anti-LGBTQ policies and harassment are on the rise, it is imperative that Hollywood and news media tell more LGBTQ stories that reflect the community's rich diversity -and build understanding that brings all communities closer together. 'This year's nominee showcase stories that span races, genres, ages, and geographies, challenge misconceptions, and broaden understanding and acceptance of LGBTQ people across the globe.' The organisers of the glitzy bash also confirmed there will be a special recognition award for Jay-Z's song 'Smile', as the accompanying video saw the rapper's mother Gloria Carter come out as a lesbian. As with previous years, there will be two ceremonies, the first is on April 12 in Los Angeles and the second on May 5 in New York. She is one of the world's best known actresses, with a career spanning across five decades. But Helen Mirren, 72, looked far younger than her years on Tuesday as she continued to promote her new horror film Winchester in Rome, Italy. The Oscar winner was truly radiant in a floral midi dress and smart black coat as he posed on an armchair at the film's photo call, held at the city's La Casa Del Cinema. Leading lady: Helen Mirren, 72, looked far younger than her years on Tuesday as she continued to promote her new horror film Winchester in Rome, Italy Coming up: Helen stars as famous heiress Sarah Winchester in the flick (above), which is set for release in March 2018 The actress was the picture of elegance in a sophisticated navy frock, which tied elegantly at the neck and was adorned with bright oversized pink roses all over. Maintaining the classy feel from head to toe, Helen then layered a smart double-breasted black coat on top, and tied her look together with chic heeled sandals, which secured into a bow at the ankle. However, styling her hair into loose waves and adding a soft smoky eye and pink lip, it was the 72-year-old's radiant and youthful complexion that stole the show as she posed. Flower power: The actress was the picture of elegance in a sophisticated navy frock, which tied elegantly at the neck and was adorned with bright oversized pink roses all over Cosy: Maintaining the classy feel from head to toe, Helen then layered a smart double-breasted black coat on top Stunning: However, styling her hair into loose waves and adding a soft smoky eye and pink lip, it was the 72-year-old's radiant and youthful complexion that stole the show From the comfort of a red armchair, Helen waved and beamed widely for cameras as she promoted her new film Winchester, in the crisp Italian climes. In the film, Helen portrays famous heiress Sarah Winchester, a widow who believes she is cursed by ghosts who died at the expense of her deceased husband's firearms. Others starring in the movie include Sarah Snook, Angus Sampson, Laura Brent, Tyler Coppin and Dawayne Jordan. Feminine: She her look together with chic heeled sandals, which secured into a bow at the ankle Radiant: Helen's youthful complexion commanded attention as she posed Say cheese! From the comfort of a red armchair, Helen waved and beamed widely for cameras as she promoted her new film in the crisp Italian climes The flick is set for release in March 2018 and has been directed by brothers Micheal and Peter Spierig. Filming took place in Australia and some scenes were shot in the actual Winchester mansion, located in Northern California. The Oscar winner is enjoying a busy time in her career, as she is also promoting her new comedy flick The Leisure Seeker. Playful! Helen also cheekily posed in front of a promotional poster for her film Winchester, set for release in March 2018 Spooky: In the film, Helen (above) portrays famous heiress Sarah Winchester, a widow who believes she is cursed by ghosts who died at the expense of her deceased husband's firearms Speaking about the new project on ITV's Lorraine last week, she said: 'It's about a very sad situation two older people are facing, but its done with great sense of comedy. 'Its a road movie but we literally took a road trip as we filmed. So I discovered a lot about RV parks which I didnt know a lot about for example!' Gushing of the opportunity to visit new and exciting places, she added: 'America is an extraordinarily varied and complex country, full of extraordinary people. It's always fun to get down there and be with real people.' The film debuted at the Venice Film Festival back in September, and is set for release in March 2018. Paris and Nicky Hilton may live on different coasts with Paris in Beverly Hills and Nicky in New York City. But the sisters have managed to stay very close. And on Tuesday the siblings looked to be having fun as they headed to the Alice + Olivia, Stacey Bendet presentation during New York Fashion Week inside Industria Studios in Manhattan. Sisterly love: Nicky and Paris Hilton posed together at the Alice + Olivia event in NYC on Tuesday afternoon With the designer: The Hilton sisters with Alice + Olivia designer Stacey Bendet Two good: Nicky took time to poke fun at her sister. 'The girl takes her lighting veryyyy seriously,' wrote Nicky in a caption to a photo of the two posing away Nicky took time to poke fun at her sister. 'The girl takes her lighting veryyyy seriously,' wrote Nicky in a caption to a photo of the two posing away. Paris looked stunning in a long black boho dress with a floral print. The DJ wore her blonde locks parted on the side and added diamond earrings that went nicely with her large diamond engagement ring from fiance Chris Zylka. Spring already: Paris looked stunning in a long black boho dress with a floral print Ice baby: The DJ wore her blonde locks parted on the side and added diamond earrings that went nicely with her large diamond engagement ring from fiance Chris Zylka Jet-set gal: The Simple Life vet had just returned from a DJ gig in Brazil Her sister, who has been married to James Rothschild for nearly three years, wore a black motorcycle jacket over a black top with a striped skirt, black heels and a gold purse. Nicky welcomed her second child, Teddy, in December. Also at the Alice + Olivia event was Huma Abedin, 41, an American political staffer who was vice chair of Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign for President of the United States. She brought sister Heba. Fresh look: Nicky wore a black motorcycle jacket over a black top with a striped skirt, black heels and a gold purse This comes after Paris celebrated her 37th birthday early on Monday. The stunning blonde partied up a storm during a DJ gig in Brazil where she was seen kissing her fiance Chris Zylka. 'Birthday kisses,' the siren captioned an Instagram photo. The Simple Life vet also stood next to her birthday cake, which was an amazing four to five feet tall. She liked fashion too: Also there was Huma Abedin, 41, an American political staffer who was vice chair of Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign for President of the United States She has a pretty sister: Huma brought along with her sister Heba, far right Pretty ladies: Francia Raisa, left, wore a floral dress while Jenny Mollen, right, went funky in a Metallica T-shirt and striped slacks Paris looked pretty in a sparkling dress with cut outs that highlighted her toned figure. She added silver gloves and black sunglasses with pumps giving her already tall frame another six inches. The cake had several tiers and the colors were silver, pink and white. The models: Two women wore black and silver during the event Mad for plaid: This blonde model wore a yellow and black outfit with a white and black purse Fancy lady: Stacey wore a black top with blue fur trim and a blue ruffled skirt The room was also full of other desserts like cupcakes with hot pink frosting and boxes of treats. Her caption read: 'Such a gorgeous birthday cake at my birthday party at @PoshClubOficial! #BirthdayGirl.' She also let her fans know she was in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina. She has actively been promoting her new single on social media. Before the bash: Paris put on hand on her hip while Nicky clutched her purse as they posed on the sidewalk Hilton continued to tease the release of her new track with a very racy photo. With her latest post, the hotel heiress took a hint from American Beauty, as laid in a bed of roses. '2 Days till #INeedYou,' she captioned the photo. Paris looked to channel Marilyn Monroe with her vintage-inspired, wavy curls. The mogul wore dramatic make-up, pairing a heavily winged eye with bold, red lips. On Valentine's Day on Wednesday, Paris will release her new single, I Need You. It's been nearly twelve years since she released her hit single, Stars Are Blind. Amor: Hilton celebrated her 37th birthday early on Monday. The stunning blonde partied up a storm during a DJ gig in Brazil where she was seen kissing her fiance Chris With 'my love': 'Birthday kisses,' the siren captioned an Instagram photo; here she posed next to her husband to be Big cake for a sweet girl: The Simple Life vet also stood next to her birthday cake, which was an amazing four to five feet tall Her last track, Stars Are Blind, released in June 2006, and peaked at number 18. The single was off of her first album, Paris, which peaked at number six. Over the weekend, Paris enjoyed an early birthday celebration in Brazil. The professional DJ was treated to presents and a large cake, along with multiple delicious treats. Rock on: The Beverly Hills native had on silver gloves and sunglasses as she took control of the pop music Although it was her special day, the stunning blonde handed out gifts of her perfume to her fans. Paris is set to wed actor fiance, Chris Zylka, 32. The two became engaged over New Year's weekend, while on a skin trip in Aspen, CO. '2 Days till #INeedYou': On Monday, Hilton continued to tease the release of her new track with another photo Pinup: On Tuesday the former reality TV star posted this photo Inspiration: With her latest post, the hotel heiress took a hint from American Beauty, as laid among a bed of roses 'I've been traveling a lot since I got engaged so I'm going to have a meeting with my mom soon,' Paris began, in an interview with E! 'We've been on the phone all the time just trying to figure out where we want to do it and the date. It's a lot to plan.' 'It's so hard to plan something like this. My schedule is so crazy. I have friends and family all over the world and I really want it to be the perfect day. Hopefully somewhere close so that everyone can make it from my family.' U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney says it's "un-American" and "unpatriotic" to protest the Trump agenda, as many Democrats did during the State of the Union. (And as I and thousands of friends did in Seneca Falls a week earlier!) Really? So it's "pro-American" to repeatedly disdain and denigrate Hispanics, African-Americans, women and immigrants? It's "patriotic" to tolerate or echo the alt-right's racist hate? Is rolling back critically important environmental protections really in the best interests of our country? (If you love the outdoors as my family does, and want to pass a healthy planet to your grandkids, and somehow still support the Trump agenda, please explain.) Whether you're Republican, Democrat, or independent, there's nothing patriotic about supporting the Trump agenda as both Reps. Tenney and John Katko, unfortunately, and consistently, do. Jim Ellis Fleming Love 16 Funny 8 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 1 As a Victoria's Secret Angel, Elsa Hosk normally bares skin, but when she has to cover up, she does so with plenty of style. On Monday, the 29-year-old model was spotted showing off her chic style by wearing vintage Versace in Manhattan during New York Fashion Week. It's been over 20 years since designer Gianni Versace was gunned down in Miami. His murder is the subject of the latest American Crime Story saga, The Assassination of Gianni Versace. Vintage meets modern: On Monday, model Elsa Hosk donned a vintage Versace skirt and added edgy flair when she was out in Manhattan during New York Fashion Week The stunning beauty made her timeless piece a little more personal by adding an edgy rocker edge. The lingerie model sported a gold, white, and indigo vintage Versace skirt adorned with the fashion label's signature pattern from the 1990s. She complemented the skirt with a black pleather tank top, and a navy blue jean jacket over it. Hosk donned edgy accessories by wearing a black leather belt over her top, black sheer tights, black high-heeled lace-up boots, and a black Muir cap. Rocker chic: The tall stunner complemented her timeless piece by wearing rocker-style accessories like black boots and a Muir hat The way they were: Gianni Versace, who was killed 20 years ago, and his sister Donatella in the 1990s in NYC Hosk was clearly feeling her look, because she took to Instagram on Tuesday to show off her style. The Vogue favorite posted two snaps taken of her while donning the outfit in public. She let her loud outfit speak for itself and kept her caption brief as she wrote: 'All vintage Versace because .' Tough look: The catwalk queen had on a black leather jacket with little studs as well as shiny black slacks with a zipper up the front The catwalk queen seems to gravitate towards rocker-style clothing lately, as she wore head-to-toe black leather during an appointment with a friend on Saturday. Hosk had on a black leather jacket with little studs as well as shiny black slacks with a zipper up the front. The head-turner also added black lace-up boots and a cap with black and grey material. Underneath, she wore a cream colored sweater. A 10: Last week, Solid & Striped launched their new swimsuit campaign, which featured Hosk Dream vacation: The breathtaking shoot was done on Harbor Island in the Bahamas Last week, Solid & Striped launched their new swimsuit campaign, which featured Hosk. The breathtaking shoot was done on Harbor Island in the Bahamas. The other team members include stars Lily Aldridge, Hailey Clauson, Jourdan Dunn, Hannah Ferguson, Isabeli Fontana, Toni Garrn, Jessica Hart, Eniko Mihalik, Carolyn Murphy, Barbara Palvin, Natasha Poly and Josephine Skriver. She's the former Home And Away star who is next set to appear in Foxtel's Picnic At Hanging Rock. Playing affluent schoolgirl Irma in the six-part mini-series, Samara Weaving has admitted she looked to some well-known figures to prepare for her performance. In an interview with Confidential on Wednesday, the 25-year-old revealed she used Princess Diana and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis as inspiration. Royal inspiration! Samara Weaving (pictured) told The Daily Telegraph's Confidential on Wednesday that she found inspiration from Princess Diana and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis as she prepared to play wealthy schoolgirl Irma in Picnic At Hanging Rock 'Irma has the stresses of being known as the wealthy one from England,' Samara explained to the publication. 'I was looking at women that had to deal with that atmosphere,' she added. 'I researched Princess Diana and Jackie Onassis. I saw them as women born into wealth who had that [pressure] put upon them. 'I was looking at women that had to deal with that atmosphere' Samara said she research Diana (left) and Jackie (right) because they were born into wealth, similar to her character Based on a book by Joan Lindsay and set in 1900, Picnic At Hanging Rock follows three schoolgirls and their governess who vanish without a trace. Joining Samara as part of the cast is a number of high-profile stars, including Game Of Thrones' Natalie Dormer and Orange Is The New Black's Yael Stone. Also starring is: Lily Sullivan, Anna McGahan and Madeleine Madden. Period drama: Based on a book by Joan Lindsay and set in 1900, Picnic At Hanging Rock follows three schoolgirls and their governess who vanish without a trace Samara, who is the niece of actor Hugo Weaving, has gone from strength to strength in her career after leaving iconic soap Home And Away in 2013. Now based in Los Angeles, Samara was part of the Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri cast, who won Best Acting Ensemble gong at the SAG Awards last month. The actress has also scored international gigs in projects such as SMILF, Ash vs Evil Dead and Out of the Blue. She was dumped by her 'husband' during Married At First Sight's Tuesday episode. But Alycia Galbraith appears to still be carrying a torch for Mat Lockett, telling TheFix on Wednesday she believes the couple 'are a great match'. The 28-year-old, who Mat earlier described as 'clingy', shared how she thought the plumber, 32, had personal 'issues' that stopped him from committing to her. Scroll down for video Holding on: Alycia Galbraith appears to still be carrying a torch for Mat Lockett, telling TheFix on Wednesday she believes the Married At First Sight couple 'are a great match' Despite being rejected by Mat on national television, Alycia maintained her optimism for the romance experiment that 'expertly' paired her with Mat. 'He's definitely someone that I go for and I still think we're a great match,' she stated. 'I really do. I just feel like he has some issues that stopped us from having a really good thing with each other,' she explained. 'He's definitely someone that I go for and I still think we're a great match,' she stated 'I just wish he let me in to help him with it, but he just couldn't let me in,' she added. After first requesting separate living quarters from her for 'space', Mat then asked Alycia to meet him by the water for a chat during Tuesday's episode. He broke up with the South Australian student during an emotional scene, leaving her in tears. Devastated: He broke up with the South Australian student during an emotional scene, leaving her in tears 'I don't see the point in letting this go on, I think it is in everyone's best interest that we leave the experiment, because my heart is just not in this at all,' he offered. Alycia later told producers: 'I'm absolutely devastated things haven't worked out with Mat - I thought I would be here until the end with him.' Packing up her luggage and leaving the experiment, she added: 'I'm heartbroken but there is nothing more I can do... I hope that special guy is out there for me.' Heartbroken: Alycia later told producers, 'I'm absolutely devastated things haven't worked out with Mat - I thought I would be here until the end with him' Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from Brad Pitt 17 months ago in September 2016. Negotiations over money and custody must be exhausting for the Oscar-winning actress, especially now that the two have reportedly filed for an extension. On Tuesday the 42-year-old beauty looked down as she descended the stairs of a building in Los Angeles. Serious mood: Angelina Jolie was seen in Los Angeles on Tuesday descending a flight of stairs while wearing all black Angelina split from Brad in September 2016 after a fight aboard a flight on a private plane when out of the country. It seemed like the divorce may wrap up soon as they were only married for two years. But the proceedings drag on. It has been claimed by multiple outlets that the two have been in therapy together and with the children. Together they have Maddox, 16, Pax, 14, Zahara, 12, Shiloh, 11, and twins Knox and Vivienne, nine. No end? The 42-year-old actress has been negotiating the divorce with Brad Pitt. Last week, they received court approval to extend their ongoing private divorce negotiations Never sloppy: The activist looked chic in her outfit as she took meetings. The Salt star had on high-waisted slacks and her hands were in the pockets Last week, Jolie and Pitt have received court approval to extend their ongoing private divorce negotiations. The actress and the Troy star, 54, recently filed court documents seeking to prolong the 'temporary judge' in their divorce case, according to an article on Wednesday by The Blast. The former couple have been in private talks as they continue to discuss custody and distribution of assets. On Tuesday, Jolie looked chic in her outfit as she took meetings. The Salt star had on high-waisted slacks and her hands were in the pockets. Still mediating: This comes after news that Jolie and Pitt have received court approval to extend their ongoing private divorce negotiations. Seen in November 2015 She added stiletto heels, a spaghetti strap top, knee-length coat and oversized designer shades. A designer purse hung from her shoulder. Last week she told Elle magazine what advice she gives her daughters Shiloh, Zahara and Vivienne. 'I tell my daughters, "What sets you apart is what you are willing to do for others. Anyone can put on a dress and makeup. Its your mind that will define you,"' she said. The family: The Tomb Raider star with Shiloh, Maddox, Vivienne, Pax, Zahara and Knox at the Louvre in Paris in late January The By The Sea director added that she also told her children, 'Find out who you are, what you think, and what you stand for. 'And fight for others to have those same freedoms. A life of service is worth living.' Angelina's life changed in 2001 when she visited Cambodia for Tomb Raider. Soon after she started working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). In 2012 she co-founded the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative. For Elle, the Salt actress sat down with former Secretary of State John Kerry to discuss her continuing campaign against the use of rape and sexual violence as weapons of war. The By The Sea director added that she also told her children, 'Find out who you are, what you think, and what you stand for' She first met Kerry in April 2013, when he was Secretary of State and she was urging world leaders to commit to action to end impunity for sexual violence against women and girls and men and boys in conflict zones. She also said she is hopeful that men and women working together can achieve positive change for womens rights globally. 'I think of how hard women fought to get us to where we are today,' said the First They Killed My Father director. 'Everything counts, from the way you hold yourself in daily life and educate yourself on your own rights, to solidarity with other women around the world.' She continues her campaign against sexual violence in conflict because there is so much left to do. Good mommy: Here the 42-year-old actress is seen with two of her six children a week ago 'When it comes down to it, we still treat violence against women as a lesser crime,' added the LA native. 'In some countries, sexual violence is less of a taboo discussion. Its something more people expect their leaders to act on. 'Over 150 countries have signed a commitment to end impunity for war-zone rape. 'There are new teams in place to gather evidence and support prosecutions. 'I was in Kenya last summer as UN peacekeeping troops received new training, since peacekeepers have been part of the problem. Were working with NATO on training, protection, and getting more women in the military. But there is so far to go.' Angelina was on the cover of Elle in honor of International Womens Day, which falls on March 8. The issue, which is the first official issue under ELLE new editor in chief Nina Garcia, will be on newsstands nationwide February 20. Oliver Curtis has broken his silence on his wife Roxy Jacenko's scandalous affair, slamming millionaire property developer Nabil Gazal for 'moving in' on his spouse while he was serving time at Cooma Correctional Centre. Appearing on KIIS FM's The Kyle And Jackie O Show on Wednesday, Oliver ripped apart Roxy's ex-boyfriend Nabil in a scathing interview, saying: 'It is absolutely disgusting. What sort of human being moves in on a man's wife while (he's) in jail?' 'I mean, come on. That is low,' he added bitterly, before wife Roxy tried to move the conversation along by saying: 'It was a mistake. I'm not proud of the mistake.' Scroll down for video 'What sort of man does that?' Oliver Curtis has broken his silence on his wife Roxy Jacenko's scandalous affair, slamming millionaire property developer Nabil Gazal for 'moving in' on his spouse while he was serving time at Cooma Correctional Centre. Pictured on Wednesday Oliver continued: 'This is the guy that was playing the friend card, and "I'm here for you, you've got cancer blah blah blah", and then all of a sudden he bloody moves in! I mean, come on. Is there a lower human being?' When co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson asked if Oliver and Nabil had met in person, he responded: 'Let me tell you, I wouldn't want to run into him on the street. Or he wouldn't want to run into me.' During the interview, Oliver confirmed that he discovered the extra-marital affair while he was still in prison, and was forced to mull over the news from behind bars. Ouch! Appearing on KIIS FM's The Kyle And Jackie O Show on Wednesday, Oliver ripped apart Roxy's ex-boyfriend Nabil in a scathing interview, saying: 'It is absolutely disgusting. What sort of human being moves in on a man's wife while (he's) in jail?' 'Let me tell you, I wouldn't want to run into him on the street': Oliver hinted there would be a physical altercation if he saw Nabil (pictured right in July) following his affair with his wife Everything OK? Roxy and Oliver were spotted looking tense outside the KIIS FM studios in Sydney ahead of their no holds barred radio interview on Wednesday 'It was a situation where I had a lot of time to deal with it, because you're on your own. And because I was specifically on my own in (prison), there's nothing other than pacing around a yard,' he explained. Roxy later spoke candidly about the affair, conceding that she 'did the wrong thing.' 'It was a mistake, and I'm not proud of the mistake,' she said apologetically. The kiss that started it all: In April last year, Roxy was spotted kissing her ex-boyfriend Nabil at his luxury apartment, just eight weeks ahead of Oliver's scheduled release from prison Sprung: Roxy and Nabil were previously seen out together in late 2016, after Oliver was jailed Roxy later explained: 'All was not merry (at home). You know what? I had two children, three businesses to run and I had cancer... so it was not an ideal circumstance. But we are over it.' The now-reconciled couple share two children together - daughter Pixie, six, and son Hunter, three. Earlier in the interview, Oliver confessed that he had 'blue balls' after spending 12 months of a two-year sentence in jail for insider trading. 'I had a lot of time to deal with it': During the interview, Oliver confirmed he discovered the affair while he was still in prison. Pictured at Cooma Correctional Centre in May last year When asked what it was like to have sex with his wife after all that time, Oliver cheekily responded: 'It was actually alright, right back in the saddle!' Just eight weeks ahead of Oliver's scheduled release from prison in June last year, Roxy was pictured kissing her ex-boyfriend Nabil Gazal. The pair were spotted enjoying a post-dinner party held at Nabil's luxury apartment. 'There's nothing other than pacing around a yard': Oliver said he spent time in prison weighing up how he was going to deal with the news of Roxy's affair. Pictured upon his release last June Sensational images showed the former couple in an intimate embrace, with the photographer later telling Daily Mail Australia: 'This was no one-off friendly kiss.' They explained: 'It was a passionate, long, lingering snog.' Roxy and Nabil - who had dated years before - had been previously spotted together having dinner in late 2016, while Oliver was behind bars. Someone on your mind? Nabil was spotted looking sombre in Sydney after Roxy reunited with Oliver following his jail stint Roxy admitted to the affair months later, telling The Daily Telegraph: 'He was someone who was familiar to me, I was in a very bad place. Yes, we were together.' She added: 'You have to remember, my husband went to jail, my marriage was not intact, I had breast cancer and a friend (Nabil) at the time, reached out.' She insisted that it was Nabil who first contacted her, adding that now - with Oliver out of jail and their romance thriving - she realises he is a great husband and father. News Corp previously reported that Oliver had confessed to another inmate he was prepared to forgive his wife for any indiscretions, if she could forgive him for the mistakes that put him in jail. 'You have to remember, my husband went to jail': Roxy insisted that it was Nabil who reached out to her, adding that she now realises Oliver is a wonderful husband and father It's clear now that pact was upheld, with Oliver and Roxy going from strength-to-strength after he was greeted at an airfield near the prison by his wife and their kids on the day of his release last year. Weeks after his freedom was granted, the disgraced former investment banker proposed to Roxy for a second time. The romantic and extravagant proposal took place at Sydney's Four Seasons Hotel, with Roxy gleefully documenting the news on Instagram. Marry me again? Weeks after his freedom was granted, the disgraced former investment banker proposed to Roxy for a second time at Sydney's Four Seasons Hotel Meanwhile, Wednesday's interview saw Oliver speak for the first time about his time in prison. 'It was an interesting experience,' Oliver said. 'My first cellmate when I moved to Cooma Correctional Centre was an interesting chap. 'He was a little bit older, in his '50s, and he enjoyed walking around with no clothes on,' he added, before explaining that they shared a very small cell. However, Oliver revealed his worst experience behind bars occurred while he was in a holding cell for eight nights at Surry Hills police station in Sydney. 'That was not an enjoyable experience because you had to share a toilet,' he said. NSW and Victoria are threatening to walk away from the Murray-Darling Basin Plan if key changes to the strategy aren't passed in Canberra. NSW and Victorian Water Ministers Niall Blair and Lisa Neville together warned they would pull out of the plan if changes to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan are not passed in the Senate. "This disallowance vote undermines important reforms that helped fix a 100-year old problem, and hurts the communities who have sacrificed and worked tirelessly to make the Basin Plan a success," Mr Blair said in a statement on Tuesday. Australian researchers are hoping to develop a swab test to predict which women will give birth prematurely. In Australia, up to 10 per cent of pregnant women will experience spontaneous premature labour but currently doctors have no way of knowing who is at risk. Globally, about 15 million babies are born premature each year and more than a million die as a result. The Predicting Preterm Labour study will test more than 3000 Melbourne women over three years for protein biomarkers to check how closely they are associated with impending labour. Scientists from the University of Melbourne-Carmentix collaboration have already identified several biomarkers associated with labour. The study involving women planning to give birth at either the Royal Women's Hospital or the Mercy Hospital for Women in Melbourne will zero in on the most "promising" of those biomarkers. With no drug available to stop labour, such a test would enable clinicians to offer potentially life-saving care to mothers and babies, says University of Melbourne researcher and obstetrician Dr Di Quinzio. "To reliably know of likely pre-term labour beforehand would offer so much hope because even predicting or delaying labour by a few days or weeks and thereby allowing adequate time to prepare the baby for life outside the womb can make a huge difference." BARNABY JOYCE AND VIKKI CAMPION TIMELINE 2016 May - Vikki Campion assists Barnaby Joyce's election campaign as media adviser, having previously worked with NSW government ministers and News Corp August - Campion joins Joyce's staff. She splits with fiance John Bergin, three months before they were due to wed. Friendship develops between Joyce and Campion December - Chief of staff Di Hallam reportedly seeks Joyce's approval to have Campion transferred out of office. Hallam later quits to take up departmental role 2017 February - Campion is photographed in a Sydney bar with Joyce April - Barnaby's wife Natalie reportedly confronts Campion in Tamworth. Campion goes to minister Matt Canavan office as adviser. Natalie and Barnaby seek to make marriage work May - At NSW Nationals conference in Broken Hill colleagues describe Joyce as "a mess" June - Natalie and Barnaby show up together at Canberra press gallery midwinter ball July - Campion leaves Canavan office after he quits frontbench over citizenship. She temporarily goes back to Joyce's office August - Campion moves to Damian Drum's office in a social media adviser position specially created for her. He already has a media adviser. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is reportedly reassured by Joyce the relationship with Campion is over. Drum says he was told the same thing. Former Joyce chief of staff Di Hallam takes up a senior position with the Inland Rail project September - Natalie reportedly asks family friend, Catholic priest Father Frank Brennan, to counsel Joyce. Campion is seen managing Joyce media events at federal Nationals conference in Canberra October - Campion reportedly takes stress leave. Writ issued for New England by-election after Joyce quits over dual citizenship November - Natalie holidays in Bali with a daughter. Man in a pub in Inverell angers Joyce during election campaign by reportedly saying: "Say hello to your mistress" December - Joyce wins by-election. Joyce tells parliament during same-sex marriage debate he is separated. Campion's redundancy package is approved. They move into an Armidale property provided rent-free by businessman Greg Maguire 2018 January - Joyce and Campion holiday in north Queensland and NSW north coast February - Joyce tells reporters Campion is now his partner. But denies she was his partner when she worked in Canavan's office Mid-April - Joyce-Campion baby is due (Source: Based on media reports and official statements.) A Sydney council looks likely to reject a push by the Greens to ditch its Australia Day celebrations because of potential repercussions from the federal government. Inner West Greens councillor Tom Kiat will move a motion on Tuesday night calling on the council to ditch its Australia Day event on January 26 and acknowledge the date marks the "beginning of the British invasion" for Aboriginal people. He also wants the council to stop referring to the public holiday as Australia Day in its communications. "It's pretty clear coming from the indigenous community that January 26 is not an appropriate day to have an Australia Day event," he previously told AAP. "I think that's shared by probably a majority of people in the inner west who are not indigenous." Cr Kiat will propose the council instead consider hosting or funding a commemoration of January 26, led by the indigenous community. But it seems likely the motion won't pass. Labor has five of 15 members on the council including Mayor Darcy Byrne and they're expected to vote 'no'. There are also two Liberal councillors and three independents. Mr Byrne will use his mayoral minutes to urge council to continue its festivities, but ensure it is a "day of reflection and commemoration" rather than celebration. "I'm proposing we consult with the local Aboriginal community about how the nature of council's January 26 events can further evolve to recognise the history of indigenous Australia," he said in a statement to AAP. Mr Byrne noted Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has already removed the power to conduct citizenship ceremonies from other councils that have cancelled their January 26 events. "I'm not going to play into Peter Dutton's hands and have migrants in the inner west, the birthplace of Australian multiculturalism, being prevented from becoming Australian citizens in our community," the mayor said. "Punishing migrants to make a political point would do no-one any good." Two children have been injured after they were separately hit by cars in Perth. A four-year-old boy was riding a scooter when he was struck by a car driven by a 17-year-old male on The Bridgeway in Canning Vale just after 4pm on Monday. The boy was taken to Princess Margaret Hospital with injuries to his face, arms and legs. In a separate incident, a 12-year-old boy was also taken to hospital with leg and head injuries after he was hit by a car driven by a 51-year-old woman on Spencer Road in Thornlie about 3.30pm on Monday. Top stories of GAC Group in 2017 Shanghai (Gasgoo)- In the past 2017, Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd. (GAC Group) put great efforts for the company's development. Hereby, the reporter summarizes some important stories of GAC Group happened in the past year. GAC Group 2017 sales surpass 2 million GAC Group delivered 178,264 vehicles in December, 2017, up 5.73% year on year, but down 1.24 % month on month. By the end of December, the group sold a total of 2,001,036 vehicles in the whole year, jumping 21.27% compared with the year before. GAC Group teams up with NIO to establish NEV JV GAC Group announced on Dec. 27 last year that it will team up with NIO to jointly establish a new joint venture, GAC NIO New Energy Automotive Co., Ltd which will focus on the R&D, sales and service of intelligent-connected NEV. The total registered capital of the new JV will be RMB 500 million, while the registered capital of the first phase will be RMB 200 million. Both GAC Group and GAC New Energy Automotive Co., Ltd. will invest RMB 45 million to take 22.5% stake of the new joint venture respectively. GAC Motor's Hangzhou plant begins production GAC Motor's Hangzhou plant officially began production on December 12 last year. With a total investment of RMB 8 billion, the first phase of Hangzhou plant has a planned production capacity of 400,000 units per year. Meanwhile, GAC Trumpchi's all-new compact sedan was officially off the production line and was unveiled at 2018 North American International Auto Show in January this year. GAC Honda to acquire 100% stake of Honda Automobile China In the middle of December last year, GAC announced to transfer its 25% stake in Honda Automobile (China) through the open market. Besides, the board of the group also approved GAC Honda's plan to acquire 100% stake of Honda Automobile (China). According to GAC, the floor price for its stake in Honda Automobile (China) will be RMB 231.6 million, which will depend on the asset appraisal result. GAC Mitsubishi plant to increase capacity by 100,000 units GAC Group revealed in the middle of December that the group had approved the expansion and renovation plan of the joint venture's second phase project. When the factory expansion completes, GAC Mitsubishi annual capacity will increase 100,000 units. The project, with a total investment of RMB 529.8 million, plans to be completed in October, 2018. GAC Group, iFLYTEK sign cooperation agreement to promote innovation of auto and internet GAC Group released an announcement on Dec.7, saying that they signed a strategic cooperation agreement with iFLYTEK. According to the agreement, they will regard each other as important customer, and make a promise that one party will have the priority to use the other's products and services in accordance with each company's procedures on an equal footing. What's more, they will cooperate in such areas as intelligent human-computer interaction technology, on-board intelligent and AI technology, big data analysis, intelligent connected vehicle platform and marketing innovation, etc. The agreement shall be valid for 5 years. GAC, Denso sign Memorandum of Understanding on strategic cooperation On November 28, GAC Group announced that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Cooperation with Denso Corporation. In technology, the cooperation focuses on the development of traditional auto parts and new energy vehicle auto parts as well as the full cooperation in intelligent driving segment. In talents, both companies will discuss the plan, curriculum designing guide and teacher delegation of GAC University (cooperate training center). Denso may also provide training opportunities for GAC workers. GAC, China Mobile sign cooperation framework agreement On November 23, GAC Group signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with China Mobile to work on such areas as 4G internet of vehicles, 5G in-vehicle communication research. The companies will give full play to each other's advantages in technology, industry and market for the purpose of promoting the cross-industry cooperation between the communications industry and the auto industry, and establishing intelligent travelling service system and industry ecosystem on the basis of new-generation intelligent-connected technology. GAC unveils first intelligent-connected electric concept car iSpace On November 16, GAC Group and China's Internet giant Tencent Holdings Limited (Tencent) co-presented their latest intelligent-connected product, and unveiled the iSpace intelligent-connected concept car. The new concept is GAC's self-innovated vehicle built based on the new energy platform. The iSPACE redefines customers' needs and makes the vehicle to be a mobile living room. GAC, Tecent sign strategic cooperation agreement to develop intelligent vehicles On September 18, GAC Group and Tencent Holdings Limited signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Guangzhou. According to the agreement, both parties will cooperate in such areas as internet connected vehicles, intelligent driving, cloud platform, big data, etc. Besides, they will also explore the capital investment in auto-related e-commerce, auto insurance, mobility service and new energy vehicles. GAC New Energy plant begins construction In early September, GAC New Energy plant began its operating construction. According to the GAC Group "153" new energy strategy plan, it plans to invest RMB 4.694 billion for the construction and implementation of alternative energy vehicle projects. It will construct a plant with an annual capacity of 200,000 units in the first phrase, which will be put into operation at the beginning of 2019. GAC MITSUBISHI engine factory starts construction On March 29, GAC MITSUBISHI engine factory officially started construction. Once the factory is completed, it will introduce and manufacture the most advanced MITSUBISHI-branded engine. The first phase is expected to be put into operation this year with a designed capacity of 150,000 units per year. GAC invests RMB 4.694 billion in new energy vehicles project The GAC Motors' project on increasing annual new energy vehicles production to 200,000 units had been approved on March 27th by GAC Group board and the automaker will invest RMB 4.694 billion in the project. The auto maker reported to improve its new energy vehicle manufacturing capability, optimize the product structure of its self-owned bands and enhance GAC Motors' overall competitiveness by the implementation of the project, which is believed to promote the development both of GAC Group and its subsidiaries. Former One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts will make a bid to return to federal parliament at the next election, leading the party's Queensland Senate ticket. Party leader Pauline Hanson announced One Nation would stand candidates in all lower house seats in Queensland and in all Senate races at the federal election, due later this year or early 2019. Mr Roberts was forced out of the Senate last year after the High Court ruled he was a British dual citizen and thus ineligible to sit in parliament. He unsuccessfully ran in November's Queensland state election. "Malcolm Roberts has got the reputation as a powerhouse, the empirical science man, and he's really taken it up to members of parliament," Senator Hanson told reporters on Tuesday. Steve Dickson, who defected from the Liberals to One Nation in January 2017 and lost his state parliament seat in November, will be second on the Queensland ticket despite being the party's state leader. A 25-year-old man is facing a string of fraud charges after he allegedly stole more than $1.2 million from a medical supply company he worked for in NSW. The former manager created fraudulent invoices or fraudulently altered invoices for payment into bank accounts he owned between July 2015 and February 2017, NSW Police said in a statement on Tuesday. The man from South Yarra in Melbourne also allegedly used a company-issued credit card to make unauthorised and fraudulent payments to another company which he was the sole director for. The total amount of the payments was $1,237,806, NSW Police said on Tuesday. The man was charged with 39 counts of fraud at North Melbourne Police Station on Monday. He is due to appear at Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on March 26. The Greens and the coalition are at loggerheads over changes to the Murray Darling Basin Plan, as two states threaten to walk away if the federal government doesn't get its way. NSW and Victorian Water Ministers, Niall Blair and Lisa Neville, said they would pull out of the basin plan if the Turnbull government's proposed changes were not passed in the Senate this week. "There is a very real and imminent danger that Victoria and NSW, probably followed closely by Queensland, would pull out," federal assistant water minister Anne Ruston told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday. "Playing political games just because we've got a South Australian election and putting this plan in jeopardy is a very serious thing to be doing." But Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said Victoria and NSW were "trying to blackmail" the Senate. "This is beyond pathetic now," she said. "We are sick and tired of upstream big corporate irrigators ripping off our river and leaving us high and dry." The Greens have two disallowance motions on the Senate notice paper that could block changes to the north and south basins of the Murray Darling due to be voted on this week. The government is facing opposition from Labor, the Greens and the crossbench on the issue. The proposed changes to the way the water of the Murray Darling is distributed takes the form of regulation, which means it can be disallowed by the Senate. Senator Ruston called for Labor to be "reasonable and rational" and to support the government's changes. "It would be disappointing if they don't support it, but we will remain at the table with (Labor's) Tony Burke in the hope we can get him to support them," she said. "Most of the crossbench have been very receptive to the argument that the most important thing is to deliver the plan." At a party room meeting on Tuesday, the Labor caucus agreed to continue to support the disallowance motion unless certain conditions were met before the vote. Labor's concerns include responses to allegations of corruption, the accuracy of data and modelling, indigenous consultation and that taxpayer-funded environmental water is used for environmental purposes. Senator Hanson-Young said if Labor flipped and supported the government changes it would "go down like a lead balloon in South Australia." "If Labor holds firm... if they hold tight we should be able to get this through." A leading welfare advocate has used the 10th anniversary of the National Apology to demand the federal government abolish the "harsh, brutal experiments" inflicted on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Australian Council of Social Service chief executive Cassandra Goldie says these include the community development program, income management and work for the dole "We want those programs stopped. We want them abolished and those funds reinvested, getting behind the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders," she told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday. "Unless we're prepared to do that, we will not 'Close the Gap' on employment." National Congress of Australia's First People chief executive Gary Oliver said it is important to acknowledge the failures of government and questioned its Closing the Gap "refresh" that is about to happen around economic prosperity. "How can we as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people be ready for economic prosperity where we haven't got housing, where we've got more people incarcerated and we've got draconian policies happening to us around workplace laws and also the cashless card as well," he told reporters. A man has been arrested at Sydney International Airport while trying to flee the country over the daylight shooting murder of a Vietnamese criminal lawyer at a southwest Sydney cafe last month. Ho Ledinh, 65, was shot three times through the back at point-blank range outside Happy Cup cafe at Bankstown City Plaza on January 23 in front of horrified witnesses. A 38-year-old man who was boarding a plane to Bali was arrested by NSW Police at the airport on Tuesday morning, police said in a statement. He was taken to Mascot Police Station and is assisting with police inquiries. Some candidates running for Nick Xenophon's SA-Best party at the March state election are already talking about quitting and sitting as independents, South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill says. Mr Weatherill refused to name the candidates but says he has information that some of Mr Xenophon's candidates are planning to quit the party if elected. "We already know members of Nick Xenophon's team are saying they will be resigning from his party within months of being elected and becoming independents," Mr Weatherill told reporters on Tuesday. An American national charged with the killing of an Australian man during a fight at a Thai bar claims he acted in self defence in coming to the aid of a Thai woman being assaulted. The American, Jose Polanco, 44, surrendered voluntarily to Thai police after Victorian man Benjamin Robb, 43, died in hospital from injuries sustained in the fight in the seaside resort of Pattaya last Friday. Thai police said Polanco said he intervened as Robb was allegedly assaulting a Thai woman, Roong-arun Sangsuwan, at the bar, called the Ruby Club. Polanco claims Robb was arguing with Roong-arun before he grabbed the woman by the neck and lifted her off the ground, turning her face blue. Reports said Polanco then punched Robb in the face and the Australian fell to the ground. A statement released by the bar said the fight had lasted less than one minute. Police and paramedics arrived at the bar soon after and Robb was transported to the nearby Pattaya Memorial Hospital. But the Australian died from head injuries in the early hours of Saturday morning. Earlier reports said Robb had also been set upon by several individuals who assaulted him with kicks to the head. Thai police initially charged Polanco with injury to others causing death, which carries a jail sentence of three to 15 years. Polanco did not apply for bail and will remain in the police lockup until an initial hearing in about 10 days. There were no tears at Perth's 10th anniversary celebrations of the apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Perth. Instead the "bittersweet moment" was remembered as a "hollow gesture" by Ngoongar traditional custodian Jim Morrion, who was visibly frustrated amid what he said was slow progress in achieving targets outlined in the Closing the Gap report. Aboriginal Affairs Minister, and the nation's first indigenous treasurer, Ben Wyatt said: "The reality is that when you have policies ... designed to remove the identity, designed to disconnect them from family and culture, is that those impacts over generations will be felt for generations." A 12-year-old NSW school girl waiting alone at a bus stop has waved down a driver for help after a man allegedly committed an indecent act. The girl was at a South Grafton bus stop on Monday morning when a 39-year-old man allegedly touched her hands, tried to engage her in conversation and when she refused, committed an act of indecency. The girl waved down a passing motorist who helped her contact her family, police said on Tuesday. Later that day, police arrested and charged the man with several offences including intimidation, assault and committing an act of indecency. He was refused bail and is due to appear at Grafton Local Court on February 19. MUSICAL CHAIRS IN THE AUSTRALIAN SENATE COALITION * RICHARD COLBECK - The former tourism minister was sworn in on Monday, replacing Stephen Parry after the ex-Senate president resigned over dual citizenship. Colbeck returns after sitting in the upper house from 2002 to 2016. * GEORGE BRANDIS - Quit parliament to take up the job as Australia's High Commissioner to the UK. LNP preselection to replace Brandis will be decided on March 10 with about 12 candidates reported to have thrown their hat in the ring. * JIM MOLAN - Marked an eventful start to life in the Senate last week after being accused of racism when it was revealed he shared social media videos from a far-right UK group. Threatened the Greens' Adam Bandt with legal action after he the Melbourne MP accused the former major-general of war crimes, prompting not one, but two apologies. * LUCY GICHUHI - Had a quieter start to life as a Liberal senator after confirming her switch from being an independent to the government benches. LABOR * KATY GALLAGHER - The ACT senator's efforts to cut her British ties before standing for parliament will be scrutinised by the High Court on March 14. She argues she took all possible steps to renounce her citizenship before the 2016 election. If Gallagher gets the boot, union boss David Smith shapes as her replacement. * KRISTINA KENEALLY - Set to be sworn in on Thursday to replace Sam Dastyari who resigned after a deepening scandal surrounding his links to Chinese political donors. The former NSW premier lost the Bennelong by-election to sitting MP John Alexander in December. CROSSBENCH * STEVE MARTIN - The Devonport mayor and Tasmanian independent was sworn in to parliament on Monday, replacing his one-time party leader Jacqui Lambie. She dumped him from the Jacqui Lambie Network last week after he flagged his intention to take the seat rather than step aside. * TIM STORER - Set to take the South Australian seat vacated by former Nick Xenophon Team senator Skye Kakoschke-Moore, who quit over dual citizenship. Kakoschke-Moore launched an unsuccessful High Court bid to replace herself because Storer quit the party. He is expected to win a recount and take his place as an independent. * FRASER ANNING - Elected as a replacement for former One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts, Anning sensationally split with the party on his first day in parliament last year. The independent senator formed an informal voting bloc with fellow conservatives Cory Bernardi and David Leyonhjelm last week. THE NUMBERS NOW * Coalition - 29 * Labor - 25 * Greens - 9 * Independents and parties with one senator - 5 * Pauline Hanson's One Nation - 3 * Nick Xenophon Team - 2 * Vacancies - 3 Top stories of FAW Group in 2017 Shanghai (Gasgoo)- 2017 saw many changes in FAW Group. The hot words on many report was probably personnel change, especially changing heads with Changan Auto. Actually, apart from the changes in personnel structure, there were also other events that have attracted a lot attention. FAW changes company name On December 21, FAW Group announced that it has changed its name from China FAW Group Corporation to China FAW Group Co. Ltd. and according to the company, the English abbreviation of its name remains to be FAW. The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council has approved this reforming plan on the companys system and FAW managed to change the industrial and commercial registration information on December 14. FAW, Changan, Dongfeng sign strategic cooperation framework agreement At the beginning of December, Changan Automobile signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with FAW Group and Dongfeng Motor Corporation in Wuhan. Three companies will cooperate in advanced generic technology innovation, the whole value chain operation of the auto industry, the strategy of going global together and new business mode. Their joint statement says that the cooperation signifies that the three state-owned enterprises plan to conduct comprehensive cooperation to promote the development of China auto market and enhance the strength of Chinese auto brands. FAW, Changan exchange heads In August, FAW Group and China South Industries Group Corp (CSGC), both of which are state-owned enterprises, announced to change chairmen. CSGC is the parent company of Changan Automobile Group. Xu Liuping would leave CSGC as director, general manager and deputy secretary of the party committee at CSGC and would be the chairman and secretary of the party committee of FAW Group. At the same time, Xu Ping was named as chairman and secretary of the party committee at CSGC. FAW becomes the first automaker partner of Baidu Apollo plan In July, FAW and Baidu entered into strategic cooperation partnership to cooperate in vehicle-connected products, autonomous driving, brand promotion, innovative marketing and cloud service. The automaker will be deeply involved in the Apollo plan and they will develop technology together in autonomous driving segment, intelligent connected and smart transportation. Hongqi restarts the plan to expand channel dealerships In March, Hongqi brand announced to restart the plan to set up 36 4S shops in 35 cities. This was the first movement of the brand after it got independent from FAW Car. The dealership plan mainly focused on tier 1 cities and main cities. Sources from FAW Group revealed that many luxury dealerships had expressed their investment intention to Hongqi. FAW, Dongfeng sign cooperation agreement Dongfeng Motor Corporation and FAW Group signed an agreement in February to build a joint innovation center. Both parties will cooperate in 5 main areas, including fuel cell technology, smart connectivity and testing facilities. But the companies did not disclose financial terms. The move sparked wide speculation that the companies may merge. FAW-VW Audi dealership announced a declaration On February 16th, CADA Audi dealers association was established in Sanya. At the inaugural meeting, the FAW - Volkswagen Audi dealers issued the "Sanya Declaration". The statement said, FAW - Volkswagen dealers understand that Audi wants to remain No.1 in China luxury vehicle market. The dealers are willing to join hands with Audi together to achieve 1 million sales target of 2020 strategy. After the goal is reached, they will not oppose Audis evaluation and selection of new partners and establish new sales network in China. Drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis could halve the risk of patients developing dementia, a study suggests. Researchers at the University of Oxford analysed the records of more than 5800 people living with the condition across the UK. They compared 3876 patients who took disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), particularly methotrexate, with 1938 patients who did not. The findings, published in the journal Alzheimer's And Dementia: Translational Research And Clinical Interventions, found those on the anti-inflammatory medication had approximately half the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. "This study shows a positive link between patients taking drugs to treat arthritis and reducing their risk of developing dementia - potentially by up to 50 per cent," said lead researcher Professor Chris Edwards, of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. Currently there is medication available that can temporarily reduce some symptoms or slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease but there is no cure for the condition. "The results we've seen make us optimistic that we are getting closer to better treating this neurological disease and supports further investigation in clinical trials to confirm if these drugs can be used to prevent or treat dementia," said Professor Edwards. Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints. It develops when the immune system attacks the cells that line the joints and can also affect other parts of the body, including the lungs, heart and eyes. The inflammation it causes is a characteristic feature of many other conditions, including dementia It's thought drugs used to treat the inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis may also be beneficial for patients with other diseases. "This has already been shown to be the case for treating patients with heart disease, where initial promising results are now being further investigated in large clinical trials," said Professor Edwards. Under-fire Barnaby Joyce has told colleagues he is determined to get through his political "time of trial". The deputy prime minister and leader of the Nationals is under pressure after questions were raised about how his pregnant girlfriend was given two political jobs. "Every political career has a time of trial," Mr Joyce told a coalition party room meeting on Tuesday. Mr Joyce apologised for the issues in his personal life that had spilled out into the public domain. He said he was determined to get through this period, and told MPs to refer back to his statement if they were asked about his future. In a statement released on Tuesday morning, Mr Joyce apologised to his wife Natalie and to his girlfriend and former staffer Vikki Campion. "This has been a searing personal experience for Natalie, our daughters and for Vikki - criticise me if you wish but please have some regard for them," he said. Alex Carey thinks a recent gift from Glenn Maxwell says a lot about the strong bond of Australia's T20 squad. Maxwell presented Carey with a signed bat after he smashed an unbeaten 103 from 58 balls in the tri-series clash against England in Hobart. With Australia nearing the target Carey unselfishly farmed the strike to his partner, who duly clubbed a six to reach triple figures and seal the win. "To Alex. Thanks for getting that single! Great partnership again! Best wishes, Glenn Maxwell. 103*," the light-hearted message read. Carey, who made his ODI and T20 international debuts this summer, was touched. "I thought the bat was pretty average but the writing on it was awesome,said a smiling Carey on Tuesday. "It was obviously a nice gesture by Maxi and I think it just shows that the group is really close and we're having a lot of fun. "For someone like Maxi to do that for me in such a short space of time shows that we've got some really good blokes in the side." After a disappointing ODI series loss to England, the likes of Carey, Billy Stanlake and D'Arcy Short have given the Australian line-up an injection of youthful exuberance. Having secured a berth in the T20 tri-series series final with three wins from three matches, the squad headed to New Zealand on Tuesday ahead of Friday's match against the Kiwis in Auckland then the title decider there on February 21. Carey, who has a BBL century and title win with the Adelaide Strikers under his belt this season, has seen little action with the bat three matches into his international T20 career. But the left-hander, who opens the batting for the Strikers, is confident he can do a job when called on at No.7 for Australia. "I haven't really had the opportunity to go out and play a big role with the stick but I'm working hard in the background," he said. "I'm still learning at this level. "But I'm thoroughly enjoying it and I'm sure if I get more of an opportunity I'll be ready to go." Any potential federal corruption watchdog will not become a "star chamber", Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has reassured worried MPs. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten last week outlined a plan to set up a national integrity commission within a year of winning office, but Mr Turnbull has held fire on matching that pledge. One MP told the coalition party room on Tuesday he was concerned a federal corruption commission would become a "star chamber" that destroyed reputations before matters were properly considered. Another MP said it was not the coalition's job to bring in "unnecessary" or bad laws just because Labor wanted them. Mr Turnbull said measures to crack down on corruption would ensure natural justice was maintained. He said the important issue was not whether the nation needed a corruption commission, but rather if enough was being done to stamp out corruption. Mr Turnbull said he would wait for advice from the joint committee examining the issue before deciding how to proceed. Under Mr Shorten's plan, the commission would investigate serious and systemic corruption by federal MPs, their staff, public servants, statutory office holders, commonwealth judges and the governor-general. It would effectively run as a standing royal commission. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull continues to have confidence in Barnaby Joyce as the Nationals leader faces questions over the appointment of his lover to government jobs last year. Asked by Labor leader Bill Shorten on Tuesday whether he retained confidence in Mr Joyce, Mr Turnbull said: "Yes." Answering a second question, Mr Turnbull said all ministers were bound by the standards code and Mr Joyce had explained his circumstances in a statement. "The facts of the relationship which you're referring to are of course known to the deputy prime minister. "It is his responsibility to address it and comply with the standards. And he's answered that, he's addressed that in his statement today." Resources Minister Matt Canavan, who was one of the National MPs who hired Vikki Campion, told parliament the job was organised in consultations between his office and the deputy prime minister's office. "I had no knowledge of the relationship between Mr Joyce and Ms Campion at the time," said Senator Canavan - who was Mr Joyce's chief of staff before entering parliament. "And as he (Mr Joyce) has said in his statement this morning, she was not his partner at the time." Three men have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease in Sydney's northwest, sending the health department searching for a contamination source in the area. All three patients developed the type of Legionnaires' disease that develops after a person breathes in contaminated water droplets, NSW Health said in a statement on Tuesday. The Hills Shire Council and public health units in the area have started precautionary inspections of cooling towers, as outbreaks can be associated with contaminated air conditioning systems. The bacterial infection can not be spread from person to person. A 50-year-old man has been sent to a "treatment facility" after an alleged shootout with police in regional Victoria. A single shot was allegedly fired by the man at Axe Creed near Bendigo about 11.30pm on Friday and police returned fire, but no one was injured. The man faced Bendigo Magistrates Court on Monday charged with reckless conduct endangering life, reckless conduct endangering serious injury and common law assault and was bailed to a treatment facility to reappear in court on February 26. WA Premier Mark McGowan has been heckled by Country Women's Association members for refusing to backdown on some education cuts - but they still gave him a basket of scones. Hundreds of people marched to parliament on Tuesday and held up signs against the closure of some rural education services, in what was the first rally in the CWA's 94-year history. Mr McGowan addressed the crowd and blamed the previous Barnett government for leaving WA in a financial mess, but Opposition Leader Mike Nahan said the premier failed to address the CWA's concerns. The British family and pilot aboard the ill-fated Sydney Seaplane that crashed on New Year's Eve died of head injuries and drowning, a UK coroner has revealed. The seaplane, piloted by Canadian Gareth Morgan, crashed into the Hawkesbury River on December 31 with high profile UK businessman Richard Cousins and his family on board. There were no survivors. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau and NSW Coroner are both conducting investigations into the fatal incident but the coroner in Reading, UK, officially opened an investigation on Monday. Senior coroner Peter Bedford reportedly told the inquest Mr Cousins' fiancee, Emma Bowden, died of head injuries and drowning. Her daughter, Heather, also died from head injuries and drowning. Mr Cousins' eldest son William died from head and facial injuries while his youngest son, Edward, drowned. "The New South Wales Coroner is currently leading an investigation into the deaths of those concerned involving many local authorities," Mr Bedford said, according to local media reports. "This will be based on air traffic investigations led by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and other specially trained people." He proposed suspending the UK inquest pending the results of the NSW Coroner's reports. "These people have specific expertise as well as, importantly, having access to the scene," he said. Mr Bedford said he would then decide if it was appropriate to conduct his own formal inquest in Reading. A Gold Coast jury is considering its verdict after retiring in the misconduct trial of former Queensland police sergeant Rick Flori. The jury retired just before 11am AEST on Tuesday following the six-day trial at the Southport District Court for Rick Flori, 47, a single charge of misconduct in a public office. After five-and-a-half hours of deliberations, no verdict had been reached. Flori, who has pleaded not guilty to the charge, released footage of police at the Surfers Paradise station bashing a handcuffed man, Noa Begic, in a basement car park in January 2012. Once the footage was run by The Courier-Mail, an internal investigation led to a search of Flori's home, where the footage was located on an SD card. Flori told investigators he'd acquired the footage for "training purposes" and denied knowing anything about the email address used to arrange the leak with a journalist. Crown prosecutor Todd Fuller said Flori was upset at being overlooked for a promotion to senior sergeant in 2011. Once he realised the footage included the man who'd been given the promotion at his expense, Senior Sergeant David Joachim, he'd set about leaking it to discredit his rival, Mr Fuller argued. Mr Fuller said in the email sent to the journalist, Flori failed to mention any of the other officers involved except for Snr Sgt Joachim, despite Senior Constable Ben Lamb being the man who kneed and punched Mr Begic. "The email doesn't even mention Constable Lamb," Mr Fuller said. "His attack is on David Joachim. Rank. Name. Position." Mr Lamb was later disciplined for his actions, receiving a suspended dismissal from the police service. Flori's defence barrister Saul Holt QC labelled the accusation of a vendetta from his client against Snr Sgt Joachim to be nonsense. Mr Holt said Flori had made complaints about several other officers during his career and his behaviour towards Snr Sgt Joachim wasn't exceptional. "Rick Flori is happy to complain about anybody if the complaint is valid," Mr Holt said. "David Joachim is no more than a mild irritant in Rick Flori's history of making complaints." Mr Holt said Flori's motivation to leak the footage was "pure" and intended to ensure those responsible for the violent arrest were exposed. "This incident is astonishing ... the fact we know about it through the leak is a good thing," he said. Deliberations will resume on Wednesday. A same-sex marriage-style postal survey should never again be used to resolve human rights issues after an "avalanche" of hate, according to a Senate report. The Labor-chaired committee tabled its report in the upper house on Tuesday, recommending public votes should not be used to resolve questions of minority rights. "Having this public survey unleashed such an avalanche of hateful material," Greens senator Janet Rice told parliament. In a dissenting report, government senators dismissed the idea the debate had been damaging. "Public debate can be healthy, constructive and help the community come to terms with changes in social mores," Liberals James Paterson and David Fawcett wrote. The report also recommended the government consider boosting funding to mental health and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex and queer organisations to address the consequences of the postal survey. But the government senators countered by pointing to mental health funding boosts in the budget and existing contributions to LGBTIQ organisations. The committee found more could be done to engage with indigenous voters in remote areas, which the government gave in-principle support to while noting there is no simple solution to the issue. A counterterrorism inquiry in Perth is reviewing how best to guard crowded public spaces in Western Australia against potential attacks. The Community Development and Justice Joint Standing Committee says it will launch an inquiry on Wednesday into current protections of busy areas in WA. It comes after attacks such as the Manchester Arena suicide-bombing last year, in which young people in the UK were targeted as they left an Ariana Grande concert. Committee chairman Peter Katsambanis says WA is not immune from terrorism. "Attacks on both Australian and international soil have highlighted the need for the state's counter-terrorism agencies to tighten their prevention and response to terrorism," he said. Mr Katsambanis said the committee was particularly interested in the role of parliament, which struggled to assess spending by agencies tasked with classified counterterrorism activities. "We want to know how we can ensure West Australian's money is being used effectively," he said. The committee will consider the parliament's role in overseeing counterterrorism arrangements, including the state-based emergency management framework, and the relationship between state government departments and private venue operators. It will also gauge the capability of WA Police to respond to an attack and potential changes to security licensing. The committee will hand down its outcome to parliament in November. Two police officers were in a "life or death situation" when they opened fire and killed a drunken, knife-wielding Australia Post worker, an inquest has been told. Eyewitness Lynette Sartori told the Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday plain-clothes officers Jamie Taylor and Darren Hamilton had no choice but to shoot an agitated Stephen Hodge, 51. Ms Sartori said Constable Taylor was cornered in the Warners Bay post office car park by Mr Hodge who was advancing on him with the large knife and ignoring pleas to drop the weapon. The post office manager, Brendan Hogan, had earlier told the court he had been dealing with Mr Hodge's erratic behaviour for years until the mentally ill postal services worker snapped and chased him with a large knife before being shot four times by police. Constable Hamilton told the court how both officers drew their guns as soon as they saw Mr Hodge armed with the knife in the car park on September 9, 2015. He said neither officer was carrying a taser because they had been in plain clothes conducting mainly surveillance operations for the Special Operations Group at the time and tasers were too bulky to be concealed, whereas their revolvers could be hidden in holsters under their shirts. Constable Hamilton claimed the officers drew their guns because Mr Hodge was within six metres and presented a real danger to their safety and others nearby. The offices opened fire when Mr Hodge refused to drop the knife and began advancing towards them. When Mr Hodge's mother, Janet, arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting she asked one police officer, "Why did youse do this? He wouldn't hurt anyone. Why?" Mr Hogan had earlier told the court that on the day of the shooting he argued with Mr Hodge who had been drinking and returned late to work after his lunch break. He said Mr Hodge complained to him in the back office how he did not respect him and that he was suffering from depression. Mr Hogan said Mr Hodge later left the post office and he assumed he had gone home sick. But a short time later Mr Hodge returned holding a large knife by his side in his right hand and blood was smeared on his left hand. Without saying a word, Mr Hodge then raised the knife shoulder high and began walking towards the terrified post office manager. "I was just scared for my life at that point," Mr Hogan told the court. Mr Hogan backed his way into the main post office area, always making sure he had Mr Hodge in his sight as he pleaded with him to drop the knife. At one stage Mr Hogan called out to the customers in the post office, "He's got a knife, please get away." Mr Hogan then yelled out to his staff to press the duress alarm as Mr Hodge chased him outside. The post office manager was able to get to a back door in the loading bay and lock it behind him as Mr Hodge twice tried to force it open. The inquest before acting State coroner Teresa O'Sullivan resumes on Wednesday. A London court has upheld the British arrest warrant for Julian Assange, leaving the WikiLeaks founder in limbo in the Ecuadorian embassy. On Tuesday afternoon (local time), at the Westminster Magistrates Court, Judge Emma Arbuthnot found that Assange's argument to have his arrest warrant dropped was not in the public interest. Judge Arbuthnot rejected all five of Assange's legal arguments, including dismissing claims by a UN working group that he had been arbitrarily detained. Assange has been living inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London for more than five years, claiming the US will extradite him for WikiLeaks' publication of thousands of defence and intelligence documents. Last week, Judge Arbuthnot rejected Assange's legal argument that a 2012 British warrant was no longer valid because Swedish authorities had dropped an investigation into sex-related allegations. Assange's legal team then argued it wasn't in the public interest to pursue him for breaching bail in the UK when he was fighting Swedish extradition. Queensland's new parliament has had a fiery start to proceedings ahead of its official opening, with moves by the opposition to block former treasurer Curtis Pitt as Labor's nominee for Speaker. The LNP had previously unsuccessfully called for him to be referred to the ethics committee over claims he misled the house. Mr Pitt was eventually elected Speaker 53 votes to 40, but only after Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington had described him as a "humiliated man". "Becoming Speaker should not be a consolation prize for a failed treasurer," Ms Frecklington told parliament. Mr Pitt was dumped as treasurer and replaced by Deputy Premier Jackie Trad after the November election. However, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk defended Mr Pitt, saying he was a man of "integrity and honesty". "I know Curtis will bring his well-known diligence, fairness, and attention to detail to the role of Speaker," Ms Palaszczuk told the house. For his part, Mr Pitt promised to have an "open door" as Speaker and encouraged vigorous but respectful debate over the next term. All 93 MPs were also sworn in on Tuesday, with the official opening ceremony of parliament to be held on Wednesday. Involving much more pomp and ceremony, proceedings will include a parade featuring soldiers and police, as well as a 19-gun salute from the Kangaroo Point cliffs. Parliament then gets down to business for what will likely be a busy day on Thursday, with 16 bills due to be introduced. Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne has trumpeted a collective $1 billion in contracts for the Joint Strike Fighter jet program as a model for Australia's bid to become a top ten global arms exporter. Australia currently is ranked 20th in defence industry exports. The Turnbull government announced an ambitious plan to ramp up defence exports in late January. Mr Pyne said 50 Australian businesses were involved in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter project. "In many respects (it's) the model of what we're trying to achieve across the entire defence industry in Australia," Mr Pyne told the Australian Defence Magazine summit on Tuesday night. In 2016, the program underpinned 2400 Australian jobs. Mr Pyne says this is set to grow to 5000 by 2023, and not just manufacturing positions but maintenance jobs as well. The first two Australian F-35 aircraft are expected to arrive at RAAF Base Williamtown in NSW in December. Australia is buying 72 of the super jets at a cost of $17 billion. The aircraft have experienced a raft of teething problems, delays and cost blowouts. Barnaby Joyce is hanging on to his job despite a group of Nationals MPs pushing him to resign after his partner was handed two political jobs. The deputy prime minister on Tuesday apologised to his estranged wife, daughters, pregnant partner, coalition MPs and voters but said he is determined to get through his "time of trial". Veterans Affairs Minister Michael McCormack, who has missed out twice on becoming deputy leader, on Tuesday night denied he had been having conversations with colleagues to replace Mr Joyce. "No I haven't," he told reporters in Canberra. AAP understands a group of about four or five Nationals MPs are trying to get Mr Joyce to resign, but they don't have the numbers in the 21-member party room to force a change. Tony Abbott's former chief of staff when he was prime minister, Peta Credlin, told Sky News if the majority of the Nationals had a show of unity and declared they backed Mr Joyce, "this goes away as much as possible for the government". Malcolm Turnbull expressed confidence in Mr Joyce, who denied breaching the ministerial code of conduct over the employment of his girlfriend Vikki Campion in two political jobs. "I would like to say to (my wife) Natalie how deeply sorry I am for all the hurt this has caused. To my girls, how deeply sorry I am for all the hurt it has caused them," My Joyce told reporters outside federal parliament on Tuesday. Mr Joyce said his marriage had been under pressure for some time before the affair began. He also apologised to voters in his New England electorate for "this personal issue" going public. "Every political career has a time of trial," he told a coalition partyroom meeting. Mr Joyce denied breaching the ministerial code of conduct, which says frontbenchers cannot employ close relatives or partners or get them work in other ministerial offices "without the prime minister's express approval". "When she worked in my office, she was not my partner. When she worked in Matt Canavan's office, she was not my partner. And Damian Drum was not a minister," Mr Joyce said. Former Nationals leader Warren Truss said the situation needed to be resolved quickly. Mr Joyce's child with Ms Campion is due in mid-April. A man has been charged with serious assault after a 21-year-old was punched to the head several times during an argument, leaving him with critical injuries. The victim was assaulted by two men on a Newcastle street early on February 8 after he and his friends became involved in an argument with them. The 21-year-old has since stabilised but has serious injuries including hearing loss. With the help of CCTV footage and following inquiries, police executed a search warrant at a home in Adamstown on Tuesday afternoon and arrested a man, also aged 21. He was charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and bailed to appear at Newcastle Local Court on March 8. Australians are being urged not to use highly addictive benzodiazepines, or benzos, such as Valium to relieve back pain. There is no evidence that the minor tranquilisers relieve low back muscle spasms and should be avoided, says pain medicine physician Dr Mick Vagg. "There's a belief that diazepam (Valium), which is probably the most commonly used one, is helpful as a way of relieving muscle spasm in acute back pain but in fact there's basically no evidence to support its use in someone with acute back pain," Dr Vagg told AAP. Dr Vagg says the one and only study conducted on their use in the last 40 years shows their use "wasn't worth it". With nearly 80 per cent of Australians to suffer some form of low back pain, The Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists have joined forces with Choosing Wisely Australia to warn against their use. "The thing with these drugs is that they are very hard to get off if you stay on them for more than a few weeks because they tend to produce quite severe withdrawals if they are not slowly weaned," said Dr Vagg. This is a particular problem for those with chronic back pain, he noted. "In our pain management practice most of the patients that are on benzodiazepines, which would be perhaps 40 per cent of our patients, got started on it as a way of trying to improve muscle spasms. Some of them got on it for anxiety but most of them got started on it when it was introduced to treat their back spasms." Other side effects associated with long-term use of benzodiazepines include increased risk of falls, cognitive decline, accidents with driving and in combination with opioids increased risk of sudden death. New advice has also been issued on treating chronic non-cancer pain with opioids. "Managing chronic pain is complex, but there is little evidence to support the use of opioids as the first or only treatment option," Dr Vagg said. A raid is underway at the office of the garbage truck company involved in a crash that killed a grandmother who was pushing her grandson in a pram on Sydney's northern beaches last week. The 58-year-old woman was on Moorilla Street in Dee Why when she was hit and killed by the truck last Thursday, while her 18-month-old grandson was unscathed. At first light on Wednesday, the Traffic Taskforce began a compliance inspection at the waste management company's site in Five Dock. "While the matter is now before the court, I can say that today's operation is in direct response to the crash," Commander of the Traffic & Highway Patrol, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said in a statement. "Today, we will be going over trucks owned by the company with a fine-tooth comb. "Last week's crash in Dee Why is nothing short of a tragedy. Thankfully, the young child the woman was pushing in a pram was not injured," he said. A 27-year-old garbage truck driver has been charged with dangerous driving occasioning death and negligent driving occasioning death. He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear in Manly Local Court on next month. THE AUSSIE BILLIONAIRE AND THE ISRAELI PM * POLICE PROBE James Packer is one of several wealthy businessmen Israeli police questioned about expensive gifts allegedly given to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his family, including champagne, hotel rooms, meals and cigars. Israeli police investigated whether Mr Netanyahu pushed certain projects and new laws to benefit Mr Packer and Israeli billionaire Arnon Milchan. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Mr Packer. * FRIENDSHIP FORMS Mr Packer struck up a close friendship with Mr Netanyahu in 2014 after the pair were introduced by mutual friend, Arnon Milchan, a major Hollywood producer. The Australian billionaire later bought a waterfront home next door to the Israeli PM's private beachfront home in Caesarea and was a special guest at speeches delivered by Mr Netanyahu to the US Congress and UN General Assembly in New York in 2015. * GLITTERING GIFTS Israeli police believe Mr Packer gave gifts worth $US71,000 to Mr Netanyahu, his wife Sara and their son Yair. In 2016 Israeli TV network Channel 10 aired claims that Mrs Netanyhau received 10 tickets to see Mr Packer's then girlfriend Mariah Carey in concert. Mr Packer is also claimed to have allowed Yair to stay in his Tel Aviv apartment, lent him his private jet to go on holiday, and picked up his luxury hotel bills in New York and Aspen, Colorado. Mr Milchan, who produced hit movies including LA Confidential and 12 Years A Slave, and The Big Short, was questioned by police about $US214,000 worth of gifts, including cigars and champagne, he gave the Netanyahus. * QUESTION TIME Mr Packer was interviewed by Australian Federal Police in Melbourne in December 2016 after requests from Israeli investigators. He reportedly described Mr Netanyahu as a friend and said the gifts were organised by Mr Milchan's assistant. Mr Netanyahu later reportedly told investigators he had "now and again" asked Mr Packer to "bring me something to Israel from abroad". Israeli police do not allege any wrongdoing by Mr Packer. But in a statement they said they had concluded there was sufficient evidence against the prime minister regarding fraud and breach of trust in connection with Mr Packer, and accepting bribes, fraud and breach of trust regarding Mr Milchan. * RESIDENCY BID Interior Minister Aryeh Deri in January 2017 confirmed Mr Packer's lawyer asked him about the possibility of obtaining citizenship or residency for the billionaire in Israel, despite the fact he is not Jewish. Mr Packer reportedly registered with Israel's tax office, a prerequisite to applying for residency, in 2016. * "NOT WORRIED AT ALL" Mr Netanyahu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. During his first state visit to Australia in February 2017 he insisted nothing would come of the police investigation into his ties with Mr Packer as there was "nothing there, except friendship". "No I'm not worried at all. Not at all," he told reporters. While Mr Netanyahu and his family have not denied accepting gifts, they have insisted they weren't bribes. * NEXT STEPS Attorney-General Avihai Mendelblit will review the material gathered by police before deciding whether Mr Netanyahu should be charged, a process that could take several months. Federal government changes to the way water in the Murray Darling Basin is distributed could be shot down in the Senate on Wednesday. The coalition only has hours left to find the numbers to stop a disallowance motion, spearheaded by the Greens and supported by Labor and the Nick Xenophon Team, from blocking changes to the Murray Darling Basin Plan. "This is the insanity of the situation in which we find ourselves, that the Greens and Labor party are prepared to put South Australia at risk," Water Minister David Littleproud told ABC radio on Wednesday. The use of debt agreements to avoid bankruptcy has boomed over the last decade and needs reforming, Attorney-General Christian Porter says. The agreements allow debtors to regain and maintain control over personal affairs. The number of debt agreements jumped from 6560 a year in 2007 to 12,640 last year, while bankruptcy numbers dropped by almost 10,000 a year. Mr Porter said legislation introduced to the lower house on Wednesday was the first major reform of the system since 2007 and was in response to evidence of consumer exploitation by the industry. "It will boost confidence in the professionalism of debt agreement administrators, deter unscrupulous practices and enhance transparency," he said. The reforms include introducing new payment-to-income ratios for debtors and doubling the asset threshold at which debtors can access the system, allowing those with equity in family homes to access the scheme. "Secondly we are bolstering the authority of the official receiver in bankruptcy to intervene in exceptional cases and refuse to accept debt agreement proposals which would cause undue financial hardship to vulnerable debtors," he said. The debt agreement industry would have six months to implement the proposed changes. Many leading academics and activists expressed anger over the death in custody of Canadian-Iranian environmentalist Kavous Seyed Emami, 63 Leading academics and rights activists demanded action from Iran's government on Monday following the alleged suicide of a revered environmentalist in prison. Many expressed anger over the death in custody of Kavous Seyed Emami, 63, a Canadian-Iranian citizen and respected professor at Imam Sadegh University who was the founder of the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation. Canada said it has concerns about the case and asked Tehran for answers. Meanwhile, the deputy head of Iran's Environmental Protection Organisation, Kaveh Madani, appointed by President Hassan Rouhani last year, released a video that appeared to support claims that he too had been temporarily detained in recent days. Emami's death prompted Iranian rights campaigner Emadeddin Baghi, who has been jailed several times, to express regret over his failure to speak up about prison abuses in the past. "When I heard this news, I felt guilty because, in order to prevent it being exploited by Iran's enemies... I refused to reveal the bad treatment I had experienced during my detention," Baghi wrote on his Telegram channel. "If we had all spoken out, it would be known why such catastrophes happen in prisons." Emami's family was told Friday that he had killed himself in prison two weeks after his arrest. "Canada is concerned about the circumstances around the death of Mr Seyed Emami," said Omar Alghabra, parliamentary secretary to the minister of foreign affairs, adding that Ottawa "has asked Iranian authorities for answers." A judiciary official claimed Sunday that Emami had confessed to crimes related to an espionage investigation, which has seen seven other members of his wildlife NGO placed in detention. A group of four academic societies, representing some of Iran's top universities, wrote an open letter to Rouhani, demanding "immediate and effective action to seriously investigate the case... and make the institutions involved in this painful loss accountable". "In addition to being a well-known professor, a distinguished scientist and war veteran... he was a noble and ethical human being," they wrote. "The news and rumours related to his arrest and death are not believable." One of Rouhani's closest advisors, Hesameddin Ashena, tweeted later that the judiciary, which is dominated by conservatives and has clashed with his moderate government in the past, should be more closely supervised. "Judges, prosecutors, officers, interrogators are neither infallible, nor faultless or free from prejudice," Ashena wrote. "Just as it is necessary to supervise the executive branch, it is necessary to supervise their dealings with defendants." Asked about Emami's case, judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejeie told the reformist ILNA news agency: "I have heard he committed suicide but I have so far no information on the details. This recent incident is under investigation." - 'I am safe' - Meanwhile, questions continued to circulate about Madani, the 36-year-old deputy head of the Environmental Protection Organisation (EPO), a well-known water conservation activist who was appointed amid much fanfare by the government in September. A reformist lawmaker tweeted that Madani had been arrested over the weekend, which was later denied by officials at the EPO. Madani released a cryptic video on Instagram on Monday in which he suggested he had faced problems. "Thanks to all my friends and loved ones who followed up on my situation and I hope no one will face any trouble. I wanted to say that I am safe," he said. Madani added that his access to email, Twitter and Telegram had been cut, but "hopefully this will be resolved." "These issues will pass and, God willing, narrow-mindedness will be eliminated and we can develop our country in a sustainable way... and secure our environment for the next generation." Bill English served as prime minister for just under a year before being replaced by centre-left leader Jacinda Ardern in October last year Former New Zealand prime minister Bill English announced his retirement Tuesday after failing to retain office in last year's "Jacinda-mania" general election. English said that after 27 years in parliament he decided during his summer vacation that he wanted a break from politics. "This is more about myself and my family having spent most of my adult life, all of their lives, with the demands of politics," the 56-year-old told reporters. "I want the opportunity to start again on a different life." A staunchly Catholic conservative, English served as prime minister for just under a year before being replaced by centre-left leader Jacinda Ardern in October last year. After eight years as finance minister, he was seen as a dour replacement for the charismatic John Key but almost derailed the "Jacinda-mania" bandwagon in last year's vote. He outpolled Ardern in the popular vote but she forged an alliance with the Greens and maverick lawmaker Winston Peters to form a coalition government. English said he felt it was time for his National Party for anoint a new team to take to the next election, although he did not nominate a preferred successor. Ardern paid tribute to him. "He is a man of clear convictions who has always had a genuine concern for the well-being of New Zealanders," she said. Four men wrongly imprisoned for decades have sued Chicago law enforcement, claiming misconduct on the part of detectives Four men wrongly imprisoned for decades sued Chicago law enforcement Monday, claiming misconduct on the part of detectives and failure to hold officers to account led to their convictions for a double murder. The lawsuits were the latest in an ongoing reckoning with past police abuses at the third largest American city, as old cases are reviewed and some prisoners' convictions overturned due to misconduct by law enforcement. Charles Johnson, Larod Styles, LaShawn Ezell and Troshawn McCoy were exonerated last year. Criminal charges against them were dropped in light of evidence implicating a convicted drug dealer in the 1995 robbery and killing of two people who owned a used car dealership. The four men were convicted as teenagers and each spent about 20 years in prison, despite a lack of physical evidence tying them to the crime. Only one of them had completed his sentence before their convictions were overturned. "At age 16, I was imprisoned for a crime I didn't commit, and, it was horrific," Styles told a news conference. In their lawsuits, the exonerated inmates targeted former police officers and the prosecutor in their case, saying officials improperly coerced false confessions out of children, without allowing access to legal representation or adult family members. They are asking for financial compensation. "No monetary value can replace what I lost, being wrongfully convicted of a crime I didn't commit," said Johnson, "But what it can do, it can help me give back to my community." "I definitely prayed for this day," he said. The men's cases were the latest in a host of overturned convictions and exonerations in the midwestern US city, where there is a long history of police abuses. The lawsuits claimed the police department failed to properly discipline and supervise officers with a pattern of misconduct. "These actions were not an aberration -- it was behavior that (was) encouraged, supported and concealed by the Chicago Police Department for years," said Alexa Van Brunt, an attorney representing Johnson. A new city prosecutor has initiated an effort to review old cases for possible police misconduct or wrongful convictions. In the first move of its kind, a Chicago judge in November exonerated 15 men at once. All had been accused of drug crimes by a disgraced police sergeant and his team of officers. Among the defendants in the current lawsuit are two police detectives previously accused of wrongdoing. Kenneth Boudreau had a "history of obtaining allegedly dubious confessions" and James Cassidy was sued for allegedly framing an eight-year-old boy for murder, according to the Chicago Tribune newspaper. A Chicago police spokesman did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The White House has struggled to explain how disgraced aide Rob Porter, left, came to handle some of the Oval Office's most sensitive material despite the FBI being aware of multiple battery allegations against him Under pressure to explain how top White House staff worked for a year without full security clearance, Donald Trump's administration on Monday pointed its finger toward the FBI and intelligence agencies. The White House has struggled to explain how disgraced aide Rob Porter came to work beside Trump and handle some of the Oval Office's most sensitive material, despite the FBI being aware of multiple battery allegations against him. Porter, who has resigned, had what the White House called "interim clearance." Porter's access, coupled with the allegations against him, could have made him a prime target for blackmail. He was one of two dozen West Wing officials believed to have worked for Trump without the normal credentials. Others most notably include the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner. "We let the process play out," said White House press secretary Sarah Sanders, defending the White House's handling of the situation. "That's a question that the FBI and other intelligence communities -- they make that determination. That's not something that's decided by the White House," she claimed. "I think it is up to the law enforcement agencies to determine that changes need to be made to their process." While background checks are conducted by the FBI, the Secret Service and intelligence agencies, the White House is ultimately in charge of those agencies. Delays are common, but it is rare for staffers to still not have clearance after one year. In previous administrations, the clearance process has also been followed closely by the White House counsel. The White House on Monday denied suggestions that chief counsel Don McGahn was informed about the allegations against Porter in January, but refused to say when he was informed. The Baltimore police Gun Trace Task Force was supposed to get illegal weapons off the streets but instead added to the problem through criminal actions of its detectives Two US police officers, described by the prosecution as "both cops and robbers," were convicted Monday in one of the country's most explosive recent cases of law enforcement corruption. A jury convicted Baltimore detectives Daniel Hersl and Marcus Taylor of racketeering and racketeering conspiracy. They will be sentenced later and could face life in prison if convicted. The trial revealed widespread illegal practices among officers immersed in a slum environment overrun by criminal gangs. At the heart of the case was the Gun Trace Task Force, a supposedly elite plainclothes unit responsible for tracking down and seizing illegal weapons in the crime-ridden port city with a population of around 600,000, nearly 60 percent of whom are African American. All of their victims were black men, many of them drug dealers who the corrupt police officers knew could not go to the authorities to complain. Six officers pleaded guilty to various charges and four of them delivered gripping testimony at the trial of Hersl and Marcus. Several avowed drug dealers received immunity to allow them to testify about their encounters with the tainted unit. Testimony shed a harsh light on racketeering, burglary, false statements and armed robbery by the officers. Their job was to take illegal guns off the street in a city rife with murders. Instead, the Task Force added to the problem by reselling weapons they stole. The corrupt detectives also trafficked in drugs, planted false evidence on suspects and lied about their overtime hours. Baltimore's homicide rate last year was the nation's second-worst, and led to the replacement of the city's police chief in January. With more than 340 killings in 2017, Baltimore is still recovering from riots that broke out in 2015 after the death in police custody of a young black man, Freddie Gray. According to experts, overcoming the distrust between police and the community in Baltimore, to which the Gun Trace Task Force case contributed, will be a lengthy process. An American has been killed climbing Mexico's highest summit An American citizen died and another was airlifted to hospital after an excursion to reach Mexico's highest summit -- the inactive Citlaltepetl volcano -- turned to disaster, authorities said Monday. Mexican officials initially said the pair were US diplomats, but an American source referred to them as embassy employees. One of the climbers suffered a fall, forcing the other to seek help from the US embassy, according to the civil protection authority for the state of Puebla. The rescue operation began Sunday, but had to be called off because gusts of wind made it too dangerous for helicopters. A helicopter finally managed Monday to reach 26-year-old Nathan Cahill, who was airlifted to a Mexico City hospital, Mexican officials said. Rescue workers recovered the other climber's body on foot. "The strong gusts of wind and the area where (the body) was recovered, close to the summit, made it too difficult by helicopter," a civil protection authority official said. Best known as Pico de Orizaba, the 5,610-meter (18,400-foot) mountain on the border between the states of Puebla and Veracruz attracts professional climbers from around the world as well as poorly equipped amateurs. In November, authorities recovered the body of an American mountaineer from the same summit, following a risky rescue operation that injured one worker. The mountain gained notoriety in 2015 following the discovery of two unidentified mummified bodies at an elevation of 5,200 meters -- that have not been recovered due to their precarious location -- and a third now housed in a local museum. Mexico detained more than 500 undocumented migrants at the weekend; here, border wall prototypes rise at the US/Mexico border in Tijuana, Mexico on January 22, 2018 Mexican authorities detained more than 500 undocumented migrants over the weekend, mostly Central Americans trying to reach the United States, many of them risking their lives, officials said. Many of the migrants, who were detained in six different operations, were being trafficked by smugglers in unventilated trucks with no food or water. More than 200 others were found crammed into six "safe houses" used by criminal gangs in the state of Tamaulipas, which borders the United States. They had paid their traffickers up to $4,000. More than 100 of the migrants in that group were minors. The detentions come as immigration across the southern US border is at the center of a political firestorm in Washington. The US Congress launched debate Monday on a proposal from President Donald Trump to grant citizenship to 1.8 million immigrants brought to the United States as children -- a concession to opposition Democrats -- in exchange for tough cutbacks on immigration and $25 billion for tighter border security, including his planned wall. Mexico's National Migration Institute said Saturday that 100 undocumented Guatemalans and Hondurans including 41 minors were found in two buses in the western state of Jalisco, after paying a smuggler between $5,000 and $7,000 each. In another operation, 53 Guatemalans including 13 minors were found in an unventilated truck in the violent eastern state of Veracruz. Authorities arrested a total of nine people on human trafficking charges in the two operations. On Sunday, authorities said they arrested a group of 228 Central American migrants and one Mexican in Tamaulipas, after receiving an anonymous tip-off. And on Monday, they announced three more operations that led to the detention of 40 Hondurans in an overstuffed and unventilated truck in Veracruz, 43 Central Americans in Tamaulipas and 41 in the state of Tabasco. The operations come a week after Mexico detained more than 300 Central American men, women and children being smuggled to the US without water or food. Amnesty International recently reported that Mexico deports thousands of Central Americans without taking into account their potential rights to treatment as refugees, such as when they are persecuted by brutally violent gangs in their home countries. A former Politburo member, Sun Zhengcai, former party chief of the southwestern mega-city Chongqing, who was once seen as a contender for China's top leadership has been charged with bribery, the country's top prosecutor says A former Politburo member who was once seen as a contender for China's top leadership has been charged with bribery, the country's top prosecutor said Tuesday. Sun Zhengcai, former party chief of the southwestern mega-city Chongqing, "should be held criminally responsible" for "seeking benefits for others" and "illegally accepting huge sums of money," according to a statement on the website of the Supreme People's Procuratorate. The agency has transferred Sun's case to the first branch of the Tianjin People's Procuratorate to complete proceedings, it said. In July, the Chinese Communist Party's top watchdog launched an investigation against Sun for "serious discipline violation", according to the official Xinhua news agency. Sun was the first serving member of the elite 25-person Politburo to be placed under investigation since his predecessor Bo Xilai, who was jailed for life in 2013 in the wake of President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign. Sun was formally expelled from the Communist Party in September. The latest development comes as China's national legislature prepares for an annual plenary session next month that is expected to further cement Xi's position as the most powerful Chinese leader in a generation. Government corruption is rampant in China, and Xi Jinping has presided over a much-publicised anti-graft campaign since coming to power in 2012, which some have compared to a political purge. In October, senior party official Liu Shiyu congratulated Xi for foiling the efforts of powerful officials who "plotted to usurp the party's leadership and seize state power." Liu listed former security czar Zhou Yongkang alongside Bo and Sun as members of the conspiracy, which was rumoured to have involved military officials. All three have been ousted from the CCP and arrested or jailed on corruption charges. Macau's gambling revenue has bounced back following the corruption crackdown on the Chinese mainland MGM China is opening its new multi-billion-dollar mega resort in Macau's glitzy Cotai strip on Tuesday following multiple delays and last-minute hiccups in the government approval process. The launch of the $3.4-billion resort comes as Macau is undergoing something of a renaissance, with gaming revenues bouncing back after being hard hit by a corruption crackdown launched by China's President Xi Jinping in 2012. The mega project's launch faced repeated delays, including in August when Typhoon Hato ripped a path of destruction across southern China, leaving 10 dead in Macau and businesses and homes washed out in the territory's worst typhoon for over 50 years. MGM China postponed its opening again in January, saying the company was "undergoing the administrative approval process of obtaining relevant licences". Macau, a semi-autonomous territory, is the only place in China where gambling is legal, bringing in revenue that easily dwarves Las Vegas. Macau gambling Macau's revenues took a hit after Xi declared his war on graft with many mainland big spenders staying away from the enclave, which had gained a reputation as a centre for laundering money out of China. In response to the crackdown, casino giants launched a slew of new mega resorts, offering everything from fine dining to theme parks as they looked to attract more mass-market gamblers to compensate for the fall in high rollers. The gamble appears to have paid off as Macau's gaming revenues soared 36 percent year-on-year in January. MGM Cotai is the latest casino in the Chinese gambling enclave to push non-gaming attractions, offering a luxury spa and an art collection. The casino's enormous lobby is the length of a football field and is filled with LED screens showing images of natural landscapes, with rare plants covering the walls. Another special hall is adorned by framed Qing Dynasty-era carpets that came from Beijing's Forbidden City. - Diversifying - Some big spenders have now returned to the territory, with high rollers being the biggest drivers of revenue growth in 2017, Bloomberg News reported. But Grant Bowie, the chief executive officer of MGM China, said the company had consciously decided to broaden their offering and take the focus off high-end gamblers to bring them in line with Chinese government priorities. The company's licence is up for renewal in 2020, and whether they are granted an extension will be "determined not by how successful we are at running casinos, but how successful we are at diversifying, allowing Macau to become more than just a gaming town," Bowie said. The lavish new casino "is part of that process of demonstrating our commitment to Macau", he said, adding that their heavy investment aims show that they are here for the long-term. MGM were only allocated 100 gambling tables for the new casino, so moved an additional 77 from MGM Macau. Their main focus is "premium mass" market not high-rollers, he said, and the company is not even opening VIP tables at the launch. MGM China, a tie-up between Las Vegas-based MGM Resorts International and Pansy Ho, the daughter of Macau gambling tycoon Stanley Ho, went public in Hong Kong in 2011. The elder Ho was credited with transforming Macau from a sleepy Portuguese outpost to a gaming boomtown. But Macau, home to six licensed casino operators, might now be expecting to face competition from outside the territory. Beijing is considering plans to allow gambling on Hainan island and end a long-standing ban in mainland China, according to reports this month, which would be a historic turnaround for the communist government. Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce is best known for his row with Johnny Depp, after the star's two dogs were brought to Australia illegally Pressure was mounting on Australia's deputy prime minister Tuesday amid fresh allegations that his affair with a younger former staffer, who is pregnant with their child, breached ministerial rules. Barnaby Joyce has been under intense scrutiny since the relationship was splashed across the front page of Sydney's Daily Telegraph last week, with his wife of 24 years making clear she and their four daughters were devastated. He made a public apology to them on Tuesday and defended the two jobs, one for a minister, that his 33-year-old lover Vikki Campion was given after she stopped working for him last year. Joyce -- internationally renowned for threatening to euthanise Hollywood star Johnny Depp's dogs over a quarantine violation -- denied he breached the ministerial code of conduct. It stipulates that "partners" of ministers cannot be given jobs in ministerial offices without the express approval of the prime minister. "I am very aware of the ministerial code of conduct," Joyce, head of the National Party which is in a coalition with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's Liberals, told reporters in Canberra. "It is without a shadow of a doubt that Vikki Campion is my partner now. But when she worked in my office, she was not my partner. When she worked in (Resources Minister) Matt Canavan's office, she was not my partner. Joyce reportedly updated his formal register of interests last month to say he was separated from his wife, but has not added Campion, who is expecting their baby in April, as his partner. The growing scandal has seen the Labor opposition question whether it is tenable for Joyce to continue in his position, while the Greens have demanded he resign. Breaching the code of conduct could be grounds for him to be removed from office. New claims in the Telegraph on Tuesday of inappropriate behaviour by Joyce at a pub after an official function in 2011 were slammed by the 50-year-old as "serious defamation". Turnbull and the Liberals have sought to distance themselves from the saga, which comes just months after the coalition survived a crisis over lawmakers' citizenship that threatened their slim parliamentary majority. "The Deputy PM... said that he had not discussed Ms Campion's employment with me or my office. He confirmed that the Nationals were responsible for decisions relating to staffing," Turnbull told parliament Monday. Joyce was also embroiled in the nationality saga that saw a host of parliamentarians resign over a once-obscure rule barring dual citizens from federal office, and he had to stand for re-election in his rural constituency. He campaigned on a platform of being a pillar of the community who upheld conservative values, including marriage, and comfortably won the crucial by-election. If predictions prove correct, Ethiopia will soon face its fourth consecutive year of drought, with the lack of rain hitting pastoralist herders worst Down a sandy track past a desiccated animal carcass lies a cluster of half-built huts that Ethiopia's government and aid agencies hope will blunt the worsening toll of repeated droughts. The soon-to-be village of Dabafayed is intended as a new, permanent home for once-nomadic herders made destitute by the country's back-to-back droughts. The lifestyle change is drastic but necessary, officials say. "We can't talk about a normal state of affairs anymore when drought has become almost perennial," said Achim Steiner, head of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), during a recent visit to the resettlement site. The soon-to-be village of Dabafayed is intended as a new, permanent home for once-nomadic herders made destitute by the country's back-to-back droughts If predictions prove correct, Ethiopia will soon face its fourth consecutive year of drought, with the lack of rain hitting pastoralist herders worst. Robust responses by Ethiopia's government and foreign aid agencies, and the absence of war, have prevented a repeat of the disastrous famines of the 1970s and 1980s that killed hundreds of thousands. Ethiopian officials argue the policy of relocating rural communities to areas closer to roads, clinics and schools -- known as "villagisation" -- drives development, but rights groups say it is forced displacement designed to better control the population. With competing humanitarian emergency demands the UN and aid agencies are seeking strategies to enable drought-prone areas, such as the southeastern Somali region where Dabafayed is located, to weather the months when water cannot be found. - 'Where will I go?' - Though they have trekked this arid region with their livestock for generations, some ethnic Somali herders say they are ready to settle down rather than face what seems like drought without end. Women and children wait at the Dabafayed Resettlement project intended to become a new, permanent home for once-nomadic herders made destitute by the country's back-to-back droughts "You can count on the government, and the NGOs are there giving us assistance," said Halima Hussein, a resident of a displaced persons camp for herders such as herself whose animals have died of thirst. "It will be at least better than staying in the bush and herding animals." Somali herders can lose everything during drought: from their wealth in the form of animals, to their portable homes, which need pack animals to carry them. Halima experienced all of this. "We lost our animals. Where will I go back to?" she asked, waiting in line with dozens of other women to draw water from a borehole. Ethiopia is drought-prone but the Somali region has been badly affected in recent years, forcing aid agencies to last year seek $1.4 billion (1.1 billion euros) to respond to the water shortage. Donors pledged all but a fifth of the money asked, but Ethiopia's humanitarian situation worsened when fighting intensified last September between the Somalis and Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, the Oromos, killing hundreds and leaving a million homeless. The UN believes it will need $895 million to respond to this year's drought and Ethiopia's parliament this month chipped in five billion birr ($182.7 million, 148.9 euros) for disaster response, state media reported. The UN believes it will need $895 million to respond to this year's drought These emergency funds pay for food, water and fodder that keeps people and animals alive, but officials say it ultimately does little to alleviate the privation of drought-hit nomads. "The climate is changing, there's more people in this region, and new ways of making a livelihood are going to be needed if we're going to find a way through this problem," said Mark Lowcock, the UN's top aid official. The Somali region is desperately poor, lacking the economic dynamism of other parts of Ethiopia. The UN says it will assist resettled herders to become farmers. More than four million people are estimated to live across Ethiopia's Somali region. - Crisis into opportunity - Aid workers are trying not only to get emergency food to hungry people but to come up with ways to prevent them from starving in the first place. Beyond just cushioning people from future droughts, the UN's Ethiopia head Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie said the strategy is to offer services such as schools to nomadic communities that were otherwise hard to reach. "How do we turn a crisis into an opportunity?" Eziakonwa-Onochie said. "Now that they are forced, actually by the circumstances... into sedentary kinds of lives, we start to see that opportunity to provide education in a more consistent way for the kids." Aid workers are trying not only to get emergency food to hungry people but to come up with ways to prevent them from starving in the first place The nomadic herder lifestyle is common across Africa and has long defied government attempts to change it. But Ethiopia spends more time and money exerting control over its people than most, and officials say they believe they can reshape Somali herders. "If we give pastoralists water and they don't have to go 50, 100 kilometres to find it, is that not good?" said Anwar Ali, humanitarian advisor to the Somali regional state. "We're not changing the nomadic lifestyle, we are just improving it." Halima is among those eligible to live permanently in Dabafayed. Despite knowing no other life but the nomad's before the drought took it all away, she's ready for the change. "I'm not going anywhere, I don't have any place to go," she said. "This will be my permanent arrangement." The countries of North Africa's Maghreb region may be about to put their differences aside with a joint bid to have couscous added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list Could a plate of couscous warm up relations between wary North African nations? A drive to win coveted UNESCO status for the dish could at least get them talking around the same table. The hearty meal itself however is a bone of contention between countries that haven't always got along. Who makes it the best? And given that the fluffy semolina can be topped with everything from fish in Tunisia to camel meat in Libya, what truly makes a couscous a couscous? As with the "hummus wars" that have long roiled the Middle East, and West Africa's furious debate over who makes the best jollof rice, couscous is a source of pride as well as regional divisions. But the countries of North Africa's Maghreb region may be about to put their differences aside with a joint bid to have the dish added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The list showcases the world's most precious cultural treasures, with the UN cultural body sometimes offering funding to countries struggling to protect their traditions. There are as yet few details on the North African bid, but Slimane Hachi, director of Algeria's prehistoric research centre, said that it would unite Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania and Mali. - Berber cuisine? - It will not be the first time UNESCO status has been mooted for couscous, but this time working together could prove the secret ingredient. In 2016 Algeria announced a solo bid to win protected status for the dish -- sparking outrage in Morocco where many feel they hold an equal claim to it. Even the question of who introduced the basic ingredients to the region is hotly debated, with some crediting the Romans and others saying Arabs brought it in from the east. Berber women prepare couscous in Algeria, one of many countries in North Africa where the dish is a source of pride French food historian Patrick Rambourg said the Berbers, an ethnic group spread across the region, were likely the first to rustle up a couscous -- "long before the countries of the Maghreb that we know today existed", he told AFP. Another food historian, Lucie Bolens, has described primitive couscous pots found in Algeria dating back to the reign of king Massinissa 2,200 years ago. Considered a Berber forefather, Massinissa united what is now northern Algeria with parts of Tunisia and Libya into the ancient kingdom of Numidia. Rambourg argues the region should celebrate its shared heritage rather than fretting over who really lays the best claim to couscous. "Its origins are a complicated subject, a slippery slope -- and is it really that important?" he said. "For all the countries in the Maghreb, couscous is a part of their identity." The countries involved will have to come to a common position if they are to mount a successful UNESCO bid, he warned. "They'd have to show the historic permanency of the dish or its preparation, showing it's a part of daily life for all the groups constituting a people or a nation and that it's part of their identity." And they should probably downplay the huge diversity between couscouses served up across the region, he advised. - Regional rivalries - Kader Abderrahim, a French researcher at the Institute for European Perspective and Security, said neighbouring rivals Algeria and Morocco might struggle to work together. "There are such entrenched positions on both sides that it's very complicated to find areas of agreement, including on a subject that might seem harmless," he said. "There is so much antagonism that has been built up for 50 years and that has got a lot worse, especially in recent months." A family prepares to eat freshly cooked couscous in Libya, where the dish is sometimes topped with camel meat Algiers and Rabat have eyed each other jealously since the 1960s, when Algeria's new post-independence authorities refused to shift the borders set out under French colonial rule, leaving some areas disputed. Abderrahim said it was a paradox that the Maghreb "has not succeeded in integrating as a region", despite "a common culture, a shared history, the same language and religious tradition". The Maghreb should be "stronger than Europe which is divided by language and history", he said. Fatema Hal, an anthropologist and Paris restauranteur who was born in Morocco, says UNESCO recognition would be a positive step for the region. "If couscous can help bring them together, all the better," she said. "But rather than putting all our energy into trying to get a label, we should be doing what's necessary to preserve our cuisine." Promoting the region's cuisine at its own cookery schools -- which tend to focus instead on international cuisine -- she added would be a good start. The temporary marriage license office at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas helps marriages get off the ground in Valentine's season without all the fuss The Las Vegas airport has given new meaning to rushing to make a connection, offering quickie wedding licenses for lovebirds desperate to get hitched on Valentine's Day. Clark County, the authority that administers Sin City's weddings, has opened a pop-up marriage license bureau by a baggage carousel at McCarran International Airport. On Saturday a steady stream of couples arrived at the office -- open through February 17 -- to get their marriages off the ground without all the fuss. "I'm really excited that they actually did this, because it's a lot more stress having to come through the airport, then get to the county clerk's office, wait in line," said Stefanie, of Dallas, Texas, who was marrying partner Kisha. "So this was really painless and really quick. So, very convenient." The US desert oasis known for all-night gambling, extravagant shows and no-holds-barred boozing has for decades also been a magnet for couples from around the world looking to tie the knot quickly and cheaply -- the kitschier the ceremony, the better. The pop-up office's $77 licenses are good for all of Vegas's famous venues, including the Cannabis Chapel, Elvis Chapel, Chapel in the Clouds and the Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel. Teaira Thompson and James Anderson of Burlington, Iowa, complete their paperwork at the temporary marriage license office at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, which issues about 1,500 licenses on Valentine's Day The wedding industry contributes more than $2 billion annually to the local economy and Clark County issues about 80,000 licenses a year -- more than any other office in the country. Around 1,500 of those are issued for Valentine's -- about double the rate for a normal day -- with more than one in every 25 US marriages taking place in Vegas. Al and Gail Murphy, from Alberta, in Canada, were among the customers taking advantage of the office Saturday. "It was super convenient to have this set up here, the marriage license bureau," said Gail, proudly brandishing a white package emblazoned with red hearts containing the document. "And I love the envelope," she said. "We're all set up. We just have to go have fun and show up on the day." Valentine's is expected to be particularly busy this year as it comes two days before the Lunar New Year, celebrated by China and other Asian countries. For Americans, the date marks the start of the President's Day long weekend. Excited Brandi, from Houston, Texas, clutched her intended husband-to-be, Jeff, as she revealed that she hadn't slept for two days. "I've been trying to sleep, and I just lay there wide awake," she told AFP. "I don't know, I've known this guy like 20 years. I don't know why I feel like I just met him I guess. But it's awesome, I'm very happy." Choi Soon-sil (C) the secret confidante of ousted South Korean president Park Geun-hye, was convicted on February 13, 2018 and jailed for 20 years over the scandal that brought down the former head of state The secret confidante of ousted South Korean president Park Geun-hye was convicted Tuesday and jailed for 20 years for her key role in the scandal that brought down the former head of state. Choi Soon-sil, who became close to Park through her father, a shadowy religious figure, was vilified at the massive nationwide protests that rocked Asia's fourth-largest economy and culminated in Park's impeachment last year. She was accused of colluding with Park to extort millions from giant South Korean firms including Samsung and Lotte, and using her connection with the president to meddle in state affairs. The Seoul Central District Court found her guilty of abuse of power, bribery and meddling in state affairs. Judge Kim Se-yoon told a packed courtroom that Choi took advantage of "long private ties" with Park to force companies to donate funds to foundations she controlled. She accepted a total of 14 billion won ($13 million) from telecommunications giant Samsung and retail conglomerate Lotte, he said, and "meddled in state affairs widely". "The guilt of the accused is heavy," he said, adding that she had shown no repentance. Choi, who wore a dark blue coat and a badge bearing her prison number, showed little reaction as the sentence was passed. The verdict is a potential pointer to the decision in Park's separate trial, as 15 of the 18 charges Choi faced mirror counts on the ex-president's own indictment. Choi's fellow accused Shin Dong-bin, the chairman of the Lotte group, South Korea's fifth-biggest conglomerate, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison. He was arrested in court, having been out on bail during the trial. Former Park aide Ahn Jong-beom was jailed for six years. Choi pleaded not guilty, claiming she never pursued any personal benefits but attempted to help Park's work, lashing out at the prosecution for "framing" her. Her defence lawyer Lee Kyung-jae previously said Choi fell victim to a political plot intended to topple the Park government, asserting there was little evidence she profited from the alleged corruption. Choi Soon-sil arrives at Seoul Central District Court to hear the verdict The daughter of a shadowy religious figure, Choi Soon-sil has been at the side of now-ousted South Korean president Park Geun-hye for decades, bound to the politician by her father. Now Choi, 61, may spend the rest of her life in prison after being jailed for 20 years for her role in the epic corruption scandal that rocked the nation and brought down her lifelong friend. Choi's father Choi Tae-min made the first connection to Park decades ago. When Park's mother was assassinated in 1974 in a failed attempt to kill her dictator father Park Chung-hee, Choi Tae-min sent the future president a letter claiming he had seen her mother in his dreams. The senior Choi, 40 years older than Park and the seven-times-married founder of a cult-like group, won her trust. His influence grew after Park's father was himself shot dead in 1979 and she became a recluse. A later US diplomatic cable published by Wikileaks noted widespread rumours that Choi Tae-min had "complete control over Park's body and soul". His daughter Soon-sil became a close friend of Park's, handling numerous aspects of her daily life even down to her wardrobe choices. In 1990 Park's sister and brother sent then-President Roh Tae-woo a letter pleading for him to "rescue" their sibling from Choi Tae-min and his relatives. The Choi clan sought to profit from their connection to Park and persuaded her to cut all contact with her siblings, according to sister Park Geun-Ryoung. Choi Tae-min died in 1994 but Soon-sil inherited his guiding role. Three years later Park entered politics, winning a seat in parliament. - 'Vulgar and greedy' - By the time Park was elected president in 2012 and moved into the Blue House she relied heavily on Choi for decisions over policy and personnel, according to a probe by prosecutors last year. Choi had no title or security clearance, and remained largely unknown to the public. But recorded phone conversations released by prosecutors during Park's own trial revealed Choi giving orders regarding policy directives or PR campaigns at the presidential office. Choi was heard constantly asking a key aide to Park, "Did you write down what I just said?" or admonishing him, "Why didn't you do that last time?" -- while the official spoke in the respectful Korean language terms usually reserved to address superiors. Along the way, prosecutors say, she used her influence on Park to force major Seoul firms including Samsung to donate tens of millions of dollars to non-profit foundations which she allegedly used for personal gain. The ties finally came to light in late 2016 when a Seoul TV station obtained Choi's tablet computer -- ostensibly when a reporter found it in an abandoned office -- containing many confidential presidential documents, including drafts of Park's speeches. Choi tearfully apologised when she was summoned by prosecutors in October 2016 -- her first public appearance -- as the fury over the scandal sparked nationwide protests urging Park's ousting. But she later denied all charges against her, saying she had little influence over Park. For her part the former president -- who is on trial separately and denies all the charges against her -- publicly apologised for "overtrusting" Choi. Ex-lawmaker Chun Yu-Ok, a former spokeswoman for Park's party and once a close ally of Park, described the Choi clan as "vulgar, greedy and sleazy" in a recent book on her experiences in politics. Chun cut ties with Park in 2007, and slammed her as "someone who should never be president" during Park's victorious election campaign five years later. She feared that if Park became head of state, "the country would be ruled by the collective leadership of the Choi clan", the former journalist wrote. "I hoped my fear would prove to be wrong, but unfortunately it turned out to be correct -- a big tragedy for our country." "They were people of the darkness." This still from video released by Boko Haram on January 15, 2018 shows at least 14 of the girls kidnapped by the militants in 2014 A man involved in the 2014 kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok in northeast Nigeria has been jailed for 15 years, the government confirmed on Tuesday. Haruna Yahaya, 35, admitted being involved in the abduction when he appeared at a special court trying hundreds of Boko Haram suspects on Monday, a justice ministry spokesman told AFP. The conviction is the first in relation to the kidnapping, which triggered global outrage and sparked a worldwide campaign for the girls' release. Nigeria began prosecuting people arrested during the insurgency last October, starting with 1,669 suspects held at a military detention facility in Kainji, in the central state of Niger. "It is true that a member of Boko Haram who took part in the kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls was given 15 years jail," justice ministry spokesman Salihu Isah said. "Haruna Yahaya, who is 35 and handicapped with a paralysed arm and a deformed leg, was arrested in 2015 by the Civilian JTF," he said referring to the joint task force militia. "He confessed to having taken part in the abduction." Isah said Yahaya's defence lawyer "pleaded for leniency" on the grounds that he was "forcibly conscripted into the group and he acted under duress". Boko Haram has used kidnapping as a weapon of war in its quest to establish a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria, seizing thousands of women, young girls and men of fighting age. "But the court dismissed his plea on the grounds that he had the option not to take part in Boko Haram activities... His conviction starts from the time of sentence," said Isah. A Pakistani doctor and his assistants arrested last year for illegal kidney transplants: now a gang is accused of stealing spinal fluid Pakistan police have arrested a gang accused of extracting spinal fluid from swindled victims, officials said Tuesday, the latest case involving the country's notorious medical black market. Police in Punjab province's eastern Hafizabad district arrested five suspects after being tipped off by relatives of a woman victim, who was told the procedure was needed for a programme which offers free wedding dowries. Officials suspect the fluid was being sold on the black market to be used in bone marrow transplants. "They confessed to extracting the spinal cord fluid from at least 10 women in the area and selling it to a cleaner at a local government hospital, who has also been detained," Abdul Majeed, an investigator with the Hafizabad police department, told AFP. Another police officer, Muhammad Imran, confirmed the incident. "Further investigation is underway," Majeed said. The top-selling Urdu-language newspaper, Jang, said the accused had extracted fluid from at least 90 impoverished women who were left disabled by the procedure. Pakistan is infamous for illegal kidney transplants that have attracted customers from across the world. Last year authorities in Lahore arrested a group of medics for performing illegal kidney transplants for two Oman nationals. Organs can only be donated by close relatives in Pakistan and buying and selling them is illegal. Washington has piled pressure on Pakistan last November to take action against Hafiz Saeed, the alleged mastermind of the Mumbai attacks which killed 166 people, after he was released from house arrest in the eastern city of Lahore Pakistan has quietly amended its anti-terror laws to ban those listed as terrorists by the United Nations, a move which paves the way for Islamabad to proceed against suspected masterminds of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The change was made by President Mamnoon Hussain on Friday, and published by the law ministry late Monday. "The amendment means that all individuals and entities listed by the United Nations also stand banned under Pakistani laws now," a senior government official told AFP. He declined to say what actions were being taken after the change, and analysts said it was unclear why it was needed when Pakistan is already a member of the UN. The move comes after Washington piled pressure on Pakistan last November to take action against Hafiz Saeed, the alleged mastermind of the Mumbai attacks which killed 166 people, after he was released from house arrest in the eastern city of Lahore. Pakistan says there is not enough evidence to charge him, and denies harbouring militants. However, the White House has said that freeing him "belies Pakistani claims that it will not provide sanctuary for terrorists". Security analyst Amir Rana said the Pakistani move may have been in anticipation of the meeting in Paris next week of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an inter-governmental organisation to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. Observers say Pakistan fears being put on money laundering and terrorist financing lists. Saeed heads the charity Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), believed to be a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a militant group that battles Indian troops in disputed Kashmir and was blamed for the Mumbai attacks. Six Americans were among those killed during the three-day siege in Mumbai, when gunmen who arrived by sea sparked battles with Indian commandos. The drama brought nuclear-armed India and Pakistan to the brink of war. Saeed, who has a $10 million US bounty on his head, has denied involvement. He was listed by the UN in December 2008 for being associated with LeT, as well as having links to the Al-Qaeda terror network and Taliban militants. JuD is similarly listed by the UN as a terrorist group. No officials from the charity were immediately available for comment. A supporter of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stands with his portrait in Cairo on January 25, 2018 Egyptian presidential elections expected to be dominated by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi next month will be "neither free nor fair", more than a dozen human rights groups said Tuesday. "The Egyptian government has trampled over even the minimum requirements for free and fair elections," the 14 international and Egyptian organisations said in a joint statement released by Human Rights Watch. "The government of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has relentlessly stifled basic freedoms and arrested potential candidates and rounded up their supporters," according to the groups, which also include the World Organisation Against Torture and the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies. All serious potential presidential contenders for the March 26-28 vote have either been jailed or have withdrawn from the presidential race, with some claiming the entire process was not conducive to free elections. A coalition of eight parties and 150 public figures called on Egyptians last month to boycott the poll, calling it a "charade". Former army chief Sisi, who was elected in 2014 after leading the military ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, will face a single opponent: Mousa Mostafa Mousa, a Sisi supporter. "Egypt's allies should speak out publicly now to denounce these farcical elections, rather than continue with largely unquestioning support for a government presiding over the country's worst human rights crisis in decades," the rights groups said. The United States as well as the European Union and individual European countries "should halt all security assistance that could be used in internal repression and focus aid on ensuring concrete improvements to protect basic rights," they said. "Seven years after Egypt's 2011 uprising, the government has made a mockery of the basic rights for which protesters fought," the groups added, referring to the protests that toppled longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak. One former potential candidate in the election, ex-army chief of staff General Sami Anan, was accused of illegally announcing his intention to run for president before getting the military's approval. Another, leftist human rights lawyer Khaled Ali, dropped out last month, citing harassment of his supporters and concerns over the safety of his volunteers. In December, a military court sentenced a colonel, Ahmed Konsowa, to six years in jail after he announced his intention to stand. Destroyed buildings are seen in Mosul on January 8, 2018 War-battered Iraq sought Tuesday to attract international investors to rebuild the country after defeating the Islamic State group, offering hundreds of projects and touting extensive legal guarantees. "Iraq is open for investors," declared Sami al-Araji, chairman of Iraq's National Investment Commission, on the second day of a major reconstruction conference in Kuwait. Baghdad says it needs nearly $90 billion to rebuild after a three-year war against IS which devastated homes, schools, hospitals and economic infrastructure, displacing millions of people. World Bank officials joined Iraqi government representatives on Tuesday in Kuwait City to seek pledges from more than 2,000 representatives of international firms in attendance. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told the conference that much work was needed to rebuild Iraq and "modernise" its economy. "It is equally important to show that ISIS and its violent ideology have failed," he said, using an alternative acronym for IS. "A government that is inclusive, accountable and transparent builds a society that can counter extremist ideologies." Araji said Iraq, which has been either at war or under international sanctions since 1980, is offering projects in almost every field of the economy. He presented more than 200 projects open to investors, including oil refineries, massive housing and industrial ventures, transport projects and at least four power plants. Investors will enjoy a high level of legal protection, Araji said, adding that Iraq is also planning to establish four economic zones. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian called for the entire country to benefit from "reconstruction, stabilisation and national reconciliation". "Reconstruction efforts should not leave out any region or community, especially those who have been marginalised in Iraq's recent history," he said. "I am thinking in particular of Kurdistan, which took more than its share of the burden and the sacrifices" in the fight against IS. Tensions between Baghdad and Iraq's Kurds have been high following a controversial September referendum on Kurdish independence, which prompted the central government to seize back oil-rich Kirkuk province from Kurdish forces. Iraq said its 10-year reconstruction plan will cost $88.2 billion, of which $22 billion was required immediately. Non-governmental organisations on Monday pledged $330 million, but the main commitments are expected to be made by about 70 countries on Wednesday, the last day of the conference. Iraqi and World Bank officials on Tuesday talked up legal guarantees available in post-IS Iraq, pointing to an investment law that offers ownership, unlimited cash transfers and tax breaks, among other benefits. Nizar Nasser Hussein, the head of the legal department at the National Investment Commission, said the latest version of the law does not distinguish between foreign and Iraqi investors. "Foreign investors can establish Iraqi companies," he told AFP, adding that investors would be given lease contracts for 50 years, renewable for a similar period. In addition, investors will be exempt from customs duties and income tax for 10-15 years, Hussein said. Araji said investors in Iraq will find "high risks, but high returns". US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has called on allies to keep fighting the Islamic State group, saying the end of major combat does not mean "enduring defeat" of the extremists Washington's top envoy Tuesday called on allies to keep fighting the Islamic State group, saying the end of major combat did not mean "enduring defeat" of the extremists. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spoke at a ministerial meeting in Kuwait of the US-led military coalition that has been fighting IS in Iraq and Syria. The jihadist group has lost much of the territory it once controlled when it seized large swathes of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014. "ISIS is failing but the end of major combat operations does not mean we have achieved the enduring defeat of ISIS," Tillerson said, using another acronym for IS. "ISIS remains a serious threat to the stability of the region, our homelands and other parts of the globe," he said. Iraq declared victory over IS in December, but the extremist group still has a presence in Syria, where the US-led coalition has backed a Kurdish-Arab alliance fighting the jihadists. Tillerson said the United States would maintain an "ISIS-focused military presence in Syria" and "continue to train local security forces". The US-backed campaign against IS in Syria has been complicated since Turkey-supported rebels last month launched an offensive against Kurdish militia in the northwestern region of Afrin. The Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) have been a key component of the US-backed alliance fighting IS, but Washington's NATO ally Turkey says they are a "terrorist" offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). "We remain concerned over recent events in northwest Syria and call on all parties to remain focused on defeating ISIS," Tillerson said. "We will continue to be completely transparent with Turkey about our efforts in Syria to defeat ISIS and we stand by our NATO ally in its counterterrorism efforts." Oxfam's chief executive Mark Goldring (L) came under renewed pressure Tuesday after fresh claims of sexual assault and rape at the charity, this time between aid workers in South Sudan Scandal-hit British charity Oxfam was reeling Tuesday after fresh claims of sexual assault and rape, this time between aid workers in South Sudan. Helen Evans, former global head of safeguarding, also warned of assaults on children volunteering in Oxfam's hundreds of high-street charity shops in Britain. She accused senior managers of failing to act, heaping pressure on chief executive Mark Goldring just hours after his deputy resigned over a scandal involving aid workers' use of prostitutes in Haiti. Evans told Channel 4 News of a survey conducted during her 2012-2015 tenure which exposed a "culture of sexual abuse" in some Oxfam offices. The survey of 120 staff across three countries found between 11 and 14 percent said they witnessed or experienced sexual assault. Seven percent of staff in South Sudan -- four people -- witnessed or experienced rape or attempted rape involving colleagues. - Sex for aid - She said she asked to take her findings to the senior leadership team at Oxfam, but the meeting was cancelled and Goldring said that discussing the report would not take things any further. Later during her tenure, Evans said she received three new allegations in a single day in February 2015, including one woman forced to have sex for aid. Mark Goldring leaves the Department for International Development (DFID) in central London on February 12, 2018 "There was one of a woman being coerced to have sex in a humanitarian response by another aid worker, another case where a woman had been coerced to have sex in exchange for aid, and another one where it had come to our attention where a member of staff had been struck off for sexual abuse and hadn't disclosed that," she said. Evans -- now a local councillor in England -- said she "struggled" to understand why senior management did not give her more resources to address the problem. In a separate issue, Channel 4 cited figures showing seven incidents of "inappropriate conduct with children" in Oxfam's shops in 2013/14. One case involving an adult volunteer assaulting a child -- the minimum age for volunteers is 14 -- went to court, Evans said. Oxfam has been battling accusations it covered up a scandal involving its aid workers in Haiti, which has put government funding at risk and threatens its global reputation. It has denied covering up misconduct allegations against staff members accused of using prostitutes in Haiti following a devastating 2010 earthquake, but admits it could have been more transparent. Oxfam deputy chief Penny Lawrence resigned on Monday, saying: "As programme director at the time, I am ashamed that this happened on my watch and I take full responsibility." Smoke is seen billowing from the northern Syrian Kurdish town of Afrin on January 31, 2018 Turkish-led bombardment left at least one person dead and several others wounded near the main hospital in the Syrian town of Afrin on Tuesday, a monitor and military force said. The border areas in Syria's northwest region of Afrin have been battered by air strikes, artillery and rocket fire since Ankara and allied Syrian rebels began their assault on the district three weeks ago. Strikes on the central town of Afrin are rarer, but a barrage of artillery and rockets struck it on Tuesday morning, AFP's correspondents there said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based war monitor, said it left at least one person dead. "At least one person was killed and four others wounded when Turkish forces and allied factions fired artillery and rockets on Afrin city, including near the entrance of the hospital," said the Observatory. The broader Afrin region is held by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which has received US backing but is considered by Ankara to be a "terror group". YPG spokesman Birusk Hasakeh confirmed to AFP that one person had been killed in bombardment near the hospital. The Afrin hospital is the main medical facility in the area and has been overwhelmed by civilians seeking treatment there. Turkey and allied Syrian factions launched their offensive on January 20, saying they aimed to clear the YPG from the border area and other towns further east. Ankara has repeatedly insisted it is taking all the necessary precautions to avoid harming civilians and says there have been no civilian casualties to date. The Observatory, however, has said more than 70 civilians have been killed in the operation so far. US Defense Secretary James Mattis headed for Rome for talks on Tuesday with other members of the anti-IS coalition The US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group was locked in a debate Tuesday over the future of its campaign in war-ravaged Syria and the fate of foreign jihadist fighters captured there. Months of intense fighting saw US-backed forces liberate the IS stronghold of Raqa in October, leaving the group's one-time "caliphate" in tatters. But the US fears that the jihadists could regain a foothold in the bombed-out region. At Tuesday's meeting, "we're going to speak about the future," US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told journalists as he travelled to Rome. The thorny issue of what to do with the hundreds of foreign jihadists now detained in Syria will also be a key issue at the meeting in the Italian capital. Those detainees include two Britons said to have carried out numerous beheadings. The problem has sparked intense debate in the West about whether such fighters should be returned to their home countries to face justice. Pentagon official Kathy Wheelbarger, accompanying Mattis, said: "We are working with the coalition on foreign fighter detainees and generally expect those detainees to return to their country of origin for disposition." But the fate of the two Britons, Alexanda Amon Kotey and El Shafee el-Sheikh -- captured by US-backed Syrian Kurdish forces in January -- remains uncertain. Britain's Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson told The Sun newspaper last week: "I don't think they should ever set foot in this country again." The suspects' cell, known as "The Beatles" because of their British accents, is accused of abducting and decapitating around 20 hostages. The victims included American journalist James Foley, who was beheaded in 2012. The 14 defence ministers of the anti-IS coalition are also set to discuss operations in the Euphrates valley, the last refuge for fleeing jihadists in Syria. They will also broach Turkey's controversial military offensive in the Syrian border region of Afrin against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). The YPG has received US backing but is considered by Ankara to be a "terror group". The cheerleaders abandoned their beach visit when they were surrounded by hundreds of media. North Korea's Olympic cheerleaders were forced to abandon a visit to the beach when they were mobbed hundreds of excitable media on Tuesday. The cheerleaders, dressed in red uniforms with red and white woolly hats, managed a quick walk before hopping back on their bus after they were met by a huge scrum of journalists. The North's 229-strong cheering squad, dubbed the "army of beauties", have drawn much attention since arriving for the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics last week. "We haven't been able to see the beach," complained one of the cheerleaders as they returned to the bus. The cheerleaders drew another crowd when they held an impromptu performance at Ojukheon House, one of the oldest traditional Korean houses in the South, for South Korean and foreign tourists. The cheer squad, all in their late teens or early 20s, are said to be handpicked from elite universities and undergo strict background checks. Their most famous alumna is Ri Sol Ju, better known these days as the First Lady of North Korea. The cheerleaders held an impromptu performance for tourists. "When I saw them on television, I had a bad image of them but they are so pretty," said Hwang Ji-woo, a 12-year-old student from Anyang. "It feels like North and South have reunified," Hwang added. But others were more wary about the presence of the North Korean delegation, which numbers more than 500 -- in support of just 22 athletes. Cho Hye-joon, a 23-year-old student from Seoul who was interviewed by a North Korean TV reporter, said: "She asked me about what I thought about the current rapprochement between the North and South. "I had no comment, because if I say something wrong, that would be bad." Palestinian children suffering from cancer receive treatment at a hospital in Gaza City on February 13, 2018 More than 50 Palestinians died waiting for Israeli visas to travel for medical treatment last year, with only around half of all applications granted, new figures showed Tuesday. A total of 54 Palestinians died awaiting permits in 2017, the World Health Organization said, in what rights activists called an overly bureaucratic system which deprives Palestinians of their right to healthcare. The WHO said it did not have a directly comparable figure for 2016, but Al Mezan Center for Human Rights said it had recorded only a couple per annum in previous years. Israel argues rigorous checks are necessary for security reasons for those coming from the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian enclave ruled by its Islamist enemy Hamas. Gazans require Israeli permits to leave the enclave and travel to Jerusalem or the West Bank for treatment which the Palestinian Authority, the internationally recognised Palestinian government, pays for. A Palestinian woman suffering from cancer receives treatment at a hospital in Gaza City on February 13, 2018 High-quality medical care for conditions such as cancer is not possible in Gaza, largely due to a shortage of facilities and Israel's restrictions on imports of key medical technology it argues could be seized by Hamas for military purposes. Of more than 25,000 applications to travel for treatment in 2017, only 54 percent were granted in time for their appointments. This was down from 62 percent the year before and 92 percent as recently as 2012, the WHO said. "There is a worrying decline in the approval rate for patients to exit Gaza, with 2017 the lowest rate since WHO began monitoring this in 2008," said Gerald Rockenschaub, head of WHO offices in the Palestinian territories. In a joint statement Tuesday, Al Mezan, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch (HRW), Medical Aid for Palestinians and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel called on Israel to ease restrictions. Omar Shakir, Israel-Palestine head for HRW, said they had seen "wider and wider" use of security justification to reject or delay permits for Palestinians. "It is not based on security but based on a political strategy to isolate Hamas that uses the people of Gaza as collateral in that calculus," he told AFP. - No answer - Five-year-old Aya Abu Mutlaq, from Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, was born with severe brain deficiencies. Her parents say she died after three appointments in an east Jerusalem hospital were missed. "We repeated the same process three times, but her condition deteriorated and she died 10 days after the date of the (final) appointment," her father Ghaleb told AFP. Israel has fought three wars with Hamas since 2008. Last year a cancer patient was caught smuggling explosives for Hamas through the Erez crossing, allegedly after being duped into taking a container. "Hamas operates every day to take advantage of the civilian measures that the state of Israel promotes," said a statement from COGAT, the Israeli defence ministry body responsible for coordination of such permits. But rights groups argue the knock-on effect is collective punishment of two million people effectively trapped in Gaza. The border with Egypt has also largely been sealed in recent years. Faten Ahmed, a 25-year-old mother of two, died of brain cancer in August 2017. She had once been given a permit to travel to east Jerusalem for treatment but then returned to Gaza as agreed. She applied for a new permit to continue treatment but did not hear back in time for her appointment and eventually died, her mother-in-law Nima told AFP. "We submitted three new requests to cross ... and return to hospital and complete her series of treatments, but we didn't get any response." Former co-leader Serpil Kemalbay, flanked by colleagues Pervin Buldan and Sezai Temelli at a February 11 party congress, has been detained while charismatic former co-chief Selahattin Demirtas was jailed in November 2016 on terror charges Turkish police on Monday detained the former co-leader of Turkey's main pro-Kurdish party, an official said, just two days after she handed over her job to a successor. Serpil Kemalbay was taken by police in Ankara in front of her home over her criticism of Turkey's three week offensive against Kurdish militia inside Syria, an official from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), who asked not to be named, told AFP. The state-run Anadolu news agency said she had called for protests against the Syria operation and an arrest warrant had been issued on Friday. The HDP, the third largest party in the Turkish parliament, has been battered by arrests of its leaders and activists on accusations of supporting Kurdish militants, which they deny. Kemalbay had succeeded Figen Yuksekdag as co-leader in May 2017 after Yuksekdag was arrested. At a party congress on Saturday Pervin Buldan took over her job. Meanwhile, former co-leader Selahattin Demirtas, one of Turkey's most charismatic politicians, has been in jail since November 2016. Fearing he risks spending a long time in jail, Demirtas stepped down as leader of the party and was replaced at Sunday's congress by Sezai Temelli. In the name of gender equality, the HDP splits all its major jobs between a man and a woman. According to the interior ministry, 666 people have been detained in Turkey in a major crackdown for either criticising or protesting against operation "Olive Branch" in Syria since it began on January 20. The HDP is the only political party in Turkey to oppose the operation. Prosecutors are also investigating Buldan over comments she made at the congress. The Oromo protests led to the declaration of a state of emergency Top Ethiopian dissident Bekele Gerba was released from jail on Tuesday, state media reported, as anti-government protests by the country's largest ethnic group closed roads and businesses near the capital. The release of Bekele was a key demand of Oromos, the majority ethnic group, whose protests led to a national emergency being declared two years ago. The attorney general earlier said charges against Bekele would be dropped. Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn had also said some jailed politicians would be released. "Bekele Gerba and other six suspects have been released from prison today," the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported. An academic and a deputy leader of the opposition Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), Bekele was arrested shortly after anti-government protests started in December 2015. That unrest, which was sparked by a government proposal to expand the borders of the capital Addis Ababa into the Oromo federal region Oromia, led to hundreds of deaths and tens of thousands of arrests. A 10-month state of emergency declared in October 2016 quelled the worst of the violence but periodic uprisings still occur. Disenchanted young men wielding sticks and rocks meanwhile blocked roads and businesses stayed shuttered in Addis Ababa and Oromia on Tuesday, the second day of a three day-strike. "Our struggle will continue because the government is not treating us very well," said a protester in the town of Alem Gena west of the capital. Ethiopia is one of Africa's poorest countries and despite years of rapid economic growth unemployment is rampant. Some protesters said they were jobless and had no choice but to stand up to a government that wasn't providing for them. "All of the students, when they graduate university, simply... no work," unemployed geologist Shasho Woyessa said near a roadblock in the town of Burayu. "I'm simply sitting for three years." Left to Right, FBI Director Christopher Wray, CIA Director Mike Pompeo, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, Defense Intelligence Agency Director Robert Ashley, National Security Agency Director Michael Rogers, and National Geospatial Intelligence Agency Director Robert Cardillo, testify on Capitol Hill on February 13, 2018 US intelligence chiefs said Tuesday that Russian attempts to meddle in US politics are continuing unabated -- and pose a threat to mid-term Congressional elections in November. The heads of the CIA, FBI, NSA and three other spy agencies were unanimous in saying that Moscow's efforts to disrupt US politics are as strong as they were in 2016. "Throughout the entire community, we have not seen any evidence of any significant change" in Russian behavior, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats told the Senate Intelligence Committee. America's leading intelligence agencies concluded at the end of 2016 that Russian President Vladimir Putin had directed a broad intelligence effort to influence the presidential election that year to undermine the campaign of Democrat Hillary Clinton and boost Donald Trump's chances. That effort included hacking and releasing emails and documents from the Clinton campaign, filling social media with posts and "news" items aimed at discrediting her, as well as targeting voter-registration operations and election databases. Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo warned late last month that Russian interference has not stopped and can be expected to continue heading into the 2018 midterm elections -- a view unanimously endorsed by his fellow intelligence chiefs at Tuesday's congressional hearings. "This is not going to change or stop," warned National Security Agency Director Michael Rogers. "With respect to Russian influence efforts, let me be clear, the Russians utilize this tool because it is relatively cheap, it is low risk, it offers what they perceive as plausible deniability, and it has proven to be effective at sowing division," Coats said. "We expect Russia to continue using propaganda, social media, false flag personas, sympathetic spokesmen, and other means to influence to try to build on its wide range of operations, and exacerbate social and political fissures in the United States," he added. "There should be no doubt that Russia perceives its past efforts as successful and views the 2018 US midterm elections as a potential target for Russian influence operations." Several congressional investigations have been set up to probe the extent of Russian meddling, while the former FBI chief Robert Mueller has been appointed as special prosecutor to lead a Justice Department investigation into whether Trump's campaign colluded with Russia to tilt the election. Trump has repeatedly dismissed the idea that Moscow helped him -- and all allegations of collusion -- as "fake news." Rohingya Muslim refugees fleeing Myanmar are sheltering in makeshift camps like this one in Tombru, in Bangladesh's Bandarban district Myanmar has failed to put in place conditions for the safe return of 688,000 Rohingya refugees who fled an army crackdown six months ago, the UN refugee chief said Monday. The refugees are sheltering in makeshift camps in Bangladesh despite an agreement reached between Myanmar and Bangladesh allowing for their return to their homes in Rakhine state. "Let me be clear: conditions are not yet conducive to the voluntary repatriation of Rohingya refugees," UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi told a Security Council meeting, speaking by videoconference from Geneva. "The causes of their flight have not been addressed, and we have yet to see substantive progress on addressing the exclusion and denial of rights that has deepened over the last decades, rooted in their lack of citizenship." Myanmar regards the Rohingya as immigrants from Bangladesh and denies them citizenship, even though they have been there for generations. US Ambassador Nikki Haley urged the council to ensure Myanmar's military is held accountable for its campaign against the Rohingya, following accounts of killings, burning of villages, rape and mass graves. "This council must hold the military accountable for their actions and pressure Aung San Suu Kyi to acknowledge these horrific acts are taking place in her country. No more excuses," Haley said. The United Nations has accused Myanmar of carrying out an ethnic cleansing campaign by forcing the Muslim Rohingyas into exile. China, a supporter of Myanmar's former ruling junta, called for patience and noted that "stability and order" had been restored to Rakhine state. The Rohingya crisis "cannot be solved overnight," said Chinese Ambassador Ma Zhaoxu. Measures should be adopted by Myanmar "to address the root cause of poverty through development" in Rakhine, he said, sidestepping appeals for citizenship rights for the Rohingya. - 'Too scared to return' - The meeting came nearly three months after the council adopted a statement demanding that Myanmar rein in its security forces and allow the Rohingya to voluntarily return. The UN refugee chief said that while the exodus had significantly decreased, the flow "still continues," with some 1,500 refugees arriving in Bangladesh this month. Haley said the refugees should not return to Myanmar until they feel confident that "they will not fall victim to the same horrors that drove them from their homes in the first place." "Right now, these refugees don't have this confidence," she said. "Many are too scared to return to their country." Haley's concerns were echoed by France, Britain and Sweden, among other countries, but Myanmar's ambassador said his government was ready to move ahead with plans to take back refugees. Myanmar has made "great strides" in restoring stability and has given Bangladesh a list of "508 Hindus and 750 Muslims" to be among the first returnees, said Ambassador Hau Do Suan. - Moonsoon puts 100,000 refugees at risk - The UN refugee chief also raised alarm over the monsoon rainy season starting next month, warning that 100,000 refugees were living in flood-prone areas and must be urgently relocated. International support to Bangladesh's government must be stepped up "to avert a catastrophe," he warned. The council is demanding that aid workers be allowed to reach those displaced inside Rakhine state and wants UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to quickly appoint a special envoy to Myanmar. Nigeria's central region has seen almost daily clashes between sedentary farmers -- in this region, from the Tiv ethnic group who are Christians -- and herders, who are mainly Fulani and Muslim A Nigerian police officer was killed and mutilated in an attack blamed on herdsmen, a police chief said on Tuesday, in the latest violence to hit the country's contested central region. The officers were ambushed on Saturday in the Logo area of Benue state, where nomadic herders and farmers have clashed in an increasingly bloody battle over land. "One of our personnel was found brutally slaughtered with his two eyes, ears and nose removed," Benue police commissioner Fatai Owoseni told reporters. Another officer was still missing, he said, adding: "We embarked on recovery and rescue operation and restoration of security in the area." Owoseni said that one man has been arrested in connection with the ambush and that an assault rifle was recovered from the scene. Herders were also suspected last week when three people were shot dead and four others were injured in the same area. Nigeria's central region has seen almost daily clashes between sedentary farmers -- in this region, from the Tiv ethnic group who are Christians -- and herders, who are mainly Fulani and Muslim. More than 100 people have been killed since early January, with 100,000 fleeing their homes to safety, according to the local emergency management agency. The Nigerian army has announced it will deploy reinforcements to several states to end the violence, including in Benue. President Muhammadu Buhari's government has been criticised for being too slow to address the crisis, which has been stoked by politicians along religious and ethnic lines. According to the Israeli authorities, Turkish national Cemil Tekeli was arrested in January on suspicion of aiding Hamas through business platforms that launder funds and later deported Turkey on Tuesday blasted as "incompatible with reality" accusations by Israel it had helped the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas to gain in military strength, following the arrest and deportation of a Turkish citizen. According to the Israeli authorities, Turkish national Cemil Tekeli was arrested in January on suspicion of aiding Hamas through business platforms that launder funds and later deported. The Shin Bet intelligence agency said the investigation into Tekeli had shown that Turkey contributes to the military strengthening of Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip. But the Turkish foreign ministry said it rejected the allegations, describing the claim as "incompatible with reality and lacking in seriousness". Alluding to the Israeli investigation into Tekeli, it said that Israel made the claims based on "statements obtained from our detained citizen under ambiguous circumstances." It added: "It is out of the question for Turkey to permit an activity on its soil that can jeopardise the security of another country." Shin Bet said that Hamas had laundered millions of dollars through Turkey. Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency, which said that Tekeli was a lecturer at Medeniyet University in Istanbul, reported he had now returned to Turkey after being freed by Israel on February 11. Shin Bet said his alleged accomplice, Dharam Jabarin, an Arab Israeli, had also been arrested and is to be put on trial. Turkey and Israel in 2016 ended a rift triggered by Israel's deadly storming in 2010 of a Gaza-bound ship. But relations remain tense with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan still bitterly critical of Israeli policy. Turkey delivers humanitarian aid to Gaza and this month bitterly denounced a US decision to put the head of Hamas Ismail Haniya on its terror blacklist. Over 500 cubic metres of spent caustic soda, oil residues and water from a 2006 toxic ship waste dump near Abidjan killed 17 people and poisoned thousands, Ivorian judges have said Six Dutch shipping company bosses will appear before a Rotterdam court Wednesday accused of deliberately dumping old ships on the beaches of India and Turkey. "The prosecution service alleges that the suspects planned to have the boats dismantled in India and Turkey in violation of European laws on transferring waste," the prosecution said. The companies, which belong to the Seatrade group, face fines of up to 750,000 euros, while the bosses could face up to six months in prison with two months suspended. Investigations by port police revealed that the companies planned to have four ageing vessels from Rotterdam and Hamburg broken up on the Indian and Turkish beaches. A vessel named Spring Bear apparently ran aground in 2012 on Alang beach, in the western Indian state of Gujarat which became a major worldwide centre for ship breaking. Spring Bob apparently finally came ashore in Bangladesh, while two others, Spring Panda and Spring Delia, were demolished in shipyards in Turkey, the investigations found. "These boats sailing towards their final destinations contain huge quantities of dangerous substances, such as bunker oil, lubricants, and chemical products like chlorine and asbestos," the prosecution said in a statement. If these substances have not been removed from the vessels before they are stripped down, then they must be treated as toxic waste, it added. Under European rules, all transfer of such waste for elimination is banned to countries such as India, Bangladesh and Turkey. In August 2006, toxic residues on board the Panamanian-registered Probo Koala freighter were prevented from being offloaded for treatment in Amsterdam's port. The ship was instead sent to Abidjan, in the Ivory Coast, where the waste was dumped on the city's garbage sites and in at least 18 locations. Over 500 cubic metres (18,000 cubic feet) of spent caustic soda, oil residues and water killed 17 people and poisoned thousands, Ivorian judges have said. Oxfam is not the first non-governmental organisation to be accused of abuse British charity Oxfam, reeling from claims of sexual assault and rape by its workers in Haiti and South Sudan, is not the first non-governmental organisation to be accused of abuse. Previous revelations spurred the United Nations in 2002 to issue special measures for all its staff and others, including aid workers under UN contract, based on a policy of zero tolerance. "The involvement of humanitarian workers in acts of sexual exploitation and abuse is a grave violation of our responsibility to do no harm and to protect people affected by crises," said the UN's Humanitarian office OCHA. - Alleged abuse in West Africa - The issue came to public attention in 2002 after allegations of widespread abuse of refugee and internally displaced women and children by humanitarian workers and peacekeepers in West Africa. In refugee camps in Guinea, Liberia, and to a lesser extent Sierra Leone, dozens of male aid workers, often locals, were suspected of having exchanged money or gifts for sex with young refugee girls aged between 13 and 18. "It's difficult to escape the trap of those (NGO) people, they use the food as bait to get you to have sex with them," an adolescent in Liberia was quoted as saying in a report from the UN refugee agency. More than 40 agencies and organisations and nearly 70 individuals were mentioned in the testimonies taken from 1,500 children and adults for the UN report, which the body stressed could not be verified. Ron Redmond, spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) indicated that similar concerns existed in other countries, but to a lesser degree. - Save the Children sounds alarm - In a 2008 report, NGO Save the Children said "children as young as six are trading sex with aid workers and peacekeepers in exchange for food, money, soap and, in very few cases, luxury items such as mobile phones." Its findings were based on work with hundreds of youngsters from Ivory Coast, southern Sudan and Haiti. The report also highlighted instances of rape, verbal sexual abuse, child pornography and prostitution and trafficking of youngsters, many poor, displaced or orphaned by conflict. - Peacekeepers accused - The United Nations has also been damaged by a wave of rape cases involving soldiers on peacekeeping missions, ranging from the Central African Republic to Haiti and the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ivory Coast. A file picture shows Syrian opposition figure Louay Hussein speaking during an interview in Damascus on March 3, 2015 A Syrian court has sentenced exiled opposition figure Louay Hussein to six years in prison for "weakening national sentiment" and spreading false information, he said on Tuesday. "My lawyer informed me on Monday that the criminal court sentenced me in absentia on December 28 to six years in prison," the 58-year-old author told AFP by phone from Madrid where he is now based. He was forced to flee Syria for Spain in 2015, four years after founding the Building the Syrian State party, which had been tolerated by the regime. Hussein said he believed the court ruling was intended to prevent him from playing any role in Syria's future as Russia leads negotiations on finding a way out of the country's war. "The regime is seeking to block the way to a possible political role that I could play," he told AFP. Hussein took part in a Syria peace congress in the Russian resort of Sochi that had been boycotted by many of the regime's key opponents. Arrested on the Lebanese-Syrian border in November 2014, Hussein was released on bail in February 2015 and prevented from leaving the country. But despite the travel ban, he escaped to Turkey in April 2015 and then on to Spain. Hussein -- who shares President Bashar al-Assad's Alawite faith -- opposes the use of violence and advocates an internal struggle for democracy in Syria. He said in 2015 that he had been forced to flee the war-torn country because his "life was in danger". "There is no longer any possibility of agreement with the regime that has turned into a militia and is not able to reach political agreement with its opponents," he told AFP at the time. The United States, France, Britain and four other UN Security Council members called on Joseph Kabila to publicly declare that he will not run for election this year DR Congo's long-delayed election due on December 23 to choose a successor to long-serving ruler Joseph Kabila will not take place without electronic voting machines, the poll chief said Tuesday. "Without voting machines, there will be no elections on December 23, 2018," election commission head Corneille Nangaa told AFP, speaking on phone from New York. The threat came a day after the United States, France, Britain and four other UN Security Council members called on Kabila to publicly declare that he will not run for election this year. Washington separately asked Kinshasa to scrap plans to use electronic voting for the first time in elections this year, saying it risked undermining the credibility of the historic polls. "These elections must be held by paper ballot so there is no question by the Congolese people about the result," said US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley. "The US has no appetite to support an electronic voting system," she said, adding that e-ballots had never been tested in the country. Kabila, 46, who has ruled for 17 years has not yet clearly stated whether he will step aside. Congolese government spokesman Lambert Mende took a swipe at Washington, saying: "It's not enough to say that electronic voting machines are bad, you have to provide a solution -- notably how much money you are going to put on the table!" According to government estimates, the elections will cost $432 million (349 million euros) with voting machines and $554 million if paper ballots are used. Mende said it was up to the CENI, the national election commission, to take a decision, adding: "Nobody has the right to give orders to CENI." Opposition parties have said the electronic machines will lead to large-scale fraud and voter intimidation. "We don't want this machine," said Vital Kamerhe, the leader of the third largest group in parliament. "With these machines there will be no polling booths. When the voters choose their candidates on this machine, everything will happen under pressure from soldiers, the police and the secret service." Kent Whitaker (L) and his son Bart during a visit to Bart's prison in Polunsky, Texas, where Bart is sentenced to die for plotting the ambush that killed his mother and brother in 2003 Lying on a hospital bed, his thorax punctured by a nine-millimeter bullet, Kent Whitaker vowed to take revenge on the person behind his family's brutal murders. Today, Whitaker is fighting to save that same mastermind from a death sentence, for a particularly personal reason: it's his own son. "Forgiveness was the last thing on my mind," the 69-year-old Texan told AFP. "I couldn't fathom why this had happened, only that I wanted to hurt the masked shooter -- whoever he was -- as much as possible, as revenge for destroying my life." That fatal night in December 2003 saw the family -- Whitaker, his wife Tricia and their two sons, Bart and Kevin -- return to their home in the upscale Houston suburb of Sugar Land, after a dinner Bart said was to celebrate his upcoming university graduation. But they were met with carnage: a sniper ambushed the four, killing Tricia, 51, and Kevin, 19, and leaving the father seriously wounded. The elder son Bart took a bullet to the arm. Overwhelmed with anger and shock, it was Whitaker's faith that helped him curb his desire for vengeance. "I was wrestling with my faith," he said. "And was mad at God -- not just for allowing this to happen, but it seemed to me that it contradicted some promises in the Bible that I was forced to question." - 'Miracle' forgiveness - "But God met me in the hospital room on the night of the shootings and helped me arrive at a 'miracle' forgiveness for everyone involved," he said. "Long before I ever even suspected that that forgiveness might extend to my own son." It would take more than a year for authorities to conclude that the director of the savage attack was none other than the surviving son, whose injury was intentional to throw investigators off the scent. Bart had hired a gunman, instructing him to take out his family, for whom he had cultivated hatred. Prosecutors would accuse him of wanting to seize an inheritance he estimated to be $1 million. For seven months, the young man lived with his father, who stood by his son even after police pinpointed him as a suspect in the murder plot. Investigators quickly dropped their earlier assumption that the tragic incident had been a burglary gone wrong: nothing had disappeared, except Bart's cell phone. There was no evidence of a break-in. The probe led officials to discover the surviving son had in fact never been enrolled in college -- it was but a detail in his murderous scheme. Sensing police might be on his tail, Bart fled to Mexico in 2004 and assumed a false identity. A year later, one of his accomplices finally confessed. Bart was arrested in September 2005 and extradited to the United States. - Kill the remaining son? - Bart was condemned to death in March 2007, despite his father's pleas to spare his life. "I was crushed and have worked for years to process the loss of my wife and son through therapy -- and then had to include more counseling to wrestle with might happen in the future," Whitaker said. "Now that that future is here, I am faced with more trauma and loss from his upcoming execution." Whitaker's convicted son, who is now 38, is to receive a lethal injection on February 22. Prison guards say he is a model inmate, helpful and altruistic. "Bart has matured," said Whitaker, who documented his heartbreak in the book "Murder by Family." He said his son has taken anger management and religion classes, completed his undergraduate degree, and has nearly wrapped a master's course. Bart's attorneys have exhausted their legal options to shield him from death row; his fate is now in the hands of the state's governor, who could commute the death sentence. "This case is unique," said his lawyer Keith Hampton. "Imagine two people in your family who you love most. Now, imagine one of them murders the other. There must be punishment." "But would you prefer execution?" he continued. "What if that person was your only remaining child?" Syed Ahmed Jamal, a chemistry teacher based in Lawrence, Kansas, was taken off the flight during a layover in Hawaii -- the result of a dizzying chain of events that culminated in a last-minute stay of his deportation The fate of a foreign-born teacher was in limbo Tuesday after his deportation from the United States was temporarily stopped while his flight was en route to his native Bangladesh. Syed Ahmed Jamal, a chemistry teacher based in Lawrence, Kansas, was taken off the flight during a layover in Hawaii -- the result of a dizzying chain of events that culminated in a last-minute stay of his deportation. "Not much new development today. Syed is still in the Honolulu Federal Detention Center," Jamal's attorney Rekha Sharma-Crawford said Tuesday. A father of three US citizen children and a beloved member of his community, Jamal's case has led to a massive outpouring of support from friends, neighbors and critics of US President Donald Trump's immigration policies. Jamal, 55, has lived in the United States for 30 years, overstaying his second visa in 2011. Without a relatively speedy path to citizenship, he had been granted a commonly-employed administrative delay that allowed him to remain in the country and legally work. But immigration authorities could deport him at any time. He suddenly was arrested three weeks ago while taking his daughter to school. An immigration judge issued a stay of his deportation last week, but lifted the order Monday. In response, immigration authorities put Jamal on a flight to Bangladesh. Then, an immigration appeals court granted another stay mid-flight, and Jamal was kept on US soil during a layover in Hawaii. "We are awaiting an update from his case worker on what the decision is with the new stay in place, if he will be moved or not and, if so, where," Sharma-Crawford said. Jamal's supporters emphasize that he has committed no crimes during the time he has lived in the United States. They say his case is an example of how the recent US immigration crackdown has swept up law-abiding immigrants, despite Trump's initial promise that deportations would target dangerous criminals. "Is the goal to rip a dad apart from the family of US-born citizens?" Jamal's brother Syed Hussein Jamal asked at a news conference late Monday. "Any decent human being would not say 'Yes, that is the right thing to do.'" Hundreds of people have written letters urging immigration officials to halt Jamal's deportation. An online fundraising campaign has raised nearly $70,000 and an online petition has gathered almost 100,000 signatures. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, a Democrat to whom Jamal's supporters appealed for help, said the case was an example of the country's "broken and unfair immigration system." He pledged to offer a bill that would allow Jamal to stay in the country. "The system is broken. We need to fix these laws that criminalize hard-working, contributing members of society like Mr Syed Jamal," Cleaver said. Police and first responders walk down a blocked off road near the site of an alleged bomb explosion on West 23rd Street on September 17, 2016, in New York A New York judge on Tuesday sentenced a US restaurant worker to life in prison following a September 2016 bombing that wounded 31 people in Manhattan's upscale Chelsea neighborhood. Afghan-born Ahmad Khan Rahimi, 30, was convicted at trial last October on eight counts linked to two bombs he planted in New York, and others found in New Jersey. "There is nothing that could justify anything but a life sentence," US District Judge Richard Berman told the court. "There is no comparison between the grievances that you may feel and the actions you took," he said. "The conclusion is inescapable that you remain extremely dangerous." At Rahimi's two-week trial, prosecutors said it was a "miracle" that nobody was killed in the September 17, 2016 attack. A second bomb forced the cancellation of a US Marine Corps run in the New Jersey town of Seaside Park. Police also defused another device in Chelsea and found additional pipe bombs in Rahimi's hometown of Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he worked in his family's fried chicken restaurant. Rahimi was critically wounded in a shootout with police on September 19 before being captured, and was found with a handwritten journal lauding Osama bin Laden and US-born Al-Qaeda recruiter Anwar al-Awlaki. Since his arrest, two other lone-wolf attackers have carried out bombings in New York. A Bangladeshi driver detonated a bomb in a subway passageway, wounding himself and three other people in December. On October 31, an Uzbek immigrant, also reportedly inspired by the Islamic State extremist group, killed eight people on a bike path by ramming his truck into cyclists. New York retains stringent security, which was drastically stepped up after the September 11, 2001 Al-Qaeda hijackings brought down the Twin Towers. The US military says the strike on the T-72 was conducted in self-defense A US-led coalition drone has destroyed a Russian-designed tank in eastern Syria close to the scene of last week's attack on pro-regime forces that left more than 100 Damascus loyalists dead, officials said Tuesday. The strike on the T-72 tank occurred Saturday near Al Tabiyeh, in Deir Ezzor province, the Pentagon said in a statement. "We detected and saw a tank that took a shot at us," Lieutenant General Jeffrey Harrigian, who heads up Air Force operations for the region, told Pentagon reporters. "It continued to move, so we... executed self-defense rules of engagement to protect ourselves." For the most part, the US-led coalition has managed to skirt the edges of Syria's civil war by staying focused on the Islamic State group. But occasional attacks on pro-regime forces, which the US says are conducted in self defense, raise the risks of it being sucked into a broader conflict. Harrigian was careful to avoid speculating who was inside the tank, though the T-72 is widely used by the Syrian army. The incident came three days after the US-led coalition killed more than 100 forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad after shelling and using tanks to fire at the SDF and coalition advisors. Several Russians died in Deir Ezzor that day, according to groups representing them. Major Adrian Rankine-Galloway, a Pentagon spokesman, said the coalition had spoken with Russia via a special hotline prior to the strike "to avoid misperceptions and miscalculations that could endanger each other's forces." At the time of the February 7 attack, the Russian defense ministry said "there are no Russian servicemen in Deir-Ezzor." However, many Russian citizens are fighting in Syria as mercenaries working for a private military company called Wagner, according to numerous reports. Russian energy minister Alexander Novak, pictured in 2017, is looking to help Syria restore oil fields Russia, the Syrian regime's main backer, plans to help Damascus relaunch its energy industry which has been devastated by years of conflict, Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Tuesday. "We have signed a roadmap, not only in the field of electricity, but also oil and gas, covering the restoration of oil fields and the development of new deposits," Kovak was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. He did not name any Russian companies that may be involved. As the main international backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, Russia has committed itself to aiding in the country's reconstruction. Last week an agreement was signed on the "rehabilitation, modernisation and construction of new energy facilities in Syria" Russia's energy ministry said on its website. "We attach great importance to restoring the Syrian economy, especially the oil and gas sectors which will certainly contribute to the normalisation of the economic and social situation in the country," said Novak. In December a Russian business and political delegation visited Damascus to discuss investment and reconstruction with Assad, including oil and gas projects but also electricity, phosphates, transport and trade. "Syria is a land of unlimited riches," Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, who led the delegation, said at the time. "Russian companies have the moral right to develop large-scale economic projects here," Rogozin said then. Russia intervened in the Syrian conflict in September 2015 in support of Assad. In December last year, President Vladimir Putin ordered the partial retreat of Russian troops from Syria. MIAMI (AP) - Police say a federal agent has fatally shot an intruder inside her home near Miami. The Miami Herald reports that the shooting occurred around 1:30 a.m. Monday. U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed that the shooter was 55-year-old Maria Otero, the branch chief of the agency's Miami office. Miami-Dade police say 28-year-old Robert Young III smashed in a glass sliding door at Otero's home in Pinecrest. Detectives didn't immediately know whether Young was armed, but Florida's self-defense law generally permits deadly force against any intruder. A police spokesman says there's no immediate indication that Young targeted Otero. Young has a lengthy criminal history, including a 2013 grand theft conviction. CHICAGO (AP) - Southwest Airlines officials say flights are operating close to normal at Chicago's Midway International Airport after the airline canceled hundreds of them Sunday because of a shortage of de-icing fluid. More than 250 cancellations occurred at the airport, with most being Southwest flights. A spokesman for Dallas-based Southwest said the airline was low on de-icing glycol and a pump on one of the glycol tanks was not working properly. As a result, the airline could not access some of the fluid on-site. The spokesman said de-icing fluid at Midway has been replenished and all de-icing equipment is functional. KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - Lost in the glare of North Korea's missile launches, rhetorical battles with Washington and charm offensive at the Winter Olympics, two women stand accused of a crime that could send them to the gallows - the stunning assassination of Kim Jong Un's estranged half brother. It's a crime the young Southeast Asian women almost certainly had a part in - possibly without even knowing it. But just as certainly, the slaying of Kim Jong Nam one year ago Tuesday must have required a bigger cast of characters. People who could do the meticulous planning, procure the deadly and exotic poison and carefully wait for the exact moment to act so no one would die other than the unwitting target in a crowded airport terminal in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. FILE - This combination of the Oct. 2, 2017 file photos shows Indonesian Siti Aisyah, left, and Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong, right, escorted by police as they leave a court hearing in Shah Alam, Malaysia, outside Kuala Lumpur. Lost in the glare of North Korea's missile launches, rhetorical battles with Washington and its charm offensive at the Winter Olympics, two young Southeast Asian women stand accused of a crime that could send them to the gallows, the stunning assassination of Kim Jong Un's brother. It's a crime they almost certainly had a part in, possibly without knowing it. But just as certainly, the slaying a year ago Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018 must have required a bigger cast of characters. And those suspects are long gone. (AP Photo/Daniel Chan, File) Masterminds, in other words. Professional killers. And those suspects are all long gone. Instead, the sole defendants in one of the highest-profile political hits in decades are Siti Aisyah, 25, of Indonesia and Doan Thi Huong, 29, of Vietnam. Both are accused of smearing the VX nerve agent on Kim Jong Nam's face last Feb. 13. The poison, developed for military use, is so potent that Kim was dead within two hours. From the start of their trial last October, the women, who before getting caught up in the assassination plot left rural poverty to work in Southeast Asia's nightlife scene, have claimed they were duped into playing what they thought was a harmless prank for a hidden-camera show. They face a mandatory death sentence by hanging if convicted. Lawyers for the women say their defense has been handicapped by a sloppy investigation and by the very conspicuous absence of the suspected North Korean masterminds. "As long as the North Korean suspects are away, the actual truth will never be proven. I sincerely believe that the girls should be acquitted because we have clearly shown that they are being used as scapegoats," said Aisyah's lawyer Gooi Soon Seng. Both the prosecution and defense agree the women could not have been acting entirely on their own, and that the crime was carried out as part of a plot by a group of North Korean agents who recruited, trained and supplied them with the VX nerve agent. The prosecution even has a pretty good idea who the suspected masterminds are. Four North Korean suspects were seen on airport security cameras discarding their belongings and changing their clothing after the attack. The North Korean Embassy has also been implicated with an embassy official helping get flights out for the four men, and using the name of one of its citizens to buy a car that was used to take the suspects to the airport. But Malaysian police and prosecutors have shied away from attaching any political motive to the killing. Malaysian officials have never officially accused Pyongyang of involvement in Kim's death. Instead, they have focused narrowly on simply proving the women's guilt. Prosecutors contend the two knew they were handling poison, citing security camera footage showing them rushing to the washroom and holding their hands away from their bodies after the attack. "The Malaysian government wants it all to go away by trying to rush the trial and end it," said James Chin, director of the Asia Institute at the University of Tasmania in Australia. "Once everything is under the bridge, which will take years, Malaysia and North Korea will likely resume normal relations. The Kim Jong Nam case will be just another footnote in history." Kim, 46, was the eldest son of former North Korea leader Kim Jong Il and was once seen as the potential heir in the family that has ruled North Korea since its founding. He had fallen out of favor and had been living abroad as the actual heir Kim Jong Un solidified his powerbase. But while Kim Jong Nam was not an obvious political threat, he may have been seen as a potential rival to his brother. A police witness told the court last month that Kim met with an unidentified Korean-American man at a Malaysian resort island four days before he was killed. The policeman was asked by defense lawyers about a Japanese newspaper report that the man was a U.S. intelligence agent based in Bangkok and that the meeting might have been one of the reasons why Pyongyang decided to silence Kim. To bolster the theory, the court heard about forensics analysis of Kim's laptop that showed some data had been accessed from a USB drive inserted into the laptop on the day of the meeting. Kim was also carrying $138,000 in cash when he was killed. Close ties between Malaysia and North Korea have badly frayed since the killing. While it isn't one of North Korea's key diplomatic partners, Malaysia had been one of the few places in the world where North Koreans could previously travel without a visa, providing a quiet destination for North Koreans looking for jobs, schools and business deals. Malaysian officials have hinted since the assassination about ending diplomatic ties with Pyongyang and chided the regime over its nuclear ambitions. For now, North Korea still maintains its embassy in an upscale suburb in Kuala Lumpur. But it has refused to cooperate with Malaysian authorities investigating the case and accused Malaysia of conniving with its enemies. Both countries withdrew their ambassadors and ended visa-free travel for each other's citizens. North Korea blocked nine Malaysians from leaving the country and Malaysia responded in kind, barring North Koreans from exiting its soil. As part of a deal to end the diplomatic row, Malaysia returned Kim's body and three suspects hiding in the North Korean Embassy to Pyongyang in exchange for the nine Malaysians just weeks after the killing. The trial resumes on Feb. 22, with prosecutors expected to rest their case by April or early May. If the judge finds there is no case against the women, they will be freed. If he rules otherwise, the defense will be called and the trial will continue for several more months. An appeal to higher courts could add several more years. ___ Talmadge, the AP's Pyongyang bureau chief, reported from Pyeongchang, South Korea. FILE - This combination of file photos shows Kim Jong Nam, left, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in Narita, Japan, on May 4, 2001, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on May 9, 2016, in Pyongyang. Lost in the glare of North Korea's missile launches, rhetorical battles with Washington and its charm offensive at the Winter Olympics, two young Southeast Asian women stand accused of a crime that could send them to the gallows, the stunning assassination of Kim Jong Un's brother. It's a crime they almost certainly had a part in, possibly without knowing it. But just as certainly, the slaying a year ago Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018 must have required a bigger cast of characters. And those suspects are long gone. (AP Photos/Shizuo Kambayashi, Wong Maye-E, File) BEIJING (AP) - A former rising star in Chinese politics has been charged with bribery, becoming the highest-level serving official to be prosecuted in President Xi Jinping's sweeping anti-corruption campaign, now in its sixth year. The Supreme People's Procuratorate announced the indictment of Sun Zhengcai, the former Communist Party leader of the western megacity of Chongqing and a member of the party's 25-member Politburo, on its website Tuesday. The announcement said Sun "illegally accepted huge amounts of money and goods" from others in return for providing them with benefits. FILE - In this March 13, 2017, file photo, the then-party secretary of Chongqing, Sun Zhengcai, attends the closing session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The Supreme People's Procuratorate announced the indictment of Sun on its website Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) Also Tuesday, the party's anti-corruption watchdog body announced the country's former top internet regulator and censor has been dismissed from his remaining post and expelled from the Communist Party amid accusations of corruption and violating party discipline. Lu Wei's former responsibilities included holding high-profile meetings with top executives from foreign technology and internet companies, including Apple chief executive Tim Cook, Microsoft's Satya Nadella, and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. Among a long list of accusations against Lu was that he engaged in factionalism and "selectively enforced" the party's "strategic arrangements on internet work," in addition to being corrupt and abusing his powers. It said his case would be referred to "the relevant national bodies to be dealt with according to law." In the case against Sun, the indictment focused on bribery, but leaders have made it clear his alleged offenses were largely political in nature. The chairman of China's securities regulator said at a major party meeting last year that Sun and other senior figures prosecuted in the crackdown were "conspiring openly to usurp party leadership." Sun was expelled from the party and dismissed from public office in September because he was suspected of "serious discipline violations," a phrase that usually refers to bribery and other graft. Sun, 53, had been seen as a candidate for promotion to the Politburo's Standing Committee, the select group of leaders who constitute the apex of political power in China. He was removed suddenly from his Chongqing post and replaced by protege Chen Min'er, who was subsequently promoted to the Politburo. Sun had been identified most closely with the China Youth League faction associated with Xi's predecessor, Hu Jintao, which Xi has effectively sidelined in the succession process. Lu had been placed under investigation in November on suspicion of "serious violations of discipline." He had already been replaced as internet czar in June but until Tuesday had formally retained his position as vice minister of propaganda. Lu had been known as a hard-liner responsible for leading the government's efforts to tighten control over domestic cyberspace and championing the party's position that governments have a right to filter and censor their countries' internet. China has long sought to utilize the web for commercial purposes, while preventing the free exchange of information. Lu wielded wide-ranging powers over what China's 700 million internet users could view online and acted as gatekeeper for technology companies wishing to do business in China. He demanded tough security checks on imported foreign tech products and enforced measures to restrict the activities of foreign internet companies and block social networks like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube in the name of preserving social stability. Lu's departure has not led to any easing of such demands or restrictions on information. RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A Virginia man whom prosecutors describe as a supporter of the Islamic State group has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia said in a Monday statement that 29-year-old Casey Charles Spain was released from prison in August. The statement says that after his release he discussed on recorded calls his desire to travel overseas and join the militant group. He also came under FBI surveillance. Prosecutors say Spain also discussed his plans to buy a semi-automatic handgun with a 50-round magazine. A confidential FBI source provided Spain with a Glock handgun rendered inert for safety reasons. He initially attempted to escape arrest and was apprehended. Birthday wishes Call 281-422-8302 or email david.bloom@baytownsun.com to wish someone a happy birthday. We will print your birthday wish on Page 2 of The Sun. Happy Birthday Wishes NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Families camped out from early morning to catch beads and stuffed animals thrown from float riders. Revelers took to the streets in elaborate or funny costumes evoking Marie Antoinette, President Donald Trump and glamorous vampires. And amused bystanders took in the chaotic scene from lawn chairs. Carnival season started Jan. 6 and comes to a close Fat Tuesday with festivities throughout New Orleans. Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, a period of reflection and restraint after the days of parades, parties and revelry. Throngs of people were on the median for the final day of Mardi Gras, cooking up crawfish and red beans and rice. Others had set up ladders for their kids to sit on and catch beads and throws from the passing Zulu parade, one of two main parades that take to the streets on Fat Tuesday. A man walks with his dog during the Society de Sainte Anne parade, on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Joseph Rhyans moved to Houston in 2002 but tries to come back every year. This time he'd brought two of his kids, one of whom was sitting on a ladder catching bobbles from the passing Zulu parade. "It's a family thing down here. That is what Mardi Gras is all about. Teach the kids and they will come back every year," he said. Families usually pack up and go home after the parades are over although celebrations in the French Quarter extend into the late evening before police do a ceremonial clearing of the streets at midnight. Costumes are a huge part of the Mardi Gras celebrations in the French Quarter, and Tuesday's designs did not disappoint. The French Quarter's most famous street, Bourbon Street, and parallel Royal Street were crowded with costumed tourists and locals, many of them stopping each other for photographs. One group dressed as pink flamingos. Two men, both dressed as Trump, greeted each other in the crowd. Other costumes included Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, Pac Man and Mrs. Pac Man and an angel of death with black wings and halo. Shannon Abraham from Reno, Nevada, said she spent dozens of hours designing and making her elaborate silver-sequined dress. She wore a big silver wig of curls piled on top of curls and a pair of silver fangs to complete her look as a "Glampire Extraordinaire." "We love New Orleans. There's no place else in the world like it," she said. Speaking of the people dressed up in the French Quarter, she said: "The effort that they've poured into this celebration and their costumes is extraordinary. And I like to be part of that. I like to contribute." On Royal Street, JoAnn Lemoine, from Marrero, Louisiana, was sitting in a lawn chair on the sidewalk watching the ebb and flow of revelers on the streets. For her, the fun was in the people-watching. "We love it. We come here every year. This is what we do every year, come out and watch all the people on the streets and all the costumes and this is a good year because all the costumes are out because the weather is so good," she said. Carnival season draws about 1 million visitors and pumps about $840 million into the city's economy, according to the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. It also means two weeks of 12-hour, no-vacation shifts for the city's police, who are reinforced by 165 state troopers and officers and deputies from half a dozen nearby areas. Neighborhood organizations are among the first groups out on Mardi Gras. There's St. Anne's parade, an eclectic walking parade and the North Side Skull and Bone Gang, which wakes people up and tells children to behave. The Half-Fast Walking Club, organized by the late clarinetist Pete Fountain, rolls and strolls to the Quarter from the Commander's Palace restaurant. Then comes the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, a historically African-American group that parades in blackface and grass skirts. After Zulu comes Rex, which is followed by two "truck parades" with floats built on flatbed trailers and decorated by the families, neighborhood groups and other organizations riding in them. The 300th anniversary of this Louisiana port city featured prominently in the Rex parade. Rex, which is the city's oldest parading group, decorated 21 of their 28 floats with images of the city's history. Although many people associate Mardi Gras with women flashing their breasts for plastic bead necklaces, that bawdiness occurs mostly in the French Quarter, often from Bourbon Street balconies. Neighbors Christine Stephens and Tracy Thomas said they stay on the traditional parade route, outside the French Quarter. "Mardi Gras should be for everyone from 8 months to 88 years old," Stephens said. __ Follow Santana on Twitter @ruskygal. Revelers march during the Society de Sainte Anne parade, on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) A member of the Krewe of Zulu marches during their parade Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Revelers march during the Society de Sainte Anne parade, on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Children dressed as goldfish walk in the Society de Sainte Anne parade, on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) A man uses an attic vent as headgear during the Society de Sainte Anne parade, on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) A reveler blows a kiss to the camera during the Society de Sainte Anne parade, on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) John Shreves, left, of New Orleans, dressed as Donald Trump, poses with a random reveler with a reference to a well known quote by Trump, during the Society de Sainte Anne parade, on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) A reveler twirls a hula hoop during the Society de Sainte Anne parade, on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) A group dressed as flamingos makes there way through the crowd at the start of the Society de Sainte Anne parade, on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Revelers dance during the Society de Sainte Anne parade, on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Children dance on the sidewalk as the Society de Sainte Anne parade passes by, on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Revelers wait for the start of the Society de Sainte Anne parade, on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Sher Morgenstern, 2, walks in costume with her family during the Society de Sainte Anne parade, on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) John Shreves, center, of New Orleans, runs into Jeff Jones, right, who both dressed as Donald Trump, during the Society de Sainte Anne parade, on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Revelers dance and play music during the Society de Sainte Anne parade, on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) A member of the Krewe of Zulu hands out coconuts to the crowd as their parade rolls on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) A member of the Krewe of Zulu leads the way as their parade rolls on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) A member of the walking club Mondo Kayo revels as they march and dance down the route of the Krewe of Zulu parade on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) The Krewe of Zulu marches as they roll on during Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Members of the Krewe of Zulu march as their parade rolls on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, right, and chief of police Michael Harrison ride on horseback at the start of the Krewe of Zulu parade on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) A member of the Crew of Zulu hands out prized painted coconuts as their parade rolls on Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a warning Tuesday to neighboring Greece, Cyprus and international companies exploring for gas in the eastern Mediterranean not to "step out of line" and encroach on Turkey's rights. Meanwhile, Greek authorities said a Turkish coast guard vessel rammed a Greek coast guard boat off a couple of uninhabited islets in the Aegean Sea over which the two NATO allies nearly went to war in 1996. There were no injuries. Erdogan made the warning in an address to legislators of his ruling party as Turkish warships continued to impede a rig from reaching a location off of Cyprus where Italian energy company Eni is scheduled to drill for gas. Turkey's President and leader of ruling Justice and Development Party Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses the members of his ruling party at the parliament in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. Erdogan issued a warning Tuesday to Greece, Cyprus and international companies exploring for gas in the eastern Mediterranean not to "step out of line" and encroach on Turkey's rights.(AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici) "We recommend that foreign companies don't allow themselves to be an instrument of issues that surpass their limits and strength, by trusting the Greek Cypriot side," he said. "Their show of strength lasts only until they see our ships and our planes." Turkey opposes the drilling, which it says disregards the rights of breakaway Turkish Cypriots. It also claims as its own part of the area Cyprus has designated for exploratory drilling. The Cypriot government says it has a sovereign right to drill, and that if the search is successful, any income would be shared equitably if the island is reunified. Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades refrained from direct comment on Erdogan's statements, but said Turkish naval activity should cause no public alarm. "There's no reason for anyone to worry," he told reporters in Nicosia. "Actions are being taken in such a way so as to avert any kind of crisis." European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said EU authorities are monitoring the incident in the Agean closely. He said Turkey needs to "commit unequivocally" to good neighborly relations and avoid any "friction, threat or action" against an EU member state. Cyprus has been divided since Turkey invaded in 1974, after a failed coup by supporters of union with Greece. The island joined the EU in 2004, but only the southern part enjoys full membership benefits. Many in Turkey also dispute Greek ownership of uninhabited Aegean islets near Turkey's coastline. The two countries have a long history of rivalry, and have thrice come close to war over Aegean rights and Cyprus since 1974. "Opportunistic attempts concerning gas exploration off Cyprus and concerning Aegean islets are not escaping our attentions," Erdogan said. Greece's coast guard said nobody was injured in the collision, which took place around midnight Monday, although the Greek vessel suffered damage to the stern where the Turkish boat hit it with its bows. A coast guard statement said the Turkish vessel was conducting "dangerous maneuvers," and struck the Greek vessel inside Greek waters. The coast guard vessels were east of the uninhabited islets - known as Imia in Greek and Kardak in Turkish - which both countries claim and are prime fishing spots, attracting fishing boats from both countries. Greek government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos voiced concern but appealed for restraint. "Right now there is no need to pour more oil on the flames. What is needed is calm, level-headedness and a serious handling of the situation," he said. "Recently we have been seeing increasingly provocative behaviour from Turkey, which is a source of very serious concern to us," he told private Alpha radio. The Turkish ambassador in Athens was summoned to the Greek Foreign Ministry for explanations. Tension around the islets has remained high since the two NATO allies came to the brink of war over them more than 20 years ago, when they deployed their navies to the spot and a Greek helicopter crashed into the sea, killing three crewmen. ___ Paphitis contributed from Athens, Greece. Menelaos Hadjicostis in Nicosia, Cyprus, and Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed. Turkey's President and leader of ruling Justice and Development Party Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, receives a dagger from supporters as gift as he addresses the members of his ruling party at the parliament in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. Erdogan issued a warning Tuesday to Greece, Cyprus and international companies exploring for gas in the eastern Mediterranean not to "step out of line" and encroach on Turkey's rights.(AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici) Turkey's President and leader of ruling Justice and Development Party Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses the members of his ruling party at the parliament in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. Erdogan issued a warning Tuesday to Greece, Cyprus and international companies exploring for gas in the eastern Mediterranean not to "step out of line" and encroach on Turkey's rights.(AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici) CORRECTS THE YEAR THE IMAGE WAS TAKEN In this Sept. 2016 photo provided by Greek Coast Guard the Gavdos 090 vessel is docked on an Aegean island. Greek authorities said on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018 a Turkish coast guard vessel rammed the Greek coast guard boat off a couple of uninhabited islets in the Aegean Sea over which the two NATO allies nearly went to war in 1996. There were no injuries. (Greek Coast Guard via AP) BERLIN (AP) - German authorities say 12,285 people applied for asylum in the country in January, a 15 percent drop compared with the same month last year. In January 2017, Germany recorded 14,476 new asylum requests. Some 13,082 people applied for asylum in December. Interior Ministry figures published Tuesday show most new asylum-seekers last month originated from Syria, Iraq and Nigeria. The number of new asylum requests in Germany has steadily declined since the dramatic influx of 2015 as European countries enforce stricter border controls and clamp down on people-smuggling across the Mediterranean. OFER MILITARY BASE, West Bank (AP) - Palestinian protester Ahed Tamimi went on trial behind closed doors in an Israeli military court Tuesday for slapping and punching two Israeli soldiers - the opening of a high-profile case against the teen who is seen by some as a Joan of Arc-like heroine and by others as a troublemaker or even a terrorist. Israel's hard-charging prosecution of Tamimi, recognizable by her unruly mane of curly hair, has drawn international attention and criticism. Underlying the case are clashing narratives about Israel's half-century of occupation, the extent of permissible Palestinian resistance to it and the battle for global public opinion. Tamimi, who turned 17 in prison last month, was led into a courtroom packed with journalists, several European diplomats and members of her family. Palestinian protest icon Ahed Tamimi is in a courtroom at the Ofer military prison near Jerusalem, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. The Israeli military judge overseeing the trial of Palestinian teenager Tamimi has ordered all proceedings to take place behind closed doors. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) "Stay strong, stay strong," shouted her father, Bassem, from the back row. She appeared calm and confident as she took a seat in the dock, surrounded by camera crews and photographers. After a few minutes, the judge suddenly ordered all spectators except family members to leave and announced that the proceedings would continue behind closed doors. He said he was acting in the best interest of a juvenile defendant. Defense lawyer Gaby Lasky protested, saying the family wants an open trial. "The court decided what is best for the court, and not what is good for Ahed," Lasky later told reporters, accusing the judge of trying to keep the world from watching. In the closed session, the court read a 12-count indictment against Tamimi, including charges of assault and incitement that could keep her in prison for several years. Lasky argued that the court is an organ of what she described as an "illegal occupation" and that the charges must therefore be thrown out. "We believe that this is an indictment solely created in order to deter Ahed and other Palestinian youths" from resisting occupation, Lasky said afterward. She said she is still waiting to receive case material from the prosecutor, that her client did not enter a plea and that the next hearing would be March 11. Tamimi's scuffle with the two soldiers took place Dec. 15 in her West Bank village of Nabi Saleh, home to about 600 members of her extended clan. At the time, protests had erupted in several parts of the West Bank over President Donald Trump's recognition 10 days earlier of contested Jerusalem as Israel's capital. In Nabi Saleh, several teenage boys were throwing stones that day at soldiers who fired stun grenades and rubber-coated steel pellets. A 15-year-old cousin of Ahed Tamimi was hit at close range by a rubber bullet and seriously wounded. He later had a section of his skull removed and is recovering at home. Ahed Tamimi had just learned of his injury when she, along with her mother and another cousin approached two soldiers at the entrance to the courtyard of the family home, according to relatives. In later events captured on video, Ahed yells at the soldiers to leave, slapping one and punching the other in the head. The soldiers casually fend her off. The video continues with her leaning against the courtyard wall, calling for large demonstrations as "the only way to reach results," but adding that Trump must bear responsibility for any Palestinian reaction, including stabbings and suicide attacks, and that "everyone needs to do something and to unite." The video stirred complaints in Israel that the soldiers had been humiliated. She was arrested at her home Dec. 19 in the middle of the night and has been in detention ever since. At a previous hearing, the military court at the Ofer army base in the West Bank ordered her held until the end of proceedings. Senior Israeli government officials called for a harsh punishment. Military prosecutors presented an indictment involving the Dec. 15 scuffle, but also other alleged incidents going back to April 2016. From a young age, Tamimi has taken part in regular anti-occupation marches by residents of Nabi Saleh, which lost land to a nearby Jewish settlement. Protests often ended in stone-throwing clashes. One famous photo shows her as a 12-year-old raising a clenched fist at a soldier towering over her. Her father has rejected allegations he is exploiting his daughter for political objectives. He said the occupation has robbed her of a normal childhood, that it's better for her to confront it than to fear it, and that he believes her generation will lead Palestinians to freedom. Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem in 1967, and Palestinian hopes of establishing a state in those territories seem increasingly dim. Several rounds of U.S.-led negotiations on a partition deal have failed, and gaps have only widened between the sides. Trump has promised to propose a peace plan, but Palestinian officials have said they fear any U.S. offer would fall far short of their demands, including a capital in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem. Underlying Tamimi's trial is the debate about what rights, if any, Palestinians have to push back against Israeli rule. Michael Sfard, an Israeli human rights lawyer, said that Israeli military law "is set up to label every act of resistance, violent or nonviolent, as criminal" and that the military court system is just another branch of an occupying army. "It is not about justice," he said. "Its main objective is to curb any attempt of resistance and enhance the control over the population." Israel has dealt with Tamimi's actions as purely criminal offenses. Retired Israeli law professor Emanuel Gross argued that international law permits an occupying power to set up military courts and that Israel's system is in line with those conventions. "You are allowed, of course, to protest the fact that you are under occupation, but you are not allowed to protest in such a way that it will be considered illegal," said Gross, a military court judge until the 1990s. "That's exactly what Tamimi is accused of doing, by using force against soldiers." Gross acknowledged that the drafters of those conventions were likely "not dreaming that occupation will last such a long, long time." The Tamimi case has struck a nerve internationally. Diplomats from Germany, Britain, Ireland and other European countries came to court Tuesday as observers. U.N. human rights experts said Tamimi's continued detention violates international legal standards. The Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Israel has ratified, states that minors can only be deprived of liberty as a last resort and for the shortest appropriate time, said Michael Lynk, a U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, in a statement. He said the Tamimi case is not isolated, and that Israel detains and prosecutes 500 to 700 Palestinian children in military courts annually. Palestinian protest icon Ahed Tamimi is in a courtroom at the Ofer military prison near Jerusalem, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. The Israeli military judge overseeing the trial of Palestinian teenager Tamimi has ordered all proceedings to take place behind closed doors. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) SRINAGAR, India (AP) - Government troops in Indian-controlled Kashmir killed two gunmen Tuesday, ending a daylong attack near a paramilitary camp, police said. S.P. Vaid, the top police official in the disputed region, said one soldier was also killed in the clash. Vaid said government troops were still combing the area where the gunbattle took place in the region's main city, Srinagar. Indian army and paramilitary officers carry a coffin of their colleague Mohammad Mujahid Khan, who was killed in an ongoing gun battle with suspects rebels during a wreath laying ceremony at their base camp on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. India's defense minister said Monday that gunmen belonging to the Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed were behind a weekend attack on an army camp in Indian-controlled Kashmir, and warned Islamabad that it "would pay for this misadventure." (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) The attack began a day after government troops ended a two-day standoff with gunmen at an army camp near Jammu city. That attack left five soldiers and one civilian dead. Kashmir is divided between India and archrival Pakistan. Both claim the region in its entirety. Several militant groups have been fighting for Kashmir's independence from India or its merger with Pakistan since 1989. Around 70,000 people have been killed in the uprising and the ensuing Indian military crackdown. India accuses Pakistan of arming and training the militants, a charge it denies. Indian paramilitary soldiers pay their tributes during the wreath laying ceremony of their colleague Mohammad Mujahid Khan, who was killed in an ongoing gun battle with suspects rebels at a base camp on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. India's defense minister said Monday that gunmen belonging to the Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed were behind a weekend attack on an army camp in Indian-controlled Kashmir, and warned Islamabad that it "would pay for this misadventure." (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Indian army soldiers pay tribute to their colleague Madan Lal Choudhary, who was killed in Saturday's militant attack on Indian army camp, during his funeral at village Bakrak, in Hiranagar, district Kathua, 72 kilometers (45 miles) south of Jammu, India, Monday, Feb.12, 2018. (AP Photo/Channi Anand) NEW YORK (AP) - The Koch brothers are spending millions to attack two vulnerable Democrats for voting against the Republican tax overhaul. The Koch-backed group Americans For Prosperity plan to launch a $4 million advertising campaign against Missouri's Sen. Claire McCaskill and Indiana's Sen. Joe Donnelly. An AFP spokesman said Tuesday the ad campaign will run on TV and the internet for three weeks beginning Thursday. The ads accuse the senators of "voting against tax cuts for you" and "standing with" Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic House leader Nancy Pelosi "instead of us." McCaskill and Donnelly are among several Democratic incumbents up for re-election this fall in states carried by President Donald Trump. Like all Senate Democrats, they voted against the tax overhaul because it gave preferential treatment to the rich. BRUSSELS (AP) - The United States is warning the European Union not to use its deepened military cooperation as an excuse to protect Europe's defense industry, saying such practices could undermine NATO. The U.S. ambassador to NATO, Kay Bailey Hutchison, said Tuesday that "we do not want this (cooperation) to be a protectionist vehicle for EU." She said Washington is "going to watch carefully, because if that becomes the case then it could splinter the strong security alliance that we have." NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during a media conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. NATO defense ministers begin a two-day meeting Wednesday to focus on military spending, cooperation with the European Union, and assistance to the Iraqi army. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) EU leaders - 22 of whose nations are also members of the U.S.-led NATO alliance - agreed last year to jointly develop or purchase military equipment like drones. Washington is concerned now that the bidding process might exclude U.S. firms. EU countries also drew up a list of criteria and binding commitments to set their cooperation in stone, rather than rely on the vaguer promises of the past. On top of that, they agreed to use EU funds to finance Europe's battle-groups - small, expeditionary forces that can rapidly be deployed to crisis hotspots. Hutchison called for a transparent contract bidding process. "We want the Europeans to have capabilities and strength, but not to fence off American products of course, or Norwegian products, or potentially U.K. products (once Britain leaves the bloc)," she said. NATO and the EU have been trumpeting their cooperation on things like crisis management, the development of military equipment, maritime security and coping with hybrid warfare and cyberthreats. They have constantly underlined that their aim is to complement, rather than compete with, each other. "More European defense spending and capabilities can strengthen NATO and contribute to fairer burden-sharing, but only if the EU's efforts are developed as a complement and not an alternative to NATO," alliance Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday, on the eve of a meeting between U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his European and Canadian counterparts in Brussels. A senior Pentagon official also said that Washington is concerned that EU defense cooperation might eventually draw resources away from NATO, which the U.S. and allies like Britain see as Europe's top security apparatus. "Thus far we don't see signs that that is actually going to be a concern," said the official, Katie Wheelbarger. "But we just want to make sure that there has to be full transparency, so it's implemented right, so, therefore, future initiatives will be based on a positive example." ___ Lolita Baldor in Washington contributed. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during a media conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. NATO defense ministers begin a two-day meeting Wednesday to focus on military spending, cooperation with the European Union, and assistance to the Iraqi army. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during a media conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. NATO defense ministers begin a two-day meeting Wednesday to focus on military spending, cooperation with the European Union, and assistance to the Iraqi army. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) - A Maryland woman who claims to be a psychic has been convicted of scamming people - again. WRC-TV reports Gina Marie Marks, who worked under the name Natalie Miller, pleaded guilty Friday to multiple counts of felony theft for stealing $340,000 from five people who sought help with their troubles. Marks said on Friday in court that she would return all the payments she received, but maintained her services are real. Police learned of Marks in 2016 when a woman paid Marks for love spells, but got suspicious when the charges began approaching $80,000. Marks was arrested at the Miami International Airport in Florida and faces up to six years in prison. Marks pleaded no contest and guilty to similar charges in 2009 and 2010 in Florida. ___ Information from: WRC-TV, http://nbcwashington.com HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) - An 84-year-old military veteran who had been fighting eviction from his apartment near Miami was fatally shot by at least four police officers. The Miami Herald reports officers were called to the Hidden Grove apartment complex on Monday when Raymond Bishop threatened to kill himself. Detective Argemis Colome told local news outlets that a confrontation ensued and police were forced to shoot. The newspaper reports Bishop was being evicted for "harboring unauthorized" dogs named Roxie and Ranger. A lawsuit said one of the dogs attacked and injured another resident. A Veterans Administration psychiatrist says in court documents that the pets "provided invaluable emotional therapeutic benefit." The case had been in mediation but talks between the two sides failed. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating. WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on the Senate's immigration debate: (all times local): 11:20 a.m. Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois says Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim's story is the story of immigration in America. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., stands at left as Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., speaks during a news conference about an immigration bill on Capitol Hill, Monday, Feb. 12, 2018 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) With the Senate debating immigration, Durbin is invoking the journey of Kim's father from South Korea to the United States in 1982 with a couple hundred dollars. Durbin says Chloe Kim showed an interest in snowboarding as a young girl, developing into one of the best in the world and capturing a gold medal for the U.S. in the halfpipe Tuesday. Durbin says Kim's family resembles many other immigrants who don't bring wealth and often don't bring a proficiency in English. He says "they only come here with a determination to make a better life for themselves and a better country for all of us." ___ 8:35 a.m. A Republican senator who introduced President Donald Trump's immigration proposal says it's "the president's framework bill or nothing." Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas calls the bill "not an opening bid" for negotiations with Democrats on immigration but the "best and final offer." Like the proposal Trump unveiled last month, the measure would offer a chance for citizenship for up to 1.8 million people who arrived in the U.S. as children and stayed illegally. It would provide $25 billion for border security, restrict family-based immigration, and end a visa lottery. The Trump plan faces an uphill battle in the Senate. ___ 12:13 a.m. The Senate's Republican and Democratic leaders say it's going to be tough to broker a successful deal on immigration policy. Debate is expected to end this week with a vote on President Donald Trump's own proposal. The Republican majority leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, says Democrats need to back up their demand for action with hard work on finding a solution that Congress will pass and Trump will sign. The Democratic leader, Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, expressed opposition to Trump's proposal. It would pave a path to citizenship for up to 1.8 million young "Dreamer" immigrants in the U.S. illegally, a lure for Democrats. Trump also wants $25 billion for a border wall with Mexico and other security measures. The Capitol Dome of the Capitol Building at sunrise, Friday, Feb. 9, 2018, in Washington. The Senate is ready for a showdown debate over immigration, including whether to protect young "Dreamers" from deportation, in an election-year battle that's sure to electrify both parties' most fervent voters and could well end in stalemate. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) - Serbia's president has refused to apologize for his nationalist wartime rhetoric calling for a "Greater Serbia" that would include large parts of Croatia, saying he won't be humiliated. President Aleksandar Vucic said Tuesday - when grilled by reporters about a 1995 speech he made - that Serbs and Croats have widely different views of the war they fought in the 1990s during the bloody breakup of former Yugoslavia. Vucic was a fervent Serbian nationalist during the war, but now says he is a pro-EU reformer. His two-day visit to Croatia this week is seen as an attempt to mend ties between the two Balkan rivals. Serbia's president Aleksandar Vucic, left, is welcomed by Croatian prime minister Andrej Plenkovic, in Zagreb, Croatia, Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. President Vucic is on a two day state visit to Croatia. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) About 10,000 people were killed during the war when minority Serbs took control of a third of Croatia's territory, trying to unite with Serbia. Serbia's president Aleksandar Vucic, left, gestures as he is welcomed by Croatian prime minister Andrej Plenkovic in Zagreb, Croatia, Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. President Vucic is on a two day state visit to Croatia.(AP Photo/Darko Bandic) Serbia's president Aleksandar Vucic, left, is welcomed by Croatian prime minister Andrej Plenkovic, in Zagreb, Croatia, Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. President Vucic is on a two day state visit to Croatia. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) Serbia's president Aleksandar Vucic, right, meets Croatian prime minister Andrej Plenkovic, in Zagreb, Croatia, Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. President Vucic is on a two day state visit to Croatia.(AP Photo/Darko Bandic) BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - U.S. prosecutors say Venezuela's former oil czar received bribes as part of a major graft scheme that allegedly took place in the OPEC nation's oil industry, an American official familiar with the probe said. Rafael Ramirez, who was one of Venezuela's most powerful officials until he quit as the country's U.N. ambassador in December, was named as a bribe recipient although he was not charged in an indictment against five other former senior officials that was partially unsealed Monday. In the indictment, prosecutors in Houston allege two of the charged individuals told businessmen that proceeds from bribes they made in exchange for quick payments and contracts with Venezuela's state-run oil giant PDVSA would be shared with a senior Venezuelan official, identified in the unsealed portion as "Official B." FILE - In this Jan. 29, 2013 file photo, Venezuela's Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez attends a signing ceremony with the Russian energy company Rosneft in Caracas, Venezuela, in front of a large image of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez. U.S. prosecutors believe Ramirez received bribes as part of an alleged multibillion-dollar graft scheme in Venezuela's oil industry, an official familiar with the U.S. investigation said Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. Ramirez has called a separate criminal Venezuelan probe retaliation for his decision to break with Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, who he has accused of running Venezuela's once-thriving oil industry into the ground and abandoning the socialist ideals of the late Hugo Chavez. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File) That unidentified Venezuelan politician is Ramirez, a U.S. official told The Associated Press. The official agreed to talk about the case only on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorization to discuss the matter. In 2016, Venezuela's opposition-led National Assembly said $11 billion went missing at PDVSA in the 2004-2014 period when Ramirez was in charge of the company. In 2015, the U.S. Treasury Department accused a bank in Andorra of laundering some $2 billion stolen from PDVSA. Ramirez denied any involvement in corruption schemes at PDVSA when contacted by the AP on Tuesday. He declined further comment, but in the past has dismissed the U.S. probe as a politically motivated attempt to undermine President Nicolas Maduro's socialist government. After resigning his U.N. post, Ramirez left the United States for an undisclosed location, and he did not immediately respond to a request Monday seeking comment. Prosecutors in the U.S. as well as Venezuela have been slowly closing in on his inner circle. Among those charged Monday was PDVSA's former chief of corporate security, Rafael Reiter, who frequently appeared alongside Ramirez in public. Another was a former deputy energy minister, Nervis Villalobos, who stood in as head of PDVSA when Ramirez was on official business abroad. Both Reiter and Villalobos were arrested in Spain in October on U.S. warrants and are pending extradition along with a third former official, Luis Carlos de Leon. Ramirez is also the target of a separate criminal investigation in Venezuela, accused of taking a cut of oil contracts brokered by associates including his cousin, Diego Salazar, who was arrested in December. Ramirez has called the Venezuelan probe retaliation for his decision to break with Maduro, who he has accused of running Venezuela's once-thriving oil industry into the ground and abandoning the revolutionary ideals of the late Hugo Chavez. Much of the evidence gathered by U.S. prosecutors stems from a case in Houston against two Venezuelan businessmen residing in the United States, Roberto Rincon and Abraham Shiera, who in 2015 were charged with violating the foreign corrupt practices act by paying bribes in exchange for contracts to build electricity generators for PDVSA at a time Venezuela was suffering widespread power outages. They are among 10 individuals and officials who have so far pleaded guilty in connection to the U.S. probes into corruption at PDVSA. According to Monday's indictment, both men were approached by PDVSA officials in 2011, at a time the cash-strapped oil monopoly was in arrears with several vendors. The officials, referred to as the "management team" in the indictment, are alleged to have offered Rincon and Sheira's companies priority over other vendors and future business in exchange for bribes in the amount of 10 percent of all payments received. Over the next few years, the two men purportedly sent over $27 million to an account in Switzerland for which Villalobos and De Leon were authorized signers. Two of the officials, Leon and Villalobos, explained to the businessmen that the bribe proceeds would be shared with Official B and another unnamed senior who also has yet to be charged, the indictment says. In text messages, the charges allege, the conspirators used ambiguous terms like "ration" and "candy" to refer to the bribes and even traded charts of how much was owed. Prosecutors also allege that businessmen bought expensive gifts for the defendants and their associates, including a $10,000 handbag and a holiday vacation in the Bahamas. On Reiter's behalf, they also allegedly purchased a condominium at the Miami Four Seasons and an armored car and invested in a movie. None of the shell companies and bank accounts used to conceal the bribe payments appear to have been in Ramirez's name. However, in 2014, Reiter forwarded to Rincon invoices for English classes being taken by two of Official B's children in the amount of over $25,000, the indictment says. A week later, funds in the same amount from a company controlled by Rincon were allegedly transferred to the school. MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The parents of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kevin Nicholson have donated the maximum amount to the campaign of their son's Democratic rival, Sen. Tammy Baldwin. Nicholson is in a primary battle against Republican state Sen. Leah Vukmir, with the winner advancing to take on Baldwin in the fall. Federal records show that Nicholson's parents, Michael and Donna Nicholson, both gave $2,700 in December to Baldwin. Nicholson is a former Democrat, but his parents have a long history of donating to Democratic candidates. CNN first reported the donations to Baldwin. Nicholson says in a statement that "My parents have a different worldview than I do, and it is not surprising that they would support a candidate like Tammy Baldwin who shares their perspective." Nicholson says he is a conservative by choice "not because I was born one." MOSCOW (AP) - At least several private Russian military contractors were killed by a U.S. strike in Syria, Russian media reported Tuesday in a development that could further inflame Russia-U.S. tensions if officially confirmed. President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov refrained from commenting on the reports about the deaths last week, saying Tuesday they need to be verified. Asked during a conference call with reporters if Putin raised the episode during Monday's phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, Peskov said the situation in Syria wasn't discussed during the call. Russian media said the Russian private contractors were part of pro-government forces that advanced on oil fields in the eastern Deir el-Zour province and were targeted by the United States. The reports cited activists who confirmed that at least four Russian citizens were killed in Syria on Wednesday. The U.S. military said last week it launched air and artillery strikes on Syrian government-backed troops after some 300 attackers launched what appeared to be a coordinated assault on Syrian opposition forces accompanied by U.S. advisers in the province of Deir el-Zour. It said it was in regular communication with Russian counterparts before, during and after the attack, and Russian officials assured coalition officials they would not strike coalition forces. It said the U.S. strikes, which reportedly killed about 100 of the attackers, were in self-defense. The Russian Defense Ministry said 25 Syrian volunteers were wounded in the U.S. strike and insisted that its troops weren't involved in Wednesday's incident. It said that pro-government forces that advanced toward the area under control of the U.S.-supported forces had failed to coordinate their action with the Russian military in Syria. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Thursday dismissed any suggestion that Russia had any control over the attacking force, whose nationalities, motives and makeup he could not identify. The U.S. strike came as U.S.-backed Kurdish-led forces were vying for control of the oil-rich Deir el-Zour province with Russian-backed Syrian troops that are reinforced by Iranian-supported militias. The Russian and the U.S. militaries have maintained regular communications to avoid collisions on the chaotic Syrian battlefield. If the death of Russian private contractors is confirmed, it could further strain ties between the two countries that have plummeted to the lowest levels since the Cold War over the Ukrainian conflict, the war in Syria and the alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Without mentioning the U.S. strike, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted Tuesday that "Americans have taken dangerous unilateral steps." "Those steps look increasingly as part of efforts to create a quasi-state on a large part of Syrian territory - from the eastern bank of the Euphrates River all the way to the border with Iraq," he said. The state Tass news agency on Tuesday cited Natalya Krylova, a municipal lawmaker in the town of Asbestos in the Urals, as saying local residents Igor Kosoturov and Stanislav Matveyev were killed in Syria Wednesday. The Interfax news agency said that the Cossack group in the westernmost Kalningrad region said a member named Vladimir Loginov was killed in combat in the province of Deir el-Zour. It also quoted Alexander Averin, leader of extreme leftist group Another Russia, as saying that one of its activists, Kirill Ananyev, was killed by the U.S. strike near Khusham. Liberal politician Grigory Yavlinsky, who is running for president in Russia's March 18 presidential election, urged Putin to come into the open regarding the deaths of Russians in Syria, saying that official silence on the subject was "unacceptable." "If many Russian citizens were killed, officials, including the commander-in-chief, must tell the nation about it and determine who is responsible for that," he said. Russia has waged a military campaign in Syria since September 2015, helping Syrian President Bashar Assad's government seize large chunks of territory and turn the tide of war into its favor. Russian media have reported that in addition to Russian servicemen deployed to Syria, thousands of Russians also fought there as private contractors, allowing the Kremlin to keep the official death toll from its campaign in Syria low and avoid the negative public response. The Kremlin and the Russian Defense Ministry refused to comment on media reports on Russian private contractors in Syria. LONDON (AP) - Prince Harry and fiancee Meghan Markle are continuing their pre-wedding tour of Britain with a trip to Scotland. Hundreds of well-wishers greeted the couple Tuesday in a cold and windy Edinburgh, including one besotted man who implored Markle to choose him instead of the prince. The visit began with a stop at Edinburgh Castle, one of Scotland's most famous landmarks. Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle meet a Shetland Pony as they arrive at Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. The recently engaged couple are on a one day tour to Edinburgh, and will visit the Castle and observe the firing of the One O'clock Gun. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) The fashionable Markle wore a tartan coat by Burberry to honor the plaid for which Scotland is known. It was the couple's fourth official engagement together as Harry introduces Markle to various parts of Britain. They plan to meet members of the public and with various organizations involved in community work. The American actress and Harry are set to marry at Windsor Castle on May 19. Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle arrive at Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. The recently engaged couple are on a one day tour to Edinburgh, and will visit the Castle and observe the firing of the One O'clock Gun. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle arrive at Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. The recently engaged couple are on a one day tour to Edinburgh, and will visit the Castle and observe the firing of the One O'clock Gun. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle during their visit at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Edinburgh Tuesday Feb. 13, 2018.(Jane Barlow/ Pool via AP) Meghan Markle, fiancee of Britain's Prince Harry arrives at Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. The recently engaged couple are on a one day tour to Edinburgh, and will visit the Castle and observe the firing of the One O'clock Gun. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle speak with patrons at the Social Bite in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. The recently engaged couple are on a one day tour to Edinburgh, and will visit the Castle and observe the firing of the One O'clock Gun. (Owen Humphreys/Pool Photo via AP) Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle speak with patrons at the Social Bite in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. The recently engaged couple are on a one day tour to Edinburgh, and will visit the Castle and observe the firing of the One O'clock Gun. (Owen Humphreys/Pool Photo via AP) Meghan Markle looks on during a walkabout with Britain's Prince Harry on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. The recently engaged couple are on a one day tour to Edinburgh, and will visit the Castle and observe the firing of the One O'clock Gun. (Wattie Cheung/Pool Photo via AP) Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle speak with patrons at the Social Bite in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. The recently engaged couple are on a one day tour to Edinburgh, and will visit the Castle and observe the firing of the One O'clock Gun. (Owen Humphreys/Pool Photo via AP) Meghan Markle looks on during a walkabout with Britain's Prince Harry on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. The recently engaged couple are on a one day tour to Edinburgh, and will visit the Castle and observe the firing of the One O'clock Gun. (Wattie Cheung/Pool Photo via AP) Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle arrive at Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. The recently engaged couple are on a one day tour to Edinburgh, and will visit the Castle and observe the firing of the One O'clock Gun. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) Britain's Prince Harry greets the public as he and his fiancee Meghan Markle arrive at Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. The recently engaged couple are on a one day tour to Edinburgh, and will visit the Castle and observe the firing of the One O'clock Gun. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) Meghan Markle fiancee of Britain's Prince Harry arrives at Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. The recently engaged couple are on a one day tour to Edinburgh, and will visit the Castle and observe the firing of the One O'clock Gun. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle arrive at Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. The recently engaged couple are on a one day tour to Edinburgh, and will visit the Castle and observe the firing of the One O'clock Gun. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle arrive at Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. The recently engaged couple are on a one day tour to Edinburgh, and will visit the Castle and observe the firing of the One O'clock Gun. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle arrive at Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. The recently engaged couple are on a one day tour to Edinburgh, and will visit the Castle and observe the firing of the One O'clock Gun. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle arrive at Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. The recently engaged couple are on a one day tour to Edinburgh, and will visit the Castle and observe the firing of the One O'clock Gun. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle arrive at Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. The recently engaged couple are on a one day tour to Edinburgh, and will visit the Castle and observe the firing of the One O'clock Gun. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet Pony Major Mark Wilkinson and regimental mascot Cruachan IV during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. The recently engaged couple are on a one day tour to Edinburgh, and will visit the Castle and observe the firing of the One O'clock Gun. (Andrew Milligan/Pool Photo via AP) Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle arrive at Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. The recently engaged couple are on a one day tour to Edinburgh, and will visit the Castle and observe the firing of the One O'clock Gun. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet Pony Major Mark Wilkinson and regimental mascot Cruachan IV during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. The recently engaged couple are on a one day tour to Edinburgh, and will visit the Castle and observe the firing of the One O'clock Gun. (Andrew Milligan/Pool Photo via AP) Egyptian authorities have banned channels from airing the Arabic version of Saturday Night Live for using 'sexual expressions.' An investigation of the show's content by the Supreme Media Regulatory Council showed that SNL Arabia has consistently used inappropriate 'sexual phrases and insinuations that should not be presented to viewers,' Ahmed Salim of the council told The Associated Press. The show's entire content 'violates ethical and professional criteria,' he said. SNL Arabia was first aired in Egypt two years ago, and follows an identical format to its US namesake, featuring celebrity guests, comedy sketches, musical performances, videos and parody news. Egyptian authorities have banned channels from airing the Arabic version of Saturday Night Live for using 'sexual expressions'. Pictured is the cast of SNL Arabia An investigation of the show's content by the Supreme Media Regulatory Council showed that SNL Arabia has consistently used inappropriate 'sexual phrases and insinuations that should not be presented to viewers,' Ahmed Salim of the council told The Associated Press. Pictured are people waiting for the first ever airing of the show in Egypt in 2016 It has stayed well away from politics. The show is produced by the United Arab Emirates' pay-tv network OSN and has been aired most recently by Egypt's ON ENT. The station's chief, Mustafa el-Saqa, told the AP they have stopped airing the show's promos since the ban was announced late Sunday. He did not say if Saturday's episode will air or not. 'We are now negotiating with the Supreme Council in an effort to continue to air the program,' he said. 'I hope they understand that we are airing the program late at night and flag it for an audience that is 18 or older,' he said. Repeated telephone calls to the producers of SNL Arabia went unanswered. SNL Arabia was first aired in Egypt two years ago, and follows an identical format to its US namesake, featuring celebrity guests, comedy sketches, musical performances, videos and parody news Two comedians from Egypt's hit satirical show al-bernameg - Shady Alfons and Khaled Mansour - star in the Arabic SNL. The al-Bernameg, modeled after the U.S.'s 'Daily Show,' was hosted by popular heart surgeon-turned-satirist Bassem Youssef. It was taken off the air in June 2014, the month when Egypt's general-turned-president Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi took office. Youssef now lives in exile in the United States. As defense minister, el-Sissi led the military's 2013 overthrow of Islamist president Mohammed Morsi and went on to oversee the biggest crackdown on dissent in Egypt's modern history, jailing thousands of Islamists before broadening the crackdown on dissent to include secular activists. He has also silenced most critics in the media and rolled back most of the freedoms won as a result of a 2011 popular uprising that toppled the regime of autocratic ruler Hosni Mubarak. UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The U.N. refugee chief warned Tuesday that conditions aren't right for Rohingya Muslims to voluntarily return to Myanmar because its government hasn't addressed their exclusion, denial of rights and lack of citizenship. Filippo Grandi also warned that another "major new emergency looms" with the arrival of the monsoon season in March and more than 100,000 refugees in Bangladesh living in areas prone to flooding or landslides. Grandi told the Security Council in a video briefing from Geneva that since the crisis began last August, more than 688,000 Rohingyas have fled violence and destruction, including over 1,500 this month - and thousands more are expected. "It is time to bring an end to this repeated devastating cycle of violence, displacement and statelessness - to invest in tangible, substantial measures that will start to overcome the profound exclusion that the Rohingya community has endured for far too long," he said. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees said this is the responsibility of the government of Myanmar, "but international engagement and support are key to making it happen." Buddhist-majority Myanmar doesn't recognize the Rohingya as an ethnic group, insisting they are Bengali migrants from Bangladesh living illegally in the country. It has denied them citizenship, leaving them stateless. The recent spasm of violence began when Rohingya insurgents launched a series of attacks on Aug. 25. Myanmar security forces then began a scorched-earth campaign against Rohingya villages that the U.N. and human rights groups have called a campaign of ethnic cleansing. Grandi welcomed the agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar on the voluntary return of refugees but said "the framework for return" should eventually be defined in a three-way agreement between the two governments and his office. He said construction of structures to support the return of refugees is important - "but should not be confused with the establishment of conditions conducive to voluntary repatriation." "Let me be clear, conditions are not yet conducive to the voluntary repatriation of Rohingya refugees," Grandi stressed. "The causes of their flight have not been addressed, and we have yet to see substantive progress on addressing the exclusion and denial of rights that has deepened over the last decades, rooted in their lack of citizenship." But Myanmar's U.N. Ambassador Hau Do Suan said it has given Bangladesh a list of 508 Hindus and 750 Muslims "verified as Myanmar residents, to be included in the first batch of repatriation," and has set up two reception centers and a transit camp to accommodate them before permanent resettlement. The government is now ready to receive the first group of returnees, Suan said, noting that Myanmar's minister of home affairs will visit Bangladesh on Feb. 15 to discuss repatriation and the problem of about 6,000 Rohingyas stranded at the border. But Bangladesh's U.N. Ambassador Masud Bin Momen echoed Grandi, noting "the prevailing reluctance to repatriation among those forcibly displaced." He cited questions about their rights, fear of reprisals and investigative reports on the discovery of mass graves and targeted killings in Rakhine State. Momen said prospective returnees have made clear they first want assurances from the international community about resettling in their original villages and not closed camps, getting back land and businesses including traditional fishing, access to local markets, and "freedom of movement to conduct a normal life." "The voluntary return of the forcibly displaced people can only take place under the assurance of non-criminalization, non-discrimination and sustainable resettlement and reintegration," he said. Momen again urged the council to visit Bangladesh and Myanmar to witness the humanitarian situation and the to "add momentum to the repatriation process." More immediately, Grandi said tens of thousands of Rohingyas in Bangladesh need to be urgently relocated because of the upcoming monsoon rains. "Their lives are at grave risk," he said, calling for building foundations to be strengthened, bridges to be built and reinforced, and new land found and made ready. Grandi said the Bangladesh government "is doing emergency preparedness efforts but international support must be stepped up to avoid catastrophe." He also called for "significant support" for Bangladesh, not only for the refugees but to help the government reinforce the local economy "and ensure access to opportunities for refugees and the communities hosting them." Without education and opportunities to learn skills and earn an income, Grandi warned that refugees, and especially those who are young, will become disillusioned which can lead to radicalization and other risks including sexual and gender-based violence, trafficking, and other forms of abuse and exploitation. Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenca reiterated Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' demands: an end to violence, humanitarian access to Rakhine State where hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas remain, voluntary return of refugees to their homes or places of choice - and addressing the main cause of the crisis which is "statelessness." Jenca said Myanmar's reported transmission of a list of what it said were 1,300 "terrorists" to Bangladesh and asking for their extradition, and its publication in the country's official newspaper of names and photos of hundreds of suspected "terrorists," has raised "questions about due process, and possible intimidation of potential returnees." BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) - The Latest on the University of Connecticut scientist charged with killing her doctor husband (all times local): 12:30 p.m. Authorities are investigating whether a University of Connecticut doctor, whose body was found wrapped up in his home, has been dead since June. This booking photo released Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018, by the Connecticut State Police shows Linda Kosuda-Bigazzi, charged with murder in the death of her 84-year-old husband Pierluigi Bigazzi, who had not been seen for months. He was a professor of laboratory science and pathology at The University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, Conn. She worked with him. His body was found in their Burlington, Conn., home when police conducted a welfare check on Feb. 5. (Connecticut State Police via AP) Dr. Pierluigi Bigazzi's wife, Linda Kosuda-Bigazzi, was arraigned Tuesday on a murder charge. His body was found during a Feb. 5 wellness check by police in Burlington. The medical examiner determined the pathology professor died of blunt force trauma to the head. Kosuda-Bigazzi declined to comment as she entered Bristol Superior Court. The 70-year-old scientist, who worked with her husband, is free on home confinement after agreeing to wear a monitoring ankle bracelet and posting a $1.5 million bond. The arrest warrant in the case has been sealed, but court documents indicate police believe Bigazzi could have been killed as early as June 13. ____ 11 a.m. A scientist is charged with beating her husband, a University of Connecticut doctor, to death, and the body may have been left inside their home for months. Linda Kosuda-Bigazzi is charged with murder in the death of 84-year-old Pierluigi Bigazzi, who had not been seen for months. He was a professor of laboratory science and pathology at UConn Health. She worked with him. The Hartford Courant reports that Bigazzi's body was wrapped up inside the Burlington home when police conducted a welfare check on Feb. 5. They went to the home after colleagues at the school expressed concern over Bigazzi's long absence. The medical examiner says the doctor died of blunt trauma to the head. The arrest warrant has been sealed. Kosuda-Bigazzi was scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday. Her lawyers declined to comment. ATLANTA (AP) - Police say former world champion boxer Adrien Broner has been arrested after being accused of groping a woman at a popular mall in Atlanta. Atlanta Police spokesman Donald Hannah says the 28-year-old Broner was charged with sexual assault after his arrest at the Lenox Square Mall on Monday. Hannah says Broner denies the accusation. Broner is being held at the Fulton County Jail on a $2,000 bond. It's unclear if Broner has an attorney. Last year, Broner was stopped in a bullet-riddled car, then arrested on an outstanding warrant in Kentucky. He told police there that he didn't know who fired at his vehicle. BERLIN (AP) - Germany's Social Democrats have chosen deputy leader and Hamburg mayor Olaf Scholz as the new interim head of the party until a permanent chairman can be elected in April. The move follows leader Martin Schulz's announcement Tuesday that he was stepping down from the position with hopes of putting an end to turmoil at the top of the center-left party. The party leadership also nominated parliamentary caucus leader Andrea Nahles as its candidate for Schulz's permanent replacement, to stand in a vote at a special party congress on April 22. Scholz is also supporting Nahles. The Social Democrats' leadership issue has been a major distraction ahead of a party vote to approve a new coalition government agreement with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative bloc. JERUSALEM (AP) - Israeli police on Tuesday recommended that Benjamin Netanyahu be indicted on bribery and breach of trust charges in two corruption cases, dealing an embarrassing blow to the embattled prime minister that is likely to fuel calls for him to resign. Netanyahu angrily rejected the accusations, which included accepting nearly $300,000 in gifts from two billionaires. He accused police of being on a witch hunt and vowed to remain in office and even seek re-election. "I will continue to lead the state of Israel responsibly and loyally as long as you, the citizens of Israel, choose me to lead you," an ashen-faced Netanyahu said in a televised address. "I am sure that the truth will come to light. And I am sure that also in the next election that will take place on time I will win your trust again, with God's help." FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018 file photo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem. Israeli media reports Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018 say police recommending Netanyahu indictment on corruption charges, including bribery. (Ronen Zvulun, Pool via AP, File) The recommendations marked a dramatic ending to a more than yearlong investigation into allegations that Netanyahu accepted gifts from Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer, and suspicions that he offered to give preferential treatment to a newspaper publisher in exchange for favorable coverage. The recommendations now go to Attorney General Avihai Mendelblit, who will review the material before deciding whether to file charges. Netanyahu can remain in office during that process, which is expected to drag on for months. But with a cloud hanging over his head, he could soon find himself facing calls to step aside. During similar circumstances a decade ago, Netanyahu, as opposition leader, urged then-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to resign during a police investigation, saying a leader "sunk up to his neck in interrogations" could not govern properly. In the immediate aftermath of the police announcement, reactions quickly fell along partisan lines. Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, a bitter rival of Netanyahu, called on him to suspend himself and for the coalition to appoint a replacement on Wednesday morning. "The depth of corruption is horrifying," Barak said. "This does not look like nothing. This looks like bribery." But key members of Netanyahu's Likud Party rallied behind him. Cabinet Minister Miri Regev said she was "not excited" by the police recommendations and urged patience while the attorney general reviews the case. She said the biggest surprise was that Yair Lapid, leader of the opposition Yesh Atid party, had been a witness. David Amsalem, another Netanyahu confidant, called Lapid a "snitch." Lapid later issued a statement calling on Netanyahu to resign. "Someone with such serious accusations against them, many of which he does not even deny, cannot continue to serve as prime minister with responsibility for the security and well-being of Israel's citizens," Lapid said. In a statement, police said their investigation found sufficient evidence to indict Netanyahu in the first case, known as File 1000, for accepting bribes, fraud and breach of trust. It said Netanyahu had accepted gifts valued at 750,000 shekels ($214,000) from Milchan, and 250,000 shekels ($71,000) from Packer. The gifts from Milchan reportedly included expensive cigars and champagne. Police said that in return, Netanyahu had operated on Milchan's behalf on U.S. visa matters, legislated a tax break and connected him with an Indian businessman. It said he also helped Milchan, an Israeli producer whose credits include "Pretty Woman," ''12 Years a Slave" and "JFK," in the Israeli media market. In the second case, known as "File 2000," Netanyahu reportedly was recorded asking Arnon Mozes, the publisher of the Yediot Ahronot daily, for positive coverage in exchange for promoting legislation that would weaken a free newspaper that had cut into Yediot's business. Police said there was sufficient evidence to charge both Milchan and Mozes with bribery. Channel 10 TV read a statement that it said came from Milchan's "defense team" saying the bribery charge would not stand. It said his relationship with Netanyahu went back to the early 2000s, before he became prime minister, and that the men and their families were friends. There was no immediate comment from Packer or Mozes. Netanyahu is one of President Donald Trump's biggest supporters on the global stage, and the police recommendations threaten to weaken Netanyahu as the White House works to prepare a Mideast peace proposal. In his TV address, Netanyahu said that his entire three-decade political career, which included serving as Israel's ambassador to the U.N., a previous stint as prime minister in the 1990s and a series of Cabinet posts, was meant only to serve the Israeli public. He acknowledged aiding Milchan with his visa issues, but said Milchan had done much for Israel and noted that the late Shimon Peres had also been close with Milchan. He also said that over the years he had taken decisions that hurt Milchan's business interests in Israel. "How can allegations be taken seriously that in exchange for cigars I acted for Arnon Milchen's benefit?" he said. He said all the allegations over the years against him had one goal: "to topple me from government." He said past scandals had all "ended with nothing" and "this time as well they will end with nothing." As the police investigation gained steam in recent months, Netanyahu has claimed to be a victim of an overaggressive police force and a media witch hunt. Netanyahu, who has been prime minister for nine straight years, and his family have become embroiled in a series of scandals in recent months. Recordings recently emerged of his wife, Sara, screaming at an aide, while separate recordings caught his eldest son, Yair, on a drunken night out at a series of Tel Aviv strip clubs while traveling around in a taxpayer-funded government car with a government-funded bodyguard. The younger Netanyahu ended up spending the night in a luxury Tel Aviv apartment owned by Packer. Netanyahu has said the scandals are all the work of media out to get him. ___ Associated Press writers Ian Deitch and Aron Heller contributed to this report. LOS ANGELES (AP) - A significant decrease has occurred in applications for college financial aid by California students who are in the country illegally after being brought to the U.S. as young children, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday. College counselors say the decline reflects increasing distrust of government among immigrant families, as well as uncertainty over the status of the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program - better known as DACA, the newspaper said. "The headlines about immigration make people feel like they're really in the spotlight. Kids are more afraid for their families than they are for themselves," said Jane Slater, a teacher at Sequoia High School in Redwood City who advises a club for students who are in the country without legal permission. With the March 1 deadline approaching, 19,141 students had applied for aid under the California Dream Act as of Monday, a number that's just over half of last year's total. Available aid for qualifying students includes private scholarships funded through public universities, state administered financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers and Cal Grants. This year's decline follows a dip that occurred last year until state officials launched a campaign and ended up with a total of 36,127 applications. Advocacy this year includes a public service announcement by rapper DJ Khaled. Yohana Ramirez, an 18-year-old Sequoia High student, was 3 when her family moved to the U.S. from Mexico. She wants to go to the University of California, Merced, and become a surgeon. "Growing up, I knew I wasn't born here, but I didn't know what it means," she told the Times. "I always assumed it was just a different point of origin - but I didn't think it would impact me in school." Learning that DACA was in jeopardy scared her, she said. "I was panicking - about my family getting deported, with or without me.. I'm still kind of scared," she said. "I'm just trying to keep my head up and keep pushing forward with my dreams, goals and aspirations." An additional factor in the applications decline may be the workload of California's student counselors. The Times cited a report this month by the National Association for College Admission Counseling that found a ratio of 760 students for every counselor in the 2014-15 school year. Slater, the Sequoia High teacher, said she makes sure all eligible seniors apply. David Marks, a counselor at Sacramento Charter High School, said counselors don't have a lot of time but simply informing students about the aid may not be sufficient. "It takes a lot of effort to double-check," he said. ___ Information from: Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com/ SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) - The Latest on federal court arguments over an effort to clear a huge California homeless encampment (all times local): 11:30 a.m. A federal judge hearing arguments over whether a Southern California county should be able to clear out a huge homeless encampment says he plans to take a field trip to the site alongside a dry river. U.S. District Court Judge David O. Carter also is demanding Tuesday that Orange County officials provide answers to what federal funding is available to feed and temporarily house people if they are moved. Carter asked for volunteers from the courtroom to be ready to walk the site and identify veterans and abused women who need assistance. The judge questions whether an adversarial setting like a courtroom is the best place to find solutions to a problem that has overwhelmed cities up and down the West Coast. Orange County had begun efforts to close the encampment when a lawsuit was filed. The judge has already temporarily blocked the county from arresting tent-dwellers solely for refusing to move. ___ 11:08 p.m. A long-running dispute over a Southern California county's plans to shut down a massive homeless encampment faces a key day in court. Homeless residents and their advocates are expected to argue in U.S. court Tuesday that Orange County can't remove them from a 2-mile (3.2 kilometer) stretch of a riverbed bike trail without adequate housing options. County officials say they've done outreach and offered shelter beds and housing. They say conditions in the riverbed are unhealthy and the area is littered with hypodermic needles and human waste. U.S. District Judge David O. Carter has temporarily blocked the county from arresting tent-dwellers solely for refusing to move. The lawsuit is being watched by homeless advocates in West Coast cities and elsewhere amid a rise in homelessness and growth of encampments. PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The Latest on rescue at Oregon's Mount Hood (all times local): 8:10 p.m. Authorities say all climbers who had been stranded on Oregon's tallest mountain are safe. Rescuers depart Timberline Lodge in a snow tractor on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. Teams on Mount Hood were attempting to reach stranded climbers on the Hogsback. (Dave Killen/The Oregonian via AP) More than a half-dozen had been climbing near Mount Hood's peak on Tuesday when they encountered tumbling rocks and falling ice. One climber fell to his death. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office says rescuers assisted three climbers to safety. The sheriff's office says rescuers used a sled and a rope system to bring down a woman who said she was unable to move. Steve Rollins of Portland Mountain Rescue said the woman arrived at the Timberline Lodge just before 8 p.m. The other climbers made it down on their own. The lodge sits at about 6,000 feet (1829 meters). ___ 7 p.m. An eyewitness who saw a climber's fatal fall on Mount Hood says right before the man disappeared from view "he started cartwheeling." Quinn Talley of Welches, Oregon, told The Associated Press that he has climbed the mountain about 20 times and had never seen worse conditions. Talley says after summiting around 8 a.m. he was descending ahead of the man who died. "A party of three was coming down. and one of the guys slipped. At first he was just sliding and right before he disappeared, he started cartwheeling," Talley said. Talley says he tried to reach the man, but the ice was too dangerous and he didn't want to fall and create the need for second rescue. He came across one of the man's climbing partners, who was also trying to reach him, and offered him his medical kit before continuing his descent. ___ 5:05 p.m. Authorities say rescuers have reached a group of climbers stranded on Mount Hood after one climber died after a fall. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office says rescuers reached the climbers at about 4:40 p.m. Tuesday at 10,500-foot (3,200-meter) elevation and that the climbers had all been assessed. The sheriff's office says rescuers were assisting four climbers to safety. An additional three climbers were making their way down the mountain without assistance. ___ 4:15 p.m. Authorities say a climber who fell up to 1,000 feet (305) meters and was airlifted off Mount Hood has died. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office says the male climber was pronounced dead upon arrival at a Portland, Oregon, hospital Tuesday afternoon. The sheriff's office says seven or eight climbers remain stranded on the mountain and that one has injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. Rescue teams are still working to reach the climbers. __ 2:25 p.m. An Oregon Army National Guard helicopter has airlifted an injured climber off Mount Hood, but others remain stranded on the state's highest peak. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office said the male climber is in critical condition. Four climbers remain stranded on the mountain. Other climbers are on the mountain, but it's unknown if they are stuck. Officials say conditions are treacherous on the mountain with rocks and ice falling. ___ 1:10 p.m. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office says crews are dealing with two separate rescue operations on Oregon's Mount Hood. In one, a climber fell several hundred feet from a spot near the summit of Oregon's tallest mountain. Other climbers are providing aid as rescuers try to reach the scene. Separately, a party of four climbers is stranded and one of them is injured. The sheriff's office says rescuers are working "feverishly" to reach the climbers. ___ 12:10 p.m. Officials say one person fell Tuesday on Oregon's Mount Hood and seven people are stranded. Russell Gubele of Mountain Wave Search and Rescue said Tuesday that he is unable to release information about the climber's condition. He says it's unclear how far the climber fell, with reports varying from several hundred feet to 1,000 feet (304 meters). The climbers were on the Hogsback area near the summit of the 11,240-foot (3.4 kilometers) mountain about 60 miles (97 kilometers) east of Portland. Mount Hood is Oregon's tallest peak and attracts more than 10,000 climbers a year. The peak is notorious for loose rocks in warm weather, and the sun has been out this week. _____ 11:35 a.m. Authorities say a rescue effort is underway for a climber who fell on Mount Hood. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday that other climbers might be stranded. No other details were immediately available. Mount Hood is Oregon's tallest peak and attracts more than 10,000 climbers a year. The peak is notorious for loose rocks in warm weather, and the sun has been out this week. FILE - In this Dec. 13, 2009, file photo, a cloud forms over Mount Hood as seen from Government Camp, Ore. Authorities say a rescue effort is underway, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018, for a climber who fell on Mount Hood. (AP Photo/Don Ryan, File) HOUSTON (AP) - Doctors in Houston have successfully separated twin toddlers who were born in 2016 conjoined at the chest and abdomen. A spokeswoman at Texas Children's Hospital says 13-month-old Anna and Hope Richards were in good condition Tuesday. Lindsey Fox says separation surgery was done Jan. 13 and announced Monday. Fox says the twin sisters join two brothers and their parents, Jill and Michael Richards of North Texas. Fox declined to provide more specifics about the family as the parents focus on their daughters' recovery. In this Jan. 13, 2018, photo provided by Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Jill and Michael Richards along with their two sons, Collin and Seth, spend time together with their conjoined twins, Anna and Hope Richards, before successful surgery to separate the toddler girls. The two were born in 2016 conjoined at the chest and abdomen. (Paul Vincent Kuntz/Texas Children's Hospital via AP) Officials say a routine ultrasound revealed the girls were conjoined. The twins were born premature, at just over 35 weeks, on Dec. 29, 2016, at Texas Children's Pavilion for Women. Their combined weight was 9 pounds, 12 ounces. Further details weren't provided on their prognosis. In this Jan. 13, 2018, photo provided by Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, hospital personnel wheel conjoined twins, Ann and Hope Richards, to surgery to separate the toddler girls. The successful surgery was announced Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. The girls who were born in 2016 conjoined at the chest and abdomen. (Paul Vincent Kuntz/Texas Children's Hospital via AP) In this Jan. 13, 2018, photo provided by Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Hope Richards is seen in recovery after surgery to separate her from her conjoined twin Anna. The two toddler girls The girls who were born in 2016 conjoined at the chest and abdomen. The successful surgery was announced Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. (Paul Vincent Kuntz/Texas Children's Hospital via AP) In this Jan. 13, 2018, photo provided by Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Jill and Michael Richards check on their daughter, Anna, in recovery following surgery to separate her from her conjoined twin, Hope. The two toddlers were born in 2016 conjoined at the chest and abdomen. The hospital announced the successful surgery Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. (Paul Vincent Kuntz/Texas Children's Hospital via AP) WASHINGTON (AP) - It's a scenario many feared in the fog of Syria's multi-front war: a confrontation in which U.S. forces, responding to a provocation, kill Russian soldiers or mercenaries on a crowded battlefield. Russian news reports Tuesday described just such a scenario, with an unknown number of Russian military contractors killed in a ferocious U.S. counterattack last week. But Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and other U.S. officials said they had no such information on casualties, and the Kremlin did not confirm any Russian deaths. U.S. officials also said the Russian government had lodged no complaint about its citizens being killed. What is not disputed is the fast-changing, often confusing nature of a battlefield in which forces of multiple countries are bumping up against one another, raising the prospect of violent collisions. Whether by accident or intention, such clashes risk plunging Washington and Moscow into a situation they studiously avoided even during some of the darkest hours of their relationship: their forces directly warring with each other. FILE - In this file photo taken on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, watches the troops marching as he and Syrian President Bashar Assad visit the Hemeimeem air base in Syria. Several private Russian military contractors were killed by a U.S. strike in Syria, Russian media reported Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018 in a development that could further inflame Russia-U.S. tensions if officially confirmed. (Mikhail Klimentyev/Pool Photo via AP, File) Russian forces are supporting the Syrian government in its war with opposition groups, some of which are backed by the United States. Elements of both sides are fighting the last remnants of the Islamic State group in Syria. And U.S. and Russian military officials maintain daily contact to avoid battlefield mishaps. Beyond doubt is the ferocious scale of the U.S. attack on Feb. 7, in response to what the Pentagon called a barrage of artillery and tank fire from several hundred "pro-regime" fighters in Deir el-Zour province, an area in eastern Syria where the last IS fighters have converged among oil fields. Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, commander of U.S. air forces in the Middle East, told reporters a broad range of U.S. air power was unleashed. For more than three hours, American F-15E attack planes, B-52 strategic bombers, AC-130 gunships, Apache attack helicopters and Reaper drones fired on the attacking ground force, which Harrigian said was advancing under covering fire from artillery, mortars, rockets and tank rounds. The air power stopped the attackers' advance and destroyed an unspecified number of artillery guns and battle tanks, he said, but gave no estimate of casualties or full picture of the assailants. "As the hostile forces turned west and retreated, we ceased fire," Harrigian, speaking from his headquarters in Qatar, said in a video teleconference with reporters at the Pentagon. In a second episode, the U.S. struck a Russian-made T-72 battle tank on Saturday after it "took a shot at us" in the same general area of Deir el-Zour province, Harrigian said, adding that he did not know who was operating the tank. Russian media said Russian private contractors were part of pro-Syrian government forces that advanced on oil fields in the Deir el-Zour province and were targeted by the United States. The reports cited activists who said that at least four Russian citizens were killed in Syria on Feb. 7. The Russian Defense Ministry charged that the incident reflected a U.S. push to grab Syria's economic assets under the cover of fighting the Islamic State group. Without mentioning the U.S. strike, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday that "Americans have taken dangerous unilateral steps." "Those steps look increasingly like part of efforts to create a quasi-state on a large part of Syrian territory - from the eastern bank of the Euphrates River all the way to the border with Iraq," he said. The state news agency Tass on Tuesday cited Natalya Krylova, a municipal lawmaker in the town of Asbestos in the Urals, saying local residents Igor Kosoturov and Stanislav Matveyev were killed in Syria on Feb. 7. The Interfax news agency reported that a Cossack group in the westernmost Kalningrad region said a member named Vladimir Loginov was killed in combat in the Deir el-Zour province. It also quoted Alexander Averin, the leader of extreme leftist group Another Russia, saying that one of its activists, Kirill Ananyev, was killed by the U.S. strike near Khusham, where the U.S. said its counterattack occurred. Russian media also cited unconfirmed claims that overall casualties could have been as high as 200 and Russians could have accounted for the bulk of them. Those claims couldn't be verified. Asked at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing about Russian deaths, CIA Director Mike Pompeo said, "From an intelligence perspective, we have seen in multiple instances foreign forces using mercenaries in battles that will begin to approach the United States." He deferred on the specifics on the incident to the Pentagon. Mattis, speaking to reporters Tuesday while traveling in Europe, was adamant he knew of no Russian contractors killed in the fighting, which he attributed to a surprising assault in light of obvious U.S. advantages, including overwhelming air power. "I don't have any reporting" about Russians being among the casualties, Mattis said. "I can't give you anything on that. We have not received that word" at key U.S. military headquarters, including the Pentagon. President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, wouldn't comment on the reports either, saying they needed to be verified. He also said Putin didn't speak about anything related to Syria in a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday. --- Isachenkov reported from Moscow. Associated Press reporters Deb Riechmann and Josh Lederman contributed from Washington and Lolita C. Baldor from Brussels. EAST GRANBY, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut State Police say they finally got the scoop on the poop. State police said Tuesday that they arrested a 43-year-old woman in connection with human excrement deposited on three separate occasions in the middle of the same cul-de-sac in East Granby. Holly Malone was charged with misdemeanor breach of peace. She lives a few miles away from the cul-de-sac in Simsbury. Troopers say a motion-activated camera set up after the second incident in November recorded Malone's car. Authorities say Malone told them that she's lactose intolerant but sometimes eats dairy products, and she stopped in the cul-de-sac because she couldn't make it to a bathroom in time. State police say she apologized. A message left at a phone listing for Malone wasn't immediately returned Tuesday. CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Australia's deputy prime minister was under mounting pressure Wednesday to resign as his party's leader over revelations of a relationship with a former staffer. Newspapers revealed last week that Barnaby Joyce and his former media adviser are expecting a baby together, and the scandal has angered many within Joyce's conservative, rural-based Nationals party. As leader of the junior party in the governing coalition, Joyce is both the deputy prime minister and acting prime minister when the prime minister is overseas. Nationals lawmaker Ken O'Dowd said he expected a party delegation would confront Joyce soon to consider his position. FILE - In this July 19, 2016, file photo, Barnaby Joyce takes the oath of office as he was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister at Government House in Canberra, Australia. Joyce is under mounting pressure to resign as party leader after newspapers revealed last week that he and a former staffer are expecting a baby. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith, File) "The party will probably talk to him and discuss the future of Barnaby and the future of the ... party," O'Dowd told reporters. "He'll probably need the advice and someone needs to tell him where the party stands at this stage." If Joyce resigns, "we would find a good leader, I feel sure about that," O'Dowd added, without naming a potential replacement. Agriculture Minister David Littleproud, a senior Nationals lawmaker, said most of the party still supported Joyce's leadership. "If people believe that Barnaby Joyce has broken the law, then lay charges. Otherwise leave him and his family alone," Littleproud told Australian Broadcasting Corp. Joyce, 50, revealed in December that he had separated from his wife of 24 years who is the mother of his four daughters. But he has kept tight-lipped about his relationship with Vikki Campion, 33, describing it as private. The reports have said they are expecting a son in April. He has denied allegations that he had breached guidelines surrounding giving jobs to ministers' partners when Campion was given a promotion last year to leave his office for another government job. He has also denied recently published allegations that he sexually harassed women in a Canberra bar while drunk in 2011. Former Nationals leader Warren Truss, who retired from politics in 2016, said distractions Joyce had created from the government's performance were "unhelpful and therefore must be resolved quickly." Joyce is to become Australia's acting prime minister next week when Malcolm Turnbull travels to the United States. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, who is deputy leader of Turnbull's conservative Liberal Party, said on Wednesday she would return to Australia to step in as acting prime minister if Joyce was not available. While Australia's major parties are known for ruthlessly deposing leaders, the Nationals have only dumped a leader once in their history, in 1989. Slow eating could be the key to losing weight, a new study suggests. Cutting out after-dinner snacks and avoiding late meals are also linked to people shedding the pounds, researchers found. The new study, published in the journal BMJ Open, saw experts analyse health insurance data from 60,000 people with diabetes in Japan who had regular health check-ups between 2008 and 2013. Slow eating speed may be linked to weight loss (Chris Radburn/PA) Obesity can lead to a number of serious and potentially life-threatening conditions, including coronary heart disease and some forms of cancer. Maintaining a #healthylifestyle is key to tackling obesity - find support here https://t.co/smXZQyJDcP #NationalObesityAwarenessWeek pic.twitter.com/SQ5kt3tYzW NHS B'ham & Solihull CCG (@NHSBSolCCG) January 11, 2018 Participants were asked about the speed they ate food fast, normal or slow and other lifestyle habits including eating dinner within two hours of sleeping, after-dinner snacking and skipping breakfast. Their weight was assessed using their body mass index (BMI) score and their waist circumference was also measured. In the study, obesity was defined as having a BMI score of over 25 in the UK people are deemed to be overweight with a BMI score of over 25 and obese if they have a score of over 30. The Japanese researchers found that at the start of the study, 22,070 people routinely wolfed down their food, 33,455 ate at a normal speed, and 4,192 classed themselves as slow eaters. Just over half of participants changed their eating speed over the course of the study. After taking account of potentially influential factors, the results showed that compared with people who eat quickly, those who ate at a normal speed were 29% less likely to be obese, rising to 42% for those who ate slowly. And when compared with fast eaters, normal-speed eaters and slow eaters had reductions in waist circumference of 0.21cm and 0.41cm respectively, the authors found. Snacking after dinner and eating within two hours of going to sleep three or more times a week were linked to a higher risk of being overweight. But skipping breakfast was not. The authors concluded: Changes in eating habits can affect obesity, BMI, and waist circumference. Interventions aimed at reducing eating speed may be effective in preventing obesity and lowering the associated health risks. But they cautioned that people who took part in the study were relatively health-conscious individuals who voluntarily participated in health check-ups, so the findings may have limited applicability to less health-conscious people. A large number of patients are not getting the follow-up care they are entitled to after a dementia diagnosis, a charity has said. New analysis by charity Age UK found that thousands of people with the condition do not have a current care plan a document which sets out what care the person is having and contingency plans for the future. The charity said that such plans are the gateway to follow-up support from the NHS and ensure joined-up support from other bodies such as social care services. A large number of dementia patients are not getting the follow-up care they are entitled , says Age UK (PA) Patients should have a regularly reviewed plan which reflects the changes in their condition and NHS England has said that there is an urgent need to ensure every person who has dementia has an individual care plan, which is reviewed annually. Been diagnosed with dementia or know someone who has? Sign up to receive six weekly emails full of info and advice: https://t.co/smxSKu3DL4 pic.twitter.com/XJbjseqUmZ NHS (@NHSuk) February 8, 2018 But following analysis of data from 7,185 GP practices in England, the charity found that of 458,461 people who had a recorded diagnosis of dementia in November 2017, only 282,573 had a new care plan or at least one care plan review on record in the last year. In 2015, there were 850,000 people with dementia in the UK, by 2025, the number is expected to hit one million. Caroline Abrahams, Age UKs charity director, said: Our analysis suggests that many people with dementia are losing out on the NHS follow-up support they need and are supposed always to be offered, once they have received their diagnosis. As a result they and their loved ones are missing precious opportunities to get help with living as well as possible with the disease. The absence of a care plan also means that people with dementia are not being sign-posted to services that really could improve their physical and mental health, and sense of wellbeing. The charitys latest report highlights a number of evidenced and cost effective projects which make a difference for dementia patients, which it says could be replicated by care bodies, including NHS trusts. These include arts and crafts activities, helping people to reminisce through dance and counselling sessions. An NHS England spokesman said: The NHS has worked hard to dramatically increase the number of people receiving a formal dementia diagnosis so they can access the right care and support. A care plan is only part of high-quality dementia support, which is why we have introduced new measures to help local NHS groups and GPs plan for ongoing care and will continue to help deliver further improvements. Prince Harry will take Meghan Markle on a royal walkabout to meet the people of Edinburgh when they begin their official visit to Scotland. In the shadow of the citys world famous castle, crowds are expected to gather on the esplanade on Tuesday to meet the prince and his fiancee when they greet well-wishers. Later they will travel to a sandwich shop which supports the homeless and has been visited by number of famous faces including Hollywood star George Clooney. Prince Harry and Ms. Markle will visit Edinburgh on 13th February, where they will attend engagements at @edinburghcastle, local social enterprise @SocialBite_, and a reception celebrating youth achievement to mark Scottish Year of Young People at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. pic.twitter.com/VVBa4l3rDy The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) February 6, 2018 The trip to Scotland will be the fourth public appearance Ms Markle and Harry have made together and follows successful visits to Nottingham, Brixton in south London and Cardiff in the months that followed their engagement announcement in November. Also on the esplande will be the Royal Marines Band Scotland who will play for Ms Markle, the former Suits actress, and the Prince who became Captain General of the Royal Marines in December 2017. RM Band Scotland perform 'A Carol for Flanders' at Dunfermline Christmas concert #RMBandService #Christmas @RNinScotland pic.twitter.com/8enYtLfFQf The Bands of HM Royal Marines (@RMBandService) December 17, 2017 Kensington Palace had said: Throughout the day Prince Harry and Ms Markle will have the opportunity to meet members of the public, learn more about organisations that work in the local community and nationwide, and celebrate youth in the Scottish Year of Young People 2018. Inside the castle at the historic Edinburgh Garrison, which looks out across the city, the couple will watch as the One oclock Gun is fired, a tradition started in 1861 to mark time for ships in the Firth of Forth. The couple will then move on to the New Town to visit Social Bite, a social enterprise cafe which distributes 100,000 items of food and hot drinks to homeless people across Scotland each year, as well as employing staff who have experienced homelessness themselves. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (Ben Birchall/PA) In the cafe, Harry and Ms Markle will learn more about the social enterprise, meet staff and tour the kitchen. They will be the latest in a string of high-profile visitors to Social Bite premises. Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio stopped for lunch at Social Bite venture Home in Edinburghs west end in November 2016 while the Duchess of Cornwall and George Clooney have been to Social Bites Rose Street branch. Prince Harry and Ms Markle will round off their visit by attending a reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse to celebrate youth achievements marking Scotlands Year of Young People 2018, an initiative that aims to inspire Scotland through its young people. Saoirse Ronan has said it was important to her not to cover up her acne in her new film Lady Bird because it represents teenagers as they actually are. The Irish star, 23, has received her third Oscar nomination for her portrayal of a teenage girl growing up in Sacramento, California, in 2002. She said she was asked to keep her make-up covering up her breakouts to a minimum by the films director Greta Gerwig, who has become the fifth female director to score an Oscar nomination. Saoirse Ronan has received her third Oscar nomination for Lady Bird (Matt Crossick/PA) Ronan told the Press Association: I started to get bad skin when I was about 21 and I was doing a lot of press and I did a play and my skin was just under so much strain and I started to get acne. I had never had it before and for whatever reason I wasnt insecure and self-conscious about it. Lady Bird will brighten your life. Discover the 5 Academy Award nominated film, in cinemas February 23. Tickets: https://t.co/CT2Sd1Xmhm pic.twitter.com/aepPA9y19q Universal Pictures UK (@universaluk) February 9, 2018 I went into Lady Bird and we were doing camera tests we were still figuring out her hair and make-up and the whole thing and while we were doing them, the hair and make-up girls and Greta asked me if I would consider not covering them up so much. I just thought it would have been a missed opportunity to not represent teenagers as they actually are. And I also dont think it takes anything away from her either. You should do it if you can and youve got the materials to do it, do it. Oscar-nominated Saoirse Ronan is Lady Bird, in the film thats guaranteed to make you want to call your mum. #LadyBird pic.twitter.com/ErFafWoWrD Universal Pictures UK (@universaluk) February 8, 2018 Speaking about Gerwigs nomination, Ronan said she hopes that a change is coming for female filmmakers. She said: There has to be. I really do think there is; I think with Lady Bird and with Wonder Woman (which was directed by Patty Jenkins) as well, because it was such a huge hit and such a big blockbuster, there will be a change. The conversation is just too big now to go away. And first and foremost, the best material has to be the stuff that gets made, but in order to make it as diverse as possible, women, for example, need to be able to get a meeting with the executive and kind of go, Heres my piece of work now decide what you will, whether you think its good or not. But there needs to be the option, at least. Congratulations to Greta Gerwig and the team on #LadyBird for their 5 #AcademyAward nominations including #BestPicture! pic.twitter.com/8MsQCLyIpg Universal Pictures UK (@universaluk) January 23, 2018 Ronan added that she feels the female-centric film is landing at a particularly interesting time. She said: It definitely does. I do think as well that the type of films that have come out over the last year are also a reflection on the massive, massive changes that weve all gone through in the last couple of years, politically and otherwise. The likes of Brexit and Trump and all this stuff has really affected all of us and our creativity and needing to go, I have to say something. So I think people were hungry for a film like this, without even realising it. And when it came along, the reaction we got to it was sort of like, Why werent we doing this all along? And its because, really, women wouldnt have gotten in the door, and going, I want to make this film about a teenage girl just wouldnt have been plausible. But it does feel like this was the right time for it to come out. Lady Bird is released in selected UK cinemas on February 16 and nationwide on February 23. Antonio Conte thanked Chelseas supporters for their backing after his team returned to form during Mondays 3-0 defeat of West Brom. The Italians future at Stamford Bridge remains the subject of speculation less than a year after he led them to the Premier League title that Manchester City this season look certain to win, contributing to his criticism of the clubs transfer policy. That they produced an improved performance following successive, damaging defeats by Bournemouth and Watford and Eden Hazard again excelled with two goals either side of Victor Moses second-half finish also gave them renewed focus in addition to taking them above rivals Tottenham and up to fourth. Chelsea manager Antonio Conte (Gareth Fuller/PA) Their three goals were followed by chants of support from the clubs fans for Conte, and the 48-year-old said: I have to thank the fans. They showed me great support because they are reading speculation and rumours about me. Im grateful to the fans for supporting me in this way. It means that, maybe in our 18 months together, they understand my passion and my will to defend these colours, this shirt, this badge. To feel this atmosphere around me is very important. Its very important to feel that people appreciate my work here in Chelsea. For me its important. I repeat: me and the players are trying to do our best to give them the best satisfaction. Sometimes we can do this, sometimes not, but the will is always present. Antonio Conte says we must be satisfied to win this game. He adds that we can play better and with more confidence, as that went down after the two defeats. He says we improved once we scored and the clean sheet was important. #CHEWBA Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 12, 2018 Defeat means West Brom remain bottom of the Premier League, seven points adrift of safety and five behind 19th-placed Stoke, the club closest to them, with only 11 games to play. The fact they are increasingly likely to be relegated was worsened by the loss of Daniel Sturridge to a hamstring injury in only the fourth minute. Weve got to hope Daniels injury isnt too bad, said their manager, Alan Pardew, 56. He was distraught. The way hes worked at our place has been of the highest order. Hes absolutely devastated because he wants this period to be a success. They next head to Spain for some warm-weather training, and Pardew added: Some sun on our backs; a bit of resolve. The only people who are going to believe we can (survive) is ourselves. A bit of that, a bit of team building and a lot of hard work as well. The trial of an Uzbek man who has confessed to ramming a stolen truck into a crowd in Stockholm last year, killing five people and injuring 14 others, started on Tuesday under heavy security. Rakhmat Akilov appeared at Stockholm District Court, where he is charged with terror-related murder and attempted murder. The prosecution has requested that he gets a life sentence and is extradited from Sweden. The scene of the attack in in Drottninggatan in the centre of Stockholm (Arash Pendari/PA) Akilov appeared in court wearing a green fleece jacket and flanked by his defence lawyers. He has said he wanted to punish Sweden for participating in the international coalition against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. Throughout the nearly 10-month investigation, Akilov has been co-operative, according to his lawyer and the prosecution. Prosecutor Hans Ihrman said Akilov drove a stolen beer truck into a crowd of shoppers in a busy shopping street outside an upmarket department store in Stockholms city centre. Akilov was arrested hours later. Yes, it was Akilov who drove the truck that day, his defence lawyer, Johan Eriksson, told the court. It is with shock and a heavy heart that I can confirm that Chris Bevington from our Spotify team lost his life in... https://t.co/HXPkWZVWzT Daniel Ek (@eldsjal) April 9, 2017 The dead included Briton Chris Bevington, 41, who worked as a director with music streaming service Spotify and was based in Stockholm with his family. The others were a Belgian woman and three Swedes, including an 11-year-old girl. Three interpreters were on hand during the trial, which is expected to end on May 9. A verdict is expected before the summer. Akilov had said he offered to carry out an attack in Stockholm on behalf of Islamic State, and had gathered information about possible targets. It was not clear whether the terror group had accepted his offer. Video grab of the scene from the Facebook page of Linus Friden (Linus Friden/PA) Investigators have found internet chat logs with unknown people in which Akilov discussed becoming a martyr and swore allegiance to IS between January 12 2017 and the attack on April 7, as well as a memory card with material that can be connected to IS, including execution videos. The construction worker, who was 39 at the time of the attack, was subject to deportation from Sweden ahead of attack as his asylum application had been rejected. Akilov had been ordered to leave Sweden in December 2016. Instead, he went underground, eluding authorities attempts to track him down. Swedens domestic intelligence agency has said there was nothing to indicate he was planning an attack. Security was high on Tuesday, with heavily armed police officers and scores of reporters going through metal detectors before entering the courtroom. A confidante accused of collaborating with South Koreas former leader for personal gain has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for bribery and other crimes in a political scandal that triggered the countrys first presidential impeachment and the conviction of an heir to the Samsung empire. Seoul Central District Court also jailed the chairman of the Lotte Group, South Koreas fifth-largest conglomerate, to two-and-a-half years for bribery in the same case. Former president Park Geun-hye was impeached last March and removed from office in disgrace. She is standing trial on more than a dozen criminal charges, and the case against her close friend could hint at the penalty Park could face if convicted. Shin Dong-bin, centre, was given a two-and-a-half-year sentence for bribery (Ha Sa-hun/Yonhap/AP) The court convicted Choi Soon-sil of abuse of power, bribery and other crimes and fined her 18 billion won (12 million). She left the courtroom quietly after the sentencing without showing any emotion. Among her crimes was pressuring major companies to donate large sums to foundations under her control and receiving bribes from Samsung and Lotte. The court said Chois crimes were grave given that they led to the impeachment of a president and disappointed the public. Chois lawyer, Lee Kyung-jae, said she would appeal. Choi Soon-sils lawyer said she would appeal (Ahn Young-joon/AP) At her final court hearing in December, Mr Lee called the accusations a complete fabrication by politicians, civic groups, media and politically motivated prosecutors who wanted to overthrow Parks government, according to Yonhap News agency. In the Lotte case, the court said chairman Shin Dong-bin offered 7 billion won (4.7 million) in payments to Chois foundations to curry favours such as winning a state licence to open a duty-free shop and to strengthen his control over the group. Lotte has interests in retail, confectionery and many other businesses. The sentencing sent a shockwave through the South Korean business community, which had been relieved to see an appeal court release Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong from prison last week on a suspended sentence with some of his convictions overturned. Ahn Jong-beom was jailed for six years for abuse of power (Ahn Young-joon/AP) In a third case on Tuesday, the court sentenced one of Parks former senior aides, Ahn Jong-beom, to six years in prison for abuse of power. Choi was largely unknown to the South Korean public until a series of revelations in late 2016 disclosed how she allegedly pulled government strings from the shadows, editing presidential speeches and wielding influence over government personnel even though she held no official government position. She also influenced the college admission process for her daughter, a national equestrian team member who was accepted by a top university in Seoul, enraging the public and helping to spark massive anti-government candlelight rallies. Choi was jailed for three years last June in a separate case related to influence-peddling in university admissions. Her case brought the debate about ties between politics and business in South Korea to the fore, as several top business leaders were implicated in the scandal. Her daughters equestrian training overseas was scrutinised and questions were raised about whether Samsungs purchase of expensive horses for her daughter constituted bribery. The appeal court ruling that allowed Lee, Samsungs vice chairman, to be freed last week after nearly a year in jail said Lee was unable to reject Parks request to financially support Choi and was coerced into making the payments. The court still found Lee guilty of giving 3.6 billion won (2.4 million) in bribes for equestrian training of Chois daughter and of embezzling the money from Samsung. Chois power behind closed doors was compared to Rasputin, the Russian mystic who gained power through his influence over the tsar in the early 20th century. Chois ties with Park date to her father, a religious cult leader and Christian pastor at different times, who was a mentor to Park when she was young. England may have been beaten by New Zealand in their latest T20 match, but Chris Jordan produced a moment of magic during the Kiwis innings. Jordan is making a name for himself as one of the finest fielders in England, and he enhanced that reputation with a superb one-handed catch to dismiss Colin de Grandhomme. WOW! Jordan takes one-handed stunner on the boundary to dismiss De Grandhomme first ball, two wickets in two balls for Rashid with Guptill (65 off 40) also out. Watch #NZvENG live on Sky Sports Cricket. https://t.co/9oYH3Q1VEz NZ 122-3 off 14 overs. pic.twitter.com/RTmk7SD6fd Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) February 13, 2018 The New Zealander was keen to get off to a fast start and launched his first delivery in the 14th over from Adil Rashid for what he thought would be a six. Chris Jordan pulled off a stunning catch to dismiss Colin de Grandhomme in Englands latest T20 match against New Zealand (Richards Sellers/PA) But he had not counted on the agility of Jordan fielding at long-off to produce a stunning catch. The Sussex all-rounder caught the ball in mid-air about a metre from the rope but his momentum was taking him towards the boundary. WHAT. A. CATCH! Colin de Grandhomme skies a ball that looked certain for a six, until Chris Jordan plucked it! https://t.co/GE3G9AI5B9 #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/jeFUDV3TET cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 13, 2018 When landing, his right foot was inches away from the rope but Jordan somehow managed to stay within the field of play and send de Grandhomme back to the pavillion. New Zealand went on to beat England by 12 runs. Turkeys president has issued a warning to Greece, Cyprus and international companies exploring for gas in the eastern Mediterranean not to step out of line and encroach on Turkish rights. Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the warning in an address to legislators of his ruling party as Turkish warships continued to stop a rig reaching a location off Cyprus where Italian energy company Eni is scheduled to drill for gas. It came as Greek authorities said a Turkish coastguard vessel had rammed a Greek coastguard boat off a couple of uninhabited islets in the Aegean Sea over which the two Nato allies nearly went to war in 1996. The Gavdos 090 vessel was reportedly rammed by a Turkish coastguard boat (Greek Coastguard/AP) Turkey opposes the gas drilling, saying it disregards the rights of breakaway Turkish Cypriots. The Cypriot government says it has a sovereign right to drill, and that if the search is successful, any income would be shared equitably if the island is reunified. The European Union on Monday cautioned Turkey to respect the territory of its member states and to avoid ratcheting up tensions. Cyprus has been divided since Turkey invaded in 1974, after a failed coup by supporters of union with Greece. The island joined the EU in 2004, but only the southern part enjoys full membership benefits. Many in Turkey also dispute Greek ownership of uninhabited Aegean islets near Turkeys coastline. Opportunistic attempts concerning gas exploration off Cyprus and concerning Aegean islets are not escaping our attentions, Mr Erdogan said. We are warning those who step out of line with miscalculations in Cyprus and the Aegean. Greeces coastguard said nobody was injured in the collision around midnight on Monday, although the Greek vessel suffered damage to the stern where the Turkish boat hit it with its bows. It said the precise circumstances of the incident are still unclear. A drilling platform outside Larnaca port in Cyprus (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias, File) The coastguard vessels were off the uninhabited Imia Kardak in Turkish islets, which both countries claim and are prime fishing spots, attracting boats from both countries. Greek government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos voiced concern but appealed for restraint. Right now there is no need to pour more oil on the flames. What is needed is calm, level-headedness and a serious handling of the situation, he said. Recently we have been seeing increasingly provocative behaviour from Turkey, which is a source of very serious concern to us, he told private Alpha radio. Beyonces father Mathew Knowles said it is hard to let go as a parent as he was asked over a fight between the pop superstars husband Jay-Z and her sister. In 2014 CCTV footage, released by US celebrity website TMZ, sparked headlines across the world as it showed Beyonces younger sister Solange attacking Jay-Z in a New York City hotel lift following the Met Gala. Knowles, 66, said his daughters were absolutely going to make mistakes as he was asked about the incident during an appearance on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday. Solange Knowles (Anthony Devlin/PA) He said: Its always hard for a parent to let go. I felt the same way when I was growing up, I didnt want to be up under my parents nest as I got older. I hope and I feel very, very calm about this and comfortable that both Solange and Beyonce were given the tools to be successful. Are they going to make mistakes? Absolutely. But mistakes are an opportunity to grow, not a reason to quit, so I feel comfortable about that. Beyonce's Dad says he thinks it's okay that his two daughters make mistakes, in reference the infamous fight between Solange and Jay-Z in an elevator at the 2014 Met Gala ball. pic.twitter.com/iG3M0u7wKW Good Morning Britain (@GMB) February 13, 2018 Knowles, an author and professor, also repeated his claims that Beyonces success in the US radio market is because of her lighter skin. He said: It would be just ludicrous to think that Beyonces talent doesnt take her above heights and levels, but its also true, absolutely, that colourism and shade of colour is a fact. You cant deny it. You cant argue facts. Last year Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, admitted he had been unfaithful to his wife in an interview with the New York Times Style Magazine, saying his rough childhood had prompted him to build up walls. He said: You have to survive. So you go into survival mode, and when you go into survival mode what happen? Crowds have begun to gather outside Edinburgh Castle in anticipation of Prince Harry and Meghan Markles first joint official visit to the Scottish capital. Despite cold and wet weather, and with the arrival some time away, royal fans braved the conditions to stake the best place to spot the couple on the castles esplanade. Harry and his bride-to-be are expected to go on a walkabout, meeting well-wishers before heading inside the historic fortress to watch as the One Oclock Gun is fired, a tradition started in 1861 to mark time for ships in the Firth of Forth. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will make their first official visit to Edinburgh as a couple Edinburgh prepares for the arrival of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who will visit the Castle later today @PA pic.twitter.com/hJKBveV3z6 Rich McCarthy (@VJRichMcCarthy) February 13, 2018 Ashley Torres, 25, a law student at Edinburgh University, had brought a bunch of tulips for the couple. She said: I bought these last night, I dont mind if Meghan or Harry takes them. Its such a cute love story being set up by mutual friends. And it will be nice to see an American part of the British monarchy. Friends Maggie Binnie, 29 and Alice McCourt, 23, both Scottish students, had staked a place on the esplanade against the crash barriers and waved Union flags featuring a picture of the prince and his fiancee. Scottish students Alice McCourt, 23, and Maggie Binnie, 29, have staked a place outside Edinburgh Castle for the arrival of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. pic.twitter.com/V5Bi4YsD5J PA Royal Reporters (@PARoyal) February 13, 2018 Ms Binnie said: I really do admire Meghan, shes got a good head on her shoulders and I also admire Harry for the mental health work he does and his work with military veterans. The trip to Scotland will be the fourth public appearance Ms Markle and Harry have made together and follows successful visits to Nottingham, Brixton in south London and Cardiff in the months that followed their engagement announcement in November. Kensington Palace said: Throughout the day Prince Harry and Ms Markle will have the opportunity to meet members of the public, learn more about organisations that work in the local community and nationwide, and celebrate youth in the Scottish Year of Young People 2018. Union and Scottish flags being waved by wellwishers waiting for the prince and his bride-to-be pic.twitter.com/ab5lG3U5Aj PA Royal Reporters (@PARoyal) February 13, 2018 After the castle visit, the couple will move on to the New Town to visit Social Bite, a social enterprise cafe which distributes food and hot drinks to homeless people across Scotland each year, as well as employing staff who have experienced homelessness themselves. In the cafe, Harry and Ms Markle will learn more about the enterprise, as well as meeting staff and touring the kitchen. They will be the latest in a string of high-profile visitors to Social Bite premises. Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio stopped for lunch at Social Bite venture Home in Edinburghs west end in November 2016, while the Duchess of Cornwall and actor George Clooney have been to Social Bites Rose Street branch. Philip Hammond has embarked on a Brexit charm offensive, meeting European counterparts and business leaders. The Chancellor is visiting European Union members Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal as part of his tour. His first stop is Norway which is outside the EU but is in the European Economic Area and part of the single market, a post-Brexit model rejected by Theresa May because it would not give control over laws or immigration and would require continued payments to Brussels. Chancellor Philip Hammond is on a European charm offensive (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Starting the first leg of my four-day European tour. I'll be meeting my counterparts and business leaders in five countries. First stop Oslo to meet Norwegian finance minister @Siv_Jensen_FrP. pic.twitter.com/cWJHHNQPiM Philip Hammond (@PhilipHammondUK) February 13, 2018 The tour comes as the UK prepares to reveal further details of its approach to the next phase of the Brexit process, which will focus on a transitional deal for the period after leaving the bloc in March 2019 and the future trading relationship with Brussels. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson will set out his views on Wednesday, while the Prime Minister will travel to Munich for a speech on Saturday. Mr Hammond said: I am taking the message to Europe that, while we are leaving the EU, Britain still cares about its relationships with the countries, citizens and businesses with whom we share a close history and common values. We look forward to agreeing a new, deep and special partnership with the EU that keeps our relationship growing strongly in the future. Prince Harry and fiancee Meghan Markle were given a warm welcome on a cold day when they arrived in the heart of Edinburgh for the start of their visit to Scotland. The citys world famous castle, a fortress for centuries, was chosen as the starting point of their first joint visit to the Scottish capital. Meghan and Harry wrapped up against the cold in winter coats were greeted by Frank Ross, Edinburghs Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost, who represented the city. Meghan greets crowds outside Edinburgh Castle at start of Scottish visit pic.twitter.com/lCxo3C68Iw PA Royal Reporters (@PARoyal) February 13, 2018 Crowds gathered on the castles esplanade where the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is staged each year to welcome the prince and his bride-to-be. Ms Markle, who is making her fourth joint visit with Prince Harry, wore a Burberry coat and trousers by Veronica Beard. With the centuries-old fortress as a backdrop the couple began shaking hands, saying hello and thanking the well-wishers for coming to see them. Meghan Markle meets well-wishers at Edinburgh Castle (John Linton/PA) Sarah Coronado, 28, a masters student from Mexico studying at Edinburgh University, was one of the first well-wishers to arrive at the castles esplanade. She said: Seeing the couple is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We dont have these visits in Mexico or my hometown of Monterey. They are also the hot couple of the moment because of their marriage coming up. I also think Meghan is a role model, shes not just a pretty face. I think shes going to change the face of the monarchy. Meghan Markle meets crowds of well-wishers during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle (Andrew Milligan/PA) The trip to Scotland is the fourth public appearance Ms Markle and Harry have made together and follows successful visits to Nottingham, Brixton in south London and Cardiff in the months that followed their engagement announcement in November. Kensington Palace had said: Throughout the day Prince Harry and Ms Markle will have the opportunity to meet members of the public, learn more about organisations that work in the local community and nationwide, and celebrate youth in the Scottish Year of Young People 2018. Inside the castle at the historic Edinburgh Garrison, which looks out across the city, the couple will watch as the One oclock Gun is fired, a tradition started in 1861 to mark time for ships in the Firth of Forth. Meghan Markle meets young well-wishers who braved the cold to see her in Edinburgh (Andrew Milligan/PA) The couple will then move on to the New Town to visit Social Bite, a social enterprise cafe which distributes 100,000 items of food and hot drinks to homeless people across Scotland each year, as well as employing staff who have experienced homelessness themselves. In the cafe, Harry and Ms Markle will learn more about the social enterprise, meet staff and tour the kitchen. Thank you to everyone who came out to welcome Prince Harry and Ms. Markle to Edinburgh Castle this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/1pzOiV1F0A The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) February 13, 2018 They will be the latest in a string of high-profile visitors to Social Bite premises. Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio stopped for lunch at Social Bite venture Home in Edinburghs west end in November 2016 while the Duchess of Cornwall and George Clooney have been to Social Bites Rose Street branch. Prince Harry and Ms. Markle are greeted on arrival at Edinburgh Castle by the Band of the Royal Marines and the mascot of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Shetland pony Cruachan pic.twitter.com/3nzR9W6ZP5 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) February 13, 2018 Prince Harry and Ms Markle will round off their visit by attending a reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse to celebrate youth achievements marking Scotlands Year of Young People 2018, an initiative that aims to inspire Scotland through its young people. Meghan Markle stepped out in tartan for her Scottish debut as she joined Prince Harry in Edinburgh. The American actress-turned-future royal was dressed in a long, navy blue and dark green wool and cashmere-blend Burberry coat. Wrapped up against the cold in the 1,995 coat, Ms Markle was also practical with her small sized dark green handbag, wearing it across her body. Meghan greets crowds outside Edinburgh Castle at start of Scottish visit pic.twitter.com/lCxo3C68Iw PA Royal Reporters (@PARoyal) February 13, 2018 The handbag appeared to be another by Scottish brand Strathberry the East/West, featuring its signature gold bar closure, and a chain shoulder strap. According to glamour.com, how you wear your handbag can give insight into your personality. Meghan Markle during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during a visit to Scotland. (Andrew Milligan/PA) Wearing it across, with the bag behind the body, represents an urban warrior with a clear goal where the bag is incidental to her independent self-image. Ms Markles wide trousers were by Veronica Beard. The North Korean defector singled out by Donald Trump as a living example of Pyongyangs atrocities says the US president has set a milestone in international efforts to improve North Koreas human rights record. Mr Trump invited Ji Seong-ho to sit in the gallery with the first lady during his State of the Union address last month. Legislators cheered as the president introduced Mr Ji, and the 35-year-old triumphantly waved the crutches he had used to escape North Korea after a train ran over his limbs. Mr Trump later invited the North Korean defectors to meet him at the White House, and described them as witnesses to the ominous nature of the North Korean regime. Ji Seong-ho at the White House last month (AP/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Mr Ji said the presidents gesture raised international awareness of their fight to escape the North, as well as grim situations facing other North Koreans. I have launched hundreds of campaigns and activities to let people know about the human rights situation in North Korea, but President Trumps address has marked a milestone in North Koreas human rights, he said. When he gave me a hug, I felt the warmth and his sincerity toward North Korean human rights issues. Earlier on Tuesday, North Koreas UN mission called Mr Ji human scum and Mr Trumps invitation of the defector to the State of the Union address a desperate attempt to keep up its human rights racket against the country. Ji Seong-ho holds up his crutches at the State of the Union address (AP/J Scott Applewhite) Since the State of the Union address, the two Koreas have moved towards reconciliation, with Pyongyang sending a large group of athletes and cheerleaders to the Olympics in the South. North Korea also sent leader Kim Jong Uns sister, Kim Yo Jong, who sat alongside dignitaries during the opening ceremony in Pyeongchang. She also attended a lunch with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and extended an invitation from her brother for Mr Moon to visit Pyongyang for a summit in the near future. During her three-day visit, Ms Kim fascinated South Koreans with her relaxed manner and gentle smile, and was touted by global media for scoring a diplomatic gold. But Mr Ji, now a South Korean citizen, said Ms Kim should have apologised to South Korean citizens and North Korean defectors living in the South. I thought she was too arrogant. She shouldnt be walking around like that holding her head high. I wish we could get apologies from North Korea for the pains they caused to me and other defectors. A decision on whether to withdraw public funding from Oxfam over the aid worker sex scandal will not be taken hastily, International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt has said. The charity has issued an unreserved apology to the Government, donors, supporters and the people of Haiti over its handling of sex allegations, including the use of prostitutes by workers, in the earthquake-hit country in 2011. Ms Mordaunt said she would take the issue very seriously but stressed she would be guided by a Charity Commission inquiry into Oxfam while deciding whether to pull funding. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the scandal should not be used as an excuse to cut overall aid funding. The Government is committed to spend 0.7% of national income on overseas development assistance but there have been calls from some Tories to scrap the policy. Oxfam received 31.7 million from the Government in 2016/17, but the support has been put at risk by the furore, which led to the resignation of its deputy chief executive Penny Lawrence. Ms Mordaunt said: I know people will be worried about the charity, theyll be worried about the money, but we need to be guided by what the Charity Commission are doing and also I have made it very clear to Oxfam what we expect to see from them. But these decisions shouldnt be taken hastily, but I am considering them. Jeremy Corbyn has defended the UK aid budget following the Oxfam scandal (Jane Barlow/PA) Mr Corbyn said: What happened in Haiti is disgraceful and disgusting. To have the poorest country on earth, the most indebted place, with desperate people trying to recover from an earthquake, and some of those people grossly exploited by a small group of aid workers is utterly disgraceful. The problem now is the reputational damage that does not just to Oxfam but all other aid workers. There has to be proper robust management. Im an admirer and supporter of Oxfam but I want them to show they are going to manage things in a robust way to make sure that all of us have confidence in Oxfam going forward. Defending the overall aid commitment, Mr Corbyn said: The aid budget is important to help people getting through a crisis. The people of Haiti needed international aid and support to get through a medical, food and poverty crisis. Its not a reason to cut the budget, its a reason to manage it carefully. Former Conservative leader Lord Hague also warned against cutting the foreign aid budget in the wake of the scandal. Writing in The Daily Telegraph, the former foreign secretary said there was an overwhelming strategic, as well as moral, imperative to deliver aid to the worlds poorest people, but that the sector needs to show it is setting and meeting the highest standards. The case for the type of work done by Oxfam is too strong to allow it to be undermined by bad behaviour and inadequate standards of disclosure or investigation, he said. PRESS RELEASE: Oxfam announces resignation of Deputy Chief Executive https://t.co/s7wNu70B60 Oxfam News Team (@oxfamgbpress) February 12, 2018 The Charity Commission said Oxfam may not have fully and frankly disclosed material details when it first investigated allegations of misconduct in 2011. The watchdog also said it had concerns about the charitys handling of incidents since, and the impact that these have both had on public trust and confidence. On Monday, Helen Evans, Oxfams former global head of safeguarding, told Channel 4 News that she begged senior staff, ministers and the regulator to act on the sexual abuse allegations. She also detailed three new allegations made against Oxfam staff overseas in a single day. Ms Evans said: There was one of a woman being coerced to have sex in a humanitarian response by another aid worker, another case where a woman had been coerced in exchange for aid and another one where it had come to our attention where a member of staff had been struck off for sexual abuse and hadnt disclosed that, and we were then concerned about what he might be doing, and that was three allegations in one day. After Helen Evans quit her role at @oxfamgb she details how she escalated her concerns to the the Charity Commission. She claims regulator didn't even return her phone calls until, at the end of 2017 - two years after she first sounded the alarm - it finally launched an inquiry. pic.twitter.com/XbJkbaesJ0 Hayley Barlow (@Hayley_Barlow) February 12, 2018 Oxfams chief executive Mark Goldring has said he will not stand down unless the charitys board tells him it has lost faith in his leadership, and has apologised to Ms Evans over the way her concerns were handled. Four members of Oxfam staff were dismissed and three, including the country director Roland van Hauwermeiren, resigned before the end of the 2011 investigation. According to The Times, Oxfam knew about concerns over the conduct of Mr van Hauwermeiren and another man when they worked in Chad before they were given senior roles in Haiti. Prosecutors in Guatemala say they have detained former president Alvaro Colom in a corruption case. Colom governed from 2008 to 2012, and is the latest in a series of former presidents to face legal problems. The special prosecutor for a case of questionable public bus purchases said Colom was arrested on Tuesday. Alvaro Colom (AP/Alexander Zemlianichenko,) Prosecutor Juan Francisco Sandoval said Coloms former finance and interior ministers were also detained. A customs fraud scandal that allegedly sent kickbacks to then-president Otto Perez Molina and vice president Roxana Baldetti led both to resign in 2015. They have been jailed awaiting trial, but more than 100 defence filings have delayed the trial. Alfonso Portillo, Guatemalas president from 2000 to 2004, was extradited to the US and pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy in 2014. He was sentenced to nearly six years in prison. He admitted accepting $2.5 million in bribes from the government of Taiwan to continue to recognise the Asian nation diplomatically A judge has challenged Julian Assange to show the courage to appear in court as she ruled his arrest warrant was in the public interest. Handing down her strongly-worded judgment before a packed courtroom at Westminster Magistrates Court, Senior District Judge Emma Arbuthnot said she was under the impression the WikiLeaks founder wanted justice on his terms. His legal team had argued it was no longer in the public interest to pursue him for failing to answer bail at a police station as he fought extradition to Sweden in 2012. Julian Assange has been living at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London for more than five years But the judge said: Defendants on bail up and down the country, and requested persons facing extradition, come to court to face the consequences of their own choices. He should have the courage to do the same. It is certainly not against the public interest to proceed. Not looking good. So far, judge is just defending UK state actions. Defend Assange Campaign (@DefendAssange) February 13, 2018 Mr Assange claimed his case had exposed improper conduct by the Crown Prosecution Service, including emails his legal team claimed showed a CPS lawyer apparently persuading the Swedish prosecutor not to drop the case. He has been living inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London for more than five years, fearing extradition to the United States for questioning over the activities of WikiLeaks if he leaves. But on Tuesday, Judge Arbuthnot dismissed every argument put forward by his legal team on his behalf and in his absence. She said: The impression I have, and this may well be dispelled if and when Mr Assange finally appears in court, is that he is a man who wants to impose his terms on the course of justice, whether the course of justice is in this jurisdiction or in Sweden. He appears to consider himself above the normal rules of law and wants justice only if it goes in his favour. Mr Assange tweeted that the judge is just defending UK state actions, while his solicitor, Gareth Peirce, said it would be possible to appeal against the decision. Speaking outside the court, she said: Whether it is pursued is another question. The history of the case from start to finish is extraordinary. Each aspect of it becomes puzzling and troubling as it is scrutinised. Mr Assange has accused the UK of a cover-up to keep him detained, and his lawyer Jennifer Robinson previously said the Government had refused to confirm or deny whether there is an extradition request from the US. Judge Arbuthnot last week rejected his legal teams argument that the warrant was no longer valid because an investigation by the Swedish authorities into a sex-related allegation had been dropped. The judge, in her latest ruling, also commented on Mr Assanges health, which his lawyers argued had deteriorated during his time in the embassy. But she said: I do not accept there is not sunlight, there have been a number of photographs of him on a balcony connected to the premises he inhabits. Mr Assanges health problems could be much worse. He responded directly to the claim, tweeting: Pulling security to get me safely on the balcony six times in six years for a few minutes turns into this The judge added she weighed up the costs of police resources, the losses incurred by Mr Assanges supporters in posting previous bail costs, known as sureties, and the public confidence in the justice system in making her decision. And she dismissed as quite wrong the findings of the United Nations Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention that Mr Assange had been forced into confinement and denied access to justice. On Twitter Mr Assange said: We are surprised. The judge went outside what the parties presented in court. This seems to have led to the significant factual errors in the judgment. There are three months to appeal UK ruling. The spokesman said the US Justice Department had confirmed on Monday that its case was ongoing. Two men have been arrested after a car was driven into the front entrance of a secondary school. The black BMW was driven at speed around the car park of Fir Vale School in Sheffield before it crashed into the building, police said. South Yorkshire Police said a 23-year-old and 20-year-old man, both from the Sheffield area, have been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and causing criminal damage. A car was driven into the front of a school (Yui Mok/PA) A spokesman said no-one was hurt in the incident. Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Steve Ashmore, said: The school will remain closed for the remainder of the day as officers conduct inquiries to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident and provide reassurance. We are confident that this is an isolated incident and there is no current risk to the school or the surrounding community. Gill Furniss statement on the incident at Firvale school - https://t.co/L9LTqnDSCr Gill Furniss MP (@GillFurnissMP) February 13, 2018 A statement on the schools website said: There was an incident at the front of school today involving a vehicle. Nobody was hurt. All pupils and staff are safe and the issue is being dealt with by the police. We have taken the decision to send all pupils home on the advice of the police. Any pupils who cannot go home will be looked after at school. Gill Furniss, the MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough, said: I was shocked to hear the news about the incident at Fir Vale School in my Constituency this morning. I am incredibly relieved that on this occasion no one was harmed but it is awful to think that anyone would choose to endanger the lives of schoolchildren in this way. A senior counter-terrorism police officer who lost top-secret documents which were stolen from his car has been recommended for dismissal over the error by a disciplinary panel. Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale of West Midlands Police was found to have grossly misconducted himself after leaving the material in a locked briefcase in the boot. Beale, 54, is just weeks from retirement but is now set to lose a 215,000 tax-free pension lump sum, the hearing in Birmingham was told on Tuesday. The officer, praised as one of the polices finest leaders, left the documents in the car boot for five days, during which he went to the pub, went for a weekend away in London with his wife, and went supermarket shopping. The documents were never supposed to leave police premises, the hearing was also told. Delivering the panels verdict, Corinna Ferguson, chairman, said: We have decided to recommend dismissal as the appropriate outcome. She added: We consider this as the necessary sanction for what we regard as a serious breach of protocol as to the handling of top-secret and secret material, as it is necessary to retain public confidence and the reputation of the police. The final decision on Beales future now rests with Chief Constable David Thompson, in a meeting scheduled to take place in the next few weeks. Ms Ferguson added it was an extraordinary mystery as to how the documents had been stolen, with no sign of forced entry, but added it was not a matter for the panel to resolve. He only discovered the briefcase was missing when he stopped at Warwick Services on May 15 2017, while on the way to Oxford. The case containing four documents included minutes from a high-level counter-terror meeting, counter-terrorism local profiles, details of regular organised crime and highly sensitive information about a high-profile investigation. Fiona Barton QC, representing the force, said: The impact could have been catastrophic. It is a matter of luck the documents do not appear to have seen the light of day. Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale appeared before a disciplinary panel at West Midlands Police headquarters in Birmingham on Tuesday (David Jones/PA) Beale, who headed West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit, was prosecuted last year, and admitted a breach of the Official Secret Acts at Westminster Magistrates Court in December, for which he was fined 3,500. At his disciplinary hearing, his QC John Beggs had urged the panel to recognise the exceptional circumstances of Beales case and his past pedigree as an officer of nearly 30 years. The three-member panel have already been told Beale would be retiring in April, come what may. Mr Beggs said: It is not in dispute that there was misconduct. It is not in dispute it is conduct likely to bring discredit on the police service. My task is to seek to persuade you that in the exceptional circumstances of this case; of this officers career history and his contribution to policing, most particularly to counter-terrorism policing; and the prevention from death and serious injury and the impact on the community. This panel can and we suggest should find it is not gross misconduct. Mr Beggs, sitting next to Beale, said: Save for this blemish on his career, ACC Beale has at all times in virtually 30 years upheld the highest standards of policing. Plaudits from serving and former chief officers, community leaders, trade union Unite, and the military were read, paying tribute to Beales competence and professionalism as one of the polices finest leaders. He said the incident had been wholly and extremely out of character. Asked what the financial cost would be to Beale, currently suspended on his 119,000-a-year salary, Mr Beggs said the penalty would be significant. However, Ms Barton said: The documents should never have been in a locked briefcase and in an unattended car certainly not for a few minutes, let alone days. Meghan Markle wore tartan for her first official visit to Scotland with Prince Harry, and waiting to greet them was one of the armed forces smallest recruits a Shetland pony. The couple celebrated Edinburgh and its people during a whirlwind tour of the Scottish capital, which began with a walkabout at the citys famous castle which dominates the skyline. The nine-year-old pony is famed for trying to upstage the Queen when she visited Stirling Castle last summer by nibbling on her posy. But he was on his best behaviour and spent most of his time nibbling on Harrys fingers in the hope of a treat. Harry and Ms Markle meet Pony Major Mark Wilkinson and Cruachan IV (Andrew Milligan/PA) Pony Major Wilkinson said: They were asking about him, saying hes a wee star, he knows hes on parade and is showing off they said it was lovely to meet him. Later inside the castle at the historic Edinburgh Garrison, the prince and Ms Markle joined Sergeant Dave Beveridge, District Gunner, Royal Artillery, for the firing of the One OClock Gun but had earplugs in place. Harry and Ms Markle wore earplugs (Jane Barlow/PA) Harry and Ms Markles whirlwind visit to Edinburgh also took them to the New Town to visit Social Bite, a social enterprise cafe which distributes 100,000 items of food and hot drinks to homeless people across Scotland each year, as well as employing staff who have experienced homelessness. Prince Harry asked Josh Littlejohn and Alice Thompson, the co-founders of Social Bite, when are you bringing this down south? after the pair had explained how homeless people struggle to find employment without an address. The couple visited Social Bite (Owen Humphreys/PA) Later when speaking to staff in the kitchen, Ms Markle said she wanted to work there because it seemed fun. They were the latest in a string of high-profile visitors to Social Bite premises. They chatted during their visit (Owen Humphreys/PA) Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio stopped for lunch at Social Bite venture Home in Edinburghs west end in November 2016 while the Duchess of Cornwall and George Clooney have been to Social Bites Rose Street branch. The couple ended the day at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where they met the First Minister during a reception to celebrate the achievements of young people in Edinburgh. The couple met First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (Andrew Milligan/PA) A band from Impact Arts were among the performers and they made a tongue-in-cheek pitch to play at the royal wedding on May 19. Band member Darren Telford said: What we said was that a little birdie had told us that Ed Sheeran was going to be playing an upcoming wedding and if he couldnt make it we are free if they wanted. The Dutch foreign affairs minister has resigned a day after admitting he lied about attending a meeting hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin more than a decade ago. An emotional Halbe Zijlstra announced his resignation at the start of a debate at which he was expected to be grilled by opposition legislators about the lie. He called it by far the biggest mistake I have committed in my entire career. Halbe Zijlstra (Soeren Stache/dpa/AP) This is about the credibility of the minister of foreign affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, he said. That credibility must be beyond doubt. Mr Zijlstra, a member of prime minister Mark Ruttes centre-right VVD party, is the first minister to quit since Mr Ruttes four-party coalition took office in October. The premier, who was in parliament for Mr Zijlstras resignation, hugged him as he left. Mr Zijlstras position as the countrys leading diplomat became untenable after he admitted lying about a meeting with Mr Putin. The Dutchman has in the past said he attended a 2006 meeting when Mr Putin said he considered Belarus, Ukraine and the Baltic states as part of a Greater Russia. On Monday, Mr Zijlstra conceded he was not present at the meeting but heard the story from somebody who was. He said he considered Mr Putins statements so geopolitically important that he spoke about them publicly and took credit for hearing the comments as a way of protecting his source. It was clearly a wrong choice, he said as he announced his resignation. The Russian embassy in the Netherlands waded into the debate by issuing a statement accusing some in the country of distributing fake news aimed at discrediting Moscow by suggesting it has expansionist ambitions. This can only be heard from those who are interested in presenting Russia as an enemy and who under the pretext of the notorious Russian threat keep pushing Nato military infrastructure eastwards, therefore consciously provoking military confrontation, the Russian statement said. Mr Zijlstras resignation came a day before he was due to meet his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, in Moscow. A man who set off bombs in two US states has been sentenced to multiple terms of life in prison. Ahmad Rahimi injured 30 people when one of his bombs, a pressure cooker device, blasted shrapnel in Manhattans Chelsea neighbourhood in September 2016. A second bomb planted nearby did not detonate. That blast happened just hours after a small pipe bomb exploded along a Marine Corps road race in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, frightening participants but injuring no one. The bombings triggered a two-day manhunt that ended in a shootout with police in Linden, New Jersey. Rahimi, a naturalised US citizen who was born in Afghanistan and lived in New Jersey, was shot several times but survived. Prosecutors said in court papers that Rahimi has not shown remorse and had tried to radicalise fellow prisoners at the New York jail where he has been held since his arrest. He is proud of what he did, scornful of the American justice system, and as dedicated as ever to his terrorist ideology, they wrote. In this courtroom drawing, Ahmad Rahimi is seated during his sentencing hearing (Elizabeth Williams via AP) Rahimi, given a chance to speak at his sentencing, said: I dont harbour hate for anyone. Prosecutors said Rahimi gave inmates copies of terrorist propaganda and jihadist materials. They included speeches and lectures by al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden and Anwar al-Awlaki, a US-born cleric who inspired attacks on America and was killed in a US air strike in September 2011. Rahimi also allowed some inmates to view materials on his laptop or provided electronic copies as he spread The Book of Jihad, bomb-making instructions and various issues of a propaganda magazine. Defence lawyer Xavier Donaldson said Rahimi had once aspired to be a police officer and worked as a security guard after studying criminal justice at a community college. It was Mr Rahimis belief that he could help people while employed in a position that would guarantee him some type of pension, the lawyer wrote. While imprisoned, Rahimi has completed classes in business, entrepreneurship and drama, Mr Donaldson wrote. A victim of the Manhattan blast confronted Rahimi in court after he was sentenced, telling him she is an immigrant too. Pauline Nelson accepted Judge Richard Bermans invitation for victims of the attack to speak at the hearing. In this courtroom drawing, Judge Richard Berman sentences Ahmad Rahim (Elizabeth Williams via AP) Ms Nelson, of Brooklyn, was taken to hospital after the car she was driving was rocked by the explosion. Standing several feet from Rahimi, Ms Nelson, who is originally from Trinidad, scolded him for not apologising to victims. She looked him in the eye as she spoke and he stared back but said nothing. Outside court, Ms Nelson said it brought her relief to confront him. She said she is still frightened whenever she hears a siren. The Irish economy will be hit by Brexit whatever the outcome of negotiations between the UK and the European Union, the Government has been warned. It has said that it will act on the advice outlined in the economic report to help prevent the worst from happening post Brexit. Business Minister Heather Humphreys raised the findings of the Government-commissioned report at Cabinet on Tuesday. The independent study by Copenhagen Economics calculated the impact of Brexit on Irelands trade and economy. It identified four scenarios, and in the worst outcome the Irish economy would grow by 7% less than it would have without the UK withdrawing from the EU. In the best scenario the Irish economy would grow by 2.8% less. The report was commissioned by the Government. The stark outcome for agriculture and food presented in today's #Brexit report is not surprising - this is what IFA has raised and warned against at all political levels since before the referendum https://t.co/IdAx7zfE2E Irish Farmers' Association (@IFAmedia) February 13, 2018 Irish Farmers Association president Joe Healy said the findings of the report were stark for farming and food in Ireland. We are not surprised to see that our sector faces such a catastrophic outcome in the event of a hard Brexit, he said. The severe impact across the board is something IFA has raised at all political levels since before the referendum. Mr Healy said the warning should serve to refocus Government efforts towards securing an outcome that avoids the bleak scenario for the countrys largest indigenous sector. If the UK wants continued access to the EU market, the EU must insist that the UK will not be free to open their markets to low standard or low value products from outside the EU, he said. A spokesman for the Taoiseach said: The Government will act on its advice. It will inform the Government in terms of future decisions. He added: The Government is satisfied that it is doing all that it can and more to deal with the Brexit situation. Leo Varadkars spokesman said the Government was doing all that it could to deal with Brexit (Niall Carson/PA) Ms Humphreys said the report was there to guide the Government and help prevent the worst from happening. The report found five sectors will account for 90% of the impact. They are agri-food, pharma-chemicals, electrical machinery, wholesale and retail, and air transport. Ms Humphreys said the Government was acutely aware that certain sectors are particularly exposed to Brexit. That is why, among other supports, we will be rolling out a new 300 million euro Brexit Loan Scheme in late March, which will be open to all sectors, with at least 40% of low interest loans being made available to the agri-food sector, she said. We are also developing a Longer-Term Loan Scheme, and announced a 25 million euro Brexit Response Loan Scheme for the agri-food sector in Budget 2018. I consider it an honour and a privilege to be provided with the opportunity to pay my tribute to the late Prof. J.E. Jayasuriya whose 100th birth anniversary falls on February 14. Unfortunately I didnt have the privilege of being a student of Prof. Jayasuriya nor had I any personal acquaintance with him. However, I was fortunate to have some links with him through the prism of his publications and writings and the verbal lore of his colleagues and students who have greatly admired and revered him. Born in 1918, he started his primary education at Nawalapitiya Anuruddha Vidyalaya and then joined Dharmasoka College Ambalangoda before finally crossing over to Wesley College, Colombo. In 1933, he sat the Cambridge Senior Examination and displayed his brilliance by securing the third place in order of merit among all candidates of the British Empire. In recognition of his brilliant performance, he was awarded with a scholarship to the University College, Colombo. In 1939, at the age of 21, he graduated with a First Class in Mathematics. Prof. Jayasuriya commenced his career as an educational administrator being the first principal of Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya. In recognition of his abilities Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara invited him to be in charge of the central school established in the Ministers own electorate, Matugama. On his return after Post Graduate studies at the Institute of Education, University of London he was in charge of Mathematics education at the Teachers College Maharagama until appointed as a lecturer in the Department of Education of the University of Ceylon. In 1957, he succeeded Prof. T.L Green as Professor of Education. He became the first Sri Lankan to hold this post. In his capacity as Professor and the Head of Department, Prof. Jayasuriya undertook the task of professionalizing education. He was the role model for all the academic community with his professional attitude, open- mindedness, multi-disciplinary versatility and commitment to his vocation. It was his vision that made him initiate the first undergraduate degree in education, the Bachelor of Education at the University of Peradeniya in the late nineteen sixties. This he did to ensure the pre-service training of graduate teachers. Even though the programme was suspended after a few years in operation, the majority of the first generation of B.Ed. graduates have achieved high professional status both locally and globally. The popularity of this course, which is now offered at the University of Colombo, testifies to the foresight of Prof. Jayasuriya in developing this programme. However, while there are moves to expand the Bachelor of Education programmes it is necessary to review these programmes in the light of Prof. Jayasuriyas vision to maintain quality in the B.Ed. course he designed. Intelligence testing Prof. Jayasuriya was a pioneer in introducing intelligence testing. The National Education Society Intelligence Test, which he helped to develop, was the only standardised test available for teachers at that time in national languages. He also adapted the Ravens Non- verbal test to Sri Lankan standards. For many years these were the instruments used in testing. The first National Education Commission ever to be appointed, in 1961/62 of which Prof. Jayasuriya was the Chairman, proposed far-reaching reforms in many areas of education. At a time when educational research wasnt in vogue in Sri Lanka Prof. Jayasuriya was a forerunner in the culture of research with an array of research on diverse fields. He was also a prolific writer of books and monographs, both in Sinhala and English. They are a great treasure trove to students and researches even today. Undoubtedly he personified the ideal university teacher, dedicated to the three goals of a university: teaching, research and service to society. Prof. Jayasuriya was also known as the father of Population Education in the Asian region. After premature retirement from University service he took up an assignment as the Regional Advisor in Population Education at UNESCO, Bangkok and worked there for five years. He headed a team of specialists to help the countries of the region to forge ahead with this novel program. Prof. Jayasuriya developed and published a Source Book on Population Education in Asia which was widely distributed in the region and was influential in the evolution of the concepts and programming practices of population education. Further he launched programming missions in the countries in the region which led to the establishment of population education projects. He was also responsible for setting up a clearing house of publications on population education at UNESCO Office to which he himself authored many articles. His books made learning a pleasure As mentioned at the outset I was acquainted with Prof. Jayasuriya through his books. I was fortunate to be one of the last batches of students to learn Mathematics using the set of books he authored. Learning Mathematics was a pleasure as the concepts were presented clearly and logically with adequate exercises to practice what is learned. Sadly this is not the case in relation to learning mathematics in Sri Lanka today. Many who have written about Prof. Jayasuriya have highlighted his forthrightness, fearless advocacy of the cause he believed in and an uncompressing intellectual honesty. These qualities are exhibited through his writings especially in Some Issues in Ceylon Education- which is a critical reaction to the distortion of his recommendations of the National Education Commission Report (1962). In the book During British Rule in Ceylon, he analyses the education system during British rule in retrospect. In the book Education in the Third world Some Reflections he highlights the need to deviate from the western education models and how Sri Lanka has lost its direction in education policy. At a time when Sri Lankas education reforms are being discussed, it is most opportune to step back and glimpse at the views and vision of an educationist par excellence of the times belonging to yesteryear. The medium of instruction, English language education, free education, expanding Bachelor of Education programmes and Private sector involvement in education are all current issues which had been discussed by Prof. Jayasuriya in his publications. In discussing the British period in Sri Lanka in retrospect he discusses many dualities that existed in the school system at that time. Regarding English language education he states that compulsory English for all children in and above grade 11 is one of the greatest deceptions perpetrated on the people of this country. He cites two reasons to justify his stand. About 20 -25% of schools never had a single teacher for English and secondly the calibre of the teachers recruited to teach English was substandard. Regarding free education, he says through his writings that education became indeed free for all, but what was free was a good education for the few and a bad education for the many. These statements are valid for the present as well. Hence Prof. Jayasuriya is truly a visionary educationist and his insights should guide the present policy makers. (The writer is a Senior Professor and Director of the National Education Research and Evaluation Centre of the University of Colombo) Annual Memorial Oration On February 14th Prof. Savitri Goonesekere will deliver the Annual Memorial Oration at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute at 5 00 p.m. Former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who returned yesterday to Sri Lanka from the US, said he could not accept the Prime Ministerial portfolio because he was an American citizen. He said this when asked by the journalists at the Airport whether he would accept the Post of Prime Minister if it was offered by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). I can't. I am an American citizen. So I cannot accept that portfolio. Besides, who wants to become a Prime Minister in a scenario such as what exists today, he said and added that he had still not decided to enter politics. Commenting on the results of local government elections, he said everyone has come to realize former president Mahinda Rajapaksas value. He made a great contribution to the country. Some people were misled about his achievements. After three years, they have realised that they have been misled. Therefore, people have shown that they need a Mahinda Rajapaksa administration, the former defence secretary said. When asked about any of former presidents political decisions, the former defence secretary said it was up to the former president. Meanwhile, he rejected the allegations levelled against him on the Avant Garde issue by the Presidential Commission. There is nothing new about these allegations. The Commission does not even know what Avant Garde is, Mr. Rajapaksa said. (Lahiru Pothmulla) In an effort to fast-track trade, Sri Lanka Customs is now ready to adopt paperless trade procedures. It is necessary to swiftly adapt from traditional procedures to the ASYCUDA (Automated System for Customs Data) World System and to ensure an efficient transition. Sri Lanka Customs in collaboration with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will host a special awareness session on Implementation of Paperless Procedures this Thursday. The aim of the seminar is to help users to adapt to the new system. Further, the seminar will discuss its functionality, method of online real-time payments of custom duties, how to obtain a digital signature, how to initiate a real-time SL Customs payment at a bank, and the facilities available at LankaClear. Following the session, a panel discussion comprising of experts from LankaClear and Sri Lanka Customs will take place, which makes this event the best opportunity to learn, clarify and master the new system, in readiness for its implementation. The awareness session will take place at 9:00a.m. on Thursday, February15that the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. There is a feeling among a section of the public that the laws delays were one of the reasons for widespread public disapproval, disappointments and even anger which led to a massive protest vote against the government at the February 10 elections to 340 local councils. It was an important aspect of the verdict given by the court of the sovereign people. During the campaign for the January 8, 2015 presidential election, the then rainbow coalition leaders alleged that the Rajapaksa governments VIP politicians, top officials and lackeys had plundered billions of dollars from public funds. But more than three years after taking office, the number of cases brought to courts has been few with the delay being attributed to various reasons. President Maithripala Sirisena in recent months has been publicly accusing some UNP leaders of deliberately delaying or blocking these corruption or fraud cases. The President did not give reasons why they were doing so. As for streamlining and expediting the courts procedure relating to serious cases of corruption or fraud, what should have been done in 2015 was presented as a draft bill only last week. According to the draft, as reported, the new Permanent High Courts at Bar, will be empowered to try, hear and determine more than 60 offences, including those committed under the Foreign Exchange Act, Registered Stocks and Securities Ordinance and the Local Treasury Bills Act. They will also try offences such as money laundering and those related to bribery of judicial officers or Members of Parliament, acceptance of gratification by MPs, using influence in regard to contracts, tenders and dealings with governments. The draft says, the new High Courts will be set up under an amendment to the Judicature Act and will make provisions for trial before them to be held upon indictment by the Attorney General or the Director General for the Prevention of Bribery and Corruption. Hearings will be held and concluded expeditiously with evidence to be recorded from day to day, to ensure speedy disposal. The jurisdiction of the court will apply to offences committed by any person wholly or partly in Sri Lanka or by a Sri Lankan citizen outside the country or on board or in relation to any ship or aircraft. The High Courts will consist of three Judges sitting together. They will be nominated by the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) from among the Judges of the High Court with the JSC nominating one judge as chairperson. The draft Bill also empowers the Justice Minister to increase the number of such courts in consultation with the JSC. Where a new judge has been nominated, it will not be necessary for any evidence taken prior to such nomination to be retaken and the Permanent High Court at Bar will be entitled to continue the trial from the stage at which it was immediately prior to such nomination. In another important change, the draft says that the inability of a particular attorney to appear on a particular date for any reason including engagement to appear on that date in any other court or tribunal, shall not be a ground for postponing the date of commencement of the trial or be regarded as an exceptional circumstance which requires the postponement of the trial. To further expedite the case any appeal will need to be made directly to the Supreme Court instead of going through a long process in the Court of Appeal. Initially three such courts are likely to be appointed by April this year while the Prime Minister has said he hoped the number of these special High Courts could be increased to five so that major corruption or fraud cases would be completed within months and politicians or officials involved in corruption, then or now would be brought to justice and the money recovered and given back to the people. Asoka Obeyesekere, a Barrister and political scientist, is the Executive Director of Transparency International Sri Lanka, which is the National Chapter of Transparency International (TI), the leading global movement against corruption. Previously, he was the Governance Consultant at Verite Research, where he founded and led the Manthri.lk team that ran the only Parliamentary performance monitoring platform in Sri Lanka. In an interview with the Daily Mirror Obeyesekere spoke on the rate of bribery and corruption in Sri Lanka, the role of the RTI Act in the fight against bribery and corruption, the loopholes in the corruption-related laws in the country and reforms. The 19th Amendment provides CIABOC with the power to file an action on its own motion Proceeds of Crime Act will assist in the repatriation of stolen assets We have normalised bribery within the education sector to such an extent that people feel that having to pay to get their children into a state school is legitimised Action against any offence under the Bribery Act can only be instituted by CIABOC Amending Section 17 of the CIABOC Act is essential in ensuring that there is a well-coordinated state effort regarding anti-corruption Draft bill before the cabinet on amending the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Law which removes all the secrecy provisions has been slept on for more than one year Under the current Parliamentary Electoral System running for a Parliamentary seat is a financially illogical proposition RTI has led to outcomes which have addressed corruption Excerpts: Q In which sector are bribery and corruption most prevalent? It is prevalent in a whole host of areas and therefore it is difficult to isolate one particular area. But anecdotally we very frequently hear about petty bribery with the Police Force. We all hear very frequently about instances of bribery within education which is particularly concerning. We have normalised bribery within the education sector to such an extent that people feel that having to pay to get their children into a state school is legitimised. Q How has the Right to Information Act (RTI) faired in the fight against corruption and bribery? Anecdotally, we have seen that the RTI Act and the information that has come out through the RTI has assisted anti-corruption specifically at the lowest levels. When I think about some of the RTI requests that TISL has assisted citizens with, for example, the Agrarian Services Department or Samurdhi entitlement, the act of filing an RTI request has led to outcomes which have addressed corruption. RTI is about getting information, which should be used to support the ultimate outcome that the citizen desires. RTI is not necessarily a direct grievance mechanism and thats where the challenge is. It is about unlocking the information that can then be used for an anti-corruption purpose. I have highlighted some citizen level examples. But when looking at the other end of the spectrum there are opportunities for RTI. For example, we have filed a public interest RTI request on the financial records of political parties held by the Elections Commission. The Elections Commission, like a model public authority, provided that information within the time frame and that information is available online for anyone to access. This leads to greater public accountability and there is a strong connection in the way in which that information can then be used to look at potential allegations of corruption. Q To what extent are the general public interested in sending RTI requests? There is a need for greater public awareness of RTI. When we speak to our State counterparts we constantly highlight the fact that it is one thing to constitutionally recognise the right to information, it is excellent that we have then gone and enacted the RTI Act, but it is essential that the State communicates to the citizens the fact that they have a right to information. Frequently we are told that it is the responsibility of civil society. That is too big a burden for civil society on its own to carry. An entire nationwide public information strategy needs to be implemented by the State media. That said there are good examples of collaboration. We created animations on the right to information which for no cost ITN, Rupavahini and Vasantham ran in English, Sinhala and Tamil to engage the public on the right to information. Q In January last year Transparency International (TI) published a report, which ranked Sri Lanka in the 95th position in its Corruption Perception Index. Sri Lanka had gone down by 12 ranks. What are the specific reasons as to why Sri Lanka went down? The Corruption Perception Index that TI publishes globally every year is an index upon the perception of public sector corruption. So it looks at a 24-month data set. The raw score for 2015 was 37 while the raw score for 2016 was 36. So there was a one-point drop in our score which resulted in our falling 12 places. Even if the drop is slight, the mandate of the Government was to go completely in the other direction, given their anti-corruption mandate. I would say that the perception of public sector corruption remains broadly the same as it has in the past. There have been very progressive steps like the enactment of the RTI Act among other things. But more needs to be done. If we look across South Asia we have to be humble enough to realise that we are the laggards. In India when someone is a nominee at an election the Elections Commission scans their asset disclosure puts it on the web and it is there for the public to see. Why is it that in Sri Lanka there is so much secrecy surrounding asset disclosures in public? Q In a recent statement, TI expressed concern about using an Act of Parliament to recover the allegedly misappropriated money by the Bond Scam by circumventing the justice system. Ideally, how should the matter be resolved then? There is bribe giving and bribe-taking. If there is an allegation of bribe-taking the Attorney Generals department is empowered under the Penal Code to act. However, on instances of bribe giving it is only the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) that can file an action under the Bribery Act. We were always very clear on the fact legal action against any offence under the Bribery Act could only be instituted by CIABOC. In that regard, when the final recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry came out it recommended that the sums which have been allegedly misappropriated can be recovered by an Act of Parliament. Our position is that a criminal justice outcome can only best be served by the criminal justice system. We have examples from the past with what was anecdotally known as the Expropriation Bill, of how Parliament almost chooses to bring upon itself this quasi-judicial role. That deeply concerning approach that was taken in the past sometimes elicited a knee-jerk reaction. A criminal justice outcome is really the soundest way of ensuring this is properly looked into. It ensures that justice is served. That is why we have always maintained that a criminal justice outcome is essential. That is why it is important for the CIABOC to be very involved in exercising their sole exclusive mandate under the Bribery Act. Q Do you see any limitations within the CIABOC? There are laws and there should be an implementation of those laws. The 19th Amendment provides CIABOC with the power to file an action on their own motion. This means that they dont need to wait for a complaint. They can unilaterally file an action on their own motion. This is frequently overlooked. If you go to our RTI website at www.rtiwatch.lk you will find the public interest RTI request that we have made to CIABOC. We asked them, as of that date of the request, on how many occasions they have used their power under the 19th Amendment. The written response was that they had not used it yet. So it is important that CIABOC also exercises those sorts of powers in holding individuals and the State accountable. Q Do you think that the power of CIABOC should be decentralised because CIABOC is based in Colombo? Indeed. I think CIABOC needs to do more to reach outside Colombo. That is essential. Q CIABOC has filed charges against the former Attorney General Mohan Pieris and former Additional Solicitor General Mohamed Nawaz for allegedly preventing legal action over an incident involving financial misconduct. When two former top officials in the Attorney Generals Department are accused in this manner how does that affect the faith placed on the legal institutions by the public? If there are any issues it is important that those are directly addressed. The fact that CIABOC is approaching and using Section 70 on this matter shows that the accountability system that we need to rely on is actually working. We should not turn around and say that we should lose faith in the system when the system is actually being used to hold people to account. Q What loopholes do you see in the existing laws when it comes to fighting corruption and bribery? We have obtained more than half of the MPs asset disclosures. I have the right to ask for that information. You have the right to ask for that information. But if you share with me what you requested or I show you what I requested, we are liable to a Rs. 2,000 fine and or two years of rigorous imprisonment. We dont get to choose which one. If we look across South Asia we have to be humble enough to realise that we are the laggards. In India when someone is a nominee at an election the Elections Commission scans their asset disclosure puts it on the web and it is there for the public to see. Why is it that in Sri Lanka there is so much secrecy surrounding asset disclosures in public? This sort of information being in the public domain is one of the key steps in actually engaging the public into the push for anti-corruption. Encouragingly, there is a draft bill before the Cabinet right now on amending the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Law which removes all the secrecy provisions. But where is the progress on that? It has been slept on for more than one year. The Cabinet has approved the Open Government Partnership that said that the secrecy provisions found in Section 7 and 8 are going to be repealed and the public will have access to asset disclosures. But they have been overlooked. Q Can you explain more about the Open Government Partnership (OGP)? OGP is a policy-collaboration between the Government and civil society in ensuring, for example, a two-year agenda of transparency, accountability, and public participation. The cabinet gets the final approval and the final plan they approved included commitments under anti-corruption to repeal all the secrecy provisions. That is a very important aspect. Another more technical area is that there is an upcoming Proceeds of Crime Act. This Act will also go a long way in assisting in ensuring that a proper mechanism is in place in Sri Lanka for the repatriation of stolen assets. Frequently we are told that it is the responsibility of civil society. That is too big a burden for civil society on its own to carry. An entire nationwide public information strategy needs to be implemented by the State media. That said there are good examples of collaboration. Q Are there any reforms you would like to propose? It is important to remove the secrecy provisions. At the heart of the yahapalanaya- good governance- mandate is the idea that the Government is opening itself. Ensuring things around campaign finance is also crucial. Under the current Parliamentary Electoral System running for a Parliamentary seat is a financially illogical proposition. Therefore, it is essential that the public gets to understand what the financial interests are that support a Member of Parliament to enter Parliament. The Central Banks Bond issue is a key element. It shows that we need to have Interest Registers. Not all people who hold high public office are corrupt. But they need ways of disclosing interests that they have so that no one at a later stage can turn around and say that they are corrupt because they know someone or they are related to someone. They should be able to disclose their interest right from the outset so that no one can cast aspersions on them in the future. That is essential. Q Apart from the amendments to the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities law are there any other laws that need to be amended? Section 17 of the CIABOC Act prevents the sharing of information between different state agencies. At present, the entire anti-corruption judicial process has to be driven by CIABOC. The Bribery Act and the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities law are the two key pillars of CIABOC which CIABOC solely oversees. But the CIABOC Act prevents information being shared. For instance, money laundering is looked at by the Police. However, the offence of money laundering emanates from an act of corruption. But the Police dont have access to the investigation materials used by CIABOC. So there is a duplication of efforts. So amending Section 17 of the CIABOC Act is essential in ensuring that there is a well-coordinated state effort in anti-corruption. All over the world, the wrongdoers are a few steps ahead of the State. So the State must ensure that they have as many efficiency gains as possible through information sharing if they are to really apprehend the more sophisticated wrongdoers. HINDUSTAN TIMES, 12th FEBRUARY, 2018-Two arrested Supreme Court justices and a former president had been plotting to overthrow the government of the Maldives, officials in the Indian Ocean nation said, announcing they had found more than $200,000 in suspicious money in searches since a state of emergency was declared last week in the high-end tourist haven. Lawyers and opposition leaders quickly rejected the accusations, saying President Yameen Abdul Gayoom was using the state of emergency to weaken his political opponents. A proper investigation would not hide under cover of the State of Emergency, or shy away from the clear light of rule of law, Maumoon Hameed, the lawyer for former dictator Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, wrote on Twitter. Gayoom, now an opposition leader, was among a group of prominent Maldivians arrested last week. Hamid Abdul Gaffoor, a spokesman for the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party, dismissed the accusations. All you can say is that its a big joke, he said. Oxfam announced a new raft of measures to tackle sexual abuse cases after being ordered to meet the British government on Monday to explain its handling of a 2011 prostitution scandal involving its aid workers in Haiti. The British-based charity will reexamine the episode as part of an independent review started this year to drive out unacceptable behaviour, while pledging to improving the recruitment, vetting and management of staff. It is not sufficient to be appalled by the behaviour of our former staff -- we must and will learn from it and use it as a spur to improvement, Caroline Thomson, Oxfams chair of trustees, said in a statement. She confirmed the charity would meet with the Department for International Development (DFID) on Monday and the Charity Commission, which regulates the sector, later this week. Earlier Sunday Britains International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt warned Oxfam to cooperate with a renewed probe into the scandal or face repercussions. If they do not hand over all the information that they have from their investigation... then I cannot work with them any more as an aid delivery partner -- and any other organisation in those circumstances, she told the BBC. In a sign of widening fallout, the Sunday Times reported more than 120 workers for Britains leading charities were accused of sexual abuse in the past year, fuelling fears paedophiles are targeting overseas aid organisations. Mordaunt said she was writing to all charities that receive state aid demanding they step up efforts to tackle sexual misconduct among staff or face funding cut-offs. LONDON AFP Feb11, 2018 ECONOMIC TIMES: Petronet LNG Ltd, Indias biggest importer of gas and its Japanese partners will invest US $ 300 million to set up Sri Lankas first liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal near Colombo, its CEO Prabhat Singh said. The Indo-Japanese partnership will set up a 2.6-2.7 million tonnes a year floating LNG receipt facility off the islands western coast, bigger than the previously envisaged 1.5-2 million tonnes a year facility. Petronet will hold a 47.5 percent stake in the project while Japans Mitsubishi and Sojitz Corp will take a 37.5 percent stake. The remaining 15 percent will be held by a Sri Lankan entity, he said. We are in the process of signing an MoU with the Sri Lankan government for setting up of the LNG terminal, Singh said. Once the MoU is signed this month, some project-related studies will be done before beginning work on the terminal. Explaining the reasons for setting up a bigger capacity LNG terminal, he said Sri Lanka requires 2.5-3 million tonnes of liquid gas to fire power plants. Besides, there is demand for compressed natural gas (CNG) and smaller industries. Commercial details like the exact size of the plant and investment will be worked out in the detailed feasibility report to be commissioned after signing of the MoU. Broadly, it would be about US $ 300 million investment, he said. The Sri Lankan government had in September last year issued a Letter of Intent to the company to build a floating LNG import facility to supply gas to power plants and the transport sector in the island nation. The import terminal is to be set up in Kerawalapitiya on the west coast. Sri Lanka has plans to build a 300-megawatte gas-fired power plant in Kerawalapitiya adjoining an existing power plant. The existing plant, which uses oil to generate power, will also be converted to LNG once the terminal is set up and gas imports start. LNG has become significantly cheaper in the last year and many countries have started switching their power plants to LNG. The LNG terminal, which will import super--cooled natural gas in ships, will take two to three years to build, the top executive said. The terminal in Sri Lanka is part of Petronets vision to own 30 metric tonnes per annum of LNG import and re--gasification capacity by 2020. Petronet already operates a 15 million tonnes per annum import facility in Dahej in Gujarat and has another five million tonnes terminal in Kochi in Kerala. It has signed the preliminary agreement to build a 7.5 million tonnes LNG terminal in Bangladesh and is also looking at setting up a smaller facility in Mauritius. Singh said Dahej is also being expanded to 17.5 metric tonnes over the next two years. The India-Japan collaboration comes after a string of Chinese successes in Sri Lanka. China has managed to revive its flagship US $ 1.4-billion Colombo Port City project and is also engaged in expansion of major infrastructure projects it built in the past. It was a spectacularly crushing defeat. Mind boggling as it might have felt at the beginning, now in retrospect, the genesis of this debacle is all too clear. This government, which assumed with a public mandate to govern, simply failed to govern. Some have put the blame on the delay in the constitutional reforms, non-revoking of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, bond scam, and even the reinstating of the defence attache in London who, it is alleged, had harmed the sensitivities was of diaspora Tamils. All those, if they had any impact whatsoever, were extremely peripheral. Then there is the allegation of corruption. The bond scam was truly a major PR disaster for the government. But, if the public are so distraught by corruption, why vote for the robbers of the former regime and their acolytes, who did not even let their acts of mass robbery be investigated? A more commonsense explanation would be that these votes for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna existed from day one. Mr Rajapaksa won 47.5 per cent in the presidential election and this time the SLPP won 44.65 per cent. Unlike the UNP which saw a major decline from 45.6 per cent at the general elections to 32 per cent at last Saturdays poll, Mr Rajapaksas vote bank has remained more or less unchanged. At least a half of those votes are a retrograde and xenophobic lot. Of the rest, are people, who nonetheless have a preference for a strong government. They do not subscribe to those high-flown ideas of democracy that this government claimed it wanted to introduce. Then there are others, the floating voter, who also had enough of the perennial policy vacillation manifested by the government. The Yahapalana government was a byword for inaction and indecisiveness in all areas of state policy. The consequences of public apathy towards the government were magnified by the dynamics of local level politics. In local level, people voted for the game man, irrespective of party differences. The election machinery of Mr. Rajapaksa managed to put together a list of candidates who had a local appeal. The UNP, which expected the elections to be postponed, was already late when it started. Its emphasis on national level politics, especially when there is nothing much to show, also had limited appeal at the local level at a local election. The problem with the UNP was that it had been overly obsessed with the certificates from international community and was less receptive towards the public impulses. At the end, Sri Lankan voters did not vote the way the NGO captains and foreign diplomats wanted. The problem with the UNP was that it had been overly obsessed with the certificates from international community and was less receptive towards the public impulses. The government, of course,inherited a financial rot, and therefore, needed to implement a degree of austerity. Those policies hit the stomach, but, to make matters worse, the short-term hardships of those policies were aggravated by the sheer vacillation over implementation of development projects. A cacophony of discordant voices within the two main constituent partners held back major development projects. Had people witnessed something tangible on the ground, they could have been a little more merciful to the government. When one is in a delicate position, it has to defend its back, more determinedly than in normal times. A long list of allegations of corruption blamed on the former regime provided this government with an opportunity of lifetime to incapacitate a pesky and degenerate opposition. Those of the UNP who take economic lessons from Singapore, should perhaps also research how Lee Kuan Yew did politics and handled those like Mr. Jeyaratnam, the late opposition leader. The government failed to take any adequate measures to hold the members of the former regime accountable for acts of corruption they were implicated in. Perhaps Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was too smart and thought of leaving the Rajapaksa cronies untouched would help divide the SLFP. Now the SLPP has run rings around both the president and the UNP. Soon the siege would be complete. Perhaps, it is not yet too late, if the government wants to avoid a major political paralysis over the next three years or to lose power even before that. The first step should be the UNP and the SLFP to join ranks in the local government institutions where the combined numbers help form majority. Then provide adequate financial support to the members of those local institutions to win back the lost public support. Three years would be good enough to make a turnaround. Second, the government should at least now kick start the legal process against the corrupt doers of the former regime. Punishing its own who have been implicated in the bond scam should be a good starting point to assure the public that this is not a witch-hunt. Set a deadline to see that all crooks are behind the bars. Expedite the setting up of the proposed Special Courts and let them take their course. Third, and perhaps the most important is the economic development. Given the extent of the indecisiveness on the part of this government, public can not be blamed for feeling nostalgic about Mr Rajapaksas authoritarian deliverance of economic policy. The government should strengthen both consultative and coercive mechanisms related to the implementation of development projects and overall economic policy. When the former becomes inadequate the latter should take over. Time is nonetheless fast running out. If the government keeps vacillating like in the past, Yahapalanaya would soon be history. Follow @RangaJayasuriya on Twitter A team of ten from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Moratuwa participated at the Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science (Sakura Exchange Program in Science) recently. The programme was implemented as a collaboration between the University of Miyazaki and the University of Moratuwa. This collaboration was initiated by Prof. Hiroki Tamura form Department of Environmental Robotics, Faculty of Engineering, University of Miyazakiand the Dr. Y.W.R. Amarasinghe. A systematic proposal was submitted to Japan Science and Technology (JST) Agency for this young scientist exchange programme. Following approval, a fully funded collaboration was initiated and a team of five students from Miyazaki University arrived in 2015 to the University of Moratuwa to exchange their knowledge and the programme was a success. The JST acts as the funding organization for the programme. The team consisted of four undergraduate students representing Mechatronics stream.The team also comprised four graduate research assistants, two from mechatronics and one each from BioRobotics and Energy streams and two researchers In return, under the coordination and guidance of Dr. Y.W.R. Amarasinghe, a team of 10 people from Department of Mechanical Engineering visited Japan for the programme. The team was hosted by the University of Miyazaki, Japan. The team consisted of four undergraduate students representing Mechatronics stream.The team also comprised four graduate research assistants, two from mechatronics and one each from BioRobotics and Energy streams and two researchers. During the science exchange programme, they received exposure in the research outcomes of the SANWA Company LDT, Laboratory visits in the University of Miyazaki, Faculty of Engineering and got to attend a workshop in mobile robotics. Most importantly they also made many cultural visits. Additionally, two graduate students were presented with the outcome of their research in an organized session which was held on Beppu, Oita, Japan from February 1-4. The research involved Advanced Technology on Sensing Technology, Devices, Application in the International Conference on Artificial Life and Robotics 2018. Four previously accepted research work was presented by the research students. Additionally, the team visited University of Miyazaki to present their research work in the respective research areas and to experience the University environment. Dr. R.A.M.P.Ranaweera and Mr. W.P.D. Welgama participated as the senior researchers from Department of Mechanical Engineering. The team members were given a special certification on behalf of participating in the program and successfully completing it by Prof. Hiroki Tamura. The Singapore Business Mission to Sri Lanka organized by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) together with International Enterprise Singapore (IES) and Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI) recently held a seminar on doing business in Sri Lanka, at the Paramount Tower in Nawala. Mr S.S. Teo, Mission Leader, SBF Chairman and Managing Director of Pacific International Lines, said, This is the Federations fourth visit to Sri Lanka since 2008, with our last visit in June 2016. Today, we have a 32-strong delegation comprising 24 companies and organizations across the ICT, real estate development, hospitality, infrastructure, logistics and general trade sectors. The Singapore business community fully welcomes and supports the SLSFTA. With this agreement in place, there will be an even greater impetus for business activities between Singapore and Sri Lanka. Dr. Rasitha Wickramasinghe from Stax Inc., provided an economic overview of doing business in Sri Lanka & sectoral business opportunities in the country. He highlighted key aspects of post war Sri Lanka and also compared Sri Lanka with its peers in various segments. Highlighting the legal considerations and framework of the Country, Mr. Dushyantha Perera, Partner - Head of Investments and M & A at Sudath Perera Associates covered the key aspects of understanding legal system in Sri Lanka, explaining the process of setting up a business in Sri Lanka and laws and regulations governing foreign investments. Mr. Suresh Perera, Principal Tax & Regulatory of KPMG Sri Lanka, then briefed the audience on the tax framework of the country, the industry specific tax implications, trade agreements and double tax avoidance agreements. The recently gazetted Inland Revenue Act was also discussed in detail by Mr. Perera. Thereafter, the delegates / representatives of Singapore companies operating in Sri Lanka shared their experiences in doing business in Sri Lanka, where they discussed about understanding Sri Lankan consumer and business mindset, marketing and distribution in Sri Lanka, and working with Sri Lankan partners and employees successfully. The panel consisted of Mr. Liang Thow Ming - Chief Sales & Marketing Officer (CHEC Port City), Mr. Sriyal Dissanayake - Managing Director (PIL-EML) & Mr. Malaravan Ron - Managing Director (SecuriState). The panel was moderated by Mr. Chandra Mohan Rethnam - Partner (Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP) Representatives from Singapore and Sri Lankan companies attended the Singapore Business Mission to discuss opportunities for deeper Singapore - Sri Lanka collaboration, network and connect with potential partners and clients through business matching sessions. HINDUSTAN TIMES, 12th FEBRUARY, 2018 Foreign secretary Boris Johnson has sharpened criticism of Myanmars state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi over the Rohingya issue, doubting if she understood the full horror of the crisis that led the UN to describe it as a textbook case of ethnic cleansing. Johnson, on a visit to Bangladesh and Myanmar, has been articulating growing concern in London in recent months over the refugee crisis that has seen a large number of Rohingya Muslims flee state persecution from the Myanmars Rakhine state. After meeting Suu Kyi in Yangon, Johnson told BBC: To be honest, I dont really think she understands the full horror. I dont think she has been up in a helicopter to see what we have seen. I believe in her leadership but am sad to see what is happening to Burma now. Britain continues to refer to the country by its pre-colonial name of Burma. This item is available in full to subscribers. Attention subscribers We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription. If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site. 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. Harvey Weinstein, the sharp-elbowed movie producer whose combative reign in Hollywood made him an Academy Awards regular, was fired from The Weinstein Company on Sunday following an expose that detailed decades of sexual harassment allegations made against Weinstein by actresses and employees. In a statement, the companys board of directors announced his firing Sunday night, capping the swift downfall of one of Hollywoods most powerful producers and expelling him from the company he co-created. In light of new information about misconduct by Harvey Weinstein that has emerged in the past few days, the directors of The Weinstein Company Robert Weinstein, Lance Maerov, Richard Koenigsberg and Tarak Ben Ammar have determined, and have informed Harvey Weinstein, that his employment with The Weinstein Company is terminated, effective immediately, the companys board said in a statement on Sunday night. Weinstein had previously taken an indefinite leave of absence following the revelation of at least eight allegations of sexual harassment uncovered in an expose Thursday by The New York Times. The board on Friday endorsed that decision and announced an investigation into the allegations, saying it would determine the co-chairmans future with the company. But the Weinstein Co. board, which includes Weinsteins brother, went further on Sunday, firing the executive who has always been its primary operator, public face and studio chief. Under his leadership, the Weinstein Co. has been a dominant force at the Oscars, including the rare feat of winning back-to-back best picture Academy Awards with The Kings Speech and The Artist. In recent years, however, Weinsteins status has diminished because of money shortages, disappointing box-office returns and executive departures. An attorney for Weinstein didnt immediately return messages Sunday. A spokesperson for The Weinstein Co. declined to provide further details on Weinsteins firing. Messages left for attorney John Keirnan of the firm Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, who had been appointed to lead an investigation, werent immediately returned Sunday. Weinstein on Thursday issued a lengthy statement that acknowledged causing a lot of pain. He also asked for a second chance. But Weinstein and his lawyers also criticized The New York Times report in statements and interviews, and vowed an aggressive response. The New York Times said it was confident in the accuracy of our reporting. London: Scientists are enlisting the help of 'pillownauts' to examine a potentially serious adverse effect of space travel and weightlessness on the human body. A 3-day bed rest study is being carried out at the University of Nottingham in the UK along with a 60-day bed rest study by the European Space Agency in France. Bed rest is a tried and tested way to measure the effects of weightlessness on the human body which include bone and muscle mass loss, cardiovascular decline and impaired carbohydrate metabolism which could be a risk for type 2 diabetes. Many astronauts come back to Earth from space showing signs of pre-diabetes because weightlessness can lead to insulin resistance whereby the muscles and liver can not absorb glucose to help regulate blood sugar levels. The study is specifically aiming to find out how quickly we develop insulin resistance from prolonged bed rest, and what are the mechanisms driving this harmful effect. Ten healthy male volunteers have been recruited to take part in the study in the Medical School at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham from February 2018. After baseline tests for weight, muscle mass, liver and pancreatic function including MRI scans and muscle biopsies, the participants will spend three days lying flat in bed in a slight head-down incline to mimic weightlessness in zero- gravity. "There is a big push at the moment for a manned mission to Mars - a journey that would take as long as nine months with huge implications for the fitness of the astronauts," said Ian Macdonald, professor at University of Nottingham. "Multiple scientific groups across NASA, the UK Space Agency and ESA, are working on many aspects of this physical deterioration in zero gravity and we hope our contribution to this will be significant and possibly lead to further studies about insulin resistance over a longer time period," said Macdonald. "Non-weight-bearing has a major negative impact on health, including reduced muscle mass and sensitivity to nutrition," said Paul Greenhaff, from University of Nottingham. "This research has important implications for space flight, but will also provide important insight into the negative effects of inactivity on metabolic health in the general population," said Greenhaff. "Indeed, many of the effects currently attributable to ageing across our life course are most likely caused by decreasing physical activity levels that accompany ageing," he said. "Over the period of bed rest, we will use the gold standard method to measure insulin resistance in our ten participants," said Natalie Shur, PhD researcher on the project. "We expect to find an accelerated onset of insulin resistance in the first 3 days of bed rest and we hope to answer significant questions about the rate and magnitude of that resistance and associated muscle wasting," Shur said. The current space exercise protocol dictates that to prevent gross muscle atrophy, astronauts have to do around 2 hours of intense physical exercise a day in space and take on a set number of calories to give them the best chance of maintaining physical fitness. The team aims to work out when the most detrimental changes take place, possibly in the first week in space, then they may be able to offset these changes by a programme of early rehabilitation exercises. The initial days of a relationship, also known as the honeymoon period for a couple, are something else; new couples in the city spell out their V-day plans Come February 14, and theres a feeling of love in the air for couples in love, who shower each other with surprises and gifts. But the day stands equally meaningful for newlyweds as well as recently engaged couples. One such newlywed is artist Afza Tamkanat, who has recently got married and is eager to spread the cheer of love. My husband is in Australia, so I will not be celebrating the day together. For us, celebrating each others birthdays is more important than Valentines Day. Interestingly, our two-month anniversary is also coinciding with the day. So I will be sending him gifts for the same and soon, I will be shifting there to be with him, she says. According to hotelier Suryaveer Singh, celebrating V-Day this year would be a little different than his dating days with wife Yashasvi. We have been married for just about a week. We are planning to go out for a dinner but will cut the cliches of roses and chocolates, he states. For newly-engaged couple, Uday Bhargav, an entrepreneur, and Sabitha, its time for a reunion after months. Uday is planning to surprise Sabitha by visiting her place. Sabitha stays in Vijayawada and has been asking me to meet her since a long time, but due to work I couldnt make time. So tomorrow, I will be visiting her and I am also gifting her a pendant. I want to make her feel special before our marriage on March 4, shares Uday. Sheetal Nahata too plans to make her partner feel special before D-Day. Our marriage is in a few days. Initially, I was planning to cook a special spread for him but as there are so many guests around I have ditched the idea. Now, we will be going for dinner and a few gifts, reveals Sheetal. The Armani uniform, to be launched in April, is recommended but not compulsory. (Photo: AP) A Tokyo public school has adopted Giorgio Armani uniforms for students, triggering criticism in a country where hefty school fees are already burdening young parents. Taimei Elementary School in Tokyos upscale Ginza shopping district has announced plans to introduce the new uniform option, which costs more than 80,000 yen ($730) for a full set. A minimum set a navy-blue jacket and matching trousers or skirt, a long-sleeve shirt and a hat would be more than twice the price of the current uniforms. The schools principal, Toshitsugu Wada, told a news conference Friday that the top fashion brand would fit Taimeis identity as a school of Ginza. He said he chose Armani because its boutique is near the school. Wada acknowledged the new uniform would cost more, but considered it worth it. He said his decision is unchanged despite the criticism. I thought Taimei can use the power of the foreign fashion brand for its identity, he said. The Armani uniform, to be launched in April, is recommended but not compulsory. In Japan, where a sense of belonging and conformity are valued, uniforms are worn at most secondary schools and used to be considered durable and thrifty. Prices have jumped in recent years and have become a big initial investment for Japanese parents. Armani at a public elementary school? asked Naoki Ogi, a popular education commentator, in his blog. Its like saying no to poor people and welcoming only those who take pride in Armani. Besides the cost, critics say uniforms are part of rigid school rules that could infringe on diversity and childrens rights. Government education officials said Friday that school principals are free to set school rules and uniforms, but that in the Taimei case they should have done more to reach a consensus with parents. Schools should be mindful of uniform prices so that parents wont be overburdened, Education Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters. We also expect them to have sufficient discussions in the process with involved parties including students, parents or parent-teacher associations. The Armani uniform also came under attack in parliament Thursday. School uniforms are already more expensive than the business suits we wear, said Manabu Terata, an opposition lawmaker. But these uniforms at Taimei Elementary School are especially questionable. School uniforms tend to be expensive because they come with special school emblems, buttons and other designs. Its also a billion-dollar market, dominated by a few major manufacturers and competition is lacking, according to a recent Fair Trade Commission report. Even Finance Minister Taro Aso, a descendant of a former aristocrat known for his dandy fashion, called the costs pricey. Police say the suspect pretended to be an employee before stealing an undisclosed amount in cash. (Photo: AP) Police say an extremely simple sketch helped investigators identify a suspect in a theft from a Pennsylvania farmers market. Lancaster police say the suspect pretended to be an employee before stealing an undisclosed amount in cash from a stand inside Central Market last month. A witness provided the minimalist black-and-white drawing to officers. Police say while the sketch was cartoonish, it helped remind an investigator of a potential suspect. A photo of the suspect was given to the witness, who made a positive identification. Police are searching for 44-year-old Hung Phuoc Nguyen, who is facing two counts of theft. A spokesman for the police department says that as of Friday afternoon, Nguyen still hadnt been arrested. Bengaluru: Banashankari police have arrested five sandalwood thieves and unearthed 138 kg of wood pieces worth around Rs 10 lakh. This has laid six unsolved cases in the city to rest. According to police, the thieves would identify houses with sandalwood trees under the pretext of selling bedsheets, then return later in the night to steal them. The accused are Mohammed Imraan, 30, Fijula Khan alias Babu, 48, Rangaswami, 45, Shafiulla alias Kadupapu, 30, all four accused are residents of Tumkur and Uday Kumar alias Dashi, 24 from Channarayapatna in Hassan district. According to police, Uday, one of the accused, would scout for locations, then inform the team. A few days later, they would arrive and steal the trees by cutting them into small logs. These logs were sold and the money divided. Police stumbled onto the gang during their night patrol and grew suspicious, leading to the arrest. The five have been operating since 2016 and police have no solved cases in Kumaraswamy Layout, Vidyaranyapura, Basavanagudi and Banashankari police station limits. Hyderabad: An illicit affair of the second wife of a 46-year-old man in Nalgonda district led to his murder in the wee hours of Tuesday. Residents of Nagarjunapet Tanda in Tirumalagiri mandal woke up to the loud sound of an explosion and were shocked to see body parts strewn about. Later, the deceased was identified as Depavath Dharma Nayak, a Congress activist and a former Sarpanch. The news spread like wildfire, and rumours also did the rounds that his enemies were behind the explosion. The recent murder of Congress leader Boddupally Srinivas in the district also added fuel to the rumours. However, investigations revealed that Nayaks second wife Sirisha and her paramour Ravi were behind the murder. The duo had lit gelatin sticks and hurled them on Nayak, while he was asleep in the house. According to the police, Nayak had married Savitri a few years ago, but as they could not bear children he married his wifes sister Sirisha. They had two kids. A year ago Sirisha developed an illicit relation with one Ravi from the same village and eloped with him. On Monday night after Nayak went to sleep, they lit gelatin sticks used for blasts at quarries and hurled them under his cot. The explosion ripped the mans body into pieces. Police registered a murder case and took Sirisha into custody. After returning from school on Monday evening, he went to his room and an hour later his mother found him hanging from the ceiling fan. (Photo: Representational) Thanjavur: A 17-year-old boy allegedly committed suicide by hanging from a ceiling fan at his house reportedly after being scolded by a teacher for reaching the school late, police said on Tuesday. A case has been registered against the teacher, they said. The boy was studying in the 12th standard at a private school near Pattukottai in the district. The incident occurred on Monday. The boy's relatives alleged that a teacher had scolded him for reaching the school late. After returning from school on Monday evening, he went to his room and an hour later his mother found him hanging from the ceiling fan, police said. The relatives staged a road roko on the main road demanding action against school authorities. Police assured them that a case would be registered following which they dispersed. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is the wealthiest CM with declared assets worth over Rs 177 crore. (Photo: PTI) Mumbai: The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch (NEW) have revealed that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is the wealthiest CM with declared assets worth over Rs 177 crore while the lowest declared asset is of Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar (Rs 27 lakh). Giving Andhra Pradesh CM company in this exclusive club, are the chief ministers of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu, whose assets are worth Rs 129 crore, and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who has Rs 48 crore to his name. An analysis of the self sworn affidavits filed by chief ministers of 29 states and two Union Territories throws up interesting facts. Like Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee has declared assets worth Rs 30 lakh only, with no immovable assets. The report by ADR and NEW also analysed that around 35 per cent or 11 out 31 chief ministers in state and Union Territories across the nation have criminal cases against them. These were the most recent affidavits filed by them prior to contesting the elections. Click here to read the report. Criminal cases "Out of the all 31 chief ministers analysed from state assemblies and Union territories, 11 (35 per cent) chief ministers have declared criminal cases against themselves," the ADR report noted. Further, 26 per cent chief minister have declared serious criminal cases, including cases related to murder, attempt to murder, cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property, and criminal intimidation. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has one charge related to cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property (IPC Section-420), ten charges related to rioting (IPC Section-147), ten charges related to Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object (IPC Section-149) among others. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has one charge related to murder (IPC Section-302), attempt to murder (IPC Section-307), Punishment for Rioting (IPC Section-147) among others. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has two charges related to Abetment of such assault, if the assault is committed (IPC Section-134), one charge related to voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means (IPC Section-324). Punjab Chief Minister Amardinder Singh has two charges related to cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property (IPC Section-420), two charges related to Forgery of valuable security, will, etc. (IPC Section-467), two charges related to Forgery for purpose of cheating (IPC Section-468) and one charge related to Criminal breach of trust by public servant, or by banker, merchant or agent (IPC Section-409) among others. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has four charges related to Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty (IPC Section-332), five charges related to Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant (IPC Section-188), four charges related to every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed and four charges related to Defamation (IPC Section-499). Yogi Adityanath, chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, has a charged related to Injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class (IPC Section-295) among others. Education and Gender In terms of educational qualification, 10 per cent or 3 chief ministers out of 31 are 12th pass, 39 per cent or 12 CMs are graduate, 32 per cent or 10 CMs are graduate professional, 16 per cent or 5 chief ministers are post graduate and a mere 3 per cent or 1 chief minister is doctorate. The sex ratio is, however, skewed as out of 31 there are only three female CMs. The varsity indirectly asked students to celebrate Maha Shivratri and avoid the influence of 'Western' culture. (Photo: ANI/Twitter) Lucknow: In a bizzare incident, Lucknow University issued an advisory asking its students to not roam in the university premises on Valentine's Day. It warned that disciplinary action would be taken against those found violating the advisory. The varsity indirectly asked students to celebrate Maha Shivratri and avoid the influence of 'Western' culture. The advisory also asked parents to not send students to the campus on the day. Lucknow University issues advisory to its students to not to roam inside the premises of the university on Valentine's Day (14.2.2018). Disciplinary action will be taken against whosoever is found violating the advisory. pic.twitter.com/dQ8cdESICK ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 13, 2018 Students protested against the move and called it 'an example of chhoti soch'. "You've declared a holiday on that day, but telling students to not enter university premises isn't right at all. If we won't enter the university, then who will?," a student asked. Hyderabad: The Baghlingampally area was left strewn with garbage after a Swachh Survekshan event, which was attended by K.T. Rama Rao, the minister for municipal administration and urban development. Prior to the event, sanitation workers cleared the garbage and dusted the road near B.R. Ambedkar College. The event witnessed the participation of about 15,320 students from various educational institutions armed with broomsticks. However, after its conclusion, sanitation workers had to clean the area for the second time that day. Residents from the area said that Aswachh Survekshan would have been a more appropriate name for the programme as it had left the neighbourhood dirtier than before. B. Ramu, a local resident, said that the roads in and around B.R. Ambedkar College was filled with debris from about 15,000 broomsticks. He said that Swachh Hyderabad would remain a distant dream if the officials participating in such events were interested in posing for pictures. B. Damodhar, another local resident, said that such events created more work for the sanitation staff. He said that the sanitation staff was made to work extra hours in preparation for the ministers visit, to keep the premises as clean as possible. And after the event, there were new piles of garbage for them to clear. However, according to the official press release, over 15,000 students and youngsters assembled at B.R. Ambedkar College in the Ramnagar division of the GHMC and swept the Baghlingampally main road to write a new high-range world record and create awareness about the need to keep the city clean. Until now, the record was held by residents of the Vadodara municipality, where over 5,000 people participated in a similar endeavour. The 15,000 students swept the street for only three minutes, and the brooms were provided by the organisers. Traffic was diverted to avoid any inconvenience to the participants. The event was organised in anticipation of the Swachh Survekshan programme, which will be conducted in the city from February 15 to 22. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Rama Rao said that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had launched the Swachh Hyderabad initiative even before the Central government launched its Swachh Bharat campaign. He asked citizens to participate in the Swachh Survekshan programme in large numbers. Hyderabad: A man manhandled his 82-year-old mother, leaving her with a fractured leg, among other injuries, when he found out that she had transferred her property to somebody else. The woman, Durgamma, and her husband, Eshwaraiah, worked for the GHMC as sweepers for 40 years. Since their retirement, they have been receiving a pension of Rs 15,000 each. The couple has four sons and two daughters. Durgamma stayed with her son Ashok at Boduppal for one year. After that, she took her belongings and went to her daughters house in Kachiguda without informing anybody. She alleged that her son had taken away her bank passbook and that he had been drawing her and her husbands pensions. He even sold the gold that she had with her, and he frequently tortured her and his father. He used to yell at them for every small thing, said G. Sravanthi, the lawyer representing Durgamma. Narrating her ordeal, the elderly woman said, I do not know when I will die; all I want is my husband, who is with my son Ashok and is being ill-treated. Ashok has not allowed me to meet my husband for a year now. Even my daughter tried to meet her father but in vain. If I go there, there is a threat to my life. Durgammas daughter, with whom she has been living, approached C. Anjali Khader, a local social activist who, after listening to the case, took it to advocate G. Sravanthi. The advocate immediately brought the case to the notice of the local police in Medipally. The advocate said, Before going to Medipally police station, I met Uma Maheshwar Sharma, the DCP of Malkajgiri. He instructed the team there to personally look into the matter. However, when I went there, Ashoks family members were there. His son, Gangadhar, abused me and Durgamma but the police kept mum. They refused to investigate the matter and simply asked Durgamma to live with her son. When consulted for a legal opinion, High Court advocate Deepak Bhattacharjee said, There is no law under the Indian Penal Code which defines a punishment for people who ill-treat their elderly parents. The matter has to either be resolved within the family, or the family members can request the police to look into the matter. Jagannath Reddy, the Inspector of Medipally, said, I deployed a constable at the residence in Boduppal, to look into the issue. Eshwaraiah, who is a 93-year-old man, said that he did not want to stay with his wife, but wanted to remain with his son. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: PWD minister G. Sudhakaran has urged the union Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways to sanction two standalone projects in the state- the Kozhikode-Moorad bridge and Vadakara - Paloli bridge. The Moorad bridge was constructed over 75 years ago and the motorists and locals have been clamouring about its pathetic condition. It has only 5.5-metre width affecting the movement of heavy vehicles on the busy Kozhikode-Kannur National Highway stretch. This has prompted Mr Sudhakaran to approach the MoRTH secretary Ashok Joshi seeking his intervention. But NH officials are apprehensive of the redtapism involved in standalone projects. "The MoRTH secretary will forward the request to MoRTH chairman who will seek a report from the NHAI regional officer causing delays," said an NH official. The state PWD would have to explain why these two bridges should be sanctioned as standalone projects. The Moorad bridge work was delayed due to doubts on the suitability of the land acquired for it. The government has to float the tender for the Vadakara - Paloli bridge again as the earlier one was cancelled after the contract was awarded. Pakistan Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan, on Tuesday, warned that any Indian aggression will be met with an equal and proportionate response. (Photo: AFP) New Delhi: A day after India blamed Pakistan for the recent terrorist attacks in Army and CRPF camps in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan, on Tuesday, warned that any Indian aggression will be met with an equal and proportionate response. Pakistan will pay India in its own coin in case of any Indian misadventure, Khan said. Any Indian aggression, strategic miscalculation, or misadventure regardless of its scale, mode, or location, will not go unpunished and shall be met with an equal and proportionate response. Pak will pay India in its own coin in case of any Indian misadventure. Any Indian aggression, strategic miscalculation, or misadventure regardless of its scale, mode, or location will not go unpunished & shall be met with an equal & proportionate response.https://t.co/wbotkeHkP9 Pak Minister Defence (@PakMnstrDefence) February 13, 2018 On Monday, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said Pakistan will pay for this misadventure that has killed six soldiers and a civilian. Security forces also killed three militants. Sitharaman had said that India has compiled evidence against the militants and will hand it over to Pakistan. [Despite] giving dossiers after dossiers, Pakistan has not taken any action, she had said, adding that Islamabads culpability in such attacks had been proved over and over again. Also Read: Pak will pay for this misadventure: Nirmala Sitharaman on J&K attacks The Defence Minister said Pakistan was expanding the arch of terror to areas south of Pir Panjal, and the Pakistani Army resorting to ceasefire violations to assist infiltration. "Terrorists belonged to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which is sponsored by Masood Azhar. He resides in Pakistan and derives support from there," Sitharaman, who was in Jammu on Monday, told media. Chennai: The industries department on Monday got a shot in the arm with the state announcing the sanctioning of Rs 75 crore for the second edition of Global Investors Meet (GIM). The state has scheduled the international event next year and fixed the dates as January 23 and 24, 2019. An official release from the secretariat said Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has allocated Rs 75 crore for holding the meet and added that the work in this regard has begun with the state reaching out to domestic and global companies, industry bodies and investors from different parts of the world. The release further said that the peaceful law and order situation, uninterrupted power supply, strong SME business infrastructure, several international airports, ports and skilled workforce were the parameters that position TN as an industrial state attracting investments. When the industries secretary K. Gnanadesikan, was contacted, the top official said the 2015 GIM prototype will be followed and there will be some new additions to the ongoing plan. This time we are focusing more on west Asia comprising Gulf countries. During 2015 GIM, the Gulf companies were visited as part of the road show and this time we are more confident of getting investments from this region, industry secretary said. Commenting about the other investing nations, Gnanadesikan said Tamil Nadu had always been a sought after destination for Korean, Japanese and US based companies. We are in constant touch with them and we are also looking out for industries from Taiwan and China, the additional chief secretary said. In her letter, Ponnusami has claimed that she has been denied her basic rights because of her gender. (Photo: Twitter/@shanavibewitch) New Delhi: A transgender has written to President Ram Nath Kovind seeking mercy killing after being denied a job as a cabin crew member in Air India. In November 2017, Shanavi Ponnuswamy moved the Supreme Court challenging Air India's decision to deny her a job as a cabin crew member. The apex court had issued a notice and sought responses from Air India and the Civil Aviation Ministry in four weeks. In her letter to the President, Ponnuswamy has claimed that neither Air India nor the Ministry of Civil Aviation have responded to the Supreme Court's notice. She wrote in the letter that in the absence of a job she cannot make her ends meet and, therefore, is requesting mercy killing. "It is clear that Indian government (is) not ready to respond on my survival issue and employment question (sic). And, I am not in a condition to pay for my daily food expenses. So, it's not at all possible to manage Supreme Court case by paying advocates etc," states the letter posted on a Facebook page called 'Trans Rights Now Collective'. In her letter, she claims that she has been denied her basic rights because of her gender. Ponnuswamy writes that she had been employed with Air India as a customer support executive for a year. Later, she underwent a surgery for gender change. Following which she applied four times over a period of two years but while she got a "call letter" for the post of female cabin crew she was never offered the job. She states that after several attempts to contact the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Air India, she was informed that as per the carrier's recruitment policy they do not have a category for 'transwomen'. Vijayawada: Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani told Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu that there is a need for private capital along with public capital for the development of Amaravati. Extending his support for the capital city, Mr Ambani expressed inte-rest in investing in agriculture, health and education sectors in the state. Mr Ambani, who had come to Amaravati, met with the Chief Minister on Tuesday and discussed about investment opportunities in the state for an hour. Mr Naidu explained about capital designs, construction, Swiss challenge and other progress in the state to the RIL chairman. Appreciating the Chief Ministers efforts, Mr Ambani said there is a need to establish private capital, parallel to peoples capital to attain international attention and investments. Earlier, Mr Ambani visited the Real Time Governance centre in the CMO, where Mr Naidu explained its importance and how it is interconnected district-wise to villages. The Chief Minister also explained about the fibergrid, recalling him explaining this to Mr Ambanis father, Dheer-ubhai Ambani in 1999. Reacting to this, Mr Ambani told officials that Mr Naidu had visited their place to look at the refinery, during which he had convinced his father on the potential of fibergrid. It is because of this that now Reliance stands high in the world of telecommunications today, Mr Ambani observed. Appreciating the CMs efforts, he praised him saying he was ahead of us and no country had achieved this. Army jawan during a search operation outside the army camp in Jammu on Tuesday. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: The government on Tuesday addressed a long and crying need from the soldier at Ground Zero for an effective mainstay small weapon when the defence ministrys apex procurement panel, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), approved the buying of a huge small arms arsenal of 7,40,000 assault rifles, 5,719 high-precision sniper rifles and Light Machine Guns (LMGs) for the three wings of the armed forces. Amid increasing casualties of soldiers falling prey to terror attacks, the proposal acquires top significance even as the low intensity conflict in the border areas and hinterland of Jammu and Kashmir rages. Tuesdays meeting, chaired by defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who just returned from her Jammu visit where she met injured soldiers and many family members of jawans who had sustained injuries during the latest terror attack in an army camp, cleared capital acquisition proposals valued at Rs 15,935 crore. While the assault rifles are estimated to cost Rs 12,280 crore, the LMGs will cost about Rs 1,819 crore, while the 5,719 sniper rifles would come for around Rs 982 crore. The assault rifles will be produced in India under the Buy and Make (Indian) category through both state-run Ordnance Factory Board and private sector, an essential quantity numbers of Light Machine Guns will be put through the fast track route primarily to meet the operational requirement of the troops deployed on the borders. The sniper rifles will be bought under the Buy Global category while the ammunition for these weapons will be initially procured and subsequently manufactured in India. The DAC also cleared the procurement of Advanced Torpedo Decoy Systems for the Indian Navy at a cost of Rs 850 crore which the ministry said will enhance the anti-submarine warfare capabilities of Indian Navy. The Krishna and Godavari River Management Boards were constituted by the Central government three years ago after the AP Reorganisation Act was adopted by Parliament. Hyderabad: Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states are going to oppose the move by the Krishna and Godavari River Management Boards to take control of all projects on the two rivers in order to streamline the administrative and technical functions in distribution of water among the two states. The Union water resources ministry has convened a meeting in Delhi on February 15 with officials from both state governments and representatives from the Krishna and Godavari River Management Boards. The Krishna and Godavari River Management Boards were constituted by the Central government three years ago after the AP Reorganisation Act was adopted by Parliament. However, for ad-ministrative convenie-nce, the management of the Srisailam Reservoir was given to Andhra Pr-adesh, and of the Nagar-junasagar to Telangana dtate. But experience has shown that both the state governments have been diverting more wat-er than allocated to each, and there are discrepancies in the quantum of drawls. As far as utilisation of waters under minor irrigation sector goes, both state governments are furnishing the information sought by the Boards. To put an end to the pr-oblems, the River Boards propose to bring all the projects under their control and administration in order to discipline the states drawing of water and the violations they commit. Each state complains against the other but the Board is unable to take action as the projects are not under its control. The TS government is totally against the move and AP is partially agai-nst it. Telanganas contention is that until project-wise allocation of water is still undecided (the matter is being currently heard by the Kris-hna Water Disputes Tri-bunal), it is not possible to bring the projects under the control of the Boards. According to Telanga-na government officials, without knowing the all-ocations how can boards take control of the reservoirs and start dictating terms to the governme-nts? Telangana is equally opposing the Godavari River Management Boa-rd taking control over the projects. It fears that if such powers are given to the Godavari Board, it may take objection to the construction of the Kale-swaram and Sitarama li-ft schemes in Telangana, which are at an advanc-ed stage of construction. Andhra Pradesh is concerned that if such powers are given to the Boar-ds, they may not divert more waters from the Sr-isailam Dam to Rayalas-eema projects through Pothireddypadu and Malyala lift schemes. There will also be the question of the diversion of Goda-vari waters to the Krish-na basin through the Pattiseema lift scheme. The Krishna River Management Board has prepared the draft plan and placed it before both states for their comments before sending it to the Union water reso-urces ministry for issuing notification. Hyderabad: PCC president, N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, had on Tuesday accused the TRS government of weakening the entire Panchayat Raj system in the state. Speaking in his Huzurnagar Assembly constituency on Tuesday, Mr Reddy said the development of villages and rural areas was not possible without empowering gram panch-ayats and other local bodies. He said the people should have the power to decide the priorities for their villages and utilise the funds accordingly. However, he said that the TRS government had infiltrated the Panchayat Raj system and taken away the powers of Sarpanches, ZPTC, MPTC, MPP and ot-her local bodies. However, he said that neither the BJP government at the Centre nor the TRS government in TS were serious in involving locals in the development process. HYDERABAD: BJP Legislature Party leader G. Kishen Reddy on Tuesday came out against actor and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan by saying that he has no acting talents but wants to shine in politics with the help of media. Mr Reddy said that Pawans moves will not impact the BJP in the state. Addressing a media conference, Mr Reddy said that Pawan Kalyan got fame and name only due to his elder brother Chiranjeevi and added that it is funny to watch his facial expressions in media on various issues. The BJP leader said that the party core committee would meet on Wednesday to chalk out various programmes in the state as part of strengthening the party, including conducting padayatras across the state by party leaders. He said that it is quite disheartening to know that there is total collapse of administration and stalling of all developmental, welfare activities for the people under the TRS rule. Mr Reddy said that there is crisis in each and every sector in the state, especially on health and medical care in rural areas. The hug-and-talk diplomacy on Prime Minister Narendra Modis three-day West Asia and Gulf tour from February 10 to 12 actually began in Amman, the capital of Jordan, from where his Royal Jordanian Army helicopter was escorted by Israeli warplanes to Ramallah, the Palestinian headquarters. This methodology was necessitated as Israel controls all access to the West Bank under Palestinian control. Government spokesmen of course gushed over its historic nature as indeed it was the first visit by any Indian Prime Minister to Ramallah. The visit was more to balance Mr Modis earlier standalone visit to Israel in July last year as well as the hosting of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in India last month with excessive exuberance, which included the lockdown of Ahmedabad for a street-level cultural extravaganza. India announced a $50 million aid package to the Palestinian Authority but dropped some crucial formulations, including a reference to East Jerusalem as the future capital of Palestine, a standard incantation in the past. Also, the need for a two-nation solution was omitted. Murmurs were heard that Mr Modi had set forth on West Asian peace-making, which many in the past have attempted and failed at, including some powerful US Presidents. More likely it was a bucket-list trip to observe a formality. The situation in West Asia has mutated drastically since the Syrian civil war began half a decade ago. Syrias President Bashar al-Assad, an Iranian ally, has survived, albeit with diminished territory. Iran is embedded in the region with bases in Syria and its close allies, the Hezbollah, bloodied and emboldened in Lebanon. An Israeli plane attacking Syrian targets was shot down by Syria on the eve of Mr Modi visit. Hamas, which controls Gaza, in defiance of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, has restored its links to Iran after falling out in 2011 over its refusal to support Mr Assad. In fact, its leaders had shifted from Damascus to Qatar, which itself has fallen out with Saudis and the Emiratis. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump ruffled Arab and Muslim feathers with his December 6decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital and announcing the shifting of the US embassy there. Mr Modis amnesia now about Jerusalem as the joint capital of Israel and Palestine widens options as India had earlier voted at the UN to condemn the US move. But President Abbas is an isolated and increasingly marginalised figure surviving more on Israeli goodwill than Palestinian support. The Prime Ministers visit to the United Arab Emirates was pegged on two items foundation-laying of a temple and attendance at a global governance summit. Mr Modi laid a wreath at the UAEs martyrs memorial Wahat Al Karma, commissioned in 2015. Although among its 200-odd names are a few who died during past conflicts with Iran and during the liberation of Kuwait, the bulk relate to the UAE Operation Restoring Hope in Yemen since 2015. UAE troops are fighting in Yemen against Houthis, who are Iranian allies. The Iranian IRGC will note the gesture. Indias leaders are best advised to remain neutral in the raging wars within the Islamic world, as wise Indian leaders have done in the past. The allotment of land for a temple in Abu Dhabi is noteworthy but hardly epoch-making. Temples have existed in Dubai for decades. In 2001, when I was Indias ambassador to the UAE, late President Sheikh Zayed allotted a huge chunk of land for a cremation ground in Abu Dhabi. This was necessitated as Sharjah and Dubai were making it difficult to use their cremation grounds dating from before their independence in 1971. Within the grounds, the construction of a temple had been allowed and indeed planned. Then home minister L.K. Advani, when calling on late President Sheikh Zayed in mid-2001, had thanked him. Sheikh Zayed had replied that if Allah wanted all to be Muslims, that would have been so. Because it was not, the Nehyan ruling family recognised religious pluralism. History did not begin four years ago when NDA-2 came to power. It merely marches on in new hands, in India as well as in the UAE. The stopover in Oman was necessary as Sultan Qaboos is aging and infirm and has no clear heir. Thus, chemistry with his successors is necessary. Often it is said that Oman sits facing India across the ocean with its back to the Gulf. It controls the cone of territory, north of UAE, overlooking the Straits of Hormuz. It also maintains excellent relations with Iran and all five other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, despite the bitter quarrel of some with Qatar. Military and naval cooperation has existed in the past and will get a fillip now. Even in early 2000-01 the Dolphin project was proposed for piping gas through a sub-sea pipeline from the Omani coast to Gujarat. Today technology for such a venture exists. It could be Iranian or Qatari gas as the main gas field is shared by both. That pipeline would bypass Pakistan, with its attendant security issues. But as Prime Minister Modi toured the extended western neighbourhood of India, the real challenge lurked in the nations immediate maritime domain. The Maldives has been slipping towards dictatorship and into the Chinese sphere of influence since 2012, when President Mohamed Nasheed was ousted in a bloodless coup. Matters reached a climax on February 1 when its Supreme Court ordered the release of detained senior political leaders. A state of emergency was imposed by the incumbent ruler and even some judges arrested, including the Chief Justice. Instead of intervening swiftly to restore order, India has dithered. China, on the other hand, has gone from general formulations about non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations to warning India. The window for power projection is fast slipping. Temples, new or old, in the UAE and Oman will not stall a predatory China. Deft diplomacy and military muscle in Indias immediate periphery may. The December figure for industrial production at 7.1 per cent, compared to Novembers 8.8 per cent, signals the need to pay attention to job creation and tackling rural distress. The silver lining, however weak, is high growth in manufacturing as it is this sector that provides jobs which in turn will boost production. Growth, however, must be commensurate with demand, as its estimated 13 million people enter the job market annually, or roughly around 35,648 people every day. Against this, just six million jobs are created annually, and these too arent always of a permanent kind. Employers increasingly preder to hire contract workers in order to circumvent labour laws. Mr Modis election promise of 10 million jobs and doubling farmers incomes have come back to haunt the economy in the fourth year of his government. Indeed, this week the government reiterated its intention to give farmers cost plus 50 per cent bonus. But the entire job creation issue is crying for a resolution. Even if the Central Statistics Office revises this figure of 7.1 per cent growth in industrial production as it did with the November figure, it would still be low. Job creation is the key to increasing demand, which in turn will put purchasing power in the hands of people, particularly in rural India, where the bulk of the population lives. More out-of-the-box thinking is needed to create the jobs that may make the Prime Ministers promise a reality and meet the needs of 13 million people who enter the job market every year. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has had the naivete, indeed the temerity, to place his outfit for consideration alongside the valorous and disciplined Indian Army, though when this remark made to the faithful at Muzaffarpur in Bihar on Sunday came under a barrage of criticism by Opposition parties, specially Congress president Rahul Gandhi, the so-called cultural outfit engaged in furious back-pedalling. Nevertheless, Mr Bhagwat can be heard on tape saying that if the Constitution and the laws permit, and should the need arise (for the country), RSS volunteers could be got ready (to defend the nation) within three days, whereas it takes six to seven months to train a soldier. He did some boasting along the way. He said though the RSS was not a military organisation, it possessed military discipline. The sequence of his observations is the closest the outfit, which is the fountainhead of Hindu nationalism, has come to hinting that it is akin to a militia. It is well known what havoc sectarian militias promoted by those in power have caused in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Somalia. Not long ago, the Pakistan Taliban had declared that if the need arose, its volunteers would stand alongside the Pakistan Army against India. In tone and substance, Mr Bhagwats utterances are not dissimilar. Its to be hoped the powers that be wont react as the Pakistan Army did. It had described the Taliban as a force multiplier against India. As for the RSS, nothing would suit it better than to be summoned as an auxiliary unit to service the Army. It would calculate that such a move would give it an official standing as a nationalist body. Our rulers must have the good sense never to tweak laws to permit this to happen. If they did not, they would be creating an armed monster enjoying official sanction that would be unleashed against those that the RSS treats as internal enemies. Its bad enough now when mushrooming outfits in line with RSS ideology are wreaking violence on a near daily basis in the name of cow protection or love jehad. If RSS volunteers are put in military fatigues as the Armys helpers, the idea of Hindu nationalism rather than Indian nationalism will gain particular salience, excluding non-Hindus from the fold of patriotism. That would spell disaster for national and social integration and for the idea of syncretic culture. There is a funny side to all this. Long ago, when Murli Manohar Joshi was BJP president, he took it into his head to unfurl the tricolour in Srinagar on Republic Day. He would not be dissuaded. The government had to send him with a heavily armed escort since times were bad. The RSS did not thump its chest and come forward. Arvind Kejriwal took the oath for the second time as the chief minister of Delhi on February 14, Valentines Day, in 2015. Three years down the line, his love affair with the people of Delhi seems not only over, but it is turning out to be a bitter relationship. Once the heady intoxication of love that led to an unprecedented electoral victory for the AAP was over, people expected things to settle down and the newly-elected government to carry on with good governance and deliver on the promises which, even discounting the rose-tinted hues of a lovers promise, seemed substantial. But three years later, people are feeling overwhelmingly betrayed that is reflected in their subsequent electoral forays in Delhi as well as elsewhere. Having come from the same school of thought that nurses the incumbent government at the Centre, Mr Kejriwal was essentially a rabble-rouser who created demons where none existed. It goes to his credit that he effectively used the social media and the grassroots networks of mostly socially conservative organisations like that of Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev to substantiate the fake campaign that he had built. Needless to say, in doing do, he was in tacit understanding with the BJP. Thereafter, his strategy has been to periodically raise the stakes in opposition to Narendra Modi and the BJP in order to keep his minority and liberal support base intact. On the other hand, his policies vis a vis the poor and the dispossessed has been that of perpetuating squalor so that a permanently dispossessed people keep looking up to him for doles. A very concrete example of this is the fact that despite the earlier Congress government having put into place a comprehensive policy of rehabilitation of slumdwellers, the Kejriwal government has tried to find solutions in allowing double-storied or triple-storied jhuggis without property rights or adequate civic infrastructure. Needless to say, the middle class and the aspiring youth are totally off his agenda whom he tacitly wants to go for the BJP. However, such deceptions can only go on for so long. As the adage goes, you can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cant fool all the people all the time. Despite its `526-crore publicity budget in the very first year of his government, and all the frequent Mai Arvind Kejriwal bol raha hoon messages that he blares out to all unsuspecting car-riders and radio listners, he is getting more and more exposed by the day. His running with the rabbit and hunting with hounds duplicity is getting too noticeable to be ignored. When it comes to Delhis affairs, he is in a state of perpetual strife with the Central government over the constitutional provisions that govern Delhi. In the process it is the 2.3 crore people of the city who are left suffering. At the same time, in election after election, he puts up candidates earlier in Gujarat, and now in Meghalaya only to ensure that the BJP wins. In a nutshell, all his efforts for the past three years have only resulted in misery for the people of Delhi and comfort for the BJP. The perpetual blame game and playing the victim card has started taking its toll on the development of Delhi. A closer examination of two of his self-proclaimed major achievements in the fields of education and healthcare indicates that these are nothing but empty claims. Setting up a couple of model schools and mohalla clinics used for photo-ops and circulation for public consumption in India and abroad does not indicate substantive changes in terms of infrastructure and quality. In education, despite all the tall claims of revolutionising the system , his government has not been able to answer why nearly one lakh students have left Delhi government schools in the past three years. Under the earlier Congress government, the number of students in government schools rose steadily every year, reaching a peak of 17.75 lakh students in 2013-14. Since then, its been declining every year, with only 16.77 lakh students in 2016-17. The Class 10 and Class 12 board exam results have been the worst in many years. The number of students passing out of Delhis government schools have steadily declined from 1.47 lakh in 2014 to 1.09 lakh in 2017. Similarly, Delhis average Class 10 board exam results slipped from 98.4 per cent in 2013 to 91 per cent in 2017. Students are leaving schools in large numbers, the board exam results are showing negative results, so then who are the beneficiaries of these so-called reforms? Similarly, in health too, Delhi saw unprecedented annual outbreaks of vector-borne diseases in the last three years and the utter failure of the NCT government in being able to control it. The AAP had inherited a vast network of primary level health infrastructure from the previous government, which included 1,389 dispensaries and 973 polyclinics. Instead of strengthening the existing infrastructure, the Arvind Kejriwal government actually ruined all these facilities, trying to replace them with something new. Over the past three years, the AAP government has opened only 162 mohalla clinics, as against a promise of 1,000. The existing dispensaries are suffering due to lack of manpower. Around 25 per cent of the sanctioned medical posts and 61 per cent of non-medical Posts under the Delhi government are lying vacant. The mohalla clinics do not provide any kind of first-line defence against outbreaks, and are not equipped to provide anything but very rudimentary OPD support. The Delhi government promised and widely advertised that 200 types of tests were being done at the mohalla clinics, but in reality only two urine and blood tests being done were reported during FY 2016-17. The other mohalla clinics do not have any lab facilities. The Arvind Kejriwal government simply cannot run by just creating myths. After all, a good advertisement can sell a bad product only once, as next time the consumers get wiser. The Trump administration wants NASA out of the International Space Station by 2025, and private businesses running the place instead. Under President Donald Trumps 2019 proposed budget released Monday, US government funding for the space station would end by 2025. The government would set aside $150 million to encourage commercial development and use future savings to aim for the moon. Many space experts and legislators are expressing concern. Sen Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat who rocketed into orbit in 1986, said turning off the lights and walking away from our sole outpost in space makes no sense. Retired NASA historian and Smithsonian curator Roger Launius notes that any such move will affect all the other countries involved in the space station; Russia is a major player, as is Europe, Japan and Canada. NASA has spent close to $100 billion on the orbiting outpost since the 1990s. The first piece was launched in 1998, and the complex was essentially completed with the retirement of NASAs space shuttles in 2011. MIT astronautics professor Dava Newman, who was the deputy NASA chief under Barack Obama, called the space station the cornerstone of space exploration today but said the Trump administrations proposal makes sense because it is doing long-term planning. The president proposes shifting large chunks of money from the space station, satellites studying a warming Earth and a major space telescope toward a multi-year $10.4 billion exploration plan aimed at returning astronauts to the moon in about five or six years. Were building capability for the eventual human exploration of deep space and the moon is a stepping stone, NASAs acting chief financial officer Andrew Hunter said in a Monday news conference. The presidents budget proposal, including NASAs portion, was obsolete even before it was made public, but it provides a view into the administrations priorities. Congress earlier this month passed a spending package that set limits through the end of the next budget year. The same budget proposal proposes to pull the plug on WFIRST, a space telescope mission that NASA said is designed to settle essential questions in the areas of dark energy, exoplanets, and infrared astrophysics. And for the second straight year, the Trump administration proposes killing five missions that study Earth, especially its climate and the effects of carbon dioxide. The president also plans to end education programs in the space agency. Private businesses already have a hand in the space station project. The end of the shuttle program prompted NASA to turn oversupply runs to the commercial sector. SpaceX and Orbital ATK have been making deliveries since 2012, and Sierra Nevada Corp will begin making shipments with its crew-less mini shuttles in a few years. SpaceX and Boeing, meanwhile, are developing crew capsules to fly astronauts to and from the space station within the next year. These commercial flights will represent the first astronaut launches from US soil since NASAs shuttles stopped flying. A complete transfer to the commercial sector is a different matter, however. Mike Suffredini, a former space station program manager for NASA who now runs Axiom Space in Houston and aims to establish the worlds first commercial space station cautioned that the US government needs to have a direct hand in the International Space Station until it comes down. No company would accept the liabilities and risks associated with the station, he said, if the sprawling complex went out of control and came crashing down. His companys plan is to attach its own compartments to the existing International Space Station and, once the decision is made to dismantle the complex, detach its segment and continue orbiting on its own. Altogether, the administrations proposed budget, along with an addendum, seeks to increase NASAs budget slightly to $19.9 billion. While the budget plan said it places renewed support on returning humans to the moon, followed by human expeditions to Mars and elsewhere, no precise timeline and few details are provided. The supersize Space Launch System rocket being built by NASA to send astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit along with its Orion crew capsule would get $3.7 billion under this budget. A test launch of this system would remain on track for 2020, with a first crewed launch around the moon three years later, according to budget details. In an agency-wide address, NASAs acting administrator Robert Lightfoot said it was a very exciting budget with lots of potentials, despite some hard decisions. Among them: the proposed end of WFIRST, a telescope with 100 times the field of view of the Hubble Space Telescope. WFIRST was a mission that the National Academies of Science listed as the decades number 1 priority for future NASA astrophysics missions. The WFIRST telescopes cost estimates have ballooned to $3.6 billion and Hunter said it just got too expensive. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Amazon paid about $90 million to acquire the maker of Blink home security cameras late last year, in a secret bet on the startups energy-efficient chips, people familiar with the matter told Reuters. The deals rationale and price tag, previously unreported, underscore how Amazon aims to do more than sell another popular camera, as analysts had thought. The online retailer is exploring chips exclusive to Blink that could lower production costs and lengthen the battery life of other gadgets, starting with Amazons Cloud Cam and potentially extend to its family of Echo speakers, one of the people said. Amazon views its in-house devices as key to deepening its relationship with shoppers. The Cloud Cam and Echo currently need a plug-in power source to operate. Blink, which says its cameras can last two years on a single pair of AA lithium batteries, could change that. Amazon declined to comment on the acquisitions terms or strategy. The deal so far has drawn little attention. The camera maker announced its takeover by Amazon with scant details in December 21 blog post. Analysts have viewed Blink as part of the retailers strategy for Amazon Key, a new program where shoppers can set up a smart lock and surveillance camera so delivery personnel can slip packages inside their homes when they are away. Amazon also sees opportunity in the security camera market as smart-home technology expands. But Blink was not merely a camera business. Its little-known owner, Immedia Semiconductor, was started in Massachusetts by old hands from the chip industry. Chief Executive Peter Besen and two of his co-founders came from Sand Video, which had designed chips in the early 2000s that decoded a new and improved video standard. In 2004 they sold Sand Video to Broadcom and remained there as executives, according to an Immediate website. The group left in 2008 to create Immedia, aiming to design chips for video conferencing, and later targeting laptop makers as potential customers. Dan Grunberg, a co-founder who left Immedia in 2016, said that plan fell through. Laptop makers were unwilling to pay $1 per chip when cheaper options were on the market. So Immedia pivoted. If we make our own camera, we dont have to sell a hundred million chips, he said. Grunberg declined to discuss Immedias sale to Amazon. The Blink security camera, which hit the market in 2016, did not require a power cable like many rival products, making it easier to place around users properties. It was cheaper, too, starting at $99. Amazons wired Cloud Cam launched at $119.99, while Netgear Incs wire-free Arlo cost more still. Netgear said last week it plans to spin off its Arlo business. Battery life is a big issue in connected devices, said Scott Jacobson, a former Amazon devices manager and now managing director of Madrona Venture Group. Always-on cameras that last for months and dont require a wired connection or an electrician to install could be game-changing. As Blinks sales rose on Amazons website, the retailer took notice, sources said, leading to talks with the camera maker about a deal. Flybridge Capital Partners, Comcast Ventures, Baker Capital, Dot Capital and some suppliers were investors in the company. Amazons regulatory filings show it spent $78 million on acquisition activity in the quarter ended December 31. Sources said the bid was competitive, and that compensation and incentives offered by Amazon pushed the deals value to about $90 million. Madronas Jacobson, who had no knowledge of the acquisitions details, speculated that Amazon might apply the Blink teams expertise to cameras in drones or in its new checkout-free stores. The chips could give Amazon other advantages, too. The proprietary chip design will make it harder for rival retailers to copy Amazons devices, said Matt Crowley, chief executive of Vesper, a sensor and semiconductor company that makes microphones. And now that Amazon owns its own chips, it can go straight to the manufacturers, cutting out middlemen chip designers such as Ambarella, which has powered GoPro products. Amazon has a division called Annapurna Labs that makes an unrelated kind of chip, and it was not clear which supplier it uses for chips that primarily process video. Vertical integration reduces cost, Crowley said. Digital video chips are one of the more expensive components in a camera. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. As China continues its economic and military ascendance, asserting power through an all-of-nation long-term strategy, it will continue to pursue a military modernisation programme that seeks Indo-Pacific regional hegemony in the near-term. (Photo: PTI/File) Washington: China is coercing its neighbours to reorder the Indo-Pacific region, the Pentagon told Congress in its annual budget proposals for the fiscal 2019, beginning October 1 this year. Trump administration on Monday released their proposal for the fiscal year 2019 budget. Fiscal years are different from calendar years. The budgetary proposal covers October 1, 2018, through September 30, 2019. "China is leveraging military modernisation, influence operations and predatory economics to coerce neighbouring countries to reorder the Indo-Pacific region to their advantage," the Pentagon said in its annual defence budget for the fiscal 2019. As China continues its economic and military ascendance, asserting power through an all-of-nation long-term strategy, it will continue to pursue a military modernisation programme that seeks Indo-Pacific regional hegemony in the near-term and displacement of the US to achieve global preeminence in the future, it said. The most far-reaching objective of this defence strategy is to set the military relationship between the US and China on a path of transparency and non-aggression, it said. According to the Pentagon, the central challenge to the US prosperity and security is the reemergence of long term, strategic competition by what the National Security Strategy classifies as revisionist powers. "It is increasingly clear that China and Russia want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model gaining veto authority over other nations' economic, diplomatic and security decisions," it said. The Pentagon said Russia seeks veto authority over nations on its periphery in terms of its governmental, economic and diplomatic decisions to shatter the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and to change European and Middle East security and economic structures to its favour. The use of emerging technologies to discredit and subvert democratic processes in Georgia, Crimea and eastern Ukraine is concern enough, but when coupled with its expanding and modernising nuclear arsenal the challenge is clear. "Rogue regimes such as North Korea and Iran are destabilising their regions by pursuing nuclear weapons or sponsoring terrorism," the Pentagon said. North Korea seeks to guarantee regime survival and increased leverage through a mixture of nuclear, biological, chemical, conventional and unconventional weapons and a growing ballistic missile capability to gain coercive influence over South Korea, Japan and the US. In the Middle East, Iran is competing with its neighbours, asserting an arc of influence and instability while vying for regional hegemony, using state-sponsored terrorist activities, a growing network of proxies and its missile programme to achieve its objectives, the Pentagon said. According to the budgetary proposals, competitor states, especially China and Russia have narrowed Department of Defence's military technological advantages, demanding the US find new and innovative ways to fight in the future. "China is now a strategic competitor, using predatory economics to intimidate its neighbours while militarising features in the South China Sea. Russia has violated the borders of nearby nations, and pursues veto power over the economic, diplomatic and security decisions of its neighbours," it said. Concurrently, North Korea's actions and rhetoric continue despite the United Nation's censure and sanctions. Iran continues to sow violence and remains the most significant challenge to the Middle East stability. Despite the defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria's (ISIS) physical caliphate, threats to stability remain as terrorist groups with long reach continue to murder innocent people and threaten peace, the Pentagon added. The Supreme Court on Monday restrained the Jammu and Kashmir Police from taking any coercive action against Army personnel in the FIR registered for opening fire on "unruly mob" in Shopian on January 27, resulting into death of three civilians. Acting on a plea by Army Major Aditya Kumar's father Lieutenant Colonel Karamveer Singh, a three-judge bench presided over by the Chief Justice stayed further proceedings in the criminal case of murder and other offences initiated by the police. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, along with advocate Aishwarya Bhati, representing Singh, contended that it was a serious issue as the Army operation was on and an FIR was registered. "As an interim measure, it is directed that no coercive steps shall be taken on the basis of the FIR dated January 27 registered at police station Shopian under Sections 336 (act endangering life), 307 (attempt to murder), 302 (murder) of the Ranbir Penal Code against Major Aditya Kumar," the bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud directed. The court sought Attorney General K K Venugopal's response on behalf of the central government on the petition. It also asked the Jammu and Kashmir government to file its reply within two weeks in the matter. The court also issued notice on a similar plea filed by advocate Vineet Dhanda. Singh, a decorated Army Officer, filed the writ petition on behalf of his son, claiming the FIR would have "numbing effect on the morale of the extremely courageous and professional armed forces of the nation." He claimed his son was not even present on the occasion. The petitioner, among others, sought guidelines to protect the Army men from harassment of criminal proceedings for their bonafide actions and payment of compensation of those embroiled in such cases. He sought direction for lodging of cases against those involved in "terrorist activities". The Army convoy, operating in the area covered under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, was attacked by an unruly mob and they got hold of a junior commissioned officer and were about to lynch him, forcing the personnel to open fire lawfully as part of their bonafide duties, the petitioner claimed. The encounter between holed up militants and security forces at Karan Nagar in the heart of Srinagar city entered the second day on Tuesday as a fresh exchange of fire started from early morning. Two Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants, according to police, took cover inside an under construction three-storey building in Karan Nagar on Monday morning after an alert sentry foiled their bid to launch a fidayeen (suicide) attack on a nearby Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp. "We are suspecting the presence of two terrorists in the building. We have been successful in doing a deliberate assault and expect the operation to finish soon," IGP Kashmir Swayam Prakash Pani told reporters at the encounter site. One CRPF trooper was killed during the gunfight, while a constable of the special operations group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police was injured on Monday. In the wake of the ongoing operation, authorities have suspended mobile internet services in parts of Srinagar and heavy security has also been deployed across the city. The left eardrum of a Class VIII student got damaged allegedly after his teacher hit him on his ear for not bringing a textbook to the school at Nalasopara in the district, police said. The incident took place in a private school on February 2. However, it came to light yesterday. A case in this regard was registered on February 5, following which the woman teacher was arrested and later released on bail by the court, police said. On the day of the incident, the victim had forgotten to bring a textbook to the school. Irate over it, the teacher hit him hard on his left ear and following this the boy suffered extreme pain and the ear started bleeding, police said. After his parents came to know about it, they rushed him to a doctor. Thereafter, they approached the school management and lodged a complaint with Nalasopara police, where a case was registered. The teacher was booked under IPC sections 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), police said. According to police, since the time of the incident, the boy has not gone to the school as he is still under shock. The body of another soldier was today recovered from the encounter site inside the Sunjuwan Military camp here, taking the death toll in the terror attack to 10, including six Army personnel and three terrorists of the JeM. The body of the Army jawan was recovered during the clearance operation at the camp last night, Jammu-based Army Public Relation Officer Lt Col Devender Anand told PTI. A group of heavily-armed men struck the sprawling camp of the 36 brigade of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry before dawn on February 10, killing six people including five soldiers. Five Army personnel, hailing from Jammu and Kashmir, and the father of one of the slain soldiers, were killed and 10 others, including two officers and six women and children, were injured in the incident. The bodies of the three terrorists of the Jaish-e- Mohammad (JeM) outfit were also recovered along with huge cache of arms and ammunition during the search operation. Meanwhile, Lt Col Anand said Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is attending the wreath-laying ceremony of the four slain soldiers, belonging to the Kashmir Valley, at the airport here. He said that the mortal remains of four Kashmiri soldiers and the civilian would be flown to Srinagar after the wreath-laying ceremony around 11 am and thereafter to their native places for burial. Security forces today launched a massive search operation after Army personnel foiled a suspected terrorist attack on their camp in Jammu, three days after a deadly strike by Jaish-e-Mohammad group killed seven people at Sunjuwan military station, an official said. "An attack (on a camp) was averted and the terrorist fled away," Jammu-based Army spokesperson Lt Col Devender Anand told PTI. A senior police officer said two motorcycle-borne terrorists are believed to have approached the main gate of the camp at Domana on Jammu-Akhnoor road around 0430 hours and fired on the sentry post after security officials signalled them to stop, prompting retaliation. "An investigation has started and a search operation is underway to trackdown the fleeing terrorists," the official said adding that an alert has been sounded in the area. Heavily-armed terrorists of Pakistan-based Jaish-e- Mohammad (JeM) group struck an Army camp in Sunjuwan area in Jammu on Saturday morning, triggering a gunbattle in which six soldiers and a civilian died. Three terrorists were also killed by the security forces. Yesterday, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited Jammu to take stock of the situation following the attack. She blamed Pakistan for the attack and said Islamabad will pay the price for the "misadventure". "Pakistan will pay for this misadventure. I repeat Pakistan will pay for it," she told reporters. Asked whether the Indian government was sharing evidence with Pakistan, Sitharaman said "yes". "Yes, all the evidences which have been collected will be compiled and definitely the evidences will be given - as always - to Pakistan. But Pakistan, inspite of being given dossiers after dossiers, has not taken any action," she said. Her visit came as another encounter between security forces and terrorists began to unfold in Srinagar's Karan Nagar area. The ecounter was still on, a CRPF official said this morning. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/KOCHI, DHNS: Five people were killed and 11 others injured in an explosion on board a drill ship at the Cochin Shipyard on Tuesday. The blast occurred at about 9.30 am when workers were engaged in cutting and welding works in the ballast tank of Sagar Bhushan, a drill ship owned by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC). The vessel was dry-docked at the shipyard to carry out maintenance work. Madhu S Nair, chairman and managing director of the Cochin Shipyard (CSL), said gas entrapment could have led to the accident. "Since there was a loud noise and an explosion, we could be fairly sure that there was gas entrapment. The reasons could be confirmed only through a detailed probe," Nair said. The deceased, all of them Keralite employees in the shipyard, have been identified as Gavin Reji, M M Ramshad, Unnikrishnan, K B Jayan and Kannan. The injured are admitted in two hospitals. Doctors monitoring their treatment at the Medical Trust Hospital said the condition of one of them - who sustained 45% burns - was critical. Thick fumes after the explosion reportedly hampered initial stages of operations by the Fire and Rescue Services personnel. Kochi City Police Commissioner M P Dinesh told reporters that some of the deaths were caused by suffocation due to the fumes. It is learnt that only contract workers on overtime were involved in maintenance of the ship since Tuesday was a public holiday on account of Mahashivaratri. The ship was dry-docked on January 12 as part of four-month-long repair works. The shipyard has been handling maintenance works on the ONGC vessel, built in 1987, for about 25 years. "All safety procedures are in place at the shipyard. Only a detailed probe will expose lapses, if any, in the standard operating procedure," Nair said. Minister for Shipping and Water Resources Nitin Gadkari said he had directed Nair to ensure necessary medical support to the victims and immediately initiate an inquiry into the incident. Separate probes into the incident will be carried out by CSL, the Directorate General of Shipping and the Department of Factories and Boilers. Nair said Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan was sending an emissary to take stock of the situation. The CSL management has announced Rs 10 lakh each as compensation to families of the deceased. China is "coercing" its neighbours to reorder the Indo-Pacific region to its advantage, the Pentagon has told Congress amid Beijing flexing its muscles in the East and South China Seas. As China continues its economic and military ascendance, asserting power through an all-of-nation long-term strategy, it will continue to pursue a military modernisation programme that seeks Indo-Pacific regional hegemony in the near-term and displacement of the US to achieve global preeminence in the future, the Pentagon said. "China is leveraging military modernisation, influence operations and predatory economics to coerce neighbouring countries to reorder the Indo-Pacific region to their advantage," it said in its annual defence budget for the fiscal 2019. China claims sovereignty over all of the South China Sea. Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims. China is engaged in hotly contested territorial disputes in the East China Sea, too, with Japan. Beijing has built up and militarised many of the islands and reefs it controls in the region. Both areas are stated to be rich in minerals, oil and other natural resources. They are also vital to global trade. The most far-reaching objective of America's defence strategy is to set the military relationship between the US and China on a path of transparency and non-aggression, the Pentagon said. According to the Pentagon, the central challenge to the US prosperity and security is the reemergence of long-term, strategic competition by what the National Security Strategy classifies as revisionist powers. "It is increasingly clear that China and Russia want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model A gaining veto authority over other nations' economic, diplomatic and security decisions," it said. The Pentagon said Russia seeks veto authority over nations on its periphery in terms of its governmental, economic and diplomatic decisions to shatter the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and to change European and Middle East security and economic structures to its favour. The use of emerging technologies to discredit and subvert democratic processes in Georgia, Crimea and eastern Ukraine is concern enough, but when coupled with its expanding and modernising nuclear arsenal the challenge is clear. "Rogue regimes such as North Korea and Iran are destabilising their regions by pursuing nuclear weapons or sponsoring terrorism," the Pentagon said. North Korea seeks to guarantee regime survival and increased leverage through a mixture of nuclear, biological, chemical, conventional and unconventional weapons and a growing ballistic missile capability to gain coercive influence over South Korea, Japan and the US. Tourists visiting Taj Mahal will have to take a separate ticket worth Rs 200 per person for entry to the main mausoleum of the iconic monument in Agra from April this year. For every tourist, there will also be a three-hour cap on visiting the Taj Mahal premises, other than the main mausoleum. The tickets to be sold with bar codes will become automatically invalid after three hours. From April, the price of the entry tickets for the domestic tourists will also become costlier by Rs 10. The price of entry tickets will be increased from the current Rs 40 to Rs 50. The culture ministry has decided to introduce these measures to regulate "the visiting crowd" at the iconic Taj Mahal. "The decision was taken in consultation with the local administration of Agra and other stakeholders. We will soon be notifying the new rates and other entry rules along with the date from which they become effective," Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma told reporters here on Tuesday. The price of the entry tickets for foreign tourists will remain the same. It will continue to cost them Rs 1,250 per person. Foreign tourists, however, also have to take a separate ticket worth RS 200 for entry to the main mausoleum at Taj Mahal. "These measures will be introduced not to generate more revenue but to segregate the crowd inside the iconic monument. There is no other option to manage the crowd. Tourists, particularly those visiting Taj Mahal, from various countries, face lot of problems as the visitors queue is often too long. Sometime crowd also becomes unmanageable," the minister said. The culture ministry plans to introduce "similar measures for segregation of visiting crowd" at the Red Fort in Delhi and other monuments in future, he added. Besides, the Uttar Pradesh government is considering making touting a cognizable offence to put a curb on "lepka (touting) culture" in Agra. "This is very necessary as sometimes guides and other persons harass foreign tourists. There have been complaints that they also molest women tourists. The Uttar Pradesh government has taken a very serious view of it and is considering to make 'lepka' a cognizable offence," the culture minister said. The Supreme Court recently directed the Uttar Pradesh government to prepare a comprehensive plan for protection and preservation of Taj Mahal in the next four weeks as pollution continues to rob the the beauty and splendour of the majestic monument in Agra. The apex court also sought an explanation from the state government as to why there was a sudden burst of activities in and around the Taj Mahal and the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ). "We have about 20 acres of land along the Yamuna River. We will develop it into a green park for the tourists. We will also make arrangements for night viewing of Taj Mahal from a nearby Mehtab Bagh so that more tourist can enjoy it. At present, there is space for 400 people only at the location marked for night viewing of Taj Mahal," Sharma added. The CPM unveiled its draft political resolution on Tuesday ruling out an electoral understanding or alliance with Congress or be part of any national coalition for the Lok Sabha polls while keeping open options to have ties with regional parties in states. The battle within the party is now moving to another level, with warring factions led by general secretary Sitaram Yechury and his predecessor Prakash Karat trying to consolidate their position before the Hyderabad Party Congress in April. Yechury's supporters are planning to use the two-month window to move amendments in the Party Congress and garner support for their line of keeping options open to have an understanding with the Rahul Gandhi-led Congress. The Karat-led faction had managed to trounce their efforts in the Central Committee meeting last month, which finalised the draft. Acknowledging that the "fascistic" RSS-controlled BJP has "consolidated its political position" in the country and that "there cannot be a line of treating both the BJP and Congress as equal dangers", it said the main task is to defeat the BJP and its allies by rallying all secular and democratic forces. However, the CPM feels that "this has to be done without having an understanding or electoral alliance with the Congress". Though it ranks the Congress better than the BJP as both are parties of "big bourgeois-landlord classes", the CPM draft questions the Congress' secular credentials, too, saying it "professes to be secular but it has proved to be incapable of consistently fighting the communal forces". Another problem cited is the Congress' neo-liberal economic policies for its anathema to the Grand Old Party. However, it is ready to cooperate with the Congress and other Opposition parties in Parliament on "agreed issues". It would also cooperate with "all secular Opposition forces" for a broad mobilisation of people against communal threat and wants joint actions of class and mass organisations, to "draw in the masses following the Congress and other bourgeois parties". Amid chanting of 'Jai Shriram' and pledge by the saints and BJP leaders to build a grand Ram Temple, the 'Ramrajya Rathyatra' was flagged from Ayodhya on Tuesday. According to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) from whose headquarters it was flagged off by its international general secretary Champat Rai, the 41-day long 'yatra' would pass through six states, including the poll-bound Karnataka, and end at Rameshwaram. Scores of saints and BJP leaders, including the party's local Lok Sabha member Lallu Singh, were present at the ceremony. All of them took a pledge to build a grand Ram Temple at Ayodhya. VHP leaders said that the 'Rathyatra' would travel through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala besides UP. Although the VHP had claimed that Adityanath would be flagging off the 'yatra', the latter, who was busy campaigning for BJP in Tripura, chose to stay away from the event. While the opposition parties alleged that it was an attempt by the BJP to ''consolidate'' Hindu votes ahead of 2019 Parliamentary elections, the saffron party rejected the charges and claimed that it was organised by a private entity. ''The objective is to mobilise public opinion for Ram Temple construction....people will be made to take the pledge for the same...we aim to collect over a million signature also for this purpose,'' said a VHP leader in Ayodhya. Earlier senior BJP leader L.K.Advani had also embarked on a 'Rathyatra' in 1990 for a similar purpose. The 'yatra' was stopped in Bihar by the then chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, and Advani was arrested. The 'Ramrajya Rathyatra' assumes significance as it comes close on the heels of the arrival of truckloads of red stones from Rajasthan to be used for Ram Temple construction. The VHP has been demanding enactment of a law through a Parliamentary legislation on the lines of Somnath Temple in Gujarat for Ram Temple at Ayodhya. The Defence Ministry today cleared a proposal to buy 7.40 lakh assault rifles at a cost of Rs 12,280 crore for the three services, officials said. The decision was taken at a meeting of Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) presided over by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The defence ministry will also procure light machine guns worth Rs 1,819 crore, they said. In other decisions, a proposal for purchase of 5,719 sniper rifles for the army at a cost of Rs 982 crore was also approved. The Supreme Court on Tuesday clarified that its order for installing CCTV cameras inside the courtrooms and tribunals across the country was not meant for recording the proceedings. "We have passed orders for installation of CCTV cameras so that concerns regarding safety and administration of justice could be addressed. A court proceeding is open to all those who are present in the court but it may not be open to everyone who is not there in the court too," a bench of Justices Adarsh K Goel and U U Lalit said. The court, however, said whether the terminal of CCTV cameras may be available with an oversight committee can be considered by high courts and the central government. A separate plea by senior advocate Indira Jaising and others for live streaming of court proceedings is pending before a different bench presided over by Chief Justice Dipak Misra. As senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, appearing as an amicus curiae, contended that recording the proceedings may require certain safeguards, especially in cases of sexual assaults, protected witnesses in sensitive cases, family disputes and juvenile cases, the bench said the purpose of the order was to ensure discipline, security and oversight. The court said the concerns about the identity of victims and witnesses may also be considered by the High Courts and the central government and necessary instructions may be issued from time to time as may be found appropriate. The court said installation of CCTV cameras can also be considered in state tribunals and quasi-judicial authorities, including the Executive Magistrate and Revenue Courts. A report submitted by Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand on the status of installation of CCTV in tribunals was commended by the court as "great work". The court put the matter arising out of a writ petition filed by Pradyuman Bisht in 2015 for further consideration on April 5. The government has decided to set up three museums dedicated to the legendary freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose and his Indian National Army (INA) with two to be established in Delhi and one in Kolkata. The Union Culture Ministry has also decided to establish a museum on the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad and one museum in Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh which will showcase "the culture of the Gorakhpur region" along with life and contributions of the 11th century Hindu saint Gorakhnath. "We will tell you in detail about the museum to be set up in Gorakhpur at an appropriate time. It will showcase the culture of Gorakhpur. The museum will also feature Guru Gorakhnath ji along with others," Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma told reporters on Tuesday when asked for more details about the proposed museum in Gorakhpur. While the Culture Ministry will open a permanent museum dedicated to Bose and the INA at Red Fort in Delhi, it is in process of finalising the location for the "the main museum" dedicated to Netaji at some other location in the national capital territory. "The DDA has offered two-three locations in Delhi. We are working on it. We have about 20 acres of land with IGNCA (Indira Gandhi National Centre of Arts). We can also think of establishing the museum at this location. In Delhi, we hardly see Bose's presence. We have decided that through the INA, we will create a grand museum dedicated to Bose," Sharma added. Another museum dedicated to Bose will be set up at the old building of the National Library in Kolkata. This museum will showcase life and contributions of Jan Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, Rabindra Nath Tagore and Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, besides those of Bose and the INA, the culture minister said at a press conference. "Work is on to establish a grand Ramayana Museum in Ayodhya. We held a meeting on this on Sunday," the minister added, when asked for the progress made in the setting up of this museum. The government Tuesday gave details of a Budget proposal to merge all small savings schemes such as PPF, Sukanya Samridhhi Yojana, National Savings Certificate, Kisan Vikas Patra and other time deposits under one umbrella. It also sought to allay fears that the new law will take away any benefit of the old ones. Instead, it said the proposed law will allow pre-mature withdrawals in case of medical and educational needs. The umbrella act will be known as Government Savings Promotion Act. At present, small savings schemes are covered under different acts and withdrawals from them comes at a high cost with a lot of difficulty. The proposal, which is partly highlighted in the Finance Bill, 2018, will have to be passed by Parliament before it becomes a law. Parliament re-assembles in March to discuss on tax proposals. The new proposal also amounts to repeal of the Public Provident Fund Act of 1968 but the government said all existing protections of the previous PPF Act would be retained. "In order to remove existing ambiguities due to multiple Acts and rules for small saving schemes and further strengthen the objective of "minimum government, maximum governance", Government of India has proposed merger of Government Savings Certificates Act, 1959 and Public Provident Fund Act, 1968 with the Government Savings Banks Act, 1873. With a single act, relevant provisions of the Government Savings Certificates (NSC) Act, 1959 and the Public Provident Fund Act, 1968 would stand subsumed in the new amended Act without compromising on any of the functional provision of the existing Act," the finance ministry said in a note. "No existing benefits to depositors are proposed to be taken away through this process. The main objective in proposing a common Act is to make implementation easier for the depositors as they need not go through different rules and Acts for understanding the provision of various small saving schemes, and also to introduce certain flexibilities for the investors," it said. The clarification came days after media raised concerns on the protection of PPF deposits under the proposed new law in case of attachment. Currently, PPF enjoyed the freedom from court attachment in case any debt or other liability incurred by the investor. "Concerns have been raised from different corners and also by print and social media that the government aims to bring down the protection against the attachment of Public Provident Fund Account under any decree or order of any court in respect of any debt or liability incurred by the depositors. It is made clear that there is no proposal to withdraw the said provision and the existing and future depositors will continue to enjoy protection from the attachment under the amended umbrella Act as well," the ministry said. As per the present PPF Act, the first withdrawal from the 15-year PPF account is allowed only in the seventh year. That too only half of the balance in the PPF account at the fourth year can be withdrawn. Premature closures of the PPF account can be done in case of emergencies but a heavy interest has to be paid. Closure norms for National Saving Certificates are tougher than PPF. Once the Act is passed by Parliament, the government will make pre-mature closure provisions through notification for each scheme separately, according to a senior government official. The official said the changes are being made in line with the recommendations of the Law Commission, which had proposed amalgamation and a single act. Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday hit out at the PDP and BJP for continuing with their "opportunistic alliance" in Jammu and Kashmir even as soldier paid the price "with their blood." Rahul also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "dithering" even as terrorist launched attacks on Army camp in Jammu and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti for voicing divergent views on dealing with Pakistan. "1. PDP says 'talks' with Pakistan. 2. BJP Defence Minister says 'Pakistan will pay the price'. While our soldiers pay with their blood for BJP/PDP's opportunistic alliance and non-existent Kashmir policy; Modi Ji dithers," Rahul said on Twitter. Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari hit out at both Mufti and Sitharaman saying that it expected the government to "act" against terror and not "talk about terror" with Pakistan. "This country does not want you to talk to Pakistan about terror; it wants you to act on the commitment that you had made to the people of India that you would act on the question of terror," Tewari said. The Congress leader also questioned the Modi government's policy towards Pakistan and said that remarks such as 'Pakistan will have to pay ', made by the defence minister on Monday, did not serve any purpose as there was no decline in cross-border terrorism. "It is in fact intensifying a we would like to ask them (government) what has this talking to Pakistan on terror yielded in the past 45 months," Tewari said. Mufti had called for talks with Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue a day after terrorists attacked the Sunjwan Army Camp near Jammu and made an unsuccessful attempt to storm the CRPF camp in Srinagar. Rahul has been accusing the Modi government of "opening up space" for terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir by entering into an "opportunistic alliance" with the PDP. He had said that by entering into an alliance, the BJP had destroyed the PDP as an instrument that could bring youngsters of Kashmir into the political process. "You are precious, realise the value within you and stand for the pride of the institution," was Dr Srinivas V Kaveri's message to students at the 55th Awards and annual day of the Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MAHE, at the MIT Quadrangle. Dr Kaveri, director, CNRS Bureau, Embassy of France, New Delhi, told the graduating students in particular that contributing to their Alma Mater was of utmost importance. Students who excelled in academics in various programmes received endowment awards and certificates. Merit certificates were given to all students who scored distinction (GPA 7.5 and above) in the university examinations. Dr Richard Lobo, Dr Angel Alex, and Dr Sudheer Moorkoth, faculty members of pharmacognosy, pharmaceutical biotechnology and quality assurance respectively, received the 'good teacher' awards. The 'Teacher of the Year Award' was bagged by Dr Srinivas Mutalik, professor of pharmaceutics and the 'Best Supporting Staff Award' by Ravi. Dr Angel also received the TMA Pai gold medal for her outstanding research paper published in a high impact factor journal. Students received awards instituted by Innovative Communication Club of MCOPS for abstract making, photography and short video contests. Dr H Vinod Bhat, vice chancellor, MAHE; registrar Dr Narayan Sabhahit; pro vice chancellor Dr Poornima Baliga; and director a Research (Health Sciences) Dr N Udupa were present. Dominating the Vatican news cycle over the past week was a controversial statement made by the Chancellor of the Vaticans Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences. In a Spanish interview, it was the Argentine Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo who said upon returning to Rome from Beijing: Right now, those who are the best at implementing the [Catholic] Churchs social doctrine are the Chinese. Just to be clear: Bishop Sanchez was not inferring that the Chinese Catholic Church or Chinese Catholic faithful were the best at erecting a societal model based on Catholic social teaching, but rather the Chinese communist government. Even the Vatican Insider journalist, Andres Beltramo, who interviewed Bishop Sanchez was stunned: As such, these are very unusual words. Unthinkable years ago. Much less so from a Vatican official. [And] he said it with conviction. Andres Beltramos oh my moment was an understatement when compared to dumbfounded reactions of other pundits like Actons Samuel Gregg, who referred to Sanchezs remarks as outrageous (see Unreality and Incoherence Reign at the Vatican) and Romes preeminent journalist on China and the Catholic Church, Fr. Bernardo Cervellera, who in his op-ed Msgr. Sanchez Sorondo in Wonderland called out the prelates extreme naivety on China. Then there was Pope John Paul IIs biographer George Weigel, who blisteringly wrote that the Argentines statement represented what has become a dysfunctional Vatican and that such thinking approached a psychotic detachment from reality or, worse, a willful ignorance, turning a blind eye to repression and persecution in order to indulge fantasies of a socialist paradise freed from the unpleasantness of bourgeois liberal society. Had Bishop Sanchez simply uttered a broad sweeping claim, while leaning toward ambiguity, his critics might have been more merciful. Alas, stormy reactions ensued precisely because he elaborated on his statement with some very specific observations about why he found Chinese society to be extraordinary. To summarize, Bishop Sanchez said (and I quote the original Spanish so readers do not suspect misinterpretation) the Catholic Churchs social magisterium is best implemented in China because: a) the Chinese value work as the central principle of their lives (el principio central es trabajo, trabajo, trabajo); b) the Chinese have no slums (no tenes villas miserias); c) the Chinese do not do drugs, at least the youth (no tenes droga, los jovenes no tienen droga); d) Chinese politics are not dominated by economics (la economia no domina la politica); e) the Chinese now accept private property (ya aceptan la propriedad privada); f) China defends human human dignity (esta defendido [sic] la dignidad de la persona) and is a moral leader in the environmental stewardship that other countries have abandoned (en eso esta asumiendo un liderazgo moral que otros han dejado). No doubt Bishop Sanchezs tour of Beijing was shrouded in diplomatic pleasantries and carefully choreographed to allow him see only the apparent bright face of Chinese communism, while purposefully avoiding its numerous socio-economic eyesores found in dilapidated city districts and outer rural zones (the very peripheries his boss Pope Francis repeatedly asks Catholics to witness). For sure, the rehearsed conversations steered clearly away from all the thuggery, political cronyism, crime, and direct violation of human rights that take place every day under the Chinese sun. That said, lets do some fact checks on the Bishop Sanchezs main observations: a) Chinese value hard work as the central principle of their lives: With a country of over 760 million workers, it might be difficult to assess the average amount of time per year the Chinese dedicate to work, much less how much they subjectively value long, hard work. However, one study published by The Telegraph, states that while Eastern countries tend to log the most hours per year (South Korea leading the way), Mexico is actually the hardest working nation. China does not even appear in the top 35-40 countries. The United States, Japan, Russia and a number of European Union countries fill the shortlist. An official OECD study backs The Telegraph claims. Some Chinese demographers and sociologists say Chinese work on average between 2000-2200 hours per year, which would place it among the top-ten hardest working nations, but at the same time complain that China works too much. In the Wall Street Journal we read: Lai Desheng, a Beijing Normal University professor who led the study of Chinese [labor] , said long working hours arent in Chinas best interest It may have been one of the secrets that help created the China miracle but it has created a lot of problems [like] the frequency of workplace accidents, which tend to happen when workers are tired. Facts aside, Catholic Social Teaching has traditionally warned against making idols of excess economic production when proper time must also be dedicated to developing family relationships, prayer and worship. b) China has no slums: China has plenty of regions of abject poverty and massive residential slums. Even the wealthy cities of Beijing and Shanghai have their neighborhoods of dangerous construction with makeshift electrical supply and plumbing, like the many rundown neighborhoods not too distant from Tienenman Square. One slum in Beijing that is particularly hard to see and surely Bishop Sanchezs escorts did not dare show him is the cavernous network of windowless basements and ex-bomb shelters. According to a Newsweek report, this massive underground slum amounts to about 1,000,000 cheap, dingy living spaces for the so-called floating population that come to Beijing looking for temporary work and need temporary housing. These dark living quarters are frequently dens of disease and illicit activity. c) Chinese youth dont do drugs: As recently as 2015, the Chinese government issued a massive drug crackdown in over 100 cities, especially against highly illegal cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, methamphetamine and other synthetic drugs like ice frequently consumed by the Chinese youth. According to the New York Times, in that same year, Beijing had registered 2.75 million drug users, 75% of which were under the age of 35. The same report notes that Chinas growing prosperity has turned recreational drug use into an $82 billion annual domestic business. According to the Chinese police, this represents only a fraction of known users: Liu Yuejin, director general of the governments anti-narcotics division, estimated the actual number of addicts at roughly 13 million, half of whom are suspected of using methamphetamine, up from nine percent of addicts who were suspected of using that drug in 2008. China is also the super supplier of synthetic opioids widely used by youth in the American market and, therefore, contributing to the number one cause of premature death due to drug overdose. This is so because Chinese drug labs constantly alter chemical formulas before they become registered as illegal narcotics by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. In a recent New York Times report (Despite Trumps Pleas, Chinas Online Opioid Bazaar Is Booming), we read China is the main source of cheap and deadly fentanyl: The ease of buying opioids from China illustrates how difficult it will be for the United States to win the war on the worst drug epidemic in American history. While China has pledged to work with the United States to stop the flow of opioids, experts say it will be tough because of the countrys lax regulation of chemical companies, a sprawling industry of more than 30,000 businesses that face few requirements for transparency. d) Chinese politics are not dominated by economics: With a country bent on becoming an economic superpower, how can one not claim that economics does not dominate politics? Furthermore, communism more than any other political ideology is founded on the principle of building an economic paradise where all workers have jobs, all welfare benefits are protected by a rich nanny state, and that key industries are controlled and planned by the political class. Even in the so-called Special Economic Zones, where the free market is encouraged and tolerated in China, the winners in globally competitive markets are often the result of politicians favoring certain industries over others or giving commercial licenses only to elite members of the communist party in an official form of collusion (see Singapore Management University study Sugar Coated Bullets: Corruption and the New Economic Order in China). Beijing politicians have such a focused tight grip on the economy, it is reported, that the artificial fluctuation of the Yuan is usually at the center of technical debate at the National Peoples Congress of the Communist Party held every five years. In the South China Morning Post we read: [While] setting the stage for Chinas National Peoples Congress of the Communist Party, President Xi Jinping said that [monetary] stability was an absolute principle that needs to be dealt with using strong hands. Chinas government is also known for creating all sorts of false statistics as a form of damage control when its political system enacts failed economic policies that reflect poorly on the efficacy of its brand of communism. e) the Chinese now accept private property: Acceptance of private property in a free culture is the hallmark of private competition, where individual owners of goods and services trade fairly with each other. If the Chinese private property culture is really thriving and or generally accepted, why do we then find the biggest benefactors of private property actually profiteering directly at the hands of state-owned industries? In an article by John Lee (Chinas Rich Lists Riddled With Communist Party Members) we discover a fact that few Chinese economy advocates want to openly admit: 90% of the 1,000 richest people are either officials or members of the Chinese Communist Party. [This] is a troubling sign. Almost all of Chinas richest people have made their money in state-dominated sectors, such as property and construction, resources, other heavy industries and telecommunications. This could be through preferential access to the best land (often seized illegally from citizens) for property developers, privileged access to below market rates of capital, or special access to raising capital or equity in listed SOEs. Regarding the respect of intellectual property rights, Chinese industries are frequently accused of intentional violation in the highly competitive sectors of information technology, pharmaceuticals and fashion. Back in 2012, China was placed on an IPR priority watch list along with 13 major trade partners of North American industries. In 2017 the United States Office of Trade Representative, under President Trump, increased pressure on China to end industrial espionage which according to economic analysts Keith Alexander and Dennis Blair has been pillaging the intellectual property of American companies. up to $600 billion a year, the greatest transfer of wealth in history. China accounts for most of that loss. f) China is moral leader in defending human dignity and environmental stewardship: In 2015 China eliminated its infamous one-child policy to make way for a little less draconian two-child policy. But this was no major step forward in increasing fundamental respect for human dignity and the natural right to life and procreation. In an Amnesty International article, we read the expected no-so-good news: The move to change Chinas one-child policy is not enough. Couples that have two children could still be subjected to coercive and intrusive forms of contraception, and even forced abortions which amount to torture. The state has no business regulating how many children people have. If China is serious about respecting human rights, the government should immediately end such invasive and punitive controls over peoples decisions to plan families and have children. The problem with the one-child policy lies not in the number of children allowed. The problem lies with the coercive enforcement of the birth limit. One could go on and on about violations of natural rights, such as the continued existence of Lagaoi labor camps (where millions have been incarcerated, and even died, based on vague indictments since 1949) and the recent prohibition of minors entering places of Christian worship. Even if China adheres to all the top international environmental accords to limit pollution, greenhouse gasses and deforestation, its communist government often violates these very same agreements soon after signing them. Report after report shows Chinas air pollution levels continually increasing to hazardous levels, its deserts growing faster than any others on earth, its waste growing twice as fast as the population, and its drinking water becoming as dangerous as the air Chinese breathe. The latest Environmental Protection Index rates China at 109, well in the bottom half of 180 total countries. All in all, when the facts are checked, China receives an abysmal Catholic social teaching report card. And we should not be the least surprised. Jeniffer Wilches contributed to this blog. India is all set to host an international Theatre Olympics for the first time, from February 17. Themed "Flag of Friendship", the eighth edition of the 51-day long mega theatre extravaganza and contest will be inaugurated at the Red Fort in Delhi at 6.30 PM by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu. The fest, being held under the aegis of the National School of Drama (NSD), will conclude on April 8 with a grand ceremony at the iconic Gateway of India in Mumbai. The theatre fest will travel to a total of 17 cities across the country, including Bengaluru, with 450 shows, 600 "ambience" performances and 250 power packed youth forum shows. A total of 2,500 artistes from across the globe, including India, will participate in the mega event. Theatre artistes from 30 countries, including US, UK, Japan and Israel, will participate in the contest. Pakistan will not be represented as none of the five plays entered by artistes from the neighbouring country could qualify, according to the NSD. In view of the Theatre Olympics, the annual 'Rang Mahotsava' of the NSD will not be held this year. "This is a historic moment. India will get the opportunity to showcase its talent. The variety, forms, depth, styles, practices and philosophy that India has in performing arts is perhaps not available in any other country in the world. Rang Mahotsava will continue to be held from next year," NSD director Waman Kendre told reporters. "We will try to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the closing ceremony in Mumbai," Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma said. Bengaluru leg The Bengaluru leg of the theatre fest will be from February 20 to March 6. A total of 13 plays in various languages, including English, Hindi, Telugu and Kannada, will be staged at Ravindra Kalakshetra, 10 plays at Kalagram and two at Kalagram open lawn. A national seminar on theatre will be held in Bengaluru. One seminar each will also be held in Bhopal, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Kolkata and Varanasi. "One international seminar each will be held in Delhi and Mumbai. These seminars will be attended by national and international academicians and scholars along with several eminent theatre practitioners," the NSD director said. Hall of fame Foreign invitees for the event include Theodoros Terzopoulos, chairman of the International Committee of Theatre Olympics, Greece. Among the Indian theatre maestros are Ratan Thiyam, Alyque Padamsee, Rudraprasad Sengupta, M K Raina, Raj Bisaria, Bansi Kaul, Tripurari Sharma, Maya Rao and Soumitra Chatterjee. The Olympics brings together productions of well-known theatre practitioners from around the world. It was established in Delphi, Greece in 1993 at the initiative of noted Greek theatre director Theodorus Terzopoulos. The first country to host the Olympics was Greece in 1995 and the last mega carnival of theatre was held in Poland in 2016. Mounting pressure on the central and state governments for granting Special Category Status (SCS) to Andhra Pradesh, YSR Congress Party president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy said his party MPs would resign if the demand was not conceded before the end of the Budget Session in April first week. He said the fight would be intensified, and appealed to the people not to be cheated by special packages. Addressing the public in Kaligiri of Nellore district on Tuesday, Jagan set a firm deadline and said his party MPs will quit on April 6 if special category status was not accorded by then. As a run-up to the deadline, the YSRC will draw up an action plan to mount pressure, hold state-wide protests and lay siege to collector offices in all the 13 districts on March 1. There will also be a nationwide campaign with the slogan 'SCS is our right, do not be cheated by Special Package', he said, addressing a public meeting as part of the Praja Sankalpa Yatra. "The fight will be taken to the national capital, with party MPs, MLAs and other leaders marching to Parliament on March 5," he said. The fight will continue on various forums for SCS inside and outside Parliament throughout the Budget Session and if there is no response from the Centre, all party MPs would submit their resignations on April 6. He also hit out at the TDP and said the Chandrababu Naidu government has always been on a path of compromise. Any university with a 3.51 and above rating by a government accreditation body, or figures among the top 500 world universities, will be entitled to greater autonomy under a new grading mechanism of the University Grants Commission (UGC). The UGC proposes to bunch such universities under Category I, according to its new regulation for grant of "graded autonomy" to universities, which was notified on Tuesday. Varsities with a rating of 3.26 to 3.50 by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), will be placed in Category II. Remaining universities will come under Category III. Top universities (Category I) would be completely free from the regulatory control of the government in most areas of their functioning. A Category I university will not require UGC approval for starting a new course, programme or establishment of a new department, school or centre in the disciplines that form a part of their existing academic framework, provided they finance the initiatives on their own. Total freedom Such varsities will also not require UGC approval for opening constituent units or off-campus centres within its geographical jurisdiction; starting skill development courses consistent with the National Skills Qualification Framework; opening research parks, incubation centres and university society linkage centres through self-financing mode. "...for Government owned Deemed to be Universities, approval shall be taken from the Government if funding is sought from the Government for starting a new course/programme/department/school in self-financing mode," The UGC (Categorisation of Universities (only) for Grant of Graded Autonomy) Regulations, 2018 stipulate. Category I universities will have the freedom to hire foreign faculty on "tenure/contract" basis up to 20% over and above their sanctioned faculty strength; admit foreign students on merit up to a maximum of 20% of total seats; offer competitive salary to faculty members with provision for incentives and start courses in open and distance learning mode. They will also be free to decide on academic collaborations with any of the top 500 world universities ranked by international rating agencies like Times Higher Education. Categories II, III Category II varsities will enjoy almost the same extent of autonomy as Category I universities, except that the toppers will be automatically deemed to be under section 12B of the UGC Act 1956 without any inspection by the Commission. Category-III universities will face increased monitoring and regulatory control by the government. "This is not to punish them but enable them to catch up with others in terms of performance so that they can also climb up the ladder and face minimum regulatory control," a HRD Ministry official said. Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who has been mounting an attack on the BJP over unemployment, candidly admitted on Tuesday that even the previous UPA government at the Centre had not delivered on the job-creation front. "Even the UPA did not create the number of jobs required," Rahul said during his opening remarks at an interaction with professionals and businesspersons. Throughout his 4-day tour of the poll-bound Karnataka, which concluded on Tuesday, Rahul has attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "failing to create the promised two crore jobs every year." According to the Congress leader, China created 50,000 jobs a day whereas India created only 450 jobs a day. The only way India could compete with China was by creating more jobs, and not militarily, he said. Death for child rapists? Rahul said he would discuss with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on the pros and cons of awarding death penalty to child rapists. This, after child rights activist Geeta Sajjanshetty urged Rahul not to allow the state government to amend the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act on the lines of what Madhya Pradesh has done. "World over, we have seen that death penalty has no deterrent value. We should focus instead on victims," she said. In response, Rahul said: "I'll have a conversation with the chief minister and we'll let you know." JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday charged the state government with awarding various projects to contractors from outside the state, for a commission. Kumaraswamy's remarks comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "10% sarkar" charge against the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy attacked the government for depriving local contractors of works, in its greed to get a cut in the projects. Kumaraswamy dared Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his Cabinet colleagues M B Patil and H C Mahadevappa to announce the number of projects awarded to "Kannadigas". Citing the example of the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy said the government had ordered works of the layout formation to the "same" company which had bid for the controversial steel bridge project. Charging that the government was spending Rs 38 crore to lay 1-km road, he wondered if these roads were getting gold or silver coating. The government has recently awarded the Kempegowda Layout works to Larson&Tubro Construction, the same company which had bagged the steel bridge project in a joint venture with Nagarjuna Construction Company Ltd. After facing stiff opposition, the government had later dropped the project. Kumaraswamy said that the previous BJP government too had demanded cuts in projects. "The only difference is that the percentage amount has increased under this government," he added. The JD(S) is gearing up for a massive rally on the outskirts of Bengaluru on February 17, where it will formally forge a pre-poll alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and also announce its first list of candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections. BSP chief Mayawati will be participating in the rally to be organised near Yelahanka. The party is planning to mobilise close to 10 lakh people for the rally, JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy told reporters here on Tuesday. Kumaraswamy claimed that the rally would be much bigger than what the BJP and the Congress had organised recently. "Never before in the history of the nation has such a big rally would have been organised. Through this rally, party workers will send across a message to the national parties. This rally is an indication that the JD(S) will come to power in the state," he added. Kumaraswamy said that the party would announce the list of 140 candidates, who will be made to take an oath during the event. He said that though the JD(S) had delayed announcing its list of candidates, the party was still a step ahead of the BJP and the Congress. He said that the party would also officially launch its poll campaign on the day. For the campaigning activities, the party would be deploying 100 LED vehicles/vans in across the state, he added. Alliance with BSP On the party's pre-poll alliance with the BSP, Kumaraswamy said that there was an urgent need for regional parties to come to power. Admitting that the BSP had not won even a single seat during the last Karnataka Assembly election, Kumaraswamy said that the idea was to dent the Congress's prospects. The Congress had suffered a setback because of the BSP in 2013, he said, adding, "What's important is that they (BSP) lost on a small margin." Jain Mutt seer Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami on Tuesday, said a huge procession is being organised atop the Vindhyagiri on February 16, with more than one lakh devotees expected to participate. Speaking to reporters here, he said, in all 24 palanquins, five chariots, six religious epics, silver palanquin of Dakshina Kannada, Dharmadhwaja and around 20 folk troupes will add colour to the procession, which will begin at 2 pm and end at 7 pm. Mahamastakabhisheka with 108 kalashas will be held for the Bahubali statue on February 17 from 2 pm to 6 pm and attended by 350 Jain munis. The public will be allowed darshan from evening. Around 5,000 people will be allowed to sit on the attic. From February 18, abhishekas will be held from 8 am to 1.30 pm. The public can have darshan and perform abhisheka after that, the seer explained. Vardhamanasagar Maharaj, who has participated in three Mahamastakabhisheka festivals, has arrived from Rajasthan. Tyaginagar, which accommodates munis is full, and alternative arrangements are being made for other munis, he said. Earlier, the officials tested the strength of the scaffolding constructed using German technology atop Vindhyagiri, with more than 3,000 people seated on it. A rehearsal of where the munis, dignitaries and others would be seated was conducted and safety measures were tested. Hassan DC Rohini Sindhuri, SP Rahul Kumar, PWD engineer Nagaraj and the officials of the construction company inspected the procedure. Sindhuri said around 5,000 people can be seated on the scaffolding. Separate galleries have been created and seating arrangements have been made for munis, dignitaries, mediapersons and those who purchase the kalashas. Rahul Kumar said 10 CCTV cameras have been installed around the scaffolding. Safety arrangements can be viewed from the control room and wireless system is being used. As only 5,000 people can be seated on the scaffolding, only devotees with passes are allowed, he said. The Centre on Tuesday approved the purchase of weapons worth about Rs 15,931 crore for the armed forces to help them deal with security challenges along the nation's disputed borders. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council, which approved the "Capital Acquisition Proposals" of the army, air force and navy. The shopping list cleared by DAC includes light machine guns (LMGs), assault rifles, sniper rifles and advanced torpedo decoy systems. The DAC approved the large-scale purchase of weapons at a time when the armed forces are facing security challenges along India's disputed borders with Pakistan and China. The procurement of "essential quantity" of LMGs through the Fast Track Procedure was approved at an estimated cost of over Rs 1,819 crore. "This procurement will meet the operational requirement of the troops deployed on the borders. A concurrent proposal is being processed for the balance quantity to be procured under the 'Buy and Make (Indian)' categorisation," the Ministry of Defence (MoD) stated. The DAC approved procurement of 7.4 lakh assault rifles. These rifles will be 'Made in India' under the 'Buy and Make (Indian)' category, through the Ordnance Factory Board and Private Industry at an estimated cost of Rs 12,280 crore. "In the last one month, to equip the soldiers on the border with modern and more effective equipment, the DAC has fast-tracked procurement of the three main personal weapons a rifles, carbines and LMGs," the MoD stated. The DAC also gave its nod to the procurement of 5,719 sniper rifles for the army and the air force at an estimated cost of Rs 982 crore. The MoD officials said that high precision weapons would be bought with 'Buy Global' categorisation, while the ammunition for them would be initially procured and subsequently manufactured in India. To enhance the anti-submarine warfare capabilities of the Navy's warships, the DAC approved procurement of 'Mareech' Advanced Torpedo Decoy Systems (ATDS). The 'Mareech' ATDS has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and has successfully completed extensive trial evaluations. The 'Mareech' systems will be produced by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bengaluru, at an estimated cost of Rs 850 crore. The approvals for fast-track procurement of weapons came just after the deadly terror attacks on a military camp at Sunjuwan in Jammu and near a paramilitary camp at Karan Nagar in Kashmir. The attacks were carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, both based in Pakistan. Apart from dealing with terrorism and infiltration attempts, the army is also retaliating against repeated violation of ceasefire by the soldiers and border guards of Pakistan along the Line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir. The 72-day long face-off between the Indian Army and China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) in Doklam Plateau in western Bhutan from June 18 to August 28 brought to focus the protracted boundary dispute between the two nations. The reports about fresh build-up by the PLA near the scene of the face-off as well as construction attempts and transgressions by the neighbouring country's soldiers elsewhere along the Line of Actual Control underlined the need for the army to be on its toes. Christian life relies on faith, not on sight. But it is a serendipity when social science bears out its teachings about spiritual and religious freedom and it is particularly delicious when those findings are featured on NPR. The worlds wealthiest and most individualistic countries also happen to be some of the most altruistic, wrote Georgetown Universitys Abigail March on the news services website. A 2017 study (which relies, in part, on the work of Angus Deaton) has found dramatic shifts toward greater individualism around the world, rising by 12 percent since 1960. March compared this with an annual survey by the Charities Aid Foundation and was startled by the results. The nations that provide the most help to strangers, she wrote, include the worlds five most individualistic countries the United States (2nd most generous), Australia (3rd), New Zealand (4th), Canada (6th), and the United Kingdom (8th). A beggar with no ties to the society, according to Marchs analysis, would fare better in a free society than a collectivist one. Members of collectivist cultures do very much value generosity and giving but primarily toward family and members of other close-knit groups, March writes. Collectivist nations separate people into indelible categories that both are unchosen and unchangeable. In less free societies, charity encounters hard and unchosen boundaries: tribe, ethnicity, religion, language, or nationality. Their philosophy presumes that group identity is paramount. Thats the fundamental philosophy that drove the Soviet Union and Maoist China, said Jordan Peterson in his recent, well-publicized interview with Cathy Newman. And its the fundamental philosophy of the left-wing activists. Its identity politics. Economic or biological determinism and their attendant identity politics are a miasma, whether promoted by the Left or the Alt-Right, because they replace concern with indifference. They constrict love and compassion. Looking at the data, March has discovered a hard truth: Collectivism is a strong enough force to close the human heart. Individualist societies see people precisely as individuals. It is the defining mark of the Parable of the Good Samaritan, who ignored ethnic loyalties to care for a fellow human being in dire circumstances. In the Eastern Christian tradition, Jesus is identified with the Good Samaritan and referred to as O Filanqropos, the Lover of Mankind. Christians are called to respond to His initiative by proactively seeking out opportunities to care for the His suffering children. In light of the data, March concluded that equating individualism, and the wealth that promotes it, with selfishness may be a mistake. (One wishes she used a stronger verb than may, but one may forgive an academic.) She would have found another confluence by noting the most philanthropic nations relative positions on the Fraser Institutes world ranking of economic freedom: U.S. (13), Australia (7), New Zealand (3), Canada (5), and the UK (10). By the same logic above, mutatis mutandis, you could conclude that it is a mistake to ascribe the promotion of a free market economy to selfishness, or greed. Those of us who promote economic freedom and a free and virtuous society do so precisely because it aids those most in need: the isolated individual with no community to care for him or her and because it frees the rest of us to become Good Samaritans. (Photo credit: Ed Yourdon. This photo has been cropped. CC BY-SA 2.0.) Two workers died of asphyxiation when they were trying to clear a clogged drain of a hotel at AECS Layout in Bengaluru on Tuesday. The victims, Ramu (25) and Ravi (28), both daily wage labourers from Raichur, were living in Bengaluru for the past six years. The incident occurred around 4.15 pm at 'YumLok'. "The waste food materials and drainage water from the hotel was getting collected in a sump which had an outlet to the external underground drainage system. This drainage was blocked for the last few days," the police said. The building caretaker Venkatesh called Ramu and Ravi to clear the blockage. Ramu first got into the sump and started gasping for breath and collapsed. Ravi jumped in to rescue him but he, too, collapsed. The hotel staff informed the police, who alerted the Fire and Emergency Services. The firemen rushed to the spot and pulled out Ramu and Ravi. The victims were rushed to Vydhehi Hospital, where they were declared brought dead. The postmortem will be conducted on Wednesday. The hotel manager, Ayush Gupta, and Venkatesh have been arrested. Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar, who visited the spot, said: "We have taken up a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder along with the provisions under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013." DCP (Whitefield Division) Abdul Ahad said, "We have also picked up BBMP Health Inspector Devaraj for questioning as the hotel has violated several norms." A group of men stabbed a 23-year-old man and robbed him of his mobile phone at K R Market on Monday night. The victim, Bawara Ram Lal, ran for some distance to reach his room, informed his friend Kumar about the incident and collapsed due to heavy bleeding. Kumar rushed Lal to Victoria Hospital but he was declared brought dead. Lal was working at Living Style on B V K Iyengar road. A senior police officer said Lal was from Rajasthan and had come to the city a month ago. He was living in a rented room in Cottonpet with Kumar. Lal's wife Usha lives in the village back home. Lal was returning to his room around 8.30 pm when a group of men stopped him near A S R Street and tried to snatch his mobile phone. When Lal resisted, one of the assailants stabbed him in his leg, snatched the phone and escaped. The police registered a case after the hospital staff alerted them. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. The Chainsmokers Debut New Song "Everybody Hates Me" In Prague: Watch & Enjoy! Here are some exciting news for all The Chainsmokers fans out there. The American DJ/production duo debuted a totally brand new song, potentially titled Everybody Hates Me, last night at a concert in Prague, Czech Republic. New album out soon? It seems that way! Everybody Hates Me is kind of an introspective track where Drew Taggart talks the downfalls of fame in the lyrics. The electronic beat is a banger, though, and the hook is definitely one that will make people lose it on the dancefloor. Such a sweet juxtaposition, right? Yesterdays performance saw Drew running up and down the stage, blasts of fire lighting up the venue, and confetti pouring down everywhere. Give us the studio edit soon please! Subscriber content preview MCALLEN, Texas (AP) Federal authorities have posted a notice to contractors that they intend to award a contract in May for 3 miles of a segment of border wall in Texas' Rio Grande Valley. The notice posted on a government website says the contract would likely be for 3 miles of wall built on existing river levees along the Rio Grande, which forms the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas. . . . Cryptocurrencies, and specifically digital currency offerings, have literally become the modern, investment market equivalent of the Wild West. Hundreds of prospectors have heard about the money on offer and are throwing caution to the wind, risking a lot (everything, in some cases) to make their fortune. Its almost lawless territory and you need to keep your wits about you to survive. This goes for both those offering currency and those investors buying it. As if to highlight the current high-risk high-stakes nature of the crypto world, almost US$660 million in digital coins were stolen during a recent hack of a Japanese crypto exchange. Its the equivalent of an old-fashioned bank hold-up in the crypto world. Anything goes. The frenzy around digital currency has a lot to do with a lack of regulation. Many coin issuers, and too many investors, are seeing it as an incentive to get in quickly. Many are now panicking that regulation will end the party however, my view is that regulation should be embraced. Itll create a more even playing field for all parties. And heres why. The number of global ICOs increased from 46 in 2016 to more than 200 in 2017, with over $US3 billion raised, demonstrating that the appetite is there. There is money to be made but an age-old rule applies short cuts are rarely a path to success. There are two clear sides to the crypto argument the optimists say run in and take your chances as this is the future of investing. Old school fund managers say stay away with some likening investing in digital currency with a trip to a casino. Currently, a lack of industry regulation in almost all jurisdictions makes compliance a tricky path to navigate. Couple that with a remarkably brazen, gung-ho attitude from a lot of traders and its only a matter of time before someone gets in big trouble. And no doubt the authorities wont hesitate in making an example out of whomever that may be. Both France, Germany and Spain recently pledged to (at least attempt) to regulate Bitcoin, and other digital currencies, while fund managers around the world are steering well clear. China recently banned local cryptocurrency exchanges but is also restricting access to foreign exchanges. However, one mans restriction is anothers opportunity bans by regulators are now helping the birth of crypto funds that is diligently run investment funds whose primary investment asset is crypto. This provides hope that a sense of discipline and structure will now emerge in the sector. Like with gold rushes in the Wild West, its the human-driven emotion, the sheer excitement and adrenalin rush that is in part fuelling the interest and indeed the value of digital currencies. At least gold had a clear tangible value however. The same cannot be said for cryptocurrency. Some issuers will apportion a value to their coins, which may not be monetary it might be a voucher for a right to a good or a service that the issuer can offer. Issuers need to ensure they are making the right disclosure, and it goes without saying, seek the right legal advice. For those creating and trading in digital currency, being aware of legal risks and the different rules that apply in different jurisdictions is critical. For example, if you are trading digital currency in Australia, and you are selling coins to, say, American investors, which laws do you need to comply with? What if you are an Australian company undertaking an ICO in Singapore? What happens if you offer those tokens to investors in Europe? Which jurisdictions laws do you need to comply with? The answer probably all of them. The lack of regulation can breed arrogance from businesses issuing ICOs. Im located in Australia and I dont need to comply with US law! is a worryingly common attitude. But consider the cautionary tale of David Carruthers, the CEO of the UK based BetOnSports gaming site. In the early 2000s the US banned online gaming services to US citizens. Many businesses started offering online gaming to US citizens from overseas servers, assuming that the US had no jurisdiction over their activities. Carruthers learnt the hard way when he was arrested during a stopover in Dallas. If it can happen in the gaming space 10 years ago, it will happen with crypto. For investors, the risks are many. The mad rush to get in the crypto wave has become intoxicating for some but the that should never cloud judgement when it comes to understanding exactly what you are buying. A mere few of the risks include a lack of legal protection and exposure, inability to participate in later capital raising rounds in the case of an ICO, coins that are worth nothing, a complete plummet in the value of the asset when the market has a panic attack, and of course the possibility that your crypto-exchange could be hacked. The very simple message is that a lack of regulation should be a warning, not an incentive. And for the issuers be compliant. Seek the right advice. Otherwise a knock at the door may not be too far away. Then, once law comes to crypto-town, you may just have whole new asset class to play with, with a dramatically reduced level of risk, but still enjoy those highly intoxicating returns. About the author Darren Sommers is a Principal Solicitor at Melbournes KHQ Lawyers. He has more than 20 years experience providing general commercial legal advice and specialist technology law advice to clients in the IT industry and other technology industries. You may not personally want to be involved in modern politics but if you want to run a business you have to be aware how the laws of the land can affect your bottom line. Tax laws, business treaties, tariffs, and commerce in general is impacted by politics. Graduates of George Washington University online have insights into politics and the government that the average business professional is not exposed to. Having a degree in political management can be just as valuable as being an MBA holder. Check out the three main ways that politics and business go hand in hand. Politics and Business Taxes Individuals and businesses that have higher yearly earnings are typically taxed at a higher rate. Different political parties might campaign on a platform with promises of lowering taxes for big businesses, while the opposing party might be vying for middle-class voters. As a business owner, you need to discern the rhetoric and look at political track records. Remember that businesses have to pay state taxes, federal taxes, and sometimes local taxes if they are located in a city like New York. A small reduction in federal business taxes can be really good for a company while a major increase might lead to a business ultimate downfall. Employee Protections and Coverage Before Obamacare passed, business owners had a lot more freedom about the kind of healthcare coverage they were required to provide to full-time workers. States can individually vote to increase minimum wage, forcing business owners to pay workers higher wages for performing the same duties. All of these things have to do with politics. If you are expecting your business to do well in the coming years you have to know what changes the government can take, including various bills and laws that are being lobbied for. International Business Impact Business is not done in a bubble. Sure, your company may be locally based and have mostly customers who live within the region, but most company owners dream of eventually having a global impact. When major elections take place and political atmospheres change, dealing with other business professionals can be enhanced or hampered. For example, the UKs departure from the European Union has caused UK business owners to look at new ways to do business as the economy was negatively impacted. This is why major businesses usually back the specific political candidates that they believe have their best interests. If you have a degree from George Washington University, you will be able to better predict which candidates will be elected as well as what changes to anticipate. Business and politics are incredibly connected. Some business owners become influential and well known enough to go into politics, like Donald Trump. Sometimes the business world and politics collide when it comes to efforts to create more jobs and to stimulate the economy. Politicians can also go up against big business when companies are accused of polluting the environment or working against the interests of citizens. Know what is going on in politics if you want your business to keep running like a well-oiled machine. President Donald Trump unveiled his $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan Monday. And, probably unsurprisingly, there are no explicit resources for refurbishing, renovating, or constructing schools. Instead, the package asks for $200 billion in federal funds to help spur state, local, and private investment in fixing up and building highways, roads, and bridges. Other parts of the proposal are aimed at environmental cleanup and revamping airports. There are a few pieces of the proposal that could leave room for school construction funding, depending on how the administration decides to implement them. For instance, the proposal also asks for $50 billion in dedicated funding for rural areas, some of which governors could use as they see fit. That could potentially pave the way for states to spend on improving broadband access, which may benefit schools, depending on what states decide to do, advocates say. Theres also a $100 billion fund that is supposed to go to certain federal agencies, including the Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Transportation. However, other agencies are allowed to petition for a portion of those funds. That leaves open the possibility that the Education Department could, in theory, ask for money for school construction, advocates say. But overall, advocates are disappointed with the lack of focus on school construction. They didnt make it easy for schools to get to the table, said Mary Filardo, the executive director of the 21st Century School Fund, an advocacy organization for school facilities, and a member of the organizing committee for the Rebuild Americas Schools Infrastructure Coalition. Its disappointing but not surprising. Schools havent made it to the big boy table for a long time. And she said, the amount of overall funding is small, meaning that states and localities are going to be more likely to focus on other projects. Others see the lack of money for schools as a sign of where education ranks on the administrations priority list. The fact that [the plan] doesnt include a cent for public schools speaks volumes about this administrations lack of commitment to public education, Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation for Teachers said in a statement. The White House, though, has stressed that any infrastructure package would need to garner bipartisan support. And Democratsand at least one moderate Republicanhave signaled that school construction funding is a priority. Democrats wanted to direct some $100 billion to school construction in their own infrastructure plan , unveiled last spring. And more recently, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., along with 23 other senatorsall Democratsurged Trump to consider partnering with states to modernize and repair schools . That doesnt mean education isnt mentioned at all in the plan. The White House says it wants to provide Pell Grants to students pursing high-quality or short-term programs that provide students with a certification or credential in an in-demand field.Traditionally, Pell Grants help low-income students cover the cost of higher education. And the administration wants to allow students to use Federal Work Study funds to expand workforce learning opportunities, including apprenticeships.The White House also says it wants to revamp the $1.1 billion Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education program, the largest federal program for high schools. The proposal doesnt specifically mention which fields the grants would focus on. A bipartisan bill to overhaul CTE has already passed the House, and is awaiting action in the Senate. We believe that as the infrastructure [package] and the things that are associated with it are implemented, there will be increased demand for and need for CTE careers to actually help accelerate things that are happening on the state and local level, Ebony Lee, the deputy chief of staff for policy at the department told education advocates Monday. Meanwhile, its unclear if the proposal has legs in Congress. The Trump administration isnt specific about where most of the money to pay for it would come from. And its unclear that states and localities will want to increase their own taxes or shift spending in order to qualify for a relatively small federal match. The $200 billion federal ask is just a small portion of the $1.5 trillion total. (More on that from the Washington Post. ) Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 . The American Library Association today announced the top books for children and young adults. The Newbery award for the most outstanding contribution to childrens literature went to Hello, Universe, by Erin Entrada Kelly. Its about an unexpected friendship that forms among misfit 6th graders after a bullys cruel act brings them together. Check out a teaching guide for the book here . Author Jason Reynolds novel Long Way Down snagged one of three Newbery Honor awards. The book transports readers inside the 60 seconds it takes for a kid to decide whether or not hes going to take revenge on the guy who killed his brother. Author Jacqueline Woodson, the new National Ambassador for Young Peoples Literature, gave a shout out to Reynolds in a recent interview with Education Week , saying his book Ghost captivates even boys who are resistant to reading. Woodson won this years Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for her substantial and lasting contribution to childrens literature. The Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book went to Wolf in the Snow, illustrated by Matthew Cordell. Through paintings, Cordell tells the story of a girl in a red parka who, after reuniting a wolf pup with its pack during a blizzard, collapses from exhaustion. The grateful pack works together to reunite the girl with her family. Among the four Caldecott Honor books named is the tearjerker Big Cat, little cat, (spoiler alert: the big cat dies), illustrated and written by Elisha Cooper. School Library Journal described the book as a gentle, loving look at the life cycle of pets. Another Caldecott Honor winner is Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, about the transformation that happens when a black boy goes to the barbershop. Crown, written by Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Gordon C. James, was also one of three Coretta Scott King Honor Books named. The Coretta Scott King Book Award recognizing outstanding African-American authors and illustrators went to Piecing Me Together, by Renee Watson. The story follows the struggles of a girl, Jade, as she takes on opportunities that may help her out of her poor neighborhood, while also feeling tired of being someone whom others feel they have to help or, worse, fix. Reynolds described Piecing Me Together like this: Watson, with rhythm and style, somehow gets at the toxicity of sympathy, the unquenchable thirst of fear, and the life-changing power of voice and opportunity, all wrapped up in Jadethe coolest young lady in the world. Or at least, in Portland, Ore. Simply, Piecing Me Together is a book youll want to hug! Here are some of the other award winners. You can get the complete list here . Pura Belpre Awards honoring Latino writer and illustrators whose childrens books best portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latino cultural experience: La Princesa and the Pea , illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal and written by Susan Middleton Elya , illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal and written by Susan Middleton Elya Young Adult Library Services Association Award for excellence in nonfiction for young adults: Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers , written by Deborah Helligman , written by Deborah Helligman William C. Morris Award for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens: The Hate U Give , by Angie Thomas , by Angie Thomas Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished book for beginning readers: Charlie & Mouse , written by Laurel Snyder and illustrated by Emily Hughes , written by Laurel Snyder and illustrated by Emily Hughes Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement: Eloise Greenfield Image: Scene from Matthew Cordells Caldecott-medal-winning picture book Wolf in the Snow (Feiwel and Friends) Related stories: Blog Archive September (19) August (55) July (64) June (60) May (68) April (66) March (56) February (61) January (51) December (61) November (67) October (87) September (79) August (84) July (82) June (84) May (73) April (74) March (74) February (50) January (66) December (56) November (53) October (70) September (73) August (60) July (86) June (73) May (91) April (64) March (53) February (49) January (79) December (50) November (55) October (46) September (48) August (57) July (46) June (55) May (48) April (49) March (54) February (50) January (52) December (45) November (55) October (56) September (57) August (65) July (47) June (67) May (54) April (64) March (72) February (49) January (58) December (52) November (72) October (60) September (82) August (59) July (64) June (61) May (67) April (65) March (78) February (66) January (72) December (90) November (58) October (71) September (58) August (67) July (68) June (67) May (69) April (58) March (58) February (39) January (49) December (45) November (36) October (48) September (64) August (59) July (58) June (62) May (70) April (72) March (67) February (52) January (68) December (45) November (68) October (68) September (59) August (67) July (53) June (68) May (66) April (63) March (71) February (49) January (60) December (43) November (39) October (74) September (62) August (69) July (86) June (60) May (84) April (71) March (96) February (70) January (82) December (62) November (62) October (66) September (81) August (71) July (61) June (55) May (67) April (46) March (53) February (43) January (54) December (46) November (38) October (46) September (57) August (71) July (73) June (75) May (48) April (44) March (59) February (46) January (36) December (45) November (45) October (41) September (46) August (36) July (40) June (48) May (38) April (35) March (30) February (26) January (30) December (22) November (26) October (34) September (26) August (16) July (17) June (19) May (19) April (12) March (14) February (13) January (26) December (21) November (16) October (14) September (15) August (15) July (17) June (16) May (15) April (11) March (13) February (12) January (11) December (16) November (30) October (28) September (23) August (7) July (6) June (7) May (2) April (1) March (2) February (2) January (2) December (2) November (2) October (1) September (1) August (2) July (3) June (4) May (1) April (1) February (2) Posted 2/13/18 The Missouri Department of Conservations feral hog strike team has tallied up elimination numbers for 2017. The year yielded a total of 6,567 feral hogs removed by MDC, partner agencies and (Photo: Courtesy Global Christian Forum)Dr. Casely Essamuah Maryland-based, Ghanaian-born Dr. Casely Essamuah has .been selected as the next Secretary of the Global Christian Forum which brings together traditional ecumenical, evangelical and Pentecostal churches. After a February meeting at the Taize Community in France, the Global Christian Forum Committee said on Feb. 12 Essamuah was chosen to serve in the central role of its Secretary, the person who leads the alliance of Christians on a daily basis. Essamuah will take up the position on July 1, following the retirement of the Rev. Larry Miller, a Mennonite, who has led the GCF for the last six years, the forum said in a statement. Originally ordained in the Methodist Church, Ghana, Essamuah has worked for the last 13 years as Global Missions and Local Outreach Pastor of the Bay Area Community Church, Annapolis, MD in the United States. Essamuah describes himself as "evangelical and ecumenical." Coming originally from Africa and now ministering in North America, he views himself as a "bridge-builder" between the churches in the global North and global South. "In a time when the majority of the world's Christians now live in the southern hemisphere, creating new tensions and challenges in the life of world Christianity, Dr. Casely Essamuah is uniquely equipped to serve the cause of unity in the global body of Christ in the role of Secretary of the Global Christian Forum," said Rev. Wes Granberg-Michaelson, co-chair of the Search Committee. The Global Christian Forum brings together leadership from all streams of world Christianity. It including the full support of the four primary global church bodies, namely, the World Council of Churches, the World Evangelical Alliance, the Pontifical Council for Church Unity (Catholic Church), and Pentecostal World Fellowship. Dr Essamuah said his initial reaction to his appointment was one of "humility and surprise". "I thought I would never come this far in the process, and had to come to a place of surrender: if this is what the Lord wants me to do with my life, I found myself saying, 'I'm ready to do it'." Rev. Nicta Lubaale, the other co-chair of the Search Committee, said, "From 27 highly qualified candidates, and among seven candidates called for personal interviews, Casely Essamuah emerged as our unanimous choice through a process of discernment that was inspiring to us all." He received his Th.D. from the School of Theology at Boston University in 2003 and has written a book titled, "Genuinely Ghanaian: History of the Methodist Church Ghana, 1960-2000." Essamuah will be presented as "Secretary elect" to the third global gathering of the GCF, which occurs in Bogota, Colombia April 24-27, 2018. http://www.globalchristianforum.org/bogota.ht Ukraine grain exports decline in 2017 A drop in corn output and rising competition from wheat have impacted Ukraine's market share in grain, with the country's grain sales declining 8.7% year-on-year, according to data by the Ukrainian customers authority. According to an AgriCensus report, Ukraine's overall grain exports currently amount to 25.2 million tonnes, which is smaller than 27.6 million tonnes recorded in the same period in 2017. At 12.5 million tonnes, wheat exports are 3.8 % lower year-on-year. A noticeable difference can be observed in milling and feed wheat sales volumes. In addition, escalating competition with neighbouring Russia and its record-breaking crop have rendered the market more challenging for Ukrainian sellers. Feed wheat sales, on the other hand, performed favourably, having spiked 12% year-on-year to 5.6 million tonnes. Increases can be seen in sales to Indonesia, Bangladesh and Spain. Meanwhile, corn exports had a laborious time keeping up with 2017's pace of sales and were down 14.4% at 8.3 million tonnes. Lower Ukrainian production also saw available volumes slide 14% year-on-year, thus pressuring prices. For oilseed exports, however, these rose last year, with soybean sales at 1.9 million tonnes (11.8% higher than the same period in 2017) and rapeseed at more than double at two million tonnes. Posted 2/12/18 Dallas County E-911 went operational in 2002 after voters approved a one-half cent sales tax to establish a central dispatching emergency system that answers and dispatches all emergency calls, as Over 1,700 migrant workers enjoy the banquet held at a gym in Guangzhou on Feb 9. [Photo/Xinhua] More than 1,700 migrant workers from over 400 companies in Guangzhou Development District were treated to a Spring Festival banquet on Feb 9. Feb 9 marks the Little New Year, or xiaonian in Chinese. The festival falls on the 23rd or 24th of the 12th month of the lunar year when sacrifices are made to the culinary god. To honor this special occasion, migrant workers were treated to a grand feast which featured dumplings alongside a wealth of other tasty dishes. A Spring Festival gala was held as well. Migrant workers in Guangzhou pose for a group photo at the banquet. [Photo/Xinhua] The festival has been held every year since 1996 with the aim of spreading holiday cheer to those unable to return to their hometowns for the Chinese Lunar New Year. The performances in the gala were all planned and performed by ordinary workers and displayed their wholehearted devotion to their jobs in Guangzhou. "The performances depicted our everyday life, so we could really feel the happiness and sense of accomplishment," said one worker. Tomorrow (Feb. 14) is Valentines Day, a day to celebrate love and romance. Feb. 14 is also known as the Feast of Saint Valentine. It is a day that we express love to our family, friends, and that special someone. But whats the history behind Valentines Day? Valentine (or Valentinus) was a name that was quite popular between the second and eighth centuries A.D. In fact, there are nearly a dozen Valentines that have been canonized by the Catholic Church. The St. Valentine that is most commonly celebrated on February 14 was actually beheaded in Rome on Feb. 14, 278 A.D. According to the story. during this time, Emperor Claudius II did not allow marriages or engagements in Rome as a means to motivate men to join the army. Men were reluctant to go to war if they had someone at home waiting for them. Valentine realized how cruel this punishment was to lovers. He decided hold marriage ceremonies for couples in secret. When Emperor Claudius II found out about these secret marriages, he sentenced Valentine to death by beheading. Valentine was canonized for being a martyr for a cause. He died for the belief that love endures all things. Valentines day was not celebrated as a day of love and romance until 1375 when Geoffrey Chaucer wrote the poem Parliament of Foules in which he referred to Feb. 14 as the day birds (and humans) come together to find a mate (history.com). It is said that because of this poem, Valentines Day became a day of romance. Before this time it was merely a day to celebrate St. Valentine. Valentines Day comes once a year, but it is important to let your loved ones know that you love them every single day. Dont wait until Feb. 14 to tell that special someone that you love them; instead, honor and praise your loved ones everyday of the year, but go ahead and enjoy a little extra chocolate and buy some flowers. After a bond issue question went down to defeat in September of 2017 by less than three percent, voters in the Graettinger-Terril school district are going to be asked to reconsider a bond issue. A special Bond Issue election has been set for Tuesday, April 3 to decide the fate of a $9.7 million dollar bond issue. School officials say the revenue would be used to create new learning environments to accommodate advanced programs and curriculum and provide quality educational opportunities. The bond issue would provide funding for a new addition to the Terril building which would include a secure main entrance through the administration offices which would also access the existing gym. Restrooms in the Terril building would also be updated. At the Graettinger Middle/High School location, the major portion of the proposed project would call for the construction of a new addition to the south of the existing school building. The new construction would include a secure main entrance through the administration offices as well as new science classroom and laboratory spaces, as well as a new industrial technology and vocational agriculture classrooms and laboratory spaces. The final component of the building project would be the construction of a new competition gymnasium with locker room facilities. Under Iowa Law, a bond issue requires 60 percent approval by the voters for passage. Passage of the measure would result in the overall school tax levy increasing by a maximum of $2.70 per $1,000 of taxable valuation. Voting on April 3 will take place from 7:00 am until 8:00 pm at the Public Library in Graettinger and at the Community Center in Terril. Any individuals with questions on this bond issue may contact Graettinger-Terril Superintendent Andy Woiwood at: anwoiw@gt.ratitans.org or by calling either the Terril School at 712-852-6111 or the Graettinger School at 712-859-3286. RUTHVEN The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is extending the muskrat trapping season on Trumbull Lake from Feb. 1 to April 1, 2018 to reduce the muskrat population and preserve the beneficial vegetation in the marsh. This extension is only for muskrats and only for Trumbull Lake. Iowas trapping season for all furbearers except beaver closes statewide on Jan. 31. Trumbull Lake covers about 1,200 acres, offers excellent habitat for wetland wildlife. Muskrats are the aquatic version of cottontail rabbitstheir population runs in cycles; they have 2-4 litters per year and in the food chain, serve as prey to mink, otters, hawks, owls and coyotes. Muskrats primarily use emergent vegetation (plants that grow up out of the water) to build their huts. The current population on Trumbull Lake is high and they require a lot of vegetation for hut building. Muskrats are an important part of a healthy marsh, or shallow lake and this year, we have a surplus here locally. We would like to lower the population by removing additional muskrats to preserve some of the beneficial vegetation thereby keeping the marsh in a healthy balance and to offer additional trapping opportunities for a temporarily abundant resource. This is an excellent opportunity for our trappers to extend their season and utilize the surplus of muskrats. We dont feel that the additional harvest will reduce the numbers to the point of overharvest. Trappers participating in this special extension will be allowed to place their traps directly into the muskrat dens, which is a change from the regular trapping season. Trappers are allowed to place their traps in the muskrat house (in-house trapping only) to reduce the chance for catching a non-targeted animal. Parking lots surrounding Trumbull Lake will have signs alerting visitors to the special trapping season extension. Credit: Brantley GutierrezFoo Fighters will head up north to Canada this summer to headline the 2018 Ottawa Bluesfest, held July 5-15. The bill also includes Dave Matthews Band, Rise Against, Beck, Three Days Grace, Greta Van Fleet, The Strumbellas, The War on Drugs and Courtney Barnett, among others. For the full lineup and ticket info, visit OttawaBluesFest.ca. The Bluesfest set will be a part of Foo Fighters' summer North American tour in support of their latest album, Concrete and Gold. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Sunday's episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians was filled with everything from fashion to spiders and Kim's surrogate, but the hot topic of the new episode was Scott Disick's new relationship. As previously reported, Disick and Sofia Richie were first spotted together at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2017 but made their first appearance as a couple in December 2017 at Miami's Art Basel and have been inseparable ever since. The pair was recently seen vacationing in Mexico after bringing in the New Year in Aspen, Colorado. Since going public with their relationship, Disick and Richie have not been shy about showing PDA with each other. The two continuously post photos snuggled up with each other on Instagram accounts. Kim And Kris Approve Although some of the Kardashian-Jenner members have made it clear that they aren't too fond of Disick's and Richie's relationship. Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner seem to be taking the news pretty well. While in New York for Fashion Week, Kris Jenner brings up Disick's new relationship to Kim. "What is going on with Scott and Sofia?" Jenner says over the phone. Later in a confessional, Kim states that she has started to see Disick out in New York, but she doesn't judge. The mother of three then reveals that she's happy about his new relationship and hope he's making the right decisions. "I think it's a good thing. I just hope that he's making good choices and having fun and nothing's getting crazy," Kim says. Later in the episode, Kris Jenner and Disick have an awkward exchange at Kourtney Kardashian's house. Jenner wastes no time questioning Disick about the new relationship. Things get awkward when she points out the age gap between the two, as Disick is 34 years old and Sofia is only 19 years old. The father of three then defends his relationship by stating that Jenner was underage when she met Robert Kardashian, but Richie is not. New Relationships Disick shares three kids with his former girlfriend, Kourtney Kardashian. After nine years of dating, the duo decided to end their relationship in 2015. While Scott has moved on to Richie, Kourtney is also in a new relationship with 24-year-old Younes Bendjima. Kardashian began dating Bendjima in 2016. On an episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, the reality star revealed that she and Bendjima met while she was in Paris during Fashion Week. James Bond is an iconic figure who will live on for generations to come. While many men have sported the black tuxedo and debonair personality, Daniel Craig seems to be everyone's favorite Bond man. The actor took on the role as the mysterious fictional character in 2005. Since all good things must come to end, we will have to say goodbye to Craig's Bond soon. The question is, who will take over the role and attempt to live up to Craig's portrayal? Many actors have been suggested as potential replacements, but there is one person we can definitely cross off the list: Craig's wife, actress Rachel Weisz. Weisz Defends The Ladies Weisz does not think that if the directors of the series decide to make Bond a lady, it would be a good idea. The actress thinks that it's time women in Hollywood have their own stories that doesn't involve taking over someone else's. "[Author Ian Fleming] devoted an awful lot of time to writing this particular character, who is particularly male and relates in a particular way to women. Why not create your own story rather than jumping on to the shoulders and being compared to all those other male predecessors? Women are really fascinating and interesting and should get their own stories," Weisz stated. Weisz, who's been married to Craig since 2011, will be starring in the upcoming British-American drama Disobedience, with Rachel McAdams and The Mercy actor, with Colin Firth. Craig confirmed in August 2017 that he will return as Bond one last time. The actor is set to reprise his role in the next film that is scheduled to be released on Nov. 8, 2019. This will mark the 25th film for the James Bond series. However, the film has yet to be titled. When speaking on his decision to return to the series, Craig stated that he wanted to take his final bow with a bang. "I think this is it. I just want to go out on a high note. I can't wait," Craig stated in an interview with Stephen Colbert. So far, actors Liam Neeson, Michael Fassbender, Ryan Gosling, and Idris Elba have all been tapped to take over the role after Criag's final performance. There hasn't been any word yet on who the creators of the series will choose. United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit. Samuel BIERS, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Tracey E. CLINE, Defendant-Appellee, Paul Martin; Durham County Sheriff's Office; Michael Andrews; Worth Hill; Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.; Durham County; State of North Carolina, Defendants. No. 17-1619 Decided: February 09, 2018 Before WILKINSON, MOTZ, and THACKER, Circuit Judges. Robert Ekstrand, Stefanie Smith, EKSTRAND & EKSTRAND LLP, Durham, North Carolina, for Appellant. Joshua H. Stein, Attorney General, Grady L. Balentine, Jr., Special Deputy Attorney General, Kathryn H. Shields, Assistant Attorney General, NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, Raleigh, North Carolina, for Appellee. Samuel Biers appeals the district court's entry of judgment as a matter of law in favor of Tracey Cline during a jury trial on Biers' First Amendment retaliation claim. Biers claimed that in 2011, Cline, who was then the District Attorney of Durham County, North Carolina, conspired to remove Biers from his position as a magistrate and publically humiliate him in retaliation for Biers' exposure of Cline's misconduct. The district court granted Cline's Fed. R. Civ. P. 50(a) motion for judgment as a matter of law during Cline's presentation of evidence, concluding that no reasonable juror could find that Cline took any retaliatory action against Biers. Biers contends this decision was erroneous. He also argues that the district court abused its discretion by excluding extrinsic evidence of Cline's retaliatory intent, as well as handwritten notes that Biers claims demonstrate the existence of a conspiracy to remove him from his job and publically humiliate him. We affirm. Biers sought to introduce voluminous extrinsic evidence pursuant to Fed. R. Evid. 404(b) that he claims evinces Cline's contemporaneous and nearly identical retaliatory conduct against people who, like Biers, exposed or attempted to expose Cline's misconduct. The district court ruled that the evidence was not admissible under Rule 404(b), and that Biers was not entitled to question Cline about these incidents for purposes of impeachment under Fed. R. Evid. 608(b)(1). We review the district court's evidentiary rulings for abuse of discretion. United States v. Faulls, 821 F.3d 502, 508 (4th Cir. 2016). Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b) prohibits the admission of [e]vidence of a crime, wrong, or other act to prove a person's character in order to show that on a particular occasion the person acted in accordance with the character. Prior act evidence is admissible, however, to prove motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, absence of mistake, or lack of accident. We utilize a four-part test to assess admissibility of prior-act evidence: (1) the prior-act evidence must be relevant to an issue other than character, such as intent; (2) it must be necessary to prove an element of the [claim]; (3) it must be reliable; and (4) its probative value must not be substantially outweighed by its prejudicial nature. Smith v. Baltimore City Police Dep't, 840 F.3d 193, 201 (4th Cir. 2016) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). The district court determined that the extrinsic evidence was not sufficiently relevant to retaliatory intent, and that its probative value would be substantially outweighed by the risk of unfair prejudice and confusion. The court did not abuse its discretion by so finding. First, Biers' theory of the case was that Cline was part of a clandestine conspiracy to engineer the filing of false affidavits seeking Biers' removal as magistrate, and to leak this false information to the media. The extrinsic pleadings and filings Biers sought to introduce, by contrast, were publically submitted by Cline on the record, under her own name. Moreover, there was very little evidence at trial that Cline took any action with respect to Biers. As such, to the extent the extrinsic evidence is probative of retaliation, it is probative not as to whether Cline took certain actions with the intent to retaliate, which is permitted under Rule 404(b)(2), but rather as to whether Cline has a propensity to retaliate, which is proscribed under Rule 404(b)(1). The district court also did not abuse its discretion in concluding that the risk of unfair prejudice and confusion substantially outweighed any probative value, especially given that any permissible probative value was small. The exhibits Biers sought to introduce totaled more than 600 pages, and the district court was properly concerned about the risk of confusing the jury about the relevant issues in the case, as well as the trial being subsumed by a mini-trial over the nature and propriety of Cline's past acts. For the same reason, the court did not abuse its discretion by ruling that Biers was not entitled to cross examine Cline about the contents of the exhibits for impeachment purposes. See Fed. R. Evid. 608(b)(1) (the [district] court may, on cross examination, allow [specific instances of a witness's conduct to] to be inquired into if they are probative of the character for truthfulness or untruthfulness of the witness.) (emphasis added). Biers also sought to introduce handwritten notes of the chief district judge, which Biers alleged were evidence of the conspiracy to use straw men to file false affidavits to remove him from office. Although the judge who wrote the notes testified during Cline's case, Biers did not question the judge about the notes, instead seeking to introduce them through the testimony of the judge's judicial assistant. The assistant testified that she was familiar with the judge's handwriting, and that the notes appeared to be written by the judge. See Fed. R. Evid. 901(b)(2). However, the assistant had never seen the notes before and had no knowledge as to the circumstances of their creation. Moreover, it is not clear from the face of the notes what they are, and the assistant would not have been able to aid the jury in considering and assigning probative value to the notes. Accordingly, the district court did not abuse its discretion by refusing to admit them through the assistant's testimony. Biers' final argument on appeal is that the district court erroneously granted Cline's motion for judgment as a matter of law instead of letting the case go to the jury. Under Fed. R. Civ. P. 50(a), [i]f, upon the conclusion of a party's case, a reasonable jury would not have a legally sufficient evidentiary basis to find for the party on that issue, a court may grant a motion from the opposing party for judgment as a matter of law. Huskey v. Ethicon, Inc., 848 F.3d 151, 156 (4th Cir.) (internal quotation marks omitted), cert. denied, U.S. , 138 S.Ct. 107, 199 L.Ed.2d 185 (2017). A court may grant judgment as a matter of law only if, viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the non-moving party and drawing every legitimate inference in that party's favor, the only conclusion a reasonable jury could have reached is one in favor of the moving party. Id. (alteration and internal quotation marks omitted). We review the district court's grant of a motion for judgment as a matter of law de novo. Id. The only claim that went to trial was that Cline retaliated against Biers in violation of the First Amendment. [A] First Amendment retaliation claim under 1983 consists of three elements: (1) the plaintiff engaged in constitutionally protected First Amendment activity, (2) the defendant took an action that adversely affected that protected activity, and (3) there was a causal relationship between the plaintiff's protected activity and the defendant's conduct. Booker v. S.C. Dep't of Corr., 855 F.3d 533, 537 (4th Cir. 2017), cert. denied, U.S. , S.Ct. , L.Ed.2d , 2018 WL 410913, No. 17-307 (U.S. Jan. 16, 2018). The district court assumed that Biers had engaged in protected First Amendment activity, but found that the evidence was insufficient to support any reasonable inferences that Cline took any action against Biers. After reviewing the evidence at trial in the light most favorable to Biers, we agree. Cline did not file either of the affidavits that led to the removal proceedings, and while Biers alleged that Cline was part of a conspiracy that orchestrated the filing of the affidavits, those allegations were not supported by any testimony at trial. There was also no testimony from which the jury could reasonably infer that Cline leaked false information about Biers to the media. The judge presiding over the removal proceedingswhom Biers did not allege was part of the conspiracyassigned Cline's office to prosecute the removal proceedings. Although Biers contends that Cline allowed the removal proceedings to go forward even though she knew the affidavits were false, the testimony at trial established that she assigned the case to one of her assistants, and thereafter did not control or participate in the matter. Moreover, there was no evidence that she influenced the resolution of the removal proceedings. Finally, Cline's statement to Biers after the hearing may have been relevant as to whether Cline retaliated against Biers, but given the lack of other evidence, the statement does not give rise to a reasonable inference that she did retaliate. Because the district court properly determined that no reasonable juror could find for Biers based on the evidence at trial, its grant of Cline's motion for judgment as a matter of law was not erroneous. Accordingly, we affirm the district court's judgment. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the decisional process. AFFIRMED PER CURIAM: Affirmed by unpublished per curiam opinion. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit. It looks like Kylie Jenner is getting back into her normal routine. After making her first appearance since giving birth to her daughter, Stormi Webster, only a week ago, the new mom was seen again stepping out on Sunday, Feb. 11. TMZ spotted Jenner again getting out of a black SUV with her best friend Jordyn Woods. This time, the new mom opted for a casual, cozy look and wore a red Adidas tracksuit and white sneakers, which was a more covered up look than Saturday's outfit, but still managed to show off Jenner's curves. As previously reported, TMZ caught Jenner and Woods making their way into a building in Woodland Hills, California on Saturday, Feb. 10. The 20-year-old wore a beige jacket with a black top and black biker shorts. Jenner completed the look with a black Prada fanny pack and a pair of exclusive Air Jordan sneakers, which are allegedly her boyfriend Travis Scott's latest collaboration with Nike Air. There was no sign of Stormi during both of Kylie's outings. Kylie and Travis Welcomes Baby Girl In September 2017, rumors surfaced that the couple was expecting their first child together. Throughout her pregnancy Jenner remained out of the spotlight and made an appearance twice -- one was at her mother Kris Jenner's annual Christmas party and the second was when she reunited with her sisters for Calvin Klein's Spring 2018 #MYCALVINS Campaign. After much speculation, the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star took to social media on Feb. 4 to announce the arrival of her daughter. "My beautiful and healthy baby girl arrived February 1st and I just couldn't wait to share this blessing. I've never felt love and happiness like this I could burst," she wrote. The first time mom also took to YouTube to share a video titled "To Our Daughter" which followed her pregnancy journey. The video documented moments from her pajama brunch-themed baby shower, doctor visits, and a quick glimpse at her, Khloe Kardashian, and Kris Jenner in the delivery room moments before she gave birth. After confirming her pregnancy, the cosmetics mogul also took to Instagram to reveal the name of her and Travis Scott's daughter. Kylie shared a photo of her baby girl's hand wrapped around her finger with the caption "Stormi Webster." Disney Parks announces Guardians of the Galaxy is coming in Epcot in the form of a roller coaster. Befittingly, the ride will be one of the longest in the world. Thrill-seekers may find delight with this news, shared by Disney Parks on its blog on Sunday, Feb. 11. In line with the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World's Resort, the Guardians of the Galaxy-themed roller coaster is set to run in 2021 as part of the Future World. "This one-of-a-kind family attraction will be one of the world's longest enclosed roller coasters when it's added to Future World at Epcot," the management claimed. The company also teased that they are currently working on a storyline that will impress park-goers, as well as a system, described as "innovative," that would amuse guests. This move is anchored in Disney Park's vision, which is to transform Epcot into a more family-friendly and become a classic theme park. "As we build upon its core mission of optimism and hope to inspire the world, the real will become fantastic and the fantastic will become realin whole new ways at Epcot," Walt Disney Parks & Resorts' Bob Chapek said. The Universe of Energy Pavilion, which closed in August 2017 and operated for 35 years, is expected to house the Guardians of the Galaxy ride. The pavilion had long been amazing fans who saw the likes of Bill Nye and Ellen DeGeneres in the infamous attraction called Ellen's Energy Adventure. Disney revealed in its D23 Expo in summer that it would be soon having a Marvel-inspired attraction, without unveiling which of the many films and series or ride will it feature. Fans can now rest, knowing what the mystery ride is and from where it is based. However, this was not the first theme park to receive such treatment. Disney California had also turned its infamous Twilight Zone Tower of Terror into Marvel-based Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: BREAKOUT. As for the Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster ride in Epcot, we can only take an inkling from Disney Parks' further announcements. Other Marvel-inspired Rides There were also a lot of parks to follow the trend for the ones mentioned. Disneyland Paris' Walt Disney Studios Park is set to get new Marvel-themed rides. Hong Kong Disneyland will feature Ant-Man and the Wasp in one of the attractions. Star Wars-inspired rides in California and Florida are getting an expansion as well, set to be made public in 2019. Kim Cattrall's response to her Sex and the City costar Sarah Jessica Parker was rather indifferent than her message to Cynthia Nixon. In an Instagram post, Cattrall accused Parker of leveraging the former's brother's death to advance her "nice girl" image. "My Mom asked me today, 'When will that @sarahjessicaparker, that hypocrite, leave you alone? Your continuous reaching out is a painful reminder of how cruel you really were then and now," Cattrall captioned on a post. Cattrall pointed out that Parker is not friend or family and that the latter should respect her family's privacy. In contrast, Cattrall gave an appreciative message to Nixon thanking for the effort to reach out. Reports have circulated that it appears that Nixon must have called Cattrall personally rather than posting on social media. "Cynthia, hearing your voice meant so much to me. Thank you for reaching out. Love Kim #SexandtheCity," Cattrall wrote. The comment was posted days after Cattrall lambasted Parker on the social media site. 'Toxic' Relationship In the same caption, Cattrall referenced to a New York Post, where she said she was disappointed as to how little the girls have spoken to each other after the show. She added that the sitcom's "Mean Girls," referring to their 'toxic' relationship ultimately caused its demise. In October 2017, the girls' rift went public again when Cattrall told journalist Piers Morgan that she was "never friends" with Parker and they were plain "colleagues." "I really think [Parker] could have been nicer," Cattrall said. There have been rumors of a third film since December 2016, but Parker who was also the executive producer, quickly ruled out its possibility during the New York City Ballet Fall Gala last year. Meanwhile, Cattrall said that her answer had always been no to any possible movie collaboration in the future. "For me, it's over. It's over with no regrets," she said. In February, Parker said she was "just heartbroken" in response to Cattrall's comments. An Unlikely Disappearance Chris Cattrall, 55, was reported missing on Jan. 30. His sister, Kim, appealed to the public to help on the search efforts, saying that it is unlikely her brother to leave unadvised. Upon his disappearance, he left behind his house unlocked and seven beloved dogs. On Feb. 4, Royal Canadian Mounted Police found Chris' body in the rural areas of Blackfalds, Alberta, Canada. Authorities ruled there was nothing suspicious about Chris' death. Details of the investigation are yet to be released. Sex and the City was one of HBO's long-standing show which aired from 1998 to 2004. A federal Brooklyn judge has ruled that graffiti is art. The case in question saw 21 artists awarded $6.7 million after their work was destroyed. Part Of The Neighborhood The landmark trial focused on a site at the iconic 5Pointz complex in Long Island City, Queens. The artists in question sued after nearly 50 spray-painted murals were carelessly destroyed, without any warning. The works were showcased on the walls of dilapidated warehouses, which were painted over before being subsequently torn down a year later to make way for planned high-rise luxury residences. The artists had hoped to purchase the buildings themselves, before the prices soared into the hundreds of millions. Their artworks had previously been something of a tourist attraction, reportedly drawing thousands of spectators daily. They were even featured prominently in the 2013 magician heist movie Now You See Me. The area itself also gradually improved as a result, with the influx of visitors and attention paid to it leading to less crime overall. Back in November, a civil jury found that real estate developer Jerry Wolkoff, who owns the complex, had broken the law when he whitewashed the murals. Wolkoff's lawyers argued that he could do what he wanted with his buildings. However, the jury found him in violation of the Visual Artists Rights Act, or V.A.R.A., a 1990 federal law which protects public artworks of recognized stature even if they're created on property that is owned by somebody else. The $6.7 million awarded Monday, Feb. 12, was the maximum possible amount for a violation of V.A.R.A. On Monday, Judge Frederic Block upheld the jury's decision, expanding it to account for 45 out of the 49 murals in question when they had initially only advised on 36. Block ruled that the majority of murals on-site were of significant enough artistic stature as to merit being protected by law. He also noted that they were destroyed by a landlord who didn't care about their merit, or their meaning to the community. He advised that Wolkoff was not sorry for destroying the artists' work. "Wolkoff has been singularly unrepentant. He was given multiple opportunities to admit the whitewashing was a mistake, show remorse, or suggest he would do things differently if he had another chance. Wolkoff could care less. As he callously testified," Block said. Art Versus Commerce The so-called 5Pointz case pitted two of New York City's most powerful and prominent sectors against each other. On one side, the real estate world, which felt it should be able to do whatever it sees fit with its properties. On the other, the art world, which wishes to protect that which it deems worthy of greater appreciation. Judge Block's ruling was a victory for the art world, according to Dean Nicyper, a partner at firm Withers Bergman specializing in art law. Nicyper pointed out that, although there have been other examples of graffiti artists being recognized as deserving of legal protection, the 5Pointz case was the first incident of such artists being protected under V.A.R.A. specifically. "[This is] a victory not only for the artists in this case, but for artists all around the country," said Eric Baum, a lawyer for the artists. "The clear message is that art protected by federal law must be cherished and not destroyed. With this win, the spirit of 5Pointz becomes a legacy for generations of artists to come," he added. Judge Block said he hoped the ruling would give more weight to V.A.R.A., and set a precedent going forward. The law should have kept Wolkoff from destroying the murals before he had all his permits in order, or before he'd told the artists in question. In future, maybe more art can be saved via this method. The Society Of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators gave young adult author Jay Asher the boot. Asher allegedly violated their harassment code. Violating The Code Executive director Lin Oliver confirmed Asher's expulsion on Monday, following a ban last year that only became public recently. "Both Jay Asher and David Diaz were found to have violated the SCBWI code of conduct in regard to harassment. Claims against them were investigated and, as a result, they are no longer members and neither will be appearing at any SCBWI events in the future," Oliver wrote in an email. Both Asher and celebrated illustrator Diaz, who was also expelled from the organization, were frequent topics on a recent comment thread on School Library Journal. The thread sought to publicly out those accused of harassment in the industry. Asher is most well-known for Thirteen Reasons Why, his suicide-themed first novel that was recently turned into a hit Netflix series, starring Goosebumps actor Dylan Minnette. The show was executive produced by Selena Gomez, who has come under fire for continuing to work with the disgraced filmmaker and accused pedophile, Woody Allen. Diaz, meanwhile, is an award-winning illustrator. He won the prestigious Caldecott Medal for Illustration for 1994 book Smoky Night. Diaz has illustrated for many books over the years, including Me, Frida, and The Little Scarecrow Boy. A Victim Of The #MeToo Movement Asher has not provided a public statement as of yet, but recent comments to Buzzfeed suggested he felt wrongly targeted. "It's very scary when you know people are just not going to believe you once you open your mouth. I feel very conflicted about it just because of what's going on in the culture," he said. The Oklahoma Writers' Federation subsequently confirmed the cancelation of Asher's scheduled keynote address at its upcoming conference in May. 13 Reasons Why has attracted widespread controversy over how it handles suicide and bullying. The Netflix series examines the fallout from a classmate's suicide via the friends and enemies who, apparently, drove her to it. Netflix is slated to bring back the show for a second season but has yet to confirm a solid date. In the wake of the #MeToo and Time's Up movements, Asher spoke out about the mistreatment of women. In the light of the allegations against him, he might be held up as another example of the hypocrisy of male celebrities alongside Aziz Ansari. Ansari was very vocal about feminism in his stand-up routines but accusations of sexual harassment which surfaced earlier this year have brought his public persona into question. It looks like fatherhood must agree with Travis Scott. The "Goosebumps" rapper is apparently doing a 360-degree turn since becoming a new dad. According to TMZ, sources close to the 25-year-old have stated that he has been on cloud nine since the birth of his first child. It turns out that his daughter, Stormi Webster, is having a major impact on his life. Friends of the record producer have even noticed that he's laughing a lot more and is more calm than usual. TMZ also revealed that Scott has found peace which is inspiring him in his craft. Stormi's birth has inspired the rapper to record a new single, which his inner circle believes will be his best yet. According to an insider, both Jenner and Scott are very attached to Stormi. Kylie never wants her out of her sight because she is so happy being with her. Stormi has made Scott become more selective with the gigs he decides to take on. Stormi Arrives Kylie and Scott welcomed Stormi Webster on Feb. 1. After much speculation that the couple was expecting, the cosmetics mogul officially confirmed the news via Instagram on Feb. 4. The 20-year-old posted a message on social media apologizing to her fans for keeping them in the dark about her pregnancy. "My pregnancy was one I chose not to do in front of the world. I knew for myself I needed to prepare for this role of a lifetime in the most positive, stress free, and healthy way I knew how," Jenner wrote. After her split from longtime boyfriend Tyga, Jenner began dating Scott in April 2017. After six months of dating, news broke that the couple was expecting their first child in September 2017. Now that Stormi is finally here, the couple is getting adjusted to life with their new bundle of joy. "They are cute together. You can tell Travis is learning. He loves his baby girl so much and Kylie likes seeing the connection," an insider had said. Travis Gets The Key Becoming a new father isn't the only milestone that Scott celebrated this month. On Feb. 10, he was honored with the key to his hometown of Missouri City, Texas. "This is my first award. I cannot be more proud to get my award in my hometown... This is everything I fight for, this is everything I cry about every night... just for a moment like this," the rapper said. Mayor Allen Owen presented Scott with the key to the city and officially declared Feb. 10 as "Travis Scott Day." "The Butterfly Effect" rapper took to Instagram to share a photo of him holding his plaque along with the key to the city. "Open Doors. 2/10/18 La flame for the youth. Astro," Scott captioned the photo. Rapper Nelly's legal troubles are far from over. The hip-hop artist is now under criminal investigation for a sexual assault allegation in England, which could mean some jail time for him. Nelly's Dilemma Continues The St. Louis native has been accused of "groping and indecently exposing himself" to an anonymous woman during his concert tour in London in December. The woman alleged that the rapper forcefully placed his hand on her arm and asked if they could speak privately in his dressing room. Once there the woman claimed that the rapper asked if they could go into his private room as her friends followed them into the dressing room for a photo. When the two entered the private room, the woman stated that the rapper dropped his pants and began to masturbate in front of her. The woman elaborated that the rapper tried to kiss her and tried to pull her top off before she ran out of the room. The rapper was also accused of sexually assaulting another unnamed woman during his stay in London. Nelly's attorney, Scott Rosenblum, has denied the allegations and stated that during the tour in London, the rapper's girlfriend, Shantel Jackson, was by Nelly's side the entire time. "These allegations arose after Ms. Greene amended her suit for money to include a reference to these claims. The fact that the police are investigating these claims is not new information and Nelly welcomes a thorough investigation. Nelly is confident that once investigated, these claims will be determined to be disingenuous," Roseblaum stated. Nelly Proclaims Innocence The rapper, who's legal name is Cornell Hayes Jr., was arrested in October 2017 for allegedly raping Monique Greene, a 21-year-old woman, on his tour bus after one of his concerts in Washington. The charges against the rapper were dropped after the woman refused to testify against the rapper in the court. Before then, the "Air Force Ones" rapper proclaimed his innocence on social media and his girlfriend, Jackson, also stood up for her partner on her Instagram. Enough is Enough A post shared by Shantel Jackson (@missjackson) on Jan 25, 2018 at 6:44pm PST Cardi B is still moving on up! In one of her latest spottings, she was seen rubbing elbows with none other than fashion icon and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. Cardi B And Anna Wintour's Conversation The two sat right next to each other, in the front row, for the Alexander Wang show during New York Fashion Week over the weekend. Fans couldnt help but guess what Wintour and Cardi B could possibly have to discuss. Still, Cardi showed once again why shes a favorite, thanks to her down-to-earth demeanor and hilarious wit. When E! News caught up with the reality star turned Grammy-nominated rapper, she flirted a little but refused to reveal what they really talked about. Stuff, was all she said while she coyly turned away from the camera. Still, she hasnt completely gone Hollywood because she fanned out about the chance to meet Wintour just moments before. I couldnt believe it girl, said Cardi. I couldnt contain myself, but I kept it together. She Made Anna Wintour Smile? Whatever happened during that meeting, Cardi managed to do what many models, A-list actors, and even other musicians have rarely been able to accomplish: make Wintour smile. Photographer Matthew Schneier caught snapsots of Cardi and Wintours now viral moment in which Wintour was spotted not only smiling when Cardi came and sat next to her but also during their mysterious conversation. We can only guess what Cardi was saying. Cardi B Slays NYFW During the show, Cardi wore a trench coat that also paired as a dress along with Steve Madden thigh-high boots and a headpiece. The Alexander Wang show wasnt the only time Cardi was spotted during the whos who of fashion moments in New York City. She also attended the Jeremy Scott Fall 2018 fashion show. She rocked a black fur Monschino coat along with white boots. She completed her look with a pair of black sunglasses. Cardi opted for a mint green pants suit at the Christian Siriano Fall 2018 show. She paired it with a light pink fur and white cat-eye shades. While her pants covered her shoes for much of the show, it might be safe to say they were fierce. For the Prabal Gurung show, she and her fiance, rapper Offset of The Migos, both came out in their best. She wore a gold overcoat and mesh stiletto heels. Be sure to keep up with Enstars for the latest on your favorite celebrities. China has become more influential within the European Union since the first 2009 Power Audit of the European Council on Foreign Relations. Chinas position of power is, however, no longer just a matter of trade surplus. It is much broader than that it is a factor of investment, lending, and financial power which all help Beijing to pursue its public diplomacy. Still, what has not changed in nine years is Chinas insistence that it is a developing country, even though it has reached the highest ranks in the global economy. Beijing is picky in its relations with the European Union. Its focus is purely on its direct interests, often ignoring EU norms in its proposals. China has strengthened its relations with member states, while putting special emphasis on Europes periphery. Beijing even holds its own summit with Central and Eastern European countries, called 16+1. The Asian dragon saw an opportunity in the euro crisis for a massive takeover in Europes south. Interestingly, the terms of doing business with southern European countries are not much different from those of Africa or other developing countries: numerous projects creating competition among recipients, loans at commercial rates, and a strong insistence on identical statements and agreements. China is already in Europe. Chinese soft power diplomacy relies on repetitive and positive communication and many European entities, including many companies, media groups, and educational institutions, seek to protect their access to the Chinese market. The EUs learning process of this experience has been difficult. New deals are not in place, not even on trade and the economic issues, which are at the core of European interest. The agreed Agenda 2020 for political and security cooperation with China is fulfilled only to a minimal extent and human rights and humanitarian issues remain to be the most disappointing areas. The challenge with China can be partly explained by opportunistic behavior of some EU member states. Climate and environment are emerging as promising areas of cooperation but at the 2017 EU-China summit, China held a joint statement on climate hostage to its dispute on market economy status. Europe does not link together different issues but it does seek engagement with Beijing on peacekeeping and support for fragile states. Europe is therefore embarking on a realistic engagement with China, getting over the mirage of cash from Beijing. China, on its part, is boosting its command economy, turning to full state-led industry including applications of technology and military. For Europeans, this means the danger of acquisition of critical technologies by China, scientific cooperation agreements mirroring Chinas 2025 goals and other massive plans. The European Commission has come up with new trade instruments and expanded the initiative on investment screening by three core member states. Brussels should further seek engagement but also gear up for a China that is currently not very responsive to EUs requests. This could be done by various means such as replacement of dispersion with strategies, completion of an EU-wide system of investment screening, prevention of new investment from affecting other parts of the mutual relationship and the leveraging of Europes like-minded partners in Asia. China at the Gates: A New Power Audit of EU-China Relations Study by Francois Godement & Abigael Vasselier European Council on Foreign Relations / ECFR) (The Study can be downloaded here) Only about 16% of asylum seekers who have arrived in Greece from Turkey are likely to be sent back despite the EU-Turkish migrant deal being in place. The former head of Greeces asylum service, Maria Stavropoulou, said that the small percentage includes migrants wanting to return to their home country or those who had given up on their asylum claims, adding that 2,200 Syrians can be returned but there are those who have appealed and the process is very slow. This is all happening despite an agreement that promised to take back illegal migrants that had arrived in Greek islands in exchange for financial aid and other incentives. The controversial deal that was criticized by human rights groups brought down the number of migrants seeking to cross the Aegean Sea. Yet, Greece could not send many migrants to Turkey due to regulations based on EU law. Ms. Stavropoulou said that Greece was obliged to respect the legislation it is not a political decision. We must be careful not to adopt amendments that would be considered unconstitutional as it would further slow the process, she added. To help streamline the proceedings, she urged experts from the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) to be involved on the Greek mainland, not just its islands. The UN refugee agency moreover warned last week that many asylum seekers in Greece are victims of sexual violence and harassment. The Greek overcrowded reception centers are often sub-standard and refugees continue to struggle with unsustainable shelter and inadequate security. The situation is most worrying in the reception and identification centers of Moira on the island of Lesbos, and Vathy on Samos. Athens said that Greece was still carrying a disproportionate burden of the EUs asylum applications in 2017, taking 8.5% of the blocs total requests. This Page Is Under Construction - Coming Soon! Why am I seeing this 'Under Construction' page? The Sankofa Fund for Civic Engagement, an African American philanthropic initiative founding in 2015, awarded four, $3,000 grants to Chattanooga African American artists, arts organizations, and arts innovators. The Sankofa Fund is presenting a performance showcase featuring Neshawn Calloway, Nabil Ince, Felicion McMillon-Diakhate, and Josiah Golson on Thursday at 6 p.m. at The Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View Ave. The showcase is family friendly and free to the community. I've been on both Du and Etisalat for a couple of years at a time and not really noticed any difference between the two as far as coverage is concerned. You may have some areas where you get a bit of a drop on one network over the other but I'd advise just concerning yourself with the areas you spend most of your time (home/work) and ensuring that coverage is okay there. I'd advise going into a store for one network and just asking if they can do you a deal, say you will go to the other network if not. Asking the person politely to check with their manager sometimes helps. In saying that, I believe that the current price of 250 (for the package you mention in one of your posts above) that both networks are offering is a short term deal for a limited period. Hence why it's called 'Smart 300' on Etisalat - the '300' denotes the regular price for the package. Hello, if you're still in search of someone. I'm presently in Dubai but still job hunting. I know this is super late but if you still need assistance with any computer hardware or software issues. I can be of help and with just a little get by token or nothing at all. I will appreciate the network Hi there, I did the streamlined domestic procedures last year to come into compliance. Can I claim the cost of the accountant that helped prepare amended returns as a "tax preparation expense" on my 2017 return? Hey there I have a query , I am an Irish Citizen married to a US citizen been married for over 3 years now . I am currently living in the Republic of Ireland and my husband had to return to the USA for urgent family matters he is living the USA I want to join him and live in America with him however I want to know what it is I must do now? Can he petition for me while Im still living and working in IRELAND ? The US embassy informed me that I must go to the USA first before my husband can petition for me? He also needs to file his taxes and wants to file them with me but I do not have an itin number after applying for one twice and traveling to the US embassy in Dublin to get the form certified all I got was a returned certified form of identification for myself, Any help on these matters would be greatly appreciated! Thank you The British Government has confirmed that there will be a requirement for European Union citizens coming to the UK to register during the Brexit implementation period.The Home Office said that the precise details of the implementation period are currently being negotiated with the EU, but planning is well under way and it will be up and running by the 29 March 2019.It means that officials will be registering EU citizens already living in the UK for permanent residency and separately track new arrivals during the Brexit transition period.Brussels had demanded anyone who arrives in Britain during the transition period, when free movement will effectively continue, should be treated exactly the same as people already in the UK, including gaining rights to stay for the longer term.However, Prime Minister Theresa May has already indicated her opposition to this. As far as the Government is concerned any EU citizens who arrive before 29 March 2019 will be able to apply for settled status but those who arrive after will not, including during a transition period.The status of British citizens in EU countries will be the same. All will have access to the health service of each country within the EU. It is estimated that around three million EU citizens currently live in the UK and they will need to be registered by March 2019. This work is currently underway.But there has been a call for a lighter touch for some people and a stricter regime for others post Brexit. According to David Goodhart, head of demography, immigration and integration at think tank the Policy Exchange, there should also be continuity for students and tourists.In a new analysis report he suggests that there should be a customised light touch work permit system for EU professionals and priority for low skilled workers ready to work antisocial hours, thereby acting more as complements than direct competitors to the British workforce.He also says that future immigration policy should bear down on low skilled migration while openness and continuity should prevail in other areas. Visa free travel should continue for short visits from the EU and conditions should remain broadly the same for tourists and students, including the same tuition fee arrangements for EU as for UK students.He calls for the Migration Advisory Committee to work with industries that have become heavily dependent on low skilled EU workers to help manage the transition to lower dependence and says that EU citizens coming to the UK for employment should in future need work permits, with a presumption of five years for professionals and two years for low skilled workers.A Brexit without a clear end to free movement in its current form is neither possible nor desirable as it was clearly one of the biggest single factors behind the Brexit vote. One of the problems with freedom of movement is that it has created a new category of resident: someone who is neither a temporary visitor, such as a tourist, nor someone who is making a permanent commitment to a new country in the manner of the traditional immigrant. Many of those taking advantage of free movement in recent years have enjoyed the rights of the latter with the attitude of the former, Goodhart said.Whilst we welcome an end to freedom of movement, a good post-Brexit immigration deal should maintain a lot of continuity in the movement of people, especially for students and professionals, and we can open up several new temporary work routes. Theres no reason for arrangements to change around tourists and students from the EU, but we do need to see a general reduction in the number of low skilled workers, he explained.The Government, in partnership with industry and the Migration Advisory Committee, needs to set out how they will gradually reduce low skilled immigration from the EU, whilst maintaining a route for workers coming to do jobs with antisocial hours, he added. JUST on 40 potential buyers registered for Jim and Pam McGregors 20th annual on property Ardcairnie Angus bull sale, just south of Kojonup last Tuesday and they were presented with a catalogue of 88 April to July 2016 drop bulls backed by extensive breeding backgrounds and Estimated Breeding Values. The catalogue of 88 bulls offered was up somewhat on last year when 69 were catalogued, the policy at Ardcairnie being that every bull for sale is offered in the sale. Included in the sale catalogue with each bull being offered is an upset price and once this is bid the auction continues. Elders stud stock auctioneer Nathan King had little trouble getting an opening bid running through the first 20 bulls, so much so that lot two with an upset price of $5000 was finally knocked down at $10,500 to RF & RE Walker, Donnybrook, who went on later to buy another at $7000. However the top price on the day came just under halfway through the sale when lot 50 was offered. So highly thought of by Jim and Pat McGregor, they earlier had 200 straws of semen collected for use in their stud with no further call on the bull. With an upset price of $5750 (being the highest in the catalogue) this quickly rose to more than $10,000 and it became a two-way bidding tussle until at $12,250 it was knocked down to GMC Corporation, Denmark, bid by farm manager Greg Godden who had earlier bought one at $7500. Mr Godden left before the sale had finished however principal of GMC Corporation Grant McCleary later said farming country west of Denmark had been purchased along with more than 200 top Angus mated cows as a new venture for the corporation. Their new top sire, M218, is by Ardcairnie F96 and has a good mix of top Australian Angus studs and home bloodlines, hence the McGregors collecting the 200 straws of semen. EBVs for M218 include figures of + 54, +92 and + 136 for 200, 400 and 600-day weights, +16 milk, +122 mature cow weight, +7.7 EMA, $135 Angus Breeding Index, $116 Domestic Index, $142 Heavy Grain Index and $124 Heavy Grass Index. Losing bidder on the top bull was a long-term buyer of Ardcairnie bulls, David Roe, Benalong Grazing Co, Gingin, who has earlier bought one at $10,250 being fourth top price of the sale and later in the catalogue Mr Roe secured another at $7000. Two other long-term clients from the Gingin region were again active at the sale with two going at up to $8000 to Steve Neville, Old Bambun, another two at up to $9000 bought by Murray Butler on behalf of Allan Greenwell, Bullrush Farm, his $9000 purchase the winner of the 2.5 litres of Dectomax donated by Ben Fletcher, Zoetis. The second highest price on the day was $11,000 this paid for one of nine bulls bought by Terry Cockman, accompanied by his daughter Jenny, who as a family, trade as Tebco Fishing Co, Dongara. This was somewhat of a repeat on last year when the family bought 11 bulls from that sale at up to $9200. Their now 20 Ardcairnie bulls and others are being used over 1400 Angus breeders on the families farming interests in the Three Springs region with assistance in this recent venture coming from Elders Gary Preston and Craig Forsyth, also of Dongara who bought two bulls from Tuesdays sale. Also pleasing for Jim and Pam McGregor was that among the 26 buyers who went home having bought from the offering, seven were first time buyers to their stud. With much of the overall support coming from more traditional cattle regions, two bulls up to $9000 are heading out east, bought by Peter and Donna Watkinson, Milnthorpe Farm, Lake Grace, who were among those first time buyers. There were 11 buyers who went home having bought two from the sale and two regular clients requiring more were Ric and Alison Wheatley, RG & AP Wheatley, Winjenup, who trucked three home and Tracey Smith, Yarralena Grazing, Cranbrook, from her selections ended up with four. Such dedication to their breed sees Pam McGregor have a light luncheon for all of fresh buns filled with scotch fillet from Willowbank Angus Beef from the Beef Shop in Maddington. Of the 88 bulls offered 51 sold at auction to a top of $12,250 to average $6368. Commenting after the sale Jim McGregor said it has always been their objective to breed bulls that dedicated beef breeders can use to help them make a profit out of breeding cattle. The result has been very pleasing, the sale attracting seven first time buyers to our stud and we are getting excellent feedback from our long term clients, Mr McGregor said. Speaking on behalf of the selling agents, Elders auctioneer Nathan King said the increase in the number offered of 88 bulls was up by 19 on last year, however it gave potential buyers the opportunity to inspect all the Ardcairnie bulls currently available for sale. He said with the overall average of the sale slightly back on last year this was in line with current trade cattle values which are also down on this time last year. Tennessee ranks in the bottom 10 states for representation by women in the state legislature, according to the Center for American Women in Politics. Hamilton County has only one female county commissioner, and the city of Chattanooga has only two female city councilors. Chattanooga has never had a female mayor. Working toward the proportional representation of women in elective office is a priority for the League of Women Voters of Chattanooga. For her work in helping women run for office, the LWV of Chattanooga will present an award for outstanding contribution to civic engagement in Hamilton County and Chattanooga to April Goebeler at the groups annual meeting on Thursday. Ms. Goebeler organized a candidate workshop for women in October with Kate Coyne-McCoy in Chattanooga. The workshop was well-attended and focused on how to run for elective office. Ms. Goebeler also organized a seminar in Chattanooga on holding office, at which high school and college-age young women met with female elected officials and learned what it takes to successfully hold an elected position. Ms. Goebeler is the co-founder of the Empower Women PAC, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to assisting women in successfully becoming candidates for office. Members of the League of Women Voters will elect a board and program directors at the meeting and will celebrate the 98th birthday of the League. The public is invited, and information on the Leagues activities and events in the coming year (including candidate forums and voter registration) will be available. The annual meeting will be held Thursday at 7 p.m. on the 5th floor of the Edney Building at 1100 Market St. An informal lasagna dinner ($5, payable at the door) will take place before the meeting at 6:30 p.m., at the same site. Nominees for the 2018 LWV of Chattanooga Board include Sharon Alexander and Lisa Bilbrey Hyder (co-presidents); Marvene Noel (1st vice president); Marcia Noe (2nd vice president); Maria Sabin (secretary/treasurer); Teresa Garland (Voter Services chair); Helen Burns Sharp (Observer Corps chair); Colline M. Ferrier (Public Relations director); and Helen Barrett (Newsletter editor). Nominees for off-board Program Directors include Lynda Buntin Burman (Human Needs chair), Christin McWhorter (Health Care chair) and April Goebeler (Womens Proportional Representation chair). For more information, please visit the LWV of Chattanooga website or the groups Facebook page. Join the League of Women Voters at http://www.lwvtn.org/join_a_local_league Former West Coast Eagle and In Front Australia Business Solutions senior relationship manager Matt Priddis was with Central Agri Group stock hand Kylie Murray, Cataby, checking out the bulls at the first Lawsons sale held on-property in Cataby last week. LAWSONS Angus held its inaugural bull sale at Cataby last Wednesday with a line-up of 55 bulls providing WA cattle producers with another opportunity to buy quality Angus genetics during this bull sale season. The result was a resounding success for the first-time sale with a top of $12,000, average of $6229 and only seven sires passed in at auction with private negotiations continuing after the sale. The sale average and clearance were solid results for the Lawsons team and the Ruralco sale team of Primaries of WA and Dairy Livestock Services (DLS), based out of Victoria. DLS auctioneer Brian Leslie travelled from Shepparton, Victoria, to preside over the sale and said he thought it was a very strong result for a first sale. Ive been selling Lawsons bulls at auction in Victoria for more than 20 years and over that time Ive seen the Lawsons team continue to deliver quality to their clients, Mr Leslie said. Theyve got a tremendously strong rate of return from clients because the bulls do what theyre supposed to do and the genetics continue to move forward. This was a fast paced sale with plenty of competition throughout the shed and on AuctionsPlus which reflected the quality of presentation of the bulls available. I think well continue to see strong demand for Lawsons genetics. Primaries livestock manager Paul Mahony and Primaries general manager Andrew Lindsay said they were very pleased with the inaugural sale. We think this is a very positive starting point for future sales at Lawsons here in Cataby and Ruralco is delighted to be involved, they said. The quality of the Angus genetics on offer was impressive and there was a bull in the catalogue for all purchasers. In terms of attendance, the number of people on the day was above expectations and it was fantastic to see a range of producers from the local area and further away. The top priced buyer on the day was Sirona Capital, which landed a Gar Prophet son in lot 14 for $12,000. Perth-based Sam Wilson was making the bids and said the bull not only had the visual outlook but good numbers to back it up. The new purchase will be headed to a property at Bullsbrook where it will go to work in a small herd of Angus breeders focused on driving quality. The Lawsons team described Lawsons Prophet M777 as elite on many levels and it certainly caught attention in the sale ring with plenty of well-muscled presence. It had the highest IMF score in the catalogue at +4.3 which also ranks it in the top 1 per cent of the Angus breed. The rest of Prophet M777s figures were well-rounded including positive rib and rump figures, +6.5 EMA (top 15pc), +22 milk (top 5pc) and growth rates of +57, +101 and +125 for 200, 400 and 600-day weights (top 5-10pc). It was also in the top 1pc of the breed for domestic index and the top 5pc for heavy grain and grass indexes. The second top priced bull on the day went to Jarrahlea, Boyup Brook, when lot eight sold for $10,500. The early July 2016-drop son of Gar Sure Fire complements the team of Lawson bulls bought by the Jarrahlea operation the week earlier at the Jerdacuttup sale. Lawsons Sure Fire M220 ranks in the top 1pc of the breed for domestic index and in the top 5pc for heavy grain and grass indexes. It also had EBVs in the top 5pc for EMA and retail beef yield and strong growth figures at +49, +90 and +114 for 200, 400 and 600-day weights. One of the volume buyers on the day, Peter Mackie, GP Mackie, New Norcia, came away with a total of six Lawsons sires including an equal third top priced bull at $9000. Mr Mackie, who runs about 700 Angus breeders, bought at Lawsons for the first time last year and was happy with the performance of those bulls so far. I like the EBVs on the Lawsons bulls, he said. Specifically the moderate mature cow weights, good EMA and IMF figures were appealing. Progeny from Gar Sure Fire continued to prove popular with Mr Mackies top priced selection featuring the bloodline. Lawsons Sure Fire M197 was an early July 2016-drop calf out of Lawsons Invincible G514 and had a full contingent of index values within the top 1-10pc of the breed. The young bull had a stand out EMA EBV of +9.4, placing it in the top 5pc of the breed and also had IMF and birthweight EBVs ranking in the top 15pc of the breed. Buying at Lawsons for the first time was James Redford, Mogumber Holdings, Red Gully. Typically we like to buy locally and now Lawsons has set up in Cataby we were interested in the sale because of the figures behind the bulls, Mr Redford said. In particular the birthweight figures stand out and the bulls we bought also have good growth rates. Mr Redford said their operation includes about 400 Angus breeders. By sales end, five bulls were knocked down to the Mogumber Holdings account including one of the equal third top priced bulls at $9000. Lot nine was a Gar Sure Fire son, born as a late June 2016-drop calf from Lawsons Tank B1155 G547. It ranked in the top 1pc of the breed for domestic index and also had impressive carcase EBV figures placing it in the top 10pc for EMA and retail beef yield, along with growth EBVs ranking in the top 10-20pc across the board. The overall volume buyers on the day were brothers Glen and Todd Quartermaine, Ucarty Holdings, Dowerin, who finished up with nine Lawsons sires including a top of $8000 which was paid for a Gar Sure Fire son. Glen Quartermaine said the operation which runs 700 Angus breeders had been buying out of the Lawsons Jerdacuttup sale for the past 7-8 years. We were after a nice, even line of good doing bulls, he said. EBVs we look at closely are mature cow weights, good 200 and 400-day growth and good maternal traits. The Quartermaines have seen good results out of the Lawsons genetics which keeps them coming back. The Lawsons bulls and progeny do really well for us, in particular on the growth side of things, they said. We have no issues getting to a good 280 kilograms dress weight for our calves with Lawsons blood. Having the Lawsons genetics available a lot closer to home is positive as well. We usually would buy over the phone or through AuctionsPlus at the Jerdacuttup sale, Mr Quartermaine said. So its great to have a sale more locally that we can get along to and see the bulls beforehand. Lawsons stud principal Harry Lawson said it was exciting for his family to be presenting the first Lawsons sale at Cataby and he was pleased with the support received from new and returning clients. EDUCATION Minister Sue Ellery has assured that students boarding at the Moora Residential College (MRC) are safe, following comments made by Premier Mark McGowan surrounding the flagged closure of the facility next year. It comes after Mr McGowan told 6PR radio last week that an $8.7 million upgrade was needed to make the Moora Residential College fire safe an amount his government could not justify. The advice we got is that there was $8.7m needed to make the residential college fire safe and so thats $8.7m that wed have to spend on a residential college that has a declining population about which there are other opportunities for students to attend other residential colleges or Yanchep High School, Mr McGowan said. With 29 students boarding at the MRC since the school year began last week, questions were raised about the Premiers comments and the risks posed to students boarding at the college. Education Minister Sue Ellery has since confirmed the facility is fire safe and poses no risk to students. The Department of Education makes every effort to ensure no student is put at risk at a WA school or facility, Ms Ellery said. The Department of Education and Department of Finances Building Management and Works will continue to assess and monitor the facility while there are students attending. Major refurbishment and upgrades, including addressing non-compliance issues, were costed at $8.7m. The Nationals WA member for the Agricultural Region Martin Aldridge has criticised the Premier for using fire safety as his justification for closing the MRC. Its an excuse and not a very good one theres nothing more that demonstrates that than the fact that they admitted students last week into Moora Residential College and they intend for those students to see out the rest of this year there, Mr Aldridge said. If there was indeed a fire code issue, if there was a risk of a building not meeting the fire safety regulations, why are there kids in Moora tonight? Its a bit of a cop out to say we have to close Moora because its a fire code issue. The $8.7m figure quoted by the Premier as the fire safety cost was the amount set aside by the former Liberal/National government in August 2016 for an upgrade of the residential college, which has not received any major renovations since its establishment in 1974. The upgrade was scheduled to commence in March 2018, but funding was taken off the table by the McGowan government last year. Those impacted by the MRCs closure including representatives from the Central Midlands Senior High School (CMSHS) P&C, the MRC, and the Shire of Moora have conceded the renovation will not go ahead and are calling for the State government to provide enough funds to cover essential repairs and maintenance works to keep the residential facility open. The Shire of Moora and school P&C estimate the essential repairs and maintenance could cost as little as $160,000. Moora Shire president Ken Seymour said the closure of the MRC would have significant economic impacts on the local community and its potential for growth. He said the Shire of Moora had commissioned an economic impact assessment to analyse the financial implications of the closure of the MRC, which he hoped would prove to the Premier the significant consequences of his governments decision. With several developments flagged in surrounding shires, Mr Seymour said the ramifications of losing the MRC would be acutely felt by the wider Wheatbelt region. Theres stage one of a piggery about to happen, theres a proposed dairy west of Moora in the Dandaragan Shire, theres proposed feedlots, theres proposed new wind farms these arent in the Moora Shire but some of these projects will and may use Moora as a service town with our medical facilities and education facilities, Mr Seymour said. Moora has enough power, water, land and sewerage to double in size which from time to time holds country towns back so were in a fortunate position to have all of those four services in abundance. When youre trying to attract people to a country town, their questions when theyre contemplating moving are always, what are your health and medical facilities like, and what are your education services like? We dont want to lose those education services. Mr Seymour said although the State government had assured the Moora community that CMSHS would not lose its high school status as a result of a 15-20 per cent reduction in student enrolments from the loss of MRC boarders, concerns remained that it would become a district high school. Were worried about losing a certain amount of mass in the high school and if and when we do were worried about it going back to just offering up to Year 10, Mr Seymour said. The government says that wont happen, well thats fine for the government to say that now but there will be future ministers and future governments that this government has no say over. Three Springs grower Chad Eva said many farmers across the region were already feeling the impacts of the planned closure of the MRC. With CMSHS the only high school between Perth and Geraldton, Mr Eva said losing the residential college would make attracting and keeping farm workers in the region more difficult than it already was. With the cost of boarding and tuition fees at Perth schools up to $50,000 a year, he said boarding school was not a viable option for many people living and working in regional WA. At the moment Im chasing four workmen two permanents and two casuals and trying to get young guys that have got kids close to high school age is hard, they dont know what theyre going to do, Mr Eva said. If youre after younger people, trying to get them to live in the country when theyve got kids that are potentially going away to boarding school or trying to theyre asking how can I afford it? Mr Eva said some farmers had turned to increasing wages, or contributing to boarding school fees to attract farm employees. Mr Seymour said the Shire would continue to campaign to keep the MRC open, and was energised by the success of last weeks protest. Close to 600 people attended a rally in Moora early last week urging the State government to reverse its decision to close the MRC. Mr Seymour said the Shire was keen to meet with the Premier and Education Minister Sue Ellery and had extended an invitation for them to visit the MRC. Neither have accepted the invitation. If anything, we are ramping up our campaign, we are doing more and more homework on finding out how important maintaining the residential college is, Mr Seymour said. As far as the community goes the buck stops at the Premier, if he thinks its worth saving that much money, he should make the short trip to Moora to actually talk to student, parents and the people of the Shire and region. Wed really like to see the Education Minister and we would be more than happy to show the Premier to get him to speak to the community about this issue because thats how strongly we feel about it. Farm Weekly contacted the Premiers office for comment but received no response. 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. 2020 was a year marked by hardships and challenges, but the Fauquier community has proven resilient. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you for your continued support, wed like to offer all our subscribers -- new or returning -- 4 WEEKS FREE DIGITAL AND PRINT ACCESS. We understand the importance of working to keep our community strong and connected. As we move forward together into 2021, it will take commitment, communication, creativity, and a strong connection with those who are most affected by the stories we cover. We are dedicated to providing the reliable, local journalism you have come to expect. We are committed to serving you with renewed energy and growing resources. Let the Fauquier Times be your community companion throughout 2021, and for many years to come. The DOJ unsealed an indictment Monday against five former employees of Venezuelas state energy company, charging all of them with money laundering and two with also conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The five defendants took at least $27 million in bribes when they worked for Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA). The two charged with an FCPA conspiracy allegedly arranged for some of the money to go to two other Venezuelan government officials. The 20-count indictment (pdf) was returned in Houston in August 2017. It was unsealed Monday. The DOJ has now charged 15 defendants in the case. Ten have pleaded guilty. Four of the defendants charged in the indictment unsealed Monday were arrested by local authorities in Spain in October 2017. Those defendants are: Luis Carlos De Leon Perez, 41 Nervis Gerardo Villalobos Cardenas, 50 Cesar David Rincon Godoy, 50, and Rafael Ernesto Reiter Munoz, 39. The DOJ said De Leon, Villalobos, and Reiter are in Spanish custody pending extradition. Cesar Rincon was extradited from Spain on February 9. He made his first appearance in federal court in Houston on Monday. A fifth defendant, Alejandro Isturiz Chiesa, 33, is at large. All five defendants are citizens of Venezuela. De Leon is also a U.S. citizen. Each of the defendants is charged with one or more counts of money laundering and money-laundering conspiracy. De Leon and Villalobos are also each charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the FCPA. Money laundering is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. FCPA-related offenses are punishable by up to five years in prison. The DOJ said all five defendants worked for state-owned PDVSA or a subsidiary. There were therefore foreign officials under the FCPA. Their group was known as the management team. They took bribes from PDVSA vendors. In exchange, the management team helped the vendors win work and get paid during a liquidity crisis at the state energy company. Some of the vendors lived in the United States, the DOJ said, or owned and controlled businesses incorporated and based in the United States. The defendants allegedly laundered some of the bribe money through real estate transactions and other investments in the U.S. The indictment alleges two PDVSA vendors sent over $27 million in bribe payments to an account in Switzerland. De Leon and Villalobos controlled the account. Some of the money went to another foreign official who wasnt named in the indictment. Thats the basis for the FCPA conspiracy charges against De Leon and Villalobos. (The FCPA can only be used to prosecute bribe payers and not bribe takers.) One of the PDVSA vendors, Jose Shiera, 55, of Coral Gables, Florida, pleaded guilty in March 2016 to one count of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and commit wire fraud and one count of violating the FCPA. The other vendor, Roberto Rincon, 58, of The Woodlands, Texas, pleaded guilty in June 2016 to one count of conspiracy to violate the FCPA, one count of violating the FCPA, and one count of making false statements on his 2010 federal income tax return. His brother is Cesar Rincon, who was charged in the indictment unsealed Monday. Roberto Rincon and Shiera are waiting to be sentenced. ___ Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog. Choi Soon-sil, former presidential advisor, jailed 20 yearsSunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants, said Justice Louis Brandeis in 1913. This month, the global spotlight shines on South Korea as it hosts the 2018 Olympic Games. And what we see is a country taking historic measures to hold public and private officials accountable for corruption. Just today, a South Korean court sentenced Choi Soon-sil, close advisor to former president Park Geun-ye, to twenty years in prison for her role in a sprawling corruption scheme. Choi used a combination of non-profit organizations and paper companies, in South Korea and overseas, to launder bribe money solicited from some of South Koreas most prominent conglomerates. Given her influence on then-President Park, Choi could promise favorable business treatment from the government in exchange for the bribes. Choi then funneled the bribe money through her organizations to use it for personal purposes. So too was the chairman of South Koreas prestigious Lotte conglomerate, Shin Dong-bin, sentenced today for his role, receiving 2.5 years in prison. This follows last years conviction of de facto Samsung chair Lee Jae-yong for similar conduct. Though Lee was released from prison last week, Samsung companies continue to be investigated for related acts of corruption. And of course, this all comes in the wake of last years historic impeachment of President Park Geun-ye for her role in this scheme. Park was the first president in South Korea history to be impeached. For two consecutive Olympic Games, the host country has been embroiled in a massive public corruption crackdown. With Brazil, host of the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Operation Car Wash and related corruption allegations impeached a sitting president, criminally convicted the prior president, and let to the imprisonment of leading Brazilian corporate leaders. As if by script, South Koreas scandal, dubbed Choi-gate, is having nearly the same effect, and at the same time. One of the famed Asian tigers, South Korea emerged from the rubble of the Korean War to become among the dozen largest economies in the world. The countrys recipe for progress included an authoritarian ruler working closely with family-owned conglomerates called chaebol. The recipe worked, but corruption was its collateral cost. Now, following years of pursing an aggressive economic agenda, South Korea is seemingly pursuing an anti-corruption agenda that is nearly as bold. So too is it equally deserving of recognition. As the PyeongChang Olympics continue, well further delve into this fascinating moment in the history of South Korea, of the Olympics, and of the global anti-corruption effort. For further information, see the webpage of the University of Richmonds Olympic Corruption Research Team here. ____ Andy Spalding is a lecturer at the International Anti-Corruption Academy, Professor at the University of Richmond School of Law, and Senior Editor of the FCPA Blog. Chattanooga Police said they have contacted a man who was attacked by a gang near the riverfront on Sunday and are now seeking the public's help in identifying the attackers. Police said, "A CPD officer was able to make contact with the complainant Monday afternoon. The adult male told the officer he left the area after the incident and had not filed a report. The officer ... (click for more) House District 29 candidate Deangelo Jelks said he had no comment on allegations by a campaign worker that he had raped her. He said, "I know what you are referring to, but I have been advised not to comment." He did, however, resign as vice chairman of the Hamilton County Democratic Party. Mr. Jelks has not been charged with any crime, but Chattanooga Police are investigating ... (click for more) Jason Wu has quit Hugo Boss after five years. Jason Wu The 35-year-old fashion designer has been Art Director of the German luxury label since 2013, but has decided to step down from the job to focus on his own titular label, which he started in 2007. Speaking to WWD.com about his departure from the famous fashion house, Wu said: "I feel like by today's standards [five years] is a very long time, which I'm very, very proud of. "It's public knowledge that about a year and a half ago there was a management change at Hugo Boss. "I've really stayed on to help the brand with the transition of its next stage. "It's going on to the next generation and iteration of Hugo Boss. "We just shot the autumn/winter 2018 campaign in January in New York. I'm happy to have helped the brand get more notoriety in terms of womenswear." Wu says he is proud of getting to do "a lot" during his time in the business and that he looks up to Chanel and Fendi boss Karl Lagerfield. He continued: "I've worn many different hats in the past 10 years and throughout my whole career. I am never really the complaining kind. "I love doing a lot of things. One of my biggest idols is Karl Lagerfeld. I think to be able to do a lot is fortunate. I'm really happy to have done a lot." Hug Boss' Chief Brand Office Ingo Wilts has spoken about Wu's final "Gallery" collection showcase today (13.02.18), which was held in Cedar Lake. He commented: "I feel certain that he will approach all his future projects with the same compelling passion and zest that he brought to Hugo Boss - and for which we are highly indebted to him at that time." Michael Kors has joined forces with fashion artist David Downton for a special capsule collection. Michael Kors The world-famous designer has confirmed that the new collection is to debut at his runway show at the Beaumont Theater in New York City on Wednesday (14.02.18), with the capsule being made available in stores later this year. Downton has previously worked with the likes of Vogue, Vanity Fair and Harper's Bazaar magazines, while he has also produced portraits for the likes of Cate Blanchett and Dita Von Teese. The designer explained, according to Women's Wear Daily: "This is our first collaboration with an artist for Michael Kors Collection, and it is very personal. David captures people's essence and style without feeling the need to draw every detail about them - it's the magic of a great illustrator." Kors is also set to host a dinner at JG Melon following the show to toast their partnership. The announcement comes shortly after the fashion brand hailed its acquisition of Jimmy Choo as a success. Michael Kors bought the British fashion house in November last year and the firm - which announced a revenue increase of 6.5 per cent to $1.44 billion for the third financial quarter - said it was pleased with the integration of the brand. John D Idol, the company's chairman and chief executive officer, explained: "We are pleased with our third quarter performance, which delivered better than expected results and saw the successful integration of Jimmy Choo into our luxury group. "The Michael Kors brand continued to make progress on Runway 2020 initiatives across product innovation, brand engagement and customer experience." Paul Burrell has claimed he can contact Queen Elizabeth "quicker" than his own agent. Paul Burrell The 59-year-old star worked as a footman for the 91-year-old monarch before later becoming the butler to the late Princess Diana - who died in a car crash in 1997 - and has boasted that he can contact the Queen whenever he chooses, claiming she's easier to get in touch with than the people who work for him. He said: "I can get a message quicker to the Queen than I can to my agent. And she is not on Facebook and she doesn't have a mobile phone." Paul made the comments as he prepared to enter the Australian version of popular reality show 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!', and also discussed the questions he still has surrounding the death of Princess Diana. He added to Australia's News Corp: "I am mystified. When the accident happened, it took 40 minutes for the ambulance to take her body to the hospital. I went on that journey and it was 10 minutes. So what happened to the other 30 minutes? "I don't know what happened in Paris because I wasn't there. I know what she told me. I know what she feared. I am not going to tell you dirty laundry secrets, that is not my style. "I am still loyal and true and Princess Diana's colours are nailed to my mast for the rest of my life. I am going to remind the younger generation of that incredible, unique inspirational human being. "There is a lot more to say about Princess Diana and the Queen, respectful things." Despite his ties to the royal family, Paul doesn't think he'll be getting an invite to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in May. He said: "Well, the invitations haven't gone out yet. I used to change their nappies - but what you have to understand is the complexity of all of that world. I don't live in their world anymore and they don't live in mine. It's a very different situation." When considering your honeymoon Peru might not be the first country that springs to mind. Peru is much more than Paddington Bear, and these ten reasons highlights the wonders of Peru, and why Peru should be your honeymoon destination. Weddings at Female First Ancient Incan Sites Discover the ancient UNESCO World Heritage citadel of Machu Picchu hidden deep in the jungle. For the adventurous you could trek the four day Inca Trail and arrive as the sun rises over the site, alternatively you can arrive by luxury train. Limas Food Lima, Perus capital city, is home to 3 of the worlds top 50 restaurants (2017). If you cannot wait to try some eclectic and fresh cuisine that is putting Peru firmly of the foodies map then head to one of the exciting Peruvian restaurants in London, UK. Historical cities Cusco is the former capital of the Inca Empire and the city in an absolute delight. Picture cobbled streets, ornate colonial churches and locals herding their Llamas. The main plaza comes alive at night where you will find small artisan breweries serving local beers and cocktails. Colourful Local markets Peru is rife with colourful, atmospheric and traditional markets where you can taste local delicacies like the guinea pig, shop for alpaca woollen garments or try the deliciously refreshing fruit juices. The Amazon Jungle Looking to escape and relax after the wedding and start your married life in harmony with the world? There is no better place than a stay at a remote eco lodge where there are over 670 varieties of birds, more than 180 mammals and around 20,000 plant species. Activities If you want a honeymoon with activity then a Peru honeymoon is perfect. Trekking in the Andean mountains, kayaking over the mythical Lake Titicaca, Ice climbing in Huarez to sand boarding in Ica. Peru is blessed with coasts, deserts, mountains and virgin jungle that all offer a huge variety of adrenaline based experiences. Hot springs Colca Canyon is the second deepest canyon in the world and you will find some world class hotels in this remote and traditional region that have their own private and natural hot springs. Soaking your muscles in the springs after the sun has set with a night cap in hand is the ultimate way to start your married life in style. Surfing Maybe not the first thing you associate with Peru. If you want to include a little beach with activity on your Peru honeymoon then head to Mancora or Tumbes for the laid back bohemian scene and some barefoot luxury and surf. Luxury Trains Travel through the high altiplano in southern Peru on the luxury trains that traverse the territory. For those looking for a touch of luxury combined with eye opening discovery then the trains are a top option. Direct flights from London You can fly direct to Lima, Perus capital, from London Gatwick on a Wednesday, Friday or Sunday. Meaning there is no need to worry about connecting flights and long layovers. South America Odyssey, a specialist London based tour operator are the ideal company to plan your Peru honeymoon. Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category Winners of FinanceAsias annual Achievement Awards for Australia and New Zealand gathered for a celebratory dinner in Sydney last week. The event was held at the luxury Park Hyatt and attended by more than 120 guests. Click here to view photos from the event. Follow these links for details of the House Award and Deal Award winners. Special guest Michael Smith OBE gave a keynote speech about global market risks and opportunities. Issuers and their advisors were on hand to collect awards, including senior executives from Nufarm, DUET, Queensland Treasury Corporation, Latitude Financial Services and Ausgrid. Several guests received... TALLINN, Estonia, February 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- World's First AI-Controlled Influencer Marketing Platform Exceeded Presale Expectations 2 Times In 36 Minutes Due To Overwhelming Community Interest AdHive, an AI-powered and community-driven platform for native video advertising on influencers' channels has announced to successfully conclude presale stage, closing the cap in victorious 36 minutes. 2220 token purchasers were lucky enough to get on board during presale as AdHive released the "first come - first served" mechanics to guarantee transparency and avoid "gas wars". (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/640082/AdHive.jpg ) "The presale $ 5.5M is way above the planned $ 3M for the stage - we stepped up the market with a strong and experienced team, proven core technology, bringing a transparent vision for the further development, yet we did not expect the crypto-community to embrace the idea so favorably," comments Dmitry Malyanov, AdHive Co-Founder. AdHive will stick to the global business development roadmap, while AdHive team does not imply any changes for the token sale main stage. Scheduled to kickoff on February, 21, AdHive will welcome its early token purchasers to close the $ 12M hard cap till March, 14 - or earlier, depending on the overall token sale demand. "The staggering success of our token presale has left the AdHive team both humbled and overjoyed. From the very beginning we knew that the only way for us to succeed in revolutionizing global influencer marketing industry was the one with the community supportive, passionate and positive on our side. "We will definitely justify and empower the trust given to us by crypto-community, early supporters and token purchasers, and do our best to make AdHive project a new standard reinventing the $ 40Bln market with the help of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology. Stay tuned for our token sale!" added Dmitry Malyanov. Having taken into account the issues associated with an explosively high demand for the ADH tokens, AdHive will introduce mild restrictions on individual ADH purchases during token sale, as well as two-stage token purchase mechanics to eliminate the possible hard cap triggering delay. Creative Discovery Museum celebrates the year of the Dog during its annual Chinese New Year event on Saturday, Feb. 24 from noon-4 p.m. Timed Events noon-4 p.m.: Chopstick and art activities noon-1 p.m.: Cooking lesson / Chinese dumpling tasting 1 p.m.: Lion dance 1:30 p.m.: Folkloric Chinese dance 2 p.m.: Martial Arts demonstration 3 p.m.: Lion dance 3:30 p.m.: Folkloric Chinese dance 4 p.m.: Chinese song The celebration will feature the Chien Hong Lion Dance Troupe as they present two Lion Dance performances in the Museum Atrium at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The Chien Hong Schools martial arts performing group will also present a martial arts demonstration at 2 p.m. Chien Hong School Wu Guan's Chinese martial arts performing group is formed by a group of expert martial artists and is the only martial arts team that emphasizes on-stage performances. Museum guests will also spend the afternoon celebrating with additional festive activities including constructing masks and puppets, learning how to use chopsticks and tasting a Chinese dumpling. Chattanooga-area folk dancers will also present traditional Chinese dances and routines during the event. Creative Discovery Museums Chinese New Year event is a special time for families to celebrate a cultural tradition while engaging in a rich and colorful arts experience, said Liza Blair, arts manager at Creative Discovery Museum. Funding for the artists performances is made possible by Arts Build and the Tennessee Arts Commission. All activities and materials are included with Museum admission. For more information, call 423-756-2738. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - GM Korea Company said that it will cease production and close its Gunsan plant by the end of May 2018. The restructuring occurs after a careful review of the company's operations, which have sustained significant losses for the past several years. GM noted that it has been aggressively addressing underperforming businesses globally, and is now focused on finding a solution for its South Korean operations. The company said it has proposed to its key stakeholders - including its labor union, the South Korean Government and key GM Korea shareholders - a concrete plan to stay in the country and turn the business around that requires the full support of all parties. The proposal includes significant product-related investments in South Korea and would preserve thousands of jobs. As a result of this action, GM expects to take charges of up to $850 million, including approximately $475 million of non-cash asset impairments and up to $375 million of primarily employee-related cash expenses. Substantially all of these charges will be recorded by the end of the second quarter of 2018, and will be treated as special and excluded from the company's EBIT-adjusted and EPS-diluted-adjusted results. Based in Incheon, Korea, GM Korea has made significant contributions to the Korean economy and automotive industry over the last 16 years, producing 10 million vehicles since its establishment in 2002. GM Korea supports approximately 200,000 direct and indirect Korean jobs. In 2017, GM Korea sold 132,377 units in Korea and exported 392,170 vehicles to 120 markets around the world. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Frankfurt Airport records significant rise in passenger traffic - Fraport Group airports see stable trend FRANKFURT, Germany, Feb. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- FRA/emk-rap - Frankfurt Airport (FRA) continues to be on a growth path in the New Year. In January 2018, Germany's largest aviation hub recorded 4,549,717 passengers (up 7.6 percent). Once again European traffic was the main growth driver, increasing by 12.6 percent, while intercontinental traffic rose by 2.6 percent. Cargo (airfreight and airmail) throughput at Frankfurt Airport advanced by 1.3 percent. Aircraft movements even surpassed FRA's passenger growth, rising by 8.6 percent to 36,816 takeoffs and landings - mainly attributable to European traffic. Accumulated maximum takeoff weights (MTOWs) increased by 6.5 percent to about 2.3 million metric tons. Fraport's Group airports largely registered positive traffic performance in January 2018. Ljubljana Airport (LJU) in the Slovenian capital achieved a 12.3 percent rise to 100,375 passengers. Fraport's international portfolio now includes the Brazilian airports of Fortaleza (FOR) and Porto Alegre (POA) since the beginning of the year. With a combined total of some 1.3 million passengers and an increase of 0.4 percent, traffic at FOR and POA remained stable in the reporting month. Together, the 14 Greek regional airports posted a 5.1 percent slowdown in traffic to a total of 549,506 passengers. This is primarily due to runway renovation works at Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) - Fraport Greece's busiest airport - which reported 309,586 passengers in the reporting month (down 12.2 percent). After SKG, the second and third busiest airports were Rhodes (RHO) with 58,673 passengers (up 6.3 percent) and Chania (CHQ) with 43,255 passengers (down 36.2 percent). At Lima Airport (LIM) in the Peruvian capital, traffic increased by 9.3 percent to about 1.8 million passengers. Fraport's Twin Star Airports of Varna (VAR) and Burgas (BOJ) on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast together welcomed 72,905 passengers, up 85.4 percent. Welcoming 800,077 air travelers, Antalya Airport (AYT) on the Turkish Riviera recorded a gain of 18.4 percent - thus continuing its rebound in January 2018. In northern Germany, Hanover Airport (HAJ) served 321,703 passengers (up 7.0 percent). St. Petersburg Airport (LED) in Russia reported a 9.8 percent increase in traffic to about 1.1 million passengers. Due to the Chinese New Year's festival occurring later this year, Xi'an Airport (XIY) remained close to the previous year's level with some 3.3 million passengers in January 2018 (down 0.1 percent). Print-quality photos of Fraport AG and Frankfurt Airport are available for free downloading via the photo library on the Fraport Web site. For TV news and information broadcasting purposes only, we also offer free footage material for downloading. If you wish to meet a member of our Media Relations team when at Frankfurt Airport, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our contact details are available here. Fraport Traffic Figures January 2018 Fraport Group Airports1 January 2018 Year to Date (YTD) 2018 Fraport Passengers Cargo* Movements Passengers Cargo Movements Fully-consolidated airports share (%) Month I" % Month I" % Month I" % YTD I" % YTD I" % YTD I" % FRA Frankfurt Germany 100.00 4,549,397 7.6 166,565 0.4 36,816 8.6 4,549,397 7.6 166,565 0.4 36,816 8.6 LJU Ljubljana Slovenia 100.00 100,375 12.3 1,016 18.0 2,465 11.4 100,375 12.3 1,016 18.0 2,465 11.4 Fraport Brasil 100.00 1,297,288 0.4 5,098 31.2 12,867 10.9 1,297,288 0.4 5,098 31.2 12,867 10.9 FOR Fortaleza Brazil 100.00 594,251 -5.6 2,974 19.4 5,235 2.3 594,251 -5.6 2,974 19.4 5,235 2.3 POA Porto Alegre Brazil 100.00 703,037 6.0 2,124 52.2 7,632 17.7 703,037 6.0 2,124 52.2 7,632 17.7 Fraport Regional Airports of Greece A+B 73.40 549,506 -5.1 n.a. n.a. 5,874 -7.8 549,506 -5.1 n.a. n.a. 5,874 -7.8 Fraport Regional Airports of Greece A 73.40 409,740 -7.9 n.a. n.a. 4,009 -9.2 409,740 -7.9 n.a. n.a. 4,009 -9.2 CFU Kerkyra (Corfu) Greece 73.40 19,603 31.3 n.a. n.a. 372 78.8 19,603 31.3 n.a. n.a. 372 78.8 CHQ Chania (Crete) Greece 73.40 43,255 -36.2 n.a. n.a. 308 -43.0 43,255 -36.2 n.a. n.a. 308 -43.0 EFL Kefalonia Greece 73.40 1,890 6.1 n.a. n.a. 77 1.3 1,890 6.1 n.a. n.a. 77 1.3 KVA Kavala Greece 73.40 32,428 > 100.0 n.a. n.a. 380 > 100.0 32,428 > 100.0 n.a. n.a. 380 > 100.0 PVK Aktion/Preveza Greece 73.40 329 8.6 n.a. n.a. 66 -19.5 329 8.6 n.a. n.a. 66 -19.5 SKG Thessaloniki Greece 73.40 309,586 -12.2 n.a. n.a. 2,696 -17.1 309,586 -12.2 n.a. n.a. 2,696 -17.1 ZTH Zakynthos Greece 73.40 2,649 -2.9 n.a. n.a. 110 -14.1 2,649 -2.9 n.a. n.a. 110 -14.1 Fraport Regional Airports of Greece B 73.40 139,766 4.5 n.a. n.a. 1,865 -4.8 139,766 4.5 n.a. n.a. 1,865 -4.8 JMK Mykonos Greece 73.40 2,309 -75.4 n.a. n.a. 61 -62.3 2,309 -75.4 n.a. n.a. 61 -62.3 JSI Skiathos Greece 73.40 873 40.1 n.a. n.a. 40 17.6 873 40.1 n.a. n.a. 40 17.6 JTR Santorini (Thira) Greece 73.40 30,389 8.8 n.a. n.a. 300 -1.3 30,389 8.8 n.a. n.a. 300 -1.3 KGS Kos Greece 73.40 17,363 63.6 n.a. n.a. 319 29.1 17,363 63.6 n.a. n.a. 319 29.1 MJT Mytilene (Lesvos) Greece 73.40 20,236 -2.6 n.a. n.a. 327 -4.4 20,236 -2.6 n.a. n.a. 327 -4.4 RHO Rhodes Greece 73.40 58,673 6.3 n.a. n.a. 584 -3.9 58,673 6.3 n.a. n.a. 584 -3.9 SMI Samos Greece 73.40 9,923 7.3 n.a. n.a. 234 -10.7 9,923 7.3 n.a. n.a. 234 -10.7 LIM Lima Peru2 70.01 1,824,375 9.3 24,915 -1.2 16,499 9.4 1,824,375 9.3 24,915 -1.2 16,499 9.4 Fraport Twin Star 60.00 72,905 85.4 861 -50.6 801 33.5 72,905 85.4 861 -50.6 801 33.5 BOJ Burgas Bulgaria 60.00 13,043 24.1 856 -47.9 195 -6.7 13,043 24.1 856 -47.9 195 -6.7 VAR Varna Bulgaria 60.00 59,862 > 100.0 4 -95.4 606 55.0 59,862 > 100.0 4 -95.4 606 55.0 At equity consolidated airports2 AYT Antalya Turkey 51.00 800,077 18.4 n.a. n.a. 5,440 6.8 800,077 18.4 n.a. n.a. 5,440 6.8 HAJ Hannover Germany 30.00 321,703 7.0 1,894 17.0 4,853 1.4 321,703 7.0 1,894 17.0 4,853 1.4 LED St. Petersburg Russia 25.00 1,079,174 9.8 n.a. n.a. 11,328 7.7 1,079,174 9.8 n.a. n.a. 11,328 7.7 XIY Xi'an China 24.50 3,308,664 -0.1 25,549 14.7 25,565 -0.3 3,308,664 -0.1 25,549 14.7 25,565 -0.3 Frankfurt Airport3 January 2018 Month I" % YTD 2018 I" % Passengers 4,549,717 7.6 4,549,717 7.6 Cargo (freight & mail) 170,686 1.3 170,686 1.3 Aircraft movements 36,816 8.6 36,816 8.6 MTOW (in metric tons)4 2,336,738 6.5 2,336,738 6.5 PAX/PAX-flight5 132.5 -1.3 132.5 -1.3 Seat load factor (%) 72.8 72.8 Punctuality rate (%) 78.3 78.3 Frankfurt Airport PAX share I" %6 PAX share I" %6 Regional Split Month YTD Continental 59.8 11.3 59.8 11.3 Germany 11.0 5.5 11.0 5.5 Europe (excl. GER) 48.9 12.6 48.9 12.6 Western Europe 40.5 12.2 40.5 12.2 Eastern Europe 8.4 14.8 8.4 14.8 Intercontinental 40.2 2.6 40.2 2.6 Africa 4.9 8.1 4.9 8.1 Middle East 6.4 0.0 6.4 0.0 North America 11.8 1.6 11.8 1.6 Central & South Amer. 4.8 -1.3 4.8 -1.3 Far East 12.2 4.6 12.2 4.6 Australia 0.0 n.a. 0.0 n.a. Definitions: 1 According to ACI definition: Passengers: commercial traffic only (arr+dep+transit counted once), Cargo: commercial and non-commercial traffic (arr+dep excluding transit, in metric tons), Movements: commercial and non-commercial traffic (arr+dep); 2 Preliminary figures; 3 Commercial and non-commercial traffic: Passengers (arr+dep+transit counted once, incl. general aviation), Cargo (arr+dep+transit counted once, in metric tons), Movements (arr+dep); 4 Inbound traffic only; 5 Scheduled and charter traffic; 6 absolute change vs. previous year in %; *Cargo = Freight + mail Fraport AG Torben Beckmann Tel.: +49-69-690-70553 Corporate Communications E-mail: t.beckmann@fraport.de Media Relations Internet: www.fraport.com 60547 Frankfurt, Germany Facebook: www.facebook.com/FrankfurtAirport For further information about Fraport AG please click here. BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - Fraport AG (FRA.DE, 0O1R.L, FPRUF.PK) said that in January 2018, about 4.55 million passengers flew through Frankfurt Airport, up 7.6 percent from the prior year. Once again European traffic was the main growth driver, increasing by 12.6 percent, while intercontinental traffic rose by 2.6 percent. Cargo -airfreight and airmail- throughput at Frankfurt Airport advanced by 1.3 percent. Aircraft movements even surpassed FRA's passenger growth, rising by 8.6 percent to 36,816 takeoffs and landings - mainly attributable to European traffic. Accumulated maximum takeoff weights (MTOWs) increased by 6.5 percent to about 2.3 million metric tons. Fraport's Group airports largely registered positive traffic performance in January 2018. Ljubljana Airport in the Slovenian capital achieved a 12.3 percent rise to 100,375 passengers. Fraport's international portfolio now includes the Brazilian airports of Fortaleza or FOR and Porto Alegre or POA since the beginning of the year. With a combined total of some 1.3 million passengers and an increase of 0.4 percent, traffic at FOR and POA remained stable in the reporting month. 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. The Board of Directors of Kering SA ("Kering") will submit a resolution to its shareholders, at the general meeting to be held on April 26, 2018, to approve in addition to the distribution of an annual ordinary dividend of 6.00 per share1 an exceptional distribution in kind of PUMA SE ("PUMA") shares, offering 1 PUMA share for 12 Kering shares held, the terms and conditions of which are described below. This distribution will be paid on May 16, 2018. Upon completion of such transaction, Kering will retain 2,368,558 PUMA shares, representing 15.70% of the share capital2 and 15.85% of the shares outstanding3 and voting rights of PUMA. Regulatory News: This press release aims at informing the shareholders of Kering (Paris:KER) of the technical terms of the distribution in kind of PUMA shares. For any information regarding PUMA, the shareholders of Kering should refer to the information published by PUMA, in particular the 2016 annual report4. All this information is available on the PUMA website (about.PUMA.com/en). Shareholders who are natural persons with their tax residence in France should be made aware that the distribution in kind of PUMA shares is subject, under the conditions set out in paragraph 4.1.1 below, upon the delivery of the shares or the payment of the cash balance, to a 12.8% non-final flat-rate withholding tax (prelevement forfaitaire non liberatoire) ("PFNL") of the distributed gross amount (unless exempted as described below), as well as to various social withholdings of up to 17.2% of the distributed gross amount, representing a total levy amounting to 30% of the distributed gross amount. This press release does not constitute (i) an offer to sell or subscribe or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe to the PUMA shares, or (ii) a solicitation to obtain an approval or a favorable vote to approve the distribution described herein, in particular in any jurisdiction where such solicitation would be prohibited. United States of America Shares and other securities may not be offered, sold or transferred in the United States of America without registration or an exemption from registration requirements pursuant to the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The PUMA shares included in the distribution in kind have not been, nor will be registered in the United States of America under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the distribution in kind of PUMA shares by Kering has not been approved or rejected by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") or any other commission of a State of the United States of America and neither these commissions nor the SEC have reviewed the accuracy or adequacy of this press release. Any representation to the contrary may be considered a criminal offense in the United States of America. Member states of the European Economic Area This press release is not a prospectus or any other offering document pursuant to Directive 2003/71/EC (and any amendments thereto) and cannot be considered as containing all the information that a prospective investor may need for the purposes of evaluating a possible investment in Kering or PUMA or that would be required to be included in a prospectus prepared in accordance with the requirements of Directive 2003/71/EC (and any amendments thereto). 1. TERMS OF THE DISTRIBUTION IN KIND 1.1. Characteristics of the distribution in kind Kering currently holds through one of its 100% held subsidiaries 12,891,834 PUMA shares representing, based on the number of shares and voting rights comprising the PUMA share capital as of December 31, 2017, 85.48%of PUMA share capital and 86.25% of its shares outstanding and voting rights. PUMA shares are fully paid up ordinary shares of the same class, listed on the regulated markets of Frankfurt and Munich under ISIN code DE0006969603. In addition to the distribution of an annual ordinary dividend of 6.00 per share5, an exceptional distribution in kind of 10,523,276 PUMA shares (out of the 12,891,834 PUMA shares held by Kering6) offering 1 PUMA share for 12 Kering shares held (the "Distribution in Kind") will be proposed to the shareholders of Kering at the general meeting to be held on April 26, 2018. Upon completion of this transaction, Kering will retain 2,368,558 PUMA shares, representing 15.70% of the share capital and 15.85% of the shares outstanding and voting rights of PUMA, on the assumption that there is no adjustment of the distribution ratio. The Distribution in Kind will be paid on May 16, 2018 with an ex-date on May 14, 2018. The shareholders of Kering entitled to receive the Distribution in Kind (the "Beneficiaries of the Distribution in Kind") will be those whose shares have been recorded in the accounts in their name at the end of the trading day preceding the date of payment, i.e., May 15, 2018 (after taking into account orders executed during the day of May 11, 2018 and delivered on May 15, 2018). In the case of a division of the shares' ownership, the beneficiary of the Distribution in Kind will be the beneficial owner (usufruitier), unless otherwise agreed. The shareholders of Kering should contact their regular advisor on those questions. Kering shares held in treasury on May 15, 2018 will not be eligible for the Distribution in Kind. The amount corresponding to the Distribution in Kind (i) will be determined by using the PUMA opening share price on May 16, 2018, on the Frankfurt stock exchange, and (ii) will not exceed the financial year's result and retained earnings, in accordance with current laws and regulations, less the amount of the distribution of an annual ordinary dividend of 6.00 per share (representing a net total amount of 5,570 million as of December 31, 20177). In the event that the Distribution in Kind amount exceeds this authorized cap, the Board of Directors of Kering will have all powers to adjust the aforementioned distribution ratio so that the amount distributed does not exceed such cap; this would be the case if the PUMA opening share price on the Frankfurt stock exchange on the payment date would exceed 529.28 on the basis of a distributable amount of 5,570 million and assuming that 10,523,276 PUMA shares are distributed. In the event that the ratio for the Distribution in Kind is adjusted, Kering will publish a press release on the morning of the payment date, once the PUMA opening share price on the Frankfurt stock exchange is known. Rights forming fractional shares shall neither be tradable nor assignable. As a consequence, if the allocation to which a shareholder is entitled is not, due to the distribution ratio, a whole number of PUMA shares (i.e. a holding of Kering shares lower than 12 or which does not correspond to a multiple of 12), the shareholder shall receive the number of PUMA shares immediately below this number, together with a cash payment for the balance, the amount of which will be calculated pro rata the price at which the shares corresponding to the fractional shares will have been sold. Shareholders with less than 12 Kering shares as of May 15, 2018 will therefore solely receive a payment in cash. For illustrative purposes only and assuming that the PUMA shares corresponding to its fractional shares will be sold at a price of 3638 per share: a shareholder with 8 Kering shares would not receive any PUMA shares but solely a balance cash payment of a gross amount of 242, equivalent to 8 x (1/12) x 363; a shareholder with 23 Kering shares would receive 1 PUMA share and a balance cash payment of a gross amount of 332.75, equivalent to (23-12) x (1/12) x 363. The amount corresponding to the Distribution in Kind, i.e., the number of PUMA shares distributed (whether they are delivered to the shareholders of Kering or sold due to fractional shares) multiplied by the opening share price on May 16, 2018 on the Frankfurt stock exchange, shall be charged first to the financial year's result and, for any surplus, to the retained earnings. Assuming there is no adjustment of the distribution ratio, Kering will retain following the Distribution in Kind 2,368,558 PUMA shares, representing 15.70% of the share capital and 15.85% of the shares outstanding and voting rights of PUMA (on the basis of the number of shares and voting rights comprising PUMA's share capital as of December 31, 2017). Kering and Artemis S.A. undertake to retain their stake in PUMA for six and twelve months, respectively, from the payment date of the Distribution in Kind9. Kering and Artemis S.A.y declare that they will act in concert vis-a-vis PUMA post-completion of the Distribution in Kind. Moreover, Kering reserves the possibility to purchase PUMA shares post-completion of the Distribution in Kind depending on market conditions. 1.2. Timetable for the Distribution in Kind The indicative timetable for the Distribution in Kind is the following: March 19, 2018 Publication of the first notice (avis de reunion) in the BALO convening the general meeting of Kering March 30, 2018 Publication of the second notice (avis de convocation) in the BALO convening the general meeting of Kering April 26, 2018 General meeting of Kering approving the Distribution in Kind May 14, 2018 Ex-date for the Distribution in Kind May 16, 2018 Payment of Kering's cash dividend for the 2017 financial year and of the Distribution in Kind 2. IMPACT OF THE DISTRIBUTION IN KIND ON KERING'S CONSOLIDATED EQUITY, NET PROFIT AND NET DEBT 2.1. Impact of the Distribution in Kind on the consolidated shareholders' equity (Group share) On the payment date, the Distribution in Kind will lead to a reduction in Kering's consolidated shareholders' equity (Group share) equal to (i) the number of distributed PUMA shares multiplied by the PUMA opening share price at Frankfurt on the payment date of the Distribution in Kind, and (ii) a capital gain or loss (net of current and deferred taxes) realized on the sale of the distributed PUMA shares and (iii) a capital gain or loss (net of deferred taxes) resulting from the revaluation at market value of the interest retained in PUMA. The impact of this transaction on Kering's consolidated shareholders' equity (Group share) compared to the figure recorded for Kering's consolidated shareholders' equity (Group share) in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017, can therefore be summarized as follows: Number of shares outstanding Shareholders' equity (Group share) (in millions) Shareholders' equity per share (group share) (in per share) Situation as of 31/12/2017(1) 126,279,322(3) 11,948.2 94.6 Impact of the Distribution in Kind(2) (3,564.0) (28.2) Impact of the revaluation of the retained shares 59.8 0.5 Situation post- Distribution in Kind 8,444.0 66.9 (1) On the basis of Kering's consolidated financial statements approved by the Board of Directors on February 12, 2018. (2) The PUMA share price on the payment date used in the table above for illustration purposes is the PUMA closing share price on December 29, 2017, i.e. 363 per PUMA share. (3) Number of shares comprising Kering's share capital. 2.2. Impact of the Distribution in Kind on Kering consolidated net profit (Group share) The Distribution in Kind will lead to a capital gain or loss on sale (net of current and deferred taxes) being recorded in the consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2018, equal to (i) the number of distributed PUMA shares multiplied by the PUMA opening share price at Frankfurt on the payment date of the Distribution in Kind, less (ii) the consolidated cost of the PUMA shares distributed. The loss of control of PUMA resulting from this Distribution in Kind will also lead to a capital gain or loss (net of deferred taxes) being recorded in the consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2018, as a consequence of the revaluation at market value of the interest retained in PUMA. By way of example, on the basis of the PUMA closing share price on December 29, 2017, the consolidated capital gain would amount to 325.5 million pre-tax and 316.2 million post-tax. Moreover, the Distribution in Kind will result in the loss of PUMA's contribution to the consolidated net profit (see paragraph 2.4 below). 2.3. Impact of the Distribution in Kind on Kering's consolidated net debt The impact of the loss of control of PUMA on the Group's cash position and net financial debt will be the exit from the perimeter of PUMA's net financial debt, a cash outflow relating to the current tax payable in the event of a capital gain on sale, in accordance with the tax provisions applicable in France to tax treatment of long-term capital gains, and a cash outflow relating to the transaction-related fees. 2.4. 2017 pro forma financial information post-payment of the Distribution in Kind The 2017 pro forma financial information set out in Schedule A and the corresponding main pro forma consolidated ratio set out in the table below have been prepared to reflect the impact that the Distribution in Kind would have had on Kering's consolidated financial statements if the Distribution in Kind had occurred on December 31, 2017 regarding the balance sheet and on January 1st, 2017 regarding the profit and loss statement (except for the capital gain/loss on sale). This pro forma financial information has been prepared based on the 2017 consolidated financial statements under IFRS rules as adopted by the European Union and in accordance with the provisions of Appendix II of the European Prospectus Regulation, recommendations issued by ESMA (ex-CSR) in February 2005, as well as recommendation 2013-08 of the Autorite des Marches Financiers on pro forma financial information. This pro forma financial information will be presented in a dedicated section of the 2017 reference document of Kering, accompanied by an ad hoc report by the statutory auditors. The pro forma financial information is provided for illustrative purposes only and, as such, is not representative of the results and the financial position of the Kering group that would have been observed had the Distribution in Kind occurred on December 31, 2017. At 31/12 (in millions) 2017 Reported 2017 Pro forma Revenue 15,478 11,326 Recurring operating income 2,948 2,704 Recurring operating margin (%) 19.0% 23.9% EBITDA 3,464 3,150 EBITDA Margin (%) 22.4% 27.8% Earnings per share attributable to owners of the parent (from continuing operations excluding non-recurring items 15.89 14.88 Operating free cash-flow 2,318 2,195 Conversion rate (as of EBITDA) 66.9% 69.7% Net financial debt 3,049 3,402 Net financial debt EBITDA (x) 0.9x 1.1x (*) Kering without PUMA 3. PAYMENT OF THE DISTRIBUTION IN KIND The payment transactions for the Distribution in Kind will start from May 16, 2018 under the conditions set forth below. The bank responsible for centralizing the transactions in connection with the Distribution in Kind is CACEIS Corporate Trust, 14 rue Rouget de Lisle 92130 ISSY LES MOULINEAUX ("CACEIS For the Beneficiaries of the Distribution in Kind holding Kering shares in bearer form (au porteur) or in registered accounts (au nominatif administre CACEIS will transfer to, via EUROCLEAR France, each financial intermediary (i) on May 16, 2018, the whole number of PUMA shares corresponding to the overall balance by applying the distribution ratio of 12 Kering shares registered in the accounts maintained by the financial intermediary for 1 PUMA share and (ii) as from mid-June, 2018 at the earliest, the cash amount allocated to such financial intermediary, the amount of which will depend on the sale price of the shares corresponding to fractional shares post-allocation to the financial intermediaries of the PUMA shares corresponding to multiples of 12 Kering shares; each of the financial intermediaries will then transfer to each of its clients (i) the whole number of PUMA shares corresponding to multiples of 12 Kering shares registered in the name of the relevant client and (ii) the cash amount allocated to this client, the amount of which will depend on the sale price of the shares corresponding to fractional shares post-allocation to its clients of the PUMA shares corresponding to multiples of 12 Kering shares. For Beneficiaries of the Distribution in Kind with pure registered (au nominatif pur) Kering shares: on May 16, 2018, CACEIS, in its capacity as register custodian, will transfer to each of the Beneficiaries of the Distribution in Kind's account the PUMA shares corresponding to multiples of 12 pure registered ( au nominatif pur ) Kering shares held by the relevant Beneficiary of the Distribution in Kind (in a register created for the purpose of the operation); ) Kering shares held by the relevant Beneficiary of the Distribution in Kind (in a register created for the purpose of the operation); on May 16, 2018, each relevant Beneficiary of the Distribution in Kind will be informed by a letter of the terms and conditions of the allocation of PUMA shares; each relevant Beneficiary of the Distribution in Kind shall communicate to CACEIS the details of the account in which the PUMA shares shall be transferred; subject to the payment to CACEIS of the social withholdings and/or the non-final flat-rate withholding tax or the withholding tax due under the Distribution in Kind, CACEIS will transfer to (i) each of the Beneficiaries of the Distribution in Kind's account (the details of which will have been previously provided to CACEIS) the PUMA shares corresponding to multiples of 12 pure registered (au nominatif pur) Kering shares held by the relevant Beneficiary of the Distribution in Kind and (ii), as from mid-June, 2018 at the earliest, each of the Beneficiaries of the Distribution in Kind's account the net amount of cash allocated to him, where applicable, the amount of which will depend on the sale price of the shares corresponding to fractional shares post-allocation to the Beneficiaries of the Distribution in Kind of the PUMA shares corresponding to multiples of 12 Kering shares. The Beneficiaries of the Distribution in Kind shall pay to the paying agent the social withholdings and/or the PFNL or the withholding tax due under the Distribution in Kind, it being specified that the Distribution in Kind will be made simultaneously with the distribution of a cash dividend for an amount of 6 per share10 The Beneficiaries of the Distribution in Kind should seek the advice of their financial institution in the event that the amount of the cash dividend would not be sufficient to cover the social withholdings and/or the PFNL and/or the withholding tax due by a shareholder. Shareholders wishing to sell the PUMA shares received in the context of the Distribution in Kind should contact their financial intermediary. To the extent that the PUMA shares are not listed on Euronext Paris, Kering will consider the possibility to put in place a sale facility process to allow the shareholders of Kering wishing to sell the PUMA shares received in the context of the Distribution in Kind to do so on the German stock exchanges. 4. TAX TREATMENT OF THE DISTRIBUTION IN KIND11 The following description summarizes certain French tax consequences, under applicable laws and regulations currently in force, that may apply to Kering shareholders as a result of the Distribution in Kind. This information constitutes only a short summary of the applicable tax provisions under currently applicable legislation, and is provided for information purposes only. The rules described below are subject to change and new laws or regulations could be retroactive or apply to the current calendar or fiscal year. The tax information below does not constitute a comprehensive description of all tax impacts that may apply to Kering shareholders as a result of the Distribution in Kind. Kering shareholders should seek advice from their usual tax advisor on the tax consequences of their particular circumstances. Moreover, persons who are not French tax residents must refer to (i) the provisions of the applicable tax treaty concluded between their own State of residence and France; (ii) the provisions of French tax legislation; and (iii) the legislation of their State of residence and/or nationality that may apply to them so that they may determine their applicable tax regime. These persons should seek advice from their usual tax advisor regarding the applicable tax treatment for the Distribution in Kind. The Distribution in Kind of PUMA's shares is subject to the same tax treatment as the one applicable to the cash dividend traditionally paid by Kering to its shareholders, as decided by its annual general meeting. The taxable amount of the Distribution in Kind of PUMA's shares, received by the shareholders, shall be equal to the fair market value of the PUMA's shares distributed on the payment date of the Distribution in Kind. Considering the listing of PUMA on the German market, the amount of the taxable Distribution in Kind at the level of each shareholder shall be determined by using the PUMA's opening share price on the German stock market on the payment date of the Distribution in Kind. 4.1. Shareholders whose tax residence is located in France The attention of the individual shareholders who have their tax residence in France is brought to the fact that the Distribution in Kind is subject, under the conditions set out in paragraph 4.1.1 below, at the time of the delivery of the shares or of the payment of the cash balance, to a PFNL at a rate of 12.8% assessed on the gross amount distributed (unless they are exempted as described below), as well as to various social contributions at the rate of 17.2% assessed on the gross amount distributed, leading to a total levy amounting to 30% of the gross amount distributed. The sums shall be made available to the paying agent prior to the delivery of the shares or to the payment of the cash balance. If applicable, the paying agent will be able to sell the number of PUMA shares necessary to pay the relevant taxes. The shareholders of Kering should seek the advice of their financial intermediary to be informed of the applicable process. 4.1.1 Individual shareholders with personal holdings of Kering who do not professionally engage in securities transactions 12.8% Withholding As from January 1st, 2018, pursuant to Article 117-quater of the French General Tax Code ("FGTC"), subject to the exceptions referred to below, individual shareholders having their tax residence in France are subject to a PFNL at a rate of 12.8% on the gross amount of distributed income (revenu distribue). This withholding is made by the paying agent of the income, if it is located in France. When the paying agent of the income is established outside of France, the income is declared and the corresponding payment made within the first 15 days of the month following the one of the payment, either by the taxpayer him/herself or by the paying agent, when that entity (i) is established in a Member State of the European Union or in another Member State of the European Economic Area that has concluded with France an agreement on administrative assistance with a view to combatting tax fraud and evasion, and (ii) has received instructions to that effect from the taxpayer. However, individual shareholders belonging to a tax household whose reference fiscal income (revenu fiscal de reference) for the penultimate tax year, as defined in 1 of IV of Article 1417 of the CGI, is lower than 50,000 for taxpayers who are single, divorced or widowed, or 75,000 for taxpayers subject to joint taxation, may request an exemption from this withholding under the terms and conditions of Article 242-quater of the FGTC. They may do so by providing to the paying agent no later than November 30 of the year preceding the year of the payment of the distributed income a sworn statement that the reference fiscal income shown on the tax notice issued in respect of the penultimate year preceding the year of payment was below the above-mentioned taxable income thresholds. When the paying agent is established outside France, only individual shareholders belonging to a tax household whose reference fiscal income of the penultimate year, as defined in 1 of IV of Article 1417 of the FGTC, is equal or superior to the amounts mentioned in the previous paragraph are subject to this tax. The 12.8% withholding tax does not apply to income related to shares held in French share savings plans (Plan d'Epargne en Actions "PEA Individual income tax The final amount to be paid upon a dividend distribution is determined on the basis of the items mentioned in the declaration of income subscribed the year following the year in which the income was obtained. As from January 1st, 2018, pursuant to 1 of Article 200 A of the FGTC, dividends are, in principle, subject to income tax at the 12.8% single flat-rate withholding tax (prelevement forfaitaire unique "PFU Pursuant to Article 193 of the FGTC, the PFNL at the rate of 12.8% may be credited against the income tax due in respect of the year during which it was paid. Where it exceeds the income tax due, the exceeding amount shall be refunded. As a consequence of the alignment of the rates of the PFU and PFNL, individual income tax is now withheld at source. As from January 1, 2018, pursuant to 2 of Article 200 A of the FGTC, by way of derogation to the application of the PFU, taxpayers having an interest may, subject to an explicit, global and irrevocable election, be subject to personal income tax under a progressive scale. Pursuant to Article 158 of the FGTC, dividends must be included in the shareholder's global taxable income as portfolio income (revenu de capitaux mobiliers) in respect of the year during which they are received. The option is exercised each year when filing the tax return and no later than the time limit for filing the tax return. The dividends then benefit from an unlimited tax allowance of 40% on the amount of distributed income ("40% Allowance"). If the Kering shares are held in a French savings plan (PEA), the dividends and similar distributed income are exempt from the income tax, subject to complying with the terms and conditions specific to the PEA. Social contributions In addition, whether the PFNL at the rate of 12.8% is applicable or not, the gross amount of income distributed by Kering (before application of the 40% Allowance when the shareholder has elected for taxation under a progressive scale) will also be subject to social contributions at a global rate of 17.2%, broken down as follows: general social contribution ( contribution sociale generalisee, " CSG ") at the rate of 9.9% " ") at the rate of 9.9% social debt repayment contribution ( contribution pour le remboursement de la dette sociale " CRDS ") at the rate of 0.5% " ") at the rate of 0.5% social levy at the rate of 4.5% additional contribution on the social levy at the rate of 0.3% and solidarity levy at the rate of 2%. Such social contributions are not tax deductible from the income subject to the PFU. For income subject upon election to personal income taxunder a progressive scale, the CSG is deductible up to 6.8% from the taxable income of the year of its payment. Shareholders should consult their usual tax advisor to determine reporting obligations and payment rules that may apply to them in respect of the PFNL at the rate of 12.8% and the social contributions. Exceptional contribution on high income earners Pursuant to Article 223-sexies of the FGTC, taxpayers subject to individual income tax are liable for a contribution based on the amount of the tax household's reference fiscal income as defined in 1 of IV of Article 1417 of the FGTC, without any application of the quotient rules defined in Article 163-0 A of the FGTC. The defined reference income includes the distributed income and dividends received by the relevant taxpayers (before the 40% Allowance in case of election for the progressive scale). This contribution is calculated by applying the following rates: 3% of the portion of reference fiscal income exceeding 250,000 and lower than or equal to 500,000 for single, widowed, separated or divorced taxpayers, and the portion of taxable income exceeding 500,000 and lower than or equal to 1,000,000 for taxpayers subject to joint taxation 4% of the portion of reference fiscal income exceeding 500,000 for single, widowed, separated or divorced taxpayers, and the portion of taxable income exceeding 1,000,000 for taxpayers subject to joint taxation. 4.1.2 Legal entities subject to corporate income tax (under standard rules) Legal entities without the status of a parent company (societe mere) in France Legal entities, other than those having parent company (societe mere) status within the meaning of Article 145 of the FGTC, should include the dividends and distributed income received in their taxable income subject to the standard corporate tax rate (currently 33 1/3% or 28%). The following additional contributions may also apply: (i) a 3.3% social contribution based on the corporate income tax charge, after a deduction of up to 763,000 for each twelve-month period (Article 235-ter ZC of the FGTC), (ii) for the companies (x) whose turnover is above 1,000,000,000 and (y) whose fiscal year ends no later than December 30, 2018, an exceptional contribution that would be calculated at the maximum rate of 15% of the corporate income tax, and (iii) for the companies (x) whose turnover is above 3 billion and (y) whose fiscal year ends no later than December 30, 2018, an additional contribution to the exceptional contribution that would be calculated at the maximum rate of 15% of the corporate income tax. However, pursuant to Article 219 I-b of the FGTC, for legal entities having an annual turnover of less than 7,630,000 (excluding taxes), and whose share capital is entirely paid up and at least 75% continuously held throughout the relevant fiscal year by individuals or by a company satisfying all these conditions, the corporate income tax rate is set at 15% for the first 38,120 of taxable income for each twelve-month period. In addition, these legal entities are exempted from the aforementioned 3.3% social contribution. Legal entities qualifying as a parent company (societe mere) in France Legal entities holding at least 5% of Kering's share capital, and which meet the conditions provided under Articles 145 and 216 of the FGTC, may benefit, upon election, from a dividend and distributed income exemption under the parent subsidiary regime. Article 216 I of the FGTC provides, however, for the inclusion, in the taxable income subject to corporate income tax at the standard rate of the beneficiary, of a service charge set at 5% of total proceeds from the shares, tax credits included. 4.1.3 Other shareholders Kering shareholders that are subject to a tax regime different from those described hereinabove, in particular those taxpayers whose securities trading goes beyond mere portfolio asset management or who have recorded their shares as assets in their commercial balance sheet, should consult their own tax advisor to determine the provisions that apply to their particular circumstances. 4.2. Shareholders whose tax residence is located outside of France Under French legislation currently in force and subject to the application of any international tax treaties, the following provisions summarize some French tax consequences that may apply to investors (i) who are not French tax residents within the meaning of Article 4 B of the FGTC or whose registered office is located outside France and (ii) whose ownership of shares is not related to a fixed base or a permanent establishment subject to taxation in France. Such investors must, however, verify, with their usual tax advisor, the tax treatment that applies to their specific circumstances and, moreover, comply with the tax laws in force in their State of residence and/or nationality. Subject to the provisions of any applicable international tax treaties and the exceptions listed below, the gross amount of distributed income will, in principle, be subject to a withholding tax, withheld by the paying agent, when the tax residence or the registered office of the beneficial owner is located outside France. Consequently, the sums corresponding to the withholding tax amounts shall be made available to the paying agent prior to the delivery of the shares or to the payment of the cash balance. If applicable, the paying agent will be able to sell the number of PUMA shares necessary to pay the relevant taxes. The shareholders of Kering should seek the advice of their financial intermediary to be informed of the applicable process. Subject to what is set forth below and to completing the appropriate formalities, the rate of this withholding tax is set at (i) 12.8% by Article 187 1 2 of the FGTC with respect to individual beneficiaries, (ii) 15% when the beneficiary is a non-profit organization having its registered office in a Member State of the European Union or in another Member State of the European Economic Area that has concluded with France a tax treaty which includes an administrative assistance provision with a view to combatting tax fraud and evasion, that would be taxed according to the treatment referred to in Article 206-5 of the FGTC if it had its registered office in France and that meets the criteria provided for by paragraphs 580 et seq. of the administrative guidelines BOI-IS-CHAMP-10-50-10-40-20130325; and (iii) 30% in all other cases. Moreover, regardless of the localization of the beneficiary's tax residence or registered office, the income distributed by Kering outside France to a "non-cooperative" State or territory, as defined by Article 238-0 A of the FGTC, will be subject to a withholding tax at a rate of 75%. The list of non-cooperative States and territories is published by ministerial order and updated annually. The list as at January 1, 2016 was updated by the ministerial order dated April 8, 2016 (Official Journal dated April 10, 2016) and includes the following States and territories: Botswana, Brunei, Guatemala, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Niue and Panama. Investors that may be impacted by such measure and those who are domiciled or established in a non-cooperative State or territory should seek the advice of their usual tax advisor to determine the tax treatment applicable to them. Shareholders that are legal entities having their place of effective management in a Member State of the European Union may benefit from a withholding tax exemption, if they hold at least 10% of Kering's share capital, and otherwise meet all the conditions of Article 119-ter of the FGTC. Moreover, subject to meeting the conditions specified in the administrative guidelines BOI-RPPM-RCM-30-30- 20-40-20160607, legal entities that hold at least 5% of Kering's share capital may benefit from a withholding tax exemption, under certain conditions, if their place of effective management is located either in a Member State of the European Union, or in another Member State of the European Economic Area that has concluded with France a tax treaty which includes an administrative assistance provision with a view to combatting tax fraud and evasion. Furthermore, and subject to the payment in a non-cooperative State or territory as defined in Article 238-0 A of the FGTC, the withholding tax is not applicable pursuant to Article 119 bis 2 of the FGTC to dividends distributed to collective investment undertakings governed by foreign law, located in a Member State of the European Union or another State that has concluded with France a convention on administrative assistance with a view to combatting tax fraud and evasion and which satisfy the following two conditions: raising capital from a certain number of investors with the purpose of investing it in a fiduciary capacity on behalf of such investors, pursuant to a defined investment policy; having features similar to those required of collective undertakings governed by French law under section 1, paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 5 et 6 of sub-section 2, sub-section 3, or sub-section 4 of section 2 of Chapter IV of the 1st Title of Book II of the French Monetary and Financial Code (Code monetaire et financier The conditions of this exemption are set forth in detail in the official bulletin of public finances (bulletin officiel des finances publiques) dated June 7, 2017 (BOI-RPPM-RCM-30-30-20-70-20170607). The withholding tax may be reduced or even eliminated pursuant to tax treaties signed by France. It is, moreover, the responsibility of Kering shareholders to consult their usual tax advisor to determine whether they are likely to qualify for a reduction to or exemption from the withholding tax by virtue of the above principles or provisions of international tax treaties, and to determine the formalities to be complied with to benefit from these treaties, including those provided for by BOI-INT-DG-20-20-20-20-20120912 relating to the "standard" or "simplified" procedure for the reduction of or exemption from the withholding tax. 5. RISK FACTORS The following risk factors should be carefully considered. 5.1. Specific risk factors in relation to the Distribution in Kind The main risk factors in relation to the Distribution in Kind are set forth below. The shareholders of Kering should be aware that the list of risks set out below is not exhaustive and that other risks unknown or which are not considered as of the date of this press release as likely to have an adverse effect on the Distribution in Kind may exist: in the event that the Distribution in Kind exceeds the cap set by Kering's general meeting, the Board of Directors would have to adjust the distribution ratio so that the amount distributed does not exceed such cap; this would be the case if the PUMA opening share price on the Frankfurt stock exchange on the payment date would exceed 529.28 based on a distributable amount of 5,570 million; the PUMA shares corresponding to fractional shares will be sold. Moreover, the shareholders of Kering may sell all or part of the PUMA shares received in the context of the Distribution in Kind, in particular those who are subject to the PFNL, social withholdings and, as the case may be, withholding taxes. The PUMA share price could therefore be subject to a downward pressure; the PUMA share price may decrease post-Distribution in Kind; tax laws and regulations may change in an adverse manner in comparison to the current tax system. 5.2. Risk factors related to PUMA and its business For a description of the main risks in relation to PUMA and its business, the shareholders of Kering should refer to PUMA's 2016 annual report. About Kering A global Luxury group, Kering develops an ensemble of luxury houses in fashion, leather goods, jewelry and watches: Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Brioni, Christopher Kane, McQ, Stella McCartney, Tomas Maier, Boucheron, Dodo, Girard-Perregaux, Pomellato, Qeelin and Ulysse Nardin. Kering is also developing the Sport & Lifestyle brands PUMA, Volcom and Cobra. By 'empowering imagination', Kering encourages its brands to reach their potential, in the most sustainable manner. The Group generated revenue of 15.5 billion in 2017 and had more than 44,000 employees at year end. The Kering share is listed on Euronext Paris (FR 0000121485, KER.PA, KER.FP). d'Angelin Co. and Rothschild are acting as financial advisors to Kering. J.P. Morgan, Berenberg, BNP Paribas and Goldman Sachs International are acting as Joint Distribution Managers in the context of the proposed Distribution in Kind. www.kering.com Twitter: @KeringGroup LinkedIn: Kering Instagram: @kering_official YouTube: KeringGroup Schedule A 2017 pro forma financial information On January 11, 2018, Kering's Board of Directors has decided to submit to its shareholders at its annual general meeting to be held on April 26, 2018, the project to distribute in kind 70.40% of PUMA SE ("PUMA") shares outstanding, out of the 86.25% currently owned by the Group as of December 31, 2017. Following the transaction, Kering would retain 2,368,558 PUMA shares, or 15.85% of PUMA's shares outstanding and voting rights. This distribution in kind will be paid on May 16, 2018 with an ex-date on May 14, 2018. The Kering Group has prepared pro forma financial information to present an economic view of the Group reflecting the future loss of control over PUMA following the distribution of this dividend in kind. This pro forma financial information has been prepared based on the 2017 consolidated financial statements under IFRS rules as adopted by the European Union and in accordance with the provisions of Appendix II of the European Prospectus Regulation, recommendations issued by ESMA (ex-CSR) in February 2005, as well as recommendation 2013-08 of the Autorite des Marches Financiers on pro forma financial information. This pro forma financial information will be presented in a dedicated section of the 2017 Reference Document, accompanied by an ad hoc report by the Statutory Auditors. This pro forma financial information is set out below for illustrative purposes only. As such it is not necessarily representative of the financial position or performance that would have been reported if the loss of control had taken place before the envisaged date. Similarly, it does not purport to be indicative of Kering's financial position or performance in any future period. The objective of this pro forma financial information is to simulate the impacts of the loss of control over PUMA on the consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of financial position and the consolidated statement of cash flows: The consolidated income statement and the consolidated statement of comprehensive income entirely exclude PUMA contribution for the full year 2017. However, the capital gain arising from the loss of control over PUMA and the revaluation of the interest retained in PUMA following the transaction have been valued as of December 31, 2017, net of related current and deferred taxes; The consolidated statement of financial position excludes all assets and liabilities related to PUMA as of December 31, 2017. Only the 15.85% stake retained in PUMA has been presented in non-current assets at its fair value as of December 31, 2017 (based on PUMA share price as of December 29, 2017, i.e. 363); The consolidated statement of cash flows entirely excludes PUMA contribution for the full year 2017. Besides, the consolidated statement of cash flows and the consolidated statement of financial position do not consider any cash outflow related to the mentioned restatements; 2017 pro forma earnings per share have been calculated based on above-mentioned assumptions. This distribution in kind, and the resulting loss of control over PUMA, will have the following impacts on Kering SA consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2018: The recognition of a capital gain or loss net of current and deferred taxes equal to (i) the number of PUMA shares distributed, multiplied by the PUMA share price as of May 16, 2018, the dividend payment date, less (ii) the share in the consolidated net carrying amount of PUMA as of this date, including transaction fees net of tax; The recognition of a capital gain or loss net of deferred taxes as a result of remeasuring the interest retained in PUMA at the opening price for PUMA shares as of May 16, 2018. The capital gain presented in the pro forma financial information as shown hereinafter is based on the PUMA share price as of December 29, 2017 (i.e. 363) and the consolidated net carrying amount of PUMA as of December 31, 2017. The net capital gain or loss which will be effectively recognized upon dividend payment on May 16, 2018, will depend on the PUMA share price at that date, and the changes in the net carrying amount of PUMA between December 31, 2017, and May 16, 2018, including the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations to which PUMA is exposed conducting its business. For example, based on the PUMA share price as of December 29, 2017 and the consolidated net carrying amount of PUMA as of December 31, 2017, the net capital gain realised would total 316.2 million. However, taking into account PUMA share price volatility in January 2018, the net capital gain or loss would fluctuate as shown below: PUMA share price from 01/01/2018 to 01/31/2018 Net capital gain (loss) (in millions) High: 363.50 (01/05/2018) 322.4 Average: 341.54 51.0 Low: 318.50 (01/12/2018) (233.8) The future classification and accounting treatment applicable to the interest retained in PUMA recorded within non-current assets will be determined based on PUMA's governance arrangements, to be finalised upon completion of the operation: In accordance with IFRS 9 applicable as of January 1, 2018, if no significant influence can be demonstrated, the interest retained in PUMA will be shown within "Available-for-sale financial assets" and remeasured to fair value, either directly against equity (other comprehensive income) or against financial income/loss, until that interest is sold; If significant influence can be demonstrated, the interest retained in PUMA will be shown within "Investments in equity-accounted companies" for an amount relating to the Group's share in equity and net income. 2017 pro forma consolidated income statement (in millions) 2017 Reported PUMA contribution Distribution of PUMA shares 70.40% Revaluation of PUMA shares 15.85% Other adjustments(1) 2017 Pro forma CONTINUING OPERATIONS Revenue 15,477.7 (4,151.7) 11,326.0 Cost of sales (5,344.7) 2,208.1 (3,136.6) Gross margin 10,133.0 (1,943.6) 8,189.4 Payroll expenses (2,443.6) 545.6 (1,898.0) Other recurring operating income and expenses (4,741.4) 1,154.1 (0.5) (3,587.8) Recurring operating income 2,948.0 (243.9) (0.5) 2,703.6 Other non-recurring operating income and expenses (241.7) (1.6) 261.8 62.3 1.3 82.1 Operating income 2,706.3 (245.5) 261.8 62.3 0.8 2,785.7 Finance costs, net (242.6) 15.0 (227.6) Income before tax 2,463.7 (230.5) 261.8 62.3 0.8 2,558.1 Corporate income tax (591.0) 50.1 (6.3) (2.6) (0.3) (550.1) Share in earnings (losses) of equity-accounted companies (2.0) (1.6) (0.4) (4.0) Net income from continuing operations 1,870.7 (182.0) 255.5 59.7 0.1 2,004.0 o/w attributable to owners of the parent 1,791.2 (128.6) 255.5 59.7 0.1 1,977.9 o/w attributable to non-controlling interests 79.5 (53.4) 26.1 DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Net loss from discontinued operations (5.6) (5.6) o/w attributable to owners of the parent (5.6) (5.6) o/w attributable to non-controlling interests Net income of consolidated companies 1,865.1 (182.0) 255.5 59.7 0.1 1,998.4 o/w attributable to owners of the parent 1,785.6 (128.6) 255.5 59.7 0.1 1,972.3 o/w attributable to non-controlling interests 79.5 (53.4) 26.1 (1) Other adjustments include negative synergies and revaluation at fair value of Wilderness shares kept (5%) by the Kering Group, reclassified from Investments in equity-accounted companies to Non-current financial assets. 2017 pro forma earnings per share (in millions) 2017 Reported PUMA contribution Distribution of PUMA shares 70.40% Revaluation of PUMA shares 15.85% Other adjustments 2017 Pro forma Net income attributable to owners of the parent 1,785.6 (128.6) 255.5 59.7 0.1 1,972.3 Earnings per share (in ) 14.17 (1.02) 2.03 0.47 15.65 Fully diluted earnings per share (in ) 14.17 (1.02) 2.03 0.47 15.65 Net income from continuing operations attributable to owners of the parent 1,791.2 (128.6) 255.5 59.7 0.1 1,977.9 Earnings per share (in ) 14.22 (1.02) 2.03 0.47 15.70 Fully diluted earnings per share (in ) 14.22 (1.02) 2.03 0.47 15.70 Net income from continuing operations (excluding non-recurring items) attributable to owners of the parent 2,001.9 (127.0) 1,874.9 Earnings per share (in ) 15.89 (1.01) 14.88 Fully diluted earnings per share (in ) 15.89 (1.01) 14.88 2017 pro forma consolidated statement of comprehensive income (in millions) 2017 Reported PUMA contribution Distribution of PUMA shares 70.40% Revaluation of PUMA shares 15.85% Other adjustments 2017 Pro forma Net income 1,865.1 (182.0) 255.5 59.7 0.1 1,998.4 Actuarial gains and losses(1) 20.1 (1.0) 19.1 Total items not reclassified to income 20.1 (1.0) 19.1 Foreign exchange gains and losses (249.5) 107.4 (142.1) Cash flow hedges(1) 45.2 98.8 144.0 Available-for-sale financial assets(1) 3.9 (3.8) 0.1 Total items to be reclassified to income (200.4) 202.4 2.0 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (180.3) 201.4 21.1 Total comprehensive income 1,684.8 19.4 255.5 59.7 0.1 2,019.5 o/w attributable to owners of the parent 1,648.7 40.6 255.5 59.7 0.1 2,004.6 o/w attributable to non-controlling interests 36.1 (21.2) 14.9 (1) Net of tax. Pro forma consolidated statement of financial position as of December 31, 2017 Assets (in millions) 2017 Reported PUMA contribution Distribution of PUMA shares 70.40% Revaluation of PUMA shares 15.85% Other adjustments (1) 2017 Pro forma Goodwill 3,421.2 (977.2) 2,444.0 Brands and other intangible assets 11,159.0 (3,653.3) 7,505.7 Property, plant and equipment 2,267.6 (274.0) 1,993.6 Investments in equity-accounted companies 48.6 (16.6) (4.8) 27.2 PUMA shares 4,017.9 (3,279.4) 121.6 860.1 Non-current financial assets 364.3 (49.8) 5.7 320.2 Deferred tax assets 964.6 (186.6) (0.6) (0.3) 777.1 Other non-current assets 35.4 (20.2) 15.2 Non-current assets 18,260.7 (1,159.8) (3,280.0) 121.6 0.6 13,943.1 Inventories 2,699.1 (778.5) 1,920.6 Trade receivables 1,366.5 (503.7) 862.8 Current tax receivables 78.6 (26.8) 51.8 Other current financial assets 155.6 (25.2) 130.4 Other current assets 880.3 (153.7) (0.5) 726.1 Cash and cash equivalents 2,136.6 (415.0) 1,721.6 Current assets 7,316.7 (1,902.9) (0.5) 5,413.3 TOTAL ASSETS 25,577.4 (3,062.7) (3,280.0) 121.6 0.1 19,356.4 Equity and liabilities Share capital 505.2 505.2 Capital reserves 2,428.3 2,428.3 Treasury shares Translation adjustments (131.7) 102.8 (83.9) (18.9) (131.7) Remeasurement of financial instruments 76.0 25.8 (21.1) (4.7) 76.0 Other reserves 9,070.4 (451.3) (3,195.7) 142.7 0.1 5,566.2 Equity attributable to owners of the parent 11,948.2 (322.7) (3,300.7) 119.1 0.1 8,444.0 Non-controlling interests 678.2 (523.3) 154.9 Total equity 12,626.4 (846.0) (3,300.7) 119.1 0.1 8,598.9 Non-current borrowings 4,245.5 (32.8) 4,212.7 Other non-current financial liabilities 0.7 0.7 Provisions for pensions and other post-employment benefits 125.7 (29.7) 96.0 Other non-current provisions 55.5 (21.5) 34.0 Deferred tax liabilities 2,712.2 (1,057.0) 2.5 1,657.7 Other non-current liabilities 48.8 (3.0) 45.8 Non-current liabilities 7,188.4 (1,144.0) 2.5 6,046.9 Current borrowings 939.7 (29.3) 910.4 Other current financial liabilities 367.6 (75.2) 292.4 Trade payables 1,240.7 (646.1) 594.6 Provisions for pensions and other post-employment benefits 10.7 10.7 Other current provisions 182.4 (25.1) 157.3 Current tax liabilities 815.4 (54.8) 5.7 766.3 Other current liabilities 2,206.1 (242.2) 15.0 1,978.9 Current liabilities 5,762.6 (1,072.7) 20.7 4,710.6 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 25,577.4 (3,062.7) (3,280.0) 121.6 0.1 19,356.4 (1) Other adjustments include negative synergies and revaluation at fair value of Wilderness shares kept (5%) by the Kering Group, reclassified from Investments in equity- accounted companies to Non-current financial assets. 2017 pro forma consolidated statement of cash flows (in millions) 2017 Reported PUMA contribution Distribution of PUMA shares 70.40% Revaluation of PUMA shares 15.85% Other adjustments (1) 2017 Pro forma Net income from continuing operations 1,870.7 (182.0) 255.5 59.7 0.1 2,004.0 Net recurring charges to depreciation, amortisation and provisions on non-current operating assets 516.4 (70.5) 445.9 Other non-cash income and expenses 72.1 (0.1) (271.1) (59.7) (0.6) (259.4) Cash flow from operating activities 2,459.2 (252.6) (15.6) (0.5) 2,190.5 Interest paid/received 198.4 (9.8) 188.6 Dividends received (1.2) 1.0 (0.2) Net income tax payable 822.9 (70.6) 0.6 752.9 Cash flow from operating activities before tax, dividends and interest 3,479.3 (332.0) (15.0) (0.5) 3,131.8 Change in working capital requirement (94.3) 54.0 15.0 0.5 (24.8) Corporate income tax paid (364.9) 42.6 (322.3) Net cash from operating activities 3,020.1 (235.4) 2,784.7 Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (752.0) 124.3 (627.7) Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 50.2 (12.6) 37.6 Acquisitions of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired 1.6 1.6 Proceeds from disposals of subsidiaries and associates, net of cash transferred Purchases of other financial assets (69.1) 3.5 (65.6) Proceeds from disposals of other financial assets 36.0 (3.9) 32.1 Interest and dividends received (2) 8.0 (2.8) 9.6 14.8 Net cash used in investing activities (725.3) 108.5 9.6 (607.2) Dividends paid to owners of the parent company (580.9) (580.9) Dividends paid to non-controlling interests (2) (35.0) 24.6 (9.6) (20.0) Transactions with non-controlling interests (27.8) (27.8) Treasury share transactions 0.2 0.2 Bond issues 321.7 (22.3) 299.4 Debt redemptions/repayments (410.1) (410.1) Increase/decrease in other borrowings (363.4) 2.2 (361.2) Interest paid and equivalent (203.5) 11.6 (191.9) PUMA debt redemptions/repayments 17.2 17.2 Net cash used in financing activities (1,298.8) 33.3 (9.6) (1,275.1) Net cash used in discontinued operations (6.3) (6.3) Impact of exchange rate variations 152.1 5.3 157.4 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1,141.8 (88.3) 1,053.5 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 757.5 (326.7) 430.8 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 1,899.3 (415.0) 1,484.3 (1) Other adjustments include negative synergies and revaluation at fair value of Wilderness shares kept (5%) by the Kering Group, reclassified from Investments in equity- accounted companies to Non-current financial assets. (2) Dividends received by Kering from PUMA in 2017 for 9.6 millions are reclassified and accounted for under Net cash used in investing activities. 1 Corresponding to a simultaneous distribution of 4.00 per share, since an interim dividend of 2.00 per share has been paid on January 17, 2018. 2 Share capital comprising 15,082,464 shares as of December 31, 2017. 3 Share capital less treasury shares as of December 31, 2017, corresponding to 14,946,356 shares outstanding. 4 The 2017 annual report will be published by PUMA on April 12, 2018. 5 Corresponding to a simultaneous distribution of 4.00 per share, since an interim dividend of 2.00 per share has been paid on January 17, 2018. 6 PUMA shares currently indirectly held by Kering will be transferred to Kering prior to Kering's general meeting so that Kering directly holds such shares at the date of the general meeting. 7 On the basis of the financial statements approved by the Board of Directors of Kering on February 12, 2018. 8 The theoretical share price used for the examples above (i.e. 363 per PUMA share) is the PUMA closing share price on December 29, 2017. 9 This undertaking, in relation to Kering, will concern the PUMA shares held by Kering post-Distribution in Kind, i.e., 15.70% of the share capital and 15.85% of the shares outstanding and voting rights of PUMA. 10 Representing a simultaneous distribution of 4 per share, since an interim dividend of 2 per share has been paid on January 17, 2018. 11 The fractional shares will be subject to the same tax treatment as described herein. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180212006479/en/ Contacts: Kering Press Emilie Gargatte, +33 (0)1 45 64 61 20 emilie.gargatte@kering.com or Astrid Wernert, +33 (0)1 45 64 61 57 astrid.wernert@kering.com or Analysts/investors Claire Roblet, +33 (0)1 45 64 61 49 claire.roblet@kering.com or Laura Levy, +33 (0)1 45 64 60 45 laura.levy@kering.com BRUSSELS, February 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Europe welcomed 671 million international tourist arrivals in 2017, an outstanding 8% growth compared to 2016(+2%)[1].Europe has consolidated, for the eight consecutive year, its position as the leading destination worldwide. According to the latestEuropean Travel Commission's "European Tourism 2017-Trends & Prospects", regional expansion was supported by the economic growth in major source markets and the recovery of destinations previously affected by security concerns. Almost all monitored destinations saw increases in tourist arrivals with more than a half growing in excess of 10%. "The upturn in the global economy paves the way to reorient European and national policy to support the drivers of tourism growth, promote long-term sustainable development and be a more effective catalyst for job creation in Europe,"said Eduardo Santander, Executive Director of ETC. Turkey (+28%) experienced an impressive rebound in visitor arrivals with growth largely driven by Russian outbound flows (+465.2%). Iceland (+24%), the fastest growing destination since 2012, showed robust results while its government considers measures to address "over tourism". Destinations in Southern/Mediterranean Europe Montenegro (+19%), Serbia (+18%) Malta (+16%), Slovenia and Cyprus (both +15%) also boosted growth and have proved their success in overcoming seasonality. Finland (+14%) enjoyed a solid increase fuelled by Chinese and Indian arrivals. Established summer destinations Croatia (+14%), Portugal (+12%) and Spain (+9%) also saw healthy growth. In Spain political tensions in Catalonia seem not have weighed down tourism demand while improved air connectivity continues to underpin Portugal's strong performance. Strengthening Economic Conditions in Key Source Markets Boost European Tourism Demand Growth from the UK largely continued despite a weakened Pound with several destinations posting double-digit increases. France and Germany continued to be a source of notable arrivals growth for several European destinations aided by encouraging economic conditions that support private consumption. Russian outbound travel has picked up following years of declines. All but one reporting destinations enjoyed a strong rebound in arrivals from this market. Despite some recent softening, a stronger US dollar and competitive air fares contributed to growth in tourist arrivals from the US, up +12% in 2017 compared to 2016. In China improved air connectivity and its expanding middle class continue to drive travel demand. In 2017, Europe saw a remarkable 16% increase from China, compared to the flat growth in 2016. [1]UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Contact:Miguel Gallego,press@visiteurope.com, +3225489000 MELBOURNE (dpa-AFX) - Anglo-Australian mining giant BHP Billiton plc (BHP.AX, BLT.L, BBL, BHP) said that it expects to recognize an income tax expense of $1.8 billion. The income tax expense is as a result of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act introducing a reduction in the U.S. Federal corporate income tax rate from 35 per cent to 21 per cent as well as other measures, including changes to international tax provisions. The company added that the income tax expense will be treated as an exceptional item. BHP Billiton expects the two main components of the exceptional item to be a non-cash re-measurement of deferred taxes as a result of the reduction in the U.S. Federal corporate income tax rate of $898 million; and a non-cash impairment of foreign tax credits due to reduced forecast utilisation of $834 million. The company noted that the U.S. tax reform will have a positive impact on the Group's U.S. attributable profits in the longer term mainly due to the lower corporate tax rate. 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. NPK Biotest, a Belarus based producer of medical herbal infusions owned by AS Olainfarm received a Good Manufacturing Practice certificate of Belarus. This will allow starting packing five Olainfarm products for Belarus market within this year. In addition, this year NPK Biotest becomes distributor of products of Tonus Elast in Belarus. Olaine, 2018-02-13 09:00 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- "Since acquisition of daughter companies we are putting a lot of effort to integrate them and use as many synergies as we can. In NPK Biotest, we have created a certified production platform, which will help us use the advantages provided to local producers in Belarus. Other European producers also expressed their interest in using services of NPK Biotest for packing of their products. We also very highly value a long and successful experience that NPK Biotest has in cooperating with pharmacies and other retailers of Belarus, therefore we entrusted them with distributing products of Tonus Elast. We expect that potential of NPK Biotest will contribute to increasing sales of Tonus Elast in Belarus", says Olegs Grigorjevs, Chairman of the Board of AS Olainfarm. AS Olainfarm acquired Belarus based producer of medical herbal infusions in 2016 in order not only to gain the production platform in Belarus, but also to add new products to the portfolio of the group. NPK Biotest is one of the first private pharmaceutical companies in Belarus. It was establishes in 1990 in Hrodna by the team of scientists of Belarus Academy of Sciences. NPK Biotest develops and produces natural herbal remedies and food supplements. Its portfolio contains more than 100 herbal infusions, and mixtures. NPK Biotest also owns four pharmacies in Hrodna. According to preliminary unconsolidated results, sales of AS Olainfarm in 2017 was 91.97 million euros, which is comparable to the sales made in 2016. Its sales in Belarus reached 8.76 million euros, making Belarus the fourth biggest market with a share of almost 10% in total sales. Sales to Belarus in 2017 increased by 20% compared to sales made to this country in 2016. According to preliminary results, Sales of NPK Biotest in 2017 reached 2 million euros. JSC Olainfarm is one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in Latvia with 45 years of experience in production of medication and chemical and pharmaceutical products. A basic principle of company's operations is to produce reliable and effective top quality products for Latvia and the rest of the world. Products made by the Group are being exported to more than 35 countries of the world, including the Baltics, Russia, other CIS, Europe, Asia, North America and Australia. Information prepared by: Salvis Lapins JSC Olainfarm Member of the Management Board Rupnicu iela 5, Olaine, Latvia, LV 2114 Phone: +371 6 7013 717 Fax: +371 6 7013 777 E-mail: Salvis.Lapins@olainfarm.lv MANNHEIM, Germany, Feb. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Park Systems, world-leading manufacturer of Atomic Force Microscopes celebrated the grand opening of their European Headquarters on February 6, 2018 in Mannheim, Germany. The new office will serve as a central European AFM research facility, providing technical sales and service with a fully equipped Atomic Force Microscopy Nanoscience Lab on site. The ceremony was attended by many around Europe including from Deutsche Bank (Germany),Schaefer South-East Europe SRL (Romania), Milexia SAS (France), ST Instruments B.V. (Netherlands), GambettiKenologiaSrl (Italy),Promenergolab LLC (Russia),Tekno-TIP AnalitikSistemler Ltd. (Turkey) and Park Systems representatives from Europe, US and Asia. "The European scientific community plays a critical role in expanding cutting-edge science and research across many industries, particularly at the nanoscale," commented Ludger Weisser, the General Manager of Park Systems Europe at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "The new Park Systems Nanoscience Lab in Europeis a landmark opportunity to provide the best-in-class AFM technology and unparalleled technical service for our European business partners to advance scientific research and development." The new office will provide technical, application and sales support for all European customers. As the demand for a modern AFM technology continuously grows in Europe, Park Systems recognizes the need of serving the key European scientific laboratories and research facilities with even stronger and direct support. "Park Systems has invested significant resources into the new Park Nanoscience Lab in Europe to offer the vast European scientific community a better opportunity to use our AFM product and make side-by-side comparisons to the well-known European AFM. We are confident that our AFM will demonstrate in Europe as it has in North America and Asia undeniable higher performance and cost efficiencies for research and production facilities," commented James Woo, Park Systems Global Sales Manager. "We invite European customers to our new Park Nanoscience Lab facility to use our equipment and witness for yourself why Park has been the world-leader in AFM technology since its inception." The Park Nanoscience Lab at the Europe Headquarters in Manheim Germany is a new branch of Park Systems and part of a growing network of Park Global Nanoscience labs including a recently opened Park Nanoscience Center at SUNY Polytech Institute in Albany, New York.The Park Nanoscience Lab will showcase advanced atomic force microscopy (AFM) systems, demonstrate a wide variety of cutting-edge applications-ranging from materials science, to chemistry and biology, to semiconductor and data storage devices-and provide hands on experience, training and service, year-round. It will be equipped with the latest Park AFM systems, including the Park NX20, Park NX10, and Park NX-Hivac, playing a crucial role in providing the best and direct technical, application and sales support to the European audience. "Besides the excellent AFM technology, having a direct and reliable contact partner for inquires of any matter was surely one of the most important factors for us when we chose Park Systems half a year ago," says Francesco Simone, the junior fellow at the University of Cambridge, UK, and Park NX10 AFM user. Park Systems, a global AFM manufacturer, has offices in key cities worldwide, including Santa Clara, California; Tokyo, Japan; Singapore; Manheim, Germany; and Suwon, South Korea. Since becoming the only public offering for an AFM business in 2015, its stock has increased by over 300% reflecting the strong growth of its business with many company-wide global initiatives for continued future word-wide success. About Park Systems Park Systems is a world-leading manufacturer of atomic force microscopy (AFM) systems with a complete range of products for researchers and industry engineers in chemistry, materials, physics, life sciences, and semiconductor and data storage industries. Park's products are used by over a thousand of institutions and corporations worldwide. Park's AFM provides highest data accuracy at nanoscale resolution, superior productivity, and lowest operating cost thanks to its unique technology and innovative engineering. Park Systems Corporation is headquartered in Suwon, Korea with its Americas headquarters in Santa Clara, California. Park's products are sold and supported worldwide with regional headquarters in the US, Korea, Japan, and Singapore, Europe and distribution partners throughout Europe, Asia, and America. Please visit http://www.parkafm.com or call 408-986-1110 for more information. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/641425/Park_Systems___Europe_Grand_Opening.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/490994/Park_Systems_Logo.jpg Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 13, 2018) - Lupaka Gold Corp. (TSXV: LPK) (FSE: LQP) ("Lupaka Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has secured the necessary funding required for development of the Invicta Gold Development Project ("Invicta"). Lupaka has received US$2,500,000 in proceeds from Tranche 3 of the total US$7,000,000 Pre-Paid Forward Gold Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement") with PLI Huaura Holdings LP ("PLI"), as well as approximately US$3,000,000 from the sale of 3.1 million shares in GoldMining Inc. ("GoldMining"). Highlights: Proceeds of US$2,500,000 received from Tranche 3 of the Agreement with PLI Liquidity further increased by US$3,000,000 from the sale of 3.1 million common shares of GoldMining Well-funded with a cash balance of approximately $7.6 million Rehabilitation, preparation and development work at Invicta underway and to be completed within the next four months Preliminary Economic Assessment on track for completion in the first quarter of 2018 ("Q1 2018") Will Ansley, President and CEO of Lupaka stated: "With a consolidated cash balance of approximately $7.6 million, along with 400,000 free trading shares of GoldMining, the Company remains well funded to deliver on its objectives of advancing the Invicta Gold Development Project towards potential production in the second half of 2018." Tranche 3 of the Pre-Paid Forward Gold Purchase Agreement Pursuant to the Agreement, financing proceeds were provided by PLI in three tranches: Tranche 1 - US$1,600,000 (received on August 9, 2017, net of related fees); Tranche 2 - US$2,000,000 (received November 8, 2017); and Tranche 3 - US$2,500,000 (received today). Lupaka Gold has met the key condition required in order to receive US$2,500,000 in proceeds from Tranche 3 under the PLI Agreement. On November 21, 2017 the Company sold the Crucero Gold Project to GoldMining for cash proceeds of $750,000 and 3.5 million common shares. Lupaka has since sold 3.1 million GoldMining shares for proceeds of approximately US$3,000,000, leaving the Company with a balance of approximately 400,000 shares. In addition, negotiations with offtake traders remain ongoing and are expected to be completed within the next three months, alongside the rehabilitation, preparation and development work at Invicta. In conjunction with the receipt of Tranche 3, and pursuant to an agreement entered into with Red Cloud Mining (the "Agent") dated October 20, 2015, the Company will pay cash consideration of 2.0% of the funds received from PLI and will issue, subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, 122,787 one common share purchase warrants of the Company ("Advisor Warrant"). Each Advisor Warrant will be exercisable to acquire one common share of Lupaka at an exercise price of C $0.255, exercisable for a period of two years, expiring on February 1, 2020. The value of the Advisor Warrants to be issued is equal to 1.0% of the funds received from PLI, with the exercise price set at 30% above the 5-day volume weighted average price (VWAP). A fee of US$150,000 will also be paid to KLR Group LLC. The Agent is an Arm's Length party to the Company and is considered an "accredited investor" as such term is defined in National Instrument 45-106. The Advisor Warrants and any shares issued pursuant to the exercise of the Advisor Warrants will be subject to a statutory hold period under Canadian securities laws expiring four months and one day after issue. Preliminary Economic Assessment Update Further to the announcement on November 28, 2017, the Company has engaged SRK Consulting Canada Inc. ("SRK") as the lead contractor to prepare a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") on Invicta. The PEA remains on track for completion in Q1 2018 and will be used as a basis for additional development by the Company and PLH S.A.C., Invicta's mining contractor. Incentive Stock Option Grant Effective February 12, 2018, the Company has granted, pursuant to its 2010 Incentive Stock Option Plan, 75,000 incentive stock options to a consultant performing investor relations activities for the Company, for the purchase of up to 75,000 shares in the capital stock of the Company. The options vest over 18 months from date of grant and are exercisable on or before February 12, 2021, at a price of $0.18 per share. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this news release. About Lupaka Gold Lupaka is an active Canadian-based company focused on creating shareholder value through discoveries and strategic development of its assets in some of the most prolific mining regions of Peru. Invicta Gold Development Project - 100% owned, the Company's flagship project is an advanced stage gold-copper polymetallic underground deposit located approximately 120 kilometres north of Lima. Over $15 million of capital has been spent by previous owners on development and infrastructure at Invicta, and management expects to commence potential production in the second half of 2018 by using third-party mining contractors and utilizing the adit and existing workings. The Invicta project is fully permitted and community agreements are in place. The potential underground operation will be focused on accessing Invicta's Measured and Indicated mineral resources, which was prepared by SRK Consulting (US) Inc. in 2012 estimated as: Measured mineral resource - 131,000 tonnes grading 6.65 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold equivalent for 28,000 contained ounces ("ozs") of gold, from: 18,000 ozs Au grading at 4.29 g/t, 133,000 ozs Ag grading at 31.71 g/t, 2,119k lbs Cu grading at 0.73%, 1,110k lbs Pb grading at 0.39% and 1,105k lbs of Zn grading at 0.38%. Indicated mineral resource - 8,513,000 tonnes grading 3.43 g/t gold equivalent for 939,000 contained ozs of gold, from: 573,000 ozs Au grading at 2.09 g/t, 4,285,000 ozs Ag grading at 15.65 g/t, 79,048k lbs Cu grading at 0.42%, 45,171k lbs Pb grading at 0.24% and 53,482k lbs of Zn grading at 0.21%. An Inferred mineral resource estimate of 2,534,000 tonnes grading 2.90 g/t gold equivalent for 236,000 contained ozs of gold has also been established. The 2012 Mineral Resource Estimate was stated at a 1.30 g/t gold equivalent cut-off. Metal prices assumed for the gold equivalent calculation are US$1,500/oz for gold, US$32.50/oz for silver, US$3.90/lb for copper, US$1.05/lb for lead and US$1.00/lb for zinc. The gold equivalent calculation assumes 100% metallurgical recovery, and does not account for any smelting, transportation or refining charges. See further disclosure regarding the calculated gold equivalent cut-off grade, as below. Invicta's approved EIA allows for mine production of 1,000 tpd, although the current mining plan is limited to 350 tpd. Cautionary Note Regarding the Invicta Production Decision The decision to commence potential production at the Invicta Gold Project and the Company's plans for a mining operation as referenced herein (the "Production Decision and Plans") were based on economic models prepared by the Company in conjunction with management's knowledge of the property and the existing estimate of measured, indicated and inferred mineral resources on the property. The Production Decision and Plans were not based on a preliminary economic assessment, a pre-feasibility study or a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. Accordingly, there is increased uncertainty and economic and technical risks of failure associated with the Production Decision and Plans, in particular the risk that mineral grades will be lower than expected, the risk that construction or ongoing mining operations are more difficult or more expensive than expected, the risk that the Company will not be able to transport or sell the mineralized material it produces to local custom toll mills on the terms it expects, or at all; production and economic variables may vary considerably, due to the absence of a detailed economic and technical analysis according to and in accordance with NI 43-101. Josnitoro Gold Project - the Company holds an option to earn a 65% interest on this project from Hochschild Mining PLC. The project is located approximately 800 kilometres by road southeast of Lima in the Department of Apurimac, southern Peru, within the Andahuaylas-Yaury Belt, in which the Las Bambas mine (MMG Limited) and the Constancia mine (HudBay Minerals) are located. Historical work on the disseminated gold zones includes over 170 shallow drill holes and extensive surface trenching, as well as artisanal mining. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Will Ansley, President & C.E.O. wansley@lupakagold.com Tel: (416) 862-5257 or visit the Company's profile at www.sedar.com or its website at www.lupakagold.com Qualified Person The technical information in this document has been reviewed and approved by Julio Castaneda Mondragon, MAIG, the President of Lupaka Gold Peru S.A.C., a Peruvian subsidiary of the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Castaneda has verified the scientific and technical information, including sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information or opinions contained in this news release. The Invicta Gold Project mineral resource estimates referred to in this news release are disclosed in the technical report dated April 16, 2012, titled "Technical Report on Resources, Invicta Gold Project, Huaura Province, Peru" (the "Invicta Technical Report"), and prepared by SRK Consulting (U.S.) Inc., which is available at www.sedar.com under Lupaka Gold Corp's profile. The metal prices used to calculate the gold equivalent cut-off grade in the Invicta Technical Report are based on prices at the time. Investors are cautioned that current metal prices are now lower and as a result, the above-referenced cut-off grade could be materially affected based on current prices. Investors are further cautioned that the prices of precious metals can fluctuate in wide ranges over short periods of time. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information All statements, trend analysis and other information contained in this press release relative to anticipated future events or results constitute forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including, without limitation, statements relating to improvements in the road to the Invicta Project and its anticipated benefits and the timing of completion of the improvements, the timing of the commencement of potential production from the Invicta Project and the generation of cash therefrom, the anticipated methods of production, the receipt of and anticipated use of proceeds of the PLI Financing, the Company's plans and intentions for Invicta, mineral resource estimates, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made that the Company believes are reasonable, including: that the repayment of the PLI Financing is consummated on the anticipated terms, that the supplies, equipment, personnel, permits, and local community approvals required to conduct the Company's planned pre-production and development activities will be available on reasonable terms, that the Company will be able to comply with the delivery and other obligations in the PLI Financing Agreement, that results of exploration activities will be consistent with management's expectations and that the Company will not experience any material accident, labour dispute, or failure of equipment and with respect to the planned mining operations at Invicta; that pre-production mine development can be completed in the time and for the cost projected; that the Company will be able to obtain funding for planned production expenses; that mineralization at Invicta will be of the grades and in the locations expected; that the Company will be able to extract and transport mineralized rock efficiently and sell the mineralized rock at the prices and in the manner and quantities expected; that permits will be received on the terms and timeline expected and that other regulatory or permitting issues will not arise; that mining methods can be employed in the manner and at the costs expected and that such methods yield the results the Company expects them to. However, forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others: all of the risks described in this news release; failure of the PLI Financing to complete on the proposed terms or at all, including due to the Company's inability to complete the conditions precedent, the risk that actual results of exploration and development activities will be different than anticipated; that the Company will not be able to comply with the delivery or other obligations in the PLI Financing Agreement and the risk that PLI will enforce its security over the Company's assets, including its mineral properties; that cost of labour, equipment or materials will increase more than expected; that the future price of gold will decline; that the Canadian dollar will strengthen against the U.S. dollar; that mineral resources are not as estimated; unexpected variations in mineral resources, grade or recovery rates; risks related to shipping mineralized rock; the risk that local mills cannot or will not buy or process mineralized rock from the planned production for the prices expected or at all; risk of accidents, labour disputes and other risks generally associated with mineral exploration; unanticipated delays in obtaining or failure to obtain community, governmental or regulatory approvals or financing; and all of the risks generally associated with the development of mining facilities and the operation of a producing mine, as well as the risks described in the Company's annual information form, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to not be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Lupaka Gold does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. -New TENCEL' brand architecture enables textile industry partners, retailers and consumers to "Feel so right" with TENCEL' apparel and home offerings -Consumer-focused TENCEL' brand portfolio moves beyond fiber to everyday use or application - TENCEL' Active, TENCEL' Denim, TENCEL' Home, TENCEL' Intimate and TENCEL' Luxe PARIS, Feb. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lenzing Group (Lenzing) today redefined TENCEL', as its textile premium brand at Premiere Vision Paris. The redefining of the TENCEL' brand is a key milestone of Lenzing's new brand strategy to enhance product brand offerings, foster connection with customers and consumers, and drive consumer demand. TENCEL' is well positioned to be a major growth engine in the textile sector, with a brand portfolio that caters for distinctive usage - TENCEL' Active, TENCEL' Denim, TENCEL' Home, TENCEL' Intimate, and TENCEL' Luxe, all enabled by two versatile and highly compatible fibers, TENCEL' Modal and TENCEL' Lyocell. Designed and based on the findings and insights of an extensive market research, the brand architecture is an important step for Lenzing to transform from a business-to-business (B2B) fiber producer to a business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) brand. The brand architecture not only addresses the growing trend amongst retail brands and consumers to seek out for products that make them look good and feel good, but also do good via sustainable and transparent production processes, like the processes used for producing TENCEL' Modal and TENCEL' Lyocell fibers. According to research findings, while LENZING' Modal is known as a fiber with good quality and long-lasting exquisite softness, TENCEL' is a well-recognized and appreciated brand name among stakeholders, customers and consumers in key target regions of Lenzing. Hence, TENCEL' is adopted as Lenzing's textile specialty brand for apparel and home applications, and is aimed to help create a unique and differentiating brand in the Modal and Lyocell fiber markets. The redefined TENCEL' product brand, along with the tagline "Feels so right", will enable Lenzing to embark on communication around messages that move beyond fiber types and characteristics towards everyday use and benefits that brands and consumers value. "With a longer-term strategy to enhance connection with customers and consumers, 2018 will be a game changer year for Lenzing," said Robert van de Kerkhof, Chief Commercial Officer of Lenzing Group. "Since rolling out our sCore TEN business strategy in 2015, Lenzing has been migrating into a specialty fiber business with a strong focus on innovation, quality and sustainability. The redefined TENCEL' brand underlines our core principles of trust, transparency, reliability and amicability, and by leading technology innovation in the textile sector, we will continue to enable our industry partners and consumers to feel good, look good and do good." Under the new brand strategy, TENCEL' Modal and TENCEL' Lyocell fibers will be key ingredients in the TENCEL' branded product portfolio. Derived from certified and controlled wood sources, both TENCEL' Modal and TENCEL' Lyocell standard fibers are produced via responsible production processes and are compostable and biodegradable under industrial, home, soil and marine conditions. Enabled by industry innovations, including REFIBRA' technology, Eco Soft technology, Eco filament technology and Micro technology, textiles produced under the TENCEL' brand offer premium standards of sustainability and natural comfort to meet evolving consumer demand. "We are charting a bold new course to simplify our product portfolio and elevate our brand to bring more value to consumers and industry partners," said Harold Weghorst, director of Global Brand Management. "As Lenzing's flagship brand in the textile sector, TENCEL' will grow beyond fiber types and functional characteristics, it will become a true consumer-focused brand with a promise of something more functional and emotional. By elevating TENCEL' to a promise to the consumer rather than a product message to the value chain, we can start to excite consumers, retailers and brands about the holistic benefits of botanic fibers. Guided by the brand promise of 'Feels so right', TENCEL' brings greater degree of comfort and higher performance to consumers while making them feel good about the choices they make. We hope to create a stronger connection with the industry value chain and consumers through our expertise around sustainability, especially in TENCEL' Modal and TENCEL' Lyocell fibers. In the long run, we plan to build TENCEL' not only into a trusted B2B brand, but also a preferred consumer brand, which provides B2B customers with ease to maximize marketing effectiveness and enables consumers to identify 'feel-good' products made with sustainable materials." Moving beyond fiber to distinctive everyday usage or application in consumer-focused-branded offer, TENCEL' Active, TENCEL' Denim, TENCEL' Home, TENCEL' Intimate and TENCEL' Luxe have been created under the TENCEL' portfolio. New swing tags and marketing materials will be launched on a retail level to provide clarity on product benefit claims containing TENCEL' branded fibers. The swing tags, along with more detailed guidelines on B2B and B2C usage, are now available on Lenzing's new e-branding service platform, which caters to B2B customers and retail partners, offering faster, more sustainable and more user-friendly solutions for certification and licensing. "By applying the new brand strategy, we will take a more personalized and targeted approach to reflect the TENCEL' brand essence of 'softness' and 'feeling good with a natural touch' with B2B customers, retail partners and consumers," added Amit Gautam, vice president of Global Business Management in Textile. "We will work closely with the industry value chain and retail brands to educate consumers about TENCEL' featured value propositions like product quality, functional benefits and sustainability. Co-branding programs such as swing tags or packaging, and co-marketing campaigns with retail brands will enable us to reach out to consumers directly. With more brand exposure and ongoing consumer education from this year onwards, consumers will see more of us through the TENCEL' brand in apparel and home textiles and/or in our partners' retail outlets in different regions." The redefining of TENCEL' as Lenzing's textile flagship brand will be effective from today onwards. This will be the first step of Lenzing's new brand exercise, where the same approach will also apply to nonwoven and industrial applications, which will be announced at a later stage. For more details about TENCEL', TENCEL' Active, TENCEL' Denim, TENCEL' Home, TENCEL' Intimate and TENCEL' Luxe please visit www.tencel.com. About TENCEL' TENCEL' is the textile specialty brand under The Lenzing Group that covers textile specialty product offerings for apparel and home. The TENCEL' product brand portfolio defines a new evolutionary step in terms of sustainability, functional benefits, natural comfort and caters for distinctive everyday usage or application. Fibers used under the TENCEL' brand are derived from certified and controlled sources following the stringent guidelines of the Lenzing Wood and Pulp Policy. TENCEL' Modal and TENCEL' Lyocell are designated by the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) BioPreferred Program. Alexian Brothers Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE,) a ministry of Ascension Living PACE, announces that Medical Director Norman Desbiens, MD will assume the responsibilities of medical director of Ascension Living PACE, while continuing to serve as the medical director of the PACE in Chattanooga.Ascension Living PACE currently serves 600 participants in Kansas, Michigan and Tennessee. PACE participants are over age 55, qualify for nursing home level of care according to state eligibility requirements, and most are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.Alexian Brothers PACE is a healthcare plan that combines Medicare and TennCare benefits for senior adults in Hamilton County with complicated health issues.PACE is designed to help people remain in their own homes and communities with the medical care, adult day services and home care they need."Dr. Desbiens brings to his new role a wealth of expertise and deep understanding of the needs of those that PACE serves. He has been practicing medicine for 45 years, including 15 years with PACE in Chattanooga. He has demonstrated a commitment to educating caregivers and industry professionals, having served on the faculties of the University of Wisconsin, the Medical College of Wisconsin and the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, where he also chaired the department of internal medicine," officials said.Dr. Desbiens earned his doctor of medicine degree from Harvard Medical School, and is accredited by the American Board of Internal Medicine in the specialties of internal and family practice medicine, with additional qualifications in critical care medicine and geriatrics. In addition to being honored with teaching awards and research fellowships, he is a member of several medical societies, serves as a reviewer of the American Geriatric Society journal and is a recognized national and international speaker. 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. DUBLIN, February 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Lease Corporation International (LCI), the leading helicopter lessor and aviation division of the Libra Group, has closed its inaugural capital markets term loan financing, with a value in excess of US$55 million. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/641525/Lease_Corporation_International.jpg ) The private, senior secured tranches have a maturity of five years, and were offered to a range of US financial institutions. CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) and Prudential Capital Group , the private capital investment arm of PGIM, the $1 trillion global investment management businesses of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), jointly funded the financing. LCI is using the proceeds from the financing to fund the continuing expansion of its fleet with the acquisition of six new Leonardo AW139 and AW169 helicopters. All of the aircraft have confirmed placements with lessees in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Search and Rescue (SAR) roles. Jaspal Jandu, Chief Financial Officer of Lease Corporation International, says: "LCI's fast-growing helicopter leasing platform has now achieved the size for us to undertake our maiden capital markets placement. This transaction enables us to diversify our capital base and lower our cost of capital, further increasing the efficiency of our operations." John Heskin, Managing Director for CIT's Aerospace, Defense & Government Finance (ADG) team, says: "CIT Group is delighted to continue its longstanding relationship with LCI by assisting on their first capital markets financing. With LCI's proven track record as a diversified helicopter lessor, it is no surprise that this placement received strong demand." LCI's fleet, which comprises approximately US$750 million of assets in service and on order, is focused on the latest technology medium and super medium helicopters manufactured by the leading helicopter OEMs including Leonardo, Airbus and Sikorsky. About Lease Corporation International (LCI) Since its inception in 2004, LCI has acquired fixed wing and rotary aircraft with a value of around US$6 billion. LCI is owned by Libra Group (http://www.libra.com), an international business group with 30 subsidiaries active in 35 countries across six continents. Libra Group's subsidiaries are focused on six core sectors: aviation, energy, hospitality, real estate, shipping, and diversified investments. http://www.lciaviation.com About CIT Founded in 1908, CIT (NYSE: CIT) is a financial holding company with approximately $50 billion in assets as of Dec. 31, 2017. Its principal bank subsidiary, CIT Bank, N.A., (Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender) has approximately $30 billion of deposits and more than $40 billion of assets. CIT provides financing, leasing, and advisory services principally to middle-market companies and small businesses across a wide variety of industries. It also offers products and services to consumers through its Internet bank franchise and a network of retail branches in Southern California, operating as OneWest Bank, a division of CIT Bank, N.A. For more information, visit cit.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Facebook. About Prudential Capital Group Prudential Capital Group has been a leading provider of private placements, mezzanine debt and equity, to companies for more than 75 years. Managing a portfolio of more than $82 billion as of December 31, 2017, Prudential Capital offers senior debt, mezzanine financing, leveraged leases, project financing, credit tenant leases as well as asset financing to companies, worldwide. The global regional office network has locations in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Frankfurt, London, Los Angeles, Milan, Minneapolis, Newark, New York, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney*. For more information, please visit prudentialcapitalgroup.com. *Operates through PGIM (Australia) Pty Ltd. The ranking was determined by US Blasting News, one of the top 150 most read news websites in the world. "The Ultimate Insider's Guide To Tourist Shooting Ranges In Las Vegas" a comprehensive review of the top ten indoor and outdoor shooting ranges in Las Vegas was undertaken to determine which offered the best "bang for one's buck." The number one ranking was given to Shoot Las Vegas because they provide "the best experience by every metric" and declared "king of the mountain." Eric Brashear, the owner of Shoot Las Vegas, remarked, "We are extremely proud to have been named the number one shooting range in Las Vegas. Shoot Las Vegas is a different business model than other gun ranges in town. I've been working in the special events industry for 30 years, so it's really 'Special events meets shooting'. We've done single groups up to 100 guests at one time because of a unique feature that allows guests to move between the different shooting stations at their own pace. Guests can also customize their shooting experience from the more than 70 guns offered." Shoot Las Vegas offers the only private box canyon outdoor shooting experience, which is on 100 acres of serene landscape complete with fire pit and picnic tables. Customers safely experience the most popular and sought after handguns, machine guns, sniper rifles and more shooting at exploding and steel targets out to 500 yards. Guests can even blow up a car with a Sniper rifle aimed at an explosive. Limousine transportation, at zero cost, is offered by Shoot Las Vegas to their customers to their shooting range while watching a video of what's in store. Shoot Las Vegas also provides free pictures and videos for each guest shooting their guns within their exclusive climate-controlled firing lines. In addition, Shoot Las Vegas will soon be offering their customers rides in the world's longest monster truck at the Shoot Las Vegas' outdoor shooting range, which will further enhance the already one-of-a-kind shooting experience. Reservations are suggested. Read the full article at ShootLasVegas.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180213005428/en/ Contacts: Shoot Las Vegas Eric Brashear, 702-634-4867 Info@ShootLasVegas.com www.ShootLasVegas.com VANCOUVER, BC and BOSTON, MA--(Marketwired - February 13, 2018) - Imagin Medical (CSE: IME) (OTC PINK: IMEXF) (FRANKFURT: DPD2) (STUT: DPD2) (the "Company"), announced today that the lead investigator on the research study currently underway at the University of Rochester Medical Center using the Company's i/Blue Imaging System is being recognized for his career achievements. Edward Messing, M.D., F.A.C.S., will receive the Ramon Guiteras Award at the AUA's annual meeting in May in San Francisco for his 35 years of accomplishment in improving care for individuals with bladder, kidney, prostate, and testicular cancer. His contributions have enhanced knowledge of the basic molecular and genetic components that contribute to the development and progression of these diseases and translated this research into new ways of detection, prevention and treatment. The award is presented annually to an individual deemed to have made outstanding contributions to the art and science of urology. Founded in 1902, AUA is the leading national and international educational, scientific, and clinical organization for the specialty of urology with more than 20,000 members worldwide. Guiteras was one of the founders of the AUA and the award named in his honor is considered the organization's most prestigious recognition. Since 1995, Dr. Messing has been a professor in the University of Rochester Medical Center Department of Urology and the Wilmot Cancer Institute where he designed and conducted landmark clinical trials. "Dr. Messing is a renowned expert in the diagnosis and treatment of urological cancers, and we're very fortunate that he is leading the research study on Imagin's technology," commented Jim Hutchens, Imagin's President and CEO. "We appreciate his expertise and counsel." The purpose of the study, now in progress, is to validate Imagin's previous bench-testing results that showed the i/Blue Imaging System technology will enable physicians to "see" the cancer in less than 15 minutes vs. the full hour required by today's technology, as well as blend the white and florescence images into one, placing the cancer in context within the bladder. For further information on the study, visit, Near Infrared Fluorescence Imaging for Bladder Cancer Detection. About Imagin Medical Imagin Medical is developing imaging solutions for the early detection of cancer during minimally invasive surgeries. The Company believes it will radically improve the way physicians detect cancer. Imagin's initial target market is bladder cancer, a major cancer worldwide, the sixth most prevalent in the U.S., and the most costly cancer to treat due to a greater than 50% recurrence rate. Developed at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, this advanced, ultrasensitive imaging technology is based upon improved optical designs and advanced light sensors. Learn more at www.imaginmedical.com. Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Specifically, there is no assurance the Company's imaging system will work in the manner expected, except as required under applicable securities legislation; the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. For further information, contact: Jim Hutchens President & CEO Telephone: 617-571-6006 Email: jhutchens@imaginmedical.com U.S. HQ: 69 Longwood Avenue Hyannis Port, MA 02647 USA 617-571-6006 CA HQ: 890 West Pender Street, Suite 600 Vancouver, British Columbia Canada V6C 1J9 778-998-5000; 604-687-1327 (fax) MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 02/13/18 -- Dundee Sustainable Technologies Inc. ("DST or the Corporation") (CSE: DST)(CSE: DST.CN)(CNSX: DST) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with the National Research Council of Canada ("NRC") for research services for the analytical characterization of auriferous arsenic-bearing mineral samples (the Service). The Service will provide valuable additional information to DST pursuing its technical work on arsenic-bearing mineralized materials such as arsenopyrite and cobaltite. DST is being provided $99,900 from NRC-IRAP in support of this work. The goal of the Service to be performed is the in-depth technical characterizations on mineralized materials that have been processed by DST in view of expanding the applications of the Corporation's arsenic vitrification technology. The Services shall be rendered in the first quarter of 2018 at the NRC's Energy, Mining and Environment Research Centre in Ottawa, Mr. Brian Howlett stated, "This program is a logical step in strengthening our approach to arsenical materials and more fully integrate arsenic-removal processes with our arsenic vitrification technology. The Corporation is currently working on development projects in the arsenopyrite and cobalt spaces that will benefit from this work. We would like to thank the National Research Council for their support in a Canadian-developed technology." About Dundee Sustainable Technologies, a corporation controlled by Dundee Corporation The Corporation is engaged in the development and commercialization of environment-friendly technologies for the treatment of materials in the mining industry. Through the development of patented, proprietary processes, DST extracts precious and base metals from mineralized material, concentrates and tailings, while stabilizing contaminants such as arsenic, which could not otherwise be extracted or stabilized with conventional processes because of metallurgical issues or environmental considerations. DST has filed, published and was granted patents for these processes in numerous countries. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release contains forward-looking statements that address future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, some of which may be beyond the Corporation's control. These factors include: general market and industry conditions, risks related to continuous operations and to commercialization of new technologies and other risks disclosed in the Corporation's filings with Canadian Securities Regulators. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Corporation's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Corporation expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contacts: Brian Howlett President and CEO Dundee Sustainable Technologies Tel: (514) 866-6001 # 239 Cell: (647) 227-3035 info@dundeetechnologies.com New Ecosystem Partnership Demonstrates Revenue-generating Value of Prodea's IoT Service X-Change Solutions and Platform at Mobile World Congress Coriant, a global supplier of open, disruptive, and hyperscale networking solutions for service providers and web-scale Internet operators and Prodea, a leading provider of IoT managed solutions and technologies, today announced that they have joined forces. Through Coriant's new Multi-Sided Platform Partnership Program and Prodea's new IoT Service X-Change platform and ecosystem this partnership will accelerate global adoption of IoT services by simplifying go-to-market deployment across multiple vertical markets. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180213005373/en/ Prodea's IoT Service X-Change is a platform offering turnkey solutions and a framework for rapid IoT service creation and delivery with a comprehensive ecosystem of best-of-breed offerings including guaranteed quality of service. It was developed to solve a number of real problems in the IoT industry, such as: 1) Empowering service providers to participate in the IoT value chain beyond connectivity; 2) Providing a vehicle for efficient launch of partner-powered IoT solutions; and 3) Enabling monetizable and scalable services, rather than just technology components. Through Coriant's Multi-Sided Platform Partnership Program, the two companies offer a unique and innovative approach to solving the challenge of IoT service deployment and monetization by employing a value-driven business model to deliver end-to-end IoT solutions meeting the needs of many markets including healthcare, consumer products, governments, SMEs, and others. "While service providers, enterprises, and other organizations have been working to bring profitable IoT services to market, the full potential of these services has not been realized. In most cases, the challenge has been less about technology and more about optimal approaches to business models, specific verticals, and ecosystem partners," said Homayoun Razavi, Chief Customer Officer and Executive Vice President of Global Sales Digital Marketing, Coriant. "We chose to partner with Prodea not only because of their technology innovation, but also because their IoT Service X-Change can form the basis for our Multi-Sided Platform Partnership Program's distribution of IoT services from ecosystem partners to customers worldwide. We believe this brings together all the right go-to-market ingredients, enabling service providers and enterprises to accelerate monetization of IoT services." "The 'Internet of Things' has created a lot of hype in the market, but deployments have been slow and in small pockets. By focusing on value creation for both operators and their clients, we have aimed our IoT Service X-Change at creating comprehensive solutions by leveraging strong partnerships with the most innovative service and technology providers in each vertical," said Anousheh Ansari, Chairman and CEO, Prodea. "Joining forces with Coriant and putting Prodea's IoT Service X-Change ecosystem at the core of the partnership creates a strong movement to accelerate deployments across industries-driving true business transformation for our customers. Together, we are evolving the 'Internet of Things' into an 'Internet of Services.'" Prodea's IoT Service X-Change provides end-to-end service enablement and uniform management of delivered solutions. The platform incorporates a set of comprehensive tools to facilitate service deployments that allow operators to access new revenue streams without large upfront investments, strengthen existing client relationships, increase ARPU, and easily pursue multiple new market opportunities. Prodea's IoT Service X-Change with Coriant's Multi-Sided Platform Partnership Program enable service providers to offer their clients a convenient and efficient one-stop shop, with the best pricing options, and education on the state-of-the-art services available for their industry. Prodea's IoT Service X-Change will be showcased along with Coriant's Multi-Sided Solutions at MWC in Barcelona February 26 March 1, 2018. To meet with us at the show and see a demonstration, email mwc@coriant.com. Also, Tweet us using MWC18 @Coriant. About Prodea Prodea Systems, Inc. is a privately-held company founded in 2006 by telecommunications industry veterans Anousheh, Hamid, and Amir Ansari to be THE IoT solution for the masses-using the company's platform to deliver value and make a positive impact on people's lives globally. To this end, Prodea's IoT Service X-Change solutions and platform empower service providers with a meaningful suite of ready-to-deploy IoT solutions that deliver real value for them as well as their clients. Prodea customers include service providers, enterprises, manufacturers governments spanning multiple vertical markets including smart home, digital health, smart city, e-government, and many others. In 2017, Prodea acquired Arrayent, Inc. who since 2005, has been chosen by trusted consumer brands such as Whirlpool, Chamberlain, Pentair, OSRAM/Sylvania, Salus, and others to connect and manage their mass-market connected products across five continents. For more info, visit www.prodea.com and follow us on Twitter for company updates. About Coriant Coriant delivers innovative and dynamic networking solutions for a fast-changing and cloud-centric business world. The Coriant SDN/NFV-enabled portfolio of open, disruptive, and hyperscale solutions and Multi-Sided Platform innovations helps network operators cost-efficiently scale network capacity, reduce operational complexity, and create the resilient foundation for a new generation of mobile, video, and cloud services. Coriant serves leading network operators around the world, including mobile and fixed line service providers, cloud and data center operators, Web 2.0 content providers, cable MSOs, government agencies, and large enterprises. With a distinguished heritage of technology innovation and service excellence, Coriant is helping its global customers maximize the service value of their network infrastructure as demand for bandwidth explodes and the communications needs of businesses and consumers continue to evolve. Learn more at www.coriant.com and follow us on Twitter for the latest news and information. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180213005373/en/ Contacts: On behalf of Coriant Jennifer Handshew, +1.917.359.8838 jhandshew@percepture.com or Prodea Peter Radsliff, +1-650-257-9593 VP Marketing peter.radsliff@prodea.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 13, 2018) - War Eagle Mining Company Inc. (TSXV: WAR) ("War Eagle" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of the previously announced amalgamation with Champagne Resources Limited ("Champagne"), a private Ontario company, pursuant to which War Eagle has acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Champagne. The amalgamated company, which will be called "Champagne Resources Limited", will continue as a wholly-owned subsidiary of War Eagle. The amalgamation was overwhelmingly approved by Champagne Shareholders at a special meeting held on February 8, 2018 by a vote of approximately 72% of the shares outstanding, 100% in favour. There were no dissenting shareholders. On closing of the amalgamation, 21,990,276 common shares of War Eagle were issued to shareholders of Champagne such that the existing shareholders of War Eagle on the completion of the amalgamation own 50% of the outstanding shares of War Eagle and the former shareholders of Champagne own the remaining 50%. The outstanding share capital of War Eagle post the amalgamation is 43,980,552 common shares on a non-diluted basis. Outstanding Champagne share purchase warrants and options were converted into War Eagle securities such that 6,086,045 share purchase warrants and stock options to purchase 1,215,659 common shares were issued at exercise prices ranging from $0.13 to $0.86 with expiry dates of August 9, 2019 for the share purchase warrants and May 5, 2021 in respect of the stock options. Daniele Spethmann has been appointed as President and CEO of War Eagle. The board of directors of War Eagle now comprises Paul Carroll, Executive Chairman, Malcolm Burke, William Hamilton, Daniele Spethmann and Peter Winnell. On completion of the amalgamation, Donald Padgett resigned from the War Eagle board of directors to accommodate incoming Champagne representatives. The TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") has granted final approval for War Eagle's transaction with Champagne. As a condition to final TSXV approval, War Eagle filed an updated National Instrument 43-101 technical report on Champagne's 100% owned Goodfish Kirana Project at Kirkland Lake which report has been filed on War Eagle's SEDAR profile. Daniele Spethmann, newly-appointed President and CEO of War Eagle commented, "We are very pleased to have completed this amalgamation which facilitates the advancement of exploration activities on the Company's Goodfish Kirana property. With the amalgamation completed, we will now focus on exploration work including assaying existing drill cores and undertaking airborne and ground geophysics programs supported by the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines' Junior Exploration Assistance Program (JEAP) initiative." About War Eagle War Eagle is a TSX Venture Exchange listed company focused on the exploration of mineral resource properties in northern Ontario with a focus on gold deposits. The Company has a significant land position in the Kirkland Lake Gold Camp five kilometres from the center of the Town of Kirkland Lake. The Company's Goodfish Kirana Project is a 10 km long by 3 km wide land package with numerous historical gold showings and significant structural breaks that has been under-explored with modern technology providing for an exciting and unique discovery opportunity. Daniele Spethmann, P. Geo., President and CEO of War Eagle, 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. Daniele Spethmann, P.Geo President and CEO +1 (647) 344-3433 Malcolm Burke Director + 1 (604) 220-2000 info@wareaglemining.com | www.wareaglemining.com This news release was prepared by management of War Eagle, which takes full responsibility for its contents as it relates to War Eagle. 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, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 13, 2018) - Vendetta Mining Corp. (TSXV: VTT) (the "Company") is pleased to announce results from the Bridge Zone and other drilling from the completed 2017 program at the Pegmont Lead-Zinc Project in Queensland, Australia. Bridge Zone Sulphide Highlights: PVRD132: 6.00 metres of 14.41% Pb+Zn (11.24% Pb, 3.17% Zn); PVRD135 : 6.16 metres of 13.39% Pb+Zn (10.29% Pb, 3.10% Zn); P MRD016: 4.39 metres of 13.05% Pb+Zn (10.77% Pb, 2.28% Zn); PVRD 146: 9.22 metres of 12.17% Pb+Zn (9.77% Pb, 2.40% Zn); and PVRD 147: 9.98 metres of 10.31% Pb+Zn (7.81% Pb, 2.50% Zn) A full summary of the sulphide lead-zinc results including estimated true widths are provided in Table 1 and 2 and the location of the holes is shown on the map in Figure 1 and for the Bridge Zone intersections on the plan in Figure 2. A cross section through the Bridge Zone is shown in Figure 3. Michael Williams, Vendetta's President and CEO commented "These additional results from the Bridge Zone discovery continue to support the high grade continuity of this zone. Potential development of the Bridge Zone is enhanced by its proximity to the main optimised pit shell at Pegmont, the closest drill intersection to date lying only 120 m to the east and 50 m below the pit shell. We look forward to adding the Bridge Zone to the Mineral Resource Estimate which the Company is working to have completed by the end of March. There remains significant potential to develop the Bridge Zone further, this will form part of the 2018 drilling program. " Bridge Zone Underground Target The Company announced the discovery of the Bridge Zone on September 19th, 2017 (see news release VTT2017 NR#10). Since then a further ten holes targeting the Bridge Zone mineralization were completed. Three of these holes were successful re-entries of previous Burke Hinge Zone drilling, extended to intersect the Bridge Zone; two historic holes PMRD016 and 020 (drilled 1996) and one Vendetta drill hole PVRD028 (drilled 2016). Hole PVRD146 and 147 were drilled on a section at the south-eastern most section to date, both intersecting >9 m widths and consistent high grades. About 50 m down dip from PVRD147, hole PVRD148 intersected the mineralised horizon but only at 1 m thickness. PVRD132 was drilled on the previously announced section including holes PVRD106, 107 and 108, about 33 m down dip of PVRD108, it intersected high grades mineralisation consistent with PVRD108. PVRD028, drilled at Burke Hinge Zone in 2016, was successfully re-entered and extended to intersect the mineralised horizon at about 80 m down dip of PVRD132. It found the mineralised horizon had thinned and grades has also declined. While on the PVRD028 drill site it was decided to re-enter historic RC hole PMR016 and extend in core to obtain some closer spaced information at relatively small cost. This hole successfully intersected the Bridge Zone about 25 m along strike of PVRD108, achieving comparable grades and thicknesses. PVRD135 was drilled on the previously announced section that included holes PVRD115, 112, 114, 092 and 117, see the updated cross section in Figure 3. PVRD135 intersected high grade mineralisation and widths about 33 m down dip of PVRD117, which were consistent with PVRD117. PVRD118, was drilled to test for a possible syncline target where it is theorised the beds return towards the Burke Hinge Zone. Structural analysis found however that the mineralised horizon changes to dip, dipping steeply to the south-east, this changes the possible location of the syncline, which remains an exciting exploration target, see Figure 3. PVRD129 and PMRD020 tested the north-west end strike extent and failed to intersect the mineralised horizon, based on detailed structural data and analysis it is now believed that the host beds are folded downwards and potentially dip below these two holes. Core from holes PVRD114, 135, 146 and 147 was used to form a metallurgical composite for the Bridge Zone, the composite weighted 96 kg at an average diluted grade of 8.76% Pb and 2.60% Zn. Test work is currently ongoing at the ALS Metallurgy laboratory. The Company plans to continue to expand the Bridge Zone and test the revised structural model for the syncline targets in 2018. Zone 5 Underground Target Three holes; PVRD099, 101A and 103, were drilled at the NE end of Zone 5. All three holes experienced excessive drill path deviation, PVRD101 was abandoned and re-drilled as PVRD101A, which was completed, but didn't intersect the design target, hitting the attenuated northern limb of Syncline C. Hole PVRD099 targeted the keel of Syncline C, the location of previous high grade intersections, however the hole lifted, intersecting both upper and lower lenses on the southern limb of Syncline C. Hole PVRD103 was drilled in a further attempt to drill the keel of Syncline C, again lifted and failed to hit its target. Zone 1 and Burke Hinge Zone Open Pit Targets PVRD146 was drilled to intersect the Bridge Zone, within the RC pre-collar portion of the hole it also intersected Burke Hinge Zone mineralization in the lower lens. Two holes were drilled in Zone 1, both intersected the fold structure at the planned depths but at a location where it has been attenuated. Results from the final 24 holes of the 2017 resource development drilling program, drilled in Zones 2 and 3, are currently being validated and interpreted, these results will be released as they are finalized. Table 1. Summary of Bridge Zone and Zone 5 Underground Targets Assay Results Bore Hole Dip / Azimuth From (m) To (m) Interval (m) True Thickness* (m) Grade # Pb+Zn % Pb % Zn % Ag g/t Bridge Zone - Sulphide PVRD129 -69/203 No Significant Result PMRD020 -58/204 No Significant Result PVRD118 -64/030 339.34 343.00 3.66 1.2 2.92 1.14 1.78 9 PVRD135 -76/024 226.63 233.79 7.16 5.6 11.67 8.95 2.72 14 including 227.63 233.79 6.16 4.8 13.39 10.29 3.10 16 PMRD016 -59/206 285.90 291.29 5.39 5.2 11.15 9.23 1.91 22 including 285.90 290.29 4.39 4.2 13.05 10.77 2.28 26 PVRD132 237.52 245.36 7.84 7.3 11.31 8.82 2.48 15 including 237.52 243.52 6.00 5.4 14.41 11.24 3.17 18 PVRD028 -78/207 280.17 283.43 3.26 3.0 5.95 2.84 3.11 6 including 281.17 283.43 2.26 2.1 7.79 3.53 4.26 6 PVRD146 -53/207 290.00 299.22 9.22 7.2 12.17 9.77 2.40 14 and 308.08 310.02 1.94 1.9 3.94 1.89 2.06 8 PVRD147 -63/2004 284.75 292.73 9.98 9.4 10.31 7.81 2.50 10 including 285.75 292.73 6.98 6.5 13.93 10.57 3.36 12 PVRD148 -77/210 No Significant Result Zone 5 - Sulphide PVRD099 -79/143 237.86 243.63 5.77 5.3 8.66 6.31 2.35 12 and 338.10 340.64 2.54 2.3 13.09 7.26 5.83 7 PVRD101A -80/318 No Significant Result PVRD103 -73/158 No Significant Result *True thickness is estimated using structural measurements and three dimensional geological modelling. Drill intersections are summarized intersection lengths >2.0 m, using a combined 1% lead and zinc grade with maximum 1 m internal dilution. Included intervals are at a combined 5% lead and zinc grade with no internal dilution. Figure 1. Surface Map Showing 2017 Mineral Resource Block Model Contours, Pit Shell and Location of Current Results and 2017 Completed Holes To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: http://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2983/32765_a1518495633990_71.jpg Figure 2. Bridge Zone Mineralised Host Intersection Plan To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: http://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2983/32765_a1518495635334_5.jpg Figure 3. Cross Section through Bridge Zone To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: http://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2983/32765_a1518495636131_33.jpg Table 2. Summary of Zone 1 and Burke Hinge Zone Open Pit Target Assay Results Bore Hole Dip / Azimuth From (m) To (m) Interval (m) True Thickness* (m) Vertical Depth Be low Surface (m) Grade # Pb+Zn % Pb % Zn % Ag g/t Zones 1 - Sulphide PVRD144 -61/142 No Significant Result PVRD145 -76/145 No Significant Result Burke Hing e Zone - Sulphide PVRD146^ -53/207 95 100 5 5 75.9 5.33 2.80 2.53 5 Including 95 99 4 4 75.9 6.40 3.34 3.06 7 *True thickness is estimated using structural measurements and three dimensional geological modelling. Drill intersections are summarized intersection lengths >2.0 m, using a combined 1% lead and zinc grade with maximum 1 m internal dilution. Included intervals are at a combined 3% lead and zinc grade with no internal dilution. ^Intersection from RC pre-collar portion. Notes on Drilling and Assay QA/QC The drilling discussed in this release involved drilling RC pre-collars using a 5.75 inch diameter face sampling bit to depth prior to casing and continuing the hole in NQ2 diamond core. Diamond core samples were taken on nominal 1 m lengths but varied to match geological contacts. Samples of the core are obtained using a diamond saw to half cut the core, if the hole is to be included in metallurgical test work it is then halved again. This is performed to provide sufficient sample for metallurgical test work while retaining a permanent core record. The PVRD146 Burke Hinge Zone intersection was drilled using 5.25 inch reverse circulation (RC), face sampling hammer. Samples became wet due to wet season rain and as such were subsampled using a spear rather than normal riffle split. Duplicate samples indicate the spear sampling was unbiased. Field duplicate samples of core were taken and blanks and commercially prepared certified reference materials (standards) were added into the sample sequence for every hole submitted. These were analysed by the Company and no issues were noted with analytical accuracy or precision. Samples used for the results described herein were prepared and analyzed at ALS Laboratory Group in Townsville, Queensland. Analysis was undertaken using a four acid digest and ICP (ALS method: ME-ICP61 for 7 elements) with over limit (>10,000 ppm lead and zinc and >100 ppm silver) high grade samples being read with an atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS), (ALS methods: Pb-OG62, Zn-OG62 and Ag-OG62). Drill hole collars are located using handheld GPS, and the collars have since been surveyed by a licensed surveyor. Down hole surveys were undertaken using a true north seeking gyroscope with stations nominally every 6 m. All diamond core is orientated using digital core orientation systems, this data is incorporated into the 3D interpretations. Assay intervals shown in Table 1 are down hole intervals, and the true thickness noted are based on 3D interpretations of the host lithology, structure, and mineralization. About The Pegmont Lead Zinc Project Pegmont is a stratiform, Broken Hill-Type deposit that outcrops with an overall shallow dip to the south east and is hosted in a magnetite-rich banded iron formation within high grade metamorphic rocks. The project consists of three granted mining leases and one exploration permit that cover an area of approximately 8,290 ha. Pegmont is situated in the Mount Isa - McArthur Mineral Province, which hosts one of the world's richest endowments of lead-zinc-silver mineralization, including several world-class lead-zinc-silver mines. Pegmont is located 25 km west of South 32's Cannington silver-lead-zinc operation, one of the world's largest producers of lead and silver and 28 km north of Chinova Resources' Osborne copper-gold operations. Pegmont is proximal to existing infrastructure including public roads, mine haul roads, rail, and a natural gas pipe line for power generation. In June 2017 Vendetta updated the Mineral Resource estimate for Pegmont, for details please see Vendetta's news release, VTT2017-NR#6, June 27th, 2017 and the NI 43-101 technical report "Pegmont Resource Update June 2017" available on SEDAR. The Company expect to complete an updated NI 43-101 technical report in Q1, 2018. About Vendetta Mining Corp. Vendetta Mining Corp. is a Canadian junior exploration company engaged in acquiring, exploring, and developing mineral properties with an emphasis on lead and zinc. It is currently focused on the advanced stage Pegmont Lead Zinc project in Queensland, Australia. Additional information on the Company can be found at www.vendettaminingcorp.com Qualified Person Peter Voulgaris, MAusIMM, MAIG, a Director of Vendetta, is a non-independent qualified person as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Voulgaris has reviewed the technical content of this press release, and consents to the information provided in the form and context in which it appears. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Michael Williams" Michael Williams President & CEO Tel: 604-484-7855 The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain statements within this news release, other than statements of historical fact relating to Vendetta Mining Corp., are to be considered forward-looking statements with respect to the Company's intentions for its Pegmont project in Queensland, Australia. Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive in nature, are reliant on future events or conditions, or include words such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "believes", "considers", "significant", "intends", "targets", "estimates", "seeks", attempts", "assumes", and other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions which, while considered reasonable by Vendetta Mining Corp., are, by their nature, subject to inherent risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include: the interpretation of previous and current results from the 2017 drilling program mentioned in this news release, further results from the 2017 drilling program, the accuracy of exploration results, the accuracy of Mineral Resource Estimates, the anticipated results of future exploration, the forgoing ability to finance further exploration, delays in the completion of exploration, delays in the completion of the updated Mineral Resource Estimate, the future prices of lead, zinc, and other metals, and general economic, market and/or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements and assumptions will prove accurate and, therefore, readers of this news release are advised to rely on their own evaluation of the information contained within. In addition to the assumptions herein, these assumptions include the assumptions described in Vendetta Mining Corp.'s Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three months ended August 31st , 2017. SULAYMANIYAH, Iraq, February 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The world is assiduously scrutinizing Iraq's reconstruction needs during an international conference in Kuwait this week, which is co-hosted by the World Bank. However, there is a grave danger that Kurdistan will not receive its fair share of attention and recognition during the event. "It would be short sighted for governments, multi-laterals, the donor community and private investors alike to overlook Kurdistan since it has long been a reliable and indispensable partner in political and security matters," said Bafel Talabani, an advisor to the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. He thinks that Kurdistan once again proved its mettle during the recent fight against ISIS in which its valiant Peshmerga forces where a decisive factor in rooting out religious zealots from Iraq. Talabani believes that "Kurdish forces were directly responsible for making the West a safer place," though Kurdish civilians and security forces paid a high price for defeating ISIS. Nearly 2,000 Peshmerga fighters gave their lives in the fight against ISIS and today Kurdistan hosts hundreds of thousands of Internally Displaced Persons and refugees. Pre-ISIS, Kurdistan was hailed as the next Dubai and foreign direct investment buoyed its economy. During the boom years, there were more cranes in Kurdistan's capital, Erbil, than there were minarets. While Kurdistan's development success was tragically interrupted, Talabani thinks that Kurdistan remains an attractive investment destination because its positive fundamentals have not changed. "Amongst others, we have two international airports enabling global connectivity, guests can enjoy our hospitality in world-class hotels, Kurdistan's workforce is young, educated and ambitious, and our country enjoys a strategic position within the Middle East," declared Talabani as the conference got underway. Nevertheless, Kurdistan needs dedicated partners and investors to become a more stable and prosperous nation. The country's democratic history is young and its institutions need strengthening. Kurdistan's development can only happen alongside a strong economy that provides jobs and social services to its people. "As we have seen in countless examples around the world, a stronger democracy goes hand in hand with economic development," opined Talabani. After a prolonged period of hardship and suffering, the Kurdish people deserve a chance to a better life. Kuwait has always stood shoulder to shoulder with the Kurdish people and it remains a devoted friend. "I want to offer my deepest felt thanks for this enduring relationship," said Talabani. Landmark projects include Kuwait's investments in the Kurdish oil and tourism sector as well as delivering humanitarian aid to the earthquake victims in Halabja and Sulaymaniyah late last year. As the international community engages in the reconstruction conference and Iraq requests nearly $90 billion of assistance, Talabani urges all stakeholders to remember that the Kurdistan region is unequivocally part of Iraq. It therefore hopes for an equitable share of development assistance from organizations such as the International Monetary Fund, the donor community and private investors. Growth and stability in Kurdistan remains vital for the stability of the wider region. The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation is accepting applications for its Power of We scholarship through March 16, 2018. Established in 2012, the BlueCross Power of We Scholarship program aims to build a more inclusive health care workforce in Tennessee and ultimately help reduce health disparities in the state. Minority students with strong academic records and community service experience are encouraged to apply. The scholarships are presented in partnership with the Memphis chapter of the National Association of Health Services Executives, and recognize achievements in academics, community service and leadership. These scholarships provide a much-needed resource for minority students who may not have had the same opportunities as others, said Ron Harris, vice president of diversity and inclusion for BlueCross. This financial assistance will help deserving students achieve their dreams while increasing diversity in the health care field. According to BlueCross research on health care reform and its impacts on minority populations in Tennessee, African-Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians, as well as other Pacific Islanders, remain underrepresented in medicine relative to their numbers in the U.S. population and populations in specific states, regions and localities. For more information about the BlueCross Power of We Scholarship, including the application, visit the page on www.bettertennessee.com. First patient dosed in Phase I/IIa clinical trial of BT1718 in patients with advanced solid tumors Cancer Research UK and Bicycle Therapeutics, a biotechnology company pioneering a new class of therapeutics based on its proprietary bicyclic peptide (Bicycle) product platform, announced today that the first patient has been dosed in their Phase I/IIa trial evaluating BT1718 in patients with advanced solid tumors. BT1718 is a first-in-class Bicycle Toxin Conjugate being developed by Bicycle Therapeutics that targets Membrane Type 1 Matrix Metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP/MMP-14), which has been shown to be highly expressed in solid tumors. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180213005996/en/ "The initiation of this study is a landmark event for the company and for our technology," said Maria Koehler, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of Bicycle Therapeutics. "BT1718 is the first clinical candidate from our pipeline of Bicycles, a brand-new class of chemically synthesized medicines. We believe that Bicycles, because of their small size and exquisite selectivity, could provide meaningful efficacy to patients suffering from cancer and avoid the toxicities associated with other classes of highly potent anti-cancer drugs. We are delighted to be exploring its potential in collaboration with Cancer Research UK." The approximately 120-patient Phase I/IIa trial is designed to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of BT1718 in patients with high expression of tumor MT1, as measured by a proprietary MT1 immunochemistry assay. Following a rapid dose escalation phase, the Phase I/IIa trial will evaluate two schedules of BT1718. "We are excited to initiate this clinical study of BT1718, the first in a promising new class of potent anticancer agents with strong potential to deliver a meaningful therapeutic impact," said Dr. Udai Banaji, Principal Investigator for the Phase I/IIa trial. "Our team is eager to evaluate this important new therapeutic in patients with advanced solid tumors." Dr. Nigel Blackburn, Cancer Research UK's director of drug development, said: "BT1718 is a potentially transformative treatment that has shown great promise in preclinical studies, and trials like this are a big step towards helping more patients survive their cancer. We urgently need new, safe and effective therapies for patients with hard to treat cancers such as non-small cell lung cancer and triple negative breast cancer, which this drug will be tested on. Supporting this type of innovative clinical research is a key priority for Cancer Research UK." ABOUT BT1718 BT1718 is a first-in-class Bicycle Toxin Conjugate being developed by Bicycle Therapeuticsthat targets Membrane Type 1 Matrix Metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP), also known as MMP-14, which has an established role in cell invasion and metastasis, is linked to poor outcomes and is over expressed in many solid tumors. BT1718 has demonstrated promising target-dependent efficacy in preclinical models, including both cell- and patient-derived xenografts that are resistant to treatment with standards of care. In addition, it shows only a subset of the toxicities typically associated with other highly potent cancer treatments. Cancer Research UK's Centre for Drug Development (CDD) is sponsoring a Phase I/IIa study of BT1718. The trial is co-managed by Cancer Research UK and Bicycle Therapeutics. Under the terms of the agreement, Bicycle retains the right to further advance the BT1718 program, at which point an undisclosed payment split between cash and equity, success-based milestones and royalty payments would be made to Cancer Research UK. ABOUT BICYCLE THERAPEUTICS Bicycle Therapeutics is developing a unique class of chemically synthesized medicines based on its proprietary bicyclic peptide (Bicycle) product platform to address therapeutic needs unreachable with existing treatment modalities. Bicycle's internal focus is in oncology, where the company is developing targeted cytotoxics (Bicycle Toxin Conjugates), targeted innate immune activators and T-cell modulators for cancers of high unmet medical need. Bicycles' small size and exquisite targeting deliver rapid tumor penetration and retention while clearance rates and routes of elimination can be tuned to minimize exposure of healthy tissue and bystander toxicities. The company's lead program, BT718, is being evaluated in a Phase I/IIa trial in collaboration with Cancer Research, UK. The company's unique intellectual property is based on the work initiated at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, U.K., by the scientific founders of the company, Sir Gregory Winter and Professor Christian Heinis. Bicycle has its headquarters in Cambridge, U.K., with many key functions and members of its leadership team located in the biotech hub of Boston, Mass. For more information, visit www.bicycletherapeutics.com or follow us on Twitter at @Bicycle_tx. ABOUT CANCER RESEARCH UK'S COMMERCIAL PARTNERSHIPS TEAM Cancer Research UK is the world's leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research. Our specialist Commercial Partnerships Team work closely with leading international cancer scientists and their institutes to protect intellectual property arising from their research and to establish links with commercial partners. The team develop promising ideas into successful cancer therapeutics, software, devices, diagnostics and enabling technologies. This helps to accelerate progress in exciting new discoveries in cancer research and bring new treatments to patients sooner. http://commercial.cancerresearchuk.org/ Cancer Research UK's commercial activity operates through Cancer Research Technology Ltd. (CRT), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cancer Research UK. It is the legal entity which pursues drug discovery research in themed alliance partnerships and delivers varied commercial partnering arrangements. ABOUT CANCER RESEARCH UK'S CENTRE FOR DRUG DEVELOPMENT Cancer Research UK has an impressive record of developing novel treatments for cancer. The Cancer Research UK Centre for Drug Development, formerly the Drug Development Office, has been pioneering the development of new cancer treatments for 25 years, taking over 140 potential new anti-cancer agents into clinical trials in patients. It currently has a portfolio of around 30 new anti-cancer agents in preclinical development, Phase I or early Phase II clinical trials. Six of these new agents have made it to market including temozolomide for brain cancer, abiraterone for prostate cancer and rucaparib for ovarian cancer. Two other drugs are in late development Phase III trials. This rate of success is comparable to that of any pharmaceutical company. ABOUT CANCER RESEARCH UK Cancer Research UK is the world's leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research. Cancer Research UK's pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives. Cancer Research UK receives no funding from the UK government for its life-saving research. Every step it makes towards beating cancer relies on vital donations from the public. Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival in the UK double in the last 40 years. Today, 2 in 4 people survive their cancer for at least 10 years. Cancer Research UK's ambition is to accelerate progress so that by 2034, 3 in 4 people will survive their cancer for at least 10 years. Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses. Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured. For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 0300 123 1022 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180213005996/en/ Contacts: Bicycle: Media: Ten Bridge Communications Sarah Sutton, +1-518-932-3680 Sarah@tenbridgecommunications.com or Investors: Argot Partners Maeve Conneighton, +1-212-600-1902 maeve@argotpartners.com or Cancer Research UK: Kathryn Ingham in the Cancer Research UK press office 0203 469 5475 Kathryn.ingham@cancer.org.uk TIANJIN, China, Feb.13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On February 12 Tianjin TianBao Holding Co., LTD and Tianjin Airlines Co., LTD (Tianjin Airlines) formally signed a capital increase framework agreement in Tianjin. According to the agreement,RMB 400 million investment is planned for Tianjin Airlines from current shareholder Tianjin TianBao Holding Co., LTD. As one of the shareholders Tianjin TianBao Holding Co., LTD, an investment platform of Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone Administrative Committee, has played an important role asa sponsorsince Tianjin Airlineswas foundedin 2009. At the end of 2014, Tianjin TianBao Holding Co., LTD has increased the investment of RMB 200 millionin Tianjin Airlines, and it is expected to increase capital investment by RMB 400 million yuan in 2018. The capital increase program is a sign of confidence from the shareholderon the excellent performance of Tianjin Airlinesover the past 9 years andthat theyare optimistic about the development of Tianjin Airlines. This capital increase isgood news for Tianjin Airlines,this willimprove the operating capacity of Tianjin Airlines and provide significant support for its further developmentas Tianjin Airlines continues to transform to an international airline. As the youngest 4-star Skytrax rated airline, Tianjin Airlines aims to build a leading and competitive airline. Tianjin Airlines' annual flight punctuality ranked No. 1 among China's top 10 major Airlines in 2016 and 2017. It also won the Most Improved Airline and one of the world's best airlines for 2018 by Airline Ratings. To date, Tianjin Airlines has operated a fleet of nearly 100 aircraft and already opened 248 air routes, including 21 international routes to 128 cities. The annual passenger volume has exceeded 13 million person-times. By the end of 2017, Tianjin Airlines has had safe operations for 10 years, with over 1,530,000 hours of safe flights. As a member airline of the HNA Group, the network of Tianjin Airlines has not only spread all over China, but also reached Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Russia and Thailand. In 2018, Tianjin Airlines plans to introduce A350 aircraft, add more intercontinental destinations such as Los Angeles and Madrid, and develop more long-distance international and intercontinental routes. DUBLIN, Feb. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) Therapeutics Market 2018-2022" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global hepatic encephalopathy (HE) therapeutics market to grow at a CAGR of 5.35% during the period 2018-2022. Global Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) Therapeutics Market 2018-2022, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market. One trend in the market is technological advances. The adoption of advanced technology to improve the safety profile of the therapeutics used to treat HE is increasing. For instance, the Multi Matrix (MMX) technology, which is offered by COSMO PHARMACEUTICALS, is one such promising development. The MMX technology helps deliver antibiotics directly into the colon. According to the report, one driver in the market is availability of patient-focused programs to assist disease management. Vendors in the market conduct several programs to help patients manage HE. For instance, Salix conducts the Hepatic Encephalopathy Living Program (H.E.L.P.), which provides support to patients and their caregivers to manage HE. H.E.L.P. provides a 24/7 helpline service that is managed by trained nurses to address queries and make reminder calls about medicine refills and doctor visits. Further, the report states that one challenge in the market is late and inaccurate diagnosis. The symptoms of HE are non-specific. They include personality changes slurred speech, poor coordination, lethargy, confusion, trembling hands, and bad breath. The symptoms are usually subtle and may be attributed incorrectly to other causes. This can cause delays in diagnosis or inaccurate diagnosis. The absence of an agreed standard procedure or diagnostic test is also a challenge that compounds concerns about the diagnosis of the disease. Key vendors ASKA Pharmaceutical COSMO PHARMACEUTICALS Mallinckrodt Valeant Key Topics Covered: PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT PART 03: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY PART 04: INTRODUCTION PART 05: MARKET LANDSCAPE Market ecosystem Market characteristics Market segmentation analysis PART 06: MARKET SIZING Market sizing 2017 Market size and forecast 2017-2022 PART 07: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS PART 08: PIPELINE ANALYSIS PART 09: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY PRODUCT Overview Comparison by product NADs Antibiotics Others Market opportunity by product PART 10: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY DISEASE SEVERITY Overview CHE OHE PART 11: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE PART 12: REGIONAL LANDSCAPE Geographical segmentation Regional comparison Key leading countries Market opportunity PART 13: DECISION FRAMEWORK PART 14: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES PART 15: MARKET TRENDS Technological advances Emergence of novel treatment targets PART 16: VENDOR LANDSCAPE PART 17: VENDOR ANALYSIS For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/hqvx7t/global_hepatic?w=5 Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 DALLAS, TX and RICHMOND, VA--(Marketwired - February 13, 2018) - ITS, an insurance consulting and services firm specializing in the design, implementation, and utilization of technology, is pleased to announce the successful implementation of an automated data migration solution, developed using the ITS Data Migration Platform (IDMP) for Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia (MASOV). The project scope included the migration of MASOV's homeowner and dwelling fire policies and documents from MASOV's legacy system to its newly-implemented Guidewire InsuranceNow system. Operating under a coordinated, one-hand-to-shake, partnership model, the ITS data migration team, the Guidewire implementation team, and MASOV seamlessly and successfully implemented this custom data migration solution. "MASOV has perpetual policies which do not renew or expire after a set term like other policies in the market," said Glenda Holmstrom, director of data migration services for ITS. "Typically, a policy's migration is triggered by the renewal process. In this case, the migration process was designed to trigger from the annual billing process." One additional hallmark of this project was the support and responsiveness of the MASOV executive team, who understood that data migration is a critical element in the successful completion of any project. The MASOV executive team prioritized this project at the highest level, thereby giving the team the hands-on support and engagement needed. "ITS' team has been fabulous through this whole process and hasn't missed a mark," says Jeffrey S. Wrobel, Sr., president and CEO of MASOV. "ITS' hyper-responsiveness and expertise with Guidewire InsuranceNow made the difference. We are thrilled to have completed a successful migration of our legacy data on-time and on-budget." Prior to this project, ITS also implemented the Guidewire user acceptance testing (UAT) Kickstart program for MASOV. UAT Kickstart is a customized version of ITS' proprietary testing program that is closely aligned with the InsuranceNow system and implementation methodology. ITS developed MASOV's test plan, wrote the initial test cases, and successfully trained MASOV personnel before handing the process over to their internal quality assurance (QA) team. For more information about ITS, or the company's products and services, please visit www.insurancetechnologyservices.com. For more information about Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia, please visit www.mutual-assurance.com. About Insurance Technology Services (ITS) Based in Dallas, Texas, ITS is an insurance consulting and services firm specializing in the design, implementation and utilization of technology to optimize critical business processes and achieve exceptional results. With practices focused on property and casualty (P&C), life and health (L&H), data services, and training and development, ITS serves insurance organizations of all sizes across the country. ITS provides implementation support (including project management, business analysis, testing and data conversion), process improvements (including PMO establishment, quality assurance and production support), and change management (including training, organizational change planning and business process reengineering), as well as proprietary insurance platforms for automated functional testing and data migration. ITS helps insurance organizations manage and reduce risk by deploying agile teams with exceptional insurance and technical expertise to streamline implementations and boost the capabilities of existing IT staff. For more information, contact Chris Belle, president of ITS, at 512-731-7761 or chris.belle@insurancetechnologyservices.com. About Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia (MASOV) Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia has served Virginians for over 200 years. MASOV provides homeowners insurance coverage for single family owner occupied properties. And, as an accommodation to their homeowners' policies, they offer dwelling fire, scheduled property and personal umbrella liability insurance. For more information see www.mutual-assurance.com. Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2018/2/12/11G149900/Images/Glenda_Holmstrom_Lo_Res_Headshot_2018-8c0b10067d61a46bad2634aef9a1287c.jpg Media Contact: Jennifer Overhulse St. Nick Media Services (859) 803-6597 jen@stnickmedia.com WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Remington, one of the most popular gun maker in the world, plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The gun maker said it has reached a Restructuring Support Agreement with creditors that would it reduce its debt by $700 million and invest $145 million of new capital into its subsidiaries. Remington's business operations will continue to operate in the normal course and will not be disrupted by the restructuring process. Payments to trade partners, employee wages and other benefits, support for customers, and an ongoing high level of service to consumers will continue without interruption. Remington is owned by the private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management. The company is tied to several lawsuits after its Bushmaster AR-15-style rifle was used in the Sandy Hook Elementary School Connecticut shooting that left 20 first-graders and six educators dead in 2012. Executive Chairman of Remington, Jim Geisler, commented, 'Since its founding over 200 years ago, Remington has been a uniquely American company and brand. Our longevity is owed to generations of loyal customers and hard-working employees who met challenges and delivered results. Difficult industry conditions make today's agreement prudent. I am confident this regrouping ensures that Remington will continue as both a strong company and an indelible part of our national heritage.' 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. Solid Organic Growth of +5.4% Strong International Momentum, with Revenue up +19% 2018 Revenue Target: 3,400M (Growth of +8.3% Vs. 2017) Already Secured Regulatory News: The ORPEA group (Paris:ORP), one of the main world leaders in long-term care (nursing homes, post-acute and rehabilitation hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, and homecare services), today announces its revenue for the 2017 financial year ended on 31 December. In m IFRS Full-year Quarterly 2017 2016 Change Q4 2017 Q4 2016 Change France 1,775.1 1,695.4 +4.7% 456.0 431.2 +5.7% % of total revenue 57% 60% 56% 59% International 1,363.1 1,145.8 +19.0% 359.5 304.9 +17.9% % of total revenue 43% 40% 44% 41% Germany 531.7 501.0 136.4 127.7 Austria 242.6 176.3 70.5 47.5 Belgium 167.6 162.1 44.0 41.8 China 1.5 0.4 0.4 0.2 Spain 142.8 101.7 37.4 34.5 Italy 51.7 48.4 13.7 11.9 Poland 13.0 11.3 3.0 3.2 Switzerland 199.0 142.9 49.1 37.4 Czech Rep. 13.2 1.7 4.9 0.7 Total revenue 3,138.2 2,841.2 +10.5% 815.5 736.1 +10.8% Including organic growth1 +5.4% +5.7% Spitex in Switzerland has been consolidated since 1st January 2017, Anavita in the Czech Republic since 1st April 2017, and Dr. Dr. Wagner in Austria since 1st July 2017. Inoges in Germany has been consolidated since 1st January 2018. 2017: revenue growth of 10.5% In 2017, 15 years on from its IPO, ORPEA reported revenue above its guidance at 3,138 million. It represents a substantial increase of 10.5%, or close to 300 million in additional revenue. This solid performance, consistent over the past 15 years, was again driven by a combination of: a healthy organic growth of 5.4%, underpinned by the excellent performance of mature facilities, the ramp-up in facilities opened over the past two years and the opening of 1,900 new beds (through new builds and restructuration) during the year, a dynamic external growth, leading to the acquisitions of Anavita in the Czech Republic, Dr. Dr. Wagner in Austria, Spitex in Switzerland and independent facilities. The international business again strongly contributed to revenue growth. In only three years, revenue generated outside France tripled from 450 million in 2014 to over 1.35 billion in 2017, representing an average annual growth rate of 45%. In 2017, this fast-paced business development and growth went hand in hand with increasing profitability. 2018: sustained momentum in opening new beds (2,500) and job creation In 2018, ORPEA will open another new 2,500 beds, including 85% outside France, representing approximately 20 facilities and extensions. In line with ORPEA's longstanding strategy, these facilities located in areas with strong purchasing power, including Europe's major cities, such as Paris (16th arrondissement), Prague, Berlin, Milan, Zurich and Veyrier, will meet the highest standards of care and service quality. ORPEA again expects a year of active recruitment and job creation thanks to the ongoing opening of new facilities and strengthening of organisational management. Close to 2,000 new jobs will be created in Europe, including approximately 400 in France. Most of these jobs are sustainable and cannot be transferred abroad. They offer substantial career opportunities as a result of the Group's ambitious training policy with the creation, in particular, of many diplomas in partnership with renowned universities. Outlook for 2018: revenue target of 3,400 million For 2018, ORPEA securely forecasts revenues of 3,400 million, an increase of 8.3% driven by a consistent solid organic growth and acquisitions. The Group is looking at a number of selective acquisition opportunities in several countries. Yves Le Masne, Chief Executive Officer of ORPEA, concluded by saying: "Building on the commitment of our employees to deliver high-quality services worldwide, our loyal management team and our sound financial flexibility, we will continue to deliver profitable growth in 2018: selective acquisitions, revenue of 3,400 million already secured, and robust profitability, with an EBITDA margin (as a of revenue) equal to or above its 2017 level. Our tremendous potential for creating value comes from: the significant additions to our growing pipeline of beds under construction and redevelopment, which will fuel our organic growth in the future, our numerous attractive acquisition projects, an organisation and information system geared for international expansion. We are now in a remarkably good position and are uniquely placed to accelerate our international expansion and become the world leader in long-term care. Financial reporting schedule for 2018 The following dates can be subject to change. Press releases will be published after market close. Event Date Full-year 2017 results Tuesday 27 March 2018 First-quarter 2018 sales Wednesday 2 May 2018 Half-year 2018 sales Tuesday 24 July 2018 Half-year 2018 results Tuesday 25 September 2018 Third-quarter 2018 sales Tuesday 6 November 2018 About ORPEA (www.orpea-corp.com) Since its creation in 1989, ORPEA has expanded rapidly to become one of the main world leader in long-term care, with its network of 798 facilities, with 82,838 beds (12,371 of them under construction or redevelopment), including: 33,122 beds in France (2,409 beds under construction or redevelopment) at 357 facilities 49,716 beds outside France (Austria, Belgium, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland) at 441 facilities (9,962 beds under construction or redevelopment) ORPEA is listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN code: FR0000184798) and a constituent of the SBF 120, STOXX 600 Europe, MSCI Small Cap Europe and CAC Mid 60 indices. 1 Organic growth is calculated based on an equivalent number of days to 2016 and reflects the following factors: 1. The year-on-year change in the revenues of existing facilities as a result of changes in their occupancy rates and daily rates; 2. The year-on-year change in the revenues of redeveloped facilities or those where the capacity has been increased in the current or year-earlier period; 3. Revenues generated in the current period by facilities created in the current or year-earlier period, and the change in revenues at recently acquired facilities by comparison with the previous equivalent period. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180213006180/en/ Contacts: Investor Relations: ORPEA Yves Le Masne Chief Executive Officer Steve Grobet, Tel.: +33 (0)1 47 75 74 66 Investor Relations s.grobet@orpea.net or Investor and Media Relations: NewCap Dusan Oresansky/Nicolas Merigeau, Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94 orpea@newcap.eu MOLOGEN to receive a EUR 3 million initial payment as well as a EUR 2 million equity investment Milestone payments of above EUR 100 million and double digit royalties on net sales Strong support for global development program of lefitolimod, especially in China and other Asian regions The biopharmaceutical company MOLOGEN AG (ISIN DE0006637200; Frankfurt Stock Exchange Prime Standard: MGN) announced today the signing of a license deal for the Chinese territory and a global co-development agreement between MOLOGEN and ONCOLOGIE Inc. for its lead compound lefitolimod. The signed agreement is conditional upon an initial payment of EUR 3 million received by MOLOGEN. ONCOLOGIE is an oncology-focused drug development company with headquarters in Boston and operations in Shanghai. The company is backed by top-tier international investors and has the objective to develop novel personalized medicines in the field of immuno-oncology. The signed agreement with ONCOLOGIE includes the development, manufacture and commercialization of lefitolimod in China and a planned global co-development program. "We are delighted to partner our lead compound lefitolimod with ONCOLOGIE. Their approach of an innovative biomarker-driven development strategy for novel cancer immunotherapies has convinced us that partnering with them will expand the opportunities for success of lefitolimod. With the combined licencing and co-development deal for our flagship compound lefitolimod we have achieved one of the main milestones in implementing our strategy. In ONCOLOGIE we have found a partner with a highly dedicated and experienced international team who will not only drive lefitolimod development in China to achieve market approval but will also strongly support our global development efforts. Together we will strive to unleash lefitolimod's full market potential in China and on a global level", said Dr Mariola Soehngen, Chief Executive Officer of MOLOGEN. "We are happy to partner with MOLOGEN on lefitolimod, a best-in-class TLR9 agonist with exciting potential. This program complements ONCOLOGIE's strategy for biomarker-driven global development and has multiple opportunities for treating indications prevalent in the Asian market", said Dr Laura Benjamin, Chief Executive Officer of ONCOLOGIE. As previously announced, MOLOGEN had started negotiations on such a deal with the Chinese iPharma. After a certain exclusivity period had expired, MOLOGEN opened the licencing process also for additional parties. Discussions and negotiations with ONCOLOGIE have now been successfully completed and the deal could be signed. The terms of the signed agreement with ONCOLOGIE describe development, manufacture and commercialization of lefitolimod in China and a planned global co-development program. The contract comprises two parts: First, a license agreement including sublicense rights under which MOLOGEN grants ONCOLOGIE an exclusive license for the development, manufacturing and commercialization for MOLOGEN's lead compound lefitolimod in the following territory: China, Hong Kong and Macao, Taiwan and Singapore. Second, a commitment for global co-development leveraging novel biomarker plans from ONCOLOGIE. MOLOGEN is to receive an initial payment of EUR 3 million as well as a EUR 2 million equity investment by ONCOLOGIE within the next 12 months. Besides the initial payment and the equity investment, the parties agreed on further development and commercialisation milestones. They are due upon reaching predefined development steps as well as market approval. In addition, commercial milestones are defined which are due upon reaching certain sales thresholds. The total payments can amount to above EUR 100 million and will be paid over several years. Additionally, MOLOGEN will receive low double digit royalties on sales. MOLOGEN and ONCOLOGIE will share the economic returns from global joint development pursuant to both parties' contributions. All costs relating to development, registration, marketing and commercialization of lefitolimod in the territory are to be covered by ONCOLOGIE. ONCOLOGIE Inc. ONCOLOGIE is an oncology therapeutics company committed to delivering improved outcomes for cancer patients by leveraging innovative compounds and biomarker-driven clinical development. The current pipeline is focused on mid-stage clinical programs that modify the tumor microenvironment. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, US, with operations also in Shanghai, China, ONCOLOGIE is working with global partners to acquire and develop innovative drugs for cancer patients around the world. www.oncologie.international. MOLOGEN AG MOLOGEN AG is a biopharmaceutical company and considered a pioneer in the field of immunotherapy on account of its unique active agents and technologies. Alongside a focus on immuno-oncology, MOLOGEN develops immunotherapies for the treatment of infectious diseases. The immunotherapy lefitolimod (MGN1703) is the company's lead product and is regarded as the best-in-class TLR9 agonist. Treatment with lefitolimod triggers a broad and strong activation of the immune system. On account of this action mechanism, lefitolimod is an immune surveillance reactivator (ISR) and could potentially be used in various indications. The ISR lefitolimod is currently being developed within the framework of a pivotal study for first line maintenance therapy for colorectal cancer. Key data of the phase II IMPULSE study in small cell lung cancer have been announced in April 2017. Detailed analyses of IMPULSE data and data from the extension phase of the TEACH study in HIV, published in August, are currently being conducted. In addition, lefitolimod is currently being investigated in a phase I combination study with the checkpoint inhibitor ipilimumab (Yervoy) in various cancer indications. Along with various checkpoint inhibitors, lefitolimod, which is being investigated as part of a phase III clinical trial currently, is one of the few near-to-market product candidates in the field of immuno-oncology. MOLOGEN's pipeline focus is on new innovative immunotherapies to treat diseases for which there is a great medical demand in particular. www.mologen.com Disclaimer Certain statements in this communication contain formulations or terms referring to the future or future developments, as well as negations of such formulations or terms, or similar terminology. These are described as forward-looking statements. In addition, all information in this communication regarding planned or future results of business segments, financial indicators, developments of the financial situation or other financial or statistical data contains such forward-looking statements. The company cautions prospective investors not to rely on such forward-looking statements as certain prognoses of actual future events and developments. The company is neither responsible nor liable for these forward-looking statements. It is not responsible for updating such information, which only represents the state of affairs on the day of publication. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180213006236/en/ Contacts: MOLOGEN Claudia Nickolaus Head of Investor Relations Corporate Communications Tel: +49 30 84 17 88 38 Fax: +49 30 84 17 88 50 mailto:investor@mologen.com WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Reports of fire forced Southwest Airline for an emergency landing at John Wayne Airport in Orange County in California. All 139 passengers of the Boeing 737 were evacuated from the flight as fire was reported at its auxillary power unit. Fire alerts were given, when the flight bound for San Jose with the passengers and five crew members, just left the John Wayne Airport at around 7.30 pm. Reports said passengers noticed smoke in the cabin. Fire and rescue swung into action as soon as the flight touched the tarmac. Minor injuries were reported, due to emergency evacuation using chutes and slides. The passengers were accommodated in another aircraft by late evening. The taxiway was closed for some time and operations were back to normal by 11.30 pm. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 13, 2018) - Westminster Resources Ltd. (TSXV: WMR) is pleased to announce that it has signed the definitive agreement to acquire Ilo Este, Ilo Norte and related concessions in Peru from Latin Resources Ltd, as previously announced on September 12, 2017. The transaction results in Westminster having 100% interest in a portfolio of 44 concessions, covering over 36,000 hectares in southern Peru, within the coastal belt of copper-gold porphyry and IOCG deposits. Two advanced targets, Ilo Este and Ilo Norte, have had significant prior exploration work, and Westminster plans to move quickly to continue exploration, once final TSX-V approval is obtained. The Company will issue a news release as soon as it is given the TSX-V approval to resume trading. About Westminster Resources Ltd. Westminster Resources is a Latin American focussed mining exploration company. The company is in the process of acquiring a 100% interest in a package of highly prospective copper properties in southern Peru. These properties total over 36,000 hectares within the country's prolific coastal copper belt-source of nearly half of Peru's copper production. Prior work has identified both porphyry and IOCG style mineralization. The company also holds a 100% interest in the 18,000-hectare El Cobre property in Sonora State Mexico, prospective for world-class epithermal and copper-gold porphyry systems. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WESTMINSTER RESOURCES LTD. "GLEN INDRA" President & CEO For further information regarding Westminster Resources Ltd., please call 604-608-0400, Toll Free: 1-877-608-0007. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking information which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward- looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward- looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release may include, but is not limited to, the Company's objectives, goals or future plans, including the proposed transaction with Latin Resources Limited and closing of such transaction. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. Infiniti Research, a global competitive intelligence solutions provider, has announced the release of their new competitor analysis study on the food industry. A renowned food industry client wanted to evaluate food companies' performance, their competencies, and make a comparison of the competitors regarding the qualitative and quantitative parameters. The client wanted to gain a detailed analysis of the competitors and their sales and market shares. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180213006094/en/ Competitor Analysis for A Leading Food Industry Client Helps Monitor Competitors Pricing Strategies and Develop Sustainable Value. (Graphic: Business Wire) According to the competitor analysis experts at Infiniti, "The food industry players can leverage competitor analysis to monitor competitors pricing strategies proficiently and proactively augment retail strategies to compare their performance against the competitors." With the persistent demand for high-quality products among the consumers the structure of the food industry is witnessing change. Major food industry players are also looking for promising solutions to deliver variety, affordability, and safety in their product offerings. Therefore, to stay ahead in the competition, most of the food industry manufacturers are adopting competitor analysis solutions. Request a free brochure to see how Infiniti Research's solutions can help you. The solution presented by Infiniti helped the food industry client to efficiently monitor the competitor's pricing strategies and their product lines. The client was able to get up to date information about the advertising campaigns regarding the competitor's brand, positioning, and target market. This competitor analysis solution provided benefits that helped the client to: Efficiently monitor competitors pricing strategies and proactively take informed business decisions Compare the performance of the competitors and identify opportunities to differentiate the products and services To read more, request a free proposal This competitor analysis solution offered predictive insights on: Gain a competitive edge over their counterparts Maintain and develop a sustainable value for the products offered To read more, request a free proposal View the competitor analysis study here: https://www.infinitiresearch.com/casestudy/food-industry-competitor-analysis About Infiniti Research Established in 2003, Infiniti Research is a leading market intelligence company providing smart solutions to address your business challenges. Infiniti Research studies markets in more than 100 countries to help analyze competitive activity, see beyond market disruptions, and develop intelligent business strategies. With 15+ years of experience and offices across three continents, Infiniti Research has been instrumental in providing a complete range of competitive intelligence, strategy, and research services for over 550 companies across the globe. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180213006094/en/ Contacts: Infiniti Research Anirban Choudhury Marketing Consultant US: +1 844 778 0600 UK: +44 203 893 3400 hello@infinitiresearch.com https://www.infinitiresearch.com/contact-us The Humanities and Fine Arts Division of Chattanooga State Community College will host the fourth lecture of its fourth annual Chautauqua Lecture Series on Thursday. Named after the lake in upstate New York where the first of its kind was held in 1874, a Chautauqua brings members of the community together to enjoy inspirational performances and lectures. The gatherings aimed to bring communities together in an environment of cultural enrichment and questioning. The Humanities and Fine Arts Division invites you to join in this tradition with its slate of presentations and performances for the 2017-2018 academic year. Chattanooga States Chautauqua Series will feature the informative and unique research of five ChattState Humanities and Fine Arts faculty as well as the series finale with Writers@Work 2018 visiting author George Singleton and his special guest Clyde Edgerton. The most recent of these lectures, a talk on portrayals of heroism in J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter series and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, was held in November and drew an enthusiastic audience, members of whom dressed up for the event. The next Chautauqua lecture will take place on Thursday at 4 p.m. English Professor Rachael Falu will present Zora Neale Hurston and the Oral Tradition, a lecture based on Falus knowledge of and experience teaching the authors work as part of her African-American literature courses. Ms. Falu herself first encountered Zora Neale Hurston as an undergraduate but finds, after years of studying the inclusion of race and the South in literature and after years of teaching, that the works of the writer continue to offer new insights. Im interested in writers of the American South, and Hurston includes in her texts this enthralling vernacular of working class, Southern people, Ms. Falu said. As a professor of African-American literature, Ms. Falu teaches Hurstons most famous work, Their Eyes Were Watching God, but her Chautauqua presentation will cover a variety of the authors writing, including folklore, songs, short stories, and novels. Particularly intriguing to Ms. Falu is Hurstons inclusion of dialect. Hurston plays on words throughout her texts, but whats really fascinating about the writer is that she brings value and authenticity to a vernacular [of the working and lower class] that was often dismissed or deemed inferior. Shes not ashamed to be truthful to the people of that time or the settings they dwelled in, Ms. Falu said. Following Ms. Falus February lecture, one additional ChattState faculty member, Josh Johnson, will present a lecture in his field of study. The final installment in the 2017-2018 Chautauqua Lecture Series will be a special event offered in partnership with the Humanities Departments Writers@Work program, entitled Writers@Work: Banter and Banjos. This special event on April 5 will feature authors George Singleton and Clyde Edgerton as they discuss writing, read from their works, swap stories, and perhaps play some music. Each Chautauqua lecture lasts approximately 60 minutes and includes a Q&A period. All sessions are offered free of charge to interested members of the Chattanooga community, and each presentation will start at 4 p.m. in the mobile classroom of the Augusta Kolwyck Library on the main campus of Chattanooga State Community College located at 4501 Amnicola Highway. A complete schedule, including dates, times, and additional information on each lecture can be found on Facebook as Chattanooga States Chautauqua Series, Instagram as chautauqua_series, and Twitter as @ChautauquaSeries. Contact Associate Professor Keri Lamb for more information at keri.lamb@chattanoogastate.edu or 423-697-2546. BizVibe, a smart business networking platform for global B2B buyers and suppliers, announced today their list of the top 10 leading steel producing countries in the world based on annual production in the millions of tonnes (MT). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180213006551/en/ BizVibe Reveals the Top 10 Steel Producing Countries in the World (Graphic: Business Wire) BizVibe's global B2B marketplace is the perfect digital community for companies looking to simplify the tedious task of finding suppliers and sourcing products. By signing up, you will not only get quotes quicker but also generate better leads and discover hidden business opportunities. Steel is a versatile and a fundamental material essential to any country's economic growth. There was a 0.8% rebound in production as the world's steel hit 1,630 million tonnes in 2016. Most of the growth in steel production comes from newly industrialized nations like Brazil, China, India, Iran, and Mexico. Some steel production in Europe, the Americas, and Africa suffered a slight decline while the production rates in Asia, the Middle East and Oceania saw positive growth. In a recent article titled, Top 10 Largest Steel Producing Countries in the World BizVibe compiles a list of the top countries producing the highest amount of steel. Here are 5. 10. Ukraine produced 24.2 MT of steel in 2016 9. Brazil produced 30.2 MT of steel in 2016 8. Turkey produced 33.2 MT of steel in 2016 7. Germany produced 42.1 MT of steel in 2016 6. South Korea produced 68.6 MT of steel in 2016 Read the entire list of Top 10 Largest Steel Producing Countries in the World on BizVibe BizVibe's job is to connect buyers and suppliers from all over the world with the goal of helping B2B companies keep up with market demand. In addition to the top companies in Germany's copper piping industry, BizVibe is also home to more than 7 million companies overall. Let new clients come to you. Add your company and get introduced to global copper pipe manufacturers on the world's leading business networking platform. For all your product sourcing and supplier needs, join BizVibe for free Connecting on BizVibe BizVibe has been specifically designed to help industry professionals connect with like-minded businesses by providing them with a simple and seamless platform. Through cutting-edge technology and advanced match-making algorithms, BizVibe has created something that can truly help companies find the right partners. Users are calling it one of the smartest networking platforms on the planet. BizVibe is able to identify the core problems and uncertainties when finding potential trade partners through the extensive feedback given by communities across multiple industries. Using this feedback, BizVibe developed an efficient networking platform dedicated to buyers, sellers, importers, exporters, manufacturers, and suppliers. Our goal of helping thousands of users connect, engage, and make business deals daily has been wildly successful. About BizVibe The exclusive focus of BizVibe's platform is to make networking easier. Through many years of experience and trial-and-error, BizVibe's experts have discovered how to seamlessly connect international companies and enable trade. We get it. The first interaction can be heavy with the uncertainty of finding a potential partner vs. a potential nightmare. With this in mind, we've designed an online B2B platform that includes a robust set of tools to help companies generate leads, shortlist prospects, network, and trade seamlessly with businesses from around the world. BizVibe is headquartered in Toronto and has offices in London, Bangalore, and Beijing. For more information on the BizVibe network, please contact us View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180213006551/en/ Contacts: BizVibe Sony Gomes Media Marketing Executive media@bizvibe.com Joint Venture in Puerto Rico Complete Initial Order Received Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 13, 2018) - EnerDynamic Hybrid Technologies Corp. (TSXV: EHT) ("EHT") is pleased to announce that it has, further to the announcement on January 15, 2018, with Brieke Family Assets Ltd ("BFA"). This joint venture ("JV") will both facilitate the manufacturing of the EHT ENERTEC panels and solar systems in Puerto Rico as well as execute sales and distribution in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The JV will operate as CAT 5 Solar and Microgrids, LLC. ("CAT5"). CAT5 has been working on sales over the last few weeks and has now placed the first order with EHT for 67 solar systems. Each system retails for up to $16,000 USD, depending on site specific variables, and will generate on average 33Kw per day in Puerto Rico. EHT has agreed to provide CAT5 with a minimum of 67 systems per month through June 2018. Thereafter, EHT will supply laminates (12 per 3kw system) and the balance of system components to CAT5 commencing at 800 laminates per month, in addition to the 67 systems for the month of June. Monthly delivery will steadily increase to 4,000 laminates and balance of system components in December 2018. CAT5 targets to reach sales of approximately 1,700 Kw (roughly 560 of these systems) for the period April to December 2018. Consistent with EHT policy, a deposit is required prior to commencing fulfilment which CAT5 has provided. Agreed terms will see CAT5 provide EHT with a 50% deposit on every order with the balance due on delivery to Puerto Rico. EHT and BFA, through their CAT5 joint venture, intend to open a manufacturing facility on the island (believed to be the first) on July 1, 2018 and in the interim, the JV sales orders will be fulfilled completely from EHT's facilities in Welland, Ontario. Mr. Malcolm Wright, Director of BFA, stated that, "The EHT ENERTEC panels and systems are exactly what the island needs. They are light, add significant insulation to the roof structure thus saving on energy costs and can withstand category 5 storm winds and debris (unlike glass panels). These advantages are being realized in the market interest and immediate initial demand for these systems. BFA's other companies deliver innovative, energy efficient concrete block homes that are designed to withstand winds of over 200 MPH and are "net zero" with the addition of the EHT products. These buildings will ensure the people of Puerto Rico have access to structures that will withstand future storms like Maria. We genuinely believe that we have the right mix of unique products to rebuild the island homes and to retrofit existing structures at very competitive pricing." Mr. John Gamble, EHT's CEO, commented that, "We are very pleased to have cemented the relationship with BFA as it creates the footprint in Puerto Rico that EHT has sought. EHT's lightweight ENERTEC solar products, employed in a microgrid strategy, will generate more reliable power for homes and businesses without the need for massive investment in power grid infrastructure." Mr. Gamble went on to state, "The recent equipment explosion and fire reported within the existing power grid, impacting the already badly damaged Puerto Rico electrical system, further demonstrates the critical needs of the Puerto Rican people." This JV represents the third such arrangement for EHT, adding to similar agreements targeting the West African market via Ghana as well as the southern United States market (including California) via Arizona. EHT's local JV strategy that is being implemented on a global basis, is designed to create local jobs in manufacturing and installation in the target counties where reliable and/or inexpensive power is not available. Each market has different needs and these arrangements reflect that through the specific selection of the various ENERTEC products that are best suited for that market. Hurricane Maria destroyed Puerto Rico's antiquated and bankrupt electrical system, leaving millions in the dark and utility crews scrambling to help. As announced in numerous US press releases, FEMA and the US Federal Government have agreed to fund the reconstruction of these islands with funding expected to run into tens of billions of dollars. Ramon Luis Nieves, a Puerto Rican politician has stated, "We need to focus on not only getting the grid back up, but improving it so it can tolerate more renewable energy." Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello stated, "I am 100 percent backing renewables." Gov. Rossello told the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, "This is an opportunity to make microgrids in Puerto Rico so they can be sustained in different areas." He is requesting roughly $17 billion in federal funds to revive the island's energy sector, which now uses renewables for less than 3 percent of electricity generation. About EnerDynamic Hybrid Technologies EHT's expertise includes the development of its ENERTEC module structures with full integration of smart energy solutions. Using a proprietary skin and foam core that is stronger than traditional wood or steel structural insulated panels, EHT provides exceptional thermal energy efficiency in modular homes, cold storage facilities, residential/commercial out buildings and emergency/temporary shelters. EHT works with its partners worldwide to erect the buildings on-site utilizing EHT staff and local crews. In addition to traditional support to established electrical networks, ENERTEC buildings excel where no electrical grid exists. About ENERTEC The EHT advanced ENERTEC Modular Wall and Roof System uses a proprietary skin and foam core that is stronger and more energy efficient than traditional wood or steel structures providing the highest ratings for energy efficiency. EHT works with its partners worldwide to erect the buildings on-site utilizing EHT staff and local crews. After installation, each structure can be furnished and finished to meet the customer's requirements including siding, tile, kitchens and bathrooms or segregated commercial rooms. The finished wall product can be shipped on pallets and delivered via rail, truck or water in standard formats. At the core of the ENERTEC product line is the ENERTEC Embedded Solar Roof Module. Solar cells are embedded in a proprietary fire proof skin resulting in substantial cost savings by eliminating heavy glass panels and aluminum racking required for traditional solar panels. Two barriers to greater adoption of solar energy are weight limitations of the roof on which solar panels could be deployed and onerous shipping and labour costs. A lighter product at a better price point will open a larger market for solar due to the faster return of capital investment especially for rural and remote users looking to go off-grid. Furthermore, the entire EHT embedded solar roof becomes a massive solar panel capable of producing significantly more energy than the home requires, allowing the structure to then become an important source of power for the local micro grid or large battery storage systems. 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. The statements herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements.Forward-looking information involves risk, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Although EHT believes that the assumptions used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. EHT disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: John GambleDirector(289) 488-1699Company Website: www.ehthybrid.com PORTLAND, Maine, Feb. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Whistleblower law firm Phillips & Cohen LLP announces that a British online clothing retailer, Pure Collection Ltd., and its CEO, Samantha Harrison, have agreed to pay a total of $908,100 to the US government to settle a whistleblower lawsuit brought by a UK resident represented by the law firm. The whistleblower lawsuit, filed in Maine, alleged Pure Collection engaged in a scheme to deliberately evade US customs duties from 2010 to 2017. The whistleblower who exposed the alleged fraud, Andrew Patrick, is the first UK resident to collect a reward under the False Claims Act, a US whistleblower law, for alleging customs evasion by a British company. He worked for Pure Collection from 2010 to 2014. Patrick alleged in his "qui tam" (whistleblower) lawsuit that Pure Collection engaged in a practice known as "splitting." The company trained its employees to divide individual US orders into multiple shipping packages so that the retail value of the merchandise in each package would not trigger customs duties. "By splitting packages, Pure Collection deprived the US of legitimate payments," Patrick said. "This effectively decreased the true price of its merchandise for US residents, giving the company an unfair advantage over its competitors." Pure Collection, a private company, is based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Phillips & Cohen, which has an office in London, is lead counsel on the case. Constantine Cannon and Daniel J. Murphy of Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson P.A. are co-counsel. "One of the company's marketing pitches to US customers was a promise that they wouldn't have to pay customs duties on the merchandise they bought from Pure Collection online," said Molly Knobler, a whistleblower attorney at Phillips & Cohen. "It was successful as a marketing strategy, but wrong as a company practice." Anyone, whatever the person's nationality or location, can file a whistleblower lawsuit under the False Claims Act against entities or individuals defrauding the US government and recover funds on the government's behalf. If the government joins the lawsuit and recovers funds as a result of the case, the whistleblower is awarded 15 percent to 25 percent of the amount recovered. Patrick will receive 18 percent of the recovery in this case. Whistleblowers from other countries who know of violations of US securities and commodity laws also are eligible to file claims and receive rewards under the whistleblower programs at the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Phillips & Cohen represents a number of whistleblowers in the UK and other countries, including the anonymous international whistleblower who received an SEC whistleblower award of more than $32 million, which is the largest SEC whistleblower reward so far. Knobler thanked the government team for its work, particularly Assistant US Attorney Andrew Lizotte and Civil Chief John G. Osborn of the US Attorney's Office in Maine. "Cross-border cases can be complicated," Knobler said. "Despite that challenge, Andrew Lizotte and John Osborn did thorough and fast work." About Phillips & Cohen LLP Phillips & Cohen is the most successful law firm representing whistleblowers under US whistleblower reward programs, with recoveries totaling more than $12.3 billion. The firm represents US and international whistleblowers in qui tam lawsuits as well as cases brought under the whistleblower programs of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Internal Revenue Service. Phillips & Cohen has offices in London, Washington, New York, Miami and San Francisco. www.phillipsandcohen.com Indi, a social customer influencer platform, received a strategic investment from Cambridge Companies SPG, a Newport Beach based strategic opportunity investment firm specializing in scaling emerging consumer food and beverage brands. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. The company will use the proceeds to expand its reach to consumer brands within the Cambridge Companies SPG portfolio. Led by Neel Grover Founder and CEO, Greg Giraudi Founder and President, John Jackson Founder and CIO/CPO, Brian Cunningham Founder and CTO, Indi provides a platform for brands to engage directly with consumers and drive word of mouth sales. Users can leverage their own content and share with their audience to push awareness for a product or service, but also receive compensation for each viral post. Indis platform enables consumers to generate their own content for their followers. The platform is used by companies including Starbucks, Macys, Denver Broncos, Americas Got Talent, Sacramento Kings and more. FinSMEs 13/02/2018 Loopio, a Toronto, Canada-based RFP response solution, raised $9m in Series A financing. The round was led by OpenView. In conjunction with the funding, OpenView Partner Ricky Pelletier will join Loopios Board of Directors. The company will use the funds to accelerate product development and expand its Sales and Engineering teams in Toronto (with plans to hire over 50 people in 2018). Led by Zakir Hemraj, Co-founder and CEO, Loopio provides RFP Software, which enables enterprises to streamline collaboration on responding to RFPs, RFIs, and Security Questionnaires. The company serves over 300 organizations, including Thomson Reuters, IBM, Netskope, Sprinklr, Citrix, and more. FinSMEs 13/02/2018 Online Tech Stores, a Reno, Nevada-based wholesale distributor of aftermarket imaging supplies and accessories, received an investment from Blackford Capital, a national private equity firm. Debt financing was provided by Fifth Third Bank, with support from syndicate partners Union Bank and Zions Bank, and OFS Capital Corporation. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. The company intends to use the funds to continue to expand its business reach. Founded by Bob Willmes in 2009, Online Tech Stores is a wholesale distributor of aftermarket imaging supplies and accessories, including: laser printer toner cartridges, ink cartridges, toner, copier toner, ribbons, thermal fax consumables, and other products and peripherals. The company, which is now the largest importer of toner products in the United States, offering a comprehensive portfolio of over 3,000 products, currently employs over 100 people and operates in five facilities. FinSMEs 12/02/2018 Perception Point, a Tel Aviv, Israel-based cybersecurity company, raised $8m in Series A funding. The round was led by Pitango Venture Capital with participation from State of Mind Ventures (SOMV) and Korea Investment Partners (KIP). In conjunction with the funding, Rami Kalish from Pitango will join Pinhas Buchris from SOMV on the Perception Point board of directors. The company will use the funds to expand its global presence and product portfolio. Founded in 2015 by Israeli cyber-intelligence experts and led by Yoram Salinger, CEO, Perception Point provides a cloud-based, CPU-level technology platform that intercepts advanced attacks at the earliest possible stage of execution. The companys initial product is a cloud-based, multi-layer e-mail protection solution that is able to protect against every level of threat, from phishing through to the most sophisticated attacks, known as N-Days and Zero Days. FinSMEs 13/02/2018 Reserve Bank of India (RBI), countrys banking ombudsman, has also flagged off certain risks associated with the use of virtual or crytpocurrencies Citibank, banking arm of the US-based Citi Group, has barred its customers from using debit or credit cards for buying bitcoins or other cryptocurrencies. Other major American banks J.P.Morgan Chase and Bank of America have also stopped their customers from using credit or debit cards for doing the cryptocurrency business. "At this time, we are not processing cryptocurrency purchases using credit cards, due to the volatility and risk involved," a J.P. Morgan Chase spokesperson told CNBC. The unidentified source further said the bank will take a review of the decision once the situation improves or the cryptocurrency markets evolve. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), countrys banking ombudsman, has also flagged off certain risks associated with the use of virtual or crytpocurrencies which have lately won the confidence of a section of the global investor community. The RBI advises that it has not given any licence/authorisation to any entity/company to operate such schemes or deal with Bitcoin or any virtual currency. As such, any user, holder, investor, trader, etc., dealing with virtual currencies will be doing so at their own risk, the RBI had said in a release early this month. Those investing in such virtual currencies are exposing themselves to potential financial, operational, legal, customer protection and security related risks, the central bank had said back then. In December 2013, the RBI had said the cryptocurrencies stored in digital wallets were prone to cyber stealing through hacking and did not define solutions if there is any dispute over trading as there is no law governing the trading of such unts. In India, Citi has taken a slew of measure to avoid any kind of exigency arising due to use of credit or debit cards for buying bitcoins. The bank has imposed similar measures for its customers in India. In a reply to a query raised by The Times of India the bank said the decision was part of a global policy adopted by it. The development holds much significance as it comes just months after bitcoin rose to an all-time high level. In December, the leading cryptocurrency in the world was trading more than $19,000 per unit. Reports had said at that time that the cryptocurrency had seen a 2,000 percent jump over the past one year. However, by January end this year bitcoin fell below $8,000 mark as the frenzy over the cryptocurrency subsided. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his Budget speech had revealed the governments stand on use of cryptocurrency saying they are not legal tender in India. However, Jaitley had clarified that the government was working to find ways to explore possible use of blockchian technology, which is part of financial technology, in the fast growing economy. Essar Steel was among the initial 12 companies identified by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for insolvency proceedings. New Delhi: Global steel major ArcelorMittal on Monday said it has submitted an offer for debt-laden Essar Steel, which is undergoing insolvency proceedings. The last date to submit bids was yesterday. Besides ArcelorMittal, Numetal Mauritius has also submitted a bid for the bankrupt Essar Steel, a report in Mint said. The report said Numetal Mauritus was a special purpose vehicle backed by a consortium of Russias VTB Capital and the Ruia family -- promoters of Essar Steel. JSW Steel, Tata Steel and Vedanta are understood to have stayed away from making an offer. Monday was the last day for submitting bids. Essar Steel, founded by brothers Shashi and Ravi Ruia, accumulated nearly Rs 50,000 crore in debt. It was referred to the National Company Law Tribunal last year. ArcelorMittal India Private Limited (AMIPL), a subsidiary of Luxemburg-based ArcelorMittal, has submitted an offer for Essar Steel India Limited (Essar), the Indian steel company, in-line with the corporate insolvency resolution process for Essar. "In its offer, AMIPL set out a detailed industrial plan for Essar aimed at improving its performance and profitability and ensuring it can participate in the anticipated growth of steel demand in India. It also highlights the extensive experience and track record of the group in the successful acquisition and integration of under-performing assets, which AMIPL believes would be of considerable value to Essar," the Luxemburg-based firm said in a statement. Essar would also have access to the deep bench of technical expertise and knowledge from across the group which is unparallelled in the steel industry, it added. Lakshmi Mittal, Chairman and CEO, ArcelorMittal, said Essar provides a compelling opportunity for ArcelorMittal to enter the high growth Indian steel market. The offer submitted on Monday by AMIPL includes a detailed investment plan to address operational issues in Essars existing asset base. "With our industry expertise and renowned operating prowess, we believe we are uniquely equipped to implement a successful turnaround which would be beneficial to Essar's stakeholders," he said. Mittal's son, Aditya Mittal, Group CFO and CEO ArcelorMittal Europe, said, "This opportunity aligns with the groups strategy of selectively investing in attractive projects to maximise long-term shareholder value. We believe our technical experience and management know-how, gained from many successful acquisitions and integrations, will ensure success for the various steel and pelletising operations at Essar." Essar Steel is an integrated flat steel producer. Its main production facility is in Gujarat. It has a nameplate crude steel capacity of 9.6 million tonnes per annum, although the current maximum achievable crude steel production level is 6.1 million tonnes per annum, due to a bottleneck in the steelmaking and casting process. Essar Steel was among the initial 12 companies identified by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for insolvency proceedings. Led by SBI, lenders in June this year had decided to begin insolvency proceedings against Bhushan Steel, Essar Steel and Electrosteel Steels by referring them to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for recovery under IBC. (With PTI inputs) Over the weekend, 20 teams from 17 public and private schools from Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, New York and Ohio pitched prototypes to improve the tristate, 16-county Chattanooga regions transportation and infrastructure at Bridge Innovate Studio. Students showcased their design thinking projects to business and education leaders from across the US. Friday and Saturdays prototype review is a part of a yearlong Bright Spark Student Design Competitionsponsored by Thrive Regional Partnership, Bridge Innovate, Conversant Group and Experience Point. For this competition, students create solutions to address challenges and design the Transportation of the Future for the Chattanooga region, said Mary Kim, Bright Spark director. Friday and Saturdays exposition gave students a chance to pitch and receive feedback from business and community leaders representing various disciplinesfrom architects and engineers to designers and entrepreneurs, Ms. Kim said. Elyse Larouere, a designer at the Coca-Cola Company, said the prototype review was a great addition to traditional education. Giving young students hands-on experiences with design and innovation allows them to approach situations differently than in a classroom setting, Ms. Larouere said. The prototype review made me hopeful for the future they will create. Dr. Marni Halvorson with the Hamilton County Department of Education said she enjoyed Friday and Saturdays review. As the Bright Spark prototype review began, the students were quite nervous, Dr. Halvorson said. Quickly they realized their ideas were well received, and they seemed glad to receive feedback, even when it meant going back through the development process to refine their design thinking. It was highly gratifying to interact with these bright young learners. We, the older generation, can be encouraged with the capabilities of these kids! The Bright Spark Student Design Competition is in its third year. This years design competition culminates mid-March. The net debt of Idea as on 31 December, 2017 stood at Rs 55,781.8 crore. New Delhi:Telecom operator Idea Cellular on Monday said it has raised Rs 3,250 crore by allotting over 32.6 crore shares to the promoter group companies. "Idea Cellular Limited today completed the allotment of 326,633,165 equity shares to the Aditya Birla Group (ABG) entities, at an issue price of Rs 99.50 per share (including premium of Rs 89.50 per share) aggregating to Rs 3,250 crore," Idea said in a statement. The preferential allotment of equity shares follows the approval by the board of Idea on 4 January for a total capital raise of up to Rs 6,750 crore which includes raising of Rs 3,250 crore through a preferential allotment to the Promoter Group. It would raise another Rs 3,500 crore through a further preferential allotment, qualified institutional placement, rights issue or such other route that the company's board determines. As a result of this preferential allotment, the aggregate shareholding of the promoter group in Idea has increased from 42.4 to 47.2 percent. "This equity infusion reiterates the Group's commitment towards the telecom business and confidence in its growth prospects. With the planned fund raise combined with the recently announced sale of Ideas towers and potential monetisation of the Indus stake, the company will be better capitalised to participate in the growth opportunities offered by the sector," ABG Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla said. The equity infusion by the promoter group of Rs 3,250 crore, along with the proposed further capital raise of up to Rs 3,500 crore, will reduce Idea's net debt and as a result Vodafone's net-debt contribution to the merged entity will also be reduced by an equivalent amount, the statement said. The net debt of Idea as on 31 December, 2017 stood at Rs 55,781.8 crore. "Additionally, the recently announced sale of Ideas and Vodafone India's standalone towers to American Tower Corporation for an aggregate enterprise value of Rs 7,850 crore and the potential monetisation of Idea's 11.15 percent stake in Indus Towers, will further augment the long term capital resources of the company," the statement said. The RBI has warned wrongdoers among banks that monetary penalties and higher provisions will be imposed if banks resort to evergreening. The Reserve Bank of Indias decision (read here) to scrap multiple schemes that banks use to restructure corporate loans and asking lenders to comply with a time-bound resolution of stressed assets will instantly do two things. One, wily promoters will not be able to collude with their banker friends anymore and keep their bad loans technically standard forever. In banking parlance, this practice is called evergreening. Second, in the same way, smart bankers cannot show their balance sheets healthy before investors and promoters when in reality those are not. The RBI has insisted on a time-bound resolution of stressed assets and closer, more frequent monitoring of high value loans to avoid future bad loan piles. All stressed asset cases above Rs 2,000 crore needs to be resolved within a period of 180 days. These norms, if followed in letter and spirit, can work wonders for the Indian banking sector and will gives confidence to investors that even the ongoing bad loan clean-up exercise will not be another futile exercise. More critically, the central bank has warned wrongdoers among banks that monetary penalties and higher provisions will be imposed if banks resort to evergreening. This is certainly a clear message to bankers and corporate promoters, who have been fooling the regulator by cleverly using short cuts for a long time. To understand the current scenario, lets look at how things are done now: Despite the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code in place, which basically asks banks to resolve a stressed asset within a maximum of 270-days, it offered the much needed-confidence to investors that NPAs will not be carry forward for several years locked in litigation. But even then, there were several schemes that offered loopholes to escape from this time-bound resolution. These include various loan restructuring schemes such as Corporate Debt Restructuring, Sustainable Structuring of Stressed Assets or S4A, Strategic Debt Restructuring, and Flexible Structuring of Existing Long Term Project Loans. With the change in the framework, all these schemes are disbanded. With the RBI finally closing loopholes for future cases of evergreening, the following steps taken by the central bank and the central government make sense now: The bad loan clean-up exercise: The RBI initiated asset quality review (AQR) in 2015 and stipulated rules for early recognition of stressed assets. Under the governorship of Raghuram Rajan and in coordination with the government, the RBI asked banks to identify and recognise all bad loans by March 2017. Till then public sector banks (which account for 70 percent of the banking system and almost 90 percent of bank NPAs) were happily ever-greening bad loans of influential, politically connected promoters through technical adjustments. The infamous corporate-political nexus worked in full swing. The bad loans pile-up was built in the banking sector over a period of years during the boom time when banks engaged in careless lending to balloon their loan books and beat competition. There was very little care attached to prudential norms and quality of lending. Banks began this painful exercise and started reporting huge NPAs in subsequent quarters, which caused high provisions and hit their earnings as well. Banks could not meet the March 2017 deadline, but the exercise continued thereafter. On account of high provisions, banks earnings continued to take a beating. This reflected in their stock prices as well. The big question still remained: What if, after all this painful bad loan clean-up exercise, banks continued to build-up another round of NPAs? The birth of the Insolvency Code gave some hope but different kinds of loan restructuring schemes continued. The scope for these schemes has now narrowed considerably with RBI overhauling the norms. The Rs 2.11 lakh crore bank recapitalisation programme: Shortly before the 2018 Union Budget, the Narendra Modi-government announced a massive recapitalisation programme for government-owned banks which constitute 70 percent of the assets in the Indian banking industry. Of this, a sizable chunk, Rs 1.35 lakh crore was designed to come from bank recapitalisation bonds and the remaining from a mix of market borrowing and scheduled annual capital infusion plan. By far, this was the biggest-ever capital infusion programme staterun banks have ever received since nationalisation. But, again the question was, whether the government was throwing good money after the bad by doing this. With the fundamental reasons that have caused distress in bankslack of autonomy, management inefficiency, vulnerability to corporate-political nexusremaining as they are, can capital infusion be seen as a cure to banking sectors ills? To be sure, the RBI overhauling the bad loan treatment is not an answer to the problems faced by public-sector banks. But, it partially addresses the problem for sure. At least banks wont resort to evergreening to keep bad loans as technically standard. To sum up, by scrapping a number of loan recast schemes and insisting on a time-bound resolution for high-value stressed assets, the RBI has hit the bulls eye that can change the banking sector as we know it. The message from the regulator is clear to banks and wily promotersCall a spade a spade. Angel tax is tax on capital that is raised by unlisted companies by issuing shares in excess of their fair market value. A steep fall in angel funding and Series A has dimmed the lustre of the once-vibrant start-up sector in India. "While angel investments are the critical first piece that gets a start-up going, series A fund is the one where the angel investors really make their exits and make money. Thats what incentivises them to continue their investments, Nasscom president R Chandrashekhar said, according to PTI. Sharing his concerns, Chandrashekhar said that the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the country needs to be galvanised. The concerns have risen owing to various reasons. The immediate trigger is angel tax. It is a tax on capital that is raised by unlisted companies by issuing shares in excess of their fair market value. In Union Budget 2018, there was no mention of angel tax and startups were disappointed with the passing reference made to it. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the government would make changes to the policies governing venture capital and angel investments in start-ups. The number of angel and seed funding deals halved to 435 in 2017 from 901 in 2016, according to report in VC Circle. The total disclosed value of these deals also fell sharply to $245 million from $374 million. Not surprised by the drop in angel funding, Paula Mariwala, partner, Seedfund and co-founder, Stanford Angels termed the governments actions with regard to angel tax completely bizarre. She said that the government had no business questioning valuation of a start-up which basically has no revenues. As an angel investor, I may value a start-up at x amount depending on the market reach of its product/services. Valuation cannot be linked to revenues and should be linked to projected value, she said. Citing an instance, Mariwala said that if a company is building a product and test-markets and needs angel funding, the questions an investor asks is about market access. A value is projected based on the sale of the product to one customer. "There is no profitability matrix. There is no math that can say how the start-up arrived at this valuation. How is a chartered accountant going to value that? Mariwala asked. "If a start-up founder can pay tax, why does he need to raise money from angels anyway?" asked another investor. If angel money is going towards payment of taxes, why any angel investor would come forth to fund a start-up. The recent update by the Central Board of Direct Taxes that coercive measures would not be taken to recover outstanding demand still does not address the root cause of angel tax, said start-up entrepreneurs. "Real income can be taxed, but a variation between a funders evaluation and the governments evaluation being considered taxable needs to be seriously revisited and addressed. Start-ups face a lot of challenges in trying to remain viable and lean in a volatile market, and we need to see more institutional support. Better monitoring and stronger regulations to curb money laundering would be more purposeful rather than angel tax. Let's see what comes out of the committee set up by SEBI for regulating it," said Shreyas Chandrahasan, Co-Founder, Option3, a start-up which is in the automation space. However, some feel that the fall in funding is because of not just angel tax but owing to too many Me-Too models among start-ups. Many of them have not been able to scale even with funding because their fundamentals were not right. When start-ups were going through a boom period three years ago and the government gave it an industry status, everyone was keen to fund. No one looked at the business model then. So if 50 start-ups were looking for funding, around 30-35 of them got funding easily, said Mandar Gadkari, Head, Investor Engagement, Cross Border Angels. However, as the start-ups began floundering when their business model was found to be not sound and were merely copycat models of other successful start-ups, the funding pattern changed and was given based on sound fundamentals profitability, product validation, customers, et al. Thats when most start-ups realised that money was easily coming their way wasnt going to be that easy anymore," he said. This led to the plateauing off of angel funding. Venture capitalists began rooting for B2B firms which were a huge sea change for it meant hardcore enterprise and product companies were getting the money now. With start-ups not getting funds for the next stage, predictably Series A funding began falling, said Gadkari. Tech, IoT, Big Data was the flavour as these products could be marketed internationally too. The blame for falling angel funding should be placed at the governments door, said an angel investor. "Angel investments have largely come down because of angel tax. Angels can invest in multiple asset classes and happily stay away from investing in start-ups," an investor said. Agreeing with the angel investor, Gadkari said that Cross Border Angels, a US-based based advisory and investment group 'Scaale Group', have their operations in over eight countries and 14 cities around the world. He said that domestic investment in the past one year has shown a steep fall because angel investors are investing in other countries. The data at Cross Border Angels showed that angel investment from India has gone up in the UK, US, Singapore where again the focus has been on enterprise companies where they stand to gain higher investments on returns. Cross Border Angels did only three investments a year ago while it made seven investments last year alone in the UK, USA, Israel and Estonia. Some investors in the start-up ecosystem are, however, hopeful owing to the department of revenue directing assessing officers to ensure that no coercive measure to recover the outstanding demand would be taken in cases where additions have been made to the income on account of high valuations provided that the start-ups fall within the start-up definition of Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP). The notification has also directed for speedy disposals of pending appeals by 31 March 2018. Saurabh Srivatsava, chairman and co-founder of IAN was of the opinion that with the governments latest notification, it is evident that it continues to be supportive of the start-up ecosystem. SEBI has eased the minimum investment requirement by an angel fund in a venture capital and also the reduced the lock-in period of investments. The government is looking at ways to recognise angels under a separate definition. If that happens, that would be another way to exempt angel groups from paying angel tax," Srivastava said. And then the start-up ecosystem may gain some of its former shine. The three public sector general insurance companies will be meeting on 16 February to deliberate on the proposed merger plan, a top official of United India Insurance said Kolkata: The three public sector general insurance companies will be meeting on 16 February to deliberate on the proposed merger plan, a top official of United India Insurance said. As part of divestment of public sector entities, the government has proposed in the Budget to merge National Insurance Company, United India Insurance and Oriental Insurance Company into one and subsequently list the new entity on stock exchanges. "All the three public sector general insurance companies are meeting on the 16th of this month for discussions on Budget pronouncements," United India Insurance chairman and managing director M N Sarma said here on Tuesday on the sidelines of Assocham organised health insurance summit. "We hope to have some roadmap on merger and health insurance scheme in the meeting. We expect the merger to be completed before the next vote on accounts," he said. This means the three companies could be merged by the middle of 2019. The roadmap for the merger will be laid out by the government, chairman-cum-managing director of National Insurance Company K Sanath Kumar said. National, United India and Oriental together collected a total premium of about Rs 44,000 crore in 2016-17 and the three of them combined held a market share of close to 35 percent among all the general insurance companies including the private sector insurers and standalone health insurers. The merging of the three state-run insurers will lead to the creation of a mammoth non-life company and expected to be a major contributor to the divestment target of Rs 80,000 crore set for the fiscal year 2018-19. The profitability of most general insurance companies including the state-owned ones has been under pressure owing to rising underwriting losses and higher claims. In 2017, the government listed two state-owned insurers New India Assurance Company Ltd and General Insurance Corporation of India. A 13-year-old girl's hair was cut by people from her community as part of a 'purification ritual' after she was allegedly molested by a man in Chhattisgarh. Raipur: A 13-year-old girl's hair was cut by people from her community as part of a "purification ritual" after she was allegedly molested by a man in Chhattisgarh's Kawardha district, police said on Monday. The man was arrested on Monday and a search was on for the community members who had ordered and carried out the "ritual", officials said. The hair-cutting incident occurred on 5 February in a village under the Kukdur police station, around 75 km away from the district headquarter, Superintendent of Police, Kawardha, Lal Umed Singh told PTI. Narrating the sequence of events, Singh said, "On January 21, the girl was molested by a person identified as Arjun Yadav (22) when she had gone to work at a construction site in the area. Following this, she informed her parents who informed the local village panchayat." The official said that the panchayat disposed off the matter the next day by imposing a fine of Rs 5,000 on Yadav. "However, on February 4, the Baiga Adivasi community, to which the girl belongs, convened a meeting and ostracised her family, stating that their daughter had become impure due to the molestation incident," the SP said. "The community members also ordered that the girl's hair be chopped off in order to purify her," he said, adding that the girl's hair was cut the next day. Her family also had to organise a feast for members of the community, the SP said. He said that when the incident came to light, a police team was sent to the village and Yadav, who was accused of molestation, was arrested. "At least 10 people, including three women, who were involved in chopping off the girl's hair, are at large and efforts are on to trace them," the officer said. He said that a case had been registered in this connection. Douglas DC3 aircraft, better known as the Dakota, carried the troops of the Army's 1 Sikh Regiment to Srinagar on 27 October, 1947, during the first Indo-Pak War, besides carrying supplies and refugees. New Delhi: A fully-refurbished World War II-era Dakota, belonging to the vintage of the iconic military transport aircraft that played a crucial role in the 1947 Indo-Pak War, is all set to be flown to India next month, to become a proud possession of the IAF. The plane, which underwent a six-year-long restoration in the UK, will join the vintage fleet at the Hindon Air Base in Uttar Pradesh. The aircraft is a gift from Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekar to the India Air Force, and at a function held in Delhi on Tuesday, the Bengaluru lawmaker ceremonially handed over the papers and deeds to Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa. Hailing the qualities of the aircraft, the Chief of Air Staff, said, "They were introduced in the 1930s... As part of the 12th Squadron of the then Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF), Dakotas were the main workhorse in Ladakh and Northeast region. And, they intervened in time to save the Valley of Kashmir (in 1947)." "Military historian Pushpindar Singh had said that Dakota is the reason why Poonch is still with us. They helped in hastening the fall of Dhaka and liberation of Bangladesh. And, in 2014, we had given a shell on the Dakota to the Bangladesh Air Force," Dhanoa said. Douglas DC3 aircraft, better known as the Dakota, carried the troops of the army's 1 Sikh Regiment to Srinagar on 27 October, 1947, during the first Indo-Pak War, besides carrying supplies and refugees. The Dakota, christened 'Parashurama', will bear the tail number VP 905, the same as the first such aircraft in the Indian service that transported the troops during the 1947 war to Jammu and Kashmir. Chandrasekar's gift, will make it the first vintage Dakota for the IAF, which currently, has a Tiger Moth and a Harvard aircraft stationed at the Hindon Air Base. "The Dakota is currently kept at Coventry airfield in the UK. It is set to fly next month. The vintage plane will traverse over 4,800 nautical miles. From the UK, the route will be through France, Italy, Greece, Egypt, Oman, in that order. In India, the first stop would be Jamnagar, from where it will fly to Hindon," he told PTI on the sidelines. According to a short film screened at the function, the aircraft was acquired from scrap and underwent six years of painstaking restoration in the UK, and the IAF had technically accepted it late last month. The IAF has helped the MP in getting the aircraft registered and in upgrade of the navigation system. "Since it has to fly through multiple foreign airspace, we helped them in getting permission," the IAF chief said. In his address, he had called the gifting of the Dakota to the IAF a "great gesture" for funding the acquisition, repair and eventual ferrying of the aircraft. The MP said, "I acquired it around 2011 and this gift is a permanent way of honouring the men and their machines, who make us all proud today as a nation," adding, "finding and restoring this bird was a huge challenge". Chandrasekhar's father Air Commodore (retd) MK Chandrasekhar, who was present at the function, was a Dakota pilot in the IAF, and the lawmaker said, "the seeds were sown perhaps very young." "My father is 84 now. And, I grew up seeing him flying Dakota. So, my passion for planes is natural. And, it is on behalf of my father that this gift is being made to the IAF, in dedication to the air warriors. And, I hope it will inspire future air warriors," he said. Pakistan warned India against cross-border strikes in the disputed region of Kashmir after Indian authorities blamed a Pakistan-based group for an attack on an army camp in which soldiers and their families were targetted. Islamabad/Srinagar: Pakistan warned India against cross-border strikes in the disputed region of Kashmir after Indian authorities blamed a Pakistan-based group for an attack on an army camp in which soldiers and their families were targetted. Saturday's attack on the Sunjuwan camp near Jammu was the worst in months, with five soldiers and the father of one of the soldiers killed and women and children among the ten wounded. India said the heavily armed attackers were members of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militant group, drawing criticism from Pakistan about rushing to judgment without a full inquiry. "It is a well established pattern that Indian officials begin making irresponsible statements and levelling unfounded allegations, even before any proper investigation in any incident has been initiated," Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement. India, it said, was making these allegations to divert attention from its brutality in trying to control the armed revolt in Kashmir, and warned against any retaliatory measures across the Line of Control that divides Kashmir between the nuclear-armed countries. "We hope that the international community would urge India to stop the untold atrocities and gross violations of human rights in IoK (Indian Occupied Kashmir) (and) refrain from any misadventure across the Line of Control..." it said. India has long accused Pakistan of training and arming militants and helping them infiltrate across the heavily militarised Line of Control into Jammu and Kashmir, its only Muslim majority state. The head of the Jammu and Kashmir state police, SP Vaid, told reporters over the weekend that they had communications intercepts pointing to the JeM, which has emerged as a top group fighting hundreds of thousands of Indian forces in Kashmir. The army said the attackers wore fatigues and had assault rifles, a grenade launcher and grenades. In 2016, India said its elite troops had crossed the Line of Control into Pakistan and carried out a raid on militants after 18 soldiers were killed in an attack on an Indian army base in Kashmir. Pakistan denies giving material aid to the fighters in Kashmir and says it only provides diplomatic and moral support to the Kashmiri people in their struggle for self-determination. On Monday, Indian soldiers foiled an attack on another camp in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir. This move by the Chhattisgarh government comes months ahead of Assembly elections, which are expected to be held towards the end of the year Jagdish Oraon, the sarpanch of Baradwar Basti village, Janjgir Champa district, Chhattisgarh, has long been grappling with a peculiar problem. While around 400-500 people from his village including himself belong to the Oraon-Dhangad tribal community, only some of them were able to procure caste certificates. I later realised that the ones who wrote the name of their community as Dhangad (as opposed to the umbrella term Oraon) were not able to get the requisite certificates. They were told that they were not getting the document as they mentioned their community as Dhangad, Jagdish told Firstpost. For now, Jagdish has asked people in his village to mention the name of their community as Oraon in order to avail of the benefits they are entitled to. However, the problem of the villagers is rooted in a minor variance of the Hindi spelling of the name of the community from that in the official list. The Chhattisgarh government, in a bid to correct such anomalies, issued a circular which sought to grant relief to numerous Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes who were denied certificates which correctly noted their identity due to minor differences in spelling and pronunciation. The state governments circular, made public on its website in January, states that certain Hindi variants of spellings of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes should be accepted as valid. The circular notes that due to such minor localised variations, members of these communities have been unable to obtain caste certificates correctly mentioning their caste identity. The move is expected to benefit a large number of people in the state, because as many as 22 Scheduled Tribes and five Scheduled Castes have been included in the list put out by the government. These include numerically significant communities such as Gonds, Halbas and Dhangads among the tribal population, and Gandas and Mahars among the Scheduled Castes. A senior Chhattisgarh government functionary said, Several of these variations are caused by revenue officials having written names of communities in a certain way on land records at some point of time in the past. Often, these discrepancies are rooted in government records dating all the way back to the British era. However, due to this, several people are now facing difficulties in getting appropriate caste certificates. Mamta, an activist based in Jashpur district, said, For poor and marginalised communities, these certificates are very important. People need them for a variety of reasons, from admissions to educational institutes to jobs to benefits of government schemes. This move by the Chhattisgarh government comes months ahead of Assembly elections, which are expected to be held towards the end of the year. As noted in this Firstpost article, close to one-third of the Chhattisgarh's population are Scheduled Tribes while another 11.6 percent are Scheduled Castes. Thus, the outcome of the polls depends significantly on which way these communities vote. The circular by the Chhattisgarh government may also have an impact on neighbouring Maharashtra, where the influential Dhangar community is seeking inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes category. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis assured the Dhangar community at a recent Nagpur rally that the government would seek reservations for them. The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) is currently in the final stages of preparing a report on whether or not the Dhangars are eligible to be included among Scheduled Tribes. Speaking to Firstpost, Rajya Sabha member and prominent Dhangar leader Vikas Mahatme said, The Dhangars are seeking Scheduled Tribes status as they are similar to the Dhangads in neighbouring states. We are being denied this status in Maharashtra due to a minor difference in spelling. However, I am not certain whether the circular of the Chhattisgarh government will be implemented, as there have been several cases where castes have been denied inclusion in the relevant schedules due to minor differences in spelling. However, tribal groups have opposed the Dhangar communitys demand for Scheduled Tribes status in Maharashtra, contending that they are not similar to Dhangads in neighbouring states. The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Ashok Chavan ridiculed the state government for placing a safety net over the open space across the first floor of Mantralaya. Mumbai: The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Ashok Chavan ridiculed the state government for placing safety nets over the open space across the first floor of Mantralaya. The Public Works Department installed the nets to prevent suicides after two individuals tried to jump off the corridors of the seven-storeyed building. Chavan, who is touring the areas in Marathwada which were affected by hailstorms, told reporters that the situation was such today that safety nets would have to be set up not just at Mantralaya but everywhere. "Instead of doing this, the government should give jobs to educated unemployed and a good price for farm produce," he said. He alleged that despite over 24 hours having passed since the hailstorms in different parts of the state, no government official had visited the affected areas to conduct panchnamas or provide relief. "About seven to eight people have reportedly died. It was expected that the government would take quick decisions to provide compensation. So far, no government official has visited these areas to conduct panchnamas and provide relief to the affected farmers," Chavan said. Chavan visited the family of Bhagirathi Kamble who died in the hailstorm at Chudava village in Parbhani district. "A primary damage assessment report on the hailstorms has stated that over 1.25 lakh hectare of crops were damaged in 1,086 villages of 11 districts," Agriculture Minister Pandurang Fundkar said yesterday. The CBI has registered two separate FIRs in connection with the transfer of about 30 acres of prime government land, worth hundreds of crore, in South Delhi's posh Saket area to private individuals through alleged tampering of records, officials said. New Delhi: The CBI has registered two separate FIRs in connection with the transfer of about 30 acres of prime government land, worth hundreds of crore, in South Delhi's posh Saket area to private individuals through alleged tampering of records, officials said. The cases relate to the alleged transfer of gram sabha land, under the control of the Delhi government, in Asola village to private individuals in connivance with revenue department officials. It is alleged that some officials of the revenue department tampered the land records to insert the name of Mahesh as the land owner (Bhumidar) of these government properties, the officials said. Mahesh later sold these properties to a woman, Raman Mehra, at prices which were alleged to be just a small fraction of the prevailing market rates, they said. After the scam surfaced, an inquiry was ordered by the office of Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, who had recommended a CBI probe into the matter. "Since Mahesh is the main beneficiary as he received Rs 1.40 crore from Raman Mehra by selling 10 bighas gram sabha land, he is also responsible for this conspiracy out of the said tampering," the inquiry report said. The report was cited by Ankita Chakravarty, the then SDM (Saket), in her complaint given to the local police. "...The said tampering was done after 30 January, 2014, and prior to 24 April, 2015, (the date of the report of Inderjeet Patwari, a revenue department official, by which Mahesh was first time recognised as Bhumidar fraudulently)," it said. Mahesh allegedly sold 10 bighas of gram sabha land to Mehra for Rs 1.40 crore, the report said. Patwari, whose role is under the scanner of authorities, has told the Delhi government inquiry team that his letters sanctioning the no objection certificates and sanctioning the mutation were written by his three private assistants. The report had said that the role of these three purported assistants cannot be ruled out. "It is requested that an FIR may be lodged under the relevant sections of the IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act for tampering with government records by revenue officials in connivance with private persons," it had said. Morgan Stanley on Monday announced that Will Hunt, a senior vice president, financial advisor in its Wealth Management office in Chattanooga has been named to the firms Century Club, an elite group composed of the firms top financial advisors. The appointment recognizes Mr. Hunts consistent creativity and excellence in providing a wide range of investment products and wealth management services to his clients. Mr. Hunt, who has been with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management since 2001, is a native of Chattanooga. He holds a bachelors degree from University of Louisiana Monroe. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, a global leader, provides access to a wide range of products and services to individuals, businesses and institutions, including brokerage and investment advisory services, financial and wealth planning, cash management and lending products and services, annuities and insurance, retirement and trust services. Morgan Stanley is a leading global financial services firm providing investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services. With offices in more than 42 countries, the firm's employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals. Pakistan's defence minister Khurram Dastgir said that Islamabad will pay India in 'its own coin in case of any Indian misadventure'. Islamabad: A day after Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman warned that Pakistan would have to "pay" for a terror strike on an army camp in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan's defence minister Khurram Dastgir said on Tuesday that Islamabad will pay New Delhi in "its own coin in case of any Indian misadventure". He vowed to "defend robustly" every inch of Pakistan's soil, and said: "Any Indian aggression, strategic miscalculation, or misadventure regardless of its scale, mode, or location will not go unpunished and shall be met with an equal and proportionate response." Dastgir said India has failed to deliver justice for the 42 Pakistanis who were murdered in the Samjhota Express 11 years ago. He also said Pakistan's armed forces are "alive to all possibilities, and prepared fully to defend our country's territorial integrity". "An aggressive Pakistan centric doctrine and arrayed forces under a belligerent regime leading to a possible strategic miscalculation by India will seriously impact the strategic stability in South Asia," he warned. His statement was in response to Sitharaman on Monday saying that militants who killed five soldiers and a civilian at an Army camp in Jammu were Pakistanis and had warned that Islamabad will pay a price for the terror attack. "Pakistan will have to pay for this misadventure," Sitharaman told reporters in Jammu. The deaths of "our soldiers won't go in vain". A Delhi court on Tuesday framed conspiracy and other terror charges against Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal and his associate in a case related to the September 2008 serial blasts in Delhi that claimed 26 lives and left 135 people injured. New Delhi: A Delhi court on Tuesday framed conspiracy and other terror charges against Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal and his associate in a case related to the September 2008 serial blasts in Delhi that claimed 26 lives and left 135 people injured. Additional Sessions Judge Siddharth Sharma put Bhatkal and his associate Asadullah Akhtar on trial for various offences punishable under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Explosive Substances Act. The present case relates to the twin explosions at Greater Kailash-I in South Delhi where nine people were injured in the twin blasts at the M-block market. The charges framed by the court include criminal conspiracy (120B) punishable under Indian Penal Code, various sections UAPA, including conspiracy for committing terror act (section 18) and being member of a terror organisation. The court posted the matter for further hearing on 28 February. The accused persons, represented by advocate M S Khan, pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. The police had said that Bhatkal and Akhtar, along with others, were part of the conspiracy to carry out the blasts at several places in Delhi on September 13, 2008. They had claimed that the accused had waged war against India by carrying out the terror attacks. Bhatkal was arrested by the National Investigation Agency from India-Nepal border on the night of 28 August, 2013. Later, Delhi Police took his custody in blast case at Greater Kailash-I. Five cases were lodged in connection with the blasts at Ghaffar Market in Karol Bagh, Barakhamba Road near Connaught Place, besides the one at Greater Kailash and the recovery of a bomb near India Gate. All the five cases were clubbed by the trial court for the purpose of framing of charges and trial on the ground they arose from the series of the same transaction. In a major decision, the defence ministry approved capital acquisition proposals worth Rs 15,935 crore which included purchase of 7.40 lakh assault rifles, 5,719 sniper rifles and light machine guns to bolster the strength of the armed forces New Delhi: In a major decision, the defence ministry on Tuesday approved capital acquisition proposals worth Rs 15,935 crore which included purchase of 7.40 lakh assault rifles, 5,719 sniper rifles and light machine guns to bolster the strength of the armed forces. The long-pending proposals were cleared at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the defence ministry's highest decision making body on procurement. The approval to the proposals come amid increasing hostilities by Pakistan along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir as well as China's aggressive posturing in several sectors along the nearly 4,000-km-long Sino-India border. The defence ministry said the DAC chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman cleared capital acquisition proposals which were valued at Rs 15,935 crore. It said the DAC accorded approval for procurement of 7.4 lakh assault rifles for the three services at an estimated cost of Rs 12,280 crore. The rifles will be produced in in India under the 'Buy and Make (Indian)' category through both state-run Ordnance Factory Board and private sector. In a statement, the ministry said "essential quantity" of Light Machine Guns (LMGs) will be through the "fast track" route at an estimated cost of over Rs 1,819 crore, primarily to meet the operational requirement of the troops deployed on the borders. "A concurrent proposal is being processed for the balance quantity to be procured under the 'Buy and Make (Indian)' categorisation," the ministry said. In the last one month, the DAC has fast tracked procurement of rifles, carbines and LMGs to equip the soldiers on the border with modern and more effective equipment. The DAC also approved procurement of 5,719 sniper rifles for the Indian Army and Indian Air Force at an estimated cost of Rs 982 crore, the ministry said. The sniper rifles will be bought under the 'Buy Global' category, the ammunition for these weapons will be initially procured and subsequently manufactured in India. The ministry said to enhance the anti-submarine warfare capabilities of Indian Navy, the DAC also approved the procurement of Advanced Torpedo Decoy Systems (ATDS) for the Indian Navy at a cost of Rs 850 crore. The 'Mareech' system has been developed indigenously by Defence Research and Development Organisation and has successfully completed extensive trial evaluations. "The 'Mareech' systems will be produced by Bharat Electronics Limited, Bengaluru at an estimated cost of Rs 850 crore," the ministry said. Americas intelligence chief on Tuesday said that he expects tensions between India and China will continue despite the negotiated settlement to their three-month border standoff in August. Washington: Americas intelligence chief on Tuesday said that he expects tensions between India and China will continue despite the negotiated settlement to their three-month border standoff in August. Chinas growth may decelerate as the property sector cools and if Beijing accelerates economic reforms. Indias economy is expected to rebound after headwinds from taxation changes and demonetisation, Dan Coats, Director of National Intelligence, said in his testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. "We expect relations between India and China to remain tense and possibly to deteriorate further, despite the negotiated settlement to their three-month border standoff in August, elevating the risk of unintentional escalation, Coats said during the hearing on 'Worldwide Threat Assessment' of the US intelligence community. In East Asia, Coats said, China will continue to pursue an active foreign policyespecially in the Asia Pacific regionhighlighted by a firm stance on its sovereignty claims in the East China Sea (ECS) and South China Sea (SCS), its relations with Taiwan, and its pursuit of economic engagement across the region. China, which has been reinforcing its hold on the disputed SCS with military installations in the shoals and reclaimed islands, claims sovereignty over almost all of it. Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over SCS. Coats said regional tension will persist due to North Koreas nuclear and missile programmes and simmering tension over territorial and maritime disputes in the ECS and SCS. China will also pursue efforts aimed at fulfilling its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative to expand its economic reach and political influence across Eurasia, Africa, and the Pacific through infrastructure projects, Coats said. Talks with Pakistan can only take place from a position of strength, and India needs to substantially increase neighbour's cost of waging a hybrid war. India needs a new modus vivendi with Pakistan on Kashmir. It also needs a new policy and a new narrative on and in Kashmir. The terrible loss of lives is unfortunate enough. What's more unfortunate (if that's possible) is the normalisation of terror. Not even 72 hours have passed since the audacious fidayeen strike on an army camp in Jammu's Sunjuwan (not to speak of yet another attack in Srinagars Karan Nagar) has ended and our political and public discourse has already taken the bloodshed in its stride. We have pakodas to eat over garam chai for polls. The 4 February shelling by Pakistan in Rajouri's Bhimber Gali sector that claimed the lives of four jawans is now a distant memory. This is worrying, damning and unacceptable. A state that does not put a premium on the lives its soldiers is perceived as weak, and that has serious geopolitical and geostrategic repercussions in a troubled neighbourhood. The assault on the army's sprawling residential complex in Sunjuwan on Saturday, that resulted in the death of six jawans and a civilian before three suicide attackers were neutralised, seems to be the handiwork of Masood Azhar's Jaish-e-Muhammad operatives. The deaths and the details, however, will soon become a mere statistic amid a spate of such attacks in Uri, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Nagrota, Samba, Kathua, Tanda, Kaluchak, just to name a random few. South Asia Terrorism Portal records 358 fatalities in India due to terrorist violence in 2017, up from 267 in 2016. It wasn't even the first time that Sunjuwan was attacked. In June 2003, 12 soldiers were killed when two terror operatives infiltrated the camp early in the morning by cutting open a barbed fence and fired on soldiers. The jawans died in their sleep. The tragedy had prompted the then army chief to order more fortification of the fences. As it turns out, 15 years later, that fence still needs mending. The Centre allotted Rs 1,487.27 crore even as Sunjuwan camp was under siege, informs Nirupama Subramanian in The Indian Express. Outrage is a math of diminishing returns. As we slowly become normalised to terror and violence and force Kashmir's dystopian nightmare out of our minds, Sunjuwan still throws up some realities that should disturb us. Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters on Monday that "demography of the cantonment and adjoining areas indicates the possibility of local support to the terrorists". This isn't surprising. Observers in Kashmir have long warned of a new phase in unrest. The terrorism is now becoming progressively 'home-grown' instead of outsourced with local Kashmiri youth getting drawn to an Islamofascist agenda. Burhan Wani is a case in point. As Harinder Baweja writes in Hindustan Times, "if in 2013, 31 local youths joined militancy, the number for 2015 (till September-end) jumped to 66, according to police records... Among the 66 is 21-year-old Zakir Rashid Bhat, a Chandigarh-based civil engineering student." Data shows this trend is erupting. According to police, 117 youths joined militant ranks in Kashmir in 2017, the highest figure in the last seven years, among which more than 90 are from south Kashmir alone. Senior Kashmiri journalist Ahmed Ali Fayyaz notes: Had completely forgotten it all in 2011-2015. Now boom boom: 1st Ph D scholar joins militancy, 900% increase in recruitment; 1st Kashmiris carry out fidayeen attack; 1st fidayeen strike in Jammu city after over 17 years; no talk of return of KPs. Wrong policies, blurred visions. Ahmed Ali Fayyaz (@ahmedalifayyaz) February 12, 2018 This considerably heightens the stakes, makes it harder for security forces to confront terror, control the outcomes and subsequently shrinks political space giving rising to a disturbing set of repercussions. Witness how mainstream political parties, even in power, are toeing the separatist line to stay relevant. Mehbooba Mufti, the Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, has renewed her call for talks with Pakistan. She wants dialogue with Pakistan to end the bloodshed. Dialogue with Pakistan is necessary if we are to end bloodshed. I know I will be labelled anti-national by news anchors tonight but that doesnt matter. The people of J&K are suffering. We have to talk because war is not an option. Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) February 12, 2018 While Mufti held that talks are the only way out of this mess, her alliance partner BJP maintained that "talks and terror can't go together". Meanwhile, National Conference lawmaker from Sonawari Akbar Lone raised pro-Pakistan slogans inside the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. It would seem that Kashmir is spiralling out of control. The writ of the state government now runs within a few kilometres of the Assembly. The panchayat polls, less than a week away, are on the verge of being called off. The BJP-PDP alliance is on autopilot with the parties too scared to take any call, and the entire onus of running the state machinery has been put on the security forces. As the army goes about securing the border and implementing the rule of law, the state government is busy filing FIR against soldiers. Amid this theatre of the absurd, Mufti's cry for "talks with Pakistan" is understandable. What isn't, is that what will these "talks" achieve if they are to be renewed. The bogey of talks is periodically raised in India as a safety valve against political and administrative failure. All that renewal of "talks" at this juncture will do is legitimise Pakistan Army's blatant blackmailing and give the Rawalpindi headquarters a longer rope to hang India with. This is as much a success of Pakistan's sub-convention hybrid war strategy as it is India's policy failure that we cannot go beyond the "talks or terror" binary even after defeating them in three wars. As George Santayana had written in Reason in Common Sense, "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it." Talks with Pakistan can only take place from a position of strength, and that is possible when we manage to substantially increase Pakistan's costs of waging a hybrid war against India. As military strategist Lt General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd) writes in The Print, India's escalation strategy must be multi-pronged to raise the maximum cost for Pakistan. He suggests, among other things, "Vertical escalation through the employment of coordinated fire assaults over extended periods employing heavy weapons... Horizontal escalation to extend the scope to different areas along the LoC... and an immediate infusion of funds for the transformational execution of hardening of defensive infrastructure." Beyond the strategic perimeter, we need a new narrative on Kashmir that highlights to the youth the lifestyle opportunities that India can provide against the vortex of Islamofascist terror, that is Pakistan's only offer. We need to invest more in showcasing the success of Kashmir's young achievers. This must go beyond the army's 'sadbhavna campaigns' and involve a greater political will. The convergence of interest with the United States provides India with an excellent opportunity to ratchet up the pressure on Pakistan through a coordinated effort. The financial task force, for instance, forced Pakistan to squeeze the flow of funds to individual and organisations operating within its border. India's biggest problem lies in the fact that civilian administration remains on life support in Pakistan, and the army has created a parallel administrative mechanism that bypasses and undermines the elected government. Most initiatives carried out on a government-to-government level are doomed to end in failure. The new modus vivendi must accept this reality. The Indian Coast Guard on Tuesday apprehended seven Pakistani fishermen and seized their boat for venturing into Indian waters off Gujarat coast Ahmedabad: The Indian Coast Guard on Tuesday apprehended seven Pakistani fishermen and seized their boat for venturing into Indian waters off Gujarat coast. "The fishing boat, 'Al-Hilal', was detected inside Indian waters around 16 nautical miles off the coast of Jakhau in Kutch region by the Indian Coast Guard Ship 'MeeraBen'," a defence statement said. The boat, with seven crew members on board, was eventually intercepted and brought ashore for investigation along with the seven crew members, it said. In December last year, six Pakistan fishermen were nabbed by the Coast Guard for catching the fish inside Indian waters after crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Earlier in November, as many as 15 Pakistani fishermen on two boats were apprehended by the Coast Guard for venturing into Indian waters off Gujarat coast. For the second consecutive day, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir New Delhi: For the second consecutive day, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, where two terror attacks in three days left 10 people, including 6 army men, dead, an official said. During a half an hour meeting, the home minister took stock of the prevailing situation in the troubled state, which saw an attack on an army camp in Jammu and a gunfight between security forces and militants in Srinagar. The home minister stressed the need for immediate action to check infiltration attempts from across the border, the home ministry official said. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and chief of intelligence agencies attended the meeting. Singh was briefed about the steps taken for strengthening the perimeter security of camps and bases of security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, the official said. The home minister was informed that the highest level of security had been put in place in the entire state and steps were being taken to foil attempts by terrorists to attack security forces. Six army men, including two junior commissioned officers (JCOs), and the father of a soldier were killed by terrorists who struck at the sprawling camp of the 36 Brigade of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JKLI) on Saturday. Three heavily armed terrorists were also killed in the encounter. Security forces killed two LeT terrorists who hid in a building after a failed attempt to attack a CRPF camp, ending a 32-hour gunbattle in downtown Srinagar. A paramilitary jawan was also killed in the ensuing gunfight on Monday. The wreath-laying ceremony for four of the army personnel who lost their lives in Sunjuwan Military camp attack was held at the airport in Jammu on Tuesday. The wreath-laying ceremony for four of the army personnel who lost their lives in the Sunjuwan Military camp attack was held at the airport in Jammu on Tuesday, as the body of another soldier was recovered from the encounter site. The death toll in the terror attack now stands at 10, including six army personnel and three terrorists of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Srinagar: Visuals from wreath laying ceremony of Army personnel Mohd Ashraf, Habibullah Qureshi, Iqbal Sheikh, Manzoor Ahmad and civilian Mohidin Sheikh ( Father of Iqbal Sheikh) #SunjuwanTerrorAttack #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/9VCX9eukkr ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2018 The ceremony for army personnel Mohammed Ashraf, Habibullah Qureshi, Iqbal Sheikh, Manzoor Ahmad and civilian Mohidin Sheikh (father of Iqbal) was held in the presence of Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh, according to ANI. Mufti also met with the family members of the deceased jawans after the ceremony. The body of the army jawan was recovered during the clearance operation at the camp last night, Jammu-based Army Public Relation Officer Lt Col Devender Anand told PTI. Jammu: J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti meets family members of four Army personnel who lost their lives in #SunjuwanArmyCamp terror attack pic.twitter.com/kfZKwXnWAW ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2018 A group of heavily-armed men had struck the camp of the 36 Brigade of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry before dawn on 10 February. A total of six personnel, hailing from Jammu and Kashmir, and the father of one of the slain soldiers, were killed and 10 others, including two officers and six women and children, were injured in the incident. The bodies of the three terrorists of the JeM outfit were also recovered along with huge cache of arms and ammunition during the search operation. Meanwhile, Anand said that the mortal remains of the four Kashmiri soldiers and the civilian would be flown to Srinagar after the wreath-laying ceremony and thereafter to their native places for burial. With inputs from PTI Members of the JNU Students Union central panel have been slapped fines of Rs 10,000 each for 'protesting' outside the administration block against the compulsory attendance move by the university. New Delhi: Members of the JNU Students Union central panel have been slapped fines of Rs 10,000 each for "protesting" outside the administration block against the compulsory attendance move by the university. Circulars issued by Chief Proctor Kaushal Kumar on Tuesday asked the JNUSU president, vice-president, general secretary and joint secretary to pay fines in 10 days. "In a proctorial enquiry, you have been found guilty of leading a protest demonstration near the staircase of the administration block. This act is a violation of High Court ruling," one of the circulars said. On 4 January, students, led by JNUSU, had gathered in large numbers near the administration block to meet the vice chancellor and submit a memorandum against the compulsory attendance move. The crowd, however, dispersed after they were denied permission and given an appointment date later. JNUSU, in a statement, termed the issuance of circulars as "vendetta" against the student leaders. "The administration is hyperactive in targeting student leaders and activists on the campus for the 'crime' of wanting to meet the VC. This is a simple and clear vendetta against student leaders, and also highlights the fact that the VC doesn't want to meet the students," it said. JNU students' union has announced that it will hold a protest march to the Ministry of Human Resource Development in New Delhi on Thursday. New Delhi: JNU students' union has announced that it will hold a protest march to the Ministry of Human Resource Development in New Delhi on Thursday, demanding the removal of the varsity's vice-chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar. Though the students have held various protests and online campaigns using the hashtag "#notourvc" inside the campus, this is the first time a demand for removal of the vice-chancellor will be raised outside the campus. "Our principal demand would be the removal of the VC from his office," JNUSU Joint Secretary Shubhanshu Singh told PTI. Ever since the announcement of compulsory attendance, the students have been resorting to various ways of protest against the university establishment. The stand-off between students and the vice-chancellor escalated on 8 February when the administration made 75 percent attendance mandatory for availing scholarships and fellowships. For the last three days, scores of students have been organising strikes, human chains and holding demonstrations near the administration block, breaking the Delhi High Court 100-metre order. Meanwhile, the administration on Monday issued circulars to all members of the Academic Council announcing the decision to postpone council meeting indefinitely initially scheduled for 23 February. "Due to unavoidable circumstances, the Academic Council meeting which was to be held on February 23 will be rescheduled," the circular signed by Registrar Pramod Kumar said. Youve heard about Josiah, havent you? Not your cousin in Memphis whos a programmer for Fedex and whose parents poured overthe Old Testament way more than yall did when you were being reared. Im talking about the one for whom your cousin Joe (he shortened it atcollege) was named. King Josiah. The one whose reign began at age 8 when all his other friends were playing X-Box and battling in Air-Soft wars. By the time he was 20 or so, he was purging Judah of her people'scatastrophic habit ofhedgingtheir theological bets. You see, they had given themselves over to the gods everyone else was fussing over. Alongside Yahweh (aka The LORD), of course. Just covering all their bases. You know, just in case it turned out they might get better crops by throwing a periodic party for Baal (the Canaanite storm-god). This, by the way, is sort of the thing that Yahweh, well, hates. Kind of like a good wife assaulted with news of her husbands mistress. And of course, there arent any other gods besides the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who has, at last, revealed himself to us in the person of his Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Well, Josiah, after gussying up the temple and getting worship back up andrunning as God had dreamed it up, has the formerly lost Book of the Law (which may well have been the book of Deuteronomy) read to him. And heres whats so stirring to me. He freaks out, to put it theologically, over what he hears. A Tear Your Robes Alarm and Sorrow In other words, he treats God's wordlike it is something. As if it carries weight for the life of Gods people. Josiah RESPONDS to its warnings and threats with alarm and sorrow-with literal tear your robes alarm and sorrow. In this heightened state of alertness, he asks Huldah, the prophetess (interestingly, you dont meet many Huldahs in Northwest Georgia) to check with the LORD to find out whats going to happen to them for having been so calloused and neglectful to His concerns. And while God assures a nasty judgment is eventually on itsway againstthe God-neglectors for their serial infidelity in the face of His constant kindness, Josiah is assured it wont happen to them in his time. And you know what averts the earned judgment? Well, lets listen to Ms. Huldah relay Gods rationale for the verdict: Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord. (2 Chronicles 34:27) Heart responsiveness. Or as the King James so delicately puts it, Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God... Which reminds me of Isaiahs corroborating statement from the the Lord of Hosts in Isaiah 66, "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word. Its stunning how often and favorably God responds to the responsive heart in the Scripture. Its uncanny to think how many promises of mopping-the-floor-with-the-disobedient are overturned by God himself when he encounters a people willing to take him seriously, and let his word be the primary weight in their lives. A weight that wakes them up, turns them around and brings them back to their senses. Of course, our Savior was nothing but ready and eager to respond to his Father,and lucky for us, his tender-hearted responsiveness forced him to walk headlong into ourcrushing judgment and in our stead. Why wouldn't we respond with alert attention tothe words of Him who means us such good? So I write today, with a prayer for all Christs church throughout our city, that we might find ourselves increasingly responsive to our Lords overtures, wishes, commands, and even threats. I suspect well find ourselves consoled AS we tremble at his weighty and influential word, because we wont any longer have to tremble at the latest cable news reports of whichever impending doom or insurmountable challenge appears to begreetingus at 9 am or for the next one at 7 pm later in the day. Hatch a Heart in Us At Last It is maddeningly easy to forget that we have actually been created to respond. God calls, we reply. He initiates, we react. All that his people are and do, ultimately, should be construed as a response to the Voice of Him for whom all things were made and are now being remade. His overtures provide the basis for all our best actions, thoughts, and feelings----and returns. In fact, Josiahs tender heart highlights the privilege we have of responsive return to our Savior as we edge toward the Lenten season. During this space of days when we seek to cultivate an attentiveness to our disheartening inattentiveness to our Lord and his concerns, we seek the alterations of grace that themselves would make us tender-hearted and responsive before God....we take up the needful wisdom of the ancient monk in Frederick Buechners Godric as he artfully pleads for a new vital center: O thou who art the sparrow's friend, have mercy on this world that knows not even when it sins. O holy dove, descend and roost on Godric here, so that a heart may hatch in him at last. Amen Of course, it can be a downright consoling thrill to realize that the One who commands us is the one who keeps us. His command is his care, and our response is our happy acceptance of that care. Our attentiveness, even if it is only eventual, after our frequent failings is our acknowledgement that theres really no where else for us to go but to Him who opens paradise to us. Its a sign, like the prodigal son, of our coming to our senses at last. St. Chrysostom, the 4th century Bishop, recognized how this tender-hearted trembling before God was always available and alive with paradise possibilities: Repentance opens the heavens, takes us to Paradise, overcomes the devil. Have you sinned? Do not despair! If you sin every day, then offer repentance every day! When there are rotten parts in old houses, we replace the parts with new ones, and we do not stop caring for the houses. In the same way, you should reason for yourself: if today you have defiled yourself with sin, immediately clean yourself with repentance. Abraham Heschel, the famed Jewish Rabbi, corroborates for our profit as he delineates with profound certainty that it isnt failure before God that most trips us up, but the failure to come back to him with our failure, so we might be repaired. Heschel reassures, Sin is not acul-de-sac, nor is guilt a final trap. Sin may be washed away by repentance and return, and beyond guilt is the dawn of forgiveness.The door is never locked, the threat of doom is not the last word. Christ has removed the threat of doom, left the door open, and issued a pardoning summons for any, like us, or Josiah, who come to see just how calloused and neglectful of God weve become. We simply come to him, like Julian of Norwich creatively suggested, confessing like a dirty child to her mother, Often when our falling and our wretchedness are shown to us, we are so . . . greatly ashamed of ourselves that we scarcely know where we can put ourselves. But then (Christ) does not wish us to flee away, for nothing would be less pleasing to him... Instead, we admit to him in our red-faced distress: I have made myself filthy and unlike you, and I may not and cannot make it right except with your help and grace. . . . Effusively, Julian elaborates, For the flood of mercy which is his dear blood and precious water is plentiful to make us fair and clean. . . . His sweet gracious hands...are ready and diligent about us. . . . It is his office to save us, it is his glory to do it, and it is his will that we know it; for he wants us to love him sweetly and trust in him meekly and greatly. Perhaps this Lent, well become a hasty throng of tender-hearts racing to the sweet and gracious hands of our Savior for cleansing, consolation, and healing connection. And maybe, the more we experience the relief of our run to Him, the less sense itll ever make to run away. ------ Contact Eric Youngblood, pastor of Rock Creek Fellowship on Lookout Mountain, at eric@rockcreekfellowship.org Justice AM Khanwilkar of the Supreme Court on Tuesday recused himself from hearing the politically sensitive Rs 64 crore Bofors payoff case. New Delhi: Justice AM Khanwilkar of the Supreme Court on Tuesday recused himself from hearing the politically sensitive Rs 64 crore Bofors payoff case. Justice Khanwilkar, who was the part of a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, did not give any reason for opting himself out of hearing the matter. The bench, which also comprised Justice DY Chandrachud, said a new bench would be constituted for hearing the matter on 28 March. The apex court was to hear the petition filed by BJP leader Ajay Agrawal challenging the 31 May, 2005 decision of the Delhi High Court quashing all charges against all the accused persons in the case. The encounter between terrorists holed up in a building in Karan Nagar area of Srinagar and security forces resumed Tuesday morning after an overnight lull. The encounter between terrorists holed up in a building in Karan Nagar area of Srinagar and security forces resumed on Tuesday morning after an overnight lull. The exchange of fire between the terrorists and the security forces resumed at daybreak, a CRPF official said. The gunfight has now gone on for over 20 hours. #WATCH J&K: Encounter underway between security forces and terrorists in Srinagar's Karan Nagar (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/sECH5chjMJ ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2018 News18 quoted Zulfiqar Hasan, IG Operations as saying, "we are operating cautiously to avoid any collateral damage to citizens and property." According to CNN-News18, intermittent gunbattle was underway between the unidentified militants and security personnel. One terrorist was reported killed on Tuesday as the operation entered its final stages. India Today reported that the area has been cordoned off while the CRPF is using drones to track the militants. The official said the security forces were preparing for a final assault on the terrorists when they opened fire. Two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants were holed up inside an under-construction building in Karan Nagar area since Monday after they were forced to withdraw and later trapped inside the building following their failed terror bid on a CRPF camp. The militants had entered this building after an alert sentry at the observation post of 23 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) spotted them and fired. A CRPF jawan was killed while a constable of the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police was injured in the exchange of fire on Monday. The CRPF has claimed that it thwarted the attempt by the terrorists to attack its camp in Karan Nagar area. In the wake of the ongoing operations, the administration had suspended mobile internet services in Srinagar and heavy security was also deployed across the state, reported CNN-News18. Militancy incidents are coming with an alarming frequency in the state as the terror attack was averted by alert guards at the entrance of an army camp in Jammu on Tuesday. Two motorcycle-borne militants approached the entry point of the army camp in Domana area around 4.30 am. They fired towards the sentry post. As the guards retaliated the terrorists were forced to flee, informed sources in the police said. "A search operation is now underway to trace the militants," they said. Both these incident comes days after Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists attacked another army camp in Sunjwan area of Jammu, killing seven people including six soldiers. Three militants were also killed in retaliation by the army. Ten others, including six women and children, were injured. A group of heavily armed terrorists entered the Sunjuwan army camp on 10 February after hurling grenades and using automatic gunfire. Three terrorists, all of them Pakistan nationals who managed to enter the Junior Commissioned Officer's residential quarters, were killed in the anti-terror operation by the security forces. With inputs from agencies Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar saluted bravery of the CRPF jawan who was killed while foiling a terrorist attack in Srinagar and announced that his funeral would be performed with full police honour. Patna: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday saluted bravery of the CRPF jawan who was killed while foiling a terrorist attack at the camp in Srinagar and announced that his funeral would be performed with full police honour. The deceased jawan Mujahid Khan hailed from Piro village in Bhojpur district of Bihar. The chief minister announced that the state government would give an ex-gratia amount to the next of the kin of the martyr, an official release said. The amount of the ex-gratia was, however, not mentioned in the release. Khan, who was a constable of 49th battalion of CRPF, was killed on Monday in a gunfight with terrorists who attempted to strike a CRPF camp at Karan Nagar area of Srinagar. Kumar said in his condolence message that "The entire country would remember the supreme sacrifice of the brave son. The entire Bihar is with the martyr's family." Lucknow University received backlash from its students for releasing a circular ordering students not to roam inside university premises on Valentine's Day. Lucknow University received backlash from its students on Tuesday for releasing a circular ordering its students "not to roam" inside the premises of the university on Valentine's Day. The university rolled out the "advisory" for 14 February under the guise of saying that the institution would remain shut for Maha Shivaratri. At the same time, the circular said that the students were "influenced by western culture" and hence they wanted to celebrate Valentine's Day. Lucknow University issues advisory to its students to not to roam inside the premises of the university on Valentine's Day (14.2.2018). Disciplinary action will be taken against whosoever is found violating the advisory. pic.twitter.com/dQ8cdESICK ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 13, 2018 The university asked the students not to come to the campus as classes would be closed. "It has been seen in the past years that some students, influenced by western culture celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14. We want to inform all students of the university that both the campuses of the university will remain closed on account of Maha Shivratri and no extra classes, practicals cultural programme will be held," an advisory issued by Lucknow University Proctor Vinod Singh said on 10 February, according to PTI. Students call Lucknow University's advisory on Valentine's Day, 'an example of chhoti soch,' add that, 'You've declared a holiday on that day, but telling students to not enter university premises isn't right at all. If we won't enter the university, then who will?' pic.twitter.com/AkqjtstKpr ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 13, 2018 "We all appeal the parents of the students not to send their wards to the university. Disciplinary action will be taken against those found sitting or roaming in the campus," Singh added. The students of Lucknow University were not happy with the circular and called out the university for its narrow-mindedness. The students were against the institution's decision to disallow people from entering the campus. "If we won't enter the university, then who will?" a student said to ANI. Another student told the Hindustan Times, on condition of anonymity, that the students were adults and the university proctor has no right to tell them what to do. Another student said that the administration should focus on improving academics and ensure teachers take regular classes, rather than telling students what is expected of them on Valentines Day. According to NDTV, Lucknow University has had a history of inviting controversy when it comes to Valentine's Day celebrations. In 2016, the university had asked students not to bring gifts or flowers to college on Valentine's Day. They claimed that this would help keep a check on harassment against women. With inputs from agencies Suspended Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar called for an 'uninterrupted and uninterruptible' dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve issues. Karachi: Suspended Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar on Monday called for an "uninterrupted and uninterruptible" dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve issues. Aiyar, 76, suspended by the Congress from the party for his "neech" (lowly) jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Gujarat Assembly polls, was in Karachi to attend 'Karachi Literature Festival'. During a session, he hailed Islamabad for seeking to resolve issues with India through dialogue, saying New Delhi does not have this policy, Geo News TV reported. "There is only one way of resolving India-Pakistan issues and that is by an uninterrupted and uninterruptible dialogue," Aiyar said. The Indian politician said that he is "proud" of Pakistan for having this policy, however, regretted its non-reciprocation by New Delhi, the Pakistani media report said. "And I am very proud and half very sad that this sentence of these three words has been accepted as Pakistan policy, but has not been accepted as Indian policy," Aiyar was quoted as saying by the media report in Karachi. His words followed an applause from the audience. Aiyar further said that Kashmir and terrorism are the two main issues that need to be dealt with. He also said that both India and Pakistan should adopt a framework formulated by former president Pervez Musharraf's government, the report added. Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh, who also holds the Home portfolio, on Tuesday said that police and paramilitary forces have been asked 'to stop forthwith harassing former insurgents' who have joined the mainstream. Imphal: Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh, who also holds the Home portfolio, on Tuesday said that police and paramilitary forces have been asked "to stop forthwith harassing former insurgents" who have joined the mainstream. There had been allegations of harassment to some former insurgents despite their signing the suspension of operations agreement with the government, the Chief Minister said in the state assembly in response to some observations made by Congress MLAs in the House. Biren assured that if there were any further reports on harassment and torture to the former insurgents, strict disciplinary action would be taken up against the security personnel. With regard to various crimes reported in the state, the government "is taking up suitable actions to curb the same", he said. Since the setting up of fast-track court for crime against women, eleven persons had been punished, he said. The anti-corruption cell established by the current state government had also punished 16 officials. As and when there were reports of activities incompatible with the suspension of operations rules, raids were conducted, the chief minister pointed out. He, however, admitted that he was surprised when six former insurgent groups which are signatories to the suspension of operations had called a 42-hour general strike starting Monday morning. The strike was called off in the evening when an assurance was given that after the budget session, the chief minister would meet their representatives to hammer out contentious issues. As the police said that there had been four bomb blasts within metres from the Raj Bhavan a few days ago, Biren said CCTV cameras would be installed in sensitive areas. With regard to unconfirmed reports of terrorists setting up camps here and there, he said the police would examine the information. Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti's call for dialogue with Pakistan was bound to draw reaction and many stepped up to respond to her words. Picking a peculiar time to promote peace, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti called for dialogue with Pakistan on Monday even as multiple attacks on the armed forces took place in the state. Even as she predicted attacks on herself by news anchors, Mufti insisted that it didn't matter as the people of the state are suffering. The statement was in keeping with her earlier stance as while her ruling alliance partners in the BJP advocate a hardline approach and want to tell Pakistan that enough is enough, Mufti has consistently followed the peace-driven approach. The statement however was bound to draw reaction and many stepped up to respond to her words. Ram Madhav of the BJP told CNN-News18 that terrorism and talks cannot happen together and terrorism must end. However he said that India never shied away from talks. Ravinder Raina, the BJP MLA for Nowshera-Sunderbani constituency told NDTV that while dialogue is always welcome, Pakistan's conduct makes it difficult. He pointed to the overtures made by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the Narendra Modi governments in response to which Pakistan only mounted further attacks. He asked who will take guarantee of Pakistan's conduct. The Congress too found the possibility of talks to be unlikely at this time. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the "present context of bloodshed" is not a suitable time, while rapping the Central and state governments' "failure" to stop attacks. "Present context of bloodshed is hardly an apposite ambience for dialogue. Neither state nor Central government has been able to prevent wanton killings. The nation is a helpless spectator to martyrdom of our brave soldiers," he said. Columnist Tavleen Singh seemingly found the idea ridiculous as she questions with whom the dialogue would take place. Dialogue with whom? The Generals? The jihadists? Political leaders who survive if the military allows them to? It might be time for Mehbooba Mufti talk a bit more to Kashmiris instead. https://t.co/TWWac6oglu Tavleen Singh (@tavleen_singh) February 13, 2018 Mufti however did find support in National Conference (NC) general secretary and MLA Ali Mohammad Sagar who said she was right in saying that those who talk about dialogue are dubbed as 'anti-national', which is wrong, reported Daily Excelsior. "She endorsed the statement of (NC president) Farooq Abdullah and (NC working president) Omar Abdullah that dialogue is the way forward and nothing will be achieved by killings, operations and crackdowns. It is the stand and agenda of the party that dialogue holds the key for honourable solution of Kashmir issue, he said. With inputs from agencies The NHRC has sent a notice to the Karnataka government over reports that three people have died and 35 others have been hospitalised due to gastroenteritis after allegedly consuming contaminated water at Maidolalu village of Shivamogga district. New Delhi: The NHRC has sent a notice to the Karnataka government over reports that three people have died and 35 others have been hospitalised due to gastroenteritis after allegedly consuming contaminated water at Maidolalu village of Shivamogga district. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued the notice to the chief secretary of the state, seeking a detailed report in four weeks. "The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that as many as three persons have died and 35 others have been hospitalised owing to acute gastroenteritis at Maidolalu village in Bhadravati taluk of Shivamogga district of Karnataka," the rights panel said in a statement. Reportedly, the district health officer has said that the consumption of contaminated piped drinking water is suspected to be the reason behind the outbreak of gastroenteritis. The piped drinking water is supplied by the gram panchayat. "It has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of right to life and health of the victims, as drinking water is the basic amenity and the state is bound to ensure its uncontaminated supply," the statement said. As per the news report, the water samples have been collected from two overhead tanks in the village and from the houses of the patients. "These have been sent to the laboratory for examination. The residents have, reportedly, expressed their anguish that the water tanks are not cleaned regularly. It is further mentioned that a similar outbreak of gastroenteritis was reported from the same area in 2017," the NHRC said. Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday ordered an inquiry into the blast at Cochin Shipyard in Kerala in which five persons were killed. The minister, however, confirmed the death of four persons. New Delhi: Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday ordered an inquiry into the blast at Cochin Shipyard in Kerala in which five persons were killed. The minister, however, confirmed the death of four persons. Gadkari tweeted after the incident: Shocked by unfortunate blast at Cochin Shipyard where 4 people have died. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families. I have spoken to MD,Cochin Shipyard n asked him to provide all necessary medical support to victims n to initiate immed inquiry with help of concerned agencies Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) February 13, 2018 According to the police, five persons were killed and a dozen others injured in the blast inside an Oil and Natural Gas Corporation tanker. Those working at the time of the blast mostly included daily labourers and contract workers. Tuesday being a holiday, no regular workers of the shipyard were present. The blast took place around 11 am in the water tank of the berthed ONGC tanker Sagar Bhushan when some 20 workers were working in the tanker ship. The Sagar Bhushan has been docked at the Cochin Shipyard for a month for repairs and maintenance. Rahul's comments come after Mehbooba Mufti said in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly that dialogue with Pakistan was the only way forward. Days after the attack on Sunjuwan army camp, which has so far killed six army men, political reactions have started filtering in. The latest in line was Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who slammed People's Democratic Party and Bharatiya Janata Party for continuing an opportunistic alliance as soldiers paid the price "with their blood." Rahul accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "dithering" while Indian soldiers were killed in terror attacks in the state. Lamenting on the differences between the ruling partners, Rahul said that while on one hand, PDP was batting for talks with Pakistan, BJP, who also rules at the Centre was speaking about making Pakistan pay the price. 1. PDP says talks with Pakistan. 2. BJP Defence Minister says "Pakistan will pay the price". While our soldiers pay with their blood for BJP/ PDPs opportunistic alliance and non-existent Kashmir policy; Modi Ji dithers. Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 13, 2018 Rahul's comments come after Mehbooba Mufti said in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly that dialogue with Pakistan was the only way forward, even as she predicted she will be dubbed "anti-national" by TV channels for making the appeal. Later, in a tweet, Mehbooba said that dialogue with Pakistan was necessary to end bloodshed and war was not an option. Dialogue with Pakistan is necessary if we are to end bloodshed. I know I will be labelled anti-national by news anchors tonight but that doesnt matter. The people of J&K are suffering. We have to talk because war is not an option. Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) February 12, 2018 Her statement came at a time when multiple attacks on the armed forces took place in the state. This evoked response from its ally BJP, which were unsurprisingly, in contrast with what the chief minister had said. Ram Madhav of the BJP told CNN-News18 that terrorism and talks cannot happen together and terrorism must end. However he said that India never shied away from talks. Ravinder Raina, the BJP MLA for Nowshera-Sunderbani constituency told NDTV that while dialogue is always welcome, Pakistan's conduct makes it difficult. He pointed to the overtures made by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the Narendra Modi governments in response to which Pakistan only mounted further attacks. He asked who will take guarantee of Pakistan's conduct. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in an official statement said, "Pakistan will pay the price for its misadventures," while laying the blame steadily with India's belligerent neighbour for the attack on the Sunjuwan army camp. Earlier on Tuesday, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi had used the opportunity to hit out at those "challenging loyalties" of Indian Muslims. Owaisi pointed out that five of the seven killed were Muslims. "Saat mein se panch log jo maare gaye woh Kashmiri Musalmaan the. Ab ispe kuch kyun nahi bola ja raha hai. Isse sabak haasil karna pdega unn logon ko jo musalmaanon ki wafadari pe shak karte hain, jo unko aaj bhi Pakistani keh rahe hain. Hum toh jaan de rahe hain (Of the seven who were killed, five were Muslims. Why is everybody silent on this. This incident should be a lesson for those who constantly question the loyalties of Indian Muslims towards India. We are laying down our lives," Owaisi said. Nalini, serving a life term in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, on Tuesday moved the Madras High Court challenging a CrPC section's constitutionality noting that there cannot be two different treatments for single class of life convicts, when it comes to premature release. Chennai: Nalini, serving a life term in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, on Tuesday moved the Madras High Court challenging a CrPC section's constitutionality noting that there cannot be two different treatments for single class of life convicts, when it comes to premature release. Section 435 (1) (a) of the CrPC mandates the state government to consult the Centre to remit or commute a sentence, in any case, investigated by central agencies. According to Nalini, the Tamil Nadu government passed an order dated 1 February introducing a scheme of premature release of life convicts under Article 161 (Power of governor to grant pardons, and to suspend, remit or commute sentences in certain cases) of the Constitution. But she would not be eligible for the scheme, since there is a specific clause in the order, to the effect that the cases of eligible life convicts should not come under CrPC section 435. Since the offence for which Nalini was convicted was investigated by the CBI, she becomes ineligible for premature release under the scheme. "When the object of premature release is reformation and rehabilitation of prisoners, and when the convicts are released only on the basis of good conduct in prison, which can be assessed only by the respective state government, the law mandating the state to consult the Centre would be irrational," Nalini said. Once convicts are confined in prison, all of them are required to be treated equally and there cannot be two different treatment for single class of convicts, she submitted. She also submitted that the state has not applied its mind that the provision 435 would apply only when the government exercises its powers under CrPC sections 432 and 433. Nalini has been lodged in a special prison for women at Vellore for more than 26 years since her arrest in connection with the assassination of the former prime minister at Sriperumpudur by an LTTE suicide bomber on 21 May, 1991. Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh hailed the dismissal of a petition seeking probe into alleged irregularities in the purchase of an AgustaWestland helicopter by his government. Raipur: Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh on Tuesday hailed the dismissal of a petition seeking probe into alleged irregularities in the purchase of an AgustaWestland helicopter by his government. "The Supreme Court's decision made it clear that no irregularities were committed in the chopper deal. The petition was politically motivated," Singh told reporters. He claimed that the committee formed (in 2007) for the purchase of a chopper for VIP use comprised principal secretary of finance department, secretary of aviation and principal secretary to the chief minister, and it carried out the tendering process in a transparent manner. "On the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri, the court's decision has proved that truth can never be defeated and it was a victory of truth," the chief minister said. Opposition Congress doesn't have issues which it can raise in the Assembly, and after facing defeat thrice in "people's court" (in Assembly elections) it tried to mislead people by raising this issue in the court, Singh said. Congress, on the other hand, said chief minister Singh is yet to answer several questions related to the deal. "As per my information, the Supreme Court has said the complaint pertaining to irregularity in the purchase of the chopper can be lodged at any appropriate forum," state Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel said. "The chief minister is yet to answer several questions related to the alleged scam including an alleged foreign account in the name of `Abhishak Singh'," Baghel said. A bench of justices AK Goel and UU Lalit of the apex court on Tuesday dismissed a petition by the NGO Swaraj Abhiyan and others seeking probe into the purchase of the helicopter. "We do not find any grounds to accept the prayer for probe. The petition is dismissed," the bench said. The petitioners had alleged that in July 2008, a bank account in the name of 'Abhishak Singh' was opened in the British Virgin Islands, and on 1 August, 2008, one of the firms purportedly involved in the deal wound up operations. There was a "strong possibility" that money paid as commission in the deal ultimately reached the bank account, they alleged. Goa agriculture minister Vijai Sardesai said a 'Gangs of Wasseypur'-like situation would arise in Goa if 'outsiders' gain control of the mining industry in the state. Panaji: Goa agriculture minister Vijai Sardesai on Tuesday said a 'Gangs of Wasseypur'-like situation would arise in Goa if "outsiders" gain control of the mining industry in the state, days after the apex court quashed renewal of 88 mining leases and provided an option of auction. Directed by Anurag Kashyap, 'Gangs of Wasseypur' the two-part crime film is centred on the coal mafia operating in Dhanbad in Jharkhand, and the underlying power struggles, politics and vengeance. Sardesai also said it would be better to close down the mining industry than it be handled by people from outside Goa. "There is a possibility that if you come out with auctioning, you will have 'Gangs of Wasseypur'-kind of situation in Goa. What happened for coal in Dhanbad can happen in Goa. And this is my fear," he said. Sardesai's Goa Forward Party (GFP) is one of the constituents of the BJP-headed NDA government in the coastal state. The other alliance partners are the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and three Independent MLAs. "Those involved in making policies related to mining should see that they make right ones (policies). What had happened all this while is that the mining industry was with the Goan mine owners. "Tomorrow (after auctioning) if mine owners, truck owners, drivers of trucks and machine operators all are from outside, then why do we require mining industry in the state?" the minister told reporters. Sardesai had stoked a major row last week when he termed domestic tourists visiting Goa as the "scum of the earth" and claimed that "North Indians" wanted to "create a Haryana" in the coastal state. The Supreme Court had on 7 February quashed the second renewal of iron ore mining leases given to 88 companies in Goa in 2015. The apex court directed the Centre and the Goa government to grant fresh environmental clearances to them. The Supreme Court also said the state government was obliged to grant fresh mining leases in accordance with law, in view of its previous judgement, and not second renewals to mining lease holders. The mining industry in Goa had expressed apprehension that the Supreme Court order would lead to the total closure of operations. To a question, Sardesai said the implication of the Supreme Court order is that the government may have to make new policies. "I am part of the government to make the policies. But at the same time, what we fear is what I have expressed," he said. Asserting that the policy of the GFP that is Goa's wealth should remain with Goans, Sardesai said, "The one who works out policies should think about it." From a governance and policy perspective, the Supreme Court's directions to the Centre, states on Juvenile Justice Act look sound but are not child-focused. On 9 February, the Supreme Court took the extant government to task for the "tardy if not virtual non-implementation" of juvenile justice laws, and ignoring the plight of "voiceless if not silenced" children of India, after a public interest litigation (PIL) was initiated by activist and human rights defender, Sampurna Behura. The apex court also requested chief justices of all high courts to establish child-friendly courts and vulnerable courts in each district. The Supreme Court Bench, comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta, spoke about the lackadaisical attitude of the government and authorities towards children there is pendency of cases of abandoned, orphaned and surrendered children; the conditions of children in shelter and observation homes are abysmal; there is an increased number of vacancies in juvenile justice institutions; and there is an absolute lack of initiative by legal service bodies to act, despite the passing of an amendment to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 in 2015. There were several chief justices' conferences held in 2006, 2009, 2013, 2015 and 2016 about the need to ensure the adequate and effective implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act. As a part of the resolutions passed in these conferences, the Supreme Court noted that every high court has a constituted Juvenile Justice Committee that is headed by a judge to take stock and address issues that concern children. Besides this, the Chief Justice of India also set up a Committee to address issues of implementation of child welfare laws. Acknowledging that the Bench might be criticised for excessive judicial activism, it stated that the government has done very little for implementation of the Act in its true spirit: "Over the last decade or so, state governments and Union Territories have not fully complied with the provisions of a law solemnly enacted by Parliament for the benefit of children. In many instances, only cosmetic changes have been introduced at the ground level with the result that voiceless children continue to be subjects of official apathy." Justice Lokur also observed that: "No one has any doubt that it is time for the State to strongly and proactively acknowledge that even children in our country have fundamental rights and human rights and they need to be enforced equally strongly." The Bench ensured that it brought up the rights-based nature of the Juvenile Justice Act, and how the government has done very little for the realisation of the rights of children. Indicating their dismay at poor implementation of the Act, the Bench observed various unresolved issues and provided for some directions, inter alia, to the institutions courts, policymakers and implementers of the country: All vacancies in the Child Rights Commissions should be filled up so that they can function meaningfully State-level Child Protection Societies and District-level Child Protection Units must take assistance from NGOs and civil society actors. All positions in the Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs) and Child Welfare Commissions (CWCs) are expeditiously filled up, in accordance with the Model Rules framed by the state government. All JJBs and CWCs must have sittings on a regular basis so that a minimal number of inquiries are pending at any point in time. There must be creative use of information and communication technology by the Ministry of Women and Child Development for the purpose of collecting data as well as operating a database of missing and trafficked children, and for the follow up of adoption cases. Special Juvenile Police Units and Child Welfare Police Officers must be set up in terms of the Juvenile Justice Act at the earliest, and the roles and responsibilities of such units and officers must be clearly identified and defined. Proper utilisation of the Juvenile Justice Fund, which so far has been an "embarrassment". The court observed, on this point, that, "If financial resources are not made available for the welfare of the children we shudder to think what could be better utilisation of the funds." The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) must compile a nation-wide comprehensive three-part report regarding juveniles in conflict with the law for easier policy-making and decision-making. All authorities under the Juvenile Justice Act such as the JJBs, CWCs, Probation Officers, members of the Child Protection Units, Special Juvenile Police Units, Child Welfare Police Officers must be adequately sensitised and given training regarding child welfare laws. High courts must establish child-friendly courts and vulnerable witness courts in each district. The chief justice of every high court must register suo-moto proceedings for the effective implementation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. This would serve to meaningfully address road-blocks if any, encountered by statutory authorities and the Juvenile Justice Committee of the High Court. While these are very valuable recommendations that the Supreme Court has put out, there is no reference to the 'best interests of the child' doctrine that the JJ Act is based on. Sampurna Behura's petition mentions the doctrine several times, in order to indicate that it is the constitutional obligation of the Judiciary to ensure that the doctrine is at the centre of all laws and implementation. However, the directions by the Supreme Court seem to completely discount the doctrine, and its purpose in the implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), which was ratified by India in 1992, states that the "best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration in all actions affecting children (Article 3)". The term 'best interests' broadly describes the well-being of a child, which is determined by a variety of individual circumstances such as age, level of maturity of the child, the presence or absence of parents, and the environment and experiences of the child. General Comment 6 (2005) provided by the Committee on the Rights of the Child discusses and defines 'best interests', stipulating that best interests must be "the determining factor for specific actions", especially adoption (Article 21) or separation of a child from parents against their will (Article 9), and that best interests must be "a primary (but not the sole) consideration for all other actions affecting children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies." The Supreme Court's directions are not based on the best interests of the child, even if one examines such directions more intrinsically. The directions are infrastructural and shallow they speak to the authorities on establishing or building bodies constituted by the Juvenile Justice Act or filling in gaps, such as vacancies or raising awareness. The directions, while well-meaning, are not child-focused. From a governance and policy perspective, the directions look sound the Judiciary is pulling up the government for not doing its job well, and for the lack of implementation of the legal policy. But the problem is further away there is no theoretical understanding of the international principle and hence, there is no execution of the principle in practice. During the 66th Session of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, the Committee's Concluding Observations for India recommended, after going through the National Policy for Children (2013), that India develop procedures and criteria to provide guidance to all relevant persons in authority for determining the best interests of the child in every area and for giving it due weight as a primary consideration, and also establish effective monitoring and evaluation procedures in this regard. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) talks about BID or "best interests determination" that describes a "formal process with strict procedural safeguards designed to determine the child's best interests for important decisions that affect the child; it facilitates adequate child participation without discrimination, involves decision-makers who have expertise in certain areas and balance all relevant factors in order to find the best option". Neither the Judiciary nor the policymakers currently have a mechanism to determine best interests of the child. For the effective implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act, this should the first step. Institutions and infrastructure are only secondary to rights-based standards. Therefore, while the intention of the Supreme Court is well-meaning, its methods to implement child-welfare laws should be ensconced in the UNCRC principles to achieve positive results. Several retired armed forces officers on Monday staged a protest in Mumbai against 'coercive steps' against army officers. Mumbai: Several retired armed forces officers on Monday staged a protest in Mumbai against "coercive steps" against army officers, including Major Aditya Kumar, who have been made an accused in the Shopian firing case, in which three civilians were killed. Three civilians were killed when army personnel fired at a stone-pelting mob in Ganovpora village in Shopian, prompting Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti to order an inquiry into the incident. The FIR was registered against personnel of 10 Garhwal Rifles, including Major Kumar, under sections 302 (murder) and 307 (attempt to murder) of the Ranbir Penal Code. Participants at the protest held at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai included Lieutenant General Kuldeep Singh Brar (retd), who led Operation Blue Star in 1984. The veterans gathered at the Azad maidan to extend their support to the serving army officials and demanded that the Jammu and Kashmir government withdraw the FIR. The Karan Nagar encounter entered its second day on Tuesday after two militants holed in an under-construction building continued to fire at the security forces, TV reports said. The Karan Nagar encounter entered its second day on Tuesday after two militants holed up in an abandoned building continued to fire at the security forces, TV reports said. According to CNN-News18, intermittent gunbattle was underway between the unidentified militants and security personnel. India Today reported that the area has been cordoned off while the CRPF is using drones to track the militants. Sources told CNN-News18 that the security forces were ensuring zero collateral damage in and around the area. The report added that the operations were going at a slower pace since the locality is close to Lal Chowk and the state's administrative area. A CRPF constable was killed in a gunfight with militants on Monday after security forces foiled militants' attempts to strike a CRPF camp in Srinagar's Karan Nagar area. The jawan belonged to the 49 Battalion of the CRPF. In the wake of the ongoing operations, the administration had suspended mobile internet services in Srinagar and heavy security was also deployed across state, reported CNN-News18. With inputs from PTI Construction of civilian houses adjacent to the boundary wall of army camps is a problem across the country, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said. Jammu: Construction of civilian houses adjacent to the boundary wall of army camps is a problem across the country, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday. The minister was in Jammu to visit the people injured in Saturday's terror attack on the army camp in Sunjuwan. "Civil constructions are taking place near the boundary walls (of army camps across the country) and it is getting difficult to remove these constructions because these are taking place with permission. "I am studying the scenario in the entire country and will definitely come out with a solution," she told reporters in Jammu. Asked about her stand on the state government's amnesty for stone pelters, Sitharaman said, "I think first-time offenders were given amnesty and I am aware of that". On filing of an FIR against an Army major over the killing of three civilians in Shopian last month, she said the case is "sub-judice" and today, the Supreme Court in response to the father of the officer has given a stay of 15 days on the FIR. "We have to see how it goes and we stand by our proud soldiers. In the call of duty if they have performed something, (it) still has to be contextualised and that is something on which I understand. I am not sure yet, but subject to verification, the defence ministry will respond to the Supreme Court," she said. Sitharaman assured full support to the Army and said, "The ministry of defence, me as the defence minister, and the Government of India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership will not let anybody down." "The Army is working under severe duress and we are conscious about it," she said. The Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) on Tuesday staged a protest outside the residence of Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh against the terror attack on an Army camp Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) on Tuesday staged a protest outside the residence of Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh against the terror attack on an army camp in Jammu and controversial slogans by a National Conference (NC) MLA in the legislative assembly. JKNPP activists, led by party chairman and former minister Harsh Dev Singh, gathered outside the residence of Nirmal Singh at canal road in Jammu and began shouting slogans demanding his and BJP legislators resignation. "We gheraoed the residence of Nirmal Singh as the sinister coalition between the BJP and PDP is responsible for the deteriorating situation in the state," Harsh Dev Singh said. "We sought the resignation of the deputy chief minister as well as the BJP MLAs for maintaining the stoic silence while the anti-national slogans were raised on the floor of the House," he said referring to NC legislator Mohammad Akbar Lone's pro-Pakistan slogans in the House last Saturday. He said the frequent terror attacks on the camps of the security personnel had shaken the belief of the civilians on the present regime as far as the "credibility, efficiency and the intentions" of the incumbent government were concerned. Paying homage to the slain soldiers, the JKNPP chairman said despite spurt in terror attacks the BJP-PDP government had not "learnt lessons well from its past mistakes and grossly failed to plug the holes in the security lapses which had been a root cause of such fatal attacks". A group of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists had struck the Sunjuwan military camp in the wee hours on Saturday, killing seven people, including six soldiers. Three terrorists were also gunned down. Supreme Court dismissed a petition by an NGO seeking a probe into irregularities in the purchase of an AgustaWestland chopper by the Chhattisgarh government. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition by an NGO seeking an investigation into alleged irregularities in the purchase of an AgustaWestland chopper by the Chhattisgarh government for VIP use in 2006-07. A bench of justices AK Goel and UU Lalit dismissed the plea by non-governmental organisation Swaraj Abhiyan and others seeking probe into the purchase of the helicopter. "We do not find any grounds to accept the prayer for probe. The petition is dismissed," the bench said. The apex court had on 31 January posed searching questions to the Chhattisgarh government on the purchase of an AgustaWestland helicopter for VIP use in 2006-07 and asked what was the "interest" of Chief Minister Raman Singh's son, Abhishek Singh, in this. The petitioners have alleged that in July 2008, a bank account in the name of Abhishek Singh was opened in the British Virgin Islands, and on 1 August, 2008, one of the firms purportedly involved in the deal wound up operations. They have alleged that there's a "strong possibility" that money paid as commission in the deal ultimately reached the bank account. The NGO had said that a proposal of the state in December 2006 said that helicopters firms should be invited to make their representations, but later, no company was called and a tender was issued only for one AgustaWestland chopper. The court had said it was only concerned as to whether any "fraud or hanky-panky" was committed in securing the deal, and made it clear that it was not questioning the choice of the helicopter. The DMK party, which has been in the forefront of protests against the bus fare hike, has suggested an administered pricing mechanism (APM) system to fix fares for buses operated by the eight State Transport Corporations (STC) and also to bring fuel prices under the GST ambit at 10 percent Chennai: The DMK party, which has been in the forefront of protests against the bus fare hike, has suggested an administered pricing mechanism (APM) system to fix fares for buses operated by the eight State Transport Corporations (STC) and also to bring fuel prices under the GST ambit at 10 percent. DMK leader MK Stalin on Tuesday submitted to Chief Minister K Palaniswamy a report prepared by the five-member committee headed by former Union Minister TR Baalu on restructuring the STCs. The DMK set up the committee after the government jacked up bus fares to rake in around Rs 3,600 crore. According to the report, the Tamil Nadu government should reimburse all the expenses of the STCs and 12 percent return by forming a Tamil Nadu State Corporations Central Pool Account (TNSCCPA). This is similar to the Oil Coordination Committee that determines oil prices. The report said only when the STCs perform well and earn sufficient surplus the 12 percent return from TNSCCPA should be given to them. The Baalu Committee report has proposed that to manage the TNSCCPA, the government should form a Tamil Nadu State Corporations Co-ordination Authority (TNSCCA). The report also recommended bringing oil under the GST regime at 10 percent rate. Some of the other recommendations are: - The government should compensate the STCs for its losses due to the government's policies; - State-owned bus transport service should be considered as public service and subsidies should be allocated in the state budget in a transparent manner; - The Tamil Nadu government should foot the bill for future hike in salaries and pensions; - STCs should build bus bodies; - Fix STC bus timings in such a way that they earn profits; - Each STC bus has to return to depot for maintenance after 16 hours of operation; - The Tamil Nadu government should allocate Rs 1,000 crore in its budget every year for purchase of new buses; - Making insurance for STC buses compulsory and the government should take care of the premium bill; - Conduct energy audit; - STCs should increase revenue from other sources; - Introduce Tatkal scheme in bus seat reservation. Sun Zhengcai, former secretary of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has been charged with bribery, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said Tuesday. Sun Zhengcai [File photo: npc.gov.cn] The indictment paper has been delivered to the First Intermediate People's Court of Tianjin by the first branch of the Tianjin People's Procuratorate. Sun is also a former member of the Political Bureau of the 18th CPC Central Committee. The SPP transferred Sun's case to the first branch of Tianjin People's Procuratorate after completing the investigation according to law. Sun is accused of taking advantage of his posts to seek profits for others and illegally accepted huge amounts of money and property while serving as CPC chief of Shunyi District, Beijing, Standing Committee member and secretary general of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, agriculture minister, secretary of the CPC Jilin Provincial Committee, Political Bureau member of the CPC Central Committee, and Party chief of Chongqing Municipality, according to the indictment. The prosecutors have informed Sun of his litigation rights, interrogated him, and listened to his lawyer's opinions, the SPP said. In July 2017, the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) announced that Sun was under investigation. He was expelled from the Party and dismissed from public office by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee last September. In October 2017, Sun was expelled from the CPC, and disqualified as a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC) a month later. A high profile anti-corruption campaign which began five years ago, has led to the downfall of a number of high-level officials. The CPC is committed to securing "a sweeping victory" against corruption. Since the 19th CPC National Congress, several officials at or above deputy ministerial level and senior military officials have been investigated or punished, including former Chinese military chief of staff Fang Fenghui, and Lu Wei, former deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, as well as vice governors of Shaanxi, Shandong and Jiangxi provinces. Lower level officials have not avoided punishment. In January, the CCDI named a number of grassroots officials implicated in abuses of poverty relief funds, involving bribe-taking, embezzlement and fraudulently obtaining subsistence allowances. Last year, nearly 450 people were investigated and punished for fraudulent claims or misappropriation of funds and 730 million yuan of misused funds recouped, according to the Ministry of Finance and the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development. The leaders of supervision commissions in 31 Chinese provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps have been elected, to ensure that "all public servants exercising public power" are subject to supervision. A national supervision commission will be established at the first session of the 13th NPC, scheduled to open on March 5. A day after a Delhi University student lodged a case against a man for allegedly molesting her on board a bus, author Taslima Nasreen called public masturbation a 'victimless crime'. A day after a Delhi University student lodged a case against a man for allegedly molesting her onboard a bus, author Taslima Nasreen called the public masturbation incident a "victimless crime". She tweeted: A man in a crowded Delhi bus masturbated. It should not be considered a big crime in the era of rape culture. Men should rather masturbate, than rape and murder. Is masturbating in public a crime? Well it is a victim-less crime. taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) February 12, 2018 The student, who had recorded the incident on camera, accused the man sitting next to her of masturbating and of repeatedly trying to touch her waist. The incident occurred on 7 February in a DTC bus on the route between Vasant Vihar and IIT Gate, according to News18. The student claimed that she raised an alarm and told her co-passengers that the man was masturbating but, no one understood what she was saying, reported The Indian Express. She further said that the ordeal went on for about 10 minutes but the 30-odd other passengers on the bus allegedly ignored the incident, Hindustan Times reported. Nasreen's tweet garnered reactions on social media. I disagree, the victims are people who have no control over what they are forced to see. They have not consented to a person sexually pleasuring themselves in front of them. It gets even worse when you consider that public spaces are supposed to be safe spaces for children. Raghav Sagar (@raaghav_s) February 12, 2018 But one as to agree the degree of discomfort caused to the person next to him. How is it victimless if there's a girl he's looking at. Pretty sure he wouldn't do that if there was a guy next to him. It's not like he's looking at some magazine. He's looking at her. Deb D (@BakayokoHaram) February 13, 2018 Are victims made only out of rapes and violence? I don't think so. Public Masturbation in isolation might not be criminal. But it's mostly directed towards someone or even a group of people. Which is definitely a crime with a victim. Dev Kulkarni (@DevK93) February 12, 2018 Two days after the audacious pre-dawn terror strike at the military camp in Sunjuwan, the Jammu and Kashmir Police will conduct raids on shops selling army uniforms and clothes in Rajouri district of the state Jammu: Two days after the audacious pre-dawn terror strike at the military camp in Sunjuwan, the Jammu and Kashmir Police will conduct raids on shops selling army uniforms and clothes in Rajouri district of the state. On Saturday, three uniformed Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists attacked the Sunjuwan military camp, killing five army men and a civilian. "All the station house officers (SHOs) and deputy superintendents of police are directed to hold meeting with local executive magistrates on Tuesday morning, senior superintendent of police (SSP) Rajouri, Yougal Manhas, said in an advisory. "In their presence, the police is asked to raid all the shops and establishments selling army uniforms and clothes as well as allied material," the advisory said. He said establishments without having requisite permissions will be seized immediately. Five army men, including two junior commissioned officers (JCOs), and the father of a soldier was killed in the attack by terrorists who struck at the sprawling camp of the 36 Brigade of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) on Saturday. Three heavily armed terrorists were also killed in the operation. While two were gunned down on Saturday, the body of a third terrorist was found on Sunday, army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Devender Anand said, adding they were in combat gear. The army spokesperson said that AK-56 rifles, an under barrel grenade launcher, ammunition and grenades were from them. Earlier in the day, Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) SP Vaid had said that four terrorists had been killed. With inputs from agencies The World Bank would draft a five-year plan to tackle the flood and erosion problem of Assam, its country head Junaid Kamal Ahmed said on Monday Guwahati: The World Bank would draft a five-year plan to tackle the flood and erosion problem of Assam, its country head Junaid Kamal Ahmed said on Monday. Ahmed said it would draft the plan based on latest technologies for a holistic approach to tackle the problem, and include initiatives for constructive use of the excess water generated by the river during monsoon, apart from mitigating flood and erosion. The World Bank will also actively consider how to improve navigation facility in river Brahmaputra, Ahmed told Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The international financial institution would consider replicating the technology of a Netherlands-based firm it utilised to control the Huang-He river of China, in case of taming the Brahmaputra as well, he said. Sonowal told the World Bank delegation that the flood and erosion caused by river Brahmaputra has become a major challenge for the state, and that proper management of the excess water during monsoon and channelising was the call of the hour. A Youth Congress worker was hacked to death and two other people were injured late Monday night in Kannur. A 30-year-old youth Congress worker was hacked to death late on Monday in Kerala's Kannur district, media reported. Two others were injured. The incident took political overtones as the Congress alleged that CPM was behind the murder and called for a day-long 'hartal' in the district. Kerala: 30-year-old Youth Congress worker was hacked to death in Kannur late last night, two others were also injured in the incident. Congress alleges that CPI-M is behind the murder, have called for a day-long 'hartal' in the district. ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2018 NDTV reported that a gang of men first threw a bomb and then attacked the victim with sharp weapons. Police sources also suspect that CPM supporters were behind the attack. The victim, Shuhaib, was an office bearer of the Youth Congress. Kannur has seen a spate of political killings over the last year. In January, a member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad was hacked to death by a three-member gang in the district. Shyam Prasad, an ITI student, was going to his house at Koothuparamba on his motorcycle when the unidentified gang came in a car and attacked him. The student tried to flee but the gang chased and hacked him with machetes, seriously injuring him. Though locals rushed him to the government hospital at Koothuparamba, he died on the way. Meanwhile, ABVP alleged that Popular Front of India was behind the killing and demanded that the outfit should be banned. In December, a CPM worker suffered serious injuries in an attack by suspected BJP workers in the politically volatile district. Police said the legs of the 55-year-old Chandran were almost severed in the attack. The ruling CPM alleged that the BJP activists were behind the attack. The attack came a day after a bilateral peace meeting of the leaders of CPM and BJP was held in Kannur in the presence of District Collector Mir Mohammed Ali, in which both parties agreed to initiate peace efforts. A week before that, two separate incidents of violence were reported against RSS activists in Kannur, leaving one person critically injured. The police had suspected that CPM workers were involved in the attacks. What a visit to Rajasthan's palaces, where reminders of the women who committed sati still exist, taught a writer about the way women are treated in the state | #FirstCulture The sati hands riveted my attention wherever I went. It was the guide at the Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur who drew my attention to them first. Look at these hands, he said, pointing to some vermilion-coloured palm prints to the left of Loha Pol, also known as the 'Iron Gate'. There were 15 of them. All quite small and engraved in stone. They are known as sati hands. They were made by queens and other women who committed sati in this fort. I was transfixed as I imagined the women dressed in all their wedding finery, carrying diyas, and pressing their vermilion-covered hands against the wall before they walked towards their fiery death. Who were these women? What was going on in their minds? Were they wives? Concubines? Slaves? Did they go willingly or were they pushed? Was it mass hysteria? The set of hand prints the guide had pointed out was made by the wives of Maharaja Man Singh who died in 1853. But there were more. The palms were small. Were women smaller in those days? Were they child brides? Or were the hands just symbolic reminders of the women who committed sati, akin to tombstones? The many hand prints on the wall bore testimony to the number of women who jumped into funeral pyres from each fort. The sati hands began to haunt me. I looked for them at every fort we visited over the next couple of days. And they were always there, silent witnesses and reminders of the women who had been burnt to death. They also brought alive to me, each time, the sheer irony of their lives. The insides of the forts and palaces were opulent with intricately decorated walls, gilded beds and zenanas with swimming pools and fountains. But, ultimately, the women were the rajas possessions, kept cloistered away from male gaze and made available only for his use whenever he so desired. A rani was usually just one of the maharajas many wives. He could have a dozen wives or hundreds. Or a woman could even be a concubine with no official position. What connect would such a woman have with her man? Why would a woman who had barely seen him a couple of times in her life want to end her life on his funeral pyre? In 1987,18-year-old Roop Kanwar committed sati. She had been married for less than a year. Sati was banned in India in 1829, more than 150 years before this happened. But after this incident, the Sati Prevention Act was passed, further criminalising any type of aiding, abetting, and glorifying of this practice. Our taxi driver was a smooth-talking tourist-savvy man. He told me that sati was a purana zamana custom, and women voluntarily walked into the pyres to protect themselves from enemies. We got to talking about the ban on Padmaavat. Why were there protests, I asked him; after all, the film showed the Rajputs in a good light. Because Queen Padmavati was shown dancing, he replied, impassively. Thats all? I asked startled. Nothing more? Our queens didnt dance, he retorted. They had dasis who would dance. Our queen Padmavati whom we all worship was shown in a bad light, dancing. You mean they would not dance even in the privacy of the zenana? I asked. He shook his head firmly. I was still pondering over this when I came across some girls and women who did dance. In the middle of the sand dunes near Jaisalmer, our jeep stopped for a few minutes, and out of nowhere emerged a group of young girls. The smallest was around eight years old and the oldest in her late teens. They were all plastered with makeup and lipstick, wore plastic jewelry and were dressed in dusty, everyday clothes. Didi, didi, the youngest one called out, trying to pull my young nieces hand, Come dance with us. Even as we still sat in the jeep, they started swirling and singing with the adult women standing around them clapping their hands to keep the rhythm. This performance by the graceful little dancers in the middle of the sand dunes lasted all of two minutes. Then they got down to business. Didi, didi, paisa. Chocolates, please didi. Lipstick? They grabbed the money we offered them and ran off to catch the next set of tourists. The sun was setting when we returned and we found the girls still working the tourists. This time when they saw us, they asked for a lift. The kids were bubbling with laughter and music. No, they didnt know how old they were. They had never been to school. In fact, they had not been out of their patch of desert. Ironically, as we spoke to them, the countrys largest literary festival was taking place in Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan. Men and women of letters had come from all over the world to discuss esoteric subjects far away from this little patch of Rajasthani desert where there was no school. We dropped the girls off near a camp of motley tents made of rags and plastic sheets. This is home, the girls said cheerfully, and waved goodbye. They had told us their parents earned a living by dancing and singing in the many tented tourist camps which dotted the dunes. They too, knew no other life. Oh, they earn good money from their dancing now, said the manager of the tented camp which was less than a kilometre away. There are so many resorts and camps now, and all of them employ these people. Just wait a while and you will see them come dressed in all their finery. Rajasthan, which is the second largest state in India, is full of such complexities. Tourism has given it a kind of sheen which hides the darker side. The opulent, well-preserved forts, palaces and havelis have been turned into luxury hotels. The old cities which form the heart of the various tourist destinations remain cluttered and uncared for. The largest number of child marriages still take place in this state, and at the other end of the spectrum, the palaces turned into hotels are the most sought after locations for high-end destination weddings. And it was also here in Rajasthan that Bhanwari Devi, a social worker from Bhateri, was allegedly gang raped in 1992 by upper caste men when she tried to prevent a child marriage in their family. Arguing that it was her work which earned the ire of the rapists, lawyers and activists filed a public interest litigation in the Supreme Court, under the collective platform of Vishakha. This resulted in the Vishakha Guidelines which provide the basic definitions of sexual harassment at the workplace. After returning home, I went to see Padmaavat. Everything was quiet and the theatre was half empty. There were no protests in this part of the country. To the audiences here, Padmaavat was just another opulent, semi-mythological drama which provided them with a couple of hours of time-pass. Written in 23 languages including English, Bodo, Telugu, Hindi and Punjabi, most of the awarded books at the Sahitya Akademi Awards 2018 found society and social issues as the central theme. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi, the National Academy of Letters, on Monday presented its annual awards to 23 eminent authors writing in as many Indian languages. The recipients were awarded an engraved copper plaque, a shawl and a cheque of Rs 1 lakh on the opening day of Akademi's annual event 'Festival of Letters' in New Delhi. The highlight of the event, however, was the Malayalam author KP Ramanunni's decision to give away the award money of Rs 1 lakh to lynching victim Junaid Khan's mother. Junaid Khan from Haryana was lynched to death last year while he was returning home after Eid shopping. Ramanunni, whose book Daivathinte Pusthakam is based on the country's communal situation, kept Rs 3 for himself and donated rest of the prize money to Junaid's mother, Saira Begum. Speaking at the award ceremony, Chandrashekar Kambar, who was appointed the new president of Sahitya Akademi through election on Monday, said that the Akademi will continue to bring together "all the rich and diverse literatures, and cultures of the country here". "The Akademi believes that Indian literature is an all encompassing idea... This occasion highlights and defines for us what we see as Indian literature today. Besides we also need to look at this idea of Indian literature in a global context," he said. Written in 23 languages including English, Bodo, Telugu, Hindi and Punjabi, most of the awarded books found society and social issues as the central theme. While Afsar Ahmad's Sei Nikhonj Manushta, written in Bengali, shows the crisis of people losing their land, Assamese author Jayanta Madhab Bora's Moriahola deals with issues of displaced people, their aspirations and conflicts. Chandrashekar Kambar also noted that despite the influence of "Euro- American modernism" Indian writers have continued to stay in touch with their native traditions. "No doubt that our colonial past and access to English education, literature led to new trends in Indian literature, we adopted them to our own context and creative base. On the other hand, native trends still did not die out completely...Through popular culture, and cinema they are still connected to their earlier orality and myth," he said. While English author Mamang Dai's The Black Hill talks about life in the lesser-known world of the Indo-Tibetan border of Arunachal Pradesh, Autar Krishen Rahbar's book Yeli Parda Woth in Kashmiri covers various aspects of the facets of life in Kashmir. The poets who were awarded are Udaya Narayana Singh (Maithili), Shrikant Deshmukh (Marathi), Bhujanga Tudu (Santali), Niranjan Mishra (Sanskrit) and T Devipriya (Telugu). The writers awarded for their short stories are Shiv Mehta (Dogri), Gajanan Jog (Konkani), Gayatri Saraf (Odia), and Mohammed Baig Ehsas (Urdu). Rita Baro (Bodo), KP Ramanunni (Malayalam), and Nachhatar (Punjabi) were awarded for their respective novels. Ramesh Kuntal Megh (Hindi), T P Ashoka (Kannada), Urmi Ghanshyam Desai (Gujarati), Bina Hangkhim (Nepali), and Neeraj Daiya (Rajasthani) have been recognised for their literary criticism. Jagdish Lachhani (Sindhi) for his essays and Rajen Toijamba (Manipuri) for his play were also awarded. Although the Sena unilaterally decided to end the coalition and go it alone in the 2019 Assembly and Lok Sabha polls, its leaders have been making various statements along those lines throughout the past year The General Election is only 14 months away and the BJP is already working on ways to repeat its 2014 performance. However, in recent times, the party's political equations with such regional parties as the Shiv Sena, Telugu Desam Party and the Akali Dal have been strained. In the case of the Sena, this strain has been made very public with party supremo Uddhav Thackeray declaring his intent on 23 January to end the coalition with the BJP. Now, it appears the BJP leadership wants to keep the NDA intact and to that effect, its leaders held meetings with Sena leaders in Mumbai, Aurangabad and Delhi. Further, the party has also offered its partner in the state the chance to contest between 140 and 144 seats seats in the Assembly polls slated for 2019. Although it was three weeks ago that the Sena unilaterally and unequivocally decided to end the coalition and go it alone in the 2019 Assembly and Lok Sabha polls, its leaders have been making various statements along those lines throughout the past year. Public criticism of the state government of which the Sena is a member and jabs at the Narendra Modi government at the Centre notwithstanding, there appears to be a realisation in the BJP and Shiv Sena camps that the parties need each other in the upcoming elections. With that in mind, there have been three top secret meetings between members of the two parties since November 2017. Highly-placed BJP sources confirmed to Firstpost that the the plan to restore the coalition came about in October 2017, leading to the meetings between the parties. The BJP committee for the first meeting included Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil and Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar. Other ministers like Vinod Tawde and Pankaja Munde, and former minister Eknath Khadse have reportedly been kept out of these meetings. Representing the Shiv Sena were Uddhav's personal assistant and party secretary Milind Narvekar, Rajya Sabha MP Anil Desai and Industry Minister Subhash Desai. Sena MP and spokesperson Sanjay Raut has been excluded for the time being. Highly-placed sources confirmed that in the first week of November, a meeting was held between Narvekar and Mungantiwar in Mumbai. In the meeting, Mungantiwar appealed to the Sena to jointly contest the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Further, it was stated that if rebel leader a member of the Shiv Sena and later, the Congress in the past Narayan Rane was proving problematic to the alliance, he could be sidelined. Sources also confirmed that the BJP was willing to employ a 50:50 seat-sharing formula to apportion seats among itself and the Sena. Presently, there are 122 BJP MLAs and 63 Sena in the Assembly. And so, leaving aside the 185 seats that the parties already hold, the BJP would only then be contesting 22 of the remaining 103 seats, with the Sena taking on the remaining 81 seats. It was sometime after this meeting that the BJP publicly stated it was ready for an alliance in 2019. The second meeting took place in the first week of January at Aurangabad in the state's Marathwada region. This was a couple of weeks before the Sena's announcement that it would be parting ways with the BJP. This meeting took place on the sidelines of a function and featured BJP state president and MP Raosaheb Danve, Shiv Sena MP Chandrakant Khaire and Minister of State Arjun Khotkar. Danve provided assurances that an alliance would result in a return to power in 2019, however, going it solo would mean a cake walk for Opposition parties, the Congress and NCP. He reiterated that in rural Maharashtra, the parties needed each other. However, it was in that meeting that Khaire provided examples of how the BJP was preparing to go it alone in the 2019 elections and haf already selected a candidate to contest for his own constituency. Both sides arrived at the conclusion that no decision had been taken, and that a final call would be taken by Amit Shah and Uddhav. The third of these meetings was held last Friday in the National Capital. Sources from the Sena as well as the BJP confirmed that the top leadership of both parties was aware of the nature and content of the meeting. With the first phase of the Budget Session of Parliament coming to a close on 9 February, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Sena Rajya Sabha MP Anil Desai held a 10-minute-long closed-door meeting at Jaitley's Sansad Bhavan office and a longer one at Jaitley's official residence late that evening. After an inconclusive first meet that saw Desai reluctant to share his party's view, it was at Jaitley's residence that he offered the Sena the option of continuing the alliance in the 2019 Lok Sabha election in exchange for the 50:50 seat-share in the Assembly polls. In the second meeting Jaitely has given offer to Shiv Sena that any how the alliance will continue in 2019 parliament election. According to a top Sena leader on condition of anonymity, it was between the two Delhi meetings that Uddhav gave Desai the go-ahead to discuss the nitty-gritties. In the Lok Sabha, the Sena has 18 MPs, while the BJP has 23 (of a total 48 seats allocated to Maharashtra). The senior Sena leader told Firstpost that the feeling in the party is that it has been neglected since the day it joined hands with the government at the Centre. "It is of concern that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is losing popularity and credibility across the country. The results of the recent election in Gujarat show that voters from his own state are fed up with Modis jumlabaaji. In Maharashtra too, Fadnavis is going the same way, without any concrete work to show for the past three years," he said. "The issue of Maratha and Dhangar reservations still exist and across the state, questions are being asked of the historic farmer loan waiver scheme fiasco. So, day-by-day, the humiliation (for the Sena) continues to grow and it was on 23 January that Uddhav decided to go public about his resolve to end the alliance with the BJP. Further, the Sena will not tie up with any other party," he added. Meanwhile, Mungantiwar confirmed to Firstpost that he had indeed met Narvekar with a view to bringing the natural allies back together again. He explained that the prospect of the Congress and NCP joining hands would be perilous for the BJP and Sena if they were to go it alone. "If the Congress and NCP come together, the mathematics shows them as getting 1.85 crore votes whereas the Sena and BJP together accounted for 2.8 crore votes in total. So we discussed this scenario and what to do about it," he said. "Also, after 15 years of a Congress-NCP regime, the voters of the state gave the mandate to the Sena-BJP in 2014, so why not continue as allies in 2019? I stand to make no personal gains from a tie-up, but it will benefit the state," claimed Mungantiwar. "I am very confident that we will come back to power if we form an alliance and I will try my best with the Sena. To stop the Congress and NCP from returning to power, I will do whatever I can as a small karyakarta of my party." As for the Desai-Jaitley meeting, Mungantiwar noted that the BJP's central leadership also sees the Sena as a natural ally, and so, the results will be better for both parties in a coalition. Desai, however, told Firstpost that the meeting was not held in an official capacity. "In the Budget Session, every MP meets other MPs. Jaitley is the finance minister and I am a Rajya Sabha MP, so it's only natural to exchange greetings," he said. When asked about his meetings with Jaitley (first, at his office and then, at his residence), Desai flatly denied that they had taken place. "The status of our party's alliance with the BJP, as Uddhav said, is that it will be brief. As far as I'm concerned, the Sena has already announced that it will contest the 2019 elections without anyone, which means we'll go it alone." On his part, Khaire told Firstpost, "We normally meet Danve at district functions. But as far as an alliance with the BJP goes, it's not for me to pass comment. It is the prerogative of the party president and his decision. This is just part of the BJP's game and pressure tactics to indulge Sena leaders in discussions about an alliance on one hand, and on the other, to prepare for all 41 seats of the Marathwada region. In my constituency, Danve has already identified BJP candidates. So how can we trust the party?" He went on to claim, "After the Gujarat election results, the BJP's fear of losing battles began to grow. Also, after Uddhav's announcement that we will end the alliance, Sainiks and office-bearers across the state have been preparing for a solo battle." He added that party has held no specific dialogue with Danve before 23 January, but the final decision would indeed be taken by Uddhav and Shah. "Only two leaders can decide fate of the alliance and nobody else," said Khaire. The Shiv Sena and BJP marriage was on the rocks. It appears the leaders of both parties are now trying to patch up once again. The parties know that it will be difficult to go it alone against the combined might of the Congress and NCP in the state. This remains very much a 'wait-and-watch' situation that will likely unfold over the next few months. If the Narendra Modi government concedes to the demands of Andhra Pradesh, Chandrababu Naidu will get the credit for making the Centre bow before its pressure. Chandrababu Naidu's latest tirade over BJP is a strategic masterstroke to convert a threat into an opportunity. This is precisely what he did in 2014. Even after supporting the bifurcation of the state, Naidu ran a propaganda blitz calling bifurcation a blunder and reaped a huge political dividend. As YSR Congress hits a self-goal hoping for an alliance with BJP, Naidu is trying to grab even the opposition space yet again converting a threat into an opportunity on the question of perceived injustice to state. As the 2019 polls fast approach, thus, Naidu in a dextrous political move is repeating the success formula adopted in 2014. The Telugu Desam Party was the biggest victim of separate state movement in the United Andhra Pradesh. Though the party had a strong political base in Telangana right from the days of NT Rama Rao, the party's leadership is from the Seemandhra. The sub-regional political force in the form of Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) has exploited this inherent limitation of TDP significantly eroded the party's support base in Telangana. To overcome this, the TDP was the first to give an official letter urging the Centre to create a separate state of Telangana despite the party owing its existence to the pride of all Telugu people and assertion of common Telugu identity quite contrary to the Telangana identity. But, still, the party could not escape complex political terrane in Telangana. Thus, the TDP was in total disarray due to its ambivalence on the tricky issue of state bifurcation. Meanwhile, the surging YSR Congress could make a significant dent in TDP's vote base in 2012 by-elections. Thus, due to the separate state movement, and the rise of YS Jaganmohan Reddy, the TDP suffered in both the regions of the United State. The partys comeback, led by Naidu, was considered near impossible as the party had struggled to even retain deposits in the by-elections. Such an expectation was belied when Naidu and his party made a remarkable turnaround in the elections held in 2014. How did this happen? As this author observed in his article, Chandrababu Naidus Comeback, Economic & Political Weekly, "the bifurcation of the state seems to have benefited TDP more than any other party. The role played by Chandrababu Naidu during the last episode of bifurcation drama earned him goodwill with the electorate in the Seemandhra region, especially among the urban and middle-class voters. The strategic moves of Naidu in the name of equal justice for both regions created a perception among the Seemandhra voters that he was trying hard to prevent the division of the state... Chandrababu Naidu demonstrated consummate political skills by arriving at an early understanding with the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and converted the threat into an opportunity." This backdrop of 2014 was, perhaps, the reason behind Naidu not raising a storm of protest for last four years despite Modi government not so kind to the state. But, this has created a strong perception that Naidu is compromising the interests of the state for his political purpose. Though the opposition leader, Reddy tried hard to expose this, his tirade over Naidu failed to give him that much sympathy as he failed to be critical of Modi dispensation. Instead, he chose to unconditionally extend support to BJP in presidential and vice-presidential elections. YSR Congress' inability to blast BJP, not only failed to create anti-Naidu sentiment but in fact, helped the latter to convince the people that he is working hard to negotiate a better deal from Centre. As the elections approached, Naidu has yet again fired a dextrous salvo. Sensing possible antipathy due to his party sailing with BJP which reneged on its promises to Andhra Pradesh, Naidu raised his banner of protest. Enacting a strange spectacle, the TDP MPs who constitute the ruling alliance protested against the NDA government itself in Parliament. Thus, it appeared as Naidu's bid to grab even the opposition space as Reddy hits a self-goal by displaying intransigence over Modi government's response to demands of Andhra Pradesh. While disarming the opposition, the TDP wants to benefit from any eventuality. If the Modi government concedes to the demands of Andhra Pradesh, Naidu will get the credit for making the Centre bow before its pressure. In case, Modi government fails to yield, the TDP would successfully blame it on the BJP. Thus, it will be a win-win situation for the TDP. Yet, the moot question is whether Naidu will continue his alliance with BJP or not and how will people react to Naidu's political moves. Meanwhile, quite interestingly, the TRS extended support to the struggle of Andhra MPs in a bid to send positive signals to lakhs of Seemandhra voters in Telangana especially in Hyderabad. Congress hit out at the NDA government over the 'disturbing' situation in Jammu and Kashmir because of the Centre's 'flip-flop' and 'non-existent' policy on Pakistan, saying the time had come to act against terrorism being sponsored from across the border New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday hit out at the NDA government over the "disturbing" situation in Jammu and Kashmir because of the Centre's "flip-flop" and "non-existent" policy on Pakistan, saying the time had come to act against terrorism being sponsored from across the border. Congress president Rahul Gandhi also attacked the prime minister and the BJP-PDP alliance in the state, saying that while Narendra Modi was "dithering", soldiers were dying because of the "opportunistic" government in Jammu and Kashmir. 1. PDP says talks with Pakistan. 2. BJP Defence Minister says "Pakistan will pay the price". While our soldiers pay with their blood for BJP/ PDPs opportunistic alliance and non-existent Kashmir policy; Modi Ji dithers. Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 13, 2018 "PDP says 'talks' with Pakistan. BJP defence minister says 'Pakistan will pay the price'. While our soldiers pay with their blood for BJP/PDP's opportunistic alliance and non-existent Kashmir policy; Modi Ji dithers," Gandhi tweeted. Taking potshots at the divergent stands taken by the BJP and the PDP, ruling partners in the troubled state, the Congress asked the government to clear its stand on whether it intended to hold talks with Pakistan. Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said while Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti of the PDP wanted talks with Islamabad, BJP's defence minister stressed that India would respond to Pakistan at an appropriate time. "We would like to ask the BJP at the national level because this has very profound national security implications where do they stand on the statement of the chief minister that we should be talking to Pakistan. It is a very disturbing situation which has evolved in Jammu and Kashmir," he told reporters in New Delhi. Tewari said the Congress wanted to know if the government had a policy on Pakistan. "What transpired between 2014 May and 2018 February suffice to say that it has been a story of U-turns, flip-flops and somersaults," he said in an apparent reference to the bonhomie between Modi and Pakistan's Nawaz Sharif when the BJP came to power in 2014. Tewari said one day Pakistan's premier was invited to India and on the other day, the Indian prime minister visited Pakistan "but in between major terrorist attacks took place from Pakistan". "It has been a litany of errors which has characterised the entire approach of this government" vis-a-vis Pakistan, he said. He wondered if the government was talking to Pakistan and if any back-channel talks were being held with Islamabad. The Congress leader said the NDA-BJP Government had come out with the formulation that terror and talks could not go together, but there could be "talking about terror". "When will the time of talking about terror be over and when will you start acting on terror? This country does not want you to talk to Pakistan about terror; it wants you to act on the commitment that you had made to the people of India that you will act on the question of terror," he said. "They need to act on terror rather than talk about terror and that is the position of the Congress," he said. Tewari said the situation with regard to Pakistan was extremely serious and sensitive and called for an end to "this ingenuous formulation that while terror and talks cannot go hand in hand, we can talk to Pakistan about terror". Expressing concern over the Jammu and Kashmir situation, he said there have been 206 major terror attacks in the past 45 months and 160 major ceasefire violations in the 44 days of 2018. He added that 2,474 ceasefire violations had taken place along the border under NDA rule. Tewari also asked whether the recommendations made by the Campose committee after the 2016 Pathankot attack had been implemented. On Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's statement that "Pakistan will pay" for the attack by terrorists in Jammu, Tewari said it was repeated "ad nauseam whenever such an unfortunate incident takes place" and asked what had yielded out of talks with Pakistan in 44 months. "Merely saying that Pakistan will be punished at an appropriate time does not serve any purpose because the reality is that terror is being sponsored from across the border. It is not lessening, it is in fact intensifying," he said. The Congress leader, however, skirted a question on its suspended leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's statement made in Pakistan where he praised the neighbouring country. Senior Congress leader and former lawmaker Hanumantha Rao has said he will write to party president Rahul Gandhi and urge him to expel Mani Shankar Aiyar. Senior Congress leader and former lawmaker Hanumantha Rao said he will write to party president Rahul Gandhi and urge him to expel Mani Shankar Aiyar over his Pakistan remarks, ANI reported. Mani Shankar Aiyar should stop giving such remarks, he has already been suspended. He should stay quiet. BJP can take advantage of this. I am writing to Rahul Gandhi ji asking him to expel Aiyar from the party: V. Hanumantha Rao, Congress on Aiyar's remarks on Pakistan pic.twitter.com/4QN4bbHvSO ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2018 "Being such an educated person, he is making such frivolous statements. Because of him, this generation is suffering. Better he should stop talking such weird things because it can distract majority workers of Congress party," he was further quoted by ANI as saying. Rao's reaction came after Aiyar on Tuesday said he received much more hatred in India than the love showered on him by people in Pakistan. On Monday, Aiyar hailed Islamabad for seeking to resolve issues with India through dialogue. "There is only one way of resolving India-Pakistan issues and that is by an uninterrupted and uninterruptible dialogue," he said. The Express Tribune also quoted Aiyar as saying at a session in Karachi, I love Pakistan because I love India. Aiyar's comments come just days after a group of heavily-armed men attacked an army camp in Jammu, killing six soldiers and one civilian. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman subsequently warned Pakistan that it will "pay for its misadventures". Aiyar was suspended from the primary leadership of the party in December 2017 after he referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as 'neech'. With inputs from agencies Tripura's tryst with bipolar political struggles continues as it goes to polls on 18 February, only difference being replacement of Congress by the BJP as the main opposition to the Left Front government. Agartala: Tripura's tryst with bipolar political struggles continues as it goes to polls on 18 February, only difference being replacement of Congress by the BJP as the main Opposition to the Left Front government. The saffron party, which is in power in 19 states, including three in the North East, has allied with the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT), carefully negotiating the regional party's demand for a separate state while strengthening its chances to replace Manik Sarkar, the chief minister from past 20 years. CPM led Left Front has been in power in Tripura continuously for 30 years since 1988. Sarkar never faced a challenge whatsoever to his regime in his four successive terms; thanks to faction riddled Congress and its reluctance to topple the Left regime despite garnering a minimum 40 percent vote share in every election since 1993. "Congress High Command never wanted to take on CPM for compulsions in national politics," said Asish Saha, an MLA elected on a Congress ticket in 2013, who had moved to Trinamool Congress in 2016, before joining the BJP. Saha is the BJP candidate from Town Bordowali constituency this election. The scenario for BJP in Tripura has changed fast after the Narendra Modi government came to Centre in 2014. While the last Assembly election saw BJP score only 1.54 percent votes, the two Lok Sabha seats in the state were claimed by CPM in 2014. In the state Assembly elections since 1983, BJP never secured more than 2 percent vote share, except in 1998 when it polled 5.87 percent. (Note: Click on the year to see changes in vote share percentages) Data source: Election Commission of India reports. Chart by 101Reporters BJP's reviewed interest in North East has paid back with the party gaining power in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur since last general elections. In Arunachal, the party wooed more than 30 legislators of the ruling Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA) to overthrow the elected government, and came to power in Assam riding on the anti-incumbency against Tarun Gogoi government and Narendra Modis popularity. Subsequently, the BJP installed a rainbow coalition government in Manipur amid a controversial election. In the current election season, while the BJP is exclusively dependent on regional players in Meghalaya and Nagaland, in Tripura, many of the prominent leaders of the Congress and indigenous parties have moved in to the saffron party fold, positioning the BJP as the main opposition to the Left Front rule. Cautious coalition The BJP, unlike Congress, could not make a dent in tribal areas and had to form an alliance with Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT), a regional party that came into political centre stage with its demand for separate tribal state called Tipraland to meet aspirations of state's 33 percent indigenous population. Their demand, aimed at carving out a state from the three-fourth land area falling under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), generated fear and resentment among Bengalis, who constitute more than 65 percent non-tribal population in a state of four million people. "Not all tribal parties, like the Indigenous Nationalist Party of Twipra (INPT) and National Council of Tripura (NCT), favour Tipraland demand, and in fact, they talk about empowerment of the TTAADC. But, IPFT's speedy growth in hills and the support it garnered among youths guided the BJP to go for a electoral pact, though the national party categorically rejects any demand that could hurt geographical boundary of the state and create tension between communities," said political analyst Nabendu Bhattacharjee. The architect of alliance with IPFT, Assam minister and BJP's election in-charge in Tripura, Himanta Biswa Sarma justified the alliance saying his party is only committed to improve economic status of indigenous people, to protect heritage, culture and language of the tribal people. "Empowerment of TTAADC is on the cards of BJP-led NDA government and bill to amend 6th schedule of the Constitution will be presented in the Parliament soon," Sarma has assured IPFT. Rajeshwar Debbarma, a former MLA who had deserted the IPFT with several disgruntled leaders to form the IPFTTipraha, said, Division of state is an unrealistic demand that will never be achieved. But, rights and aspirations of tribal people can be addressed through empowerment of TTAADC and other welfare measures. Debbarma's splinter IPFT faction, too, recently merged with the BJP, as the latter wanted to refrain it from contesting on 20 seats reserved for tribals in the 60 member Assembly. IPFT is contesting on nine of these 20 seats while the remaining 11 are with BJP. "Our intention is to dislodge CPM from power. We merged with the BJP after they assured to work towards empowering TTAADC," Debbarma clarified. Political observers believe that the 20 tribal constituencies hold key to success in the ensuing election. CPM has a traditional support base among tribal clans, because the communist movement marked its footprint in the hills in late 1940s, even before the erstwhile princely state merged with Indian Union on October 15, 1949. The urge to dislodge the Left Front regime made IPFT imperative to BJP, which is desperate to take another northeastern state into its kitty. Political parties understand this isnt a simple contest, but involves larger ramifications at the national level. BJP-IPFT an 'unholy nexus to divide state: Sarkar The BJPIPFT bond has forced CPM to double its effort in campaigning across tribal seats as it publicises the unholy nexus between the two parties. "IPFT is face of underground extremists and its alliance with BJP smacks of conspiracy and ill motive," alleged CPM state secretary Bijan Dhar. CPM, led by Sarkar, is lashing out at opposition alliance in every nook and corner of the state alleging nefarious political arrangement tvide the state. Tipraland has been an emotive issue for many tribal people, but also a sensitive subject for majority Bengalis, most of them refugees from Bangladesh. Even the CPM central leadership campaigning in the state is pressing on the contentious Tipraland issue to target the IPFT-BJP bond. The Left Front is, perhaps, reminded of the success it had achieved in 2003 Assembly elections by capitalizing on a Geneva Convention speech of extremist leader turned politician Bijay Kumar Hrangkhawl, where in he had justified the right to self determination in context of secessionist movement in the state. The alliance between Hrangkhawls INPT and Congress was a favourite in that election, but they lost to CPM's design of creating confusion amongst Bengalis and a section of tribals over issues of safety, integrity and peace. Since the outcome on the 20 tribal seats largely depends on the non-tribal electors residing in these constituencies, the CPM is hopeful of reaping benefits of its ploy on Tipraland issue. The presence of Bengalis in all 20 tribal seats ranges between 40 percent and 60 percent, said Debbarma, citing example of Golaghati, a reserved tribal constituency with 60 percent non-tribal voters. In such a situation, the IPFT may find it difficult to convince the non-tribal voter base in its nine tribal constituencies, if the BJPs senior leaders concentrate their campaigning efforts on the remaining 11 seats alone. BJPs Sarma said that the INPT and the BJP have both urged other indigenous outfits to work together towards ousting the CPM from power. The anti-incumbent voters of Tripura are visibly relying on BJP given the partys past gains in North East and its pre-poll promises of delivering good governance, generating employment and restoring social amity. The author is a member of 101Reporters.com, a pan-India network of grassroots reporter. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee threatened to launch a nationwide movement against the Narendra Modi government if it did not change its 'anti-people' policies. Krishnagar: Alleging that the Centre had stopped the funds for various schemes, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday threatened to launch a nationwide movement against the Narendra Modi government if it did not change its "anti-people" policies. The BJP-led central government had stopped 90 percent of its funds for the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and other development programmes for farmers, poor and middle-class people, she alleged at a public meeting in Nadia district. "But we have not stopped a single project and have kept all of them alive by contributing adequate funds from our own resources, despite financial constraints," the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo added. Claiming that 12,000 distressed farmers had committed suicide in the country so far, following changes in the government policies, she claimed that the majority of those incidents were reported from the BJP-ruled states. "Gradually, the Centre will stop funding all the projects, but we will run them in the interest of the people at our own cost. (The Centre should) take lessons from Bengal as regards what we have done for the farmers," Banerjee said. She urged the people to vote for the TMC in the upcoming panchayat polls, so that the development projects in the state continued. Banerjee alleged that 90 percent of the funds for ICDS were stopped, besides a drastic reduction in the allocation in the 100-days' work under the MGNREGA and other central schemes. Speaking about the state's development programmes, she said, "The passage of the state budget will be expedited, so that we can start the development works immediately. In our budget, we have not increased the tax burden on the people." Stating that her government had done various development works for the benefit of the people, Banerjee announced the construction of 12,000 kilometre of rural roads across West Bengal, which would connect the villages with the state or national highways. The panchayats and rural development department would undertake the work, she said, adding that once completed, rural connectivity in the state would reach a new height. Stating that since 2011, over 13,571 kilometre of roads had been constructed, improving rural connectivity and changing the entire scenario in Bengal, Banerjee said construction of 35,000 kilometre of roads would be completed by December, 2019. The chief minister also said that Nabadwip town, considered to have been founded in 1063 AD, would soon emerge as a heritage site and Mayapur, famous for its ISKCON temple, as a world heritage site. A day after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti called for dialogue with Pakistan to end the bloodshed in the state, the BJP said talks were not suitable at a time when the neighbouring country was 'supporting' militant attacks Jammu: A day after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti called for dialogue with Pakistan to end the bloodshed in the state, the BJP on Tuesday said talks were not suitable at a time when the neighbouring country was "supporting" militant attacks. "Amid the sound of bullets and spilt blood, a certain section is advocating talks between Pakistan and India, which is not at all suitable at a time when Pakistan is openly supporting militant attacks in the state," Jammu and Kashmir BJP spokesperson Sunil Sethi told reporters in Jammu. He said the Centre takes a call on talks with Pakistan and there was no scope of interference by others. Dialogue can be considered if Pakistan "pulls back" from supporting subversive acts in the region and the environment is conducive, he said. Mufti on Monday said in the assembly: "If Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti say hold talks with Pakistan, they are dubbed anti-national. There is no alternative except talks. If we don't talk about it, who will? Not a Bihari, not a Punjabi." "Dialogue with Pakistan is necessary if we are to end bloodshed. I know I will be labelled anti-national by news anchors tonight but that doesnt matter. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are suffering. We have to talk because war is not an option," she later tweeted. Dialogue with Pakistan is necessary if we are to end bloodshed. I know I will be labelled anti-national by news anchors tonight but that doesnt matter. The people of J&K are suffering. We have to talk because war is not an option. Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) February 12, 2018 Referring to the terror attack on the Sunjuwan Army camp on Saturday which left six soldiers and a civilian dead, Sethi said the three militants killed belonged to Pakistan. The BJP leader criticized National Conference legislator Mohammad Akbar Lone for "hailing Pakistan" in the assembly, saying he insulted the whole Muslim community. "This is an extremely serious matter, not only due to his anti-national utterance but also in view of an attempt to divide the population," he said. Sethi demanded that the speaker refer the matter to the privilege committee "as this is clearly a matter of breach of privilege of the House". Ahead of the Nagaland polls, all eyes are now on newly-formed NDPP, which has managed a pre-poll alliance with BJP for its debut in the electoral battle. Mokokchung, Nagaland: Despite the hullabaloo around the poll boycott call by the Core Committee of Naga Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations (CCNTHCO) and initially agreed to by eleven political parties, 257 candidates from all major parties ended up filing nominations for the Nagaland Assembly polls to be held on 27 February. All eyes are now on the newly-formed Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), which has managed a pre-poll alliance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its debut in the electoral battle. NDPP is fighting for 40 seats, leaving 20 for the saffron party. With NDPP leader and Member of Parliament Neiphiu Rio's opponent revoking his candidature in Northern Angami-2 constituency, his and the party's chances have gone up. Alemtemshi Jamir, former Nagaland chief secretary and working president of NDPP, is one of the architects behind its formation. He says the party was born out of the choice of people and not the decision of the leaders. "We have fifteen years of NPF (Naga People's Front) misrule, let us say, and they have not given any direction for the development or change in the state. NPF has destroyed governance, rule of law was destroyed, and no question of justice and equity. So, all these things have to be put into place," says the former top Naga bureaucrat. Jamir is set to contest in two constituencies Angetyongpang and Mongoya. The party has attracted workers from various corners, more so from NPF. As party general secretary Benjamin Lorin confirms, almost all the leaders of NDPP are people who have shifted from other mainstream and regional parties. When it was formed in May last year, NPF dismissed it and insisted the new party had indirectly strengthened and consolidated NPF. "As with any political party, there had been some disgruntled elements. And some of them have been pitching for a new party, which has finally happened," an NPF spokesperson had said. He called it automatic filtering. Old wine in new bottle? For Lorin, NDPP's priorities are clear. "Freedom to Nagas, the Naga solution and infrastructure development in Nagaland." However, in seeking a "change in the state", NDPP is banking on the popularity of its chief ministerial face former NPF member and three-time chief minister, 67-year-old Neiphiu Rio. Rio's decision to join NDPP in January this year didn't come as a surprise. His difficult relationship with NPF began ever since he left the chief minister's chair in 2014 to take his place in the Lok Sabha. His role in the subsequent tug-of-war between NPF chief Shurhozelie Liezietsu and current Chief Minister TR Zeliang has been a source of anxiety in Nagaland. Liezietsu and Zeliang have now made peace with each other bad news for Rio, whose position in NPF has been challenged by both at different times. Rio's name was being linked with NDPP ever since its formation. When his equation within NPF went further downhill, Zeliang in a letter addressed to Rio wrote, "It is a public fact that you are the architect of NDPP. But you have neither dissociated from NPF nor from NDPP, confusing our followers." 'Won't be dominated by BJP' Jamir discloses that NDPP was indeed "bothered" about the election considering their fresh status, but "suddenly the central BJP realised that NDPP has a lot of content" and decided to have a pre-poll alliance with the party. "I think it is helping to switch the mind of the people. We will form the next government," he says. On the question of forming an alliance with a saffron party with clear Hindutva ideals in a Christian-dominated state like Nagaland, Jamir objectively says that NDPP is looking at the association "as a means of partnership and not being dominated by BJP". "The BJP is a reality. You cannot simply close your eyes and wish it away," Jamir says. Rio popular, expectation high The Naga Peace Accord, signed between NSCN (IM) and the BJP-led Centre in August 2015, was touted historic and a path to a solution for the Naga problem. However, with no details of the Naga accord made public and zero progress in the peace process so far, stakeholders in Nagaland are dismayed, leading to the call in January for a poll boycott. Jamir squarely blames NPF, for playing an "inactive role of just being an observer". He says that NDPP, once it comes to power, would not be an observer but play a proactive role in urging the Centre and Naga political groups to come to a solution as desired by the Naga people. Lorin hints there are deals in the offing if the NDPP-BJP alliance comes to power in the state. "That deal is still kept as something confidential. After we form the government, NDPP, BJP and the central government will talk about it," he says. Since Rio was involved in the peace agreement with the Centre, his popularity is going to play a positive role, says RK Satapathy, professor of the political science department at North-Eastern Hill University. "People's perception is that if they support him, there will be some positive development," he says. For NDPP members, the aim is clear: defeat NPF. Gauging from their current position, Lorin dismisses the competition. "I don't think they will even get double-digit seats. They will be reduced to single digits." The authors are freelance writers and members of 101Reporters.com, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters. CPI leader D Raja on Tuesday termed the political-tactical line of the CPM 'self-contradictory' and said it was 'impossible' to maximise rallying anti-BJP votes without any understanding with the largest Opposition party: the Congress. New Delhi: CPI leader D Raja on Tuesday termed the political-tactical line of the CPM "self-contradictory" and said it was "impossible" to maximise rallying anti-BJP votes without any understanding with the largest Opposition party: the Congress. He said it was not possible for left and democratic forces to defeat the BJP all alone, without the Congress. "The tactical line of the CPM is self-contradictory. If they want to maximise the pooling of anti-BJP votes without any understanding with the Congress, that is not possible. How can they say that they want to defeat the BJP but not have any understanding with the largest opposition party Congress," Raja told PTI. The CPM in its draft political resolution, released on Tuesday, has said that the main task of the party will be to defeat the BJP and its allies by rallying all secular and democratic forces, but it has to be done without having any understanding or political alliance with the Congress party. "If they can cooperate with the Congress inside and outside Parliament, it means the Left is having an understanding with the Congress against the BJP," he said. Raja said that in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, where the Congress is the main force to defeat the BJP, left and other democratic forces will have to have an understanding with the Congress. He also highlighted the fact that in the last assembly election in Bihar, the Left went all alone, but it was the RJD-JD(U)-Congress alliance which defeated the BJP. The Left leader emphasised that the need of the hour is to have a state-specific tactical line and the CPI(M) should understand the political situation in the country. "That is what we are pointing out. There can be difficulties in some states. But this can be addressed at that point of time keeping in mind the specific political situation prevailing in those states. The CPM should understand that there is need to chalk out state-specific electoral-tactical line," Raja said. The CPI leader said that keeping in mind the future of the country, the Left should try to have the broadest possible platform along with all democratic parties at the national level to defeat the BJP. "We should try to have the broadest possible unity of all left, secular and democratic forces in which obviously there will be a place for the Congress," the Rajya Sabha member said. Rahul also said the idea of demonetisation was given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by a 'particular ideologue' of the RSS. Kalaburagi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused RSS of trying to "capture" every institution and charged that NDA ministers were not operating independently as the Sangh Parivar outfit's men were planted in each ministry. He also said the idea of demonetisation was given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by a "particular ideologue" of the RSS. "In every single Ministry in India, at the national level there is an OSD from RSS working with the Minister...In every Ministry in India there is a man from RSS who works with the Minister. The Minister is not operating on his own," he said. Interacting with professionals and the business community at the end of his four-day campaign in poll-bound Karnataka,he said the ministers were being guided by RSS on what to do. "The approach is of capture, the approach is here is an institution and let us capture it; as opposed to allowing an institution to serve the people of India and allowing the people of India to capture the institution," Rahul said. "This is the fundamental conflict we have with BJP. Their idea is wherever they go they plant people with their ideology into that organisation," he said. The Congress' idea is to "democratise" institutions while BJP believes in "bureaucratising" the institutions, he said. Rahul, who has been highly critical of the note ban,said the demonetisation idea originated from an RSS ideologue who had placed the idea into the prime minister's mind. "Do you know where the idea of note bandi (note ban) came from?Do you know who gave the idea of note bandi to the prime minister of India" It was not RBI, it was not Arun Jaitley (Finance Minister), it was not an officer in the finance ministry," Rahul said. "It was a particular ideologue of the RSS. Now you imagine the RSS places an idea into the Prime Minister's mind and the Prime Minister launches that idea." Rahul said even a child would say it was not a good idea to "destroy" Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes that allowed corrupt to convert their black money into white. But BJP and RSS who think only they know everything were taking such "disastrous decisions." Rahul, who has been targeting the Modi government on GST and termed it "Gabbar Singh Tax", said if his party was voted to power at the Centre, it would reform the current GST and simplify it by trying to make it a single-slab tax and cap it at a "decent" level. He said that a "huge amount" of confusion related to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) would also be removed. As he wrapped up his Janarshirvad Yatra in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region, Rahul told reporters that there was a "good atmosphere" for his party in the state. The Hyderabad-Karnataka region comprises the districts of Bidar, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari and Kalaburagi, which formed part of the Nizam ruled Hyderabad state till 1948. "It was a good visit. I have met lakhs of people, had good interactions. There is a good atmosphere for Congress party," he said. The ruling Congress is seeking to retain power in Karnataka, where Assembly polls are due early this year, while BJP is eyeing to wrest from it the only southern state the saffron party has ever ruled. The Congress had unseated BJP in Karnataka in 2013. Rahul also visited 'Anubhava Mantapa' at Basavakalyan in Bidar district,akin to Parliament,started by 12 century social reformer Basavanna, whose followers Lingayats/Veerashaivas, who form the majority community in Karnataka. Earlier, when asked about questions being raised on his temple visits and BJP calling him "election Hindu", the Congress leader said "I don't know. You have to ask them, you have to ask BJP." Winding up his four-day campaign in poll-bound Karnataka, Congress president Rahul Gandhi asserted there was a 'good atmosphere' for his party in the state. Kalaburagi (Karnataka): Winding up his four-day campaign in poll-bound Karnataka, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday asserted there was a "good atmosphere" for his party in the state. "It was a good visit. I have met lakhs of people, had good interactions. There is a good atmosphere for Congress party," he told reporters after an interaction with professionals and representatives of the business community. The ruling Congress is seeking to retain power in Karnataka, where Assembly polls are due early in 2018, while the BJP is eyeing to wrest the only southern state it has ever ruled from it. The Congress had unseated BJP in Karnataka in 2013. "I have told them that BJP is trying to capture the institutions in India. RSS is trying to put its people in every institution," the Congress president said. Tuesday was the last day of Rahul's 'Janashirvad Yatra' (march for people's blessings) in the northern Karnataka region. Criticising RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for his reported remark that the Sangh outfit could "prepare" military personnel faster than the army, Rahul termed it an insult to the families of soldiers. "It is sad that Mohan Bhagwat has made these comments, our soldiers shed their blood for their country. He has insulted their families, he has to apologise," Rahul said. The RSS has clarified that Bhagwat had not compared the Indian Army with Sangh volunteers and that his remarks were "misrepresented". When asked about questions being raised regarding his temple visits and the BJP calling him "election Hindu", the Congress leader said, "I don't know. You have to ask them, you have to ask BJP." Suspended Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has sparked yet another controversy by his comments in and about Pakistan, where he said that while there has been a change in mindset in Pakistan, India is still caught in a 'partially 1947 situation' Suspended Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, who is visiting Pakistan, sparked yet another controversy on Tuesday, saying he received "much more hatred in India" than the love he receives in Pakistan, according to several media reports. Aiyar made these comments during the Karachi Literature Festival, ANI reported. Thousands of people, whom I don't know, hug me, wish me. I recieve much more hatred in India than the love I receive in Pakistan. So I am happy to be here. They are clapping for me because I speak of peace: Mani Shankar Aiyar in Pakistan (file pic) pic.twitter.com/VxjHzO7TV3 ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2018 Aiyar added that while there has been a change in mindset across the border, India is still caught in a "partially 1947 situation", Indian Express reported. Aiyar also said, "All political parties except the Jamaat-e-Islami say they want peace with India. Now, this change in mindset that is taking place in Pakistan is not reflected in India. Therefore we are still caught in a partially 1947 situation." Aiyar comments are similar to Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti's calls for dialogue with Pakistan. "There is only one way of resolving India-Pakistan issues and that is by an uninterrupted and uninterruptible dialogue," he said in Karachi. "And I am very proud and half very sad that this sentence of these three words has been accepted as Pakistan policy, but has not been accepted as Indian policy, he added about the need for "uninterrupted and uninterruptible dialogue". Aiyar, 76, was suspended from Congress for his "neech" (lowly) jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Gujarat Assembly polls. A few party leaders have called for his expulsion from the party. According to NDTV, senior Congress leader Hanumantha Rao said that he will write to party president Rahul Gandhi, asking him to expel Aiyar. "He should stop giving such remarks, he has already been suspended. He should stay quiet," Rao also said to ANI. The report added that BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said Aiyar was a "repeat offender," and added "we have seen him in the past also going to Pakistan and saying 'Modi ko hatana hoga'." Patra was referring to another controversy that plagued Aiyar during the Gujarat polls. Aiyar's comments come on the heels of the Jammu attack, where militants stormed the Sunjuwan army camp in Jammu and entered the residential quarters of junior commissioned officers, spraying bullets and hurling bombs. On Monday, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman issued a stern warning to Pakistan saying that it would have to pay a price its "misadventures". Pakistan, in retaliation, said that Islamabad will pay New Delhi in "its own coin in case of any Indian misadventure" with Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir vowing to "defend robustly" every inch of his country's soil. "Any Indian aggression, strategic miscalculation, or misadventure regardless of its scale, mode, or location will not go unpunished and shall be met with an equal and proportionate response," Dastgir said. With inputs from agencies Tripura has never seen a campaign like this, at least he cannot recall, says Mithun Ghosh, a government employee in his 40s, of the BJP's relentless, star-studded electioneering to breach this Left bastion of over 25 years Agartala: Tripura has never seen a campaign like this, at least he cannot recall, says Mithun Ghosh, a government employee in his 40s, of the BJP's relentless, star-studded electioneering to breach this Left bastion of over 25 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in the northeastern state last week and will hold two rallies on Thursday. BJP president Amit Shah has held multiple public meetings and road shows while top leaders like Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari besides its Hindutva face Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have been reaching out to the 25 lakh voters in its 60 assembly seats. The national spotlight the tiny state is getting is something new for its curious and politically aware voters who are divided on whether the saffron surge will be enough to surmount the red fortress. For a party which got less than two percent votes in the last assembly polls, the task at hand could not be more arduous. The Left had received over 50 percent of votes and its mascot and Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has a standing that often rises above the common refrain about lack of employment opportunities, development, and basic issues of drinking water and electricity. If the Left is promising continuity with its focus on rural development and the poor, the BJP has let it be known that with the party in the power at the centre, it can shower the state with goodies and funds which the CPM cannot. "When India's finance minister releases our vision document and promises that government employees will get salaries as per seventh pay commission and not fourth, which is the case now, then it is clear that we mean business," state BJP president Biplab Deb says. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had released the document on Sunday. The CPM on its part has termed the BJP's promises, including smartphones for youths, a 'jumla' (rhetoric). However, BJP campaigners have persistently pointed out in their rallies the state's high poverty rate of over 67 percent and unemployment rate besides erratic power supply in large parts to corner the Left government. The state has been under the Left rule since 1978 barring a five-year period between 1988-93 and Sarkar has been at the helm since 1998. The BJP feels it can cash-in on an anti-incumbency. Left workers like Ashok Bhattacharya say capital Agartala used to have strong Congress pockets which have now shifted to the BJP but assert that the villages in the largely rural state remain under the sway of the "Left movement". People go to see the BJP's road shows and its leaders rally out of curiosity, he says, and adds that "every family in the state will tell you that the Left has made their lives better". A BJP leader, who is from West Bengal and has been campaigning in Tripura, calls the fight with the Left "neck and neck", saying his party will do well in Agartala but the Left has deep roots in villages. The BJP, its leaders say, has brought in hundreds of workers from neighbouring states like Assam to campaign for it across the state. The party has, they said, workers in every booth and have been working assiduously to build a base in villages since Amit Shah took over as the party chief in 2014 and set his sight on this Left's citadel. The decades-long work put in by the RSS and its affiliates means that the party also has a seasoned pool of activists on the ground to capitalise on the buzz created by rallies of its big leaders. The BJP is confident that it will be able to attract the young population, which rues lack of opportunities in the state. Uppal Bishwas (28), who calls himself a farmer, raises the BJP's slogan of 'chalo paltai' (Let's change the government) when asked of his opinion. Asked what he expects a BJP government to do, he says Tripura depends heavily on the Centre for its resources and it will help if it comes to power. In a first direct electoral contest between the left and the right, Tripura goes to the polls on 18 February and results will be out on 3 March. Untimely rain and hail have given Shivraj Singh Chouhan an opportunity to reconnect with the aggrieved farmers of Madhya Pradesh and passionately reassure them that the state government is firmly behind them Hailstorm and thundershowers hit parts of Bhopal and a few other districts of Madhya Pradesh on Sunday ahead of the 'Kisan Maha Sammelan' (grand farmers' meet), and they have proven to be a blessing in disguise for Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The untimely rain and hail have given Chouhan an opportunity to reconnect with the aggrieved farmers and passionately reassure them that the state government is firmly behind them. Moreover, it would also give him an opportunity to release funds to the farmers ahead of Assembly by-elections in the state, and pass this off as compensation to those who faced the brunt of the hailstorm. Hailstorm, heavy rain and gusty winds hit Bhopal, Gwalior, Chhindwara, Betul, Satna, Narisghpur and a few other districts of Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, killing four persons and damaging Rabi crop. Chouhan, addressing the rain-affected farmers, said, "Sankat ki ghadi mein neta ki pehachan hoti hai. Main ronewala CM nahi hoon. (The true character of a politician can be judged only in moments of crisis. I'm not a CM who cries.)" "Don't be bothered by the hailstorm. I'm with you," he added. "I will ensure the 'kisaan bhai' get relief through insurance claims," Chouhan said on Monday while addressing the 'Kisan Maha Sammelan at Jamboori Maidan, BHEL in Bhopal. In a bid to pacify the anger among farmers and to redress their grievances ahead of upcoming Assembly by-elections at Kolaras and Mungaoli seats, the state government has hosted the grand farmers meet. The government would be wary of protests like the ones seen in June last year when the state's Mandsaur district was the epicentre of large-scale mob violence. Even today, despite assurances by the government, there remains palpable anger among the farmers of Kolaras and Mungaoli. Hard-selling the state government's 'Bhavantar Yojna', officially named the 'Mukhya Mantri Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojna' a scheme that promises to pay the farmers the difference between the minimum support price (MSP) and the market price of a product the chief minister conducted an on-the-spot referendum among the gathered farmers on Monday, and declared that the scheme will continue. "I have the blessings of pradhan mantriji (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) and many teams from different states have come here to study the 'Bhavantar Yojna'," he said. He then added a dollop of emotion to his next announcement and said the government is working on introducing a a new plan for the farmers' benefit. "If a farmer keeps crops worth Rs one lakh in the warehouse, the cooperative bank would pay him Rs 25,000 as advance; once he sells his product, he can refund this to the bank. However, the interest on this advance would be paid by Shivraj," he announced to huge applause. Since its implementation, the Bhavantar scheme has received severe criticism from various quarters, including from farmers, agricultural experts and political opponents. "The promises made by the government to farmers are a bluff, but it will have a cascading effect in the forthcoming elections. Whether it's the MSP or the payment of the difference in the amounts under the Bhavantar Yojna, the calculation is flawed," Sompal Shastri, former Union minister of agriculture in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government and the first chairperson of the National Commission for Farmers told Firstpost. Badal Saroj, central committee member of CPM and joint secretary of the All India Kisan Sabha, added, "Bhavantar Yojna doesn't guarantee farmers a price for their produce that is at par with the MSP. Secondly, only those farmers who have registered themselves online are eligible for the scheme, and this works out to just 6.4 percent of the farmers in the state. The government should ensure implementation of the announcements made in the budget by the state finance minister, which had said MSP will be 1.5 times the cost of produce." "Through these announcements, Chouhan is trying to woo farmers ahead of the by-elections. But it won't happen because farmers can't be taken for granted anymore," he added. Meanwhile, if the farmers wish to guard against future calamities, former BJP MLA Ramesh Saxena has the solution. He claimed that if the farmers chant the 'Hanuman Chalisa' every day for an hour, it would provide immunity against the calamities. And Balkrishna Patidar, minister of state for agriculture in Madhya Pradesh, backed him. "What's wrong in it?" he asked. "Chanting Hanuman Chalisa helps the farmers and it would also prove beneficial for Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the upcoming bypolls". Only time will tell what proves to be more effective: Bhavantar Yojna or chanting Hanuman Chalisa. Mehbooba Mufti reiterated that a dialogue between India and Pakistan still remained the only way out for lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu: As security forces battled militants in both Srinagar and Jammu, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti reiterated that a dialogue between India and Pakistan still remained the only way out for lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). While her ruling alliance partners in the BJP advocate a hardline approach and want to tell Pakistan that enough is enough, Mehbooba has consistently followed the peace approach. Accepting that she would come under strong criticism for her comments during television news channel debates, the chief minister posted on her Twitter page: "Dialogue with Pakistan is necessary if we are to end bloodshed." "I know I will be labelled anti-national by news anchors tonight but that doesn't matter. The people of J&K are suffering. We have to talk because war is not an option." A war of attrition has already started between the two ruling alliance partners, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). BJP legislators on Monday strongly protested against the PDP's silence on the pro-Pakistan rant by Opposition National Conference MLA, Muhammad Akbar Lone. Lone had ruffled many a feather by shouting pro-Pakistan slogans inside the state Assembly on Saturday. Defiantly, Lone maintained his stance when confronted by the media over such an embarrassing stand by a mainstream lawmaker. BJP legislators have demanded that an FIR be lodged against the MLA for his anti-national stand within the state Assembly. The relations between the two ideologically opposite ruling partners in Jammu and Kashmir have never been on even keel. The PDP politically remains Valley-centric from where the majority of Mehbooba's 28 MLAs won in the 2014 elections. All the 26 MLAs of the BJP were elected from the Jammu region as the party could not win a single seat in the Muslim-majority Valley. PDP founder and former chief minister, the late Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, who forged the present alliance with the BJP, called it a meeting of the South Pole and North Pole. After unending ceasefire violations by Pakistan on the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB), militants have stepped up suicide attacks even before Kashmir's tourism season starts this year. On Saturday, heavily armed militants of the Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) outfit stormed a highly fortified army camp in Jammu city. Five soldiers and a civilian were killed and 10, including six women and children, were injured in this terror attack. After killing three terrorists, the army said on Monday a fourth surviving terrorist is still hiding inside the camp. Even before the Jammu anti-terror operation could end, two militants of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit tried to enter a CRPF camp in Srinagar city, but were prevented by an alert sentry who saw them moving suspiciously outside the camp in the wee hours of Monday. A fierce encounter was under way between the security forces and these militants who later entered a nearby under-construction multi-storeyed building. One CRPF jawan was killed in this gunfight while a constable of the Special Operations Group (SOG) of state police, fighting alongside the CRPF, was critically injured. As tensions on the border and the hinterland start mounting, the hardline approach adopted by the BJP and the so-called soft-pedalling by the PDP could become mutually uncomfortable for the two ruling partners in the not very distant future. State Assembly elections are scheduled towards the end of 2020 as the term of the state Assembly in Jammu and Kashmir is six years against five in the country's other states. If the present ruling alliance lasts its full six-year term, the dictum that politics is the art of the possible would be proved right. The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) election machinery is much better, said Tarun Gogoi, who led the Congress to a record three consecutive electoral victories in Assam. 'With RSS backing them and the fact that they take elections so seriously, BJP's election strategy is formidable.' The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) election machinery is much better, said Tarun Gogoi, who led the Congress to a record three consecutive electoral victories in Assam. "With RSS backing them and the fact that they take elections so seriously, BJP's election strategy is formidable." In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Gogoi, who served as Assam's chief minister from 2001 to 2016, said that among the three northeastern states that go to polls in February, the Congress has a clear shot at forming the government only in Meghalaya. "I dont know about the rest I can't predict Tripura and Nagaland." "I'm quite confident Congress will retain power in Meghalaya. That will, of course, depend upon the work of local leaders who are campaigning." 'No chance' in Tripura Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Tripura twice before the state goes to polls on 18 February. The party's national president Amit Shah would also be in Tripura for a week to campaign in favour of the candidates of the BJP-Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) alliance, along with 40 top BJP leaders including Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman and Sushma Swaraj. For the Congress, however, Gogoi was the only senior leader seen campaigning in Tripura. "I dont know why other leaders have not gone to visit the state," he said, before conceding that the party's chances were bleak in the upcoming Assembly elections. "In Tripura, we have got no chance. Congress has no chance. We may get a few seats, but that is a different thing. The possibility of Congress coming to power in Tripura is very low." Gogoi said Congress' prospects in Tripura are not bright because some senior leaders have suddenly defected to other parties. "I must say that the Congress has suffered a setback in Tripura. Some senior members of the party have left us, whatever may be their reason. We have seen this is Assam too in difficult days, some senior leaders quit the party. But that may be a blessing in disguise, because it paves the way for youngsters to fill the gap." The quest for power in Tripura is now essentially a fight between the BJP and the CPM. "Whether the CPM or BJP come to power, neither will be able to deliver. Even in Assam, they promised the moon, but they failed to implement any of their promises," Gogoi said. Has Congress given up on Nagaland too? In Nagaland, Congress is fighting for an ideology, Gogoi told Firstpost. Congress is reportedly struggling to find candidates for all seats in the upcoming Assembly elections in the state. With the ruling Naga Peoples Front (NPF) announcing candidates for all 60 seats in the state, Congress' hopes of a pre-poll alliance also stands defeated. "Sometimes we lose and sometimes we win, but we have to keep fighting for an ideology. Not being able to field candidates for all 60 seats is a different thing," Gogoi said while citing an example from his own experience. "This happens occasionally in politics. We experienced the same thing in Assam. We (Congress) were hated like anything we couldnt field candidates for all seats. Sometimes, even when we offered tickets to candidates, they refused to contest. That was the situation in Assam. I couldn't go to my relatives' place, couldn't attend my own brother's wedding. We were treated like the enemy of the Assamese society. These were the same people who extended support to me for 15 years." However, it's not hatred that's at play in Nagaland. "Sometimes in smaller states, people want to be with the central government. They want to remain friendly with the party at the Centre," Gogoi said and added that the situation of the Congress is much better in Nagaland than in Tripura. The Gandhi factor in Meghalaya Dressed in blue denim trousers and a black jacket, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had attended a concert in Meghalaya in a bid to attract young voters. The Congress has been in power in Meghalaya for 15 years. "Rahul Gandhi is campaining everywhere. He attracts the youth from across the country. Today, it is he who is exposing the government and its failure to create jobs. He is the only man who is questioning the government. Wherever he goes, it has worked for the party," said Gogoi. "I knew both Indiraji and Rajivji, and I know how the people of Meghalaya love them. It was Indiraji who created Meghalaya. The Gandhi family gave them Meghalaya. So, who understands Meghalaya and its hills better than the Gandhi family?" Oommen Chandy for KJ Alphons? Days after getting the tourism portfolio, Union Minister KJ Alphons was given the additional responsibility of being the BJP in-charge of Meghalaya, a Christian-majority state. The Congress, too, has appointed senior Christian leaders from Kerala to campaign in Meghalaya, which includes two-time former chief minister Oommen Chandy. Other leaders include senior legislator KC Joseph and Lok Sabha member Anto Antony. "You see, religion has an influence on politics. That is the practical reality. Naturally, in Hindu areas we send Hindu leaders, in Muslim areas we send Muslim leaders, tribal leaders for tribal areas... so on and so forth. You will have to see who has influence over the population of a region. Both Meghalaya and Kerala have a huge English-speaking population. So, a Christian like Chandy will connect better with the people than (maybe) Hindu leaders it's true. Plus, it helps that Chandy was also a chief minister. However, religion is not the only criteria in choosing leaders to campaign." BJP and elections When Congress was at the Centre, Union ministers hardly went rallying for state elections, noted Gogoi. "Even for bigger states, like Assam, they did not bother to come. In the last five to ten years, how many senior ministers have come to the state not just for elections but even otherwise?" Lauding the BJP's election machinery and calling it "much better" than Congress' or any other party, Gogoi said that the culture within the Congress was quite different when it enjoyed power. "BJP takes elections way more seriously than governance. It is an election-oriented party, not a governance-oriented party," the former chief minister added before alleging that the saffron party is the "most corrupt party" which uses black money to fund election programmes. "They spend a lot of money. With muscle and money power, and the Centre rallying behind the party, they are obviously getting stronger. The amount of money they spent across the country on elections - it is quite unheard of. I have never seen something like that and I have been contesting elections since the 70s. Congress never had such infrastructural backing, neither does the CPM. You can't match with their money might." AP Two scientists in spacesuits, stark white against the auburn terrain of desolate plains and dunes, test a geo-radar built to map Mars by dragging the flat box across the rocky sand. When the geo-radar stops working, the two walk back to their all-terrain vehicles and radio colleagues at their nearby base camp for guidance. They can't turn to their mission command, far off in the Alps, because communications from there are delayed 10 minutes. But this isn't the red planet it's the Arabian Peninsula. The desolate desert in southern Oman, near the borders of Yemen and Saudi Arabia, resembles Mars so much that more than 200 scientists from 25 nations chose it as their location for the next four weeks, to field-test technology for a manned mission to Mars. Public and private ventures are racing toward Mars both former President Barack Obama and SpaceX founder Elon Musk declared humans would walk on the red planet in a few decades. New challengers like China are joining the United States and Russia in space with an ambitious, if vague, Mars program. Aerospace corporations like Blue Origin have published schematics of future bases, ships and suits. The successful launch of SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket this week "puts us in a completely different realm of what we can put into deep space, what we can send to Mars," said analog astronaut Kartik Kumar. The next step to Mars, he says, is to tackle non-engineering problems like medical emergency responses and isolation. "These are things I think can't be underestimated," Kumar said. While cosmonauts and astronauts are learning valuable spacefaring skills on the International Space Station and the US is using virtual reality to train scientists - the majority of work to prepare for interplanetary expeditions is being done on Earth. And where best to field-test equipment and people for the journey to Mars but on some of the planet's most forbidding spots? Seen from space, the Dhofar Desert is a flat, brown expanse. Few animals or plants survive in the desert expanses of the Arabian Peninsula, where temperatures can top 125 degrees Fahrenheit. On the eastern edge of a seemingly endless dune is the Oman Mars Base: a giant 2.4-ton inflated habitat surrounded by shipping containers turned into labs and crew quarters. There are no airlocks. The desert's surface resembles Mars so much, it's hard to tell the difference, Kumar said, his spacesuit caked in dust. "But it goes deeper than that: the types of geomorphology, all the structures, the salt domes, the riverbeds, the wadis, it parallels a lot of what we see on Mars." The Omani government offered to host the Austrian Space Forum's next Mars simulation during a meeting of the United Nation's Committee On the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. Gernot Groemer, commander of the Oman Mars simulation and a veteran of 11 science missions on Earth, said the forum quickly accepted. Scientists from across the world sent ideas for experiments and the mission, named AMADEE-18, quickly grew to 16 scientific experiments, such as testing a "tumbleweed" whip-fast robot rover and a new spacesuit called Aouda. The cutting-edge spacesuit, weighing about 110 pounds, is called a "personal spaceship" because one can breathe, eat and do hard science inside it. The suit's visor displays maps, communications and sensor data. A blue piece of foam in front of the chin can be used to wipe your nose and mouth. "No matter who is going to this grandest voyage of our society yet to come, I think a few things we learn here will be actually implemented in those missions," Groemer said. The Soviet Union's 1957 launch of Sputnik ignited a space race between Moscow and Washington to land a crew on the Moon. But before the US got there first, astronauts like Neil Armstrong trained suspended on pulleys to simulate one-sixth of Earth's gravity. Hostile environments from Arizona to Siberia were used to fine-tune capsules, landers, rovers and suits simulating otherworldly dangers to be found beyond Earth. Space agencies call them "analogues" because they resemble extraterrestrial extremes of cold and remoteness. "You can test systems on those locations and see where the breaking points are, and you can see where things start to fail and which design option you need to take in order to assure that it does not fail on Mars," said Jo o Lousada, one of the Oman simulation's deputy field commanders who is a flight controller for the space station. Faux space stations have been built underwater off the coast of Florida, on frigid dark deserts of Antarctica, and in volcanic craters in Hawaii, according to "Packing For Mars," a favorite book among many Mars scientists, written by Mary Roach. "Terrestrial analogs are a tool in the toolkit of space exploration, but they are not a panacea," said Scott Hubbard, known as "Mars czar" back when he led the US space agency's Mars program. Some simulations have helped develop cameras, rovers, suits and closed-loop life-support systems, he said. NASA used the Mojave Desert to test rovers destined for the red planet, but they also discovered much about how humans can adapt. "Humans' adaptability in an unstructured environment is still far, far better than any robot we can send to space," Hubbard said, adding that people, not just robots, are the key to exploring Mars. The European Space Agency's list of "planetary analogues" includes projects in Chile, Peru, South Africa, Namibia, Morocco, Italy, Spain, Canada, Antarctica, Russia, China, Australia, India, Germany, Norway, Iceland, and nine US states. Next Thursday, Israeli scientists are to run a shorter simulation in a nature preserve called D Mars. However, there remain so many unknowns that simulations "are not in any way a replacement for being there," Hubbard said. The Oman team's optimism is unflinching. "The first person to walk on Mars has in fact already been born, and might be going to elementary school now in Oman, or back in Europe, in the US or China," Lousada said. Susmita Saha At the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) here, Abdelkarim Dafalla Elfadil from Sudan is working on a new mechanical device which will help sowing of seeds, irrigate fields and apply fertiliser in one go, using technology developed at the institutes division of agricultural engineering. Elfadil is working in India as a CV Raman Fellow. Our target is to help him develop the machine before the six-month fellowship duration comes to an end. We are working very fast to reach that goal, said Indra Mani, head, division of agricultural engineering. The device, he says, will go a long way in improving agriculture potential of arid zones in Sudan. The aqua ferti seed drilling is a mechanised sowing device capable of multi-tasking. The fertiliser distributed through the drill is in aqueous form, which facilitates timely irrigation and subsequent seed germination. Elfadil is working on the same technology but is customising the mechanism to the conditions of his country, keeping in mind soil, crop and water requirements, said Mani. This knowledge sharing exercise is part of the C V Raman International Fellowship programme for African researchers being implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). Between 2010 and 2018, the number of African researchers who have availed the fellowship is close to 500. The number of Fellows during 2017-2018 is about 100. Recently, DST and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) launched a coffee table book on the fellowship programme. It focuses on the successful journey of the programme so far. The Fellowship is one of the most prestigious programmes of DST and we are proud to see the pan-India and Africa reach with our commitment to double up the number of fellowships, said Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST African fellows are aiming to use their training, gained through collaborative research in Indian universities as well as science and technology institutions, in various ways. They intend to publish papers in prestigious scholarly journals, engage in further research and improve the quality of lives back home. The fellowship that offers opportunities of training for a period ranging between four weeks and six months is gaining popularity in Africa since its launch in 2010. African scholars attribute this success to positive research environment in India. For instance, Chinwe Christy Isitua from Nigeria is working under Dr. Rakesh Bhatnagar at School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru Universitys (JNU). Isitua had applied for the fellowship thrice and has managed to get it only on her last attempt. Isitua, associate professor of microbiology in Nigerias Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), has already picked up conversational Hindi phrases such as suprabhat. She is upbeat about her research on the role of indigenous African spices in inhibiting proliferation of cancer cells. I will use the knowledge acquired in India to add value to the learning of my students at ABUAD, said Isitua. Indian scientists hosting African researchers agree that the three categories - Doctoral/Post Doctoral, Visiting Fellowship and Senior Fellowship - offered under the programme has strengthened research ties between Africa and India. Gad Elsayedmohamed Salem, researcher at Egypts National Organization for Drug Control and Research (NODCAR) and currently a C V Raman Fellow at Amity Institute of Microbial Biotechnology, said everyone at his host institute was a collaborator. The Egyptian researchers work in the domain of fibrinolytic enzymes is closely linked to the work of his host scientist, Dr. Rajni Singh, on microbial enzymes and microbial biotechnology. Gad wasnt aware of purification techniques of particular enzymes, which he learnt during his stint here. He also got to know about ways to use different microbial cultures and handle them, said Dr. Singh. A reason why the fellowship has created a buzz among African researchers is because their assimilation in Indian universities and research facilities is smooth. For many African scholars, a welcoming environment is a big draw. According to Salem, his fascination with Delhi stemmed from the citys abundant greenery. Through my interactions with Indian people I found them to be polite, cooperative and peaceful, said Salem. Equally positive is Mustapha Jamma of Morocco, who is availing the fellowship at Delhi Technological University under Dr. Dheeraj Joshi. Jamma has been encouraged to visit various laboratories within the campus so as to get maximum exposure through interactions with the institutes M. Tech and PhD students. We keep the laboratory where he is working open till 8 pm so that he gets uninterrupted research time. His accommodation facilities have been arranged within the campus at a reasonable price. Jamma is so optimistic about the Indian research eco-system that he has extended his fellowship duration by one month, said Dr Joshi, Professor, Electrical Engineering Department, Delhi Technological University." India Science Wire tech2 News Staff Nokia may have entered the Android smartphone game properly only last year with the launch of the Nokia 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8, but it has already outsold Google, HTC, and OnePlus this holiday in terms of sales, according to a Counterpoint research. Neil Shah, a partner at Counterpoint, tweeted that the recent holiday quarter saw Nokia outsell all of the above-mentioned smartphone makers. The list of companies that Nokia-branded smartphones outsold also included Sony, Asus, Meizu and Lenovo. According to a report by GSMArena said that HMD Global managed to sell around 4.4 million Nokia phones in just Q4 2017. In comparison, Google only managed to sell a third of what HMD sold, in the entire year. Talking about smartphones performance, in Q4 2017, @HMDGlobal sold more Nokia branded phones globally and is now bigger smartphone brand than following individual brands: HTC Sony Google Alcatel Lenovo OnePlus Gionee Meizu Coolpad Asus Neil Shah (@neiltwitz) February 12, 2018 Despite the impressive reports about sales, HMD Global has to cover a lot of ground when it comes to the global market presence. The Finnish company ranks at number 11 in the list of smartphone makers according to the market share with just one percent to its name. HMD will now be seen at the MWC 2018 event in Barcelona, where the company is likely to showcase the Nokia 7 Plus or the Nokia 9 along with Nokia 1, and Nokia 6 (2018). tech2 News Staff Xiaomi seems to be all geared up to launch the Mi TV 4 in India alongside what seems like the Redmi Note 5 on 14 February. The company has yet to blatantly state it, but its latest teasers and specifications make it very clear that Xiaomi will be announcing its first television for the Indian market. The Chinese smartphone brand took to its YouTube and Twitter handles to reveal a teaser for the television, despite not showing the product. Xiaomi's e-commerce partner Flipkart is also teasing the Mi TV 4 on its website, teasing the thin 4.9 mm body of the television. Xiaomi will be setting a live stream for the event which will also likely see the launch of the Redmi Note Note 5 as well as the Redmi Note 5 Pro in India. Although nothing is confirmed yet. According to an earlier report, the Mi TV 4 was announced a while back at CES 2017 but is still the latest offering from the Xiaomi staple. Apart from being thin, the television is also modular and referred to as frameless by the company. Xiaomi has separated the TV display from the motherboard on the Mi TV 4 which makes it easy for consumers to upgrade the television without breaking their bank balance. The company has also integrated a Sound system along with the motherboard though users still have the option of attaching wireless speakers to ensure a wire-free sound setup. Mi TV bar comes with ten integrated speakers along with two wireless rear satellite speakers and a subwoofer. The Mi Bar has access to all the HDMI, USB 3.0, LAN Network and other additional sound ports and only needs one cable from Mi Port to transfer all the information to the display. At the time of its announcement at CES 2017, Xiaomi stated that the Mi TV 4 will ship in three display sizes starting from 49-inches going up to 55-inches and maxing out to 65-inches. We do not know about its pricing in India yet but given the company's usual aggression when it comes to pricing, the Mi TV is expected to be more affordable in comparison to similar rival TVs. It's become something of a State policy for Beijing to advocate non-intervention in foreign affairs of other countries. But in Maldives, it does have a dog in the fight. China on Tuesday hit back at former Maldivian president Mohammad Nasheed, dismissing his allegations that it grabbed land in the Maldives as "groundless". It was the latest in a long line of statements Beijing has made regarding the ongoing political crisis in the Indian Ocean archipelago. Last week, China said other countries shouldn't interfere in Maldives, and that the international community should "respect the sovereignty and independence" of the Maldives. "China does not interfere in the Maldives' internal affairs, which is also an important criterion of the rules of the United Nations charter," Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said, adding that it supported the Maldives government. "The international community should play a constructive role in promoting the Maldives stability and development on the basis of respecting the Maldives wishes," Wang said. This came two days after a similarly worded response to talks about a possible military intervention by India. China said such a move would "complicate the situation" in Male. "We hope relevant parties in the Maldives can properly resolve the issue through consultation and restore national stability and social order as soon as possible. We believe they (have) wisdom and capability to address the situation independently," he said without directly mentioning India. The Global Times, a part of the ruling Communist Party of China's publications, came out with an editorial entitled 'India must stop intervening in Male'. "Political struggles are supposed to be internal affairs, and New Delhi has no justification to intervene in Male's affairs. The Maldives must be under huge pressure from India," it said. "The Maldives' sovereignty should be respected. The political unrest should be left to the Maldivian people to address. We urge all sides in the country to exercise restraint and end the crisis at the minimum cost, striking the correct balance between legal and governmental authority," it said. China's dog in the Maldivian fight It's become something of a State policy for Beijing to advocate non-intervention in foreign affairs of other countries. In Syria, where President Bashar al-Assad has been battling rebels for seven years, China teamed up with Russia to veto sanctions proposed by the United Nations on the Assad regime. Unlike Russia, which has directly intervened in the crisis, China has done so from afar, insisting that Syria's future must be decided by the Syrian people and foreign powers shouldn't intervene. It's similar to the stance taken by Beijing in the Maldivian crisis. However, while in Syria, its call for non-intervention may be altruistic in nature, things are slightly different in Maldives, where it does have a dog in the fight. China has been one of the biggest supporters of the Abdulla Yameen government in Male. As analysed by Firstpost in a previous article, the Maldivian economy is hugely dependent on China, be it for tourism or for trade. China provides it with the maximum number of tourists from a single country: One-fifth of all tourists to Maldives are Chinese nationals. Given the fact that Maldives is a tourism-dependent economy, it's critically important for Male that China doesn't issue a travel advisory. But far more important are infrastructural investments made by China in Maldives. Ever since Abdulla Yameen took charge in 2013, Maldives has grown increasingly close to China, a marked change from the policies of his predecessor, Mohamed Nasheed, who had once said ties with India were 2,000-3,000 years old, and Maldives would prioritise this over the billions of dollars of funds pumped in by Beijing. However, Yameen has pursued a different course. Yameen became the first Asian Head of State to visit China after the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was held in October. In December, the two countries signed 12 agreements, including a memorandum of understanding on the One Belt One Road initiative, a free trade agreement and agreements on the economy, human resources, oceans, environment, health care and finance. In September 2014, Chinese president Xi Jinping made a State visit to Male, whereby he called his host country as being a "string of pearls that God left on the Indian Ocean". He also promised to extend all help for the construction of the 'Male-Hulhule Bridge'. China also considers Maldives to be an important ally in its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa on and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes. It comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Amid the raging political crisis in the Maldives, China on Monday refuted allegations made by former Maldives president Mohammed Nasheed that Beijing is engaging in grabbing land in the Indian Ocean archipelago nation New Delhi: Amid the raging political crisis in the Maldives, China on Monday refuted allegations made by former Maldives president Mohammed Nasheed that Beijing is engaging in grabbing land in the Indian Ocean archipelago nation. "Recently, former Maldivian president Nasheed made a lot of false remarks in the Indian media. He pointed fingers at the practical cooperation between China and Maldives and alleged that China engaged in so-called 'land grabbing' of Maldivian islands, which undermines the security of the Indian Ocean region," Ji Rong, spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy, said in a statement. "These allegations are apparently groundless with no regard to facts," Ji said. In an interview to an Indian newspaper, Nasheed sought India's help, saying that the Maldives is currently faced with two problems: Radical Islam and China's attempts at land grabbing. He said that China now has 17 islands in that country and is talking about investing $40 million, adding that the purpose for this is not known. He said that this was a not a bilateral problem but multilateral and sought India's intervention. Nasheed's comments come amid the current political crisis and after Maldives president Abdulla Yameen rushed through Parliament a free trade agreement with China last year, which raised eyebrows in New Delhi as it went against Male's 'India First' policy. India has traditionally held influence in the Indian Ocean atoll nation where China has been trying to make inroads because of its strategic location. Experts say the Maldivian crisis could well become a new power struggle between India and China. Ji, in his statement, said that in recent years, "On the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, China and the Maldives have been cooperating on infrastructure and livelihood projects, which has played a positive role in transforming and upgrading the latter's economy and improving its people's livelihood." He added that these measures have been "widely welcomed by the Maldivian people". "As a matter of fact, when Nasheed was president, China and Maldives had already launched relevant cooperation projects. The 'land grabbing' allegation by Nasheed is apparently meant to serve certain political purposes of him," he added. Maldives has plunged into a crisis with President Yameen declaring a state of emergency and arresting the chief justice and a former head of state, after the Supreme Court termed as unjust the imprisonment of nine MPs and Nasheed who is in exile. Yameen sent special envoys to China, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia even as New Delhi politely declined to host the Maldivian foreign minister. Ji also reiterated China's stand that the current situation in Maldives is its "internal affair" and "should be properly resolved through dialogue and negotiation by various parties in the country", as the Maldivian government and people have the "wisdom and ability to properly handle the problems they face and restore order". US president Donald Trump has unveiled a $4 trillion annual budget for the 2019 fiscal beginning 1 October, proposing $256 million in civilian assistance and $80 million in military aid to Pakistan Washington: US president Donald Trump has unveiled a $4 trillion annual budget for the 2019 fiscal beginning 1 October, proposing $256 million in civilian assistance and $80 million in military aid to Pakistan. The proposal of aid to Pakistan comes weeks after the Trump administration suspended nearly $2 billion in security assistance to Islamabad due to the latter's inability to take action against terrorist groups operating from its soil. The White House had said it would consider lifting the freeze if it sees action by Pakistan against terrorist groups. The budgetary proposal says that the military aid depends on Pakistan taking action against terrorist safe havens. "The budget requests $256 million for Pakistan in economic and other assistance to help increase stability, promote economic growth and create opportunities for US businesses," said the annual budgetary proposals sent by the White House to the Congress. "In addition, the Budget requests $80 million in foreign military financing assistance to enhance Pakistan's counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency capabilities, contingent on Pakistan taking appropriate action to expand cooperation in areas where US-Pakistan interests converge and to address areas of divergence, in line with the administration's South Asia strategy," the White House said. The budget furthers the US goal of a stable and secure South Asia by supporting the Afghan government and security forces in their fight against the Taliban insurgents and jihadist terrorist organisations such as al-Qaeda and Islamic State. It requests more than $5 billion for continued US training and assistance for the Afghan security forces and would enable US forces to conduct counter-terrorism operations to ensure that the region cannot be used by jihadist, terrorist groups to plot transnational attacks against the US homeland, citizens overseas, or allies and partners. "The budget also continues to include funding to support America's partnership with Pakistan," it said. The budget's more than $630 million for civilian assistance supports the president's new strategy to empower the people of Afghanistan to take ownership of their future, the White House said. In addition, the budget strengthens and sustains improvements in education, health, governance and other sectors that are essential for securing a stable and prosperous Afghanistan. It also allows the US to honour the pledge made at the Brussels conference on Afghanistan, which anticipated gradually declining assistance levels, it added. Donald Trump's daughter-in-law Vanessa was taken to a New York hospital as a precaution after a package containing an unidentified powder arrived at her home. New York: US president Donald Trump's daughter-in-law Vanessa was taken to a New York hospital on Monday as a precaution after a "suspicious package" containing an unidentified powder arrived at her home, police said. The letter was sent to Donald Trump Jr, the president's eldest son, and contained a mysterious substance, according to police. "The powder was tested and was found to be not hazardous," a spokeswoman told AFP. US media had reported the letter contained white powder. The Secret Service said "an active investigation" was underway of the "suspicious package addressed to one of our protectees received today in New York." NBC News said Vanessa Trump, a mother of five, was taken to New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Centre strictly as a precaution, saying there was no indication that anyone suffered any injuries and no sign that the substance was dangerous. Her husband and brother-in-law Eric Trump both live in New York and run the family real-estate business, taking over after their father took office in January 2017. South Africa braced Tuesday for a major political showdown as scandal-tainted President Jacob Zuma rejected a direct order from the ruling ANC party to leave office. Johannesburg: South Africa braced Tuesday for a major political showdown as scandal-tainted President Jacob Zuma rejected a direct order from the ruling ANC party to leave office. The power struggle over Zuma's departure put the president at loggerheads with Cyril Ramaphosa, his expected successor, who is the new head of the African National Congress. The party's powerful 107-member national executive committee (NEC) met for 13 hours at a hotel outside Pretoria, and decided in the early hours of Tuesday to "recall" Zuma from his post. Ramaphosa and Ace Magashule, the party's secretary-general, had personally delivered a request for Zuma to resign to the president's official residence in Pretoria at about midnight. But Zuma "was very arrogant. He told them he was not going anywhere as he did nothing wrong," an unnamed ANC committee member told the Mail and Guardian newspaper. "He told them if the ANC issued a statement on its decision to recall him, he will retaliate." Another committee member told AFP that Zuma's response was "hogwash" and that the president had asked for three more months in office. "We just felt he meant three months of looting," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity as he confirmed that the meeting had demanded Zuma's resignation. The ANC which was once led by anti-apartheid struggle leader Nelson Mandela reportedly gave Zuma 48 hours to step down. Who's in charge? ANC officials were not reachable Tuesday, but the party called a press conference for 2:00 pm at its headquarters in Johannesburg. The ANC can "recall" the head of state, essentially forcing him to resign, but the process is a party-level instruction and he is under no constitutional obligation to obey. If he refuses, Zuma would then likely be ousted via a parliamentary vote of no-confidence within days. Ramaphosa, the de facto president-in-waiting, has been in deadlocked negotiations with Zuma, who first dismissed a request from party leaders to resign more than a week ago. The stalemate has plunged South Africa Africa's most developed economy into uncertainty over who is running the country, with a series of public events cancelled last week including the annual State of the Nation address to parliament. "We know you want this matter to be finalised," Ramaphosa, 65, told a party rally in Cape Town on Sunday to loud cheers. "We know you want closure... Because our people want this matter to be finalised, the NEC will be doing precisely that." South African Opposition parties have called for early elections as the ANC's leadership battle grinds on. An Opposition request for a no-confidence vote against Zuma, 75, this week was still being considered by the parliamentary Speaker. Graft scandals Zuma's presidency has been marred by corruption scandals, slow economic growth and record unemployment that have fuelled public anger. He was scheduled to stand down next year after serving the maximum two terms after coming to power in 2009. "I think Jacob Zuma is almost daring the ANC to remove him through a motion of no confidence because he knows that would be damaging for unity in the party," analyst Abdul Waheed Patel told AFP. In 2008, Zuma's supporters pushed out then-president Thabo Mbekivia a "recall" over allegations of abuse of power. In local polls in 2016, the ANC recorded its worst electoral result since coming to power with Mandela at the helm in 1994 when white-minority rule fell. The party faces a tricky general election next year. Ramaphosa is a former trade unionist and Mandela ally who led talks to end apartheid in the early 1990s and then became a multi-millionaire businessman before returning to politics. Zuma's hold over the ANC was shaken in December when his chosen successor his former wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma narrowly lost to Ramaphosa in a vote to be the new party leader. The ANC has insisted there will be no delay to the budget speech, which is due on 21 February. Russian experts investigating the weekend plane crash outside Moscow that killed 71 people said that the accident may have been caused by ice on speed-measuring instruments which led to faulty information on the craft's airspeed Moscow: Russian experts investigating the weekend plane crash outside Moscow that killed 71 people said Tuesday that the accident may have been caused by ice on speed-measuring instruments which led to faulty information on the craft's airspeed. "A factor in the development of a special situation in the flight could be the wrong data about flight speed on pilots' indicators which was likely due to iced pitot tubes (speed probes) while their heating systems were shut off," said the Russian Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) which investigates aircraft incidents. The Antonov An-148 plane took off from Moscow's Domodedovo airport on Sunday to the Russian city of Orsk and went down in a field around 70 kilometres southeast of Moscow shortly after. All 65 passengers and six crew members on board died. The IAC said it has completed the analysis of the onboard flight recorder and would still need to analyse the black box which recorded conversations in the cockpit. It would also look at whether the pitot tubes, a vital piece of equipment which measures airspeed, could have malfunctioned. Iced-over pitot tube instruments were previously named as the likely reason behind the Air France 447 flight crashing into the Atlantic in 2009, killing 228 people on board. The RBK newspaper on Tuesday quoted sources as saying that the captain of the Russian flight refused the de-icing procedure while the plane was in Domodedovo airport. Kommersant newspaper previously said that this was optional given the relatively mild temperatures at the time. The IAC said the flight began having problems two and a half minutes after takeoff at an altitude of about 1,300 metres (4,260 feet), at which point instruments began to display vastly different speeds. The plane's autopilot was turned off and it began to sharply lose speed until impact with the ground at 11.27 GMT, the IAC said. Search at crash site Russia's Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said it would consider the IAC's findings in its criminal investigation. Emergency workers have been combing through deep snow at the crash site. On Tuesday, the emergency ministry said they had recovered 1,400 body parts and 900 plane fragments. Authorities were taking DNA samples from relatives of the victims in order to complete identification. The emergency ministry added Tuesday that it lifted two engines from a crater formed by the plane's impact, sending them to be investigated. The search would continue on Wednesday, it said. The flight was operated by the domestic Saratov Airlines, which announced that it would suspend use of the An-148. Russia has suffered numerous plane crashes, with airlines often operating ageing aircraft in dangerous flying conditions. A light aircraft crashed in November in Russia's far east, killing six people on board. In December 2016, a military plane carrying Russia's famed Red Army Choir crashed after taking off from Sochi, killing all 92 people on board. Pilot error was blamed for that crash. In March 2016, all 62 people on board died when a FlyDubai jet crashed in bad weather during an aborted landing at Rostov-on-Don airport. Reports indicate that the Pakistanis, yet again, violated the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir using American weapons It was April, and the heat in the white deserts of the Rann of Kutch was already unbearable. The Pakistan Army, which had already probed and pushed into the area months earlier, further pushed into the ancient fort of Kanjarkot, creating a serious threat to Indian forces in the area. Further incursions were halted by international pressure and a ceasefire was negotiated. New Delhi was furious. The Pakistani Armys adventurism was clearly fired by its four to one superiority over India in United States supplied tanks and other equipment, which was part of a $1.2 billion subsidised military aid aimed at defending against Soviet expansionism. Indias pleas that American weaponry was being used to kill Indian troops fell on deaf ears. Worse, Pakistani success in the Rann operation certainly emboldened it to send more than 30,000 irregulars and army soldiers into Kashmir a few months later, leading directly to the 1965 war. Writing in the Washington Post, on 2 August, 1965, Selig Harrison recommended that America consider providing military aid to India as well, not just to fend off a Soviet influence, but also in a recognition of Indias larger size and importance in a China-focused Asia strategy. The sense of deja vu is inevitable. Reports indicate that the Pakistanis, yet again, violated the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir using American weapons. Pakistani forces used anti-tank guided missiles to hit Indian units, killing four including a Captain. This is far more serious than the use of American weaponry in battle constituting as it does, wanton provocation during peace time intended for the defence of Pakistan, and oddly enough against aggression from a communist state. The original United States code 2375, which sanctioned military assistance to Pakistan, conveyed Congressional recognition of the need to defend against Soviet aggression from Afghanistan, to promote economic development, to provide for civil liberties, and to prevent nuclear proliferation. Most importantly, the code stated clearly that America should take appropriate steps to ensure that defence articles provided to Pakistan are to be used for defensive purposes only. The code recognised the original United States-Pakistan bilateral agreement of 1959 which remains valid, and which is also presumably based on the threat to Pakistan from communism. Since then, American assistance has not ensured any of the supposed benefits appended to the original legislative instruments. Nor has it prevented Pakistan from going nuclear. If this is the legal basis of American assistance to Pakistan, then the present instance of use is in gross violation of its legal intent. It is not that the United States code is inviolate and represents the ultimate law within the country. That remains the compilation of thousands of acts and legislation enacted by Congress and signed by the president, generally referred to as the Statutes at Large . The code is an edited collection that reflects this in terms of what it means, but it is prima facie evidence of law, not the law itself. However, if there is evidence of any United States legislation that permits Pakistan to use United States weaponry in aggression or in peacetime, it would be reflected in the code. Subsequently, years of legislation have identified various common interests for justifying military assistance, and then made various conditionalities that would prevent such aid when Pakistan was acting against American interests. Over the years equally, American presidents made use of that useful phrase national security interest to waive such conditions that were imposed, when its defence and intelligence bureaucracy wanted it to continue. Donald Trump threatens to cut off aid Though the Donald Trump administration has gone further than most earlier administrations in threatening to end military assistance to Pakistan, this has not translated to a complete cut-off. Officials have already been heard to say that the extent of military aid freeze will be determined by national security considerations, and that it is a temporary move, subject to Pakistans cooperation in Afghanistan. As of now, only about $255 million has been withheld, with the threat of further funds being held up to the extent of $2 billion in total sanctioned aid. Notably, the state department spokesperson was also heard to say that this freeze also included any transfer of military equipment. It remains to be seen whether this includes for instance, spares for military combat aircraft and armoured personnel carriers among other United States weapons in the Pakistani inventory. In legal terms, this freeze should also include Turkeys upgrade of F-16s sanctioned last year. As of now, there is no evidence of a complete halt. Unsurprisingly, Pakistan seems unconcerned by the talk of a complete freeze in military assistance. To return to the 1965 assessment, the Central Intelligence Agency analysis indicated that President Ayub Khan was likely to prioritise patching up relations with the United States, since it was clear that Russia would not and China could not provide the required military and economic assistance. Today, that situation has reversed. Russia will offer nothing without hard cash and China remains uninterested in providing subsidised military assistance or even economic aid. In such a situation, todays Pakistan is also unlikely to want to cut ties completely with the United States, and that is what Washington is banking on. The pressure is being applied slowly and selectively to get the desired result. New Delhi part of Washington's Beijing strategy However, United States military aid is now going to a country where the Chinese are thick on the ground. Chinese engineers, scientists, contractors, businessmen and labour are active from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to Karachi, not to mention Gwadar and off the shores of Pakistan. The fact that the original intent of legislation that sanctioned military assistance against communist ingress is now doing precisely the opposite, is ironic to say the least. Then, there is the second part of what now seems like a really prescient prediction. India is for better or for worse part of Washingtons strategy regarding China. In this, as Selig Harrison observed, India has far greater weight for the purpose than Pakistan, whose room for maneuver is being reduced by the day by a combination of internal and external factors, not least of which is the inability of its army to stop terrorism into the neighbourhood. In such a scenario, Washington would be well advised to take the present violation in the use of United States weapons extremely seriously, and at the very least, increase the pressure on Islamabad not to use its made in America inventory in illegal causes against India. It is also the right time for South Block to raise the noise level on this latest violation. As a counter in the chessboard of yet another Great Game, the skill most required is diplomatic dexterity. Ousted Pakistan premier Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday warned his opponents that they would fail to 'punish' him as he appeared before an anti-graft court for the 17th time to face trial in the Panama Papers scandal. Islamabad: Ousted Pakistan premier Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday warned his opponents that they would fail to "punish" him as he appeared before an anti-graft court for the 17th time to face trial in the Panama Papers scandal. Sharif, 67, appeared before the Accountability Court Islamabad along with his daughter Maryam and son-in-law captain (retired) Mohmmad Safdar. At the start of the hearing, the court was informed that lawyers are not attending courts to observe three-day mourning after the death of eminent lawyer and human rights activist Asma Jehangir who passed away in Lahore on Sunday. Though the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor objected by saying that witnesses were present to record statements but Judge Muhammad Bashir adjourned hearing till 15 February. Sharif and some of his family members are facing charges relating to their ownership of posh properties in London. He resigned as prime minister in July after the country's Supreme Court disqualified him over undeclared income. Three cases were registered by the NAB against Sharif, his children and son-in-law in the court on 8 September. Sharif in a brief interaction with the media said he was being victimised in the name of accountability. "They (opponents) want to punish Nawaz (Sharif) but they do not have any evidence. That is why supplementary cases are being filed. But they will fail as people of Pakistan are with us," he said. Sharif also took a swipe at courts for failing to bring back to the country former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, who is living in Dubai by dodging several cases against him. 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 Sharif's family alleges that the cases are politically motivated. Human Rights Watch said Duterte's remark, uttered last week before supposedly surrendered communist rebels, is the latest of Duterte's 'series of misogynist, derogatory and demeaning statement Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte ordered his soldiers to shoot women rebels in the vagina because that would render them "useless", according to several media reports. "Tell the soldiers. Theres a new order coming from the mayor. We wont kill you. We will just shoot your vagina, he said adding, "If there is no vagina, it would be useless," Vice News quoted him as saying. Duterte made these remarks while addressing a group of former communist soldiers in Malacanang. Later, an official transcript of the president's address omitted the word and replaced it with simply a dash, but local reports said he repeatedly mentioned the word in his speech. Another report in The Guardian said he repeatedly used the Visayan word for vagina, bisong throughout the speech, drawing much laughter from his audience. Duterte's remarks have drawn widespread criticism from international media, political opponents, and human rights groups. Karapatan, a left-wing rights group, said on Tuesday that Duterte "has distinguished himself as a frothing-in-the-mouth fascist who incites the worst violations of international humanitarian law." Human Rights Watch said Duterte's remark, uttered last week before supposedly surrendered communist rebels, is the latest of Duterte's "series of misogynist, derogatory and demeaning statements he has made about women" that encourages state forces to commit sexual violence during armed conflict, Associated Press reported. "Duterte's latest nasty remark openly encourages violence against women, contributes to the impunity on such, and further presented himself as the epitome of misogyny and fascism terribly rolled in one, a statement from Gabriela Women's Party, said, Philstar.com reported. The crude statement, however, is nothing new for the controversial president. Duterte previously made news after "joking" about the rape of a kidnapped Australian woman, lamenting that as the mayor of Davao (where the incident occurred) he was not the first to rape the victim. The Guardian report quoted a 2016 campaign speech when he spoke of the incident: "Was I mad because of the rape? Yes, thats one. But, she was so beautiful, the mayor should have been first. What a waste." In a speech to Filipino diplomats at his home town in July 2016, Duterte was expressing his disapproval of sexual crimes against children, but he ended up joking about raping beauty pageant winners. "What I don't like are kids (being raped.) You can mess with, maybe Miss Universe. Maybe I will even congratulate you for having the balls to rape somebody when you know you are going to die," Al Jazeera quoted him as saying. His office has defended the president's off-colour 'jokes' by saying that Filipinos get his jokes and feminists usually overreact. Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella has defended Dutertes 'rape jokes'. He said: "There are those who tend to zero in on certain details, but as far as the public is concerned, and they are the ones who really approve of him, they find the president is somebody who understands them, who has their common interests, their common good, at heart," Time.com reported. Duterte has also in the past 'joked' to soldiers that he would grant them immunity for abuses under martial law, if they raped only three women. If you go down, I go down. But for this martial law and the consequences of martial law and the ramifications of martial law, I and I alone would be responsible, just do your job I will take care of the rest, Duterte said. "If you had raped three, I will admit it, thats on me," The Guardian reported, Duterte, who has overseen the bloody anti-drug crackdown since taking power in 2016, is currently facing preliminary examination by an International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor. In September 2017, he taunted the head of a Commission on Human Rights (CHR), by calling him a paedophile, simply because he expressed concern on the large number of teenagers being killed in Duterte's bloody 'drug war.' "Why is this guy so pre... suffocated with the issue of young people, especially boys? Are you a paedophile?" Duterte asked, referring to CHR head Chito Gascon. Why are you smitten with teenagers? Are you? Im having my doubts. Are you gay or a paedophile?" he asked. The Philippine president came to power in 2016 promising a ruthless war on drugs, and at times boasted of overseeing a so-called "death squads" behind the killings of more than a thousand petty criminals and his political opponents when he was mayor of the southern city of Davao for two decades. Since his election as president, he has publicly called on police to "shoot-to-kill" suspects who resist arrest, and vowed to protect law officers from prosecution, maintaining the anti-crime operations are tough but legitimate. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the European Union have all criticised the controversial leader for his bombastic statements appearing to support such killings. Here is a selection of Duterte's comments on the drug war: View to kill "When I become president, I'll order the police and the military to find these people and kill them." Duterte, as a presidential candidate, said on 16 March, 2016, that he would eradicate drugs in the Philippines by killing so many dealers it would cause a boom for funeral businesses. Rough justice "If you know of any addicts, go ahead and kill them yourself as getting their parents to do it would be too painful." Hours after being sworn in as Philippine president, Duterte went to a Manila slum and urged residents to kill drug-addled neighbours on 30 June, 2016. Slaughter rules "This campaign (of) shoot-to-kill will remain until the last day of my term. I don't care about human rights, believe me." An unapologetic Duterte vows no let up as the death toll from his drug war neared 1,000 on 6 August, 2016. "I'd be happy to slaughter them." Duterte estimated on 30 September, 2016 that there were three million drug addicts in the Philippines, added that he would like them all dead. A year later, he said the figure had grown to four million despite his crackdown. Leading by example? "I used to do it (kill) personally just to show to the guys that if I can do it, so can you." On 12 December, 2016, Duterte boasted that he had murdered suspects when he was mayor of the southern city of Davao. "If you commit corruption, whoever you are, I will have you flown by helicopter to Manila and I will toss you out. I have done it before, why would not I do it again?" Duterte alluded to a past crime in explaining to typhoon survivors how he will take drastic measures against drugs and graft on 27 December, 2016. Sorry? Not sorry "You want to scare me by threatening to have me thrown in prison? International Criminal Court? Bull#%^&." On 28 November, 2016, Duterte bristled at ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda's stark warning that any person who incites "mass violence" in the Philippines was "potentially liable to prosecution" at the world court. "I don't give a damn about being prosecuted in the ICC. Go ahead. It would be my pleasure to go to prison for my country. It would be a distinct honour for me, even if they don't make me a hero, to die for my country." But the president acknowledged that he has a "bad mouth" and that he's not a statesman. However, he added: "The problem here is that I won" the election. With inputs from agencies In a huge setback to Julian Assange, a British court today for the second time ruled that a UK arrest warrant against the Wikileaks founder was still valid, making it clear that he could be arrested if he tries to leave the Ecuadorian embassy where he has been holed up since 2012. London: In a huge setback to Julian Assange, a British court for the second time ruled that an arrest warrant against the Wikileaks founder was still valid, making it clear that he could be arrested if he tries to leave the Ecuadorian embassy where he has been holed up since 2012. Senior District judge Emma Arbuthnot, handing down her judgment before a packed courtroom at Westminster magistrates court, said that she was not persuaded by the argument from Assange's legal team that it was not in the public interest to pursue him for skipping bail. "I find arrest is a proportionate response even though Assange has restricted his own freedom for a number of years," judge Arbuthnot said. The judge said: "Defendants on bail up and down the country, and requested persons facing extradition, come to court to face the consequences of their own choices. He should have the courage to do the same. It is certainly not against the public interest to proceed". Assange, 46, skipped bail to enter the Ecuadorian embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden over allegations of sexual assault and rape, which he denies. Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot, the judge who is currently also presiding over the extradition trial of liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya, the next hearing date for which is expected in mid-March, had reserved her judgment in the Assange case last month. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will find out on Tuesday whether his legal bid to halt action against him for breaching bail has been successful. London: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will find out on Tuesday whether his legal bid to halt action against him for breaching bail has been successful, in a ruling that could pave the way for him to leave the Ecuadorean embassy in London. Even if a judge rules in his favour, though, he may elect to stay in the embassy, where he has been holed up for almost six years, because of his fear that the United States may seek his extradition on charges related to the activities of WikiLeaks. Assange, 46, fled to the embassy in June 2012 after skipping bail to avoid being sent to Sweden to face an allegation of rape, which he denied. The Swedish case was dropped in May 2017, but Britain still has a warrant for his arrest over the breach of bail terms. Last week, Assanges lawyers lost an attempt to have the warrant quashed, but they launched a separate argument that it would not be in the interests of justice for the British authorities to take any further action against him. Judge Emma Arbuthnot is expected to rule on that point at Westminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday. If her decision goes in Assanges favour, a public legal case against him would no longer exist in Britain. It is not clear whether the United States does intend to seek Assanges extradition to face prosecution over WikiLeaks publication of a large trove of classified military and diplomatic documents - one of the largest information leaks in US history. The existence of a US extradition warrant has neither been confirmed nor denied. US President Donald Trump has proposed $256 million in civilian and $80 million in military aid to Pakistan, down about $10 million, in the annual budget, but linked the defence assistance to Islamabad's action against terror safe havens on its soil. Washington: US President Donald Trump has proposed $256 million in civilian and $80 million in military aid to Pakistan, down about $10 million, in the annual budget, but linked the defence assistance to Islamabad's action against terror safe havens on its soil. The proposed aid is the part of a $4 trillion annual budget for the fiscal 2019 beginning 1 October. The proposal of aid to Pakistan comes weeks after Trump administration suspended nearly $2 billion in security assistance to Islamabad due to its inability to take action against terrorist groups operating from its soil. The White House has said it would consider lifting the freeze if it sees action by Pakistan against terrorist groups. The budgetary proposal says that the military aid depends on Pakistan taking action against terrorist safe havens. "The budget requests $256 million for Pakistan in economic and other assistance to help increase stability, promote economic growth and create opportunities for US businesses," said the annual budgetary proposals sent by the White House to the Congress. The Budget requests $80 million in Foreign Military Financing assistance to enhance Pakistan's counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency capabilities, contingent on Pakistan taking appropriate action to expand cooperation in areas where US-Pakistan interests converge and to address areas of divergence, in line with the administration's South Asia strategy, the White House said. "Pakistan's assistance in total is down about $10 million..," Hari Sastry, Director of the Office of US Foreign Assistance Resources at the State Department, told reporters at a State Department news conference after the release of the budget proposals. The budget furthers the US goal of a stable and secure South Asia by supporting the Afghan government and security forces in their fight against the Taliban insurgents and jihadist terrorist organisations such as al-Qaeda and Islamic State. It requests more than $5 billion for continued US training and assistance for the Afghan security forces and would enable US forces to conduct counter-terrorism operations to ensure that the region cannot be used by jihadist, terrorist groups to plot transnational attacks against the US homeland, citizens overseas, or allies and partners. "The budget also continues to include funding to support America's partnership with Pakistan," it said. The budget's more than $630 million for civilian assistance supports the President's new strategy to empower the people of Afghanistan to take ownership of their future, the White House said. In addition, the budget strengthens and sustains improvements in education, health, governance and other sectors that are essential for securing a stable and prosperous Afghanistan. It also allows the US to honour the pledge made at the Brussels conference on Afghanistan, which anticipated gradually declining assistance levels, it added. Since taking office, Trump has been critical about Pakistan over its failure to rein in terror groups. In his first tweet of the year, Trump had accused Pakistan of lying and deceiving America by sheltering terrorists while receiving billions of dollars in foreign aid. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday said that the Islamic State terror organisation was not yet fully defeated and continued to pose a danger to the region despite losing 98 percent of its territory in Iraq and Syria. Cairo: US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday said that the Islamic State terror organisation was not yet fully defeated and continued to pose a danger to the region despite losing 98 percent of its territory in Iraq and Syria. Tillerson, in a speech broadcast on Kuwaiti state television, stressed that the US was working with its international coalition partners to reinforce military successes against the Islamic State, noting that it was necessary to secure liberated areas to avoid the terror group's return. Tillerson made the remarks at a meeting in Kuwait with foreign ministers from participating countries in the anti-Islamic State coalition, held on the sidelines of a donor conference in the Kuwaiti capital for the reconstruction of Iraq. The Iraqi government said on Monday it would need an estimated $88.2 billion for reconstruction, according to the Director General of Iraq's planning ministry, Qusay Adulfattah. The Iraqi government had announced the country's total liberation from the Islamic State in December, but the terror organization still controls some pockets of territory in neighbouring Syria. Regarding Syria, Tillerson pledged that Washington will offer $200 million to support efforts to stabilize the Arab country. He said that the US will continue to support the militias with which Washington collaborates in Syria, referring to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, stressing that his country will ensure that these groups operate professionally. Tillerson added that the US fully understands the security concerns of Turkey, which began a military offensive last month into Syria against US-backed Kurdish militias in the northern region of Afrin. The US Secretary of State is scheduled to travel to Turkey in the coming days, as part of a West Asia tour that began on Sunday night in Cairo and will also include stops in Jordan and Lebanon. The White House today flatly denied Israeli claims that talks are underway to annex land claimed by Palestinians, in a rare public show of disunity. Washington: The White House on Monday flatly denied Israeli claims that talks are underway to annex land claimed by Palestinians, in a rare public show of disunity. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had been in talks with Washington about annexing settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move that could shatter a peace process that is already on life support. That was denied by White House spokesman Josh Raffel, who works closely with Jared Kushner. "Reports that the United States discussed with Israel an annexation plan for the West Bank are false," he said. "The United States and Israel have never discussed such a proposal, and the president's focus remains squarely on his Israeli-Palestinian peace initiative." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 13) Have you ever been lost in a foreign country and tried asking a local for directions? And as hard you two may try, you just can't understand each other's words. Apparently, this "language barrier" can also exist with the people we love most. "Na-realize na minsan, 'pag iba ang sinasabi ng partner, tapos iba yung expectation nung partner, nagkakaroon ng hidwaan," AMD Love Consultants Relationship Expert Aiza Caparas-Tabayoyong told CNN Philippines "Newsroom Ngayon" on Monday. [Translation: They realized that sometimes, when a partner says something, but the other partner has a different expectation, conflict arises.] "Ito yung pinag-aralan ni Gary Chapman sa States among couples na meron pala tayong kanya-kanyang paraan ng pagpapakita ng pagmamahal sa ating mga partners, sa ating mga kamag-anak, sa ating mga anak," she added. [Translation: This is what Gary Chapman studied in the United States among couples, such that they have different ways of expressing love for their partners, their family and their children.] Gary Chapman, a U.S-based pastor who studied anthropology and philosophy, identified "The Five Love Languages," which include: Words of Affirmation verbal or written words of appreciation or praise Acts of Service taking the initiative to help others Receiving Gifts giving thoughtful material things Quality Time dedicating time to someone you love, without distractions Physical Touch physical contact like holding hands, hugging, kissing, sex Chapman said although all people communicate their love using these languages, a person primarily speaks one love language. Acquiring love languages Caparas-Tabayoyong said most people don't speak the same love language. "Pwedeng growing up, diyan ka nakasanayan," she said. "'Yan yung ginagawa ng magulang mo sa iyo, so 'yun yung naiintindihan mo. Kumbaga, ang salita niyo sa bahay Cebuano, you grow up expecting sasabihan ka "I love you," Cebuano. 'Pag bigla kang sinabihan ng Nihonggo, 'di mo maiintindihan." [Translation: It could be that growing up, that is the language that you were used to. That was the language that your parents taught you, so that's what you understand. In other words, if you speak Cebuano at home, you grow up expecting people to say "I love you" in Cebuano. So if someone suddenly speaks to you in Japanese, you won't understand.] Caparas-Tabayoyong also said people may acquire a love language because they were deprived of it. "'Pag nakuha nila sa iba, "Ay, ang lakas ng dating," she said. "Mas nagugustuhan nila. Mas meron silang magnetism dun sa pagpapakita ng pagmamahal na ganun." [Translation: If they get it from somebody else, they say, "What an impact." They prefer it. They have greater magnetism for those who express love in that way.] Learning each other's language Caparas-Tabayoyong said good relationships are about give and take, including striving to understand each other's love languages. "Kung ang love language niya pala ay Words of Affirmation, hindi (Receiving) Gifts, then you might as well devote your time and energy writing or saying good things about the person, kaysa naman mag-aksaya ka ng oras at pera mag-shopping ng regalo na hindi naman pala niya mas ma-appreciate kaysa dun sa affirmation," she added. [Translation: If your partner's love language is Words of Affirmation, not Receiving Gifts, then you might as well devote your time and energy writing or saying good things about the person, instead of wasting time and money shopping for a gift that he or she may not appreciate as much as affirmation.] Caparas-Tabayoyong said it could just be a matter of keen observation. "Usually, kung ano yung ginagawa sa iyo ng partner at hindi niyo pa napag-uusapan ito, malamang-lamang, 'yun yung love language nila," she said. "Halimbawa, lagi siyang nagre-regalo sa iyo tuwing okasyon, pero hindi naman siya nagsasabi ng "I love you." [Translation: Usually, if you haven't talked about it, whatever signs your partner shows most likely indicate his or her love language. For instance, he or she always gives gifts during special occasions, but doesn't say "I love you."] Alternatively, Caparas-Tabayoyong said people can take the Chapman's Love Language Quiz online. "Learn your own love language and communicate that with your partner para hindi kayo naghuhulaan," she said. [Translation: Learn your own love language and communicate that with your partner so you don't engage in a guessing game.] "Kasi 'pag naghuhulaan at hindi nabibigay yung gusto, pwedeng maging source ng tampuhan," she added. "Pwedeng maiwasan by learning yourself, learning your partner, and give and take." [Translation: Because if you're just guessing around and you don't get what you want, it could be a source of spats. You can avoid this by learning yourself, learning your partner. and giving and taking.] . , , . , . . , , . ... Pressure mounts as Security Council meets today to discuss Rohingya (BANGKOK, February 13, 2018)The United Nations Security Council should refer Myanmar to the International Criminal Court to investigate genocide and other atrocity crimes against Rohingya Muslims, Fortify Rights said today. The Security Council will convene today, February 13 at the U.N. Headquarters in New York City for a briefing on the situation of the Rohingya. Its not too late for the Security Council to respond with action, said Matthew Smith, CEO of Fortify Rights. The civilian and military leadership in Myanmar are ensuring complete impunity for ongoing, heinous crimes, and thats precisely why international action is warranted and overdue. In response to violent assaults on security forces by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army in October 2016 and again in August 2017, the Myanmar Army led a brutal attack on the Rohingya civilian population, forcing more than 775,000 refugees to flee to Bangladesh and causing a humanitarian situation that U.N. Secretary General Gustavo Guterres described as catastrophic. Rohingya survivor of the military-led attacks in Myanmars Rakhine State now living as a refugee in Bangladesh Fortify Rights/Reza Shahriar, 2017 In a report published in November 2017, Fortify Rights and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum documented Myanmar Army-led massacres, mass gang-rapes, and arson attacks against Rohingya since October 2016. Based primarily on hundreds of testimonies from eyewitnesses and survivors collected during a yearlong investigation since October 2016, the report found mounting evidence of genocide. On November 24, 2017, the U.N. special envoy on sexual violence Pramila Patten said the Myanmar Armys widespread use of sexual violence against Rohingya women and girls was a calculated tool of terror aimed at the extermination and removal of the Rohingya as a group, adding that she, too, documented the basis for characterizing the crimes as genocide. In a statement during a Special Session of the Human Rights Council on December 5, 2017, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad al-Hussein referred to the crime of genocide with regard to the attack on Rohingya, saying, [C]an anyone rule out that elements of genocide may be present? In a BBC film that aired later that month, High Commissioner Zeid said that members of the military as well as the civilian government in the country may be liable for genocide. More recently, at a press conference on February 1, U.N. Special Rapporteur Yanghee Lee said the situation of Rohingya in Myanmar bears the hallmarks of genocide. No Mans Land In November 2017, Bangladesh and Myanmar negotiated an agreement to repatriate refugees back to Myanmar. This film, based on interviews conducted with Rohingya refugees and others in Bangladesh, highlights concerns with the plans. In 2015, a legal analysis prepared for Fortify Rights by the Allard K. Lowenstein International Human Rights Clinic at Yale Law School found strong evidence that the government of Myanmar was responsible for genocide against Rohingya Muslims. Understanding the crime of genocide is not the exclusive domain of international courts, said Matthew Smith. If we can ever hope to prevent genocide, we have to be able to diagnose it when we see it. Enough is enough. Its time to stop tip-toeing around terminology and move towards holding perpetrators accountable. The governments of Bangladesh and Myanmar recently made preparations to repatriate Rohingya refugees back to northern Rakhine State, Myanmar. The governments did not consult Rohingya or the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees about the plan. The repatriation was scheduled to begin January 23, but has been delayed. Donor governments and humanitarian agencies should not support the repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar under the current conditions, Fortify Rights said. Donor governments and the U.N. should instead ensure that any repatriation in the future is voluntary, safe, and dignified in accordance with international standards. Rohingya families continue to arrive in Bangladesh, fleeing persecution and ongoing human rights violations in Myanmar. The Myanmar authorities also continue to confine more than 120,000 Rohingya to dozens of internment camps in eight townships of Rakhine Statemostly survivors of violent attacks in 2012while denying all Rohingya in Rakhine State equal access to citizenship, marriage, education, and employment and systematically restricting their freedom of movement. The authorities also continue to deny the existence of Rohingya. Rohingya survivor uses Human Rights Watch satellite imagery to explain to Fortify Rights how Myanmar Army soldiers burned down Wa Peik Village. Fortify Rights, 2016 Since August 2017, the Government of Myanmar has denied lifesaving humanitarian aid to tens of thousands of Rohingya in need, particularly in the three townships of northern Rakhine StateMaungdaw, Buthidaung, and Rathedaung townshipscreating conditions of life designed to be destructive, Fortify Rights said. The U.N. Security Council met in September and again in December 2017 to discuss the Rohingya crisis, failing each time to issue action-oriented resolutions. In addition to a referral to the International Criminal Court, the Security Council should also implement a global arms embargo on Myanmar and targeted sanctions against those responsible for mass atrocity crimes, Fortify Rights said. (CNN) If you're planning on attending the British royal wedding this spring, you can finally stake out a spot on the processional route. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding will take place at 12 p.m. GMT (7 a.m. ET) on May 19, 2018, Kensington Palace announced Monday morning. The Palace had previously revealed the date of the wedding, but the timing of the ceremony hadn't been disclosed. The British royal wedding, which will be held in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, will be officiated by the Dean of Windsor, the Right Reverend David Conner and the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, said Kensington Palace, the royal residence where Harry lives. The royal family has also just revealed the route of the procession set to take place following the ceremony, when the newlyweds first emerge as husband and wife. The newlyweds will leave Windsor Castle in a carriage and travel along High Street through the town of Windsor, before returning to the castle by the Long Walk, according to the Palace. Windsor is some 40 km (25 miles) west of central London. "They hope this short journey will provide an opportunity for more people to come together around Windsor and to enjoy the atmosphere of this special day," says a statement from Kensington Palace, the royal residence where Harry resides. Following the procession, the couple and guests will attend a reception at St. George's Hall, prior to a private evening reception for friends and family hosted by Prince Charles, Harry's father. St. George's Chapel has been the site of many royal weddings, although other members of Prince Harry's immediate family were wed in London. His father and mother, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, were married in 1981 at St. Paul's Cathedral, while his older brother, Prince William, wed Kate Middleton in 2011 at Westminster Abbey. Prince Harry and Markle announced their engagement in November, when Harry told reporters he knew Markle, an American actress, was "the one" from "the very first time we met." In an interview with the BBC, Markle said the couple first met in July 2016 on a blind date set up by a mutual friend. After a second date, the couple took a camping trip to Botswana, where they could finally be alone. "We were able to really have so much time just to connect," Markle said, "and we never went longer than two weeks without seeing each other, even though we were obviously doing a long-distance relationship. We made it work." Harry proposed on a "cozy night" in early November at Nottingham Cottage, Markle told the BBC, with an engagement ring he designed himself. It features a diamond from Botswana, flanked by two smaller diamonds from the jewelry collection of Princess Diana, Harry's mother. He said he wanted to include the diamonds "to make sure she's with us on this crazy journey together." This story was first published on CNN.com, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle unveil more details on their royal wedding." A limited-edition chocolate bar that is made from the beans of ancient cacao trees in Ecuador and sells for $385 may very well be the worlds most expensive chocolate bar. We make chocolate with the oldest and the rarest variety of cacao on earth, Jerry Toth, co-founder of Toak, an Ecuadorian chocolate company, told FOX Business. Toak ages the beans for four years in a French oak cognac cask, which drives up the price tag. The company has partnered with multiple retailers around the world including Harrods in London, 2beans in New York, Wallys Wine & Spirits in Los Angeles as well as two locations in China. The beans come from a native variety known as Nacional and were on the verge of extinction until Toth and his business partner, Carl Schweizer, stumbled across a valley in Ecuador that had a few old cacao trees left. We actually had DNA tests done to make sure they were 100% genetic matches to the Nacional beans, Toth said. The company said it has planted a seed bank of cacao trees in Ecuador to ensure production over the next decade. The partners decided to establish Toak in 2013 and produce limited-edition bars for chocoholics around the world. Since its launch, the company has completely sold out each edition of the bars it has released, with about 100 bars per edition. Our trees have extremely low yields, causing us to be limited on what we can produce, he said. If youre on a budget, the company also offers a $355 chocolate bar that has been aged for two years in a single-malt whisky cask. Its first chocolate bar, the El Nino Harvest, sells for $275. Its kind of like what you would do with a really expensive bottle of whiskey, Toth said. Our customers save it for a long time and wait for the right moment to break it out. As for taste, Toth describes his candy as a dark chocolate with caramel and fruit notes with hints of kelp and sea water. While love is in the air for many this Valentines Day, many married couples are still quarreling over their political views and more specifically, the commander-in-chief, President Donald Trump, a year later, causing them to split as result. Nothing has changed in the past few months. Couples still have not altered their political affiliations and those who prefer President Trump still do so, Lois Brenner, a New York-based divorce attorney, told FOX Business. Last May, FOX Business first reported this trend with data from Wakefield Research, an Arlington, Virginia-based polling firm, that found one in 10 couples (married or unmarried) ended their relationships over political disagreements, with millennials parting ways at a particularly high rate of 22%. Lisa Johnson Kiefer, managing director of Wakefield Research, said the May study was conducted to explore how relationships are impacted by current events. We wanted to understand how, if at all, the current political environment was impacting romantic relationships, Kiefer said, adding the research group hasnt been able to conduct a new survey since then. The previous survey, however, which was conducted nationwide with 1,000 participants from April 12 to April 18, found that 22% of Americans know a couple whose marriage or relationship has been negatively impacted specifically due to President Trumps election. In fact, Wakefield said that 24% of Americans in a relationship or marriage report that since Trump was elected, they and their partner have disagreed or argued about politics more than ever. Brenner said in her 35 years of matrimonial practice, she has never seen so many couples split over a political disagreement as she has seen with President Trump and his election. Spouses still use their differences about Trump to continue to fight with each other in the divorce process, she said. The central truth today is that divorce is essentially a psychological experience. When I work with divorcing couples, in addition to considering the law, I help people identify personality traits, family dynamics and behavior modifications to develop strategies for a more positive experience. Couples are unlikely to change each others political affiliations. Wakefield added that while finances are a common dispute for couples, last year from January to May, more than one in five Americans in a relationship or marriage report having more disagreements over Trumps policies than money woes. Yet, Deborah Blum, another New York-based divorce attorney, argues that while we are living in a highly politicized environment right now, which could be a tipping point for couples, its not the driving force. My clients have a myriad of issues that lead to the dissolution of their relationship, Blum said. Getting a promotion takes more than just doing your job well. To move up the ladder to the next step if your career, you have to prove to decision makers and leadership that you are ready and deserving enough to take on more responsibility. This takes consistently working your best, staying dedicated to your work, and much more. If you're sick of being passed up for promotions, check out these eight habits of employees that get promoted. Make small changes as necessary if you're ready to take the next step in your career. 1. Set and Communicate Career GoalsBe goal-oriented Before the start of the year, sit down with your boss to set and discuss your professional career goals. Be open about where you see yourself in six months or a year. A good boss will help you achieve these goals by giving you opportunities to grow and provide support to keep you on track. "In many cases, he or she truly does want to see you achieve your goals. As a manager myself, I constantly ask my employees 'Where do you see yourself in five years?' because if there's a way I can help them along, I'll do it. Whether that means putting in a good word for them in a different department at my current company or assigning them specials projects that will help them build new skill sets for a different role, I want to help," says Katie Douthwaite Wolf, The Muse contributor. The key, says Wolf, is to avoid announcing plans to "jump ship or that you want to take over your boss's position." Instead, think bigger and broader and come ready to discuss the ways you think your boss can help. 2. Always Be a Team PlayerBe collaborative Employers don't like when employees are focused on "I" rather than "we." They want team players who are committed to helping the greater good of the team, which ultimately benefits the company. "A good employee volunteers his or her efforts before even being asked. They volunteer for more tasks and responsibility, and not just because of immediate reward," according to the guide, How to be Promotable. "This type of employees simply goes above and beyond and will be the first thought of when promotions are being decided." 3. Make Yourself IndispensableBe irreplaceable How can you make yourself an indispensable member of your team? One way is to become the go-to person for something specific, like designing dynamic sales decks or dealing with challenging customers. People in positions like this are not only sought after by coworkers, but also seen by leadership because they naturally stand out as someone people are always looking for. 4. Keep LearningTake initiative Show your boss that you're committed to continuously improving and developing your skills by finding learning opportunities, both within the office and outside of it. This doesn't mean you need to get your Masters or Ph.D. unless that's relevant to your job. Instead, enroll in one webinar each month, use your own money to attend conferences, or ask to be put on projects outside of your department. This shows that you're serious about your career, and aren't waiting for someone else to get you where you want to go. 5. Document Your SuccessAdvocate for yourself When asking for a promotion, leadership is going to want to know what kind of value you bring to the business. Rather trying to think back at all you've accomplished, build a "working" portfolio throughout the year. After you've completed an important project or performed a record sales month, document it. When noting your successes, focus on the most important details. "Keep a record of everything you do that enhances the company's bottom line, that puts the company or your department in a good light, that is creative and innovative, and that shows your loyalty and commitment to the organization," says Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D. This tracking shows that you've been successful, improved the company, and are invested in the work you're doing. 6. Don't Be Afraid to Take ChargeShow leadership potential Do you display passion, trustworthiness, decisiveness, and confidence? Possessing these types of leadership skills is essential for getting promoted. After all, the first step in being a leader is acting like one. Don't get involved in office politics or develop bad habits like being late or missing deadlines. Leaders need to be great role models for the employees they manage and work with, and without these skills, it will be hard to get a management promotion. 7. Network with the Right PeopleStay connected Take advantage of every networking opportunity you have, even if it's a small get together with new co-workers at lunch. Networking with others within your organization and otherwise will allow you to get to know the people who can provide support now and in the future. It's also a chance to promote yourself and your skills as well. You can reap similar benefits by getting involved with groups in your organization like those who help plan events or keep the office stocked. 8. Be an engaged employeeGet involved Being engaged goes beyond paying attention or taking notes in meetings -- both of which are also important. It means being an active member of your organization, attending every optional "Lunch and Learn", or coming up with new ideas for sharing successes in the workplace. This shows your commitment to the company and the success of your co-workers. Get Promoted This Year Getting promoted is not an easy task -- it takes time, learning and dedication to yourself and the business. Successfully manage your own career path by using these eight tips -- you might just get that promotion you've been hoping for. This article originally appeared on Glassdoor.com. The $16,122 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $16,122 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. A confidante accused of collaborating with South Korea's former president for personal gain was sentenced Tuesday to 20 years in prison for bribery and other crimes in a political scandal that triggered the country's first presidential impeachment and the conviction of an heir to the Samsung empire. The Seoul Central District Court also sentenced the chairman of the Lotte Group, South Korea's fifth-largest conglomerate, to 2 years in prison for bribery in the same case. Former President Park Geun-hye was impeached last March and removed from office in disgrace. She is standing trial on more than a dozen criminal charges, and the case against her close friend could hint at the penalty Park could face if convicted. The court convicted Choi Soon-sil of abuse of power, bribery and other crimes and fined her 18 billion won ($17 million). Choi left the courtroom quietly after the sentencing without showing any emotion. Among her crimes was pressuring major companies to donate large sums to foundations under her control and receiving bribes from Samsung and Lotte. The court said Choi's crimes were grave given how they led to the impeachment of a president and disappointed the public. Choi's lawyer, Lee Kyung-jae, said she would appeal. At her final court hearing in December, Lee called the accusations a complete fabrication by politicians, civic groups, media and politically motivated prosecutors who wanted to overthrow Park's government, according to Yonhap News agency. In the Lotte case, the court said Chairman Shin Dong-bin offered 7 billion won ($6.5 million) in payments to Choi's foundations to curry favors such as winning a state license to open a duty-free shop and to strengthen his control over the group. Lotte has interests in retail, confectionary and many other businesses. The sentencing sent a shockwave through the South Korean business community, which had been relieved to see an appeals court release Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong from prison last week on a suspended sentence with some of his convictions overturned. In a text message, Lotte said it was "miserable" that its chief had been unexpectedly jailed, leaving a leadership vacuum. It said it plans to review the verdict before determining its next step. Shin had pleaded not guilty. In a third case Tuesday, the court sentenced one of Park's former senior aides, Ahn Jong-beom, to six years in prison for abuse of power. Choi was largely unknown to the South Korean public until a series of revelations in late 2016 disclosed how she allegedly pulled government strings from the shadows, editing presidential speeches and wielding influence over government personnel even though she held no official government position. She also influenced the college admission process for her daughter, a national equestrian team member who was accepted by a top university in Seoul, enraging the public and helping to spark massive anti-government candlelight rallies. Choi received a three-year prison term last June in a separate case related to influence-peddling in university admissions. Her case brought the debate about ties between politics and business in South Korea to the fore, as several top business leaders were implicated in the scandal. Her daughter's equestrian training overseas was scrutinized and questions were raised about whether Samsung's purchase of expensive horses for her daughter constituted bribery. The appeals court ruling that allowed Lee, Samsung's vice chairman, to be freed last week after nearly a year in jail said Lee was unable to reject Park's request to financially support Choi and was coerced into making the payments. The court still found Lee guilty of giving 3.6 billion won ($3.3 million) in bribes for equestrian training of Choi's daughter and of embezzling the money from Samsung. Choi's power behind closed doors was compared to Rasputin, the Russian mystic who gained power through his influence over the czar in the early 20th century. Choi's ties with Park date to her father, a religious cult leader and Christian pastor at different times, who was a mentor to Park when she was young. ___ Follow Lee on Twitter at twitter.com/YKLeeAP The Equifax data breach exposed more of consumers' personal information than the company previously disclosed last September. That's according to documents given to lawmakers. Equifax originally said that the information accessed from 145.5 million Americans included names, Social security numbers, birth dates, addresses and in some cases driver's license numbers and credit card numbers. Equifax, however, recently disclosed in a document submitted to the S enate Banking Committee that tax identification numbers, email addresses and phone numbers as well as the expiration dates for credit cards or issuing states for driver's licenses, may have also been exposed. A Japanese drug maker says it has developed a single-dose pill that can kill the flu virus within a day. The drug is in a late-stage trial and reportedly works more quickly than any other drug on the market to kill the flu. The drug likely won't be available in the U.S. until next year at the earliest. Retailer L.L. Bean, known for its products lifetime guarantee, is now imposing a one-year limit on most returns to reduce growing abuse and fraud. The company will now only accept returns for one year with proof of purchase. It will continue to replace products for manufacturing defects beyond that. L.L. Bean said that abuse of its century-old returns policy led it to update the rules. With the Trump administrations plan to hand off the International Space Station (ISS) to the private sector, the key question is who will emerge as the big players. The president announced on Monday plans to end direct federal funding for the orbiting lab by 2025 and provide $150 million to begin a program to encourage commercial development of capabilities that NASA could use in its place. U.S. aerospace and defense company Boeing (NYSE:BA) operates the ISS for NASA, being selected as the prime contractor for the Space Station in 1993 and a cost-plus-award-fee contract with NASA that began in 1995. The U.S. currently pays between $3 billion and $4 billion per year to operate the ISS, and since 1993, has spent about $87 billion to build and operate the space lab. The International Space Station is a unique laboratory and proving ground for advances that enable future deep-space exploration and improve the lives of people on Earth, a Boeing spokesperson told FOX Business. Keeping these advances on track, both technologically and as groundwork for establishing a commercial marketplace in low Earth orbit, is critical. We look forward to working together with the Administration and Congress to preserve American leadership in space with the resources to match. Boeing, along with Elon Musks SpaceX, are both in the process of developing crew transportation systems to enable U.S. astronauts to travel on an American-made space vehiclecurrently the U.S. pays Russia $80 million per seat to travel on Russias Soyuz spacecraft. The contracts Boeing and SpaceX have with the American space agency for the vehicles are worth up to a combined total of $6.8 billion. If you look when theyre first going to start launching those with crews to the ISS in the 2020 timeframe, theres not that many years before the end of the station. Theres only two crew missions a year. So the investment made in that and the development activities made in that, unless something happens relativity quickly in the commercial market to offset that in low-earth orbit could be an impact, Frank Slazer, vice president of space systems at the Aerospace Industries Association, told FOX Business, regarding the impact privatization could have on Boeing and SpaceX. Other companies, such as NanoRacks, which creates hardware and services, already has its products on the Space Station. Im just delighted that the Trump administration is willing to begin a genuine dialogue that we now have several years to plan, NanoRacks CEO Jeff Manber told FOX Business. Another company, Bigelow Aerospace, builds habitable space structures and also is involved with the Space Station, specifically with its Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) which is attached to the ISS. Its imperative, its critical, Bigelow Aerospace founder and President Robert Bigelow told FOX Business, regarding the White Houses budget request. NASA has got itself into a position like they had with the shuttle. We dont want to see that repeated. NASA also partners with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), a non-profit which Slazer said could be a key player if privatization occurs, to manage non-NASA reach activities on the National Laboratorythe U.S. section of the Space Station. The space agency awarded CASIS a 10-year, $136 million cooperative agreement, extending it last year to September 2024, which increased the total cost to $196 million, according to an audit by the NASA Office of Inspector General. They act as the go-between intermediary between non-U.S. government users who want to fly things on the Space Station to do research and experiments They are pretty active right now. They could potentially be a candidate if they chose to go down that path, Slazer said. Chinese wearables maker Huami (NYSE: HMI) recently went public at $11 per share, the midpoint of its price range, and raised $110 million. However, the stock barely advanced during its first two days of trading, partly due to the volatility across the broader market. Huami produces devices like the Mi Band fitness tracker and Amazifit Blip smartwatch for its partner Xiaomi. Those devices helped Xiaomi match Fitbit's (NYSE: FIT) worldwide wearables market share of 13.7% during the third quarter of 2017 according to the International Data Corporation, making it one of the top two wearables makers in the world. However, investors might be reluctant to touch another "pure play" wearables stock after witnessing Fitbit's near-75% drop from its IPO price of $20. After all, the same issues which sunk Fitbit -- market saturation and intense competition -- could also punish Huami. But if we take a closer look at Huami, we'll realize that it's a potentially better wearables play than Fitbit for four simple reasons. 1. Better revenue growth Huami's revenue rose 74% to $233.9 million in 2016, then grew another 37%, or $194.8 million, during the first nine months of 2017. That marks a slowdown, but Huami is still growing at a faster rate than Fitbit, which grew its revenues just 17% to $2.2 billion in 2016. Analysts expect Fitbit's revenue to fall 25% this year (when it reports its full-year earnings on Feb. 26) based in part on tougher competition. 2. A more stable slice of the market Xiaomi and Fitbit are tied for first in the wearables market, but Fitbit's market share of 13.7% in the third quarter actually represents a big drop from its 21.9% share a year earlier. Its total shipments fell 33% annually during that period. Xiaomi's share slipped from 15.2% to 13.7%, but its shipments only fell 3% annually. If that trend continues, there's a strong chance Xiaomi/Huami could overtake Fitbit as the top wearables maker this year. That's because Xiaomi benefits from robust sales in China, which surpassed the U.S. as the world's top wearables market (in terms of shipment volumes) in 2015. Meanwhile, Fitbit's APAC (Asia Pacific) revenues dropped 26% in 2016, plunged another 52% in the first quarter of 2017, before finally rebounding during the second and third quarters. 3. Better profitability At first glance it seems like Huami should be less profitable than Fitbit. Its Mi Band 2 fitness trackers, which offer more features than Fitbit's $100 Alta, cost less than $30. Its new Amazifit Blip smartwatch, which costs $100, is much cheaper than Fitbit's $270 Ionic smartwatch. Yet Huami reported a net profit of $3.6 million in 2016, compared to a loss of $6 million in 2015. The company reported a net profit of $14.3 million in the first nine months of 2017, compared to a net loss of $3 million a year earlier. On an adjusted (non-GAAP) basis, which excludes stock-based compensation expenses, Huami's net income surged 351% to $12.3 million in 2016, then jumped another 491% annually to $21.6 million during the first nine months of 2017. Meanwhile, Fitbit reported net losses (by both GAAP and non-GAAP metrics) in 2016. Analysts expect its bottom line to remain in the red for 2017 and 2018 due to dropping price expectations and rising operating expenses. 4. Xiaomi's support Huami can generate bigger profits than Fitbit while selling cheaper products because Xiaomi handles its design, manufacturing, marketing, and distribution expenses. Xiaomi owns a 19.3% stake in Huami, while Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun's Shunwei Capital owns another 20.4%. That symbiotic relationship caused critics to argue that Huami is actually a subsidiary of Xiaomi. Research firm Smartkarma claims that Huami's profitability is a "mirage" and that the company is merely "Xiaomi's subsidiary masquerading as an independently run company." The firm notes that if "Huami were an independently run company designing, manufacturing, marketing, and distributing its products, it would be unprofitable." That's certainly true, but there's no evidence that Xiaomi will sever ties with Huami. Instead, those ties should strengthen as Xiaomi expands beyond smartphones with new wearable devices. That expansion would help Xiaomi, which posted 75% growth in smartphone shipments in 2017 (IDC), diversify its business ahead of its long-rumored IPO later this year. The bottom line I don't plan to buy Huami since the market is volatile and the stock isn't cheap at 2.9 times sales; Fitbit, for comparison, trades at just 0.8 times sales. Nonetheless, investors looking for a new way into wearables -- or an indirect play on Xiaomi -- should realize that Huami is probably a better bet than Fitbit. 10 stocks we like better than FitbitWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Fitbit wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of February 5, 2018 Leo Sun has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Fitbit. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. With Atlanta among the 20 cities on the short list to become the home of Amazon's second headquarters, the corporate giant's name has become a contentious rallying cry inside the conservative Georgia Capitol. Lawmakers and lobbyists in Georgia are viewing various pieces of legislation through the lens of how they will affect the city's chances of winning Amazon's business and the estimated 50,000 jobs expected to be generated by the new headquarters. Two flashpoints have been a "religious liberties" bill viewed by some as anti-LGBT as well as a trio of bills that opponents have dubbed "adios Amazon" because they're related to immigration issues. "It's putting a target on our back," Democratic Rep. Bee Nguyen said of the immigration-related bills, which she said would draw unnecessary scrutiny from the Amazon selection committee. Amazon has yet to publicly release specific criteria it will use to judge the 20 finalist cities, but its initial call for proposals lists "Cultural Community Fit" as a priority, noting it requires a community with a "diverse population." Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos is a big-time donor to pro-LGBT causes and has given large amounts of money to fund scholarships for young immigrants. The potential cost of legislation perceived to be discriminatory can be huge. North Carolina faced months of scrutiny and criticism after the passage of its "bathroom bill," which effectively blocked the city of Charlotte from allowing transgender people to use restrooms aligned with their gender identity. An Associated Press analysis revealed backlash to the law would cost the state an estimated $3.76 billion over 12 years in business lost from Paypal, the NBA, Adidas, Deutsche Bank and other companies and organizations scuttling planned projects and events in the state. But some lawmakers are skeptical that state legislation would have any effect on Amazon's selection. "It is a smart tactic to create this boogeyman of, 'Oh, we are going to lose out on economic development,'" Republican Sen. Josh McKoon said. He said there was "zero evidence" that conservative policies make a state less likely to attract employers like Amazon and that state legislators should not be swayed by out-of-state companies that may not share the same values as the people of Georgia. "Perhaps we should just have their board of directors come down and sit in our seats in the House and Senate," McKoon said sarcastically. McKoon is a sponsor of a resolution that would prevent the state government from issuing written driving tests and other official documents in any language other than English. That is one of three measures that opponents have dubbed "adios Amazon" legislation. The other two measures would require a special driver's license for non-U.S. citizens and would tax out-of-state wire transfers, which are widely used by immigrants. McKoon is also a supporter of another piece of controversial legislation that some people worry could derail Atlanta's bid: a "religious liberties" bill that opponents say would allow individuals to deny services to LGBT people based on their religious convictions. Republican Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed a similar measure in 2016 after pressure from corporate giants including Coca-Cola, a major employer based in Atlanta. But conservative legislators are pushing the measure forward again this year. The veto highlights another important aspect of the Amazon debate: It's not just Republican vs. Democrat. In the run-up to November's elections, conservative Republican legislators are pushing hot-button social issues that can win votes in rural parts of the state. But the party's more centrist, business-friendly arm is worried that could turn off Amazon by seeming to be anti-immigrant or anti-LGBT. Republican Sen. Michael Williams, who is running for governor, said in a statement to The Associated Press that he supported the "religious liberties" bill because his constituents support the measure. "I've made it clear that I'm not beholden to the establishment, Party leadership or big corporate," Williams said. But Republican House Speaker David Ralston told WABE Radio that he was interested in "growing economic opportunity for every part of Georgia" and that legislation such as the "religious liberties" bill didn't fit into that plan. "To the extent that any debate ... creates headwinds for that, then I don't have any interest in doing that, frankly," he said. William Hatcher, associate professor in the Department of Social Sciences at Augusta University, said that many of the bills being introduced will appeal to conservative voters, even if they don't have much chance of becoming law. "There is a lot of symbolic politics going on," Hatcher said. "It really represents the conflict you have in the Republican party nationwide, but especially in a number of Southern states ... between more economic conservatives and more social-religious conservatives," he said. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 13) President Rodrigo Duterte said he would have let U.S. keep the historic Balangiga bells if only its soldiers had not killed thousands of Filipinos during the war. He was reacting to two U.S. lawmakers' January 5 letter urging the Trump administration to refuse to return the bells until the Philippine government "makes clear, measurable efforts to stop extrajudicial killings in their 'war on drugs.'" "Two congressmen say that 'wag daw isauli kasi (do not return because of) the underpinnings of a sacrifice of a soldier," Duterte said in a speech in Cebu City Monday. Although U.S. sees the Balangiga bells as a "veterans memorial object," Congressmen Randy Hultgren and Jim McGovern in their letter only cited the country's human rights situation as reason for their objection. Duterte added, "Kung kinuha lang nila 'yon wala silang pinatay, okay lang sa akin. Ano ba naman 'yung bell? Eh 'di maggawa tayo nang bago." [Translation: "If they seized the bells and did not kill anyone, it would have been okay for me. What are the bells for? We could just make new ones."] "Pero ito pinatay nila mga bata, pinatay nila lahat. Ayaw nilang isauli, eh 'di 'wag," he added. [Translation: "But they killed children, they killed everyone. If they do not want to return the bells, fine."] Filipinos used the Balangiga bells as the signal to launch a surprise attack against American troops stationed in Balangiga town in Samar province on September 28, 1901. The American soldiers retaliated, destroying the town and killing thousands of Filipino soldiers and locals. They seized all three bells from the Balangiga Church and a 1557 cannon as war booty. During his second State of the Nation Address in July 2017, Duterte resurrected the century-old fight for the return of the Balangiga bells. "Give us back those Balangiga bells. They are ours. They belong to the Philippines. They are part of our national heritage," he said. READ: PH demands return of Balangiga bells seized by U.S. As he pressed on the U.S. government to give the bells back, he also said he would rather be "friendly" to the Americans. In its National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, the U.S. Congress said the bells will be "transferred" to the Philippines' care if it is "in the national security interests of the United States," and "appropriate steps have been taken to preserve the history of the veterans associated with the object." But the country's human rights situation could have negative impact on U.S. security, said Hultgren and Jim McGovern, Co-Chairs of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC), which has looked into the drug war. They said over 7,000 drug suspects were killed "by police and vigilantes incited by Duterte's rhetoric." "Your refusal to certify the return of these bells until he (Duterte) takes meaningful measures towards that end would be in the interest of our national security and our role as an internationally recognized leader in the promotion of human rights," the TLHRC chairmen said. Around 4,000 suspects were killed in anti-drug operations since the start of the drug war in July 2016, government data showed. Malacanang has repeatedly said there are no state-sponsored killings and committed to investigate officers who violate and abuse their power. The burger wars are heating up in Asia as fast-food chains McDonalds (NYSE:MCD) and Burger King announced massive store openings in Japan. According to Japans Nikkei news outlet, McDonalds announced Tuesday that it is planning to open 200 restaurants in Japan this year, which is the companys first net store increase in a decade. But the number is still small in comparison to its competitor Burger Kings plan to triple its Japanese locations to 300 by 2022, spending an estimating $45.5 million in the process. The news comes as McDonalds Japan saw a 4.5-fold increase in group net profit for the fiscal year through December, logging a record 24 billion yen. The companys president Sarah Casanova told reporters that over the last several years, they were focusing on optimizing its existing store portfolio. Now that executives have done that, it's time to look to opportunities to grow with new restaurants, she said. The number of McDonalds locations in Japan peaked in 2002 but has been on a decline ever since. The chain currently has 2,900 restaurants after a net decrease of about 1,000. The chain said it aims to now open 150 to 200 new locations in the next three years. Burger King Japan told the newspaper that it plans to open most of its 200 new restaurants in large cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. One of the biggest reasons both burger chains are eying Japan is that the country hosted a record number of tourists last year at 29.6 million, giving the restaurants a steady stream of fresh customers. Both chains also said they plan to offer home delivery options as well to better compete with online food retailers. Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG) on Tuesday tapped Taco Bell CEO Brian Niccol as its next chief executive as the struggling fast casual chain attempts to reverse its recent slump. Niccol, 43, is set to assume the role on March 5, the company said in a press release. He will replace Chipotle co-founder and executive chairman Steve Ells, who stepped down as CEO last year as the chain faced pressure related to food safety and declining foot traffic. "Brian is a proven world-class executive, who will bring fresh energy and leadership to drive excellence across every aspect of our business, Ells said in a statement. His expertise in digital technologies, restaurant operations and branding make him a perfect fit for Chipotle. Chipotle shares rose more than 10% in after-hours trading after Niccols hiring was announced. Ticker Security Last Change Change % CMG CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL, INC. 1,861.90 -3.52 -0.19% YUM YUM! BRANDS, INC. 129.11 +0.08 +0.06% After years of growth, Chipotle has struggled since 2015, when repeated food safety scares at its restaurants shook consumer confidence in the brand and forced some locations to shutter temporarily. Concern was reignited last July after customers became sick after eating at a Chipotle restaurant in Sterling, Va. Recent efforts to boost sales, including the launch of such menu items as an organic queso dip and chorizo as well as a rewards program have largely failed to attract new customers. Chipotle shares are down more than 40% year-over-year and plunged again earlier this month after a price hike provided only a slight boost to quarterly revenue. Niccol, who spearheaded Taco Bells turnaround in recent years for Yum Brands (NYSE:YUM), will be tasked with engineering a similar renaissance at Chipotle. "At Chipotle's core is delicious food, which I will look to pair up with consistently great customer experiences, Niccol said in a press release. I will also focus on dialing up Chipotle's cultural relevance through innovation in menu and digital communications. This will attract customers, return the brand to growth, deliver value for shareholders and create opportunities for employees." This story has been updated. The prime ministers of Greece and Turkey worked late Tuesday to calm escalating tensions after a Greek coast guard vessel was damaged in a collision with a Turkish patrol boat in the Aegean Sea, the site of a boundary dispute. A government official in Athens said Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras of Greece and Turkish Prime Minister Benali Yildirim spoke by telephone about the circumstances of the boat crash. The official asked not to be named pending an official announcement. No one was hurt in the collision, which happened near uninhabited Aegean islets over which Turkey and Greece nearly went to war in 1996. Turkey's ambassador in Athens was summoned earlier in the day to receive an official complaint, while the Greek Foreign Ministry accused Turkey of "escalating and provocative conduct." Tensions between the NATO allies already were rising over the warships Turkey deployed in recent days to block a rig from reaching a location off of Cyprus where Italian energy company Eni is scheduled to drill for natural gas. Cyprus has been ethnically divided into a Turkish north and a Greek south since 1974. The internationally recognized government is on the Greek Cypriot side. Only Turkey recognizes the breakaway north, where it keeps thousands of troops. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan defended the presence of the warships, telling lawmakers from his party Tuesday that companies involved in the gas venture should not "step out of line." "We recommend that foreign companies don't allow themselves to be an instrument of issues that surpass their limits and strength, by trusting the Greek Cypriot side," Erdogan said. "Their show of strength lasts only until they see our ships and our planes." Turkey opposes the drilling, which it says disregards the rights of Turkish Cypriots. It also claims as its own part of the area Cyprus has designated for exploratory drilling. The Cypriot government says it has a sovereign right to drill, and that if the search is successful, any income would be shared equitably if the island is reunified. Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades refrained from direct comment on Erdogan's statements, but said Turkish naval activity should cause no public alarm. "There's no reason for anyone to worry," he told reporters in the capital, Nicosia. "Actions are being taken in such a way so as to avert any kind of crisis." Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, but only the southern part enjoys full membership benefits. Turkey's bid for EU membership has been stalled for some time. EU Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said EU authorities were monitoring the incident in the Aegean closely, adding that Turkey should avoid any "friction, threat or action" against an EU member state. ___ Nicholas Paphitis in Athens, Greece, Costas Kantouris in Thessaloniki, Greece, Menelaos Hadjicostis in Nicosia, Cyprus, and Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed. ___ Follow Gatopoulos at http://www.twitter.com/dgatopoulos and Fraser at http://www.twitter.com/suzanfraser Xerox Corp's plan to sell itself to Japan's Fujifilm Holdings has come under further pressure with Carl Icahn and Darwin Deason urging fellow shareholders to oppose the $6.1 billion deal. The activist shareholders, who own a combined 15 percent of the U.S. printer and copier maker, said the agreement dramatically undervalued Xerox and criticized the deal structure, which calls for the U.S. firm to be combined into the Fuji Xerox joint venture, as "tortured (and) convoluted". "We urge you our fellow shareholders do not let Fuji steal this company from us," Icahn and Deason said in an open letter. They added there was still great opportunity for Xerox to create "enormous value for shareholders, and it does not involve selling control to Fuji without a premium". Seeking a firmer footing amid waning demand for office printing, the two firms agreed to a deal under which their existing joint venture Fuji Xerox will buy back Fujifilm's stake in it for about 75 percent for around $6.1 billion. Fujifilm will then use those proceeds to purchase 50.1 percent of new Xerox shares. Xerox said in a statement that it had considered several other options in detail and concluded that the combination with Fuji Xerox is the "best path to create value" for the company. Fujifilm said in a separate statement that the planned deal "represents compelling strategic and financial value for Xerox shareholders." "The combined company will create a strong business foundation under a globally unified management strategy and provide new value by leveraging Fujifilm's technological resources," the Japanese company said. Shares of Xerox climbed 1.1 percent on Monday. Fujifilm's stock dropped 2 percent in early Tuesday trade. (Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee and Laharee Chatterjee in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Makiko Yamazaki in Tokyo; Editing by Maju Samuel and Edwina Gibbs) Cox Enterprises said Wednesday the majority of its employees will receive bonuses of up to $2,000 following the passage of tax reform. The Atlanta-based company, which owns the Cox cable provider among other businesses, announced that bonuses of $1,000 to $2,000 will be distributed on Tax Day to employees who have worked at Cox Enterprises for at least a year and are not part of an executive incentive plan. The move impacts most of the companys nearly 60,000 employees. The $1.5 trillion tax bill reduces the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and changes the way the U.S. government taxes companies that also operate internationally. FOX Business is keeping track of the tax benefits that have reached over 3 million Americans so far. Updated 3/7/18 Anthem Anthem Inc. (NYSE:ANTM) said it would contribute retirement savings for more than 58,000 current and former employees, joining other major corporations in rewarding workers after the passage of a GOP-backed tax reform package. The Indianapolis-based health insurance company said its associates and recent retirees will receive $1,000 toward their 401(k) accounts, for a total investment of more than $58 million. Anthem said other tax reform-related savings would be used to reduce the cost of healthcare for customers. Apple The California-based tech giant gave employees below the senior level title of "director" bonuses worth $2,500. The awards were composed of restricted stock units, a source familiar with the situation told FOX Business. AT&T The telecom giant said in late December that more than 200,000 of its employees, including union-represented and non-management workers, will be eligible for a $1,000 bonus. The checks will be in the mail in time for the holidays if Trump finalizes the tax bill with his signature before Christmas. AT&T (NYSE:T) also said it will invest $1 billion more than expected in the U.S. in 2018, once the cuts are final. Congress, working closely with the President, took a monumental step to bring taxes paid by U.S. businesses in line with the rest of the industrialized world, AT&T Chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson said in a statement. This tax reform will drive economic growth and create good-paying jobs. BNY Mellon Starting on March 1, Bank of New York Mellon Corp. will raise minimum wage to $15 per hour for roughly 1,000 of its 52,500 employees, the Wall Street Journal reported. BNY Mellon executives noted the new tax code will allow for savings of roughly $250 million per year, which will be used on technology upgrades. Boeing The aerospace and defense company immediately announced $300 million in investments after the bill passed, with $100 million toward corporate giving including employee gift-match programs, $100 million toward workforce development, training and education and $100 million toward enhancing Boeings workplaces. "On behalf of all of our stakeholders, we applaud and thank Congress and the administration for their leadership in seizing this opportunity to unleash economic energy in the United States," Boeing (NYSE:BA) President and CEO Dennis Muilenburg said in a statement. "It's the single-most important thing we can do to drive innovation, support quality jobs and accelerate capital investment in our country." Charter Communications Charter, which owns the Spectrum cable brand, says all of its employees will be paid at least $15 per hour within the next year. The company cited tax reform and the repeal of net neutrality rules for its decision. "Charter's workforce is key to the success of our company," Charter CEO Tom Rutledge said in a statement. "Our commitment to pay every employee at least a $15 per hour income will enhance our efforts to develop our highly-skilled, diverse and locally based workforce, improving their lives and the lives of the customers they serve." Chipotle Mexican Grill Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG) is rolling out benefits reaching all of its 71,000 employees, including special cash and stock bonuses and enhanced paid and parental leave. Qualified hourly employees and salaried restaurant employees will receive a special one-time cash bonus of up to $1,000, and some staff employees will receive a one-time stock grant. Other offerings will include accelerated training programs, and additional paid parental leave for everyone, from hourly managers to salaried employees. The company also added life insurance and short-term disability insurance coverage for hourly restaurant managers. According to the company, the tax cut and the jobs cut made the sweetened compensation and benefits possible. The company will invest more than one-third of its anticipated savings from tax law changes on behalf of its employees, and the remainder will be used to improve its restaurant facilities and operations. The company said it has already started rolling out these new benefits. Comcast The Philadelphia-based telecom corporation said it would award $1,000 bonuses to more than 100,000 non-executive employees. In addition, Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA) NBC Universal Chairman and CEO Brian L. Roberts said the company plans to spend more than $50 billion in the next five years on infrastructure investments that are expected to create "thousands of new direct and indirect jobs." In a press release, Comcast said the initiatives were "based on the passage of tax reform and the FCC's action on broadband." CVS Hourly employees of CVS Health (NYSE:CVS) will see their wages increase to $11 per hour from $9, effective April 2018. The company also plans to adjust pay ranges and rates for many of its retail employees later in the year. The company is creating a new paid parental leave program. Effective April 1, 2018, full-time employees who become parents can take up to four weeks away from work at 100% of their pay. Fifth Third Bancorp The Cincinnati-based banking corporation said it would raise the minimum hourly wage for all employees to $15 per hour and dispense $1,000 bonuses for more than 13,500 workers. The company says tax reform was directly responsible for the initiatives. It is good for our communities, employees and Fifth Third Bank (NASDAQ:FITB), Fifth Third President and CEO Greg Carmichael said. Home Depot Home Depot (NYSE:HD) announced it will pay its U.S. hourly workers a one-time bonus of up to $1,000 tied to President Trumps tax reform. "This incremental investment in our associates was made possible by the new tax reform bill," Craig Menear, chairman and CEO of the company, said in a statement. The Home Depot bonus will be paid in addition to the retailers existing bonuses. It employs more than 400,000 associates. JPMorgan Chase The country's largest bank said it will raise wages for roughly 22,000 workers to between $15 and $18 per hour. JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) employees are also set to receive a $750 bonus this month. JetBlue The New York-based airline said on Jan. 4 that it would grant a $1,000 to each of its 21,000 crewmembers, with the exception of its CEO and other executives. "We believe these tax changes will be positive for our company, and provide us the opportunity to do good things for our crewmembers, customers and shareholders," JetBlue President and CEO Robin Hayes said in a letter to company employees. J.M. Smucker J.M. Smucker Co. will offer one-time $1,000 bonuses to thousands of its employees, joining other major companies in rewarding employees due to savings tied to the recent passage of GOP-backed tax reform. The Ohio-based company said last week that nearly 5,000 employees will receive bonuses. In addition, Smucker announced $1 million in charitable donations and $20 million in investments toward employee pension plans. Lowe's The retailer said it's giving more than 260,000 of its hourly employees bonuses of up to $1,000 as well as expanding its benefit plans to include adoption assistance and paid parental leave. In addition, Lowe's said it plans to shorten its eligibility time for new employees who want to enroll in the company's health plans, giving them the option to sign up in the first 30 days of service. McCormick McCormick & Company (NYSE:MKC) will use a portion of its savings from tax reform to pay out $1,000 bonuses in May to eligible U.S. hourly employees and will accelerate wage increases, adding that the majority of hourly employees will benefit from the changes. McCormick said in a statement that in addition to employee bonuses and wage increases, the company will use its tax benefits to make strategic investments to drive growth, return cash to shareholders and pay down debt. MetLife The New York-based insurance company (NYSE:MET) said it will increase its minimum wage to $15 per hour, enhance employee benefits and boost retirement plan contributions for all of its workers. MetLife also said it plans to create a new $10 million skills development fund to help its employees around the world upgrade their workplace skills. Starbucks Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) is giving all of its U.S.-based hourly and salaried workers an unspecified raise in April, in addition to a wage increase already dispersed earlier in the fiscal year, which began last October. Starbucks says it is investing roughly $120 million in the wage increases. The company is also awarding workers stock grants worth a total of more than $100 million to those employed by the chain as of Jan. 1, 2018. Retail employees will receive at least a $500 grant, while store managers will receive grants of $2,000, the chain said. Southwest Airlines The Dallas-based airline is awarding a $1,000 cash bonus to all of its full-time and part-time employees. The bonuses will be distributed on Jan. 8. In addition, Southwest said it will donate $5 million toward charitable causes and partner with Boeing to modernize its fleet of planes. 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 Chief Executive Officer Gary Kelly said in a statement. We are excited about the savings and additional capital, which we intend to put to work in several formsto reward our hard-working employees, to reinvest in our business, to reward our shareholders, and to keep our costs and fares low for our Customers. Tyson Foods The Arkansas-based food company said it will award $1,000 bonuses to full-time employees and $500 to part-time employees who did not already receive an annual bonus. Tyson CEO Tom Hayes said in an email to employees that the companys total savings from tax reform will top $300 million, with leftover cash from the bonuses used to improve training and education, the Associated Press reported. U-Haul U-Haul said it will issue bonuses to its full-time and part-time employees, joining other corporations in rewarding employees after the passage of tax reform. The Phoenix-based moving and storage company, which is a subsidiary of AMERCO, said full-time employees will receive a one-time bonus of $1,200 and part-time workers will receive a bonus of $500. The bonuses will be issued by the end of February and amount to more than $23 million in payments to nearly 29,000 team members, U-Haul said. U.S. Bank U.S. Bancorp, the parent company of U.S. Bank, is distributing $1,000 bonuses to roughly 60,000 of its employees and raising minimum wage for hourly workers to $15 per hour. The Minneapolis-based company is also donating $150 million to the U.S. Bank Foundation, upgrading health care packages for its employees and investing in better customer service capabilities. "We believe that tax reform is positive for the U.S. economy because it provides an immediate opportunity to benefit our employees, our communities and our customers, said Andy Cecere, U.S. Bank's president and CEO. We are proud of our people and their commitment to our customers and communities. We felt it was important to reward their hard work and dedication with this special bonus, the minimum wage increase and the health care enhancements. Verizon The telecom giant will give nearly all of its employees 50 shares of restricted stock, worth roughly $53 each as of this week, a source with knowledge of the equity award confirmed to Fox News. The share prices will be set on Feb. 1. Wal-Mart Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT), the world's largest employer, boosted pay for U.S. hourly workers to $11 per hour. Additionally, the retailer is giving one-time $1,000 bonus payments to workers, depending on length of service. It is also extending maternity and parental benefits for workers. The changes take place in February. The Walt Disney Co. More than 125,000 Disney employees will receive $1,000 cash bonuses, the company announced on Jan. 23. The bonuses will be dispersed in two payments, one in March and another in September. In addition, Disney invested $50 million in an education program to cover tuition payments for hourly employees. I am proud we are directing approximately $125 million to our cast members and employees across the country and making higher education more accessible with the launch of this new program, Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a statement. I have always believed that education is the key to opportunity; it opens doors and creates new possibilities. Matched with the $1,000 cash bonus, these initiatives will have both an immediate and long-term positive impact. Wells Fargo Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) said it would raise the minimum wage for its team members to $15 per hour and earmark $400 million for philanthropic initiatives in 2018. Some $100 million of that total will be committed to boosting small businesses, while $75 million will support neighborhood revitalization efforts. We believe tax reform is good for our U.S. economy and are pleased to take these immediate steps to invest in our team members, communities, small businesses, and homeowners, said Wells Fargo President and CEO Tim Sloan. We look forward to identifying additional opportunities for Wells Fargo to invest, as we continue to execute our business strategies and provide long-term value to all our stakeholders. President Donald Trump pushed forward his ideas on U.S. trade on Tuesday, promoting reciprocal taxes and reiterating that it is his intent to create jobs. The price may be higher, but what is better, a lower price and no jobs, or a higher price and jobs? Trump said during a meeting with lawmakers at the White House. They were discussing the potential for sweeping tariffs stemming from the Section 232 investigation into steel and aluminum imports into the U.S. In keeping with his America First theme, he cited countries that impose steep taxes on imported U.S. goods while the U.S. permits imports tax-free. Trump cited Harley Davidson (NYSE:HOG) and India, noting that India puts a huge tax on Harley Davidson products, while America permits imports from India into the U.S. without any taxes. To rectify the situation, Trump said, there should be reciprocal taxes that would encourage other countries to reduces their levies to zero, advancing free trade. Regarding the steel and aluminum industry, Trump said the Section 232 investigation and the potential of putting tariffs on steel and aluminum imports will create jobs. Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act authorizes the Commerce Department to investigate the effect of imports on national security. But Trump also said he wants to hear from both sides before making a trade decision. The U.S. economy may be setting up for a decade of growth according to the annual report from the Council of Economic Advisers released Wednesday. That reinforces why Americas largest employers continue to reward workers with pay hikes, one-time bonus payments and workplace perks. The provisions of recently enacted tax legislation are expected to result in lower income taxes in 2018 for our operations in the United States, our largest market We expect the benefits of the TCJ Act will enable us to further strengthen our business by enhancing the skills of our front line associates to ready them for the future..." said PepsiCo Chief Executive Indra Nooyi in a statement earlier this month. Select workers will get $1,000 bonuses. Ticker Security Last Change Change % PEP PEPSICO, INC. 155.68 -0.08 -0.05% MET METLIFE, INC. 60.90 -0.88 -1.42% MetLife (NYSE:MET) also rolled out a plan to strengthen financial security for U.S. employees which includes paying a minimum wage of $15 per hour, more than double the federal average. As a result of tax reform, we are making a significant investment in our employees. We are enhancing pay and benefit programs and helping them develop skills that will make them more valuable members of our team, Chairman, President and CEO Steven A. Kandarian said in a statement. 4.2 million hard working Americans have already received a large Bonus and/or Pay Increase because of our recently Passed Tax Cut & Jobs Bill....and it will only get better! We are far ahead of schedule. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 11, 2018 Thanks to more than 350 companies, more than 4 million Americans are receiving some combination of a wage boost, a one-time cash bonus payment of $1,000, higher pay or enhanced employee perks. Thats double the number from early January. President Trump touted the number in a tweet. Deana Spoleti, a worker at Sheffer Corp. in Blue Ash, Ohio, who is getting $2,500 via a combination of a tax cut and a one-time $1,000 bonus, plans to use the money to help make ends meet, while also pursuing the dream of home ownership. For my family, my husband Tim and I are in the process of buying a home, she said during Trumps visit to Ohio last week. The cash will also come in handy when her daughter and son head to college next year, she noted. Along with cold hard cash, employers are now able to offer workers enhanced quality of life perks. Walmart (NYSE:WMT), the nations largest employer, is offering a new benefit to assist with adoption, paying up to $5,000 per child, while CVS Health (NYSE:CVS) is rolling out four-weeks of paid parental leave for select employees. The foundation these companies are laying for themselves and their employees come on expectations that profits will see a solid uptick. With the corporate tax rate being cut to 21% from 35%, the S&Ps largest companies are announcing plans to repatriate cash from overseas accounts back to the U.S. with follow-on plans to reinvest in the U.S., which in turn should help the economy grow, say economists. Last month, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), the worlds most valuable company, announced it will invest $350 billion back into America over the next five years. Currently the bulk of that cash is sitting overseas. While many of these companies will incur a one-time tax payment on those funds, the move paves the way for higher profits. That means every quarter next year, I mean every single quarter for every money making company in America will be up. Every single one, and thats hard to imagine said Howard Lutnick, chairman and CEO of BGC Partners (NASDAQ:BGCP), an offshoot of Cantor Fitzgerald, during an interview on FOX Business Networks Maria Bartiromos Wall Street Week. The firm lost more than 700 employees and brokers during the New York City terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. *Original story was updated on 2-20-18. Suzanne OHalloran is Managing Editor of FOXBusiness.com and a graduate of Boston College. Follow her on @suzohalloran Former NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson said Monday the U.S. should welcome foreign partnerships to help aide its space program, saying the government will face challenges if it pursues a plan to privatize the International Space Station. Well I think we need everyone. If I were the king, I would try to negotiate and figure out a way to bring China and India in with us as well. If you work with people in space, you dont fight with them on the ground, he said. The Trump administration plans to stop funding the International Space Station and is looking to privatize the space program by 2025. On Monday, a budget proposal was released for the 2019 fiscal year and would have NASA turn over its space station operations to commercial partners. I think there is a way for [government and private sectors] to coexist and be successful in a partnership, Anderson told FOX Business Neil Cavuto on Cavuto: Coast to Coast. However, Anderson is uncertain about whether commercial entities will be able to handle emergency situations without being backed by the government. Having a government entity that is behind you if your shuttles explode and kill people and youre willing to put that full force of the government behind you to figure out what went wrong, thats one way to look at it. As opposed to Im not sure what the commercial guys will do if they run into heavy issues like that, he said. The Trump administration plans to stop direct-government funding of the International Space Station (ISS) by 2025, instead relying on mainly private-sector support -- an action that, some astronauts warn, may not be fiscally feasible. This notion that you could just turn the most-complicated vehicle weve ever built, that was built and based on this international partnership, I dont think is really possible, Scott Kelly, a former astronaut who spent a year aboard the International Space Station, told FOX Business Maria Bartiromo. Keep in mind, this is the most complicated thing weve ever built. The White House released President Trumps 2019 budget proposal on Monday, which included transition plans to end federal funding and instead provide a $150 million stipend to begin a program meant to encourage commercial development capabilities that NASA could use instead. Since 1993, the U.S. has spent more than $87 billion on building and operating the ISS, which costs approximately $3 to $4 billion per year to operate. Most likely, Kelly said, the majority of corporations and CEOs are going to be hesitant to take a gamble on an investment with such a long return. The government, however, can not only conduct this type of research, but also has the fiscal means to do so. But the plan could also prove to be more problematic with the stations international partners. Europe, Russia, Canada, Japan and the U.S. work as part of a co-operative program, which means the station will always require some level of U.S. government involvement and multinational cooperation. We are in this program based on international agreements. Its one of the greatest things about the space station, that we are able to this cutting-edge science with this international partnership in a common ground, Kelly said. Kelly wasnt the only astronaut to voice concerns about President Trumps proposition. His twin brother, Mark, a retired astronaut and the husband of former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.), also criticized the presidents proposal. If we want our nation to continue leading in space, fully funding NASA's existing programs is absolutely essential, Kelly wrote on Twitter. Cutting funding for the International Space Station would be a step backward for our space agency. House Speaker Paul Ryan, saying entitlement reform is essential to limiting budget deficits, criticized Sen. John McCain on Tuesday for voting last year against the repeal of Obamacare. The house has passed these bills, but John McCain said no instead of yes, Ryan said during an exclusive interview with FOX Business Maria Baritromo on Mornings with Maria. Last summer, McCain, R-Ariz., arrived on the Senate floor and gave a thumbs down to the bill, which ended up two votes short of the 51 needed to pass the legislation. Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined McCain in voted against the bill. The house Republicans passed the biggest entitlement reform package ever when we passed our health care bill, Ryan said. Unfortunately somebody did this instead of that in the Senate and it didnt pass, Ryan added, making the thumbs up and then the thumbs down sign. Controlling health-care entitlements is essential to the budget process, according to Ryan. While he was unsure whether a reform package will be in place this year, tackling the root cause to bring down the cost of health care can be done in the meantime to limit budget deficits, Ryan said. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 13) Malacanang Palace on Tuesday supported the House of Representatives' move not to dismiss Deputy Speaker and Cebu 3rd district Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia. "While we respect the findings of the Ombudsman based on the merits of the case, only Congress may suspend or remove its members based on the former's anti-graft and corruption rulings," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement. In a press briefing, he said he considers Garcia his "best friend forever" and he cannot be impartial. Roque also said the House would have to get a vote of two-thirds to expel her. Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales released on Monday the order to dismiss Garcia over grave misconduct charges. House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has since said he would not heed it. Related: House Speaker: I will not implement Ombudsman's order to dismiss Garcia The Ombudsman said Garcia allegedly entered into unauthorized contracts with Supreme ABF Construction during her term as Cebu governor in 2012. Echoing Garcia's statement on Monday, Malacanang raised suspicion on the timing of the decision. "It is also unfortunate that the decision of the Ombudsman was released at a time when such actions could be given political color," said Roque. Garcia, meanwhile, said the Ombudsman was "singling [her] out." "You wonder whether this was purposely done, precisely because I am very active in this impeachment hearing against Chief Justice [Maria Lourdes] Sereno," Garcia said Monday. Sereno and Morales were appointees of former President Benigno Aquino III. Both have raised concerns and criticisms against the Duterte administration. The Office of the Ombudsman in late January began an investigation into the alleged undeclared wealth of President Rodrigo Duterte. The Palace then released a suspension order for Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang, the official assigned to the case, but Morales refused to implement it. The Ombudsman, as well as the Supreme Court, said the President does not have the jurisdiction to suspend a deputy Ombudsman. Related: President has no disciplinary power over Deputy Ombudsman - SC Spokesman The Trump administration has a proposal to replace some of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) cash benefits with boxes of physical food. The plan, outlined in the administrations budget blueprint for fiscal year 2019, is being dubbed Americas Harvest Box by the Department of Agriculture. It would provide 16.4 million households, about 81% of current food stamp recipients, with boxes of non-perishable food items grown by U.S. farmers in place of some of their SNAP aid. The governments proposed program would apply to households that receive more than $90 in food stamp benefits. Items that could be included in a government-issued food box are grains, peanut butter, canned meat, canned fruits and vegetables, juice and other shelf-stable products, according to the Department of Agriculture. The government would decide what to include based on nutrition guidelines utilized for other, existing programs, such as the Emergency Food Assistance Program, and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. Under current SNAP guidelines, Americans are free to spend their benefits on food items of their choice. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney compared the proposal to a Blue Apron-type program, which is a meal kit delivery service that provides members with ingredients to cook their own meals. Blue Apron declined to comment on the governments program. Americas Harvest Box could save the country $129.2 billion over the course of a decade, the government said, since it can leverage its buying power to procure better deals with sellers. It also falls in line with the presidents promise to promote a Buy American, Hire American agenda. As of November 2017, more than 41 million low-income individuals participated in the food stamps program, with an average benefit per person of $127.73, according the programs website. The total cost of SNAP in the month of November was about $5.3 billion. Benefits are currently distributed through an Electronic Benefit Transfer card, which SNAP likens to a debit or credit card. Those unaffected by the governments food-sourcing proposal would continue to receive their benefits through this account. The budget blueprint, released on Monday, proposes trimming funding for SNAP by 25%, or $193 billion, over the course of 10 years. It would also shift part of the cost of the program onto states. Former Glee star Mark Sallings death certificate was released on Monday with details surrounding his suicide in late January. The Los Angeles County Coroners Office released the certificate to TMZ, which reports that the official cause of death for the 35-year-old actor as asphyxia by hanging. It also confirms that Salling hanged himself from a tree in the woods near a riverbed in Sunland, Calif. The outlet noted that it still did not have toxicology results from Sallings autopsy, which would show whether or not he had any alcohol or drugs in his system prior to the suicide. As previously reported, Salling pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography in October 2017 after police found more than 50,000 images on his computer. He was awaiting sentencing on March 7, where he was facing four to seven years behind bars. Following his death, United States District Judge Otis D. Wright signed a dismissal of his case. As part of his guilty plea, he could have been forced to pay each victim of the case $50,000 in restitution had they requested it. Now, theyll need to sue his estate for the money. Salling was best known for playing bad-boy Noah Puck Puckerman on the Fox series Glee. A disturbed fan with a gun broke into YouTube star Megan Turneys Texas home in a plot to kill her boyfriend Gavin Free last month, leading them to hide in a closet before police came and shot the intruder to death, authorities said Monday. Christopher Eric Giles, 24, drove 11 hours from New Mexico to Texas before breaking into the video personalitys home on Jan. 26, FOX7 Austin reported. Turney, who has 300,000 subscribers on YouTube, and Free, the face behind YouTube channel "The Slow Mo Guys," awoke around 3 a.m. to glass shattering. The couple called 911 and reported that someone broke into their home and was roaming around the residence. Turney and Free said they hid in the master closet until police arrived. A gun was allegedly fired from Giles car, leading to officers returning fire. Giles was later found dead. Investigators later found that Giles had developed a fondness for 30-year-old Turney, but despised Free. Police described Giles as a single, lonely and disturbed person. "Threatening thoughts were recorded by Giles and directed toward" the 29-year-old, KVUE reported, citing a police investigation into the fans cellphone video. The message also included: "I want Gavin Free to die alone, with no children." Police determined "it was apparent that Giles' sole intent was to cause harm to someone who resides there," KVUE reported. Nothing was taken from the couples home. Turney and Free amassed internet fame through their YouTube videos. Frees The Sow Mo Guys channel has more than 10.2 million subscribers. Turney also developed an Instagram following over the years with 547,000 followers. The couple addressed the incident on Twitter Tuesday. Thank yall so, so much for each and every kind message today and a special thank you to the @Austin_Police for their quick response that night and their ongoing support during this difficult time. Heart you guys so much, Turney tweeted. Free echoed similar sentiments, writing: Hey everyone. I just wanted to say thanks for all the support and concern regarding the recent incident. Its been a rough time for Meg and myself the last few weeks but we are doing ok. I want to give a huge thanks to @Austin_Police for the amazing response time. [heart] you all. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding is only three months away and before the big day, Markle shared that she will kiss her single (non-royal) days goodbye with a bachelorette party. While visiting Edinburgh, Scotland, on Tuesday, the soon-to-be royal revealed that her upcoming bachelorette bash is sorted, when asked about it by excited fans who crowded outside of Edinburgh Castle to meet and greet Markle and Prince Harry. According to People, a British on-looker by the name of Tom Martin said that he spoke with the Markle about her pre-wedding festivities. We asked them what they were doing for their stag and hen dos, Martin told People. Meghan said, Im not sure its sorted but it will be fun." Another woman shared a video of Markle complimenting her pink nails while greeting the crowd. Wow, look at your nails, thats pretty fantastic! Meghan told the girl. Theyre very Valentines-y," the girl explained. Marke then replied, Very Valentines-y! As the May 19 wedding date for Prince Harry and Markle approaches, the couple continues on with their royal tour of the U.K., visiting different parts of the country and attending royal events. Markle made her formal gala debut with Harry on Feb.1, where the former "Suits" star gave her first public speech as a soon-to-be member of the royal family. The actress, who has been known for shaking up royal tradition, is expected to break royal protocol once again during her spring nuptials by giving a wedding speech to her soon-to-be husband after the lavish ceremony at St. George's Chapel. It was recently announced that the wedding will take begin 7 a.m. ET, 12 p.m. in London. The women of ABC News' The View took a shot a Vice President Mike Pences Christian faith on Tuesday, mocking the former governor of Indiana for talking to Jesus and even calling it a mental illness. It all started when they played a clip from Celebrity Big Brother, in which former White House staffer Omarosa Manigault Newman discussed the vice president. As bad as you think Trump is, you would be worried about Pence everyone that is wishing for impeachment might want to reconsider their life, she said in the clip. I am Christian, I love Jesus, but he thinks Jesus tells him to say things. The talk-show panelists pondered what Omarosas motive was, before Sunny Hostin chimed in, I think whats interesting is that she said Jesus tells Mike Pence things to say. Hostin declared that Pence is a hated figure in Indiana, claiming she knows firsthand because she attended law school in the state. Hes not very popular at all, she said. I think when you have a Mike Pence who now sort of puts this religious veneer on things and calls people values voters, I think were in a dangerous situation. Hostin said she is a faithful Catholic but doesnt want her vice president speaking in tongues. Joy Behar then said: Its one thing to talk to Jesus. Its another thing when Jesus talks to you. Behar said hearing voices is a mental illness before Sherri Shepard offered a limited defense of Pence. As a Christian, thats just par for the course, Shepard said You talk to Jesus, Jesus talks back. What concerns me is, how long is the conversation with Jesus? Behar, an ABC News star, uncomfortably joked, Can he talk to Mary Magdalene without his wife in the room? Shepard then said that the key is moderation and anything that is too much is concerning. Do we want our politics served to us with a religious veneer over them? Hostin asked. This administration is not a values-driven administration. Louise Linton, the actress wife of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, ignited a firestorm of criticism after she responded to a negative comment on social media. She recently told Elle magazine that she is super-duper apologetic for the drama that she has caused since her husband joined President Trumps Cabinet. Linton, 37, said she felt like a regular person when she saw someones negative comment on Instagram in August 2017 and chose to respond like regular people would. But her knee-jerk reaction, as she described it, earned her unlimited criticism and launched her husband into a sea of controversy. Read on for a brief look at Linton's life, including since Mnuchin became treasury secretary. She got into an Instagram spat Linton posted a photo to her Instagram account which was briefly made private to those who do not follow her of her and Mnuchin disembarking a government plane. In the August 2017 photo, she tagged some of the high-profile designers of the ensemble she was wearing. One user commented, Glad we could pay for your little getaway, and included the hashtag deplorable. Linton responded with a lengthy comment and touted her and her husbands financial success. Do you think the US govt paid for our honeymoon or personal travel?! Lololol. Have you given more to the economy than me and my husband? Either as an individual earner in taxes OR in self sacrifice to your country, Linton said. Im pretty sure we paid more taxes toward our day trip than you did, she continued. Pretty sure the amount we sacrifice per year is a lot more than youd be willing to sacrifice if the choice was yours. She's an actress Born in Scotland, Linton trained at the Edinburgh Drama Academy as well as the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, according to her IMDB page. She has guest starred in episodes of Cold Case and CSI: NY. Linton has also starred in the movies Cabin Fever and Intruder. Mnuchin and Linton recently married Mnuchin and Linton married in June 2017 with a star-studded guest list. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attended the wedding. Vice President Mike Pence officiated the ceremony. Prior to joining the Trump administration, Mnuchin, 55, ran a company that invested in Hollywood movies including "Wonder Woman," "The Lego Movie," "The Accountant" and "Suicide Squad." He is a Goldman Sachs alumnus. Both Mnuchin and Linton were married previously. Mnuchin has children from his earlier marriage. Her controversial memoir is no longer on Amazon Linton wrote and self-published a memoir about her experiences volunteering in Africa as an 18-year-old but her writings ignited controversy. In her book, called In Congos Shadow: One Girls Perilous Journey to the Heart of Africa, Linton described her experiences in Zambia. She detailed hiding from armed rebels and her fear of being found as she was a skinny white muzungu with long angel hair, the Los Angeles Times reported. On Twitter, people accused Linton of lying or exaggerating about the extent of the violence in Zambia and hailed her work as a white savior fantasy. The book is no longer available on Amazon. She posed with new cash Linton again raised eyebrows when she posed with Mnuchin holding a sheet of brand-new $1 bills in November 2017. In the photo, Linton is wearing elbow-length black leather gloves and skirt and top. Because of the controversial photo-op, Linton told Elle magazine that her skirt and gloves remain in her closet. I really hope someday I can wear that outfit again, Linton told the magazine. Because I really liked it. Not everybody wants a big church wedding. Some people would rather get married at a big diner and celebrate with pancakes afterwards. For those people, Dennys just announced a cool new Valentines Day promotion, and any couples wishing to get married at Dennys Las Vegas flagship can do so for less than a hundred dollars. Getting married at a Dennys may not be the most traditional route, but according to Delishs Madison Flager, Dennys opened its Vegas chapel in 2013, and the space has been available for ceremonies and vow renewals ever since. Normally wedding packages at Dennys chapel start at $199, but this year the chain decided to give bridal couples a special discount package they can use if they get married on February 14. For $99, Dennys Valentines Day wedding special includes use of the Dennys chapel, a silk presentation bouquet and boutonniere, the ceremony certificate and a Champagne toast at the end. The Valentines Day special requires a reservation at least two hours in advance, and reservations can be made online. For those looking to go a little bit fancier, the everyday Dennys wedding package is still available for the regular price of $199. That package includes everything in the Valentines Day package, as well as use of the photo booth, two wedding T-shirts, a wedding cake made of Dennys Pancake Puppies, which are basically cake pops filled with pancakes instead of cake, and a coupon for two Original Grand Slams on the couples next visit to Dennys. Couples have gotten married at Costco, and as of this summer, Taco Bell also has a Las Vegas chapel that hosts weddings. Marriages that begin at unconventional wedding venues can last just as long, too. A couple that got married at Pizza Hut 40 years ago still celebrates their anniversary there every year. With 1,700 Dennys locations in the world, anybody who takes advantage of this offer will almost always have a romantic anniversary option nearby. Olympic snowboarder Shaun White shocked and thrilled a South Korean restaurateur this week when he showed up at the mans restaurant and ordered the special million-won burger the chef had designed just for him. According to Reuters, chef Cha Gwen Sol runs the Santa Burger restaurant just a couple miles from Phoenix Snow Park in Pyeongchang, South Korea, which is the venue for the halfpipe qualifier for the 2018 Winter Olympics. Hes also a snowboarding instructor, and apparently a huge fan of Shaun White, who got the nickname the Flying Tomato because of his signature red hair. In honor of White, Cha added a million-won burger called the Flying Tomato to his menu. One million won is about $920, so Cha did not think anyone would order it, especially since the menu clearly stated that burger was only for Shaun White. The best special thing. This is only for Shaun White. My wish for your gold medal, the menu description read. But then White shocked Cha by actually showing up at the restaurant on Sunday, February 11, and ordering the Flying Tomato burger. Is it real? This is Shaun White? It is not a dream? Shaun White tells me it is real. Oh my God, unbelievable, said Cha, who said it was a very happy day for him. The burger was reportedly made of two patties, two types of cheese, and two chicken wings. It was priced at one million won, but Cha cooked it for White for free. A 3-year-old from Indiana who died from the flu Monday never got a flu shot and the family is now second-guessing that decision. Little Alivia Viellieux, of Muncie, Ind., died at home just days after being diagnosed with the flu. Tameka Stettler, the toddlers grandmother, told WRTV that Alivias parents didnt get her vaccinated after hearing the shot may not be that effective. TRAGIC FACES OF THE DEADLY US FLU OUTBREAK "Alivia did not have it because they had told us once the flu is going around it's not going to matter if you got it or not," Stettler said. We just decided not to put those chemicals in the girl's body if it's not gonna help." Alivia tested positive for Influenza A after registering a temperature of 106 degrees last Tuesday. After being admitted to a hospital for three days, she seemed to be doing better and was sent home. But by Sunday night, her condition quickly changed. Alivia started feeling uncomfortable and suddenly died in her sleep on Monday morning. TEXAS MOM DIES FROM FLU AFTER SKIPPING ON MEDS DEEMED TOO COSTLY: REPORT According to Fox 59, the toddler's mother, Aabriey Viellieux, was told her flu developed into pneumonia, a complication the family was not even aware of. "It happened in just a day, because she was literally, I thought she was getting better yesterday," she said. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help pay for the little girl's funeral. Alivia's death comes during one of the worst flu seasons in recent memory. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported at least 63 children have died from influenza this season and only 20 percent of them were vaccinated. The CDC says it's never too late to get your child a flu shot. Hours after Michelle Myers went to bed with a "pounding" headache, the mother of seven woke up and realized something was wrong the left side of her body was numb. Myers was rushed to nearby West Valley Hospital in Goodyear, Ariz. Doctors said she was suffering from aphasia, loss of speech, typically caused by a brain injury or stroke. I went to say, My name is Michelle, and it came out like, Rabbit, fox, Myers told Fox News. No one could understand me. I was like, 'Is something wrong with my brain?'" Eventually, Myers was able to form a sentence. But it was unlike anything her family had ever heard the woman, who grew up in Oklahoma, sounded British. Her doctors even seemed surprised. They sent in a psychiatrist, who put Myers through a series of tests. The 45-year-old was diagnosed with a speech disorder called Foreign Accent Syndrome (FAS). The condition is extremely rare, with only 60 cases reported since 1907, according to a 2011 study published in the peer-reviewed medical journal BMJ. This happened back in May 2015, and Myers' accent has been the same ever since. Its physiological or can be triggered psychological, Myers explained. Either one, its not controlled by the person. Doctors told Myers FAS was most likely a side effect caused by a hemiplegic migraine, a serious type of migraine headache with symptoms that are similar to a stroke. Its actually quite dangerous, Myers explained. It looks just like a stroke, but it's not a stroke. They don't know how or what triggers it. Myers also suffers from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a genetic connective tissue disorder, though experts said theres no proof this contributed to the accent change. This wasnt the first time Myers noticed her accent change. "I thought doctors would think I was crazy. At first, people were laughing. They thought I was playing, but they quickly saw my panic. Michelle Myers In 2011, after suffering from a three-day-long headache, Myers took a nap. When she woke up, she called one of her children and noticed his name sounded different. All of the sudden, Myers said she had an Irish accent. I thought doctors would think I was crazy, Myers said. At first, people were laughing. They thought I was playing, but they quickly saw my panic. Myers was embarrassed. She figured the accent would eventually go away, and it did. It took eight days exactly, Myers recalled. One morning, I woke up and it wasnt so bad. By the afternoon it was completely gone and so was the headache. At the time, Myers didnt correlate the headache and the intonation change. But in 2014, it happened again. Myers was sitting on her backyard porch swing watching her children play when she felt a sharp pain in her head. She rested her eyes for a few minutes and woke up with a sharp pain on her left side. Her left hand and arm went numb. She tried to speak, but couldn't form coherent words. "It was like a gargling sound," Myers said. "I was really frustrated and scared." When Myers did eventually form a sentence, she said she sounded like "Crocodile Dundee." Within minutes, she regained the feeling back on her left side. Within two days, her accent was back to normal. "I want to help someone so they don't have to live in hiding." Michelle Myers "I was like, 'Maybe it's just cause I had a headache," Myers said. "I'm a single mom with seven kids... I don't have time to sit and address something unless I'm dying." Now that Myers has a diagnosis, the mom is doing all she can to seek treatment. She's seen specialists, visited neurologists but most importantly, she's spreading awareness of the rare condition. "I would give anything to be normal. I would give anything," she said. "Rare diseases are very emotional. You feel very alone, isolated. I want to help someone so they don't have to live in hiding." Myers has since joined a Facebook group for FAS. The 100 members discuss the condition and offer advice and comfort to the newly diagnosed. "I understand this sounds crazy; I get that," Myers said. "But all you have to do is Google this. I'm certainly not the first person with [FAS]." Uh-oh! It could be you, or it could be us, but there's no page here. Ugly shoes have been big hits on recent runways. Case in point: dorky dad shoes and Balenciagas $850 fashion Crocs. (The latter sold out faster than you can say, Wait, what? last week.) But none hold a candle to the new ugly-cool shoe in town. BILL MURRAY DEBUTS 'BILL-BOTTOMS' AT CHARITY GOLF EVENT At Mens Paris Fashion Week, Chinese fashion brand Sankuanz debuted some double-take inducing, surgical-brace-esque footwear. The thick-soled design features sturdy Velcro straps built to wrap around your already-shoe-wearing foot. Yes, thats right: These are shoes for your shoes. MICROBLADING: THE FACE TATTOO YOU'LL ACTUALLY WANT TO GET And what problem-solvers they are! Kicks too fly to touch the ground? Check. Holes in your soles and shallow puddles abounding? Check. Overcome with the urge to be snapped by a street photographer? Check! Sadly, some fashion lovers arent fully appreciating the many practical applications of this design. Or as one commenter put it to The Sun, What in the sweet orthopedic hell is this ----? FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS This article originally appeared in The New York Post. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! The Star Spangled Banner will no longer be played at rallies at California High School in San Ramon after student leaders determined the song is racially insensitive. It was brought to our attention that the national anthems third verse is outdated and racially offensive, wrote the president of the schools Associated Study Body. We had nothing but good intentions by removing the song so that we could be fully inclusive to our student body. Click here for a free subscription to Todds newsletter: a must-read for Conservatives! The decision to eliminate the national anthem from student rallies has resulted in a significant amount of backlash from patriotic students and residents. Theres been a lot of push back on the removal of the anthem and not just from conservatives, senior Dennis Fiorentino said on the Todd Starnes Radio Show. Fiorentinos, who was a guest Tuesday on my nationally syndicated radio program, said he was shocked when he realized the national anthem had been banned. Its important that we honor and respect those who sacrificed their lives protecting the freedom that us Americans take for granted every day, he said. On a side note, kudos to the student journalists at California High School who first reported this story and did so by writing a fair and balanced report. Its refreshing to see solid journalism from The Californian. The student body president posted a letter on the high schools website defending the decision to ban the song by citing a third verse that references the hireling and slave. There is widespread debate among historians as to what Francis Scott Key was alluding to in the lyrics. Regardless, only the first verse is traditionally sung at sporting events or public gatherings. This verse translated, finds joy in the killing of African-Americans, the student government president alleged. To think that our nations anthem once had the word slave and land of the free in the same sentence leaves me speechless. I have chosen not to identify the student government leader because the student is under age. Moving forward, we must take action and be inclusive to all, the student body president wrote. This song was written in 1814. That was written 204 years ago. Imagine all the traditions and laws that have changed. As our culture shifts to one that is more diverse and accepting of all types of people, so must our traditions, the student government leader wrote. And although we understand that this anthem represents pride and patriotism in our country to many people, we believe that there are other ways that this can be accomplished without an expense to inclusivity on our campus. Okay enough of this nonsense. Where are the grownups in charge of this public school? I reached out to the San Ramon Valley School District for a comment as did several San Francisco television stations but so far they are not commenting. However, a leadership adviser (a grownup) told the student newspaper that she agreed the national anthem is problematic and should have been removed. Well, thats just great. The teacher is actually encouraging young people to disrespect American values and traditions. Its unacceptable and inexcusable. The Star Spangled Banner may have survived the bombs bursting in air, but it may not be able to withstand the rampaging mob of politically correct inclusivists. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! Last Friday, the Department of Defense released its Nuclear Posture Review, the first of its kind since the 2010 study conducted by the Obama administration. This review is the culmination of a comprehensive, interagency effort assessing the requirements, force structure, policies, and infrastructure associated with our nuclear deterrent. Its also forward looking and describes the administrations policies. Much of the policy articulated in the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review is unchanged from previous reviews. The need to deploy a triad of strategic nuclear forces (land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and bombers) is once again confirmed. Plans from the Obama administration to modernize these systems are also affirmed. Our current systems, though still effective, have been deployed well beyond their designed service-life, in some cases by many decades. Importantly, the review supports the longstanding goal of modernizing the Department of Energys infrastructure that supports the nuclear mission. Over half of this infrastructure is more than 40 years old, according to the review, and a quarter dates back to the Manhattan Project era. While constancy is a principal message of the report, it does recommend two significant changes to U.S. nuclear posture. First, the deployment of a low-yield warhead on a submarine-launched ballistic missile. Second, the return of a nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile capability, which was long part of U.S. nuclear forces until 2010. What was once a relatively benign security environment has been replaced by one of increasing uncertainty and risk. Consider, for example, the 2010 reviews declaration that Russia is not an enemy, and is increasingly a partner in confronting proliferation and other emerging threats. To explain the need for these systems, the review outlines the differences in the international security environment since the 2010 review. The world has changed considerably over the last seven years. What was once a relatively benign security environment has been replaced by one of increasing uncertainty and risk. Consider, for example, the 2010 reviews declaration that Russia is not an enemy, and is increasingly a partner in confronting proliferation and other emerging threats. Such an assertion would not be heard today. Beyond Russias well-documented malign activities, it has embarked on an aggressive expansion of its nuclear forces and violated a number of international agreements. This includes the landmark 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. On top of that, China is expanding its nuclear arsenal. The report sums the situation up succinctly: While the United States has continued to reduce the number and salience of nuclear weapons, others, including Russia and China, have moved in the opposite direction. They have added new types of nuclear capabilities to their arsenals, increased the salience of nuclear forces in their strategies and plans, and engaged in increasingly aggressive behavior, including in outer space and cyber space. That the 2010-era posture of our nuclear forces doesnt fully meet the new security environment is not a surprise. Critics have tried to paint the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review as an aggressive plan, one that increases the likelihood of nuclear war. Weve seen arguments that low-yield systems, by virtue of their less-destructive power, are more likely to be used than high-yield systems and deploying such weapons increases the chance of nuclear Armageddon. This is a flawed argument, most obviously because our arsenal has always contained low-yield weapons. We deployed such weapons in considerable numbers during the Cold War. Fielding them and using them are two very different things. Additionally, some suggest the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review expands the circumstances under which the U.S. would use nuclear weapons, such as in response to a cyberattack. To be clear, the 2018 review simply restates longstanding U.S. policy also reaffirmed in the 2010 review that our nation may employ nuclear weapons in response to significant non-nuclear attacks. Nothing in the latest review changes this standard whatsoever. Nuclear weapons are the bedrock of our national defense, and changes in U.S. nuclear forces deserve thoughtful consideration and debate. The 2018 Nuclear Posture Review provides a prudent response given the threats we face around the world. The recommended path forward will better position our nuclear forces to deter conflict and reassure our allies. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! If you are a conservative, one of the fun things about Donald Trumps presidency is watching liberals lose their minds over how much they loathe him. From media elites to members of Congress, progressives are often reduced to tantrum-like fits because they are so frustrated by living in the shadows of this establishment-busting, government-shrinking rebel of a president. But some liberals still have power. And theyll use it however they can to push back against President Trumps agenda, even if it means rewriting or expanding laws through the courts, using lawsuits as a tool. Like the mayors who create sanctuary cities in an attempt to make immigration law what they want it to be, state and local elected officials across the country are now employing a tactic known as regulation through litigation to push back against one of President Trumps greatest economic accomplishments: deregulation. Heres how it works: Liberals think it is governments role to make a lot of rules and they dont think the Trump administration is doing a good job at that. So they are trying to make the rules themselves by suing private companies in order to make those businesses behave themselves. For example, last month New York City sued five oil and natural gas companies for causing climate change that is injuring New York City. Similar lawsuits have been filed by the cities of San Francisco and Oakland in California, and by several parishes in Louisiana, claiming the activities of energy companies are responsible for coastal erosion. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum is suing one company Monsanto for at least $100 million to clean up chemicals (PCBs) that have been banned since 1979, but were manufactured legally before then and disposed of in waterways by other entities. Nevertheless, Rosenblum has said to Monsanto: We want you to pay for it. It seems clear that these folks, from their ivory tower vantage point, dont think President Trumps Environmental Protection Agency is doing a good job protecting Mother Earth. They feel theyd better do it themselves, with the help of a few clever trial lawyers and anti-Trump judges. Frustrated liberals have employed this tactic before when Republican presidents have occupied the White House. The term regulation through litigation was actually coined by President Bill Clintons Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, who endorsed the practice as a way to get businesses to do the right thing (Reich later admitted the practice was undemocratic), But it seems safe to say that the left has never been more frustrated by a president than now and sure enough, this round of regulation through litigation has signs of being more widespread and damaging than ever before. The judges who will make the decisions in these lawsuits have tremendous power they can actually expand the law and set precedent that will put otherwise law-abiding companies up against a wall of liability. But there is hope for protecting President Trumps regulatory economic stimulus. These lawsuits can be impacted by the disinfectant that comes from exposure. Call it sunshine. These lawsuits are like mushrooms, says Victor Schwartz, a civil justice expert and author of the premier law school book on torts. They like to grow in the dark. Bringing these lawsuits to light now can impact their outcome, Schwartz says. Conservative leaders particularly Republicans at the state level should shine a light on regulation through litigation by calling out the vengeful, frustrated liberals who are trying to weaken President Trumps regulatory accomplishments. Protecting deregulation and the rule of law will be the goal of conservatives, but I am sure that the tantrum reactions of progressive mayors, attorneys general and environmentalists in the media will also make their efforts well worthwhile. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! The 2016 election revealed American citizens crisis of confidence in their political establishment. More than a year on, that establishment ought to take the opportunity of President Trumps first State of the Union address to think seriously about our politics, our Constitution, and our cultural and political life together. More than anything else, President Trump spoke to Congress about individual Americans and the meaning of American citizenship often using criminals, adversaries and hostile foreign powers as foils. The presidents speech was about that most fundamental of political and human distinctions friends versus enemies but it built to a vision of American justice rooted in the sovereignty of the people. Americans, said the president, are one team, one people, and one American family united by the same home, the same destiny, and the same great American flag. Using the example of Preston Sharp a 12-year-old boy in the gallery who helped place more than 40,000 American flags and flowers on veterans graves President Trump did what he often does so skillfully and instinctively: he engaged the fondness the majority of our citizens have for the basic symbols of American patriotism in our ongoing cultural and civic battle over the meaning of American justice. President Trump was putting protesting athletes and spoiled culture warriors on notice: Reverence for those who have served our nation reminds us why we salute our flag, why we put our hands over our hearts for the Pledge of Allegiance, and why we proudly stand for the national anthem. The president spoke of veneration, civic duty and the heart of civic life found in faith and family rather than government and bureaucracy. Rather than appealing to anti-government dogmatism, President Trump spoke of the importance of the bonds of trust between our citizens and their government and linked trust in government to constitutionalist judges and restoring bureaucratic accountability. This was a call to swamp-draining, properly and constitutionally understood. The speech was full of personal stories, accompanied by guests in the gallery to make the policy and political arguments more human. Whatever the merits of this relatively recent presidential practice, its likely here to stay. President Trump must be named the new master of it. The most memorable image was, of course, that of North Korean political refugee Ji Seong-ho hoisting his crutches in the air as defiant symbols of what was surely one of the more horrific personal stories of tyranny ever presented in the House chamber. Everyone stood to clap for that display and for the tribute to the American college student Otto Warmbier, who also made it out of North Korea after being held as a prisoner for 17 months only to die a few days later. After tying a porous immigration enforcement system to recent terrorism and gang violence, President Trump launched a rhetorical missile. When he declared that Americans are dreamers too the president undermined the Democrats framing of the immigration issue as a purely social justice cause. His remarks about the issue fit it, rightly, into the context of national security and sovereignty. Despite broad public agreement on generous consideration for legitimate DACA recipients and the rest of the so-called Dreamers, the more Americans learn about chain migration and the diversity visa lottery the more their righteous indignation grows. For many Democrats and Democratic activists in the gallery, however you could hear the grumbling and hissing indignation was reserved for anyone who dared question the status quo. This may be a wedge issue for both parties in different ways, but President Trump may yet split the Democrats first, paving the way for a deal in which he and America come out ahead. Recent events have so far vindicated his strategy. Finally, a very important if less memorable part of the speech should be noted: the revival of civil service reform. President Trump called on Congress to empower Cabinet heads to remove bad bureaucrats. The power to remove executive branch officials, and even so-called independent regulators, must be part of any project of constitutional restoration. The Trump administrations budget proposal, released Tuesday, included a substantial commitment to civil service reform or, in the words of the document, hiring the best and firing the worst. The fight over presidential control of the bureaucracy s goes back to the first decades of the administrative state, when in 1926 a former president sitting as chief justice of the Supreme Court William Howard Taft made the case that James Madison had made over a century earlier: there must be a chain of dependency running from the people, through the president, to all executive officers, including bureaucrats. If we are to keep our republic, the president and agency heads must be able to fire subordinates. This problem of the administrative state or the deep state, if you like touches a fundamental principle of American government. President Trump spoke of regulatory reform in terms of liberty, prosperity and the American economic engine, which he was right to do. Deconstructing and reforming the administrative state, however, is about equality as much as it is about liberty. The most famous line in the Declaration of Independence is: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights. Individual equality and its implication the equal protection of equal and individual rights are at the foundation of our government. No individual or group can rightly rule us without our consent, so no bureaucrat ought to exercise control over people we elect or those they rightfully appoint. The principle of modern bureaucratic rule, unlike the principles of the Declaration, is that neutral practitioners of the science of government administration are entitled to protection from mere politicians, which means that theyre protected from control by the people through our elected representatives. President Trump and those around him appreciate this fact. It was therefore fitting for him to end his speech with an invocation of the Founders and their preference for self-government over tyranny. The president tied the living monument of the U.S. Capitol dome, with the House and Senate under it rather than some bureaucracy, to the people it serves. He tied George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Martin Luther King and Abraham Lincoln to the American people and her heroes all around us. President Trump ended with a statement thoroughly and originally American: This Capitol, this city, and this nation, belong to them. There has been much lamentation lately by the political and intellectual establishment, right and left, about the dangers of populism and nationalism. As ideologies or isms, here and in Europe, these movements have their problems. But there is a more commonsense way of understanding the recent popular uprising that President Trump helped create and champion. If this electoral uprising is nationalist, its in favor of a nation rooted in the equal protection of equal natural rights. And if populist, its in favor of rule by the people, through duly elected constitutional officers, rather than elite rule by unelected bureaucrats. This commonsense understanding is the banner under which the president chose to march during his inaugural State of the Union. That kind of nationalism and that kind of populism should warm the hearts of all American patriots. And to the extent this administration pursues those broad goals in its second year, as it often tried to do in its first, it ought to consolidate and expand its constitutional majorities and continue to implement its agenda. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! Kids who attend New York City's Success Academy charter schools do remarkably well. "We are No. 1 in student achievement in the state," says founder Eva Moskowitz, "outperforming all the wealthy suburbs." They do. Although they teach mostly poor kids, 95 percent pass the state math test, and 84 percent pass the English test. Pass rates at government run schools are 38 and 41 percent. How does Success Academy do it? For one thing, she keeps kids in class longer. Middle schoolers stay until 4:30 p.m. Is that too much stress for kids, I ask? "China and India are not worrying about the length of the school day," she replied. "We have to toughen up." From what I saw, "toughening up" doesn't make kids hate school. Many told me they "look forward" to going to Success Academy in the morning. One called school "rockin' awesome!" "Kids like succeeding," explains Moskowitz. Despite this success, or because of it, the education establishment hates Moskowitz. When she tries to open new schools, activists protest. New York City's Mayor Bill de Blasio complained, "It's time for Eva Moskowitz to stop having the run of the place!" "Why do they hate you?" I asked. "What we prove is that there's nothing wrong with the children," she replied. "There is something wrong with a system, a monopolistic system that is not allowing kids to succeed." Mayor de Blasio got his political start as a socialist, has praised Cuba and Venezuela, and isn't fond of competition. To protect New York City's taxi industry, he tried to block Uber and Lyft. He doesn't understand that competition helps more people than it hurts. Some specific criticisms of charters like Success Academy: Criticism No. 1. They are "a scam," says "Young Turks" TV commentator Nomiki Konst, "better funded -- by these hedge funders -- and they're performing worse than underfunded schools." But Konst is wrong. Charters like Success Academy do more with less. New York City's regular public schools get $20,000 per pupil. "I only get $14,500," says Moskowitz. Criticism No. 2. They get better results because they just accept better students. They skim the cream off the top. "Simply not true," replied Moskowitz. "We admit by random lottery." That's also true. But one educator who watched my YouTube video on Success Academy emailed me with Criticism No. 3: "Only certain parents enter lotteries. You don't have the homeless kids, foster kids, kids whose parents are in jail." Fair point. I asked Moskowitz about that. "Most of our kids are from very poor families," she replied. "Yet they significantly outperform kids from suburbs ... where the average household income is eight or nine times what our families earn." And even some homeless kids flourish at her schools, she says. "About 1 in 10 of our scholars are homeless, yet 97 percent of them passed the state math exams and 84 percent passed reading." Criticism No. 4: Charters kick out problem kids or "counsel them out." They demand so many meetings with parents that parents eventually withdraw their kids. But "our retention rate's higher than the city schools'!" answered Moskowitz. She's right. Only 10 percent of kids leave her schools, while 13 percent leave regular schools before completion. Criticism No. 5: Some charters turn out to be worse than government-run schools. That's true. But the beauty of choice (a market) is that the good schools grow while inferior ones close. For years, bad government schools never closed. In her new book, "The Education of Eva Moskowitz," she explains that she's a Democrat who didn't always believe in school choice. "I was blinded, I think, by a belief that big government was a good thing." Now she knows better. Many families also now know charters may be better. Parents line up for lotteries where government rations out the small number of admissions. Kids who don't get picked sometimes cry. It's cruel and unnecessary for government to limit choice this way, but many politicians have an investment in maintaining the power of bureaucrats and teacher unions. Thankfully, some kids will have better lives because people like Eva Moskowitz fight the system. The Justice Department pushed back strongly Monday after critics, including some in the media, claimed Attorney General Jeff Sessions used racist language when he addressed a group of sheriffs. Sessions told the National Sheriffs Association, "The office of sheriff is a critical part of the Anglo-American heritage of law enforcement." The "Anglo-American heritage" part of Sessions' comment caught the eye of writers at a number of media outlets. Newsweek headlined a story with "Jeff Sessions faces fresh racism charge after praising 'Anglo-American Heritage' of law enforcement." There was even more outrage on social media. Time magazine national correspondent Charlotte Alter tweeted that Sessions' statement was proof that "our justice system is rooted in white supremacy." Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, tweeted that the remarks were "a dog whistle" and "appalling," while actress Alyssa Milano said that Sessions should be "fired immediately." DOJ officials were quick to point out that Sessions was referring to the precedent-based English common law system that forms the basis of the American legal code. "As most law students learn in the first week of their first year, Anglo-American law also known as the common law is a shared legal heritage between England and America, spokesman Ian Prior said in a statement. "The sheriff is unique to that shared legal heritage. Before reporters sloppily imply nefarious meaning behind the term, we would suggest that they read any number of the Supreme Court opinions that use the term. Or they could simply put 'Anglo-American law' into Google." In 2009, then-President Barack Obama cited the "Anglo-American legal system" while discussing his administration's approach to law enforcement, CBS News reported. In 2016, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Bill Baer used the term "Anglo-American" during a speech in China with no apparent controversy. Fox News' Jake Gibson contributed to this report. President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke on the phone on Monday to address a series of topics ranging from the recent Russian plane crash to North Korea's nuclear threats, the White House said. Among the issues discussed: a potential peace deal between the Palestinians and the Israelis. President Putin noted that he would meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas later today, and President Trump said that now is the time to work toward an enduring peace agreement, the White House said. Abbas reportedly later told Putin that he would not work with the U.S. in any form. We state that from now on we refuse to cooperate in any form with the U.S. in its status of a mediator, as we stand against its actions, Abbas said to Putin, according to a report from Haaretz. Following Trump's declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel last year, Abbas has encouraged Putin to assist in peace talks cleaming the U.S. could no longer play a leading role. Putin met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month. Discussions of relations between the Israelis and Palestinians came amid heightened tensions after Israel shot down an Iranian drone that had entered the country during the weekend. Trump also reiterated the importance of taking more steps to ensure North Korea is denuclearized, the White House said without elaborating. The conversation between Trump and Putin came a day after a plane crash in Moscow killed all 71 people on board. Regarding the crash of Saratov Airlines Flight 703, Trump told Putin that the U.S. was standing by to assist Russian officials in their probe of the deadly event. Putin, who is currently running for re-election, has denied Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election in favor of Trump. The president has denied collusion with the Kremlin in order to win, labeling the subsequent probe into Russian interference a witch hunt. Fox News Kelly Chernenkoff and Greg Norman contributed to this report. The press has turned on John Kelly with a vengeance. There is little question that the president's chief of staff mishandled the Rob Porter mess. But what's happening now in the media goes deeper than that. Kelly was buoyed by a wave of positive press when he took the job, with stories proclaiming that the four-star general was going to knock heads together at the White House. As I recount in my book "Media Madness," the New York Times said in writing about a "dysfunctional" White House: "New Chief of Staff Seen as a Beacon of Discipline." The Washington Post, describing a "floundering" administration at its "nadir," said "John Kelly Will Bring Plain-Spoken Discipline to an Often Chaotic West Wing." Trump gave his new top aide more power than his predecessor, Reince Priebus, and things did seem to stabilize as more officials were exiled and outside advisers found their access curtailed. But the case of Porter, a Kelly ally pushed out of his job after horrendous allegations of physical abuse by two ex-wives, has opened the floodgates. It doesn't look like Kelly's job is in serious jeopardy, despite press reports that he has told others he is willing to resign. But as one well-connected source told me, its not an accident when names of possible replacements such as Mick Mulvaney are floated to the press. Kellyanne Conway said to Jake Tapper on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday that the president told her: "Please tell Jake that I have full faith in Chief of Staff John Kelly and that I'm not actively searching for replacements." (Some pundits have challenged Conway over that, but who is a better source on whether Trump is planning to make a move?) What's striking about the latest coverage is that it's not just a negative assessment of Kelly's political skills, but some pundits are faulting him for sharing Trump's hard-line views on issuesas if that would be a surprise in a chief of staff. A number of stories invoked Kelly's recent lament that some potential DACA beneficiaries, who would be covered by the latest Trump proposal, were "too afraid" "too lazy to get off their asses" and apply. The even-handed Dan Balz says in his Washington Post column that in the Porter case, "Kelly appears to have put his emphasis on competence and a smoothly running White House ahead of good judgment about how to deal with something as serious as domestic abuse. It was not the first time Kelly has said or done things that lacked either good judgment or political sensitivity. "Kelly served admirably in the military, and those accomplishments will always be part of his biography. But the differences between the military and the civilian role of running the White House have caused him problems. As chief of staff, he has shown various blind spots that have led him into other controversies, from falsely attacking a female member of Congress to suggesting the Civil War was caused by a failure to compromise." Another Post piece describes what happened when Kellyhaving issued one statement praising Porter's integrity and another saying he was "shocked" by the allegationstold his staff he took immediate action after learning the full extent of the ex-wives' accounts. An unnamed official told the paper "that people after the meeting expressed disbelief with one another and felt his latest account was not true." The Post noted that Kelly "first learned of the domestic violence allegations against Porter months ago." The New York Times picks up a similar theme, adding a hefty dose of chaos: "Two West Wing advisers and a third person painted a picture of a White House staff rived and confused, with fingers pointed in all directions and the president privately expressing dissatisfaction with Mr. Kelly ... "And many, including the president himself, have turned their ire on Mr. Kelly for vouching for Mr. Porter's character and falsely asserting that he had moved aggressively to oust him once his misdeeds were discovered." Whatever the extent of the White House backbiting, the press generally uses stories like the Porter saga to point fingers at Trump and revive the campaign allegations of harassment against him. But the president's view became fair game when he told reporters that Porter had done a great job and then tweeted in favor of "due process": "Peoples [sic] lives are being shattered and destroyed by a mere allegation. Some are true and some are false. ... There is no recovery for someone falsely accused--life and career are gone." Axios reported yesterday that behind closed doors, "the president has told multiple people that he believes the accusations about Porter, and finds him 'sick.' "Four sources who have spoken directly with Trump tell me his private comments about ex-aide Porter whose two ex-wives accused of violent attacks have been brutal. "But his public comments don't reflect that, at all." As for Kelly, who spends little time wooing the press, I don't think he cares much about his own coverage. And in our build-'em-up/tear-'em-down political culture, it was probably inevitable that the press would stop saluting the general. President Trump has, for now, given up on balancing the federal budget in the next ten years and Congress is to blame, his budget director said Monday, according to the Wall Street Journal. Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney told reporters that legislators didnt make any of the large structural changes he said last year were needed if the administration were to have a chance of reining in the federal deficit. At his confirmation hearing in January 2017, Mulvaney called for fundamental changes in the way Washington spends and taxes. No one can say the president doesnt take this seriously. He is making tough choices, but hes doing it in a smart way. OMB Director Mick Mulvaney Instead of following his advice, Mulvaney said Monday, Congress pounded the hell out of me. Unlike last years budget plan, the fiscal 2019 blueprint unveiled by the Trump administration on Monday does not seek to balance the budget over the next decade. Combined with a newly passed spending deal and sweeping tax cuts, the budget would see the federal deficit once again rising past $1 trillion in the near-term. But the pivot should not be interpreted as a fundamental shift, Mulvaney suggested. When a questioner at the briefing referred to Mulvaney as a one-time deficit hawk, he shot back, insisting he is a still-time deficit hawk, thank you. Late last year, Mulvaney suggested to Fox News Chris Wallace that budget deficits can be necessary to spur long-term growth. "If we simply look at this as being deficit-neutral, you're never going to get the type of tax reform and tax reductions that you need to get to sustain 3 percent economic growth, Mulvaney told Wallace. We really do believe that the tax code is what's holding back the American economy." The budget chief said Monday the fallback should not reflect on Trump. No one can say the president doesnt take this seriously, Mulvaney said. He is making tough choices, but hes doing it in a smart way. Its not hypocritical, he added. Its simply adjusting to the Washington, D.C., that we live in. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 13) The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is undermanned, Deputy Administrator Arnell Ignacio said Tuesday. Speaking to CNN Philippines' The Source, Ignacio estimated that the lead agency for migrant workers' welfare employs about 120 workers overseas and 300 in its main office in Pasay. The 420 employees are tasked with monitoring the situations of over 10 million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) across the globe. Ignacio said the office receives about 300 complaints daily. However, Ignacio said he was not making excuses for OWWA and its shortcomings. "I'm telling you this... not to justify kung ano ang nangyari [what happened]. (But) if we want to solve the problem, kailangan ito [we have to be] comprehensive," he said. He then promised that the OWWA will work on improving services for the OFWs. "Subukan niyo muna kami uli [Try with us again]. I know there's a lot of things na nagkulang [where we fell short]. We apologize sincerely. We promise we will work even harder for you," he added. The statement comes after the family of slain domestic worker Joanna Demafelis said they approached the OWWA in February 2017, when they lost contact with her. Her siblings said they did not receive any help. Demafelis' body was found earlier in January, stored in a freezer in the apartment of her former employer in Kuwait. Related: Solon wants probe into gov't agencies that overlooked slain OFW case OWWA Chief Hans Cacdac said they will investigate officers who supposedly brushed Joanna's family off. "Titignan din namin kung sino itong mga empleyado namin na sumagot ng ganitong klase dahil hindi nararapat iyon," Cacdac said on Monday. [Translation: We will look into who among our employees answered this way, because that was not appropriate.] Ignacio added Demafalis' family would receive about 270,000 in financial aid, including 100,000 for livelihood and 120,000 for Joanna's funeral. However, the body cannot be brought back to Manila until the investigation in Kuwait is over. Demafalis' case, along with an ongoing probe into the deaths of seven other Filipinas in Kuwait, prompted a total ban on deployment to the Gulf State and the repatriation of hundreds of workers. Related: Hundreds of OFWs from Kuwait back in PH The OWWA is offering an initial assistance of 5,000 for repatriated workers and 20,000 for livelihood start-ups. The agency will also shoulder transportation expenses and host seminars to help workers get back on their feet. Ignacio will join a team from the OWWA that will check on the conditions of workers in the Middle East on February 20. Watch The Source's full interview with Ignacio here. Former Trump adviser Carter Page acknowledges communicating with Trump campaign contacts after the FBI began spying on him indicating multiple members of the presidents team likely were caught up in the secret government surveillance which began days before the 2016 election. J. Christian Adams, a former Justice Department lawyer who is now the president of the Public Interest Legal Foundation, told Fox News "if there was electronic surveillance, there is no chance they werent caught up in it. Youd normally think that innocent third parties would be protected, but weve seen in this mess unmasking of otherwise innocent people and their conversations," Adams said. Page acknowledged to Fox News that he forwarded members of the Trump campaign an Oct. 28, 2016 letter he addressed to a European-based organization where he defended himself after his campaign departure. He said that's the main thing I do remember contacting them about during the period he had left the campaign and was under surveillance. So that shouldve all been picked up with the illegal hacking operation that began in Washington about a week prior, Page said in an email. By itself, the email contact indicates only that a single message to campaign contacts could have been monitored by law enforcement. However, it raises the possibility that any additional messages with those contacts including emails from them to Page could have been picked up as well. Curiously, the October letter also seemed to reference the opposition research that, it would emerge months later, allegedly was used to obtain the surveillance warrant against him. I have learned from a reliable source that a law firm close to the Clinton campaign has hired a London-based private investigator to investigate my trip to Russia, Page wrote, in an apparent reference to former British spy Christopher Steele, who authored the unverified anti-Trump dossier. Page has long faced questions about his connections and contacts with Russian officials, and left the Trump campaign as an adviser in September 2016 amid negative news reports about those contacts. The Justice Department and the FBI then sought and received a probable cause order authorizing electronic surveillance on Page on Oct. 21, 2016, according to the recently released memo from House Intelligence Committee Republicans. The memo asserts the anti-Trump dossier was critical in obtaining that warrant, though Democrats contend the GOP memo was misleading. MEMO: DOSSIER WAS KEY TO FBI'S FISA WARRANT TO SURVEIL CARTER PAGE Page wont divulge which campaign figures he was communicating with. Thats ancient history so dont recall much, he said. But the former foreign policy adviser says he sent a copy of the October 2016 letter to more than 10 people associated with the Trump campaign, including full-time staff with @DonaldTrump.com email addresses, as well as other campaign volunteers. The letter originally was sent to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. In the letter, obtained by Fox News, Page pushed back against questions about his relationship with people in Russia and accused Democrats of an egregious abuse of core democratic principles through their attacks on him during the campaign. I am not currently affiliated with any political campaign, but the continued personal attacks by the Hillary for America campaign against me based on completely fabricated, inaccurate information help to clearly demonstrate these violations, Page wrote to the organization. Its also known that Page was in contact with at least one top Trump adviser during the time he was under surveillance. He told the House Intelligence Committee in November that he spoke with Steve Bannon, the former senior campaign and White House aide, in January 2017 and said Bannon called to urge him not to follow through with a planned appearance on MSNBC. We had a brief conversation in January, and we shared some text messages, Page testified. Thats about it. A former DOJ attorney told Politico that Page's conversation with Bannon could well have been "picked up" in the surveillance. Bannon did not return a request for comment. A spokesman for the House Intelligence Committee declined to comment. SENATORS FLAG 'UNUSUAL' SUSAN RICE EMAIL ON RUSSIA PROBE FROM INAUGURATION DAY Since the memo detailing the Page surveillance was released, critics have charged that the FBI used the dubious dossier, prepared as campaign opposition research with funding from the Clinton campaign and Democratic National Committee, to get permission from the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to eavesdrop on Trump campaign and transition team communications. Just how many people were surveilled and to what extent? Fox News Tucker Carlson said Friday on Tucker Carlson Tonight. How much did President Obama know about it? We still dont have the answers to those questions, though we definitely have the right to them. According to the Intelligence Committee GOP memo, the FBI and DOJ obtained one initial FISA warrant in October targeting Page, and three FISA renewals from the court. Fox News Alex Pfeiffer contributed to this report. An Obama administration official who resigned in late 2016 pleaded guilty weeks later to a criminal charge in connection with allegations he tried to take photos up women's skirts on the D.C. Metro. William Mendoza, an Education Department official serving as executive director of the White House initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education, had resigned from the administration after he was arrested and charged with attempted voyeurism in November 2016. DailyMail.com first reported details of the case this week. The publication reported the policy adviser tried to take photos and videos up womens skirts on his government-issued phone in July 2016, but resigned before the Obama administration could complete its own probe into his conduct. Neither the resignation nor the Jan. 13, 2017 guilty plea was widely covered in the media at the time. DailyMail.com obtained new records through a Freedom of Information Act request, and reported that Mendoza was accused of attempting to take upskirt photos at least four times on his government-issued phones in July 2016. He reportedly was caught on a surveillance camera attempting to take the indecent photos during a probe by the Metro Police Transit Department -- and was arrested and charged with one count of attempted voyeurism, a misdemeanor. But Mendozas attorney, Paul Kiyonaga, told Fox News on Tuesday that despite the multiple alleged incidents, his client only pleaded guilty to one count of attempted voyeurism. Mendoza was given a 90-day suspended jail sentence, one year probation and a $100 fine, according to court documents reviewed by Fox News. Mr. Mendoza has taken responsibility in court for one count of attempted voyeurism, Kiyonaga told Fox News in an email. The government declined to prosecute him for any other alleged misconduct. Kiyonaga added that Mendoza has received treatment for the underlying issues that gave rise to this incident. With the strong support of his family, [Mendoza] has moved forward productively with his life, Kiyonaga said. DailyMail.com reported that Mendoza left the administration in late November, before the Office of the Inspector General finished their probe into his conduct. The publication reported that in April 2017, the Department of Educations Office of Inspector General advised that Mendoza be barred from federal employment due to suitability. During his time in the Obama administration, Mendoza also came under scrutiny for a reported brawl that erupted over a Redskins jersey in 2015. The man wearing the jersey called for Mendozas resignation in 2016, after he claimed the official spat in his face. Mendoza repeatedly denied the allegations and did not face any charges. Top U.S. intelligence officials warned lawmakers Tuesday not to be fooled by North Koreas diplomatic outreach at the Olympic Games, reminding Congress at a high-profile hearing that the dictatorship still represents an existential threat to the U.S. The appearance of Kim Jong Uns sister Kim Yo Jong at the Olympics has led to gushing coverage from some American media outlets, with stories suggesting Pyongyang's delegation is diplomatically outflanking the U.S. EVEN JAKE TAPPER SEEMS TO THINK CNN'S NORTH KOREA PUFF PIECE IS ABSURD But at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, top officials and lawmakers said nothing has changed from the oppressive regime, which has been ramping up its nuclear program in recent months. Weve all watched over the last week the smile campaign North Korea has inflicted on the South Korean people, the South Korean people seem to have been charmed to some degree, some of them seem to have been captivated by it, Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, said. From my point of view I think its nothing but a stall by the North Koreans to further develop what theyre trying to do and I suspect, in my judgment, we need to be very, very cautious of this, he added. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats agreed with the assessment, and said that North Korea's aggression was still an existential threat potentially to the U.S. and also to North Korea itself. The provocative nature and the instability Kim has demonstrated is potentially a significant threat to the United States. Decision time is coming ever close in terms of how we respond to this, he said. Lt. Gen. Robert Ashley, head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, described a much more deliberate effort in terms of readiness from Kim as opposed to his father. He also advised that we should not be misled by recent events in the Olympics. CIA Director Mike Pompeo added that Kim still looks to threaten the U.S. and that there has been no change in the regime's outlook despite the diplomatic outreach. There is no indication there is any strategic change in the outlook for Kim Jong Un in his desire to retain his nuclear capacity to threaten the United States of America, no change there, he said. The Trump administration has taken a tougher line against the regime, successfully guiding a number of rounds of sanctions through the U.N. Security Council. President Trump has also used bellicose language against the regime, nicknaming Kim "rocket man." Tuesday's hearing covered considerable ground. The officials also warned about the possibility that Russia would look to interfere in the 2018 election cycle. "We expect Russia to continue using propaganda, social media, false flag personas, sympathetic spokesmen and other means to influence, to try to build on its wide range of operations and exacerbate social and political fissures in the United States," Coats said. "There should be no doubt that Russia perceives its past efforts as successful, and views the 2018 U.S. midterm elections as a potential target for Russian influence operations," he said. Officials refused to be drawn into specifics but said they would offer further details in a classified session in the afternoon. The comments came on the heels of those made by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Fox News last week, in which he said there was already evidence of Russian attempts to meddle in the 2018 midterms. RUSSIA ALREADY MEDDLING IN US MIDTERMS, TILLERSON SAYS I don't know that I would say we are better prepared, because the Russians will adapt as well, Tillerson said. The point is, if it's their intention to interfere, they are going to find ways to do that. We can take steps we can take but this is something that, once they decide they are going to do it, it's very difficult to preempt it. A federal judge has ordered the unsealing of documents from then-Independent Counsel Ken Starrs two-decade old probe that led to former President Bill Clintons impeachment. Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia granted the order Monday in response to a Freedom of Information Act request from CNN. According to the judges order, CNN journalist Katelyn Polantz requested on Feb. 9, 2018 that eight sealed matters arising from Starrs 1998 investigation of Clinton be unsealed and made public. Starrs investigation began with the suicide of Clinton adviser Vince Foster and the Clintons Whitewater real estate deal in Arkansas. But it later expanded to include accusations of sexual misconduct and perjury, including Clintons relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives in December 1998. Clinton was acquitted of the charges by the Senate, with no Democrats voting to remove him from office. KEN STARR AND ALAN DERSHOWITZ TALK ROB PORTER, RUSSIA PROBE The request from CNN includes testimony from former Clinton aides and advisers Bruce Lindsey, Sidney Blumenthal, Nancy Hernreich, Lanny Breuer and Terry Lenzner, as well as testimony from the Secret Service. It also requests other White House documents, in addition to a presidential subpoena. The FOIA request from CNN indicated the documents could be relevant to procedures for obtaining testimony in special counsel Robert Muellers current Russia probe. Its not clear when the documents will be released, but Howell ordered them available to the public promptly. Fox News Bill Mears contributed to this report. The written contents of an envelope containing a white powder received Monday by Donald Trump Jr.s wife said the president's son would get what he "deserves," the NYPD confirmed to Fox News on Tuesday. "Youre an awful person and now you get what you deserve," the threatening note read, according to police. President Trumps daughter-in-law, Vanessa, opened the letter addressed to her husband around 10 a.m. She was subsequently taken to the hospital as a precaution, along with two others, police said. DONALD TRUMP JR.S WIFE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AFTER OPENING ENVELOPE WITH WHITE POWDER A team of hazmat workers began decontaminating the couples apartment in New York City and the substance was eventually deemed non-hazardous after being tested, officials said. The white powder, according to the New York Post, was thought to be cornstarch. Trump Jr. tweeted Monday about the scary situation, saying it was Truly disgusting that certain individuals choose to express their opposing views with such disturbing behavior. DONALD TRUMP JR., CONWAY TO END SECRET SERVICE PROTECTION The U.S. Secret Service confirmed in a statement that they, along with authorities in New York, were investigating the incident. Trump Jr. is the eldest son of the president. He married Vanessa in 2005. The couple has five children, but it was unclear if any were home at the time of the incident. Fox News Katherine Lam and Shira Bush contributed to this report. Former Trump aide and recurring reality television contestant Omarosa Manigault-Newman was fired last year after improperly using the official White House car service, according to a new report. New details relating to her departure from the White House in December emerged in a Tuesday story in Politico. Manigault-Newman, who got famous as a contestant on now-President Trumps reality show The Apprentice, campaigned for Trump during the 2016 election and landed a role in the White House as director of communications for the Office of Public Liaison. But according to the new report, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly dismissed her for using the CARPET car service for office pick-up and drop-off service, something Politico said is strictly forbidden by the federal government. The report said that after she was fired, she attempted to appeal to Trump directly in the White House residence, but accidentally tripped a Secret Service wire. Manigault-Newman could not be reached Tuesday, and a White House spokesman did not return a request for comment. Since leaving the White House, she has been appearing on the CBS reality series Celebrity Big Brother, where she has not shied from criticizing the Trump administration. Most recently, she took aim at Vice President Pence. OMAROSA TRASHES SCARY MIKE PENCE, MOCKS HIS CHRISTIAN FAITH ON CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER Can I just say this, as bad as you all think Trump is, youd be worried about Pence. Everybody thats wishing for impeachment might want to reconsider their lives, she said in a clip released this week. You would be begging for days of Trump back if Pence became president. Hes extreme. Im Christian, I love Jesus. But he thinks Jesus tells him to say things, and Im like, Jesus didnt say that. Scary. On another episode last week, Manigault-Newman said of the presidents Twitter habits: I was haunted by tweets every single day. What is he going to tweet next? The White House responded last week by saying the reality star doesnt talk with Trump anymore. "Omarosa was fired three times on 'The Apprentice' and this is the fourth time we let her go," White House Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah said. "She had limited contact with the president while she was here. She has no contact now." Despite President Trump once tweeting that Liddle Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., couldnt get elected dog catcher in Tennessee, it looks as though some Republicans in the Volunteer state think he's the best chance to defend the seat in 11 months. One problem: Corker said he is going to retire. Politico reported Monday that Corkerwho is one of Trumps toughest Republican criticshas been listening to some party leaders about the prospects of running again. Corker appears to be holding his cards close to his chest and "hasnt made any comments about where he stands, a person close to the senator told Politico. The Tennessean, citing a senior adviser, reported a day earlier that Corker has been encouraged to run again, but at this point nothing has changed. The paper reported that the senator has spoken to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Sen. Lamar Alexander, his fellow Republican in Tennessee, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. Corker announced on Sept. 27, 2017 that he would not seek a third term in 2018. Corker, 65, had previously said that he couldnt imagine serving more than two terms. The Weekly Standard explained what Democrats will need in order to retake the Senate, which would mean successfully defending all of their current seats. The obvious targets are Arizona and Nevada Nevada voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016-- and Arizona is, partially because of Trumps unpopularity, well within reach for Democrats, the magazine explained. But if Democrats fail to take one of those seats or have trouble holding one of their red-state seats, they might try to make up the shortfall in Tennessee. Corkers retirement set off a scramble among potential candidates to succeed him. When the dust settled, Rep. Marsha Blackburn became the major candidate seeking the Republican nomination, while former Gov. Phil Bredesen came out of political retirement to announce he would run as a Democrat. Politico reported that an internal poll showed that Bredesen would edge out Blackburn in a head-to-head matchup. Blackburns campaign told the website that she would stay in the race regardless if Corker decides to run again. A Blackburn spokeswoman said its well past time for the good old boys club in Washington, D.C., to quit thinking they know who the best candidate and conservative leader is for Tennessee families. CNN reported that McConnell preferred Corker run again, The Tennessean reported. After he announced he wouldnt run again, Corker doubled down on his criticism of the president, charging that Trump had turned the White House into an adult day care center and was setting the U.S. on the path to World War III. Trump hit back at Corker, tweeting that he was a lightweight and charging that the lawmaker couldnt get elected dog catcher in Tennessee. Trump reportedly said Corker, who is the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, decided not to run again after he refused to endorse him, a claim Corker denies. But The Tennessean pointed out that Corker flew with Trump on Air Force One a few weeks ago, which could indicate a thaw. The Associated Press contributed to this report Rob Porter, former White House staff secretary, was on the verge of a big promotion at the White House before news stories surfaced detailing past domestic abuse allegations leveled by two ex-spouses, Fox News has confirmed. Porter, who exited the White House last week after the accusations from two ex-wives went public, was under consideration to fill the role of deputy chief of staff, multiple administration sources said. The sources said Porter was held in high regard by White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. Other senior staff were also open to promoting Porter, they said. The deputy position recently opened up after the president chose Jim Carroll to head the Office of National Drug Control Policy. FBI BOSS SAYS ROB PORTER BACKGROUND CHECK 'COMPLETED' LAST YEAR, DESPITE WHITE HOUSE CLAIMS The once-likely promotion first reported by CNN comes as the White House is facing criticism for keeping Porter in the role of senior staff secretary despite being aware of the allegations. The White House initially released a statement last Tuesday pushing back on the allegations and defending Porter. But within 24 hours, as images emerged of one of Porters ex-wives with a black eye, Porter resigned. He has, however, denied the allegations against him. White House officials have said they were not aware of the extent of the allegations until last week. But FBI Director Christopher Wray testified Tuesday that Porter completed a background check months before he was forced to resign over the domestic abuse claims -- conflicting with White House timelines that said the background check was ongoing. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders, pressed by reporters at Tuesdays briefing about Wrays account, explained that the White House personnel security office got information last year for what it considered the final background investigation report. However, she said it hadnt made a final recommendation because the process was still ongoing. Trump was asked about Porter on Friday and told reporters it was very sad when we heard about it. He added that Porter said he was innocent. The case has raised questions about security clearances at the White House. Porter was serving on an interim security clearance. John Roberts, Adam Shaw and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Three top U.S. intelligence officials told a Senate panel Tuesday that they have seen "Russian activity and intentions" to target this November's midterm elections. The officials -- CIA Director Mike Pompeo, National Intelligence Director Dan Coats, and NSA director Adm. Mike Rogers -- did not publicly describe the activity, other than to say it was related to information warfare. They said they would provide more details in a classified session later Tuesday. The officials also said that the information would be shared with state and local governments, as well as state election officials. Russian interference in the upcoming elections is part of its pursuit of bolder cyber operations and false information campaigns against America and its allies, according to a new intelligence report on global threats. "In the next year, Russian intelligence and security services will continue to probe U.S. and allied critical infrastructures, as well as target the United States, NATO, and allies for insights into U.S. policy," the report said. "The 2018 U.S. midterm elections are a potential target for Russian influence operations." "Russians stepped up their game with cyber, in particular, in 2016," Coats said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. He added that the prospect of interference in the midterm or in state elections was "very likely because we don't see a let up in efforts to do this." U.S. intelligence concluded Moscow interfered in the 2016 presidential election, which has led to the current FBI investigation into possible Trump campaign connections. Russia denies the allegations and President Donald Trump has called the FBI probe as a witch hunt. Tuesday's report predicted Russian intelligence agencies will disseminate more false information over Russian state-controlled media and through fake online personas to spread anti-American views and exacerbate social and political divides in the United States. Pompeo also has said he expects Russia will insert itself in the November midterms, in which Republicans and Democrats will vie for control of the House and Senate. "We will push back in a way that is sufficiently robust that the impact they have on our election won't be great," Pompeo recently told the BBC. Last week, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson chimed in, telling Fox News the U.S. is seeing "certain behaviors" of Russian meddling in elections in the Northern Hemisphere, including "in the U.S." this year. Coats and other top intelligence officials were appearing at a Senate intelligence committee hearing Tuesday to discuss their annual assessment of global threats facing the United States. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 13) The government's top lawyer on Tuesday urged the Senate to refrain from investigating President Rodrigo Duterte's wealth. Solicitor General Jose Calida made this statement as he announced that the Office of Ombudsman has ended the probe on Senator Antonio Trillanes IV's plunder complaint against the President. READ: Ombudsman ends probe on Trillanes' plunder case vs. Duterte "Senator Trillanes seeks to have another Senate hearing to convince probably the public about his garbage evidence junked by the Ombudsman. The Senate should stop its investigation," Calida said. He added that the probe would amount to nothing. "They're wasting their time because Trillanes' evidence as I said is garbage. It will not stand the scrutiny of senators," he added. Trillanes, one of the President's staunchest critics, stood by his claims. "If what I have is nothing but garbage, then why are they panicking?" he said in a statement. He said Duterte should finally sign a waiver to let the Senate open his bank accounts. "If I am wrong in my allegations then I would resign immediately as Senator and voluntarily walk in any jail of his choice," he added. The President has refused to sign a waiver but repeatedly denied Trillanes allegations, throwing back accusations the senator has offshore bank accounts. Trillanes filed Senate Resolution No. 602 on February 5, directing the Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions, and Currencies to investigate bank documents allegedly showing the Duterte family's "undisclosed transactions." Trillanes has accused the President of having unexplained wealth even before the elections in May 2016. He called the President a "fraud" for supposedly failing to declare at least P211 million in bank deposits in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth. He said the money is in Duterte's joint account with his daughter Sara, in the Julia Vargas branch of the Bank of the Philippine Islands. In a privilege speech in October 2017, Trillanes also detailed Duterte's alleged bank transactions from 2006 to 2015, with the highest amount transacted in one day reaching up to P193 million. READ: Trillanes details Duterte's alleged hidden wealth CNN Philippines' Yvette Morales contributed to this report. For the second time in as many months, a federal judge has barred the Trump administration from ending the Obama-era DACA program next month. U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis in New York ruled Tuesday that Attorney General Jeff Sessions had "erred in concluding that DACA is unconstitutional" and granted a preliminary injunction sought by state attorneys general and immigrants who had sued the administration. The Justice Department had no immediate comment on Garaufis' ruling. Last month, U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco ruled that DACA must remain in place while litigation surrounding the program is ongoing. The U.S. Supreme Court is currently considering whether to take up the Trump administration's appeal of that ruling. The ruling came down as debate in the Senate on immigration reform struggled to gain traction, with Republican and Democratic leaders immediately at loggerheads over how to move forward and President Donald Trump warning this was the "last chance" to extend protections to "Dreamer" immigrants. Trump announced this past September that he was ending the DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, program. The move gave Congress a March 5 deadline to create a legislative replacement for the program, but was almost immediately challenged in court. The White House has sought increased funding for border security, including a wall across the U.S.-Mexico border, in exchange for providing a path to citizenship for 1.8 million immigrants. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., began the process with a proposal allowing Republicans to bring up an amendment targeting cities that don't fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities, so-called "sanctuary cities." Then, Democrats would bring up legislation of their choosing. Amendments gaining 60 votes would become part of the broader immigration bill. The Senate's top Democrat, Chuck Schumer of New York, quickly objected. "To begin the debate as the Republican leader suggests would be getting off on the wrong foot," Schumer said. "Very partisan." Schumer wants McConnell to bring up legislation that incorporates Trump's priorities and a second, much narrower bill from Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Chris Coons, D-Del. His reasoning: The legislation Schumer wants considered would address the population of young immigrants that lawmakers from both parties say they want to help, rather than side issues such as how to deal with sanctuary cities. McConnell replied: "I'm not trying to dictate to them what they offer. They shouldn't be trying to dictate to us what we offer. We ought to just get started." The disagreement means there could be several more hours of speeches before any votes occur. That gives a group of moderate lawmakers more time to come up with a package that could generate 60 votes in the Senate. Still, many Republicans are insisting that the bill incorporating Trump's priorities is a compromise. "The president's framework is not an opening bid in negotiations. It is a best and final offer," said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark. In a meeting with sheriffs at the White House, Trump continued to frame the debate in a way that depicts many of the illegal immigrants seeking to enter the U.S. as dangerous criminals. "We're asking Congress to support our immigration policy that keeps terrorists, drug dealers, criminals and gang members out of our country. We want them out. We don't want them in and right now we're working on DACA, we're working on immigration bills and we're making them tough," Trump said. Fox News' Jake Gibson and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham described as disturbing a newly revealed Inauguration Day email from Susan Rice that detailed former President Barack Obama's guidance at a high-level meeting about how law enforcement should investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election. The email first surfaced Monday, when Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Graham, R-S.C., sent the Obama national security adviser a letter, pressing for answers about the email by next week. Shes sending herself an email talking about a conversation on Jan. 5 with the president, reassuring herself, and I guess the president, that this would be done by the book, Graham said Monday night on Fox News' The Story with Martha MacCallum. I think thats odd and disturbing because we know the investigation regarding the Trump campaign was anything but by the book. While an attorney for Rice said there was nothing unusual about the note, White House spokesman Raj Shah told Fox & Friends the email raises a lot of questions. Rices email, which she sent to herself on Jan. 20, 2017, seemed to document a Jan. 5 meeting in the Oval Office with Obama, then-Vice President Joe Biden, former FBI Director James Comey, then-Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates and herself. President Obama began the conversation by stressing his continued commitment to ensuring that every aspect of this issue is handled by the Intelligence and law enforcement communities by the book, Rice wrote. The president stressed that he is not asking about, initiating or instructing anything from a law enforcement perspective. He reiterated that our law enforcement team needs to proceed as it normally would by the book. Rice also wrote that Obama said he wants to be sure that, as we engage with the incoming team, we are mindful to ascertain if there is any reason that we cannot share information fully as it relates to Russia. She added: The President asked Comey to inform him if anything changes in the next few weeks that should affect how we share classified information with the incoming team. Comey said he would." Graham cast Rices email as self-serving, questioning whether Comey, at the time of the meeting, briefed the president on the source of the now-infamous anti-Trump dossier that led to a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant for former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page. Do you think Comey mentioned to the president that the chief source of information regarding a FISA warrant on Carter Page came from a paid operative of the Democratic Party, Mr. [Christopher] Steele, who was on the payroll of Fusion GPS, that was being paid by the Clinton campaign, the Democratic Party, and that the dossier came from Russian sources, very unreliable and still hasnt been verified? Graham asked Monday night. Graham also said the direction to play it by the book was an odd thing for the president to say in the last month of the administration. SENATORS FLAG 'UNUSUAL' SUSAN RICE EMAIL ON RUSSIA PROBE SENT ON INAUGURATION DAY However, Rices attorney Kathryn Ruemmler said there was nothing unusual about Rice memorializing an important discussion for the record. The Obama White House was justifiably concerned about how comprehensive they should be in their briefings regarding Russia to members of the Trump transition team, particularly Lt. General Michael Flynn, given the concerning communications between him and Russian officials, Ruemmler said in a statement to Fox News. The discussion that Ambassador Rice documented did not involve the so-called Steele dossier. Ruemmler added: Any insinuation that Ambassador Rices actions in this matter were inappropriate is yet another attempt to distract and deflect from the importance of the ongoing investigations into Russian meddling in Americas democracy. The origins of the Russia meddling probe have come under mounting scrutiny on Capitol Hill, where Republicans are looking at how the unverified Steele dossier was used to seek a surveillance warrant against Page. Graham questioned what Obama and Rice knew about the FISA warrant application. What Im worried about is that this is an effort by the president [Obama] to basically get himself on the record through Susan Rice, and made sure that, from his point of view, everything was done by the book, Graham said. According to the released email, the Jan. 5 meeting followed a briefing by the intelligence community on Russian hacking during the 2016 election. Grassley and Graham said the meeting included a discussion of dossier. But one source familiar with the meeting said it had nothing to do with Steele or the dossier. That person said it was solely focused on whether the intelligence community and the FBI needed to be careful about what Russia conversations they had with the Trump transition team. Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker is listening amid encouragement from some Republicans to rethink his decision not to run for re-election this year, according to a spokesman for the GOP lawmaker. In recent days, people across Tennessee have reached out to Senator Corker with concerns about the outcome of this election because they believe it could determine control of the Senate and the future of our agenda," Micah Johnson, a Corker spokesman, told Fox News. "The senator has been encouraged to reconsider his decision and is listening closely. Corker has recently had conversations with the White House and his Republican colleagues in the Senate about the possibility of reversing his decision to retire, Fox News has learned. But those close to Corker acknowledge he would need to move swiftly to jump back into campaign mode. The filing deadline in Tennessee is April 5. Other Republicans, including the conservative Tennessee Rep. Marsha Blackburn, have already been campaigning for the position. There are concerns, though, from some Republicans that Democrats would have a decent shot at flipping the seat: One recent poll, conducted by Republican pollster Glen Bolger and obtained by Fox News, shows Democrat Phil Bredesen with 47 percent to Blackburns 45 percent in a hypothetical matchup. The GOP currently holds a slim 51-49 majority in the Senate. REPUBLICANS TRY TO GET TENNESSEE'S CORKER TO RUN AGAIN OUT OF FEAR OF LOSING SEAT Others have made the argument to Corker, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, that his foreign policy knowledge is critical, with Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain in poor health and House Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce, a Virginia Republican, retiring this year. The Blackburn campaign is strongly pushing back, with spokesman Andrea Bozek telling Fox News, Anyone who thinks Marsha Blackburn cant win a general election is just a plain sexist pig. Shes the best fundraiser in the country and is beating Phil Bredesen in several polls, Bozek said. We arent worried about these ego-driven, tired old men. Marsha has spent her whole life fighting people who told her she wasnt good enough and she will do it again. A poll released in December by a political action committee supportive of President Trump had Blackburn ahead of Bredesen 43 percent to 34 percent. Influential conservative players, like Club for Growth and the Koch political network, have also indicated they would stick with Blackburn even if Corker runs. Corker memorably feuded with Trump after his retirement announcement last year. At one point, Corker called Trump an utterly untruthful president and tweeted #AlertTheDaycareStaff. Trump claimed Corker "begged" him for an endorsement before dropping out of the race. Sources close to Corker, though, say his relationship with Trump has since improved, and that he is in frequent contact with Chief of Staff John Kelly, National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Fox News Alex Pappas contributed to this report. The 2019 federal budget that the White House unveiled Monday again proposes cutting all federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funnels money to NPR and PBS -- a potential move that the CPB president quickly slammed. In a statement, President and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Patricia Harrison excoriated the proposal, suggesting it might even lead to fatalities. Americans place great value on having universal access to public medias educational and informational programming and services, provided commercial free and free of charge, Harrison said in a statement Monday. Since there is no viable substitute for federal funding that would ensure this valued service continues, the elimination of federal funding to CPB would at first devastate, and then ultimately destroy public medias ability to provide early childhood content, life-saving emergency alerts, and public affairs programs," the statement continued. But the idea must win the approval of a skeptical Congress to become reality. Just last year, the White House made a similar proposal to defund the CPB, although Congress effectively ignored the request. "The Budget proposes to eliminate Federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) over a two year period," the 2019 proposal states. Republicans have long suggested that PBS and NPR, which some politicians and commentators say are left-leaning and partisan, should not receive federal funds. But the Trump budget, rather than raising the issue of bias, simply asserts that the money is not necessary. "CPB funding comprises about 15 percent of the total amount spent on public broadcasting, with the remainder coming from non-Federal sources," the propsal says, under a section titled "Justification." "This private fundraising has proven durable, negating the need for continued Federal subsidies," the proposal continues, adding that NPR and PBS could make up the shortfall by "increasing revenues from corporate sponsors, foundations, and members." The Trump administration announced last year its plan to phase out the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) which provides a level of amnesty to certain undocumented immigrants, many of whom came to the U.S. as children with a six-month delay for recipients. But a federal appeals court ruled against the proposal in early November, declaring the government couldn't immediately end the program. The Executive wields awesome power in the enforcement of our nations immigration laws, the ruling said. Our decision today does not curb that power, but rather enables its exercise in a manner that is free from legal misconceptions and is democratically accountable to the public. Trump had initially set a March 5 deadline for the program and called on Congress to pass legislation pertaining to the young immigrants. But the deadline came and went, with no congressional action but several lawsuits challenging the administration's decision to end the program. FEDERAL APPEALS COURT RULES AGAINST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ON DACA Federal judges in New York and Washington also have ruled against President Trump on DACA. President Trump has repeatedly blamed Democrats for inaction. Heres a look at the DACA program and why the Trump administration wants to dismantle it. What is the DACA program? The DACA program was formed through executive action by former President Barack Obama in 2012 and allowed certain people who came to the U.S. illegally as minors to be protected from immediate deportation. Recipients, called Dreamers, were able to request consideration of deferred action for a period of two years, which was subject to renewal. Deferred action is a use of prosecutorial discretion to defer removal action against an individual for a certain period of time, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services stated. Deferred action does not provide lawful status. Individuals were able to request DACA status if they were under the age of 31 on June 15, 2012, came to the U.S. before turning 16 and continuously lived in the country since June 15, 2007. Individuals also had to have a high school diploma, GED certification, been honorably discharged from the military or still be in school. Recipients could not have a criminal record. It did not provide legal status. How many people are affected by DACA? Nearly 800,000 youth, called Dreamers, are under the program's umbrella. Daniel Garza, president of the conservative immigration nonprofit Libre Initiative, told Fox News that DACA offers a reprieve from a life of uncertainty for innocent kids who didnt break the law. Its rather disappointing to think they could return to a state of anxiety and fear, he said. What did the Trump administration do? The Trump administration announced in September 2017 that it planned to phase out DACA for current recipients, and no new requests would be granted. But a lower court order required the administration to continue accepting renewal applications for those under the DACA program, and the Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration's request to intervene. Since the announcement, Trump had offered to work with lawmakers on a solution for the hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. who fell under DACAs umbrella of protections. But at the same time, he has repeatedly blamed Democrats on social media for lack of a solution. Earlier this year, Trump released his four pillars of immigration reform, which included a provision for legal status for DACA recipients and others who would be eligible for DACA status. The White House estimated that total to be 1.8 million people. The Senate rejected the plan. Republicans and some Democrats opposed Obamas directive establishing DACA from the start as a perceived overreach of executive power. Obama spoke out on social media after the Trump administration announced a plan to dismantle the program, stating that it's "self-defeating ... and it is cruel" to end DACA and questioned the motive behind the decision. Do any DACA recipients serve in the military? Despite some rumors circulating online to the contrary, Dreamers were eligible to serve in the U.S. military since 2014 when the Pentagon adopted a policy to allow a certain amount of illegal immigrants to join. In fiscal year 2016, 359 DACA recipients had enlisted in the Army which is the only branch to accept immigrants of this category. Fox News' John Roberts and The Associated Press contributed to this report. The parents of a Marine combat veteran running to unseat Wisconsin's Democratic incumbent have reportedly donated the legal maximum to his opponent's primary campaign. Kevin Nicholson is trying to unseat Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., in the upcoming midterm elections. Besides the unusual campaign issues, Nicholson has to respond to questions about why his parents appear to prefer his opponent. Donna and Michael Nicholson both donated $2,700 to Baldwins primary campaign the maximum amount permitted under the law for the period, according to a Federal Election Commission filing by Baldwins campaign from this month, the Washington Examiner reported. Nicholsons parents will be allowed to contribute the same amount to Baldwins war chest once the general election is officially underway. The Republican hopeful admitted his parents politics differ from his, with the mother known for donating to Democratic groups and candidates. "My parents have a different worldview than I do, and it is not surprising that they would support a candidate like Tammy Baldwin who shares their perspective, Nicholson told CNN. "I'm a conservative today not because I was born one, but because of the experience I earned as a Marine in combat, my experience as a husband and father, my choice to be a Christian, the schools I chose to attend, and the decision to pursue the career that I have, he added. Regardless of who may disagree with my life decisions, I would not trade these experiences for anything, and they will always guide my views as Wisconsin's next U.S. Senator. The revelation about his parents political activities follows a controversy last year, in which Nicholson attacked fellow Wisconsinite and House Speaker Paul Ryan, saying he has a light footprint in the state, according to a recording obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Many have since questioned whether Nicholson is a genuine Republican an accusation his campaign had dismissed. "This is an absurd and disingenuous question," campaign spokesman Michael Antonopoulos told the newspaper. "Kevin is a conservative who supports Speaker Ryan and has stated repeatedly that he comes from a family of Democrats." A giant undersea caldera near Japan hosts a lava dome made from 8 trillion gallons of molten rock. The dome, which is 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) wide and 1,968 feet (600 meters) tall, is solid rock now, and it doesn't presage an impending eruption. However, it does add a new wrinkle to the history of the Kikai caldera, a huge depression that formed during a massive volcanic super-eruption about 6,300 or 7,300 years ago (the broad range has to do with different methods of dating the eruption). That eruption sent heated pyroclastic flow 50 miles (80 km) across the sea and spread ash up to 620 miles (1,000 km) away, said Yoshi Tatsumi, the author of a new study on the caldera's inner workings, published today (Feb. 9) in the journal Scientific Reports. The system is still active, and it's a relatively high-risk place for eruptive activity, said Erik Klemetti, a volcanologist at Denison University, who was not involved in the study. The volcano also blew its top in super-eruptions95,000 years ago and about 140,000 years ago. It occasionally burps ash and steam even in the modern day, with the last recorded eruption occurring between 2013 and 2014. [The 11 Biggest Volcanic Eruptions in History] Hidden volcanism But because the caldera is hidden underwater, it's hard to keep tabs on its activity. Tatsumi and his colleagues conducted multiple remotely-operated-vehicle dives to the caldera floor, south of Kyushu Island in the Japanese archipelago. They used sonar to map the caldera's floor and shot small explosive charges into the seafloor to create seismic waves they could record and use to image the subsurface. The team also collected data on the water column's chemistry and took rock samples from the looming dome in the center of the caldera. The findings proved that the dome was, in fact, built up from lava, specifically a form of lava called rhyolite some 8 trillion gallons (32 cubic kilometers) of it. This dome could have formed anytime since the last eruption, Klemetti said, so it isn't clear how new it is. However, Tatsumi and his colleagues found that its chemical composition is different than the lava ejected from the caldera during the last super-eruption. This finding suggests that a new magma system formed after the eruption, Tatsumi told Live Science. "The post-caldera activity, at least [at] this caldera, is regarded as the preparation stage to the next super-eruption, not as the calming-down stage from the previous super- eruption," he said. Evolving system That doesn't mean an eruption is imminent, but that the volcanic system that underpins the caldera has been changing and evolving over the millennia, the researchers reported. It's interesting to see that the lava dome apparently originates from a different part of the magmatic system (underground chambers of molten rock) than the last super-eruption's lavas, Klemetti said. [50 Amazing Facts About Volcanoes] The best way to be sure the dome has a separate origin would be to test the minerals in the lavas and to find out when they formed, whether before the caldera-forming super-eruption, around the same time or after, Klemetti said. Tatsumi and his team plan to look deeper under the caldera. Given the giant size of the lava dome, there could be a large magma reservoir under the surface, Tatsumi said. The team plans to use subsurface imaging to look for that reservoir and describe it if it exists. Original article on Live Science. Finding evidence for life on Mars has been a decades-long ambition for NASA, which has spent billions of dollars to send machines wheeling over, poking and probing the Red Planet. But once the signs of life are found, how are those findings verified? In early January, NASA's Curiosity Mars rover came across what some researchers thought might be trace fossils on Mars. Researchers first spotted the eye-catching, tiny, stick-like features in black-and white imagery, but they were compelling and unusual enough for the rover science team to roll the robot back to further interrogate them. A strictly mineral origin was deemed to be the most plausible. Still, for some, the features suggested bioturbation a process through which organisms living in sediments can disturb the very structure of those sediments. The oddities looked similar to Ordovician trace fossils here on Earth, which stem from an era more than 440 million years ago. [12 Possible Reasons We Haven't Found Aliens] Regarding trace fossils on Mars, "We don't rule it out," Ashwin Vasavada of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, and project scientist for the Curiosity Mars rover, told Space.com. "But we certainly won't jump to that as our first interpretation." The event underscored the degree of difficulty in studying and analyzing such peculiar features, as well as the limits of robotically performed "Curiosity science investigations" (CSI). But it also begs a fundamental question. No doubt, Mars is holding its secrets tight but if the ongoing work of detecting life proves positive, what protocols are in place to confirm such a verdict? Ladder of life "It has been a long time since we have visited the procedure for extraterrestrial life announcements," said NASA's Michael Meyer, program scientist for the Mars Science Laboratory and lead scientist for the space agency's Mars Exploration Program in Washington, D.C. "My presumption is that the finding and announcement would go up our chain-of-command, more than likely going all the way to the President," Meyer told Space.com in an email. "The perceived rapidity with which the finding would go viral just changes the immediacy of the response. In some ways not too different from a spacecraft failure." Jim Green, NASA Planetary Science Division director, said to organize thinking and tackle the topic of direct detection of life elsewhere, NASA and the astrobiology community have crafted what's tagged as the "Ladder of Life Detection." The ladder categorizes features that indicate life, ordered from most to least indicative of life, and how they might be discovered. Green told Space.com that while life-detection tools have limitations, instruments today are at various rungs on that ladder. "Current systems give us indications that tell us what to do next as we climb up that Ladder of Life," he said. The ability to make a comprehensive set of measurements to detect life or past life on Mars is a complicated, evolving process, Green said, requiring a systematic approach. "So that's where we are. We've got the methodology, I think, to keep moving in that direction." [Missions to Mars: A Robot Red Planet Invasion History (Infographic)] Martian meteorites Everett Gibson, emeritus scientist at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, was co-leader of the team that announced in 1996 that it had discovered possible signatures of past life in ALH84001, a Martian meteorite that fell to Earth. Several years later, the team said that additional evidence in three more Martian samples bolstered its case. The claims regarding ALH84001 were hotly debated, with the wider scientific community pointing to non-biological causes of the unusual features detected within the meteorite. The debate over the possible evidence of life in the Mars rock, however, is viewed by many as a key event that helped shape the field of astrobiology. Gibson also found the recent Curiosity photos interesting and is eager to learn the composition of the features imaged. "They remind me of things we have observed throughout the terrestrial geologic record of the Earth but these features are on Mars," he told Space.com. "At least the JPL Curiosity team had enough interest to go back and obtain additional data on these features," Gibson said. "Now, if [only] they would do compositional measurements on the features and the matrix from which they reside," he said. An analysis by Curiosity's Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument "would also be nice to seek residual biochemical-related compounds which might reside with the features," Gibson said. While data from SAM would have been nice to have, it was not used to study the curious features on Mars. (SAM is able to study powdered rock and regolith drilling samples.) "We did not get a chance to sample these interesting features with SAM," said Paul Mahaffy, principal investigator for SAM at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The Curiosity Mars team has been doing troubleshooting work on the rover's drill recently, he told Space.com, which precluded drilling for several months. Interpretations of data Regarding the search for life on Mars, Gibson remains confident about his team's ALH84001 meteorite analysis and claims, which are now more than 20 years old. "We still stand by our 1996 report in Science magazine, and none of our data has been disproven only interpretations of the data," Gibson said. "Clearly early on Mars in its first billion years conditions were suitable for biogeochemical processes related to living systems to have operated. Now we await further data from Curiosity and the team," Gibson said. Even if slam-dunk proof of life were to be found on Mars, how would it be announced? And is there any process for double-checking the claims before that momentous announcement? "None that I know of," astrobiologist John Rummel, a senior scientist with the SETI Institute and former head of NASA's Planetary Protection Office, told Space.com. "I would anticipate that the smart thing to do would be to review the evidence, in private, with a panel of experts who have an understanding of the evidence being examined, and then move to the appropriate place from there," Rummel said. That expert group, Rummel said, would have to wrestle with some key questions, such as: What other evidence would be used to corroborate such a finding? What are the possible false-positive indicators that might be leading us to mis-identify the evidence we are seeing? [How NASA Could Look for Ancient Life on Mars (Infographic)] Reaffirm the interpretation Rummel recalls that with ALH84001, multiple investigators were able to examine the meteorite itself, as well as provide expertise related to the evidence gathered by the NASA Johnson Space Center team. "I would say, if one is faced with tantalizing evidence of a possible 'find' of ancient life on Mars," Rummel said, "one's first consideration would be to reaffirm the interpretation of the evidence already gained, and to conduct other tests that might support or refute that interpretation." If one sees morphological evidence evidence based on structures found on Mars Rummel said that chemical analyses should then be performed to see if the results are consistent with the interpretation of the morphology. "Verification of the data in as many different ways as possible is good," he said. That idea is shared by Bruce Jakosky, professor of geological sciences and associate director for science at the University of Colorado's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics. He is also principal investigator for the MAVEN mission now orbiting Mars. Jakosky said that Curiosity's most recent find is very different from the ALH84001 situation. "In the case of ALH84001, the original researchers did a tremendous amount of analysis before going public, to define the characteristics of what they were seeing and to compare them against multiple different hypotheses of how they might form," Jakosky told Space.com. "They put forward their best hypothesis, discussed why both biological and nonbiological mechanisms for formation might be possible, and reached their best conclusion. They recognized the uncertainties in their conclusion as well," he said. Horribly premature In the case of Curiosity finding odd features, "all we have so far is a single set of images, with no additional in-situ analysis of what is present and no thorough comparison against competing hypotheses," Jakosky said. Speculation as to whether these features could be biological "is horribly premature," Jakosky said. "While it may be that a biological origin is possible, science is about determining what is most probably and not just what is possible." If something is eventually found that turns out to be biological, Jakosky suspects that such a conclusion would not be presented in a grand press conference where the discoverers announce that life has been found. "The more likely scenario is that it will take multiple analyses by different investigators, and that a consensus will be built up over time as non-biological scenarios are either ruled out or deemed to be less likely," Jakosky concluded. Leonard David is author of "Mars: Our Future on the Red Planet," published by National Geographic. The book is a companion to the National Geographic Channel series "Mars." A longtime writer for Space.com, David has been reporting on the space industry for more than five decades. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. This version of this story was posted on Space.com. The long-lost wreckage of a purported miniature UFO has been discovered at a U.K. museum. Fragments from the supposed UFO that was found in 1957 in a remote part of Northern England had been missing for decades, but have turned up in the archives of the Science Museum in London. The flying saucer was discovered on Silpho Moor, an area of open land in North Yorkshire, in an incident described as Britains Roswell. After analyzing the object, however, scientists said that the UFO was likely part of an elaborate hoax. WHAT IS THE BEST DAY TO SPOT A UFO? David Clarke, a principal research fellow at the U.Ks Sheffield Hallam University, told Fox News that he found out about the artifacts after delivering a presentation at the Science Museum late last year. At first I thought it must be a joke, or the pieces of metal would be worthless, he explained, via email. They were stored off-site, so I arranged for the files to be sent to London for examination early in the New Year. Clarke, an expert in the study of contemporary legends, said that the fragments were stored in a plastic box along with files compiled by a former press officer at the Museum. Inside the files was a large tin cigarette box with a label marked Victoria and Albert Museum alleged UFO bits, he said. When the box was opened we saw a collection of five paper envelopes (labelled A-E) that contains pieces of metal, fused metal/plastic amalgam and tiny pieces of copper foil. When I examined the associated correspondence I immediately noted references to pieces of The Silpho Moor Object, with a note saying these pieces were forwarded to the museum for scientific examination in 1963. 'STUNNING' TIC TAC SHAPED UFO ENCOUNTER BY US NAVY PILOT? 'IT WAS NOT FROM THIS WORLD' The object was discovered on Silpho Moor by three men who later paid 10 ($13.89) to another party who had removed it from the Moor, Clarke told Fox News. A section of the upper part of the UFO was subsequently removed and the object was split in two. The central section was then extracted from the object, revealing a roll of copper wire that held a copper book. Clarke explained that the book contained 17 tiny copper foil pages marked with hieroglyphic-type lettering, which corresponded with letters etched onto the copper base of the main object. WEIRD FOOTAGE OF 'HUMANOID UFO' OVER MEXICO GOES VIRAL, SPARKS SKEPTICISM However, analysis by scientists at Manchester University and, later, in London, concluded that the UFO was likely part of a hoax. Mystery remains as to who was responsible and why they went to such elaborate lengths to produce this artefact, Clarke told Fox News. From my point of view the interest lies not in the object itself but the stories and elaborate conspiracy theories that have grown up around it. The Science Museum declined to comment on this story when contacted by Fox News. Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers The latest robot update by Boston Dynamics a company known for its unnerving SpotMini robots can now open doors, as shown in the companys latest YouTube video. The video, titled Hey Buddy, Can You Give Me a Hand? shows a signature yellow dog-like creation from Boston Dynamics walking toward a door and examining it, before another robot approaches the door. The second SpotMini robot trots over and releases its black arm, which grabs onto the door handle and proceeds to open the door. The arm then maneuvers around the door, which opens entirely, and the polite SpotMini allows its robot friend to enter the room first, before following suit. BOSTON DYNAMIC IS TRYING TO MAKE ITS ROBOTS LESS TERRIFYING BUT IS IT WORKING? Social media users quipped online about how life-like the Boston Dynamics robot has become. In November, Elon Musk freaked out about the companys then-latest robot, saying it was just the start of things to come claiming the newest invention was nothing compared to what well see next. This is nothing, Musk tweeted. In a few years, that bot will move so fast youll need a strobe light to see it. Sweet dreams Musk, who has said he believes artificial intelligence could be the cause of World War 3, has repeatedly asked for governments around the world to regulate artificial intelligence and robotics, much like society does with other sectors, such as food and drugs. The tech leader said at the time that weve Got to regulate AI/robotics like we do food, drugs, aircraft & cars. Public risks require public oversight. Getting rid of the FAA wdnt [SIC] make flying safer. Theyre there for good reason, Musk added. Fox News Chris Ciaccia contributed to this report. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 13) Opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is not welcome in Davao City after he was declared persona non grata on Tuesday. Davao City Vice Mayor Bernard Al-Ag said Trillanes was declared persona non grata for describing the city as "the most dangerous city in the Philippines" where the crime rate is high. "Mr. Trillanes, you will not succeed in destroying our city. You will not succeed in destroying our beloved President Rodrigo Duterte... We do not need you here in Davao City. You are unwelcome and unwanted in our city of Davao," Al-Ag said in a privilege speech. He added that the senator is portraying the city of Davao negatively during his foreign trips. But despite the persona non grata status, Trillanes will not be banned from entering the city. The vice mayor said the Davao City Council approved the motion to declare the staunch Duterte critic persona non grata during its regular session. In 2017, Trillanes was quoted as saying Davao City is the top city that recorded the most number of murder cases and the second most number of rape cases. "Hindi naman paraiso ang Davao City gaya ng pinapangalandakan nila... May peace and order ba doon? Hindi. It is one of the most dangerous places in the country," the senator said in a 2017 media briefing. [Translation: Davao City is not a paradise, contrary to what they claim. Is there peace and order? There is none. It is one of the most dangerous places in the country.] Trillanes said the city council is "hurt" because he exposed the truth about the real crime rates. He also said his allegations were based on a December 2015 report of the Philippine National Police. "The truth, definitely, hurts... The people of Davao either know it but tolerate it out of fear or they've actually believed the lie that was fed to them that Davao City is the safest city in the world," he said in a statement on Tuesday. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque was smiling when he was asked to react to the City Council resolution. "I do not know how you want me to react because I speak for the President, and I cannot say anything other than congratulations to Davao City," he said in a media briefing. The U.K. government is harnessing machine learning to combat jihadist content before it even appears online. Officials from the U.K. Governments Home Office have been working with London-based ASI Data Science to develop the technology, which uses machine learning to detect online terrorist propaganda. Tests have shown that the new tool can automatically detect 94 percent of Islamic State propaganda with 99.995 percent accuracy, according to a Home Office statement. Crucially, the tool can be integrated into the upload process, officials say, a bold move that could prevent terrorist propaganda reaching the internet. The tool, which works on any platform, uses advanced machine learning to study video audio and visuals to spot ISIS propaganda. Trained using over 1,000 ISIS videos, the tool can work across a range of video-streaming and download sites, the Home Office said. FACEBOOK BOOSTS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO BLOCK TERRORIST PROPAGANDA The purpose of these videos is to incite violence in our communities, recruit people to their cause, and attempt to spread fear in our society, explained Home Secretary Amber Rudd, who is currently visiting Silicon Valley, in the statement. We know that automatic technology like this can heavily disrupt the terrorists actions, as well as prevent people from ever being exposed to these horrific images. Rudd will be appearing with her U.S. counterpart, Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen, at a Digital Forum event Tuesday. While Silicon Valley heavyweights such as Facebook and Google, which owns YouTube, have ramped up their tech efforts to tackle terrorist content, the U.K. says that smaller platforms are increasingly being targeted by ISIS and would particularly benefit from the blocking tool. In particular, ISIS has been using Instagram, owned by Facebook to share its propaganda and recruit new members. GOOGLE ANNOUNCES YOUTUBE TERROR VIDEO CLAMPDOWN Charlie Winter, a senior research fellow at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence in London, warned that combatting ISIS online propaganda is an extremely difficult task. The software will not come remotely close to eradicating all #IS propaganda online, even if it works perfectlyit will just make it more difficult to access on the platforms that opt to use it, he tweeted Tuesday. Nonetheless, Winter thinks that the new tool is a step in the right direction. If the software is as good as the Home Office says it is, certain aspects of #ISs propaganda could well become much less accessible to the outside worldand that can only be a good thing, he tweeted. The U.K. has been heavily involved in international efforts to clamp down on ISIS content. Last year, the British government spearheaded the formation of the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism, which emerged in the aftermath of the Westminster Bridge terrorist attack. LONDON TERROR ATTACK: UK WANTS ENCRYPTED WHATSAPP MESSAGES This government has been taking the lead worldwide in making sure that vile terrorist content is stamped out, explained Rudd, in the statement. The Home Secretary will meet with the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism during her Silicon Valley trip. Recent research conducted by the Home Office indicates that supporters of ISIS, also known as Daesh, used more than 400 different platforms to push their propaganda in 2017. Previous research has found the majority of links to Daesh propaganda are disseminated within 2 hours of release, while a third of all links are disseminated within the first hour, explained the Home Office, in its statement. Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers A female JetBlue passenger was charged with interfering with flight crew following a series of disorderly acts and drunken conduct aboard a flight in July. Robin Ducore, a 30-year-old Cartier employee in New York, was flying from the Dominican Republic to New York City on July 29, 2017, when she allegedly drank four glasses of wine in a two-hour period, and then inappropriately touched a passenger and assaulted a flight attendant. Ducores erratic behavior forced the crew to divert the flight and make an emergency landing at Washington Dulles International Airport, according to a criminal complaint, Travel + Leisure reports. 'EXTREMELY DRUNK' EASYJET PASSENGER TRIED TO BITE POLICE AND 'URINATED ON HIMSELF According to court documents, an intoxicated Ducore began to touch in a flirtatious manner the back of the head of the male passenger sitting next to her, an individual whom [the flight attendant] did not believe that Ducore knew. The flight attendant intervened, asking Ducore to stop touching the man, who, the flight attendant said appeared uncomfortable with this unsolicited touching. When Ducore refused to stop, the flight attendant moved the male passenger to another seat, angering Ducore further. According to the documents, the move caused Ducore to become upset and she began cursing and became verbally abusive [toward the flight attendant.] At one point, the flight attendant offered Ducore food and water to become more sober, but she reportedly threw them across the plane. AIRLINE BLAMES PASSENGER FOR EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR FALLING OFF PLANE As her behavior worsened, Ducore was placed in flex cuffs, but later broke free and kicked the flight attendant in the leg. Ducores attorney Nina Ginsberg blames the airline for her client's actions, telling Travel + Leisure that Ducore was drunk before getting on the plane. "The airline let her board the flight when she was visibly intoxicated and they served her," she said. Though Ducore passed out 20 minutes before landing, the plane continued on its diverted route to Dulles airport. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS If convicted, Ducore could face up to 20 years in prison. An elderly California woman was arrested Friday night after she allegedly shot a gun toward her neighbors children because they were being noisy. Betty Frances Sanders, 84, fired a handgun in the direction of the three children ages 8 to 10 as they were riding on their motorcycles at their home in Anderson, Redding Record Searchlight reported. The family was in the front yard of their property when Sanders and her husband approached the fence separating their two yards, the childrens mother, Angela Rollins, told deputies with the Shasta County Sheriffs Office. Sanders allegedly complained about the children being too loud, which escalated into an argument. The woman then shot her handgun toward the family who were roughly 20 feet away, according to deputies. No one was injured in the incident. Sanders was arrested on suspicion of assault with a firearm and child endangerment, and transported to the Shasta County Jail. Record Searchlight reported her bail was set at $50,000. An employee at a Florida convenience store was thanked by law enforcement Monday for reporting a womans desperate cry for help. A clerk at a Kangaroo Express dialed 911 on Sunday when he spotted a peculiar sight: A woman, sitting inside of a vehicle in the store parking lot, mouthing the word help at him around 1 a.m., according to the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office. The concerned store employee gave police a description of the vehicle, and when officers spotted the vehicle, the driver recklessly fled with the woman still in the car. Eventually, the suspect identified by police as Jose Ramos Sandoval was arrested. TEARFUL FLORIDA MOM TESTIFIES ABOUT 8-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER'S ABDUCTION, BRUTAL MURDER The alleged victim told police that she thought she knew Sandoval as a friend of a friend, and she got in the car with him when he offered her a ride as she was walking from one beach bar to another. The two actually didnt know each other. The woman said Sandoval began driving in the wrong direction and left the beach area, according to police. When she tried to exit the vehicle, she said, he pulled her hair to keep her inside. It was around that time that the victim was fearful for her safety, realizing that he was attempting to keep her confined to the vehicle," officials said. "She felt as if mouthing help to the Kangaroo employee was her only chance of escape. Sandoval confessed to police and was arrested for false imprisonment, fleeing police and violation of probation. Click for more from Action News Jax. A Maryland man who pleaded guilty last year to conspiring to provide material support to the ISIS terror network was planning to carry out bloodshed in the U.S., prosecutors revealed Monday. Mohamed Elshinawy is tentatively scheduled to be sentenced March 9, but CBS Baltimore reported that prosecutors were trying to convince a judge to apply a federal terrorism enhancement to ensure a longer jail term. According to the plea deal to which Elshinaway and prosecutors agreed, he pledged allegiance to ISIS and received $8,700 from people he believed were linked to the terror network. Prosecutors said Elshinawy was in contact with ISIS leaders who gave him a choice between two plots. One option, according to CBS Baltimore, was assassinating "a Texas businessman." The other option was detonating a bomb that would "kill a lot of people." Elshinawy apparently chose the second option, as prosecutors said he received videos from ISIS that included instructions on how to build a peroxide bomb. Prosecutors also said that Elshinawy was researching federal buildings in Baltimore as possible targets. Elshinawy's lawyers have admitted that their client was contacted by ISIS, but claimed prosecutors had no evidence that a specific plan was in progress. A judge is expected to rule Friday on whether the terrorism enhancement will be applied. Elshinawy faces up to 20 years in prison. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Click for more from CBS Baltimore. A man was charged Monday with providing the gun used to kill two veteran policemen in Ohio Saturday, authorities said. Gerald Lawson, 30, of suburban Cleveland, is accused of buying the handgun for shooting suspect Quentin Smith last summer. Smith gave Lawson the money to buy the gun along with $100 for completing the transaction, according to a criminal complaint filed against Lawson in federal court Monday. As a felon convicted previously of burglary, Smith was prevented from having a weapon. Lawson and Smith were longtime friends, and Lawson knew Smith couldnt have a weapon, investigators said. A social media post by Lawson after Saturdays shooting referenced the long-standing friendship between the two, according to the complaint by ATF agent Teresa Petit. Community tips, social media posts and a gun trace led authorities to Lawson, said Ronald Herndon, an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives. Lawson, his hands and feet shackled, appeared briefly in federal court Monday in a hearing where he was not required to enter a plea. A bond hearing was set for Wednesday. It was not clear whether a lawyer had been appointed for Lawson. The lawyer identified by a federal magistrate as Lawsons attorney told The Associated Press he has not yet been retained. Westerville police officers Eric Joering, 39, and Anthony Morelli, 54, were responding to a hang-up 911 call at Smiths townhome Saturday when they were shot, police say. Smith also was wounded and remained hospitalized. Westerville police had gone to Smiths townhome where he lived with his wife, Candace, for domestic disputes three times since September, and neighbors said they frequently fought. Smith, 30, is charged with two preliminary counts of aggravated murder. He could be indicted on formal charges including the possibility of a death sentence because the victims were police officers killed in the line of duty, said Franklin County Prosecutor Ron OBrien. Smith was sentenced to three years in prison in 2009 on a burglary conviction with an added enhancement of having a gun. He left prison in 2011 and was released from parole, called community control in Ohio, in November 2013, according to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. Municipal court records didnt show an attorney for Smith. The Columbus lawyer who represents Smith and his wife in a bankruptcy case said he was shocked by the news. Smith was cooperative, polite and personable during meetings about his case, attorney Mark Herder told the AP on Monday. Hundreds watched Monday from streets and highway overpasses as the officers bodies were escorted to funeral homes in suburban Westerville, northeast of Columbus. Joering had been a Westerville officer for 17 years; Morelli had been a member of the force for 30 years, Fox News previously reported. Were very thankful for our family, friends and the Westerville community. We feel loved and blessed, and we are appreciative of the outpouring of support. We have seen and heard so much from people who have shared stories about how our men impacted their lives. They will be so greatly missed, not only by us, but by everyone they touched, the families of Morelli and Joering said in a statement to Fox News. Our men were dedicated officers for certain, but we knew them as dedicated fathers and husbands. When they were home, they were home. They left work at work. We are so sad that Eric will not see his three daughters graduate from high school. Were devastated Tony will not be able to walk his daughter down the aisle at her wedding. A charitable fund created for the families of the officers has raised more than $270,000 in a day. The GoFundMe site organized by a central Ohio Fraternal Order of Police chapter was created after Saturdays fatal shooting. Monday, Gov. John Kasich ordered flags flown at half-staff at Ohio public properties until the officers are interred. The Associated Press contributed to this report. In October, 2012, Tyrone Gordon was underground inspecting train tracks below Manhattan, when water started gushing in. You had a whole volume, a whole lot of volume, rushing in at the same time, he recounted as he pointed up at the wiring. The water got up to about eight-foot high in the tubes. Gordon is an engineer for Amtrak. The tubes are the north and south appendages of the North River Tunnel, a two-mile rail link under the Hudson River. It is, in fact, the nations busiest transit route connecting New York City to the southern half of the east coast, and Gordon says its falling apart because of age and the saltwater drenching it took during Hurricane Sandy five years ago. He says since, Amtrak has had seven major electrical outages inside the North River Tunnel because of corroding wiring. That means we have reduction in the capacity of the voltage, he explains. We gotta stop trains, and it reduces capacity to the trains that we can run. Anyone who lived through last years transit summer of hell in New York City can testify to the delays. But its not just electrical problems that have Amtrak officials freaking out. Concrete inside the tunnels, built in 1910, is crumbling. This is the most urgent infrastructure project in America, says John Porcari. We need to build a new tunnel. Porcari is the executive director of the Gateway Development Corporation, a group thats trying among other things, to secure funding for a new transit tunnel under the Hudson River from New York to New Jersey. He says it would be impossible to simply repair the current tubes because it essentially would halt transit up and down the east coast. The existing 107-year-old tunnel is the single point of failure for 10 percent of Americas gross domestic, he explains, as he looks toward the opening of the north tube under Penn Station. We need to build a new tunnel, then repair the old ones. From Boston to Richmond, he adds, it would cripple the Northeast Corridor and wed lose three-quarters of the capacity under the Hudson River. The Obama administration wholeheartedly agreed putting Gateway atop of its list of infrastructure priorities, and pledging to fund half of the $30 billion price tag. In September, President Donald Trump, a native New Yorker, met with state officials from both New York and New Jersey to hammer out the details of an agreement. The states pledged to pay half after officials said the president gave his support. But in December, Trump seemed to change his mind. A letter from his transportation administration sent to Gateway just before the new year called a deal on Gateway nonexistent. Porcari, who already has started construction on parts of the project, is confident Trump eventually will come around. Well, like any project of national significance its a federal/local partnership, he explained. Im pleased to say that we have the local commitment of billions of dollars from New York and New Jersey. I am confident over the long term that we will have our federal partner at the table. In the end, he adds as he walks back toward the tunnel exit, it cant get built without em. The families of two Ohio police officers fatally shot while responding to a 911 hang-up call have expressed their gratitude for their community and for the outpouring of support shown in the midst of their loss. The officers from the northeast Columbus suburb of Westerville, 39-year-old Eric Joering and 54-year-old Anthony Morelli, were shot Saturday at a townhome where the suspect was wounded. In a statement released late Monday, the officers' families requested privacy and said they need time to heal. "We have seen and heard so much from people who have shared stories about how our men impacted their lives. They will be so greatly missed, not only by us, but by everyone they touched," the statement said. Westerville police tweeted their own appreciation Tuesday. " 'Thank you' does not seem adequate to express what we want to convey to our community, our law enforcement brothers & sisters, and the businesses and people across the US who have shown their support and love to us. We are forever changed," the tweet said. A combined funeral will be held for the officers Friday afternoon at St. Paul Catholic Church in Westerville, police chief Joe Morbitzer said Tuesday. The City of Westerville will livestream the event. The chief also announced that arrangements are being made for Joering's police dog to remain with the officer's widow and young daughters. The wounded suspect, Quentin Smith, 30, is expected to survive. He has been charged with aggravated murder. Court records didn't show an attorney for him. A man accused of providing Smith with the gun used in the killings was arrested Monday. Gerald Lawson, 30, of suburban Cleveland, was charged with aiding and abetting the possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. He's accused of buying the gun for Smith, a close friend, last summer. Lawson was scheduled for a bond hearing Wednesday in federal court in Columbus. Court records don't list an attorney for him. (CNN) The crew of the Saratov Airlines flight that crashed near Moscow on Sunday didn't report any problems before the plane crashed into snowy terrain, killing all 71 people on board, state-run media said. The Antonov An-148 aircraft was carrying 65 passengers and six crew members, the Russian news agency Interfax said. Three children -- ages 5, 13 and 17 -- were among the passengers, state news agency RIA reported. The plane was headed to the Russian city of Orsk, near the border with Kazakhstan. But it disappeared from radar shortly after takeoff from Moscow's Domodedovo Airport, Russian state news agency Tass reported. The plane went down in Ramenskoye District, in the Moscow region, the Russian emergency ministry told CNN. "The snow is very dense ... the Moscow region has had some of its heaviest snowfall in decades," CNN's Matthew Chance reported from Moscow. "It's not clear at this stage whether weather was factor in this crash." While the cause of the crash remains uncertain, the Investigative Committee of Russia said officials have launched a criminal investigation. Questions abound Some clues may emerge from a flight data recorder, which was found at the site of the crash, the state-run Sputnik news agency reported. But the debris is widespread. "The scatter of fragments of the aircraft and bodies of dead passengers occupies a large territory; the radius is not less than 1 kilometer (0.6 miles)," said Svetlana Petrenko, spokeswoman the Investigative Committee of Russia. Saratov Airlines employees and the Domodedovo Airport workers who prepared the plane for flight have been questioned, Petrenko said. Russian President Vladimir Putin "expresses deep condolences to all those who lost relatives and friends in this disaster," his spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to Tass. Sunday's crash ends a 440-day streak without a passenger jet airliner fatality -- the longest stretch in modern aviation history. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Russian plane crash kills all 71 people on board, state media say." A Florida animal rescue has found a small orange and white cat with multiple arrow wounds. The Tampa Bay Times reports the cat was seen in Zephyrhills, Florida, several times last week before St. Francis Society Animal Rescue volunteers caught the cat Thursday night. A Facebook post by the rescue says the cat, now named Sir Robin, had an infected wound from an arrow on his back, along with a wound on his ear and several infected teeth. After Sir Robin received medical treatment and visited an emergency vet, the rescue says they expect a full recovery. The rescue has filed a report with Pasco County Animal Services, which it says has opened an investigation. ___ Information from: Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, Fla.), http://www.tampabay.com. The convicted terrorist who planted two pressure-cooker bombs on New York City streets -- including one that injured 30 people with a rain of shrapnel when it detonated -- was sentenced Tuesday to multiple life terms in prison. Ahmad Khan Rahimi, 29, was convicted in October of planting pressure-cooker bombs in New York and New Jersey on Sept. 17, 2016. The blast in New York City happened hours after a small pipe bomb went off during a Marine Corps 5K run in Seaside Heights, N.J. No one was injured in that explosion because the race had been delayed. A subsequent two-day manhunt ended in a shootout with police in New Jersey, where Rahimi was shot several times. No police were wounded. Federal prosecutors said Rahimi has not shown remorse since his arrest, and has tried to radicalize fellow prisoners at the federal jail in New York. "He is proud of what he did, scornful of the American justice system, and as dedicated as ever to his terrorist ideology," they wrote. When asked to speak at his sentencing Tuesday, Rahimi said he doesn't "harbor hate for anyone." In a statement, New York City Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill said the sentencing "should be the strongest deterrent to future acts of terror." "Committing terrorism may seem, from the darkest places of the internet and espoused in propaganda, as a higher calling. It is not," O'Neill said. "Today's sentencing of life in prison should be the strongest deterrent to future acts of terror." Rahimi, an Afghanistan-born man inspired by ISIS and Al Qaeda in 2012, reportedly began attempting to radicalize other inmates at the Metropolitan Correctional Center late last year. CHELSEA BOMBER TRIED TO 'RADICALIZE' INMATES, HAS 'NO REMORSE' FOR CRIMES, PROSECUTORS SAY According to prosecutors, he shared propaganda materials, speeches by terrorist leaders such as Usama bin Laden and Anwar al-Awlaki and bomb-making instructions. One inmate who was said to have viewed the materials was facing charges of providing material support and resources to ISIS. Sajmir Alimehmeti, who is accused of trying to recruit for ISIS, was moved last month away from Rahimi after he was caught with a thumb drive of materials that included bomb-making instructions and copies of an Al Qaeda magazine, according to the New York Post. "As the evidence at trial demonstrated, the defendant was committed to waging his holy war against Americans years before he carried out his attack, prosecutors said of Rahimi. Even today, he appears to remain steadfast in that commitment and has shown no remorse. The defendant's communications while incarcerated further demonstrate that, far from appreciating the depravity of his actions, he is proud of what he did, scornful of the American justice system, and as dedicated as ever to his terrorist ideology." NEW JERSEY MAN CONVICTED IN NEW YORK CITY BOMBINGS THAT INJURED 30 On Monday, Rahimi's father called him a "terrorist" in an interview with WNBC, but claimed he contacted the FBI in 2014 with concerns that his son could be a terrorist. "After two months, they say, 'Your son is not doing any act like a terrorist,'" Mohammad Rahami told the television station. "I said, 'You sure he not doing anything?' He say, 'Yeah, is good news.'" An FBI official told The Associated Press in a previous interview that Rahami "at no time" discussed his son's radicalization or potential interest in Al Qaeda or the Taliban in interviews with agents. Fox News' Elizabeth Zwirz and the Associated Press contributed to this report. A Chicago police officer died after he was "senselessly murdered" in a downtown building Tuesday afternoon, police said. Commander Paul Bauer, of the 18th District, was chasing a suspect when he was "shot multiple times," Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said at a news conference. Bauer, 53, had spotted a man matching the radio description of an armed suspect when he "engaged in an armed physical confrontation," around 2 p.m., Johnson said. The superintendent said that while "any loss of life in this city is tragic, today is difficult." Anthony Guglielmi, Chicago police's chief communications officer, clarified early Wednesday that Bauer was on duty at the time he was killed. Earlier reports said Bauer was off-duty. After the shooting, Bauer was transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Fox 32 Chicago reported the commander was shot in a stairwell of the Thompson Center in the city's downtown business center. Sources told Fox News that police seemed to be responding to a robbery but it's unclear what the suspect was doing that prompted officers to want to speak with him. A "person of interest" has been taken into custody, police said. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said "Bauer stood for the highest ideals of our police department & our cityto serve and protect the people of Chicago." Bauer was a 31-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department. Fox News' Matt Finn and The Associated Press contributed to this report. A Fort Bragg solider was charged Friday in the brutal kidnapping and rape of a teenager in Texas in a 2013 case whose trail had gone cold, officials said. Levi Goss, 24, was arrested in North Carolina last week on a DUI charge and was linked to the Texas case from 2013 by a DNA test, KHOU reported. Authorities said the assault happened Feb. 5, 2013 when the 16-year-old girl was ambushed while walking near a school and hit over the head with an axe by an attacker wearing a mask. The girl said she was dragged into a field where her clothes were ripped off and she was sexually assaulted. The masked man then hit her with the axe again and the girl played dead until she was able to run -- naked and bleeding -- to a nearby movie theater to get help, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Authorities in Houston plan to hold a press conference on the arrest around 2:30 p.m. local time Tuesday. The girl told police her attacker was a man in his 20's, but could only otherwise describe him as having green eyes because of the mask he was wearing, KHOU reported. POLICE: AIRMAN CHARGED WITH RAPE OF 14-YEAR-OLD RUNAWAY After the attack, DNA was collected from the victim and submitted into a database, but the case went cold until earlier late last year. In December, the Harris County Institute of Forensic Science received a database match from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory for a military offender listed as Goss, according to court documents obtained by KPRC-TV. A witness who spotted the suspect at a nearby gas station in the 2013 attack was shown a picture of Goss when questioned again by police. The witness told them the man entered with a gray shirt, went into the restroom, then left wearing a different shirt. The gray shirt was found in a trash can covered in blood the next day, according to the court documents obtained by KPRC. That witness was able to identify Goss as the man seen in the gray shirt the night of the attack. Goss is charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child and aggravated kidnapping, and Monday in court said he will not contest being extradited to Texas, the Fayetteville Observer reported. Family and friends of a male escort found dead in the West Hollywood home of a high-powered Democratic Party donor last year continue to press for answersin a case that has eluded the national media spotlight on incidents of sexual misconduct and racial injustice. Gemmel Moore, 26, was discovered by police on July 27 inside the apartment of Ed Buck, 63. Buck is a well-known Democratic contributor, and has given more than $500,000 to an array of Democrats including Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey and a variety of state and local organizations in California. The Los Angeles County Coroners office initially ruled the death an accidental methamphetamine overdose. But the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Office Homicide Bureau on Aug. 14 announced they would investigate if there is any criminal culpability, after Moores family and friends disputed the initial finding. Investigators told Fox News they would like to have the inquiry wrapped up in the near futurebut have had trouble interviewing certain witnesses. We should have all the information, so we can make a good evaluation of everything that transpired to see if theres any criminal culpability, Lt. Joe Mendoza, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Office homicide bureau, told Fox News in a recent telephone interview. Detectives have already interviewed numerous witnesses who have information to share about their interactions with Buck, according to Mendoza. But investigators are trying to schedule additional interviews with people who may have useful information. According to the July 31 coroners report, Bucks apartment was riddled with drug paraphernalia. Among the items found were 24 syringes containing brown residue, five glass pipes with white residue and burn marks, a plastic straw with possible white residue, clear plastic bags with white powdery residue and a clear plastic bag containing a piece of crystal-like substance. The report also states coroners investigators spoke with a woman who said Moore told her someone whose name is redacted tied him up over a year ago and held him against his will at the residence in West Hollywood. We dont want to move forward with anything else without every single piece of information, said Mendoza, adding that investigators have worked with the district attorneys office to give immunity to witnesses for unrelated minor crimes so they can speak freely. Were just in a holding pattern until we can get those people interviewed. Mendoza said investigators are trying to leave no stone unturned. Buck's attorney, Seymour Amster, told Fox News that his client has done nothing wrong. If it didnt hurt so bad, Id kill myself, but Ill let Ed Buck do it for now. Gemmel Moore, in his journal "Theres nothing there. As we always stated, this was an accidental overdose that Ed Buck had nothing to do with and its a tragedy," Amster said in a recent phone interview. "The coroner has not changed his opinion from an accidental death. Until that happens, and thats not going to happen, were done." Once the probe is concluded, investigators will determine whether the findings should be turned over to a district attorney or brought before a grand jury. I think a detective would probably present it to a DA, but a grand jury is not out of play either, said Mendoza. Among the items being investigated is a journal that Moore appears to have kept, which investigators discovered among his belongings. The writings in the journal, which Moores mother, LaTisha Nixon, discussed with Fox News, describes his drug use and interactions with Buck. I honestly dont know what to do. Ive become addicted to drugs and the worst one at that, a December entry reads. Ed Buck is the one to thank. He gave me my first injection of crystal meth it was very painful, but after all the troubles, I became addicted Moores final journal entry, dated December 3, 2016, reads: If it didnt hurt so bad, Id kill myself, but Ill let Ed Buck do it for now. According to Jasmyne Cannick, an advocate for Moores family, a number of other gay black men have claimed Buck would invite them to his house, then pay them several hundred dollars to take drugs. Moores family has set up a website where people can come forward with information. Gemmel deserves justice. Whats done in the dark always comes to the light, Nixon told Fox News. Im happy Ed Buck got exposed for what he was doing. Amster told Fox News that the two men were friends and that Buck was legitimately trying to help Moore. These are merely accusations. This situation has turned into an attack on Mr. Bucks personal life, Amster told Fox News. Moore family attorney Nana Gyamfi told Fox News she hoped a substantive investigation can now take place with the statements of the additional victims who will corroborate certain details in Gemmel Moores journal, but also recount their own experiences with Ed Buck. Gyamfi said no wrongful death lawsuit has been filed, but that its on the dry-erase board as one way in which some modicum of justice for Gemmel can be achieved. Moores mother is clear on what justice means for her: Getting Ed Buck off the streets and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for preying on and taking advantage of my son and others like him." A man who dressed in an Army uniform and had a chartered helicopter land at the headquarters of a major tech company in North Carolina did it all to impress a woman, a federal agent testified in court on Monday. Christian Desgroux, 57, appeared before a federal magistrate in Raleigh on charges of pretending to be a military officer, which carries a maximum of three years in prison. The judge ordered Desgroux to remain in jail until his trial, according to WRAL. The bizarre incident took place Nov. 6, when Desgroux charted the helicopter in Charlotte and told the pilot he had authorization to land at the headquarters of SAS, Department of Homeland Security Agent Tony Bell said. When the 57-year-old jumped out of the helicopter in battle-dress uniform with combat patches, Desgroux saluted the company's security officers who "actually saluted him back," and told them he had come to take the woman for a classified briefing at Fort Bragg that was authorized by President Trump, according to Bell. The woman said she knew Desgroux for about 20 years and had recently been having marital problems. She was expecting him that day as the two were to discuss a patent for some product he was developing, but expected him to drive to the company, according to The News & Observer. "She had no idea he was flying a helicopter to pick her up." Department of Homeland Security Agent Tony Bell The pair took off in the helicopter and flew for 30 minutes around Raleigh before the woman had to get back to work. Bell told the courtroom the woman told him she assumed Desgroux was trying to impress her and start a romantic relationship. She said they did nothing, Bell said. They flew around for 30 minutes. She had no idea he was flying a helicopter to pick her up. NORTH CAROLINA MAN CLAIMED TO BE ARMY GENERAL, FLEW HELICOPTER TO TECH COMPANY, FEDS SAY But the November flight wasn't the first time Desgroux chartered a helicopter to impress a woman, according to Bell. He made another trip to Jacksonville earlier in 2017, where he had the pilot land at a KOA Kampground so he could briefly meet a woman there while wearing an Army uniform. He told the pilot during that excursion he wanted to land a helicopter on an aircraft carrier in Norfolk, and he had previously flown Apache helicopters during the Gulf War, the federal agent told the court. Desgroux, a native of Chile who became a U.S. citizen in 2016 and now works as a car mechanic out of his garage, also faces several state charges for previous allegations. Those include misdemeanor assault on his stepdaughter and violating a protective order taken out by an estranged wife, The News & Observer reported. The 57-year-old's defense attorney, Andrew McCoppin, told the court that, before those charges in the past year, the most trouble his client had been in amounted to traffic violations, according to the Associated Press. "It appears that a number of things have snowballed to where we are today," McCoppin said. Federal Magistrate Judge Robert T. Numbers said Monday the circumstances warrant continued detention for Desgroux. "The defendant has engaged in substantial dishonesty," Numbers said, adding he reported having considerable income, along with a sea plane and yacht SAS, a privately held technology company, is among the largest in the state, with 14,000 employees worldwide and more than $3 billion in revenue in 2017. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A principal in a poverty-stricken elementary school in Southwest Philadelphia is reportedly looking to curb violence at her school by offering students money. And she's willing to go into her own pockets to do it. Stephanie Andrewlevich, the principal at Mitchell Elementary, came up with the idea to offer each one of the 33 students in the eighth grade class $100 if they can make it to graduation without getting into a physical altercation, Philly.com reported. If one student breaks the rule, the entire class loses out on the money. I wanted to challenge them to be what their families see in them, what we know they are, Andrewlevich told the paper. They have a choice to become the violence they see in their day-to-day lives, or to be peaceful models for our school and our community. About 81 percent of the students at Mitchell Elementary live below the poverty line, the paper reported. The principal, who is now in her third year at the school, said she will pay the $3,300 out of her own pocket if a sponsor doesnt come forward to help. The challenge has gone 70 days without an incident. Mostly, we just dont want to fight anymore, Zakiya Barnes-Wiggins, 14, told the paper. Click here for more from Philly.com. (CNN) U.S. President Donald Trump declined to give a timeline for releasing the U.S. plan for peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians, telling an Israeli newspaper that he is not convinced that either party is committed to the process. "We are going to see what goes on," Trump told "Israel Hayom" in an interview released Sunday. "Right now, I would say the Palestinians are not looking to make peace, they are not looking to make peace. And I am not necessarily sure that Israel is looking to make peace," the President said. "So we are just going to have to see what happens." The United States' role as a broker in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process has come under fire following the Trump administration's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in December, upending seven decades of U.S. foreign policy. Top Palestinian officials condemned the move, saying it disqualified the U.S. from playing the role of arbiter. The United Nations voted overwhelmingly to condemn the decision. Trump was also asked about his comments at the World Economic Forum in Davos that "Jerusalem is off the table" in terms of negotiations. In his answer, he seemed to qualify his earlier remarks. "I wanted to make it clear that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel," he told the newspaper. "As for specific boundaries, I would support what both sides agreed to." "I think both sides will have to make hard compromises to reach a peace agreement," Trump added. Asked about the issue of settlements, Trump called them "something that very much complicates and always have complicated making peace." The statement appears to reflect a tougher stance than the one heard in recent months from the administration, resembling far more the position of previous administrations, which tended to describe settlements as an "obstacle to peace." "Israel Hayom" newspaper is owned by prominent Republican mega-donor Sheldon Adelson, and is widely seen as being strongly supportive of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This story was first published on CNN.com, Trump: Neither Israelis nor Palestinians looking to make peace." Two female teenagers are accused of breaking into a North Carolina home, killing the pets inside and setting a vehicle on fire, police said. Hallie Pate, 17, of Kinston, and Jordan Ruiz, 18, of Albertson, reportedly broke into the home of a girl they went to school with in Lenoir County on Feb. 4. Once inside, the teens allegedly killed the girls two parakeets before smearing the birds blood on the furniture, the Lenoir County Sheriffs Office said. The teenagers also allegedly stole some items from inside the home, including an Xbox One gaming system and medical inhalers. After finding a vehicle parked outside, they set the car ablaze and left, officials said. The pair were arrested Thursday on a dozen charges, including breaking and entering, larceny and cruelty to animals. They were caught after allegedly trying to sell the stolen items. Homeowner Mack Price told WITN the teens poured lighter fluid throughout the house. It would be bad enough if they just broke in and attempt to take something, but when you break into a home, kill an animal and then attempt to burn the place, thats very disturbing, Sheriff Ronnie Ingram said, according to the Daily Mail. Hailey Davis, who identified herself as Pates sister on Facebook, said in a post her sister was forced to do this, not because she wanted to. Both teens were booked at Lenoir County Sheriffs Detention center, where they each are being held on a $50,000 bond. A West Virginia police officer who was fired after he refused to shoot a man who had a gun has settled a wrongful termination lawsuit for $175,000. Stephen Mader, 27, claimed he did nothing wrong in May 2016 when he tried to persuade R.J. Williams, 23, of McKees Rocks, Pa., to put down his weapon. Mader was an officer with the Weirton Police Department in West Virginia at the time of the incident. Another officer later saw Williams with his gun raised and fatally shot him. Williams gun was unloaded. Mader said he determined Williams, a black man, wanted to die by suicide by a cop. Mader, an Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran, said he believed he did the right thing and that his firing was unjustified. In a statement, he said he was "happy to put this chapter of my life to bed. My hope is that no other person on either end of a police call has to go through this again." WEST VIRGINIA WOMAN DRAGGED OUT OF CAPITOL FOR READING LIST OF CORPORATE DONORS Mader said Williams did not pose a risk of death of bodily injury to himself or others. After Mader ordered Williams to drop his unloaded gun, Williams responded, "I can't do that. Just shoot me," according to the lawsuit. Weirton City Manager Travis Blosser said Monday, however, that the city stands by Maders firing. Officials in Weirton, an Ohio River community of 19,000 residents 36 miles west of Pittsburgh, had said Mader was fired eight weeks after the shooting for conduct unbecoming of an officer in three separate incidents. "We still feel we made the correct decision," Blosser said. "We don't regret that decision. We feel we made the correct decision for the community." The lawsuit contended Mader was fired specifically for the Williams incident. Mader claimed the termination ruined his chances of becoming an officer in Weirton, The Washington Post reported. The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia announced the city of Weirton settled the lawsuit with Mader on Monday for $175,000. The incident began when Mader responded to a call from Williams girlfriend that he was threatening to hurt himself with a knife. Mader said his Marine Corps and police training taught him to assess a threat level. He said Williams was visibly upset but not aggressive or violent. POLICE: INMATE FLEEING HOSPITAL SHOOTS, WOUNDS OFFICER When the two other officers arrived, one of them fatally shot Williams in the head after he raised his gun. An investigation found the officer did nothing wrong. Following the incident, the man who shot Williams texted Mader calling him a coward who didnt have the balls to save [his] own life, and dubbed him a loud mouth piece of s---, for talking to the press, court documents stated. Mader's lead attorney, Timothy O'Brien of Pittsburgh, said in the statement that Mader's attempt to de-escalate the situation "should have been praised, not punished. Simply put, no police officer should ever feel forced to take a life unnecessarily to save his career." Maders personnel file showed a Weirton police captain suggested his termination for several incidents because he presented a clear and present danger. In March 2016, Mader was issued a verbal warning for opening a car door to place a parking ticket inside without having a search warrant and cursed at the car owners wife. A disorderly conduct charge against the owner was later dropped A month later, Mader responded to a call about cardiac arrest and discovered a woman dead on a stairway. Mader determined the woman died of natural causes but failed to fill out a police report and did not collect evidence. Police Chief Rob Alexander called the handling of the suspicious death unacceptable, and an autopsy determined the victim sustained blunt force trauma to the neck and upper torso. The Washington Post reported Mader was no longer in law enforcement but was a truck driver now and lives in Weirton with his family. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The story of the brutal small-town stabbing death of a 15-year-old girl by her jilted ex-boyfriend was by itself enough to warrant front-page news in Germany, where such crimes are exceedingly rare. But what made the killing in Kandel, in the country's south, the talk of everyone of the European nation from politicians to beerhall patrons was that the girl was German, and the ex-boyfriend an Afghan migrant. I am mother of three children, and we are here together to protest against the aggressivity of people who are grabbing our children, and who are who bring fear in our country, Martina Boeswald, a lawyer in Kandel, told PBS. We want to live in peace. And this is the fault of Angela Merkel. That sentiment typifies concerns around the country, where there is increasing concern about safety since Chancellor Merkel opened the countrys gates two years ago to more than one million migrants fleeing the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia. Complicating the discussion is a burgeoning rightist political movement led by the Alternative for Germany party (AfD), which has used attacks like the one in Kandel along with the 2016 Berlin Christmas market attack and a slew of sexual assaults in Cologne to attack the newly formed coalition of Merkel's Christian Democratic Union, the Christian Social Union in Bavaria and the center-left Social Democratic parties. Merkels Open Door policy to immigrants was roundly criticized by voters, Michael Geary, a history professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and a global fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, told Fox News. The AfD have tapped into this anger and the popular perception (whether accurate or not) that immigrants are the cause of violent crime. There's also a widely publicized report that cites refugees as responsible for a spike in crime. Conducted by the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, and paid for by Germany's Ministry of Family Affairs, the report noted police in the German state of Lower Saxony witnessed about a 10 percent increase in reported violent crimes in 2015 and 2016, with 90 percent of that increase being attributed to migrants. The study's authors cite a number of contributing factors for their correlation between the rise in violent crime and the refugee crisis in Germany. First, the study found, crimes committed by migrants were twice as likely to be reported as those committed by German nationals. It also found that males ages 14-30 were both the most likely group to commit serious crimes, and the largest age bracket of migrants in Lower Saxony. The report also noted a significant difference in the number of crimes committed by migrants from various regions. Those from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan were significantly less likely to commit a violent crime than those from North Africa, the report said. Some 17 percent of the violent crimes reported in Lower Saxony were thought to have been perpetrated by North African migrants, who comprise less than 1 percent of the states total registered refugees. Other reports released over the past two years appear to contradict the link between migrants and increased violent crime rates. For instance, a 2016 study, carried out by the pro-migration group Mediendienst Integration and based on statistics from Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office, did not find refugees contributed to more crime - apart from perhaps burglaries and pickpocketing. And figures released last year by Germanys Interior Ministry found that while suspected crimes by migrants have risen, most are carried out by repeat offenders and by immigrants from the Balkans, Morocco, Algeria and the former Soviet Union, who have little chance of being granted asylum. The numbers also indicated that violent crime has seen a drastic downward trend over the last decade in Germany, which is deemed one of Europes safest nations. One area that has seen a rise in violent crimes: those committed by anti-migrant, far-right groups. Those episodes rose 14 percent in 2016, according to government statistics, and continue to trend upward. There were approximately 1,500 crimes targeted against Jews and Jewish institutions in 2017, Geary said. This is an average of 4 per day. German police have concluded that in 97 percent of these cases, there was a clear far-right motive behind the crime. Geary also said the rise in anti-Semitic crimes "has also coincided with the rise of the far right, itself a worrying trend in a country that has fought hard over the last decades to tame the worst of its nationalist tendencies. German authorities say 12,285 people applied for asylum in the country in January, a 15 percent drop compared with the same month last year. In January 2017, Germany recorded 14,476 new asylum requests. Some 13,082 people applied for asylum in December. Interior Ministry figures published Tuesday show most new asylum-seekers last month originated from Syria, Iraq and Nigeria. The number of new asylum requests in Germany has steadily declined since the dramatic influx of 2015 as European countries enforce stricter border controls and clamp down on people-smuggling across the Mediterranean. It was a snowy January morning in Istanbul last year when Ayse, a 32-year-old primary school teacher and mother of two, kissed the kids goodbye at school and headed home. She didnt make it to her front door before she was surrounded by seven policemen, accused of membership in a terrorist organization, handcuffed and taken away. Two months after being jailed, Ayse was joined behind bars by her youngest son, Ali, then just 4 years old. For another four months, she said, their lives unfolded like a horror movie. Built to hold 10 people, Ayse said, her cell was packed with 23 detainees. She remembers babies unable to get vaccines, and burning themselves with hot tea. She remembers, too, the traumatic cries at night. Loud music blared through our ward every morning, every morning I would wake up scared with my son, she told Fox News in a recent interview from a refugee camp in Greece. The ward was a very dangerous place for children. Our bunks were iron. One baby there was learning to walk and hit his head badly, other children were screaming. It was an incredibly difficult time. The case of Ayse and Ali is hardly unique. Based on monitoring government decrees and other reports from official sources, by the end of August 2017, advocacy groups had highlighted some 668 cases of children under the age of 6 being held in jails with their mothers. And 23 percent of those youngsters were infants less than a year old. Several thousand children ages 6-18 are also being held. Turkeys Justice Ministry provided a somewhat lower figure, stating that a total of 560 children under the age of 6 were being held in Turkish prisons along with their mothers. Mothers and their children continue to be rounded up with tens of thousands of other Turks following the July 2016 coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The country has, since that attempt, been in a legal state of emergency, one that allows the government to jail anyone believed to have ties to exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen and his Hizmet movement. Whatever the number of prisoners, "prison is no place for children in any civilized country, said Dr. Alan Mendoza, executive director of the Henry Jackson Society, a British foreign policy think tank, He called the policy of jailing mothers and children without charge "a travesty of justice" that will have "lasting effects on the lives of innocent children." Other critics of Turkey's policy noted that the imprisoned women and children were victims of guilt by association. What is striking about detained women since the failed coup is that some of them are simply wives or children of suspects, but not suspects themselves. This amounts to collective punishment, said Merve Tahiroglu, a research analyst with the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a Washington-based nonpartisan institute focusing on national security. Ugar Tok, director of the Belgium-based Platform for Peace and Justice (PPJ), a human rights monitoring group focused on Turkey, said it can take six to 10 months of detention before the women in jail can stand in court. In the meantime, the government prevents detainees from accessing lawyers and files in order to defend themselves. According to the World Prison Brief, as of October of last year, women comprised 4.4 percent of Turkeys prison population. The official number of females behind bars is just under 10,000, but Tok estimates the numbers could be as high as 17,000. Kam, a 34-year-old university teacher in Izmir Province at the time of her arrest in October 2016, said she was held for two months for investing as thousands of other Turks have - in the Gulen-affiliated Bank Asya. She was kept in a cell with her 7-month-old son and two other babies, where they were prohibited from crawling on the floor. Toys were also prohibited, she said, and at times they could not access clean water. "We were all treated like terrorists, we were isolated," Kam told Fox News from Germany, where she and her family are now refugees. "We were all humiliated. I don't know what was worse, to have my baby in the prison or to have my other son, who was 11, outside the prison. When I saw him, he was changing." Case summaries and photographs viewed by Fox News, provided by international human rights investigators and lawyers, bring the grim statistics to life. They showed babies still on jail floors, with no play areas or facilities; women with chunks of hair ripped from their scalp in alleged prison mistreatment; and dozens of infants smiling before being whisked away to detention, where many are believed to remain. ISIS RESURGENT IN AFGHANISTAN DESPITE BEING HIT BY LARGEST NON-NUCLEAR BOMB ISIS SEXUAL VIOLENCE VICTIMS: MINORITIES TARGETED MORE THAN DOCUMENTED, FACE HONOR KILLINGS IF RETURNED Nurhayat Yildiz, 27, a housewife expecting twins, was arrested on Aug. 29, 2016, after boarding a bus from the northern Turkish province of Sinop, headed for her 14-week checkup. Nurhayat was detained and charged with Hizmet membership because she allegedly had a popular encrypted messaging app, ByLock, on her phone. The Turkish government believes members involved in the coup attempt communicated through ByLock, and despite the app being commercially available to anyone, the government has systematically rounded up thousands of those who have it. Yildizs supporters say she didnt even have the app on her phone. In any case, at 19 weeks, on Oct. 6 that year, the first time mom-to-be suffered a devastating miscarriage behind bars. Nurhayat lost her dreams, a prominent Turkish legal activist with Washington-based Advocates for Silenced Turkey (AST), who recently fled to California and requested anonymity for the safety of her relatives in Turkey, told Fox News. And now she is suffering immense psychological problems, she barely talks. Her twins never got to live. Then there are stories like that of Filiz Yavuz, who was suddenly arrested taken in a wheelchair just eight hours after giving birth at a maternity hospital in the southeastern province of Mersin on Feb. 7, 2017. The police came for me at 3 in the morning. They said I was a terrorist because someone in my dormitory room from 2008 gave them my name, Nur, 27, a human rights lawyer who was once a student at the Ankara University Faculty of Law, recalled of that frightful morning on Jan. 18, 2017. That's when she was whisked from her home in the city of Eskisehir to a dark detention cell. Nur considers herself one of the lucky ones. She was released by a judge after five days due to her severe asthma and a heart condition. She quickly boarded a smugglers boat. Today, Nur from the safety of the United States is trying to draw attention to the plight of other detained moms, their children and other of pregnant women who she says have suffered miscarriages amid the psychological ordeal of arrest and captivity. Turkeys Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of the Interior did not respond to a request for comment for this story. Turkish officials have consistently defended the widespread arrest and detention of thousands of Turkish citizens, including women and children, as vital to national security. They also insist that the detainees are being held in compliance with international law. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which monitors the health and well-being of detainees in crisis spots around the world, confirmed it is not currently present in Turkey, and thus cannot monitor the situation. But that situation remains a cause of concern for many human rights groups, which routinely spotlight the seemingly arbitrary detainment of Turkish citizens. Following the coup attempt in July 2016, tens of thousands of people have been detained. The vast majority are not accused of participating in the events of the coup and in many cases that Amnesty International has examined there is no credible evidence of criminal acts, a spokesperson for that group told Fox News. Over a dozen international and regional rights groups are saying that next month's presidential election in Egypt does not meet the "minimum requirements" for a fair and free vote and called on Cairo's allies to denounce the "farcical" election. The incumbent, general-turned-president Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, is virtually certain to win the March vote, his only challenger an obscure politician and one of his most ardent supporters. Leaders of opposition parties who called for a boycott of the vote are being investigated on allegations they are seeking to destabilize the country. The 14 groups, including Human Rights Watch and the International Commission of Jurists, said on Tuesday that el-Sissi's government has "suppressed freedoms, arrested potential candidates and rounded up their supporters." They say Egypt is moving away from democracy with every election. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fought back against accusations of corruption on Tuesday after police recommended that he be indicted on charges of bribery and illicit quid-pro-quo agreements in two separate cases. In an emotional televised speech, Netanyahu vehemently denied any wrongdoing, adding that the multiple investigations into his office will end with nothing. In a statement read on an Israeli media broadcast earlier that day, Israeli Police Commissioner Roni Alsheich said that police have recommended to the Attorney Generals office that Netanyahu be charged with two counts of bribery and breach of trust. A months-long investigation led police to suspect Netanyahu of wrongdoing in two separate cases. Case 1000 alleges that Netanyahu and his wife received lavish gifts from Israeli-born Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan in return for favors. The gifts included cigars, champagne and jewelry all estimated at around $185,000. The second investigation, Case 2000, alleges that Netanyahu engaged in an illicit quid-pro-quo deal with Israeli newspaper publisher Arnon Mozes. The prime minister is accused of agreeing to weaken a rival paper in return for more favorable coverage from Mozes paper, Yedioth Ahronoth. Netanyahu said in his statement that in the 20 years that he has served his country, all Ive done is for the sake of Israel. Although potentially damning, this was not the first time the prime minister has had allegations made against him. He hinted that the police were acting in prejudice, saying that there have been 15 previous attempts to investigate him, all failed. After his first term, Netanyahu and his wife faced similar accusations when police recommended that they face criminal charges for keeping gifts that should have been handed over to the state, BBC reported. Those charges were later dropped. They were again accused in 2015 of using government money to fund a private contractor but again, the charges were dropped. The recommendations now go to Attorney General Avihai Mendelblit, who will review the material before deciding whether to file charges. Netanyahu can remain in office during that process, which could drag on for months. Netanyahu said he will not resign and will continue to work for the good of his country, adding the he knows he has the public support. Fox News Yonat Friling and The Associated Press contributed to this report. next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 The Latest on the British arrest warrant for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (all times local): 2:40 p.m. A British judge has upheld an arrest warrant for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has spent more than five years evading the law inside Ecuador's London embassy. Judge Emma Arbuthnot wasn't persuaded by arguments by Assange's lawyers that it was no longer in the public interest to arrest him for jumping bail in 2012 and seeking shelter in the embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden, where prosecutors were investigating allegations of sexual assault and rape made by two women. He denied the allegations. Arbuthnot said Tuesday she finds "arrest is a proportionate response" to Assange's actions. ___ 10:25 a.m. A lawyer for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is citing a report by a United Nations committee to argue that a British arrest warrant issued in 2012 after Assange skipped bail should be thrown out. Lawyer Mark Summers said the U.N. committee's report concluded that Assange was being arbitrarily detained, adding that the 5 years Assange has spent inside Ecuador's London embassy are "adequate, if not severe" punishment for his actions. Some lawyers who have followed the case said the arguments were unlikely to sway the judge who is set to rule on Tuesday afternoon whether to quash or uphold the warrant. Even if the judge lifts the British arrest warrant, Assange's legal problems may not be over. He suspects there is a secret U.S. grand jury indictment against him for WikiLeaks' publication of classified documents, and that American authorities will seek his extradition. ___ 7:00 a.m. A British judge is scheduled to quash or uphold an arrest warrant for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has spent more than five years inside Ecuador's London embassy to avoid detention. Assange's lawyers argue that it's no longer in the public interest to arrest him for jumping bail in 2012. Judge Emma Arbuthnot is expected to rule Tuesday afternoon. Assange was wanted in Sweden for a rape investigation when he sought protection in the Ecuadorean embassy. Swedish prosecutors dropped the investigation last year, but the British warrant for violating bail conditions still stands. Assange's lawyers asked for the warrant to be withdrawn since Sweden no longer wants him extradited, but the judge rejected their request last week. Assange's attorneys went on to argue that 5 years in the embassy has been punishment enough. The Afghan capital is hosting military chiefs from several neighboring countries, including Pakistan's army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, for a conference to plot a course on how to deal with escalating terrorism in the region. The army chiefs will also look at the region's burgeoning narcotics trade as Afghanistan hits record levels of poppy production. Afghanistan is the world's largest producers of opium, the raw material used to make heroin. Tuesday's meeting in Kabul will also include U.S. and NATO representatives. Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman Daulat Waziri says military chiefs from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are also attending the conference. Bajwa's presence is particularly significant as both Afghan and U.S. officials ratchet up pressure on Pakistan to close Taliban sanctuaries on its soil. Islamabad denies charges that it harbors militants. London police were investigating a suspicious package Tuesday after a letter containing white powder was sent to an office in the Palace of Westminster, authorities said. A House of Commons spokeswoman told Sky News the white powder was determined to be "non-harmful." The package containing the powder was delivered to the office just after 11:30 a.m., police said. The incident comes just a day after Donald Trump Jr.s wife and two others were taken to a hospital after opening a letter containing powder that was delivered to the couple's New York City apartment. Specialists were called to the scene Tuesday to assess the unknown powder at the Palace of Westminster. Its unclear where the package came from and if anyone was taken to the hospital. DONALD TRUMP JR.'S WIFE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AFTER OPENING ENVELOPE WITH WHITE POWDER The office remains closed at this time, but the rest of the Palace of Westminster is open, Metropolitan police said. Detectives from the Metropolitans Counter Terrorism Command were investigating Tuesdays incident at the Houses of Parliament. (CNN) The Trump administration is proposing sharp cuts to the budget for international diplomacy and aid in 2019, in line with a determination to boost spending on the military and cut it elsewhere. Administration officials said the $39.3 billion request to Congress for the State Department and the US Agency for International Development was $1.5 billion higher than their initial request of $37.8 billion, which was included in the White House's budget that was released Monday. The addition was the result of a bipartisan budget deal reached Friday and the extra funds will go toward humanitarian aid, global health programs and the UN, officials told CNN later on Monday afternoon. With the overall budget request, "the administration will protect Americans at home and overseas by countering the gravest threats to US national security," said Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan. The agency will also "build the strength and intensity of international effort to prevent North Korea, Iran and other actors from unlawfully acquiring weapons of mass destruction in their means of delivery," he said. But the proposed 29% cut from 2017 funding levels -- even as crises escalate in Asia and the Middle East and many key State Department positions remain unfilled -- drew sharp protests from lawmakers, retired military leaders and development advocates, who argued that it would undermine US security and leadership. 'A responsible commitment of resources' Anticipating the cuts, 151 retired three- and four-star generals wrote congressional leaders from both parties on Friday urging them to "ensure a responsible commitment of resources" that keeps pace with the growing threats the US faces. "We must not undercut our nation's ability to lead around the world in such turbulent times," the generals wrote. They highlighted the role that aid and diplomacy play in averting crises that eventually need a military response, pointing to the nearly 30 million people at risk of starvation in four countries; the increasing number displaced by instability and conflict in Yemen, Somalia, Myanmar and Venezuela; and the challenge of holding territory after the defeat of ISIS. "Today's crises do not have military solutions alone, yet America's essential civilian national security agencies -- the State Department, USAID, Millennium Challenge Corporation, Peace Corps and other development agencies -- faced a significant cut last year," the generals wrote. "We call on you to ensure our nation also has the civilian resources necessary to protect our national security, compete against our adversaries, and create opportunities around the world," the generals said. The White House said the budget for diplomacy and development would allow the US "to compete for influence against those who do not share America's values or interests, catalyze conditions to help aspiring partners achieve mutually beneficial economic and security goals, and respond to the emerging era of great power competition across political, economic and information domains." Last year, Congress largely ignored the administration's request for cuts, with many lawmakers voicing concerns similar to the generals'. Tom Hart, North America executive director for The ONE Campaign, a policy group dedicated to fighting poverty and preventable disease, issued a one-sentence statement saying the administration's budget numbers were "not a serious proposal and Congress should do as it did last year: ignore it." That seems likely, according to Rep. Ed Royce, the California Republican who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee. "A strong, bipartisan coalition in Congress has already acted once to stop deep cuts to the State Department and Agency for International Development that would have undermined our national security. This year, we will act again," he said in a statement. "As I've said, diplomacy helps keep America strong and our troops out of combat. Our country faces urgent threats from North Korea, Iran and terrorists around the world," Royce continued. "Programs that are vital to our national interests should be prioritized." In contrast, the administration has requested $686 billion for the Defense Department, an $80 billion or 13% increase from the 2017 enacted level. This includes $597 billion for the base budget, and $89 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations, which are used for dealing with crises such as the situation in Syria and Iraq. The administration said the fiscal year 2019 budget request for the State Department and Agency for International Development is meant to be focused on four areas: protecting security in the US and abroad, "renewing America's competitive advantage for sustained economic growth and job creation," promoting American leadership and providing accountability to taxpayers. The FY 2019 budget will help the US "strengthen and intensify international efforts to prevent North Korea, Iran and other actors from unlawfully acquiring weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery," Tillerson wrote in the budget request. Tillerson also stressed the importance of border protection and a commitment to upholding the 10-year memorandum of understanding that the Obama administration signed with Israel -- the largest in US history. Sullivan said Israel would get a $200 million increase in 2019 aid over last year for a total of $3.3 billion, reflecting a newly signed 10-year memorandum. The sharply curtailed budget comes at a time when State Department morale has been deeply damaged by what many in the building see as the administration's disrespect for diplomacy and Tillerson's "restructuring" program. Many noted that Tillerson seemed to have steep cuts built in before he had even had a chance to take the department's measure. The forced and voluntary departures of many senior and deeply experienced foreign service officers, and the apparent punishing of others by assigning them to trivial clerical work, has left many in the agency shaken and alienated. "Many senior leadership positions remain unfilled, undercutting America's global influence," the generals noted of the departures in their letter. "We call on you to ensure our nation also has the civilian resources necessary to protect our national security, compete against our adversaries, and create opportunities around the world." A recent study by Government Executive, reported on by the Atlantic, found that the number of foreign service officers fell by 12% over the first eight months of the Trump administration, while the civilian workforce shrunk 6%. The generals also quoted Defense Secretary James Mattis saying that, "America's got two fundamental powers, the power of intimidation and the power of inspiration." But the budget is coming from a president who has publicly derided the idea of diplomacy, telling Tillerson he was "wasting his time" on efforts to use diplomacy to force North Korea to the table. And while the generals stressed the value of aid to longer term US national security goals or interests, administration officials have repeatedly and overtly tied aid to political aims. President Donald Trump asked Congress in his State of the Union speech last month to make sure aid goes only to America's "friends," while Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations, made clear to nations that voted to condemn US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital that she would be "taking names" and there would be consequences. This article has been updated to reflect the State Department's explanation of why the White House and State Department initially issued different figures for the 2019 budget request. This story was first published on CNN.com, Trump admin wants to slash funding for diplomacy." An Israeli military judge overseeing the trial of Palestinian teenager Ahed Tamimi for slapping and punching two Israeli soldiers has ordered all proceedings to take place behind closed doors for the protection of the minor. Her attorney, Gaby Lasky, has objected, and her father, Bassem, pleaded to the dozens of reporters: We need the media, and we need the audience for watching and to see whats happening to Ahed because we dont trust this court and we dont trust this system. Tamimi, who turned 17 in prison last month, and who has been incarcerated for nearly two months, appeared to be in good spirits as she entered and whispered across the courtroom to her family. Stay strong, stay strong, shouted her father, Bassem, from the back row. Only family members were allowed to remain in the courtroom, and diplomats from Germany, Britain, Ireland and other European countries present to observe also were asked to leave by the judge, Lieutenant Colonel Menahem Liberman. In a seven-page indictment, Tamimi faces 12 charges, including aggravated assault, threatening Israeli soldiers and incitement to violence on Facebook, going back to April 2016. Her mother, Nariman Tamimi, also is charged for incitement on social media and for assault. We believe that this is an indictment solely created in order to deter Ahed and other Palestinian youths from resisting occupation, Lasky said afterward. Ahed Tamimi, then 16, was recorded by her mother shoving and shouting at two Israeli soldiers in the driveway of her family home in Nabi Salih in the West Bank on December 15, 2017. At the time, protests had erupted in several parts of the West Bank over President Donald Trumps recognition 10 days earlier of contested Jerusalem as Israels capital. She was arrested during a night raid four days later, after a video of her threatening and beating two Israel Defense Forces soldiers went viral. The video caused a great debate in both Israeli and Palestinian societies. For Palestinians, the young teen is a symbol of resistance to Israeli occupation, but many Israelis regard her as a violent troublemaker seeking publicity. She has become a national icon, her face has appeared on street murals and posters, while an online petition organized by her father calling for her release has gathered 1.7 million signatures. Among the people who have signed the petition are American celebrities and actors. Human rights groups said her case highlighted what they've described as Israels harsh treatment of Palestinian minors. The next session in the case was set for March 11. She is being held in jail until the end of the proceedings against her. The court decided what is best for the court, and not what is good for Ahed, Lasky later told reporters, accusing the judge of trying to keep the world from watching. She said she is still waiting to receive case material from the prosecutor, and that her client did not enter a plea. U.N. human rights experts said Tamimis continued detention violates international legal standards. The Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Israel has ratified, states that minors can only be deprived of liberty as a last resort and for the shortest appropriate time, said Michael Lynk, a U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, in a statement. He said the Tamimi case is not isolated, and that Israel detains and prosecutes 500 to 700 Palestinian children in military courts annually. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte last week bragged that he had ordered troops to shoot female communist fighters in their vaginas, according to multiple reports, triggering a wave of criticism against the strongman when the remark was published Monday. Tell the soldiers, Theres a new order coming from the mayor,' Duterte, a former mayor, told an audience of approximately 200 former rebels in Malacanang. We wont kill you. We will just shoot your vagina. If there is no vagina, it would be useless, Duterte added to laughter from the crowd, according to local reports. The remarks were largely unreported until Monday because Duterte was speaking in his native language, the New York Times reported. In its official transcript of the speech, Dutertes communication office replaced the word vagina with a dash. Once it was widely publicized, Dutertes speech drew widespread condemnation, with critics charging that the leaders penchant for offensiveness is no longer surprising. "He has further presented himself as the epitome of misogyny and fascism rolled in one. Congresswoman Emmi de Jesus The comment is just the latest in a series of misogynist, derogatory, and demeaning statements he has mad about women, Carlos H. Conde, a Human Rights Watch researcher, told the New York Times. Conde added that encouraging state forces to sexually assault women during a conflict violates international humanitarian law. Reaction in the Philippines was also swift. Congresswoman Emmi de Jesus, representing the Gabriela Womens Party, said that Duterte was a macho-fascist" who endorsed "state terrorism" against women, the Guardian reported. "He has further presented himself as the epitome of misogyny and fascism rolled in one," she added. Duterte, who once said that a gang rape victim was so beautiful that he wished he had been first, has sanctioned a wide-scale drug war marked by extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. Last week, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said she is opening an investigation into alleged crimes by security officers in the Philippines. Duterte has reportedly said he would not mind being imprisoned by the ICC as long as he was allowed conjugal visits from more than one women. next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 Poland's prime minister has visited a school and clinic for Syrian refugees in northern Lebanon, reiterating his country's position that aiding those uprooted by the war should take place closer to their home. In a statement Tuesday, Mateusz Morawiecki's office said he has declared $10 million to help Lebanon build housing for 1,000 refugees from Syria. Morawiecki said aid to refugees close to the countries they want to return to is the most efficient form of aid. Citing security concerns, Poland's conservative government rejected a European Union plan to distribute refugees currently in Greece and Italy to countries around Europe. Poland has come under criticism and warning of sanctions from EU leaders. Lebanon hosts over 1 million Syrian refugees and asks the international community to share the burden. next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 Serbia's president has refused to apologize for his nationalist wartime rhetoric calling for a "Greater Serbia" that would include large parts of Croatia, saying he won't be humiliated. President Aleksandar Vucic said Tuesday when grilled by reporters about a 1995 speech he made that Serbs and Croats have widely different views of the war they fought in the 1990s during the bloody breakup of former Yugoslavia. Vucic was a fervent Serbian nationalist during the war, but now says he is a pro-EU reformer. His two-day visit to Croatia this week is seen as an attempt to mend ties between the two Balkan rivals. About 10,000 people were killed during the war when minority Serbs took control of a third of Croatia's territory, trying to unite with Serbia. Israel warned Syrian President Bashar Assad to stop letting his war-torn country be used by Iran as a launching pad for attacks, and tensions in the region remained high Tuesday following a weekend skirmish and a new Syrian threat of "more surprises." The warning from Syria's Assistant Foreign Minister Ayman Sussan came after an Israeli fighter jet was shot down inside Syrian territory Saturday as it was flying home from a blitz that reportedly wiped out around half of Syrias anti-aircraft batteries. The raid was directed at a site Jerusalem believes Iran used to launch a drone that was destroyed in Israel earlier in the day. God willing, they will see more surprises whenever they try to attack Syria, Sussan was quoted by Reuters as saying during a news conference in Damascus. He added Syria has full confidence the aggressor will be greatly surprised, because it thought this war -- this war of attrition Syria has been exposed to for years -- had made it incapable of confronting attacks. The drone Iran launched was based off a U.S. model the Islamic Republic captured during the Obama administration, according to Israeli officials. The two Israeli pilots ejected from the F-16 jet when it came under Syrian anti-aircraft fire and suffered only minor injuries. We do not know what the mission of the Iranian drone was. It is their most advanced drone and they did not expect our radar to detect its penetration into our territory, an unnamed senior Israeli defense official told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday, a day after the infiltration. Our aerial freedom will not be harmed. We will continue to destroy targets. The official also said that as far as we are concerned, the event is over but the Iranians are determined to continue to establish themselves in Syria; the next incident is only a matter of time. An Israeli military spokesperson said Iran and its Revolutionary Guard forces have been operating at the drone launch site in Syria for a long time, backed by Syrian army forces and with the approval of the Syrian regime, according to The Jerusalem Post. Iran has been using the base in recent months for the purpose of transferring weaponry to be used against Israel, the spokesperson added. Israel suspects Assad is helping Iran upgrade Hezbollahs missile capabilities, and the Israeli security cabinet minister Yuval Steinitz warned the Syrian president on Monday that his country will not hesitate to strike back if necessary. Assad and Hezbollah are the same, and if there will be an attack against us, we will not be obligated to act only against the source of the attack, he said during an interview on Army Radio. We will reserve the right to choose the right front. Steinitz also blasted the Assad regime, calling it the weak link in the Iranian-Shia axis. I think Assad should think very well whether he wants to turn Syria into a forward base for Iran or allow precision missiles through Syria to Lebanon, because he himself, his regime, his government and his army can be hurt in that situation, Steinitz said Witnesses told The Jerusalem Post that even before Steinitzs comments, a convoy of Israeli missile-defense batteries was seen Sunday heading north to the city of Baka al-Gharbiya. An Iranian general, meanwhile, said Monday the Islamic Republic is doubling down on efforts to bolster its missile launching capabilities. The nation is also more determined than ever to support the Islamic establishment in order to strengthen the countrys defense and missile power, said Ahmad Vahidi, president of the Supreme National Defense University of Iran, according to the Tehran Times. The trial has started of an Uzbek man who has confessed to ramming a stolen truck into a crowd in downtown Stockholm last year, killing five and injuring 14. Rakhmat Akilov appeared Tuesday before the Stockholm District Court where he is charged with committing terror and exposing people to attempted murder. The prosecution has requested that he gets a life sentence and is extradited from Sweden. Wearing a green fleece jacket, Akilov, was flanked by his defense lawyers. He has said he wanted to punish Sweden for participating in the international coalition against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. Security was high, with heavily armed police officers and scores of reporters going through metal detectors before entering the courtroom. An American drone destroyed a Russian-made T-72 battle tank operating in eastern Syria on Saturday, according to the U.S. military's command unit responsible for forces in the Middle East -- which added the strike was in "self defense." No U.S or allied troops were hurt in the incident, but three people inside the tank were killed by a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone, a defense official told Fox News on Tuesday. The strike was the second by the U.S. against pro-regime forces since Wednesday, according to the U.S. militarys Central Command. The U.S. airstrike took place the same day an Iranian drone was shot down over Israel on Saturday, prompting a counter-attack by the Israeli Air Force into Syria against Iranian and regime targets. An Israeli F-16 was shot down during that mission, and it crash landed inside Israeli territory. The T-72 tank came from the same hostile forces which attacked U.S. special operations troops and allied Syrian fighters last Wednesday in eastern Syria, officials said. "The tank had been maneuvering with coordinated indirect fire on a defensive position occupied by Syrian Democratic Forces and Coalition advisers," U.S. Central Command said in the statement. "The defensive position was within effective range of the tank's weapon system. Coalition officials maintained regular contact with Russian counterparts via established de-confliction lines to avoid misperceptions and miscalculations that could endanger each other's forces." US JETS BOMB 'PRO-REGIME' FORCES IN SYRIA, KILLING 100 The latest U.S. airstrike came less than a week after a massive strike killed 100 "pro-regime" forces, including what defense officials told Fox News were Russian contractors. In that incident, U.S. special operations forces and allied Syrian fighters came under attack by a group of 500 Assad regime-backed fighters equipped with tanks, artillery and mortars. Four Russian nationals -- and potentially dozens more -- were killed in that assault, according to the New York Times, which cited Russian and Syrian officials. The incident took place five miles across the Euphrates River near Deir ez Zoir, which serves as a de-confliction line between US and Russian/Syrian backed forces. Free Freightnet Membership List your company in the Freightnet directory. It's Free, it's Easy and your company can be displayed in front of potential freight buyers within 24 hours. A partner in a North East farming company faces a 2,800 bill after an incident in which one of his workers fell from a cherry picker while working on a grain dryer, sustaining serious injuries. The incident at Manor Farm, Barmston, near Driffield in East Yorkshire, occurred in July 2016. The employee was inspecting a silencer unit attached to the farms grain drying facility when he slipped and fell approximately 10m. See also: How a false leg inspired a farm safety campaign Hull and Holderness magistrates court heard that the employee suffered fractures to 18 ribs and both wrists, as well as internal injuries. His employer, Martin Warkup, was the only partner in the farming company with knowledge of this work, but failed to properly plan and supervise the activity, the court heard. Mr Warkup pleaded guilty to breaching Health and Safety at Work regulations and was fined 1,600, and ordered to pay 1,216 costs. After the hearing, Health and Safety Executive inspector Darian Dundas commented: This incident could so easily have been avoided by planning ahead and putting in place suitable control measures and safe working practices. Those in control of work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information, instruction and training to their workers in the safe system of work. News editor's pick centerpiece 86-year-old building to make way for 146 expansion Stuart Villanueva/The Daily News photos Motorists pass the Valentine Law Firm building at the intersection of NASA Road 1 and state Highway 146 in Seabrook on Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. The quirky building, which occupies a small island at the intersection of the two roads, has been a local landmark for 86 years. STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News Motorists pass the Valentine Law Firm building at the intersection of NASA Road 1 and state Highway 146 in Seabrook on Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. The quirky building, which occupies a small island at the intersection of the two roads, has been a local landmark for 86 years. Stuart Villanueva/The Daily News Ornamental dolphins surround a side of the quirky Valentine Law Firm building in Seabrook on Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. SEABROOK With the $200 million state Highway 146 expansion project building momentum, a quirky piece of Seabrook history might cease to exist as the Texas Department of Transportation works to acquire the pink Valentine Law Firm building to make way for the project. The 1210 Bayport Blvd. building, which has been around for 86 years, has been over the years an ice house and a bait shop before its most recent incarnation as law offices. The building might join nearly 60 others being acquired by the transportation department for a project that is greatly changing the business landscape in Kemah and Seabrook. Most recently, Tookies Burgers moved its Seabrook restaurant to 406 Texas Ave. in Kemah, in the building vacated by Ichibon Japanese Seafood. Some businesses such as Taco Bell/KFC and Seabrook House of Flowers are moving to Pelican Plaza, 3130 E. NASA Parkway to make way for the expansion. The contract letting date for the massive road project is scheduled for July and construction is expected to begin in 2021. It will widen state Highway 146 from six lanes to 12 as well as include a new expressway bridge west of and parallel to the Seabrook-Kemah Bridge, transportation officials said. Weve been on pins and needles for over a year, attorney Michael Valentine said. How do you plan for something like that? The relocation process has been haphazard. Having owned the building since 1996, its emotional to walk away, he said. His family experienced events such as watching fireworks on the roof of the Seabrook structure, Valentine said. The undertaking of abandoning his pink 660-square-foot building is arduous. The law firm hasnt found a new location, Valentine said. Its mostly because we dont know when were going to move, he said. The dates have changed. The transportation department has given him an offer for the building and Valentine is in negotiations for a price that suits him, he said. By way of eminent domain, the transportation department is able to acquire private property as expansion for Highway 146 continues, officials said. Eminent domain allows the transportation department to gain private property and transform it to public property if the construction is deemed to serve the greater good of the state. Any worries from the community have been considered and the city of Seabrook is financially prepared as best it can be given the reported loss of businesses because of the expansion, City Manager Gayle Cook said. This project has been planned for over 25 years, she said. The city has been given updates from TxDOT from time to time. Although the construction affects Seabrook more than Kemah, the expansion project already has given Kemah some prime businesses, including Tookies Burgers, Mayor Carl Joiner said. We welcome Tookies Burgers with open arms, he said. We are very fortunate to get Tookies as the owner also has T-Bone Toms. The biggest hurdle will be living with the construction as it progresses and making sure residents are aware of whats happening on a daily basis, Joiner said. Our concern is making sure people can get to Kemah during the construction and we educate, he said. Kemah resident Leona Pleasant said the construction is just going to complicate life for businesses and the surrounding community. I feel sorry for the Seabrook and Kemah merchants, she said. Between the traffic at Five Corners and the expansion, I am already feeling squeezed. Traffic will be the worst zoo in the area. Reporter Before coming to work for The Daily News as a staff reporter, Connor worked for us as a freelance correspondent throughout 2017. He has written for other publications such as the Washington Post. Page Content How can we maximise the potential of aerospace technologies to boost regional economies? What common rules should frame EU's natural gas internal market? What shape is the transatlantic dialogue on climate taking? These were some of the questions answered during the first meeting of the year of the members of the Commission for Environment, Climate Change and Energy (ENVE) held in Brussels Thursday 8 January. The ENVE commission meeting started with Roby Biwer (LU/PES) reporting on his presence at the Winter Meeting of the US Conference of Mayors on January 25 in Washington D.C. Vice-President Biwer confirmed the will of the American association to support the development of the transatlantic dialogue on climate, referring to a possible joint event and common statement for the next COP24 in Poland. Biwer suggested to enlarge the CoR's range of action by exploring cooperation with other networks such as the american National League of Cities (NLC). With the same objective of reinforcing transatlantic relations, ENVE chairman Cor Lamers (NL/EPP) confirmed that the May plenary debate is to focus on the transatlantic dialogue on climate with the presence of representatives of the USCOM and the Canadian Federation of Municipalities. Members had an exchange of views on the rules for the internal market in natural gas , an upcoming opinion by rapporteur Mauro D' Attis (IT/EPP), Vice-president of the EPP Group of the CoR. The debate was based on a working document and responds to a legislative proposal by the European Commission . Rapporteur D'Attis said: 'New rules, taking into account the features of the market and the development of the related infrastructure, should be carefully thought through with a view to the long term, rather than on an ad-hoc basis.' ENVE organised a round table discussion with the European Space Agency (ESA) on ' Growth, innovation and investment in Europes Regions: the opportunities of space .' Members agree on the huge potential space technologies have for regional economies yet substantial investments are urgently needed. Andres Jaadla (ET/ALDE), rapporteur of the CoR 'Space Strategy for Europe' said: 'EU, national and regional levels must cooperate to pro-actively develop policy measures that incentivise new businesses, spin-offs and start-ups in the space sector.' Markku Markkula , CoR first Vice-president called on the European Commission to develop a European Space Strategy 'that supports cities and regions key priorities such as boosting competitiveness to create jobs, consolidating the digital single market, fighting global warming and managing natural resources.' Michele Emiliano (IT/PES), President of the Puglia Region and of the NEREUS network declared: We are very proud of the efforts of our Regional Aerospace and Technology District (DTA) and our Regional Agency for Technology and Innovation (ARTI) that brought Puglia to be the Italian region with the biggest growth in aerospace.' Rapporteur Jaadla concluded: 'We must get young people inspired, motivated and involved in space technologies are a great investment for the future. We must invest more on education, raising awareness activities and show success stories about the role the European public has in the development of complex aerospace systems.' Brian Synnott, advisor to Commissioner Vella, presented the Green Week 2018: Green Cities for a Greener Future. The biggest DG Environment annual event will take place from 21 to 25 May 2018. CoR members have been invited to support the organisation of local events, debates and seminars in their own regions, towns and cities on how to create tomorrow's greener cities. The CoR will host the European Week Waste Reduction award ceremony Tuesday 22 May 2018. Members of the ENVE commission appointed the following rapporteurs: Andrew Cooper (UK/EA) on Climate governance after 2020: a contribution to the UNFCCC COP24 . As Katowice is to deliver the final Paris agreement work programme, the CoR wants its governance to further empower cities and regions as indispensable actors to reverse global warming. Roby Biwer (LU/PES) on the Contribution of EU local and Regional Authorities to CBD COP14, the 14 th Meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity to take place in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt on 10-22 Nov 2018. The opinion is to focus on how LRA are and can contribute to the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Andre Van de Nadort (NL/PES) on a European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy. The opinion responds to an EC communication on plastics included in its 2018 work programme to deliver the Circular Economy Action Plan. Mark Weinmeister (DE/EPP) on the proposal of a Directive on the quality of water intended for human consumption (recast). The Committee will contribute to the Commissions' proposal which is a reaction to the Right2Water initiative to improve access to water, in particular for vulnerable and marginalised groups. ENVE presented its impact report for 2017. Additional Information 26 November 2016. A space strategy for Europe . Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic And Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Last October 2017, the Committee adopted Andres Jaadla's 'Space Strategy for Europe'. The opinion preaches fostering integrative partnerships between civil society, business, public institutions and the science community to maximise the potential of space technologies for regional economies. Today, rapporteur Jaadla reiterated the need to inspire young people, better train specialists and raise awareness on the benefits of space technologies. Copernicus is the European Union's Earth Observation Programme. It offers information services based on satellite Earth Observation and in situ (non-space) data. Galileo is Europes own global navigation satellite system , providing a highly accurate, guaranteed global positioning service under civilian control. The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) is the first pan-European satellite navigation system. It augments the US GPS satellite navigation system and makes it suitable for safety critical applications such as flying aircraft or navigating ships through narrow channels. Contact: David Crous | david.crous@cor.europa.eu | +32 (0) 470 88 10 37 felicilin at 13-02-2018 11:24 AM (3 years ago) (f) Philippines president, Rodrigo Duterte has ordered his soldiers to specifically target women rebel fighters in the country by shooting them in the honeypot, instead of killing them because without one they 'would be useless'. The 72-year-old veteran leader who served as a city mayor before becoming President, made the shocking order while addressing a group of former communist rebels last week. Philippines president, Rodrigo Duterte has ordered his soldiers to specifically target women rebel fighters in the country by shooting them in the honeypot, instead of killing them because without one theyThe 72-year-old veteran leader who served as a city mayor before becoming President, made the shocking order while addressing a group of former communist rebels last week. He said: 'Tell the soldiers, "there's a new order coming from the mayor. We won't kill you. We will just shoot your honeypot". 'If there is no honeypot, it would be useless,' he added, according to local media. In a statement to Al Jazeera, the Human Rights Watch group condemned the president's comments as 'misogynist, derogatory and demeaning'. The group said it was just the latest in a series of misogynist, derogatory and demeaning statements he has made about women'. Carlos Conde, a Human Rights Watch representative in the Philippines, added: 'It encourages state forces to commit sexual violence during armed conflict, which is a violation of international humanitarian law.' He said: 'Tell the soldiers, Post Reply Posted: at 13-02-2018 11:24 AM (3 years ago) | Hero clarajancita at 13-02-2018 11:32 AM (3 years ago) (f) A Federal High Court in Kainji has sentenced Haruna Yahaya, a physically challenged person who was one of those, who abducted Chibok schoolgirls, to 15 years in prison as the trials of Boko Haram suspects resume. He was among 20 Boko Haram terrorists who were jailed yesterday to serve various prison terms. Haruna Yahaya Yahaya, 35, a physically challenged person, was found guilty of taking part in the abduction of over 200 girls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State in April, 2014. The closed trial is taking place at Wawa Catonment, Kainji, Niger State. Yahaya, a former trader from Potiskum, Yobe State had pleaded for mercy, claiming he was conscripted into the terrorist sect. Earlier, defence counsel, Matthew Egege asked the court to discharge Yahaya, pleading that his testimony is pathetic. He argued that as a conscript he could have been killed if he had refused the sects orders. But the judge said he could not use his physical condition to win sympathy, adding that he had a choice not to participate in the Boko Haram activities even though he was forced. He was charged under the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011. The court ruled that Haruna Yahaya will serve the term in any prison facility, to be determined by the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Prisons Service. The other 19 convicts were sentenced to between three and five years from date of their arrest. A Federal High Court in Kainji has sentenced Haruna Yahaya, a physically challenged person who was one of those, who abducted Chibok schoolgirls, to 15 years in prison as the trials of Boko Haram suspects resume. He was among 20 Boko Haram terrorists who were jailed yesterday to serve various prison terms. Haruna Yahaya Yahaya, 35, a physically challenged person, was found guilty of taking part in the abduction of over 200 girls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State in April, 2014. The closed trial is taking place at Wawa Catonment, Kainji, Niger State. Yahaya, a former trader from Potiskum, Yobe State had pleaded for mercy, claiming he was conscripted into the terrorist sect. Earlier, defence counsel, Matthew Egege asked the court to discharge Yahaya, pleading that his testimony is pathetic.He argued that as a conscript he could have been killed if he had refused the sects orders. But the judge said he could not use his physical condition to win sympathy, adding that he had a choice not to participate in the Boko Haram activities even though he was forced. He was charged under the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011.The court ruled that Haruna Yahaya will serve the term in any prison facility, to be determined by the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Prisons Service. The other 19 convicts were sentenced to between three and five years from date of their arrest. The verdicts were given at the resumed fast track trial of Boko Haram suspects being detained in the location. Over 700 detainees will appear before the court during the trial. Last year, over 50 Boko Haram members were convicted by the court, while over 400 were released for lack of evidence. Yayaya yesterday gave an account of how he participated in the abduction of over 200 girls in Chibok, Borno State. Yahaya admitted to have killed a number of citizens in Gabsuri and Chibok towns in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, after he claimed the sect members forcefully conscripted him. He claimed that during the operation at the secondary school in Chibok in April 2014, he was forced to carry an AK47 rifle. He said he usually tied the weapon to his functional arm with index fingers at the trigger. He said on the day of the operation, while the insurgents ransacked the school and abducted the boarding students, who were preparing for WAEC examinations, one of them, whom he later had a love affair with, pleaded with him for mercy. The verdicts were given at the resumed fast track trial of Boko Haram suspects being detained in the location. Over 700 detainees will appear before the court during the trial. Last year, over 50 Boko Haram members were convicted by the court, while over 400 were released for lack of evidence. Yayaya yesterday gave an account of how he participated in the abduction of over 200 girls in Chibok, Borno State. Yahaya admitted to have killed a number of citizens in Gabsuri and Chibok towns in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, after he claimed the sect members forcefully conscripted him. He claimed that during the operation at the secondary school in Chibok in April 2014, he was forced to carry an AK47 rifle.He said he usually tied the weapon to his functional arm with index fingers at the trigger. He said on the day of the operation, while the insurgents ransacked the school and abducted the boarding students, who were preparing for WAEC examinations, one of them, whom he later had a love affair with, pleaded with him for mercy. Quote I told the girl that I am not in a position to help because I too was forcefully conscripted into the operation, he said. He further told the court that he sent for wrapper to be bought for the girl while in their camp, when he realised she had no wrapper. He added that he at one time contemplated escaping with the girl. He said he was eventually arrested by members of the Civilian Joint Taskforce (CJTF) during an operation. Meanwhile, the court had discharged another suspect, Malam Umar, who was fingered as a Boko Haram provisions supplier by sect members arrested by the CJTF. The court accepted his explanation that he did not know he supplied food items to a Boko Haram middle man who paid him N300, 000 and 100 Euro for the supplies. In a statement yesterday signed by Othman Salihu Isah, the Special Assistant to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF)and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN),said there are about 1, 669 suspects held at the facility, while 468 were discharged for lack of evidence. They will undergo a programme of de-radicalisation at the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA). The statement said 82 persons entered plea of guilty to secure lesser sentence. In a brief ceremony, a lead judge of the Federal High Court said about 700 Boko Haram suspects have been processed for the current exercise, and solicited for the cooperation of the representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Legal Aid Council, the National Human Rights Commission, staff of the Ministry of Justice and the media, who were part of the exercise. In his remarks, the Director, legal services at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Shafii said the programme is a very important process for Nigeria in its effort to tackle the challenges of insurgency. He stressed that the Nigerian military will continue to respect the human rights of citizens in its bid to secure the country. This judicial process has never been done anywhere in the world, he said. Hearing continues today. he said. He further told the court that he sent for wrapper to be bought for the girl while in their camp, when he realised she had no wrapper. He added that he at one time contemplated escaping with the girl. He said he was eventually arrested by members of the Civilian Joint Taskforce (CJTF) during an operation. Meanwhile, the court had discharged another suspect, Malam Umar, who was fingered as a Boko Haram provisions supplier by sect members arrested by the CJTF.The court accepted his explanation that he did not know he supplied food items to a Boko Haram middle man who paid him N300, 000 and 100 Euro for the supplies. In a statement yesterday signed by Othman Salihu Isah, the Special Assistant to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF)and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN),said there are about 1, 669 suspects held at the facility, while 468 were discharged for lack of evidence. They will undergo a programme of de-radicalisation at the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).The statement said 82 persons entered plea of guilty to secure lesser sentence. In a brief ceremony, a lead judge of the Federal High Court said about 700 Boko Haram suspects have been processed for the current exercise, and solicited for the cooperation of the representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Legal Aid Council, the National Human Rights Commission, staff of the Ministry of Justice and the media, who were part of the exercise. In his remarks, the Director, legal services at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Shafii said the programme is a very important process for Nigeria in its effort to tackle the challenges of insurgency. He stressed that the Nigerian military will continue to respect the human rights of citizens in its bid to secure the country.he said. Hearing continues today. Post Reply I am a metro reporter on Gistmania, I have been publishing news materials for over 5 years Posted: at 13-02-2018 11:32 AM (3 years ago) | Hero clarajancita at 13-02-2018 12:22 PM (3 years ago) (f) The fifth batch of Nigerian returnees from Libya arrived in Port Harcourt Airport on Tuesday, February 13 (this morning). According to reports, the returnees arrived Port Harcourt International Airport reception centre at about 1:05am and was received by National Emergency and Management Agency NEMA and other stakeholders. The fifth batch of Nigerian returnees from Libya arrived in Port Harcourt Airport on Tuesday, February 13 (this morning). According to reports, the returnees arrived Port Harcourt International Airport reception centre at about 1:05am and was received by National Emergency and Management Agency NEMA and other stakeholders. The returnees comprise of 86 males 50 females, among them 8 children were conveyed by Medview Air, one of the airline engaged by the Federal Government to evacuate the stranded Nigerians back home from the North African country. One of returnees was taken out of the aircraft in stretcher for being sick and immediately transported in waiting NEMA ambulance to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital for treatment. Mr Eric Ebhodaghe, a chief admin officer of NEMA who stood in for DG NEMA in receiving the returnees on behalf of the Federal Government called on the states government to expedite in coming to transport their indigenes home from the reception center for proper rehabilitation and integration in their various communities. The returnees comprise of 86 males 50 females, among them 8 children were conveyed by Medview Air, one of the airline engaged by the Federal Government to evacuate the stranded Nigerians back home from the North African country.One of returnees was taken out of the aircraft in stretcher for being sick and immediately transported in waiting NEMA ambulance to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital for treatment.Mr Eric Ebhodaghe, a chief admin officer of NEMA who stood in for DG NEMA in receiving the returnees on behalf of the Federal Government called on the states government to expedite in coming to transport their indigenes home from the reception center for proper rehabilitation and integration in their various communities. Post Reply I am a metro reporter on Gistmania, I have been publishing news materials for over 5 years Posted: at 13-02-2018 12:22 PM (3 years ago) | Hero On Saturday, February 10, 2018, 180 astronomy enthusiasts showed up at Pima Community Colleges East Campus in Tucson, Arizona, for the latest Astronomy Magazine Public Star Party. Despite an afternoon threat of hazy clouds, we persevered and thanks to great local support, had several hours of observing the sky. Amateur astronomers from the beginner level all the way through experienced old hands enjoyed looking at the Orion Nebula, Andromeda Galaxy, star cluster M41, the Pleiades, and many other treats as a partly cloudy sky meant that we concentrated on areas that were unobstructed. Many members of the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, led by the energetic Jim Knoll, showed up in force with great outreach talks and with more than half a dozen scopes, some of which had gently-lit computer screens, making it easy for kids to see views of the cosmos. The members of the TAAA were superb, and are gifted speakers in guiding kids and adults through the wonders of the heavens. We also had support from Keith Mullen and members of the Palominas Astronomy Club, from nearby Sierra Vista, and from Cary Chleborad, who traveled from Sacramento to enjoy himself and lend a hand. At least half a dozen scopes were focused on the Sun, beginning around noon, and so for many hours before the nighttime stargaze people came and went and we soaked in great views of a nice line of large sunspots right in the middle of the Suns disk. A special thanks also to two of my old friends, Rik Hill and Dolores Hill. Ive known the Hills since I was 15, and they are always terrific. Rik was wonderful help with observing and telling great stories of the past. Dolores, who is Co-Lead for the Target Asteroids! project of the OSIRIS-REx asteroid mission, stole the show with the kids, especially, demonstrating cool stuff about what the mission will do. The hosts, Pima Community College, did a wonderful job with this event, as always, and they should receive a great vote of thanks: Emily Halverson-Otts, Lisa Brosky, Libby Howell, Maria Pereira, and Jaylene Wilson. Thanks to all!! If you couldnt attend the 2018 star party, we hope to see you next year!! The marine environment is critical to Grenadas economy and closely linked to the islands income generating tourism sector. Grenadas tri-island ocean state is not just a hub of maritime activity, but also home to unique marine biodiversity President Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to expand school choice, so it should come as no surprise that his latest budget proposes that the federal government help underwrite private-school voucher programs, which would be a first for the U.S. Department of Education.The budget calls for a $1.1 billion investment in school choice, which includes $500 million in federal grants to school districts willing to expand and experiment with it. States and municipalities would receive additional federal aid if they support private-school voucher programs or open enrollment policies where the money follows the student to a school, public or private. The proposal also would allow some federal funds to be used to build new public charter schools, although it's unclear how much. Such funding would mark another significant policy change for the Education Department, as the federal government has historically provided little to no funding for school construction at all.Additionally, schools would be able to use Title I money, funds normally designated to offset operating costs at schools with a high concentration of poor students, to assist with school choice programs. Critics contend that would siphon off funds necessary for operating urban public schools What the new spending isnt, according to the Trump administration, is a federal voucher program."To be clear, there is no federal voucher program. The [private-school voucher] grant program would support states who apply for funding to develop school choice programs, and those States' plans must adhere to Federal law," Department of Education (DOE) spokeswoman Liz Hill told Education Week Trumps budget request also includes an additional $7 billion in spending on education, a 10.5 percent increase, with money going to support STEM, childhood intervention in the opioid crisis and post-secondary vocational training.Louisiana, Maryland, Wisconsin and Washington, D.C., are among the handful of jurisdictions with private-school voucher programs, which either run as direct payments to parents to use state and local funds to pay for private schools or tax credits to offset school tuition.The rationale is that choice gives parents the freedom to pick the quality and type of education their child receives, tilting the balance of power in education policy away from school districts, union and politicians to better represent the interests of parents.If you dont have school choice, the only power you have is to vote. And that gives a parent almost no power, says Neal McCluskey, director of the Center for Educational Freedom at the Cato Institute. School choice fundamentally changes that because it says, 'Parents, if you are not satisfied with the education your child is getting, you have the money to take your child somewhere else.'Ultimately, proponents of school choice say the current network of traditional public schools fails to accommodate children with varying degrees of aptitude and learning styles.You can try one-size-fits-all," McCluskey says, "but you cannot make one size fit all.Critics contend that private-school vouchers pull down the education system as a whole -- widening achievement gaps and exacerbating segregation -- while only providing limited improvements to student performance. A 2017 study by Martin Carnoy, a Stanford University professor and research associate at the Washington-based Economic Policy Institute, showed small improvements in voucher schools -- in high school graduation and college enrollment rates, but couldnt determine whether those improvement were a result of voucher school shedding lower-performing students or engaging in positive practices. The study also noted that high school graduation rates have risen sharply in the last decadeCarnoys study looked closely at Milwaukee, which operates the largest and longest running voucher program in the nation . The program showed no tangible evidence of student gains as a result of vouchers.While Trump's proposal is certainly a boon to those who support school choice, even some conservatives are worried about its impact on education policy.Anything to move away from the public school monopoly is a good thing, says Corey DeAngelis, policy analyst for Cato's Center for Educational Freedom. But under the plan, you run the risk of the federal government putting itself in charge of local education."DeAngelis is worried the federal government, through its funding of charter expansion, will give charters that are aligned with federal policy a funding advantage over operators whose policies and curricula dont match up. In the end, the federal government might choke out choice.What we really want is a set of alternatives and bunch of choices," he says. "But if we have the federal government designing choice, we could be left with fewer choices. The old governmental adage that personnel is policy has rarely been demonstrated as clearly as it recently was in Johnson County, Kan. There, a bare majority of the county commissioners voted to oust County Manager Hannes Zacharias, claiming they wanted to pursue new policy directions. The fact that Zacharias was widely considered a star performer didnt save him.Zacharias had been county manager for eight years before his tenure came to an end at the start of this year. Before that, he had served Johnson County in other roles for eight years. Under his leadership, the county had earned national recognition for programs ranging from juvenile justice to parks and recreation. A month before his ouster, Zacharias won a management award from the University of Kansas. Even the commissioners who decided it was time for him to go had nothing but good things to say about him. Im not going to offer anything but personal praise for Hannes, says Commissioner Michael Ashcraft.So why fire him? The answer is that Ashcraft and his colleagues wanted more control. They wanted to have more say over agencies and budgets, rather than just signing off on options the county manager offered them. They also wanted to lower the countys tax rates and limit regulation -- something they felt couldnt easily be done with Zacharias at the helm. I do not believe the philosophy going forward should be that we can only do less with less, Ashcraft says. We should be able to do more with less. That should be what were continually striving for.Johnson County, which is just across the Missouri River from Kansas City, Mo., is the largest and most prosperous jurisdiction in Kansas. Its generally had higher taxes, but also better services, than most other places in the state. Business owners and individual taxpayers are satisfied with the mix, says Tom Robinett, vice president of government affairs for one of the local chambers of commerce. From our membership, we heard quite an outcry, he says of Zacharias termination. We just thought it was a big mistake.More than 550 employees, or about 15 percent of the county workforce, signed an open letter praising Zacharias and lambasting the decision to fire him. In 28 years, this is the most disappointing vote Ive been part of, says Commissioner Jim Allen. When it came to the vote, this was the first time I ever said in thousands of votes not only no, but hell no.Johnson County is split politically between a more liberal northern half and a more conservative southern half. It was the commissioners from the south that wanted Zacharias gone. Despite the countys wealth, it will face increased budget pressures due to a fast-growing population of senior citizens and clusters of homeless people. A majority of the commissioners would like to rein in future costs in a county whose budget recently topped $1 billion.Theres another problem. The firing came at a particularly tough time. A majority of the county commissioner seats are up in November. That might make potential manager recruits skeptical about long-term security in the job. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf this morning rejected a congressional map that was offered as a replacement to a 2011 map declared illegal by the state Supreme Court for giving unfair advantage to Republicans at the polls.Wolf's decision in the gerrymandering case that has caught national attention came four days after he received the map from the Legislature's top two Republican lawmakers: House Speaker Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny, and Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson.The lawmakers had claimed their new map "complies fully with" the Supreme Court's Jan. 22 order that district boundaries should be as "compact and contiguous" as possible and should hold a near equal number of residents and split as few election wards, municipalities and counties as possible.Their map splits 15 counties as opposed to 23 in the 2011 map, and 17 municipalities instead of 66.But in rejecting the map, Wolf countered that his map making experts found the lawmakers' proposed lines were just as gerrymandered as the old one. For example, Princeton University professor Sam Wang determined that the map purposely splits densely populated urban areas like Reading, Scranton, Harrisburg to dilute Democratic votes in a process known as "packing and cracking.""The analysis by my team shows that, like the 2011 map, the map submitted to my office by Republican leaders is still a gerrymander,' Wolf said in a statement. "Their map clearly seeks to benefit one political party, which is the essence of why the court found the current map to be unconstitutional."In a letter to the lawmakers, Wolf also claimed the proposed map keeps 70 percent of residents in districts the court found unconstitutional. The governor also faulted Turzai and Scarnati for presenting him a map without first seeking approval from the entire Legislature. He asked them to try again.But GOP leaders did not have a lot of time to react to the court order. Five Democratic justices issued the majority order on Jan. 22 with no backup opinion explaining how the map was unconstitutional and how the Legislature should remedy it. That backup opinion did not arrive until late Wednesday and by then the House and Senate had adjourned. Turzai and and Scarnati gave Wolf their map changes early Friday evening to comply with the court's mandate.Anticipating Wolf's reaction, Turzai held a news conference in the Capitol Monday in which he pre-emptively rejected claims ther map was purposely geared toward protecting the GOP. Per the court directive on compactness and contiguous boundaries, Turzai said the new GOP-drawn map splits the fewest municipal and county splits since 1971. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday ordered counties that plan to replace their electronic voting systems to buy machines that leave a paper trail a safeguard against hacking but his budget doesnt include any money to fund the replacement of the states aging, increasingly vulnerable fleet.The Democrats administration said the move to require that new systems include a paper backup will increase the security of voting systems and make balloting easier to audit.This directive will ensure that the next generation of the commonwealths voting systems conforms to enhanced standards of resiliency, auditability and security, Acting Secretary of State Robert Torres said in a statement.The Wolf administration said in a statement later Friday that its working on a comprehensive overhaul of Pennsylvanias election apparatus, including its voter registration database. Hackers scanned voter registration databases around the nation before the 2016 presidential election. After jurors on Monday convicted two Baltimore police officers who conspired to rob citizens, many city leaders condemned their actions but saw the verdict as a springboard for reform.Detectives Daniel Hersl and Marcus Taylor, former members of the Baltimore Police Department's Gun Trace Task Force, were found guilty of multiple federal charges, including racketeering conspiracy and racketeering. Many leaders said the verdict was not surprising given the blistering testimony over several weeks. But many also said the end of the trial could lead to a new era in the Police Department, bolster reform efforts and place new emphasis on community trust."The verdict rendered by jurors in this disturbing trial is clearly the right one, given the abundance of compelling and damning evidence," said Mayor Catherine Pugh in a statement. "I want all of our citizens to know that I have likewise been appalled by the level of dishonesty and betrayal that these individuals, and others also implicated, perpetrated here in our community."Pugh sought to reassure residents of measures, such as the consent decree reached between the city and the U.S. Department of Justice, which would usher in an era of reforms. She stressed her "commitment to changing the culture and practices" of the department.In response to Monday's verdict, Gov. Larry Hogan's spokeswoman Amelia Chasse said "he believes corruption must be exposed and rooted out wherever it occurs."Baltimore Police Commissioner Darryl De Sousa said the trial revealed some of the most "egregious and despicable acts" committed by law enforcement but also expressed his commitment to reforms."Our job moving forward is to earn back the trust and response of the community. It will be a process and I understand the doubt, fear and pessimism," De Sousa said in a statement. He pledged to pursue officers who think "they can tarnish the badge and violate our citizen's rights."Lt. Gene Ryan, president of the local police union that represents rank-and-file officers, said the officers' convictions "show you that nobody is above the law. If you break the law, you're going to have to pay just like everybody else."He called actions by the unit "disgraceful," and said the "rogue group" is not representative of the police force overall or its other members.Several city leaders also condemned the officers' actions, and said they hoped the verdict would serve as a deterrent against future misconduct.City Councilman Brandon Scott, chair of the public safety committee, said he was shocked at hearing during the trial some of "the most despicable acts I've ever seen from someone who was supposed to uphold the law." He called for the officers to receive the "strictest sentence possible."He said the officers' conduct has caused lasting consequences for them, the department and city as a whole."The first thing I think about is all the lives that they ruined, all the families they've caused harm, the damage to the city and the Police Department, all of this in the wake of them thinking they were higher than the law," Scott said.What they're saying about the guilty verdict in Baltimore Police corruption case Scott said the trial testimony, in which allegations were made against current members of the department, must be investigated thoroughly to stamp out further corruption.Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby said in a statement that the trial has also raised doubt in residents' faith in the criminal justice system, and "we must continue to drive out corruption and shine a light on callous criminals that dishonorably wear a badge."The Maryland public defender's office said the trial "vindicates our clients who have been reporting these officers' abuses for years." The office said it continues "to seek justice" for individuals who may have been wrongly convicted because of the officers.The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund President Sherrilyn Ifill said the police department and city leadership must take this opportunity to train officers on constitutional policing and developing an early intervention system to identify problem officers."This corruption went on unabated for nearly 10 years and was only brought to light as a result of a federal investigation. Neither City Hall, BPD's Internal Affairs, nor the State's Attorney's Office was able to uncover and hold accountable the officers at the heart of this criminal conspiracy. Residents deserve new procedures, practices, regulations, safety valves, and training across city agencies -- including the State's Attorney's office -- to ensure that this cannot happen again," Ifill said in statement.State Del. Bilal Ali of Baltimore called for disbanding the police department entirely, citing Camden, N.J., as an example where the police force was rebuilt. He said the corruption and wrongdoing highlighted in the trial is an "ongoing experience" for many residents, and have not been sufficiently addressed by the consent decree or other efforts at reforms.Del. Curt Anderson, chairman of the city's House delegation in Annapolis, said he hopes the verdict "will send a message to police officers across the state, across the country, that you are placed in a position of trust and we expect you to be better than the average citizen."Anderson said he still has faith in the department for two reasons -- the first one being, "I don't have a choice." The second reason is he believes Hersl and Taylor represent "a few bad apples.""I've been on the street and talked to officers," Anderson said. "They're just as aghast as the rest of the citizenry is. I think we've got a lot more good apples than we have bad apples," he said.Peter Moskos, who teaches at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, said the two convictions aren't likely to end the scandal."There are the other officers that were named," Moskos said.There remains plenty of skepticism about the testimony of convicted officers who implicated others. Still, De Sousa formed a unit to investigate the allegations swirling around the trial.Some community leaders said they were not surprised by the verdict and hoped it will help propel reform efforts."This exposure of the corruption ... will be a catalyst for the new commissioner," said Ray Kelly, director of the West Baltimore-based No Boundaries Coalition, which has advocated for police reforms.After years of residents' complaints about police officer misconduct, he said he was not surprised by the verdict."I feel like it's well deserved, just listening to the testimony," Kelly said.Adam Jackson, the CEO of Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, a Baltimore social activist organization, said the testimony merely confirmed what many residents already knew."Unfortunately, it takes extreme cases like this" for others to take notice, he said.Jackson said he remained skeptical of any meaningful improvement in accountability without changes to the law. He said the state must change laws to provide more oversight and give residents the ability to hold officers accountable.Sitting at a bus stop outside the Penn-North Metro station, Tyrone Fitzgerald, 45, said he does not think the guilty verdict will improve relationships between police and the communities they serve.But Fitzgerald said he thinks more rigorous hiring standards and more intense training would help improve the police force."I hate to bring up the Freddie Gray thing -- it does go back longer than that -- but that's [when] people's eyes were really opened up to the situation," Fitzgerald said.Baltimore Sun reporters Tim Prudente, Michael Dresser, Scott Dance, Sarah Meehan and Jonas Shaffer contributed to this article. The Governors Official Program is comprised of a wide range of constitutional and legal duties and ceremonial and community engagements. Each year, the Governor hosts thousands of visitors to Government House to take part in investiture and award ceremonies, Open Days, receptions and meetings, and travels widely throughout Queensland to support the activities of Patron groups. View a chronological record of the Governors daily program below. On Monday, in the morning, at the City Tabernacle Baptist Church, Brisbane, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC attended the Supreme Court of Queenslands Church Service to mark the commencement of the 2018 Law Year. In the afternoon, at Government House, the Governor presided at a meeting of the Executive Council. In the evening, at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, the Governor and Mrs Kaye de Jersey attended the Australian Chamber Orchestra's performance of 'Tognetti Tchaikovsky Brahms', followed by a reception. I spent several days having fun last week in the astronomical capital of the United States, Tucson, Arizona. Ive long had a love of Tucson its everything that Milwaukee isnt. Great skies, warm temps, and the desert is beautiful. Moreover, not only is Tucson the capital of professional astronomy, its also the center of another great hobby, mineralogy and mineral collecting. Last week I spent a couple vacation days at the annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, and then we put on the magazines annual Public Star Party. We had the great help of our host, Pima Community College, and also of the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association and the Palominas Astronomy Club. The public star party happened on Saturday, February 10. The previous night, however, members of the TAAA, led by Jim Knoll, asked me to travel down to their remote, dark-sky site about 90 minutes southeast of Tucson, much of the way toward the New Mexico border. There, the club has a sensational observatory facility with multiple telescopes and pads for several dozen telescopes for members and guests. Its an incredible place, and sets the standard for how a club observatory site should be put together!! The main scope there is a 40-inch Dobsonian reflector. Now you can imagine that under a pristine, inky black sky, with a 40-inch telescope, you can observe virtually anything you can think of. We did. We went after clusters, nebulae, and galaxies, everything from bright targets that looked like photographs, to really oddball stuff. We finished with two galaxies, one close (Leo I, a Local Group object just 820,000 light-years away), and the other distant, the quasar Markarian 205, which is 1.1 billion light-years off. It was a mind-blowing night. Ill be writing more about the TAAA remote site soon. (TNS) Most businesses keep meticulous records of their inventory and sales, tracking how much and which varieties of product they move and at which times. This is even more true for industries like alcohol and cannabis, which need to demonstrate to regulators that they are following all necessary laws related to how they sell controlled substances. Last year, cannabis legalization took large steps forward as California, Nevada and Massachusetts all voted to legalize recreational marijuana, creating even larger markets of cannabis sellers who needed to be able to track their product. Blockchain offers a new approach to solving this problem, offering states and retailers a means of tracking cannabis from seed to smoke, so to speak. 420 Blockchain is a business bringing the blockchain to the cannabis industry in a way that helps consumers, industry figures and regulators.Cannabis is so fragmented; it is a fragmented industry, says Mike Kramer, 420 Blockchains CEO, who got his introduction to the industry through Red Sand Financial, which lent to the cannabis industry. In lending I would see some operations that were run like businesses and some where I didnt understand how they were even functioning.One the crucial differences between the two types was their record keeping. Professional grow operations were able to track the progress of their harvest, the eventual yields, and other information including variety and THC levels. 420 Blockchain was founded to try to help a fragmented industry become complete, offering companies a means of tracking their product through its growth and sale.The use of the blockchain programming creates a record that cannot be illicitly modified. From a consumer standpoint, the 420 Blockchain app allows them to track where the varieties they enjoyed were grown in hopes of finding something similar. It also prevents supply leakage from a business perspective, meaning that tax revenue does not escape.Today, the nascent cannabis industry is plagued by holdovers from the drugs illicit years. While many businesses are striving to run professional outlets, others are shoddy in their recordkeeping. In the long run, this hurts the entire industry by eroding its air of professionalism.Most people did not get into the cannabis business to become a legal drug dealer, he said. Most people got in because they saw a need and an opportunity, just like I did.The American retail industry is collecting increasing amounts of information about consumers: what they like, where they like to shop, and how other demographic characteristics can help retailers tailor sales. Kramer says that 420 Blockchains technology can help dispensaries do something similar by better tracking information about their own sales.We dont really have true data, Kramer says about the industry today. Using blockchain technology, a potential consumer can fill out a survey about how they use marijuana which would help match them to strains that they might enjoy, similar to someone getting suggestions for wine varieties they might like. Meanwhile, the information submitted could be shared with growers and retailers to help them better tailor their product, as well as to researchers looking to better understand the industry.Because of the longstanding stigma against recreational marijuana use, much about the industry is poorly understood today. As more states vote to loosen their regulations on the drug, more data will come out. However, getting a good picture of the industry will require innovations in how the plant and its sales are documented.In part, for this reason, 420 Blockchains technology is also of interest to regulators. Last week, Kramer met with a dozen lawmakers in the Congressional Cannabis Caucus. They wished to discuss methods to track the growing cannabis industry for the purposes of ensuring that sales were legal and tax revenues were properly calculated. He says that he plans a return trip to Washington in the future and also is planning meetings with state regulators who are interested in the technology.Although the cannabis industry is still in its early stages, Kramer is optimistic about the future of both legal cannabis and his company.My personal belief is that were not going backwards, Kramer says. A year ago we were beating our heads against the wall trying to get people to understand the idea of blockchain. I think there are so many people in that same realm with cannabisFor 70 years, 80 years, we were told that cannabis is a drug and hippies used it and we never took the time to research it and see all the beneficial sides. (TNS) - Cedar Rapids officials left a meeting Monday with President Donald Trump at the White House feeling, at minimum, that the citys flood control needs are on the radar screen at the highest levels of the administration.The hope that a new door could open to help pay for the city's $750 million flood control system comes thanks to Trumps $1.5 trillion infrastructure spending plan released the same day.Cedar Rapids Mayor Brad Hart and mayors and governors from a handful of other communities and states with critical infrastructure needs met with Trump and top aides.But even if the plan passes Congress and thats a long shot it doesnt guarantee money for Cedar Rapids.This at least will give us another opportunity to get some federal help, Hart said in an interview from Washington.From Iowa, Hart, Cedar Rapids City Manager Jeff Pomeranz and Speaker of the Iowa House Linda Upmeyer, R-Clear Lake, attended the two-hour meeting.Trump and several members of his inner circle participated, including Ivanka Trump, Chief of Staff John Kelly, National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Environmental Protection Agency Director Scott Pruitt.Trumps plan includes $200 billion in new federal spending over 10 years, with 25 percent of the $200 billion earmarked for rural infrastructure and distributed to governors through block grants. The federal dollars would cover up to 20 percent of a projects cost, but the local public and private sectors would have to account for the rest.Hart and Pomeranz viewed the plan as an additional funding source, on top of the $70 to $80 million already approved but not appropriated.We continue to get Cedar Rapids name out there and create understanding about what Cedar Rapids went through, how we responded and what our needs are, Pomeranz said.While the state has committed $267 million through a sales tax initiative over 20 years and the city has committed $110 million, a $300 to $350 million gap still exists, Hart said.Should Cedar Rapids be approved under Trumps plan, the city likely would lobby the state to allow it to retain more of its sales tax revenue, and could turn to bonding, Hart said.Cedar Rapids has an additional $280 million in bonding capacity, but additional bonding could also trigger tax increases, officials have said.Say the bill might give us $50 million or $100 million, but only if we match that, Hart said. If that happens, wed go to the state and look at implications of bonding.The flood control system would protect the east and west side of the Cedar River from the historic 2008 flood volume. That flood caused more than $5 billion in damages and losses.Upmeyer spoke during the meeting identifying some of Iowas needs, including money for locks and dams and the Cedar Rapids project, to which Trump noted his awareness that Cedar Rapids officials were present.Hart said he did not present the Cedar Rapids project during the meeting, but provided documents to Trump aides. Pomeranz also presented Ivanka Trump with a blown-up picture from a Trump campaign stop at the McGrath Amphitheatre before the 2016 election to give to her father.Hart spoke to Trump directly afterward.I thanked him for inviting us, and said I know you have fond memories of Cedar Rapids from your visit, Hart said. I said we need help getting the $78 million from the Corps of Engineers and mentioned the problems with the benefit-cost ratio. He said, Im going to fix that.The Cedar Rapids project was authorized by Congress in 2014 and 2016, but the Army Corps has never released the money largely because it doesnt measure up to other projects on a benefit-cost ratio.Gov. Kim Reynolds called Cedar Rapids inclusion in the meeting a good opportunity for the flood project. She also said she is extremely happy the plan calls for rural infrastructure, noting the need to expand rural broadband.2018 The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)Visit The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) at thegazette.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. (TNS) - Thousands of homes were destroyed and dozens killed when flames ripped up and down the state in October, the culmination of a long, hot and dry fire season.From Loma Rica to Santa Rosa, residents have buckled down and come together to support the rebuilding of their communities in the four months since. But attention has recently focused on what may have started the blazes.Last week, Santa Rosa city fire investigators determined Pacific Gas and Electric Co. power lines, along with heavy winds, ignited at least two small fires in neighborhoods Oct. 8, according to the Press-Democrat.These two, lesser-known fires burned separately from the larger ones that destroyed more than 6,000 homes and killed 40.PG&E is also facing more than 100 lawsuits filed by displaced Bay Area residents, alleging the company failed to maintain and repair its power lines and prepare for the high winds that arrived the night of the fires, according to the Press Democrat.But whether Loma Rica residents or Santa Rosans, for that matter could find financial relief from the energy giant is unclear.When asked if PG&E should expect lawsuits stemming from the Cascade Fire, Yuba County District Attorney Pat McGrath said he 's aware of CalFire's investigation, but has not received any reports or referrals from the agency.CalFire spokesperson Mary Eldrige said Friday that the Cascade Fire in Loma Rica is still under investigation, and no cause has yet been determined.The California Public Utilities Commission is investigating the compliance of electric and communication facilities in relation to the blaze.The CPUC is working closely with CAL FIRE in this investigation and will continue to do so, Director of News and Public Information Office Terrie Prosper said in an email Friday. Further, our Safety and Enforcement Division is conducting investigations to assess the compliance of electric and communication facilities with applicable rules and regulations in fire impacted areas. Investigation topics include, but are not limited to, maintenance of facilities, vegetation management, and emergency preparedness and response.PG&E spokesman Paul Moreno made clear that no determination of the fire's cause has been made.We remain focused on doing everything we can to help our customers recover and rebuild, Moreno said. These communities and neighborhoods are where our customers, employees, friends and family live and work, and nothing is more important to us than their safety and well-being.In the aftermath of the Cascade Fire, PG&E headed to the foothills to replace about 150 power poles as well as power lines and equipment.Moreno said PG&E won't speculate on the cause of the fires while the investigation is ongoing.2018 the Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, Calif.)Visit the Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, Calif.) at www.appeal-democrat.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. (TNS) - As gunshots rang out in Aztec High School one morning last December, a substitute teacher was left to improvise.She did not have a key to lock the door to her classroom, but ushered her students into a neighboring room and barricaded the door with a couch.The gunman entered the classroom the students had just left and fired several rounds through the wall that stood between them. The bullets did not hit any of the students, and the substitute teachers swift thinking was credited with saving lives.The shooting left two students dead elsewhere on campus, and the gunman who did not attend the school killed himself.It absolutely could have been a lot worse, Aztec Municipal School District Superintendent Kirk Carpenter told a legislative committee last month.Coming at a time when there seems to be another school shooting somewhere in America at least once a week, the episode has become a call to action at the Legislature this session for funding to pay for security improvements on campuses around the state.The state House of Representatives voted 66-0 last week to set aside $5 million a year for five years for security efforts. And the state Senate went even further, approving 40-0 a bill that would set aside $10 million a year for four years.Still, the bills have raised questions about whether any amount of money can really prevent the next tragedy. And it is unclear exactly how much money schools would need for security measures.The bills would earmark funds for a range of security strategies door locks, video cameras, communications systems, perimeter gates, fencing, campus checkpoints, intercoms and vestibules.Many schools have added security measures in recent years. And legislators have been flooded in the past with requests from school districts for exactly these sort of improvements.A database of infrastructure spending shows lawmakers have obliged, setting aside at least $2.4 million for security expenses at schools in 2016. That included alarms, locks and gates. The state provided nearly $1.8 million the previous year.Santa Fe Public Schools is seeking funding this year to install new locks. It has used similar funding in the past to buy cameras and alarms.These are not necessarily one-time costs, however, as some systems require upgrades just to keep up with changing technology.House Bill 130, sponsored by Rep. Paul Pandy, R-Aztec, and Senate Bill 239, sponsored by Sen. George Munoz, D-Gallup, do not create new funding for school security. But by earmarking the money for security, it could allow schools to more easily get money for these expenses through the states system for funding campus improvements.Munoz acknowledged in one committee hearing that there is no way to control everything to prevent every disaster.But we have to be prepared, he said.The shooting in Aztec is still fresh in the minds of many around the Roundhouse. So, too, is a shooting at a middle school in Roswell in 2014 that injured two students.The number of active shooter incidents has increased dramatically over the last couple decades, from 1 in 2000 to 20 in 2015.The largest proportion, about 44 percent, occurred in businesses. About 23 percent occurred in schools, including colleges and universities.But according to the National Institute of Justice, fewer students between the ages of 12 and 18 reported being victims of crime at school from 1992 to 2013. Homicides on campus are relatively rare, and students are less likely to be threatened or injured with a weapon at school than 10 years ago.Senate Education Committee Chairman Bill Soules, a Democrat from Las Cruces, argued that point during a hearing on similar legislation last month, saying campuses remain among the safest places for young people.We could spend the entire public school budget trying to make them a little bit safer and a little bit safer, he said.Soules said safety in a school might really mean ensuring buildings are well-maintained and stable.The majority of studies over the last couple of decades suggest that as visible security measures increased, students did not necessarily feel safer. In fact, they may feel less safe.Ben Fisher, an assistant professor at the University of Louisville who studies criminal justice, points to research showing that planning and preparation as well as the social climate in schools and threat assessment can make the difference in improving the safety of campuses.Sometimes cameras and metal detectors feel good to have in schools, he said. Even if there is no research showing they make schools safer.Contact Andrew Oxford at 505-986-3093 or aoxford@sfnewmexican.com. Follow him on Twitter at @andrewboxford.2018 The Santa Fe New Mexican (Santa Fe, N.M.)Visit The Santa Fe New Mexican (Santa Fe, N.M.) at www.santafenewmexican.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. City and state officials welcomed the announcement by the White House to direct billions of federal dollars toward infrastructure projects around the country.President Donald Trump unveiled a 53-page proposal Monday that would use $200 billion as an incentive to jumpstart road, bridge, transit and other needed infrastructure projects. The proposal is built on the assumption that that money would lead to $1.3 trillion in investment from sub-federal governments and private partners over the next 10 years.With the release of this plan, the White House will hopefully start a domino effect in Washington for Congress to pull together a bipartisan bill that works with cities to rebuild Americas infrastructure, said National League of Cities Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Clarence Anthony in a statement.In order to participate in the presidents infrastructure program, states or local governments would need to come up with a match roughly $6.50 for every $1 of federal funding, according to a report from theThat match could be a high bar for some states to reach.Eric Anderson, transportation director at the Maricopa Association of Governments in Arizona, said the new White House initiative could be a source of funding the region might tap into.We hope so, Anderson said on Monday. It looks like its going to require a pretty significant match.Maricopa County, the largest county in the state, has a half-cent sales tax dedicated to highway funding. Its enough to provide the needed money to allow the region take on highway projects and match other funding sources.Maricopa County, because we have this separate funding source we actually have money we could match, said Anderson. And thats kind of the new angle on this, from a statewide perspective, were telling state legislators, You need to increase state funding so that the state has the ability to take advantage of some of these emerging federal programs.The White House proposal, officially called the Legislative Outline for Rebuilding Infrastructure in America, advocates for the easing of a range of regulatory hurdles in an effort to fast-track infrastructure projects. The plan is also one of Trumps key campaign platforms, as he pledged to rebuild or upgrade roads, bridges, rail lines, airports and other infrastructure.Whats left unknown is how enthusiastically Congress will rally around a plan that could add billions in federal spending.Its also unclear if technology projects like electric vehicle charging infrastructure might qualify for the funding. The plan calls for the creation of a Transformative Projects Program that would put money and assistance toward bold, innovative, and transformative, but the language doesnt get much more specific than that.That said, state and local governments, along with many related associations, rallied around a proposal to improve the countrys aging and often poorly maintained infrastructure.We stand ready to work with our federal partners to upgrade the nations infrastructure to meet the diverse, complex needs of our residents and ensure American competitiveness, reads a statement from the National Governors Association. Check with officials if there is more than one hotspot claiming to be a public network to avoid connecting to a fake network. Make sure all websites have "https" at the beginning of the web address. Install an app add-on that forces web browsers to use encryption when connecting to websites. Adjust smartphone settings to avoid automatically connecting to nearby Wi-Fi networks. Use cellphone data plans instead of Wi-Fi when transmitting sensitive information. (TNS) SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. Now that the city's first public Wi-Fi network has been installed, city officials are reminding users to protect themselves when they log in.City of Saratoga Springs Information Technology Systems Manager Kevin Kling said the network is no different than other public Wi-Fi networks."Users should take the usual security precautions and not do anything that requires a high level of security, like banking," he said.According to the Federal Communications Commission website, users of public Wi-Fi networks should take some precautions:Kling said the Saratoga Springs Police Department would investigate any security breaches that arise."They would get involved in the same context as someone who experienced a security breach while using any public network," he said.Lt. Robert Jillson of the Saratoga Springs Police Department, said with any Internet connection, public or private, there are risks."People using any network should look to make safe decisions while online," he said. "As an agency, we respond to complaints alleging computer crimes or identity theft regularly now. The addition of the free public Wi-Fi is something we will now take into consideration as we investigate these type of cases."Commissioner of Finance Michele Madigan said the city decided to install the public network at Congress Park after hearing feedback from residents and visitors."It's a popular request from people who hold events at Canfield Casino and in the park," she said. "Instead of just making it available to the building, we made it available to all those who use the park."Saratoga Springs joins cities such as Schenectady, N.Y. which installed its first public Wi-Fi network downtown in June.Madigan, who made the announcement of the public Wi-Fi network during her State of the City address on Feb. 1, said the public network is a pilot to see if the service can be rolled out to other locations, including Broadway and Saratoga Race Course."Congress Park is centrally focused in the city, so once we test the equipment, we'll be able to see if we can scale it from that point," she said.Madigan is also looking into installing optical fiber-based Internet access to every home and business in the city."I'd love to be a city that brings high-speed Internet through fiber infrastructure service," she said. "It will give everyone residents and business owners alike the ability to choose from multiple providers."I like bringing in competition, because it'll help market prices."Madigan said her passion for putting high-speed Internet in the hands of those throughout the city comes from her background as a librarian."Everyone should have equal access to information at the same speed and at a price they can afford," she said. Background. There has been an increase in research and development activities with the aim of practical application of 5 th generation mobile networks (5G) for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic games in 2020. Behind this development is the sharp increase in data traffic such as of high-definition video services as devices such as smartphones and tablets become more widely used. Additionally, a variety of performance requirements have come to be expected of wireless communication by new technologies such as IoT and automated driving. Tokyo Tech and Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. have developed a CMOS wireless transceiver chip that can process signals at high speeds across a broad range of frequencies, from 70 to 105 gigahertz (GHz), using their own bandwidth-increasing technology. With these developments, they succeeded in achieving wireless transmission speeds of 120 gigabits per second (Gbps)the fastest in the world. Conventionally, base stations have been connected by optical fiber. One issue with this approach, however, is that it has been difficult to expand service in areas where it is difficult to install a network of optical fiber cables, such as in densely built urban areas or between areas surrounded by rivers or mountains. Demand for connecting base stations wirelessly instead of with optical fiber is increasing for prompt and flexible installation of wireless networks at large-scale stadiums and event venues with transient crowds numbering in the tens of thousands or during disaster recovery. High-capacity wireless transmissions need to use a broad range of frequencies. To facilitate this, use of the millimeter-waveband (30 to 300 GHz) is a suitable option, as few competing wireless applications use it. But because the millimeter-waveband uses such high frequencies, designing CMOS integrated circuits for that purpose has been a challenge, as the circuits need to be designed to operate near their limits. It has also been difficult to develop transceiver circuits that modulate and demodulate broadband signals into and out of the millimeter-waveband at high quality and interface circuits that connect the circuit board to the antenna, both at low loss. This research group led by Kenichi Okada of Tokyo Tech had achieved wireless transmission at 56 Gbps in 2016, however, an issue was that the band could not be widened any more due to the higher harmonic signals contained in the carrier wave. New CMOS chip. The newly developed CMOS wireless transceiver chip uses technology which broadens the band of transceiver circuits by splitting data signals in two, converting them to different frequency ranges, and then recombining them. Each signal is modulated into a band 17.5-GHz wide and demodulated, with the low-band signal occupying the 70.0-87.5 GHz range and the high-band signal occupying the 87.5-105.0 GHz range. This technology enables high-quality signal transmission over an ultra-wideband signal 35 GHz wide. The newly developed CMOS wireless transceiver chip has carrier generation circuits built in for the 70-GHz and 105-GHz carrier signals required to use this technology. Conventionally, the signal quality was degraded by higher harmonics contained by the carrier generation circuit, however, the newly developed harmonic suppression technology resolved this problem. The signal quality required for multi-level modulation of 16-QAM has been achieved by using a lower-order multiplication technique and combining many stages of amplifier circuits and the built-in higher-harmonic-suppressing filter. Tokyo Tech developed technologies for improving transceiver performance and broadening the band, while Fujitsu Laboratories was responsible for module technology. This outcome makes it possible to increase the capacity of wireless equipment that can be installed outdoors. High-capacity wireless base station networks will become easy to deploy, even in places where new fiber-optic networks are difficult to install, such as urban areas and places surrounded by mountains or rivers, or for temporary base stations such as for the Olympics. Resources Not a good look, at all. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images Applebees is temporarily shutting down a Missouri location after staff harangued two totally innocent black customers who a server claimed had dined and dashed the night before. Alexis Brison says that she and a friend were shopping at a mall in Independence on Saturday, got hungry, and stopped at the ground-floor Applebees for lunch. An hour in, Brison explains that the locations manager appeared flanked by a police officer, a mall cop, and a random server. They started insisting that the women didnt pay for chicken that theyd ordered for dinner the night before. Pressed for details, the manager explained that the server who had presumably worked the previous day just remembered that one girl had been skinny and the other wore makeup, apparently making these two customers culprits. In 2018 is this really what were debased to? Our weight and whether or not we wore makeup, Brison wrote in a Facebook post, where she also posted a video of the incident. It appears to include the majority of their tableside interrogation, and lasts for nine minutes: Hey facebook friends and family I need your help reposting this. Especially in black history month black people cannot... Posted by Alexis Brison on Saturday, February 10, 2018 Several times in the video, you can hear one of them say, This is what black people have to deal with. The officer comes off somewhere between neutral and uncomfortable, but probably doesnt help the situation when Brisons friend starts crying and he goes, Wow. Does she always act like this? Eventually, theyre told to pay and not come back to that Applebees at which point, Brison muses aloud, Ooh, whoa, this is going on the internet. This is gonna go viral. This is racially profiling. As it happens, that prediction was correct: Almost 3 million people have seen her Facebook post, which she ends by declaring, Just because we are black does not mean we are all criminals and I will not be treated as such. To its credit, Applebees corporate acted swiftly. The franchisee fired the manager, the server who wrongly accused them, and a third employee nebulously involved in the incident. The chain also apologized on Twitter, in a statement that noted that the location would be closing temporarily to regroup, reflect, learn, and grow from this. Haiti - Carnival National 2018 : Review D1, 97 wounded, 11 arrests ! Monday, Commissioner Frantz Lerebours, spokesman of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) presented the report of the first day of the National Carnival 2018, which he described as globally successful underlining that no loss of life has been reported. According to Commissioner Lerebours, 97 wounded were reported: 55 cases of minor injuries (31 women and 14 men), 30 cases of moderate injuries (5 women and 25 men), 6 cases of severe injuries (2 women and 4 men) and 6 unclassified case (3 women and 3 men). Among the causes of injury, Commissioner Lerebours mentioned a stab wound, two traffic accidents, and 37 people who displayed violent behavior, suffered from headshot sticks received by police officers "Overall, the measures and instructions given to police officers are respected. Except cases of stick use. We continue to urge the police to be professional," saying "You can always use a stick, but you can not hit people in the head." In addition to the injured, he mentioned that 62 people (36 women and 26 men) received care for breathing difficulties or other discomfort due in particular to excessive alcohol consumption. In addition, the PNH has made 11 arrests for various offenses including theft, use of counterfeit notes, assault, drug use and 2 false police officers. A firearm was seized on the course. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23540-haiti-culture-president-moise-officially-opens-carnival-2018.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23534-haiti-national-carnival-2018-d-day-message-of-the-first-lady.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23529-haiti-flash-carnival-national-d-1-everything-is-ready-important-informations.html HL/ SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Politic : Prospects for cooperation between Haiti and the United Arab Emirates Sunday, Pierre Josue Agenor Cadet, the Minister of National Education accompanied by Paul Yves Fausner the Director of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Ministry and Narcissus Fievre, Responsible for the case of Universities in Regions in the Cabinet of the Minister is arrived at the Havana airport (Cuba) where he was greeted by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Gil Ramon Gonzalez and the Charge d'affaires of the Haitian Embassy in Cuba, Paul H Guichard. The Minister Cadet will participate from February 12 to 16 at the XI Annual Congress on Higher Education on the theme "University, Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development" which brings together ministers and rectors from several Latin American and Caribbean countries. Pending the official launch of work on Monday, in the early evening Minister Cadet was received in audience at the headquarters of the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Havana where he held a bilateral working meeting with the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates United in Cuba, Bader Almatrooshi, on prospects for cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and Haiti in education, particularly in the field of information and communication technologies and renewable energies. At the end of this meeting described as fruitful, Minister Cadet hailed the interest of the Emirates for Haiti and the new areas of cooperation envisaged. Monday, Minister Cadet, who was attending a working dinner, met with representatives of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Ambassador of Romania with which has been mentioned cooperation projects in the education sector. A forthcoming visit to Haiti by the Romanian authorities, whose date remains to be confirmed has been considered. See also : https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-23541-icihaiti-education-minister-cadet-in-cuba.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-14986-icihaiti-agriculture-haiti-and-romania-discuss-agricultural-cooperation.html HL/ S/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Politic : Soon opening of the new road Cap-Haitien / Labadee The Office of Communication of the Presidency informs us that the new road Cap-Haitien / Labadee , length of 6 kilometers, financed by the World Bank (IDA) and the Haitian Government and whose execution was entrusted to the firm Dominican Coamco will be open to traffic in the coming days. The populations of Labadee and its surroundings are preparing to celebrate in the next days the official opening of the main access road to their village, one of the most beautiful jewels of the Department of the North. According to the notables of Labadee , this road is a strategic focus for small and medium-sized businesses and tourists, will bring a breath of fresh air to the inhabitants of this commune by opening the path of development. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-11858-haiti-reconstruction-infrastructure-work-continues-in-the-north.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Diaspora : Money transfers accounted for 33.6% of Haiti's GDP According to a study by the Inter-American Dialogue Center on the transfer of funds to 16 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, Haiti would have received transfers estimated at nearly US $ 2.2 billion, or 33.6% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), ranking first in countries where transfers exceed 10% of GDP; in the Top 5: Haiti, Honduras, El Salvador, Jamaica and Guatemala. The amount of transfers to Haiti (33% of GDP) exceeds contributions to the economy of the agricultural sector (21.9%) or industry (20.8%). 1.3 billion of the transfers came from about 670,000 Haitians resident in the United States, the rest came from other countries where the Haitian diaspora is important, Canada ( 260 million dollars), Chile ( 87 million) , Dominican Republic ( 270 million), France ( 190 million) and the rest of the world 88 million. It should be noted that the flow of these remittances could be slightly downgraded in the future as a result of the Trump Administration's decision to terminate the Temporary Protection Status (TPS). https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22759-haiti-flash-tps-more-than-50-000-haitians-will-have-to-leave-the-usa.html a decision that threatens to expel from the US nearly 58,000 of our compatriots. TOP 5 as % of GDP 2017 : Haiti : In 2017, the transfer of funds received by Haiti amounted to $ 2.2 billion, or 33.6% of its GDP Honduras : In 2017, remittances received by Honduras amounted to $ 4.3 billion, or 19.5% of its GDP. El Salvador : In 2017, remittances received by El Salvador amounted to $ 5.01 billion, or 18.3% of its GDP. Jamaica : In 2017, remittances received by Jamaica amounted to $ 2.3 billion or 16.7% of its GDP. Guatemala : In 2017, remittances sent to Guatemala amounted to about $ 8.192 billion, or 14% of GDP. Note that the Dominican Republic received in transfer of funds 5.9 billion dollars evening 7.8% of its GDP. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23546-haiti-tps-el-salvador-calls-honduras-and-haiti-to-join-the-negotiations.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23316-haiti-flash-usa-ultimate-reregistration-to-tps-you-have-60-days.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22892-haiti-flash-tps-senator-campbell-at-the-head-of-the-haitian-temporary-relief-task-force.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22759-haiti-flash-tps-more-than-50-000-haitians-will-have-to-leave-the-usa.html SL/ HaitiLibre Rathfinny reveals Sussex sparkling launch details By Barnaby Eales Rathfinny Estate has announced the highly anticipated launch of its first Sussex sparkling wines will take place at Somerset House in London on April 24th. The 2015 vintage Blanc de Blancs 2014 and sparkling Rose 2015 from the East Sussex winery will be unveiled at the tasting, priced at 34 per bottle, with the duo expected to go on sale in June. Rathfinnys UK distributor, Gonzalez Byass, said 80% of the first batch would be destined for the UK market, although in the longer term about half would be dedicated to exports elsewhere in Europe, as well as to Asia and the US. With a slightly higher rrp compared to rival producers, many of which are priced between 20 and 30, the majority of the new bubbles would be sold to premium on-trade accounts, hotels and high-end restaurants, with some destined for independent off-trade accounts in the UK, said Martin Skelton, MD of Gonzalez Byass. Founded in 2010 by husband and wife, Mark and Sarah Driver, Rathfinnys first vines were planted in 2012 and today the estate in Alfriston comprises 74.8ha (185 acres) of predominantly Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, with a further 87ha (215 acres) to be planted by 2021. After eight years of toil, in both the vineyard and the winery, we are now just months away from releasing our first Sussex Sparkling wines, said Mark Driver. Last week we passed a major milestone as we disgorged the first wines to be released. The act of removing the yeast and finally putting a cork in the bottle means that all we need to do now is label the bottles and theyll be ready to go, he added. The launch of the new wines, made by Jonathan Medard from Epernay, takes place two days ahead of the first Wines of GB annual tasting at RHS Lindley Hall in London. Last year, Rathfinnys still Cradle Valley white wine - a blend of Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris from the 2016 vintage - became the first Sussex wine to win approval under the new Sussex Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) scheme. Gonzalez Byass goes sherry light with a twist on an old classic By Jo Gilbert Packed out sherry and port stands at Gonzalez Byass UKs tasting yesterday showed there is strength in the traditional fortified category, with Quinta do Noval and flagship Tio Pepe brand drawing crowds. The real talking point however was the companys Croft Twist, a curiously light-hearted product from one of the great, serious sherry-making dynasties. Despite its anglicised packaging (regulation omits the word sherry from the bottle instead it is labelled as a lightly sparkling, fino spritz British aperitif) the product has its roots in Andalusias traditional rebujito a long drink sold in Jerezs ferias made from fino sherry, usually La Casera (a Spanish brand of soda) with mint. The twist comes from the elderflower, one of the British-inspired cordials which UK managing director Martin Skelton and head of marketing Alison Easton took over to Jerez as part of a wide brief to come up with a drink that was separate from the rest of the portfolio, but offered a British twist on a sherry drink. Croft is an ancient bodega which originated in Portugal as a port house before being established in Jerez in 1960s, said Skelton. Croft Original was designed specifically with British tastes in mind - a pale, crisp fino, which has become very well respected, so we thought why not do something with it? The Twist has a hint of sweetness from the elderflower, but the fino gives it a proper grown-up dryness which makes it ideal for adult drinkers. Designed with Pimms and Aperol Spritz-loving Brits in mind, the Twist is another example of a product which has drawn on the mixed heritage of the company. Gonzalez Byass was founded over 175 years ago as a partnership between Robert Byass, a British wine merchant, and the Gonzalez family in Spain, to bring sherry to the UK. At 7.50 RRP, the RTD sits above other wine brands entry into the lower ABV, long drink segment, such as Echo Falls Fruit Fusion (4 RRP), and so far has found listings in upmarket department stores Harvey Nicholas, Fenwick in Newcastle and John Lewis since its launch last summer. Sales of sherry at Gonzalez Byass are on the rise, particularly dry styles as well as in the super premium category, with sherry currently accounting for around 50% of sales. But despite this, the 5.5% ABV Twist was not designed to bring consumers into the sherry category, but rather those who are drinking Pimms, spritzes and maybe craft beers, as well as those who are tuned into the trend for cocktails, low ABV drinks and British summertime. There is nostalgia for the Croft brand name, Easton added. The research we did showed that people remember it from when they were younger as being a part of the family, but they wouldnt drink it now. That association with the Croft name and the association with England is what were using rather than sherry per se. Having said that, we have seen some evidence of Twist drinkers moving across to traditional sherries. Elsewhere, the company showed the newly-bought Pazos de Lusco in Rias Baxias plugging a previously filled gap for an Albarino producer in the region as popularity for the style grows. Also, Gonzalez Byass UK showed the first vintage of its Beronia Verdejo 2017 from its new winery in the Rueda DO. The winery, which began building works three years ago, is the second for flagship Rioja brand Beronia, marking a considerable investment in Castilla y Leon. SHARE THIS VIDEO Aloha mai! We are three weeks into the legislative session and committee hearings are going at full speed. It is not too late to come and make your voice heard on bills coming through committees! The last bill of our caucus package that we are highlighting is HB 1729 - Relating to Fiscal Impact Statements . Please view the video and share it! COME AND TESTIFY! Here are some bills introduced by members of our Republican Caucus that are moving through the legislature: HR 4 - URGING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO REDUCE WAIT TIMES FOR HOUSING CONSTRUCTION PERMITS Reducing Permitting Delays for Housing Construction. This is a resolution from our caucus package. It will be heard tomorrow, February 13, at 10am, in room 423. Please submit testimony in support of this resolution. For more information about submitting testimony, click here. HB 2121 - RELATING TO WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII Establishes a Center for Women in Technology at the University of Hawaii. Primary Introducer: Representative Lauren Matsumoto (District 45 - Schofield, Mokuleia, Waialua, Kunia, Waipio Acres, Mililani) Passed second reading, and is awaiting a hearing in FIN. HB 2250 - RELATING TO FAMILY LEAVE Adds routine medical care for a child as a qualifying reason for parents to use family leave under chapter 398. Primary Introducer: Representative Lauren Matsumoto (District 45 - Schofield, Mokuleia, Waialua, Kunia, Waipio Acres, Mililani) Passed out of its first committee with amendments. HB 1602 - RELATING TO OPIOIDS Requires that persons who sell opioid drugs must also provide a label warning of the risks of addiction and death. Primary Introducer: Representative Cynthia Thielen (District 50 - Kaneohe Bay, Kailua) Passed out of its first committee with amendments. HB 1603 - RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE Requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to provide health care coverage and benefits for a minimum of 6 months of inpatient and outpatient treatment for opioid dependence beginning after 12/31/2018. (HB1603 HD1) Primary Introducer: Representative Cynthia Thielen (District 50 - Kaneohe Bay, Kailua) Passed out of its second committee and awaiting a hearing in FIN. HB 1598 - RELATING TO THE SPACE INDUSTRY. Creates the International Moon Base Alliance Committee. The committee will promote the space industry in Hawaii and will provide guidance for the establishment of a prototype moon base on the island of Hawaii. Primary Introducer: Representative Gene Ward (District 17 - Hawaii Kai, Kalama Valley) It will be heard on the floor today for second reading. HB 2706 - RELATING TO THE INTERNATIONAL MOON BASE ALLIANCE Promotes the space industry in Hawaii by creating an International Moon Base Alliance to provide recommendations and guidance for the establishment of a prototype moon base on the island of Hawaii. (HB2706 HD1). Primary Introducer: Representative Gene Ward (District 17 - Hawaii Kai, Kalama Valley) Passed second reading and is awaiting a hearing in EDB. BILL IDEAS Our bill ideas are still out there. Please join us throughout this session by advocating for these basic, common-sense ideas. Here is how you can get involved: Call your representatives and tell them to give these bills a hearing (bill numbers are listed below). Come to the legislature and testify or submit testimony online at capitol.hawaii.gov for these measures. Tell your friends and family about it, and get them involved too! Our bill package strives to make our government and our state more accountable, affordable, and accessible. We aspire to provide Better Solutions for the Best Hawaii. For more information on our proposed bills, please view our website at houseminority.wordpress.com , and download our info sheet (link at the bottom). Click to View Our Caucus Bill Package Videos We are excited and grateful for this opportunity to serve you. We look forward to seeing you at the hearings, in the halls of the Capitol, and in the community. And if there is anything we can do for you, feel free to reach out to any of our offices. Our contact information is on the info sheet (see link below). Mahalo, Andria Tupola State House Representative, District 43 Minority Leader Left to right: Representative Gene Ward (District 17), Representative Lauren Matsumoto (District 45), Representative Andria Tupola (District 43), Representative Cynthia Thielen (District 50), and Representative Bob McDermott (District 40). BILL NUMBERS HB 1729 Relating to Fiscal Impact Statements HB 1730 Relating to Government Transparency HB 1731 Needs a supermajority voting requirement to increase taxes. HB 1732 Relating to GET Exemptions HB 1733 Relating to the repeal of Death Taxes HB 1734 Relating to Legislative Videoconferencing abilities HB 1735 Relating to extending aloha to Veterans HR 4 End Permit Purgatory HR 5 Requesting an audit of the public charter school system HR 6 Urging HI-EMA to improve its operations and public education View Info Sheet Gas explosion at Bolivia carnival leaves 6 dead, 28 injured [Updated] A gas explosion at the Oruro carnival in Bolivia killed six people and injured at least 28, according to local media. Police said the February 10 explosion was caused by hot oil weakening the hose to a street vendor's gas canister, which caused a 50 metre-wide blast near the entrance to the carnival. Four children were among the dead. Oruro carnival - Image: Bolivianlife.com President Evo Morales said he was dismayed by news of the deaths and confirmed that his government would help the injured. The Oruro Carnival draws tourists from across Bolivia and around the world, and has been declared a world heritage event by UNESCO. Update: Bolivian authorities said on February 18 that two explosions that killed 12 people during recent Carnival celebrations were caused by dynamite, not exploding gas canisters as initially thought. Interior Minister Carlos Romero said officials are still trying to determine who planted the explosives in the southern city of Oruro, and why. He said both the Feb. 10 and Feb. 13 explosions were caused by 3 kilograms (6.5 pounds) of dynamite. The first, he said, was planted near the gas canister on the cart of a street food vendor, who was killed along with four members of her family and three other people. The second explosion occurred only a few metres away three days later, killing four people. Together, the explosions injured about 60 people. Romero said that police also have found a small piece of dynamite in a hotel bathroom in the city, which is about 120 miles (190 kilometers) south of the capital, La Paz. Oruro is in a mining area where dynamite is widely available. The man had returned voluntarily to his home country only a few weeks prior to the incident, in which a group of unknown men opened fire at him from a pickup truck in an eastern neighbourhood of the capital. He died of three gunshot wounds to the head and upper body, according to a cause of death certificate obtained by YLE. YLE has revealed that a middle-aged man who was denied asylum in Finland was shot dead in Baghdad, Iraq, on 17 December, 2017. His case is not the first of its kind, Jorma Vuorio, the director general of the Migration Department at the Ministry of the Interior and an ex-director general of the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri), reveals to Uusi Suomi. He adds, however, that he is unable to provide the exact number of such cases reported Migri. None of the cases have led to any further action being taken, according to him. Vuorio reveals that the common denominator in all of the cases is that authorities had no detailed knowledge of the life and living conditions of the unsuccessful asylum seeker after their return from Finland. Its always sort of unknown because we cant go there to look into it, nor is it in our interest to do so, he says. YLE also reported that the daughter of the deceased man and her two children are currently waiting for their return from Finland to Iraq. The daughter arrived in the country at the age of 19 in 2015 and has since married an Iraqi man residing in Finland. She has voiced her puzzlement with the decision to break up the family and send her and her two young children to Iraq. Vuorio says he has confidence in the asylum system of Finland. He believes it is unlikely that either of the cases has violated asylum rules or the legal protection of asylum applicants, but underscores that he is neither aware of nor willing to discuss the details of particular cases. Children, he reminds, are not an obstacle to forced returns if it has been determined that the family can lead a life in their home country. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: Imran Source: Uusi Suomi 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 I can't believe NO ONE wants to chat about the Winter Olympics....cuzzz.....there are lots of things happening. Russians NKorea (Kimmie's Sister and Pence) Medal controversy Obstacles to overcome.....so.....here's the medal standing IF anyone is interested in discussing something other than Trump?? MEDAL TRACKER PYEONGCHANG 2018 COUNTRY GOLD SILVER BRONZE--TOTAL GER 4 1 2 7 NED 3 2 2 7 NOR 2 4 3 9 CAN 2 4 1 7 USA 2 1 1 4 FRA 2 0 1 3 Monday Close-Up: Westridge fourth grader donates books to promote racial understanding Can books and a lemonade stand change the world? Westridge fourth-grader Emi Kim thinks they can and she's proving it. Her effort began with two desires: To make a difference and to run a lemonade stand. "My mom and my aunt were talking and they asked me what I thought was a problem currently in the world," Kim said during an interview at the end of August. "I said racism." Kim who has Japanese, Chinese, Hawaiian and Korean heritage had heard of a lot of racial incidents but she has also seen and experienced racism herself. Including once when her mother was at a grocery ... Ok ya stupid troll they are leaders in their party so no they are not Potus what does that have to do with anything, you just make stuff up to change the subject. Shut up/silence/re-topic evasion: Deceivers do not want to talk about it; they shut down or change the topic Do you see threads on those subjects? One, i didn't get on the great O-bomber about being a warmonger until his second term. Now as much as i wish the new POTUS would just walk in and shut down all international military operations we 1. Know that would never happen and 2. Would cause more harm than good. Yes, i feel making an enemy of russia is a terrible idea. I see the eu as a much bigger threat to liberty than the russians and again poland stands up to the eu so if we are going to be supplying anyone w/ arms maybe it should be them. It appears as if they are pulling funding from other nations to buy our murder machines so i guess we just have to buy and keep them ourselves. Dublin native Ken Griffin brings you his musical project formed in New York; August Wells. Ken Griffin, the man who brought you other productions such as Roller-skate Skinny, Kid Silver and Favourite Sons, now brings you his latest musical project August Skinny, set to play The Workmans Club Sunday April 15th. The project, which was formed in New York, has been described as 'strange other worldly chamber music', 'Sinatra singing Lou Reed songs,' and 'The secret marriage of Willie Nelson and Lee Hazelwood.' Their debut album 'A Living & A Dying Game,' has had a huge impact on the underground music scene over in New York and is set to go down well with the Irish too. They already have a follow up album called "Madness Is the Mercy,' which has been described as a 'wonderfully crafted piece of art.' 2018 is shaping up to be another busy year for August Wells with touches already being made to the final stages of their third studio album. We don't see them slowing down anytime soon so you better hop on the band wagon while it's hot. Advertisement Tickets are available now from Ticketmaster.ie and are a nifty 13. A mother has been left outraged after her daughters school introduced a policy that states students arent allowed to say no when asked to dance. Natalie Richard, from Utah, was speaking to her sixth-grade daughter about the upcoming Valentines Day dance at her school, Kanesville Elementary, when she was told about the controversial rule. Her daughter explained that teachers had told the students, aged between 11 and 12, that they had to say yes when someone asked them to dance. In disbelief, Ms Richard said that she must have misunderstood what they were saying. However, after speaking to the school she soon realised that the statement was accurate. The teacher said she cant. She has to say yes. She has to accept, and I said, Excuse me, Ms Richard told Fox 13. Shocked by the policy, the mother took her concerns to the school principal but was told that thats just how they organise their dances. Bunkering down against chilly weather in the beautiful Old Town of Prague, Sam Beam is currently more than halfway through his European tour. Due to play The Helix in Dublin on the February 14, his gentle guitar and soft, sweet lyrics make a perfect accompaniment to the Day that's in it. Itll be a very romantic evening, he promises. The sky has turned purple. The grass is now flaming orange and red. The trees are all upside down, he jokes, speaking about his now Republican-dominated state. But you know, the election wasnt a huge surprise, where I live has always been a very conservative state. Now I live in Durham, Chapel Hill area - a progressive bubble in a Republican hell. I like to embed myself in enemy territory. Im like a mole. Turning quickly away from politics, Beam tackles some of the themes behind his latest opus. With Beast Epic is now just under six months old, the name and creation process of the album points to the intelligence and love Beam has for his craft - but it was also named such because it sounded really fucking cool. Defined as "a long, usually allegorical verse narrative in which the characters are animals with human feelings and motives", Beam recalls that the album came from loosening his musical muscles and closing your eyes, doing what comes naturally. Im usually trying to push into unfamiliar territory and I always enjoy that process. Im usually much more interested in whats around the corner instead of perfecting something. Brand new Irish musical festival The Feis is launching this summer, Saturday July 7th, in Liverpool's World Heritage Waterfront and Van Morrison has just been added to the already impressive lineup. The Feis has promised to be the biggest celebration of irish culture the city has ever seen. So far, the lineup includes; Chieftains, Imelda May, The Hothouse Flowers, Foy Vance, The Coronas, Aslan, Finbar Furey, Paul Brady, Hudson Taylor, The Stuning, Nathan Carter, Damien Dempsey, Dublin Legends (The Dubliners), Sharon Shannon, Mary Coughlan, Jack L & Mundy. The festival is taking place in Liverpool to celebrate Liverpool's extensive Irish heritage and will be part of the Liverpool 2018 events programme which marks the 10th anniversary of European Capital of Culture. Music promoter Vince Power who is in charge of the festival has also worked on gigs such as Glastonbury, Leeds and the world famous Fleadh Festival. Talking of the up coming festival, Power said "I'm proud and delighted to bring The Feis to Liverpool, a great city with such strong ties to Ireland,' saying he has always wanted to do an Irish festival in the City of Liverpool. Advertisement Tickets go on sale on Wednesday February 14th at 10am and can be purchased online through Ticketmaster or directly from The Feis website. Long-time Minds fanciers always have that moment of dread when theres a new release. Will they shoot for the genius of New Gold Dream or peddle material a bit harder to love along the lines of their stadium crimes of old? The answer this time is a bit of both: perhaps thats what the title refers to. Magic and Summer both have elements of The Big Music that was the bands stock-in-trade during the second half of the eighties nagging choruses and more echo on Charlie Burchills guitars than the Grand Canyon but theyre proof positive that the lads can still carve out a tune, and should provide Kerr with ample opportunity to perform his patented releasing a dove back into the wild dance moves on the current tour. The Signal And The Noise goes back to those early European records, while Barrowland Star named for the iconic ballroom in the East End of Glasgow that the band have played more than once - and the title track incorporate string arrangements, enhancing their wide-screen sheen. Closer Sense Of Discovery lifts its call and response vocals from 1985s lovably daft mega-hit Alive & Kicking, and if anyones going to do it, it might as well be Simple Minds. When their acoustic show pulled into The Olympia last year, Jim Kerr was obviously a man very much at ease in his own skin. Simple Minds are making records for themselves, and must realise this enjoyable enough effort is unlikely to win over any doubters. As he sits sipping something cold on the veranda of his Villa Angela hotel overlooking the Ionian Sea, do you reckon Mr. Kerr is worried? Sticazzi! Former Mean Fiddler supremo Vince Power is bringing The Feis to town on July 7. Van Morrison is headlining The Feis, a new festival taking place on July 7 in Liverpools World Heritage Waterfront. Part of the citys European Capital of Culture festivities, its the brainchild of former Mean Fiddler supremo Vince Power and will also feature The Chieftains, Imelda May, The Hothouse Flowers, Foy Vance, The Coronas, Aslan, Finbar Furey, Paul Brady, Hudson Taylor, The Stunning, Nathan Carter, Damien Dempsey, Dublin Legends, Sharon Shannon, Mary Coughlan, Jack L and Mundy. Im proud and delighted to bring The Feis to Liverpool, a great city with such strong ties to Ireland, Power enthuses. I have always wanted to do an Irish music festival here." Tickets go on sale at 10am on Valentines Day from Ticketmaster UK and the feis1.com website. Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. Hey folks, I know Christine Svenningsen. She was in our group in China in 1997 when we adopted my daughter. She was adopting a boy at this time. This was one year after she adopted Emily. Read on! .. Widow Owes Rejected Adopted Daughter Millions, Court Rules By Abby Ellin | ABC News Blogs 6 hours ago.. . . A New York appeals court has found in favor of a Chinese teen who was adopted by a wealthy couple and then given up for adoption again, ruling that she is entitled to a portion of her first family's $250 million estate. In 1996, John and Christine Svenningsen of Westchester, N.Y, adopted a baby girl from China, whom they named Emily Fuqui Svenningsen. Before finalizing the adoption, the couple, who already had four biological children, had one more biological child. Around that same time, John Svenningsen, a party goods magnate, was diagnosed with cancer, according to court documents. On May 6, 1996, the Svenningsens signed an adoption agreement stating that they would not abandon Emily or "transfer or have [her] re-adopted," and that she would be deemed "a biological child," according to court papers in the case. The agreement also stated that Emily had the right to inherit the estate of her adopted parents, who had established a pair of trusts for their children, as well as one meant solely for Emily. John Svenningsen died in May, 1997. In December 2003, Christine brought Emily to The Devereux Glenholme School in Washington, Conn., a boarding school for children with special-needs. According to court papers, her lawyers talked to school administrators about putting Emily up for adoption; the school's assistant executive director, Maryann Campbell, and her husband, Fred Cass, expressed interest in adopting Emily. On December 16, 2004, Christine voluntarily surrendered custody of Emily to Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children, an adoption agency in New York. On May 18, 2006, Campbell and Cass formally adopted Emily. According to court papers, neither Campbell nor Cass had any knowledge of the terms of Emily's will or trusts, but eventually they learned that John Svenningsen had arranged to provide for Emily's educational and medical needs. They were sent a letter by Christine's lawyers stating that Emily's trusts totaled $842,397. But later, they learned that a federal tax return valued Svenningsen's estate at more than $250 million. The couple sued on behalf of Emily for a new accounting, but Christine claimed that Emily no longer had any rights to the estate since she was re-adopted. The Westchester County Surrogate's Court disagreed, arguing that John Svenningsen meant to provide for all of his children, both biological and adopted. Although Christine and her biological children appealed, on Feb. 6, 2013, the Appellate Division's Brooklyn-based Second Department ruled in Emily's favor. "It cannot be overly emphasized that Christine's unilateral surrender of Emily for adoption more than eight years after the decedent and Christine adopted her was not foreseeable at the time the will, and the trust documents were drafted and executed by the decedent," Judge Leonard Austin wrote. John Svenningsen, he continued, "expressed an intention to include his adopted child in the absence of any reason to believe that his status as the parent of Emily would be terminated by her subsequent adoption many years after his death." Christine Svenningsen, who has since remarried and has spent about $33 million buying 10 of the so-called Thimble Islands in the Long Island Sound, could not be reached for comment. Neither Maryann Campbell, nor her lawyer, returned phone calls to ABC News. Also Read As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK 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. Kevin Towle, Barbara Hassan, and Laura Brennan delivered the report to the Board of Selectmen on Monday night. Lanesborough Releases Economic Development Plan LANESBOROUGH, Mass. A town committee has completed the long-awaited economic development plan. The Economic Development Committee has spent more than a year crafting what is eyed to become the blueprint for the town's efforts to attract and grow businesses. The committee of local residents was assisted by Berkshire Regional Planning Commission in developing the 37-page document outlining the town's strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threats. It analyzes the town's demographics, weighed the results of a survey sent out with the tax bills, and settles on four strategic goals. "My personal hope is we will be able to take this and work this into a master plan. Lanesborough is one of the few communities that doesn't have one," said Kevin Towle. The first goal is to "create a diverse economy with a wide range of employment opportunities." Lanesborough's commercial tax rate is lower than in neighboring towns that opt to shift a larger burden of the tax levy onto commercial enterprises. At the same time, Lanesborough has plenty of available land. The blueprint calls for efforts to strengthen government communication with businesses and residents, specifically when it comes to planning out improvements to the town's infrastructure, and place an emphasis on the positive aspects of the town. The second goal is to redevelop the Berkshire Mall. The mall is the town's largest taxpayer and is in dire straits. The plan calls for a focus on a methodical process to explore possible redevelopment scenarios and to seek out grants for technical assistance to research and market the location. That effort is already well under way. The state has provided a $50,000 grant, which is being matched with $20,000 from the Baker Hill Road District, to develop a redevelopment plan. BRPC Planner Laura Brennan, who took over the economic development planner position for four Berkshire towns last year after Bill Compton left the planning organization abruptly, is heading that effort for the next 18 months. "For the next 18 months we will be looking at different scenarios," Brennan said. "What's happening with the Berkshire Mall is not specifically happening to the Berkshires or Lanesbough, it is a national trend in retail." The mall property is more than 86 acres and is potentially the largest development site in the county . It is more than double the size of the Pittsfield airport's available land and more than double the amount of building space as the largest commercial development site available. "Lanesborough's Economic Development Committee identified housing of all types, particularly senior housing, as both a need and an opportunity. A continuum of senior housing, ranging from independent living to assisted living, would work particularly well in a redevelopment project like this.," the report reads. "Combining smaller-lot homes, town homes, and a traditional assisted living facility on the same campus as office and retail uses would create a vibrant mixed-use community." That grant will fund a deeper look at the condition of the building and utilities, the zoning and regulatory issues, and flesh out the multitude of ideas of how to redevelop the land. At the end, Brennan said the study will narrow down the options to eight to ten recommendation to pursue. The Baker Hill Road District, which is in charge of managing the Connector Road, has asked the state Legislature for authority to own property, which would allow it to take ownership of the mall. From there, the district hopes to work with developers to give new life to that property. That bill still hasn't passed. The Baker Hill Road District could go after the property through tax takings and Town Manager Paul Sieloff estimated that the owner currently owes somewhere in the $500,000 range. "The process will happen quickly once we get to the point when we can go after them," said John Goerlach, who sits on the Baker Hill Road District. Nonetheless, the Berkshire Mall's importance to the town raised the redevelopment efforts to a top priority. The third goal is to focus on tourism, particularly with outdoor recreation. "We are already acting upon some of these goals and strategies," Brennan said. Brennan said the committee has developed and launched a new section on the town's website highlighting the local recreational opportunities. And, the town has become a member of 1Berkshire, giving Lanesborough a higher profile in the regional marketing efforts. "It is a great door in to get more press and more exposure," Brennan said. Brennan, who used to work for 1Berkshire, said the town will also benefit from a closer relationship with the business community throughout the region. The final goal is to "establish a welcoming environment for business creation and sustainable growth." That too has already started and last year the committee held its first networking event at Ramblewild. The committee hopes to hold those meetings quarterly. The committee has also started creating a directory of local businesses and contact information. That is eyed to help improve communication between town officials and businesses, giving business leaders a better opportunity to communicate their needs to town officials. The top four goals were left intentionally vague but come after pages of detailed information. The report focuses on the demographics of the 3,027 residents and breaks that information into income, housing, and workforce. It profiles the 133 businesses, breaking them into categories to show what types of businesses are currently there. And it looks at the land use, categorizing the acreages of undeveloped land available. "We would leave these strategies a little more broad and we'd be able to be more nimble as we move forward," Brennan said of the recommendations. The committee did a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis and identified the school system, the town's history, outdoor recreation, proximity to art and culture and transportation, open space, farming, organic foods, horses and stables, and the Berkshire Mall as key pieces of the town's fabric to preserve. However, the town also has some neglected houses and business properties, some "unsightly signs," vacancies at the mall, private garbage pickup, out migration of young people, septic systems, and overhead utilities that the committee believes should be eliminated to be more attractive for businesses. The committee also placed a priority on connecting properties to the internet, making Route 7 an attractive area, better access to air and rail transportation, improved sewer and water system, increasing the commercial tax base, more senior housing, better access to health care, food cooperatives, agri-business, and the creation of a master plan as specific goals to achieve. "The Economic Development Committee felt that improving the appearance of the Route 7 corridor would make Lanesborough a more enticing place and that these improvements would encourage people to patronize Lanesborough's businesses and consider Lanesborough as a place to locate their business," the report reads. Finally, what the plan also calls for the town to avoid heavy industry, waste, big-box stores, adult shops, unscreened development of any type, overdevelopment near Pontoosuc Lake, having an unbalanced amount of housing and commercial development, gas transmission lines, fast-food restaurants, stand-alone automated teller machines, and having too much traffic on Route 7. "The Economic Development Committee clearly recognized the need to develop a marketing and branding strategy for Lanesborough to boost the town's economic development efforts and also to help existing businesses grow and reach their full potential," the report continues. "Many of the other needs that were identified relate to marketing and gateway to a 'town square' and creating entry signs with a unique Lanesborough logo speak directly to marketing." Towle said the committee received a very good response rate to the survey the committee sent out to residents. The biggest response was residents asking for taxes to decrease, which an improved commercial tax base would help accomplish. But, the priorities identified in the plan were aspects most of those responding to the survey support. "I think this is a good indication of the direction the town needs to go," Towle said. The Vote For Susan Project is distributing buttons and flyers to encourage citizens to vote. Vote For Susan Project Urges Adams Residents to Register, Vote, Run ADAMS, Mass. The "Vote For Susan" project is ramping up for 2020 with new goals and initiatives in place for the upcoming 2018 election. Organizer Virginia Duval said the group has big plans leading up to 2020, the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, but the most immediate is to increase the number of registered voters in town, encourage voting and fill vacant town government seats. "Voting and government participation are at the very foundation of our republic but for residents of Adams, the birthplace of Susan B. Anthony, this literally hits closer to home," Duval said. "The Adams Suffrage Centennial Celebration Committee has big plans for 2020The Vote For Susan Project is a way for everyone to take part, to make a difference and to have pride in the outcome." The project kicked off last year in congruence with the Adams Suffrage Centennial Celebration Committee. This year, it will encourage voter participation in Adams as part of the anniversary of women getting the right to vote. The year 2020 is also the bicentennial of the birth of Anthony, an Adams native who dedicated her life to advocating for women's civil rights, including the right to vote. She died at age 86, 14 years before the ratification of the 19th Amendment that extended suffrage to women. Duval said so far there has been a good response to the project and even people from as far away as Maryland, Virginia and Texas have expressed an interest. "The response so far to the Vote For Susan Project has been very positive," she said. "We've been invited to speak briefly to several local groups in the coming weeks and are open to invitations from others to spread the word about the project. We are always looking for ways to reach different groups of people. The ultimate test of our success will be how Adams voters respond at the polls." Duval said the group's first charge is to reverse downward trends in local civic involvement and fill the current 17 vacant seats in town government and in town meeting. Not only does the group want more people to run, but it wants more people to register and actually get out there and vote. She said last election voter turnout was 19 percent and through the group's initiatives, Duval hopes to increase this to 30 percent in the 2018 May election and to 50 percent in the coming November election. "We think that Adams should and can do much better than the national average for voter turnout," she said. "Voting becomes a habit, which we hope people will keep long after 2020." Duval said the group has dispatched promotional buttons and ribbons reminding residents to register to vote by April 17 and if they are interested in running, to return papers by March 19. "Yellow/gold, white and purple were the official colors of the women's suffrage movement in America in the late 19th and early 20th century. The sunflower was its symbol," she said. "Purple badges, sashes, ribbons and other items of clothing were worn by suffragettes in this country and in the UK to show support for the movement." Most importantly, the promotional materials are out there to remind people to vote on May 7. Duval added that the group also has some upcoming events and there will be two presentations on Feb. 18. There will be a presentation at 3 in the Adams Free Library's Memorial Hall as part of the annual Susan B. Anthony birthday celebration (Anthony's birthday is the Feb. 15) and another at the same time at the Maple Grove Civic Club at the PNA Hall on Victory Street. Duval added that the group will also have a presence at Thunderfest on Feb. 24 and residents can pick up flyers, buttons and ribbons to help spread the word. "Anthony and many others sacrificed much and worked very hard to extend the vote to women because exercising that right is critical to the success of our nation," Duval said. "I think she would say to the residents of Adams, a place she loved to visit, that they shouldn't waste what she fought so hard for and that going to the polls would be a wonderful way to honor her." iciHaiti - Les Cayes : 250 young adults certified in resistant constructions Jene Thomas, the Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID - Haiti) and Alexious Butler, the Deputy Director of Mission, visited the REZO Vocational Training Center in Les Cayes, where they heard from trainees who have earned certificates in disaster-resistant construction practices. Lets' recall that after Hurricane Matthew, USAID expanded training programs in the south of Haiti to create jobs and help businesses develop to meet communities' rebuilding needs. More than 250 young adults and informal builders have received skills training that can help them earn a living wage! IH/ iciHaiti To access our in-house intelligence please request a trial here. Read this article and more for a 30 day period. Are you already an IFLR subscriber? Login here Its Picasso hour again! Next month, Tate Modern is putting on a show which will consist entirely of works produced by the small Spanish maestro in 1932, a single year. An entire show of more than one hundred works from a single year! What an extraordinarily productive man he was. He wasnt even so young by then either 51. The fact is that he never stopped working. His great biographer John Richardson once told me all about it, at a press conference for a huge show of works by youve guessed it Picasso, which happened at Gagosian Gallery in London. He would work all day, he said, and then, after dinner, at about 10 oclock, he would often go straight back to his studio and work until four or five in the morning. I would say that on average he made three objects a day, every day of his working life, which continued practically until the day of his death. Now if you make three objects a day for your entire working life (it started very young, and it continued almost until he died at the age of 91), how many works would that give you in all? One of the best ways of finding out is by consulting the catalogue raisonne that an old friend of his called Christian Zervos began to publish in 1932, in collaboration with Picasso himself. By the time it was finished there were 32 volumes eventually it listed 16,000 paintings and drawings, of which more than 10,000 are paintings. How does this output compare with that of other artists? Here are a few numbers: Vermeer made a total number of 34 paintings; Titian: approximately 1,500; Leonardo de Vinci: 15. Pablo Picasso The Dream (Le Reve), 1932, private collection (Succession Picasso/DACS) ( Succession Picasso/DACS, London 2018) Picasso wasnt always regarded as an unstoppable force of nature. Lets wind the clock back a little. In the 1950s when David Hockney was at art school, Picasso was widely disliked and even vilified by the critics. Hockney, that lippy young Bradford student, sticking his neck out in characteristic fashion, loved his work and championed him. Many continued to disagree. Picassos late works were much disliked for their so-called childishness. He was criticised for revisiting old themes, and even for repainting the same subjects brashly and crudely. The work of the post-war period was generally regarded as inferior to much of his earlier work. Little by little, all that has changed. The work produced after the Second World War now gets a much more favourable press. His late work is now said to possess a wild, childlike vitality a very positive way of looking at it. And certainly no one criticises Picasso for his infidelities. Geniuses get up to what geniuses get up to. He seems to be magically ring-fenced from much criticism of any kind. Heres an interesting comparison of the way two reputations have been treated. Pablo Picasso Reclining Nude (Femmenue couchee), 1932, private collection (Succession Picasso/DACS) ( Succession Picasso/DACS London, 2017) You could argue that one of the keys to Picassos positive approval rating by the world at large has to do with his moral authority and here I am referring to something much more elevated than mere canoodling in a bed. He is still regarded as an exemplary figure in certain important respects. That press conference at which I talked to his biographer, Richardson, was also attended by Picassos grandson, Bernard Ruiz-Picasso, who is in charge of the Picasso Foundation. Ruiz-Picasso spoke about Picassos heroic decision to remain in Paris during the Second World War, of his support for the resistance, and of the fact that by staying put in occupied France he became a beacon of liberty during those dark days. Richardson, taking up the theme, mentioned his generosity to Spanish artists, of how he would help the needy much of this generosity has gone unrecorded, he added proudly. There is, of course, another way of looking at Picassos heroic decision to remain in Paris during the Second World War, and this was put to me, with some vehemence, at the Salvador Dali Museum in Figueres some years ago. I remember to this day how furiously the Dali apologist attacked me when I mentioned the name Picasso. Oh, so he was a hero for living alongside the Nazis!, he spat across the table. Why then was Dali such a traitor for living in Spain under Franco! Was he more or less of a collaborator than Picasso? And then, of course, there is the Picasso who spoke so little about his own work. All he did was to make it, day in, day out. That is very convenient, as it happens. No matter what you say about Picasso, you are unlikely to find written evidence that he profoundly disagrees with you. Pablo Picasso The Crucifixion (La Crucifixion), 1932, Musee National Picasso (Succession Picasso/DACS) ( Succession Picasso/DACS London, 2017) The fact is that the more Picasso comes to be regarded as the greatest artist of the 20th century, the more his works will increase in value nothing surprising about that. A more surprising consequence of this general upward mobility of prices, hand in hand with reputation, means that even more works by him will go on show in exhibitions. How so? Because the more an artist is seen to have been blessed with the Midas touch, and the more important he becomes, the more you will go looking for yet more examples of the same because you will want to tell as much of the story as possible. Success breeds success. Curiosity breeds curiosity. Last year the National Portrait Gallery staged a show of Picassos portraits. Once upon a time, some of these portraits would never have been included in such a show. They wouldnt have been good enough. They were unremarkable caricatures on pages of old newspapers Picassos newspapers, of course. He was a great hoarder. Now, such is Picassos influence and reputation, that everything deserves very close attention these days, the good, the bad and the indifferent, because everything is of some value. There is always more and more to be said. And soon you will be very happy to be finding out at the Tate Modern, in tremendous, voyeuristic detail, much of what he made, and many of the things that he did as he shuttled between one home and another in order to keep wife and mistress in a balanced state of contentment, and how many pardonable-for-great-arts-sake duplicities he was guilty of, in the year 1932. Along with more than 100 paintings, sculptures and drawings, the Tate Modern exhibition will exhibit family photographs to give an insight into his personal life. Three paintings of his lover Marie-Therese Walter are to be exhibited for the first time together since they were produced over five days in March 1932. Pablo Picasso Woman on the Beach (Nu sur la plage), 1932, The Penrose Collection (Succession Picasso/DACS) ( Succession Picasso/DACS London, 2017) And if you want to see yet more Picasso, refreshed, amplified and heroicised all over again, you will need to travel no further than the Musee Picasso in the chic Marais district of Paris in March, where a huge exhibition is being devoted to the subject of Guernica, a black and white anti-war painting on canvas, completed by Picasso in June 1937. And what exactly will that exhibition consist of? There will be International Brigade posters. There will be preliminary sketches. There will be commentary. There will be much storytelling and interpretation. There will not, alas, be the painting itself because it is not allowed to travel out of Madrid. So the very subject of the exhibition, that about which it pivots, will be absent. But no one will care much because the spirit of Picasso will be there, wont it? The fact is that Picasso is a smoothly and artfully managed global industry, and one of the consequences of this skilful management of Picasso is that old news stays news because the story always has a little bit of something new about it, some detail fresh from the archive perhaps. And many want it to remain so, not least his family and the Fundacion Picasso. How fortunate that incalculable monetary value should be so skilfully aligned at last with spiritual values! Picasso 1932 Love, Fame, Tragedy, is at Tate Modern from 8 March until 9 September 2018 (tate.org.uk) Jay Asher the author of Thirteen Reasons Why, which was famously adapted into a TV series by Netflix has been expelled from a prominent writing organisation over allegations of sexual harassment. Executive director of the Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Lin Oliver, told Associated Press that the best-selling writer had violated the societys harassment code. The ban was instated last year, only coming to light due to the prominence of the #MeToo movement. Asher and the famed illustrator David Diaz who was also banned from the society were both frequently mentioned in a recent article by School Library Journal concerning sexual harassment in childrens publishing. Both Jay Asher and David Diaz were found to have violated the SCBWI code of conduct in regard to harassment, Oliver said. Claims against them were investigated and, as a result, they are no longer members and neither will be appearing at any SCBWI events in the future. The SCBWI is a non-profit organisation that hosts events and awards dedicated to childrens authors and illustrators, along with supplying publishing resources. Speaking to BuzzFeed News, Oliver further commented on the story, saying the organisation had been alerted by an anonymous email. 12 useful Netflix features you need to know Show all 12 1 /12 12 useful Netflix features you need to know 12 useful Netflix features you need to know Secret codes Netflix has a staggering number of hidden sub-genres, which you can unlock with special codes. You can browse the codes at http://ogres-crypt.com/public/NetFlix-Streaming-Genres2.html. When you find the one you want, paste it at http://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/CODE (replacing CODE with the right combination of numbers). Unfortunately, this is only possible on the Netflix website. 12 useful Netflix features you need to know New features Everyone likes getting early access to new features for things they love, and Netflix lets you do just that. All you need to do is go to your Account page and select Test Participation. 12 useful Netflix features you need to know History We all have our guilty pleasures, though some are guiltier than others. If you really dont want other people to find out what yours is, you can delete it from your viewing history by visiting Netflixs Viewing Activity page, which you can find in the Account menu. 12 useful Netflix features you need to know Rogue users The Viewing Activity page has an option called See Recent Account Access, which shows you information about your account, such as when it has been used, on what device and where. If you spot any rogue-looking activity, you can knock anyone who isnt supposed to have access to your account off your account, by going back to your Account page and selecting Sign Out of All Devices. 12 useful Netflix features you need to know Ratings Unless youre binge-watching a series and therefore dont care about anything else Netflix has to offer, suggestions are important. You can help Netflix improve the recommendations it gives you by actually rating the things you watch. If you hate a film, tell Netflix you hate it. If you love it, say you love it. This tiny bit of extra effort will soon pay off. 12 useful Netflix features you need to know Manual ordering If youre not convinced by the suggestions Netflix automatically adds to your My List section, you can choose to manually order suggestions instead by visiting netflix.com/MyListOrder. 12 useful Netflix features you need to know Downloads Netflix pleased a lot of users when it added the ability to download shows for offline viewing. As well as helping yu save mobile data, its great for when youre stuck on a plane or somewhere with terrible reception. Find out what films and TV shows are available to download by opening the menu and selecting Available to Download. 12 useful Netflix features you need to know Keep an eye on your data Phone, computer and TV screens are constantly improving, so its worth checking your Playback Settings (in your Account page) to ensure youre watching Netflix in the best quality you can. On the other hand, however, sometimes your web connection cant keep up. Because nobody likes buffering, you can make a compromise by lowering the playback quality. Doing so could also help you save data if youre on a limited plan. Low quality burns through roughly 0.3GB of data per hour, Medium burns through roughly 0.7GB per hour and High gets through roughly 3GB per hour for HD content, and roughly 7GB per hour for 4K content. 12 useful Netflix features you need to know Switch browsers Google Chrome may be the most popular web browser in the world, but it isnt great for watching Netflix on - the crown belongs to Microsoft Edge. Believe it or not, Netflix even looks better on Internet Explorer than it does on Chrome. The maximum resolution you can watch Netflix on differs depending on which browser you use. You can go up to 4K on Microsoft Edge, up to 1080p on Internet Explorer and Safari, and up to 720p on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Opera. 12 useful Netflix features you need to know Clearer subtitles You can customise the appearance of subtitles on Netflix to make them easier to read or slightly less prominent - whatever suits you. Go to Subtitle Appearance in your Account menu and play with font, colour, text size and even shadow effects. 12 useful Netflix features you need to know Requests Netflix is constantly refreshing its line-up, but theres always going to be something you want to watch that isnt available. You can request a TV show or film by visiting help.netflix.com/en/TitleRequest. Its an outside shot, but its worth a try. 12 useful Netflix features you need to know The end If you decide to cancel your Netflix subscription early, your Viewing Activity, recommendations and ratings will still be saved for 10 months. That essentially means theres nothing to lose from closing your account down temporarily - you can pick up where you left off as soon as you resurrect it. Its a good option to have if youre about to go on holiday for a while or decide that you need to cut down on the amount of Netflix-bingeing youve been doing. After we investigated, we felt that terminating his membership was the proper course of action, she told the publication. We have always been really sensitive to sexual harassment issues and have a zero tolerance policy, but clearly our policies havent prevented violations, so were taking this opportunity to take another look at our guidelines. Asher has since responded publicly to the news, telling BuzzFeed News that he was not pushed out, but voluntarily left the organisation on his own accord. Its very scary when you know people are just not going to believe you once you open your mouth, Asher told the publication. I feel very conflicted about it just because of whats going on in the culture and whos supposed to be believed and whos not. The author claimed to feel thrown under the bus as the SCBWI had also said the emails showed nothing. I understand the predicament theyre in with everything going on and to want to protect themselves, Asher continued. I love the organisation, but they didnt decide to push me out. It was my decision, even though [Oliver] said the email contained nothing that their organisation should have anything to do with. A statement from Ashers spokesperson reads: The SCBWIs recent statement about author Jay Asher is completely false. There was no allegation, investigation or finding of sexual harassment. In April 2017, Mr. Asher voluntarily agreed that he would no longer attend SCBWI conferences. This was in response to hurt feelings of a group of authors with whom he had consensual relationships that ended poorly. Mr. Asher was not banned by the SCBWI. In fact, when he let his membership in the group lapse last summer, Lin Oliver, the groups executive director, suggested that he keep his membership going. He did as requested, and Mr. Ashers membership is active today. These women were not subordinates of Mr. Asher; they were his peers and they each entered into romantic relationships with him voluntarily, with some initially pursuing him. Mr. Asher was married at the time of these relationships, as were many of the women. He is deeply sorry for the pain these consensual decisions caused his family, and others. The false statements to the news media have resulted in inaccurate and hurtful news coverage, which is threatening Mr. Ashers livelihood. Mr. Asher has retained legal counsel and is demanding SCBWI and Lin Oliver promptly retract the false and defamatory statements they made. Ashers career has already been impacted by the news: The Oklahoma Writers Federation has canceled their scheduled keynote speech set for May. Having reached Netflix just over a week ago, fans have deciphered almost every secret hidden within The Cloverfield Paradox. Previously called God Particle and Cloverfield Station, the movies surprise release caught almost everyone off guard, including actor Roger Davies who plays Michael Hamilton, husband of Gugu Mbatha-Raws character Ava Hamilton. The Independent caught up with Davies following the movies release to talk about the third Cloverfield movie, working with JJ Abrams (who we also spoke to), and having Steven Spielberg on set. Heres everything we learnt from our conversation. The Earth scenes were not in the original script As has been well-publicised, Paradox was not initially written as a Cloverfield movie, producer JJ Abrams later seeing the potential as development continued, some of the cast not initially knowing God Particle would be part of that cinematic universe. Davies was one of the last people to join Paradox, knowing it was going to be a Cloverfield instalment. However, the actor only had a minor role, initially shooting just flashbacks for Mbatha-Raws character. Gugu Mbatha-Raw in 'The Cloverfield Paradox' (Scott Garfield) They did some test screenings, and people wondered what was going on Earth, Davies says. So they filled in the gaps and showed people what was happening down here. All those scenes that feature the young girl played by Clover Nee were therefore not originally in the script. Our first day was in the bunker, Davies says. That was my first day. I was really nervous and I hadnt had any breakfast, and I kept having to carry her. I nearly passed out. Those scenes were also a lot longer. They trimmed it down, he says. Theres a scene in the car where Im doing all this mad texting stuff and I ask her what she does for fun. Then later, she tells me she likes cartoons, and I say me too. She then says You sound funny. There was that bonding. But it doesnt move the story along so I understand why they cut it. Steven Spielberg helped out Abrams and Spielberg have a well-publicised kinship, the former often seen as the heir to the latter. To Davies surprise, one day on set, Spielberg just happened to be there, helping out with a few shots. Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up We ended up doing a week extra with a full crew, the actor says of doing the Earth scenes. One day, I turn around and Steven Spielberg was there. I was like you alright Steve! He was there with JJ as theyre friends, and they were talking shots. that was so cool. The lengths gone to keep Paradox secret were massive It was so hard to keep it a secret, Davies says. I wanted to tell everyone, but didnt want to get into trouble. Bad Robot, Abrams production company, were on maximum security for the project, keeping everything under wraps. They literally had someone drive from Santa Monica to my apartment to give me the script, the actor says of receiving the re-written script. Because its very secretive. Bad Robot are very secretive. The project also had a completely different name when under production: When I was first working on the movie it was called Clean Pass. Maybe that was just a dummy name? Then it was God Particle. Even when on set, things remained secretive. Davies said none of the connections with the other Cloverfield movies were explained, joking that he was half expecting John Goodman to enter the bunker at some stage. No-one knew about the surprise release until moments before There was an email that went out first, Davies says. JJ was like Ive got some news, lets all talk Sunday. So, we all called in at 11. JJ goes Guys, were about to do something that has never been done before. Were like OK? JJ then says: So, Netflix has taken the movie, and after the first quarter of the Super Bowl theyre going to drop a trailer saying Coming to Netflix Soon. Then theyll drop another one saying Coming to Netflix NOW. So basically your premiere is going to be to the world. We were like What! This has never been done before. Netflix literally dropped the mic. Its amazing that everyone around the world can watch it at the same time. My phone was blowing up like crazy. We were super happy, that Netflix believed and invested in it. JJ said its like releasing a movie backwards. We release the film, then the next day the billboards are out, then the next day were doing press. Working with JJ Abrams Davies first met the director, Julias Onah, but the real excitement came when meeting JJ Abrams. The thing about JJ Im such a huge Star Wars fan and you think about these people and wonder what theyre going to be like, he says. What a guy, such a lovely guy. Lovely with all his crew. He has time for everybody. Sometimes you meet people and think theyre going to be a certain way, but he was lovely. Now things are over, Davies is pestering Abrams for another role: Im like: JJ, listen, can I be in another Cloverfield? Can I be in Star Wars? Can I be in Star Trek? Maybe Mission: Impossible? Who knows! Its hard out there for an actor 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Show all 27 1 /27 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Black Panther Released: 12 February 12 February Director: Ryan Coogler Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Forest Whitaker, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 The Greatest Showman Released: 1 January 1 January Director: Michael Gracey Cast: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Darkest Hour Released: 12 January 12 January Director: Joe Wright Cast: Gary Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ben Mendelsohn 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri Released: 12 January Director: Martin McDonagh 12 JanuaryMartin McDonagh Cast: Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Caleb Landry Jones > Twentieth Century Fox 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Coco Released: 19 January 19 January Director: Lee Unkrich ,p>Cast: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Renee Victor 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Downsizing Released: 19 January 19 January Director: Alexander Payne Cast: Matt Damon, Christopher Waltz, Jong Chau, Kristen Wiig, Jason Sudeikis 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Early Man Released: 26 January 26 January Director: Nick Park Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, Maisie Williams, Timothy Spall 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Fifty Shades Freed Released: 9 February 9 February Director: James Foley Cast: Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Kim Basinger 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Maze Runner: The Death Cure Released: 9 February 9 February Director: Wes Ball Cast: Dylan O'Brien, Thomas Brodie Sangster, Kaya Scodelario, Giancarlo Esposito, Aidan Gillen 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 The Shape of Water Released: 16 February 16 February Director: Guillermo del Toro Cast: Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon, Michael Stuhlbarg, Doug Jones 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Annihilation Released: 23 February 23 February Director: Alex Garland Cast: Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Lee, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson, Oscar Isaac 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Dark River Released: 23 February 23 February Director: Clio Barnard Cast: Ruth Wilson, Mark Stanley, Sean Bean 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Red Sparrow Released: 2 March 2 March Director: Francis Lawrence Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton, Jeremy Irons 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Tomb Raider Released: 16 March 16 March Director: Roar Uthaug Cast: Alicia Vikander, Walton Goggins, Daniel Wu, Dominic West, 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 A Wrinkle in Time Released: 23 March 23 March Director: Ava DuVernay Cast: Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Zach Galifianakis 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Pacific Rim: Uprising Released: 23 March 23 March Director: Steven S. DeKnight Cast: John Boyega, Scott Eastwood, Charlie Day, Burn Gorman 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Roman J Israel, Esq Released: 23 March 23 March Director: Dan Gilroy Cast: Denzel Washington, Colin Farrell, Carmen Ejogo Columbia Pictures 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Isle of Dogs Released: 30 March 30 March Director: Wes Anderson Cast: Bill Murray, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton, Scarlett Johansson 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Ready Player One Released: 30 March 30 March Director: Steven Spielberg Cast: Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Mark Rylance, Simon Pegg 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Avengers: Infinity War Released: 27 April 27 April Director: The Russo Brothers Cast: Robert Downey, Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Josh Brolin 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Untitled Han Solo Film Released: 25 May 25 May Director: Ron Howard Cast: Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson, Donald Glover 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Released: 8 June 8 June Director: J.A. Bayona Cast: Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Pine, B.D. Wong, Toby Jones 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Deadpool 2 Released: 1 June Director: David Leitch 1 JuneDavid Leitch Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller, Zazie Beetz, Josh Brolin 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Ocean's 8 Released: 22 June 22 June Director: Gary Ross Cast: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Anne Hathaway, Olivia Munn, Helena Bonham Carter, Rihanna, Matt Damon 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Ant-Man and the Wasp Released: 29 June 29 June Director: Peyton Reed Cast: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 Soldado Released: 29 June 29 June Director: Stefano Sollima Cast: Benicio del Toro, Josh Brolin, Jeffrey Donovan, Catherine Keener, Matthew Modine 27 films to look out for in the first half of 2018 The Incredibles 2 Released: 13 July 13 July Director: Brad Bird Cast: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Samuel L. Jackson Chances are, Cloverfield will be the first time you have seen Davies on screen. Although having starred in Renford Rejects, Dream Team, and Family Affairs, finding work in Los Angeles has not been easy. Its really hard out there, Davies says. I used to watch American Idol and things like that you forget a lot of people go out there with their dreams, to do something. Its not necessarily easy. Some people go out there and within weeks come out as a series regular on a show. It can be really tough. The good thing about America is the weather. Because you can go to an audition and then forget about it, go to the beach or a theme park, or whatever. Its hard but you meet people in random places. Youll be grocery shopping and then see Steven Spielberg, or that casting director. Now Davies has been in Cloverfield, he has the movie bug. Ive never done a movie before and now I just want to do movies. I would love to do more movies. Cloverfield should give him a good launch pad: There are a couple of pilots Ive been offered. Trying to work out what the next move is. This has had a really big impact. Im excited to see what opens up. The Cloverfield Paradox is on Netflix now. When announcing the return of John Cleese to BBC sitcoms after a gap of 43 years, Shane Allen, the BBCs controller of comedy commissioning, declared: Its a huge pleasure to welcome John Cleese back to the land of BBC sitcom his last one did all right. It certainly did. Even though only 12 episodes were ever made, Fawlty Towers is regularly voted the best British sitcom ever. In a poll of industry professionals by the British Film Institute in 2000, it received the accolade of the greatest British television programme of all time. The series still does terrific business on Netflix, Amazon and iTunes. To underline its enduring popularity, even today in pubs you hear people quoting great swathes of the Fawlty Towers script verbatim. The sitcom has also spawned an extraordinary spin-off industry. Fawlty Towers Live, adapted for the stage by Cleese, has played to sell-out audiences in Australia. Meanwhile, you can attend The Faulty Towers Dining Experience in countries as diverse as the UK, Papua New Guinea, Malta, Singapore, Australia, Antigua and Ireland. The sitcom, about the endless trials and tribulations of the perennially frustrated, social-climbing hotel owner Basil Fawlty (Cleese), has the global reach of Game of Thrones but its considerably funnier. Cleese as Phil, Jason Watkins as Roger and Alison Steadman as Edith in Hold the Sunset (BBC/Shutterstock/Adam Lawrence) Now, after an absence of nearly half a century, Cleese is returning to BBC sitcom with Hold the Sunset. Scripted by the Oscar-nominated writer Charles McKeown (Brazil), the six-part series centres on a pair of ageing neighbours and former sweethearts, Phil (Cleese) and Edith (Alison Steadman). They rekindle their romance, but their plans to get married are cruelly scuppered when her 50-year-old son, Roger (Jason Watkins from Line of Duty), turns up out of the blue on her doorstep. He announces that he has left his wife, children and job in a bank and is moving back in with his mum. Aghast does not begin to describe Phils reaction to this development. Over lunch, The Independent sits down with Cleese in his dressing room at Twickenham Studios. They say that you should never meet your heroes, but Im very glad to report that the comedian more than lives up to my expectations. In person, he is much warmer than many of his screen alter egos. He is thoughtful and takes the time, for instance, to make me a delicious espresso at the start of the interview. And, Im relieved to say, he shares none of Basil Fawltys intolerance or incandescent, irrational anger. Cleese is intelligent, interesting, interested and which is certainly not true of all comics genuinely funny. The comedian, who can also lay claim to have been one of the troupe responsible for both the greatest British comedy film of all time (Monty Pythons Life of Brian) and the greatest British sketch show of all time (Monty Pythons Flying Circus), begins by reflecting on the lasting success of Fawlty Towers. Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Fawlty Towers: Prunella Scales as Sybil Fawlty, Cleese as Basil Fawlty, Connie Booth as Polly Sherman and Andrew Sachs as Manuel Cleese, who met his future Monty Python writing partner Graham Chapman at the Cambridge Footlights in the early 1961, is very pleased that Fawlty Towers continues to enjoy a huge worldwide audience. When I tell him that my father still to this day falls off the sofa laughing when he watches an episode of Fawlty Towers, the 78-year-old Cleese is clearly gratified: Thats the highest praise! He continues that, People use the show as a mood-changer, which is lovely. It makes people feel better, and Im delighted about that. Despite repeated pleas, however, Cleese and his co-writer and ex-wife Connie Booth have always resisted the temptation to revive Fawlty Towers. They think, quite rightly, that it is best to go out at the top. It is already hailed as a funniest sitcom of all time, so how can you better that? All you would be doing would be setting yourself up for disappointment and criticism. Cleese, who is married to the jewellery designer Jennifer Wade, reflects that, You wanted Fawlty Towers to be as good as possible, and its done and youre proud of it, and then you suddenly realise that the bar has now got too high. If I ever tried to do a Fawlty Towers-type sitcom again, everyone would say, Well, its got its moments, but its not as good as Fawlty Towers, so theres not much point in doing that. You have to do different things. Cleese reminisces about Fawlty Towers: People use the show as a mood-changer, which is lovely. It makes people feel better, and Im delighted about that. (Getty) So was Cleese concerned that people would inevitably make comparisons between Hold the Sunset and Fawlty Towers? Apparently not. The comedian emphasises that he does not feel under any pressure in the new sitcom, Because Im not writing this. I come to Hold the Sunset just as an actor. It hasnt been my creation. Instead of looking at me and three others on Fawlty Towers, the audience have five or six other key players to watch in Hold the Sunset. Cleese, who played Steadmans husband in the movie Clockwise 32 years ago and says being reunited with her on this show is heaven, goes on to underline that he has relished his role in Hold the Sunset. Ive only just realised that Phil is almost exactly like me! When you stop reading it and start playing it, you can immediately see that. Phil sits around making sarcastic remarks thats exactly how I am in real life! I keep thinking, I know how to say that line because thats exactly how Id say it in real life. But hes also capable of great tenderness. Hes really in love with his old flame, Edith. Its been an absolute pleasure to play him. Cleese certainly delivers a winning performance as Phil. Yes, he has shades of Fawlty-esque tetchiness, but he is also capable of manifesting the kind of warmth and affection that we never saw in the perma-furious Torquay hotelier. In one scene, he looks across the kitchen table at Edith and sighs adoringly: Let me put the kettle on you make it sound so alluring. Cleese in Monty Pythons Life of Brian in 1979 (Rex) During a career spanning more than five decades, Cleese has received a dizzying array of awards. As an example, he is surely the only human being in history who has had a species of lemur, an asteroid and a municipal rubbish heap in New Zealand named after him. His major breakthrough came with the first series of Monty Python in 1969. Enormously well-loved on both side of the Atlantic, that anarchic, irreverent sketch show can truly be said to have changed the face of comedy. With Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin, Cleese was part of a highly successful and really quite emotional series of Python reunion shows at the O2 Arena in London four years ago. He recalls as a highlight the moment he and Palin corpsed during their performance of Monty Pythons most famous routine, the timeless Dead Parrot sketch. He and his colleague were incapable with laughter, so the audience just stepped in, reciting the lines for them. Its no longer anything to do with what I used to do on Python, Cleese recollects. Its a completely different animal now because the audience know the script as well as we do. So, you might wonder, what on earth were they doing there? Well, they were there to have a good time. In a funny way, they also came to say goodbye not in a sad way; they were simply saying, Thank you for making us laugh for the last 45 years. And in turn, we were saying, Thank you for thanking us. It was a totally happy atmosphere. By his own admission, in the past Cleese did not rate what he did for a living very much. I was too Cambridge and made too much of a distinction between high and low art. But at that moment on stage at the O2 during the Dead Parrot sketch, I suddenly thought, You know, this is actually very useful to peoples happiness. The comedian carries on that, Shortly after that I went on Graham Nortons talk show with Neil Diamond. When he sang Sweet Caroline, the audience sang along to every word. You could see them all looking so happy together. There was no backbiting or snitching. Everyone was enjoying each others company. I realised that was a very important experience. I suddenly valued that rather more than I had been doing over the years. It was really quite educational. Cleese is absolutely right to value what he does. In a career stretching back to his West End and Broadway debut in the 1963 Footlights revue, Cambridge Circus, he has brought deep joy to untold millions of people. Many of them are still eager to express their gratitude to Cleese. He muses that, What I find very touching is when people come up to me in the street and say, Thank you for making me laugh for the last 50 years. That occurs two or three times a day. It never happens without my feeling, Thats lovely. I never used to feel this, but Ive actually done something good. Making people laugh is basically a very good thing indeed. Hold the Sunset starts on BBC1 at 7.30pm on 18 February Death is the ultimate silence. Its into this quieting that Collaterals opening scenes delve. From the chaos of London life the frenetic energy of the takeaway pizza shop, the endless maze of streets to a sudden pause. All with the sound of a gunshot. The cruel, sudden death of a pizza delivery driver, Abdullah Asif (Sam Otto), without any seeming reason or sense. As the first episode of the BBCs new crime drama, written by Sir David Hare, shows, chaos provides the perfect hiding place for secrets; this is a show that flits between perspectives, between lives, to examine what becomes lost within the roar of the city. We cut quickly from the last person to speak to Abdullah, the frustrated mother who ordered the pizza (Billie Piper), to the woman cowering in the street (Kae Alexander), the only direct witness to the crime. The world pauses for Abdullahs death, but only momentarily: even the pizza place keeps running, as its manager Laurie (Hayley Squires) explains: Ive got targets to make. The chaos continues. Admittedly, Collateral still falls back on some of the typical constructs of the crime drama. The killer, for example, is largely cliche: dressed in black, with rubber gloves and a plastic sheet. The evidence is neatly discarded of and job done is texted to some mysterious overlord. Yet, beyond these stylisations, Collateral actually seems refreshingly unobsessed with the ins-and-outs of the whodunit. Its concerns are more with the ever-unfurling web of connections which exist around the crime. With the forces that drive people together and drive them apart; individuals whose lives have been driven underground or hidden behind closed doors. And the series makes this true on multiple levels. Collateral looks, on the one hand, to the private affairs concealed within Londons luxurious facades. David Mars MP, played by John Simm, is a man more dedicated to his work than to love, yet still juggling the responsibilities of his past relationships. On the other side of the citys gaping economic chasm, are the refugees driven to seek shelter wherever they may find it, who must live their every moment in fear: Escape war, make your way to England, and start your new life in a garage. Certainly, Collateral doesnt shy away from the political implications at hand, with this first episode breaching the current, divisive narrative of immigration within the political sphere. A narrative which so dominates, which has so twisted any sense of actual truth, that even left-leaning politicians end up bowing to the hysteria of open borders. Its a storm only further brewed by endless media sensation, as a reporter is seen rushing to the scene of the crime bristling with excitement, already declaring Abdullahs death to be a Muslim killing. Within this chaos there is a calm, moral centre in the form of Carey Mulligans DI Kip Glaspie. A breath of fresh air, in many a way, unconcerned with the bureaucracy of MI5, or whatever spin the newspapers crave. She is a woman who seeks only answers. Glaspie also, so far, seems to be that rare investigator unburdened by personal demons, who doesnt have some haunted past about to strike her out the shadows and put everything in jeopardy. She is clear-headed, focused, and dedicated to her job. Indeed, she is the compassionate soul trying to make sense of all the noise around her. Collateral doesnt need any extra drama from Glaspie, there is plenty enough to uncover here. Collateral airs at 9pm on Mondays on BBC2. This month, Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyongo has graced the cover and pages of Allure magazine with a series of looks embracing the beauty and versatility of her hair. However, shes admitted that she wasnt always a fan of her natural hairstyle. From a young age, Nyongo pleaded with her mother to allow her to have her hair relaxed, which involves chemically relaxing natural curls so that theyre easier to manage. I was really envious of girls with thicker, longer, more lush hair, Nyongo told Michelle Lee, editor in chief of Allure magazine. Around 13 or 14, I had such a rough time with being teased and feeling unpretty. When her mother eventually gave in and allowed Nyongo to have the beauty treatment, she felt relieved as so many of her classmates had already had their hair relaxed. Very few had natural kink, so I felt a lot more acceptable, she said. Although she then found it easier to tame her hair, she recalled doing strange things such as sleeping with her head above the headboard of her bed in order to keep her curls intact, which caused her neck to ache. A few years later, Nyong'os father joked that she should cut all of her hair off. His flippant suggestion sparked an idea in Nyong'os head, and so she decided to take the plunge and have her head completely shaved. Despite feeling self-conscious about her new look, in part due to her mothers disapproval, Nyongo didnt regret going through with the drastic transformation. That was definitely a liberating stage, she said. I had nothing to hide behind. Now aged 34, Nyongo loves experimenting with her natural hair thanks to the imagination of her hairstylist Vernon Francois. My hair is the longest its been in over a decade. A lot of that is because I have an amazing hair stylist Vernon Francois, she said. Hes been so helpful, helping me to learn how to really embrace the stuff it can do. Its like clay in the right hands. Clay can be dirt in the wrong hands, but clay can be art in the right hands." Nyongo doesnt like describing her hair as African-American, instead preferring to opt for the term kinky. The term African-American hair is inaccurate because Im not African-American, she said. I like the term kinky. Some people dont like that term, but when I think about my hair, I think of it as African kinky hair. Curly hair differs so much." The Winter Olympics are underway in Pyeongchang with the motto Passion. Connected. meanwhile, thousands of athletes from around the world will mingle on Valentines Day in that notorious hotbed of romance, the Olympic Village. However, they might find Valentines traditions in South Korea very different to those celebrated in the West. On 14 February, its not women who get showered with chocolates, fragrances and teddy bears its the men. Across South Korea, women queue up to buy chocolate for their boyfriends but also friends, co-workers or even their boss. Most buy cheap and cheerful chocolate ranging from the Korean brand Ghana Chocolate to Hersheys and Ferrero Rocher, says Korean Billy YouTube star Seong-Jae Kong from Seoul. Some women will pay more than 80 for a box of chocolates for their partner on Valentines Day (Shutterstock) Others go to great effort preparing for months and months before Valentines Day to give the guys something special, says Mijoo, also from Seoul. Its popular to hand-make chocolates and gift boxes for boys often wonderfully kitsch which Seong-Jae says are the nicest Valentines gift because theyre the most meaningful. Women with serious won to spend head to artisan chocolatiers, such as Cacao Boom in Seoul. Here, handmade chocolates are infused with unique Korean ingredients, including the citrus fruit cheonhyehang or munbaeju, a distilled alcohol with the distinctive smell of wild pear and lovers can splash out on a Valentines Box of 48 chocolates for KRW130,000 (86). Meanwhile, over at the climate-controlled Piaf Artisan Chocolatier in Seoul, French-trained Ko Eun-su created a Valentines Day Limited Edition Package, which has sold out a week in advance. Retailing at KRW60,000 for just 16 chocolates, flavours include yuja citrus fruit and sweet mung bean with Moet Chandon Rose. Its the womens turn to be pampered on 14 March, known as White Day, or as Mijoo calls it paying back day. Instead of luxury chocolates though, girls receive candy or sweets from the guys. Although the value of the candy itself may be small, its the presentation that counts. Its about how much they can afford to wrap the candy beautifully or in a prettier way, for example they make a kind of flower bouquet out of lollipops, explains Mijoo, with Chupa Chups the most popular White Day candy in South Korea according to CNN. Men give jellies and caramels as well, says Seong-Jae, but they spend more on other White Day gifts like jewellery. For a romantic meal out, people often go to a Western restaurant for a special occasion like Valentines day, according to Hyojin An from Seoul, who has vlogged about South Korean culture on YouTube. Italian and upmarket steak restaurants are popular choices and its de rigueur for couples to put on a PDA, or public display of affection, by wearing matching clothes known as the couple look, designed to show off their romantic status. Artisan chocolatiers infuse their products with unique Korean ingredients (AFP/Getty) But what about those dining alone? Black Day, 14 April, is unique to South Korea, when singletons supposedly wear black clothes and head mournfully to restaurants with friends to commiserate over jjajangmyeon black bean noodles. Originally a Chinese dish, the noodles are traditionally eaten on days of celebration in South Korea. When I was growing up, on special days like birthdays or graduation youd say, Lets get jjajangmyeon to celebrate! laughs Younhui from the city of Busan. These days though people tend to go to restaurants like TGI Fridays instead. Now the noodles are becoming associated more with sadness. On Black Day, the feeling is lets be sad together, lets console each other together, because if youre sad by yourself, youre even more sad, says Kyung-hwa on the YouTube channel Talk To Me In Korean. I think, on Black Day, there are more guys than girls who sadly eat jjajangmyeon, says Seong-Jae. But why black noodles? Perhaps because black is seen as a sad colour, and jjajangmyeon is one of the only black-coloured meals, ponders Mijoo. Black Day seems to be an occasion that everyone jokes about, but no one owns up to participating in. Perhaps this isnt surprising, as young people are under intense pressure to be part of a couple in South Korean society. People around me didnt see my indifference to dating very kindly, as I, at 25, was reaching the ripe age for marriage. My family couldnt get over the fact that I wasnt seeing anyone, Jieun Choi told Korea Expose. Being single is highlighted further by the constant couples celebrations that mark the calendar. As well as Valentines Day, White Day and Black Day, theres a love day on the 14th of every month of the year, including Yellow/Rose Day (14 May), Hug Day (14 December) and even Green Day (14 August) interpreted by some as a time to commune with nature, and by others as an excuse to drink soju, literally burned liquor. The distilled alcoholic drink is sold in distinctive green bottles and described by Psy, of Gangnam Style fame, as his best friend its also the worlds best-selling spirit. In Korea, there are lot of people who hate those celebration days for being too commercial, saying they were all made by business, says Kyung-hwa. Its a feeling shared by many about the cynical commercialism which surrounds Valentines Day here in the UK, although maybe we should be thankful we only have to celebrate it one day a year. So if youre single this Valentines Day or perhaps you dont want to participate in an overpriced meal in the name of romance, you could always defiantly share some jjajangmyeon and a bottle of soju with friends. Why wait until Black or Green Day? (Chloe Lim) Recipe for jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles) Serves 2 350g fresh jjajangmyeon noodles (you can get these in Korean supermarkets or substitute with udon or thick egg noodles) 5tbsp of roasted Korean black bean paste (jjajang) 200g pork loin 1 white onion courgette 100g cabbage tsp grated ginger 2tbsp vegetable oil 1tsp of sugar 1tbsp mirin 250mls water or vegetable stock 1tbsp of corn starch dissolved in 50ml water To garnish Cucumber matchsticks One boiled egg, cut in half Cut the pork into small cubes and marinate with the mirin, ginger and seasoning to taste. Dice the onion and courgette and cabbage to the same size. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large pan and stir fry the pork until almost cooked. Add the vegetables and stir fry until soft, then add in the black bean paste and sugar and mix thoroughly. Pour in the water or stock and bring to a boil. Simmer for four minutes. Meanwhile, cook the noodles al dente according to the packet instructions. Finally, add the corn starch to the black bean sauce and simmer briefly until it is thickened. Add a little more sugar to taste. Drain the noodles and divide into two serving bowls. Pour over the sauce and garnish with cucumber matchsticks and egg if desired. When you picture someone with an eating disorder, who do you picture? As a researcher and PhD candidate in family relations and human development, I have asked this question of audiences ranging from high school students to community groups to tenured professors, and the answer remains largely the same: a thin, young, white, privileged, heterosexual, cisgender woman. Despite accumulating evidence that eating disorders can impact anyone, eating disorders continue to be presented in the media, in public discourse, in doctors surgeries and even in much of the research literature in stereotypical ways. These stereotypes can lead to the under-recognition and under-diagnosis of eating disorders in other populations and lack of treatment. Recommended Student records recovery from anorexia on Instagram to inspire others During Eating Disorder Awareness Week in Canada last week, the campaign used a theme of One size does NOT fit all, to emphasise the diversity of people who suffer from eating disorders. The #7BillionSizes campaign led by the National Eating Disorder Information Centre, asks for large-scale change in the conversations we have about eating disorders. Such social media campaigns can help to reduce the significant shame and stigma associated with experiencing a mental illness, particularly one so often framed as a thin white womans disease. But how do people with eating disorders represent themselves on social media? Do online communities provide valuable space for supportive community, or do they reinforce the stereotypes of our wider discourse? Marginalised bodies in a slimming world Much of my research has focused on representations of eating disorders, and the impact they have on those attempting to recover. People in recovery often struggle to find their footing in a world that is fixated on slimming. Often, they engage in eating and exercise patterns that feel profoundly counter-cultural eating a piece of cake for therapeutic reasons may sound amazing to someone without an eating disorder, but can be incredibly difficult for someone in recovery, particularly when they are not visibly ill. People in large bodies, people of colour, people of different genders, people with disabilities, and others who are socially marginalised do not often find themselves in the picture of the person with the eating disorder, let alone the recovered person. They often face double or triple stigma, living in bodies that are not made welcome in a society with narrow standards. Their bodies are subject to increased scrutiny, which can compound the challenges of recovery. Even in the clinical and research communities, we still lack a consensus definition of what eating disorder recovery actually means. And while many studies speak to the possibility of recovery, research also shows that many individuals have a hard time imagining their own recoveries. Individuals may feel reduced to their eating disorders forever marked, in the eyes of the public and health professionals, by distressing relationships with food. Recovering on Instagram Seeking alternatives, people often express their own recoveries on social media. By establishing recovery communities online, they may find a space that does not exist elsewhere a community to support the process of acting counter-cultural. But, do these communities simply serve as another metric against which people must measure themselves? How diverse are the bodies, and recoveries, represented in social media? The Instagram pics that made Tommy Clarke famous Show all 8 1 /8 The Instagram pics that made Tommy Clarke famous The Instagram pics that made Tommy Clarke famous The ocean, seen here in Mexico, is good for teture, says Clarke Tommy Clarke The Instagram pics that made Tommy Clarke famous Clarke's photos show a different side of beach life Tommy Clarke The Instagram pics that made Tommy Clarke famous Yachts in the Med off the Cote d'Azur Tommy Clarke The Instagram pics that made Tommy Clarke famous The yachts take pride of place on these flipflops (9.50) The Instagram pics that made Tommy Clarke famous A harbour in the Cote d'Azur Tommy Clarke The Instagram pics that made Tommy Clarke famous Cornwall's Carbis Bay looks positively Caribbean-like in this picture Tommy Clarke The Instagram pics that made Tommy Clarke famous The Carbis Bay shot appears on these M&S swimming trunks M&S The Instagram pics that made Tommy Clarke famous Go easy on the Instagram filters, says Clarke - the world is spectacular enough as it is Tommy Clarke My advisor, Dr Carla Rice, and I undertook an analysis of 1,056 images of eating disorder recovery on Instagram. We found that people using Instagram to document their recovery processes did appear to be engaging in community-building on the social media platform. However, the kinds of recovery represented retained the stereotypical trappings of the experience of eating disorders. Most posts continued to feature thin, young, white, women. Further, they frequently featured stylised versions of food, reflecting a certain class status and engagement with foodie cultures, as well as focusing on food in eating disorders, which are about more than food. Neither too thin nor too fat Studies have identified how healthy eating curricula in schools can increase the incidence of eating disorders. Our analysis revealed how easily health can become entangled with particular ways of eating. Often, hashtags like #EatingDisorderRecovery were used alongside #CleanEating and #HealthyFood. This coincidence of hashtags within the eating disorder recovery context raises questions about the challenge of navigating that place between healthy and ill and the kinds of bodies we imagine existing in these places. We cannot ignore how health is often judged based on how a person appears. In our society, health is often equated with thinness in a way that can lead to significant discrimination against people in large bodies and worse health outcomes for those individuals. People with eating disorders negotiate their recoveries in a world that values restrained eating. It is not surprising, then, that their hashtags reflect a wider societal confusion about how to be healthy, and what health looks like. Those in recovery are also faced with the challenge of proving their recoveries by enacting a body that is neither too thin nor too fat. In our study, we saw replication of stereotypes about whose bodies are considered eating disordered and recovered. Only one image of a non-feminine-performing body was present. Most users appeared to be white and thin (but not emaciated). Many of the messages conveyed in captions centred around appealing to the male gaze, gesturing at heterosexuality. Challenging perfection, with real-life impact Could these representations of recovery serve to reinforce a particular kind of recovery? While the overall picture of recovery in these images was quite narrow, we hesitate to condemn the Instagram community as unhelpful to those in recovery. Some users did engage with Instagram as a way of challenging the perfection and self-management demanded of all of us, particularly when it comes to health. They used hashtags in unexpected ways, for instance tagging a photo of a dessert #HealthyEating. They commented on others posts, offering reassurance and community to others working to live recovered lives. However, in order for such communities to be truly transformational to challenge the stereotypical representations of eating disorders and recovery they would need to present a wider range of bodies and practices. They would need to integrate the #7BillionSizes of people with eating disorders and in recovery, and recognise that #OneSizeDoesntFitAll. In the meantime, we can take inspiration from those working to challenge representations of eating disorders: Trans Folx Fighting Eating Disorders, Nalgona Positivity Pride and others working in the social justice space offer a blueprint. This work has real-life impacts opening up access to treatment, creating appropriate treatment where it does not exist, and generally making life easier for the some half a million Canadians who struggle with eating disorders. Andrea LaMarre is a PhD candidate in the department of family relations and applied nutrition at the University of Guelph. This article first appeared on The Conversation (theconversation.com) When young people are looked after by the state, they can live in a variety of care placements including childrens homes, foster parents or with friends or birth family relatives. These young people are known to be especially vulnerable to poor mental health. Many share too much with people who may do them harm and too little with carers who are trying to help. Until now, many thought that the risks that go along with young people in care using social media including unwelcome contact from their birth family outweighed any potential benefits. This assumption overshadowed the evidence that using social media can promote social capital a term used to describe the opportunities available from knowing and being connected to other people. And as a result, very little research was done to find out how young people living in state care actually use social media and how it can help them. A sense of belonging Thats why my colleagues and I conducted a study, which was recently published in the British Journal of Social Work, to create an in-depth picture of how young people in care use laptops, smart phones and social media apps. Recommended A quick guide on how to talk to your children about mental health To do this, we carried out more than 100 observations in four residential homes over a period of seven months. Observations meant that we saw first-hand how 10 young people used social media as part of their daily lives. We also conducted focus groups and interviews with young people and their carers to discuss what wed seen. We found that our ten young respondents used social media apps to keep up to date with friends and in some cases their birth family or previous carers. But rather than presenting a risk to their wellbeing, these updates about everyday life events actually provided them with a sense of belonging and connectedness. The emotional support they got from people outside the care environment was also very important especially for those who frequently reported feeling worthless, depressed and isolated. Research shows that for people who move around frequently, its better to have a wider network of friends, to minimise the damage caused by moving around. We also found that a broad and shallow networking tactic offered access to a wider range of opportunities for young people in care. Indeed, the young people in our study used social media to help ease moves from care homes. This is crucial, as young people leaving care often report that these moves make them feel psychologically lost. It was reassuring that all of the young people in our study were very protective of their online privacy. But ideas of privacy differed greatly between professionals and young people. Professionals tended to talk about privacy settings and monitoring, as they struggled to support access while trying to control risks. But as our previous research has shown, young people tend to want to ask for advice on privacy settings from peers or carers not be given instructions by carers. In some cases, young people felt that professionals were trying to connect with them on social media in order to monitor them which they saw as an attempt to breach their privacy. Growing up online It could be that the way young people in care use social media changes as they move between different types of placements. And were not sure whether using social media can sometimes be less helpful in times of poor emotional wellbeing and mental health. But were keen to do more work, looking at how to support young people in care to use social media, while recognising that different risks may be reduced as young people become young adults. Managing your own affairs online is becoming an important part of teenagers transition into adulthood, so social workers and carers need to support young people in care to do that in a safe and healthy way. This means offering guidance to teenagers, when it comes to assessing and managing the risks of social media use. People often learn by making mistakes, so its crucial for support workers to help young people learn from their errors rather than trying to protect them by restricting their access to the internet. Many young people are still figuring out how to handle social media, and there is no doubt it can have negative impacts on mental health. But clearly, there are positives too even for vulnerable young people in care. The next step is to figure out how to make the most of it. Simon Hammond is a research fellow in qualitative methods at the University of East Anglia. This article first appeared on The Conversation (theconversation.com) There has been international outcry at a further delay in the military trial of Palestinian teenager Ahed Tamimi, who was arrested in December for kicking and slapping two Israeli soldiers. The 17-year-old arrived at court on Tuesday appearing calm, smiling and flashing the 'V for victory' sign at photographers. However, all observers were soon kicked out of the courtroom after the judge ordered a closed hearing, and proceedings have been pushed back to next month. She remains in custody at Ofer prison near Ramallah. Who is she? Ms Tamimi is from the West Bank town of Nabi Saleh, where more than 600 members of her extended family live. Since 2009, residents there have staged regular anti-occupation protests against a nearby Israeli settlement that often end in stone-throwing, rubber bullets and tear gas. The teenager has taken part in the marches and demonstrations since she was young. Her curly blonde hair and blue eyes - which led an Israeli minister to question whether she is actually Palestinian - have appeared in several highly publicised photos over the years. In one, taken when she was 12, she is raising a clenched fist at a soldier who towers over her. Why was she arrested? Ms Tamimi was apprehended on 19 December after social media footage emerged of her slapping and kicking Israeli troops in a confrontation near her home a few days earlier. She was reportedly upset after learning that her 15-year-old cousin had been seriously injured after being shot in the head by a rubber bullet during stone-throwing clashes nearby. Israeli authorities picked her up on 12 separate charges of aggravated assault and incitement, which could potentially be punishable by 10 years in prison. Why is her case causing such a fuss? Mainly because shes a minor: Ms Tamimi was 16 when she was arrested and has turned 17 in detention. Rights groups such as Amnesty International have pointed out that under the UNs Convention on the Rights of the Child, of which Israel is a state party, the arrest, detention or imprisonment of a child must be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time. Like many Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, Ms Tamimi also faces a military trial - which convict nearly 100 per cent of alleged Palestinian offenders. For Palestinians, Ms Tamimi has become a David and Goliath style figure challenging the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, a representative of the estimated 300 Palestinian children held in Israeli jails. Critics have pointed out that the child has courted attention and been used by her family for anti-Israeli publicity purposes since a young age. What will happen to her? The start of the trial has now been delayed three times. The new hearing date is March 11, and the process is expected to last for several months. On Tuesday Lieutenant Colonel Menachem Lieberman ordered the trial take place as a closed hearing, ejecting journalists, human rights researchers and observing western diplomats. The decision was met with fresh outrage from Ms Tamimis supporters. The court decided what is best for the court, and not what is good for Ahed, said the girl's Israeli lawyer, Gaby Lasky. The way to keep it out of everybody's eyes is to close doors and not allow people inside the court for the hearing. While it is unlikely Ms Tamimi will face a full 10 years in prison, Amnesty International says the aggressive prosecution is intended as a desperate attempt to intimidate Palestinian children who dare to stand up to repression by occupying forces. An influential government committee has announced that it is launching a new inquiry into sexual harassment in the workplace and how misconduct can be tackled more effectively, amid a slew of public cases and complaints in recent months. The Women and Equalities Committee said that the launch follows a one-off House of Commons session at the end of January, at which members of the committee heard evidence on the matter from Neil Carberry, managing director at the Confederation of British Industry, and other employment rights and human resource specialists. Over the past few months there have been widespread reports of womens appalling experiences of sexual harassment at work. Our recent evidence session with legal experts, employee and employers representatives painted a stark picture, Maria Miller, who chairs the committee, said when announcing the launch of the latest inquiry. Recommended Report shows fifth of Westminster staff experienced sexual harassment Clearly much more needs to be done, both by government and employers: this inquiry is about identifying solutions. The review will examine what actions the Government and employers can take to change workplace culture, how confidence to report problems can be increased, and how tackling harassment can be made a higher priority. It will also look at how staff can be better protected from sexual harassment by clients, customers and others, how effective and accessible tribunals and other legal means of redress are, and what improvements could be made to both of those systems. Finally, the inquiry will also assess the advantages and disadvantaged of using non-disclosure agreements in sexual harassment cases, and what can be done to prevent the inappropriate use of such NDAs. We need to change workplace culture, keep women safe and provide effective legal remedies, said Ms Miller. We also need to understand whether non-disclosure agreements are being abused by legal experts and employers to cover up wrongdoing. The committee would welcome evidence on how best to tackle these problems, currently faced by thousands of people at work. Evidence on the issues being examined can be submitted on the governments website until 13 March. The committee is simultaneously running a separate inquiry into the sexual harassment of women and girls in public spaces. That investigation followed a similar evidence session, which took place in December. Evidence for that inquiry can be submitted until March 5. A YouGov survey in October last year found that half of 18 to 24-year-olds said they had been sexually harassed in a public place in past five years. A quarter of those who said they had been harassed said that it had happened in the workplace. A new study suggests alcohol consumption is more detrimental to peoples brains than marijuana. Researchers at the University of Colorado-Boulder looked at more than 850 adults and 430 teenagers to find that alcohol, but not marijuana, led to lower brain volumes of grey and white brain tissue. Grey matter controls brain function and white matter controls communication between the nerves in the brain. Recommended San Francisco to dismiss all marijuana convictions dating back to 1975 Any reduction in volume could lead to lead to impaired function but that decreased volume was not observed in participants who only consumed the drug. While marijuana may also have some negative consequences, it definitely is nowhere near the negative consequences of alcohol, study co-author Kent Hutchison told Medical News Today. However, study author Rachel Thayer warned that there is still a lot scientists do not know about how marijuana affects the human brain as opposed to numerous studies showing the same results about brain health and consuming alcohol. Oregon is producing three times more marijuana than it can consume The researchers also made note that studies published on how the brain and marijuana interact have contradicted each other often. Mile high city: Inside Denver's billion-dollar marijuana industry Show all 8 1 /8 Mile high city: Inside Denver's billion-dollar marijuana industry Mile high city: Inside Denver's billion-dollar marijuana industry 5591453.jpg Sam Adams Mile high city: Inside Denver's billion-dollar marijuana industry 5591446.jpg Sam Adams Mile high city: Inside Denver's billion-dollar marijuana industry 5591448.jpg Sam Adams Mile high city: Inside Denver's billion-dollar marijuana industry 5591452.jpg Sam Adams Mile high city: Inside Denver's billion-dollar marijuana industry 5591449.jpg Sam Adams Mile high city: Inside Denver's billion-dollar marijuana industry 5591450.jpg Sam Adams Mile high city: Inside Denver's billion-dollar marijuana industry 5591451.jpg Sam Adams Mile high city: Inside Denver's billion-dollar marijuana industry 5591454.jpg Sam Adams When you look at these studies going back years, you see that one study will report that marijuana use is related to a reduction in the volume of the hippocampus [a region of the brain associated with memory and emotions]...The next study then comes around, and they say that marijuana use is related to changes in the cerebellum or the whatever, Mr Hutchinson said. Another recent study showed that cannabis use coupled with alcohol consumption could lead to a lower risk of liver disease. Cannabis as also been used to treat cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, epilepsy, and migraines as well. In the US, Colorado, Washington State, Oregon, California, and Alaska have legalised its use for medical or recreational use and have placed tight controls on production and sale. Julian Assange can still be detained police if he leaves the Ecuadorian embassy in London, a judge has ruled after refusing to cancel a long-standing arrest warrant. The Wikileaks founders legal team argued that continuing to pursue him for violating bail conditions was not proportionate or in the public interest, but senior district judge Emma Arbuthnot threw out their claim. She told Westminster Magistrates Court the activist should have come to court himself but chose to restrict his own freedom. Judge Arbuthnot described Mr Assange as a man who wants to impose his terms on the course of justice, whether this jurisdiction or in Sweden. He appears to consider himself above the normal rules of law and wants justice only if it goes in his favour, she added. Defendants on bail up and down the country, and requested persons facing extradition, come to court to face the consequences of their own choices. He should have the courage to do so too. Mr Assange said he was surprised by the ruling and accused the judge of making significant factual errors as his lawyers vowed to appeal. Julian Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy - a timeline Judge Arbuthnot said there was no evidence to support Mr Assanges fears of being extradited to the US over Wikileaks activity, adding: Mr Assanges failure to surrender [to the court] has impeded the course of justice and has led finally to the case being dropped as it cannot be continued unless he returned to Sweden. She had considered emails between British and Swedish lawyers, evidence on Mr Assanges health and other submissions presented at a previous hearing last week. Mark Summers QC told the court his client had reasonable grounds for fleeing to the Ecuadorian embassy in 2012, while under bail conditions and a European Arrest Warrant over sexual assault allegations in Sweden. Arguing the past five-and-a-half years were adequate, if not severe punishment for skipping bail, the barrister said Mr Assange suffered from depression and health issues related to his confinement in a small room. But Judge Arbuthnot found the bail conditions imposed during the Swedish investigation were legal and proportionate, and that conditions inside the Ecuadorian embassy were nothing like a prison. While acknowledging that Mr Assange was suffering physically and mentally, she said his arrest would still be a proportionate response to his failure to attend court and its impact on the course of justice. When considering the public interest I have regard to the consequences of his failure to appear, one of which is the drain on resources that policing Mr Assanges choice has caused, she added. I must look at the impact on public confidence in the criminal justice system if Mr Assange is allowed to avoid a warrant for his arrest by staying out of reach of the policeit is certainly not against the public interest to proceed. As the judgement was being handed down, Mr Assange tweeted that the judge is just defending UK state actions. UK police have said Julian Assange faces arrest for breaching bail conditions if he leaves the embassy (Jack Taylor/Getty Images) His solicitor, Gareth Peirce, said it would be possible to appeal against the decision. Speaking outside the court, she said: Whether it is pursued is another question - the history of the case from start to finish is extraordinary. Each aspect of it becomes puzzling and troubling as it is scrutinised. Mr Assange has accused the UK of a cover-up to keep him detained, and his lawyer Jennifer Robinson previously claimed the Government had refused to confirm or deny whether there is an extradition request from the US. The UN called on Swedish and British authorities to free Mr Assange from arbitrary detention in a report released in 2016 which was relied upon by his lawyers but the judge dismissed its findings as quite wrong. He can leave the embassy whenever he wishes; secondly, he is free to receive, it would seem, an unlimited number of visitors and those visits are not supervised; thirdly, he can choose the food he eats, the time he sleeps and exercises, she said. He can sit on the balcony (I accept probably observed by the police and his supporters) to take the air. He is not locked in at night. I suspect if one were to ask one of the men incarcerated in Wandsworth Prison whether conditions in the Ecuadorian embassy were akin to a remand in custody, the prisoner would dispute the working group's assertions. Jennifer Robinson, a lawyer representing Julian Assange, talks outside Westminster Magistrates Court (PA) The judge said she had seen evidence of Mr Assange getting sunlight but he tweeted that it amounted to pulling security to get me safely on the balcony six times in six years for a few minutes. A small group of supporters stood outside the court after the ruling, holding banners reading Free Assange'' and "Assange Safe Passage. Mr Assanges team initially argued that there must be underlying proceedings to maintain the arrest warrant but in a previous hearing on 6 February, Judge Arbuthnot concluded: It is not uncommon for Bail Act offences to be pursued when the substantive proceedings are no longer in existence. Mr Summers told the court a Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) lawyer had advised Swedish prosecutors that his client should be interviewed in Stockholm rather than London. Lawyers presented emails obtained under a Freedom of Information request but Judge Arbuthnot said there was insufficient evidence to say whether the CPS lawyer had acted inappropriately. As the Swedish investigation continued in December 2010, Mr Assange was jailed in Wandsworth Prisons isolation unit for 10 days and then put under house arrest for 550 days under powers granted by an international arrest warrant. The Australian activist was still on bail when he fled to the Ecuadorian embassy in 2012, stating fears that the probe could be used to extradite him to the US for Wikileaks activities. There is no public record of pending criminal charges against Mr Assange pending in the US, where the Justice Department previously concluded it would be inappropriate to prosecute Wikileaks because it was too similar to a media organization. But in March 2017, federal prosecutors in Virginia expanded a long-running grand jury investigation into the website and its personnel, including Mr Assange, which is ongoing. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 10 September 2021 People paddle board during a misty morning in Ullswater, the second largest lake in the Lake District, Cumbria PA UK news in pictures 9 September 2021 Troops from Wiltshire based 4 Armoured Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during final inspection at Wellington Barracks in London, ahead of providing troops for the Queens Guard PA UK news in pictures 8 September 2021 Workers cross London Bridge during the morning rush hour in London Reuters UK news in pictures Mixing it up: Painting it up press view in London A gallery employee poses for photographers next to a painting entitled Prairie by British artist, Louise Giovanelli during the exhibition 'Mixing it up: Painting it up' at the Hayward Gallery in London EPA UK news in pictures 6 September 2021 Traders in the Ring at the London Metal Exchange, in the City of London, after open-outcry trading returned for the first time since March 2020, when the Ring was temporarily closed due to the pandemic PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2021 People enjoy the warm weather on Sandbanks beach, Poole PA UK news in pictures 4 September 2021 Demonstrators from Animal Rebellion and Nature Rebellion protest in Trafalgar Square in London. PA UK news in pictures 3 September 2021 South Africa's Ntando Mahlangu (centre) wins the Men's 200 metres T61 Final ahead of second placed Great Britain's Richard Whitehead at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games PA UK news in pictures 2 September 2021 A young common seal on the beach at Horsey Gap in Norfolk, as hundreds of pregnant grey seals come ashore ready for the start of the pupping season. PA UK news in pictures 1 September 2021 Goldfinches fighting over food in a garden in Strensham, Worcestershire PA 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 Sweden dropped its preliminary investigation for logistical reasons two months later, after Mr Assange had been interviewed by Ecuadorian prosecutors, the European Arrest Warrant to be scrapped. Swedens director of public prosecutions, Marianne Ny, said no judgment on guilt or innocence could be made, adding: The decision to discontinue the investigation is not because weve been able to make a full assessment of the evidence, but because we didnt see possibilities to advance the investigation. At the time, the Metropolitan Police confirmed its officers were still required to arrest Mr Assange. "Westminster Magistrates' Court issued a warrant for the arrest of Julian Assange following him failing to surrender to the court on the 29 June 2012," a statement said. "The Metropolitan Police Service is obliged to execute that warrant should he leave the embassy." Scotland Yard stood down the 24/7 police presence outside the Ecuadorian Embassy building in 2015 but pledged to make every effort to arrest Mr Assange if he left. The activist, who was never charged, repeatedly said he was entirely innocent of the allegations, which stemmed from a meeting with the claimant in August 2010. The Ecuadorian government has granted Mr Assange citizenship and sent letters on his behalf arguing that public declarations by US officials constituted an obvious risk. Mr Assange said a package containing a "threat" and white powder was sent to him at the Ecuadorian embassy last week, although the item was deemed non-suspicious by police. Additional reporting by PA More than 100 firefighters are tackling a blaze at an industrial estate. Crews were called to Long Drive, Northolt, northwest London at around 11.30pm on Monday and multiple units are alight. London Fire Brigade said 15 engines were sent to the area. Station manager Ben King said: This is a very visible fire. We would advise nearby residents to keep their windows closed as there is a lot of thick smoke in the area. We have a lot of fire engines on the scene so people should avoid the area where possible. The cause of the fire is currently not known. Firefighters are expected to be at the scene for most of the night, and around a third of the building is alight. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 3 September 2021 Demonstrators from Animal Rebellion and Nature Rebellion protest in Trafalgar Square in London. PA UK news in pictures 3 September 2021 South Africa's Ntando Mahlangu (centre) wins the Men's 200 metres T61 Final ahead of second placed Great Britain's Richard Whitehead at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games PA UK news in pictures 2 September 2021 A young common seal on the beach at Horsey Gap in Norfolk, as hundreds of pregnant grey seals come ashore ready for the start of the pupping season. PA UK news in pictures 1 September 2021 Goldfinches fighting over food in a garden in Strensham, Worcestershire PA 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 Mr King said: Crews are working hard to prevent the fire spreading to other units. We are likely to be on scene for a number of hours. At 3.30am, London Fire Brigade said additional crews were sent to the fire, bringing the total number of firefighters to 120. PA The Charity Commission has been forced to defend its own investigations after Oxfams former head of safeguarding claimed she told the watchdog women were being coerced into sex for aid. Helen Evans said she was extremely concerned by the response to concerns she raised while heading the charitys global efforts to protect staff and beneficiaries from 2012 to 2015. While appealing for more resources from management to deal with a rising number of allegations, Ms Evans told how in a single day she was told of a woman being coerced into sex in exchange for aid, another aid worker having sex with a beneficiary and a member of staff being struck off for abuse. There has been a lot of coverage about Oxfam and how shocking and surprising this is it isnt, she told Channel 4 News. I went in 2015 to the Charity Commission, I went back again in 2017. Everything Im saying today, the Charity Commission knew, so why is the Government saying this is a surprise? Ms Evans had emailed Oxfams chief executive, Mark Goldring, warning that data being gathered from staff increasingly points to a culture of sexual abuse within some Oxfam officers but a face-to-face meeting was cancelled in 2014. While repeatedly asking for increased resources the following year, she said three allegations were made in a single day: There was one of a woman being coerced to have sex in a humanitarian response by another aid worker, another case where a woman had been coerced in exchange for aid and another one where it had come to our attention where a member of staff had been struck off for sexual abuse and hadn't disclosed that, and we were then concerned about what he might be doing. Abuse against teenage volunteers in Oxfam's UK shops was also reported (PA) Ms Evans reports also recorded alleged abuse and inappropriate conduct towards teenage volunteers working in Oxfams UK charity shops. In an email to her superiors, she asked: If we dont have resource to safeguard those we are meant to help from harm caused by our own representatives, then how can we justify the work we do? A spokesperson for the Charity Commission said it took Ms Evans concerns very seriously and was told by Oxfam that its safeguarding processes were improving and developing. Recent revelations make clear that the charity has not been sufficiently open with us about safeguarding incidents, she added. Ms Evans did not raise concerns about specific incidents with us in 2015. Following a second meeting last year, the Charity Commission opened an ongoing regulatory compliance case and issued a formal action plan. The watchdog launched a new statutory inquiry into Oxfam last night, saying it may not have fully and frankly disclosed material details about allegations of staff using prostitutes in Haiti in 2011. The Commission said it also had concerns about its handling of subsequent incidents and the impact on public trust and confidence. Helping the Rohingya people in Burma is the latest of Oxfams drives to help people in need (Getty) Deputy chief executive David Holdsworth said: "Charities and dedicated, hard-working aid workers undertake vital, lifesaving work in some of the most difficult circumstances across the world. However, the issues revealed in recent days are shocking and unacceptable. It is important that we take this urgent step to ensure that these matters can be dealt with fully and robustly. Mr Goldring apologised for not acting fast enough but said Oxfam appointed a retired police officer to oversee safeguarding shortly after she left her post, increased resources and expanded criminal record checks in shops. A spokesperson for the charity said more staff were being recruited to its safeguarding team and specialist training had been rolled out both in shops and overseas. Following crisis talks with Oxfam on Monday, the International Development Secretary said she would not move hastily in deciding whether to withdraw Government funding from the charity, which totalled 31.7m in 2016/17. Penny Mordaunt told BBC News: I know people will be worried about the charity, they'll be worried about the money, but we need to be guided by what the Charity Commission are doing and also I have made it very clear to Oxfam what we expect to see from them. But these decisions shouldn't be taken hastily, but I am considering them. The former Foreign Secretary Lord Hague is among those warning against cutting the foreign aid budget in the wake of the scandal. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he said there was an overwhelming strategic, as well as moral, imperative to deliver aid to the world's poorest people, adding: A reduction in aid would be a strategic blunder, ultimately damaging our own national interest and our ability to deal with one of the biggest problems heading our way. Penny Lawrence resigned during yesterday's talks (Charlotte Ball/Oxfam/PA Wire) Oxfams deputy chief executive, Penny Lawrence, resigned during yesterdays discussions, saying she took full responsibility for the alleged use of prostitutes by senior staff in Haiti and Chad. But aid workers told The Independent sexual misconduct against both locals and staff remained widespread in humanitarian agencies and called for wholesale reforms. They described hearing of similar behaviour across Africa and Asia, including senior male managers paying local women as prostitutes or meeting in sex bars, amid a culture of impunity. A British former UN employee who has worked for several agencies in the Middle East said sexual misconduct was definitely widespread. There are not enough checks and balances within the humanitarian sector and you hear stories of people who were known for sexual misconduct and abuse still working 20 years later, she added. Although the publicity around Oxfam could improve practices, she was concerned that the threat of donors cutting funding could drive organisations to bury sexual misconduct instead of doing a proper inquiry. The Government has written to all British charities working overseas demanding absolute assurances that they are protecting vulnerable people and referring complaints to authorities in the wake of the Oxfam scandal. The Department for International Development (Dfid) has created a new unit dedicated to reviewing safeguarding in the aid sector and stopping criminal and predatory individuals being employed by other charities. A global register of development workers may be established, as the UK increases work against sexual exploitation with the United Nations and prepares to host a summit on the issue later this month. A man claiming to be an aid worker who used prostitutes while posted abroad during the Bosnian War has defended former Oxfam employees sacked for paying sex workers in Haiti and Chad. The caller, who gave his name only as Steve, told LBC radio show host James OBrien to judge him and other aid workers by their work, not what they do in their spare time. The scandal engulfing Oxfam has seen it accused of attempting a cover up of sex parties hosted by some of its employees, who allegedly paid victims of natural disasters to take part. The charity insists it made the revelations public in 2011, and denies any cover up took place. Steve said people outraged by the scandal should just start growing up a little bit. The caller said he was assigned to work for a major charity in Bosnia by the Overseas Development Administration, now the Department for International Development (DFID), after leaving the military in 1993. We used to get an allowance of 300 deutschmarks a week and Ive used prostitutes, and at the end of the day they used to hang around the lobbies of the hotels, he said. Now I was single, they were willing to do it, what right have you to criticise people like me? Judge me what I do the next day when I deliver a 1,000 tonnes of grain or food to starving kids, he added. Penny Mourdant on Oxfam: If moral leadership isn't there then we cannot have you as a partner He said conditions during the war - a conflict triggered after Bosnia and Herzegovina joined several republics of the former Yugoslavia in declaring independence in 1991 - were so bad women were offering sex to aid workers "for 40 fags", and that paying them could "keep their families going for several months". You cant work 24 hours a day, you would go off your rocker, he said. He added any charity employee who used underage sex workers should be banged up for 100 years. In the wake of the Oxfam scandal, more than 120 workers from a range of Britains leading charities have reportedly been accused of sexual abuse in the past year alone. New figures collated by the charities revealed that Oxfam recorded 87 allegations of sexual misconduct between April 2016 and March 2017, of which 53 were referred to the police. Save the Children had 31, ten of which were referred to the police, and Christian Aid two. Oxfam said four members of staff implicated in the Haiti scandal were dismissed. Three, including Roland van Hauwermeiren, who served as the country director, were allowed to resign before the end of an investigation into the allegations. 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 A confidential report by the charity, seen by The Times, said there had been a culture of impunity among some staff in Haiti. It also concluded that children may have been among those sexually exploited by aid workers. The Government has announced it is reviewing all of its work with Oxfam, which receives 300 million a year. Penny Mordaunt, the International Development Secretary, described the news as shocking and has threatened to withdraw funding from Oxfam and any other organisation that has safeguarding issues. Male MPs are effectively seat-blocking safe seats in the Commons and holding back gender progress, according to new research that calls for an overhaul in the way politicians are elected to Parliament. The new study from the Electoral Reform Society (ERS) claims that hundreds of seats have effectively been reserved by male politicians - forcing women to contest in marginal constituencies in order to enter public life. The research, published on Tuesday, shows that of the 212 currently-serving MPs first elected in 2005 or before, just 42 are women. And of the 380 elected in 2010 or before, just over 24 per cent or 93 are women, leading to the ERS claiming that the dominance of men in long-held seats acts as a major barrier to further progress. The organisation is now calling for multi-member seats in the Commons under a proportional representation system. The chief executive of the ERS, Darren Hughes, told the Times: Traditionally women have tended to disproportionately represent marginal seats, with male seat blockers clinging on to safe constituencies. Recommended PM tells women with political ambition to resist male stereotypes That means parties have tended to put up women candidates in the seats where gaps open up more frequently generally marginals: the low hanging fruit for increasing diversity. But replying on men retiring to achieve equality is a slow road indeed and will not bring the change we need fast enough. Jess Garland, the director of policy and research at the ERS, added that while Britain has experienced progress in gender equality at recent elections, it is being held back by Westminsters broken voting system, which effectively reserves seats for men. She continued: Over 80 per cent of MPs first elected in 1997 or earlier are men, with the one-MP per seat one-person-takes-all nature of First Past the Post leaving few opportunities for womens representation once a man has secured selection. Sitting MPs have a huge incumbency advantage, and since open selections are relatively rare, we face a real stumbling block in the path to fair representation. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 10 September 2021 People paddle board during a misty morning in Ullswater, the second largest lake in the Lake District, Cumbria PA UK news in pictures 9 September 2021 Troops from Wiltshire based 4 Armoured Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during final inspection at Wellington Barracks in London, ahead of providing troops for the Queens Guard PA UK news in pictures 8 September 2021 Workers cross London Bridge during the morning rush hour in London Reuters UK news in pictures Mixing it up: Painting it up press view in London A gallery employee poses for photographers next to a painting entitled Prairie by British artist, Louise Giovanelli during the exhibition 'Mixing it up: Painting it up' at the Hayward Gallery in London EPA UK news in pictures 6 September 2021 Traders in the Ring at the London Metal Exchange, in the City of London, after open-outcry trading returned for the first time since March 2020, when the Ring was temporarily closed due to the pandemic PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2021 People enjoy the warm weather on Sandbanks beach, Poole PA UK news in pictures 4 September 2021 Demonstrators from Animal Rebellion and Nature Rebellion protest in Trafalgar Square in London. PA UK news in pictures 3 September 2021 South Africa's Ntando Mahlangu (centre) wins the Men's 200 metres T61 Final ahead of second placed Great Britain's Richard Whitehead at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games PA UK news in pictures 2 September 2021 A young common seal on the beach at Horsey Gap in Norfolk, as hundreds of pregnant grey seals come ashore ready for the start of the pupping season. PA UK news in pictures 1 September 2021 Goldfinches fighting over food in a garden in Strensham, Worcestershire PA 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 Parties have made significant strides, with near gender parity among current MPs first elected in 2015. But without change of the system, further progress will be extremely slow. Westminsters single-member seat system is widely regarded as the worlds worst when it comes to achieving gender balance. Proportional multi-member systems used in democracies around the world mean there are always real opportunities for improving womens representation. The research follows a week of celebrations in Britain, marking the centenary of womens suffrage and the 1918 Representation of the Peoples Act that gave some women the right to vote in parliamentary elections. Speaking last week, Theresa May said the best way to honour the suffragettes is by ensuring that more women come into public life and that we see more women in Parliament. Northern Ireland has now been without a government for two years. The devolved executive and assembly which have powers over the region collapsed in January 2017 owing to ongoing disagreements between the DUP and Sinn Fein, and all attempts to restore power-sharing have since failed. The region currently holds the world record for the longest period without a sitting government, which it passed after 589 days. Here, we explain how the political impasse came to be and what a future deal could look like. How and why did the Northern Ireland Executive collapse? The Northern Ireland Executive collapsed on 9 January 2017 with the resignation of Martin McGuinness as Deputy First Minister. Due to the unique nature of history and circumstances in Northern Ireland, both unionists and nationalists must join together in a power sharing executive in order to lead the assembly. Since 2007, the DUP have been the largest unionist party and Sinn Fein have been the largest nationalist party. With the larger mandate, the DUP have always been given the post of First Minister, while Sinn Fein have been given Deputy First Minister, but the two roles are effectively a joint office, with equal power, and can only exist with the full support of the other. This arrangement has largely weathered a decade of politics, but in November 2016 a scandal emerged surrounding a Renewable Heat Incentive (also referred to as the RHI scandal or Cash for Ash), signed off by First Minister Arlene Foster in 2012. Its mismanagement had cost the Northern Ireland Executive 480m. Sinn Fein called for Ms Foster to stand aside from her position to allow for an independent inquiry into the scandal, but she refused. Having served as Deputy First Minister for ten years, Mr McGuinness then resigned in January 2017 and Sinn Fein announced they would not be replacing him. This stripped Ms Foster of her title as First Minister and collapsed the executive. Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness pictures with Prime Minister Theresa May before the collapse of the Northern Ireland Executive What happened next? The then-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire, called fresh elections for the Northern Ireland Assembly in March 2017. It returned the DUP and Sinn Fein as the largest parties, but the gap between them had closed dramatically. Only 1,000 votes separated them in the popular vote. The DUP fell by 10 seats to 28, with Sinn Fein not far behind on 27. Crucially, it was the first time that unionists no longer held an overall majority in the Assembly. The parties then had three weeks to reach a deal, and when that time passed, Mr Brokenshire decided not to call fresh elections, as he is entitled to do. Instead, talks continued in stops and starts throughout the year played out against the backdrop of the dramatic 2017 UK General Election (in which the DUP played a key role), and the Brexit drama which has followed. All the while, Northern Ireland has had no functioning government, and has effectively been run by civil servants on diminishing resources. Westminster passed a budget in November 2017 for Northern Ireland for the ongoing financial year, but this was very much a temporary fix, and all involved refrained from calling it direct rule, still holding out for a deal. In January 2018, Karen Bradley was named Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and began talks between the parties again. On 14 February, after a draft deal appeared to have been agreed by all sides, it suddenly fell through. This was rumoured to have included provisions for an Irish Language Act, which was denounced by the DUP grassroots when details were leaked. A continued state of no government has persisted since. Who was involved in talks? Any talks in Northern Ireland are co-chaired by the Secretary of State Karen Bradley, representing the British government, and the Irish Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister), Simon Coveney, representing the government in Dublin. The majority of the talks are between the DUP and Sinn Fein, the two largest parties, who must strike a deal together if power sharing is to be restored. However, the Alliance Party, the SDLP and the UUP are also involved in some levels of discussion. In late 2018, there was some discussion - even from Karen Bradley herself - that another mediator may need to be brought in, someone not from Britain or Ireland. This has precedent, as former US Senator George Mitchell oversaw the negotiations which led to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Karen Bradley greets Prime Minister Theresa May in Belfast What have parties been discussing in talks? Although it was mainly the RHI scandal and the position of Arlene Foster which sparked this crisis, Sinn Fein had other complaints too namely that funding was being cut to Irish language services and that the DUP had abused a parliamentary mechanism known as the Petition of Concern to prevent the introduction of same sex marriage in Northern Ireland. Sinn Fein has called for a standalone Irish Language Act in the style of the Welsh Language Act which would give Gaelic parity with English in Northern Ireland. This has been resisted by the DUP, who see it as an erosion of British identity. There may also be some discussion around reforming the Petition of Concern. It allows a bill to be blocked from passing in the Northern Ireland Assembly if one side of the community feels the other is oppressing their rights. The DUP used this to prevent the passing of same sex marriage, despite the assembly having a clear majority, much to the anger of many on both sides of the community divide. Other parties have also misused this mechanism in the past, but when considered in its correct usage, it may prove to be too crucial to be removed altogether. All of these issues have remained on the table, as well as more outstanding problems such as how Northern Ireland should deal with its troubled past, and whether or not prosecutions particularly of the armed forces should play a role in any reconciliation process. What would a deal look like? The Irish Language Act has become the most prominent discussion point, not just for Sinn Fein, but among mainstream media and broadcasters, and across Northern Ireland in general. Its unclear what it would entail, and whether its merely a matter of Irish on road signs and public buildings, or something greater like equal opportunities for English and Irish speakers in public sector jobs. But any deal would almost certainly have to include it in some shape or form, even if it means the DUP insisting on similar protections for the lesser used Ulster Scots dialect. Owing to her position in the negotiations, and her own determination not to bow to the demands of Sinn Fein, it appears Arlene Foster may be returned as First Minister - a position Sinn Fein appear to have softened on in 2018. The DUP know that same sex marriage in Northern Ireland is only a matter of time, but it is unlikely that they will simply gift it to Sinn Fein in any deal, considering how badly this would play with their conservative base. However, they may quietly agree not to block it, or the Petition of Concern could be reformed somewhat to prevent them from using it again. The new Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle ONeill What happens if the parties cannot reach an agreement on a deal? If the parties cannot agree a basis on which to re-enter powersharing at Stormont, then Northern Ireland will be governed by direct rule from Westminster. In theory, the Northern Ireland Secretary could attempt to avert this by calling another election for the assembly, but this is unlikely to return anyone other than the DUP and Sinn Fein as the two largest parties, thus ending up back at the start. Northern Ireland has been under direct rule from Westminster before, notably for the duration of The Troubles between 1972 and 1998, but it has largely been run by devolved government ever since. The return of direct rule would be a major setback for the province, and for cross-community reconciliation. Since Sinn Fein abstain from taking their seats at Westminster, it would leave Northern Ireland solely represented by 10 DUP MPs in the House of Commons. Ironically, social issues that the DUP have stood against, such as same sex marriage and legalising abortion, could be almost immediately implemented once the affairs of Northern Ireland are left to a House of Commons who largely support these measures both already legal across the rest of the UK. Therefore, despite their hold over the Conservatives, direct rule is not an ideal scenario for the DUP, and will only be greeted by more hardline loyalists who believe Northern Ireland should always be ruled directly by London. From Sinn Feins perspective, direct rule is also not desirable as their mandate in Northern Ireland elections is increasing, and this would undo that work. But if the alternative is a bad deal, its unclear how they would walk back on that after such a lengthy political stalemate. Cutting foreign aid spending in the wake of the sex scandal engulfing Oxfam would be a blunder, according to the former Conservative leader William Hague. Referring to allegations in which the charity's aid workers used prostitutes in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti in 2011, Mr Hague said it was important to deal decisively with the utterly unacceptable behaviour of humanitarian workers. But he said a reduction in Britains foreign aid spending currently at 0.7 per cent of GDP would be a strategic blunder, adding it would ultimately damage our own national interest and ability to deal with on the biggest problems heading our way. He continued: This is that over the next 30 years more than half the growth in the worlds population is expected to be on just one continent Africa. Mr Hague, who also served as Foreign Secretary in David Camerons administration between 2010 and 2014, added there was an overwhelming strategic, as well as moral, imperative to deliver aid to the worlds poorest people, but added that the sector needs to show it is setting and meeting the highest standards. The case for the type of work done by Oxfam is too strong to allow it to be undermined by bad behaviour and inadequate standards of disclosure or investigation, he wrote in an article for the Daily Telegraph. Recommended We need to increase the foreign aid budget following the Oxfam scandal The case for an aid budget that tackles the world's biggest issues will get stronger, not weaker, in the years ahead. The response to this appalling scandal needs to be tough enough to convince the public that their generosity will not be abused. His comments came after Jacob Rees-Mogg last week delivered a Daily Express petition to Downing Street calling on Theresa May to cut the foreign aid budget. But a Downing Street source told the Guardian that the Government is committed to meeting the 0.7 per cent target as it is a legal obligation. Mr Hagues intervention also follows the dramatic resignation of Oxfams deputy chief executive on Monday, saying she took full responsibility for the alleged use of prostitutes by senior staff in Haiti seven years ago. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 11 September 2021 Arsenals Takehiro Tomiyasu attempts to control the ball during the Premier League match at The Emirates Stadium PA UK news in pictures 10 September 2021 People paddle board during a misty morning in Ullswater, the second largest lake in the Lake District, Cumbria PA UK news in pictures 9 September 2021 Troops from Wiltshire based 4 Armoured Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during final inspection at Wellington Barracks in London, ahead of providing troops for the Queens Guard PA UK news in pictures 8 September 2021 Workers cross London Bridge during the morning rush hour in London Reuters UK news in pictures Mixing it up: Painting it up press view in London A gallery employee poses for photographers next to a painting entitled Prairie by British artist, Louise Giovanelli during the exhibition 'Mixing it up: Painting it up' at the Hayward Gallery in London EPA UK news in pictures 6 September 2021 Traders in the Ring at the London Metal Exchange, in the City of London, after open-outcry trading returned for the first time since March 2020, when the Ring was temporarily closed due to the pandemic PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2021 People enjoy the warm weather on Sandbanks beach, Poole PA UK news in pictures 4 September 2021 Demonstrators from Animal Rebellion and Nature Rebellion protest in Trafalgar Square in London. PA UK news in pictures 3 September 2021 South Africa's Ntando Mahlangu (centre) wins the Men's 200 metres T61 Final ahead of second placed Great Britain's Richard Whitehead at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games PA UK news in pictures 2 September 2021 A young common seal on the beach at Horsey Gap in Norfolk, as hundreds of pregnant grey seals come ashore ready for the start of the pupping season. PA UK news in pictures 1 September 2021 Goldfinches fighting over food in a garden in Strensham, Worcestershire PA 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 Penny Mordaunt, the International Development Secretary, has written a letter to all UK charities working overseas demanding absolute assurance that the moral leadership, the systems, the culture and the transparency needed to fully protect vulnerable people are in place. It is not only Oxfam that must improve, she said. My absolute priority is to keep the worlds poorest and most vulnerable people safe from harm. In the 21st century, it is utterly despicable that sexual exploitation and abuse continues to exist in the aid sector. Ms Mordaunt added that the Department for International Development (Dfid) has created a new unit dedicated to reviewing safeguarding in the aid sector and stopping criminal and predatory individuals being employed by other charities. Theresa Mays visit to Northern Ireland has been described as a bit of a distraction from negotiations to restore the power-sharing agreement by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Arlene Foster. The Prime Ministers trip to Belfast alongside the Irish Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, who had cancelled prior engagements was widely interpreted as a sign of an imminent agreement between the DUP and Sinn Fein. But Ms Foster, who leads the party in charge of propping up Ms Mays fragile government in Westminster, said that while the Prime Minister and Mr Varadkar were very welcome, she added: The visit yesterday became a bit of a distraction because we had still work to do and we'll continue to do that work today and in the coming days. The DUP leader told Sky News that the leaders had been told in advance of their trip that the deal wasnt done. Asked why the Prime Minister had travelled to Northern Ireland, she added: A very good question and perhaps one you should ask of her. The comments will likely come as an embarrassment to Downing Street after Ms May urged one final push as she spoke to reporters outside the Stormont estate. Hoping to end the 13-month political stalemate after the power-sharing agreement collapsed last year, Ms May said that while differences remain between the political leaders, she added: I think there is a basis of an agreement here. The Prime Minister continued: Its been 13 long months since we last saw devolved government here, and I think we are now at the point where its time for the local elected representatives to find a way to work together and to deal with, to tackle, the many pressing issues facing Northern Ireland. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 11 September 2021 Arsenals Takehiro Tomiyasu attempts to control the ball during the Premier League match at The Emirates Stadium PA UK news in pictures 10 September 2021 People paddle board during a misty morning in Ullswater, the second largest lake in the Lake District, Cumbria PA UK news in pictures 9 September 2021 Troops from Wiltshire based 4 Armoured Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during final inspection at Wellington Barracks in London, ahead of providing troops for the Queens Guard PA UK news in pictures 8 September 2021 Workers cross London Bridge during the morning rush hour in London Reuters UK news in pictures Mixing it up: Painting it up press view in London A gallery employee poses for photographers next to a painting entitled Prairie by British artist, Louise Giovanelli during the exhibition 'Mixing it up: Painting it up' at the Hayward Gallery in London EPA UK news in pictures 6 September 2021 Traders in the Ring at the London Metal Exchange, in the City of London, after open-outcry trading returned for the first time since March 2020, when the Ring was temporarily closed due to the pandemic PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2021 People enjoy the warm weather on Sandbanks beach, Poole PA UK news in pictures 4 September 2021 Demonstrators from Animal Rebellion and Nature Rebellion protest in Trafalgar Square in London. PA UK news in pictures 3 September 2021 South Africa's Ntando Mahlangu (centre) wins the Men's 200 metres T61 Final ahead of second placed Great Britain's Richard Whitehead at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games PA UK news in pictures 2 September 2021 A young common seal on the beach at Horsey Gap in Norfolk, as hundreds of pregnant grey seals come ashore ready for the start of the pupping season. PA UK news in pictures 1 September 2021 Goldfinches fighting over food in a garden in Strensham, Worcestershire PA 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 Speaking before Ms May, the Irish Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar who had cancelled previous engagements with the Welsh First Minister to travel to Belfast also said we have to be patient, but added he was hopeful for an accommodation between the political parties in Northern Ireland. The DUP did not meet Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Monday but Mrs Foster rejected the suggestion that recent frayed relations between the two over Brexit was the reason. She said she did not feel it necessary to meet Mr Vardakar because the negotiations were touching on matters solely related to internal matters within Northern Ireland. Mary Lou McDonald, the Sinn Fein leader, said on Monday that she believed we are close to an agreement, but said the two parties are not exactly there just yet. There is nothing insurmountable if there is the political will to reach an agreement, she added. South Africa's ruling ANC party says it has "recalled" Jacob Zuma as president, ordering him to leave office. Under South Africa's constitution, Mr Zuma cannot be forced to quit by the ANC - but if he does not go willingly, he faces a likely vote of no confidence in Parliament on 22 February. Mr Zuma had earlier proposed to resign with a notice period of three to six months, said ANC secretary general Ace Magashule. Recommended Fears grow over what South African President has been offered to leave The party had formally requested the President resign "urgently... for the sake of the country", Mr Magashule said, and that they expected a response from Mr Zuma on Wednesday. The official stressed that leading members "didn't take this decision because President Zuma has done anything wrong". Mr Magashule said he had met Mr Zuma personally to pass on the decision. "We haven't given him any deadline to respond ... the organisation expects him to go," he said. A string of corruption allegations have dogged Mr Zuma's two terms as president, relating specifically to a 1999 arms deal and his relationship with the powerful Gupta family. He and the Guptas have denied any wrongdoing. And crucially, Mr Magashule said that a decision had still not been made on whether the majority-wielding ANC would united against Mr Zuma in a confidence vote. The man who is expected to replace Mr Zuma, when he does finally go, is Cyril Ramaphosa, a confidante of the late Nelson Mandela and unionist turned business leader, who was named the leader of the ANC after a close vote in December where he defeated Mr Zuma's ex-wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. The secretary general said it was "obvious [the ANC] want Comrade Ramaphosa to come in as the president of South Africa". He said the party ultimately expected Mr Ramaphosa to give Mr Zuma's delayed State of the Nation address. On Friday, one of polygamist Mr Zuma's wives, Tobeka Madiba-Zuma, posted comments on Instagram suggesting the President, who has challenged and defied multiple attempts by the ANC and courts to rein him in, was prepared to go down fighting. The post even suggested Mr Zuma believed he was the victim of a Western conspiracy. "He will finish what he started because he does not take orders beyond the Atlantic Ocean," she said. When a Florida man who had recently converted to Islam fatally shot two of his roommates, the name came up. When the roommate he did not shoot was sentenced to five years for homemade explosives, the name came up. And when an arrest was made after a 19-year-old college student was found dead with more than 20 stab wounds, the name came up. That name was the Atomwaffen Division, a tiny paramilitary neo-Nazi group that has been linked to the suspects in at least five killings in the United States. It is among the most violent groups on the far-right, a mostly decentralised organisation about which much is unknown. The Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League have both done research into the group, and spoke to The New York Times about their findings. What is Atomwaffen? Atomwaffen or the Atomwaffen Division is a small extremist group that hopes to use terroristic violence to bring about the collapse of what its literature calls the System, the government and other institutions that organise society. It formed in a now defunct online forum, Iron March, and is organised into distinct cells that comprise a handful of members. Researchers disagree on how large the group is. Keegan Hankes, an intelligence analyst at the Southern Poverty Law Center, cited a ProPublica report that said the group had about 80 members. But Carla Hill, a senior researcher at the Anti-Defamation League, said she had no evidence that the group had that many members. She estimated that there were between 24 and 36 actively participating in weapons trainings and hate camps held by the group. All agree that the groups nebulous nature makes the number hard to pin down. Atomwaffen means atomic weapons in German. Researchers believe that some cells are based in Texas and Florida, and Hill, based on pictures she has seen of the organised groups, believes there are others in Washington, near the Seattle area, and Richmond, Virginia. But details about the group are difficult to confirm. What do they believe? Atomwaffen describe themselves as national socialists, or neo-Nazis, with an eschatological viewpoint. That means they expect and invite a breakdown of society that will lead to a race war, after which they intend to construct a new society based on their political principles. They hold virulently racist and anti-Semitic views informed by the writings of James Mason, a member of the American Nazi party who idolised Hitler and Charles Manson. Hankes said the group fetishised violence and looked to use degeneracy to establish order in a depraved modern world. He said it was difficult to estimate how many members had military training, but said some literature encouraged adherents to join the Armed Forces to get free weapons and combat training while staying underground. This group is so extreme that they cause a ton of controversy within the radical right, he said. Other white supremacist and white nationalist groups have disavowed Atomwaffen, and have even speculated about whether the group is a plot to discredit their movement Hankes said that recently the group had also embraced ideas associated with the occult and Satanism, ideologies that have further estranged its members from other white supremacists. How is the group linked to violence? In the past year, the groups name has cropped up several times in connection with homicide investigations. In May, a Florida teenager, Devon Arthurs, told police he had killed two of his neo-Nazi roommates for disrespecting his Muslim faith. (He had recently converted.) His arrest led to the discovery that a fourth roommate, Brandon Russell, had been stockpiling explosive material. Russell, who told law enforcement officials he was a member of Atomwaffen, was revealed to be a founding member of the group, and was sentenced to five years in prison for having stockpiled the explosives. In December, a husband and wife were shot dead in their Virginia home three days before Christmas by a teenage neo-Nazi. The suspect was identified as Nicholas Giampa by HuffPost, which found him to have been influenced by neo-Nazi literature republished online by Atomwaffen. Last month, ProPublica reported that Samuel Woodward, who has been charged with the murder of a college student, Blaze Bernstein, was a member of the group. The organisation has promoted its cause on college campuses in Washington, Pennsylvania and Illinois, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Is the FBI investigating Atomwaffen? An FBI spokesman would not comment directly. The FBI does not and will not police ideology, but has been investigating the criminal activities of white supremacy extremists for nearly a century, he said. When an individual takes violent action based on belief or ideology and breaks the law, the FBI will enforce the rule of law. In an interview Friday, Danny Coulson, the former deputy assistant director of the FBI, explained that the bureau was somewhat constrained in what it could do when no violence had been committed. Coulson was one of the leaders of the investigation into the 1995 bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City by Timothy McVeigh, who is much admired in Atomwaffen literature. He also led the operation that ended in the death of neo-Nazi leader Robert Jay Mathews and helped bring to justice the white supremacists of the Covenant, Sword and Arm of the Lord. He said that once a group had been associated with murder or other forms of violence, it would become much easier to place wiretaps on them, and place informers in their midst, which the FBI has found relatively easy to do. Coulson called participants in such groups inadequate personalities who chose to hate others because of their own insecurities. We all have our own insecurities, he said. Theres always something wed like to be better at. To be stronger, a better shot, a better dad. Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Show all 9 1 /9 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Protesters clash and several are injured White nationalist demonstrators clash with counter demonstrators at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. A state of emergency is declared, August 12 2017 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Trump supporters at the protest A white nationalist demonstrator walks into Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Hundreds of people chanted, threw punches, hurled water bottles and unleashed chemical sprays on each other Saturday after violence erupted at a white nationalist rally in Virginia. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville State police stand ready in riot gear Virginia State Police cordon off an area around the site where a car ran into a group of protesters after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Militia armed with assault rifles White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' with body armor and combat weapons evacuate comrades who were pepper sprayed after the 'Unite the Right' rally was declared a unlawful gathering by Virginia State Police. Militia members marched through the city earlier in the day, armed with assault rifles. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee The statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee stands behind a crowd of hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' during the 'Unite the Right' rally 12 August 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. They are protesting the removal of the statue from Emancipation Park in the city. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Racial tensions sparked the violence White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' exchange insults with counter-protesters as they attempt to guard the entrance to Lee Park during the 'Unite the Right' rally Getty Violence on the streets of Charlottesville A car plows through protesters A vehicle drives into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The incident resulted in multiple injuries, some life-threatening, and one death. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after an white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville President Donald Trump speaks about the ongoing situation in Charlottesville, Virginia from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. He spoke about "loyalty" and "healing wounds" left by decades of racism. But these are things that are more like chronic inadequacies, he said of the quality that unites white supremacists, adding that McVeigh never succeeded at anything. He pointed out that McVeigh had been invited to join the Green Berets, but had not made it far in the training. He barely lasted one day because of a blister, Coulson said. Give me a break. The New York Times A baby has been born with a bullet wound after the pregnant mother was shot during an apparent road rage incident in the US state of Tennessee, police said. The victim was 36-weeks pregnant when she was shot multiple times as she travelled in a car with her boyfriend on Interstate 40 near Memphis. Her boyfriend reportedly told detectives three-men in a dark-coloured Chevrolet Impala began tailgating their car. He said the vehicle then pulled up alongside them and one of the men started firing several rounds into their SUV. The 19-year-old now-mother was hit three times in her right hip. The victim is in a non-critical condition. However, her baby remains in a critical condition, according to the latest police update. The teenager was taken to hospital and admitted for surgery for the bullet wounds and to deliver her baby. After giving birth her doctors discovered the newborn had been shot, too. Police have not confirmed whether the vehicle was a planned target. Officers have appealed for witnesses, describing one of the suspects as a black male wearing an orange hoodie. They offered no descriptions for the two remaining suspects. Memphis Police Department were not available for comment when contacted by The Independent. A farm in Virginia has faced a backlash for displaying a roadside sign that urged passersby to "resist white supremacy". The team at family-owned Cox Farms in Centreville, Virginia, said they used their signs to promote messages of inclusion about Black Lives Matter, immigration and other social issues. They have faced criticism and lost business over the messages in the past, they said in a Facebook post. And the owners told The Independent that some folks seem to be very riled up by the white supremacy sign in particular. Cox Farms had been wrongly denounced as having created a thinly-veiled attack declaring all Trump supporters white supremacists, a representative said. In a Facebook post, the team wrote: We sincerely believe that fighting injustice and white supremacy is a responsibility that can and should unite us all. We struggle to see how anyone other than self-identified white supremacists would take this as a personal attack. However, in a later post the farm owners said they had been overwhelmed by the mostly positive response. They wrote: During the off-season, we have nothing to sell, lots to say, and plenty of time for conversation. These signs are messages of inclusion posted so that they might provide assurance to someone who felt their validity and their belonging was being questioned, and to speak out in an increasingly hostile climate. First and foremost, were grateful for the support weve received from our neighbours and local community, and from across the country. Were glad to know that so many people recognise why a sign like this is necessary and relevant and important right now. The responses have also highlighted how much confusion and misinformation there is surrounding the very notion of white supremacy. 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 White supremacists including militia groups and former KKK leader David Duke rallied about 90 miles from Centreville in Charlottesville, Virginia, last August. One woman was killed when a car drove through crowds of opposing protesters. In an address following the violence, Donald Trump initially blamed both sides and only later issued a statement condemning Nazi and white supremacist groups. A US woman has become the first person ever infected with a rare, tiny eye worm previously only found in cattle, according to a Centres for Disease Control (CDC) report. Abby Beckley, a 26-year-old from Oregon, felt an itching sensation in her eye for more than a week before she pulled a half-inch (1.27 cm) long worm out of her own eyeball, researchers said. Confused and worried she might go blind Ms Beckley went to a local doctor, who fished out two more worms. An ophthalmologist found three more. Eventually Ms Beckley wound up at the CDC, where researchers identified the parasite as a member of the Thelazia family. Over the course of 20 days, Ms Beckley and her doctors pulled 14 of the worms out of her eye, according to a report published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. "They weren't able to remove them all at once. They had to remove them as they became present and visible, Richard Bradbury, a CDC researcher and lead author of a case report on the event, told CBS. He added: "It's just really gross and very psychologically disturbing to see multiple small worms crawling across the surface of your eye. It was only months later that the researchers realised that the worm was a Thelazia gulosa a type of parasite previously only found in cattle. The worm is spread by flies, which carry the larvae in their mouth parts and drop them into the fleshy part of the eye while feeding. From there, the worms subsist on the hosts eyeball lubrication. This photo provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows Thelazia gulosa, a type of eye worm seen in cattle (CDC via AP) The researchers believe Ms Beckley contracted the worm during the weeks she spent horseback riding in rural south Oregon. The event took place in 2016, but the researchers only published their report this week. Other worms from this family have infected humans before, but are still extremely rare. Only 160 cases linked to the species have been reported in humans in Europe and Asia, and only 11 have been reported in the US, according to Mr Bradbury. An image released by the CDC shows Ms Beckley's infected eye. The flies feed on the tears that lubricate the eyeball, scientists said (CDC) Eye worms usually cause irritation but no lasting damage. They can potentially cause corneal scarring and even blindness if left untreated. Ms Beckley has experienced no new symptoms since the 14 worms were removed. 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 If this does happen to anyone else, I want them to know this girl went through it, and shes fine, she told the Washington Post. And not to freak out. Ohio authorities are investigating after a mothers Facebook complaint that her ex-husband cut their daughters hair as punishment for getting highlights went viral. Tens of thousands of people have seen and shared Christin Johnsons Facebook post, which features three photos: one of a smiling young woman with long hair, and then two of a short-haired person hiding her face. This is what my daughter looked like Sunday when I took her home and the other two pics is what happened today before she was brought to me... all over me having highlights put in her hair for her birthday, Ms Johnson wrote. The Haskins Police Department has confirmed it investigated Ms Johnsons complaint alleging that the daughters father and stepmother forcibly cut her hair. Ive been doing this since 92 and Ive never had a case, I would say, thats like this, Haskins Police Chief Colby Carroll told Fox8. Mom was upset with how her child was being cared for. A spokesman for the department said the case had been turned over to the county child services department and that no charges had been filed. 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 A representative for the Wood County Jobs & Family Services department did not respond to The Independents request for comment. The local fire department, where the father and stepmother reportedly volunteer, confirmed that it had suspended them while it conducted its own investigation. It is our firmest duty to protect the citizens of Middleton Township and keep the public informed with pertinent information as it develops, the Middleton Township Fire Department said in a statement. A man wearing a T-shirt lambasting Donald Trump and citizens who voted for him was ordered to leave a Texas restaurant. Adam Ternay walked into a restaurant wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with F*** Trump and f*** you for voting for him on the front, and F*** the racist alt-right on the back. Mr Ternay claimed a manager approached him to tell him to leave First Watch cafe in Richardson, Texas, because children eating there might see the expletive-covered T-shirt. First, we were approached by a manager who let us know that customers were very distressed by my shirt and that children might see it, he said in a lengthy Facebook post which went viral but now appears to have been deleted. I expressed deep sympathies and let her know that explaining grab em by the pussy to my daughter was equally unpleasant. He said that while they were being seated the manager again informed him a group of customers close by were suffering due to my indescribable poor taste. After ordering drinks and having his food order taken a chef came out to ask him to leave the restaurant. Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Show all 29 1 /29 Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Inauguration - 20 January 2017 US President Donald Trump acknowledges the audience after taking the oath of office as his wife Melania (L) and daughter Tiffany watch during inauguration ceremonies swearing in Trump as the 45th president of the United States on the West Front of the US capital in Washington on 20 January, 2017. Photographer Jim Bourg: "This photo was shot with one of two remote cameras. The cameras were monitored and triggered remotely and the pictures were transmitted to clients worldwide within minutes of being taken." Reuters/Jim Bourg Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Obama farewell address - 10 January 2017 US President Barack Obama wipes away tears as he delivers his farewell address in Chicago on 10 January, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "In his final days in office, Obama made a visit home to Chicago. As he spoke from the stage to his wife and daughter in the audience, he became emotional when he talked about what they had sacrificed during his time in office. I turned from photographing the Obama women embracing to find him onstage wiping away tears." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Inauguration - 20 January 2017 A combination of photos shows the crowds attending the inauguration ceremonies to swear in U.S. President Donald Trump at 12:01pm (left) on January 20, 2017 and President Barack Obama sometime between 12:07pm and 12:26pm on January 20, 2009. Reuters/ Lucas Jackson/Stelios Varias Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Liberty Ball - 20 January 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the Liberty Ball in honour of his inauguration in Washington on 20 January, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "What I see when I look at this picture is the end of a very long day, not to mention weeks and months of preparation by many photographers, editors and network experts and the beginning of everything since." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Inaugural Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders Reception - 22 January 2017 US President Donald Trump greets Director of the FBI James Comey as Director of the Secret Service Joseph Clancy (L), watches during the Inaugural Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders Reception in the Blue Room of the White House on 22 January, 2017. Photographer Joshua Roberts: "I have covered the White House for 16 years and normally either the President or the pool is in position when an event starts. In this case the President was not where anyone expected him to be. In fact, he was almost blocking the door when the pool came in. We had to scramble to find a position without bumping him or the furniture as he greeted and thanked members of law enforcement for their security efforts during the inauguration. Luckily, he greeted FBI Director James Comey a few seconds after the pool had made its way into the room." Reuters/Joshua Roberts Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Private phone calls to world leaders - 28 January 2017 US President Donald Trump, is joined by his staff, as he speaks by phone with Russia's President Vladimir Putin in the Oval Office on 28 January, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "Very early in the Trump administration, weekends were as busy as weekdays. On Trump's second Saturday the official schedule said he would be making private phone calls to a number of world leaders including Russia's Vladimir Putin. I arrived early and, before sitting down at my desk walked up to Press Secretary Sean Spicer's office. He, too, was just taking his coat off. I gingerly made the suggestion that previous administrations had sometimes allowed photos of such phone calls through the Oval Office windows on the colonnade. To my mild shock, he didn't even think about it twice. "We'll do it!" he said. In truth, I really only expected the Putin call, but we were outside the windows multiple times throughout the day as the calls went on." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Senior advisor Kellyanne Conway - 27 February 2017 Senior advisor Kellyanne Conway (L) attends as US President Donald Trump welcomes the leaders of dozens of historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) in the Oval Office on 27 February, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "We're often asked how much access we have to the Trump administration, and the answer is we have an awful lot. President Trump himself is very comfortable in the spotlight, and his aides are similarly unfazed by cameras. In this instance, senior advisor Kellyanne Conway was so comfortable in our presence she seemed not to consider the optics of kneeling on a Oval Office sofa to take pictures with her phone." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Angela Merkel heads to Washington - 17 March 2017 Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Donald Trump hold a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House on 17 March, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "Chancellor Merkel made one of the earliest important visits of any US allies to meet Trump in his first months in office. When world leaders give joint news conferences they don't always tend to give each other their full attention - but Merkel watched Trump intently at several key moments, and here seemed particularly rapt." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Trump welcomes truckers to the White House - 23 March 2017 President Trump reacts as he sits on a truck while he welcomes truckers and CEOs to attend a meeting regarding healthcare at the White House on 23 March, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "The White House organised a listening session with truckers and CEO's of major American companies, regarding healthcare reform. An 18-wheeler tow truck was parked on the South Lawn of the White House and as Trump welcomed the truckers someone invited the him to come and sit in the driver's seat. Trump jumped into the cab and started yelling and pretending to drive - creating one of the most memorable pictures of the year. A lesson learned, always be prepared for the unexpected." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Air Force One - 6 April 2017 US President Donald Trump talks to journalists members of the travel pool on board the Air Force One during his trip to Palm Beach, Florida on 6 April, 2017. Carlos Barria: "During the many trips to President Trump's residence in Florida it is usual to see the president coming to the back of the plane to chat with journalists. During one of the trips to the so called 'Winter White House', Trump had a long talk with reporters while the Air Force One entertainment system was playing one of the latest Star Wars movies. As I was listening to Trump talk I was also looking at the movie waiting for a part of the movie to frame the mood of the day. Of the many scenes, I choose the one with Darth Vader." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures 100 Days - 27 April 2017 US President Donald Trump speaks during an interview with Reuters in the Oval Office of the White House on 27 April, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "A day before President Trump's hundred days in office I was part of the team that interviewed the commander-in-chief in the Oval Office. I was only allowed to photograph Trump during the last five minutes of the interview. The time was very tight so I had to move fast as I had pictures in mind that I wanted to shoot. I walked into the Oval Office and saw that the President had printed maps of the country showing areas in red where he won. I raised my hands holding my camera as high as possible to get the best view of the scene using a 16mm wide angle lens." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures 100 Days - 27 April 2017 US President Donald Trump reacts as he arrives at Harrisburg international airport, before attending a rally marking his first 100 days in office in Pennsylvania on 29 April, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "President Trump travelled to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to celebrate his hundred days in office with a victory rally. He was in friendly territory as he won with a big difference over his opponent Hillary Clinton in Pennsylvania, during the November elections. As usual when the commander-in-chief arrives local residents gather to greet him. This time a small group of military personnel attended the arrival. Surrounded by secret service agents Trump walked from the Air Force One and raised his hand in a sign of victory as the crowd cheered him on." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures White House staffers - 2 May 2017 White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer (L) and White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus watch as US President Donald Trump presents the U.S. Air Force Academy football team with the Commander-in-Chief trophy in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on 2 May, 2017. Photographer Joshua Roberts: "Covering the White House does not just mean covering the President. White House staffers are an important part of the story and their relationship with the President and each other is an indicator of how things are going in the West Wing. The tendency is to focus exclusively on the President once an event starts but I always try to look around to see how people are reacting as things unfold." Reuters/Joshua Roberts Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Secret Service - 4 May 2017 Secret Service agents use a presidential limousine as cover from spraying water as US President Donald Trump lands via Marine One helicopter in New York on 4 May, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "The best part of any trip to New York City with the sitting US President is the helicopter ride into Manhattan. The ride out at night can be stunning. Here, Secret Service agents protect themselves from the spray from the East River as Trump lands on the helipad." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures NATO Summit - 25 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump wait the arrival of French President Emmanuel Macron (unseen) before a lunch ahead of a NATO Summit in Brussels on 25 May, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "One of the best parts of travelling overseas for White House coverage is the chance to see the U.S. president in different environments and (literally) a different light. Here, Trump and his wife came out of the shadows to greet France's President Macron." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Trump meets Putin at G20 summit - 7 July 2017 US President Donald Trump meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their bilateral meeting at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany on 7 July, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "On July 7, I witnessed one of the most important meetings of President Trump's first year in office. Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin during a bilateral meeting at the G20 summit in Germany. The world's eyes were on these two leaders after speculation about Russian interference during the 2016 US elections. We entered the room for less than two minutes, where I took dozens of pictures. But there was this very interesting moment when Trump extended his hand to Putin for a handshake. Putin paused for a second and looked at Trump's hand. That was the picture that I was looking for, a little moment that seemed to say a lot." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures First lady - 8 July 2017 First lady Melania Trump chats with US President Donald Trump during their return from Germany at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland on 8 July, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "After President Trump's trip to Germany he arrived back at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. First Lady Melania Trump said goodbye to Trump as she was heading off in a different direction that day. While chatting a breeze blew Melania's hair up in the air." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Made in America product showcase - 17 July 2017 Vice President Mike Pence laughs as President Donald Trump holds a baseball bat as they attend a Made in America product showcase event at the White House on 17 July, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "This summer the White House organized an event to showcase 'Made in America' products. All kinds of exhibitors brought their products as the President and Vice President toured the event. One of the companies was Marucci Sport, a manufacturer of baseball bats based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. As Trump approached a table full of baseball bats, photographers at the event, including me, rushed to get a good angle hoping that he would pick up a bat. As we predicted, he did. He took one and joked around as though he was hitting something hard. The only thing closer to him right there, was the media." Reuters Donald Trump's first year: in pictures White House staffers - 25 July 2017 Former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski says hello to reporters as he and White House advisors including Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci accompany President Trump for an event celebrating veterans at AMVETS Post 44 in Ohio, July 25, 2017. Jonathan Ernst: "The most visible person in any White House is naturally the President, followed by the press secretary. But there are also the staff who support them. For those of us covering the Trump administration, there seem to be more compelling figures in the West Wing than ever before. It's crucial to know who's who and why they're important. When I raised my camera and back-pedalled ahead of the group to take this image Lewandowski gave me a hello. I liked the photo, but had no idea it would go a little bit viral, especially since Scaramucci, who was the biggest mover and shaker that week, was hidden back in the pack. But I guess the image catches a glimpse of what it's like to be a West Wing staffer on the road." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Campaign rally - 3 August 2017 US President Donald Trump arrives at a rally in West Virginia on 3 August, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "President Trump travelled to Huntington for one of his usual campaign rallies. While members of his family spoke to the crowd he was waiting under a black curtain to be introduced. Suddenly he walked onto the stage, one of the first frames that I took was of his hand. I set my exposure for the light on the stage hoping to create this dark background and it worked." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Staring into the solar eclipse - 21 August 2017 Without his protective glasses on, US President Donald Trump looks up towards the solar eclipse while viewing with his wife Melania and son Barron at the White House on 21 August, 2017. Photographer Kevin Lamarque: "On a day when everyone, and I mean everyone, was told not to look at the eclipse without protective glasses, Trump, President of the United States, couldn't help himself." Reuters/Kevin Lamarque Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Hurricane Harvey - 2 September 2017 US President Donald Trump poses for a photo as he and first lady Melania Trump help volunteers hand out meals during a visit with flood survivors of Hurricane Harvey at a relief centre in Houston, Texas on 2 September, 2017. Photohrapher Kevin Lamarque: "Trump, eager to deliver the image of a hands-on response to Hurricane Harvey, made this visit to a relief centre and obliged this woman with a selfie as Melania continued to work." Reuters/Kevin Lamarque Donald Trump's first year: in pictures White House - 15 September 2017 Donald Trump welcomes 11-year-old Frank Giaccio as he cuts the Rose Garden grass at the White House on 15 September. Frank, who wrote a letter to Trump offering to mow the lawn, was invited to work for a day at the White House along the National Park Service staff. Frank was so focused on his task that he did not notice the President arrive to surprise him. He took his father jumping in to grab his attention and point Trump out. Photographer Carlos Barria said: The image of Trump shouting at a kid who is mowing his lawn might have many interpretations in today's politically polarized United States. But for me it was just a kid who loved what he was doing, to the point he almost appeared to ignore the President." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Take a knee - 27 September 2017 A man kneels with a folded U.S. flag as the motorcade of U.S. President Donald Trump passes him after an event at the state fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S., September 27, 2017. In September, soon after Trump had made comments condemning NFL players who kneel during the national anthem, he made a day trip to a rally in Indianapolis. Jonathan Ernst managed to capture a man on one knee with a tri-folded flag and was able to use a portion of the sign on the building he was kneeling in front of to track the man down and tell his story in full. US Army veteran Marvin Boatright wanted to send a message against social injustice. Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Hurricane Maria - 3 October 2017 President Donald Trump throws rolls of paper towels into a crowd of local residents affected by Hurricane Maria as he visits Calgary Chapel in San Juan, Puerto Rico on 3 October, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "During an afternoon visit to Puerto Rico for President Trump to survey damage from Hurricane Maria and greet some of its victims, Trump made a stop at a church where food and supplies were being distributed. Among the items were paper towels and Trump, apparently caught up in the moment, decided to distribute some of the rolls." Reuters Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Jared Kushner - 1 November 2017 White House Senior adviser Jared Kushner sits behind President Trump during a cabinet meeting in Washington on 1 November, 2017. Photographer Kevin Lamarque: "The role of Jared Kushner has gone through a series of changes. He began front and centre as a high profile adviser, but as time has passed and issues surrounding him have surfaced, he has become more of a background figure." Reuters/Kevin Lamarque Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Trump in China - 9 November 2017 Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping shake hands after making joint statements at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on 9 November, 2017. Photographer Damir Sagolj: "It's one of those "how to make a better or at least different shot when two presidents shake hands several times a day, several days in row". If I'm not mistaken in calculation, presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump shook their hands at least six times in events I covered during Trump's recent visit to China. I would imagine there were some more handshakes I haven't seen but other photographers did. And they all look similar - two big men, smiling and heartily greeting each other until everyone gets their shot. But then there is always something that can make it special - in this case the background made of US and Chinese flags. The first time it didn't work for me. The second time I positioned myself lower and centrally, and used the longest lens I have to capture only hands reaching for a handshake." Reuters/Damir Sagolj Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Air Force One - 10 November 2017 US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One to depart for Vietnam from Beijing Airport in Beijing, China, November 10, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "There is a Reuters photographer in the tight pool covering the US president for every appearance he makes 365 days a year. This was just one of 32 images of mine that were transmitted on the Reuters wire of President Trump visiting China and Vietnam that day. You never know when a sudden interaction, a gust of wind or a unique facial expression will lead to a striking image that grabs peoples' attention." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures ASEAN handshake - 13 November 2017 Donald Trump registers his surprise as he realises other leaders, including Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte and Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, are crossing their arms for the traditional "ASEAN handshake" as he participates in the opening ceremony of the summit in Manila on 13 November, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "Having covered a few ASEAN summits, I knew to expect the ASEAN handshake. Not everyone in the room knew to expect the ASEAN handshake. A lot was written about this unscripted moment, and what deeper meaning it might have. The simple truth is that sometimes in life there are unscripted moments." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst He recalled: We ask to tip our server for occupying her table, get drinks to go and leave. One table of white people applauds. When he was in the car park a waiter approached him and told him he had decided to quit immediately after witnessing the restaurant ask Mr Ternay to leave. He told us: you should hear these people asking not to be seated near Muslims. Mr Ternay, who has received vitriolic messages on social media after his post received more than 42,000 shares, claimed a police officer also approached him in the car park. I stop the car and ask the officer if she is there over a T-shirt," he said. "She affirms this to be true and asks my name which I respectfully decline to give; she starts in on the shirt - whereupon I cite Cohen v California, 1971, in which the Supreme Court upheld the right to wear a T-shirt saying: F*** the draft. Shes like: Just leave, okay?" Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to clarify our position and correct the misperceptions that are being perpetuated," the restaurant told The Independent in a statement. "It is clear to us that the facts are being overshadowed by rumours and rapidly shared social media hype. We hope you will assist us in clarifying and sharing facts versus misplaced emotion. "When we asked the gentleman to leave our restaurant on Sunday, it was in response to complaints from customers and families with young children regarding the vulgar obscenities boldly emblazoned on his shirt. Just as young children cannot go to R-rated movies that feature language like that, we do not believe they should be exposed to it in a family restaurant and we absolutely understand our customers uneasiness and decided to invoke our right to refuse service to that individual. "In fact, our decision closely aligns with many media outlets choices to edit or filter obscenities in articles. Despite claims to the contrary made by others not informed of the event specifics, this incident has nothing to do with any political statement. During his post, Mr Ternay said he did not want to criticise the restaurant and had no plans to boycott it. "These things are never easy for businesses, and the workers were polite and professional," he said. The US military has added more than 4,000 names to a federal background check database in the three months since a mass shooting revealed the organisation had consistently failed to report troubling convictions to the FBI. Former Air Force member Devin Kelley killed 25 people, including a pregnant woman, in a mass shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas in November. The gunman had received a bad conduct discharge from the Air Force in 2012 a conviction that should have prevented him from ever buying a gun. But the Air Force later admitted that it had not submitted Mr Kelleys conviction to the FBI database used for background checks in gun purchases. The failure, the Air Force said in a statement, was not an isolated incident. Recommended Cities sue Pentagon for failing to report crimes to gun database Three months later, the US military has added 4,284 names to the database a 38 per cent increase, as first reported by CNN. If the increase is a result of backlogged cases being added after the shooting, it suggests that thousands of people mistakenly maintained the ability to buy a gun for years. Texas church shooting Show all 9 1 /9 Texas church shooting Texas church shooting The site of the mass shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas Reuters Texas church shooting First responders are at the scene of shooting at the First Baptist Church Reuters Texas church shooting Enrique and Gabby Garcia watch investigators at the scene of the mass shooting AP Texas church shooting Law enforcement officials investigate the scene at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas Reuters Texas church shooting Carrie Matula embraces a woman after a fatal shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs Associated Press Texas church shooting Law enforcement officials gather near the First Baptist Church Getty Images Texas church shooting Community members come together for a candlelight vigil for the victims of the deadly church shooting in Sutherland Springs Laura Skelding/AP Texas church shooting Mourners participate in the candlelight vigil held for the victims Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP Texas church shooting A vehicle is hauled onto a flatbed truck where the suspect in a deadly church shooting was found dead in Guadalupe County William Luther/Austin American-Statesman via AP The number of dishonourable discharges in the FBI database has hovered around 11,000 since 2015, according to statistics published online. On 3 November, 2017 two days before the shooting the FBI had records of 11,313 dishonourable discharges, according to archived versions of the FBI website. By the end of January 2018, they had 15,597. The US Marine Corps, Air Force and Navy all told CNN they had been reviewing old convictions for the database since the shooting. The Coast Guard said its numbers weren't included in the increase, and the Army declined to comment. The Air Force announced in December that they would reform their reporting process and review 60,000 cases in which service members potentially should have been reported to the database. The Navy said that same month that it would review cases dating back to 1998. First wife of Texas church shooter says he put a gun to her head over speeding ticket The FBI background check database helps gun sellers and law enforcement agencies distinguish legal buyers from those barred from having firearms. The military is required to report all dishonourable discharges to the database meaning, all those convicted in military court of a crime equal to a felony. They must also report all bad conduct discharges for domestic violence or dealing drugs. Mr Kelley pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife and stepson in 2012, and received a bad conduct discharge from the Air Force. But because this discharge was never reported, he was able to obtain the Ruger AR rifle he used in the shooting. Similar issues with reporting are well-documented and widespread: The Defence Department Inspector Generals Office raised issues with reporting as early as 1997, and as recently as 2015. According to the Inspector General, the Air Force failed to submit records in approximately 14 per cent of its cases. The Navy did not submit records in approximately 36 per cent of cases, the Army in 41 per cent, and the Marine Corp in 36 per cent. New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco have all sued the Pentagon for failing to adequately maintain the database. Its impossible to know how many instances of gun violence are tied to individuals who got guns but shouldnt have, Ken Taber, a lead attorney on the lawsuit, previously told The Independent. But the fact is, we know that here are large numbers of people who are disqualified from having guns by virtue of military convictions but are not in that database. US President Donald Trumps budget includes the elimination or steep cuts to several environmental programmes. This is despite a deal made in Congress last week which added hundreds of billions of dollars in new, general funding to the federal budget. Congress must still approve it but the Presidents proposed budget reflects many of the priorities outlined in the first proposal submitted last April, called the skinny budget, which focused heavily on military spending. The programmes that could be cut are part of the administrations strategy to refocus the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on core activities and push much of that work to the state and local level but also includes eliminating related programmes in other agencies. The Climate Change Research and Partnership, Indoor Air and Radon, the Marine Pollution and National Estuary, Beaches, and Environmental Education programmes could all be terminated pending Congressional approval. The budget for the EPA was expected to be cut by close to 31 per cent per the "skinny budget" - this proposal outlined a 34 per cent or $2.8bn cut. But, members of both parties in Congress had expressed strong opposition to de-funding programmes that dealt with hazardous materials, flood insurance, and Superfund sites. The President's budget still proposed deep cuts to funding for cleaning up the country's most polluted sites and responding to environmental emergencies, oil spills and natural disasters, even as EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said that the Superfund programme is one of his top priorities. Fox News destroyed EPA chief Scott Pruitt over climate change The proposed allocation is only $762 million for the Hazardous Substance Superfund Account, which is a reduction of nearly 30 per cent. Despite the cut, the White House said the administration planned to "accelerate" site cleanups by bringing "more private funding to the table for redevelopment." The agency's Superfund programme came into the spotlight in the wake of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, which hit Texas and Florida quite hard. An EPA official told the newspaper that the buyouts were designed to protect staff jobs in disaster response, however when the Associated Press visited a Superfund site in Houston after Hurricane Harvey, no staff were there for cleanup. The EPA said the sites were inaccessible to its response team and issued a press release attacking the Associated Press reporter who wrote the story. However, environmental and specifically climate change-related research is not strictly limited to the EPA. At the Department of Energy (DOE), the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's budget would be slashed and the Advanced Research Projects Agency (Arpa-E) is also on the chopping block. 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Show all 10 1 /10 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A group of emperor penguins face a crack in the sea ice, near McMurdo Station, Antarctica Kira Morris 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Floods destroyed eight bridges and ruined crops such as wheat, maize and peas in the Karimabad valley in northern Pakistan, a mountainous region with many glaciers. In many parts of the world, glaciers have been in retreat, creating dangerously large lakes that can cause devastating flooding when the banks break. Climate change can also increase rainfall in some areas, while bringing drought to others. Hira Ali 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Smoke filled with the carbon that is driving climate change drifts across a field in Colombia. Sandra Rondon 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Amid a flood in Islampur, Jamalpur, Bangladesh, a woman on a raft searches for somewhere dry to take shelter. Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable places in the world to sea level rise, which is expected to make tens of millions of people homeless by 2050. Probal Rashid 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Sindh province in Pakistan has experienced a grim mix of two consequences of climate change. Because of climate change either we have floods or not enough water to irrigate our crop and feed our animals, says the photographer. Picture clearly indicates that the extreme drought makes wide cracks in clay. Crops are very difficult to grow. Rizwan Dharejo 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Hanna Petursdottir examines a cave inside the Svinafellsjokull glacier in Iceland, which she said had been growing rapidly. Since 2000, the size of glaciers on Iceland has reduced by 12 per cent. Tom Schifanella 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A river once flowed along the depression in the dry earth of this part of Bangladesh, but it has disappeared amid rising temperatures. Abrar Hossain 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A shepherd moves his herd as he looks for green pasture near the village of Sirohi in Rajasthan, northern India. The region has been badly affected by heatwaves and drought, making local people nervous about further predicted increases in temperature. Riddhima Singh Bhati 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A factory in China is shrouded by a haze of air pollution. The World Health Organisation has warned such pollution, much of which is from the fossil fuels that cause climate change, is a public health emergency. Leung Ka Wa 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Water levels in reservoirs, like this one in Gers, France, have been getting perilously low in areas across the world affected by drought, forcing authorities to introduce water restrictions. Mahtuf Ikhsan Arpa-Es mandate, according to its website, is to advance high-potential, high-impact energy technologies that are too early for private-sector investment. Arpa-E awardees are unique because they are developing entirely new ways to generate, store, and use energy. This would likely have a negative impact in funding renewable energy projects research despite the administrations apparent push to include the private sector more in large-scale programmes. The proposed cuts follow suit with the administration overturning what were seen as gains by environmental advocates under former President Barack Obama; starting the withdrawal process from the Paris Agreement on climate change and repealing the Clean Power Plan (CPP), chief among them. The Paris accord was signed by nearly 200 countries in an effort to curb carbon emissions and contain global warming to 2 C. Power plants account for almost 40 per cent of the countrys emissions - greater than every car, truck, and plane combined - and if left in place, the CPP would have reduced power plants carbon emissions by 2030 by a third of what they were in 2005. Stan Collender, a budget expert and public policy professor at Georgetown University, told E&E News that the president's budget does not need to be enacted, it just needs to be proposed," adding that he does not expect the steepest cuts to be approved by Congress. Donald Trump has unveiled his long-awaited infrastructure proposal which immediately raised doubts about how serious the President is about fixing the nations roads, bridges, waterways and railways. Mr Trump has asked Congress to pass what hes calling the biggest and boldest infrastructure plan, which proposes allocating $200bn in federal funds to spur private investors, states and localities to invest at least $1.5 trillion in US infrastructure projects. If you want it badly, youre going to get it, Mr Trump told state and local officials at the beginning of a meeting on infrastructure and the White House. And if you dont want it, thats OK with me too. But his proposal has not appeased Democrats, who were expecting a larger request for federal funds to fix the nations infrastructure. After a full year of empty boasts, the president has finally unveiled a puny infrastructure scam that fully fails to meet the need in Americas communities, said House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. The plan, which the administration has called a starting point for negotiations, also does not directly address how the federal government will find the money it is calling for in investments. Our roads are in bad shape, Mr Trump said. And were going to get the roads in great shape. And, very important, were going to make our infrastructure modernized. And were really way behind schedule. Were way behind other countries. The President has already appeared to acknowledge that Congress may not approve of his infrastructure plan. After the proposal had been released, he told reporters that the plan was not as important as military spending or the passage of tax cuts. If for any reason, they dont want to support to it, hey, thats going to be up to them, Mr Trump said of the Republican-controlled Congress. Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Show all 29 1 /29 Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Inauguration - 20 January 2017 US President Donald Trump acknowledges the audience after taking the oath of office as his wife Melania (L) and daughter Tiffany watch during inauguration ceremonies swearing in Trump as the 45th president of the United States on the West Front of the US capital in Washington on 20 January, 2017. Photographer Jim Bourg: "This photo was shot with one of two remote cameras. The cameras were monitored and triggered remotely and the pictures were transmitted to clients worldwide within minutes of being taken." Reuters/Jim Bourg Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Obama farewell address - 10 January 2017 US President Barack Obama wipes away tears as he delivers his farewell address in Chicago on 10 January, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "In his final days in office, Obama made a visit home to Chicago. As he spoke from the stage to his wife and daughter in the audience, he became emotional when he talked about what they had sacrificed during his time in office. I turned from photographing the Obama women embracing to find him onstage wiping away tears." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Inauguration - 20 January 2017 A combination of photos shows the crowds attending the inauguration ceremonies to swear in U.S. President Donald Trump at 12:01pm (left) on January 20, 2017 and President Barack Obama sometime between 12:07pm and 12:26pm on January 20, 2009. Reuters/ Lucas Jackson/Stelios Varias Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Liberty Ball - 20 January 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the Liberty Ball in honour of his inauguration in Washington on 20 January, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "What I see when I look at this picture is the end of a very long day, not to mention weeks and months of preparation by many photographers, editors and network experts and the beginning of everything since." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Inaugural Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders Reception - 22 January 2017 US President Donald Trump greets Director of the FBI James Comey as Director of the Secret Service Joseph Clancy (L), watches during the Inaugural Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders Reception in the Blue Room of the White House on 22 January, 2017. Photographer Joshua Roberts: "I have covered the White House for 16 years and normally either the President or the pool is in position when an event starts. In this case the President was not where anyone expected him to be. In fact, he was almost blocking the door when the pool came in. We had to scramble to find a position without bumping him or the furniture as he greeted and thanked members of law enforcement for their security efforts during the inauguration. Luckily, he greeted FBI Director James Comey a few seconds after the pool had made its way into the room." Reuters/Joshua Roberts Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Private phone calls to world leaders - 28 January 2017 US President Donald Trump, is joined by his staff, as he speaks by phone with Russia's President Vladimir Putin in the Oval Office on 28 January, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "Very early in the Trump administration, weekends were as busy as weekdays. On Trump's second Saturday the official schedule said he would be making private phone calls to a number of world leaders including Russia's Vladimir Putin. I arrived early and, before sitting down at my desk walked up to Press Secretary Sean Spicer's office. He, too, was just taking his coat off. I gingerly made the suggestion that previous administrations had sometimes allowed photos of such phone calls through the Oval Office windows on the colonnade. To my mild shock, he didn't even think about it twice. "We'll do it!" he said. In truth, I really only expected the Putin call, but we were outside the windows multiple times throughout the day as the calls went on." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Senior advisor Kellyanne Conway - 27 February 2017 Senior advisor Kellyanne Conway (L) attends as US President Donald Trump welcomes the leaders of dozens of historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) in the Oval Office on 27 February, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "We're often asked how much access we have to the Trump administration, and the answer is we have an awful lot. President Trump himself is very comfortable in the spotlight, and his aides are similarly unfazed by cameras. In this instance, senior advisor Kellyanne Conway was so comfortable in our presence she seemed not to consider the optics of kneeling on a Oval Office sofa to take pictures with her phone." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Angela Merkel heads to Washington - 17 March 2017 Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Donald Trump hold a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House on 17 March, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "Chancellor Merkel made one of the earliest important visits of any US allies to meet Trump in his first months in office. When world leaders give joint news conferences they don't always tend to give each other their full attention - but Merkel watched Trump intently at several key moments, and here seemed particularly rapt." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Trump welcomes truckers to the White House - 23 March 2017 President Trump reacts as he sits on a truck while he welcomes truckers and CEOs to attend a meeting regarding healthcare at the White House on 23 March, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "The White House organised a listening session with truckers and CEO's of major American companies, regarding healthcare reform. An 18-wheeler tow truck was parked on the South Lawn of the White House and as Trump welcomed the truckers someone invited the him to come and sit in the driver's seat. Trump jumped into the cab and started yelling and pretending to drive - creating one of the most memorable pictures of the year. A lesson learned, always be prepared for the unexpected." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Air Force One - 6 April 2017 US President Donald Trump talks to journalists members of the travel pool on board the Air Force One during his trip to Palm Beach, Florida on 6 April, 2017. Carlos Barria: "During the many trips to President Trump's residence in Florida it is usual to see the president coming to the back of the plane to chat with journalists. During one of the trips to the so called 'Winter White House', Trump had a long talk with reporters while the Air Force One entertainment system was playing one of the latest Star Wars movies. As I was listening to Trump talk I was also looking at the movie waiting for a part of the movie to frame the mood of the day. Of the many scenes, I choose the one with Darth Vader." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures 100 Days - 27 April 2017 US President Donald Trump speaks during an interview with Reuters in the Oval Office of the White House on 27 April, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "A day before President Trump's hundred days in office I was part of the team that interviewed the commander-in-chief in the Oval Office. I was only allowed to photograph Trump during the last five minutes of the interview. The time was very tight so I had to move fast as I had pictures in mind that I wanted to shoot. I walked into the Oval Office and saw that the President had printed maps of the country showing areas in red where he won. I raised my hands holding my camera as high as possible to get the best view of the scene using a 16mm wide angle lens." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures 100 Days - 27 April 2017 US President Donald Trump reacts as he arrives at Harrisburg international airport, before attending a rally marking his first 100 days in office in Pennsylvania on 29 April, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "President Trump travelled to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to celebrate his hundred days in office with a victory rally. He was in friendly territory as he won with a big difference over his opponent Hillary Clinton in Pennsylvania, during the November elections. As usual when the commander-in-chief arrives local residents gather to greet him. This time a small group of military personnel attended the arrival. Surrounded by secret service agents Trump walked from the Air Force One and raised his hand in a sign of victory as the crowd cheered him on." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures White House staffers - 2 May 2017 White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer (L) and White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus watch as US President Donald Trump presents the U.S. Air Force Academy football team with the Commander-in-Chief trophy in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on 2 May, 2017. Photographer Joshua Roberts: "Covering the White House does not just mean covering the President. White House staffers are an important part of the story and their relationship with the President and each other is an indicator of how things are going in the West Wing. The tendency is to focus exclusively on the President once an event starts but I always try to look around to see how people are reacting as things unfold." Reuters/Joshua Roberts Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Secret Service - 4 May 2017 Secret Service agents use a presidential limousine as cover from spraying water as US President Donald Trump lands via Marine One helicopter in New York on 4 May, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "The best part of any trip to New York City with the sitting US President is the helicopter ride into Manhattan. The ride out at night can be stunning. Here, Secret Service agents protect themselves from the spray from the East River as Trump lands on the helipad." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures NATO Summit - 25 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump wait the arrival of French President Emmanuel Macron (unseen) before a lunch ahead of a NATO Summit in Brussels on 25 May, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "One of the best parts of travelling overseas for White House coverage is the chance to see the U.S. president in different environments and (literally) a different light. Here, Trump and his wife came out of the shadows to greet France's President Macron." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Trump meets Putin at G20 summit - 7 July 2017 US President Donald Trump meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their bilateral meeting at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany on 7 July, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "On July 7, I witnessed one of the most important meetings of President Trump's first year in office. Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin during a bilateral meeting at the G20 summit in Germany. The world's eyes were on these two leaders after speculation about Russian interference during the 2016 US elections. We entered the room for less than two minutes, where I took dozens of pictures. But there was this very interesting moment when Trump extended his hand to Putin for a handshake. Putin paused for a second and looked at Trump's hand. That was the picture that I was looking for, a little moment that seemed to say a lot." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures First lady - 8 July 2017 First lady Melania Trump chats with US President Donald Trump during their return from Germany at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland on 8 July, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "After President Trump's trip to Germany he arrived back at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. First Lady Melania Trump said goodbye to Trump as she was heading off in a different direction that day. While chatting a breeze blew Melania's hair up in the air." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Made in America product showcase - 17 July 2017 Vice President Mike Pence laughs as President Donald Trump holds a baseball bat as they attend a Made in America product showcase event at the White House on 17 July, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "This summer the White House organized an event to showcase 'Made in America' products. All kinds of exhibitors brought their products as the President and Vice President toured the event. One of the companies was Marucci Sport, a manufacturer of baseball bats based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. As Trump approached a table full of baseball bats, photographers at the event, including me, rushed to get a good angle hoping that he would pick up a bat. As we predicted, he did. He took one and joked around as though he was hitting something hard. The only thing closer to him right there, was the media." Reuters Donald Trump's first year: in pictures White House staffers - 25 July 2017 Former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski says hello to reporters as he and White House advisors including Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci accompany President Trump for an event celebrating veterans at AMVETS Post 44 in Ohio, July 25, 2017. Jonathan Ernst: "The most visible person in any White House is naturally the President, followed by the press secretary. But there are also the staff who support them. For those of us covering the Trump administration, there seem to be more compelling figures in the West Wing than ever before. It's crucial to know who's who and why they're important. When I raised my camera and back-pedalled ahead of the group to take this image Lewandowski gave me a hello. I liked the photo, but had no idea it would go a little bit viral, especially since Scaramucci, who was the biggest mover and shaker that week, was hidden back in the pack. But I guess the image catches a glimpse of what it's like to be a West Wing staffer on the road." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Campaign rally - 3 August 2017 US President Donald Trump arrives at a rally in West Virginia on 3 August, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "President Trump travelled to Huntington for one of his usual campaign rallies. While members of his family spoke to the crowd he was waiting under a black curtain to be introduced. Suddenly he walked onto the stage, one of the first frames that I took was of his hand. I set my exposure for the light on the stage hoping to create this dark background and it worked." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Staring into the solar eclipse - 21 August 2017 Without his protective glasses on, US President Donald Trump looks up towards the solar eclipse while viewing with his wife Melania and son Barron at the White House on 21 August, 2017. Photographer Kevin Lamarque: "On a day when everyone, and I mean everyone, was told not to look at the eclipse without protective glasses, Trump, President of the United States, couldn't help himself." Reuters/Kevin Lamarque Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Hurricane Harvey - 2 September 2017 US President Donald Trump poses for a photo as he and first lady Melania Trump help volunteers hand out meals during a visit with flood survivors of Hurricane Harvey at a relief centre in Houston, Texas on 2 September, 2017. Photohrapher Kevin Lamarque: "Trump, eager to deliver the image of a hands-on response to Hurricane Harvey, made this visit to a relief centre and obliged this woman with a selfie as Melania continued to work." Reuters/Kevin Lamarque Donald Trump's first year: in pictures White House - 15 September 2017 Donald Trump welcomes 11-year-old Frank Giaccio as he cuts the Rose Garden grass at the White House on 15 September. Frank, who wrote a letter to Trump offering to mow the lawn, was invited to work for a day at the White House along the National Park Service staff. Frank was so focused on his task that he did not notice the President arrive to surprise him. He took his father jumping in to grab his attention and point Trump out. Photographer Carlos Barria said: The image of Trump shouting at a kid who is mowing his lawn might have many interpretations in today's politically polarized United States. But for me it was just a kid who loved what he was doing, to the point he almost appeared to ignore the President." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Take a knee - 27 September 2017 A man kneels with a folded U.S. flag as the motorcade of U.S. President Donald Trump passes him after an event at the state fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S., September 27, 2017. In September, soon after Trump had made comments condemning NFL players who kneel during the national anthem, he made a day trip to a rally in Indianapolis. Jonathan Ernst managed to capture a man on one knee with a tri-folded flag and was able to use a portion of the sign on the building he was kneeling in front of to track the man down and tell his story in full. US Army veteran Marvin Boatright wanted to send a message against social injustice. Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Hurricane Maria - 3 October 2017 President Donald Trump throws rolls of paper towels into a crowd of local residents affected by Hurricane Maria as he visits Calgary Chapel in San Juan, Puerto Rico on 3 October, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "During an afternoon visit to Puerto Rico for President Trump to survey damage from Hurricane Maria and greet some of its victims, Trump made a stop at a church where food and supplies were being distributed. Among the items were paper towels and Trump, apparently caught up in the moment, decided to distribute some of the rolls." Reuters Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Jared Kushner - 1 November 2017 White House Senior adviser Jared Kushner sits behind President Trump during a cabinet meeting in Washington on 1 November, 2017. Photographer Kevin Lamarque: "The role of Jared Kushner has gone through a series of changes. He began front and centre as a high profile adviser, but as time has passed and issues surrounding him have surfaced, he has become more of a background figure." Reuters/Kevin Lamarque Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Trump in China - 9 November 2017 Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping shake hands after making joint statements at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on 9 November, 2017. Photographer Damir Sagolj: "It's one of those "how to make a better or at least different shot when two presidents shake hands several times a day, several days in row". If I'm not mistaken in calculation, presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump shook their hands at least six times in events I covered during Trump's recent visit to China. I would imagine there were some more handshakes I haven't seen but other photographers did. And they all look similar - two big men, smiling and heartily greeting each other until everyone gets their shot. But then there is always something that can make it special - in this case the background made of US and Chinese flags. The first time it didn't work for me. The second time I positioned myself lower and centrally, and used the longest lens I have to capture only hands reaching for a handshake." Reuters/Damir Sagolj Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Air Force One - 10 November 2017 US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One to depart for Vietnam from Beijing Airport in Beijing, China, November 10, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "There is a Reuters photographer in the tight pool covering the US president for every appearance he makes 365 days a year. This was just one of 32 images of mine that were transmitted on the Reuters wire of President Trump visiting China and Vietnam that day. You never know when a sudden interaction, a gust of wind or a unique facial expression will lead to a striking image that grabs peoples' attention." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures ASEAN handshake - 13 November 2017 Donald Trump registers his surprise as he realises other leaders, including Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte and Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, are crossing their arms for the traditional "ASEAN handshake" as he participates in the opening ceremony of the summit in Manila on 13 November, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "Having covered a few ASEAN summits, I knew to expect the ASEAN handshake. Not everyone in the room knew to expect the ASEAN handshake. A lot was written about this unscripted moment, and what deeper meaning it might have. The simple truth is that sometimes in life there are unscripted moments." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst What was very important to me was the military; what was very important to me was the tax cuts; and what was very important to me was regulation, he added. He suggested that infrastructure may not be as important as these priorities because states will have to do it themselves if we dont do it. But I would like to help the states out. Officials have said the $200bn in federal funding would come from cuts to existing programmes, according to the Associated Press. Half of the money would go to grants for transportation, water, flood control, cleanup at some of the countrys most polluted sites and other projects. Meanwhile, About $50 billion would go toward rural projects transportation, broadband, water, waste, power, flood management and ports. Some Republican senators had expressed concerns that the administrations initial emphasis on public-private partnerships would do little to help rural, Republican-leaning states. This plan recognizes what everyone in America knows firsthand: Americas infrastructure is in disrepair, and its long past time we start building again, said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy. Mr Trump provided Congress with a similar infrastructure proposal last year that also relied on public-private partnerships. Democrats asserted that the Presidents request to set aside $200bn over 10 years for infrastructure was not the big spending he had promised during his campaign. According to the Presidents budget request, the funds would be used to encourage companies, as well as state and local governments, to invest at least $800bn in US infrastructure projects. Calling it a broken promise of this budget, Democratic congressman Brendan Boyle asserted that this proposal falls short of the $1 trillion Mr Trump pledged during the campaign, one of his few promises that received support from Democrats. Here we are now with the budget plan, and instead of having that $1 trillion plan something that I would sincerely like to work with him on in this administration in a bipartisan way its actually $200 billion, Mr Boyle said during a House of Representative budget committee hearing last May. President Donald Trump has said he will expand and update the US nuclear arsenal in far, far in excess of anybody else," in a departure from nearly 50 years of US policy. Were going to have the strongest military weve ever had by far, Mr Trump told reporters. He added that he would increase the country's arsenals of virtually every weapon, including a brand new nuclear force. "We will always be number one in that category, certainly as long as I'm president. We're going to be far, far in excess of anybody else, he said. Recommended UN launches major push for nuclear disarmament talks despite US Mr Trump said the move was a response to other countries' decision to increase their nuclear stockpiles a likely reference to North Korea, which has been testing nuclear weapons and missiles at a surprisingly rapid rate. "Frankly, we have to do it because others are doing it," Mr Trump said. "If they stop, we'll stop, but they're not stopping. So if they're not going to stop, we're going to be so far ahead of everybody else in nuclear like you've never seen before." The President said he would be open to reducing America's stockpile, but only if other countries did so first. The US, he said, wont lead the way. Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Show all 29 1 /29 Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Inauguration - 20 January 2017 US President Donald Trump acknowledges the audience after taking the oath of office as his wife Melania (L) and daughter Tiffany watch during inauguration ceremonies swearing in Trump as the 45th president of the United States on the West Front of the US capital in Washington on 20 January, 2017. Photographer Jim Bourg: "This photo was shot with one of two remote cameras. The cameras were monitored and triggered remotely and the pictures were transmitted to clients worldwide within minutes of being taken." Reuters/Jim Bourg Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Obama farewell address - 10 January 2017 US President Barack Obama wipes away tears as he delivers his farewell address in Chicago on 10 January, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "In his final days in office, Obama made a visit home to Chicago. As he spoke from the stage to his wife and daughter in the audience, he became emotional when he talked about what they had sacrificed during his time in office. I turned from photographing the Obama women embracing to find him onstage wiping away tears." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Inauguration - 20 January 2017 A combination of photos shows the crowds attending the inauguration ceremonies to swear in U.S. President Donald Trump at 12:01pm (left) on January 20, 2017 and President Barack Obama sometime between 12:07pm and 12:26pm on January 20, 2009. Reuters/ Lucas Jackson/Stelios Varias Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Liberty Ball - 20 January 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the Liberty Ball in honour of his inauguration in Washington on 20 January, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "What I see when I look at this picture is the end of a very long day, not to mention weeks and months of preparation by many photographers, editors and network experts and the beginning of everything since." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Inaugural Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders Reception - 22 January 2017 US President Donald Trump greets Director of the FBI James Comey as Director of the Secret Service Joseph Clancy (L), watches during the Inaugural Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders Reception in the Blue Room of the White House on 22 January, 2017. Photographer Joshua Roberts: "I have covered the White House for 16 years and normally either the President or the pool is in position when an event starts. In this case the President was not where anyone expected him to be. In fact, he was almost blocking the door when the pool came in. We had to scramble to find a position without bumping him or the furniture as he greeted and thanked members of law enforcement for their security efforts during the inauguration. Luckily, he greeted FBI Director James Comey a few seconds after the pool had made its way into the room." Reuters/Joshua Roberts Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Private phone calls to world leaders - 28 January 2017 US President Donald Trump, is joined by his staff, as he speaks by phone with Russia's President Vladimir Putin in the Oval Office on 28 January, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "Very early in the Trump administration, weekends were as busy as weekdays. On Trump's second Saturday the official schedule said he would be making private phone calls to a number of world leaders including Russia's Vladimir Putin. I arrived early and, before sitting down at my desk walked up to Press Secretary Sean Spicer's office. He, too, was just taking his coat off. I gingerly made the suggestion that previous administrations had sometimes allowed photos of such phone calls through the Oval Office windows on the colonnade. To my mild shock, he didn't even think about it twice. "We'll do it!" he said. In truth, I really only expected the Putin call, but we were outside the windows multiple times throughout the day as the calls went on." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Senior advisor Kellyanne Conway - 27 February 2017 Senior advisor Kellyanne Conway (L) attends as US President Donald Trump welcomes the leaders of dozens of historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) in the Oval Office on 27 February, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "We're often asked how much access we have to the Trump administration, and the answer is we have an awful lot. President Trump himself is very comfortable in the spotlight, and his aides are similarly unfazed by cameras. In this instance, senior advisor Kellyanne Conway was so comfortable in our presence she seemed not to consider the optics of kneeling on a Oval Office sofa to take pictures with her phone." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Angela Merkel heads to Washington - 17 March 2017 Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Donald Trump hold a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House on 17 March, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "Chancellor Merkel made one of the earliest important visits of any US allies to meet Trump in his first months in office. When world leaders give joint news conferences they don't always tend to give each other their full attention - but Merkel watched Trump intently at several key moments, and here seemed particularly rapt." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Trump welcomes truckers to the White House - 23 March 2017 President Trump reacts as he sits on a truck while he welcomes truckers and CEOs to attend a meeting regarding healthcare at the White House on 23 March, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "The White House organised a listening session with truckers and CEO's of major American companies, regarding healthcare reform. An 18-wheeler tow truck was parked on the South Lawn of the White House and as Trump welcomed the truckers someone invited the him to come and sit in the driver's seat. Trump jumped into the cab and started yelling and pretending to drive - creating one of the most memorable pictures of the year. A lesson learned, always be prepared for the unexpected." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Air Force One - 6 April 2017 US President Donald Trump talks to journalists members of the travel pool on board the Air Force One during his trip to Palm Beach, Florida on 6 April, 2017. Carlos Barria: "During the many trips to President Trump's residence in Florida it is usual to see the president coming to the back of the plane to chat with journalists. During one of the trips to the so called 'Winter White House', Trump had a long talk with reporters while the Air Force One entertainment system was playing one of the latest Star Wars movies. As I was listening to Trump talk I was also looking at the movie waiting for a part of the movie to frame the mood of the day. Of the many scenes, I choose the one with Darth Vader." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures 100 Days - 27 April 2017 US President Donald Trump speaks during an interview with Reuters in the Oval Office of the White House on 27 April, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "A day before President Trump's hundred days in office I was part of the team that interviewed the commander-in-chief in the Oval Office. I was only allowed to photograph Trump during the last five minutes of the interview. The time was very tight so I had to move fast as I had pictures in mind that I wanted to shoot. I walked into the Oval Office and saw that the President had printed maps of the country showing areas in red where he won. I raised my hands holding my camera as high as possible to get the best view of the scene using a 16mm wide angle lens." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures 100 Days - 27 April 2017 US President Donald Trump reacts as he arrives at Harrisburg international airport, before attending a rally marking his first 100 days in office in Pennsylvania on 29 April, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "President Trump travelled to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to celebrate his hundred days in office with a victory rally. He was in friendly territory as he won with a big difference over his opponent Hillary Clinton in Pennsylvania, during the November elections. As usual when the commander-in-chief arrives local residents gather to greet him. This time a small group of military personnel attended the arrival. Surrounded by secret service agents Trump walked from the Air Force One and raised his hand in a sign of victory as the crowd cheered him on." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures White House staffers - 2 May 2017 White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer (L) and White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus watch as US President Donald Trump presents the U.S. Air Force Academy football team with the Commander-in-Chief trophy in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on 2 May, 2017. Photographer Joshua Roberts: "Covering the White House does not just mean covering the President. White House staffers are an important part of the story and their relationship with the President and each other is an indicator of how things are going in the West Wing. The tendency is to focus exclusively on the President once an event starts but I always try to look around to see how people are reacting as things unfold." Reuters/Joshua Roberts Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Secret Service - 4 May 2017 Secret Service agents use a presidential limousine as cover from spraying water as US President Donald Trump lands via Marine One helicopter in New York on 4 May, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "The best part of any trip to New York City with the sitting US President is the helicopter ride into Manhattan. The ride out at night can be stunning. Here, Secret Service agents protect themselves from the spray from the East River as Trump lands on the helipad." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures NATO Summit - 25 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump wait the arrival of French President Emmanuel Macron (unseen) before a lunch ahead of a NATO Summit in Brussels on 25 May, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "One of the best parts of travelling overseas for White House coverage is the chance to see the U.S. president in different environments and (literally) a different light. Here, Trump and his wife came out of the shadows to greet France's President Macron." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Trump meets Putin at G20 summit - 7 July 2017 US President Donald Trump meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their bilateral meeting at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany on 7 July, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "On July 7, I witnessed one of the most important meetings of President Trump's first year in office. Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin during a bilateral meeting at the G20 summit in Germany. The world's eyes were on these two leaders after speculation about Russian interference during the 2016 US elections. We entered the room for less than two minutes, where I took dozens of pictures. But there was this very interesting moment when Trump extended his hand to Putin for a handshake. Putin paused for a second and looked at Trump's hand. That was the picture that I was looking for, a little moment that seemed to say a lot." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures First lady - 8 July 2017 First lady Melania Trump chats with US President Donald Trump during their return from Germany at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland on 8 July, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "After President Trump's trip to Germany he arrived back at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. First Lady Melania Trump said goodbye to Trump as she was heading off in a different direction that day. While chatting a breeze blew Melania's hair up in the air." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Made in America product showcase - 17 July 2017 Vice President Mike Pence laughs as President Donald Trump holds a baseball bat as they attend a Made in America product showcase event at the White House on 17 July, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "This summer the White House organized an event to showcase 'Made in America' products. All kinds of exhibitors brought their products as the President and Vice President toured the event. One of the companies was Marucci Sport, a manufacturer of baseball bats based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. As Trump approached a table full of baseball bats, photographers at the event, including me, rushed to get a good angle hoping that he would pick up a bat. As we predicted, he did. He took one and joked around as though he was hitting something hard. The only thing closer to him right there, was the media." Reuters Donald Trump's first year: in pictures White House staffers - 25 July 2017 Former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski says hello to reporters as he and White House advisors including Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci accompany President Trump for an event celebrating veterans at AMVETS Post 44 in Ohio, July 25, 2017. Jonathan Ernst: "The most visible person in any White House is naturally the President, followed by the press secretary. But there are also the staff who support them. For those of us covering the Trump administration, there seem to be more compelling figures in the West Wing than ever before. It's crucial to know who's who and why they're important. When I raised my camera and back-pedalled ahead of the group to take this image Lewandowski gave me a hello. I liked the photo, but had no idea it would go a little bit viral, especially since Scaramucci, who was the biggest mover and shaker that week, was hidden back in the pack. But I guess the image catches a glimpse of what it's like to be a West Wing staffer on the road." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Campaign rally - 3 August 2017 US President Donald Trump arrives at a rally in West Virginia on 3 August, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "President Trump travelled to Huntington for one of his usual campaign rallies. While members of his family spoke to the crowd he was waiting under a black curtain to be introduced. Suddenly he walked onto the stage, one of the first frames that I took was of his hand. I set my exposure for the light on the stage hoping to create this dark background and it worked." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Staring into the solar eclipse - 21 August 2017 Without his protective glasses on, US President Donald Trump looks up towards the solar eclipse while viewing with his wife Melania and son Barron at the White House on 21 August, 2017. Photographer Kevin Lamarque: "On a day when everyone, and I mean everyone, was told not to look at the eclipse without protective glasses, Trump, President of the United States, couldn't help himself." Reuters/Kevin Lamarque Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Hurricane Harvey - 2 September 2017 US President Donald Trump poses for a photo as he and first lady Melania Trump help volunteers hand out meals during a visit with flood survivors of Hurricane Harvey at a relief centre in Houston, Texas on 2 September, 2017. Photohrapher Kevin Lamarque: "Trump, eager to deliver the image of a hands-on response to Hurricane Harvey, made this visit to a relief centre and obliged this woman with a selfie as Melania continued to work." Reuters/Kevin Lamarque Donald Trump's first year: in pictures White House - 15 September 2017 Donald Trump welcomes 11-year-old Frank Giaccio as he cuts the Rose Garden grass at the White House on 15 September. Frank, who wrote a letter to Trump offering to mow the lawn, was invited to work for a day at the White House along the National Park Service staff. Frank was so focused on his task that he did not notice the President arrive to surprise him. He took his father jumping in to grab his attention and point Trump out. Photographer Carlos Barria said: The image of Trump shouting at a kid who is mowing his lawn might have many interpretations in today's politically polarized United States. But for me it was just a kid who loved what he was doing, to the point he almost appeared to ignore the President." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Take a knee - 27 September 2017 A man kneels with a folded U.S. flag as the motorcade of U.S. President Donald Trump passes him after an event at the state fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S., September 27, 2017. In September, soon after Trump had made comments condemning NFL players who kneel during the national anthem, he made a day trip to a rally in Indianapolis. Jonathan Ernst managed to capture a man on one knee with a tri-folded flag and was able to use a portion of the sign on the building he was kneeling in front of to track the man down and tell his story in full. US Army veteran Marvin Boatright wanted to send a message against social injustice. Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Hurricane Maria - 3 October 2017 President Donald Trump throws rolls of paper towels into a crowd of local residents affected by Hurricane Maria as he visits Calgary Chapel in San Juan, Puerto Rico on 3 October, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "During an afternoon visit to Puerto Rico for President Trump to survey damage from Hurricane Maria and greet some of its victims, Trump made a stop at a church where food and supplies were being distributed. Among the items were paper towels and Trump, apparently caught up in the moment, decided to distribute some of the rolls." Reuters Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Jared Kushner - 1 November 2017 White House Senior adviser Jared Kushner sits behind President Trump during a cabinet meeting in Washington on 1 November, 2017. Photographer Kevin Lamarque: "The role of Jared Kushner has gone through a series of changes. He began front and centre as a high profile adviser, but as time has passed and issues surrounding him have surfaced, he has become more of a background figure." Reuters/Kevin Lamarque Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Trump in China - 9 November 2017 Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping shake hands after making joint statements at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on 9 November, 2017. Photographer Damir Sagolj: "It's one of those "how to make a better or at least different shot when two presidents shake hands several times a day, several days in row". If I'm not mistaken in calculation, presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump shook their hands at least six times in events I covered during Trump's recent visit to China. I would imagine there were some more handshakes I haven't seen but other photographers did. And they all look similar - two big men, smiling and heartily greeting each other until everyone gets their shot. But then there is always something that can make it special - in this case the background made of US and Chinese flags. The first time it didn't work for me. The second time I positioned myself lower and centrally, and used the longest lens I have to capture only hands reaching for a handshake." Reuters/Damir Sagolj Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Air Force One - 10 November 2017 US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One to depart for Vietnam from Beijing Airport in Beijing, China, November 10, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "There is a Reuters photographer in the tight pool covering the US president for every appearance he makes 365 days a year. This was just one of 32 images of mine that were transmitted on the Reuters wire of President Trump visiting China and Vietnam that day. You never know when a sudden interaction, a gust of wind or a unique facial expression will lead to a striking image that grabs peoples' attention." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures ASEAN handshake - 13 November 2017 Donald Trump registers his surprise as he realises other leaders, including Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte and Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, are crossing their arms for the traditional "ASEAN handshake" as he participates in the opening ceremony of the summit in Manila on 13 November, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "Having covered a few ASEAN summits, I knew to expect the ASEAN handshake. Not everyone in the room knew to expect the ASEAN handshake. A lot was written about this unscripted moment, and what deeper meaning it might have. The simple truth is that sometimes in life there are unscripted moments." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst The comments came as Mr Trump debuted his proposed budget for fiscal year 2019. The budget includes a $716bn spending request for defence an increase of $195bn over the next two years. The budget also suggests cutting domestic spending, proposing the elimination of 62 federal programmes and agencies and $1.7 trillion in cuts to entitlement programmes like Medicare. The proposal also suggests cutting the international operations budget by almost one-third, slashing funding to the State Department, foreign aid and other overseas programmes. Donald Trump at the State of the Union: North Korea's reckless pursuit of nuclear missiles could very soon threaten our homeland More than 150 retired U.S. generals and admirals and more than 1,200 veterans sent a letter to Mr Trump on Sunday, asking him not to slash spending on diplomacy. Todays crises do not have military solutions alone, the veterans wrote. They added: We call on you to ensure our nation also has the civilian resources necessary to protect our national security, compete against our adversaries, and create opportunities around the world. The US is a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, an agreement by nearly 200 countries to further the goal of nuclear disarmament worldwide. Every President since Lyndon Johnson has made cuts to the USs nuclear weapons stockpile, according to the Federation of American Scientists. Republican Presidents George HW Bush and George W Bush the deepest cuts by far. President Barack Obama reduced the arsenal by 553 weapons, leaving the US with 4,018. Donald Trump is supporting controversial new legislation that would give people a nationwide right to carry concealed weapons a measure that has been opposed by police chiefs across the country. At the moment, concealed carry permits are issued by individual states. For example, a permit issued in Mississippi, where gun regulations are relaxed, does not allow a person to carry a weapon in California, where gun laws are much stricter. But a bill that would mean each state has to recognise another states permit, in the same way it does driving licenses, recently passed the House of Representatives and a version of the legislation is now being considered by the Senate. In 2013, a similar bill failed by three votes. The development has delighted gun rights activists and lobbyists, such as the National Rifle Association (NRA), which spent $30m supporting Mr Trumps candidacy. The organisation has said passing the so-called Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill is currently its main legislative priority. Tim Schmidt, founder of the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCC), is a leading proponent of the bill and claims the demand for such a right is supported by the US Constitution. He said the constitutions 2nd Amendment gave Americans the right to bear arms and that the constitution carried more weight than the rights of individual states. Its in the constitution and they are the rules that have led to the success of our country, he told The Independent. Asked whether states such also provide reciprocity for other issues that were sometimes controversial, such as easy access to a safe abortion, he said: I dont care about that. The constitution doesnt say anything about abortion or reproductive rights. Texas Attorney General urges more people to bring guns to church hours after horrific mass shooting During the presidential election campaign, Mr Trump positioned himself as a gun rights defender and claimed his opponent, Hillary Clinton, wanted to remove peoples guns, an allegation that was not true. He said he personally had a permit to carry a concealed weapon and supported the idea of making such a right nationwide. The right of self-defence doesnt stop at the end of your driveway, said one of his campaigns policy documents. Thats why I have a concealed carry permit and why tens of millions of Americans do too. That permit should be valid in all 50 states. Mr Schmidt said groups such as his had been galvanised by the election of Mr Trump. The President is a supporter of the bill, he added. He said the media refused to report studies that showed violent crime dropped in those states that had passed concealed carry permits. Forgotten Women: Domestic abuse and gun violence in America Show all 4 1 /4 Forgotten Women: Domestic abuse and gun violence in America Forgotten Women: Domestic abuse and gun violence in America Kate Ranta with her son, William, in hospital recovering from the shooting Forgotten Women: Domestic abuse and gun violence in America Kate Ranta shared a picture of her home after her ex-husband shot her and her father, Robert Ranta Kate Ranta Forgotten Women: Domestic abuse and gun violence in America Kate Ranta in hospital recovering from the shooting Forgotten Women: Domestic abuse and gun violence in America Gun violence and domestic abuse activist Kate Ranta Yet, critics of the measure say the opposite is true. The point to a number of studies that suggest the more guns there are, the number of crimes such as murder and rape increases. Last year, Scientific American said at least 30 studies showed such a correlation whereas far fewer pieces of research supported the opposite conclusion. This bill flouts state law and allows anyone to carry a gun at any time anywhere, regardless of existing state laws that establish procedures for how and when a concealed weapon can be obtained and carried, said Kris Brown, Co-President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. We already have an epidemic of gun violence in America, and adding more concealed weapons in more sensitive places, like subways, hospitals, airports, restaurants and schools creates a nationwide public safety disaster. Senior police officials from cities to Los Angeles to New York are opposed to the measure. In New York, Police Commissioner James ONeill and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance have contacted other police chiefs and prosecutors across America to lobby senators not to make the proposed legislation into law. Mr ONeill said he thought the bill was insanity. He told CBS: Right now, we have a good idea of whos carrying guns. If this law passes, all bets are off. Anybody can come into New York City from any state and carry a weapon. The US Director of National Intelligence says that Russia and other foreign entities are likely to pursue more cyber attacks on American and European elections in an attempt to undermine democracy in coming elections, including the 2018 midterms. Persistent and disruptive cyber operations will continue against the United States and our European allies using elections as opportunities to undermine democracy, Dan Coats said Tuesday during an annual Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on threats. Frankly, the United States is under attack, Mr Coats said. Mr Coats said that Russia is the biggest threat, alongside the likes of China, Iran, and North Korea in terms of cyber threats. Terrorist, criminal organisations, and even individuals could also pose a cyber threat. The director of national intelligence was testifying before the Senate committee alongside FBI Director Christopher Wray, CIA Director Mike Pompeo, National Security Administration Director Adm Mike Rogers, and other officials. Russia orchestrated a cyber attack on the US 2016 presidential election, targeting the campaign of Hillary Clinton and some of her top staffers. Those efforts included the hacking of Clinton campaign chairman John Podestas emails, as well as the hacking of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). 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 Documents from the DNCs servers were later published online by WikiLeaks, which made the 20,000 files public just days before the 2016 Democratic National Convention. Mr Podestas emails were later made public in batches published on that site in the weeks leading up to Election Day. Since the election, investigations have been opened by Congress, as well as by the Justice Department. Those investigations have become high profile affairs, with President Donald Trump regularly weighing in on the panels calling them witch hunts. One of those investigations, conducted by special counsel Robert Mueller, has indicted at least four individuals who had connections to Mr Trumps 2016 presidential campaign. None of those indictments were directly related to the Trump campaign itself, however outside observers have suggested that the indictments show the Mueller probe is homing on on potential ties between top-level Trump campaign officials and Russia. Mr Trump, and his White House, have denied allegations that the campaign was involved in Russias efforts to meddle in the 2016 election. Multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating a suspicious package filled with white powder shipped to the building in Washington, DC where former President Barack Obama leases an office. DC Fire and EMS were dispatched at 11:05 on Tuesday morning to assist law enforcement in investigating an unknown substance, Public Information Officer Vito Maggiolo told The Independent. Mr Obama has leased offices in the building since he left the White House in 2017. The building also contains the headquarters of the World Wildlife Fund, an environmentalist group. A spokesperson for the US Secret Service, which also responded to the scene, said that the package was not addressed to any Secret Service protectees. Mr Obama lives with his family in the nearby Kalorama neighbourhood. It was unclear whether he was in the office at the time the package was received. Authorities determined the substance was nonhazardous, and no one was harmed or evacuated, Mr Maggiolo said. According to Fox News, the package was mailed from Hong Kong, with no return address. It reportedly contained baby powder. Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Show all 11 1 /11 Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Barack Obama's best moments in the White House May 19, 2009 The President was leaving the State Floor after an event and found Sasha in the elevator ready to head upstairs to the private residence. He decided to ride upstairs with her before returning to the Oval Office, Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Oct. 26, 2012 President Barack Obama pretends to be caught in Spider-Man's web as he greets the son of a White House staffer in the Outer Oval Office Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House A National Security staffer, Carlton Philadelphia, brought his family to the Oval Office for a farewell photo with President Obama. Carltons son, Jacob, softly told the President he had just gotten a haircut like President Obama, and asked if he could feel the Presidents head to see if it felt the same as his. Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House March 21, 2010 The President, Vice President and senior staff applaud after watching on television the House vote on H.R. 4872 for health care reform, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Dec. 3, 2009 President Barack Obama fist-bumps custodian Lawrence Lipscomb in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building following the opening session of the White House Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Sept. 22, 2015 "The Obama family and Biden family greet Pope Francis as he arrives in the United States for the first time at Joint Base Andrews," Sept. 22, 2015. Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Feb. 21, 2014 President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden participate in a "Let's Move!" video taping on the Colonnade of the White House, Feb. 21, 2014 Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Feb. 18, 2016 President Barack Obama watches First Lady Michelle Obama dance with 106-Year-Old Virginia McLaurin in the Blue Room of the White House prior to a reception celebrating African American History Month, Feb. 18, 2016 Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Jan. 21, 2013 "The President and First Lady wave to supporters as they ride in the inaugural parade. I had asked the President if I could ride in the presidential limousine and the President joked, 'But Michelle and I were planning to make out," Jan. 21, 2013. Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama share a private moment in a freight elevator at an Inaugural Ball, January 2009 all pics: Pete Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Barack Obama rests his hand on the bible that President Lincoln used for his swear-in, being held by his wife Michelle Obama as he is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America Rex President Donald Trumps daughter-in-law, Vanessa Trump, received a letter containing a white powder the day before. Ms Trump and two other people were transported to a local hospital as a precaution, but suffered no negative effects. Investigators believe the substance was corn starch, according to NBC. That letter was reportedly postmarked from Boston. Ms Trumps husband, Donald Trump Jr, tweeted that afternoon that he was thankful that Vanessa & my children are safe and unharmed after the incredibly scary situation that occurred this morning. He added: Truly disgusting that certain individuals choose to express their opposing views with such disturbing behaviour. "No one deserves to be frightened this way," Mr Trump Jr's sister, Ivanka Trump, tweeted. If war is to break out, then Ishigaki would be the front line. This is the island where Japan feels the most under threat from China and the place it will be installing missiles and troops amid clashes at sea, accusations and recriminations. While international attention is on whether Games diplomacy in South Korea, with the presence of Kim Jong-uns sister and henchmen present for the Winter Olympics, will lead to peace breaking out, tension between China and its neighbours have continued to grow. Throughout last year, while Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un traded public insults, Beijing has been quietly bolstering its presence on the extraordinary chain of artificial isles it has been building in waters near and far taking advantage of what it calls "the strategic window of opportunity. Recommended UK to send warship to South China Sea in challenge to Beijing Three airfields have been put into its seven bases in the disputed Spratley chain. There, and elsewhere, aerial photographs from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington reveal facilities awash with fortified shelters for warships, hangers for aircraft and radar, underground bunkers and missile emplacement positions. The Chinese calls a series of archipelagos the "first island chain of defence stretching in an arc from the South China Seas to Russias Kurils. For Japan the most vulnerable point is the Senkaku, to which Beijing has laid claims with surrounding isles, in particular Ishikagi 90 nautical miles away seen as the obvious targets. Hundreds of fishing boats from China, escorted by coastguard ships, or, at times, warships have been in the seas leading, at times, driving back Japanese fishermen leading to clashes with Japanese coast guards. There has been a recent spate of incursions into airspace by Chinese warplanes and the appearance for the first time, a few weeks ago, of a nuclear attack submarine in these waters. The Japanese government are now finalising the deployment of missiles batteries, anti-aircraft and anti-ship, radar installations and around 600 troops to Ishigaki. 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 Final details are likely to emerge next month. The Independent understands the surface to air missiles are likely include American made MIM-104 Patriots capable of taking down Chinese ballistic missiles with enemy vessels being targeted by SSM-1s which carry up to 500lbs of high-explosives and have range of over a hundred miles. There are future plans for a joint missile system involving Japan and Western Europe to be installed in a project involving the British, French and Italian MBDA and Mitsubishi Electrics. The issue is of Chinas supposed attempt at ocean hegemony has led to international reaction. The US Defence Secretary General James Mattis stressed during a visit to Tokyo that the Washington is fully committed to backing Japan over the Senkakus. On a broader basis, the US has been sending warships through the China Seas to underline the right to freedom of navigation. The British Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson, has announced that HMS Sutherland, an anti-submarine ship, will be sailing through the South China Seas. The navies of America, India, Japan and Australia, will be holding naval manoeuvres. The tiny Senkakus were used in the past by a small Japanese community scratching a living out of bonito fishing and collecting albatross feathers. But they were then abandoned had been lying unpopulated for 78 years with basically scientific and geographical exploration groups the only visitors. Shinzo Abe says Japan will work with South Korea and US on pressuring North to stop nuclear tests That these five islets and three barren rocks, with a total area of just seven kilometres, has become a potential flashpoint for a conflict between two modern industrialised states may be reminiscent of the Jorge Luis Borgess view that Britain and Argentina going to war over the Falklands was like two bald men fighting over a comb. In fact, there was little interest in the islands, apart from its fishing grounds, until an international survey in 1969 concluded large undersea deposits of oil and natural gas. The following year both China - which calls the islands Diaoyu - and Taiwan began their claims of ownership. The steady growth of Chinese presence in the seas, say the Japanese, has damaged the countrys fishing industry. Many of Beijings coast guard vessels are rebranded warships and some of the crews of Chinese fishing boats, it is claimed, are not fishermen at all, but peoples militia in disguise out to provoke. The confrontation means that Ishigaki fishermen like Yukihidi Higa can no longer catch the red snappers and groupers they used to off the Senkakus. Of course it has affected my earnings, I can no longer go there because of the Chinese and their big ships he stated. But they are not just taking the fish, most of the coral from the sea has been stripped over the years, this is not good for marine life. The missile deployment comes at a time of great controversy in Japan as premier Shinzo Abe seeks to revise Japans post-Second World War pacifist constitution mandated, he holds, by a strong election victory. Last month, his cabinet approved an increase of 1.3 per cent in the annual military budget raising it to a record $ 45.8 billion for the year. The military deployment is also going to be a key factor in Ishigakis municipal election next month. This is certainly going to be part of my campaign. It is of course a very important topic and it needs to be discussed fully and the city will have to agree on providing the land said Yoshitaka Nakayama, the mayor. I am in favour of the deployment by our Self Defence Forces (SDF). We have seen the Chinese behave very aggressively, they are coming into our territorial waters, our fishermen have been prevented from fishing, our coastguards are having lots of problems, we have seen their planes fly into our airspace. Putting the missile systems here will act as a warning, it may stop Chinese aggression and a conflict in the future. The military was a key issue in the election in Nago, the capital of the Okinawa prefecture, last week in the defeat of the incumbent Mayor Susumu Inamine, by Taketoyo Toguchi, a candidate backed by Mr Abes Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The Mayor had been an opponent of a US Marines base remaining in Okinawa. Mr Toguchi wanted them to stay and backed a plan by Washington and Tokyo to relocate it from a central urban area to one less populated. For Yoshiyuki Toita, the secretary general of the Yaeyama Defence Association the result showed that attitudes are changing: people are beginning to see the dangers posed by China, which is following an expansionist policy. If the Japanese government and the SDF do nothing it will send the wrong message and the Chinese will feel even bolder. The defence associations across Japan are private groups which claim to be independent of government. Mr Toita, however, is a member of Mayor Nakayamas campaign and will be spreading his message in support of the military deployment." This is about security. We have achieved good things here in Ishigaki and we must protect this community and Japan. Many are apprehensive, however, that the achievements may be put at risk by militarisation. Subtropical Ishigaki, with its mountains and mangrove forests, beaches and birdlife, has, somewhat surprisingly for a place not widely known, topped TripAdvisors Destinations on the Rise in the Travellers Choice awards. We have definitely seen a steady rise in tourism and this growth has taken place despite this place being so remote. The new airport has been a great plus factor said Hiro Uehara, the owner of a bar and restaurant. We are getting Japanese, Australians and people from the West now. But would the foreigners want to come if this place turns into a place with missiles and soldiers and so a target for the Chinese government if there is trouble? We are also getting lots of Chinese tourists, would they come in the future? What about the safety of our children? No, there are too many military bases in Okinawa. We dont want another one. Around a dozen coast guard ships are the current line of defence. Captain Kenichi Kikuchi, in command of the Taketomi, wanted to stress that they do their utmost to avoid confrontations. We are careful , we are careful because we do not want to escalate matters and also have to mind that the Chinese Navy ships as well their coastguard vessels tend to be large he said. But we also do our duty and deal with problems when they arise and make sure we are not outnumbered by the Chinese. It is not all confrontation; there is also cooperation, he pointed out, describing how the coast guard helped rescued six Chinese fishermen two years ago after their boat had capsized following a collision with a Greek ship. What will happen when the missiles and troops are deployed? That is a decision for the Japanese government and the Self Defence Forces. They will decide what is right. But it could become very interesting. China has reportedly reassigned over 60,000 soldiers to plant trees in a bid to combat pollution by increasing the country's forest coverage. A large regiment from the People's Liberation Army, along with some of the nation's armed police force, have been withdrawn from their posts on the northern border to work on non-military tasks inland. The majority will be dispatched to Hebei province, which encircles Beijing, according to the Asia Times which originally reported the story. The area is known to be a major culprit for producing the notorious smog which blankets the capital city. Air-Ink: company creates ink from air pollution The idea is believed to be popular among members of online military forums as long as they can keep their ranks and entitlements. It comes as part of China's plan to plant at least 84,000 square kilometres (32,400 square miles) of trees by the end of the year, which is roughly equivalent to the size of Ireland. The aim is to increase the country's forest coverage from 21 per cent of its total landmass to 23 per cent by 2020, the China Daily newspaper reported. Zhang Jianlong, head of China's State Forestry Administration, said by 2035 the figure could reach as high as 26 per cent. 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 "Companies, organisations and talent that specialise in greening work are all welcome to join in the country's massive greening campaign," he said. "Cooperation between government and social capital will be put on the priority list. The love affair that Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Koreas leader, enjoyed at the Winter Olympics in South Korea has not ended now that she is back home. Kim is one of her brothers must trusted aides, but in a country where top aides can have notoriously short life spans - even when they are blood relatives of the Norths leaders - little can be taken for granted. But her brother, Kim Jong-un, let the world know how he felt about his sisters rare visit to the South: When his private jet carrying her home landed this week, a military band and honour guard were waiting for her at the airport in Pyongyang, the North Korean capital. If Kim Jong-un sent his sister to the Olympics to mount a charm offensive, as US officials feared, she did her job. Her visit was still getting warm reviews in the South on Monday. Just a few months ago, North Korea was regarded as nothing but a menace, rattling the region with nuclear and missile tests and staging bloody political purges at home. Almost overnight, with friendly smiles and messages of reconciliation, Kim Yo-jong managed to help soften her countrys image among South Koreans, at least for the moment. She delivered her brothers surprise invitation for President Moon Jae-in of South Korea to visit the North for a summit meeting, and Moon met her four times during her three-day trip. She held her chin up when she met political leaders and faced crowds in the South. Her light makeup and modest, even prim clothes were a contrast to those of her fashionably dressed sister-in-law, Ri Sol-ju. I cant speak very well in public, Kim said shyly when she was asked to give a toast during a dinner at a five-star hotel in Seoul, according to South Korean officials who were present. Kim Jong-un expressed satisfaction after his sister briefed him Monday about her trip to the South. It is important to continue making good results by further livening up the warm climate of reconciliation and dialogue created by the strong desire and common will of the North and the South with the Winter Olympics as a momentum, Kim Jong-un said, according to the Norths official Korean Central News Agency on Tuesday. Kim Yo-jong is said to have told the South Korean leader that if he and her brother meet, the North-South relations will improve so fast that yesterday would seem a distant past. I wish I could see you again in Pyongyang soon, she told Moon at a luncheon on Saturday, according to South Korean officials. I wish that Your Excellency President will leave a mark for future generations by playing a key role in opening a new chapter for reunification. Vice President Mike Pence, who was leading the US delegation to the Olympics, warned that the North was trying to hijack the message and imagery of the Olympic Games with its propaganda and a charm offensive. Pence mounted a counter-propaganda campaign of sorts, meeting defectors from North Korea and bringing with him the father of Otto Warmbier, an American university student who died last year shortly after he was released from months of detention in the North. But his efforts did little to stop the hoopla over Kim Yo-jong. Kim Yo-jong from the North was a nuclear bomb with a smile, a conservative newspaper columnist wrote, lamenting the Moon governments treatment of a member of a family condemned by the United Nations for widespread human rights violations. Lee Sung-yoon, a Korea expert at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, said, Trump and Pence will come across more and more as grumpy old men as Kim Jong-un continues to sharpen his knife and his sister flashes that mysterious smile. South Korean media scrutinised every detail, including style of dress and handwriting, of Kim Yo-jong, the first immediate member of the Kim family to set foot in the South. During a government briefing in Seoul on Monday, a reporter asked whether Kim Yo Jong was pregnant, saying she appeared to have a slight baby bump. In South Korean media, Kim Yo-jong was nicknamed Princess or North Koreas Ivanka because of her influence with her brother. She was often compared to Ivanka Trump. North Korea Military Parade Show all 6 1 /6 North Korea Military Parade North Korea Military Parade AP North Korea Military Parade AFP/Getty Images North Korea Military Parade AP North Korea Military Parade AP North Korea Military Parade AP North Korea Military Parade AFP/Getty Images For his part, Moon, the South Korean leader, responded with caution to Kim Yo-jongs overtures. He is a strong advocate of dialogue with North Korea but faced doubts that another summit meeting with North Korea would help end its nuclear weapons programme. Although the first step towards a peaceful resolution of Korean Peninsula issues has been laid, discrepancies in the positions regarding the North Korean nuclear issue still remain and there is currently no visible progress in denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, his government said Monday in a statement. The New York Times Four suspected members of a gang in Pakistan have been arrested on suspicion of extracting women and girls spinal fluid before attempting to sell it on the black market. Police in the northern city of Hafizabad said the father of the 17-year-old victim informed them that a sample had been taken from his daughter by people under the guise of medical research. Pakistani media reported that the father was offered a monthly fee in exchange for his consent to the girls blood test. Gang members pretended to be from the DHQ hospital, the head of Hafizabads local force was quoted as saying. The gang consists of three males and a female. We were informed by the victims father of her sample being taken on the promise of a dowry package being provided under a government scheme. The spinal fluid may be sold to traditional Islamic healers known as desi hakeems - or homeopaths. 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 Initial reports suggested the gang had extracted her bone marrow, but a doctor at a local hospital later ruled that out. The chief minister of Punjab province, Shebhaz Sharif, has intervened, requesting doctors provide the best medical treatment for the victim. A Royal Navy warship will sail through the South China Sea in an effort to assert freedom of navigation rights in waters where Beijing is increasingly extending its control. HMS Sutherland, a Type 23 frigate, will travel through the key trading lane after concluding a visit to Australia, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson announced. China claims large areas of the South China Sea and has been bolstering its military deployments there, including reclaiming land on reefs and atolls to build air bases. Mr Williamson made the announcement during a visit to Australia to meet his counterpart Marise Payne in Sydney, where they discussed North Korea, cyber warfare and terrorism. The trip was also designed to push Australia to buy the UKs Type 23 replacement, the BAE-built Type 26. He told The Australian: [Sutherland] will be sailing through the South China Sea and making it clear our Navy has a right to do that. World dynamics are shifting so greatly. The US can only concentrate on so many things at once. The US is looking for other countries to do more. This is a great opportunity for the UK and Australia to do more, to exercise leadership. Recommended Russian fighter jet flies within 5ft of US Navy surveillance aircraft The US navy also conducts freedom-of-navigation cruises in the South China Sea as a way of disputing Chinese influence. Asked whether Sutherland would sail within 12 nautical miles the UN-defined distance indicating territorial waters of disputed areas or artificial Chinese islands, Mr Williamson declined to comment but added: We absolutely support the US approach on this, we very much support what the US has been doing. Last summer the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Stethem sailed within 12 nautical miles of Triton Island in the Paracel chain. China called the move a serious political and military provocation within its territorial waters. The USS Hopper, a ship in the same class, passed by the Scarborough Shoal islet last month at a similar distance, prompting Beijing to say it would take necessary measures to firmly safeguard its sovereignty. Mr Williamson added in an interview with broadcaster ABC: Its very important that we demonstrate that these are seas anyone can pass through and well be making sure that the Royal Navy will protect those rights for international shipping. Australia [and] Britain see China as a country of great opportunities, but we shouldnt be blind to the ambition that China has and weve got to defend our national security interests. Weve got to ensure that any form of malign intent is countered and we see increasing challenges its not just from China, its from Russia, its from Iran and weve got to be constantly making sure that our security measures, our critical national infrastructure is protected. The Association of South East Asian Nations is hoping to expedite negotiations with China on a code of conduct for the South China Sea, Singapores Defence Minister said last week. However, the initial talks have failed to reach a consensus on making the code binding, which has already raised concerns as to its effectiveness. Speaking in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said: All countries in accordance with international law enjoy freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea. There is no disagreement on this. The situation on the South China Sea is also improving with each day. We hope all relevant sides especially those outside the region can respect the efforts made by regional countries. Currently the South China Sea is calm and tranquil and we hope relevant sides dont try to create trouble out of nothing. 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 UKs frigates, which specialise in anti-submarine warfare, also have a prominent role in drug interdiction and other policing at sea. Sutherland, which entered service in 1997, has previously been tasked with shadowing Russian navy vessels as they pass through the English Channel, and escorting the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth during her first sea trials. She is currently on a seven-month deployment to Australia, East Asia and and the Gulf. Australia, the UK and the US, along with New Zealand and Canada, form the Five Eyes intelligence sharing alliance. In December 2016, the US announced it would deploy its top-of-the-line stealth fighter, the F-22 Raptor, to Australia as part of a plan to maintain its enduring interests in the region. Then-head of the US Pacific Command Admiral Harry Harris now Donald Trumps pick to be his ambassador to Australia signed an agreement with Canberra to base enough US military assets in the country to constitute a credible combat power amid mounting tensions in the South China Sea. Mr Harris has been outspoken over Chinas increasingly assertive moves in the region while Mr Trump has previously accused Beijing of pursuing a repressive vision and designing economic policies to weaken America. Additional reporting by agencies A British man accused of producing pornographic pictures at a pool party in Cambodia has said the gathering was like every other day in the holiday destination. Thomas Jeffries, 22, was among 10 Westerners arrested on 25 January at a villa in Siem Reap, a tourist town which is home to the Angkor Wat temple. Police accused the group of posting lewd pictures of themselves dancing pornographically online. But all those arrested deny the charges and claim they have no link to years-old photos circulating of partygoers apparently simulating sex positions. Mr Jeffries had been working in bars and hostels in the town for two years, but retunred to the UK last week. Its a shame to leave because I had so many good friends there, both Cambodian and Westerners," he said. "Its been my home for two years. I loved the country, it is a fantastic place, really kind people. The villa was much like every other day in Siem Reap, very similar to any hostel, pool or bar, anywhere that Ive been to in the country. I didnt see any reason why it would be any different. Then the police arrived. It had just tipped it down with rain so people were all hiding under cover moments before. All I saw were people cowering from the rain and having a few beers. The music wasnt even that loud. 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 group, who were pictured in orange prison uniforms and some with shaved heads, did not know how long they would remain in custody. Mr Jeffries said: It was a scary time for all of us. There were always concerns in the back of our heads but at that point I guess we didnt really understand the severity of the situation. Seven members of the arrested group returned to their home countries last week, leaving three in custody, among them a British man named Daniel Richard Leeming Jones. The Foreign Office said it is continuing to assist a British man who was arrested in Cambodia. Additional reporting by Press Association Police have launched a major appeal for information about a 12-year-old boy who is thought to have been kidnapped by his mother during a holiday in Spain. Alex Batty, from Oldham, Manchester, was reported missing on 8 October after he went on holiday with his mother, who does not have parental guardianship, and his grandfather. Melanie Batty, 37, and David Batty, 58, are wanted in connection with his abduction. It is believed they are with Alex. Officers do not believe Alex Batty is at risk of harm, but they are concerned about his welfare and want to bring him home to his guardian (Greater Manchester Police) On 30 September, the trio flew into Malaga Airport and stayed in the Benahavis area near Marbella. Alex was due to return to England on 8 October but has not been seen since then. Previous enquiries revealed the family left Benahavis and may have tried to head to Melilla in Morocco from the Port of Malaga. Melanie Batty, 37, does not have parental guardianship of Alex and is suspected of kidnapping her son (Greater Manchester Police) Greater Manchester Police have issued an appeal for fresh information on his 12th birthday. While they do not believe Alex is at risk of immediate harm, they are concerned about his welfare and want to bring him home to his grandmother, Susan, who is his guardian. He is white, about 5ft, slim, has blond hair and speaks with a northern accent. David Batty, 58, is also wanted in connection with Alex's abduction (Greater Manchester Police) Detective Sergeant Pete Morley said: Its Alexs 12th birthday today and instead of being at home with his grandmother and friends, we dont know where he is. Our mission is to find Alex and bring him home but sadly we have had no further sightings of him since 8 October 2017 at the Port of Malaga. His grandmother Susan is beside herself with worry. Shes gone from seeing Alex every day to not hearing off him for months. She misses him terribly and is desperate to know he is alright. 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 I would implore any of Melanies or Davids friends, who might have heard from them, to please contact police immediately. Alexs friends may have also heard from him. I understand this is an emotive situation but ultimately Alex should be at home in Oldham and there are genuine concerns about his welfare. He has been missing out on school and we dont know how the family are funding their lifestyle abroad. Anyone who has any information, no matter how irrelevant you might think it is, I appeal to you to please get in touch. People can call police on 0161 856 8972 (+44 161 856 8972 if you are abroad) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Austrias chancellor has said he will step up EU efforts against migrants coming to Europe when his government takes its turn chairing the European Council later this year. Sebastian Kurz, who is in a controversial coalition government with the far-right FPO, said the Austrian presidency, which covers the second half of 2018, would hold a summit on illegal immigration on 20 September. Immigration has been a major feature of Austrian politics in recent years as, with the country located on one of the main migration routes from the Middle East to Germany, which has taken in hundreds of thousands of refugees. Elections in October 2017 saw Mr Kurz become chancellor after his OVP party won 31 per cent of the vote. He was joined in government by the FPO, a far-right party which won 26 per cent of the vote. As you know during our presidency one of our priorities will be security and the fight against illegal migration, Mr Kurz said at a press conference in Vienna. On the 20th September this year there will be an informal summit of heads of government focusing on illegal migration and security in the European Union. This is something we have agreed upon and we have discussed preparations for the summit. Speaking alongside Mr Kurz, Donald Tusk, the permanent president of the European Council, said he had similar views on immigration to Mr Kurz. Angling for more funding for the upcoming EU budget, he said any move to crack down on migration had to be properly financed. One key priority is stemming the flow of illegal migration to Europe which will require stable and predictable a EU funding instrument, he said. When it comes to managing illegal migration Chancellor Kurz and I have discussed it many times already and we have similar views. Migration will remain a challenge for many years to come and thats why we want to find as solution that makes sure that the EU, together with national states, can manage future migration flows efficiently and without creating future divisions in Europe. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz with European Council President Donald Tusk in Vienna (AFP/Getty Images) It is possible, but naturally, all sides need to compromise. Above all, we must put an end to the destructive emotions surrounding the issue of relocation as they continue to fall populism and divide Europe. If the issue is not resolved by ministers within the next month we will need to find a solution at the June European Council. The presidency or chairmanship of the European Council rotates between the 28 countries of the EU on a six-monthly basis. Since the start of the year Bulgaria has been presiding, but Austria will take over in the summer putting it in charge during the crunch October decision time for Brexit. 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 country that holds the rotating presidency has the power to set the agenda of EU summits and push forward EU legislation, chairing and organising meetings. Austrias new coalition has already unveiled financial sanctions for immigrants who keep their own culture and refuse to integrate into Austrian culture. It also has plans to speed up deportations and half undocumented migration. Report all errors to DonSurber@GMail.com Oh, and if you see me driving my red 2010 Mustang GT convertible, please wave. Hi, I am a retired newspaperman. I wrote 3 books on Trump and the media . I live in Poca, WV, with my wife of 43 years, Lou Ann. I grew up in Cleveland. Three kids. Grandfather. It was the fragrance of wild thyme that many would remember. And for the survivors it was a smell that would always bring back painful memories. Next year marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Jarama, in which Republican forces lost 10,000 soldiers, including at least 139 from the British International Brigade, many of them fighting in Spain for the first time. In all, more than 15,000 died on both sides, making it one of the bloodiest confrontations of the war. Looking over the Jarama valley today, little has changed. The only sign of the 21st century is Madrid gleaming in the far distance beneath the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra de Guadarrama and the occasional car on the nearby road. Even today, the hills around the Jarama river are still abundant with the wild thyme and lavender that flourish in the olive orchards. Every February, old Brigaders, families, friends and sympathisers gather here to remember their dead comrades. In more recent years, the number of Brigaders has dwindled and last week there was only one, a sprightly 97-year-old Spanish soldier who sounded every bit as committed as he was back in 1937. They come from Germany, America, Belgium and France as well as Britain to remember, carrying their flags and banners and singing their songs. At the beginning of 1937, Franco's forces, having been pinned back on the outskirts of Madrid, decided to refocus their attack and instead push east in an attempt to cut off the vital Madrid-to-Valencia highway. Their attack centred on the valley of Jarama and before dawn broke on 12 February, elite Moroccan soldiers, under cover of darkness, slipped silently across the Jarama river at the Pindoque bridge, where they knifed the unsuspecting sentries to precipitate the Nationalist attack. Over the next three days, fierce fighting followed. Many of the British volunteers had just arrived and had no inkling of the ferocity that was about to be unleashed. When the morning came, it was one of sparkling sunshine with a faint breeze drifting through the olive orchards, but any exhilaration the British soldiers might have felt was to be shattered by a brutal bombardment. The weather was also about to change, becoming bitterly cold at night and wet during the day, turning the hillsides into slippery slopes. The volunteers were a mixture of Communists, Labour Party members, socialists, trade unionists and other sympathisers, all bitterly opposed to the idea of fascism. They came primarily from the unemployed areas of Merseyside, Manchester, Scotland, Tyneside and London. Many were young and inexperienced; others had served in the First World War and were now too old for a struggle of this nature. Nearly all were fresh recruits just arrived in Spain. As the men of the mainly British 15th Brigade made their way up an outcrop that was later to become known as "Suicide Hill", they were mown down mercilessly. They had little or no chance. It's still debatable how many British were killed here and figures are continually being revised, but the guess is that only 200 of the original 600 came out unscathed. Some just turned and deserted, only to be forced back under duress once they had been discovered. Other volunteers from the US in the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, as well as German and French soldiers, also died in the onslaught. Historian and author Richard Baxell says that "for many of the British volunteers, this was their first experience of action; they had been given as little as six weeks' training and they faced the battle-hardened elite regulars of Franco's Army of Africa". It was a no-contest but, remarkably, Republican troops held the line for nearly three more years. It was also a cock-up. The men were barely trained, equipment was poor, even unusable in some cases, and the back-up was amateurish. Food and water were in short and irregular supply. Orders were also confusing, plus they were led by an incompetent, gung-ho Hungarian-Russian called "General Gal" (Janos Galicz), who was loathed by his men. But what they lacked in military hardware and training they more than made up for in courage, which is perhaps why they are most remembered today. In the end, the battle achieved little. After the initial onslaught, both sides dug in, retreating to their trenches and tunnels, and a stalemate ensued until the last days of the war in 1939, when the remnants of the Republicans were captured and many of them slaughtered as the Moors took their brutal revenge with gruesome trophies. While the battlefields of the Somme, Ypres and Normandy attract visitors in their thousands, Jarama, like other Spanish battlefields, attracts only a modest number. As a result, 74 years on, the trenches are still intact with their caves, tunnels and machine gun positions clearly visible, while the battlefield remains scattered with rusting bits and pieces including sardine tins, bullets, shrapnel, and even the odd live hand grenade. There are no official reliable accounts of the battle. What has been learnt has mainly been gleaned from personal testimony and, as ever, it can be tinged with inaccuracy, misinformation and, especially, in this instance, political prejudice. The blame for the debacle has been apportioned to various people in a bitter row that continues even to this day. "Nobody will ever know exactly how many died, let alone the names of all those who fought there," says Dan Payne, a member of the International Brigade Memorial Trust, who organised this year's party of visitors. For some years he has been piecing together the names and biographies of all those who came from Merseyside. "Every year, a new name crops up and we learn a little more about who went from my area," he says, adding that "we now know of 17 Merseysiders who died in the battle". At a guess, it's reckoned that of the 600 British volunteers who fought on the first day, at least 139 were killed and considerably more wounded over the three days. After Franco's death, a "pact of oblivion" was agreed in Spain by the transitional government with the intention of not raking up the past, yet as the years come and go there is an increasing interest in the war. At Morata de Tajuna, close to where the battle took place, a small museum is now increasingly given over to the Civil War and the Battle of Jarama. "It's now legal to have such museums; five years ago, it was semi-legal, and before that illegal," says Gregorio Salcedo Diaz, the museum's curator. But old memories still linger. The nearby clenched-fist memorial to the Republican dead up on the hills among the olive orchards has, since last year, been daubed with paint, presumably by some local Falangists. The curator picks up a water bottle punctured by a bullet. There's also half a hand grenade, bullets and a brass Republican machine gunner's badge. "Next year, I want to put up more pictures of the International Brigaders for the 75th anniversary," he says. Already the museum's collection of memorabilia picked up from the fields includes guns, badges, uniforms, pens, and even a radio or two. Almost certainly there will be no British survivors at next year's 75th anniversary gathering. As many as 2,500 British volunteers fought in Spain, with 530 of them killed. Of those who did return, only four are known still to be alive, plus another in Australia and perhaps one in Canada; they are all in their mid-nineties. Two leading Brigaders, Sam Lesser and Jack Edwards, and the last surviving woman volunteer, nurse Penny Feiwel, have all died in recent months. Indeed, it is unlikely that any of the British Brigaders will ever return to Spain, giving next year's ceremony an added poignancy. And once they have died, the final link with Jarama and the International Brigade will have gone, save for the museum, some personal testimony and the wild thyme that still grows on the hillside. Poland's government has proposed a new law that would limit kosher slaughter, in a move that has provoked a global outcry from the Jewish community. The animal welfare bill will seek to impose significant limits on the technique and would enforce restrictions on exporting kosher meat from Poland, which would affect a very large part of the Jewish communities in Europe, according to the European Jewish Association. Kosher slaughter was banned in Poland in 2013, but the decision was overturned by the high court in 2014. The country already imposes limitations on its practice but the new legislation would go further, prohibiting the slaughter of animals when they are in an unnatural state, and bringing in a four-year jail sentence for those in breach of the law. The Sejm, Polands lower house of parliament, will take a vote on the bill this week, the EJA said. EJA Chairman Rabbi Menachem Margolin said the proposal was in breach of laws protecting religious freedom. These restrictions on kosher slaughter are in complete contradiction to the principle of freedom of religion of the European Union, he said. I call on the Polish government to not legislate this shameful law and to take into consideration that the Jewish peoples trust in the Polish leadership is deteriorating. I dont want to imagine what the next stage will be after legislating the Holocaust Law and putting limits on kosher slaughter in the country. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty He also said the ruling would make it very difficult to perform kosher slaughter. Some kashrut laws forbid to apply any pressure on the knife to protect the animal from unnecessary pain, he said, but it is not possible when the animal is standing, and its head is leaning heavily on the knife. It follows an ongoing spat between Israel's government, global Jewish organisations and Poland over a new Polish law that criminalises attributing blame for the Holocaust to Poland. The high profile trial of Palestinian teenager Ahed Tamimi who slapped and kicked two Israeli soldiers in December has been adjourned until next month after a military judge ordered it take place behind closed doors. The 17-year-old from the West Bank town of Nabi Saleh arrived at her hearing on Tuesday morning, only for the court to order all observers except her family out of the room. After the prosecution read out the indictment, her trial was adjourned until 11 March. The girl was arrested on 19 December after footage emerged of her slapping, punching and kicking Israeli troops in a confrontation near her home in the West Bank. Palestinians protest the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration Show all 8 1 /8 Palestinians protest the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration Palestinians protest the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration Protesters wave Palestinian flags and carry a defaced photo of Theresa May and Arthur Balfour AP Palestinians protest the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration A young protester holds a sign reading 'UK government should hang it's head in shame...' REUTERS Palestinians protest the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration Palestinians participate in a march to protest the 100th anniversary of Britain's Balfour Declaration AFP/Getty Images Palestinians protest the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration Protesters participate in the march AFP/Getty Images Palestinians protest the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration Protesters gather in the centre of the West Bank city of Ramallah AFP/Getty Images Palestinians protest the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration Palestinians protest against the Balfour Declaration on its 100th anniversary EPA Palestinians protest the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration Palestinians protest EPA Palestinians protest the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration Palestinian protesters burn a mock of Prime Minister Theresa May and Arthur James Balfour EPA She was reportedly upset after learning that her 15-year-old cousin had been seriously injured after being shot in the head by a rubber bullet during stone-throwing clashes nearby. The case has drawn widespread criticism of Israel for the military prosecution of a minor, who turned 17 in prison last month. The assault and incitement charges could potentially lead to a sentence of years in prison. To Palestinians, Ms Tamimi has become something of a resistance figure, her detention symbolic of what they say is legitimate non-violent opposition to Israeli occupation. The teenager's trial has already been delayed twice since its scheduled start date of 31 January. She remains in custody at Ofer prison near Ramallah. Recommended How the slap moved from hysteria treatment to political confrontation She arrived at court appearing calm, smiling and flashing the 'V for victory' sign at photographers. Western diplomats, rights researchers and journalists along with dozens of other observers were quickly kicked out in a decision which judge Lieutenant Colonel Menachem Lieberman said was for Ms Tamimi's own protection. "I didn't think it's good for the minor that there are 100 people in the courtroom," he said. The girl's Israeli lawyer, Gaby Lasky, accused the court of wishing to hide the proceedings from a watching world, against her family's wishes. "The court decided what is best for the court, and not what is good for Ahed," she said. "The way to keep it out of everybody's eyes is to close doors and not allow people inside the court for the hearing." Human rights organisations estimate around 300 Palestinian children are currently in Israeli jails. Israeli police have said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should face charges for alleged corruption. A police statement published by Israeli media said there was sufficient evidence to indict Mr Netanyahu for fraud, bribery and breach of trust. The reported recommendations do not immediately threaten Mr Netanyahu, but they are deeply embarrassing and could fuel calls for him to step aside. Responding to the statements, Mr Netanyahu said if the police went ahead with the charges it will end with nothing. Police have been investigating two cases over several months. In one probe, Mr Netanyahu reportedly received over $300,000 in gifts including champagne and cigars from Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan and other wealthy supporters. The other is over secret talks with the publisher of a major Israeli newspaper in which Mr Netanyahu allegedly requested positive coverage in exchange for reining in a free pro-Netanyahu daily. Channels 10 and 2 TV and the Jerusalem Post and Haaretz newspapers reported police recommended indictments in both cases. The attorney general will now review their conclusions and decide whether to file charges. Recommended Israel passes bill muzzling police investigating Netanyahu In a national address Mr Netanyahu denied any wrongdoing. He said his political career has been solely for the good of the nation and accused police of being on a witch hunt against him and vowed to remain in office. He added: I will continue to lead the state of Israel responsibly and loyally as long as you, the citizens of Israel choose me to lead you. I am sure that the truth will come to light. And I am sure that also in the next election that will take place on time I will win your trust again with God's help. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 10 September 2021 People paddle board during a misty morning in Ullswater, the second largest lake in the Lake District, Cumbria PA UK news in pictures 9 September 2021 Troops from Wiltshire based 4 Armoured Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during final inspection at Wellington Barracks in London, ahead of providing troops for the Queens Guard PA UK news in pictures 8 September 2021 Workers cross London Bridge during the morning rush hour in London Reuters UK news in pictures Mixing it up: Painting it up press view in London A gallery employee poses for photographers next to a painting entitled Prairie by British artist, Louise Giovanelli during the exhibition 'Mixing it up: Painting it up' at the Hayward Gallery in London EPA UK news in pictures 6 September 2021 Traders in the Ring at the London Metal Exchange, in the City of London, after open-outcry trading returned for the first time since March 2020, when the Ring was temporarily closed due to the pandemic PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2021 People enjoy the warm weather on Sandbanks beach, Poole PA UK news in pictures 4 September 2021 Demonstrators from Animal Rebellion and Nature Rebellion protest in Trafalgar Square in London. PA UK news in pictures 3 September 2021 South Africa's Ntando Mahlangu (centre) wins the Men's 200 metres T61 Final ahead of second placed Great Britain's Richard Whitehead at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games PA UK news in pictures 2 September 2021 A young common seal on the beach at Horsey Gap in Norfolk, as hundreds of pregnant grey seals come ashore ready for the start of the pupping season. PA UK news in pictures 1 September 2021 Goldfinches fighting over food in a garden in Strensham, Worcestershire PA 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 The 68-year-old Israeli leader is currently in his second term as prime minister and has already served for 12 years. Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, a bitter rival of Mr Netanyahu, called on him to step down and for the coalition to appoint a replacement on Wednesday morning. The depth of corruption is horrifying, Mr Barak said. This does not look like nothing. This looks like bribery. AP contributed to this report A Middle Eastern taxi app has signed up almost 1,000 Saudi women for training in anticipation of the ban on women driving being lifted later this year. The new drivers have been hired by Careem, a UAE-based ride hailing company with millions of users in neighbouring Saudi Arabia. We are very excited about this June, it is a big milestone for the country. We have already started training female [drivers], co-founder Magnus Olsson said in an interview with Thomson Reuters Zawya last week. LSE Saudi Arabia academic: Lifting ban on women driving is being used to deflect bad news We foresee very strong growth in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabias King Salman, at the behest of his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has issued a raft of royal decrees in recent months designed to liberalise some of the Islamic kingdoms conservative laws. The most high profile announcement will allow women to drive in the conservative Islamic kingdom from 24 June 2018 for the first time since 1990. Saudi Arabia opens its first women-only hotel Show all 4 1 /4 Saudi Arabia opens its first women-only hotel Saudi Arabia opens its first women-only hotel 20597.bin HASSAN AMMAR/AFP/Getty Images Saudi Arabia opens its first women-only hotel 20596.bin HASSAN AMMAR/AFP/Getty Images Saudi Arabia opens its first women-only hotel 20598.bin HASSAN AMMAR/AFP/Getty Images Saudi Arabia opens its first women-only hotel 20601.bin HASSAN AMMAR/AFP/Getty Images The rapid reforms do not not fundamentally change the guardianship system which effectively makes Saudi women second-class citizens - but the ability to drive will give them an unprecedented taste of freedom. Public transport is basically non-existent in the Kingdom, which to date has given ride hailing apps such as Careem and Uber a captive market. Up to 70 per cent of Careem users in the country are women, and 80 per cent of Uber rides are ordered by women. Last year, it was reported that the Ministry of Labour was working to subsidise app rides for working Saudi women. Saudi Arabia suffers from high unemployment, which climbed to 12.8 per cent last year. Of those jobseekers, 80 per cent are women. The ability to drive will widen womens access to the job market - and allow them to become paid drivers themselves if they so wish. Careem training sessions are already being held in Riyadh, Jeddah and al Kohbar for women who have valid driving licenses obtained abroad. Saudi Arabia struggles to employ its most-educated women Show all 4 1 /4 Saudi Arabia struggles to employ its most-educated women Saudi Arabia struggles to employ its most-educated women SAUDI WOMEN122.jpg SAUDI WOMEN: Tahany Omar, 36, has a Masters of Business Administration from the US but has found the job market challenging in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; she works in an investment firm, but not in management. Washington Post photo by Linda Davidson Saudi Arabia struggles to employ its most-educated women SAUDI WOMEN124.jpg A young Saudi woman in her 20's shops for dresses on the women-only level at Kingdom Centre Mall in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in October. Unless designated as a women's only area, most shopping in Saudi Arabia is staffed by men. Washington Post photo by Linda Davidson Saudi Arabia struggles to employ its most-educated women SAUDI WOMEN123.jpg Saudi men reflected in the mirrors of the Al-Faisaliyah Center viewing level which overlooks the expansive city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Washington Post photo by Linda Davidson Saudi Arabia struggles to employ its most-educated women SAUDI WOMEN121.jpg SAUDI WOMEN: Zainab Al Talib, left, assists legal consultant Tala Al-Hejailan at the law offices of DLA Piper in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on October 8. Hejailan is a lawyer, but cannot practise law in Saudi Arabia, which will not grant licences to women. Washington Post photo by Linda Davidson Careem - which operates in 13 Muslim countries and is valued at around $1 billion - hopes to recruit 100,000 female staff in Saudi Arabia in total as part of its expansion into the market, Mr Olsson said. Forced to reckon with a global drop in oil prices, vast economic and social reform are part of Saudi Arabias Vision 2030, the Kingdoms long-term blueprint for weaning the country off economic dependence on oil. Israeli police have re-arrested former Melbourne school principal Malka Leifer, alleging she faked mental illness to avoid extradition to her home country of Australia where she is wanted on 74 charges of child sexual abuse. Ms Liefer is accused of sexually abusing several pupils while she was a teacher and principal at the ultra-orthodox Adass Israel girls school in Melbourne. Israeli police said yesterday that during 2017 there were indications that the suspect was pretending to be suffering from mental illness in order to avoid the extradition process and as a result, the police opened again an investigation that led to her arrest this morning. The Department of International Affairs will look into the process of having the suspect extradited to Australia. In June 2016, an Israeli court stopped the extradition process of Ms Leifer after a psychiatric assessment found that she was not fit to stand trial. Mental health professionals previously said Ms Leifers panic attacks prior to her scheduled court appearances were genuine and said the proceedings of a court hearing put her under extreme anxiety. Ms Leifer fled to Israel in 2008, when the allegations first surfaced. She was arrested by Israeli police in 2014, when Australia filed a request for her extradition. She was released on bail and soon claimed she was suffering from panic attacks and anxiety which left her too unwell to attend court. Two weeks ago, she again claimed mental illness during her most recent appearance before a psychiatric review board. But Ms Leifers claims have come under new scrutiny after Israeli police said they had been conducting a secret undercover investigation into her mental health. In a statement after her arrest on Monday morning, Israeli police said they arrested a female in her fifties suspected of obstructing court proceedings and attempting to hide evidence of a case. An Israeli police spokesman told ABC: We have found new evidence that shows us she is capable of standing trial. This has been an ongoing investigation in coordination with Australian authorities. 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 arrest was made based on the evidence we have gathered over the last few weeks. The undercover investigation reportedly began following an Interpol request. Israeli police said the extradition process had now restarted. Ms Leifer has denied the charges in previous extradition hearings, while the former principals alleged victims have welcomed news of her arrest. Three Lebanese teenagers who were hauled before a court on charges of insulting Christianity have been handed the unusual sentence of studying the references to the Virgin Mary found in the Quran. Christian judge Joceline Matta found the Muslim boys guilty of contempt of religion for insulting the Christian mother of God. The charge, which covers verbal insults or physical defiling of religious rites and objects, can be punishable by up to three years in prison. However, when reading out her verdict in court in the northern city of Tripoli last week, the Justice said that she wanted the teenagers to learn about Islams reverence for the mother of Christ, calling the law a school and not just a prison. Art exhibition in Lebanon shut down by people trying to erase imperialism from their history Islam also regards Jesus as a major prophet of Allah. Mary is honoured in several Islamic texts, including the Al-Omran surah, which reads And [mention] when the angels said, 'O Mary, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.' A chapter of the Quran is named after her - which Judge Matta said showed revealed the boys ignorance of their own religion. The three must learn verses from the Al-Omran surah in order to be released, she said. For a real taste of Lebanon, go back to the land Show all 3 1 /3 For a real taste of Lebanon, go back to the land For a real taste of Lebanon, go back to the land 206343.bin KAMAL MOUZAWAK For a real taste of Lebanon, go back to the land 206345.bin KAMAL MOUZAWAK For a real taste of Lebanon, go back to the land 206344.bin KAMAL MOUZAWAK The decision was praised by several prominent Lebanese public figures and politicians and caused a stir on social media. Prime Minister Saad Hariri said the sentence was the epitome of justice and promotes coexistence between Muslims and Christians together through the teaching of common ideas. Recommended The Boustani house encompasses both the tragedy and faith of Lebanon Lebanon was torn apart by sectarian violence between various Muslim, Christian and Druze factions in the 1975-1990 civil war, which killed an estimated 120,000 people. Under the constitution, which emphasises religious harmony, the president must be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of parliament a Shiite Muslim. There have been calls on social media for Justice Mattas ruling to be used as an example in other cases. At least six Russian nationals, and potentially dozens more, are believed to have been killed in fighting between pro-government forces and the US-led coalition in Syria - in one of the most significant clashes between the two nations since the Cold War. The coalition had said that their forces had come under an unprovoked attack in territory held by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in eastern Deir Ezzor province, from what it said were pro regime forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. More than 100 fighters said to have been killed out of an attacking force of around 500 during the clashes on 7/8 February. Colonel Thomas F Veale, a US military spokesman said that the coalition forces had acted in self defence and targeted the aggressors with a combination of air and artillery strikes. Then, on Saturday, a US military drone aircraft destroyed a Russian-made T-72 tank near the area around Al Tabiyeh. The US military said it destroyed the tank after it moved within firing range of US-backed forces. The coalition would not confirm the death toll or a Russian presence when asked about the 7/8 February attack by The Independent, but reports have surfaced in Russia that soldiers from the country had come under fire. Most, if not all of the soldiers were affiliated to the pseudo-mercenary Wagner military group. This group, named after the retired Russian officer that leads it, is linked to Russian military and security forces and has operated as an arms-length formation in both eastern Ukraine - although Russia has denied direct military involvement in the conflict there - and Syria. Data on the numbers of dead Russian soldiers varies. Some unverified accounts suggest hundreds, but this is likely to be an exaggeration. Ruslan Leviev, lead researcher at Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT), has investigated the battle in forensic detail. He says his group has managed to verify six Russian deaths. Inside Syria's obliterated capital of the revolution Show all 10 1 /10 Inside Syria's obliterated capital of the revolution Inside Syria's obliterated capital of the revolution The reconstructed Khaled Bin al-Waleed Mosque is framed by a damaged building, in the old city of Homs AP Inside Syria's obliterated capital of the revolution Sumaya Bairuty, 38, an English-language teacher who works in the capital Damascus, speaks with The Associated Press while as she walks to her parents house in the war-damaged Bab Dreib neighborhood of Homs AP Inside Syria's obliterated capital of the revolution Bairuty walks to her parents house AP Inside Syria's obliterated capital of the revolution A family that returned to live in their apartment inside a heavily damaged building hang their carpets in the sun AP Inside Syria's obliterated capital of the revolution A car drives through a devastated part of the old city AP Inside Syria's obliterated capital of the revolution A pigeon keeper watches his pigeons fly from the roof of his home AP Inside Syria's obliterated capital of the revolution Two people carry goods on a bicycle in the war-damaged neighborhood AP Inside Syria's obliterated capital of the revolution Children play football in the street AP Inside Syria's obliterated capital of the revolution It has been almost four years since the last rebels and civilians withdrew from the remaining strongholds in the ancient heart of Homs in Syria AP Inside Syria's obliterated capital of the revolution A man rides his bicycle past a banner showing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad AP The number will probably grow to two or three dozen, but we dont believe numbers of 200 dead are credible, he told The Independent. Russian media have already reached the widow of one of the soldiers identified in CITs research. In an interview published in Znak.ru, a news portal based in Russias third city of Yekaterinburg, Yelena Matveyeva confirmed the death of her husband Stanislav Matveyev, 38. She told journalists said his body was due to arrive in the southern town of Rostov-on-Don on Tuesday. The death of Russians under direct American, or at least US-led fire would seem a very serious matter. But the response in Moscow has been muted, a reflection of the precarious situation both nations now found themselves in. With the territory of Isis shrinking as they are pushed out, it leaves all of the various nations now acting in Syria without a common enemy and increases the possibility of clashes. Syria, entering its seventh year of civil war, is now a patchwork of competing claims and forces from around the globe. Mr Assad is backed by Russia, as well as Shia militia groups themselves backed by Iran, while the US is supporting the Kurdish SDF forces who have been a crucial ally in battling Isis the major aim in Syria for the administration of President Donald Trump. Turkey has also started an offensive to push the US-backed Kurdish forces out of the northern town of Afrin, near the Turkish border, which has also increased tensions between Washington and Ankara. Israel has also warned the Syrian government over the presence of Iran after one of its jets was recently shot down over Syrian territory. Video shows the moment a bomb hits a building in Syria as new onslaught new onslaught causes mass civilian casualties The Pentagon says it is in constant contact with Russian forces on the ground as part of an existing de-confliction agreement that had been agreed between Washington and Moscow. The attack last week, and the incursion on Saturday were said to be in violation of a de-confliction area around the Euphrates, with the coalition saying it had been observing a slow build-up of personnel and equipment over a week. US Defence Secretary James Mattis, said that he had read the reports about the Russian deaths, but that "we have not received word" confirming anything. Talking about the striking of the tank on Saturday, he added: This could just be a local couple of guys doing something. I don't want to dignify it as a big attack. Russias Special Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya condemned the attack but made no mention of the Russian deaths. The Ministry of Defence meanwhile denied that the Syrian operation had been coordinated with Russian military command. It also stated that no Russian soldiers were present in the area. Wagners unofficial status made such a legalistic statement possible. It also made Russian protest difficult. "We don't have information about other Russians who might be in Syria," Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said on Tuesday, saying that the only records Russia had were of members of the country's armed forces. However it is has not stopped the two nations hitting out at the motives behind the attacks. The coalition said that the pro-regime forces were likely seeking to seize oilfields in the resource-rich Deir Ezzor, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday the Americans have taken dangerous unilateral steps. Vladimir Frolov, a security expert and former Kremlin adviser, told The Independent Russia almost certainly knew about Wagners participation in the Syrian-led attack. My hunch is both the Syrians and the Russians thought they could get away with it and grab some oil assets with the SDF distracted by the Turkish offensive, but miscalculated, he said. Presidents Putin and Trump and Putin spoke by phone in an unscheduled call on Monday, and it is likely that the issue was discussed. I strongly believe they decided to... not blow it up into a bigger scandal, Mr Frolov told the Independent. One thing is clear both Mr Putin and US officials will face pressure to be transparent about such clashes. Russian liberal presidential candidate Grigory Yavlinsky was one of many voices urging the Kremlin to come clean on the affair. Officials, including the commander-in-chief, must tell the country the truth, and determine who is responsible, he wrote on Twitter. World Duty Free has apologised after facing allegations of discrimination towards Chinese customers at its Terminal 2 outlet at Heathrow Airport. The duty free shopping brand was alleged to have discriminated against Chinese travellers at the UK airport with its VIP voucher programme. Chinese customers needed to spend over 1,000 to qualify for discount vouchers at the World Duty Free outlet, while customers from other countries had to spend just 79 to receive the same perk. The disparity came to light when a Weibo user (a Chinese microblogging site) working part time at the shop noticed a Chinese customer being treated unequally. Ren Jian Nai Pao advised the customer to buy the items she already had in her shopping basket, worth around 300 in value, to get the VIP voucher before continuing with her shopping, only to be told she was not eligible. I asked why... the cashier said because she is Chinese; if she is Chinese, she has to spend 1,000 to get the VIP voucher, Ren Jian Nai Pao wrote. In a statement provided to The Independent, World Duty Free said: As a global company we are committed to treating all our customers with respect and in a consistent and fair way. We would like to offer our sincere apologies to our customers who were in any way made to feel this was not the case. The VIP programme is designed to reward customers on top of our normal promotions at certain points of the year by offering an attractive incentive on a second purchase. The implementation of this promotion has been confusing which we sincerely regret. After close self-examination and having made further investigations, we have taken urgent steps to correct the implementation of this promotion going forward. We have comprehensively re-briefed our staff in our stores to ensure that the promotion is clear. This offer applies regardless of the destination customers are flying to. Once again, we would like to take this opportunity to apologise profusely to all our valued customers. In a statement, Heathrow called the offer unacceptable (Getty Images/iStock/tupungato) (Getty) A Heathrow spokesperson said: We find this offer completely unacceptable. We have been in touch with World Duty Free and have made it clear that all passengers should be treated with fairness and respect. This has fallen short of expectations from our retailers and we apologise for the offence this retailer has caused. The wide popularity of Jordan Peterson, a once-obscure Canadian clinical psychologist and university professor who has become beloved of the alt-right, is a proof that the liberal-conservative silent majority finally found its voice. Peterson, who has said that the idea of white privilege is a "Marxist lie" and theorised that "radical feminists" don't speak out about human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia because of "their unconscious wish for brutal male domination", is fast becoming a mainstream commentator. His advantages over the previous anti-LGBT+ star Milo Yiannopoulos are obvious. Yiannopoulos was witty, fast-talking, full of jokes and sarcasms, and openly gay he resembled, in many features, the culture he was attacking. Peterson is his opposite: he combines a common sense approach and (the appearance of) cold scientific argumentation with a bitter rage at a threat to the liberal basics of our societies his stance is: Enough is enough! I cannot stand it anymore! It is easy to discern the cracks in his advocacy of cold facts against political correctness: not only is he often relying on unverified theories, but the big problem is the paranoiac construct which he uses to interpret what he sees as facts. "Facts are facts," he likes to say, before going on to say that "the idea that women were oppressed throughout history is an appalling theory" and that to conceive of gender as a social construct is "as bad as claiming the world is flat". Jacques Lacan wrote that, even if what a jealous husband claims about his wife (that she sleeps around with other men) is all true, his jealousy is still pathological: the pathological element is the husband's need for jealousy as the only way to retain his dignity, identity even. Along the same lines, one could say that, even if most of the Nazi claims about the Jews were true (they exploit Germans, they seduce German girls, and so on) which they are not, of course their anti-Semitism would still be (and was) a pathological phenomenon because it repressed the true reason why the Nazis needed anti-Semitism in order to sustain their ideological position. In the Nazi vision, their society is an organic whole of harmonious collaboration, so an external intruder is needed to account for divisions and antagonisms. The same holds for how, today, the anti-immigrant populists deal with the problem of the refugees: they approach it in the atmosphere of fear, of the incoming struggle against the Islamification of Europe, and they get caught in a series of obvious absurdities. For them, refugees who flee terror are equalised with the terrorists they are escaping from, oblivious to the obvious fact that, while there are probably among the refugees also terrorists, rapists, criminals and so on, the large majority are desperate people looking for a better life. In other words, the cause of problems which are immanent to today's global capitalism is projected onto an external intruder. Anti-immigrant racism and sexism is not dangerous because it lies; it is at its most dangerous when its lie is presented in the form of a (partial) factual truth. Unfortunately, the liberal, left-wing reaction to anti-immigrant populism is no better. Populism and leftie political correctness practice the two complementary forms of lying which follow the classic distinction between hysteria and obsessional neurosis: a hysteric tells the truth in the guise of a lie (what it says is literally not true, but the lie expresses in a false form an authentic complaint), while what an obsessional neurotic claims is literally true, but it is a truth which serves a lie. Populists and PC liberals resort to both strategies. First, they both resort to factual lies when they serve what populists perceive as the higher truth of their cause. Religious fundamentalists advocate lying for Jesus say, in order to prevent the horrible crime of abortion, one is allowed to propagate false scientific truths about the lives of foetuses and the medical dangers of abortion; in order to support breast-feeding, one is allowed to present as a scientific fact that abstention from breast-feeding causes breast cancer, and so on. Common anti-immigrant populists shamelessly circulate non-verified stories about rapes and other crimes of the refugees in order to give credibility to their insight that refugees pose a threat to our way of life. All too often, PC liberals proceed in a similar way: they pass in silence over actual differences in the ways of life between refugees and Europeans since mentioning them may be seen to promote Eurocentrism. Recall the Rotherham sex abuse scandal, where the race of the perpetrators was downplayed in case anything in the case could be interpreted as racist. The opposite strategy that of lying in the guise of truth is also widely practiced on both poles. If anti-immigrant populists not only propagate factual lies but also cunningly use bits of factual truth with the aura of veracity to their racist lie, PC partisans also practice this lying with truth: in its fight against racism and sexism, it mostly quotes crucial facts, but it often gives them a wrong twist. The populist protest displaces onto the external enemy the authentic frustration and sense of loss, while the PC left uses its true points (detecting sexism and racism in language and so on) to reassert its moral superiority and thus prevent true social change. And this is why Petersons outbursts have such an effect. His crazy conspiracy theory about LGBT+ rights and #MeToo as the final offshoots of the Marxist project to destroy the West is, of course, ridiculous. It is totally blind for the inner antagonisms and inconsistencies of the liberal project itself: the tension between liberals who are ready to condone racist and sexist jokes on account of the freedom of speech and the PC regulators who want to censor them as an obstacle to the freedom and dignity of the victims of such jokes has nothing to do with the authentic left. Peterson addresses what many of us feel goes wrong in the PC universe of obsessive regulation the problem with him does not reside in his theories but in the partial truths that sustain them. If the left is not able to address these limitations of its own project, it is fighting a lost battle. Congress workers celebrate after the party raced ahead of the BJP in the Lok Sabha constituencies of Ajmer and Alwar and the Mandalgarh Assembly seat in Rajasthan by-elections, at the party headquarters in New Delhi on Feb. 1, 2018. (IANS photo) The Banyan and The Banyan Academy of Leadership in Mental Health founder Vandana Gopikumar will be honored with the Penn Nursing Renfield Foundation Award for Global Women's Health. She co-founded both organizations with Vaishnavi Jayakumar. (UPenn.edu photo) Indian soldiers enter the Sunjuwan Military Station in Jammu Feb. 10 following an attack by militants. Two people were injured after a group of Kashmiri militants attacked the Indian army station early Feb. 10, Indian media reported, with operations underway to clear the base. (Rakesh Bakshi/AFP/Getty Images) 'We also would like to stress the need to respect the sovereignty of member-states over their territorial sea and airspace, and wed also like to say that negative statements that damage good neighbourly relations should be avoided,' said thespokesman. 200 youths of Ikorodu, Lagos who belonged to different cult groups such as Black Axe, Buccaneers, Aiye and Eiye confraternities have renounced their membership. The renunciation brings the number of youths who had so far dumped cult groups in Lagos State to 860 youths. In a statement signed and released by the Lagos State Command PPRO, SP Chike Oti, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal thanked the traditional ruler of Ikorodu land, Oba Kabiru Shotobi and members his cabinet for convincing the youths of the area to quit cultism. He further thanked the Chairman of the Local Government, Hon. Wasiu for agreeing to provide vocational training for the 200 youths to enable them reintegrate fully into the society. The CP directed the Area Commander of Ikorodu, ACP Mohammdu Amodu to document, profile and obtain the biometrics of all the 200 repented youths and reach out to them from to time. Staff of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board were on Tuesday morning surprised, when Senator Shehu Sani paid a visit to their office with anti-snake venom and charmers. The senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, on Tuesday morning stormed the office of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and surprised the staff with anti-snake venom and snake charmers, a day after a staff claimed a missing N36 million was eaten by snake. According to PREMIUM Times, the JAMB Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, went into rounds of laughter when the lawmaker presented him with two packs of anti-snake venom and offered the services of two snake charmers to fish out snakes that swallowed huge amount of money. While speaking during the visit, the senator said he visited the JAMB headquarters to ascertain the truth of the matter and to lend his assistance. He said: The reason for my presence here is in response to the story that a snake swallowed about N36 million. It is my concern that such a huge amount of money is reported to have been swallowed by a snake. I believe the contribution I can make is to bring snake charmers from my constituency to the JAMB office to help them fish out the snake or weed out snakes from their premises. If a snake can actually swallow N36 million one day we may wake up in this country to see that a snake has swallowed our foreign reserve or it has swallowed money that was gathered in the TSA. The JAMB boss continued his laughter and insisted on taking photograph with the unexpected gift. Lets take pictures with anti-snake, he said. One of the snake charmers, Tasiu Abdulrasheed, who claimed to have been a professional snake charmer for up to 20 years, said he has never encountered a money-swallowing reptile. I inherited the skill from my grandfather and Ive been doing it for up to 20 years. I have dealt with different types of snakes, including pythons, cobra and others, but I have never captured a snake that swallowed money. My master has at different times captured snakes that swallowed various kinds of animals but he has never caught one that swallowed money, he said. JAMB spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, said the board is dealing with more frivolous stories like Ms. Chieshes. There was even a case in Nasarawa when a staff claimed that on his way to come and submit the scratch card, he had an accident and the car got burnt with the scratch cards, he said. The cards have numbers and when we checked we found out that those cards were used. There was another staff that said his signature was forged. He agreed that it was his signature but he wasnt the one that signed and did not collect the scratch cards. We have many issues like that but all of them have been queried, they appeared before the disciplinary committee, they were interrogated. A report has been written. Once that report has been approved, we will be commended for their dismissal and prosecution. He advised Nigerians against trivialising the issue. We are not ashamed of whatever because Nigerians are turning it into a joke. Its not a joke. We should be surprised and we should weep for this country that people could be that mischievous. The effrontery of someone saying a snake could swallow money is something that should disturb us. He added that the accused staff is currently undergoing disciplinary procedures and would be handed over to security agencies after the ministers approval. Controversial Nigerian journalist, Kemi Olunloyo has spoken on the feud caused by the killings reportedly carried out by Fulani herdsmen across the country. According to Kemi, the Fulani herdsmen are targeted and labelled terrorists because of one reason because Nigerias President Muhammadu Buhari is from the ethnic group. Her tweets read, 1. To say Nigerian #Fulanis are a violent group is an exaggeration. The Fulanis have been quietly grazing and herding the beef most of u gulp at your #owambe events. The root of the ongoing problem goes deeper than ethnicity. #hnnact 2. #Fulani herdsmen are being targeted as terrorists because of one single reason. The president is from that ethnic tribe. If u dont like @MBuhari, then vote him out instead of accusing him of not controlling a whole tribe. Can Osinbajo control all the #yoruba people? #hnnact 3. Stop castigating the #Nigerian#Fulanis. I will never be afraid of NOBODY in #Nigeria. The #IPOB boys were more dangerous looking for mayhem. Many were my errand boys at #PHMax & told me #NnamdiKanu even told them to RAPE women and cause ethnic mayhem. Not all Igbos are IPOB. 4. Why are Nigerians not castigating #yoruba leaders over #Badoo shrines and South-South chieftains over #Rivers#CrossRivers cultists and kidnappers. Almost every Yoruba idiot Ive met since I came home never heard of Don Waney. Tribal ignorance is so bad in Nigeria #hnnact 5. Don Waney is dead, Evans is alive. Clearly our police is not working hard is everyones mentality. We actually need Evans alive as he has information that could squash other kidnap kingpins in the making. Wake up Nigeria! No woman talks the truth like me. #hnnact Source Yabaleftonline The Nation Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has named his Chief of Staff, Uche Nwosu, as his successor in 2019. Punch At the closing of the two-day summit on national security organised by the Senate, state governors and the federal parliament have agreed to allow states to have their police. Vanguard FORMER governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, says he has never benefited from the outrageous pension packages for former governors and their deputies across states in Nigeria. Thisday Finding solutions to the perennial crises between herdsmen and farmers in several communities in Nigeria could only be achieved if the issue is approached with an open mind, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has said. The Sun National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has said Nigerians should hold the rulingAll Progressives Congress (APC) responsible for the the recent spate of killings in the country. Daily Times The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem, has decried the destruction of the Universitys multi-million naira research and training farms by herdsmen, who also poisoned the dam with chemicals. Daily Trust Many members and supporters of PDP in Agbonda, Ajase Ward II of Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, yesterday, decamped to the APC. Tribune THE crisis between Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom and his counterpart in Plateaus State, Simon Lalong seems to have taken a new dimension as Ortom warned him to stop interfering in Benue affairs. Nigerian actress Faithia Balogun had turned 49 and the veteran actress took the celebration outside the shores of Nigeria to Istanbul Turkey. The mother of two was honored by friends and colleagues alike to grace her birthday parties which held at Istanbul, Turkey. The birthday party had a host of various celebrities from the Yoruba movie industry, directors and producers alike. Iyabo Ojo was present at the event as she was the mc of the event. Faithia has starred, produced and directed several Nigerian films over the years. In 2008, she won the Africa movie Academy Award for the Most Outstanding Actress Indigenous and her movie Iranse Aje won the best indigenous film of the year. In April 2014, she won the Africa Movie Academy Award, having emerged as best actress of the year along with Odunlade Adekola who emerged as best actor of the year. Faithia Balogun also won the Best Indigenous Language: Yoruba award for the work done in the film Iya Alalake at the 2015 Africa-Magic Viewers Choice Awards AMVCA. RANSOMVILLE, NY (February 13, 2018) As the Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series start their 2018 campaign at Volusia Speedway Park in Florida during the DIRTcar Nationals, two of Ransomville Speedways best are heading south to begin their season. For Chad Brachmann and Erick Rudolph, they are both excited to get their 2018 season underway down in the Sunshine state. CB3 Chad Brachmann will be heading to Volusia driving for Western Pennsylvania driver and owner Rick Regalski. I am very excited to race for Rick Regalski down in Florida, Brachmann said. Chad has had success driving for his family team as well as for other car owners. It is harder driving for myself because of the financial responsibility. But as a driver, I have to do my job, whether it be for my family team or for an owner, Brachmann added. Chads Florida deal is owned by Regalski, with support from Chads father Mike, brother Corey, Chads Merrittville Speedway car owner Chris Bellamy and sponsor support from the Rockhouse Bar & Grill and S&B Industrial. When third-generation driver Erick Rudolph heads to Volusia, he will already have three races under his belt. Rudolph has had a successful indoor season driving a TQ Midget for Mark Laffler. Like Brachmann, Rudolph is looking forward to running at Volusia. Ive ran well at Volusia in the past and hope to continue the momentum we had in 2017, Rudolph said. During the DIRTcar Nationals last season, Erick posted a fifth and sixth-place finish in the two events that the Super DIRTcar Series was able to get in. Erick will be behind the wheel of the 25r, Reaching One More for Jesus, Randys Smoke Shop entry for car owner Randy Chrysler. We had a good year in the Chrysler car in 2017 and hope that I can carry that momentum into Florida and into 2018. I have confidence in all three of my race teams and hope to have a successful 2018 season. Chad and Erick will be racing against the best of the best in what the Super DIRTcar Series has to offer, including six-time and defending Series champion Super Matt Matt Sheppard, The Jet Brett Hearn, young gun Mad Max Max McLaughlin and more during their five nights of action at Volusia Speedway Park. The Ransomville Speedway wishes Chad and Erick the best of luck and hopes that they bring a Big Gator back to Ransomville with them. For those fans who are unable to make the trip the Sunshine State to watch in person, you can watch all the action from the DIRTcar Nationals through www.dirtvision.com About Ransomville Speedway: Ransomville Speedway is located on Braley Road in the hamlet of Ransomville, just 20 minutes from Niagara Falls and Lockport. The Big R is a 3/8th-mile DIRTcar sanctioned facility that is the Home of the Summer Nationals. Ransomville also features a 1/16th -mile Go-Kart track for action on the Little R on Thursday nights! For more information, please visit us on the World Wide Web at www.ransomvillespeedway.com as well as follow us on Twitter @Ransomville and like us on Facebook. You can also contact the speedway by phone by calling (716) 791-3602 or (716) 791-3611. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Missing from the Iowa Board of Regents agenda released Tuesday is an anticipated tuition increase proposal for Iowa universities that was expected by some to be introduced this February. Josh Lehman, Regents communications director, said via email to the Daily that because of the "considerable uncertainty about state appropriations," both in terms of possible midyear cuts and lagging funds for fiscal year 2019, "the Board does not yet have enough information to be able to set tuition rates at the February meeting." Due to the delay, the Board will not hold a first reading of tuition until April with expected approval of those rates in June, Lehman said. In October, the Regents postponed a first reading of tuition as a way to avoid multiple tuition increases during the year. Board of Regents President Michael Richards said at the time, "We do not have a timetable for when we will do a first reading of tuition, but we will do it as soon as we have a proposal with which we are comfortable." Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen, in a statement to the university, said: "This is a very challenging situation. We understand the frustration this causes our students and their families who are struggling to plan and budget for their college education. "We also recognize the angst faculty and staff may feel as they wonder how midyear budget reductions could impact them." Midyear budget cuts likely to impact Iowa State The Iowa Board of Regents may be facing a midyear budget cut of $5.1 million under Gov. Kim As noted by Lehman and Wintersteen, midyear budget cuts by the Iowa Legislature have added to the level of uncertainty to students and families in relation to tuition and proposed increases. The Iowa Senate proposed a bill that would reduce funding to Iowa State by $6.9 million for this fiscal year on Jan. 25. The bill has since been amended to reflect a cut of $14.6 million for all Regent universities without a stipulation of how the reductions should be divided. The Iowa House bill, which is still moving through committee, proposes cuts of $8.1 million to the Regents this year. "[The bill] leaves it to the Board of Regents to determine how those cuts would be distributed across the universities," Wintersteen said in the release. Possible tuition increases have been ever present on student's minds since August, with Interim Iowa State President Ben Allen proposing a five-year 7 percent tuition increase for all resident undergraduates to the Regents' Tuition Task Force. Wintersteen predicts smaller tuition increase than original proposal Iowa State President Wendy Wintersteen said a 3.5 percent increase is more likely than the o Wintersteen, in an interview with the Iowa State Daily Monday, said regarding the state budget and appropriations to the university: "We are continuing to discuss the proposals and to make plans, in general, about how we might move forward." 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Willoughby Matthews, from the Isle of Wight Labour Party, has written to the leader of the Isle of Wight Council after a motion on the Votes at 16 campaign was supported at a full council meeting on January 17. He has asked Cllr Dave Stewart to write to Mr Seely, urging him to lobby the government to support the motion. Mr Matthews also wants Mr Seely to write to the Electoral Commission and the British Youth Council to have the council added to the Votes at 16 Coalition. In his letter, Mr Matthews said: "I would also like to ask for your help in encouraging young people to take an active part in our democratic society by developing a youth engagement project in educational institutions and as part of youth projects working with the Isle of Wight Youth Council, the youth service, schools and colleges; promote and continue to support votes at 16; encourage each Councillor to engage with students at local schools, colleges and youth projects as part of the youth engagement project." * Cllr Stewart has since responded and said he has written to MP Bob Seely and the matter now rests with parliament. Cllr Stewart said: "Meanwhile, I am focusing on delivery of our corporate plan and would welcome any contribution [Willoughby ] may wish to offer in support of this local priority." He invited Mr Matthews to contribute to discussions at the local youth conference on March 6. 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. You are the owner of this article. Ucom employees received recognition for their services to the homeland Karen Vardanyan has allocated 105 million AMD to rescue the Yerevan Botanical Garden. "The Power of One Dram" to overcome childhood cancer Generation A 13 your chance to be the change President of the Artsakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan met with Russian Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Igor Khovayev "uDays" special offer at Ucom: discounts for all smartphones and accessories for 2 days only For more than 3 hours, 50 or more Azerbaijani servicemen have blocked the interstate road Call on the international community for an adequate response against azerbaijani aggresssion Transformation and trust are important for success in modern banking. Artak Hanesyan UCOMS LEVEL UP 1700 REGIONAL TARIFF PLAN USERS TO RECEIVE MORE THAN THOSE IN YEREVAN Joint statement Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group Covid-19: 163 new cases in Armenia Armenia: Remarks by Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi at the press point with Acting Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan The United States Welcomes Azerbaijans Release of Armenian Detainees and Armenias Actions to Facilitate Demining The Coronavirus-Related Situation in Armenia Google Ad International aviation: Council greenlights signing of major agreements with four countries With UCOMs level up tariff plans subscribers have unlimited access to Netflix, Duolingo and Zoom Armenia: Statement by the Spokesperson on the early parliamentary elections Armenias Parliamentary Elections PRESS STATEMENT COVID19:77 new cases Armenias early parliamentary elections were competitive and well run, but polarized and marred by aggressive rhetoric, international observers say International election observers to Armenias early parliamentary elections held press conference Drop Charges Against Rights Defender Sashik Sultanyan The Coronavirus-Related Situation in Armenia The European Union in Armenia calls all parties to contribute to a peaceful Election Day to celebrate democracy 22 ventilators to Armenia PACE to observe the early parliamentary elections in Armenia With Ucom's level up tariff plans subscribers have unlimited access to Tiktok, Spotify and Coursera Armenia has debt to survived people - survivor of Sumgait massacres (video) This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Armenian massacres in Sumgait. Larisa Alaverdyan, leader of the Foundation Against Violation of Law, with several women who survived the Sumgait massacres,told reporters today that this 30th anniversary is marked not only for the innocent victims or the survivors, but also for the Republic of Armenia's debt to these people. "Why do not the government give these people a special status," she asks. "Sumgait massacres continued after 27-29. No one in the Soviet Union could imagine that the political and strategic objectives that were set by Azerbaijan since 1918 were implemented, discovered. Aliev's recent statement was not accidental. Azerbaijan was born with that same slogan, it just could not be talked about it openly during the Soviet era," notes Mrs. Alaverdyan. Ruzanna Tovmasyan, who survived the massacres, described the atrocity that she witnessed. Before the massacres began, she was informed about it by her Azerbaijani friend with whom she used to play in the yard. "Your Armenians demand Karabakh, and we, Azeris, have to kill them and Turkey will help us," told that girl. So, she went to the house and told this but people did not believe hem. Mrs. Ruzanna claims that if the authorities of independent Armenia presented what happened in Sumgait accurately, the negotiation process would be based entirely on other, completely different principles today. "There is an incorrect opinion that the Azeri atrocities took place in response to the Karabakh Movement. On the contrary, the Karabakh movement was the answer to these pressures. Aliyev's statement should clarified at this point at least," Mrs. Alaverdyan underlines. Soon a book of Azerbaijani testimonies will be published, where the reader will get to know the horrors that have been experienced by the Azerbaijani eyewitnesses. We feel as in our own home, but we do not know the language - Krzysztof Penderecki (video) The meeting place with the Polish composer and conductor Krzysztof Penderecki was not accidental. First of all, the students of the Tchaikovsky Music School should have been inspired by the visit of the greatest musician of our times, and Penderecki, in turn, learned about conditions of our future musicians. "First of all thank you. We have been to Armenia several times with my wife. We come with great joy, listen to the wonderful musicians and communicate with wonderful people." He does not forget about its Armenian roots and during their visit to Armenia, he always tells about the parents of his grandmother who were from Spain. Any composer, for example, must have his predecessor; for Penderecki this was Bach. "As every ambitious young person wanted to say something new," says Penderecki, "when during one of my pieces I involved a printing machine, it was a joke, but I would say that the musician who was playing that part admitted without any humor that he had been filled with hatred for this "instrument." But even now, when the musical instruments of the orchestra are not enough, I create new instruments, such as the Tubafone." To the question, what process and development will take place in classical music, Penderecki replied: "I am not a prophet, and no one can say what kind of developments will happen to classical music, I only know that I have turned to classical art and I try to take it one step forward." The jubilee festival dedicated to the 85th anniversary of Penderecki will start today and will last until February 17, during which his symphonic and chamber works will be performed for the first time. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) [official website] on Monday unsealed an indictment [text, PDF] against five Venezuelan officials for allegedly participating in an international bribery and money laundering scheme involving Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA), a state-owned oil and natural gas company. The indictment alleges [press release] that the defendants, including the deputy energy minister, were known as a management team that exchanged bribe payments for contracts with an anonymous official from PDVSA. The five defendants were then suspected to have created a network of banks in Switzerland and other countries to launder the payments. Rafael Ramirez, the claimed anonymous PDVSA official, was a powerful government official and a former member of the Board of PDVSA. While Ramirez established leadership over the company from 2004-2014, $11 billion dollars were unaccounted for. These allegations are part of the wider investigation into continued corruption in Venezuela. This scheme is thought to have been initiated under socialist president Hugo Chavez and continued through 2013. Four of the defendants were arrested in Spain in 2017 based on the indictment returned last August. One of those arrested, Cesar Rincon, general manager of PDVSA, was extradited from Spain on February 9 and had his first appearance Monday in front of Judge Stephen Smith of the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas [official website]. Two of the defendants are also charged with violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act [text, PDF]. Four survivors of a church massacre that occurred during the Liberian civil war filed a civil suit [complaint, PDF] in US court Monday against the commander of the armed forces allegedly responsible for the massacre. The suit, brought in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania [official website], alleges that Moses Thomas commanded forces at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Monrovia as a colonel in the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL). The survivors claim that, over the course of several hours, soldiers under Thomas command indiscriminately shot or hacked to death approximately 600 sleeping civilian men, women, and children taking refuge there. The plaintiffs said that they survived the massacre by hiding under piles of dead bodies and witnessed the slaughter of hundreds of civilians, including their own family members. The massacre, known as the Lutheran Church Massacre, occurred on July 29, 1990, and was the single worst atrocity of Liberias First Civil War. The lawsuit was filed under laws that allow foreign victims of war crimes to sue in U.S. courts, including the Torture Victim Protection Act [text, PDF] and the Alien Tort Statute [text]. All four plaintiffs are residents of Liberia, while Thomas fled Liberia for Philadelphia in 2002 allegedly under a program meant to assist the victims of the very war crimes he perpetrated. The plaintiffs may recover monetary damages if successful, although no criminal penalty is at issue in this case. Thomas has not formally answered the charges, but he has spoken to the BBC [report], calling the allegations nonsense. An 84-year-old California woman has been arrested after shooting at a family of five, three of them children, according to the Shasta County Sheriff's Office. Deputies responded to a report of a "shots fired call" just before 7 p.m. Friday in Anderson, California. When they arrived, a neighbor identified as Angela Rollins, spoke to authorities and said that she was outside her home on the front yard with her husband and three kids, when her elderly neighbors started to become upset at their kids. Authorities said that 84-year-old Betty Frances Sanders and her husband then approached the family at their front yard fence and complained about the children riding motorcycles and being noisy. Moments later an argument broke out and Sanders fired one round from a handgun toward Rollins and her family, who were approximately 20 feet away. SALEM, Ore. -- Today the Oregon State Police (OSP) launched a new interactive map, accessible from their website. The map will be searchable by county, activity type, and violation type. It represents an easy way for the public to track State Police activity all across the state. According to a statement released by OSP, "patrol activities" will be divided into two types of contentCharges and Events. An Event represents any incident reported to OSP dispatch, while Charges will only include citations or warnings, issued for violations of Oregon law. The OSP statement further broke these headings down into specific categories, such as Calls for Service, Crashes, Routine Contact, Speed, Occupant Safety (for seatbelts, etc.), Lane Safety, Impaired Driving, and Distracted Driving. The map can be filtered by date, however the OSP statement did not indicate how often the map will be updated. You can access the interactive map here. OSP will be fielding feedback here: ask.osp@state.or.us CORRECTS THE YEAR THE IMAGE WAS TAKEN In this Sept. 2016 photo provided by Greek Coast Guard the Gavdos 090 vessel is docked on an Aegean island. Greek authorities said on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018 a Turkish coast guard vessel rammed the Greek coast guard boat off a couple of uninhabited islets in the Aegean Sea over which the two NATO allies nearly went to war in 1996. There were no injuries. (Greek Coast Guard via AP) A developer has big plans for a project in West Kelowna, with highrise towers along Campbell Road. City council agreed Tuesday to begin considering an amendment to the official community plan that would allow the project to proceed. Green candidate Robert Stupka addresses the crowd at an all-candidates forum for the Kelowna West byelection Wednesday night in Westbank. Other candidates at the meeting were, from left, New Democrat Shelley Cook, Conservative Mark Thompson, Liberal Ben Stewart and Libertarian Kyle Geronazzo. The Senate chamber sits empty ahead of next week's resumption of the session in Ottawa on September 12, 2014. A Manitoba senator says she is forging ahead with her plan to offer support to anyone who has experienced sexual misconduct while working in the Upper Chamber, even if she is not allowed to use her office budget to pay for the lawyer she hired to help shoulder the burden. Independent Sen. Marilou McPhedran says she has already heard from several people about their experiences after she set up a confidential email address where anyone who has been an employee, intern of volunteer at the Senate since 2006 can speak directly to her, or be referred to a lawyer. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld Alberta Premier Rachel Notley tours a company producing pipe, casing and tubing for the Canadian oil and gas sector in Calgary, Alta., Friday, Feb. 9, 2018. Notley says she wants progress within days from Ottawa in resolving a pipeline dispute with British Columbia, or her government will look at further retaliatory measures. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh Terror Bay where the sunken ship the HMS Terror lies, near Gjoa Haven Nunavut, on September 3, 2017. Parks Canada is launching a new initiative in Nunavut to collect and share the testimony of Inuit elders who have knowledge of the doomed Franklin expedition of 1845. The project is seeking a contractor to conduct archival research and record interviews with Inuit elders with historical knowledge of the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror shipwreck sites. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson Minister of Finance Bill Morneau speaks to reporters after leaving a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on February 6, 2018. With so much uncertainty surrounding trade and competitiveness, private-sector economists will press Finance Minister Bill Morneau to keep his fiscal powder dry when they gather later this week for a pre-budget meeting. Morneau is scheduled to sit down Friday in Toronto with leading economists at a roundtable that typically includes about a dozen experts from commercial banks, think tanks and trade associations. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang James Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International speaks during an interview in Macau Tuesday, Feb.13, 2018. MGM Resorts is opening a lavish multibillion-dollar casino resort in Macau, in the latest big bet by foreign gambling companies on the southern Chinese gambling haven. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) FILE - In this Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016 file photo, people wait for this first "Saturday Night Live Arabia," show to start in Cairo, Egypt. An Egyptian official says authorities have ordered a ban on airing the Arabic version of the hit U.S. satirical show Saturday Night Live for allegedly using Ausexual expressions.Au Ahmed Salim of the Supreme Media regulations Council told The Associated Press Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018 that an investigation of the showAos content showed that SNL Arabia has consistently used inappropriate Ausexual phrases and insinuations and that the showAos entire content Auviolates ethical and professional criteria.Au(AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty, File ) European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini prepares for a meeting of a U.S.-led coalition fighting against the Islamic State group in Kuwait City, Kuwait, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. Members of the U.S.-led coalition group met Tuesday at Kuwait's Bayan Palace as American officials are pressing their partners to refocus efforts, overcome rivalries and concentrate on the eradication from Iraq and Syria of the extremist group. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell) FILE - In this Saturday, March 26, 2017 file photo, Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins performs at The Theatre at Ace Hotel in Los Angeles. A Smashing Pumpkins representative said Monday, Feb. 12, 2018, that the band has tried to include ex-bassist D'arcy Wretzky in its upcoming reunion, although she says frontman Corgan invited her to re-join the group but then rescinded the offer. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File) CAPTION CORRECTS THE NAME - Henrietta Schubert , right, and Christopher Bromberg, left, grandchildren of Henry and Hertha Bromberg, look at the oil work entitled 'Triptych of the Crucifixion' attributed to Flemish painter Joachim Patinir during a ceremony of restitution at Culture ministry in Paris, Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. The French state has given back to its rightful owners a 16th century painting spoliated by the Nazis in the Second World War. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) In this Feb. 1, 2018 photo, Melinda Gates, with her husband Bill Gates, poses for a photo before an interview The Associated Press in Kirkland, Wash. Gates and her husband, head the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, are rethinking their work in America as they confront what they consider an unsatisfactory track record, the country's growing inequity and a president they disagree with more than any other. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) In this undated photo provided by Schutz & Rettung of the Security Department of the City of Zurich, a German shepherd dog gets treatment in Switzerland near Zurich last week. A German shepherd dog called Rapunzel that went missing six months ago has resurfaced - more than 300 kilometers (186 miles) away in Switzerland. Officials in Zurich say the Alsatian was found last week by an ambulance crew by the side of a highway near Zurich. Zurich officials said Tuesday Feb. 13, 2018 AuthereAos a good chance that brave Rapunzel will survive and her owners will be able to pick her up soon.Au (Schutz& Rettung Zurich via AP) FILE - In this May 31, 2002 file photo, the sun sets over the Mackinac Bridge and the Mackinac Straits as seen from Lake Huron. The bridge is the dividing line between Lake Michigan to the west and Lake Huron to the east. President Donald Trump again is trying to drastically reduce or eliminate federal support for cleanups of some iconic U.S. waterways. His proposed budget would slash Environmental Protection Agency funding for Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay restoration programs by 90 percent. It would kills all EPA spending on programs supporting other waters including San Francisco Bay, the Gulf of Mexico and Puget Sound. The administration made a similar attempt last year but Congress refused to go along. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File) In this Jan. 26, 2018, photo, people watch a commercial passenger jet fly over Gravelly Point Park as it comes in to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Va., across the Potomac River from the nation's capital. In one of VirginiaAos most liberal jurisdictions, political leaders are just saying AonoAo to a proposal in Congress to name a popular park for former first lady Nancy Reagan. Legislation passed a House committee last month to rename Gravelly Point Park, which sits on federal land adjacent to Ronald Reagan National Airport, for the former first lady. The billAos sponsor, Georgia Republican Jody Hice, says the change Auwould be a fitting tribute, given its proximity to Reagan National Airport.Au The proposal, though, is not supported by political leaders in Arlington County, where the park is located. (AP Photos/Matt Barakat) CRESCO, Iowa A Howard County man is admitting to having some child pornography. 28-year-old Matthias Jacob Houdek of Cresco has pleaded guilty to an aggravated misdemeanor count of sexual exploitation of a minor. He was charged in July 2017 with possessing a photograph of a minor engaged in a prohibited sex, or simulated sex, act. Houdek has been sentenced to two years of probation and must spend 10 years as a registered sex offender. As part of a plea deal, a felony count of sexual exploitation of a minor was dismissed. CLEAR LAKE, Iowa - An excavator is now on solid ground after breaking through the ice Monday afternoon. Crews worked until after 9 p.m. to pull the excavator out of Clear Lake. The large piece of machinery broke through around 4 p.m. near the South Shore Inn access point. Tony's Tire Truck and Towing worked to pull it out. No one was hurt. CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa A North Iowa man is going to federal prison for making methamphetamine. 49-year-old Todd Edward Daniels of Kanawha was arrested in Cerro Gordo County in May 2017 by the Iowa State Patrol. He was facing federal charges and was accused of helping distribute meth from the fall of 2016 until his arrest. Daniels entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to manufacture meth and has been sentenced in Cedar Rapids Federal Court to 15 years behind bars, followed by 10 years of supervised release. Daniels has a previous federal conviction from 2005 for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute meth. He received a two and year sentence for that. MASON CITY, Iowa A Rudd woman is pleading not guilty to drug possession. 26-year-old Kayleigh Rae Hormann was arrested January 5th after Mason City police say she was found with methamphetamine at Walmart. Officers say Hormann left the store without paying for items in her shopping cart. She is charged with possession of meth 2nd or subsequent offense. Hormann is due to stand trial on March 13. OSAGE, Iowa A Minnesota man accused of threatening another man with a knife has pleaded guilty. Authorities say 29-year-old Daniel Robert Warner of Buffalo, MN attacked a man in Osage on October 13, 2017, pinning him to the floor, hitting him in the face and head, and holding a knife to his throat. Warner reached a plea deal with Mitchell County prosecutors to plead guilty to assault while displaying a dangerous weapon. In return, another count of assault while displaying a dangerous weapon and two counts of assault have been dismissed. Warner has been sentenced to 90 days in jail and two years of probation. ROCHESTER, Minn. A new executive director has been named for the Rochester Civic Theatre Company. Kevin Miller, the former executive director for the Thelma Sadoff Center for the Artes in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, took over the job on Monday. A vibrant arts community is a vital component for economic development, tourism, quality of life, and sense of community pride, says Miller. I am really looking forward to working with The Civic, the City of Rochester, and the entire community during this exciting time of growth. There are wonderful possibilities ahead. Miller was appointed the Chair of the Wisconsin Arts Board in 2013 and before becoming an administrator, he was a professional stage actor who performed in New York City, Chicago, Cleveland, and overseas. I hope the community will join me in warmly welcoming Kevin to Rochester and to The Civic, says Board President Kay Hocker. Our Search Committee received many submissions from candidates across the country. Kevin stood out with the demonstrated passion for theatre and rich leadership experience in the arts. He was chosen from among many qualified candidates for his successful track record of facilitating community involvement, building relationships, leading strategic planning, overseeing marketing and communication strategies, and developing talented teams. We are thrilled to have him join us here in Rochester and look forward to many good years ahead. CHARLES CITY, Iowa A man is pleading not guilty to credit card fraud in Floyd County. 42-year-old Danny Jay Brown of Charles City was accused in December 2017 of illegally using a company credit card for personal uses. Authorities say that between April and June of 2017, Brown used a card belonging to his employer to buy $7,200 in goods and services. Police say those purchases included gas, auto parts, games and Play Stations. Browns trial is scheduled to begin on March 22. ROCHESTER, Minn. Rochester police are investigating after a report from mayoral candidate Regina Mustafa said she was a target of racist comments. The report, which included a screen shot from a comment made on her Google+ account, said execute all Muslims in America. Rochester police say that because the threat was general, it may not be a prosecutable crime but they plan on talking to the prosecutors office. SHANGHAI, Feb 13 (Reuters) - China's banks are under pressure to keep the scale of new yuan lending constant this week as regulators try to curb loan growth ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, financial magazine Caixin reported late on Monday, citing banking sources. New loans in China reached a record 2.9 trillion yuan ($458.5 billion) in January, nearly five times higher than the previous month, the central bank said late on Monday. Although banks usually front-load loans early in the year to win market share and secure higher quality customers, the surge still exceeded expectations, beating a previous record of 2.51 trillion yuan in January 2016. ($1 = 6.3250 yuan) (Reporting by David Stanway; editing by Richard Pullin) Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication. (Kitco News) - Russian authorities arrested several engineers working at one of the countrys top nuclear research facilities after reports that they tried to mine bitcoin using the centers computers. Some media reports even suggested that the perpetrators tried to connect to the nuclear facilitys supercomputer, which was installed there in 2011 with a capacity of one petaflop. The nuclear facility used by the engineers is located in the city of Sarov, which was a top-secret location known for the development of the Soviet Unions very first atomic bomb. Individuals who still live in Sarov located 250 miles east of Moscow are subject to travel restrictions as the town is considered to be a closed city due to its nuclear research and development facility. The bitcoin miners reportedly tried to connect to the computers that were permanently kept offline for security purposes. The individuals ended up triggering an alarm when establishing an internet connection, which eventually alerted the Russias Federal Security Service (FSB), according to media reports. Their activities were stopped in time, a spokeswoman for the center, Tatiana Zalesskaya, told Interfax news agency. Zalesskaya confirmed that there was an attempt to use the work computing facilities for personal ends, including for so-called mining. The bungling miners have been detained by the competent authorities. As far as I know, a criminal case has been opened regarding them, she said. Bitcoin Mining Is More Polluting And Energy-Intensive Than Gold Mining - Digitconomist https://t.co/rsYWapRIBH pic.twitter.com/PuwJv6izj0 Kitco NEWS (@KitcoNewsNOW) February 9, 2018 Bitcoin mining requires a lot of computing power and high electricity usage, which is what makes research centers like Sarovs very attractive for illegal bitcoin miners. A recent study, conducted by the cryptocurrency tracking site Digitconomist, revealed that bitcoin mining is even more polluting and energy-intensive than gold mining. When youre deciding whether to hold physical gold or Bitcoin, gold might just be the greener option, and it has the added benefit that it will continue to function even if mining stops completely, Alex de Vries, founder of Digitconomist, said in a post. HANOI, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Here's a snapshot of Vietnamese dong exchange rates in the official and unofficial markets, indicative SJC gold prices in Hanoi and interbank offered rates at 0406 GMT. February 13 USD/VND mid-point 22,438 USD/VND interbank 22,695/22,705 USD/VND unofficial 22,700/22,730 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 36.85/37.09 Interbank offered rates Overnight 3.7-4.5 1 week 4.0-4.5 1 month 4.1-4.6 3 months 3.9-4.8 NOTES: As of Jan. 4, 2016 the State Bank of Vietnam has begun setting the mid-point rate on daily basis, allowing dollar/dong transactions to move in a band of +/- 3 percent around the mid point. The dong's exchange rate against other currencies is not restricted by a band. Interbank offered rates are the latest indicative bid/ask prices, quoted from market sources. One tael is equivalent to 37.5 grams or 1.21 troy ounces. SJC gold prices are quoted by state-owned Saigon Jewelry Co. For more interbank rate fixings released at 0400 GMT, click on . For Vietnam market overview click on: Vietnam's bonds market auctions: Bonds auction results: (Compiled by Hanoi Newsroom) (Adds Cayman Island funds, details on Hong Kong property market and HNA background in paras 3, 6, 7, 8, 9) HONG KONG, Feb 13 (Reuters) - A unit of China's HNA Group , the cash-starved aviation-to-financial services conglomerate, said on Tuesday it was selling two Hong Kong sites to Henderson Land Development Co Ltd for HK$16 billion ($2 billion). Completion of the deal for the land at Kai Tak, near the territory's former airport, was expected to be completed on Feb. 14, Hong Kong International Construction Investment Management Group Co Ltd (HKICIM) said in a statement to the stock exchange. The sale would be conducted by two Cayman Island funds holding the rights to the sites, HKICIM said, in what is the latest in a series of measures taken by the Chinese conglomerate to address a liquidity crunch. It gave no further details. HNA Holding Group, through its subsidiaries, had won tenders for the land in Kai Tak for about HK$14.2 billion in late 2016, a figure above market price. The sites were zoned for residential development. The Asian financial hub has one of the most expensive housing markets in the world, with private home prices shattering historic records for 13 months in a row and rising almost 200 percent since 2008. The sale comes as HNA faces financing strains following a $50 billion acquisition spree over the past two years, which has sparked scrutiny of its opaque ownership and use of leverage. HNA has over the past few months focused on scaling back its offshore real estate investments, which Beijing has targeted with capital controls. Group CEO Adam Tan has said the company would not invest in areas that were not backed by the central government. Late last month, HNA said it had reached a deal to sell a building in Sydney for A$205 million ($166 million). ($1 = 7.8195 Hong Kong dollars) (Reporting by Donny Kwok; Editing by Anne Marie Roantree and Stephen Coates) * Aussie shares up 0.6 pct * Materials, financials lead as shares track Wall St * NZ snaps 5 sessions of losses (Updates to close) By Chris Thomas Feb 13 (Reuters) - Australian shares returned to positive territory on Tuesday, drawing confidence from a recovery on Wall Street following a chaotic week for equities. The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.6 percent or 35.2 points to 5,855.9 at the close of trade, after a 0.3 percent slip on Monday. Wall Street's three major indexes rebounded on Monday with broad-based gains after U.S. equities' had biggest weekly drop in two years, but strategists are wary of calling an end to the rout. In Australia, materials were the best performers, led by a 1.2 percent rise in heavyweight BHP Billiton . Rival miner Rio Tinto gained 1.1 percent to settle at a two-week best. Copper prices climbed for a second day on a weaker dollar and a bounce-back in global equities, while China iron ore and steel futures crept higher ahead of the week-long Lunar New Year break. Top banks in the region posted limited gains amid a government-backed inquiry into Australia's finance sector that began on Monday. The inquiry said it will start a year-long investigation by scrutinising the selling tactics for banks' most lucrative products - mortgages. Investment bank Macquarie Group was among the top contributors to the index, up 1.1 percent. Danish telecoms company TDC on Monday urged investors to back a $6.7 billion cash offer from Macquarie and three Danish pension funds. Healthcare major CSL Ltd rose 1.3 percent. Retail property manager Scentre Group capped the gains on the index with a 2.1 percent drop, settling at its weakest since early October. New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index broke a five-session run of losses, rising 0.8 percent or 63.16 points to finish the session at 8,122.22. Dairy and healthcare stocks boosted the index, with a2 Milk climbing 3.1 percent and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd up 1.6 percent. (Reporting by Chris Thomas in Bengaluru; Editing by Eric Meijer) BOGOTA, Feb 13 (Reuters) - The railway line of Colombia's largest coal mine, Cerrejon, was attacked with explosives overnight, causing the train to halt transport but without affecting production or exports, the company reported on Tuesday. The attack occurred late on Monday in northern La Guajira province where the open-pit coal mine is located. "At kilometer 27 an explosive device detonated on the railway line causing damage to the rails and tracks, but fortunately the incident didn't affect people or equipment," Cerrejon said in a statement. While military authorities and Cerrejon declined to reveal who was responsible, the attack took place during an offensive by the National Liberation Army (ELN), a Marxist guerrilla group. Peace talks with the ELN were suspended earlier this month by President Juan Manuel Santos after a series of attacks on oil infrastructure and police targets, killing eight officials. The company said it has started repairing the 150-kilometer railway line along which trains transport coal from the mine to Puerto Bolivar, on the Caribbean coast. Cerrejon, which is jointly owned by BHP Billiton , Anglo American and Glencore , has more than 5,000 employees and produces more than 30 million tons of thermal coal annually. (Reporting by Luis jaime Acosta; Writing by Helen Murphy; Editing by Andrew Hay) PRAGUE, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Czech financial markets on Tuesday. ALL TIMES GMT (Czech Republic: GMT + 1 hours) =========================ECONOMIC DATA========================== Real-time economic data releases.................... Summary of economic data and forecasts........... Recently released economic data.................. Previous stories on Czech data............. **For a schedule of corporate and economic events: ========================EVENTS================================== CURRENT ACCOUNT: Data for December due out at 10 a.m. (0900 GMT). ANO CAUCUS: MPs for the ruling ANO party meet at 1000 GMT on policy issues including a plan to approve a law on holding national referenda. ANO has repeatedly refused demands by far-right groups SPD for the law top allow votes on major issues such as membership in the EU. SKODA AUTO WAGES: Unions and management discuss wage demands. Unions want an 18 percent jump. GAME: Czech firm Warhorse is launching one of the biggest Czech game projects ever, a computer game based on Czech medieval history, called "Kingdom Come:Deliverance". Hospodarske noviny, page 3 CZEXIT: Leaving the EU would cause the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs, economists say. Hospodarske noviny, page 4 ========================= NEWS ================================= CEE MARKETS: Central European stock markets rebounded on Monday from sharp falls last week, with Hungarian drug maker Richter bucking the trend and plunging three percent on adverse news about one of its main products. ---------------------- MARKET SNAPSHOT ------------------------ Index/Crown Currency Latest Prev Pct change Pct change close on day in 2018 vs Euro 25.359 25.358 0 0.66 vs Dollar 20.594 20.714 0.58 3.21 Czech Equities 1,110.49 1,110.49 0.4 3 U.S. Equities 24,601.27 24,190.9 1.7 -0.48 Pvs close or current levels vs prior domestic close at 1600 GMT ====================== PRESS DIGEST ============================ RETAIL BONDS: The finance ministry is considering restarting a programme of issuing retail bonds. E15, page 2 FIRST PPP PROJECT: The Transport Ministry plans to open a tender in June to build a 32 km highway stretch under a public-private partnership scheme. It would be the first such project and construction should start in late 2019. E15, page 7 (Reuters has not verified the stories, nor does it vouch for their accuracy.) Prague Newsroom: +420 224 190 477 E-mail: prague.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com ($1 = 20.6500 Czech crowns) (Reporting by Prague Newsroom) By Francesco Canepa FRANKFURT, Feb 13 (Reuters) - It is not the European Central Bank's job to regulate Bitcoin, its President Mario Draghi said on Tuesday, while warning the public about the risks associated with the volatile cryptocurrency. Calls are growing for authorities, including central banks, to step in and regulate the market for digital tokens, which has seen wild price swings and a series of heists as well as a rapid proliferation in the number of coins on offer. But Draghi said in a video response to questions from the public that banning or regulating such tokens was not one of the ECB's tasks. "Many of you posted questions about whether the ECB is going to ban Bitcoins or it's going to regulate Bitcoins," Draghi said. "I have to say it's not the ECB's responsibility to do that." The head of the Bank for International Settlements, Agustin Carstens, called last week for central banks to end what he described as the "Ponzi scheme" of cryptoacurrencies, by restricting their access to banks and financial infrastructure. The world's largest central bank chiefs are expected to discuss the matter at a G20 meeting in Buenos Aires in March. Answering a question from a member of the public about whether he should buy Bitcoin, Draghi struck a cautious tone. "Frankly I would think (about) it carefully," he said. Draghi pointed out that the value of Bitcoin had oscillated much more wildly than that of the euro and that cryptocurrencies were not backed by any public institution. He added blockchain, the distributed ledger technology used to record Bitcoin transactions, was "quite promising" and expected it to bring "many benefits", citing its possible use to settle payments. He cautioned, however, it was not yet safe enough for use by central banks. "We're very interested in this technology but it's still not secure for central banking and therefore we need to look through it and investigate it more," he said. The ECB and the bank of Japan have been looking into using blockchain for financial market infrastructure for over a year, reporting in September "promising results" but "no direct conclusion" for its practical use. (Reporting by Francesco Canepa; Editing by Robin Pomeroy) FRANKFURT, Feb 13 (Reuters) - A European parliamentarian from Chancellor Angela Merkel's centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is leading the race for a job as one of Germany's top banking supervisors, Manager Magazin reported on Tuesday. Burkhard Balz is the favourite to replace Andreas Dombret, the Bundesbank's board member in charge of overseeing banks, when he steps down in April, the magazine said on its website. The Bundesbank declined to comment on the report. Balz told Reuters he would feel honoured if his name were to be associated with the role. A member of the European Parliament since 2009, Balz was proposed for the role by the government of his regional state, Niedersachsen, where his party governs in coalition with the Social Democrats. The Bundesbank and financial watchdog Bafin are jointly responsible for supervising Europe's biggest financial sector, marred in recent years by trouble at Germany's top lender Deutsche Bank and by unpaid loans in the shipping sector. Carl-Ludwig Thiele, the Bundesbank board member in charge of payment systems, is also scheduled to step down in April. (Reporting By Frank Siebelt; Writing by Francesco Canepa; Editing by Gareth Jones) TOKYO, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Japan's Mitsubishi Materials Corp cut its annual operating profit forecast by 7 percent on Tuesday in the wake of a data cheating scandal, which it said had hurt its metals sales. The company also announced that Chairman Hiroshi Yao will step down on April 1 to become an advisor. The move was Yao's own decision and not to take responsibility for the data fabrication, a company spokesman said. The Mitsubishi group company first revealed in November that its subsidiaries falsified data about products, including parts for aircraft and automobiles. It has announced further such discoveries since then, including last week when it said it had found additional examples of product data falsification at three of its subsidiaries. On Tuesday the company said it had cut its operating profit forecast for the year ending in March, 2018, to 70 billion yen ($651 million) as its data falsification is expected to reduce its sales in metals, aluminium and advanced materials by 2-3 billion yen. Mitsubishi Materials also said it expects a special loss of about 4-5 billion yen due to the cost of investigating the data cheating, but it kept its full-year net profit forecast unchanged due to special gains from selling its assets and higher dividend from its copper mines. Japanese companies are facing growing pressure to disclose quality-assurance failings after widespread data falsification was uncovered at Kobe Steel Ltd . Japan's industry ministry said on Tuesday that Tachibana Metal MFG Co, one of the Mitsubishi Materials units that falsified quality data, had lost the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) certification for its aluminium products. ($1 = 107.5900 yen) (Reporting by Yuka Obayashi; Editing by Susan Fenton) Following are news stories, press reports and events to watch that may affect Poland's financial markets on Tuesday. ALL TIMES GMT (Poland: GMT + 1 hour): DATA Polish central bank to release December current account data at 1300 GMT. LOTOS AND ORLEN A merger between state-controlled refiners Grupa Lotos and PKN Orlen would be complicated, but not necessarily bad, Energy Minister Krzysztof Tchorzewski tells Dziennik Gazeta Prawna. He adds that both companies might have conducted merger talks. Tchorzewski also says that he would like PKN Orlen to continue talks on its potential financial engagement in a project to construct a nuclear power plant. MORTGAGES At the end of last year, Polish banks restricted terms for granting mortgages due to the government lowering retirement age, among other reasons, Dziennik Gazeta Prawna says quoting a report from the central bank. ANTIMONOPOLY OFFICE Antimonopoly watchdog UOKiK imposed last year fines amounting to a total of 222 million zloty ($65.62 million), double the amount from a year earlier, Dziennik Gazeta Prawna says. ****Reuters has not verified stories reported by Polish media and does not vouch for their accuracy.**** For other related news, double click on: Polish equities E.Europe equities Polish money Polish debt Eastern Europe All emerging markets Hot stocks Stock markets Market debt news Forex news For real-time index quotes, double click on: Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague PX ($1 = 3.3831 zlotys) (Reporting by Warsaw Bureau) By Suzanne Barlyn Feb 13 (Reuters) - The only thing abnormal that the head of Prudential Financial Inc's asset management unit sees in the recent burst of stock market volatility is that it had not happened sooner. PGIM Chief Executive Officer David Hunt, whose unit manages $1.2 trillion, spoke with Reuters about the opportunity it triggers and more. Q: What do you make of the market correction? A: It's not at all unexpected and a bit overdue. Obviously, we look at that as long-term investors and for us, this means that we can get in at a better entry point. Q: Is there an opportunity? A: If you take the 10-year view, a large portion of the growth from worldwide economies will come from emerging markets. Over the last 18 months, it's been hard to get into that at a reasonable price. Now the numbers are looking more positive. Q: Which emerging markets are appealing? A: Looking at the world in terms of countries is not the way to do it. Industry trends now are more powerful. Trends around cities and urbanization are more powerful. We think the internet has the opportunity to grow disproportionately in emerging markets than in developed markets. We've been big investors in China, India and others in the internet, payment platforms and other technologies that we think will leapfrog a lot of existing technologies in the developed world. Q: What is PGIM's best-performing investment? A: In 2017...good balanced portfolio did really well across the portfolio. Real estate investments were very strong. We had a record performance in our private asset classes. Private credit performed extremely well. The most important thing was that more than 90 percent of our assets performed better than their benchmarks. Q: Are there troublesome pockets of real estate? A: We were well ahead of the trend of the difficulties in retail....That's now been a bit overdone, so we are now stepping back into malls where we think they have been sold off badly or where we think we can create a really interesting experience. On the other side, the internet is creating really different uses for real estate....Every major U.S. city needs to have four or five big complexes not too far from the city center...to set up and create the last line of delivery to the home...And my favorite one: self-storage. There is no more powerful human emotion than the desire to hold on to stuff. And it's not a big returner, but it's a good returner - about a 7-9 percent return.. and very low risk. Q: Where do you see PGIM fitting in as passive managers take over more of the marketplace? A: My general thesis on the passive piece is that it's both overblown and misunderstood. If you look at the classes we manage, there is really no passive management of real estate. You can't own this building here and lease it in a passive way. There is no passive approach to commercial mortgages, to private debt. There is so far very little passive in the public fixed income markets. The misunderstood part of it is that the rise of passive...has been a healthy competition for active management....You can't just hug a benchmark and charge to do that. You need to have high active shares, you need to be taking risks, and you need to be performing. (Reporting by Suzanne Barlyn; Editing by Carmel Crimmins and Lisa Shumaker) ZURICH, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Credit Suisse has been questioned by the U.S. markets watchdog about the volatility fund that the Swiss bank is terminating after its value plunged, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission called Credit Suisse last Tuesday, the day after the market rout that prompted the bank to announce liquidation of its VelocityShares product, the paper said. The agency questioned the bank about the product, the Journal wrote, citing two unidentified sources. Regulatory officials asked how the investment's performance was calculated and whether retail investors were involved, it quoted one of the sources as saying. Credit Suisse declined to comment on the report. Switzerland's Financial Market Supervisory Authority said last week that it was in contact with Credit Suisse regarding the product launched in 2010. Credit Suisse has said it would shut down its VelocityShares Daily Inverse VIX Short-Term Exchange-Traded Note (ETN) -- the second-largest publicly traded product betting on future swings in the S&P 500 -- on Feb. 21. Last week's global market turmoil has shone a light on U.S. and European-listed complex trading instruments, which some investors blame for the scale of the disruption. (Reporting by Michael Shields; Editing by David Goodman) BUDAPEST, Feb 13 (Reuters) - The Hungarian Government Debt Management Agency (AKK) sold 40 billion forints ($158.38 million) worth of three-month Treasury bills on Tuesday at an auction, as planned. Series: D180523 Issue status: Auction data: AUCTION DATE 13/02/2018 06/02/2018 TOTAL BIDS (bln HUF) 79.45 66.76 ALLOTTED (bln HUF) 40.00 40.00 AVERAGE YIELD (pct) 0.00 0.00 ($1 = 252.55 forints) (Reporting by Gergely Szakacs) Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication. ISTANBUL, Feb 13 (Reuters) - The Turkish Treasury sold a net 651 million lira ($172 million) in a tap of its two-year benchmark bond at a yield of 13.44 percent, central bank data showed on Tuesday. It also sold a net 1,301.5 million lira in a tap of its 10-year benchmark bond at a yield of 12.13 percent. ($1 = 3.7945 liras) (Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Dominic Evans) Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication. KAMPALA, Feb 13 (Reuters) - The Ugandan shilling remained unchanged on Tuesday, despite a central bank easing of its monetary policy stance, traders said. At 1217 GMT, commercial banks quoted the shilling at 3,630/3,640, the same level as Monday's close. The Bank of Uganda cut its policy rate to 9 percent from 9.5 percent earlier on Tueday, but traders said the local currency remained stable, drawing support from pending mid-month tax payments. UGX Spot Rate..... Ugandan Shilling Money Guide.... Calculated Cross Rates.......... Deposits..................... Deposits & Forwards............. Uganda Equities Guide....... Uganda All Share Index........ Shilling background ..... Ugandan Debt Guide............ All Uganda Bonds............. Uganda T-Bills.............. Uganda Benchmark............. Central Bank ................ Ugandan Contributor Index.... Uganda Coffee Prices....... (Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Aaron Maasho) * Global coal market to be under-supplied in 2018 * Indian coal imports to grow after falling for two years * India's coal import from Indonesia to rise to 78 pct by 2020 (Adds comments, details) By Sudarshan Varadhan GOA, India, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Thermal coal demand will outpace supply in 2018, leading to a strong market driven by rising demand from top buyers India and China, the chief coal analyst at Noble Resources said on Tuesday. Coal demand this year will increase by 48 million tonnes, or 5 percent higher than 2017, to 974 million tonnes, said Rodrigo Echeverri, the head of hard commodities research at Noble, at the Coaltrans India conference in Goa. However, supply this year will only expand by 38 million tonnes. "2018 will be another strong year for the coal market," Echeverri said in his presentation at the Coaltrans India conference in Goa. Higher price will cause "some response on the supply side but nowhere near enough to eclipse the demand-driven rally." Coal demand in major coal consuming countries rose and prices gained in 2017, after a downturn spanning over half a decade put many small thermal coal producers out of business. India, which is the world's second-biggest coal importer after China, is expected to see growth in imports in 2018 after falling for two straight years, Echeverri said. According to Echeverri, India's dependence on Indonesian coal is expected to rise over the next three years. "Indonesia coal constitutes 68 percent of India coal imports and this percentage is expected to grow to 78 percent by 2020." He expects overall Indonesian coal exports globally to slightly exceed 400 million tonnes by 2020. (Reporting by Sudarshan Varadhan; Writing by Neha Dasgupta; Editing by Christian Schmollinger) (Recasts with Saudi Aramco IPO) OSLO, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Norway's finance ministry asked the central bank on Tuesday to explain what impact a potential listing of state oil giant Saudi Aramco would have on the benchmark equity index of the country's $1 trillion sovereign wealth fund. The request was made as part of public consultations on Norges Bank's proposal to drop the oil and gas sector from the fund's investments in order to reduce the risk of oil-price fluctuations. The Saudi government plans to sell about 5 percent of Aramco, hoping to raise some $100 billion or more in what would likely be the world's biggest initial public offering. "The company will own much larger petroleum reserves than oil firms that are currently listed, which will raise the risk from the return on (those) resources," the finance ministry said in a letter to the central bank. "We're asking Norges Bank to explain the impact a listing of Saudi Aramco will have on the fund's benchmark index," it added. The wealth fund's energy investments, including integrated oil companies, oil service firms and renewable energy, account for about 4 percent of the fund's value of around 300 billion Norwegian crowns ($38 billion), the letter said. ($1 = 7.8986 Norwegian crowns) (Reporting by Nerijus Adomaitis, editing by Gwladys Fouche and Dale Hudson) (Adds details of covenant breaches, context, executive quote) Feb 14 (Reuters) - New Zealand's biggest construction company said on Wednesday that it expected its embattled building and interiors business to report a loss before interest and tax of about NZ$660 million ($480.22 million) in fiscal 2018. Fletcher Building also said that its Chairman Ralph Norris would step down no later than its 2018 annual shareholders meeting. The company had flagged a loss of NZ$160 million for its buildings and interiors business in October last year. The projected loss has resulted in a breach of Fletcher's financial covenants given to its commercial banking syndicate and U.S. private placement noteholders, the company said in a statement. Fletcher's 2018 earnings guidance, excluding the buildings segment, remains at NZ$680 million to NZ$720 million, the company said. The company said it had received a waiver from its commercial banking syndicate for the breach, and that it was in discussions with its U.S. private placement noteholders for the same. New Zealand's second biggest listed company by revenue has NZ$725 million ($525 million) in borrowings due to be repaid between 2020 and 2022, Thomson Reuters Loan Connector data shows. "While our broader construction businesses continue to benefit from favourable market conditions and strong growth, the B+I (buildings and interior) market sector remains characterised by high contract risk and low margins. Unless these dynamics change we will no longer work in this sector," Chief Executive Ross Taylor said. The company also said it would not declare an interim dividend for fiscal 2018. ($1 = 1.3744 New Zealand dollars) (Reporting by Ambar Warrick in Bengaluru. Editing by Jane Merriman) (Adds quotes, details, background) By Marja Novak LJUBLJANA, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Slovenia's robust economic growth has extended into the first quarter of 2018, the Bank of Slovenia said on Tuesday, citing a study on short-term economic movements. The bank gave no figures for GDP but it said the 2017 budget deficit could be narrower than the 0.8 percent of GDP forecast by the government as budget income rose along with employment, private spending and companies' profits. The bank said investment conditions remained favourable, describing a slowdown in investment growth in the third quarter of last year as temporary. In that quarter GDP expanded by 4.5 percent year-on-year while investment was up by 1.9 percent versus 7.5 percent in the previous quarter. The statistics office will publish GDP figures for the last quarter of 2017 at the end of February. "Business confidence remained distinctively high in January," said the bank, referring to statistics figures showing business sentiment at the level of 2007 when it hit its highest ever. The central bank said the government still needed to keep a lid on public spending. "In spite of the improved fiscal position of the state and favourable macroeconomic forecasts it is necessary to keep moderate growth of spending in order to reach the planned public finance surplus," it said. The government is targets a surplus of 0.4 percent of GDP for end-2018 although it is facing strong pressure from public sector trade unions for wage hikes. Earlier on Tuesday nurses held a two-hour strike and most schools are expected to be closed on Wednesday due to a one-day strike by teachers. Policemen started a strike on Monday. The bank said the number of employed in the private sector rose by 4 percent year-on-year in November while average gross monthly wages rose 4.1 percent in the same period, and 4.6 percent in the public sector. Slovenia, which narrowly avoided an international bailout for its banks in 2013, returned to growth a year later. In December the central bank forecast 2018 GDP growth at 4.2 percent versus 4.7 percent in 2017, boosted by exports and investments. (Reporting By Marja Novak; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg and John Stonestreet) (Adds details from the conference call, shares) Feb 13 (Reuters) - Wells Fargo & Co Chief Executive Tim Sloan tried to deliver a message of consistency and stability at an investor event on Tuesday, less than two weeks after the third-largest U.S. bank disclosed another regulatory sanction related to a long-running sales scandal. Asked whether an asset cap imposed by the U.S. Federal Reserve would have any impact on Wells Fargo's expenses, growth, core businesses, customer retention, employee turnover or capital return plans, Sloan said repeatedly that nothing much had changed. "We're absolutely open for business," Sloan said at a Credit Suisse industry conference. He has returned to that catch-phrase repeatedly to dampen concerns about fallout from the scandal. Wells Fargo's problems took root more than a decade ago, when the bank started pushing employees to sell as many products as possible to customers. That culture became a serious problem for the bank in September 2016, when it reached a settlement with regulators over employees opening fake accounts in customers' names without their permission to hit aggressive sales targets. Since then, Wells Fargo has discovered other issues with auto loans, mortgages, frozen funds and improperly closed accounts, faced a number of other regulatory probes and litigation. On Feb. 2, the Fed announced a consent order requiring Wells Fargo to prove that it is making appropriate changes to corporate governance and risk management. Until the requirements are met, Wells cannot grow its balance sheet beyond the $1.95 trillion in assets it had at year end. Management immediately detailed plans to comply with the order, and said it would not hit profits significantly. Still, the severity of the Fed's action so many months after the scandal erupted, underlined questions about how long it will take for the bank to get past its sales practices woes. At the event on Tuesday, Credit Suisse analyst Susan Katzke pressed Sloan on whether the Fed's action, and broader reputational issues, are affecting business on the ground, or management's outlook for growth and shareholder returns. Sloan reiterated statements he has made about business being stable, employees being happy to work at the bank, and Wells Fargo management being focused on generating better results. Asked to share metrics to back up some of his comments, Sloan jokingly changed topics and began talking about the Olympics. "There's a lot of different metrics that you look at, but they're all pointing to a slow but steady recovery," he eventually said, without offering any specific numbers. "It's never as fast as I would like, but it's absolutely occurring." Wells Fargo shares were up 0.8 percent at $56.96 in midday trading. Through Monday's close, the stock has lost nearly 14 percent since the Fed placed restrictions on it on Feb 2. (Reporting By Aparajita Saxena in Bengaluru; Writing by Lauren Tara LaCapra in New York; Editing by Maju Samuel and Shailesh Kuber) (Adds details and background) By Ebru Tuncay, Can Sezer and Dasha Afanasieva ISTANBUL/LONDON, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Turkish private equity fund Actera is planning an initial public offering for auto parts maker Standard Profil and has mandated JP Morgan for a listing that may take place in London, according to people familiar with the matter. Actera is considering a flotation for the unit, which it acquired in 2013, three sources said, declining to be identified because the information is not yet public. JP Morgan has been mandated and a London listing is being considered, two of the people said. One of them said the IPO could happen in May. "JP Morgan was mandated for the initial public offering," one of the sources said. Actera was not immediately available for comment. JP Morgan and Standard Profil both declined to comment. Standard Profil, which manufactures sealing parts for vehicles, had revenue of 390 million euros ($482 million) in 2016, according to its website. The company supplies products to global automakers including Toyota , General Motors and Renault . In addition to Turkey, the company has production facilities in Spain, Bulgaria, Morocco, China, South Africa and Mexico. The deal would mark the latest in a wave of Turkish companies to list this year. Separately, sources told Reuters on Monday that four Turkish firms - discount grocer Sok, clothing retailer DeFacto, high-end retailer Beymen and logistics company U.N. Ro-Ro - are all expected to hold initial public offerings in May. Turkish firms have been taking advantage of stock prices at record levels, as well as robust international demand for Turkish listings. ($1 = 0.8097 euros) (Writing by Ezgi Erkoyun; Editing David Dolan) (Updates share, changes headline, adds background) Feb 13 (Reuters) - Wells Fargo & Co Chief Executive Tim Sloan tried to deliver a message of consistency and stability at an investor event on Tuesday, less than two weeks after it disclosed a regulatory sanction related to a long-running sales scandal. Asked whether an asset cap imposed by the U.S. Federal Reserve would have any impact on Wells Fargo's expenses, growth, core businesses, customer retention, employee turnover or capital return plans, Sloan said repeatedly that nothing much had changed. "We're absolutely open for business," Sloan said at a Credit Suisse industry conference. He has returned to that catch-phrase repeatedly to dampen concerns about fallout from the scandal. Wells Fargo's problems took root more than a decade ago, when the bank started pushing employees to sell as many products as possible to customers. That culture became a serious problem for the bank in September 2016, when it reached a settlement with regulators over employees opening fake accounts in customers' names without their permission to hit aggressive sales targets. Since then, Wells Fargo has discovered other issues with auto loans, mortgages, frozen funds and improperly closed accounts and has faced a number of other regulatory probes and litigation. On Feb. 2, the Fed announced a consent order requiring Wells Fargo to prove that it is making appropriate changes to corporate governance and risk management. Until the requirements are met, Wells cannot grow its balance sheet beyond the $1.95 trillion in assets it had at year end. Management immediately detailed plans to comply with the order, and said it would not hit profits significantly. Still, the severity of the Fed's action so many months after the scandal erupted, underlined questions about how long it will take for the bank to get past its sales practices woes. At the event on Tuesday, Credit Suisse analyst Susan Katzke pressed Sloan on whether the Fed's action, and broader reputational issues, are affecting business on the ground, or management's outlook for growth and shareholder returns. Sloan reiterated statements he has made about business being stable, employees being happy to work at the bank, and Wells Fargo management being focused on generating better results. Asked to share metrics to back up some of his comments, Sloan jokingly changed topics and began talking about the Olympics. "There's a lot of different metrics that you look at, but they're all pointing to a slow but steady recovery," he eventually said, without offering any specific numbers. "It's never as fast as I would like, but it's absolutely occurring." Sloan also said the bank intends to get capital levels down to about 10 percent over the next two to three years. The bank ended 2017 with common equity Tier 1 ratio of 11.9 percent. Wells Fargo shares were up 2.1 percent at $57.69 in afternoon trading. Through Monday's close, the stock had lost nearly 14 percent since the Fed placed restrictions on it on Feb 2. (Reporting By Aparajita Saxena in Bengaluru; Writing by Lauren Tara LaCapra in New York; Editing by Maju Samuel and Shailesh Kuber) By Jung Min-ho, Cho Se-Yong Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to close Boracay, a popular destination for Korean tourists, calling the island a "cesspool." Duterte blames local executives for the condition of Boracay. According to media outlets, only 25 facilities out of 150 there are connected to a sewerage line. The rest of the sewage and trash goes into the ocean. "You go into the water, it's smelly," he was quoted as saying. "Smell of what? S***. Because it all comes out in Boracay." If the present state does not improve in the next six months, Duterte said he will shut down the island, removing all tourist access. It is expected to be a major blow to tourism businesses and a local economy that relies heavily on them. The government said that the island brought in 56 billion pesos ($1.08 billion) last year alone. The country's tourism secretary Wanda Teo warned that, if the government continues to overlook pollution, the island may turn into a "paradise lost." Boracay is one of the most popular destinations for Korean tourists. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, 1.47 million Koreans visited the Philippines last year. Many went to the island. High-level North Korean delegation sits at a table during their meeting with President Moon Jae-in at Cheong Wa Dae, Saturday. / Yonhap By Lee Min-hyung President Moon Jae-in is facing a growing dilemma over South Korea's planned military exercises with the United States, with North Korea offering a rare gesture for warmer inter-Korean relations. On Monday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, in a meeting with its highest-ranking delegation which returned to Pyongyang Sunday after ending their three-day trip to the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, ordered the regime to elevate the ongoing peaceful bilateral relationship with the South. The uncommon sign for reconciliation is raising the likelihood for a possible inter-Korean summit this year. This is in line with President Moon's North Korean policy under which he has underlined the need for holding enough dialogue to stop Pyongyang's provocative military threats. However, the South Korean government is likely to face a bumpy road ahead on the matter, as Seoul and Washington plan to resume their annual joint military exercise sometime in April. They delayed the drills - which normally take place around late February to early March - until after the Winter Olympics. The South Korea-U.S. drills have for years drawn a strong backlash from North Korea. The Pentagon has in recent weeks reaffirmed its willingness to stage the drills right after the closing of the PyeongChang Paralympics in mid-March. But South Korea's defense ministry has maintained a low-key posture on the matter without elaborating on a detailed schedule for the joint drills. "Specific timelines for the joint military exercise are still under review by both countries," defense ministry spokeswoman Choi Hyun-soo said in a media briefing, Tuesday. "We will make the details public in a timely manner." Rep. Yoo Seong-min, left, and Ahn Cheol-soo push buttons in a ceremony to signal the beginning of the Bareun Mirae Party at the KINTEX convention center in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. The party was created through a merger of the minor conservative Bareun Party led by Yoo and the minor liberal People's Party led by Ahn. / Yonhap By Choi Ha-young GOYANG, Gyeonggi Province The Bareun Mirae Party (BMP), formed through the merger between the liberal People's Party and the conservative Bareun Party, officially began Tuesday, vowing to be a powerful centrist opposition party. The two parties agreed to appoint two four-term lawmakers from each party Park Joo-sun, former interim leader of the People's Party, and Yoo Seong-min, chairman of the Bareun Party as co-chairman of the BMP at its national convention held at the KINTEX convention center in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. "The BMP firmly promises to be a centrist party which is capable of taking power," Park said in his acceptance speech. "We will not only criticize the ruling party but also mediate between the liberal ruling and the conservative opposition party." Park, however, dismissed the rumor that the BMP will collude with the Liberty Korea Party (LKP). "Here I sternly declare that we will never join hands with far-rightists who are responsible for the influence-peddling scandal," he noted. At the same time, he appealed to the Party for Democracy and Peace (PDP), a splinter group from the People's Party. "To create a centrist government, I am looking forward to a reunion with the PDP," Park said. Yoo detailed the policy keynote of the BMP. "We've grappled with the ideology of the new party," Yoo said. The BMP aims to be a "future-oriented and reformative group" to make a "just and warm" society, he said. The terms, without scanty ideological hue, shows the lingering rift among the party members with distinctive ideological and regional backgrounds. Regarding its stance toward North Korea, the most divisive topic in politics here, Yoo unveiled a conservative-leaning point of view. "The highest level of sanctions against the North based on the solid Korea-U.S. alliance is essential to prevent the war and remove its nuclear weapons," Yoo said. "In doing so, we can't trust the Moon Jae-in administration." The party omitted ex-President Kim Dae-jung's Sunshine Policy which was included in the principle of the liberal People's Party. The People's Party used to advocate the interests of the Jeolla region, where the former president was born. The leadership indicates the party's message of breaking away from regionalism Park is based in the liberal Jeolla Provinces and Yoo is an iconic politician from the conservative Gyeongsang Provinces, which have wrangled for decades. Incumbent leader of the People's Party Ahn Cheol-soo will serve as a common party member as he promised, seemingly considering running for the local election in June. People's Party floor leader Kim Dong-cheol will keep the post and Bareun Party floor leader Oh Shin-hwan will serve as the vice floor leader. Rep. Ji Sang-wuk, a close aide of Yoo, will be the BMP's chief policy maker. The birth of the 30-seat party came after a bitter internal feud of the two parties. The People's Party lost 15 liberal-leaning lawmakers, who refused to join hands in the merger with the conservative party. Two lawmakers rejoined the larger conservative LKP from the Bareun Party, and more politicians may leave the BMP in the near future. The upcoming local election is the first hurdle for the BMP. It is unclear whether the party could target the niche market between the two popular parties the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the LKP. According to a Realmeter opinion survey issued Monday, the party stood at 11 percent of the support rate, lower than the DPK with 44.4 percent and the LKP with 19.1 percent. The 30-seat BMP is likely to have some leverage with the two larger parties, since the 121-seat DPK and the 116-seat LKP both need the cooperation of BMP lawmakers in pushing ahead their bills in the 293-member National Assembly. GM Gunsan factory / Yonhap General Motors Co. will shut down one of its four car assembly plants in South Korea by the end of May due to lower demand for its vehicles, the local unit of the U.S. carmaker said Tuesday. The plant to be closed is in Gunsan, 270 kilometers south of Seoul. It has been underutilized, running at 20 percent of its capacity for the past three years. GM has five production facilities in Korea -- four car assembly plants and one transmission factory. The move comes as part of the Detroit-based carmaker's broad restructuring program across the world. It has been aggressively scaling back or shutting down underperforming businesses and it "is now focused on finding a solution for its South Korean operations," GM Korea Co. said in a statement. "The performance of our operations in South Korea needs to be urgently addressed by GM Korea and its key stakeholders. As we are at a critical juncture of needing to make product allocation decisions, the ongoing discussions must demonstrate significant progress by the end of February, when GM will make important decisions on next steps," GM Executive Vice President Barry Engle said in the statement. GM Korea has recently called on its key stakeholders, including its labor union and the South Korean government, to help it push forward a plan to turn its loss-making business around. Such a move requires the full support from all parties, it said. The plan includes significant product-related investments in South Korea that will help preserve thousands of jobs, it said. GM Executive Vice President Barry Engle visited Korea recently and gave Korean an ultimatum back its restructuring plan or the U.S. carmaker will leave Korea. Courtesy of GM By Oh Young-jin GM Korea said it would close its factory in Gunsan, the smallest of its three factories in South Korea, by May. (See The Korea Times report on Feb. 7 http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2018/02/113_243726.html ) By all indications, the GM decision is the first salvo in a game of chicken between the U.S. automaker and Korean stakeholders such as the Korea Development Bank, its key shareholder, the unionized workers and the government. "We have proposed to other stakeholders a concrete plan to stay in Korea and turn the business around, which requires the support of all GM stakeholders," a GM official told The Korea Times. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Partly cloudy with afternoon showers or thunderstorms. High 86F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 58F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Westview Superintendent Dr. Randy Zimmerly sits on the couch in his office and talks about his 20-year career as the head of the school system. Zimmerly intends to retire as superintendent at the end of this school year. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong receives French Ambassador Bertrand Lortholary. (Photo: VNA) The Party chief stressed the two countries celebrate 45th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and five years of the Strategic Partnership in 2018, adding that the two sides need to enhance high-level exchanges, and promote cooperation between branches and levels. He congratulated Ambassador Lortholary on his mission fulfillment as an important bridge, contributing to enhancing the Vietnam-France Strategic Partnership in the time ahead. Ambassador Lortholary said France highly values Vietnams economic development and wants, to strengthen bilateral ties in the near future. The diplomat suggested both sides promote cooperation in strategic issues, economics, aviation, space research, defence, culture and youth exchange, thus creating practical imprints in the year of celebrating 45th anniversary of the two countries diplomatic ties./. 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 Rome, February 13 - A 43-year-old woman was raped late on Monday in the street in Rome's Piazza Vittorio, a square in a central area of the city with a strong multiethnic composition, sources said Tuesday. Carabinieri police have arrested a suspect, a 31-year-old Senegalese national, the sources said. The victim is a homeless woman originally from Germany, according to the sources. Istanbul, February 13 - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking in Ankara to a parliamentary group of his AKP party, said efforts to search for gas off Cyprus and "opportunistic initiatives" on the cliffs of the Aegean Sea "don't escape our attention". "We are warning those who have crossed the limits in Cyprus and in the Aegean Sea to not miscalculate," Erdogan said. Since last Friday, the Turkish Navy has blocked drilling on Italian energy giant ENI's Saipem 12000 rig off Cyprus. "We are advising foreign companies operating off Cyprus to not trust the Greek side and not be tools of initiatives that go beyond their strengths," Erdogan said.(ANSAmed). FROM EIR DAILY ALERT Beijing Plans More Reconstruction Aid for Syria Feb. 12, 2018 (EIRNS)Chinese Ambassador to Syria Qi Qianjin told Xinhua that China plans to get more reconstruction aid for Syria. I think its about time to focus all efforts on the development and reconstruction of Syria, and I think China will play a bigger role in this process by providing more aid to the Syrian people and the Syrian government, the ambassador said Feb. 11. Qi Qianjin was visiting the emergency department at Muwasat University Hospital in Damascus, which benefitted from Chinese aid. Esam Ameen, the head of the Muwasat University Hospital, thanked China for the help on the practical level. In a Sputnik interview, the Syrian Minister of Transport said that, after fixing the Syrian transport network, the construction of a railway line to China might be possible. FROM EIR DAILY ALERT Chinas Undeniable Success Throws Free Market Ideologues Into Crisis Feb. 12, 2018 (EIRNS)In the Jan. 29 issue of Bloomberg Businessweek magazine, an article entitled What if China Really Is Exempt from the Laws of Economics? very aptly captures the consternation/constipation imposed on the intellectually impoverished proponents of standard academic economics by the astounding development of China. Author Michael Schulman gets far more points for candor than he does for historic insight. He seems totally oblivious to the simple fact that the U.S. industrial base was built entirely by economic dirigism, never mentioning Alexander Hamilton. He also devotes zero attention to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). However, what he does say would be hilarious, if the consequences of his outlook were not so dire: But recently, my faith in the corpus of collective wisdom has been shattered. By China. He elaborates: The more I apply my rules of economics to China, the more they seem to go awry. China should be mired in meager growth, even gripped by financial crisis, according to my maxims. But obviously, its not. In fact, much of whats going on right now in that country runs counter to what we knowor think we knowabout economics. Simply, if Beijings policymakers are right, then a lot of basic economic thinking is wrongespecially our certainty in the power of free markets, our ingrained bias against state intervention, and our ideas about fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Schulman bemoans the fact that the role of the CPC in the Chinese economy is more central than ever, but, even worse (for his ilk), that no disaster, but only sustained real growth has resulted from that top-down intervention. He inserts some politically-correct caveats and qualifiers to the effect that maybe some catastrophe is lurking off stage, but pretty much admits that he cant discern it. FROM EIR DAILY ALERT Nunes To Investigate Ex-CIA Chief Brennan for Perjury, in Phase Three of Revelations Feb. 12, 2018 (EIRNS)Paul Sperry, a Washington-based investigative journalist and Hoover Institution media fellow, who has broken a number of national stories on the war on terrorism, reports today in RealClearInvestigations that House Intelligence Chair Devin Nunes (R-CA) plans to investigate the role that former CIA Director John Brennan and other Obama intelligence officials played in promoting the unverified Steele dossier on President Trump, including whether Brennan perjured himself in public testimony about it. In his testimony before the House Intelligence Committee on May 28, 2017, Brennan emphatically denied that the Steele dossier was a factor in the intelligence communitys publicly released conclusion that Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election to help Trumps chances of victory. Sperry reports that Brennan also swore that he did not know who had commissioned the anti-Trump research document, even though senior national security and counterintelligence officials at the Justice Department (DOJ) knew in 2016 that the Hillary Clinton campaign had funded the dossier. On Feb. 2, Representative Nunes released a declassified memo exposing surveillance abuses by the FBI and Obama DOJ in their investigation of alleged Trump ties to Russia, and their heavy reliance on intelligence from an opposition memo funded by Clinton alliesa material fact they concealed from Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) court judges in four separate applications, Sperry writes. Sperry further reports that Nunes plans to release a separate report soon, detailing the Obama State Departments role in creating and disseminating the dossier, and that the report will identify Obama-appointed diplomats who worked with partisan operatives close to Hillary Clinton to help British ex-spy Christopher Steele compile the dossier. The aide, who spoke only on condition of remaining anonymous, said Nunes will focus on Brennan as well as Leon Panetta, Obamas first CIA director, and former Obama Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, National Security Advisor Susan Rice, and UN Ambassador Samantha Power, previously a National Security Advisor. The article also identifies former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who in a letter berated then-FBI director Comey for sitting on evidence about Trumps coordination with the Russian government, Sperry reported. FROM EIR DAILY ALERT Vice President Pence Speaks of Talks with North Korea Feb. 12, 2018 (EIRNS)Vice President Mike Pence was reported yesterday as saying that besides pressure on North Korea, there should be engagement. This account was given by the Washington Posts Josh Rogin, who spoke with Pence on their flight back to the U.S. from Seoul. Rogin is known as a strategic leaker, but not for his veracity. His article, Pence: Were Ready To Talk with North Korea, received wide attention. Rogin reported that Pence told him that in his two substantive conversations with South Korean President Moon Jae-in during his trip, the United States and South Korea agreed on terms for further engagement with North Korea, first by the South Koreans and potentially with the United States soon thereafter. The United States would still maintain the maximum pressure campaign, but now talking doesnt have to wait until Kim Jong-un surrenders on denuclearization. The point is, no pressure comes off until they are actually doing something that the alliance believes represents a meaningful step toward denuclearization, Pence said. So, the maximum pressure campaign is going to continue and intensify. But if you want to talk, well talk. Pence told Rogin that this was all worked out by Pences bilateral summit with Moon on Feb. 10, but clearly President Donald Trump was deeply involved, as Pence conferred with him every day he was in Asia. Rogin states that this new approach could still be torpedoed, such as by the new sanctions that Pence said in Tokyo would be announced soon. Kim could respond with new missile tests, sinking any hopes for renewed diplomacy. Moon is working hard to prevent that from happening, Rogin writes, and that Moon is entertaining Pyongyangs invitation to visit and is urging the North to talk to the United States. The White Houses endorsement of the concept of initial talks without preconditions is hugely significant, Rogin concludes. FROM EIR DAILY ALERT Federal Energy Regulators Warn That 1,700 Hydropower Dams Need Monitoring for Hazard Feb. 12, 2018 (EIRNS)In January, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Federal agency with oversight for hydropower, sent a letter to the owner-operators of the entire U.S. inventory of 1,700 hydropower dams, calling on them to inspect and monitor their structures. On Jan. 5, 2018, FERCs Independent Forensics Team had issued a finding that the February 2017 failure of the Oroville Dam Spillway was mostly the fault of the owner-operator, the California Department of Water Resources, for not properly monitoring and correcting conditions with the dam. The FERC stated that, flaws in the Oroville Dam Spillway existed since construction that were missed by the owner [since original construction in 1968], regulators, and consultants. It is very clear that just because a project has operated successfully for a long period of time does not guarantee that it will continue to do so. In effect, the FERC is urging the operators to police themselves, in an ineffectual effort to avoid disaster. Many of the owners or operators do not have the resources to see to all the safety work required. Some of the structures are past their engineering life, and need major overhaul. It is part of the national infrastructure deficit. Repair of the Oroville Dam spillway has cost nearly $870 million. Failure of the spillway, which released an uncontrolled torrent of water causing erosion of the surrounding bedrock, so threatened the substructure of the damthe nations tallest, at 770 feetthat it forced the emergency evacuation of nearly 200,000 people from the immediate area downstream last year, during February 2017. The American Library Assn. announced the winners of its annual awards for adult and childrens literature this week, including the prestigious Carnegie, Newbery, Caldecott and Printz medals. On Sunday, the ALA awarded the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction to Jennifer Egans Manhattan Beach, a historical novel about a female naval diver trying to solve the mystery of her fathers disappearance. The Carnegie Medal for nonfiction went to You Dont Have to Say You Love Me, Sherman Alexies memoir about his stormy relationship with his mother. On Monday, the ALA announced the winners of its awards for childrens and young adult literature. The 2018 John Newbery Medal, given to the most outstanding contribution to childrens literature, was awarded to Erin Entrada Kelly for Hello, Universe, a childrens novel about three middle school students who come together after one of their neighbors goes missing along with his beloved pet guinea pig. The Michael L. Printz Award, for a young adult book, went to Nina LaCour for We Are Okay, a novel about a college freshman struggling to overcome a painful childhood. Erin Entrada Kellys Hello, Universe and Renee Watsons Piecing Me Together (Greenwillow Books; Bloomsbury USA Childrens ) Advertisement This years Randolph Caldecott Medal, given to the illustrator of a distinguished American picture book for children, went to Matthew Cordell for Wolf in the Snow, which he also wrote. The winner of the Coretta Scott King Award, given to an African American author or illustrator of a childrens book, went to Renee Watson for Piecing Me Together, about a private school student from a poor neighborhood who doesnt quite fit in. Piecing Me Together was also a runner-up for the Newbery Medal, along with Jason Reynolds Long Way Down and Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut. The three books were given Newbery Honors. Four books were given Caldecott Honors, including James Crown, Elisha Coopers Big Cat, little cat, Jason Chins Grand Canyon and Thi Bui and Bao Phis A Different Pond. One of the years most acclaimed young adult books, Angie Thomas The Hate U Give, didnt escape the notice of the ALA. The book won the William C. Morris Award for a debut young adult book, and was also a runner-up for the King and Printz awards. It also won the Odyssey Award for the best childrens or young adult audiobook. The ALA gave the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, which honors an author or illustrator who has made a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children, to Jacqueline Woodson, the National Book Award-winning author and new Young Peoples Poet Laureate. Finalists for the Carnegie Medals were Daniel Ellsbergs The Doomsday Machine: Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner and David Granns Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI in nonfiction and, in fiction, Jesmyn Wards National Book Award-winning Sing, Unburied, Sing, and George Saunders Man Booker Prize-winning Lincoln in the Bardo. Some of this years winners took to Twitter to celebrate their wins: Advertisement WHAT JUST HAPPENED. pic.twitter.com/o2FkoLQ2KJ Erin Entrada Kelly (@erinentrada) February 12, 2018 HOOOOOWWWWLLLLL!!!! Matthew Cordell (@cordellmatthew) February 12, 2018 Thanks Everyone for all the love. I am so honored!! And to everyone nominated in all the categories, congratulations! Much respect to all of you. Renee Watson (@reneewauthor) February 12, 2018 I am overwhelmed with gratitude this morning. Thank you so much to the Printz committee and the ALA for this incredible award. @JasonReynolds83 @angiecthomas @DHeiligman and @lainitaylor, I am so honored to share this with you and cant wait for NO. Nina LaCour (@nina_lacour) February 12, 2018 Advertisement thanks for the congrats for the awards, everyone. I have more news: the cover for ON THE COME UP will be revealed this Thursday on @EW! I cant wait for you all to meet Bri! Angie Thomas (@angiecthomas) February 12, 2018 A full list of the ALA Youth Media Awards honorees is available on the associations website. Both of Californias health insurance regulators said they will investigate how Aetna Inc. makes coverage decisions, as the lawsuit of a California man who is suing the nations third-largest insurer for improper denial of care heads for opening arguments Wednesday. The Department of Managed Health Care, which regulates the vast majority of health plans in California, said Monday it will investigate Aetna after CNN first reported Sunday that one of the Hartford, Conn., companys medical directors had testified in a deposition related to the lawsuit that he did not examine patients records before deciding whether to deny or approve care. Rather, he relied on information provided by nurses who reviewed the records and that was how he was trained by the company, he said. California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones had already told CNN his office would investigate Aetna, which he reconfirmed in a statement Monday. If a health insurer is making decisions to deny coverage without a physician ever reviewing medical records, that is a significant concern and could be a violation of the law, Jones said. Advertisement It isnt known how widespread the review of patient claims by non-physicians is in the industry. The California Department of Insurance, which Jones heads, regulates only a small fraction of the states health plans, but they include several Aetna policies. He has previously criticized Aetna for excessive health insurance rate increases, although neither his agency nor the Managed Health Care Department has the power to stop the increases. Jones investigation of Aetna will review denials of coverage or pre-authorizations during the tenure of the medical director who testified in the California lawsuit, Jay Ken Iinuma, who has since left the company. Insurance Department investigators will also look into Aetnas procedures for managing medical coverage decisions generally. The dual investigations come as federal regulators are examining a planned $69-billion purchase of Aetna by pharmaceutical giant CVS a deal that many experts believe could transform the healthcare industry. Its unclear how the investigations might affect Aetnas future coverage decisions or those of other insurers, said Shana Alex Charles, an insurance industry expert and assistant professor at Cal State Fullerton. But she praised the decision to investigate as exactly what insurance regulators should be doing. Without that strict oversight, corners get cut, Charles said. Scott Glovsky, the lawyer representing the California plaintiff, Gillen Washington, said he and his client were very pleased by the news that Aetna will be investigated. Speaking Monday, before the managed care department said it would also investigate, Glovsky said his client brought the case to stop these illegal practices, and were looking forward to the insurance commissioners investigation so we can make things safer for Aetna patients. Washington, a Huntington Beach resident, had been receiving expensive medication for years to treat a rare immune system disorder known as Common Variable Immune Deficiency. Advertisement But in 2014, Aetna denied the college students monthly dose of immunoglobulin replacement therapy, saying his bloodwork was outdated. During the appeal process, Washington developed pneumonia and was hospitalized for a collapsed lung. In recent years, as California Healthline reported in June, patients with similar diseases have faced increasing difficulty getting their insurers to approve treatments, according to clinicians and patient advocates. In an emailed statement Monday, Aetna did not directly address the question of case reviews by non-physicians. It said its medical directors review all necessary available medical information for cases that they are asked to evaluate. That is how they are trained, as physicians and as Aetna employees. It added, adherence to those guidelines, which are based on health outcomes and not financial considerations, is an integral part of their yearly review process. Aetna also noted that it has paid for all of Washingtons treatments since 2014 and continues to do so. Advertisement Aetna said in previous documents filed in the lawsuit that it is standard for people with Washingtons immunodeficiency disease to get regular blood tests and that Washington had failed to do so. But Washingtons attorney said his client clearly needed the medication and that Aetnas action violated its contract with Washington. Charles, the professor, said she was most surprised by the fact that Iinuma had admitted not only that he hadnt reviewed Washingtons medical records personally, but also that he had no experience treating his disease. The burden should be on insurers to demonstrate why treatment should be stopped, not on doctors and patients to show why it should be continued, Charles said. Its easy to see the cases as just files and not people standing in front of you, she said. Barbara Feder Ostrov is a senior correspondent for Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent publication of the Kaiser Family Foundation. The Internal Revenue Service this year will have to write and interpret a bevvy of rules as the agency implements the most sweeping set of changes to the tax code in a generation. And leading the agency through that process could be an IRS commissioner with a resume quite unlike those of his predecessors. Charles Chuck Rettig doesnt have an Ivy League degree, hes never been a corporate executive, and its almost certain that no previous IRS commissioner has been a member of the Academy of Magical Arts, the club that runs Hollywoods Magic Castle. He does, though, have a reputation as a gregarious, topflight tax attorney who for nearly a decade has been an advisor to the IRS and state tax collectors despite specializing in representing taxpayers with disputes against those same agencies. Advertisement President Trump last week nominated Rettig, a Beverly Hills tax attorney, to become the next IRS commissioner. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he would be the first IRS commissioner in decades to come from the tax world itself, and he would be tasked with overseeing the agency as it writes scores of rules to implement the new tax law. That will involve hundreds of decisions ranging from how new tax documents should look to how to precisely define the types of overseas corporate earnings that will be subject to taxation, said Mark Mazur, director of the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center. The way this law was written hastily and without a ton of debate means there are many, many provisions that need a lot of interpretation, he said. A new IRS commissioner will face that task while also leading an agency thats been burdened in recent years by budget cuts and a tense relationship with Capitol Hill. Rettig, who lives in Encino, declined a request for an interview, but told The Times in an email that he is honored by the nomination. If confirmed, I will do my utmost to improve taxpayer service and protect taxpayers rights under the law, and to insure the fair, efficient and impartial but rigorous enforcement of our tax code, he wrote. In the recent past, presidents have generally selected executives to run the nations tax-collecting agency, a sprawling, 80,000-employee operation that has hundreds of offices around the country. The most recent commissioner, Obama appointee John Koskinen, spent two decades as an executive of management consulting firm Palmieri Co. Before him, Bush appointee Douglas Shulman came to the agency after serving as vice chairman of finance industry self-regulator Finra. Advertisement Rettig, though, has spent his career practicing tax law, setting him apart. The simplest analogy for the IRS is a big financial services company, Mazur said. They process information, collect bills, maintain accounts. The past four commissioners have been management people. This is a break with that. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Rettig attended L.A. public schools in the San Fernando Valley. He earned an economics degree from UCLA and went to law school at Pepperdine. He had long been a registered Republican before changing parties shortly after the 2012 reelection of Barack Obama. Then, last May, he switched back to being a Republican, according to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorders office. Over the years, hes given to candidates of both parties. Advertisement Rettig hasnt, though, jumped around in his career. For 35 years, hes been with the Beverly Hills law firm Hochman Salkin Rettig Toscher & Perez, known in the industry as a controversy firm one that focuses on representing taxpayers in disputes with the IRS or state tax agencies. And though the nature of his practice is such that he and the IRS are typically on opposite sides, he has also been a longtime member of committees that advise the IRS as well as the California Franchise Tax Board. Attorneys who know Rettig say he has a deep respect for the agency and for the tax system. In training me to become the lawyer I became, he told me: You need to respect the IRS. Theyre doing their job, and thats their responsibility, said Sharyn Fisk, an accounting professor at Cal Poly Pomona who worked with Rettig at Hochman Salkin. Advertisement Phil Hodgen, a Pasadena tax attorney, said Rettig, whom hes known for nearly 30 years, has a reputation for really taking the whole system of taxation the integrity of the system seriously, even while advocating for clients at odds with the IRS. Hes a big believer that the tax system is a good thing, he said. When he sees people banging on the [IRS] for political reasons, from either side, thats inconsistent with how he sees things. The IRS has seen its budget ebb over the years, and its reputation on Capitol Hill has not recovered from a 2013 disclosure that the agency targeted tea party-affiliated groups for additional scrutiny when they applied for tax-exempt status. The controversy led to a settlement last year between the Department of Justice and two conservative groups. Mazur of the Tax Policy Center said the agency needs a leader who can interact with members of Congress and staff on the Hill to ensure [IRS workers] have the resources they need to do their jobs. Advertisement Last year, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, during his confirmation hearing, said he wanted to beef up the agencys staffing after learning that its head count had sharply fallen over time. Dennis Brager, a Los Angeles tax lawyer and former IRS trial attorney, said the gregarious, self-effacing Rettig who lists his Academy of Magical Arts membership on his resume could help soothe tensions and perhaps persuade Congress to boost the agencys budget. He cares about people and, as a result, people care about him. That makes him a great leader, Brager said. I think he at least stands a chance of repairing some of the rift between the IRS and Congress. To read this article in Spanish, click here Advertisement james.koren@latimes.com Follow me: @jrkoren A Los Angeles woman is suing Ulta Beauty, alleging that the cosmetics retailer had a practice of reselling used makeup as new to unsuspecting customers. The lawsuit, filed last month in a federal court in Chicago, seeks class-action status over what it claims is Ultas widespread and surreptitious practice of repackaging returned cosmetics and mixing them back on the shelf to sell at full price with unblemished products. Every customer who has purchased cosmetics at Ulta since this practice began was put at risk of unwittingly purchasing used, unsanitary cosmetics and this risk reduces the desirability and value of all cosmetics sold by Ulta, the lawsuit alleges. The lawsuit was brought by Kimberley Laura Smith-Brown, a Los Angeles woman who said she bought dozens of cosmetic items, including eyeliner, mascara and, most recently, lip balm, at an Ulta store in Sherman Oaks over the past six months before reports of the alleged practice of reselling used makeup surfaced last month on social media. Advertisement We are aware of the lawsuit, and intend to vigorously defend against the allegations, Ulta Beauty spokeswoman Karen Twigg May said Friday in an email. Our policies, training and procedures are aimed at selling only the highest-quality new products in our stores and online. The health and safety of Ulta Beauty guests is a top priority, and we strive to consistently deliver an optimal experience every time they shop with us. Neither Smith-Brown nor her Chicago attorneys responded Friday to requests for comment. Launched in 1990 and based in Bolingbrook, Ill., Ulta bills itself as the largest beauty retailer in the U.S., selling cosmetic, fragrance, skin care, hair care and other products through more than 1,000 retail stores and its website. The company had a net income of about $410 million on sales of nearly $4.9 billion in 2016, according to its most recent annual report. The allegations about reselling returned cosmetics arose Jan. 9, when Twitter user @fatinamxo, who claimed to be a former Ulta employee, posted several messages about the alleged practice. Her Twitter feed lit up with posts from others who claimed to be Ulta employees, with some supporting her contention and others rejecting it. Customers mostly expressed shock and displeasure. Efforts to reach @fatinamxo through Twitter on Friday were unsuccessful. Advertisement Smith-Brown and her attorneys are seeking to form a class that would extend to everyone who purchased cosmetics from Ulta Beauty retail locations, since every sale is tainted with the possibility that the customer is purchasing used, dirty cosmetics, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit raises but is not based on the possible health concerns of reusing makeup. Instead, it is accusing Ulta of unjustly enriching itself by misrepresenting used products as new. The suit asks for undisclosed damages and other relief. Channick writes for the Chicago Tribune. Advertisement rchannick@chicagotribune.com Handel could have called it Exodus: Gods and Kings. His oratorio reflects the biblical account of the heroic flight of Israelites enslaved in Pharaonic Egypt and their crossing the Red Sea, just as Ridley Scotts 2014 epic movie does. The composer also could have called it Passover. The oratorio is less a narrative of the events (although there is that) than, like the annual ritualistic Jewish holiday, a praise to God for overthrowing slavery, a caution that we never take the gift of freedom for granted. But Handel called it Israel in Egypt, and Grant Gershon conducted a magnificent performance of it Sunday with his Los Angeles Master Chorale that included a live video interpretation by the Syrian Armenian visual artist Kevork Mourad. The Los Angeles Master Chorale sings Israel in Egypt with Kevork Mourads art as a backdrop. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times ) Advertisement Almost exclusively choral and with no specific characters, the oratorio is the voice of an exiled people. The very title, which you would be excused to mistake for a current newspaper headline about Israeli air strikes on ISIS in Egypt, is a prompt that the diaspora, two millenniums later, remains a crisis seemingly never to be resolved. In a talk before the concert, Mourad spoke about how personal the project felt to him, a Syrian of Armenia descent. A century ago, exiled Armenians fled to Syria. Now, of course, civil war has resulted in millions of newly exiled Syrians. A computer artist, Mourad placed himself with his equipment between the orchestra and chorus in Walt Disney Concert Hall. He provided animated drawings illustrating the text, some created live, on a giant screen covering the halls organ pipes. Mourad further explained that one of the main forms of artistic expression in Syria, as in much of the Middle East, is storytelling. Nights are spent in cafes hearing tales imaginatively and hypnotically spun. That is what he attempted on the video. Some of the imagery, mostly in what came across as a computerized charcoal drawing, was pre-composed video, but for several numbers Mourad produced the images live, reacting to the music he was hearing. You could see his shadowy hand and arm at work. Kevork Mourads hand appears on screen as he draws live to the Master Chorales singing of Handel on Sunday. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times ) Abstract images regularly generated something specific relating to ancient Egypt jumbled collections of temples or exiles, the shape of the sea, Jews escaping with large Torah backpacks, the destruction of war. Most of this was literal, with little attempt, other than stylistically, by Mourad to relate his work to the present. The drawings were often interesting, and one could easily imagine an exhibit of Mourads responses to Handel. Video-wise, now and then an enthralling projection illuminated the stage. But as video theater, this was more about Mourads own processes. The final result gave the impression of spending 2 1/2 hours in the artists studio watching him work as Israel and Egypt played over his stereo in the background. Advertisement The music, though, played in the foreground Sunday and had tremendous cultural significance. Gershon chose to present the original three-part version of the oratorio, which has become the completest fashion in the past couple of decades. After early performances Handel cut the opening section, a gloomy long lamentation by the Israelites on the death of Joseph, which reused music he had written for a funeral anthem he knew would never be heard again and which he didnt want to go to waste. It failed to set the scene for The Exodus, and Handel rightly cut it. The Exodus jumps right in with plagues. Handel here is at his most wonderfully inventive oh, those hopping frogs. But what is most remarkable is that the descriptions are all from the voices of the people. These are not descriptions of events but reactions to them. When God leads the people forth like sheep, the chorus sings with the idyllic sweetness of, well, sheep. Every chorus is different. There are moments that might remind you of Messiah, which is a kind of sister oratorio, the only other of Handels works based exclusively on biblical texts. There are grand double-chorus fugues. The orchestra includes three trombones. The heavens can, like the Red Sea, part. But the choruses of intimacy are just as impressive. The final and longest part is Moses Song, but there is no Moses to sing it. Even his song is filtered through the voice of the people. This is how they hear Moses. They rejoice as you might expect in the miracles of nature, the parting of the Red Sea and the flood of the mighty waters that swallow the pharaohs chiefs, chariots and horses. Advertisement In a duet early on between two solo basses, The Lord is a man of war, Handels music is oppressively cheerful. The basses (David Dong-Geun Kim and Chung Uk Lee) exult in mission given divine blessing. Neither Mourad nor lighting designer Azra King-Abadi would have any of it. The stage was bathed in red light. Mourad made clear that this is death sugarcoated. Gershon underscored a grimness that isnt obvious in the music. Grant Gershon conducts the Master Chorale on Sunday. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times ) This profoundly colored the great celebration of God that followed, reminding us that this really isnt Moses speaking but the people intoxicated by victory, a people who would turn against Moses and his Ten Commandments. As a study of the complexity of crowds and power, the performance video or no video took the breath away. Exile, Handel reminds us as our political discourse does not, is no single, black-and-white thing. Can one say enough about Gershons Master Chorale? Last week it was sensational in Leonard Bernsteins Mass with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Here it channeled much of Bernsteins war-weary sentiment in an Israel in Egypt as much for our time as is Mass. Advertisement Handel gives the soloists, here drawn from the chorus, little work. But tenor Jon Lee Keenan got a moment to dazzle in The enemy said, I will pursue. Just before the final, celebratory chorus, the angelic purity of soprano Elissa Johnstons And Miriam the prophetess, rained down from a high balcony above the stage, the voice of hope, hearable but as yet unreachable, that is Handels still meaningful message for Israel and for Egypt and their neighbors. mark.swed@latimes.com The Gloria Allred everyone knows would jump at the opportunity to be the subject of a film. This is the attorney, after all, who for decades has invited reporters to her law firm to publicize press conferences where she dutifully comforts clients in front of cameras for maximum impact. The woman who has been deemed an ambulance chaser by exploiting the cult of celebrity, representing women allegedly maligned by some of Hollywoods most notorious names Bill Cosby, Charlie Sheen, Harvey Weinstein. And yet it took the filmmakers behind the Netflix documentary Seeing Allred three years to persuade the lawyer to tell her own story. We had to do some work so that she trusted that we really were on her side that our questions werent salacious, explained Marta Kauffman, who produced the movie. We were really trying to understand who this woman was and how she ended up being such an incredible fighter for change and justice. Co-director Roberta Grossman, from left, producer Marta Kauffman, Gloria Allred and co-director Sophie Sartain, from the film Seeing Allred, photographed during the Sundance Film Festival in January. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times ) Advertisement Dressed in one of her impossibly bright power suits at the Sundance Film Festival last month, where she had traveled to premiere Seeing Allred, the 76-year-old Allred insisted that she was mainly reluctant to sign onto the project because she feared breaking attorney-client privilege. When she did agree to participate, she said, she was uncomfortable when the focus fell more on her than on her clients the victims, the heroes whom she cites as the only reason she signed onto the film at all. They were ultimately able to get to me to talk a little about my life, Allred said of the movies two directors, Roberta Grossman and Sophie Sartain. Not as much as they would have liked. More than I would have liked. Coming from an established master of calculation, that may sound like a load of hogwash. But when Allred sits for interviews in the film, nearly all of which take place in her glass-walled Malibu mansion overlooking the Pacific, you can see her stiffen any time the questions take a turn toward the personal. When Grossman inquires about her contentious 1987 divorce from her second husband, William Allred were wondering if that was a hard time for you? Gloria pauses to come up with a diplomatic answer. Attorney Gloria Allred presents a chastity belt to former State Sen. John G. Schmitz in December 1981 in the middle of a legislative committee meeting to protest his anti-abortion stand. (R.L. Oliver / Los Angeles Times ) Ive had challenges that were greater than that one, she responds. Judge, Grossman says, could you please tell your client that shes being non-responsive? The directors did manage to get Allred to open up about some intimate moments in her life. The films most harrowing sections reveal that at age 25 Allred was held at gunpoint and raped while on vacation in Mexico. After the sexual assault, she became pregnant and was forced to get an illegal abortion that sent her to intensive care with a 106-degree fever. While hemorrhaging, she said, a nurse told her: This will teach you a lesson. Advertisement I didnt want to really talk to anybody about it, Allred tells Grossman of the assault. Wasnt it hard not to talk about it? the director replies. Its not hard for me not to talk to people about things, the lawyer responds. Gloria Alred, who represents 29 alleged victims of Bill Cosby, holds a press conference in December 2015 to discuss charges filed against the comedian. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times ) Advertisement Sitting across from Allred, its clear just how true this is. She can certainly be long-winded, and is happy to stick to what feels like talking points, such as her effort to change the statute of limitations for sex crimes or how the #MeToo movement has ushered in the Age of Empowerment. We won change, thats the point. And thats what I want people to see in the film, Allred said of the documentary landing just as #MeToo and #TimesUp have become global buzzwords. You dont have to say, Im depressed by what happened to me. Because thats rage turned inward. And I want rage turned outward. I dont want women to be tranquilized out of their rage. But just when you think youre getting close to breaking past her brusque exterior maybe she laughs or seems genuinely surprised by a question she can shut you down in a way that feels impossible to overcome. Thats what happens when it comes to the subject of her daughter, Lisa Bloom. For years, the mother and daughter have been exceptionally close. The documentary explores the lengths Allred went to to provide for Bloom as a single mother, working as a teacher during the day, subbing in at the Cerebral Palsy foundation two nights a week and commuting from Philadelphia to New York twice a week to pursue her masters degree. I didnt get my child support, so it was like OK, Im responsible. I have to step up. I have to do it, Allred recalled. My motivation is out of necessity. Just do it. Dont complain. My father worked 12 hours a day, six days a week and on the seventh he prepared for the next six. He had to take care of my mother and me. So thats what he did, and thats what I do. Advertisement Attorney Gloria Allred is shown in June 1984 at work in her West L.A. office. (Penni Gladstone / Los Angeles Times ) As an adult, Bloom would go on to follow in her mothers footsteps, even working at Allreds firm for a spell and advocating on behalf of women. But in October, when Bloom began representing Harvey Weinstein against allegations of sexual assault, Allred publicly spoke out against her daughter. She released a statement saying she would never have worked with Weinstein but would consider representing anyone who accused Mr. Weinstein of sexual harassment, even if it meant that my daughter was the opposing counsel. Though Allred later walked back her comments writing on Facebook that I stand behind Lisa and support her the damage was done. In an interview with The Times last fall, Bloom expressed her hurt over the remarks, noting that it would take a while for the relationship to heal. Asked about the state of their relationship at Sundance, however, Allred bristled. Advertisement I have no comment about that except to say that I love my daughter, she said. Im in communication with my daughter. Im very proud of my daughter and how she stands up for womens rights. Bloom is a big part of Seeing Allred, appearing in numerous clips talking about her upbringing. Though she spent years answering questions, looking for old photos and sitting for several interviews, Bloom said, she has yet to see the documentary and was not invited to the premiere. (The filmmakers did not respond to a request to verify what Bloom said.) [I]t would have been cool if someone had sent me a copy, Bloom wrote in an email last week, noting that her mother has not called her since she publicly attacked her in October. Anyway, I hear its good. She deserves the recognition for her lifes work advancing womens rights. Gloria Allred comforts Summer Zervos during a press conference in October 2016. Zervos, who appeared on Season 5 of the reality show The Apprentice, has alleged that then-host Donald Trump kissed her on the lips several times when she went to his office in 2007. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times ) Advertisement Indeed, the documentary which has received glowing reviews from critics does an excellent job of synthesizing Allreds importance to the feminist movement. Even her recent work representing 33 women who allege they are victims of Cosby blazed a trail for accusers to feel comfortable speaking out. Reporters were asking me after I did some of the press conferences with the [Cosby accusers], Whats your end game, Gloria? I always felt that this was a process, Allred said. I didnt know if he would ever be criminally prosecuted. I didnt know if we would ever change the law. But I felt that through the process, persons who alleged that they were victims and were telling what they said was the truth about their lives would become empowered. There is something that happens to women and to victims when they can speak out. Even if nothing happened beyond that, that would be inspiring to others. And thats what happened. More women came forward. More and more and more. But as Seeing Allred points out, the lawyer has a long history of fighting for equal rights. Advertisement In 1995, she took on the Boy Scouts of America when they wouldnt admit an 11-year-old girl into their ranks. In 1997, she helped soap opera actress Hunter Tylo win a $4.8-million judgment after Aaron Spelling fired her from Melrose Place because she was pregnant. And in 2004, her firm filed the first lawsuit in California arguing that it was unconstitutional to deny same-sex couples marriage licenses. Gloria Allred accompanies Rachel Uchitel as she arrives at LAX from New York in November 2009. (David Zentz / Associated Press ) It isnt until you sit down with her that you go, This is not the woman I saw on TV, said Kauffman, the producer. And I have to say, I feel guilty about that. I think one of the reasons people love to hate on Gloria is that she is the metaphor for the entire feminist movement thinking back to the suffragettes. All the women who speak out are brash, loud, strident, trying to be men and shes sort of the metaphor for it. So the ability to really show whats underneath it hopefully has an effect on how people feel about feminists and justice. The film also explores how the tireless work ethic Allred inherited from her parents they only had an eighth-grade education, she points out continues today. She spends most of her nights and weekends working, always whipping out her laptop during a spare moment of downtime at the airport. She is hardly ever seen in public without one of her pricey blazers or a full face of makeup. She has not been in a serious romantic relationship in decades. And her skin? Its only gotten tougher with age. Advertisement Look, people can call me names, Allred said. Like in Gone With the Wind: Frankly, Scarlett, I dont give a damn. So no, thats not a weapon that can be used against me. Its ineffective. Much to the chagrin of some people who would like it to stop me. Theres nothing stopping me until I win justice and then Ill stop, OK? Until that day, Ill keep on keeping on, because thats my duty. Thats what I owe to women. Gloria Allred in a scene from the documentary Seeing Allred. (Netflix ) Gloria Allred, center, in a scene from Seeing Allred. (Netflix ) Advertisement amy.kaufman@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter @AmyKinLA If you are one of the more than 12.5 million people who have the social networking app Bumble on your phone and you just so happen to be in the Melrose Place area on Valentines Day stop by the Hive, Bumbles Los Angeles headquarters, for some pampering and beauty gifting. In collaboration with beauty-box subscription brand Birchbox, Bumble is inviting its members to the Hive to curate their own beauty boxes from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. You choose five products spanning hair, makeup, skin, body and fragrance at no charge. Options include top Birchbox picks such as Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara; Murad Oil-Control Mattifier; Level Naturals Lemon + Coconut Bath Bomb; Ouai Rose Hair & Body Oil; and Clean Reserve Amber Saffron. Products will be available in trial and full sizes. There will also be a sign-up for those hoping to squeeze in a hair or makeup touch-up with an on-site stylist before heading out for the Valentines Day night. Bumble x Birchbox at Bumbles the Hive Los Angeles, 8441 Melrose Place Los Angeles, www.bumble.com RSVP Gallerys pop-up gift shop The 500-square-foot pop-up RSVP Gallery Gift Shop in the Dream Hollywood hotel is outfitted with trendy streetwear items for sale. RSVP The new RSVP Gallerys pop-up gift shop is out to challenge the conventional hotel gift shop setup. After all, the 500-square-foot pop-up was created by Don Crawley, a.k.a. Don C, founder of premium streetwear brands Just Don and RSVP Gallery, along with Virgil Abloh, whos behind the Milan-based label Off-White. The temporary shop, which is open through March 29 at the Dream Hollywood hotel in Los Angeles, has lined its neon-lit shelves with limited-edition souvenirs. Its a microcosm of RSVP Gallerys permanent stores in Chicago and downtown L.A. Guests and shoppers can find products including pajamas and robes ($100 and $90, respectively) as well as hoodies for $175. RSVP Gallerys pop-up gift shop at Dream Hollywood, 6417 Selma Ave. Los Angeles, www.dreamhotels.com/hollywood Johnny Was The top-selling Talum tunic will now be available in larger sizes from the Johnny Was' new Luxe + line. Johnny Was The Johnny Was boutique in Palm Desert that opened more than a year ago has proved to be so successful that a second boutique in neighboring Palm Springs was more than justified, Johnny Was Chief Executive Robert Trauber said recently. Its a casual, optimistic and colorful brand that is very much in sync with Palm Springs, Palm Beach and Southern California, said Trauber about the new 1,500-square-foot boutique, which opened in early February at 175 N. Palm Canyon Drive. The brand, which has 28 stores nationwide, including ones in Santa Monica and Canoga Park, is also sold at Neiman Marcus. Johnny Was is known for its bohemian dresses, embroidered fabrics and floaty tunics such as its bestselling Talum tunic. On Feb. 20, Johnny Was will launch Luxe +, a plus-size line of 20 styles of tops, bottoms and dresses that Trauber said would allow for casual and effortless dressing for those sizes 1X to 3X. A second collection from the Luxe line will follow in June. Prices range from $135 to $358 for Luxe + and the original Johnny Was collection. Ksubi Australian brand Ksubi has released 15 new styles and color-ways of sunglasses. Ksubi Angelenos can never have too many sunglasses, and newly launched are 15 styles and color-ways from Australian fashion and accessories brand Ksubi. The new lineup of shades is inspired by vintage frames, particularly those with a cat eye or Rat Pack styling, said Apples Ryan, Ksubis brand manager. Standouts include the rose-colored cat eye shades and the bold black frames with sky blue lens. The collection is priced from $229.95 to $249.95. Ksubi, 132 S. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, www.ksubi.com Over the past year, a growing conversation about sexual harassment has erupted. To explore how this conversation has changed, generation to generation, we asked mothers and daughters about how they were raised to talk, react and take action when it comes to sexual harassment and assault. Liz and Terrie Liz Cotones daughter is only 6, but she is already learning about consent. Liz, 42, and her mother, Terrie Rosengren, 70, talk about how to teach children to ask permission, laying the groundwork for understanding autonomy over ones body. Liz Cotone, 42, is a screenwriter who lives with her husband and 6-year-old daughter in Canyon Country, Calif. Terrie Rosengren, 70, is a retired high school math teacher from Rye, N.Y. Its not about sex. Its using the differences in our gender for power. Liz Ahleea and Denise Denise Zama, 57, was sexually harassed at a very young age, and she never told her parents what happened to her. But when her daughter, Ahleea Zama, 31, was sexually assaulted in high school, the two processed their experiences together. Ahleea Zama, 31, recently graduated from Loyola Marymount University with an MFA in screenwriting and producing. Denise Zama, 57, is a business owner with a background in early childhood education. You want to know what could you have done differently.... You try to protect your children the best you can. But at the same time you have to be free to grow. Denise Samantha and Ellen When Samantha Gordon, 21, first talked to her mother about being sexually assaulted, Ellen Gordon, 53, asked her if she had been drinking. Years later, they discuss that conversation, and Ellen explains how she adjusts her behavior to appear less bossy as a woman in a professional setting. Samantha Gordon, 21, is a junior at Hamilton College studying government. Ellen Gordon, 53, works at an investment management company, where she is responsible for recommending investments within healthcare and utilities industries for mutual fund strategies. I think we grew up with very different understandings and expectations of assaults. Samantha Tessa and Jayne Since someone slipped a roofie in her drink, Tessa Petrich, 32, has become more aware of the common threats she must face as a woman, including walking down dark hallways and putting down her drink at parties. She and her mother, Jayne Petrich, 59, discuss the role women play in keeping themselves safe. Tessa Petrich, 32, is a coach and organizer who works with primarily female entrepreneurs. Jayne Petrich, 59, is a school nurse in Long Beach. She raised Tessa as a single mother. I think its like well and good to spend a lot of time thinking about how I can protect myself. But that feels like such a freaking waste of my time. Tessa Ariana and Maggie Growing up, it was customary for Ariana Diosa Zertuche, 24, to kiss and hug family members, but she had never discussed the idea of consent. She and her mother, Maggie Zertuche, 62, explore how complex relationships and the taboos of discussing sex make it difficult for women in their family to come forward. Ariana Diosa Zertuche, 24, is an executive administrative assistant at Mercedes Diaz Homes in Whittier. She also co-hosts a podcast, Locatora Radio, which explores issues related to gender, race, and sexuality. Her mother, Maggie Zertuche, 62, was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and moved to the United States when she was 5 years old. She now works as a Spanish interpreter. We shouldnt only be talking about sex when its sexual violence. We have to talk about sex when its positive. Ariana claire.collins@latimes.com jessica.chen@latimes.com Last month, I dismissed as hogwash concerns that the recall of Superior Court Judge Aaron Persky could impair judicial independence. This did not endear me to many attorneys, law professors and retired judges who reached out to accuse me of flippantly dismissing their sincerely held beliefs. No matter how outraged we may be, the last thing we need in California are judges who are intimidated by public opinion, wrote Steven Silva, a Times reader who experienced firsthand the difficulty of fair sentencing decisions when he worked for the presiding judge of the San Diego Juvenile Court. Persky is the Santa Clara County judge who handed down a six-month sentence to Brock Turner, a Stanford student who was convicted of three felonies for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman next to a dumpster outside a campus party in 2015. Prosecutors had asked for six years in prison; instead, Persky followed the probation departments recommendation of six months, plus three years probation. Advertisement Turner, who is appealing his convictions, will also be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Among my correspondents was Erwin Chemerinsky, who recently left his position as founding dean of UC Irvines law school to become dean of Berkeley Law (formerly Boalt Hall). Last week, we sat down for a very civilized chat in the law schools coffee shop. I dont think concerns about judicial independence are hogwash, Chemerinsky told me. Sentencing is one of the hardest things a judge has to do. Once a single ruling of a judge is the basis for a recall, that will send a message. He added, I want them to impose the sentence they think is best, not what they think is going to please voters the most. I agree, of course. But judicial accountability is baked into the California legal system. Judges, who are appointed by the governor, face retention votes every six years. Otto Kaus, who served for a long time on the California Supreme Court, always said that judicial elections are like having a crocodile in your bathtub, Chemerinsky said. You never forget its there. Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the University California, Berkeley law school. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press ) Though accountability may not be as hallowed a concept as judicial independence, the state Constitution also allows voters to recall a judge, a completely different and far more onerous process than a regularly scheduled retention vote. It does not spell out or limit the reason for a recall, so its not strictly correct to argue, as many legal professionals do, that judges should be removed only for personal misconduct. Advertisement I told Chemerinsky I often sit out the judicial portion of my ballot, because I have no time or inclination to research a judges rulings or temperament. I do that, too, he said. Occasionally, I will have former students or people I know on the ballot. Its a system that works so poorly because the electoral system assumes we know who we are voting for, and that doesnt work for judges. Its a flawed system, but its the one weve got. :: Last week, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted to place the Persky recall on the June 5 ballot. Whatever your feelings about Persky, who has tried unsuccessfully to block the recall on technical grounds, this is a historic moment. Advertisement Regardless of the vote result, Chemerinsky said, he believes the recall campaign has already had an impact on judges, perhaps even subliminally. Judges, after all, dont usually have to worry about being criticized for handing down sentences that are too harsh. The presumption up until now has been if you disagree with a judges ruling, you appeal it, he said. Now we are sending a message: If your sentence is too light, you face a recall. Successful judge recalls are vanishingly rare in California. If Persky is booted off the bench in June, it will be only the third successful judicial recall in state history. The last one occurred in 1932. Advertisement But the very first one, which took place in 1913, bears interesting similarities to the recall campaign against Persky. Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Aaron Persky. (Jason Doiy / Associated Press ) :: In 1911, California voters made two consequential decisions. They amended the Constitution to give women the vote, and they passed a measure allowing judges to be recalled. Advertisement Two years later, newly enfranchised, women launched a recall against a San Francisco judge, Charles Weller, who had reduced the bail of a businessman charged with trying to assault two 17-year-old girls. According to Stanford historian Estelle Freedman, the bail was so low that the man skipped town. After that, wrote Freedman in a 2016 New York Times essay, the Womens Political League accused the judge of extending undue and unreasonable leniency to persons charged with the commission of heinous and vicious offenses. Weller became the first judge in California history to be recalled. He was not accused of personal misconduct. His sin? Failing to take sexual assault against women seriously enough, and giving the alleged assailant the benefit of the doubt. If the Legislature and the people did not believe that this was a proper use of the power of judicial recall, well, they have had more than 100 years to change it. Advertisement robin.abcarian@latimes.com Twitter: @AbcarianLAT Each year, California invites students who are in the country without legal permission to apply for the same financial aid packages available to others. But officials once again are concerned that fears are keeping those they want to help from seeking the funding. The deadline to apply for aid through the California Dream Act is March 2, just about two weeks away For the record: An earlier version of this article said the deadline for applying for aid is March 1. It is March 2. As of Monday, 19,141 students had applied. Thats a little more than half of last years total. Were 20,000 students behind, said Lupita Cortez Alcala, executive director of the California Student Aid Commission, the organization that administers state financial aid. Advertisement College counselors and Cortez Alcala cite immigrant families increasing distrust of the government. Students are especially concerned about the fate of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, which hangs in the balance. Theres rumors about ICE raids all the time some unfounded and some maybe founded, said Jane Slater, a teacher at Sequoia High School in Redwood City, Calif., who also advises a club for students who are in the country without legal permission. The headlines about immigration make people feel like theyre really in the spotlight. Kids are more afraid for their families than they are for themselves. Some people also confuse the California Dream Act (CADA) with DACA though Cortez Alcala said state officials have tried to dispel the misconception. Still, the uncertain status of DACA may keep some students from enrolling in college, she said. DACA allows them to study and work without fear of deportation. Aid available to students who meet certain criteria includes private scholarships funded through public universities, state administered financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers and Cal Grants. Applications dipped last year as well, until state officials sounded the alarm. Ultimately, after weeks of advocacy and cash for college events to spread the word, 36,127 applications came in slightly more than the year before. This year, advocates enlisted the help of rapper DJ Khaled, who appears in a public service announcement, telling young people how to secure the bag so they can pay for college. Advertisement At Sequoia High, Slater said that she has been very hands-on, making sure all eligible high school seniors apply. One of them, Yohana Ramirez, 18, said she wants to go to UC Merced and become a surgeon. Her family moved here from Mexico when she was 3. Growing up, I knew I wasnt born here, but I didnt know what it means, she said. I always assumed it was just a different point of origin but I didnt think it would impact me in school. When she heard President Trump speak about immigration and learned that DACA was in jeopardy, she said, I was scared, I was panicking about my family getting deported, with or without me. Im still kind of scared, but Im just trying to keep my head up and keep pushing forward with my dreams, goals and aspirations. Advertisement Ramirez learned about the California scholarships at a summit for Dreamers. Her mother was afraid of sending personal information to the government. But when Ramirez explained the programs benefits, she received her familys blessing to apply. College counselors at many high schools may be too overwhelmed to spread the word about applying for the aid as well as Slater has. A report released this month by the National Assn. for College Admission Counseling found that in the 2014-15 school year, California had one of the nations highest student-to-counselor ratios, at 760 students for every counselor. David Marks, a counselor at Sacramento Charter High School, said some counselors may inform students about the aid and leave it at that, which might not be enough. Advertisement The counselors dont have a lot of time, he said. Theyll just tell students to do it. It takes a lot of effort to double-check. Joy.Resmovits@LATimes.com @Joy_Resmovits UPDATES: Advertisement 10:10 a.m.: This article was updated with a video of DJ Khaleds public service announcement, which was released Tuesday. This article was originally published at 5:00 a.m. A man with a 7-inch kitchen knife stabbed a San Diego Police dog during an arrest at an Encanto home Monday morning an attack that came shortly after officers had shot the man using bean-bag rounds. The 22-year-old man was struck four times with bean bags during the encounter, police Lt. Charles Lara told reporters. Police said the dog, a Belgian Malinois named Dexter who has been with the San Diego Police Department for a year and a half, underwent surgery and is expected to recover. The incident began about 8:30 a.m. when police received a call about a woman who was having difficulty controlling her adult son at the home, Lara said. Advertisement An officer arrived to find the woman sweeping up broken glass from a picture frame. She told the officer that her son said he was going to fight the police if they arrived, Lara said. The son then came to the door holding what looked like a butchers knife, Lara said. Officers repeatedly told him to drop the weapon. He refused, and police fired bean bags at the man. Although he was struck, the rounds had a negligible effect on him, Lara said. Officers then released the dog, which bit the man on his left arm. During the struggle, the man stabbed Dexter in the torso. Officer Larry Adair of the K-9 unit said Dexter suffered a broken rib and ruptured spleen. He underwent surgery at an emergency veterinary facility and was in stable condition Monday afternoon. Adair said Dexter is expected to recover and return to duty. K-9 personnel will slowly introduce him to similar stimuli to see how he reacts as part of recovery efforts. Dexters handler, whose name was not released, was not hurt. I cant tell you how hard it is to see your partner, your friend, your pal, your best friend, stabbed wounded, said Adair, whose own police dog has been hurt in the line of duty. Advertisement I cant tell you how hard it is to see your partner, your friend, your pal, your best friend, stabbed wounded Officer Larry Adair He said it is not an easy decision to release a canine, but one that at times is necessary to protect the public. Its awful because we spend our time with these dogs, Adair said. They come home with us; they live with us. We take care of them but ultimately, at the end of the day, its a police service dog and that dogs job is to help preserve human life. We know that as handlers. Its very difficult to send them into harms way, but that is the job. Lara echoed similar sentiments, saying, We obviously never want to use any kind of force to take a person into custody. Advertisement He continued: This gentleman gave no indication that he was going to surrender, continued to be belligerent, [and was] armed with a knife. After the man was taken into custody, police had to use restraints because he was not compliant and banging his head inside the police vehicle, Lara said. The man, who was taken to a hospital, could be charged with assaulting a police dog, displaying a weapon at an officer in a threatening manner and resisting arrest. Authorities also were looking at helping his mother obtain a protective order. Formed in 1984, San Diego polices K-9 unit, with 33 teams, is one of the largest in the country. Advertisement Figueroa and Davidson write for the San Diego Union-Tribune. A Southwest Airlines plane was evacuated at John Wayne Airport on Monday night after a fire in the aircrafts auxiliary power unit, officials said. A few people sustained minor injuries, though no one was hospitalized, airport officials said on Twitter. Nearly 140 passengers and five crew members used chutes to evacuate. The flight was departing for San Jose when the fire broke out. The blaze has since been extinguished. This post will be updated as more information becomes available. Advertisement alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com Twitter: @AleneTchek Mayor Eric Garcetti and his five appointees on the Police Commission have a daunting task ahead: finding L.A.s next police chief. As soon as Chief Charlie Beck announced his retirement in January, speculation about his successor began. Would it be an insider or an outsider? A man or, for the first time in the citys history, a woman? Could L.A. see its first Latino police chief? The next chief will lead the nations third-largest police department, one with a storied and sometimes troubled history. It is a pivotal moment in law enforcement, as years of national debate over shootings by officers, particularly of black men, have inspired changes at many agencies, including the LAPD. L.A. Police Chief Charlie Beck announces early retirement, ending eight-year tenure as head of the LAPD Becks successor will inherit reforms already in the works at the LAPD, including attempts to reduce shootings by officers through new training and policies, and the rollout of new technology such as body cameras and drones. The next chief will also be tasked with tackling the citys stubborn rise in crime and building trust in neighborhoods wary of the police. The search rests with a Police Commission that is increasingly proactive in pushing reform, with the ultimate decision made by a mayor who some believe will soon run for president. It is one of the most closely watched calls Garcetti will make as the mayor of L.A. But how does the process work? How exactly does L.A. look for its next chief? The process is laid out in the City Charter. The city will advertise the job, then the Personnel Department will narrow down the list of candidates to refer to the Police Commission, the five-person panel that oversees the LAPD. It is up to the Police Commission to give the mayor three top candidates, in ranked order. The mayor then picks a new chief from that list unless he asks the commission for three additional candidates. The City Council must then approve the mayors choice. Steve Soboroff, the president of the Police Commission, said he and vice president Matt Johnson would serve as a subcommittee for the search. They will narrow down the list of candidates provided by the Personnel Department, he said. All five members of the Police Commission will then interview those candidates and give Garcetti the list of their top three. Police commissioners Sandra Figueroa-Villa, left, Shane Murphy Goldsmith and Cynthia McClain-Hill at a 2016 meeting at City Hall. Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times What happens next? As it did before Beck was selected for the job, the Police Commission is holding meetings across the city to hear what the public is looking for in the new police chief. The reality is, we want a lot of input, Soboroff said. It will all be evaluated and considered as we do this process, not just as a box to check to say that we did it. The meetings will occur: Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the Wilmington Senior Center Thursday, Feb. 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School in Canoga Park Saturday, Feb. 17, at 10 a.m. at Van Nuys City Hall Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 6:30 p.m. at Edwin Markham Middle School in Watts Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the Montecito Heights Senior Center Saturday, Feb. 24, at 10 a.m. at the West L.A. Municipal Building in Sawtelle Residents will also be able to weigh in online using a website the Police Commission said would be available later this month. Then what? Commissioners plan to incorporate that public feedback into the brochure advertising the job their help wanted flier. Soboroff said he wanted to wait to finalize the flier until board members heard from the public. Its not only my goal, its my expectation to incorporate public input in the brochure, Soboroff said. The reality is, we want a lot of input. Steve Soboroff, president of the Police Commission When will the city have a new chief? Sometime before June 27, the day Beck said he will retire. Beck has said he will work until that date it was important to him, he said, to forgo the need for an interim chief. Soboroff said he hoped to get a list of applicants from the Personnel Department by mid-April that he and Johnson will start whittling down. His goal, he said, is for the commission to start conducting interviews in early May. 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. kate.mather@latimes.com A dying woman who reportedly dragged herself to the side of a rural street used her final words to help authorities identify her killers, the Alameda County Sheriffs Office said. The 19-year-old woman, identified as Lizette Andrea Cuesta, of Tracy, was found bloody and suffering from life-threatening stab wounds and other injuries on the side of rural Tesla Road in Livermore about 2 a.m. Monday, authorities said. She was spotted by people in a passing vehicle who called police. The woman was airlifted to a hospital, where she spoke with investigators before she died, the Sheriffs Office said. Advertisement This victim really, really tried to survive. She fought, said Sheriffs Sgt. Ray Kelly. The last thing we believe she was able to do was point us in the direction of the people that killed her, and thats pretty remarkable. Authorities used the information the victim provided to arrest Daniel Gross, 19, and Melissa Leonardo, 25, both of Modesto, on suspicion of murder, officials said. UPDATE: Her throat slashed, dying woman tells police she was attacked by two co-worker friends Daniel Gross, 19, and Melissa Leonardo, 25, were arrested on suspicion of murder. (Alameda County Sheriffs Office ) One of the men who found the dying woman, Richard Loadholt, told KCRA-TV in Sacramento that he prayed with her and talked to her to keep her conscious as long as he could. I hope itll be encouraging to their family that their daughter did have the spirit to fight, he said. Cuesta had been dumped in Livermore and crawled 100 yards to the road where she was found, Bay Area TV station KTVU reported. joseph.serna@latimes.com Advertisement For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna on Twitter. UPDATES: 1:20 p.m.: This article was updated with the names and photos of the victim and suspects. This article was originally published at 11:45 a.m. More than 150 deputy public defenders gathered in downtown Los Angeles on Monday to protest what they say is an existential threat to the office: their new boss. The lawyers chanted and wore RESIST T-shirts. They held signs reading CLIENTS FIRST and We need a leader who knows Miranda, not HR propaganda. Last month, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors appointed Nicole Davis Tinkham as interim public defender the latest in a yearlong string of temporary appointments. The decision disturbed many within the office, who say Tinkham, who has never tried a criminal case, is woefully unqualified. Leadership without experience in the field is a recipe for disaster, said Deputy Public Defender Timothy McDermott. Advertisement Tinkham worked most recently as senior deputy county counsel and before that as a trial attorney and partner at the law firm Collins, Collins, Muir and Stewart. During her time at the firm, she represented the L.A. County Sheriffs Department in a case involving a deputy who shot a 15-year-old who was holding a toy gun. Leadership without experience in the field is a recipe for disaster. Deputy Public Defender Timothy McDermott on his recently appointed boss Alisa Blair, the deputy in charge of the public defenders unit at Los Padrinos Juvenile Courthouse, said she was concerned Tinkhams history with the Sheriffs Department would damage her ability to build trust with her clients. Theyre going to say, Youre representing the body that mistreats us in the jails, that polices our neighborhoods unnecessarily, said Blair, a 15-year veteran of the office. Zachary Smith, a deputy public defender in Long Beach, said he was worried about ethical issues posed by Tinkhams work for the Sheriffs Department. She may have information about law enforcement that could help defendants in their cases but would be required to keep that confidential. However, she has a duty to her current clients to disclose that information in order to defend them, Smith said. Thats the epitome of a conflict of interest. To Vernon Patterson, a 23-veteran of the public defenders office, Tinkhams appointment stung: It felt like it was a slap in the face. In a statement Monday, Tinkham said although she doesnt have a background in criminal law, shes confident that her skill set including 15 years of employment law experience will help her confront a number of pressing managerial and workplace issues. Advertisement Since her appointment, Tinkham said, she has held town hall meetings with employees and started to examine internal budget and human resources systems to look for potential areas of improvement. Tinkham said she knows that the staff of the public defenders office cares deeply about protecting the rights of the accused and ensuring a fair and just system. In the days and weeks ahead, Tinkham wrote, I hope that these passionate public servants will come to see that I, too, am singularly committed to enhancing the offices effectiveness so its clients can be even better served. A crowd of L.A. County deputy public defenders and supporters gathered Monday for a rally in opposition of their new boss. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times ) Before Tinkham was approved, Supervisor Sheila Kuehl sent a letter to employees in the public defenders office, telling them that the board was considering commissioning a management audit to learn more about the challenges facing the office. The supervisor wrote that she was confident Tinkham could bring much needed stability to the agency the oldest public defenders office in the nation. Advertisement The office has been without a permanent boss since the end of 2016, when Ron Brown, an office veteran, retired from the top job after five years. (Browns predecessor, Michael Judge, held the job for nearly two decades, as did the man who led the office before him.) Tinkham will serve for six months. At the rally, Smith said that a disconnect between attorneys and management has persisted for years, but characterized bringing in someone from the county counsels office as a desperate and poorly thought-out solution to the problem. A woman on a bullhorn shouted to the protesters: Are we here for the money? Advertisement No! the crowd screamed. For prestige? Hell no! Our clients? Advertisement Whooo! Thats right! Before long, Alameda County Public Defender Brendon Woods, who is also the president of the California Public Defenders Assn., took the microphone, telling the crowd he could hardly believe the news when he learned of Tinkhams appointment. I was outraged, I was appalled, I was angry, he said. This job is personal and we do it because we care. One woman in the crowd teared up. Nearby, a man whispered to his friend, Can we have a trade-out and hire this guy? Advertisement After the rally, Tiffiny Blacknell, a felony trial attorney and 15-year veteran of the office, reflected on her career. She thought about the day she walked into lockup and saw her client wearing a helmet and a safety smock to protect him from killing himself. She thought about the pitch of a clients mothers scream when she learned the jurys verdict her son would die behind bars. She cant begin to understand, Blacknell said, shaking her head as she spoke of Tinkham. Los Angeles Times staff writers Melissa Etehad and Matt Hamilton contributed to this report. marisa.gerber@latimes.com Advertisement For more news from the Los Angeles County courts, follow me on Twitter: @marisagerber. UPDATES: 7:45 p.m.: This article was updated with additional comments from Deputy Public Defender Zachary Smith. 5:05 p.m.: This article was updated with a statement from the interim L.A. County public defender, Nicole Davis Tinkham. Advertisement This article was originally published at 3:50 p.m. A Mexican man who was acquitted of murder in a San Francisco shooting that ignited a national immigration debate has pleaded not guilty to federal gun charges. Jose Ines Garcia Zarate appeared in federal court Tuesday to face two illegal gun possession charges. They were filed after a jury in November found him not guilty of killing Kate Steinle in 2015. Garcia Zarate has been deported five times and served prison time for illegally reentering the U.S. Under San Franciscos sanctuary city policy, local authorities released him from jail several weeks before the shooting, ignoring a federal request to detain him for a sixth deportation. Advertisement Garcia Zarate says he found a gun under a seat on a popular pier and that it accidentally fired when he picked it up. He was transferred from a city jail to U.S. custody over the weekend. ABC/Randy HolmesLast year, just four months after buying it for $18 million, Adam Levine put his mansion in the Holmby Hills section of L.A. up for sale. Now, he's unloaded the property -- for $18 million. The Los Angeles Times reports that the property, built in 1966, features a 9,200-square-foot main house with five bedrooms, a two-story guest house, a three-car garage, a pool, a pool house, and a breakfast solarium. He initially put the property on sale in November for $18.9 million. Adam is also selling another home he owns on the west side of L.A. for $15.9 million. Adam and his wife Behati Prinsloo are currently expecting their second child. The new season of his show The Voice starts at the end of this month, and in May, Adam and Maroon 5 will kick off a tour in support of their new album Red Pill Blues. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. With U.S. goals expanding and Islamic State nearing defeat, the tangled seven-year war in Syria is growing more complicated as Iran gains the upper hand, Turkey launches a military offensive and Israel is increasingly alarmed by threats to its security. The risk of a dangerous escalation was clear Tuesday with reports that U.S. airstrikes last week had killed several Russian paramilitary contractors during an attack by pro-government forces on a U.S.-backed militia base in eastern Syria that housed a small number of U.S. troops. That comes after a week in which Turkey, Russia, Iran and Israel all lost aircraft to hostile fire in Syrias increasingly crowded skies. What began as a civil war in 2011, with U.S.-backed rebels opposed to President Bashar Assad, is now a free-for-all of outside states trying to divide the spoils and expand influence in the Middle East. Assad remains in power and Washington and its allies appear most at risk of losing out, according to diplomats, aid workers and other analysts. Advertisement The U.S. role in Syria has expanded under the Trump administration. Until recently, U.S. policy focused primarily on defeating Islamic State, delivering humanitarian aid to civilian communities after critical battles and supporting diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. Washington otherwise sought to avoid a broader entanglement in another Middle East war. Last month, however, the State Department announced that the Pentagon would keep 2,000 U.S. special operations forces, as well as diplomatic teams and others, in the country indefinitely to mop up the remaining militants and to ensure Iranian influence in Syria is diminished, and Syrias neighbors are secure, a much murkier goal. Our military and civilian personnel on the ground in Syria will be targeted, eventually, Robert S. Ford, who left Syria in 2011 as the last U.S. ambassador to serve in Damascus, warned Congress last week. The Syrian and Iranian governments, and Russia, all want us out of Syria. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, on a six-day mission through the Middle East, emphasized the effort to finish off Islamic State, which has been pushed into a sliver of territory in eastern Syria. The group remains a very determined enemy and is not yet defeated, Tillerson said Tuesday in Kuwait City at a conference dedicated to raising money for reconstruction in Iraq. Baghdad estimates it needs $88 billion to rebuild from the widespread destruction left by Islamic States occupation of cities and towns, and the bitter battle to eject them, which ended in December. If communities in Iraq and Syria cannot return to normal life, we risk the return of conditions that allowed [Islamic State] to take and control vast territory, he said. But Tillerson offered no U.S. funds for the reconstruction, urging other countries to foot the bill instead, a sign of the growing frustration at the White House with the impact of foreign aid. Advertisement On Monday, President Trump complained at the White House that U.S. aid expenditures in the Middle East were a mistake and were stupidly spent, erroneously claiming that the United States had spent $7 trillion in the region since 2001. U.S. aid is substantial, but far less than that. In the first decade after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, the United States spent $60 billion in what a Pentagon audit report later concluded was a largely failed effort to rebuild the war-torn country. Yet the urgency of Iraqs condition is just part of the constellation of conflict revolving around Syria. U.S.-backed Syrian militias continue to fight in eastern Syria, where Islamic State retains a foothold in the Euphrates River Valley, near the border with Iraq. Advertisement Turkish military forces have assaulted Afrin, a Syrian enclave near the Turkish border that is controlled by U.S.-backed Kurds. Ankara views the Kurds as an extension of a group that has waged a decades-long insurgency in Turkey, and has threatened to advance on Manbij, another Kurdish-controlled area where U.S. troops are based. Israel, in turn, has grown increasingly alarmed about the presence of Iranian forces and allied militias, including the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, in southern Syria near the Israeli-controlled portion of the Golan Heights. Their presence and influence has grown as Assad has become more secure. On Saturday, Israel launched a series of airstrikes in Syria after it detected an Iranian surveillance drone in Israeli airspace, and an Israeli jet was downed in Syria. Israels security is a U.S. priority, and the danger is that U.S. forces could get dragged into direct conflict with Iranian militias. With reconstruction of Syria looming, Iraq has served as a dramatic sign of whats to come. It has essentially been bombed back a decade. Advertisement Islamic States black flags no longer fly over Iraqi towns and villages. But the recapture of the vast territory it once held, especially in the north and west, came at an enormous cost to their residents. Months of punishing airstrikes and door-to-door fighting left neighborhoods in ruins. As the militants withdrew, they destroyed schools, hospitals, bridges, electricity and water systems. The United Nations estimated 40,000 homes were damaged or destroyed just in Mosul, the largest city to fall under Islamic State control. Residents are dipping into savings, selling family gold or borrowing money to make needed repairs. But the scale of the destruction in sectors that suffered the worst of the fighting is overwhelming. At a meeting Monday on the sidelines of the Kuwait conference, nongovernmental groups pledged more than $330,000 in aid for Iraq. The country will look to the private sector to foot most of the bill, arguing there are profits to be made in reconstruction. Advertisement Iraqi officials sought to reassure potential investors that they are taking serious steps to cut red tape and curb rampant corruption, but convincing them may be a challenge. Just about every country represented has companies that are owed money by the Iraqi government. I think its impressive the government is addressing this honestly and openly, said Lise Grande, the U.N. Development Programs representative in Iraq. But, she added, I think many investors need to see the track record on these reforms. The Trump administration and its Western allies have been counting on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to underwrite the long-term reconstruction. But a costly Saudi war in Yemen and a sharp decline in oil prices have limited their interest. A failure at the Kuwait conference could jeopardize the hard-won successes against Islamic State, experts warn. Advertisement The militants have proved adept at exploiting festering grievances among Sunni Arabs against Iraqs Shiite-led government. A failure to rebuild also would play into the hands of Iran, which long has argued to Iraqs leaders that they cant rely on their Western allies. If you dont help these areas recover, then you are basically setting yourself up for the next fight, said Joost Hiltermann, the Middle East and North Africa program director at the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based think tank. Los Angeles Times staff writers Zavis reported from Beirut and Wilkinson from Washington, D.C. alexandra.zavis@latimes.com Advertisement tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com A New Jersey man who planted a pair of improvised bombs in Manhattan in September 2016, injuring more than 30 people when one exploded, said in federal court Tuesday that he doesnt harbor hate towards anyone. But Ahmad Khan Rahimi said he felt targeted by U.S. law enforcement authorities because he observed Islam outwardly through his clothing, beard and prayer habits. I have learned to understand why theres such a big frustration between the Muslim community overseas and the American people, he said. Rahimi did not his explain his motives or apologize for the attack. Advertisement After listening to Rahimi, also identified in court documents as Ahmad Rahami, U.S. District Judge Richard Berman sentenced him to two life terms plus 30 years in prison. Berman also ordered restitution in the amount of $562,803.03 to compensate victims of the attack for injuries and damage to their property. At liberty in the community you would be and are a clear and present danger, the judge said. Rahimi, 30, was convicted in October on charges including using weapons of mass destruction, bombing public places and destroying property by means of fire or explosives. The charges also included using a destructive device during and in furtherance of a crime of violence. A year earlier, in September 2016, Rahimi transported two improvised pressure-cooker bombs similar to those used in the Boston marathon bombing in April 2013 from New Jersey to New York, placing both in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, authorities said. One bomb left near a trash bin went off about 8:30 p.m., injuring multiple people. The other bomb, four blocks north, was discovered and rendered safe before it could explode. Earlier that day, another bomb planted by Rahimi had gone off in Seaside Park, N.J., along the route for a charity 5K race. The next day, six more bombs were found in a backpack at the entrance to the New Jersey Transit station in Elizabeth, N.J. Rahimi was later captured after a shootout with police in Linden, N.J. He faces pending charges related to the shootout in state court in New Jersey, Berman said. Rahimi was born in Afghanistan but brought to the U.S. as a child. He grew up in Elizabeth above his parents fried-chicken restaurant and became a naturalized citizen in 2011. Along the way, he studied criminal justice at Middlesex County College in Edison, N.J., hoping to become a law enforcement officer. Rahimi was believed to have been radicalized during trips to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Prosecutors said he began researching terrorist ideology around 2012 and searched the internet in 2015 and 2016 for information on how to make bombs. Advertisement In an interview with the local NBC station Monday, Rahimis father, Mohammad Rahami, called his son a terrorist. He did it as a terrorist. This is terrorist, Rahami said. Two years earlier, Rahami told NBC, he had contacted the FBI about his sons activities, but the FBI closed the investigation after two months. A spokeswoman for the FBI said in a statement that in August 2014, the FBI initiated an assessment of Rahimi based on comments made by his father after a domestic dispute. Advertisement The FBI conducted extensive internal database reviews, interagency checks, and multiple interviews, none of which revealed ties to terrorism, the statement said. In court before Berman delivered his sentence Tuesday, Rahimi, who was wearing blue prison garb and a white skullcap, described how he grew up the son of hardworking parents who never espoused terrorist ideology at home. My dad throughout his entire life tried to give us what he missed out on, he said, his father sitting in a back row in the courtroom. Rahimi said that he integrated comfortably into American society while growing up, but was later targeted by the FBI and other law enforcement for questioning at airports. Advertisement What red flag did I throw up, other than wearing a Muslim attire? he said. Rahimi vigorously denied allegations by prosecutors that he had tried to spread terrorist propaganda while in federal custody. Assistant U.S. Atty. Shawn Crowley said in court that Rahimis statement that he bore no one hate was ridiculous. Everything that he has done since September 2016 and well before that was fueled by hate, she said. Advertisement Berman said that he could understand that Rahimi might have grievances with how he was treated, but that they did not justify his actions. Innocent people on a Saturday night on 23rd Street.... Its inexplicable that anyone would do that intentionally, but its clear from the evidence and the record that you did, he said. Berman said he imposed the sentence because of the severity of Rahimis crimes, his history of scheming and extensively preparing to try to kill innocent people, and the principle of deterrence. One thing that a life sentence does is to make sure that you cant do it again, he said. Advertisement After he read the sentence, Berman asked whether any of the victims present for whom he had delayed the start of proceedings Tuesday wished to speak. One did. Pauline Nelson, 48, was driving on West 23rd Street in Manhattan on the night one of the bombs planted by Rahimi went off there. The Trinidad native and single mom said she didnt tell her youngest child that she was in court Tuesday because the memory of that night was still raw. Im all they have, she said of her four children, ages 17 to 29. You never apologized to no one in the courtroom. God forgive you, thats all I have to tell you. Advertisement nina.agrawal@latimes.com Twitter: @AgrawalNina UPDATES: 5:35 p.m.: This article was updated with additional background and remarks from the court proceedings. Advertisement 12:30 p.m.: This article was updated with a reference to additional charges. This article was originally published at 12:25 p.m. The Trump administration on Monday proposed a defense budget of $716 billion for fiscal 2019, part of an ambitious effort to substantially boost Pentagon spending after years of tight budget limits and refocus the military on countering Russia and China. The budget blueprint, combined with a defense boost that Congress approved last week, would increase Pentagon accounts for weapons, troops, training and for nuclear arms programs run by the Energy Department by more than $74 billion, a 10% increase over current spending levels. The budget is what we need to bring us back to a position of primacy, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis told reporters on a flight to Rome late Sunday, citing plans to buy more F-18 fighters, train more Air Force mechanics, and create new cyberwarfare units as examples of how the money will be spent. Trumps budget plan was released weeks after the Pentagon issued a national security strategy that called for a shift away from battling terrorist groups, such as Al Qaeda and Islamic State, and retooling the military to deter and, if necessary, fight nuclear-armed adversaries such as Russia, China or North Korea. Advertisement Though President Trump has frequently called for improving relations with Moscow and enlisting Beijing to put diplomatic pressure on North Korea, Pentagon officials are far more explicit about what they claim is a growing threat from Russia and China to U.S. allies in Europe and Asia. It is increasingly apparent that China and Russia want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian values, Undersecretary of Defense David L. Norquist said Monday at a Pentagon news briefing. We recognize that, if unaddressed, our eroding U.S. military advantage versus China and Russia could undermine our ability to deter aggression and coercion in key strategic regions. The call for a substantial increase in defense spending also comes months after two Navy guided-missile destroyers collided with civilian cargo ships in the western Pacific, killing 17 sailors. The accidents galvanized concerns by lawmakers and at the top levels of the Pentagon that congressional-mandated spending caps since 2011 had harmed readiness and training in the armed services. Pentagon officials long have complained that the spending caps had left some combat units unprepared to fight and had delayed maintenance on crucial equipment while the military was still engaged in conflicts around the globe. With the spending caps lifted at least for the next two years, most major Pentagon accounts would receive budget increases. The money would go for more training, more interceptors for ballistic missile defense, new missile-carrying submarines, a planned new bomber, and modernization of aging nuclear warheads. The increase in defense spending that lawmakers approved last week went beyond what the White House had initially sought $603 billion for the base Pentagon budget, with another $65 billion for war-related costs. Its a big jump for fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2019 compared to where we are, said Todd Harrison, a defense budget specialist at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a nonpartisan think tank. In broad terms, the new budget proposal recommends $617 billion for the base Pentagon budget and $69 billion more for the wars in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and other ongoing military operations. Advertisement Another $30 billion would go to the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Energy Department agency that oversees nuclear weapons research. Thats an increase of $1.69 billion for weapons activities, including upgrading and building new nuclear warheads. Trumps proposal now goes to Congress, which is likely to adjust some specifics. The overall spending levels were worked out, however, in an ambitious two-year budget deal reached last Friday with congressional leaders from both parties. Among the most expensive proposals would increase the size of the active-duty armed forces by 25,900 by next year and by 56,600 by 2023. The active-duty Army would expand the most, going from a 2018 authorized level of 476,000 to 495,500 over the next six years. By 2023, the Navy would increase by 16,900, the Marine Corps by 1,400, and the Air Force by 13,700, increasing the active-duty military to 1,365,500. Advertisement The number of Air Force combat squadrons would increase from 55 to 58 by 2023. Personnel increases are costly because they include benefits and salary, as well as the costs of training and equipping new service members. Even those increases do not restore the military to the force it was at the height of the Iraq war in 2009, when total active-duty strength was 1.4 million. Despite the spending hike, the increase is not likely to relieve pressure on many parts of the armed forces anytime soon, Harrison said. It takes years to recruit and train new forces, and although Pentagon officials want to refocus on preparing for war against other major powers, U.S. forces are still deployed in substantial numbers in Afghanistan, Iraq and other hot spots fighting insurgents and other unconventional foes. Advertisement Our forces are overstretched because of the current operational tempo, and its not a budget issue. Its a strategy issue, Harrison said. Thats something the [Defense] department hasnt really grappled with. Missile-defense batteries at Ft. Greely, Alaska, and at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Santa Barbara County would gain up to 44 more interceptor missiles, a move that comes in response to North Koreas development of ballistic missiles with the range to strike the continental United States. The Pentagon would spend $48.9 billion in Afghanistan, nearly $2 billion more than last year, while the fight against Islamic State in Iraq and Syrian would receive $15.3 billion, an increase of $2.3 billion over last year. The proposal also includes $6.5 billion to place more tanks, armored vehicles and other combat equipment in Europe, part of a Pentagon plan to reassure allies nervous about Russian military aggressiveness in central Europe. Advertisement Trump has asked the Pentagon to develop options for a major military parade in Washington this year, similar to one he watched last year in Paris that included French tanks, missiles and troops. The administration budget proposal does not clearly set aside money for moving those forces to the capital. david.cloud@latimes.com Twitter: @davidcloudLAT When West Virginia Police Officer Stephen Mader responded to a domestic disturbance call at the Weirton home of Ronald Williams in May 2016, he found Williams standing distraught in his driveway. Williams, 23, gripped a handgun and pleaded with the officer to fire his gun at him. Just shoot me, just shoot me, Williams told Mader, according to a police report. Mader, a Marine who served in Afghanistan, paused. He urged Williams to put the gun down, but Williams did not. Mader, nevertheless, did not consider deadly force necessary, seeing Williams as a danger only to himself. Advertisement Within a few minutes, two additional officers arrived on the scene. Williams raised the gun and one of the officers not Mader fired four times. Williams was fatally struck in the head. The shooting occurred amid a national debate about deadly use of force by police and a number of cases involving officers fatally shooting black men. Williams was black. In the weeks after the incident, Mader, who had been a member of the Weirton Police Department for less than a year when the Williams shooting happened, was placed on probation, and eventually fired. The officer who shot Williams was not disciplined. Months later, Mader filed a lawsuit in federal court against the city, saying that he lost his job for declining to discharge his weapon during the encounter with Williams. On Monday, Maders lawyers announced he had reached a settlement with the city of Weirton in the wrongful-termination lawsuit. Under the terms of the settlement, Weirton, near the Pennsylvania border about 35 miles west of Pittsburgh, agreed to pay the former officer $175,000. No police officer should ever lose their job for choosing to talk to, rather than shoot, a fellow citizen, said Timothy OBrien, who, along with the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia, represented Mader. His decision to attempt to de-escalate the situation should have been praised, not punished. Simply put, no police officer should ever feel forced to take a life unnecessarily to save his career. At the time of his firing, officials from Weirton said Maders actions in his encounter with Williams, along with a pair of other incidents in which he allegedly searched vehicles without a warrant, led to his dismissal from the department. Weirton officials did not respond Monday to a request for comment about the settlement. Advertisement In recent weeks, several police officers have been killed in the line of duty. Since New Years Eve, three Colorado law enforcement officers have been shot and killed in separate incidents. In one of those incidents, last week, a officer in Colorado Springs, Colo., was shot and killed responding to a call of a stolen vehicle. On Saturday, two police officers in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio, were killed when they arrived at a residence where someone had called 911 and hung up. Their deaths drew condolences from President Trump, who called the incident a true tragedy. Maria Haberfeld, a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, said there is no standard protocol regarding use of force. Advertisement Each department had its own protocol , which should be part of their standard operating procedures. In general, all the standard operating procedures are guidelines and recommendations and are not mandatory, leaving the officer much discretion, Haberfeld said. If the officer didnt feel that his or others life was in danger, then he was absolutely within his rights to decide not to shoot. She added: Ultimately, it is always about the officers perception of danger. An officers perception of danger has been subjected to intense scrutiny in recent years, especially with readily available body-camera footage and bystanders with cellphone cameras. In December, a former Mesa, Ariz., police officer was found not guilty of second-degree murder after he shot an unarmed man crouched in the hallway of a La Quinta Inns & Suites. Body-camera footage showed the officer, Philip Brailsford, shooting 26-year-old Daniel Shaver, who was white, with an AR-15 rifle. Advertisement Please do not shoot me, Shaver, on his hands and knees, said as he crouched in a hotel hallway moments before the shooting. Brailsford testified that he feared for his life. The jury also found Brailsford not guilty of a lesser charge of reckless manslaughter. Several other high-profile shootings in which use of force has been criticized by activists have involved police officers shooting unarmed black men. In May, an Oklahoma jury acquitted an officer who shot and killed Terence Crutcher as he stood with his hands above his head along a rural highway. Advertisement In June, a Minnesota jury acquitted the officer who killed Philando Castile during a traffic stop, which was live-streamed on Facebook by his girlfriend. That same month, an Ohio judge declared a mistrial after jurors deadlocked, unable to agree on whether to convict a former University of Cincinnati police officer who killed Samuel DuBose in an incident captured on a body camera. Mader, who since being fired from the Weirton Police Department has worked as a truck driver, said hes relieved the case is over. At the end of the day, Im happy to put this chapter of my life to bed, he said in a statement released through his attorneys. My hope is that no other person on either end of a police call has to go through this again. kurtis.lee@latimes.com Advertisement Twitter: @kurtisalee A judge awarded $6.7 million Monday to graffiti artists who sued after dozens of spray-paintings were destroyed on the walls of dilapidated New York warehouse buildings torn down to make room for high-rise luxury residences. U.S. District Judge Frederic Block in Brooklyn said 45 of the 49 paintings were recognized works of art wrongfully and willfully destroyed by a remorseless landlord. Twenty-one aerosol artists had sued the owner of a Long Island City site known as 5Pointz under the Visual Rights Act, a 1990 federal law that protects artists rights even if someone else owns the physical artwork. Their graffiti was painted over in 2013, and the buildings were torn down a year later. Before they vanished, the graffiti artworks became a tourist attraction, drawing thousands of spectators daily and forming a backdrop to the 2013 movie Now You See Me, and a site for an Usher tour, the judge noted. Advertisement All the while, the crime-ridden neighborhood gradually improved and it became the worlds largest collection of quality outdoor aerosol art, though a system set up by the artists meant some paintings were temporary while others were given permanent status, Block wrote. The ruling followed a three-week trial in November, when Block said the respectful, articulate and credible artists testified about striking technical and artistic mastery and vision worthy of display in prominent museums if not on the walls of 5Pointz. He noted one artist came from London, another from rural West Virginia, while others were products of prestigious art schools. Some were self-taught. He said he was impressed with the breadth of the artists works and how many works spoke to the social issues of our times. Jerry Wolkoff, who owned the buildings, had conceded he allowed the spray-paint artists to use the buildings as a canvas for decades but said they always knew they would be torn down someday. His lawyer, David Ebert, did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. The artists had once hoped to buy the properties, before their value soared to over $200 million. Block said he hoped the award would give teeth to a federal law that should have kept Wolkoff from demolishing them for at least 10 months, when he had all his permits. Artists then could have easily rescued some paintings from siding, plywood or sheet-rock before the rollers, spray machines and buckets of white paint arrived. Advertisement Wolkoff has been singularly unrepentant. He was given multiple opportunities to admit the whitewashing was a mistake, show remorse, or suggest he would do things differently if he had another chance, Block said. Wolkoff could care less. As he callously testified, the judge said. The sloppy, half-hearted nature of the whitewashing left the works easily visible under thin layers of cheap, white paint, reminding the plaintiffs on a daily basis what had happened. The mutilated works were visible by millions of people on the passing 7 train. Until now, President Trump has remained understandably, if uncharacteristically, silent about the most important cultural shift of the moment, #MeToo. Thats probably because hes been #MeTooed along with scores of other powerful men, and a few women. About 20 women have accused Trump of sexual misconduct of one sort or another dating back for decades and theres audio of him bragging to Access Hollywood about grabbing women by the pussy. What could Trump say with a straight face on the subject that wouldnt sound self-serving, insincere or creepy? But this time, he just couldnt help himself. On Saturday, he finally broke down and took an apparent swipe at #MeToo. Peoples lives are being shattered and destroyed by a mere allegation, he tweeted. He doesnt say which shattered lives hes talking about but the rest of his tweet makes it clear his chief concern is not for the victims of sexual harassment, but rather for the people accused of victimizing them. There is no recovery for someone falsely accused life and career are gone. Is there no such thing any longer as Due Process? It seemed maybe Trump was talking about his aide Rob Porter, who quit a few days earlier, after his two ex-wives accused him of domestic abuse. But later, Trumps budget director Mick Mulvaney said that his boss was probably referring to Steve Wynn, the casino mogul who stepped down recently as Republican National Committee finance chair after the Wall Street Journal reported that dozens of people said Wynn sexually harassed female employees over the course of decades. (Hmm, a billionaire businessman. Accused of sexual misconduct with multiple women over the course of decades. Denies the accusations. That may have hit close to home.) Yes, due process is certainly an issue. People shouldnt be punished on the basis of unproven allegations and, of course, whatever punishments are ultimately meted out should be appropriate to the offense. But Trump is the last person on earth to be making that case. He has shown time and again that he doesnt much care about the concept of innocent until proven guilty if it conflicts with his opinions. And his opinions tend to run along partisan lines. Indeed, Trump was gleeful when Democratic Sen. Al Franken was ousted from his job, even while he was urging voters in Alabama to support Roy Moore, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, who had been accused of molesting teenage girls. Advertisement The classic example of Trumps lack of concern for due process is the case of the Central Park Five African American men accused of raping and beating a white female jogger in 1989. Trump was so moved by this case that he used nearly $100,000 of his fortune to buy ads in New York City newspapers calling for a return of the death penalty in New York. In the ad he suggested that the five African American young men accused of the crime were murderers who should be executed all of this before the trial had even begun. Thats how much our president cared about due process. Trump continues to claim that the five men are guilty even though the justice system exonerated them more than 15 years ago. It would be fantastic to have someone in the White House who had the moral authority to guide the country through this tricky period, in which sexual harassment is finally beginning to be taken with the seriousness it has always deserved. Americans rely on their presidents to help set the tone of the national conversation. In this case, though, given his evident hypocrisy and his own personal history, Trump is probably better off keeping quiet. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Its Infrastructure Week (again) and who among us can contain his excitement? The president, for one. According to reports, President Trump wanted to announce the biggest investment in public works since President Eisenhower unveiled the interstate highway system. But in the wake of tax cuts, the real deficit was too big to close what he calls the infrastructure deficit. So he had to settle for a plan that would spend $200 billion in federal taxpayer money over the next decade and lay the rest of the $1.5 trillion on state and local taxpayers. It almost surely wont fly. Many states are as broke as the federal government and they cant print money. Advertisement In his Big Building, Big Spending ambitions, Trump is at his most conventional. Politicians, as transportation expert Randal OToole puts it, have a deep-seated bias in favor of ribbon-cutting over brooms. They just love wielding a giant pair of scissors to cut a shiny ribbon on a new project. You can put your name on a new tunnel or bridge. Its harder to take credit for fixing an existing one. Even Trumps insistence that our infrastructure is crumbling is among the most enduring cliches of American politics. A search of LexisNexis shows that Americas infrastructure has been crumbling since the late 1970s. And its simply not true. The most recent data is from 2012, when President Obama was insisting our infrastructure was crumbling. At that time, 80% of our highways were in acceptable shape or better. Nearly 97% of rural roads met that grade. Bridge failures in Washington State in 2013 and Minnesota in 2007 were greeted as symbolic proof of systemic disrepair. But the Washington State bridge collapsed because a truck driver carrying an oversized load ignored posted warnings. It would have collapsed if it had been brand new. And the Minnesota issue was the result of a construction defect. Many states are as broke as the federal government and they cant print money. Meanwhile, the conditions of our bridges have been improving consistently for the last two decades. Of course some American infrastructure could use updating. The problem, however, isnt under-investment. In 2014, according to the Congressional Budget Office, federal state and local governments spent $416 billion on infrastructure. The real problem is that we dont spend money on the right problems. A recent expose by the New York Times showed that politicians and the unions that own them are to blame for the Big Apples deteriorating subway system. For years theyve raided transportation funds for pet projects, like failing upstate ski resorts. Advertisement Beyond New York, a perfect storm of ribbon-cutting fetishizing, environmentalism and envy of other countries has led to high-speed rail mania. Although zippy trains are nifty, they zoom past the fact America has the best rail system for our needs. In Europe, trucks move goods and trains move people. In America, we do it the other way around. Trumps proposal does include a few worthwhile ambitions, like streamlining the approval process for public works and improving incentives to come in under budget. After the 1994 Northridge earthquake, then-California Gov. Pete Wilson used his emergency powers to bypass the usual red tape and unionized extortion that drive up costs and string out construction time. Experts thought it would take two years to fix the Santa Monica Freeway. Wilson offered contractors huge cash bonuses to meet tight deadlines. The repairs were completed in just over two months. The Trump plan, however, would leave it to Congress to figure out how to de-boondoggle-ize infrastructure projects, which is not a cause for optimism. Advertisement Trump sees infrastructure investment pretty much the same way Democrats do, a jobs program. That doesnt work either (See: Japan). But if hed begun his presidency with building as his top priority, he would have won a lot of bipartisan support and turned the GOP into a big-government party much sooner. Alas or, depending on your point of view, lucky break he spent his capital, political and fiscal, elsewhere. And now theres none left for the riot of ribbon-cutting he wanted. jgoldberg@latimescolumnists.com Advertisement Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook To the editor: As I drove the 14 and 395 Freeways to Mammoth Lakes recently, I thought that while I did not like to look at so many electricity-generating windmills on the landscape, we need renewable energy and the infrastructure that creates it must go somewhere. So theres a difference between windmills in the desert and the proposed 63-mile freeway that would connect Palmdale and Lancaster to Victorville, Apple Valley and Adelanto. (L.A. County set to build its first new freeway in 25 years, despite many misgivings, Feb. 10) The freeway will permanently scar the landscape and obliterate some of the last available open space in Los Angeles County. Massive new developments will accompany the freeway, creating a second San Fernando Valley in the desert. The highway developers are moving forward with a highly flawed environmental impact report that fails to address what will happen to endangered animals in the high desert or our iconic Joshua trees. This is totally unacceptable. Advertisement I thought California had matured to the point where we can develop transportation and housing projects and also protect the environment at the same time. To keep California golden, we must reject this destructive project. Belinda Faustinos, Rosemead The writer is executive director of the group Nature for All and the former head of the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy. .. To the editor: They have got to be kidding! At the same time as the California Air Resources Board is holding SB 375 hearings on how California can meet its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the state 40% by 2030 (transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, by the way), this new toll highway proposal is being touted to relieve anticipated traffic congestion from the very sprawl development that it itself would bring into the Antelope Valley. Darrell Clarke, Pasadena The writer is transportation chair of the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter. Advertisement Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook. 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Even as it is consumed by political fallout from Russias meddling in the 2016 election, Washington is still struggling to respond to what many officials see as an imminent national security threat: a network of voting systems alarmingly vulnerable to foreign attack. As hackers abroad plot increasingly brazen and sophisticated assaults, the United States creaky polling stations and outdated voter registration technology are not up to the task of fighting them off, according to elections officials and independent experts. Senior national security officials have repeatedly said that the United States should prepare for more foreign efforts to interfere with elections. On Tuesday, President Trumps top intelligence advisor warned a Senate committee that Russia is moving to build on its earlier efforts to interfere with U.S. elections, which included a sustained campaign of propaganda and the unleashing of cyberoperatives. There should be no doubt that Russia perceives its past efforts as successful and views the 2018 U.S. midterm elections as a potential target, said Dan Coats, the director of national intelligence. The administrations top national security officials have all warned about the Russian threat, although Trump, himself, continues to minimize it. Advertisement Elections officials are daunted by the challenge of fortifying their defenses. Many still use outdated software that has fewer security protections than a decade-old cellphone. Millions of Americans vote on easily corruptible machines that provide no paper trail an essential component for auditors to verify that tampering did not take place, experts say. Although no evidence has surfaced to indicate that Russian hackers succeeded in directly tinkering with votes in 2016 as opposed to propaganda efforts aimed at swaying public opinion experts warn that the United States cant count on that holding true next time. Are we going to be prepared to prevent something more egregious from happening? said David Salvo, a resident fellow at the Alliance for Securing Democracy, a bipartisan initiative guided by some of the nations top national security experts. Were all a little skeptical. Congress has so far balked at providing resources to upgrade voting systems, despite the urging of some of the nations most influential national security voices. Many states are too broke to take up the slack. The lumbering bureaucracies charged with inoculating elections against attack dont always talk to one another. Department of Homeland Security officials remain reluctant to share intelligence tips with the espionage neophytes on local elections boards. They will say, We may have information, but if you dont have proper clearance, we cant share it, said California Secretary of State Alex Padilla. Well, lets do something about it. I wish the federal government would realize the magnitude and scope of these threats and act on them, he said. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats speaks at a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing on Tuesday. He warned that Russians will continue to try to influence U.S. campaigns. (Andrew Harnik / Associated Press ) Anxiety about the risk is shared at the highest levels of government. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson recently expressed doubt that the United States is any better prepared to deal with foreign election meddling now than it was two years ago. A bipartisan letter signed by a former Homeland Security secretary, CIA director and House Intelligence Committee chair warned that failure to help local elections boards upgrade their equipment could have catastrophic consequences. Advertisement The warnings come as 500 elections officials in 41 states reported in a new survey by the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law School that the voting systems they use are more than a decade old. Many of them agree that the machines need replacing, but reported they dont have the money to do it. Were cannibalizing [voting] booths that no longer function to pull parts, said Neal Kelley, the Orange County registrar of voters. Kelley said he never imagined when he took the job 14 years ago that fighting off Russian hackers would become a central part of his duties. This is absolutely top of mind for us, he said. At least Orange County, like all other jurisdictions in California, keeps a paper trail of votes that can be audited. Cybersecurity experts say paper if audited properly is ultimately the best defense against hackers. Roughly one in five voters in the United States casts a ballot with no such backup. How vulnerable our elections are to tampering is a matter of dispute. Elections officials tell a concerning story. Cybersecurity experts and white hat hackers who have probed the machines offer an even more worrisome account. Advertisement Follow live coverage of the Trump administration on Essential Washington When hackers were unleashed on 30 different voting systems at the DEF CON 25 conference in Las Vegas over the summer, every single one was penetrated. Some within minutes. In one case, a 16-year-old acting alone was able to hack into a machine in less than an hour. Some machines were compromised without a trace of evidence left behind. These systems are uniformly vulnerable, said Jeremy Epstein, deputy division director for computer and network systems research at the National Science Foundation. Any cybersecurity expert would come to that conclusion, he said in an interview, offering his personal view, not speaking for the agency. While Homeland Security has taken encouraging steps to confront the risk sending teams to election districts to conduct security scans and sharing more intelligence information with the states anyone who thinks that is enough is not looking close enough, he said. Advertisement Imagine hiring someone to see how resistant your house was to burglars, and they just twisted the front doorknob to make sure it was locked, he added, offering an analogy for the lack of thoroughness of the security tests currently being done. Homeland Security officials say the security training sessions and assessments they conduct are having a big impact, and new channels of communication have been opened to share threat alerts with local elections supervisors, department officials said. There is no question we are making real and meaningful progress, said a statement from Jeanette Manfra, assistant secretary for the Office of Cybersecurity and Communications at the DHS. The governments Elections Assistance Commission has been moving aggressively to make local officials aware of the severity of the threat, prepare them to confront it and increase their access to federal intelligence. It has encouraged local officials to take part in election war games run by Harvards Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, which simulate a foreign cyberattack and require officials to figure out how to keep election day from melting down. Advertisement Its a stressful exercise. Participants are confronted with the prospect of their decisions leading to mass protest, aggravated by a concurrent social media propaganda campaign launched by the hackers. Elections officials increasingly find themselves in a job they never signed up for: information technology managers tasked with protecting some of the most sensitive computer systems in the world. Yet they dont have the defenses of a major retailer such as Target or a financial institution such as Citigroup and even those operations are getting breached. The state of Virginia got so spooked by what happened at DEF CON that, just nine weeks before its statewide elections in November, it directed all 22 voting districts to abandon the paperless electronic voting machines they had secured for the election and immediately shift to other systems. Pennsylvania announced this month it is also moving in that direction. The pushback that some local voting officials gave to the Department of Elections in Virginia confirmed for computer scientists that too many still dont understand the degree of risk they face. Local officials insisted their systems were safe because they were not connected to the internet, or that they could be protected from intruders by wrapping them with tamper-proof tape. Hackers have shown repeatedly that such defenses are easy to penetrate. Advertisement A seasoned actor that can do this is not even touching the machine, said James Scott, a senior fellow at the Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology, a Washington nonprofit that is advising lawmakers on the cyberthreat. The vulnerabilities are there to manipulate these machines. A fix does exist, Scott said: Congress could provide money for new voting machines and mandate they produce a paper trail that is randomly audited, steps called for in several bipartisan measures that have been introduced but not acted on, such as the Secure Elections Act that California Sen. Kamala Harris and other senators are championing. All such proposals come with a price tag of hundreds of millions of dollars and neither the administration nor Congress has made that a priority. Even national security experts who are skeptical that foreign operatives could stealthily change vote counts express deep concern. I dont know if they are aiming to change outcomes, but they dont need to, said David Becker executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research. Merely poking around an election system is enough to shake the faith of voters, he said. Advertisement Some Illinois voters remain rattled by the breach of their voter registration system before the 2016 election. At least 20 other states were also targeted, leaving voters to worry that even the blips election officials routinely confront like a system error that delayed vote counting in Durham, N.C., during the last presidential election is the work of hackers. Just the fact that they are interfering is having a tremendous impact, Becker said. People are doubting whether they can trust their elections systems. evan.halper@latimes.com Follow me: @evanhalper Advertisement UPDATES: Feb. 14, 12:05 p.m.: This article was updated with information about the Secure Elections Act. This article was originally published Feb. 13 at 12:55 p.m. 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Watch Live: White House holds surprise news briefing amid government shutdown Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Watch live: Vice President Pence and lawmakers honor George H.W. Bush at the U.S. Capitol before he lies in state Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Watch live: White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders holds a media briefing amid tensions at the border By Los Angeles Times Staff Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 As the Senate opened a much-anticipated immigration debate Monday, lawmakers may be embarking on something rarely attempted anymore in Congress: openly and collaboratively legislating. Not in several years has there been a freewheeling process to draft and vote on important legislation. In the increasingly partisan climate, bills are typically crafted behind doors and either accepted or rejected, as seen in the GOPs recent tax-cut plan or the ill-fated attempts to repeal Obamacare. But that is not what is expected at least not so far when the Senate tries to strike a compromise to protect young Dreamers from deportation while beefing up border security and making other immigration changes. The fair and open debate promised by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) may resemble the last big attempt at an immigration overhaul in 2013. That process lasted months. Advertisement Now it is time to back up this talk with the hard work of finding a workable solution, McConnell said Monday. I hope this body can seize this opportunity and deliver real progress. Hanging in the balance are the livelihoods of nearly 700,000 young immigrants, who have been in the country illegally since childhood. President Trump is ending the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which offered them temporary permits to live and work in the U.S. McConnell was pressured to open the process as a concession to Democrats to end last months government shutdown. But even as of Monday evening, some were worried the collaborative process might be short-lived. Republican leaders said they would try to limit debate to about a week. And despite his assurances, McConnell quickly put his thumb on the scale by announcing his support for a Republican-backed bill that reflects Trumps preferred approach. It would provide Dreamers a decade-long path to citizenship, but also include $25 billion for border security and limits to future legal immigration by capping family visas and ending the diversity lottery. Its our best chance to produce a solution that can actually resolve these matters, McConnell said, reminding senators that any bill would also need approval by the GOP-led House. It has my support. Immigration advocates argue that the Republican limits on legal immigration are too high a price to pay. Congressional leaders often promise open debates only to quickly run into the political and procedural constraints that arise when lawmakers capitalize on the opportunity to force votes on particular issues, often designed to push their colleagues into politically difficult decisions. Advertisement Those poison pill-type amendments used to be rare, but the late Sen. Jesse Helms, a Republican from North Carolina, popularized their use in the 1970s. That led leaders to increasingly limit debate and restrict the ability to offer amendments. McConnell faced the same dilemma when he became majority leader in 2015 and oversaw debate on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. He won praise for the unusually open process. After that, though, the Senate reverted to a more structured and partisan consideration of major bills. Open debates and regular order used to be run-of-the-mill, former U.S. Senate historian Don Ritchie said in an email. It was the way everything got done on a normal basis. These days they are rare occurrences. Democrats see the proceeding as a chance for Congress to lead as Trump gives conflicting signals over what to do on immigration. Advertisement The purpose here is not to make a point, said Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.). The purpose is to get something done. Though Republicans hold a 51-seat majority, most legislation requires 60 votes to avoid a Senate filibuster, meaning theyll need Democratic support for passage. Trump set the debate in motion when he announced last fall that he was ending the DACA program, giving Congress a March 5 deadline to devise a legislative fix. A court case has kept the program running for now. As the debate unfolds, senators are expected to offer a range of proposals from more sweeping measures, like the Trump-designed plan that McConnell supports, to those that more narrowly seek to address the issue. Advertisement One from Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) seeks simply to extend DACA for three years, along with border security funding during that time, buying time while a more lasting solution can be negotiated. I still hold out hope for the mob of moderates in the middle who are working hard for compromise, said Ali Noorani, executive director at the National Immigration Forum, referring to the bipartisan Common Sense Coalition, led by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine). Coalition members were in talks all weekend to try to build a consensus bill. The process, as unconventional as it is, I would argue has a chance to get to the right outcomes, he said. On Monday, senators took a procedural step to begin debate, utilizing a shell bill that will carry various proposals being brought up as amendments. Advertisement Senators have not decided which amendments will be offered first, but some expect the more expansive proposals, like the Republican effort proposed by Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), which McConnell supports, will be among those considered earliest. Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) may offer the so-called Dream Act, the latest version of the nearly 20-year-old proposal to provide the young immigrants a path to legal status and citizenship. Or he may offer the bipartisan bill that he and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) developed that included Trumps border security funds but was rejected by the White House as insufficient. The number of amendments will not be infinite, as McConnell fills the tree, Senate parlance for limiting the number of amendments each side will be able to offer as branches of the main bill. Michael Crespin, a political science professor and director of the Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center at the University of Oklahoma, doubts the immigration debate unfolding this week will become the Senate norm again. Advertisement I think this is a one-off, Crespin said. I dont see an open amendment process any time in the future. lisa.mascaro@latimes.com @LisaMascaro ALSO Advertisement Congress will try again on immigration reform but will this time be different? Trump is transforming the GOP against legal immigration. Will Congress follow? Is this small-town congressman from New Mexico tough enough to win Democrats the House majority? Advertisement More coverage of Congress More coverage of politics and the White House Its a new class of antibiotic that promises to live up to its rough Latin translation: killer of bad guys. In a report published this week in the journal Nature Microbiology, researchers describe a never-before-seen antibiotic agent that vanquished several strains of multidrug-resistant bacteria. In rats, the agent which the researchers dubbed malacidin attacked and broke down the cell walls of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and cleared the animals MRSA skin infections within a day. Malacidin is short for metagenomic acidic lipopeptide antibiotic-cidins. (Also, mal means bad in Latin, and cide means to kill.) It is a distant relative of daptomycin, a powerful antibiotic that uses calcium to disrupt bacterial cell walls. Malacidin appears to work differently than daptomycin, which was introduced in 2003 and has yet to be challenged by resistant bacteria. But scientists have reason to believe it will hold up at least as well. Even after 20 days of continued contact with malacidin more than enough time for most bacteria to find a way to thwart an antibiotics effects samples of MRSA bacteria showed no signs of evolving resistance to the newly discovered agent. Advertisement Not bad for a compound thats been hiding in soil for eons. Indeed, the method used by researchers to find and develop malacidin holds the promise of discovering many more potential medicines that live in soil but whose antibiotic properties elude researchers because they cant be cultured in a lab. The discovery of a new class of antibiotic medication would be a red-letter event: Researchers havent brought forth a truly new antimicrobial medication since 1987. But an even more singular event would be the discovery of a new class of antibiotics that doesnt prompt the development of resistant strains of bacteria. Ever since the mid-1940s, after penicillin was discovered by microbiologist Alexander Fleming and rushed into development, the introduction of new antibiotics has quickly given rise to disease-causing bacteria capable of eluding their effects. As a result, many of the workhorses of the world of antibiotics members of the penicillin, cephalosporin and carbapenem classes are losing their ability to fight a lengthening list of bacterial diseases. The result has been called a slow catastrophe: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that each year, at least 23,000 people now die as a direct result of bacterial infections that have become resistant to existing medicines. And many more die from other conditions that were complicated by an antibiotic-resistant infection. Unless new antibacterial agents are discovered and turned into medicines, mortality rates due to untreatable infections are predicted to rise more than tenfold by 2050. Advertisement This is where malacidin becomes most interesting. More remarkable than what it does is how scientists found it, and that process is described at some length in the new report. The result could be new discoveries, and a new way of sifting the soil for compounds that might make good medicine. Chemical biologist Sean Brady and his colleagues at Rockefeller University in New York sequenced bacterial DNA extracted from 2,000 soil samples taken from across the United States. Bradys team was looking specifically for distant relatives of daptomycin, which uses calcium to bust up, break down and generally disrupt the cell walls of target bacteria. They knew that long after the effectiveness of other antibiotics has waned, daptomycin continued to kill its targets, and they surmised that its distinctive use of calcium might be the key to an antibiotic compounds longevity. Advertisement They also knew that trying to culture all their soil samples in a lab would take forever, and that most would not replicate themselves under lab conditions anyway. So instead, they used high-speed computer processing to screen the soil samples for the distinctive chemical hallmark of calcium dependence. When they found what they were looking for in a particular sample of desert soil, they captured and cloned the relevant genes, rearranged and inserted them into a host organism, and expanded the resulting sample through fermentation. This process made it possible to test the unique properties of malacidin on MRSA-infected rats. Theyve used a clever approach to mine for antibiotics, said microbiologist Kim Lewis, who directs Northeastern Universitys Antimicrobial Discovery Center and wasnt involved in the work. By narrowing their search for the DNA signature of calcium dependence, they were able to find a needle in a haystack and find a promising compound. Now we need to say, You guys can do even better, Lewis said. Advertisement To demonstrate that their discovery is more than a one-time event, he said, Brady and his team need to identify and screen for additional DNA signatures that may predict potent antibiotic effects, and go after them as well. melissa.healy@latimes.com @LATMelissaHealy MORE IN SCIENCE Advertisement Snooping around in hospital pipes, scientists find DNA that fuels the spread of superbugs What do you see when you put miniature glasses on praying mantises? A new method for robot vision Trifecta of opioids, alcohol and suicide are blamed for the drop in U.S. life expectancy The Royal Night celebration captured all the sights and sounds of a colorful festival in India. It was the 12th anniversary Gala of Ascencia that raised funds to support its mission lifting families and individuals out of homelessness in Burbank, Glendale and surrounding communities. Having the event at the Globe Theatre in Universal Studios Hollywood added to the pageantry. The gala committee, led by chair Mia Lee, succeeded in creating an exciting evening, starting with an outdoor bazaar. More Burbank supporters are, from left, Kellie Bertain, Richard Bertain, Ascencia board member Terry Walker and councilman Bob Frutos. (Joyce Rudolph / Burbank Leader ) Waiters passed skewered hors doeuvres, while a sitar player plucked mesmerizing melodies and a henna artist painted designs on guests wrists. A few chose to dress in draped garments or saris, including Ascencias executive director Natalie Profant Komuro. All of the guests then followed a dhol player into the theaters Royal Hall for an Indian fusion dinner inspired by Wolfgang Puck Catering and program. Debbie Hinckley, president of the board of directors, illustrated the theme well in her magenta sari with sky blue shawl. A search through his closet netted her husband, Bruce, a yellow tie with an elephant pattern. The highlight of the event was the presentation of the Ambassador of Hope Awards, which are presented to an individual or business that has gone above and beyond in providing support for Ascencias mission. Recipients were Steven Nakasone and Shire, a biotechnology firm focused on rare diseases. Representing Burbank, from left, are Barry Gussow, Joan McCarthy, Karen Volpei-Gussow and City Council member Sharon Springer. (Joyce Rudolph / Burbank Leader ) Nakasone, an attorney, is a founding Ascencia board member and served from 2006 to 2017 as vice president. He drafted documents, filed for a name change and handled the merge with the S.H. Ho Hope and Compassion Centers. He also has provided staff with advice on legal and human resources matters. He and his wife, Makiko, have supported Ascencia financially, including contributing to the Advancing Ascencia Capital Campaign. The computer station for clients bears his name. Also honored was Shire, which, after purchasing the Baxter operations in Los Angeles, continued support of Ascencia. Since 2014, 106 Shire employees have volunteered 426 guest chef hours during which they purchase and cook breakfast or dinner for Ascencia shelter residents. Since 2012, Baxter and now Shire have been consistent sponsors of the gala, contributing a cumulative total of $25,000 in the past five years. Celebrating Ascencia are, from left, Dan Ziegler, Board Vice President Paul Brodsky, Mary Brodsky and Tina Ziegler. (Joyce Rudolph / Burbank Leader ) In 2013, Baxter International Foundation awarded a $52,000 Hospital to Home grant. Accepting the award was Abbas Yar-Khan, vice president of manufacturing and site head for Los Angeles. Noon Rotary Club plans first karaoke benefit The Burbank Noon Rotary Club is kicking off its first karaoke night from 6 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 24 at Nickelodeon Studios. There will be a $75 donation to attend and reservation deadline is Feb. 22. For reservations, contact Barry Gussow, chair of the Burbank Rotary Foundation, at (818) 266-9898 or by email at barrygussow@gmail.com, or go to the Burbank Noon Rotary Club Facebook page. Chairing the event is Rotary President Brian Volpei. Proceeds go to the Burbank Noon Rotary Foundation. The club adopted the idea after it was suggested by member Mike Thomas. The club was looking for a unique annual fundraiser because it doesnt have an annual gala. The club wanted to generate more funds to give back to community nonprofits through scholarships and grants, Gussow said. The grants will be presented during an April meeting when the clubs monthly theme will be Giving Back. Young performers sought for Singing Star 2018 Auditions are scheduled on March 3 and 4 for the Burbank Singing Star 2018 competition for children ages 5 to 14. Callbacks will be on March 10. In addition, video auditions are being accepted until March 3. Audition details are available at themusicjunction.com/bss. Burbank Singing Star is an annual fundraiser for local charities produced by the Burbank Noon Kiwanis Club and the Music Junction. This year, proceeds will go to Burbank Unified School Districts music programs. JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com. A sober-living operator struck out at Costa Mesa City Hall on Monday night as the city Planning Commission denied three of its permit requests and delayed a decision on another. With a series of unanimous votes, commissioners rejected applications for conditional use permits that RAW Recovery LLC sought to continue operating sober-living homes with up to 37 residents at 321 and 327 Cabrillo St. and with as many as eight residents at 329 Rochester St. Such permits are required under a city ordinance adopted in 2015. While they raised doubts about whether those facilities are compatible with the surrounding neighborhoods, commissioners said a major reason for their decisions is the citys requirement that group homes, licensed alcohol and drug treatment facilities and sober-living homes which typically house recovering alcoholics and drug addicts be at least 650 feet from one another in residential areas. An existing state-licensed treatment facility is well within that distance of the properties on Cabrillo and Rochester, according to city staff. Though saying sober-living homes can be a vital resource for people battling addiction, Commissioner Isabell Kerins said she thinks theres an been an over-proliferation of such facilities locally and that at the end of the day, we just have to follow the rules. Its a very challenging situation that were dealing with because we want to serve all the residents of Costa Mesa, she said. The commissions decisions Monday are final unless appealed to the City Council within seven days. During the meeting, the operator and some sober-living residents praised the RAW facilities, saying they provide a crucial service and try to be good neighbors. The mission of RAW, which stands for Recovery and Wellness, is to reintegrate those struggling with addiction issues back into society, so our residents work, go to school, volunteer and participate in the community, said David Alexander, the organizations founder. However, nearby residents and property owners painted a different picture. They said the facilities are overcrowded, lack sufficient parking and create problems with noise, crime, litter, secondhand cigarette smoke and other quality-of-life issues. Opponents said Costa Mesa already has more than its fair share of sober-living homes and implored the commission not to allow any that violate the separation standard. I believe my neighborhood is heavily saturated with group homes, heavily saturated with businesses operating in a residential area, Sandy Johnson, who lives near the RAW facilities, wrote in a letter to the commission. I believe we have gone from enough is enough to stop this craziness. Alexander said he understands the publics concerns but that his facilities and residents have been the target of unfair criticism. Its unbelievable to me the type of discrimination we face, he said. I dont even want to bring my residents here [to City Hall]. ... Its sad. It breaks my heart to hear this stuff. His remarks elicited groans from some in the audience. Commissioners delayed ruling on a permit application for a RAW facility housing up to 10 people at 268 Knox St. after receiving conflicting information about whether the property complies with the buffer rule. Originally, city staff said there were no similar facilities within 650 feet. However, several residents told the commission that other sober-living homes are nearby. According to the state Department of Health Care Services website, licensed facilities operated by Safe Harbor Treatment Center for Women Inc. are at 236 and 240 Knox St. Both appear to be close enough to run afoul of the separation requirement. Given that, commissioners decided to delay the item until their Feb. 26 meeting so staff can have more time to research the matter. At the request of staff, commissioners also delayed considering a permit request for a Pacific Shores Recovery sober-living facility with up to 46 residents at 200, 202, 204 and 206 Cabrillo St. until a future meeting. luke.money@latimes.com Twitter @LukeMMoney An ex-Marine was sentenced to three years in prison Friday for choking a 31-year-old man to death in a Glendale apartment two years ago. Jared Kasiewicz received the sentence two years after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter for his part in the Sept. 10, 2015, death of John Michael King-Smith. In April, Kasiewiczs ex-girlfriend Sparkle Soojian was also sentenced to three years in prison for her involvement in King-Smiths death after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter. The pair originally faced murder charges that were subsequently reduced in return for their guilty pleas, according to the Los Angeles County district attorneys office. Court testimony shows King-Smith was an ex-boyfriend of Soojians roommate and had showed up unannounced at their apartment in the 200 block of West Windsor Road on the night of Sept. 10. Soojian soon texted Kasiewicz to come over after an altercation broke out. When he arrived, the former Marine tackled King-Smith and placed him in a choke hold, according to court testimony. He then bound King-Smiths wrists to his feet. According to testimony, Kasiewicz then went to wash off blood he got on himself during the scuffle and told several people at the apartment that he wasnt here. Soojian, the self-described heiress to an Armenian cracker-bread company, then reported to police that King-Smith had broken into the apartment and that neighbors had detained him. Officers soon found King-Smith in medical distress. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Los Angeles County medical examiners office later concluded King-Smith had died from asphyxia and a compressed neck. andy.nguyen@latimes.com Twitter: @Andy_Truc California Teacher of the Year finalist Mandy Redfern, a kindergarten teacher at La Canada Elementary School who advanced through the statewide competition, was in Sacramento Monday for a gala event capping the annual program presented by California Casualty and the California Teachers of the Year Foundation. While in the state capitol, Redfern visited with state Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-La Canada Flintridge), who presented her with a certificate recognizing her achievement, noting as he did so that both of his children attended the same campus Redfern has taught at for several years. Last fall, Redfern, a former president of the La Canada Teachers Assn., was one of 16 teachers out of the countys 72,000 educators to be recognized as a Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year. As the competition progressed, she was named one of 12 finalists for the state honor. Mandy is just an awesome teacher and it was such an honor to see her in Sacramento receiving this recognition. Her hard work and dedication to our district as well as her patience and dedication with helping educate my two daughters, Sofia and Bella makes this recognition even more special, Portantino said in a statement issued Tuesday morning. Five of the finalists were named 2018 Teachers of the Year: Brian McDaniel, Desert Hot Springs; Erin Oxhorn-Gilpin, Castaic; Kirsten Farrell, Los Angeles; Jaime Brown, Santee; and Gregory Gardiner, Huntington Beach. McDaniel was nominated by state Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson as Californias representative in the upcoming National Teacher of the Year competition. These teachers are deeply committed, hardworking and creative, stated Torlakson, in announcing the winners. They help students find their inner strengths and achieve their dreams, while inspiring, challenging and supporting them every day. They represent the best of their profession. carol.cormaci@latimes.com Twitter: @CarolCormaci A judge upheld a British arrest warrant for Julian Assange on Tuesday, saying the WikiLeaks founder should have the courage to come to court and face justice after more than five years inside Ecuadors London embassy. Judge Emma Arbuthnot rejected arguments by Assanges lawyers that it no longer is in the public interest to arrest him for jumping bail in 2012 and seeking shelter in the embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden. Prosecutors there were investigating allegations of sexual assault and rape made by two women, which Assange has denied. Arbuthnot did not mince words in her ruling at Londons Westminster Magistrates Court, saying that by jumping bail, Assange had made a determined attempt to avoid the order of the court. She said Assange appeared to be a man who wants to impose his terms on the course of justice. Advertisement He appears to consider himself above the normal rules of law and wants justice only if it goes in his favor, the judge said, drawing exclamations of dismay from Assange supporters in the public gallery. Assange can seek to appeal, though his lawyers did not immediately say whether he would. Swedish prosecutors dropped their investigation last year, saying there was no prospect of bringing Assange to Sweden in the foreseeable future. But the British warrant for violating bail conditions still stands, and Assange faces arrest if he leaves the embassy. Assanges lawyers had asked for the U.K. warrant to be withdrawn because Sweden no longer wanted him extradited, but the judge rejected their request last week. Assanges attorney had gone on to argue that arresting him is no longer proportionate or in the public interest. Lawyer Mark Summers argued that the Australian was justified in seeking refuge in the embassy because he has a legitimate fear that U.S. authorities want to arrest him for WikiLeaks publication of secret documents. I do not find that Mr. Assanges fears were reasonable, the judge said. If the United States initiates extradition proceedings, Mr. Assange would have the ability to raise any bars to the extradition and challenge the proceedings in a British court, she said. Arbuthnot dismissed another plank of Assanges case a report from a U.N. working group that said the 46-year-old was being arbitrarily detained. Advertisement I give little weight to the views of the working group, the judge said, noting that Assange had restricted his own freedom for a number of years. Assanges lawyer had argued that the five years Assange has spent inside the embassy were adequate, if not severe punishment for his actions, noting that he had health problems, including a frozen shoulder and depression. The judge accepted that Assange had depression and other conditions, but said he was overall in fairly good physical health. Arbuthnot also rejected an argument that Assanges actions had not stalled Swedens legal case because he had offered to be interviewed by Swedish prosecutors at the embassy. Advertisement Assanges legal team said emails recently released after a freedom of information request showed that a British state prosecutor had advised Sweden that it would not be prudent for Sweden to try to interview Mr. Assange in the U.K. The judge said she could not tell from the emails she had seen whether the lawyer who sent them had behaved inappropriately. But she said Assanges failure to surrender has impeded the course of justice. Defendants on bail up and down the country, and requested persons facing extradition, come to court to face the consequences of their own choices, she said. He should have the courage to do so too. The ruling leaves the long legal impasse intact. Apart from the bail-jumping charge for which the maximum sentence is one year in prison Assange suspects that there is a secret U.S. grand jury indictment against him for WikiLeaks publication of classified documents and that American authorities will seek his extradition. Advertisement Assanges lawyers say he is willing to face legal proceedings in Britain, but only if he receives a guarantee that he will not be sent to the U.S. to face prosecution. That is not an assurance Britain is likely to give. The Israeli police have recommended the indictment of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on suspicion of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, casting the future of his government into doubt. The announcement Tuesday came after a yearlong investigation. The decision on whether to prosecute Netanyahu rests with Atty. Gen. Avichai Mandelblit, who is expected to review the findings of the police and make a determination within weeks. Netanyahu, who has dominated Israeli politics for the last decade and is known as an implacable survivor of Israels rough-and-tumble leadership battles, made clear he plans to fight the allegations and has no intention of leaving office. There will be nothing, because theres nothing there, the 68-year-old prime minister said in a televised address Tuesday. With Gods help, he said, he expects to overcome yet another attack from my enemies and be reelected next year. Advertisement Outlining a public career going back three decades, he said that everything he has done has been for the sake of the country, not for cigars from friends and not for improved media coverage, as has been alleged. Following that speech, Miri Regev, the culture minister and a close ally, argued that Netanyahu could remain prime minister even if indicted and advised reporters to take it easy and keep things in proportion. But in a clear sign of the political landscape Netanyahu must now navigate, none of his coalition partners came to his defense. With his Likud party holding only 30 out of 120 parliamentary seats, Netanyahu rules a delicate coalition of 61 legislators. Three senior members of his Cabinet the ministers of defense, finance and education each chair their own political parties and consider themselves possible successors to Netanyahu. The police recommendation Tuesday concerns two cases against the prime minister. In one case, Netanyahu is suspected of offering Arnon Mozes, the publisher of a popular Israeli tabloid, a wide range of improper benefits in exchange for positive coverage. In the other, dubbed Case 1000, he is accused using his position to help several prominent friends, including Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian businessman James Packer, in exchange for Cuban cigars, French champagne and other gifts worth more than $3,000. In that case alone, police said they have 180 witnesses. The police also called for the indictments of Milchan and Mozes, on charges of graft. Both men have denied the allegations. Advertisement The police said the prime minister attempted to double the length of a 10-year tax exemption for expatriate Israelis, a benefit with great economic benefit for Milchan, an Israeli citizen who has spent most of the last two decades in California. Yair Lapid, the finance minister at the time, blocked the proposal as fiscally unsound and not in the interests of the state. Netanyahu fired him in December 2014. In one of its most surprising revelations, the police recommendation said that Lapid was a star witness for the state. Late Tuesday night, Netanyahus coalition whip David Amsalem took to the floor of the parliament to call Lapid a little snitch and accuse the police of attempting to perpetrate a coup. Advertisement Lapid, in a statement, said that when asked by the police, he provided testimony like any law-abiding citizen, and that as finance minister he had resisted political pressure to stop the Milchan law. Israels opposition reacted with jubilation to what it is calling the end of Netanyahu. Labor Party Chairman Avi Gabbay said the Netanyahu era is over, either at the ballot box or through investigations. Tamar Zandberg, a member of the center-left party Meretz, said: Its a sad day for democracy, because another prime minister is going to jail. Advertisement Even if the attorney general decides not to follow the police recommendation, Netanyahus legal problems may not be over. In recent weeks, the police has moved forward in its investigation of another scandal, Case 3000, a controversial $2-billion deal for Israels purchase of German submarines and naval attack vessels. Netanyahu has not been named as a suspect in that case, but his closest circle of associates, including his personal lawyer and cousin David Shimron and his senior advisor Yitzhak Molcho, who are brothers-in-law, have been implicated or are under arrest. The case of Netanyahu could take Israel into uncharted legal territory. Advertisement The Supreme Court has in the past ruled that ministers, who are appointed, cannot retain their posts if indicted, but whether an elected prime minister in that situation would be forced out has never been tested in court. In 2008, then-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert resigned a week after police recommended his indictment on charges of fraud, bribery, breach of trust and money laundering. Olmert was later convicted for misconduct relating to his previous post as mayor of Jerusalem, serving 19 months of a 27-month jail term before his release in 2017. Tarnopolsky is a special correspondent. Advertisement UPDATES: 4:50 p.m.: This article has been extensively updated with details of the police recommendation, reaction and political analysis. 11:50 a.m.: This article was updated with reaction from Netanyahu. 11:10 a.m.: This article was updated with additional information about Netanyahu and the police recommendation. Advertisement This article was originally published at 10:45 a.m. Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday informed the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that he was not accepting the Republicans' redraw of Congressional boundaries in the state. The court recently struck down the 2011 GOP-drawn map as an example of partisan gerrymandering. While the new map, handed in late last week, did present a more compact and orderly look and split up fewer counties, "the analysis by my team shows that, like the 2011 map, the map submitted to my office by Republican leaders is still a gerrymander," Wolf said in a news release. The new map was presented by House Speaker Mike Turzai and Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati and hadn't been through an up-or-down vote in the Legislature. "Tonight we submitted a map to @GovTomWolf," state house Speaker Mike Turzai tweeted Friday. "This map includes only 15 split counties (13 less than the 2011 Plan) and includes only 17 split municipalities (49 less than the 2011 Plan). It is compact and constitutional." The new GOP map put the Lehigh Valley back together in the 15th District. The 17th District, when added, took chunks of Northampton County, including the heavily Democratic city of Easton. Wolf countered that the new map had the same partisan outcome as the old one. "As nonpartisan analysts have already said, their map maintains a similar partisan advantage by employing many of the same unconstitutional tactics present in their 2011 map," Wolf said. The 2011 map led to 13 or the 18 U.S. House District staying in GOP hands through three elections. "Their map clearly seeks to benefit one political party, which is the essence of why the court found the current map to be unconstitutional," Wolf said. Democrats hope a redraw would give the party a better chance of retaking the majority in Congress. Experts -- pointing to the heavy Democratic clustering in the two major city's but a widespread Republican domination in most other places in a state barely won by Donald Trump in 2016 -- don't see the majority of districts switching parties. The state Supreme Court said it would create its own map if the state government was unable to agree on one that met with constitutional standards. The court-directed map, which could arrive as early as Monday, is expected to be used in the May 15 primary. Wolf pointed to several experts who said the newest GOP map was partisan. "Pennsylvania Republicans have drawn a new congressional map that is just as gerrymandered the old one," the Washington Post wrote, in a quote provided by Wolf. The state Supreme Court has one more Democrat than Republican and made its initial ruling along party lines. Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Bangor Borough has never had a convenience store or gas station that has sold alcoholic beverages before. That may soon change. Turkey Hill has asked the borough to grant an intermunicipal liquor license transfer, so it can sell beer and wine at its convenience store and gas station at 893 Market St. Borough council held a public hearing on the application Monday. If council were to approve the license transfer, Turkey Hill would still need approval from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. There are other liquor licenses operating in Bangor but this would be the first that is not at a restaurant, bar or hotel. Since a state liquor reform bill passed in 2016, gas stations with convenience stores have been able to apply for restaurant liquor licenses that limit sales to 192 fluid ounces of beer and 3,000 milliliters, or 3 liters, of wine. Hard liquor sales are not permitted. Turkey Hill representatives said they would place the limit in its stores to two 6-packs of beer and four standard bottles of wine, which would be within the legal limit. State restaurant liquor licenses also require a minimum seating requirement that would accommodate 30 people. Turkey Hill Minit Markets Project Manager Ray Brown said, if approved, the site would perform up to $200,000 in remodeling inside and outside the store to add shelving for the beer and wine and make room for the required seating. Three Bangor residents at the hearing said they do not like the idea that people will be drinking alcohol at the location, especially considering it is across the street from Bangor Veterans Memorial Park, a frequent hang-out for local children. "What's the purpose of having them sit there and drink?" Councilman Robert Engle asked. "Can't they just buy it and leave?" Turkey Hill's lawyer Ellen Freeman said providing the seating is a state requirement, but Turkey Hill's internal company policy is to limit consumption in the seating area to two 12-ounce beers, or one 16-ounce beer. Drinking wine would not be permitted. "We don't want to be a bar," Freeman said. "We don't want to be a nightclub." Freeman also said all employees, including a dedicated alcohol sales manager, would receive state Responsible Alcohol Management Program (RAMP) certification. The training covers issues like properly checking identification and handling people who are visibly intoxicated. Bangor resident Linda Wilson said, considering the proximity to the park, she is concerned that underage people will be buying alcohol. Turkey Hill has a 100 percent carding policy, according to Freeman, which means people of any age would be required to show proper identification to validate they are old enough to buy alcohol. Restaurant liquor licenses require people who sell alcohol to be 18 years old or older. Brown said it is company policy to only hire people at any of their stores who are at least 18 years old. Turkey Hill has 240 stores in Pennsylvania and 20 more in Ohio and Indiana, according to Brown. All the Ohio and Indiana locations sell alcohol and five Pennsylvania stores have begun selling beer and wine. The closest to the Bangor location is on 15th Street in Allentown. Brown said overall sales have increased 24 percent at the locations that sell beer and wine. Turkey Hill will likely continue to seek to acquire liquor licenses at other location in the state, he said. "Convenience stores and grocery stores having alcohol is really a national trend," Freeman said. The Bangor location is open 24/7, however beer and wine sales would be limited from Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m. the following morning. Sunday sales would not begin until 9 a.m. and end at 2 a.m. early Monday morning. Other concerns by the Bangor residents at the hearing involved noise, garbage and possible drunken driving. Bangor Police Chief Scott Felchock said he shares people's concerns about alcohol sales near the park and the police department would report any public drunkenness or other disturbances to the Liquor Control Board, which could revoke Turkey Hill's license if they proved to be a problem. Freeman noted that none of Turkey Hill's other alcohol-selling locations in Pennsylvania have been cited with any violations. Borough solicitor David Ceraul said the state's mandate for the approval process is "cut and dry" and council would have to provide a valid reason if it were to deny the license transfer. If the borough were to deny it, Turkey Hill could appeal the decision. "I think our chances of prevailing, if we were to deny, are limited," Ceraul said. Council did not act Monday but may render a decision at its next meeting on Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. at the administration building at 197 Pennsylvania Ave. John Best is a freelance writer. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A car crash inadvertently led to a drug bust on Interstate 80, after an overturned vehicle revealed 60 bricks of heroin, New Jersey State Police said. Troopers were called the night of Feb. 4 for a report of an overturned car on Interstate 80 West in Knowlton Township, Warren County. When troopers arrived, they discovered three people were riding in the car; none of them were injured in the crash. During the investigation, troopers found 60 bricks of heroin in the car, with an estimated value of $12,000. Azaiah Baynard, 21, of East Orange; Briauna Brown-Harrison, 21, of Perth Amboy; and Jamar Montalmant, 20, of Newark, were arrested. The trio was each charged with possession of heroin and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. Montalmant was also charged with possession of paraphernalia, and troopers discovered he had an active arrest warrant. All three were sent to Warren County Jail on no-bail warrants. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Water is a hot topic The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has waded into the Murray Darling Basin water fight accusing the Greens and Federal Labor of playing short term politics with the allocation of economically vital water resources. LGAQ chief executive Greg Hallam said local communities in southwest Queensland would reap the grim consequences of Labor senators supporting the efforts of the Greens to deny the States irrigators a fair allocation of water from the Murray Darling system. The Greens move to disallow changes aimed at ensuring a less onerous allocation to irrigators is economically irresponsible and should be stopped in the Senate by all other parties, including Labor. The impact of cutting back on these allocations will be an enormous blow to towns and centres in the Northern Basin river system. The Murray Darling Basin Authority has endorsed a reduction in water recovery targets from 390GLs to 320GLs in the Northern Basin based on sound science and extensive community consultation. That decision should stand and not be trashed for short term political gain. If the Greens have their way farms will close, jobs will be lost and families will move away after generations working on the land. Is this the outcome Labor wants? Stock Market News FTSE 250 movers: Inmarsat comes down to earth; Polypipe in favour 13-02-2018 12:52 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 Morgan Stanley downgrades BP, cuts target for Shell 13-02-2018 15:01 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 Ryanair will pay over 100m euros more to pilots after union protests 13-02-2018 13:07 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 SDX Energy jumps as Egypt drilling looms, Moroccan operations stall 13-02-2018 09:06 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 US small business optimism improves more than expected in January - NFIB 13-02-2018 11:15 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 Work begins for Botswana Diamonds' Sunland venture 13-02-2018 14:49 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 Decorations are hung from a tree in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Feb. 12, 2018, to greet the Spring Festival and Tibetan New Year. (Xinhua/Chogo) 3 1 [ Editor: WPY ] Ali Obaid AI Dhaheri, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to China, talks with reporters at a press conference at the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) China Office in Beijing, capital of China, on Feb. 8, 2018. (Photo by Zhang Zhou/ Guangming Picture) By Zhang Zhou Beijing, Feb. 9 (Guangming Online)--The UAE is among the first countries to take part in the exciting Belt and Road initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping said Ali Obaid AI Dhaheri, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to China, at a press conference at the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) China Office in Beijing on Thursday. The Belt and Road can further promote cooperation between both countries and benefit the two peoples. Ambassador Dhaheri took office as UAE Ambassador to China last October. He said China has developed fast in recent years, and its fortunate for him to serve as UAE Ambassador to China at this moment and have a chance to take part in the development of China as well as China-UAE relationship. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1984 and strategic partnership in 2012. Ambassador Dhaheri said his top priority is to advance the strategic relationship between the two countries and take it to a higher level in all respects. The friendly relationship is built on trust, confidence and win-win cooperation. Although the two countries have different cultural backgrounds, they share a same vision, similar principles and ways of thinking. As China and the UAE both are in the process of economic transformation and upgrading, they choose the same way of promoting open economy and carrying out international cooperation based on mutual benefits, peace and harmony. He said he will make efforts to promote exchanges and cooperation in fields like business, culture, technologies, innovation and education to benefit the two peoples. Speaking of cultural exchanges, Ambassador Dhaheri said the UAE realizes the importance of China and its culture, and has already taken measures to let more people in the UAE know about China. For instance, many schools in the UAE offer Chinese language courses and there are some cultural exchange activities like China Week. Ambassador Dhaheri said, during his term of office, he will make some plans and hold cultural activities to enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples. On Jan.16, 2018, the UAE became the 11th country to sign an agreement with China on mutual visa exemption. Mutual visa exemption will contribute to people-to-people exchanges, business and cultural interaction between both countries. Ambassador Dhaheri pointed out that the ADGM will promote and attract more investment in the framework of Belt and Road initiative and can further develop the initiative in relevant areas. The ADGM China Office will strengthen exchanges between China and the UAE. At last, Ambassador Dhaheri extended Chinese Lunar New Year greetings to Chinese people as the traditional Chinese holiday draws close. Calvin Fu, Chief Representative of ADGM China Office, also attended the press conference. He said that the ADGM, as a government institution and financial services regulator, will promote investment and financing cooperation between the two countries under the guidance of the Belt and Road initiative. ADGM aims at becoming a national-level Belt and RoadMiddle East North Africa Investment and Financing Center, serving significant institutions and projects of the two countries, promoting financial cooperation between both countries and establishing the offshore RMB clearing center covering the Middle East and North Africa regions. [ Editor: Liu Jiaming ] People in ethnic Mongolian costumes celebrate the God-of-fire sacrifice festival on Little New Year, which falls on Feb 8 in Hohhot, North Chinas Inner Mongolia autonomous region. The festival is one of the oldest sacrificial rites in Inner Mongolia. Ethnic Mongolians believe that fire is a symbol of purity. It protects the family and the tribes. [Photo/people.cn] Ethnic Mongolians make boiled lamb breast to honor God of fire on Feb 8 in Hohhot, North Chinas Inner Mongolia autonomous region. Lamb breast is an essential tribute during the God-of-fire sacrifice festival in Inner Mongolia. [Photo/people.cn] Dart Airline (Kyiv) has suspended servicing own flights over low occupancy of planes, the airline has told Interfax-Ukraine. "This happened around two or three weeks ago," the airline said. According to the register of civil planes, as of February 13, 2018, Dart airline does not have aircraft. However, Airbus A320-212 plane with UR-CII code, Airbus A321-211 with UR-CQK code, Airbus A320-212 with UR-COF code and MD-83 with UR-CEL code that earlier were in the airline's fleet are now serviced by Alanna company. According to the unified public register of companies and private entrepreneurs the latter has the same register code as Dart LLC had earlier and it is undergoing liquidation. Dart Airline has been operating as a charter airline since 1997. The company operates Bombardier Lear Jet 60, Airbus-320 and Boeing 737-300/500 aircraft. In February 2017, Ukraine's State Aviation Service suspended the operation certificate of Dart Airline. The press service of the authority then told Interfax-Ukraine that the decision was made as the certificate failed to meet certification requirements. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) temporarily suspended the permit to Dart Airline to fly to the countries of the European Union (EU). Later, on April 6, 2017, the State Aviation Service renewed the certificate. 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 Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed an executive order relieving of duty Ukroboronprom General Director Roman Romanov. "To relieve of duty Roman Romanov, the General Director of the Ukroboronprom State Concern," Executive Order No. 26/2018 posted on the president's website on Monday evening said. Romanov announced his resignation on Monday. "I made my decision to leave my post as the head of the State Concern Ukroboronprom. I wrote a resignation letter last year and I hope that President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko will support my decision," Romanov said in the statement posted on the company's website. "Throughout the years of my work at Ukroboronprom, the media kept reminding me that I had come to the State Concern from business. It's true. And I believe that every man must devote certain period of his life to serve his country: Past 3.5 years were my service," Romanov said. "I am grateful to each of the 80,000 employees of the SC Ukroboronprom, who believed in country's defense industry revival. I am confident that my successor will continue this course. And I will smoothly hand over all the responsibilities, so that this transition in no way affects the efficiency of the work of the Concern," he said. Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman called for resignation of the Ukroboronprom head over the failure to fulfill the government order and pay salary debts to employees of Ukroboronprom Mykolaiv shipyard at a government meeting on December 27, 2017. Romanov refused to step down and said that the resolution of the salary debt problem required quality decisions of the government, rather than the search for 'scapegoats'. The root of the problem is the decision made in February 2015 to stop compensating the shipyard for maintaining the unfinished Ukrayina cruiser, and the fact that the concern's numerous suggestions pertaining to the solution of this problem were unanswered by the government. Romanov said he was not ready to pay those debts with Ukroboronprom's funds because that would be illegal. The government urged Poroshenko to dismiss Romanov in January 2018 and said it expected the recently reshuffled Ukroboronprom Supervisory Board led by Ihor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute Rector Mykhailo Zgurovsky to nominate his replacement. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Sri Lanka Local Bodies Elections by Gautam Sen A total of 15.8 million Sri Lankans will vote in the countrys third tier elections on February 10, 2018 to chose 8293 members to 341 local bodies, namely, 24 municipal councils, 41 urban councils and 276 pradeshiya sabhas or divisional councils. These elections would be within the provisions of Local Authorities (Special Provisions) Act-21 of 2012 and Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Act-22 of 2012. A mixed electoral system will be followed wherein, 60 per cent of the members will be elected on the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system, while the remaining 40 per cent will be on proportional representation as per the total votes received by the contesting political parties, from the lists of candidates put up by them. The significance of the elections lie in the fact that, it will a major test of grass-root support of the political parties and their candidates before the President Maithripala Sirisena demits office in 2020, political durability of the Sirisena-Ranil Wikremasinghe-UNP combination, apart from the efficacy of the mixed electoral system instituted in 2012 and subsequent delimitation of the local bodies constituencies to the satisfaction of all stakeholders. Sri Lankas political milieu has of late, become very contentious after a huge financial scandal popularly known as the bond scandal broke out. The scandal involves manipulation in the auction of government treasury bonds by insider leakage of confidential information, leading to a loss of Lankan Rupees 11145 million (US dollar equivalent 72.44 million) to the government exchequer in 2015. This occurred after Sirisena, leader of a faction of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), assumed the presidency, and Ranil Wikremasinghe of the United National Party (UNP) became the Prime Minister in a political co-habitation process. The scandal involves Arjuna Mahendran, former Governor of the countrys Central bank, hand-picked by Prime Minister Wikremasinghe, one of Mahendrans relatives and a firm alleged to be associated with him, which bought 50 per cent of the bonds. While former President Mahinda Rajapakshe and his faction of the SLFP are trying to derive political capital from the scandal by attributing it to political manipulation and administrative failure of the Sirisena-Ranil Wickremesinghe duos governance, Sirisena has adopted a public stance conveying his determination to completely recover the loss to the state. The scandal has become a major political issue among Sirisena, the Prime Minister and his UNP and joint front of Sri Lankas Opposition parties including the Left-wing Janatha Vimukti Peramuna (JVP). The inquiry report of a presidential commission on the scandal has been finalised. However, its contents are alleged to have not been fully revealed, thereby constricting debate in parliament. The outcome of the local body elections is expected to be influenced by the fallout of the scandal. An interesting aspect of the local bodies elections is that the UNP and SLFP are contesting separately. The allegiance of the SLFP candidates is split between Sirisena and Rajapakshe. The JVP is also a factor in the contest, though on a limited scale, notwithstanding their fielding of some socio-politically active persons including a doctor-turned-social activist having a winning potential, as their mayoral candidate for Colombo municipality. A grandson of former UNP leader and President, Junius Jayewardene, is a candidate for councillorship from the SLFP in Colombo. The outcome of the elections cannot be realistically predicted on party lines. In such an environment, the individual credibility of Sirisena and those in support of the President, is expected to be indirectly tested through these elections. It is therefore significant that Sirisena has adopted a combative posture, indicating that he will recover the loss caused by the under-priced bond auction, and has started highlighting unaccounted foreign loans worth $ 1 trillion, large siphoning off of loan content, sale of government enterprises without Cabinet approval and domestic sale of imported commodities at 300 per cent profit during the past three years and earlier. These allegations, though intended to project his high moral ground, cannot but affect his Prime Minister and the UNP and increase tension within the ruling combine, as some of the occurrences were when Wickremesinghe was the Premier. The local bodies elections will also be a test for the dualism instituted in the electoral process that is, 60 per cent candidates elected on FPTP system and the remaining 40 per cent on the basis of popular votes secured by the contesting parties from the lists put up by the latter. When allegiance of the candidates to their political parties may not be fully committed, the candidates declared elected from the lists projected by the political parties, may defect post-elections and pose problems in governance of the respective local bodies. A demand of some parties for an enabling provision in the electoral system to replace their listed candidates by independent candidates under certain circum-stances, is indicative of some uncertainty in the functioning of a party and list-based local body electoral process. Such a demand has, however, been turned down by Sri Lankas election commission. Other issues like state of law and order, human rights conditions, public welfare, employment scenario, etc. are also expected to influence the forthcoming elections. President Sirisena has claimed credit for restoration of civil rights, enacting the Right to Information Act 2016, setting in motion a constitutional reform process by appointing a Constitutional Council towards instituting a revamped political structure, further devolution of powers from the national government level, and setting up a national human rights commission, etc. However, unaccounted police excesses have been occurring including a very recent incident at Kataragama in Uva province, leading to public agitation. The Prevention of Terrorism Act is still in the statute books. There is also no consensus on the constitutional reforms needed. Human rights issues across the country, and particularly in the north and east, are still to be satisfactorily resolved. Sirisenas Prime Minister has defended the re-negotiated deal with two Chinese special-purpose vehicles set up by the China Merchants Port Holding Company in Hambantota and its port, inter-alia, indicating prospects of a high trade turnover through the port, and generation of productive jobs in the near future. However, local grievances at Hambantota on land acquisition, impact on environment and doling out economic favours to the local populace selectively, are simmering. These developments or lack of progress in achieving final outcomes considered satisfactory for their livelihood by the local people, will in all probability impact the local bodies elections. More than the SLFP, its factions and the UNP, it appears that the result of the local bodies elections will impinge on the future political standing of Sirisena. This is because, for good or bad, the present state of economic livelihood of the people and civic conditions, perceptions on government institutions responsiveness to public grievances and past injustices, have come to be linked with the Sirisena presidency and his ability to deliver. For both India, a major neighbour and a politico-economic partner like China, in the medium-term perspective, the continuance of President Sirisena and his unity government of the UNP and pro-Sirisena faction, may be the most expedient and least turbulent option till the next presidential election in 2020. Premier Wikremasinghe is on record to have bravely stated that the present alliance will endure till 2020 and may even continue beyond till 2025. The outcome of the local bodies polls will be a determinant in this respect. The author is a retired IDAS officer who has served in senior appointments with the Government of India and also in Sri Lanka. The views expressed are the authors own. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Maldives in Crisis COMMENTARY The picturesque Indian Ocean archipelago, Maldives, is gripped by a serious political crisis and turmoil. On February 5, Maldives President Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency in the country for 15 days. This followed a ruling by the Maldives Supreme Court on February 1 to immediately release nine Opposition leaders, including exiled former President Mohamed Nasheed. The Apex Court had then maintained that these leaders trials were politically motivated and flawed. Meanwhile on February 7 Nasheed urged India to play its role as a liberator and militarily intervene to resolve the crisis as it had done in 1988 to defeat a coup by mercenaries. This has been seen as a rebuke to Beijing which was opposed to military intervention. India is highly perturbed over the crisis in Maldives and is learnt to be closely monitoring the situation there. It is worried over the declaration of emergency and has called the arrests of the Chief Justice and political figures there as a matter of concern. Observer The Ukrainian Interior Ministry has revealed details of the detention of former Georgian President and leader of New Forces Movement Mikheil Saakashvili. "The stateless person, Saakashvili, was found in a public catering outlet in the course of interagency inspections. He was wanted by the State Migration Service, and Poland agreed to his readmission," the ministry said in a statement posted on its website. The territorial branch of the State Migration Service declined Saakashvili's request for recognition as a refugee or a person needing additional protection, and its decision was upheld by the court, the ministry said. Hence, Saakashvili has lost legal grounds for further presence in Ukraine, it said. "Saakashvili was handed over to Poland consistent with the bilateral readmission agreement," the ministry said. On September 22, 2017, the Mostyska District Court in Lviv region found Saakashvili guilty of illegally crossing into Ukraine, the ministry said. On January 3, 2018, the Kyiv District Administrative Court dismissed Saakashvili's claim against the Kyiv regional department of the State Migration Service, which refused to give him the status of a person needing additional protection. The Kyiv Administrative Court of Appeal upheld the ruling on February 5, and Saakashvili's defense appealed the decision with the Administrative Court of Cassation on February 6. Lawyer Ruslan Chornolutsky said there were no grounds to extradite or deport Saakashvili from Ukraine until the proceedings regarding his status were over. The Ukrainian Supreme Court will continue hearing Saakashvili's claim against Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in the format of the Administrative Court of Cassation on February 16. Saakashvili believes that Poroshenko's decision to deprive him of Ukrainian citizenship in summer 2017 was illegal. Saakashvili was detained at the Suluguni restaurant in the center of Kyiv, not far from the New Forces Moovement headquarters, on February 12 and put on a plane to Poland. The Interior Ministry believes that earlier court rulings made Saakashvili's presence in the Ukrainian territory illegal and says "he has been returned to the country, where he arrived from in violation of the local laws, consistent with every judicial formality in place." This content is from: Patents The UKs Privy Council has approved the Unified Patent Court (Immunities and Privileges) Order 2017, the last piece of legislation required for the UK to ratify. In Germany, seven institutions and associations submitted statements on the constitutional complaint against the UPC The criminal investigations opened by the Ukrainian authorities against former Georgian President and Movement of New Forces leader Mikheil Saakashvili will continue following his deportation to Poland, Larysa Sarhan, spokeswoman for the Ukrainian prosecutor general, said. "The criminal cases will not be closed. The investigations will continue," Sarhan told Interfax-Ukraine on Tuesday. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office has mechanisms enabling it to "investigate, collect evidence, and ensure Saakashvili's right to defense through international assistance," she said. Saakashvili was detained in Kyiv on February 12 and deported to Poland. Ukrainian Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko said in December 2017 that Saakashvili had received $500,000 to finance his activities from businessman Serhiy Kurchenko, who is hiding in Russia. To uphold his claim, Lutsenko published an audio recording. Saakashvili said he was not acquainted with Kurchenko. In late January 2018, Lutsenko confirmed reports that an analysis had confirmed the identities of the speakers in the recorded telephone conversations between Saakashvili and Kurchenko. Saakashvili is suspected of conspiracy to commit a crime, the commission of a crime by a group of people acting in collusion or by a criminal organization, and complicity with members of criminal organizations and concealment of their criminal activities. Shevchenkivsky District Court of Kyiv has decided to place the editor-in-chief of the Strana.ua media outlet, Ihor Huzhva, on the wanted list, Ukraine's Channel 5 has reported. Such a decision was filed by the prosecutor's office. "The general wanted list is provided for by the Criminal Procedure Code. A person who evades the investigation is put on the wanted list. When his location is established, he will be detained," the prosecutor said. At the same time, lawyers said that their client was being treated abroad and would return to Ukraine on February 20. "I think that it is premature [to place him on the wanted list]. The court was provided with all certificates that he is undergoing treatment now, that's why this decision is premature," Huzhva's lawyer, Olena Klymenko, said. Huzhva was arrested in Kyiv on June 22, 2017. According to Ukraine's Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko, Huzhva demanded $10,000 in exchange for not publishing compromising materials against an incumbent politician. On June 23, Dmytro Linko, a Verkhovna Rada deputy from the Radical Party faction, confirmed that Huzhva had demanded money from him. Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office reported that Huzhva and his mediator had been detained on suspicion of large-scale extortion under Part 3, Article 189 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Huzhva was arrested for two months with an option to post UAH 544,000 bail. The bail was later posted, and he left the pre-trial detention center. The editorial board was searched several times. LUDLOW -- Iron Duke Brewing, embroiled in a years-long dispute with its landlord, the Westmass Development Corp., plans to buy a building in neighboring Wilbraham, move there and expand. "We are looking forward to having ownership of our own property. It gives us the control we need," said co-owner Nicholas Morin. "The time has come to expand. Unfortunately, it won't be in the Ludlow Mills." For example, Iron Duke is now only open four days a week -- Thursday through Sunday. But once Iron Duke is in a building it owns, the decision to expand to more nights or offer more food will be easier to accomplish, Morin said. Morin and business partner Mike Marcoux have a hearing before the Wilbraham Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the selectmen's meeting room in Town Hall. They are applying for a special permit for a brewery, tasting room and commercial kitchen, said John Pearsall, the town planning director. The site Morin and Marcoux have selected is an existing building in a commercial park at the corner of Cottage and Dollar avenues in Wilbraham, Pearsall said. Their plan is to offer seasonal outdoor dining with both food trucks and their own kitchen, Pearsall said. He said the two partners have a purchase-and-sale agreement in place to buy the building. If their plan moves forward, they would still need to go before the town board for a liquor license. "We'd be very happy to have them in the town of Wilbraham," Pearsall said. The proposed new location is about four miles, or an 11-minute drive, away from the current Ludlow Mills site. Morin said it might take six months to a year for him and Marcoux to move their operation. They have to keep the brewery operating in Ludlow while making the move to make sure they have steady flow of beer to sell. "You need to have cash flow to make something like this work," he said. The planned Wilbraham space is about twice the size of Iron Duke's existing 3,000-square-foot space. "We'll probably be more of a hybrid, a little more like a brewpub, we'll continue to offer the food trucks but with more food of our own as well," Morin said. Their current lease at Ludlow Mills runs until 2020. Marcoux and Morin started Iron Duke in 2014, renting an old storehouse at the Ludlow Mills from Westmass for $775 a month, according to court papers. The pair spent more than $500,000 on brewery equipment. But trouble started brewing when Westmass and Iron Duke didn't agree on who should pay for water and electricity and Westmass said Iron Duke was storing stuff in space it wasn't renting and its patrons were using too many parking spots. At the time, Westmass said the tasting room had evolved into a taproom and was drawing more traffic than it had envisioned. Westmass said food trucks Iron Duke hosts at the site are not allowed in its lease and were drawing too large a crowd. Westmass threatened to evict Iron Duke and Iron Duke sued Westmass to prevent that. Iron Duke supporters launched an online petition drive a year ago in January 2017-- one that garnered 3,000 signatures -- asking for the brewer to stay. Town officials were supportive saying Iron Duke was a good thing for Ludlow. Iron Duke even came out with Eviction Notice, a black IPA beer, in an attempt to make light of its predicament. Iron Duke field suit in Hampden Superior Court in Springfield about one year ago in order to prevent Westmass from evicting it. In June 2017, Hampden Superior Court Judge Edward J. McDonough issued an order in Iron Duke's favor and halting the eviction. McDonough cited an ambiguously worded lease, more than two years of incident-free operation and Iron Duke's support from the community in an 11-page ruling. Morin said that order still remains in place, but the litigation is ongoing. Westmass president and CEO Eric Nelson didn't return a call Monday afternoon. Westmass, a private nonprofit industrial and business development corporation, bought the 170-acre Ludlow Mills complex seven years ago for $6 million. It brought in more than $135 million in public and private investment to the site, including plans for a $60 million project of 100 to 136 market-rate apartments announced last year by WinnDevelopment, which also has a $24.5 million senior housing project on the property. The complex also has a new $26 million HealthSouth rehabilitation hospital and small businesses and industrial operations including machine shops, welders, countertop fabricators and a company developing firearm silencers. Ludlow Mills was once a sprawling jute mill where material was brought in from India and processed into twine, rope and sacks starting in 1868. Ludlow Mills started shrinking during World War I because it couldn't get raw jute. The map below shows the approximate location of the planned new site of Iron Duke Brewing: HARTFORD, Conn. -- Connecticut officials on Monday called for an investigation of the U.S. Department of the Interior's failure to act on revenue sharing agreements between the state and two Native American tribes that are needed for the tribes to build and operate a new casino. U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, and U.S. Reps. John Larson and Joe Courtney, all Democrats, made the request in a letter to the Interior Department's Office of Inspector General. The Interior Department on Monday referred questions to the Department of Justice, which did not return a message seeking comment Monday. The two federally recognized tribes, the Mohegans and Mashantucket Pequots, separately operate two of the largest casinos in the world in southeastern Connecticut -- Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino. They are planning a jointly-run casino in East Windsor in northern Connecticut to compete with a new casino being built by MGM Resorts that is scheduled to open in Springfield, Massachusetts, in September. Connecticut officials and the tribes last year agreed to changes to their existing gaming compacts covering Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods that would allow the new casino. The agreements needed approval from the Interior Department, but the agency did not act on them within 45 days as legally required, state officials said. "This decision raises serious questions as to whether the Department of the Interior is properly carrying out its longstanding legal trust responsibilities regarding Native American Tribes," the two senators and two congressmen wrote in the letter. They also cited a report by Politico earlier this month that said the Interior Department's refusal to act on the agreements came after agency officials, including Secretary Ryan Zinke, met with MGM lobbyists and congressional Republicans who support MGM. Politico reported that an Interior Department spokesman did not respond to requests for comment about the report. The state and the tribes also are suing the Interior Department in federal court, seeking a ruling that the agreements should be considered approved because the agency did not act on them. Authorities say a Boston man pretended to be a CVS employee in order to get painkillers, but when his ruse failed, he held an employee against her will with a hypodermic needle. Boston police officers were able to calm down the suspect and put him in handcuffs. As they made the arrest, they noticed the 20-year-old man had a set of gold-colored brass knuckles. The alleged assault happened just before 11 a.m. on Sunday at the CVS Pharmacy at 1249 Boylston St. The suspect, who has been identified by Boston police as Justin Morgan of Boston, is now facing charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, armed robbery, kidnapping and assault and battery on a police officer. He was arraigned in Roxbury District Court Monday. "When the victim/employee asked to see his work credentials, the suspect grabbed the victim by the back of her head and slammed her head into the pharmacy counter," Boston police wrote in a news release. "At one point, according to the victim, the suspect picked up a bag of needles and threatened her." Officers spoke to a second CVS employee who said the suspect approached her, shoved her in the chest and threatened to kill her, according to police. During the booking process, police said Morgan mouthed-off and tried to kick and punch the officers. One officer was struck in the face, police said. Boston police on Monday identified the man killed in a Dorchester shooting last week. In a press release, authorities said 27-year-old Dwayne Nelson, of Haverhill, was shot to death near the intersection of Bowdoin and Norton streets in Dorchester on the evening of Feb. 6. Police said officers responded to a call of a person shot at that location at about 7:55 p.m. and found Nelson shot at least once. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The homicide remains under investigation, and Boston police are asking anyone with information to contact the homicide unit at 617-343-4470. Anonymous tips can be called in to 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting the word "TIP" to CRIME followed by the information. WESTFIELD - The 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base is planning an emergency response drill on Wednesday, and base officials warn that people from Western Massachusetts to Central Vermont and New Hampshire may notice increased jet activity. The drill is planned for between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. According to base officials, two F-15C Eagles will conduct low-altitude intercepts and shadow a Cessna 182S aircraft being piloted by the Civil Air Patrol. The training will simulate intercept procedures use by 104th aircraft in response to airborne threats. It will also test coordination between the Eastern Air Defense Sector, the Federal Aviation Administration and the 104th Fighter Wing. According to base officials, the exercises include responses to air space violations, hijackings and intercepting unknown aircraft. Barnes officials warn that communities between Westfield, Rutland, Vermont, and Lebanon, New Hampshire may noticed increased jet activity during the exercise. PALMER - Investigators are seeking the public's help as they search for a 36-year-old Springfield man wanted in connection with a deadly home invasion Sunday on Calkins Road. Freddy Rosario is believed to be an accomplice to a male who was fatally shot inside 1180 Calkins Road. Rosario was last seen driving a black 2003 Dodge Ram pickup truck with Massachusetts license plate registration 6JM113. The Hampden District Attorney's office has yet to release the name of the male who was fatally shot. A caller summoned police to 1180 Calkins Road early Sunday night, stating that a man had been shot during during an apparent home invasion, according to a release issued by the district attorney's office. A resident there, 21-year-old Dimitri Bryant, had been involved in an incident in which the male, who was ultimately fatally shot, entered the home with the intent of committing armed robbery, investigators believe. Arriving officers found that male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was taken to Baystate Wing Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Investigators, who found a gun, detected "the overwhelming scent of marijuana," inside the home, according to the release. They obtained a search warrant for the home and a subsequent search yielded approximately $32,875 in cash, 20 pounds of marijuana, THC products and packaging supplies. Police arrested Bryant on a charge of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. He denied that charge during his arraignment Monday in District Court. Bryant was ordered held in lieu of $10,000 cash bail. He was also ordered to turn in his passport, remain in Massachusetts, report to probation weekly and remain drug- and alcohol-free. Investigators believe Bryant fired the gun, James Leydon, spokesman for the Hampden District Attorney's office said. That aspect of the case remains under investigation. however. Another possible accomplice to the deceased, Samuel Comstock, 39, of Palmer, was located and taken into custody by investigators for unrelated warrants and was found with an illegal shotgun in his bedroom. Those with information on Rosario are urged to contact the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the district attorney's office, 413 505-5993; the Palmer Police Department, 413 283-8792. Or, Text-a-Tip by texting the word CRIMES (2-7-4-6-3-7) and type the word SOLVE into the body of the message followed by your tip. This is a developing story. Additional information will be as soon as it is available. Ben Walsh pleaded not guilty to charges tied to the violent death of his girlfriend and stabbing of his mother and father. Ben Walsh moaned and cried as he was arraigned in an intensive care unit room at Milford Hospital on Monday on charges tied to the gruesome murder of his girlfriend, 20-year-old Olivia Bergstrom, and a subsequent violent stabbing attack against his parents, Laura and Michael Walsh. The gory scenes unfolded Saturday night. Police officers in Millis were the first to learn of the events when they received a report of a possible stabbing at Primavera restaurant around 7 p.m. Just an hour before, a relative said Ben Walsh texted his mother to say he needed to talk. She reportedly never responded. Outside the restaurant, Millis Police Detective Domenic Tiberi first noticed a Jeep parked haphazardly near the restaurant's front entrance, in no particular parking spot, with the driver's side door left opened. Upon entering the function room, where Ben Walsh's parents were celebrating a birthday party for his aunt, police discovered Laura Walsh lying on the ground, where loved ones were trying to compress her bleeding wounds with banquet linens. In the corner were several men restraining a wild, cursing Ben Walsh. "I will kill you," he repeatedly said, according to a police report. Witnesses told police that Ben Walsh entered the room, screamed profanities and lunged to stab his mother in the abdomen before doing the same to his father. Laura Walsh was rushed to Beth Israel of Boston, while her husband was transported to Norwood Hospital. "F--- you b------, I'm going to kill you all," Walsh told police as they escorted him to a cruiser. He wore no shoes and his feet "appeared to be filthy," one detective reported. One witness soon told police they heard Ben Walsh say, "I've killed my girlfriend," according to an affidavit filed by Massachusetts State Police. Family voiced concern for the girlfriend, Olivia Bergstrom, with whom Ben Walsh was sharing an apartment in Needham. Police from Needham and Dover paid a visit to the apartment at 64 Marshall St. They made their way up to the third floor, where they reported finding Bergstrom's partially-clothed body curled into a fetal position and jammed behind the front door. Police noticed large stab wounds in her back and body, and say they immediately recognized she was dead. An autopsy would later reveal Bergstrom was stabbed more than 20 times. Traces of blood were reportedly found splattered, smeared and transferred all around the apartment, as well as the building stairs. Officers noticed a shower was left running in the bathroom. As he was taken into custody outside the Millis restaurant, police said Ben Walsh expressed "irate and violent behavior." They determined he had to be transported to Milford Hospital due to a laceration on his right hand. An aunt of Ben Walsh told police that her nephew "has had mental health issues." She said he had been in and out of McLean Hospital as recently as last week. Police reports indicate that at Milford Hospital, Walsh underwent treatment for both physical and psychological evaluations. Ben Walsh's hospital room turned into a makeshift courtroom on Monday as Judge Steven Thomas announced the charges against him. He has been charged with murder in the death of Olivia Bergstrom. In the attacks against his parents, Walsh was charged with two counts of armed assault to murder, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and resisting arrest in connection with the attacks on his parents. On the charges against his parents, Judge Steven Thomas ordered Walsh to be held on $500,000 cash bail. On the murder charge, the judge ordered Walsh be held without bail. A not guilty plea was automatically entered on Walsh's behalf. Randall K. Power, the defense attorney representing Ben Walsh, referred to the events as tragic and said Walsh's mental health "or lack thereof" will be "a major issue going forward." This story elaborates on an article published at 9:22 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 12, 2018: Police investigating missing money in Holyoke city treasurer's office HOLYOKE -- The city treasurer's office was victimized by a cyber attack that scammed less than $10,000 and the city is working with New York officials to recover the money, Mayor Alex B. Morse said Monday. Holyoke Police Chief James M. Neiswanger confirmed earlier Monday to The Republican that police are investigating a case of missing money in the City Hall office of Treasurer Sandra A. Smith but that Smith was not the focus of the investigation. "At no point was the treasurer, her staff or any other city employee under investigation," Morse said in an email. "Treasurer Smith immediately contacted the Holyoke Police Department and has cooperated with the investigation." The incident occurred last year, but a suspect has recently been identified on Long Island, New York, Neiswanger said. Morse said the incident occurred in June. Morse said, "The city will now work with the prosecutor on Long Island to recoup the stolen money. The treasurer has also taken steps to ensure an incident like this won't happen again." "Last year the treasurer's office fell victim to a cyber attack, specifically a tactic called spoofing. This is when a cyber criminal is able to imitate an email address, leading the person receiving the message to believe it is coming from a legitimate source. "In June, the city treasurer received a message that appeared to be from another municipal financial department. It requested a wire transfer be made, a common occurrence in municipal finance. A transfer of less than $10,000 was made. Soon after, the treasurer realized the transfer request was part of a cyber attack," Morse said. Smith didn't return a call Monday seeking comment. The city treasurer is an elected position. Smith was unopposed in the Nov. 7 election and was re-elected to another four-year term. The mayor's statement that Smith has taken steps to ensure such a scam won't happen again might be of little solace to angry city councilors who questioned the safeguards used in the office. Councilor at Large James M. Leahy filed orders for the Council's Feb. 20 agenda immediately after reading The Republican's story. One order summons Smith to a committee meeting to discuss what protocols are used for transferring funds in the treasurer's office, Leahy said. Another order would require that the City Council be notified by department heads on all allegations of missing funds within three business days, he said. "The City Council is the checks and balances of our government. We weren't notified about this. Anytime taxpayers money has been compromised I want to know," Leahy said. The treasurer's duties include handling tax title records for properties whose owners are in arrears with the city, holding and investing city funds and managing employee payrolls in the city budget, which began the fiscal year July 1 at nearly $127 million. As a result of shelling by illegal armed formations, a Ukrainian soldier was killed and two others were injured, the press center of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) headquarters has reported. "Over the past day, along the entire contact line, the enemy has conducted 11 targeted attacks on the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. As a result of the enemy fire, unfortunately, one Ukrainian soldier was killed, two more of our defenders were injured," the ATO staff said on its Facebook page on Tuesday morning. In the Luhansk sector, near the populated locality of Krymske, militants used 120 and 82 mm mortars, grenade launchers and small arms several times during the day to attack strongholds of the Ukrainian army. Not far from Popasna they used mortars of 82-mm caliber. Illegal armed formations attacked Ukrainian defense fortifications from the grenade launchers of various types at Katerynivka, Svitlodarsk, Novoluhansk and Zaitseve. Several shots were fired from large-caliber machine guns near Novhorodske. The invaders used 120mm mortars and heavy machine guns near the village of Vodiane, which is in Donetsk region. In addition, the enemy opened fire on Ukrainian positions outside the village of Opytne, using automatic grenade launchers, small arms and heavy machine guns. PALMER -- Investigators have identified a man fatally shot during the apparent invasion of a Calkins Road home Sunday night as 48-year-old Springfield resident Benny Flores. Investigators believe Flores entered the home at 1180 Calkins Road to commit armed robbery, according to a release issued by the Hampden District Attorney's office. Flores was found suffering from a gunshot wound and taken to Baystate Wing Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Freddy Rosario, a suspected accomplice to Flores, remains at large. The 36-year-old Springfield resident was last seen driving a black 2003 Dodge Ram pickup truck with a Massachusetts license plate of 6JM113. Investigators believe a resident of the Calkins Road home, Dimitri Bryant, fired the shot that fatally injured Flores. No charges have been filed yet, however, in connection with the shooting. Police, after receiving a search warrant for the residence, found approximately $32,875 in cash, 20 pounds of marijuana, THC products and packaging supplies. Bryant was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Another possible accomplice, 39-year-old Palmer resident Samuel Comstock, was found and taken into custody for unrelated warrants. Comstock had an illegal shotgun in his bedroom, according to the district attorney's office. Those with information on Rosario are urged to contact the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the district attorney's office, 413 505-5993; the Palmer Police Department, 413 283-8792. Or, Text-a-Tip by texting the word CRIMES (2-7-4-6-3-7) and type the word SOLVE into the body of the message followed by the tip. SPRINGFIELD - The League of Women Voters of Springfield will host a trio of public forums on police accountability in February. Entitled "Who's Policing the Police?' the series of community discussions will take place Feb. 20 through Feb. 24 at a local library, community center and the Springfield Armory. "Springfield has wrestled with this issue for decades, as have other cities around the country," Linda Matys O'Connell, organizer of the forums, said in a statement. "After the recent series of high-profile allegations of police misconduct ignited public outrage, the league began to consider the city's options." The League of Women Voters of Springfield is a political activism and public policy network that was reinvigorated in this city in recent years. The statement on the forums notes that a Community Police Hearing Board reviews citizens' complaints and internal matters and recommends discipline to Police Commissioner John Barbieri. The commissioner has the final say on police discipline, however. In its announcement, Matys O'Connell said members of the group's committee on police accountability has done extensive research on methods of civilian oversight across the country and have developed a report for discussion. "Citizens' oversight provides a necessary place to voice concerns outside of the police department so the community at large can be reassured that appropriate actions are taken to discipline police officers," said league member David Rudder, associate dean of Springfield College's School of Professional and Continuing studies. Rudder also leads the group's committee on police accountability. The dates, times and venues for the forums are: - Feb. 20 at the Brightwood Library Branch, 5:30 to 8 p.m. - Feb. 22 at the Indian Orchard Community Center, 5:30 to 8 p.m. - Feb. 24 at the Springfield Armory, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The forums are free and members of the public are encouraged to attend. Those who would like to sign up to participate are invited to email BOSTON -- One of three offshore wind developers hoping to score major Massachusetts utility contracts has made progress in its state environmental review. Vineyard Wind LLC gained an Environmental Notification Form certificate for a transmission cable from a spot in the Atlantic Ocean to a substation on Cape Cod, the company announced Monday. The ENF certificate lists the issues that must be addressed in an upcoming Draft Environmental Impact Report. Vineyard Wind plans an 800-megawatt wind farm 34 miles from Cape Cod. The planned transmission cables would travel 40 miles underwater and six miles underground to a switching station in Barnstable, where they would connect to New England's bulk power grid. In December, three entities -- Baystate Wind, Deepwater Wind and Vineyard Wind -- submitted proposals under the Massachusetts Clean Energy RFP. The solicitation seeks up to 1,600 megawatts of offshore wind power. The winner, to be announced in April, will gain valuable long-term power contracts with Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil. Vineyard Wind says it is further along than its competitors, could begin construction in late 2019, and is "the only proposed offshore wind project in Massachusetts that has begun the process of obtaining state and federal permits." According to comments submitted to state regulators, various advocates have praised the project's potential to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, while noting that construction could affect shellfish, fisheries, seabirds, and marine mammals. Vineyard Wind's preliminary certificate is the first step in a lengthy review process involving the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management,the Army Corps of Engineers, the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board, and other state, federal, and local regulators. Vineyard Wind, based in New Bedford, is a 50-50 venture between Avangrid Renewables and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. Baystate Wind, headquartered in Providence, is proposed by Eversource Energy and the Danish firm Orsted. Deepwater Wind, also in Providence, proposes its Revolution Wind project in partnership with National Grid Ventures and FirstLight Power Resources. Each has a lease for a federal offshore wind area on the Outer Continental Shelf overseen by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Public versions of the bids are available online. SPRINGFIELD -- After months of fundraisers and community events, 10 organizations in Puerto Rico will receive $100,000 in donations raised in Western Massachusetts. The Western Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico coalition, which came together after Hurricane Maria devastated the island in September, announced Monday night that the money will be sent out to organizations immediately. "When we all came together the first call to action was to do a collection of donations because people just wanted to give," said Waleska Lugo-DeJesus, an executive committee member for the coalition. "We mobilized over 300 volunteers to collect, sort and transfer items to Puerto Rico." Lugo-DeJesus credited the mayors of Springfield, Holyoke and Westfield, who came together to open donation centers, mobilize city departments to help families arriving to the region from Puerto Rico. Representatives from service organizations in all three cities became part of the coalition as well. The effort raised $180,000, with $80,000 going to the welcome centers in Springfield and Holyoke working with the hundreds of families that have arrived in the region since the hurricane. An additional $1,600 will go to the Family Resource Center in Springfield run by the Gandara Center. The largest donation came from the tenants at Chestnut Towers, who raised $14,772 with the help of Related Companies, a New York City real estate company which manages the property. "There was a lot of organizations small and big that put together fundraisers and events that made this a success," said Springfield City Councilor Adam Gomez. Gomez and Holyoke City Councilor Jossie Valentin listed the ten organizations that were selected after a vetting process. The following organizations will receive $10,000 each: Taller Salud: Programa de Educacion Comunal de Entrega y Servicio: Convoy of Hope: Sociedad Pro Hospital del Nino: Proyecto Matria Inc.: CDPEC, Inc. : National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference: Brigada Solidaria del Oeste: Para La Naturaleza: The New North Citizens Council was the fiscal agent for the fund, which was opened at Freedom Credit Union. "This is a community that rallied and came together as one," said Edward Nunez, assistant vice president of commercial lending for Freedom Credit Union. "As Americans, and make no mistake, we are Americans, one of our greatest attributes and strengths is our resilience. When there is a time of need we come together and rally and that is what this community did for Puerto Rico, time and time again." Nelson Roman, executive director of Nueva Esperanza and an executive committee member of the coalition, said the public will be able to see just how much money was raised and where it was spent. "We have been transparent in this process and when the checks are cut Freedom Credit Union will be making a bank statement available to the public showing every dollar that came into the account and where it went," he said. The account at Freedom Credit Union has now been closed and the coalition has voted to disband. Members are asking that any future donations be made directly to local organizations working with families in the region. Springfield's welcome centers are the New North Citizens Council and the Family Resource Center, through the Gandara Center. In Holyoke Enlace De Familias is the designated welcome center, but organizations including Nueva Esperanza and New Horizons Family Community Center, Inc. are also assisting families. By Richard C. Lord, president and CEO of Associated Industries of Massachusetts I grew up in North Adams in a world defined by family, community and work. The three elements existed symbiotically: families bonded around common values; neighborhoods joined together to form communities; and innovative employers created jobs that allowed hard-working people to support their families. North Adams was a tightly knit Berkshire County mill town where almost everyone you knew (and you knew most everyone) worked either at Sprague Electric, General Electric in Pittsfield or North Adams Regional Hospital. Few people in North Adams could tell you what the statewide employer association called Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) did, but we all grew up breathing the air of its accomplishments. So did kids raised in Southbridge around American Optical, in Springfield near American Bosch or in Quincy by the shipyard. All of us instinctively understood that the jobs our parents and grandparents held, usually for decades, created an enduring sense of certainty that held together families, communities and all the things we held important. Not to mention the ballfields, parks and street signs that companies often donated. It was in November 1915 that a group of 26 manufacturers, primarily from Western Massachusetts, formed Associated Industries of Massachusetts. Its mission was to work cooperatively with state government officials to support public policies that would create economic opportunity for the people of the commonwealth. Through a century of boom and recession, world wars, a moon landing, the development of the internet and the mapping of the human genome, AIM has been a clear and unwavering voice for Massachusetts employers. Membership has expanded to include employers in every sector of the economy, from multinational corporations to software start-ups to sole proprietorships. AIM today represents several thousand employers who together embody all the intelligence, ingenuity and work ethic that make Massachusetts unique. The genius of the AIM founders was to look beyond the immediate economic and political challenges of the day and concentrate instead on the long-term structural issues that would shape the Massachusetts economy. These founders understood that the creation of a job and a person's ability to do it weaves together every important aspect of social and economic stability - the desire for a better life, the ability to support a family, the confidence to start a business, and the need to support efficient government management of services such as education, health care and public safety. It also engenders a sense of common purpose that binds us together as a community through good times and bad, through prosperity and uncertainty, through national triumphs and unspeakable tragedies. AIM has in recent years honored the long-term vision of its founders by publishing an annually updated economic plan for Massachusetts called the Blueprint for the Next Century. The blueprint, due to be updated again in 2018, identifies four major priorities for the state economy: * Develop the best system in the world for educating and training workers with the skills to allow Massachusetts companies to succeed in a rapidly changing global economy; * Create a competitive economic structure across all industries, geographic regions and populations rather than picking winners and losers. That structure must include a well-functioning and reliable transportation system throughout the commonwealth; * Establish a world-class state regulatory system that meets the highest standards for efficiency, predictability, transparency, and responsiveness; and * Moderate the substantial burden that health care and energy costs place on business growth. All this came back to me several years ago when my father, who spent a career working for General Electric in Pittsfield, passed away a year before the 100th anniversary of AIM. I thought about all the fathers and mothers who have worked hard at AIM-member companies during the past century so they might create a future for their children, take them on vacation, pay for trips to the emergency room, send them to college and then and enjoy a bit of retirement. Associated Industries of Massachusetts conducts its public policy advocacy in the marble halls of the Statehouse on Beacon Hill, but the ultimate value of what we and our 4,000 member employers do each day is found in thousands of living rooms around the commonwealth. We work with government to help employers create the kind of economic opportunity that will allow more moms and dads to set down their tools, computers, briefcases and research notes at the end of the day and enjoy the kind of life for which we all hope in the next century. Richard C. Lord is president and CEO of Associated Industries of Massachusetts. To learn more about the organization and its work, visit the website, aimnet.org. In the modern era, a president's budget proposal is routinely declared to be DOA -- dead on arrival -- upon its release. This year, though, there was a bit of a change. President Donald Trump's budget package was effectively DBA -- dead before arrival. The White House's $4.4 trillion budget proposal for fiscal 2019 was officially released on Monday. But even before its unveiling, plenty in Washington -- both knowledgeable observers and members of Congress from both political parties -- had been dismissing the plan as just so much hooey. On the most basic of levels, the Trump budget calls for massive increases in military spending and huge cuts in outlays for the social safety net -- food stamps and health care for the poor and housing vouchers and the like. It also doesn't even pretend to care about deficits, long a Republican Party priority, at least on paper. For as long as anyone can remember, GOP presidents and Republican budget leaders in Congress would produce plans that would purport to balance the budget at some point down the road. To be sure, these plans were often wildly unrealistic, imagining growth that existed only in the minds of those who produced the plans, and envisioning some sort of magical economic supercharging that would come from cuts in taxes. With those assumptions, the budget would be balanced in, say, 10 years. In their dreams, at least. That this never happened didn't keep folks from playing the same game next time around. Trump's plan is different, though. It still makes all sorts of wild assumptions regarding overall growth and the stimulative effects of tax cuts, but it doesn't even bother to pretend that that will somehow result in a balanced budget. More than 80 years ago, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt succinctly summed up the roles of the executive and legislative branches of the federal government. Answering questions at a press conference in June 1937, he said, "[I]t is the duty of the President to propose and it is the privilege of the Congress to dispose." He had that right, of course. Ours is a government of divided powers. In the eight decades since, presidents have increasingly tried to assert their authority on various fronts, and have been successful to varying degrees. But at the end of the day, the Congress has the ultimate control when it comes to the federal budget. As such, Trump's proposal could be filed under science fiction and fantasy. Or just unceremoniously tossed into the trash. To say it's going nowhere is to give it too much credit. It may as well not even have been printed. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey co-wrote a multi-state letter urging the U.S. Commerce Department not to include a question about citizenship on the U.S. census in 2020. "The census is supposed to count everyone. This request by the Trump Administration will result in an undercount of the Massachusetts population and threatens federal funding for our state and our cities," Healey said in a statement. The Department of Justice has proposed adding a citizenship question to the census. The Department of Justice letter, first reported by ProPublica, said that in order to protect against racial discrimination in voting, the department needs a reliable count of the voting age population in places where discrimination is suspected. Between 1970 and 2000, a citizenship question was included on the "long-form" census form, which was sent to one in six households. In 2010, that census form was replaced with a survey that was sent to fewer households. Opponents of adding a question say it will discourage participation in the census by immigrants, those who entered legally and illegally. The census is required by law to count every person living in each state, regardless of legal status. Healey co-authored a letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra. They were joined by 16 other attorneys general and the Colorado governor. The letter urges the Commerce Department, which oversees the census, to reject the Department of Justice's request. "Adding a citizenship question -- especially at such a late date in the 2020 Census planning process -- would significantly depress participation, causing a population undercount that would disproportionately harm states and cities with large immigrant communities," the attorneys general wrote. They wrote that this could jeopardize federal funds that are allocated based on population and skew representation in Congress and the Electoral College. The attorneys general argue that the Census Bureau has long recognized the difficulty of getting immigrants to respond to the census, and that difficulty is likely to increase in 2020 as immigrants are more worried about confidentiality due to President Donald Trump's rhetoric and actions on immigration. Adding a question on citizenship, they said, would likely decrease the rate of response by immigrants and increase the number of inaccurate responses. They wrote that there is also not enough time to properly test the questions, since the final census must be provided to Congress by March 31. In addition, the Census Bureau is underfunded, and adding a citizenship question could make it more expensive if census officials have to track down more individuals who do not return census surveys. They argued that collecting citizenship data would not help voting rights, but would harm them, if communities are underrepresented. Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin, whose office administers the federal census, has been outspoken against the addition of a citizenship question, calling it a political play by the Trump administration to "sabotage" the census in states like Massachusetts that have large immigrant populations. "To count everyone, whether legal or undocumented, that's always been a challenge," Galvin said. "The problem now, in light of the rhetoric of the Trump administration, is going to be even more so. Adding this question would only add to the confusion." All cities and towns in Massachusetts send out annual surveys to every household asking for verification of who lives there. The survey includes a question about nationality. But Galvin said the Massachusetts questionnaire is different from the federal census. The annual listing of residences is sent out by communities to keep their voter lists current. The citizenship question is necessary, because only citizens are allowed to vote. The listing is also used to establish jury pools, which are also dependent on citizenship. The national census is different, because its purpose, under the Constitution, is to count every person who lives in the U.S. Galvin praised Healey's decision to write the letter. "It's the right thing to do," he said. He noted that work is ramping up now to prepare for the 2020 census. Multi-State Letter Re 2020 Census by Anonymous V8Ihswp4nM on Scribd All of the state senators from Western Massachusetts have pulled papers to run for another term. Former Senate President Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst, announced last month that he was running for re-election despite a scandal related to alleged sexual misconduct by his husband. Rosenberg stepped down from the Senate presidency during an investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee into whether he broke any Senate rules related to his husband's access to Senate business. Despite the scandal, no one has yet taken out papers to run against Rosenberg, according to the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office. Candidates must submit signatures to their local election office by May 1, so there is still plenty of time for candidates to decide to run. Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow, who has expressed interest in running for the Senate presidency next year, is also running unopposed so far. Also running without any declared challengers so far is Pittsfield Democrat Adam Hinds. Sen. Jim Welch, D-West Springfield, is facing Democratic primary challenges from Springfield City Councilor Adam Gomez and unsuccessful school board candidate Gizelle Vizcarrondo. Lorenzo Gaines, who lives with Vizcarrondo, is running as an unenrolled candidate. Gaines and Vizcarrondo are the parents of Marc Vizcarrondo, a 5-year-old who nearly drowned in a pool at Camp STAR Angelina in Forest Park last summer. Sen. Don Humason, R-Westfield, has a potential Democratic challenger in Forrest Bradford. Bradford also took out papers to run for the 3rd Hampden House seat, where he would challenge Rep. Nicholas Boldyga, R-Southwick. Bradford could not immediately be reached. Sen. Anne Gobi, D-Spencer, is facing a challenge from Republican Steven Hall. On the House side, long-time Reps. Stephen Kulik, D-Worthington, and John Scibak, D-South-Hadley, announced this week that they are not running for re-election. No one has yet picked up papers to run for either of those seats, in the 1st Franklin or 2nd Hampshire districts. All of the other incumbent representatives from Hampden, Franklin, Hampshire and Berkshire counties either pulled papers to run for re-election or confirmed to The Republican/MassLive.com that they are running again. So far, based on who has pulled papers, several incumbents are facing challengers. A potential candidate who takes out papers can still decide not to run. Rep. Todd Smola, R-Palmer, is facing a challenge from Democrat Tanya Neslusan. Rep. Brian Ashe, D-Longmeadow, is facing a challenge from Republican Allison Werder. Boldyga is facing a challenge from Bradford and Democrat Lawrence Cohen. Rep. Jose Tosado, D-Springfield, is facing a challenge from Robert Underwood, who is unenrolled. Rep. Bud Williams, D-Springfield, is facing a primary challenge from Democrat Larry Lawson. No one is challenging the other incumbents so far, although it is still early, and other candidates are likely to run. Massachusetts congressional lawmakers and state-based advocacy groups spoke out this week against President Donald Trump's $4.4 trillion fiscal year 2019 budget proposal -- a plan which they cast as "a document of contradictions and misplaced priorities." Raising concerns about the plan's proposed cuts to domestic programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as food stamps or SNAP, critics contended that the president's budget highlights his misguided priorities. They further argued that the spending increases included in the proposal fly in the face of Republicans' traditional stance of opposing federal deficit increases. U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, slammed the Trump administration for looking to increase border security and defense spending while "gutting" the Department of Transportation and "slashing" the Environmental Protection Agency and State Department's budgets. He further took issue with the plan's proposed changes to funding for programs that generally benefit low-income Americans and seniors. "The Trump budget is a document of contradictions and misplaced priorities ... The Trump budget is about more emissions and more munitions," he said in a statement. "And the total elimination of funding for programs like low-income energy assistance and community development block grants, along with the assaults on Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security make this budget a social safety net tragedy." Markey added that the president's proposal -- which would add an estimated $7 trillion to the federal deficit over the next 10 years -- "is a clear admission that the GOP's previous bemoaning of the deficit was always just crocodile tears." "After giving $1.5 trillion away in their tax scam to the super wealthy and corporate donors, Republicans can no longer pretend that their budget eliminates the deficit over the next decade," he said. Markey stressed that he will fight for a budget "that isn't balanced on the backs of Massachusetts' hardest working or most vulnerable." U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Worcester, also spoke out against the president's proposed cuts to programs like SNAP, calling the budget an "immoral attack on seniors and working families." The congressman argued that while Trump "may have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth," his call to cut billions in SNAP spending will hurt millions of families who rely on the anti-hunger program as they work to lift themselves out of poverty. "Cutting more than $200 billion from SNAP that helps to feed millions of families every year and completely eliminating the McGovern-Dole food aid program that feeds millions around the world, is the lowest of lows," he said in a statement. McGovern added that the president's proposed cuts to Medicare and Medicaid could threaten health care access for millions of seniors and families. "This budget is a cruel slap in the face of these hardworking families and one of the most immoral things I've seen come from this White House," he said. "If Speaker (Paul) Ryan and House Republicans try to pass this obscene budget, they should be ready for one hell of a fight." U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Melrose, meanwhile, said "Trump's plan to slash Medicare, cut food assistance for hungry children and destabilize health care for millions tells us all we need to know about who Republicans are fighting for." #Update: The budget is a reflection of values. Trump's plan to slash Medicare, cut food assistance for hungry children, and destabilize health care for millions tells us all we need to know about who Republicans are fighting for. Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) February 12, 2018 Georgia Katsoulomitis, executive director of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, argued that while the priorities included in Trump's $4.4 trillion budget proposal -- which would cover Oct. 1 2018 through Sept. 30, 2019 -- are "no surprise," the plan "clearly demonstrates that this administration's values and priorities are deeply misguided." Katsoulomitis took issue with the proposal's nearly $700 billion in what she called "harmful and short-sighted program cuts" to SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare, housing programs, disability programs, as well as the complete elimination of funding for the Legal Services Corporation, which funds civil legal aid programs for low-income Americans. In Massachusetts, she offered, more than 760,000 individuals use SNAP, the vast majority of whom are children, seniors or those with disabilities. More than 1.8 million residents, meanwhile, are enrolled in MassHealth, the state's Medicaid program, including more than 600,000 children, Katsoulomitis said. She added that the president's proposed housing program cuts could result in the state losing $290 million annually and impact up to 37,247 Massachusetts households per year. "The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute is committed to working with our elected leaders, community advocates and all of our partners to protect important programs and to limit the damage to the Commonwealth that will result from these destructive budget proposals," she said in a statement. "MLRI will join with state and local officials to ensure that poor children and families have access to all essential public programs to ensure they eat and receive the health care treatment they need." Lonnie Powers, executive director of the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, also raised concerns about the proposed cuts and elimination of the LSC, contending they could "have devastating and long-lasting consequences on the stability of individuals, families and communities across our state and our country." "Continued threats to federal funding highlight the need for robust state and local support," she said in a statement. Trump, on Monday, sent Congress his budget request, which called for $540 billion in non-defense related spending in 2019 and at least $1.8 trillion in cuts to federal entitlement programs, like Medicaid, Medicare and food stamps, according to the New York Times. It includes $46 billion for the Department of Homeland Security to crack down on illegal immigration and build a border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border; $13 billion in new spending for efforts to combat opioid abuse and $200 billion over the next decade in new infrastructure spending, among other things, the newspaper reported. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the budget proposal addresses the president's top three priorities: rebuilding the military, growing the American economy and ending waste. "We look forward to working closely with Congress to achieve these priorities and ensure the safety and security of the United States for generations to come," she told reporters Monday. Two fiscally conservative think tanks are pushing back against a proposed state constitutional amendment that would raise taxes on income over $1 million, with new studies arguing that the policy would hurt the Massachusetts economy. Pioneer Institute Executive Director Jim Stergios warned that the amendment, combined with the recent federal tax overhaul, could double the effective tax rate for wealthy Massachusetts residents. "That is not a good calling card for Massachusetts," Stergios said. Unless it is ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Judicial Court, a constitutional amendment is set to appear on the 2018 ballot, which would raise the state's income tax rate by 4 percentage points on income over $1 million. The business-backed Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation argues in a report that higher taxes could encourage wealthy individuals to leave Massachusetts. The report states that now that the federal government is capping federal deductions for state and local taxes, the effective state income tax rate for individuals earning more than $1 million would go from 3 percent to 9 percent. "Given the high cost of living along with increased property and income tax costs resulting from the federal limitation on (state and local tax) deductions, onerous estate taxes, and a surge in the number of potential retirees, the imposition of the additional 4 percent income surtax will surely drive more Massachusetts taxpayers to change their state of tax residency," the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation wrote. The report said that four states that increased taxes on income over $1 million -- California, Connecticut, New Jersey and New York -- collectively saw taxpayers with adjusted gross income of $17.1 billion leave the state in 2016. Five of the nine states that gained adjusted gross income in 2016, a group led by Florida, have no state income taxes. The study notes that Massachusetts already has more people leaving the state than moving in, with significant migration to New Hampshire and Florida, which have no income or estate tax. The free market Pioneer Institute argued similarly that the federal tax overhaul's cap on state and local tax deductions makes the proposed tax hike on millionaires more significant. The Pioneer Institute called it a "double whammy." With both of those changes, the average state tax paid by someone earning over $1 million in Massachusetts would jump from $153,100 to $318,000, according to the Pioneer Institute. The Pioneer Institute notes that having a tax rate of 9.1 percent, up from the current 5.1 percent, on income over $1 million would give Massachusetts the fifth-highest top nominal tax rate in the country and the highest marginal tax rate. (The marginal tax rate is the rate actually paid after deductions.) "The long-term economic well-being of Massachusetts is at risk should this tax hike pass, as more of the state's population and businesses would be motivated to move to states such as New Hampshire and Florida, which have no state income tax," the Pioneer Institute wrote. "Others would be deterred from locating or expanding businesses in Massachusetts." But Steve Crawford, a spokesman for Raise Up Massachusetts, which is advocating for the constitutional amendment, responded with a study from the liberal leaning Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, which found that few wealthy individuals actually move because of tax policy. "Millionaire migration is a proven myth," Crawford said. "The highest-quality studies using actual tax data from the IRS shows that millionaires move less often then the rest of us, and that state income tax rates have only a very limited impact on the residence decisions of millionaire households. Like the rest of us, the rich move to be near their families and their jobs, not to save a small percentage of their income in taxes." Crawford also cited data from the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center to argue that wealthy individuals received benefits from the federal tax overhaul that outweigh the harm from capping the state and local tax deduction. "They can clearly afford to pay more to make the investments we need," Crawford said. Raise Up Massachusetts, which is pushing for the tax, is funded primarily by unions: SEIU, the Massachusetts Teachers Association and others. It has support from liberal organizing groups such as Neighbor to Neighbor and Massachusetts Jobs with Justice. Noah Berger, president of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, donated staff time worth $9,600 to the coalition, according to campaign finance reports. Raise Up Massachusetts is also supporting ballot questions to institute paid family and medical leave and raise the minimum wage. As of the end of January, a ballot committee had not been formed with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance to oppose the constitutional amendment. Leader of the New Forces Movement party, ex-President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili has said that he will not ask for political asylum in Poland. "I had a conversation with the leadership of the Interior Ministry of Poland. They called me when I arrived at the airport. The first question they asked me was whether I would ask for political asylum in Poland ... I answered that I would not ask for any political salvation," he said on the NewsOne TV channel on Tuesday. According to Saakashvili, he was given security in Poland. As reported, Saakashvili on February 12 was detained in Kyiv and returned to Poland on the readmission procedure. The Polish Border Guard Service informed that Saakashvili was hosted on the territory of Poland on the basis of the application of the State Migration Service of Ukraine on readmission. The department noted that, taking into account the fact that Saakashvili is the husband of a citizen of a member state of the European Union, "the request of the Ukrainian side was positively received." State Representative and Republican National Committeewoman Keiko Orrall, of Lakeville, is running for state treasurer. Orrall will challenge incumbent Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, a Democrat. Orrall will be the first Asian-American woman to run for a constitutional office in Massachusetts. "I promise to work across the aisle to pursue fiscally conservative policies that will make your taxpayer dollars go farther," Orrall said in a statement. Goldberg confirmed that she is running for re-election. "I am proud of the work I have done as Treasurer and welcome this opportunity to highlight our work over the last three years," Goldberg said in a statement. "As a steward of our state's finances, we have promoted fiscally responsible policies while breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for people all over the state." Orrall was elected to the Legislature in 2011 from the 12th Bristol district. She is a former public school teacher who home schooled her two children. She holds a bachelor's degree from Smith College. In a video introducing her candidacy, Orrall stressed her ability to work in a bipartisan fashion. In the Legislature, she said, she has tried to end wasteful spending and limit government overregulation. "As a taxpayer, you should know how your money is being spent," Orrall said in a statement. "As a retiree on a public pension, you should be confident the best investments are being made to ensure your hard work has paid off. As a small business owner, you should rest assured that state government is not trying to overreach and overregulate." In the State House, Orrall opposed the PARCC test and the Common Core education standards. At the time she was running for Republican National Committeewoman, she said she was proud of perfect ratings from anti-tax and fiscally conservative groups as well as from pro-gun rights and anti-abortion rights groups. In her campaign video, she talks about her family, with two uncles and a father who served in the military. Her father was born to Japanese field laborers in Hawaii, and her uncles served in a segregated Japanese-American unit in World War II. Massachusetts U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, both Democrats, are asking the federal government to extend emergency shelter benefits for Puerto Rican evacuees. "While we recognize the need for FEMA to conduct periodic review of program eligibility, we are concerned by reports from several states that evacuees deemed ineligible for the TSA program have been forced to leave hotels and motels with few financial resources and little access to alternate housing options," Warren and Markey wrote. Their letter comes on the heels of a similar request from Gov. Charlie Baker and the mayors of Massachusetts' largest cities. After Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, many Puerto Ricans fled to the mainland U.S. According to FEMA, 10,000 Puerto Ricans - around 4,000 families - are receiving housing benefits from FEMA and living for free in hotels and motels. The Federal Emergency Management Agency plans to reevaluate families' benefits on Feb. 14, at which point it will decide if families' homes in Puerto Rico are habitable and whether they can return. The senators are asking for benefits to be extended until March 20. The last time FEMA did a review, in January, federal officials determined that 65 families in Massachusetts would lose their benefits. State officials found that 53 of those families did not have money to return to Puerto Rico or to find new housing, including, for some of those families, while they were appealing FEMA's ruling. The senators wrote that five months after the hurricane, "Puerto Rico continues to grapple with crippled infrastructure and damaged homes," and evacuees are struggling to find housing, learn whether their homes are habitable and travel back to Puerto Rico. FORT MYERS, Fla. - David Price is ready to move on. The Red Sox left-hander held court with the Boston media for the first time this spring on Tuesday, the day before pitchers and catchers are officially scheduled to report to camp at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Fla. A refreshed and refocused Price, admitted he didn't handle the struggles of 2017 well and is looking forward to a new start in 2018. "I feel like I've always been one to lead with my actions and I didn't do that very well last year and I know that and I understand that," Price said. "I look forward to getting back and being that faucet and not being a drain." One year ago next week, Price was shut down with elbow and forearm soreness which led to him missing much of camp and the start of the regular season. A confrontation with Red Sox broadcaster Dennis Eckersley followed by another stint on the disabled list and a return to the team in a new role out of the bullpen, created a rough season for Price. But after an offseason stepping away from the drama, his first offseason as a new father, Price says he realized he didn't handle much of last season well. "I could've handled it better last year, absolutely, but I didn't, and I've moved on," he said. "I look forward to getting back this year and getting off on the right foot." He said he's willing to talk to Eckersely if the opportunity presents itself. Despite his impressive performance out of the bullpen at the end of 2017 and into the playoffs, Price knows he has a long way to go to win back the fans in Boston. "I feel like it's pretty straightforward," he said. "You know what you're going to get. If you go out there and pitch well and play well, you're going to have the support. That's something I've said for a very long time, and something I heard from James Shields: 'If you don't like it, pitch better.' That's always the motto, whether you're going good or going bad. You can always make things better by pitching better. That's what I've got to do. Go out there and throw the ball the way I threw the ball before I got to Boston." Now fully healthy, the left-hander expects to turn the page on a tumultuous 2017 and pitch the way he knows he's capable. "You guys expect a lot and guys coming into Boston know that," Price said. "Go out there and win. Winning cures everything." -- Follow MassLive.com Red Sox beat reporter @jcmccaffrey on Twitter. She can be reached by email at jmccaffr@masslive.com. We are not witnessing an end to the importance of cognitive skills rather, strong cognitive skills are increasingly a necessary but not a sufficient condition for obtaining a good, high-paying job. You also need to have social skills. Economists are increasingly focused on the importance of so-called "soft skills" for labor market success. The evidence is overwhelming that these skills also called "non-cognitive skills" are important drivers of success in school and in adult life.1 Yet the very term soft skills reveals our lack of understanding of what these skills are, how to measure them, and whether and how they can be developed. And the term "non-cognitive" is simply used to mean "not predicted by IQ or achievement tests." David J. Deming http://www.nber.org/reporter/2017number4/deming.html (Many thanks to University of Montana http://www.umt.edu/ President Seth Bodnar for bringing the article above to our attention.) Liberal arts grads: Tech companies want YOU! http://www.matr.net/article-78883.html Why Mark Cuban Believes Liberal Arts Is The Future Of Jobs http://www.matr.net/article-75810.html Why I Was Wrong About Liberal-Arts Majors http://www.matr.net/article-71952.html KSL.com reports that 11 city employees resigned from their positions last week and one of them cited his religious objections to working for a woman as a primary reason. Specifically, the employee claimed that his religious beliefs prevented him from "following a woman, and from serving on a board with apostates" as the reason for his resignation. Brad Reed Its no secret that Missoula has a vibrant arts and entertainment industry. Art shows, music concerts and movie festivals fill the city every weekend. In fact, some residents complain there are just too many events to attend. From early spring through late fall Caras Park hosts a series of local art events, brew fests and fundraisers. Each month, First Friday Gallery Night packs the streets of downtown with visitors to the citys art galleries. The MCT Center for the Performing Arts, Missoula Art Museum, Clay Studio of Missoula, the Downtown Dance Collective and Zootown Arts Community Center all have a full schedule of ongoing classes, exhibitions and events. by Tom Bensen Two more consultants from the United States will work at Ukraine's Defense Ministry this year, according to U.S. Department of Defense adviser Steven Silverstein. "We want to send advisors to Ukraine on cyber security and strategic communications. We look closely at Strategic Defense Bulletin to see which sphere is still without advisor. A cyber security advisor is urgently required because of high activity of aggressor. We are now looking for such an advisor. It is great investment in human resources," Silverstein said in an exclusive interview with the Kyiv-based Interfax-Ukraine news agency. He added that a senior strategic advisor had recently arrived in Ukraine to ensure coordination of all aspects of military reform in Ukraine. "Two weeks age senior strategic advisor came to Ukraine, his mission is to provide coordination of the whole process. He has already met general Petrenko (Deputy Minister of Defense for European integration)," Silverstein said. He declined to answer questions about U.S. arms supplies to Ukraine in order not to supply Ukraine's enemies with "extra information." "There was face to face meeting with Secretary of Defense James Mattis where was stated that reforms are going on, advisors and U.S. DoD heading into one direction," Silverstein said. NATO Secretary General plans to hold meeting with Poroshenko in Munich NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said that he plans to hold talks this week with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko at the Munich Security Conference. "This week I meet with President Poroshenko in Munich," Stoltenberg said at a press conference on Tuesday. He noted that Ukraine is an important partner of NATO, and the North Atlantic alliance intends to continue close cooperation with this country. The Munich Security Conference will be held on February 15-17. By 2024, already 15 NATO member states will spend over two percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) and more on defense, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said. "During three years we are seeing an increasing in spending on defense across the entire specture of European allies and Canada. As result, $46 billion more is being spent on defense. National plans demonstrate that we can expect further increases in this area," Stoltenberg said at a press conference in Brussels on Tuesday. He said that in 2014 only three NATO states spent more than 2% of GDP or more on defense. This year, eight NATO member states are expected to reach the target. The European Union continues to monitor the situation with respect to former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and hopes for the observance of his rights. We continue to monitor developments in relation to Mr. Saakashvili. We expect observance of the rule of law, as well as the rights of Mr. Saakashvili, the EU Delegation to Ukraine said in response to a request from Interfax-Ukraine on Tuesday. As reported, in July 2017, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed a decree stripping Saakashvili of Ukrainian citizenship when he was in the United States. On September 10, the politician and his supporters broke through the Polish-Ukrainian border. On February 12, 2018, he was detained in Kyiv and returned to Poland. The Polish Border Guard Service said that Saakashvili had been deported to Poland on the basis of an application on readmission from the State Migration Service of Ukraine. The politician said he planned to restore his Ukrainian citizenship. WASHINGTON Feb. 13, 2018 $14 billion Elizabeth Dole Craig Remsburg , Gilbert, AZ , Sharon Grassi , Gilbert, AZ , Colleen Johnson , Milford, DE , Jennifer Nelson , Navarre, FL , Mary-Ella Majetich , Jacksonville, FL , Stephanie Ruepp , Valdosta, GA , Jessica Montgomery , Council, ID , Aimmie Jenkins , Fort Wayne, IN , Ashlee Williams , Woodburn, KY , Sharon Urbina , Covington, LA , Betty O'Brien , Belchertown, MA , Elissa Lynch , Minnetonka, MN , Trizer Smith, Blaine, MN Vicki Boswell , Hattiesburg, MS , Hannah Nieskens , Cardwell, MT , Melida Collins , Santa Fe, NM , Karee White , Apex, NC , Lynz Piper-Loomis , Charleston, SC , Ida Carson , Dayton, OH , Cynde Collins-Clark , Edmond, OK , Carol Christofero-Snider , Lebanon, OR , Jennifer Olson , Pendleton, OR , Misty Toothman , Birdsboro, PA , Robert Grier , Wexford, PA , Tennille Collins , Rapid City, SD , Amanda Nuckoles , Mount Juliet, TN , Angie Toone , American Fork, UT , Melissa Jackson , Dorset, VT Elizabeth Dole San Antonio New York Washington, DC San Diego /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Elizabeth Dole Foundation is pleased to announce its 2018 class of Dole Caregiver Fellows. These 28 active military and veteran caregivers will join nearly 150 past and present Dole Caregiver Fellows to bring attention to the crisis faced by America's 5.5 million hidden heroes - the spouses, parents, family members, and friends who provide more thanin voluntary care for wounded, ill, or injured veterans."Our Fellows are the heart and soul of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation," said Senator, Founder of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. "We are thrilled to welcome their unique voices and contributions to our work. Though they come from different states and territories and care for veterans and service members with a variety of needs, these brave men and women share common stories of struggle and triumph, resilience, and hope. I look forward to working with them as they mobilize their communities, and the nation, in support of hidden heroes."As a RAND Corporation study commissioned by the Foundation pointed out, a well-supported caregiver is the single most important factor in a veteran's improvement and recovery. Dole Caregiver Fellows advise the Foundation, its coalition partners, and government and community leaders on the most pressing issues concerning military caregivers.This year's Dole Caregiver Fellows class includes spouses, mothers, fathers, and sons whose veterans served in all branches of the military and across all eras of war. The 2018 class includes a son caring for his father, an Air Force veteran and civil rights pioneer; a high school principal who relies on the support of her community in order to care for her husband; and a mother - a veteran herself - whose tireless advocacy has allowed her daughter to receive care at home, rather than in a nursing facility.Members of the 2018 Dole Caregiver Fellows include:If you are interested in conducting an interview with any of the 2018 Dole Caregiver Fellows, or with a spokesperson from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, please reach out to the media contact above.About Elizabeth Dole Foundation The Elizabeth Dole Foundation is the preeminent organization empowering, supporting, and honoring our nation's 5.5 million military caregivers - the spouses, parents, family members, and friends who care for America's wounded, ill or injured veterans at home. Founded by Senatorin 2012, the Foundation adopts a comprehensive approach in its support and advocacy, working with leaders in the public, private, nonprofit, and faith communities to recognize military caregivers' service and promote their well-being. Learn more about the Elizabeth Dole Foundation at http://www.elizabethdolefoundation.org.The Hidden Heroes Campaign, an initiative of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, brings vital attention to the untold stories of military caregivers and provides a safe, secure place where caregivers can meet and access carefully vetted resources at HiddenHeroes.org. Another aspect of the Campaign, Hidden Heroes Cities, is an effort to galvanize local leaders across America to identify military caregivers in their communities and the local resources to support them. To date, 110 cities fromto, fromtohave signed on. Learn more about Hidden Heroes at http://www.hiddenheroes.org.SOURCE Elizabeth Dole Foundation Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who heads the Movement of New Forces party, has said he intends to restore his Ukrainian citizenship. "It was not necessary to deprive me of citizenship. It was against all legal norms... I was and remain a Ukrainian politician, just like I am a Georgian, but I will restore my Ukrainian citizenship," Saakashvili said at a press conference in Warsaw on Tuesday. According to him, he stayed in Ukraine absolutely legally. "I returned to Ukraine on legal grounds, as a permanent resident. I did not have permanent residence in any other country. I was given a temporary document in Ukraine, which was valid until March," Saakashvili added. As reported, in July 2017, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed a decree stripping Saakashvili of Ukrainian citizenship when he was in the United States. On September 10, the politician and his supporters broke through the Polish-Ukrainian border. On February 12, 2018, he was detained in Kyiv and returned to Poland. The Polish Border Guard Service said that Saakashvili had been deported to Poland on the basis of an application on readmission from the State Migration Service of Ukraine. Employees of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine exposed 25 international human trafficking channels in 2017, the head of the service, Petro Tsyhykal, has said. "Trafficking in human beings is a crime by which the State Border Guard Service carries out a number of search and preventive measures. In 2017, we detected 25 human trafficking channels and detained about 600 people. To identify these channels, we conducted joint operations with Polish and Lithuanian law enforcement agencies," the media liaisons office of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry quoted Tsyhykal as saying. He noted that most often crimes related to trafficking in human beings are related to labor slavery and sexual exploitation. Tsyhykal noted that Ukrainians had currently been returned to their homeland and that the perpetrators were held criminally liable. The Kharkiv international airport is holding talks on resumption of flights to Dubai (Saudi Arabia) with Fly Dubai airline that serviced these flights before the introduction of restrictions for flights in 2014, Airport Director General Volodymyr Vasylchenko has said. "We would like to resume flights to Dubai with the famous company Fly Dubai. We are constantly in negotiations with them... Return of Fly Dubai is very important for us," Vasylchenko said at a briefing in Kharkiv on Tuesday. He said that negotiations are also being conducted with the new airline SkyUp. "Today, thanks to the arrival of a new SkyUp airline to the market, it will play the role of a carrier to Dubai," Vasylchenko said. According to him, it is expected that in 2018 SkyUp will start flights from Kharkiv not only to Saudi Arabia, but also inside Ukraine (to Odesa). In addition, SkyUp plans to fly from Kharkiv to Lviv. "However, it is likely that Lviv is a prospect of 2019," he said. Head of the Kharkiv Regional Administration Yulia Svitlychna, who also took part in the briefing, said that SkyUp intends to launch international flights from Kharkov from June this year. "Since June, SkyUp will enter the Kharkiv market with five new destinations - Barcelona, Larnaca, Tivat, Burgas and Rimini. Flights will be once a week," Svitlychna said. Ukraine's State Border Guard Service was following a State Migration Service resolution when it expelled New Forces Movement leader and Georgia's ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili to Poland, the border agency's head, Petro Tsyhykal, has said. "The State Border Guard Service complied with the State Migration Service's decision to send this person back to the country from which he came to Ukraine illegally. Jointly with the State Migration Service and National Police, measures were carried out, as the result of which Saakashvili was returned to Poland," Tsyhykal said in an interview with Ukraine's Channel 5 on Tuesday. Similar measures were applied to 863 people last year, he said. "Saakashvili is already this year's 93rd. So it is not with respect to a certain individual, he is no different from the rest," Tsyhykal said. In July 2017, Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko stripped Saakashvili of Ukrainian citizenship while the latter was in the United States. On September 10, Saakashvili, surrounded by his supporters, crossed from Poland into Ukraine, breaking across the border. On February 12, 2018, Saakashvili was detained in Kyiv and sent back to Poland in line with the readmission procedure. The Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine (PGO) has information about a meeting in Russia between representatives of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, former First Deputy Prime Minister Serhiy Arbuzov and businessman Serhiy Kurchenko, who discussed ways to counteract the progress of investigations by the PGO into the criminal activities of the Yanukovych regime, Deputy Prosecutor General Yevhen Yenin has said. "Following the meeting, the fugitives agreed on steps to discredit the progress of the investigation on the case of the UMH holding, oil rigs, special confiscation through information reports through a number of media outlets under their control," he wrote on his Facebook page on Tuesday. According to him, investigation has currently reached the "holy of holies" - operations with correspondent accounts of Ukrainian banks in European and other countries and the legalization of stolen budget funds and other assets obtained by criminal means. "Despite this, the Prosecutor General's Office hopes, together with our international partners, to achieve further significant results in the return of assets to Ukraine's budget this year," Yenin said. Agents of the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), under the procedural supervision of the Specialized Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), notified Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov on Tuesday, February 13, about suspicion of committing a criminal offense under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (embezzlement of property on a large-scale basis by abuse of office). "The notification of suspicion was done on instructions from SAPO chief Nazar Kholodnytsky, who signed the procedural document," the NABU press service said on Tuesday evening. The NABU also confirmed that three other officials from the mayor's office had been informed of suspicion: the deputy mayor, the director of the municipal property department and the chairman of the permanent commission on municipal property of Odesa City Council. Photo by Nick Gonzales | MLive.com By Jessica Shepherd | jessica_shepherd@mlive.com Michigan breweries are preparing for Valentine's Day in the best possible way by releasing delicious, romantic beers to enjoy on Cupid's favorite holiday. Whether you have a fellow beer lover with whom you can share the holiday, or you are just a solo beer drinker looking to try the latest offerings, these brews are the perfect Valentine's beverages. Perhaps you can set up a romantic beer tasting for your favorite beer snob or take a date out to your favorite brewery to try one of these special brews. No matter who you drink with on the most romantic of holidays, enjoy the delicious Michigan beer of your choosing (and make sure to drink responsibly). Don't Edit Love Shadow This week, Brewery Vivant's Love Shadow will return to stores in 16 ounce cans. You can also find the bourbon barrel aged imperial stout in two special variations on tap starting the afternoon of Tuesday, Feb. 13. If you are in the Grand Rapids area, stop by the brewery to try out Raspberry Beignet Love Shadow and Toasted Coconut Love Shadow. The original Love Shadow will also pop up on tap at bars throughout Michigan. Don't Edit Photo by Emily Zoladz | MLive.com Rubaeus Sure, this isn't a special brew for Valentine's Day but the color alone makes it a festive choice. Plus, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who isn't fond of this Founder's favorite. The raspberry ale is available in cans throughout Michigan, on tap at many watering holes and, of course, at Founders locations in Grand Rapids and Detroit. Don't Edit Aphrodisiac This chocolate pomegranate imperial stout from Cranker's was distributed pre-Valentine's Day so you could stock up for the holiday. Available across the state in 22 ounce bottle, you can also find this seasonal beer at Cranker's locations in Big Rapids, Mount Pleasant and Grand Rapids. "You'll taste the passion that makes this love at first sip," Cranker's writes on their website. Don't Edit [BEER RELEASE] The sexiest beer of the year is here! Hot Loins (6.9% ABV - 15 IBU) is an Experimental Aphrodisiac Ale... Posted by Short's Brewing Company on Monday, February 5, 2018 Hot Loins This perfectly timed release from Shorts has been deemed (by them) "the sexiest beer of the year." Packed full of goji berries, dark sweet cherries, honey and In the Mood Tea from Light of Day Organic Farm and Tea Shop, the bottle calls the beer a "Specialty Aphrodisiac Ale." You can find bottled six packs of the new creation at stores throughout Michigan. Don't Edit Don't Edit Hot Loins is far from the only romantic Shorts beer. You might also find beers like Be Mine, a trippel brewed with candy hearts and Belgian candy syrup, or Cupid's Arrow, a Berliner Weiss brewed with passionfruit and rose petals, if you look around. Don't Edit Happy Valentine's Day! We hope you get the chance to share a Lip Lock (Cherry Stout) with the one you love! Posted by Atwater Brewery on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 Lip Lock What's a better way to ask for a Valentine's Day smooch than by buying your valentine this cherry stout from Atwater? The cherries used here give the beer a tart quality, so don't worry if sweet beers aren't your thing. The seasonal stout can be found in bottles at beer retailers across the state and occasionally on tap. Don't Edit Mykiss Okay, so "mykiss" might be referring to a rainbow trout (as the fishy graphic on the label suggests), but why can't it just have two meanings? I mean, Blackrocks did release this limited release IPA shortly before Valentine's Day. If you like the sounds of a "succulent" IPA with three varieties of hops and hints of passionfruit, guava, pine and mango, this one is for you. You can find it in cans throughout Michigan. Don't Edit Love Me Two Times If you are in the Newaygo area, you'll want to stop into Newaygo Brewing Co. to sample this Belgian double with raspberries. It's not the only Valentine's Day-appropriate offering. They'll also have Cherry Cordial Stout on tap. The brewery is also offering a special $30 meal for you and your holiday date, complete with breadsticks, pizza and lava cake. Don't Edit Photo by Jessica Shepherd | MLive.com Stupid Sexy Tell your valentine they are so sexy it's stupid with this sour from Hudsonville Pike 51 Brewing Co. Or maybe your valentine is a big fan of "The Simpsons." Oh, or maybe your valentine has a sweet mustache like Flanders. No matter the reason, this brew is a pinkish red color perfect for Valentine's Day. You can buy bottles of Stupid Sexy at the Hudsonville brewery for $5 each. Don't Edit Don't Edit Photo by Jessica Shepherd | MLive.com Cheap Date If you have a sweetie who is really low maintenance, Cheap Date is the perfect beer for them. This session ale from Arcadia is hoppy and refreshing. Arcadia calls it "a great anytime beer that pairs well with good, cheap fun." You can find this beer all over Michigan (and beyond). Don't Edit Photo by Jessica Shepherd | MLive.com Hoplust If the only romance you'll experience this year is with beer, Rockford Brewing Company's Hoplust is the beverage for you. Look at that heart/hops hybrid that perfectly depicts your relationship with beer. This West Coast IPA is hoppy (duh!) as a result of half a dozen hops coming together to create a mixture of citrus, tropical and pine flavors. Find it at Rockford Brewing Company, at stores throughout the Grand Rapids area and a couple locations in metro Detroit. Check out a full list of locations here. Don't Edit Photo courtesy of New Holland Brewing Passion Blaster This beer doesn't just have a name perfect for romance, it's also a rose ale. If your valentine isn't into actual roses, get them a dozen of these delicious brews from New Holland Brewing. You'll taste passionfruit, apple and raspberry when sipping this. Find it in cans and on tap at New Holland locations in Holland and Grand Rapids. Later this month and early next month, it will start popping up in stores and bars across the state. Don't Edit Photo by Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com Two Hearted Ale What has two hearts? A couple celebrating Valentine's Day. Also, Michigan's favorite beer. Two Hearted Ale from Bell's might not have the most romantic label but what could say "I love you" more than gifting your sweetheart the best beer EVER? Where can you find it? EVERYWHERE! Don't Edit Photo by John Gonzalez | MLive.com Love beer? Check out Michigan's Beer of the Year Don't Edit Don't Edit You might also enjoy ... What is your Michigan county known for? A look at all 83 Baby names for parents who really love Michigan 12 Michigan treats you haven't tried but should The Better Business Bureau of West Michigan held a news conference to warn consumers about online romances on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. GRAND RAPIDS, MI - On the day before Valentine's Day, the Better Business Bureau in West Michigan joined dozens of similar agencies around the U.S. to warn about online romances that are fraudulent. At any one time, 25,000 scam artists are online with their victims, warned Phil Catlett, president of the local BBB bureau in a news conference on Tuesday, Feb. 13. Half a million persons on online dating sites may be using fake IDs, he said. In most cases, the women are posing as attractive femme fatales while the men are posing as earnest soldiers or veterans who have hit a rough spot. In fact, they are after your money, Catlett said. The victims are often lonely people who have idealized romantic love affairs, said Catlett. The scammers are usually in West African countries such as Nigeria. There also are groups that operate in Russia and the Ukraine. Although online romance scams are common, Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said there's little they can do when the scams are reported because the scammers tend to live in foreign countries. Nonetheless, Becker said they encourage victims to step forward and report the scam. "Your piece may be the missing piece for our office or the U.S. Attorney's office," he said. More commonly, Becker said they get reports from family members who worry about the person who has moved in with an elderly parent or relative and taken control of their finances. Beth Swagman, a Grand Rapids lawyer who specializes in elder law, said too many victims don't report it when they are taken advantage by an online scam. In some cases, the victims fear their children will conclude they are no longer competent and take steps to limit their independence, she said. Meanwhile, scammers encourage their victims to keep their relationships a secret from family members, Swagman said. "The use of secrets really bind the scammer to the victim." Nancy Kropiewnicki, an elder abuse coordinator with Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan, said scammers also will read obituaries and pose as long-lost friends or Army buddies to surviving family members. Here are some of the warning signs of online romance scams: There is no "typical" victim. They can be male or female, young or old, straight or gay. The common denominator is that they are seeking a loving relationship, and they believe they have found it. Scammers often portray themselves as U.S. military members. Military officials say they receive thousands of complaints yearly from scam victims around the world. Officials note military members will never need money for leave or health care. The majority of romance fraud has its home in West Africa, particularly Nigeria. There also are groups that operate in Russia and the Ukraine that employ online dating sites to defraud victims. At any one time, there may be 25,000 scammers online working with victims. A company that screens profiles for dating companies told BBB that 500,000 of the 3.5 million profiles it scans monthly are fake. Click here to read the full report from the Better Business Bureau. On Wednesday, February 14, at 13.00, the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency's press center will host a press conference entitled "The Fight against Corruption (Odesa-Style) or How with Help of "Titushky" (Hired Thugs) and Corrupt Judges Do Away with Journalists and Commit Raider Seizures." The participants will include editor-in-chief of the all-Ukrainian journal Anticorruption Herald Vasha Nadiya (Your Hope) Fedor Oleksiuk, official representative in Ukraine of the European Police Association Serhiy Shulzhenko, director of LLC Prometheus-South, tenant of the seized part of premises Hanna Bevz, director of LLC YUNISIA, tenant of the seized part of premises Svitlana Sokolova, head of the journalist subdivision of the all-Ukrainian journal Anticorruption Herald Vasha Nadiya (Your Hope) in Odesa region Volodymyr Drozdovsky, a lawyer who suffered from the seizure of the apartment by collectors in Kyiv Viktoria Kurylo (8/5a Reitarska Street). Admission requires press accreditation. HOLT, MI - Two bomb threats were found written in a Holt High School girl's bathroom on Tuesday, causing the school to go into lockdown, Ingham County police said. The Delhi Division of the Ingham County Sheriff's Office was notified of the threats inside the school at 5885 Holt Road at around 8:50 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13. A Holt High School student found the first threat on the bathroom wall on Monday, Feb. 12, Ingham County Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth said in a statement. "I will bomb this school at 8:45 Monday-God," it said. That student did not report the threat until Tuesday morning when the student noticed another threat written on the wall near the first threat, Wriggelsworth said. "I will bomb the school at 11:06 Tuesday the 13th-Jesus," the second threat said. Bomb threats written on the wall of a girl's bathroom in Holt High School on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. Explosive detection K-9 units responded to the school. The building was cleared as safe at 11:50 a.m., Wriggelsworth said. "School officials did not know how long the threats have been there, so they aired on the side of caution," said Lt. Dennis Hull of the Ingham County Sheriff's Office. Students and parents were not notified until after the threat was cleared, Wrigglesworth said. "In this case, although frustrating to the parents and our students, the best plan of action was clearing the school with the K-9 units prior to notifying both the students and the parents of the circumstances surrounding the threat," he said in a statement. The threat is being investigated by the Ingham County Sheriff's Office. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Delhi Division of the Ingham County Sheriff's Office at 517-694-0045. ANN ARBOR, MI - Ann Arbor has a lot of issues on its legislative policy agenda right now, and among them is stopping an effort in Lansing to ban the sterilization of deer in Michigan. Kirk Profit and Gary Owen, Ann Arbor's state lobbyists from Governmental Consultant Services Inc., appeared before the City Council Monday night, Feb. 12, to discuss various issues from medical marijuana regulations to House Bill 5321, which seeks to end deer sterilization in Michigan. "This is a bill that comes from the hunting and fishing community - a group called Michigan United Conservation Clubs, MUCC - in an attempt to celebrate or protect the constitutional right to hunt and fish, as they would articulate it, and really prevent ways to deal with deer populations outside of the actual hunting of these populations," Owen told the council, saying the bill is "very popular in northern Michigan and very popular with these types of organizations, but not one that necessarily contemplates what happens here in Ann Arbor." A city-hired contractor last month sterilized another 19 deer in Ann Arbor by surgically removing their ovaries, while separately shooting and killing 156 other deer in the city. The city has an experimental research permit from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and so far it is the only community sterilizing deer in the state. Rep. Triston Cole, R-Mancelona, is the sponsor of HB 5321. He breakfasted on smoked venison before testifying in Lansing against Ann Arbor's decision to sterilize deer last month. "It's about a precedent on how we're going to move forward to manage our game species," Cole said. Addressing the City Council on Monday night, Owen said Tom Crawford and Derek Delacourt from the city's administration deserve credit for going to Lansing last month and testifying before the House Natural Resources Committee, making the city's case for sterilization as a way to complement lethal methods. "Their testimony was in part the reason why the chair announced a subcommittee - instead of reporting the bill out - to look at Ann Arbor's issues specifically, to look at urban deer populations specifically, and how you can manage those deer herds in areas that normal taking or normal hunting is just not an option scientifically," Owen said, noting the subcommittee is meeting Thursday and Delacourt will be back in Lansing to testify with more data. Another of the city's priorities is to strongly support federal and state funding for affordable housing and oppose reductions for what the city considers effective programs. There was mention that the federal government may reduce reimbursement of overhead costs, which city officials say could have an impact of $130,000 on the Ann Arbor Housing Commission's budget in the next year. City Administrator Howard Lazarus briefly discussed the possibility of using city-owned properties as development sites for more low-income housing in the city, whether as stand-alone projects or as part of mixed-income and/or mixed-use projects. He said the two immediate sites where there's interest are 415 W. Washington and 721 N. Main, which are properties along the proposed route of the future Treeline urban trail. Getting the state to address the issue of solar taxation to make small-scale residential solar arrays exempt from property taxes also remains on the city's policy agenda and was discussed Monday night. Mobility issues also are on the city's agenda. Lazarus' presentation to council states the city will continue to seek federal, state and county funds for advancement of infrastructure projects that promote transportation improvements, transit, and pedestrian and bicycle facilities such as the Treeline urban trail. He said the city is working with the Michigan Department of Transportation and some private entities on possible North Main Street improvements. Information presented to the council indicates the city is participating with MDOT on non-motorized components. Lazarus said the city is still waiting for final clearance from the Federal Railroad Administration regarding a "finding of no significant impact" to proceed with plans for a new Amtrak station and parking garage in Fuller Park in front of the University of Michigan Hospital. "We are still working with FRA to get that through the final review process," he said. "It remains a rather detailed and tedious effort." Profit reminded council members that 2018 is a big election year and there will be many changes in state government in the next year, including a new governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, House speaker, Senate majority leader, and House and Senate appropriations chairs. He said both the House and Senate are going to see a lot of turnover because of term limits. "In the Senate, 26 of 38 will leave because of term limits. Seven of those are Democrat and 19 are Republican," he said. Over the next two years, more than half the House will leave because of term limits, Profit said. "It creates a lot of change and transition," he said, encouraging the city to take the opportunity to advance its agenda. "It's a time to engage," he said, arguing the resolutions the City Council occasionally approves taking positions on state legislative issues are useful, as he takes those to Lansing. Council Member Zachary Ackerman, D-3rd Ward, asked Profit to discuss the possibility of renegotiating the state legislation that created the Southeast Michigan Regional Transit Authority. He specifically wanted to know about excluding Macomb County, so only Wayne, Washtenaw and Oakland would be left in the RTA. "I'm not sure how the other partners would react," said Profit, whose lobbying firm also represents Macomb County. Profit recalled at one point years ago there was "no problem" with potentially excluding Washtenaw County from the RTA, so he suspects it would be similar if Macomb wanted out. "I'd be interested in learning more about that," Ackerman said. "I think, in November 2016, Macomb County made pretty clear what their values are, and I don't know as if they're ever going to align with the regional transit authority." The RTA's proposal for a 20-year, 1.2-mill regional transit tax was defeated by voters in November 2016. It would have funded new regional bus services across the four counties and a commuter rail line between Ann Arbor and Detroit. The proposal had 56 percent support in Washtenaw County, 53 percent support in Wayne County and 50 percent support in Oakland County, but only 40 percent support in Macomb County, and Macomb's lack of support was enough to sink it. While it's uncertain if a new RTA proposal will go on the ballot this November, Profit said GCSI is going monitor the issue because it's big for all four counties, but he said at the moment it's a local and regional matter and hasn't required state-level advocacy. YPSILANTI, MI - An Ypsilanti council member will run for the mayor's seat with a focus on issues like public safety, housing affordability and the future of the undeveloped Water Street property. Beth Bashert represents Ward 2 in the city of Ypsilanti and is planning a campaign kick-off event from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 at Sidetrack Bar & Grill, 56 E. Cross St. "After a while of talking to people in the community, it was kind of an open secret in the community I was going to run," Bashert said. The Ypsilanti City Council includes six council members, who represent the city's three voting wards, and is led by a mayor who is elected by voters throughout the city, according to the municipal website. Ypsilanti's current mayor is Amanda Edmonds, who received assistance from Bashert during her own campaign. Bashert has served on city council for a year, though she said her community involvement in Ypsilanti goes back more than 20 years. Some of her accomplishments include organizing support for the city's non-discrimination ordinance and raising funds for a homeless shelter. After those experiences working with a variety of organizations, Bashert said she believes she has a handle on the issues many residents are facing and has been met with excitement and support after announcing her run. "I don't want to do it if I can't do a good job at it," Bashert said. "The way I work is to talk to people and ask them questions and get them involved and get feedback. I just love being involved in local politics. It's a passion of mine." Add an empty nest and a stable career to the mix and Bashert said the moment was right for her to campaign. Her family is also helping rally others to her cause, she added. Part of the process is a nominating petition that requires at least 60 signatures from city residents to get on the ballot for the primary election Aug. 7. Candidates are required to file those petitions by April 24. A campaign website is now available online with more information about Bashert, along with updates and information on volunteering or donating. One of her concerns is the Water Street property, the subject of intense community conversation since May when a developer proposed a $150-$300 million housing project financed primarily by Asian investors and designed to attract Asian immigrants. Progress on the development named International Village quickly unraveled after some city officials went on a 12-day trip to China at the end of September, with questions arising from how the trip was funded. While there has been some progress related to the property, with the approval of a citywide millage to fund debt payments for the 36-acre property in August, Bashert said Water Street remains a "big problem that needs a big solution." That conversation is directly related to affordability issues impacting residents throughout the city, and Bashert said rising housing costs and flat wages are not making those issues any easier. "Something needs to happen, and we need to recruit jobs to the eastern side of the county," Bashert said. She has also been a part of conversations about services provided by the city's department of public works and police and fire services in the city of about 21,000 people. "We've been on bare, bare bones with police and fire," Bashert said. "It's just not fair to the police or fire or the community to continue at that level of staffing." The passing of the Water Street millage could help address some of those issues, though Bashert said it will take time and consideration to make sure the city is making the right choices for residents. Despite elections being months away, Bashert said she is excited for the campaign kick-off and to take her message to the residents of Ypsilanti. "The most important thing that I want to communicate to people is whether we disagree or agree on any individual issues, I will listen to everybody," Bashert said. "I will work with integrity and openness. I want to be open and accessible to everyone in the city and I look forward to doing that." ANN ARBOR, MI - Plans are in the works for a major expansion of the Arborland shopping center off Washtenaw Avenue, with new shops envisioned on a 48-acre vacant site behind the strip mall. The Ann Arbor Planning Commission is meeting Tuesday night, Feb. 13, for a special work session to discuss Brixmor Property Group's conceptual plans for 257,000 square feet of single-story retail on the site of the previously approved South Pond Village subdivision. The retail concept marks a significant change in direction for the site where the City Council in September 2016 approved plans for a 73-home subdivision that hasn't been built. Troy-based Fairview Companies was behind the $25 million residential subdivision project that was controversial and approved in a 7-4 vote. Brixmor, which purchased the 404,000-square-foot Arborland mall for $102 million last year, is now laying out a vision for a completely different development that would include removal of a portion of the existing square footage in the Arborland shopping center to provide access to the newly proposed retail spaces. Conceptual plans dated Feb. 6 show extensive surface parking and secondary access via Huron River Drive. The address of the property is 3850 E. Huron River Drive. The plans show there would be a new drive created through the area where the Marshalls store building now stands, cutting between the DSW designer shoe warehouse and Toys R Us. Other existing Arborland stores and buildings would remain standing. The plans show seven new retail spaces, including a large building measuring 113,000 square feet, and two smaller buildings measuring 8,000 square feet each. Four other retail spaces would be clustered together along a single strip, with spaces measuring 20,000, 28,000, 30,000 and 50,000 square feet. Wetlands and stormwater management areas are shown on the north portion of the site, with a winding driveway from Huron River Drive hugging U.S. 23 much of the way to the new shopping areas. Another access drive is shown extending from Woodcreek Boulevard off Chalmers Drive. At this point, there aren't any details about potential retail tenants or any other information about the project. "We have just started a dialogue with the city exploring potential opportunities to further invest in the Ann Arbor community," said Kristen Moore, a spokeswoman for Brixmor. The Planning Commission's meeting materials indicate Brixmor requested the discussion taking place Tuesday night. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. inside city hall, 301 E. Huron St., and is open to the public. There's one other item on the agenda: a discussion of how traffic reviews occur and the data that is evaluated. No action is taken at work sessions. The development, if it is to proceed, will need to go through the city's site plan approval process, including city staff review and public hearings at the Planning Commission and City Council before final approval. City records show the 48-acre property at 3850 E. Huron River Dr. sold for $3.3 million in December 2016 to an entity called Manchester Ann Arbor LLC, which has an address in Shelby Township. The Washtenaw County Road Commission is facing backlash over its decision to cut down hundreds of trees along two rural county roads. But that hasn't changed the commission's stance that trees close to roadways pose a safety hazard and need to go. The commission intends to turn its attention to other tree-lined roads in the county following a roughly $950,000 project to remove hundreds of trees along Mast Road and North Territorial Road. "It is our philosophy to try and improve the safety of the roadway, and so we are planning additional projects of this kind in the coming years," said spokeswoman Emily Kizer. Kizer said the Road Commission did a similar project last year on Clinton Road in Bridgewater Township. Trees within 10 feet of either side of the roadway along several miles of Mast and North Territorial are now on the chopping block. Work is already underway on the removal of about 340 trees along the 8.3-mile stretch of North Territorial from Gotfredson Road in Salem Township to Spencer Road in Northfield Township. Up next is the removal of 100-plus trees along a nearly three-mile stretch of Mast from North Territorial to the county line near Strawberry Lake Road in Webster Township, north of Dexter. The Road Commission cites crash data showing cars are leaving the roadway and hitting trees. Kizer said not all trees are being cut down -- just those within 10 feet of the road edges. She said thousands of trees will remain along both corridors and they'll still be heavily wooded parts of the county. She said the commission wants beautiful, tree-lined roads and it wants safer environments for the traveling public, "so we will continue to pursue both goals through projects like these." The tree-removal work on Mast and North Territorial is expected to cost about $950,000, according to the Road Commission. Kizer said a federal safety grant awarded under the High Risk Rural Roads program is covering 90 percent of the costs, while the remaining 10 percent is coming from state funds in the Road Commission's budget. A contractor approved by the Michigan Department of Transportation is carrying out the work. Residents have complained to the Road Commission about the tree removals along both Mast and North Territorial. Some residents in the Dexter area are particularly upset about the loss of a handful of oaks along Mast that are believed to be hundreds of years old, with trunks measuring 10 to 13 feet around. Kizer said there are four trees larger than 37 inches in diameter being removed along Mast, and nine trees larger than 37 inches in diameter being removed along North Territorial. She said the commission has followed up with nearby property owners who've complained and the commission has explained why the trees, which are in the public right-of-way, are being cut down. Kizer said nearly half of traffic fatalities in Washtenaw County are from vehicles leaving the roadway and striking fixed objects such as trees, and that's a problem not isolated to Mast and North Territorial. The Road Commission reports there have been at least 21 crashes involving vehicles leaving Mast Road and North Territorial and hitting trees in the last several years, including two that were fatal. Trudy Zedaker-Witte, a longtime Webster Township resident, wrote to the Road Commission this week to object to cutting down trees along Mast Road. She said she drives that stretch daily and was horrified to learn taxpayer money will be spent cutting down trees she considers "integral to defining the rural character of our township." "The natural beauty of these trees in all four seasons and the canopy that they make is undeniably an important natural feature in our area," she wrote, questioning the reasoning for removing them and noting the township's master plan speaks to preserving trees. "By writing this letter, I am asking you to reconsider your plan to cull the trees in this area, and investigate what is really causing the accidents on this stretch of road -- which is a much better use of taxpayer dollars," she wrote. "Hopefully, we can then prevent these accidents from ever happening." Other residents have suggested reducing the 55-mph speed limit and putting up guardrails would be better solutions. "These trees are not just aesthetically beautiful; they are key structures in protecting the environmental and ecological balance within the Huron River Watershed," Webster Township residents Ed and Michelle Dorrington wrote to the Road Commission this week, calling every tree "an essential asset." "Safety is everyone's concern. However, environmental safety is of benefit to all," they wrote. Kizer said cutting down the trees close to the road, rather than putting up a guardrail, completely removes the potential hazard. "Putting guardrail in front of a large tree that is already too close to the road does not mitigate the risk," she said. "The guardrail itself acts as a fixed object and is not an appropriate solution to mitigate the risk of trees too close to the road." The Road Commission also is drawing some opposition to its plans to cut down hundreds of trees as part of plans for the paving of Textile Road and the creation of a 1.3-mile non-motorized path through a Pittsfield Township nature preserve. UPDATE: The pothole has been filled and the left lane is reopened. ANN ARBOR, MI - A large pothole caused numerous flat tires during the morning commute on southbound U.S. 23 near Ann Arbor. Emergency officials shut down the left lane of southbound U.S. 23 at Geddes Road Tuesday, Feb. 13, to repair the pavement. The incident was reported at 8:53 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. Multiple cars traveling in the left lane reportedly hit the pothole, resulting in flat tires and other damage, according to Michigan State Police. MDOT is responding to fill the pothole, police said. ANN ARBOR, MI - The University of Michigan's Board of Regents will consider building 30 modular cabins and a recreation center at a research and training facility it owns near Jackson, Wyoming. The Board of Regents will vote on a proposed $6.5 million project that would demolish most of the Camp Davis Rocky Mountain Field Station's student-assigned cabins and bath houses that originally were constructed when it was established in 1929. A total of 30 new modular cabins would be constructed, each approximately 300 square feet, including a living/sleeping area and a bathroom with a shower, according to a Board of Regents action request. The camp's Johnston Hall recreational facility, which was destroyed by a tree during a recent winter storm, also would be replaced with a new 1,800-gross-square-foot recreational facility that would include open recreational space, restrooms and a laundry room. The project also includes required upgrades to the electrical, water supply, and septic systems to support the new cabins and recreational hall. Located approximately 30 miles south of Jackson near the village of Hoback Junction, the university-owned property abuts the Hoback River and the Bridger Teton National Forest. The station is within close proximity of Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. The 120-acre facility, which is owned and operated by UM and managed by the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, offers courses in geology, environmental science and the humanities. It also is used for academic conferences, alumni gatherings and guest programs, according to the action request. If approved, funding for the project would be provided from College of Literature, Science, and the Arts gifts and resources. For more information on Camp Davis, visit UM's website. BAY CITY, MI -- Three years ago, FBI agents began investigating Saginaw's infamous Sunny Side Gang for running a widescale heroin and cocaine distribution. The probe led to federal indictments of 18 men. Now, all but two of those men, including the illicit enterprise's ringleader, are behind bars. U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Ludington in late December sentenced 33-year-old Damarlin M. "Bleed" Beavers to 292 months -- or 24.3 years -- in prison. Upon his eventual release, Beavers is to be supervised for an additional 10 years. For the time being, Beavers is incarcerated at Federal Correctional Institution Terre Haute in Indiana. Beavers in September had pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin. He admitted that from about June 5, 2015, through Aug. 30, 2016, he and 17 compatriots sold heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and cocaine base throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region. Beavers, a leader of the gang who worked his way up from an enforcer, acquired the drugs from supplier Derek D. Riley, then redistributed them to his underlings and codefendants. In all, Beavers and his codefendants distributed at least 1,000 grams of heroin, 0.78 grams of fentanyl, 711.65 grams of cocaine, and 127.91 grams of base cocaine, according to court files. Beavers and 12 others were indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2016. Five more men were indicted in April 2017. A total 35 charges were issued. The defendants "used various locations and houses to conduct drug transactions, to store controlled substances, paraphernalia used in the distribution of controlled substances and firearms, and to gather in furtherance of the controlled substances conspiracy," indicting documents state. Riley was the first member of the conspiracy to be sent to prison. Ludington in March sentenced him to 160 months there, plus a consecutive 30-month term for violating the terms of a prior supervision by committing his latest offenses. Ludington has sentenced the following men to the respective terms: Javon M. "YaYo" Pratt -- 70 months Marquise D. "Ooh Stacks" Ashworth -- 135 months Darreyon R. "D-Money" Mayfield -- 87 months Jeremy A. "Jig" Cameron -- 145 months Jauane R. Allen -- 65 months Alvin R. "La" Pratt -- 140 months Brandon O. "Blue" Pratt -- 94 months Kendrell Stephens -- 95 months Morie D. Broaden -- 85 months Allan G. Jones Jr. -- 78 months Dewayne J. McKinney -- 84 months Michael A. Pratt Jr. -- 70 months Terence J. "Big Cheese" Johnson -- 188 months Lamar T. "Marley" Simon -- 151 months The men had to forfeit nine firearms, an abundance of ammunition, a Rolex watch, and $70,436 in cash. Two codefendants, Calvin E. McReynolds Jr. and Eugene "Spank" Smith III, are awaiting sentencing. Case background According to sworn affidavits authored by FBI Special Agent Mitchell L. King, his agency began investigating the Sunny Side Gang in June 2015. On Aug. 30, 2016, personnel with the FBI's Bay City-based Mid-Michigan Safe Streets Task Force executed eight search and arrest warrants in Saginaw as a result of an investigation into the area's heroin problem. The search of just one Saginaw stash house saw investigators seize 584.07 grams of cocaine, 92.89 grams of cocaine base, and 418.79 grams of heroin, three guns, and various paraphernalia associated with packaging and selling drugs. The investigation began in Bay City before leading to Saginaw, police have said. Investigators have also described the group as the area's main supplier of heroin. As part of the bust, the Bay City Department of Public Safety seized $127,910 in heroin in 2016, compared to $16,175 in 2015 and $11,355 in 2014. Despite the large haul, opiate overdoses surged in Bay County in the wake of the gang members' arrests and indictments, with 23 reported in 2016. The issue is part of national trend, with opiate-related deaths now considered the number one killer among Americans younger than 50. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that since 1999, the number of opiate-related overdose deaths has quadrupled. In 2015, 33,091 people died from opiate-related overdoses nationally, more than any other year on record. That record was broken in 2016, with more than 42,000 dying from overdoses. "From 2000 to 2016, more than 600,000 people died from drug overdoses," the CDC states, adding that 115 Americans die each day from an opiate overdose. Michigan experienced a 19.6 percent increase in the number of opiate-related fatal overdoses from 2015 to 2016, with 2,347 in the latter year, according to the CDC. BAY CITY, MI -- A local woman is facing two criminal charges after she repeatedly lied to police who found her in possession of deadly opiate. Just after midnight on Sept. 23, Bay County Sheriff's deputies responded to Monnie Lynn Motel, 1710 S. Euclid Ave. in Monitor Township, after the manager called to report an unwanted person. The manager told deputies he wanted a woman staying in one of the rooms removed, as she had people coming and going from her unit all day and he didn't want to the site to have a bad reputation. Deputies knocked on the door and were allowed in by its renter, 20-year-old Alyssa A. Romero. A man was present in the room as well, taking a shower at the time, court records show. Romero acknowledged to deputies that people had been coming and going from her room all day, but denied it had anything to do with drugs or prostitution. She allowed the deputies to search her purse and room. In a nightstand, deputies found two metal spoons stained by a milky white substance. One of the spoons contained two cotton balls. Also in the drawer was a heavily used syringe, court records show. Deputies found a syringe cap in Romero's purse as well, though she denied being a drug user. As deputies questioned her, Romero gave them two false names and claimed she was from Louisiana. She told the deputies Midland County Child Protective Services had recently taken her children away from her and she would not lie to them. Police left her and the man, but confiscated the suspected drug paraphernalia. A few days later, deputies sent Midland County CPS photos they had taken of Romero, hoping to attain her actual name. CPS replied that she was indeed Romero, invalidating the other names she had given deputies, court records show. Deputies also learned Romero was wanted in Midland County on a charge of manufacturing a synthetic narcotic. On Sept. 27, deputies and Michigan State Police responded to a complaint at the Delta Motel, 1000 S. Euclid Ave., and found Romero present. They arrested her on the Midland County warrant. A Nov. 2. report from the Michigan State Police Crime Lab indicated the substance found in the seized metal spoons was fentanyl. Fentanyl is an opiate 100 times more powerful than heroin and authorities have said it has been responsible for many fatal overdoses in the nation's ongoing opioid crisis. Romero on Feb. 8 appeared in Bay County District Court for arraignment on single counts of possessing 25 grams or less of a narcotic or cocaine and lying to a peace officer. The charges are four- and two-year offenses, respectively. The arraigning judge set Romero's bond at $5,000 cash-surety or 10 percent. If she posts it, she is submit to three random drug tests per month. Romero is to appear for a preliminary examination at 3 p.m. on Feb. 20. Former state Trooper Mark Bessner, Wayne County Jail photo Correction: Assistant Attorney General John G. Fedynsky represents the state and state police as interested parties in the matter and is not listed as the attorney for either of the defendants, ex-Trooper Mark Bessner, or an unnamed trooper in the lawsuit. DETROIT, MI -- State Attorney General Bill Schuette's Office has asked a federal judge to block media access to certain records produced in a wrongful death lawsuit steming from the death of 15-year-old Damon Grimes of Detroit. Grimes died of injuries he suffered on Aug. 26, 2017, while trying to flee state police on an ATV he was riding illegally in a Detroit neighborhood. Ex-State Trooper Mark Bessner allegedly fired his Taser at Grimes, who lost control of the ATV and struck a pickup. Bessner is charged with second-degree murder and two separate counts of involuntary manslaughter. While the criminal case works its way through Wayne County Circuit Court, Monique Grimes, the mother of Damon Grimes, has an ongoing civil wrongful death lawsuit she filed with the assistance of Geoffrey Fieger and his Southfield-based law firm. Assistant Attorney General John G. Fedynsky, who represents the state and the Michigan State Police as interested parties in the lawsuit, in a motion filed Monday, Feb. 12, said the state proposed a protective order agreement to the plaintiff on Feb. 6, but Fieger's firm hadn't responded. Now the state is asking presiding U.S. District Judge Gershwin A. Drain to intervene and enforce a protective order. If the judge agrees, many of the documents produced during discovery in the civil case could be kept secret from the media and public. According to Fedynsky, the plaintiffs have requested the "full investigative file regarding the death" of Grimes, "plus more," including the troopers' disciplinary files, Garrity statements and warrant requests." " ... The material requested is sensitive and should be protected," the state's motion says. "This is because of the content and scope of the subpoenas - the complete investigative file of MSP in an ongoing criminal case, personnel and employment records, etc. "Indeed, part of the subpoena is already subject to in camera review, which is a recognition that the material is sensitive and ought to be protected before and after production. The remaining material relates to ongoing investigations and a criminal case and should therefore also be protected." The state's motion: No date has been set for Bessner's criminal trial, but it was bound over to the Wayne County Circuit Court for arraignment. Bessner is listed as being lodged in the Wayne County Jail on a $1 million bond. Two prior requests to have the bond amount reduced were denied. PepsiCo Ukraine represented by LLC Sandora and PJSC Wimm-Bill-Dann Ukraine is proud to announce that it has been officially certified by the Top Employers Institute for its exceptional employee offerings. The annual international research undertaken by the Top Employers Institute recognizes leading employers around the world: those that provide excellent employee conditions, nurture and develop talents throughout all levels of the organization, and that strive to continuously optimize their employment practices. In terms of its methodology, the independent research is oriented towards the key employers meeting international standards. According to the results of the 2018 research, PepsiCo Ukraine has joined an exclusive group of the worlds best employers that meet the Institutes assessment criteria and has received an international certificate to recognize its TOP Employer 2018 status. Experts of the Top Employers Institute assessed the company by the following criteria: its talent strategy, workforce planning, on-boarding, learning and development, performance management, leadership development, career and succession management, compensation and benefits, corporate culture. Oksana Palguyeva, HR Director, PepsiCo Ukraine, states, Our company has gained international recognition as the TOP Employer from an influential institute because we have always attended to creating comfortable and safe labor conditions, motivating and promoting our employees. When making managerial decisions, PepsiCo Ukraine has always taken all of its peoples interests into consideration. The TOP Employer 2018 certificate is a professional proof that we are following the right way. David Plink, CEO of Top Employers Institute, stresses, From our research, we have seen how the organizations certified as one of the Top Employers Ukraine 2018 put the development of their people first and are continuously working to optimize their HR and people development practices. PepsiCo Ukraine forms part of this select group of employers. Now that they have received the Top Employers Ukraine 2018 certification, they can rightfully consider themselves at the top of an exclusive group of the worlds best employers.. About PepsiCo PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated approximately $63 billion in net revenue in 2016, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales. At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose our fundamental belief that the success of our company is inextricably linked to the sustainability of the world around. We believe that continuously improving the products we sell, operating responsibly to protect our planet and empowering people around the world is what enables PepsiCo to run a successful global company that creates long-term value for society and our shareholders. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com About PepsiCo Ukraine PepsiCo in Ukraine is one of the leaders of food and beverages market represented by LLC Sandora and PJSC Wimm-Bill-Dann. The company holds leading position on the market of juices where it is represented by the brands Sandora, Sadochok, Sandoryk. The companys portfolio also includes soft drinks Pepsi, 7UP, Mirinda, cold tea Lipton Ice Tea, mineral water Essentuki and Aqua Minerale. The company is represented by the brands Lays and KhrustTeam on the market of snacks. PepsiCo Ukraine also has solid positions on the market of milk products under the brands of Chudo, Slovianochka, Mashenka, Smachnenkyi, Romol, and baby food Agusha. To learn more about PepsiCo Ukraine, visit www.pepsico.com DETROIT - A group of metro Detroit officials say they are not giving up on a vision for a regional transit service across four counties, although it's not clear if the issue will appear on this year's election ballots. The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) of Southeast Michigan asked voters to support a $4.6 billion millage proposal on the November 2016 ballot to boost public transportation in Oakland, Macomb, Wayne and Washtenaw counties, but the millage was rejected by 18,000 out of 1.8 million votes cast. "When it comes to regional transportation, we just can't seem to cross that finish line. And the longer we take to accomplish this very necessary objective, the farther we will continue to fall behind other highly-populated regions," according to a Monday, Feb. 12, statement from Paul Hillegonds, chairman of RTA and Carmine Palombo, lead staff. "Millennials have less reason to stay, and certainly less reason to move here from other locales outside Michigan where they don't need a car to get to and from work. Investors have less reason to invest and companies have less incentive to locate here when our region isn't even willing to work together on something as basic to progress as interconnected rapid transit." Some of metro Detroit's top local government officials agreed at a "Big Four" panel discussion on Jan. 23 at Cobo Center that mass transit is in need of improvement but have yet to develop a strategy. "Right now, we don't have a plan," Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said during the panel discussion. The panel included Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Wayne County Executive Warren Evans and Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel. Detroit recently lost a bid to win Amazon's second headquarters and a lack of mass transit was one of the main reasons why the e-commerce giant rejected the Motor City, officials said. In the state of the county address in Oakland County, Patterson said in 1995, officials created a transit plan that allows communities to stay in the plan and tax themselves or opt out depending on their transit needs. The nine opt-out communities include Novi, Waterford, Lake Angelus, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Keego Harbor, Sylvan Lake, Orchard Lake, Bloomfield Hills. Patterson said he will not force residents in those communities into a tax plan now. "If those communities were included in the plan along with the current opt-in community, Oakland taxpayers, over the next 20 years would pay an estimated $1.69 billion," Patterson said. "I will not force them against their will into a machine which they can expect little to no return on their investment," he said. Duggan had this to say about the issue. "For the last year, the staffs of the four counties and the city spent hundreds of hours working collaboratively on the plan, with the generous support of a more than $500,000 contribution from the Kresge Foundation," Duggan said. "Just three weeks ago, Warren Evans and I sat in Patterson's office when he gave us his word he would work in good faith to try to develop a PA 387 countywide plan in time for the 2018 ballot. That's why it was so surprising to hear him...declare he would 'never betray' his Oakland County communities by pursuing such a plan." Between 1996 and 2017, the communities that have opted in paid nearly $352 million in taxes to support regional transit, Patterson said. But transit leaders indicated the RTA was intended to plan and fund a convenient four-county service between SMART, DDOT, AAATA and on-demand public and private operators. "The RTA was not created to have one county subsidize operations in other counties," transit leaders said. "The law requires that any RTA plan must return in transit service at least 85 percent of the tax dollars raised by a county for regional service." "Federal matching funds that currently flow to other regions would result in a return on investment of well over 100 percent of a county's regional tax contribution." Some of the officials at the forum said they would continue working with local transit partners to form a better coordinated service. GENESEE COUNTY, MI - Powdered sugar and filling covered faces during two paczki-eating contests on Fat Tuesday in Genesee County. Residents, business owners, and at least one politician sat down Tuesday, Feb. 13, at VG's Grocery in Davison Township and Bueche's Food World in Flushing to find out who could eat the most calorie-packed Polish treats before the clock hit zero. Bridgeport resident Russ Buck swept into the Flushing store and dusted the competition by downing five paczki in three minutes during the first-ever eating competition hosted by the Flushing Area Chamber of Commerce. His strategy against the field of seven competitors? "Just eat. Just eat as fast as I could," laughed Buck, 61, fingers coated in powdered sugar and sticky from a variety of fillings. "I didn't get any prune, and they were telling me I would. But hey, if I did, that may help later." Eight eaters also bellied up to folding tables at VG's Grocery for a chance at glory during the Davison Township store's ninth annual competition. Kelsey Evans, 21, of Burton, bested the field by eating six paczki in two minutes after putting in some prep work to expand his stomach before the big day. The Wendy's employee wolfed down a two-pound, 3,000 calorie T-Rex burger earlier in the week, consisting of nine meat patties and nine slices of cheese. "I've been in a lot of eating contests," he said. "It has been a while since I've been in one." Evans won the first paczki-eating contest held at the store, which gave him some confidence going into the event. Much like Buck, Evans' strategy was to incorporate a hurried, controlled tempo. "Sometimes if it is a large quantity, I would take it slow towards the end," he commented. Evans took home a ticket to a live Price Is Right stage show and a three-month membership to Snap Fitness in Grand Blanc as the winner. If called upon, Evans said he would try to make it back-to-back titles in 2019. Asked how he felt physically after the competition, Evans was in good spirits. "I actually felt worse when I ate the burger," he said. GRAND BLANC, MI - A Grand Blanc teacher accused of having sex with a student has been fired by the school district. Board of Education members made the decision Monday night to fire Denny Dean Holt after the high school automotive teacher was arraigned Jan. 21 in Genesee District Court on five counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of possession of child sexually abusive material. Clarence Garner, the superintendent of Grand Blanc Community Schools, confirmed Board of Education members proceeded on tenure charges against Holt that will result in termination of his employment with the district. "The Board took a strong stance regarding the high standards it has for all staff members in our district," Garner said. "This response by the Board of Education demonstrates that actions that endanger or harm pupils will not be tolerated." The now-former student alleged in court testimony that the pair began to have sexual encounters in the first half of her senior year when she was 17 years old. MLive-The Flint Journal does not identify alleged victims of sexual assault. State law makes it a crime for a teacher to engage in a sexual relationship with anyone under the age of 18. The now-18-year-old said the pair engaged in some type of sexual encounter up to 15 times between November 2016 and June 2017, including one instance in the high school's automotive shop and multiple times in a trailer on school grounds utilized by the automotive program. There were times she initiated their encounters, adding there were a few topless photos sent to Holt after she told him there were some already on her personal cell phone. Police found out about the issue while searching the victim's phone regarding a separate case. A request by Holt's attorney to drop the possession of child sexually abusive material charge was denied by Genesee District Judge Vikki Bayeh Haley, as well as a request to lower the $108,000 cash or surety bond on each charge. She broke off communication with Holt following her graduation in June 2017, but Holt continued to attempt to reach out to her through text messages and Facebook. Holt was arrested Jan. 21 outside the high school, the day after allegations surfaced and an investigation was launched by the district in cooperation with the Grand Blanc city and township police departments. Garner was pleased with the board's action "to confirm the high expectations it has for all employees in our district" and to let community members "that issues like this will never be tolerated." A message left for comment from board president James Avery was not immediately returned. Holt's case has been bound for trial in Genesee Circuit Court. FLINT, MI - A Michigan State Police trooper was hit during a traffic stop on Tuesday. Troopers had stopped a vehicle at about 9 a.m. on Feb. 13 in the 4100 block of Marvin Street while assisting the Drug Enforcement Agency, according to MSP Spokesman Lt. David Kaiser. During the traffic stop, Kaiser said, the driver of the vehicle intentionally put the vehicle in reverse and ran into the trooper. The trooper, who has not yet been identified, was taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, police said. Kaiser said the trooper is a probationary trooper based at the Flint post and he was assigned to the area within the last year. The driver of the vehicle was taken into custody, Kaiser said, but no other information about the suspect was released. ADA, MI -- One indicator of how technology is changing Amway is the majority of the direct selling giant's products are now sold online. These growing online sales still align with the 60-year Michigan company's values and business model, says President Doug DeVos, whose dad, Rich DeVos started the Amway with his best friend, Jay Van Andel. "I think globally we are over 50 percent that comes through e-commerce," DeVos told DeVos told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press in an interview to discuss the company's 2017 revenues. "All those are tracked and the credit goes to the sales force so it fits with our business model," he added. The percentage of online sales varies from country to country, says Steve Van Andel, Amway chairman. In China, Amway's biggest market, the majority of transactions between the company's distributors and their customers tend to be mobile, social and digital. "We have always done a good job getting customers, but sometimes keeping them, staying connected with them, keeping it going, technology is huge on that," DeVos said. His dad and Jay Van Andel saw the potential in the late 90s to use technology to grow the family-owned business. "They were 'Holy cow, this could be amazing.' They didn't really know (much then about where technology would head), but there was enthusiasm for it, and their interest was 'This is where we have to go'," DeVos said. KENTWOOD, MI - The loss of Kentwood High School student Mujey Dumbuya, 16, hung over the Kentwood Board of Education during its Monday, Feb. 12, meeting. On Jan. 28, a body was found in a wooded area along North Prairie Avenue in Kalamazoo. Three days later, police identified the body as belonging to Dumbuya, an East Kentwood High School student, and said her death was being investigated as a homicide. Quinn Anthony James, 42, a former Kentwood Schools worker, was charged in November with four counts of sex assault against Dumbuya. Though Kalamazoo police have not named James a person of interest in the teen's death, the man's attorney claims his client is being unfairly treated as a suspect in her death. In a statement from the school district, school board President Mimi Madden said every life is precious, and that Dumbuya was especially bright. "And when one so young is taken from us it is devastating to all within a community and our thoughts and prayers continue to be with her family," Madden said. She said those with questions for the school should contact the superintendent's office or their building administrator. But Mary Bruce, a parent of a child attending Kentwood Public Schools, asked her questions during Monday's school board meeting. Bruce had questions about an email Michael Zoerhoeff, Kentwood Public Schools superintendent, sent to district families on Feb. 8. She said she was not sure if the email was contradictory, intentionally misleading or if it revealed a lack of competence. But, Bruce said, she did know an employee with a criminal record was hired and qualified for a position in the school, though that position did not require contact with children. "As a parent that is unacceptable," she said. "To have someone with a criminal record in a school system working for the school that has contact with our children." Bruce said she wanted to know three things: If there were other employees in the district with criminal records, and if they have contact with students If there are other employees with criminal records, what the district intends to do with them In the future, what will be the hiring practice regarding criminals "Is that acceptable to our community values and best practices to have people with criminal records employed by the school?" she asked. Madden thanked Bruce for her comments and said the board took them very seriously. Madden asked Bruce if she would want someone to contact her, to which the parent replied, "Absolutely not." "I think this issue needs to be spoken in the light of day," Bruce said. After the meeting, Zoerhoeff said he could not comment on James' hiring or dismissal, saying he did not want to jeopardize an ongoing investigation. The district is working closely with law enforcement and will do anything to support them, he said. Kentwood Public Schools is currently conducting an internal investigation as well, Zoerhoeff said. He said that includes looking into potentially changing hiring procedures surrounding applicants with criminal records. The superintendent said he took Bruce's comments seriously, and he thanks district parents for their support. The safety of the students and the community is of the utmost importance and they will do everything they can to ensure it, Zoerhoeff said. Zoerhoeff said he would like to make sure to convey their sorrow over the loss of Dumbuya, and the support offered to her family. "She was a courageous and beloved student and friend to all of us," he said. PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI - Wolverine World Wide denied allegations in a lawsuit it is responsible for the death of a newborn boy delivered early after his mother says she suffered pregnancy complications from drinking contaminated water. The company asked all lawsuits in Kent County Circuit Court, including allegations related to at least two deaths, be dismissed. If the cases go forward, the company wants them included in a class-action lawsuit in federal court. Wolverine is accused of disposing of polyfluoroalkyl substances called PFAS or PFCs, once used in 3M Scotchgard to waterproof shoes at its former Rockford tannery. Attorney James Moskal said state and federal agencies are investigating the widespread contamination and the lawsuits would undermine efforts to "determine the scope of proper remedies." The company expects to spend $40 million this year addressing the contamination, which includes what's believed to be record PFAS levels in drinking water. He said Wolverine acted appropriately under the law at the time when the chemical dumping in Plainfield Township took place. "All acts and conduct of Wolverine, as alleged in the complaint, conformed to and were pursuant to statutes, government regulations and industry standards, based upon the state of knowledge existing at all material times alleged in the complaint," Moskal, an attorney for Warner, Norcross & Judd, wrote in court documents. "At all relevant times Wolverine disposed of waste containing PFAS, it reasonably believed the waste to be safe. At the time Wolverine disposed of the waste, it was standard practice in the industry to dispose of waste in the same manner as Wolverine." That argument is lost on Ashlee Naffziger. She developed severe preeclampsia, or pregnancy-induced hypertension, and underwent an emergency caesarean section at 36 weeks. Her son, Hunter, needed to stay in utero for 37 weeks so that his lungs and body could develop enough to withstand surgery to fix a heart defect that doctors detected early on. Preeclampsia has been linked in human studies to PFAS exposure. "This case demonstrates the horrific consequences that Wolverine's widespread dumping of dangerous chemicals has caused: the death of a newborn child," Varnum Law attorneys Perrin Rynders, Aaron Phelps, Kyle Konwinski and Paul Albarran wrote in an 89-page lawsuit. They said the boy would have had successful surgery and been healthy if he wasn't born early. He wasn't ready for surgery, the attorneys said. "After six-and-one-half weeks, the Naffzigers had to make the decision that no parent ever wants to make: care-of-life treatment or more surgeries, pain and life support. Because both choices would unfortunately end in the same result, the Naffzigers chose care-of-life treatment rather than subjecting Hunter to more pain and suffering." The Naffzigers contended that Wolverine, over the course of decades, disposed of tannery waste into the ground, which the company knew would leach into the groundwater. Last year, authorities told the Naffzigers and others that tannery waste had contaminated their water with PFAS. "Unfortunately, the residents and their family members, including many children (some infants and some grown), have drank the contaminated water their entire life. Now, due to Wolverine's tannery waste contaminating drinking water, many residents who drank the contaminated water have health problems from drinking contaminated water." Over 90 lawsuits have been filed in Kent County Circuit Court. The lawsuits are similar, with Wolverine's response identical. Sandy Wynn-Stelt filed a wrongful death lawsuit. She lives across the street from the company's old sludge waste dump at 1855 House Street NE. Her husband, Joel R. Stelt, 61, died March 26, 2016. The water sample from the Stelts' well in 2017 was "alarmingly high" and was "believed to be the highest concentrations of FPAS ever found in drinking water in the United States," the lawsuit said. An August test found PFOS and PFOA in Wynn-Stelt's well at 38,000 parts per trillion. Since then, state officials discovered a well in Algoma Township with PFOS and PFOA at almost 59,000-ppt. Wynn-Stelt and her husband moved to House Street in 1988. They used a reverse-osmosis filter in the kitchen sink, but it did not remove all PFAS. She has suffered anguish from her husband's loss. Now, she doesn't know what her future holds, the filing states. "As far as (Sandra Wynn-Stelt's) emotional state goes, (she) is scared, anxious, concerned, has no peace of mind, and is completely discomforted as compared to her life just a few months ago." The lawsuit said Wolverine knew decades ago it was dumping dangerous chemicals, even on farmland. Residents contend they have suffered health problems, anxiety and loss of property values. One man, at a township board meeting, said: "The real estate values due to this Belmont Chernobyl are going to take a severe hit." In a statement, Wolverine said its court filings on Monday, Feb. 12, "do not diminish the Company's commitment to working with the community to find long-term solutions." "The groundwater issues facing our community are serious, and that's why the Company continues to work diligently with local, state and federal regulators to develop long-term solutions. That said, many of the allegations made by plaintiffs' attorneys in the state court lawsuits are misleading and are not supported by facts." Wolverine asked for a stay in the state court cases to address issues raised in a federal case. The Wolverine PFAS investigation began last year with discovery of contaminated wells near the company's old sludge dump on House Street in Plainfield Township. It has since spread to Algoma Township and the city of Rockford. Exposure to PFAS chemistry has been linked in human studies to certain cancers, thyroid malfunction and other chronic diseases. In January, the Environmental Protection Agency ordered Wolverine to conduct further investigation at the House Street dump and the company's former tannery grounds in Rockford, which are both contaminated by extremely high levels of PFAS. Wolverine has been providing bottled water and whole-house PFAS filtration units to most homes in DEQ-established testing areas. Meanwhile, Plainfield Township officials plan to borrow up to $25 million to extend its municipal water system to areas with contaminated wells. Moskal, the Wolverine attorney, said the case should be dismissed with plaintiffs joining a class-action suit in federal court. "Before explaining why summary disposition is warranted, one threshold issue needs to be clarified: There is no imminent danger to anyone's health in the context of these cases." He said that before Wolverine provided alternate water options, 34 of the 52 plaintiffs had levels of a subset of PFAS that were below federal drinking water advisories, and 13 had no detectable concentrations, he said. "These 34 plaintiffs had safe water before any alternate water solutions were provided by Wolverine. ... Their water was and continues to be safe." He said whole-home filters have been provided to 16 plaintiffs whose wells tested above federal advisories and state criteria while another has not responded to its offer. Another is awaiting test results and is provided bottled water by Wolverine. "In other words, the plaintiffs in these cases have safe drinking water, and there is no immediacy to the present litigation." The attorneys for the plaintiffs said Wolverine ignored dangers and warning signs for decades. Twenty years ago, it was found that PFAS, an ingredient in 3M's Scotchgard, which was used by Wolverine, was toxic. 3M discontinued using PFAS, but Wolverine continued to "boast about its historical use of Scotchgard in its manufacturing process until just a few months ago, despite Scotchgard's damaging effects to the environment and to human health. "Through the years, Wolverine was notified by concerned citizens, state officials and federal officials about the harmful effects of Wolverine's tannery waste (as if Wolverine did not know)." LANSING, MI -- Former Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine Dean Dr. William Strampel did not mention Larry Nassar by name in a 2017 review, but did say better retention decisions could have been made. Strampel led the College of Osteopathic Medicine after being appointed in 2002, according to his personnel file released by the university on Monday. He stepped down for medical reasons on Dec. 14, 2017, but intended to return, according to his resignation letter. But Interim MSU President John Engler is seeking to fire Strampel. He has emerged as a key figure in the continued employment of Dr. Larry Nassar, a former MSU doctor who was allowed to continue seeing patients after a Title IX complaint and while police were investigating him for criminal sexual conduct in 2014. In a July 2017 annual review document, when asked what he could have done better, Strampel did not mention Nassar by name. "Engaging hindsight is a particularly poignant exercise this year and it is too tempting to second-guess decisions that were made using the best information that was available at the time. We could have made better hiring choices or retention decisions in the past with some individuals," Strampel wrote. It was Amanda Thomashow who filed the Title IX complaint against Nassar in 2014. In court last month at Nassar's sentencing hearing on criminal sexual assault changes, she recounted going to his office for medical treatment. He sent another person out of the room and put his hands up her shirt and down her pants, she said. "It was terrifying and disgusting, and I spent days in shock from the violation I had experienced at his hands," Thomashow said. Behavior like this -- along with digital penetration -- would be described over and over again by more than 150 women who gave victim impact statements about Nassar. Nassar, 54, is currently serving a 60-year federal sentence for possession of child pornography. He will not likely live to serve a state sentence of up to 175 years for 10 charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Strampel led the department from 2002 until Dec. 14, 2017. His personnel file paints a picture of a strong and dedicated leader who was known to defend those who worked for him. "Bill is extremely loyal to his staff and backs them up when they are inappropriately challenged," reads a 2010 letter in his personnel file, with the sender's name redacted. The university appears to have solicited comments about Strampel from people who interacted with him as part of a tenure review process. The sender's names have been redacted, but several describe a strong leader who is forward-looking and able to overcome obstacles and navigate finances. "I believe that his approach to education and his forward thinking and vision for the college are excellent and I support his continuing as Dean of the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine," wrote one 2015 letter-writer whose name was redacted. Another wrote that he had a "very strong personality" and was "very assertive." "Although this characteristic can be challenging, it is not one that is detrimental to his effectiveness," the sender, whose name was redacted, wrote. Engler in a statement last week in moving to remove Strample said "allegations have arisen that question whether his personal conduct over a long period of time met MSU's standards." Engler has referred the matter to a faculty panel that must decide whether or not to revoke Strample's tenure. CHARLOTTE, Mich. -- Randy Margraves will not be charged for physically attacking Larry Nassar in Eaton County Circuit Court on Feb. 2, the Associated Press is reporting. Eaton County prosecutor Douglas Lloyd told the AP that Nassar and his attorneys didn't want charges against Margraves. He says he gave those views "considerable weight" because they were potential victims, the AP said. Margraves has three daughters who were among 250-plus women alleging they were sexually assaulted by Nassar, a former Michigan State University sports-medicine doctor who molested patients under the guise of medical treatment. Margraves lunged at Nassar after two of his daughters gave victim-impact statements at Nassar's sentencing hearing in Eaton County. Margraves was subdued by Eaton Court sheriff's deputies and was briefly held in custody. Judge Julie Cunningham declined to hold him in contempt of court. Nassar is currently serving a 60-year sentence in federal prison for child pornography. He also plead guilty to a total of 10 counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, and was sentenced to 40 to 175 years by Ingham County Judge Rosemarie Aquilina and 40 to 125 years by Cunningham. More than $31,000 was donated to a GoFundMe collection for Margraves. Donors can choose to get a refund before March 9, or leave the donation to be given to local charities such as Small Talk, RAVE, and the Firecracker Foundation that help sexual abuse survivors. s EATON RAPIDS, MI - There's a gas price war being fought in the middle of Michigan, and the winners are the ones who are filling up their tanks this morning at the cheapest per-gallon price in the nation, one analyst says. Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for the tech company GasBuddy, tweeted this morning about dueling per-gallon prices in Eaton Rapids, just south of Lansing. "Two stations in Eaton Rapids, MI are selling gasoline at $1.94/gallon, the cheapest in the nation at this hour. "The stations have been duking it out for a few days. Bottom line: shop around!" The Family Fare and the Admiral stations, both on Main Street, are the ones embroiled in the price duel. Other stations in that town were averaging $2 per gallon Tuesday morning. The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Michigan today is $2.55. The GasBuddy website and app helps you find a list of the best prices in your area. The latest data from the General Department of Vietnam Customs shows that the first month of this year, which is the last month of the lunar year ahead of Tet (Lunar New Year), Vietnam saw a strong increase in both imports and exports of fruit and vegetables. The value of fruit and vegetables exported in January reached nearly US$384 million, up 18% over the previous month and 63% over the same period of last year. China, Japan, the US, and the Republic of Korea (ROK) remained as the top four importers of Vietnamese fruit and vegetables last month. At the top of the pile, the Chinese market consumed Vietnamese fruits and vegetables worth US$269 million, while the US imported US$11 million, Japan US$10 million, and the ROK US$6.9 million. For import figures, in the last month the country imported fruit and vegetable products worth US$167 million, up 22% over the previous month and up 72.5% over the same period in 2017. Thailand topped the turnover figure for Vietnamese imports of fruit and vegetables in January, at more than US$73 million, followed by China with nearly US$39 million, and the US with US$18 million. LANSING, MI - More than 200 people have contacted Rep. Michele Hoitenga, R-Manton, about big increases on their electric bills. "I have just been blown up by this. It's the number one topic in my district, in my three counties," Hoitenga told the House Energy Policy Committee on Tuesday morning. She's not alone. Representatives and power companies have been hearing about price spikes after some consumers have seen higher bills in the last couple months. The committee held a meeting to discuss the subject Tuesday. Lauren Youngdahl Snyder, Vice President of Customer Experience for Consumers Energy, said there were two reasons for higher gas and electric bills customers are seeing. One is that the company tried to schedule around the holidays so people didn't get a bill on them. But that extended the billing cycle, meaning people were billed for 35 days instead of the typical 30. The other reason is weather. She said in a typical December there would be 3 days where the weather is below 10 degrees. This year there were 8 days where that happened. "The bottom line is, we are experiencing a winter of above-average energy use due to the cold weather," Youngdahl Snyder said. But those who testified didn't think those factors could have combined to explain the spikes they were seeing. Doug and Louisa Westendorp are dairy farmers in Barry County, and the owners of MOO-ville Creamery. They have separate bills for different properties and were surprised to see the one for their cow barn spike. Their bills are typically a little over $2,000 for the barn, Louisa said, but spiked to $5,864 in January. She called Consumers and they told her about the longer billing cycle and the colder temperatures. But the barn isn't heated, she said, because cows produce their own heat. But the company didn't explain how five extra days would double a bill that usually covers 30. "I get it, it was 5 more days, that makes total sense... but there's got to be an explanation, and not 'we'll get back with you,'" Louisa Westendorp said. Committee Chair Gary Glenn said he hoped Consumers would address the issue after the hearing. Doug Westendorp said he didn't think the company would actually fix the problem. "I have no faith in Consumers power," he told MLive. And he didn't seem to be alone, at least among those who attended the hearing. At one point a Consumers representative said the company was one phone call away, and audience members started laughing and muttering. And far from accepting the power company's explanation, people were questioning what else was behind the higher prices. Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Potterville, said he was in the process of selling a home, and kept his unoccupied, 1,400 square foot house at 58 degrees. But his bill for a completely unoccupied house was $135 for January. "We had really, really cold winters just as recently as two or three years ago. So why is this year different than that as far as why their bills would be so different?" Barrett questioned. The answer, Youngdahl Snyder said, was this winter was even colder. Rep. Gary Glenn, R-Midland, chairs the committee and has long advocated for a free market for electricity, which would mean letting Michiganders choose their provider instead of being routed into a default utility like Consumers. He said the lack of choice meant customers couldn't take action. "If you were any other kind of business model, your customer base would hold you accountable by taking their business somewhere else," Glenn said. Genevieve Marnon, of Perry, wondered if a smart meter might be the cause. She was happy to get a smart meter, because she figured not needing a person to come check the meter would result in her costs going down. That's not what happened, though. A year ago her adult children and their families were living with them. They had seven adults and three kids living under one roof. That's more laundry, more cooking, more showers and more heat, since the kids were home all day, Marnon said. But now, when it's just she and her husband living there, their bill is higher. They've lowered one of their two furnaces and have far fewer energy needs. But that's now that their bill says. According to their bill, the cost is going up because just the two of them are using more energy than 10 people did a year ago. "That seems absolutely impossible," Marnon said. Consumers representatives said the smartmeters they deploy have been tested to make sure they're accurate. The committee on Wednesday wasn't considering any specific legislation. Utilities like Consumers are regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission. Note: This story has been updated to correct the title of Youngdahl Snyder. FORT PIERCE, FL - A 99-year-old wrong-way driver from Michigan who killed two teens when the RV he was driving struck their vehicle has died from injuries he sustained in the crash. According to the Associated Press, Walter Roney of Dearborn died on Friday, Feb. 9 three days after he drove the wrong way on State Road 70 in Fort Pierce, Fla. The collision killed 18-year-old Santia Feketa and her 17-year-old best friend, Britney Poindexter, who were on their way to a skating rink. Roney had just completed his driving exam on Jan. 8 in Michigan, 29 days before he was involved in the accident on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Michigan driving records showed that someone in September had reported Roney as possibly incompetent to drive. Investigators say Roney was driving at night without lights going west in the eastbound lanes of a four-lane highway when he crashed into Feketa's pickup truck. Funding for cleanup and restoration projects in the Great Lakes would be significantly slashed under President Donald Trump's budget plan released Monday. The plan as outlined by the White House would cut existing funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, a program housed in the Environmental Protection Agency, from roughly $300 million to $30,000,000. The cut proposed in the Trump administration's budget is part of an overall $3 billion budget reduction to the Environmental Protection Agency. That aspect of the budget blueprint didn't sit well with Michigan lawmakers, who vowed to keep fighting for continued funding of the GLRI. "Michigan deserves better than this," U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St-Joseph, said in a statement. "It's clear that when it comes to the Great Lakes our priorities are at odds with the administration." It's the administration's second attempt to curtail federal spending on the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative - last year, the president's budget plan would have eliminated funding for the program entirely. Members of Congress opted to fully fund the program for 2018. U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow said in a statement that the GLRI is critical to cleaning up the Great Lakes and for heading off invasive species like Asian carp. "If there's one thing we've learned, we can't take it for granted that others understand how important our water is," she said, calling the budget proposal "outrageous." "People across Michigan spoke out and took action last year to stop these cuts and I know they'll do so again." Started in 2010, the GLRI provides annual money for Great Lakes toxic sediment removal and invasive species management and is popular among lawmakers representing Midwestern states, particularly in Michigan. U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, serves as co-chair of the bipartisan Great Lakes Task Force. He said he plans to continue working to protect the Great Lakes and keep the GLRI fully funded. "The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative plays a leading role in preserving and restoring the Great Lakes ecology while strengthening the Great Lakes economy," he said. U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, called the failure to fully fund the GLRI "a serious disappointment." Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, said the GLRI is "the single most important program" for the Great Lakes. Several lawmakers, including U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Twp., said protecting the Great Lakes isn't and shouldn't be a partisan issue. "Cutting Great Lakes investments by 90 percent--essentially eliminating the program--threatens the health of our lakes and jeopardizes Michigan's economy," Kildee said. "In Congress, both Republicans and Democrats have rejected President Trump's previous attempts to cut Great Lakes funding. I will fight these draconian cuts in every way that I can." JACKSON, MI - The Tuesday workday started at 5 p.m. on Monday for European Bakery co-owner Jim McCann, and he and his team worked through the night to bake 900 dozen paczki. Twelve hours later, the bakery's doors opened at 622 Page Ave. for the busiest day of the year - Fat Tuesday. "We were busy at 5 a.m. Not as busy as the bakeries in Hamtramck, but we were busy," McCann said. "Hopefully we'll sell out by 1 p.m." Instead of the normal seven-member staff, McCann's crew consists of about 20 people on Paczki Day - and almost all of them are family members. McCann owns the third-generation bakery with his two brothers. One grandson trekked in from Chicago to help out. Last year, McCann's son from California flew in for the big day. "They know we need the help. We can't do it ourselves," McCann said. "After doing this for three, four days beforehand, this day puts you over the top. We're tired." Typically, European Bakery is known for its breads, rolls and cookies. But paczki has been tradition at the eastside bakery since McCann's grandfather started the business in 1913 - after moving from Poland at 23 years old. While McCann said the Polish roots of the eastside of Jackson are dwindling, Fat Tuesday paczki sales have grown in recent decades. After all, you don't need to be Polish to enjoy paczki, he said. "When we were small kids here - my grandfather owned the bakery - we would make 60 dozen paczki for Paczki Day," McCann said. "And today we made 900 dozen. It's gotten to be a big thing." Of the 900 dozen, 580 dozen paczki were preordered. McCann sees familiar faces every year from businesses around the city, picking up 10 dozen paczki for the employees. Paczki-making traditionally begins the Thursday before Fat Tuesday at European Bakery, with a goal of selling 2,000 dozen. With poor weather, McCann expects that number around to be around 1,700. "You go to Meijer and Kmart and Walmart and they're selling them all month of January," McCann said. "We traditionally start on Thursday before and just do a couple batches to get things going." The secret ingredient Five varieties of paczki are made at European Bakery - raspberry, Bavarian cream, lemon, blueberry and unfilled. "I think ours are fresher," McCann said. "We've got a secret ingredient. People say we have the best around and we appreciate that." That not-so-secret ingredient is orange rind, to add zest, McCann said. "As opposed to a regular jelly roll, there's more butter, (an) orange rind and more eggs," McCann said. So it's just a sweeter dough." From beginning to end, it takes about an hour to make a paczki, McCann said. The whole family has a role on the assembly line throughout the night, with McCann mixing the dough and his brothers and punching it out, dividing it into 36 pieces and frying it. The process wrapped up around 7 a.m. on Tuesday. While other paczki often get rock hard after a day or two, McCann said European Bakery's paczki last longer. Wrap them in plastic, and McCann said they'll be good for a week. "Ours get better the second and third day," McCann said. "I sent some to my son in California, yesterday." But don't expect to see any paczki for sale on Wednesday. The tradition of Fat Tuesday is to use up all the lard and sugar in the house before giving it up for Lent. "Tradition is, paczki Tuesday, and then you fast for 40 days for lent," McCann said. "It defeats the purpose if you start making them the day after Paczki Day." JACKSON, MI -- If Jackson County Sheriff Steven Rand is believed to be the "multifaceted bigot" a recent lawsuit accuses him of being, and the public loses faith in him, there are only two possible ways to force him out of office. Short of his resignation, it would require a removal order issued by the governor or a successful recall election. A lawsuit filed by Tuesday by Lt. Tommy Schuette alleges he has evidence, including text messages, voice recordings and witnesses, to support claims Rand insulted blacks, women and Hispanics, and mocked Schuette for his work-related hearing loss while on the job. "The bottom line is: It's not easy to remove an elected official from office, nor should it be," says Eric Lupher, president of the Citizens Research Council of Michigan in Livonia, who's studied Michigan's state, county and local government for 30 years. Lupher said, when it comes to removing an elected city official, there is often more leeway because of ordinances establishing rules of conduct. But at the county level, that doesn't exist. The county commission has little power beyond casting a no-confidence vote, which is just a vote communicating that the body has lost faith in its leader. Gov. Rick Snyder, since becoming governor in 2010, has never removed a locally elected official or initiated removal proceedings against a county official, said Anna Heaton, a spokeswoman from the governors office. She said anyone may request the governor consider removing a county official. The process looks like this, according to Heaton: A formal request for removal is sent to the governor's office, along with support for the removal. The request and support documents are then forwarded to the state Attorney General's Office. The Attorney General's Office reviews the claim to ensure it meets the legal definition of A recommendation as to whether removal of office charges should proceed is forwarded to the governor's office. If the governor wishes to proceed, a hearing is set for the elected official. There is no prescribed timeline for this to occur. Lupher said the last time he is aware of a state governor pursuing removal of an elected official it was Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who scheduled a hearing related to the removal of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. Kilpatrick resigned in 2008 before the removal hearing could occur. For a recall election to occur, a citizen must present recall petition language to the Jackson County Election Commission. The commission then has 10 to 20 days to conduct a hearing to determine if the language in the petition is clear, factual and accurate. Once the language is approved, the sponsor has 180 days to file the recall, but must collect all of the signatures within a 60-day span. The number of signatures to force a recall election must equal 25 percent of the total votes case in the previous election. Rand was appointed in 2011, was elected to his first 4-year term in 2012 and won an unopposed re-election in 2016. There were a total of 54,424 votes cast for sheriff, meaning it would require 13,606 petition signatures to force a recall election. As far as recall elections, the Citizens Research Council commenced a study on the topic that was published in 2012. The report identified 457 recall elections held in Michigan since 2000. About 46 ended with a successful recall of the official and only 2 percent, fewer than 10 elections, dealt with county officials. Michigan Sheriff's Association Executive Director Blaine Koopf, who was the sheriff of Allegan County for 16 years, said he's unaware of any Michigan sheriff every being forced from office, either by the governor or a recall election, in at least the last 17 years, the time frame he's paid attention. "It's extremely rare," the 42-year- lawman said. LEONI TWP., MI - As hundreds of thousands of dollars roll into Leoni Township for medical marijuana facility applications, township board members continue to debate who deserves that money. So far, roughly 40 applications have been submitted, Trustee Corey Kennedy said, at a price of $5,000 apiece. On Dec. 6, the first 18 were approved at a special meeting. Another 12 were approved by the board Jan. 31. For each application, 22 percent is divvied up between Clerk Michele Manke ($500 per application), Supervisor Howard Linnabary ($350 per application) and Treasurer Lori Stack ($250 per application). The current fee structure, which was approved in December, will be reviewed at the township's 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13 Board of Trustees meeting at Township Hall, 913 Fifth St. in Michigan Center. "(Residents) should be outraged," Kennedy said. "Certainly, people that put in extra time and extra effort outside their regular work hours should be compensated. But the amounts of money we're talking about, it's just not justifiable in my mind." Kennedy presented his own fee structure at the Jan. 31 meeting, giving most funds to police to enforce medical marijuana regulations. His plan would still give city officials some pay for administrative fees, but drastically less than the current plan. "The clerk did do extra work. She did," Kennedy said. "But is it $20,000 worth of extra work? I don't think so. And I think anybody with common sense that looks at it and looks at the application and looks at the process we're doing would probably concur with me." Eric White, the township's attorney, calls Kennedy's plan "unlawful" for not being used for the application cost. What can application fee money be used for? Michigan Act 281 of 2016 states, "a municipal ordinance may establish an annual, nonrefundable fee of not more than $5,000 on a licensee to help defray administrative and enforcement costs associated with the operation of a marihuana facility in the municipality." When it comes to defining what "administrative and enforcement costs" are, the answer is unclear. While state licensing of medical marijuana goes through the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, LARA Public Information Officer David Harns said it's not up to LARA to interpret the language. Harns wouldn't speak to the specific allocation structure in Leoni Township. "It has to be in line with actual costs; it can't just be a revenue enhancer for the local township," Harns said. "We don't have authority, any sort of ability to determine how that legal language is interpreted at the local level." LARA also doesn't have a list of which municipalities have been licensing medical marijuana facilities, Harns said in an email. A list will be compiled once licenses are awarded at the state level this spring, he said. A representative from the Attorney General's office said enforcement of the language was a local issue. Neither group called the township's procedure illegal. Salary, pension bonuses from medical marijuana There's no limit on how many applications Leoni Township will receive. The $5,000 is collected regardless of approval or not and all applications must be refiled every year subject, as of now, to the same application fee. The initial payout in Leoni Township came on Dec. 13, per township records received via a Freedom of Information Act request. Per the 18 applications received, the following wages distributed are: Clerk: $9,000, plus $1,359 in pension costs Supervisor: $6,300, plus $951.30 in pension costs Treasurer: $4,500, plus $679.50 in pension costs Deputy treasurer: $2,250, plus $339.75 in pension costs Deputy clerk: $2,250, plus $339.75 in pension costs Building: $1,800, plus $271.80 in pension costs Assessing (3): $5,400, plus $815.40 in pension costs Trustees (3): $1,200 total Accountant: $900, plus $135.90 in pension costs Total gross wages for township officials: $33,600 Total pension costs paid by township: $4,892.40 Not all officials have cashed the checks and some, including Kennedy, plan on returning the checks to the township. White received $19,800 in attorney fees for the 18 applications, as he receives $1,100 (22 percent) per application. His check came Nov. 30, before the official fee structure was approved. White is not paid additionally by the hour for marijuana applications. "Everything they've done is absolutely, completely above board," White said after the Jan. 31 meeting. "There's no conflicts of interest. Nobody's lining their pockets. It appears to be just a few people with sour grapes." Kennedy disagrees and wants an opinion from a different attorney. White bills the township $125 an hour with a $750 retainer, Kennedy said, meaning he'd have to spend 8.8 hours on each of the seven-page applications to even out. "I don't see how an attorney can recommend a governing body on something he's directly profiting from," Kennedy said. "I believe we should have an outside attorney probably look at it and say if it's legal or not, and is it moral and is it ethical?" Kennedy is also upset about the added pension costs, saying that will come back to haunt the township if the medical marijuana industry fizzles in the future. "Most people think this industry has a shelf life of five to 10 years," Kennedy said. "If you're factoring in pension costs and then you lose that revenue and that individual's collecting that revenue at the time of their retirement, you're obviously going to have a budget deficit going forward." Before medical marijuana costs, the clerk's and treasurer's annual salaries are $38,500 while the supervisor makes $46,000. If the township receives 40 applications per year, the clerk would get $20,000 extra, the supervisor would see $14,000 more and the treasurer would get an additional $10,000 each year. "I find it morally and ethically wrong," Kennedy said. "I don't know what other motive there would be, other than financial gain." What other communities are doing Elsewhere in Jackson County, Parma Township has a medical marijuana ordinance and Pulaski and Blackman townships are considering them. The effort is on a much smaller scale in Parma Township, with a limit of four applications, Supervisor Wendy Chamberlain said. "It is our belief, as elected officials, we're here to provide a service to our township and don't feel that we need to be compensated for that marijuana business," Chamberlain said. Parma Township has a five-member marijuana review board that makes decisions on the subject - as opposed to the township board. Each board meber makes $100 per application. Two applications have been received so far, bringing $10,000 to the township. With $10,060.50 in legal fees from an Okemos law firm, the township has $14,620.50 in expenses for the program so far. Chamberlain expects the township to break even if two more applications come in. When it comes time for renewals in future years, Chamberlain expects the fee to be about $500 or $1,000 - since most of the heavy lifting is done the first time around, she said. "We will not be padding our pockets with this new business in Parma Township," Chamberlain said. "We're public servants." PORTAGE, MI -- The world's largest pharmaceutical manufacturing plant is now 98,500 square feet larger. And that expansion -- the most visible part of an ongoing $147 million investment by Pfizer Inc. -- is a very good thing for Portage and Kalamazoo County, local leaders say. "It's important because it shows us long-term that Pfizer plans to be here for a long time," said Portage Mayor Patricia Randall. Portage City Manager Larry Shaffer agreed, saying, "Having Pfizer commit to the city of Portage is absolutely critical for our long-term viability. So it's not only the taxpayers that benefit by having a large corporate partner like Pfizer support our schools and support our public services, but it's all the employees and their families that benefit." Pfizer's Global Manufacturing operation, a complex at 7000 Portage Road that already included about 4 million square feet of production and office space, is now 98,500 square feet larger. It has been expanded to accommodate a new warehousing and distribution operation that has the capacity to accept more raw materials and handle 60 percent more finished pharmaceutical products than the previous operation. It is about $30 million of the $147 million expansion project, according to Daniel Roth, team leader for project engineering at Pfizer. The not-yet-completed balance of the project is a 10,000-square-foot asceptic processing center that is being built inside the plant. It will allow Pfizer to produce Act-O-Vials, the drug maker's small portable devices that allow paramedics and medical staffers to quickly inject patients with life-saving medicines. Civic leaders and reporters were allowed to tour the new warehousing facility on Tuesday morning. Attached to the north side of the Portage Road manufacturing complex, it replaces a similar-size warehouse space inside the plant that had much less capacity. The new, modern area allows the company to handle up to 9,500 pallets of finished or work-in-progress pharmaceutical products. It has 65-foot high ceilings (versus the 28-foot ceilings of the previous area), two cold storage rooms capable of storing 1,000 pallets, and a floor that is so perfectly flat (in order to keep high-rising pallet-handling vehicles steady) that it recently won an award. By March, the warehouse is expected to be in operation 24 hours a day, seven days per week. It will be the work place of about 36 Pfizer employees. "We created space in our existing facilities to do more production," Roth said. "We're basically full. We know we needed to free-up space to grow and the best place to do it was with the warehouse because we also needed the additional pallet capacity." The Portage complex was established as the world's largest pharmaceutical manufacturing site many years ago as a part of The Upjohn Co. It remained so after Upjohn became part of Pharmacia Corp., and after that was acquired in 2003 by Pfizer. It remained the largest pharmaceutical manufacturing operation, even as Pharmacia looked for opportunities elsewhere and as Pfizer downsized some operations here and in Ann Arbor from 2003 to 2008. "As they started going overseas, to Stockholm and New Jersey, our housing market valuations dropped," Randall said of Pfizer's downsizing. "Just the uncertainty of (not knowing) how long they would be here was always in question." Speaking of its ongoing investment in Portage, Randall said, "I think with this type of investment, they're here to stay and that's great news for everybody in our entire region." Robert Betzig, site leader for Pfizer Global Supply in Portage, said the company has invested about $1 billion in the local operation over the last 10 years. "If you look forward, we're going to make (invest) $190 million more for at least several years," Betzig said. "(That's) a $190 million-a-year investment in the site to make sure we've got a site that can deliver medicines to our patients around the world." U.S. Rep. Fred Upton said, "Not only does this mean a continued commitment, it's tax base so it provides some downward pressure on property taxes for the average family." Upton, a St. Joseph Republican, said Pfizer's growth will also result in other jobs in the community "because as they grow here, they're going to need more services here - restaurants, stores, all those things. This bolsters Kalamazoo and Portage's standing not only in Southwest Michigan but certainly the state and even the country." Along with Michigan Rep. Brandt Iden, Upton was among legislators to praise Pfizer's continued growth in Portage during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the operation on Tuesday morning. Upton also looked to link plans for future expansion by Pfizer to a Republican-backed reduction in U.S. business taxes. "This started two years ago," Upton said of plans for Pfizer's current expansion in Portage. "But Pfizer's announcement two or three weeks ago, that in fact they are going to reinvest another $5 billion into the U.S. -- that could have gone someplace else." Former Portage Mayor Peter Strazdas attributed the company's reinvestment here to a much improved relationship between the city of Portage and the company -- compared to the late 1990s and early 2000s when the two battled over tax rates. "It's a business decision for them," Strazdas said of expanding here. "But it's about relationships too. It's about trust. It's about making sure they're successful. On my watch I wanted to make sure that what's good for Portage is good for Pfizer." Construction of the new warehouse area started on Sept. 29, 2016 and the facility received its occupancy permit on Feb. 8. The operation is expected to handle more than 1,300 shipments per year, shipping more than 4,500 pallets to locations in the U.S. and abroad. Pfizer Global Manufacturing in Portage makes no products sold directly to consumers. It makes sterile injectable medicines such as steroids, antibiotics, and Solu-Medrol, an inflammation and allergy treatment. It also makes active pharmaceutical ingredients for other Pfizer locations and other pharmaceutical makers. APIs are the key formulations that make medicines work. Pfizer has about 2,300 workers involved in manufacturing or support functions in Portage, as well as about 200 others there that do other work for the company. About 1,000 outside workers are at the location most days, contracted to provide other services, including maintenance and cafeteria work. KALAMAZOO, MI -- The State Board of Canvassers approved language in a recall petition submitted against embattled Branch County Prosecutor Ralph Kimble II. The State Board of Canvassers met Tuesday, Feb. 13, in Lansing to determine whether the recall petition language "states factually and clearly each reason for the recall." The board determined it met the requirement. Kimble , the defendant in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former employee of the prosecutor's office, is coming under increased scrutiny after a panel that includes Branch County judges formed to interview employees about Kimball determined there was sufficient evidence of inappropriate conduct by the prosecutor, according to a news release from the judges. The panel was formed in the spring of 2017 and includes District Court Judge Brent Weigle, Probate Judge Kirk Kashian, Circuit Judge William O'Grady, Judge/Magistrate David Coyle and Juvenile Referee John Howard. The panel met by teleconference with the criminal division of the Michigan Attorney General's Office and an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission attorney for the state, according to the release, and the Michigan State Police was brought in to investigate. Attorney General's Office confirmed there was an investigation of Kimble going on by responding in December to a Freedom of Information Request for complaints against him, saying information could not be released because it is part of an open department investigation. A lawsuit filed by Evon Staley alleges she and other employees of the Branch County Prosecutor's Office were subject to discrimination by the sexually hostile work environment "created and maintained by Kimble ." It alleges a violation of the Michigan Elliot Larsen Civil Rights Act and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Kimble did not respond to multiple requests for comment this week. WWMT reported that Kimble has denied all allegations of sexual harassment and said in an email message to the station that the lawsuit is retaliation for the just cause firing of Staley, a criminal defendant, for her involvement in the manufacture and growing operation of marijuana found on her property. The lawsuit is part of the reason Alexia Rish said she decided to submit a recall petition against Kimble. Rish submitted the petition language once in January and it was denied by the Board of Canvassers. She resubmitted the recall petition language with changes and it was approved Tuesday. The language reads: "In consideration of the recent consensus/News Release of ALL of the local judges of Branch County in their combined request for the necessity of an official Investigation of Ralph W. Kimble II by the Michigan Attorney General and the Michigan State Police concerning alleged improprieties engaged in by the Chief County Prosecutor in the discharge of his official duties; and in consideration that Ralph W. Kimble II has been named as a Defendant in an ongoing lawsuit alleging sexual Harassment in the Branch County Courthouse by a former employee of the Branch County Prosecutor's office: We, the undersigned, request a RECALL of Ralph W. Kimble II as Branch County Prosecutor." When Rish heard about allegations against the prosecutor, she thought something would be done. "We kind of expected somebody would step up and take charge," she said, like forcing the prosecutor to take a leave of absence. But no one has, she said. She has no connection to Kimble and said she has never met him, but she has spoken with people about their complaints against him. She and other neighbors decided to become activists to improve their community. She believes the allegations are impacting the way Kimble does the job he was elected to do. "There's a very bad vibration at the courthouse," she said. "Everybody's on edge. Something's got to be done about this." She spoke before the state Board of Canvassers on Tuesday. "It's obvious we have some kind of problem here," she told the board. "We'd like to correct it before we have violence," she said. "We'd really like to have some help here to relieve ourselves of this man and have somebody else." "He's not even earning the money we're paying him to lose his patience with his workers and scare the heck out of them," she said to the panel. Now that the petition language has been approved, petitioners must collect signatures equal to 25 percent of the number of voters in Branch County who voted in the last gubernatorial election to trigger a recall election. The petition would need 2,858 signatures to trigger a recall election, according to Ballotpedia. Rish was printing copis of the petitions soon after the canvassers meeting ended Tuesday. She said she has other people waiting to mobilize and help collect signatures. Anyone who wants to sign the petition must be a registered voter in Branch County, she said. Petitions will be available to sign during business hours at her store, Alexia's Enterprise, 78 W. Chicago St. in downtown Coldwater, where Rish is a practicing psychic and astorologer, and sells antiques. MLive reporter Lauren Gibbons contributed to this report. LANSING, MI -- A bill that would require defendants to stay in the courtroom to hear victim impact statements has been voted out of committee. The state House Law and Justice Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 13, approved the legislation that was introduced by Rep. Holly Hughes, R-Montague. House bill 5407 will now advance to the House for its consideration. Hughes proposed the bill after Jeffrey Willis asked, and was allowed, to leave the Muskegon County Circuit Court room for his sentencing for the murder of Rebekah Bletsch. The Dec. 18, 2017, sentencing included victim impact statements provided by Bletsch's family members, who expressed outrage that Willis was not there to hear them. "The fact that Jeffrey Willis walked out of the courtroom and wouldn't hear any of us, it just goes to show what a coward he really is," Bletsch's sister Jessica Josephson said at the time. Hughes' bill would require defendants to be in court for the victim impact statements unless the judge determines they are disruptive or a safety risk. Willis was convicted in November 2017 for the June 2014 murder of Bletsch, who was shot to death as she jogged along a rural Muskegon County road. The prosecutor's office believes that Willis was trying to kidnap Bletsch, but killed her when she fought back. Willis faces trial beginning May 1 for the kidnapping and murder of gas station attendant Jessica Heeringa in April 2013. Josephson and Bletsch's mother Debra Reamer testified in support of the Hughes' bill last week during a hearing before the Law and Justice Committee. "What is the point of an impact statement if I can't speak it to the person who has impacted me and destroyed my family?" Josephson said. "No other family should have to feel their words and their heartache don't matter." The Michigan Prosecuting Attorneys Association and Michigan Attorney General's Office have expressed support for the legislation, according to Hughes' office. "We're one step closer to not having one more Michigan family having their voice taken away by a criminal," Hughes said following the committee's vote. If approved by the full Legislature, the new law would be named after Bletsch and would amend the William Van Regenmorter Crime Victims Rights Act. In the end, Willis did hear the statements of Bletsch's family members. Muskegon County Sheriff Michael Poulin had an audio recording of the statements placed on a compact disc, which was played repeatedly in the county cruiser that transported Willis to prison. SAGINAW, MI -- A former Mid-Michigan credit union CEO accused of embezzling more than $710,000 during his tenure has pleaded guilty as charged to 13 felonies. Stanley Hayes, 45, pleaded guilty to all counts against him Monday, Feb. 12, before Circuit Judge Andre R. Borrello, according to court records. Those charges are: One count of conducting a criminal enterprise, a 20-year felony. Two counts of of embezzling $20,000 or more but less than $50,000, a 10-year felony. Seven counts of embezzling value of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, a 5-year felony. Three counts of using a computer to commit a crime, a 20-year felony. The charges against Hayes came nearly a year after the Saginaw Township financial institution, Valley State Credit Union, was declared in "unsafe and unsound condition" and placed into a conservatorship by state officials in August 2016. Hayes was CEO of Valley State Credit Union from 2005 until he was fired in 2016. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said during his time as CEO, Hayes allegedly used money embezzled from the bank to pay for his insurance, property taxes, travel and other personal expenses. In addition to those accusations, Schuette said Hayes also used embezzled funds to pay defaulted loans and loans held by dead people in an attempt to cover up the financial problems the credit union was facing. While most of the embezzlement was allegedly done electronically, almost $200,000 in cash was taken from Hayes' teller drawer during his tenure, Schuette said. In August 2016, Valley State Credit Union was placed in a conservatorship after an investigation by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services found the financial institution was "operating in an unsafe and unsound condition," according to previous MLive-Saginaw News reports. The investigation concluded the credit union had "high risk in its loan portfolio, lack of internal controls, inaccurate reporting and failure of management and the board of directors to address these problems," according to Schuette. The investigation also turned up the embezzlement allegations against Hayes, who was fired shortly after the credit union was placed under the state agency's control. At the time, the agency said the credit union had 3,116 member accounts. Hayes is scheduled for a April 4 sentencing at 1:30 p.m. before Borrello. In recent years, the market has become more crowded because many Hanoians are making Banh Chung by themselves. Small traders can sell thousands of dong leaves and bamboo strings every day. An 86-year-old man, Dinh, who is living in Trung Tu collective quarter in Dong Da District, always buys a lot of dong and chuoi (banana) leaves to make Banh Chung and gio (pie). Over the past years, many families in residential areas around Hanoi have gathered together to make Banh Chung for Tet. This is the second year that residents in Yen Hoa Sunshine building in Cau Giay District have made Banh Chung together. Participants take on different responsibilities in the step by step process, including washing dong leaves, steaming beans, and packing the cake. Children are eager to help the adults. Over 200 cakes have been made for more than 100 households. The cakes are boiled in the buildings yard. All people gather around the pot and talk together. SAGINAW, MI -- The man accused of killing 17-year-old Trayvon Doster has been found competent to stand trial. Brent Crittendon, 24, was ruled competent to stand trial Monday, Feb. 12, by District Judge Terry L. Clark. He is charged with open murder and felony firearm. In August, Crittendon was found incompetent to stand trial. Evaluating personnel said there is a "substantial probability" that Crittendon, with treatment, could regain competency, according to the report. Under Michigan law, Crittendon had to regain competency within 15 months. If that time had passed, charges would have been dropped but he may have to continue treatment. Crittendon is accused of gunning down Doster nearly five ago on Saginaw's East Side. Doster was found around 6:30 p.m. June 7, 2013, inside 2707 Prescott with at least one gunshot wound. Medical personnel declared him dead at the scene, police said at the time. He was a father of one. Two months after Doster was killed, Crittendon was behind bars in Georgia on armed robbery charges, according to Gwinnett County, Georgia, court records. Those charges would later see him get a 15-year sentence in prison, according to Georgia Department of Corrections records. Crittendon claims he was in Georgia when Doster was slain. "This case has no merit. The proof of the matter is not proven, also the timing of the court trial is past due, also I was in Georgia when happened," Crittendon wrote in a motion for dismissal, which was later denied. Murder charges were issued against Crittendon on Dec. 23, 2015. He was extradited from Georgia to Michigan in June 2017. A next court date for Crittendon has yet to be set. SAGINAW, MI -- The man accused in the "heinous" beating and robbery of a 65-year-old woman in her downtown Saginaw office building was charged Tuesday with attempted murder. Timothy Green, 34, was arraigned Tuesday, Feb. 13, on one count of assault with intent to murder, a life offense, and unarmed robbery, a 15-year felony. Green allegedly walked into the fourth-floor offices of READ Association of Saginaw County, a children's literacy nonprofit, beat part-time worker Kathy Rogers and made off with her purse, the felony court complaint stated. The attack, which Saginaw Police Detective Sgt. Matt Gerow characterized as "heinous" and "beyond brutal," occurred around 9:50 a.m. Feb. 6 in the Jefferson One building, 100 S. Jefferson Ave. Rogers was alone when the assault occurred. Officers found her three hours later, lying on the floor in a pool of blood, Gerow said. Police were tipped off when a witness reported seeing a man discard a bloodied coat and purse into a dumpster near the Saginaw Board of Education building on Millard Street about a quarter mile from the office. A Saginaw County Sheriff's Office deputy went to the home of the woman who the purse belonged to and found her husband, who told the deputy his wife wasn't home and where she worked. Rogers was flown to an Ann Arbor hospital for treatment of injuries. She was last reported Friday as in critical but stable condition. District Judge M. Randall Jurrens ordered Green's bond denied on the basis of parole violation. Green was paroled from state prison in December 2016. Since his release, he was under court-ordered mental health treatment due to a variety of issues, including thoughts of violence, according to court records. He was sentenced to prison in the early- to mid-2000s, according to Michigan Department of Corrections records, on charges of on attempted arson of a house, unlawful driving away an automobile, resisting or obstructing a police officer and receiving or concealing stolen property worth more than $1,000 but less than $20,000. While incarcerated, psychologists noted Green displayed self-harm, paranoid thoughts, delusions and hallucinations. He once attacked his cellmate because voices said the man killed his mother, according to court records. The Jefferson One building, 100 S. Jefferson Ave. in Saginaw on Feb. 7, 2018. After parole, he was petitioned to mental health treatment in Saginaw County. He was briefly hospitalized for several days in May 2017 because he was "presenting with psychotic symptoms and is not compliant with his medication." "He is having suicidal ideation and homicidal ideation with a plan," the assessment read. Green made statements about harming people, such as "We are overpopulated already" and "Probably stab someone to death," according to court documents from that time. The last entry in Green's case was in December 2017 for a six-month review. In the review, a doctor concluded Green's treatment was beneficial but that it should continue another six months "based on (his) past verbal reports of auditory and visual hallucinations, increased paranoia, suicidal and homicidal ideation." Green's next court appearance is 11 a.m. March 6 before District Judge Terry L. Clark for a preliminary examination. SAGINAW, MI -- The YMCA of Saginaw and the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Great Lakes Bay Region are closer to their goal of $4.1 million for a new joint venture called KidsCampUs after a seven-figure donation was secured. The Harvey Randall Wickes Foundation announced a $1 million donation toward the project, bringing the campaign total to $3 million. Organizers say the donation is the largest one so far. KidsCampUs will be a youth development center that aims to inspire kids and teens to reach their greatest potential academically, socially, emotionally and physically by delivering high-impact programs and services that improves lives, according to KidsCampUs campaign leaders. The project involves renovations at the YMCA of Saginaw and YMCA Camp Timbers, located just outside of West Branch. The third component is the Boys and Girls Clubs moving from the YMCA and into the former Junior Achievement building, 1781 Fordney St. "The community is really excited about our KidsCampUs project for all the right reasons, said Steve Meyer, CEO and president of Saginaw YMCA. "Agency collaboration, stronger programs and better outcomes for youth and families, elimination of duplicated services, maximizing value for contributed dollars, repurposing an existing and useful building, and more, and the focus has always been kids first". Meyer said the YMCA will be utilized for activities that involve the gyms and pools, while the Boys and Girls Clubs next door will be set-up as classrooms and recreation spaces. Construction at Camp Timbers has already started and once completed, it will have several updates. YMCA Camp Timbers A new recreation pavilion to reach more individuals through meaningful partnerships, and the ability to host multiple groups in camp simultaneously during the peak summer season. Updated main lodge welcome center ensures the preservation of the dining hall, which serves as a hub of activity at camp and offers an inviting and functional space for structured programming, social gathering and necessary shelter from the elements. New camper and guest bathroom and shower facilities. YMCA of Saginaw A refreshed entrance. Separate access to gyms and teen center to create a welcoming atmosphere and demonstrate to the community that the YMCA gym and other spaces are community assets and open to all mission similar organizational partners. Improved shower facilities for safety, security and privacy. Boys and Girls Club Moving into their new permanent home at the former Junior Achievement building. The new space will provide designated spaces for recreation and cognitive enrichment through specialized programs such as visual and creative arts, languages, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities, music and more. "Our partnership is well underway with over 40 Boys and Girls Club youth having attended Camp Timbers with us last summer," Meyer said. " The Boys and Girls Club program moved into the Y last fall at the start of the school year, and things are going very well". Planning the project began several years ago and involved input from community leaders along the way. In November 2016, the organizations committed to the joint venture partnership and since that time YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs board members have been meeting, according to a press release from KidsCampUs. The capital campaign is co-chaired by Steve Kelly and Herb Spence. Other foundations who have donated include the Frank N. Andersen Foundation, Covenant HealthCare, Dow Corning Foundation, Huntington Bank Trusts, The Jury Foundation, Morley Family Foundation, William McNally Family Foundation, Allen E. and Marie A. Nickless Memorial Foundation, Wickson-Link Memorial Foundation and the Wolohan Family Foundation. SAGINAW, MI -- The son of Kathy Rogers, the victim who was beaten and robbed in downtown Saginaw said his family is still grasping to understand what happened. "We have cried many tears and there will be more tears as we process what has happened. We pray for many things, including justice," said Matt Rogers, son of Kathy Rogers. "We ask that you would join us in praying for justice." Matt Rogers, 36, Saginaw Police Chief Robert Ruth, the Saginaw County Prosecutor's Office and the READ Association gave an update to the media about the attack on 65-year-old Kathy Rogers that occurred around 9:50 a.m. on Feb. 6 at the READ Association in the Jefferson One Building, 100 S. Jefferson Ave. in downtown Saginaw. Rogers said his mother is no longer in the Intensive Care Unit at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, but she has more surgeries to go. "She's getting better," he said. "I also believe that God can bring good out of evil. What if in response to this evil crime we act in ways that bring healing to the community?" Matt Rogers asked. "What if we pray for the community and enter into a new phase with collaboration, respect and cooperation leading to a more just and caring community?" Ruth attributed the arrest of the suspect Timothy Green to surveillance cameras, community members speaking up about suspicious activity and the media. "Everybody was working extremely hard on this case," Ruth said. "We don't run across these types of cases very often. It's a very heinous crime, very heinous. You take it to heart when you see something like this." Ruth also thanked the Michigan Department of Corrections, which collaborated to help take Green into custody. Green, 34, was arraigned Tuesday, Feb. 13, on one count of assault with intent to murder, a life offense, and unarmed robbery, a 15-year felony. Green allegedly walked into the fourth-floor offices of READ Association of Saginaw County and beat part-time worker Kathy Rogers and took her purse. Rogers, a Birch Run-area resident, was alone when the attack occurred and officers found her three hours later, lying on the floor in a pool of blood. "As we pray for justice, it is important to remember that this family cares deeply for the Saginaw community," Matt Rogers said. Rogers said his father worked as a science teacher at Saginaw High School for over 30 years and his mom dedicated her time as a first grade teacher for Bridgeport schools for over 30 years as well. "Our thoughts and prayers remain focused on Kathy and the family as she continues to recover," said Cynthia A Pape, president and director of the READ Association. "She holds a very special place in our heart as well as those involved with READ." Rogers said a meeting will be held from 7:30-8:30 p.m on Feb. 13 at the First Presbyterian Church, 121 S. Harrison St., that will explore the topic on how to find strength to move forward and forgive. The meeting will be open to the public. The family has set up a Go Fund Me account to help offset hospital costs with a goal of $10,000. As of Tuesday, Feb. 13, the campaign raised over $7,000. The parents of a Republican U.S. Senate candidate have taken a family political argument to new heights by donating the maximum legal amount allowed to his Democratic rival. The Associated Press reports Kevin Nicholson, the Republican U.S. Senate candidate, said he isn't surprised by his parent's maximum donation of $2,700 to Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin. Before Nicholson potentially goes up against his parents pick for the Wisconsin U.S. Senate seat, he must first defeat fellow Republican state Sen. Leah Vukmir in the primary election. CNN first reported the news, and points out that Nicholson's parents can donate the same amount to Baldwin again if they choose to do so during the general election. "My parents have a different worldview than I do, and it is not surprising that they would support a candidate like Tammy Baldwin who shares their perspective," he said in a statement, according to A.P. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported in the past that Nicholson's mother, Donna Nicholson, had made 15 donations to Baldwin's campaign since 2012 totaling $441, at the time. Back in 2000, the newspaper reports Nicholson was president of the College Democrats of America. He was quoted at the time as saying his parents were "afraid of being found out as the only Democrats in Mequon (, Wisconsin)" when asked if they would support a run for office. As for what turned him to the Republican party, the Senate hopeful tells A.P. he is a conservative by choice and "not because I was born one." Nicholson is a veteran of the U.S. Marines, and has the slogan "Send in the Marine. Take back Washington" at the top of his campaign website. He earned a Bronze Star for his service while on three combat tours between Iraq and Afghanistan. There is no mention of his parents in his "meet Kevin" section of his website. "Kevin is not a politician, but the sum total of his experiences in the Marine Corps, in combat, and in business have made him a strong advocate for conservative principles," his website reads. He told Politico in September that his political views changed when he was deployed in Iraq, as he grew "livid" with the Democratic opposition to the war. Speaking at a reception for Sengupta in Hanoi on February 13, President Quang said the Government of Vietnam is continuing with reform and improving business regulations to meet international standards and create favourable conditions for foreign investors. He said developing energy, particularly renewable energy, is a priority of Vietnam, expressing his belief that when Long Phu 2 thermal power plant is completed, it will pave the way for Indian projects to enter Vietnam. The President asked Tata Group to fast-track the project and put the thermal plant into operation on schedule. President Quang spoke highly of Tatas move to expand business operations to other fields in Vietnam, including port development and coffee production and processing. He hoped that enterprises from Vietnam and India will propose ideas to step up two-way trade and investment between the two countries at the upcoming Vietnam India Business Forum in a bid to lift bilateral trade to US$15 billion as soon as possible. Sengupta informed President Quang about the Tata Groups projects in Vietnam, including a US$70-million coffee processing facility in Binh Duong and solar power projects in four provinces with a combined capacity of 250 mW. He affirmed that Tata is working hard to complete these projects on schedule and wants to expand to other fields in Vietnam. Hermes, the French luxury maison par excellence, has celebrated craftsmanship and artistic crafts ever since its founding in 1837. It has invested in keeping these traditions alive, by securing the services of craftsmen. In fact, the first trade represented at Hermes is that of artisan. Hermes vaunted expertise in saddle-making, leatherwork and glove-making, and the success of its famous silk squares, rest upon the work of these artisans. So it is not surprising that Hermes should wish to showcase this savoir-faire in its watch creations, as many other watchmakers have done. It has both the legitimacy and the creative resources to do so. This January in Geneva, Hermes took part in the SIHH for the first time (until now, the company has only attended Baselworld), and celebrated the fortieth anniversary of Hermes watchmaking division. Its 2018 collection is varied, with a colourful womens collection of quartz watches, the Arceau Casaque, the mens Carre H and the Carre Cuir. But Hermes also presented some more prestigious models, complementing the metiers darts pieces that the Maison began producing some years ago. Crystal In 1995, Hermes bought the historic Cristalleries de Saint-Louis, which were founded 1586. Since being brought into Hermes artistic crafts stable in 2014, glassmaking and watchmaking have worked hand in hand, producing the original highly colourful Arceau Millefiori, inspired by the paperweights created by the Cristalleries in the 19th century. This year there are two new watches in black that build on the millefiori technique, the mark of the master glassmaker. A black dye is added to the incandescent glass, which is by the artisan into long rods like candy canes, which are then assembled to create patterns. In the case of the new Arceau Pocket Millefiori and Arceau Lift Millefiori, the patterns resemble alligator scales. The first model is a 750 white gold watch with a diameter of 48 mm; the dial is made of Millefiori glass, and back cover is lined with matt black alligator leather, mirroring the pattern on the dial. Produced in a run of just ten, the hours and minutes functions of this timepiece are driven by the automatic mechanical movement Hermes H1837, with a power reserve of 50 hours. The movement finish, with its circular-grained and snailed mainplate, and its satin-brushed bridges and rotor, is commensurate with the meticulously finished dial. Arceau Pocket Millefiori, front and back views Hermes The Arceau Lift Millefiori has a similar dial, framed in a 43-mm 750 white gold case. The lower part is openworked, and a sapphire window reveals the tourbillon cage and the legend Lift. The Swiss made hand-wound Hermes H1923 movement, beating at 21,600 vph, supplies hours and minutes, and a comfortable power reserve of 90 hours. This timepiece comes in a limited edition of three, and is fitted with a black alligator strap with a 750 white gold pin buckle. Arceau Lift Millefiori Hermes Square inspiration The classic silk scarf, the famous Hermes square, has been defying time and fashion for 80 years. With its generous 90 x 90 cm format and precious silk fabric, the Carre Hermes exists in more than 1500 references with as many different designs. Hermes Horlogerie has miniaturised them down to around 40 mm to decorate its watch dials. The Slim dHermes Savana Dance is inspired by the scarf design of the same name, created in collaboration with an African artists collective from the Zulu culture. The natural white mother-of-pearl dial is decorated with a highly realistic miniature painting depicting a monkey being hunted by a leopard through luxuriant foliage. The meticulous painting reproduces perfectly the silky fur of the monkey and the petals of the protea. This limited edition of 12 pieces, in a 39.5 mm 750 white gold case, features the automatic Hermes movement H1950, with hand-chamfered bridges decorated with a repeating H pattern. Slim d'Hermes Savana Dance Hermes The Carre Mythique Phoenix Coloriages, created by Laurence Berthoumieux for the spring/summer 2016 collection, provides the backdrop for two eponymous new Arceau models, available in red and blue. A phoenix, occupying almost all of the white mother-of-pearl dial, spreads its wings and displays its plumage. The virtuosity of the artist is revealed in the rich palette of colours and the mastery of the design of the feathers and the surrounding foliage. Both versions, limited to 12 pieces, are in 750 white gold, and the hours and minutes are driven by the automatic manufacture H1837 movement. The watches are completed with a matching blue or red alligator strap. Carre Mythique Phoenix Coloriages Hermes > Watches & Wonders Bhubaneswar-based Air Odisha has received regulatory approvals to begin scheduled passenger commuter services under the regional connectivity scheme. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation today issued Air Odisha the scheduled commuter operator permit, which allows the airline to launch its services on regional routes, an Air Odisha official said, adding till now it had only a non-scheduled operator permit. "We got flying permit today. We will launch operations as a scheduled commuter airline from the 17th of this month with a flights service to Mundra from Ahmedabad," Air Odisha operations head Satish Pani told PTI over phone today. The maiden flight will be inaugurated by Gujarat chief miniser Vijay Rupani, he said, adding flights to Jamnagar from Ahmedabad will also begin on the same day. "The Ahmedabad-Diu service is scheduled for February 25 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to flag off the flight," an official said. Air Odisha had bagged 50 routes under the subsidised regional connectivity scheme last March. Pani said the airline has acquired a 19-seater Beechcraft B-1900D plane and two more will join the fleet by the month-end. As per the schedule, it will begin services from New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar and Chennai to various underserved and unserved airports in Odisha, Gujarat, UP, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andhra and Puducherry. Air Odisha has already forged a strategic partnership with Air Deccan, which bagged 34 routes, under which the two will share each other's network and resources to cut cost. Collectively, the two airlines plan to operate 108 flights daily connecting 67 airports over the next few months, with a combined fleet of 12 Beechcraft B-1900Ds. We will identify the root cause of the inefficiencies. Tata Motors will undergo a major transformation to get future ready. That was what Guenter Butschek, managing director of Tata Motors, said in a no-holds barred media interaction in March 2016, just a month after joining the company. It was understandable that Butschek was trying hard to convince. After all, the announcement of his appointment was welcomed by a tepid 2 percent increase in Tata Motors' stock in a bull market. There was reason for the skepticism among investors, even though Tata Motors was now finally filling a position that was vacant for two years. The answer to that perhaps lies in the commonality (even repetition) in the tone to Butscheks predecessors. Tata Motor's domestic operations, especially passenger vehicles, had been nearly written off by market watchers in the face of continuous onslaught from rivals. Commercial vehicles division bore the brunt of the aggression from new and old players leading to erosion in market share. Tata Motors previous heads Carl Peter Foster and Karl Slym had voiced concerns over issues like brand in the car segment and servicing and product roll out in the truck and bus division. They devised like-wise plans, but before these could be put into action they exited the company. But as Butschek, who is a former Daimler and Airbus employee, marks his second work anniversary at Tata Motors this week, there is a lot the market needs to commend him for. Under the German's reign, Tata Motors has achieved a much better success rate with its new passenger vehicle launches such as the Tiago and Nexon, and the even the unorthodox Hexa. The Nexon became Tata Motor's first product after Nano to have a waiting period that stretched to two months, while the Tiago crashed into the coveted list of Indias top ten best-selling cars. The urgency is clearly visible in the way Tata Motors is moving forward. This is seen areas of products, sales, service and network. Butschek has led from the front and rallied his forces most efficiently despite the fact that he was previously alien to the manufacturing culture in India, said an analyst based in Bengaluru. Market shares Tata Motors market share in the passenger vehicle (PV) segment has climbed to 6 percent after hitting an all-time low of 5.2 percent two years ago. The company even regained its historical number three position in the PV segment in December 2017, unseating Mahindra & Mahindra. Sales rose 15 percent to 1.45 lakh units by end of December compared to 1.26 lakh units in the same period last year. In commercial vehicles, the story gets even sweeter. Tata Motors market share, by end of December, rose to 47 percent, better than 44.4 percent recorded at the end of the last financial year. In some heavy duty segments such as tippers and tractor trailers, the share went well past 50 percent. Sales grew 17 percent to 2.69 lakh units by end of December. The growth has reflected in financials too. Tata Motors reported profits for the first time in five quarters, in the quarter ended December. A profit of Rs 184 crore was reported in the quarter as against a loss of Rs 1,052 crore posted in the same quarter last year. HR initiative Some of that success can be attributed to the massive changes the company made to its human resource (HR) division. Tata Motors has transformed from a casual fence sitter to target-hungry blood hound thanks to the performance-oriented HR drive led by Butschek. The HR restructuring saw several key personnel move to new roles and in some cases to new companies within the group. The flat hierarchy system that Tata Motors adopted shrunk designations from a whopping 140 to just 5. From automatic promotion every 2-3 years, the appraisal process for its 12,000-13,000 employees now relies strictly on performance. Its sales team is now rewarded handsomely with incentives coming every quarter, an industry first. Executives can earn 300 percent of the stated incentives for achieving 150 percent of the target sales. Besides there is an estimated savings of Rs 400 crore every year, thanks to the HR restructuring. Working with dealers Another area where Butschek had put his weight behind was sales and service experience at Tata Motors dealerships, which is the first point of contact for a prospective vehicle buyer. The overhaul of its dealerships, which included revamp of showrooms to make them trendy, use of more technology for the tech-savvy young buyer (salespersons were given iPads), were some of the initiatives carried out by the company. The constant focus on sales, services and spares business, helped place Tata Motors alongside Maruti Suzuki in the coveted JD Power study behind the new leader Hyundai last year. Quality assumed one of the top most places on Butscheks to-do list, an area which has let Tata Motors down several times in the past. Being a manufacturing expert and having worked with German giant Daimler AG for 25 years, Butschek knows that quality cannot be compromised with. At Daimler he led production, industrialization and procurement, while at Airbus he was the chief operating officer. Tatas new generation cars such as Tiago, Hexa, Tigor and Nexon mark a generational leap on quality parameters, say several analysts and auto enthusiasts, when compared to older cars like Nano, Indica or Safari. Butschek tightened the screws on parts suppliers and chose only the top 250-300 from a pool of 1,300 Tata Motors did business with during earlier years. Forget quarterly reviews, meetings now happen every day to review the performance of the company. Immediate action is taken if the target seems difficult to achieve. Co-ordination with suppliers is much better now than earlier, said a top Tata Motors executive speaking to Moneycontrol News. Focus on profitability Butschek is learnt to now have singularly put his focus on achieving profitability at the standalone level, something which has dodged the company for past several quarters. This is why project TaMo, a tech-heavy, ring-fenced start-up, was put on the backburner. Under Butschek the company forged alliances with Microsoft and with Jayem Auto for future mobility solutions. The company even emerged as the lowest bidder to win the order to supply 10,000 electric cars to government-owned company EESL through a tender process although it is yet to launch its first all-electric car for the personal buyer. We started two year ago with our transformation journey. That was meant to be the overall transformation of the company over the period of 2-3 years. We needed to change gears. Closing product gaps, ramping up products much faster, cost reduction and focus on sales and marketing were the highlights of our journey. We are now much less vulnerable than before because we have become that much more agile. The profits in the third quarter after five quarters of losses is the reflection of our efforts, said Butschek in an interview with Moneycontrol. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More LN Mittal's dream to have a steel facility in his home country has been an unfulfilled one. For someone who has steel plants all over the world, including in South-East Asia, Europe and the US, this has been one inexplicable vacuum in his global footprint. The owner of the largest steelmaker in the world had tried. He wanted to build mega plants in Odisha, Jharkhand and Karnataka. But more than a decade of attempts later, none of the projects has taken off. There are smaller projects, including one with Steel Authority of India, that are on the works. But what Mittal would like is one of those mammoth steel plants churning out the hot metal, especially when the Indian market is set to double to more than 200 million tons within a decade. The pursuit of that dream has now landed him at the gates of Essar Steel. Mittals ArcelorMittal on Monday put in a bid for Essar Steel, which had been referred to the National Company Law Tribunal for accumulating debts of over Rs 40,000 crore. Though interested in other companies, such as Bhushan Steel, who were also brought under the hammer, ArcelorMittal had refrained from bidding till now. Mittal was waiting for the biggest prize of them all. Essar provides a compelling opportunity for ArcelorMittal to enter the high growth Indian steel market," Mittal, Chairman and CEO of ArcelorMittal said in a statement on Monday. Its compelling, but not easy. Mittal will have to counter the challenge from Shashi and Ravi Ruia. The brothers will be keen to hold on to the steel business, which is an integral pillar of their empire that lost some sheen in 2016. They had to sell Essar Oil to Rosneft in 2016 for USD 13 billion to pare debts. Essar Steel is another jewel, and the brothers are not ready to part with it. An amendment in the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) it barred promoters from bidding for their stressed companies unless they cleared dues prevents the brothers from making a direct bid. But the family has created a complex structure in the form of Numetal Mauritius, which has Russias VTB Bank and Rewant Ruia, son of Ravi Ruia, as shareholders. Numetal submitted its bid for Essar Steel yesterday. Rewant is said to hold 10 per cent stake in the consortium. "Numetal has submitted a bid for Essar Steel India Ltd. The company is led by VTB and other minority shareholders. Any details of the bid cannot be disclosed at the moment," the company said in a mailed statement to Moneycontrol on Monday. Connected person Sources tell Moneycontrol that the bids will be opened on Wednesday. The resolution plans presented by the two companies will be studied tomorrow. Thereon, the bids will be forwarded to the Committee of Creditors. An announcement may be possible as early as next week, a senior executive from the industry said today. But others contend that the process may be slower and complicated. ArcelorMittal may have sold its stake in the Uttam Galva Steels, which had been also referred to the NCLT for unpaid dues; but questions remain on Mittals investment in another company KSS, whose unit KSS Petron as defaulted. ArcelorMittal has clarified that its bid for stressed assets in India wont be compromised by its investment in KSS Petron. But on Wednesday, as its bid for Essar Steel is opened and examined by the resolution professional, the company will still have to answer questions. The Ruias also face a similar predicament. Though Rewant Ruia is a minority shareholder in Numetal, will he be considered as a promoter? If yes, does that mean that Ruia is a connected person, as defined under the IBC? The answer to that will seal the fate of the family and its legacy with Essar Steel. The industry is abuzz with the possibility of banks turning down both the bids. Not only will it bring down the bidding value, but will also give an opportunity to other players to join the race, said an industry executive. Tata Steel and Vedanta, among the companies who had initially shown interest in Essar Steel, surprised everyone by not submitting a bid on Monday. Will they make use if that window opens? The liquidation value of Essar Steel has been put at Rs 20,000 crore. As intriguing the auction is at the moment, one doesnt know if Wednesday will bring some clarity, or thicken the plot further. The Delhi High Court on Tuesday held that Terminal-1 (T1) of the IGI Airport here cannot be given exclusively to IndiGo Airlines simply because it suits a "corporate goliath" and the air carrier cannot claim monopoly over this aviation hub. The court observed that the decision of Delhi International Airport Ltd's (DIAL) to partially shift IndiGo operations from T-1 to T-2 cannot be said to be unreasonable only because it may operate harshly against that airline. "If we may twist the American idiom, 'my way or the highway' to fit the present context, then IndiGo cannot be heard to say that it is either their way, or the run way. IndiGo are tending to forget that this part relocation from T-1 to T-2 proposed by DIAL, is only a temporary measure and once T-1 is renovated and commences its operations after capacity building, all the airlines can operate from there full throttle and take wings," a bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Rekha Palli said while upholding the order of a single judge accepting DIAL's decision. The bench turned down the suggestion of IndiGo that T1 be dedicated exclusively to its use and low-cost carrier SpiceJet be asked to move its entire operations to T2, and said this sprang from IndiGo's own commercial considerations and not made in the larger public good. It said SpiceJet was as much a business rival of IndiGo as GoAir was a competitor of these two private carriers. IndiGo may be on top of the heap if the volume of passenger traffic is seen, but this would not entitle Indigo to claim monopoly over T1 to the exclusion of the rest, it added. "Such a suggestion of 'only us and none else' at T1, if implemented, would have reduced it into a one horse race, giving a clear edge to IndiGo, over its competitors and DIAL would have been accused of adopting a partisan approach of promoting IndiGo's dominant position instead of offering a level playing field to all the low cost carriers. "DIAL has not shown bias but has tried to balance the interests all the parties as best as is possible, given the severe constraints of available space," the bench said. It said that simply because it suits a "corporate goliath" like IndiGo with its voluminous passenger traffic to remain in T1, will not mean that SpiceJet should be boxed in a corner and completely nudged out from T1, only because its volume of passenger traffic is one fourth that of IndiGo. The bench, which dismissed IndiGo's appeal saying it was meritless, however, held that there was merit in the submission of SpiceJet's counsel that any attempt on IndiGo's part to claim exclusive use of T1 was bound to hurt its (SpiceJet) business prospects and will be anti-competitive. "We are of the opinion that there is no illegality, arbitrariness or infirmity in the impugned judgement that warrants interference," the bench said. The decision came on IndiGo's plea challenging its single judge order of December 20 last year, upholding DIAL's October 21, 2017, decision to partially shift the operations of Indigo, GoAir and SpiceJet from T1 to T2 at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here. The bench observed that the single judge has gone to the extent of watering down the option given by DIAL to IndiGo and SpiceJet by directing that in the event they make a request to shift one third of their operations by excluding the three identified sectors, that is Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru, they may do so within one week from today. It granted a last opportunity of a week to both the airlines to approach the airport regulator to suggest the other sectors they would be willing to shift from T-1 to T-2, as long as they collectively met the yardstick of one third passenger traffic volumes of their operations at T1. It said if DIAL receives any such request within the stipulated timeline, it shall consider and take a decision within one week and, if no such request is made, the airport regulator shall fix a deadline for shifting one third of the flight operations of the concerned airlines from T1 to T2, under written intimation to them. While upholding DIAL's decision, the single judge had given the airlines time till February 15 to partially shift their operations. GoAir shifted all its operations to T2, saying partial shifting of its operations would "kill" it as it was a smaller airline. The bench said public interest lies in expediting the redevelopment activity at T1, which is a purely administrative decision. It said the date of shifting a part of the operations from T1 has had to be pushed thrice over, thereby delaying the date of commencement and postponing the conclusion of the renovation work. The bench said IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir are not being banished forever from T1 and this part relocation was only a temporary measure. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More India will explore foreign markets like Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh for its surplus power generation capacity, Power Minister R K Singh said today. His comments assume significance as the average plant load factor or capacity utilisation in India is around 60 per cent. "We can run our plants at 80 per cent PLF (plant load factor) but coal is a constraint. It does not make sense to import coal when we have sufficient coal underground. We need to build more railway lines to transport coal," Singh said addressing a conference organised by NTPC. He further said: "We need to explore foreign markets like Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh. Demand is there. We need to access that. They are short of power". He was of the view that there is need to unlock the demand by not just exploring foreign markets but also increasing power demand in the country. He also asked NTPC to explore the possibility of investments in other countries to widen their horizon in view of surplus installed capacity in the country. Singh also said the panel constituted by Power Ministry on Unchahar power plant accident last year, has submitted its report, which would be reviewed soon. He said he does not see it as a mala fide incident. One incident will not change NTPC's image because it is known for safety and efficiency, he said. The minister also opined that the cheap renewable power alone cannot meet the entire demand in view of fears among conventional energy operators after free fall in tariffs of wind and solar power last year. Fortis Healthcare said its board has accepted the resignations of promoters Malvinder Mohan Singh and Shivinder Mohan Singh. The board of directors of the company accepted the resignations of Malvinder, Executive Chairman and Shivinder, Non-Executive Vice Chairman, with effect from February 8, 2018, the company said in BSE filing. As an interim measure, the board has constituted a management committee to oversee the functioning of the company from a strategic and operational guidance perspective and vested the management committee all responsibilities and authorities held by Singh Brothers, it said. Fortis Healthcare also said the financial results for the second and third quarters of the ongoing fiscal could not be tabled before the Board at the meeting. The directors will meet on February 28 to take up the matter, it added. Last week, the Singh brothers had jointly tendered their resignation to the company's board following the Delhi High Court order upholding the Rs 3,500-crore arbitral award in favour of Daiichi Sankyo. The resignation was intended to free the organisation from any encumbrances that may be linked to the promoters, the brothers had said in their letter to the board. The court had on January 31 upheld an international arbitral award of Rs 3,500 crore passed in favour of Japanese pharma major Daiichi Sankyo, which had alleged that the former promoters of India's Ranbaxy Laboratories had concealed information about proceedings against them by American food and drug department. A tribunal in Singapore had passed the verdict in favour of Daiichi holding that former Ranbaxy promoters, Malvinder and Shivinder, had concealed information that the Indian company was facing probe by the US Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Justice, while selling its shares. The high court order paved the way for enforcement of the 2016 arbitral award passed by the Singapore tribunal against the Singh brothers who had sold their shares in Ranbaxy to Daiichi in 2008 for Rs 9,576.1 crore. Sun Pharmaceuticals Ltd later acquired the company from Daiichi. Daiichi had approached the high court in 2016 to seek the enforcement of a Rs 2,562 crore Singapore arbitral award passed in April 2016, along with an additional claim of interest and lawyers' fees incurred in connection with the proceedings. The tribunal's award had come after the Japanese company invoked arbitration clause against Singhs alleging that they concealed important information while selling Ranbaxy in 2008. Daiichi had entered into a settlement agreement with the US Department of Justice, agreeing to pay USD 500 million penalty to resolve potential, civil and criminal liability. The company had then sold its stake in Ranbaxy to Sun Pharmaceuticals for Rs 22,679 crore in 2015. Ahead of the Auto Expo 2018, the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) hosted the third New Delhi Automotive Summit, where manufacturers from across the globe converged and spoke about the future of the industry. ACMA, the apex body representing the Indian auto component industry, hosted the third edition on the topic Making the Indian Auto Component Industry Future Ready, discussing how the Indian auto component industry can gear up and move away from traditional ICE based platforms to cleaner technologies including electric cars, etc. There was a string of discussions on various topics that saw some interesting findings. The panellists deliberated on global automotive trends, technology and best practices. They also gave futuristic insights. The summit, which was held on February 7, saw global luminaries discussing how the Indian auto component industry can achieve milestones by equipping themselves with first quality standards, worldwide tech capabilities and ability to supply to global OEMs. It was also discussed how technology and software are making important inroads in the sector. It was also suggested that India should form joint ventures with global suppliers and bridge the technological gap to innovate themselves. Meanwhile, the summit took place in the backdrop of the Make in India. The auto component sector in India is today a strong $ 43.5 billion industry with exports of $ 11.2 billion and has been, in many ways, propelling this vision of Make in India for the last several years. Many other interesting discussions also brought to light now the Indian auto component sector can fuel growth. Heres a look Sunil Sharma Cryptocurrencies for Beginners A cryptocurrency is a digital currency designed to work as a medium of exchange. With the help of cryptography, it secures and verifies transactions, and also controls the creation of new units. Cryptocurrencies are backed by blockchain a system where information is shared and consistently updated. Whenever a transaction takes place, its details are broadcast throughout the network by the spending party, ensuring that everyone has an up-to-date record of ownership. Periodically, all transactions get bundled together into one block and added to the historical record. Are we in a bubble? Cryptocurrencies facilitate secure peer-to-peer transactions and may have enormous future application in terms of security of data. They serve as a medium of exchange, and a store of value, just like regular money. The core argument for Bitcoin is that central banks are unable to control it or print it. Like gold, Bitcoin has no inherent value, there is no income stream and no guarantor. So it isnt an investment. Its a perceived investment, driven by supply and demand. For a bubble to propagate, it needs a compelling story. Bitcoin has it. It is revolutionary, a new digital currency with significant future applications. There is urgency in price action, scarcity in availability and a shroud of secrecy. Then there is fear and greed. Why were not yet ready to invest in Bitcoin Bitcoin today is valued by the greater fool theory or the hot potato theory. Should Bitcoin achieve a level of mass acceptability, it may gain legitimacy. But, governments are unlikely to hand away from their currency to a digital competitor. To add to it, the volatility that comes with cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin is enormous, driven in large part by varying perceptions of the intrinsic value of the cryptocurrency, regulatory treatment, and its limited acceptability. Regulators worldwide are investing time to understand the concept, and therein provide a legal framework to regulate it. Concerns continue to abound about cryptocurrencies appeal to the traders of illegal goods and services and for activities such as money laundering and tax evasion. Indias central bank, The Reserve Bank of India, has a group studying whether digital currencies backed by global central banks can be used as legal tender. However currently, the use of cryptocurrencies is a violation of foreign-exchange rules. In his recent Union Budget announcement, Indias Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley clarified that cryptocurrencies are not legal tender and cannot be used as a substitute for currency. However, this does not restrict the holding of cryptocurrencies. The future of cryptocurrencies thus remains largely undefined. The risk of more regulators worldwide declaring them illegal is a strong possibility. South Korea recently took a call to ban the use of anonymous bank accounts in cryptocurrency trading, joining the likes of China and Russia. Bitcoin, by all means, is a fascinating speculative investment. However, as investors, we prefer assets we can value using dividends, income or earnings. Disclaimer: The author is Chief Investment Officer, Sanctum Wealth Management. The views and investment tips expressed by investment expert on Moneycontrol.com are his own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. New fighter jets will be used in more regular patrols over South China Sea The deployment of the J-20 stealth fighter for combat service and Su-35 jets for drills over the South China Sea shows the air force has "significantly boosted" its capacity to handle security threats from the sky, according to the People's Liberation Army. Advertisement Wang Mingzhi, a senior researcher with the PLA Air Force Command College, also said on Monday that patrols over the South China Sea would become "more regular". The air force on Friday confirmed that its J-20 stealth fighter was combat-ready after it entered military service in September. The announcement came two days after Beijing said the Su-35 fighter jets it bought from Russia had taken part in a combat patrol over the contested South China Sea. The Su-35 is powered by two turbofan engines, giving it a range of about 3,500km on internal fuel, making it one of the most advanced multi-role fighters. "The addition of Su-35 fighter jets will enable the Chinese military to handle the complicated air and maritime situations of the South China Sea," Wang was quoted as saying in an article posted on the air force's official Weibo account on Monday. With the J-20, which has two jet engines for extra power, now in combat service, the air force has "significantly boosted its strength to handle new air security threats", Wang said. "The air force has transformed advanced technology into combat strength faster than the air forces of other powerful nations," he said. China is involved in bitter territorial disputes with its Southeast Asian neighbours over the South China Sea, and the United States has conducted freedom of navigation operations in the disputed waters. On Tuesday, British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said UK warship HMS Sutherland would sail through the South China Sea next month to assert freedom of navigation rights, prompting Beijing to warn "relevant sides" not to "create trouble out of nothing". China is pushing ahead with a massive modernisation programme of the military, with the focus on combat readiness and training. Inspecting troops in southwestern Sichuan province on Tuesday, President Xi Jinping called for measures to strengthen combat power and aerospace development to build a world-class army. "[We need to] advance rocket-launch and combat capabilities and integrate them across the entire operation to build a first-class army ... and aerospace power," Xi was quoted as saying by state broadcaster CCTV. Shanghai-based military expert Ni Lexiong said aerospace development - including the J-20 and Su-35 - was an important part of the air force's "big step forward". "Aerospace technology will provide the air force with protection and support through surveillance, targeting and precision strikes," Ni said. He said the recent progress announced by China was aimed at demonstrating its capabilities and "surprising foreign countries, especially the United States". "These jets are now ready years ahead of when the United States was expecting them to be. This is going to deter the US and it also means China is prepared as relations with the US become more tense," Ni said. Collin Koh, a military expert with the maritime security programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said the J-20 and Su-35 jets could potentially be used in a number of flashpoints in the region, including on the Indian border, the Taiwan Strait and the East and South China seas. "The risk of encounters and clashes has intensified" with more highly advanced fighters such as the J-20 or Su-35 operating over contentious maritime zones, Koh said. But Chinese military expert Adam Ni from the Australian National University said it was "too optimistic" to see the deployment as a leap forward in China's deterrence capability. "The exact operational status and readiness of the J-20 remains unclear. It can take years from initial deployment to achieve full operational status," he said. It seems that nationwide lockdown has not much impacted the fertilizer sector. In May 2020, the Indian Fertiliser industry has witness sales growth of 25% to 5 million tonnes as compared to 4 million tonnes in the same month last year. Coromandel International and Chambal Fertilisers have seen major sales growth in the sector. The research firm Prabhudas Lilladher is bullish on 5 stocks in the sector and among that they expect stock Insecticides India may see the upside of 82 percent, report dated June 09, 2020. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More The market recently corrected sharply due to weak global cues, and the imposition of dividend distribution tax on equity oriented mutual funds & long term capital gains. It, however, managed to break the fall, and tried to recover with support from bargain hunting and bounce-back in global peers. Last week, the market lost 3 percent and ended over its one-month low at 34,005.76 on the Sensex, but recovered nearly 300 points to end at 34,300.47 on Monday. In fact, the broader markets recovered faster than frontline indices as investors got an opportunity to buy quality stocks on sharp correction. This recovery may continue but consolidation is majorly seen in short term as the market will watch out for stability in global peers before sharp recovery, so further correction can't be ruled out, experts suggest. As we are near the fag end of the earnings season and most of major corporate earnings already priced in, and no major event lined up in the offing, the market is likely to take cues from globe, according to experts. "We feel global cues will continue to dominate our market trend, in absence of any major event. Nifty may see some bounce or consolidate further however sustainability at higher level seems difficult," Jayant Manglik, President, Religare Broking said. Traders should use further recovery to reduce existing longs and creating fresh shorts, he advised. Here are top 10 stocks that can give up to 54 percent return in 12 months: Motilal Oswal Indian Bank | Rating - Buy | CMP - Rs 356 | Target - Rs 430 | Return - 21% Indian Bank reported core operating profit (excluding treasury gains) growth of 55 percent YoY to Rs 1,130 crore. However, PAT of Rs 300 crore was 38 percent below estimates, as provisions of Rs 920 crore were above estimates (included Rs 470 crore of provisions for MTM losses). NII grew 30 percent YoY (6 percent above estimate) led by 22 percent YoY loan growth and 3bp QoQ improvement in global margins. NII growth was partially offset by other income. Fresh slippages increased 168 percent QoQ led by 4 lumpy accounts slipping from SDR. However, elevated write-offs and sale to ARCs led to QoQ flat gross non-performing assets at Rs 9,600 crore. The Bank has a total exposure of Rs 2,640 croreb (8 accounts) towards first list and Rs 740 crore towards second list (10 accounts). The bank has made total provisions of Rs 1,820 crore towards the two lists against a requirement of Rs 1,980 crore (by FY18), the balance to be made in Q4FY18. Focus on balance sheet consolidation and core operating parameters has led to improving earnings, despite challenging macros. Indian Bank has a strong capital position with Tier-1 of 10.9 percent and is thus well-poised to grow its loan book and benefit from further improvement in operating leverage. We upgrade FY19/FY20 PAT estimates by 6 percent/10 percent to account for pick up in loan growth and opex control. Amara Raja Batteries | Rating - Buy | CMP - Rs 845 | Target - Rs 1,035 | Return - 23% Net sales grew 17.1 percent YoY (+8.8 percent QoQ), led by growth in auto across the OE and aftermarket segments. This was led by continued channel expansion of Amaron and Powerzone brands. Further, higher exports to South-East Asia and Middle-East countries aided growth in the auto segment. Industrial battery segment too recorded growth, backed by higher sales in UPS segment and a sequential increase in volumes in the telecom segment. EBITDA margin expanded 20bp YoY (-110bp YoY) to 15.6 percent, led by a favorable product mix (higher share of autos), optimal utilization, and price hikes. High other income and low depreciation boosted PAT by 20 percent YoY. Management guided for capex of Rs 400 crore each in FY18/19 and expects 2-wheeler capacity to touch 15 million units (by May-18). Current 4-W capacity is 10.5 million units, which company expects 12 million units by end FY19. We keep FY19/FY20 earnings estimates unchanged. NHPC | Rating - Buy | CMP - Rs 30 | Target - Rs 37 | Return - 24% NHPCs Q3FY18 underlying PAT grew 40 percent YoY (ahead of our estimate), led by higher incentive income, lower other expenses, and saving in interest cost. Underlying PAT is adjusted for (a) dividend income from NHDC and (b) late payment surcharge. Generation was up 1 percent YoY to 3.4 billion units. PAF increased around 270bp YoY to 76.8 percent. Incentive income increased 59 percent YoY to Rs 110 crore. Interest cost saving of Rs 110 crore was achieved on repayment and refinancing of debt. Refinancing will generate annualized saving of Rs 34 crore, of which Rs 17 crore will be retained by NHPC. Of the five projects pending capex approval, PIB has cleared three projects and the remaining two are likely to get cleared over the next few months. The next step is approval by Cabinet Committee before final tariff orders are issued by CERC. Rs 680 crore of revenue was pending recognition due to capex approval at the end of FY17. We expect Parbati-II to be commercialised in FY21 against FY20 earlier. Resultantly, consolidated PAT is cut by around 13 percent and DPS is cut from Rs 2.25 per share to Rs 2 per share for FY20. VA Tech Wabag | Rating - Buy | CMP - Rs 562 | Target - Rs 700 | Return - 24% Consolidated sales grew 20 percent YoY to Rs 870 crore, below our estimate of Rs 930 crore. Revenue growth was supported by a pick-up in execution of key orders like Petronas (Malaysia), Polghawela (Sri Lanka), Koyambedu (Chennai), AP Genco and AMAS (Bahrain). Standalone sales rose 21 percent YoY, while subsidiary sales grew 20 percent. In Q3FY18, consolidated order intake declined 74 percent YoY to Rs 32 crore, while order backlog fell 14 percent YoY at Rs 6,520 crore. Management maintained its FY18 guidance of revenue of Rs 3,800-4,000 crore (+25%) and order inflow of Rs 4,300-4,500 crore (+25%). Order guidance for FY18 implies around Rs 2,500 crore in Q4FY18 of this, Rs 1,000 crore is from India, Rs 1,000 crore from GCC countries and Rs 300-400 crore from Europe. We cut FY18/19 estimates by 4/6 percent to factor in lower order inflows and resultant execution over the next few years. We maintain Buy with a target price of Rs 700. We believe that from the medium- to long-term perspective, VA Tech is in a sweet spot to take advantage of a pick-up in domestic order inflows, led by state-driven municipal orders, and central government schemes like Namami Gange, AMRUT, Swachh Bharat and Smart Cities. Sun TV Network | Rating - Buy | CMP - Rs 984 | Target - Rs 1,225 | Return - 25% Subscription revenues are likely to grow at 16 percent CAGR over FY18-20, led by digitization in Tamil Nadu. We believe there is further upside, driven by higher market share of DTH players, growth in MSO-led subscription revenue following TRAIs tariff order requiring price parity, as well as growing HD penetration and ARPU increase. Higher viewership on the back of content rejig coupled with shift to commission model should help Sun TV capitalise on potential ad revenue growth. Given the low base of FY17, we expect 14 percent CAGR over FY18-20. Near doubling of IPL revenue to Rs 280 crore, driven by substantially higher auction of media rights and fresh inventory driving the radio business bodes well. Steady movie investments should lead RoCE to reach around 33 percent by FY20. With the growth pillars in place, we believe Sun TV is well poised to witness standalone revenue/PAT CAGR of 16/24 percent over FY18-20. With growth revival in the next 2-3 years driving healthy standalone EPS CAGR of 24 percent, RoE of 33 percent and steady FCF generation, the stock should continue to offer healthy upside. Prabhudas Lilladher GAIL India | Rating - Buy | CMP - Rs 464 | Target - Rs 546 | Return - 18% GAIL reported strong Q3FY18 results. It has multiple growth drivers in the medium term led by 1) improving profitability at the gas transmission and LPG division on the back of higher volumes and benign gas prices 2) likely implementation of unified pipeline tariff and 3) rising confidence on placement of US LNG volumes given sharp jump in crude oil prices; bulk of CY18 placed and over 50 percent of CY19 volumes placed. GAIL's Q3 transmission volumes improved to 109mmscmd (106 in Q2) due to higher volumes to power and fertiliser sector. However, transmission EBIDTA was impacted by provision of Rs 80 crore for settlement of dues and higher raw material and employee costs for Rs 57 crore. LPG EBIDTA was robust at Rs 680 crore (+45 percent QoQ), supported by higher realisation. Petrochemicals operating performance improved as the plant operations remain strong. We increase estimates by 8 percent for FY18/19E to factor in higher LPG prices tracking higher crude oil prices and make other minor changes. We expect GAIL to benefit from full utilisation of petrochemicals capacity as also from increased gas utilisation in the overall energy footprint. Maintain Buy" with revised DCF-based price target of Rs 546 (Rs 534 earlier). Mahanagar Gas | Rating - Buy | CMP - Rs 1,030 | Target - Rs 1,302 | Return - 26% Going forward, CNG volumes are likely to remain improve on the back addition of organic and geographical expansion. Also, government's push for PNG's domestic connections will support volumes. Tailwinds of cheaper domestic gas, opportunities in two-wheeler space, along with favourable demand traction from new geography, will drive earnings. CNG/PNG sales volume traction is likely to continue on the back of continued conversion of taxis/private vehicles, along with geographical expansion. We increase earnings estimates by 2/7 percent for FY18/19 to factor in improvement in margins. MGL remains a play on increased gas penetration from rising vehicle and PNG penetration. Reiterate Buy with a PT of Rs 1,302 (Rs 1,267 earlier). KR Choksey Suzlon Energy | Rating - Buy | CMP - Rs 13.9 | Target - Rs 21 | Return - 54% We believe negatives are already discounted in the stock price. Going ahead, better execution largely on account of strong visibility post SECI auctions can augur well for the entire industry. Further, many IPPs have adjusted their IRRs assumptions post witnessed a decline in the wind tariff as OEMs are not going to reduce price beyond certain limit. This in turn could provide some stability in the operational performance of wind players in the years to come. We have revised estimates for FY18 to incorporate better wind execution. We assigned 8.5x EV/EBITDA on FY20 and arrived a target price of Rs 21, potential upside of around 54 percent from CMP of Rs 13.9. (Note: Improvement in the ordering activity from SECI provides strong revenue visibility going ahead. Further, any progress towards divesting stake in O&M business along with positive surprise of getting ratification for 455MW worth of wind contracts will remain a key trigger for improvement in the valuations going ahead.) Inox Wind | Rating - Buy | CMP - Rs 127 | Target - Rs 163 | Return - 21% Karnataka govt has started to ratify earlier signed PPAs. Inox has around 150MW of wind contracts towards Karnataka, which is expected to get commissioned in Q4FY18. Hence, working capital to the tune of Rs 800-1,000 crore will be eased in the coming quarter. In terms of execution of SECI 1 & 2 contracts, we expect given the 18 months timeframe is stipulated by SECI, the company is poised to commission at least 600MW in FY19. Additionally, any success on winning contracts from SECI 3 & 4 could provide some visibility for FY19 and thereby FY20. We have lowered estimates for FY18 to adjust poor execution. We have valued the company on 8x of FY20E earnings of Rs 20.4, we arrived a target price of Rs 163, an upside potential of 29 percent from CMP of 127. We have Buy rating on the stock. Edelweiss Parag Milk Foods | Rating - Buy | CMP - Rs 296 | Target - Rs 370 | Return - 25% Parag Milk Foods Q3FY18 revenue grew 16 percent YoY (beating estimates by 6 percent) post mere 7 percent YoY growth in H1FY18, following bounce back in value-added products (VADP) at 16 percent YoY growth. Gross margin expanded by strong 1,053bps to 30.7 percent (20.2 percent in Q3FY17 and 28.0 percent in Q2FY18), led by better realisation and favourable input costs, as the average procurement price declined by 4-5 percent QoQ. EBITDA stood at Rs 58.8 crore (beating estimates by 26 percent) compared to loss of Rs 18.3 crore in Q3FY17, leading to EBITDA margin at 11.3 percent (-4.1 percent in Q3FY17 and 9.9 percent in Q2FY18). We expect the growth momentum to sustain and estimate VADPs share in sales to catapult to 70 percent (66 percent currently) over FY17-20, riding sustained innovation focus and increasing utilisation in high-margin products (whey consumer, paneer, cheese). On strong beat in gross and EBIDTA margins, we raise FY18/19/20 earnings estimates by 21/21/9 percent and estimate earnings CAGR of 21 percent over FY18-20, and RoCE to catapult to 19.5 percent. Maintain Buy, valuing the stock at 24x FY20E P/E, with a revised target price of Rs 370 (Rs 340 earlier). In a rare move, the two premier exchanges in India, BSE and NSE, have joined hands to end all licensing agreements with all foreign exchanges. Consequently, NSE and BSE will stop offering live prices with Singapore and Dubai exchanges, respectively. The main aim of the move is to stop Singapore Exchange (SGX) from starting stock futures. The main aim of the move is to stop Singapore Exchange (SGX) from starting stock futures. The general perception is that the present move would make it impossible for SGX to keep offering derivatives based on Indias benchmark Nifty 50, among its flagship products. But that is easier said than done: SGX is not going to take it lying down. But more importantly, the move highlights the insecurity of Indian exchanges. But where does the insecurity stem from? Is it the governments move to introduce long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax? Lets look at the facts. The SGX Nifty on Monday fell by nearly 8.8 percent at the start of the day, the most it did since November 2008. But there was no reflection of a similar scare in the Indian market. Indian markets opened higher and continued to move higher on Monday. In short, there was no linkage between the sentiment reflected in SGX and that on Indian bourses. This suggests that there is no arbitrage taking place between SGX and Indian markets. This is the norm. SGX Nifty is only an indicator of where Indian markets may open. More often than not these signals are wrong, if not in the direction, then in the magnitude. Since only futures of SGX are actively traded on SGX with a monthly settlement, one can conclude that it is largely the hot money that finds its way to SGX. Traders who want to place a country bet on India prefer to go to SGX. For such a trader SGX is a clear choice over Indian bourses for many reasons. First and foremost is the inherent cost of trading in India, where securities transaction tax (STT) coupled with various other levies is a burden. In fact, a study conducted by NSE found out that Indian exchanges are the costliest to trade in. If the trader manages to post a profit for the year he is charged with a short-term capital gains tax (STCG), thus reducing his yields. For the same trade, everything being equal a trader has a higher yield if he places his order on the SGX. Why then would such traders come to India? Apart from the cost, SGX Nifty offers time advantage. SGX Nifty is a 16 hours market as compared to 5.30 hours for Nifty. The SGX has an inherent advantage over Indian Nifty as a trader or investors can use this market to capitalize on an overnight event. Take for example the demonetisation news that was announced late in the evening on November 8, 2016, resulting in India markets opening sharply lower the next day without any opportunity to exit. However, those with access to SGX Nifty had an opportunity to hedge their position. Both Indian bourses knew about their disadvantages, but the final straw was SGX planning to start stock futures. This would have broken the back of NSE, especially at a time when it is planning to come out with an IPO. As for LTCG, it had little impact as SGX Nifty is a futures contract which expires in a month; hence there is no question of LTCG being imposed on it. SGX also has three-month contracts but these too would fall under the STCG gambit. So does the move suggest the end of SGXs relationship with Indian markets? For SGX, the SGX Nifty accounted for nearly 4 percent of the exchanges total revenue and 10 percent of revenue from derivative products. It is big enough to make an impact. SGX in a communique said that it is working with NSE for a solution. Unfortunately for NSE, there is little it can do to prevent traders from using the Singapore route. As Ajay Shah, a professor at the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, said in a blog, SGX has numerous alternatives. SGX can go to a mom-and-pop index provider who makes a Nifty-like index: an index where 49 of the 50 stocks are the same as those in Nifty. NSE and BSE hoping that the trades that were taking place in SGX might come to them are day-dreaming. SGX can shift to the MSCI India index, and MSCI can gently move closer to the Nifty composition. If somehow, SGX is prevented from having an effective exchange-traded Nifty product, the business will just go OTC, Ajay Shah wrote in his blog. Banning SGX from getting access to Indian price data is not going to solve the problems of Indian exchanges. The bureaucrats sitting at North Block should know that imposing numerous taxes will not only result in foreign money using other markets to tap India but also Indian finance companies going abroad. Ironically, India is trying to attract foreign stocks and indices to be traded in India through the GIFT (Gujarat International Financial Tech) based International Financial Services Centre (IFSC). If other exchanges chose to do what the top two Indian exchanges have done to SGX, GIFT city, as the financial hub is called, would be a ghost town. Representative image Eight sugar mills in the district have cleared sugarcane payments of Rs 1,206.91 crore out of total dues of Rs 1,645.97 crore to farmers in the current season, an official said. The mills purchased 51.5 lakh tonnes of sugarcane from farmers till February 11 this season against 46.2 lakh tonnes in the year ago period, the district cane officer said. The district administration is trying to get clear all the dues of farmers, the official added. The state government has raised the sugarcane price by Rs 10 to Rs 315 per quintal for 2017-18 season that started in October. According to the Indian Sugar Mills Association, as many as 119 sugar mills in the state produced 54.48 lakh tonnes of sugar till January 31 in the current season. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Prabhudas Lilladher's research report on Redington (India) Redington's 3QFY18 results were inline with our estimates on revenues but missed our estimates on EBIDTA margin and PAT. Revenues at Rs117.2bn were up 7% YoY and marginally below our estimates (Rs118.5bn). Revenues from India came at Rs40.7bn down 4% YoY owing to tepid traction in Iphone 8 and Iphone X in India. Revenues from Overseas (Middle east, Turkey, South Asia) came at Rs76.5bn up 14% YoY. Higher growth in overseas business which has relatively lower margins (vs India) has weighed on overall margins. Consolidated EBIDTA margin at 1.78% down 10bps QoQ and down 27bps YoY and below our estimates (Ple: 1.95%). EBIDTA for 3QFY18 came at Rs2101mn down 7% YoY and 9% below our estimates. Management guided that weakness in Turkey owing to challenges in macro environment in the region weighed on overall EBIDTA margins. PAT at Rs1276mn was 7% below our estimates led by lower EBIDTA margin. Redington's logistics subsidiary Proconnect delivered revenues of Rs851mn for 3QFY18 up 65% YoY. We marginally trim our FY19/FY20E revenue assumption by 2/2.5% owing to scope for volatility in overseas markets and slower traction in new I-phone models. Mix shift of business and tepid 3Q EBIDTA margins leads us to trim our EBIDTA margin assumptions to 1.86/1.92/1.94% for FY18/FY19/FY20E (vs 1.94/1.96/1.97% modelled earlier). We trim our EPS estimates by 4/4/4% for FY18/FY19E/FY20E to Rs12/13.8/16/sh. Stock trades at 12.5x FY19E EPS. Redington's logistic subsidiary is seeing superior traction and we see scope for value unlocking from the logistics subsidiary in the long term. We value Redington on a sum of parts valuation. We value core distribution business at 11x FY20E EPS which yields price of Rs163/sh. Outlook We value Proconnect at 22x FY20E EPS which yields a value of Rs26/sh. Sum of the parts yields TP of Rs190/sh. Hence, TP upgraded by 5% to Rs190/sh predominately led by rollover FY20E. Retain BUY. For all recommendations report, click here Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts/broking houses/rating agencies on moneycontrol.com are their own, and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Read More live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Sanctum Wealth Management It was a positive start to the week as the Nifty rallied 0.81 percent to close at 10,540 levels on Monday. Last week, the index decline has taken support at rising trend line originating from September 2017 low of 9,769 and seen a bounce back. Also, the 100-day moving average (DMA) which arrested the September and December falls has again provided support to recent fall. The line chart and momentum oscillators are showing positive divergence, suggesting that the index may rally towards 10,640 provided it holds above 10,450 levels. Follow up buying needs to be seen and supportive global markets for Nifty to rally further towards 10,700-10,740 which will fill last weeks falling gap. However, breaking below 10,450 levels, the index is likely to retest last weeks low of 10,276 level. Broadly post the recent fall in the market, the index is likely to trade in a range of 10,740-10,400 and consolidate around these levels. Here is a list of top five stocks ideas for Wednesday which could give up to 15 percent return: Jubilant Foodworks: CMP Rs2027| Stop loss Rs1950| Target 2300| Return 13% The stock has been in an uptrend for the last seven months forming a higher top higher bottom on its daily chart. Last month, the stock hit an all-time high of 2331 after giving a breakout above its previous high of 1960 level with high volumes, indicating buying participation in the stock. The recent decline in the stock has been on low volumes suggesting that market participants are holding on to the counter. The stock has seen a bounce back from its 50-days moving average which has acted as support in the past and then prices rallied higher. The correction has largely halted around previous all-time highs of Rs1960 and the price has been consolidating in a narrow range for the last one week. Thus, the stock can be bought at current levels and on dips up to 1990 with a stop loss below 1950 for a target of 2300 levels. Cholamandalam Investment and Finance: CMP Rs1365| Stop loss Rs1290| Target 1500| Return 10% The stock consolidated between Rs1240 and Rs800 odd levels over a period of one year. In November last year, it witnessed a breakout from the same with high volumes. Since then, the stock price has been consolidating gains above the breakout level for the last three months. On Monday, the stock hit a new all-time high of 1360 on closing basis suggesting the start of a fresh uptrend in the stock. Also, the price has given breakout from Bollinger bands with the expansion of bands on upside indicating a trend to continue in the direction of the breakout. MACD has given a positive crossover with its average and moved above neutral level of zero suggesting a start of fresh uptrend. Thus, this stock can be bought at current levels and on dips to 1340 with a stop loss below 1290 and a target 1500 levels. Apollo Tyres: CMP Rs275| Stop loss Rs260| Target Rs310| Return 12% The stock recently touched a high of 289 last month where it faced resistance at its previous all-time highs and then corrected down to 230 levels. If the stock is able to find support around its previous lows could witness a strong bounce back towards current levels. Overall, looking at the long-term monthly charts, the stock has formed rounding base pattern between 150-20 odd and currently consolidating above the breakout level. On the weekly candlestick chart, the stock has formed a bullish engulfing pattern with a long bullish candle which was accompanied by high volumes indicating buying participation in the stock from lower levels. MACD has given positive crossover with its average and moved above neutral level of zero on daily chart suggesting the start of a fresh uptrend. Thus, the stock can be bought at current levels and on dips to 270 with a stop loss below 260 for a target of 310 levels. Century Plyboards Ltd: CMP Rs328| Stop loss Rs310| Target 380| Return 15% The stock touched a high of 363 last month and since then it has declined towards Rs285 levels. The volumes on the down move were below average suggesting a corrective fall. Price retraced 61.8% Fibonacci retracement of the up move from 235 to 363 levels. Here was another Fibonacci retracement of 38.2% of the major swing 154 to 363 comes. Also, the low was formed at 200-day moving average, indicating strong support zone for the stock from where it is likely to resume its uptrend. The sharp bounce back has been on high volumes indicating buying coming in at lower levels. Thus, the stock can be bought at current levels and on dips to 321 with a stop loss of 310 for target 380 levels. Pfizer: CMP Rs2321| Stop loss Rs2200| Target Rs2600| Return 12% The stock witnessed a sharp decline from 2724 levels in September 2015 to low of 1610 in March 2016. The stock formed a long-term rectangle base between 1610 and 2035 odd levels. In January, it witnessed a breakout from the base on high volumes. The price has crossed 61.8% Fibonacci retracement of fall 2724 to 1609 and closed above it. The recent decline in the stock has taken support at its 21-days exponential moving average which has been providing support and moving higher. Thus, the stock can be bought at current levels and on dips to 2280 with a stop loss of 2200 for target 2600 levels. Disclaimer: The author is Head of Technicals and Derivatives, Sanctum Wealth Management. The views and investment tips expressed by investment expert on Moneycontrol.com are his own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Residents wade through flood waters from Tropical Storm Harvey in Beaumont Place, Houston, US on August 28, 2017. (Reuters) The World Bank would draft a five-year plan to tackle the flood and erosion problem of Assam, its country head Junaid Kamal Ahmed said today. Ahmed said it would draft the plan based on latest technologies for a holistic approach to tackle the problem, and include initiatives for constructive use of the excess water generated by the river during monsoon, apart from mitigating flood and erosion. The World Bank will also actively consider how to improve navigation facility in river Brahmaputra, Ahmed told Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The international financial institution would consider replicating the technology of a Netherland-based firm it utilised to control the Huang-He river of China, in case of taming the Brahmaputra as well, he said. Sonowal told the World Bank delegation that the flood and erosion caused by river Brahmaputra has become a major challenge for the state, and that proper management of the excess water during monsoon and channelising was the call of the hour. Hitting out at Mohan Bhagwat, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati today said the comparison made by the RSS chief between the Army and the Sangh is "disturbing and insulting". Bhagwat has come in for criticism from opposition parties for remarks that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) had the ability to fight for the country with three days' training if needed, while the Army would take 6-7 months to ready troops. In a statement issued here today, the BSP chief said, "The comparison made between Army and RSS swayamsevaks (volunteers) by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is indeed disturbing and insulting." Maywati added, "If Bhagwat has so much faith in his militant swayamsevaks, then why are special commandos engaged in his security at the government's expenses." The BSP chief said that at a time when the Army is facing different types of challenges, the statement made by the RSS chief lowers the morale of the force. Mayawati demanded that Bhagwat tender an apology to the country for his "wrong" statement. Attacking the RSS, she said, "Mohan Bhagwat should remove his bhram (confusion) about swayamsevaks, because the RSS is no longer a social organisation, and is fast becoming a political organisation. "Its swayamsevaks have shelved social service, and are seen busy in electoral politics of the BJP." The RSS yesterday said Bhagwat had not compared the Army with Sangh volunteers and his remarks on the matter were "misrepresented". Bhagwat's remarks at an RSS workers meet in Bihar on February 11 were made as a comparison between common people and volunteers and were in "no way a comparison" with the Army, RSS Akhil Bhartiya Prachaar Pramukh Manmohan Vaidya said in a statement. Union minister Ramdas Athawale today said the Centre wants to provide increased facilities to the North East for uplifting the condition of its Scheduled Tribe population. Athawale, the union minister of state for social justice and empowerment, acknowledged that the region needs more central funds, more employment avenues for its youths and more industries. "My ministry wants to help the North East region as it has a large Scheduled Tribe population. We want to give increased facilities such as scholarships to students, venture capital for start-up companies and financial assistance for pilot training," he said. Under the venture capital scheme, the Social Justice Ministry provides loans between Rs 20 lakh to 15 crore for limited companies, the minister said. Athawale said his ministry also gives scholarships ranging from Rs 20 lakh to 60 lakh to SC-ST students' for studying abroad. There were 2.68 crore differently abled population in the country and 4.8 lakh of them were in Assam as per the 2011 census, Athawale said adding his ministry provides assistance to them in the form of appliances, wheelchairs and crutches for their rehabilitation. The union minister also said he held a meeting here during the day on the filling up of job backlogs for SC/ST and OBCs with officials of the Assam government and several central public sector units. RN Bhaskar As one begins a scrutiny of the steps that were taken to make Aadhaar possible, one is confronted with secrecy, bypassing of well-established procedures, and adoption of processes that could only cause harm to consumers and the country. In fact, many of the processes appear to make money laundering and even impersonation and financial fraud easier. But to understand how such serious consequences could take place, one must first look into the manner in which two major players associated with Aadhaar, UIDAI and NPCI, came into existence. Lets begin with UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India). Since it was concerned with identification, aimed at providing each Indian an identity akin to a citizenship paper, one would have assumed that it was always in sync with the National Population Register (NPR) guidelines (http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-Common/IntroductionToNpr.html). Controversial birth The NPR itself is a Register of usual residents of the country. It has a well-established procedure at identifying who is the person who should be considered a citizen of India and then entering his/her name on the citizenship rolls. It talks about being prepared at the local (Village/sub-Town), sub-District, District, State and National level under provisions of the Citizenship Act 1955 and the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003. It is mandatory for every usual resident of India to get registered in the NPR. A usual resident is defined for the purposes of NPR as a person who has resided in a local area for the past 6 months or more or a person who intends to reside in that area for the next 6 months or more. Its objective is to create a comprehensive identity database of every usual resident in the country. The database would contain demographic as well as biometric particulars. This raises one question why was the UIDAI created when the same purposes (even biometric details) could have been achieved using the NPR? And why were the time-tested processes of the NPR cast aside? Nobody has the answer. It could be unwillingness, complicity, or sheer ineptness. The UIDAI was born on 28 January, 2009 (during the Manmohan Singh regime) through a gazette notification. It was not formed through any Act of Parliament. It was formed as an attached office of the then Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog. Then on 12 July 2016 (under the Modi government), it gained more legitimacy and became a statutory authority established under the provisions of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 (Aadhaar Act 2016) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) whose minister is Ravi Shankar Prasad. True, UIDAI was created with the objective to issue Unique Identification numbers (UID), named as "Aadhaar", to all residents of India., As the UIDAI website explains, the system had to be (a) robust enough to eliminate duplicate and fake identities, and (b) one that can be verified and authenticated in an easy, cost-effective way. The website goes on to add that the first UID number was issued on 29 September 2010 to a resident of Nandurbar, Maharashtra. The Authority has so far, according to the website which was viewed on 10 February 2018, issued more than 111 crore (1.11 billion) Aadhaar numbers to the residents of India. (website viewed on 10 February 2018). But the question remains Why create the UIDAI when NPR had already been given the mandate for this activity? Clearly, both the Modi and Manmohan Singh government saw some reason to promote UIDAI. Those reasons have not been spelt out. Moreover, there are fears that half a billion (out of 1.1 billion) Aadhaar cards issued till February this year could be suspect (Read the Moneycontrol article here). The numbers arise from the statement by Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on 10 April 2017, and widely reported in the media, that as many as 34,000 Aadhaar registration agencies have been blacklisted. Experts believe that assuming 50 people at each of these centres for 365 days a year, the numbers registered could easily exceed half a billion. Further, just a few days ago, UIDAI announced its plans of severing its relations with CSC e-Governance Services India Limited. Around 180 million Aadhaar registrations had been done by CSC (some put this number at 260 million). NPCI enters the picture The waters get even more muddied when we look at NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India). First, contrary to what NPCI states on its website (that it is an initiative of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Indian Banks Association (IBA)) this organisation too was neither created through an Act of Parliament, nor the RBI. All of a sudden, ten core banks decided to come together and form a Section 25 (non-profit) company. As NPCIs website explains, the ten core promoter banks are State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, Bank of Baroda, Union Bank of India, Bank of India, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Citibank N. A. and HSBC. In 2016 the shareholding was broad-based to 56 member banks to include more banks representing all sectors. (website viewed on 10 February 2018). The shareholding pattern itself raises a conflict of interest issue. Can a body which has been formed by bank shareholders have the interests of consumers or of the banks at heart? Curiously, little on NPCIs website gives details about the manner in which it was formed. Nor are there any press releases prior to 2016 on its website. But in a press release of January 9, 2016 (No.111/09-01-2016) NPCI states that it was set up in 2009 as the central infrastructure for various retail payment systems in India and was envisaged by the Reserve Bank of Indias Department of Payment and Settlement Systems (DPSS) as the payment utility for all banks in the country. Where controversies begin One of the first MoUs that both UIDAI and NPCI signed was with each other. It was signed on 6 January, 2011. The MoU makes no reference to the RBI. It must be remembered that the earliest reference to NPCI (by V Leeladhar, Deputy Governor, RBI on August 1, 2008 in Mumbai) stated that, The Indian Banks Association set up a Working Group which examined this issue and suggested the modalities for setting up this organisation. This organisation to be known as the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) will be an entity registered under the Companies Act and will be owned by banks and financial institutions. NPCI will be a Section 25 company, which will not distribute its profits as dividend, but will plough it back for the improvement and expanding the reach of the retail payment systems. The ownership of the company will be suitably diverse with no bank or group of banks having shareholding exceeding 10 % of the total shareholding. The Payment and Settlement Systems Act 2007 has laid down that such not less than 51% of the equity of this company will be held by public sector banks. The work relating to the setting up of NPCI is in progress. Obviously, till the MoU was entered into, NPCI was not meant to be an Aadhaar based system. Somewhere, somehow, NPCI became an organisation committed to promoting the interests of Aadhaar, throwing to the winds conventional norms of banking transactions. NPCIs management refused to be interviewed and did not reply to questions sent to it by email. At the heart of this entire relationship is the Aadhaar number which as this author has pointed out merely authenticates but does not identify. And the processes followed lead one to believe that there are flaws in at least one-third of the Aadhaar numbers registered. The other core issue is the underlying payment mechanism that all NPCI producers use. It is called the Aadhaar Payment Bridge (APB) and a good description of this is given in the FAQ document given to banks. It is a unique payment system implemented by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which uses Aadhaar number as a central key for electronically channelizing the Government subsidies and benefits in the Aadhaar Enabled Bank Accounts (AEBA) of the intended beneficiaries. It is a payment system based on Aadhaar numbers issued by UIDAI & IIN (Institution Identification Number) issued by NPCI. APB System is used by the Government Departments and Agencies for the transfer of benefits and subsidies under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme launched by Government of India. In case of change in bank account, a customer is not required to convey the bank account details or change in bank details to the Government Department or Agency. Customer just needs to open one account and seed his/her Aadhaar number in the bank account to start receiving benefits and subsidies directly into his/her Aadhaar Enabled Bank Account. NPCI mapper acts as a repository of the Aadhaar numbers along with the IIN to which the Aadhaar number is mapped. The APB System routes the transaction to the bank against whose IIN the Aadhaar number is mapped. is not necessary for the sponsor bank to send the IIN for each Aadhaar number in the input file. Aadhaar numbers along with the IIN of the bank are required to be stored in NPCI mapper to identify the destination bank for routing the benefits and subsidies to the intended beneficiaries. NPCI does not maintain bank account details of the customers like account number, IFS code and branch address etc. of the customer in NPCI mapper. In case, a customer seeds his/her Aadhaar number in multiple bank accounts, the previous mapping if any in the NPCI mapper, gets overwritten by the fresh seeding of the Aadhaar number. The customer Aadhaar number will get mapped in NPCI mapper to the bank in which he/she has given the Aadhaar number at the last. NPCI mapper uses the latest IIN of the bank in which the customer has seeded his/her Aadhaar number to transfer benefits and subsidies in his/her bank account. NPCI does not provide direct facility to the bank customers or LPG consumers to check the Aadhaar number mapping status in NPCI mapper. However, LPG consumers can check their Aadhaar number mapping status in NPCI mapper by visiting the transparency portal of the respective OMCs (Oil Marketing Companies) website. NPCI is providing Aadhaar Lookup facility to the banks and Government Departments to know the status of Aadhaar numbers mapped in NPCI mapper in the form of Active, Inactive, Invalid or Not resent in NPCI mapper. For more information on Aadhaar Lookup facility, banks may efer circular No. 6 on NPCI website under this link. The most significant points are (quoted verbatim from the NPCI document: Crucial flaws There are some crucially important things to be noted in the above notes. First, NPCI offers transactions between the government and an Aadhaar number. All its payments are made to an Aadhaar number, not to an account. Unlike normal banking transactions where the amount goes to an account number, the government seeks to send the money to an Aadhaar number, which has only been authenticated, not identified. Second, transactions can be made between one Aadhaar number and another. But NPCI does not maintain details of account numbers or balances. Third, a new account opened by a person overwrites the older account number. This means that all details of transactions done between parties using an earlier account number are lost because the account number has been overwritten. Unlike the current protocol adopted by NEFT by banks where the money is transferred from an account to another account, the new system dispenses with an existing, safer and trackable NEFT and chooses an APB which does not keep track of past account numbers, and does not maintain a list of transacrtions or balances. Thus any financial dispute would mean that the customer does not have a transaction ID with which he can approach the bank. The bank will merely shrug off the complainant directing him to NPCI. But NPCI does not keep details of accounts, especially if they are over several transactions involving different accounts but belonging to the same Aadhaar number. Thus you have a flawed Aadhaar number based on authentication, not identification. You have a financial transaction protocol that dispenses with records of bank numbers, and you have a system where the new number overwrites the older number. Combine both the problems and you have a perfect system for fraud, for money laundering and for financial transactions that cannot be tracked or traced. In conclusion The need for a national identity card is critically important. You need a social security number. But when you dispense with processes relating to identification and traceability of financial transactions, the system is prone to gross abuse. There is no sense in locking the stable doors after the horse has bolted. NPCI spawns a brood Under the Milestones tab, you learn that in January 2010 it set up the NFS, the National Financial Switch Over for ATM systems. In November 2010, it launched the IMPS (Immediate Payment Service) which is for transferring funds real time and 24 x 7 x 365 interbank [that] was a major challenge faced in banking industry. January 2011 saw it launch AePS bank led model which allows online interoperable financial inclusion transaction at PoS (MicroATM) through the Business correspondent of any bank using the Aadhaar authentication(https://www.npci.org.in/product-overview/aeps-product-overview). In April 2011, CTS (the Cheque Truncated System) was launched. In March came the RuPay a new card payment scheme . . . . . to fulfill RBIs vision to offer a domestic, open-loop, multilateral system which will allow all Indian banks and financial institutions in India to participate in electronic payments. December 2012 brought in NACH a web based solution to facilitate interbank, high volume, electronic transactions which are repetitive and periodic in nature. August 2014 saw NPCI launch its *99# service a common number across all Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) on their mobile phone and transact through an interactive menu displayed on the mobile screen. In 2016, four more products were launched and April saw the introduction of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with member banks . August saw the release of Bharat BillPay, an RBI conceptualised system, a one-stop payment platform for all bills providing an interoperable and accessible Anytime-Anywhere bill payment service to all customers across India. And December saw the launch of NETC for which details are not known. In the same month came BHIM Bharat Interface for Money, a mobile app that lets you make simple, easy and quick payment transactions using Unified Payments Interface (UPI) In March 2017, NPCI launched Bharat QR which it developed jointly with ICS (International Card Schemes), a common standard QR code specification). Merchants can display these QR codes at their premises and customers can pay through their card linked account / VPA / IFSC + Account / Aadhaar by scanning these QR codes. Congress The Congress on Tuesday hit out at the NDA government over the "disturbing" situation in Jammu and Kashmir because of the Centre's "flip-flop" and "non-existent" policy on Pakistan, saying the time had come to act against terrorism being sponsored from across the border. Congress president Rahul Gandhi also attacked the prime minister and the BJP-PDP alliance in the state, saying that while Narendra Modi was "dithering", soldiers were dying because of the "opportunistic" government in Jammu and Kashmir. "PDP says 'talks' with Pakistan. BJP Defence Minister says 'Pakistan will pay the price'. While our soldiers pay with their blood for BJP/PDP's opportunistic alliance and non-existent Kashmir policy; Modi Ji dithers," Gandhi tweeted. Taking potshots at the divergent stands taken by the BJP and the PDP, ruling partners in the troubled state, the Congress asked the government to clear its stand on whether it intended to hold talks with Pakistan. Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said while Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti of the PDP wanted talks with Islamabad, BJP's defence minister stressed that India would respond to Pakistan at an appropriate time. "We would like to ask the BJP at the national level because this has very profound national security implications where do they stand on the statement of the chief minister that we should be talking to Pakistan. It is a very disturbing situation which has evolved in J&K," he told reporters here. Tewari said the Congress wanted to know if the government had a policy on Pakistan. "What transpired between 2014 May and 2018 February - suffice to say that it has been a story of U-turns, flip-flops and somersaults," he said in an apparent reference to the bonhomie between Modi and Pakistan's Nawaz Sharif when the BJP came to power in 2014. Tewari said one day Pakistan's premier was invited to India and on the other day, the Indian prime minister visited Pakistan -- "but in between major terrorist attacks took place from Pakistan". "It has been a litany of errors which has characterised the entire approach of this government" vis-a-vis Pakistan, he said. He wondered if the government was talking to Pakistan and if any back-channel talks were being held with Islamabad. The Congress leader said the NDA-BJP Government had come out with the formulation that terror and talks could not go together, but there could be "talking about terror". "When will the time of talking about terror be over and when will you start acting on terror? This country does not want you to talk to Pakistan about terror; it wants you to act on the commitment that you had made to the people of India that you will act on the question of terror," he said. "They need to act on terror rather than talk about terror and that is the position of the Congress," he said. Tewari said the situation with regard to Pakistan was extremely serious and sensitive and called for an end to "this ingenuous formulation that while terror and talks cannot go hand in hand, we can talk to Pakistan about terror". Expressing concern over the Jammu and Kashmir situation, he said there have been 206 major terror attacks in the past 45 months and 160 major ceasefire violations in the 44 days of 2018. He added that 2,474 ceasefire violations had taken place along the border under NDA rule. Tewari also asked whether the recommendations made by the Campose committee after the 2016 Pathankot attack had been implemented. On Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's statement that "Pakistan will pay" for the attack by terrorists in Jammu, Tewari said it was repeated "ad nauseam whenever such an unfortunate incident takes place" and asked what had yielded out of talks with Pakistan in 44 months. "Merely saying that Pakistan will be punished at an appropriate time does not serve any purpose because the reality is that terror is being sponsored from across the border. It is not lessening, it is in fact intensifying," he said. The Congress leader, however, skirted a question on its suspended leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's statement made in Pakistan where he praised the neighbouring country. London's Heathrow airport and travel retail chain World Duty Free have apologised for a duty-free store's overcharging of tourists from China for store discount vouchers. Advertisement The apologies came this week after a part-time salesman at a World Duty Free shop at Heathrow revealed in a Chinese social media post on Sunday that Chinese customers had to spend more than 1,000 (US$1,383) to acquire vouchers entitling them to 20 per cent discounts on store items. Their counterparts from other countries could obtain the vouchers with purchases of as little as 79, according to the post on Chinese microblogging site Weibo. In a statement to the South China Morning Post on Tuesday, World Duty Free, which runs more than 500 stores in 20 countries, said it had investigated the inequity in its voucher programme and taken "urgent steps to correct the implementation of this promotion". "As a global company we are committed to treating all our customers with respect and in a consistent and fair way," it said. "We would like to offer our sincere apologies to our customers who were in any way made to feel this was not the case. "We have comprehensively re-briefed our staff in our stores to ensure that the promotion is clear. This offer applies regardless of the destination customers are flying to." Heathrow airport also apologised over the matter. "We find this [practice] unacceptable," Delia Williams, a spokeswoman for the world's second-busiest airport, said on Monday. "We are currently working with our commercial partner to understand how this happened and ensure it does not happen again." In a statement on its Weibo account, the airport said: "We sincerely apologise for issues surrounding a voucher scheme provided by one of our partners." The part-time salesman's post revealing the inequitable practice sent China's social media outlets into overdrive over the weekend, attracting more than 14,800 comments and 65,300 "likes". In his Weibo post, the salesman, who is Chinese, said he discovered the unbalanced voucher pricing system as a Chinese customer was paying her bill. The cashier had asked the customer to spend more than 1,000 for a voucher, simply because [the buyer] was Chinese, wrote the man, who did not disclose his name in the post. When the salesman confronted the store manager about the minimum, a row broke out. The shop manager pulled the salesman aside, and acknowledged the requirements were "a little bit unfair", according to the post. The salesman wrote that a British colleague told him later that other nationalities had only needed to spend 79 to qualify for the vouchers. The controversy came just days before some 6.5 million Chinese were expected to travel overseas during the seven-day Lunar New Year holiday, according to Ctrip, China's largest online travel agency. Travel-related businesses globally are salivating at the opportunity to benefit from the buying power of tourists from China. In 2016, Chinese tourists spent a record US$261 billion on overseas trips, up 12 per cent from the year before, according to figures from the World Tourism Organisation, a United Nations tourism-promotion agency. One other World Duty Free store at Heathrow airport was ensnared in the voucher-price controversy. Traveller Shirley Xie said on Twitter that she confronted the store's manager about having to spend an exorbitant amount for a coupon on Sunday afternoon. But he "became aggressive and couldn't give any reasonable explanation", Xie wrote. "Just want to let Heathrow and World Duty Free know that as [members of a group with some of the world's] biggest purchasing power, we Chinese consumers need to be treated with respect. "And we will never [return] if our rights have been violated." World Duty Free is a unit of Switzerland's Dufry, a retail company engaged in the travel retail sector. During the seven-day Lunar New Year's holiday break, Thailand, Japan and Singapore are expected to be the top three destinations for Chinese tourists, followed by Vietnam, Indonesia, the United States, Malaysia, the Philippines, Australia and Cambodia, according to Ctrip. A Delhi court today framed conspiracy and other terror charges against Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal and his associate in a case related to the September 2008 serial blasts in Delhi that claimed 26 lives and left 135 people injured. Additional Sessions Judge Siddharth Sharma put Bhatkal and his associate Asadullah Akhtar on trial for various offences punishable under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Explosive Substances Act. The present case relates to the twin explosions at Greater Kailash-I in South Delhi where nine people were injured in the twin blasts at the M-block market. The charges framed by the court include criminal conspiracy (120B) punishable under Indian Penal Code, various sections UAPA, including conspiracy for committing terror act (section 18) and being member of a terror organisation. The court posted the matter for further hearing on February 28. The accused persons, represented by advocate M S Khan, pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. The police had said that Bhatkal and Akhtar, along with others, were part of the conspiracy to carry out the blasts at several places in Delhi on September 13, 2008. They had claimed that the accused had waged war against India by carrying out the terror attacks. Bhatkal was arrested by the National Investigation Agency from Indo-Nepal border on the night of August 28, 2013. Later, Delhi Police took his custody in blast case at Greater Kailash-I. More than 1.25 lakh hectare of crops were damaged by the unseasonal hailstorm and heavy shower that hit the central parts of Maharashtra, Marathwada, and parts of Vidarbha on Sunday. The severe hailstorm damaged the standing Rabi crops of wheat, jowar, onion, chickpea, grapes, and also the banana plantations, and vegetables, according to Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Pandurang Fundkar. The state government has directed officers to begin an assessment of the damage caused by the hailstorm to crops and livestock in every affected village before organising a meeting with the insurance companies. The affected farmers will be awarded compensation based on the surveyors report, said the agriculture minister. The India Meteorological Department issued a warning on February 9 that thunderstorm and hailstorm are likely to occur at isolated places in Marathwada. Jalna in Marathwada was the worst affected district with more than 27,000 hectares of crops destroyed. Question marks were raised on the efficiency of Pratyush, Indias fastest and first multi-petaflops computer installed at the cost of Rs 450 crore at Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in January that is used for weather forecasting and climate monitoring in India. The supercomputer is also used for forecasting thunderstorm, cyclone, lightning and other natural catastrophes. The IMD had warned the farmers to put a hail net to cover the crop in the harvesting stage and keep the harvested crop in the dry place, said Dr N Chattopadhyay, Scientist at India Meteorological Department (IMD) to local newspaper Sakal. He said they were, however, able to reach out only to 55 lakh farmers from 1.3 crore farmers in Maharashtra. The IMD has been repeatedly telling Maharashtra government to put in place a mechanism in order to reach out all farmers in the states. While farmer union Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghtana yesterday demanded that state should grant Rs 50,000 per hectare as compensation to the affected farmer, failing which it threatened to launch an agitation. The Supreme Court today posed whether the government was not entitled to seek proof of identity from citizens if their entitlement to certain benefits were dependent upon their identities. A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra also said that idea behind the Aadhaar scheme could be the reason that people should have one ID card. "If your entitlement depends on who you are, then can the government not require proof on that count? Is it not a reasonable condition," a bench, which also comprised Justices A K Sikri, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan, asked. The bench, hearing pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar scheme and the enabling 2016 law, said, "even if entitlement is beyond dispute, there has to be minimal way of proving who you are". "A condition is unconstitutional if it requires you to relinquish a constitutional right," the bench said. The observations came after it was argued that the primary status of a person is that of a citizen and not an Aadhaar card holder. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the West Bengal government, said the proof of identity has to be linked with the status of the person which entitles him or her for the benefit and moreover, the citizens must have the choice to prove their identity. He then referred to the example of a woman entitled for widow pension, and said it was her status which enabled her to get the benefit and not the identity, and the State cannot insist that the identity has to be proved through Aadhaar only. "I can have different ways of proving my identity as a citizen. There are various ways of establishing identity. Aadhaar does not establish my status," Sibal said, adding that the biggest identity is the identity as the citizens. On the issue of some people having multiple passports and ration cards, the senior advocate said there were laws to deal with law-breakers and it does not mean that the State will make a statute having unconstitutional provisions to deal with law abiding citizens. Sibal termed the Aadhaar case as "the most important case since independence" as it would decide the future course to be adopted by the nation. "The judgement in this case will decide the course that this country takes. Will we live in a country where there is choice - or do we live in a country where the State is the arbiter of choice," he said, adding that what the court will decide would relate to "me, my children, my grand children and their unborn children". At the outset, the senior lawyer said in most secured countries, the government takes the citizens' information for 10 years only and then all database are deleted. And this data is used for limited purposes. Terming information as the most important aspect, he said that firms, involved with IT, were creating more wealth than traditional companies and gave illustrations of Tripadvisor, Alibaba, Uber, WhatsApp and other websites. Referring to various provisions of the Aadhaar Act, he said that architecture of the law was "unconstitutional" and submitted that the nine-judge bench's privacy judgement had laid down that "the identity of a person cannot be made a public identity and the identity details cannot be centralised". "Our fundamental identity is that we are the citizen of India," he said and added that the Aadhaar law presumed a "person to be criminal until he is proved innocent". He said that there was no difficulty in connecting identity to status, but the primary status of a person is that of a citizen and not as an Aadhaar card holder. Referring to the doctrine of "unconstitutional conditions", Sibal said the State cannot make a benefit or privilege conditional upon an individual giving up his or her other rights including fundamental ones. Highlighting the impact of the Aadhaar scheme, he said the members of the society cannot surrender the rights on behalf of future members which are yet to come to the world. The CJI summed up the submission of Sibal saying that "you cannot be asked to barter or surrender one fundamental right in order to have access to another". After Sibal concluded his submissions, another senior lawyer Gopal Subramanium began his arguments saying the Aadhaar scheme infringed dignity, freedom and equality and turns a person into a digital entity. The hearing will resume on February 15. Earlier, the court had said that issues like denial of benefits to citizens for either want of Aadhaar or due to its non-authentication may not be a ground for holding the law as "unconstitutional". The literacy rate of Telangana recorded was 72.8 percent. (Image: Moneycontrol) A mobile learning van is bridging the technological divide by providing underpriviledged children access to the latest channels in learning at their doorsteps in Dharavi and its neighbourhood, reported Hindustan Times. The van has information related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and it aims at inculcating a scientific temper among students. The STEM van, run by Nawneet Ranjan, the founder of Dharavi Diary, helps students clear the basic concepts, and inculcate a scientific mind-set. As of now, STEM is equipped with a screen and scientific games, which run on solar power. In the near future, Ranjan plans to introduce robotics and get computers installed in the van so that the children can have all-round development. Also read DATA STORY: Indian teen's math problem is not child's play Ranjan teaches students from the New English Secondary School in Pratiksha Nagar through a screen that is attached to the van. Ranjan believes the current education system should do away with rote learning, and focus on the overall development of children. The problem with our education system is that it believes in rote learning, which wont help children develop that insight. Also, there is no hands-on learning in the schools they go to, which is why we have developed this concept, consisting classroom, community and citizenship, Ranjan told the paper. Also read DATA STORY: Girls are fast gaining on boys in literacy and how. Find out Ranjan has tried this model in Pune for around a month, and he now plans to reach out to around 400 students in the city in the low income areas of Dharavi, Versova, Kurla and Ghatkopar. As of now, the STEM van makes its round to these areas twice a week. While the van draws attention of student, it is seen as a good initiative to teach children. Nikita Bansal, a teacher associated with Teach for India told the paper that the van is a great initiavite as it focused on the thought process of children. These are 21st century kids; it is thus necessary that we bring about a transformation in the way we teach, and adapt to the changing times, said Bansal. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today said the Rafale fighter deal will prove the "last nail in the coffin" of the BJP government. Alleging that Narendra Modi government agreed to pay an "astronomical price" for procuring the fighter jets from France, AAP MP Sanjay Singh termed the transaction as the "deal of scams". Under fire over the quantum of cost in procurement of jets, the BJP-led NDA government refused to disclose details of the deal citing a secrecy clause in the agreement. "It is a well-known fact that in 2012 the then UPA government was all set to seal the deal at Rs 500 crore per jet, including technology transfer which would have ensured that the technology could be recreated in the state-run HAL," Singh said. However, Modi government sealed the deal to buy 36 jets at an astronomical price of Rs 59,000 crore, which values each jet at Rs 1640 crore, he claimed. "I fail to understand the kind of technology upgradation which increased the deal valuation by over 300 per cent," the AAP leader said. He alleged that a contract worth Rs 22,000 crore to manufacture parts of the jets has been awarded to Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence, which he said lacked experience of even one year in the respective field. "This all proves beyond doubt that this deal is the deal of scams and this is going to be the last nail in the coffin of the government," Singh said while addressing a press conference. To a query, Singh reiterated his demand for transparent investigation into the "mysterious" death of Justice B H Loya, who was hearing the Sohrabuddin Sheikh alleged fake encounter case, in 2014. "If judges are not safe in the country then how can the common man be safe? It is for these reasons that four Supreme Court judges were forced to come out and say that our democracy is in danger," he alleged. Singh alleged that Modi government had failed on all fronts with its "anti-aam aadmi" policies and has only catered to select business tycoons. Another AAP leader Ashutosh Gupta, highlighted the achievements of Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi. Responding to a query on why a television ad to be aired for the Kejriwal government's third anniversary tomorrow is stuck, Singh blamed the BJP government. "Ever since the AAP government took reins of Delhi by crushing the BJP, the government has been hell bent against us and has ordered officers concerned not to endorse Delhi government's policies," he claimed. In the ad, Chief Minister Kejriwal talks about the AAP government's work in various sectors since it came to power in 2015, and the obstacles it has faced. Law professionals | Corporate lawyer- Rs 6,10,000 | Senior attorney- Rs 9,50,000 | Interpreting and using the rule of the law to win arguments in favour of the client is a lucrative profession. The best lawyers earn several lakhs, even crores for a case. So much so that lawyers give up offers to become a judge so that they can maintain their incomes as lawyers! Being a lawyer requires a high level of patience, education and communication skills. The Delhi government's Health Department has issued a show cause notice to Hollywood actor Pierce Brosnan for appearing in a surrogate advertisement of an Indian pan masala brand. The Cigarette and Other Tobacco Product Act, 2003 bans all kind of direct and indirect advertisements of tobacco products. Additional Director (Health) SK Arora said they have come to know that promotion of a tobacco and pan masala brand was being done through media platforms and points of sale, shops and other vendors throughout India. "It may be noted that Mr Pierce Brosnan who is promoting the brand in media, TV channel, vendors and others if any have also become party to this violation and are likely to be punished as per COTPA 2003," read the notice. Areca nut (supari) in pan masala has cancer causing agent which has been scientifically proven and Brosnan, an actor who is a role model for lakhs of people especially youngsters, should not indulge in promotion of such hazardous products, it read. The Irish actor has been asked to clarify his position within 10 days. The 63-year-old star had earlier said his contract stated that he was to advertise a "breath freshener/tooth whitener" and that he was shocked and saddened by the deceptive use of his image in the pan masala brand's advertisement. The city government also asked the pan masala group why appropriate punitive action be not initiated against its directors and office-bearers. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has lashed out on Pakistan after the terror attack at Sunjuwan military camp in Jammu and Kashmir. The camp was reportedly attacked by a group of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists in the wee hours on Saturday killing at least 5 soldiers. (PTI) She blamed Pakistan for the terror attack and made it clear that it will pay the price for the "misadventure". (PTI) Asked whether the government was sharing evidence with Pakistan, Sitharaman replied in the affirmative. "Yes, all the evidences which have been collected will be compiled and definitely the evidences will be given as always to Pakistan. But Pakistan, inspite of being given dossiers after dossiers, has not taken any action," she said. (PTI) The Defence Minister visited the victims of militant attack at Sunjwan Army camp and consoled them. (PTI) The Defence Minister said that quick reaction teams (QRTs) were deployed in vulnerable areas. It was assessed that Pak-Sponsored terrorists may target softer elements, hence, QRTs were also positioned at Sunjuwan family quarters, she said. (PTI) Sitharaman assured full support to the Army and said, "The ministry of Defence, me as the Defence Minister, and the Government of India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership will not let anybody down." (PTI) Army officer and jawans carry body of Indian Army JCO Madan Lal Choudhary, who was killed in a terrorist attack at Sunjuwan Army camp, for his final rites in Hiranagar, 60 kms from Jammu on Monday. (PTI) Father of Indian Army JCO Madan Lal Choudhary, who was killed in a terrorist attack, at Sunjuwan Army camp. (PTI) Ankush, son of Indian Army JCO Madan Lal Choudhary, who was killed in the terrorist attack, salutes his father's mortal remains. (PTI) Nirmala Sitharaman The attack on the Sunjuwan camp, which took place on Saturday, claimed the lives of 10 soldiers and the casualty list is expected to rise. The camp is located in Jammu and army officials have said that the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) was responsible for the attack. The current death toll includes six army personnel and three JeM militants. A group of heavily-armed men, who are believed to be the JeM militants, struck the camp of the 36 brigade of the Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry on Saturday. Here's what has happened till now: Blame game The two nations are raising fingers at each other for the attack. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had told reporters, "Pakistan will pay for this misadventure. I repeat, Pakistan will pay for it." Pakistan officials, on the other hand, have blamed India for making it seem like a scheme that Pakistan has been planning all this while. "It is a well established pattern that Indian officials begin making irresponsible statements and levelling unfounded allegations, even before any proper investigation in any incident has been initiated," Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement. Investigation Sitharaman has confirmed that the investigation is underway. She said, "Yes, all the evidences which have been collected will be compiled and, definitely, the evidences will be given, as always, to But, Pakistan, inspite of being given dossier after dossier, has not taken any action." She reiterated that evidence against Pakistan will be furnished without fail. Damage control Sitharaman pointed that quick reaction teams (QRTs) have been deployed in the vulnerable areas of the state, including the Sunjuwan family quarters. She also pointed that more information involving the attack will be shared with the state police. In addition to this, the government has allocated Rs 1,487 crore for security at military installations. The LoC is also going to electronically equipped. Additional sensors, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and long-range surveillance devices have been deployed. The interim and final Budgets of 1991-92 were presented by two ministers of two different political parties. Who were they? Kothapalli Geetha, a Lok Sabha member from Andhra Pradesh, today accused the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) of "misguiding" people of the state on budget allocations and said it was blaming the BJP-led Centre to conceal its inefficiency. The Araku MP, who claimed to have "severed ties" with her YSR Congress Party, also took a dig at it for "playing politics" over the issue. "TDP has been misguiding people saying the Centre has not allocated enough resources and that is why they were not able to do well. But all the programmes taken up by the state or TDP has been done with central assistance," Geetha told PTI. "YSRCP is demanding a special status for the state, which is a closed subject, and playing politics," she said. Today, she wrote to several Union ministers seeking accurate information on allocations made to the state so far and has also sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention to fast-track the process. "I feel it is my responsibility to convey facts and figures to people of Andhra Pradesh, so that they will not get carried away by false propaganda," Geetha told in the letter to the prime minister seeking his intervention. On TDP's protest inside Parliament, she said, "It is nuisance what they are doing. Union minister Uma Bharti said today she will not contest elections for the next three years owing to health problems. She, however, clarified that she was not retiring from politics. "I am suffering from knee and back problems, and to recover, I will take some rest. I will not fight elections for the next three years," she told reporters here. Union Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation said she would not even run for the Rajya Sabha, but would campaign for the party, if asked. The BJP MP from Jhansi said she wants to work from "9 am to 5 pm". "I want to live a balanced life, have a lifestyle according to doctors' advice," she said. Bharti said BJP chief Amit Shah had asked her to continue as Union minister till 2019. "I had a talk over phone with him three days ago (during which Shah told her to continue in the Union government)," she said. There is nothing unusual about taking such a break, Bharti said, adding that former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had done so for health reasons during his political career. "This doesn't mean I am retiring from politics," the 58-year-old leader said, adding she was younger than Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and two other leaders from the state -- BJP general secretary Kailash Vijaywargiya and former Union Minister Prahlad Patel. "I will have many years left in politics even after the next three years. In fact, I am focusing on health to ensure that it does not deteriorate," the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister said. "I need to rejuvenate my body," she said. Egyptian security forces killed 10 militants in an exchange of fire and arrested 400 suspects, including foreigners, as part of an ongoing anti-terrorism campaign focused on Sinai that was launched last week, the army said in a statement on Tuesday. This was the sixth communique released by the Egyptian Armed Forces since Operation Sinai 2018 was launched on Friday morning. The announcement brings to 39 the number of militants the army said were killed over the past five days of its massive operation. Egypt launched Operation Sinai 2018 on Friday, involving land, naval and air forces, as well as the police and border guards, targeting "terrorist and criminal elements and organizations" in northern and central Sinai, as well as parts of the Nile Delta and the Western Desert. Police and army units have "eliminated an extremely dangerous terrorist cell consisting of 10 takfiris hiding in a house in the city of Arish after an exchange of fire with the raiding forces, and seized quantities of weapons, ammunition and explosive devices that were in their possession," the communique said. Four hundred criminals and suspects, including foreigners, have been arrested, it added. The communique said security forces destroyed vehicles, motorbikes and dozens of hideouts and arms depots used by the terrorists. Dozens of explosive devices planted in several areas targeted by the militants as well as an underground depot containing 10 anti-tank mines have also been destroyed, it added. Border guards and military engineers uncovered and destroyed two tunnel openings believed to be used by terrorists and 15 holes connected to trenches along the border area of the North Sinai governorate. Forces involved in the operation also uncovered and destroyed nine farms used to grow illegal narcotics and seized tons of drugs, the communique said. Meanwhile, naval units launched four land-to-sea and surface-to-sea missiles as they carried out a series of military exercises in the Mediterranean, while air forces and border guards continue to secure the country's western and southern borders. Joint army and police forces have set up around 500 checkpoints and security patrols on main roads and desert areas nationwide as part of Operation Sinai 2018. Over the past four years, Egypt has been battling a terror campaign, led by Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis, based in the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula that has carried out deadly attacks against security forces and civilians. The army said it has killed hundreds of suspected terrorists in military operations. Short link: Chief Minister Manik Sarkar Manik Sarkar, the Chief Minister of Tripura, is India's poorest chief minister, according to a report released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) on Monday. Sarkar is the longest serving chief minister of Tripura after being appointed in 1998. Sarkar, however, is now facing the toughest battle of his political career as the BJP is making a serious bid to remove the Left Front government in Tripura, which has been in power for the past 25 years. On Monday, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath accused the CPI (M)-led Left Front government in Tripura of depriving the people of "basic amenities". Also read Yogi Adityanath calls for Left Front govt's ouster in Tripura "The people of Tripura are being deprived of the basic amenities. The communist government here does not provide the poor people with any opportunity to be self-reliant. Why should the people keep them for such a long period in power? The Marxists must be ousted," the BJP leader told an election rally here in North Tripura district. He also slammed the Left Front government for its "poor governance" and alleged that the common people of the state, who were not associated with the ruling party, were being deprived of the benefits of the Prime Minister Awas Yojana. BJP chief Amit Shah had earlier also expressed confidence that BJP will form the next government in Tripura. The BJP is contesting polls in alliance with the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT). Several media reports have also pointed to the long tenure of the Left Front government and pointed to the anti-incumbency factor. Often regarded as the 'Most Honest' and 'Most Clean' chief minister, Sarkar holds assets worth Rs 26 lakh, including both movable and non-moveable assets. Even in the 2013 ADR report, the 69-year-old was listed as the poorest chief minister of India, thereby, strengthening his perception of being the least corrupt politician. ADR and National Election Watch (NEW) have analysed the self-sworn latest affidavits of current chief ministers (CMs) in state assemblies and Union territories across the nation. Sarkar, an actor-turned-politician from Dhanpur, was exposed to politics in his college at the young age of 19 in 1968. His initial experiences led him to be appointed as the general secretary of the Students' Federation of India at the Maharaja Bir Bikram College. Also read India has 35% chief ministers with criminal cases: ADR At the age of 23, Manik Sarkar joined the State Committee of the CPI(M) in 1972. Six years down the line, in 1978, Sarkar was inducted into the party secretariat when the Communist Party got a chance to rule a government in Tripura for the very first time. When the party rose to power in 1993, Manik Sarkar became the State Secretary of the CPI (M) considering his performance and expertise. Within a few years, Sarkar became a politburo member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in 1998. Sarkar enjoys a distinguished reputation as a Chief Minister in his home town as he lives a simple life, does not own a house or a car of his own as well as does not have any personal security guards. According to reports, even his critics hail him as a corruption-free figure. According to his affidavit filed for the 2013 Tripura Assembly elections, Manik Sarkars bank deposits amounted to a maximum of Rs 16,120. Sarkar was born in a middle-class family in Radhakishorepur. His mother, Anjali Sarkar, was a government employee in Tripura while his father, Amulya Sarkar, was a tailor. The Sarkars have no children and they live in a government accommodation provided by the state at the official chief ministers quarter in Agartala. According to his election declaration, his wife Panchali Bhattacharjee, a retired state government employee has Rs 20,140 cash in hand. Bhattacharjee has a total of Rs 12,15,714.78 in her bank accounts. Rahul Gandhi Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused the NDA government of creating a "problem" in India's foreign policy and said the country stood "isolated" in the region. Underlining China's expanding influence, Gandhi said the most important part of a country's foreign policy was having a "good relationship" with others. "Today India is actually isolated in the region," he told professionals and business people here during an interaction on the last day of his four-day 'Janashirvad Yatra' in the northern region of poll-bound Karnataka. India should work for creating as many jobs as there are in China, he said, adding that New Delhi must find a peaceful and not aggressive way to counter Beijing. "We have to find a way, not an aggressive way, not a military way, but a peaceful way to compete with the Chinese," he said. Gandhi referred to the "massive expansion" of Chinese presence in the region. "You see the Chinese have a presence in Nepal, they have a presence in Pakistan, in Sri Lanka, in Maldives... They have a presence in Burma (Myanmar)," Gandhi added. He said the NDA government had created a "problem" in India's foreign policy. India's "old friend Russia" was now "cosying up to our neighbours on the western side", he said, adding, "This is actually a serious problem which is not getting discussed." Hitting out at the Union government on employment generation, Gandhi claimed that while China was creating 50,000 jobs in 24 hours, the NDA government was generating 450 jobs in 24 hours. "The simple thing is, there is only one measure, not two: how many jobs is India creating and how many jobs is China creating. I'm sad to say that over the last four years it (job creation) has become a really serious problem," he added. On economic growth, he said India was "doing okay, (but) it was doing much better before". The issue of jobs, he said, was not being publicly discussed. "When it comes to jobs, India is failing completely and this is not something that is publicly in the discourse at all," he added. Gandhi, however, conceded that to an extent even during the Congress-led UPA rule, "we were nowhere near the number of jobs that needed to be created". He also spoke about the "massive increase" in the defence budgets of the U.S., China and Russia, and said, "We are now entering a new phase in world politics where you are going to see increased tension between U.S., China and Russians." "In this situation, India has to have a clear understanding of the path going forward," he said. Although the Centre may have red-flagged the idea of swapping of batteries in order to promote expensive yet emission-free electric vehicle mobility, some state governments have come forward to adopt this technology. Hinduja Group flagship company Ashok Leyland and Chetan Mainis Sun Mobility have developed Indias first electric bus with battery swapping ability and a fully automated quick interchange station that can replace drained batteries with new fully charged ones without human intervention. Transport ministers of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh seemed positive about this new technology, which is also much more cost-effective than the general electric mobility solutions. Speaking exclusively to Moneycontrol, Tamil Nadu Transport Minister MR Vijayabhaskar said: We had run an electric bus in Chennai and lot of suppliers came to show us their buses. They were all with four batteries and the driving range was about 250kms or so. But these options were very expensive at around Rs 2 crore. However, the swapping mechanism presented by Ashok Leyland in collaboration with Sun Mobility is very good as it is going to be lesser weight and lesser cost. So it will be very cost effective. The Ashok Leyland Circuit-S electric bus has a seating capacity of 25-35 seats that runs on easily swappable smart batteries that are one-fourth the weight of a regular lithium-ion battery. These smart batteries have a range of 50-60 kms and take under four minutes to replace the drained batteries with recharged ones. While Ashok Leyland has developed the bus, the swapping station is developed by Sun Mobility. The Maini-promoted company has committed to install several such interchange station, which it claims is easy to install and operate. It is an Indian innovation. The central government may have seen it not happening outside the country. This is the first time we are doing this inside the country. The idea is to change the way our public transport system works, Vinod Dasari, managing director, Ashok Leyland, told Moneycontrol. Handling of batteries at swapping stations of was one of the biggest worries of the central government as it requires skilled manpower with zero operational errors. It has not worked anywhere in the world and replacing batteries could take too long. These are two big apprehensions with the government. This solution will address both issues. Government needs to be technology agnostic, said Chetan Maini, co-founder and vice chairman, Sun Mobility. In its report, Niti Aayog had suggested that battery swapping is the ideal solution for Indias dense public transport system. However in November last year minister Gadkari had said that the battery swapping policy is not appropriate for the country because it is a very difficult thing to do. We have also asked for a subsidy from the central government for 200 electric buses. This will help control pollution. We have already done a road trial of one electric bus and we are happy with it. I have met the union minister (Nitin Gadkari) and requested him for the same. We should get it and the rest we will put in from the state government, added Vijayabhaskar. Xiaomi has toppled Samsung as the leader in the domestic smartphone market for Q4 2017, according to CMRs India Monthly Mobile Handset Market Review Report. Samsung was also dealt a body blow after it lost its pole position to LYFs JioPhone in the feature phone segment. LYFs JioPhone was major growth driver for 4Q CY2017. Its shipments grew more than five-fold in 4Q. This new trend led to surge in market share of feature phones. With local manufactured JioPhones hitting the market in coming quarters, the vendor is expected to better its performance, Narinder Kumar, Analyst, CMR-IIG said. In smartphones, Xiaomi became the clear market leader, on the back of its growing offline penetration and value for money products. We are expecting to witness revival in online strategy of Samsung along with its enhanced focus on enterprise business and Appgets, he added. Source: CMR According to the report, Xiaomi led the smartphone segment with 25 percent market share in the quarter ended December 2017, followed closely by Samsung with 23 percent. The third position on the list was held by Lenovo with a distant 9 percent market share, followed by Chinese peers Oppo and Vivo with 6 percent share each in the pie. Meanwhile, the feature phone segment saw LYFs JioPhone gobbling up the lions share with 27 percent under its belt. Samsung finished a distant second with a 14 percent share, followed by Micromax, iTel and Lava with 9 percent, 8 percent and 6 percent, respectively. Winners and Losers The report highlights a stellar performance by Chinese device makers in the domestic market, with Xiaomi leading the pack. The handset maker registered an staggering 317 percent growth year-on-year (Y-o-Y) and was followed by iTel, which reported 217 percent growth. LYF again made its presence felt by clocking 156 percent growth and finishing third. Vivo and Oppo followed at fourth and fifth positions with 116 percent and 87 percent growth, respectively. However, not all Chinese brands had easy outing. Gionee reported negative growth of 46 percent, while handset maker HTC reported negative growth of 79 percent. HTC was the biggest loser, followed by Asus, which lost 66 percent. Intex and Videocon shared the third position, with both losing 59 percent. Source: CMR Mobile Industry in India According to CMR, the mobile industry in India saw a record 88 million units shipped for Q4 2017, with Samsung leading the overall pack with a 21 percent market share. iTel and Xiaomi shared second position with a 9 percent share each. Traditionally, December is a lean period. However, 4Q 2017 bucked this trend. From the throes of demonetization at the beginning of 2017, the India mobile handset market touched a new historic high in OND2017. If one were to look at historic trends, the India mobile handset market usually sees high refresh cycles in May-June, coinciding with the college admission season, and in September-October, owing to the festive season, Prabhu Ram, Head Industry Intelligence Group (IIG), CMR said. Teddy bear, roses, cards and chocolates are now passe. Youngsters instead have gotten smart and made gifting more meaningful. Taking the concept of forever to the next level, youngsters are insuring what their bae loves most. This Valentines Day, gift an insurance policy. Make what your loved ones love, secure. Mahavir Chopra, Director - Health, Life & Strategic Initiatives, Coverfox.com, said that it is true that a term insurance is the best thing you could ever gift your wife. However, make sure you top this well-thought gift with a diamond ring for best results. You wouldnt want to risk not doing so and invite her wrath that may lead to encashing of your term plan. That way you secure not only her Future but your Present too, he said. You can even buy a motor insurance and propose a long ride, where you sit back and let her take control. Go wherever she wants to ride, while you sit back and relax. Surely, the last thing you want to do on Valentine's Day is haggled with a traffic cop for lack of insurance! Well, insurance gifts does not end here too, if you think you already do all these things in general then why not buy a health policy this time? We all wish for our partner's best health and what better gift than a gift of security against any illness along with a financial security. There are many companies offering health plans for both you and your partner at a very reasonable price like HDFC Ergo Health Suraksha Policy Gold Plan, Apollo Munich Optima Restore Family, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Health kart Family Floater Option providing coverage for young couples in the age of 18-40 years," said Naval Goel- CEO and Founder of PolicyX.com. Now, what else could you possibly insure? Bae can be a globetrotter-you can insure the travel, if bae has just done up her apartment-you can insure the furniture, if bae just got a new mobile phone insure it and if you have decided to go down on your knees and decided to gift bae a ring-make sure you insure it. "Valentines Day will see a lot of electronic gadgets, even appliances, given as gifts. When choosing something special, consider getting an extended warranty or accidental damage cover as well. This will make the gift last longer, and save you from unexpected breakdowns and repair costs," said Vivek Burman, South Asia Director - The Warranty Group. While there are offers in all shapes and sizes some have made it really easy for those looking at buying insurance for Valentine's Day this season. Traditionally considered tedious, insurance has now had a festive makeover by Toffee Now what is Toffee? Well, it is the mobile-first, all-digital insurance platform built for millennials. With Toffee the entire concept of insurance has been unwrapped and reworked to make policies relevant to ones lifestyle-related risks, such as covers for backpackers or daily commuters, said Rohan Kumar, co-founder at Toffee. " Toffee is offering Commuters Toffee - A policy for daily commuters exposed to accidents, Globetrotter Toffee - A policy for international travel without market/regional exclusions, Renters Toffee A policy against damages and theft for rented accommodation and Stay Fit Toffee A policy against sports-related accidents. While the policys customization for their specific risks shows thoughtfulness it also comes at an attractive price range between Rs 600 and Rs 1500, added Kumar. China growth: Slowdown concerns in US and China, due to the trade war between the two countries, have caused global investors to worry. (Image: Getty Images) China is coercing its neighbours to reorder the Indo-Pacific region, the Pentagon told Congress in its annual budget proposals for the fiscal 2019, beginning October 1 this year. Trump administration today released their proposal for the fiscal year 2019 budget. Fiscal years are different from calendar years. The budgetary proposal covers October 1, 2018, through September 30, 2019. "China is leveraging military modernisation, influence operations and predatory economics to coerce neighbouring countries to reorder the Indo-Pacific region to their advantage," the Pentagon said in its annual defence budget for the fiscal 2019. As China continues its economic and military ascendance, asserting power through an all-of-nation long-term strategy, it will continue to pursue a military modernisation programme that seeks Indo-Pacific regional hegemony in the near-term and displacement of the US to achieve global preeminence in the future, it said. The most far-reaching objective of this defence strategy is to set the military relationship between the US and China on a path of transparency and non-aggression, it said. According to the Pentagon, the central challenge to the US prosperity and security is the reemergence of long term, strategic competition by what the National Security Strategy classifies as revisionist powers. "It is increasingly clear that China and Russia want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model gaining veto authority over other nations' economic, diplomatic and security decisions," it said. The Pentagon said Russia seeks veto authority over nations on its periphery in terms of its governmental, economic and diplomatic decisions to shatter the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and to change European and Middle East security and economic structures to its favour. The use of emerging technologies to discredit and subvert democratic processes in Georgia, Crimea and eastern Ukraine is concern enough, but when coupled with its expanding and modernising nuclear arsenal the challenge is clear. "Rogue regimes such as North Korea and Iran are destabilising their regions by pursuing nuclear weapons or sponsoring terrorism," the Pentagon said. North Korea seeks to guarantee regime survival and increased leverage through a mixture of nuclear, biological, chemical, conventional and unconventional weapons and a growing ballistic missile capability to gain coercive influence over South Korea, Japan and the US. In the Middle East, Iran is competing with its neighbours, asserting an arc of influence and instability while vying for regional hegemony, using state-sponsored terrorist activities, a growing network of proxies and its missile programme to achieve its objectives, the Pentagon said. According to the budgetary proposals, competitor states, especially China and Russia have narrowed Department of Defence's military technological advantages, demanding the US find new and innovative ways to fight in the future. "China is now a strategic competitor, using predatory economics to intimidate its neighbours while militarising features in the South China Sea. Russia has violated the borders of nearby nations, and pursues veto power over the economic, diplomatic and security decisions of its neighbours," it said. Concurrently, North Korea's actions and rhetoric continue despite the United Nation's censure and sanctions. Iran continues to sow violence and remains the most significant challenge to the Middle East stability. Despite the defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria's (ISIS) physical caliphate, threats to stability remain as terrorist groups with long reach continue to murder innocent people and threaten peace, the Pentagon added. Washington: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks at the 2017 Atlantic Council-Korea Foundation Forum in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017. AP/PTI(AP12_13_2017_000095B) The United States urged members of the coalition fighting Islamic State on Tuesday to help rebuild Iraq or risk the reversal of the gains made against the group there. The U.S. leads the coalition and hopes that after a three-year fight to defeat the militants it can count in large part on Gulf allies to shoulder the burden of rebuilding Iraq and on a Saudi-Iraqi rapprochement to weaken Iran's influence in the country, which is run by a Shi'ite led government. Islamic State took control of large parts of Iraq and Syria in 2014. Donors and investors have gathered in Kuwait this week to discuss efforts to rebuild Iraq's economy and infrastructure as it emerges from a devastating conflict with the hardline militants who seized almost a third of the country. Iraq declared victory over Islamic State in December, having taken back all the territory captured by the militants in 2014 and 2015. The fighters have also been largely defeated in neighbouring Syria. The U.S. appreciates the "generous contributions" of coalition members over the past year, but more is needed, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told a coalition meeting in Kuwait. "If communities in Iraq and Syria cannot return to normal life, we risk the return of conditions that allowed ISIS to take and control vast territory," he said, using an acronym to refer to the group. "We must continue to clear unexploded remnants of war left behind by ISIS, enable hospitals to reopen, restore water and electricity services, and get boys and girls back in school." The U.S. is not expected to make a direct government contribution at the conference, however. "It's not in the question of a pledging thing where we go out with requests, it's underscoring a there is a need for support. It's investment, it's private company engagement, it's DFI," a senior state department official travelling with Tillerson told reporters on Monday. The term DFI generally refers to development finance institutions such as multilateral development banks. "But it is also a and there are Arab donors willing to help and support a focus your efforts on those areas where it actually achieves something in terms of stabilisation and countering foreign influence." NO ENDURING DEFEAT Rebuilding Iraq after three years of war will cost more than $88 billion, with housing a particularly urgent priority, Iraqi officials told the conference on Monday. Tillerson also said Washington had decided to provide an additional $200 million of aid to stabilise liberated areas in Syria. The end of major combat operations does not mean the United States and its allies have achieved final victory, Tillerson warned. "The end of major combat operations does not mean we have achieved the enduring defeat of ISIS," he said. "ISIS remains a serious threat to the stability of the region, our homelands, and other parts of the globe." The hardline militants, who lost all territory they held in Iraq and are on the cusp of defeat in Syria, are trying to gain territory in other countries where they are active, he said, adding that "History must not be allowed to repeat itself elsewhere." "In Iraq and Syria, ISIS is attempting to morph into an insurgency. In places like Afghanistan, the Philippines, Libya, West Africa, and others it is trying to carve out and secure safe havens." Tillerson said he was concerned over recent events in northwest Syria, where Turkey launched an assault last month on a U.S.-allied Kurdish militia it considers a threat on its southern border, adding that he was keenly aware of Turkey's "legitimate security concerns". Britain's Queen Elizabeth attends The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery 70th parade in Hyde Park in London, Britain, October 19, 2017. REUTERS/Hannah McKay - RC1B93015C50 Senior Commonwealth officials are holding secret talks here to decide who will succeed 91-year-old Queen Elizabeth II, media reports said on Tuesday. The Queen was proclaimed Head of the Commonwealth at her coronation in 1953, when she was the head of state in seven of the organisation's eight members. A high-level group of Commonwealth officials on Tuesday held a day-long summit here and, according to insiders, were poised to discuss who should replace the monarch after her death. The meeting's agenda, seen by BBC, includes consideration of wider governance, which sources told the broadcaster was code for the succession. The post of the head of the Commonwealth is not a hereditary position that will pass automatically to the Prince of Wales, currently Prince Charles, 69, when the monarch dies. Charles will be head of state in only 15 of the 53 nations and territories that now make up the Commonwealth. A Commonwealth source, speaking to The Independent, denied that the issue of Queen's successor would be discussed at today's meeting, chaired by Anote Tong, former President of Kiribati. But it is expected that succession plans will be raised at a summit of Commonwealth heads of government in London in April. The meeting, held in every few years, is likely to be last attended by Elizabeth. Any decision about the future will be made by the Commonwealth heads of government at the time of the Queen's death, but there is no formal process of choosing her successor. While many Commonwealth figures presume there will be no realistic alternative to Charles, there has in the past been talks of electing a ceremonial leader to improve the organisation's democratic credentials. According to documents seen by BBC, the high-level group will not just confine itself to bureaucratic changes. Mauritius plans to establish a sovereign fund to provide seed capital for development of financial technology or fintech activities in the island nation. It is also considering incentives to attract fintech operations in the country. Besides, it is looking at promoting the use of latest technology that will prevent hacking and other kinds of frauds, while regulating blockchain-related activities. These issues were discussed by a high level regulatory committee -- Fintech and Innovation-driven Financial Services - at its first meeting held on Friday, Mauritius' Financial Services Commission (FSC) said in a statement. The panel was set up to assist in paving the way for appropriate regulatory frameworks for encouraging and supporting the development of fintech in Mauritius. FSC is Mauritius' integrated regulator for global business companies and non-banking financial services sector. The 7-member committee comprises Meghnad Desai and St John of Bletso of the House of Lords; FSC CEO Harvesh Seegolam; and Nishith Desai, founder of the Nishith Desai Associates Law Firm in India. The discussions of the committee were centred on positioning Mauritius as a regional hub of sound repute in the field of fintech norms by building an open and transparent regulatory regime which encourages innovation, FSC said. Besides, the committee discussed to consider incentives to attract Fintech activities to Mauritius; possibility of establishing a sovereign fund in the country to provide seed capital for the development of Fintech activities in the region, FSC added. Recognising the potential benefits of blockchain technology on the economy and society, and encouraging its development, the committee said it will take into account the use of latest technology that will prevent hacking and other kind of frauds in regulating blockchain-related activities. Subsequent to the first meeting, the committee will assess the current regulatory set up with respect to Fintech and Innovation-driven Financial Services Regulations in Mauritius, and make recommendations on the need to introduce new sets of regulations for Fintech and lnnovation. Further, it will also identify priority areas within the regulatory space of Fintech activities. Hafiz Saeed, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks mastermind has been declared a terrorist by Pakistan. (Image: Reuters) Keen to avert international sanctions, Pakistan has quietly amended its anti-terror laws to include Hafiz Saeed-linked Jamaat-ud-Dawa and Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation and other militant outfits on the list of UN proscribed groups, a media report said today. A major impact of a new ordinance promulgated by Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain would be the proscription of Saeed-linked JuD and FIF along with the UN listed outfits of Al Akhtar Trust and Al Rashid Trust, Dawn newspaper reported. Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, heads the charity JuD, believed to be a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group. The move to amend the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 ends an old discrepancy between the UN sanctions list and the national listing of terrorist groups and individuals, the report said. It has come ahead of the crucial Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting in Paris, scheduled to be held from February 18 to 23. The US and India are spearheading an effort to get Pakistan included in the watchdog's international money-laundering and terror-financing 'grey list', the paper said. Pakistan was last placed on FATF's grey list in February 2012 and stayed on it for three years, the report said. Last week, Pakistan's National Security Committee (NSC) had directed the "ministries concerned to complete the few outstanding actions at the earliest". Pakistan's top civil-military coordination forum had reviewed the steps taken by the federal and provincial governments for compliance with FATF requirements in view of the upcoming FATF plenary meeting, which will take up a report to be submitted by Pakistan on actions taken to choke funding of JuD chief Saeed and the organisations linked with him. The intergovernmental body had at its plenary in Buenos Aires held in November last year had asked Pakistan to furnish a compliance report on actions taken against the Lashkar-e-Taiba and JuD at the Paris meeting. The UNSC sanctions list has Al-Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), Lashkar-e-Taiba (Let) and others. A UNSC 1267 sanctions committee's monitoring team visited Pakistan in January to review the compliance, but analysts fear that the FATF review could be tougher for the country, the report said. It is feared that the international body can take some punitive action against Pakistan, it said. The FATF maintains grey and black lists for identifying countries with weak measures to combat money laundering and terror financing. The watchdog does not have the powers to impose sanctions on a country found not meeting the required standards. However, its listing can affect international transactions from the country concerned as those would then become subject to greater scrutiny. This will increase the cost of doing international transactions and ultimately higher cost of doing business locally. Egypt's army said it would seek to take legal action against former anti-corruption chief Hisham Geneina and former military chief-of-staff Sami Anan following Geneina's claims that Anan possesses documents containing state secrets that could convict many officials if revealed. Geneina was a leading figure in Anan's brief presidential campaign before the former military chief was barred from running in a March presidential vote and was detained by authorities last month, a week after announcing his candidacy. In an interview with HuffPost Arabia published on Sunday, Geneina claimed that Anan possessed documents and evidence relating to major deadly incidents and "political crimes" since the 2011 revolution and following the 2013 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. He said the documents were kept abroad and would surface if authorities tried to assassinate Anan, whom the army has accused of breaching laws by running for office without its consent. The army said in a statement on Monday that Geneina's claims "amount to crimes and aim to raise doubts about the state and its institutions" at a time when the armed forces are waging a battle to uproot terrorism in the Sinai region." It said it would refer the matter to investigators with a view to taking the necessary legal action against both Geneina and Anan, and that it would "use all constitutional and legal powers to preserve national security." An hour after the army's statement, Anan's lawyer Nasser Amin distanced his client from Geneina's controversial remarks. In a statement on Facebook, he described the claims as "unfounded, untrue and bearing no relation to reality." The lawyer pledged to take legal action against anyone who has given or will give statements to the media "attributing any words or acts to Anan that would undermine [Anan's] legal status or expose him to the danger of legal or social liability." "Any statements not made by Sami Annan in person are attributed to their owners and do not in any way express him," he said. Anan was detained by authorities last month, a week after announcing his presidential bid. The army accused him of inciting against the military and breaking the law by running for office without its permission while still a reserve officer. Geneina was attacked and severely wounded two weeks ago while on his way to lodge an appeal against an electoral commission's decision to disqualify Anan from running in the presidential vote, scheduled for 26-28 March. He said in media interviews that Egyptian authorities were behind his assault. The interior ministry said at the time of the attack that Geneina hit a man with his car and that his doorman, wife and daughter assaulted what Geneina said were the attackers and tore off their clothes. Short link: Hafiz Saeed, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks mastermind, has been declared a terrorist by Pakistan. (Image: Reuters) This came after Pakistan Police removed barricades placed by members of Saeed's Jamaat-ud-Dawah outside the group's headquarters, on Monday. The blockade had been set up a decade ago in the name of security. (Image: Reuters) Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain has signed an ordinance that brings all individuals and organisations banned by the UNSC, like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jamaat-ud-Dawah, and Harkat-ul Mujahideen, under the ambit of the amended Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997. (Image: Reuters) The move comes days before the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting in Paris, with rumours rife that Pakistan could be added to the grey list, under pressure from the United States of America and India. (Image: Reuters) Sri Lanka's former President Mahinda Rajapaksa smiles during a news conference after winning the local government election in Colombo, Sri Lanka February 12, 2018. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte - RC12B12677B0 After its electoral debacle in local council elections, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party has been plunged into a crisis with the premier facing pressure to give up the party leadership, UNP sources said. This was following a reported request by President Maithripala Sirisena to the UNP leader to step down as premier. Party sources said Wickremesinghe has come under pressure from within the party to handover the party leadership to someone else. Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa's new party - Sri Lanka People's Party (SLPP) - defeated Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the UNP, winning 225 councils or two-thirds of the 340 councils which went to the polls on Saturday. The UNP won only 41 councils while the SLFP was a distant third with just 11 in the first electoral test of the unity government headed by Sirisena. Rajapaksa's SLPP swept the polls in a massive wave of support to the former strongman. Sirisena's SLFP suffered its worst drubbing with just 13 per cent of the vote. UNP sources said Sirisena's request to Wickremesinghe to step down was unfair given that the president's party had fared much worse. Meanwhile, a media report said the UNP, the majority party in parliament, is close to a decision on forming a government on its own, ending the coalition arrangement. A UNP minister said following the discussion with Sirisena yesterday, senior UNP members met at Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera's house last night and discussed forming a UNP government at length, the Colombo Page reported. According sources, no decision was taken at the meeting to remove Wickremesinghe as prime minister. The UNP said it reserved the right to take any decision on the premier's future. "We will form our own government independent of the president's party," a UNP backbencher said. The next parliamentary election is due only in August, 2020 and the current government's term will run until then. The UNP said their policies could not be implemented without hindrance as Sirisena's SLFP was blocking them at every move. The UNP has 106 seats in the 225-member parliament, seven short of a working majority. Rajapaksa, buoyed by the unexpected success, called for . Donald Trump US President, Donald Trump, told Russian President, Vladimir Putin, in a phone call on Monday that now is the time to work toward a peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians, the White House said in a statement. Trump also told Putin that more steps should be taken to ensure North Korea gives up its nuclear program, the statement said. India Pakistan Escalating the war of words, Pakistan on Tuesday warned that it will "pay (back) India in its own coin" in case of any "misadventure" as it rejected Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's remarks that Islamabad was behind the deadly terror attack on a military camp in Jammu. A group of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists had struck the Sunjuwan Military Camp in Jammu on Saturday, killing seven people including six soldiers. Defence Minister Sitharaman yesterday blamed Pakistan for the terror attack on the military camp and made it clear that Islamabad will pay the price for the "misadventure". Responding to Sitharaman's remarks, her Pakistani counterpart Khurram Dastgir Khan today said Islamabad "will pay (back) India in its own coin in case of any misadventure." "Instead of the knee-jerk reaction of blaming Pakistan without substantiation, India must answer for state-sponsored espionage against Pakistan," Khan said in a statement. He was referring to Indian prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of terrorism. Pakistan's armed forces are fully prepared to defend the country and "any Indian aggression, strategic miscalculation, or misadventure regardless of its scale, mode, or location will not go unpunished and shall be met with an equal and proportionate response," Khan said. He alleged that India was "destabilising regional and world peace through irresponsible statements on nuclear deterrence and escalation on the Line of Control". "An aggressive Pakistan-centric doctrine and arrayed forces under a belligerent regime leading to possible strategic miscalculation by India will seriously impact the strategic stability in South Asia," he said. In a separate statement, the Foreign Office today said that the "familiar Indian tendency" of apportioning blame to Pakistan, without a shred of evidence, is "regrettable". "The Indian allegations are premature and inopportune, especially as India itself admits that the operation still continued and investigations had just started, when these comments were made," a Foreign Office spokesman said. "We have repeatedly seen India arrogating to itself the role of judge, jury and executioner. The reflex assignment of blame and smear campaigns, based on unfounded allegations, carry no credibility," he said, adding that the tone of Indian defence minister was "deplorable". "More deplorable is the threatening tone of the Indian comments that achieves nothing, but further vitiates the already tense environment marked by unprecedented ceasefire violations by India on the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary," he said. Burglary A resident of Saint John Court returned home to find the rear sliding door broken, and other signs that someone had broken into the home. The burglary was reported 4:36pm Feb. 7. A thief or thieves stole a rifle and a shotgun from a residence on Barrett Avenue. The crime was reported 12:42pm Feb. 8. A burglar or burglars broke into a building at Live Oak High School, 1505 E. Main Ave., broke a gate and a truck window, and vandalized the surveillance cameras. The incident was reported 5:22am Feb. 9. Accident, DUI The driver of a Honda Accord was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after colliding with a Toyota FourRunner near the intersection of East Dunne Avenue and Church Street. The accident and arrest were reported 6:12pm Feb. 7. Petty theft Two men were seen crawling into a clothing bin on Laurel Road, stealing the donated items inside. The theft was reported 8:07pm Feb. 7. Vandalism Someone shot pellets from a BB gun through the front window of a residence on La Mesa Court. The vandalism was reported 8:50pm Feb. 7. Narcotics complaint A witness reported the driver of a green Camaro was rolling a joint and smoking one while driving in the area of Butterfield Boulevard and East Dunne Avenue. The incident was reported 7:41am Feb. 8. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty. Information is compiled from public records. Egypt's military prosecution ordered on Tuesday the detention for 15 days of former head of the Egyptian Central Auditing Organization Hisham Geneina pending investigations into his claims that former military chief-of-staff Sami Anan possesses documents containing state secrets, state news agency MENA reported. Geneina was a leading figure in the short-lived election campaign for Anan before the military officer was barred from running in the March presidential elections. Anan was detained by authorities last month over accusations of committing a series of violations and crimes, including inciting against the military and forgery. Geneina was arrested on Tuesday at his home in a Cairo suburb, his lawyer Ali Taha told Ahram Online, one day after the Egyptian army said it would take legal action against the two men. In an interview with HuffPost Arabia published on Sunday, Geneina claimed that Anan possessed documents and evidence relating to major deadly incidents and "political crimes" since the 2011 revolution and following the 2013 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi that could implicate many Egyptian officials if they were made public. He said the documents were kept abroad and would surface if authorities tried to assassinate Anan. The army has responded by saying the matter would be referred to investigators to take the necessary legal action against both former officials and that it would "use all constitutional and legal powers to preserve national security." It added that Geneina's claims "amount to crimes and aim to raise doubts about the state and its institutions" at a time when the armed forces are waging a battle to uproot terrorism from the Sinai region. An hour after the army's statement, Anan's lawyer Nasser Amin distanced his client from Geneina's controversial remarks. In a statement on Facebook, he described Geneina's claims as "unfounded, untrue and bearing no relation to reality." The lawyer pledged to take legal action against anyone who has given or will give statements to the media "attributing any words or acts to Anan that would undermine [Anan's] legal status or expose him to the danger of legal or social liability." "Any statements not made by Sami Annan in person are attributed to their owners and do not in any way express him," he said. Anan was detained by authorities last month, a week after announcing his presidential bid. The army accused him of inciting against the military and breaking the law by running for office without its permission while still a reserve officer. Geneina was attacked and severely wounded two weeks ago while on his way to lodge an appeal against an electoral commission's decision to disqualify Anan from running in the presidential vote, scheduled for 26-28 March. He said in media interviews that Egyptian authorities were behind his assault. The interior ministry said at the time of the attack that Geneina hit a man with his car and that his doorman, wife and daughter assaulted what Geneina said were the attackers and tore off their clothes. Short link: 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. Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi met in Cairo on Tuesday with the director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Sergey Naryshkin, where they discussed security cooperation, the Egyptian presidency announced. El-Sisi and Naryshkin also discussed boosting security cooperation between Egypt and Russia, especially in the ongoing war on terrorism. They also discussed recent developments in the Middle East, exchanging views on ending the various conflicts in the region, with El-Sisi stressing Egypt's position of supporting political solutions and respecting the sovereignty of the states in the region and the unity of their territories. Naryshkin delivered greetings from Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying that Russia appreciates the great role played by Egypt in supporting peace and stability in the Middle East. The meeting was attended by the acting head of Egypts General intelligence Abbas Kamel. Short link: One of the most well-known songs of Mardi Gras is Iko-Iko, made popular after an impromptu jam session was caught on tape by songwriting greats Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. In 1965 New Orleans girl group The Dixie Cups were recording for Leiber & Stollers Red Bird Records in a New York studio. Theyd finished Chapel of Love and during a break the girls began singing a song theyd learned from their mother called Iko-Iko, a call and response chant of a Mardi Gras Indian tribe. Group member Barbara Hawkins said: We were just playing around with it during a session using drumsticks on ashtrays. We didnt realize Jerry and Mike had the tapes running. Leiber and Stoller later overdubbed bass and percussion along with the drumsticks on ashtrays, released it, and in 1965 it became the Dixie Cups final Top 40 record. Iko Iko by The Dixie Cups It turns out the song, originally titled Jock-a-Mo, was actually written in 1953 by James Sugar Boy Crawford. It tells of a parade collision between two tribes of Mardi Gras Indians. Theres a spy boy or spy dog (a lookout for one band of Indians) encountering the flag boy for another band. He threatens to set the flag on fire. Crawford told Offbeatmagazine in 2002: It came from two Indian chants that I put music to. Iko Iko was like a victory chant that the Indians would shout. Jock-A-Mo was a chant that was called when the Indians went into battle. I just put them together and made a song out of them. I was just trying to write a catchy song. When the Dixie Cups released the song in 1965, they didnt know the origins of it, only that theyd heard their mother sing it. So the original authorship credit went to the members, Barbara Ann Hawkins, her sister Rosa Lee Hawkins and their cousin Joan Marie Johnson. Crawford sued, claiming that Iko Iko was the same as his Jock-A-Mo, and in 1967 it was settled with him winning no claim to authorship but being credited 25% for public performance of Iko Iko in the United States. In the end he said, I dont even know if I really am getting my just dues. I just figure 50% of something is better than 100% of nothing. The song has since been covered by a diverse group of artists including Cyndi Lauper, Dave Matthews, Warren Zevon, Cowboy Mouth, and the Grateful Dead who made it a staple of their live shows from 1977 on. Its also been in over a half dozen movie soundtracks including Rain Man, The Hangover and Mission: Impossible II. Another iconic song for Fat Tuesday is Mardi Gras Mambo, written in 1953 by Frankie Adams and Lou Welsch, and originally recorded as a country song by Jodie Levens. In 1954 it was recorded by The Hawketts, a group of New Orleans teenagers that featured 17-year-old Art Neville (who later became the lead vocalist of The Meters before forming The Neville Brothers). The Hawketts version was released on Chess Records and became an R&B hit for them, and later recorded by greats like The Meters and Buckwheat Zydeco. Down in New Orleans where the blues was born, it takes a cool cat to blow a horn The Story Behind Mardi Gras Mambo and Iko Iko was originally run in Performing Songwriter by Lydia Hutchinson. Where you can get your Mardi Gras on in Dayton: A decision by the United States to continue to fund the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia will affect Turkey's decisions, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday, ahead of a visit this week by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Erdogan made the comment in a speech to members of his ruling AK Party in parliament. Short link: Best case scenario. Worst case scenario. Sarah Green talks about the human impacts of climate change and responding to those changes on local and global scales. Green, a professor in both the Department of Chemistry and the Great Lakes Research Center at Michigan Technological University, will present the Spring 2018 Distinguished Lecture at an upcoming session of the Michigan Tech Research Forum. Her lecture, "Expanding Spheres: Atoms to Earth, Local to Global, Science to Society," will take place this Thursday, February 15 in the Michigan Tech Memorial Union Ballroom at 4 p.m. All are welcome, including the general public. The Michigan Tech Research Forum was started to showcase the work of Michigan Tech researchers and to strengthen interactions within our community, says Adrienne Minerick, assistant to the provost for faculty development. This internal University presentation series includes two networking events each semester: one Distinguished Lecture and one TechTalks session. "Our previous recipients, Richelle Winkler, Simon Carn, and John Vucetich all crafted highly engaging lectures featuring the breadth of their published research, connecting it well with our region and our community," Minerick says. "We look forward to the insights shared by Sarah Green. Green joined the Department of Chemistry at Michigan Tech in 1994, serving as department chair from 2004 to 2013. She spent the next year at the US State Department as a Jefferson Science Fellow in the Bureau of East Asia-Pacific Affairs. She currently serves as co-chair for the Scientific Advisory Panel on the Sixth Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-6), United Nations Environment Programme. One of her regular collaborators, Mike Abbott, director of the Great Lakes Research Center Operations, nominated Green. Sarah has been part of several major climate-related/environmental monitoring efforts over the last 15 years," he says, "beginning with KITES, the very successful 2002 NSF-funded project that spawned nearly every other subsequent environmental monitoring effort in the upper Great Lakes. This work continues today with the Army Corps of Engineers, the Alliance for Coastal Technologies and NOAA's Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS). "We are linked to our environment by flows of atoms, and some of them are causing planet-wide changes. Chemical flows help visualize the big picture of climate change and the human impacts. The ultimate challenge in understanding how things work is to consider the whole Earth as a system of physical, biological and human processes." Sarah Green Seven questions with Sarah Green Q: You are an environmental chemist focused on global climateincluding climate communication, science-policy interface and the response of aquatic systems to climate change. How did you come to choose this path? Or, did it choose you? A: I have always wanted to understand how things work. My dad encouraged me to take things apart to figure them out. In college, I spent a few months replacing the engine in my car and saw how mechanical, electrical and chemical processes all join in a coherent system. Chemical reactions are themselves tiny systems that work when atoms and molecules line up in the right places with the right energies and electron arrangements to transform. My graduate work focused on carbon-containing molecules in the ocean, which led me toward what is now known as earth system science. The ultimate challenge to understanding how things work is to consider the whole Earth as a system of physical, biological and human processes. Q: What future opportunities exist with your research and communication efforts? A: I really like collaborating with people from diverse fields because I always learn new perspectives on the world, new tools to understand it and new connections between its parts. Q: What are the most important things you learned as a Jefferson Science Fellow and Scientific Advisory panel co-vicechair for the United Nations GEO6 Programme? Have these two experiences impacted and informed your research and teaching? Or vice-versa? A: My work with the State Department and with United Nations Environment has given me direct experience at the science-policy interface. Perhaps the most important aspect of policy is listening carefully to identify the key concerns of all players. My work with policy has also exposed me to a few of the many smart and dedicated people who are striving to improve the world. I have brought both experiences back to my teaching, especially in my Climate Science and Policy course. Q: What do you consider to be most urgent problem to be solved in regard to climate changeand why? A: Climate change is an enormously multifaceted problem. Many actions are urgent, so removing impediments to action may be the most critical starting point. Innumerable opportunities are emerging and many would flourish if obstacles were removed. But the urgency of action on multiple fronts also means that people who are working on many different subjects are all contributing to climate solutions. People can contribute by working on myriad fronts, including new energy systems, cultural change, modern materials, ecology, art, hydrology, communication, transportation systems, philosophy, chemistry and especially cross-disciplinary exchanges. Q: What is the best case scenario to slow or halt climate change effects? A: We have the technology to drastically slow global warming. The best case scenario is that we collectively commit to deploying that technology, and that we skillfully manage potential economic and social disruption that can result from such large scale changes. The faster we act, the better the chance of keeping global temperatures within tolerable limits. Q: What is the worst case scenario? A: The worst case scenarios are badand unpredictable. Humans have no experience with a climate warmer by 4 degrees Celsius than the one where civilization developed. Imagine taking the entire population of Earth to a new planet with unknown weather patterns, unknown ecology, new disease pathways and unpredictable crop yields. Q: How does your work inform practice and policy, and within that context, what efforts are most impactful for the rest of us who are concerned about climate change effects? A: I often feel like a translator between different branches of science: between science and engineering, between science and policy, between academics and other community members. It's hard to consider a systems view when you are focused on a specific problem. Incorporating other viewpoints helps people situate their work in a larger context. To make progress on climate action, first we need to talk about it in our families, social networks and communities. Next, we need to be sure decision-makers know that we are judging their actions based on long-term climate impacts. Michigan Technological University is a public research university, home to more than 7,000 students from 54 countries. Founded in 1885, the University offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, and social sciences. Our campus in Michigans Upper Peninsula overlooks the Keweenaw Waterway and is just a few miles from Lake Superior. British aid organisation Oxfam faced fresh pressure on Tuesday after a former senior member of staff said her concerns about "a culture of sexual abuse" involving aid workers in some the organisation's offices had been ignored. Helen Evans, who was in charge of investigating allegations against Oxfam staff members between 2012 and 2015, told Channel 4 television that abuse cases she had heard of included a woman who had been coerced to have sex in exchange for aid. Another involved an assault on a teenage volunteer by a staff member in a charity shop in Britain, she said. A survey of Oxfam staff in three countries including South Sudan showed around 10 percent of staff had been sexually assaulted and others had witnessed or experienced rape or attempted rape by colleagues, Evans said. Evans, who headed a "safeguarding" section responsible for protecting staff and the people Oxfam works with, spoke of frustration that her calls for more support for her team were not taken seriously enough. "I felt that our failure to adequately resource was putting people at risk," she said in an interview broadcast by Channel 4 late on Monday. "I struggle to understand why they didn't respond immediately to that call for additional resource." One of the best-known international NGOs, with aid programmes running across the globe, Oxfam is under threat of losing its British government funding over the sexual misconduct allegations. Asked about Evans's allegations, Oxfam said her work had spurred the organisation into taking concrete steps to improve the way it deals with "safeguarding" issues. "We regret that we did not act on Helen's concerns much quicker and with more resources," the statement said. "We have doubled the number of people to four in our dedicated safeguarding team and we are in the process of recruiting two extra staff." The deputy head of Oxfam resigned on Monday over what she said was the British charity's failure to adequately respond to past allegations of sexual misconduct by some of its staff in Haiti and Chad. The scandal is escalating into a broader crisis for Britain's aid sector by bolstering critics in the ruling Conservative Party who have argued that the government should reduce spending on aid in favour of domestic priorities. Aid minister Penny Mordaunt threatened on Sunday to withdraw government funding from Oxfam unless it gave the full facts about events in Haiti. After meeting Oxfam officials on Monday, Mordaunt said she had written to all British charities working overseas to demand that "they step up and do more, so that we have absolute assurance that the moral leadership, the systems, the culture and the transparency that are needed." Britain's Charity Commission launched a statutory inquiry on Monday, saying it had concerns that Oxfam "may not have fully and frankly disclosed material details about the allegations at the time in 2011, its handling of the incidents since, and the impact that these have both had on public trust and confidence". Short link: 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. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday warned foreign energy companies not to "overstep the mark" in the Mediterranean, after Turkey's warships blocked an Italian drilling vessel seeking to begin exploration for gas off Cyprus. The growing standoff between Turkey and Cyprus over exploiting energy resources in the eastern Mediterranean risks further complicating stalled efforts to reunify the island following the collapse of peace talks last year. "Don't think that we have ignored the opportunistic attempts to search for natural gas in Cyprus waters and Aegean coast," Erdogan said in a televised speech to his party in parliament. "We warn those overstepping the mark with miscalculations in Cyprus and the Aegean," Erdogan added. Italy's energy giant ENI said its ship had been ordered to stop by Turkish ships last week over "military activities in the destination area" as it was on course to start exploring in block 3 of Cyprus's exclusive economic zone. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the northern third of the island in response to a Greek military junta-sponsored coup. While Greek-majority Republic of Cyprus is internationally recognised, the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognised only by Ankara. Ankara and Cyprus have long argued over the eastern Mediterranean, and Turkey has been stringent in defending the claims of Turkish Cypriots for a share. Cyprus said on Thursday that exploratory drilling by Italy's ENI and France's Total had found gas reserves elsewhere off the island. But Erdogan warned foreign companies working with the Cyprus government that "they should not be exploited as tools for a work that exceeds their limits and strengths". He even compared Turkey's response over the issue to its military operations in northern Syria, which Turkey portrays as a fight against terror groups. "Like on our southern border with our 'Euphrates Shield', 'Olive Branch' operations, we are ruining those who make mistaken calculations and their scenarios." The European Union, where Cyprus is a member, has made clear it is keeping a close eye on Turkey's behaviour. EU President Donald Tusk on Monday spoke with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, urging Turkey on Twitter to "avoid threats or actions against any EU member". He added Turkey should "instead commit to good neighbourly relations, peaceful dispute settlement and respect for territorial sovereignty." Short link: Black History Month is a time for reflection on African-American contributions to our communities, and students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University got a chance to hear from a man who did just that underwater. Erik Denson studies African-American maritime history Denson helps lead a program called Diving With Purpose Wants to inspire students of color to live out their dreams On land, Erik Denson is working his dream job as NASAs chief electrical engineer and has worked with the agency for more than 20 years. But its his passion for diving that inspired him to spend time searching for others who opened the door for his own success. Denson, who takes pride in sharing his underwater findings, spoke to the Embry-Riddle students about his passion for using scuba diving to expose African-Americans to archaeological maritime. Denson focuses on African-American contributions in maritime history, and while he said it's dark history, they are stories that need to be brought to light. We want to preserve their legacy and keep their accolades and the things they have done, keep that going, Denson said. Denson is researching the Guerrero slave ship that sank off the coast of the Florida Keys while carrying more than 500 slaves, as well as the crash of a Tuskegee Airman's plane into Michigan's Lake Huron in 1944. Id like to open their eyes too to other opportunities that they may have not known existed for them. I would like to make sure that their story lives on forever, Denson said. Denson helps lead a program called "Diving With Purpose" and has spent a lot of time underwater. He and other divers have found artifacts displaying unique black history. Years ago somebody in my position, it was not available to people of color, so they paved the way. They opened the doors, and we have to take advantage of that and continue to open more doors for our young people, Denson said. Denson and his organization has documented more than 16 shipwrecks and said they still have much more work to do. It allows for it to be perceived from the historical prospective thats not someplace else like right here right off our own coast, said Kenneth Hunt, the director of diversity and inclusion at ERAU. Denson said hes hoping his purpose will push other students of color to live out their dreams. If they see someone of color like them, then theyll say hey, they can do that, too, Denson said. Denson said it will be expensive, but they plan to put up monuments where they found parts of the ship and the plane so everyone can see and remember that part of history. WALLINGFORD A Democrat has filed paperwork to challenge Republican state Rep. Craig Fishbein in the 90th District this fall. Dan Fontaine, of Wallingford, has filed to challenge Fishbein, who recently announced he will seek a second term. The 90th District covers parts of Wallingford and Cheshire. Fontaine is co-owner of a software development startup and received a doctorate in computer science from the University of Connecticut in 2016. He grew up in Enfield and has lived in Wallingford for five years. He and wife Kathryn have a daughter, Lily. Fontaine said he was compelled to run by Connecticuts decade-long economic stagnation and financial crisis. He believes the fiscal woes stem from the decision to have a two-tiered system with one set of rules for working people and small business, and a different set of rules for corporations, hedge funds and billionaires. I never imagined running for office, but the situation has gotten so bad that I felt somebody had to do something, Fontaine said. We have a political class that is either too corrupt or too afraid to stand up to the billionaire donors, the large corporations and the financial institutions that have come to dominate our lives, and working people pay the price every day. Both of our major parties are complicit. Fontaine added that he was energized to run by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders presidential campaign. He also volunteered as a canvasser for the Working Families Partly this past summer. I talked with Democrats, Republicans and Unaffiliated voters, and the disconnect between what most people wanted to see happen and what the politicians were actually doing was really quite striking, Fontaine said. Fontaine supports raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, paid family medical leave, and tuition-free public university. Fontaine contended that data shows, the rich aren't leaving Connecticut, and taxes in general are not a significant motivating factor for the migration of wealthy people. We have seen our businesses leave not for low tax states in the south, but rather for our higher tax neighbors who are investing in the future, Fontaine said. Fontaine was critical of Fishbeins first year as a state representative, saying he represents a brand of political extremism... attacking workers right, reproductive right, voting rights, the LGBTQ community, Medicare, education and teachers. Fishbein said Fontaines description of his record is not accurate. If he looked at my record, he would see that those things just aren't true, Fishbein said. Its quite obvious that (Fontaine) is following the socialist playbook of the Working Families Party, and I disagree with his unknowable positions. Fishbein was elected to his first term in November 2016, replacing longtime Democrat Mary Fritz, who died in July 2016. Fishbein also holds a seat on the Wallingford Town Council. mzabierek@record-journal.com 203-317-2279 Twitter: @MatthewZabierek Israel will face "more surprises" should it again attack Syrian territory, Damascus said on Tuesday, after Syria's air defences shot down an advanced Israeli warplane during the fiercest flare-up between the old foes in 36 years. The F-16 jet was hit over northern Israel on Saturday as it returned from a raid on a Syrian position blamed for launching an Iranian-made drone across the border. Iran is supporting President Bashar al-Assad in Syrias near seven-year civil war. "Have full confidence the aggressor will be greatly surprised, because it thought this war - this war of attrition Syria has been exposed to for years - had made it incapable of confronting attacks," Assistant Foreign Minister Ayman Sussan said. "God willing, they will see more surprises whenever they try to attack Syria," Sussan said during a Damascus news conference. The downed F-16 was the first warplane Israel has lost to enemy fire since its 1982 Lebanon war. Its two-man crew survived, with injuries, after bailing out of the stricken jet. Israel retaliated by destroying around half of Syria's anti-aircraft batteries, according to an initial assessment shared with Reuters by an Israeli official who requested anonymity. Israel has said it will press ahead with missions in Syria, where it has launched scores of sorties against suspected arms transfers to Iranian-sponsored Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas. "There are no limitations, and nor do we accept any limitations," Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman told reporters during a tour of Israel's border with Syria and Lebanon. "We will continue to defend our vital security and other interests. And I would like to paraphrase the well-known saying: 'This is not the time to bark, this is the time to bite.'" Tehrans involvement in Syria, including the deployment of Iran-backed forces near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, has alarmed Israel. It has also has accused Iran of building precision-guided missile factories for Hezbollah in Lebanon. Syria and Hezbollah celebrated the F-16 shoot-down as a blow to Israeli military superiority. Israel's Army Radio said on Tuesday that investigators believed pilot error - rather than Syrian capabilities - were mainly at fault for the F-16's failure to evade what was probably an aged SA-5 missile. Israeli military spokesman declined to comment on that report, saying the investigation was ongoing. Saturday's incident stirred up further questions in Israel about the effectiveness of a coordination mechanism set up with Russia, which has also been reinforcing and arming Assad's army. Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to the flare-up by urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid escalation in Syria. Moscow said on Monday it did not have information to support Israel's allegation about an Iranian military presence in the site bombed for launching the drone. Zeev Elkin, a Russian-speaking Israeli cabinet minister who serves as Netanyahu's interpreter in the talks with Putin, defended the coordination mechanism on Tuesday as granting Israel "freedom of action in the skies above Lebanon and Syria". "I don't think the Russians ever pledged that they would take military action against the Iranians and the Syrians for us," Elkin told Israel Radio. "We are going one-on-one against the Syrians. We don't need assistance from the Russians. We know how to deal with Syrian anti-aircraft fire, as everyone ultimately saw." Short link: The U.S. Exim Bank plans to extend Iraq a $3 billion credit line to help rebuild the country after the war with Islamic State, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Tuesday in Kuwait. "To signal its strong commitments, the Exim Bank and Iraq's Ministry of Finance will sign today a 3 billion-dollar memorandum of understanding that will set a stage for future cooperation," he told a conference on Iraq's reconstruction in Kuwait. Short link: Ethiopia released a senior opposition leader on Tuesday, more than two years after he was detained during mass protests over land rights, a member of his party said. Bekele Gerba, secretary general of the Oromo Federalist Congress, was arrested in December 2015 after mass protests broke out in the Oromiya region over accusations of land grabbing and political marginalisation. More protests have hit the region this week. Short link: Drain the Oceans dives deep into the unknown; a truly epic, truly original series that exposes hidden evidence of the most amazing undersea mysteries, as never seen before. The first episode is the Great Barrier Reef. Thursdays from 9:30pm AEST. Police investigating an incident in Britain's parliament on Tuesday were dealing with a suspect package, news website MailOnline said, citing witnesses. Earlier, a spokesperson for the lower house of the legislature said police were investigating an incident but provided no further details. Short link: The United States on Tuesday described Myanmar denials of ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims as "preposterous" as it called on the UN Security Council to hold the military accountable and pressure leader Aung San Suu Kyi "to acknowledge these horrific acts that are taking place in her country." "Powerful forces in the Burmese government have denied the ethnic cleansing in Rakhine State," US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told the Security Council. "To make sure no one contradicts their preposterous denials, they are preventing access to Rakhine to anyone or any organization that might bear witness to their atrocities, including the UN Security Council," Haley said. French UN Ambassador Francois Delattre also told the Security council that a massacre of Rohingya Muslims reported by Reuters could "constitute crimes against humanity." However, any push for UN Security Council action is likely to face resistance from council veto powers Russia and China, who both said on Tuesday the situation in Rakhine state was stable and under control. "Using labels and attempts to use contradictory and subjective reports of the media ... to find out who's guilty and condemn them only move us farther away from a solution," Russia's Deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy warned. Nearly 690,000 Rohingya have fled Rakhine state and crossed into southern Bangladesh since last August, when attacks on security posts by insurgents triggered a military crackdown that the United Nations has said may amount to genocide. "Conditions are not yet conducive to the voluntary repatriation of Rohingya refugees," UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi told the Security Council. Calls For Journalists Release Myanmar has denied that ethnic cleansing has taken place. Myanmar told the UN Security Council not to visit during February because it was "not the right time," Kuwait's U.N. Ambassador Mansour Ayyad Al-Otaibi said this month. However, Myanmar UN Ambassador Hau Do Suan said that some other diplomats had been able to travel to Rakhine state. The Reuters special report, published last week, lays out events leading up to the killing of 10 Rohingya men from Inn Din village in Rakhine state who were buried in a mass grave after being hacked to death or shot by Buddhist neighbors and soldiers. Myanmar's Hau Do Suan said that an inquiry by the Myanmar military, known as the Tatmadaw, had found that 10 Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army militants had been arrested in Inn Din and executed and buried a day later. "Actions are being taken against 16 individuals, including army and police officers and some villagers who had acted in violation of standard operating procedures and the rules of engagement. This action of the Tatmadaw is positive step forward in taking responsibility and deserves encouragement," he said. With reference to Reuters journalists arrested for reporting on the Rohingya, Hau Do Suan said Myanmar recognizes freedom of the press and the journalists were not arrested in December for reporting a story, but were accused of "illegally possessing confidential government documents." "Every citizen is bound by the existing law of the land. It is important that the actions of the journalists must also within the bound of the law," he said. Britain, France, the United States, the Netherlands and Kazakhstan all called for the release of the Reuters journalists during the Security Council meeting on Tuesday. Short link: By IANS SRINAGAR: The over 20-hour-long gunfight between holed up militants and the security forces continued in Srinagar on Tuesday as fresh firing exchanges started. Two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants are holed up inside an under-construction building in Karan Nagar area since Monday after they were forced to withdraw and later trapped inside the building following their failed terror bid on a CRPF camp. The militants had entered this building after an alert sentry at the observation post of 23 battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) spotted them and fired. #JammuAndKashmir: Encounter at CRPF camp in Srinagar's Karan Nagar continues for second day. The intermittent firing was reported through the night. (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/e84lfp95iz ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2018 One CRPF trooper was killed during the gunfight while a constable of the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police was injured. Immediately after the shoot-out, J&K polices Special Operations Group (SOG) and CRPF commandos were rushed to the spot to take on the militants and flush them out from the building. #WATCH J&K: Encounter underway between security forces and terrorists in Srinagar's Karan Nagar (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/sECH5chjMJ ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2018 The security personnel also laid siege around the area to prevent militants from escaping. The locals were also evacuated from the area. The intermittent gunfire and explosions rattled the area throughout the day. The deceased CRPF jawan was identified as Mujahid Khan of 49 Bn. On the other hand, another fresh attack was averted on Tuesday by alert guards at the entrance of an army camp in Jammu. Jammu & Kashmir: Security forces conduct search operation in Jammu's Raipur Domana area; More details awaited (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/SeEfR7w1XH ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2018 Two motorcycle-borne militants approached the entry point of the army camp in Domana area around 4.30 a.m. They fired towards the sentry post. As the guards retaliated the terrorists were forced to flee, informed sources in the police said. "A search operation is now underway to trace the militants," they said. The attacks come close on the heels of another audacious attack at the Sunjuwan army camp in Jammu on Saturday in which a group of three heavily armed Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militants entered the camp killing five soldiers and a civilian. Three attackers were also killed in the process, while eleven others were injured too. (With Inputs from ENS) A set of 124 artefacts from the treasured collections of the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) in Cairo's Bab Al-Khalq neighborhood and the Textile Museum on Al-Muizz Street have been curated and packed for transfer to the Sohag National Museum for exhibition, according to Elham Salah, head of the museums sector at Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities. The new museum, which is set to open soon, will display the artefacts in an exhibit that reflects the unique history of Sohag, according to Salah. Among the 108 artefacts curated from the MIA are a clay pot with handles and small base, a collection of jars and painted clay lamps of different shapes and sizes. Also selected were collection of wooden paintings and canvases with scenes that depict a woman standing inside a domed doorway and a man on the banks of the Nile. A small Persian manuscript relating the folkloric love story of Qays ibn Al-Mulawah and Layla in the 7th century Arabia, known as Layla and Majnun (Leila and the mad one), is also among the selected objects. The manuscript features 18 coloured illustrations. The 16 artefacts chosen from the Textile Museum include pieces of fabric decorated with faience ceramic beads, remains of children's linen robes and a rectangular piece of a Kiswa, the cloth draped over the Kaaba in Mecca. The Sohag National Museum was launched in 1983 but has not yet been completed due to disagreements over interior design and exhibits, as well as budget difficulties after the 25 January revolution. Work resumed on the museum in early 2017. Salah told Ahram Online that the exhibit includes artefacts that had been unearthed in different sites near Sohag. It would also display pieces that represent the traditions, customs, industry and handicrafts of the area's inhabitants, such as their traditional costumes and jewellery. The concept of the museum is no longer dependent on placing artefacts next to each other to illustrate ancient Egyptian civilisation, Salah said. This is a new philosophy that the Ministry of Antiquities is adopting in order to turn the countrys regional museums into more educational, cultural and productive institutions, Salah asserted. She added that instead, the aim now is to provide a broader educational service to visitors and raise archaeological awareness and loyalty towards Egypt by showing visitors about how their ancestors built such a great civilisation through scenes of daily life and culture. Egypts regional museums have sometimes not fulfilled their true potential because they have often displayed objects without a thematic storyline, she pointed out, resulting in less than a fair share of visitors. Every regional museum should reflect the city or town in which it is located, Salah said, explaining that in the Sohag Museum, for example, the exhibition design provided clear information about the history of Sohag, Abydos and Akhmim, as well as the role played by local historical rulers in building Egyptian civilisation. Short link: Fayaz Wani By Express News Service SRINAGAR: Army on Tuesday called off combing and search operation in 36 Brigade military station in Sunjwan, Jammu, four days after Jaish-e-Mohammad fidayeen stormed the heavily fortified camp. The death toll in the fidayeen attack rose to 10 with the recovery of body of a soldier from the camp. Defence spokesman Lt Colonel Devender Anand told New Indian Express that the combing and search operation in the Sunjwan army camp was called off today. He said the clearance operation took time because the camp was spread over many acres of land and there were over 200 residential quarters. Anand said during the clearance operation, army men recovered bullet-ridden body of a soldier from the residential quarter yesterday evening. The deceased soldier was identified as Havaldar Rakesh Chandra of 6 Mahar R/o Sankar, Paurigarwal in Uttarakhand. ALSO READ: 28-hr-long gunfight in Srinagar ends, 2 LeT militants killed The defence spokesman said the soldier might have been killed in the gunfight on the second day of fidayeen attack on Sunday. The third militant was killed on Sunday and since then army men were conducting searches and sanitisation operation. With the recovery of body of the jawan, the death toll in the fidayeen attack on army camp rose to 10. Among the dead include six soldiers, a civilian and three militants. At least 11 people including two officers were also injured in the gunfight. One the officer was hit by bullet in army but he is stable now in army hospital in Jammu. The heavily fortified army camp was stormed by three fidayeen of Afzal Guru Squad of Jaish-e-Mohammad on Saturday morning. After forcing their entry into the camp from the rear side, the militants had split and forced their entry into the residential quarters, where the soldiers and officers and their families were living. The Armys Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs), para-commandos and specially trained commandos rushed to the spot from Udhampur and Himachal Pradesh had battled the militants for two days, killing all the three attackers. Meanwhile, police and army launched combing operation in Domana area of Jammu after some suspected persons were seen roaming around the military camp on Jammu-Poonch highway. Sources said the army men manning the posts at the main gate of the army camp in Domana fired some rounds in air after observing some suspicious movement. They said immediately army and police men launched combing and search operation in the area and adjoining areas. The security personnel conducted thorough searches. However, no contact was established with the militants. Later the operation was called off, sources said. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu, S D Singh Jamwal told New Indian Express that nothing has come out. It might have been a speculative fire by the army men, he said. The army and police are on high alert in Jammu after the Saturdays fidayeen attack on army camp at Sunjwan. By PTI NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Tuesday posed whether the government was not entitled to seek proof of identity from citizens if their entitlement to certain benefits were dependent upon their identities. A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra also said that idea behind the Aadhaar scheme could be the reason that people should have one ID card. "If your entitlement depends on who you are, then can the government not require proof on that count? Is it not a reasonable condition," a bench, which also comprised Justices A K Sikri, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan, asked. The bench, hearing pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar scheme and the enabling 2016 law, said, "even if entitlement is beyond dispute, there has to be minimal way of proving who you are". "A condition is unconstitutional if it requires you to relinquish a constitutional right," the bench said. ALSO READ: Denied entry into Gurgaon hospital over Aadhaar, woman delivers baby outside The observations came after it was argued that the primary status of a person is that of a citizen and not an Aadhaar card holder. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the West Bengal government, said the proof of identity has to be linked with the status of the person which entitles him or her for the benefit and moreover, the citizens must have the choice to prove their identity. He then referred to the example of a woman entitled for widow pension, and said it was her status which enabled her to get the benefit and not the identity, and the State cannot insist that the identity has to be proved through Aadhaar only. "I can have different ways of proving my identity as a citizen. There are various ways of establishing identity. Aadhaar does not establish my status," Sibal said, adding that the biggest identity is the identity as the citizens. ALSO READ: Aadhaar Act gives right to information to the state, says Kapil Sibal On the issue of some people having multiple passports and ration cards, the senior advocate said there were laws to deal with law-breakers and it does not mean that the State will make a statute having unconstitutional provisions to deal with law abiding citizens. Sibal termed the Aadhaar case as "the most important case since independence" as it would decide the future course to be adopted by the nation. ALSO READ: Aadhaar flaw- LIC agent alleges human rights violation in Kerala "The judgement in this case will decide the course that this country takes. Will we live in a country where there is choice - or do we live in a country where the State is the arbiter of choice," he said, adding that what the court will decide would relate to "me, my children, my grand children and their unborn children". At the outset, the senior lawyer said in most secured countries, the government takes the citizens' information for 10 years only and then all database are deleted. And this data is used for limited purposes. Terming information as the most important aspect, he said that firms, involved with IT, were creating more wealth than traditional companies and gave illustrations of Tripadvisor, Alibaba, Uber, WhatsApp and other websites. ALSO READ: Possibility of misuse cannot lead to terming Aadhaar unconstitutional, says Supreme Court Referring to various provisions of the Aadhaar Act, he said that architecture of the law was "unconstitutional" and submitted that the nine-judge bench's privacy judgement had laid down that "the identity of a person cannot be made a public identity and the identity details cannot be centralised". "Our fundamental identity is that we are the citizen of India," he said and added that the Aadhaar law presumed a "person to be criminal until he is proved innocent". He said that there was no difficulty in connecting identity to status, but the primary status of a person is that of a citizen and not as an Aadhaar card holder. Referring to the doctrine of "unconstitutional conditions", Sibal said the State cannot make a benefit or privilege conditional upon an individual giving up his or her other rights including fundamental ones. Highlighting the impact of the Aadhaar scheme, he said the members of the society cannot surrender the rights on behalf of future members which are yet to come to the world. The CJI summed up the submission of Sibal saying that "you cannot be asked to barter or surrender one fundamental right in order to have access to another". ALSO READ: How data collection by State under Aadhaar scheme different from voluntary sharing, asks SC After Sibal concluded his submissions, another senior lawyer Gopal Subramanium began his arguments saying the Aadhaar scheme infringed dignity, freedom and equality and turns a person into a digital entity. The hearing will resume on February 15. Earlier, the court had said that issues like denial of benefits to citizens for either want of Aadhaar or due to its non-authentication may not be a ground for holding the law as "unconstitutional". The apex court had on December 15 last year extended till March 31 the deadline for mandatory linking of Aadhaar with various services and welfare schemes of all ministries and departments of the Centre, states and Union territories. By PTI KALABURAGI, KARNATAKA: Congress president Rahul Gandhi today accused RSS of trying to "capture" every institution and charged that NDA ministers were not operating independently as the Sangh Parivar outfit's men were planted in each ministry. He also said the idea of demonetisation was given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by a "particular ideologue" of the RSS. "In every single Ministry in India, at the national level there is an OSD from RSS working with the Minister...In every Ministry in India there is a man from RSS who works with the Minister. The Minister is not operating on his own," he said. Interacting with professionals and the business community at the end of his four-day campaign in poll-bound Karnataka, he said the ministers were being guided by RSS on what to do. "The approach is of capture, the approach is here is an institution and let us capture it; as opposed to allowing an institution to serve the people of India and allowing the people of India to capture the institution," Gandhi said. ALSO READ: Unlike Armys six months, RSS can assemble an army in three days to get ready for war, says chief Bhagwat; RJD seeks apology "This is the fundamental conflict we have with BJP. Their idea is wherever they go they plant people with their ideology into that organisation," he said. The Congress' idea is to "democratise" institutions while BJP believes in "bureaucratising" the institutions, he said. Gandhi, who has been highly critical of the note ban, said the demonetisation idea originated from an RSS ideologue who had placed the idea into the Prime Minister's mind. "Do you know where the idea of note bandi (note ban) came from? Do you know who gave the idea of note bandi to the Prime Minister of India" It was not RBI, it was not Arun Jaitley (Finance Minister), it was not an officer in the Finance Ministry," Gandhi said. "It was a particular ideologue of the RSS. Now you imagine the RSS places an idea into the Prime Minister's mind and the Prime Minister launches that idea." ALSO READ: GST, demonetisation not the only achievements of our government, says PM Narendra Modi Gandhi said even a child would say it was not a good idea to "destroy" Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes that allowed corrupt to convert their black money into white.But BJP and RSS who think only they know everything were taking such "disastrous decisions." Gandhi, who has been targeting the Modi government on GST and termed it "Gabbar Singh Tax", said if his party was voted to power at the Centre, it would reform the current GST and simplify it by trying to make it a single-slab tax and cap it at a "decent" level. He said that a "huge amount" of confusion related to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) would also be removed. ALSO READ: Congress slams BJP in new video after PM's jibe at Renuka Chowdhury's laughter As he wrapped up his "Janarshirvad Yatra" in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region, Gandhi told reporters that there was a "good atmosphere" for his party in the state. The Hyderabad-Karnataka region comprises the districts of Bidar, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari and Kalaburagi, which formed part of the Nizam ruled Hyderabad state till 1948. "It was a good visit. I have met lakhs of people, had good interactions. There is a good atmosphere for Congress party," he said. The ruling Congress is seeking to retain power in Karnataka, where Assembly polls are due early this year, while BJP is eyeing to wrest from it the only southern state the saffron party has ever ruled. The Congress had unseated BJP in Karnataka in 2013. Gandhi also visited 'Anubhava Mantapa' at Basavakalyan in Bidar district, akin to Parliament, started by 12 century social reformer Basavanna, whose followers Lingayats/Veerashaivas, who form the majority community in Karnataka. Earlier, when asked about questions being raised on his temple visits and BJP calling him "election Hindu", the Congress leader said "I don't know. You have to ask them, you have to ask BJP." By IANS NEW DELHI: NCP chief Sharad Pawar has again mooted the idea of a coalition of "like-minded" parties to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the 2019 general elections. In an interview with The Wire, the veteran politician said the current mood in the country particularly of farmers and middle class and even youth was "against" Prime Minister Modi who has "failed to provide jobs to the youth". "As of today, Modi has a comfortable position in Parliament, his party is in power in many states. But the situation emerging is there is a big change in the mood of the farming community, the middle class, minorities, even youth. ALSO READ: CPM draft resolution rules out alliance with Congress "The Modi government talks about giving employment, but as (P.) Chidambaram showed in Parliament, there are lakhs of government job vacancies in both Centre and states. Naturally, young people are unhappy with this government, they want a viable alternative and if we succeed to provide and create confidence among this section, then we have a good chance," Pawar said. Asked if it was possible because similar previous attempts in the recent past had failed, he sounded optimistic but said it was for other parties also to take the initiative and not leave it to the NCP only. "Something similar happened in 2004. (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee was the most popular Prime Minister at the time, though he was not happy with the way things were going But who would have believed Manmohan Singh would become Prime Minister? I believe if like-minded forces come together and work, I will not be surprised if we collectively form the government." He said he was certain yet about the idea but "I can't do it alone, it has to be decided collectively". Pawar made a similar attempt recently by personally inviting party leaders from the Congress, Trinamool Congress, CPI, CPI-M, National Conference, Samajwadi Party to attend the "Save the Constitution" march in Mumbai on January 26. He later invited party leaders to another meeting at his residence in Delhi where, he said, it was suggested that since Sonia Gandhi was still head of the UPA, she should take the initiative. Gandhi invited 16-17 parties for a meeting in Delhi and all of them attended. "We discussed the national situation and the failures of the Modi government but there was no definite understanding nor did we come to any conclusion that we should contest the election together." Asked how did he feel since Modi has threatened to throw every corrupt politician into prison "in a bid to break prospective alliances", Pawar said: "Modi is a vindictive politician. In my many years in public life, I have seen people don't like vindictive politics. "When Morarjibhai was Prime Minister and he got Indira Gandhi arrested and sent her to prison, it changed the people's mood against his government, even though the Janata Party had a comfortable majority. That one action changed its political destiny." About accepting Congress President Rahul Gandhi, whom he had once called immature, as a joint Prime Ministerial candidate, Pawar skirted a direct reply and said: "Where's the question of taking names, I have not discussed this with anyone as yet. Unless and until we reach an understanding, then only will a name emerge for leadership." Anuraag Singh By Express News Service BHOPAL: A day after Congress national president Rahul Gandhi slammed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for disrespectful statements against Indian Army, BJP leader and union minister Uma Bharti reminded Gandhi on Tuesday on how RSS swayamsevaks (workers) on the call of then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru went to Jammu and Kashmir at the time of attack by Pakistani forces in 1948-49. During the period 1948-49, then Kashmir ruler Maharaja Hari Singh was not willing to sign the document to be part of India for maintaining autonomy of his province, but Sheikh Abdullah wanted to end the rule of regency, said Bharti while talking to journalists in Bhopal on Tuesday. ALSO READ: RSS men planted in each ministry; demonetisation idea originated from Sangh idealogue, says Rahul Gandhi It was then only that Pakistan attacked India and its forces reached up to Udhampur in Jammu. As the Indian Army was not that hi-tech that it could reach the battleground promptly, Pandit Nehru wrote a letter to then RSS chief Guru Golwalkar, seeking assistance of RSS swayamsevaks in J&K. It was after that the RSS swayamsevaks rushed to Jammu and Kashmir for assistance, she added. Not willing to comment on the present RSS chief Mohan Bhagwats statements that have triggered a political controversy, Bharti said that whatever statements are issued by the RSS chief, comments or explanatory statements on it come from within the Sangh only. We cannot comment on the RSS chiefs statements as he is the head of our family. She added that for joining the RSS no one has to fill any form, but its the spirit of unflinching commitment for nation alone which drives people to join the RSS. Owing to this every RSS worker embodies the spirit of sacrificing life for the nation. ALSO READ: Keep Army out of politics, says Shashi Tharoor on RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's remark Maintaining that there could be no double standards on freedom of expression, the union minister said when stones are pelted on our soldiers, FIR is lodged against Army officers for performing their national duties and the Army is accused by people on JNU campus of raping women, then it doesnt amount to disrespect to the Indian Army. But when statements are made about RSS swayamsevaks ready to sacrifice their lives for the nation, then it becomes an insult to Indian Army. Bharti added that everyone in the country, including the RSS chief has right to freedom of speech and expression. The right is not reserved for a just a few. On Sunday, the RSS chief had stirred a row by saying in Bihars Muzzafarpur town that if situation arises and the Constitution permits, the Indian Army would take six months to prepare the society, whereas the Sangh swayamsevaks, despite not being from a military organization, but being disciplined cadres, they can be trained in just three days. The Congress national president had subsequently tweeted that RSS chiefs speech is an insult to every Indian, because it disrespects those who have died for the nation. Its an insult to our national flag, as it insult every soldier who ever saluted it. Shame on you Mr Bhagwat for disrespecting our martyrs and our Army, Gandhi had tweeted. Turn a blind eye to the nuclear threat that he embarked on; brush aside his bombing of the Syrian airport, an intentional act to terrorise anyone who goes against him; and disregard his irrational resolution to move the US embassy to Jerusalem. Now, focus on his words. President Trumps rhetoric is erratic, bizarre, and with severe ramifications. He flabbergasts the world with ear-splitting, politically incorrect, distasteful arrogance, leaving everyone baffled at the gross indiscretion and unable to fathom the lack in decorum. In fact, any article on the issue becomes outdated instantly since soon afterwards, President Trump unleashes further warped outbursts especially on his Twitter feed. Hence, I dont intend to refer to specifics, first to maintain my sanity, and second to avoid becoming outdated. By being the US leader, President Trump is vigilantly listened to by Americans as well as the world at large, and yet he may have succeeded in lowering ethical standards across the globe. The notion of diplomacy, the art of dealing with people in a sensitive and tactful way, doesnt mean much to the US president. His voracious appetite for slandering and insulting those who dont see eye to eye with him had him chastise many, from presidential candidates to presidents, from White House staff to chief strategists and advisors, and from actors and actresses to journalists and broadcasters. Furthermore, he has badmouthed refugees, Mexicans, Muslims, Haitians, asylum seekers, and the physically challenged. More importantly, he doesnt seem to care if he offends; rather, he says, The US is so politically correct, we are afraid to do anything. We need to examine the repercussions of this blunt but provocative, and often unethical, discourse that President Trump releases upon us. How will Trumps era be remembered and what footprints will he leave on how we communicate with one another? Some would tell you that Trumps rhetoric didnt emerge out of the blue; that he speaks like an average American. Jennifer Sciafani, a linguist at Georgetown University, says President Trump is a unique politician because he doesnt speak like one, but he speaks like everybody else. I doubt everybody else speaks that way, but she continues: Were used to hearing somebody speak who sounds much more educated, much smarter, much more refined than your everyday American. President Trumps discourse misleads the American citizen into believing that the US is above the rest of the world, that white pride is supreme, and that bullying pays. Misogynistic, racial, and offensive slurs are supposedly challenged; but are they if uttered by a president? Are they bygones or, even more damaging, exploited as the norm and repeated by the press and ordinary Americans? I visualise average Americans, from now onwards, communicating with others disdainfully having been given a carte blanche to speak as they so please. At first, the presidents rhetoric may have shocked some Americans, but not anymore. Republican Mark Sanford tells The Washington Post: Ive talked to a number of people They say, Well, look, if the president can say whatever, why I cant say whatever? Hes given them license. This attitude has encouraged US officials to speak in a similar fashion. Clearly Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, takes a lead from President Trump. At AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, an emboldened Haley says: I wear heels. Its not for a fashion statement. It's because if I see something wrong, we're going to kick them every single time. Ahead of the vote on Jerusalem, she threatened that the US is taking down names. Also, in a letter to dozens of UN states, she warned the countries that publicly dared to criticise the US. In an ordinary setting, this would be considered blackmail. In The American Interest, James Willick says that civilisation rests on a certain set of social norms, more powerful than laws in shaping behaviour. If everyone made all of their private opinions public, many of our institutions would work less well. I agree. It is a given that people dont like to be offended or ridiculed. The consequences are confirmed by Pew Research Centre studies. In an examination of public opinion in 37 foreign nations, only a median of just 22 percent has confidence in the American presidents handling of international affairs, down from 64 percent at the end of Barack Obamas tenure. We cannot deny that not only his decisions but also his rhetoric created this rift. Obviously, the USs global standing is at stake here. If nations and leaders perceive President Trump with doubt, and if they find his rhetoric alarming, will they go other ways and shirk the US altogether? In 1960 at the UN, when Nikita Khrushchevs lost his temper and pounded his shoe on the table, the world stood still. Today, when childish bullying spews between presidents, no one blinks. The brawl between President Trump and Korean President Kim Jong Un sunk to unthinkable levels as bizarre insults ensued; not only did it demolish political correctness but almost headed the world to nuclear war. Will this become the way presidents speak to one another? Besides, some may find Trump entertaining even if outrageous. Will leaders aim to be similarly outrageous if amusing? When the White House asked the Guggenheim Museum to borrow a Van Gogh painting, it refused but offered to send a golden toilet, which according to Jen Kirby of Vox, screams Trump. And as cartoons, jokes, and satire continue on Saturday Night Live and other media venues, will the notion of respect towards presidents disappear? President Trump flaunts words such as stupid, loser, moron, zero, weak, crooked and **shole; these are the less repugnant words the examples we can repost here. While Katherine Martin, a lexicographer at the Oxford English Dictionary, worries that, Its not merely that were adopting his words, were adopting his manner of communication And yet Trump admires his own lexis. I know words, he said. I have the best words, but there is no better word than stupid. Right? The world has endured over a year of President Trump; we will have to endure a few more years. Will we return to normalcy then? I doubt it. The writer is an academic, political analyst, and author of Cairo Rewind: The First Two Years of Egypt's Revolution, 2011-2013. Short link: It isnt enough to use so-called less destructive conventional weapons in unjust wars that decimate hundreds of thousands, as took place in Afghanistan and Iraq and is happening in Syria? It isnt enough to wash your hands of your responsibilities towards the worlds security, safety and environment, dispensing with any concern for future generations? It isnt enough to make Palestinians starve and withhold limited aid, which was spent on food and education for some of their children? It isnt enough to grant the occupier bonds of protection to do whatever he pleases in the occupied lands? It isnt enough to grant lands, history and holy sites to a usurping force? It isnt enough to threaten to cut assistance to whoever was bold enough to criticise an obnoxious American stand in the UN? It isnt enough that Guantanamo, the worst prison in the world, not merely continues to exist but will be expanded to host new inmates described by American circles as terrorists? All this is the result of but one year of Trumps term. At the beginning of a new year, Trump promised to drive the world towards nuclear war. In order to make it palatable to general ears, new bombs will become smaller, and can be fittingly described as "tactical nuclear weapons" that can be used on a limited geographical scale without violating the treaties concerned with nuclear arms reduction and their elimination. There is a change in the American military creed on nuclear weapons that allows for the manufacture of a new category of nuclear bomb to face "limited threats" and distant enemies who dont constitute a threat to the United States itself. It can be considered a dangerous development for the worlds peace and security, and even its existence and survival, especially that these new bombs will be deployed via nuclear submarines. Thus, they will be free from being based on American territories, or allied territories. Roaming submarines can reach any spot around the world. The result is that the entire world will be threatened. The American military creed's justifications for starting on this destructive project relate to what the neoconservative American current views as a Russian threat. Washington's strategic planners believe that the Russians might use similar bombs to control Europe or defeat NATO member states. The same planners didnt forget to allude to Chinese threats that should be deterred through the same means. These justifications arent convincing enough regarding the existence of a strategic threat to the US. The Russians have not listed the US as a direct threat; the expansion of NATO eastwards is understood as the most direct danger. One can notice the US deems that it alone possesses the right to develop its weapons arsenal, whether conventional or post-conventional arms, and denies this same right to other countries. Whenever a country resorts to developing its military capability it is described as a threat to the US and calls are issued for a nuclear response. Such logic isnt new to the US, but it reflects a higher degree stand of an offensive nature that transcends one or two sources of threat, and is directed to the whole world. Raising the slogan "America First" is a living embodiment of the policy of attacking others and working on putting all inside the American kennel. The use of nuclear arms is restricted by high level treaties, conventions and international obligations. Throughout the post-World War II period, nuclear arms were viewed as deterrent and preventive weapons, not made to be actually used. Now such commitments are facing serious pressure, for the Americans are promising to use such bombs on a geographically restricted scale. US planners are ignoring, however, the deadly consequences resulting from using nuclear weapons, that will not stop at defined geographical areas. Radioactive material easily moves east or west, north or south, due to the wind movements. The deadly results of even tactical use can spread over wide areas, including countries and societies that have nothing to do with those conflicts in which the US will launch tactical nulcear weapons. The US has raised its military budget to more than $700 billion, from which $20 billion will be allocated to developing tactical nuclear weapons along with launching devices, whether ballistic missiles, long-range aircrafts or submarines. Hence, we are facing the revival of traditions of military conflict, which one day will be pushing to actually use those weapons. Such policies do not concern the US only, but rather the whole world. Confronting and exposing them is the responsibility of all countries without discrimination. While the US has the right to defend its own interests, this is on condition that the same wont constitute an existential threat to humanity itself. Consequently, the entire world is asked to defend its existence and survival, not only through verbal objections and condemnations, but through an effective collective move. We know that both China and Russia have the scientific and industrial capability to keep up with the US in manufacturing such kinds of tactical nuclear bombs weapons. But the rest of the world, including the industrially-advanced countries in Europe and elsewhere, dont want to enter this destructive race. Thus, forming a political and security movement is the only way to isolate America and to drive it to reconsider its new supercilious populist options, which represent a danger to America itself as well as humanity as a whole. The writer is a political commentator. Short link: On the second day of her visit to Indonesia, Queen Maxima of The Netherlands attended meetings with government authorities and financial institutions. The Queen then had a talk with President Widodo of Indonesia about financial services and strategies to be developed. Queen Maxima finished her Indonesia visit with a round table meeting held with continuous development partners, that is, World Bank and IMF. Queen Maxima has performed duty as the UN Secretary-Generals Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA) since 2009. Bystanders in Braga Park administer CPR to stranger in cardiac arrest "Most certainly he would not have survived without the bystanders. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Mostly sunny early then increasing clouds with some scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 88F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 59F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. New Delhi: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) will send three large ships carrying crude oil beginning April to fill half of the 1.5 million tonnes strategic oil reserves India has built at Mangalore. Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said ADNOC last week signed an agreement to use half of the underground storages built at Mangalore as part of the emergency stockpile. ADNOC has indicated its oil consignments for next two months are booked and it would start filling the Mangalore storage it has taken from April, he said. It would take three very large crude carriers (VLCCs) to fill 5.86 million barrels or 0.75 million tonnes of space it has taken in Mangalore. The storage would be filled by May, he said. ADNOC had last year given up its crude storage lease in South Korea and instead agreed to store oil at Mangalore in a bid to establish a ground presence in world's third-largest oil consuming nation. Out of the crude stored, a part would be used for commercial purposes by ADNOC, while a major part would be purely for strategic purposes. Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd (ISPRL) has built around 39 million barrels (5.33 million tonnes) of strategic crude oil storage at three locations -- Padur and Mangalore on the western coast and Visakhapatnam on the eastern coast. The oil stored in the underground rock caverns at the three locations are to be used in an emergency. "India currently has storages that can meet the requirement for 66 days. The strategic storages can meet the requirement of 10 more days," Pradhan said. The Visakhapatnam facility can meet two-and-half days need while Mangalore can meet 2.8 days requirement. Padur can meet 4.7 days requirement, he said. The Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) at Mangalore consists of two compartments with a total storage capacity of 1.5 million tonnes (11 million barrels), he said. While one compartment has been filled with crude oil through funds made available by the government, the other compartment will be filled by crude supplied by ADNOC, he said. India imports over 80 percent of its crude oil needs, out of which about 8 percent is supplied by the UAE. ADNOC hired the Mangalore storage just as it ended a contract to store 6 million barrels of crude oil at Korea National Oil Corp's Yeosu facility in the country's southwest coast. South Korea had first right over the oil in the event of a supply emergency. While the Vishakhapatnam storage of ISPRL has a capacity of 1.33 million tonnes (9.77 million barrels) of crude oil, Padur can stock 2.5 million tonnes (18.37 million barrels). The first thing that appears on the website of Asexuality India is a picture of a cake. The bright pink cake with gems and chocolate wafers sprinkled on it isnt an indication to show that life is a piece of cake for the asexual community. It sort of summaries their sexualityWelcome to Asexuality IndiaWhere anything is better than sex, but we prefer CAKE! The story of Malavika*, a 45-year-old musician from Chennai, reveals why life isnt a piece of cake for people who identify as asexual. Worse still, people who are in a relationship with someone who isnt asexual and cannot quite accept their partner's identity. Malavika only realized that shes asexual in 2008. That was 12 years after her marriage. For years before that, she struggled to understand why she wouldnt ever enjoy sex with her husband whom she dearly loves. I was penetration repulsed, she said. Things werent easy. Her husband took her to many psychologists and several gynecologists to detect exactly what is wrong with her. He would often lose temper and became abusive, Malavika recalls. In 2006, when Malavika had wireless Internet at home, she started Googling Sexless marriage. And that is when, she discovered that there are people like heracross the world. Only three months ago, Merriam-Webster Dictionary discovered the word asexual and defined it as [people] not having or showing a particular sexual identity. Meanwhile, in India, the community is growing by hundreds through Facebook communities, secret meets and WhatsApp groups. I am probably one of the oldest people in India who discovered that asexuality is real, she said. With not much support from her closed ones, and very few people even understanding what asexuality means, Malavika found herself on a lonely road. Years later, the 45-year-old is trying to make the road no so lonely for the young people who are gradually discovering that they dont experience sexual attraction to any gender, or has very little interest in sexual activity, if at all. It is not a sexual disability and often people confuse asexuality with celibacy (where a person abstains from sex). Celibacy is a choice, this isnt. When you are asexual, you just dont want to have sex, she said. The musician is now counselling young people who identify as asexual to make them realize its not a disease, and they are not alone. For the last two years, Raj Saxena has been encouraging people to come out and identify as asexual. When he organized the first meet in Delhi, only five people turned up. Two years later, a closed Facebook group ACE (asexual) Indians, where Raj is one of the moderators, has over 250 active members. The 24 year old also had a hard time discovering that he is asexual. I was a part of many LGBT groups. The one thing I knew was I get attracted to men. So I thought I am homosexual, he said. But soon, he realized, there was something missing in the conversations that he would have in those groups. He left all the LGBT groups because he couldnt seem to identify with the members there. Much later, Raj started identifying as Homoromantic Asexual-- an asexual who has romantic attraction towards the same sex and gender. It was Rajs fight that led to the A being added to the acronym LGBTQIA. However, its still quite new and usually, misunderstood. So, how do asexuals fall in love? Does not wanting to have sex they cant feel emotions? Quite the contrary, Raj explains. "Asexuals do feel romantic, platonic, emotional, sensual emotions and can be attracted towards opposite, same and both gender, he said. While Raj is still looking for love, he has witnessed a love story between Omkar and his partner Sadanand. Omkar was 16 when he first "hooked up" with a guy. I didnt like it at all. While my friends would get very excited talking about sex. It didnt excite me, he said. The 20 year old, who identifies himself as Demisexual, has been quite lucky. Omakars parents explained what homosexuality is back when he was a teenager. They have been very supportive and accepting, he said. A year ago, the biotechnology student met his partner on one of the WhatsApp groups for asexuals that Raj had created a year ago. We just got talking and felt a connection, he said. Even though the conversation is over a phone, you can tell Omkar is very excited to talk about his fashion designer partner. For the last three months, Omkar and his 26-year-old partner have been living together in Surat, in Gujarat. Omkar with his partner Sadanand Explaining the term demisexual, Omakar says both him and his partner experience sexual attraction very rarely. For demisexuals, the sexual attraction only comes after forming a close emotional bond. Sex is just another way of expressing love for us. It is not the most important thing. So, its very very rare for us. But that doesnt change our feelings for each other, he said. How do you know if youve never tried it? Did you give up on sex just because of one bad experience? Do you masturbate? Do you watch porn? Are you a plant?These are just a sample of questions that asexuals often get asked. And too often, the people who identify as asexual cant quite respond to these. It takes a lot of time to discover that you dont want to do something that the entire world is going crazy about. How do you explain it to yourself? Raj said. Last year, Raj along with Rishav Saxena and Purushottam Rawat launched an app for the asexual community to interact and meet people who identify with them. ACEapp became the first-of-its-kind smartphone application dedicated to people who experience little or no sexual attraction. As Malavika explains, asexuality is a wide spectrum. You can be aromantic (someone who does not experience romantic attraction) or you can be romantic. However, she says, Once you know you are asexual, you just know it. On the app, you can find people to talk to by clicking on the Bake Cake button. Raj said that there was a growing need for this platform. We needed a safe place to discuss how we feel without being judged, he said. The idea wasnt to create a dating app similar to Tinder or Grindr as not all the asexual people are interested in dating. Malavika also believes that more conversations are important around asexuality. Sometimes, people just need to be heard. Its so important to be heard, she said, explaining why shes trying to just be that listener for a large number young people who are confused about their sexuality. I dont want them to get trapped in a marriage or a relationship that they are seeking, she added. However, Malavika says that love is a real feeling for many asexual. We just need to be accepted for what we are. We, too, love, she said. *The name has been changed on request to protect the identity of the person. New Delhi: How many times have we heard about an NRI coming to India looking for a cultural wife and then dumping the woman in an unknown land shortly after marriage? That might change soon with the government planning to clamp down on the offenders. Sources have told News18 that an inter-ministerial committee has recommended that either the properties of the husband or his relatives should be seized in such cases. Such attachment of property is usually done in civil cases to either compel the presence of the accused in the court or provide monetary support to the complainant who would otherwise be hapless since the accused spouse usually does not respond to court summons taking advantage of their location. The Ministry of Women and Child Development has confirmed that a proposal to seize the property of relatives has been made and soon there could be a legal remedy for abandoned women to claim justice. Recent statistics indicate that the Ministry of External Affairs received 3,328 distress calls from NRI women between January 1, 2015, and November 30, 2017. The women usually face abandonment, harassment, dowry demands, physical abuse and passport seizure. However, this would not be the first attempt by the NDA government to look into the issue of abandoned wives after being married off into foreign countries. Last year, Minister for Women and Child Development (WCD), Maneka Gandhi, had said, From now registration of all marriages will be linked to the women and child development ministrys website. This will be in place by the end of this month. That decision was taken during an inter-ministerial meeting where Minister of External Affairs (MEA) Sushma Swaraj, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad were present besides Gandhi. During the meeting, the decision to appoint an integrated nodal agency under the WCD to look into complaints related to NRI marriages too was taken. The government had also then decided that passports of the NRI husbands would too be cancelled when such an issue of abandonment is brought to the notice of the courts. Some states in India have made registration of marriages mandatory but a large number of states still havent done so. NGO Manavi had too earlier published a paper stating that Gujarat was home to 12,000 abandoned women in 2004 and approximately 25,000 wives of NRI men were found to be deserted in Punjab in 2007. Earlier in June 2017, a three-member committee comprising officials of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs decided to launch a web portal to help women abandoned by their NRI husbands abroad. New Delhi: A fully-refurbished World War II-era Dakota, belonging to the vintage of the iconic military transport aircraft that played a crucial role in the 1947 Indo-Pak War, is all set to be flown to India next month, to become a proud possession of the IAF. The plane, which underwent a six-year-long restoration in the UK, will join the vintage fleet at the Hindon Air Base in Uttar Pradesh. The aircraft is a gift from Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekar to the Indian Air Force, and at a function held in New Delhi on Tuesday, the Bengaluru lawmaker ceremonially handed over the papers and deeds to Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa. Hailing the qualities of the aircraft, the Chief of Air Staff, said, "They were introduced in the 1930s... As part of the 12th Squadron of the then Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF), Dakotas were the main workhorse in Ladakh and Northeast region. And, they intervened in time to save the Valley of Kashmir (in 1947)." "Military historian Pushpindar Singh had said that Dakota is the reason why Poonch is still with us. They helped in hastening the fall of Dhaka and liberation of Bangladesh. And, in 2014, we had given a shell on the Dakota to the Bangladesh Air Force," Dhanoa said. Douglas DC3 aircraft, better known as the Dakota, carried the troops of the Army's 1 Sikh Regiment to Srinagar on October 27, 1947, during the first Indo-Pak War, besides carrying supplies and refugees. The Dakota, christened 'Parashurama', will bear the tail number VP 905, the same as the first such aircraft in the Indian service that transported the troops during the 1947 war to Jammu and Kashmir. Legendary Aircraft Dakota being gifted to IAF : The CAS ACM BS Dhanoa, along with VCAS Air Mshl SB Deo, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Member of Parliament & Air Cmde MK Chandrasekhar (Retd) during the gift deed signing ceremony at AkashOffrsMess in NewDelhi on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy: Indian Air Force@IAF_MCC) Chandrasekar's gift, will make it the first vintage Dakota for the IAF, which currently, has a Tiger Moth and a Harvard aircraft stationed at the Hindon Air Base. "The Dakota is currently kept at Coventry airfield in the UK. It is set to fly next month. The vintage plane will traverse over 4,800 nautical miles. From the UK, the route will be through France, Italy, Greece, Egypt, Oman, in that order. In India, the first stop would be Jamnagar, from where it will fly to Hindon," he told PTI on the sidelines. According to a short film screened at the function, the aircraft was acquired from scrap and underwent six years of painstaking restoration in the UK, and the IAF had technically accepted it late last month. The IAF has helped the MP in getting the aircraft registered and in upgrade of the navigation system. "Since it has to fly through multiple foreign airspace, we helped them in getting permission," the IAF chief said. In his address, he had called the gifting of the Dakota to the IAF a "great gesture" for funding the acquisition, repair and eventual ferrying of the aircraft. The MP said, "I acquired it around 2011 and this gift is a permanent way of honouring the men and their machines, who make us all proud today as a nation," adding, "finding and restoring this bird was a huge challenge". Chandrasekhar's father Air Commodore (retd) M K Chandrasekhar, who was present at the function, was a Dakota pilot in the IAF, and the lawmaker said, "the seeds were sown perhaps very young." "My father is 84 now. And, I grew up seeing him flying Dakota. So, my passion for planes is natural. And, it is on behalf of my father that this gift is being made to the IAF, in dedication to the air warriors. And, I hope it will inspire future air warriors," he said. New Delhi: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority of India (NPPA) slashed the price of drug eluting stents (DES) from Rs 30,180 to Rs 27,890 on Monday. The move was apparently followed by a stakeholders meeting that raised concerns over no availability of data on the number of angioplasties performed in India along with the bitter pricing battle fought between US-based stent manufacturers and their Indian counterparts. Mondays was the second such meeting within a span of two months. It also resulted in the slight increase of the price of bare metal stents (BMS) from current Rs 7,400 to Rs 7,660. Cardiologists part of the two meetings called for a compulsory national registry supported by the government for fair assessment of numbers, outcomes and the relative merits of various technologies and interventions made by doctors. Tracing the number of angioplasties performed is necessary not only to determine the number of stents being used and needed in India, but also to curb irrational use. Experts have time and again raised concerns and alleged that patients are being overcharged for stents. This led to NPPA fixing a ceiling price in February 2017. However, price fixing allegedly triggered unnecessary use of stents by medical practitioners as a means to make profit for hospitals and doctors. The NPPA then attempted to collect data on the number of angioplasties performed last year, to see if the price cap acted as a deterrent. Almost all cardiologists said that unnecessary multi-stenting is an unethical practice... and will be reduced by the price cap, read the minutes of the NPPA meeting. The existing register of the Cardiology Society of India (CSI) is voluntary and does not reflect the exact number of angioplasties performed across the country. However, the CSI told the authorities that the data for 2017 will be compiled and made available by May or June 2018. The MNCs, mostly the United States-based companies and industry bodies such as ASSOCHAM, FICCI and CII, again started rooting for the removal of a price cap and differential pricing for different categories and models of DES. The MNCs, which make up 60 percent of Indias market, said that if differential price for DES is not adopted, they may be forced to withdraw their latest generation stents from the market and may not introduce the new generation stents. Manufacturers Abbott, Medtronic and Boston Scientific tried the tactic in 2017 but NPPA did not approve their application to withdraw their stents from the Indian market. The pricing authority decided against differential pricing as there is not enough clinical data to support the MNCs arguments. The latter, however, argued that proving each stent generations superiority before the central health ministry was a long process and the relevant clinical data may take years to come through. On the other hand, differential pricing would reward innovation and research and development, they said. The US manufactures stand was however opposed by the Indian stent manufacturers, who said that the price cap had levelled the playing field for them. Most doctors consulted by the NPPA agreed that there was no difference in quality between the stents made by Indian companies and those by MNCs. Referring to Prime Minister Modis Make in India movement, the Indian companies even went on to tell the NPPA that differential pricing would act against the Indian industry. Their arguments were supported by the civil society too, who said that most generations of DES are the same and MNCs merely changed their brand names to increase prices. Even with the price cap, stents in India are more expensive that those in Germany, the UK, France and Italy, they observed. As was seen in 2017, the highest mark-up in stent prices was done by private hospitals. They sold stents that were manufactured for an approximate cost of Rs 10,000 for a whopping Rs 2 lakh. The Hospital and Nursing Home Association argument was that these price margins helped them recover the money they used in the construction and functioning of the healthcare facilities. The hospital authorities said the price cap has forced them to change their business model and make other procedures more expensive. A loss in profits for the private sector, which handles 70 percent of the countrys healthcare, as the Association said, would adversely impact healthcare in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. New Delhi: The armed forces will get some much needed firepower soon as the Defence Acquisition Council approved the procurement of light machine guns, assault rifles and sniper rifles worth Rs 15,935 crore on a fast-track basis. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday. The large chunk of the acquisition includes the purchase of 7.40 lakh assault rifles at a cost of Rs 12,280 crore for the three services, officials said. These rifles will be Made in India under the categorisation of 'Buy and Make (Indian)', through both Ordnance Factory Board and private firms. They will, however, follow designs from foreign manufacturers. The defence ministry will also procure an undisclosed number of light machine guns worth Rs 1,819 crore, the DAC said. This procurement will meet the operational requirement of the troops deployed on the borders. In other decisions, a proposal for purchase of 5,719 sniper rifles for the army at a cost of Rs 982 crore was also approved. While these high-precision weapons will be bought with Buy Global categorisation, the ammunition for these will be initially imported and subsequently manufactured in India. The armed forces had flagged the need for new guns 11 years ago. Soldiers have been using AK-47 and indigenous INSAS rifles since 1988. The plan to equip them with updated guns has been marred by several delays. In the last one month, to equip the soldiers on the border with modern and more effective equipment, the DAC has fast tracked procurement of the three main personal weapons - Rifles, Carbines and Light Machine Guns. The Defence Acquisition Council also approved the procurement of Advanced Torpedo Decoy Systems for the Indian Navy. The Mareech ATDS system has been designed by Defence Research and Development Organisation, officials said. The systems will be procured by Bharat Electronics Limited in Bengaluru for an estimated cost of Rs 850 crore, they added. Last month, to encourage participation of private sector in defence design and production and to give a boost to 'Make in India' programme, the DAC had also introduced significant changes in the 'Make II' category of the Defence Procurement Procedure. The DAC simplified the procedure to make it industry friendly, with minimal government control. The revised procedure will now allow the defence ministry to accept suo motu proposals from the industry and also allow start-ups to develop equipment for the armed forces. United Nations: Warning that more reliance on stronger peacekeeping operations will not bring peace or protect peacekeepers in high-risk environments, India has urged the UN to scale up strategies for political resolution of conflicts in the face of mounting fatalities among its personnel. "Peacekeepers cannot be substitutes for efforts to resolve conflict," India's Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin told the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations on Monday. "This requires sustained political engagement. Such engagement needs to be addressed by the UN leadership at all levels and not by the troops alone." Peacekeeping operations now deal with situations within a country, often involving non-state actors rather than conflicts between nations, he pointed out. "In such circumstances, it is often proposed that a more 'robust' UN peacekeeping approach can deliver better," he said. "With little international investment in conflict resolution, this is tantamount to 'arming without aiming'." Military capabilities and posture alone will not be enough to respond to high-risk environments, he said. "Implementation of 'robust' mandates is a much more complex task with serious inherent risks and less than certain outcomes, while possibly impacting the perceived impartiality of the UN." As historically the highest contributor of personnel to peacekeeping operations and currently having 6,697 under the UN's blue flag, India has a special interest in ensuring the safety of peacekeepers at a time of growing attacks on them. "Tragically, the level of casualties among peacekeepers, in the last five years, is the highest in any five-year period since the UN began keeping the peace," Akbaruddin said. "As a country which has sacrificed perhaps the largest number of its nationals in support of international peace and security, we view this with concern." India has suffered 163 fatalities since the peacekeeping operations began in 1948, the most by any country. Between 2013 to 2017, a total of 594 peacekeepers of all nationalities have died in UN operations. Of them, 195 peacekeepers - seven of them Indian - were killed in violent actions. While the lack of clarity of mandates, inadequate resources for peacekeepers and lack of focus on political solutions in dealing with conflict situations are acknowledged, Akbaruddin said, "a coherent approach to jointly address these continues to elude us, even as we tend to focus on concepts for enhancing efficiency, effecting savings, improving logistics, expanding availability of troops and their rapid deployment." General Assembly President Miroslav Lajcak said that there should be a "stronger focus" on conflict prevention and it should be approached as a comprehensive action involving the entire UN, including peacekeeping, and not isolated in certain forums. "Our focus is often on Special Political Missions, mediation teams, or the UN's good offices," he said. "And peacekeepers play a crucial role. They often work in support of political, or mediation processes. They have key relationships with national actors. They can help to flag early warning signs of conflict." "We need a stronger prevention focus throughout all missions," he added. "This will mean ensuring that they can rapidly deploy, and adapt, in response to warning signs of conflict. It will mean developing tools for conflict mapping and analysis, including at the local level. And it will mean strengthening capacity for prevention and mediation, across the board." New Delhi: Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday favoured a new dress code for lawyers and judges for independent India. He also advocated for making court orders and judgments available in regional languages too. "When I see layers and judges I think...we must have our own dress...our own system. This is independent India," said Naidu. The Vice-President was speaking after releasing the book 'Trials of Truth', authored by senior advocate and Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand. Naidu rued that not just the Indian legal system but also the Parliament was following the convention from pre-independence time. "Our dress and language should indicate our own culture. When I say culture, it means our way of life. A new dress may give you a new identity...we should have our own identity," he said. Naidu quipped that Pinky Anand should be knowing famous fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, who could give a few tips. The Vice-President also appealed that the judicial orders and judgments should be prepared in regional languages too. "I also want to talk about the language used by judges and lawyers...not their tone and tenor but the language they use in courts. I believe it is time to use the language of the people. According to me, the judgments and orders should be in their mother language...the language people speak," said Naidu. He questioned why English should remain the preferred language when litigants cannot understand what the lawyers and judges are saying. "I would like the judiciary to ponder over and come to an agreed conclusion. I am not undermining the importance of English at all. But people should understand what's written in the order. We should move towards it," urged Naidu. He further appealed the judiciary to "reform and transform" to meet the demands of young and aspirational India. "If a case is decided in 10 or 15 years, what is the meaning of it? We must be able to give speedy justice. We should act fast...understand aspiration of young India. Judicial system should reform and transform in such a way that they are able to retain the confidence of the people," said Naidu. The book Trials of Truth contains chapters from several sensational criminal cases in the history of India. It mentions cases such as Nirbhaya, Jessica Lall, Priyadarshini Mattoo, Tandoor case, Ranga Billa kidnapping and Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. Speaking at the event, Pinky Anand said that this book was not for lawyers but for the civil society. It is not like usual commentaries on how bad the system is and how high profilers are getting away. This book will tell you how the system deliveredhow the guilty were punished and the journey of criminal trials, said Anand. She added that criminal trials have always evoked curiosity among people and this book has brought out the best of stories in the judicial history of India. Lucknow: The Lucknow University administration has issued a unique advisory for students and asked them not to come to campus on Valentines Day. The official letter also states that if any student is found roaming on campus, then disciplinary action will be taken against them. Expressing their displeasure over the university administration's order, students have said that this is an example of a choti soch (small thinking). The circular, posted on notice boards in the campus, states that the college will remain closed on February 14, on account of Maha Shivaratri. "It has been seen in the past years that some students, influenced by western culture celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14. We want to inform all students of the university that both the campuses of the university will remain closed on account of Maha Shivaratri and no extra classes, practicals cultural programme will be held," an advisory issued by LU Proctor Vinod Singh on February 10 said. Organising any kind of cultural program on this day has also been restricted. Why dont they issue such notices on other holidays? Why only on Valentines Day? This shows their mentality and insecurity. If students dont go to the university, then who will? said a second-year student. Agartala: Confident of defending one of the last remaining fortresses of the Left against the political onslaught of the BJP which is on a winning spree in the North East, Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar said that the saffron brigade was playing with fire by joining hands with the divisive forces in that state. Sarkar also hit back at Narendra Modi for playing on his name at a recent public meeting in Tripura. The PM had said that the time is ripe for the state to replace Manik (gem) with Heera (diamond). Such use of words only demonstrates his weakness as a Prime Minister. The people of Tripura will not accept such attacks on an individual, Sarkar said in an exclusive interview to News18. Sarkar is leading a high voltage electoral campaign for the Tripura assembly elections, due on February 18. He is hopeful of forming a record eighth Left Front government in the state. The campaign is currently in its final phase, with the BJP emerging as the primary opponent. Calling the pre-poll tie-up between the BJP and the tribal-based Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) an unholy and opportunistic alliance, Sarkar said, It is surprising that a national party ruling the Centre has allied with a party like IPFT, whose main demand is to carve out a new state from Tripura. This organisation was founded in the year 2000 by an extremist outfit called NLFT which has its camps on the other side of the international border. They have been pampered and nurtured by the ISI and the CIA. They have organised holocausts and riots here in Tripura to divide the tribal and non-tribal population of the state. It is to a party of such dubious background that the BJP has extended its support. Naturally, the people of Tripura are asking how a nationalistic political party is aligning with this sort of a divisive political organisation. We are asking people to decide whether they want to support the BJP, and hence the IPFT, and thus aide the division of Tripura, Sarkar added. By doing this, the BJP is playing with fire, the chief minister asserted. According to the BJP, its alliance with the IPFT alliance is based on a set of common minimum programmes for development of socio-economic conditions, education, language and culture of the indigenous people of Tripura who form about 31 percent of the states population and have one-third of the 60 seats reserved in the state assembly. The BJP has fielded its candidates from 51 seats and left nine to the tribal party. IPFT has, however, announced that it would separately pursue its demand for separate statehood. Asked to respond to Prime Minister Modis recent jibe at him, Sarkar was all for returning back the favour albeit within democratic parameters and courtesy. This is a political battle we are fighting. Its a struggle for ideology, politics, programmes and their implementation. It is not a battle between two individuals. I have respect for the chair that he occupies. He is our Prime Minister and by saying these things, he has only demonstrated his weakness. It is not expected of him, Sarkar said with a wry smile on his face. Sarkar, who has been chief minister for the last two decades and heads a government which has ruled Tripura since 1978, except for a five-year gap between 1988-93, strongly denied facing anti-incumbency. We are not facing anti-incumbency because our government has not taken a single step which goes against the interest of common people, he asserted, adding, We have implemented numerous pro-people policies and programmes despite sustained non-cooperation from the Centre, which has failed to fight us politically and ideologically. The chief minister also shirked responsibility for the CPI-M failing to anticipate BJPs rapid growth in Tripura. The BJP has not been able to consolidate its base in Tripura. The RSS attempts to divide tribals into Christians and Hindus have failed. The present growth of BJP is only because of a section of opportunistic Congress leaders, who have switched over first from the Congress to the Trinamool and now from the Trinamool to the BJP. A section of their followers are irked by this toying with their sentiments, Sarkar said. The formula of co-opting the Congress, which has worked for the BJP in some of the other North-Eastern states, will not work in Tripura. If the card changes at the Centre, a reverse exodus will happen here thats the experience of the North East, Sarkar maintained. Despite showing firm conviction about holding the BJP at bay, senior party functionaries at the CPI-M state headquarters in Agartala admitted that Sarkar was up against one of the toughest challenges of his political career. Should he succeed in giving the BJP its Waterloo moment, his prominence within the Left leadership in the country would skyrocket, not to speak of that within his own party. Evidently, Manik Sarkar has much more at stake in these state elections than just holding one of last remaining Left bastions in India. Karachi: Ousted Pakistan premier Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday warned his opponents that they would fail to "punish" him as he appeared before an anti-graft court for the 17th time to face trial in the Panama Papers scandal. Sharif, 67, appeared before the Accountability Court Islamabad along with his daughter Maryam and son-in-law captain (retired) Mohammad Safdar. At the start of the hearing, the court was informed that lawyers are not attending courts to observe three-day mourning after the death of eminent lawyer and human rights activist Asma Jehangir who passed away in Lahore on Sunday. Though the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor objected by saying that witnesses were present to record statements but Judge Muhammad Bashir adjourned hearing till February 15. Sharif and some of his family members are facing charges relating to their ownership of posh properties in London. He resigned as prime minister in July after the country's Supreme Court disqualified him over undeclared income. Three cases were registered by the NAB against Sharif, his children, and son-in-law in the court on September 8. Sharif in a brief interaction with the media said he was being victimised in the name of accountability. "They (opponents) want to punish Nawaz (Sharif) but they do not have any evidence. That is why supplementary cases are being filed. But they will fail as people of Pakistan are with us," he said. Sharif also took a swipe at courts for failing to bring back to the country former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, who is living in Dubai by dodging several cases against him. 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. Sharif's family alleges that the cases are politically motivated. New Delhi: A new book on Subash Chandra Boses death has claimed that Bose unquestionably died in an air crash in Tokyo. Armed with various investigations and documents, Boses grandnephew Ashis Ray made the claim in his new book Laid To Rest. Speaking to News18, he said that Boses have remained preserved at Tokyos Renkoji Temple, a conclusion he reached to in 1995. All together 11 investigations have reached the same conclusion. There is no doubt that Bose died in on 18th August 1945 in Taipei, Ray said. His claims have been endorsed by Boses only living child Anita Pfaff, who has also written the foreword of the book. He claims that there ought to be no controversy surrounding his death as the Japanese government had confirmed the air tragedy in a report to American general Douglas McArthur. America had occupied Japan after the latters surrender in World War II. I dont know about Boses extended family but I would imagine that the sensible section of the extended family are with her. At the end of the day, only her decision matters legally and morally, he told News18. In Pfaffs foreword in the book, she wrote, For most people who continue to doubt Netajis [Boses] death in Taihoku in August 1945, one possible option for proof would be a DNA test of the remains of NetajiHowever, the governments of India and Japan would have to agree to such an attempt [to extract DNA from Boses bones] For me personally, this fact was brought home most strikingly when I had the opportunity to be present during an interview by professor Leonard Gordon of one of the survivors of the plane crash in Tokyo in 1979. He also said that tensions between Jawaharlal Nehru and Sarat Chandra Bose (Netajis brother) were quite evident after the latter resigned from the interim cabinet in 1946. That combined with Sarats premature death in 1950, Ray claimed, are prime reasons why Boses death remains unresolved. The loss of a credible public authority from the side of the family had its consequences, the book hints. Ray, however, is all praises for former PM Narasimha Rao. He did what he could do best in the circumstances. At least he tried to bring back the remains back to India. No other Indian PM has done so, Ray said. Washington: Pakistan is developing new types of nuclear weapons, including short-range tactical ones that bring more risks to the region, America's intelligence chief warned on Tuesday. Pakistan continues to produce nuclear weapons and develop new types of nuclear weapons, including short-range tactical weapons, sea-based cruise missiles, air-launched cruise missiles, and longer-range ballistic missiles, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats' told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing on worldwide threats. These new types of nuclear weapons will introduce new risks for escalation of dynamics and security in the region, Coats said, reflecting on the risks involved in developing such types of nuclear weapons. He also warned that Pakistan-supported terrorist groups would continue to carry out attacks inside India, thus risking escalation of tension between the two neighbours. His remarks came days after a group of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists struck the Sunjuwan Military Camp in Jammu on Saturday, killing seven people including six soldiers. Pakistan, in fact, will continue to threaten US interests by deploying new nuclear weapons capabilities, maintaining its ties to militants, restricting counter- terrorism cooperation, and drawing closer to China, Coats said in his testimony. "Militant groups supported by Islamabad will continue to take advantage of their safe haven in Pakistan to plan and conduct attacks in India and Afghanistan, including against US interests," he said. He said Pakistans perception of its eroding position relative to India, reinforced by endemic economic weakness and domestic security issues, almost certainly will exacerbate long-held fears of isolation and drive Islamabads pursuit of actions that run counter to US goals for the region. Without specifically referring to any terrorist incident by Pakistan-based groups, Coats told the lawmakers that he expects tension between the two Asian neighbours. "Relations between India and Pakistan are likely to remain tense, with continued violence on the Line of Control and the risk of escalation if there is another high-profile terrorist attack in India or an uptick in violence on the Line of Control," Coats said. New Delhi: In a sharp reaction to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharamans warning on Monday, the Pakistan government on Tuesday issued a statement to say they would pay India in its own coin in case of any Indian misadventure. Sitharaman had made it clear that the sacrifice of soldiers killed in the attack on the Sunjuwan camp will not go in vain and Pakistan will pay the price for its misadventure. She asserted that even though evidence of Pakistan's role may be shared, India still reserved the right to respond adequately at the time of its choosing. "Pakistan will pay for this misadventure. I repeat Pakistan will pay for it, the defence minister, who was in Jammu to take stock of the situation, told reporters. Pakistan Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan, in his statement on Tuesday said, Any Indian aggression, strategic miscalculation, or misadventure regardless of its scale, mode, or location will not go unpunished and shall be met with an equal and proportionate response. We will defend robustly every inch of Pakistans soil. Instead of the knee-jerk reaction of blaming Pakistan without substantiation, India must answer for state-sponsored espionage against Pakistan. Living evidence in person of Kulbushan Yadev is in front of the world. "India has failed to deliver justice to the 42 Pakistanis murdered in the Samjhota Express terrorism eleven years ago this week," Khan's statement issued from Rawalpindi read. Pakistan had also asked India to refrain from any cross-border strikes after the Indian government found that Pakistan-based group Jaish-e-Mohammad was responsible for the attack on Sunjuwan, in which soldiers and their families were targeted. Saturday's attack on the camp near Jammu was the worst in months, with five soldiers and the father of one of the soldiers killed and women and children among the ten wounded. The government has said that the heavily armed attackers were members of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militant group. Pakistan, however, has denied responsibility and said India should not rush to judgment without a full inquiry. Khan's latest statement said, "India is destabilizing regional peace in word and deed; through irresponsible statements on nuclear deterrent and through its bloody, five-fold escalation in 2017 of attacks on unarmed civilians on the line-of-control and working boundary." New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be able to establish peace between Palestine and Israel through mediation as he is a "global leader" that both sides trust, Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla said on Tuesday. Terming Modi's visit to Palestine last week as crucial, Heptulla said that she herself was involved with the issue (conflict between Palestine-Israel) for around 40 years and on the basis of her experience she could say that Modi can establish peace between the two nations. "I don't know when and how, but I feel with the faith that the people of Palestine and Israel have in Modi, the prime minister will act a mediator and be able to bring a solution to the crisis between the two nations," Heptulla told reporters during a press conference here. Modi being honoured with the "Grand Collar of the State of Palestine,", the highest honour given to foreign dignitaries by the country, during his visit to Palestine signified the trust the people of the country had in him, Heptulla said. "The respect he received in Palestine shows that he is accepted as a world leader," she said. The Manipur governor, who is visiting Delhi, also met Union Home minister Rajnath Singh. She apprised Singh of the "improved" law and order situation in Manipur and discussed ways to resolve the drug abuse problem prevalent in the region. Heptulla also mentioned a proposal of the Home ministry of issuing certificates or visas to monitor and restrict the movement in the border areas to curb drug and arms smuggling. "Home Minister has come up with a good initiative as part of which certificates/visa will be given for 15 days so that people of India can go to Myanmar freely and natives from Myanmar can come to India through the border freely and vice versa. "It will put a check on the illegal movement and a record can be maintained that can help curb the drugs, arms and ammunition smuggling," she said. Heptulla said that the law and order situation in Manipur has improved over the past few months as markets remain open even after 7PM, extortion cases have stopped and elections have been held peacefully. Heptulla also said that she wants to promote tourism in Manipur and poor connectivity was a major barrier in achieving that goal. She called for the introduction of direct flights. Heptulla said she had requested the Ministry of Civil Aviation for introducing a direct flight from Delhi to Imphal after which Air India introduced one such flight. New Delhi: Noted Malayalam author KP Ramanunni donated his Sahitya Akademi prize money to the mother of Hafiz Junaid Khan, the teenage boy who was killed on a train in Haryana for allegedly carrying beef. Ramanunni handed over the money to Junaids mother after receiving the award in New Delhi on Monday. He kept a token amount Rs 3 from the total prize money of Rs 1 lakh and gave the rest to the deceaseds family. KP Ramanunni, who is quite vocal against religious extremism, won the award for his book 'God's Own Book', which talks of harmony among Hindus and Muslims. Junaid is someone who was killed by Hindu communal forces for just being a Muslim. Let me place this award amount as an offering at the feet of Junaid's mother as an act of penance for that wicked sin, for penance is a special observance in true Hindu tradition, Ramanunni said. Junaid was allegedly stabbed to death on a local train in Haryana last year after a mob accused him and his relatives of carrying beef in a bag. The sixteen-year-old was stabbed multiple times by a mob on the Delhi-Mathura train in Ballabgarh, Haryana, on June 24. He succumbed to his injuries after nobody helped him reach a hospital. In the present Indian situation, 'God's Own Book' (Daivathinte Pustakam) bears an enormous political mission and that is to uphold the love for other religions, something that is cherished by true Hinduism. Also to build a conceptual foundation for religious amity and to put up a bulwark against the country's catastrophic slide into communal ruin, he said, adding that 'Daivathinte Pusthakam' is a book where the prophet, Muhammad Nabi, calls Krishnan Ikka (elder brother) and Krishnan affectionately calls the Prophet Mushy (precious dear). KP Ramanunni received an anonymous threat letter last year. The letter, allegedly sent by Muslim extremists, warned him that his right arm and left leg would be chopped off if he did not convert to Islam within six months. The sixty two-year-olds first novel, Sufi Paranja Katha, had also won Kerala Sahitya Akademi award in 1995 while Jeevithathinte Pusthakam bagged the 2011 Vayalar award. Twenty four authors were awarded at the Sahitya Akademi Awards event in New Delhi on Tuesday. Bhopal: Rattled by growing resentment among farmers after the launch of the Bhavantar Bhugtan scheme and amid mounting loans, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced a slew of relief measures on Monday. Shivraj, who has come under an onslaught from Congress over farm discontent, alleged that the opposition feels pained whenever he does something for farmers. Flaying the Congress demand of cancelling the event in the wake of unseasonal rains and hailstorm, Chouhan claimed that he won't leave farmers in distress even in case of a natural disaster and would compensate the entire amount of losses incurred by them. "Why did the Congress not express concern when peasants were charged farm loan interest at 18% which my government lowered to zero?" he asked. He also accepted that his flagship, Bhavantar Bhugtan scheme, which aims to cushion farmers from price crashes, has problems and needs some changes. "The decision for discontinuing the scheme or bringing changes would be done if the farmers present here would give their approval, he said. He also proposed a state-sponsored storage facility for crops if the farmers did not wish to sell the produce expecting prices to go up in the near future. "The rent of warehouse would be paid by the state government and for emergent needs of the farmers, 25% amount of the crop would be paid in advance," he said. Battered over charges of crop prices falling after the scheme was introduced, Chouhan claimed that crops were selling for dismal rates even in neighboring states. But he accepted that prices have slipped more in the state due to mass influx of produce in mandis under Bhavantar Bhugtan. Claiming that year 2017 was below par in terms of agricultural income, he also announced Rs 200 per quintal bonus for wheat and paddy bought on MSP last year. The Chief Minister also suggested alternative occupations to farmers. "Land is limited and farmers should look for alternative options in food processing and MP government would extend finance up to Rs two crore for such ventures with 15% subsidy," he said, adding that 31,000 farmers would be covered in the scheme. Mumbai: A day after the Bombay High Court pulled up the CBI for its inability to protect the prosecution witnesses during the trial in the alleged fake encounter case of Sohrabuddin Sheikh and Tulsiram Prajapati, the CBI on Tuesday told the court that none of the witnesses had approached the agency to seek protection at any stage. A single bench of Justice Revati Mohite Dere had on Monday questioned the seriousness with which the CBI is conducting the trial. This observation by the high court came as almost 30 witnesses have turned hostile during the trial so far. The court had remarked on Monday that it is the duty of the CBI to protect the witnesses from being intimidated, so they can depose fearlessly. Additional solicitor general Anil Singh, representing the CBI, told the court that it has not received any complaint about any threats and that the agency is willing to provide protection if witnesses come forward with complaints. He told the court that none of the witnesses have faced any pressure and if they require, protection will be given without any hesitation. The court, in the last hearing, observed, CBI cannot just file a chargesheet and leave it at that. It is the duty of the agency to provide protection. Questioning the attitude of the agency, the court had said, What action are you taking in cases where witnesses have turned hostile? Are they being charged for perjury for giving false evidence? The court is currently hearing a petition filed by Sohrabuddins brother Rubabuddin Sheikh on August 8, 2017 challenging the discharge of senior police officials who were accused in the case. The CBI court had discharged D G Vanzara from Gujarat and M N Dinesh from Rajasthan from the case on August 1. CBI, too, has challenged the discharge of officer Dalpat Singh Rathod and that of Dr Narendra Amin. Sohrabuddin, who was alleged to be a local gangster by the Gujarat police, while travelling with his wife Kausarbi and aide Tulsiram Prajapati in November 2005, were allegedly abducted by a team of policemen attached to Gujarats Anti-Terrorism Squad and members of the Special Task Force from Rajasthan. The couple was allegedly detained near Gandhinagar and two days later, Sheikh was killed in an alleged fake encounter. Kausarbi and Tulsiram too were later killed. The case was transferred to Mumbai following orders from the Supreme Court. New Delhi: Apart from hiking the entry fee to Taj Mahal from Rs 40 to Rs 50, the Union government is all set to introduce a special ticket of Rs 200 starting April 1, for those who wish to enter the main mausoleum. Union Minister of Culture Mahesh Sharma observed on Tuesday that not all those who visit the Taj Mahal are interested in entering the mausoleum. Also, the move would not only help generate more revenue, but also protect the fabric of the 17th century wonder. Addressing the media weeks after the Union Budget presentation, Sharma said, It has been observed that not all tourists want to go inside the mausoleum. Those who are interested will have to buy the special ticket for Rs 200. The idea for this ticket is not to make money but to ensure the protection of the buildings fabric and better crowd management. "We need to preserve the Taj Mahal for the generations to come. New 'barcoded' tickets would cost Rs 50 instead of the earlier Rs 40 and it would be valid only for three hours," said Sharma. The decision has been taken keeping in mind recommendations of the NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute) report, which had conducted a study on Taj's load-bearing capacity, had recommended immediate steps to reduce the number of footfalls into the mausoleum to protect its integrity. The Supreme Court recently directed the Uttar Pradesh government to submit a vision document on the preservation of the monument. Taj Mahal witnesses a mammoth footfall of 1 lakh tourists in a day and the government does want to cap the number of visitors but is favouring visitor regulation. With the regulation proposal, the government plans to limit visiting time to three hours for every visitor and if the visitor crosses that time limit he will have to pay an extra amount, said Sharma. In the new scheme of things, the ministry also plans to open up Shahjahans Mehtab Bagh for night viewing of the Taj Mahal from the opposite bank. Apart from new ticket pricing, the government would also focus on a queue management system and installation of turnstiles at the eastern and western gates of the Taj complex. There are also plans to introduce special facilities for high value ticket holders. Sharma said the ministry had taken special steps to ensure the comfort for foreign tourists who pay Rs 1,250 for entry into the Taj Mahal. He said separate queues, separate toilets, and a safe corridor will be built for them from the Agra railway station to the Taj in collaboration with the Ministry of Aviation and Road Transport Ministry. In the Budget allocation for the Ministry of Culture, there has been an increase of 3.82% in funds for 2018-19. The Ministry of Cultures allocation for 2018-19 has been increased by Rs 104 crore to Rs 2,843 crore from last years Rs 2,738.47 crore. Out of the total funds, ASI has been allocated Rs 974.56 crore, which is 5.42 percent more than the 2017-18 allocation. New Delhi: US-based manufacturers of coronary stents tried to create an artificial scarcity in India last year after the government reduced their prices by up to 85 per cent by introducing price caps, data with the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) indicates. According to the figures submitted by different manufacturers to the NPPA, the opening stock of stents these companies held in January 2018 was 96 per cent more than January 2017. But the number of stents imported by manufacturers like Abbott Healthcare, Medtronic, Boston Scientific and Umbra Medical Products didnt change much. The number of stents imported were 3,56,753 in 2016 and 3,59,516 in 2017. However, the amount of stents distributed reduced from 3,48,594 in 2016 to 2,99,531 in 2017. This drop was despite the demand for stents in India, a country with rising number of people with cardiovascular disease, only going up. Malini Aisola of the All India Drug Action Network (AIDAN) said the drop of 49,063 stents can only be explained by companies withholding the stock. If the opening stock of stents has increased so dramatically - from 62,733 units in 2017 to 1,22,718 units in 2018 it means that companies are importing at the same rate as before but not letting the product enter the market. These multinationals dominate 60 percent of the Indian market, which makes them largely responsible for making sure people have access to the much-needed medical devices. The NPPA had in February 2017 fixing a price cap of Rs 30,180 for drug eluting stents, down from anywhere between Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 2 lakh that was charged earlier. This created a furore in the pharmaceutical industry, with industry bodies making gloomy predictions of loss of profit and innovation, and some MNCs leaving the Indian market. Dismissing this industry backlash, the NPPA further reduced the prices of drug eluting stents to Rs 27,890 on Monday, exactly a year after fixing the first price cap. Drug eluting stents, which not only physically prop open blocked arteries, but also contain medicines, are used in about 95 percent of stenting procedures. The price of bare metal stents, however, saw a slight increase from Rs 7,260 to Rs 7,660. The NPPA announcement came after a series of meetings with stakeholders, including eminent Intervention Cardiologists, and industry representatives MTaI, ASSOCHAM, FICCI and CII. Many of these bodies and international manufacturers, over the course of 2017, had tried get the NPPA to price different categories and models of stents, differently. This would have meant that each new model of a particular stent, introduced by its manufacturer, would have gone up in price. AIDAN, in a statement to the press, said, We are glad that the Government did not cave in to the massive pressure that was being exerted by the foreign industry lobbies, particularly from the United States, for differential pricing without any scientific basis. In April, 2017, Abbott had tried to withdraw one model of stents from the country and refused to introduce another model in the Indian market. Medtronic and Boston Scientific tried to follow suit, even as NPPA denied all three applications and ordered the companies to maintain a regular supply of stents. News18 had earlier reported that, in an office memorandum dated May 2, the Authority requested people to report any shortage of stents. In the same time period, data submitted by Indian manufacturers shows only a 17 per cent increase in opening stock. Traditionally the underdogs in the market, Indian companies increased their manufacturing from 5,39,788 stents in 2016 to 5,67,805 in 2017. The number of stents they distributed also went up from 5,13,229 in 2106, to 5,44,583 in 2017. While these are not large jumps, they could show Indian companies trying to catch up to the MNCs. Chinese manufacturers also tried to enter the market by bringing 10,262 stents to the country and distributing 7,656. The NPPAs latest price cut, comes two weeks after the ceiling price of stents was mentioned as a government health initiative in the budget. The cap itself came after the government re-categorised stents in 2016 as part of the National List of Essential Medicines - whose prices can be controlled by the Centre - after sustained court battles and advocacy by the civil health sector. New Delhi: The terror attack on Sunjwan Army camp left six Army men, one civilian dead and 11 others injured. The two-day gun battle ended with three Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists being killed. The attack reminds one of the September 2016 Uri terror attack, to which India retaliated by launching a surgical strike on terror havens in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) a week later. Can India respond to the Sunjwan attack like it did after Uri? Are there military operations available to India, short of launching a full-scale war? According to experts, the answer is yes. There are a range of options available to the Indian Army. We could respond with ceasefire violations of our own by firing with heavy artillery guns at Pakistan Army posts across the Line of Control (LoC). This, in my opinion, should continue since constant pressure is required to keep Pakistan in check, said Major General (retired) Naresh Badhani. He added, though, that this wasnt probably the best plan of action. There are some limitations to a response like this. For example, it only targets 2-3 Pakistan Army posts at the same time. Also, there is a high chance of civilian casualties on both sides. The Indian Army doesnt want to hurt innocent people. This is why a more precise escalation is required, said the ex-serviceman. What, though, constitutes an escalation and how is it different from a full-fledged war? If there is an airstrike, or if Indian troops cross the LoC, or if there is an overt display of military movement, it could be taken as an indication of war. Instead, we can take lessons from our own surgical strikes of 2016 and repeat something similar, albeit on a larger scale. He further explained, The LoC is over 760 kilometers long with hundreds of Pakistan Army posts along it. What we need is a coordinated artillery response at least 20-30 points along the LoC. We need to destroy the maximum number of Pakistan Army posts along the LoC within a short time span, say, one week. He explained there was a reason why local insurgents are not as well trained as Pakistani terrorists. They (the terrorists) have infrastructure available on that side of the LoC, propped up by the Pakistan Army. Unless their army feels the pain, they will not stop this nonsense. They need to be fearful of their own posts. We need to keep them occupied with their own safety so that they dont go ahead and train terrorists. The Jammu terror attack is the latest in a string of attacks over the last three years on Indian military installations by cross-border terrorists. This time, however, many believe the terrorists crossed a Red Line by targeting families, including women and children, of Indian troops. According to Badhani, this shows there is a need to ensure that Indian Army Cantonments are made impregnable. You see, it is very difficult to distinguish the local civilian population and an infiltrating terrorist because Pakistanis look like us, speak like us and dress like us. The advantage is always with the attackers. This is the reason that cantonments were equipped with electronic surveillance, explained Badhani. But I dont think these have been fully put in place. This is something that the government should look into as a priority, said the ex-Army officer. Ever since Kapil Sharma's public fallout with his colleagues Sunil Grover and Kiku Sharda made headlines, the comedian had to go through a rough patch- both personally and professionally. But the news of him making a comeback on television has got his fans more excited than ever. The teaser, which announces Kapil's return to television, was first unveiled on the official Twitter page of Sony TV. While the teaser only announced that Kapil will be seen in a different avatar this time, it also piqued up curiosity for the title and concept of his show. Laut kar aaraha hai Kapil Sharma Sony Entertainment Television par, kuch alag lekar. Iss baar hasi ke alaava kuch aur bhi hai jo jayega dekar. Kya, kab aur kaise? Jaanne ke liye dekhte rahiye @SonyTV @KapilSharmaK9 pic.twitter.com/F0I9w6BGnE Sony TV (@SonyTV) February 9, 2018 In a video doing the rounds of social media, Kapil shares that the show is tentatively titled Family With Kapil Sharma and it'll involve the participation of different people hailing from different sets via-a-viz the earlier format of having a set of familiar actors pulling off the acts. He also said that the channel will share more details soon. The actor was last seen on the big screen in his film titled Firangi, co-starring Ishita Dutta, Monica Gill and Kumud Mishra. American teenage sensation Chloe Kim romped to Olympic snowboarding gold in the women's halfpipe Tuesday before bursting into tears as the enormity of her achievement sunk in. The 17-year-old, who has melted the hearts of home fans in Pyeongchang thanks to her ever-ready smile and Korean heritage, justified her status as the hot favourite with an eye-popping top score of 98.25. Kim had been assured of gold before her pulsating final run after China's Liu Jiayu crashed on her last descent. Pumping her fists after finishing with back-to-back 1080 spins, Kim was serenaded by a pumped-up crowd chanting: "Chloe Kim, Chloe Kim!" But after wrapping herself in the American flag, Kim was suddenly overcome with emotion and the tears flowed as she celebrated with her Korean parents. "I'm a little overwhelmed," she said after composing herself. "I don't really know what's happening and I'm actually feeling a little anxious right now. "There was a lot of pressure," added Kim, who was so good at 13 she might have won gold in Sochi -- but she was too young to compete. "You wait for four years and it's pretty nerve-wracking. There definitely was a lot of hype but I'm proud of how I was able to handle the pressure today." Liu claimed silver with a score of 89.75 points and American Arielle Gold the bronze four points further back. But neither looked like threatening Kim, who found time to take to Twitter between runs to complain she was having trouble keeping down her breakfast. 'Insane Feeling' "I wanted to go bigger and better on that third run," said the four-time X Games champion. "I messed up on my second run so I'm kind of annoyed but I got redemption on my third. "Those were obviously tears of joy," Kim joked after the medallists were presented with cuddly toys. "The mascots are cute but standing on top of that podium was an insane feeling." Kim also revealed that her number one fan -- her Seoul-based grandmother -- had been in the crowd cheering her on. "I actually only found out my grandma was at the bottom before my second run," she said. "So I thought 'this one's for grams!' I can't wait to go shopping with her." While his daughter was bewitching the local fans, Kim's father, Jong Jin, was spotted waving a hand-made sign which read: "Go, Chloe!" Afterwards, the proud father admitted to feeling the pressure of his daughter's quest for Olympic gold. "It was very stressful because the media kept saying Chloe was going to win," he told AFP. "But nobody knows. We can control the process but we can't control the result. I never thought about gold. All I ever think about is how dangerous snowboarding is and what if she falls," added the worried dad. "But grandma of course was very happy. She's very sweet to Chloe and when she goes to church next I'm sure she's going to tell all her friends about Chloe's gold medal." For TV news, Asaduddin Owaisi is a gift that keeps on giving. Another matter that almost nothing of what he says ever makes it to the newsprint. Today, he has said that those who died defending the terror attack on Sunjuwan military station in J&K were Kashmiris and Muslims. Now, I am no military man. Neither am I unwilling to see the fauj as a force without any fault. But lets face it, when faujis tell you that there is no religion in an army camp, I believe that fully. Just a couple of days ago, my colleague Shreya Dhoundial, doughty defender of the forces and herself an Army brat, did a show that said the armys religion is the uniform. The show ran an inspirational video of a Special Forces officer who related how he was taught by his fauji trainers to forget his religion once he was in the army. Very inspirational. In that show, Shreya and the team made the same point that Owaisi in his own words made today. And this time, I agree with Owaisi. Because sometimes, it is important to say what he said, as offensive as it sounds (and also fully suits his politics). That those who were killed defending the country were Kashmiris and Muslims. It is important because today every Kashmiri is being projected as a stone-pelter and anti-national, even terrorist. By extension, every Muslim is being projected as an anti-national, never mind that most Muslims in the rest of India have little in common with those in Kashmir, except religion. Like a cow-worshipping Hindu from UP and a beef-eating Hindu from Kerala. It is important because the loyalty of Muslims is being called into question, either directly every day by politicians or insidiously by TV anchors every evening. Love jihad is a real thing. It is also important because the defining character of patriotism, the impossibly high but utterly fake standards set by the keyboard commandos and chair-borne warriors of right-wing social media, is simply: soldiers are dying at the border. This is literally that. Soldiers have died at the border. It is, by those standards, the ultimate test of patriotism. Which is exactly why, for them, Owaisis words are like sitting on a cactus bush, bare-bottomed. The unsaid tragedy here, of course, is this: today, 70 years after partition, two and a half generations later, Muslims have to die at the border to meet the standards of majoritarian ideals of patriotism. Otherwise, they can simply be killed for carrying a dead cow and the rest of us, after a while, opt to look away. Mumbai: In a marriage, husband and wife fight. But I want my wife to stay with me. I dont want a divorce, said a senior BJP leader, trying to woo back former ally Shiv Sena. An annoyed Sena leader snapped back immediately, Our party is the husband in this relationship. And there is no question of this divorce being called off. These exchanges are the part of the counselling sessions both parties are attending as the BJP leaves no stone unturned to convince its long-term ally to stay in the coalition in Maharashtra. According to highly placed sources in the BJP, preliminary talks have taken place between select Sena leaders close to Uddhav Thackeray, and some Maharashtra BJP leaders. The aim is to convince the party to agree to an amicable seat sharing formula that will not hamper the interest of either parties. Stung by the NDA coalition partners walking away from it, the BJP fears the coming elections might be an uphill task for it. The prospects of Congress and NCP joining hands and the anti-incumbency factor are also causing anxiety. The Shiv Sena has so far maintained that it will fight the elections on its own. In Shiv Sena, only one person takes all the decisions. And that is Uddhav Thackeray. He has reiterated that we will fight and win the coming elections single-handedly. Talks, if any, with any other leaders, will yield no fruits, a senior party leader said. The leader added that there is no possibility of reconciliation now. The doors of return have been long shut. Our national executive has taken this decision, and there is no way of changing it now, he added. But another senior leader offered a way out and said for any talks to take place, Prime Minister Narendra Modi or BJP chief Amit Shah will have to come to Matoshree to visit Uddhav Thackeray. The BJP, on its part, has been trying to change Shiv Senas stand from the day the party announced it. On the day Uddhav Thackeray announced that the party will fight the parliamentary and assembly elections by itself, a senior cabinet minister met Uddhav Thackeray. He told the Shiv Sena president that the party should rethink about its stand, he said. At the time, Uddhav told the senior BJP minister that his party felt upset that BJP was troubling its old ally and the BJP minister replied that this impression was wrong. If some members of the party are not being good, that does not mean that the entire party can be blamed, the leader is learnt to have told Uddhav. Thereafter, preliminary rounds of talks have taken place between two-three Shiv Sena leaders known to be close to Uddhav. It is noteworthy that Sanjay Raut, editor of Saamana newspaper, was not a part of these meetings. The paper is known to spew venom against BJP on every chance it gets. Political sources said that the BJP is aware that the Modi wave that helped it win the last election in the state is ebbing and the BJP cant deny the possibility of anti-incumbency in Maharashtra. Even then, if all four big parties the Congress, NCP, BJP and Shiv Sena, fight elections separately, the BJP can still win hands down. But if the Congress and NCP join hands, the BJP will find it almost impossible to make it single-handedly. Looking at the sheer statistics, it makes sense to have alliance with Shiv Sena, a senior BJP leader said candidly. Bhopal: Hinting at a possibility of the Gujarat election strategy being repeated in Madhya Pradesh, Congress MLA from Radhanpur, Alpesh Thakor, has announced that he will fight to get OBCs their right in the poll-bound state. Very much like Gujarat, OBCs here are yet to see progress, Thakor told media in Bhopal. He also announced a mega-convention for OBCs, where an estimated one lakh people are set to discuss issues and problems of OBCs in the next three months. We wish to unite OBCs, SC/STs and minorities to ensure that constitutional rights are given to them in the country, he said. The MP government has failed miserably to provide rights to farmers, unemployed youths and backward classes. We will fight for OBCs, farmers, unemployed youths and women in MP and would try to build youth leadership from within the weaker sections, he said. Thakor claimed he was extending support to the fight started by local OBC leader Lokendra Singh Gurjar. On being asked why he does not consider MP as pro-OBC, considering its chief minister and a sizeable part of the cabinet is from the group, Thakor said, In Gujarat, of the 54% OBCs, 15% have a job. In Gujarat, the percentage of OBCs remains the same but the jobs are at six percent. The MLA also lashed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that although the leader identifies himself as OBC, he hasnt spoken or done anything for the community. PM Modis recent pakoda remarks also came under attack. Unko dekhna chahiye ki kon pakode tal raha hai. Sirf garib aur kamzor varg he pakode nahi tal rahe hai (He should see who is frying these fritters. Its not just the poor and the backward who are doing this), said the activist-turned-politician. India has nearly 12 crore unemployed youths. Out of this, three crore are educated. The PM wants them to sell pakodas and not get any proper jobs, said Thakor. He (Modi) cares for Taiwan and Palestine but he wont do anything for our own country, alleged the 42-year-old. Clarifying his mushroom jibe at the PM, Thakor said he wanted to underline the rampant corruption in the state. Mera matlab tha ki aap jo khana kha rahe hai, vo koi aur nahi kha sakta (I meant the food that the leaders were having, could not be afforded by anyone else), said the Congress leader. Talking about the Gujarat elections, the MLA claimed his party did not lose as the BJP had used money and muscle power to win. BJP is creating an atmosphere of fear and I have seen this in the eight to nine states I visited after Gujarat elections, he said. Another one of the Gujarat troika, PAAS leader Hardik Patel is also slated to address a public meeting in Bhopal on February 19. CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan is well aware of the Congress plans to woo OBCs. In order to counter that, he recently inducted three ministers from the group in a cabinet rejig. Besides, Chouhan is going all out to woo back farmers and as part of the efforts, a mega farmer convention is scheduled in Bhopal on Monday. Being an OBC leader, Chouhan thrives on backward classes support and the Congress is eyeing to make inroads into this group. It holds around 50% representation, in terms of population, in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh. Hyderabad: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday racked up another controversy by giving a communal angle to the sacrifice of Indian soldiers in the terror attack on Jammu's Sunjwan Army Camp. Condemning the attack, Owaisi said, The so-called nationalists blame and question the nationalism of Muslims. In this attack, five out seven who sacrificed their lives are Kashmiri Muslims. Its a reminder to all those who question our integrity and love for the country. Muslims are dying for the country, but are called Pakistani. Terrorists are not differentiating but Muslims are still asked to prove their loyalty to the country." Hitting out at the BJP-led central government, Owaisi said, "We are not learning from the past. This is not the first incident. In 2003, a similar attack took place in Sunjwan. The same route was adopted. No lessons have been learned from Uri, Pathankot or Nagrota. Who will take the responsibility? Is it not intelligence failure?" Calling the BJP-PDP alliance a drama and a government with no proper policy, Owaisi said, "BJP is in alliance with PDP in Kashmir. If CM is saying talks should happen with Pakistan, then BJP should clarify their stand and respond to the statements of its alliance partner. I cannot comment because one never knows when the PM would decide to land in Pakistan, uninvited, to attend a wedding." Dhanpur: BJP MP Hema Malini on Monday said "poor would only become poorer" under the Left Front government in Tripura and appealed to the people to vote for a change in the state. Tripura is set to go to polls on February 18 and the results will be announced on March 3. The actor-turned-politician on Monday addressed a public rally at Dhanpur assembly constituency, the home turf of Chief Minister Manik Sarkar. Sarkar had won elections from the seat for four consecutive terms since 1998. "The benefits of the pro-poor policies of the central government were only enjoyed by the cadres of the ruling CPI(M). The people of Tripura remained neglected," she said at the rally. She urged people to vote for Pratima Bhowmik, the BJP candidate from the seat, in the upcoming elections. "While coming here (Dhanpur), I came across big residential buildings and thought that people are well off in this part of the state. Upon enquiry, I found out most of these buildings were owned by CPI(M) leaders," she said. The BJP MP also led a 3-km-long road show from a market area to Kathalia HS School ground in Dhanpur. Bengaluru: Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has again attacked the BJP government at the Centre and said that the RSS is running the government and has planted its people in every department and ministry. On the last leg of his four-day bus tour of HyderabadKarnataka region ahead of Karnataka Assembly polls, Rahul, during his interaction with professionals and business leaders, said, RSS is running the government. It has planted its people everywhere. Even secretaries in ministries are appointed by the RSS. Rahul said that even the NITI Aayog had RSS people. Institutions dont belong to any party or ideology. The RSS has planted its people everywhere. Even Indias foreign policy is in a mess. China enjoys a lot of clout in all neighbouring SAARC nations. India has been isolated, he said. He assured the business community that if the Congress returns to power in 2019, they will revise the complicated Goods and Services Tax (GST). He said we will bring down the tax slabs. Currently the GST is too high. The Congress president also alleged that an RSS ideologue gave the idea for demonetisation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Do you know where the idea of note bandi (note ban) came from? Do you know who gave the idea of note bandi to the Prime Minister of India? It was not RBI, it was not Arun Jaitley (Finance Minister), it was not an officer in the Finance Ministry. It was a particular ideologue of the RSS. Now you imagine the RSS places an idea into the Prime Ministers mind and the Prime Minister launches that idea, said. Two days ago, he had demanded an apology from the RSS for its chief Mohan Bhagwats comments on the Indian Army. Rahuls direct attack on the RSS is being seen as an open challenge to the right-wing organisation which is influencing the Karnataka poll campaign through Hinduvta and other related issues. Taking a jibe at Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, he said that in an equal society all businessmen big or small should be able to go to Finance Ministers office, but small businessmen cant go to Jaitleys office now. Meanwhile, the BJP and the Congress once again fought over vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa tweeted that Rahul had visited the Hindu temples after eating a hybrid chicken meal. In response, the Congress released a picture of Rahul eating a vegetarian meal. When the media asked him about this, Rahul chose to ignore their questions. But Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that it was not possible for the party to respond to every question raised by the BJP. In the last four days, Rahul has covered over 700km y road crisscrossing six districts of Hyderabad Karnataka region. On Saturday, he landed at an airstrip in Bellary district and addressed his first public meeting at Hospet near the world heritage site Hampi. After that, he addressed several small and big meetings in Koppal, Raichur, Yadagiri, Gulbarga, and Bidar districts before flying back to New Delhi from Bidar airport. Rahul visited at least six important temples and mutts during his four-day road journey. He also visited the famous Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah in Gulbarga. It is a holy place to both Hindus and Muslims. Last day Tuesday, he visited Anubhava Mantapa at Basava Kalyana near Bidar. Anubhava Mantapa was founded by the 12th-century social reformer Basaveshwara or Basavanna who founded the Lingayat religion after revolting against the casteism in Hinduism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had described it as Indias first experiment with democracy in the Parliament, last week. He also visited the homes of late chief minister Dharam Singh and the late minister Quamarul Islam who died last year. Rahul Gandhi requested Islams wife to contest in the coming Assembly polls. The backward Hyderabad Karnataka region is a mineral rich area and prone to droughts. Lingayats, Muslims, Tribals, and Dalits dominate the region and the Congress hopes that the party will retain its stronghold this time too. New Delhi: Kashmir is on the boil. Each day, stories of unrest are being reported from the valley. After Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti went public with her desire for tripartite talks between Jammu and Kashmir government, Centre and Pakistan, PDP co-founder and former deputy CM Muzaffar Baig said that both Centre and state do not know where the problem lies. Mufti had on Monday said that talks are necessary "to end the bloodshed". She took to Twitter following the attacks on Sunjuwan Army camp in Jammu and a CRPF camp in Karan Nagar, Srinagar, and said, "Dialogue with Pakistan is necessary if we are to end bloodshed. I know I will be labelled anti-national by news anchors tonight but that doesnt matter. The people of J&K are suffering. We have to talk because war is not an option." Speaking on CNN-News18s Viewpoint, Baig expressed his unhappiness with the way events have unfolded in Kashmir. The stakeholders both in Kashmir and the Centre actually dont know what the real problem is. Pakistan is a proxy of China today. China has huge assets in that area. If India has to tackle Kashmir, first you have to understand the dynamics between Pakistan and China. Its one of the important reasons why Srinagar is on the boil, he said. When asked if Mufti should step down, Baig said, How will that lead to a solution? All stake holders are letting people of Kashmir down. When asked if the state had simply become unmanageable, Baig said, When Mufti Muhammad Sayeed and I were managing affairs then no one said that the state was not manageable. Why are those questions being raised only now? As Kashmir continues to struggle from one crisis to the next, its this ambivalence of all stake holders involved which is most telling. New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday gave an impassioned plea to the central government to initiate a dialogue with Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir dispute. Hours later, she even tweeted her defence of talks and said, Dialogue with Pakistan is necessary if we are to end the bloodshed. I know I will be labelled anti-national by news anchors tonight but that doesnt matter. The people of J&K are suffering. We have to talk because war is not an option. Muftis argument, that talks alone can solve this long-standing dispute, has been echoed by leaders across the political spectrum in Kashmir. Even her political rivals, the Abdullahs, have long called for talks. Perhaps it was the near-success of the Agra Summit of 2001 that prompted the belief that a solution was, in fact, possible. History remembers the Agra Summit as one of the greatest missed opportunities of India-Pakistan relations. Former Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri in his book Neither a Hawk nor a Dove wrote that the solution to Kashmir was in the grasp of both governments. Why, then, did the solution slip away from both New Delhi and Islamabad? Different sides have different theories. Then Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf had proposed what was called the Four-point solution to Kashmir. According to different accounts, the solution was, in principle, acceptable to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee but the deal fell through hours before the signing ceremony. The Musharraf plans four points were: 1. Demilitarisation or phased withdrawal of troops Millions of troops, on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC), are stationed in Kashmir. According to Musharraf, both India and Pakistan would have scaled back its troops in the region for a lasting peace. Whether this would be gradual, phased withdrawal or not had to be worked out by the two sides. 2. There will be no change of borders of Kashmir. However, people of Jammu & Kashmir will be allowed to move freely across the Line of Control (LoC). The LoC is effectively a ceasefire line, which both sides accepted in the Shimla Agreement of 1972. However, neither India nor Pakistan accepts it as the International Border. Both nations claim all of Kashmir. If Musharrafs plan were to be accepted, India would have to accept Pakistans sovereignty over Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (which Pakistan refers to as its province of Azad Kashmir) and in return, Pakistan would accept Indian suzerainty over the part of Jammu and Kashmir on Indias side of the LoC. The ceasefire line would then become the International Border and both sides would give up claims over the other half of Kashmir. However, the people of Jammu and Kashmir would be allowed to move freely to the other half of the region. 3. Self-governance without independence Pakistan has long been an advocate of what it calls Kashmiri self-determination but Musharraf was willing to give that up in favour of a greater measure of autonomy. Vajpayee would likely not have too many objections with this clause of the agreement because the Indian Constitution already allows autonomy for J&K under Article 370. While this would have meant that the BJP would have to give up one of its core ideological positions, the repeal of Article 370, it would put an end to Pakistani support to pro-independence Kashmiri insurgents. 4. A joint supervision mechanism in Jammu and Kashmir involving India, Pakistan and Kashmir. Musharrafs decision to include local Kashmiri leadership in the supervision mechanism would have given him a greater chance at selling a potential Musharraf-Vajpayee accord to the people back home in Pakistan. Years after the Summit fell through, Musharraf had claimed that the Indian side had gone back on the agreement even though a draft resolution was ready to be signed. I was told that the Indian Cabinet had refused to give its nod, Musharraf had said at an event in 2004. But according to one account, there was only one man who became a roadblock in the peace deal separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Kasuri wrote in his book, He (Geelani) described President Musharrafs four-point agenda as vague, and criticised the presidents statement on UNSC resolutions relevance to Kashmir. He added, Fortunately, other Kashmiri leaders I met recognised the need for unity in the ranks of Kashmiris. They were more pragmatic and by and large unwilling to go along with Geelanis rigid approach. But there were roadblocks within the Indian establishment as well. Former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) Chief AS Dulat said in a 2015 interview that it was then Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani who derailed the Agra Summit. "The Advani of Delhi and the Advani of Agra were different," Dulat said in an interview to Rediff, "He raked up the issue of Dawood Ibrahim at a dinner hosted for visiting Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on the eve of the Agra Summit. Musharraf was taken aback and told Advani, 'Let us at least go to Agra'." Whether it was the adversarial stance of Advani and Geelani that derailed the summit or whether it was Vajpayees mistrust of Musharraf, since the Kargil War took place just months after his Lahore Bus Yatra, the two-day Agra Summit ended in failure and Musharraf flew back to Islamabad without an agreement being signed. Some hope was revived when Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise stopover in Lahore to meet his counterpart Nawaz Sharif. But since then, multiple terror attacks and military confrontations have led to worsening relations. But the key to a lasting solution, many believe, still lies in the Agra Summit. Point number 2 of the four-point plan had already been mooted by Vajpayee in 1999, when he visited Lahore. Former J&K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah had told a newspaper in 2015 that Pakistan would accept the Vajpayee formula today. Today, they [Pakistanis] are ready to accept that [Mr. Vajpayees offer] with one provision that there should be autonomy here and they [Pakistani government] will do the same there, Abdullah had told the Hindu. Jabalpur: In a statement that might add to the crowded list of CM aspirants in the Congress, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh has hinted that he wont be away from active politics for long. Digvijaya is currently on a tour of areas around the Narmada river. When asked about his political future, the Congress general secretary said, I am a politician, wont fry pakodas after Narmada Parikrama. Digvijayas comments are believed to be a message to all those who have counted him out of the CM race. Many believe the latest remarks could alter internal dynamics within the Congress ahead of the Assembly polls. Digvijaya is serving a serving a self-imposed exile since losing power in Madhya Pradesh to Uma Bharti in 2003. Prior to 2003 Assembly polls, Singh brimming with confidence, had announced his decision to shun active politics for 10 years if he lost but extended his exile after 2013. Political analysts have always maintained that Digvijayas Narmada tour was a precursor to his return to active politics in Madhya Pradesh. The Congress has not announced any CM candidate yet but Jyotiraditya Scindia has emerged as the frontrunner for the post. Digvijaya, a two-time Chief Minister, might not have been active in MP but given his close ties with the Gandhis, he always enjoyed a greater say in party affairs in the state. His reemergence in state politics was evident after several state leaders joined him during the course of his the Narmada Yatra, hinting that Digvijaya could well be at the helm of affairs when the party goes to polls this year. The Narmada Parikrama is expected to traverse as many as 90 assembly constituencies. A seasoned politician, Digvijaya has now has avoided political comments saying he has vowed not to talk politics during his yatra and assured everyone he would make his views public after the religious journey concludes. As his journey eyes completion next month, it seems he has perfectly timed his latest comment. Many believe Digvijaya is an obvious choice for the leadership in the CM race as he commands immense respect and following among Congress workers across the state unlike his many party colleagues. His detractors say that the party lost its connection with the public during Digvijayas rule from 1993 to 2003. Digvijaya Singhs revival in MP might backfire and undo all the hard work the party has done to corner the Shivraj Chouhan government on bijli, sadak and pani issues, a Congress leader wishing anonymity said. Digvijayas return to active politics is definitely going to make things tough for Jyotiraditya. For CM Shivraj, taking on the Congress, plus an active Digvijaya Singh, means it wont be a cakewalk in these elections. New Delhi: A 29 -year-old Youth Congress worker was hacked to death and two others were injured in an attack by a four-member gang in Kerala's Kannur district. The deceased has been identified as T.H. Shuhaib of Edayannur near Mattannur, the secretary of Youth Congress Mattannur block committee. Alleging that the CPM behind the murder, the Congress is observing a day-long 'hartal' in the district. CPM district leadership has denied the party's role in the incident. However, a video where the party workers making a threat on Shuhaib shouting your days are numbered at a rally in connection with the election of a school parliament has gone viral. According to medical reports, there are 37 wounds on Shuhaib's body. This was found at the inquest conducted at the Pariyaram Medical College. The injured, Noushad (26) and Riyas (36) were admitted to the Indira Gandhi Co-operative Hospital in Thalassery. According to police, Shuhaib and his friends were at a roadside eatery when they were targeted by the gang on late Monday. The gang reached the spot in a van and soon began hurling crude bombs before hacking Shuhaib. He was rushed to Kozhikode Medical College with serious injuries but died on the way. Congress district leadership said the CPM will have to pay for this attack on their party which is following a peaceful style. "We are not into bomb-making. This attack was done with the knowledge of the district committee of the CPM. They will have to pay dearly for hampering the peaceful atmosphere when even they are in power," said district congress committee president Satheesan Pacheni. Meanwhile, CPM district leadership denied any involvement in the incident. "According to the local committee, no party member is linked to the attack on Shuhaib. However, we will probe into the allegation and will take necessary action if anyone is connected with this. We strongly condemn the murder," CPM Kannur district secretary P Jayarajan told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. According to statistics from 1969 to May 2016, about 216 people have been killed by political rivals, mainly from CPM and Sangh Parivar, in the district. Nellore: YSR Congress Party chief Jagan Mohan Reddy has announced that if BJP-led Central government does not fulfil the promise of granting Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh, its MPs will resign in protest. While addressing a public gathering, in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh during his padyatra, Jagan said, "If we are not given special status by April 5, our MPs will resign on April 6." Demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh, the YSR Congress Party has also decided to launch a nation-wide campaign, hodha mana hakku, package tho mosapovaddu, pledging that YSRCP will not compromise until the state gets Special Category status. "Special Category status is the right of every citizen of Andhra Pradesh", Jagan added. On March 1st, the opposition also plans to hold a protest at Chief Minister's Office in Vijayawada, the day when then President of India Pranab Mukherjee attested the bifurcation of the State in 2014. The YSRCP leaders along with people fighting for special status will siege all district collectorates in Andhra Pradesh demanding Special Category Status. On March 5th, YSRCP MPs will lead a march of more than thousand people from Ektha Sthal to the Parliament to protest before the Parliament demanding Special Category Status and manifest agony and anger on the compromise by the government. The Punjab Police on Monday launched its online campaign in a bid to counter the growing threat of gangsters and criminals in the state. The online campaign was formally launched by the Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh as the state police went live on social media with a YouTube channel, Twitter account and a Facebook page, in the presence of Director General of Police (DGP) Suresh Arora and other senior officers. The DGP has got a separate Twitter account. Arora said that the police has taken to the social media to aggressively counter the growing threat of gangsters and criminals. "The social media campaign of the police will go a long way in bridging the gap between the police and the citizens, and also at tackling the abuse of social media by gangsters and criminals seeking to spread terror in the state," the Chief Minister said. Also read: Apple iMac Pro With 5K Retina Display Goes on Sale in India at Rs 4,15,000 He called upon the police to use social media in a productive manner to connect with various sections of society, particularly the youth, in order to provide transparent, responsive and effective policing. The move comes in wake of the reports of several gangsters, both inside and outside prisons, using social media to threaten police, intimidate people and self-promotion of their criminal acts. "Social media can be of immense help in effectively handling law and order situations, prevention and detection of crimes, and other aspects of policing," the Chief Minister said. Watch: Tech and Auto Show Ep 30 | Triumph Speedmaster, Samsung Galaxy A8+ & More Sydney: A British warship will sail from Australia through the disputed South China Sea next month to assert freedom of navigation rights, a senior official said on Tuesday in a move likely to irk Beijing. China claims nearly all of the resource-rich waterway and has been turning reefs and islets into islands and installing military facilities such as runways and equipment on them. British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said HMS Sutherland, an anti-submarine frigate, would arrive in Australia later this week. "She'll be sailing through the South China Sea (on the way home) and making it clear our navy has a right to do that," he told The Australian newspaper after a two-day visit to Sydney and Canberra. He would not say whether the frigate would sail within 12 nautical miles of a disputed territory or artificial island built by the Chinese, as US ships have done. But he said: "We absolutely support the US approach on this, we very much support what the US has been doing." In January, Beijing said it had dispatched a warship to drive away a US missile destroyer which had "violated" its sovereignty by sailing close to a shoal in the sea. Williamson said it was important that US allies such as Britain and Australia "assert our values" in the South China Sea, which is believed to hold vast oil and gas deposits and through which USD 5.0 trillion in trade passes annually. "World dynamics are shifting so greatly. The US can only concentrate on so many things at once," he said. "The US is looking for other countries to do more. This is a great opportunity for the UK and Australia to do more, to exercise leadership." China in December defended its construction on disputed islands, which are also claimed by Southeast Asian neighbours, as "normal" after the US think tank released new satellite images showing the deployment of radar and other equipment. In a separate interview with broadcaster ABC, Williamson warned of the need for vigilance to "any form of malign intent" from China, as it seeks to become a global superpower. "Australia and Britain see China as a country of great opportunities, but we shouldn't be blind to the ambition that China has and we've got to defend our national security interests," he said. "We've got to ensure that any form of malign intent is countered and we see increasing challenges -- it's not just from China, it's from Russia, it's from Iran -- and we've got to be constantly making sure that our security measures, our critical national infrastructure is protected." Australia has been ratcheting up the rhetoric against China in recent months, with ties tested in December when parliament singled out Beijing as a focus of concern when it proposed laws on foreign interference. Washington: China is coercing its neighbours to reorder the Indo-Pacific region, the Pentagon told Congress in its annual budget proposals for fiscal 2019, beginning October 1 this year. "China is leveraging military modernisation, influence operations, and predatory economics to coerce neighbouring countries to reorder the Indo-Pacific region to their advantage," the Pentagon said in its annual defence budget for fiscal 2019. Trump administration on Monday released their proposal for the fiscal year 2019 budget. The budgetary proposal covers October 1, 2018, through September 30, 2019. As China continues its economic and military ascendance, asserting power through an all-of-nation long-term strategy, it will continue to pursue a military modernisation programme that seeks Indo-Pacific regional hegemony in the near-term and displacement of the US to achieve global preeminence in the future, it said. The most far-reaching objective of this defence strategy is to set the military relationship between the US and China on a path of transparency and non-aggression, it said. According to the Pentagon, the central challenge to the US prosperity and security is the reemergence of long-term, strategic competition by what the National Security Strategy classifies as revisionist powers. "It is increasingly clear that China and Russia want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model gaining veto authority over other nations' economic, diplomatic and security decisions," it said. The Pentagon said Russia seeks veto authority over nations on its periphery in terms of its governmental, economic and diplomatic decisions to shatter the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and to change European and Middle East security and economic structures to its favour. The use of emerging technologies to discredit and subvert democratic processes in Georgia, Crimea, and eastern Ukraine is concern enough, but when coupled with its expanding and modernising nuclear arsenal the challenge is clear. "Rogue regimes such as North Korea and Iran are destabilising their regions by pursuing nuclear weapons or sponsoring terrorism," the Pentagon said. North Korea seeks to guarantee regime survival and increased leverage through a mixture of nuclear, biological, chemical, conventional and unconventional weapons and a growing ballistic missile capability to gain coercive influence over South Korea, Japan, and the US. In the Middle East, Iran is competing with its neighbours, asserting an arc of influence and instability while vying for regional hegemony, using state-sponsored terrorist activities, a growing network of proxies and its missile programme to achieve its objectives, the Pentagon said. According to the budgetary proposals, competitor states, especially China and Russia have narrowed Department of Defence's military technological advantages, demanding the US find new and innovative ways to fight in the future. "China is now a strategic competitor, using predatory economics to intimidate its neighbours while militarising features in the South China Sea. Russia has violated the borders of nearby nations, and pursues veto power over the economic, diplomatic and security decisions of its neighbours," it said. Concurrently, North Korea's actions and rhetoric continue despite the United Nation's censure and sanctions. Iran continues to sow violence and remains the most significant challenge to the Middle East stability. Despite the defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria's (ISIS) physical caliphate, threats to stability remain as terrorist groups with long reach continue to murder innocent people and threaten peace, the Pentagon added. London: Senior Commonwealth officials are holding secret talks here to decide who will succeed 91-year-old Queen Elizabeth II, media reports said today. The Queen was proclaimed Head of the Commonwealth at her coronation in 1953, when she was the head of state in seven of the organisation's eight members. A high-level group of Commonwealth officials today held a day-long summit here and, according to insiders, were poised to discuss who should replace the monarch after her death. The meeting's agenda, seen by BBC, includes consideration of wider governance, which sources told the broadcaster was code for the succession. The post of the head of the Commonwealth is not a hereditary position that will pass automatically to the Prince of Wales, currently Prince Charles, 69, when the monarch dies. Charles will be head of state in only 15 of the 53 nations and territories that now make up the Commonwealth. A Commonwealth source, speaking to The Independent, denied that the issue of Queen's successor would be discussed at today's meeting, chaired by Anote Tong, former President of Kiribati. But it is expected that succession plans will be raised at a summit of Commonwealth heads of government in London in April. The meeting, held in every few years, is likely to be last attended by Elizabeth. Any decision about the future will be made by the Commonwealth heads of government at the time of the Queen's death, but there is no formal process of choosing her successor. While many Commonwealth figures presume there will be no realistic alternative to Charles, there has in the past been talks of electing a ceremonial leader to improve the organisation's democratic credentials. According to documents seen by BBC, the high-level group will not just confine itself to bureaucratic changes. One insider said: "I imagine the question of the succession, however distasteful it may naturally be, will come up". Kuwait: The United States urged members of the coalition fighting Islamic State on Tuesday to help rebuild Iraq or risk the reversal of the gains made against the group there. The US leads the coalition and hopes that after a three-year fight to defeat the militants it can count in large part on Gulf allies to shoulder the burden of rebuilding Iraq and on a Saudi-Iraqi rapprochement to weaken Iran's influence in the country, which is run by a Shi'ite led government. Islamic State took control of large parts of Iraq and Syria in 2014. Donors and investors have gathered in Kuwait this week to discuss efforts to rebuild Iraq's economy and infrastructure as it emerges from a devastating conflict with the hardline militants who seized almost a third of the country. Iraq declared victory over Islamic State in December, having taken back all the territory captured by the militants in 2014 and 2015. The fighters have also been largely defeated in neighbouring Syria. The US appreciates the "generous contributions" of coalition members over the past year but more is needed, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told a coalition meeting in Kuwait. "If communities in Iraq and Syria cannot return to normal life, we risk the return of conditions that allowed ISIS to take and control vast territory," he said, using an acronym to refer to the group. "We must continue to clear unexploded remnants of war left behind by ISIS, enable hospitals to reopen, restore water and electricity services, and get boys and girls back in school." The US is not expected to make a direct government contribution at the conference, however. "It's not in the question of a pledging thing where we go out with requests, it's underscoring there is a need for support. It's investment, it's private company engagement, it's DFI," a senior state department official travelling with Tillerson told reporters on Monday. The term DFI generally refers to development finance institutions such as multilateral development banks. "But it is also and there are Arab donors willing to help and support focus your efforts on those areas where it actually achieves something in terms of stabilisation and countering foreign influence." Rebuilding Iraq after three years of war will cost more than $88 billion, with housing a particularly urgent priority, Iraqi officials told the conference on Monday. Tillerson also said Washington had decided to provide an additional $200 million of aid to stabilise liberated areas in Syria. At the same time, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance was ready to answer a US call for it to expand its small training mission in Iraq to support reconstruction. US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis sent a letter to NATO last month calling for a formal NATO train-and-advise mission, Reuters reported, part of President Donald Trump's campaign for the alliance to do more against militants. NO ENDURING DEFEAT The end of major combat operations does not mean the United States and its allies have achieved final victory, Tillerson warned. "The end of major combat operations does not mean we have achieved the enduring defeat of ISIS," he said. "ISIS remains a serious threat to the stability of the region, our homelands, and other parts of the globe." The hardline militants, who lost all territory they held in Iraq and are on the cusp of defeat in Syria, are trying to gain territory in other countries where they are active, he said, adding that "History must not be allowed to repeat itself elsewhere." "In Iraq and Syria, ISIS is attempting to morph into an insurgency. In places like Afghanistan, the Philippines, Libya, West Africa, and others it is trying to carve out and secure safe havens." Tillerson said he was concerned over recent events in northwest Syria, where Turkey launched an assault last month on a US-allied Kurdish militia it considers a threat on its southern border, adding that he was keenly aware of Turkey's "legitimate security concerns". London: London police said a suspicious package that was delivered to the British Parliament building on Tuesday contained a white powder. The Metropolitan Police said specialists are assessing the powder. Authorities didn't identify the office that received the substance on Tuesday, but said it remains closed. Police say the rest of the parliamentary complex in central London is open. Police counter-terrorism detectives are investigating the incident. The complex was not evacuated or placed in a lockdown. On Monday, Donald Trump Jr.'s wife, Vanessa Trump was taken to a New York City hospital as a precaution after she opened an envelope addressed to her husband that contained an unidentified white powder, though police later said the substance wasn't dangerous, authorities said. The frightening episode happened after 10 a.m. when Trump, 40, opened the letter addressed to the president's son at her mother's midtown Manhattan apartment, investigators said. She called 911 and said she was coughing and felt nauseous, police said. Police said the envelope contained a letter but provided no other details. Detectives from the New York Police Department's intelligence division and Secret Service agents are investigating the episode. Cape Canaceral Florida: The Trump administration wants NASA out of the International Space Station by 2025, and private businesses running the place instead. Under President Donald Trump's 2019 proposed budget released on Monday, US government funding for the space station would end by 2025. The government would set aside $150 million to encourage commercial development and use future savings to aim for the moon. Many space experts and legislators are expressing concern. Senator Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat who rocketed into orbit in 1986, said "turning off the lights and walking away from our sole outpost in space" makes no sense. Retired NASA historian and Smithsonian curator Roger Launius notes that any such move will affect all the other countries involved in the space station; Russia is a major player, as is Europe, Japan and Canada. NASA has spent close to $100 billion on the orbiting outpost since the 1990s. The first piece was launched in 1998, and the complex was essentially completed with the retirement of NASA's space shuttles in 2011. MIT astronautics professor Dava Newman, who was the deputy NASA chief under Barack Obama, called the space station "the cornerstone of space exploration today" but said the Trump administration's proposal makes sense because it is doing long-term planning. The president proposes shifting large chunks of money from the space station, satellites studying a warming Earth and a major space telescope toward a multi-year $10.4 billion exploration plan aimed at returning astronauts to the moon in about five or six years. "We're building capability for the eventual human exploration of deep space and the moon is a stepping stone," NASA's acting chief financial officer Andrew Hunter said in a Monday news conference. The president's budget proposal, including NASA's portion, was obsolete even before it was made public, but it provides a view into the administration's priorities. Congress earlier this month passed a spending package that set limits through the end of the next budget year. The same budget proposal proposes to pull the plug on WFIRST, a space telescope mission that NASA said is "designed to settle essential questions in the areas of dark energy, exoplanets, and infrared astrophysics." And for the second straight year, the Trump administration proposes killing five missions that study Earth, especially its climate and the effects of carbon dioxide. The president also plans to end education programs in the space agency. Private businesses already have a hand in the space station project. The end of the shuttle program prompted NASA to turn over supply runs to the commercial sector. SpaceX and Orbital ATK have been making deliveries since 2012, and Sierra Nevada Corp. will begin making shipments with its crew-less mini shuttles in a few years. SpaceX and Boeing, meanwhile, are developing crew capsules to fly astronauts to and from the space station within the next year. These commercial flights will represent the first astronaut launches from US soil since NASA's shuttles stopped flying. A complete transfer to the commercial sector is a different matter, however. Mike Suffredini, a former space station program manager for NASA who now runs Axiom Space in Houston and aims to establish the world's first commercial space station cautioned that the US government needs to have a direct hand in the International Space Station until it comes down. No company would accept the liabilities and risks associated with the station, he said, if the sprawling complex went out of control and came crashing down. His company's plan is to attach its own compartments to the existing International Space Station and, once the decision is made to dismantle the complex, detach its segment and continue orbiting on its own. Altogether, the administration's proposed budget , along with an addendum , seeks to increase NASA's budget slightly to $19.9 billion. While the budget plan said it places renewed support on returning humans to the moon, followed by human expeditions to Mars and elsewhere, no precise timeline and few details are provided. The supersize Space Launch System rocket being built by NASA to send astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit along with its Orion crew capsule would get $3.7 billion under this budget. A test launch of this system would remain on track for 2020, with a first crewed launch around the moon three years later, according to budget details. In an agency-wide address, NASA's acting administrator Robert Lightfoot said it was a "very exciting" budget with lots of potential, despite some hard decisions. Among them: the proposed end of WFIRST, a telescope with 100 times the field of view of the Hubble Space Telescope. WFIRST was a mission that the National Academies of Science listed as the decade's No. 1 priority for future NASA astrophysics missions. The WFIRST telescope's cost estimates have ballooned to $3.6 billion and Hunter said it just got too expensive. London: A London court will rule on Tuesday whether it would be in the interests of justice to pursue action against WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange for failing to surrender to bail back in 2012. If the judge rules in his favour, then Assange, 46, would be free to leave the Ecuadorean Embassy in London where he has been holed up for more than five years. However, he might still elect to remain in the embassy, where he has been granted political asylum because he fears Britain would arrest him under a U.S. extradition warrant, the existence of which has neither been confirmed nor denied. WHO IS JULIAN ASSANGE? Assange was born in Townsville, Australia, in July 1971, to parents who were involved in theatre and travelled frequently. In his teens, Assange gained a reputation as a sophisticated computer programmer and in 1995 he was arrested and pleaded guilty to hacking. He was fined but avoided prison on condition he did not re-offend. In his late 20s, he went to Melbourne University to study mathematics and physics. WIKILEAKS Assange launched WikiLeaks in 2006, creating a web-based "dead letter drop" for would-be leakers. It says it is a non-profit organisation funded by human rights campaigners, journalists and the general public, with the aim of fighting government and corporate corruption. The website rose to prominence in April 2010 when it published a classified video showing a 2007 U.S. helicopter attack that killed a dozen people in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, including two Reuters news staff. In July that year, it released more than 90,000 classified U.S. military documents on the war in Afghanistan and then in October, it published about 400,000 more secret U.S. files on the Iraq war. The two leaks represented the largest security breaches of their kind in U.S. military history. It followed these up with the release of 250,000 secret diplomatic cables from U.S. embassies around the world, with some of the information published by newspapers such as the New York Times and Britain's Guardian. The leaks angered and embarrassed U.S. politicians and military officials, who said the unauthorised dissemination would put lives at risk, and drew similar condemnation from U.S. allies such as Britain. ARREST IN 2010 On Nov. 18, 2010, a Swedish court ordered Assange's detention as a result of an investigation into allegations of sex crimes. He had spent much of the year in Sweden and the accusations of misconduct were made by two female Swedish WikiLeaks volunteers. On Dec. 7, 2010, Assange was arrested by British police on a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) issued by Sweden. Assange denied the allegations and was eventually granted bail on Dec. 16. He said from the outset that he believed the Swedish case was a pretext to extradite him to the United States to face charges over the WikiLeaks releases. His extradition to Sweden for questioning was ordered in Feb. 2011. Subsequent appeals failed and an order for his surrender was issued for June 29, 2012. On June 19, he entered the Ecuadorean Embassy in the upmarket Knightsbridge area of London seeking asylum. Ten days later a judge at London's Westminster Magistrates' Court issued a warrant for his arrest. ECUADOREAN EMBASSY Ecuador granted Assange asylum on Aug. 16, 2012 and at the time he said he expected to wait six months to a year for a deal which would allow him to leave the embassy. British police mounted a round-the-clock guard to prevent his escape, saying he would be arrested should he leave. The impasse left Assange living in cramped quarters in the embassy with no political or legal solution to the saga in sight. A United Nations panel said in Feb. 2016 that Assange had been arbitrarily detained. Britain called that description "ridiculous", saying his detention was voluntary. British police ended their permanent guard in October 2015, having spent an estimated 12.6 million pounds, but said they would maintain "covert tactics" to arrest him if he left the embassy. SWEDISH CASE DROPPED On Nov. 14, 2016, Swedish prosecutors questioned Assange at the embassy in London about the alleged sex crimes for about four hours. Swedish prosecutors announced on May 19, 2017, that they had dropped their investigation and withdrawn their EAW. However, British police said he would still be arrested if he left the embassy because there was an outstanding warrant for failing to surrender to bail. In January this year, Ecuador granted Assange citizenship after Britain refused a request for him to be given diplomatic status, saying he would face justice if he left the embassy. NEW COURT CHALLENGE On Jan. 26, Assange's lawyers asked London's Westminster Magistrates Court to drop the arrest warrant against him because it no longer applied as Sweden's EAW had been withdrawn. They said Assange and his guarantors had forfeited more than 110,000 pounds ($156,000) when he failed to surrender and he had already spent 5-1/2 years in conditions which were "akin to imprisonment". Last Tuesday, Judge Emma Arbuthnot rejected his bid to have the warrant withdrawn. However, she then agreed to consider whether, even if Assange were arrested and brought to court, it would actually be in the interests of justice to take any further action against him. Her ruling will be made on Tuesday and if he is successful, it would mean there was no public, legal case in Britain against him. U.S. CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION During his successful election campaign, U.S. President Donald Trump praised Assange's organisation for releasing hacked emails from Democratic National Committee (DNC) computers, telling a rally in Oct. 2016 "I love WikiLeaks". There is no public record or evidence demonstrating any U.S. criminal charges are pending against Assange. When Barack Obama was president, the U.S. Justice Department leadership concluded it would be inappropriate to prosecute WikiLeaks because it was too similar to a media organization. However, in March last year, U.S. federal prosecutors in Alexandria, Virginia, expanded a long-running grand jury investigation into WikiLeaks and its personnel including Assange. A Justice Department official recently confirmed to Reuters this investigation was still open. Last April, CIA Director Mike Pompeo described WikiLeaks as a "hostile intelligence service" abetted by states such as Russia, who had used it to distribute hacked material from DNC computers during the 2016 presidential election. He also called Assange a "fraud" and a "coward". Assange and his supporters believe that U.S. prosecutors have a sealed, therefore secret, indictment against him. They also suspect that Britain has received a U.S. extradition warrant linked to these charges and that he would be arrested by British police were he to leave the embassy. They hope if his court case is successful, it will put pressure on the British authorities to disclose what, if any, U.S. efforts are in place to prosecute him. Karachi: The first woman from Pakistan's tiny minority Hindu community is poised to become lawmaker next month, after the country's opposition party nominated her for the upcoming Senate elections, officials said Monday. According to Nasir Shah, the spokesman in the provincial government of Sindh province, the opposition Pakistan People's Party asked its lawmakers to vote for Krishna Kumari in the March 3 elections for the upper house of parliament. Kumari will be the first female Hindu lawmaker in Pakistan since 1947 when Pakistan gained independence from Britain, he said. Pakistani parties usually nominate wealthy or influential people for the Senate, but Kumari was overjoyed with the news. Because her family was so poor, she said she never dared dream of becoming a lawmaker. "I am grateful to my party of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. I am thankful to the party's leadership. I will do my best for the rights of the oppressed people," she told The Associated Press. Kumari said she faced a "slave-like situation" during her childhood in the remote village of Nagarparkar in Sindh province, where she worked on the farm of a feudal landlord who was abusive to his workers. After winning a seat in the Senate, she will be sitting next to many of today's powerful landowners in Pakistan. Despite the family's poverty, her parents encouraged her education and she got a university degree. Kumari has worked as a social worker and also for a Pakistani charity seeking to create awareness among people about the importance of education and the struggle to achieve basic human rights, guaranteed under Pakistan's constitution but often trampled upon by landowners and tribal chieftains. London: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will hear on Tuesday whether his legal bid to halt action against him for breaching bail has been successful, in a ruling that could pave the way for him to leave the Ecuadorean embassy in London. Even if a judge rules in his favour, though, he may elect to stay in the embassy, where he has been holed up for almost six years, because of his fear that the United States may seek his extradition on charges related to the activities of WikiLeaks. Assange, 46, fled to the embassy in June 2012 after skipping bail to avoid being sent to Sweden to face an allegation of rape, which he denied. The Swedish case was dropped in May last year, but Britain still has a warrant for his arrest over the breach of bail terms. Last week, Assange's lawyers lost an attempt to have the warrant quashed, but they launched a separate argument that it would not be in the interests of justice for the British authorities to take any further action against him. Judge Emma Arbuthnot is expected to rule on that point at Westminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday. If her decision goes in Assange's favour, a public legal case against him would no longer exist in Britain. It is not clear whether the United States does intend to seek Assange's extradition to face prosecution over WikiLeaks' publication of a large trove of classified military and diplomatic documents - one of the largest information leaks in U.S. history. The existence of a U.S. extradition warrant has neither been confirmed nor denied. Kuala Lumpur: An article by a Malaysian newspaper on how to identify lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender (LGBT) people has sparked outrage on social media, as the country grapples with the growing influence of religious hardliners. The LGBT community is routinely persecuted in Muslim-majority Malaysia, where sodomy is a crime and the government sanctions campaigns seeking to curb homosexuality and transgenderism. The offending article published last week by top-selling Malay-language daily, Sinar Harian, included a bullet point list giving tips on how to identify gays or lesbians. The list describes masculine gay men as having a penchant for "wearing tight shirts to show off their six pack" and keeping facial hair, and a separate line that says effeminate gay men go wide-eyed every time they see a handsome man. Lesbians were described as man-haters who are extremely jealous and enjoy hugging and holding hands. "I know a lot of priests, I know a lot of ustaz (religious teachers), I know a lot of really religious people who love keeping long beards... are you trying to say they're gay?" asked Arwind Kumar, who posted a four-minute video on Facebook criticising the story. Malaysia has a record of taking homophobic positions. In June, the health ministry launched a contest on how to "prevent" homosexuality and transgenderism, though it dropped it after pressure from LGBT groups. A "gay moment" in the Walt Disney cartoon movie "Beauty and the Beast" almost led to a ban on it being screened in Malaysia last year. In 2015, Malaysia's highest court upheld a ruling that banned cross-dressing. Neighbouring Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population, is on the cusp of revising its national criminal code to impose restrictions on same-sex relations and consensual sex between men and women outside marriage. Seoul/Washington: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he wants to boost the "warm climate of reconciliation and dialogue" with South Korea after a high-level delegation returned from the Winter Olympics, while his foes stressed the need to intensify pressure to force him to give up his nuclear weapons. Kim gave instructions for measures aimed at more inter-Korean engagement after his younger sister Kim Yo Jong led a three-day visit to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, North Korea's state media reported on Tuesday. It did not specify what those instructions were. The United States has appeared to endorse deeper post-Olympics engagement between the two Koreas that could lead to talks between Pyongyang and Washington. But it has also stressed the need to ramp up sanctions to force North Korea to give up development of nuclear missiles capable of hitting the United States. On Tuesday, the US director of national intelligence, Dan Coats, said North Korea presented "a potentially existential" threat to the United States and said time was running out to act on the threat. "Decision time is becoming ever closer in terms of how we respond to this," Coats told a hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee. "Our goal is a peaceful settlement. We are using maximum pressure on North Korea in various ways." CIA Director Mike Pompeo told the same hearing there was "no indication there's any strategic change" in Kim's desire to retain a nuclear threat to the United States. Coats said in an annual threat assessment report that North Korea was likely to continue weapons testing in 2018 and noted that it had said it was considering an atmospheric nuclear test. The report said Pyongyang's repeated statements that nuclear weapons were the basis for its survival "suggest the regime does not intend to negotiate them away". South Korean President Moon Jae-in said earlier on Tuesday that the United States was open to talking with North Korea. "The United States sees inter-Korean dialogue in a positive light and has expressed its openness for talks with the North," his spokesman quoted Moon as telling Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis. That sentiment was repeated by Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who said Moon had agreed it was necessary to keep up maximum pressure on North Korea. Last year, North Korea conducted dozens of missile launches and its sixth and largest nuclear test in defiance of UN resolutions as it pursues its goal of developing a nuclear-armed missile capable of reaching the United States. Japanese officials were at pains to stress there was no daylight between Japan, the United States and South Korea on their approach to dealing with North Korea. "The goal is denuclearization and the process is dialogue for dialogue, action for action, so if North Korea does not show actions, the United States and Japan will not change their policies," a senior Japanese diplomat told lawmakers. Pompeo said last month that North Korea could be only "a handful of months" away from being able make a nuclear attack on the United States. While stressing its preference for a diplomatic solution to the North Korean crisis, the United States has warned that all options on are on the table, including military ones, to prevent this, although talk of preventative military strikes has eased since the Koreas resumed dialogue last month. A senior South Korean military official stationed at the border between North and South Korea told Reuters North Korea has lowered the volume of its border propaganda broadcasts since the Olympics' opening ceremony on Feb. 9. "I still hear it, but it is much less than before," said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity. DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION Moon, who was offered a meeting with Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang via his sister, has been pushing for a diplomatic solution to the standoff with North Korea. Seoul is planning to push ahead with its plans for reunions of family members separated by the 1950-53 Korean War in order to sustain the dialogue prompted by the North Korean delegation's visit. On Monday, US President Donald Trump urged Russia to do more in urging North Korea to scrap its nuclear program, the White House said, aimed at intensifying the pressure campaign on Pyongyang. Talk of an inter-Korean summit, which would be the first since 2007 if it happened, come after months of tension between Pyongyang, Seoul and Washington. As with North Korean media over the weekend, the KCNA report again made no mention of the summit offer made to Moon. Rather, Kim Jong Un gave his gratitude to Seoul for their "sincere efforts" to prioritize the North Korean delegation's visit, which were "very impressive," KCNA said. Moon and his administration hosted several meetings and meals for the delegation during their stay at the presidential Blue House and luxury five-star hotels, while Moon personally accompanied Kim Yo Jong to Olympic events and a concert. In addition to the high-level delegation, hundreds of North Koreans, including an orchestra and a cheer squad, have visited South Korea for the Olympics. New Delhi: Hafiz Saeed, the 26/11 Mumbai blasts mastermind and Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief, has been declared a terrorist by Pakistan. This came after Pakistan Police on Monday removed barricades placed by members of Saeed's Jamaat-ud-Dawah outside the group's headquarters. The blockade had been set up a decade ago in the name of security. "We have removed blockades from 26 places. including JuD headquarters in accordance with the Supreme Court's orders," said DIG (Lahore) Dr Haider Ashraf. On Tuesday, President Mamnoon Hussain signed an ordinance that brings all individuals and organisations banned by the United Nations Security Council, like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jamaat-ud-Dawah, and Harkat-ul Mujahideen, under the ambit of the amended Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997. There are a total of 27 banned outfits in the UN list and the amendment in Section 11-B and 11-EE of the ATA spells trouble for the likes of Saeed. The move by Hussain comes days before the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting in Paris where rumours were rife of Pakistan being added to the grey list under pressure from the United States of America and India. Being on the list would increase the cost of doing international business and getting involved in cross-border transactions for Pakistan. The Islamic Republic was on this list in February 2012, a tag which stayed with it for three years. Before this amendment, UN identified groups and people banned by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Pakistan from collecting donations in the country. The amended ATA, which goes into effect immediately, will see assets of the banned organisations frozen. Among injured was Shazda, who had a miraculous escape and gave birth to a girl at the hospital. In this photo, an emotional Sitharaman is seen giving a warm hug to Shazda during the meeting at the hospital.(Image: Special Arrangement) Statues are seen in South Korea's Haeshindang Park, also know as 'penis park', a shrine to fertility dedicated to the legend of a local girl who died a virgin, in Sinnam, South Korea. (Image: Reuters) Smashed oranges are scattered on the ground following the 'Battle of the Oranges where people pelt each other with oranges as part of Carnival celebrations in the northern Italian Piedmont town of Ivrea. (Image: AP) Get the news faster. Tap to install our app. Access Newser even faster. Click here to install our app on your desktop. X (Newser) If you heard that one US state has a problem with thousands of cesspools filled with untreated human waste, would Hawaii come to mind first? Brace for the gross, hidden reality of the Aloha State. It seems that Hawaii has about 88,000 such cesspools, and the seeping sewage is posing a genuine threat to beaches, coral reefs, and drinking water, reports the Wall Street Journal. Specifically, health authorities are worried about rising nitrate levels in groundwater, which are approaching or already exceeding the legal limit in parts of the state. Additionally, cesspool effluent contains nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorous, that can disrupt the sensitive ecosystems of Hawaii," per a state health department report cited by news.com.au. story continues below So why the cesspools? Much of Hawaii is mountainous, making it difficult and expensive to lay sewer lines. As a result, many homes have long pumped their sewage into cesspools, a solution becoming increasingly troublesome as the population grows. The state has outlawed the creation of new cesspools, but replacing those already in existence would cost an estimated $1.75 billion, per state health officials. Lawmakers are reaching out to engineers for help, as the problem takes an ever more tangible toll. Around Kahaluu Bay, for instance, skin infections consistent with sewage-contaminated surface waters have been documented in this area, says the health department. (Another apparent safety risk in Hawaii: snorkel masks.) (Newser) A water frog dubbed Romeo by scientists has been calling for a mate from his museum home in Bolivia for about a decade now. The problem is that Romeo may well be the last frog of his species, explains Quartz. Researchers, however, haven't completely ruled out hope of finding a female Sehuencas water frog, which is the reason for an unusual fundraiser by the Global Wildlife Conservation, the Bolivian Amphibian Initiative, and ... Match.com, reports CNN. Yes, Romeo now has a profile on the dating site, the real goal of which is to raise $15,000 by Valentine's Day to fund expeditions to far-flung regions where the frogs once roamed. Match.com is matching any donations that come in. story continues below "When biologists collected Romeo 10 years ago, we knew the Sehuencas water frog, like other amphibians in Bolivia, was in trouble, but we had no idea we wouldn't be able to find a single other individual in all this time," says one of the conservationists on the project. Typically, the frogs live up to 15 years, meaning researchers have another five years, max, to find a female. The first line of Romeo's online profile: "Not to start this off super heavy or anything, but I'm literally the last of my species." (An effort to save the endangered vaquitas ended badly.) (Newser) A 16th-century oil painting that fell into Nazi hands during World War II was returned by France's government to a Jewish couple's heirs Monday. The Flemish painting Triptych of the Crucifixion is attributed to Joachim Patinir and it had sat unclaimed in a French museum for seven decades, per the AP. French Culture Minister Francoise Nyssen presented it to the grandchildren of Hertha and Henry Bromberg during a ceremony at Paris' culture ministry. The Jewish couple sold works under duress to secure their passage from Nazi Germany to the United States. "The feeling of thanks and gratitude is more valuable than the painting itself," said a grandson, Christopher Bromberg. (Another painting looted by the Nazis turned up in Pennsylvania.) (Newser) An American-Iranian man was among a group of environmentalists detained in Iran last month during efforts to foil a protest, bringing the number of US citizens held in the country to at least five, family members and human rights groups say. Morad Tahbaz of the Persian Heritage Wildlife Associationwhich protects at-risk animals, per Reuterswas taken to Evin Prison in late January at the same time as Canadian-Iranian Kavous Seyed Emami, who died there, reports the Wall Street Journal. Iranian officials say 63-year-old Seyed Emami hanged himself, though family members are doubtful. This and the continued detention of 81-year-old American-Iranian Baquer Namaziagainst the advice of Iran's medical examiner and following two hospitalizations in two weeksraises fears for Tahbaz as the US State Department works to confirm his arrest. story continues below While the department calls "for the immediate release of all US citizens unjustly detained" in the country, Iran has refused to release Namazi on humanitarian grounds, even as his family claims "he could die at any time," per ABC News. Namazi was detained in 2016 while trying to procure the release of his son, 46-year-old Siamak Namazi, also a US citizen, per the Journal. Both were convicted of spying for the US, as was Xiyue Wang. Another American, Karan Vafadari, was sentenced in January to 27 years in prison. Tahbaz's detention puts increased pressure on the Trump administration, which has been unsuccessful at establishing a direct channel with Iran to negotiate prisoner releases. US officials have tried four times since December but received no response, reports the Journal. An Iranian official says the US "cannot threaten and attack Iran and then also reach out or ask for negotiations." (Read more Iran stories.) (Newser) Almost 20 years after she kidnapped a newborn baby girl from a hospital room in Florida, Gloria Williams has confessed to her crime. The 52-year-old pleaded guilty in a Jacksonville courtroom Monday to abducting baby Kamiyah Mobley, now known as Alexis Manigo, the Florida Times-Union reports. Williams, who raised the girl as her own in Walterboro, SC, was arrested early last year after a tip to authorities, and Manigo was matched to her birth parents through DNA analysis. Under a plea deal, Williams will not be covered by the four- to seven-year sentencing range in place at the time of the July 1998 kidnapping, but by the zero-to-life range introduced a few months afterward. story continues below Under the deal, Williams, who disguised herself in a nurse's smock to snatch Kamiyah when the baby was just eight hours old, will get between zero and 22 years in prison at a May sentencing hearing. Reuters reports that Manigowho learned the truth a few years before Williams' arrest and has remained close to herhas said she hopes the woman who raised her gets less than 10 years in prison. Manigo and the birth parents she was reunited with last year weren't present at Monday's hearing, but they're expected to take part in the sentencing phase, which begins May 3. Soon after the arrest, Manigo said Williams, who reportedly kidnapped her after having a stillborn baby, had given her "the best life." (Read more child abduction stories.) (Newser) A man in custody in Colorado has confessed to fatally shooting 19-year-old Natalie Bollinger, but he claims her death was still suicide, according to arrest documents seen by NBC News. According to an arrest affidavit, Joseph Michael Lopez, 22, told investigators that he shot the teen after answering a Craigslist ad in the "Women Seeking Men" section titled: "I want to put a hit on myself." He claimed he answered the ad because he had suffered from depression and thought he could help the teen, but he ended up shooting her after he couldn't talk her out of the "suicide." Lopez, who's being held on suspicion of first-degree murder, said he prayed with Bollinger before shooting her with a 9mm gun that she'd given him. He said she told him he could keep the gun as payment. story continues below Bollinger's body was found Dec. 29 in a wooded area in Adams County, east of Boulder. The previous day, her boyfriend told police that she was missing and his Glock 9mm pistol was gone, the AP reports. According to an autopsy, she had a "potentially lethal" level of heroin in her system when she was killed. Days earlier, she had sought a protection order against a man she said had been stalking her, People reports. Investigators connected Lopez to the case through more than 100 text messages exchanged on the night she died. Police haven't confirmed whether the ad seeking a hit man was actually placed. Friends and relatives say Bollinger had suicidal thoughts in the past, but some say she'd been happy recently and had applied for a job the day before she died. (This man's teen wife was murdered in front of himat his request.) (Newser) A judge awarded $6.7 million Monday to graffiti artists who sued after dozens of their works were destroyed on the walls of dilapidated warehouses torn down to make room for high-rise luxury residences. US District Judge Frederic Block in Brooklyn said 45 of the 49 paintings were recognized works of art "wrongfully and willfully destroyed" by an "unrepentant" landlord. Twenty-one artists had sued the owner of a Long Island City, Queens, site known as 5Pointz under the Visual Artists Rights Act, a 1990 federal law that protects artists' rights even if someone else owns the physical artwork. Their graffiti was painted over in 2013, and the buildings were torn down a year later, reports the AP. Before they vanished, the graffiti became a tourist attraction, drawing thousands daily and forming a backdrop to the 2013 movie Now You See Me, as well as a site for an Usher tour, the judge noted. story continues below All the while, the crime-ridden neighborhood gradually improved, and it became the "world's largest collection of quality outdoor aerosol art," Block wrote. The ruling followed a November trial in which Block said the "respectful, articulate, and credible" artists testified about "striking technical and artistic mastery and vision worthy of display in prominent museums if not on the walls of 5Pointz." Owner Jerry Wolkoff conceded he allowed the artists to use the buildings as a canvas for decades but said they always knew they would be torn down. The artists had once hoped to buy the properties, before their value soared to over $200 million. "Wolkoff could care less. As he callously testified," the judge said. "The sloppy, half-hearted nature of the whitewashing left the works easily visible under thin layers of cheap, white paint, reminding the plaintiffs on a daily basis what had happened." (Read more graffiti stories.) (Newser) Trump administration members are hailing their newest idea as a "bold" approach that would save the government billions and feed more than 38 million people in low-income households, but critics are calling it an approach that's "prone to failure." President Trump's 2019 budget plan was released Monday, and in it was a reference to "America's Harvest Box," Politico reports, a container of nonperishable food (e.g., canned fruits and meat, peanut butter, cereal) that would replace about half of the money received each month by "food stamp" recipients via SNAP. The USDA claims the program, which would apply to about 80% of SNAP recipients, would save about $130 billion over 10 years; White House OMB chief Mick Mulvaney raves that it would be similar to high-end meal service Blue Apron. Officials also say it would fight fraud and ensure people ate better, per CNNMoney. story continues below But anti-hunger advocates are pushing back, pointing out logistics issues, the lack of certain foods (there's no fresh produce or meat included), and the stigmatization. "Holy mackerel," Kevin Concannon, who headed SNAP under former President Obama, tells Politico. "I don't know where this came from, but I suspect that the folks when they were drawing it up were also watching silent movies." Other problems critics foresee: mom-and-pop stores losing business, rural families not having access, and people with food allergies having issues. As for the Blue Apron comparison, the Washington Post notes a Blue Apron serving costs about $10 per person (and has fresh meat and produce), while a SNAP meal costs about $1.37. Concannon doesn't think Congress will OK the plan, telling Politico "the chances of this happening is the same chance of me captaining the next spaceship launching from Florida." (Read more food stamps stories.) (Newser) A day-long meeting set to take place in London will have "wider governance considerations" on its agenda. The BBC reports that's code for something much more fascinating than it sounds: succession. Not of the crown, which Prince Charles will inherit upon his mother's death, but of the role as head of the Commonwealth. It has 53 member statesmany of them formerly part of the British Empire, reports the Telegraph, with Rwanda most recently joining in 2009that are home to 2.4 billion people, but only 15 of them will eventually have Charles as their head of state. The Commonwealth position is not hereditary, leaving open the possibility that someone else could fill the role, and that's reportedly what a "high-level group" will be discussing before appearing at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in April. story continues below Queen Elizabeth became head of the Commonwealth when she was crowned in 1953, but the Commonwealth has only been in existence since 1931, and there is no formal process for deciding on a successor. There have been some murmurings in the past about electing what the BBC calls "a ceremonial leader to improve the organization's democratic credentials." The Telegraph reports a 2009 diplomatic cable leaked by WikiLeaks allegedly voiced the concerns of the Commonwealth's secretariat director of political affairs with Charles assuming the role, saying he "does not command the same respect" as his mother. She has been quietly lobbying for her son, whose website expresses his support for the Commonwealth and notes he has been to 41 of its countries. (The queen's father used a most unusual hiding place for the crown jewels during World War II.) (Newser) In addition to saying he "should have been first" to assault a "beautiful" rape victim, Rodrigo Duterte once told soldiers he'd protect them if they raped women. His misogynistic rhetoric only continued with comments last week, drawing outrage even as a spokesman claims the Philippine president shouldn't be taken literally, per Reuters. In a Feb. 7 speech now gaining attention, Duterte said he'd ordered soldiers to shoot female Maoist rebels while mayor of Davao Cityonly the order was a bit more specific than that, reports the New York Times. "Tell the soldiers, 'There's a new order We will not kill you. We will just shoot you in the vagina,'" Duterte said. The women would be "useless" without vaginas, he added, though "vagina" was erased from the official transcript of the speech delivered to 200 former communist soldiers, per the Guardian. story continues below Calling Duterte "the epitome of misogyny and fascism," Emmi de Jesus of the Gabriela Women's Party says the comment "takes state terrorism against women and the people to a whole new level." Carlos H. Conde of Human Rights Watch adds it "encourages state forces to commit sexual violence during armed conflict." But spokesman Harry Roque suggests Duterte was only joking and says he views women's welfare as a priority. "Sometimes, these feminists are really a bit [overreacting]. I mean, that's funny. Come on. Just laugh," he said, per the Guardian. The outlet notes Duterte also discussed women after the International Criminal Court began investigating him for crimes against humanity last week, noting he didn't mind being imprisoned if it meant conjugal visits by more than one woman. (More on the investigation here.) (Newser) There's nothing like opening up a brand-new makeup kit and glamming it upthough that glamorous feeling may be lost if you find out you're applying makeup someone else already used. That's the gist of a complaint filed in Chicago last month by a California woman who says Ulta repackaged returned cosmetics and placed the items back on store shelves, the Los Angeles Times reports. "Every customer who has purchased cosmetics at Ulta since this practice began was put at risk of unwittingly purchasing used, unsanitary cosmetics," the lawsuit states. Kimberley Laura Smith-Brown of Los Angeles alleges she stocked up on dozens of items from Ulta's Sherman Oaks location over the past six months or soand then saw whispers on social media that her stash may not have been as pristine as she thought. story continues below A Twitter user who said she was an ex-Ulta employee started the hubbub, claiming that when she worked there, her manager would instruct employees to clean returned items with cotton swabs and alcohol, seal them back up, then slip them back on the shelves. And, she said, they "would resell EVERYTHING (makeup, hair care, skincare, fragrance, hair tools, etc.)." Other supposed Ulta employees both refuted and supported her claims. ABC Action News reports a second lawsuit was filed last week in Illinois' Cook County Circuit Court, with plaintiff Meghan DeVries alleging Ulta managers are given a "quota" of how many returned items can be listed as "damaged," per a release. The lawyer in that class action says used cosmetics can contain harmful bacteria like E. coli and even the herpes simplex virus. (A potential concern in children's makeup: asbestos.) (Newser) A West Virginia cop who made headlines for not shooting a man holding a gun has just won a $175,000 wrongful termination settlement from his former police department. The unusual case goes back to 2016, when Weirton police officer Stephen Mader responded to a call about a possibly suicidal man, reports the Guardian. Though the man was holding a gun, Mader did not consider him to be a threat. As he was trying to persuade the man to drop the weapon, two other officers arrived and fatally shot 23-year-old RJ Williams. Mader soon got a termination letter accusing him of failing to properly respond to the threat. story continues below The unfortunate reality of police work is that making any decision is better than making no decision at all, the letter read in part. Mader sued, and the city argued that he got fired in part of because of two previous incidents, including one in which he put a parking ticket inside a car without having a search warrant and then cursed at the owner's wife, reports the Weirton Daily Times. The two sides reached the settlement on Monday, and it stipulates that Mader's former police department won't try to prevent him from becoming a cop anywhere else. At the end of the day, Im happy to put this chapter of my life to bed, he said. (Read more police shooting stories.) (Newser) A British judge on Tuesday upheld an arrest warrant for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has spent more than five years evading the law inside Ecuador's London embassy. Judge Emma Arbuthnotwho Bloomberg reports last week rejected arguments made by his teamrejected new arguments by Assange's lawyers that it's no longer in the public interest to arrest him for jumping bail in 2012 and seeking shelter in the embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden, where prosecutors were investigating allegations of sexual assault and rape made by two women. He has denied the allegations. Arbuthnot said Assange should come to court and make his case like any other defendant and didn't mince words in leveling her decision at Westminster Magistrates' Court, reports the AP. story continues below "He appears to consider himself above the normal rules of law and wants justice only if it goes in his favor," she said. "Defendants on bail up and down the country ... come to court to face the consequences of their own choices. He should have the courage to do so, too." Swedish prosecutors dropped their investigation last year, saying there was no prospect of bringing Assange to Sweden in the foreseeable future. But the British warrant for violating bail conditions still stands, and Assange faces arrest if he leaves the embassy. Assange's attorney argued that arresting him is no longer proportionate or in the public interest, saying the 5 years Assange has spent inside the embassy were "adequate, if not severe" punishment for his actions. (Read more Julian Assange stories.) (Newser) The US embassy in Moscow currently has the ho-hum address of Bolshoy Devyatinsky Lane, 8. But if a Russian lawmaker gets his way, the address will soon be North American Dead End, 1. The reason is a bizarre spat going on over street names. As RT reports, it began when city officials in Washington, DC, changed the name of the street on which the Russian embassy sits to Boris Nemtsov Plaza, in recognition of a Russian opposition figure who was murdered in 2015. story continues below The move irked senior Duma lawmaker Mikhail Degtyarev, who proposed that Russia respond in tit-for-tat fashion. "Moscow is an ancient, historic city, unlike Washington," he said, per DW.com. "That is why we will not change the pre-existing street names or alley names over fleeting political ambitions or disputes. However, we might as well change the mailing address of a no-name dead end street." City officials in Moscow say they will formally consider the name change later this month. (Read more Russia stories.) Sorry! This content is not available in your region Collections Sorry, there are no recent results for popular collections. Let us know what you're seeing and hearing around the community. Submit here The Daily News-Miner encourages residents to make themselves heard through the Opinion pages. Readers' letters and columns also appear online at newsminer.com. Contact the editor with questions at letters@newsminer.com or call 459-7574. Community Perspective Send Community Perspective submissions by mail (P.O. Box 70710, Fairbanks AK 99707) or via email (letters@newsminer.com). Submissions must be 500 to 750 words. Columns are welcome on a wide range of issues and should be well-written and well-researched with attribution of sources. Include a full name, email address, daytime telephone number and headshot photograph suitable for publication (email jpg or tiff files at 150 dpi.) You may also schedule a photo to be taken at the News-Miner office. The News-Miner reserves the right to edit submissions or to reject those of poor quality or taste without consulting the writer. Letters to the editor Send letters to the editor by mail (P.O. Box 70710, Fairbanks AK 99707), by fax (907-452-7917) or via email (letters@newsminer.com). Writers are limited to one letter every two weeks (14 days.) All letters must contain no more than 350 words and include a full name (no abbreviation), daytime and evening phone numbers and physical address. (If no phone, then provide a mailing address or email address.) The Daily News-Miner reserves the right to edit or reject letters without consulting the writer. Hyderabad: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday slamming the RSS said five of seven soldiers martyred were Muslims and questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not tweet about the attack even after four days. Owaisi during a function in Hyderabad said, They (RSS) questions a Muslims loyalty for India in various TV news shows. They call us Paskistani, now when five Muslims have died in Sunujwan, why RSS is quiet. The terrorists do not differentiate between Hindu and Muslims. They kill every Indian, still Muslims of the country have to prove their loyalty to the country, added Owaisi. He further asked BJP to make its stand clear after PDP the saffron partys alliance in Jammu and Kashmir called for talks with Pakistan to stop bloodshed in the state. Also read: Jail term for anyone who calls Indian Muslims Pakistani, demands Owaisi Taking a jibe on PM Modi, Owaisi said, I cannot comment anything because no one knows when the PM would decide to land in Pakistan to attend a marriage. On Saturday, Sunjuwan Army camp was attacked by three terrorists in which seven soldiers were killed and at least 10 people suffered serious injuries. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: At least five people were killed and 15 others injured in an explosion onboard Sagar Bhushan, a drill vessel at Cochin Shipyard Ltd. The explosion occurred on Monday when the ship owned by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) was undergoing repairment work at Cochin Shipyard. The police officials and fire tenders rushed to the spot immediatelyA and were trying to douse the fire. The number of causalities could go up as some of the injured were in critical condition. All the injured have been shifted to a nearby hospital while efforts were on to rescue two more people trapped inside the burning ship.A The fire was under control after Naval fire tenders were pressed into service. Union Minister of Shipping & Water Resources Nitin Gadkari has directed MD Cochin Shipyard to provide all medical support to victims and initiate an inquiry into the incident. Kerala: Explosion at Cochin Shipyard kills 4, Police & fire tenders at the spot pic.twitter.com/NRGQtHPdWH a News Nation (@NewsNationTV) February 13, 2018 For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Body of a five-year-old boy, who was missing since January 7, was found in a suitcase hidden inside the house of a former tenant on Monday, police said on Tuesday. Delhi Police said, the accused Avadesh Sakya,27, is an IAS aspirant. He killed the minor because, he was asked not to party by his renters, said a senior police officer of Delhi. Police further added that Sakya had stayed with the victims family for the last seven years in North Delhis Sawroop Nagar and had recently shifted his home in the same neighbourhood. The victim was familiar to the accused and regularly visited his home even after shifting. No one doubted him as the victim and accused were very close to each other, added Police. The victims body was found in the suitcase after neighbours complained of foul smell coming from Sakyas residence. He initially avoided suspect by stating that the stench smell was due to dead rats, said Delhi Police. A senior police officer said, On seeing the body it seems the boy was murdered soon after he went missing. The accused during questioning told the police that he murdered the minor because he wanted to revenge humiliation by his parents. The accused was asked to vacate because of his party habits, said a police officer part of the investigation team. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A day after Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Pakistan will pay for the cross-border terror attacks, her Pakistani counterpart on Monday responded by stating that any misadventure by India will be met with an equal and proportionate response. Pakistani Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan in an official statement further accused India of blaming Pakistan without substantial evidences. Dastgir in an official statement said, Pakistan will pay India in its own coin in case of any misadventure. Any aggression or misadventure regardless of its scale or location shall be met with an equal and proportionate response. He further stated, Pakistans armed forces are alive and prepared fully to defend our countrys territorial integrity. Sitharaman on Monday had visited the Sunjuwan camp, where six Indian Army jawans were killed and at least 10 people suffered serious injuries in a terror attack on Sunday. Also read: 'Pakistan will pay for this misadventure': Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunjwan Army Camp attack She after visiting the Sunjuwan camp has accused Pakistan of helping Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militants to launch attacks in camps of Indian security forces. She had also warned Pakistan that they will pay for the attack. Sitharaman talking to the media had also said that all evidences including dossier of attackers will be shared with Islamabad. The attack was sponsored by Azhar Masood residing in Pakistan, had said the Sitharaman. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The security forces on Tuesday killed two millitants in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar after a fierce gun battle that lasted for around 28 hours. In a joint operation, CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir police personnel gunned down both the militants hiding inside a building in the heart of Srinagar after a failed attempt to attack Karan Nagar CRPF camp. According to the CRPF officials, the millitants were hiding inside a half-constructed building near the CRPF camp in posh Karann Nagar area of Srinagar. "Two bodies of terrorists recovered so far with weapons. Well done boys by neutralising terrorists without collateral damage," SP Vaid, DGP, J&K tweeted. The encounter broke out on Monday after an alert CRPF guard opened fire on the militants with AK 47 rifles trying to enter on the CRPF camp. After the firing, the terrorists fled and entered a building near the campsite, which was later surrounded by the security forces and started exchanging fire. A CRPF soldier died while one police personnel injured during the intense gun battle. Also Read | 'Pakistan will pay for this misadventure': Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunjwan Army Camp attack Here are the live updates on Srinagar CRPF Camp encounter: #01:00 AM: Second militant in Srinagar's Karan Nagar encounter killed, mopping operations under way: officials #12:00 AM: One terrorist of LeT neutralised in Srinagar's Karan Nagar encounter: SP Vaid, DGP, Jammu & Kashmir One terrorist of LeT neutralised in Srinagar's Karan Nagar encounter: SP Vaid, DGP, Jammu & Kashmir (File Pic) pic.twitter.com/qvYaDAXR1R ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2018 #11:30 AM: We are suspecting the presence of two terrorists, the operation is in its final stage. We have been successful in doing a deliberate assault, we are expecting the operation to finish it very soon: Swayam Prakash Pani, IGP, Kashmir #11:00 AM: Watch: Encounter underway between security forces and terrorists in Srinagar's Karan Nagar #WATCH J&K: Encounter underway between security forces and terrorists in Srinagar's Karan Nagar (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/sECH5chjMJ ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2018 #10:45 AM: Zulfiqar Hasan, IG Operation, CRPF briefs media about the ongoing encounter between security forces and militants. Encounter is still going on, we are operating cautiously to avoid any collateral damage to citizens and property: Zulfiqar Hasan, IG Operation, CRPF on encounter underway in Srinagar's Karan Nagar #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/I7af7y6dnC ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2018 # 10:30 AM: Meanwhile, the body of an Army jawan recovered from Sunjwan Army Camp. Soldiers death toll reaches to six while on civilian was also killed. # 10:15 AM: Wreath-laying ceremony of CRPF Jawan MM Khan of 49 battalions who lost his life in the encounter with terrorists at CRPF camp in Srinagar's Karan Nagar area. # 10:00 AM: Security forces conduct search Ops in Jammu's Raipur Domana area; Helicopter being used to conduct surveillance of the area. Jammu & Kashmir: Security forces conduct search operation in Jammu's Raipur Domana area; Helicopter being used to conduct surveillance of the area (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/XjT5ShWcAA ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2018 #9:50 AM: BREAKING NEWS: Security forces conduct search operation in Jammu's Raipur Domana area; More details awaited #9:40 AM: Jammu and Kashmir: Encounter at CRPF camp in Srinagar's Karan Nagar continues for the second day. The intermittent firing was reported through the night. #9:30 AM: Intermittent firing continues between security personnel and terrorists at CRPF camp in Srinagar's Karan Nagar. One CRPF personnel lost his life in the attack on CRPF camp on Monday. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said Pakistan will pay for the terrorist attack on Sunjwan Army Camp in Jammu in which 6 people including a civilian and five soldiers lost their lives. The terrorists belonged to the Jaish-e-Mohammad Tanzeem, sponsored by Azhar Masood, residing in Pakistan and deriving support from therein. The terrorists had chosen to attack a military station which housed both troops and families of the Indian Army, Sitharaman said. All evidences which have been collected are now being compiled and, definitely, these will be given, as always, to Pakistan. Yet Pakistan, in spite of being given dossier after dossier, has not taken any action, she told reporters in Jammu. Not stating any timeline for the action against Pakistan, the Defence Minister said, "Pakistan will pay for this misadventure. I repeat, Pakistan will pay for it." we will be providing evidence to prove that the handlers are back in Pakistan and they are the mastermind, influencing all this. That does not deny us our right to respond adequately and at a time we think fit. I state that Pakistan will pay for this misadventure, She added. A group of heavily armed men stormed the Sunjwan Army Camp of the 36 brigade of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry before dawn on February 10. Five Army men, including two Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), and a civilian were killed in the attack. Pakistan, however, denied having hand in the attack and warned India against crossing Line of Control (LoC) for another surgical strike. "It is a well-established pattern that Indian officials begin making irresponsible statements and levelling unfounded allegations, even before a proper investigation in an incident has been initiated," Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "We hope that the international community would urge India to stop the untold atrocities and gross violations of human rights in Kashmir (and) refrain from any misadventure across the Line of Control..." it added. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday slammed the government over the recent terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. He accused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti running opportunistic alliance over the death of soldiers. Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday from his official Twitter handhel @OfficeofRG tweeted, "1. PDP says talks with Pakistan. 2. BJP Defence Minister says "Pakistan will pay the price". While our soldiers pay with their blood for BJP/PDPs opportunistic alliance and non-existent Kashmir policy; Modi Ji dithers," Rahul Gandhi tweeted today from his official handle, @OfficeOfRG. The Jammu and Kashmir chief minister soon after the Sunjuwan attack had called for talks between India and Pakistan to stop bleeding shedding in the state. 1. PDP says talks with Pakistan. 2. BJP Defence Minister says "Pakistan will pay the price". While our soldiers pay with their blood for BJP/ PDPs opportunistic alliance and non-existent Kashmir policy; Modi Ji dithers. Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 13, 2018 While, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said "Pakistan will have to pay for this misadventure." Also read: Indian aggression shall be met with equal response, says Pakistan minister after Sitharamans warning At least three militants on Saturday stormed into Indian Army Camp in Sunjuwan. Seven soldiers were killed in the attack and at least 10 persons including civilians were seriously injured in the attack. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Jammu: The world salutes the mettle of Indian Army, reason they have men of all age who keep the countrys prestige in first priority. The recent example of the act to keep the countrys honour high can be seen post Sunjuwan attack. A major rank Indian Army officer on regaining conscious first think he asked, are all militants dead. My boys are there, I need to go. The story is of Major Abhijeet who was seriously injured on the first day of the terror attack on Sunjuwan camp. Soon after being hit by a bullet fighting the terrorists, he felt on ground and had lost his conscious the very moment. Major General Nadeep Naithani said, Abhijeet has gone through a surgery and his recovering. He regained his conscious on Tuesday. He added that Abhijeet was informed that all terrorists have been gunned down. Also read: Indian aggression shall be met with equal response, says Pakistan minister after Sitharamans warning Around three terrorists on Saturday sneaked into the Indian Army Sunjuwan camp in Jammu and Kashmir. Seven soldiers were injured and at least 10 other including civilians were killed in the terror attack. The attack was carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists. Security agencies during their investigation have learnt that the attack was sponsored by Azhar Masood. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Bhopal: Union Minister Uma Bharti on Tuesday at Bhopal declared that she will not contest elections for the next three years due to health issues. She also clarified that she is not retiring from politics. The Union Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation said, I need some time to take rest. I am suffering from knee and back problems. I will not fight for elections for the next three years. The BJP MP from Jhansi told the reporters that she for the time being wants to work from 9AM to 5PM. She added that her doctors have asked her to follow a strict lifestyle. I need to rejuvenate my body, said the 58-year-old BJP leader. The Union Minister added that she had informed BJP president Amit Shah about her wish to take a leave. Amit Shah ji has asked me to continue as Union Minister till 2019. Also read: Also read: 'I will fast unto death if Ganga cleaning plans don't start by October 2018', says Uma Bharti Taking three years leave does not mean I am retiring from politics. After these three years I will have many more years in politics, added Bharti. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday released a USD 4 trillion annual budget for the fiscal 2019 beginning October 1, proposing USD 256 million in civilian assistance and USD 80 million in military aid to Pakistan. The proposal of aid to Pakistan comes weeks after Trump administration suspended nearly USD 2 billion in security assistance to Islamabad due to its inability to take action against terrorist groups operating from its soil. The White House has said it would consider lifting the freeze if it sees action by Pakistan against terrorist groups. The budgetary proposal says that the military aid depends on Pakistan taking action against terrorist safe havens. "The budget requests USD 256 million for Pakistan in economic and other assistance to help increase stability, promote economic growth and create opportunities for US businesses," said the annual budgetary proposals sent by the White House to the Congress. "In addition, the Budget requests USD 80 million in Foreign Military Financing assistance to enhance Pakistan's counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency capabilities, contingent on Pakistan taking appropriate action to expand cooperation in areas where US-Pakistan interests converge and to address areas of divergence, in line with the administration's South Asia strategy," the White House said. Also Read | Fearing FATF, Pak amends Anti-terror law to ban UN-listed terror Orgs The budget furthers the US goal of a stable and secure South Asia by supporting the Afghan government and security forces in their fight against the Taliban insurgents and jihadist terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda and ISIS. It requests more than USD 5 billion for continued US training and assistance for the Afghan security forces and would enable US forces to conduct counter-terrorism operations to ensure that the region cannot be used by jihadist, terrorist groups to plot transnational attacks against the US homeland, citizens overseas, or allies and partners. "The budget also continues to include funding to support America's partnership with Pakistan," it said. The budget's more than USD 630 million for civilian assistance supports the President's new strategy to empower the people of Afghanistan to take ownership of their future, the White House said. In addition, the budget strengthens and sustains improvements in education, health, governance and other sectors that are essential for securing a stable and prosperous Afghanistan. It also allows the US to honour the pledge made at the Brussels conference on Afghanistan, which anticipated gradually declining assistance levels, it added. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Pakistan has secretly amended the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 to ban the United Nations proscribed terrorist groups, reported local media. According to Pakistani media reports, President Mamnoon Hussain last Friday quietly promulgated an ordinance seeking to amend the Anti-Terrorism Act. The ordinance amends Sections 11-B and 11-EE of Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 (XXVII of 1997). Section 11-B sets out parameters for proscription of groups, whereas 11-EE describes the grounds for listing of individuals, the Dawn News reported. The new amendments will allow Pakistan to put terror groups listed under the United Nations (Security Council) Act, 1948, in the list of proscribed groups. Also Read | Donald Trump proposes USD 336 million aid to Pakistan in America's 4 trillion annual budget for FY 2019 The move is likely to clear the air on the longstanding ambiguity over the status of 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeeds Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) and Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF). The move has come a week before the six-day multi-national Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting in Paris where Pakistan is likely to be grey-listed for money-laundering and terror-financing. Earlier in November last year, FATF at its plenary in Buenos Aires had asked Pakistan provide a compliance report on actions taken against Lashkar-e-Taiba and JuD at Paris meeting. FATF maintains a grey and blacklist that identifies countries supporting money laundering and terror financing. Pakistan had been on the grey list of FATF for three years from 2012 to 2015. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Following the discovery of the bodies of an elderly woman and her son in her residence in Tokorozawa City last week, police have arrested two men who are believed to have been involved in their deaths, reports the Sankei Shimbun. At the afternoon of February 8, the bodies of Fumiko Irie, 76, and her son, 53-year-old Yoshitaka Osaki, were found collapsed in the bathroom of the residence by relatives. Police and fire personnel arriving at the residence confirmed both persons dead at the scene. According to the Tokorozawa Police Station, the body of Irie did not exhibit external wounds. She was later confirmed to have died due to drowning. The upper body of her son, a kindergarten bus driver, had received a number of stab wounds. He died due to internal organ damage, police said. On Monday, police in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture arrested Yoshiaki Sakuma (53), who lived in the residence with Irie, and Ryuji Otani (42) on suspicion of abandoning a corpse. They have not commented on the allegations, police said. At the time police arrived at the residence, Sakuma, who served as the womanas nurse, was not present. Police subsequently launched a search for his whereabouts. No information was provided on Otani. According to a previous report, Osaki regularly visited his mother to provide assistance. After making such a visit February 7, he did not arrive for work on the following day. His wife and the womanas eldest son then visited the residence and made the grisly discovery. Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Osaki and Irie. Hyogo Prefectural Police have arrested a 69-year-old man after he fatally beat his son with a hammer at their residence in Ueda City, reports the Sankei Shimbun. According to the Ueda Police Station, Junzo Kikuhara, an employee in the building construction industry, allegedly used a hammer to repeatedly beat the head of his son, 43-year-old Ryoichi, at their residence sometime on Saturday or Sunday. At around 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, Kikuhara reported the crime to police. Officers arriving at the residence found Ryoichi collapsed and bleeding. He was confirmed dead at the scene. Police did not reveal whether the suspect admits to the allegations or not. Two Japanese professional players of the traditional board games shogi and go have received the country's People's Honor Award. Shogi champion Yoshiharu Habu and go master Yuta Iyama attended an awards ceremony at the office of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday. Habu in December became the first player ever to become a lifetime holder of all major shogi titles. Iyama won all 7 major go titles in Japan for an unprecedented 2nd time last October. Abe said their historical achievements gave people dreams, and brought hope to society. He presented them with certificates and cloisonne ink-stone cases and writing brushes inscribed with their names. The two are the first shogi and go players to receive the award, which was established in 1977, and the 24th and 25th recipients overall. After the ceremony, the 47-year-old Habu told reporters that he has renewed his resolve to improve as a professional shogi player. He said he will push his limits as he gets older. Iyama, who is 28, said he understands the commendation reflects people's expectations for his continued efforts in future. He says he will work harder to improve both as a person and as a go player. Major Japanese cryptocurrency exchange Coincheck Inc. submitted to the Financial Services Agency on Tuesday a business improvement report following the recent theft of 58 billion yen worth of digital money. The report included measures to strengthen the security of its computer system, the protection of customer assets and its management structure. Coincheck on Tuesday restarted allowing customers to withdraw yen deposits from their accounts. The company said it has transferred a total of 40.1 billion yen to customers at their requests. Coincheck got most of the NEM assets of its customers stolen through unauthorized access on Jan. 26, immediately halting the withdrawals of yen and virtual currency assets. While yen withdrawals have restarted, Coincheck maintains the freeze on cryptocurrency withdrawals, claiming that it remains unable to verify the safety of its system. Some Fulani herdsmen this morning chased out the workers at the Akure South Local Government Secretariat following a disagreement.It took the intervention of the Ondo State Commissioner of police, Mr. Gbenga Adeyanju, and the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr. Pedro Ideba, who deployed their men in the council, before the situation was brought under control.One of the workers of the council was allegedly macheted by the herdsmen.The members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees are asking the government to act on the matter.Following the incident, the secretariat was deserted by the workers, some of whom returned home after the incident. One of the returnees in the fifth batch of 136 from Libya who arrived Port Harcourt International Airport in the early hours of Tuesday, Joy Job, has revealed that it was Nigerians sold her and some few others into slavery in Libya.Job while recounting her experience in Libya, described it as horrible, sorrowful and unforgettable.She said that she was sold into slavery by a Nigerian who told her that he found a hairdressing job for her in Kano, not knowing that she had been sold into slavery to another Nigerian living in Libya.Nigerians are selling fellow Nigerians into slavery in Libya; we are sold from one person to another, Libya people will buy us from our people and use us for any kind of work they like.I did not know that where I was in Kano was a boundary between Nigeria and another country until I saw myself surrounded with guns.My abductors told me that if I did not agree to go to Libya, they will kill me, so I had no option than to agree with them.They gave us Nigerian account numbers to pay the money they charged us before they freed us from their custody, she said.Job advised Nigerian youths still nursing the idea of travelling out of the country illegally to drop it and manage life with whatever they see in the country.She thanked the Federal Government for rescuing them and fulfilling its promise of bringing Nigerians home. she also appealed that FG should continue with the evacuation in order to save many Nigerians who were still in different prisons and camps in Libya.The fifth batch of 136 Nigerian returnees from Libya arrived Port Harcourt International Airport in the early hours of Tuesday, Mr. Martins Ejike, South-South Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency, has said.Ejike, represented by Mr. Ebhodaghe Eric, NEMA Chief Administrative Officer, received the returnees who arrived aboard Med-View Airline 5N-MAB at about 1.10 a.m.They are all intact, except one of them who we are taking to the hospital with the ambulance to find out why she is unstable, he said.Ejike said that few returnees in the fourth batch were still left at the centre, adding that they are from Osun and Ekiti states.He appealed to concerned state governments to hasten the process of picking their indigenes.Ejike said the agency would contact state governors for prompt evacuation of the returnees from the fifth batch in the Port Harcourt centre. Hometown of Senator Liyel Imoke, former governor of Cross River State was on Monday in disarray following a clash between the youths of the community and herdsmen.Reports from the area said an All Progressives Congress, APC, councillorship aspirant was shot dead over a disagreement between Fulani herdsmen and the locals following the alleged killing of a cow by youths of the community.An eyewitness, Jospeh Ugbor said the herdsmen who claimed that one of their cows was killed by youths in the area, confronted the youths which resulted in an altercation leading to the killing of the councillorship aspirantThe conflict attracted security personnel from Ugep, Yakurr Local government Area, who swiftly moved in to put the situation under control by arresting and detaining some youths and elders from Itigidi, Joseph saidThe arrest of the youths and elders irked some youth prompting them to protest against what they termed illegal arrest and detention of their youths, chiefs and youth president and during the protest more persons were detained by the police while others took refuge in the bush.These herdsmen have no regard for our land and crops. They think they have a right over our land and can take their cows anywhere. What has just happened in Itigidi is a pointer to this fact. We hope the government will swiftly wade into this matter before more lives are lost. He saidPolice Public Relations Officer for the Cross River Police Command, Ms Irene Ugbo said normalcy has been restored with the despatch of anti-riot policemen to the place. The senator representing Kogi West constituency, Sen Dino Melaye has on Tuesday maintained his ground over the charges filed against him by the federal government, noting that he will continue to speak the truth and criticize any government, including the incumbent government if found dysfunctional. He equally noted that he has conquered fear and will never be afraid to go to prison.Recall that in April 2017, Sen Dino Melaye raised alarm over an alleged assassination attempt on his life by Edward David, chief of staff to Yahaya Bello. A report he allegedly tendered to the police and suspects were allegedly paraded.In view of the above assassination attempt on Melayes life, the government on Sunday 11th February accused Melaye of framing Edward David, chief of staff to Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state.Various media reports said the federal government has filed a two-count charge against Melaye for allegedly giving false information to the police in relation to a claim he made April 17 of an attempt on his life.The charge marked: CR/106/18 was filed on January 31 this year before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).However, Sen Melaye on Tuesday during the Senate plenary brought the attention of his colleagues on the alleged charges against him by the federal government.In his words, Edward is the chief of staff to Kogi state governor and Taofeek is the caretaker chairman of Ijumu local government of Kogi state. I stated this in my statement to the Nigerian police, Melaye said.As a result of that information, they immediately moved to the residence of Alhaji Taofeek where ammunition was recovered immediately that morning. If naming suspects now become misinformation, I am wondering. The police swung into action. The tactical command of the IGP swung into action.Ten days after, they apprehended six out of the ten that came to kill me. Not only were they apprehended, the spokesperson of the Nigerian police paraded them in a national press conference.Not only were they paraded, the spokesperson of the Nigerian police informed Nigerians that all the rifles used for their missions have to be recovered by the police. Not only were the ammunition recovered, confessional statements have been made by those who were directly involved and they also invited this same Taofeek.I shall continue to speak. I shall continue to ask questions. I shall continue to criticize any public office including the president of the federal republic of Nigeria, he finally said.I have conquered fear, I am not afraid of the prison. The last administration arrested me 14 times, Abachas government detained me. Babangidas government detained me. I am not afraid of the prison. It is built because of human beings, but we will not stop speaking the truth.In an unjust society, silence is a crime. The battle to bring Nigeria back on track from these criminals in power is a battle of no retreat no surrender and I am ready to fight the federal government on this matter and I will fight with the last drop of my blood. President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said that his government has the grasp of the security challenges in the country and was determined... President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said that his government has the grasp of the security challenges in the country and was determined to implement solutions that would stand the test of time.President Buhari and heads of security agencies held the routine weekly security meeting where heads of the security agencies brief him on the security situation in the country.As usual there was no briefing of State House correspondents as it was purely security matters, but President Buhari in his twitter handle said that the government would implement solutions that would be acceptable anywhere. The Presidents post on his twitter handle read thus, Today I presided over a Meeting of the Security Council.We fully understand the seriousness & urgency of Nigerias security issues, and are determined to implement carefully considered solutions that will not only earn the confidence of Nigerians, but also stand the test of time. The meeting which was an enlarged one with heads of Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Prisons Service, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps lasted about three hours at the State House, Abuja.At the meeting was the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazzau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd) Also in attendance were Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS); Lawal Daura, Director of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Abubakar, and Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris. The service chiefs at the meeting included Chief of Defence Staff; Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, Chief of Army Staff; Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, and Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar. Former First Lady, Patience Jonathan has asked for out-of-court settlement with EFCC, Vanguardngr reports. Former First Lady, Patience Jonathan has asked for out-of-court settlement with EFCC, Vanguardngr reports. In a January 30, 2018 letter, titled Proposal for out-of-Court Settlement of all cases related to Dame (Mrs.) Ibifaka Patience Jonathan, she told the EFCC of her intention to settle the matter. The letter, which was written by her counsel, Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), is being considered by the EFCC. The letter read in part: We believe that an amicable settlement will be in the best interest of both your commission and our client. We assure you of our utmost commitment and sincerity of purpose in this connection, and we solicit your cooperation in this regard. Please, accept the assurances of our warm regards. Her letter came as EFCC stumbled on more startling information on how she piled up dollar deposits in Skye and First banks, including how she lavished part of the money. According to TheNation, she blew thousands of dollars at highbrow stores in various capitals of the world. The cash came from $11.8m, which EFCC said 31 individuals and companies paid into her two domiciliary accounts. The accounts, which are Skye Bank (2110001712) and First Bank (2022648664) had questionable deposits between 2013 and 2017. The Skye Bank account had about $7.5m lodged in it. Detectives found $4.m in the second account with First Bank. The ex-First Lady allegedly spent the cash at TFS stores, Selfridges, John Lewis, Kingsgate, Sainsburys, Harrods, Marks and Spencer, Dolce and Gabbana, and Gina. She went on a shopping spree in expensive outlets in the United States, Britain, Germany, Hong Kong, UAE, Italy and China. Olusegun Obasanjo, former President has launched another attack at President Muhammadu Buhari over his administrations handling of the fi... Olusegun Obasanjo, former President has launched another attack at President Muhammadu Buhari over his administrations handling of the fight against corruption. In his latest attack, the former President maintained that Buhari has corruption on his nose. In an interview with Germanys international broadcasting outlet, Deutsche Welle, Obasanjo said the presidents anti-corruption fight has been polluted by people in his inner circles. Obasanjo said the president could do better on how he goes about the war on curruption. He said if he was the president, he I would make sure people in charge of anti-corruption institutions are people of integrity. There is no point in fighting corruption beyond you and you have corruption on your nose. On his newly formed movement, Coalition for Nigeria movement, CNM, the former president said the movement will truly help Nigerians to move away from the old order of politics and into a new age where the interests of the citizens are truly represented. He said, It (Coalition for Nigeria) is not an old wine in a new bottle, but a new wine in a new bottle. I will not stand in the way of that movement if it decides to become a party. But in that case, I will withdraw. Recall that Obasanjo had on January 23, 2018, in a statement titled, The Way Out: A Clarion Call for Coalition for Nigeria Movement, lambasted Buhari over his inability to successfully run the affairs of the county. A senator, Kabir Marafa (Zamfara Central) on Tuesday accused Senate President Bukola Saraki of preventing members from expressing themselv... A senator, Kabir Marafa (Zamfara Central) on Tuesday accused Senate President Bukola Saraki of preventing members from expressing themselves at the Nigerian senate. The senator levelled this accusation on Tuesday after Mr. Saraki asked him to go straight to the point as he narrated an issue relating to security in his home state of Zamfara. Mr. Marafa had started by explaining how he was invited to a meeting of his states council of chiefs in Kaduna, and how an aide to the state governor was allegedly a principal actor in widespread breach of security in the state. He said the security situation in Zamfara was not being reported because the state does not have strong voices. Mr. Marafa said the Emir of Zamfara, who is the chairman of the states council of traditional rulers, said at the Kaduna meeting of the council that about 5,000 women, including underage girls, were raped and molested in the state. Following the lengthy narration, the senate president interjected and asked the Zamfara senator to give a summary of the issue he was raising. Distinguished Senator Marafa, with all due respect, I have tried to always accommodate you for these issues and I think we must not abuse these issues with your personal explanation. I am sure everyone here has issues to do with their state, I think you should summarise that but now you are going into details where people are being accused. So what I appeal is that you should give us the summary of this issue and let us try and keep within those confines, he said. But Mr. Marafa, who was clearly not happy with the senate presidents lack of interest in his narration, said: Thank you Mr. President, but this is my constituency, this is why I am here. Mr. President, I am representing people. My people are under siege. We are saying that 5,000 women who are raped and molested. Mr. President, this senate needs to know, this senate needs to lend its voice to the plight of these people. There is no way I can say this except here. This is why I am elected. If I cannot say this on this floor, I better resign and leave. There is just no point. When I first said this, you said my personal safety is of your concern. How can somebody sit down as an official of the government that is being accused of masterminding these things? And Mr. President, you say you dont want to hear that? Mr. President you need to know. Mr. Saraki, in a bid to clarify his statement, urged the senator to report the issue without some details that would not help us in going forward. Give us the summary of the reconciliation so that I can now guide accordingly because you came under personal explanation, which there cannot be any debate. So I want you to give me a summary of what happened and then from there I can be guided. Mr. Marafa, who was already angered by the senate presidents comment, then accused Mr. Saraki of not letting members express themselves. I have given you the summary, the summary is two: the chief adviser of the governor is the principal accused and the government disbanded all organisations for these people to protect themselves. From that day, criminals roam my constituency with rifles. Nobody can defend themselves in Zamfara. I was also told that then we had 70 military officers but now we have more than 1,000 and nothing is being done. It is going on every day, people being kidnapped. This senate needs to ask some questions. If these military men are not answerable to the governor or they are disobeying him, the governor needs to say it so that this senate or the federal government can take a position. It is just not enough to keep the blame on the door step of the federal government. You dont allow members of the National Assembly to discuss anything, you dont allow anybody to take it, and you dont allow leaders to take action. Mr. President, my zone is under siege and I would continue to say it on this floor of the senate. Unless I am allowed to do this, I will resign from this floor of the senate and go, he said. Mr. Saraki therefore called on the Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, to take note but frowned at Mr. Marafa for being absent to take up the matter at the just concluded National Security Summit that the senate held in Abuja and which was attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. I am happy that the Leader of the Senate who is the chairman of the security ad hoc committee is here. It is a pity that considering how strongly you felt about this matter, I noticed your absence at the security conference yesterday where your government was there. A Princeton University professor has canceled a course on cultural freedoms after his use of a racial slur last week during a class discussion led students to walk out and prompted a campus debate about classroom speech. A Princeton University spokesman confirmed on Tuesday the cancellation by Professor Lawrence Rosen of the "Cultural Freedoms -- Hate Speech, Blasphemy, and Pornography." The cancellation was first reported by Princeton's University Press Club. Prof. Lawrence Rosen Four students walked out of Rosen's anthropology class on Feb. 6 after he used the N-word multiple times during a lecture on free speech, according to DailyPrincetonian.com, the university's student publication. The professor asked "Which is more provocative: A white man walks up to a black man and punches him in the nose, or a white man walks up to a black man and calls him a (n-word)?" according to the report. Rosen used the word three times, refused a demand from several students to apologize and argued with at least one student, according to DailyPrincetonian.com. Two students then filed a complaint against the professor. On Monday, university administrators met with several students from the class. Later Monday, Princeton president Christopher Eisgruber addressed the issue in a previously scheduled town hall meeting on campus. He said free speech and inclusivity are not exclusive but rather, "mutually supportive" of one another, the Daily Princetonian reported. The head of the anthropology department, who is black, wrote a letter to the editor of the Daily Princetonian, defending Rosen's use of the word. "Rosen has used the same example year after year," wrote Caryoln Rouse. "This is the first year he got the response he did from the students. This is diagnostic of the level of overt anti-black racism in the country today. Anti-American and anti-Semitic examples did not upset the students, but an example of racism did. This did not happen when (Barack) Obama was president, when the example seemed less real and seemed to have less power. "I feel bad for the students who left the class not trusting the process. Rosen was fighting battles for women, Native Americans, and African-Americans before these students were born. He grew up a Jew in anti-Semitic America, and recognizes how law has afforded him rights he would not otherwise have." The University also defended Rosen in a statement. "The values of free speech and inclusivity are central to Princeton University's mission and critical to the education we provide to our students, including in Anthropology 212. The conversations and disagreements that took place in the seminar led by Prof. Rosen (last week) are part of the vigorous engagement and robust debate that are central to what we do." Rosen, who retired from the university last year but still teaches as a professor emeritus, didn't respond to a message from NJ Advance Media on Tuesday seeking comment. Rosen is both an anthropologist and lawyer, according to his bio on Princeton University's website. The summary for Rosen's class was described on Princeton's course listing as: "Freedom of expression is always limited, both by the harm that may be said to occur if unbridled and by the constraints of the dominant culture. Using such topics as hate speech on campus, the cultural defense plea, the Mapplethorpe exhibit, the Supreme Court opinions on pornography, and the Salman Rushdie affair, we will ask how civility relates to free speech, how codes may channel expression without oppression, and how cultural difference can relate to shared values and orientations." DailyPrincetonian.com first reported Rosen's use of the word. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Julio Balde was scoutmaster of Newark Boy Scout Troop 102 until the end. During his final moments at home in Nutley last week, Balde was talking to himself as if he were still conducting a Boy Scout meeting at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in the Ironbound section of the city. His daughter, Anita Balde, who lived with and cared for her father, shared his thoughts about Troop 102 as his health was failing. She said she let him talk, even though he had dismantled the group two years ago. " 'Everybody knows that I haven't been well for a long time now and I'm not going to get any better,' " she said, recalling his words. " 'But we're going to go forward, we're going to keep Troop 102 alive.' " MORE: Recent Barry Carter columns Balde, the troop's founder and only leader, did that admirably for 74 years. He died last Wednesday, at 96. His funeral was Monday, but his former troop members, family and friends came to see him on Sunday at S.W. Brown & Son Funeral Home in Nutley. They said their goodbyes to a man who kept kids off the street for nearly three quarters of a century. Let that sink in: For generations, Balde was a father figure, a disciplinarian and thoughtful mentor to young people. Since 1942, when he started the troop, Balde worked with nearly 1,000 boys, some who would go on to become doctors, lawyers and police officers. Dr. Fred Lagomarsino, of Corsicana, Texas, is one of the original dozen, and credits Balde with his career choice when he joined the troop at 12 years old. As a Scout, Lagomarsino, now 87, said his introduction to medicine was through Balde's lessons in first aid and applying tourniquets and splints. "I was a young kid not knowing what I wanted to do, and my exposure to first aid got me interested in medicine,'' said Lagomarsino, who was a family practitioner in the Ironbound and later an ophthalmologist. Balde taught them to be responsible and trustworthy, then would get down on his knees, even when he was in his 80s, to show how a tent should be rolled properly or how a knot should be tied. He could be grumpy, but the troop understood him. Balde stressed to his boys that they must have character, carry themselves with respect and persevere through difficultly. "No matter how many times you fall down, you always have to pick yourself back up,'' recalled Gonzalo Saavedra, 18, a former troop member, who remembers this lesson from Balde. "If you fall down nine times, then you pick yourself up 10 times and keep pushing.'' The one scouting trait that best describes him, though, was that he was loyal. "If you follow his life, you'll see that in everything he did,'' said Ron Janowski, 76, an Eagle Scout for Troop 102, who maintained his registered membership for 60 years. Balde, a family man, was married to his late wife Joan, for nearly 50 years and was a dedicated father to Anita, who helped him with Scouting. In Nutley, he gave back to the town, serving as a member of the Volunteer Emergency & Rescue Squad for 55 years. When he had offers to relocate the troop to the suburbs, Balde stayed loyal to Newark and the Ironbound. The troop meant everything to him. He always wore his uniform to scout meetings, and had it on again Sunday, lying in repose. A copy of the scoutmaster prayer was placed next to him; rosary beads were draped around his hands. Scout memorabilia, pictures and proclamations were spread throughout the room, including the troop flag, scout badges and his Silver Beaver Award, the highest honor that a volunteer can receive from Scouting. "He was the ultimate Scout,'' Janowski said. His troop showed why. Some of them wore their uniforms, too, and took turns with the members of the Nutley rescue squad to stand guard on each side of the casket. Troop 102 then gathered single file to face their leader. In unison, they recited the scoutmaster's benediction as they had done many times to end weekly meetings. On Monday, Nutley police officers and firefighters stood in front of the public safety building and saluted Balde as the funeral hearse drove past. A police dispatcher called his name over a radio channel to symbolize his last emergency call. This is my final tribute, too, having written about him in his 69th year as a Newark scoutmaster and again when he closed the troop for good in 2016. His mind was still able to lead, but his body wasn't. With interest in scouting declining, Balde had no choice but to retire, even though the troop kept him going for so many years. Jose Leonardo, 20, helped his scoutmaster pack up that day, taking in all that he learned from him. "The importance of service,'' he said. Frank Fillimon, 70, of Madison was there, too. He hadn't seen Balde in 40 years, but rushed to the church to thank him for his dedication. "He led a lot of boys on the straight and narrow path,'' said Fillimon, a 1961 troop member. "A lot of kids wouldn't have taken that path if it wasn't for him.'' MORE CARTER: Newark students reflect on sit-in protests | Carter For Balde, the road to the scout's motto: "Be Prepared,'' started in 1935 when he became a member. He loved it so much that he started Troop 102 with 12 boys. In its day, Troop 102 flourished. It had 40 to 50 Boy Scouts, a drum and bugle corp. There were 43 Eagle Scouts, the highest honor in scouting, eight of which achieved that rank in one year. Having done so much for the troop, Anita Balde said, it's not a surprise that his last thoughts would involve scouting. " 'I want to thank everyone for all of your help over the years and for making the troop a success,' " said Anita, relaying his thoughts from that night. He then began delegating, the volume in his voice increasing with each request. He asked the troop to put away the flag and scout equipment. " 'You know your duties.' " Balde ended the "meeting" with one word, the same way he had done the others. " 'Dismissed.' " Until one day they meet again. Barry Carter: (973) 836-4925 or bcarter@starledger.com or nj.com/carter or follow him on Twitter @BarryCarterSL One driver was killed and another injured Monday after a school bus crashed into the side of a car as both vehicles were turning in Gloucester County, police said. The driver of the Honda Accord was pronounced dead at the scene, Monroe Township, police said. The driver's name has not been released. The school bus driver was injured and taken to Jefferson Hospital in Washington Township, police said. No students were on board the bus at the time of the 4:15 p.m. crash. The school bus was headed north on Route 555 and was turning onto Route 322 when it struck the driver's side door of the car, police said. The car was traveling west on 322 and turning onto Route 555, police said. Monroe Township police asked anyone with information to contact Officer Matt Shipley at 856-728-9800, x578. Caitlyn Stulpin may be reached at cstulpin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitstulpin. Find NJ.com on Facebook. UPDATE: State confirms girl's death caused by flu NORTH BERGEN A 5-year-old kindergartner has died after reportedly suffering from flu-like symptoms. The girl was a student at Lincoln School in North Bergen. Officials with New Jersey's Department of Health told Eyewitness News it was investigating whether the girl's death was directly linked to the flu. The state did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Jersey Journal. In a statement, North Bergen Superintendent of Schools George Solter said, "we all stand together as a school, a district and community during this trying time." Today is a sad day in the North Bergen School District as we have lost one of our own. I would like to express on... Posted by North Bergen School District on Monday, February 12, 2018 "Today is a sad day in the North Bergen School District as we have lost one of our own," the statement reads. "I would like to express on behalf of the entire North Bergen School District our deepest sympathies for the family of our student, our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with you during this difficult time." It has been an intense flu season across the nation, killing up to 4,000 a week, according to Forbes. Hudson County hospitals reported seeing a dramatic increase in hospital visits for flu-like symptoms. Schools have also been cleaning buildings to keep germs from spreading. North Bergen reported disinfected its schools with bleach. Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. JERSEY CITY Two teachers and a local fraternity are teaming up to pay for a group of students to see Marvel's highly anticipated movie, "Black Panther." Their efforts to fund the trip are part of a nationwide trend known as the "Black Panther Challenge." Organizers anticipate taking 90 children from the Jersey City school district to a screening of the film at Newport Mall on Feb. 24. While they have raised enough money for tickets and buses have been donated for transportation, School 17 teachers Jawharah Muhammad and Andre Johnson hope they hope can now print t-shirts and pay for snacks for the children during the screening. "Black Panther," which opens Friday, follows T'Challa's return to his mythical African homeland after the death of his father, King of Wakanda, to take his place on the throne. As he faces conflict, T'Challa played by Chadwick Boseman recruits his allies and faces a dangerous series of events to ensure the people of Wakanda and the world stay safe. Critics have said the movie, which also stars Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong'o and Michael B. Jordan, a thrilling "superhero story you haven't seen before" and has "revolutionary power." The release of the film comes during Black History Month and Muhammad says it will likely be the first time students in the diverse district are exposed to a black "genuine hero" in the media. "A lot of students don't see enough adults or good, positive role models that African-American," she said. She hopes next week's screening will inspire those children. Muhammad, who is organizing the event with her colleague Andre Johnson and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, says she hopes attending the movie screening will be a "pivoting point" bring opportunities to Jersey City Children. This summer, they hope to bring students to the African American Museum in Philadelphia. Donations are still being accepted to fund the event. Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. NORTH BERGEN Parents of young students at Lincoln Elementary School are struggling to explain to their children that one of their classmates has tragically died of the flu. One day after Nevaeh Hernandez, a 6-year-old kindergartner, died at a local hospital, state officials have confirmed that her death is the second fatal case of the pediatric flu in New Jersey. As parents picked up their children from the 63rd Street school this afternoon, many seemed to be grappling with the sadness and shock of Navaeh's death and the responsibility to keep their kids from getting sick. Brenda Cruz, the mother of a 5-year-old girl, said she spoke to her daughter last night about what happened. "It's not a conversation you want to have with your daughter but I wanted her to know what was going around in school and for her to be careful," she said. "When she has lunchtime, wash your hands." Gemma Fandialan also has a daughter in kindergarten and said she sent her to school with a bottle of hand sanitizer. "We know the flu this year has been very bad," Fandiala said. "I just reminded my daughter last night, you know, just make sure every time you touch something, doorknobs, anything you know wash your hands, sanitize your hands." The school district said in a statement it has been doing heavy cleanings in all of the classrooms and called the student's death "a sad day" after "losing one of our own." This year's flu season is tapped to be one of the worst on record, with Forbes estimating up to 4,000 people dying a week nationwide from the virus. Hudson County hospitals reported a drastic increase in flu-related visits and officials have warned residents to get a flu shot. Some municipalities, like North Bergen, are offering the vaccination for free. The family of the 6-year-old girl has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for her funeral and medical costs. A wake is scheduled for Friday from 2 to 8 p.m. at Vainieri Funeral Home on Kennedy Boulevard in North Bergen. A funeral service will be held Saturday at St. Augustine Church in Union City at 10 a.m. "This precious angel was tragically taken from us. Nevaeh was a beautiful 6-year-old full of life who brought happiness to all who surrounded her," the fundraising page reads. Dozens of family friends have also shared their condolences in the comment section of the page. "You will be so missed in ballet Nevaeh," one person wrote. "Thank you for bringing us joy each week with your smile...dance in heaven sweet girl! My love and prayers to your entire family." "We are all heartbroken over this terrible loss, I am praying endlessly for her and family with love," another comment reads. Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. JERSEY CITY Jury selection began today for the trial of a 51-year-old Passaic man charged with pushing a woman into her Hoboken home and raping her in April. The state alleges that around 6 p.m. on April 23, the 22-year-old woman was entering her Clinton Street home when Marcos Blandino tackled her from behind, forced her into her apartment and raped her. Blandino, who is charged with burglary and two counts of aggravated sexual assault, is being detained through the course of his prosecution. Opening statements in the trial are expected to be heard Thursday. Aggravated sexual assault is a first-degree crime carrying a prison sentence of 10 to 20 years. At his detention hearing in June, the prosecution said surveillance video supports the state's allegations, and added that Blandino could not be excluded as the source of the DNA evidence that was recovered during the investigation. Blandino, who was not arrested until weeks after the incident, told investigators he had sex with no one that day. At his detention hearing, Blandino's lawyer said his client was working as a driver in Hoboken on the day of the incident, struck up a conversation with the woman and she let him into her home. "They were two consenting adults," the attorney said. In ordering Blandino detained, the judge noted the "contradiction" between Blandino's statement that he had no sexual activity that day and his attorney's argument that there had been consensual sex. The judge also said substantial evidence has been compiled. The defendant has entered a plea of not guilty and has called himself "an innocent man." He is currently being represented by defense attorney Genesis Peduto. Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor John Mulkeen is representing the state. The trial is before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Vincent Militello in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City. Mendham Township Deputy Mayor Rick Blood resigned late Monday night after igniting a firestorm with his Facebook post comparing undocumented immigrants to raccoons in a basement and lauding President Trump as the exterminator. Blood's resignation was announced to applause at the end of a three-hour Township Committee meeting. He was rebuked by about 30 speakers during a protracted public session and repeatedly urged to resign. Spectators packed a Mendham Township Committee meeting on Monday night Critics in the audience ranged from longtime Mendham Township residents to members of an immigrant advocacy group, Wind of the Spirit, with no one rising to defend Blood. Tamara Harris, a Democratic candidate for Congress in District 11, was among those denouncing Blood. "The language was racist. The post was racist. It was deplorable. It was intolerable," Harris said. When the public session concluded, the five-member Mendham Township Committee -- four Republicans, including Blood, and and one Democrat -- retreated behind closed doors to discuss his tenuous standing. Blood apologized to the 70 in attendance and said he would resign if asked by his colleagues. "It was insensitive at best and it was cruel at the worst. I am most heartily sorry," Blood said of an eight-paragraph Facebook post that he did not author, but copied from someone he declined to identify. Versions of the post have circulated among Trump supporters for more than two years and mirror remarks in April 2016 by Carl Paladino, who co-chaired Trump's campaign in New York. Blood posted it on Sunday morning. By Sunday night, with an uproar growing, he had removed it -- while adding a post, this time in his own words, stating he had meant "to illustrate, however poorly, one of the reasons our President was elected." (His followup post has since either been removed, or set to private, and is no longer publicly viewable). Pat Kelly, a Mendham Township resident since 1972, said he was "appalled," adding, "That post was reminiscent of what a bully does." "That was a bully move on your part," he told Blood. Vanessa Brown, a 20-year resident of Mendham Township, said fallout from the post had undermined Blood's ability to effectively serve on the committee. "Such a post is not like a mistake, if you will," Brown said. "Let's be honest here. You lost the public's trust," she told Blood. Blood's resignation, which took effect at midnight, was announced by Mendham Township Mayor Richard P. Diegnan, Jr. after fellow committee members, including Blood, returned to the room. It was an abrupt end to Blood's brief time on the committee. He was appointed to fill a vacancy in December, one month after losing a race for an open seat to Amalia Duarte, a Democrat, and elevated to the ceremonial post of deputy mayor in January. Rick Blood stayed around to talk after the meeting ended Blood's loss to a Democrat was the first such setback in memory in Mendham Township, a Republican stronghold whose most famous resident is ex-Gov. Chris Christie. Several critics at the meeting noted that, unlike the other committee members, he was not elected by the voters. When the meeting began at 7:30 p.m., Duarte -- whose parents immigrated from the Dominican Republic -- was the lone committee member to criticize Blood and called on him to step aside, but only as deputy mayor. Blood later asked, unsuccessfully, for a second chance. "If it's the wish of this board that I resign, I will do it -- but, like I said, I put in a lot of time, and to throw it away on a bad decision that took 10 minutes that I would love to get back, and I'll be painted with that brush for quite a while," he said. After his resignation was announced and the meeting ended, Blood lingered at the dais to talk with some of those who had criticized him. Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RobJenningsNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook A man who set off small bombs in two states, including a pressure cooker device that blasted shrapnel across a New York City block, was sentenced Tuesday to multiple terms of life in prison. Ahmad Khan Rahimi, who was born in Afghanistan but lived in New Jersey, injured 30 people when one of his pressure cooker bombs exploded in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood on a September night in 2016. A second bomb planted nearby did not detonate. That blast happened just hours after a small pipe bomb exploded along a Marine Corps road race in Seaside Heights frightening participants but injuring no one. The bombings triggered a two-day manhunt that ended in a shootout with police in Linden. Rahimi was shot several times but survived. Federal prosecutors said in presentence papers that Rahimi has not shown remorse and has tried to radicalize fellow prisoners at the federal jail in New York where he has been imprisoned since his arrest. "He is proud of what he did, scornful of the American justice system, and as dedicated as ever to his terrorist ideology," they wrote. Rahimi, prosecutors said, gave inmates copies of terrorist propaganda and jihadist materials, including speeches and lectures by al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden and Anwar al-Awlaki, a U.S.-born cleric who inspired attacks on America and was killed in a U.S. airstrike in September 2011. Rahimi also allowed some inmates to view materials on his laptop or provided electronic copies as he spread "The Book of Jihad," bomb-making instructions and various issues of a propaganda magazine. Defense attorney Xavier Donaldson said that before the attacks, Rahimi, a naturalized U.S. citizen, aspired to be a police officer and worked as a security guard after studying criminal justice at a community college. "It was Mr. Rahimi's belief that he could help people while employed in a position that would guarantee him some type of pension," Donaldson wrote. While imprisoned, Rahimi has completed classes in business, entrepreneurship and drama, Donaldson wrote. Update: The Toms River Township Council voted Tuesday to table the ordinance banning the sale or cultivation of recreational marijuana, according to the Asbury Park Press. The decision came after only one person spoke in favor of the ordinance, the newspaper reported. The Toms River Township Council is poised to ban the sale or cultivation of recreational marijuana, joining other municipal and county governments that have taken counter-measures in the face of Gov. Phil Murphy's push to legalize casual weed use in New Jersey. The council is scheduled for a public hearing at its 6 p.m. meeting Tuesday at Town Hall, which could be followed by a vote on second reading of an ordinance that would, "establish prohibitions on the sale, dispensation, and cultivation of marijuana in the Township of Toms River." The measure was approved 6-0 with one abstention when introduced on first reading Jan. 23. The sponsor of the measure, Council President George Wittmann, said it was not an attempt to ban possession or use of marijuana, a prohibition Toms River would not have the authority to impose if a legalization bill were approved by the legislature and signed by the state's new Democratic governor, who has pledged to do just that. Rather, Wittmann said, the ordinance is an effort to minimize marijuana's availability in the township, where the year-round population of more than 91,000 triples during summer and local police already have their hands full dealing with other tourist-related excesses. "It's intended to keep you from opening a shop," said Wittmann. Whittann, a Republican, said the ordinance had been drafted by the assistant township attorney, Anthony Merlino, to avoid any conflict with existing or state law, including the possible legalization of marijuana for recreational use. He said it was modeled after similar measures adopted by Point Pleasant Beach and Berkeley Township, other Ocean County shore towns with similar concerns. Ocean County is becoming a hotbed of resistance to legalization of recreational marijuana. Last week, the Board of Freeholders approved a non-binding resolution opposing the legalization, after their Monmouth County counterparts approved a similar measure in January. On Feb. 21, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office and county Health Department will co-sponsor a conference on legalization at Eagle Ridge Country Club in Lakewood. Toms River Councilman Maurice Hill, a dentist and retired rear admiral in the Navy Reserves, said he planned to attend the conference along with Councilwoman Laurie Huryk, who is a nurse and the one council member who abstained from last month's vote. Hill, a Republican, voted in favor of the ordinance, but he said he would suggest tabling it Tuesday night until after the conference. Huryk, a Democrat, did not respond to a request for comment. Hill made clear that he does not oppose medical marijuana, and that his opposition to its recreational use is also largely health-related. "You're introducing a foreign substance into your lungs," said Hill, who said he also frowns on cigarette smoking. The proposed Toms River ban on pot sales cuts across local party lines, and Huryk's two fellow Democrats voted with their four Republican colleagues to introduce the ordinance in January. A spokesman for Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato said his office was concerned with precisely how being under the influence of marijuana would be defined. "The prosecutor, his position has always been one of concern: if it was legalized, what measurement would be used for people who are operating a vehicle, especially a commercial vehicle, buses, trucks, whatever," said the spokesman, Al Della Fave. "How are we going to measure it?" Likewise for the legalization proposal on the state level. Some Democratic lawmakers have resisted the governor's legalization drive, which Murphy and fellow proponents say would generate tax revenues, reduce police and court costs, and eliminate an injustice in which minorities are prosecuted for marijuana crimes at a higher rate than whites for comparable levels of use. Whittman said he had "mixed feelings" about the broader legalization question. Apparently, so does New Jersey. A recent poll by Fairleigh Dickinson University found that 42 percent of respondents believed the state should legalize marijuana for recreational use. Are you interested in the N.J. cannabis industry? Subscribe here for exclusive insider information from NJ Cannabis Insider Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook. (ABOVE: Because of New Jersey's outmoded laws, Hoboken has a bar on every block while many suburban towns have almost no places to drink.) I was driving past a strip mall in Brick Township that is now half-empty because a supermarket closed. My goal was another strip mall in Toms River that is now half-empty, also because a supermarket closed. On the way I passed a dozen or so strip malls that had "vacancy" signs in their windows. When I got to my destination, I saw an empty storefront with the outline of the name "Pathmark" still visible where the letters had been taken down a year or so ago. There were plenty of other vacant stores as well, all with signs begging some business owner to choose them over the hundreds of similar vacant locations nearby. The reason for my trip was a conversation I had in the Statehouse last week with George Jacobs, who is a real-estate developer with commercial interests all over the state. Jacobs told me the situation at that mall in Toms River is being replicated all over as storefront operations lose market share to the big online retailers like Amazon. "Retail is struggling. The clothing industry is struggling. Toys R Us just filed bankruptcy. Babies R Us is closing," Jacobs told me. "I have not done a new clothing store lease in a few years." Clothing sales have been particularly hard-hit by online competition, he said. There's not much clothing in a mall that can't be bought online. One of many vacant storefronts in New Jersey. In the days before online shopping, a location like this would have been snapped up by other businesses. Amazon's even moving into grocery delivery, further targeting the overcrowded supermarket sector. However there is one thing Amazon can't deliver: A cold draft beer or a nice glass of wine in a congenial location. The reason Jacobs had come to Trenton was to testify before a state Assembly committee that was taking comments on proposed changes to the state's antiquated and thoroughly obsolete liquor-license system. In states like Vermont, anyone who wants to start a restaurant can get a liquor license for a fee of a few hundred dollars a year. Here in New Jersey, the price of a license can be as high as a million bucks. That's because way back in 1947 the liquor industry convinced their wholly-owned subsidiary, the Legislature, to pass a law capping the number of new licenses that can be issued. That meant the existing licenses were no longer licenses, but franchises that guaranteed entry into a monopoly. But now New Jersey is in no position to keep that monopoly in business, said Jacobs. The lack of liquor licenses is hampering economic growth not only in malls but in many downtown areas. "The inability to get licenses is crippling us and crippling shopping centers," Jacobs told the committee members. Restaurants are notoriously difficult to operate because of their low profit margins, Jacobs said. The state is making that even more difficult by preventing them from selling beer and wine. "You're taking away 50 percent of possible sales right out of the box," he said. Jacobs said he would like to see the legislators level the playing field by passing a bill such as A1505. This bill would permit restaurants to sell beer and wine, but only to those dining at tables. Restaurants would not be allowed to serve patrons at bars. This commonsense reform seemed to bother the legislators. Several asked questions about what effect this would have on current license-holders. Another asked Jacobs if he thought every restaurant should be permitted to get a license. "From my perspective, I wouldn't mind that in the least," he replied. "Go to New York City and there's a restaurant with a license every five feet." Meanwhile you can go to many downtowns in Jersey and you'll be lucky to find any place at all to get a drink. Because of the astronomical cost, the licenses tend to be bought up by giant restaurants chains that locate them out on the highways - where you have to drive to get to them. I've attended similar hearings, and I've yet to hear a legislator defend the system on its virtues, whatever they may be. Instead I hear question after question about what effect changing the law would have on current license-holders. Who cares? The liquor lobby is like that guy who shot his parents and then pleaded with the judge to give him mercy because he was an orphan. They worked for decades to set up a monopoly. Now they argue that the monopoly can never be reformed because it might hurt their financial interests. But our legislators are supposed to work for the public interest, not private interests. It's time they told the liquor lobby the party's over. Unfortunately they seem more worried about who's bringing the gifts. UPDATE: For anyone who thinks the legislators have the public good in mind, read this email I got from a former lobbyist: "The first bill I passed as a lobbyist, 1971 (and there were subsequently hundreds if not thousands), raised the population limit for a "D"/package store license from 1 for every 2,500 residents to 1 for every 7,500 residents creating virtual monopolies for existing license holders (members of the then New Jersey Package Stores Association). Protection for the license holder was the only "legitimate" argument (specious arguments included access for minors, pressure on local law enforcement, etc). Tavern owners had similar protection and guarded it jealously." Obviously the towns themselves were perfectly capable of deciding how many licenses to give out. There was no need for the Legislature to further rig the market. In other states they call that "corruption." Here in Jersey it's business as usual. PLUS - The BYOB issue: Because of the monopoly on licenses, an entire tradition of BYOB has arisen among restaurants. A lot of people like BYOB's because they're cheaper. Being a cheapskate, I'm among them. But the fact is that it's extremely difficult for a restaurant to make a profit on food alone. I've had several friends who tried and none succeeded. Unless you're doing something cheap like takeout food, the expense of running a full restaurant is often more than the traffic can bear. If these new licenses were created there would be a lot more restaurants opening up. And as in New York, they would no longer be able to impose the outrageous markups you see in current restaurants with liquor licenses. The competition would drive the prices down. By the way, here's a copy of the state regulations on BYOBs. Interestingly enough, they include a ban on restaurants advertising that they are BYOB. I have no idea why the state officials thought we needed such a ban. But the good news is that it was thrown out by a court recently after an Atlantic City go-go bar challenged it. Rick Blood, now the former deputy mayor of Mendham, is "most heartily sorry." On Sunday, he shared a Facebook post that compared unauthorized immigrants to "rabid, messy, mean raccoons," and said Donald Trump is the only exterminator who can handle the job. "There is this one guy and he guarantees you to get rid of them, so you hire him. You don't care if the guy smells, you don't care if the guy swears, you don't care if he's an alcoholic, you don't care how many times he's been married, you don't care if he voted for Obama," it said. "You simply want those raccoons gone! You want your problem fixed! He's the guy. He's the best. Period!" On Monday, Blood was forced to resign. To be sure, it was a "bonehead" decision to post this. He didn't even write it himself. He just copy-pasted it from a friend, and had only meant "to illustrate, however poorly, one of the reasons our President was elected." Give the man this: In that respect, it was a wild success. Who in this state has done a better job of illustrating Trump's appeal -- aside from maybe Sen. Michael Doherty, who feels "denigrated" as a white man, and would be more comfortable if we stopped taking immigrants from certain "non-European" nations? Blood was not even trying to stoke the fires of intolerance. He copied this post because he wanted to show that Trump, however crude, is seen as a problem-solver by his fans. But what he shared was incredibly revealing. It regarded immigrants as sub-human, and he didn't seem to get it. He exposed his bigotry by accident. So this is not just about one bozo official in Mendham. This is the story of why our president was elected, and what's at the core of Trumpism. Versions of this exact same Facebook post have been circulating among Trump supporters for more than two years. In 2016, the co-chair of Trump's campaign in New York, Carl Paladino - who once ran for governor and lost to Andrew Cuomo - said something strikingly similar. Trump is an "exterminator" appealing to voters frustrated with government, he argued, who want "the raccoons out of the basement." You see how people become accustomed to this kind of rhetoric. The president himself says he's defending Americans from contaminating invaders like the Haitians, who "all have AIDS." (In reality, it's about 2 percent of Haiti's population). The people coming into this country are "savage," he says, the "worst of the worst." This is why we need to build a wall. "They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists." So why not raccoons? During the Nazi era, Jews were depicted as rats. Officials incited the Rwandan genocide by calling Tutsis "cockroaches" that needed to be exterminated. As one bigot wrote on Facebook, the rabid raccoon post "was the perfect analogy for our current infestation of illegal immigrants." A 1975 Stanford study actually showed that when participants overheard an experimenter call a group of people "animals," they were more likely to give one of them a painful shock. So when Trump says African immigrants come from you-know-what countries, you may forget he's talking about Emmanuel Mensah, an immigrant from Ghana and U.S. soldier who died trying to save people from a fire in the Bronx. When he says he's defending us from "bad hombres," you may feel more comfortable with ICE handcuffing a Kansas chemistry professor who's lived here for 30 years, and warning his wife and kids that they could be arrested if they try to hug him goodbye. The former deputy mayor of Mendham got one thing exactly right about this "rabid raccoon" post, shared by so many: Dehumanization of immigrants has always been at the heart of Trumpism. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. A gun-control measure that ignited a public spat between former Gov. Chris Christie and two parents of first-graders killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting is back on track this year. And this time, New Jersey's new governor, Phil Murphy, says he'll sign the measure into law. "We have among the most progressive, smartest gun safety laws in the nation. That is a fact," the Democrat said at a roundtable in Cherry Hill Tuesday. "It's also a fact that they can be strengthened." The bill would reduce the permitted size of ammunition magazines from 15 rounds to 10 in New Jersey. The state's Democratic-controlled Legislature is moving on the measure again after Christie, a Republican, vetoed it in 2014. At the time, Christie called the bill a "trivial approach to human life." The parents of the Sandy Hook victims who spent more than a year lobbying for the law, Nicole Hockley and Mark Barden, in turn, said the governor's action was a "blow to the memories of our children." Now, Murphy says the bill is just one of a series of gun control measures he'll sign. "We have a package of bills that are really important," state Assemblyman Lou Greenwald, D-Camden, said at the roundtable. The others making they're way through the Legislature would: * Require background checks for private gun sales. * Ban armor-piercing ammunition. * Make people seeking a handgun permit under "justifiable need" demonstrate the urgent necessity for the firearm rather than "a more generalized fear or concern." The measure would codify an existing rule. * Ban .50-caliber assault rifles. * Require gun shops to sell personalized handguns, or so-called smart guns, if the technology is available on the market. Murphy said the bills amount to "a short list of things" he wants to enact. Not present at the roundtable were any gun activist groups or a representative from the National Rifle Association, all of which have opposed any of the Democratic-controlled Legislature's attempts at passing stricter gun rules in the state. More recently, the Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs filed a lawsuit last week over Murphy's measure to prove a "justifiable need" to obtain a license to carry. Scott Bach, the president of the group, says it's nearly "impossible for the average citizen to qualify" for a permit. But Murphy has argued having some of the strictest gun control measures on the book don't do enough to combat the nation's epidemic of gun violence. Others agree. "It's like being the tallest building in Omaha," said former Gov. James Florio, who signed the nation's toughest ban on assault weapons in 1990. "There's no question in my mind and in the polling data that the vast majority of people in the state and in the nation feel that there needs to be more restrictions on gun rules," he said. "If you get people engaged and informed they can overpower the small, highly disciplined gun lobby." Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or Facebook. By Jonathan D. Salant | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Don't Edit So how would President Donald Trump's proposed budget affect New Jersey? Trump's budget proposal for the 12 months beginning Oct. 1. goes where last year's did: Sharp cuts in domestic spending and large increases for the military. The Republican-controlled Congress rejected his earlier plan, enacting a two-year budget that increases both defense and domestic spending. That didn't stop Trump Monday from proposing a fresh round of deep cuts. "You don't have to spend all of this money, Congress," Budget Director Mick Mulvaney said Monday. "But if you do, here is how we would prefer to see you spend it." Don't Edit President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with state and local officials about infrastructure in the White House on Monday. (AP Photo | Carolyn Kaster) Congress isn't likely to listen to the president this time either. Just ask House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen from New Jersey. "The committee will perform our own analysis and craft legislation that reflects the will of the House and the needs of the people we represent," said Frelinghuysen, R-11th Dist. Here's what the proposed budget will mean to New Jersey. Don't Edit 1. Another setback for Gateway Trump's much-touted infrastructure plan included just $200 billion in federal funding, much of it taken from other transportation programs. It set up a $100 billion grant program, but the federal government would only pay 20 percent of the cost, a far cry from the 50 percent that proponents of the Gateway Tunnel project under the Hudson River have expected from Washington. In addition, the president again sought to change the rules to exclude Gateway from the Federal Transit Administration's "New Starts" program, and the FTA lowered the rating on the project in case Congress rejected that plan. In case it wasnt clear before, President Trump tried to land another death blow to Gateway, by having his Federal Transit Administration vindictively and inexplicably downgrade the project in order to cut off critical federal funding," said U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J. "The president thinks he can fool us, but were on to his tricks." Don't Edit 2. Sharp cut to Amtrak Even as Trump proposed an infrastructure package, he proposed cutting Amtrak funding by more than half, to $738 million from $1.5 billion. Much of the reduction will come requiring states to pay half the subsidies of Amtrak's money-losing long-distance trains. The budget also calls for end to subsidies for services such as dining cars, sleeping cars and checked baggage, which should break even, handled by private companies or be eliminated. Don't Edit Don't Edit 3. 900,000 more New Jerseyans won't have health insurance Trump resurrected plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act with legislation that would leave millions more Americans without health insurance. He embraced the last-ditch repeal legislation authored by U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Bill Cassidy, R-La., that didn't even have enough support to come up for a vote. That proposal would have increased the number of uninsured Garden State residents by 900,000, according to New Jersey Policy Perspective, a progressive research group. The bill would have taken the money that went for insurance subsidies and expanded Medicaid, cut $239 billion, and redistributed the rest to the states in such a way that those that enrolled more residents would get fewer federal dollars and those states that never expanded Medicaid would get more. The loss to New Jersey would have been $10 billion during the first six years. To justify his proposal, Trump falsely decried "the failures of Obamacare." Every independent study and the Congressional Budget Office has said that the program was working well in most places and insurers said their rate hikes were due largely to administration efforts to gut the health care law. Don't Edit A New Jersey Superfund site. (Robert Sciarrino | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) 4. There's less money for environmental protection The Environmental Protection Agency initially was given the largest percentage hit in funding, 34 percent. The presidents proposed cuts to EPA are extreme and threaten the health and environment of all Americans," said Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-6th Dist., the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The Trump administration originally proposed a $300 million reduction in funding to clean up Superfund sites, of which New Jersey has more than any other state, but put back the money when Congress increased domestic funding under the two-year budget deal. Don't Edit President Donald Trump meets with drug company executives at the White House in January 2017. At left is Kenneth C. Frazier, chief executive of Merck & Co. (Ron Sachs | Pool/Getty Images) 5. You may pay less for some prescription drugs In his State of the Union address last month, Trump proclaimed: "One of my greatest priorities is to reduce the price of prescription drugs." In his budget, he is doing something about it. The proposal would set up a pilot program for states to negotiate drug prices with manufacturers, and would speed up Food and Drug Administration approval of less-expensive generics. Don't Edit 6. Poor New Jerseyans wouldn't get heating aid in the winter The president, as he did last year, is seeking to end the Low Income Heating Assistance Program, known by its initials as LIHEAP, which helps poorer Americans, including those in the Northeast, help pay for their winter heating bills. New Jersey last year received $120 million. Don't Edit The view looking southwest from the skyscraper One Theater Square, where you can see Military Park and the old and new Prudential buildings among others. (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) 7. N.J. cities would lose federal aid The budget would eliminate the annual grants that go to urban areas for housing and economic development. New Jersey and its localities received $78 million in community development block grant funding last year. Don't Edit Don't Edit 8. Arts and humanities again on the chopping block Though Congress rejected Trump's proposals to eliminate both the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, the president is seeking to kill the two agencies again. The NEA made $1.6 million in grants to New Jersey groups last year. Trump also repeated his effort to eliminate the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides federal funds to public television and radio stations, including NJTV. In 2016, CPB allocated $3.1 million for public broadcasting in the state. Don't Edit A police car. (Shutterstock). 9. Local law enforcement funds would be reduced The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) would be merged into the Office of Justice Programs, and funding would be cut to $99 million from $195 million -- almost 50 percent -- for the program that gives grants to localities to hire police officers. Last year, New Jersey localities received $4.3 million and hired 34 new officers under the program. "Eliminating the COPS Office and slashing funding for the COPS Hiring Program grants in half is an odd way for President Trump to show support for the brave men and women in blue who rely on the office and grants to keep our neighborhoods safe, said Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-9th Dist. Don't Edit 10. N.J.'s sanctuary cities would be penalized Gov. Phil Murphy proposed making New Jersey a "sanctuary state" to protect unauthorized immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, the so-called dreamers. Newark, East Orange, Jersey City and other cities have vowed not to cooperate with federal authorities on immigration issues. Such municipalities are known as "sanctuary cities." Trump, elected on a promise to deport all 11 million unauthorized immigrants, has threatened cities with the loss of federal funds if they do not accede to federal requests to hold unauthorized immigrants. His budget includes provisions to specifically allow the Justice and Homeland Security departments to require localities cooperate with federal immigration authorities as a condition of getting certain grants Don't Edit Gov. Chris Christie, who chaired President Donald Trump's opioid commission, listens during a roundtable discussion at the White House. (Drew Angerer | Getty Images) 11. More to fight opioid addiction (but other drug policy cuts) Trump requested $10 billion to address the opioid crisis, There will be an increase in treatment, a national media campaign and efforts to encourage doctors to reduce opioid prescriptions. "Im grateful the administration is calling for this critical funding," said Rep. Tom MacArthur, R-3rd Dist., the Republican chair of the congressional Bipartisan Heroin Task Force But proposed cuts to the Office of National Drug Control Policy drew objections from MacArthur and other task force leaders, including Rep. Donald Norcross, D-1st Dist. The lawmakers called the proposed cut "an unnecessary and ill-advised risk" because a strong drug policy office "is a critical component of an effective and aggressive response to the devastation that heroin, opioids, and other drugs are causing in our communities." Don't Edit More on the budget Trump falling short in paying for Gateway Project, Phil Murphy and others say What Trump infrastructure plan could mean for Gateway Tunnel Sparks flew over Trump government shutdown and new budget. Here's how your lawmakers voted. Murphy on government shutdown: 'I can't believe this is happening' Voters may not blame Trump if there's another government shutdown, poll says N.J. candidates try to make hay in government shutdown blame game between Trump and Dems Don't Edit Don't Edit Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. New Jersey and more than a dozen other states are pushing back against a controversial proposal by the Trump administration to put a citizenship question on the 2020 Census, over fears it would harm states with large immigrant populations. The plan before the U.S. Department of Commerce has sparked strong opposition from many who believe the question would lead to a significant undercount, if many feel too threatened to respond. "Notwithstanding the Trump Administration's rhetoric, as four prior census directors have recognized, we don't need a citizenship question on the census," said state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal. "The reality is that in the current national climate a citizenship question will cause great consternation and discourage participation in the census. That lack of participation will inevitably have far-reaching, negative effects." In a letter Monday to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Grewal joined with the attorneys general for New York, Massachusetts, California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, as well as the Governor of Colorado to voice their opposition to proposal. "Adding a citizenship question--especially at such a late date in the 2020 Census planning process--would significantly depress participation, causing a population undercount that would disproportionately harm states and cities with large immigrant communities," they wrote. "This undercount would frustrate the Census Bureau's obligation under the Constitution to determine the whole number of persons in each state, threaten our states' fair representation in Congress, dilute our states' role in the Electoral College, and deprive our states of their fair share of hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funds that are allocated in part on decennial Census data." There was no immediate comment from the Commerce Department. The question was requested by the Justice Department and is currently under review by lawyers at the Commerce Department, which oversees the Census Bureau. But with the administration's increasingly aggressive efforts to deport undocumented immigrants, opponents of the measure say it is aimed at shifting political power by deliberately undercounting states with immigrant and multi-racial communities, where many might be reluctant to answer such a question. The Census counts the nation's entire population, not just U.S. citizens. U.S. Census Bureau employees testing questions in Los Angeles. (U.S. Census Bureau | file photo) The letter noted that the Census Bureau "has long recognized the difficulty of counting immigrant and non-citizen communities," and had been looking at strategies to minimize undercounts of not only undocumented immigrants, but also immigrant Latino and Asian communities. "Notwithstanding these efforts, the difficulty of counting such groups has only increased in the current climate," the letter noted. "Recent pretests by the Census Bureau have revealed that immigrant respondents increasingly expressed concerns about confidentiality and data sharing." Last week, the U.S. Conference of Mayors expressed similar concerns. In a letter signed by dozens of mayors, including the mayors of Newark, Jersey City, Elizabeth and Paterson, the group also urged the administration to put forward candidates for Census Director and Census Bureau Deputy Director "who will continue the tradition of nonpartisan, experienced, and strong leadership." Phil Sparks, co-director of The Census Project, a non-partisan association of business and industry organizations; civil rights advocates; state and local governments; social service agencies and others with stakes in the Census, said a citizenship question would shift political power and affect billions in federal funding. "It would be a death knell of a fair and accurate Census count," Sparks said. Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Facebook: @TedSherman.reporter. Find NJ.com on Facebook. WASHINGTON -- A bipartisan group of 16 U.S. senators, including Cory Booker and Robert Menendez, want the full-year spending bill now being drafted to prevent the Trump administration from enforcing federal marijuana laws in states that have legalized the drug. In a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran, R-Mich., and ranking Democrat Patrick Leahy of Vermont, the senators took aim at Attorney General Jeff Sessions' January announcement that he would no longer let states enforce their own laws but require federal prosecutors to consider marijuana cases as they would any other criminal actions. The announcement "rescinded years of guidance, creating disruption, confusion, and uncertainty throughout the country," the senators wrote. "Citizens who have been acting in good faith based on federal and state assurances now feel exposed," the letter said. "This disruption may deny medications to the sick, push individuals back into illicit markets, and nullify the previously-effective regulations - all while thwarting the democratically-expressed will of the states." Previous Justice Department spending bills have blocked the agency from spending any money on medical marijuana, but now many states, including New Jersey, are either considering legalizing it for recreational use or have already done so. The provision has been renewed annually since 2014. It prevents the Justice department from spending any money to prevent New Jersey and 45 other states "from implementing a law that authorizes the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of medical marijuana." As chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-11th Dist., also will shape the final spending bill. His aide, Steve Wilson, did not respond to a question on whether the lawmaker would support such a provision on marijuana. In addition to Booker and Menendez, those signing the letter were Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska; Kamala Harris, D-Calif.; Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii; Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.; Rand Paul, R-Ky.; Ben Cardin, D-Md.; Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, D-Mass.; Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev.; Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.; Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D.; Ron Wyden, D-Ore.; Tim Kaine; D-Va.; and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. Are you interested in the N.J. cannabis industry? Subscribe here for exclusive insider information from NJ Cannabis Insider Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. In its first year, New Jersey's historic criminal justice system overhaul slashed the number of people charged with minor crimes locked up until trial because they couldn't post bail by 20 percent, according to a new report from the state judiciary. But like many bright ideas hatched in Trenton, the new system is already going broke. Starting last year, New Jersey all but eliminated cash bail, moving instead to a system where judges can order defendants jailed based in part on a risk assessment that weighs the suspect's criminal history and the charges they face. The report, submitted by acting administrative director Judge Glenn Grant to the governor and state Legislature on Monday, found the dramatic transformation had created "a more comprehensive, reasonable, and most importantly, a fairer system of pretrial release." "New Jersey has successfully transformed an antiquated money bail system into a modern, risk-based system that relies on empirical evidence to better identify the risk a defendant poses," Grant said in a statement following its release. The report also warned the new system is "simply not sustainable" and faces a "substantial annual structural deficit" because of its funding mechanism, which relies on court fees rather than the state budget. It's not the first time the judiciary raised the alarm about the need for a "stable sustainable funding stream." Speaking at a Senate budget hearing last spring, Grant said serious problems paying bills could arise as soon as 2019. The situation has not improved, the new report found. As of the beginning of 2018, the judiciary was spending more on the program than it was collecting in fees and is still expected to hit the wall within a year. The findings portray an uncertain financial future for the new system, a top achievement of former Gov. Chris Christie's administration. The changes drew broad support within state government but derision from local law enforcement and some community leaders, who argued it allowed the release of too many people accused of serious crimes. It also poses problems for Gov. Phil Murphy, whose young administration will have to grapple with how to fund an ambitious overhaul being held up as a model for criminal justice reform around the country. A spokesman for the governor did not immediately return a request for comment. According to the report, there were 44,319 people charged on a warrant in New Jersey in 2017. Of those people, prosecutors asked judges to lock up 19,366 defendants until trial, and of that group, the court ordered 8,043 thrown in jail. The report found technological improvements in the state court system helped judges meet another key feature of the overhaul: a "speedy trial" rule which requires defendants be indicted within 90 days and limits the amount of time they can spend in jail awaiting trial. Yet it found staff at the pretrial monitoring program, whose job it is to keep tabs on people released under the new system, lack resources to help defendants with issues involving mental health and addiction. The highest tier of pretrial monitoring, which requires defendants wear GPS monitoring bracelets, was particularly taxing on court staff, the report found. Keeping tabs on the 3,686 defendants entered into that tier last year required 24-hour staffing. In a few counties, local jails have taken up the duty of responding when a defendant goes missing, but in most jurisdictions around the state, that responsibility fell on the civilian court staff. The second year of New Jersey's overhaul will be closely watched around the country, as states such as New York and Delaware weigh similar systems. It continues to face opposition from the bail bonds industry as well as local officials and law enforcement. Earlier this month, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka blamed the new system for the release of a man awaiting trial on domestic violence charges who was later accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend. S.P. Sullivan may be reached at ssullivan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter. Find NJ.com on Facebook. New Jersey's attorney general has joined his counterparts across the country in calling for federal lawmakers to put an end to secret negotiations that keep sexual harassment cases hidden from the court system. "Access to our judicial system is a fundamental right, and the victims of sexual harassment should not be denied that access simply because they were victimized on the job," Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said Monday. A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House and Senate last year introduced a measure that would ban employment contracts that require workplace sexual harassment claims be handled through a confidential arbitration process rather than the courts. The National Association of Attorneys General sent a letter Monday to congressional leaders urging them to support the bill, which was sponsored by U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, and Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina. The Economic Policy Institute has estimated some 60 million American workers are bound by arbitration clauses, which can shield details of harassment allegations from public view and make it difficult to detect serial or systemic harassment. The letter says such requirements are often buried within the "fine print" of an employment contract, meaning "many employees will not even recognize that they are bound by arbitration clauses until they have been sexually harassed and attempt to bring suit." "Ending mandatory arbitration of sexual harassment claims would help to put a stop to the culture of silence that protects perpetrators at the cost of their victims," reads the letter, which was signed by attorneys general in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and several U.S. territories. S.P. Sullivan may be reached at ssullivan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Republican Bob Hugin wasted little time Tuesday in attacking U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, the Democrat he's aiming to topple in this year's Senate race in New Jersey. "This campaign is going to be a contrast -- a stark contrast in candidates," Hugin, a multimillionaire former pharmaceutical executive, said minutes after formally announcing his bid for the seat currently held by Menendez, a two-term senator who recently saw federal corruption charges against him dropped. "I am offended by Senator Menendez's actions," Hugin, 63, told the crowd at the Springfield Elks Lodge. "He's violated the public trust and, at the same time, he's failed the people of New Jersey." "New Jersey deserves better," he continued. "I'm embarrassed about how people think about New Jersey based on Senator Menendez's behavior. It's embarrassing." Hugin, who retired Feb. 5 from Summit-based pharma company Celegne Corp. and plans to pump millions of his own dollars into the race, is hoping to take advantage of a wounded Menendez to break Republicans' four-decade losing streak in New Jersey Senate contests. Mike Soliman, Menendez's senior political adviser, declined comment Tuesday. Menendez was accused of using his office to do favors for a friend, Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen, in exchange for lavish gifts. The senator repeatedly claimed his innocence. His trial ended with a hung jury in November and the U.S. Justice Department dropped its charged against Menendez last month. But polls show the case cut into his popularity in the state, with a majority of voters saying he shouldn't be re-elected. Though Menendez has yet formally announce his bid for a third six-year term, he's expected to run. The Senate Ethics Committee is still investigating the allegations. Still, no Republican has been elected to the Senate from New Jersey since 1972. And Menendez is favorited to win, with Inside Elections, a publication that tracks congressional contests, rating the race as "solid Democratic." Both Hugin and Menendez must win their parties' nominations first. Hirsh Singh, who unsuccessfully ran for governor last year, is also registered to run in the Republican primary, while activist Michael Starr Hopkins is challenging Menendez in the Democratic primary. But Hugin and Menendez have the support of their statewide parties and are considered the favorites. Some of the state's top Republicans -- former Lt. Gov. Kim Guadadno, state Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick, and state GOP chairman Doug Steinhardt -- attended Hugin's launch Tuesday. Hugin, however, will have albatrosses of his own. That includes the thousands of dollars he donated to former Gov. Chris Christie and President Donald Trump -- fellow Republicans with low poll numbers in New Jersey -- and his time at a pharma company criticized for raising drug prices. Hugin gave $2,7000 to Christie's unsuccessful 2016 presidential campaign, $5,000 to his leadership political action committee, and $250,000 to his aligned super PAC, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. He also gave $5,400 to Trump's 2016 PAC, Federal Election Commission records show. Bob Hugin announces Senate campaign 14 Gallery: Bob Hugin announces Senate campaign David Bergstein, a spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said Hugin would be "a rubber stamp for President Trump and his agenda that raises taxes on middle class families." Hugin -- who has never held elected office before -- is painting himself as a fiscal conservative opposed to tax increases in a state with the highest property taxes. "The state of affairs in New Jersey is not great, and, in fact, is in many ways headed in the wrong direction," he said Tuesday. Hugin also distanced himself from Trump, saying he opposed the $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions included in the federal tax law the president recently signed. And he stressed that he'll work with Democrats, such as Gov. Phil Murphy and the state's other U.S. senator, Cory Booker. "If Governor Murphy or Senator Booker have a good idea that makes sense in New Jersey, I will stand up and support them," Hugin said. "If President Trump or any other Republican has an idea that's bad for New Jersey, I will forcefully stand up and disagree with them." Hugin grew up in Union City -- the same town as Menendez -- and was the first in his family to go to college, winning a scholarship to Princeton University. He said Tuesday he learned about leadership from the time he spent in the Marines. "I learned that leaders go where the problems are to make a difference," Hugin said. He also touted how when he joined Celgene 19 years ago, the company was struggling, with six weeks of money left. Now, he said, Celgene is on the verge of curing some cancers and has created thousands of jobs in New Jersey. "Celgene changed my life," Hugin said. "It gave a new sense of mission and purpose of my life. You meet cancer patients, you know who you work for." But the company has drawn fire for hiking drug prices on cancer patients. Last year, Celgene paid $280 million to settle a lawsuit that charged the company with committing fraud. Chris Russell, a Hugin campaign advisor, said Tuesday the company has also significantly helped cancer patients and that Hugin is "going to make the case that he's a health-care expert ... who cares very deeply about health care." Guadagno, Christie's former lieutenant governor, called Hugin a "fabulous candidate" with a "fabulous story." "Politicians are about contrast," Guadagno said after the event. "And I don't think there's a greater contrast than between Bob Hugin and Bob Menendez." NJ Advance Media staff writer Jonathan D. Salant contributed to this report. Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. Three Washington, D.C., men are accused of various charges, including hit-and-run driving, after a group of ATV and dirt-bike riders refused to stop for deputies in Metairie Monday night (Feb. 12), leading officers on a pursuit that involved three crashes in which the riders hit JPSO vehicles, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. Two of the accused drivers were injured in the crashes and have been taken to a local hospital for treatment, said JPSO spokesman Lt. Jason Rivarde. Late Monday, he said their condition was unknown. Those facing charges include Carl Prather, 35, Nasir Wallace, 18, and Durrell Dixie, 31, all of Washington. The chase began about 7:50 p.m., after a JPSO deputy saw about 15 ATVs and dirt bikes "being operated in a reckless manner" near the intersection of West Metairie and Elise avenues. When deputies tried to stop the group, the drivers all fled on their vehicles, according to authorities. 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 The subsequent pursuit involved three crashes, including two at the intersection of Clearview Parkway and Airline Drive and one about five blocks away at Clearview and Prairie street. In the first crash, a dirt-bike rider intentionally ran his bike into a JPSO vehicle, according to Rivarde. Shortly afterward, an ATV crashed into another JPSO vehicle as well as a passing vehicle that had not been involved in the chase. The third crash, at the intersection of Clearview and Prairie, also resulted from a driver running into a JPSO vehicle, Rivarde said. The three men are suspected of aggravated criminal damage to property, hit and run driving, reckless operation and numerous traffic offenses, as well as other possible charges, Rivarde said. Photos of the men were not available late Monday. The sister of a 44-year-old man from Alabama killed by a blow to the head from an unknown assailant last week described him as "an all-around good guy" on Monday (Feb. 12), shortly after the Orleans Parish Coroner's Office released the deceased's name publicly. Russell Teal, 44, was found by New Orleans police officers on Monday, Feb. 5, lying unconscious on the ground in the 1400 block of Governor Nicholls Street in Treme. Authorities say Teal had been walking on the block around 3 a.m. alongside an unknown man, who allegedly struck the 44-year old with a fatal blow to his head. Teal was pronounced dead at the scene. Teal's sister, Tressa Teal Roten, remembered her brother Monday as "big-hearted" person who had been beloved by family and friends. Roten said Teal was not married and did not have any children. "He was an all-around good guy," she said. "The kind of person who would give you the shirt off his back. Just full of life." Teal hailed from Eufaula, Ala., and had been active in student government while enrolled at Troy University, his sister said Monday. A member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, Teal had worked as a flight attendant for Northwest Airlines before moving to New Orleans full-time about a year ago, she said. He had been working in the restaurant industry prior to his death. 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 Speaking over the phone Monday, Roten said the news of her brother's death came as a shock to her and her family. She said Teal's loved ones have learned little so far about the circumstances surrounding his death. "We're desperate for answers," Roten said over the phone Monday. "We know that it's being investigated, and we're very confident in our investigator." Initially, the New Orleans Police Department categorized Teal's death as an "unclassified death," according to a preliminary report issued on Feb. 5. A week later, Teal's death was reclassified on Feb. 12 as a homicide by the Coroner's Office, which in a news release attributed the cause of death to "blunt force injuries." A police spokesperson said Monday that it's not currently known the manner by which Teal was fatally struck. The spokesperson did not provide any additional details about the case other than to note that "the investigation is active and ongoing." "If anybody has any info at all, please come forward," Roten, Teal's sister, said. A provision tucked into the supplemental spending bill approved by Congress last week (Feb. 8) will limit the ability of federal officials to veto permits for two proposed sediment diversions on the Mississippi River because of their potential to hurt groups of bottlenose dolphins in Louisiana waters already decimated by the BP oil spill. The provision declares that the two diversions, and proposed projects aimed at reducing salinity in wetlands along the Calcasieu Ship Channel, are consistent with provisions of the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act that limit effects on the "health and stability of the marine ecosystem." The Commerce Department's National Marine Fisheries Service now has only 120 days to issue a waiver from provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act that prohibit the "taking" of dolphins by actions that could harm their health or kill them, and also requires that "no rulemaking, permit, determination or other condition or limitation shall be required when issuing a waiver ..." The health of dolphins that live in Barataria Bay and Breton Sound has been of concern since the 2010 oil spill. A final federal damage assessment of the spills effects, released in 2016, estimated it would take 39 years for bottlenose dolphins in Barataria Bay to recover, and 52 years for dolphins living along the Mississippi River Delta. Scientists have estimated that 1,477 marine mammals, mostly dolphins were stranded or reported dead offshore between the spill and April 2016. Scientists with the National Marine Fisheries Services in 2015 raised concerns that about 2,000 dolphins that call Barataria Bay home and about 800 that live in the Breton Sound area could become ill or abandon their home areas if the Gulf of Mexico water in those areas became too fresh. The scientist warned that the diversion projects could delay the recovery of the population of dolphins that was damaged during the BP oil spill. The Army Corps of Engineers will issue federal permits for construction and operation of the diversions. Andrew Streicheck, assistant administrator for the Fisheries Service southeast region office, warned in a letter to the corps that the freshening of the water "will present a significant permitting challenge" under the marine mammal protection law. State officials have been working with Fisheries Service and corps officials, and with members of Congress, to find a way of addressing those concerns while not having to wait for what could be a multi-year study of the effects of freshening the water on the dolphin populations, said Chip Kline, deputy director for coastal activities in the office of Gov. John Bel Edwards. In January, the state announced that it had entered into an agreement with the Trump administration to speed up the Mid-Barataria diversion, the first of the projects to go through the permitting process, under recommendations included in a Trump executive order aimed at speeding construction of infrastructure projects. State officials expect that not waiting for the completion of new studies on dolphins could significantly speed up the permits for the diversions. Corps officials have said the permitting process was expected to take until the end of 2022, while state officials have wanted construction to start in 2020. A spokesman for the corps' New Orleans District office said the agency is expected in March to update its time frame for permitting, and does not know yet how the new law change will affect the schedule. Marine Fisheries officials "made very clear that they thought it would be very difficult due to depleted stock of dolphins because of the oil spill to issue a letter of authorization for a taking under the Marine Mammal Protection Act," Kline said. The state has argued that the Protection Act requires the agency to take a snapshot view of the ecosystem as it exists today and compare it to effects without a project being built, while these projects are attempting to correct much larger ecosystem health problems that date back to when today's open water bay was mostly wetlands, and had a much larger freshwater content. Environmental news in your inbox Stay up-to-date on the latest on Louisiana's coast and the environment. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up At that time, fewer dolphins are believed to have lived in Barataria Bay because it was fresher, and were more likely to be found elsewhere along the Gulf Coast. Kline said federal officials suggested the state turn to Congress to find a way around the impasse, and the result was the provision in the supplemental spending bill. Both of the diversions and the Calcasieu salinity control project are being built, in part, with money from fines or penalties resulting from the BP spill. The two diversions, he said, were directed to be funded from penalties resulting from criminal charges levied against BP and Transocean, the company that owned the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig. The provision in the funding bill does require Louisiana to minimize the impacts of the projects on marine mammal species and to monitor and evaluate the impacts on those species as the projects are operated, once built. Kline said that's been part of the state's plans since the projects were first proposed, and also is required under the federal Oil Pollution Act. "We think the governor and the Congressional delegation did a good job," said Steve Cochran, campaign director for Restore the Mississippi River Delta, and an assistant vice president with the Environmental Defense Fund. "The language overcomes a potentially significant barrier at the federal level to getting these critical coastal restoration projects constructed, keeps the focus on the overall health of the ecosystem, and shows how bipartisan the coastal restoration effort is." Cochran said that while he supports this limited workaround for three specific projects in Louisiana, he opposes broader changes to the nation's environmental laws, like those proposed by President Donald Trump on Monday (Feb. 12) as part of his infrastructure improvement plan. The $1.3 billion Mid-Barataria diversion near Myrtle Grove on the west bank of Plaquemines Parish would move 75,000 cubic feet per second of water into Breton Sound, but only during high-river periods. The $700 million Mid-Breton diversion, proposed for near Bertrandville on the east bank in Plaquemines, would have a peak flow of 35,000 cubic feet, again, only during high-river periods. The law change was among several items the state terms as good news to come out of Washington, D.C. in the past few days. On Monday, President Donald Trump's 2019 budget request did not call for an end to the sharing of 35 percent of Gulf of Mexico offshore oil revenue with Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama, as the administration had the year before. The state has been relying on the money, directed by the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, to begin paying part of the cost of coastal Master Plan projects, with a major uptick in the amount of money going to Louisiana beginning this year. The state still won't get the maximum $140 million that the law allows, because the moratorium on drilling in the Gulf after the BP spill and low oil prices resulted in a downturn in exploration and production offshore. But Louisiana is still expected to get between $68 million and $73 million a year over the next five years, Kline said. However, missing from Trump's proposed budget was funding to deepen the lower Mississippi River to 50 feet, and money to pay a share of the Morganza-to-the-Gulf hurricane levee that is now being built with state and local money around Houma. Also missing was money for replacement of the Industrial Canal lock at the Mississippi River with a deeper structure. How to start Mardi Gras? With the North Side Skull & Bones Gang, of course. Each year, on Mardi Gras, they take to the streets of the historic Treme neighborhood with oversized skull masks and carrying bones. Early Tuesday, Feb. 13, they carried on the tradition begun in the 1800s. Chief Bruce "Sunpie'' Barnes -- who is also a zydeco musician -- said in a 2012 interview: "What we do is in the real spirit of Mardi Gras, we think; a sort of shedding of the flesh," adding that it is one way "people give honor to the family spirits that went before them." Sharon Litwin writes in the 2012 story that unlike the Mardi Gras Indians, who often have quite public rehearsals, the Bone Gang does theirs privately. Sunpie says it's part of the mystery of the organization, one that had almost died out before he became Chief. Now he has one goal in mind: to keep it going. "The only way to keep any tradition going is to be consistent," Sunpie says. And to that end he has engaged the next generation of young African-American men to dress out with him. Societe de Sainte Anne made its annual loosely assembled and delightfully wacky and creative procession from Bywater through the French Quarter to Canal Street on Mardi Gras (Feb. 13). "As a walking club, the only requirement for membership is that you know about it,'' according to the group's website. In all manner of costume and lack thereof, pulling and riding in carts and homemade floats or just sauntering about, the group is one of the best things about going to the French Quarter on Mardi Gras. An inmate was injured in a Monday afternoon (Feb. 12) fire that destroyed police headquarters in the St. Mary Parish town of Baldwin, Lafayette-based KLFY-10 reports. Baldwin Mayor Donna Lancesline said the blaze remains under investigation, and the inmate has been airlifted to a local hospital, according to the news station. For the full story, click here. One the city's biggest cultural celebrations made its way through the streets of Midtown on Sunday. "I wanted to represent my culture, I wanted to represent my people as a Dominican myself especially born in America," one parade-goer said. Tens of thousands of people marched up Sixth Ave. for the 35th annual Dominican Day Parade. The celebration featured plenty of bachata and merengue, as well as colorful floats and costumes. This year's parade was also dedicated to Detective Miosotis Familia, who was fatally shot in the Bronx on July 5. "We honor her, obviously," said Maria Khury, the chair of the board of directors for the Dominican Day Parade. "The strength of her uniform, the strength of being a single parent, the strength of being a Dominican." Adriano Espaillat served as the parade's grand marshal. He made history last year when he became the first Dominican-American and formerly-undocumented immigrant to be elected to Congress. Police in Kabale is investigating circumstances under which a 15-year-old boy was lynched inside the home of Emma Cox, a Swedish national, a resident along Rugarama road in Kabale Municipality. The home hosts the Emma and Theresa Children's Project, which takes care of orphans and street children. Police at the scene of crime According to police, the deceased, identified as Alvin Agaba, a resident of Ruhita cell in Kabale Municipality was lynched by a group of boda boda cyclists on Sunday evening. They reportedly accused him of waylaying Cox on Friday night. According to them, Cox was cut on the arm with a machete while returning home from a nightclub. Elly Maate, the police spokesperson for Kigezi Region says that a group of boda boda riders brought Agaba to Cox's home and were willingly let in by Johnson Twinamatsiko, a private security guard attached to Ukombozi Security Company and Boaz Naturinda, 29, the patron of the home. Maate says that Agaba was then beaten to death. Maate also says that after the incident, Naturinda and Twinamatsiko did not alert anybody until around 9am on Monday when Cox woke up and found the body in the compound and alerted police. Maate also says that Naturinda and Twinamatsiko have been arrested and are held at Kabale police station for aiding the incident. "Boda boda cyclists arrested and took him to Emma and Thereza Children's Project around Rugarama road. The askari opened for them, they badly assaulted him and left him for dead and of course he died instantly. The askari and the patron who were inside there kept quiet. It is very unfortunate because if this boy had anything that he'd done or anything he had committed, they should have arrested him and handed him over to police but not taking the law into own hands." Cox declined to comment on the matter. The body of the deceased is still at Kabale regional referral hospital mortuary for postmortem. The case is registered at Kabale central police station under file number CRB 357/2018. Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has filed an application seeking court orders restraining Kampala minister Beti Kamya from issuing directives while purporting to act as political head of Kampala. The application was filed in the High court, Civil Division on Monday. Business hit a snag at City Hall on January 25 when Kamya wrote to Lukwago saying Council meetings he has been convening are null and void. The meetings that Kamya referred to are "resumed meeting(s)," which are a continuation of previous authority meeting(s). Kampala mayor Erias Lukwago (R) wants court to block minister Beti Kamya (L) from issuing anymore directives "Resumed meetings are not provided for in the Kampala Capital City Authority-KCCA Act. The only category of the meeting provided for is ordinary and special meetings. Any scheduled meeting can only be referred to or called in accordance with the KCCA Acttherefore any meeting called outside the provision of the law is null and void," Kamya wrote in a January 23rd letter. This prompted KCCA technocrats to walk out of the meeting arguing that they could not participate in null and void Council meetings. Subsequent formal meetings between the political and technical wing have not lured the latter to return to the meeting. "Resumed meetings are not provided for in the Kampala Capital City Authority-KCCA Act. The only category of the meeting provided for is ordinary and special meetings. Any scheduled meeting can only be referred to or called in accordance with the KCCA Acttherefore any meeting called outside the provision of the law is null and void," Kamya wrote in a January 23rd letter.This prompted KCCA technocrats to walk out of the meeting arguing that they could not participate in null and void Council meetings. Subsequent formal meetings between the political and technical wing have not lured the latter to return to the meeting. As a result, two Council meetings have been cancelled due to the absence of technical wing officials. In his application, Lukwago seeks "an order quashing the decision of the minister of Kampala Capital City Authority contained in the January 23rd letter regarding the legality of authority meetings." He further seeks "an order of prohibition restraining, stopping and preventing the minister for Kampala Capital City Authority from passing off or purporting to act as the political head of Kampala," the application reads. Lukwago is also seeking the court to declare that the practice of subjecting his official travels to a ministerial permit "as irrational, unreasonable, illegal, preposterous and constitutes as an egregious infringement and abuse of the applicant's rights and freedoms." Kamya last week blocked Lukwago from attending a World Bank conference in Malaysia. Lukwago had been invited by the World Bank to attend the ninth session of the World Urban Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from February 7 to February 13. While The World Bank sent Lukwago a visa and an air ticket, KCCA was supposed to provide up to $1,800 (about Shs 6.5 million) for his accommodation and per diem. Kamya instead gave transferred the invitation to Kawempe Division mayor Emmanuel Sserunjogi to represent Lukwago. Abdallah Kitatta the patron of the infamous Boda Boda 2010 militia has objected to being tried in the Military Court Martial arguing that he is not a soldier. Appearing before the General Court Martial presided over by its chairman Lt Gen. Andrew Guti, Kitatta and ten of his co accused refused to take plea arguing that as civilians they should be tried in a civilian court. The suspects in the Military Court dock The suspects are charged with up to six counts; all related to illegal possession of military equipment. Prosecution led by Maj. Raphael Mugisha alleges that on January 26 while at Wakaliga, Kitatta and his co accused, were found with one SMG machine gun, two pistols, 30 rounds of ammunition of an SMG, 20, rounds of ammunition for a pistol and military stores including headgear and uniform without holding a valid firearms certificate. The said items are a preserve of the military. After objecting to their trail, Guti advised them to consult their lawyers to understand the gravity of the offences against them. You should talk to you lawyers and tell you what happens to a person found in possession of military equipment. Your lawyers will give you a clear understanding of the charges. These charges are serious; they are not as simple as you might play there, Guti said. Prosecution lawyer, Maj. Mugisha said the court cant proceed with the hearings because first, investigations into the matter were still ongoing but also that the procedure of the court bars it from proceeding on the matter once its jurisdiction is challenged. The accused persons have raised an issue of jurisdiction.therefore they should bring evidence to show that they are not supposed to be tried by this General Court Martial, Mugisha said. State defense lawyer of four of the accused, Lieutenant Brain Mugi agreed with prosecution lawyer, arguing that there was also need for adjournment to allow him consult his clients and establish evidence why they think they shouldnt be tried by the court. Kitattas and five of the accuseds lawyer, Joseph Kiryowa also asked for more time to prepare a written submission why he thinks his clients must not be tried by the military court. Guti adjourned the hearing to February 27, remanding the accused to Luzira prison until then. Kitatta is accused together with Joel Kibirige, Matia Ssenfuka, Hassan Ssebatta, Jonathan Kayondo, Hassan Ssebbowa, Sunday Ssemwogerere, John Ssebandeke, Hussein Mugema, Fred Bwanika and Amon Twinomujuni. They were arrested on January 22 by the army after being linked to the murder of Case hospital accountant Francis Ekalugar. Ekalugar was kidnapped this year on January 2, while on his way to the bank. His body was found burnt in Kajjansi the following day. bakerbatte@observer.ug Snakes can do a lot of things, including making Miss Tourism scream, but chewing Naira is a new one. A Nigerian official has claimed that a snake swallowed hundreds of thousands of dollars that went missing under her watch, reports the BBC. According to the report, a saleswoman working for the Nigerian exam board gave the dubious excuse after auditors discovered 36 million Naira ($100,000; Shs 360 million) was missing from her accounts. Reportedly, the woman, who worked in the central city of Makurdi, tried to accuse her house help of being involved in the moneys disappearance. Officials from Nigerias examination body, the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB), were not impressed and suspended the member of staff. Dr Fabian Benjamin, head of press for JAMB, confirmed the incident to the BBC. He said the body - responsible for organising admission exams into universities - is ignoring the incredible claim, adding disciplinary proceedings have been launched, according to the BBC. The story will be familiar to Ugandans. In June 2015, after failing to account for Shs 900 million, the Chief Administrative Officer for Abim, Moses Kaziba Nandhala, told MPs that termites had chewed the receipts. President Museveni Thirteen years ago in 2005, Col Fred Bogere, a quiet little-known army representative in Parliament, was cast in the public spotlight for refusing to vote for passage of the controversial legislation that lifted presidential term limits and effectively handed President Museveni a new lease on his political life. That bold defiance of the army and ruling party position set him on a collision course with the establishment. Bogere, now retired from the military, spoke candidly in a recent interview, about the aftermath of his action. There was too much pressure on me that I must come out and correct what they considered a mistake. I said I cant do that. When I refused, the pressure intensified to the extent that my close friends and relatives were used. I got attacks from everywhere; external and internal, he said. He said he was summoned by the president and the late Gen Aronda Nyakairima, former chief of defence of forces. He said during the meeting with the president in Mbale, the head of state warned that Bogere and his legalistic mentality would be neutralized. Col Fred Bogere In the wide ranging interview, which will run in three parts, Bogere speaks about betrayal of the country by its leadership and how Uganda is teetering towards chaos and conflict as marauding gangs grab control over whatever is left of the state. He says that what happened last year when the elite force which protects President Museveni, the Special Forces Command, stormed parliament, attacked and violently dragged out mainly opposition MPs, is the darkest moment in Ugandas history. It was a terrible abuse of authority, it was a terrible insult to this country; I dont think we can ever have a leading case of abuse of power than that one. Bogere said. There is no doubt the constitutional order was overthrown. I dont know whether its a military junta or what but what is available now is a coup. I must confess that I felt betrayed and up to now I feel betrayed. You know we are not here to stay perpetually, the only constant is change and indeed it will come. Unfortunately, we squandered the opportunity of being part of that change. If change had come and it was attributed to the foundation work we had done, I would be a very happy person. See full interview in tomorrows print edition of The Observer. Thomaz Vieira Gomes, also known as 2N, is considered one of the most dangerous criminals in Rio de Janeiro, but recently he actually did something decent, albeit still illegal, for once. He and his gang kidnapped two male nurses and made them vaccinate the poor people of his favela against yellow fever. For months, Brazil has been dealing with a yellow fever epidemic that has already left dozens dead. Despite the Health Ministrys plans to vaccinate millions of people in the hopes of containing the outbreak, immunization centers struggle to keep up with the high number of patients, and, as always, the poorest communities are usually ignored. That was apparently the case of Salgueiro, one of the poorest regions of Rio de Janeiro, and the headquarters of 2Ns drug dealing operations. So he decided to speed up the process by using a very familiar technique, kidnapping. Photo: 2N On January 27th, the young gang leader and a few of his cronies descended on a local state-run clinic in two black cars, took as many syringes and vaccine doses as they could find, and kidnapped two of the male nurses on duty that night. They then drove to the Amarelinho bar in Salgueiro where the two nurses spent hours administering yellow fever vaccines to members of the local community. In their report, the two health workers stated that the kidnappers were not aggressive and had only carried out the criminal action because many Salgueiro residents were not able to visit immunization centers to get their yellow fever shot. After doing their job, the two victims were reportedly taken back to their workplace. The Rio de Janeiro police department was not alerted about the kidnapping, but the Municipal Health Department has announced that it will investigate the situation. News of the kidnapping went viral on Brazilian social media earlier this month, with many praising 2N as a sort of modern-day Robin Hood. Even the countrys former Minister of Environment took to Twitter to comment on this bizarre story, saying that while 2N is still an a-hole his actions were a public service. Thomaz Vieira Gomes, aka 2N, is one of the most wanted criminals in Rio de Janeiro, with authorities offering a $3,000 reward to anyone who can offer information aiding to his capture. via Correio Braziliense Lets be honest, finding clean and decent-smelling gas station toilets is hard enough, but one that makes you feel like royalty? Normally, I would say such a place doesnt exist, but I recently saw these photos of a unique toilet in Quezon, the Philippines. To be honest, I kind of already knew that gas station toilets in the Philippines can be quite different than what most of us are used, after writing about this Shell Gas Station toilet in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, which featured wood furniture, a bookshelf and even a phone next to the toilet bowl. But I didnt know the island nation actually had a public toilet fit for a king until seeing some photos of a Petron gas station toilet in Quezon. Photo: Allec Testado/Facebook People sometimes refer to their own bathrooms as the throne room, but this particular gas station toilet is actually decorated to look like a medieval throne room. It features gilded wall and ceiling decorations, a big gilded mirror, a small chandelier and even a wooden throne frame around the toilet bowl. And Petron makes no secret of wanting its customers to feel like real-life kings when using their spectacular facility. Hanging on the walls is a big sign with a gilded frame, obviously that reads At Petron you are KING!. So if youre ever in Quezon and want to feel like a king for a few minutes, you know where to go. Diffusion has been named agency of record for Canary, an NYC-based smart home security company. It has supported Canary through several product launches and will continue to work with the has supported Canary through several product launches and will continue to work with the company on media relations, brand awareness and event activations, as well as providing support at industry trade conferences. Canary, which produces indoor and outdoor smart home security cameras, started as an Indiegogo campaign in 2013. Fish Consulting has been selected by Jersey Mikes Subs to spearhead the companys franchisee recruitment marketing initiatives in the US. Jersey Mikes is a fast-casual sub sandwich franchise with more than 1,500 locations open and under development nationwide. Fish will develop creative to attract qualified single- and multi-unit franchisees to join the brand. The agency also will handle national and local public relations to showcase reasons to invest in the brand and help it reach the goal of 3,000 restaurants by 2021. Patricia Ione Lloyd Cindy Riccio Communications has been hired to manage PR and influencer marketing for writer, artist and activist Patricia Ione Lloyd. CRC will work with Lloyd to increase awareness of her work as a television and theater writer, focusing on the rights of women and other underserved demographics. Lloyds writing projects include USA Networks The Sinner, Love Is on the Oprah Winfrey Network and AMC Networks Hap and Leonard. She has held residencies and fellowships with organizations including New York Theater Workshop, Sundance Theater Institute and The Dramatists Guild of America, and is also a 2018-2019 Tow Playwright-in-Residence at the Public Theater. Broadcast TV coverage neglected the real-life impact of climate change, focusing instead on the Trump Administration's exit from the Paris treaty and whether it accepts that warming is based on scientific reality, according to a study of 2017 news reports conducted by watchdog Media Matters. CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox ran 85 segments that featured Trump administration statements or speeches on climate change. They ran four pieces each on extreme weather and public health; three on economic impact of climate change; and two on national security implications. The White House decision to withdraw from the Paris treaty accounted for about half of its climate coverage. Pullbacks on environmental regulation and the effort to dismantle the Obama administration's clean power plan followed. Nineteen percent of the segments mentioned that Donald Trump had called climate change a "hoax," while 37 percent failed to challenge that claim by noting the scientific consensus supporting climate change. Dr. Rebecca Vega-Thurber surveys a coral reef on Mo'orea, French Polynesia (Courtesy of Justin Smith/OSU) Don't Edit Near the beginning of "Saving Atlantis," a new feature-length documentary produced by Oregon State University, one of the world's most famous explorers described watching coral reefs die. French explorer Jacques Cousteau detailed the changes hed seen over a 20-year period. What are we going to deliver to the next generation? he asked in a 1991 interview. Thats one of the questions at the heart of Saving Atlantis, the first documentary released by Oregon States in-house production team. The university is hosting a free screening Thursday in Portland, the only scheduled viewing in the metro area. Don't Edit A coral reef system in the Red Sea off the coast of Saudi Arabia (Courtesy of David Baker/OSU) Don't Edit Researchers have documented coral reefs alarming acceleration toward mortality, a pace now counted in years instead of decades. The underground cities are home to one-quarter of marine life and provide food, recreation and culture to millions of people around the world. The film says climate change and human activity have caused more than half of the worlds reefs to die in the past 50 years. Warm water and ocean acidification remain big contributors, and everyone is struggling to find solutions. The film includes sweeping drone footage of coral reefs from around the world. The filmmakers traveled to Saudi Arabia, Colombia, French Polynesia, Australia, Malaysia and Hawaii to document changing reef conditions. Don't Edit Colombian researcher Mateo Lopez Victoria shows students of Bocachica the corals on their threatened local reef (Courtesy of David Baker/OSU) Rebecca Vega-Thurber, an OSU associate professor and director of the Global Coral Microbiome Project at the Corvallis campus, is one of the films stars. Vega-Thurber, who spent a lot of time exploring reefs during childhood visits to the Caribbean Sea, said she saw the changes. I would mention to my dad, Daddy where are all the fish? she said. But the film, based in large part on Vega-Thurber's research and that of other reef experts, is about much more than fish and the underground ecosystem. The people in each of those ocean-centric communities feature prominently in the film. That was by design, its director said. Don't Edit Don't Edit Running time: 75 minutes When: 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 15 at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, 1945 S.E. Water Ave., Portland. Screening will include a panel discussion and question and answer period Tickets: Free, but limited supply; reserve at coralreefmovie.org More screenings: 7 p.m. Feb. 20 at the LaSells Stewart Center at Oregon State, 875 S.W. 26th St., in Corvallis; and 5:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Newport Performing Arts Center, 777 W. Olive St., Newport FILM SCREENINGS Don't Edit Don't Edit Were hoping that by showing some of the people who depend on them that it will humanize the issue, David Baker, the films co-director and co-producer said of the reef crisis. When they started working on the documentary nearly four years ago, the crew wasnt aware of any other projects on the plight of the worlds coral reefs, but that changed after they began filming. Netflix subsequently released its own documentary, Chasing Coral, in 2017. Baker estimated the Oregon State film cost $115,000 to produce, and the film was backed by federal grants and private contributions from the universitys foundation. Don't Edit Fishermen depart at sunrise on the Red Sea off the coast of Al Lith, Saudi Arabia (Justin Smith/OSU) Don't Edit He said the documentary was recently accepted into the American Documentary Film Festival and the Newport Beach Film Festival in April. Baker said the school is hoping to have a wider release, potentially through a streaming service, later on. -- Andrew Theen atheen@oregonian.com 503-294-4026 @andrewtheen Don't Edit Anton LaVey acts out a Satanic ritual for the press in 1967. (AP) By Douglas Perry, The Oregonian/OregonLive "What do you think the Devil is going to look like if he's around?" reporter Aaron Altman says in the 1987 Hollywood classic "Broadcast News." "Nobody is going to be taken in if he has a long, red, pointy tail. ... He will look attractive and he will be nice and helpful, and he will get a job where he influences a great, God-fearing nation -- and he will never do an evil thing. He will just bit by little bit lower standards where they are important." This is the most-famous dialogue from arguably the most-quotable movie of its decade. But at the time a lot of Americans thought it was off-base. The Devil probably did have a long, red, pointy tail, they believed. And he did a lot of evil things. In fact, he did evil things all the time -- including inspiring the nations youth to horrible acts of depravity. The 1980s saw what's been called "Satanic Panic," a nationwide phenomenon that led to dire accusations, horrific violence and high-profile criminal trials. And Oregon was far from immune to the sensation. Here we take a look at the Beaver State's battles with Beelzebub during the "Greed is Good" decade. Don't Edit The Satanism hysteria of the 1980s had many causes, from conservative religious fears about the normalization of permissive values to a growing wariness of the psychic costs of a technocratic society. Throw in the arrival of cable-TV news, with its predilection for hyping terrible local crimes into collective national fears, and a widespread dread of the Evil One became unavoidable. The 20th century's foremost advocate for pop Satanism was Anton LaVey, who spent the 1970s drawing attention to his own unique brand of media-friendly Satan worship, focusing largely on the worthiness of hedonism. LaVey wrote books and appeared on talk shows and hung out with movie stars, and so by the 1980s, his ability to shock was long gone. That meant, some people feared, that younger occultists increasingly were embracing actual demonic acts in a return to Satanism's truly evil roots. Worried Americans started to see the Devil's work in almost everything, including horror movies and the board game Dungeons & Dragons. Most of all, of course, Satan could be found in popular music. Don't Edit Anton LaVey founded the Church of Satan in San Francisco in 1966. (AP) Heavy metal is usually remembered as the musical genre that faced accusations of satanic corruption, but easy-listening fare faced allegations too. An early '80s news report pointed out that the Chicago-based group Styx, purveyors of innocuous hits such as Come Sail Away, Mr. Roboto and Too Much Time on My Hands, was one of several rock bands [accused of] delivering satanic messages by a process called backward masking -- recording messages that can be heard only if played backward. Styx guitarist James Young responded by taking on the role of Dr. Everett Righteous, head of the Majority for Musical Morality, for the bands 1983 Killroy Was Here tour. I always relate to the evil character, he said. Portlanders wary of the bands message were spared. Styx ended up having to cancel its Memorial Coliseum date after Young suffered a hand injury. Don't Edit The accusations of backward masking might have been silly, but that didnt mean Devil worship -- sometimes deadly -- wasnt happening somewhere near you. In 1982, Oregon news reports announced, state police in Columbia County found 23-year-old Delmer Anholt of Portland kneeling over the mutilated body of his 19-year-old girlfriend, Tara McCarthy, in a graveyard near St. Helens. In his first interview with Anholt, county investigator Dalton Darrick recalls that the suspect was obsessed with his girlfriends pregnancy. He referred constantly to the demon seed insider her and his compulsion to kill the unborn child. Two years later, Pendleton police tracked a local Satanic cult of teenagers led by a 24-year-old known as Wizard. They hoped the cult would peter out after the Wizard was convicted on arson charges. Don't Edit Gail Lorraine Ray (The Oregonian) 1984 also brought the trial of Vancouvers Gail Lorraine Ray for the shocking murder of her 6-year-old daughter. Ray, known as Big Gail, said she held a plastic bag over her daughters face while trying to remove a piece of pepperoni that had become lodged in the girls throat. I tried to get her to respond in every way I could, Ray said. I figured Id put a plastic bag over her face and get her to at least gasp for air. And she didnt. The jury didnt buy it, quickly finding the woman guilty of first-degree murder. Prosecution witnesses during the trial testified that Ray was a high priestess in a Satanic cult. A 13-year-old boy admitted that, on Rays order, he had held down the arms of the screaming 6-year-old while Ray suffocated her. Don't Edit Don't Edit Worries festered in the 1980s that California's "Satanic serial killer" Richard Ramirez would inspire widespread Devil worship. (AP) In 1986, The Oregonians Northwest Magazine published the investigative piece In League With the Devil. The report stated: A Christian counselor, who uses a pseudonym, has exorcised hundreds of Oregonians suffering from demonic possession, the influence of witchcraft, inherited curses of blood sacrifices or pacts with the devil. The expose also told the story of the brutal 1984 murder of 49-year-old North Bend resident Darling Brachtl, who had seen five of her eight children suffer "strange and tragic deaths." Police found odd trinkets in her home -- as well as black witch costumes. "And this wasn't any dimestore Haloween outfit," an officer said of the costumes. "It was very nice, expensive material." Don't Edit The Associated Press A growing fear of witchcraft led Eugene's Norma Joyce to speak out in 1989. I am a witch," she said of her Wiccan beliefs. "There is no other word for what were doing. The founder of Women in Constant Creative Action said Paganism increasingly was being confused with Satanism. She described her belief system as a pre-Christian religion whose guiding vision was, Do what you will but harm no one. She said she had been frequently accused of Devil worship. In 1985 she had organized a Wiccan spirituality festival in Silver Falls State Park that drew unwanted scrutiny after two state police cadets reported that some of the women were nude and engaged in sexual fondling in a ceremony associated with Satanism, witchcraft and the occult. Joyce insisted that she considered Satanism abhorrent." "Satanists," she said, "are a population of people who deal with negative energy. We are committed to providing positive energy to the universe. Don't Edit Norma Joyce in 1989 (The Oregonian) Psychotherapy played a key role in the "Satanic Panic." Cutting-edge therapists increasingly searched for repressed memories during the Reagan Years, and the surfaced memories seemed to frequently end up involving satanic cults. The notion of memory repression dates to Sigmund Freud, The Oregonian wrote in 1997. But In the 1980s, it took on new, more powerful dimensions, buoyed by the feminist movement's emerging focus on sexual abuse. In June 1992, a Vancouver woman, Patricia Rice, believed she was fleeing members of a satanic cult bent on killing her and her children when she plowed her car into one driven by a Portland man, who was killed in the crash. Rice said in a 1995 lawsuit that she began seeing a hypnotherapist for help quitting smoking but that the therapy led to recovered memories of ritualistic satanic abuse. This, the lawsuit alleged, put her in a psychotic-like state caused by the defendants therapy. Rice testified, reported The Oregonian, that during her flight from the satanic cult, right up until the crash, she believed she was being guided by a good witch speaking inside her head. Don't Edit Jennifer Fultz (The Oregonian) Two years after Rices lawsuit, Portlander Jennifer Fultz filed a complaint with the Oregon psychologist board alleging that her therapist, clinical psychologist Sophia Carr, had misdiagnosed her as a victim of physical, sexual and mental torture by family members who were part of a ritualistic cult. During Fultzs very first appointment, Carr wrote in her notes: Suspect she is suffering from multiple personality disorder and major depression. Carrs therapy allegedly unearthed multiple personalities in her patient -- in all, The Oregonian wrote, Fultz said she racked up 300 personalities. She ended up in the hospital, where she says medication for depression and anxiety further sent her reeling away from reality. Don't Edit Fultz's husband and children (Oregonian file) When Fultz started seeing Carr in 1991 for problems in her marriage she reportedly didnt know that Carr was developing a specialty in ritual abuse survivors and counted herself as a survivor. Carr, in fact, had appeared on a KATU special broadcast about ritual abuse. In a flat voice, her blue green eyes troubled, The Oregonian reported, she disclosed [on the program] that she was physically and sexually tortured at age 13 in the woods near her Bremerton, Wash., home. Carr said six men wearing medallions took her to an altar and dressed up and did their chants. Before the men could cut her heart out, she said, the horse she had been riding returned and scared them off. Carr denied any wrongdoing. The state investigation of the Fultz case, The Oregonian wrote in 1997, plunges the psychologist board for the first time into the murky waters of repressed memory therapy and, in this case, the chilling undercurrents of multiple personality disorder and satanic ritual abuse. Don't Edit Don't Edit Sophia Carr on KATU (Oregonian file) Repressed memories had made a big enough splash in Oregon that in 1994 The Oregonian rounded up a clutch of books that zeroed in on the subject. There was Remembering Satan, a study of a 1988 Olympia, Wash., case in which sheriffs deputy Paul R. Ingram is accused of sexually abusing his children when they were small and eventually confesses to a crime he later says he didnt commit. Other policemen were accused, too, of bizarre rituals that escalated as the investigation continued. Also Satanic Panic: The Creation of a Contemporary Legend, in which a sociologist examines how rumors of devil worship get started and perpetuate (through fundamentalist ministers, small-town cops, gullible social workers and lazy journalists.) The Oregonian called the book must reading. Other books included Confabulations: Creating False Memories -- Destroying Families and Suggestions of Abuse: True and False Memories of Childhood Sexual Trauma. Don't Edit "Rex Diabolos," an Oregon member of the Church of Satan (The Oregonian) By the end of the 1980s, police departments around the country were taking satanic-related crime seriously. Kansas City homicide detective Lee Orr became an authority on Satanism. He came to Portland in 1989 to lecture on the subject before nearly 200 Oregon police officers. Orr described Satanism as a value system that was appealing to young people who believed society had failed them. He added that it wasnt about anarchy -- there were rules, just like in Christianity. Don't Edit Police officer and Satanism expert Lee Orr (The Oregonian) It's not a simplistic thing, a couple of kids going around with a spray can painting graffiti, he said. Its structured. These young Satanists were a danger not only to the wider society but to themselves. He told of a 12-year-old boy who shot himself in the head as part of a satanic death pact. They think they'll come back, be reincarnated in a more powerful position because of their sacrifice, Orr said. We dont know what our kids are doing, he warned. Don't Edit By 1990, Oregon was part of the Occult Awareness Task Force. Sgt. Lisa Wampole, a member of the task force, said there had been more than 300 occult-linked criminal investigations in Oregon and southwest Washington in the past two years. These included the ritual sacrifices of dogs, goats, horses, deer and even a bear. In Albany and Roseberg, she said, corpses had been removed from graves for use in Satanic rituals. Wampole pointed out that, rightly or wrongly, It is legal to be a witch or worship Satan in the United States, but crimes are committed when followers of those beliefs begin to take things too far. Don't Edit Peggy Buckey, defendant in the McMartin preschool molestation case. (AP) Nationwide, the Satanic Panic was driven by high-profile trials and shocking murders. The McMartin preschool case in California, for example, riveted the nation. The school's director and various teachers were accused of molesting dozens of children. The children's accounts, reported the New York Times, included "being forced to watch a rabbit sacrificed on a church altar, seeing a parakeet squeezed to death, being taken on an airplane ride and being molested in the bathroom of a car wash." After nearly a decade of investigations, headlines and trials, prosecutors failed to gain a single conviction. Don't Edit Don't Edit Constanzo companion and fellow cult leader Sara Aldrete (AP) Then there was the cult led by drug dealer Adolfo Constanzo. Cult members murdered more than a dozen people near the U.S.-Mexico border in the late 1980s. They reportedly believed their ability to tap into Satanic powers would make them invisible and bulletproof. "The first part of Mark Kilroy to be found, four weeks later, was his brain," People magazine wrote of the search for one of the cult's victims. "It turned up in a black cauldron, and it had been boiled in blood over an open fire along with a turtle shell, a horseshoe, a spinal column and other human bones. His ritual death and dismemberment had been carried out in service to religion -- a bizarre, drug-demented occult religion practiced by an American marijuana smuggler operating out of Mexico." Constanzo was killed in 1989 by some of the cult's members, on his own order, as police closed in on them. Don't Edit Could Dungeons & Dragons actually have had anything to do with such depravity? Proponents of the popular role-playing game said it was harmless fun that sparked the imagination. But conservative Evangelical organizations feared the game was a secret, sinister plot to corrupt American teens -- and lure them into Satanism. A pamphlet put out in 1981 by a group called Concerned Christians claimed D&D promoted "homosexuality, sodomy, rape and other perverse acts of sexuality." A few school districts banned the game from school grounds. A Kansas preacher announced plans to buy up all of the games in the state and burn them. Don't Edit Former Procter & Gamble logo But some conspiracy theorists feared that Dungeons & Dragons was the least of Devil-hating Americans' worries. Satanists, they believed, weren't just wild-eyed weirdos you could spot at 20 paces. They could be professionals in expensive suits. It was even possible that major American corporations had fallen under Beelzebubs sway. Such as household-goods manufacturer Procter & Gamble. The well-known company, broadcast journalist Jeff Greenfield wrote in 1985, finds itself beset by a vicious, utterly unfounded rumor that seems impervious to attack. It sounds comical -- until you realize what it has cost the company. The problem was P&G's century-old corporate logo, which featured a profile of the Man in the Moon facing 13 stars. The stars represented the 13 original American colonies, but conspiracy theorists decided they actually symbolized Satan's favorite number. The Satan spotters also interpreted the swirl of hair on the top of the corporate moon mans head as a devils horn. Another series of hair swirls supposedly showed an upside-down 666 -- the number of the beast. Don't Edit A still from the 1959 movie "Santa Vs. Satan" (Oregonian file) Cheaply -- and anonymously -- produced pamphlets circulated in large cities and small towns, accusing the company of being run by the Church of Satan and claiming that a Procter & Gamble executive had confirmed this terrifying fact in an appearance on Phil Donahues talk show. The rumors, though passed chiefly by word of mouth in this pre-internet era, started to impact P&Gs bottom line. Wrote Greenfield: We think of ourselves as citizens of a modern, sophisticated society. What this [conspiracy theory] teaches us is that we are not that far removed from the irrational, primitive impulse to believe the worst about an institution. Indeed, for some zealots, every step this company takes to prove the truth only demonstrates, in some perverse way, its fiendish, Satanic power. Procter & Gamble changed its logo in the 1990s. Don't Edit All of this led to the collective panic that has been likened to the 1950s communism scare. "The devil worshippers could be anywhere," author Peter Bebergal told the website i09 in 2015, referring to the way some Americans responded to the widespread Devil-worship claims in the 1980s. "They could be your next-door neighbor. They could be your child's caregiver." -- Douglas Perry Don't Edit Hooray! Finally a suggestion from our governor that our schools need hands-on classes to prepare students to go to work after graduation, as college is not a goal for everyone ("'Lifting all boats': Kate Brown focuses on 2019 education plan in state of the state speech," Feb. 5). Hands-on education would not only prepare students for various work opportunities, it also provides trained workers for various areas of employment. Oregon dropped the ball many years ago when the powers-that-be failed to follow in the footsteps of Owen O. Sabin, superintendent of the Milwaukie High School District starting in 1952. 1n 1967, Sabin established what was then called Owen O. Sabin Skills Center, known today as The Sabin-Schellenberg Professional Technical Center. Also, we need to note that Benson High School has trained students to be prepared with a number of skill sets for work after graduation. With all the nail biting over Oregon's poor graduation numbers, adding such classes could be a student magnet, enticing them to attend school to do something they want to learn and to realize that reading, writing and arithmetic are also an important part of their education. -- Fran Sabin, Beaverton If you are enjoying the recent tax cut enacted by Congress, be sure to thank the Chinese government for lending the U.S. Treasury trillions of dollars. Also, be sure to thank your children and grandchildren because they are the ones who will be paying off the debt. -- Clyde Farris, West Linn So President Donald Trump, who has never served a day in military service, wants a grand military parade with tanks, guns, fighter jets and all the rest down Pennsylvania Avenue. The only regimes who engage in such behaviors are bullies -- attempting to inspire fear in other countries and their own people, or attempting to bolster their own insecurities by posturing. Examples of the former are Germany and the Soviet Union in the middle of the 20th century. Examples of the latter are North Korea and, yes, France. Maybe this bully will have a uniform designed for himself as commander in chief, forgetting that civilian leadership of the military is one of the U.S. constitutional highlights. Real military leaders, and I have personally known many, use the force at their disposal only when necessary and do not send the troops under their command to death lightly. Every casualty eats at them for the rest of their lives. Veterans parades -- that is the survivors of battles -- celebrate not the killing, but the sacrifices made. So let's have veterans parade, and let's celebrate fighting the good fight when we had to, but let us not engage in intimidation or glorify our military might. As former President Theodore Roosevelt said, "Speak softly, but carry a big stick." -- James Kahan, Southeast Portland Vanity projects don't help veterans I agree with the Trump administration that veterans should be honored, but spending millions on a military parade when Veterans Administration services for medical and mental health are overwhelmed and underfunded is ludicrous. This administration's seeming inability to focus on real problems instead of vanity projects of the child in chief is a disservice to our military and our democracy. -- Michael James, Northwest Portland The Oregon Hunters Association's Turn In Poachers reward program paid $24,200 to informants in poaching cases last year -- a record amount in the program's 32 years. The rewards were paid in 50 separate fish and wildlife violation cases reported to Oregon State Police Offices throughout the state, including six in Douglas County, according to an Oregon Hunters Association report to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission Friday. These numbers are up from previous years, when the number of reward cases averaged around 20 to 35, and total reward amounts were about $10,000. In 2017, the association increased the standard reward amounts, which now range from $100 for birds, fish and furbearers to $500 for deer, elk and antelope and $1,000 for bighorn sheep, mountain goat and moose. OSP Senior Trooper Aaron Baimbridge, based out of the Roseburg office, said TIP is a great program and the information the public provides gives the troopers a good place to start working on a case. He said he's personally been able to solve poaching cases using information from members of the public who call in through the program. "Just last week I gave somebody a check for one of the cases they helped us with," Baimbridge said, adding that person is going to donate his reward to a kids' hunting program. "It was a deer poaching case north of Oakland and they gave us the information we needed." Baimbridge said TIP definitely helps, and he looks forward to working with people to take care of poaching cases. OHA State Coordinator Duane Dungannon, whose office issues the reward checks, said he believes the increased reward amounts likely contributed to the increases in cases as well as the sum of rewards. And Lieutenant Craig Heuberger of the Fish and Wildlife Division at the Oregon State Police said he thinks an increase in public awareness of the cases through local media outlets and social media has also played a factor. The TIP fund is largely self-sustaining as the result of courts ordering convicted violators to pay restitution to the fund. Last year, violators paid $23,917 in restitution. Poaching will be included in the state legislative session that opened this week. One bill would better enable courts to apply the penalties in place for poaching. In addition, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will present a proposal for a poaching public awareness campaign. OHA chapters and other conservation groups sometimes pledge additional amounts in certain poaching cases. Reward offers have exceeded $17,000 in a few cases, including one involving a recent northeast Oregon bighorn sheep poaching and another in a southern Oregon elk killing and wasting spree. When the reward of $17,500 was offered, the elk killing stopped. Callers can remain anonymous and still collect a reward from OHA if the information leads to a citation. For more information, visit oregonhunters.org. Updated Tuesday, Feb. 13 A Marion County Circuit Judge on Monday denied a death row inmate's request to order new DNA testing in the 1998 fatal stabbing of a Salem woman. Judge Channing Bennett wrote in an opinion letter that Jesse L. Johnson's motion for more testing doesn't show a clear defense theory that could lead to a finding that he is actually innocent in the killing of 28-year-old Harriet "Sunny" Thompson. Johnson, now 57, asked to test 37 pieces of evidence, including some for the second time. His attorney argued the tests could open new investigative avenues and possibly lead to new suspects. But that "chain of 'ifs'" is too weak to constitute a defense, Bennett wrote. Jurors considered the evidence presented during his trial, including his denial, and found him guilty, the judge said. "Nothing in the defendant's argument demonstrates that a jury would more likely than not find him not guilty," the judge wrote. Thompson was found dead from several stab wounds in her apartment in March 1998. Johnson was later found by police selling some of her jewelry. A Marion County jury found Johnson guilty of aggravated murder in March 2004 and sentenced him to death that same month. The Oregon Supreme Court in 2007 upheld his conviction and death sentence on appeal. Another conviction challenge was struck down in 2015. In 2016, attorneys with the Oregon Innocence Project were appointed as his lawyers and they filed a motion in Marion County Circuit Court for new DNA testing. They argued that advances in forensic science and updated techniques could lead to Johnson's exoneration. They noted DNA analysis and other tests of at least 11 items in the case found no ties to Johnson. Prosecutors asked the court to the deny the motion last year. Both sides argued their points before Bennett in October. "The defendant's inability to articulate a recognized theory of defense that DNA testing would support is fatal to the instant motion," the judge said. Johnson knew before his 2004 trial that all of the collected evidence had not been analyzed for DNA, but didn't request the testing before his trial or during his appeal, Bennett wrote. Johnson also didn't identify any DNA evidence that was improperly presented to the jury, according to the judge. Jurors also knew that some of the evidence tested, such as the object likely used to kill Thompson, didn't have Johnson's DNA. Steve Wax, Johnson's attorney and the Oregon Innocence Project's legal director, said Tuesday that the judge's ruling was disappointing. Johnson is asking for his claim of innocence to be investigated completely while he is still alive, Wax said. "In our view, the State and the court have misinterpreted the standard the law requires in order to grant DNA testing," Wax said in a statement. "We believe that this decision is legally wrong and unfair to our client and that there are strong grounds for appeal." Johnson remains held at the Oregon State Penitentiary. He is one of 33 Oregon inmates on death row. -- Everton Bailey Jr. ebailey@oregonian.com 503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey Authorities in Washington arrested a 14-year-old boy after they say he plunged a kitchen knife into the neck of his sleeping grandmother, critically wounding her. Sharon Hesseldahl, 59, was resting on her couch Monday night when her grandson stabbed her, the Cowlitz County Sheriff's said. Emergency personnel rushed the woman from her Stella Road home to PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview. She was out of surgery and in stable condition Tuesday morning, authorities said. The boy was booked into the Cowlitz County juvenile detention center on suspicion of first-degree assault, the sheriff's office said. He is also suspected of recently stabbing his mother in Skagit County, though authorities did not provide additional details. The sheriff's office said it would not identify the boy or comment on his mental state. -- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh skavanaugh@oregonian.com 503-294-7632 II @shanedkavanaugh Don Ryan By Hillary Borrud The Oregonian/OregonLive SALEM The Oregon House voted along party lines Tuesday to ask voters in November to embed a universal right to health care in the state Constitution. Buoyed by voters approval of health care taxes in the January special elections and controversy around congressional Republican attempts to undo the Affordable Care Act, Oregon Democrats are looking at health care as a key election issue this year. House Democrats passed the resolution referring the question to voters without a single Republican vote. It heads next to the Senate. Don't Edit (Michael Lloyd) Norman Turrill, president of the League of Women Voters of Oregon. At the same time, a group that often agrees with progressive policies championed by Democrats is sounding the alarm about the potential impact. In Feb. 5 letter to the House Health Care Committee, the nonpartisan League of Women Voters of Oregon wrote that the group supports access to basic health care for all people at the national level. Pinning it to the state level instead would be a mistake, the group said. The leagues president Norman Turrill and social policy coordinator Karen Nibler pointed out that without federal funding for universal health care, Oregon would be on the hook to cover the entire cost. Don't Edit (Stephanie Yao Long) Rep. Mitch Greenlick, D-Portland. The League cannot support an amendment for health care as a right because there is an implied state responsibility to provide the health care for all residents, Turrill and Nibler wrote. The state of Oregon has insufficient income to support its current responsibilities and cannot provide the added cost of health care coverage for all its residents at this time. Both Rep. Mitch Greenlick, a Portland Democrat and chief sponsor of the resolution, and Republican Rep. Julie Parrish of West Linn, who voted against it, asked legislative lawyers to weigh in on whether the proposed constitutional amendment would force the state to pick up the bill to ensure everyone has health care. Don't Edit (Randy L. Rasmussen) Rep. Julie Parrish, R-West Linn. In letters to Greenlick and Parrish, chief legislative counsel Dexter Johnson wrote that the constitutional amendment would only require the state to provide access to cost-effective, medically appropriate and affordable health care, but the state wouldnt have to provide actual health care. Some of the Legislatures options to fulfill such a mandate could carry a minimal cost, Johnson wrote, while others would have enormous financial consequences for the state. There is always a possibility that the state could be sued for failing to follow a constitutional mandate, but we cannot say whether such a suit would be successful and, if so, what the maximum extent of the states liability would be, Johnson wrote in his response to Parrish. -- Hillary Borrud hborrud@oregonian.com 503-294-4034; @hborrud A 26-year-old woman was identified Monday as the person who died after police say she jumped from the roof of a downtown Portland building. The Multnomah County Medical Examiner's Office identified the woman as Makenzy Fricke and listed her cause of death as suicide. Portland police said she intentionally jumped from a building in the 1700 block of Southwest Fourth Avenue and was pronounced dead at the scene. Portland police suggest anyone who is struggling with a mental health crisis and/or suicidal thoughts to contact the Multnomah County Mental Health 24-hour call center at 503-988-4888. There is also Lines for Life, another 24-hour help line, at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare has a walk-in clinic open 7 days a week until 10:30 p.m. at 4212 S.E. Division St. in Portland. The clinic's number is 503-963-2575. -- Everton Bailey Jr. ebailey@oregonian.com 503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey WASHINGTON -- The U.S. government's top intelligence official said on Tuesday he expects Russia to continue using propaganda, false personas and other tactics to undermine the upcoming elections. "There should be no doubt that Russia perceives its past efforts" to disrupt the 2016 presidential campaign "as a success," and it "views the 2018 midterm elections" as another opportunity to conduct an attack, said Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats. Coats also called on lawmakers to take actions to shrink the size of the national debt, which he said "represents a dire threat to our economic and national security." Coats said he was concerned by a "fractious" partisan environment on Capitol Hill that "is threatening our ability to properly defend our nation." His remarks came at the beginning of the Senate Intelligence Committee's annual hearing on worldwide threats to national security. His assessment was echoed by all five other intelligence agency heads present at the hearing, including CIA Director Mike Pompeo, who two weeks ago stated publicly he had "every expectation" that Russia will try to influence the coming elections. The committee's Democratic vice chairman faulted the Trump administration for not preparing for potential Russian interference in the 2018 elections. "Make no mistake: This threat did not begin in 2016, and it certainly didn't end with the election," said Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va. "What we are seeing is a continuous assault by Russia to target and undermine our democratic institutions, and they are going to keep coming at us." "Despite all of this, the President inconceivably continues to deny the threat posed by Russia," Warner continued. "He didn't increase sanctions on Russia when he had a chance to do so. He hasn't even Tweeted a single concern. This threat demands a whole-of-government response, and that needs to start with leadership at the top." FBI Director Christopher A. Wray also is appearing Tuesday morning at the hearing, where he is expected to field questions on security clearances for White House personnel and whether he remains confident in the independence of his agents. Wray is one of six top intelligence agency heads testifying at the annual worldwide threats hearing, which comes as the White House is seeking to deflect criticism over its handling of a security clearance for a senior aide accused of spousal abuse by saying it relies on law enforcement and intelligence agencies to run the process. The bureau is under fire from President Trump and his GOP allies for its handling of investigations related to Russian meddling in the 2016 election and Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Though the Russia probe is now led by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, he is using FBI agents and federal prosecutors to conduct the investigation, which began under Wray's predecessor in July 2016. Democrats are expected to ask whether Wray, who in December defended his agency's independence and integrity before the House Judiciary Committee, is still confident that his agents are acting in an impartial manner in the Russia probe. House Republicans have said in a recently released memo that political bias at the FBI led to the use of Democratic Party-funded material in an application for a surveillance warrant on a former Trump campaign adviser; the release of a rebuttal memo by Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee has so far been blocked by the White House, citing the need to remove classified information from it. Mueller is examining, among other things, whether Trump or his associates coordinated with Russian officials to undermine Clinton's White House bid and whether the president sought to obstruct the investigation. For National Security Agency Director Michael Rogers, who will be retiring this spring, this will be his final threat hearing. Also testifying will be the CIA Director Mike Pompeo Defense Intelligence Agency Director Robert Ashley Jr. and the head of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Robert Cardillo. The House Intelligence Committee has canceled its annual hearing this year, an intelligence official said. -- The Washington Post It sounds like something out of a creepy nightmare. A year and a half ago, Abby Beckley, of Grants Pass, then 26, felt a prickling in her left eye. She stood in front of a mirror and pulled a small, white worm from the surface of her eyeball. In August 2016, Beckley, who grew up in Brookings, was spending her summer on a fishing boat in Alaska. "That morning, I just was so frustrated because I had had this irritant in my eye for about five days," Beckley, now a psychology student at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, said over the phone Monday. The story was first reported by BuzzFeed News. So, she said, she decided, "I am going to try to get whatever the heck is my eye out of there," and plucked at her eyeball. "When I pulled out that worm," she said, "I was just in shock." It was a wriggling white worm on her finger. It lived for about five seconds, she said, and then it died. "I was just like what the hell did I just see," Beckley said. She ran to her bunkmate and asked her to verify that she was, in fact, holding a worm, and wasn't losing her mind. Her bunkmate confirmed the worm. At first, Beckley thought the worm had fallen into her eye from the salmon she was fishing, but after she pulled out several more, she decided to seek treatment. That's when Oregon Health & Science University infectious disease specialist and assistant professor Dr. Erin Bonura got involved. "We got the call from our consult line," Bonura said over the phone Monday. "Her boyfriend's dad is a physician and he said, 'My son's girlfriend has worms in her eye. What should we do?'" Bonura consulted with Beckley over the phone at first, directing her to take the worm to a local physician to be tested. "Ultimately," Bonura said, "she pulled out a number of them, and decided to fly down and see me so she could speed up the process." At first, doctors at OHSU had no idea what the worm was. "It's very uncommon to have worms in the eye," Bonura said, especially in the United States. So Bonura contacted the Centers for Disease Control, which determined the worms were Thelazia gulosa, a parasite that is usually found on cow eyeballs. "It's never been found in humans before," CDC parasitologist Richard Bradbury, who identified the worm and authored a report on the finding, along with Bonura and others, told BuzzFeed. The worm may have found its way to Beckley via a face fly. According to Bonura, Beckley lived on a ranch earlier that summer. "We do think she got it by walking through the cattle pastures," Bonura said. Once the worm was identified, however, there wasn't much doctors could do, because killing the parasites would still leave them in the eye and possibly cause an infection. "The treatment is just keep taking them out," Bonura said. "Unfortunately, the patient was the best extractor of these worms." Bonura praised Beckley's ability to handle this icky task. "She was incredible," Bonura said. "She was very strong, very impressive." So, should Oregonians be concerned about getting worms in their eyes the next time they visit a farm? "This is a very rare instance," Bonura said. "I don't think other people should be worried." But for Beckley, the fact that it is so rare is why she's speaking out. When she started searching for answers online, she couldn't find any. And when she checked into OHSU and a huge hospital full of doctors couldn't tell her what was wrong, "that was really hard," she said. She didn't know if she would die or be permanently disabled. The not knowing, she said, allowed her mind to go to the worst-case scenario. So, she's telling her story for the next person who gets a very rare cattle worm in their eye, just in case. "If this happens to anyone else," Beckley said. "I just want them to know that I'm OK." -- Lizzy Acker 503-221-8052 lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker China has launched two sets of deep-sea subsurface moorings in Antarctic waters in an effort to monitor seawater over the long term in a high-tech engineering move that a Chinese expert said would better protect the region. The deep-sea subsurface mooring sets were launched by the xiangyanghong01, a ship belonging to the first institute of oceanography at the State Oceanic Administration. They contain a main floating body, cables, a sea current meter, conductivity-temperature-depth system and a release, the Xinhua News Agency reported Monday. This is the first time China launched a deep-sea subsurface mooring set in the region and the system was fixed at a designated spot to operate for at least one year under the sea, Xinhua said. "When the deep-sea subsurface mooring set is retrieved, research fellows can acquire data about the ocean current, temperature and salinity over a long period of time," institute chief Li Tiegang was cited by Xinhua as saying. The data, especially recordings made under extreme weather conditions, is of great research value and scientific significance, Li said. "China has strengthened scientific research efforts in the Antarctic in recent years, which is of great importance. This research, closely related to physics, geology and biology, is significant for basic science," Dong Yue, a research fellow at the polar research institute of the Ocean University of China in Qingdao, told the Global Times. China would help build knowledge and protect the area, he said. SEOUL - The Republic of Korea said on Monday it will try to arrange more reunions for families divided by the Korean War and seek to lower military tensions with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea as the first steps towards establishing grounds for a rare summit between the two countries. The statement from the Unification Ministry came after a high-level DPRK delegation concluded a three-day visit which included an invitation for ROK President Moon Jae-in to travel to Pyongyang for talks. "(The visit) shows that North Korea has a strong will to improve inter-Korean relations and that Pyongyang can make unprecedented and bold measures if deemed necessary," the ministry said. The high-level DPRK delegation came home on Sunday night after the three-day visit to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. The delegation, which was led by Kim Yong-nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, also included Kim Yo-jong, the younger sister of the DPRK top leader Kim Jong-un and also the first vice-director of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. Kim Yo-jong became an object of fascination for ROK and international media, especially after she delivered a letter from her brother asking ROK President Moon Jaein to visit Pyongyang. The Unification Ministry said steps regarding the improvement of ties would be led by the two countries, but also in cooperation with related countries and the support of the international community. The United States and ROK have agreed on terms for further diplomatic engagement with the DPRK, first with Seoul and then possibly leading to direct talks with Washington without preconditions, US Vice-President Mike Pence said in a newspaper interview published on Sunday. Speaking to the Washington Post aboard Air Force Two on his way home from the Winter Olympics, Pence said Washington would keep up its "maximum pressure campaign" against Pyongyang but would be open to possible talks at the same time. In previous years, the DPRK and ROK have held reunions to bring together family members who have been separated by the war. Seoul made a standing offer to the DPRK last year regarding another such reunion, details of which have yet to be hammered out between the countries. Sign up to receive daily headline news from Ottawa Citizen, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Ottawa Citizen Headline News will soon be in your inbox. President Xi Jinping, who also leads the Party and military, talks with scientists and technicians about their research, work and lives as he visits a satellite launch center in Sichuan province on Saturday. Li Gang/Xinhua President says Xichang should focus on military training, research and combat capabilities President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, urged officers at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province to further improve their space-launch capabilities. Xi inspected the launch center on Saturday during his visit to Sichuan, touring launchpads and prelaunch facilities, Peoples Liberation Army Daily reported on Monday. He said officers at the center had carried out launches to lift the Change lunar probes, Beidou navigation satellites and Tianzhou I cargo spacecraft, making important contributions to the countrys space programs. The president told officers to strengthen the sense of duty and continue to make new contributions to the nation by dedicating themselves to their space endeavors, the report said. Xi ordered the center to focus on military training and research, boost space launch and combat capabilities and integrate itself with the PLAs joint operation system. He also stressed that reforms and innovation efforts must be pushed forward, requesting officers to make breakthroughs in key technology fields. He talked with members of a ground control station on one of the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea and a prelaunch testing station in a coastal region through video, offering his best wishes and asking how they will spend Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Friday. Xi also greeted all members of the PLA, Armed Police Force, militia and reserve forces, wishing them well for the most important festival in China. Established in 1970, Xichang Satellite Launch Center is the primary space launch facility in China. It has performed more than 100 launches, placing about 120 craft into space, since the first mission in 1984. All of the nations 33 Beidou navigation satellites were launched at the center. It also has been used to launch satellites for more than 10 countries, including Bolivia and Belarus. The Wenchang Space Launch Center in the southernmost island province of Hainan, which has launched the new-generation Long March 5 and Long March 7 carrier rockets, is administered by the Xichang center. China will carry out at least 40 space missions this year, doubling the number launched in 2017 and setting a record for the nation. The most launches to date were carried out in 2016, when 22 space missions blasted off. The most eye-catching of the missions this year will be the third flight of Chinas largest carrier rocket Long March 5, following a failed mission in July and the Change 4 lunar landing mission that will put a robotic probe on the far side of the moon. It is reasonable and necessary for China to strengthen its maritime power as it is becoming stronger, Chinese experts said after People's Daily published three articles on a whole page to emphasize the importance of building China into a strong maritime country. "Building China as a maritime power fits China's development, the global trend and is the necessary choice for realizing the Chinese Dream of the national rejuvenation," read one article published on People's Daily on Sunday under the topic "It's about time to build a strong maritime country." The three articles reviewed China's maritime development since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012, including promoting marine ecological protection, safeguarding integrity and the national interests as well as launching cooperation on disputed issues. The authors of the three articles included Liu Jixian, former head of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Academy of Military Science in Beijing. With development of the Belt and Road initiative, massive personnel, resources and property are expanding to other countries and some countries are facing problems like war and terrorism, Liu wrote. Thus it was urgent that China strengthen its maritime power to protect overseas interests, he noted. "Building a powerful maritime strength is the strategic mainstay of China's development," he said. "These articles sent a clear message that China will invest more efforts in strengthening its ability to safeguard sea routes and overseas interests," Xu Guangyu, a retired major general and senior adviser to the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, told the Global Times. "More overseas logistic bases will be built in the future to assist the PLA Navy to conduct operations globally." China has one overseas base in Djibouti to supply its fleet conducting piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden. "There is no need to hide the ambition of the PLA Navy: to gain an ability like the US Navy so that it can conduct different operations globally," Xu said. "The US is a global power with massive overseas interests. Considering that China has already become a global economic power, it is entirely reasonable for China to boost its maritime power." The Djibouti base "won't be the last," he said. "More overseas bases will be built on different continents for sure, but they are not military bases and not based on a military alliance with other countries. Instead, they are based on partnership and not targeting any other country," Xu said. China's maritime ambition is not the same as Western countries when they built their sea hegemony in the past, said Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at the Renmin University of China in Beijing. Thank to an archaic law called Section 377, homosexuality in India is illegal and punishable by life in prison. Nonetheless Mumbai, one of the world's most vibrant cities and home to India's film, publishing and fashion industries, celebrated Queer Azaadi Mumbai Pride earlier this month. Considering the anti-LGBTQ tide sweeping certain parts of the world like Russia and Africa, these celebrants need to be applauded for their courage in standing up for equal rights for all. Check out photos from the rainbow-hued spectacle, below. His Holiness the Dalai Lama turned to twitter on Friday to restate a message which has become central to him in recent years: we must act. The full tweet reads: Although I am a Buddhist monk, I am skeptical that prayers alone will achieve world peace. We need instead to be enthusiastic and self-confident in taking action. Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) February 9, 2018 This is not to say that mental training is useless. His other tweets (and much of Buddhist philosophy) attest to this. However, it should be clear that mental training to be kind and generous means little if you are in fact cruel and stingy in action. Perhaps part of the American ethos of individualism promotes the kind of Buddhism which is more self-involved than it had been in Asia. But there are and always have been the rogues of Buddhism in Asia, the Devadatas, Sogyal Rinpoches, and others who would use their understanding of the teachings to manipulate others. One factor of many manipulators has been emphasizing the importance and centrality of religious institutions over and against virtually everything else. Those who do this to an extreme tend to create cults, where followers are cut off from the outside world, or taught to view it in entirely negative terms, while building circles of secrecy around the leader. They emphasize the divine or super-human qualities of one leader, which is used to justify his (and rarely her) excesses of wealth and often promiscuous sexual behavior. And, generally, they come crashing down as truths about the leaders activities come out, along with the damage done to the seekers they managed to convince. In a discussion with a UK magazine in 2016, the Dalai Lama went so far as to say that Ethics is more important than religion. We dont arrive in this world as members of a particular religion. But ethics is innate. He continued, Yesterdays ideas will get us nowhere. Especially for children, tomorrows adults, ethics is more important than religion. Clarifying this, he said: The knowledge and the practice of religion has of course been helpful, but today this is no longer enough, as examples from all over the world show more and more clearly. This is true of all religions, including Christianity and Buddhism. Wars have been waged in the name of religion, holy wars even. Religions have been and still are frequently intolerant. This is why I say that in the 21st century we need a new ethic that transcends all religions. Far more crucial than religion is our elementary human spirituality. Its a predisposition towards love, kindness and affection that we all have within us, whatever religion we belong to. In my view, people can do without religion, but they cannot do without inner values, without ethics. Read more about the Dalai Lamas push of secular ethics over Buddhism. The Dalai Lama also spent some time last year clarifying his emphasis on secular ethics, putting them in stark contrast to religious institutions that he said can sometimes become rotten. When one sees rotten institutions and disgraced teachers disgraced through their immoral actions then one has a responsibility to speak out, contacting the media, etc. This, the Dalai Lama suggested, was true religion and would preserve the teachings. Hemant Mehta, the Friendly Atheist responded: Either the Dalai Lama is more secular than we thought or were all Buddhists Michael Stone of the Progressive Secular Humanist blog likewise writes: Bottom line: The Dalai Lama is correct: Prayers are not the answer. Positive change comes through education and enthusiastic and self-confident action, not through prayers or religious teaching. What do you think? Should Buddhists think about ways to be more enthusiastically active in helping to solve world peace? Or is that a job of others? Support independent coverage of Buddhism by joining a community of fellow learners/practitioners at Patreon. Like American Buddhist Perspectives on facebook. Project team personnel of the China's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Caihong (CH) pose for a picture with the vehicle in June 2017. Photo: IC China's new generation solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Caihong (CH), or Rainbow, has successfully run a live-ammunition test under extreme environmental conditions recently, said the Beijing Aerospace Propulsion Institute (No. 11 Institute) under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) on January 31. The CH UAV project team told the Global Times in February that the enhanced variant of the CH-4 conducted a six-day intensive bombing test for the first time in Northwest China under extreme weather conditions including blizzards and darkness in January. The new CH drone has a better loading and power supply capability, and due to its multiple mount points design, it can carry a mixture of weapons and can shoot different types of guided missiles under different weather conditions, meeting the standards of a surgical strike, said the research team. For example, it can guide 50-kilogram cluster bombs in order to effectively complete missions including regional blockades and attacks on enemy airports. The 50-kilogram satellite-guided bombs can also deal a deadly blow on the enemy position from higher airspace, while the 100-kilogram satellite-guided weapon can launch surprise attacks on targets from more than 10 kilometers away. More compatible Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and a TV commentator, highlighted the new CH vehicle's high compatibility with different types of guided weapons on February 4, saying this kind of advantage could win China a more promising international market share in the field of UAV. The effectiveness of all guided weapons, whether they are laser- or satellite- guided, can be seriously affected by weather conditions such as smog or jamming efforts from the enemy. However, as the CH new model can carry various types of weapons, it can break through these limits and work well anywhere in all weathers, Song explained. The results of the January live-round test has proven that the new CH UAV has met design and ammunition standards, said the research team, adding that the new technologies on the tested UAV will be applied to the next generation of CH-4C drones in the future. China's CH UAV, the country's first near-space solar drone, successfully conducted a flight at an altitude of 20 km in June 2017, Xinhua News Agency reported. The project team under CASC announced after the event on June 13 that the CH UAV flew smoothly in near space for over 15 hours through remote control, completing its scheduled path before landing securely. Near space, which lies 20 to 100 km above sea level, contains thin air that reduces the performance of traditional fuel-powered aircraft engines. However, solar drones like the CH UAV can perform well in this region and is able to fly continuously for months or even longer in the future, said Li Guangjia, director of the project. Cost efficient The CH UAV, with a wingspan of 45 meters and equipped with solar panels, boasts a high cost efficiency as it does not require refueling during long-term missions, said Shi Wen, chief engineer of the project. The CH UAV will perform as a "quasi-satellite" in the future, and has the ability to supplant some functions of telecommunication satellites in providing data relay services, Xinhua News Agency reported in June 2017. It is also expected to be used as "an airborne mobile Wi-Fi hub" to provide convenient mobile telecommunication and Internet access for remote areas and islands, saving on the huge construction and maintenance costs involved in traditional communication means. The UAV will also be capable of forestry and agricultural surveying as well as early warning and real-time monitoring of natural disasters. "In earthquake, flood or forest fire situations where telecommunications are cut off, the drones may provide services to maintain communication with the affected areas," Shi said. China's CH series drones have been sold to militaries in more than 10 countries including Pakistan and Turkmenistan, making it the largest drone family the country has exported. The manuscript goes ever onward . . . The Arab expansion continued in the early years of the High Caliphal Period. Muslim soldiers moved up the valley of the Oxus River into Central Asia, and continued their march across North Africa into Morocco, where they conquered and converted the tribal Berbers. Thus, the entire northern coast of the African continent, once a stronghold of Christianity and the home of Tertullian and of St. Augustine, fell under Muslim control. In the year 711, Berber Muslim forces crossed the Straits of Gibraltar and conquered much of what we know today as Spain and Portugal. Arabic-speaking Muslims would rule the Iberian peninsula until 1492a nearly eight-century stay that had a profound impact on literature and language and culture, there and in Latin America. (The splashing fountains in the central courtyards of Spanish colonial buildings, cool and green behind thick walls, are right out of the Arab world.) It must be stressed, however, that these were Arab conquests, not Islamic conquests. As noted, the Quran prohibits forced conversions. But the Umayyads[1] did not even encourage conversions. To understand this, it must be remembered that the Umayyads were the descendants of Muhammads old enemies, who had opposed him virtually throughout his ministry. Finally, when they saw no alternative, they converted to Islam. But their lifestyle always gave plenty of reason for suspecting that their conversion was only skin-deep. The empire at times seemed to be merely an unusually large family business, with hereditary succession of Umayyads at the top. They apparently regarded Islam as a religion for the Arab ruling class. But even so, their attitude toward the religion was somewhat free. Many of the caliphs of the Umayyad dynasty have lived on in Islamic tradition as symbols of debauchery. They became notorious for drunkenness.[2] While the subject peoples at first continued in whatever Hellenistic or Sassanian cultural patterns that they had inherited, perhaps looking up only briefly to notice a change of rulers, the Umayyads too tried to maintain the old ways. In this case those old ways were the ways of the desert. However, there was something artificial about this nostalgia for the simple past. It was inconceivable that the rulers of much of the known world could go on living in the manner of their old desert- dwelling tribal ancestors. And it is not even certain that they really wanted to. Near Jericho, the ruins of the hunting palace belonging to the Umayyad caliph Hisham are still to be found. They certainly suggest something a bit more lavish than a bedouin tent. One is reminded of Marie Antoinette playing at being a peasant girl, surrounded by an elaborate mock village on the grounds of the palace of Versailles. Or, perhaps, of the Hearst family roughing it in circus- size tents, camping on the beach at San Simeon accompanied by dozens of servants. [1] Pronounced oo-MY-yad. [2] This picture is perhaps not wholly fair. After all, most of the historians upon whom we rely for information about the Umayyads wrote under the later Abbasid dynasty, which overthrew the Umayyads and had every interest in promoting a negative image of them. The screaming headline this weekend was that German Cardinal Marx has given the nod to Catholic priests blessing same sex unions. The debate is, as you would expect, complicated. However, the main point of my post over at my main blog is that it should not be. Jesus said, Let your yes be yes and your no be no. Whenever there is confusion and ambiguity you are seeing a smoke screen and where theres smoke theres fire. Go here to read my comments on the matter. A foremost global rating agency, Fitch Ratings affirmed a stable outlook on the Foreign Currency, Long Term Issuer Default Ratings of UBA Plc's subsidiaries in Cameroon, Ghana and Senegal. The entities, UBA Cameroon SA, UBA Ghana Limited and UBA Senegal SA, which are some of the flagship subsidiaries of the Nigerian-headquartered United Bank for Africa Plc are rated "B-", as constrained by the weak operating environment within which the three subsidiaries operate. Fitch's note that the credit ratings and the stable outlook on UBA Cameroon, UBA Ghana and UBA Senegal are driven by the standalone financial strength of each of these subsidiaries, as reflected by their respective Viability Ratings. In addition, the rating agency also notes potential support from their parent, UBA Plc, in the event that such is required. According to Fitch, the subsidiaries' are profitable and their ability to build up capital internally is positive because it will support UBA Plc's ambitious growth plans for the subsidiaries. Assessing the loan portfolio of the subsidiaries, the agency notes that the three subsidiaries of UBA Plc lend to leading domestic corporate and public sector entities and such loans dominate the portfolio of UBA subsidiaries in each of the respective markets. Fitch specifically expects notable improvement in UBA Ghana's asset quality in the near term, reflecting government's efforts to address energy sector problem loans. Discussing the capitalization of the subsidiaries, Fitch notes; "We view the banks' capital buffers as modest, given the risks to which they are exposed. Reported regulatory capital ratios meet local Basel 1 requirements". This varies across the banks, with UBA Ghana and UBA SEN reporting a higher tangible common equity-to-tangible assets ratio (18.3% and 16.4% respectively at end-September 2017)". Further discussing the capital ratios of UBA subsidiaries, the rating agency highlights; "Fitch core capital (FCC)-to-weighted risks ratios are particularly high at UBA Ghana (30%) and lower at UBA SEN (15.1%)". In assessing the asset-liability management of UBA subsidiaries in Cameroon, Ghana and Senegal, Fitch noted that "loan portfolios are largely funded by deposits at the three banks, which report loans/deposits ratios of around 65%-75%. The maturity profile of corporate loans is short-term while retail loans can be extended for up to three to five years. The banks balance sheets are liquid. This is credit-positive because it provides some protection against the considerable liquidity risks". The banks large stockpile of government bonds can readily be repo'ed at local central banks to provide immediate liquidity if required, Fitch added. In concluding its assessment of UBA subsidiaries in Cameroon, Ghana and Senegal, Fitch noted that the three banks are an integral part of UBA Plc's central and western African franchise and the subsidiaries are all small relative to the Group. UBA Ghana represents 5% of consolidated group assets, followed by UBA Cameroon at 4.5% and UBA Senegal at 2.5%. In Fitch's words; "this suggests that the potential cost to the group of providing support to the subsidiaries, if required, would not be too onerous". United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than fourteen million customers across over 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 19 African countries. With presence in New York, London and Paris, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross border payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services. Whilst the Bank await relevant approvals for the publication of its 2017 financial year end results, the performance in the first three quarters of the year was quite impressive, growing gross earnings by 26% year-on-year to USD1.1 billion and a sterling 33% growth in profit before tax to USD256 million within nine months. At a season when peer Pan-African banks shrank loan portfolio and balance sheet due to the sparse system liquidity in Nigeria and a number of other African economies, UBA Plc grew loans and total assets by 6% and 8% respectively within the first three quarters of 2017. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie, has said the governments aim is to create over five million jobs for Ghanaians under the Planting for Food and Jobs programme in the long-term. 750,000 [jobs] is nothing, I want to employ five million people not 750, 000, he said. Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyies claims that theyve created 745,000 unofficial jobs under the programme across the country, have been disputed by critics who say these ventures should be classified as activities and not jobs as they are not sustainable for the entire year. The Planting for Food and Jobs campaign has absorbed this [rural] labour to the extent that we targeted 750,000 rural labour, and we were able to generate 745,000 jobs, and these jobs are unofficial jobs. They are not pensionable, they are not tax deductible so you cannot actually measure it like those in the formal sector where you are registered, you are paid a wage, you have to pay tax and so on, and therefore, it is very easy to monitor. The whole idea is to generate enough jobs in our rural areas so that they would have something to do for them to stay, so that the Kayayei [Head porters] can go back to Tamale, Bolga and all those places to reach rice farmers, the Minister said at a news conference last week. 745,000 Planting for Food jobs are full-time A deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, George Oduro, has also defended the figures, saying they are full-time employment ventures. Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, Mr. Oduro said many of those employed under the programme help with a number of farming activities including the tilling of lands and the harvesting of crops. This is [a] full-time job. You start from land preparation until harvestingThese are not jobs that you go for interviews, he added. Source: citifmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video THE Akufo-Addo administration deserves some commendation for its efforts to retool our Police Service, and make the force robust and vibrant to deal with all manner of crimes domestically. The Police Service is enjoined by the 1992 Constitution to ensure that we are safe from criminals. In fact, they are duty-bound to make sure that they protect our lives and properties. HOWEVER, the Police Service would not be able to play this crucial role efficiently if they are under-resourced and have become targets of criminals. It was quite worrying when criminals were taking the lives of police officers in the line of their duties. THAT was not all; it became serious when criminals started targeting police stations. The recent one was the incident that happened at the Kwabenya District Police Station where about six hardened criminals stormed the station, shot an officer on duty and broke five criminals who were in police cells. That, in fact, sent shivers down the spine of many peaceful and law-abiding Ghanaians. FOLLOWING the Kwabenya District Police Station incident, the government was urged to ensure that the Police Service is adequately resourced to proactively counter some of these preventable crimes. Well, it is refreshing to hear the President announce that 8,700 close circuit television cameras (CCTVs) are to be deployed at police stations in all the 216 districts across the country. THE President went on to say that additional police stations would be rehabilitated to standardise infrastructure of the Police Service. WE understand President Akufo-Addo made this disclosure at a speech read on his behalf by Vice President Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia during the 47th Cadet Officers graduation ceremony at which 132 cadet officers including 44 women in Accra last week Friday. PLANTING CCTVs at our police stations is a good precautionary measure, especially when our police stations and its personnel are gradually becoming easy targets for criminals who appear to be taking the fight to our police officers. When done, we believe it will help apprehend criminals who decide to attack police stations with the intention of freeing their colleague criminals. WHILE this initiative is good, Today would want to urge government to extend it to some of our major roads since crimes are also committed on some of these roads. We are making this suggestion because we believe it will go a long way to help reduce crimes in the country. Source: Today Newspaper 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 Vice President of the Republic, H.E. Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has reiterated governments desire to eradicate malaria and other mosquito-transmitted diseases which lead to significant numbers of deaths in Ghana and costs Africa billions of dollars in lost productivity. The Ghana Government will therefore renew discussions with the Government of Cuba for the establishment of a Biolarvicide factory at Savelugu in the Northern Region for the control of pests and mosquito transmitted diseases to serve the country and the West African subregion. Dr Bawumia made the pledge when a high powered Cuban delegation, led by H.E Mrs Mercedes Lopez Acea, Vice President of the Council of State of Cuba, and including Hon Mrs Ana Teresita Gonzalez, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cuba, called on him at the Flagstaff House, Accra on Monday February 12, 2018. Official statistics from ECOWAS show that in Africa, malaria kills more people than all the wars on the continent, combined with a child dying every 30 seconds from the scourge. Furthermore, the disease accounts for around 40% of public health expenditure in endemic countries. The malaria programme in Savelugu in Northern Ghana is an area that Ghana wants to see the proposals come to fruition for the malaria control programme. Deaths from malaria are avoidable, and we want this facility to help eradicate it not just in Ghana but the whole of West Africa, if not the entire continent Dr Bawumia stated. Recalling the longstanding relations between the two countries, which began in 1959, Vice President Bawumia underscored Ghanas appreciation of Cubas support for various sectors of Ghanaian society including the efforts of the Cuban Medical Brigade Assistance Programme, which has doctors and other health personnel working in very remote areas in Ghana. Over 3,000 Ghanaian students have also benefitted from training in Cuba, many of whom have since been contributing their quota to national development. The Vice President, who is also Head of Ghanas Economic Management team, welcomed interest expressed by the Cuban business community in adding value to Ghanas cocoa. We know that the Cuban business community has expressed an interest in Ghanas cocoa beans. We believe that if Ghana and Cuba cooperate, we can add value to Ghanas cocoa sector. Mrs Mercedes Lopez Acea commended Ghanas leading role in ensuring peace and stability in the West Africa subregion, and called on officials of the two countries to expand and deepen areas of cooperation for mutual benefit. We are proud that we have trained over three thousand Ghanaian students, who are now playing key roles in Ghanas development. We are also very proud of the achievements of the Cuban Medical Brigade, some of who have been in Ghana for over 15 years. I believe we can explore other areas of mutual benefit, Mrs Lopez Acea indicated. The delegation was accompanied by Ghanas Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon Mohammad Habibu Tijani and Ghanas Ambassador to Cuba, Amb. Napoleon Abdulai. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video [File Photo: Researchers of the stealth drone] Chinas top aircraft research center on Monday announced the successful test flight of the countrys newest stealth drone, a long-endurance unmanned aircraft that can fly under the radar. According to a WeChat account affiliated with China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), the main contractor and research center for the Chinese program, the stealth drone, dubbed Tianying, successfully conducted three test flights, four years after the drone program was first initiated. Eighty percent of our drones technologies are the newest and most advanced, some of which are leading the global [drone] industry, Ma Hongzhong, chief designer of the Tianying stealth drone, was quoted as saying by the WeChat account. Ma noted that the all advanced technologies used on the drone have gone through countless ground tests, while all design parameters have been thoroughly calculated and double-checked. The WeChat account did not reveal further details of the new drone, nor post any pictures of it as of press time. China successfully flew its first stealth drone in 2013. The maiden flight of Sharp Sword made China the fourth global power to put a stealth drone into the sky after the U.S., UK, EU. President Akufo-Addo yesterday started a close assessment of his ministers after one year in office. It followed a report submitted to him by the Minister of State in-charge of Monitoring and Evaluation, Dr Anthony Akoto Osei and his team, who assessed the ministers from 2017 to date. The decision was said to have been taken at Cabinet meeting. News of the presidents decision to assess the performance of his appointees seemed to have caused some level of apprehension not only among the ministers, but also their supporters, who were not certain about the faith that could possibly befall their favourites. Most of them were quite nervy about the outcome of the meeting with the president which was held behind closed doors. On the bill of first batch of Ministers to face the president and his team (including Vice President Bawumia), were Albert Kan Dapaah, Minister for National Security; Trade Minister, Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen; Minister for Regional Reorganisation and Development, Dan Kwaku Botwe and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway. The report, according to sources, sought to evaluate the performance of each minister, even though the content remains unknown. First to meet the nations top leaders was Mr Albert Kan Dapaah, who some people, including his own party folks, have sought to raise questions about his competence. Even though he held various positions in the erstwhile Kufuor-led NPP administration, observers say very little had been seen of the National Security Minister, in the face of growing concerns of mob attacks across the country, with some resulting in the killing of security personnel who are supposed to protect the citizenry. Unlike his colleague Minister for National Security, Alan Kyerematen has often been applauded by the president for his sterling performance that has brokered a number of trade agreements and deals among Ghana and other countries. But for the recent cash for seats scandal which has even been dismissed with a parliamentary probe, nothing untoward had been heard about the man. The Minister for Regional Reorganisation and Development, Mr Dan Kwaku Botwe, has however, won the hearts of many, including various traditional leaders across the length and breadth of the country because of the work his ministry is doing in the creation of some new regions from existing ones. Meanwhile, Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchways tenure as Minister for Foreign Affairs has seen a significant foreign interest in Ghana with several world leaders having visited the country within the past year. Even though it is not clear what President Akufo-Addo intends to do with the report of the Minister for Monitoring and Evaluation, at the end of the day, he is expected to embark on a massive shake-up of his ministers, which would apparently see the removal of some of them and their deputies and realigning others. Source: Daily Guide 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 Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has received a Cuban delegation, led by Mercedes Lopez Acea, Vice President of the Council of State of Cuba. The delegation, which included Ana Teresita Gonzalez, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cuba, called on the vice president at the Flagstaff House to hold talks on how the two countries could further deepen their bilateral trade relations. Mrs. Lopez Acea commended Ghanas leading role in ensuring peace and stability in the West Africa sub-region, and called on officials of the two countries to expand and deepen areas of cooperation for mutual benefit. We are proud that we have trained over 3,000 Ghanaian students, who are now playing key roles in Ghanas development. We are also very proud of the achievements of the Cuban Medical Brigade, some of who have been in Ghana for over 15 years. I believe we can explore other areas of mutual benefit, Mrs Lopez Acea indicated. Recalling the longstanding relations between the two countries which began in 1959 Vice President Bawumia underscored Ghanas appreciation of Cubas support in various sectors of the Ghanaian society. Dr. Bawumia, who is also Head of Ghanas Economic Management Team, welcomed the interest expressed by the Cuban business community to add value to Ghanas cocoa. We know that the Cuban business community has expressed an interest in Ghanas cocoa beans. We believe that if Ghana and Cuba cooperate, we can add value to Ghanas cocoa sector, he said. The vice president reiterated governments desire to eradicate malaria and other mosquito-transmitted diseases which lead to significant number of deaths in Ghana and costs Africa billions of dollars in lost productivity. He said the government would soon renew discussions with the Government of Cuba for the establishment of a Biolarvicide factory at Savelugu in the Northern Region for the control of pests and mosquito transmitted diseases in the country and the West Africa sub-region. The malaria control programme in Savelugu in Northern Ghana is an area that Ghana wants to see the proposals come to fruition. Deaths from malaria are avoidable; and we want this facility to help eradicate it, not just in Ghana, but the whole of West Africa, if not the entire continent, Dr Bawumia stated. The delegation was accompanied by Ghanas Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Mohammad Habibu Tijani, and Ghanas Ambassador to Cuba, Napoleon Abdulai. Source: Daily Guide 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 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. Mr Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, a Deputy Speaker of Parliament has stated that the alienation of members of the National Democratic Council of Elders chiefly contributed to their defeat in 2016 polls. He explained that because the party elders were distanced from the Presidency, there were no co-ordinations that could enrich the fortunes of the party as the elders could not offer useful information that could place them on winning ways. Mr Bagbin, who is also the Member of Parliament for Nadowli-Kaleo stated this when he met party members of the Tema East, Tema West, Tema Central and Ashaiman at the weekend. He instantly became the toast of Constituency executives of Tema East, West, Central and Ashaiman, when he met them in Community 4 to interact over the weekend. Speaker after speaker at the meeting praised the longstanding MP for Nadowli Kaleo after Mr. Bagbin had given his address pouring his frustrations at the Presidency under the leadership of former President John Dramani Mahama. Mr Bagbin explained that he unsuccessfully tried five times to meet the former President as he was constrained by people believed to be the powerful people behind the former President. According to him, he was not the only elder of the party that had been disrespected by John Mahama and his appointees, but many others, including party founder, Jerry Rawlings, had all suffered humiliation under the former President Due to the humiliation, he said the party elders had stopped holding Council of Elders meetings, with the party founder totally staying away. He accused former President Mahama of deliberately failing to empower his own party people, and rather empowered members of the opposition NPP at the time by giving them some juicy contracts. He said Deputy National Security Coordinator, Bryan Acheampong, for instance, got a contract under President Mahama while the NDCs executives, foot soldiers and even media, wallowed in abject poverty. Mr Bagbin said the Mahama era was a painful one that should not be allowed to recur, pointing out people who still had the party at heart and have since been working behind the scenes to patch up the party. For instance, he said, through his instrumentality, party elders have begun holding Council of elders meetings again, with the NDCs estranged founder, Rawlings, gradually warming his way back into the party after he had abandoned it earlier. He said when friction developed between former President Mills and the partys founder, he had joined forces with the likes of Dr. Obed Asamoah to mediate. Unfortunately however, when Mahama became President, fragile unity that had been achieved was threatened because former President Mahama had failed to work with party leadership. For instance, he said that during the election, President Mahama had failed to work with the national Chairman and the General Secretary even though per the partys constitution, the President was the leader of the NDC. He said the poor relationship that existed between the party leadership and Presidency informed his decision to amend the part of the constitution that makes the President the leader of the party, indicating that he will do so if he is elected flagbearer. Mr Bagbins address suffered constant interruption with applause and so at a point he stopped and asked to be criticised rather than applauded. Mr Lucky Ocansey, the Tema West Constituency Youth Organizer then asked why Parliamentarians in the party allegedly refused to contribute much to the party financially, which Mr Bagbin debunked and rather commended his colleague NDC MPs for their contributions to the NDC in diverse ways and called for unity among members. He said it was not true, revealing that MPs do not only make monthly contributions towards the party but sometimes give part of their ex-gratia to the party and wished many of the party members at the grassroots would disregard rumours, and rather step up and contest for executive positions at the top. Mr Bagbin who has been touring the Ashanti region until the State of the Nation Address brought him back to Accra said he had no beef with any of the other contestants and that he respected all of them. The MP urged the party to at all the levels open accounts for their members to facilitate financial transactions at all units, constituency, district and Regional levels. Among the executives were; Ben Doe, the Constituency Chairman for Tema West, who said there was hope the NDC to re-capture power if Mr Bagbin was given the opportunity to lead. Mr Stephen Ashitey Adjei, who is popularly known as Moshake, an Executive Member of Tema East NDC urged Mr Bagbin to correct the mistakes that the former President made if he was given the nod to lead the party. Lucky Ocansey, the Constituency Youth Organizer for Tema West, Alhaji Mahama Builsa, Constituency Chairman for Tema East and Vee-Jay Agbogedenu, Constituency Organiser for Ashiaman, were among the NDC gurus who praised Mr Bagbin at the meeting. 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 Mr John Boadu, the Acting General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) Monday urged all members both home and abroad to exercise restraint as the Party prepares for the upcoming constituency, branch and chapter elections. Addressing a media conference to announce the guidelines and modalities for the elections, Mr Boadi asked the members to be law abiding and united to ensure that the process run smoothly, devoid of acrimony. The party wishes to once again, make a passionate appeal to all stakeholders, especially the would-be candidates for the various positions in the upcoming primaries and their supporters to respect the rules of engagement and conduct this exercise with the necessary maturity so that we would have incidence-free primaries, he said. We wish all the aspiring candidates the best of luck in the elections. Let us remain united and committed to the call of our party and government at all times so that we can continue to deliver the needed prosperity to the Ghanaian people. Once again, let it be said that the NPP come out of the 2018 primaries as a much stronger party. The National Steering Committee of the Party, he said, at its second general meeting for 2018, which was held on Wednesday, February 6, considered and approved the rules and regulations for the conduct of constituency primaries, scheduled for February 21 to 24, 2018. He explained to the media: We have invited you here primarily to officially spell out the guidelines for the conduct of the party's forthcoming constituency primaries to elect constituency executives following the expiration of the mandate of the current constituency officers and in pursuance to Article 7 of the party constitution. These primaries would of course be held alongside our Chapter and External Branch elections. He said the elections follows the completion of the Partys electoral area and polling station elections. As you would all attest to [the fact that] the exercise has been generally successful. There are, however, a few areas, numbering about seven constituencies where we have some challenges including law suits, he stated. But the good news is that our legal, team led by Nana Obiri Boahen, the Deputy General Secretary, is competently handling these issues and making significant strides at resolving them. The Acting General Secretary, on behalf of the Party, extended gratitude to all stakeholders particularly the various aspirants in the elections and their supporters for the cooperation and maturity they exhibited throughout the exercise. We are also thankful to the media for a generally fair coverage and balance reportage and look forward to receiving a lot more of such cooperation in the remaining primaries, Mr Boadu said. Mr Boadi outlined the rules as follows: CONSTITUENCY ANNUAL DELEGATES CONFERENCE The National Steering Committee of the party, at its second general meeting for 2018, which was held on Wednesday, February 6, considered and approved the rules and regulations for the conduct of constituency primaries scheduled for February 21 to 24, 2018. As stipulated in Article 7 (26) of our constitution, the Constituency Annual Delegates Conference shall have in attendance, the following delegates; Members of the Constituency Executive Committee All electoral Area Coordinators All the five (5) polling station Executives in the respective constituency Five (5) members of the council of elders Five (5) constituency patrons of the party Any founding member from the constituency who is a signatory to the registration document of the party at the electoral commission. The rules and regulations for the conduct of the 2018 constituency primaries provide as follows: 1) There shall be constituted, a Constituency Elections Committee (CEC) which shall conduct the constituency Officer's elections at the scheduled dates (21st - 24th February, 2018) and at a venue as the CEC may determine. 2) The CEC shall comprise the following; a. One (1) National Representative appointed by the National Steering Committee who shall be the chairperson of the CEC b. One (1) Regional Representative appointed by the Regional Executive Committee who shall be the secretary to the CEC c. One (1) Representative appointed by the Constituency Council of Elders 3) A member of the Constituency Elections Committee shall not be eligible to contest for any position in the Constituency elections. 4) A prospective candidate must be an active and known member of the party of good standing for at least two years. 5) A contestant must be a registered voter and a member of the party in the Constituency in which he/she seeks to contest. 6) Electoral Area or Polling Station Officers who wish to contest in the Constituency elections shall resign or vacate their respective positions before filing their nominations. 7) Applicants who wish to contest in the Constituency executive elections shall pay to the chairperson of the Constituency Elections Committee, a non-refundable nomination fee of two hundred Ghana cedis (GHC 200.00) for the chairperson position and one hundred Ghana cedis (GHC 100.00) for other positions. 8) Only prospective aspirants are entitled to purchase Application Forms from the Constituency Elections Committee. 9) No prospective aspirant shall not be denied access to procure Application Form. 10) If for any reason, an applicant is unable to procure an Application Form from the CEC, he/she may petition the Regional Chairman or General Secretary, for an endorsed Application Form at the Regional or National Secretariat respectively. 11) Vetting results shall be released not later than three days to the elections date 12) An aspirant for any of the Constituency executive elections shall be nominated by one (1) registered member and seconded by five (5) registered members of the party who are known, active and reside in that constituency, all of whom shall be members in good standing. 13) Three passport sized photographs shall accompany each Application Form. 14) The Constituency Album shall be used as the Register for the conduct of the elections. 15) The delegates to the conference shall vote with their party ID cards; but where same is unavailable, National Voters' ID cards may be admitted by the CEC for the purpose of voting. 16) The CEC shall, at the close of polls; paste photographs of all elected Constituency executives on prescribe Form and hand it over to the Constituency secretariat for compilation of the Constituency Album. 17) For the avoidance of doubt, the elections shall be conducted under the supervision of the Electoral Commission of Ghana as well as the Constituency Elections Committee. 18) The positions to be contested for are; i. Constituency Chairperson ii. Constituency 1st Vice Chairperson iii. Constituency 2nd Vice Chairperson iv. Constituency Secretary v. Constituency Assistant Secretary vi. Constituency Treasurer vii. Constituency Organiser viii. Constituency Women Organiser ix. Constituency Youth Organiser x. Constituency Nasara Coordinator Having spelt out these Rules and Regulations on behalf of the party, I now have the singular honour and privilege to declare nominations for the various constituency executive positions duly open. ELECTION OF CHAPTER EXECUTIVES 1) The Chapter Annual Delegates Conference of the party shall be held from 15th to 25th February, 2018 to, among other things, elect Executives for the various Chapters. There shall be constituted, a Chapter Elections Committee which shall see to the conduct of the elections. The committee shall comprise the following; i. One (1) Representative appointed by the respective Branch Executive Committee who shall be the chairperson of the committee ii. One Chapter Representative appointed by the Chapter Elections Committee iii. One Representative appointed by the Branch Council of Elders and Patrons 2) A member of the Chapter Elections Committee shall not be eligible to contest for any position in the Chapter elections. 3) An aspirant for the Chapter elections must be an active and known member of good standing for at least two years. 4) An aspirant shall be a registered member in the Chapter in which he/she seeks to contest. 5) An aspirant who wishes to contest in the Chapter elections may procure Application Form from the Chapter Elections Committee at a cost determined by the Chapter Elections Committee. 6) No prospective aspirant shall be denied access to procure an Application Form. 7) An aspirant for any of the Chapter executive positions shall be nominated by one (1) registered member and seconded by three (3) registered members of the party who are known, active and reside in that Chapter, all of whom shall be of good standing. 8) In adopting these Rules and Regulations, the Chapter Elections Committee, with recourse to the National Secretariat, can make some necessary modifications in order to suit their peculiar situations. 9) The positions to be contested for are; a) Chapter Chairperson b) Chapter Vice Chairperson c) Chapter Secretary d) Chapter Treasurer e) Chapter Organizer f) Chapter Women Organiser g) Chapter Youth Organiser ELECTION OF BRANCH EXECUTIVES 1) The Branch Annual Delegates Conference shall be held from 18th to 30th March, 2018 to, among other things, elect Executives for the various External Branches of the party. There shall be constituted, a Branch Elections Committee which shall see to the conduct of the elections. The committee shall comprise the following; a. The Branch Council of Elders Chairman or his Representative who shall be the chair of the committee b. One (1) Representative appointed by the Branch Executive Committee c. One Representative appointed by the National Steering Committee 2) A member of the Branch Elections Committee shall not be eligible to contest for any position in the Branch elections. 3) An aspirant for the Branch elections must be an active and known member of good standing for at least two years. 4) An aspirant shall be a registered member in the Branch in which he/she seeks to contest. 5) An aspirant who wishes to contest in the Branch elections may procure Application Form from the Branch Elections Committee at a cost determined by the Branch Elections Committee. 6) No prospective aspirant shall be denied access to procure an Application Form. 7) An aspirant for any of the Branch executive positions shall be nominated by one (1) registered member and seconded by three (3) registered members of the party who are known, active and reside in that Branch, all of whom shall be of good standing. 8) In adopting these Rules and Regulations, the Branch Elections Committee, with recourse to the National Secretariat, can make some necessary modifications in order to suit their peculiar situations. 9) The positions to be contested for are; a) Branch Chairperson b) Branch 1st Vice Chairperson c) Branch 2nd Vice Chairperson d) Branch Secretary e) Branch Treasurer f) Branch Organiser g) Branch Women Organiser h) Branch Youth Organiser i) Branch Nasara Coordinator 10) The elected Branch executives shall appoint persons to occupy the following positions; a. Branch Assistant Secretary b. Deputy Branch Women Organiser c. Deputy Branch Youth Organiser d. Deputy Branch Organiser e. Deputy Branch Nasara Coordinator f. Branch Communications Officer g. Branch Director of Research and Elections OTHER DECISIONS OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE The steering committee has directed each of the 10 regional executive committees of the party to, with immediate effect, organise an expanded regional executive committee meeting comprising all the constituency executives in the respective regions. The meeting, which would be held under the supervision of at least one national officer, shall set the stage for the constituency delegates conference, where, inter alia, the Constituency Election Committee (CEC) shall be inaugurated. 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 chairman of foreign affairs committee of parliament who doubles as the member of parliament (MP) for Nsawan-Adoagyiri constituency, Hon. Frank Annoh-Dompreh has assured Ghanaians in the diaspora about the NPP governments commitments to address their concerns. The honorable MP is also a member of the roads and transport committee of parliament who was speaking to the host of a political show on Amenado Radio in Colorado, USA, Solomon Owusu, enumerated certain strategies the government has put in place to ensure efficient and effective operations of Ghanas missions abroad. Mr. Annoh-Dompreh was interviewed on certain pertinent diaspora specific concerns, including the state of Ghanas foreign missions, passport and visa acquisition issues both home and abroad, matters concerning the implementation of the Representation of People Amendment Act (ROPAA) and road safety issues. Responding to the questions on the foreign missions, he said his committee has planned to travel to New York, USA next month to assess the efficiency of the facilities and the performance of employees as part of their studies to identify problems and address them accordingly. My brother, I will lead a delegation to New York in March purposely to study the performance of our mission and the efficiency of the facilities. We will then interface the outcome with their core responsibilities to determine what we need to fix to ensure smooth customer service. They are there because of you Ghanaians abroad and it is pathetic to hear that they refuse to pick your phone calls and listen to your concerns. This is not acceptable and something needs to be done., he said. Explaining the current administrations plans, he made mention of the current governments continuation of the US$ 50 million facility project which was initiated by the previous NDC government for the refurbishment of 31 of Ghanas foreign missions, a new foreign affairs institute, and a new regime for obtaining a passport within and outside Ghana. He told listeners that the government has committed to build on economic diplomacy and seek value from our diplomats. He assured Ghanaians abroad on the determination of his committee to hold the diplomats accountable through the ministry of foreign affairs and regional integration. According to him, Ghanas foreign image is peaking under president Akufo-Addo and Ghanaians across the world should have the reason to be proud of the nation. In his view, the Akufo-Addo government has arguably had more high profile foreign visitation within one year in office than any government in Ghanas history and he challenged everyone to double-check. He said, such visits begin great diplomatic relations and good ties. Touching on passports, he said there is currently a massive improvement in the passport acquisition process in Ghana. Now there are two methods you can use to apply for your passport, thus biometric and online. Currently, we are testing only greater Accra for the online process and after its successful implementation, six other regions will be added before all the regions activate that method. The biometric takes about two weeks to complete the process, he said. A caller from London, Madam Lizzie, expressed her concern about the high cost involved in applying for passport from the Ghanas embassy in London. She said it costs 180 pounds sterling which is equivalent to Ghc 1,110. Responding to the concern, Hon. Annoh-Dompreh said he will contact his senior, Papa Owusu-Ankomah, the Ghanas High Commissioner to UK and investigate the elements that go into the said application fee. If there is the need to make some changes, he will do his best for Ghanaians living in UK. The program which was supposed to last for 3 hours ended up being more than 4 hours and Ghanaian listeners in different countries, including UK, Germany, France, Spain, Turkey, Brazil, China, USA, Mali, Nigeria, DR Congo, Ghana, etc, phoned-in to ask him different types of questions. The Hon. member patiently and precisely answered almost all the questions in a matured and diplomatic manner. The listeners praised him for his sense of humor, intelligence and the respect he displayed in responding to their questions, although some began heated confrontations because they felt the government has ignored Ghanaians living in abroad after winning the elections. Hon. Annoh-Dompreh promised the listeners to exercise patience and put their trust in the current government, as he will do everything possible in his capacity as the chairman of foreign affairs committee to ensure that their challenges concerning Ghanas foreign missions are known and addressed by His Excellency, Nana Akufo-Addo. He asked for continuous prayers for our leaders back home for Gods guidance in their efforts to execute their duties in the collective interest of our homeland Ghana. Source: mynewsgh.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 When 19-year-old Karrington Dukes moved from her western Pa. apartment, she allegedly left her 10-week-old puppy behind to fend for itself. When police in New Castle, Pa., finally found the pup some three weeks later, the female pooch now-named Miranda was fighting for its life, according to WPXI in Pittsburgh: "She had no strength," Margie Steelbaugh of the Lawrence County Humane Society said of the puppy. "Her blood work shows anemia, which is common for the condition that she is in, but they're expecting a good recovery." Dukes allegedly left the pup in the apartment with no food or water. Police tell WPXI she wrote in a Jan. 10 Facebook post asking if anyone wanted the dog. But it wasn't until Feb. 2 that police officers found the severely malnourished and dehydrated pup. And the Facebook post has since been taken down. Now, a warrant is out for Dukes to answer for her abandonment of the dog, KDKA reports. Police think she has left Pennsylvania, but they have been calling her cellphone, pressing her to turn herself in. Fred Rogers rehearses the opening of his PBS show "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" during a taping in Pittsburgh on June 28, 1989. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File) Don't Edit Fred Rogers first asked us to be his neighbor 50 years ago. "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" premiered on Feb. 19, 1968, and aired 895 episodes over the course of 31 years. Every day he would open the front door, take off his shoes and put on a hand-knit cardigan while teaching children lessons of kindness and helping them navigate the world. Here are some ways to celebrate the milestone anniversary and honor Rogers' legacy. Don't Edit Watch something Don't Edit "Mister Rogers: It's You I Like" 8 p.m. March 6 on PBS (check local listings) Former crew member Michael Keaton will host this retrospective with interviews and clips from the series, as well as personal stories from Fred's widow Joanne and cast members. Stars include Judd Apatow, Joyce DiDonato, Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Kratt, John Lithgow, Yo-Yo Ma and Sarah Silverman. Don't Edit First episode screening and panel discussion 7 p.m. Feb. 19 The Fred Rogers Center at St. Vincent College in Latrobe is hosting a screening of the premiere and discussion afterward. Seating is limited, so call 724-805-2750 for a space. Don't Edit Don't Edit "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood" + "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" Feb. 26-March 2 on PBS Daniel Tiger was one of Rogers' original puppets, and the animated spinoff features similar themes as the original show. PBS is pairing episodes of the new series with similar episodes of "Mister Rogers" for the entire week. For example, an episode about Daniel's dead goldfish will be joined by a "Mister Rogers" episode about his dead fish. Don't Edit Stream the first episode The first episode is available on Amazon Prime as part of "The Best of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" collection. Don't Edit "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" In theaters June 8 This feature documentary focuses more on Fred Rogers than the show he is known for creating. It premiered at Sundance Film Festival and will make its wide release this spring. PBS's Independent Lens co-produced the film, so fans can expect to see it on television after theaters. Don't Edit "You Are My Friend" Likely coming to theaters in 2019 Tom Hanks is set to star as Rogers in this biopic. The story is inspired by the friendship between Rogers and cynical journalist Tom Junod. It is being directed by Marielle Heller. Production will begin in September, so fans will have to wait a while longer to see this film. Don't Edit Read something Don't Edit Don't Edit "The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember" This book is a collection of Rogers' own writing and transcripts. It offers insight on love, friendship, honesty and respect in his own words. Don't Edit Im Proud of You: My Friendship with Fred Rogers" Journalist Tim Madigan wrote this book a few years after Rogers' death in 2003. In it he details the lasting effect of their friendship, which began with a simple interview and continued largely through letters and phone conversations. Don't Edit Go somewhere Don't Edit The U.S. Postal Service plans to issue a new stamp on March 23 in the same Pittsburgh public television station where the program was produced. (USPS via AP) Stamp dedication ceremony 11 a.m. March 23 The United States Postal Service will dedicate a Mister Rogers forever stamp in the Fred Rogers Studio at WQED, where the show was filmed. This event is free and open to the public. It will also be streamed live on the USPS Facebook page. Don't Edit Fred Rogers Center Open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This center sits on the grounds of St. Vincent College near Rogers' childhood home in Latrobe. Visitors can explore the multimedia exhibit on his life and career, as well as see photos, videos and a "speedy delivery" letter-writing station. Don't Edit Don't Edit (Courtesy of Heinz History Center) Heinz History Center Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This Pittsburgh museum contains the largest collection of props from "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood." Visitors can see the living room set, King Friday's castle, Mister McFeely's tricycle and the great oak tree. Rogers' iconic sweater and shoes will temporarily join the display beginning March 20, which would have been the host's 90th birthday. Don't Edit Heinz History Center is planning some "Mister Rogers"-themed educational programs to align with the anniversary. 1-4 p.m. Feb. 24: Games for Change Game Jam will showcase recent apps and games from the Red Rogers Company and Schell Games that focus on kindness and empathy. IThrive Games will also lead workshops along with the Center for Arts and Education at West Liberty University. 10:30-11:15 a.m. Aug. 22 and Oct. 24: Hop Into History programs will allow 2- to 5-year-old children to explore the Neighborhood of Make-Believe through music, dance and play led by museum educators and music instructor Lynda Wingerd. Don't Edit Children's Museum of Pittsburgh Open from Sundays and weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In 1998, Rogers and his company helped create a Mister Rogers' Neighborhood exhibit at the Children's Museum. Exhibit components were later integrated throughout the facility and Daniel Tigers Neighborhood: A Grr-ific Exhibit opened to guests. Keep your eyes peeled to see original puppets, his sweater and his sneakers. Don't Edit Rogers family mausoleum in Unity Cemetery After his death in 2003, Fred Rogers' body was interred in a mausoleum at Unity Cemetery alongside his family members. It bears the name Given, which belonged to his mother's family. Photo by Flickr user Kevin Burkett Compiled by Julia Hatmaker | jhatmaker@pennlive.com Lunar New Year is nearly upon us -- officially being held on Feb. 16. Philadelphia, however, is ready. The City of Brotherly Love has numerous celebrations for the Year of the Dog. So if you want to experience Chinese New Year in Philly, here are nine fantastic options. Don't Edit Chinese New Year at the Free Library of Philadelphia 4 p.m. Feb. 15 at Northeast Regional Library, 2228 Cottman Ave., Northeast Philadelphia, Philadelphia. Cost: Free. 215-685-0522; freelibrary.org 4:30 p.m. Feb. 15 at South Philadelphia Library, 1700 S. Broad St., South Philadelphia, Philadelphia. Cost: Free. 215-685-1866; freelibrary.org 12:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at Independence Library, 18 S. 7th St., Center City, Philadelphia. Cost: Free. 215-685-1633; freelibrary.org Various library branches are hosting events to ring in the Year of the Dog. The Northeast Regional Library promises a celebration filled with Chinese treats, crafts and stories. The South Philadelphia Library will have arts and crafts at its Lunar New Year Celebration as well. The largest event, however, will be at the Independence Library, which will have traditional Chinese folk dances, a Lion Dance and storytelling. Don't Edit Lunar New Year Celebration at International House 7-9 p.m. Feb. 15 at International House, 3701 Chestnut St., University City, Philadelphia. Cost: $15 general admission, $5 children (ages 5-12). Ihousephilly.org International House Philadelphia is ringing in the Year of the Dog with an epic celebration featuring a Lion Dance, traditional music, martial art demonstrations, dance performances and a post-performance reception with traditional Chinese fare. Don't Edit Philadelphia Suns Midnight Lion Dance Performance 11 p.m.-1 a.m. Feb. 15 at 10th and Race streets, Chinatown, Philadelphia. Cost: Free. facebook.com/events/137109676960517/ The Philadelphia Suns will be putting on a show to celebrate the Year of the Dog. Nab a spot early to see the group perform a traditional lion dance -- and be sure to grab a meal at one of the many Chinese restaurants in the area before hand. Don't Edit Photo of lobster and vegetable spring rolls at Suga. Provided by Food-Shelter PR. Traditional Chinese New Year banquet at Suga Starting at 5 p.m. Feb. 16 and Feb. 17 at Suga, 1720 Sansom St., Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia. Cost: $55. sugabyfoo.com ; 215-717-8968. This price-fixed menu includes seven symbolically lucky foods, including lobster and vegetable spring rolls (symbolizing wealth). The meal is $55 per person and reservations are encouraged. Feeling generous as you dine? A $5 donation to the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society will net you a free Susanna Foo cookbook. This section has been updated with new information for the event. Don't Edit Don't Edit Family Festival: Lunar New Year at the Please Touch Museum 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic, West Philadelphia, Philadelphia. Cost: Included with admission ($19 for adults and children). pleasetouchmuseum.org This family-friendly event includes a chance for kids to pretend to be a dog (while they learn about canines and zodiacs), watch performances by the Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers, create their own red envelopes, cheer on the Philadelphia Suns during their Lion Dance, learn the story of the Lunar New Year, try their hand at Chinese calligraphy and dance their cares away at the end of the day dance party. Festivities begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m. Don't Edit Photo of Reading Terminal Market's 2017 Chinese New Year celebrations. Julia Hatmaker | jhatmaker@pennlive.com Lunar New Year at Reading Terminal Market 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 17 at Reading Terminal Market, 51 N. 12th St., Center City, Philadelphia. Cost: Free. readingterminalmarket.org Reading Terminal Markets annual Lunar New Year event incorporates performances, demonstrations and food. The market teams up with the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation for the event, which kicks off at 10 a.m. with a demonstration of how to make Chinese crepes by Alice Ye of Five Spice Philly. At 11 a.m., the Philadelphia Suns perform a Lion Dance in the aisles of the market. Other events include a Chinese cultural performance at 12:30 p.m. and a demonstration on how to carve a Peking duck by Michael Chow of Sang Kee Peking Duck at 1 p.m. Throughout the day there will also be a Chinese calligraphy around, arts and crafts and booths selling souvenirs. Don't Edit Lunar New Year at the Independence Seaport Museum 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Blvd., Society Hill, Philadelphia. Cost: Included with admission ($16 adults, $12 children (ages 3-12). phillyseaport.org/lunar Celebrate the Year of the Dog with puppies! The Independence Seaport Museum is teaming up with the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society to bring in adoptable puppies to help ring in the Lunar New Year. The festival at the museum includes workshops in calligraphy, martial arts and storytelling. Attendees will also make their own dragon puppets, play Yut (a Korean board game), build Chinese lanterns and craft their own Year of the Dog drum. The JNA Institute of Culinary Arts will also have food samples available. Don't Edit Philadelphia Suns Lion Dance Parade The lions of the Philadelphia Suns will compete for lettuce from various stores in Chinatown. Lettuce is the food of choice for these lions -- possibly because the Chinese word for lettuce resembles the word for wealth. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. and conclude at 2:45 p.m. at 10th and Race streets, after the lions have made their way throughout the main Chinatown area. Don't Edit Chinese New Year Brunch at Buddakan Starting at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 18 at Buddakan, 325 Chestnut St., Old City, Philadelphia. 215-574-9440; buddakan.com Buddakan chefs whip out a great brunch in celebration of Chinese New Year. But brunch is more than just food, this special event will include traditional Lion Dancers and red envelopes (for good luck). Don't Edit Don't Edit You may also enjoy these stories... Don't Edit With four cases of mumps confirmed on the Penn State campus, university officials say anyone with symptoms should stay home from Thon coming up this weekend. University Health Services said Sunday that the four students with mumps have recovered and are no longer considered infectious. Those who came in contact with them have been notified and are being monitored for symptoms. The incubation period for mumps is 12-25 days, and symptoms often appear 16-18 days after exposure. Two students were infected before returning from semester break, and the four were isolated during their illness. Patients are infectious from two days before swelling of glands below the ear and along the jawline begins through five days after. Mumps is highly infectious, and passed through saliva and respiratory secretions. A similar warning was issued last year before Thon, when potential mumps cases were reported. More than 700 students are expected to take part in the 46-hour Thon Feb. 16-18 at the Bryce Jordan Center to raise money for Four Diamonds at Penn State Children's Hospital. For most people, two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine provide adequate immunity to the infection, said an advisory from Penn State. In January 2018, the CDC published recommendations for use of a third dose of MMR vaccine for people identified as having an increased risk of contracting mumps during an outbreak, such as those who are in close-contact settings like college and university campuses. Also, by college age the vaccine-induced immunity of previous vaccinations may have started to fade, making this population more vulnerable. University Health Services advises the following: All students, faculty and staff should check with their health care providers to confirm receipt of two doses of the MMR vaccine after their first birthday. Anyone who does not have immunity to mumps either through receipt of the two-dose MMR vaccine or a previous mumps infection, should schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine. Students may schedule an appointment at University Health Services; faculty and staff should contact their primary care providers. All students who have not already done so are urged to request a copy of their immunization information from their private healthcare provider to be faxed to University Health Services at 814-865-6982. During a mumps outbreak, anyone who does not have proof of vaccination may be excluded from campus for 25 days after the last possible date of infection. Although the two-dose MMR series is highly effective for most people, it is important to remember that no vaccine is 100 percent effective for every person. Unfortunately, there is not a good way to determine who has not developed immunity from the two-dose vaccine series. Consider getting a third dose of the vaccine if advised by a healthcare provider. The state Department of Health is monitoring the mumps situation on campus. Here are the symptoms of mumps: Tender swollen glands below the ear and along the jawline on one or both sides of the face and neck. Headache. Cold-like symptoms. Penn State says anyone who develops mumps symptoms is strongly discouraged from attending THON activities and should contact University Health Services at 814-863-4463. WILLIAMSPORT - Anthony Arduini in 2012 almost daily went into the Main Street office of Jersey Shore State Bank in Jersey Shore, where he had a $52,222 certificate of deposit. His interaction with Jolene Marie Edwards, the branch assistant manager, over that CD is the basis of a criminal trial that began Monday and is expected to take all week in U.S. Middle District Court. Edwards, 39, of Lock Haven, is charged with bank fraud, embezzlement and interstate transportation of property taken by fraud. The latter reflects credit card payments. The prosecution, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel, maintains Edwards took advantage of Arduini, used the $52,222 to pay off personal debts and only repaid the money after her scheme became known. Assistant Public Defender D. Toni Byrd contends her client befriended a lonely, single, unemployed man in his 50s who was caring for his mother ailing with cancer. She told jurors the $52,222 was a gift from Arduini that Edwards gave back. From 2010 to 2014, Edwards bought food for Arduini, picked up prescriptions and cleaned the house he shared with his mother, Byrd said. In return he bought gift cards for Edwards and her children, she said. It is her contention he voluntarily gave Edwards power of attorney and through an attorney drew up a will making her his sole beneficiary. "He wanted Jolene to have everything," Byrd said. Rocktashel painted a different picture about the CD that was coming due in August 2012. He claimed Edwards encouraged Arduini to liquidate the CD and she suggested putting the money in another one in her name at M&T Bank. READ MORE: Ex-banker who reneged on plea agreement facing more charges, potential longer sentence She is alleged to have told him with universal health care coming with income limits, he might qualify for free health care if he did not have that asset. Edwards never opened a CD at M&T but put all but $6,000 of the $52,222 into a personal checking account at that bank in her name, David Ritter, a bank security official, testified. The $6,000 was used to pay off a loan she had obtained from her husband's retirement savings account, Rocktashel said. He introduced bank statements that showed all but $13.51 of the $46,000 deposited into the checking account on Aug. 15, 2012, was gone by that Sept. 25. The statements listed the various expenditures. Arduini's mother died in May 2014 and, according to the prosecutor, six months later he asked Edwards for money to pay heating bills. She stalled by claiming she had mistakenly put the money into a five-year CD and it would be more difficult to liquidate, he said. Bank officials initiated an investigation in November 2014 after a relative of Arduini learned Edwards had become his sole beneficiary. Byrd admitted her client was wrong to accept such a large gift from a bank customer and to falsely tell an FBI agent she had kept the $52,222 in her husband's gun safe at home. After obtaining loans from two friends, she returned the money to Arduini on Dec. 2, 2014. Edwards, a 17-year bank employee, resigned April 10, 2015. The case took an unusual twist on Friday when Byrd filed a motion to dismiss the indictment accusing FBI Agent Clifton Vikara of lying to the grand jury. She claimed the grand jury would not have returned an indictment had it not been for Vikara wrongly stating Edwards used her power of attorney to close the CD. Judge Matthew W. Brann on Monday denied Byrd's motion agreeing with Rocktashel the grand jury was presented with other evidence against Edwards. However, he wrote that Byrd's arguments might not be for naught because, for a bank fraud conviction, the government will have to prove Edwards knowingly executed a scheme to defraud. Her arguments, although they fail as a basis to dismiss the indictment, might raise reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury, the judge wrote. Edwards would not be on trial if she would have pleaded guilty last March to a charge of interstate transportation of stolen property. She walked out of the courtroom without doing so and the U.S. attorney's office subsequently obtained an indictment that contained the additional charges. A Lancaster man is facing charges after police say he sexually assaulted two children. Officers met with the victims on Feb. 8, where a 9-year-old told police Ansy Gaston had committed various sexual acts in the fall, and again in February. There is also a 4-year-old victim, according to police. The children's mother reported receiving a text from Gaston offering her money if she didn't call the police. Detectives later learned Gaston had left his last-known address and was traveling to Boston by mass transit. Gaston was apprehended upon his arrival, and is currently being held as a fugitive from justice. He is currently awaiting extradition back to Pennsylvania. Gaston is charged with corruption of minors, indecent assault, unlawful contact with a minor, indecent exposure, intimidation of a witness or victims, and criminal attempt of indecent assault. DANVILLE -- One of two brothers who were in a car that had 67 pounds of marijuana in the trunk was sentenced Monday to serve one to 3 years in prison. Vaspur G. Sarkisyan, 31, was sentenced after pleading guilty to possession with intent to deliver marijuana. The sentencing came less than a month after his brother, Vagram G., 29, pleaded guilty to possession of a small amount of marijuana and was fined $500. Montour County District Attorney Angela Mattis was not available Tuesday to explain why one brother was prosecuted differently than the other. Vaspur Sarkisyan's attorney, Robert Hoffa, said he will ask Montour County Judge Thomas A. James to reconsider the sentence, which is at the top of the guideline range. Vagram Sarkisyan was the driver of the car state police stopped Dec. 7, 2016, on Interstate 80 because he was traveling continuously in the passing lane. A drug dog was summoned because troopers said the driver appeared extremely nervous and the passenger continually stared as his cell phone. Three large suitcases containing approximately 67 vacuum sealed bags of marijuana with a total field weight of 67 pounds were found in the trunk, police said. The marijuana, estimated to have a street value of between $201,000 and $402,000, appeared packaged for distribution, they said. The brothers had been placed on probation in Utah after marijuana was found in another car also in 2016. Court records list Vaspur Sarkisyan's address as Glendale, Calif., and his brother's as Woodside, N.Y., but reportedly they were moving to the New York City area. Hoffa said his client is a U.S. citizen but Vagram Sarkisyan is not. Pennsylvania's first medical marijuana dispensary will begin sales on Thursday and sales will begin at five other locations by the end of the week, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Tuesday. The first medical marijuana dispensary to begin sales, on Thursday, is located in Butler County north of Pittsburgh. In the Harrisburg region, Organic Remedies Dispensary in Hampden Township in Cumberland County will begin sales Friday, Wolf announced. Dispensaries in Bethlehem, Pa. and Pittsburgh are also set to open Friday. Two more, located in Sellersville in Bucks County and Devon in Chester County, will open Saturday. Wolf suggested patients contact dispensaries in advance to find out if they will need an appointment. Pennsylvania legalized medical marijuana in the spring of 2016 and has adhered to an ambitious plan to make it available to people who have a qualifying medical condition. The medical marijuana to go on sale this week has been grown and processed in Pennsylvania by state-regulated entities. "Pennsylvanians have been waiting years for this moment," Wolf said. "Medical marijuana is legal, safe and now available to Pennsylvanians suffering from 17 serious medical conditions. In less than two years, we have developed a regulatory infrastructure, approved physicians as practitioners, certified patients to participate and launched a new industry to help thousands find relief from their debilitating symptoms." So far, more than 17,000 patients have begun the process of being approved to purchase medical marijuana and nearly 4,000 have been certified by a doctor, Wolf said. The state is working with additional dispensaries around the state to get them approved and ready to begin sales. Five more weeks of winter - phooey. How do post-Valentine's Day temps approaching 60 degrees in Harrisburg sound, instead? What the National Weather Service is calling a "Bermuda high" is about to bring some spring-like temperatures across central Pennsylvania. What is more, this weather whiplash could last for most of the next two weeks -- or longer, making a fool's joke of Punxsutawney Phil's recent six-weeks-of-winter prediction. So much for trusting weather forecasts made by drowsy rodents. Indeed, the Bermuda high that is sending warm air Pennsylvania's way looks so stable, it is an open question whether we will see winter again. Sure, cold fronts will continue to pass through, but the normal mid-February temps of 20s at night and 30s during the day will be few and far between over the next two weeks. And snow will be non-existent. Rain, however, will not. And there remains a mild flooding threat from the snowpack in northwestern Pennsylvania. Thursday's melting rains, coupled with temps in the 50s, could be enough to swell some flood-prone creeks and streams, the National Weather Service warned. The sustained weather change begins slowly today, said meteorologist Paul Head in State College. This morning will feel very much like February, starting off in the mid-20s, but warming into the upper 30s. Come tonight, the typical temperature plunge will not occur. Instead the beginnings of the Bermuda high will keep night-time lows around 30 degrees Tuesday into Wednesday. On Valentine's Day, the weather will warm your mid-winter heart, with very mild temps reaching 50 degrees. However, look for rain to begin late. Thursday will be both wetter and warmer, with highs at or near 60 in Harrisburg. Depending on the track of the rain, some areas could see a half-inch. With some snowpack still clinging in northwestern Pennsylvania, the rain and melt-off could swell creeks and streams presenting a minor flooding threat, Head said. The rain ends Friday and a cold front from the north will cool things off - but only to what is normal for this time of year and only for the moment. By next Monday, the mild weather and temperatures in the 40s look to return and remain for the foreseeable future. Head said the Bermuda high likely would remain in control of Pennsylvania's weather pattern for the next two weeks or longer, blunting the effects of any cold fronts moving through. "That's the thing," Head said. "The Bermuda high on the east coast will pump warm air. Cold fronts will be a passing thing." Head wasn't ready to write off the rest of winter, but said there was no sign of any significant snow over at least the next two weeks. "It's a stable pattern," he said. "It looks stable for a couple of weeks. Beyond that, you really can't tell." Still, Head was ready to pass judgment on his rodent rival's forecast of five more weeks of winter. "As for Phil, I would say he was incorrect," Head said. A state police booster group forced the shutdown of a campaign that raised $19,000 for a Pennsylvania state police trooper shot in the line of duty, according to court documents. The president of the PSP Strong Association said allowing the rogue fundraiser to continue would put her $1 million fundraising organization in jeopardy. It sued the independent campaign last week and is seeking more than $50,000 in damages. Nolan Kemmerer made thousands of these #PSPStrong signs to raise money for Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Seth Kelly. Nolan Kemmerer said he raised $19,000 through the sale of lawn signs and could have raised thousands more for Cpl. Seth Kelly. The volunteer firefighter from the Slate Belt said the PSP Strong Association objected to his use of the hashtag #PSPStrong on his signs. PSP Strong President Danielle Petros said she had no choice but to shut down Kemmerer's campaign because the use of her organization's name made PSP Strong both fiscally and legally responsible for Kemmerer's independent campaign. Both Kemmerer and PSP Strong have raised money to benefit Cpl. Seth Kelly, who was shot during a traffic stop on Route 33 in Plainfield Township on Nov. 7, 2017. Kemmerer owns Rapid Wraps 'N Signs of Plainfield Township. He sold thousands of the lawn signs for charity, according to his attorney, Andrew Bench. "He's a volunteer firefighter. He knows a lot of police up there. It was a real personal thing for him," Bench said. Kemmerer stopped when he received a cease and desist letter Dec. 6. He refuses to sign a settlement agreement prohibiting him from ever using the PSP Strong name in any future campaign, so the organization sued him Feb. 7 in Luzerne County, where PSP Strong is based. Bench said Kemmerer has no plans to resurrect the campaign. But he doesn't believe PSP Strong has exclusive rights to the PSP Strong name or hashtag, so he refuses to sign the agreement. According to government records filed in connection with the lawsuit, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office recommends rejecting the PSP Strong trademark because PSP Strong's name closely resembles other trademarks with PSP in them, such as Sony's PlayStation Portable. "I didn't know anyone could actually own a hashtag or control the use of one," said Ken Field, a friend and client of Kemmerer's. Even if PSP Strong loses its appeal and loses the federal trademark, the organization is registered as PSP Strong with the Internal Revenue Service and the state department of charitable organizations, Petros said. The grass roots organization set up in 2014 after the murder of Cpl. Bryon Dickson and wounding of trooper Alex Douglass has gone on to raise $1 million for various state troopers and their families. The organization has invested time, funds and energy building itself up as PSP Strong, Petros said. The organization's lawyer has advised PSP Strong to insist on the settlement agreement with Kemmerer or it risks losing everything. "We put a lot of money into it. We put a lot of work into it. This is our organization. This is a big deal. We don't want that going down the tubes," Petros said. PSP Strong started out selling t-shirts but has increased its offerings to include wristbands, hats, hoodies, Christmas ornaments, tumblers and polo shirts, all bearing the PSP Strong name. The lawsuit says PSP Strong donates all its net proceeds to charity. There's no way it can guarantee that Kemmerer's net proceeds go to charity as well, the lawsuit says. Kemmerer said almost everything he raised has gone to Kelly and his family. He donated the first thousand signs and recouped the cost to make the additional signs, but donated the rest of the proceeds to charity. He kept nothing to cover the cost to run the campaign. PSP Strong, on the other hand, has significant overhead costs, according to Kemmerer. He points to an online charity database maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of State. For the fiscal year of July 2015 through June 2016, the organization took in $114,361 but spent $36,883 on program services, $53,101 on fundraising expenses and $6,120 on management expenses, the site says. Kemmerer said proceeds from the charity won't cover his legal bills. Bench said he took the case at a deep discount. It's not clear how PSP Strong is covering its legal bills. Petros said PSP Strong has raised at least $11,000 for Kelly, although that figure dates back a few weeks. She regrets PSP Strong couldn't work together with Kemmerer. "I don't want to sue people. I don't want to do that," Petros said. She urged Kemmerer to sign the agreement, use a different hashtag and move on. "He's a very nice guy. I am not knocking him at all. But he's raising money under our name. That puts us in jeopardy. He is not getting that," Petros said. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook. A Cedar Crest High School student was charged with smoking pot in the school bathroom last week. The school resource officer discovered a student had smoked marijuana in a bathroom the morning of Feb. 8, and had additional marijuana. Charges were filed by South Lebanon Township police through the juvenile division of the Lebanon County district attorney's office. The student, who is a juvenile, was not identified. WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump's campaign says he'll hold a rally in the Pittsburgh area next week. Trump visited the region last month to talk up new tax cuts, and put in a plug for Pennsylvania state lawmaker Rick Saccone. The Republican is running for Congress in a contest widely seen as a test of whether Trump's party can stave off Democratic gains in the fall elections. Saccone faces Democrat and Marine Corps veteran Conor Lamb in a March 13 special election to succeed Republican Rep. Tim Murphy, who resigned after acknowledging an extramarital affair. Trump's campaign says the Feb. 21 rally will take place at Ambridge Area Senior High School in Ambridge, Pennsylvania. It will be Trump's first campaign event of 2018. Republican gubernatorial candidate Paul Mango has picked a county commissioner from Washington County as his running-mate, putting the Republican nominating race squarely into first gear. At event Tuesday, Mango, of Allegheny County, announced that he'd picked Diana Irey Vaughan, an early supporter of his candidacy, as his No. 2. "If the past three years of dysfunction in the Wolf-Stack debacle have taught us anything , it's that our governor needs a strong partner as lieutenant governor," Mango said in a statement. "I can think of no better governing partner than Diana. As I have said since the start of this campaign, Harrisburg needs to empower our local and county governments and Diana brings over two decades of success as a county commissioner to help lead this effort." In her own statement, Irey Vaughan said she chose to run with Mango, a former healthcare executive, because "we have shared values and a vision for the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania has an opportunity, by electing Paul Mango, to have a Governor with impeccable character and unmatched competence. This is Pennsylvania's opportunity to restore the dream." Irey Vaughan ran as the Republican nominee for Pennsylvania state treasurer in 2012, but ended up losing to Democrat Rob McCord. McCord later resigned and pleaded guilty to federal influence-peddling charges. Mango's choice of running mate, however, is more symbolic than legally binding Under state law, candidates for governor and lieutenant governor run separately during the primary and only run as a ticket during the fall general election campaign. And it seems clearly intended to counter York County state Sen. Scott Wagner, who, along with Montgomery County businessman Jeffrey Bartos, respectively won the GOP nomination for governor and lieutenant governor during last weekend's Republican State Committee meeting in Harrisburg. That means, for instance, if Mango beats Wagner, but Bartos defeats Irey Vaughan, the two Republican hopefuls could find themselves could find themselves in the political equivalent of an arranged marriage headed into the fall campaign. Mango's choice of Irey Vaughan adds more gender diversity, but not that much more geographic diversity, to a GOP field that is dominated by middle-aged white men. Like Irey Vaughan, Mango hails from southwestern Pennsylvania. So, too, does Laura Ellsworth, a Pittsburgh-area attorney, who chose not to seek the Republican endorsement for governor, setting up a three-way contest in the May primary. By Ezra P. Thrush During a year in which so much is at stake with our environment in Washington, D.C. and Harrisburg, Gov. Tom Wolf's 2018 budget address fell flat. Ezra Thursh (PennFuture photo) PennFuture applauds the governor for calling for an $11 million increase for environmental protection and conservation, but it's a drop in the bucket compared to the yawning investment deficit for protecting our water, air, land, and climate. Rather than chartering a new path for environmental prosperity, Wolf instead paid special attention to attracting the petrochemical industry to Pennsylvania, one of the most polluting and harmful in the United States. State funding for our environmental protection agencies - the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) - pale in comparison their peak funding well over a decade ago. Policy leaders on both sides of the aisle have cut both agencies' budgets so severely that DEP itself has lost nearly 800 jobs and 40 percent of its funding. This could make sense if the Commonwealth's environmental degradation was vastly improving and new challenges were easily being dealt with, but that is furthest from the truth. Pennsylvania's environmental challenges are growing and it's clear that our protection agencies are not at capacity to address them to the fullest extent. There are far less state regulators providing a watchful eye over big polluters, even though Pennsylvania faces a sprawling pipeline infrastructure buildout, dozens of new power plants under development, and a hulking cracker plant under construction in Beaver County, just north of Pittsburgh. Allegheny County stands among the top 10 most-polluted places in the nation with regard to year-round particulate pollution, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the American Lung Association, giving it a failing grade, yet Wolf continues to tout his support for an industry that will only make it worse. Federal regulators warn that state agencies are so underfunded, they can't possibly monitor safe drinking water standards, leaving children and families at risk. Most streams aren't protected from stormwater runoff. And the state continues to dangerously pollute the Susquehanna River basin to the detriment of its ecology, recreation, and economic impact. The governor's special attention to the Shell Global cracker plant in Beaver County is of particular concern. It's no less than advocating for a petrochemical project that sets the stage for Southwestern Pennsylvania to become the country's newest Cancer Alley, rather than moving the region forward from its polluted history. Pennsylvanians deserve more than the false choice that's being peddled between jobs and lives free from the same toxins and carcinogens. Pennsylvania can have good-paying jobs that don't harm its neighbors, children, air, and water, but our elected leaders have to fight for them. This year's budget address was certainly not a battle cry for providing a future safe from pollution. Those who believe budgets are values statements would be led to judge the governor is more interested in the profits of big polluters over the clean air and water of his constituents. We ask that the Wolf administration look beyond promoting polluting industries of the past and instead level the playing field with cleaner, more innovative kinds of industries that are rapidly growing around the country and world, such as clean energy. As the Keystone State, Pennsylvania could be the nationwide leader in workforce development, engaging communities and higher education institutions to create new and engaging curricula and public investments in research and development for clean energy jobs. Pennsylvanians know that solar and wind energy is the way of the future and these sectors already see significant job growth. We applaud the governor for proposing to double the budget contributions to the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, the Delaware River Basin Commission, and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, which will greatly benefit the water quality and sustainability of our precious water resources and storied watersheds. This move is critical as Pennsylvanians enjoy tourism from paddling and fishing in these regions' headwaters and challenges to water quality continue to be moving targets for the commonwealth. The Delaware River basin alone contributes $8.6 billion to Pennsylvania's economy and $6.8 billion is contributed by activity and recreation in the Susquehanna River Basin. Moreover, millions of Pennsylvanians rely on these waterways for their drinking water and any compromise on their protections is unacceptable. We thank the Governor for his continued support for Chesapeake Bay restoration work and funding programs to clean our local streams and rivers. We believe strongly it's up to the General Assembly to take bold steps and create a dedicated water fund for best management practices and stewardship projects this year. As we wade into the thick of budget hearings and negotiations, we remind Wolf and the General Assembly that our health and environment are not bargaining chips or funds from which one is authorized to pull at his or her leisure. As taxpayers, we expect our elected officials to be good stewards of our environment as we are expected individually. Nevertheless, the Wolf administration's budget proposal and the Legislature's policy priorities do not reflect strong stewardship of these resources. This week's budget proposal starts the months-long conversation between the Governor's Office and General Assembly on how our state invests its money for 2018. Let's invest in Pennsylvanians' health and our shared environment, while paving the way to a clean energy future. Ezra P. Thrush is director of policy for PennFuture, a Harrisburg-based environmental advocacy group. India has been trying to become an influential power, but has not yet succeeded. (File photo) Recently, the South Asian island country Maldives experienced a political crisis. The Indian Foreign Ministry demanded immediately that the Maldives administration "must respect and observe the Supreme Court's order." Analysts generally believe that the Maldives political crisis is another example of Indias interference in the domestic affairs of neighboring countries. For a long time, India has viewed South Asia as its sphere of influence and therefore has felt unhappy about the development of friendly relations and cooperation between its neighbors and other countries. Not long ago, Indian Army Chief of Staff General Bipin Rawat said that Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan should stand with India, and India should fully support these countries in response to China's influence. Currently, Bhutan's diplomatic and military affairs are led by India. Indian troops are stationed in Bhutan and Bhutan must consult India on its foreign policy. Even though it is in the 21st century, India still follows the example of the British Empire and attempts to turn all of its neighboring countries in South Asia into Indian colonies. India's intervention in neighboring countries in South Asia is not only clearly reflected through its diplomacy but also through its actions, including military operations. In 1971, India launched the third Indo-Pakistani War. It divided Pakistan and supported Bangladesh's independence. In 1975, India sent troops to disperse the palace guard in Sikkim, imprisoned the king and turned Sikkim into an Indian state. In 1987, India sent troops to Sri Lanka to suppress the rebel "Tamil Tigers", a Tamil militant organization that was based in northeastern Sri Lanka. In 1988, a group of anti-government Maldivians assisted by armed mercenaries from Sri Lanka launched a military riot in the Maldives, and India dispatched an emergency paratroop force and put the situation under control. In recent years, the awakening of the sovereignty awareness in Asian countries clashed with India's desire for increased control. In order to protect their interests, some South Asian countries are trying to shake off India's control and develop all-round diplomacy with China and other major powers outside the region. Recently, two events were considered as a serious humiliation for India in its attempt to dominate South Asia. First, Maldives President Abdulla Yameen signed a free trade agreement with China and announced the nations intention to join the "Belt and Road Initiative." Second, Nepal enabled Internet access through China's fiber optic cable and thus ended Indias monopoly. Moreover, the Nepali government strongly supports the construction of the South Asian passageway advocated by China. In terms of relations with small South Asian countries, the difference between China and India is that China believes that all countries, whether big or small, are equal. China supports all South Asian countries to maintain domestic political stability and achieve true national independence. China also hopes to join hands with India to help small countries in South Asia develop their economy and raise peoples living standards. In fact, China's foreign policy is welcomed by all the people in South Asia, including the Indian people. They speak highly of China's policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of its neighboring countries and believe that Chinese-Indian cooperation would be conducive to safeguarding peace and stability in South Asia and would also help India achieve economic growth. India on the other hand is facing intensified domestic ethnic conflicts, demonstrations and other difficult issues. India is also at high risk of terrorist attacks. It is suggested that India should focus mainly on its domestic affairs. The Indian authorities should seriously consider abandoning the old "Greater India" idea and develop a new approach in the 21st century. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has rejected a Congressional map proposal submitted to him Friday by the state's top Republican legislative leaders. Wolf said by his team's analysis, the GOP proposal does not meet his standards for fairness. "The analysis by my team shows that, like the 2011 map, the map submitted to my office by Republican leaders is still a gerrymander," the governor said in a statement. "Their map clearly seeks to benefit one political party, which is the essence of why the court found the current map to be unconstitutional." Wolf could now submit his own proposal for new lines for Pennsylvania's 18 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives directly to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, though the statement stopped short of saying that. The state's current Congressional lines were ruled unconstitutional by the court last month. Barring some kind of 11th-hour agreement at the Capitol, the court has declared its intent to impose a new set of Congressional maps by next Monday for use in the primary. There is still a narrow window for direct negotiations between Wolf and legislative leaders. They also could conceivably buy more time for themselves to strike a middle ground by agreeing to move the May 15 primary date to later in the spring. But barring that, the court has reserved the right to impose lines for the May 15 primary. The ongoing controversy stems from a challenge brought against Pennsylvania's gerrymandered Congressional lines last year by 18 Democratic voters from around the state who alleged the current maps - in use since 2011 - violate the state Constitution's guarantee of "free and equal" elections. The court found in the plaintiff's favor by a 5-2 majority. A second, 4-3 majority held that new maps should be put in place in time for this spring's primary. As the elections calendar now stands, Congressional candidates are scheduled to start gathering voter signatures needed to gain positions on the primary election ballots by Feb. 27. Colten Boushie is shown in an undated handout photo. Jade Tootoosis says her family has ???little to no faith??? in Canada's justice system following the acquittal of the man charged in the shooting death of her cousin, Colten Boushie. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO Raymond Cormier is seen in this photo taken of evidence provided by the Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench in Winnipeg on Friday, February 2, 2018. Raymond Cormier has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the August 2014 death of Tina Fontaine, a 15-year-old Indigenous girl. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Steve Lambert The Maldives, known for its pristine beaches and amazing underwater reefs, is in a state of emergency. Meanwhile its neighboring country is publicly and immodestly discussing whether to interfere in its domestic affairs. Facing the tense situation in Male, India should exercise restraint. The Maldives is trapped in turmoil. This is the country's internal affairs and China firmly opposes outside interference. More than that, China should take necessary measures to stop India if New Delhi moves to intervene militarily. China is not fighting the concept of India's sphere of influence. Some Indians are pondering a military intervention. However, it does not accord with basic norms governing international relations, which includes respecting other countries' sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and the principle of noninterference in the internal affairs of other states. If the situation in the Maldives deteriorates, solutions should be made using international mechanisms. Unilateral military interference has already jeopardized the current global order. On November 1988, a group of anti-government Maldivians assisted by armed mercenaries from Sri Lanka, launched a military riot in Male, attempting to overthrow the government. New Delhi answered the Maldivian president's call for help, dispatched 1,600 troops by air and put the situation under control. Some say India saved the Maldives' government. Others tend to believe the operation provided New Delhi with a chance to spread its hegemony. The Maldives' dependence on India for security since then has made New Delhi grow arrogant and bring Male into its sphere of influence. But Male is tired of New Delhi, which at all times tries to dominate Maldives' politics. Since Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen assumed office in 2013, the nation has proactively interacted with the US, China, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, gradually heading toward more independent and balanced diplomacy. This apparently irritated India. Perhaps New Delhi has been seeking an opportunity to showcase its military again in its "backyard." Without UN empowerment, there would be no righteous cause for any armed force to intervene. China will not interfere in the internal affairs of the Maldives, but that does not mean that Beijing will sit idly by as New Delhi breaks the principle. If India one-sidedly sends troops to the Maldives, China will take action to stop New Delhi. India should not underestimate China's opposition to unilateral military intervention. This image made from a video, shows parliament house damaged by Cyclone Gita in NukuAoalofa, Tonga Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. Tonga began cleaning up Tuesday after a cyclone hit overnight, while some people in the nearby Pacific nation of Fiji began preparing for the storm to hit them. (TVNZ via AP) In this Jan. 29, 2018, photo, A Myanmar Muslim boy prays at a mosque in Yangon, Myanmar. Far from the violence and vengeance unfolding in MyanmarAos far west, Rohingya Muslims who once felt relatively safe in Yangon describe a sense of rising persecution and hatred, of vanishing freedoms and opportunities, of Buddhist neighbors and friends who are suddenly much more willing to voice sympathies with the militaryAos campaign in Rakhine state. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw) Indians take advantage of miscues to claim first victory St. Vincent found itself down two scores midway through the third quarter, and despite the deficit, coach Tim Schumer was calm.The game was not over at that point, you have to play four Rushing attack leads Pirates to win over Owls The Perryville football team is quickly turning into a M.A.S.H. unit. With several players already nursing injuries from the previous week, they also threw in other players who were in quarantine. A new lawsuit is been filed to put ExxonMobil US$18M signing bonus in Guyana's Consolidated Fund By Abena Rockcliffe-Campbell GEORGETOWN Petroleumworld 02 13 2018 Further litigation to force the transfer of the US$18M signing bonus into the consolidated fund has been brought against the APNU+AFC Government. An application to this effect has been filed in the name of Former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall. The proceedings were filed yesterday and are fixed for hearing before the Chief Justice on the 13th of March. The court document seen by Kaieteur News notes that Nandlall is seeking a declaration from the court that the deposit of US$18M received from ExxonMobil as a Signature Bonus, pursuant to Clause 33 of the Petroleum Sharing Agreement into an account within the Bank of Guyana, designated in writing by the Minister of Finance and not in the Consolidated Fund, is contrary to and in violation of the spirit of Article 216 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and Section 38 (i) of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, Chapter 73:02, Laws of Guyana and is accordingly, unconstitutional, unlawful and illegal. Nandlall also wants an order directing the Minister of Finance to forthwith transfer and deposit into the Consolidated Fund, the said US$18M. The grounds of the application are that Nandlall is the former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs and that he is a Member of Parliament. It was noted that Nandlall's parliamentary duties include the scrutiny of actions and omissions of the Executive Government with a view to ensure that there is compliance with the Constitution and the laws of Guyana. The court document stated that Article 216 of the Constitution provides All revenues or other moneys raised or received by Guyana (not being revenues or other moneys that are payable, by or under an Act of Parliament, into some other fund established for any specific purpose or that may, by or under such an Act, be retained by the authority that received them for the purpose of defraying the expenses of that authority) shall be paid into and form one Consolidated Fund. And, Section 38 of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, Chapter 73:02, provides, All public moneys raised or received by the Government shall be credited fully and promptly to the Consolidated Fund, exceptmoneys credited to an Extra budgetary Fund as stipulated in the enabling legislation establishing that fund; moneys credited to a Deposit Fund. Nandlall said that the US$18M fall within the category of revenues or other monies contemplated by Article 216 of the Constitution as well as all public moneys contemplated by Section 38 (1) of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, Chapter 73:02, and accordingly, must be credited fully and promptly pay into and form one Consolidated Fund. OTHERS WELCOME Yesterday, Nandlall told Kaieteur News that he thinks his application was necessary. He acknowledged that there were previous efforts of a similar nature made by Transparency Initiative Guyana Inc. (TIGI). Nandlall said, My understanding, based on reports in the press, is that the learned Chief Justice felt that the proceedings filed were procedurally wrong and they were either dismissed or withdrawn. When TIGI withdrew its case, it promised to re-file. Nandlall said that TIGI can also go ahead with its application, as the law does not prohibit multiple challenges on the same illegality. For convenience, the court may wish to hear them together. Nandlall also said that TIGI is free to intervene as an interested party and join the cause. I would welcome such an intervention, not only by TIGI, but any organization whose interest coincides with ours. Nandlall said that the government has had every opportunity to do the correct thing which is to deposit the money into the consolidated fund as the Constitution and Fiscal Management and Accountability Act mandate. But the government refuses to do so. So these proceedings are intended to compel them to comply with the law and the Constitution. The lawyers stressed that the government violated the constitution, and such violation should not be tolerated by any society especially by those who, while in opposition, every day use to complain about unconstitutionality. The difference between now and then, is that we are challenging the unconstitutionality in the court. They used to speak about it in the press only, they never once filed any legal proceeding against any of the things they complained about. We challenge what we complain about. Story by Abena Rockcliffe-Campbell from Kaieter News Kaieteurnewsonline.com 02 13 2018 Copyright 1999-2017 Petroleumworld or respective author or news agency. All rights reserved. We welcome the use of Petroleumworld (PW) stories by anyone provided it mentions Petroleumworld.com as the source. Other stories you have to get authorization by its authors. Internet web links to http://www.petroleumworld.com are appreciated. Petroleumworld welcomes your feedback and comments, share your thoughts on this article, your feedback is important to us! We invite all our readers to share with us their views and comments about this article. Write to editor@petroleumworld.com By using this link, you agree to allow PW to publish your comments on our letters page. Any question or suggestions, please write to: editor@petroleumworld.com Best Viewed with IE 5.01+ Windows NT 4.0, '95, '98,ME,XP, Vista, Windows 7,8,10 +/ 800x600 pixels Puerto Rico hit by a partial blackout due to fire at power substation By Reuters BENGALURU P etroleumworld 02 12 2018 Parts of northern Puerto Rico on Sunday were left in the dark after a mechanical failure caused a fire at a power substation, CNN reported, citing authorities. The fire impacted sections of San Juan, Trujillo Alto, Guaynabo, Carolina, Caguas, and Juncos, CNN reported, citing Puerto Rico's Electric Power Authority (PREPA) spokesman Carlos Monroig. cnn.it/2BUHjJG It appears fire has almost totally been extinguished and the cooling phase is beginning. No injured reported, San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz said on Twitter. The majority of customers would have power restored Sunday night, Monroig told CNN. Communities powered by substations Villa Betina and Quebrada Negrito would likely be without power until Monday afternoon, he added. CNN reported that 400 megawatts of power generation had been lost, citing a tweet posted by PREPA. Reuters was not immediately able to reach PREPA for a comment. Puerto Rico is struggling to recover from Hurricane Maria, which hit on Sept 20. The storm killed dozens and left the entire island without power at a time when it was already trudging through the largest government bankruptcy in the United States history, with some $120 billion in combined bond and pension debt. Shale oil surge won't thwart plan to clear glut -OPEC President Matthew Busch/Bloomberg Machinery used to fracture shale formations stands at a Royal Dutch Shell Plc hydraulic fracking site near Mentone, Texas, U.S., on Thursday, March 2, 2017. U.S. shale won't be huge distorter' for oil market: Mazrouei. Stronger demand, compliance with oil cuts seen to buoy prices. - Watch Video By Mahmoud Habboush, Wael Mahdi, Salma El Wardany, and Tamim Elyan ABU DABHI/ KUWAIT/CAIRO Petroleumworld 02 13 2018 Surging output of U.S. shale oil won't be a huge distorter of efforts by global crude producers to clear a glut, according to OPEC's president. The market should re-balance this year, given robust demand and producers' compliance with their pledges to curtail supply, United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei, currently the president of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, said Monday in an interview in Dubai. The market is on course to restoring balance for the first time since 2014, OPEC's Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo said at a conference in Cairo. Oil demand is set to grow by 1.6 million barrels a day in 2018, the same level as last year, and crude inventories are continuing to dwindle as OPEC and other producers pursue their output cuts until the end of the year, Barkindo said Monday. Venezuela is proposing that OPEC seek a five-year deal for cooperation on output with allied producers beyond 2018, he said. Venezuelans see that the cooperation with non-OPEC producers shouldn't end, Barkindo told reporters in Cairo. They have put forward a proposal for the time frame of the cooperation, and that was five years. But this proposal isn't final, and it's a work in progress. Inventories in Focus Oil was rebounding from its biggest weekly decline in two years, though gains were limited due to concerns over a resurgence in U.S. shale. The U.S. oil rig count rose last week by 26, the most in a year, to 791, Baker Hughes data showed on Friday. American weekly crude output topped 10 million barrels a day for the first time on record, and the U.S. government forecasts it will balloon to 11 million later this year. Such an increase would complicate efforts by OPEC, Russia and other producers to prop up crude prices by curtailing supply. The producers agreed in November to extend self-imposed limits on output until the end of this year, seeking to counter a glut fed partly by U.S. shale drillers. Shale is coming and the expectation is that it will come stronger than in 2017, and this is something that we have to watch, Al Mazrouei said. But considering all factors, I don't think it will be a huge distorter of the market. What concerns us today is the level of inventories that we need to achieve the five-year average, and I see the market going in that direction and achieving balance, he said. How long it will take depends on how long the increase in shale production will take. Participants in the oil-cuts accord aim for global crude inventories to fall to the average level of the past five years. Unprecedented Conformity' Demand for this year is expected to be good, if not better than 2017, Al Mazrouei said. This, together with good economic indicators and compliance with output cuts, indicate that the crude market will balance within the year, he said. Barkindo said producers' unprecedented conformity with their targets for reducing output is driving progress toward a balance market. Compliance reached a record level of 129 percent in December, for a monthly average of 107 percent last year, and preliminary estimates show that compliance in January will surpass December's level, he said. Oil prices are currently at less than half their 2014 peak, with benchmark Brent crude futures up 1.2 percent at $63.53 a barrel in London at 4:06 p.m. local time. Brent tumbled 8.4 percent last week, in the second consecutive weekly loss. Brazil to defend Guyana if Venezuela invade the disputed Essequibo area Caribbean News Now The defence teams from Guyana (L) and Brazil meeting in Georgetown . The United News of Suriname on Monday reported that the Brazilian mission to Guyana pledged military support to defend Guyana in case Venezuela undertook an attempt to invade the disputed Essequibo area. By Caribbean News Now GEORGETOWN, Guyana Petroleumworld 02 13 2018 As events take shape beneath the surface of the border dispute between Venezuela and Guyana, on February 7, Brazilian President Michel Temer sent a high level delegation to Guyana and Suriname to pledge military support to defend Guyana in case Venezuela attempted to invade the disputed Essequibo area. The situation was very tense in Georgetown last week, said one diplomat, as Guyana was briefed on a planned Venezuela invasion by Brazil's defence minister Raul Jungmann, justice minister Torquato Jardim and institutional security cabinet chief Sergio Etchegoyen. According to the Brazilian news agency, The visit's purpose was to discuss border security with the Guyanese and Surinamese governments. However, an unconfirmed report in Brazilian newspaper O Antagonista claimed the real reason behind the visit was to share information that Brazil's intelligence services had learned about Venezuela considering a military incursion into Guyana. This was confirmed by Stratfor and United News of Suriname and diplomats in Georgetown, New York, and Paramaribo. In Georgetown, the Brazilian defence minister said, As in anywhere else in the world, there is no place for force or opposition but we have to enforce international rights of sovereignty (and) we will need to make an effort to get it done. And making a point to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Jungmann added, Brazil believes in the establishment of borders within all ways; the principle of diplomacy; respect for sovereignty; independence; and our endurance between us and our neighbours. The United News of Suriname on Monday reported that the Brazilian mission to Guyana pledged military support to defend Guyana in case Venezuela undertook an attempt to invade the disputed Essequibo area. Jungmann also sought to ascertain Suriname's position on the Guyana-Venezuela controversy as it relates to the UN secretary general's decision to send the issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). According to media reports, Suriname's President Desi Bouterse has decided not to choose a party. Suriname is a friend of both Guyana and Venezuela. Since its independence in 1966, Guyana has scored two major diplomatic victories to protect its territorial sovereignty. The Venezuela/Guyana border controversy, which was settled a century ago but which Venezuela has reopened, has now been referred to the ICJ and that ruling will be binding, diplomats said. The second is Brazil's pledge to defend its northern neighbour against any plans by Maduro to invade Guyana. Guyana now has an ally in Brasilia in the shape of President Temer, whose government has had strained ties with the Maduro government in Venezuela over its authoritarian governance and destruction of Venezuela's democratic institutions. Venezuela has become more and more isolated from its South American neighbours. Jungmann praised the level of friendship between Brazil and Guyana. He said, Brazil wants strong neighbours. Brazil wants democratic countries and justice Brazil will be responsible within the limits of our ability where necessary, a word of consolation, a word of reasoning, a word of compromise It's not by accident we're here today. I will take this day always in my memory, the memory of this special day, this day of peace and and pray that it would be like this always In 2015, following two decrees issued by Venezuela asserting that country's claim on most of Guyana's exclusive economic zone, Ambassador Lineu Pupo De Paula of Brazil said, I firmly believe that in the 21st century there is no place for old territorial disputes. Guyana has the right and I agree that the government has a duty to seek the development of the country. The common goal should be the welfare of all peoples of the region. South America is a place of peace and will continue to be because Brazil will not accept any turmoil in its borders. Guyana expressed its gratitude not only to Jungmann for his personal diligence in the strengthening of ties between the two countries but his nation's show of commitment to the preservation of South America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace, the promotion of respect for international law and the inviolability of treaties, international peacekeeping, humanitarian and disaster relief and the consolidation of defence cooperation with Guyana. Meanwhile, Guyana isn't pleased with Suriname's silence on the issue and talk of a Venezuela/Suriname alliance. Suriname, like Guyana, is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Guyana and Suriname have strong people to people ties, and they are continental neighbours. Guyana's economic success and especially its future oil and gas revenue will help develop the economy of Suriname as well. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Monday any possible negotiations with North Korea over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs can only happen if North Korea shows it is ready to engage in meaningful talks. "I think it's too early to judge," Tillerson said during a visit to Egypt. "As we've said for some time, it's really up to the North Koreans to decide when they're ready to engage with us in a sincere way, a meaningful way. They know what has to be on the table for conversations." Tillerson spoke at a joint news conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry after the two diplomats discussed regional security issues such as Libya and Syria, as well as the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Tillerson said the Egyptian people should be confident in the continuing U.S. commitment to supporting Egypt in fighting terrorism. "Our joint commitment to defeat ISIS is steadfast and there has been no gap between Egypt and the United States in our joint efforts to confront terrorists and extremism in the region, but most specifically here in Egypt as well," he said, using an acronym for the Islamic State group. Tillerson is due to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi on the first stop of his five-country Middle East trip. He is also visiting Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, and Kuwait. Sissi is widely expected to win re-election next month after most candidates believed to represent a serious challenge have dropped out of the race, including several who were arrested or faced pressure to withdraw. When asked questions about how fair the vote will be, Tillerson said the United States has always supported free and fair elections in any country, including Egypt. "So the U.S. is always going to advocate for an electoral process that respects the rights of its citizens to make the choices the citizens want to make and the full participation of citizens in those elections," he said. Shoukry said certain human rights groups that criticized the electoral climate in Egypt lacked information and "direct association" with Egyptian society. "It is the Egyptian people who should determine how they are applying their freedoms and their political activism," Shoukry said. The maker of Knex construction toys has been sold to Basic Fun!, a Boca Raton roll-up of toy manufacturers. Read more Basic Fun!, a Boca Raton, Fla., toy and novelty company bought the assets of K'nex, a Hatfield maker of construction toys, at a Jan. 29 auction, the buyer said Monday. The price was not disclosed by PNC Bank, which auctioned the assets of K'nex. PNC said in a legal notice last month that it had received a $21 million offer for K'nex. Members of the Glickman family, who own Rodon Group, a plastics injection-manufacturing company in Hatfield, founded K'nex in 1992. Rodon will continue manufacturing the toys under a long-term agreement, Basic Fun! said. Basic Fun!, which is a roll-up of toy manufacturers, also said it will maintain the K'nex office and distribution center in Hatfield. The deal for K'nex includes classic toy brands Lincoln Logs and Tinkertoy. It's too easy to forget about Susanna Foo, in part because there is so much competition these days, but also because she now concedes she did not have her kitchen staff where it needed to be when she made her unremarkable Center City comeback at SuGa two years ago in partnership with her son Gabe. But a recent visit for brunch was a happy reminder that one of the legendary elders of Philly's restaurant revolution is still actively evolving what she does. Instead of relying on the upscale fusion fare that shot her to national acclaim as an innovator in the late 1980s, Foo, in recognizing the increasing awareness of authentic Chinese regional cooking, has decided to "go back to my roots" and draw more direct inspiration from her annual return trips to Taiwan and the Chinese mainland. Tasting events featuring high-quality regional teas (Feb. 28) reflect one of her great passions. On the menu, meanwhile, new items showcase her distinctive takes on dishes from her travels, interpreted with the kind of Western refinements she brought to her upscale dining room when it was one of the best destinations on Walnut Street. For example, the tripe and tongue have been deleted from her version of cold fu qi fei pian beef salad, but the thinly shaved "ma la beef shank" is still one of the most tender and flavorful I've tasted, red cooked for hours in Chinese wine with Sichuan peppercorns and star anise before it's cut into thin pads splashed with a complex brew of roasted chili oil lightened by a Vietnamese lime vinaigrette tinged with fish sauce and jalapenos. A deep-fried surprise of crispy salt and pepper pork was inspired by a popular dish she saw on her recent trip to Taipei. As always, it's Foo's attention to technique and details that elevate her rendition. Medallions of Pennsylvania pork loin are tenderized in a gingery marinade of brandy and soy, then crisped to order in a tapioca flour batter for extra crunch. Dusted in aromatic spice salt touched with peppercorns, fennel, and coriander, then a red and green confetti of spicy-sweet peppers and scallions, it's as festive as it is flavorful. As the centerpiece of one of the restaurant's $12 lunch and brunch bento boxes including soup and rice it's also a tremendous bargain, which was never a word often associated with Susanna Foo. But this legendary chef won't be forgotten: She's still ready to compete. Craig LaBan Cold and spicy ma la beef shank appetizer, $9; salt and pepper pork tenderloin bento box, $12 at lunch and brunch ($17 dinner entree), SuGa, 1720 Sansom St., 215-717-8968; sugabyfoo.com Former first lady Michelle Obama and former President Barack Obama pose with artists Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald during the unveiling of their official portraits at the National Portrait Gallery on Monday, February 12, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Read more When I first saw the paintings of Barack and Michelle Obama on Monday morning that were commissioned for the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery, I thought, "Wow." Then came, "I'm not so sure about this." Artist Kehinde Wiley's majestic floral interpretation of Barack Obama coolly leaning forward, legs apart in an ornate hardback chair, sans tie is not particularly presidential, is it? Shouldn't he be in a library? Shouldn't the Capitol be a shadowy figure in the background? I wanted him to look more austere. His face, albeit rendered older, does look like him. Right down to the ears. I wasn't sure what to make of Baltimore artist Amy Sherald's Michelle Obama, either. The former first lady dons a phenomenal geometric halter gown by New York designer Michelle Smith for Milly in Obama's grayscale portrait. But where is the definition in her arms? Where is her 100-watt smile? The hair is almost right. But quite frankly, she looks more like Kerry Washington than Mrs. O. Still, I continued to stare. And stare. And stare. And then it slowly started to make sense. These portraits the first ever to be commissioned by African American artists for the National Portrait Gallery aren't about me and how I want to remember the Obamas. Nor are they about you, or how you want to see them. They are the final piece of a legacy marked by breaking the mold. They are innovative. They are a shout-out to the Obamas' beautifully unconventional way of bending the rules. When Barack Obama's lifesize portrait takes its rightful place in the Portrait Gallery's America's Presidents exhibition, it will stand out in a sea of staid, oil-on-canvas sameness. Wiley, a 40-year-old portraitist whose work has been featured on Empire, is known for his paintings of everyday folks and rappers from Biggie Smalls to Big Daddy Kane placed in regal garb like Old Masters did, and sitting in larger than life backgrounds. Obama asked Wiley to tone down the grandeur, so instead of placing him on a Napoleonic horse, Wiley placed our former president at the center of a mess of blooming foliage. The floral background was deliberate. According to Wiley, the flowers are chrysanthemums, the official flower of Chicago; jasmine, a shrub native to Obama's childhood home in Hawaii; and the African blue lily, a nod to the former president's Kenyan father. Now picture all that unconventional coolness in a gallery filled with portraits of presidents past from Gilbert Stuart's George Washington (otherwise known as the Lansdowne portrait) to Robert W. Anderson's painting of his Yale classmate George W. Bush. There's a flavor never seen in an official presidential portrait before. "It's fantastic in the sense that it disrupts the very stiff uniformity of the white, middle-aged elderly man," said Ken Lum, chairman of the department of fine arts at the University of Pennsylvania. "It's both reverential and highly irreverent at the same time." Sherald's Michelle Obama is also a modern take on a classic fine art endeavor. Her portrait will also hang in the Smithsonian, but exactly where is yet to be determined. In 2016, Sherald won the Smithsonian's Outwin Boochever Portraiture Competition. University of Pennsylvania art history professor Gwendolyn Dubois Shaw, who wrote an essay for the competition's catalog, said Sherald's distinct style clearly connected with Michelle Obama. After all, a portrait is a negotiation between the sitter and the artist. Sherald "has a tendency to idealize her sitters in a way that does soften their features," Shaw told me. "It is also abstract in a way that is not unlike great illustrators in the past. It's not photo-realistic." While the portrait was spot on in capturing her elegance, the gravitas of Michelle Obama was somewhat lost. "If it was supposed to be a photograph, they would have commissioned a photograph, not a painting," Shaw said. Whatever you may think of the works, both portraits, Lum said, balk at the conventional system of representation when it comes to presidential portraiture. Both reveal aspects of the former president and first lady's personalities, a no-no in classic pictures. He's portrayed as being thoughtful but approachable, while she reveals a vulnerability that she could not show during her tenure in the White House. At the same time, the settings in the president's, it's the flowers; the first lady's, it's the voluminous gown are up for interpretation. In other words, Lum said, this use of iconography engages the viewer. Both pictures don't rely on neutral color schemes to tell the same story. And most important, Lum said, the viewer is empowered to create dialogue around the works. There is no right or wrong interpretation. "There was a lot of pressure for the Obamas to do the same old thing," Lum said. "Their choice to break the unwritten rules of portraiture was brave. It was different. And it will distinguish them." The Pennsylvania House is escaping reducing its size, despite having voted for reduction. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Read more I owe you an update, and you're probably not gonna like it. Last month, I wrote about an effort to reduce the size of the legislature. I wrote about it because it reached a critical point where one more vote could send the issue to a statewide ballot question this year. I wrote about it because legislative veterans, on background AND on the record, were saying, yep, this time it's happening, we're going to cut our size, save lots of money, increase efficiency, and show that reform is on the horizon. And in the second sentence of that column, I wrote, "I'm skeptical." Someday, I'd love to have my skepticism regarding politicians proven wrong. Today is not that day. If you missed it since it clearly was timed to be missed the GOP-run House last week dropped a poison pill into a bill to cut the House from 203 to 151. I've occasionally mentioned Pennsylvania's got the largest, most expensive, full-time legislature in America, costing you $300 million-plus annually for care and feeding, and giving taxpayers in return well, you tell me. Three Stooges-style entertainment? Anyway, on the eve of Gov. Wolf's budget address, and as the state political world and media chased after new congressional maps since our Supreme Court ruled current maps "palpably" unconstitutional, the House was voting on HB 153. It allows for a voter referendum to amend the state constitution to cut the House. Because of that, it needs to pass the House and Senate in two successive sessions. It passed both last session by wide margins. The Senate said if it passed the House this session, the Senate would pass it, too. So, we're all set, right? Nope. Just before 9 p.m. Feb. 5, State Rep. Gene DiGirolamo offered an amendment to also cut the Senate from 50 to 38. It passed, 114-81. It's a bill-killer. The Senate isn't going to cut its size because its size is reasonable. In fact, since we have 67 counties, makes sense to me to have 67 senators. And maybe no House at all. Unicameral, baby. Get things done. When I phone DiGirolamo, who voted last session to cut only the House, he says: "I figured you'd be calling on this." I say something like, "And I figure you've got a reasonable explanation for why you did what you did." "I've been practicing," he says, quickly adding, "Please don't use that." I laugh and say, Too late, it's too good. He offers this: "I think if we're going to do this, the Senate ought to be part of it." Then why, last time, vote only to cut the House? Never mind. It's because most lawmakers don't want to cut either chamber. Because even if they voted once to do so, when it comes to voting to do so for real they flip like fresh-caught fish on the slippery deck of a trawler. Last session, 139 House members of both parties voted to cut the House: 107 Republicans; 32 Democrats. Last week, only 81 members, all Republicans, voted to stop DiGirolamo's bill-killing amendment. Every Democrat voting supported it. (C'mon, think Democrats really want to cut government?) Politically, it's perfect. Saves the House. Saves all members. Flippers tell voters: "I voted to cut the legislature. Not only the size of my own chamber, but the other chamber as well. Please reelect me." And the beat goes on. I reached out to a few who voted one way then the other, among them Philly Republicans Martina White and John Taylor, and Montgomery County Democrat Matt Bradford. It won't surprise you to know they didn't reach back. The sponsor of the bill to cut the House, Schuylkill County Republican Jerry Knowles, says, "I'm very disappointed." And of his colleagues, "I don't know how they explain it back home." If interested, go to legis.state.pa.us. Find your legislator. Compare votes on HB 153 last session to votes on DiGirolamo's amendment last week. If your lawmaker voted "yes" on both, maybe ask why. Is there still time to get this to a ballot question. Technically, yes. Knowles says he's not giving up. He adds, "I'm not optimistic but I'm hopeful." As for me? Still skeptical. Philadelphia schools are ditching Styrofoam plates for school meals, a move that officials say will keep nine million lunch trays out of landfills. The new plate, shown here, is compostable. Read more Styrofoam cafeteria plates, the ubiquitous school-lunch staple, are a thing of the past in the Philadelphia School District. As of last month, the system switched to compostable round plates made from recycled paper, joining a small but growing number of school systems that have pulled off the change across the country. In the past, Philadelphia used 880,000 trays, plates, and bowls a month. All of them were destined for landfills after they were used, not breaking down for hundreds of years. The shift will keep nine million pieces of Styrofoam annually out of landfills, officials said. Businesses have moved away from polystyrene, which is made from nonrenewable petroleum, in recent years, but schools have been slower to do so. Philadelphia's school system, moving toward a smaller carbon footprint, has long wanted to ditch Styrofoam, but it was trapped by cost: Polystyrene is cheaper than the Earth-friendlier alternatives, and school food service operates on the narrowest of margins, feeding the district's 130,000 students cannot cost the operating budget fund a penny. Enter the Urban School Food Alliance, a coalition of the nation's largest district's food-service departments that has banded together to leverage their purchasing power and share tips on serving better food with better environmental practices. The group challenged the industry to come up with a compostable plate; a vendor in Maine came up with one at a price point districts can live with. "It was a game-changer for us," said Amy Virus, Philadelphia's assistant food services director. "They were able to negotiate really good pricing that we could piggyback on and purchase from the vendor. We're really excited about finally making this change." Philadelphia's move away from Styrofoam puts it in the vanguard. New York, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles also members of the Urban School Food Alliance have made the change. The new plate has five compartments, including a spot for a drink in the center. It's earned early raves from students, Virus said it's sturdier, and the drink compartment means that students no longer need to use both a tray and a plate to juggle their lunches. And where a side dish like mashed potatoes or green beans often ended up in a bowl, now those too have been replaced by the single plate. Compostable trays average $0.12 per piece, but the food-services group got the price down to about $0.05 each. That's still more expensive than the $0.04-per-item price for Styrofoam trays, but Virus said that because the district has largely eliminated the need for bowls and trays, it's able to absorb the price difference. For now, most of the district's trays still are going into the landfill, but they eventually will break down, and officials hope a four-school composting pilot expands. "We would love to have the schools and the students and staff on board to have more composting," Virus said. "This is a great potential opportunity." Wayne Grasela, the district's executive vice president for food services, said representatives from the alliance's partner school systems now speak weekly, sharing insights and looking at items they purchase in common and how they can get more for their money. "We're making sure we're getting the best value for the best cereal now, for instance," Virus said. "We're looking at lower-sugar cereals; that's the kind of collaborative work that can impact the food we're purchasing for our students." Next on the food coalition's list? The group is exploring losing plastic utensils in favor of compostable ones. Ninja Valentine deliverers close in on a classroom at Swarthmore College. Read more Who are those stealthily clad Ninjas creeping around one of the nation's most prestigious college campuses? Swarthmore College students, that's who. Their mission? Deliver Valentine's cards, affectionately known as Ninja Grams, sent by Swarthmore students and staff to students and staff. Their work comes with a price. Order just a card, it's $3. Want to add a truffle? Add a dollar. Oh, and if you'd like your Ninja deliverers to faux fight, that will be another $3. "There's also a discount for bulk," said Julia Morriss, 20, a chemistry and biology major, who was manning the "Ninja Central" desk on the 1,620-student campus in Delaware County last week. It's all for a good cause. This year, proceeds will be donated to Engineers Without Borders, which aids developing countries. Ninja-grams have been delivered at least since 2010 when more than $1,000 was raised for Haiti Community Support after a devastating earthquake. Among other efforts supported in past years were Animal Coalition of Delaware County and Hurricane Katrina Relief. Morris and her sidekick who would identify herself only by the sign she carried, "Just a Potted Plant" were among the Ninja deliverers sneaking around the campus on Friday in their black garb and balaclavas, toting colorful swords. They hand-carried red cards with a Ninja heart inked in black, burst into classrooms where heady subjects were being debated and delivered the goods to unsuspecting recipients. Sometimes they would prance and leap upon a fixture before laying down the card. "We're stealthy," explained Morriss, who is from Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y. "Most people think it's pretty fun. Most professors are pretty good about having us in there. We try not to be too disruptive, in and out in two minutes or less." A white board at Ninja Central noted classrooms where deliveries were not welcomed Bio 2, French 14, Physics 4, and Econ 21 largely because quizzes were scheduled, Morriss said. Academics still trump sweet nothings on a campus where only 10 percent of applicants are admitted. Ziv Stern, 20, a sophomore linguistics major from the Bronx, who was helping at Ninja Central, said students send the cards to friends or someone they want to embarrass a little bit. "I sent one to my roommate. She sent one to me," Morriss said. In a class on Arabic, recipient Coleman Powell, 20, a sophomore from Lowell, KY., smiled. "It's very heartfelt," Powell said. In another class, the female recipient looked less than pleased. "Some people think we're kind of annoying," Morriss acknowledged. Deliveries concluded on Friday; no more Ninjas on campus until next year. The Philadelphia Orchestra performs in 1992 with its music director at the time, Riccardo Muti, in the then-Frederic R. Mann Auditorium (now the Charles R. Bronfman Auditorium) in Israel. Read more Spinning the globe for a spot where it can play for a knowledgeable crowd, conduct cultural diplomacy, and woo some important patrons, the Philadelphia Orchestra has put its finger on Israel. The ensemble will perform in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa the first week in June, after another leg of the tour takes them to Vienna, Paris, and smaller European cities. The Philadelphians have been to Israel only once before, in 1992 as Riccardo Muti was ending his tenure as the orchestra's fifth music director. Its eighth, Yannick Nezet-Seguin, will lead this tour of 11 concerts starting May 24. Why Israel? The orchestra has focused much of its export power on China recently, and it started with the premise that putting all its eggs in that one basket might not be wise. "What we realized is the relationship we have with China is quite mature, and we have really strong connections in Washington and Beijing," said Ryan Fleur, the orchestra's interim copresident. "But if anything were to happen truly to United States-China relations that would prevent us from going, it's almost like all of that work would just be erased." So the orchestra began looking to other regions such as Mongolia, which it visited in 2017. "And then we started thinking about Israel," Fleur said. "Israel is unique because it has a cultural diplomacy angle. While thousands of Americans visit Israel and it's a great classical music location every soloist goes through there have not been a lot of foreign orchestral concerts." Since the country's founding, among major American orchestras, just the Philadelphia Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra have toured there, Fleur said. "In 70 years, that's it. Those are the only major American orchestras that have visited Israel." At the same time, the orchestra also wanted to build bridges with its Jewish supporters, from whom it was hearing it should do more for Israel, Fleur said. "We have had a spotty history, if you go back far enough it was 35 years before we allowed a Jewish board member, that sort of thing," he said, "and I think we've overcome that, it's pretty well represented. But there are still some trailing remnants of, 'Are we truly responsive to the Jewish community?' " The orchestra has made periodic overtures to the Jewish community since at least the early 1990s. In a previous era, music director Wolfgang Sawallisch and his wife raised money for Sheba Medical Center in Israel, and the orchestra staged concerts to celebrate the 50th and 60th anniversaries of Israel. "And a couple of years ago, we started to ask, what should we do for the 70th?" Fleur said. The orchestra is working with the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia on a patron tour for the Israel part of the trip. Israeli-born Philadelphia chef Michael Solomonov will lead a culinary experience running parallel to the musical one. "It's really different to come to Israel and hear the Philadelphia Orchestra," Fleur said. "It's also really different to come to Israel and have a personal experience with Michael Solomonov where he is selecting the restaurant and customizing a menu for you. There's one day when they are going out into the Negev [region], and he's going out into the desert and they're doing an open-pit barbecue, and shopping that morning, bringing the food down." The Israel portion of the trip is mostly supported by philanthropy between $1.5 million and $2 million from a group of donors. Part of the goal is to engage "different Philadelphians that have not been frankly actively involved with the orchestra, so there is a longer-term patron cultivation aspect to this," Fleur said. Concerts from Vienna, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem will be simulcast to the U.S. by WRTI-FM (90.1), and the Vienna and Tel Aviv performances will be recorded for delayed broadcast across Europe and Israel. Pianists Helene Grimaud and Jean-Yves Thibaudet will join the orchestra as soloists, as will organist Paul Jacobs. As usual, a delegation from the state and city will join the orchestra to promote trade and tourism. The orchestra is slated to perform two concerts at Vienna's Musikverein, and one intriguing additional possibility in Austria is that musicians might be able to connect with listeners other than the usual cognoscenti. "The cultural diplomacy side of when we are not on stage is very much about meeting the needs of the local community, and one of the things that has emerged is the desire for us to connect with Syrian migrants," Fleur said, adding that, though nothing is confirmed, the orchestra is trying to arrange chamber music and master classes. Europe is important to any major orchestra, and Philadelphia gets there every few years. "Periodically going to Europe, there are a lot of intangibles that are important for the artistic life of the orchestra," Fleur said. "When the orchestra plays in the Musikverein, where you can see where Brahms sat while he was writing his piano concerti and wrote his symphonies, it just fuels you in a different way." The non-concert-hall experiences, however, have grown in recent years, and the orchestra feels they pay other kinds of dividends. "The type of side-by-side activities that we stage and master classes, it's almost as much about the interactions that happen before the [main] musical ones that are as powerful, and it's the work that we use alongside cultural diplomacy in leveraging soft power. The Philadelphia Orchestra in many ways is a stronger advocate for the United States than the United States government is, because we can go anywhere and convey anything through music." Yehuda Hammer, 101, demonstrates part of his exercise routine 30 minutes on a recumbent cross trainer at the Lions Gate retirement community in Voorhees Township, N.J., on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. TIM TAI / Staff Photographer Read more Yehuda Hammer, who was born in 1916, strides into the fitness center at Lions Gate in Voorhees. He carries a cane, although he doesn't seem to need it. "Not always I can move so quick," he explains, setting the cane against the wall. "When you're old, you're old." But when you're an active, independent, sharp-minded centenarian who spends an hour a day working out on cross-training, chest press, and universal machines, even being very old can seem relative. And while classical music is playing and no clang-and-bang of free weights can be heard in this fitness room it's not a pumping iron, thumping soundtrack sort of gym Hammer's exertions have paid off. "He has the muscle strength of a 40-year-old," says his physician, Kevin Overbeck, 41. "His bicep strength is remarkable." So is the man himself. A widower with one surviving child, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, Hammer was born in Poland, survived the Holocaust, and endured being imprisoned in Stalin's Russia. The anti-Semitism he experienced in his youth convinced him of the need for a Jewish state, and he became a Zionist at age 17. He moved to what is now Israel in 1947 and participated in the refugee resettlement effort made famous by the book and the movie, Exodus; he immigrated to the United States in 1960 and worked mostly as a tailor. Original paintings by Israeli artists are prominently displayed in his apartment in Lions Gate's independent living section. Hammer moved there from his Long Island home in 2014, at age 98. "That's the Golan Heights," he says, pointing to a particularly handsome canvas on the wall as he arranges family photos on the dining room table. It's a busy morning: Hammer is entertaining a newspaper columnist, a photographer, his doctor, and several officials of Lions Gate. He's gracious and seemingly unfazed by it all, although anxious to start his workout. I want to be this guy when I grow up. "There's no secret," Hammer says. "I'm a simple person." He is, however, a big believer in exercising and stretching before he gets out of bed in the morning. He says it gets the blood flowing and gives him energy to start the day. "Before I exercise [in bed], I'm lame," he says. "Exercise makes me able to move." Hammer also walks regularly, although he doesn't use the Lions Gate pool because he's "not a good swimmer." He stays busy, enjoys the company of other people, and says life's adversities have made him stronger. "I never was sick. Maybe a cold, a running nose. But I never was in the hospital," he says. "And I always in my life worked a lot." But he adds: "I want to tell you, It wasn't so easy." Down-to-earth and matter-of-fact, Hammer and his doctor share an easygoing rapport. "Mr. H has lived 60 years longer than I have. And I'm going to give him advice? I do a lot more listening." Overbeck says. "By listening to him, I can tell others what works and doesn't work." Overbeck is a primary care physician at Lions Gate and is a faculty member of the New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging at Rowan University's School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford. The institute provides comprehensive medical and psychiatric services from its satellite office at Lions Gate. The retirement community offers assisted living and skilled nursing care, as well as independent living, for about 400 people. "What the physicians learn in their practices at Lions Gate is not only translated into research but into educating future physicians," says Lauren Budesa, the institute's director of administration. Clinical experiences, observations, or insights Overbeck and his institute colleagues make at Lions Gate may be helpful in developing treatment approaches "that can be used in outpatient settings" for conditions such as dementia, Budesa says. Doctors in training "tend to encounter older people in the hospital, when they're at their weakest," Overbeck notes. "After I met Mr. Hammer, I started to think, what if your best self not necessarily your strongest self, but your best self is when you're 90. What if we continue to evolve decade by decade?" Not only the doctor has found Hammer inspiring; younger Lions Gate residents have, too. "Some folks who are 90-something see Mr. Hammer and tell me they've been working out," Overbeck says. "He's a tremendous influence on this community. "Maybe it's possible that Mr. Hammer is his best self today. At 101." The official Rodong Sinmun carried pictures on the front page every day of Kim Yo-jong talking or standing with President Moon Jae-in. It was the first time the Workers Party organ has ever published a picture of Moon. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister Yo-jong returned to a hero's welcome from South Korea on Sunday. They were greeted by senior party officials and military brass such as Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho, Kim Yong-chol, the head of the United Front Department and Armed Forces Minister Pak Yong-sik. The North Korean delegation to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics was welcomed back by honor guards at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport on Sunday night. The official [North] Korean Central News Agency said their visit to South Korea "aroused expectations at home and abroad, and provided meaningful momentum to improve inter-Korean relations and create a peaceful environment on the Korean Peninsula." In its Sunday's edition, the Rodong Sinmun carried several pictures showing Kim Yo-jong's whole itinerary in South Korea. But another regime mouthpiece threatened, "The inter-Korean relations will break up if the nuclear issue is brought up." "It is benighted and spineless" for the South Korean defense and foreign chiefs "to recklessly disparage and humiliate our nuclear weapons -- the sword of the nation and the symbol of peace," the Uriminzokkiri website said. "South Korean authorities should clearly understand that consequences undesirable for the inter-Korean relations will arise, if they irritate their dialogue partner," it added. State Rep. Todd Stephens (R., Montgomery), right, speaks Monday, Feb. 12, 2018, during a Philly Neighborhood Small Business Council meeting at the Saigon Maxim restaurant in South Philadelphia about a state bill he introduced that would allow beer delis and other businesses to keep or erect interior bullet-resistant windows for workplace safety. Philadelphia City Councilman At-Large David Oh also spoke in favor of employers rights to install the protective windows. Read more John Kuch, a beer deli owner in Crescentville, received a letter about a week ago from the city's Department of Licenses and Inspections advising him that he would need a new food license to continue operating the same way. He'd have to request an "eligibility inspection" by Thursday, and an inspector would visit by March 31. The letter, which followed a City Council bill passed in December aimed at ending so-called nuisance stop-and-go outlets and signed into law by Mayor Kenney, seemed simple enough. Kuch has the requisite 30 seats for customers and an accessible toilet for a Large Establishment license. But the letter said nothing about whether L&I eventually would order Kuch to remove his bullet-resistant interior window. City Councilwoman Cindy Bass had wanted such windows gone she called them "an indignity." But beer deli owners, many Asian American, said they need the windows for safety. A Council committee then amended the bill and instructed L&I to issue regulations by Jan. 1, 2021, for "the use or removal of any physical barrier" in places that sell food and alcohol. "Everybody is just feeling nervous right now, because we don't know what L&I is going to do to us," Kuch, 48, said Saturday of beer deli owners like him. Kuch said that around October, his deli was shot eight times after a gunman fired at another man outside. One bullet smashed through the glass front door; another went through a window, then was stopped by the interior bullet-resistant window. "Thanks to the plexiglass, or the employee would have been killed," Kuch, a native of Cambodia who lives in Crescentville, said in an interview last month. "It stopped a bullet." The issue loomed large Monday for Kuch when he attended a meeting of the Philly Neighborhood Small Business Council at the Saigon Maxim restaurant on Washington Avenue in South Philadelphia. City Councilman David Oh, State Rep. Todd Stephens (R., Montgomery) and others spoke about the bullet-resistant windows among topics affecting small businesses. Stephens has emerged as an ally for the city merchants. The former Montgomery County prosecutor said in a January interview that the bullet-resistant window issue is "very personal" for him because some Philadelphia beer deli owners are his constituents and because no business owner "should be forced to choose between living and making a living." As an assistant district attorney, Stephens prosecuted the seven defendants charged in the 2009 murder of Robert Chae, 58, a Philadelphia beauty-supply store owner who was suffocated during a robbery at his Montgomery Township home. On Friday, Stephens introduced legislation in Harrisburg that could circumvent Bass' efforts to tear down the deli windows. If passed, it would let employers implement workplace-violence-prevention policies and safeguards including installing bullet-resistant windows. Steve Miskin, spokesman for the state House Republicans, did not respond to an email Monday asking whether Stephens' bill would have enough support to pass the House. At Monday's small-business meeting, Stephens said that when he heard about Bass' bill last year, he thought it was "never going to happen. Who in their right mind would tell employers they can't use bulletproof safety glass?" His state bill, he said, "is a no-brainer. This is common sense. People need to be able to protect themselves and their employees." Meanwhile, Bill Chow, whose wife, Michelle Tran, runs the Wayne Junction Deli in Logan, told the elected officials at the meeting that his wife did not receive the L&I letter. Oh suggested that Chow call the city's 311 information line, which was one of the ways the letter advised merchants to sign up for an eligibility inspection. The letter advises food business owners that if they want to obtain a Large Establishment license and, by implication, sell alcohol they need to pass the inspection. Sae "Rich" Kim, 46, who owns the Broad Deli on Broad Street in North Philadelphia, did not attend the meeting, but said Saturday that he remains concerned that L&I still might order large food establishments in higher-crime neighborhoods to remove bullet-resistant windows. "Everything is a question mark right now," he said. "It just seems like we're being pushed back against the wall and there's no resolution here. At the end of the day, all we want to do is provide for our family and live the American dream. It just feels like we're being harassed and targeted." Any potential restrictions on the thick-plastic barrier windows would not affect takeouts or other small food establishments because Bass' bill only targeted businesses with 30 seats or more. But some business owners fear that if beer deli owners are told to remove their windows, other businesses could be ordered to do so. About 3:15 p.m. Jan. 21, a gunman was able to crawl through a rectangular opening between the counter and the partial safety-glass barrier at the Tasty Donuts shop in Frankford to get to the employees' side. While on the other side, the gunman shot a female employee, 38, in her back, injuring her. Before crawling back through the opening, the gunman stole a bucket that contained about $500 and fled with an accomplice, the shop owner said. Surveillance video inside the store captured images of the two men. Police have arrested the alleged gunman, but are still searching for his accomplice. The shop owner, a 59-year-old man who had come to the United States as a refugee from Cambodia, said in an interview at his shop four days after the shooting that the injured woman was recuperating. The owner, who was not present during the robbery and who asked not to be identified for safety reasons, said that after the shooting he closed his shop for a couple of days and had the bullet-resistant safety glass replaced. Before, the glass did not reach the ceiling; now, it does. Before, there was an extended rectangular opening above the counter; now, there are just two small openings in the glass at the counter for money and food to be exchanged. "I just thought it was safe around here," the owner said. District Attorney Larry Krasner is not releasing a list of 26 suspect police officers compiled under his predecessor, Seth Williams. Read more The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office last year secretly compiled a list of Philadelphia police officers with a history of lying, racial bias, or brutality, in a move to block them from testifying in court. The confidential list of about two dozen was assembled by prosecutors on a special Police Misconduct Review Committee at the order of former District Attorney Seth Williams, sources familiar with the roster said. . It was supposed to attack locally a national problem: police "testilying" falsifying evidence, framing suspects, and lying about it in court. The list has not been made public, but the sources said it included Reginald V. Graham, who in 2007 arrested the rapper Meek Mill, whose jailing for violating probation on those gun and drug charges has stirred widespread debate about the fairness of the criminal-justice system. It was not clear why Graham, 47, was put on the list. He retired from the force last year after making more than 400 arrests during his 22-year career. He declined to comment. The list was intended only for internal use, as a guide to determine when a potentially tainted officer's testimony should be used. Under the office's policy, front-line prosecutors were instructed to get top-level permission before calling such an officer. Prosecutors, according to sources, did not want to release the list out of concern for the officers' privacy rights and the broad impact it might have on past convictions involving the officers. Appellate lawyers for Mill were never told of the list or that Graham was on it, prosecutors acknowledged. The existence of the list also was kept from attorneys for hundreds of past defendants arrested by the officers the District Attorney's Office had identified as tainted. The list has not come into play since its creation because none of the flagged officers has recently brought an arrest into the system, sources said. District Attorney Larry Krasner last week confirmed the existence of the list in response to questions from the Inquirer and Daily News. He declined to name the officers on it, saying he was still reviewing the work of the police misconduct committee. Two sources who have seen the list said it includes a detective handling homicide cases. The district attorney said he would have a comprehensive plan for addressing problem officers and their testimony in three months. Krasner called the implementation "apparently ineffectual at best." According to District Attorney's Office sources, he believes the list represents an extremely limited snapshot of the problem of police misconduct on the 6,300-officer force. Kelley Hodge, who was Krasner's predecessor, said she was unaware of the specifics of the list, and declined to respond to Krasner's criticism. Williams, who is currently serving a federal prison for corruption, left office in June 2017. Krasner was elected later that year. The existence of the list could have significant implications for many defendants, prosecutors and taxpayers. After federal prosecutors and the FBI several years ago alleged that a group of Philadelphia narcotics offices had been framing suspects and stealing money and drugs, the District Attorney's Office agreed to drop 800 cases and free scores of convicted defendants. The City of Philadelphia has paid out at least $2 million so far to settle civil suits. The officers were eventually acquitted of the corruption charges, but the episode prompted Williams to declare he would not use their testimony in future trials. He also appointed top deputies to the six-member misconduct panel to consider how to handle testimony from officers who had been shown to be corrupt or untrustworthy. At that time, his staff argued that the office needed to develop a full policy about allegedly rogue officers rather than making decisions "willy nilly," as one source said. In creating a list of tainted officers, the misconduct committee limited the selection to officers disciplined since August 2016. The committee focused primarily on officers found guilty by the Police Board of Inquiry of selected serious offenses such as lying, violence, and abuse of power. The first names were put on the roster in January 2017. Because of its limited review period, the list does not include the six officers caught up in the earlier FBI investigation of the narcotics unit. A tiny subset on the list was of police awaiting trial on criminal offenses, such as an off-duty drunken driving arrest, sources said. For this cohort, the policy called for notifying defense attorneys of such arrests but put few restrictions on the officers' testimony. In cases involving officers with a pattern of misconduct, front-line prosecutors were to obtain permission from the top officials of the District Attorneys Office before using their testimony, sources said. The creation of such a list is not without precedent. Prosecutors in the Seattle area, among other regions, have for a decade kept a list of rogue officers. A spokesman for Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 said the union was unaware of the list. "But if there is a list, we want to see the list, and we would like every opportunity to vet the list," said spokesman Mike Neilon. In interviews last week, defense lawyers roundly criticized prosecutors for keeping the policy secret and the list hidden. "The list has never been acknowledged to exist, though it has been requested repeatedly by me and other attorneys," said Bradley S. Bridge, a top attorney for the Public Defender's Office in Philadelphia. Bridge and other defense lawyers said it was essential for their clients to know if police had a pattern of lying or worse. Among his clients, Bridge represents a 27-year-old woman arrested on drug charges by Graham, the officer who arrested Mill in 2007 and was since put on the list. Bridge said he expects to file a court petition to determine if his client deserves a new trial and should be freed from prison. Graham was the only officer who testified against the woman at trial. Sources familiar with the police misconduct committee said it had been working on a process to review past cases involving the officers on the list and determine how to notify convicted defendants that tainted officers were involved in their cases. Although police disciplinary records are secret and it's unclear why Graham landed on the roster last year, one of his former partners testified about him in a series of sworn depositions in October 2016. "I would steal with Reggie Graham," said former narcotics officer Jeffrey Walker, who was convicted of police corruption and spent two years in prison. "There was stealing in that whole squad, but these are the people I was basically breaking bread with." In his deposition, Walker was answering questions from Krasner, who was sworn in as district attorney in January but at the time was the lead attorney in litigation against the city over the alleged abuses. Walker was the lead witness in 2015 when federal prosecutors brought their much-publicized case against the six police officers. Walker himself pleaded guilty to corruption charges. A jury, in acquitting his six former colleagues, rejected testimony he offered as part of the government's case. Still, his sworn accounts of crimes he and others committed while working on the narcotics squad factored into the city's decision last year to settle dozens of lawsuits, paying between $15,000 and $625,000 to former defendants. Graham, who has repeatedly called Walker a liar, was not charged with any crimes. He took early retirement in March last year. Four months later, his name was put on the misconduct panel's list. In 2007, a decade before Graham would land on the list, he was a narcotics officer about halfway through his career when he arrested Mill, then 19 and whose birth name is Robert Rihmeek Williams. Mill, whose music has sold tens of thousands of CDs and downloads, is currently in a state prison in Chester. Mill's lawyer, Joseph Tacopina of New York City, declined comment for this story. Court records show Mill's conviction was based almost entirely on the word of Graham. He was the only one of several officers involved in the arrest to testify at the 2008 trial before Common Pleas Court Judge Genece E. Brinkley. At his trial, Mill's testimony contradicted Graham's on key points. Graham told the judge that he had watched Mill sell what was later determined to be crack cocaine in Southwest Philadelphia. He said a confidential informant later made another purchase from Mill. Graham's assertion was used to obtain a search warrant for a nearby home that Mill was seen entering and leaving after each alleged transaction. But when officers showed up to search the house, Mill, said Graham, pulled a gun from his waistband and ducked behind a nearby car. "Myself and Officer Johnson took cover behind the green van and observed Mr. Williams pull the gun out of his waistband," Graham testified. He "was behind the car looking like he was trying to give off a shot." Mill dropped the gun and tried to flee, Graham said, allowing officers to eventually wrestle Mill to the ground. They said they found 21 packets of marijuana, $45, and a loaded 9mm handgun nearby with its serial number shaved off. Mill admitted he had a gun but denied selling drugs or pointing the weapon at police. "When he screamed 'Police,' I turned my back to put the gun on the ground in the car and came back up and laid down on the back of the car," he testified. In the end, Brinkley acquitted two others arrested with Mill but convicted the rapper of drug possession, firearms violations. and simple assault the last charge tied to Graham's testimony that Mill had brandished a gun at officers. He would serve five months in jail. Ten years later, Mill was back before Brinkley for violating his probation. By then Graham was retired and Mill was a hip-hop star. The judge jailed Mill for two to four years for the parole violation. Staff writers Chris Palmer and Dylan Purcell contributed to this article. Three weeks ago, after Philadelphia announced that it would encourage the opening of a safe injection site, I praised the decision as a bold kind of leadership. It showed that the city was stepping on the national stage in the middle of a life-and-death catastrophe. I still think that. Now the city has to sell it. Sure, it's only been three weeks. But in the absence of an immediate city PR strategy for saving lives it feels funny even writing that you can feel myths proliferating. The city cannot simply react to the discourse. It must help lead it. Because the basic, undeniable truth about safe injection sites is that the longer we wait, the longer we stall, the longer we talk past each other and the more people die. Needless deaths. Last year's overdose rate was three to four people dying a day. That doesn't mean the city has to shut down dissent. Far from it. It needs to engage it. Just as a safe injection site would meet people in addiction where they are, the city must meet community members where they are. Temple University researcher and safe injection advocate Abraham Gutman is calling on city officials to embark on a citywide tour to answer questions and dispel the myths. Let's do it. And there is so much rightful anger in some of the responses to the announcement that the city will encourage nonprofits to open a site in Philly. People of color ask where safe injection sites were during the crack epidemic and the years following, when black and brown people were locked up, instead of cared for in their addiction. This isn't just a white epidemic, of course. The New York Times has reported that nationally, the rate of overdoses in the black community is rising. And more than 300 people of color died from an overdose here in just the first nine months of last year. That's the homicide rate and 60 percent of the total number of heroin and cocaine overdoses at the height of the crack epidemic in the region. But we can't wave away the ravages of the war on drugs simply by mentioning that not all victims of the opioid crisis are white. And just as the city has a responsibility to save lives now, it has a responsibility to make communities of color whole as Philadelphia Magazine writer Ernest Owens and Gutman have suggested, starting with a formal apology and perhaps following the lead of San Francisco, which is retroactively expunging low-level drug convictions, as drug laws ease. The city's plan cannot simply be about saving the people in addiction under the train bridges in Kensington. It has to be about righting three decades of wrongs there from the time white people started leaving the neighborhood to now, when they're coming back to die in it. That was one of the prevailing sentiments at a community meeting at a Northern Liberties church last weekend organized by radio host Solomon Jones, a critic of the sites. I was a panelist and happy to have my say. I was grateful to see how many attended and to hear that people's concerns were at the heart of the conversation. But these truths exist alongside the fact that a safe injection site is the right thing to do. Myths abound. Some say sites would increase drug use and draw more people to the area around the site, when study after study shows that's not the case. There will be one difference with a safe injection site: fewer people using drugs in the open. Some of that misinformation has come from the highest political echelons. Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, outlining his opposition to the sites, said Tuesday that there's no way to safely inject drugs ignoring the fact that no one's ever died at a safe injection site and the fact that fentanyl itself, the biggest killer on the street these days, is also used in hospital settings. Council hasn't exactly been a beacon of light on the issue. Councilwoman Cindy Bass, the chair of the city's public health and human services committee, said she'd never heard of the phrase "Comprehensive User Engagement Site," the city's term for a safe injection site, which would also accommodate people who use other drugs than opioids and which got its own section of the city's heroin task force report a year ago. Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez sent a representative who argued that dangerous shortfalls in the city's treatment system need to be addressed now but also argued for clearing the bridge camps on Lehigh Avenue when a safe injection site would cut down on public disorder and open injections. And Councilman David Oh, in one of the more disappointing statements of the night, suggested the city look at less controversial measures. If ever there was a time to get controversial, it's after 1,200 people have died in this city from overdoses. The profile created on one of the online dating websites. Read more When it comes to online dating, it's raining men. Years ago, the paramour I met online worked for Doctors Without Borders. He became a widower after his wife died giving birth to their third child. The deaths of our spouses had given us a bond. Danny chose to call me Angel rather than Barbara, and among the 24 e-mails we exchanged during our days-long romance, he told me I was beautiful. "You may be the best woman in my life," he wrote, requesting photos, which he told me he printed for his nightstand. You might be surprised that despite our bond, we never met, or even talked. The doctor, of course, was not real. He was a patchwork of identities he weaved into a tragic yarn that took only a few tugs from me before falling apart. No obituary for his wife, no medical license, and in the most obvious of signs, he had no working telephone number, poor command of English, and he repeatedly tried to call me from a number with no caller ID. I suspect he was calling from jail or rehab. Before "I'm Not A Real Doctor" entered my life, I had reason to be optimistic about online dating. In 2000, cyber-courting was fun. It's how I met my husband, Jeff, who was on my B List. Our first date was, by far, the most memorable. But by 2013, two years after Jeff died of cancer, the internet had changed. Before, mostly techie guys responded. This time around, mostly predators did. I do get that a widow with young children is more complicated than my contemporaries with grown children. Still, it was a shock to learn that as a widow, I was most desirable to con men. Statistics show a disturbing picture. The FBI reports that romance fraud has been on the rise for the last seven years and is now among the top-three internet crimes. In 2016, the most recent year for which the FBI has data, there were more than 14,500 victims nationwide who lost more than $220 million given to online cons. (The same year, New Jersey had 261 victims and losses of $5.3 million; Pennsylvania reported 412 victims and $7.7 million in losses.) By comparison, in 2011, the agency recorded 5,563 victims and more than $50 million in losses. Victims can be men, but usually they are women 50 or older who are widowed, divorced, or otherwise vulnerable, the FBI reports. Those behind the scams, the FBI warns, "will manipulate that victim and endear themselves and gain their trust." I hunted online only a few months. My dates had to be babysitter-worthy, and few were. So I ended up having one date (and that's because my sister watched the kids) coffee with a nice professional about my age who had been divorced. But he was geographically undesirable and he had six kids. (Six!) Although I took down my dating profile, trolls would still find me. When I changed my Facebook status to widow, men from all over began messaging. "You beautiful," wrote one. More recently, this is happening on Twitter, and, despite its professional atmosphere, grammatically challenged inquiries come to LinkedIn. "Let's get to know each others," one wrote in a LinkedIn message. Eventually, many of the con men were easy to spot: Their profiles are new, they have few friends, or their only friends are women who are divorced or widowed. They list very little personal information, and likely live across the country or abroad. They often describe themselves as "good men" who like God "a lot," and they say they are honest. (Cough, cough.) They use endearing names so they don't mistake one victim for another. To investigate further, I recently created Fake Barbara on two dating websites, Match and PlentyOfFish. I used mostly correct information, including my picture, and within 20 minutes, I could not keep up with the messages. Most fit the FBI's profile of impostors, immediately asking for an email address and phone number. Translation: They need an alternative way to stay in touch because as soon as the dating site identifies them as frauds, their profiles are removed. And every lover boy pretty much uses the same pickup lines. They say I'm gorgeous, they love me yada, yada, yada. A "widower" from "Atlantic City," who was working in "Turkey," wrote that his wife died of "cancer." He was a dedicated "family" man, but he had no children or siblings. "Bedroom aerobics are great, and I consider that an important part of a relationship," he wrote. I responded with banter about the forthcoming holidays. Him: "aww, lovely. i would probably be on the table with you this xmas" Me: "What? Him: "i am talking about your family xmas dinner. am i not invited? this year? lol" Me: "It's the table thing that caught me off guard. I think that would upset the others." Him: "really? why?" Me: "They like a good ham on the table. Are you volunteering?" Him: "yes" During an interview, FBI Special Agent Ned Conway told me romance fraud is hard to track. "These are well-run criminal enterprises," Conway says. Victims may unknowingly communicate with several people posing as one, and the organization may be operating from a different country. "They're waiting to pounce. It's a business, and a widespread problem." Conway recalled a divorcee who lost everything during an 18-month correspondence in which she passed along her savings, liquidated her retirement fund, and sold her house for a guy who vowed his love. He had been a con from the get-go. "I've seen horror stories. I've seen people lose millions." At times, the impostors turn mean as a way to manipulate their targets. "Hardhead" sent Fake Barbara: "Are you interested in men with bald heads?" "You look like you have a very nice bald head. But are you living in Michigan? I am in New Jersey," I replied. "That's a long commute for a date." He was divorced, had family in New York, and was working abroad, he wrote in his frequent text messages. "Hello dear I'm in the hotel room i stay right here in Germany. I will be coming home in two days time. Would you want me to come visit you from Germany?" I declined. He was persistent. "Why can't i meet you for a date?" He sent me several pictures, including a shirtless one. He wanted some from me. "Why sent just one picture what about your children? I wanna see more pictures of you." When I did not respond, he got angry and insisted I take a picture with a sign that included the date and the declaration ironically "I am real." Only then did he apologize, explaining he "was afraid because you are too beautiful." Montsho and Nwasha Edu started a career together counseling couples through their toughest moments. And then they had their own. In a story that has become almost mythological, thanks to Oprah and Essence, they spent their Egyptian honeymoon apart because Montsho couldn't straighten out his passport in time. Things were already tough between the two of them, and both were having second thoughts about the marriage, which led Nwasha to cheat on Montsho while she was in Egypt and begin a months-long affair. When Montsho confronted her about it, she found out that he, too, had cheated on her while she was away. But the Edus, who live in Trenton, made it through. Nwasha, 40, and Montsho, 47, are expecting their fourth child soon. And they're still counseling couples through their business, the Akoma House Initiative, which offers what they call a cultural alternative to couples therapy, one inspired by practices indigenous to West Africa and other parts of the world. "Almost every product we have has been honed and developed in our own relationship," Montsho said. They even came up with an alternative to Valentine's Day Akoma Day which Nwasha says is celebrated in 14 countries, such as New Zealand and Brazil, largely by people of color who feel a connection to traditions that are rooted in non-Western cultures. (The akoma is the Ghanaian symbol for the heart, the same one used in popular Western culture.) Intrigued? Here's a look at the kinds of alternative practices that Nwasha and Montsho teach to couples. Rituals Most people already have rituals baked into their relationships, such as drinking coffee and reading the news together in the morning, said Nwasha, but "in our relationships, we're not really nurturing those practices." Rituals are a powerful way to systematize ways that you create intimacy or open up lines of communication, Montsho said. While traditional couples therapy often focuses on unpacking problems, Montsho and Nwasha say they like to empower people to start doing things differently. "Rituals work well because you're actively creating a new experience," Nwasha said, "instead of rehashing a problem for six months." A few rituals that the couple use include: the sand timer ritual, where they use a two-minute hourglass to structure a conversation, taking turns speaking about a certain issue and responding, an especially helpful practice when it feels as if it's difficult to create balance in a conversation. unplugging on Sundays, where they shut off all technology and focus on being present with each other. the eyegazing ritual, where they spend anywhere between three to 15 minutes in silence, looking at each other with their faces inches apart. (Then they use the sand timer to talk about it.) the ash circle ritual, where they burn a circle of sage ash to create a "sacred space" to talk about tough stuff frustrations or a recent time when the other person upset them. Then they wipe the ash clean and take a shower together as a cleansing practice. It's a way, Nwasha said, "to get the frustration out in a controlled way" and if you schedule this ritual on a regular basis, you both know that there will be a time to address anger or hurt feelings. Language use "We encourage people to look at classical cultures and begin to incorporate different languages into their relationships," said Montsho, referring to the "vibratory resonance" that the sounds of other languages have. "When you use words like love, hate, trust, and sex in different languages they register differently." (Here's one for you: the word lambing in Tagalog, pronounced "lahm-BING," means to show affection and sweetness, usually from someone who's not consistently in this mode. Kind of like the verb form of the heart eyes emoji.) They also suggest a "word and phrase purge." When couples fight they often revert to phrases like "you always do this" or "you never do this," but Montsho says to think about if this is truly accurate. Often, these phrases aren't helpful in arguments. Altars Set up a physical space to honor your relationship. Many people already have versions of this in their home, like a place where family photos are placed. They suggest that both partners put things on the altar that are important to them. Plants, or something else that you actively take care of, are also good for altars. In their bedroom, the Edus have their altar on an end table in the middle of the room, in between their respective sides, and they have a photo of their wedding day, photos of their children, and candles, but it changes depending on the time of year and what's important to them. And hey, if your heart is broken It's important to reflect, Nwasha said. Think about: "This is what I got and this is what I learned and here's how I'm going to embody it for the next relationship." Some actions they suggest are writing a letter to the person who broke your heart and burning it with sage to "clear" the air, doing a red food fast to cleanse yourself, and picking up a new habit or hobby that represents the character trait that's developed because of this experience. "A lot of times, what happens after heartbreak is that it's hard to get over it because we're staying in an emotional space where there's not an relationship anymore," Montsho said. "But if you move in a new direction, it represents growth." Violinist Sarah Chang is set to hold a concert in Seoul on Tuesday. The concert will be held at the Seoul Arts Center to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its opening. The venue is special to Chang, as it is where she first performed in Korea at the tender age of 10, a few weeks after her sensational debut with the New York Philharmonic. "The concert venue feels like home to me," Chang said at a press event on Monday. "It's been a pleasure for me to prepare for the concert with 17 instrumentalists." The Trump administration may not be friendly to marijuana, but Philadelphia's feminist cannabis entrepreneurs say they're feeling pretty chill. "We're doing things right. We're being compliant. We're getting the correct political officials behind us," said Desiree Ivey, 27, head of Philadelphia's branch of Women Grow, a Lean-In-style networking company focused on empowering women in the cannabis industry. Women Grow is likely the sector's largest professional networking organization. On Friday, the company will participate in a cannabis industry-focused conference hosted at Yale University, a first for American business schools. In, say, California or Colorado, Women Grow members might be able to consume or advertise recreational marijuana. But in Philadelphia, get-togethers are informational only, and generally focus on navigating Pennsylvania's emerging medicinal cannabis market. Early last month, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded the Cole Memorandum, which under President Barack Obama offered federal protection to cannabis businesses authorized under state laws. But Bridget Hill-Zayat of the Hoban Law Group said that organizations such as Women Grow have little to worry about legally because they generally don't "touch the plant." In 2014, Congress passed the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment, which prevents the Justice Department from interfering with state medical marijuana authorization programs. (This amendment must be renewed every year.) Two years later, Gov. Wolf approved a regulated medical marijuana program for Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has since approved eight dispensaries, the first of which will open on Thursday. Meanwhile, both New Jersey and Delaware are on the path toward legalization. Sitting with two of her group's newest members, Kelly Holl, 26, and Brittany Pitts, 27, of Philadelphia, in La Colombe on Frankford Avenue, Ivey said the newness of the industry provides leadership opportunities for women. "There's no specific narrative here, so [women] can come in and take over," said Ivey, sporting a name tag with a dark magenta cannabis leaf, Women Grow's signature icon. Ivey pointed to an October 2017 study organized by Women Grow with New Frontier Data, which reported that women have a majority ownership in 57 percent of cannabis businesses. Though an August Marijuana Business Journal survey found that only 26 percent of cannabis businesses were founded or owned by women, that number is higher than the average for U.S. businesses across industries. In 2018, the organization says it's also focusing on increasing representation in the industry from people of color and the LGBTQ community, in addition to women. Ivey's entry in the field was born from medicinal need. At 16 she was diagnosed with lupus, news that led her to both the nursing profession and the cannabis industry. Treating her autoimmune disease required extensive medication, and Ivey frequently found herself in doctors' offices and hospitals. Inspired by those who treated her, she eventually became a travel nurse. "It's 12 to 16 hours on your feet [a day], and that can be very hard for someone who has an autoimmune disease," Ivey said. "Your body is attacking yourself, ultimately." When her lupus flared while working in California, a colleague took her to a San Jose dispensary to see if cannabis worked as an alternative treatment. Ivey said she felt a difference "almost instantly." "Just doing micro-dosing of cannabis was just so much better," she said. "My lifestyle just completely changed." Her stamina and energy improved, and the swelling typically associated with lupus subsided. She cut down her prescription steroids by nearly half. Ivey eventually returned to Philadelphia, married and started a family. She now works as a nurse-practitioner and medicinal cannabis nurse. In October last year, she took over Women Grow Philadelphia after signing a licensing agreement with the company's national office. Women Grow expanded quickly after its founding in 2014 in Denver, but has struggled to keep its local chapters (which the company calls "markets") functioning. Today, Ivey's chapter is one of 16. But Philadelphia's branch looks prime to expand under Ivey's command. On social media, especially Instagram, she reaches out to future "CannaMoms" and "CannaBosses," inviting them to join the "growing community." As the head of the Philadelphia branch, Ivey throws networking events for patients, recommending physicians (or those interested in recommending), and representatives of ancillary businesses and dispensaries. Ivey said her first event of the year, hosted at the Pyramid Club on Jan. 11, attracted about 70 people. Speakers included State Sen. Daylin Leach (who supports marijuana legalization) and Ivey's predecessor, Stephanie Thomas, who consults for the cannabis industry. Though female-oriented, Women Grow also attracts male attendees and members. Tickets run between $25 to $40, depending on when you buy (though Ivey sometimes makes exceptions for those who are interested but can't afford her prices). Right now, the Philadelphia chapter has 16 local members who pay $299 a year, and three "Cornerstone Ally Members" who pay $1,000 a year, for special perks. On social media, the local organization boasts 600 Facebook group members and more than 300 on MeetUp. Women Grow has 500 members nationally. Holl, a registered nurse, found Women Grow through Ivey's Instagram account last September. "I've always been a cannabis enthusiast," Holl explained with a smile. Her nursing school curriculum never covered the medicinal benefits of cannabis, but Holl aspires to become a nurse-practitioner, like Ivey, and eventually own a dispensary "where we can use cannabis as a first-line before pills." Women Grow's CEO Kristina Garcia, 36, of Whitehouse Station, N.J., says branches are generally left to direct their own political advocacy. Ivey believes that while cannabis is a for-profit industry, the fight to reform marijuana laws has brought industry leaders together. On Jan. 23, Women Grow Philadelphia, along with the pro-cannabis group PhillyNORML and the ACLU of Pennsylvania, went to Harrisburg. There demonstrators, carrying posters such as "Give The Plant To The People," stood alongside state government officials, demanding statewide decriminalization and legalization. Ivey's February is already busy. She's traveled to Denver for the Women Grow national conference. On Feb. 22, she's to host another networking event with Christiane Campbell, a partner at Duane Morris, LLP with expertise in the cannabis industry. Looking forward, Ivey wants more conditions, such as fibromyalgia and lupus, explicitly added to those 17 that are eligible for a medical marijuana state ID card. She's also planning pop-ups focused on patient education, hoping to reach out to those still in "the Green Closet." "I want to be breaking molds," she said. Attorney Dave Bennion, Gerardo Flores, Rev. Renee McKenzie, and New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia director Peter Pedemonti request admittance from ICE agents to deliver petitions on behalf of the Hernandez family. Read more It was a short, cold confrontation involving fewer than a dozen people and a microcosm of the collision between harsh enforcement and stern resistance that's driving the voluble national debate over immigration. It took place near Eighth and Cherry Streets on Tuesday, as about 40 singing, sign-waving demonstrators massed outside the federal office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They demanded that Carmela Apolonio Hernandez and her four children all undocumented, all ordered deported to Mexico be allowed to leave the sanctuary of a North Philadelphia church and live freely while pursuing their legal case for asylum. Shortly before noon, a five-person delegation stepped inside glass doors to the ICE lobby, seeking to present agency officials with a legal plea to stay the deportations and to hand them 3,220 signatures on petitions supporting the family. The inner door hadn't closed before several ICE officers stepped forward. Mail it, one said. "We're very disappointed," responded Peter Pedemonti, executive director of the immigrant advocacy group, New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia. He had understood that a supervisor would meet them. State Rep. Christopher Rabb, one of the five, asked the officers if, as one government representative to another, he could speak with an ICE commander about the Hernandez family. Make an appointment, he was told. Rabb, a Democrat representing Mount Airy, Chestnut Hill, and West Oak Lane, handed his business card to an officer. Another called out, "Check his ID, just to make it official." For long minutes, the groups stood frozen, no one moving. Then the Rev. Renee McKenzie, vicar of the Church of the Advocate, where the Hernandez family has been living since mid-December, called for a prayer for everyone present. "Bless us now, in this place," she prayed aloud. "Give us all a taste of grace." That seemed to break the tension. Soon afterward, the family's attorney, David Bennion, was permitted to meet with ICE supervisors. He submitted a formal request for ICE to suspend the family's deportation orders while their court case proceeds and handed over the signed petitions, according to New Sanctuary movement leaders. They had no immediate word late Tuesday as to whether ICE was considering the request. But for supporters of the Hernandez family and others who believe the Trump administration's enforcement tactics ruin lives and separate families, those tense minutes in the lobby amounted to an unhappy, face-to-face meeting with the opposition. "Very intimidating," Rabb said. "A little chilly," McKenzie said, adding, "We made our point." ICE officials said in a statement that the agency "fully respects the rights of all people to voice their opinion peacefully without interference." An immigration judge already had ordered the family removed, but "in an exercise of discretion, ICE has allowed Ms. Hernandez to remain free from custody while finalizing her departure plans," the statement said. According to ICE guidelines, agents should avoid taking action at "sensitive locations," which include schools, hospitals, and churches. But arrests have been made just outside those places, and no law formally blocks authorities from entering a church. The family marked two months inside the Church of the Advocate on Tuesday. Hernandez, 36, says she fears that being deported to Mexico could get her and her children, ages 9 to 15, murdered by the same gangsters who killed her brother and two nephews. On Tuesday, their supporters held up strings of handmade paper butterflies, each a color of the rainbow. Butterflies are free, demonstrators said. And they migrate freely as well. "The immigration laws in this country do not do justice to immigrant families," New Sanctuary board member Gerardo Flores told the crowd. "We ask for justice, not for some but for all. We ask that families not be separated." The crowd fell silent to hear a recorded message from Hernandez and another from her 13-year-old daughter, Keyri. "We're not bad people," Keyri said. "All we want is to be able to study [and] to live a good life." Traffic slowed on Eighth Street as the crowd overflowed the sidewalk onto the street. "Go home!" one man shouted from a passing car. Other drivers honked their horns in support. The Hernandez case marks the second time a person or family has taken church sanctuary in Philadelphia since the election of Donald Trump. The mother made fresh headlines in January by deciding to send her children out of the church each day to attend public school, a risky challenge to ICE. So far, none of the children has been detained. People in sanctuary depend on a presumption of security, based on a concept that goes back to the Bible and its "six cities of refuge." But many immigration hard-liners think ICE and other authorities should enforce the law, church or no church. Groups such as the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) in Washington say sanctuary seeks to thwart federal law and block legally sworn police from carrying out their duties. A church setting doesn't exempt anyone from the law, FAIR officials say, and religious leaders who harbor undocumented immigrants could face charges. More undocumented immigrants are taking sanctuary now than at any time since the 1980s, according to a report by Church World Service, a Christian coalition that tracks sanctuary cases. The number of people in sanctuary jumped from five to 42 in the last two years. Since Trump's election, the churches, synagogues, and mosques ready to offer haven have surged from 400 to 1,110. People who crowded the Eighth Street sidewalk Tuesday said they want people out of sanctuary to freedom, not deportation. Susan Saxe of Mount Airy stood holding a small orange sign: "Do not mistreat or oppress the strangers among you, for you were strangers in a strange land." That's how it was for her grandparents, she said. They were newcomers, without the ability to go back, just like the Hernandez family. "I'm a mom," Saxe said. "Would I bring my children to a place where they risk being murdered?" On July 29, 1990, St. Peters Lutheran Church in Monrovia became the site of one of the first civilian massacres in the Liberian Civil Wars. Six hundred civilians were killed by soldiers loyal to then-President Samuel Doe. The bodies were left to rot in the church for two months until volunteers entered the building to reclaim the bodies in October 1990, when this photo was taken. (MARK HUBAND / AP) Read more It was the first mass murder of civilians in the Liberian Civil Wars a gruesome foreshadowing of the atrocities to come in a conflict that ravaged the West African nation for more than 14 years and left hundreds of thousands of civilians dead. In July 1990, government soldiers loyal to President Samuel Doe burst into St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Monrovia and opened fire on 2,000 civilians seeking sanctuary from the violence in the capital. Mothers saw their children gunned down in pews. Men watched in horror as their brothers were hacked to death by machete-wielding soldiers. Six hundred people died their bodies left to rot until volunteers buried the corpses two months later. No one was held accountable. But nearly three decades later, an international human rights organization believes it has found the man who led that attack living in Delaware County and claiming political asylum under the same laws that many of his alleged victims used to flee to the United States. On Monday, the San Francisco-based Center for Justice and Accountability sued Moses W. Thomas, 64, of Sharon Hill, on behalf of four survivors of the Lutheran Church Massacre, seeking to recover damages for torture, inhumane treatment, and crimes against humanity. "Given the significance of this attack, it's important that someone be held to account," said Nushin Sarkarati, one of the lawyers representing the plaintiffs. "A lot of people are still thoroughly destroyed by what they experienced that night." Thomas speaking by phone from Klade's, a West African restaurant in Elmwood where his girlfriend works insisted that his accusers have the wrong man. "It's all lies," he said. "The stuff they're talking about is nonsense. You can call anyone in the Republic of Liberia and give them my name, and they will tell you that this is nonsense." Thomas is the fourth Liberian national living in the Philadelphia suburbs to face accusations within the last four years of committing atrocities in a war they believed they had left behind when they arrived in the United States. A federal jury convicted Mohammed Jabateh, 51, of East Lansdowne, in October of lying to U.S. authorities about war crimes he committed under the nom de guerre "Jungle Jabbah." Isaac Kannah, 52, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty to perjury charges in December for concealing his own wartime actions while serving as a character witness in a case in New York. And this month, Tom Woewiyu, 72, of Collingdale the former spokesman for the National Patriotic Front of Liberia, the political party of Doe's successor, Charles Taylor is scheduled to face trial in Philadelphia for alleged lies he told on U.S. immigration forms. Each case has taken on outsize importance among Liberians here and in Africa, where no one has ever been held criminally responsible for the documented atrocities committed in the back-to-back civil wars that upended the country between 1989 and 2003. In fact, many of those who have been accused hold positions of power in the nation's government. The suit filed against Thomas on Monday in federal court in Philadelphia is unusual in several respects. Unlike the other defendants, he was not criminally charged. Instead, the lawsuit seeks to extract damages under a little-used law the Torture Victim Protection Act that allows foreigners to pursue civil claims for torture and extrajudicial killings against people living in the U.S. Still, Sarkarati sees the efforts of federal prosecutors, international investigators who have pursued similar allegations, and organizations like hers as of a piece. "The goal would always be to see criminal cases brought for war crimes and atrocities," she said. "But when that's not possible, there is an opportunity for justice in civil suits. The victims still get their day in court and a chance to hold these individuals accountable." The plaintiffs she represents filed their case under pseudonyms, claiming fear of retaliation in Liberia, where the ethnic resentments that fueled the wars still run deep and continue to drive politics. Each survived the massacre by hiding under piles of dead bodies and feigning death as soldiers stabbed at corpses with machetes and bayonets to ensure their victims had been killed, the lawsuit says. The suit does not specifically accuse Thomas of killing anyone. But it alleges that in 1990, he served as the commander of the Liberian army's Special Anti-Terrorist Unit (SATU), the elite special forces team established by Doe to serve as the personal guard to the president. And by the summer of 1990, suspicion within Monrovia ran high. The city was surrounded by forces loyal to Taylor, Doe's eventual successor. Doe believed that the local population of ethnic Mano and Gio people was more loyal to the invading army than to his own. Hoping to root out spies and potential rebels, the SATU pulled Manos and Gios from their homes, hauling them off to detention centers in military barracks or worse shooting and decapitating them in the streets. Several families fled to shelters like St. Peter's Lutheran, fearing retribution. Thomas, the lawsuit alleges, stopped by the church compound in the days before the attack to pledge he would protect those hiding inside. Yet on the night of July 29, his accusers now say, he ordered 45 government soldiers to kill everyone in the building. "Men, women, and children were gunned down as they attempted to flee to safety," the suit describes. "Many who survived the initial rounds of shooting were soon hacked to death with machetes as soldiers passed through the church and an adjacent school building, ensuring the slaughter was complete." Asked about those allegations Monday, Thomas scoffed at the lawsuit's description of his role. Although he admits he was a SATU commander and received specialized military training in Israel in the 1980s, he insists he never left the presidential palace on the day of the massacre. "Nobody would have instructed me to do such a thing," he said. "I was trained to protect rather than destroy lives." In fact, he maintains, he and his unit provided protection for the survivors after the massacre. He, too, later became a victim of persecution, he said, after Doe was publicly beheaded in the streets of Monrovia in 1990 and Taylor was elected president seven years later. Thomas fled to the United States in 2000, seeking political asylum, and has lived in Delaware County ever since. Yet even before Monday's lawsuit was filed, he had begun to fear that his time in the U.S. was coming to an end. About two years ago, Thomas said, U.S. immigration authorities informed him that they would not renew his immigration visa after his name showed up on a report on war crimes authored by the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2010. Unable to find work legally since then, he has relied upon financial support from his children both here and in Liberia and spends his days watching his girlfriend work at the restaurant. Despite those grim prospects, Thomas said Monday, he is committed to staying in Pennsylvania to fight the allegations filed against him in court. After that, he said, who knows? "What I'm hoping for is for people to get the true story," he said. "When that is done, I'll just go back home. I can't sit here and face this here, when I know I have a perfect record and a perfect reputation back home." Republican leaders in Pennsylvanias legislature released a map of new congressional districts to replace the current boundaries, which were ruled unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court. Gov. Wolf has until Thursday to approve or reject the plan. Here are the current districts in the Philadelphia area, and how they would look under the new proposal. Read more Ever hear of something in Philadelphia called "the Arlen Specter library"? Me neither. But the small facility on the Philadelphia University campus in East Falls near the longtime home of the late U.S. senator, officially called the Arlen Specter Center for Public Service played an oversized role in creating Pennsylvania's bad legislative map, which in turn has created a decade of lousy policies and lousier politicians and is now threatening a constitutional crisis involving the legislature, Gov. Wolf, and the state's highest court. The secret history begins in 2010, when Democrats were politically besotted with Barack Obama's newish presidency and thus had no idea what was about to hit them, here or around the country. In suburban locales like the Berks County district represented by then-State Rep. David Kessler, a Democrat, most lawmakers had grown used to a) political obscurity and b) easy reelection. So Kessler and his colleagues like then-Rep. David Levdansky from outside Pittsburgh were stunned when, just days before the November 2010 election, voters' mailboxes were stuffed to the gills with fliers accusing them of wasting a whopping $600 million in taxpayer money for a "Taj Mahal" of an Arlen Specter library (at a moment that Specter had achieved the rare feat of angering both conservatives and liberals by switching parties in a failed bid for reelection). "I could have been running against that salt shaker and I would have lost," Kessler later said as he sat in a diner and spoke with author David Daley, whose colorfully named Ratf**ked: The True Story Behind the Secret Plan to Steal America's Democracy is the definitive book on how gerrymandering has ruined our politics. "Because it all came down to those mailers." Their deceitful nature the actual cost of the modestly refurbished, not-Taj-Mahal facility was $1.9 million, a small slice of $600 million in statewide economic development grants was key to their success. When Democrats like Kessler and Levdansky and several Democratic colleagues lost that Election Day and Republican Tom Corbett was elected governor, it gave the GOP almost total control over the maps that would create an incumbency-protection racket for Republicans in both Harrisburg and Pennsylvania's congressional delegation, for what they thought would be the next decade. While Republicans were mapping, Democrats were napping. The seemingly brain-dead party didn't realize that national Republicans and their top experts like Karl Rove had devised a secret plan called REDMAP (Redistricting Majority Project) that targeted a relatively small number of off-the-radar state legislative races, with the goal of eventually computer-mapping districts to create a nationwide GOP law-writing majority for the 2010s and possibly beyond. The stealth operation was funded with tens of millions of dollars in political cash from the likes of Comcast, AT&T, tobacco giant Altria, and the titans of Big Oil the same companies who have benefited handsomely from laws since enacted by an untouchable GOP majority. How successful was the Republican project to redraw the maps? In 2012, the first election after the REDMAP-backed gerrymandering, Democrats nationally earned 1.7 million more votes for the U.S. House than Republicans, amid the reelection of Barack Obama and yet the GOP actually added 33 seats to its majority. Here in Pennsylvania, not a single U.S. House seat has flipped since 2010 in a delegation that boasts 13 Republicans and only five Democrats, despite Democrats typically getting half of the commonwealth's votes every two years. "The danger of gerrymandering is that it really insulates these politicians from the voters," Daley told me this week by phone. He said that "not only are elected politicians indebted to donors who put them in office but it makes it impossible for the rest of us to turn them out." That led to the somewhat shocking developments in recent weeks that occurred after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court (which did flip statewide during the 2010s to Democratic control, since justices are elected statewide and thus not subject to gerrymandering) ruled in a lawsuit by activists that the current gerrymander is so partisan and so extreme that it denies the voting rights promised in the Pennsylvania Constitution. Since then, top Pennsylvania GOP lawmakers have threatened to defy the court, impugned the integrity of some of the justices, and even entertained the wild idea of impeaching the high court's Democratic majority. The frantic reaction only proved that gerrymandering is the oxygen that today's idea-deprived Republicans need to survive. When their initial pushback sparked outrage, state House Speaker Mike Turzai and Senate Majority Leader Joe Scarnati did produce a map although it wasn't voted on by the rank-and-file and asked Wolf to sign on. At a quick glance, it sure looks better than the old map, adding compact and reasonable-looking districts at the expense of the wild Rorschach-test absurdities of the 2011-12 blueprint. But a detailed analysis by the Washington Post said, in essence, don't be fooled by appearances. For one thing, the better-looking map still would produce (based on past voting patterns) a 13-5 GOP majority in our evenly divided state. It also makes a mockery of the present political situation by making sure that two rising Democrats Chrissy Houlahan in the Sixth, Conor Lamb in the 18th no longer live in the districts where they are running. On Tuesday morning, Wolf rejected this latest GOP map ploy and that was the right move. That puts the ball back in the state Supreme Court's court, and the justices' stated plan of turning ultimately to an out-of-state nonpolitical mapping expert, Nathan Persily of Stanford University, may be the only somewhat fair option for this year. But then what, with the 2020 census and the next redistricting already close at hand? The power of mapping is way too important to be left to the politicians, especially in an age when computers can perform democratic amputations that the Founding Fathers never could have envisioned. While the GOP has gamed the system to the extreme, Democrats also created fairly radical gerrymanders in the rare states like Maryland where that party controlled the legislature and the governor's office in 2011. Roughly a half-dozen states most notably California have turned to supposedly nonpartisan citizen commissions, but Daley said the results have been mixed, in part because it's impossible to divorce politics from key parts of the process. So how do you end partisan gerrymandering and the destruction of American democracy? The advocacy group FairVote, where author Daley, the former editor of Salon, is now a senior fellow, backs a fairly radical solution through legislation called the Fair Representation Act. It would replace the current 435 winner-take-all districts with larger districts where voters would rank several choices to pick 3, 4, or 5 representatives. For example, imagine if Pennsylvania instead of the current 18 individual congressional districts had only six districts with voters ranking their choices, and the top 3 in each jurisdiction were sent to Washington. That would increase the odds that a place like the Philadelphia suburbs, currently represented by three Republicans, would pick at least one Democrat, while a Republican could win election in a Democratic city like Pittsburgh or maybe even Philadelphia. "It incentivizes politicians to run a different kind of campaign," Daley said. "You might elect people who want to work together to solve problems" rather than extremists only worried about protecting their right or left flank in a party primary. I think it would be a tough sell. America is, after all, a winner-take-all kind of nation. (Can you imagine, after that thrilling Super Bowl, if the Eagles were handed two mini-Vince Lombardi Trophys, while Tom Brady and the Patriots were given a third?) But we need to consider radical solutions like this, at a moment when U.S. democracy seems more broken than at any time since the Civil War. Think of it this way: Do we want a Congress that is sponsored by the Comcasts and ExxonMobils of the world, or by Voters Like You? Ivanka Trump touted her fathers tax reform policies and anti-regulation measures in Mt. Lebanon, Pa., Tuesday morning at a small business roundtable with business owners and state elected officials. Read more Ivanka Trump touted her father's tax reform policies and anti-regulation measures in Mt. Lebanon Tuesday morning at a small business roundtable with business owners and state elected officials. Ms. Trump, alongside Small Business Administration administrator Linda McMahon, told the group gathered at the Potomac Mineral Group offices on Washington Road that President Donald Trump's tax cuts will continue to benefit them. "We want to create a level playing field and enable you to compete," Ms. Trump said, seated in the middle of a marble table in a fourth-floor conference room. For 50 minutes, Ms. Trump and Ms. McMahon asked business owners and state officials about their careers and experiences and what they expect from the Trump administration. Ms. Trump, a top adviser to the president, spoke of the importance of creating a pipeline of skilled workers and encouraging women to start businesses. She sat next to state Rep. Rick Saccone, who is running for Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District, and lauded his "incredible work in workforce development." Mr. Saccone is running against Democrat Conor Lamb to fill former Congressman Tim Murphy's seat. Also seated at the table were state Sen. Randy Vulakovich, R-Shaler; state Rep. Jason Ortitay, R-South Fayette; state Sen. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Jefferson Hills; state Rep. John Maher, R-Upper St. Clair, Potomac Mineral Group's Tim Kotzman and Stephen Slaughter and small business owners Susan Castriota, Chris McMahon, Lori Cherup and Corina Diehl. After the discussion, Ms. Trump met with working mothers of the company that hosted the event, Potomac Mineral Group. She asked employees what benefits they valued the most, and talked of her support of "policies and programs to support working families." Jurabe Arroyo with his wife, Irma Cabrera are photographed in the basement of a home in North Philadelphia. Wednesday, Feb. 07, 2018. Juarbe Arroyo and his family lost everything in Hurricane Maria their house, car and most belongings. They moved to Philadelphia where a relative offered her basement as temporary housing. Theyve been living in this basement for three months now and struggling to get a place of their own without any FEMA assistance.JOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer Read more After Hurricane Maria left his house in Puerto Rico flooded and without electricity last year, Jesus Rodriguez sold his Toyota 4Runner for $4,000 and bought his family one-way plane tickets to Philadelphia. Rodriguez arrived first, on Oct. 25. His wife, Sandra Martinez, flew in with their three boys on Nov. 23. They used some of the car money to rent a house in the city's Fairhill section, hopeful they would soon get the emergency assistance they were told was coming from the federal government. "We got here three months ago," Rodriguez said last week in his empty living room. "And there has been no help, no help at all, nothing." Since the hurricane ravaged the island on Sept. 20, thousands of families have relocated to the U.S. mainland, coming in waves to cities and towns. Many arrived with just a suitcase no job, money, or English-speaking skills. In the ensuing months, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has processed 1.1 million aid applications from Maria victims. Vouchers from FEMA and help from other agencies have covered basic living expenses, such as hotel stays for families whose homes were deemed uninhabitable after the storm. But less than half of all applicants have received help and those who did were told it was never meant to be permanent. So many are now facing a stark reality: the end of FEMA aid. On Wednesday, 200 evacuee families nationwide will lose their housing assistance, including 14 in Pennsylvania. "Where am I going to go?" said Carlos Torres-Aviles, who has been staying since Jan. 10 at the Windsor Suites hotel on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. "I would sleep anywhere, but I have my 16-year-old son with me." Torres-Aviles said the apartment he used to rent near San Juan has someone else living in it now. He wouldn't want to go back anyway. "I want a better life for my son. We can do that here," he said. He just needs to find a job, he said. On Monday, Torres-Aviles joined more than a dozen other Puerto Rican evacuees and advocates at a news conference calling for an indefinite extension of FEMA's aid to hurricane victims, called Temporary Shelter Assistance at least until all evacuees have found jobs and homes of their own. The group also called for the city and state to provide funding for housing. "We need to raise our voices to help these families so they aren't dislodged into the streets of Philadelphia," Charito Morales, a nurse and community activist, said in Spanish over a megaphone outside of the Municipal Services Building. "Philadelphia already has many homeless people, and we don't need to add to that with people who come with more problems to this city." Since the storm, FEMA has funded more than $1 billion in disaster assistance to 422,798 families affected by Maria. Much of that aid has stayed on the island. Of the families that moved to the mainland, 6,439 have received Temporary Shelter Assistance and about two-thirds currently remain in hotels. Of them, 184 are in Pennsylvania hotels. But at the moment, the aid is largely a federal initiative. Florida has been the only state deemed a "host state," meaning that state spending on sheltering evacuees will be covered by FEMA. The agency is abiding by a rule, created at the request of the Puerto Rico governor, that once an evacuee's home in Puerto Rico is deemed habitable either by a FEMA inspector or because power is restored to the home, the family is no longer eligible for housing aid, FEMA spokesman Daniel Llargues said. The last deadline for Puerto Ricans affected by Maria to apply for FEMA aid is March 20. That same day, the agency is expected to stop paying for hotels for another round of aid recipients. Several of the city's nonprofits with roots in the Puerto Rican community have hosted workshops and offered assistance to the evacuees. Most of the help has been in navigating what can be a daunting or disheartening process of applying for federal assistance. "FEMA is limited and I think it's been eye-opening for a lot of us working these cases FEMA is not there to make someone whole," said Will Gonzalez, executive director at Ceiba, a nonprofit that has organized legal clinics for evacuees. At Monday's news conference, Melanie Garcia teared up as she described arriving to Philadelphia in November and losing FEMA housing aid in January. She and her three young sons, one of whom is deaf, have since been living with relatives in cramped apartments and in fear of being evicted. Garcia's husband recently landed a maintenance job at a Walmart and is trying to save money for their own place, she said. Getting public housing is nearly impossible. The Philadelphia Housing Authority has a waiting list of more than 44,000 people. And after accepting two families immediately after the hurricane, city officials decided they couldn't let more Puerto Rican evacuees jump to the front of the line. It "risked creating a disparity between those waiting for PHA assistance," said Noelle Foizen, spokeswoman for the city's Emergency Management Office. The city has taken other steps to help. After it opened a disaster assistance center on Oct. 11, it helped 2,003 displaced Puerto Rican residents apply for FEMA aid, get connected to social services, including welfare and food stamps, and enroll their children for school. The center closed Dec. 20, although evacuees have continued to flock to Philadelphia. In a statement late Monday, Mayor Kenney called on the federal government to do more. "I stand with advocates in calling for this funding to be extended immediately," he said. The state has picked up some welcoming duties. On Tuesday, it is hosting an information fair for evacuees at the Salvation Army in Fairhill. Asked about specific steps to provide housing and jobs, Gov. Wolf's spokeswoman Sara J. Goulet said: "We can look at what else we can do." The bureaucracy itself can be overwhelming. Martinez, the mother of three who arrived in November, spent three hours at a Feb. 3 Ceiba workshop most of it waiting for volunteers to guide her in filling out FEMA forms for her application file. She and her husband had attended an identical workshop last month, waiting five hours only to be told that they needed more FEMA paperwork. "We just keep hitting wall after wall," Rodriguez said. The agency did offer them temporary shelter at a hotel near the airport, Martinez said. But by then their children were settled in schools near Fairhill. Now they are hoping to get FEMA assistance to help pay their $700 monthly rent. Until now, they've used welfare money plus the last of the cash they got from selling their 4Runner. Come March, they won't have enough to pay rent. Their rental house has no furniture except two mattresses one for the parents, one shared by the boys, who have their own room with a TV and gaming system that their grandfather sent them. "If we were able to get jobs, we could fend for ourselves," Rodriguez said. Tens of thousands of new Puerto Rican evacuees are projected to flood the state this year, and the focus on their plight will continue. On Friday, Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello is expected to visit Philadelphia, ostensibly to discuss the situation for evacuees. Gonzalez, the nonprofit executive director, said the city and state have challenges ahead. "Now we need to make the adjustment to recognize the needs of these new Philadelphians, new Pennsylvanians," he said. "And there is still a lot of work to do and we're hoping [city officials] rise up to that challenge." Jon D. Fox, 70, of Abington, a former congressman, state representative, and county commissioner in the Philadelphia suburbs, died from complications associated with cancer at his home on Sunday, Feb. 11, his family said. Friends and colleagues remembered Mr. Fox as an outgoing and nontraditional politician who left an indelible mark on Montgomery County. "He was a legendary political figure in Montgomery County for decades. I'm 56 years old, and when I was a child, he was a major force," said Bruce L. Castor Jr., a Montgomery County commissioner from 2008 to 2016 and district attorney before that. "Jon devoted his entire life to public service, and Montgomery County is the better for it." Mark Weaver, a political strategist for Mr. Fox, compared him to the hero in the classic movie It's a Wonderful Life. "Like the fictional George Bailey, Jon was beloved by his hometown, and his success was built by advancing the success of others," Weaver said. In an online tribute to his friend, Weaver also wrote that Mr. Fox was different from many other elected officials. "Most of us know how to spot a typical politician: someone looking over your shoulder searching for another hand to shake, another vote to secure," said Weaver. "Jon Fox rejected that ethos. Serving in local, county, state and federal office, he shunned contentious partisan fights, preferring the quiet satisfaction of helping people when government stood in their way." Mr. Fox, a Republican, represented Pennsylvania's 13th District from 1995 to 1999. He was part of the "Republican Revolution," in which the GOP took control of both the House and Senate in the 1994 election for the first time in four decades. In 1998, Mr. Fox voted in favor of all four articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton. Mr. Fox was also a member of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners between 1992 and 1994, and the Pennsylvania State House from 1985 to 1992. Before that, he worked as an assistant district attorney and served in the Air Force. Mr. Fox's brother, Larry, said his policy achievements included helping to create a health department in Montgomery County, which was formally established in a 1989 voter referendum, and blocking GOP cuts to the legal services corporation. "It was really a profile-in-courage moment," said Larry Fox of his brother's support for legal aid for the poor. "If he hadn't come forward and gotten a few other Republicans to support it, it would have been ended. He viewed government as part of the solution." Republican State Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, who represents Bucks and Montgomery Counties, said Mr. Fox "was always very active in the community, whether it was politics or government or just people in need. Most importantly, he was a very positive influence on society and the people in this area. I think that's more important than anything else. He was very friendly. He would help you if you asked." Frank Bartle, former chairman of the Montgomery County Republican Committee, agreed. He said Mr. Fox "was known more for his constituent service than perhaps any elected official in my memory." "He loved people, and it didn't matter who you were," added Bartle. "If you needed help, Jon was there to help." Castor said, "I don't know anybody that didn't like Jon. He really tried to make everyone feel like they were special." Mr. Fox was a graduate of Cheltenham High School, Pennsylvania State University, and the Delaware School of Law. Weaver said Mr. Fox's favorite bumper sticker was an homage to his alma mater: "If God's not a Penn State fan," it read, "why is the sky blue and white?" Mr. Fox is survived by his wife, Judi; son Will; and two siblings. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, at Congregation Adath Jeshurun, 7763 Old York Rd., Elkins Park. Burial will follow at Roosevelt Memorial Park in Trevose. The family will sit shivah at the temple after the interment. At a panel discussion organized by Solomon Jones (pictured), more than 200 people filled Mt. Tabor AME Church in North Philadelphia to demand answers about Philadelphia city officials and their support of Comprehensive User Engagement Sites (CUES). Read more Being a pioneer is never easy. When Philadelphia officials green-lit Comprehensive User Engagement Sites (CUES), commonly known as safe injection sites, they made a brave decision as harm-reduction pioneers. This initiative should have been a slam dunk. After all, there aren't many other public health interventions that have been so vigorously studied, save lives, are shown to not harm communities, and save money. But no matter how brave, well-intended, or well-researched the decision was, the city has an obligation to make sure its citizens have the opportunity to be heard as a part of the process. On Friday, it became clear that there is a large disconnect between what Philadelphia officials who support CUES intended to announce and what message was heard by some community members. At a panel discussion organized by Solomon Jones, a newspaper columnist and radio talk-show host who has been vocal in his opposition to such sites, more than 200 people filled Mt. Tabor AME Church in North Philadelphia to demand answers. The event featured council members, a community member from Kensington, Inquirer columnist Mike Newall, a member of the clergy, and a member of the treatment community. Confusion, anger about the process, and misinformation dominated the conversation. Many attendees tried to understand if the officials' announcement was the start of a conversation about CUES or a decision taken without public discussion? Rochelle Bilal, president of the Guardian Civic League, stood up to speak. "First of all, to the commission, y'all started off wrong," she said. "You had a discussion amongst yourself and what we got in the community was 'safe injection sites coming to your town.' " Bilal continued, saying: "You didn't educate people what this was going to be about. So now we have a bunch of angry people who may not have all the information." She is not wrong. After decades of federal and local policies that stigmatized and criminalized drug users, it is unreasonable to expect Philadelphians to just trust the process. The concerns are understandable and the skepticism is legitimate. What is not legitimate is that many of the questions raised in opposition to CUES have answers and that the public officials who support CUES have not been out in the community responding to concerns. We cannot sacrifice the lives of Philadelphians to punish the city for a broken process. Opposing CUES out of spite and anger is doing exactly that. However, the battle of public opinion is far from over. The damage can be undone. Here's how: Health Commissioner Thomas Farley, District Attorney Larry Krasner, Police Commissioner Richard Ross, Mayor Kenney, Councilwoman Helen Gym, and every other public official who supports CUES should go on a tour through Philadelphia to set the record straight on what was announced, explain how community needs will be addressed, and provide evidence that CUES can save lives without bringing new harm. Commissioner Ross should share what he saw in his visit to Vancouver that made him change his position from "being adamantly against [the sites] to having an open mind." The medical community should also join this effort. After all, drug-use disorder is a medical issue. This tour needs to start immediately. Philadelphians are dying of drug overdoses every day and there is no time to waste. The city should also articulate a plan to evaluate the sites once they are established. Community members must know that if a site somehow defies all evidence and has a negative impact on a community, it can always be shut down or moved. Pioneers get the glory, but they also need to put in the work. Giving a thumbs-up to CUES is simply not enough. In order to get community members to support the life-saving initiative of CUES, much more work must be done. Abraham Gutman is an Israeli independent writer and economist based in Philadelphia. He currently works as a senior data and policy analyst at the Center for Public Health Law Research at Temple University. @abgutman. Turning digital art into lucrative IP From:ChinaDaily | 2018-02-12 10:08 Block 12, a Beijing-headquartered, internet-based startup founded in 2015, is negotiating an uncharted territory for a Chinese business. It specializes in creating, marketing and licensing digital-age intellectual property or IP in the form of original content like comic characters, emojis and the like. In December, it forayed into overseas market by licensing one of its emojis called Zhangcao Yantuanzi, or Budding Pop, to be displayed on the landmark Tokyo Tower in Japan. Zhangcao Yantuanzi is China's first IP rights-protected image to be exhibited on a tower abroad. "It is a big step for made-in-China IP, which is now on the world stage. That Chinese-owned IP made it to a country with a long history of animation speaks volumes about the progress we have made so far," said Wang Biao, founder of Block 12. The firm owns over 100 such popular emojis, including Zhileng Shaonyu or Freeze Girl. It employs over 50 emoji artists. Some of them work part-time. They create images, comics, videos and the like. Once its artists create an emoji, Block 12 promotes it on social media. Next, it authorizes the emoji to an array of enterprises that use the creative content in themed dolls, cosmetics, accessories, jewelry, fashion, bank cards and other forms of merchandise. For instance, Block 12 joined hands with Chow Tai Fook, a Chinese gold jeweler, to develop six sets of pendants in the image of Zhangcao Yantuanzi. "Customers may become crazy about an emoji in a short time but also move on to the next craze soon. This raises a questionhow to make an emoji last longer? said Wang. "That's why, we strive to develop a complete industry chain, or an ecosystem, to prolong the life of an emoji." Block 12 said its emojis have been shared or forwarded 20 billion times. It has cooperation agreements with over 25 companies. "Different from traditional IP, our emojis change their costumes and status in different seasons and festivals. This makes their fans or users feel they are accompanied by the emojis all the time. Users identify with their favorite emojis," said Wang. When Zhileng Shaonyu, or Freeze Girl, was created in 2014, she was cast as a student. Most of the images in the emoji portrayed scenes of school and study. With time, the Freeze Girl has grown up, a working woman, so to say. Much of the images in the emoji are about work. Block 12 has also created a new form of retail by combining retail with emojis. It installed a claw crane, also called a teddy picker or a game machine that dispenses dolls, in Beijing's Sanlitun, a trendy business and lifestyle district. All of the toys and dolls in the machine are Block 12's IP. "This is our trial on the way to establishing a well-rounded IP industry in a bid to increase the value of our IP," said Wang. "We'll endeavor to integrate more online and offline businesses to create more possibilities in the future." NASA's top line NASA's top line is proposed to end up at about $19.9 billion. That's a $372 million increase over what Congress most recently approved for 2017, and an $800 million bump over what the White House requested for 2018. Its fair to say that at least in the short term, the administrations interest in NASA has some funding behind it, though that interest is mostly centered on human spaceflight. The agencys five-year budget runout looks less rosy; from 2020 through 2023, NASAs top line drops and flattens at $19.6 billion. Astrophysics The biggest surprise was astrophysics taking a big hit with the cancellation of WFIRST, a space observatory designed for exoplanet detection and dark energy research. The White House's rationale for the cancellation is that WFIRST was overbudget, too closely timed to the James Webb Space Telescope, and that good science can be conducted with smaller, cheaper missions. WFIRST was the top recommendation of the National Academies decadal report for Astrophysics, and this cancellation will likely face strong pushback from the scientific community. Congress has provided WFIRST hundreds of millions of dollars in funding over the past few years, though one of its strongest advocates, Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski, recently retired. The ISS Two-and-a-half weeks after being leaked to the Verge, the White Houses plan to stop paying for the ISS by 2025 is officially out in public. The station's international partners have currently only agreed to keep the station running through 2024, but there has always been a question of whether or not that will stretch to 2028. Through a new line item called "Commercial LEO Development," NASA is allocating $900 million through 2023 to spend on establishing a sustained commercial presence in low-Earth orbit. Put more simply, NASA will likely start giving commercial companies seed money to either build their own space stations or figure out how to transition the ISS to commercial control. This program could be structured similarly to the agencys commercial crew and cargo program. Expect this to get messy. There is already bipartisan support against any early end to the ISS program, led by Florida Senator Bill Nelson, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, and Texas Representative John Culberson. There's also some early industry backlash, notably by Boeing, which is the station's prime contractor. Whether or not the station will stay operational in its current format beyond 2024, and how NASA transitions to something different, will be a major topic in the weeks and years to come. Deep space exploration We already knew NASA was shifting its focus from Mars to the Moon, but now we have some specifics. NASA is now calling the Deep Space Gateway the Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway (can someone please come up with a better name?). The first LOP-G element, the power and propulsion module, was slated to launch on the first crewed Orion flight in 2023. (SLS is powerful enough to launch Orion and a co-manifested payload at the same time.) Now, that module will launch a year earlier, in 2022, on a commercial vehicle. A previous chart from a NASA advisory council meeting estimates the power and propulsion module will weigh 8 or 9 tons, which means the Falcon Heavy could be a good choice for the job. NASA also would provide seed money for a variety of commercial partnerships, including on development of cargo and human-rated lunar landers, a new lunar science initiative, and the incorporation of the Space Technology Mission Directorate within its Deep Space Exploration initiative to provide focused technology research and development. Planetary science Planetary science gets $2.2 billion, an increase of about $400 million over 2017 approved levels and $300 million over 2018 request levels. $268 million of that increase appears directed to "elements of science" for human spaceflight, most likely in the form of lunar precursor missions. The details are a bit unclear until we see the full budget. The Mars sample return effort gets $50 million for early mission studies, and one budget document mentions the possibility of using commercial partners for the mission. The budget also allocates $150 million to planetary defense, and explicitly funds the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission. Earth science The administrations $1.78 billion request for Earth science is actually a smidge up from the $1.75 billion requested in 2018, but the same missions proposed for cancellation in 2018 (PACE, OCO-3, and CLARREO) are still on the chopping block. The Radiation Budget Instrument mission was quietly cancelled before this budget request, and once again, the administration is trying to kill DSCOVRs EPIC camera (they really, really don't like that camera). The Senate rejected last years cuts to Earth Science, though final congressional action has yet to occur, and these missions continue. Education Once again, the White House proposes to cut NASAs education division. Congress uniformly stands to reject this proposal for 2018, and will likely similarly intervene for 2019. Casey Dreier contributed to this article. Seeking festive atmosphere By:Zheng Qian | From:english.eastday.com | 2018-02-13 14:46 A series of cultural activities during the Spring Festival are to present a cultural feast for citizens. For people in Shanghai, there are several ways to seek festive atmosphere during the 2018 spring Festival. Traditional memory of Spring Festival The 12th spring festival customs exhibition which will mainly focus on food customs especially wine culture is to be held in Shanghai Mass Art Museum from February to March. A New Year painting exhibition is to be sponsored in Changning District from mid-February to mid-March. The exhibition is to center on woodblock prints produced in the town of Zhuxian in central China's Henan Province, a national intangible cultural heritage. Folk customs and intangible heritage Intangible heritage performances like blowing sugar figures, paper-cutting window decorations, making palace lantern, etc. often bring festive atmosphere. In Xinzhuang, a lantern show is to be launched in Xincheng Central Park from February 28 to March 2. Visitors could also take part in interactive activities like guessing lantern riddles, writing Spring Festival couplets, etc. Street Procession on Lantern Festival, one of Shanghais intangible heritage projects will be on display in Yangpu District on March 2, during which it is expected to carry out rich activities including dragon lantern dancing, guessing lantern riddles, intangible heritage show, lane games, to name a few. In Huangpu District, an exhibition of citizens handmade works and a shadow puppet course will be initiated during the festival. In Putuo district, a special show of opera is to be on stage to celebrate the festival. A Detroit police officer was killed Tuesday when he was involved in a crash on Michigan Avenue near Clark Avenue. Officer Darren Weathers, 25, known as "Lucky" by friends and colleagues, was involved in the crash about 11:30 a.m. He had been an officer with the Detroit Police Department for less than two years. Officer Darren Weathers, 25, was killed in a crash during training. (Photo: ODMP.org) Detroit Police Chief James Craig said Weathers was participating in a training exercise when he was hit by a vehicle, pushing his vehicle into a metal pylon, and he was rushed to Henry Ford Hospital, reports WDIV. "They did everything they could possibly do to save his life," Craig said. Although he wasn't on the force for long, Weathers was assigned to the department's Integrity Unit because of his skill level, Craig said. Weathers was participating in a surveillance exercise when the crash happened. Weathers' uncle is a neighborhood police officer. He leaves behind a young daughter. He was a military veteran who fought in Afghanistan. His father also served in the military. "He was a phenomenal officer," said Craig. The chief said Weathers recently was awarded the Medal of Valor for his heroic actions during the shooting of his former partner Officer Waldis Johnson in April 2017. Johnson was shot in his head during an exchange of gunfire with a man. Weathers is credited with saving Johnson's life and killing the suspect. The government has arrested a man accused of providing the gun used in the fatal shooting of two Ohio police officers. Police Officers Anthony Morelli, left, and Eric Joering were killed while responding to a call in Westerville, Ohio. (Photo: City of Westerville) Federal prosecutors say Gerald Lawson of suburban Cleveland is accused of buying the handgun for shooting suspect Quentin Smith last summer, reports the Associated Press. A criminal complaint filed against Lawson in federal court Monday says Smith gave Lawson the money to buy the gun along with $100 for completing the transaction. As a felon convicted previously of burglary, Smith was prevented from having a weapon. The government says Lawson and Smith were longtime friends, and that Lawson knew Smith couldnt have a weapon. The man charged with killing two police officers during a domestic disturbance in Westerville, OH, has a history of violent domestic encounters in Cuyahoga County, records show. Quentin Lamar Smith pleaded guilty in 2008 to barging into his neighbor's home, where his then-wife went following an argument, and held a gun to her head, according to court records. That incident came nine months after a judge dismissed felony charges that accused Smith of stabbing his mother's boyfriend and stealing her truck, according to court records. The crimes came years before Smith would be accused of killing Westerville police officers Eric Joering, 39, and Anthony Morelli, 54, Cleveland.com reports. Pierce County (WA) Sheriff's Department K-9 Ammo, even a suspect he captured thinks he's a good dog. (Photo: Pierce County SD/Facebook) The Pierce County (WA) Sheriff's Department says its deputies recently used a K-9 to capture a domestic violence suspect and despite being "contacted" by the dog, he said he had "love and respect" for the animal. Reporting on Facebook, the Pierce County SD says: "At 1:19 a.m. on Feb. 8, a 911 call was placed from a residence in South Hill. The dispatcher could only hear the sound of a male and a female arguing in the background and could not get any information from the caller on what type of emergency was occurring before the caller hung up. Dispatchers called back to the house and a woman answered the phone; she reported that her intoxicated brother was assaulting his family members. Then the call ended. "When deputies arrived at the duplex, they were invited inside by a woman who told them that her son was the suspect and he had fled the residence. The suspect had reportedly pushed his mother during an argument and was heavily intoxicated. The victim said that she and her daughter had attempted to call 911 to report the assault, but her son tried to grab the phone to prevent her from calling 911. During a struggle for the phone, the suspect punched his sister, then took her phone and hung up on the dispatcher. The suspect reportedly did not want the police to come to the house, so he fled out the back door prior to the deputies' arrival. The suspect was described as 'highly aggressive' and was believed to still be in the area, as he reportedly had nowhere else to go. "K-9 Ammo and his handler/deputy responded to the scene in an attempt to track and locate the suspect. The K-9 handler shouted the suspects name several times and yelled that he was going to search the area with a police dog, and if found, the suspect could be bit. The suspect did not respond, so Ammo was deployed to begin searching. Ammo immediately went to the victims backyard then headed east into a very dark and heavily vegetated greenbelt. It took Ammo less than one minute to find and contact the suspect. "Deputies handcuffed the suspect and walked him out of the woods. The suspect told the deputies that he heard the K-9 handler's warning and ignored it. 'Yeah I heard him, and I was stupid because I thought if I just hid real well the dog would not find me. Let me make this clear, I never hit the K-9. I love and respect that dog.' The suspect then looked toward the K-9 handler direction and yelled out, 'Sir, you have a good dog sir.'" The 38 year old male suspect was treated for dog bites and then booked into the Pierce County Jail on two counts of domestic Violence Assault in the 4th degree, two counts of interfering with the reporting of domestic violence, and resisting arrest. 1.3k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Rachel Maddow used the example of Trumps acting director who was overseeing rail safety with no experience and a second job as an example of how incompetence and corruption are at the heart of Trumps infrastructure week. < Video: Rachel Maddow wrecks Trump's infrastructure week in less than three minutes. #Maddow https://t.co/KgfRoY64OX pic.twitter.com/O9tTJCxpDp Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 13, 2018 Heres the key quote from Maddow, Federal rail safety obviously an issue right now, there have been four fatal Amtrak crashes since September, including one carrying all Republican members of Congress when it crashed into a dump truck. There hasnt been a confirmed director for the agency for more than a year. That left the deputy running the agency instead; the deputy is this guy Heath Hall. He once worked as an intern at the rail agency, when he was a kid, other than that he had no expertise in rail safety whatsoever. Hes a political consultant and PR guy. Thats why he was the public relations guy for Canton, Mississippi. Theres a question how he got the number two job in safety, especially because it meant him being the director of that agency all yearlong when he has no experience in the field whatsoever. Even if it did make sense to hire him, once he was in place at the agency he was not supposed to keep his job back home. Senior government officials are not allowed to have second jobs. Rachel Maddow raised a vital point The point of Maddows story wasnt just that incompetence and corruption are running through the Trump administration. The more significant point is that when vital government functions like competent public servants do not oversee rail safety, the result is that people die. Heath Hall should have never been managing rail safety. Trumps nominee to head up rail safety is caught up in a Senate dispute, which happens all of the time in modern American politics. It wouldnt be a problem if the government was run competently. Trumps infrastructure week is a joke. Its a scam. Trump intends to cut infrastructure by more than he is proposing to spend. A Completely Deranged Trump Claims GM Is Coming Back To Detroit (GM Never Left) Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard With no evidence to support his claim, Trump assumed that GM was bringing a South Korean plant back to Detroit. Trump said that GM was coming back to Detroit. The problem is that GM never left Detroit. < Video: .@POTUS on General Motors closing plant in South Korea: "General Motors is coming back into Detroit. That is a really significant statement." pic.twitter.com/nm2KTN0NFH FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) February 13, 2018 Trump said, GM Korea Company announced today that it will cease production and close its Gunsan plant in May of 2018. Theyre going to move back to Detroit. You dont hear these things except for the fact that Trump became president. Believe me. You wouldnt be hearing that, so theyre moving back from Korea to Detroit. Theyre moving. You wont be hearing about this because it isnt happening. GM never announced that they were moving back to Detroit In a statement, GM never mentioned moving back to Detroit, but did say that they were closing the South Korea plant because it was only running at 20% of capacity: GM Korea Company (GM Korea) announced today that it will cease production and close its Gunsan plant by the end of May 2018. The Gunsan facility has been increasingly underutilized, running at about 20 percent of capacity over the past three years, making continued operations unsustainable. This announcement occurs after a careful review of the companys operations, which have sustained significant losses for the past several years. GM already has too much-unused factory space, which is why they are closing the South Korea plant. Their decision has nothing to do with moving back to Detroit. Trump is inventing a false manufacturing revival in the US In October 2017, GM laid off 1,500 workers at an assembly plant in Detroit. GM isnt creating more jobs in Detroit. They are cutting them. GM is still very much in Detroit, but Donald Trump is inventing manufacturing growth that doesnt exist. The Trump economic boom exists only between the presidents ears. Trump is making it up, and he is hoping that the American people dont notice that the US economy is showing signs of slowing during his presidency. 3.9k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Sen. Ron Wyden grilled FBI Director Chris Wray over what and when the FBI told the White House about Rob Porters serial domestic violence. Wray said that the FBI gave the White House information about Porter last year. < Video: According to the FBI Director Wray, the FBI provided the White House with information about Rob Porter last year. The White House is lying about what they knew and when they knew it. https://t.co/J4TsEXQZin #RobPorter #FBI pic.twitter.com/xI3yW8k5YW Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 13, 2018 When asked by Sen. Ron Wyden when the White House knew about Porter, FBI Director Christopher Wray answered, Well, senator, theres a limit to what I can tell you is that the FBI submitted a partial report on the investigation in question in March and a completed background investigation in late July that soon thereafter we received requests for follow-up inquiry, and we did the follow-up and provided that information in November and that we administratively closed the file in January and then earlier this month we received some additional information, and we passed that on as well. The White House story doesnt jive with the Wray testimony The White House claimed that Porters security was still going on and that they just found out about the domestic violence last week. None of these stories appear to be true. The White House wasnt in the dark about Christopher Wray. They were covering it up. The Trump White House has made the Porter scandal a thousand times worse by refusing to tell the truth and come clean. The White House protected and promoted a serial domestic abuser, who should never have had a job in the administration. The truth is coming out, and it is a damning indictment of this entire administration. In a preview for the latest episode of Celebrity Big Brother, former White House staffer Omarosa Manigault Newman said that Vice President Mike Pence would make an even more terrifying president than Donald Trump. < Can I just say this? As bad as yall think Trump is, you would be worried about Pence, she said, surrounded by her housemates. So everybody thats wishing for impeachment might want to reconsider their lives. We would be begging for days of Trump back if Pence became president, thats all Im saying. She went on to discuss the vice presidents fervent religious beliefs and claimed that he thinks hes got a direct line to Jesus. Hes extreme, she said. Im Christian, I love Jesus, but he thinks Jesus tells him to say things. And like, Jesus aint say that. Hes scary. Omarosa was first introduced to the American public in 2004 as a contestant on Trumps reality show The Apprentice, after which she appeared on several other reality programs. She was reportedly fired as Trumps Director of Communications for the Office of Public Liaison in December, though she insists she resigned. The White House did not deny reports that she had been physically dragged off White House grounds. 855 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard By Joseph Ax < (Reuters) Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf rejected a Republican-drawn congressional map on Tuesday as unfairly skewed toward protecting Republican candidates, likely putting the states top court in charge of creating new boundaries. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court invalidated the existing map last month as an unconstitutional gerrymander, ruling that Republican lawmakers had marginalized Democratic voters in an effort to win more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. A new map is expected to boost Democrats chances of winning more Pennsylvania seats in Novembers midterm elections, when they need 24 nationwide to take control of the House from Republicans. Republicans hold 13 of the states 18 congressional seats despite Pennsylvanias status as a closely contested swing state. The analysis by my team shows that, like the 2011 map, the map submitted to my office by Republican leaders is still a gerrymander, Wolf said in a statement. Their map clearly seeks to benefit one political party, which is the essence of why the court found the current map to be unconstitutional. The courts Democratic majority had given Wolf until Thursday to decide whether to accept or reject the new map submitted by Republican leaders late on Friday. With no deal in place, the court has said it will undertake the process of drawing new lines itself, with help from an independent redistricting expert. Legal battles are playing out in several U.S. states over partisan gerrymandering, the process by which district lines are manipulated to favor one party over another. Pennsylvania has long been seen as one of the worst offenders, with one of its more oddly shaped districts described derisively as Goofy Kicking Donald Duck. Leaders in the Republican-controlled state legislature have said they may file a federal lawsuit challenging the state Supreme Courts authority to draw the map. The U.S. Supreme Court last week rebuffed an emergency appeal filed by Republicans. Any new map would likely result in sitting Congress members, candidates and thousands of voters finding themselves living in a new district. The primary midterm elections are scheduled for May. The state Supreme Courts order called for a map that prioritized compactness and avoided splitting counties and municipalities. Numerous redistricting experts have said in recent days that the proposed map remains heavily gerrymandered, despite creating more compact districts. Wolfs office retained Moon Duchin, a mathematician from Tufts University, to analyze the Republican proposal. In a statement, Duchin said she calculated there was no more than a 1-in-1,000 chance that a map drafted to comply with the courts order would result in such a large advantage for Republicans. The proposed Joint Submission Plan is extremely, and unnecessarily, partisan, she said. In a 5-2 decision along party lines, the court struck down the existing map on Jan. 22, ruling on a lawsuit filed last year by Democratic voters and the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania. The court found that the current lines violate the state constitutions free speech and equal protection guarantees by depriving Democratic voters of meaningful ballots. (Reporting by Joseph Ax; editing by Jonathan Oatis) 190 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Thanks to the chaos Trump continues to unleash with everything he does, five former federal prosecutors have decided to seek House seats and theyre running as Democrats. < As reported by The Wall Street Journal, Chris Hunter resigned from the job hed held at the Justice Department for over a decade in December, prompted by Trumps behavior and the changes in dynamics he witnessed. He listed Trumps firing of former FBI director James Comey, his belittling of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and pardoning of Sheriff Joe Arpaio as just some of the reasons he left. He is now challenging Republican Gus Bilirakis, who represents Floridas 12th Congressional District. Hunter emphasized that, were a less erratic Republican the president, he probably would not have made the decision to run. If Jeb Bush had been the [presidential] nominee and won, no way would I have run, he said. Paul Pelletier, another former federal prosecutor running for office, is looking to fill Virginias 10th district seat, currently held by Republican Rep. Barbara Comstock. At a public forum on Saturday, Pelletier said Comstock sits silently each and every day as the president and this Republican Congress denigrate and impugn the integrity of federal law enforcement, the same men and women who protect us every single day. Conor Lamb, the third former federal prosecutor running as a Democrat, quit his job in October to campaign for a House seat in Pennsylvanias 18th congressional district. The special election will be held on March 13. ABC/Randy HolmesKings of Leon and Fall Out Boy will headline the U.K.'s Reading & Leeds festival, held August 24-26. The initial lineup also includes Panic! at the Disco, Papa Roach, Wolf Alice, Nothing But Thieves, Sum 41, The Wombats and Hollywood Undead, among others. More artists will be announced later. The festival is Kings of Leon's first scheduled tour date of 2018. The band spent most of 2017 touring in support of their latest album, 2016's WALLS. For ticket info, visit ReadingandLeedsFestival.com. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Kerala's TPR at 15.12% after 15,876 test COVID-19 positive; active cases drop below 2 lakh The number active cases in the state came down to 1,98,865 on Tuesday after 25,654 more recover from the infection. Eight clean energy projects in Southeast Minnesota received seed grant funding from the Clean Energy Resource Teams earlier this month. CERTs announced it would fund 39 clean energy projects across the state on Feb. 1. Two Rochester projects received funding along with several others in neighboring communities. Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light, a Twin Cities-based organization that encourages faith communities to take action on climate, received a $3,500 grant to expand its presence to Rochester. The grant will help support the establishment of a Rochester Faith and Solar Coalition, which will encourage adoption of solar power among local faith organizations. "Our goals are to educate Rochester residents about what are the mechanisms to which they can get solar, to educate the faith communities about the role that they can play," said Julia Nerbonne, executive director of Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light. Last year, MNIPL received a grant to form a similar coalition in Duluth. Nerbonne said the organization wanted to shift its focus to southern Minnesota with this year's funding. MNIPL hopes to attract around 25 faith organizations to its new Rochester network, she said. Brett Benson, operations director for MNIPL, said churches and other faith organizations face unique challenges in embracing solar power. "Churches are not eligible for some of the tax benefits of solar installations," he said. "Which makes it harder to figure out the financing." Despite financial challenges, Benson said he hopes the project will encourage Rochester faith organizations and residents alike to choose solar. "The best way we know to normalize support for solar is to make it visible, and the best way to do that is to engage faith communities, which often are at the center of communities," he said. Benike Construction also received $1,500 in seed grant funding to help with energy efficiency decisions and recommendations for the renovation of Rochester's former Armory building. The incoming development, dubbed the "Castle Community," will include a restaurant, an art gallery and studios, a bookstore and a public common space. Here are six other southeast Minnesota projects that received seed grant funding: City of Albert Lea Solar Ready Albert Lea: The City received $3,500 to assess the feasibility of solar energy implementation in all primary government buildings in Albert Lea. Minnesota State College Southeast Winona area weatherization installers pool: The school received $3,500 to include Building Performance Institute (BPI) Air Leakage Control (ALC) installer training in its curriculum. The grant will help give ALC training to local contractors. City of Faribault promoting solar PV on school and city facilities: The City received $3,500 for a project to establish a solar PV master plan that will chart a path for solar PV implementation at certain City and school sites. City of Red Wing demonstration electric vehicle charging station: The City received $2,000 to install a twin plug EV charging demonstration station in a public parking ramp. The station will serve four parking spots. City of La Crescent public facilities LED lighting upgrade: The City received $1,500 to upgrade 22 outdated exterior light fixtures with LED light technology. The improvements will be made in parks, on streets and at the city's water plant. City of Whalan new LED street lights: The City received $1,000 to upgrade all of its 29 street lights to the more energy-efficient LEDs. CERTs 2018 Seed Grant Recipients More than 230 people attended the 17th annual Wit, Wisdom, and Wine , a benefit for the Rochester Public Library Foundation , Jan. 27 at the library. Gross proceeds of more than $40,000 will fund a variety of educational and informational resources and projects at the library, such as the WiFi Hot Spot program and the Summer Playlist, an enhanced reading program for children and adults. The evening began with a reception, which gave attendees time to bid on silent auction items, purchase tickets for a jewelry raffle, and wine wall. Guests then attended two of the eight educational sessions offered during the event. Session topics included cooking, wine tasting, travel and others. Dr. Richa Soodpresented "Happier and Less Stressed You," a primer on stress that included what stress is as well as techniques to reduce the damaging effect it has on our lives. She defined stress as "the struggle with 'what is'" and then explained the brain's need for RUM Rest, Uplifting moments, and Motivation to combat life's stressors. Next, she explained some simple techniques, or core practices, as she referred to them, to reduce stress. Asking audience members to close their eyes, Dr. Sood guided everyone through an exercise in gratitude one of the core practices by having each person think about the five people who matter most in their lives. Dr. Sood presented other core practices in stress relief and finished her presentation by crediting her husband, Dr. Amit Sood, Mayo Clinic stress management and resiliency expert, for his work in this area, and suggested his website, www.stressfree.org, for more information. Wit, Wine, and Wisdom participant Ione Schloegelattended Dr. Sood's program. "We are in control of our emotions if we take time to focus," she said about what she had learned. "Stress occurs to all of us. If we panic, we lose our ability to consciously address the issue." Session presenter Kay Hockershowed guests how to make four variations of homemade mayonnaise. Hocker enjoys "from-scratch cooking" at home. She has a collection of more than 1,000 cookbooks to draw ideas from. "Cooking is relaxing," she said. "It's more than a hobby. It's a way to concentrate on a task, to be 'in the moment.'" Throughout the evening, members of Rochester Reading Champions gave tours of the new Literacy Hub at the library. Adenand Kaleb, graduates of the program, spoke to attendees about their experience with tutoring. "They are ambassadors for our program," said Gail Harris, a Rochester Reading Champions tutor. "They are typical of what can happen through tutoring." Both sixth-graders have advanced beyond their reading level and said they now enjoy reading. "It was fun," Aden said. "It can help tremendously." Former congressman Tim Pennygave his take on Trump's presidency thus far in his presentation, "One Year and One Week." Penny gave his thoughts about what has happened with Obamacare, immigration, tax reform, Trumponomics, and foreign policy. Penny took time for audience questions and comments. Earlene Wickreattended with her husband, Harlan. They like to attend the event in support of an organization that freely gives so much to the community. "The library offers so many free services," Earlene said. "They have to pay for that somehow. This is a fun event. The sessions are always good. And I appreciate how much the library works their strategic plan. They follow through. They're an organization that is focused and they deliver." Special prosecutor counsel Bob Mueller has one significant scalp on the wall: that of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, who pled guilty to one count of lying to the FBI and has yet to be sentenced. But, in a brilliant column, Byron York reviews the sequence of events as we have tortuously come to know them. Based on what we now know (or think we know), it is highly doubtful whether Flynn did anything wrong at all. It is a given that there was nothing wrong with Flynns talking to the Russian ambassador, or discussing sanctions with him. As the incoming National Security Advisor, Flynn had many such conversations with foreign diplomats. Sanctions were a perfectly legitimate topic for them to talk about, as Stephen Hadley said: So even if Flynn discussed the hot issue of U.S. sanctions against Russia with Kislyak, that was OK. I dont have a problem with that, former Bush national security adviser Stephen Hadley said in February 2017. I dont see what would be wrong if [Flynn] simply said, look, dont retaliate, doesnt make sense, it hurts my country, it makes it harder for us as an incoming administration to reconsider Russia policy, which is something we said wed do. So just hold your fire and let us have a shot at this. And, as Byron notes, the FBI said that it found no wrongdoing in Flynns conversations with Ambassador Kislyak. So, what is the problem? Why on Earth would Flynn lie to the FBI? Maybe he didnt: [FBI Director James] Comey went to Capitol Hill in March to brief lawmakers privately. That is when he told them that the FBI agents who interviewed Flynn did not believe Flynn had lied, or that any inaccuracies in Flynns answers were intentional. And that is when some lawmakers got the impression that Flynn would not be charged with any crime pertaining to the January 24 interview. So what changed? The answer apparently has a lot to do with Sally Yates, the disgraced former Acting Attorney General, an Obama holdover who later was fired for insubordination. Yates promoted the far-fetched theory that Flynn might have violated the Logan Act and therefore might be subject to blackmail by the Russians. Of course, while that theory might provide a flimsy motive for lying to the FBI, it wouldnt prove that Flynn intentionally said anything that was untrue. Why would Flynn plead guilty to a single count if he was innocent? That seems like a logical question to those who have never had the full might of the federal government directed against us. Our friend Howard Root could explain what it feels like to have the inexhaustible resources of the federal government committed to putting you in prison, as a political pawn. Flynn has said that he was nearly broke as a result of having to pay lawyers to defend him against the special prosecutors counsels vendetta, an entirely plausible claim. With the Trump administration taking a hands-off approachtheoretically proper but entirely unhelpful, if you are Michael Flynnit isnt hard to see why he might plead guilty to something he didnt do. As with so many issues that are swirling around Washington, D.C., the answer, in my opinion, is more disclosure. As I wrote here, I want to see the transcript of the interview that Flynn gave to Peter Strzok and another FBI agent. I think I could pretty quickly determine whether there was ever a strong claim that Flynn lied. Finally, I wasnt kidding when I described Yorks column as brilliant. It is a terrific guide to a convoluted bit of history. I recommend that you read it all. In his Wall Street Journal column this past Friday, Jeryl Bier reported that Minnesota Fifth District Rep. Keith Ellison and Nation of Islam Supreme Leader Louis Farrakhan had a reunion of sorts in September 2013: The occasion was a visit by Irans newly elected President Hassan Rouhani to the United Nations. Mr. Rouhani invited Muslim leaders from around the U.S. to dinner after addressing the U.N. General Assembly. Contemporaneous news reports placed Mr. Farrakhan at the dinner. Unreported by mainstream outlets was the presence of Mr. Ellison, along with Reps. Gregory Meeks of New York and Andre Carson of Indiana. (All three are Democrats; Messrs. Ellison and Carson are Muslim.) The Nation of Islam website documents the event, noting that Mr. Rouhani hosted the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, Muslim leaders from different Islamic communities and members of the U.S. Congress at a private meeting . . . at the One UN Hotel in Manhattan Sept. 24, 2013 across the street from the UN headquarters. The Final Call, a Nation of Islam publication, added that Keith Ellison of Minnesota . . . participated in the dialogue after dinner and includes photos of Messrs. Farrakhan and Ellison at the tables. The Michigan-based Islamic House of Wisdom also reported on the meeting, with additional photos. According to Mr. Farrakhan, the 2013 meeting was not the last time he and Mr. Ellison were together. After Mr. Ellison renewed his denunciation of Mr. Farrakhan in 2016, Mr. Farrakhan stated in an interview that Reps. Ellison and Carson had visited him in his Washington hotel suite the preceding summer. For some reason, no one wanted to talk with Bier about it: The press secretaries for Messrs. Ellison, Carson and Schumer did not answer emails seeking comment. Mr. Meekss press secretary said his boss had no response. Star Tribune political reporter Patrick Coolican followed up on Biers column and succeeded in extracting a statement from Ellison. In his Star Tribune Hot Dish email newsletter this morning, Coolican provides this statement attributed by an Ellison spokesman to Ellison himself (as Coolican puts it): As part of the 2013 U.N. General Assembly, and as negotiations were under way for what would become the Iran deal, I attended a meeting with President Rouhani and nearly 50 American Muslim leaders. This was not a private dinner, I didnt know in advance who else would be there, and my decision to attend was not an endorsement of the political views of other attendees. I attended the meeting to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue and to press President Rouhani face-to-face for the release of former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati, who was illegally detained and tortured by the Iranian regime. As always, I disavow anti-Semitism and bigotry in all of its forms. Well, I guess it depends on the meaning of private. The dinner wasnt open to the public. Ellisons response otherwise confirms Biers account, though with apologetics and under a pretense of disputation that it must have taken a few days to concoct. What about Ellisons subsequent meeting with Farrakhan in his Washington hotel suite? The cat has Ellisons tongue again on that one. Coolican notes: I followed up with a question to Ellison aide Karthik Ganapathy about this claim last night, but heard nothing back. Here Coolican himself inserts the apologetics: Bear in mind, during the interview in which Farrakhan says he met with Ellison, he also makes a ludicrous assertion about Jewish control of politics, economics, Hollywood, music, media. Farrakhans credibility is less than sound. But Ellisons silence weighs on behalf of Farrakhans statement regarding the meeting with Ellison, though perhaps with a little more time hell come up with something. As for credibility, Ellison has nothing on Farrakhan. Absolutely nothing. This is the point of my Star Tribune column Ellison remembers to forget and the other pieces I collected in An Ellison-Farrakhan reunion. Today Ellison denies he was ever a member of the Nation of Islam. Back in 1998, however, Ellison first ran for office under the name Keith Ellison-Muhammad a self-identified member of the Nation of Islam (see below, click to enlarge). William F. Buckley used to remark about what he called the invincible ignorance of liberals. Too bad he didnt live to see Sen. Brian Schatz. After Senator Schatz complained about Attorney General Jeff Sessionss use of Anglo-American tradition as a dog whistle for racists, Paul called him a moron, presumably because there arent many stronger words available for ignorance this epic. On thing I will say for liberals like Schatz: they have a finely-tuned sense of hearing, as they are able to make out dog whistles that even dogs cant hear. I wonder whether Sen. Schatz has taken a look at the flag of the state he represents (Hawaii) lately: (Hat tip: Charlie Cooke at National Review.) Those who believe in government transparency have (or had) it in the case of Susan Rice. She is a transparent liar. She is also a knave and a fool. On September 16, 2012, for example, she hit the Sunday morning gabfests to assert that the attack on our Benghazi facilities represented cinematic criticism gone wild. She peddled the same highly rehearsed line virtually verbatim on each of the five shows. Here is how she put it on Fox News Sunday: The best information and the best assessment we have today is that in fact this was not a preplanned, premeditated attack. That happened initially was that it was a spontaneous reaction to what had just transpired in Cairo, as a consequence of the video. In the eyes of Barack Obama, such service qualified her for a promotion. Rice was serving at the time as United States Ambassador to the United Nations. He wanted her to serve as his Secretary of State. In the event, he installed her as his National Security Adviser. As such she sent an email to herself on Obamas last day in office. Released in redacted form yesterday, the email is one of the most intriguing if enigmatic bits of evidence to have emerged in the alleged Russian collusion scandal. As part of their oversight efforts, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Grassley and subcommittee chairman Graham obtained the email from the National Archives in response to their request for records of meetings between President Obama and Comey in the collusion investigation. Rice sent the email to herself with a copy to Curtis Ried (Twitter feed here) on January 20, 2017. January 20 was of course the day of President Trumps inauguration. If the timestamp is correct, Rice sent the email to herself at 12:15 p.m., within minutes of Trumps inauguration and just before she must have departed the White House for the last time. The email purports to document a January 5, 2017, Oval Office meeting including President Obama, Comey, former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, Vice President Biden and Rice herself regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election. What a crew. Rice wrote: President Obama began the conversation by stressing his continued commitment to ensuring that every aspect of this issue is handled by the Intelligence and law enforcement communities by the book. The President stressed that he is not asking about, initiating or instructing anything from a law enforcement perspective. He reiterated that our law enforcement team needs to proceed as it normally would by the book. Grassley and Graham were struck by the context and timing of this email and have sent a follow up letter to Rice. The letter reads in part: It strikes us as odd that, among your activities in the final moments on the final day of the Obama administration, you would feel the need to send yourself such an unusual email purporting to document a conversation involving President Obama and his interactions with the FBI regarding the Trump/Russia investigation. In addition, despite your claim that President Obama repeatedly told Mr. Comey to proceed by the book, substantial questions have arisen about whether officials at the FBI, as well as at the Justice Department and the State Department, actually did proceed by the book. According to the email, the meeting further took up the question whether Trump could be trusted with information fully as it relates to Russia. Senator Grassley has posted a press release and copy of his correspondence quoting the email here. The letter poses 12 numbered questions to Rice. I have posted the letter and the appended email as redacted below via Scribd. Allahpundit offers related thoughts construing the email here. Take a look at the email with your own eyes. It is, as I say, an intriguing piece of evidence. I would draw every reasonable inference against Obama and Rice, but there is a level of uncertainty that necessarily attaches here. To me the email cries of nobody here but us chickens. Grassley Letter to Rice and Attachment by Scott Johnson on Scribd The unveiling of the portraits of the Obamas for the National Portrait Gallery puts me in mind of Winston Churchills reaction to the ghastly Graham Sutherland portrait (left) presented to him for his 80th birthday, which Churchill (a talented painter in his own right, keep in mindsee his great short essay Painting as a Pastime) called a remarkable example of modern art, to much laughter in the audience. That was, of course, his way of saying he didnt like it. Clementine Churchill later had the painting destroyed in a backyard bonfire, which the artist, Sutherland, complained bitterly was an act of vandalism. The real vandalism was letting Sutherland paint Churchill in the first place. And ponder the vandalism that is the official portraits the Obamas apparently chose for themselves and approve. You may think the Obamas simply have no taste, but the departure from the traditional mode of presidential portraits is yet another subtle signal of their contempt for American traditions. They wont have the good sense to throw these ghastly portraits on a bonfire. (And remember: Trump is vulgar.) To the contrary, these portraits fuel the bonfire of their vanities, especially their vanity of being different and better than the ordinary run of Americans and the presidents they followed. Just take a look, and spot the one that doesnt belong: This seems to be an impulse for liberals. I know I have shown it before, but take in Gov. Jerry Browns official portrait that hangs in the California capitol building from his first turn as governor in the 1980s: I often wondered, back when I lived in Sacramento and I liked to spring this portrait on visitors without warning (usually provoking gasps), what would happen if I attached a piece of bubble gum on the tip of Browns nose. How many months would go by before someone wondered whether it belonged there? The good news is that the Obama portraits are already coming in for heavy mockery from all sides, and hence providing Power Line with a surfeit of material for a modified, special Tuesday edition of the Weak in Pictures. We begin with the real articles, and then descend from there. Though as Glenn Reynolds likes to point out, these should have been their portraits: And it could have been worse, folks: And hey, since this is the Week in Pictures, who cares if this is off topic. And finally. . . I wrote here about the void in the Trump/Sessions, where four nominees for Assistant Attorney General positions are being held up due to Senate inaction. The four positions are crucial ones: Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division; Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division; Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division; and Assistant Attorney General, National Security Division. Why cant these nominees get a vote? Apparently, its because of marijuana. Sen. Cory Gardner is vexed with Attorney General Sessions over enforcement of Federal marijuana laws in Colorado. Alfred Regnery, citing just one of the four major gaps at the Justice Department, points out the absurdity of the situation: There is no permanent presidential appointee at the Justice Department in charge of combating terrorism because a Republican senator has put discretionary federal marijuana enforcement above U.S. national security in his priorities. No matter how one feels about the dispute between Sessions and Gardner over enforcement of federal marijuana laws in Colorado, it is the height of irresponsibility to block the administration from staffing key positions at the DOJ over this matter. As Christian Adams has illustrated, the absence of presidential appointees at the Assistant Attorney General level leaves left-wing Obama holdovers with enormous sway at the Justice Department. Sen. Gardners priorities are grossly out of whack. Attorney General Sessions addressed this issue today in an address to the National Sheriffs Association. He stated: Right now, were trying to confirm a number of important component heads at the Department of Justice. That includes a new head of our Criminal Division, our Civil Rights Division, and our National Security Division. These are critically important componentsand outstanding nominees. Our nominee to lead the National Security Division was approved unanimously in committee. But because of one senators concerns over unrelated political issueslike legalizing marijuanawe cant even get a vote. Im Attorney General of the United States. I dont have the authority to say that something is legal when it is illegaleven if I wanted to. I cannot and will not pretend that a duly enacted law of this countrylike the federal ban on marijuanadoes not exist. Marijuana is illegal in the United Stateseven in Colorado, California, and everywhere else in America. We need our nominees confirmed. Safety and security are just too important. But not, it seems, in the estimation of the one Senator in question. "SWIM omits the need for cable-to-surface systems, so users do not experience any sensor failures nor the need to perform any form of data filtering or cleaning before running algorithms on the data," said Kiravani Emani, Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan. "The key differentiating factor of SWIM is the cost-efficient and robust nature of the solution." 4Subsea developed the SWIM solution to maximize the value of well slots and to reduce the rig operations costs. By instrumenting a blowout preventer with three autonomous sensors, SWIM monitors well integrity, well stability, and the load applied from the rig onto the wellhead, including fatigue loading. This monitoring helps users mitigate risk and provides well operators with a tool to detect wellhead integrity issues during a rig operation early enough to take corrective actions before a critical situation arises. The unique feature of SWIM is its machine-learning module, which is complemented by decision-support tools. These features provide predictive recommendations to the rig crew based on expected loading on the well in advance. SWIM comes with access to WellTrack, a set of digital apps with functions such as verified equipment data and operational history. These apps support better decision-making and allow for extended service life of the wells. "WellTrack helps operators assess old wells using verified equipment data and operational history to help them plan new rig operations, and assess the effects of choosing to operate with one particular rig versus another," said Emani. SWIM enables the safe and efficient performance of offshore drilling and intervention operations while optimizing overall rig operation costs. The WellTrack application strengthens the SWIM solution with significant decision-making support for operators while reducing risks and supporting operations. 4Subsea stands at the forefront of digitizing oil, gas, and offshore wind operations worldwide through its innovative digital platform. For these reasons, 4Subsea earns Frost & Sullivan's 2018 Europe Product Leadership Award. Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that develops a product with innovative features and functionality that is gaining rapid market acceptance. The award recognizes the quality of the solution and the customer value enhancements it enables. Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry. About 4Subsea 4Subsea is a leading provider of technology and services that help operators maintain production from subsea oil and gas fields and offshore wind farms. By combining expert engineering competence, practical experience and a digital service, 4Subsea ensures the integrity of subsea assets all the way from the reservoir to deck. The company was established in 2007 and clients include all the major oil and gas operators as well as the large suppliers of subsea equipment. 4Subsea has offices in Oslo, Bergen and Kristiansand in Norway, Aberdeen in the UK, and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. www.4subsea.com About Frost & Sullivan Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector, and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion. Contact: Estefany Ariza P: 210.477.8469 F: 210.348.1003 E: [email protected] Berit Lid Scharff P: +47 971 39 487 E: [email protected] Related Links http://www.frost.com SOURCE Frost & Sullivan TORONTO, Feb. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- BMO Financial Group (TSX:BMO) (NYSE:BMO) today released on its website (www.bmo.com/investorrelations) a template of the Supplementary Financial Information package updated to reflect the Bank's adoption of IFRS 9 for the annual period beginning on November 1, 2017. The pre-quarter-end release of this template has been provided to help readers of the Bank's financial statements better understand how these changes will be reported. As disclosed in BMO's 2017 Consolidated Financial Statements, the Bank adopted IFRS 9, Financial Instruments, which replaces the guidance in IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. IFRS 9 does not require restatement of comparative period financial statements. The Bank has made the decision not to restate comparative period financial information, and has recognized any measurement differences between the previous carrying amount and the new carrying amount of financial instruments on November 1, 2017, through an adjustment to opening retained earnings. On transition to IFRS 9, the Bank will prospectively record the provision for credit losses on impaired and performing loans within the respective business segment in which the underlying financial asset is held for segment reporting purposes. The Supplementary Financial Information template is available for download at https://www.bmo.com/home/about/banking/investor-relations/financial-information/quarterly-results. It is possible that the Supplementary Financial Information package for the first quarter of 2018 may reflect further refinements related to IFRS 9, as well as other normal course first quarter reclassifications. BMO Financial Group reports first quarter earnings on February 27, 2018. Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking information This document contains forward-looking statements. All such statements are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of, and are intended to be forward-looking statements under, the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and any applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements may involve, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the impact of the adoption of IFRS 9, Financial Instruments and related changes to BMO's Supplementary Financial Information package. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. There is significant risk that predictions, forecasts, conclusions or projections will not prove to be accurate, that our assumptions may not be correct, and that actual results may differ materially from such predictions, forecasts, conclusions or projections. We caution readers of this document not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, as a number of factors could cause actual future results, conditions, actions or events to differ materially from the targets, expectations, estimates or intentions expressed in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are the not limited to: the interpretation and application of IFRS 9, Financial Instruments and the related changes to our Supplementary Financial Information package; critical accounting estimates and the effect of changes to accounting standards, rules and interpretations on these estimates; and our ability to anticipate and effectively manage risks arising from all of the foregoing factors. Please see the Enterprise-Wide Risk Management section on pages 78 to 112 of BMO's 2017 Annual Report, which outlines certain key factors and risks that may affect Bank of Montreal's future results. Investors and others should carefully consider these factors and risks, as well as other uncertainties and potential events, and the inherent uncertainty of forward-looking statements. Bank of Montreal does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the organization or on its behalf, except as required by law. The forward-looking information contained in this document is presented for the purpose of assisting our shareholders in understanding the impact of IFRS 9, Financial Instruments and the related changes to our Supplementary Financial Information package and may not be appropriate for other purposes. About BMO Financial Group Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a highly diversified financial services provider the 8th largest bank, by assets, in North America. With total assets of $710 billion as of October 31, 2017, and more than 45,000 employees, BMO provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets. For News Media Enquiries: Paul Gammal, Toronto, [email protected], (416) 867-3996; For Investor Relations Enquiries: Jill Homenuk, Toronto, [email protected], (416) 867-4770, Christine Viau, Toronto, [email protected], (416) 867-6956; Internet: www.bmo.com; Twitter: @BMOmedia Related Links http://www.bmo.com SOURCE BMO Financial Group NEW DELHI, February 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Water has become one of India's leading topics of discussion amongst government agencies, city planners and urban decision makers in recent years. Water scarcity, water pollution, and water consumption have fast become some of the most challenging issues to address for cities in India today. With the new Smart Cities Mission, an urban renewal and retrofitting program sponsored by the Government of India, 100 cities have been selected to take the water crisis head on. Leveraging the advances of Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) technology, two Delhi-based tech companies, SenRa and Chariot, have begun collaborating with Smart Cities to support them in addressing the water problems which cities are currently facing. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/640936/SenRa_Logo.jpg ) Chariot, an Indian-based start-up company providing Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, and SenRa, a pan-India LoRaWAN network provider for IoT and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) applications, have successfully deployed India's first installation of Smart Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Ultrasonic Water Meters in live residential dwellings. With the collaboration from the LoRa Alliance, an open, non-profit association, a white paper of this recent deployment is now publically available and demonstrates how LoRaWAN can be used to contribute to India's Smart Cities Mission. The white paper is available for download at http://www.senraco.com/index.php/smart-water/#whitepaper . "We are very proud of our recent accomplishments with our partner, Chariot. What we are doing is really making a positive impact on the overall Smart Cities Mission sponsored by the Government of India," said Ali Hosseini, Chief Executive Officer of SenRa. "Cities are now able to leverage smart infrastructure and smart utilities to have better insight on their water consumption and water distribution methods. With smart governance, citizens will be able to live smarter and happier knowing their water issues are being addressed." SenRa will be exhibiting at the Mobile World Congress (http://www.mobileworldcongress.com) from February 27th - March 1st in Barcelona at the LoRa Alliance Pavilion (Hall 8.0, Stand D3) where they will be showcasing this case study with the Senet, a provider of secure, public, Low-Power Wide-Area Networks (LPWAN) and Managed Network Services for Internet of Things (IoT) applications supporting the LoRaWAN protocol. One can also find a live demonstration of this solution from Chariot and SenRa at the IoT India Expo (http://www.iotindiaexpo.com) from March 7th - 9th at Delhi's Pragati Maidan. About NRS Chariot Tech Pvt. Ltd. Chariot is an IoT start-up company bringing innovative solutions and technology to the world. Chariot provides end-to-end solutions leveraging its IoT platform and devices with included analytical capabilities to detect patterns in data streams from machines and sensors. Chariot solutions such as smart metering and smart parking work on cutting edge technology to help their customers increase efficiency and improve quality of life. Visit us today at http://www.chariotco.in. About SenRa Tech Pvt. Ltd. SenRa, a contributing member of the LoRa Alliance, is a LPWAN provider for IoT/M2M applications. SenRa is currently deploying LPWANs throughout India for projects which require secure, reliable, long distance communication at low cost. We work with partners deploying environmentally friendly solutions such as water meters, air quality monitors, smart agriculture solutions, electric and power meters. For additional information, visit: http://www.senraco.com. About LoRaWAN LPWAN (Low-Power Wide-Area Network) is a broad term covering several implementations and protocols, both open-source and proprietary. While other wireless communication technologies available like Bluetooth and BLE (and to some extent Wi-Fi and ZigBee) are not suited for long-range performance, LPWAN provides the longest range with a low data rates. The technology used in a LoRaWAN network is designed to connect low-cost, battery-operated sensors over long distances in harsh environments that were previously too challenging or cost-prohibitive to connect. With its unique penetration capability, a LoRaWAN gateway deployed on a building or tower can connect to sensors more than 10 miles away or to water meters deployed underground or in basements. About LoRa Alliance The LoRa Alliance is an open, nonprofit association, that has grown to more than 500 members since its inception in March 2015, becoming one of the largest and fastest-growing alliances in the technology sector. Its members closely collaborate and share experiences to promote the LoRaWAN protocol as the leading open global standard for secure, carrier-grade IoT LPWAN connectivity. With the technical flexibility to address a broad range of IoT applications, both static and mobile, and a certification program to guarantee interoperability, the LoRaWAN protocol has already been deployed by major mobile network operators globally, with continuing wide expansion ongoing. For information about joining the LoRa Alliance, please visit http://www.lora-alliance.org/join. Media Contact: Dhananjay Sharma [email protected] +91-9818-885-145 Chief Operating Officer SenRa Tech Private Limited SOURCE SenRa Tech Private Limited Emerging blockchain technology to impact utility performance SANTA CLARA, California, Feb. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan's recent analysis, Digital GridCapitalizing on Opportunities with Blockchain Technology, finds that the introduction of blockchain technology could transform current utilities and consumer business transaction models by enabling a decentralized energy production model. This potential disruption is forecast to make the grid more reliable and efficient, reduce utilities' capital expenditure on renewable energy generation, and allow consumers to participate in peer-to-peer (P2P) trading. The examination of the U.S. digital grid market also provides an in-depth overview of the United States (US) addressable market, its existing applications, and emerging energy applications. Key impacts, benefits, challenges, companies to watch, and case studies are provided. To access more information on this analysis, please http://frost.ly/271 "Most energy cryptocurrency and blockchain platforms-as-a-service companies are operating at a pilot scale, with limited revenue growth. However, with Mega Trends such as 5G, transactive energy, and micro-grids set to become prominent over the next five to 10 years, adoption and revenue could see explosive upsurges," said Frost & Sullivan Energy & Environment Senior Research Analyst Naren Pasupalati. Pasupalati recommends that blockchain developers tap into areas that have adopted advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), such as Washington D.C., Maine, and Nevada, and high distributed solar PV installation, such as California and Georgia. These areas have an increased probability of adopting blockchain technology for P2P energy transactions. Five application opportunities identified for blockchain in the digital grid sector include: Billing platform for retail sales and net metering: Blockchain's functioning as a distributed record of transaction data can be used to create a comprehensive archive of all electricity billing data for utilities; Platform for P2P trading and renewable energy certification: Blockchain platforms enable utilities to empower consumers to simply trade electricity with each other and settle payments with the help of an automated and decentralized system; International energy trading: The volumes of international electricity trade, both export and import, are forecast to grow over the next 10 years to almost 83,000 TWh; Electric vehicles and vehicles-to-grid: Vehicle-to-Grid is an upcoming initiative defined by the bi-directional electricity flow between the vehicle and electrical grid; Customer management: Blockchain technology could disrupt the way customer accounts are managed digitally by utilities. "With blockchain, the lines between consumers and utilities will be blurred; however, many states in the US still prohibit direct sales of electricity by non-utility entities to consumers," observes Pasupalati. "Regulations will need to evolve as utilities lean toward decentralized energy systems." Digital GridCapitalizing on Opportunities with Blockchain Technology is part of Frost & Sullivan's Power Generation Growth Partnership Services Program. About Frost & Sullivan Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion . Digital GridCapitalizing on Opportunities with Blockchain Technology K231_14 Contact: Jaylon Brinkley Corporate Communications North America P: (210) 247.2481 F: (210) 348.1003 E: [email protected] Related Links http://www.frost.com SOURCE Frost & Sullivan Advanced solar design and optimization software for SketchUp CHENNAI, India, Feb. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- FTC Solar, Inc. announced the launch of a new version of SunDAT for the India solar market called SunDAT Essential. The new version of the software aims to put the power of SunDAT, a 3D solar design automation and optimization platform, in the hands of all India-based solar designers and engineers. SunDAT can now be purchased in three subscription formats, Essential, Standard and Pro, each with a subscription model structured specifically for the India market. SunDAT Essential enables users to quickly optimize solar designs for rooftops, ground mounts and canopy systems. SunDAT's layout algorithm iterates through multiple design scenarios using a 3D model of the project site in SketchUp. The Essential version of SunDAT limits models to a 1MW DC system size, however the Standard and Pro versions have no system size limits. "In SunDAT Essential we've created a tool kit with everything that solar designers need to quickly generate optimized system designs for sites under 1 MW DC," said Avinash Srinivasan, Software Engineering Manager at FTC Solar. "The best part is that we can offer this version of SunDAT specifically to the India solar industry at a competitive cost." SunDAT Essential includes several key features necessary for solar design optimization including module layout, shading analysis and energy modeling/analysis (powered by NREL SAM). Additional features in the Standard and Pro versions include single-line diagram generation, slope/topography analysis, DC electrical design and many more tools that enable solar designers and engineers to further optimize PV design. "Our team received very positive feedback about SunDAT from the attendees at Intersolar India in Mumbai last December," said Andrew Morse, Director of Software at FTC Solar. "The launch of SunDAT Essential and the changes in our license strategy for our Standard and Pro subscriptions represent our response to that feedback and our willingness to serve the unique needs of the India solar market." SunDAT is available for a 15-day free trial at https://sundat.ftcsolar.com. For sales inquiries, please contact [email protected] About SunDAT SunDAT is a software extension developed for the SketchUp 3D environment that enables automated design and optimization of photovoltaic systems. The software allows users to work with residential, commercial or utility-scale sites, and optimize system layout, equipment hierarchy and energy output based on local site constraints and industry design standards. About FTC Solar FTC Solar is a team of dedicated renewable energy professionals focused on delivering value to our clients across the solar development and construction cycle. With over 4GW of worldwide project installation experience, FTC Solar's differentiated software and service offerings drive value for solar solutions spanning a range of applications including ground mount, tracker, canopy and rooftop. https://www.ftcsolar.com/. Contact: Avinash Srinivasan, [email protected] Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/606639/Ftc_solar_Logo.jpg Related Links http://www.ftcsolar.com SOURCE FTC Solar, Inc. NEW DELHI, February 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Newgen Software, a provider of Business Process Management (BPM), Enterprise Content Management (ECM), Customer Communication Management (CCM) platforms, has been listed as a 'Visionary' in the 'Gartner Magic Quadrant for Intelligent Business Process Management Suites 2017 by Rob Dunie, Van Baker, Marc Kerremans, Jason Wong, published on October 24, 2017'. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130912/638839 ) Newgen OmniFlow Intelligent Business Process Suite (OmniFlow iBPS) is a platform for business stakeholders to drive enterprise-wide digital transformation. The platform enables organisations to manage a complete range of business processes, leveraging its advanced tools for content integration, process orchestration, predictive and on demand analytics, enterprise mobility, social collaboration and cloud deployment. Commenting on this recognition, Mr Diwakar Nigam, MD & CEO, Newgen Software, said, "Being Cited a Visionary in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Intelligent Business Process Management Suites validates our enormous efforts to provide unique value proposition to our clients across verticals. The company has continuously strived to drive innovation across all of its products. Continuous process improvement, superior customer experience and accelerated business growth have become imperative for digital transformation within any organization." Newgen OmniFlow iBPS framework facilitates Digital Sensing for enhanced customer experience across different communication channels and Robotics Process Automation (RPA) enabling organizations to easily create, deploy, manage and monitor bots thus, enabling businesses across the globe with the competitive edge to improve efficiency, enhance productivity and accelerate revenue growth. About Newgen Software Newgen Software, is a provider of Business Process Management (BPM), Enterprise Content Management (ECM), Customer Communication Management (CCM) platforms with large, mission-critical solutions deployed at world's leading banks, insurance firms, healthcare organizations, governments, BPO's & telecom companies. For more details, please visit: http://www.newgensoft.com About the Magic Quadrant Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Media Contact: Asif Khan [email protected] +91-11-4077-3700 Corporate Marketing Newgen Software Technologies Limited SOURCE Newgen Software Technologies Limited The report " Hydraulic Fluid Market by Base Oil (Mineral Oil, Synthetic Oil, Semi-Synthetic Oil, Bio-Based Oil), Application (OEM, Mining Equipment, Construction Equipment, Transportation, Oil & Gas, Metal Production, Food & Beverage) - Global Forecast to 2022" published by MarketsandMarkets, the market is projected to grow from USD 19.42 Billion in 2017 to USD 22.07 Billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 2.59% between 2017 and 2022. Industrial growth in the APAC and the Middle East & Africa regions coupled with the improved quality of hydraulic fluid is expected to drive the Hydraulic Fluid Market during the forecast period. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 ) Browse 118 tables and 47 figures spread through 167 pages and in-depth TOC on "Hydraulic Fluid Market" https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/hydraulic-fluid-market-71021039.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report The semi-synthetic base oil is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The Hydraulic Fluid Market has been segmented on the basis of base oil into mineral oil, synthetic oil (PAO, PAG, Esters, and Group IV), semi-synthetic oil, and bio-based oil. The semi-synthetic oil segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Semi-synthetic oil is a mixture of mineral and synthetic oil. Hence, it provides high performance at comparatively lower cost than synthetic oil. This is a major factor for the growth of the semi-synthetic oil segment. Get PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=71021039 The OEM application segment is expected to lead the Hydraulic Fluid Market during the forecast period. OEM was the largest application segment of the Hydraulic Fluid Market in 2016. This dominance is projected to continue till 2022. In OEM application, the usage of heavy load equipment is very high. The manufacturing of automotive & aerospace parts and shipbuilding requires frequent replacement of hydraulic fluid for better performance. The demand for hydraulic fluid in the OEM application is driven by the increased demand for vehicles in the APAC and Europe regions. APAC is expected to be the largest market for hydraulic fluid during the forecast period. The Hydraulic Fluid Market has been studied in five regions, namely, APAC, North America, Europe, the Middle East & Africa, and South America. APAC is projected to be the largest Hydraulic Fluid Market during the forecast period due to massive industrial growth in emerging countries, such as China, India, and South Korea. Increasing manufacturing activities and trade in the region is also expected to drive the Hydraulic Fluid Market in APAC. Some of the key players in the Hydraulic Fluid Market include Royal Dutch Shell (Netherlands), ExxonMobile (US), BP (UK), Chevron Corporation (US), Total (France), PetroChina (China), Sinopec (China), LUKOIL (Russia), Indian Oil Corporation (India), and Idemitsu Kosan (Japan). Inquiry Before Buying @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=71021039 Browse Related Reports Gear Oil Market by Base Oil (Mineral, Synthetic, Semi-Synthetic, Bio-based), End-Use Industry (General Industrial (Manufacturing, Mining, Construction, Oil & Gas), Transportation (Automotive, Marine, Aviation)), Region - Global Forecasts to 2022 https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/gear-oil-market-161070388.html Industrial Lubricants Market by Type (Metalworking Fluid, Grease Hydraulic, Gear, Compressor, Turbine Oil), End-Use Industry (Construction & Mining, Metal, Cement, Power Generation, Manufacturing, Food), Base Oil, and Region - Global Forecasts to 2021 https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/industrial-lubricants-market-84594070.html Know More About our Knowledge Store @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Knowledgestore.asp About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 5000 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Blog @ http://www.marketsandmarketsblog.com/market-reports/chemical Connect with us on LinkedIn @ http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets SOURCE MarketsandMarkets MUMBAI, February 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Indian companies have invested nearly USD 3,700 million creating 3,000 jobs in Abu Dhabi over the past decade. This fact was revealed at the recently held Abu Dhabi Week in India 2018, hosted by Abu Dhabi Investment Office along with Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development in New Delhi and Mumbai. The Investment Forums organized in both cities showcased investment related opportunities in the capital city of UAE and the growing business opportunities in the region. India currently ranks 5th in terms of FDI into Abu Dhabi. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/641447/Abu_Dhabi_Week_India_2018.jpg ) "Abu Dhabi is setting a benchmark for economic diversity and sustainable development. It is expanding its non-oil sectors to become high-value added economy that also encourages entrepreneurship. These sectors offer mutual opportunities to Indian businesses in a stable and flexible environment that is very well integrated into the global economy," said H.E. Saif Mohammed Al Hajiri, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development. The investment roadshow showcased multiple investment opportunities in manufacturing, tourism, healthcare, infrastructure and industrial development. The event witnessed participation from 23 well-established businesses from Abu Dhabi like Zonescorp, Mubadala, Etihad Airways, Khalifa Port Free Trade Zone, Abu Dhabi Global Market, Abu Dhabi Systems & Information Centre to name a few. Abu Dhabi's GDP is expected to grow by over three percent in 2018, and it is expected that Indian investments will play an important role to further fuel development in the region. Being one of the largest and wealthiest of the seven emirates, Abu Dhabi's long term political stability provides for a safe and attractive environment for investment opportunities for Indian private investors. To promote their offerings across a wide range of sectors, the delegation held multiple B2B and G2B meetings and workshops with potential Indian corporates during the week. About Abu Dhabi Investment Office: Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) seeks to deliver a quality experience to potential investors throughout the process, reflecting the emirate's ambition to be a leading investment destination globally. Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) provides services to potential investors to assist them in their investment journey within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi by facilitating all their phases and enabling investors to achieve their investment goals. Abu Dhabi Investment Office helps the investor overcome any challenges that they may face in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in support of expansion plans and prosperity. Media Contact : Ronak Thakkar [email protected] +91-7738369621 Account Manager FleishmanHillard SOURCE Abu Dhabi Investment Office BENGALURU, February 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Having built a strong foundation in South India, Bangalore-based Online Instruments India Pvt. Ltd. (OLI) is aggressively expanding not only across the country but globally as well. With nearly three decades of multi-faceted expertise and an extensive line of leading-edge new age products, sold under its brands, OrangePlus LED, Logic AV Accessories, and now, Mahabell Industries, this is a company of the future making its presence felt today. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/641505/Online_Instruments_and_its_brands_Logo.jpg ) Financially strong and independent, Online Instruments is able to deploy a seamless distribution and integration network, ensuring that their customers experience nothing but total delight when dealing with OLI and its products. Since its inception, Online Instruments has incorporated a strong design thinking methodology into every single product, which is expertly executed by a young and energetic team - arguably Online Instruments' biggest asset. Innovative 21st century brands like OrangePlus LED and Logic AV Accessories have stepped into the market and captured the imagination of audiences, enabling them to take their first steps towards building a brighter, better, seamlessly integrated and more sustainable future. OrangePlus LED combines great design, aesthetics and full functionality. Clean, green and energy-efficient, this is a forward-thinking brand that serves the need of the hour. Their extensive range of LED lighting products have found utility across industry verticals, commercial and industrial spaces, offices, hotels, hospitals, restaurants, and more in India and internationally as well. Logic AV Accessories' cutting-edge products are going a long way in designing workplaces of the future. Working environments are undergoing a definitive transformation in terms of look-and-feel, driven by next-generation technologies, innovations and ideas. Logic seeks to minimize clutter and maximize good design and a sense of spaciousness. Online Instruments started in 1994 with just six people on board. Today, it is one of the fastest-growing companies that generates employment for over 350+ people across all its subsidiaries. Just to present an idea about the continued growth and scalability of Online Instruments, just five years ago, their turnover stood at less than 50 crores. Fast forward to today and by the end of the 2016-17 financial year, the company clocked in a turnover of more than 260 crores. Online Instruments' charismatic chairman, Shivanand Mahashetti, strongly believes that this is just an inkling of the company's true future potential. A forward-looking man with a grand vision, Shivanand Mahashetti believes that Online Instruments has just begun its ascent to the top. The company and its dynamic leadership team have set themselves some bold targets for the future. Led by promoters, Shivanand Mahashetti and Mahesh Bellad, who have a combined industry experience of over four decades, Online Instruments has taken the initiative to ensure future-readiness by partnering with industry-leaders like Panasonic, Samsung, Polycom and CISCO to offer quality products that transform commercial spaces, offices, hotels, restaurants, and add value to businesses, both big and small. With offices in Dubai and Singapore, Online Instruments looks to make its mark on international markets through their globally-relevant products, solutions and services. "As several businesses, cultural and educational institutions become interdisciplinary; they are seeking to move from rigid formal structured programs and spaces to those that are more dynamic, informal and open. Online Instruments provides products and services that can enable this transformation and help create a new generation of spaces that are flexible and accommodate a greater range of activities," states Mahesh Bellad. With the consecration of Mahabell Industries in 2017, the latest venture of Online Instruments, the company will not only generate significant employment to many people, but will inject some much-needed innovation, quality and international-grade standardization in the manufacturing sector for LED lighting products. They will 'Make in India' for the world. With state-of-the-art machinery and equipment, full-fledged testing labs and stringent quality standards, Online Instruments through Mahabell Industries will give a fresh look to this niche landscape that spans across the globe. If you want to know more about this bold, futuristic company, you can visit their website, www.onlineinstruments.co.in. You can also get in touch with them via email or telephone. OrangePlus LED +91-8884499142 Logic AV Accessories +91-9743300051 Mahabell Industries +91-9986331582 You can also get in touch with them via email or telephone. OrangePlus LED [email protected] +91-8884499142 Logic AV Accessories [email protected] +91-9743300051 Mahabell Industries [email protected] +91-9986331582 SOURCE Online Instruments (India) Pvt. Ltd. Public Interest Registry and Nonprofit Tech for Good Release the 3rd Annual 2018 Global NGO Technology Report RESTON, Virginia, Feb. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Public Interest Registry, the nonprofit operator of the .org domain, and Nonprofit Tech for Good today released the results of the "2018 Global NGO Technology Report." The third annual report analyzes how non-governmental organisations (NGOs) worldwide use web, email and mobile technology, online fundraising tools and social media, as well as manage data and security. The report details the key findings from a survey of 5,352 NGO respondents from 164 countries across Africa, Asia, Australia & Oceania, Europe, North America and South America. The report provides insight on the online and mobile communication tools NGOs around the world use to promote general awareness, communicate with core audiences and raise funds from donors, as well as an analysis of those online tools and comparisons of regional usage. New findings this year also uncover how NGOs implement data management and security software. Key findings globally include: 92 percent of respondents have a website . Of those, 87 percent are mobile-compatible, a 9 percent increase from 2017 . Of those, 87 percent are mobile-compatible, a 9 percent increase from 2017 68 percent of survey respondents noted that their organisation uses the .org domain, compared to 8 percent that use the .com domain Email dominates as the preferred form of communication to donors, with 63 percent of respondents regularly sending email updates, but 18 percent use messaging apps and 15 percent regularly send text messages to supporters but 18 percent use messaging apps and 15 percent regularly send text messages to supporters 72 percent of respondents accept online donations , an increase of 5 percent from 2017 , an increase of 5 percent from 2017 While 95 percent agree that social media is effective for online brand awareness, only 32 percent of NGOs worldwide have a written social media strategy Facebook leads global use as the highest social media platform with 93 percent of respondents having a dedicated page , followed by Twitter (77 percent) and YouTube (57 percent) , followed by Twitter (77 percent) and YouTube (57 percent) 25 percent of NGOs post daily to their Facebook page and 24 percent Tweet two-to-five times daily, yet 68 percent of NGOs post to LinkedIn less than once per week and 24 percent Tweet two-to-five times daily, yet 68 percent of NGOs post to LinkedIn less than once per week 80 percent of NGOs worldwide rely on Microsoft Windows operating system for desktop/laptop computers ; on smartphones/tablets global Google Android use outweighs Apple iOS ; on smartphones/tablets global Google Android use outweighs Apple iOS NGO respondents indicated using Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) software to manage communications with donors (45 percent), and of those, 64 percent use cloud-based CRM Only 41 percent of global respondents use encryption technology to protect data and communications "The findings from the 2018 report confirm that NGOs worldwide are rapidly expanding their use of technology and with increased reliance on technology, comes increased data management and security needs," said Heather Mansfield, founder of Nonprofit Tech for Good. "For the first time, this year's report provides benchmarks for managing and securing organizational and donor data. NGOs lag behind the private sector in this area and by providing benchmarks, we hope to inspire NGOs to modernize their data management and security practices." Key findings from Africa include: Only 74 percent of NGOs in Africa have a website, with 87 percent being mobile compatible have a website, with 87 percent being mobile compatible Compared to the global average, fewer NGOs in Africa accept donations online (55 percent) accept donations online (55 percent) WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app to communicate with donors (87 percent), followed by Facebook Messenger (52 percent) and Viber (4 percent) Facebook is the most popular social media channel (85 percent), followed Twitter (62 percent) and LinkedIn (39 percent) Google Android is the most popular smartphone/tablet operating system (66 percent) Key findings from Asia include: Compared to the global average, fewer respondents in Asia have a website (81 percent). Of those, 86 percent are mobile compatible have a website (81 percent). Of those, 86 percent are mobile compatible 56 percent of respondents accept online donations, an increase of 9 percent from 2017 WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app to communicate with donors (69 percent), followed by Facebook Messenger (52 percent) and Viber (9 percent) 86 percent of respondents in Asia have a Facebook page and 62 percent have a Twitter profile have a Facebook page and 62 percent have a Twitter profile In Asia , 62 percent of NGOs rely on Google Android as their smartphone/tablet operating system Key findings from Australia & Oceania include: 99 percent of NGOs in Australia and Oceania have a website with 86 percent being mobile compatible and Oceania have a website with 86 percent being mobile compatible 70 percent of NGOs accept online donations Representing the lowest percentage globally, only 8 percent of NGOs use messaging apps to communicate with donors; 88 percent of those organisations use Facebook Messenger Facebook is the most popular social media channel (94 percent), followed by Twitter (73 percent) and LinkedIn (57 percent) In the region, Apple iOS is the preferred smartphone/tablet operating system with 45 percent, while 21 percent use Google Android Key findings from Europe include: 97 percent of European NGOs have a website with 86 percent being mobile compatible The percent of European NGOs that accept online donations is 59 percent When communicating with supporters, only 17 percent of respondents in Europe use messaging apps, with WhatsApp being the most popular (65 percent) use messaging apps, with WhatsApp being the most popular (65 percent) 94 percent of respondents in Europe have a Facebook page, 80 percent have a Twitter profile and 58 percent have a LinkedIn page have a Facebook page, 80 percent have a Twitter profile and 58 percent have a LinkedIn page Google Android is the smartphone/tablet operating system of choice (47 percent) followed by Apple iOS (25 percent) Key findings from North America include: 98 percent of NGOs in North America have a website. Of those, 88 percent are mobile compatible have a website. Of those, 88 percent are mobile compatible 86 percent of respondents accept online donations Only 10 percent of NGOs use messaging apps to communicate with donors. Of those, Facebook Messenger is the platform of choice (68 percent), followed by WhatsApp (32 percent) and Snapchat (10 percent) 97 percent of NGOs use Facebook, 85 percent use Twitter, 63 percent use LinkedIn and 61 percent use Instagram Of NGO respondents in North America , 49 percent indicated using Apple iOS on smartphone/tablets, which is the highest reported percentage of use among all regions Key findings from South America include: Compared to the global average, fewer South American NGOs have a website (88 percent) with 87 percent being mobile compatible At 56 percent, the volume of NGOs that accept online donations is also lower than the global average (72 percent) South America respondents reported the highest use of messaging apps to communicate with donors (40 percent), with most using WhatsApp (90 percent) respondents reported the highest use of messaging apps to communicate with donors (40 percent), with most using WhatsApp (90 percent) Among all countries, South American has the highest use of Facebook (98 percent) and the lowest use of LinkedIn (41 percent); 71 percent of NGOs use Twitter, followed by Instagram at 55 percent 78 percent of NGOs use Google Android as their smartphone/tablet operating system "The annual Global NGO Technology Report not only shows how the internet can help organisations communicate and collaborate with stakeholders, but how it can serve as a powerful force for change when coupled with various technology tools," said Brian Cute, CEO of Public Interest Registry. "This is an important research initiative, bringing together partners from various industries to ultimately support organisations around the world as they seek to better understand and take advantage of technology that can help them actualizing their important social missions." The Global NGO Technology Report is supported by various global partners that encourage the participation of NGOs in the survey particularly those located in emerging nations to ensure a diverse, balanced understanding of how NGOs worldwide use technology. Partners include Al Qasimi Foundation, Arab Foundations Forum, Blackbaud Institute, CIVICUS, CONCORD Europe, Estudio de Impacto, Greater Public, Infoxchange, iWith.org, Museu da Pessoa, Nigeria Network if NGOs, Philanthropy Circuit, Tech Trust and TechSoup. For more information on the survey's findings, methodology and to download the full report, please visit: http://www.techreport.ngo. The report is also available in the following languages: About Public Interest Registry Public Interest Registry is a nonprofit organisation that operates the .org top-level domain the world's third largest "generic" top-level domain with more than 10.3 million domain names registered worldwide and the .ngo and .ong domains and OnGood community website. Public Interest Registry also operates four Internationalized Domain Names to support and encourage local language use of the Internet. As an advocate for collaboration, safety and security on the internet, Public Interest Registry's mission is to educate and enable the global noncommercial community to use the internet more effectively, and to take a leadership position among internet stakeholders on policy and other issues relating to the domain naming system. Based in Reston, Virginia, USA, Public Interest Registry was founded by the Internet Society (internetsociety.org) in 2002. About Nonprofit Tech for Good With nearly 100,000 monthly visitors and more than one million followers on social networks, Nonprofit Tech for Good is a leading social and mobile media resource for nonprofit professionals. Created and managed by Heather Mansfield, Nonprofit Tech for Good focuses on providing valuable, easy-to-understand information, news, and resources related to nonprofit technology, online communications, and mobile and social fundraising. Media Contact: Krystin Williamson, Allison+Partners for Public Interest Registry [email protected] (619) 342-9383 Related Links https://pir.org/ SOURCE Public Interest Registry Global Handbook Gives Health-Care Providers Accurate and Practical Guidance for Counseling Clients NEW DELHI, Feb. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Family planning is considered a development "best buy" and a life-saving intervention for millions of women and girls. Crucial to the success of family planning efforts worldwide is a well-educated and trained health workforce. In support of the global family planning workforce, a new edition of Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers, commonly known as the Global Handbook, will be released on February 15 in New Delhi, India, at the 2018 Regional Consortium Meeting of the Implementing Best Practices (IBP) Initiative. Written in plain terms and organized for quick review, the Global Handbook has served as the world's standard reference on family planning methods and related topics since its first publication in 2006. To date, more than 500,000 copies have been distributed in 13 languages. This will be the third edition published jointly by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the World Health Organization (WHO), with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and its Knowledge for Health (K4Health) Project. The Global Handbook is endorsed by more than 125 organizations worldwide, many of them members of the IBP Initiative. "The Global Handbook confirms that all women, including adolescent girls and young women, can safely use almost any contraceptive method," says Dr. Ian Askew, Director of WHO's Department of Reproductive Health and Research. "Providing most contraceptive methods is typically not complicated and can be done in a way that respects the dignity and autonomy of every client." The new edition includes information about available and new methods, including the LNG-IUD and implants, long-acting reversible methods; subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC), with the potential for self-injection; and the new progesterone-releasing vaginal ring for breastfeeding women. Other updates include: New recommendations from WHO, including guidance on topics such as intimate partner violence, task sharing, and serving clients with disabilities. A new section on how family planning providers should respect, protect, and fulfill the human rights of their clients. New job aids on whether to use the pregnancy checklist or a pregnancy test and on counseling women who want progestin-only injectables where HIV risk is high. "With the information included in the Global Handbook and the right resources, providers can ensure that a client's reproductive intentions, life situation, and preferences govern their family planning decisions," said Ellen Starbird, Director of USAID's Office of Population and Reproductive Health. The third edition of the Global Handbook is available in English and will soon be translated into French and Spanish. All printed copies are distributed with a free copy of "Do You Know Your Family Planning Choices?," a wall chart summarizing each contraceptive method, which providers can display for clients. A redesigned Global Handbook website, www.fphandbook.org, is also being launched today. To download the Global Handbook or to order printed copies, please visit www.fphandbook.org. About the Knowledge for Health (K4Health) Project K4Health shares accurate, up-to-date knowledge and tools to strengthen family planning and reproductive health efforts worldwide. K4Health is supported by U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) Office of Population and Reproductive Health, Bureau for Global Health, under Cooperative Agreement #AID-OAA-A-13-00068 with the Johns Hopkins University. The project is led by the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs in collaboration with FHI 360, IntraHealth International, and Management Sciences for Health. Contact: Anne Kott ([email protected]) The Knowledge for Health (K4Health) Project SOURCE The Knowledge for Health (K4Health) Project (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/640947/Amber_Beverage_Group_Logo.jpg ) (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/640950/Tequila_and_Mezcal_Masters.jpg ) (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/640949/Tequila_Rooster_Amber_Beverage_Group.jpg ) "Our colleagues at Finos produce tequila with the highest standards of quality to satisfy our customers and to be at the forefront of the tequila industry. Our goal is to be one of the best pioneering and top quality tequila production facilities in the world, and the competition results show that we are continuing on the right track," says Seymour Ferreira, Chairman of the Board, Amber Beverage Group. Prize-winning brands are produced in Fabrica de Tequilas Finos, which is known for the high quality products it manufactures. Since September 2016, the distillery has been operated by Amber Beverage Group. After The Spirits Business experts tasted Fabrica de Tequilas Finos's frontliner in the tequila category Rooster Rojo, they awarded the brand two Silver medals. "It means that our Master Distiller Arturo Fuentes Cortes had the right feeling - this tequila possesses uncompromised quality and true Mexican authenticity and Rooster Rojo is definitely the brand that can represent the true spirit of Mexico," concludes Seymour Ferreira. Overall, the jury awarded eight prizes to Fabrica de Tequilas Finos tequila brands. About the distillery: Fabrica de Tequilas Finos is a tequila producer based in Tequila, Mexico. It is recognized by such brands as Don Camilo, Agave 99, Zapopan and Tonala tequilas. The distillery is located in the town of Tequila, Jalisco - close to Guadalajara, Mexico and at the foot of Tequila Hill. Amber Beverage Group has been operating the distillery since September 2016. About the company: Amber Beverage Group operates internationally from its head office in Riga through its production and distribution companies in Russia, Mexico, UK and the Baltics. It is the Baltic region's leading producer, distributor, logistics provider and retailer of alcoholic beverages. http://www.amberbev.com SOURCE Amber Beverage Group If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here London, Feb 8 : Living in a large social group makes magpies more intelligent, finds a new study emphasising that social environment plays an important role in cognitive evolution. Magpies are considered as one of the most intelligent animals in the world, and one of the only non-mammal species who are able to recognise themselves in a mirror test. The findings revealed that wild Australian magpies from larger groups showed an "elevated cognitive performance", when tested for their memory, problem-solving and ability to control behaviour. Females who are more intelligent are likely to have more offspring, indicating there is the potential for natural selection to act on cognition. The demands of living in complex social groups may have played a role in the evolution of intelligence, the researchers suggested. "We showed that individuals living in larger groups in the wild show elevated cognitive performance, which in turn is linked to increased reproductive success," said Alex Thornton, of the Centre for Ecology and Conservation from the University of Exeter in Cornwall. For the study, reported in the journal Nature, the team tested 14 wild groups of Australian magpies' cognitive ability using four tasks, including one in which they had to learn to associate a particular colour with the presence of food, and a memory task where food was hidden in the same place many times. There was also a test of self-control, in which magpies had to stop themselves from pecking directly at the food through the transparent barrier and instead had to go round to the sides of the tube to get the food. "The challenges of living in complex social groups have long been thought to drive cognitive evolution," said Ben Ashton, from the University of Western Australia. "However, our results suggest that the social environment plays a key role in the development of cognition," he added. Mumbai, Feb 9 : Fortis Healthcare on Friday said its subsidiary Fortis Hospitals will receive back the Rs 473 crore loan it gave to certain companies by the end of the first quarter (Q1) of FY19. The company response comes after reports pointed out that the loan was given to companies that are a part of its promoter's group. "Fortis Hospitals Ltd, (FHsL) a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Ltd, has deployed funds in secured short-term investments with companies in normal course of treasury operations," the company said in a statement. "These entities, as of the quarter ended December 31, 2017, have become part of the promoter group due to a shareholding change in those entities. Subsequently, the same loans have been recognised as related party transactions in compliance with necessary regulatory requirements," it said. The company said these loans are adequately secured and "the repayment has since commenced as per the agreed payment schedule". "The entire amount is expected to be repaid to the company by the end of Q1 of FY18-19. The total value of the loans amounts is approximately Rs 473 crore," the statement said. Further, the company denied the allegations that "auditors have refused to sign the accounts for Q2". "The results for Q2 could not be tabled before the Board for approval and the same was communicated to the stock exchanges on November 14, 2017," said the statement. "We would also like to highlight that the audit review process for the results of both Q2 and Q3 are in progress. The financial results of the company for quarter and period ended September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2017, will be presented before the Board of Directors at their meeting scheduled on February 13," it added. In an unrelated development, the promoters of Fortis Healthcare had on Thursday resigned from the company's board. The resignations were intimated through a late night BSE filing which revealed that promoters Malvinder Mohan Singh and Shivinder Mohan Singh had resigned. The development comes days after the Delhi High Court upheld an international arbitral award of Rs 3,500 crore to Daiichi Sankyo against the former promoters of Ranbaxy Laboratories. Shillong, Feb 9 : The BJP on Friday accused the ruling Congress in Meghalaya of trying to force the church into electoral politics over visa rejection to Reverend Paul Msiza to attend a religious function in the state's Garo Hills region. The visa application of the Baptist World Alliance leader was rejected by the Consulate General of India in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Wednesday, which has angered the Christian community in poll-bound Meghalaya. Elections to the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly will be held on February 27 and counting of votes taken up on March 3. "The Congress has no agenda but is only trying to force the church into politics by trying to mislead and misuse the church for political reasons," Bharatiya Janata Party Spokesperson Nalin Kohli told journalists here. Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has said that the central government refusing to grant permission to Paul Msiza to attend the sesquicentenary celebrations of Christianity organised by the Garo Baptist Convention in the Garo Hills demonstrates the hidden agenda of the government against the Christians and other religious communities. The Garo Baptist Convention is celebrating 150 years of Christianity at Rajasimla in East Garo Hills from February 8-11. The Baptist Church set foot in Garo Hills at Rajasimla in 1867. However, Kohli said the BJP does not decide if a visa is given or not given to a person planning to visit India. "Visa authorities follow rules set up by respective governments in every country. In India, it was the Congress that made the visa rules because they ruled the country for 55 years and those rules have to be adhered to irrespective of any community or religion," Kohli said. The Baptist World Alliance is a worldwide alliance of Baptist churches and organisations, formed in 1905 in London. New Delhi, Feb 10 : Going ahead with its agitation against mandatory attendance, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) has given a call for a human chain protest on the campus to denounce the "VC's sadist authoritarianism". Teachers of the university have also consented to join the union's movement, which the latter has called against several issues, including "seat-cut, decimation of deprivation points and reservation", and delinking of M.Phil and Ph.D, and other such orders imposed by the administration in the last one year. The students have been demanding withdrawal of attendance circular issued by the university, under which it mandated 75 per cent attendance for the students to be eligible for promotion to next semester. This order, according to the JNU administration, is in force since January 2018. Students reignited their protest on Thursday when they came to know of another circular from the authorities, in which the latter ordered withdrawal of fellowship/ scholarship and hostel facility to those who fail to reach the mandatory attendance mark. In protest against the order, the students' union enforced a "lock-down", owing to which no classes could be conducted on Friday. Jammu, Feb 11 : Security forces on Sunday gunned down one more militant who was holed-up inside an army camp here after a group of terrorists attacked the military station, killing five soldiers and a civilian on Saturday. With this, the number of militants killed in the attack has risen to four, defence officials said. At least 10 persons, including soldiers, women and children, were injured. The officials said the operation was still on even as no more gun shots were fired at the shootout site after the death of the fourth militant. Searches are now going on to sanitise the camp. A group of heavily armed Jaish-e-Muhammad militants entered the Sunjuwan army base station around 4.45 a.m. on Saturday. The militants managed to enter the Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) quarters inside the camp while everyone was asleep. Para commandos from the Army's Udhampur-headquartered Northern Command were airlifted to flush out the militants. The Air Force provided aerial surveillance. Indian Army chief Bipin Rawat arrived here on Sunday to review the operation that lasted for nearly 30 hours. Agartala, Feb 11 : Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday said the Narendra Modi government is providing funds to the states irrespective which party is ruling them, based on Finance Commission's proposals and stipulated rules and not individual wishes. Seeking to refute harges of many states including Left-ruled Tripura that the Centre is not providing due funds to the states and curtailing financial support to many central sponsored schemes, he said that the present government provides funds irrespective of all political situations in the state. "Modi government wants full development of all the states including Tripura. Developmental politics must come forward. Central government always guided by Finance Commission recommendation, standard rules and norms and stipulated methodology," Jaitley told the media after releasing the Bharatiya Janata Party's "Vision Document" for Tripura ahead of the February 18 polls. He also said that the central funding pattern of 90:10 between the central and state government in any project in the northeastern states and three other hills states including Jammu and Kashmir, has been continuing. Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is the party's Tripura election in-charge, said that like for other northeastern states, the party has a "Vision Document" for the state. Top BJP leaders, including President Amit Shah, Union Ministers Jaitley and Nitin Gadkari, General Secretary Ram Madhav, Shahnawaz Hussain, West Bengal's Mukul Roy and Locket Chatterjee besides Sarma are in the state to campaign. Madhav said that Prime Minister Modi, who addressed two elections rallies in Tripura on Thursday, will address two more public gatherings on February 15. Jaitley said: "In the last assembly elections in 2013, the BJP got very small percentage of votes (1.54 per cent) in Tripura. Now this time it is a big political force... every day, every minute, the BJP continues to expand its base." Attacking the Manik Sarkar-led Left government, he said: "Following their party ideology and unrealistic approach, the Left government in Tripura kept the investment away from the industry starved states. I believe that centre and state should work together to remove the regional disparities." "Transparent public employment is necessary to provide basic services to the people. Compared to other smaller states, Tripura is lagging far behind in many sectors," he said, also alleging Left party cadre and party-nominated employees dictated governance. He said that after the BJP come to power in Tripura, it would do justice to the government employees by hiking the salaries as per the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission, while talking steps for socio-economic and cultural development of the state's tribals. He said that the BJP government wants development of human capital and to fulfil this plan at least one degree college would be set up in each assembly segment in Tripura to improve higher education. In the 28-page "Vision Document", the BJP pledged to provide one employment opportunity to every household, free education for women till graduation, free smatphones to youths, increase of minimum wages to Rs 340, a probe into the chit fund activities and regularising all contractual government employees. Latest updates on Howdy Modi Houston Agartala, Feb 12 : BJP President Amit Shah on Monday said the Congress is helping the ruling CPI-M in Tripura by splitting the non-Left vote share, for the upcoming February 18 assembly polls. "Congress is practically helping the CPI-M (Communist Party of India-Marxist) by splitting the non-Left vote share in Tripura. However, it would not be an obstacle for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to come to power in the state after the next week's assembly elections," Shah told the media here. "BJP had little base in Manipur and Assam, but we came to power there. Similarly, our party did not have an adequate base in Tripura earlier and the BJP got a very small percentage of votes previously (BJP secured 1.54 per cent votes in 2013 polls) in Tripura. This time BJP is a big political force... continuously expanding its base," Shah said. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity and BJP's performance helped the party to expand its base in newer areas and all the regions of the country." Shah said that Tripura would become the 20th state the BJP rules in the country. "Fearing BJP's massive growth, the CPI-M cadres are attacking BJP members. A section of the police and administration are working on the direction of the CPI-M cadres." Coming down heavily on the CPI-M-led Left Front government, the BJP supremo said that following the Finance Commission's recommendations, the Tripura government has received Rs 18,000 crore and Rs 950 crore was sanctioned by the central government in different projects and schemes. "The Left government is misusing the central funds. Twenty-five years ago, the number of unemployed was 25,000, and after 25 years of rule by the CPI-M government, the number has risen to seven lakh," the BJP chief contended. Shah said that the BJP government would implement the 7th Pay Commission recommendations for Manipur government employees, and once it comes to power in Tripura this would be done for the state's employees as well. "Under Left rule, Tripura had gone backward. After BJP comes to power, Tripura would be a model state in the country," Shah added. Besides Shah, top BJP leaders, several Union ministers, including Arun Jaitley, Nitin Gadkari, Smriti Irani, party General Secretary Ram Madhav, Shahnawaz Hussain, West Bengal's Mukul Roy and Locket Chatterjee, Assam's minister Himanta Biswa Sarma are campaigning for the party. The ruling CPI-M has fielded 57 candidates, leaving one seat each to its Left Front partners -- the Communist Party of India, Forward Bloc and Revolutionary Socialist Party. The BJP is contesting 51 seats. It has left nine seats for its electoral ally, the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT). Congress candidates have filed nominations in 59 of the state's 60 constituencies. Trinamool Congress has nominated 24 candidates. Polling will be held for the 60-seat Tripura assembly on Sunday, February 18. The votes will be counted on March 3. New York, Feb 12 : An asteroid that hit Earth 66 million years ago may have possibly triggered a worldwide release of volcanic magma that could have sealed the fate of the dinosaurs, researchers have claimed. A six-mile-wide asteroid crashed into Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, nearly 66 million years ago, causing a massive earthquake both on land and sea. The impact might have also caused underwater volcanoes to spit up magma more ferociously, further intensifying the devastating environmental impact of the event, revealed a study published in the journal Science Advances. "We found evidence for a previously unknown period of globally heightened volcanic activity during the mass-extinction event," said Joseph Byrnes from the University of Minnesota. Since 1980s when the evidence of the meteor strike near present-day Chicxulub in Mexico surfaced, scientists have been debating whether the asteroid or eruptions from a particularly volcanic region in India called the Deccan Traps drove the extinction event that killed off all nonavian dinosaurs. Various studies indicated that the Deccan Traps volcanoes were already active when the meteor struck. Hence, the seismic waves moving through the planet from the meteor strike, probably fuelled an acceleration of those eruptions, explained Leif Karlstrom, Professor at the University of Oregon. For the study, the team analysed available global data sets on free-air gravity, ocean floor topography and tectonic spreading rates. They divided the seafloor into one-million-year-old groupings, constructing a record back to 100 million years ago. At about 66 million years, they found evidence of a "short-lived pulse of marine magmatism" along ancient ocean ridges. This pulse is suggested by a spike in the rate of the occurrence of free-air gravity anomalies seen in the data set. Byrnes found changes in free-air gravity anomalies of between five and 20 milligals associated with seafloor created in the first million years after the meteor. "Our work suggests a connection between these exceedingly rare and catastrophic events, distributed over the entire planet. The meteorite's impact may have influenced volcanic eruptions that were already going on, making for a one-two punch," Karlstrom said. The meteorite may have modulated distant volcanism by generating powerful seismic waves that produced shaking worldwide and proposed that seismic shaking liberated magma stored in the mantle beneath the Deccan Traps and caused the largest eruptions there, researchers said. Ranchi, Feb 12 : Eight people were killed and two injured when the vehicle they were travelling in plunged 20 feet off a bridge in Jharkhand's Dumka district on Monday, police said. The vehicle, coming from Bhagalpur district of Bihar to Dumka, met with the accident near Lagla village of Dumka as the driver lost control, an official from Jama police station said. The vehicle, carrying 10 people, was headed to Dumka, around 400 km from here, to deliver newspaper bundles, he said. The driver, who lost control of the high-speed vehicle due to sleep, had taken on passengers to earn money, he said. The dbodies have been sent for post mortem, he added. Istanbul, Feb 12 : Relations between Turkey and the US, strained by American support for the Syrian Democratic Forces, are close to breaking down, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Monday. Declaring bilateral ties at a "critical point", Cavusoglu said: "We will either fix the ties or they will break down completely." Speaking to the press in Istanbul following a meeting with African leaders, he said Washington had made several mistakes in handling its relationship with Ankara, including giving support to the Kurdish militia in Syria known as the People's Protection Units (YPG). "We want concrete steps (from the US). The missing trust needs to be restored. The reason for that missing trust is the US," Cavusoglu was quoted as saying by the Hurriyet Daily News. "The US is not touching ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) members in Syria as an excuse to continue working with the YPG/PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) terrorist groups," he added. Turkish troops launched an air and ground offensive against YPG-held Afrin in northwestern Syria on January 20. Ankara treats the Kurdish militants as terrorists associated with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party. Turkey has threatened to target Manbij, another Syrian town held by the YPG, in its next move, but the US has refused to withdraw its troops from the town as demanded by Ankara, heightening the risk of a direct confrontation between the NATO allies. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's security and foreign policy adviser Ibrahim Kalin met US National Security Adviser Herbert Raymond McMaster in Istanbul over the weekend. Foreign and Defence Ministers of the two countries are set to meet respectively in Ankara and Brussels in the coming days. Cavusoglu said all the sensitive issues will be discussed in detail during US State Secretary Rex Tillerson's visit to Ankara. Rome, Feb 13 : A book presentation at the Italian Prime Minister's office here on Thursday will mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and India, the Foreign Ministry announced. Undersecretary of State for European affairs Sandro Gozi, Italy's Ambassador to India Lorenzo Angeloni, and India's Ambassador to Italy Reenat Sandhu will attend the launch of "There's Something in the Air -- 70 Life stories from Italy and India", the ministry said. Gozi, who also heads the Italy-India Association, will open the presentation of the book, whose editors are Angeloni and first Commercial Secretary Maria Elettra Verrone, the ministry said. Representatives from Italian research institute ISPI, Italian company Pininfarina and the University of Turin are also among participants at the event, said the ministry. Closing remarks will be made by the Foreign Ministry's Secretary-General Elisabetta Belloni, the ministry said. "There's Something in the Air" can be downloaded as a free e-book from Indian book app www.juggernaut.in after the launch, the ministry added. Shimla, Feb 13 : Popular tourist destinations Shimla and Manali continued to experience more snowfall on the second day on Tuesday, while lower hills across Himachal Pradesh were lashed by rain, bringing the temperature down by several notches. Towns in upper Shimla district remained cut off with heavy snow cover piled on roads, officials said. Tourist spots near Shimla like Kufri, Fagu and Narkanda also experienced snowfall, making the hill stations even more picturesque. Likewise, Manali and its uphill Solang ski slopes and Kalpa, 250 km from the state capital, had snowfall. However, in Shimla and Manali, the snow largely melted with the accompanying rain. Meteorological office Director Manmohan Singh told IANS that snowfall might occur in Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba districts till Wednesday. "The higher reaches have been experiencing moderate to heavy snowfall since early Monday," he said. The minimum temperature in Shimla was recorded at zero degree Celsius. Shimla saw 13.8 cm snow, while it was 13 cm in Manali. Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district was the coldest place in the state at minus 5.9 degrees Celsius. It saw 25 cm snow. It was 3.4 degrees Celsius in Dharamsala, minus 2.2 degrees in Kalpa, minus one degree in Manali, minus 1.7 degrees in Dalhousie and minus 2.8 degrees in Kufri. Kothi near Manali experienced 45 cm snow, the highest in the state. Johannesburg, Feb 13 : South African President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday defied an ultimatum from the ruling African National Congress to resign within 48 hours, pitching the nation into an unprecedented political crisis. The decision to ask Zuma to stand down or face being stripped of his office was taken at a specially convened emergency session of the ANC's national executive committee (NEC) near Pretoria, the administrative capital, late Monday night, reports the Guardian. The meeting was called after it became clear over that nearly five days of talks between Zuma, who has been the President since 2009, and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, who took over the ANC's leadership in December, had failed. After nearly 10 hours of heated debate, Ramaphosa and a key ally of Zuma left the meeting to drive to the President's official residence to deliver an ultimatum: stand down or face "recall", a technical term for the process of forcing an ANC official to leave their post. If Zuma is ousted by a no-confidence vote, the speaker of parliament will serve as an interim President until elected representatives chose a new head of state. However a "defiant" Zuma demanded a three month "notice period" before resigning, an ANC official told the Guardian. A press conference has been announced at the ANC headquarters here later on Tuesday. Zuma headed the ANC, the party that led South Africans to freedom from apartheid in 1994, from December 2007 to December 2017. His nine years as President have been marred by economic decline and multiple charges of corruption that undermined the image and legitimacy of ANC. However, the 75-year-old retains significant support inside the party and at a local level in many parts of South Africa, the Guardian reported. Ralph Mathekga, a political analyst and author, said: "Zuma is not just a person. He is a system. There are a whole lot of people whose politics fortunes are tied to his. "We are watching a battle for the soul of the ANC. It's a referendum on the true balance of power within the party." Kabul, Feb 13 : Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa arrived in Kabul on Tuesday, where he is expected to attend the Chief of Defence Conference, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. US Army General John Nicholson, the commander of the Resolute Support mission, and Afghan Army chief Gen Sher Mohammad Karimi will also attend the conference, reports Dawn news. The conference comes less than a month after a series of deadly attacks rattled Kabul, following which a high-level delegation from Afghanistan had visited Islamabad. The delegation held talks with the Pakistani leadership on security cooperation amid the highly volatile security situation in their country. Afghan officials had said that the delegation handed over to Islamabad "undeniable" evidence which claimed that the spate of deadly attacks in Afghanistan were allegedly planned in Pakistan. New Delhi, Feb 13 : Actress Geetanjali Thapa, who won the National Award for her performance in "Liar's Dice" -- India's official entry for the 87th Oscars -- says winning the accolade did not work like a "godmother's wand" in her career. But she admits it helped to be a project "sifter". Gearing up for her new film, Onir's "Kuch Bheege Alfaaz", releasing on Friday, Geetanjali says the prestigious award which she won in 2014 helped her get the kind of work she wanted. "It ( National Award) didn't suddenly open doors. It's not like godmother's wand that everything changed overnight. But, yes people started taking me more seriously then," Geetanjali told IANS. "But I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing because after receiving the award, they (filmmakers) started thinking that 'Isko National Award mil gaya hai toh ye serious roles he karegi (She will be doing serious roles only since she has got a National Award). It does tend to happen. "However, it also helps me get the kind of work I want to do. It comes to me... like a natural sifting in a way," added the actress, who was here to promote "Kuch Bheege Alfaaz", in which she essays Archana Pradhan. Another struggle for her has been racial discrimination. In fact at a press conference here, a mediaperson asked her if she belongs to another country, given her distinct looks. Born and raised in Sikkim, Geetanjali said she has faced such bias so much that it has become a "part of life". "I haven't faced it much at work, but I face racial discrimination and I am very open about it. I have been facing it for long now but now I have grown a thick skin I guess," said the actress, who feels it is "very sad" that people discriminate like this. Nevertheless, pointing at the brighter side Geetanjali said there are filmmakers who don't care about her looks and give her good work. "I have worked with Indian directors from around the country. They still cast me. There are filmmakers who really don't care how I look and where I am from," said the actress, who debuted in the film world in 2010 with "Tina Ki Chaabi" and then impressed cinema lovers with her work in "Trapped", "I.D", "Monsoon Shootout", "That Day After Everyday" and "Tigers". "I have worked with some of the best... I would say brilliant filmmakers of India. There are people who are willing to work with me. I am reading scripts and getting work. I am also still in a privileged stage... I am getting to choose what work I do. Is not like whatever little I am thrown, I have pick it up." Currently in a "happy" space of life, Geetanjali says she is glad that she "gets to do films that I believe in and I have a lot of fun doing". (Kishori Sud can be contacted at kishori.s@ians.in) New Delhi, Feb 13 : Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday ordered an inquiry into the blast at Cochin Shipyard in Kerala in which five persons were killed. The Minister, however, confirmed the death of four persons. "Shocked by the unfortunate blast at Cochin Shipyard where four people have died. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families," Gadkari tweeted. "I have spoken to MD, Cochin Shipyard and asked him to provide all necessary medical support to (the) victims and to initiate immediate inquiry with the help of concerned agencies," he said. According to the police, five persons were killed and a dozen others injured in the blast inside an Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) tanker. Those working at the time of the blast mostly included daily labourers and contract workers. Tuesday being a holiday, no regular workers of the shipyard were present. The blast took place around 11 a.m. in the water tank of the berthed ONGC tanker Sagar Bhushan when some 20 workers were working in the tanker ship. The Sagar Bhushan has been docked at the Cochin Shipyard for a month for repairs and maintenance. New Delhi, Feb 13 : The Delhi High Court on Tuesday upheld its order which dismissed airline IndiGo's plea against DIAL's decision to shift a part of its operations from Terminal 1 to the newly-opened Terminal 2 of the IGI here. The court's direction came while hearing an appeal filed by IndiGo, India's biggest private airline by market share, challenging the single-judge order of December 20, 2017, upholding Delhi International Airport Ltd's (DIAL) decision related to shifting a part of the airline's operations to a new terminal of the Indira Gandhi International Airport. A bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Rekha Palli observed that the decision of DIAL cannot be said unreasonable only because it may operate harshly against IndiGo and ruled that "when public interest competes with private interest, then the latter has to give way to public interest". "In the present case, public interest lies in expediting the redevelopment activity at T-1, which is a purely administrative decision," the court said while pointing out to delay in renovation work. "It is not as if IndiGo, and for that matter, SpiceJet and GoAir have been banished forever from T-1. If we may twist the American idiom, 'My way or the Highway' to fit the present context, then the IndiGo cannot be heard to say that it is either their way, or the runway," the court said. "IndiGo are tending to forget that this part relocation from T-1 to T-2 proposed by the DIAL is only a temporary measure and once T-1 is renovated and commences its operations after capacity building, all the airlines can operate from there full throttle and take wings." However, the division granted a last opportunity of one week to IndiGo and SpiceJet to approach DIAL to suggest other sectors that they would be ready and willing to shift from T-1 to T-2, as long as they collectively meet the yardstick of one-third passenger traffic volumes of their operations at T-1. "In the event such a request is received by the DIAL within the stipulated timeline, the same shall be considered and a decision taken under written intimation to both the airlines within one week from the date of receipt," the court said. "If no such request is received within the stipulated timeline, then DIAL shall fix a deadline for shifting one-third of the flight operations of the concerned airlines from T-1 to T-2, under written intimation to them." On December 20, 2017, a single judge bench had rejected IndiGo's plea. "We are of the opinion that there is no illegality, arbitrariness or infirmity in the impugned judgment (December 20 order) that warrants interference. Moreover, the learned Single Judge has gone to the extent of watering down the option given by DIAL to IndiGo and SpiceJet by directing that in the event they make a request to shift one third of their operations by excluding the three identified sectors, i.e., Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru, they may do so within one week from the date of the judgment," the division bench said. The court held that "logistics are aspects that need expertise in the technical field and have attendant financial and administrative dimensions of serious magnitude, apart from other practical considerations, best left to be handled by experts". DIAL, which operates the airport here, had asked three airlines operating from T-1 to shift a third of their flights to T-2 to enable it to expand the terminal to meet growing passenger traffic. Defending its decision, DIAL had said T-1 had already exceeded its capacity and if airline operations were not shifted partially, it would lead to overcrowding of the airport. DIAL had said the safety and security of passengers was its primary responsibility and in case of fire or a terror threat, an overcrowded airport would lead to serious consequences for which it alone would be answerable, not the airlines. IndiGo contended that shifting partially from T-1 to T-2 would result in confusion and cause inconvenience to passengers. By this decision, IndiGo will be spread across three terminals as it operates international flights from Terminal 3 (T-3). Seeking quashing of DIAL's decision, IndiGo said the decision would strain its operations and proposed an alternative solution of giving the entire T-1 exclusively to it and shifting the other two carriers to T-2. The DIAL had directed IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir to relocate their operations in "parts" and split their operations by shifting flights to and from some sectors, namely Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru, to T-2. It also said that the capacity of the three airlines to and from the three sectors would amount to around eight million persons per annum and shifting those to T-2 would considerably reduce the burden on T-1. London, Feb 13 : The London City Airport reopened on Tuesday after an unexploded 500kg Second World War bomb was safely removed from the area. The device was discovered in a bed of silt, 15m underwater at the King George V Dock on Sunday during planned work at the east airport, reports the BBC. All flights were cancelled on Monday after an exclusion zone was put in place, with the closure affecting up to 16,000 passengers and nearby residents being evacuated from their homes. A total of 261 arrivals and departures had been scheduled for Monday. The bomb is due to be detonated in a controlled explosion in Shoeburyness later on Tuesday. Royal Navy divers worked through Monday night to move the 1.5m-long German bomb down the Thames. London City Airport's Chief Executive Robert Sinclair said it would be "business as usual" on Tuesday. Between September 1940 and May 1941, the Germans dropped about 24,000 tonnes of explosives on London - but 10 per cent of them did not detonate, according to historians. New York, Feb 13 : Bucking the prediction of imminent extinction, a small fish species which does not produce any male offspring, continues to thrive and researchers have now found why it does not share the fate of many other species that reproduce asexually. This fish species, the Amazon molly (scientific name Poecilia formosa) reproduces asexually through gynogenesis, making their daughters identical clones of themselves. This type of reproduction also means that they need sperm to trigger the cloning process. So the Amazon molly mates with closely related fish to obtain this sperm. The sperm cells even penetrate the egg cell. However, none of the male's DNA is incorporated into the Molly's eggs. Rather, the egg completely destroys the male genes. "According to established theories, this species should no longer exist. It should have long become extinct during the course of evolution," said Manfred Schartl from the University of Wurzburg in Germany. To explore how the Amazon molly - native to the border region of Texas and Mexico -- has managed to survive in spite of this, the researchers sequenced the genome of the fish species and compared it with that of related species. The results, published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution, showed no major genetic damages in the Amazon molly. There are two main reasons that argue against asexually reproducing species surviving in the long run. "Harmful changes occur in any genome at some point. In creatures whose offspring are pure clones, these defects would accumulate over generations until there are no more healthy individuals," Schartl explained. Species that reproduce sexually can easily eliminate such defects when the number of chromosomes is reduced by half during formation of egg and sperm cells to be recombined subsequently during fertilisation from half of the maternal and paternal chromosomes, respectively. There is another argument against the long survival of a species whose offspring are all clones of their mothers. "These species are usually not capable of adapting to environmental changes as quickly as their sexually producing counterparts," Schartl said. So within a few generations, they should be on the losing side of evolution which calls for the "survival of the fittest". But after studying their genome as well as that of two related fish species that reproduce sexually, the scientists found little evidence of genetic degeneration in the Amazon molly. Instead, they found a unique genetic variability and clear signs of an ongoing evolutionary process. Especially the genes relevant for the immune system exhibit a high level of genetic variability in the genome of P. formosa, Schartl said. This variability combined with a broad immune response essentially contributes to the fact that the Amazon molly does not share the fate of many other species that reproduce asexually, namely to fall victim to pathogens, the study said. New Delhi, Feb 13 : Actress Kriti Sanon has started shooting for her upcoming film "Arjun Patiala" in Chandigarh. Kriti shared a photograph of herself along with actor Varun Sharma on Twitter on Tuesday morning. "And the journey begins! 'Arjun Patiala', Chandigarh, Varun Sharma. See you Diljit Dosanjh," she wrote. Directed by Rohit Jugraj, the film will release on September 13. It is co-produced by T-Series' Bhushan Kumar and Dinesh Vijan of Maddock Films. In the film, Kriti plays a journalist, while Diljit will essay the role of a small-town boy. "The film is a small-town comedy," Diljit had earlier told IANS about the movie in which he essays a policeman yet again after "Jatt & Juliet 2". Don't cut trees in Aarey forest: Shabana Veteran actress and social worker Shabana Azmi has urged the authorities to avoid cutting trees in Aarey Forest in Mumbai to build a metro car shed. Shabana on Tuesday tweeted to urge people to raise their voice against the deforestation of 3,500 trees. "Aarey forest is the lung forest for Mumbai. 3500 trees in Aarey forest will be cut to build a metro car shed if we don't raise our voice. Ask CM Devendra Fadnavis and Ashwini Bhide, MD of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation to look for alternatives. MISSED CALL 08030630959," Shabana tweeted. The Maharashtra government is reportedly planning to provide a part of Aarey forest for a Metro car shed, while environmentalists and citizens' groups are fighting against the move as it is home to several species of birds, insects and leopards, and was once part of the adjoining Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Vinod Mehra went away too early: Rishi On actor Vinod Mehra's 73rd birth anniversary, veteran actor Rishi Kapoor remembered his good friend. Rishi on Tuesday took to Twitter, where he shared a photograph of Vinod. "Another friend who went away too early. We were good friends but we never worked together ever. When he turned director, I was one of his heroes but he couldn't complete that film 'Guru Dev'. Happy birthday Vinod. RIP!" Rishi wrote. Vinod acted in over 100 films from the 1970s. He died of a heart attack in 1990 at the age of 45. Agartala, Feb 13 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that powered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity, development and good governance, the BJP will oust the Left parties from power in the February 18 Tripura Assembly polls. "After the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) comes to power in Tripura, there will be one ruling party in the state and at the Centre. It will ensure rapid development of the state. Besides, Modiji's popularity, growth and good governance is the main thrust of the BJP in these polls," he told the media here. Adityanath, who has addressed four election rallies in northern Tripura since coming to the state on Monday, said if the CPI-M government could not even satisfy its own employees, how would it please the people. The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, who will address three more public meetings in southern Tripura during the day, said there are many central schemes for roads, houses, safe drinking water, health services, and public welfare, but the Left government of Manik Sarkar did not implement more than 115 such schemes. "The Uttar Pradesh government has given higher salaries as per Seventh Pay Commission recommendations to its 14 lakh employees but the Tripura government has not been able to do so." Adityanath claimed that law and order in Uttar Pradesh had improved a lot in the last 10 months. "There is no riot, no curfew and 22 crore residents of the state are very happy with my government's performance," the BJP leader said. Addressing an election rally in southern Tripura, he said the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist's cadres had siphoned off Rs 1,500 crore meant for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act scheme. Hanoi, Feb 13 : Dog meat vendors on the street markets of the Vietnamese capital on Tuesday geared up for Lunar New Year celebrations later this week. Despite widespread criticism, dog meat has been part of Vietnam's cuisine for decades, reports Efe news. At a busy market in the capital, vendors stack whole dog carcasses in piles of up to 10, leaving buyers the option of taking home an entire meal to enjoy with several people, or snack on a quick bite of "cha cho" (skewers with barbecued dog meat) on the spot. Such stalls are popular across the city, with most large markets featuring several dog meat sellers. According to the Asia Canine Protection Alliance (ACPA), over five million dogs are slaughtered every year for human consumption. The majority are poached from neighbouring countries such as Laos, Cambodia and Thailand, making both rescue efforts and hygiene conditions difficult to monitor. In addition to the poor treatment and conditions the animals are subjected to, consuming canine meat poses serious health risks to people, including diseases such as rabies and cholera. NGOs fighting the dog meat trade in Asia have said that changing people's attitudes towards the animals -- from viewing them as commodities to treating them as pets -- is one of the main challenges. Despite this and other international efforts to fight the dog meat trade, Vietnam continues to be one of the countries most associated with canine cuisine. ACPA estimated in 2014 that over half (53.7 per cent) of Vietnamese people were against eating dog meat, demonstrating a tangible improvement but also highlighting the extent of the challenge animal rights defenders face to end the trade for good. Lucknow, Feb 13 : The administration of Lucknow University has banned its students from coming to the campus on February 14, celebrated as Valentine's Day, and warned of action against those violating the guideline. In a notice issued to the students, proctor Vinod Kumar Singh has asked students to "keep off" the campus and ensure that the guideline of the administration is adhered to. The university, like other educational institutions and government offices, is closed on Wednesday on the occasion of Maha Shivratri. Students have been warned against celebration of Valentine's Day on the campus and the notice says that anyone found involved in any festivities will be acted upon. The notice further mentions that it being a holiday on Wednesday, there would neither be extra classes or practical exam. The presence of students on the campus, hence, is not required, the notice says. The proctor has also made an appeal to the parents of the students not to send them to the university on Wednesday. Teachers and the fourth class employees along with security guards have been asked to step up vigil and keep a watch on anyone breaching the measure. The students have criticized the diktat and have questioned its necessity. "We know that the varsity is closed on Wednesday on account of Maha Shivratri, why to link it with Valentine's Day and unnecessarily needle us," said a history student from the university. Students also said that they should have the freedom to do what they like and there should be no imposition on them either to celebrate Valentine's Day or not. United Nations, Feb 13 : Challenging conventional wisdom that "violent extremism" or ideology is predominantly responsible for driving children into terrorist groups, a new UN-based report shows that community and identity also play a key role. In the report, titled Cradled by Conflict: Child Involvement with Armed Groups in Contemporary Conflict, the researchers suggest that most children do not so much "opt" into conflict as "grow" into it. "Evidence from the conflicts in Syria and Iraq, Mali and Nigeria suggests that even in cases where ideology plays a role in a child's trajectory towards an armed group, it is usually one of a number of motivating or facilitating factors," Siobhan O'Neil, from the United Nations University (UNU), a UN think tank, said in a statement on Monday. Ideology is often intertwined with other important factors like community and identity, O'Neil suggested. "Armed groups like Boko Haram have intertwined their ideologies with a rejection of the State to recruit those who have experienced state oppression and violence into their ranks," O'Neil said. The report also pointed to other factors present in conflict areas, such as physical safety and food security, family and peer networks, financial incentives, coercion, and the allure of armed groups, which provide a ready-made community, identity and status for young people. In addition, the report noted that counter-terror efforts based on widely held assumptions about the ideological motivations of children and youth recruited into extremist groups are unlikely to be effective, and could backfire. "These findings have significant implications for policies and programmes aimed at addressing child recruitment, use and exit from armed groups. Misinterpretations of the problem at hand can result in poorly suited programmatic responses and/or lead to children feeling stigmatised and resentful," O'Neil said The report also proposed principles such as avoiding programmes focussed primarily on ideological factors, and incorporating ideological components. Further, development of holistic efforts to address the needs and risks of children along with rigorously assessed interventions over the long term and engagement of children not just as beneficiaries, but as partners may be more effective in preventing child recruitment and use by armed groups "We have a responsibility to better tailor our policy and programmatic interventions to prevent child recruitment and use by armed groups. Children are our greatest resource. The international community can do more to harness their positive motivations and engage them as partners on the path to peace." The report is the culmination of a two-year research project led by the UN University in collaboration with Unicef, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), and the governments of Luxembourg and Switzerland. Kathmandu, Feb 13 : Visiting Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat offered prayers at the Bindhyabasini temple in Nepal's Pokhara city on Tuesday, a day after he arrived here to participate in the Nepal Army Day celebrations. General Rawat and several Nepal Army officers were welcomed by the temple's development committee. "He was happy to offer prayers in the temple. We were amazed he spoke Nepali language so well," committee secretary Tirtha Shrestha was quoted as saying by the Kathmandu Post. The Indian Chief of Army Staff arrived in Kathmandu on Monday at the invitation of his Nepali counterpart Rajendra Chhetri to witness the Army Day Parade on Tuesday in Tundhikhel in the heart of Kathmandu. "General Rawat is also the honorary chief of the Nepal Army, and hence he has been invited this year as a special guest," Nepal Army spokesperson Brigadier General Gokul Bhandari had said earlier. Apart from meeting Chhetri, General Rawat will call on President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, Defence Minister Bhimsen Das Pradhan and other leaders. The two sides will discuss various aspects of military-to-military cooperation during General Rawat's visit, which comes at a time when Nepal is getting ready for the formation of a new government led by K.P. Oli, chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist. Chandigarh, Feb 13 : Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday asked state Health Minister Brahm Mohindra to explore with the Central government the possibility of shifting the proposed medical college in Mohali to a border area, possibly Sangrur. He also suggested that all future heath projects be planned in areas that lack medical facilities. The Chief Minister said he will also meet Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda to discuss the change of the medical college site, besides writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expedite the AIIMS Bathinda project, for which the state government has completed all the necessary formalities. The Rs 800 crore AIIMS Bathinda project is 100 per cent Centrally sponsored, while the Rs 300 crore Medical College project is on a Centre-state sharing pattern in a 70:30 ratio. The directives from Amarinder Singh came at a meeting here to review the status of the two projects, aimed at raising the health infrastructure bar in the state. The Chief Minister was informed that Mohali was selected for the medical college under a scheme floated in 2012, for which a pre-condition required was that the city should have a 200-bed hospital which the Centre could help upgrade. At the time, Mohali had one civil hospital with 200 beds and no private hospital or medical college, and thus met the terms and conditions of the scheme. Since then, however, other more needy areas had also emerged to meet the conditions and could be selected for uplift of the medical facilities, the meeting discussed. Noting that concentrating all facilities in Mohali would lead to lopsided development, since neighbouring Chandigarh already has medical colleges, the Chief Minister suggested setting up the medical college in the under-developed border areas. Finance Minister Manpreet Badal agreed that Sangrur would be an ideal place for the proposed college. Amarinder Singh asked Mohindra to take up the matter with Nadda and check if Sangrur could be selected, and to proceed accordingly based on the decision of the Central government. On the issue of AIIMS Bathinda, the Chief Minister was told that the state government had already resolved all pending issues, including shifting of water channel and exchange of land, for the hospital-cum-medical college, for which the foundation stone was laid by Modi in 2016. Punjab had provided land and had to create the necessary road infrastructure, with the rest to be handled by the Central government. Port-au-prince, Feb 13 : Haiti's President Jovenel Moise has strongly condemned British charity Oxfam, after it emerged that its staff hired prostitutes while delivering aid in 2011. In a Twitter post on Monday, Moise condemned the actions as an "extremely serious violation of human dignity". "There is nothing more outrageous and dishonest than a sexual predator who uses his position as part of the humanitarian response to a natural disaster to exploit needy people in their moment of greatest vulnerability," he tweeted. "What happened with Oxfam in Haiti is an extremely serious violation of human dignity," he said in another tweet. Several former members of Oxfam's local staff had said they tried to raise concerns but felt their complaints were ignored, the BBC reported. One of the UK's biggest charities, Oxfam was the subject of a report in the Times newspaper last week. The article accused the charity of concealing the findings of a 2011 inquiry into claims that senior aid workers, including Haiti's National Director, paid local prostitutes for sex. Oxfam was in the country offering relief following a devastating 7 magnitude earthquake that killed over 200,000 people in 2010. The charity has since confirmed that sexual misconduct occurred and that several staff members were dismissed or resigned after the internal investigation, but denies any cover-up. It has been accused by a British charity watchdog, which launched an inquiry, of failing to disclose the full details. Oxfam's Deputy Chief Executive Penny Lawrence resigned on Monday over the handling of the scandal and the UK government threatened to cut funding to the charity's projects. A senior government source in Haiti confirmed to the BBC that an investigation will now be launched into foreign aid agencies operating there. Several Haitian NGOs said that the problems with Oxfam in Haiti were institutional. Pierre Esperance, the head of Haiti's National Human Rights Defence Network, said: "Oxfam, after the earthquake, became like a factory." "A big organisation with a lot of people with bad management. People who don't have any skill regarding development, with a lot of money, and this is the result." New Delhi, Feb 13 : Google shipped 3.9 million Pixel and Pixel 2 devices in 2017 which is nearly double the units it sold in 2016 but a tiny fraction of the global smartphone market that numbers 1.5 billion units. According to Francisco Jeronimo, Research Director at International Data Corporation (IDC), "#GooglePixel shipments continue to grow, but they still represent a tiny portion of the smartphone market." The Pixel sales is also less than a typical week's worth of iPhone sales for Apple, 9to5google.com reported. "Presumably, the jump to 3.9 million is largely thanks to the Pixel 2 but discounts on the original Pixel earlier in the year (and following the 2's debut) could tip the numbers in the other direction," the report added. Google recently acquired Taiwan-based HTC's smartphone design team for $1.1 billion. Google now has access to HTC's intellectual property to support the Pixel smartphone family. This is the second time Google has acquired a smartphone manufacturer. It announced a $12.5 billion buyout of Motorola Mobility six years back and in 2014, sold it again to Lenovo. Last month, the price of the first-generation Rs 76,000 Pixel XL "quite black" colour variant was slashed by Rs 36,000 on e-commerce platform Amazon in India. New Delhi, Feb 13 : The price that India will pay for the 10 per cent concession in Abu Dhabi's Lower Zakum oilfields will emerge after the bids are in for the remaining 30 per cent that the Emirate intends to lease out, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan said on Tuesday. He also said the first oil from the Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (Adnoc) for India's strategic petroleum reserves at Mangalore - under an agreement signed with the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd. during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UAE last week - would be arriving in May this year. Modi's second visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) resulted in an Indian consortium gaining stake for the first time in Abu Dhabi's massive oil resources. An MoU was signed on Saturday in Abu Dhabi between an Indian consortium comprising of state-run explorer ONGC Videsh, Bharat PetroResources, Indian Oil and Adnoc for the acquisition of 10 per cent participating interest in its offshore Lower Zakum Concession. The UAE is one of the largest suppliers of crude oil to India and is also the 10th largest investor. The consortium, led by India's ONGC Videsh, contributed a participation fee of Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) 2.2 billion ($600 million) to enter the concession. The concession will be operated by ADNOC Offshore, a subsidiary of ADNOC, on behalf of all concession partners. The agreement, which has a term of 40 years and an effective date of March 9, 2018, was signed by ONGC Chairman Shashi Shanker and ADNOC Group Chief Executive Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber. Abu Dhabi, which is a constituent of the UAE and holds most of latter's oil reserves, is looking for new partners at its offshore fields in the Persian Gulf as the current production concession for some deposits expires next month. According to a statement from ONGC's overseas arm, the current production at the Lower Zakum field is about 4,00,000 barrels a day, while the plan is to increase the target to 4,50,000 barrels a day by 2025. Adnoc's offshore fields currently produce about 1.4 million barrels a day, an Adnoc statement said. Increased production from its offshore reservoirs is part of the state-run company's plans to raise its onshore and offshore output capacity to 3.5 million barrels a day by the end of 2018, it added. The company also said it had received more than 10 bids from firms seeking to operate these offshore fields. This agreement will enable Adnoc to cater to a part of India's massive oil demand, over 80 per cent of which is met by imports. The MoU is an important milestone in India's search for energy security, at a time when oil prices have started hardening again mainly due to output cuts put in place by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC producers deal with a supply glut that was pushing down prices till last year. During Modi's visit, Adnoc also signed an agreement with the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd. to implement the strategic crude oil storage facility on India's western coast in Mangalore (Karnataka) for the storage of 5.86 million barrels of Adnoc crude in underground facilities. Pradhan also told reporters here that the situation had changed from the time that India would be sending emissaries to oil-producing capitals in search of crude supplies. In order to tap the massive Indian market, countries were now sending their energy ministers here, he said, pointing to the upcoming visit of ministers from Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the US. "We have to have good relations with all, in line with our traditional philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family)," he said. Pradhan also mentioned the hosting of an LPG 'Panchayat' on Tuesday by President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Organised by the Petroleum Ministry, the 'Panchayat' aims to provide a platform for LPG consumers to interact with each other, promote mutual learning and share experiences. Each such Panchayat has about 100 consumers coming together to discuss safe and sustainable usage of LPG, its benefits and the link between clean cooking fuel and women empowerment. The Ministry intends to conduct 1 lakh such 'Panchayats' across India by March next year, Pradhan said. Moscow, Feb 13 : Speed sensors that were iced over may have caused a Russian passenger jet to crash near Moscow, killing all 71 people on board, the Interstate Aviation Committee said on Tuesday. In a statement, the committee said a preliminary analysis of black box data made them believe that the pilots' screens were showing the wrong speed as the velocity sensors had frozen, the BBC reported. A twin-engined Antonov AN-148 model belonging to the Saratov regional carrier departed Moscow's Domodedovo Airport on Sunday afternoon carrying 65 passengers and six crewmembers en route to the southern city of Orsk before it came down just 80 kilometres southeast outside the capital, near the village of Argunovo. The plane is believed to have been fully intact until the moment of impact, when it exploded and strewed wreckage across the snowy field in which it crashed. More than 700 people are involved in the search operation, struggling through deep snow. The Emergencies Ministry was collecting DNA samples from victims' relatives in order to identify the bodies. Cairo, Feb 13 : US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday said that the Islamic State (IS) terror organization was not yet fully defeated and continued to pose a danger to the region despite losing 98 per cent of its territory in Iraq and Syria. Tillerson, in a speech broadcast on Kuwaiti state television, stressed that the US was working with its international coalition partners to reinforce military successes against the IS, noting that it was necessary to secure liberated areas to avoid the terror group's return. Tillerson made the remarks at a meeting in Kuwait with Foreign Ministers from participating countries in the anti-IS coalition, held on the sidelines of a donor conference in the Kuwaiti capital for the reconstruction of Iraq. The Iraqi government said on Monday it would need an estimated $88.2 billion for reconstruction, according to the Director General of Iraq's planning ministry, Qusay Adulfattah. The Iraqi government had announced the country's total liberation from the IS in December, but the terror organization still controls some pockets of territory in neighboring Syria. Regarding Syria, Tillerson pledged that Washington will offer $200 million to support efforts to stabilize the Arab country. He said that the US will continue to support the militias with which Washington collaborates in Syria, referring to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, stressing that his country will ensure that these groups operate professionally. Tillerson added that the US fully understands the security concerns of Turkey, which began a military offensive last month into Syria against US-backed Kurdish militias in the northern region of Afrin. The US Secretary of State is scheduled to travel to Turkey in the coming days, as part of a Middle East tour that began on Sunday night in Cairo and will also include stops in Jordan and Lebanon. New Delhi, Feb 13 : The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration on Tuesday condemned the strike being observed by the students as "unlawful", a violation of High court and university rules, and appealed to them to "refrain" from their activities. Since Friday, the university students' union is observing a total 'lock down' of the university and hardly any classes have been conducted since then, while a different group of students has blocked the main road entry to the campus. The agitation of the students is against a university circular issued on Friday, which proscribed those students who do not comply by the new attendance rules from promoting to the next semester, and stipulated withdrawal of their scholarship/fellowship and hostel accommodation. "JNU administration deplores the continuing agitation against the compulsory attendance rules through unlawful means. The road block along with the main artery of the campus roads has been causing enormous difficulties to children to commute by school buses... ," the administration said in a statement. Despite its encourgement to culture of "debate, discussion, dissent and even peaceful and lawful methods of protest", it said, the students, now joined by teachers' union, are "hellbent on violating the rules and regulation". Arguing in favour of its decision of implementing attendance rule, it said, the rule is "already compulsory under UGC norms for research scholars who get 30 days leave in a year", and that "no new rule" has been thus introduced. "Since the vast number of students and research scholars have already lost valuable academic hours due to their activities, the administration appeals to those who are indulged in spreading misinformation and in staging protests through unlawful methods to refrain from such activities," it said. Bhubaneswar, Feb 13 : Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday requested his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N. Chandrababu Naidu for a probe by a special agency into the death of Sambalpur teenager in Visakhapatanam. Shreyash Shreyash Kesharwani, a student of Sri Chaitanya Junior College at Marikavalasa in Visakhapatnam city, was thrashed by a few college students that led to his death in January 2018. The Odisha Chief Minister spoke to Naidu on phone and urged for a probe so as to bring out the truth behind the 16-year-old's death. Earlier, the parents of Shreyas on Tuesday met the Chief Minister at the State Secretariat here. On December 26, Shreyas had allegedly received repeated blows to his chest, for which he received treatment first at Rourkela and then in Bhubaneswar. The boy left for home in Garposh in Sambalpur, citing ill health on December 29. But, he succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Bhubaneswar on January 6. The bereaved family claimed that the student succumbed to his injuries due to ragging by fellow students in the engineering college and that college authorities did not act on ragging complaints. Chandigarh, Feb 13 : A Punjab Minister who tossed himself into a controversy by flipping a coin to decide on posting of one of the two lecturers at a state polytechnic on Tuesday justified the method involved and blamed a section of the media. A video showing Technical Education Minister Charanjit Singh Channi tossing the coin in the presence of candidates had gone viral on social media. The toss was recorded on Monday when the Minister called 37 lecturers in mechanical stream, recruited through the Punjab Public Service Commission, for giving them posting their orders, officials privy to the episode told IANS. Justifying the method he adopted to select the candidate, Singh on Tuesday maintained that it was for the first time vis-a-vis the Technical Education Department that posting stations for newly selected lecturers were allotted in a "transparent manner as per their choice". "It is unfortunate that instead of highlighting the welcome step taken by the department, a section of the media, without following the basics ethics of journalism, has mysteriously ignored the facts and presented baseless sensational news." Channi said the newly recruited lecturers were invited to his office at the Punjab Civil Secretariat here. They were requested to give their choices for posting stations without any discrimination. The Minister said that out of a total of 37 stations available for posting, 35 were allotted as per the choice of the candidates without overlapping of choice at any particular station. At one station, he said, two candidates opted for the same station. One candidate had more academic achievements whereas the other had more experience. Channi said he asked them to decide the issue mutually. He said when both candidates were unable to reach a compromise, they proposed to go for a toss and the station was allotted thereafter by the flip of the coin. The Technical Education Minister said that any government employee can be posted anywhere without his or her consent, but he did not do this and instead opted for a transparent method to allot stations to newly selected lecturers as per their choice to ensure better academic results. Panaji, Feb 13 : The Goa government has withdrawn the contempt petition filed before the Mhadei River Water Disputes Tribunal, following an assurance by Karnataka government, that it would not carry out any construction work to divert water till the dispute is resolved, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Tuesday. "Based on the assurance, our lawyer informed the Tribunal, that we would not like to press the contempt petition," he said. Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra are currently involved in a dispute in the tribunal over controversial Kalsa-Bhandura dam project across Mhadei river, through which Karnataka aims to divert water from the Mhadeibasin to nearby basin on the Malaprabha river. Mhadei, also known as the Mandovi river, is considered as a lifeline in the northern parts of the coastal state. It originates in Karnataka and meets the Arabian Sea in Panaji, while briefly flowing through Maharashtra. The river course is 28.8 km in Karnataka, and over 50 km in Goa. Last month, Goa government had filed a contempt petition against Karnataka, after the latter latter allegedly carried out construction work to divert water from the Mhadei basin. New Delhi, Feb 13 : In the wake of sexual harassment of a Delhi University student in a bus, Swaraj India on Tuesday accused the AAP government of "failure" to ensure security for women in three years of its rule in Delhi. "The sexual harassment of a female student in a cluster bus shows that the Delhi government's promise of ensuring women's safety by deploying marshals and equipping buses with closed-circuit televisions has fallen flat," Swaraj India spokesperson and its Delhi unit President Anupam said. The party's student wing 'Youth for Swaraj' plan to meet Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik and Delhi University Vice Chancellor Yogesh Tyagi to demand steps to ensure women's safety, he said. Anupam said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) once played a key role in the Nirbhaya movement and had been in power since 2015 and yet cases of molestation and sexual harassment are on the rise. "Even Delhi Transport Corporation buses and cluster buses are not secure in the national capital, which is a matter of great shame. "What happened to the promise of women's security force? Where are CCTVs supposed to be installed in buses? Where are marshals inside DTC buses? what has the Delhi government done to improve the last-mile connectivity?" he asked, demanding the culprit in the case be arrested at the earliest. New Delhi, Feb 13 : AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday referred to the religion of soldiers killed in Sunjuwan Army camp terror attack and questioned the "silence" of those raising questions about the patriotism of Indian Muslims. "Five of the seven killed in the attack (on Saturday) were Kashmiri Muslims. Now, everybody is silent on their sacrifice," Owaisi said, asking "why such silence on this issue?" "Everyday, at 9 p.m. on television (debates), the nationalism of (Indian) Muslims is questioned. Questions are also raised on the Kashmiris." The Hyderabad MP said the people "who question the integrity of Muslims and those who call Muslims Pakistanis" will have to take a lesson from this. "We (Muslims) are giving our lives... terrorists are killing us too as they are not discriminating on the basis of religion. They treat everyone as Indian. But there are many people in the country who still question our integrity," Owaisi said. Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh termed Owaisi's remarks as "unfortunate". "These are very unfortunate remarks from a person elected to Parliament and who has taken oath under the Indian Constitution. He always looks at areas where he can divide society on communal lines," Singh said. "So far as our martyrs are concerned, they have sacrificed their lives for the country. We don't see these martyrs as Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs or Christians. They are martyrs of the nation," he added. CPI leader D. Raja however backed Owaisi. "I think it is an answer to the people who are questioning the patriotism or nationalism of the Muslim community." Seven persons, including six soldiers, were killed in the terror attack on the Army camp. Three militants involved in the attack were also killed in offensive by the security forces. New Delhi, Feb 13 : India's civil aviation regulator DGCA on Tuesday said that it is "continuously monitoring" the operations of Airbus A320neos (new engine option) aircraft powered by "PW1100G-JM" engines. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said it is "continuously monitoring these operations to ensure that safety is not compromised at any stage and A320neo aircraft in the fleet of Indian operators are being operated safely". In India, only IndiGo and GoAir operate the A320neo aircraft powered by PW 1100 engines. At present, IndiGo and GoAir have a total of 32 and 13 A320neos in their fleet respectively. The DGCA's statement comes days after budget passenger carrier IndiGo withdrew three of its A320neo aircraft from service after "receiving" precautionary recommendations from European Aviation Safety Agency on the particular engine type which powers these planes. "The recommendations are with respect to a certain sub-population of engines, with a particular engine configuration. IndiGo has only three such affected aircraft. As soon as IndiGo learnt of these developments, IndiGo had proactively withdrawn the three A320neo aircraft from service w.e.f. 9th of February," the airline had said in a statement on February 10. The regulator said that in addition to the three grounded aircraft, IndiGo and GoAir have eight and three other A320neos respectively with one affected engine. "Since these aircraft are not approved for ETOPs (extended-range twin-engine operational performance standards) operations, no other additional operational restriction has been imposed on these 11 aircraft. DGCA continues to closely monitor operations of these aircraft so as to ensure that safety is not compromised." Further, the DGCA said that there are 113 A320 or A321neos with PW 1100 engines operating worldwide by 18 operators. "As on date, 11 aircraft with both engines impacted have been grounded. Aircraft with one engine impacted are allowed to operate, however, ETOPs operations are not permitted," the statement said. "It is further stated that no national authority has imposed any additional restriction on these aircraft. DGCA is already in touch with M/s Airbus and EASA and any action taken by them will be reviewed proactively to ensure safety of aircraft operations, which is of paramount importance by the DGCA." Pughoboto (Nagaland), Feb 13 : Nagaland's ruling Naga People's Front (NPF) chief, Shurhozelie Liezietsu on Tuesday revealed that the party could not agree to seat-sharing with the Bharatiya Janata Party since it knew the consequences would be very negative. However, he said that the newly-floated Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) came forward offering the BJP 30 seats in the 60 member House but finally gave away 20 seats to the BJP. "The intention of the NDPP of seat sharing with the BJP is nothing but just to get into power at the cost of the Naga people," Liezietsu at an election rally in support of state Minister Y. Vikheho Swu, who is seeking re-election from Pughoboto assembly constituency. The ruling NPF was alliance partner with the BJP for 14 years in Nagaland. Reiterating that NPF belongs to the Naga people and it represents the Naga identity, Liezietsu said that the BJP belongs to mainland India and so the Naga people can easily make out which party is for the N aga people and which is not. "Though we play politics, we should not forget our roots and identity. It will not be difficult for the Nagas to differentiate and choose between the 'cock' and the 'saffron colour' for their future," he said. Moreover, he maintained that the Naga people can no longer be fooled by power-mongers and asserted that the NPF is prepared to protect them. Liezietsu said that since creation of Nagaland in 1963 and the NPF's inception in 1964, solution to the Naga political problem has been the top-most priority of the party. "The NPF has taken several initiatives to facilitate the peaceful resolution of the Naga political issue and shall continue to do so till we achieve its goal," he said. Kuwait City, Feb 13 : Italy's Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano on Tuesday urged nations to invest more in preventing a resurgence of the Islamic State jihadist group by rolling out measures to address its "root causes". "We need to safeguard our political cohesion and invest more resources to help Iraq and Syria to eliminate any risk of Daesh making a comeback," said Alfano, using the Arabic acronym for IS. "It's about tackling its root causes," he said. Alfano's remarks at a meeting of the 74-member US-led global coalition against US taking place in Kuwait City were relayed via the Italian Foreign Ministry's Twitter feed. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Kuwait's Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu were among those attending the anti-IS coalition summit. We are very pleased to be recognized by NEEBC for our Torchlight Child and Torchlight Elder programs that we have integrated into the wellness benefits program we offer our employees, said Diane Terwilliger, Human Resources Manager, Payroll and Benefits for Boston Private. Torchlight announced today that one of its customers, Boston Private, has been selected as New England Employee Benefits Councils (NEEBC) 2017 Emerging Benefits Award Winner for providing its employees with Torchlights cloud-based caregiver support solution as part of its benefits and wellness program. NEEBC expanded its award categories this year to include a Best Emerging Benefits winner. It honors a company that is responsive to a need within a subset of its employee base and invested in this important demand and related benefit. We are very pleased to be recognized by NEEBC for our Torchlight Child and Torchlight Elder programs that we have integrated into the wellness benefits program we offer our employees, said Diane Terwilliger, Human Resources Manager, Payroll and Benefits for Boston Private. We understand that our employees are pulled in many directions in their personal lives and our goal is to support them with what they are dealing with day to day. It is important to us to support our employees from hire to retire and the feedback from employees that have utilized our child and elder caregiving benefit has been very positive. Seven percent of our employees are utilizing the Torchlight platform including the decision support tools, roadmaps, online resources and the interactive webinars. Family caregiver responsibilities are hitting employees and employers across the country and across all industries. According to Transamerica Institutes recent report, The Many Faces of Caregivers: A Close-Up Look at Caregiving and Its Impacts, 26 million caregivers are full-time employees. As a result of family caregiving duties, 76 percent have made some type of adjustment to their employment including using sick or vacation days, taking a leave of absence, or quitting their job. Ceridian found American employers are losing $38.2 billion in productivity annually due to their employees family caregiving responsibilities. Back in 2015, Boston Private undertook an executive-sponsored initiative to build out its comprehensive wellness benefits program for its employees. The goal was to offer a comprehensive benefits plan that (1) serves not only the employee but also his or her family and (2) helps with the hiring and retention of top workforce talent. During this process, the company identified stress issues within its workforce surrounding various caregiving aspects with employees children and aging parents. After a thorough search, Boston Private partnered with Torchlight to first roll out the Torchlight Child program in 2015 which helps support employees dealing with a wide gamut of child-related challenges including learning disabilities, excessive screen time, cyber-bullying, and anxiety issues. In 2016, the company implemented Torchlight Elder to support employees caring for aging parents and loved ones who are also challenged with many issues including Alzheimers, Dementia, financial and legal decisions, end-of-life decisions, elderly housing options, unique medical needs, and navigating Medicare and Medicaid. Companies are realizing that even if a benefit doesnt impact its entire employee population consistently, there are specific ways that they can provide real value to a portion of their employees. Its simply a fact that employees across the age spectrum are caring for children, aging relatives or are aging themselves. Its stressful and time-intensive for both an employee and their employer, explains Patty Houpt, Executive Director of NEEBC. Its become a significant issue for managers to have their staff either absent physically or absent mentally, even if the individual is in the office. Forward-thinking companies, like Boston Private, are identifying that by truly becoming a partner with their employees in an effort to fully support their employees families, they can earn gains in presenteeism, employee loyalty and gratitude. Those are soft benefits that can provide hard financial returns. Boston Private is a perfect example of a company that has identified the strategic benefits of investing in and embracing family support benefits, said Adam Goldberg, CEO and founder of Torchlight. The company strives to truly integrate its full suite of well-being support services and platforms into its employees lives. As a result, the company has happier, healthier and better-prepared employees, as well as family members who receive the proper support. In turn, the company may benefit from not only human capital but also financial returns. About Torchlight Torchlight is a pioneer in caregiver benefit solutions, a new approach to managing the costs and complexities of caregiving for employers and employee caregivers today. We do this by enabling employees -- many who have caregiving duties for children with acute and everyday challenges and elderly loved ones -- to more effectively navigate and identify the resources that are available to them, including cost-free services that exist outside of employee benefit plans. With Torchlight, employers have an ROI-driven model for managing caregiving -- a $38.2 billion challenge in the US alone -- so that they can be both compassionate and competitive in the evolving labor market where more than one in three employees today is a caregiver. Today, Torchlight covers over one million working families at leading enterprises throughout the US. Based in Boston, the company was founded by caregiving pioneer Adam Goldberg, M.Ed. For more information, contact sales (at) torchlight (dot) care, phone 844-693-3477, or visit Torchlight.care. Complete ATM Business Solution Co. The fact is CASH IS KING, everyone needs it and if your location can provide access to it, they will come back! - The Basics Signs that depict a business is in a dire need of getting an ATM. If you have a cash only business its a no brainer, your customers need cash. If your POS goes down and you know it does, your customers need cash. People need cash for a variety of reasons and if your business can provide them that convenience while at your location they will return. But, its not just merchants, educational Institutions students may need cash for lunch, supplies or special projects. Corporate offices employees may need cash for the way home, contribute to a corporate charity or make a withdrawal on payday. The list goes on hotels, airports, sporting venues. The fact is CASH IS KING," everyone needs it and if your location can provide access to it, they will come back! Is the Location Suitable for an ATM? Not all ATMs at business locations give the same results. There are some important questions you need to ask yourself before you make the decision of buying or placing an ATM at your business location. First and most important, do you have the traffic to support it? If your traffic is light, frankly, you need more than an ATM. Businesses need to look at an ATM as an asset and benefit to the customer not as an attraction to drive sales. To help put this in perspective - a 40-room hotel might get 40 transactions/mo., a 600 employee corporate office might receive 100 transactions/mo., but a gas station next to a highway or bus and train station might do over 500 transactions/mo. and thats because of LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION. Every location is unique, we will always consult with the customer to discuss if their location is suitable for an ATM. When deciding to place an ATM in a business, look for the best options. 1. Free ATM Placement High-traffic business location with a constant need for cash by the customers.: Free ATM Placement is the best option. The turn-key solution, revenue sharing without the hassle. 2. ATM Partnership Businesses with moderate traffic or interest not eligible for Free ATM Placement: ATM Partnership is the best option. The 50/50 Program. Business provides the cash, ATM Provider supplies the Automatic Teller Machine, ATM Service and ATM Processing. 3. ATM Purchase/Lease Want to keep all the surcharge revenue? The best choice in this situation will be to purchase or lease the ATM. A straightforward solution. Buy or lease the ATM, manage, maintain it and keep 100% with free ATM Processing. About the Company Worldwide Products Corp. is a complete ATM Placement Service Company offering "no hassle" ATM Business Solutions. Providing ATM Placement, ATM Management and ATM Processing to Connecticut businesses and throughout New England. We are a trusted and a BBB accredited company with A+ rating. To learn more contact us today at (855) 972-2867. LAUNCHER.SOLUTIONS (Launcher), a technology provider specializing in sub-prime automotive loan originations, announced today that it has added Kelley Blue Book to its list of data providers to offer vehicle trade-in values to lenders using Launcher's appTRAKER Loan Origination System. appTRAKER Loan Origination System was designed by automotive lending experts with workflows specific to sub/near-prime processes. The seamless integration between Launcher and Kelley Blue Book data gives lenders access to trade-in values from within appTRAKER which assists in ensuring loan origination amounts are current. Integrating Kelley Blue Book data into appTRAKER benefits our clients by providing a valuable resource they can use for assessing collateral risk on a loan, said Nikh Nath, President of LAUNCHER.SOLUTIONS. Kelley Blue Book trade-in values will help them make smarter business decisions. Kelley Blue Book is a well-known name in the auto industry with a reputation of providing relevant vehicle value information. Kelley Blue Book Values are based on massive amounts of data, including actual sales transactions and auction prices, which are then analyzed and adjusted to account for seasonality and market trends. These values reflect local conditions in over 100 different geographic regions and are updated weekly to provide the most up-to-date used car pricing information. About LAUNCHER.SOLUTIONS LAUNCHER.SOLUTIONS is a technology products and services company built on the foundation of care, understanding. innovation, and speed. It specializes in the subprime/nearprime automotive lending industry. Its innovative products include appTRAKER LOS, myDEALER.CARE dealer relationship management system, and myACCOUNT.CARE customer self-service and communication solution. LAUNCHER.SOLUTIONS has service offerings aimed at helping its clients with projects related to data analytics, data integration, telephony and custom web development. Learn more about LAUNCHER.SOLUTIONS at http://www.launcher.solutions or call at 877.5LNCHER. Follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/launcher.solutions. About Kelley Blue Book (http://www.kbb.com) Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource, is the vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the automotive industry. Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website KBB.com, including its famous Blue Book Trade-In Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new and used cars this week. The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies, and governmental agencies. Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc. is a Cox Automotive brand. About Cox Automotive Cox Automotive Inc. is transforming the way the world buys, sells and owns cars with industry-leading digital marketing, financial, retail and wholesale solutions for consumers, dealers, manufacturers and the overall automotive ecosystem worldwide. Committed to open choice and dedicated to strong partnerships, the Cox Automotive family includes Autotrader, Dealer.com, Dealertrack, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim, NextGear Capital, vAuto, Xtime and a host of other brands. The global company has 34,000-plus team members in more than 200 locations and is partner to more than 40,000 auto dealers, as well as most major automobile manufacturers, while engaging U.S. consumer car buyers with the most recognized media brands in the industry. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., an Atlanta-based company with revenues exceeding $20 billion and approximately 60,000 employees. Cox Enterprises other major operating subsidiaries include Cox Communications and Cox Media Group. For more information about Cox Automotive, visit http://www.coxautoinc.com. Oak Hill Academy, a small, college prep boarding school for high school boys and girls, is proud to announce that the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) has elected Dr. Michael D. Groves to the position of Vice President of its Board of Directors, beginning July 1, 2018. Dr. Groves continues to serve as the President of Oak Hill Academy, a position he has held since 2002. Additionally, Dr. Groves has been tapped as President Elect for the VAIS Board as announced following the Associations January business meeting in Charlottesville. Dr. Groves has served VAIS over the last several years, most recently as Secretary of the Board of Directors. VAIS is the leading nonprofit accrediting association of independent PK-12 schools in Virginia. In operation since 1973, VAIS is a resource for accreditation and promoting educational excellence for both private boarding and day member schools throughout the Commonwealth. VAIS accreditation is recognized by the Virginia Board of Education and nationally, by the National Association of Independent Schools. Dr. Groves election reflects his effective leadership at Oak Hill Academy as well as a wealth of independent school experience gained through VAIS service and participation in Accreditation Committee visits to member institutions throughout Virginia. Oak Hill Academy, founded in 1878, is one of the oldest boarding schools in Virginia. The Baptist school serves a diverse student body seeking personal and academic growth in a structured, coed, college preparatory setting. Operating with the philosophy that there is no such thing as an underachieving student -only an unmotivated one, the school seeks to provide a turning point for high school students. Applications for the 2018-19 school year and summer session are currently being accepted. We are committed to supporting AcctTwo with dedicated resources and premium service and we look forward to helping their clients access Nexonia's best-in-class expense management solution seamlessly integrated with their Sage Intacct financial management system. AcctTwo, a leading consulting firm and provider of cloud-based financial management solutions and managed accounting services, announced that the firm has recently achieved Gold status in Nexonia's new three-tiered partner program. This program offers top-performing partners an exclusive platform to grow revenue and provide a superior experience to their clients. Nexonia is a leading provider of web and mobile expense reports and timesheets solutions. Their easy-to-use applications are fully integrated with ERPs, credit cards, and other systems supporting a variety of businesses. Nexonia's solutions are designed to streamline the reporting and approval process, improve human resource management, and enhance operational efficiency. Recently, Nexonia joined forces with Certify, Tallie, and ExpenseWatch to form the largest independent expense management company in the world. Nexonia is very excited about the launch of this new program reserved for our premium partners," said Rob McGarry, VP of Partnerships at Nexonia. "We are committed to supporting AcctTwo with dedicated resources and premium service and we look forward to helping their clients access Nexonia's best-in-class expense management solution seamlessly integrated with their Sage Intacct financial management system. Nexonia has been a long-standing and proud partner with AcctTwo, providing cloud-based time and expense management solutions for their clients. This solution brings immediate value and return on investment to their customers. What makes Nexonia stand out is their deep integration with Sage Intacct. Nexonia has been integrating with Sage Intacct via web services for more than six years. With more than 300 settings available, Nexonia Expense clients get the most complete Sage Intacct expense report software integration on the market. The solution is highly configurable, has credit card integrations, and supports custom fields. But what Nexonia really takes pride in is the company's superior customer service and commitment to their partners. "When I founded AcctTwo in 2011, we went in search of the best possible financial management and ERP system to provide to our customers," says Marcus Wagner, Founder and CEO of AcctTwo. "We chose Sage Intacct's class-leading platform and its best-in-class approach where companies and nonprofits can choose the best solutions for each of their business needs, from accounting to expense management to budgeting to payroll, rather than buying a packaged suite that might excel in one area but fall short in another. Nexonia embraces this same approach and, with its deep Sage Intacct integration, has become an invaluable partner for us. In fact, we use Nexonia internally at AcctTwo." In another indication of the strength of the AcctTwo-Nexonia partnership, the two firms have recently collaborated on a prebuilt Nexonia integration with Sage Intacct for customers selecting an out-of-the-box solution to their accounting system needs. This gives more organizations quicker access to these sophisticated best-in-class systems and allows for a resource efficient implementation. The launch of this innovative approach to deploying Sage Intacct and Nexonia's expense automation solution is very exciting," said McGarry. "We are confident that we will delight customers with this prebuilt offering. Nexonia has been a long-standing and proud partner with AcctTwo, and we look forward to continuing and building on that partnership going forward. About AcctTwo: AcctTwo is a leading consulting firm and reseller of cloud-based accounting, ERP, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), and Corporate Performance Management (CPM) software. Our sophisticated systems solve the issues growing middle market companies and nonprofit organizations face today. AcctTwo also provides Managed Accounting Services (MAS), allowing clients to focus on the core competencies of their business. We provide the people, processes, technology, and office facilities to perform these functions, while allowing clients to collaborate interactively through an on-line portal. AcctTwo is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For more information, please visit http://www.accttwo.com or call 713-744-8400. Contacts: Peter Wagner Director of Marketing AcctTwo Cell: 512.415.6846 Email: pwagner(at)accttwo.com Charles L. Branch, Jr., M.D. Back Pain Centers of America (BPC), which connects people searching for solutions to their neck and back pain with top spine specialists, announces the addition of nationally-ranking Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center Spine Center to its network. Located in central North Carolina, Wake Forest Baptists Spine Center provides a complete range of spinal care options. We selected Wake Forest Baptist Spine Center because of their strong reputation and proven expertise in helping patients return to the activities they enjoy, said Brent Wheeler, President of Orthopedic and Back Pain Centers of America. We have many patients calling us because our network is made of the most capable and proven spine care physicians. We take this trust seriously and are honored to welcome Wake Forest Baptist into our network. We are delighted to partner with Back Pain Centers of Americas network to help more patients with their spine care. With a multidisciplinary team of neurosurgeons, neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, physiatrists and pain management physicians, we are committed to accurate diagnoses and to finding the best treatment for each patients back pain. Our goal is to provide lasting pain relief while maintaining a personalized, patient-focused environment, said Charles Branch, Jr., M.D., Professor and Chair Department of Neurosurgery and Executive Director of the Spine Service at Wake Forest Baptist Health. As an academic medical center, Wake Forest Baptist places emphasis on providing new technologies and innovative, minimally-invasive techniques in an environment of eighteen highly trained spinal physicians. There are multiple locations in North Carolina to serve the needs of the community. Learn more about Wake Forest Baptist Spine Center at http://www.wakehealth.edu/Neurosciences/Spine. About Back Pain Centers of America Back Pain Centers of America (BPC) has helped people find safe, reliable relief for chronic pain since 2009. The call centers match patients searching for relief for neck and back pain to reputable, board-certified healthcare practices in their geographic area. BPC has the largest network of minimally-invasive spine centers in America. This service is free to patients. For more information for patients, please visit http://www.backpaincenters.com. Also follow BPC on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter. Bambadjan Bamba "I and 800,000 other DACA recipients are young people who care, work hard and only want the opportunity to give back to this great nation." Film and television actor Bambadjan Bamba ("The Good Place," "Black Panther"), narrates the first part of "Brightness of Noon: The Intersect of Faith, Immigration and Refugees," premiering this month on ABC-affiliated stations. To view the trailer, visit us on Youtube. This past November, Bamba risked his family and career when he publicly declared his undocumented immigrant status in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. In doing so, Bambadjan, in solidarity with thousands of young undocumented immigrants whose lives have been upended since the president rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA), voluntarily put himself in the crosshairs of the Trump administrations draconian deportation policy. Bamba is a DACA recipient himself, having been brought to the United States when he was ten by parents fleeing political violence in his native Ivory Coast. By committing to narrate this documentary, Bamba says he hopes to show that "I and 800,000 other DACA recipients are young people who care, work hard and only want the opportunity to give back to this great nation." "Brightness of Noon," produced by five-time Emmy award-winner Debra Gonsher Vinik of Diva Communications, is a two-part documentary that illuminates the risks people of faith are willing to take to protect the human rights of those fleeing violence, and the struggles and triumphs of undocumented immigrants and refugees as they resettle in the United States. I was drawn to the issue two years ago when an exemplary student of mine came to me, unsure if she would receive the colleges highest academic honor because she was undocumented, said Gonsher Vinik. And now every day I read horrific stories of families being torn apart, people whove lived here for decades, accomplishing amazing things and their rights being denied. People whose only crime has been fleeing the murder, rape and torture in their native country and coming to the United States, hoping for peace and security. "Part 1," which focuses on undocumented immigrants, begins airing on ABC-affiliated stations nationwide on February 18, 2018. "Part 2," which addresses the plight of refugees and asylum seekers, will air in November 2018. For a list of air times and stations in your area, click here Connect with us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/20Cx7I7 Twitter: @diva_comm and Instagram: @divacommunications Diva Communications, Inc. is a New York-based programming and production company specializing in social justice documentaries and new media projects from a multi-faith perspective. For more information, visit http://www.divacommunications.com. About Bambadjan Bamba: Actor Bambadjan Bamba was born in the Ivory Coast (Cote D'Ivoire) and studied at the Conservatory of Film and Dramatic Arts in New York City. Bamba has racked up a slew of TV credits including stints on "Cold Case," "NCIS: Los Angeles," "Parenthood," "Greys Anatomy," "The Following" and "Consequences." Most recently, Bambadjan appeared on the first season of "The Good Place" and plays a militant leader on the big screen in Marvels latest blockbuster "Black Panther." As a major financial news and services provider, TheStreet is highly respected by the finance community, many of whom are similarly using Seal to unearth insights from their contracts, and we are proud to partner with them. Seal Software is pleased to announce that The Street, Inc., the global financial news and services firm co-founded by Jim Cramer in 1996, has furthered its investment in Seals discovery and analytics platform to extend its application to other use cases. After a focus on consolidating contracts from a diverse set of sources into the Seal repository, TheStreet plans to extract key data from supplier and other procurement contracts. In addition, TheStreet will use Seal to derive insight as it relates to key pieces of legislation such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). As one of the leading publishers of financial news and information, and deep domain content, TheStreet has attracted a large and loyal readership over the past 22 years. As such, it takes its responsibilities for data protection extremely seriously. The GDPR regulation defines how a company must protect the personal data of European Union (EU) citizens that it stores and what steps need to be taken should a data breach occur. A lot of obligations are defined within the contracts between the company and individuals, suppliers and customers. Being compliant requires a full understanding of these, but also a readiness to act within the stated window should such an event occur. Seals technology facilitates this process. TheStreet is also confirmed as a main customer speaker at Seal Insight 2018, the Seal customer conference in New York City held in September. We selected Seal a year ago to bring some rigor and process around our new and legacy contracts, said Heather Mars, general counsel at TheStreet. Having completed that project, we now want to derive greater insight from the contracts, ensure we are meeting regulations as they pertain to contracts and identify revenue recovery opportunity and cost saving measures, again, from within the contract corpus. I am delighted that TheStreet continues to derive value from its use of Seal technology, said Ulf Zetterberg, co-founder and CEO of Seal Software. As a major financial news and services provider, TheStreet is highly respected by the finance community, many of whom are similarly using Seal to unearth insights from their contracts, and we are proud to partner with them. About Seal Software Seal Software is the leading provider of contract discovery, data extraction, and analytics. With Seals machine learning and natural language processing technologies, companies can find contracts of any file type across their networks, quickly understand what risks or opportunities are hidden in their contracts, and place them in a centralized repository. Based in San Francisco, Seal empowers enterprises around the world to maximize revenue opportunities, reduce costs, and mitigate risks associated with contractual documents, systems, and processes. For more information, visit Seal Software at http://www.seal-software.com. About TheStreet, Inc. TheStreet, Inc. is a leading financial news and information provider to investors and institutions worldwide. The Companys flagship brand, TheStreet (http://www.thestreet.com), has produced unbiased business news and market analysis for individual investors for more than 20 years. The Companys portfolio of institutional brands includes The Deal (http://www.thedeal.com), which provides actionable, intraday coverage of mergers, acquisitions and all other changes in corporate control; BoardEx (http://www.boardex.com), a relationship mapping service of corporate directors and officers; and RateWatch (http://www.rate-watch.com), which supplies rate and fee data from banks and credit unions across the U.S. At Herbal Papaya we are honoured to be one of the companies selected to showcase at the Integrative Healthcare Symposium Spotlight. This event will take place Thursday, February 22nd Saturday, February 24th, 2018, at the New York Hilton Midtown, NY. At the Integrative Healthcare Symposium, top names in the industry will share their latest research findings and most promising new products with practitioners from across the United States. Unoma Okorafor, CEO of Herbal Papayas states, "This will be our first appearance at this Symposium and we are overly excited for the opportunity it avails us to showcase our company and the numerous advancements and milestones we have achieved over the years to the thousands of attendees and health practitioners. The Integrative Healthcare Symposium brings together multi-disciplinary practitioners and healthcare professionals dedicated to improving patient outcomes and defining the future of integrative healthcare. Learn more about the Integrative Healthcare Symposium (https://www.ihsymposium.com/exhibitor-list/?exhibitor=herbal-papaya) Our company has consistently appeared and showcased our unique line of Papaya and Graviola leaf, fruit, and seed products, including herbal teas and supplements, at various events and we hope to share our love of Papaya and Graviola with as many people as possible at this tradeshow. We are excited to showcase our recently Non-GMO Verified Products (http://www.prweb.com/releases/2018/01/prweb15107682.htm). We will have our power packs available as well as samples so attendees can taste our amazing products. Stop by and Visit Us at Booth 608 Check us out on the verified list of exhibitors at the event (https://www.ihsymposium.com/exhibitor-list/?exhibitor=herbal-papaya) We hope to see you there!!! About Herbal Papaya Founded in 2011, by Dr. Unoma Okorafor a social entrepreneur and computer engineer. Herbal Papaya is a result of her quest to find papaya products in the United States produced from non-GMO organic papaya. Herbal Papaya offers organic non-GMO papaya based supplements, teas, and beverages produced to increase health and wellness. Headquartered in 2150 S Central Expwy, McKinney, Texas 75070, all products are manufactured in the U.S.A. to the highest standards in an FDA approved facility. For additional information about Herbal Papaya, visit http://www.HerbalPapaya.com Professional Liability Insurance for Dentists | Malpractice Insurance The Professional Protector Plan for Dentists (PPP), a division of B&B Protector Plans, Inc., and a leading malpractice insurance program in the nation is pleased to announce that R.K. Tongue, Co. will now be an appointed agent in the state of Texas, offering the Professional Protector Plan insurance program. R.K. Tongue has been offering the PPP to dentists since the programs inception in 1969. They are one of the leading PPP agents in the country. As one of the first PPP agencies, R.K. Tongue has been instrumental in developing the PPP into a comprehensive insurance program composed of broadened and cutting edge insurance coverages, thorough and educational risk management services, competitive pricing, and the utmost in customer service. They are extremely well-versed in the PPP products and very knowledgeable of the latest trends and topics in the dental industry. Dentists insured with the PPP have access to exclusive services that are not offered by any other insurance company. Complete Risk Management Program. Available to all dentists in the program, the PPP provides live and online CE courses, practice management tools, consent forms, educational materials, an HR/employment practices hotline, medical malpractice hotline services, and more Dentist-Influenced. The PPP employs a team of licensed dentists who provide an expert opinion on everything from clinical risk management to reviewing an appeal if your professional liability policy is ever non-renewed by the carrier Agent/Broker Advisory Board. A team of seasoned PPP agents who advocate to address your insurance needs by working closely with the insurance provider to keep the PPP competitively priced and capable of addressing your dynamic and diverse practice and business needs Monitoring of Emerging Trends. Through PPP risk managers and a panel of dentists, emerging trends are monitored and the program adjusts to address changes in the industry so you are guaranteed the best coverages as your business evolves with the times R.K. Tongue Co., Inc. will begin serving dental offices in Texas effective immediately. About R. K. Tongue Co., Inc. R.K. Tongue, founded in 1911, is one of the top PPP agents in the country with 3 endorsements from state and local dental associations, over 2,500 PPP-insured dentists, and 3,000+ dentist-clients for business and personal insurance, benefits, and financial services. R.K. Tongue has over 77 continuous years of addressing the insurance needs of dentistry and, recruited as a charter agent, began offering the PPP to dentists at the programs inception in 1969. Thousands of dentists around the country trust R.K. Tongues unrivaled expertise and concierge-level service to consolidate and simplify their business, personal, and financial insurance needs by leveraging best-of-breed, cost-effective products and programs like the PPP. About The Professional Protector Plan for Dentists The PPP has been insuring dentists and dental practices for more than 48 years by offering a complete and modular package policy including professional liability, general liability, employment practices liability and property coverage; a unique grouping of coverages that is unmatched in the U.S. marketplace. The program includes comprehensive insurance solutions, risk management benefits and claims services. The PPP is a recognized leader in the industry with 17 state and local Dental Associations across the country currently recommending the PPP. Through their network of specialized agents, who have an average tenure of 21 years with the PPP program, the PPP has been serving dentists nationwide since 1969. This comprehensive insurance program was developed specifically for the dental practice. The plan is offered in all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and insures approximately 30,000 dentists nationwide. The Professional Protector Plan for Dentists is a division of B&B Protector Plans Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brown & Brown, Inc., one of the largest insurance intermediaries in the nation. Brown & Brown, Inc. is ranked as the sixth largest such organization in the United States by Business Insurance magazine based on 2016 revenues. For more information on the insurance products for dentists and risk management services the PPP has to offer, visit our website at http://www.protectorplan.com MEDIA CONTACTS: The Professional Protector Plan for Dentists Kristin Garrison 813-222-4242 kgarrison(at)bbprograms(dot)com altE customers in Puerto Rico use solar power to create a more reliable and renewable source of electricity for their homes. Puerto Rico has a real opportunity to be a model for the rest of the US by embracing clean, distributed, renewable power from wind and solar. altE announced this week it is now warehousing solar and renewable energy equipment locally in Puerto Rico to help with the ongoing effort to restore power to the island. By operating a warehouse facility in Puerto Rico, altE, the longstanding solar equipment distributor, is reducing the time and effort it takes to get solar equipment in the hands of island residents and solar installers alike. The warehouse facility on the island allows altE to handle the shipping logistics and customs paperworkexponentially increasing the speed of solar equipment delivery. Its well documented many on Puerto Rico are still without power since Hurricane Maria devastated the island on September 20, 2017. Nearly three months after the storm, in December of 2017, it was estimated that over half of the island was still without power. And the latest news from the governor of Puerto Rico on the privatization of the U.S. territory's public power company has many residents on the island of 3-plus million people on edge. Because of the uncertainty around the future of the electric grid on Puerto Rico, many Puerto Ricans are taking it upon themselves to generate their own power by installing off-grid and grid-tied solar systems with battery backup. In the aftermath of Maria, altE began hearing from island residents looking to add battery backup to their existing grid-tied solar systems that by and large survived the storm. A grid-tied solar system is one that powers a residence or facility with the power it makes from the sun and then feeds any remaining power back to the grid. The problem many found is grid-tie systems (which make up the majority of the systems on Puerto Rico) need the grid to be working in order to produce electricity for the home. Grid-tied solar systems are required to shut down when the grid goes down in order to protect the line workers working on the lines. Generally, grid-tied systems do not have any kind of energy storage capabilitiesenergy storage is typically accomplished with a solar deep cycle battery. Thus leaving those residents with a means to produce power, but with no means store power and then use it. Immediately after Maria we started getting calls about shipping battery backup for solar systems to the island, said Sascha Deri, CEO of altE. But it was painful to see our customers wait so long as shipments were delayed before arriving to port due to the backlogs created by natural disaster. So it just made sense for us to start warehousing equipment on the island to streamline the process for locals. Our facility in Puerto Rico reduced delivery times of solar components to island residents from weeks to days or even hours. The altE Store removed the difficulties of adding battery backup to an existing solar systemknown in the solar industry as AC Couplingby assembling pre-packaged solar battery backup kits with all the equipment needed. The kits are shipped to the altE facility in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, outside San Juan, for either pick up in person, or shipping anywhere on island. In addition, altE is stocking solar deep cycle batteries that work seamlessly with the pre-packaged battery backup kits at the Puerto Rican facility. Weve been doing business with Puerto Rican solar installers and residents for nearly two decades, Deri said this week. The stories we are hearing from our long time partners on the island are heartbreaking and frustrating. Were just glad we can do our part to help Puerto Ricans get back on their feet. Puerto Rico has a real opportunity to be a model for the rest of the US by embracing clean, distributed, renewable power from wind and solar. altE is located just a short drive from Boston, MA in Boxborough, MA USA. Theyve been making renewable do-able since 1999. altE is a global supplier of solar, wind and renewable energy equipment with projects installed on every continent in the world. If you have questions about some of the other efforts altE is involved in on Puerto Ricolike the off-grid solar power system donated to a medical cliniccontact them at 877-878-4060. Would you like to learn more about the solar systems altE is warehousing in Puerto Rico? You can read about the solar system details here. To learn more about altE and solar energy systems visit their website: http://www.altEstore.com. ..I will continue to use my voice and platform to help impact and empower the women, specifically women of color in politics, the boardroom and to be well represented everywhere. Desiree Peterkin Bell, President and CEO of DPBell & Associates understands the power behind Women Empowering Women. Anchored on her personal and company mantra, Purpose NOT Position, Bell ensures that she uses her voice, platform and years of experience and expertise to impact more and more women. In September 2017, Desiree Peterkin Bell co-authored a book entitled Women Who Inspire - a groundbreaking book and Amazon best-seller featuring inspirational stories to fuel the souls deepest desires, authentic truth and divine purpose. Being a mother herself, Bell understands the importance of self-love and care as one of the foundations of empowerment. Over the holidays, she and her team partnered with Operation Holiday Help" and gifted Philadelphia mom's with a day of pampering. This year is also a great start for Bell and her team as she supports the Womens March- an ongoing work uplifting the voices and campaigns of the nations most marginalized communities to create transformative social and political change and the Power Rising Summit (organized for Black women, by Black women,) that will focus on issues specific to women of African descent. ...I think what youre seeing now is a lot more of the collective power women have and the significant dialogue around Black women and intersectionality when we talk about feminism and allyship, Bell said. Yes, I believe in womens rights, I also believe in the complexity that it represents because not all of our experiences as women are the same. ...I will continue to use my voice and platform to help impact and empower the women, specifically women of color in politics, the boardroom and to be well represented everywhere. Desiree Peterkin Bell and her team at DPBell & Associates - a boutique public affairs firm serve clients nationally and internationally in areas such as branding, media, political consulting, and crisis communication. For more details, visit http://www.desireepeterkinbell.com BACnet International is pleased to announce the results of its recent Board of Directors elections. The new board is comprised of nine industry executives. The following individuals will serve on the 2018 BACnet International Board of Directors: ANDY MCMILLAN, BACnet International President & Managing Director Andy McMillan is President of BACnet International, where he works with users and suppliers to expand and enhance the BACnet community. Formerly he served as president and general manager of a building automation unit of Philips Lighting. McMillans background includes broad open systems industry development and marketing experience, as well as strong technical knowledge of distributed automation and information management systems. McMillan has co-founded several companies and has been a featured speaker on open systems and automation at conferences in North America, Europe, Japan and Australia. McMillan co-authored a book on open systems networking and holds a dozen patents in sensors, automation and software. He has MBA and BSEE degrees from the University of Michigan and is a member of ASHRAE, AEE, IEEE. MICHAEL R. WILSON Automated Logic (Chairman of the Board) Michael Wilson is the Manager of Product Marketing for Automated Logic Corporation (ALC). During his tenure in product marketing, Wilson has been responsible for driving product strategy and direction. He also has been intimately involved in a number of new product ideas and development efforts and has been closely aligned with customer needs and requirements. Prior to this role, Wilson was the Business Development Manager of both the OEMCtrl and Lumisys divisions of ALC. Prior to ALC, Wilson worked for the CIOs of Delta Air Lines and The Home Depot as a presentation consultant. At BACnet International, Wilson has served as the marketing committee chair, a member of the steering committee, and is currently serving as the Chairman of the Board. His leadership and contributions have been recognized by BACnet International on many occasions, where he has won awards for "always coming to the rescue," for being, "an individual who exhibits outstanding leadership, and as "Volunteer of the Year. RAJ JAYARAMAN, Burton Medical (Vice-Chairman of the Board) Raj Jayaraman currently serves as the President of Burton Medical, a leader in medical lighting applications. Prior to joining Burton Medical, Jayaraman was Vice President of Philips Lighting, where he amassed over 30 years of experience in the lighting and electrical products industries. He has held a variety of executive positions in R&D, Lean Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing and General Management. Jayaraman was deeply involved in the connected lighting strategy and business at Philips Lighting, and also had extensive experience with M&A activities there. He received his PhD from MIT in Microelectronics and holds 9 patents. BRAD HILL, Honeywell International Brad Hill is working as a project management office leader for Honeywell Environmental and Energy Solutions where he is involved in leading the new product development of commercial building offerings. Hill joined Honeywell in 1990 where he was involved in the design and programming of complex integrated control solutions for large projects. He began involvement with BACnet in 1996 through the need to integrate BACnet devices into building management systems. In 1999, Hill began product development work which included the development of a BACnet operator workstation, where he acquired a deep knowledge of the BACnet standard, after which time he continued on to manage and then lead building management product developments. Hill holds an MBA, MES (Energy Studies), BCompSc (Hons), and a DipElecEng, and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt and PMP. ERICA JOHNSON, University of New Hampshire Interoperability Laboratory Erica Johnson was named Director of the University of New Hampshires Interoperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL) in Durham, NH, in 2007. In this position she utilizes her industry experience in networking, developing certification test programs and creating relationships with forums leading the UNH-IOLs continued success. In recognition of her ability to drive technical innovation, Johnson has been recognized by NH Business Review as a recipient of the 2016 Outstanding Women in Business award, Fierce Telecoms list of Women in Wireline, and was awarded, by the University of New Hampshire, with the UNH Womens Commissions Stephanie Thomas Staff Award in honor of her achievements in promoting and embodying the advancement of women in the sciences. Johnson received her Bachelor of Computer Science and MBA from the University of New Hampshire in 2001 and 2011, respectively. TREVOR PALMER, Acuity Brands In his 20+ year industry tenure, Trevor Palmer has held several leadership positions from technical sales and contracting to marketing and product development in the HVAC field, specializing in controls and peripheral devices. He is instrumental in positioning Distech Controls as an industry leader in building automation and IoT technology, while guiding the companys strategic development, market expansion and product line diversification. In his current role, Trevor leads the companys product management, marketing strategy and customer experience teams for IoT technology across controls, software and HVAC domains. He is recognized as a building systems expert throughout North America and Europe. RAYMOND RAE, Delta Controls Raymond Rae is a senior advisor to Delta Controls Inc., a full line manufacturer of native BACnet Direct Digital Control (DDC) systems for building automation systems. Rae co-founded Delta Controls, which is now a part of the Delta Group under Delta Electronics Inc. He also co-founded and is an active principal in Coppertree Analytics, ESC Automation and Delta Connects. Rae has enjoyed more than 35 years in the HVAC industry and has an extensive background, which includes: energy auditing, computerized building simulations, system commissioning, controls, engineering, product certifications, design and marketing. He has been a member of ASHRAE since 1984. NANCY STEIN, Siemens Nancy Stein is Business Excellence for Siemens Building Technologies, Control Products and Systems (CPS) Business Unit. In her role, Stein is responsible for strategic direction of all CPS products. She also monitors the development of business plans and manages product lifecycles and market positioning. Stein has been with Siemens for over 22 years in product marketing and solution sales positions. She has a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from DePaul University. DENNIS SWOBODA, Blue Ridge Technologies Dennis Swoboda is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Blue Ridge Technologies, a manufacturer of Native BACnet lighting control solutions designed for open communication with most building automation systems. In his role, Swoboda oversees global sales and marketing initiatives for the sale and installation of Blue Ridge Technologies lighting control systems. In addition, he works with engineers, end users, owners and controls contractors to help lower life cycle costs, increase energy savings, and reduce carbon emissions by taking control of the largest energy loads in a building. Swoboda has over 20 years of lighting control experience, and gives frequent talks and presentations on energy codes, lighting, and BACnet. He has been a member of BACnet International for almost a decade, and has previously served as the BACnet International marketing committee chair. About BACnet International BACnet International is an industry association that facilitates the successful use of the BACnet protocol in building automation and control systems through interoperability testing, educational programs and promotional activities. BACnet International oversees operation of the BACnet Testing Laboratories (BTL) and maintains a global listing of tested products. The BACnet standard was developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and has been made publicly available so that manufacturers can create interoperable systems of products. BACnet International complements the work of the ASHRAE standards committee and BACnet-related interest groups around the world. BACnet International members include building owners, consulting engineers and facility managers, as well as companies involved in the design, manufacture, installation, commission and maintenance of control equipment that uses BACnet for communication. For more information, please visit bacnetinternational.org. Tulsa Nursing Center is a 104-bed facility offering comprehensive skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services in a comfortable setting. This contract agreement expands our network of relationships with quality healthcare providers, and ensures our members have access to skilled nursing care and rehabilitation when needed. StoneGate Senior Living, LLC, an award-winning full spectrum senior care and housing facility, announces a new contract agreement with CommunityCare, a health insurance provider owned by St. John Ascension and Saint Francis Health System. The contract provides access to Tulsa Nursing Centers beds and care for individuals within the CommunityCare network. Tulsa Nursing Center, a 2015 U.S. News & World Report-cited Best Nursing Home, delivers comprehensive skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services. We are proud to partner as bed and service providers for the patients of St. John Ascension and Saint Francis Health Systems, says Alicia Conner-Todd RN MSN, StoneGate Senior Livings Regional Director of Business Development and Clinical Liaison for Tulsa Nursing Center. The expanded contract ensures that Tulsa area seniors will have access to beds, facilities and care upon discharge from the areas leading hospitals. Our commitment is to serve our members with care and compassion in an efficient manner, said Sharon Fletcher, CommunityCare president and CEO. This contract agreement expands our network of relationships with quality healthcare providers, and ensures our members have access to skilled nursing care and rehabilitation when needed. Tulsa Nursing Center also offers a progressive senior wellness program called LifeWorks, which delivers a purpose-driven curriculum for enhancing quality of life, and an exceptional dining services program called Dining Your Way. For more information, visit http://tulsanc.com/ and http://www.ccok.com. About CommunityCare Launched in 1993, CommunityCare is Oklahomas largest locally owned and operated health insurance organization. CommunityCare provides health care services to more than 500,000 individuals and employs 450 individuals in its Tulsa and Oklahoma City offices. About Tulsa Nursing Center Tulsa Nursing Center is a 104-bed facility offering comprehensive skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services in a comfortable setting. Tulsa Nursing Center provides physical, occupational and speech therapy with customized treatment plans. The facility earned a Best Nursing Home citation from US New & World Report in 2015, and is further recognized for its innovative LifeWorks and Dining Your Way programs, providing exceptional life quality and dining choices for its patients. 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. Learn more at http://www.stonegatesl.com/. Clearview Treatment Programs is proud to announce a new collaboration with Yale University. The Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry is a world leader in patient care, research, and education. As part of this relationship, Clearview and Yale will collaborate on the following activities: Clinical Outcomes: Clearview will collaborate with experts from the Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, to investigate the clinical effectiveness of Clearview's residential programs. Tracking the outcomes of our clients allows Clearview to study the quality and effectiveness of their programs and improve the treatment provided. Training: Clearview's already highly trained staff will receive training and ongoing consultation from leading Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) experts from the Yale University School of Medicine, including Drs. Seth Axelrod, Ph.D. and Emily Cooney, Ph.D. Training will focus on a variety of topics including DBT for disorders of emotional dysregulation, DBT for substance use disorders, increasing fidelity to the DBT model, and enhancing therapists' effectiveness. Sponsorships: YIELD, the Yale Instruction/Investigation/Intervention in Emotional Liability and Dysregulation Program - Clearview is a proud sponsor and supporter of YIELD. This vital program provides education about problems of chronic emotional dysregulation to mental health professionals. It also provides education and support to those struggling with mental health disorders and their families. Annual Yale NEA-BPD Conference - Clearview will also continue to sponsor the Annual Yale NEA-BPD Conference. The National Education Alliance for BPD (NEA-BPD) works to provide education to policy makers and raise public awareness while decreasing stigma and improving the quality of life for those with Borderline Personality Disorder and their loved ones. Each year, these conferences offer the latest in news and cutting-edge research about BPD and provide educational programming and an opportunity for mental health professionals to earn continuing education credits. Clearview and Yale: Clearview Treatment Programs is a national leader in the treatment of addictions and mental health disorders, including Borderline Personality Disorder and emotional dysregulation. Clearview is excited to be collaborating with Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry. Clearview is confident that working with Yale will provide even deeper insight into the treatment programs offered at Clearview Treatment Programs and enable them to continue to provide the best care possible to their clients. For any questions about Clearview's treatment programs, please call their recovery specialists at (866) 372-2762. About Clearview Treatment Programs Clearview Treatment Programs is a premier provider of treatment for people with Borderline Personality Disorder, psychiatric disorders, addictions, and dual diagnosis. Internationally known for its Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and evidence-based treatment programs, Clearview offers a full continuum of care. Clearview provides treatment for drug addiction, alcoholism, and co-occurring mental health disorders (BPD, PTSD, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and more) in co-ed and female only, evidence-based treatment settings. Levels of care include residential, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), day treatment (PHP), and individualized outpatient. For more information, visit http://www.clearviewtreatment.com. Char-Broil, a division of W.C. Bradley Company based in Columbus, GA and one of the most recognized and respected outdoor cooking brands in the world, has named BrightWave as its email marketing agency of record. BrightWave was chosen for its deep expertise in email and eCRM as well as its understanding of Char-Broils business and strategic initiatives. The Atlanta-based agency has been recognized as the leading independent email agency and ranked #1 for client satisfaction and platform expertise, according to industry analyst The Relevancy Group. BrightWave was chosen after evaluating many agencies and vendors. BrightWaves track record of delivering excellence for its impressive client list is the best we have seen, stated Paige Farrow, Char-Broils Senior Director, Marketing. She added, Our team has already seen an immediate impact as BrightWave has created a strategic plan and migrated our email program to a new and dynamic technology platform. Char-Broil is an iconic brand, one we have long admired and hoped to work with. We expect great things for both its email subscribers and Char-Broils business performance as their email program evolves, commented Simms Jenkins, BrightWaves CEO. Our team is very excited and honored to be a trusted partner for Char-Broil and we look forward to a successful long-term relationship. About BrightWave BrightWave is the leading email marketing agency. With over 15 years of experience managing the best email programs in the country, BrightWave elevates eCRM and cross-channel programs through industry-leading innovation, relationship orchestration and pioneering inbox experiences. Learn more at http://www.brightwave.com. BrightWave also is the creator of EiQ, the intelligent email gathering. This one-day event on April 19, 2018 is where the industry community convenes and focuses on innovation and business impact. For more information on the event, please visit http://www.eiqgathering.com. About Char-Broil Char-Broil grills are forgiving grills. What does that mean? It means our grills make grilling enjoyable and stress freethe way it should be. It means our grills are reliable and easy-to-use, so anyone can cook delicious food without missing out on the good times of the cookout. Char-Broil grills are designed with the entire experience in mind and the forgiving cooking technology inside every one of our products provides the tools and the confidence you need to get the most out grilling. With Char-Broil grills and accessories, Now Youre Cookin. Award-winning wedding and corporate event video company, Godfather Films. Godfather Films is proud to announce that it has successfully filmed its 3,000th wedding. John Goolsby, the owner of Godfather Films, started his filmmaking company in 1986 and has gone on to film more than three thousand weddings in 25 different countries while logging in more than one million airline miles and ten million dollars in sales. John and his company are showing no signs of slowing down producing more than 300 wedding and corporate projects a year working around the world with offices in California and New York. Part of this success can be attributed to the recommendations Godfather Films receives from wedding planners around the world and more than 50 hotels and country clubs who list Godfather Films as their Recommended Videographer. More than a few awards have come his way including being named One of the Top 25 Event Filmmakers in the World and being inducted into the Wedding Video Hall of Fame. His company has also won numerous awards for corporate video communication including multiple Tellys, Creative Excellence, Aegis and PROVAs. His corporate client list includes Costco, US Foodservice, Mobil Oil, Highway Toll Administration, Hoag Hospital, Kaiser Permanente, Abbott, Allergan Pharmaceuticals and South Coast Winery. When asked about his most memorable wedding video moments, John says, Filming multi-million dollar destination weddings in Mexico and a ceremony at Notre Dame in Paris and flying my drone over private islands in the Caribbean and Santorini and the weddings for professional athletes, TV celebrities and rock stars are all very special, but my most rewarding would have to include a brides letter telling me that our film had saved their marriage. Johns motivation comes from his belief that: Our most prized possessions are not things but the memories of our celebrations, adventures and the people we love. John says, Couples really only get to experience ten percent of their own wedding and most of those memories will fade and eventually disappear. The purpose of wedding video is time travel. John is widely recognized in the wedding industry as a keynote speaker for many groups including Professional Photographers of America, The Association of Bridal Consultants and Wedding MBA where he is known as The Wedding Godfather. His book by the same name is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites. John is a Certified Professional Videographer and has a Master of Electronic Imaging Degree. He has taught video communication courses at Brooks Institute of Photography, California Baptist University and the University of California. John still seems to love what he does saying: I've enjoyed the journey and don't know any other occupation that would've been more fun or found me more interesting clients and talented friends around the world. About Godfather Films Godfather Films is an award-winning wedding and corporate event videography company located in Riverside, California that serves clients around the world. With more than 30 years of experience and top industry recognition, Godfather Films specializes in capturing the entire wedding story. Contact Information: Godfather Films 9899 Indiana Avenue #102 Riverside, CA 92503 Local: (951) 688-4336 Toll-Free: (800) 495-5530 Website: http://godfatherfilms.com E-mail: Info(at)GodfatherFilms(dot)com Were pleased to be partnering with Transcom, combining the industry expertise of our teams to assist companies with their digital transformation initiatives. Transcom and Creative Virtual have entered into a partnership for virtual agent and chatbot solutions in the artificial intelligence domain. The partnership will enable Transcom to offer its clients Creative Virtuals complete suite of products, with Transcom taking the responsibility of designing, building, testing, deploying and maintaining a virtual agent solution for the client. The rapid development of artificial intelligence is changing business models. Virtual agent and chatbot solutions are becoming increasingly relevant in the customer service space. Transcom is embracing this change and investing in innovating the service offering. The addition of a virtual agent solution allows Transcom to further support the digital transformation journey of our clients, not only keeping cost down but also improving the customer experience, says Philip Skold, Chief Commercial Officer at Transcom. By implementing virtual agents, either as a support for call centre agents or as a standalone chatbot, companies can increase both availability and quality in handling customer service requests while keeping costs down. This partnership combines Transcoms deep understanding of the customer service space and what it takes to deliver a world class customer experience with Creative Virtuals excellent digital self-service technology platform, says Philip Skold. Were pleased to be partnering with Transcom, combining the industry expertise of our teams to assist companies with their digital transformation initiatives. With properly implemented virtual agents and chatbots, organisations can move the focus in their contact centres from trying to retain knowledge to building better relationships with customers, says Chris Ezekiel, Founder & CEO at Creative Virtual. ABOUT CREATIVE VIRTUAL Creative Virtual, winner of the Queens Awards for Enterprise: Innovation 2017, is a global leader in self-service solutions that enable anywhere, anytime customer engagement between brands and their customers. Our innovative virtual agent, knowledge management and business intelligence platform empowers organisations to provide customers with consistent, accurate, personalised and seamless omnichannel engagement across contact channels. ABOUT TRANSCOM Transcom is a global customer experience specialist, providing customer care, sales, technical support and credit management services through our extensive network of contact centers and work-at-home agents. We are 30,000 customer experience specialists at 50 contact centers across 20 countries, delivering services in 33 languages to international brands in various industry verticals. Summit BHC (Summit), a leading provider of addiction treatment and behavioral health services, today announced the acquisition of Cottonwood Tucson. Located in Tucson, Arizona, the 65-bed addiction treatment facility will be its second facility in the state and brings the Companys total number of operating facilities to fourteen. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. We are excited to announce the acquisition of Cottonwood Tucson, stated Trey Carter, CEO and Founder of Summit. As a Company we are passionate about quality, innovation to improve outcomes and caring for the clients we serve. Cottonwood Tucson has a nationally recognized thirty year track record of providing innovative and evidence-based behavioral health treatment, with an integrative approach in the treatment of co-occurring disorders which makes it a perfect match. We couldnt be more proud and excited in welcoming them to Summit, commented Mr. Carter. We are thrilled to be joining the Summit family, stated Brian Welch, CEO of Cottonwood Tucson. Finding a partner who values clinical excellence and integrity, as well as fostering a healthy professional environment for our employees was critical in our familys decision making process. We found that in Summit, stated Mr. Welch. It has been the Welch familys mission for over twenty five years to help people suffering from behavioral health and addiction disorders through the delivery of innovative, compassionate and individualized services. We are excited to partner with Summit and together we will be successful in maintaining our mission while leading Cottonwood successfully into the future, commented Mr. Welch. About Summit BHC - Headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee and founded in June of 2013, Summit was established to develop and operate a network of leading addiction treatment and behavioral health centers throughout the country. The companys sole focus is on the provision and management of specialty chemical dependency and addiction disorder services within a flexible and dynamic continuum of care. The leadership team at Summit is comprised of senior executives with decades of combined experience in the behavioral healthcare industry at the national level. The company currently owns and operates fourteen freestanding addiction treatment centers in eight states across the country. About Cottonwood Tucson Located on a scenic 35-acre campus in the Sonoran Desert, Cottonwood Tucson is a holistic behavioral health treatment and addiction rehabilitation center dedicated to providing innovative and evidence-based treatment in an environment of safety and respect for patients, family members and staff. In operation more than thirty years, Cottonwood offers many different therapeutic modalities, full-time psychiatric and medical care, and comfortable amenities. Cottonwood Tucson is licensed by the State of Arizona Department of Health Services and is accredited by CARF. For Information: Karen Prince (Summit BHC), 410-336-9905, kprince(at)summitbhc(dot)com Shockoe Hackathon Social Impact Apps With the limited amount of time, Shockoes team found innovative ways to tackle urban problems - this is a great example of open data being truly a valuable resource that helps solve civic problems and create new business opportunities. This past December, Shockoe gathered together with the goal of creating a working and fully-functional mobile application over the course of 48 hours. Each years Hackathon has a different theme, and the goal of this year was to give back to the Richmond community. Whether it is helping cyclists move through the city more safely or providing aid to victims of domestic abuse, each application impressed and showed the heart behind every single idea. With the limited amount of time, Shockoes team found innovative ways to tackle urban problems - this is a great example of open data being truly a valuable resource that helps solve civic problems and create new business opportunities. We are on the right track in helping put Richmond City along with its residents first. Andreas Addison, our First District City Council at City of Richmond, Virginia said as he reviewed each mobile application. I know it was said that were not building apps to save lives, but if theres a chance that we can help just one person then maybe weve done something good. Dan Cotting, one of Shockoes Experience Designers said who was a part of the winning project, Stronger. An application designed and developed to provide emergency resources and a database for domestic abuse victims, this application represents the detail and care placed into the projects. Other fantastic projects included a tool to help Richmond residents communicate with their neighbors and specifically put them in touch with city representatives. Below you can find all details on the mobile software applications Shockoes team created over the course of 48 hours using open source data the city provided: Empowering Victims through Stronger This app was developed and designed with one constraint, the design must consist solely of words; the team created a tool that supports current and potential victims of domestic abuse to get help at various stages.The app allows victims to discreetly call 911 or their inner circle for help, evaluate their current situation for the potential of domestic abuse, find nearby sources of support, and help these victims follow through with action from law enforcement and/or social services by tracking protective orders and surfacing them with incident data. Design Constraint: The entirety of the design must consist solely of words. Lifting Up the Voiceless with Speakerboxx Utilizing sentiment analysis to provide an overall snapshot of how social media users currently feel, Speakerboxx determines an overall reaction and surfaces the top five most positive and negative topics trending amongst the Richmond Metro Area. Doing this allows political figures and community leaders to get at-a-glance insight into their communitys general feeling on certain topics. Leaders can always check in on how their city is doing and what may need more attention. Not only that, but citizens can view this as a way to gain more information about whats going on and what they can do to help when needed. Design Constraint: Everything, including variables, needs to read as if it were written by Outkast. Learning More About Your Local Neighborhood Government In order to to solve problems of transparency in local government and confusion over who serves as an area representative, this Shockoe team created a tool called CollectiveAction. By using location services, users can learn more about government projects that could potentially impact the area they live in. CollectiveAction also provides an immediate way for constituents to contact their local representatives and discuss area issues with their local community via issues-based commenting and forums. Design Constraint: Introduce a game mechanic in your application. Delivering Donations from Restaurants to Nonprofits The team behind Knock Knock aimed to partner with Richmond area nonprofit FeedMore in order to create a tool that would redistribute food items throughout the city. As of now, FeedMore will only pick up donations of over 400 lbs. Knock Knock would allow Richmond locals to volunteer to pick up donations under that 400 lb threshold. With Knock Knock, grocery stores, restaurants, and individuals can submit a request for a donation pickup along with how large that pickup is. A volunteer can accept the pickup, assign it to their route (if they have other pickups they have agreed to), and deliver the donation to FeedMore. Design Constraint: Must use onomatopoeia in the application. Real-Time Safety Information Just One Question Away Lassos mission was to make finding data about your neighborhood both fun and interactive. Pulling in data from the city governments open data portal, Lasso shows the user key metrics and information about school districts, vehicular accidents, and crime data about the area they are in. All the user needs to do is tap a button or use their voice and Lasso will use the phones assistant to read out information to the user. At any time, users can take advantage of this tool to receive up-to-the minute information about their immediate surroundings. Design Constraint: Design your application with a Western theme. Community-Based Incident Reporting through Crime Alert Leveraging open city data on crime reports and Richmond community areas, the team behind Crime Alert RVA created an application that allows users to instantly send incident details to the police while also warning their community of nearby dangers. The app has a host of features that helps ensure a communitys safety, including map views of incidents, real-time push notifications as an incident nearby happens, emergency help contact tools, and detailed incident reporting. Design constraint: Design in the style of Deconstructivism. Protecting Cyclists Around Town One of the primary methods of travel for many Richmond residents is their bicycle. Unfortunately, this leaves a large group of Richmond residents vulnerable to a number of dangers typically not considered by automobile drivers. ChainReaction is a mobile application that guides cyclists to their destination via the safest route. Not only does ChainReaction use accident data to provide these safer routes, it also takes real-time data into account to promote the best local attractions around the city, making any adventure safer. Design constraint: Incorporate a game mechanic into the app. Shockoe is very proud to have sponsored a civic hack focused on buildings experiences on mobile apps that measurably impact the daily tasks of individuals and organizations. Our goal for 2018 is to select a few of these projects and ensure that they are made publicly available to those who need them most. If you are a non-profit, organization that can benefit from one of these applications, an investor or business interested in partnering with Shockoe to publish these apps, or simply want us to keep you informed of our progress, visit our page Server hosting customers will be able to leverage the new location for low-latency access to European markets with all the reliability and support theyve come to expect from ServerMania. ServerMania, a leading Canadian server hosting provider, has added a new Amsterdam data center to its network of global infrastructure hosting facilities. ServerManias Amsterdam facility is its fifth, joining the companys existing locations in the US and Canada. The new facility, which represents a significant expansion of ServerManias data center capacity, is a response to growing global demand for ServerManias range of cloud and dedicated server hosting products. Amsterdam is among the worlds largest internet hubs, offering high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity to Europe, the UK, and beyond. Located in a Tier 3 data center with access to a wide range of bandwidth providers and fast fiber connections throughout Europe, the new facility continues ServerManias commitment to empowering its customers to grow when, how, and where they need to. This European data center solidifies our commitment to building a truly global network, explained ServerMania CEO, Kevin Blanchard, Server hosting customers will be able to leverage the new location for low-latency access to European markets with all the reliability and support theyve come to expect from ServerMania. The Amsterdam data center also furthers ServerManias mission to build data hosting services with the strongest possible privacy protections. In 2017, ServerMania expanded into Montreal to provide a high-quality data hosting location that customers can rely on to provide world-class privacy protections. Canadas Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) mandates strong privacy protections for sensitive data and is compatible with the EUs privacy laws, allowing ServerMania customers to safely host the data of EU citizens within both the EU and Canada. At launch, ServerMania will offer managed services, dedicated server hosting, and hybrid server hosting from the new location, with public and private cloud hosting launching in the near future. About ServerMania: ServerMania is a Canadian company with over 14 years of experience building high-performance infrastructure hosting platforms for businesses globally. ServerMania offers a wide range of fully customizable dedicated, hybrid, cloud, colocation and IP Transit services. Their mission is to empower clients by equipping them with fast, reliable, innovative infrastructure hosting while upholding a 100% network uptime SLA. This is assisted by a 24x7x365 rapid response team one with some of the best response times in the industry. For more information, visit https://www.servermania.com/. Loopio Team Since we started Loopio in 2014, our mission has been to empower our team and our customers to focus on the things that matter, said Zakir Hemraj, Loopio Co-founder and CEO. It has been an incredible journey so far, and were very excited to drive this momentum forward by partnering with OpenView. Loopio, the leading RFP response solution, today announced that it has raised $9 million USD in a Series A round of financing led by OpenView, the expansion stage venture firm. Loopio will use this investment to fuel growth by accelerating product development and expanding its team. OpenView Partner Ricky Pelletier will join Loopios Board of Directors. OpenView is thrilled to partner with Loopio as they head into this next phase of growth, he said. Zak, Jafar, Matt, and the entire team have bootstrapped a truly exceptional business and cutting-edge product relied upon by a customer roster that spans Fortune 500 enterprises to some of the best and most well-known startups. There are big things ahead for Loopio, and we are ecstatic to be a part of the team. Since we started Loopio in 2014, our mission has been to empower our team and our customers to focus on the things that matter, said Zakir Hemraj, Loopio Co-founder and CEO. It has been an incredible journey so far, and were very excited to drive this momentum forward by partnering with OpenView. This round of funding will allow us to accelerate our product development and continue delivering a world-class experience for our customers. The traditional RFP response process is characterized by dispersed content, ineffective mediums of collaboration, and wasted time on manual and repetitive tasks. With Loopios RFP Software, enterprises are streamlining collaboration and saving time on responding to RFPs, RFIs, and Security Questionnaires. Loopio has quickly solidified its lead in the Proposal Software market with very strong user reviews on Capterra and G2 Crowd. Over 300 organizations including world-leading enterprises such as IBM, Thomson Reuters, Citrix, and Sprinklr rely on Loopio. Loopio will use the new funding to expand its team in Toronto and plans to hire over 50 people in 2018, with main growth occurring in the Sales and Engineering teams. Learn about current openings here. About Loopio Based in Toronto, Canada, Loopio is the leading RFP response solution that streamlines the way enterprises respond to Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Information (RFIs), and Security Questionnaires. Since 2014, Loopio has empowered hundreds of Sales, Proposal, and Security teams across world-leading organizations, including Thomson Reuters, IBM, Netskope, Sprinklr, Citrix, and many more. For more information, visit loopio.com and follow: LinkedIn | Loopio Twitter | @loopioinc Facebook | Loopio About OpenView OpenView, the expansion stage venture firm, helps build software companies into market leaders. Through its Expansion Platform, OpenView helps companies hire the best talent, acquire and retain the right customers and partner with industry leaders so they can dominate their markets. Their focus on the expansion stage makes OpenView uniquely suited to provide truly tailored operational support to its portfolio companies. Learn more about OpenView at openviewpartners.com. Its an honor to be recognized for sharing a meaningful, business-focused message that reflects everything we value in Oroville, said Sandy Linville, President and CEO of Oroville Economic Alliance and the Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce. The Northern California city that received national attention in February 2017 following serious damage to the Oroville Dam now has a reason to celebrate: the Oroville Economic Alliance recently garnered notice from the International MarCom Awards with a three-part video series that won a Gold Award for excellence in messaging and production quality. The video series, which is available to view on the Oroville Economic Alliance YouTube channel, was developed to share real success stories from thriving businesses throughout Butte County. The City of Oroville, which has positioned itself as Californias Business Oasis, aims to attract the attention of companies looking to expand or relocate to a business-friendly area of the golden state. Its an honor to be recognized for sharing a meaningful, business-focused message that reflects everything we value in Oroville, said Sandy Linville, President and CEO of Oroville Economic Alliance and the Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce. As we work to counteract the negative impact that last years emergency had on public perception of our area, these videos are helping us tell our story in an authentic way that explores the features and characteristics of our community that matter to businesses looking for a new home. TWEET THIS: International @MarCom_Awards recognizes @CABizOasis with #Gold Award for three-part video series depicting business owners testimonials about doing business in Californias #Business Oasis. http://bit.ly/OEABusinessVideos The Oroville Economic Alliance is a coalition of business advocates and local agencies promoting economic development in Oroville and all of Butte County. The area is home to more than 220,000 people and lies in close proximity to many of Northern Californias most prosperous regions. The organization promotes initiatives aimed at streamlining the process by which new businesses enter and take root within the local economy, while also emphasizing the availability of skilled labor and abundant, affordable land. The MarCom Awards is an international creative competition that recognizes outstanding achievement in marketing and communications. The awards process is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals, an international organization that consists of several thousand creative professionals. This years competition received more than 6,500 entries from 19 countries. Approximately 24 percent of MarCom entrants received a Gold Award for exceeding high industry standards. To learn more about the Oroville Economic Alliance and view the videos, visit CABusinessOasis.org. About Oroville Economic Alliance Oroville Economic Alliance is a private and public-sector coalition united in its goaland passionfor bringing business from across the country and around the world to Oroville and Butte County. Known as Californias Business Oasis, Oroville is unique for its business-friendly combination of abundant affordable acreage, ready workforce, strategic location, and lowest-priced, highest-quality water in the nation. Participating members of the alliance include South Feather Water & Power Agency, Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce, City of Oroville, Butte County and Oroville Economic Development Corporation. For more information, visit CABusinessOasis.org. Stratus Building Solutions, the nations leading green commercial cleaning and janitorial services franchise, was featured by several local newscasts nationwide as the leading voice helping employees Fight the Office Flu. The January 2018 Fight the Office Flu campaign positioned multiple Stratus Building Solutions master franchisees, regional directors and office managers as local cleaning experts. Each Stratus representative provided loyal viewers and readers with actionable advice to combat the deadliest flu outbreak in recent memory. In Los Angeles, Regional Director Chris Wegner was tapped as a local cleaning expert for two major feature stories one with KCAL TV and one with The Daily Press showcasing how LA residents can fight the flu at home and work. Wegner explained why soap and hand-sanitizer dispensers are unsuspecting incubators of germs. After people use the restroom theyre washing their hands. And when theyre pumping the soap dispenser, theyre contaminating the dispenser, said Wegner. Grab a paper towel first and use that on the dispenser. In Phoenix, Antonio Barron brought his knowledge to the studios of KTVK for a hands-on demonstration of how to properly clean office workspaces. We have our desk phones, keyboards, mice and pads that we touch every day that are always full of germs and bacteria, said Barron. These are items that need to be taken care of on a daily basis by employees and staff as well as any commercial cleaning company that you have. The hits kept coming for Stratus Building Solutions in Kansas City as Cody Millsap shared his fight the office flu expertise on KMBC-TV. Millsap emphasized avoiding sharing everyday items during the winter flu season. People may put their pen in their mouths when theyre not thinking about it, said Millsap. If they leave the pen on the conference room table, someone else may use it. All-of-a-sudden, we have all just shared the germs with each other. And in Indianapolis, Lee Putman was brilliant in a WXIN-TV feature that educated viewers on the hazards found in homes and offices. Putman showed how a UV light wand is a new and powerful tool Stratus Building Solutions experts use to rid personal devices of dangerous bacteria. All you have to do is spend five to ten seconds with the wand across the surface and it kills 99.9% of the germs, said Putman. While hes very impressed by how each Stratus representative handled their time in the TV spotlight, Stratus Building Solutions CEO, Afshin Cangarlu, says hes even more proud of what all Stratus franchise owners are doing to keep offices and employees safe during this particularly dangerous flu season. As each of these media opportunities show, all Stratus commercial cleaning experts are passionate about helping their local communities, says Cangarlu. Flu season is always a pivotal time for us as our customers need our support keeping their workspaces clean and healthy. And this year, as offices try to fend off the worst flu season on record, what we offer as the nations leading green commercial cleaning and janitorial services franchise has never been more important. Im glad we were able to spread the word on local TV stations around the country as our franchisees work hard to keep offices clean. For more information on Stratus Building Solutions, please visit http://www.stratusbuildingsolutions.com/. For more information on Stratus Building Solutions franchise opportunities, please visit http://www.stratusclean.com/ About Stratus Building Solutions Stratus Building Solutions is an international franchise company in the commercial cleaning industry, founded in 2006 and headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. Stratus was developed to provide environmentally friendly commercial cleaning services driven by dedicated, entrepreneurial, small business owners and regional support offices. Stratus has over 1,400-unit franchisees in 31 major cities across the United States. Stratus is setting new standards in the building services and maintenance franchise industry by being the first to offer green janitorial with their proprietary, Green Seal Certified line of cleaning chemicals. "Corra Group has added social media research and analytical open source intelligence reports pertaining to cyber espionage and cyber-crime, as well as other malicious threats to a corporate entity, said Corra Group Co-Founder, Gordon Basichis. Corra Group is now offering its Global Services to small businesses and private investigators in need of domestic and global research. The El Segundo, California Headquartered Service can provide a variety of background checks, including criminal and civil, financial, and reputational research, as well as social media research and analytical open source intelligence reports pertaining to cyber espionage and cyber-crime, as well as other malicious threats to a corporate entity. In addition to these services, Corra Group is adding to its complement of background checks social media research and analytical open source intelligence reports pertaining to cyber espionage and cyber-crime, as well as other malicious threats to a corporate entity, said Corra Group Co-Founder, Gordon Basichis. We have established partnerships with researchers both domestically and around the world. We realize the smaller private investigator groups and small businesses may find some difficulty gaining access to the more advanced corporate research services that we can provide, said Basichis. And while these companies are not investing the larger amounts involved with private equity concerns or larger business entities, what money they do invest for partnerships, mergers, and co-ventures, still carries with it a certain amount of risk. At Corra Group, we like to discuss up front what a client is trying to achieve, its objectives and priorities, so that we can recommend specific background searches. Basichis advised that Corra Group can retrieve case files from all 3,200 counties throughout the United States. He noted the company offers business credit reports in the U.S. and for businesses throughout the world. He noted Corra Group can provide social media reports both for employment screening and due diligence, domestically and globally. We are enjoying a robust global economic growth, said Basichis. Good times generate profits and are conducive to expansion and diversification. But with all that, there are certain perils. Simply put, you have to be careful who you are getting into bed with. At Corra Group, we try to help our clients with making the proper choices. BACKGROUND: Corra operates as Corra Group and Corra Global Research and specializes in employment screening and corporate research and due diligence. It is one of the few companies that will answer the phone. You can review the website at http://www.corragroup.com. Construct-A-Lead is an online construction lead service that helps contractors, service providers, manufacturers and suppliers gain information on all large scale construction projects. The service features apartment construction, hotel construction, retail construction, medical construction, school renovations & more, including those hard-to-find private project leads, to help bid on construction, from planning stage- completion. Construct-A-Lead, the industrys most comprehensive construction lead service, announces the following Texas projects will go forward. Construct-A-Leads advanced search feature allows the user to find their leads or key contacts by project type, location, bid stage, dollar value, company, or keyword. Users are able to track projects status, save searches, put personalized notes on projects, email a project to a colleague or customer, reach out directly to the decision maker and download construction leads with a one-touch feature. Interested parties are invited to visit Construct-A-Lead.com and sign up for a no obligation test drive, where they will be able to experience these newly integrated features. Users will be able to receive regular alerts on new and updated construction projects, in accordance with the individuals preference. An example of the Texas construction leads available within the database is listed below. Reference the Project ID to utilize the new site features and to obtain direct contact information for each construction lead: League City, TX Town Center Drive Medical Plaza - Plans call for the new construction of a 60,000-square-foot medical plaza. Construction start: December, 2018. $15,000,000. Project ID: 1406088 Iowa Colony, TX Sierra Vista Plans call for the development of a 1,600 home expansion to the residential community. Construction start: Q2, Q3, 2019. $440,000,000 Project ID: 1406048 Houston, TX H-E-B Plans call for the new construction of a 36,000 - 41,000 grocery store. Construction start: Q1, Q2, 2019, $4,000,000 Project ID: 1404669 Austin, TX Moxy Hotel by Marriott Plans call for a new158 room hotel. Building on site will be demolished first. 4 floors. 89,275 square feet. Restaurant. Construction start: Q4, 2018. $15,000,000 Project ID: 1406025 Denison, TX Gateway Village - Plans call for the new construction of a four story, 80,000 SF, medical office building, to be built in front of the Texoma Medical Center. Construction start: Q4, 2018. $16,000,000 Project ID: 1405613 Dallas, TX 3700 Ross Avenue Plans call for the renovation and conversion of the former Dallas Independent School District administrative headquarters to a 365-unit multifamily complex. Construction start: Q1, Q2, 2019. $50,000,000. Project ID: 1406089 Construct-A-Lead is an online database that connects users to large-scale commercial construction projects, including those hidden, private project leads. The service features hotel construction, office buildings, retail construction, medical facilities, school renovations and much more, to help bid on construction including those hard-to-find private project leads, from planning stage through completion. Construct-A-Leads daily updates of commercial construction project leads are an ideal solution for those who want to put their product or service into commercial, government and religious structures. For more information, visit Construct-A-Lead.com online or call 855-874-1491. We are delighted to have the navigators from the Midwest Cancer Alliance join us, said Lillie Shockney, MAS, RN, BS, ONN-CG, Co-Founder and Program Director, AONN+. Recognizing the importance of navigation services in oncology, AONN+ and MCA will offer clinical nurse and patient navigators in the MCA system membership in the Academy as well as Oncology Nurse Navigator Certification as part of the MCAs ongoing commitment to providing navigation services within their institution and in rural communities. AONN+ and MCA will also collaborate on developing navigation education and resources for MCA navigators. We are delighted to have the navigators from the Midwest Cancer Alliance join us, said Lillie Shockney, MAS, RN, BS, ONN-CG, Co-Founder and Program Director, AONN+. Our partnership with AONN is a great addition to the tools and resources Midwest Cancer Alliance offers our medical colleagues, said MCA Executive Director, Hope Krebill, MSW, BSN, RN. The growth of navigation as a profession is exciting and gratifying. To bring yet another institution on board is further evidence that navigation tactics help institutions reach their goals of providing value-based, effective patient care, said AONN+s Danelle Johnston, MSN, BSN, RN, ONN-CG, OCN, Chief Nursing Officer and Senior Director of Strategic Planning and Initiatives. About the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators The Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators, Inc. (AONN+) is the largest national specialty organization dedicated to improving patient care and quality of life by defining, enhancing, and promoting the role of oncology nurse and patient navigators. The organization, which has more than 6,000 members, was founded in 2009 to provide a network for all professionals involved and interested in patient navigation and survivorship care services in order to better manage the complexities of the cancer treatment process. The Journal of Oncology Navigation & Survivorship(JONS) is the official publication of AONN+. It is published 12 times a year and features topics related to patient navigation and survivorship care. JONS offers original research, best practices, interviews, case reports, and study highlights as well as a platform through which navigators can share research and views on navigation and survivorship issues. CONQUER: the patient voice magazine is AONN+s premier forum for patients with cancer. CONQUER features articles written by and for patients with cancer, survivors, nurse navigators, and other oncology team members. This magazine addresses the issues that patients, their family members, and caregivers face every day in an easy-to-read format. Issues include interviews with patients with cancer, information on access to care, and articles on lifestyle topics such as nutrition, stress management, personal finance, and legal and employer issues. CONQUER also features patient stories that are nominated for the AONN+ Hero of Hope Patient Award, which is presented every year at the AONN+ Annual Conference. About the Midwest Cancer Alliance The Midwest Cancer Alliance (MCA) is a membership-based organization that brings together cancer research, care, and support professionals to advance the quality and reach of cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship in the Heartland. The outreach network of The University of Kansas Cancer Center (KUCC), the MCA links member hospitals, medical professionals, and their patients with KUCC research and services so that the latest cancer research and care can be accessed close to home. In fact, the motto of the MCA is More Options. Close to Home. The KUCC is a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Cancer Center, the only NCI-designated Cancer Center in Kansas. This designation enhances the long-standing relationship of the Cancer Center with the MCA, providing opportunities to expand research and link discoveries made in the lab at The University of Kansas to the MCA network of hospitals and healthcare organizations. It further enhances the quality and delivery of cancer care at all levels. All MCA-member medical professionals have access to second opinion and consultation services with multidisciplinary cancer experts, conferences and other networking events, outreach programs, patient navigation support, communication materials, web resources, and continuing education programs. For the convenience of our affiliated medical professionals, the MCA provides many of these services at member locations utilizing technology like interactive televideo. Special Valentines Day discount for Jamaican immigrants: 10% OFF Voice Credit orders, an offer hosted by TelephoneJamaica.com The most challenging part about being an expat is dealing with homesickness, especially on special occasions, such as Valentines Day. Everything around is heart-shaped, people are walking down the streets hand in hand, reminding expats that their significant other are sometimes living miles away. To help Jamaican expats deal with homesickness, this Valentines Day TelephoneJamaica.com launches a special offer: 10% OFF Voice Credit orders above $20. The offer is valid for call placed starting February 12 until February 14. The Voice Credit gift can be used to call from: any phone, through the use of local access numbers any smartphone, as TelephoneJamaica.com offers a free app, for both iOS and Android devices, called KeepCalling. Besides Voice Credit for international calls, TelephoneJamaica.com also offers Mobile Recharge, a service that helps customers recharge phones anywhere in the world. And a mobile top up can be a great Homesickness Day gift this week. The process is fast and secure and the credit reaches its destination instantly. The operators available for top ups to Jamaica are Digicel and Flow. Customers are happy both with the quality and with the prices offered by TelephoneJamaica.com. On Trustpilot, a famous review site, TelephoneJamaica.com receives constant feedback from its customers and currently has an 8.7 rating. One customer writes, 'Excellent service, never had a problem. I would recommend this company for calling Jamaica; their rates are quite competitive and at times they do give a bonus voucher which is appealing to customers like me. About TelephoneJamaica.com TelephoneJamaica.com is a website for Jamaicans worldwide, powered by KeepCalling, a global telecommunications company registered in 2002 in USA. Presently, KeepCalling provides its services to hundreds of thousands of consumers, with a focus on customer satisfaction. KeepCalling was listed by Inc 5000 as one of the fastest growing companies in the USA for 5 consecutive years. ProcessPro One of the main reasons we went with ProcessPro, other than that it is made specifically for industries such as ours, is the idea that we would not be alone in the transition process, that we have the full support of a team of professionals at ProcessPro who really want to see us succeed ProcessPro, leading mid-market ERP software solution company, is pleased to announce that tortilla manufacturer, El Popocatepetl Industries, Inc., has selected its Global ERP solution to support their rapidly growing food production and distribution company. For over 50 years now, we at El Popocatepetl find success through a special type of work ethic. The goal is for us not to simply work harder, but smarter. As such, an all-encompassing, all-seeing system was the only solution; one that documents transactions during production, promotes communication between departments and offers real-time data. We want to get on top of our inventory, start seeing trends in production, and eliminate many of the daily tasks that bottleneck our operation, stated Julian Rodriguez, El Popocatepetl Tortillas Inventory Specialist/System Administrator. As a rapidly expanding company, El Popocatepetl sought a solution to maintain accurate inventory data and streamline management of their product lines. With increasing FDA regulatory compliance requirements, the need for forward and backward lot traceability and reporting functionality was crucial for their growth. Their manufacturing and business processes had outgrown QuickBooks, leading them to seek a scalable and comprehensive industry-specific software solution. ProcessPro Globals ERP will meet their critical needs by providing a manufacturing solution with tight inventory control to streamline workflow throughout the entire production process. Utilizing ProcessPro will enable them to maintain real-time, accurate inventory information starting with raw materials all the way through finished goods. Due to the nature of their product lines, recipe control is imperative to ensure consistent, quality products for their restaurant and grocery store customers. ProcessPros integrated recipe and formula management application is developed to meet these dynamic quality control needs of the food manufacturing industry. After months of ERP demos, it was clear that ProcessPro was an ideal solution and a platform that could take our operation to that 'next level' of efficiency and productivity, continued Rodriguez. One of the main reasons we went with ProcessPro, other than that it is made specifically for industries such as ours, is the idea that we would not be alone in the transition process, that we have the full support of a team of professionals at ProcessPro who really want to see us succeed is not to be overlooked! El Popocatepetl is experiencing an impressive surge in sales and production, and we look forward to partnering with them, states Joe Blauert, ProcessPro General Manager. Our Global ERP solution provides the scalable and specific functionality needed for their growing company during this exciting time and into the future. El Popocatepetl is a family owned and operated company providing fresh masa and tortilla products for over 40 years. Serving the Chicago area, greater Midwest region and beyond, the company honors traditional food preparation and techniques, using only the finest ingredients. Products include corn and flour tortillas, tostadas, flavor wraps and tortilla chips, all of which provide the foundation for a dynamic range of foods produced and consumed on a daily basis by restaurants and distributed to storefronts. For more information, visit http://elpopotortillas.com/. ProcessPro, a division of Open Systems, Inc., is a leading mid-market ERP software solution for the process manufacturing industry. Designed specifically for manufacturers that combine batches of mixtures, ProcessPro seamlessly integrates all aspects of plant operation, from beginning order entry through manufacturing, packaging, shipping, inventory and accounting. ProcessPro has been serving the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic, cannabis and specialty chemical industries for more than 30 years. More information about ProcessPro is available at http://www.processproerp.com. Sterling Payment Technologies Previously, Retail Realms global customers had to use separate companies for various steps required in the payment cycle, including processing, settlement, reporting, and merchant boarding. Our integration platform solves this problem. Sterling Payment Technologies, a leading provider of innovative payment solutions, today announced that Retail Realms Microsoft Dynamics payment applications now integrate with Sterlings processing platform the first platform that allows international retailers to facilitate payments in more than 50 countries through a single point of contact. Sterling is excited to partner with Retail Realm and provide a streamlined, standardized global platform for their Microsoft payment applications, said Jim Raftice, President U.S. and Canada, EVO Payments International, parent company of Sterling Payment Technologies. Our goal is to enable international businesses to expand quickly and easily into new markets. Previously, Retail Realms global customers had to use separate companies for various steps required in the payment cycle, including processing, settlement, reporting, and merchant boarding. Our integration platform solves this problem. Sterlings platform also includes proprietary interchange optimization technology, which significantly lowers the cost of credit card acceptance for large retailers and B2B companies by ensuring every transaction is processed at the lowest qualifying interchange rate. We are looking forward to our partnership with Sterling, said Afshin Alikhani, Chairman of Retail Realm. Reducing complexities involved in international payments through Sterlings one-stop platform and helping reduce processing costs for our larger businesses are great advantages for Retail Realm customers. As a leading global merchant acquirer, EVO is dedicated to providing fast, affordable and secure payment processing to merchants. Through its Sterling Payment Technologies division, EVO offers easy payment integrations that include EMV solutions, P2P encryption, tokenization, out-of-scope solutions, mobile solutions, and cloud-based POS reporting platforms. Sterlings focus on technology and service allows the Company to provide superior partner and merchant support. To learn more, contact Sterling Payment Technologies at (800) 383-0561 or visit http://www.sterlingpayment.com. About Sterling Payment Technologies: Sterling Payment Technologies, a division of EVO Payments International, is one of the most innovative, customer-focused payment processors in the industry. Founded in 2001 and an 11-year integration partner with Datacap, the Company processes payment transactions for all major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. Sterling is committed to providing POS resellers, developers and merchants with the most advanced payment solutions in the marketplace, including a complete range of electronic payment processing services, such as credit, debit, PIN debit, EMV, fleet, gift card, and electronic benefits transfer (EBT). The company has been recognized by Business Solutions Magazine as Best Channel Vendor for nine consecutive years, ranking Sterling's payment processing among the nation's best. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, Sterling is represented in communities across the country by point-of-sale equipment dealers and software developers, independent sales offices, banks, and an internal sales team. About Retail Realm: Retail Realm is a multinational software development and distribution company, specialized in creating and managing a portfolio of vertical business software solutions that are marketed worldwide through a community of resellers. Retail Realm is a leading developer of Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS), Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail, Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations, and Retail Management Hero (RMH). Contact: sales@rrdisti.com Contact: Anton Wurr, Executive Director of Marketing Sterling Payment Technologies 800-383-0561 anton(dot)wurr(at)sterlingpayment(dot)com People love goulash, but its obvious that no two bowls of goulash are the same. Maine author, L.E. Barrett, Hallowell native, never imagined his one-act play, Waiting for Goulash, would be the spark to ignite The Goulash Wars of Matagorda, Texas. Barrett wrote the play for submission to a Maine writing contest. The play consists of three characters riding a nighttime bus from Bangor to Boston, one of whom is a woman carrying a Dutch oven and a recipe for prize-winning goulash. The goulash debate began in editing when Barrett was challenged that his recipe was American Chop Suey, but he held firm that his mothers goulash was noodle based. Barrett travels several months in the winter in an RV and planned to meet with friends in Matagorda. It was decided that the Barretts, Colombos (Detroit MI), and Bouchard/Harpers (Old Town ME) would have a goulash cook off while in Texas. Anna Bouchard was at a Matagorda party in December and happened to mention the idea to a local Lions Club member. Anna was immediately embraced by the local Lions as Event Coordinator and it was decided that February 10th would be the 1st Annual Matagorda Goulash Wars to benefit the local Lions Club scholarship fund. The event was held with 17 goulash participants, about 75 attendees, and a large selection of silent auction items. It was a lot of fun both for the local townspeople and the campers from all over the country who have found the coastal treasure that is Matagorda, Texas. The Lions Club scholarship fund received over $3,000. Radio station KKHA 92.5, Bay City TX, covered the event, and interesting coincidence DJ Jeff Michaels lived in Portland ME in the 1990s. First place went to Ray Lyons of Bandera TX; second place Tim Harper of Old Town ME; third place to Mary Ann Derrich of Matagorda TX. We are now planning the date for the 2nd Annual Matagorda Goulash Wars for 2019. L.E. Barrett resides in Monroe, Maine and is the author of FiddleMainia, The Blueberry Coast, The Dandelion Conspiracy, and The Kennebec River Trilogy: The Boys from Joppa, Dummers Lane, and the soon-to-be-released The Valley of Good and Evil. CreatorIQ enables media companies to focus on what matters most to their businesses - building deeper relationships with advertising partners and strengthening ties to creator communities. CreatorIQ, the leading enterprise technology for managing influencer marketing, today announced that Univision Creator Network (UCN), the No. 1 Hispanic-focused influencer network, has selected CreatorIQs SaaS platform to manage and measure branded content campaigns. Powered by IBM Watson, CreatorIQ also provides UCN with granular psychographic data on creators audiences including insights on brand affinity and unique interests. In 2015, Univision Communications launched its in-house influencer network, UCN. Since then, the network has expanded rapidly to become the leading Hispanic-focused influencer network with 4.2 billion video views globally in 2017. UCN works closely with creators to integrate them into Univisions propertiesincluding TV, digital, radio, tent pole and live events. UCN also partners with advertising partners to create influencer campaigns that engage millennial and Gen Z audiences. Growing our influencer network has created a wide-range of branded content opportunities across the Univision ecosystem on both a local and national level, said Jennifer Perri, Vice President, UCN. Were excited to partner with CreatorIQ, a leading provider of audience intelligence, to empower our sales teams and have them maximize our powerful creator network. UCNs talent team, campaign managers, plus its local and national sales team will leverage the CreatorIQ platform to search through influencer profiles, then match advertisers with creators who are the best fit for their brands. Additionally, the team can track campaign performance metrics, plus create customized reports and automate campaign workflows. CreatorIQ enables media companies to focus on what matters most to their businesses - building deeper relationships with advertising partners and strengthening ties to creator communities, said Jon Kroopf, Head of Sales at CreatorIQ. We look forward to working with the Univision Creator Network to help maximize the reach and impact of its influencer marketing campaigns. About CreatorIQ CreatorIQ powers leading influencer marketing programs with its enterprise SaaS solution for innovative brands, agencies and publishers worldwide. The end-to-end platform enables talent discovery and relationship management, plus automates campaign tracking and provides comprehensive reporting for branded content campaigns at scale. CreatorIQ delivers actionable intelligence for deeper insights into the value of your influencer marketing efforts and to optimize campaign performance. CreatorIQ is headquartered in Culver City, Calif. For more information, visit http://www.creatoriq.com. Contacts: Jill Hara CreatorIQ jill@creatorIQ.com Julissa Bonfante Univision Communications Inc. jbonfante@us.univision.com HighRadius to present credit management session at SAP Financials 2018 in Las Vegas. HighRadius Corporation is proud to be leading a presentation session at the upcoming SAPinsider Financials 2018 conference to offer proven advice to attendees. The event takes place February 12-15 at the Wynn Las Vegas. This year's must-attend event is packed with in-depth sessions, hands-on labs, live product demos, panel discussions, and interactive forums showcasing the latest product updates from SAP. Financials 2018 is an annual collaboration of SAP and SAPinsider, and is the premier conference for organizations looking to spur financial transformation, implement and optimize SAP S/4HANA Finance, and drive accounting, controlling, planning, reporting, and compliance excellence. Shankar Bellam, Senior Solution Architect at HighRadius, will be presenting a session which covers leveraging SAP Fiori apps for credit management, learning to onboard customers, conducting credit reviews, and analyzing the health of receivables using SAP Fiori 2.0 apps for SAP S/4HANA 1610: The A-Z of Credit Management in SAP Fiori 2.0 and SAP S/4HANA View the full agenda as well as receive a special discount by visiting http://www.Financials2018.com/Speaker. Contact: Taylor Bartlett Marketing Coordinator Taylor.Bartlett(at)highradius.com About HighRadius HighRadius is a Fintech enterprise Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company. The HighRadius Integrated Receivables platform optimizes cash flow through automation of receivables and payments processes across credit, collections, cash application, deductions, electronic billing and payment processing. Powered by the Rivana Artificial Intelligence Engine and Freda Virtual Assistant for Credit-to-Cash, HighRadius Integrated Receivables enables teams to leverage machine learning for accurate decision making and future outcomes. The radiusOne B2B payment network allows suppliers to digitally connect with buyers, closing the loop from supplier receivable processes to buyer payable processes. HighRadius solutions have a proven track record of optimizing cash flow, reducing days sales outstanding (DSO) and bad debt, and increasing operational efficiency so that companies may achieve strong ROI in just a few months. To learn more, please visit http://www.highradius.com. About SAPinsider SAPinsider, published by Wellesley Information Services, is the premier source of information on products, services, and strategic initiatives coming from SAP and its partners. More than 250,000 customers in 70 countries rely annually on education and training materials from Wellesley Information Services to optimize their investments in SAP solutions. Wellesley Information Services is the publisher of SAPinsider, insiderPROFILES magazine, SAP Experts, insiderBOOKS, insiderTRAINING, and is the producer of SAPinsider conferences and seminars. For more information, visit http://www.SAPinsiderOnline.com. SAP is a registered trademark of SAP SE in Germany and several other countries. Wellesley Information Services is not affiliated with SAP SE or any of the SAP SE group of companies. SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE (or an SAP affiliate company) in Germany and other countries. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies. Dr. Indra Cidambi, Center for Network Therapy Medical Director I am excited to be recognized by the ASAM for my work in proving that the ambulatory detoxification model can be safe and effective, said Dr. Cidambi. Dr. Indra Cidambi, M.D., Medical Director, Center for Network Therapy (CNT) will receive recognition from the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) on March 27 for her game-changing innovation in addiction treatment by introducing the Ambulatory (Outpatient) Detoxification modality of care for all substances alcohol, anesthetics, benzodiazepines and opiates and proving it to be safe and effective. Dr. Cidambi will be awarded a plaque by ASAM at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey during the New Jersey Devils game. Dr. Cidambi, M.D. is one of the countrys leading addiction specialists and medical director at the Center for Network Therapy, New Jersey. While serving as the director at an inpatient detoxification facility in New Jersey previously, Dr. Cidambi found that negative outcomes in addiction treatment were associated with the failure to integrate the living environment and involve family/ friends in the treatment process. In response, she pioneered the Ambulatory (Outpatient) Detoxification treatment model for all substances of abuse - alcohol, anesthetics, benzodiazepines and opiates as a better alternative to inpatient detoxification in 2013. I am excited to be recognized by the ASAM for my work in proving that the ambulatory detoxification model can be safe and effective, said Dr. Cidambi. I am happy to report that in nearly five years of offering the ambulatory detoxification program we have detoxed over 1,300 patients without a single untoward incident no seizures, no overdose deaths. When Dr. Cidambi started the Ambulatory (Outpatient) Detoxification program in 2013, she faced tremendous resistance from the treatment community. Therapists and other caregivers were justifiably concerned about the ambulatory detoxification model as the patients went home to the environment where they were abusing substances to start with. Dr. Cidambi introduced innovations to medication protocols and therapy to address the risks associated with this modality of care and delivered results that were better than that of inpatient treatment. Center for Network Therapy conducted a study in 2016 that revealed that over 65 percent of patients who passed through the Ambulatory Detoxification program were sober for over 90 days. Dr. Cidambi has been featured in several national and regional media outlets as an expert in addiction therapy. For more information on Dr. Cidambi and CNT, please visit http://www.RecoveryCNT.com. About Dr. Indra Cidambi Indra Cidambi, M.D., Medical Director, Center for Network Therapy, is recognized as a leading expert and pioneer in the field of Addiction Medicine. Under her leadership the Center for Network Therapy started New Jerseys first state licensed Ambulatory (Outpatient) Detoxification program for all substances nearly three years ago. Dr. Cidambi is Board Certified in General Psychiatry and double Board Certified in Addiction Medicine (ABAM, ABPN). She is the Vice President of the New Jersey Society of Addiction Medicine. She is fluent in five languages, including Russian. About Center for Network Therapy Center for Network Therapy (CNT) was the first facility in New Jersey to be licensed to provide Ambulatory (Outpatient) Detoxification Services for all substances of abuse alcohol, anesthetics, benzodiazepines, opiates and other substances of abuse. Led by a Board Certified Addiction Psychiatrist, Indra Cidambi, M.D., experienced physicians and nurses closely monitor each patients progress. With CNTs superior client care and high quality treatment, Dr. Cidambi and her clinical team have successfully detoxed roughly 1500 patients in five years. CNT also offers Partial Care and IOP programs. Donna Napomoceno, Sr. Clinical Systems & Connected Care Business Analyst, UConn Health See how UConn Health connected care teams with a smartphone communication platform, resulting in efficient staff collaboration and streamlined workflows for a better patient experience. Voalte, the leader in healthcare communication technology, will host a webinar by UConn Health on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, at 1 p.m. EST. "UConn Health streamlines care team communication in a new outpatient pavilion and state-of-the-art hospital tower," sponsored by HIMSS Media, will cover how UConn Health connected care teams with a smartphone communication platform, resulting in efficient staff collaboration and streamlined workflows for a better patient experience. Home to the UConn School of Medicine and UConn School of Dental Medicine, UConn Health is an academic medical center in Farmington, Connecticut, based on a strong foundation of groundbreaking research, first-rate education and quality clinical care. Donna Napomoceno, Sr. Clinical Systems & Connected Care Business Analyst, and Roberta Romeo, Project Manager of Strategic Projects & Clinical Systems, will review the process involved in choosing a communication platform that would span both the Outpatient Pavilion and inpatient hospitals, replace the existing paging system with text messaging via smartphones, and integrate communication with alarm and alert notifications. They will present real-world examples of use cases and workflows that improve the patient experience, enable more efficient care team collaboration, and boost staff satisfaction. Register online for the free webinar. About Voalte Voalte develops smartphone solutions that simplify caregiver communication. Ranked number-one and named 2017 Category Leader in the Best in KLAS: Software & Services report for the Secure Communications Platform segment, Voalte is the only company to offer a comprehensive Mobile Communication Strategy that enables care teams inside and outside the hospital to access and exchange information securely. Founded in 2008, Voalte is a privately held company based in Sarasota, Florida. Voalte solutions are now available to more than 132,000 caregivers throughout the United States. For more information, visit voalte.com or follow @Voalte on Twitter. "We are excited to announce the addition of these new Leadership Council members. Their expertise and insights will be invaluable to the mission of The Griffith Foundation." -Valerie J. Cammiso, CAE, executive director of The Griffith Foundation The Institutes Griffith Insurance Education Foundation has named two new Leadership Council members: Gregory ClarkSenior Vice President and Regional Director, MAPFRE USA Susan Haack, CPCU, AIAF, AReChief Financial Officer (retired), Motorists Insurance Group "We are excited to announce the addition of these new Leadership Council members. Their expertise and insights will be invaluable to the mission of The Griffith Foundation," said Valerie J. Cammiso, CAE, executive director of The Griffith Foundation. Clark has been working in the insurance industry for 39 years. In addition to 29 years with MAPFRE USA, he has also worked for Nationwide Insurance and Grange Insurance. He has held various leadership roles in claims, underwriting, product management, pricing, operations and business development. Clark was recognized as Executive of the Year in 2015 by the Professional Insurance Agents of New York State. He was also named Outstanding Company Executive in 2013 by the TriCounty Independent Insurance Agents Association. Haack began her insurance career in 1990. Before assuming her current role of senior vice president of mergers and acquisitions of Motorists Insurance Group in 2017, she served as the company's corporate secretary and chief financial officer. In 2013, she was inducted into the Iowa Insurance Hall of Fame, and in 2016, she was inducted into the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) Merit Society. "The Leadership Council is eager to work with these new members on the important initiatives we have planned for 2018," said Cammiso. For a complete list of 2018 Leadership Council members, visit GriffithFoundation.org/LeadershipCouncil. About The Institutes Griffith Insurance Education Foundation The Institutes Griffith Insurance Education Foundation is a not-for-profit [501(c)(3)] organization dedicated to providing nonadvocacy educational offerings that promote the study and teaching of risk management and all lines of insurance to high school and college students, as well as government officials and policymakers. For more information, visit GriffithFoundation.org. Despite their familiarity with potent, addictive medications, nurses are usually unaware of the risk of dependence and fail to spot symptoms until it has progressed to full blown addiction, said Dr. Indra Cidambi. Dependence on alcohol and drugs among nurses hovers around 10% (1), a statistic which falls in line with the general population. There are about four million nurses (2) in America, four times the number of physicians, and these nurses are the backbone of the nations healthcare system. Nurses are extremely important in providing healthcare to patients especially since their role has expanded and workload increased over the years. High job stress coupled with ready access to potent medications can make nurses vulnerable to becoming chemically dependent in order to cope, observed Dr. Indra Cidambi, Medical Director of addiction treatment facility Center for Network Therapy. As physicians have become pressured by the need to increase the volume of patients they treat, nurses have also been burdened with more tasks traditionally performed by doctors, resulting in higher stress. In addition, rotating shifts and long hours coupled with easy access to addictive medications set up a perfect storm for nurses to turn to mood altering substances, said Dr. Cidambi. Unique to the nursing profession is the fact that a vast majority of nurses are women. Women also have several factors that can make them more inclined to getting addicted to substances faster than men. (https://www.recoverycnt.com/addction-in-women/). Nurses can be viewed as informed consumers when it comes to healthcare and medications, theoretically lowering the chances of abusing medications. However, in reality, access to potent, addictive medications (opiates, benzodiazepines, etc.) is easy and, therefore, the abuse of illicit drugs is lower among nurses as compared to the general population. Nurses can get a doctor to prescribe a drug to them or they can divert medications meant for the patient, noted Dr. Cidambi. Also, nurses are familiar and fluent with administering addictive medications which tends to inhibit negative thoughts around self-diagnosis and self-administration, more so for psychological issues. According to data, 40% percent of nurses who were disciplined for substance abuse used prescription medication to control chronic pain conditions and 42.5% of them used substances for emotional problems (1). Despite their familiarity with potent, addictive medications, nurses are usually unaware of the risk of dependence and fail to spot symptoms until it has progressed to full blown addiction, added Dr. Cidambi. Nurses with chemical dependence issues may exhibit some differentiated behaviors at work. While in any other job, volunteering to work on holidays or work overtime would be viewed as dedication, among nurses, it could be a sign of trouble. Working nontraditional shifts, such as overnight, holidays or weekends, can suggest an intention to divert prescription drugs when there is minimal oversight by colleagues or management. Incorrect narcotic counts, lack of witnesses to wasting of unused medications, and seeking opportunities to be alone when accessing the narcotics safe could also be indicators of dependence. Untreated chemical dependence can jeopardize patient care: impaired judgment, slower reaction time, increased number of errors, neglect of patient and diversion of patients medications for own use are consequences, noted Dr. Cidambi. Treating Nurses for Substance Use Disorder has its Challenges: Nurses are usually the problem solvers in a patient care setting and they have difficulty asking for, and accepting, medical help. This is one of the reasons nurses can sometimes have trouble accepting they have substance abuse issues in the first place. When nurses do seek treatment, they sometimes find it challenging to accept the role of a patient. Treatment providers need to be sensitive to this issue and work with nurses closely to earn their trust, as a nurse might constantly battle the fact that they are not in control, said Dr. Cidambi. Nurses in treatment usually have some guilt associated with not working, as most have been working long hours at their jobs. As a care provider, I have to emphasize to nurses that it is high time they had some me time and took care of themselves so that they can start caring for their patients again, added Dr. Cidambi. Nurses face unique hurdles to making a full recovery, especially from opiates. Many nurses I have treated for opiate use disorder are not allowed to come back to work after successfully engaging in substance abuse treatment simply because they are on maintenance treatment with buprenorphine, noted Dr. Cidambi. Buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, is widely used to address withdrawal symptoms and craving related to opioid abuse, but is viewed by many as substituting one drug for another. This has to change, as buprenorphine does not replace one drug with another but helps the patient in the process of recovery by eliminating cravings, said Dr. Cidambi. Nurses are usually asked to just be on Naltrexone (Vivitrol), an opiate agonist, by the authorities responsible for ensuring they have successfully engaged in treatment. However, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a federal agency leading public health efforts to advance behavioral health and substance abuse treatment in the nation, is clear that both can be used for medication assisted treatment (MAT) for opiate use disorder. Rehabilitation and MAT are the keys to successful recovery. Medication provides a safety net when these nurses go back to work as long as they are monitored through random urine screens at an extended outpatient program. Unfortunately, nursing authorities are creating triggers for relapse by disallowing nurses from coming back to work because they prefer one form of MAT (Naltrexone) over another form of MAT (Buprenorphine). Part of treatment involves working with nurses afflicted by opiate use disorder to prevent relapse during this trying to go back to work phase and supporting their candidacy for license reinstatement with appropriate letters and reference articles to educate the nursing authorities. (1) National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) (2) Registered Nurses (~3.3M) and Licensed Practical Nurses (~800K) For more information on substance abuse dependency, addiction and treatment please go to http://www.RecoveryCNT.com. About Dr. Indra Cidambi Indra Cidambi, M.D., Medical Director, Center for Network Therapy, is recognized as a leading expert and pioneer in the field of Addiction Medicine. Under her leadership the Center for Network Therapy started New Jerseys first state licensed Ambulatory (Outpatient) Detoxification program for all substances nearly three years ago. Dr. Cidambi is Board Certified in General Psychiatry and double Board Certified in Addiction Medicine (ABAM, ABPN). She is the Vice President of the New Jersey Society of Addiction Medicine. She is fluent in five languages, including Russian. About Center for Network Therapy Center for Network Therapy (CNT) was the first facility in New Jersey to be licensed to provide Ambulatory (Outpatient) Detoxification Services for all substances of abuse alcohol, anesthetics, benzodiazepines, opiates and other substances of abuse. Led by a Board Certified Addiction Psychiatrist, Indra Cidambi, M.D., experienced physicians and nurses closely monitor each patients progress. With CNTs superior client care and high quality treatment, Dr. Cidambi and her clinical team have successfully detoxed roughly 1500 patients in five years. CNT also offers Partial Care and IOP programs. Chocolate Walnut Brownie Perfect Bar In addition to the whole food ingredients we put into every Perfect Bar, were proud to introduce plant-based Chocolate Walnut Brownie to meet the demand of consumers seeking a dairy-free, grab-and-go option that delivers on both taste and nutrition. Perfect Bar, LLC, the nations #1-selling refrigerated protein bar, is sweetening Valentines Day for customers with the launch of its newest plant-based protein bar: Chocolate Walnut Brownie. The delectable flavor will launch with a limited-time promotion, beginning February 12th at perfectbar.com/brownie. Chocolate Walnut Brownie is Perfect Bars second protein bar made with plant-based protein, following its Almond Coconut flavor. It is made with creamy organic peanut butter, organic honey, crunchy pieces of real walnuts, organic Fair Trade Certified dark chocolate chips, 20 organic superfoods and 10g of hemp and peanut protein. The classic taste of brownie is one we knew we could give a fresh, nutritious spin, without sacrificing the crave-worthy flavor that evokes nostalgia in all of us, said Perfect Bar founder and CEO Bill Keith. In addition to the whole food ingredients we put into every Perfect Bar, were proud to introduce plant-based Chocolate Walnut Brownie to meet the demand of consumers seeking a dairy-free, grab-and-go option that delivers on both taste and nutrition." Remaining steadfast in its mission to deliver whole food ingredients in a fresh format as The Original Refrigerated Protein Bar, Perfect Bar anticipates Chocolate Walnut Brownie to once again set the standard for what consumers know and expect out of fresh snacking, and protein bars in general. With co-founders and brother-sister duo Bill and Leigh Keith leading the charge, the Company continues to make innovation a priority, aiding in the constant expansion of category market share throughout various grocery channels. According to recent SPINS data, Perfect Bar has nearly doubled its conventional grocery sales vs. 2016, accelerating by +120% over the last 24 weeks*. Additionally, the brand has expanded its national footprint with distribution growing by +150% and fridge count growing from 5,000 to 13,000, since late 2016, making its refrigerated protein bars more accessible to consumers looking for fresher, grab-and-go options. In addition to the new flavor, Perfect Bars existing line includes 11 other peanut-, almond- and cashew-butter varieties, all gluten-free, non-GMO and low-GI, with up to 17 grams of whole food protein and 20 organic superfoods. While all Perfect Bars are found in the refrigerators of retailers nationwide, they stay fresh up to one week outside of the fridge or freezer at room temperature. As of February 12, 2018, Chocolate Walnut Brownie Perfect Bar will be available for a limited-time promotion at perfectbar.com/brownie, priced at $29 for one, 8-ct. carton or $72 for three, 8-ct. cartons; both with free shipping. About Perfect Bar Perfect Bar, LLC, creators of The Original Refrigerated Protein Bar, is a sibling startup based in San Diego, Ca. The late Bud Keith (a.k.a. Dad) was a health food pioneer before most folks had heard of health food. To help his king-size family eat healthy on-the-go, he mixed organic nut butter and honey with a superfood blend, took one bite and proclaimed, Its perfect! - and the original Perfect Bar recipe was born. When Dad grew ill, the Keith siblings need a way to support their family. Inspired by his original recipe, the eldest siblings founded Perfect Bar in 2005. Today CEO Bill and COO Leigh head up the family business, as the 13 Keith brothers and sisters carry on the nutrition principles instilled in them as kids to produce the #1-selling refrigerated protein bar on the market. As of February 2018, Perfect Bar will offer 12 flavor varieties, boasting clean food labels, such as gluten-free, non-GMO Project Verified, USDA organic, low-GI and kosher. Perfect Bar is sold nationwide at retail locations, including Whole Foods Market, Target, Kroger, Starbucks, Costco, Safeway, Sprouts Farmers Market, Publix and many more. To learn more, visit http://www.PerfectBar.com. For more information, please visit: http://www.PerfectBar.com / facebook.com/PerfectBar twitter.com/Perfect_Bar / instagram.com/PerfectBar *SPINS data for the 52wke 12/3/17 Dr. Renato Calabria, renowned Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, has won the "Best of Los Angeles Award" for Best Facelift Surgeon 2018, adding it to his already long list of accolades. Dr. Calabria has been named one of Americas Top Plastic Surgeons by the 2008 Guide to Americas Top Plastic Surgeons written by the Consumers Research Council of America. He was also profiled in the best-selling book "The Beauty Makers representing a small list of this countrys best plastic surgeons, and he was nominated in 2005 for Physician of the Year." Dr. Calabria is known in the cosmetic industry as a man who has revolutionized facelift procedures, offering patients an "exciting alternative to traditional face lift surgery" the Vertical Facelift." "With traditional face lift surgery (rhytidectomy), facial fat is removed and excess skin is pulled in a lateral direction. The unnatural, 'wind swept' appearance of many face lift patients is caused by this technique," says Calabria, "but I offer a newer, less invasive method of facial rejuvenation. The Vertical Facelift surgery is performed through two discreet incisions. With the careful placement of sutures in a strategized position, the face can heal more rapidly and appear more youthful than with a traditional face lift." Testimonials I can say with great certainty that Dr. Renato Calabria is one of Southern Californias finest and talented leading plastic surgeons. He has been my Dr. for five years and I have come to know him personally. He has performed several surgeries on me, all of which, I have been more than happy with my results. In each case, his confident, pleasant and thorough nature afforded me a natural appearance. He and his staff have always provided and maintained a comfortable and professional atmosphere. I trust his capabilities, knowledge and experience, and would send any family member or friend to him without hesitation. Dan L. - Beverly Hills, CA "Dr. Calabria is an artistically skilled and talented surgeon, of the finest caliber, who understands each individual patients needs. His sensitive and caring persona and rapport towards his patients makes all the difference. Finally, his staff works hard to keep the patient happy from the consultation to the end result." Sandra S. - Santa Monica, CA The Best of Los Angeles Award community was formed three years ago and consists of over 3,800 professional members living and working in Southern California. It celebrates the best people, places and things in Los Angeles with a slogan No Ads. No B.S. Only the Best. (https://www.facebook.com/BestofLosAngelesAwards/) The mission of the community is to celebrate the best of Los Angeles, and allow its community members to connect with other members who share the highest standards of quality and integrity, said community spokeswoman Aurora DeRose. "I am honored to receive this award from the Best of Los Angeles," says Dr. Calabria. "I work hard every day to deliver the best possible results for my clients." To learn more about Dr. Calabria and his facelift procedures please visit: https://www.drcalabria.com/procedures/facelift/ NCPDP NCPDP announced today that Regina Holliday will Keynote its 2018 Annual Technology & Business Conference, Industry United to Improve the Patient Journey, which will be held May 7-9, 2018, at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona. Hollidays personal advocacy and grassroots movement, blending art and storytelling through The Walking Gallery, has supported a shift in the healthcare conversation to focus on patient empowerment and patient inclusion in healthcare decision-making. Lee Ann Stember, President and CEO of NCPDP explained, We believe Hollidays keynote address will resonate with NCPDP members who are actively involved in sharing, listening, learning and problem-solving industry standards and guidance in NCPDPs forums. At one time or another, we are all a patient and/or a caregiver. We channel that experience and passion to developing solutions to improve the patient journey. Regina Hollidays participation as a keynote speaker is especially significant this year as we explore new ways to improve the healthcare experience for patients and their providers. Regina Holliday is a Maryland-based patient advocate and artist known for painting a series of murals depicting the need for clarity and transparency in medical records. This advocacy mission was inspired by her husband, Frederick Allen Holliday II, and his struggle to get appropriate care. With her passion for advocating for patients to receive timely access to their health care data, her artwork became part of the national healthcare debate. Holliday earned a platform to push for legislation that would provide electronic healthcare records to patients. Continuing her advocacy through art, she also started the Walking Gallery movement, where more than 400 volunteer members wear business suits or blazers with either their story or their loved ones story painted on their backs to attend public meetings. Hollidays keynote address will take place during the first full day of NCPDPs Annual Conference, on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. To register for NCPDPs 2018 Annual Technology & Business Conference, Industry United to Improve the Patient Journey, visit http://ncpdp.org/ac/index.aspx. Take advantage of $275 in early bird savings when you register by February 16th. For real-time updates before and during the conference, follow us at http://twitter.com/ncpdp or join the discussion using NCPDPs 2018 Annual Technology & Business Conference hashtag: #NCPDP18. About NCPDP Founded in 1977, NCPDP is a not-for-profit, ANSI-accredited, Standards Development Organization with approximately 1,500 members representing virtually every sector of the pharmacy services industry. Our diverse membership provides leadership and healthcare business solutions through education and standards, created using the consensus building process. NCPDP has been named in federal legislation, including HIPAA, MMA, and HITECH. NCPDP members have created standards such as the Telecommunication Standard and Batch Standard, the SCRIPT Standard for ePrescribing, the Manufacturers Rebate Standard and more to improve communication within the pharmacy industry. Our data products include dataQ, a robust database of information on more than 80,000 pharmacies, resQ, an industry pharmacy credentialing resource, and HCIdea, an innovative prescriber database that provides continually updated information on more than 2.5 million prescribers. NCPDP's RxReconn is a legislative tracking product for real-time monitoring of pharmacy-related state and national legislative and regulatory activity. For more information about NCPDP Standards, Data Services, Products, Educational Programs and Work Group meetings, go online at http://www.ncpdp.org or call 480.477.1000. ### With rapid growth projected for the higher education market, we saw RCGs addition as an opportunity for us to join our existing education markets with a higher education powerhouse and amp-up our services. Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc. (JMT) - a 1500-person multi-disciplinary planning, design, technology, and construction management consulting firm with 37 offices throughout the U.S. - announced the launch of JMT Architecture and the acquisition of RCG Architects. The acquisition of RCG Architects - founded in 1907 and Baltimores oldest operating architectural firm - enables JMT to enhance the services of their robust higher education and cultural buildings practice. JMT Architecture consolidates the four locations Baltimore, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Columbus - offering architecture and interior design under one name. This is the perfect way to start 2018 and I couldnt be more excited for the New Year, says Al Rubeling, FAIA, JMT Senior Vice President and JMT Architecture Practice Leader. With rapid growth projected for the higher education market, we saw RCGs addition as an opportunity for us to join our existing education markets with a higher education powerhouse and amp-up our services. Continues Rubeling, RCG has an impressive client roster - from the Georgetown University Law Center to the University of Washington and the University of Akron and will no doubt give us a foot in the door with new geographic regions in the U.S. RCGs Joe Briggs and Jeremiah Fairbank and JMT Architectures Ed Kohls, FAIA, LEED AP, former principal with Ayers Saint Gross, will lead the higher education team. About JMT JMT is a 100% employee-owned firm based in Hunt Valley, MD, with offices strategically located throughout the U.S. JMT, founded in 1971, is currently ranked #64 among the Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firms. The firm's staff of engineers, architects, landscape architects, planners, environmental scientists, surveyors, construction and program managers, inspectors, designers, and information technology specialists, is dedicated to exceeding our clients' expectations with the highest quality of services. Visit jmt.com for more information. About JMT Architecture JMT Architecture is the architecture and interior design practice of Johnson Mirmiran & Thompson (JMT), a 1500-person multi-disciplinary planning, design, technology, and construction management consulting firm with offices in the US East Coast, Midwest, and Texas. JMT Architecture offers a diversity of project experiences, talents, skills, and collective resources to public and private markets from offices in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Columbus. Markets served for over 30 years include K-12 and higher education, healthcare, government, corporate office, cultural, and community. North American Title Co. places Holt in escrow officer mentoring program Jaclyn has been with us for 18 months as an escrow assistant and wanted to take a more people-facing role as an escrow officer. She will be a great asset to our customers here in El Paso County. Combining more than a decades experience in both the mortgage and title industries, Jaclyn Holt has moved into a mentoring program to prepare for her work as an escrow officer for North American Titles (NATC) Colorado Springs office on Cascade. Jaclyn has been with us for 18 months as an escrow assistant and wanted to take a more people-facing role as an escrow officer, said Lori Dunlop, branch manager, NATC Colorado Springs branch. Now that shes learned the background of the escrow process, she is handling her assistant duties in addition to mentoring for the closing duties she will take on. People like the way she presents the closing documents, added Dunlop. She will be a great asset to our customers here in El Paso County as well as for the NATC operation. Holts previous career in the mortgage industry began in Arizona where she worked at two mortgage companies as a loan processing assistant and then as an account executive. Moving to Colorado in 1999, she held several positions in loan processing and as a home loan consultant. Holt migrated to the title industry in 2015, working first as an escrow assistant for a Denver company and then moving to Colorado Springs to work for NATC. North American Title has an amazing work community, said Holt. I enjoy working with all the home buyers, sellers and refinance customers to ensure they feel welcomed and valued while closing with us. Holt is located at the NATC branch at 102 North Cascade, Suite 330, Colorado Springs, CO 80903, telephone number (719) 578-4100. About North American Title With well over 1,200 associates and a network of branches from coast to coast, North American Title Group, LLC (NATG) is among the largest real estate settlement service providers in the United States. Consisting of both agent and underwriter operations, NATG reported annual gross revenues in fiscal 2016 of $360.2 million. The company also has the resources and stability of being a wholly owned subsidiary of an S&P 500 company with over $15.3 billion in assets as of its fiscal year ended November 30, 2016. North American Titles agency network operates nationally under the name North American Title Co. and similar names (NATC) in 18 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Virginia, in addition to the District of Columbia. Through our relationship with our expanding affiliate network, NATC provides or is able to coordinate real estate settlement services in all 50 states. NATG is headquartered in Miami, Florida. To learn more, visit http://www.nat.com We believe the team at NGD Systems has the right expertise and experience to deliver this new generation of Intelligent Storage devices and their progress to date has been remarkable. - Reza Malekzadeh, General Partner at Partech Ventures NGD Systems, Inc., the leader in computational storage, announced today the completion of Series B round of financing with $12.4M. The round was led by new investor Partech Ventures with participation from Orange Digital Ventures. Existing investors Alcor Micro and Benhamou Global Ventures (BGV) also participated in the round. In addition, the company has received a $4M credit facility from Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). "NGD Systems is very pleased to announce the closing of our B-Series round," said Nader Salessi, President and CEO of NGD Systems. "We see the strong participation of both our existing investors and our new lead investor as validation of both our technology, and explosive market opportunity." The proceeds will be used for strategic growth initiatives, including the acceleration of go-to-market activities, continued innovation of the company's technology, and migration of its advanced 14nm SSD controller to mass production. The new round of financing brings NGD's total capital investment to date to $26M. "The new application architectures are increasingly requiring the capability to gather and process data at the edge of the cloud rather than send everything for central processing," said Reza Malekzadeh, General Partner at Partech Ventures. "We believe the team at NGD Systems has the right expertise and experience to deliver this new generation of Intelligent Storage devices and their progress to date has been remarkable." "We are extremely pleased to see further validation of our initial investment thesis from a strong syndication led by Partech ventures," said Amir Nayyerhabibi, Chairman of the Board of NGD Systems and partner at Benhamou Global Ventures. "We believe the new paradigm shift created by NGD Systems will impact a wide array of industry applications such as AI, cloud computing, and content delivery." "NGD Systems' in-situ processing approach revolutionizes the deployment of applications that today require huge clusters of expensive multi-socket servers with large amounts of RAM. When combined with high capacity and low power consumption, the result is significant cost, footprint, and power savings," said Mike Heumann, Managing Partner at G2M Research, a market research firm specializing in NVMe storage. "We're excited to expand our partnership with NGD Systems in support of their growth and expansion," said Derek Hoyt, Managing Director at Silicon Valley Bank. "Our primary objective is to provide the right financing, connections and global services to help the NGD Systems team move their business forward quickly." About NGD Systems Founded in 2013 with HQ in Irvine, Calif., NGD Systems (formerly NxGnData) is a venture-funded company focused on creation of new category of storage devices that brings computation to data. NGD has designed its advanced proprietary controller technology which deploys patented Elastic FTL algorithm and Advanced LDPC Engines to provide industry leading capacity scalability. The controller also deploys the patented In-Situ Processing technology to enable Computational Storage capability. The company is led by an executive team that helped drive and shape the flash storage industry, with decades in leadership positions with storage companies such as Western Digital, STEC, and Memtech. Learn more about us and our products at http://www.ngdsystems.com. About Partech Ventures Founded in 1982 in Silicon Valley, Partech Ventures is a global investment firm with a team spread across offices in Paris, Berlin, San Francisco and Dakar. Most Partners have been entrepreneurs themselves or have held management positions within tech companies. The partnership acts and invests as a single team, helping entrepreneurs build fast-growing tech and digital companies addressing large markets across multiple continents. Partech Ventures partners with entrepreneurs at the seed, venture and growth stages. Companies backed by Partech Ventures have completed 21 initial public offerings and more than 50 major M&A transactions with leading international companies. Since 2012, the team has built a pioneering business development platform fostering synergies and business relationships between entrepreneurs and strategic partners. Learn more about Partech Ventures at http://www.partechventures.com About Benhamou Global Ventures BGV is an early-stage venture capital firm with deep Silicon Valley roots, with an exclusive focus on enterprise technology opportunities in global markets. BGV currently has 25 active companies in its portfolio. The BGV team of 8 investment professionals has successfully built and implemented a cross-border venture-investing model with companies from Israel, Europe and Asia. Eric Benhamou, former chairman and CEO of 3Com, Palm and co-founder of Bridge Communications, founded the firm in 2004. Comprised of an experienced partnership team of global operating executives and investors, BGV is often the first and most active institutional investor in a company and has a powerful network of technical advisors, executives and functional experts who actively engage with its portfolio companies. The company has offices in Palo Alto, California and Tel Aviv, Israel. For more information: visit http://www.benhamouglobalventures.com About Orange Digital Ventures Orange Digital Ventures detects and supports early-stage start-ups. Endowed with a budget of 20 million euros for the first year, Orange Digital Ventures finances start-ups that are transforming the telecommunications and digital sectors with innovative solutions, disruptive technologies or through the invention of new business models in the form of minority shareholdings. Orange Digital Ventures supports start-ups focused on new connectivity services, corporate cloud and data services, payments and the internet of things. It supports start-ups worldwide. http://www.digitalventures.orange.com About Silicon Valley Bank For 35 years, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) has helped innovative companies and their investors move bold ideas forward, fast. SVB provides targeted financial services and expertise through its offices in innovation centers around the world. With commercial, international and private banking services, SVB helps address the unique needs of innovators. Learn more at http://www.svb.com Somerset-Berkley High School's 348 kW Solar System "Were seeing an acceleration of solar energy adoption by municipalities, schools and nonprofits across Massachusetts," said Matt Shortsleeve, Vice President of Development at Solect Energy. "Its no wonder, when you take a look at the substantial savings solar delivers." Solect Energy, the states leading commercial-scale installer of solar energy systems, is seeing an acceleration of solar energy adoption by municipalities, schools and nonprofits across Massachusetts. Working in conjunction with PowerOptions, the regions largest energy buying consortium, Solect has already installed 4.2 megawatts (MW) for various schools, nonprofits and municipalities, and is on track to install another 4.5 MW under the SREC-II program for a total of 8.7MW. Aggregating their current base of installed systems under the Solect & PowerOptions Solar Program, it is projected that the two companies will save these institutional, educational and municipal customers more than $20 million over the course of their 20-year agreements. Municipalities, schools, housing authorities, and human service organizations cannot capture federal tax benefits for renewable energy systems on their own, as nonprofits. However, working with PowerOptions and Solect, these customers are able to finance and construct their solar arrays with no up-front investment through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Under the PPA, Solect installs, owns and operates the solar arrays, and sells the power generated back to the entity at a reduced, fixed rate for the duration of a 20-year agreement. What makes a PPA so attractive for cities, towns, and schools is they can leverage the RFP Solect won with PowerOptions, and avoid the cost, time and expertise needed to conduct their own RFP, said Matt Shortsleeve, Vice President of Development at Solect Energy. The Solect /PowerOptions PPA complies with state procurement regulations, and offers outstanding savings and contract terms for the customer. Currently, Massachusetts ranks fifth nationally in K-12 school solar adoption according to a Nov. 2017 report from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and The Solar Foundation. Across the state, more than 260 schools have installed nearly 54MW of solar. MassSolar projects that 82% of schools in Massachusetts can save money by going solar and there is a potential for another 2,000 installations totaling 148 MW. If every school in Massachusetts that could go solar did, an estimated $74 million could be saved over the life of the projects. They also report that 175 cities and towns in Massachusetts host one or more of their own solar projects. The more than 400 municipal projects have a combined capacity of over 340 MW. At PowerOptions, we aim to support the public entities and nonprofits that are serving our communities by making solar energy more accessible with offerings like our Solar Program, said PowerOptions President and CEO Cynthia Arcate. In addition to cost predictability and savings, schools and nonprofits can implement their solar projects without the need for any upfront costs or ongoing maintenance responsibilities. Recent high-profile installations include: Fitchburg Public Schools installed two rooftop solar systems totaling 603 kilowatts (kW) on its Reingold Elementary School and Memorial Middle School. The savings forecast for both the Reingold Elementary School and the Memorial Middle School is nearly 1 million dollars combined over the term of the agreement. As an early adopter of solar, Fitchburg Public Schools was able to take advantage of the existing state incentive program and maximize their savings without any out of pocket expenses. Fairhaven Housing Authority (FHA), a public housing provider, installed a 236 kilowatt (kW) solar energy system on the roof of its largest housing complex. FHA anticipates the array will provide up to 40 percent of the facilitys annual electricity, and projects $467,000 in savings over the life of the 20-year agreement. The City of Haverhill installed a 170 kilowatt (kW) rooftop solar system on its City Hall, and an 80 kW rooftop solar array on the citys maintenance garage. The installations will allow Haverhill to reduce its energy costs and become more sustainable. With the installation of the rooftop arrays, the city now expects to save approximately $22,000 annually. The Somerset Berkley Regional School District installed a 348 kilowatt (kW) solar energy system on the roof of its regional high school. The array is expected to cover up to 20 percent of the schools annual electricity use, and to save the school approximately $20,000 in year one on its energy expenses. The school anticipates nearly half a million dollars in savings over the term of the agreement, for zero money out of pocket. The District is continually looking for ways to reduce operating costs in order to shift more resources to students, said Lindsey Albernaz, Director of Business and Finance for Somerset Berkley School District. Utility costs are an expense that is constantly fluctuating. Working with Solect, we were able to reduce operating costs without having to pay the upfront costs of installation. About PowerOptions PowerOptions is a nonprofit energy buying consortium that delivers cost savings and predictability to nonprofits and the public sector in New England. Headquartered in Boston, PowerOptions serves its nearly 500 members with electricity, natural gas and solar, with combined annual energy sales of approximately $200 million. With a 95 percent member retention rate, a proven supplier selection process and a dedication to personalized customer service, PowerOptions provides programs, services and solutions that educate and bring value to its membership. Established in 1998, any nonprofit or public institution in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut is eligible to participate in this collective purchasing effort. For more information, visit http://www.poweroptions.org or follow on Twitter at @PowerOptions. About Solect Energy Solect Energy, based in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, is the recognized leader in commercial-scale solar. We develop smart, customized strategies based on a deep assessment of each customers energy needs and requirements, then deliver solar design and installation solutions, operations and maintenance services, and the most advanced energy storage systems. Solect offers proven expertise in development, technology, policy, and incentives, as well as individualized financial guidance. Our practical, systematic approach helps businesses and organizations reduce energy costs and optimize their solar investment. To date, Solect has installed over 80 megawatts of commercial PV systems, with a focus on commercial, light industrial, and institutional properties throughout New England. For more information, visit http://www.solect.com or follow us on Twitter at @SolectSolar. ### ASC Partners, a leading provider of accounting solutions, software, and technology for growing organizations in Massachusetts and New England, has today announced that it has received the Acumatica Service Excellence Award for the second consecutive year. The Acumatica Service Excellence Award is presented by Acumatica, a powerful cloud-based enterprise resource planning application for professional services, non-profits, manufacturing and distribution, retail and e-commerce, construction and more, and is given to the partner who exceeds all others in its ability to provide adaptable, customer-focused service. The award was announced at the 10th annual Acumatica Summit held in Nashville, Tennessee, in January 2018. We are excited to once again receive the Acumatica Service Excellence Award for our role in helping customers recognize the value of Acumatica, implement the software and support their ongoing use of the product, states Louise Brewster, Partner at ASC Partners. We set high expectations for our team, and are pleased to know that they are not only meeting, but exceeding these expectations. For more information about Acumatica Cloud ERP or ASC Partners role in implementing, deploying and supporting customers who use it, please visit http://www.asc-partners.com. About ASC Partners ASC stands for Accounting Solutions Consulting, and that is what we do. Since 2009, ASC Partners has taken pride in helping clients select, implement and thrive with the proper accounting and reporting solution. Following the ASC Approach, the company is able to take a software-agnostic look at customer needs and recommend the best option for its clients, building long-term relationships with clients and providing award-winning customer service. A Gold Certified Acumatica Partner and two-time winner of the Acumatica Service Excellence Award, ASC Partners provides support and services to companies nationwide. Learn more about ASC Partners at asc-partners.com. About Acumatica Acumatica provides cloud-based business management software that enables small and mid-size companies to accelerate their businesses. Built on cloud and mobile technology, and a unique customer-centric licensing model, Acumatica delivers a suite of fully integrated business management applications including Core Financials, Project Accounting, Distribution, and CRM as well as other specialized modules. It is delivered on a robust and flexible platform via any web browser. For more information, visit https://www.acumatica.com/. "Our goal in creating these parallel programs is to prepare everyone involved and strengthen the therapeutic alliance between clinicians and patients." Take Control of Your Depression with Your Health Care Provider, a free one-hour educational program for patients and caregivers with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), will air live on NeuroCareLive.com February 15, 2018 from 11:00AM 12:00PM EST. Produced in collaboration with the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), the session will educate and empower patients to take an active role in their MDD care. Participants will better understand: Communicating with their healthcare team about their depression, while playing an active role in treatment The pros and cons of their treatment options What to expect over the long-term and the importance of sticking with your treatment plan The program features leading faculty and advocacy representatives including Dr. Richard Kravitz, MD, MSPH, of UC Davis Medical Center, Dr. Michael Thase, MD, of Philadelphia VA Medical Center, and Allen Doederlein, Executive Vice President of External Affairs of Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). Patients will be able to submit questions to the panel prior to the program on the programs QBoard, and in real time during the live broadcast via NeuroCareLives Live Q&A feature, as they follow along with an easy to understand slide show. DBSA's dedicated to providing hope, help, support, and education to improve the lives of people who have mood disorders, shared Doederlein. This is the kind of tailored education that many people with MDD want and need to increase their knowledge about their condition and its potential treatment with medicine. This presentation in particular's exciting to me because it also explores how we who have MDD may improve our understanding of and ability to participate in shared decision-making. DBSA's thrilled to be part of this important program for people who have MDD and their families, friends, and loved ones. We're also proud to make it widely available online through our partnership with NeuroCareLive. In addition to this upcoming program for patients and caregivers, NeuroCareLives sister channel, PsychiatryCareLive, is educating clinicians about MDD. These tethered programs are designed to give the right information to each audience at the appropriate level of patient literacy, while focusing on strengthening the therapeutic bonds between clinicians and patients and promoting a team-based approach to MDD management. We are thrilled to collaborate with leading organizations like DBSA and AAFP to deliver interactive education programs for clinicians and patients. While patients and doctors may have very different needs and levels of understanding around the same topic, they will ultimately have to work together. Our goal in creating these parallel programs is to prepare everyone involved and strengthen the therapeutic alliance between clinicians and patients, shared Robert Rosenbloom, PlatformQ Health CEO. Producing tethered educational initiatives that deliver trusted material at the right health literacy level in an engaging setting help us deliver on our commitment to improve patient outcomes. After the live broadcast, the program will be made available on-demand through February 2019 at NeuroCareLive.com. This activity is supported by an educational grant from Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. and Lundbeck. About Platform Q Health PlatformQ Health is the leading provider of live, online medical education events, operating 16 therapeutically aligned learning channels dedicated to providing clinicians, patients, caregivers, advocates and administrators rigorous, outcomes-centric education aimed at improving patient care. The companys unique education platform allows physicians and other healthcare professionals to connect online from anywhere, to learn about the latest treatments options, and engage in real-time discussion with scientific, research and patient care experts. About DBSA The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) strives to improve the lives of people living with mood disorders. The organization fosters an environment of understanding of the impact and management of these life-threatening illnesses by providing up-to-date, scientifically based tools and information; supports research; and works to ensure that people living with mood disorders are treated equitably. Assisted by a scientific advisory board comprising leading researchers and clinicians in the field of mood disorders, DBSA has nearly 650 peer-run support groups across the country. Hundreds of thousands of people are assisted each year with in-person and online peer support; readily understandable and current information about depression and bipolar disorder; and empowering tools focused on an integrated approach to wellness. The Alaska Zoo is grateful for the support of community-minded organizations like Avitus Group for making such a strong effort to give back to the community. The Zoos mission could not be carried out without the support of our Alaska community and groups like Avitus. Avitus Group and the Alaska Zoo are sharing the love this Valentines Day with children who are spending the month of February at the Childrens Hospital at Providence in Anchorage. The two organizations are partnering to deliver multiple black bear and brown bear animal adoptions paired with stuffed polar bears from the zoos gift shop to children in the hospital. Children will also receive a coupon for a behind the scenes tour of the zoo and 2 admit one passes. The organizations are inviting the public to become involved. For each Alaska Zoo animal adoption through February 14th, Avitus Group will match the donation by providing a stuffed polar bear for a child spending the holiday in the hospital. Animal adoption fees are tax deductible and all funds go directly to animal care. For more information, or to adopt an animal, the organizations encourage participants to visit the Alaska Zoos website. We love supporting the mission of the Alaska Zoo and the educational opportunities the zoo provides for our youth in Alaska. Offering that support while making a child smile during a tough time in their life is something were committed to doing each year as we partner with the zoo and with the community, says Avitus Group Public Relations Manager Dianne Parker. The Alaska Zoo is grateful for the support of community-minded organizations like Avitus Group for making such a strong effort to give back to the community. The Zoos mission could not be carried out without the support of our Alaska community and groups like Avitus. It is our great pleasure to partner with them in this fun, but important venture in helping the children feel cared for and comforted in their time of need, says Alaska Zoo Executive Director Pat Lampi. About Avitus Group Avitus Group is a worldwide company that simplifies, strengthens and grows businesses by providing 'back office' support (payroll, accounting, taxes, recruiting, information technology, human resources and much more). When a business uses Avitus Group, all of the necessary yet burdensome functions of the business become Avitus Group's responsibility, so the business can focus on what it does best. Avitus Group serves clients nationwide through regional office locations from coast to coast. The company also serves international clients through partner locations. Datamars North America, a leader in delivering high quality identification and tracking solutions for livestock, is pleased to announce that two additional products have been approved by the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency as radio frequency identification (RFID) animal indicators for application to bovine in Canada -- 1) the Temple Tag ComfortEar FDX-B tag, 2) the Temple Tag ComfortEar HDX tag. We are pleased that the CCIA has worked with Datamars to deliver more choices in official animal indicators to their constituents. said Klaus Ackerstaff, CEO of Datamars, SA. Canadian producers are hard-working business people who deliver world-class beef and dairy products worldwide. Our high-quality, competitively-priced ComfortEar products will allow livestock producers to better manage their business and achieve greater profitability. The ComfortEar RFID tags, which are manufactured in North America, have been used successfully by farmers, ranchers and dairy operations for over a decade, said Wade King, Vice President of Livestock Sales. Today we deliver millions of ComfortEar tags per year to satisfied customers and we are looking forward to expanding these products to the Canadian market. Datamars ComfortEar RFID tags are renowned for their unique convex tag base, which allows for better animal comfort and faster healing. ComfortEar tags are also ISO compliant and ICAR approved and have been approved by the USDA for official use since 2012. These tags are manufactured in Temple, Texas, the home of the longest continually running livestock ID manufacturing line in the United States. ComfortEar has a track record of high retention, performance and affordability which is why these tags continue to be a leading choice for livestock producers in North America. The ComfortEar product will be available via the direct-to-producer CCIA web store and via approved retailers. About Datamars: Datamars is the global leader for high performance RFID solution for the companion animal, livestock and textile identification markets. Our North American livestock brands include the Temple Tag and Z Tags product lines. Our expertise, track record of technological innovation and deep understanding of our customers needs have earned Datamars a reputation for unsurpassed quality and performance. Datamars employs more than 1,000 people with offices in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Datamars is a private company, headquartered in Bedano, Switzerland. Our North American headquarters is located in Temple, Texas. For more information, please visit http://www.datamarsna.com. True Wealth Ventures, led by seasoned entrepreneurs and investors Sara Brand and Kerry Rupp, today announced the close of the firms first fund, with $19.1 million in committed capital. The firm will use dollars raised to invest in women-led, sustainable consumer and consumer health technology companies in the next several years in the Texas area and greater U.S.. In addition to its gender impact investment strategy, over 80% of True Wealth Ventures limited partners are women. The number of women-owned businesses in the U.S. rose by 68 percent over the past two decades. Thats double the growth rate of businesses started by men. Yet data shows that in 2017, just 2.2% of all venture capital in the US went to companies founded by women. In seeing the untapped financial opportunity for investments in women-led companies along with more women entrepreneurs focused on solving environmental and human health issues, True Wealth Ventures will leverage their newest fund to select approximately 12 companies and scale these businesses. Weve seen the statistics: companies led by women show consistently higher performance. Continuing to look away from this massive investment opportunity doesnt make business or economic sense, said General Partner and MBA Harvard Business School graduate Kerry Rupp. With women making 85% of consumer purchase decisions and 80% of healthcare decisions, theres an additional advantage for companies with women on the management team in designing products for, selling to and servicing this customer base. The firms initial investments include UnaliWear, a smart watch for the senior population to guard against falls and other risks, and BrainCheck, a startup that exists as a cognitive testing platform to manage mental health. When I started True Wealth Ventures, I saw women-led businesses as an extraordinary investment opportunity that had yet to be realized, said Founding General Partner and Ph.D. Sara Brand. As there are no other early-stage funds targeting this market in the central/southern part of the U.S., Texas was a natural choice for this blind spot with Austin as an active startup hub and with market affinity for the target verticals. This year, True Wealth Ventures will additionally launch the first annual True Wealth Ventures Startup Pitch Session during SXSW Interactive in Austin. The firm encourages applications from companies and organizations that are addressing problems, gaps and issues in the sustainable consumer and consumer health and wellness verticals. Companies interested in applying should have at least one woman of significant decision-making authority and with significant ownership on the founding and/or executive team. For more information and to apply, visit http://truewealthvc.com/startup-pitch/. About True Wealth Ventures True Wealth Ventures is an early-stage, Austin-based venture fund investing in women with ideas to change the world through innovative solutions in the sustainable consumer and consumer health sectors. Companies founded by women have consistently demonstrated stronger returns than the market but are still under-represented as a share of VC investments, and female founders are uniquely positioned to craft consumer solutions, given that women make 85% of all household purchasing and 80% of healthcare decisions. True Wealth Ventures is one of a very small number of women-led early-stage VC funds in the country that is also focused on gender diverse teams, and the only one based in Texas. True Wealth Ventures Fund is a certified impact fund through the Global Impact Investing Network, or The GIIN. For more information, visit http://www.truewealthvc.com. For more information Molly George 512-686-6405 molly(at)meetkickstand(dot)com Dentists Dr. Clabaugh and Dr. Trentalancia of Stamford, CT Respected Stamford dentists Dr. Clabaugh and Dr. Trentalancia are proud to announce that they have moved to a new location and launched a new website. The new website makes it easier than ever before for patients to find the information that they need. About the Dentists Born in the Cleveland, OH, area, Dr. Clabaugh moved to Easton, CT, as a teenager, where his orthodontist encouraged him to consider dentistry as a career. Dr. Clabaugh received his Bachelor of Science degree as an Honors Scholar in Chemistry, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Connecticut at Storrs. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine at Farmington, where he also received the C.V. Mosby Book Award for scholarship and clinical excellence. Following his residency in West Virginia, Dr. Clabaugh returned to Connecticut to join the current practice. Born and raised in Milan, Italy, Dr. Trentalancia graduated from Universita di Milano Medical School with superior ranking, and earned his DDS from Universita di Modena. After working as a dentist in Milan and Modena, he moved to the United States and earned a DDS from New York University. He has been in private practice in Stamford since 1992, and is also an associate at Jonathan Levine Aesthetic Dental Practice in New York. Dr. Trentalancia did teach part-time at NYU and provides Continuing Education dental courses in Italy. He has also participated in a variety of outreach programs and dental service missions for underserved communities both locally and abroad. He also continues to expand his skills, most recently completing an aesthetic digital dental technology course called Digital Smile Design. About the Practice Drs. Clabaugh and Trentalancia proudly provide a full line of dental services, with a special interest in cosmetic dentistry. Regardless of the procedure being performed, both are always careful to balance functionality, health, and aesthetics. The practice implements the latest advances in dental technology. They merge these technological tools with their clinical skills and expertise to design and implement highly customized treatment plans for each patient. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call the office at 203-327-2540 or visit the website at https://www.dentistofstamford.com/. The new office is located at 1177 Summer St, Stamford, CT 06905. Armond Noble, Founder, ITN The subscription-based publication covers travel destinations outside the U.S. Since 1976 ITN has been serving a niche market of veteran international travelers. International Travel News (ITN) recently published its 500th monthly issue. With a dedicated following, the subscription-based publication covers travel destinations outside the U.S. Since 1976 it has been serving a niche market of veteran international travelers. ITN's online edition includes a digital copy of the print magazine and provides more photos than the hard-copy format. In conjunction with its 500th edition celebration, ITN offers an annual subscription rate of $15 for the enhanced online edition, which also allows access to a full color digital version of the print magazine. Current and new subscribers can access all archived content from previous issues, post questions, contribute to the readers message board and submit their own travel articles. The print edition annual subscription rate for 12 issues is $26, and it includes access to the online version. Founding publisher Armond Noble often remarked that the articles in leading travel publications were written by professional writers who were given their trips free of charge. It stands to reason that everything reported on was glorious and pristine. Armond envisioned a publication where travelers who paid their own way could have a voice. ITN was conceived as a magazine in which the subscribers themselves contributed articles and letters, speaking candidly about tours, cruises, airlines and destinations. When Armond was in the hospital a few weeks before his death, I gave him the February issue of the magazine to read, remarked his widow, Helen Noble. After reading it, he crossed out the words By the Traveler for the Traveler on the front cover and wrote A Celebration of Travel that's what he felt the subscriber contributions represented. About ITN: Printed monthly in a black-and-white newsprint format, ITN is both a news source and communication medium for travelers to destinations outside of the United States. Covering everything from budget to luxury travel, each issue presents travelers experiences, candid evaluations and advice as well as timely travel news and information on such things as tours, flights and cruises. Each issue also includes a selection of columns on various travel subjects from a cadre of contributors such as Rick Steves. ITN readers look out for each other, warning of travel scams and tourist traps as well as sharing travel tips and recommendations. For further information, visit http://www.intltravelnews.com or contact editor David Tykol at 916-457-3643, editor(at)intltravelnews.com. # # # Discounted calls around Valentine's Day for all Mexican expats, with HablaMexico.com. HablaMexico.com helps Mexican expats who are looking for deals to save on their calls to their wives, husbands and lovers or friends in Mexico around Valentine's Day. More specifically, they get the chance to save 10% if they purchase Voice Credit between February 12-14, 2018, using coupon code VDAY18 for values of minimum $20. The transaction can be made in seconds and the credit never expires, it can be used anytime necessary. The current offer addresses all the 12 million Mexicans in the USA and over 100,000 living in Canada, according to the statistics of the International Organization of Migration as of 2015. HablaMexico.com offers them the possibility to call worldwide, including friends and relatives in Mexico using KeepCalling app or without any Internet connection using an access number. The service is also popular for having a strong loyalty program for Mexicans abroad, as well as several expat services that complement the telco. The Valentine's Day coupon VDAY18 should be applied in the checkout, while purchasing a minimum of $20 Voice Credit to receive the 10% discount on the spot. Voice Credit balance never expires, and can be purchased using any currency, any major card or PayPal. Coupon VDAY 18 can only be used once by the same account owner. To open an account on HablaMexico.com is free, but the PIN that enables one to call will only be received after having placed one's first order. No matter the source country, one pays 0.5 /minute to call landlines in Mexico, 1.9 /minute to call cellular phones and 7 /SMS. The rates on HablaMexico.com, for calls to both Mexico landlines and mobile phones, are as low as it gets within the global telco environment. This is also emphasized by those already using the service, who left reviews on Trustpilot.com. The best rate to call landlines or / and mobile phones in Mexico is while using Mexico Unlimited plan for only $4.99 per month. HablaMexico.com can also be used to send mobile credit to families and friends in Mexico in seconds. The transaction is 100% carried out online and does not require any effort. The website is "Verified & Secured" for being safe. The mobile credit gets to the persons in Mexico immediately. Mexicans abroad can also get themselves a Virtual Number on HablaMexico.com. This allows their families or friends still living in Mexico to call them as if they were streets away. In other words, they get a local Mexican number they can be reached at, while living abroad. Mexicans on Facebook meet on the community page of Mexicans powered by HablaMexico, for more deals and prizes: https://www.facebook.com/HablaMexicocom/?ref=br_rs HablaMexico.com is a platform serving the Mexican diaspora in the USA, Canada, Australia, Asia and Europe. It is a brand of KeepCalling, a global telecommunications company registered in 2002 in USA, who launched International Homesickness Day for the first time in history in 2016. Presently, KeepCalling provides its services to hundreds of thousands of consumers , with a focus on customer satisfaction. KeepCalling was listed by Inc 5000 as one of the fastest growing companies in the USA for 5 consecutive years. The Johnson Group Logo Googles AMP technology... provides a design platform that significantly improves page load speed while providing a more dynamic mobile experience two things that are critical for retaining mobile users on your website and converting them into customers. The Johnson Group announced that its digital team has effectively applied Google Amp technology as a way to increase conversions and ROI for mobile advertising campaigns. As a result of The Johnson Group taking this innovative approach to using AMP technology in the advertising industry, Google invited Chris Luke, The Johnson Groups CTO, to be one of the keynote speakers during the 2018 AMP Conf on February 13-14 in Amsterdam. Googles Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) technology is typically used by publishers and e-commerce websites to increase web load speeds. The Johnson Groups team was able to use AMP for advertising by creating a unique analytics set up that ensures users are being tracked effectively. As a result, the agency was able to significantly improve the load speeds of the landing page to a point where there was no noticeable difference when viewing the landing page on a mobile device versus a desktop computer. To learn more, people can subscribe to the AMP Channel to watch a Livestream of the conference. To watch a Livestream broadcast of Lukes presentation, which is scheduled for 10 a.m. (EST) on February 14, please visit the following YouTube page. In todays increasingly mobile-first world, brands often struggle with their conversion rates as more and more consumers demand a faster, consistently rich mobile experience, said Chris Luke, chief technology officer with The Johnson Group. Googles AMP technology is an absolute game-changer for the advertising industry as it provides a design platform that significantly improves page load speed while providing a more dynamic mobile experience two things that are critical for retaining mobile users on your website and converting them into customers. The Johnson Group initially used AMP to design the landing pages for U.S. Xpress job recruitment campaigns. One of the biggest challenges facing the trucking industry today is the carriers ability to recruit and hire professional drivers. With more and more truck drivers and potential hires using mobile devices to access and complete a very long and tedious online application, it is more critical than ever to have a positive user experience to prevent people for abandoning the process before they completed the application. For U.S. Xpress, this challenge was even more critical as 86 percent of users visiting usxjobs.com do so on a mobile device, typically in areas with slow internet access. Industry research says higher bounce rates are often associated with slower-loading web pages. In fact, this research states 40 percent of people will abandon a website if it takes more than three seconds to load, meaning a one second delay in page response can result in a seven percent decline in their conversion rates. By using AMP technology, the median load time for AMP-coded landing pages is less than one second, which is significantly faster than the median load time for non-AMP landing pages, which is roughly 22 seconds. This lightning-fast load speed is why The Johnson Group turned to AMP technology to solve this dilemma for U.S. Xpress. After running a 20-day test on one of its key recruiting websites, U.S. Xpress realized a significant difference in the conversion rates and cost-per-application when directing people to an AMP-enabled landing page versus an identical non-AMP landing page. While the non-AMP landing page frequently struggled to load in some cases taking more than a minute the AMP-enabled page loaded five times faster and was viewable instantaneously. To learn more, click here to read Googles case study about the project. As a result, during the test period, the AMP-enabled landing pages generated a 62 percent increase in the number of job applications being submitted to the company. After seeing this dramatic improvement, U.S. Xpress has decided to use AMP technology for all of its landing pages and recruitment websites so they can hire more drivers while spending less money to meet their monthly hiring goals, which in turn helps reduce the carriers annual recruitment costs. Luke continued, Having the ability to better engage potential candidates means U.S. Xpress can deliver more job offers at incredible speed, which in turn has a direct, positive impact on the carriers ability to hire new drivers. AMP has been one of the most impactful tools we have used to improve conversion rates for U.S. Xpress, and we look forward to creating more applications for this innovative technology. Launched by Google in February 2016, AMP technology is an open-source framework that focuses on putting mobile performance first by allowing companies to create mobile-optimized content that loads almost instantly on all mobile devices. Basically, AMP technology uses the same design code to work across multiple platforms and devices so the websites content can appear everywhere instantly no matter what type of phone, tablet or mobile device a person is using. By doing this, companies can provide a better mobile experience for its users and get information to them as fast as possible. For more information on The Johnson Group, please visit http://www.johngroup.com. About The Johnson Group The Johnson Group is a full service traditional, digital and alternative media ad agency specializing in Giant Slayingsuccessfully teaming up with brands to conquer Giant challenges in their categories. Since our founding in Chattanooga, TN, in 1996 brands in wireless communications, retail, QSR, CPG, tourism, food & beverage & transportation have benefited from unique ideas that have continuously made us one of the Souths most awarded agencies. For more information, please go to http://www.johngroup.com. We are very excited to have someone with Ricks experience in the studio recording videos, commented Enos. I am thrilled to have a platform where he can share his insights and knowledge with the nuclear industry. Certrec, a leading licensing and regulatory compliance service provider that supports NRC and NERC compliance, announced today that operational risk management expert Rick Grantom visited the CertrecTV studio to record videos about a wide variety of topics. In October 2017, Certrec released a brand-new, first-of-its-kind tool, CertrecTV, to assist its clients in sharing information and knowledge through the use of Just in Time videos. Each three-to-five minute video is presented by a seasoned industry expert who shares their thoughts, insights, and explanations of complex industry issues. From discussion of Defense in Depth to good practices for meeting with inspectors, Just in Time videos are invaluable as a refresher or for new staff. We have pioneered the development of CertrecTV with a goal of gathering industry information. The feedback and interest in being a part of this new way of sharing has been amazing to watch. We are excited for the future of CertrecTV, said Ted Enos, Certrec President. Mr. Grantom, an operational risk management consultant specializing in the development and application of technical risk management programs, received a degree in Nuclear Engineering. Early in his career, he was employed by the General Electric Company and was involved in the design and construction of GEs boiling water reactors. He was employed at the South Texas Project for 33 years where he held various positions related to probabilistic risk assessment and operational risk management, including Manager, Risk Management and Manager, Risk Management Projects. During his career at STP, Mr. Grantom was involved directly in all phases of STPs history from construction, to startup, to commercial operation. Following his career at STP, Mr. Grantom has provided world-wide consulting services in all areas of risk assessment and management. We are very excited to have someone with Ricks experience in the studio recording videos, commented Enos. I am thrilled to have a platform where he can share his insights and knowledge with the nuclear industry. "Certrec TV makes it possible to get broad based information from experienced industry veterans quickly and easily. The broad-based topics provide excellent introductions to various nuclear industry programs." - Rick Grantom Whether you are new to the nuclear industry or a 40-year veteran, CertrecTV can be a very beneficial tool for anyone looking for an answer to a specific question, a quick refresher on a key issue or question, or simply an opportunity to learn more information about a topic of interest in a quick and concise format. CERTREC Founded in 1988, Certrec is an engineering and technology-based organization that provides regulatory support services in the electric power industry. With more than 1,000 cumulative years of direct industry experience (including nuclear, fossil, and renewables), Certrec has developed exceptional capabilities to support regulatory activities emanating from regulatory entities such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and Regional Entities (NERC), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other regulatory agencies. Certrec's Office of Licensing and Compliance (OLC), Office of Assessment and Recovery (OAR), Office of NERC Compliance (ONC), and Office of New Plant (ONP) services are used by utilities and entities across the United States to help manage the regulatory process to their advantage. Certrec offers support from highly skilled and experienced industry professionals who possess degrees in a variety of engineering disciplines (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, and Nuclear). Additionally Certrec's staff has numerous degreed personnel in physics, communications, business administration, and information technology. This highly skilled team has direct working experience in all regulatory areas of licensing, compliance, and engineering, including nuclear, fossil, and renewable generation and transmission. For more than 25 years, Certrec has been applying its industry experience to help clients develop and manage solutions to complex regulatory issues. Such experience combined with Certrec's Information Technology assets has led to the development of technology-based solutions and tools directly targeted to the electric power industry and specifically focused on helping clients manage those issues. These highly skilled payments professionals are part of an elite group that has a comprehensive knowledge of all areas of ACH, as well as an understanding of concepts that relate to the payments system as a whole. AAPs help their employers remain in compliance with industry rules and regulations. In honor of National AAP Recognition Day, NACHAThe Electronic Payments Association will recognize 311 newly credentialed Accredited ACH Professionals who passed the 2017 AAP exam, as well as the more than 4,500 professionals who currently hold the credential. To be awarded the AAP credential, individuals must pass a comprehensive exam that is administered by NACHA each fall. The exam tests an individuals knowledge of subjects including the NACHA Operating Rules, the ACH Network and other payment systems, technical and operational ACH requirements, risk management, and payments-related regulations. AAPs have the electronic payments expertise that is needed throughout the workforce at financial institutions, solution providers, processors and businesses, said Scott M. Lang, AAP, senior vice president, Association Services at NACHA. These highly skilled payments professionals are part of an elite group that has a comprehensive knowledge of all areas of ACH, as well as an understanding of concepts that relate to the payments system as a whole, Lang said. AAPs help their employers remain in compliance with industry rules and regulations, and play a key role in maintaining a high-quality ACH Network for all users. NACHA, its 11 Regional Payments Association members, and more than 2,000 organizations with AAPs on staff will celebrate National AAP Recognition Day, which is commemorated annually on the second Tuesday of February, to honor recently credentialed and current AAPs. In Washington, D.C., NACHA and the RPAs will fly an American flag over the U.S. Capitol. The flag then will be awarded to an AAP at the annual AAP Reception, sponsored by the RPAs, at PAYMENTS 2018, which will be held April 29-May 2 in San Diego, California. AAPs receive exclusive registration rates for PAYMENTS 2018 ($1,475 through March 2) and The Payments Institute ($2,195), two of NACHAs premier educational events. Registration is now open for both programs, which also offer continuing education credits. For more information about the AAP Program, please visit nacha.org/events/training/ach-professional on the NACHA website. To learn about NACHAs new Accredited Payments Risk Professional program, which tests payments professionals for their comprehensive risk management expertise across payment types, visit nacha.org/aprp. Registration for the 2019 APRP exam will open later this year. About Regional Payments Associations Located throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and Guam, the Regional Payments Associations are specially recognized and licensed providers of ACH education, publications and support. While each RPA is a separate organization, their shared mission is to educate ACH Network users and provide information and resources to their members. For more information about Regional Payments Associations, visit nacha.org/members/regional-payments-associations. NACHAThe Electronic Payments Association NACHAThe Electronic Payments Association is the steward of the ACH Network one of the largest, safest and most reliable payment systems in the world. The ACH Network creates value and enables innovation by universally connecting all U.S. financial institutions, and moving money and information directly from one bank account to another. In 2016, there were 25 billion ACH payments made that moved $43 trillion. NACHA also brings together diverse organizations to develop rules and standards to benefit payments ecosystem participants, including Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) and healthcare Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). By collaborating with other standards organizations and geographies, NACHA facilitates compatibility and integration with U.S. payments. Visit nacha.org for more information. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Home Regional News East Sorry for inconvenience! You have been redirected to this page due to the following reasons:-- Your session has expired. You have closed the browser, without logging out. If the problem persists, kindly remove all the temporary files and cookies from your browser. For IE - 1. Click on tools from the task bar of browser. 2. Click on Internet Options. 3. Click on "Delete temporary files." For Mozilla Firefox - 1. Click on tools from the task bar of browser. 2. Click on "Clear recent history." This is according to the Health Insurance Service Providers Association of Ghana (HISPAG), who are unhappy about the lack of funding from government to support the programme. The NHIS was introduced by the erstwhile John Kufuor administration, with an aim to make healthcare delivery affordable to all Ghanaians. However, the scheme has faced some challenges in recent years, with funding not forthcoming. Also some health providers have not received their arrears between 10 and 20 months. HISPAG, though, has warned that some Health facilities that accept the National Health Insurance Card could soon be charging patients before they attend to them. National Communications and Operations Director of the Association, Joseph Christian Amoah, lamented the current situation insisting the cash and carry system could soon return. He explained that some health providers are currently in debt because government has not paid their arrears, which they would in turn use to pay off their own suppliers. He said President Akufo-Addos claims during the State Of the Nation Address (SONA) that the NHIS is gaining the confidence it lost under the past administration has worsened their relationship with debtors. READ ALSO: Driver drowns in a dam in Nsawam According to him, the healthcare delivery system can collapse if payment claims are politicized, whereas the situation is not so on the ground. If care is not taken healthcare is going to collapse very soonsince 2015 that tariffs were reviewed including drugs till date drugs are not being reviewed, tariffs are not being reviewed and all these things are problems to the provider, Mr. Amoah told Accra-based Starr FM. He was responding to questions from members of Parliaments Appointment Committee before the approval or otherwise of his nomination. Martin Amidu indicated that out of the 10 offences listed as prosecutable by the SP, 6 are misdemeanours, 2 are felonies and 2 are unclassified. He then warned those occupying public positions that even if they steal money from Ghana and hide it in foreign accounts outside Ghana, he will find them. The office will be reasonable and act in the nation's interests. Those who think they've hidden some [funds] abroad shouldn't approve me because if they do, I will find it. I have done it before and under my Office, it will be done again, he added. He explained that when found guilty of any accusation levelled against a public official the office will have to take into consideration all the grounds for which reparation is possible. READ ALSO: Here is why Martin Amidu named Rawlings as referee on his CV If a person agrees to pay back the money they have misappropriated, ensuring they do that is better than imprisoning them and feeding them with state funds until they grow old and are pardoned, he added. He, however, assured the general public that he would execute his duty without fear or favour. "Therefore I don't consider them as my children anymore because I don't control them now", he added. However, in a sharp rebuttal, the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North, Hon. Atta Akyea disagreed with Mr. Amidu on this assertion. READ ALSO: Here is why Martin Amidu named Rawlings as referee on his CV Hon Atta Akyea, who also doubles as the Minister of Works and Housing, said: "Your child is your child no matter the age. This is nonnegotiable, don't rewrite laws of succession". AI will add over $32 billion in labor productivity to the U.S. by 2035. However, the World Economic Forum estimates that AI will eliminate five million net jobs worldwide by 2020; 41% of all jobs in South Africa are susceptible to automation. Despite the coming changes, Africa is ripe for transformation. In a region where two in three people still lack access to reliable power, new technology can stimulate unparalleled economic development. AI will be positive for Africa in 5 ways: this technology will propel growth in financial services, healthcare, skills development, logistics, and agritech. Financial services By incorporating AI into service offerings, fintech companies can reach more customers, improve efficiency, and tailor products to the community. Africa is home to many of the worlds 2 billion unbanked people. By 2050, there will be more Nigerians than Americans, yet 47% of Nigerian adults lack access to traditional banking. But with mobile penetration at over 120% in countries like Ghana, digital financial services have taken hold in the region. In fact, Africa is now home to 15 of the top 20 countries for mobile money. In ten years, Kenyas M-Pesa has grown to over 30 million users and proved financial inclusion can be profitable. Platforms such as Saida in Kenya use AI to evaluate millions of loan applicants in underserved markets. Fintech is extending money management tools to poor, rural, and underbanked populations, bringing financial stability and intergenerational wealth within reach. Digital lender Tala uses alternative data points such as phone use, social networks, and utility payments to assess and support new types of loan applicants. In addition, Tala sends positive credit reports to Kenyas credit bureau, empowering its customers with traditional credit histories for the first time. With smartphone adoption and internet access on the rise, broader economic inclusion can finally flourish across African markets. Healthcare Adequate healthcare is a challenge across African markets: the region reports 25% of global disease cases, but has only 2-3% of the worlds doctors. Nearly one in two Africans lacks access to modern medical services - a figure expected to rise as the regions population doubles by 2050. Enter AI, dubbed the stethoscope of the 21st century. Powerful algorithms can now reduce Africas service gap by enabling remote diagnosis of patients. In Nigeria, for example, an app called Ubenwa can diagnose asphyxiation in newborns by sound of the childs cry. As their accuracy improves, medtech tools have the potential to save millions of lives and protect family units. Ghana and Zambia have piloted medical record digitization to identify patterns in data to better predict and prevent disease. If predictive technology is rolled out across the continent, it will increase the speed of diagnosis and reduce the incidence of financially-crippling emergency treatment. Access to healthcare is tied to productivity; technologies that expands medical reach will propel economic growth in the region. Education Education reform is long overdue in Africa, where the worlds 10 youngest populations still learn by rote memorization. AI can address STEAM learning needs by creating dynamic instruction and multiplying reach where teachers are scarce. In Kenya, for example, Eneza extends quality virtual tutoring to millions of rural students. AI can also help teachers customize instruction. Bridge International Academies equip teachers in Uganda and Liberia with handheld devices that guide lessons, collect data, measure comprehension, and adapt lessons. But tech-enabled teaching is just the start: African markets must also rapidly scale digital skills as AI shapes the skills needed to manage future shifts. Logistics Poor infrastructure raises the cost of doing business in Africa by 30-40% relative to other regions, which creates major opportunities for local logistics companies. The self-driving vehicle technology being piloted in the U.S could transform transport and logistics systems from Addis Ababa to Abidjan. Autonomous transportation could give cities like Nairobi on-demand access to shared taxis, thereby reducing the citys notorious traffic, increasing road safety, and improving productivity overall. Rwanda is building the first airport exclusively for drones to expand access to medical supplies. Logistics technology will improve efficiency and lower business costs throughout African markets by reaching places paved roads and people cannot reach. Even warehouse inventory teams are becoming more productive thanks to companies like Drone Scan in South Africa. These technologies could have permanent implications for warehouse design and supply chains and breathe new life into e-commerce and other industries constrained by logistics. Agritech The key to Africas economic development and food security is to boost productivity in the agriculture sector. Agriculture employs 65% of Africas labor force, yet farm yields are among the lowest in the world. AI can catalyze agricultural productivity by monitoring crop growth, analyzing soil quality and weather patterns, and making appropriate interventions. In Cape Town, for example, Aerobotics drones work in tandem with agriculture consultants to anticipate and sidestep production issues for staple crops. Meanwhile, farmers in Kenya can receive tailored agricultural recommendations by phone thanks to UjuziKilimos data analytics. With Africas population expected to reach 2 billion by 2050, self-improving digital tools are critical for improving food production and distribution, avoiding widespread hunger, and increasing output per person. And with more private equity in Africa expected to go to agriculture this year, AI can help turn this key sector into a more resilient, more productive economic engine for decades to come. Africas policy makers and business executives should not let fear dominate the AI narrative: AI could transform the continents youth bulge and unemployment challenges into enormous opportunities. Indeed, AI will give African economies an advantage over the West, allowing them to build sectors with cutting-edge technology as a foundation, not an afterthought. Akinrinmade, the National President of the Methodist High School (MHS), Ibadan, said this at the 57 Founders Day Anniversary of the school. According to him, the success stories of developed countries are linked to their commitment to providing quality education. It is sad to say that Nigeria has a low commitment to education as seen in the poor funding of the education sector at all levels of government. For instance, just seven per cent of the budget was allocated to education in spite of the 26 per cent recommended by UNESCO. It is clear that government at all levels cannot alone cater for education, hence the reason the sector is being faced with many daunting challenges. The poor performance of students in external exams is there to prove, he said. He, however, called on stakeholders to rise to the rescue of the education sector from collapse. The don, who urged the government to ensure that mission schools were returned to their owners, said MHS had every right to celebrate. The level of decay in schools is not associated with MHS alone; it is the outcome of the countrys neglect toward the sector, he said. He, however, said that a forum had been setup to monitor the activities of the association in order to encourage other sets to give back to the school. In his exhortation, Rev. Olugbenga Olagundoye, the Chaplain of Lead City University, Ibadan, said that God deserved the praises for preserving the lives of both young and old boys of the school. Olagundoye, himself a former student of the 80 Set, admonished his colleagues to seek purpose-driven exploits. The Principal of the school, Mr Abimbola Idowu, while commending the old students, said that the school would continue to require assistance from them. Right now, the school needs computer units for the students to experience real life situation with computers; as you know, the world around us is daily becoming computer-driven. The school has been a source of blessing to you and has contributed to whatever you have become today. MHS is the source of it all. This present students should, therefore, be groomed to bring glory to this school in future, he said. Patrick who was suspended in November 2017 alongside two other union members said they were used by some disgruntled elements to disrupt academic activities at the institution. He begged the Polytechnic's Acting Rector for forgiveness saying we are all human and therefore susceptible to manipulations by external forces at one time or the other. And as human too, our consciences do tell us that indeed, enough is enough. This is exactly my case in the whole events that have been going on in Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Union leader explains how they were used to disrupt academic activities Patrick who was the Speaker of the Students Union Government (SUG) before his suspension said some student leaders were paid to organize series of protests and to cast aspersion and discredit the Acting Rector of the institution, Dr. Sanusi Jimah. ALSO READ: He said, I want to let the general public know that I have never and can never be part of those who want to perpetuate evil in the name of Aluta struggle to disrupt the peaceful running of Auchi Polytechnic. I hereby apologize to the management of Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, ably led by the amiable and dynamic Acting Rector, to please forgive me. And also to make it known that I am ready to come out plain to defend my actions if called upon to do so. Produced by Chopstix, Senrere is an up-tempo song, dominated by piano synth sounds and traditional acoustics. As the song begins, Dbanj deploys his famous line, If youre still sitting down, youre on a long thing; a fitting way to start the song as Skales goes on to mix his vocal style with Dbanjs energetic delivery in order to get fans dancing. Skales speaking on the release of Senrere via his Instagram page, Big thank you to everyone who has supported me thus far.New journey, New Year. And on his collaboration with Dbanj, He is a true definition of longevity. I remember listening to his songs and watching his videos and shows.now we work together and he is still stronger than ever. It is an honour. The father who has two children living at the Childs Right and Rehabilitation Network (CRARN) in Eket visited the facility with an intention to slaughter one of the offspring. This was confirmed by CRARN's head, Sam Itauma. Okon came with the sole aim of killing one of his two sons under our care. "His reason, being a dream he had in which his 6-year-old son, Elijah, purportedly came to stab him to death while he was sleeping in the night," says Itauma. According to reports, the youngsters had declined to go home with him after an invitation. They reportedly suspected Okon might be up to something devious. This provided good motivation to turn down a fresh attempt to get them some gifts at a grocery store. Feeling the sharpness from the moments of rejection, a frustrated Okon took to aggression to make his thoughts known. He warned his son not to appear in his dreams any longer or risk being killed. To aid a speedy death, the man allegedly visited his sons bearing a bread laced with poison. This was mixed with a local food substance called 'Esere' also known as 'Calabar beans'. ALSO READ: Superstitious Nigerians need to get out of jail created by their minds Representatives from CRARN attributed the planned attack to an Akwa-Ibom society ruled by an appreciation for superstitions, which has seen deaths to a number of persons. The suspect who interacted in a native tongue reportedly confessed allegations to be true. In a video circulating social media, the animal lover was heard vocalizing as policemen behind the camera questioned about the incident. The man who appeared to be middle-aged was seen in the clip making a thrusting movement as if to indicate how he carried out the action. He wore a naive appearance when responding to interrogations. This is similar to the reaction of a Kenyan man, 33-year-old, Alfred Kipkemoi Mutai who was apprehended by a mob for raping two hens belonging to his neighbour to death. The event was recorded on Sunday, January 21, 2018, in the Kapkwen, Bomet County of Kenya, report says. ALSO READ: Man rapes stolen hens to death Mutai who allegedly stole the dead birds a previous day was caught while trying to dispose them. Homosexuality is admittedly a sensitive topic, even in the worlds most liberal countries. Recently, more governments have given in to popular opinion and have begun incorporating LGBTQ rights into their laws and recognising the freedom to choose whatever sexual orientation as a person wishes. However, in countries like Nigeria and Malaysia, homosexuality is seen through a moral lens. Homosexuals in these countries are treated like a cancer with little thought spared for their rights, freedoms and liberties. Is the subject of gay rights a moral question? For the majority, . And for the homosexual found, the consequences can be so bad that bullying is the mildest of many available options. The article in Sinar Harian outlined, in bullet points, qualities and features that could be used to distinguish gay and lesbian people. It stated that gay men were easy to identify because they loved beards more than straight men. The paper was filled with popular stereotypes about gay men, one of its bullet points was that gay men loved going to the gym not to keep fit, but to check out other men. The article also said attention should be paid to their expression in the presence of other men, as their eyes usually light up when they see good-looking men. ALSO READ: Documentary shows what it means to be gay in Nigeria According to the paper, lesbians can be identified by the fact that they tend to hold each other, enjoy physical contact and degrade men. State-approved homophobia That such a report would be run in Malaysia is not all too surprising. The countrys homophobia is state-approved. Last year, the countrys deputy interior minister attacked Walt Disney for refusing to cut a gay scene in Beauty and the Beast after the Malaysian censorship board had requested it removed. The countrys health website carries a report, entitled Why would a person be lesbian?. Among other things, it states that potential causes of women being gay were their decisions to prioritise their careers and believing other women were the only ones who would understand. Under Malaysian law, homosexuality is illegal. Persons found guilty of this crime are punished under a sodomy law that carries a 20-year sentence. The implications of the Sinar Harians publication go beyond just mere homophobia, because as time has shown, such insensitive attacks, direct or indirect, on homosexuals, put their lives at risk. On September 12, 2008, four Nigerian Newspapers published the names, addresses and photographs of the twelve members of the House of Rainbow Metropolitan Church, an LGBT-friendly church in Lagos. As a result, some members were threatened, stoned and beaten. One woman was attacked by 11 men. No action was taken against those men. Similar incidents have occurred in Malaysia. Already, one of the countrys most followed activists, Arwind Kumar, has spoken against the publication in a video that has now been watched tens of thousands of times. Live, and Let Love But it need not have come to that. As much as gay rights proponents must understand the cultural barriers precluding most societies from opening their arms to their LGBTQ population, . Putting these pointers in the paper in a homophobic society will endanger the lives of many of different sexual orientations who will fall victim to misdirected persons who will believe they have found insight and validation within a few bullet points. The deceased were said to be returning from an excursion from Kano state when their vehicle crashed on Tuesday, February 13, 2018. In a condolence state message by the state Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, he said the state-owned school and the state has lost its "best young minds, students and teachers". "May Allah Almighty grant them Jannatul Firdaus and comfort their families. It is not good for a society to bury its young, worse still, when they go in search of knowledge. I offer my condolences to all affected and the people of Bauchi State," Abubakar said. It was gathered that the incident, which occurred at about 11.00 a.m, involved a truck and a bus conveying the students from Misau local government, Bauchi. ALSO READ: Govt releases N175m for 2017 routine immunisation The bus was crushed beyond recognition, with almost all the students and teachers dead. As we drove round Azare one chilly morning, we had a stopover at a Masu Shayi (tea seller) joint for some sandwich and steamy beverage. A lady frying akara (bean cake) was also making brisk business a few meters away. The weather was dry, dusty and Kilishi was being processed in the distance. The air smelt of breakfast and dried dirt. Almajiris No sooner had we settled down for breakfast on a street corner than over a dozen of them stormed the location, soliciting for some bread and tea. They were mild mannered and daring all at once. They had flies perching, hovering all over them. They were dusty, bedraggled and unkempt. They are the Almajiris of northern Nigeria--the young boys for whom begging has become a way of life because they were born to be poor and to beg. Over a dozen of them were here to fight and punch themselves in the face over a loaf of bread. It was an emotional, sorry sight to behold. Child beggar syndrome The tea vendor was doing a nasty job of chasing them away from his stand when we all protested his treatment of them. We thereafter asked him to hand them as much bread and scrambled eggs as they could consume. As soon as the bread went round and they all had their fill, they stopped fighting, muttered their gratitude in Hausa and dispersed. However, they never left the streets. Later in the afternoon as we drove past, we saw them clutching bowls around the same spot we first met them; begging frantically as though their lives depended on begging, because it did. They are thousands of Almajiris spread across northern Nigeria.Every time I journey to a State in the north, I see these chaps who have been born into begging. I have been told it is their lot to beg. That they have been condemned into begging. The bigger problem is that these child beggars of northern Nigeria are easy recruits for the terrorist sects ravaging the land. It is little wonder that the Boko Haram rank and file hasnt been completely depleted. Boko Haram connection Because for every Boko Haram fighter shot dead or rehabilitated, there are many more potential terrorist fighters waiting in the wings on the streets of the north; waiting to be handed a shilling or some food before being corralled into trucks and conscripted into a life of suicide bombing. I had a lump in my throat as I drove from Bauchi to Jos for the flight back to Lagos. The child beggars of Nigeria arent peculiar to the north. They are everywhere these dayseven in Lagos. No Nigerian city is spared of their bulging eyes and menacing looks. It is little wonder we cant rid our nation of crime. Hard as we try. We are breeding an army of discontented, disenchanted young men and women who are gradually sinking this country. If we dont act fast enough; if we dont fashion out policies to tackle the problem that is child begging or abuse, well all be paying dearly. No part of Nigeria is immune from the danger we now face. The Almajiris of northern Nigeria arent a ticking time bomb; they are the bombs going off across Nigeria daily. They are the price we are paying for negligence, corruption, inequality and social dysfunction. Dagogo-Jack told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Tuesday that Amaechis policies on the development of the state could not be faulted. When in 2007 Amaechi came on board, there was a clear momentum, energy, commitment and vision for development of infrastructure, security, education, agriculture and health. If you reflect back, you cant fault him the way he was marshalling his development policies in these five sectors, he said. According to Dagogo-Jack, since the inception of the Gov. Nyesom Wike administration in Rivers, there had been a loss of momentum. Every government, no matter who elected it, is a servant of the people; so when it comes in, it should look for people to help it no matter the ethnic group or political divide. So, if Wike had taken the right people, Rivers wont be where we are today, Dagogo-Jack said. The minister was represented by Mr Ibrahim Jibiya, the Director, Skills, in the Ministry. He said that the beneficiaries would be trained under the Skill Acquisition Programmes of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE). He said that the programme would help to fast track rehabilitation, resettlement and stabilisation in the war-ravaged region. Ngige said that the Federal Government accorded priority to youth and women empowerment through skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development programmes. The president is determined to empower youths and women through articulated policies and programmes, to create job opportunities and enhance wealth creation in the society. Employment is a key component of individual and national development. It provides platforms for supporting and fulfilling individual personal achievements and goals as well as contributing to the national economy. The minister lauded the Borno State Government over its agriculture transformation programme designed to diversify the states economy. Earlier, the NDE Director-General, Alhaji Nasiru Argungu, said the agency would train 4,000 persons in Borno, 3,100 in Yobe, 2,500 in Adamawa and 1,700 in Gombe. According to him, 70 per cent of the beneficiaries will be women and the vulnerable, adding that the beneficiaries will be exposed to various trades. He listed the trades to include the production of pomade, soap, jelly, perfumes, tie and dye and hair dressing, among others. The male beneficiaries will be trained in carpentry, block moulding, auto-mechanic and GSM repairs, the NDE boss said. He said that the agency had designated training centres in the participating states while monthly stipends would be paid to the trainees. Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno State commended the Federal Government for the gesture, saying that it would go a long way in improving the social and economic well-being of the displaced persons. It is believed that the herders had a disagreement with the workers before the onslaught. Pulse hasnt been able to confirm what the disagreement was about. Punch reports that one of the council workers was allegedly macheted by the herdsmen. No lives were lost, however. Law enforcement steps in It took the combined efforts of Mr. Gbenga Adeyanju who is the Ondo State Commissioner of Police and Mr. Pedro Ideba, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to bring the situation under control. The workers were thereafter pacified and asked to go home, Pulse has learnt. A few had already fled for home before law enforcement arrived. Killing spree Herdsmen have been blamed for a spate of killings across Nigeria since the turn of the year. The pastoralists are believed to have resorted to violence and murder after State governments denied them rights to open grazing fields. The herders have also killed police officers; in one instance plucking eyes and vital organs off one slain police officer. According to Punch, Ortom asked Lalong not to dabble into Benue state matters. This is coming some weeks after the Benue Governor accepted the apology that was tendered by Gov. Lalong. According to reports in the media, Lalong, in the wake of the Fulani herdsmen killings in Benue, said that he warned Ortom not to enact the anti-open grazing law. A statement which the Benue Governor debunked,saying The law is what the Benue people want. Is there any person in Benue thats against this law? The answer is no. I consulted widely and it originated from the people themselves. Recently, Lalong, according to Ortom, mentioned to the Deputy-Governor of Benue state, Benson Abounu, that he actually warned the Governor against the law. Reacting to the Plateau state Governors comments, Ortom said My deputy told me that he had a discussion with Lalong recently at a function, where he (Lalong) said that he had to apologise to me over his statement because of pressure on him, saying, he stands by his earlier statement. He also told the people that he introduced this woman (pointing at the woman on the high table) in this committee to me, whereas, this woman was introduced to me by Nasir el-Rufai, not him. ALSO READ: Governor Ortom stoned during violent protest in Benue Thank God he has a representative here; please tell him to stop interfering with the affairs of my state; let him mind his business in Plateau and I will mind my own business here. I am the governor here (Benue); how can he say that he warned me? Who is he to warn me? He can only advise me. Governor Ortoms life is in danger Meanwhile, the Governor, Samuel Ortom has said that some powerful people at the Federal level are threatening his life. He also revealed that he has been receiving threats because of his decision to ban open grazing in Benue state. Monguno said this in a key note address on Tuesday in Abuja, at the launch of the Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism. He also said that research was being conducted, while communities, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other stakeholders were being engaged in an effort to build a peaceful and secure nation. According to him, across the Lake Chad, we are also working with our neighbours to address common challenges. Violent extremists riding on misconceptions of religion, prolonged unresolved conflicts, structural and governance challenges, perceptions of injustice have committed untold abuses and violations of human rights and the rule of law. Boko Haram has conscripted young boys into their ranks, abducting school girls and killing everyone, irrespective of tribe or religion. Growing up in Nigeria, we knew only the harmony that existed between the different tribes and religions, he said The NSA, however, observed that climate change, ethno-religious conflicts, herder/farmer conflicts and bad politics combine to present imminent security challenge for all Nigerians. Monguno said that in developing the policy framework, government did not work in isolation. Starting with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between my Office and the Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme, we engaged key stakeholders through a National Working Group. He said the framework and national action plan was focusing on four major objectives. The NSA listed them as Strengthening institutions and coordination in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and strengthening the Rule of Law, Access to Justice and Human Rights. Others, he said are Engaging Communities and Building Resilience and Integrating Strategic Communication in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Programme. According to him, this policy is for all Nigerians. We ensured it is rendered in a simple and accessible manner to guide government personnel, NGOs and indeed all Nigerians in developing community based initiatives. The objective is to cascade down to families and communities to build resilience, prevent and counter all forms of violent extremism, he said. In a statement signed by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman, on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, the army's operation through Operation DEEP PUNCH II has put a strain on Boko Haram's operations. Brig-Gen Usman said that credible information from insurgents in custody indicate that Shekau is on the run disguised as a woman dressed in Hijab. The army used the development as an opportunity to urge all Boko Haram militants to lay down their arms and surrender to troops because they're following a "coward". The statement read, "The concerted efforts of troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE on the ongoing clearance of the Boko Haram terrorists through Operation DEEP PUNCH II has been yielding tremendous results. "Troops have successfully been clearing Boko Haram camps in Sambisa forest including Camp Zairo. "They have also rescued civilians being held hostages by the terrorists, recovered arms, ammunition, Improvised Explosives Devices (IED) factories and making materials as well as other equipment. "Consequently, the terrorists are in disarray and scampering for safety while others were surrendering. "Credible information from arrested and surrendered insurgents indicated that the purported Boko Haram terrorists group factional leader, Abubakar Shekau could not bear the heat anymore as he has abandoned his followers, he is running for his dear life. "He is desperately trying to escape the theatre disguised as a woman dressed in Hijab. We reliably gathered that to avoid detection Abubakar Shekau alternates between blue and black coloured hijabs. He was last seen in a black hijab. "We therefore call on all those remaining Boko Haram terrorists to know that they are following a coward moving about in hijab disguised as a woman. "We also request all the remaining Boko Haram members to come out from hiding and lay down their arms and be treated humanely. "While concerted efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the fugitive terrorist leader, we implore also members of the public, especially the residents of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States to be more vigilant, security conscious and be on the look out of Abubakar Shekau and other terrorists that might disguise as women to escape." Boko Haram not dead - Shekau In a video released by Boko Haram on February 6, Shekau denied the Nigerian Army's claim that the sect has been 'completely defeated'. In the 11-minute video delivered in Hausa language, the terrorist leader said, "You, the military chief in Maiduguri, have been boasting of taking over Sambisa because you rescued women, telling lies to people. Where are the policewomen? Why didnt you rescue them if you have indeed defeated us since it is our brethren that is holding them in the same Sambisa? "You are busy deceiving with images of vehicles that we seized from you and abandoned for over three years and claiming that you have killed us. If you have killed us, why are we still alive?" Shekau called on his non-combatant members across the country to join his fight from anywhere they are. "Oh you brethren of our holy creed, wherever you are, should rise up and fight for Allah. If you cannot do it there, then come over to our side and fight for the cause of Allah. You must know that whoever that fails to follow the teaching of the Holy Quran and Hadith cannot enter paradise. "Because the pattern of life in the world today is not Islamic. Wherever you are, even if you are in Saudi Arabia, and you have your gun, please stand up and fight, kill whoever you see that is not on our side. "Our course is to establish our caliphate and die doing that. We may not be alive to see the caliphate but even if it comes to be after we have died, it is still a bonus on our side." ALSO READ: Buhari needs to be more honest about Boko Haram 'defeat' Boko Haram menace Since the insurgency of the terrorist group escalated after a 2009 crackdown by the military, Boko Haram, chiefly under the leadership of Shekau, has been responsible for the death of over 20,000 people and the displacement of more than 2.5 million scattered across Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps across the country and its neighbours. From President Muhammadu Buhari himself, to the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, and the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Major-General Rogers Nicholas, the tune has been the same: Boko Haram is dead and buried. From the president claiming the group had been "technically defeated" in 2015, to describing the army's takeover of the group's primary base in Sambisa Forest as the "final crushing of Boko Haram terrorists in their last enclave" in 2016, the president has always talked tough on the army's success. On February 3, Maj-Gen Nicholas had also boasted about Boko Haram's complete defeat. "We have broken the heart and soul of Shekaus group, taking over the camp and its environs. My soldiers are in the heart of Boko Haram enclave that is Camp Zairo. The gallant troops have taken total control of Sambisa forest," he said. Weeks prior, the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Sani Usman, had disclosed how Shekau was in a terrible state of health and how the army had started focusing some of its attention on another influential factional terrorist leader, Abu Musab al-Barnawi. There's an overwhelming amount of evidence of self-appraisal from the government for a reasonable person to draw the conclusion that Boko Haram is truly, completely dead. Actual evidence suggests that might be a premature leap. Release of prisoners On February 10, the Federal Government secured the release of 3 members of staff of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) and 10 other police women abducted by Boko Haram within the space of a month in 2017. In July, the lecturers were abducted during an oil exploration trip in Barno Yasu area of the Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State near the Lake Chad region. The attack was one of the group's most gruesome attacks in 2017, as at least 69 people, including soldiers and civilians, died as a result of the ambush. A month earlier, the women were also ambushed by militants on the Maiduguri-Biu highway as they were part of a police convoy on their way to bury a deceased colleague. The women's abduction had been a little bit controversial as police authorities kept being evasive about the nature of the abduction, despite Shekau's boasts and display of his victims in a couple of videos. History of terrorist deals As part of his campaign promise to ensure the safe return of all the schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram from Chibok in 2014, President Buhari has secured the release of 103 girls. While the details of the negotiation for their release were kept sketchy by the government, reports indicated that it was a prisoner exchange that resulted in the release of five Boko Haram commanders going the other way. In a report that was published by the Wall Street Journal in December 2017, Nigerians discovered that the deal took so much more. According to the report, the president approved the payment of 3 million to the terrorists to facilitate the release. He approved the sum of 1 million for the release of 21 schoolgirls in October 2016, before approving another 2 million for the release of a further 82 girls in May 2017. The WSJ report indicated that even though the president was not happy with the deal, he hoped that it would be a great step towards negotiating peace with the terrorist group. The report read, "The President was eager for a victory. He also loathed the idea of paying Boko Haram. No one knew if he would sign off. "In the end, he approved the deal, with a condition: He insisted that any money that reached Boko Haram would be a step toward a comprehensive peace agreement." Is the FG 'funding' Boko Haram Make no mistake about the fact that the release of the new set of prisoners did not come cheap for the Federal Government. Boko Haram didn't just release them out of the goodness of their hearts, especially not with the media annihilation they've had to endure from the government. This is made even more plausible by the fact that the Federal Government had to negotiate with two different factions to secure the release of the two abducted parties. While Shekau's faction abducted the women, al-Barnawi's faction had kidnapped the men. For the Federal Government to negotiate what appears to be a drawn out negotiation process with two factions that don't see eye to eye must be quite a feat made possible by incentives it is not eager to make public. What did it take this time? A couple million euros? Another set of imprisoned Boko Haram commanders deemed safe enough to return to the insurgent fold? The options are all incredibly sour. Pros and cons The problem here is not that the Buhari-led Federal Government negotiated the release of 13 people who have been the unfortunate victims of terrorist abduction, the issue is that the Federal Government, led by Buhari, has refused to be completely honest about its dealings and bragged and postured publicly about the complete annihilation of its mortal enemy to whose table it still returns to make deals from a position of considerable weakness. While the government continues to inaccurately report the extent of the destruction of Boko Haram in the media, the grim reality is that the group still holds a lot of sway. This means that while the government harps on the fact that they are on the run, the group, split into at least two warring factions, continue to hold onto their kidnap victims. More alarmingly, the government has only negotiated deals for the release of victims that have appeared to hold some sort of political relevance. Over 700 people abducted by Boko Haram escaped from their captors due to the intensified onslaught against the insurgents under Operation Deep Punch II which weakened their positions and enabled the captives to escape. According to the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, earlier in February, no fewer than 30,000 women and children have been rescued from Boko Haram by the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole in Sambisa Forest in the past two years. These are staggering numbers that hint at a bigger problem than the Federal Government is painting as there's no way to even reliably estimate how many hostages the group is holding. What is Boko Haram's status? It'll be a disservice to the soldiers on the front lines to ignore the obvious fact that the war against Boko Haram's insurgency has been a considerably successful one, especially since Buhari's inauguration in 2015. However, it would appear the present administration has resorted to politicising its military campaign by stretching the imagination a little too thin. There's no way of determining how strong Boko Haram currently is except for what the army says, but it appears to have, at least, two operational factions that are negotiating deals with the government. It appears to be strong enough for the government to pull $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account to intensify its operations against it. Boko Haram's nine-year insurgency has been a really dark chapter in Nigeria's history of trial and error, and some of its ugliness have been caused by one government misstep or the other. While President Buhari and his cohorts keep toeing the same line proclaiming the absolute death of Boko Haram, the stark evidence to the contrary makes it demonstrably false. Ganduje said this while swearing in 44 new local government council Chairmen, and 484 councillors, Vanguard reports. According to him, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has made great impact in Kano state. The Governor also warned the newly sworn-in local government chairmen against mismanagement of funds. He said The overall number of votes scored by the APC candidates is more than what President Buhari scored in 2015 general election, that is to say that if eventually he agreed to contest 2019 general election, I assured you, we will give you 5 million votes. We have seen in this election was a clear indication that Kano is APC and ready to contribute to its success any time. You will be given free hands to operate in your respective council, but whoever sidesteps his bound will pay a price, Ganduje added. Ganduje invites herdsmen to Kano Also, in a bid to proffer a solution to the crisis between herdsmen and farmers, Governor Umar Ganduje has asked herdsmen to relocate to Kano state. In November 2010, a Swedish prosecutor issues a European arrest warrant for Assange on sexual assault allegations involving two Swedish women. Assange denies the claims, saying the young women consented. WikiLeaks starts releasing more than 250,000 classified US diplomatic cables, revealing frank assessments of US officials as well as the views of other governments. Some 500,000 classified military documents concerning American diplomacy and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq had already been released by Wikileaks earlier that year. In December, Assange turns himself in to police in London and is placed in custody pending a ruling on the Swedish extradition request. He is later released on bail and calls the Swedish rape allegations a smear campaign. In February 2011, a British judge rules Assange can be extradited to Sweden. In November Britain's High Court rejects an appeal against his extradition. Assange fears Sweden will hand him over to US authorities who could prosecute him for publishing the documents and possibly sentence him to death. Seeks refuge at embassy In 2012 Assange requests, and is later granted political asylum at the Ecuadorian embassy in London. The following year, Ecuador demands that Britain allows Assange to fly to Quito. In July 2014 a Swedish court upholds the European arrest warrant against Assange and in November Assange loses an appeal against the arrest warrant. UN appeal Also in 2014, Assange files a complaint against Sweden and Britain with the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. His lawyers later petition Sweden's Supreme Court to quash the arrest warrant in February 2015. The following month, Swedish prosecutors offer to question Assange in London. At Quito's demand, an Ecuadorian prosecutor does the questioning, which takes place in November. In February 2016, the UN panel confirms its view that Assange has been "arbitrarily detained," saying he should be able to claim compensation from Britain and Sweden. Britain rejects the ruling. The Stockholm appeals court in September rejects a request by Assange to lift the arrest warrant in light of the UN panel's non-binding legal opinion. Beginning of the end? In January 2017, WikiLeaks claims "victory" after then US president Barack Obama commutes the sentence of Chelsea Manning, a soldier who leaked a huge amount of defence department files published by WikiLeaks, and who is released on May 17. Two days later, Swedish prosecutors say they have closed their seven-year rape investigation. In London, police say they are "obliged" to arrest Assange if he leaves the embassy, for breaching the terms of his bail in 2012. Ecuadorian citizen In January, days after announcing it is seeking a mediator to resolve the standoff with Britain, Ecuador says it has granted Assange citizenship. The Australian became an Ecuadorian citizen on December 12. Ecuador asks London to recognise Assange as a diplomat, which would give him immunity from arrest. Britain refuses to do so. Later in the month Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno describes Assange as an "inherited problem" that has created "more than a nuisance" for his government. Doctors say his embassy stay is dangerous to his health. The Palestinian leader was visiting Moscow in a bid to secure Putin's support after Trump outraged the Palestinians and their allies by recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The "situation is far from what we want to see," Putin told his guest, adding that he has "always supported the Palestinian people". "It is very important for us to know your personal opinion in order to set the record straight and put in place a common approach to solve this problem," Putin said. Abbas has refused any contact with Trump's administration since Washington's decision at the end of last year. "Given the atmosphere created by the United States' actions, we... refuse any cooperation with the United States as a mediator," said Abbas. "In case of an international meeting, we ask that the United States be not the only mediator, but just one of the mediators." Abbas's meeting with Putin came two weeks after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also visited Moscow. Netanyahu on Monday said he had been in talks with Washington about annexing settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move condemned by a top Palestinian official as "land theft". The White House denied Netanyahu's claims in a rare public show of disunity. Palestinians see the US decision on Jerusalem, which broke with years of international diplomacy, as a denial of their claim to East Jerusalem as the capital of an eventual Palestinian state. According to The Guardian, Duterte also said that women are useless without their vaginas. The Philippine President gave the directive while speaking to over 200 former communist soldiers in Malacanang. He said Theres a new order coming from the mayor, We will not kill you. We will just shoot you in the vagina. In his reaction, Carlos H Conde, a researcher for Human Rights Watch, said It is just the latest in a series of misogynist, derogatory and demeaning statements he has made about women. It encourages state forces to commit sexual violence during armed conflict, which is a violation of international humanitarian law. Also, a representative of Gabriela Womens Party and Congresswoman, Emmi de Jesus, condemned the Presidents remarks, describing it as macho-fascist. She also said that Dutertes remarks has taken state terrorism against women and the people to a whole new level. Adding that He has further presented himself as the epitome of misogyny and fascism rolled in one. ALSO READ:The 22 women who have accused Trump of sexual misconduct ICC to probe killings Fatou Bensouda, an International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor, recently announced that her office would analyse the alleged crimes carried out by President Rodrigo Dutertes anti-drug war since July 1, 2016. The ICC's initial inquiry is designed to help prosecutors determine if there is enough evidence of crimes that fall into its jurisdiction. It could lead to a full probe and eventually charges, AFP reports. The delay has left him operating on an interim status that allows him access to classified material while the FBI continues working on his full background investigation. Kushners status was similar to the status of others in the White House, including Rob Porter, the staff secretary who resigned last week after his two former wives alleged that he physically and emotionally abused them during their marriages. People familiar with the security clearance process in Trumps White House said it was widely acknowledged among senior aides that raising questions about unresolved vetting issues in a staff members background would implicitly reflect on Kushners status, as well a situation made more awkward because Kushner is married to the presidents daughter Ivanka. It remains unclear why Kushners security clearance has taken so long. He has publicly admitted to making several mistakes on the national security questionnaire required of all prospective White House employees. Kushners background as a wealthy New York real estate developer with a complicated financial history is also likely to have slowed the thorough background check process. Kushner has also been interviewed by Robert S. Mueller III, the special counsel, though it is not known whether any potential actions relevant to the Russia inquiry are part of the delay in finishing Kushners background check. Abbe D. Lowell, Kushners lawyer, said in a statement that it is not uncommon for this process to take this long in a new administration (some taking as long as two years) and that there are a dozen or more people at Kushners level whose process is delayed like his. Questions about the security clearance process at the White House have become more urgent after the scandal surrounding Porter and the still-unanswered questions about when the presidents aides knew about the abuse allegations against him. On Monday, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary, again refused to provide a detailed explanation. I cant get into the specifics, Sanders said in response to questions about what Donald F. McGahn II, the White House counsel, knew about the Porter allegations and when he knew it. Sanders referred questions about the security clearance process and why Porter was allowed to continue working at the White House for so long despite the abuse accusations to the FBI and the intelligence agencies, saying they are the ones that handle the background checks and the granting of permission to handle classified information. Its up to those same law enforcement and intelligence agencies to determine if changes need to be made to their process, she said. If changes are thought to be made, that would be made by the law enforcement and intel communities that run that process, not the White House. But thats something that could be looked at, certainly, in light of this. The FBI had no comment on Monday. The finger-pointing has frustrated Democratic members of Congress, who have pushed to gain visibility into the security clearance procedure at the White House and the possible holdups for the clearances of a number of staff members but have found their efforts largely stymied by Republicans. Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., chairman of the House Oversight Committee, has refused to ask the White House for any information about security clearances or for a formal briefing on the matter, Democrats on the panel said Monday. He has also refused to allow the committee to vote on three subpoenas proposed by Democrats, including one on interim clearances. Gowdys office did not respond to a request for comment. In a letter sent last week, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings of Maryland, the top Democrat on the committee, pressed Gowdy to more aggressively tackle the security clearance issue, saying that news of Porters problems had given the matter renewed urgency. If you had agreed to any of our previous requests for information on these matters, the White House would have been required to answer key questions about why Mr. Porter was denied a final security clearance, who at the White House was aware of this information, and how Mr. Porter was allowed to remain in his position, Cummings wrote. Instead, because of your multiple refusals, we did not find out about any of these issues until they were reported in the press, he added. In this and many, many other areas, it appears that the Oversight Committee has constructed a wall around the White House in order to prevent any credible oversight whatsoever. The process for allowing White House officials to work with secret, classified material typically begins when West Wing employees are subjected to a brief background check and are granted interim clearance. A full background check by the FBI and, in some cases, the CIA, then begins. Officials with previous administrations said it is not uncommon for the full background checks to take as long as eight months or a year, in part because of a long backlog in vetting the backgrounds of people needing clearance across the federal government. For example, Defense Department officials estimated recently that nearly 100,000 people who work with military contractors hold interim clearances while waiting for their full background checks. Background checks take about a year for Pentagon employees and six to seven months for prospective CIA or National Security Agency workers, a senior U.S. official said. What McGahn and other top White House officials learned about the accusations against Porter, and when they learned it, remains murky. Porter told McGahn in January 2017 that there could be what he described as false accusations against him, according to two people briefed on the situation. In June, the FBI informed the White House security office that accusations of domestic abuse had surfaced. McGahn was made aware at the time that there was an issue with Porters background investigation but relied on the security office to continue pursuing the background check. White House officials disputed that assertion, saying Monday that McGahn was not made aware during the summer of any problems with Porters clearance. In November, the bureau delivered a thick file on Porters background check to the security office and relayed that he was not likely to succeed in getting a permanent clearance, according to one person briefed on the case. Security office officials encouraged the FBI to complete its investigation so the office could make a final determination on Porters clearance. One person briefed on the situation, who had insisted on anonymity to discuss private deliberations, said late last week that the bureau had informed McGahn when the file was delivered that the accusations against Porter were likely to derail his security clearance. But on Monday, the person said he had been mistaken, and contended that McGahn had not learned of the FBIs communications to the security office until much later. In Kushners case, a final decision about a permanent security clearance is also still pending. Lowell said it should not be surprising that someone with the extent of his holdings, travels and lengthy submissions would require a lengthy background check. But he took issue with the suggestion that the delays somehow affect Kushners ability to do his job at the White House. This is just the latest, he said, in unnamed sources quoting secondhand hearsay concerning Mr. Kushner that, like the others, will be shown to be untrue. The New York Times The goal is to generate a total pot of $1.5 trillion to upgrade the countrys highways, airports and railroads. Those financial priorities are crystallized in the new guidelines established by the White House. The ability to find sources of funding outside the federal government will be the most important yardstick, accounting for 70 percent of the formula for choosing infrastructure projects. How the project will spur economic and social returns on investment ranks at the bottom, at just 5 percent. In this new competition for federal funds, a plan to, say, build a better access road for a luxury development a project with the potential to bring in more dollars from private investors could have a strong chance of getting the green light. By comparison, a critical tunnel overhaul that has trouble getting new money might not be approved. Instead of the public sector deciding on public needs and public priorities, the projects that are most attractive to private investors are the ones that will go to the head of the line, said Elliott Sclar, professor of urban planning and international affairs at Columbia University. Private investors will become the tail that will wag the dog, because theyll want projects that will give returns. Proposals intended to serve more impoverished communities that require more state and local money, including improving drinking water in a place like Flint, Michigan, could be given short shrift. Financial investors may not see a big profit in such a project. A private corporation has a fiduciary obligation to make a profit. The government is supposed to be providing a public service, Sclar said. The presidents plan recasts the federal government as a minority stakeholder in the nations new infrastructure projects. Half of the $200 billion promised over 10 years will be used for incentives to spur even greater contributions from states, localities and the private sector. Trump also wants to speed up the approval process. The White House budget, separately released Monday, also gives federal agencies the authority to sell assets that would be better managed by state, local or private entities in cases where a sale would optimize taxpayer value. The budget suggests that Ronald Reagan Washington National and Dulles International Airports could be among the assets ripe for new owners. Coming up with the $200 billion in federal funding will not be easy. Republicans have already ballooned the deficit in last weeks spending agreement and with their tax cuts. Democrats are unlikely to go along with cuts that would offset the cost of Trumps plan. With his infrastructure framework, the president is rethinking Washingtons role. Economic development has been the justification for federal involvement going back to the countrys efforts in the early 1800s to improve harbors and rivers for navigation. It animated the 1902 Reclamation Act that funded irrigation projects that developed the western United States. National economic development benefits were the cornerstone of federal support, said Debra Knopman, a principal researcher at the RAND Corp. That was the point. Public health, safety and national defense were added in the 20th century as core values, when the government developed the national highway system and passed the Clean Water Act. Now, theyre putting out incentive programs that dont have to generate national or regional economic developments, said Knopman, the lead author of a new 110-page RAND report on transportation and water infrastructure in the United States. It may happen, but thats not what theyre interested in and thats not the way theyre screening these projects. The math for the infrastructure plan also relies on a lot of unknowns. Along with private investors, cities and states are being counted on to put up significant funds. They have a need. States have been struggling for years to rejuvenate creaky roads, bridges and ports. And even if the plan appears to put much of the onus on them to finance projects, any additional federal funding is welcome. States wont look down their nose at adding more money for infrastructure, said John Hicks, executive director of the National Association of State Budget Officers. Its seen primarily as a positive, because it continues to shine light on a shared need of infrastructure improvement. But cities and states are not necessarily flush with cash for new infrastructure projects. Congress has thrown their finances into upheaval, with local lawmakers still trying to come to grips with the effects of the $1.5 trillion tax overhaul that was passed last year. Many states have already expressed concern that it will be hard for them to increase state and local taxes, because deductions on them have been limited. Some are considering other ways, such as gasoline taxes, to raise funds, but it may not be enough to fund new infrastructure projects. A report released last month by Fitch, the ratings agency, found that many states could see their tax revenue fall from the changes to the individual and corporate taxation laws. David Damschen, Utahs treasurer, said his state faces many infrastructure challenges as it works to accommodate a growing population, expand its stock of affordable housing and improve the transportation system. He said Utah was already looking for new sources of tax revenue to fund projects because sales tax and gas tax revenue had been declining. But Damschen also noted that public-private partnerships do not tend to work well in his state. When things roll out, youll find what the market will do with these ideas, he said. Sometimes creative ideas dont always have the level of acceptance in the marketplace as you hoped. The amount of federal funds $20 billion a year will be spread very thin when stretched across the entire country. It is also unclear how much new money, as opposed to repurposed funds, the federal government is actually supplying. One analysis by the Penn-Wharton Budget Model at the University of Pennsylvania said that other pieces of the White House budget could end up reducing federal infrastructure spending by $55 billion over 10 years despite the presidents new plan. Douglas Holtz-Eakin, former director of the Congressional Budget Office and the president of the conservative American Action Forum, complimented aspects of the presidents initiative that dealt with streamlining regulations and using federal credit guarantees. But he doubted the promised total could be reached. Its hard to get the $200 billion to $1.5 trillion, if you do the arithmetic, he said. Beyond the math, the revamped selection standards, too, are untested. The new criteria likely stemmed from the administrations attempt to distinguish its program and try something new. Indeed, criteria announced just last year by the Trump administration for other transportation and infrastructure grants relied on more traditional standards. One lists safety, overall condition, economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability and quality of life as primary selection criteria. Another cites support for national or regional economic vitality as the No. 1 objective, while coming up with new money was second. The new plan doesnt allocate money in terms of congestion, economic need or the public good, said Martin Klepper, the former executive director of the Transportation Departments Build America Bureau. It does it mostly on the basis of the leverage issue. Klepper, who spent decades in the private sector developing, financing and selling large infrastructure projects, was recruited to lead the bureau in the final weeks of the Obama administration. He said he decided to take the job even after the Democrats lost, because of the new administrations commitment to public-private partnership and Trumps promise of a major infrastructure plan. He resigned in November 2017. I left because I was pretty frustrated and disappointed with where the program was going, Klepper said. No one has any idea to the extent with which states and localities will be able to come up with the money to match the federal government. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. The acting administrator of Dan C. Trigg Memorial Hospital outlined future services planned for the facility during Mondays regular Quay County Commission meeting. Rural hospitals are very near and dear to my heart, said Troy Clark, vice... The way some folks teach Romans 13:1-7, youd think Gods intention was to turn all of his people into slaves. Theyd have to do whatever any government officials wanted them to, whenever they wanted it done. To go in depth in this crucial... February 1955 Yucca staff took a field trip to the Princess Theater. The projection room of the theater was the object of a field trip taken by the staff in order to see how the movie programs are operated. After an interesting explanation was... About 30 planes expected to take part in the event. Pilots flying fixed-wing aircraft will begin arriving Friday afternoon at the Tucumcari Municipal Airport as part of the Route 66 Air Tour. A fleet of small planes will launch Saturday from the Tucumcari Municipal Airport, flying above the Mother Road through New Mexico into Arizona to kick off the Route 66 Air Tour. The air tour winging its way across the state will highlight aviator... Secretary of State Rex Tillerson pronounced himself disappointed when Polands president signed legislation that criminalizes any reference to the countrys role in the Holocaust. Tillersons comment was too tame. In fact, the law see... Published on: 13 February 2018 School kids at the Lego League School kids at the Lego League Fifteen teams* took part in the IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) First Lego League Tournament which took place in the Peoples Palace on Saturday 20th January for the third year running. This years theme and world problem was water, and questioned how to improve the way people find, transport, use, or dispose of it. The tournament was the culmination of weeks of preparation, where students have worked in teams to identify a specific problem, design an innovative solution with robotic models, and share their investigation with a professional for feedback. The teams converged on east London to present their work to judges from the university and test their Lego robots against each other as well as show how they had worked together as a team. The overall champions award was given to the team Water works, with Detrasherfiers II named runners up. Two home educated teams also won First Lego League Cups and a place in the UK and NI finals. The best event yet More than 30 lecturers, staff, and students from EECS helped to support and deliver the event which encourages the pupils to learn about elements of electronic engineering, robotics and computer science taught at EECS. Mr Ho Huen, tournament organiser and Electronics Lab Manager in EECS, said: Its the students, teachers and volunteers that make the event a success and this was the best yet! It was really satisfying to know the teams had a great time and were inspired by the event. Winning teams from each regional tournament will take part in the UK and Ireland Final at the University of West of England (UWE) on 24th February 2018. The top achieving teams will receive the opportunity to represent their country and the IET on a global stage, competing in Hungary, Estonia, and the USA later in the year. Mandy Workman, IET Education Manager, said: The programme brings enjoyment to STEM subjects as the students get hands-on experience with robotics, and designing innovative solutions. Developing computer programming, teamwork, problem-solving and communications skills has never been so much fun! The League is the worlds largest STEM competition with 32,000 teams in more than 80 countries, and the IET are proud to be the operational partners for the programme in the UK and Ireland. The First Lego League is part of a wider IET education programme, made up of a whole host of teaching resources and activities to inspire and attract the engineers of tomorrow. For more information about this years competition, please visit the official website at First Lego League. More information: Many companies manufacturing or selling products in the State of California are required to disclose their efforts (if any) to address the issue of forced labor and human trafficking, per the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010 (SB 657). This law was designed to increase the amount of information made available by companies with regard to efforts to eradicate forced labor and human trafficking, thereby allowing consumers to make better, more informed choices regarding the products they buy and the companies they choose to support. Forced labor and human trafficking can take many forms, including child labor. QVC has a zero-tolerance policy for both forced labor and child labor used in the manufacture of all products that we sell. I. Policy We are committed to ensuring that the products we sell are manufactured without the use of child, involuntary, or slave labor. II. 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The headings and captions in these Terms are intended for convenience only and shall in no way affect the interpretation of the Terms. QVC shall not be liable for any nonperformance or delay in performance caused by any act beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation acts or omissions of third parties, unavailability of supplies, equipment failure, war, strikes, lock-outs, fire, flood, or any other Act of God, any law, regulation, ordinance, or other act or order of any court, government, or governmental agency, or delays, unavailability, errors, or other failures of the Internet or other data networks. Revised October 1, 2018 Ryan Bridge: The Govt's COVID-19 messaging is all over the shop - do lockdowns stop when enough Kiwis are vaccinated? OPINION: The Government's been caught short again - this time, lacking a clear strategy to get us out of dodge., writes Ryan Bridge. Rantoul, IL (61866) Today Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 88F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Low 59F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Prosecutor to seek punishment for Nemtsov murder convict in new case on February 15 press service of Moscow City Court 10:37 13/02/2018 MOSCOW, February 12 (RAPSI, Yulia Glozman) A prosecutor will demand punishment for Temirlan Eskerkhanov, sentenced to 14 years in prison for the murder of Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov, in the case over insulting an investigator on February 15, the Basmanny District Courts spokesperson Yunona Tsareva has told RAPSI. Eskerkhanov is charged with contempt of court expressed in an insult to the litigants. The case was initiated because of Eskerkhanovs words heard by jurors. One of the words insulted the investigator; however, an expert evaluation has found no insult in the convicts speech, his lawyer Anna Byurchiyeva told RAPSI earlier. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to insulting investigator Alexander Kamashev. Eskerkhanov insists that he is being tried unjustly. In October 2017, sentence passed on murderers of Nemtsov took effect. The Moscow District Military Court gave the defendants prison terms varying from 11 to 20 years on July 13. The court ruled in accordance with the will of the jury panel founding all defendants guilty. Zaur Dadayev, Nemtsovs first-hand killer was sentenced to 20 years. Anzor Gubashev was sentenced to 19 years, Shadid Gubashev to 16 years, Temirlan Eskerkhanov to 14 years and Khamzat Bakhayev to 11 years. All defendants will serve their time in a high-security penal colony. The court fined defendants 100,000 rubles (about $1,700). Shadid and Anzor Gubashev, Eskerkhanov and Bakhayev were also subjected to additional restriction of freedom for two years. In late June, jurors found all the defendants guilty of involvement in the politicians murder and illegal trafficking in firearms and ammunition. According to the verdict, they did not deserve leniency. The jury panel stated that one of defendants, Dadayev, conspired with others, was stalking and collecting data on Nemtsov, prepared murder and killed the politician himself, shooting his victim at least six times from an unidentified gun. Boris Nemtsov, 55, a prominent opposition politician, who held a number of high-ranking posts in the Russian government in the 1990s and in the 2000s joined the opposition, was shot down in the center of Moscow as he walked across a bridge near the Kremlin on the night of February 28, 2015. Investigators believe that the conspirators had thoroughly prepared to commit this crime and spied on the victim. Ruslan Mukhudinov, a former officer in Chechen Interior Ministry, is believed to be a mastermind of the murder. He was placed on the international wanted list in November 2015. Beslan Shavanov, who allegedly was also implicated in the crime, reportedly killed himself when police tried to arrest him. Criminal prosecution of Shavanov was dismissed because of his death. Investigation into Mukhudinov is underway. Russian Supreme Court upholds sentence for man convicted for ISIS propaganda RIA Novosti, Alexei Kudenko 12:59 13/02/2018 MOSCOW, February 13 (RAPSI, Nikita Shiryayev) The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a 7-year prison sentence passed on a Tajik native Siyevushi Khalilov for propaganda of ideas of the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organization prohibited in Russia, RAPSI correspondent reported from the courtroom. Khalilov earlier was found guilty to facilitating a terrorist activity, justifying terrorism, calls for extremism, and incitement of hatred and enmity. Khalilov in his appeal lodged with the Supreme Court asked to overturn the sentence because his guilt had not been proven. According to law enforcement authorities, Khalilov serving his sentence for distribution of drugs propagated radical ideas of ISIS in his prison. The defendant has pleaded not guilty. The Islamic State, an organization which is prohibited in Russia, is currently one of the major threats to global security. Over three years, these terrorists have managed to seize large areas of Iraq and Syria. Currently, various forces combat the organization in both countries with battle for Iraqi Mosul as one of the most crucial directions. Moscow court declares Kogalymavia airline bankrupt RAPSI 14:49 13/02/2018 MOSCOW, February 13 (RAPSI) The Moscow Commercial Court has declared Kogalymavia airline bankrupt, RAPSI has learnt in the court. Earlier, hearings over the airlines bankruptcy have been repeatedly postponed. Kogalymavias lawyer has stated that the company is ready to pay its debts but needs time. On April 21, 2017, the court launched bankruptcy proceedings against the company on the request of Russias Federal Tax Service. According to the case documents, the Services motion was filed because the airline did not pay obligatory payments for obligatory medical and pension insurance in 2014-2015. In January 2018, the court dismissed a motion filed by a Turkish company that sought to include a 3.7 billion-ruble (about $64.1 million) debt in the demands list of the airlines creditors. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate Property details: Great Blair Hunt Dr. LOT Available! Only asking $3,500 and will do owner financing options! 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Funds will be held by GO Properties Services LLC escrow until ownership has been transferred.Closing: We guarantee clear title to every ownership we sell. We... Price: $ 22 Seller State of Residence: New Jersey State/Province: Florida Type: Attractions Number of Bedrooms: 2 Number of Bathrooms: 2 Zip/Postal Code: 32819 City: Orlando Location: 328**, Orlando, Florida You will be redirected to eBay Nearby Orlando , We're sorry, this article is not currently available 'If you look at household hospitalisation compensation, then you will find only one-third is hospitalisation. Two-thirds is outpatient.' 'Even if you provide Rs 5 lakh coverage, people will still have a tough time.' IMAGE: Other than 'ModiCare', in the Budget, the government spoke of expanding and upgrading district hospitals into medical colleges, which will add to the supply of doctors and health workers. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters Whatever one may think of this year's Budget, one cannot ignore the fact that with the announcement of the National Health Protection Scheme, public health has become a focal point again. The scheme, dubbed 'ModiCare' (along the lines of then United States president Barack Obama's Obamacare), is intended to offer 100 million poor families an annual cover of Rs 5 lakh each, but details on its implementation are unclear. "Without a strong public health system, 'ModiCare' will be difficult to be run and to sustain," Mita Choudhury, associate professor, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, New Delhi, tells Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf. India has over 1 billion people, but we have only 1 million doctors. Given this abysmal ratio, is it possible to solve India's health issues? If you look at the recent Budget, the government speaks of expanding and upgrading the number of district hospitals into medical colleges. I feel this is a positive step as it will add to the supply of health workers and good doctors. Right now, most medical colleges are concentrated in major cities. Once you have district hospitals converted into medical colleges, then you will have a supply of doctors in every district. I think these are positive steps which the government has taken. In addition, they are opening AIIMS (All India Institutes of Medical Sciences)-like institutions at different places. Obviously, there is a question of quality of these AIIMS as they may not have the quality and faculty of (the AIIMS in) New Delhi, but still these are good steps being taken. Rs 54,667 crore (Rs 546.67 billion) Amount allocated for healthcare in Budget 2018 State governments have their own health insurance schemes. Now the central government has come up with 'ModiCare'. Do you think it is possible to merge the state government health schemes with 'ModiCare'? One has to see how 'ModiCare' works out. I don't see why state governments will give up their health schemes as it is very popular in Andhra Pradesh and other southern states. I am not sure whether the state governments and central government will come on board to pull funds out of state health schemes. In South India, for instance, the health conditions are better than in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Maharashtra has the successful Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana. Maharashtra too has state (health) insurance, therefore I do not see any incentive for these states to give up their scheme to adopt the central scheme ('ModiCare'), but obviously there will be pressure to revise the coverage upwards after the central government's announcement. The concern is greater for states which do have their own health schemes such as Uttar Pradesh as they have not even rolled out the earlier scheme, the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana. We have 10 years of experience with the RSBY as it started in 2007 and given the experience with it, the concern is more with states like Bihar, UP and MP. How will this ('ModiCare') be implemented in those states? They will need adequate facilities to implement this scheme. They can have mediclaim for Rs 5 lakh, but you will have to wait and see how it is implemented. Where will the money for 'Modicare' come from? NITI Aayog expects a premium of Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 per family so that tallies up to Rs 12,000 crore (Rs 120 billion). If it is at the rate NITI Aayog has announced, we will have to wait and see how it works out. Even if you take the RSBY, you will see there is a variation in premium rates from district to district. In the RSBY, till date, we are hardly spending Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 10 billion) and the insurance coverage is far too less -- at Rs 30,000. Why are we spending lesser amounts under the RSBY? Firstly, as of now, only 15 states are implementing the scheme and (secondly) there are some issues, like how many they wanted to enrol in the scheme and how many they could actually enrol. There are still issues with it. I think it will be good to look at how this scheme (RSBY) did. Is there a lack of information among the poor about government health schemes? Yes, it is partly responsible why the poor do not get access to hospitals. This less awareness in people also relates to states like Karnataka and Maharashtra which are better in the health sector. Has any country implemented a scheme as large as 'ModiCare'? Is it really the biggest health scheme ever launched? We are already spending Rs 30,000 crore (Rs 300 billion) and in terms of money it may not be the biggest, but even in the US model -- which is an insurance-based model -- the insurance scheme is a much more expensive way of providing healthcare for the government, particularly when you do it through the private sector, as the moral hazard problem comes in. In India, in states like Bihar, you don't know what kind of quality of health you will get in the private sector even if you have insurance. In general, across the world, the US-based model -- which is insurance-based -- is expensive compared to other countries. I traveled to Cuba 10 years ago and was impressed by its healthcare system. The State took care of the poor for free. Can 'ModiCare' be designed on the same lines? In Cuba, they follow the public health model. Our problem is that we are undecided between the public health model and insurance model. What you are doing right now is dividing a small pool of resources into two parts -- one partially through the public health system and another through the insurance health system. Without a strong primary healthcare public health system, the cost of hospitalisation will be very high for the government. The problem is once you start the insurance scheme, it is difficult to pull back. This is a popular scheme and if you pull out, then you will have to pay a huge political price. And once you initiate and move forward in that way, then it will be difficult to pull back ('ModiCare') and get a different kind of financial health scheme. IMAGE: Spending on primary care and a public health system is indispensable in India. Photograph: Babu/Reuters So you think it will be difficult to withdraw 'ModiCare' once it is launched? If 'ModiCare' is launched and it works, no one will be able to pull out. In Andhra Pradesh, for instance, if they (the government) withdraw their state health scheme (the Dr N T R Vaidya Seva Scheme), the government will lose the elections. Once the public gets used to such schemes, politically it will not be possible to pull out from such schemes. What should be the exact strategy for India? That needs to be decided. People fear the misuse of 'ModiCare'. Have there been any scams involving government health insurance schemes in the southern states? If you look at any of the southern states, then you will find that every year a lot of hospitals are de-empanelled (hospitals removed from the health insurance scheme) for various reasons. I would not call it a scam, but say they are not adhering to the set ways. It is a fact that many hospitals are de-empanelled in Andhra and other states. These are private hospitals. There are obviously incentives for private hospitals to do more and they also take unnecessary care. There are cases where you do not need a hysterectomy (surgery to remove a woman's uterus), still you go and do a hysterectomy because it is covered under insurance. So these are cases where there is overuse of medical care which drives up the cost for the government. Monitoring and regulating such cases is also a big challenge for the government. Like farm insurance benefited the insurance companies more than farmers, do you think health insurance companies will benefit more than poor Indians who need the cover? As of now, if you look at state-level schemes, the claims to premium ratio is 1. It means the insurance companies do not seem to be making a lot of money. The government could actually have a contract with them in a manner that if your claim to premium ratio is (above) a certain amount, then you might have to share the profit (with the government) or something of that kind. As of now, if you see state government records, then you do not see in any official record that the claims to premium ratio is very low. It is quite high. If they were making a profit then the claim to premium ratio is much lower than 1, which does not seem to be the case. Do you think it would have been better had the government spent the money improving the public health system rather than opt for something like 'ModiCare'? People are desperate given the state of the public health system. Without a strong public health system, 'ModiCare' will be difficult to be run and to sustain. Spending on primary care and the public health system is indispensable. Rs 5 lakh is a good mediclaim amount... If you look at household hospitalisation compensation, then you will find only one-third is hospitalisation. Two-thirds is outpatient. Even if you provide Rs 5 lakh coverage, people will still have a tough time. So strengthening the public health system will be the core. 'The only credible explanation for the niggardly approach to defence expenditure must be that the government does not expect a war.' 'But wars can happen when you don't expect them, and re-arming at the last minute is not possible,' says T N Ninan. IMAGE: Indian soldiers on a search operation near the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. One of the abiding mysteries about the Narendra D Modi government is the way in which it has ignored the emerging contours of the country's external security situation, and squeezed the defence budget year after year. The Budget for next year continues in the same vein, with the allocation for defence going up by less than 6 per cent, about the same as for the current year. Over the five Budgets that cover the full span of the Modi government, the defence Budget will have gone up by just 38 per cent, which works out to an average of less than 7 per cent a year. This barely keeps pace with inflation. Since there have been large increases in pay because of the Pay Commission, the capital budget available for buying weapons has shrunk in real terms. As a share of GDP, defence expenditure is down to 1.5 per cent, from 1.8 per cent in the terminal year of the last government. These numbers exclude defence pensions, which add a staggering 0.6 per cent of GDP and is more than the defence capital budget, thanks in part to the indefensible decision on 'one rank-one pension'. Specialists in the field say the non-pension component is the lowest since the traumatic 1962 border war with China. Maintaining the outlay at 1.8 per cent of GDP would have given defence an additional Rs 500 billion next year and perhaps a cumulative total of Rs 1.5 trillion over all five years. That money would have come in very handy for acquiring war equipment that the forces badly need: 10 squadrons of fighter aircraft, hundreds of helicopters, half a dozen submarines, minesweepers, missiles, howitzers, etc. The defence squeeze is particularly difficult to understand because the Bharatiya Janata Party has traditionally been more security-oriented than other political parties. From inception it was in favour of the country going nuclear; retired service officers join its ranks, and some have become ministers in the government. For good measure, the finance minister has twice held defence as an additional portfolio. Yet, defence has got Cinderella treatment when it comes to financial allocations. The context is important. The country faces a noticeably more aggressive China on its northern border. The military advantage vis-a-vis Pakistan has been eroding. The Indian Air Force began looking for new combat aircraft to replace the MiG-21 nearly two decades ago, and is yet to get the first plane. The Chinese navy, whose first ship entered the Indian Ocean less than 10 years ago, now has a minimum of eight ships in the Ocean at any point of time, with the number going up to 14 on occasion -- as the naval chief has said publicly. China is also acquiring naval bases on the fringes of the Indian Ocean. During the last decade, the number of Indian naval ships has remained virtually unchanged -- with all the newly commissioned ones handicapped by the lack of critical equipment. At this rate the traditional naval assumption that it could squeeze Chinese shipping at the choke point of the Malacca Straits, thereby posing a deterrent to Beijing, may no longer be valid. The only credible explanation for the niggardly approach to defence expenditure must be that the government does not expect a war, and therefore has chosen to give priority to spending on infrastructure and other civilian needs. But wars can happen when you don't expect them, and re-arming at the last minute is not possible. Readers will recall that, after the terrorist attack on Parliament in 2001 and later the one on Mumbai in 2008, the forces were not able to offer military options to the political leadership. Operation Parakram, for instance, ended in a pointless stand-off at the border. If there were to be a repeat situation today, the story would probably be no different. The question is whether the country should worry about this situation, and whether the government should take a fresh look at the size of the defence budget. 'We need to be in a perpetual state of aggression, and able to swiftly change the goal posts to keep Pakistan in a state of imbalance,' argues Sanjeev Nayyar. IMAGE: CRPF troopers during a gun battle with terrorists who attacked their camp in Karan Nagar, Srinagar, February 12, 2018. Photograph: Umar Ganie Over the weekend, terrorists attacked the Sunjwan army cantonment in Jammu, and six army personnel made the supreme sacrifice. Soon after, on Monday, February 12, the CRPF camp in Srinagar was attacked, in which one one jawan was killed. Terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir continue unabated. While Modi bhakts are yet to get over the surgical strikes of September 2016, Modi baiters ask where is the vaunted 56-inch chest he boasted of during the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign. Both are besides the point, so let us leave emotions aside while dealing with Pakistan. India needs a comprehensive Pakistan policy that encompasses the government, media and the people of India. At the outset India must take certain things as a given whilst dealing with a country that has made export of terror the reason why the world must not ignore it. One, as long as Pakistan exists as a nation, it will make every effort to make India fail because, if India succeeds, there was no justification for the creation of Pakistan. Two, we can live in peace with Pakistan only when India becomes a Muslim-majority nation. Three, India is the reason for the Pakistan army's pre-eminent position. If relations between the two nations improve, it weakens the army's hold over its national affairs, something they do not want. Four, China uses Pakistan to keep India busy with internal problems and boxed-in in the Indian subcontinent, diverting attention from all that China is doing and planning astride in the Himalayas, the Indian Ocean region and in Afghanistan, to quote Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch in the India Defence Review. Five, India has to fight its own battles. The US does say good things from time to time, but it can go that far because 'Pakistan has also hinted that the US would be unable to arm and equip its military in Afghanistan, as its only viable lines of communication to Afghanistan are through Pakistani territory and airspace', as former high commissioner to Pakistan G Parthasarathy wrote in Business Line. Since US troops are unlikely to leave Afghanistan in the near future, this dependence shall continue. Six, the US administration's anti-Russia policies have forced Moscow and Beijing to come closer. Naturally it was only expected that Russia's attitude to Pakistan would change. India cannot count on Russian support like it did earlier. Seven, the Bhagavad Gita repeatedly refers to the importance of perseverance. Pakistan has been implementing its plan to bleed India with a thousand cuts for decades. It is high time Indians abandon their craving for peace and sustain a tough stand versus Pakistan. In fact, Modi is one of the few prime ministers who, after learning it the hard way, has not continuously succumbed to Western pressure and resumed a composite dialogue (however meaningless they were in the past). Eight, India needs an integrated policy to deal with Pakistan. A tit-for-tat military approach worked initially, but it has its own limitations. Nine, it is difficult to effectively isolate Pakistan internationally because of its geographical location. So, we can expect a surge in terrorist attacks in the run-up to the 2019 election. The intent is to tell Indians that Prime Minister Narendra D Modi is a paper tiger because he has failed to rein in Pakistan. To combat this, India needs a multi-pronged approach. 1. Former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal recently wrote, 'An important reason to continue robust action on the LoC is also to create uncertainty in Chinese thinking about the security of its China-Pakistan Economic Corridor passing through PoK.' The timing and place of response should be of India's choosing. The public should have faith that the government will take decisive action, so unnecessary public pressure and jingoism should be avoided. 2. We are reactive -- get attacked first and then say we will retaliate. We need to be in a perpetual state of aggression, and able to swiftly change the goal posts to keep Pakistan in a state of imbalance. 3. Strategic analyst Brahma Chellaney wrote recently, 'Unless India raises the cost for Pakistan nothing will change. Use Chanakya's sutra of Saam, Daam, Dand and Bhed.' The key for these techniques to work is that Pakistan must believe India is capable of using Dand effectively. So far India has limited the cost to a tit-for-tat policy at the border. Remember that Chandragupta Maurya, a brave warrior, would have achieved little without the statecraft of Kautilya. 4. Pakistan has several ethnic, religious, sectarian, political and inter-provincial fault lines. Can't those be exploited? 5. India as a nation went into celebration mode post the surgical strikes. Did the government not expect and prepare for a Pakistani response and military escalation? 6. India has failed to follow through on its announcements. During his 2016 Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Modi raised the human rights issues of Balochistan, Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. What happened thereafter? So also in the aftermath of the Uri terror attack (in which 19 soldiers were killed), it was said that blood and water cannot flow together, and the Indus water treaty would be reviewed. Thus in September 2016 India decided to suspend the Indus Water Commission talks till 'Pakistan-sponsored terror' ended. But the U-turn came soon when an Indian delegation left for Islamabad in March 2017. India is forever threatening to increase the utilisation of its share of waters under the said treaty. The reality is that India is not even using waters as permitted. 7. General Katoch pointed out in First Post on the day of the Sunjwan army camp attack that 'there are 734 Rohingya settled near police lines in Jammu near Channi Himmat, 206 near the army station in Sunjwan which was attacked, and 40 near HQ 16 Corps at Nagrota', and asked, 'Why hasn't the NDA government not moved them to a refugee camp outside the state?' War veteran Brigadier S S Saini said a military station should not have any constructions within a 100-metre radius of its compound, yet in the Sunjwan army camp people have constructed homes right next to the fence. The state government must answer why such construction was allowed. No one claims that the Rohingyas had a hand in the Sunjwan attack. However, the Modi government has failed to impress upon the Supreme Court that national security is outside its domain and the deportation of Rohingyas would go on. The plea for their deportation was first heard in the apex court on September 18 and the next hearing is on March 7. Why cannot the court have daily hearings on such an important matter? The state government's approach has not helped either. The Peoples Democratic Party-BJP government is a weak link in Modi's Pakistan policy, be it filing FIR against army personnel or giving amnesty to stone-throwers. If the Modi government does not respect the army, the consequences would be serious. 8. Successive governments need to realise that asymmetric warfare (use of guerrilla tactics by terrorists from a smaller nation against a larger professional army) by Pakistan since the 1980s will dissolve the will of the Indian army sooner than later. Hence, India must consider the following steps: Consider downgrading diplomatic relations. Stop export of those items that contribute to the Pakistan economy -- for instance, livestock and steel. The former would reduce beef exports from Pakistan that leapfrogged post 2005. Frequency of the Samjhauta Express should be substantially reduced. Undertake short-term measures to utilise its share of waters under the Indus Water Treaty. Keep the lines of communication open with the Sufis, Shias, scholars, members of civil society, etc. Keep Pakistan under pressure from the West by continuing with infrastructure-building and education scholarships in Afghanistan. No country will declare Pakistan a terrorist State unless India, being the worst affected country, does so first. 9. Speak sparingly, let the guns talk. As G Parthasarathy wrote: 'It is often forgotten that the Indian response to infiltration, between 2000 and 2003, was so devastating that in areas like the Neelum river valley life was regularly brought to a standstill. It was this policy that forced General Pervez Musharraf to ask for a ceasefire in November 2003.' As a nation we are flattered easily, celebrate prematurely, brag about small victories and are unable to take matters to a logical conclusion. 10. All television channels should, as a temporary measure, be barred from inviting any Pakistani guest on their programmes. 11. We need a change in mindset, to fully assimilate that conventional war is NOT the answer to sub-conventional war; the government must get military professionals into the ministry of defence and start the process for defining a National Security Strategy; the deputy national security advisor should be a military person. If that had been the case we would not have used the National Security Guard in Pathankot. 12. The army's technical support division must be re-established since it was getting excellent trans-border information about terrorist infiltration. 13. Two years after the 2016 attack on Pathankot air base, the government has sanctioned Rs 1,487 crore for the army to boost perimeter security at its bases across the country. Why was this not done in 2016 itself? 14. Stop giving Pakistan so much importance by referring to it in election speeches. 15. Proof of how well Pakistan has cultivated Bollywood is reflected in the way it is portrayed in films. Talking of which, Professor Dheeraj Sharma of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, wrote a very interesting article in the Hindustan Times on this subject. 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28: 29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951 /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f6398a8d660)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f6399372c18)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f6398a8d660)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f6399372c18)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f6398b6e918)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f6399372c18)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f6399372c18)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f639826a4f0)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f63993b5948)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f63993b5948)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951 /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f6398b7be28)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f6398b88d70)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f6398b7be28)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f6398b88d70)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f6398b397a0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f6398b88d70)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f6398b88d70)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f6398269a90)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f639865e500)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f639865e500)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 Good morning, Canberra. Happy Valentine's Day, I hope you get to share it with someone special. We're looking at a windy top of 32 today with a fire danger rating of severe. Emergency services have declared a total fire ban across the ACT until midnight tonight. Information about the ban and road closures is here. Here's what else is making news. ANU researcher's fight for parental leave Measures taken by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to protect domestic workers have been criticised after exploitation in some diplomatic residences was revealed this week. DFAT introduced a working group on protections for domestic workers working for diplomats or consular officials in 2014, but the measures, and the time it has taken to introduce them, aren't enough, according to an advocate. Measures taken by Minister Julie Bishop's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to protect domestic workers were inadequate. Credit:LUKAS COCH It was revealed this week that more than 20 domestic workers in diplomatic residences had sought help from the Salvation Army, with many cases coming from Canberra. Three workers told their stories of being underpaid and exploited to ABC's Four Corners program. In a submission to a government inquiry on introducing legislation to combat modern slavery, the department said it provides information to the diplomatic corps "on expectations and obligations for fair treatment of private domestic workers" as well as issuing identity cards to domestic workers and requiring them to undertake annual interviews with DFAT officials. The ACT Legislative Assembly's newest member has used her inaugural speech to take aim at those who claimed you could not be young, female and conservative. Candice Burch was sworn in on the first sitting day of 2018, replacing Steve Doszpot, who died from liver cancer last year. Canberra Liberals' newest MLA Candice Burch, was elected to fill the casual vacancy left after Steve Doszpot's passing last month. Credit:karleen minney The 29-year-old former public servant said she never made a "conscious" decision to enter politics, or join the Liberal Party, but rather had a "deep-rooted passion" for freedom, individual liberty, equal opportunities and small government. "One of the most common questions I received on the campaign trail - probably second to whether or not you and I are related, Madame Speaker [Joy Burch] and we're not, for the record - but one of the most common questions I was asked was, 'You're a Liberal? But you're young. And a woman?' AFP Chief Medical Officer Dr Katrina Sanders says the organisation knew it had a lot of work to do to improve mental health support for its members. The review found while there might be an appropriate level of mental health support for staff, there was little coordination between the different areas and "little understanding of their respective roles and responsibilities". "With respect to services provided by the AFP, there was general dissatisfaction with the employee assistance provider (EAP) and staff felt that the Psychological Support Services was not readily available to staff," the report read. Forty-five per cent of the AFP's workforce responded to a survey as part of the independent review of its mental health services. "The rehabilitation and compensation process for injured workers was seen as disjointed and unsupportive, adding to distress." The AFP's Chief Medical Officer Dr Katrina Sanders said the survey had a 45 per cent response rate from the 6540-strong workforce. The results on mental health injury had been on par with a similar survey of Australian Defence Force members. The report said a high priority for the AFP should be "substantially redevelop its staff support system" around mental health issues. Dr Sanders said the report's findings were not a surprise. "I think if we're honest with ourselves, we knew that we had some work to do in this area and that's why we got Phoenix on board," she said. "I think with the support services, and there are a number of them, and they've very good, but we really needed advice on a strategy on how to support the AFP for decades to come, rather than what we have now. "So, absolutely there is a lot of work to be done." Dr Sanders said the AFP workforce was a snapshot of the community so similar mental health concerns were expected. She said the review followed a draft mental health strategy undertaken by the AFP in 2016 and a determination by AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin to improve and protect the mental health of his staff. "The commissioner is so committed to their health and well-being, that he really wanted independent and expert advice," Dr Sanders said. "I think it's easy to take a framework that can be applied to many organisations and apply it your own, but the AFP is a high-risk agency and that is never going to change. "So getting that independent, expert advice from Phoenix Australia, meant that our strategy would be unique to AFP, directly relevant to AFP and, also, it allowed all members to have input into the strategy; that it would be built by the people who would use it." The report found that of those who responded to the survey: almost 25% reported experiencing moderate to high levels of current psychological distress; 14% reported clinically significant symptoms of depression 9% reported symptoms consistent with a post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis 6% reported clinically significant anxiety 9% reported problematic alcohol use 9% reported suicidal thoughts (but the report said that should not be confused with "suicidal intent"). Surprisingly, Dr Sanders said despite the high-stress nature of AFP work in areas such as child exploitation and counter-terrorism, staff in those areas did not report higher levels of mental health distress; likely because they were closely monitored. "We adopt a rigorous, risk-based approach to our support. So we have very stringent psychological and physical health screening before people can even come into the organisation," she said. "Then in those high-risk roles, they have additional support. Depending on the role, there may be pre-entry screening, periodic screening when they're in the role, and follow-up screening once they leave.... I'm confident we're doing our very best in those high-risk areas," Dr Sanders maintained the AFP also had a lower suicide rate than the general community. "It's tragic whenever a member of the AFP or any law enforcement agency dies from whatever means and, certainly, the AFP is not immune to suicide," she said. "But we know that our rates of suicide are lower than the general community and that is in large part due to the number of supports available to the members already." As to the problems of inadequate resourcing and excessive work demands reported by members, Dr Sanders said that was an eternal issue. "I think that's the nature of the law enforcement agency. There's no ability for police to say, 'No'. There's a community expectation they will be there to respond. It's about making sure that they support available to them can kind of buffer that onset," she said. Domino's Pizza faces an uphill battle to hit its full-year targets after a Christmas nightmare in Japan took a slice out of its returns and it lowered expectations for sales growth at home. Domino's Pizza has revised down its sales expectations. Announcing a 5.5 per cent jump in underlying half-year profit did not stop Domino's from being the second-worse performing stock in the ASX200 on Wednesday, with shares falling 6 per cent. In Japan, where Domino's has 503 stores, comparable sales fell 1.9 per cent for the six months to the end of December, which it said was because it botched the high-volume Christmas period. Chief executive Don Meij said that last Christmas Domino's had to turn away about 40 per cent of customers in Japan because it was so busy, and in 201 followed a competitor's lead by introducing a small menu for that period. Simonetta Puccini, who has died aged 88, was the granddaughter of the composer Giacomo Puccini. She dedicated much of her life to preserving his legacy, working for years on family archives and travelling the world to pass judgment on new productions of his operas. However, her campaign to establish her credentials as his only living descendant was complicated by the fact that the composer had pursued what one Italian newspaper called "an exuberant love life". "I am a mighty hunter of wildfowl, operatic libretti and attractive women," Puccini once confessed. In 1885, amid much scandal, he ran off with Elvira Gemignani, the wife of a friend, with whom he had an illegitimate son, Antonio, Simonetta's future father. Elvira eventually married Puccini, but he continued to have affairs, usually with girls below his social station. When an alleged liaison with Doria Manfredi, a maid at his villa in Torre del Lago, ended in the girl's suicide, Elvira was blamed because she had publicly accused the girl of having an affair with her husband. When the local court ordered an autopsy, it was found that Doria was a virgin and Elvira was sued for slander. She only escaped prison when the composer offered financial compensation to the Manfredi family. Puccini's grandaughter, Simonetta, poses in front of the poster of La Boheme. Credit:PACO SERINELLI Like her father Antonio, Simonetta, born in Pisa on June 2 1929, was the product of an extramarital liaison. Her mother, Giuseppina Giurumello, was a teacher from Milan who brought her up alone. Antonio subsequently married Rita Dell'Anna, but the couple had no children and Rita was, by all accounts, resentful of Simonetta. Although Antonio paid for his daughter's education, came to see her and wrote her letters, he never acknowledged her officially. After taking a degree in literature from the University of Milan, she became a teacher. Puccini died in 1924 a wealthy man. His fortune passed to Elvira, then to Antonio. In 1946, Antonio died and Rita inherited the Puccini estates. When she died in 1979 they passed to her unmarried brother, Count Livio Dell'Anna, a socialite who blew much of it in Monte Carlo before his butler (and lover) Pasquale Belladonna began to fritter away the rest. When Count Livio died in 1986 without leaving a will, Belladonna claimed the count had left the Puccini legacy to him. You won't believe it, but my birthday was on Tuesday and I got a present from the federal government. I also got a card from my state member, sending his "very best wishes" for reaching such an "important milestone" in my life. I almost wrote back asking him to alert the Queen to be standing by in 30 years' time. Instead, my ever-sceptical mind told me the pollies have awarded themselves privileged access to the private information we're obliged to give the electoral commission. So, what was my fabulous federal birthday present? Apparently, I'm now so ancient and infirm I get a bigger private health insurance tax rebate. I never tire of pointing out that, contrary to what people say, our cost of living, overall, has not been rising strongly, unless you regard 2 per cent a year as "soaring". The Catholic Church rarely divulges any facts about the extent of its wealth. Its concern for secrecy and privacy might have been understandable at other times, but not now not in the aftermath of the child abuse royal commission, when its ability to compensate victims is a current issue. The Herald's lengthy investigation has used Victorian data from the administration of that state's fire services levy, our reporters estimate, using conservative assumptions, that the church there holds assets of about $7 billion. On the same assumptions they arrive at a national total of about $30 billion. The revelation raises other questions. The first is whether the church's own evidence to the child abuse royal commission on its capacity to compensate victims was awry. It appears to have seriously understated the scale of its assets. It may well not be alone. Our investigation focused on it after the royal commission showed it had played a larger role than other institutions, religious and secular, in concealing child abusers in its ranks. But the issues that its conduct, and its wealth, raise can stand for all. St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne. Credit:Pat Scala The second question our findings raise is the appropriateness of current exemptions which churches and religions enjoy from taxes. It has been too easy for the Catholic Church, like other churches and religions, to shift its shape as circumstances have demanded. As our reporters have found, questions about the true value of the church's assets, or its tax exempt status, are batted away by its defenders as unworthy to be put to a spiritual organisation. On one hand, its defenders claim that its missionary purpose places it beyond mere temporal considerations; on the other, when that missionary purpose is shown to be flawed, and the church's own delinquencies have rendered it vulnerable, it becomes a hard-nosed commercial outfit, willing to use any legal subterfuge to defend its assets against those who have a just claim against it and them. To anyone rash enough to seek information about the church, let alone to bring it to account for the crimes of its servants, the answer has always been: "None of your business. Go away." It is not surprising that individuals, even motivated and persistent ones like some victims of priestly child abuse, are eventually worn down by this consistently repeated response. It is not surprising, too, that politicians rarely brave people flinch at the possibility of antagonising such a powerful institution. What is surprising is that the institutions of the secular state, including even a Victorian government inquiry into child sex abuse, could see their demands for information about the extent of church wealth ignored, and do nothing about it. That is no longer good enough. About 20 years ago, NSW restricted the number of helium balloons that can be legally released at any one event. The late Lance Ferris, founder of Australian Seabird Rescue, was instrumental in this reform, lobbying for it after discovering how many seabirds were affected by human waste in the Richmond River. The NSW government considered "up to 20" to be a fair compromise between environmental protection and the community's wish to celebrate. With the easy availability of helium, an unregulated balloon industry and population growth, the number, type and use of balloons has increased immensely since the "up to 20" law was introduced, from tiny water balloons to giant aerial mylar balloons. For the last two decades, I have asked successive ministers for the environment to totally ban the release of balloons. Each letter or email is passed on to the NSW Environment Protection Authority, and each response has been the same, that up to 20 is a fair balance between environmental protection and the community's right to celebrate. Embattled Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce insists he can survive the scandal that has rocked his personal life and political career as Fairfax Media revealed he charged taxpayers to spend 50 nights in Canberra when Parliament was not sitting in 2017 - more than any other cabinet minister. Official expense records show Mr Joyce claimed $16,690 in travel allowance for out-of-session nights in the nation's capital between January 1 and September 30, 2017. That is significantly more than top government figures such as Treasurer Scott Morrison, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. Mr Joyce was acting Prime Minister for 10 of those 50 nights. Under the rules, Mr Joyce was entitled to claim $276 per night for official business as Deputy Prime Minister and $565 per night as acting Prime Minister. Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen As Mr Joyce faced a sustained opposition attack in Parliament for the second consecutive day, he attempted to reassert control over his personal-political crisis, first by making a terse verbal statement to reporters, followed shortly after by a printed statement. In both he publicly apologised to his wife Natalie, their daughters and to his new partner Vikki Campion for the pain he has caused them. Nationals MP Ken O'Dowd says the crisis surrounding Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce's leadership must be resolved in the next 48 hours and a delegation of MPs should visit Mr Joyce to discuss his future. But two of his colleagues have rallied around Mr Joyce, saying he has the support of the party room and will remain leader. Mr O'Dowd said he hoped the saga stemming from the Nationals leader's affair would soon end. Nationals MP Ken O'Dowd says the questions about Barnaby Joyce's leadership must be resolved. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen "In the next couple of days, I'd like it settled," he told reporters outside Parliament House on Wednesday morning. Former One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts will make a bid to return to Federal Parliament at the next election, leading the party's Queensland Senate ticket. Party leader Pauline Hanson announced One Nation would stand candidates in all lower house seats in Queensland and in all Senate races at the federal election, due later this year or early 2019. Senator Pauline Hanson announces Former Senator Malcolm Roberts latest attempt to return to politics. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Mr Roberts was forced out of the Senate last year after the High Court ruled he was a British dual citizen and thus ineligible to sit in parliament. He unsuccessfully ran in November's Queensland state election, as the party fell short of lofty predictions it could win as many as 10 seats. There's a problem with sex. And I realise there's a problem with all sorts of things that were once straightforward, from gender identification to taps, but the sex thing is significant because while - as far as I know - people are still having it, they won't be allowed to watch it on screen anymore. How can something so intrinsically off-message be portrayed in our post-Weinstein #MeToo era? Surely #Time'sUp for the sex scene? This Valentine's Day, you'd better gorge on ''Fifty Shades of Non-Consent'', as it has been dubbed by the Online Outrage community: well before it premiered, the film was already a relic from a bygone era. Never mind that it was written and directed by women (and how could either one of them have known that by the time the final part of their trilogy aired, spanking paddles would be as ethically viable as pork scratchings?), any kind of male sexual dominance will henceforth only leave audiences feeling icky. Certainly, gaffer tape has had its day. This Valentine's Day, you'd better gorge on ''Fifty Shades of Non-Consent'', as it has been dubbed by the Online Outrage community. You can't have female nudity unless it's the empowering kind (if you're able to differentiate between this and its demeaning counterpart, please share). There isn't enough legalese in the world to protect male actors from the career-ending moment their hand strays a little too high - or too low. And trying to break the ice beforehand like Sir Sean Connery famously did ("Sorry if I get aroused, and sorry if I don't") wouldn't just be inadvisable but professional suicide. So it's hazmat suits all round for the heteros, and hell even if one were to show two glass-ceiling-busting superwomen making good sweet consensual love to each other on screen, no male producer or director is now going to risk being labelled a voyeuristic predator. It is extraordinary how many rapacious male heroes we've had forced upon us over the decades. Scarlett O'Hara would have led the #MeToo brigade from Tara, where Rhett Butler carried her up the stairs, raging: "This is one night you're not turning me out!" (But oh, her face the morning after!) Dirty Dancing's Baby would still be living off the proceeds of her lawsuit against Kellerman's Hotel, who "aided and abetted the inappropriate behaviour" of their snake-hipped dance instructor, Billy. And even more recent love stories like the genteel Notebook seem a little unpalatable by today's impossible standards: when Noah carries a rain-drenched Allie into his house in the "It still isn't over" scene, there isn't so much as a consent app in sight. Rome wasn't built in a day and New York wasn't conquered in a season but sisters Nicky and Simone Zimmermann are making a good fist of owning the Big Apple. Models wear designs by Zimmermann in the brand's show at New York Fashion Week. Credit:Andrew Swartz Staging their twice-yearly show at New York Fashion Week, the label's forthcoming collection, which will hit stores in about six months, was inspired by a "a youthfully adventurous Victorian era woman". Called "Unbridled", the collection featured pieces decorated with upholstery-inspired prints in the signature Zimmermann style. It's a far cry from the designers' last collection, Goldentime, which was inspired by the spirit of summer holidays on the Gold Coast. Think swimming pools, palm trees and a tad too much Coppertone tanning oil and you get the picture. There's much consternation among renters judging from the comments in response to my recent story in which one in three renters told a survey that they had lost all or part of their bond. There is $2.3 billion held in rental bonds by the rental bond boards in NSW and Victoria. Rental bonds are often a bone of contention between renters and landlords. Credit:Trevor Collens Renters often agree to give up some of their bond in lieu of a few days' rent. Or perhaps they don't have the time to do the cleaning themselves and allow the landlord to take the money out of the bond to pay for cleaning. If you are lucky enough to receive flowers this Valentines Day, you may also get something not so rosy: a chunk of wet green foam. Floral foam is widely used because its extremely useful. Floral foam: It's useful, but not good for the environment. Credit:Shutterstock By anchoring flower stems in it, florists can build enormous and sometimes gravity-defying arrangements. The foam also soaks up water which improves the longevity of the flowers. More than 12,000 Australians ditched their hospital cover in the three months to last December, new figures show, as a separate survey suggests the key reason was they felt it wasn't worth the money. Fresh quarterly data from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority shows the percentage of Australians with hospital cover fell 0.2 percentage points in the December quarter to 45.6 per cent - the lowest in seven years. Meanwhile, a new survey by consumer group Choice has found 70 per cent of Australians who don't have health insurance say it's because it's too expensive. Health funds say the hike in premiums is due to rising costs of healthcare. Credit:Joseph Feil With premiums up approximately 70 per cent over the past decade alongside of policies with a growing number of loopholes, it is clear private health insurance is no longer a good value option for many people, said Choice's Tom Godfrey. Commuters trying to catch a train home from Sydney's CBD have been left hot under the collar - again - after a fire at Circular Quay left the system in chaos. The fire, which engulfed a major demolition site at the old Gold Fields House building around 9am on Tuesday morning, resulted in the closure of the entire city circle for approximately one hour for safety reasons. Nine hours later, and trains are still travelling at a snail's pace across the city. Frustrated commuters, some stuck in trains without airconditioning, have taken to social media to complain. Its the exclusive Circular Quay site, soon to boast a billion-dollar hotel and apartment complex, which was recently offloaded by one of Chinas richest developers to the son of Australias most controversial political donor. But with the ink yet to dry on the settlement, and a brick yet to be laid in the new development, flames engulfed the demolition site on Tuesday morning, sending smoke billowing into the streets of Circular Quay. The fire is unlikely to trouble new owner, 23-year-old Jimmy Huang, who dived into his fathers world of mega real estate investment last month when he purchased the $1 billion development. Mr Huang is the son of Huang Xiangmo, the Chinese businessman and founder of property development company Yuhu Group, whose scrutiny by ASIO helped bring about the downfall of former Labor senator Sam Dastyari. Extra security was hired, police were on standby, and the public gallery was overflowing as the Inner West Council debated whether it should ditch its Australia Day celebrations. But after almost two hours of heated discussion, the councillors, riven with division and unable to agree on a path forward, voted to maintain the status quo at Tuesday night's council meeting. As a result, the council rejected a proposal by the Greens to support the change the date movement and cease holding Australia Day events from 2019 onward. Also rejected, however, was a call by Labor mayor Darcy Byrne for the council to re-evaluate how the council-run events may evolve to better recognise indigenous Australians. Homicide Squad detectives will allege a man arrested as he attempted to a board Bali-bound plane at Sydney Airport was the gunman who executed Bankstown lawyer Ho Ledinh as he sat outside a Bankstown coffee shop last month. Strike Force Eugene investigators were forced to take the 38-year-old Sydney man into custody about 10am on Tuesday after being alerted that their chief suspect had bought a one-way ticket from Sydney to Indonesia and was about to board a plane. It is understood that although the man was suspected of being the gunman, detectives were still working on gathering evidence when they had little choice but to pounce after an airport alert was triggered. The man was taken to Mascot police station for questioning and was expected to be charged with murder on Tuesday. A Melbourne man has been charged with 39 counts of fraud after he allegedly created fraudulent invoices and payments to obtain more than $1.2 million from his employer. The South Yarra man was working for a medical supply company when it is alleged he made fraudulent payments to a number of personal bank accounts. It is also alleged the 25-year-old used a company-issued credit card to make unauthorised and fraudulent payments to another company of which he was the sole director. Detectives from the Financial Crimes Squads Corporate Corruption Team launched an investigation into the payments, after fraudulent and altered invoices were submitted between July 2015 and February 2017. The payments totalled $1,237,806. A man alleged to have walked past dozens of shoppers to execute Bankstown lawyer Ho Ledinh as he sat outside a coffee shop was attempting to quietly flee to Bali when he was dramatically arrested. Homicide Squad detectives will allege the 38-year-old man was the gunman who executed Mr Ledinh as he sat outside a Bankstown coffee shop last month. Loading Strike Force Eugene investigators were forced to take the Sydney man into custody about 10am on Tuesday after being alerted that their chief suspect had bought a one-way ticket from Sydney to Indonesia and was about to board a plane. As a school boy, Adam Marshall told his classmates that he would be Prime Minister one day. Now the 33-year-old NSW tourism minister is being touted as the most likely candidate for the deputy prime minister's seat. NSW Tourism Minister, Adam Marshall, is being touted as the NSW Nationals' most likely choice to fill the seat of New England if Barnaby Joyce is forced to resign from parliament. Credit:Fairfax Media Mr Marshall, who was only promoted to NSW cabinet last year, is tipped to be the Nationals' choice to replace embattled Barnaby Joyce if the Nationals leader is forced to quit Parliament over his affair with a staffer. Mr Marshall, whose early political career has at times been overshadowed by a chequered driving record, did not rule out a move to Canberra. "I will not engage in speculation about matters outside my control. I am focused on doing the job I love and feel privileged to have- proudly representing the people of the Northern Tablelands," Mr Marshall said in statement on Tuesday. The billions of tiny little fingers sticking out from dragonfly wings could lead to a new era of smart surgical tools able to shred bacteria and reduce antibiotic use, according to Brisbane researchers. Thinner than a strand of hair, the dragonfly wings have the ability to tear bacteria apart thanks to more than 10 billion nanostructures, Queensland researcher Dr Annalena Wolff said. Dragonflies wings force bacteria to tear themselves a part. Credit:Craig Abraham If bacteria lands on a dragonfly wing, what happens is they attach themselves to these little fingers and then realise that they dont want to stay where they are, she said. The bacteria try to move away (but) because they have glued themselves into place, they literally tear themselves apart. An investigation into dozens of unsavoury and offensive edits to Wikipedia pages made anonymously by Queensland public servants and political staffers has been dropped. In one edit, reported by Fairfax Media in October 2016, the September 11 terrorist attack was described as "delicious" in a change to an entry on the online encyclopaedia that was linked to the Queensland Treasury's computer network. Screenshots of edits made on Wikipedia that have been linked to Queensland government computer networks, found using a search on WikiWatchdog. The bizarre edit, made in 2005 on the Queensland Treasury computer network, changed an entry about the September 11 attacks, including on the World Trade Centre in New York, from "a series of coordinated suicide attacks upon the United States of America" to a "series of delicious attacks upon the United States of America". The changes were discovered using the since discontinued WikiWatchdog website, which tracked anonymous edits made to Wikipedia and logged the internet protocol address from which the changes were made. A section of the Brisbane River will be closed off to the public after contamination was found at the site of an old tar processing facility. An auditor was assessing a block at West End adjacent to the corner of Donkin and Buchanan Streets at Riverside Drive when a contaminate was found in the groundwater and about 40m from the riverbank, according to the Department of Environment and Science. Aerial view of Riverside Drive, West End. Credit:Google Maps Heavy metals, hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), some of which are present in tar, were found at the site, which was being developed for residential purposes. The site previously housed a coal tar processing facility, which closed in the 1980s, and was listed on Queensland's Environmental Management Register (EMR). Three men from the same family are in jail and facing eventual deportation to New Zealand for their "savage and cowardly" attacks on four young men outside a Melbourne bar. Maele Maele, his nephews Leti and Apisai Maele, and their friend Andrew Apineru drunkenly punched and kicked four men in the mistaken belief they had damaged a car belonging to an associate of the Maeles, outside a Wantirna South bar in the early hours of November 18, 2016. One of the victims was celebrating his 24th birthday but suffered bruising to the brain and a fractured jaw and cheekbone when Apineru punched him and he fell to the footpath. "It was a coward's punch," judge Mark Dean said in the County Court this week. Apineru and the three Maele men repeatedly kicked and punched the man while he was on the ground. The Coalition has vowed to halt the statewide installation of wire rope barriers along some of the state's most dangerous roads if it wins government this year. Opposition Leader Matthew Guy has accused the government of bungling the multi-million dollar program and said that, if it were elected, it would suspend and review the program. Captain Andy Chapman from Elphinstone CFA next to wire barriers on the Calder Freeway. Credit:Justin McManus The Age reported in December that CFA brigade captains were concerned about a lack of emergency services breaks in the barriers, forcing firefighters to travel extra kilometres - sometimes towards oncoming traffic - to reach the closest access point. The federal government's cashless debit card will be expanded to Western Australia's Goldfields region after legislation cleared the Senate. Existing sites in Ceduna in South Australia and WA's East Kimberley area will have their trials extended to June 2019 after the Nick Xenophon Team and other crossbenchers supported the bill. Trials of the cashless welfare cars will continue in WA's Kimberley region. Credit:Michel O'Sullivan Under the scheme, 80 per cent of a welfare recipient's income is loaded onto a non-cash debit card which cannot be used to gamble or buy alcohol. The NXT's lone lower house MP Rebekha Sharkie voted against the bill last week, which then included rollouts in Hervey Bay and Bundaberg in Queensland. The family of a young man killed in a Collie car crash say the driver found responsible for his death should "spend his life behind bars". 20-year-old Dean Hewson was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison in a Busselton courthouse on Monday for causing a car crash which killed his friend Jack Barton. Family and friends of Jack Barton outside Busselton Court this week. Another passenger was seriously injured in the crash. The court heard Hewson left the Collie Hotel at midnight on April 13, 2017 with three passengers in his ute to take them home. On Friday, the Financial Counselling Association of WA, of which I am chief executive, was asked to elect a financial counsellor to attend a press conference with Water Minister Dave Kelly. The minister was announcing revolutionary changes to the way Water Corporation was working with people in financial hardship. The banner featuring the National Debt Helpline's 1800 number was somewhat lost in the noise at the press conference. Credit:Emma Young We were thrilled to support it. Water Corporation, led by the minister, recently undertook a review of their financial hardship policies and in consultation with financial counsellors in WA introduced a raft of changes to more actively support people who are struggling. They started by sorting out customers who 'can't pay' from the customers who 'won't pay' and realised that they needed to incentivise and support 'can't pay' customers rather than tie up precious resources in debt collection from people who don't have the money. "We only handle the data that concerns Russian forces servicemen," Dmitri S. Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said at a news briefing on Tuesday. "We don't have data about other Russians who could be in Syria. The Kremlin said much the same about the nature of the forces in Crimea and eastern Ukraine in 2014, claiming they were volunteers and men on vacation, only to admit later that they were regular soldiers. President Vladimir Putin has said at least three times since 2016 that combat operations in Syria were winding down, including once during a surprise visit to a Russian air base in Syria last December. Yet there are hundreds if not thousands of contract soldiers in Syria whom the Russian government has never acknowledged. They were deployed both to help keep the official cost down and to avoid the kind of reports that emerged from Russia's intervention in Afghanistan in the 1980s, which became unpopular with ordinary Russians as the toll of young soldiers rose. Even though the Kremlin changed the law during Ukraine crisis in 2015 to make battlefield casualties a secret, the funerals for regular soldiers killed in combat need to be more official than those for mercenaries. Also, even if Putin made Russia a player in the Middle East again by sending his miliary into Syria in September 2015, the intervention has never been particularly popular at home. Putin, running a re-election campaign that he is sure to win, has sought to take the spotlight away from overseas issues and to stress that his main concerns are domestic. But individual Russians have begun speaking out. Some announced the specific names of victims, and others claimed that "scores" of Russian fighters had died in a US airstrike near Deir el-Zour, between the Euphrates River and the Iraqi border. Aleksandr Ionov, a Russian businessman working in Syria offering security and other services, said his associates in several private military organisations said that there had been heavy losses, estimating that more than 200 might have been killed. Aleksandr Averin, a member of the Other Russia nationalist party, confirmed that Kirill Ananiev, a party member who left for Syria about a year ago, was killed in the airstrike, noting that there were other "substantial losses." Ionov said not all those killed were Russian. Some of the paid fighters came from other countries that were once part of the Soviet Union. "More than 200 is the current estimate, we cannot know the exact number yet, but most of them were Russian," he said in a telephone interview. Ionov said he was speaking out, like a growing number of opposition and other voices, because he wanted the Russians killed to be officially recognised for their sacrifice. "The truth has to be told," he said. "If people died, then this should be recognised and respects should be paid to people who fought against terrorists." He called on the government to give a fuller version of events, adding, "People are outraged because they want to know the truth." What exactly sparked the battle also remains unclear. Some reports suggested that the fight was over control of a gas field. Ionov said he believed that it was caused by the fog of battle, with the US-backed Kurdish troops interpreting the movement of government ground forces as an attack to control an oil field and calling in an airstrike. The Kremlin continues to sidestep the questions. Other sources like Averin have also suggested that many Russians died. "I can confirm that Kirill died on February 7 in Syria, near the Euphrates River, as a result of a strike by the American coalition," Averin said in an interview, adding that he was aware of "substantial losses" suffered by "paramilitary structures with ties to Russia." He declined to elaborate. Another victim, Vladimir N. Loginov, died "in an unequal fight on February 7 in the area of Syria's Deir al-Zour," according to a statement published online by his paramilitary organization. "He died, heroically defending our motherland in the far reaches against the invasion of maddened barbarians," the Baltic Cossack Union in Kaliningrad said in the statement. Loginov, 51, had been a member of the local Cossack group, a pro-government paramilitary organization, since 2014. In another case, Lubava Kocheva, a woman from central Russia, said in a brief online chat that two of her male friends in Syria, Igor Kosoturov and Stanislav Matveev, also died on February 7. "We don't know anything, whether they will bring them or not," said Kocheva, 41, referring to the men's corpses. "This is very difficult and frightening." The names of most of the victims identified so far were first reported by the Conflict Intelligence Team, a group of Russian investigative bloggers. The exact circumstances of their deaths could not be established by The New York Times. The Russian Defence Ministry, which supports President Bashar Assad in the ongoing civil war, said none of its servicemen were involved in the clash and that only 25 pro-government Syrian insurgents were wounded. It took pains to distance itself from the battle. "The reason for the incident was lack of coordination between the reconnaissance movements of the Syrian insurgents and the Russian operative command," the ministry said in its statement on Thursday. It risks undermining Dutch foreign policy at a time when diplomatic ties between the Netherlands and Russia have hit a low point. The incident has embarrassed Prime Minister Mark Rutte's coalition government, which has a parliamentary majority of just one, and further strained difficult ties with Russia. Amsterdam: Dutch Foreign Minister Halbe Zijlstra quit on Tuesday after admitting that he had lied about attending a meeting in 2006 at which he said Russian President Vladimir Putin had outlined a strategy for building a greater Russia. Zijlstra, visibly emotional as he took the floor during a parliamentary debate convened to discuss his behaviour, said he had decided to tender his resignation to the king because the situation risked harming the work of the Foreign Ministry. "We live in a country where the truth matters. That's why I see no other option than to resign," said Zijlstra, who had held the job for less than four months. "The office (of foreign minister) must be above all doubt, both at home and abroad." Junior Foreign Minister Sigrid Kaag, who led a United Nations mission to destroy Syria's chemical weapons in 2013-2014, was to assume Zijlstra's responsibilities until a permanent replacement was found, news agency ANP said. Lawmakers grilled Rutte, who had previously defended Zijlstra despite having known since late January that he had met Putin, asking repeatedly why he failed to inform parliament during the three weeks before the affair went public. "This was not released in a moment of transparency, but under the pressure of a journalist," said Lodewijk Asscher, head of the opposition Labour Party. A UK judge has dashed Julian Assange's hopes of throwing out an arrest warrant against him, scolding the Wikileaks editor for considering himself "above the law" and "wanting justice only if it goes in his favour". In the Westminster Magistrates Court, Judge Emma Arbuthnot also heavily criticised a 2015 ruling by a United Nations panel that said Assange was under arbitrary detention in Ecuador's London embassy where he sought asylum in 2012 and has stayed ever since. She said Assange had been treated according to the law but has failed to attend court and has thwarted the course of justice by refusing to fully cooperate with a Swedish investigation into rape allegations. Arbuthnot added Assange was in relatively good health despite a tooth infection, a frozen shoulder and depression. Washington: President Donald Trump said on Monday that US aid expenditures in the Middle East were "a mistake," both undercutting a round of complicated diplomacy in Arab capitals and underscoring his rising frustration at the dwindling chances of a Middle East peace deal. The President also erroneously claimed that the United States had spent $7 trillion in the Middle East over the past 17 years. "As of a couple of months ago, we have spent $7 trillion in the Middle East. Seven trillion dollars. What a mistake. But it is what it is," Trump said at the White House as he introduced a domestic infrastructure spending plan. "We have spent $7 trillion in the Middle East": US President Donald Trump. Credit:Bloomberg Trump sent Congress a $4.4 trillion budget proposal on Monday outlining steep cuts to domestic programs, large increases in military spending and a ballooning federal deficit. PHILIPSBURG:--- It might have come on a quiet Sunday afternoon, but the revelation that the governments of French and Dutch St. Maarten have picked up the pieces of the OP cooperation agreement for St. Maarten/St. Martin is most welcomed news. In August 2014, in my former capacity of Prime Minister, I signed the letter of intent with French St. Maarten for cross-border cooperation between both sides, the so-called ETC operational program. Very specific procedures needed to be followed, amongst which making the proposed projects public. After years of negotiating this breakthrough cooperation agreement, this project was torpedoed by former Prime Minister William Marlin due to his aversion to French/Dutch Cooperation. This deep-seated sentiment against French/Dutch cooperation is evident from incidents far back in history, such as the public transportation issue between both sides, but more recently with this very cooperation program, the Oyster Pond saga and the hurricane border issue, to name a few. Not to forget the much-acclaimed boycott of recent St. Maarten Day activities, against which I publicly objected. There is no disguising his feelings, whatever the underlying reasons might be. However, it seems that all is not lost with this program that includes 3 components: The sustainable development of the Simpsonbay Lagoon, a joint wastewater treatment facility and a flooding risk management project for the French and Dutch quarters and Belle Plaine areas. Imagine 14 months of breakdown in talks on this vital project. We are lucky, it can even be picked up again. At least that is our hope. I patiently await further information about this program, as any additional funding sources, such as the EU must be tapped into and never again be allowed to become a ping pong ball for selfish political reasons. POND ISLAND:--- Destination Sint Maarten/St. Martin is once again profiled in a major U.S. media publication, the USA Today. On Monday, February 12, in its Travel Section under the title, Best beaches in the Caribbean, 2018 edition, there were 51 photos featuring the aforementioned in the Region, and destination St. Maarten/St. Martin was mentioned in the number two spot pointing out that the islands 37 beaches are back in business. The feature written by Melanie Reffes as a special to USA Today starts out, Even if youve been there and done that, chilling on a Caribbean beach never gets old. Whether you like snorkeling, swimming and sunbathing, people-watching on party beaches or the sand-less-traveled, our island-by-island guide can help you find the best sandy swaths under the sun. Acting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation & Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Cornelius de Weever said on Monday that once again this is positive promotion for the destination after the hurricanes of September 2017. Minister De Weever was quoted in the publication as saying: A fan of the beach closest to the city, minister of tourism Cornelius de Weever gives a thumbs-up to Great Bay Beach where the boardwalk bars host spirited happy hours, theres a lot of shopping in adjacent Philipsburg and as the pier is at the end, its perfect for cruise shippers looking to spend an afternoon on the sand. Keeping travelers and the travel and tourism trade informed on how we are progressing is very important for the destination. We are not down and out but open for business. There is a lot to be thankful for. This is the second publication that the destination has received very positive promotion within a short period of time, Acting Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs Cornelius de Weever said on Monday. USA Today is a multi-platform news and information media company founded in 1982. The publication reaches nearly three million readers daily, and its mobile platform has more than 24 million downloads on devices. USA Today launched its international edition in 1984 and is printed in Europe, Asia/Pacific, and Canada, and has a total circulation of nearly 15,000. USA Today is owned by Gannett Co. PHILIPSBURG:--- Once a year, the District Governor (DG) of Rotary District 7020 makes an official visit to each club in the district, between July 1st and December 31st. The purpose of the visit is to allow the DG to communicate directly with all Rotarians in our District. He is there to listen to the club leadership and gain a better understanding of their club, to provide helpful and friendly advice to club officers as requested and to answer questions about Rotary International and the District. The DG serves as a catalyst to help strengthen the programs of Rotary and ensures that the requirements set by Rotary International are being met. The current Governor of district 7020 is Dr. Robert Leger. He was born and raised in Les Cayes, Haiti. He went on to study medicine at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de and graduated as a General Surgeon from Hospital Juarez. Mexico was his home for 11 years and it was there that he met his lovely wife Rosa. In 1981, he returned to his native country of Haiti to fulfill his dream of giving back to his country. Dr. Leger joined Rotary Club Des Cayes in 1983 and was elected President of his Club for two terms. During his 34 years as a Rotarian, he has held all the posts in his club. DG Robert Leger and First lady Rosa Leger arrived on St.Maarten on January 29th, 2018. They were greeted at the airport by the Assistant Governor Marcellia Henry, President of Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise, Damali Bryson, President of Rotary Club of St. Maarten Midisle, Anjali Manek, and President of Rotary club of St. Maarten John Caputo, along with other Rotarians. The first item of business on the DGs agenda was to meet with the presidents and secretaries of the various clubs. The next few days the DG spent attending club meetings, board meetings and visiting community projects the clubs had done. He also made trips to St. Barths and Anguilla to visit Rotary clubs there. During the meetings, the DG focused on how the clubs and their members were faring in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Other key items discussed in the meetings were how Rotary can assist in the rebuilding and restoration efforts of the affected islands. The clubs made sure that the DG understood that while the islands were making good progress, there is still a lot of work to be done to get back to the pre-Irma state. The DG emphasized that District 7020 has set aside a disaster fund to help finance community improvement projects. He urged the clubs to develop projects and make use of those available funds. During his visit, the DG met with officials of St. Maarten/ St. Martin including the Honorable Prime Minister of St.Maarten Leona Romeo-Marlin, His Excellency Governor Eugene Holiday and President of Collectivite of Saint Martin, the Honorable Daniel Gibbs. He also made multiple radio appearances on both the Dutch and French sides. A fellowship for all Rotarians was held at Emilios in Dutch Cul de Sac. DG Robert gave his address at this event, expressing his happiness at seeing the progress and recovery of the islands. He encouraged those present to continue their good work because there was still a lot that needs to be done. Rotary is about community and we are there for them. This occasion was also used to put a few individuals and organization in the spotlight that show true Rotarian spirit Service above self. The St. Maarten Club donated a new car to Ms. Mary Bryson of Meals on Wheels, on organization dedicated to bringing food to the elderly and others who are unable to provide for themselves. The car she used for this purpose was damaged during hurricane Irma. The Rotary Club of St. Maarten Midisle awarded Ms. Helen Hart of voices the prestigious Paul Harris Award for her work with youth. The Sunrise Club gave awards to the SXM PAWS organization and Mr. Euriel A. Douglas, a.k.a. Drae. SXM PAWS succeeded to evacuate over 200 cats and dogs that were abandoned after hurricane Irma. Drae has been reroofing the homes of senior citizens free of charge since and is currently working on houses numbers 27 & 28. The DG was very impressed with these noble efforts. The DG returned to Haiti on February 4th after concluding a successful trip to our islands. PHILIPSBURG:--- For the fourth year in a row, the K1 Britannia Foundation will be participating in SXM DOET. This year, they have doubled their efforts and will be hosting 4 projects in total, opposed to 2. The K1 Britannia SXM DOET Projects give persons the opportunity to help in a variety of ways; from social activities to cleaning, repairing and building. On Friday March 9th they will be hosting the first two projects, namely Emilio Wilson Park: Beautification Project and St. Martins Home: Sensory Room. With the Emilio Wilson Park Project, volunteers are tasked with cleaning up litter, fixing the back entrance, making a pathway around the park, building 11-15 benches, and enhancing the playground by adding a seesaw, sandbox and replacing the slide. For the second project of the day, Yash Rajani, Project Manager at K1 Britannia Foundation explains Many of the elderly at the St. Martin's Home are wheel chair bound, bed ridden and are unable to participate in many extracurricular or interactive activities. The Sensory Room at St. Martins Home project will have volunteers set up and install the various interactive boards that will keep the clients stimulated through touch, smell, and sound. A gazebo at the facility will be recreated into the sensory room. The following day, on Saturday March 10th, the projects will focus on foster children/foster care which is a strong focus of the foundations work. There will be a Leisure and Learn Park for foster children and other at-risk and underprivileged youth at the Emilio Wilson Park. The day will consist of several extracurricular booths, such as art, dance, sports, creative workshops and under learning, we will have persons from different professional fields, such as law enforcement, aviation, hospitality, medical, electrical, and media giving insights and demonstrations of their work. There will also be fun games and experiments where the children can win prizes. The focus is exposing the children and teenagers to various activities and careers that can spark their interest as well as encourage them to develop their skills and talents. The other project for the day is Repairing The Animal Enclosure at I Can Foster Home. The home had a large animal enclosure that housed various animals that the children enjoyed taking care off. Hurricane Irma destroyed the animal enclosure and with the help of volunteers, the foundation hopes to repair it. The desired result is an animal enclosure that can house goats, rabbits, and chickens. The children are then able to take care of the animals again and can continue learning about responsibility at a young age. The K1 Britannia Foundation has a great focus on volunteerism through its volunteer program and believes in SXM DOETs mission to help improve the general idea of volunteering and community service by showing how fun and creative it can really be. For more information about the K1 Britannia Foundation, visit www.k1britanniafoundation.org, www.facebook.com/K1SXM or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . To sign up as a volunteer for SXM DOET, please visit www.sxmdoet.com and search for K1 Britannia which will show these 4 volunteer opportunities. PHILIPSBURG:--- Former St. Maarten Prime Minister William Marlin believes that the move by The Hague to dissolve the St. Eustatius Island Council, send the Executive Council and Acting Island Governor home and replace them with a Dutch Government-appointed Commissioner, is a dangerous precedent. It is sad that in the 21st Century, we still have this form of colonial developments in the region and so close to home where the elected representatives of an island is put aside by others, Marlin said on Sunday, while responding to a question on the radio programme Breakfast with de Robert on The Voice of St. Maarten. While St. Eustatius does not have the same constitutional status that St. Maarten, Curacao and Aruba have as countries within the Dutch Kingdom, it still is wrong when a decision is taken from so far away to set aside an entire government apparatus. It makes people feel so inferior. If the people of Statia choose those people to represent them, then that is the will of the people. Those are the representatives that they have chosen. Philosophers say everyone gets the government they deserve. You cannot force people to accept a different government, he said. If elections were held and people did not vote their conscience or elections were rigged and people tampered with the polls to ensure that one party gets favor over another, then we can say that something went wrong. But if the Statia government is not working in the interest of the Statia people then when election comes, the people of Statia would have to take that decision to elect different representatives, but for The Hague to send home everyone else and bring in someone from the former Netherlands Antilles from Curacao and give that person all the power and authority to hire and fire and to answer only to the Dutch State Secretary - that is a dictatorship. It is very dangerous and should not be happening in the 21stCentury, Marlin contended. Snapchat redesign sparks backlash among some users Washington, Feb 12 (AFP) Feb 12, 2018 Snapchat's latest app redesign, aimed at broadening the appeal of the youth-oriented social network, sparked a backlash from many users complaining about the abrupt overhaul of their preferred service. More than 578,000 users had signed an online petition by midday Monday calling on parent firm Snap Inc. to roll back the update, which was released last week. "Many users have found that it has not made the app easier to use, but has in fact made many features more difficult," the petition at change.org states. "Many 'new features' are useless or defeat the original purposes Snapchat has had for the past years." The update separates the "media content" from that of friends, a move aimed at avoiding problems faced by social media rivals Facebook and Twitter on proliferation of misinformation. But a flurry of Twitter comments took issue with the update to Snapchat, which has become a favorite of teens for its disappearing messages but also offers content from various media partners. "I don't even wanna use Snapchat till they fix this update, I just immediately get mad when I open the app," one user tweeted. Another Twitter comment said, "this snapchat update is the worst thing to happen since U2's album was downloaded to everyone's phone." Supermodel Chrissy Teigen added her voice to the protests, tweeting, "How many people have to hate an update for it to be reconsidered?" Some Snapchat users complained the app was updated automatically and may have caused the loss of some messages or archived data known as Memories. Twitter users offered tips on how to uninstall the update to get the old version of the application. But the Snapchat support team tweeted that "unofficial workarounds to change the way Snapchat looks are temporary and can result in getting permanently locked out of your account or losing Memories." Debra Aho Williamson, an analyst who follows social media for the research firm eMarketer, said it was too soon to judge user reaction to the redesign. "We're watching users' reaction to Snapchat's redesign very closely, but at this point we don't see it having an impact on usage among young people," she said. "It's very possible that once they get used to the new way the app is laid out, they will use it just as heavily as before." An eMarketer survey released Monday showed Facebook is losing younger users at a pace faster than anticipated, with many switching to applications like Snapchat or the Facebook-owned Instagram. Russia launches cargo spacecraft after aborted liftoff Moscow, Feb 13 (AFP) Feb 13, 2018 Russia on Tuesday launched an unmanned Progress cargo ship to the International Space Station after a glitch led officials to postpone the planned liftoff two days earlier. The Soyuz rocket carrying the Progress ship took off from the snow-covered Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 11:15 am Moscow time (0815 GMT) and reached its designated orbit several minutes later, the Russian space agency said. "We have liftoff!" the Roscosmos space agency tweeted. The cargo ship is carrying dry cargo, fuel, water, oxygen and air to the crew of the ISS. It is also carrying equipment for the experimental ICARUS project, an animal tracking system that will be installed on the outer surface of the station. The launch of the Progress was initially scheduled for Sunday but was postponed at the last minute until Tuesday due to an unspecified problem. Space industry sources told Russian news agencies Monday that the onboard computer of the Soyuz rocket had to be replaced. Reasons for the aborted launch were being investigated. The Sunday launch was supposed to take the Progress to the International Space Station in a record time of just over three hours for the first time by using a new scheme to dock with the ISS after taking just two orbits around the Earth. However Russia on Tuesday had to opt for the old, two-day rendezvous due to orbital mechanics, with the docking expected to take place Thursday afternoon. Six men are currently at the International Space Station including Russian cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov and Alexander Misurkin and NASA astronauts Joe Acaba, Mark Vande Hei and Scott Tingle. Russia's once-proud space industry has suffered a series of setbacks over recent years, with officials losing a number of satellites and other spacecraft. ma/as/ser US intel chief issues warning about climate change Washington, Feb 13 (AFP) Feb 13, 2018 The top US intelligence official issued a warning on Tuesday about the dangers of climate change in testimony that was seemingly at odds with the skepticism of President Donald Trump and other members of his administration. "The impacts of the long-term trends toward a warming climate, more air pollution, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity are likely to fuel economic and social discontent -- and possibly upheaval -- through 2018," said Dan Coats, the Director of National Intelligence. "The past 115 years have been the warmest period in the history of modern civilization, and the past few years have been the warmest years on record," Coats said in prepared remarks to the Senate Intelligence Committee. The intelligence chief did not directly attribute global warming to human activity in his annual Worldwide Threat Assessment report, but he starkly outlined the dangers of climate change. "Extreme weather events in a warmer world have the potential for greater impacts and can compound with other drivers to raise the risk of humanitarian disasters, conflict, water and food shortages, population migration, labor shortfalls, price shocks, and power outages," he said. "Domestic policy responses to such issues will become more difficult -- especially for democracies -- as publics become less trusting of authoritative information sources," he added. Trump once derided global warming as a "hoax" and withdrew the United States from the Paris climate change agreement upon taking office. The US leader cast doubt on the veracity of global warming science as recently as December 28. "In the East, it could be the COLDEST New Year's Eve on record," Trump tweeted. "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." Soyuz launch to resupply ISS aborted seconds before liftoff Moscow (Sputnik) Feb 11, 2018 The Soyuz-2.1A rocket with Progress MS-08 cargo spacecraft has failed to blast off from Baikonur at appointed time, the Sputnik correspondent reported from the Cosmodrome. A source told Sputnik that the spacecraft launch was postponed to the reserve date, February 13. The Progress MS-08 freighter was set for the launch atop the Soyuz-2.1a rocket to reach the International Space Station (ISS) under a new scheme in around three hours after circling the Earth only twice. For decades, spaceships with crew and cargo typically flew for about 50 hours before reaching the ISS. In 2013, Russia introduced a six-hour route to the ISS, involving four orbits. ... read more British warship to sail through disputed South China Sea Sydney, Feb 13 (AFP) Feb 13, 2018 A British warship will sail from Australia through the disputed South China Sea next month to assert freedom of navigation rights, a senior official said Tuesday in a move likely to irk Beijing. China claims nearly all of the resource-rich waterway and has been turning reefs and islets into islands and installing military facilities such as runways and equipment on them. British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said HMS Sutherland, an anti-submarine frigate, would arrive in Australia later this week. "She'll be sailing through the South China Sea (on the way home) and making it clear our navy has a right to do that," he told The Australian newspaper after a two-day visit to Sydney and Canberra. He would not say whether the frigate would sail within 12 nautical miles of a disputed territory or artificial island built by the Chinese, as US ships have done. But he said: "We absolutely support the US approach on this, we very much support what the US has been doing." In January, Beijing said it had dispatched a warship to drive away a US missile destroyer which had "violated" its sovereignty by sailing close to a shoal in the sea. Williamson said it was important that US allies such as Britain and Australia "assert our values" in the South China Sea, which is believed to hold vast oil and gas deposits and through which US$5.0 trillion in trade passes annually. "World dynamics are shifting so greatly. The US can only concentrate on so many things at once," he said. "The US is looking for other countries to do more. This is a great opportunity for the UK and Australia to do more, to exercise leadership." China in December defended its construction on disputed islands, which are also claimed by Southeast Asian neighbours, as "normal" after a US think tank released new satellite images showing the deployment of radar and other equipment. In a separate interview with broadcaster ABC, Williamson warned of the need for vigilance to "any form of malign intent" from China, as it seeks to become a global superpower. "Australia and Britain see China as a country of great opportunities, but we shouldn't be blind to the ambition that China has and we've got to defend our national security interests," he said. "We've got to ensure that any form of malign intent is countered and we see increasing challenges -- it's not just from China, it's from Russia, it's from Iran -- and we've got to be constantly making sure that our security measures, our critical national infrastructure is protected." Australia has been ratcheting up the rhetoric against China in recent months, with ties tested in December when parliament singled out Beijing as a focus of concern when it proposed laws on foreign interference. Chairman of Taiwan navy contract ship firm charged with fraud Taipei, Feb 13 (AFP) Feb 13, 2018 The chairman of a Taiwan shipbuilding company that won a contract to build six naval ships was charged in a loan fraud case Tuesday, dealing a blow to the island's ambition to grow its domestic defence industry. Taiwan relies on its main ally the US as its biggest arms supplier, but President Tsai Ing-wen has been pushing to strengthen its own military equipment technology and manufacturing capabilities since she came to power in May 2016. The biggest threat to the island is China, which sees Taiwan as a breakaway province to be brought back within its fold -- by force if necessary. But concerns have been swirling since it emerged that Ching Fu Shipbuilding Co may have taken out loans illegally after it won a defence ministry contract in October 2014 to build six minesweepers for Tw$34.9 billion ($11.9 billion). Ching Fu chairman Chen Ching-nan and four others, including his son and wife, were indicted by the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office, seeking a jail sentence of 30 years for Chen. The defendants conspired to falsify documents and invoices with offshore companies to obtain $202 million of loans, prosecutors said in a statement Tuesday. The scandal hurt the image of the navy and caused up to Tw$13.1 billion of losses for the lending banks, it said. Prosecutors found no wrongdoing by the defence ministry, which had dissolved the contract with Ching Fu in December amid the probe. "(The defendants) caused the public to question whether there was abuse in the navy's procurement process, and caused the navy's efforts over the past 10 or so years to be wasted," prosecutors said. Their actions also "seriously damaged national interests". Taiwan last year launched its first ever home-grown submarine project after years spent waiting for US models. The defence ministry also announced last year a new generation of jet trainers is being built locally, to be completed by 2026. Tsai warned in December against what she called Beijing's "military expansion" -- the increase in Chinese air and naval drills around the island since she took office. Beijing has cut off official communications with Taipei as Tsai refuses to acknowledge the self-ruling, democratic island is part of "one China." Erdogan warns foreign companies over gas drilling near Cyprus Ankara, Feb 13 (AFP) Feb 13, 2018 President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday warned foreign energy companies not to "overstep the mark" in the Mediterranean, after Turkey's warships blocked an Italian drilling vessel seeking to begin exploration for gas off Cyprus. The growing standoff between Turkey and Cyprus over exploiting energy resources in the eastern Mediterranean risks further complicating stalled efforts to reunify the island following the collapse of peace talks last year. "Don't think that we have ignored the opportunistic attempts to search for natural gas in Cyprus waters and Aegean coast," Erdogan said in a televised speech to his party in parliament. "We warn those overstepping the mark with miscalculations in Cyprus and the Aegean," Erdogan added. Italy's energy giant ENI said its ship had been ordered to stop by Turkish ships last week over "military activities in the destination area" as it was on course to start exploring in block 3 of Cyprus's exclusive economic zone. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the northern third of the island in response to a Greek military junta-sponsored coup. While Greek-majority Republic of Cyprus is internationally recognised, the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognised only by Ankara. Ankara and Cyprus have long argued over the eastern Mediterranean, and Turkey has been stringent in defending the claims of Turkish Cypriots for a share. Cyprus said on Thursday that exploratory drilling by Italy's ENI and France's Total had found gas reserves elsewhere off the island. But Erdogan warned foreign companies working with the Cyprus government that "they should not be exploited as tools for a work that exceeds their limits and strengths". He even compared Turkey's response over the issue to its military operations in northern Syria, which Turkey portrays as a fight against terror groups. "Like on our southern border with our 'Euphrates Shield', 'Olive Branch' operations, we are ruining those who make mistaken calculations and their scenarios." The European Union, where Cyprus is a member, has made clear it is keeping a close eye on Turkey's behaviour. EU President Donald Tusk on Monday spoke with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, urging Turkey on Twitter to "avoid threats or actions against any EU member". He added Turkey should "instead commit to good neighbourly relations, peaceful dispute settlement and respect for territorial sovereignty." raz/sjw/spm ENI Turkish base in Iraqi Kurdistan attacked: PKK, witness Sulaimaniyah, Iraq, Feb 13 (AFP) Feb 13, 2018 A Turkish base in Iraqi Kurdistan came under attack on Tuesday, a witness and the rebel Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) said, without claiming responsibility. Intense fighting lasted some two hours around the base at Guerbya, near the city of Zakho close to the Turkish border, the witness told AFP. There was no immediate word from the Turkish authorities. It was the first reported attack on a Turkish base in Iraqi Kurdistan and came as Turkish troops were in the fourth week of a deadly incursion in the Syrian Kurdish enclave of Afrin. Guerbya is one of 18 bases in Iraqi Kurdistan that Turkey has maintained since the 1990s despite repeated calls by the region's parliament for them to be removed. The PKK, which has been waging a deadly insurgency in southeastern Turkey since 1984, also has a significant presence in the region. "We have reports of an attack by unknown assailants on the Turkish military position at Guerbya at around 8:30 am (0530 GMT)," PKK spokesman Haval Dmaha said. He said he had "no idea about the identity of the assailants". The PKK said a number of Turkish soldiers were killed in the attack, but there was no independent confirmation of any deaths. The witness told AFP that after the attack, Turkish forces bombarded the area. Turkish troops and allied Syrian rebels launched a major operation in Afrin on January 20 against Kurdish militia of the People's Protection Units (YPG). Ankara regards the YPG as an offshoot of the PKK and has vowed to end its control of the Syrian border enclave. Iraqi militia vows to back Hezbollah in war with Israel Beirut, Feb 13 (AFP) Feb 13, 2018 The head of the powerful Iraqi militia Harakat al-Nujaba pledged on Tuesday to stand alongside its Lebanese ally Hezbollah if a new war breaks out with Israel. Harakat al-Nujaba and Hezbollah have fought side-by-side to bolster Syrian government troops since 2013, most prominently against the Islamic State group in eastern Syria. On Tuesday, the movement's secretary general Akram al-Kaabi visited the tomb of top Hezbollah commander Imad Mughniyeh to commemorate the 10 years since his death. "We in the Iraqi resistance stand with Hezbollah, and we will stand with Hezbollah in any Israeli attack or action against it," Kaabi said. He pledged to fight "with Hezbollah in a single row, on a single front, just as we stood with them on a single front in Iraq or Syria." Kaabi spoke in Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a strong support base. Both Harakat al-Nujaba and Hezbollah are backed by Iran. They fought alongside Syrian government troops and other allied militia to oust IS from key cities in eastern Syria last year, including Albu Kamal. Hezbollah has also dispatched top commanders and advisers to Iraq to help the paramilitary Hashed al-Shaabi force. In June, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah warned that hundreds of thousands of Arab and Muslim fighters would be ready to fight against Israel if it waged a new attack. It "would open the door for hundreds of thousands of fighters from all around the Arab and Islamic world to participate in this fight -- from Iraq, Yemen, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan," he said. Kaabi is the second top Iraqi militia leader in recent months to come to Lebanon in a show of support to Hezbollah. Senior Hashed commander Qais al-Khazali, who heads the Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia, visited southern Lebanon in December. NATO chief warns EU over defence pact Brussels, Feb 13 (AFP) Feb 13, 2018 NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday warned the EU its new defence cooperation pact must not undermine the alliance, as US officials voiced fresh concerns about the flagship initiative. The European Union launched the scheme with great fanfare in December, touting it as a way to get member states to work more closely post-Brexit and spend more effectively on defence projects. But the plan has come under fire in recent days from US officials who fear it could draw resources away from NATO and even become a "protectionist" umbrella for European defence manufacturers. Stoltenberg, speaking on the eve of a meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels, said there was "no way" the EU could replace the transatlantic alliance in guaranteeing European security. Efforts to boost European defence spending were welcome, he said, but only if they were coordinated with NATO plans. "It will be absolutely without any meaning if NATO and the EU start to compete," the former Norwegian premier told reporters. "European allies are absolutely aware that the defence, the protection of Europe is dependent on NATO." - 'Protectionist' warning - The EU's so-called permanent structured cooperation on defence agreement, known as PESCO, has projects in view already to develop new military equipment and improve cooperation and decision-making. But on Sunday Katie Wheelbarger, a senior official at the US Department of Defense, said Washington was concerned some of the proposed initiatives risked "pulling resources or capabilities away from NATO". And the US stepped up its criticism on Monday, with Ambassador to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison warning the EU there could be serious consequences if it shut US defence companies out of cooperation projects. "Certainly we do not want this to be a protectionist vehicle for the EU and we're going to watch carefully, because if that becomes the case then it could splinter the strong security alliance that we have," she told reporters. "We want the Europeans to have capabilities and strength but not to fence off American products or Norwegian products or potentially UK products." Britain, which is leaving the EU next year, is one of only three member states along with Denmark and Malta not to sign up to the pact. Under the rules of the cooperation agreement, as a non-EU state Britain will be able to take part in specific missions but will have no decision-making role. The disquiet over PESCO means a working dinner at the defence ministers' meeting on Wednesday, which EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini is set to attend, takes on added importance. A European diplomat insisted EU defence cooperation posed no threat to NATO, saying that while "a little explanatory work" was needed to reassure the Americans, there was no fundamental conflict. But the diplomat said the fact the US does not have a full ambassador to the EU in post was a problem. "If the US appointed an ambassador to the EU -- which they haven't done for over a year -- it would be easier to explain what the Europeans are doing," the diplomat said. War-battered Iraq says it's 'open for investors' Kuwait City, Feb 13 (AFP) Feb 13, 2018 War-battered Iraq sought Tuesday to attract international investors to rebuild the country after defeating the Islamic State group, offering hundreds of projects and touting extensive legal guarantees. "Iraq is open for investors," declared Sami al-Araji, chairman of Iraq's National Investment Commission, on the second day of a major reconstruction conference in Kuwait. Baghdad says it needs nearly $90 billion to rebuild after a three-year war against IS which devastated homes, schools, hospitals and economic infrastructure, displacing millions of people. World Bank officials joined Iraqi government representatives on Tuesday in Kuwait City to seek pledges from more than 2,000 representatives of international firms in attendance. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told the conference that much work was needed to rebuild Iraq and "modernise" its economy. "It is equally important to show that ISIS and its violent ideology have failed," he said, using an alternative acronym for IS. "A government that is inclusive, accountable and transparent builds a society that can counter extremist ideologies." Araji said Iraq, which has been either at war or under international sanctions since 1980, is offering projects in almost every field of the economy. He presented more than 200 projects open to investors, including oil refineries, massive housing and industrial ventures, transport projects and at least four power plants. Investors will enjoy a high level of legal protection, Araji said, adding that Iraq is also planning to establish four economic zones. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian called for the entire country to benefit from "reconstruction, stabilisation and national reconciliation". "Reconstruction efforts should not leave out any region or community, especially those who have been marginalised in Iraq's recent history," he said. "I am thinking in particular of Kurdistan, which took more than its share of the burden and the sacrifices" in the fight against IS. Tensions between Baghdad and Iraq's Kurds have been high following a controversial September referendum on Kurdish independence, which prompted the central government to seize back oil-rich Kirkuk province from Kurdish forces. Iraq said its 10-year reconstruction plan will cost $88.2 billion, of which $22 billion was required immediately. Non-governmental organisations on Monday pledged $330 million, but the main commitments are expected to be made by about 70 countries on Wednesday, the last day of the conference. Iraqi and World Bank officials on Tuesday talked up legal guarantees available in post-IS Iraq, pointing to an investment law that offers ownership, unlimited cash transfers and tax breaks, among other benefits. Nizar Nasser Hussein, the head of the legal department at the National Investment Commission, said the latest version of the law does not distinguish between foreign and Iraqi investors. "Foreign investors can establish Iraqi companies," he told AFP, adding that investors would be given lease contracts for 50 years, renewable for a similar period. In addition, investors will be exempt from customs duties and income tax for 10-15 years, Hussein said. Araji said investors in Iraq will find "high risks, but high returns". Bosnian Serbs' weapons purchase upsets Muslims Sarajevo, Feb 13 (AFP) Feb 13, 2018 Several Bosnian Muslim officials voiced concern Tuesday over the purchase of 2,500 new rifles by Bosnian Serb police, seeing it as an embryo of the entity's armed formation. Since its 1990s inter-ethnic war, Bosnia consists of two semi-independent halves -- the Bosnian Serbs' Republika Srpska (RS) and the Muslim-Croat Federation. The two entities share weak central institutions while each has its own government, parliament and police. However, the country has a joint army. Bosnian Serb President Milorad Dodik, regularly accused of separatist aspirations, on Monday confirmed the purchase of the rifles. "We are witnessing that Republika Srpska president is working on establishing some sort of armed formations," RS vice-president Ramiz Salkic, of the main Muslim SDA party, told Vijesti.ba news portal on Tuesday. According to Bosnia's constitution, each entity must have two vice-presidents from other ethnic groups than the president, meaning that RS has a Muslim and a Croat vice-president. "Are they (rifles) for special police? If that's the case it is too much, enormous," the Muslim-Croat entity's Interior Minister Aljosa Campara, also of the SDA, told reporters. The weapons, ordered from a Serbia's arms factory last October, should arrive in RS in March. Dodik told reporters that the purchase was "nothing more than the modernisation of police and strengthening of its role". A month ago Bosnian intelligence authorities said they were investigating media reports that a pro-Russian paramilitary unit has been set up with Dodik's approval. Dodik firmly rejected the claims. On Tuesday he said that the questioning of the arms purchase was aimed at "shifting the attention from fundamental security problems" which are, according to him, "presence of jihadist fighters in Bosnia". Once a darling of the west, the Bosnian Serb strongman now shows more sympathies for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Bosnia's 1992-1995 war between its Croats, Muslims and Serbs claimed some 100,000 lives. A half of the country's 3.5 million citizens are Muslims, a third are Serbs, while Croats make some 15 percent of the population. Tillerson calls on allies to focus on fighting IS Kuwait City, Feb 13 (AFP) Feb 13, 2018 US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urged allies Tuesday to stay focused on fighting the Islamic State group, saying Turkey's military offensive in northern Syria had "detracted" from the anti-jihadist battle. Tillerson spoke at a ministerial meeting in Kuwait of the US-led military coalition that has been fighting IS in Iraq and Syria, being held in parallel with a conference on reconstruction in Iraq. The jihadist group has lost much of the territory it once controlled when it seized large swathes of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014. "The end of major combat operations does not mean we have achieved the enduring defeat of ISIS," Tillerson said, using another acronym for IS. "ISIS remains a serious threat to the stability of the region, our homelands and other parts of the globe," he said. Iraq declared victory over IS in December, but the extremist group still has a presence in Syria, where the US-led coalition has backed a Kurdish-Arab alliance fighting the jihadists. And Iraqi government forces backed by a US-led coalition last week staged a major operation against "IS remnants" in the northeast. - Anti-IS infighting - The US-backed campaign against IS in Syria has been complicated since Turkey-backed Arab militia last month began an offensive against Kurdish forces in the northwestern region of Afrin. The Turkish operation "has detracted from our fight to defeat Islamic State in eastern Syria", Tillerson said of ongoing offensives by US-backed Kurdish militia to clear remaining pockets of extremists. "Forces have diverted from there to Afrin," he said. The Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) have been a key component of the US-backed alliance fighting IS, but Washington's NATO ally Turkey says they are a "terrorist" offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). "We remain concerned over recent events in northwest Syria and call on all parties to remain focused on defeating ISIS," Tillerson said. "We will continue to be completely transparent with Turkey about our efforts in Syria to defeat ISIS," he added, giving a nod to Turkey's right to "counterterrorism efforts" on its border. Tillerson said the United States would nonetheless maintain an "ISIS-focused military presence in Syria" and "continue to train local security forces" -- a reference to Washington's contentious Kurdish allies. He said IS had the capacity to re-emerge in liberated territories of Iraq and Syria or elsewhere. "Every one of us must continue to adapt and strengthen our coalition to counter ISIS' own network of foreign fighters, financing and propaganda. "We have seen in Iraq and Syria the consequences of an ISIS territorial presence. History must not be allowed to repeat itself elsewhere," Tillerson said. - Iraq seeks support - War-battered Iraq sought Tuesday to attract international investors to rebuild the country at a parallel reconstruction conference in Kuwait, offering hundreds of projects and touting extensive legal guarantees. "Iraq is open for investors," declared Sami al-Araji, chairman of Iraq's National Investment Commission, on the second day of the conference. Baghdad says it needs nearly $90 billion to rebuild devastated homes, schools, hospitals and economic infrastructure after three years of war against IS. It is a tall order, given scepticism about the government's record on corruption. Iraq in 2016 came 11th from the bottom on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index. "A government that is inclusive, accountable, and transparent builds a society that can counter extremist ideologies," Tillerson told the conference. Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said his government had started fighting bureaucracy and corruption with a "programme of economic reforms". - Wide range of projects - French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said all of Iraq should benefit from "reconstruction, stabilisation and national reconciliation". He cited "Kurdistan, which took more than its share of the burden and the sacrifices" in the fight against IS. Araji said that Iraq, which has been either at war or under international sanctions since 1980, is offering projects in almost every field of its economy, from oil to agriculture. World Bank officials joined Iraqi government representatives on Tuesday in Kuwait City to seek pledges from more than 2,000 representatives of international firms. They talked up legal guarantees available in post-IS Iraq, pointing to an investment law that offers ownership, unlimited cash transfers and tax breaks, among other benefits. Nizar Nasser Hussein, head of the legal department at the National Investment Commission, said the latest version of the law does not distinguish between foreign and Iraqi investors. "Foreign investors can establish Iraqi companies," he told AFP, adding that investors would be given lease contracts for 50 years, renewable for a similar period. Investors will also be exempt from customs duties and income tax for 10-15 years, Hussein said. Iraq on Monday sentenced a former trade minister to 21 years in jail for corruption, weeks after Interpol handed him over to authorities, a government source said. Araji said investors in Iraq will find "high risks, but high returns". TO VIEW MORE NEWS STORY, PLEASE CLICK ON NEWS TAB ON MAIN MENU BAR (JTA) Amid a polarizing debate in Poland and beyond about the countrys complicity in the Holocaust, a lawmaker for the ruling Law and Justice party said communist Jews, not Poles, should apologize for anti-Semitism.Krystyna Pawowicz in an op-ed... Wed., Sept. 15, 7-10 p.m. The Alamo 115 N. Fifth St., Springfield Downtown $5 Live Music Albert Castiglia, will be making a stop at the Alamo on Wednesday, September 15, as part of a nationwide tour. Albert is considered one of the best in the blues and he and his band are always in high demand. Albert's first big break came as the guitar player for the legendary Junior Wells and now he's poised to become a legend himself. The Miami New Times said, "It may be a bit premature to crown Albert Castiglia Americas newest King of the Blues, but theres little doubt that he at least deserves the title of heir apparent. 217-523-1455 Bourbon accelerates its transformation to be ready for the announced recovery Paris, February 13, 2018 BOURBON presents its new strategic action plan #BOURBONINMOTION BOURBON accelerates its transformation to be ready for the announced recovery BOURBON Corporation is accelerating its transformation and announces today its action plan, #BOURBONINMOTION, enabling it to meet the need for competitiveness and to respond to customers' new demands, in the context of a market that has challenged all market players in the Oil & Gas industry. The Board of Directors approved the plan and its implementation on February 12, 2018. "As the market cycle has bottomed out, BOURBON must focus more than ever on operational excellence, fleet utilization rates, cost reduction program and free cash flow preservation. However, we need to go even further, because market overcapacity is driving prices down sustainably and we believe that tomorrow will look very different from yesterday. The crisis has highlighted the need to change our model and this is what the #BOURBONINMOTION plan is all about," declared Gael Bodenes, Chief Executive Officer of BOURBON Corporation. The #BOURBONINMOTION action plan is based on two priorities: Better serving customers by reorganizing the activities of BOURBON Corporation into three distinct affiliates : Bourbon Marine & Logistics, Bourbon Subsea Services and Bourbon Mobility. These three entities will be able to implement their own strategies and will be supported by a dedicated governance structure (management team whose Chief Executive Officer will report to a Board of Directors). They will focus on profitable growth changing their model to develop more integrated services. Capitalizing on the digital revolution to better differentiate by connecting the fleet. With the main objective of improving operational excellence at optimum cost, the "Smart shipping" program will connect the fleet of 132 modern Supply vessels (known as the "smart fleet") of Bourbon Marine & Logistics. This program will represent an investment of 75 million over three years and enable a sustainable reduction in vessel operating costs. Within Bourbon Marine & Logistics' traditional fleet of 65 vessels, the 41 oldest vessels, which cannot be connected, (known as the "non-smart fleet") will be sold at current market price. This planned disposal of 41 owned vessels is expected to generate an impairment loss of about 170 million in the 2017 financial statements. These three new affiliates will benefit from privileged access to the market, thanks in particular to the many existing partnerships in the main countries where BOURBON currently operates in strict compliance with local regulations, particularly in terms of local content. The 2017 financial statements are currently being finalized and have not been audited yet. In addition to the impairment loss to be recognized on the disposal of the "non-smart fleet" and with adjusted EBITDAR expected to be around 250 million (compared to an adjusted EBITDAR of 383 million euros in 2016), still penalized by challenging market conditions, provisions and depreciations recorded in relation to these conditions, and the weakening of the U.S. Dollar against the Euro, the consolidated net loss for 2017 is expected at around 600 million* (compared to a net loss of 279.6 million euros in 2016). With a positive free cash flow 2017 expected over 100 million, showing a strong growth over the previous year (64.7 million in 2016), BOURBON is recognized as one well positioned company of the OSV sector to benefit from the announced recovery. Jacques de Chateauvieux, Executive Chairman of BOURBON Corporation, commented: "We are ready to meet the challenges of the transformation profoundly impacting the Oil & Gas industry and already driving major changes at our key customers. The #BOURBONINMOTION action plan unveils the new face of BOURBON, which is, as in the past, not afraid to reinvent itself and innovate with the commitment of the women and men who contribute to its development around the world. Indeed, beyond the technological revolution lies a personal revolution for all BOURBON team members." The detailed presentation of the #BOURBONINMOTION action plan will be given today in Paris and will be available later in the day on www.bourbonoffshore.com. 2017 Annual Results will be announced on March 15, 2018. (*) Excluding the potential effect of the impairment tests, not yet performed, on the 4 cash generating units of the group (Deep, Shallow, Crew and Subsea) using the discounted cash flow method. About BOURBON Among the market leaders in marine services for offshore oil & gas, BOURBON offers the most demanding oil & gas companies a wide range of marine services, both surface and sub-surface, for offshore oil & gas fields and wind farms. These extensive services rely on a broad range of the latest-generation vessels and the expertise of almost 8,400 skilled employees. Through its 37 operating subsidiaries the group provides local services as close as possible to customers and their operations throughout the world, of the highest standards of service and safety. BOURBON provides two operating activities (Marine Services and Subsea Services) and also protects the French coastline for the French Navy. In 2017, BOURBON'S revenue came to 860.6 million and the company operated a fleet of 508 vessels. Placed by ICB (Industry Classification Benchmark) in the "Oil Services" sector, BOURBON is listed on the Euronext Paris, Compartment B. Contacts BOURBON Media relations agency Publicis Consultants Investor Relations, Analysts, shareholders Vilizara Lazarova +33 140 138 607 +33 144 824 634 investor-relations@bourbon-online.com vilizara.lazarova@consultants.publicis.fr Corporate Communication Christelle Loisel +33 491 136 732 christelle.loisel@bourbon-online.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: BOURBON via Globenewswire 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. Escape Arts group who won Educator of the Year. The winners for this years Pride of Stratford District Awards supported by Sitel were announced last weekend with Escape Arts as Educator of the Year among the winners. While the Stratford District Pride Award went to the Hedgehog Friendly Town the Community Impact Award with Stratford Town Trust went to the Stratford Foodbank. The awards were held at the Stratfords Crowne Plaza on Friday 9th February at a glittering ceremony hosted by Touch FMs Breakfast Show, presenters Si Alexander and Ollie Gallant. The awards, organised by local radio station 102 Touch FM, celebrated the best businesses, individuals and community organisations across the district and their achievements and was attended by over 350 people. Steve Orchard, Chief Executive of Touch FM, and one of the judges said: this year we celebrated the seventh Pride of Stratford Awards and all sectors of our area; community, business and public have supported us magnificently. These prestigious awards have grown to become the must attend highlights of the districts calendar. They provide a platform for what would otherwise remain untold stories. These stories are about achievement, citizenship, teamwork, excellence and community spirit." 2018 Winners Business of the Year with Stratford Business Forum Winner: Dallas Burston Polo Club Small Business of the Year with Wasps Winner: Warwick Events Business Person of the Year with the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Winner: Paul and Rhiain Foster- Salt Hospitality Business with Crowne Plaza Winner: The One Elm Town Centre with Stratforward Winner: Gemini Team of the Year with Touch FM Winners: Sitel and & Shakespeares Schoolroom and Guildhall Customer Care Award with Shakespeares England Winners: Marcus Roofing and Welcombe Care Artisan Award with Table Art Winner: Hoorays British Gelato Kitchen Arts Organisation of the Year with The RSC Winner: In2Cultures Tourism Initiative Winner: Stratford River Festival Carer Winner: ILEAP Citizen Winner: Matt Beacham Long Service Volunteer with Stratford District Council Winner: Mike Strophair Educator of the Year Winner: Escape Arts Young Achiever of the Year Winners: Jack Sumners and Sophie Evans-Lee Community Impact Award with Stratford Town Trust Winners: The Stratford Foodbank Stratford District Pride Award with Sitel Winner: Hedgehog Friendly Town Four Special Awards were presented to: David Beacham Citation: At 83 years young, he is working in the same town centre business he set up 60 years ago. There have been times you would have forgiven him for giving up. His family home of some fifty years burnt to the ground in 2013.just at the precise moment his wife was diagnosed with cancer After moving to temporary accommodation, they were flooded out twice; once on Christmas Eve. The following February his wife passed away. Throughout this time, this remarkable gentleman continued to serve his customers at his business and the shop continues to be open today. He is well respected in the town for his strong work ethic and loved dearly by his family who he has supported throughout. Janice Heritage Citation: The next Special Award is for an individual that has been working in a volunteering capacity since 1976 with the Stratford Cubs and Scouts. For over 40 years she has supported and given guidance to literally hundreds of young people. Her dedication and commitment have enabled generations of youngsters throughout the area to continue to make new friends and develop valuable life skills. Some of whom are probably now adults in this room tonight. This individual continues to be involved in fund raising and group social events, she is always available to help, and ensures that the children learn new things in both a correct and safe way. Shes also been instrumental in the development of the Group, including fundraising for a new kitchen and creating disabled access. Jo Wheelwright Horn Citation: The recipient of our next award lost her mother a few years ago to a brain tumour. The family was devastated, and this individual was left with a huge void in her life. In such circumstances, many of us would struggle to cope but this remarkable lady decided that she would help others by fundraising for Brain Tumour support. She also created a monthly Sunday lunch support group because she is a strong believer in the foundation of a family and that nobody should eat Sunday lunch alone. In less than 12 months the group has grown from 23 to over 250 members. It offers friendship and companionship to members of all ages from all walks of life and each event also raises funds for Brain Tumour Support. Her endless hard work and enthusiasm has helped bring together an amazing and ever-growing network of friends in the Stratford area and has enhanced the lives of many. Citation: Dr Diana Owen Our final special award is for an individual who has offered outstanding leadership in the development of the most important cultural icon of our town. Through her leadership, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust has achieved incredible results and an astounding transformation of the organisation over the last 10 years. Her term with SBT is at an end and she has left the team with what has been described as a legacy of an engaged, strong and optimistic organisation. This individual has transformed the Trust into an inclusive charity that has put Shakespeare and his home town of Stratford-upon-Avon on the world stage. She has forged successful partnerships and created new opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to enjoy Shakespeare. Her involvement in the 400th Birthday Celebrations played its part in bringing over 10,000 visitors to our town and attracted a host of celebrities and royalty to take part in the celebrations. With the creation of resources such as Shakespeare Documented- an online source for primary school children and Shakespeare Lives - a global programme celebrating Shakespeares works, The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust ensures an ongoing library of his works for generations to come. Most recently she has led the successful completion of the Trusts biggest project for 50 years, the re-presentation of Shakespeares New Place, the most enduring celebration of Shakespeares legacy created anywhere in the world to mark the 400th anniversary of his death in 2016. Her clear vision and commitment towards The Birthplace Trust has been paramount in creating the successful and thriving charity that we see here today. Tektronix Announces Interoperability with AWS Media Services Pairing Tektronix Video Quality Solutions with AWS Media Services Supports End-to-End Video Quality Assurance for Pay TV Operators, Broadcasters and OTT Providers Moving to the Cloud BEAVERTON, Ore( ) Tektronix, Inc., an industry-leading innovator of video test, monitoring and diagnostics solutions, has announced interoperability with its video quality assurance solutions and Amazon Web Services (AWS) Elemental MediaLive, AWS Elemental MediaConvert, and AWS Elemental MediaPackage. The combination gives video providers, including pay TV operators, broadcasters and OTT providers, a scalable and cost-effective means to convert and package video content into various formats, while ensuring quality across the video workflow from acquisition to delivery. Customers turning to these services can now use Tektronix Sentry for monitoring live streaming video along their workflow, from AWS cloud ingest through to content delivery networks. For file-based analysis, Tektronix Aurora file-based QC ensures compliance of media files on Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) to meet quality, regulatory and workflow requirements. To be successful on the cloud, content providers need to have the ability to diagnose and isolate issues along the workflow, said Charlie Dunn, general manager, video product line, Tektronix. We are excited to be collaborating with AWS to deliver QC solutions. Tektronix solutions offer integrated analysis and diagnostics capabilities as follows: Sentry Real-Time Monitoring -- AWS Elemental MediaLive is a real-time video encoding service and works in combination with AWS Elemental MediaPackage for content origination, just-in-time packaging, and encryption. The Tektronix Sentry monitoring and diagnostics solution for these new products (as well as the Amazon CloudFront CDN) delivers end-to-end measurement and reporting on issues in live streams that impact customers viewing experience the most, often before they lead to actual customer disruption. Sentry also offers true video quality of experience (QoE) and picture quality analysis on encrypted networks. The software-based solution can be deployed where its needed in cloud or hybrid network environments. Aurora File-Based QC -- AWS Elemental MediaConvert is a file-to-file video transcoding service with packaging and encryption capabilities and can function as a standalone service or within a larger video workflow. By using Aurora with AWS Elemental MediaConvert, video providers can automate file QC on Amazon S3 storage to ensure a reliable and high quality VOD viewing experience. For OTT services, Auroras perceptual video quality and TekMOS picture scoring reveals any encoding and alignment issues to ensure a great viewer experience. Depending on how workflows are structured, Aurora can perform QC testing of files in Amazon S3 folders from a web-based user interface, through an API or through Amazon S3 watch-folder automation. To learn more, please visit: tek.com/AWSelemental About Tektronix Headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, Tektronix delivers innovative, precise and easy-to-operate test, measurement and monitoring solutions that solve problems, unlock insights and drive discovery. Tektronix has been at the forefront of the digital age for over 70 years. Join us on the journey of innovation at TEK.COM. National Party Leader Bill English has today announced he will resign as Leader of the National Party and leave parliament. Bill says his resignation as leader will take effect on February 27 and that he intends to deliver his valedictory speech on March 1. Its been an enormous privilege to serve New Zealanders since being elected to Parliament in 1990," he says. Over 27 years I have been privileged to work alongside so many people to improve our country. I am proud of the innovative work done as a Health Minister in the 90s, and then as Finance Minister through the GFC, helping to stabilise and grow the economy and to rebuild Christchurch. In recent years I enjoyed the development of Social Investment and new ways of the Crown working with Maori to make a real difference, and I was honoured to lead New Zealand as Prime Minister. Nationals two-day caucus meeting last week confirmed to me that our team has the talent, the ideas and the energy to return to government in 2020. Its important that Nationals new Leader has the time and the best possible opportunity to achieve that. So I believe now is the right time to step aside and to embark on new personal and professional opportunities. Ive served with some outstanding politicians and I want to thank my parliamentary colleagues and the National Party for the trust and support they have given me. Bill English expects the new leadership team will be ready to go when he formally steps down on Feb 27 Chris Bramwell (@ChrisBramwell) February 12, 2018 Im also indebted to the people and communities of Clutha-Southland - and before that Wallace - who sent me to Parliament and kept me grounded for so many years. To our supporters, thank you for keeping your faith in us through nine years in government, and through the change of government. I know that our MPs will continue to represent your ambition for New Zealand. Most importantly I would like to thank my family. Mary and our children, Luke, Thomas, Maria, Rory, Bart and Xavier. For all our time together we have lived with demands of public service. Your strength and tolerance has enabled my career. You have been my inspiration and pride and I now look forward to a new life together. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has paid tribute to outgoing National Party Leader Bill English. Bill has worked tirelessly as Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Finance Minister, and Opposition Leader among his many public roles. Very few serve for so long at such a high level, but garner the respect of many. He has always stood for what he believes in. He is a man of clear convictions who has always had a genuine concern for the well-being of New Zealanders, and gave a huge portion of his working life to serving on their behalf," says Jacinda. The impact of public service on a politicians family cannot be understated. In the 27 years Bill served as an MP, with the support of his wife Mary, his children were born, and grew up. They have made great sacrifices so he could do his job to the best of his ability. I wish Bill and his family all the best for the future." Bay of Plenty Our client has plenty of work in the pipeline and as such they are in need of qualified or experienced carpenters for an... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A man walked into a Syracuse hospital Monday night after being stabbed, police said. But when officers asked him to describe the attack, he would not give a straightforward answer, police said. The stabbing was reported at 9:03 p.m. Monday. The Syracuse Police Department responded to Upstate University Hospital on East Adams Street and spoke to a 31-year-old man who had been stabbed in his left arm, said Sgt. Richard Helterline, a police spokesman. "The victim was not cooperative and provided several different accounts of how and where he was injured," Helterline said. There is no suspect information. The stabbing was reported at the same time as a shooting and stabbing on Syracuse's South Side. One man was shot and another man was stabbed during a robbery in the 2200 block of Midland Avenue, Helterline said. Police described the suspects as two males wearing dark masks and dark clothes. The two incidents do not appear to be related, Helterline said. Police asked anyone with information about the stabbing to call (315) 442-5222 or submit tips through the anonymous SPD Tips app. Syracuse, NY -- A Syracuse murder trial was delayed today after a Congolese translator expressed concern the defendant couldn't understand him, a defense lawyer said. Award Kabayiza, 24, a Congolese refugee, is accused of beating to death fellow refugee Jesca Nyirakubanza, 64, of Syracuse, inside a Butternut Street residence. There have been translation problems since the November 2016 murder. Defense lawyer Ralph Cognetti has suggested that the alleged confession: "The woman I killed bit me" was incorrectly translated from Congolese by a police interpreter. And more than one court proceeding has been delayed by shortages or translators struggling to keep up. Today, County Court Judge Thomas J. Miller ordered a translator for Kabayiza's non-jury trial. Opening statements were planned for this morning. But after talking to Kabayiza prior to trial, the translator had bad news for Cognetti: the two men were talking two different dialects. The translator didn't think Kabayiza was catching everything being said -- a crucially important part of a fair trial. So Cognetti expected the trial to be postponed until Wednesday, when another translator could be found. (Court translators are contractors employed on an as-needed basis.) Kabayiza, who remains jailed, faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of murder. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse police were called to a South Side barbershop just after 9 p.m. Monday for a reported shooting and stabbing, according to the Onondaga County 911 Center. Someone called 911 at 9:09 p.m. to say a man in his 20s had been shot in the abdomen and another man had been stabbed. Both men were conscious when police arrived at the barbershop, at 2215 Midland Ave., according to 911. Syracuse police and firefighters, and American Medical Response (AMR) ambulances responded. The Syracuse Police Department's "Crime Scene Unit" van, along with several police vehicles remained on the scene for more than an hour. The owner of the building that houses the barbershop did not want to give her name, but said she hurried to the scene as soon as she learned police were called there Monday night. "I hope no one is seriously hurt," she said, adding that police had not yet spoken to her about what had happened. A tenant who lives in the back of the building also declined to give his name and said he was asleep and never heard what happened. Another man said the man who runs the barbershop had been shot, although police have not yet released a statement about exactly what happened, who was hurt or the extent of their injuries. After the ambulances left the scene, police continued to search the area. Police cameras were recording on either side of the barbershop, at both West Corning and Midland avenues, and West Newell Street and Midland Avenue. Unofficial police scanner reports said the cameras captured two suspects leave the scene on foot from Midland Avenue to West Corning Avenue. One officer told the woman who owned the building, the tenant and other man that the barbershop was a "crime scene." Officers spent time inside the barbershop, as well as outside on Midland and along West Corning avenues. This was the second reported shooting Monday on the city's South Side. The earlier shooting happened around 10 a.m. on May Avenue, about a mile from the Midland Avenue shooting. An 18-year-old man was shot in the arm and hip area in the earlier shooting, police said. The victim was uncooperative and no arrests had been made in the May Avenue shooting, police said. Syracuse police ask anyone with information to call (315) 442-5222. All calls will remain confidential. Anonymous tips may also be submitted using the "SPD Tips" app. SYRACUSE, NY -- It's the annual celebration that features a tanker truck "filled" with green beer, the "world's shortest parade" and the official kick-off of "St. Patrick's Season" in Syracuse. This year's Coleman's Green Beer Sunday is Feb. 25. New Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh will serve as grand marshal. The official announcement notes that Walsh is a "former resident" of Syracuse's Tipp Hill neighborhood, where the event takes place. The festivities officially start at noon, when the parade begins at the corner of Milton and Tompkins (under the upside-down traffic light). It proceeds a block-and-a-half up Tompkins to Coleman's Authentic Irish Pub at the corner of Lowell, where it ends. The party, however, continues for the rest of the day. Music from the band New Day starts at 3 p.m. at the outdoor Tipperary Square pavilion. In the parade, Irish step dancers and bagpipers accompany the main attraction -- a tanker truck draped in Irish colors. It contains, allegedly, green beer "imported from the Emerald Isle," according to the story told for half a century by Coleman's owner Peter Coleman. As grand marshal, the new mayor will help Coleman tap the first beer off the truck. Past grand marshals have included other politicians, radio DJs, Tipp Hill bar owners and even the pastor of the nearby St. Patrick's Catholic Church. In a 2014 interview with syracuse.com, Peter Coleman described the process of picking a grand marshal, at least in the early days of the event: "I'd just go out and say to somebody, 'Hey you want to be the grand marshal?' based on how they looked, whether I liked them. So we give them a sash, they get to be marshal, they get some free beer, and at the end of the day we make sure we get our sash back." Don Cazentre writes about craft beer, wine, spirits and beverages for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The Cuomo administration will seek final approval Friday to spend $15 million renovating a newly built factory in DeWitt for use by a startup company. But a prominent state senator says he still has questions about the project. The state Public Authorities Control Board is scheduled to vote Friday on the grant to NexGen Power Systems, which plans to retool the facility and manufacture next-generation semiconductors. The company has promised to create at least 290 jobs in seven years. State Sen. John DeFrancisco, who is planning to challenge Andrew Cuomo for governor, said he is likely to support the project if state officials can produce a written agreement showing what financial penalties NexGen would face if it fails to perform as promised. "To date, I do not have those details,'' DeFrancisco said today. Officials at Empire State Development said NexGen will have to sign a contract that specifies minimum job creation goals each year along with penalties if the company fails to achieve those numbers. However, the agency has not released any specifics about that agreement yet. In December, NexGen struck a deal with New York state officials to lease the 82,000-square-foot factory, which an affiliate of SUNY Polytechnic Institute built at the suburban Collamer Crossings business park for nearly $90 million. The original tenant intended for the plant, LED lighting manufacturer Soraa, pulled out of the project last fall after state officials rejected its request for more state money to equip the building. State officials then asked NexGen if they wanted to lease the building. Critics, including DeFrancisco, expressed dismay that Soraa paid no penalty for walking away from a nearly completed factory. But officials at Empire State Development, which took over the project from SUNY Poly last year, say they will not spend more state money on the facility without holding NexGen accountable for its promised jobs. The Public Authorities Control Board is a three-person panel that must approve a grant before it can be processed. Each member of the board can veto a proposal. DeFrancisco said he has urged PACB members to get a copy of NexGen's agreement with Empire State Development before they vote on the deal. ESD officials did not immediately respond to a request for the terms of NexGen's agreement. Last week, the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency awarded NexGen a payment-in-lieu-of-tax deal at the property that will save the company $3.1 million over 15 years. NexGen CEO Dinesh Ramanathan has said he hopes to take possession of the building by the end of March. Contact reporter Tim Knauss | email | Twitter | 315-470-3023 A new spicy and salty duo has brought their flavors to Destiny USA. Syracha'Cuse Gourmet Sauces and Syracuse Salt Company opened a tasting bar and shop last week for their gourmet hot sauces, mustards and salt products. The kiosk is located on the first-floor level of the mall, near the elevators, in the corridor near the Disney store that leads to the Canyon area. "Like any new venture, we're testing the waters," said Syracha'Cuse owner Mike Sharlow. Rather than only selling products, the outlet will be interactive with a tasting bar menu. They hope to hold happy hours with "buy one get one half off" or "buy two get one free" deals, Sharlow said. The duo currently features 20 infused salts, seven hot sauces and seven mustards. Syracuse Salt Company also produces salty soaps, candles and slabs that will be available for purchase at the outlet. They can also fulfill custom orders. "A retail location at Destiny will give Syracha'Cuse and Syracuse Salt greater visibility,'' Sharlow said in a press release. "It's like a company store, but at the mall." Destiny USA was the duo's ideal location because they recognized that the mall doesn't only attract locals but out-of-towners as well. With so many similarities between the two partners, the collaboration came naturally. Both businesses are father-daughter teams. Sharlow launched the sauce company with his daughter Marissa in 2016 and David Iannicello and his daughter Libby Croom launched Syracuse Salt Company in 2015. Both focus on strengthening local business with collaborations with other Central New York businesses, like Empire Brewing Company and Recess Coffee, to make many of their products. Their products can be found at many local markets, special events and locally owned retail outlets, frequently alongside each other. The Destiny USA outlet is open Tuesday through Thursday 3 to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 3 to 9 p.m., and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. The store is closed on Mondays. Hours may change in the future. About the businesses Rachel Renock sold her camera and canceled brunch dates to scrape together enough money for rent. She walked whenever possible to avoid transportation fees and told herself she had six months to turn her dream into a reality. A year later, she closed $1 million in funding for her new tech startup company. Renock is now the CEO and co-founder of Wethos, which connects nonprofits with talented freelancers. The Syracuse University graduate visited Jamesville-DeWitt High School Tuesday morning to talk to seniors about the success and struggles of starting her own company. About 80 students sat in the audience wide-eyed, listening to Renock's story of coming out as a lesbian, dealing with sexual harassment and quitting her job. She spent the afternoon meeting sharing her journey with students at the Syracuse University School of Information Studies. The idea of starting Wethos came to Renock when she worked in advertising two years ago. She knew her coworkers were talented, but didn't think they were putting their skills into meaningful work. Meanwhile, Renock was freelancing for nonprofits and realized she could fuse the two. That's when she quit her job. "Right now, we as a culture feel nonprofits shouldn't be spending money on graphic design, web design or social media strategies, but they also need that to be successful," Renock said. Renock looked at nonprofits' financial statements and saw organizations were spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on outsourcing. With Wethos, nonprofits will spend between $5,000 and $10,000 for the same work. These organizations and freelancers can sign up on Wethos' website and a project consultants will connect the two. Wethos then takes 15 percent of the freelancers' pay. Rachel Renock visited Jamesville-DeWitt High School Tuesday morning to talk to seniors about the success and struggles of starting her own company. The company launch wasn't easy. Renock and her two business partners dealt with sexist comments while searching for funding. But it didn't stop them. They became more comfortable talking about the treatment of women in the tech world and Renock realized which investors she didn't want to work with. "If someone thinks me trying to get sexual harassment out of workplace is wrong, they suck and I don't want to work with those people," she said. Renock is also trying to dismantle the double standards in tech. She has no problem showing up to events in her ripped jeans, leather jacket and band T-shirt. "If guys can wear New Balances and band T-shirts to work then why can't I?" she said. "People judge me, and I don't care." Renock's confidence also stems from coming out. She says walking the world as a gay woman made her see sexism, racism, and homophobia in a different way, and she wanted to do more for organizations that help underserved communities. Terri Eaton, an English teacher, was happy to have Renock back at J-D high school and said her discussion with the seniors was needed. "No path is the same and some of these kids are so worried about money they aren't thinking about what they love and just trying different things while they're young," Eaton said. Renock's talk struck a chord with the students when she told them how important it is to know how to make memes and use social media. The students looked around at each other and smiled. "Never let anyone underpay you for creative work or social media," Renock said to the students. "Creating content is important and they'll think you're young so you can't let them take advantage of you." Renock's next step is to partner with more organizations and bring in $2 to $3 million in funding. She even encouraged the students to apply to a summer internship with Wethos. As of now, she'll continue to work 60 to 70 hours a week and hopes to move into a solo apartment this summer. Until then, she'll continue to be her own boss and make it up as she goes along. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Oswego County sheriff's deputies found 110 pounds of cocaine during a traffic stop this weekend on Interstate 81 in Hastings, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Syracuse. Deputies stopped Jake Patnode, 24, of Hogansburg in Franklin County, for speeding Saturday night on I-81 North in Oswego County, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. During the stop, deputies seized approximately 50 kilograms, or 110 pounds of cocaine, from the vehicle Patnode was driving, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York in Syracuse. Patnode is now facing conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. The charge carries a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million and supervised release that can last five years to life. Patnode appeared in federal court Monday. During the court appearance, a judge ordered that Patnode be held without bail. He is scheduled to reappear in court for a hearing Thursday. U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and the Oswego County Sheriff's Office are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Levine is prosecuting. To the Editor: Onondaga Community College was pleased to learn that Gov. Andrew Cuomo's "No Student Goes Hungry" plan would require food pantries on all public college and university campuses in the state. At OCC, we have had a college-coordinated food pantry since 2014. We opened the pantry because we realized that students have many ancillary costs that are not covered by financial aid. For example, our students are often managing the costs of textbooks, family care, transportation and health care. We found that students reported difficulty paying for food (15 percent), transportation (20 percent), child care (4 percent) and health care (11 percent), and 58 percent said that they would not know where to go to apply for services such as SNAP, Medicaid or transportation assistance. As a recent commentary in the New York Times recognized, these issues affect all types of colleges and universities across the country. At OCC, we opened the Community Care Hub in 2016 to provide on-campus access to these services. Through partnerships with community organizations, students can access public benefits, financial planning, housing assistance, health and wellness support, transportation assistance, legal services, food security and free tax preparation. We are grateful to our many partners who support our students (Onondaga County, City of Syracuse, CNY Works, JOBSPlus!, ACCES-VR, Contact Community Resources, Legal Services of CNY, Salvation Army, and PEACE, Inc., to name a few). We know that these non-academic barriers have real consequences for students' academic achievement. As Professor Sara Goldrick-Rab wrote in her New York Times piece: "it's impossible to learn when you're starving." We applaud Gov. Cuomo for leading the way nationally in making sure that students' basic needs are met, allowing them to learn and pursue their educational and career goals. Casey Crabill, Ed.D. President Onondaga Community College State Sen. John DeFrancisco on Tuesday picked up the biggest endorsement yet in his bid for governor when Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan offered his support. The endorsement from Flanagan, R-Long Island, is significant because he is the most powerful Republican in state government and he represents a region with the most influence in selecting a GOP candidate for governor. When the Republican State Committee meets in May to designate a gubernatorial candidate, committee members from the Long Island counties of Suffolk (9.9 percent) and Nassau (9.6 percent) will have the highest weighted votes in that process. Under GOP rules, the party's designation for governor is given to the candidate who receives more than 50 percent of the weighted vote. DeFrancisco, R-DeWitt, emerged this weekend as the leading contender for the designation after his chief rival, Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, abruptly dropped out of the race. DeFrancisco has locked up about 15 percent of the GOP's weighted vote and received endorsements from the chairs of 13 Republican county committees. Flanagan, who outmaneuvered DeFrancisco in May 2015 to win a battle for majority leader, on Tuesday said his one-time rival is the right person to challenge Gov. Andrew Cuomo in November. "John DeFrancisco is a strong, smart and principled leader for New York, and I am confident he possesses the character and the skill set to be an outstanding governor," Flanagan said in a statement. "I am pleased and proud to endorse his candidacy, and urge my fellow Republicans to organize and energize behind him." DeFrancisco, the Senate's deputy majority leader, has worked closely with Flanagan since 2015 as the second-ranking member of the Senate. "He recognizes what needs to be done to turn this state around," Flanagan said. "He will make an outstanding governor." With Kolb's exit, the only other announced candidate in the GOP race is former Erie County executive Joel Giambra, who has not picked up any county committee endorsements. Joseph Holland, who served in the administration of former Gov. George Pataki, has also been considering whether to enter the campaign for the Republican designation. Contact Mark Weiner anytime: Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751 WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump's $4.4 trillion budget plan would slash funding for interstate highways, jeopardizing New York's plan to transform a stretch of Interstate 81 in Syracuse in the next decade, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said Tuesday. The plan unveiled Monday by the White House would cut the federal Highway Trust Fund by $122 billion over 10 years, drying up the main source of federal aid to the states for road projects and mass transit. Schumer said such a deep cut would make it more difficult for New York state to compete for federal money to demolish the elevated portion of Interstate 81 and replace it with a new highway, street-level boulevard or tunnel. Those options range in cost from $1.3 billion to $4.5 billion, according to state studies. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has ordered a study, due early next year, that will recommend one of the options. But it may come too late for significant federal aid, Schumer warned Tuesday. "With the massive cuts to existing infrastructure programs proposed in the administration's budget, projects like I-81 would be next to impossible to build,' Schumer said. The federal Highway Trust Fund, paid for primarily by the federal gas tax, spends about $41 billion a year. Trump's proposal would cut the spending by an average of about 25 percent over the course of 10 years, according to an analysis of the budget plan by Schumer's office. If Congress approves cutting the trust fund, states would have to compete for shrinking federal aid. The federal government typically pays 80 percent of the cost of interstate highway projects, with states paying for 20 percent. Schumer said it's clear that state and local taxpayers would end up paying a larger percentage of the costs for Interstate 81 in Syracuse if Congress goes along with the proposal. "Under the Trump proposal - which just passes the buck from the feds to states, cities and counties - to build a project like I-81, local taxes would rise and all drivers in the Syracuse area would be forced to pay a 'Trump Toll' every time they got on that road," Schumer said. Trump made his budget proposal on the same day he touted spending $200 billion in federal funds on an infrastructure plan intended to stimulate $1.5 trillion in new construction when combined with private investment. That plan reverses the traditional funding formula, providing 20 percent from the federal government and 80 percent from state and local governments and private partners. The infrastructure proposals will not change the existing funding formulas for interstate highways. But Schumer's office calculated that Trump's plan will pay for $200 billion in new federal infrastructure investments by cutting $240 billion from existing programs, including $122 billion from the Highway Trust Fund over 10 years. Contact Mark Weiner anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751 Constantinos "Danny" Filippidis, the man reported missing from the Whiteface Mountain ski area in the Adirondacks last week, has been found safe in Sacramento, California, according to the New York State Police. Filippidis, a firefighter from Toronto who had gone with friends and family to the popular Upstate NY ski resort, made contact with authorities in New York on Tuesday. It marked the end of a week-long multi-agency search for the man. More than 140 people from different agencies including the DEC, NYS Police and the Department of Homeland Security assisted in search operations, which began last Wednesday after Filippidis disappeared. Helicopters, drones and dogs were used to assist. Filippidis last told his traveling companions that he was going to get one more ski run in for the day, between 2:30 and 4:30 on Wednesday. That was the last time anyone in the group saw him. The investigation is ongoing, and police said details will be released at a later date. The search required a combined 7,000 hours from the 140 people, officials told the Albany Times Union on Monday. One group of volunteers, the Search and Rescue of the Northern Adirondacks, posted to Facebook to say that they had spent a combined 109.5 hours searching for the skier. Governor Andrew Cuomo introduced his brand new and very adorable puppy to a gaggle of supporters at the Governor's Mansion on Monday, and shared a video on Twitter. Proud to introduce the newest member of the Cuomo Administration: Captain pic.twitter.com/36xxqVlNsQ Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) February 12, 2018 The squirmy, 14-week-old Siberian-Shepherd-Malibu mix was named "Captain," by his daughters. Cuomo said his idea to name the puppy "Excelsior" after the state motto was outvoted. "They had to have a puppy. They are nowhere to be found now," the governor joked to the crowd. Cuomo said Captain is working on house breaking or "mansion training," as he calls it. Police are investigating a "suspicious" white powder found at former President Barack Obama's office in Washington, D.C. Fox 5 TV reports cops were called to Obama's capital office around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday for an unknown "white powdery substance" sent there. According to TMZ, emergency responders are on the scene and investigating to determine if it's safe. Cops have blocked off traffic in the area of 1250 24th St. in northwest Washington, D.C., for the time being. It's unclear if Obama was inside, but the New York Post reported he has leased space at the building, owned by the nonprofit World Wildlife Fund, since leaving office in January 2017. Obama and his family live nearby. The incident comes less than a day after Donald Trump Jr.'s wife Vanessa was hospitalized after being exposed to a white powder sent to Don Jr. The substance turned out to be cornstarch, but Vanessa Trump still checked into a hospital as a precaution after coughing and feeling nauseous. "Thankful that Vanessa & my children are safe and unharmed after the incredibly scary situation that occurred this morning," the first son of President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter afterwards. "Truly disgusting that certain individuals choose to express their opposing views with such disturbing behavior." The U.S. Secret Service is investigating both incidents. "A special thanks today to the great men & women of the @NYPDnews @FDNY @SecretService @NewYorkFBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force for their decisive action and incredible words of support to my wife and family. Their professionalism under pressure made a rough day manageable," Donald Trump Jr. tweeted. Welcome, DISH customer! Please note that we cannot save your viewing history due to an arrangement with DISH. Watchlist and resume progress features have been disabled. ACCEPT Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt has alternative beliefs on climate change. Pruitt doesn't believe that the Earth is going through climate change, now he's claiming that climate change may be beneficial to human. The EPA chief is going against all of the scientific data that suggests that climate change is harmful to humanity. Climate Denier Scott Pruitt was interviewed by KSNV in Las Vegas, he acknowledged passingly that climate change is real but argues that it's not as bad as people are trying to make it seem. Pruitt argued against scientific data that researchers have produced. "I think there are assumptions made that because the climate is warming, that necessarily is a bad thing," said Pruitt. Scientists say that changes to temperatures all over the world have an adverse effect on the wildlife and plant life. Coral in the Great Barrier Reef is dying, there is a rise in sea level due to the melting happening in the poles, and the weather is becoming extreme. Scott Pruitt was appointed by President Donald Trump, he's been known to deny climate change. In this interview, he acknowledged that global temperatures are rising but remain skeptical as to whether or not this was caused by humans. "Is it an existential threat, is it something that is unsustainable, or what kind of effect or harm is this going to have?" said Pruitt in the interview. "We know that humans have most flourished during times of, what, warming trends? There are assumptions made that because the climate is warming that necessarily is a bad thing." Pruitt added that there are assumptions being made that this rise in temperatures is a bad thing. He questions findings by scientists claiming that we still don't know what the ideal temperature would be in 2100. Agencies such as NASA are in agreement with scientists, who say that climate change is being caused by humans. During his time at the EPA Pruitt has been a controversial figure. As a known climate change denier Pruitt has been rolling back Obama-era climate rules for companies such as the Clean Power Plan. Pruitt has also promised to hold a debate among scientists at the EPA to review the science of climate change. He has also done things like cite the Bible when announcing changes to the way that the EPA is staffed. With turmoil in the Trump administration, he's also wanted to move up by taking the Attorney General role away from Jeff Sessions. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. From Google Hangouts to WhatsApp and Google Allo, there are plenty of messaging apps available for Android devices. However, most of the messaging apps on Google Play don't give users the ability to organize their SMS messages. Now, there's a messaging app that does just that, but it's only currently available in India. Microsoft's SMS Organizer App Allows People To Achieve More Called SMS Organizer, the new app was developed by Team Golconda, which is part of Microsoft Garage Project. The group is set out to find new ways to solve problems and empower people to achieve and do more. "SMS in India is what email is in the rest of the world. India is a mobile-first market with very high mobile penetration. Internet penetration, though, is still not there yet, making SMS the best tool for businesses and government agencies to communicate with people. Every transaction with a business or a government entity triggers an SMS," wrote Microsoft Garage Project in a blog post. The free app for Android allows users to set smart reminders, organize SMS Inbox, and customize their Inbox. Smart Reminders gives updates on upcoming traveling arrangements, movies, and bills that need to pay. SMS Organizer lets users categorize their SMS by different categories such as Important and Promotional categories, making it easier to add SMS messages in different folders. The app also allows users to favorite their SMS messages, block spam, and mark as promotional. Also, Smart Cards helps user's find exactly what they need when they want it as the algorithm browses through messages within the inbox and highlights important information. This includes everything from timed meetings, ticket numbers for traveling, and seat numbers can all be found in the app. Even without an internet connection, the app is designed to work offline. The Microsoft Garage Project team wanted to create a mobile application to make it more convenient for Indian mobile users to manage and organize their SMS messages. The team behind the development of SMS Organizer includes Nikhil Verma, Amit Modi, Happy Kumar Mittal, Kishor Chamua, Pradeep Kumar Amradi, Padmaprabha V, Swasti Gupta, and Suresh Kumar Veeramachaneni. SMS has always been one of the most popular ways to communicate in India. However, mobile platforms available on the market have not evolved much over time. That's when the team set out to create the app during a Bing Hackathon, where they won an award for their creative ideas and mobile app design. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Since it was released in the market around two decades ago, Roche's Tamiflu has become the go-to drug for influenza treatment. Its effectiveness, however, is challenged by mutated strains. Each season, the genome sequencing of a flu virus changes as it creates copies of itself, resulting in a new strain with a resistance to antiviral medication or vaccines. H3N2 Mutation: Cause Behind The Flu Epidemic Such is the case of the 2017-2018 season, when the Influenza A or H3N2 strain mutated and caused an epidemic sweeping through the entire nation. Fortunately, the CDC records that a hundred percent of those infected by the main strain and its mutations were responsive to existing anti-flu medications such as oseltamivir, zanamivir, and peramivir. After dealing with the consequences of mutation, scientists pushed for the creation of anti-flu drugs that use entirely new mechanisms to fight influenza. Nearly all anti-flu drugs work the same way. Tamiflu, Relenza, Rapivab, and Inavir inhibit the function of neuraminidase, an enzyme that allows germs to spread the infection from one cell to another. The Antiviral Pill That Outdoes Tamiflu Tamiflu cuts the duration of infection to a single day when administered within 48 hours following the onset of flu symptoms. For it to work, two doses of the drug must be taken daily for five days. This presents a huge dilemma in terms of patient compliance. Baloxavir, an experimental drug by Osaka-based pharmaceutical company Shionogi, could be available for release in Japan this March. However, it won't reach U.S. shores until 2019. Unlike Tamiflu, the medication works by blocking the activity of the protein the influenza virus needs to create copies of itself. All a patient needs is a single dose. "You don't have the potential resistance that comes with not completing your course of therapy," says Daniel O'Day, head of Roche's pharmaceutical department. More Alternative Treatment for Influenza Johnson & Johnson's Janssen also has a new anti-flu drug entering the market called pimodivir. It attacks the part of a gene found in almost all seasonal viruses that prevent them from creating any duplicates. Because of its potential in addressing an urgent health issue, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has designated it as a fast-track medication. It is expected to be in the last stages of study within this year. Besides pimodivir, an anti-diarrhea treatment known as nitazoxanide shows some promise in blocking the development of the illness by stopping viral particles from escaping contaminated cells. Romark Laboratories tested the drug on more than 300 participants a couple of years ago, but no results were indicated in the study's paper at the U.S. National Library of Medicine. A universal influenza vaccine is currently in the works, with ferritin as its main component. The latest update states it is still being tested on animals. Should future human trials be successful, its single dose may replace annual shots. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Xerox engineers are taking credit for a drop in the crime rate in Chicago during the mid 1990s. According to the engineers, their technology to resolve paper jams helped Chicago's criminal justice system put offenders behind bars. By reducing paper jams, Xerox says that lawyers were able to get work done more efficiently and helped them meet deadlines. Paper Problem In a piece for The New Yorker, Xerox engineers show how they were able to help the Chicago defense attorneys meet deadlines with new printers. John Viavattine, head of Xerox's Media Technology Center, claims that two-thirds of offenders were being released because of paper jams in the court system. Viavattine tells a story about helping the Chicago court system in the '90s. He visited the Chicago children's court. "What was happening was, lawyers had to deliver certain court documents to the defense attorneys within a certain amount of time" said Vivattine to The New Yorker. "Otherwise, the defendant was let go. And they were losing two out of three cases because of paper jams." This was all due to the quality of the paper. Viavattine cites the poor quality of the paper that the court system was using at the time. Earlier in the piece Viavattine describes how different weather affects paper. Paper jams are also more common during the winter than the summer time. "That two out of three times they would be late, and the defendant would be released!" said Viavattine. "And the problem was that they were using some off-brand, really down-in-the-dumps paper." Drop In Crime Xerox is taking credit for a policing situation. A decline in the Chicago's crime rate in the '90s occurred when the police began going after gang leadership in the city. Violent crime dropped in the city, with murder rates going down from 934 in 1993 to 599 in 2003. During the drop in the '90s, Arthur Lurigio from Loyola University gave the Chicago Tribune some of the reasons the murder rate dropped in the city. "Murders are at a 20-year low in Los Angeles, a 30-year low in New York. Killings are down in many large cities. There are numerous factors that can be attributed to the decreases in crime," said Lurigio in 1997 to the Chicago Tribune. "A better economy, improved policing, fewer young adults, citizens' increased awareness and a feeling of greater empowerment to get involved with the police to control crime in their neighborhood." Chicago is currently the most dangerous city in the country when it comes to the murder rate. Last year, Chicago's murder rate was 650, a drop from the previous year but still higher than other major cities. New York City's murder rate was 290 in 2017. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A man in Bolton, England threw a Nokia phone hitting a police vehicle last week. Surprisingly the Nokia phone wasn't destroyed when it made contact with the police car. Greater Manchester Police arrested Steven Quinn after he threw the Nokia phone. He was found guilty with criminal damage. Throwing the phone at the police car got Quinn six weeks of jail time. Nokia Phone And Vehicle Intact Despite the phone hitting the police car, the car wasn't damaged, and the phone was still intact and managed to be in working order. Reports don't specify what kind of Nokia phone was thrown at the police. The make and model of the phone is unknown. A certain Nokia phone comes to mind -- the Nokia 5110, as no matter how many times it was dropped nothing would happen to the phone. At most its battery would pop out. It's however unlikely that this was the particular phone because it could have damaged the police car, it being one of the last large phones from the '90s. Motive Unknown Police still haven't presented a motive for Quinn to throw the phone at the car. Later on Wednesday Quinn appeared before court. He was given a prison sentence of three weeks for the crime. Another three weeks were added to the sentence because he was already serving a suspended sentence. "The motive for his actions is still largely unknown but fortunately no damage was caused. This could have easily been any other road user and the results could have been more serious," said Police Constable Paul Ashworth. "For whatever reason, he chose to behave in such a manner that has now resulted in him spending time in custody to reflect and face his punishment." Throwing Things At Police Besides phones people seem to enjoy throwing various things at police cars. This incident in Bolton highlights people's desire to get back at the police somehow. In Wilton, Connecticut, a drunk driver tried to get away from police by throwing his phone at the police car after the stop and getting away on a bicycle that was stored in the back of his car. It's unclear whether or not the phone survived. In New York someone threw a hoax bomb at a New York Police Department vehicle. The hoax bomb landed inside the car. The van that threw the device sped off after the incident. In one of the more bizarre incidents of objects being thrown at the police, a man in Seattle threw a batarang. Police charged the man with felony assault. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Rare as it can be, a woman from Texas suffering debilitating headaches woke up with a British accent. Her condition is called Foreign Accent Syndrome. Former beauty queen Michelle Myers, 45, from Arizona has never left the country. She has never been to Ireland, Australia, and the United Kingdom, but a rare medical condition made her speak the native accents of the said countries. FAS is known to cause a person to speak with foreign intonation while still speaking their native language. On three separate occasions since 2011, Myers suffered severe headaches and surprisingly woke up with a different accent each time. For several weeks, she was able to speak Irish and Australian. "I started having problems with my voice. I started noticing that when I tried to talk and say something, my tongue felt like it wasn't right," Myers said when she started speaking with an Irish accent in September 2011. Her latest bout with FAS in 2015 allowed her to speak British accent. She's been speaking the foreign accent since then. Headaches And Accents In May 2015, Myers was rushed to the emergency room due to severe headache that lasted for days. Myers said doctors ruled that she had a transient ischemic attack or a mini-stroke. TIA happens when the blood flow to a part of the brain is blocked or reduced. After that incident, Myers was diagnosed with FAS. According to the University of Texas at Dallas, FAS is a type of speech disorder that can cause a sudden change to a person's speech so that the native speaker is perceived to speak with a foreign intonation or accent. The most common cause of this rare condition is stroke or traumatic brain injury. Multiple sclerosis, neurological damage, or underlying health issues can also cause FAS. Myers has another condition that could also be linked to her changing accents. She has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome a group of disorders that affect connective tissues supporting the skin, bones, blood vessels, and many other organs, and tissues. Symptoms of this condition range from mildly loose joints to life-threatening complications. "Who would do this for attention? I don't know. I just feel that people don't really understand how it feels to have your voice changed," Myers said in an interview. "I feel like a different person. The person that I am now have been through a lot." Real And Rare Condition It was proven that Myers is not crazy nor is she faking her changing accents. Her medical condition is real and rare. This rare condition was first recorded by French neurologist Pierre Marie in 1907 after a man in Paris spoke a local German dialect after suffering a stroke. FAS cases had been documented around the world, with patients speaking changing accents from Japanese to Korean, British English to French, American English to British English, and Spanish to Hungarian. Speech changes such as consonant substitution, voicing errors, vowel distortions, and prolongations are associated with FAS. Only about 100 individuals were diagnosed with FAS over the last century. In 2010, Robin Jenks Vanderlip from Fairfax, Virginia, started speaking with a Russian accent after falling down the stairwell and hitting her head. In 2016, Lisa Alamia from Texas found her accent has changed to British after waking up from a jaw surgery. Strange as it may be, Myers said she has come to terms with her speaking voice. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. When Abby Beckley began to feel some discomfort in her left eye, she thought it was just a harmless irritation caused by a stray eyelash. However, it persisted for a week despite several remedies. One day, after flushing her inflamed eye with water, the 28-year-old from Grant Pass, Oregon examined it in the mirror and spotted something frizzy. She pulled it out, only to discover something unexpected and terrifying. It was actually a translucent worm as thin as a thread, measuring almost an inch long. "It was moving," narrates Beckley. "And it then it died within about five seconds." For three weeks in August 2016, 14 of these parasites were extracted, saving her from edema, conjunctivitis, or potential blindness. This is already the 11th case of eye worm infection to be reported in North America but it made history for being the first to result from a new species that has never affected humans. Thelazia: What Are Parasitic Eye Worms? Thelazia or eye worms are primarily found in cats, dogs, pigs, cattle, and horses. They start out as sheathed larvae then later grow into adults capable of reproduction. Transmission is facilitated by female flies of the Musca and Fannia subgroups, which are known to feed on protein-rich eye secretion of animals. These insects carry and deposit the parasite's larvae into eyeballs of other animals where they can thrive for up to 30 months while causing loss of vision. For treatment, veterinarians often use ivermectin. In cases involving human hosts, the most common symptoms are inflammation and the uncomfortable sensation that a foreign particle is stuck inside the eyeball. While medication is not needed for treatment of infected patients, the worms would have to be manually extracted using forceps similar to a tweezer. Thelazia Californiensis Vs. Thelazia Gulosa In a study published Feb. 12 in The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, researchers with the CDC reported that Beckley's infection came from face flies present in a local coastal area with a number of cattle farms. Several eye worms from the Oregon case were sent to the federal agency's parasitic disease laboratory where they were identified as cattle eye worms or Thelazia gulosa. The research team initially thought the samples belong under the Thelazia californiensis species because it is the only type that has caused human infection in the U.S. but they were wrong. The extracted parasites had a different anatomy. "We had to go back to papers published in German back in 1928 to help identify this worm as Thelazia gulosa," says the study's lead author, Richard Bradbury of the CDC's Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria. Previously, it was assumed that there are only two species of eye worms capable of infecting humans: the Thelazia californiensis and Thelazia callipaeda. This figure has now been bumped up to three with the addition of Thelazia gulosa. All cattle worms were successfully removed from Beckley's eye. Her vision is now back to normal. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Another day goes by, and another life is taken away by the deadly flu season in the United States. The flu is already troublesome, but what about the cost of medicine needed to alleviate its symptoms? A schoolteacher has passed away from flu complications after deciding not to take medication because it "costs too much," according to her husband. Heather Holland, 38 years old, taught at a school in Texas until she passed away on Feb. 4. Another Person Falls Victim To The Flu She fell ill with the flu around two weeks ago and was prescribed antiviral medication for it. Then she saw how much it cost $116 decided it was too high, and balked. Antiviral drugs, such as Tamiflu, are able to diminish the impact and duration of flu symptoms, but they aren't direct cures. "It's principle with her. She's a very frugal person in general, always has been," her husband, Frank Holland, told The Wall Street Journal. When she refused to buy the medicine, Frank himself made the purchase and asked her to start taking it. Looking back, says Frank, he wished his wife and her fellow teachers had better medicinal coverage given their exposure. Even with the medication, her condition worsened. She kept herself quarantined in the couple's bedroom, and it appeared "she was turning the corner," according to her husband. On Friday evening, Heather's fever spiked, and she had nausea plus diarrhea. At about 11 p.m., family members rushed her to the Texas Health Southwest emergency room, and she was admitted to the intensive care unit. Doctors went to get her blood cultures and had to put her on dialysis by Saturday. Then on the morning of Feb. 4, Heather passed away. "We've been together a long time, over half my life. She's my best friend, my soulmate, my everything," said Frank. Flu Deaths Rise Her death adds to the growing number of casualties as a surge of flu ravages the country. Nationwide, hospitals are seeing record numbers of patients diagnosed with the flu. In fact, the country is now at a point where the current flu season has become equal in severity to that of the swine flu in 2009, one of the deadliest, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It doesn't look like it's going to get better anytime soon, either. "Unfortunately, more deaths are likely to happen" over the next few weeks, CDC acting director Anne Schuchat said on Feb. 9 during a briefing. Since December, the Weatherford Independent School District, where Heather worked at, has been deep-cleaning its campuses to protect students and staff from being victims of the nasty flu season. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Pinewood Group is to massively expand its Shepperton site in West London with 100 acres of land adjacent to the current site already purchased. Pinewood chairman and interim CEO Paul Golding told Variety Magazine: What we have been doing over the last 18 months is investing into land. We have bought 100 acres adjacent to the studio. We dont have planning but will start that process in the next couple of months. In recent years, Shepperton has played host to movies including Guardians of the Galaxy, Into the Woods, Doctor Strange and Beauty and the Beast. The news about the Shepperton plans follows closely on the heels of rumours that the Pinewood Group has expressed an interest in developing and running the studios at Dagenham, east London planned by London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Barking and Dagenham Council. Pinewood also recently applied for planning permission to build another three sound stages on its Buckinghamshire site. This comes on top of the five it opened last July. Studios around London and the rest of the UK are similarly looking to expand as film and high end TV production booms in the UK. BFI figures released in January show that the inward investment spend on film and high-end TV reached a record breaking 2.37bn in the UK in 2017 The year saw continued growth in the UKs production sector with the total spend on film production in the UK hitting 1.9bn, a 12% increase on 2016 and the highest figures since BFI records began over 20 years ago. The year also saw a new record for spend on inward investment film and television production with 1.69bn for film, a 23% increase on the previous year and 684m for high-end television production, a 27% increase on 2016s level. Total spend on high end television production was 938m. Share this story This April 22, 2009 photo shows a view of the front entrance of the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, La. (AP file photo/Judi Bottoni) After having to do a mid-year school calendar rewrite prompted by Januarys snowy weather, Central public schools have unveiled a proposed calendar for the 2018-19 school year calendar. Central is one of several Louisiana school districts forced to revisit their 2017-18 calendars even as they were preparing their calendars for the following school year. +3 List: Several Baton Rouge-area public schools to remain closed Friday after winter weather The following Baton Rouge-area schools and offices have announced closures or delays because of continued issues caused by this week's winter As far as the current year, Central announced earlier this month that it will convert three days when only teachers were working into regular school days for students: March 9, March 12 and May 24. That will extend the 2017-18 school year for students by one day. Previously it was to end on Wednesday, May 23. Teachers last day remains Friday, May 25. The 2018-19 school year that Central is proposing was introduced Monday by the Central School Board. The board plans to vote on it at its next meeting, on Feb. 26. Were going to post the calendar (online) for parents to consider, said Superintendent Jason Fountain. Fountain said it is one of two calendars developed by school administrators and principals and was overwhelmingly selected by teachers as their favorite of the two when they recently had a chance to vote. 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 The proposed calendar calls for students to return from summer break on Thursday, Aug. 9, and sets their last day as Wednesday, May 22, 2019. Teachers would return a little earlier, Monday, Aug. 6 and finish a little later, Friday, May 24, 2019. Children would get six days off for Thanksgiving and 12 days off for Christmas. By contrast, Central teachers would get five and 10 days for those breaks. What days students and teachers would take off in April for Easter was complicated by the states schedule for standardized testing, Fountain said. Third- and fourth-graders are set to take paper-based LEAP tests on Monday, April 29. That means if Central had done as it has in the past, taking off Good Friday and the week following Easter, third- fourth-graders would immediately start testing their first day back. So instead, the proposed 2018-19 scheduled calls for students and teachers to take off the week before Easter and the Monday after. They would return on Tuesday, April 22. That would give third- and fourth-graders four days to prepare for their LEAP tests. Livingston schools to hold makeup days after schools closed for weather conditions LIVINGSTON Superintendent Rick Wentzel on Thursday night announced the districts plan to add instructional time to the 2018 spring academic East Baton Rouge Parish and Livingston Parish school boards are both planning to vote on their 2018-19 school calendars on Thursday. 'A Wicked Evening' -- At 'A Wicked Evening' masquerade ball benefiting Alzheimer's Services are, front from left, Roxanne Leachman, Mary Alice Gray, Melanie Sanders, Scott Griffin and Kitty Melancon; and, back, Gil Leachman, Thomas Melancon and Shawn Prima. Less than half of the respondents stated that having no risk of opportunistic infection (47%), no HIV treatment needed now (40%), and having a negative HIV test (30%) would be equivalent to a cure. In a large survey conducted among people living with HIV in the United States* we asked the question: "What does a 'cure for HIV' mean to you?" Over two-thirds (68%) of respondents stated that having HIV completely eliminated from the body (akin to an "eradication" cure) and having no risk of transmitting HIV to others would be meaningful to them. Further, 64% of respondents mentioned that not needing HIV treatment ever would be the meaning of a cure for them. We also analyzed the qualitative data submitted as part of the "Other" category (11%). The theme of freedom was predominant, as shown in the word cloud. Comments such as: "A life free of stigma, secrets and medications," and "freedom to go on a long vacation for more than 30 days without worrying about running out of ARVs," were emblematic answers. Freedom from stigma was also an important theme: a cure would "mean that I would not think of myself as 'tainted' anymore and could feel more at ease with others," wrote a respondent. The emphasis on freedom is consistent with answers received during a similar exercise conducted during the 2016 International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa, where a large portion of respondents said that a cure for HIV infection would mean "freedom" to them. People living with HIV would also value having HIV completely eliminated from their body. This was reflected in the qualitative answers as well. For example, respondents said that a cure would be "the elimination of an active, progressive virus" or "dead virus that cannot reproduce." People living with HIV also absolutely value not being able to transmit HIV to others: "absolutely no risk of giving it to someone else through any means." Other responses had to do with not having to take HIV medications or taking medications less often: being "pill free," "medications taken twice a year would be good," "five-year window with no need for treatment," and "maybe a quarterly shot" were representative answers. Related: What Does a Cure Mean to You? Four Individuals Share Their Hopes and Fears Several people dreamed of having improved immune function. For example, respondents said that "immune system brought back into balance," "reversal of immune system damage," or "no vulnerability to my immune system" would be a cure for them. Yet, others stated that being undetectable for HIV in the blood would mean that they were cured. Finally, respondents also expressed that a cure would mean "joy," "peace," and "trust." It would mean "living longer" and "having a better quality of life," and "no chance of reinfection" and "no further risk to the general public." A cure would also mean "stopping the suffering of millions," "that millions of people could be cured," and "that others will not know what it is like to live with HIV." We advocate that more research be conducted to better understand the meanings of HIV cure among people living with HIV, in the United States and abroad. This is critical to reconcile what would be clinically feasible with what would be meaningful for people living with HIV who would be the end users of such a wonderful scientific achievement. * Dube, K. et al. Willingness to Participate and Take Risks in HIV Cure Research: Survey Results from 400 People Living with HIV in the U.S. Journal of Virus Eradication 3, 40-50 (2017). [Note from TheBody.com: This article was originally published by Positively Aware in Jan., 2018. We have cross-posted it with their permission.] . : - -, - . , : ? . : - . , , . . : ? . : 1 . . . - , , , 1944 . : , . ? . : . . - . - . : , ? . : , . . . : ? . : . - , . - . . : , . ? . : , - . : ? . : , . , . . , - 17 , -, , , , , , . : , , ? . : , , , , . , 55% , . . : ? . : . , , . . , , . : ? . : , , , . , . . . , . , . . , , . , - 11 . . , . : ? . : , , , , , , . , , 1840- , , . , . . : ? . : . . : , . , ? . : . 80% . , , 12 000 , , , . There will also be 12 sessions to choose from across the three days, and each interactive session will feature a bunch of brand experts, influencers and more wholl teach you new shit. AND (arguably the best news) every attendee gets a sweet tote showbag, plus therell be heaps of roaming giveaways and a bunch of exclusive limited edition products only available at the festival. MECCALAND will bring together our community of die-hard MECCA Beauty Junkies for our first-ever festival, explains MECCA founder Jo Horgan. Its a celebration of the best the beauty world has to offer in an interactive, theatrical, fun-filled environment. Tickets will be on pre-sale for MECCA Beauty Loop members from 26th Feb, and cost about $49, with general public getting access from the 27th. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Endy Bayuni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 13, 2018 08:33 1309 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9c53b163 1 Opinion #commentary,penal-code,penal-code-bill,Dutch,legal-system,human-rights,freedom-of-expression,religious-freedom,minority-rights Free Sukarno, Mohamad Hatta and all the national heroes who fought for our freedom will turn in their graves the day the House of Representatives endorses the new penal code, the first truly created by Indonesians since the nation gained independence from Dutch colonial rulers in 1945. Deliberation on the penal code is in its final stage, and the House may endorse the draft as soon as this week before sending it to President Joko Jokowi Widodo to sign it into law. By the looks of it, if we go by the current almost-final draft, the new penal code will restrict many of our freedoms far more than the Dutch colonial rulers could ever have imagined. Sukarno and Hatta, Indonesias first president and vice president, respectively, and many other heroes of their era went to jail and faced constant harassment, paid with blood, sweat and tears to break laws enacted by the Dutch, including the penal code. All this to make this nation free and independent. If they were still alive, these national heroes would be the first to tell us that many of the articles in the new penal code, especially those concerning our freedoms, are far worse than the ones they had lived through, and fought against. A criminal code is a necessary legal instrument for any society, independent or otherwise, democracy or not, to allow the state to manage the country effectively. Without such a code and the institutions to enforce and administer the laws within it, we would have chaos. But a criminal code is also used by rulers to preserve or enhance their power. It can become a powerful legal tool to control the masses and to crack down on any form of dissent. Which is exactly what the Dutch did in controlling the East Indies. As they entrenched their hold over their colony, the Netherlands introduced a new penal code for the East Indies on Jan. 1, 1918, which is just over 100 years ago. This is the code they used so effectively, and so harshly, to arrest and condemn Sukarno, Hatta and the likes to malaria-infested penitentiary places, some as far away as Digul in Papua. Some of them died there. After Indonesias independence, creating a new legal code seemed like too large an undertaking for the new nation, so the leaders decided to continue using the same code, with modifications here and there. In the article on lese majeste, for example, the word king was replaced with president. And voila, insulting the national leaders, from the president all the way down to all officers of the state, is considered a crime, as it had always been under the Dutch government. Sukarno, who was president from 1945 to 1966, and Soeharto, who followed from 1966 to 1998, obviously found it expedient not to change the penal codes articles on freedom. They too found the legal code a convenient and powerful tool to sustain their own power. They saw no reason to rush in changing the code, a Dutch legacy, even though both had fought, separately, against the Dutch rulers. The more democratic environment since 1998 affords the opportunity to change the penal code to one that reflects a more free and independent Indonesia, and one that is more suited to the 21st century. There have been more than a dozen drafts of the penal code as the nation struggled to come up with a code that it can call its own, rather than something we inherited from the Dutch. Yet, of all the drafts that had come and gone, this one, probably the most restricting one, is the one that is likely to make it. Coming up with our own penal code, after more than seven decades, should normally be a reason for the nation to celebrate, a milestone in the nations history after independence. But not this one, if this means we have less freedom than before. The current draft contains articles that would mean even less freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom of religion. The rulers managed to reinsert the article that makes insulting the president a crime. In 2006, the Constitutional Court repealed the article, arguing that it was inconsistent with peoples right to express their opinions. For good measure, the House has also added an article that criminalizes insulting religious leaders. The articles on sex, reflecting the obsession of controlling the sex life of individuals, are a throwback to British Victorian era puritanism that would almost guarantee a massive degree of hypocrisy. The articles on religious freedom have also raised concerns among minority faith communities. If this is the best the current generation of leaders could come up with in creating a new penal code, beating even the worst of Dutch rulers, our freedom fighters and heroes would naturally feel betrayed that their sacrifices have been for nothing. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Antonius Alexander Tigor (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 13, 2018 15:00 1309 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9c54de23 3 Opinion data,digital-technology,privacy,legal-system,data-privacy,data-protection-bill Free As we witness open and global access to information, digital information is rapidly becoming one of the most valuable assets. New technologies and the need to protect personal data have increased considerably, attracting significant privacy awareness in Indonesia. However, so far the legal framework on data protection lies only at the ministerial level, through the 2016 regulation of the Communications and Information Ministry. The House of Representatives had included the data protection bill in its priority program last year. Unfortunately it has not been passed although many companies in the country have gone digital. Furthermore, various start-up companies have emerged, attracting investments from across the globe the latest being Googles investment in the GO-JEK ride-hailing service. These companies possess information from and regarding its users and customers, which can be monetized for business insight. As such, personal data become a strategic and valuable asset for businesses that need to be protected. It is strongly believed that data will exponentially become a business asset and force companies to change their business models. Meanwhile, personal data contains basic and sensitive information related to human rights. For instance, internet users may be unwilling to share specific data with a particular company because of potential risk to their privacy or family privacy. Comprehensive data monitoring should be mandated in the planned data protection law, given slow progress in addressing the breach of data by several business actors including in the promotion of banks, insurances and travel agents, without customers consent. Thus a comprehensive data protection law is urgent to balance rapid changes in information and communication technology. The European Union has a comprehensive data protection regulation to be implemented in all member countries. The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) will be effective by May 25, by far the worlds most complicated yet most comprehensive data protection rule. Under its provisions, the transfer of European citizen personal data to countries outside EU or international organizations is permitted only under particular conditions including that the regulatory framework of the destination country meets an adequate level of data protection according to the European Commission.Therefore the EU acknowledges that the technology company can distribute the data to any country across the world while it tries its best to protect the privacy of European citizens wherever they may be. As the GDPR mandates extraterritorial power, each country managing data of EU citizens should be aware of the regulation. Without a relevant law, Indonesia would have to find several ways to transfer data from the EU to Indonesia that meets the GDPR principles without infringing the Regulation of the Communications and Information Ministry Number 20/2016. Unlike Indonesia, neighboring countries such as Singapore and Malaysia have data protection acts in place. They have attempted preparations following the transformation of communication and technology in their countries to protect their citizens privacy with minimum constraints to business, investment and innovation such as the Singapore-based Lazada shopping portal and the Malaysia-based Grab ride-hailing service. This shows that a data protection act does not necessarily decrease creativity and innovation. In another significant milestone for privacy in Indonesia, authorities and lawmakers should look to the cross-border privacy rules systems of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and implement its requirements. Though Indonesia was a member of APEC since November 1989, Indonesia cannot yet join its Cross-border Privacy Enforcement Arrangement (CPEA) because of our insufficient data protection legal framework. Recognition that data flows and data protection is truly a global matter triggered APEC to create CPEA. The flow of information is fundamental to doing business in the global economy. APEC members recognize the importance of protecting information privacy and maintaining information flows between economies in the region and between APEC economies and their international trading partners. It is also believed that cooperation to balance and promote effective information privacy protection and the free flow of information in Indonesia is key to improving consumer confidence and ensuring the growth of electronic commerce. As such, Indonesia should enact the data protection act to have an adequate position in APEC. There is clearly a pressing need for Indonesias comprehensive data protection act. There is too much at stake, including the risk of failure in keeping up with progress in protecting individuals rights, business certainty in the digital economy, and enabling the unrestricted transfer of personal data between the EU and Indonesia. *** The writer is a legal technology expert and Chevening Alumni at the School of Law, Queen Mary University of London. --------------- We are looking for information, opinions, and in-depth analysis from experts or scholars in a variety of fields. We choose articles based on facts or opinions about general news, as well as quality analysis and commentary about Indonesia or international events. Send your piece to academia@jakpost.com. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. The cultural carnival Grebeg Sudiro took place in the Pasar Gede area of Surakarta, Central Java, last Sunday. Gearing up for the Chinese New Year celebration, the crowd held up mountains of kue keranjang (nian gao or Chinese New Years cake, prepared from glutinous rice) while encircling Sudiroprajan village and ending right in front of Pasar Gede. Sudiroprajan village is considered the Chinatown of Surakarta, covering the area of Pasar Gede, Tien Kok Sie Temple and a number of villages such as Balong, Kepanjen, Sudiroprajan, Mijen, and Limolasan. In those villages, cultural assimilation and diversity have been ongoing for decades. This blending of Javanese and Chinese cultures was on display in the carnival. As many as 1,500 people participated in the event starting at 3 p.m. demonstrating a number of traditional arts in the parade, like reog (traditional dance from Ponorogo), Javanese and Gunung dances and barongsai (Chinese lion dance). Sticking prayer papers on 'kue keranjang' mounds to be prayed upon in Tien Kok Sie Temple, Pasar Gede, Surakarta. (JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi) A group performed the lembu sura (a cow-headed man) dance and a theatrical act of Joko Tingkir (the story of a former king in Java ruling in the mid-1500s). Another was bedecked in the costumes of shadow puppet characters, as well as costumes depicting gods and goddesses, kings and queens and monks. Also in the parade were nine mounds of produce and kue keranjang. Two of them were shaped as a miniature of the Banjarsari 1945 Monument Park, the mayors official house called Loji Gandrung, and a miniature of Pasar Gede. Read also: Surakarta ready for month long chinese new year celebration 'Barongsai' (Chinese lion dance). (JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi) Other mounds were stacked with kue keranjang, meat buns and traditional snacks representing the two cultures: getuk (colorful squares made from cassava coated with grated coconuts and sugar), klepon (green balls of rice cake filled with liquid palm sugar and coated in grated coconut), onde-onde (Chinese pastry made from glutinous rice flour), roti gembukan (fried bread) and other products. Before the parade, two mounds of kue keranjang were taken inside the temple to be prayed upon alongside the barongsai. As in the previous years, the carnivals course circled the Chinatown area for 4 kilometers, starting from Pasar Gede, Jl. Jenderal Sudirman, Bundaran Gladag, Lodji Wetan, Jl. Kapten Mulyadi, Jl. RE Martadinata, Jl. Ir Juanda, to return to Pasar Gede. Thousands of people standing around the Pasar Gede area showed their enthusiasm, coming from everywhere to witness the carnival. Along the roads where the parade passed by, the crowd observed every attraction on display, such as barongsai performed by Chinese-Indonesian and Javanese dancers. Grebeg Sudiro diminishes differences. Now is no longer the time to question places and origins. This is a time of diversity. We have to keep knitting diversity while upholding unity, and respecting one another, said Surakarta Mayor FX Hadi Rudy Rudyatmo. The pinnacle of the carnival was marked by sharing kue keranjang with the crowd, thrown from the second floor of Pasar Gede. Thousands of people rushed to grab 4,000 kue keranjang. Read also: Grebeg maulud solo celebrating prophet muhammad's birthday Hanoman (one of the characters in the Ramayana) parade through Pasar Gede in the Grebeg Sudiro 2018. (JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi) Fatimah Sari, 22, who lives in Surakarta claimed she always made the time to witness the Grebeg Sudiro carnival to see the many costumes and unique arts. In Surakarta Chinese New Year is celebrated by the Javanese, not only the Chinese. Its wonderful to see the barongsai and reog simultaneously, said Fatimah, who hails from Aceh. According to Grebeg Sudiro 2018 committee head Bul Hartomo, the event was a representation of tolerance and cultural diversity living side by side in Surakarta, especially concerning the Javanese and Chinese cultures. The assimilation does not stop at culture, it also lives in every part of our lives such as traditions, arts, health services and the economy. Surakarta is fascinating, said Hartomo. The annual Grebeg Sudiro first began seven years ago. Long before that, the people of Sudiroprajan village were accustomed to Buk Teko, a tradition of produce-offering for gods held for decades to welcome Chinese New Year. This ritual eventually became Grebeg Sudiro. The Grebeg Sudiro parade is aimed at uniting our country in diversity. In Sudiroprajan, people of Chinese and Javanese ethnicity live side by side. We would like to maintain this harmony, said Sudiroprajan subdistrict head Daliman. (wen/kes) Alexander Wang, an American fashion designer known for defining whats cool in the scene, has reintroduced a hair accessory that has been worn by many over the past three decades: the banana clip. The spring-loaded, dual-sided hair piece is also known as a claw clip, although hairstylist Guido Palau prefers the fruit-centric moniker. Though they never really went away, public appearances of these clips had long dwindled down. Read also: Wang in the office, Plein in outer space at NY fashion week Runway Models Wear Claw Clips at Alexander Wang's Fall 2018 Fashion Show https://t.co/WXZUf80hCf pic.twitter.com/DG1aJp9bjk js30limited (@js30limited5) February 11, 2018 For his Fall 2018 runway show on Saturday, Wang wanted to show his take on the 1980s, when the idea of power women started to seep into popular culture. Palau mentioned that the clips are a bit tongue-in-cheek and self-aware. "Alex was looking at the sort of irony of these clips that at that point [in the '80s], they were kind of new, and then they had a bad connotation; we're sort of seeing them again through different eyes, said Palau in an interview with fashionista.com. The clips were worn by a majority of the models for the show in chrome silver and engraved with Wangs logo along the side. According to elle.com, Guido used gel and paste as well as a Dyson blow-dryer to create a super smooth, pulled back style. Comb marks were created intentionally for a masculine, sort of powerful look. Read also: Siriano champions 10 years of diversity on NY runway With a hairstyle so bold, make-up and nails were toned down. Make-up artist Diane Kendal opted for a minimalist look, making use of strong contour and a powder highlighter as the finishing touch, while manicurist Rita Remark applied shades of nude polish. Speaking to elle.com, Palau expressed his personal thoughts on the clip, "I love the way that something that's been around and has a funny connotation can come back. Look at the mullet haircut: three or four years ago it was a no-no, and now it's super cool. I love the way that something is reintroduced into fashion and we look at it again in a different way. That's been happening for a while now, things that were considered not cool or a bit of can be rejigged again. "Also, you've got to remember, lots of girls probably don't remember what the banana clip is. There's an 18 or 17-year-old girl, they don't know it has a funny connotation to it. They may just think it's super cool to do that in their hair." (wen/kes) An exhibition at the National Gallery in Central Jakarta presents 70 paintings by Couteau until Feb. 15. The pieces showcase an amazing revelation of the female gaze expressing the other in the countries of the orient as part of her own self. She sought to define the divine in the human countenance, Alain Favelle, secretary of the International Association of Art Critics, said in his introduction some 10 years ago. Looking at her oeuvre, one will find that Couteaus narrative is infused with a profound sense of culture, mystique and the spiritual. They do not emanate the human body, which was a major attraction to European male artists coming to Asia. Instead, she was fascinated by the spirit within. This difference should draw the attention of art historians who chronicle European artists coming to Bali, such as Hofker, Walter Spies, Rudolf Bonnet and Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur. Now Couteau, the only female artist to visit from Europe, needs to be historically included. Balinese women (Genevieve Couteau/File) Born in 1925 in Paris, Couteau studied art at Beaux Arts in Nantes. She graduated with flying colors and soon became a prominent artist in the Paris art scene. She was unique early on, when her exquisite black-and-white drawings earned her the Prix Lafont Noir et Blanc (Lafont Black and White Award) in 1952. Then, her works were already touched by surreal imagery, which was to expand into the mystical in her paintings after she visited the East. Not surprisingly, Prince Souvannah Phouma of Laos invited her to paint the soul of Laos as a counter to the image of a warring nation. Come to Asia, he reportedly said in Venice, Italy, where she was exhibiting at the time. You will find there the same magic as in Venice. Although it was unusual for a woman amid a reigning patriarchal situation to travel alone, she eagerly accepted the invite. Cakra Animal that feeds itself from the Moon's rays (Genevieve Couteau/File) Indeed, Couteau found magic in the people of a country that was infused with a sense of the spiritual. She spent six months visiting the palaces of princes, lived with the people, took part in their rites, festivals and ceremonies, visited the markets and pagodas, and held long dialogues with Buddhist monks in monasteries, which nurtured her spiritual senses even more. My curiosity was insatiable, she wrote in her diary. She noted the unusual colors of Laos illuminating everything, while evoking a sense of melancholy. She was impressed by the serenity of the people, their relaxed behavior; she sensed an intense spirituality. Prayers at Vat Kaognot (Genevieve Couteau/File) The Sun featuring a monk looking up at the sun is among the many works focusing on monks emanating sacred mystery, while Oraison or Prayers at Vat Kaognot, featuring six Buddhist monks each holding a sort of fan, refers to her easy access into the interior of the temples where she was able to have long dialogs with the monks, nurturing her spiritual senses even more. A prominent feature in many of her paintings is the eye, which her son, renowned art critic and curator Jean Couteau, explains as always looking into the future, such as is also the case in womens gazes into the distance as if they, like herself, were avoiding reality and wishing to be in another world, a better world. Hommage du vieux Lempad (Genevieve Couteau/File) The eyes in Hommage au vieux Lempad of legendary artist Lempad showed an owl-like depth. Jean said that through Lempad, Couteau had imagined death. She met him two years before he passed away, but her painting The Old Lempad, featuring him as an emaciated figure with unusual elongated fingers, already gave a sense of what was to come. Her journey and experiences in Laos are chronicled in her seminal book Memoire du Laos. From Laos, Couteau continued her spiritual journey to Bali, where her son had settled earlier. Life in Bali in the 1970s was still very much attached to tradition, which maintained the slow pace of life. It was exactly what attracted her, revealed Jean. He said Couteau loved life in Bali; she was fascinated by the dances and the wayang (shadow puppet) theater and was inspired by the natural gestures of the people. She absorbed the folk tales, the myths and legends, and the amazing lightness of life. She found beauty everywhere, said Jean. Couteau lived in a small house in Ubud, where she was a regular guest at a painters house in Padangtegal, where she and the Balinese painter liked to compare each others works. She would then head to Campuan River, where she met women going about their daily activities. The nights were for dances and wayang shadow plays. Everything was theater, dance and music. In Bali, the fantastical is part of the everyday, she once said. MGM China is opening its new multi-billion-dollar mega resort in Macau's glitzy Cotai strip on Tuesday following multiple delays and last minute hiccups in the government approval process. The launch of the $3.4 billion new resort comes as Macau is undergoing something of a renaissance, with gaming revenues bouncing back after being hard hit by a corruption crackdown launched by China's President Xi Jinping in 2012. The mega project's launch faced repeated delays, most recently in August when Typhoon Hato ripped a path of destruction across southern China, leaving 10 dead in Macau and businesses and homes washed out in the territory's worst typhoon for over 50 years. Read also: Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge to open in Q2 of 2018 MGM China postponed its opening again in January, saying the company was "undergoing the administrative approval process of obtaining relevant licenses". Macau, a semi-autonomous territory, is the only place in China where gambling is legal, bringing in revenue that easily dwarves Las Vegas. Macau's revenues took a hit after Xi declared his war on graft with many mainland big spenders staying away from the enclave, which had gained a reputation as a centre for laundering illicit money out of China. In response to the crackdown Casino giants launched a slew of new mega-resorts, offering everything from fine dining to theme parks as they looked to attract more mass-market gamblers to compensate for the fall in high rollers. The gamble appears to have paid off as Macau's gaming revenues soared 36 percent year-on-year in January. MGM Cotai is the latest casino in the Chinese gambling enclave to push non-gaming attractions, offering a luxury spa and an art collection. Some big spenders have also returned to the territory, with high rollers being the biggest drivers of revenue growth in 2017, Bloomberg News reported. MGM China, a tie-up between Las Vegas-based MGMResorts International and Pansy Ho, the daughter of Macau gambling tycoon Stanley Ho, went public in Hong Kong in 2011. The elder Ho was credited with transforming Macau from a sleepy Portuguese outpost to a gaming boomtown. But Macau, home to six licensed casino operators, might now be expecting to face competition from outside the territory. Read also: AirAsia connects Jakarta to Macau Beijing is considering plans to allow gambling on Hainan island and end a long-standing ban in mainland China, according to reports this month, which would be a historic turnaround for the communist government. Indonesian film Pai Kau is set to be screened at the 2018 Osaka Asian Film Festival scheduled on March 9-18 in Osaka, Japan. The movie has been included in the "New Action! Southeast Asia" category that highlights the region's breakthrough cinema, showcasing up to eight films, from action to art house. "I found Pai Kau to be an interesting discovery when I was picking out films for this year's festival. It is highly entertaining and very artistic," said the festival's program director, Teruoka Sozo, in a statement as quoted by Antara on Tuesday. Entering its 13th year, the festival is set to feature around 50 long fiction films from Asian countries. Korean director Lee Joon-ik's Anarchist from the Colony and Japanese filmmaker Toda Akihiro's The Name are slated to be its opening and closing flicks, respectively. Read also: Pengabdi Setan, Marlina to be screened at Rotterdam film festival For Pai Kau, the Osaka festival will be its first international screening. "We were not planning to include Pai Kau at the festival, so we're grateful to receive appreciation from the festival's programmer so that we're able to premiere internationally in Japan and meet with a larger audience," said Pai Kau producer and actress Irina Chiu. According to Kyoto University associate professor of Southeast Asian studies Nishi Yoshimi, Pai Kau, which follows couple Lucy and Edy Wijaya's tense wedding day due to the presence of an uninvited woman named Siska, was a breath of fresh air for Indonesian cinema because of its use of the Mandarin language, proving the country is a cultural melting pot, where new philosophies grow and prosper. Another Indonesian film that will represent the archipelago at the event is Posesif (Possessive) by director Edwin. (kes) Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, who is visiting Indonesia in her capacity as the UN secretary-general's special advocate for inclusive finance for development, has visited a modest eatery in Central Jakarta. Donning a white blouse paired with a black skirt, the Dutch royal visited the Bakwan Malang warung on Jl. H. Agus Salim at 11:19 a.m., as reported by news agency Antara. The street was temporarily closed during her visit, as a crowd of people seeking to take pictures with Queen Maxima began to gather around the warung. "When else, right?" a woman said, hoping to get a picture with the queen. Read also: Indonesia to boost financial inclusion through national strategy The queen spoke with representatives of Indonesian ride-hailing app company Go-Jek and its online wallet system Go-Pay, as well as with Ken, the owner of the Bakwan Malang shop. "The queen asked where I had found out about Go-Food, what the benefits were for me and what challenges I faced," Ken said, referring to the app's food delivery service. He said he shared his experience of joining Go-Food with the queen, explaining that the app made it easier for him to organize his finances. "It's much easier to count the total income, I just receive it as it is; it's simple. People also get to hear about the shop," Ken said. The Argentine-born royal is currently visiting Indonesia as a follow-up to her last visit in 2016, when she sought to boost financial inclusion through the implementation of a national strategy. (liz/mut) It is a marriage made in Heaven for cute-obsessed Japan: this Valentine's Day, lovers can present the object of their affection with a world first -- naturally bright pink chocolate. The KitKat store in the glitzy shopping area of Ginza in Tokyo is a riot of wall-to-wall pink, as marketing departments go into overdrive to promote the "fourth" type of chocolate, after milk, dark and white. And the salespeople have chosen their moment wisely: Valentine's Day is massive business in Japan -- with tradition dictating that the women give presents to the men. "I love pink. I love chocolate. So this is just great for me," said 24-year-old Natsuko Takeuchi, searching for a sweet treat at the Ginza store. "Knowing that this chocolate is created purely naturally, without any additional flavour or colour. I think it's really good," added Takeuchi, who operates a food trolley on Japan's iconic bullet trains. For more than 80 years, when white chocolate was invented, the world has had to be content with just three varieties. Then in September, Swiss group Barry Callebaut unveiled its new "ruby" type -- the fruit of more than 10 years of research -- and five months later, bars appeared on shelves in both Japan and South Korea. The pink colour is obtained naturally, without using additives or artificial colouring, explained Akiko Hara, a manager for Barry Callebaut in Japan. The color comes from ruby cocoa "that can be found in normal plantations," Hara told AFP. The firm's R&D department keeps the recipe a closely guarded secret, locked away in a safe. The result is a chocolate that tastes both creamy and fruity, with a subtle hint of raspberry. Read also: Valentine's Day: Love it or hate it, but impossible to ignore in Asia - 'Obligation choc' - In this picture taken on February 7, 2018, tourists from Australia, Ayndri de Soysa (L) and Andrew Frain (2nd L), have an ice cream at a KitKat chocolatory shop in Tokyo. It is a marriage made in Heaven for cute-obsessed Japan: this Valentine's Day, lovers can present the object of their affection with a world first -- naturally bright pink chocolate. (AFP/Behrouz Mehri) If Japan is the testing ground for the new variety of chocolate, it was well chosen. The Japanese chocolate market is worth nearly five billion dollars per year, according to figures from research group Euromonitor. This places Japan still way behind the United States ($18.9 billion) but still at the top of the Asian league table. Japanese consumers also crave a huge variety of products, as can be seen from the enormous range of KitKat flavours -- from wasabi to green tea to sake. So consumers have a huge choice in what chocolates to buy: "Honmei-choco" for lovers, "giri-choco" for male bosses and colleagues and "tomo-choco" for close friends. In a sign of how seriously Valentine's Day is taken, Belgian chocolate firm Godiva created a storm when it called on people to forgo the chocs for colleagues (known as "obligation chocolate") to focus on loved ones. Convenience stores on every corner are packed with potential presents and master chocolatiers also go to town for the occasion, creating ornate shapes such as pink high-heeled shoes made of chocolate. The result: huge sales. This year, love-struck Japanese are expected to shell out 130 billion yen (one billion dollars) on Valentine's Day chocolates, according to Kinenbi Culture Laboratory, a research group on Japanese festivals. The tradition of women giving chocolate to men stems from a promotional campaign at the end of the 1950s. "Males reciprocate the favour a month later on a holiday called 'White Day', where female significant others receive a gift in return for their Valentine's Day present," said Megumi Matsunaga, an analyst at Euromonitor. Frederic Madelaine, a French pastry chef who runs several shops in Tokyo, said Valentine's Day was the be-all and end-all for the industry. "A Japanese woman will hand out on average between eight and 10 presents. Then the man has to return the favour -- and triple or quadruple the value of the gift," he told AFP. "You have to try things out, be innovative, stand out from the crowd," he said. This year is no exception and among his offerings at this year's annual chocolate fair in Tokyo were a Camembert-shaped chocolate and "dalmatian eclairs" to celebrate the year of the dog. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Tue, February 13 2018 President of Aqua Publica Europea, a European association of public water operators, Anne le Strat who is a former deputy mayor in charge of water supply sanitation and management in Paris, visited Jakarta recently. She was also former president director of water-management company Eau de Paris from 2008 to 2014 and was at the forefront in the process of returning water services to the local administration. Le Strat spoke to The Jakarta Posts Winda A. Charmila about what Jakarta should prepare for as it ends its contracts with private operators. Question: After studying the tap water situation in Jakarta, what do you think are the fundamental problems in the city, and what ... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 13, 2018 17:50 1309 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9c55399b 1 National Malaysia,maid,abuse,justice Free The Indonesian government has demanded that justice be upheld for Adelina Lisao, an Indonesian migrant worker who died after allegedly suffering abuse from her employers in Penang, Malaysia. The 21-year-old died in Bukit Mertajam Hospital on Sunday after reportedly being tortured for more than a month and forced to sleep outside with the familys Rottweiler. Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said she had coordinated with the Indonesian Embassy in Malaysia and the Indonesian Consulate General in Penang to demand justice for the deceased Adelina. The Indonesian Consulate General will provide legal assistance to ensure that [the victims] rights are fulfilled, particularly the rights to obtain compensation or remedial justice, Retno said on Tuesday. What happened to [Adelina] cannot be accepted, she added. Retno also clarified that Adelina was not from Medan as reported by some news outlets and that she was in fact from East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). She went on to say that Malaysian authorities had moved to investigate the case, and that the Penang Chief Minister had also sent a letter of condolences to Indonesia on Monday. Previously, the Star reported that Adelina, who had swollen bumps on her head and face as well as injuries to her arms and legs, was seen sitting on the porch of her employers' house the day before she died and appeared too terrified to respond to rescuers. Malaysian authorities, as reported by the Star, have detained a 36-year-old woman and her 39-year-old brother for allegedly abusing Adelina. The Police are reportedly seeking a third person believed to be involved in the case. (ahw) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 13, 2018 14:06 1309 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9c54c5dd 4 Business Sri-Mulyani-Indrawati,investment,incentives,deregulation Free Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has said that the government will continue to reform its regulations and had offered incentives in an effort to boost investment, tempo.co reported. Speaking on Monday in Jakarta, she said that the government would further eliminate regulations that could disrupt investment to help speed up the licensing process for investors. Sri Mulyani added that the central government would coordinate closely with local governments to roll out reform packages that would, in the end, enable the government to set up a "single submission system" for all business and investment permits. The single submission system is intended to ease the licensing process and significantly cut down the waiting period for businesses. When the single submission system is implemented, the coordination with local governments will become very important, she said. As for the incentives, she said, the Finance Ministry would cooperate with the Industry Ministry to simplify the process for providing tax holidays and tax allowances to investors. President Joko Widodo has reminded his ministers and regional government heads several times to simplify the business licensure process to attract more investors to the country in the competitive global investment climate. If we delay, the funding will go to countries that already offer a better investment climate, the President said on Monday during a Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Office. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Agnes Anya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 13 2018 With more than a year to go before the next presidential election, Indonesians living abroad are being advised to secure their suffrage by registering at one of the countrys representative offices, regardless of their legal status. In a meeting on Monday between 134 Indonesian envoys posted around the world, who were called back to the country, and the General Elections Commission (KPU), officials discussed preparations for the election, including the process of updating overseas voter data. In the 2014 election many voters abroad did not use their right because they had failed to register, they said. In Penang, Malaysia, for instance, about 40,000 Indonesians were registered to vote in 2014, but more showed up at the polling stations, said Iwanshah Wibisono, the local consul general. The [undocumented] people went to Penang in an unofficial way, said Iwa... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Semarang Tue, February 13 2018 Dozens of Confucians cleaned holy statues at Tay Kak Sie Temple on Gang Lombok, Semarang, Central Java, over the weekend as part of an annual ritual to welcome the Chinese New Year, locally known as Imlek. Each member of the congregation had their own part in the ritual, with some cleaning the statues while others cleaned the temples rooms. I have been cleaning three Buddha statues for the past 10 years. It has become the responsibility for me and two friends, so we know if there is any damage or ornaments that need to be replaced, said Tjoan Hok, 71, over the weekend. Another follower, Kian Hwa, cleaned 18 statues that represent Buddhas assistants in the temple, along with his wife Inawati and several other followers. We clean the statues as their spirits have risen to the sky. So the statues are now empty. Once they are clean, the spirits w... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 13, 2018 17:20 1309 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9c5529fc 1 City Depok,Valentines-Day,prohibition Free Authorities in Depok, West Java, have prohibited all students from celebrating Valentines Day on Feb. 14. Depok Education Agency head M Thamrin said on Tuesday that the ban had been communicated through a circular sent to school principals in the city. The schools then forwarded the letter to their students, said Thamrin, as quoted by kompas.com. Thamrin explained that the ban was meant to instill character in students, so as to prevent activities that deviated from religious, cultural and social norms. The warning is to anticipate a high number of indecent activities among students celebrating Valentines Day, said Thamrin, adding that the ruling had been decided in an internal meeting with several figures. (jlm) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 13, 2018 15:32 1309 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9c54e5f3 4 Business ride-hailing-application,transportation-ministry,telecommunications-ministry Free The Transportation Ministry has called on the Communications and Information Ministry to immediately fulfill its promise to provide ride-hailing vehicles with monitoring devices in the form of special dashboards so that the government can monitor ride-hailing operations. Transportation Ministry transportation and multi-mode director Cucu Mulyana said in Jakarta on Monday that dashboards were instruments required for the implementation of newly issued Transportation Ministry Regulation No. 108/2018 on non-route public transportation. The dashboards will help the implementation of Regulation No. 108 be more effective and efficient, he said as reported by tempo.co, adding that the dashboard would provide the Transportation Ministry with data about the numbers of vehicles that operate as well as about transactions. He said that, with the special dashboard, officials from regional transportation agencies could monitor operations to ensure that all drivers of vehicles operating under ride-hailing apps complied with ceiling and floor rates. He stressed that the Transportation Ministry needed to cooperate with other government institutions to enforce the regulation. The Telecommunications and Information Ministry needs to issue a regulation on application providers. The lack of such a regulation causes problems in the operation of vehicles partnered with application providers, Cucu said. Transportation Minister Regulation No. 108/2018 only deals with transportation issues, while a regulation from the Communications and Information Ministry would regulate the technology. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 13, 2018 18:51 1309 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9c55578c 1 National Mount-Agung,bali Free Mount Agung erupted again at 11:49 a.m. on Tuesday, spewing a plum of ash 1.5 kilometers into the air. According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency's (BNPB) spokesman, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the eruption lasted 140 seconds, and did not appear to cause any disruptions to the daily activities of local residents nor to flights. "The airport's operations continue to run as normal and no effects have been seen," Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport spokesperson Arie Ahsanurrohim said. The intensity of the ash was assessed as medium, but no further eruptions followed. Light ash fell in Pandan Sari, Dukuh village, Kubu subdistrict in Karangasem. The Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Agency (PVMBG) said the alert status for Mt. Agung remained at level 3, with a 4 km exclusion zone declared around the crater. PVMBG has installed a detector on Mt. Agung to serve as an early warning system. Mt. Agung began erupting for the first time since 1963 in August last year. On Feb. 10, the authorities lowered the alert status of the volcano from level 4, the highest level, following a decrease in volcanic activity. (sha/dmr) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Mike Smith and Andrew Beatty (Agence France-Presse) Washington, United States and Jerusalem Tue, February 13, 2018 09:11 1309 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9c53c474 2 World Israel,Palestine,BenjaminNetanyahu Free Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he has discussed legislation with the United States that would annex settlements in the occupied West Bank, but the White House denied it in a rare show of disunity. Netanyahu later issued a clarification somewhat backing away from the deeply controversial statement. Annexing settlements would severely damage remaining prospects for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and draw international outrage, but Netanyahu has been under heavy political pressure to support it. "Regarding the issue of applying sovereignty, I can tell you that I have for some time been speaking with the Americans about it," Netanyahu told lawmakers from his Likud party, according to comments relayed by a spokesman. Netanyahu said he wanted to coordinate any such "historic" move with the United States because of the country's strategic importance to Israel, his spokesman said. Some Israeli media interpreted the comments as the first time Netanyahu expressed support for annexing the settlements. But when it became clear the White House was not confirming the remarks, Netanyahu's office issued a clarification. Netanyahu "did not present the United States with specific annexation proposals, and in any case the United States did not give its consent to the proposals," an Israeli official said on condition of anonymity. "Israel updated the United States on various proposals raised in the (parliament), and the United States expressed its clear position that it seeks to advance President Trump's peace plan." The official added that Netanyahu's position "is that if the Palestinians persist in their refusal to negotiate peace, Israel will present its own alternatives". White House spokesman Josh Raffel said "reports that the United States discussed with Israel an annexation plan for the West Bank are false." "The United States and Israel have never discussed such a proposal, and the president's focus remains squarely on his Israeli-Palestinian peace initiative." Saeb Erekat, secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, had condemned Netanyahu's earlier remarks as amounting to "land theft" with US complicity. A spokesman for Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas warned such measures could only "lead to more tension and instability". "They will eliminate all international efforts to save the political process," said Nabil Abu Rudeina. - Limits to backing? - Netanyahu faces pressure from right-wing politicians to move ahead with legislation that would apply Israeli sovereignty to settlements in the West Bank. Two lawmakers, including one from Netanyahu's party, have proposed such legislation. Netanyahu blocked it from being advanced on Sunday, with officials citing the need to focus on security issues following a confrontation that led to Israeli air strikes in Syria at the weekend. Israel has sought to take advantage of Trump's strong support, highlighted by his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December, called "historic" by Netanyahu but denounced by the Palestinians and most of the rest of the world. Monday's episode showed there may be limits to Trump's backing as he pledges to reach what he calls the "ultimate deal" -- Israeli-Palestinian peace. While Israel would expect to retain certain settlements in any two-state peace deal, longstanding international consensus has been that their status must be negotiated. The same consensus has been in place for decades regarding the status of Jerusalem, with the Palestinians wanting the Israeli-annexed eastern sector of the city as the capital of their future state. Israeli settlements are located in what is known as Area C of the West Bank, which accounts for more than 60 percent of the Palestinian territory. Annexing all settlements would leave little space for a Palestinian state. Netanyahu heads what is seen as the most right-wing government in Israeli history, and prominent ministers openly oppose a Palestinian state. Those who oppose a Palestinian state advocate for Israel to annex most of the West Bank, citing Jews' historical ties to the land from the biblical era. Netanyahu says he wants the Palestinians to govern themselves, but in recent months has declined to specify whether that would mean an independent Palestinian state or some lesser form of autonomy. He has stressed recently that Israel must retain security control in the Palestinian territories under any peace arrangement. While Trump has offered strong support of Israel, he said in an interview published Sunday that he was "not necessarily sure" the country was seeking to reach a peace agreement with the Palestinians. "Right now, I would say the Palestinians are not looking to make peace," Trump said in the interview with right-wing Israeli paper Israel Hayom. "And I am not necessarily sure that Israel is looking to make peace." In a rare rebuke, he also said Israeli settlement building "complicates" peace efforts. Separately, Abbas met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday. Putin said at the start of the talks that he "just spoke" with Trump on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 13, 2018 20:17 1309 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9c55b516 1 City Tangerang,killing,family Free The Tangerang police have named Muchtar Effendi, 60, a suspect in the murder of his own wife and two stepdaughters in Periuk housing complex. Tangerang police criminal unit head Adj. Sr. Comr. Deddy Supriyadi said that after murdering his family in a bedroom on Monday, Muchtar tried to commit suicide. The suspect was found in a critical state with some stab wounds on his body. He was found in a different room, Deddy said Tuesday as quoted by tribunnews.com. He added that the perpetrator stabbed himself after killing his family. His neck and stomach were injured. Muchtar is the key witness as well as the suspect in the case. He put the knife inside a cupboard and threw the victims mobile phones on the roof after killing them, the police said. Three of the family members, his wife Emah, 40, and their two daughters Nova, 19, and Tiara, 11, were found dead, while Muchtar was injured but able to be rescued. So far, the motive appears to be that was Muchtar was angry with his wife after she purchased a car without telling him. Currently, the suspect is at Kramatjati Police hospital in East Jakarta. (wnd) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Vatican City Tue, February 13, 2018 07:56 1309 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9c539c9e 2 World Pope-Francis,human-trafficking,Immigrants Free Pope Francis on Monday criticised media which "denigrates" migrants through emotive or incomplete reporting on their situation. "Some months ago I saw a newspaper headline about a small town in Italy which read, 'this is the town where there were the most rapes this year -- I can't remember which town, it's not important -- and 40 percent of the rapists were migrants'," the pontiff said. "This is a way of 'denigrating' migrants. But I ask myself -- so, the other 60 percent, what were they? Italians. "There is a way of presenting things which modifies the truth," he said, while receiving participants at a Vatican day of prayer and reflection. The issue of migration is currently a burning issue with Italians shocked by the recent murder of an 18-year-old woman in the central town of Macerata, leading to the arrest of three Nigerians suspected of involvement after her dismembered body was found. Following the murder, a far-right gunmen then shot and wounded six Africans in a racially-motivated attack on February 3. The incident came just weeks before Italy holds a general election in which far-right parties are expected to make a strong showing while immigration has been the dominant campaign issue. Whereas the Macerata killing and its alleged connection to migrants has hit the headlines, other similarly sordid incidents ascribed to Italian perpetrators have generally received less widespread attention. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 13, 2018 15:24 1309 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9c54e443 1 City suicide,detention-cell,salemba-prison Free A 27-year old prisoner has been found dead in a bathroom of the Salemba detention center in Central Jakarta. Riski Permana allegedly committed suicide on Monday. The centers warden, Masjuno, said on Tuesday that the incident had occurred the night before, according to a witness named Simon, who shared the cell with Riski. Surprised that Riski did not return from the bathroom after a long time, Simon reportedly called him and knocked on the bathroom door. As there was no answer, Simon opened the door by force and found Riski hanged in a sarong tied to an iron pipe, the warden said. It happened near Isha prayer time [around 7:30 p.m.]. The bathroom is inside the cell, and the cellmate wondered why the door remained closed for a while. Hence, he broke it, Masjuno said Tuesday, as quoted by kompas.com. Detention center officers are still investigating the motive behind the apparent suicide. Masjuno said Riski might have had personal problems, because his family rarely visited him. (wnd) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 13, 2018 16:30 1309 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9c551bc5 1 City traffic,motorcycle-ban,traffic-jam Free Traffic congestion along Jl. MH Thamrin in Central Jakarta has risen by as much as 35 percent following the Supreme Courts decision to lift a ban on motorcycles traveling on the thoroughfare, according to Jakartas Transportation Agency. Following the repeal, motorcycles have been allowed to pass through Jl. Thamrin and Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat, provided they stick to the designated motorcycle lane on the left-hand side of the roads. Jakarta Police director of traffic management Sr. Comr. Halim Pagarra said on Monday that from Feb. 5 to Feb. 11, as many as 812 motorcyclists had been ticketed for straying outside the lanes. The high number of violations means we have to further educate motorists so they comply with the ruling, said Halim as quoted by kompas.com, adding that 583 drivers licenses and 229 vehicle registration papers had been confiscated. Halims suggestion of an odd-even system for motorcycles along the road, similar to the current policy for cars on Jl. Sudirman, was currently being reviewed by the city administration. (jlm) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Moscow Wed, February 14, 2018 02:12 1308 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9c56082d 2 World Russia,radicalism Free A Russian court on Tuesday sentenced a law student writing a thesis on countering radicalism to two and a half years in prison for reposting "extremist" images online. Alexander Kruze, 23, was found guilty of "calling for extremist acts" and "inciting racial hatred on the internet" in late December for reposting four nationalist images on Russian social media platform Vkontakte in July 2016. He said the posts were intended to poll the public as part of his studies, but a court ruled that they had an extremist character. The student had been working on his dissertation on different types of radicalisation in Russia for months, his lawyer Andrei Milevski told AFP. The first image called for taking action against communists, the second contained anti-Semitism, the third condemned illegal immigration and the fourth called on regime change in Russia. "I have been collecting material for over four years and as part of my investigation I re-publish texts and images on purpose to provoke a discussion in which I participate myself," Kruze told AFP on Tuesday. "Depending on the subject of the (social media) post, I pretend to be a Russophobe, a racist or a Ukrainian nationalist or separatist," said Kruze, who lives in Stary Oskol, a city 160 kilometres (100 miles) from the Ukrainian border. "It was especially unpleasant to talk with anti-Semites because I have some Jewish blood in me," he added. Kruze's classmate Denis Mirchev told AFP that the law student often spoke about "organising experiments to prepare for his thesis". "When I was at his house, I saw the documents he was collecting to study how people view illegal immigration in Eastern Europe and in Russia," Mirchev told AFP. Despite the decision to send him to prison, Kruze said he wants to join Russia's FSB security service to "fight extremism". Meanwhile, Kruze will have to spend two and a half years in a detention centre for offenders who have committed minor crimes. Kruze is one of a growing number of Russians jailed for social media posts on extremism charges. In 2017, 43 people in Russia were sentenced to prison terms for internet posts, according to a human rights report published last week. London's Heathrow Airport has apologized for a promotion at its duty-free stores that required Chinese shoppers to spend a higher amount than other travelers to enjoy a special discount. Chinese travelers were asked to pay a minimum spend of 1,000 (S$1,831) to receive a 20-per cent discount voucher subsequent purchases, while other shoppers needed to spend only 250 to receive the same offer, reported BBC News. The promotion is run by Heathrow Airport's commercial partner World Duty Free. The unfair policy sparked outrage on social media after a Chinese student who worked at the store posted about it on China's widely-used microblog platform Weibo on Sunday. The post was viewed over 10 million times. The part-time sales assistant at Terminal 2 said that he tried to get the voucher for a Chinese woman who had around 300 pounds' worth of Chanel products in her shopping basket, but the cashier told him she needed to spend 1,000 pounds because she was Chinese. The store manager, according to news website Sixth Tone, later told him that the offer was indeed a "little bit unfair." Read also: Chinese tourists are taking over the Earth, one selfie at a time "I've been in England for seven years. This is the first time that I've felt injustice and racism so deeply," wrote the student, who also referred to store management as "white-skinned pigs." Other travellers responded with their experiences, some vowing not to shop at the airport again. @Julialovekshwrote on Twitter: "Will never shop in the duty free store at Heathrow any more. Chinese customers deserve to be treated with respect!! What a hideous and discriminating event to happen in 2018!! Disgusting." @QianyunZhu_zqy tweeted: "Shame on you World Duty Free! When celebrating Chinese New Year with promotion info in Twitter, please remember Chinese customers are still waiting for your official explanation and apology for the racial discrimination. What a racist and two-faced company." "Imagine if this was another race, this incident would have already been a huge talking point," read one comment which received 2,000 likes. "Chinese people are not respected outside of the country," added another user, while one asked, "Where do Chinese people go to get respect?" Read also: Bali ready for more Chinese tourists after lifting of travel warning On Monday, World Duty Free - one of hundreds of independent stores at Heathrow - issued a statement on Weibo, saying that it had investigated and rectified the issue. The company, which is headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, did not respond to requests from the China Daily newspaper for an explanation of whether it did indeed discriminate against Chinese travelers. Heathrow Airport also apologised on Weibo and Twitter, saying that the retailer now "offers the same benefits for travelers to all destinations." Chinese tourists are increasingly seen as big spenders across the world. Chinese travelers accounted for a quarter of Heathrow's duty-free sales in 2015, though they made up only one per cent of passengers that year, according to travel website Mafengwo's global travel shopping report. During the October Golden Week travel period in 2017, Chinese tourists spent 29 million pounds in shopping districts across the UK. The number of Chinese visitors to the UK increased by 33 per cent in 2017. They collectively spent 667 million pounds, according to UK tourism authority VisitBritain. An attractive tour package to Kelimutu National Park on Flores Island is being offered to participants of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) World Bank annual meeting. Scheduled to be held in October 2018, the annual meeting will take place on Bali, the gateway to Flores Island. Read also: Five things to see in Labuan Bajo besides the Komodo dragon Head of East Nusa Tenggara's Tourist Department, Marius Ardi Jelamu, said to tempo.co on Tuesday that the travel package offered by Indonesias Tourism Ministry would not only include an exploration of the beautiful nature of Labuan Bajo, but also an excursion to the iconic tricolor Kelimutu Lake in Ende, Flores island. Jelamu said the ministry was offering seven different tour packages in total, comprising Labuan Bajo, West Nusa Tenggara, Banyuwangi, Toraja, Toba lake, Yogyakarta and Bali. He went on to say the tour to Labuan Bajo - famous for Komodo National Park - would also include an excursion to Kelimutu lake in Ende district. The international guests will go on an overland trip from Labuan Bajo to Kelimutu in Ende district, as part of a package that can be purchased from the Tourism Ministry, he explained. En route to the lake, there are plenty of opportunities to visit many destinations such as the spiderweb rice field in Manggarai and traditional houses in Ruteng. Marius said the number of international guests expected to visit the prime destinations in Flores island was approximately 5,000 7,000. Expectations are high that the visit will have a positive impact on the promotion and marketing of tourism in East Nusa Tenggara and Flores island. Read also: Five must-visit spots in Maumere, East Nusa Tenggara The visit will help the islands to save on their foreign tourist promotion budget, as the international guests are expected to come from the annual meeting in Bali. We must make the most of this opportunity for our tourism branding, Marius concluded. (Anisa Luciana/mut) Heres a followup from a story we reported last week. The Eng family, which has owned the Fong On brand for decades, has been pursuing a trademark infringement case against a Chinatown businessman. After more than 80 years, their tofu shop known as Fong Inn Too, closed at 46 Mott St. last year. But a few months ago, a new store opened using the Fong On name. The family sent a cease and desist letter to the new operator, John Yee, and the property owner. This morning, Chinatown activist Karlin Chan sent us the photo you see posted above. The English version of the Fong On name has been removed from the awning. So, perhaps, a deal is in the works to end this dispute before Lunar New Year celebrations get underway later this week. However, the two sides have reached no agreements, according to Paul Eng. Today he tells us the family wants to make sure the Chinese characters on the building facade (above the awning) are also removed and returned to the family. The Engs say the new property owner agreed to hand over the characters before he purchased the building from them last year. Paul Eng said attorneys on both sides had a preliminary conversation yesterday, but the issue will not be resolved until theres a signed agreement. Stay tuned All your childhood Charlie and the Chocolate factory dreams could become reality as Mondelez International are recruiting for chocolate tasters based at the University of Reading Whiteknights campus. The confectionary company - who own Cadbury, Milka and Oreo - are seeking Sensory Panelists to help them perfect their products by tasting them and then sharing your opinions. A job that involves eating chocolate sounds too good to be true, but this isnt a marketing gimmick its a real life part time job which comes with a 9 hourly wage. It sounds perfect for students who need some extra cash and a chocolate fix. No experience is required but they would quite like you to have a passion for confectionary and taste buds for detection. The job advert states: You will work in our dedicated sensory booths and discussion rooms, alongside approximately 11 panelists and a panel leader; sharing opinions and collaborating with others to reach an agreement on taste. Think youve got what it takes? Send your CV to Mondelez, and if successful, youll soon be in a blissful chocolate haze enjoying up to 10 samples per day. A white professor at Princeton University allegedly used the N-word during a lecture, causing students to walk out in disgust, The Daily Princetonian reports. Students who were at the lecture say anthropology professor Lawrence Rosen asked them What is worse, a white man punching a black man, or a white man calling a black man a n****r? Rosen is then said to have repeated the racial slur twice more as he continued the class discussion, which was based on the topic of oppressive symbolism. Speaking to The Daily Princetonian student Devyn Holliday said Rosen was describing what is acceptable as free speech and what is not. Holliday claims when students made it clear they felt uncomfortable Professor Rosen said, Its supposed to deliver a gut punch, so thats why I used it. Another student, Destiny Salter, said, all the black students were looking at each other, as if asking whether he actually said that. According to Salter, Rosen told the class, I dont think I need to apologise; I did not oppress anyone. Several students walked out, with one saying he intends to permanently drop the class because of the incident. The professor saw how uncomfortable the students were with his language, Kevin Ramos said. If he doesnt respect the students opinion, then its not worth learning from him. Unfortunately, The Content Is Not Here You have arrived at this page because the page or post you were looking for no longer exists. Please check our main navigation pages for other content: Home Page Sara Sherazi, the president of the Truman High School DECA program was one of 12 students awarded with the international organizations Emerging Leader Honor Award. I am extremely proud, DECA advisor Carly Lundgren said. Sherazi started with marketing classes during her sophomore year, and has taken every course the school offers in that regard. Lundgren said Sherazi was a top student, earning an A in every class. Sara is a responsible, highly intelligent individual, she said. In addition, to good grades and behavior in class she also has proven to be a leader. She is currently in the advanced independent study class for marketing and is the school store manager, our DECA president, and a district 5 representative on the Michigan DECA district council. In addition to her work with DECA, she has been one of the students of the month in each of the last two school years, is on the student council and is a member of the National Honor Society. Shes also become a correspondent with the DECA Direct magazine and writes frequently for them. For her sophomore year DECA project, she put together a marketing research project for the hospitality and tourism event. She conducted research studies, wrote a 30-page paper, and put together visual aides to present her research to a judge at the district and state level. She was one of the first sophomores I have ever had make it to the state level, Lundgren said. For her junior year Sherazi was voted vice president and for her DECA project, she helped create and start a new business in the school store. She is successful in running a printing company in our school, Lundgren said. She helped order and put together the equipment necessary to get the business started and she now creates the products for customers using Variquest software and print shop. Her creativity and initiative to go above and beyond for this business has proven to be a profitable one. Sherazi competed at the district and state level winning medals for her advertising campaign on the print company for DECA. She was part of a group that were the first students from Truman High School to ever attend the International Career Development Conference in Anaheim, California. She represented our school with honor and I was proud to be her advisor, Lundgren said. At our end of the year banquet she was crowned DECA queen, most likely to succeed, most likely to own her own business, and most creative. For her senior year she was voted president and for her DECA project she will compete in the Entrepreneurship Promotional Plan campaign. Sara put together a project where she found target markets that would benefit from learning an entrepreneurship curriculum. Sherazi put together a weeks worth of lessons where she successfully taught her lesson plans to fellow students in the physically or otherwise handicapped program (POHI). She also worked with the program for alternative education -or PAES-, second graders at Blair Moody Elementary school, and business and marketing classes. Over the course of two months she educated over 300 students on entrepreneurship. She designed the lessons, the activities, included technology, and taught them to her target market. Her lessons were engaging and interactive, Lundgren said. She will attend the district, state, and national competitions this year competing with this project. In addition, to her own DECA projects Sherazi helps plan and organize community service events and chapter activities for our club as a whole. She helps others prepare for competition and she leads our club to a successful membership. She was integral in the process of our three major chapter campaigns; global entrepreneurship week, promotion campaign, and community service campaign, Lundgren said. For each of these campaigns there are numerous activities and hours of volunteering and Sara is leading them all. ABCNews.com(LOS ANGELES) -- A San Jose-bound Southwest flight was evacuated in Southern California on Monday after crew members reported a fire in the plane's auxiliary power unit, officials said. About 140 passengers and five crew members were forced to exit Flight 2123 after ground personnel at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, noticed smoke coming from the back of the plane as it left the gate. The fire has since been extinguished. Southwest said the plane's chutes were deployed to get passengers off the plane quickly. There were a few minor injuries reported, but no one was transported, according to airport officials. "Standard protocol was initiated and evacuation slides were deployed. Local Fire and Rescue met the aircraft and the 139 passengers and five Crew Members departed the aircraft via the slides, the airline said. "Local Orange County Employees are working diligently to accommodate the passengers on another aircraft to get them to their final destination this evening." "Paramedics are onsite but no serious injuries have been reported," Southwest added. The FAA confirmed the incident in a statement to ABC News, saying it had caused partial taxiway closures, but it did not say if it was investigating the cause of the fire. Airport officials said operations were "back to normal" by 11:35 p.m. EST, according to a statement posted on Twitter. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. The character is rumored to appear in a post-credits scene. Source: That Hash Tag Show Filming has finished on Ruben Fleischer's Venom and the rumor mills have begun churning about what role Carnage will play in the film and who will play him. Cletus Kasady aka Carnage is a serial killer who briefly shared a cell with Eddie Brock. While escaping, Brock's symbiote left an offspring which turned Kasady into the murderous Carnage. The rumor goes that in the film Brock will find himself in San Quentin prison with Kasady where the symbiote will split creating Carnage. In December, Woody Harrelson was cast as a "henchman of sorts", which seems too small of a role for an actor of his caliber so it's likely that Harrelson will be playing Kasady and Carnage. Venom, directed by Ruben Fleischer, is set to release October 5, 2018 and stars Tom Hardy, Riz Ahmed, Michelle Williams, Jenny Slate, Reid Scott, and Scott Haze. It's primarily based around the story arcs Lethal Protector and Planet of the Symbiotes. New apartments in honor of longtime dentist in downtown Watertown New apartment building being named in honor of dentist who practiced there for over 50 years Montreal, CA (H4T1V6) Today Generally cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 22C. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Thunderstorms. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 19C. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Organization: ICEA Life Assurance Company Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda Reports to: Agency Manager The ProgramSupport Officer (PSO), DYNAMIC will provide support to the DYNAMIC program bothat head office (Kampala) and at field level, and in particular, to act as adirect liaison for the program with all GOAL departments and the SMT at Kampalalevel as managed by the ACDP and the PD. This liaison function is particularlyimportant for ensuring the full integration of DYNAMIC into GOAL, given DYNAMICsconsortium structure and location principally in the northern region. The PSO willreport to both the ACDP and the DYNAMIC PD, who will work hand-in-hand in thedevelopment and supervision of PSO work plans. The PSO will also work closelywith the DYNAMIC Deputy Program Director,Program Managers, the Administrationand Communication Coordinator (ACC, based in Lira), technical Advisors withinDYNAMICs Program Management Unit based in Lira and the GOAL Uganda LivelihoodsAdvisor and Senior PSO based in Kampala. The PSO will be a focal point forliaison across GU departments and with consortium counterparts on tasks thatsupport DYNAMIC program implementation, monitoring, evaluation, accountabilityand learning. If anything happens to me, please tell my story. This was... Media mogul Rupert Murdoch has offered protections for Sky News in a bid to get his companys 11.7bn takeover of Sky over the finishing line. The firewall proposals would give the channel an editorial board to protect its independence and guarantee funding for at least five years. It comes after regulators raised concerns that 21st Century Foxs takeover of Sky would give the Murdoch family, which controls Fox, too much sway over the UK media. Offer: Rupert Murdoch's firewall proposals would give Sky News an editorial board to protect its independence Murdoch, 86, also owns newspapers The Sun, The Times and The Sunday Times. The Competition & Markets Authority last month suggested Sky News would need to be either spun off or given added protections in order for Skys takeover to go ahead. It sparked fears that the pioneering news channel could be shut down. But in documents published yesterday by the regulator, Fox said it would promise to protect Sky News editorial independence. In its response to the CMA, Fox said: The combined effect of the proposed firewall remedies is that there could be no circumstances in which, post-transaction, the Murdoch family trust or members of the Murdoch family could influence, whether directly or indirectly, the editorial line of Sky News. Sky, in a separate submission, added: The remedies proposed by 21st Century Fox would be an effective and comprehensive solution to any potential concerns arising from the transaction. Bosses at Fox will be hoping the proposals draw a line under the CMAs concerns about the Sky takeover. The deal was proposed in 2016 but regulators and politicians have wrangled over whether to approve it. But efforts to push it through have become more urgent at Fox since the company itself agreed to be taken over by Disney. That includes Foxs holding in Sky, which Disney boss Bob Iger has described as a crown jewel. The regulator has said its concerns would fall away if Sky was owned by Disney. Relationships are the glue that holds families, communities and nations together. Without positive relationships individuals, families, communities and even nations wont be able to significantly progress. One of the reasons Africa is poor is because of the failure of African countries to relate and effectively connect with one another. Her people are disconnected from each other through tribalism and nepotism. Relationships capacitate and maximise both human and natural resources. Africa is rich in natural resources, yet we fail to harness them due to our failure to positively connect with each other. The word relationship is defined as a state involving mutual dealings between people, parties or countries. It is a state of connectedness between people. Greed and jealousy have caused people of Africa to be disjointed. Lack of cooperate vision has caused us to pull and move in different directions. A divided continent will not be able to harness its resources for the betterment of its people. Africa is rich, but we must find a way of working together in order to improve the quality of life for people. United we stand and progress, divided we will always fall and remain in poverty. Understanding the power of relationships is significant to progress in life. When it comes to relationships, we must start at the point of respecting and intentionally putting value on other people. In human relations you cant secretly look down upon people because of the colour of their skin, their culture, their status in life, or their religion and still be able to make them feel valuable. Relationships are key to building strong marriages, families, communities, companies, businesses and nations. If we want to positively impact others and be successful in life, we must cultivate the ability to understand others. Understanding people puts you in a position of influence in every sphere of life. Usually what most people need is to be listened to, respected, valued and understood. Understanding people is key to our ability to communicate effectively with them. We must therefore endeavour to understand people, how they think, what and how they feel, what inspires them, how they process information, and how they act or react in a given circumstance. As a matter of fact, many of the conflicts among people are usually caused by the inability to understand one another. Harry Truman said: When we understand the other fellows viewpoint, understand what he is trying to do, nine times out of 10 he is trying to do right. We must never be opinionated against or afraid to listen to other peoples ideas or how other people do things. It is important to try to see things from other peoples perspectives, and then learn to recognise and appreciate the differences. The differences actually add beauty and strength to human relations. In relationships everyone wants to feel significant, valued and cared for. Usually people want to see and feel that you care and value them. Relationships with people bring forth great memories, yet also our most difficult, painful, hurtful and tragic experiences are with people. One of the great challenges of life is to keep on loving and caring for people even when you know that they may turn against you, accuse you, betray you, unceremoniously walk away from you, gossip about your weaknesses and forget about all your care and love. Here are some quotes from, Paradoxical Commandments of Leadership: 1 People are generally illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered, love them anyway. 2 If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives, do good anyway. 3 If youre successful, you will win false friends and true enemies, succeed anyway. 4 The good you do today will perhaps be forgotten tomorrow, do good anyway. 5 Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable, be honest and frank anyway. 6 The biggest man with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest man with the smallest mind, think big anyway. 7 People really need help but may attack you if you help them, help them anyway. 8 Give the world the best that you have and you will get kicked in the teeth, give the world the best you have anyway. 8 If better is possible, then good is not enough. All human beings are imperfect, flawed and have weak points. Understanding this will help us navigate around human flaws. Patience and perseverance are the virtues required to navigate around great human beings with flaws. Patience is the state or quality of being patient; the power of suffering with fortitude; uncomplaining endurance of evils or wrongs experienced. Patience is good natured tolerance of other peoples weakness, flaws or incompetence. Dealing with humans is very challenging, we need to persevere and be determined to make relationships work at different levels. The world would be a better place if all of us made a choice to consistently cultivate the ability to positively work with one another at family, community and national levels. [February 13, 2018] Avaya Philippines Appoints New Country Manager MANILA, Philippines, Feb. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Avaya today announced the appointment of Ferdinand S. Macatangay as Philippines country manager. Macatangay will be responsible for promoting Avaya's customer-centric, outcome-based approach in this strategic market, working closely with key customers to help them achieve their digital transformation objectives, and driving adoption of Avaya's latest innovative solutions in the areas of cloud, contact center and unified communications and collaboration. Macatangay brings to Avaya almost 20 years of experience delivering innovative communications solutions to businesses in the Philippines. He was previously head of IBM's Cloud business in the country, where he delivered exponential growth. He is taking on the role at Avaya following the retirement of Edgar Doctolero, the first Avaya Philippines manager, who was instrumental in building the company's presence in the country, including in the business process outsourcing (BPO), telecommunications service provider and hospitality sectors. Sami Ammous, Head of ASEAN, Avaya, said: "We would like to thank Edgar Doctolero for an amazing journey with Avaya and wish him all the best as we welcome Ferdinand Macatangay to the team. Ferdinand has the right mix of skills and expertise to take our customers, partners and teams to the next phase of their digital transformation, while helping them to achieve efficiencies and realize cost savings in an increasingly competitive market. I am confident that the Avaya community in the Philippines is in good hands and that Ferdinand will help our customers and partners there transform their business in the digital age." Macatangay's appointment comes at an exciting time for Avaya, following the company's restructuring and launch as a publicly taded company. With more than 130,000 customers worldwide and an installed base of over 100 million users, Avaya is building on its leadership positions in contact center (CC) and unified communications (UC) solutions, while increasing investment in technologies that will meet the evolving needs of its customers. In January, Avaya announced the appointment of Mercer Rowe, formerly vice president of strategic partners for IBM's cloud and Watson platforms, to lead the company's Cloud business, a newly formed organization focused on driving cloud products and services. About Avaya Avaya Holdings Corp. enables the mission critical, real-time communication applications of the world's most important operations. As a global leader in delivering superior communications experiences, Avaya provides a complete portfolio of software and services for contact center and unified communications -- offered on premises, in the cloud, or as a hybrid solution. Today's digital world requires communications enablement, and no other company is better positioned to do this than Avaya. For more information, please visit www.avaya.com. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This document contains certain "forward-looking statements." All statements other than statements of historical fact are "forward-looking" statements for purposes of the U.S. federal and state securities laws. These statements may be identified by the use of forward looking terminology such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "our vision," "plan," "potential," "preliminary," "predict," "should," "will," or "would" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology and include, but are not limited to, expected cash savings and statements about growth, exchange listing and improved operational metrics. The Company has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While the Company believes these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond its control. The factors are discussed in the Company's Registration Statement on Form 10 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, may cause its actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, please refer to the Company's filings with the SEC that are available at www.sec.gov. The Company cautions you that the list of important factors included in the Company's SEC filings may not contain all of the material factors that are important to you. In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this report may not in fact occur. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law. All trademarks identified by , TM, or SM are registered marks, trademarks, and service marks, respectively of Avaya Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Follow Avaya on Twitter , Facebook , YouTube , LinkedIn , Flickr and the Avaya Connected Blog. Logo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20180213/2055877-1LOGO SOURCE Avaya [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 13, 2018] First National Bank of Omaha and ATS Secured Team Up to Offer New Technology to the Real Estate and Settlement Industries First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO) and ATS Secured announced their unique joint solution to the settlement and title industry that reduces wire fraud and data errors, shortens closing times, and helps settlement agents increase closing volume. All disbursements are processed in a secure environment that is directly integrated with the bank. All data communications are secure and the disbursement process is controlled with custom rules and permissions. Settlement agents can now manage their disbursements in one place to make their jobs easier and increase customer satisfaction and productivity. "At First National Bank of Omaha, we are continuously looking for opportunities to provide value to our customers through new technology. The title and settlement industry has unique needs and we are excited to team with ATS Secured to provide a new money movement solution in a secured and streamlined manner," said Russ Oatman, Sr Vice President of FNBO's Corporate Treasury Services group. "Wire fraud is already a big problem and it's growing faster than ever before," added ATS Secured CEO Wes Miller. "Consumers' down payment funds are being stolen. Sellers' proceeds are being stolen. It's a big roblem. We are excited to be working with First National Bank of Omaha to bring technology solutions that provide real protection to title companies and their home buyers and sellers." ATS Secured brings ESIGN compliant digital signatures, wire transmittals, paper and X9.37 digital checks, as well as automatic reconciliation to the solution. Data security is a major component of the FNBO/ATS Secured partnership, offering identity verification for individuals and businesses, secure messaging that replaces encrypted email, and document sharing and storage. FNBO and ATS Secured will be offering this solution to all existing FNBO settlement and title agents to facilitate cost reduction and processing time for disbursements. FNBO and ATS will also be offering the solution to other regional settlement agent firms that are not currently conducting business with FNBO. About FNBO Founded in 1857, First National Bank is a subsidiary of First National of Nebraska. First National of Nebraska has grown into the largest privately-owned banking company in the United States. First National and its affiliates have more than $21 billion in managed assets and 5,000 employee associates. Primary banking offices are located in Nebraska, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Texas. About ATS Secured ATS Secured's software solution empowers individuals and businesses to securely transmit wires, by the use of authenticated bank accounts and verified identities. Our platform allows individuals and businesses to store, use, collaborate and share all of their communications and documents in one place, so they can conduct transactions faster, better and easier. Beyond collaborating on data and documents, users can employ digital signatures, identity verification (personal and business), vendor management, report generation, and one-click payments via wire or digital or paper check-all on one platform. Learn more at atssecured.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180213005293/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 12, 2018] The Future of Central Europe Telecommunications Market to 2025 - Focus on Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland - ResearchAndMarkets.com The "The Future of Central Europe Telecommunications Market to 2025 - Analysis and Outlook of Central Europe Mobile, Fixed Line and Broadband Sectors" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The research work strategically analyzes Central Europe telecommunications market, examining the recent trends, drivers and challenges across diverse dimensions such as growth, demand, pricing, competition, consumer behaviour, infrastructure, policies and others. The study also provides in-depth analysis of segment wise telecommunications including mobile, fixed line and fixed broadband services. All key markets in the region along with their individual market trends, outlook and operators are included in the research. The number of subscribers and penetration rates are forecast for each of the sub-segment including mobile, fixed landline and broadband segments from 2005 to 2025 for the following countries: Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland Central Europe telecommunication revenues, investment and infrastructure details are also covered in the report. Further, emerging business environment in Central Europe together with comparison to five competitive benchmark coutries are included, to assess the country's prominence on regional front. On the competitive analysis front, leading companies along with their market shares are identified. Further, key business strategies of market leaders, their tariffs and SWOT profiles are included. In addition, the research work forecasts the demographic and economic drivers of Central Europe that enable strategy planners to formulate their pricing and branding strategies. The report also includes latest telecommunication market developments, mergers, acquisitions and launches, spectrum availability, tenders and other aspects are analyzed. Key Topics Covered: Executive Summary Key Findings Central Europe Telecom Market Overview Central Europe Telecom Market-Strategic Analysis Trends Shaping the Future of Central Europe Telecom Industry Key strategies being Implemented by Market Leaders Telecom Revenues in Central Europe Countries Telecom Investments in Central Europe Countries Market Drivers Market Restraints Central Europe Telecom Market Outlook Central Europe Telecom Competitive Environment Market Shares by Company Regulatory Bodies and Their Role in Industries Central Europe Countries Telecom Industry Benchmarking Overall Ranking Demand Index Infrastructure Index Growth Index Central Europe Economic and Demographic Outlook to 2025 GDP Forecast, 2005-2025 GDP per Capita Forecast, 2005-2025 Population Forecast, 2005-2025 Unemployment Trends in Central Europe Countries Competitor Analysis Recent Industry Developments in Central Europe countries Telecom Markets Appendix For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/76cx33/the_future_of?w=4 View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180212006198/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 12, 2018] GLI Asia is Celebrating Ten Years of Service to the Macau Gaming Market MACAU, China, Feb. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- As we enter the new year, GLI Asia is celebrating ten years of service to the Macau gaming market and to the operators, regulators, and suppliers of the surrounding regions in Asia-Pacific. The expert testing and consulting staff has been honored to diligently serve clients in land-based gaming, online gaming, and lottery sectors with unsurpassed skill and commitment, and like the year of the dog teaches us, GLI's customer-focused approach is centered on the qualities of honesty, loyalty, and responsibility. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/640314/GLI_Asia_Logo.jpg GLI Asia officially opened for operation on 20 July 2007. Since that time, the lab has grown to more than 300 square meters (about 3,300 square feet) and is the most structured test lab in Asia. "It has been an honor and a thrill to see our business grow with customer demand. It is especially humbling when our customers return to us again and again, asking us for additional service offerings, allowing us to grow along with them," said Marina Wong, GLI Asia's General Manager of Client Services. Another exciting aspect of GLI Asia's Macau presence is its positive impact on the local economy, with each of the lab's employees being local Macau residents. In fact, four employees have been with the company nearly since the lab's opening. Julian Lei and Nathan Chang have been with the lab since 2009, and Ben Leung has been with GLI Asia since 2010. Their long-term presence and insights are a boon to GLI's clients and to the lab's other employees. "We are proud that so many of our employees have chosen to stay with GLI Asia for so long," Wong said. "Their experience is incredibly valuable to our clients, and to the other staff members. When new employees join us, they are able to quickly learn from our long-term employees and expand their knowledge base." Because of their expertise, GLI Asia staff have become in-demand speakers on lottery issues throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Today the lab serves clients of all sizes in land-based gaming, online gaming, and in lotteries. Key services the lab provides include testing for hardware, software, platforms, systems, games, and RNGs. GLI Asia also helped successfully develop China's first gaming technical standard "Technical Gaming Standards for Online Lottery Systems and Betting Terminals." The lab has also executed numerous high-profile lottery projects in Beijing, mainland China; South Korea; and Taiwan. For Wong, the GLI Asia staff, and for GLI as a company, over the past ten years, the mission has remained the same: "We put the customer first," Wong said. "We understand that when our customers succeed, we succeed. When regulators rest easier, when suppliers are able to speed up their time-to-market and reduce expenses, when operators' casino floors are compliant and secure, and when the products are fair for everyone that is when we know we have succeeded, together." So what does the future hold for GLI Asia? Wong said, "As we celebrate the year of the dog, we will continue to keep in mind our focus on honesty, loyalty, and responsibility. That is how we have earned both regulators' and our clients' trust, and we will continue to work hard every day to maintain that trust and to continue to be the most reliable lab in Macau, in Asia, and in the world." SOURCE GLI Asia [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 13, 2018] Idaho Technology Company Black Sage Plans Drone Defense Demonstration at Idaho State Capitol BOISE, Idaho, Feb. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Boise, Idaho based Black Sage will demonstrate drone defense on the State Capitol in Boise, Idaho at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 21, with the company's state-of-the-art counter unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) technology. The demonstration will be the first of its kind. "The layered approach Black Sage employs to detect, identify and defeat unauthorized drones is the most capable and flexible technique used anywhere," said Black Sage Managing Partner Dave Romero. "Using a combination of radio frequency detection, radars, thermal cameras and non-kinetic effectors, Black Sage protects the airspace and safely brings down incoming threats." During the simulation, Black Sage will create a virtual fence around the capitol, fly a swarm of drones directly into the protected area, and demonstrate the counte-UAS system to safely defeat the threat using a handheld or stationary disruptor. Idaho Governor Butch Otter and the Idaho legislature will be present to witness the high-tech simulation. "Unmanned aircraft or 'drones' are not tomorrow's technology," said Idaho Governor Butch Otter. "They are today's tools, for everything from warfare to farming. Unfortunately, tools that can be incredibly useful also can be terribly dangerous in the wrong hands. Technology like Black Sage has developed holds great promise for protecting our communities and our citizens from the very real threat of weaponized drones." Numerous Black Sage guests and customers from around the world will be on hand for the demonstration. In 2017, similar equipment from their company was showcased at the world's largest air show in Paris. "We live in the age of drones and this consumer technology is rapidly advancing," said Black Sage Managing Partner Ross Lamm, Ph.D. "Small unmanned aircraft systems are a genuine threat and there are creative people out there who intend to cause harm. This team has worked with a sense of mission to develop the system now keeping our nation and its allies safe. We appreciate the support of Governor Otter and the State of Idaho for the rare opportunity to demonstrate these capabilities in a public setting." About Black Sage: Black Sage is a privately held defense technology integrator founded in Boise Idaho in 2014 by Managing Partners Ross Lamm Ph.D. and Dave Romero. With a team of experts, the company has provided solutions to customers all around the world. For additional information about Black Sage visit blacksagetech.com. View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/idaho-technology-company-black-sage-plans-drone-defense-demonstration-at-idaho-state-capitol-300597491.html SOURCE Black Sage [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 13, 2018] Tyler Technologies to Conduct Property Reassessment for Delaware County, Pennsylvania Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: TYL) signed an agreement with Delaware County, Pennsylvania, for Tyler's CLT Appraisal Services. Tyler's multi-year reassessment project will continue through 2020, culminating in tax bills using the updated values in 2021. Delaware County conducted its previous revaluation in 1999 with Tyler, and used the new values for tax bills in 2000. Given the changes in property values over the last 17 years, a revaluation of Delaware County was court ordered, a common practice in Pennsylvania. The county selected Tyler to provide its CLT Appraisal Services because of their dependable service and long-standing relationship. Not only did Tyler conduct Delaware County's previous reassessment, but the county also uses Tyler's iasWorld appraisal and tax administration software to manage all property data. Tyler will conduct a reassessment of the county's more than 200,000 parcels. Work has already begun, and Tyler has staff in the field using Tyler Verify oftware to capture updated street-level images and perform data reviews of each property. The project also includes building sketch verification, data verification and field checks, data analysis, data mailers, and final review before assessment notices are sent to taxpayers. Tyler's CLT Appraisal Services is the country's oldest - and only national - mass appraisal services offering, and has appraised nearly 50 million parcels of residential, agricultural, commercial, and industrial properties across 46 states. Tyler provides traditional mass appraisal services and technology-driven services using Tyler Verify software that meets International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) standards for desktop review. Tyler Verify has been used to collect and verify more than 12 million parcels across the U.S., Canada, and The Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Delaware County is the fifth largest county in Pennsylvania, with a population of more than 500,000, and is adjacent to the city and county of Philadelphia. Tyler also provides appraisal and tax solutions to Pennsylvania's four largest counties. About Tyler Technologies (News - Alert) , Inc. Tyler Technologies (NYSE: TYL) is a leading provider of end-to-end information management solutions and services for local governments. Tyler partners with clients to empower the public sector - cities, counties, schools and other government entities - to become more efficient, more accessible and more responsive to the needs of their constituents. Tyler's client base includes more than 15,000 local government offices in all 50 states, Canada, the Caribbean, Australia, and other international locations. In 2017, Forbes ranked Tyler on its "Most Innovative Growth Companies" list, and Fortune included Tyler on its "100 Fastest-Growing Companies" list. More information about Tyler Technologies, headquartered in Plano, Texas, can be found at www.tylertech.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180213005088/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 12, 2018] Zwanger Pesiri Embraces Dual Broadband; Architects an Application-Driven WAN Powered by the Silver Peak Unity EdgeConnect SD-WAN Solution Silver Peak, the global leader in broadband and hybrid WAN solutions, announced today that Zwanger Pesiri has rearchitected its WAN, deploying an application-driven WAN edge powered by the Silver Peak (News - Alert) Unity EdgeConnect SD-WAN solution. With 24 outpatient radiology clinics located across the New York metropolitan area, generating 800,000+ imaging records annually, the firm's WAN plays a critical role in enabling exceptional patient care and assuring 24/7/365 business operations. With its conventional router-centric WAN architecture proving unreliable and too costly and complex to manage, the firm turned to broadband and SD-WAN to address network and application performance and resiliency requirements, dramatically lower connectivity costs and fuel business growth and expansion. Building a Modern WAN to Fuel Business Innovation, Growth and Expansion In the migration of infrastructure and applications to the cloud, Zwanger Pesiri realized a core criterion in rearchitecting its WAN would be the ability to connect staff directly from each clinic to patient records and business applications hosted across its colocation data center and the cloud. The firm evaluated a range of SD-WAN vendors and selected the Silver Peak EdgeConnect SD-WAN solution based on its breadth and depth of advanced features and capabilities, including the ability to maintain network performance and resiliency service levels associated with generating a terabyte o new imaging records daily and accessing more than 1.2 PB of stored patient records dating back seven years. Routing interoperability with OSPF also proved a core criterion in maintaining business continuity and regulatory compliance throughout the firm's transition to SD-WAN. Embracing Cost-Effective High-Performance Dual Broadband Also seeking to future-ready its network, the firm's IT organization was becoming increasingly frustrated with the subpar resiliency, inadequate bandwidth and the high costs associated with managing its conventional router-centric, MPLS-based WAN. With routine link brownouts and outages, its conventional WAN architecture was ill-equipped to maintain network and application service levels. After evaluating a range of broadband providers, the firm quickly achieved carrier independence and negotiated favorable long-term contracts to provide dual 500Mbps broadband links to each clinic, providing 5-10 times more available bandwidth at one third the cost of existing MPLS circuits. Beyond the dramatic connectivity cost savings, the firm has realized the following key business benefits from its EdgeConnect SD-WAN deployment and can now effectively: Service its network during normal business operating hours Quickly bring up new carrier's and broadband links without business interruption Assure network and application performance, resiliency and service levels Empower clinic staff with real-time data to provide exceptional patient care The end result: Zwanger Pesiri is now well positioned to expand its business to 32 clinics this year without compromising on the performance and resiliency of its WAN. "It's a bit like a lottery when you do something novel without a whole lot of history or peer group examples, but it was clear to us that our conventional router-centric WAN was really holding our business back," said Joseph Furnaro, CIO for Zwanger Pesiri. "In the case of Silver Peak, we were really impressed by the high level of engineering expertise underpinning the EdgeConnect SD-WAN solution. This gave us a high degree of confidence in our ability to seamlessly transition from our router-centric WAN to an application-driven SD-WAN. To date, we haven't missed a beat in maintaining 24/7/365 network resiliency and business continuity along with our commitments to patients." "When we initially engaged with Zwanger Pesiri, it was clear that their router-centric WAN was the root-cause of a growing number of network outages that, in one instance, took half of their clinics offline, rendering them un-operational," said John Vincenzo (News - Alert) , senior vice president and CMO for Silver Peak. "With EdgeConnect, the firm is quickly transitioning to an application-driven active/active SD-WAN edge that will assure the network performance and resiliency required to deliver exceptional patient care, maintain business continuity and scale as the firm expands and grows." About Silver Peak Silver Peak is the global leader in broadband and hybrid WAN solutions. Silver Peak offers a high-performance SD-WAN solution that provides secure and reliable virtual overlays to connect users to applications with the flexibility to use any combination of underlying transport without compromising application performance. This results in greater business agility and lower costs. More than 3,000 globally distributed enterprises have deployed Silver Peak broadband and hybrid WAN solutions across 80 countries. Learn more at silver-peak.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180212005022/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 12, 2018] DH2i's Connor Cox, Director of Business Development, Recognized as 2018 CRN Channel Chief FORT COLLINS, Colo., Feb. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- DH2i, the leading provider of multi-platform distributed resiliency, disaster recovery (DR) and cost improvement solutions for Windows Server and Linux Server databases and stateful Docker containers, today announced that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Connor Cox, Director of Business Development, to its prestigious list of 2018 Channel Chiefs. The executives on this annual list represent top leaders in the IT channel who excel at driving growth and revenue in their organization through channel partners. Channel Chief honorees are selected by CRN's editorial staff on the basis of their professional achievements, standing in the industry, dedication to the channel partner community, and strategies for driving future growth and innovation. Each of the 2018 Channel Chiefs has demonstrated loyalty and ongoing support for the IT channel by consistently promoting, defending and executing outstanding channel partner programs. Cox was recognized for his unyielding dedication to the success of DH2i's channel partners, as well as his direction of DH2i's channel organization. Key accomplishments during the past year included leading DH2i's expansion into the APAC region for the first time, with the addition of partner organizations based in India and South Korea: ApON Innovative Solutions and Korea Cyber Tech Inc. Cox personally facilitated the smooth on-boarding of both organizations through live demos, sales training meetings and personalized tours through DH2i's partner portal. Moreover, in short time DH2i closed its first deal within a country where the dominant language is not English. Cox worked closely with Korea Cyber Tech to ensure the organization received all of the resources and assistance they required to close their first deal. Cox also expanded DH2i's presence into Nigeria and Ghana, signing on Storhet Solutions (formerly, Igwet). "The executives on CRN's 2018 Channel Chiefs list stand out for their exceptional leadership, vision and commitment to the channel," said Robert Faletra, Executive Chairman of The Channel Company. "These individuals deserve special recognition for their development and support of robust partner programs, innovative business strategy and significant contribution to the overall health of a vigorously growing channel. We applaud each Channel Chief's impressive record of accomplishments and look forward to their future successes." "While growing DH2i's DxAdvantage Partner Program's global presence has certainly been a priorityone Connor has met with flying colorshis innate ability to enable and empower our partner network to achieve the best possible outcomes is where Connor really shines," said Don Boxley, CEO and Co-Founder, DH2i. "Bottom line, Connor does whatever it takes to make sure our partners identify or are provided opportunities and then close the deals. For our partners, that means fast time to value, leading to dramatically increased revenues and profits." The 2018 CRN Channel Chiefs list, including the 50 Most Influential Channel Chiefs, is featured online at www.crn.com/channelchiefs and will appear in the February 2018 issue of CRN. Tweet This: .@TheChannelCo names Connor Cox, @DH2i to @CRN 2018 Channel Chiefs list #CRNChannelChiefs www.crn.com/channelchiefs About The Channel Company The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequalled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelco.com. Follow The Channel Company: Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook About DH2i DH2i Company is the leading provider of multi-platform distributed resiliency, disaster recovery (DR) and cost improvement solutions for Windows Server and Linux Server databases and stateful Docker containers. Its flagship product, DxEnterprise, drastically reduces IT management complexity, enables nearest-to-zero planned and unplanned downtime, unlocks 30-60% cost savings and can reduce the number of OSes under management by 8-15x. DxEnterprise gives you data tier portability from any host, to any host, anywhere, at any time. Intelligent automation ensures that workloads and containers only come online where they can perform at an optimal level, compliant with business requirements and SLAs. To learn more, please visit: www.dh2i.com, call: 800-380-5405 or +44 20 3318 9204, or email: info@dh2i.com. DH2i Company 2018. DH2i, Smart Availability, DxEnterprise, DxConsole, DxHADR, DxTransfer, DxCollect and InstanceMobility are trademarks of DH2i Company. All other brand or product names contained in this press release may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved. PR Contacts: Nicole Gorman Corporate Communications DH2i 508-397-0131 Melanie Turpin The Channel Company 508.416.1195 mturpin@thechannelco.com View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dh2is-connor-cox-director-of-business-development-recognized-as-2018-crn-channel-chief-300597174.html SOURCE DH2i [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 12, 2018] PCCW Global and Youtap collaborate to deliver innovative mobile money payments acquiring and processing solution HONG KONG and SINGAPORE, Feb. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- PCCW Global, the international operating division of HKT, Hong Kong's premier telecommunications service provider, has entered into an agreement with Youtap, a leader in contactless mobile money payments processing for emerging markets that has been rigorously tested in emerging markets around the world. Under the agreement, PCCW Global will expand distribution of Youtap Pay and Youtap merchant acquisition services as a complement to HKT's Tap & Go payment solution. Youtap solutions have been specially developed to enable closed-loop payment, agency banking and disbursement services in-store, on the street and on the go. The agreement will allow PCCW Global to provide both existing and new clients with payment processing and merchant acquisition services designed to support customers transacting in a variety of different ways. Through this collaboration, carriers, MNOs and financial institutions served by PCCW Global will enjoy the benefits of an enhanced secure mobile payment processing platform which has been tested in some of the most challenging environments in the world. Communications service providers around the world are discovering the benefits of providing mobile payment solutions, and the collaboration adds an extremely flexible, scalable and easy-to-deploy single global payment platform to PCCW Global's existing service offering. Mr. Craig Price, Senior Vice President, International Projects, PCCW Global, said, "Our collaboration with Youtap, in combination with our existing deployment of HKT's Tap & Go platform, will enable PCCW Global customers to further expand their offer of an end-to-end payments solution regardless of the preferred method of payment. Our expanded mobile payment solutions are now uniquely positioned to overcome all the challenges associated with making contactless payments, and we expect the demontrable ease of operation which this new relationship brings to our offering will deliver real benefits to our customers around the world." Mr. Chris Jones, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Youtap, said, "We believe that our platforms and expertise in emerging markets complement the reach, networks, and pedigree of PCCW Global and their Tap & Go solution. In leveraging our combined knowledge in the payments industry, we can deliver unparalleled experiences for both merchants and consumers alike." About PCCW Global PCCW Global is the international operating division of HKT, Hong Kong's premier telecommunications service provider, which is majority-owned by PCCW Limited. Covering more than 3,000 cities and 150 countries, the PCCW Global network supports a portfolio of integrated global communications solutions which include Ethernet, IP, fiber and satellite transmission solutions, international voice and VoIPX services, managed network & security services and our expanding "as-a-service" solutions including OTT video and Unified Communications. PCCW Global is headquartered in Hong Kong, and maintains regional centers in Belgium, China, France, Greece, Japan, Korea, Singapore, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. To learn more about PCCW Global, please visit www.pccwglobal.com. About HKT HKT (SEHK: 6823) is Hong Kong's premier telecommunications service provider and leading operator in fixed-line, broadband and mobile communication services. It meets the needs of the Hong Kong public and local and international businesses with a wide range of services including local telephony, local data and broadband, international telecommunications, mobile, and other telecommunications businesses such as customer premises equipment sales, outsourcing, consulting, and contact centers. HKT offers a unique quadruple-play experience in Hong Kong delivering media content on its fixed-line, broadband Internet access and mobile platforms jointly with its parent company, PCCW Limited. HKT also provides a range of innovative and smart living services beyond connectivity to make the daily lives of customers more convenient, whether they are at home, in the workplace, or on the go. For more information, please visit www.hkt.com. About Youtap Youtap headquartered in Singapore is a global provider of contactless mobile payments processing, merchant acquiring and financial services software enabling mobile money and stored value wallet customers to tap and pay at any point of sale using any device. Youtap's secure NFC and QR code solutions support payment acceptance for contactless and non-contactless cards, NFC tags and wearables, and NFC phones. Youtap supports merchants, banks, MNOs and payment service providers by incorporating loyalty programs and other responsive functionalities that benefit both consumers and merchants. Website: https://www.youtap.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/youtap-limited Twitter: https://twitter.com/youtap2pay SOURCE Youtap [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 12, 2018] Constantine Cannon Announces a $900,000 Whistleblower Settlement With Luxury UK e-Retailer LONDON, Feb. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Constantine Cannon LLP is pleased to announce a more than $900,000 settlement on behalf of its whistleblower client in a lawsuit against Pure Collection Ltd. Pure Collection is a Harrogate, England-based e-retailer of luxury cashmere and apparel goods. The United States Government announced the settlement agreement today with Pure Collection and the e-retailer's acting CEO, Samantha Harrison. The company and Ms. Harrison have collectively agreed to a settlement of $908,100 (USD) to the U.S. Government. This lawsuit was one of the first to be brought by a U.K. whistleblower in which the U.S. Government intervened and successfully resolved the whistleblower's False Claims Act (FCA) allegations. The whistleblower, Andrew Patrick of Harrogate, England, brought to Constantine Cannon's London office information regarding Pure Collection's practices. Mr. Patrick will be awarded 18 percent of the total settlement. The qui tam, or whistleblower, lawsuit alleged that since 2007 the defendants fraudulently and systematically avoided paying U.S. customs duties on its goods shipped from the United Kingdom to customers in the United States. In an attempt to attract more U.S.-based customers, Pure Collection engaged in a practice commonly known as "splitting." The defendants neither admitted nor denied liability. Whistleblower Andrew Patrick worked for Pure Collection from 2010 to 2014, first as a sales representative in its U.K. call center and then in its U.K. packaging department. Mr. Patrick was trained to systematically split customers' large orders to successfully avoid paying U.S. customs fees, saving the company millions of dollars, according to the suit. Mr. Patrick brought his allegations to the attention of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in 2014, and later filed a whistleblower submission with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service in 2015. After the two initial unsuccessful attempts to alert U.S. authorities, Mr. Patrick approached Richard Pike, a solicitor-advocate and partner in Constantine Cannon's London office, who specializes in advising whistleblowers under U.S. whistleblower programs. Mr. Patrick filed his whistleblower suit in 2016 in federal court in Maine. Mr. Patrick is represented by Mary Inman, Richard Pike and Till Vere-Hodge in Constantine Cannon's London office. Dan Murphy of Bernstein Shur, served as counsel in Maine, were the case was filed. Mr. Patrick is also represented by Molly Knobler of Phillips & Cohen. "Mr. Patrick is the first British whistleblower to expose a UK company for evading U.S. import duties and only the second to receive a financial reward under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act," said Inman, a partner in Constantine Cannon's London office whose practice focuses on representing UK and EU whistleblowers under the American whistleblower programs. "As global business expands, European whistleblowers like Mr. Patrick play an increasingly vital role in alerting the U.S. Government to fraud schemes that cross international borders." "Mr. Patrick should be commended for his persistence in bringing these matters to the attention of multiple U.S. authorities and his foresight in being among the handful of British citizens who have availed themselves of the American whistleblower programs," said Pike, a partner in Constantine Cannon's London office. "The American taxpayers owe Mr. Patrick a debt of gratitude for his courage in coming forward to expose these practices, many of which occurred on British soil but reverberated in the U.S." "Pure arrogantly decided it didn't need to play by the same rules as other retailers, and placed its own interests in profits and access to the U.S. market above the laws of the U.S. Government," said Vere-Hodge, an associate in Constantine Cannon's London office. "The Government's successful resolution of Mr. Patrick's case sends a clear message that this behavior will not be tolerated." The federal False Claims Act (FCA) encourages whistleblowers of any nationality to expose companies that are defrauding the U.S. Government by allowing a private party from any country to file a civil lawsuit on the government's behalf and providing for a reward of 15 to 25 percent of the Government's civil recovery if the government joins, or intervenes in, the case, as the Government has done here. Mr. Patrick will receive 18 percent of the Government's recovery. The FCA is one of the most effective weapons in combatting fraud, waste, and abuse by those who contract with the U.S. Government. Since 2017, the U.S. has recovered upwards of $50 million in customs duties fraud cases alone. Just last week, the Wall Street Journal observed an increase in whistleblower cases exposing customs-related wrongdoing. Such fraud can be difficult to uncover without access to inside information; well-placed whistleblowers like Mr. Patrick are necessary to provide the information to help stop these practices. Constantine Cannon would like to recognize the fine lawyers in the U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of Maine for their work on the case, in particular, Civil Division Chief John G. Osborn and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew K. Lizotte. United States of America ex rel. Andrew Patrick v. Pure Collection Ltd. et al. , Case No. 2:16-cv-00230-GZS, United States District Court for the District of Maine. About Constantine Cannon's Whistleblower Practice: Constantine Cannon's team of dedicated whistleblower lawyers has extensive experience representing whistleblowers in federal and state courts and before the Securities & Exchange Commission, the Internal Revenue Service, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the Department of Transportation. With a total of 21 attorneys, who bring more than 100 years of collective experience in whistleblower cases, working full-time representing whistleblower clients, Constantine Cannon is one of the largest and most expert whistleblower law firms in the United States. Additionally, the firm's London office allows for the unique ability to serve whistleblower clients in Europe and Asia. The firm's expansion of its American whistleblower practice to London, an international port-of-call for whistleblowers worldwide, was featured recently in the New York Times. To learn more about Constantine Cannon's whistleblower practice, click here. About Constantine Cannon LLP Constantine Cannon, with offices in New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco and London, has deep expertise in practice areas that include antitrust and complex commercial litigation, whistleblower representation, government relations, securities and e-discovery. The firm's antitrust practice is among the largest and most well recognized in the nation. Constantine Cannon's experience spans across multiple industries including healthcare, banking, electronic payments, insurance, high tech, telecommunications, the Internet and government contracting. To learn more about the firm generally, click here. Media Contact : Attorney Contact : Andrea M. Garcia Mary A. Inman PRCG | Haggerty LLC Constantine Cannon LLP, London +1 (212) 683-8100 (New York) (0)75 2350 7532 (mobile) Agarcia@prcg.com minman@constantinecannon.co.uk View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/constantine-cannon-announces-a-900000-whistleblower-settlement-with-luxury-uk-e-retailer-300597468.html SOURCE Constantine Cannon LLP [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 12, 2018] CEL-SCI Corporation Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2018 Financial Results CEL-SCI Corporation (NYSE American: CVM) today reported financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2017. The Company also reported key clinical and corporate developments achieved during the quarter. Clinical and Corporate Developments included: The Phase 3 head and neck cancer study's Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) completed a review of the data from all 928 patients enrolled in the study and recommended continuing the study as constituted, as there was no evidence of any significant safety questions. It was determined that CEL-SCI's Phase 3 head and neck cancer study is fully enrolled. All 928 patients are now being followed per the protocol. The primary endpoint of the study, a 10% improvement in overall survival of the Multikine treatment regimen plus Standard of Care (SOC) vs. Standard of Care alone, will be determined after a total of 298 deaths have occurred in these two main comparator arms of the study and have been recorded in the study database. All that remains to be done in this pivotal Phase 3 study is to continue to track patient survival until the primary endpoint has been met. The testimony phase of the arbitration concluded, and all that remained at the trial level as of early November 2017 were closing statements and post-trial submissions in CEL-SCI's $50 million-plus arbitration suit against its former clinical research organization (CRO). CEL-SCI fortified its patent portfolio with three new patents for LEAPS and Multikine. CEL-SCI added a new member to its board of directors, Robert Watson, who has over 35 years of experience in the healthcare IT industry as a CEO, board member and advisor to multiple companies. "We are proud of having completed enrollment and treatment in the world's largest Phase 3 study in head and neck cancer. If the study meets its primary endpoint, our investigational immunotherapy Multikine could become the first FDA approved treatment for advanced primary head and neck cancer in over 60 years," said CEL-SCI's Chief Executive Officer, Geert Kersten. "We are also pleased to advance our second product, our LEAPS vaccine technology, through two new patents, one for the platform technology itself, and another specifically for LEAPS's treatment indication in rheumatoid arthritis. During the first quarter, our scientific team has been working on the preclinical studies funded by a recently awarded $1.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to advance our LEAPS rheumatoid arthritis vaccine towards human studies," Kersten concluded. CEL-SCI reported an operating loss of ($4,911,430) for the quarter ended December 31, 2017 versus an operating loss of ($4,938,008) for the quarter ended December 31, 2016. The research and development expenses decreased by approximately $1.2 million compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016 since the Phase 3 study is fully enrolled. The general and administrative expenses increased by approximately $1.3 million compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016. This increase is primarily due to an increase of approximately $1.1 million in equity based compensation related to the Company's shareholder approved 2014 Incentive Stock Bonus Plan related to meeting the milestone of full enrollment of the Phase 3 trial, and an increase of approximately $200,000 in accounting fees. About CEL-SCI Corporation CEL-SCI is a Phase 3 cancer immunotherapy company. The Phase 3 study is fully enrolled with 928 patients. When it comes to cancer immunotherapy, CEL-SCI believes it is most logical to boost the patient's immune system while it is still intact in order to have the greatest possible impact on survival. Therefore, CEL-SCI treats patients who are newly diagnosed with head and neck cancer with its lead investigational immunotherapy Multikine (Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection), BEFORE they have received surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy. This approach is unique. Most other cancer immunotherapies are used only after conventional therapies have been tried and/or failed. Head and neck cancer represents about 6% of all cancers. Multikine has received Orphan Drug designation from the FDA for the treatment of head and neck cancer patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma. The Company's LEAPS technology is being developed as a therapeutic vaccine for rheumatoid arthritis and is supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health. The Company has operations in Vienna, Virginia, and in/near Baltimore, Maryland. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. When used in this press release, the words "intends," "believes," "anticipated," "plans" and "expects," and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, an inability to duplicate the clinical results demonstrated in clinical studies, timely development of any potential products that can be shown to be safe and effective, receiving necessary regulatory approvals, difficulties in manufacturing any of the Company's potential products, inability to raise the necessary capital and the risk factors set forth from time to time in CEL-SCI's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to its report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2017. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revision to these forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect the events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. * Multikine (Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection) is the trademark that CEL-SCI has registered for this investigational therapy, and this proprietary name is subject to FDA review in connection with the Company's future anticipated regulatory submission for approval. Multikine has not been licensed or approved for sale, barter or exchange by the FDA or any other regulatory agency. Similarly, its safety or efficacy has not been established for any use. Moreover, no definitive conclusions can be drawn from the early-phase, clinical-trials data involving the investigational therapy Multikine. Further research is required, and early-phase clinical trial results must be confirmed in the Phase 3 clinical trial of this investigational therapy that is in progress. CEL-SCI CORPORATION STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016 (UNAUDITED) 2017 2016 Grant and other income $ 113,897 $ 17,258 Operating Expenses: Research and development 2,326,014 3,548,257 General & administrative 2,699,313 1,407,009 Total operating expenses 5,025,327 4,955,266 Operating Loss (4,911,430 ) (4,938,008 ) (Loss) Gain on derivative instruments (958,230 ) 8,928,312 Interest expense, net (318,170 ) (469,151 ) Net (Loss) Income available to common shareholders $ (6,187,830 ) $ 3,521,153 NET (News - Alert) (LOSS) INCOME PER COMMON SHARE BASIC $ (0.53 ) $ 0.59 DILUTED $ (0.53 ) $ 0.32 WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING BASIC 11,636,730 5,994,431 DILUTED 11,636,730 6,084,708 View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180212006366/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 12, 2018] The 55th Design Automation Conference Offers Opportunities for Students to Engage in the Premier Event Focused on the Design and Automation of Electronic Circuits and Systems For more than 54 years, the Design Automation Conference (DAC) has striven to foster a vibrant worldwide community of electronic design and systems professionals as well as improve the diversity among attendees. DAC's student fellow and scholarship programs are designed to give young students their first experience with the electronic design and systems industry. Newton Young Student Fellow Program: In honor of the memory of Dr. A. Richard Newton, The Newton Young Student Fellow Program actively supports the next engineering generation by enabling young students at the beginning of a career to enter the dynamic world of design and automation of electronic systems. Each Young Student Fellow will actively engage at DAC through numerous events, including meetings with design automation luminaries, attendance at technical sessions and exhibits, participation in student-related events at DAC, and a poster session designed to introduce each Young Student Fellow to the DAC community. Each selected Fellow will receive a free DAC full conference registration including tutorials. In addition, DAC will issue partial grants to cover travel expenses, subject to some matching funds from the student's advisor or university. The awardees will participate in the following activities during the conference: Participate in the DAC summer school on Sunday, June 24. Kickoff breakfast meeting on Monday, June 25 sponsored by Cadence. Selected conference sessions, including sessions with Best Paper Award nominations. Poster presentation (either current research, or relevant coursework/projects) introducing each Fellow during the DAC student event. Attendance at the awards ceremony. Attendance at the closing session during the Thursday evening reception. Social media postings (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn (News - Alert) , etc.) to provide timely news, photos and feedback on events during DAC. Preference is given to junior or senior undergraduates in Engineering; to under-represented demographics such as women and minorities; to students in smaller research groups; to students pursuing a master's degree and pre-candidacy Ph.D. students. In past years, DAC has sponsored more than 70 students as part of this program. To apply for a Newton Young Student Fellowship, students must complete the application form. The submission site is open now through March 7, 2018. Qualifying students will be notified by April 2, 2018. Conference participation will be June 24 - 28, 2018 at the Moscone West Center, San Francisco, CA (News - Alert) . P.O. Pistilli Scholarship Program: The objective of the P.O. Pistilli Undergraduate Scholarship for Advancement in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering is to increase the number of professionals in electrical engineering, computer engineering and computer science from under-represented groups. Scholarships of $4,000 per year, renewable for up to five years, are awarded annually to between two and seven high school seniors who have a 3.00 GPA or better (on a 4.00 scale), have demonstrated high achievement in math and science courses, have a strong desire to pursue careers in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science, and who have demonstrated substantial financial need. For more information on the P.O Pistilli Scholarship program visit: https://dac.com/content/po-pistilli-undergraduate-scholarship-0 For additional information on awards and the Design Automation Conference, visit www.dac.com. About DAC The Design Automation Conference (DAC) is recognized as the premier event for the design of electronic circuits and systems, and for electronic design automation (EDA) and silicon solutions. A diverse worldwide community representing more than 1,000 organizations attends each year, represented by system designers and architects, logic and circuit designers, validation engineers, CAD managers, senior managers and executives to researchers and academicians from leading universities. Close to 60 technical sessions selected by a committee of electronic design experts offer information on recent developments and trends, management practices and new products, methodologies and technologies. A highlight of DAC is its exhibition and suite area with approximately 200 of the leading and emerging EDA, silicon, intellectual property (IP) and design services providers. The conference is sponsored by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), the Electronic Systems Design Alliance (ESDA), and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers ( IEEE (News - Alert) ), and is supported by ACM's Special Interest Group on Design Automation (ACM SIGDA) and IEEE's Council on Electronic Design Automation (CEDA). Design Automation Conference acknowledges trademarks or registered trademarks of other organizations for their respective products and services. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180212006368/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 12, 2018] PGT Innovations Announces Ted Rock as Senior Vice President of Shared Services and Commercial, among Additional Leadership Appointments PGT Innovations, Inc. (NYSE: PGTI), the nation's leading manufacturer and supplier of residential impact-resistant windows and doors, today announced that Ted Rock has joined the company as Senior Vice President of Shared Services and Commercial. In his new role, Mr. Rock will oversee information technology (IT), strategic purchasing, field service, PGTI's commercial division, as well as provide support for future acquisitions. With more than 20 years of leadership experience, Mr. Rock boasts an extensive background in operations management, process improvement, workforce development, strategic planning, revenue optimization, and business development. Prior to joining PGT Innovations, Mr. Rock served as Chief Operations Officer for Texas-based window manufacturer Atrium Corporation, where he led operational advances contributing to company earnings increasing from 5 to 17 percent, lowered turnover levels from 200 percent to 40 percent, and heightened the company's focus on metrics, sales, operations planning, forecasting, and incentive alignment. "We're thrilled to have Ted Rock spearhead this role as the company continues to elevate our internal and external service offerings," said Jeff Jackson, CEO of PGT Innovations. "His proven track record in working cross-functionally with executive leadership to improve processes and establishing metrics of success will provide us with more opportunities to grow and serve our customers and shareholders even better." In addition to the selection of Rock in this new role, PGT Innovations appointed several other leaders in recent weeks to expanded responsibilities: John Bonacci has been appointed Vice President of Supply Chain and Logistics of PGT Innovations. Mr. Bonacci will continue to maintain strong business relationships with suppliers, find innovative solutions to supply chain issues and manage warehousing and distribution methods for the company's facilitie. Benji Hershberger has been appointed Vice President of Customer Care of PGT Innovations. Mr. Hershberger's responsibilities include looking after customers on a daily basis and ensuring their satisfaction. Dean Ruark has been appointed Vice President of Product and Management of PGT Innovations. In this role, Mr. Ruark will manage the strategic product roadmap, product vision, research and design, testing, code, and will execute the overall portfolio and product strategy that supports customer and market requirements. Kevin Huber has been appointed Vice President of Operations of CGI (News - Alert) . Mr. Huber's responsibilities will include day-to-day operations for all aspects of the company's facility in Miami, Florida. "These new appointments reflect our company's commitment to recognizing excellence," Jackson said. "Ted, John, Benji, Dean, and Kevin embody the spirit of community and bring forward-thinking expertise and leadership to all they do. We look forward to their additional contributions serving our customers, team members, and partners." For more information about PGT Innovations, please visit www.pgtinnovations.com. About PGT Innovations PGT Innovations, headquartered in North Venice, Florida, with more than 2,800 employees statewide, creates value through deep customer relationships, understanding the unstated needs of an industry, a drive to create the strongest, safest products on the market, and a commitment to always moving forward. The company's trusted brands include CGI, PGT Custom Windows & Doors, and WinDoor. PGT Innovations is the nation's largest manufacturer of impact-resistant windows and doors, holds the leadership position in its primary market, and is part of the S&P SmallCap 400 Index. For additional information, visit www.pgtinnovations.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180212006372/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 12, 2018] Invacare Corporation Transfers Kuschall Wheelchair Production from Switzerland to France Invacare Corporation (NYSE: IVC) today announced that it will transfer production of Kuschall manual wheelchairs from its facility in Witterswil, Switzerland to its wheelchair manufacturing facility in Fondettes, France by the end of the third quarter 2018. This move will allow the company to better optimize its wheelchair manufacturing facility in France. The front office of the Swiss facility will remain open and continue to serve as Invacare's European headquarters and research and development center of excellence, as well as the Swiss sales office. "This transfer is another step forward in Phase Two of our transformation, which leverages our existing global infrastructure to reduce costs and further increase efficiencies. We now have announced the transfer of localized wheelchair manufacturing production from Sweden and Switzerland to a central wheelchair manufacturing facility in France. We are creating a leading European wheelchair manufacturing facility that is centrally located to our European customers. We will maintain the high-quality product standards and great service that our customers have come to expect from us," said Matthew E. Monaghan, chairman, president and chief executive officer. Invacare has completed its consultations with Kuschall employees and will proceed with activities to transfer wheelchair production to France. The transfer is expected to generate an incremental $1.7 million in annualized pre-tax savings in the Europe business segment. Due to this realignment, the company expects to incur restructuring charges and related operating costs of approximately $1.1 million on a pre-tax basis in the Europe business segment. Cash restructuring charges will be paid in the third quarter 2018. Consistent with the company's commitment to minimize the impact on longstanding associates, transition assistance will be provided to affected employees. About Invacare Corporation Invacare Corporation (NYSE: IVC) ("Invacare" or the "company") is a leading manufacturer and distributor in its markets for medical equipment used in non-acute care settings. At its core, the company designs, manufactures, and distributes medical devices that help people to move, breathe, rest and perform essential hygiene. The company provides clinically complex medical device solutions for congenital (e.g., cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida), acquired (e.g., stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, post-acute recovery, pressure ulcers) and degenerative (e.g., ALS, multiple sclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, elderly, bariatric) ailments. The company's products are important parts of care for people with a wide range of challenges, from those who are active and involved in work or school each day and may need additional mobility or respiratory support, to those who are cared for in residential care settings, at home and in rehabilitation centers. The company sells its products principally to home medical equipment providers with retail and e-commerce channels, residential care operators, distributors and government health services in North America, Europe and Asia/Pacific. For more information about the company and its products, visit Invacare's website at www.invacare.com. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are those that describe future outcomes or expectations that are usually identified by words such as "will," "should," "could," "plan," "intend," "expect," "continue," "forecast," "believe," and "anticipate" and include, for example, any statement made regarding the company's future results. Actual results may differ materially as a result of various risks and uncertainties, including regulatory proceedings or the company's failure to comply with regulatory requirements or receive regulatory clearance or approval for the company's products or operations; adverse effects of regulatory or governmental inspections of company facilities at any time and governmental warning letters or enforcement actions; circumstances or developments that may make the company unable to implement or realize the anticipated benefits, or that may increase the costs, of its current business initiatives; possible adverse effects on the company's liquidity that may result from delays in the implementation or realization of benefits from its current business initiatives; exchange rate fluctuations; and those other risks and uncertainties expressed in the cautionary statements and risk factors in the company's annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company may not be able to predict and may have little or no control over many factors or events that may influence its future results and, except as required by law, shall have no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180212006382/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 12, 2018] A.M. Best Downgrades Credit Ratings of Genworth Financial, Inc. and Its Affiliates; Maintains Under-Review Status With Implications Revised to Developing A.M. Best has downgraded the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) to B+ (Good) from B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) to "bbb-" from "bbb" of Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company (GLAIC) (Richmond, VA). Concurrently, A.M. Best has downgraded the FSR to B- (Fair) from B (Fair) and the Long-Term ICRs to "bb-" from "bb+" of Genworth Life Insurance Company (GLIC) (Wilmington, DE) and Genworth Life Insurance Company of New York (GLICNY) (New York, NY). Additionally, A.M. Best has downgraded the Long-Term ICRs to "b" from "bb-" of Genworth Financial, Inc. (Genworth) [NYSE: GNW] and Genworth Holdings, Inc. (both domiciled in Delaware), as well as their Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IR). Lastly, A.M. Best has maintained the under-review status of all Credit Ratings (ratings) and revised the implications to developing from negative. (Please see below for a detailed list of the Long-Term IRs.) The ratings of GLIC reflect its balance sheet strength, which A.M. Best categorizes as weak, as well as its marginal operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. Separately, the ratings of GLAIC reflect its strong balance sheet but marginal operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate risk management. GLIC's operations remain focused on the long-term care market (LTC), which A.M. Best has on its product continuum at the high end of risk. A.M. Best continues to view the risk-adjusted capital level as weak, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR) for year-end 2016, partially reflecting required LTC capital charges from a revision to the model in October 2017. Separately, the LTC block continues to require periodic reserve strengthening, which further calls into question the overall strength of the reserves. A.M. Best notes the company's continued successful efforts to garner rate increases across its various LTC blocks, but operating performance remains volatile, and with the limited product profile, prevents significant organic growth, which currently is mainly based on continued price increases. On the other hand, GLAIC's balance sheet, as measured by BCAR, remains strong and reflective of the company's decision to halt new sales back in 2016. However, this has continued to give rise to marginal and volatile operating performance with a limited business profile. From a holding company standpoint, management has been able to formulate adequate financial flexibility, given a limited ability to access the equity markets at this time. Genworth has secured a plan to address the upcoming $600 million of senior debt due in May 2018. In addition, it currently maintains close to $900 million of holding company liquidity. In addition, cash flow from the domestic and international mortgage businesses remains good. A.M. Best also believes there still remains a fair amount of regulatory risk regarding the company's potential acquisition by China Oceanwide, along with uncertainty over the successful completion of the transaction. Although both parties have worked to tighten up the transaction and have jointly refiled with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, management remains unclear as to the ultimate acceptance by the committee, in addition to other regulatory regimes. All ratings will remain under review pending the outcome of China Oceanwide's attempted acquisition of Genworth. However, A.M. Best is revising the implications to developing from negative as management continues to take positive actions at the holding company level in addressing upcoming maturities and accumulating holding company liquidity. The following Long-Term IRs have been downgraded, with the under-review status maintained and the implications revised to developing from negative: Genworth Holdings, Inc. (guaranteed by Genworth Financial, Inc.)- -- to "b" from "bb-" on $600 million 6.515% senior unsecured notes, due 2018 -- to "b" from "bb-" on $400 million 7.70% senior unsecured notes, due 2020 -- to "b" from "bb-" on $400 million 7.20% senior unsecured notes, due 2021 -- to "b" from "bb-" on $750 million 7.625% senior unsecured notes, due 2021 -- to "b" from "bb-" on $400 million 4.9% senior unsecured notes, due 2023 -- to "b" from "bb-" on $400 million 4.8% senior unsecured notes, due 2024 -- to "b" from "bb-" on $300 million 6.50% senior unsecured notes, due 2034 -- to "ccc+" from "b" on $600 million fixed/floating rate junior subordinated notes, due 2066 The following indicative Long-Term IRs on securities available under the universal shelf registration have been downgraded with the under-review status maintained and the implications revised to developing from negative: Genworth Financial Inc. - -- to "b" from "bb-" on senior unsecured debt -- to "b-" from "b+" on subordinated debt -- to "ccc+" from "b" on preferred stock Genworth Holdings, Inc.- -- to "b" from "bb-" on senior unsecured debt -- to "b-" from "b+" on subordinated debt -- to "ccc+" from "b" on preferred stock Genworth Global Funding Trusts-program rating to "bbb-" from "bbb" -- to "bbb-" from "bbb" on all outstanding notes issued under the program This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on A.M. Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see A.M. Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Understanding Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best's Credit Ratings and A.M. Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best's Credit Ratings and A.M. Best Rating Action Press Releases. A.M. Best is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2018 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180212006386/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 12, 2018] Survey Uncovers Global Trends in Technology and Social Media Use Among NGOs Public Interest Registry and Nonprofit Tech for Good Release the 3rd Annual 2018 Global NGO Technology Report RESTON, Virginia, Feb. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Public Interest Registry, the nonprofit operator of the .org domain, and Nonprofit Tech for Good today released the results of the "2018 Global NGO Technology Report." The third annual report analyzes how non-governmental organisations (NGOs) worldwide use web, email and mobile technology, online fundraising tools and social media, as well as manage data and security. The report details the key findings from a survey of 5,352 NGO respondents from 164 countries across Africa, Asia, Australia & Oceania, Europe, North America and South America. The report provides insight on the online and mobile communication tools NGOs around the world use to promote general awareness, communicate with core audiences and raise funds from donors, as well as an analysis of those online tools and comparisons of regional usage. New findings this year also uncover how NGOs implement data management and security software. Key findings globally include: 92 percent of respondents have a website . Of those, 87 percent are mobile-compatible, a 9 percent increase from 2017 . Of those, 87 percent are mobile-compatible, a 9 percent increase from 2017 68 percent of survey respondents noted that their organisation uses the .org domain, compared to 8 percent that use the .com domain Email dominates as the preferred form of communication to donors, with 63 percent of respondents regularly sending email updates, but 18 percent use messaging apps and 15 percent regularly send text messages to supporters but 18 percent use messaging apps and 15 percent regularly send text messages to supporters 72 percent of respondents accept online donations , an increase of 5 percent from 2017 , an increase of 5 percent from 2017 While 95 percent agree that social media is effective for online brand awareness, only 32 percent of NGOs worldwide have a written social media strategy Facebook leads global use as the highest social media platform with 93 percent of respondents having a dedicated page , followed by Twitter (77 percent) and YouTube (57 percent) , followed by Twitter (77 percent) and YouTube (57 percent) 25 percent of NGOs post daily to their Facebook page and 24 percent Tweet two-to-five times daily, yet 68 percent of NGOs post to LinkedIn less than once per week and 24 percent Tweet two-to-five times daily, yet 68 percent of NGOs post to LinkedIn less than once per week 80 percent of NGOs worldwide rely on Microsoft Windows operating system for desktop/laptop computers ; on smartphones/tablets global Google Android use outweighs Apple iOS ; on smartphones/tablets global Google Android use outweighs Apple iOS NGO respondents indicated using Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) software to manage communications with donors (45 percent), and of those, 64 percent use cloud-based CRM Only 41 percent of global respondents use encryption technology to protect data and communications "The findings from the 2018 report confirm that NGOs worldwide are rapidly expanding their use of technology and with increased reliance on technology, comes increased data management and security needs," said Heather Mansfield, founder of Nonprofit Tech for Good. "For the first time, this year's report provides benchmarks for managing and securing organizational and donor data. NGOs lag behind the private sector in this area and by providing benchmarks, we hope to inspire NGOs to modernize their data management and security practices." Key findings from Africa include: Only 74 percent of NGOs in Africa have a website, with 87 percent being mobile compatible have a website, with 87 percent being mobile compatible Compared to the global average, fewer NGOs in Africa acceptdonations online (55 percent) acceptdonations online (55 percent) WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app to communicate with donors (87 percent), followed by Facebook Messenger (52 percent) and Viber (4 percent) Facebook is the most popular social media channel (85 percent), followed Twitter (62 percent) and LinkedIn (39 percent) Google Android is the most popular smartphone/tablet operating system (66 percent) Key findings from Asia include: Compared to the global average, fewer respondents in Asia have a website (81 percent). Of those, 86 percent are mobile compatible have a website (81 percent). Of those, 86 percent are mobile compatible 56 percent of respondents accept online donations, an increase of 9 percent from 2017 WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app to communicate with donors (69 percent), followed by Facebook Messenger (52 percent) and Viber (9 percent) 86 percent of respondents in Asia have a Facebook page and 62 percent have a Twitter profile have a Facebook page and 62 percent have a Twitter profile In Asia , 62 percent of NGOs rely on Google Android as their smartphone/tablet operating system Key findings from Australia & Oceania include: 99 percent of NGOs in Australia and Oceania have a website with 86 percent being mobile compatible and Oceania have a website with 86 percent being mobile compatible 70 percent of NGOs accept online donations Representing the lowest percentage globally, only 8 percent of NGOs use messaging apps to communicate with donors; 88 percent of those organisations use Facebook Messenger Facebook is the most popular social media channel (94 percent), followed by Twitter (73 percent) and LinkedIn (57 percent) In the region, Apple iOS is the preferred smartphone/tablet operating system with 45 percent, while 21 percent use Google Android Key findings from Europe include: 97 percent of European NGOs have a website with 86 percent being mobile compatible The percent of European NGOs that accept online donations is 59 percent When communicating with supporters, only 17 percent of respondents in Europe use messaging apps, with WhatsApp being the most popular (65 percent) use messaging apps, with WhatsApp being the most popular (65 percent) 94 percent of respondents in Europe have a Facebook page, 80 percent have a Twitter profile and 58 percent have a LinkedIn page have a Facebook page, 80 percent have a Twitter profile and 58 percent have a LinkedIn page Google Android is the smartphone/tablet operating system of choice (47 percent) followed by Apple iOS (25 percent) Key findings from North America include: 98 percent of NGOs in North America have a website. Of those, 88 percent are mobile compatible have a website. Of those, 88 percent are mobile compatible 86 percent of respondents accept online donations Only 10 percent of NGOs use messaging apps to communicate with donors. Of those, Facebook Messenger is the platform of choice (68 percent), followed by WhatsApp (32 percent) and Snapchat (10 percent) 97 percent of NGOs use Facebook, 85 percent use Twitter, 63 percent use LinkedIn and 61 percent use Instagram Of NGO respondents in North America , 49 percent indicated using Apple iOS on smartphone/tablets, which is the highest reported percentage of use among all regions Key findings from South America include: Compared to the global average, fewer South American NGOs have a website (88 percent) with 87 percent being mobile compatible At 56 percent, the volume of NGOs that accept online donations is also lower than the global average (72 percent) South America respondents reported the highest use of messaging apps to communicate with donors (40 percent), with most using WhatsApp (90 percent) respondents reported the highest use of messaging apps to communicate with donors (40 percent), with most using WhatsApp (90 percent) Among all countries, South American has the highest use of Facebook (98 percent) and the lowest use of LinkedIn (41 percent); 71 percent of NGOs use Twitter, followed by Instagram at 55 percent 78 percent of NGOs use Google Android as their smartphone/tablet operating system "The annual Global NGO Technology Report not only shows how the internet can help organisations communicate and collaborate with stakeholders, but how it can serve as a powerful force for change when coupled with various technology tools," said Brian Cute, CEO of Public Interest Registry. "This is an important research initiative, bringing together partners from various industries to ultimately support organisations around the world as they seek to better understand and take advantage of technology that can help them actualizing their important social missions." The Global NGO Technology Report is supported by various global partners that encourage the participation of NGOs in the survey particularly those located in emerging nations to ensure a diverse, balanced understanding of how NGOs worldwide use technology. Partners include Al Qasimi Foundation, Arab Foundations Forum, Blackbaud Institute, CIVICUS, CONCORD Europe, Estudio de Impacto, Greater Public, Infoxchange, iWith.org, Museu da Pessoa, Nigeria Network if NGOs, Philanthropy Circuit, Tech Trust and TechSoup. For more information on the survey's findings, methodology and to download the full report, please visit: http://www.techreport.ngo. The report is also available in the following languages: Arabic http://techreport.ngo/ar French http://techreport.ngo/fr Portuguese http://techreport.ngo/pt-br Spanish http://techreport.ngo/es About Public Interest Registry Public Interest Registry is a nonprofit organisation that operates the .org top-level domain the world's third largest "generic" top-level domain with more than 10.3 million domain names registered worldwide and the .ngo and .ong domains and OnGood community website. Public Interest Registry also operates four Internationalized Domain Names to support and encourage local language use of the Internet. As an advocate for collaboration, safety and security on the internet, Public Interest Registry's mission is to educate and enable the global noncommercial community to use the internet more effectively, and to take a leadership position among internet stakeholders on policy and other issues relating to the domain naming system. Based in Reston, Virginia, USA, Public Interest Registry was founded by the Internet Society (internetsociety.org) in 2002. About Nonprofit Tech for Good With nearly 100,000 monthly visitors and more than one million followers on social networks, Nonprofit Tech for Good is a leading social and mobile media resource for nonprofit professionals. Created and managed by Heather Mansfield, Nonprofit Tech for Good focuses on providing valuable, easy-to-understand information, news, and resources related to nonprofit technology, online communications, and mobile and social fundraising. Media Contact: Krystin Williamson, Allison+Partners for Public Interest Registry pir@allisonpr.com (619) 342-9383 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 13, 2018] Maven City Car Sharing Launches in Toronto Maven continues its North American growth by launching in Canada's largest city. Members can seamlessly access cars through a mobile app, including locating, reserving and unlocking them. Maven's Toronto members will have access to the right cars in the right places. TORONTO, Feb. 13, 2018 /CNW/ - ANNOUNCING Today Maven is making car sharing easier for Torontonians by giving them a smart, simple way to reserve a car when they need one. They can quickly and easily sign up to use Maven City roundtrip car sharing for hanging out with friends in Dundas West, brunching in Leslieville or escaping the city in Prince Edward County or cottage country. Car sharing reduces congestion and helps everyone get there faster. Each shared car takes about 10 private cars off the road, and thanks to Maven car ownership in Toronto is no longer necessary. On average, people who use roundtrip car sharing are more likely to leverage transportation options, including bus, rail, walking, biking and carpooling. Maven removes the barriers to sharing with a simple, intuitive app. A broad vehicle portfolio is available on-demand and located around the corner from where members live, wor and play. DETAILS There are no signup or membership fees, so members only pay when they're in a car. Rates start as low as $9 per hour (CAD), including gas and insurance (minus a deductible). per hour (CAD), including gas and insurance (minus a deductible). Maven will offer 40 vehicles initially, including Chevrolet Cruze, Malibu, Tahoe, Trax and Volt; GMC Acadia and Yukon ; and Cadillac ATS and XT5. ; and Cadillac ATS and XT5. Maven carefully selected parking locations convenient to where our members want to be, including Bloor West Village, Liberty Village , King West , The Entertainment District, City Place, Yonge/Eglinton, Leslieville , Ryerson University , The Danforth, Financial District, Little Italy and Eaton Centre. , , The Entertainment District, City Place, Yonge/Eglinton, , , The Danforth, Financial District, Little Italy and Eaton Centre. Maven cars are packed with technology, including OnStar, WiFi, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as SiriusXM Radio. QUOTE ME "Toronto has a unique spirit. Residents are constantly on the go and want more sharing and mobility options," said Julia Steyn, vice president, General Motors Urban Mobility and Maven. "Maven offers cars Torontonians want to drive to help them be there for the moments that matter." "Bringing Maven car sharing to Toronto not only reduces congestion, but also represents the latest step in the development of General Motors' mobility footprint in Canada," said Steve Carlisle, president and managing director, General Motors of Canada. "The launch of Maven follows the recent opening of our Canadian Technical Centre Markham Campus, the largest automotive technology development centre of its kind in Canada and furthers our ability to bring new solutions to existing problems and redefine the future of mobility in Toronto and beyond." MEET MAVEN Maven is a personal mobility app that provides hassle-free, on-demand vehicle access for everyday life. Members enjoy all the benefits of car ownership without the hassle, upkeep and cost. Vehicles are available by the hour, day, week or month. All reservations include gas and insurance (minus a deductible). Maven leverages GM's portfolio of Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles. CONNECT Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @drivemaven Learn more about Maven at maven.com SOURCE Maven [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 13, 2018] Chinese Satellite Industry to Disrupt Markets Across Eurasia CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NSRs industry-first China Satcom Markets (CSM) report, released today, finds a Chinese satellite industry primed to take a larger share of the global satcom market through attractive one-stop-shop offerings, aggressive growth plans and enhanced exports. For GEO-HTS satellites alone, NSR forecasts Chinese state-owned companies to manufacture and launch over 800 Gbps of capacity by 2026, with much of this coming over Southeast Asia, East Asia, and South Asia. Since the end of the cold war, the satellite and space industry has been a duopoly between the United States and EU, with other players such as Russia, Japan, and now India playing a secondary role. At some point soon, however, it appears likely China will assume a position as a top tier space nation globally, with significant ramifications for the satellite telecoms industry. Chinas most recent five-year plan (2016-2020) notes a goal to improve launch & manufacturing capabilities, specifically for new satellite platforms. This translates into more satellites being exported by China to developing countries, with at least 3 ordered in 2018 thus far, notes Jose Del Rosario, NSR Research Director. China is primarily targeting turnkey projects, oftntimes including key financing mechanisms, as well as launching and manufacturing arrangements. Over the coming years, NSR expects this to add up to approx. 10-15% more capacity over regions across Eurasia, and in some instances Latin America. The capacity added will be significant but will not be catastrophic for the market. NSRs China Satcom Markets (CSM) report combines a deep understanding of Chinas space and satellite export capabilities with an understanding of Chinas geopolitical goals, and outlines how the Chinese satellite industry is primed to take a larger share of the global satcom market through aggressive exporting. About the Report NSRs China Satcom Markets is an industry-first analysis of the impact China will have on the global satellite capacity picture, and the landscape of the Chinese domestic market. With forecasts for China-manufactured supply split by different frequency bands across all regions, and with detailed qualitative analysis about the assumptions for this capacity and its potential to disrupt, NSRs CSM gives the reader a comprehensive understanding of Chinas impact on the space industry, and the factors driving this transition. The study also includes forecasts of the China domestic market for supply, demand by application, and revenues by application, as well as discussion on recent deals and trends. For additional information on this report, including a full table of contents, list of exhibits and executive summary, please visit www.nsr.com or call NSR at +1-617-674-7743. About NSR NSR is the leading global market research and consulting firm focused on the satellite and space sectors. NSRs global team, unparalleled coverage and anticipation of trends with a higher degree of confidence and precision than the competition is the cornerstone of all NSR offerings. First to market coverage and a transparent, dependable approach sets NSR apart as the key provider of critical insight to the satellite and space industries. Contact us at info@nsr.com to discuss how we can assist your business. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 13, 2018] HotForex Launches Copy Trading Service PORT LOUIS, Mauritius, February 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning forex broker HotForex has rolled out HFcopy, a trading solution which allows anyone interested to copy trading strategies provided by selected traders Internationally acclaimed multi-asset broker, HotForex introduced HFcopy, a service through which individuals can follow traders' accounts, essentially copying their trades. Having invested in its in-house specialists and advanced technology to produce a proprietary platform for HFcopy, HotForex announced this powerful internally-developed solution aiming to make trading more accessible to a much wider audience. The new product is directed at people wishing to get access to the vibrant trading world but never had the time to do so before. They can open Follower accounts, choose a strategy to follow and start copying trades. Moreover, HFcopy addresses traders who consider themselves more advanced and who can apply to provide strategies and trade in exchange of a Performance Fee, as high as 35%. They can open Strategy Proider accounts, trade and start receiving their rewards. A HotForex spokesperson said, "Our goal is to offer our clients the latest in trading, however it is also our priority to protect them by providing them with full control over their funds. Followers can decide how much to risk, set their volume allocation percentage and access their account to monitor the trading, to close positions, or to unfollow an account any time they want to." Strategy Providers are also catered for, with plentiful Performance Fees that are calculated based on the High Watermark regime and are paid out once a month. All the calculations are performed automatically so there's no need to stress. In addition, the Strategy Providers' profile and performance are recorded on a list so that followers can compare and make their choice. More details on HFcopy and why join the program can be found HERE. Notes to Media: About HotForex With its origins dating back to 2010, HotForex is the brand name of HF Markets Group which encompasses global and regulated entities which are operating as multi-asset brokers offering both retail and institutional trading services to clients from around the world. HotForex is continuously establishing its position as a market leader, a fact affirmed by: over 500,000 live accounts opened more than 20 international awards client support in 25+ languages top fund security measures To learn more information on HotForex, please visit our website by clicking here. Disclaimer: The service is available only to clients whose suitability will be assessed prior to participation. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Risk warning: Trading leveraged products such as Forex and CFDs may not be suitable for all investors as they carry a high degree of risk to your capital. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved, taking into account your investment's objectives and level of experience, before trading, and if necessary seek independent advice. Media Contact HF Markets Group Tel.: +44(0)2033-185-978 Email: marketing@hotforex.com SOURCE HF Markets Limited [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 13, 2018] Photo Enhancement App Meitu Rolls Out Valentine's Day Filters and AI Features for Chinese New Year HONG KONG, Feb. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Meitu Inc. (Meitu), publisher of the Chinese photo enhancement app Meitu, has rolled out new filters for the upcoming Valentine's Day and new artificial intelligence features for Chinese New Year festivities. To celebrate Valentine's Day, Meitu has built a section in its app dedicated to the effects and filters for the special day so couples can take refined selfies. The company has also developed more AI features for the Spring Festival, the most celebrated holiday in China, following its success last year in rolling out its first AI painting robot, Andy Artbot. In order to serve both users in China and the Chinese diaspora overseas, this year Meitu revealed an upgraded version of Andy effects, incorporating many Chinese blessings in the design for users to wish their friends and family a happy and prosperous new year. "Through the deep learning AI technology, we can understand the differences of beauty standards in different countries," said Xinhong Wu, founder and CEO of Meitu. "With AI, we can create much more precise and customized recommendations for our users," he said. Meitu's Chinese New Year features embrace the AI technology to create fun filters for users to play around with. For example, it launched an activity called "winning lucky money with face score," where users can take selfies and turn them into painting portraits using the AI robot function. Users are then scored by the AI system for their facial attractiveness based on the portraits, and can receive lucky money according to the ratings. This feature is designed especially for the users from mainland of China. "Meitu started to expand overseas in 2014 and now over 30 percent of our users are from abroad," said Wu. "To cater to the different beauty-appreciation standards in different countries, we have to leverage our AI strength to spot the different trends and roll out suitable effects to fit local customs," he said. The filters may seem simple but the technique involves using AI deep learning technology. To rate users' appearance more objectively, the Meitu app has analyzed more than one million sets of image data and user feedback to better understand local beauty trends. Both the Valentine's Day Filters and the Andy effects for Spring Festival are now available at the App store and Google play store, with a special Vietnamese language version of the Andy effects which will appeal to the Vietnamese users specifically. About Meitu Established in October 2008, Meitu is a global leading mobile Internet company headquartered in China. With the vision of building software and hardware around "beauty", Meitu has developed a rich portfolio of Internet and smart hardware products such as Meitu, BeautyCam, Meipai (a short-form video community app) and Meitu Smartphones, which transformed the way people create and share the idea of "beauty". As of June, 2017, Meitu has a total of over 1.5 billion unique users worldwide and engaged 481.3 million MAUs. According to App Annie, Meitu has repeatedly ranked as one of the top eight iOS non-game app developers globally together with other global Internet giants from June 2014 to January 2017. Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20180213/2055847-1-a Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20180213/2055847-1-b Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20180213/2055847-1-c SOURCE Meitu [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 13, 2018] DOCOMO Digital Appoints Dheeraj Soni as Chief Commercial Officer to Scale Payments Platform Business Global alternative payments provider, DOCOMO Digital, has today announced the appointment of Dheeraj Soni as its new Chief Commercial Officer to lead the OTT and Merchant-focused strategy, with payments platform services sitting at the heart of the company. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180213005689/en/ Dheeraj Soni - CCO DOCOMO Digital (Photo: Business Wire) The appointment comes at a pivotal time for DOCOMO Digital, as it has restructured into Commercial and Product and Digital Marketing busiess units in order to effectively execute a scalable global growth strategy. Soni joined the executive board from the 1st of February and will be responsible for the commercial organisation. Soni will have a dual focus: firstly, to strike new OTT partnerships and secondly, to extend DOCOMO Digital footprint enabling frictionless payment capabilities to additional countries. There will also be a clear emphasis on emerging markets such as Asia and Latin America, as well as technology and innovation hotspots like the U.S.A. Soni has developed his career as a business leader having strong entrepreneurial skills with a focus on strategy, business development, innovation and execution. He joins DOCOMO Digital from Swisscom (News - Alert) where he built a successful Internet Services business focused around Payments and Identity which he ran like a start-up with end to end responsibility. Commenting on his new role, Soni said: "I was drawn to DOCOMO Digital because of its brand, reputation, track record and focus on innovation within the payments ecosystem. DOCOMO Digital's vision to offer source-agnostic and trustworthy payment services to a big chunk of global population driving financial inclusion in countries with constrained banking is very inspiring. I am very excited to be able to drive the company forward and be part of this journey." Hiroyuki Sato, CEO of DOCOMO Digital said: "We are delighted that Dheeraj has joined us as our Chief Commercial Officer. Dheeraj has outstanding experience as well as a great professional network within both the telecoms and OTT sectors. He will be key to us delivering the needs of the industry in times of a mobile centric economy and helping us to drive our vision of being connected to five billion users by 2020." About DOCOMO Digital DOCOMO Digital is a provider of a global payments platform to leading OTTs, merchants and content providers. It is a fully owned subsidiary of the Japanese mobile operator NTT (News - Alert) DOCOMO. DOCOMO Digital is headquartered in London but is a global company having presence in 35 offices across six continents. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180213005689/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 13, 2018] Johannesburg Gets Ready for 2nd IoT Forum Africa JOHANNESBURG, February 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The second edition of what has been billed as Africa's leading Internet of Things (IoT) event, Internet of Things Forum Africa 2018 (#IOTFA2018) is set to tackle transformational IoT trends and explore the benefits of IoT in a number of key industries. The conference, organized by IT News Africa, will host over 500 delegates and 30 speakers on 14 and 15 March 2018 at Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. Themed "Powering a new era of operational transformation," IoT Forum Africa will feature industry tracks with speakers discussing the potential impact of IoT in manufacturing, energy, finance, transportation, retail, security, mining and in government. During these sessions, there will be in-depth discussions on growth opportunities with insights on IoT disruption and innovation in the public and private sectors. Key topics: Why most IoT projects fail fail IOT strategies to unlock true business value The Smart Citizen's role in creating a Smart City IoT for public safety and improved quality of life and improved quality of life Realizing positive outcomes and digital transformation with IoT with IoT IoT and Blockchain Convergence- enefits and challenges Convergence- enefits and challenges The Security of Things in a Connected World in a Connected World How AI drives IoT to the next level drives IoT to the next level Human-computer Interaction perspectives on IoT Interaction perspectives on IoT IoT data analytics for intelligent decision making Confirmed Speakers include: Aki Anastasiou, Host of Technobyte on Radio 702 (conference host) Host of Technobyte on Radio 702 (conference host) Reshaad Sha , CEO, SqwidNet , CEO, SqwidNet Dr. Rado Kotorov , VP & CIO at Information Builders (international) , VP & CIO at Information Builders (international) Yolisa Kani, Public Policy Head SA: Uber Public Policy Head SA: Uber Abdul Baba, Group IT Director at TBWA Africa Group IT Director at TBWA Africa Xolani Hadebe, IT Director and CIO at University of Pretoria IT Director and CIO at University of Dr Gaurav Pradhan, CIO at Time Tunnel Consulting CIO at Time Tunnel Consulting Luyanda Ndlovu, CIO at Department of Public Service and Administration CIO at Department of Public Service and Administration George Kalebaila, Director, Telecoms & IoT - Africa at IDC Director, Telecoms & IoT - at IDC Liza (Richard) Tillman, Head of IT Operations at Sanlam Head of IT Operations at Sanlam Dr. Ricky Swanepoel, Chief Technologist at Eskom Chief Technologist at Eskom Ian Keller, Group CISO at Discovery Limited Group CISO at Discovery Limited Vimbai Muzofa, Head: Interbank & RTGS at Standard Bank Group Head: Interbank & RTGS at Standard Bank Group Ndukwe Anagha, Head of IT, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Nigeria Kabo Botlhole, Head of IT, Minerals Development Company Botswana Dawid Breet, Head of IoT at Deloitte Africa Who will you meet at #IoTFA2018? These are just some of the organizations that will be represented at #IOTFA2018: SqwidNet, Deloitte, Minerals Development Company Botswana, Gauteng Provincial Government, RS Components, Eskom, Babcock International Group, Information Technology Association, NEPAD, Stanbic IBTC, Darktrace, Standard Bank, Bowmans, Barloworld, Sanlam, IDC, Department of Public Service and Administration, Information Builders, SAP, Dimension Data, Altech, Altair, Accenture, Unilever, Discovery amongst others. For more information about this conference visit www.iotforumafrica.com About IT News Africa: IT News Africa is a dynamic media company that specialises in publishing, events as well as marketing and advertising solutions for the information age. IT News Africa has a global publishing network and international client base, which it services from offices in Johannesburg. Media Contact: Philani Moyo +27-110-260-982 philani@itnewsafrica.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 13, 2018] Annual Growth of Global Smartphone Market Will Shrink to 2.8%, Vendors Are Faced with New Round of Competition, Says TrendForce The growth momentum in global smartphone market will remain weak in 2018 due to lower demand and less replacement purchases, says TrendForce. Faced with continuous rise in the costs of upstream components, downstream mobile phone vendors have to re-consider the pricing or adjust the specification of end-products to cope with the cost pressures. The distribution of market share among the major players is expected to remain generally the same as last year. Therefore, TrendForce estimates the global smartphone production for 2018 at around 1.5 billion units, a 2.8% annual growth only, down from previously expected 5%. Looking back to global smartphone market in 2017, the sales in 1H17 were weaker than expected since the demand was affected by the anticipated launch of new iPhones in 2H17. In the second half of the year, major smartphone brands put focus on all-screen models, hoping to boost the replacement purchases at the year end, but the sales turned out to be lower than expected. Therefore, since the mid 4Q17, smartphone vendors have lowered their quarterly production plans due to the huge cost pressures brought by excessive inventory. Competition will intensify in global smartphone market; Apple and Nokia are the only international brands with a clear future of growth in 2018 As the industry leader, Samsung (News - Alert) will remain the top for smartphone production in 2018, and is expected to continue the success of its budget A and J series. The smartphone production volume of Samsung is estimated at 300 million units in 2018, a decrease of 5% YoY. Apple (News - Alert) remained the second place in the ranking of smartphone production for 2017. For this year, Apple is set to launch three new flagship models in 3Q18, and will expand the adoption of Face ID and all-screen technology in these new iPhones, along with upgrading their existing functions and increasing the memory content as well. According to TrendForce, iPhone's (News - Alert) annual production volume is expected to increase by 6% because of improved specifications of new iPhones and Apple's expansion in Indian market. LG previously announced its withdrawal from the Chinese market. This reflects the fact that international brands now find it harder to survive in the Chinese market, where there is growing support the domestic brands. More importantly, international brands have difficulty to stay profitable in China because the offerings of the domestic brands have higher performance-price ratios. LG owns worldwide brand awareness and solid foundation in the North American market. Despite slight decline of production volume, LG still has the opportunity to rank the seventh in global smartphone market this year, with an expected production of 60 million units. Sony has changed its product strategy in recent years, shifting to more profitable mid- and high-end phones. However, under the influence of weaker demand in general, its production volume for the entire 2018 will be only 15.3 million units, a 4% decline over the last year. Nokia's partnership with HMD and FIH Mobile had a new start in 2017, recording a production volume of 11.5 million units in the debut year. Nokia will not only benefit from bargaining power of FIH Mobile, but also save the import tariff because the plants are located in India. As the result, Nokia is expected to continue the growth momentum this year in the mid and low-end smartphone market where costpressures are extremely high. Nokia's annual production volume for 2018 is estimated to grow by more than 70% and may exceed 20 million units. Chinese smartphone brands to focus on emerging markets; Xiaomi has a chance to surpass OPPO Chinese smartphone brands have gained remarkable expansion in past years because of strong domestic consumption. But as the domestic market becomes saturated, Chinese brands, both existing ones and startups, have turned to emerging overseas markets and cooperated with overseas telecommunication operators to keep their market shares. As for Chinese brands, Huawei will further increase the use of in-house chips provided by HiSilicon in its smartphone lines, while actively developing 3D Sensing applications at the same time. It reduced the proportion of low-end mobile phones in its product mix last year, but will revise this strategy in 2018 to balance the development of all product lines. Huawei will have chance to register a production volume more than 173 million units for 2018, taking a market share of 11.6%. In 2017, OPPO and Vivo have continued their impressive performance with annual growth of 13% and 17% respectively in production volume, taking the fourth and fifth place in the global ranking. The growth momentum of both brands has benefited from the growth of China market, together with the high specification of their most models, they will face narrower room for profit growth and heavier pressure for growth in 2018 as the prices of key components rise. But faced with the saturated domestic market in China, the smartphone productions of OPPO and Vivo in 2018 are expected to drop by 5% respectively compared with 2017. Therefore, both OPPO and Vivo have been actively involved in the development of overseas markets. In addition to India and Southeast Asia, they have also entered the European market in order to maintain high market share in emerging markets. In particular, Xiaomi registered 93 million units in smartphone production for 2017, showing a considerable annual growth of 83%. Last year's ranking also put Xiaomi closely after Vivo. TrendForce expects that Xiaomi will continue the positive growth, and the production volume of Xiaomi is expected to reach 107 million units, 15% higher than in 2017. Xiaomi also has a chance to surpass OPPO to take the 4th place in the global market share ranking. However, Xiaomi is also faced with rising component costs and higher tariffs in India, which may impact its sales in the future. Lenovo, ranking the 8th, will have chance to record 52 million units in smartphone production this year, the same as that of 2017. Transsion brands, ranking 9th, also had impressive performance in emerging overseas markets in 2017, and will continue the growth overseas this year. The annual smartphone production of Transsion is expected to grow by another 10 million units, reaching 50.7 million units in total in 2018. Taiwan brands are faced with squeezed market share, ASUS and HTC continue to shrink the smartphone production in 2018 On the other hand, ASUS and HTC have experienced sharp decline in the production volume in 2017, both of which recorded a total production of less than 10 million. ASUS used to have impressive sales in Southeast Asia, but it has been losing the market shares influenced by the aggressive expansion of OPPO, Vivo and other Chinese brands. Therefore, it will be difficult for ASUS to reverse the downward trend in 2018. Coupled with the significantly increasing share of outsourcing this year, the total production of ASUS will be reduced to less than 8 million units. The outsourcing will also make it hard for both brands to continue the advantages of technology and design in their previous self-developed products. HTC sold its R&D personnel to Google (News - Alert) in 2017, which will be formally separated on January 31, 2018. This has weakened its advantages in product development and design. Apart from the new flagship model that has been designed and will be released at the end of 1Q18, other new models of HTC will probably rely on outsourced OEM, making the production volume lowers. HTC will target at a production volume of 2 million units. All-screen and dual-camera will be mainstream specification for smartphones in 2018 Smartphone brands will continue to enhance the user experiences in 2018, with development focusing on all-screen, dual-camera, etc. In terms of biometric recognition, iPhone will continue to feature Face ID, Samsung will focus on iris recognition, while other brands will use mainly capacitive fingerprint sensors due to existing technical barriers. Android (News - Alert) smartphone models with under-display fingerprint or 3D sensing will not enter mass production until the second half of 2018, says TrendForce. For the further details of the press release and the following table - Global Ranking of Smartphone Production and Market Share by Vendors, 2017-2018, please visit: https://press.trendforce.com/press/20180213-3067.html About TrendForce (www.trendforce.com) TrendForce is a global provider of market intelligence on the technology industries. Having served businesses for over a decade, the company has built up a strong membership base of 500,000 subscribers residing the technology and financial services sectors. TrendForce has established a reputation as an organization that offers insightful and accurate analysis of the technology industry through five major research divisions: DRAMeXchange, WitsView, LEDinside, EnergyTrend and Topology Research Institute. Founded in Taipei, Taiwan in 2000, TrendForce has extended its presence in China since 2004 with offices in Shenzhen and Beijing. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180213005684/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 13, 2018] Millicom 2017 Annual Report Showcases Commitment to Digital Growth LUXEMBOURG, Feb. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Millicom published today its fully integrated Annual and Corporate Responsibility Report for 2017, which reveals substantial progress in expanding digital connectivity in emerging markets in Latin America and Africa. According to the report, the leading provider of cable and mobile services increased the number of HFC homes passed this year by 18% as compared to 2016, and more than doubled the number of 4G data users. The report places corporate responsibility at the heart of Millicom's business strategy. It reaffirms the company's commitment to key areas such as protecting children online, empowering women with mobile technology, freedom of expression and privacy, and attracting and retaining a diverse and high performing talent pool. As examples, the company provided Child Online Protection training to nearly 200,000 children this year, it trained more than 24,000 women customers in the use of mobile data and mobile money, and increased the number of women in senior management positions to 33%. The report can be viewed or downloaded from the Millicom website at the Reporting Center. The company will also issue its third Law Enforcement Disclosure Report for 2017 later this week, which outlines the company's interactions with government and law enforcement agencies on the topics of customer privacy and freedom of expression. The Integrated Annual Report and the Law Enforcement Disclosure Report come fully digitized, as part of Millicom's mission to bring The Digital Lifestyle to its markets. For further information, please contact: Press: Vivian Kobeh, Corporate Communications Director +1-305-476-7352 / +1-305-302-2858 press@millicom.com Investors: Michel Morin, VP Investor Relations +352-277-59094 investors@millicom.com Mauricio Pinzon, Investor Relations Manager Tel: +44-20-3249-2460 investors@millicom.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com http://news.cision.com/millicom-international-cellular/r/millicom-2017-annual-report-showcases-commitment-to-digital-growth,c2451588 The following files are available for download: http://mb.cision.com/Main/950/2451588/791491.pdf Millicom 2017 Annual Report showcases commitment to digital growth http://news.cision.com/millicom-international-cellular/i/pr-ar-2017-cover,c2343290 PR AR 2017 Cover http://news.cision.com/millicom-international-cellular/i/ar-2017-inside,c2343291 AR 2017 inside View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/millicom-2017-annual-report-showcases-commitment-to-digital-growth-300597832.html SOURCE Millicom International Cellular [February 13, 2018] Life360 Adds Brit Morin, CEO of Brit + Co to Board, Ariana Hellebuyck as VP of Marketing to Reach More Families Life360, the world's largest network for families, today announced the addition of Brit Morin, the CEO and founder of the digital media giant Brit + Co to the company's board. In addition, Life360 hired Ariana Hellebuyck, who formerly drove the brand strategy and marketing at NerdWallet and the University of Phoenix, as the company's first VP of Brand Marketing. "Brit is a digital pioneer with a proven track record when it comes to building out a brand and diversifying revenue streams," said Chris Hulls, co-founder and CEO of Life360. " As both a mom and brand builder, she understands our end user and how Life360 can become the center of a family and give them peace of mind." Morin founded Brit + Co in 2011 with the mission to inspire women and enable them to use creativity to shape their lives. She quickly established Brit + Co as one of the largest digital media companies for women. The company reaches an engaged community of over 175 million online and across its platforms. Her leadership and Brit + Co's rapi rise has garnered awards and accolades that include Forbes' 30 Under 30, Marie Claire's The New Guard, Glamour's Female Entrepreneur Innovator, and Fortune's 10 Most Promising Entrepreneurs, among others. "Life360 is an incredibly valuable tool for moms like myself all around the country," said Morin. "Leveraging user data is invaluable in any digital business, but the scale and uniqueness of Life360's data -- paired with their target demo of women -- makes me incredibly excited to join the team." Morin joins board chairman John Coghlan, formerly CEO of Visa USA and Vice Chairman at Charles Schwab, and members Chris Cheever, Partner at Fontinalis Partners, Alex Haro, President of Life360, Chris Hulls, CEO of Life360, and Ryan Swagar, Partner at Venture51. Prior to joining Life360, Hellebuyck drove the brand strategy and advertising efforts for NerdWallet, the go-to resource for all of life's financial decisions. She also served as the VP of Brand Marketing at University of Phoenix, a subsidiary of Apollo Education Group, where she launched the "I am a Phoenix" campaign, transforming the University of Phoenix into a household name. "Ariana has deep experience building brands that consumers turn to for making important personal decisions - be it financial or education," said Hulls. "She understands the central role Life360 plays in the lives of families and understands what it takes to grow a trusted, family-centric brand." "I'm excited to help grow Life360's brand and to establish it as a household name," said Hellebuyck. "When it comes to the family, no one has more credibility or insight than Life360, and I'm looking forward to building on their successes." About Life360 Life360 is the world's leading location and driving safety service for families available for Android (News - Alert) and iPhone in a convenient and secure mobile app. A leader in family tech, Life360 gives families peace of mind when they are not together. As the largest source of family driving data in the world, Life360 provides safety insights around driving behavior to better protect family members on the go via location sharing, day-to-day communications, driver updates, emergency response features, and more. Founded in 2008, Life360 has raised $76M in venture capital and is headquartered in San Francisco. For more information, visit www.life360.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180213006014/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 13, 2018] Digerati Technologies Retains Established Brand for its Texas Operations SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Digerati Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB:DTGI) ("Digerati" or the "Company") today reported that the Company will retain the Synergy Telecom brand for its Texas operations and continue building on Synergy Telecoms established name recognition and brand affinity in its high-growth market. Digerati announced its acquisition of Synergy Telecom, Inc. (Synergy Telecom) on December 5, 2017 and reported its plan to combine Synergy Telecoms business with that of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Shift8 Networks, Inc. (Shift8). The Company will commence the transition from its Shif8 brand to the Synergy Telecom brand effective February 15, 2018 and phase out of the Shift8 name by May 1, 2018, including a corporate name change for the Texas corporation. The name change and re-branding is in line with the Company's top-of-mind awareness strategy and ambitious growth plans aimed at expanding business in Texas, and across the U.S. The combined business of Shift8 and Synergy Telecom will market services to direct clients and its Value-Added Resellers (VARs) as Synergy Telecom and will continue using its catchy 210-GET-VOIP sales response line for communication with customers and VARs. The Company will also adopt Shift8s Only in the Cloud tag line and continue using the www.synergytele.com domain as its primary portal for sales, marketing, support, and knowledge base while carrying on its reputation as a customer-focused organization providing exceptional service. The Company also reported that it has consolidated its operations and corporate office to 1600 NE Loop 410, Suite 126, San Antonio, Texas, 78209. Digerati is a publicly-traded holding company, with a track record of launching and managing successful subsidiary operations and is a multi-year recipient of Deloittes Fast500 and Fast50 Awards, for recognition as one of the fastest growing technology companies in North America. Through its subsidiary, Shift8 Networks, the Company is meeting the global needs of businesses seeking simple, flexible, efficient, and cost-effective communication solutions, including fully-hosted IP/PBX, VoIP transport, SIP trunking, and customized VoIP services, all delivered Only in the Cloud on its carrier-grade network. Former subsidiaries include ATSI Communications, Inc., an international telecommunications operator serving emerging markets throughout Mexico and Latin America, as well as GlobalSCAPE, Inc., an Internet software company trading on the NYSE that specializes in secure file transfer through its popular utility, CuteFTP. Other subsidiaries have included a global VoIP carrier and oilfield service businesses operating in the Bakken Shale. For more information, please visit www.digerati-inc.com. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS The information in this news release includes certain forward-looking statements that are based upon assumptions that in the future may prove not to have been accurate and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including statements related to the future financial performance of the Company. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations or any of its forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause results to differ include, but are not limited to, successful execution of growth strategies, product development and acceptance, the impact of competitive services and pricing, general economic conditions, and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Contact: Jack Eversull The Eversull Group (972) 571-1624 (214) 469-2361 fax jack@eversullgroup.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 13, 2018] Perchwell Announces Partnership With Sotheby's International Realty, Inc. NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Sotheby's International Realty, Inc. will transition its Manhattan brokerages to Perchwell's backend listings management and database tools this month. A one-stop solution for client collaboration, market monitoring, and listings management, Perchwell has quickly become the go-to platform for residential brokerages looking to equip their agents with cutting edge tools to best serve their sellers and buyers. The partnership with industry leader Sotheby's International Realty means Perchwell is now servicing a substantial portion of New York's top residential agents. "Sotheby's International Realty is an iconic company and leader in luxury real estate and I'm excited about the opportunity to work together," said Brendan Fairbanks, Perchwell's founder. "Working with partners like Sotheby's International Realty is crucial as we continue to evolve and expand our offerings." "We are committed to ensuring our agents have best-in-class resources to provide their clients with the highest level of service," said Kathy Korte, Presiden and CEO of Sotheby's International Realty, Inc. "Perchwell puts real-time data and market information at our agents' fingertips, which is essential in today's rapidly evolving residential marketplace." About Perchwell Perchwell provides a suite of data management, market research, and client collaboration tools for real estate professionals. The company continues to gain broad support as the platform choice for the New York real estate world. Since launching earlier this summer, a number of prominent brokerages have adopted the platform and more will be announcing in the coming months. About Sotheby's International Realty, Inc. Sotheby's International Realty was founded in 1976 as a real estate service for discerning clients of Sotheby's auction house and represents fine properties at a range of price points. Today, Sotheby's International Realty, Inc. operates brokerage offices in key metropolitan and resort markets, including Manhattan, NY; the Hamptons, NY; Greenwich, CT; Cape Cod, MA; Palm Beach, FL; Houston, TX; Los Angeles, CA; Beverly Hills, CA; Brentwood, CA; Pasadena, CA; Santa Barbara, CA; San Francisco, CA; Sonoma, CA; Monterey Peninsula, CA; and Santa Fe, NM. Sotheby's International Realty, Inc. (www.sothebyshomes.com) is part of NRT LLC, the nation's largest residential real estate brokerage company, and a member of the Sotheby's International Realty network, which currently has more than 21,000 affiliated independent sales associates located in approximately 930 offices in 69 countries and territories worldwide. NRT, a subsidiary of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), operates Realogy's company-owned real estate brokerage offices. View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/perchwell-announces-partnership-with-sothebys-international-realty-inc-300598165.html SOURCE Perchwell [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 13, 2018] Uponor Invests Additional $10 Million In Phyn; Establishes 50 Percent Ownership In Joint Venture APPLE VALLEY, Minn., Feb. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Uponor Corporation (Uponor) today announced that it will invest an additional USD $10 million in Phyn, a joint venture between Uponor and Belkin International, bringing its total investment in the company to USD $25 million. With this second round of funding, Uponor establishes a 50 percent ownership in Phyn, with the other 50 percent owned by Belkin International. Phyn will use the funding to further accelerate market penetration and scale the company's operations as it prepares for commercialization in late spring of its debut product Phyn Plus, smart water assistant + shutoff. As a joint-venture company, Phyn will be consolidated into Uponor's financial accounts using the equity method. "Uponor is proud of the innovative work that Phyn is doing, and we see tremendous potential in the solutions that Phyn is bringing to market," added Jyri Luomakoski, president and CEO, Uponor Corporation. "Our additional investment represents our commitment to the shared vision for the future of intelligent water systems." "This funding from Uponor further cements Phyn's position as the leading solution in the smart water space," said Ryan Kim, CEO of Phyn. "It comes at a pivotal time for our company and allows us to grow our world-class team further as we continue to deicate our efforts to solving some of the toughest challenges facing water, so that we not only protect our homes, but also become better stewards of water, our most precious natural resource." Phyn Plus is an intelligent water monitor that attaches to the main water line of homes. Through a combination of high-definition pressure sensing and machine learning, Phyn Plus detects leaks and plumbing issues and can automatically shut off the main water supply when needed to prevent costly damage. Phyn Plus will be available for purchase in the U.S., starting late spring, for USD $850 exclusively through the Uponor Pro Squad, a nationwide network of expertly trained plumbers and water specialists. "Our objective with the joint venture has always been to help progress our business and the plumbing industry into the digital era with better ways to use water more intelligently," said Bill Gray, president, Uponor North America. "That focus remains the same today, with this additional investment simply underlining both our belief in this partnership and our commitment to being innovation leaders in this space for many years to come." For the special press page, which includes an image for download, please visit: http://uponor.media-resources-ordp.com/2018/trade-10m-investment.shtml YouTube Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google Plus Instagram Uponor, Inc. is focused on progressing its business, the plumbing trade and construction industry through education, advocacy and innovation. It is an award-winning provider of plumbing, fire safety, radiant heating/cooling, hydronic piping and pre-insulated piping systems for residential and commercial applications. North American operations are based in Apple Valley, Minn., with global headquarters located in Finland. The company employs more than 3,900 worldwide. uponorpro.com Phyn is bringing intelligent water solutions to market that help people protect their homes, conserve water and save money. Built upon nearly a decade of research and patented technological innovation, Phyn is poised to change the way consumers interact with water and help solve the major challenges threatening the world's supply of clean, healthy water. Phyn is backed by Belkin International, a global leader in consumer technology, networking and the Internet of Things, and Uponor. Phyn is headquartered in Torrance, Calif., with a research and development lab in Seattle. phyn.com 2018 Uponor, Inc.; Uponor is a trademark of Uponor Corporation and Uponor, Inc. View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uponor-invests-additional-10-million-in-phyn-establishes-50-percent-ownership-in-joint-venture-300598182.html SOURCE Uponor [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 13, 2018] Introducing Veovo, the Predictive Collaboration Platform for brilliant airport operations AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Feb. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Gentrack Group (NZX/ASX: GTK), a leader in essential software for airports and utilities, today launched Veovo a new brand for its airport group. Veovo combines the Airport 20/20 operations solution with the recently acquired BlipTrack guest predictability and Concessionaire Analyzer+ revenue maximisation solutions. This powerful fusion underpins Veovo's Predictive Collaboration Platform, delivering data-driven certainty to transform the airport ecosystem. Airports are under pressure to deliver memorable and repeatable experiences for increasing guest numbers while navigating highly variable daily operations. The rise of connected automation presents new opportunities, but many f these innovations operate in silos and do not work alongside existing technologies. The result: airport operators need a new paradigm to proactively manage their operations, resources, systems, service providers and guests. Veovo is at the heart of that transformation. "Airports need to innovate aggressively to cope with increased passenger numbers and dynamically adjust for the matrix of daily variables. At the same time, to engage passengers, many airports are looking to transform their role from transit terminus to guest destination. Like many other value chains, Airports are now able to access big data innovations which can help them optimise their entire operation," said Chris Warrington, General Manager of Veovo. "Veovo unlocks insights across the airport ecosystem - predicting the best path forward and quickly connecting all stakeholders and resources to respond brilliantly - no matter the situation." Today, the Veovo platform is used by more than 110 airports and their stakeholders to plan, predict and perfect every interaction. As well as delivering value to other transport hubs, Veovo software is also proven to deliver brilliant theme park, resort, and retail guest experiences. To find out more visit the Veovo website which launched today. Veovo is a predictive collaboration platform that enables over 110 airports to plan, predict, and perfect the airport ecosystem. The result: brilliant guest, operational, and commercial decisions. The Gentrack airport group, Veovo is headquartered in New Zealand with offices in the UK, USA, Denmark and Malta. Take off at www.veovo.com. Media Contacts: James Braatvedt +1 404 263 5303 go@veovo.com Gentrack media enquiries Aaron Baker +64 9 966 6100 aaronb@gentrack.com View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/introducing-veovo-the-predictive-collaboration-platform-for-brilliant-airport-operations-300598263.html SOURCE Veovo [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 13, 2018] Global Web Content, Search Portals and Social Media Market 2018 - ResearchAndMarkets.com The "Web Content, Search Portals and Social Media Market Global Briefing 2018" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The competition for search traffic is increasing amongst major players like Google (News - Alert) , Yahoo and Bing. Also, value added services like Gmail and Microsoft outlook are the additional services provided by these players. Recently strategic partnerships are seen amongst major competitors contributing a large share to their revenues. for instance, Apple (News - Alert) uses Google as its default search engine which has contributed as much as $8.8 billion to annual revenues of Google and Yahoo switched to icrosoft Bing. North America was the largest region in the web content, search portals and social media market in 2017, accounting for around 30% market share. Asia Pacific was the second largest region accounting for around 27% market share. Africa was the smallest region accounting for around 3% market share. Scope Markets Covered: Social Media, Social Media, Internet Broadcasting, Internet Broadcasting. Time Series: Five years historic and forecast. Data: Market value in $ billions. Data Segmentations: Regional breakdowns, market share of competitors, key sub segments. Companies Mentioned Google Facebook (News - Alert) Netflix Yahoo Linkedin For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/8s85t9/global_web?w=4 View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180213006608/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] tmtpost 404 - Page Not Found Sorry, this page was not found. Try visiting our homepage or using the search function in our menu. Clay Chastain and his gondolas are back. The indefatigable petition driver who no longer lives in Kansas City is once again proposing a system of gondolas for Kansas City, this time from Barney Allis Plaza downtown to Penn Valley Community College. Chastain previously wanted to close all the roads in Penn Valley Park and install a gondola system. KKFI 90.1 FM Celebration: 30 Years of Community Kansas City, MO, February 12, 2018 2018 is a major milestone for KKFI 90.1FM. The KC-area community radio station celebrates 30 years of on-air service. To recognize and observe this significant achievement, an Open House is being held on Feb. 24 from 9AM to 6PM at the stations offices located at 3901 Main Street, Suite 203 in Midtown Kansas City.Stop by, say hello, meet the stations programmers and staff while touring the broadcast facilities that produce some of KCs most beloved radio programming. Station memorabilia from throughout the years will be on display and an historian will be on site to answer questions and share stories about KKFI 90.1FM. Visitors can hear a live performance by Hot Club KC, watch a program in progress in Studio A, record a memory of KKFI or a station ID, glimpse the soundbooth and other areas of a community radio station. Whether youre a longtime listener, a believer in the power of community radio, or someone interested in the broadcast industry generally, the KKFI 90.1FM Open House is a perfect opportunity to get a sneak peak at where the music and current affairs programs favored by so many Kansas City area citizens are produced.KKFI 90.1FM encourages both current and former listeners and volunteers who cant make it to the Open House to actively participate in the celebration by joining us on-the-air to record personal KKFI stories by calling (816) 931-KKFI (5534 between 10AM and 2PM and again from 3PM -5PM.is the Kansas City areas independent, noncommercial community radio station that seeks to stimulate, educate and entertain its audience, reflect the diversity of the local and world community, and provide a channel for individuals and groups, issues and music that have been overlooked, suppressed or under-represented by other media.###Developing . . . Conservative Group Targets McCaskill, Donnelly on Tax Vote The conservative group Americans for Prosperity is launching a multi-million dollar ad campaign Monday aimed at two vulnerable Senate Democrats over their vote against a bill overhauling the tax code. Americans for Prosperity, which is backed by billionaires Charles and David Koch, is dedicating $4 million for television and digital ads targeting Sens. The latest EPIC ad buy against the top Democratic Party lady in Missouri who is at the center of what could be the most hotly contested Senate Seat in the nation. Take a look: Kansas City Survivor Story KC double heart transplant patient warns heart failure can happen to anyone - even seemingly healthy people KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- February is American Heart Month, and one local heart disease survivor is warning others that heart failure can happen to anyone -- even someone who's the picture of health. Chris Williams was preparing for his first bodybuilding show. He was eating healthy and exercising daily, but then something suddenly wasn't right. Celebrate Local Ice Champions Get a taste of an Olympic sport with KC Curling Club KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Voices barking instructions bounce around the ceiling of the ice rink. Sounds of brooms scratching and stones gritting across the surface echo in the arena, too. It's a normal Sunday morning at the Line Creek Ice Arena in Kansas City North - the home of Kansas City Curling Club. Important Golden Ghetto Public Service Window clings offered to families with special needs members by JOCO Sheriff's Office The Johnson County Sheriff's Office wants to help citizens with special needs by handing out informational window cling stickers. The clings read, "Special Needs Person May Not Respond to Verbal Commands." They can help inform first responders of how they may communicate with a person with autism, poor hearing or any other condition. Gunfire Scare In Blue Springs Blue Springs family shaken after shots fired within inches of driver in possible road rage incident BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. -- Police are investigating a possible case of road rage in Blue Springs that ended with bullets coming within inches of a driver. The victim was driving along Adam's Dairy Road when a car beside him seemed to try to start a race. Show-Me Police Doggie Defense Missouri bill to up penalties for harming police dogs fails Missouri lawmakers have defeated a bill that would have increased the penalties for injuring or killing police dogs. Sunflower State Citizenship Showdown With SecState Kris Kobach Coming Soon Kansas Voting Rights Challenge Headed To Trial Legal challenges to a Kansas law requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote are headed to trial next month. U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson on Friday added additional days to a previously scheduled trial that begins March 6 in Kansas City, Kansas. The new schedule sets aside eight days for the bench trial. Kansas City Beisbol En Espanol Royals partner with KYYS-1250 AM "La Super Estacion" to broadcast twenty games in Spanish KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Royals are excited to announce that select home games throughout the 2018 season will be broadcast in Spanish. The Royals have partnered with KYYS-1250 AM, "La Super Estacion," to broadcast 20 regular season home games in Spanish. The station is operated by the Reyes Media Group. Hottieremains one of the most brilliant International models as the lad mag game transitions over to Instagram. Right now she inspires our morning news collection of somewhat less captivating local content.Take a peek:is the song of the day and this is thefor right now . . . Tourexpi, turizm haberleri, Reiseburos, tourism news, noticias de turismo, Tourismus Nachrichten, , travel tourism news, international tourism news, Urlaub, urlaub in der turkei, , holidays in Turkey, , global tourism news, dunya turizm, dunya turizm haberleri, Seyahat Acentas, This site is best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0+, at a minimum screen resolution of 1024 x 768. ON THE MOVE: UBS Snags Farthing; Barclays Nabs Global Equities Head UBS has snagged a top trading technologist in a bid to boost its cash and electronic trading capabilities. Michael Farthing, a Credit Suisse alum, has been brought on board by the firm. Based out of London, he has joined the firm as a managing director and will be focusing on electronic and algorithmic trading technology. Farthing, a veteran with 31 years of experience, spent the past two decades at Credit Suisse. He started his career in 1987 joining J. P. Morgan after a year as a consultant but shifted to Barclays investment bank in 1996, where he worked as a development database administrator in the firms equities IT department. In 1998, he joined Credit Suisse. Barclays has appointed a new global head of electronic equities who will join the bank after spending nearly 20 years at Credit Suisse in various senior electronic trading roles. Naseer Al-Khudairi built his extensive career experience at Credit Suisse leading several businesses at the investment bank, including roles as head of European cash equities and head of cross asset electronic trading. He left the bank in September and in his new role will report to Stephen Dainton, global head of equities, who joined Barclays in September and previously worked with Al-Khudairi at Credit Suisse. If you have a new job or promotion to report, let me know at jdantona@marketsmedia.com BTIG announced today that it has named Matthew Partain the Head of Prime Brokerage Sales. Partain will join BTIG Prime Brokerages senior leadership team in supporting the ambitions of emerging fund managers and the ongoing needs of established funds. With 15 years of Prime Brokerage experience, Partain has been with BTIG since 2010. Partain will report jointly to Brian Petitt and Justin Press, Co-Heads of BTIG Prime Brokerage. AxiomSL, the leading global provider of regulatory reporting, risk and data management solutions, onboarded James Babicz as Senior Vice President and Head of the recently opened Canadian office in Toronto. Babicz has more than 25 years experience in implementing risk management solutions to address Canadian and international regulatory requirements. He joins from Canadian Western Bank, where he held a senior role in risk management, directing Risk Data Aggregation, Analytics and Reporting programs. He oversaw the development and execution of multiple projects, updating and streamlining the banks risk management operations. Prior to joining Canadian Western Bank, Babicz served as head of risk at SAS UK and Ireland and also held leadership positions at Algorithmics, where he was involved in the development of regulatory capital calculation, aggregation and reporting solutions to meet OSFI requirements. 1 2 3 next For more information on related topics, visit the following channels: UBS Announces Launch of the InsightShares Patriotic Employers ETF UBS Investment Bank announced the launch of the InsightShares Patriotic Employers ETF, the second exchange traded fund ("ETF") issued under the "InsightShares" brand. This ETF offers the opportunity to invest in a socially conscious strategy, focusing on the employment of U.S. military veterans. "We believe this is an innovative way for investors to express their support for the veteran community," said Richard Cea, Executive Director of Exchange Traded Products at UBS. "This ETF provides investors with exposure to companies that recognize the value of our nation's veterans to the workforce." A portion of the revenues generated by this ETF will be donated to veterans-related charities through the UBS Optimus Foundation. InsightShares Patriotic Employers ETF (Ticker: HONR) Created and offered by Exchange Traded Concepts, HONR is designed to track the performance of the Military Veterans IndexTM (USVETSTR). The Military Veterans IndexTM is provided by UBS AG and is designed to track the price movements of U.S companies with policies, practices, and outcomes that support the employment of U.S veterans, as determined by Victory Media's Military Friendly(r) Employer ratings*. For inclusion in the index, companies must meet minimum thresholds for liquidity and profitability, as well as be deemed Military Friendly(r). *Military Friendly(r) Employer ratings are owned and operated by a veteran-owned business and are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Defense or any federal agency. For more information, please vist here. For more information on related topics, visit the following channels: Amazing things are happening at Rosman High School. When Amy Schoenacher came to teach art at Rosman middle and high schools in 1999, a transformation in art activity began. In a very few years the number of students taking art became so large that another art teacher had to be hired for the middle school. At first, student art was only displayed on a bulletin board. Now a small corner outside the art room is covered with carpeted walls to give the art its proper setting. Student artwork is also hung in local businesses and a website gallery has been created online, Artsonia.com. The artw... Over the last few weeks Picturing the Past has been examining the population and economic growth of the town of Brevard in the early 1900s. This week we look at the impact this growth had on Brevard schools. Prior to 1900, education options were limited to small schools that taught basics for short terms. There were also a few subscription or private schools scattered around the county. In Brevard, Fitch and Sarah Taylor opened Epworth School for young girls in their home in 1895. Within four years the school had grown from three to 79 students. The Brevard Institute grew out of the F... Ikenobo Ikebana Society The Ikenobo Ikebana Society, Blue Ridge Chapter, will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, Feb. 15 at 10 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Hendersonville, located at 1735 Fifth Ave. West. Laura Felt will lead a workshop on using traditional Japanese washi paper to create decorative objects. The public is invited to observe the workshop. Apple Group Messages is texting on your Apple device, but with a lot more fun. Its easier than email, it doesnt fill up your inbox, and there is no spam. Send everything on Messages without limitations, from vid... Dick Sieber, a United Way volunteer, heads out to spread the word about the Trivia Challenge and Dance set for Saturday, March 10. The event benefits United Way of Transylvania County's Early Childhood Education Mobile Unit Fund and VFW Post 4309's Local Veterans' Relief Fund. There are still tickets available for the Trivia Challenge and Dance on Saturday, March 10. The event represents a collaboration between United Way of Transylvania County (UWTC) and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4309. The two nonprofits are teaming up to share resources and outcomes for two local funds: UWTC's Early Childhood Education Mobile Unit Fund and VFW's Local Veterans' Relief Fund. The event, held at the VFW Lodge in Brevard, starts with a social hour at 6 p.m. The trivia starts at 7 p.m. The Trivia Challenge teams will be eligible for prizes in each of four rounds of 10 q... The Transylvania County Board of Education received it first draft of the local portion of the budget for the coming 2018-19 school year during a board workshop session last Monday evening. Superintendent Dr. Jeff McDaris informed the board the first draft was the staffs best conjecture since the state budget often is not finalized until after the county and school board have approved their budgets and that the school system had not received much information from the state. We use the best information that we are provided, said McDaris. McDaris said years ago school system... Superior Court returns to Transylvania County today, with the trial of a male school student accused of ethnic intimidation and the felony embezzlement charge facing Annette Raines, the former county tax administrator, among the cases on the docket. In November, the student, who was 17 at the time of the incident last May, was found guilty in Criminal District Court of one misdemeanor count of ethnic intimidation and one misdemeanor count of simple assault against. The student was found guilty of threatening to hang a fellow 17-year-old Brevard High School student at the time with a noose... amansharma@tribunemail.com New Delhi, February 13 In a bid to hasten the resolution of bad loans, RBI has tightened rules to make banks identify and tackle any non-payment of loan rapidly, a move the government said should act as a "wake-up call" for defaulters. The Reserve Bank of India abolished half-a-dozen existing loan-restructuring mechanisms late last night, and instead provided for a strict 180-day timeline for banks to agree on a resolution plan in case of a default or else refer the account for bankruptcy. Financial Services Secretary Rajiv Kumar said the new rules are a "wake-up call" for defaulters. "The government is determined to clean up things in one go and not defer it. It is a more transparent system for resolution," he said," he told PTI here. Under the new rules, insolvency proceedings would have to be initiated in case of a loan of Rs 2,000 crore or more if a resolution plan is not implemented within 180 days of the default. Banks will face penalties in case of failure to comply with the guidelines, RBI said. Financial Services Secretary said the RBI's decision would not have much impact on provisioning norms for banks. The revised framework has specified norms for "early identification" of stressed assets, timelines for implementation of resolution plans, and a penalty on banks for failing to adhere to the prescribed timelines. RBI has also withdrawn the existing mechanism which included Corporate Debt Restructuring Scheme, Strategic Debt Restructuring Scheme (SDR) and Scheme for Sustainable Structuring of Stressed Assets (S4A). The Joint Lenders' Forum (JLF) as an institutional mechanism for resolution of stressed accounts also stands discontinued, it said, adding that "all accounts, including such accounts where any of the schemes have been invoked but not yet implemented, shall be governed by the revised framework". Under the new rules, banks must report defaults on a weekly basis in the case of borrowers with more than Rs 5 crore of loan. Once a default occurs, banks will have 180 days within which to come up with a resolution plan. Should they fail, they will need to refer the account to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) within 15 days. Last year, the government had given more powers to the RBI to push banks to deal with non-performing assets (NPAs) or bad loans. The gross NPAs of public sector and private sector banks as on September 30, 2017 were Rs 7,33,974 crore, Rs 1,02,808 crore, respectively. "In view of the enactment of the IBC, it has been decided to substitute the existing guidelines with a harmonised and simplified generic framework for resolution of stressed assets," RBI said in the notification. As per the revised guidelines, the banks will be required to identify incipient stress in loan accounts, immediately on default, by classifying stressed assets as special mention accounts (SMAs) depending upon the period of default. Classification of SMA would depend on the number of days (1- 90) for which principal or interest have remained overdue. "As soon as there is a default in the borrower entity's account with any lender, all lenders - singly or jointly - shall initiate steps to cure the default," RBI said. The resolution plan (RP) may involve any actions/plans/ reorganisation including, but not limited to, regularisation of the account by payment of all over dues by the borrower entity, sale of the exposures to other entities/investors, change in ownership, or restructuring. The notification said that if a resolution plan in respect of large accounts is not implemented as per the timelines specified, lenders will be required to file insolvency application, singly or jointly, under the IBC, 2016, within 15 days from the expiry of the specified timeline. All lenders are required to submit report to Central Repository of Information on Large Credits (CRILC) on a monthly basis effective April 1, 2018. In addition, the lenders shall report to CRILC, all borrower entities in default (with aggregate exposure of Rs 5 crore and above), on a weekly basis, at the close of business every Friday, or the preceding working day if Friday happens to be a holiday. The first such weekly report shall be submitted for the week ending February 23, 2018, the notification said. The new guidelines have specified framework for early identification and reporting of stressed assets. In respect of accounts with aggregate exposure of the lenders at Rs 2,000 crore and above, on or after March 1, 2018 (reference date), resolution plan RP should be implemented within 180 days. "If in default after the reference date, then 180 days from the date of first such default," the notification said. PTI editorial@tribune.com Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service Chandigarh, February 13 Putting an end to the six-year-old controversy over the liability to maintain a congenial living environment in urban parts of Panchkula, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that areas handed over by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) to the Municipal Corporation by executing an agreement would be the civic bodys responsibility. Areas not handed over would be looked after by HUDA. The ruling by Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain came on a petition filed by HUDA against the Chairman, Permanent Lok Adalat (Public Utility Services). Justice Jain asserted that the corporation would provide a healthy living environment free from the cattle menace in areas handed over by HUDA to it after development by way of an agreement. Both HUDA and the MC shall perform their respective duties in terms of the Haryana Urban Development Authority Act, 1977, and the Haryana Municipal Corporation Act, 1994, Justice Jain concluded. HUDA had challenged the order passed by the Panchkula Permanent Lok Adalat way back in December 2011. Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Padamkant Dwivedi told the Bench that both HUDA and the Panchkula MC were directed to take steps necessary to prevent the cattle menace in Panchkulas urban area. The Bench was also told that the controversy had its genesis in an application filed under the provisions of the Legal Services Authorities Act before the Permanent Lok Adalat. The complainant had raised a grievance against unhygienic conditions caused by excreta of stray animals, cows and dogs included, in areas under the control of HUDA and the MC. HUDAs stand before the lok adalat was that after developing sectors in the urban area of Panchkula, the areas were handed over to the MC for future maintenance by way of an agreement. As such, the liability to keep the area under its control free from the cattle menace was that of the MC. The Bench was also told that the lok adalat took note of the existence of a contract between the parties, but put the liability both on HUDA and the MC for maintaining a congenial living environment in the urban area of Panchkula, while disposing of the petition. Dwivedi argued that HUDA was not liable to maintain the sectors and areas handed over for maintenance to the MC by executing an agreement. Counsel for the MC, during the course of the hearing, admitted its liability and obligations to keep the area free from the stray cattle menace and unhygienic conditions created by them. At the same time, it submitted that the area not given to the MC by HUDA by way of an agreement was to be maintained by HUDA itself. amansharma@tribunemail.com Chandigarh, February 13 In view of the Valentine's Day on Wednesday, Chandigarh Police have made special arrangements to maintain law and order in the city. Additional force will be deployed in the city to ensure safety and security of women, a police spokesman said here. "Approximately 900 police personnel from police stations, different wings, IRB (India Reserve Batallion) and PCR have been deployed for law and order duties that will include six DSPs and 24 inspectors/SHOs," he said. The maximum police force will be deployed nearby girls hostels, colleges and Panjab University, busy markets and shopping malls. A reserve force will remain on alert for mobilising in case of any contingencies, he said. The PCR staff will carry out patrolling in the city and PCR vehicles will be stationed near girls hostels, colleges and Panjab University. Every location will be under direct supervision of DSPs and inspectors for the maintenance of law and order," the spokesman said. Pick-and-drop facility for women will be available in order to ensure their safety while reaching home. Women can call on 100/1091 to avail this facility, he said. Besides this, special traffic arrangements will also be made to check on violators. PTI editorial@tribune.com Sanjam Preet Singh Tribune News Service Mahendragarh, February 12 There are different narratives about the beating up of two Jammu and Kashmir students here. But the assault on February 2, it now emerges was not a one-off incident. Several such violent attacks have been reported here since December, with the timing as a common link: always after Friday prayers. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) The February 2 incident received considerable media spotlight after the J & K CM informed her Haryana CM about the assault on social media. News reports said the assault on the two Rajouri students Aftab and Amjed was the fallout of a collision between motorcycles. Aftab dismisses this theory. After offering prayers, we stopped at a tailors shop at Masani Chowk. Amjed was about to ride pillion when 10 to 15 youths on motorcycles came from behind and started beating us up. I cried for help, but no one came forward. We dont know why we were attacked, he says. The police booked unidentified persons under Sections 148 (rioting), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 341 (wrongful restraint) of the IPC. Three youths arrested on February 3 have been released on bail. The ABVP, Rajput Sabha, Sartaj Group (that claims to be an NGO) and other fringe outfits have been protesting for withdrawal of the cases. They claim the matter has been given a communal colour. They have been burning the effigy of J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, whose tweet had set the police into action. Kuldeep Yadav of Sartaj Group told The Tribune, If the police fail to withdraw the case by February 15, we will step up the agitation. The police claim the students were beaten up due to mistaken identity. Aftab did not tell his parents, fearing they would ask him to return home, till he gave a TV interview. The tall, lanky youth from Rajouri has calmed the nerves of his parents and is determined to complete his studies. His classmate Amjed is still fearful and refused to come on record. However, the locals and a letter to the police maintain that the assault was not an isolated incident. On December 22, a Muslim youth was allegedly beaten up by motorcycle-borne youths after he offered Friday prayers, stated a January 15 letter to the police by Muslim Samaaj, Mahendragarh. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a skull cap. On January 12, another Friday, three youths went on an assaulting spree: first they beat up two Muslim men as they walked out of the mosque; then, a short distance away, two men from West Bengal. Ten minutes later, they beat up two youngsters from UP in a vegetable market. And about 15 minutes later, they threw stones at the mosque. The two Bengalis were brick-kiln workers. Their contractor, Mukul Sheikh, said, Maminul Mian (37) and Nabidul Mian (34) were assaulted after offering namaz. Maminuls Aadhaar card and a note of Rs 500 were snatched. He was badly injured on his nose and eye. The contractor did not approach the police considering it a stray incident. But when another of his men was beaten up near Masani Chowk on February 2, he submitted a police complaint. He was not the only victim that day. An ironsmith, who has a shop near the mosque, said four migrant labourers from UP were assaulted near Angoori Devi Dharamshala. This was the day when the two J&K students were beaten up. The police registered another FIR on the charge of assaulting four labourers and six persons have reportedly been booked in connection with assault on students and labourers. All victims were wearing skull caps and they were attacked after offering jumma prayers, the ironsmith said, wishing not to be named. Some have returned to their native places and are unsure about returning. Mahendergarh SP Kamaldeep when asked about the other attacks, simply maintained that the police were investigating. Ever since the February 2 attack, a police van is stationed outside the university, and a police official deployed outside a mosque. The imam, Maulvi Mubarak Hussain, says he is scared to venture out of his home located on the mosques premises. I ask a friend to buy me things of daily need. I dont wear a skull cap. I keep it in my pocket, he said. This is a shot of the amateur sketch drawn by a witness that led to the successful arrest of Hung Phuoc Nguyen for two counts of theft at a Lancaster, Pennsylvania farmer's market. I think it was the eyes -- they really captured the eyes. Lancaster police say the suspect pretended to be an employee before stealing an undisclosed amount in cash from a stand inside Central Market Feb. 6. In a Facebook post, Lancaster police conceded the sketch was "cartoonish" but it helped identify the suspect, Hung Phuoc Nguyen. "While the sketch provided by the witness may have appeared amateurish and cartoonish, it, along with the distinctive physical descriptors, jogged the memory of at least one investigator to provide a potential suspect name," the post read. Sounds like somebody wants a police sketch artist job. And they deserve it too -- being able to capture a person's essence in a half second drawing? That's a gift. And this? *produces small box from behind back* This is just a little Valentine's gift I got for you. Well -- go on, open it. "But I didn't get you anything." WHAT?! Well I'll just pretend that you got me this then. *rips box open* A coffee mug that reads 'Eat Shit And Die' -- what the hell's the matter with you?! Keep going for a humorous news report about the incident from KY3 in Springfield, Missouri. Thanks to MSA, who agrees this is right up there with the Mobile, Alabama leprechaun sketch, which belongs in a museum. gspannu7@gmail.com Sunit Dhawan Tribune News Service Rohtak, February 13 The Rohtak Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Magistrate, Dr Yash Garg, has imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in the district. The orders have been issued in view of the opposition of BJP president Amit Shahs rally slated to be held in neighbouring Jind district on February 15 and holding of Balidan divas programme by the All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) at Jassia village in Rohtak district on February 18. Meanwhile, 13 companies of paramilitary forces, including the CRPF and RAF, have reached Rohtak to ensure the maintenance of law and order in view of the aforesaid programmes. Rohtak SP Pankaj Nain said paramilitary personnel as well as policemen had been deployed at strategic points in and around Rohtak town to prevent the occurrence of any untoward incident. No heavy vehicles, barring the Haryana Roadways and cooperative buses, will be allowed to move on the Jind road and the rally-bound vehicles would not be allowed to enter Rohtak town, he added. While several nakas have been erected on roads leading to Jind and other neighboring towns, vehicular traffic has been diverted from some roads to maintain peace and order. editorial@tribune.com Deepender Deswal Tribune News Service Hisar, February 13 After taking back the decision to oppose the visit of BJP national president Amit Shah, the All-India Jat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) has decided to organise a balidan divas function in Ramayan village of the district on February 18. The AIJASS observes balidan divas on February 19 every year to commemorate the death of three persons who were killed during the agitation on the demand of the inclusion of Jats in the other backward class (OBC) category. Rambhagat Malik, AIJASS spokesperson, said that a programme would be organised near the railway track in Ramayan village on that day. However, samiti president Yashpal Malik is unlikely to attend the programme. The samiti will observe balidan divas in all districts of the state, he said. In the past, the samiti had been organising balidan divas in Mayyar or Ramayan village of the district. Farmers to oppose visit Meanwhile, farmers under the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh will hold a protest in Kheri Chopta village on February 15 in support of their demands. Suresh Koth, president of the sangh, said that they have decided to hold a protest to oppose the arrival of Amit Shah in Jind. The BJP has failed to keep its pre-poll promises to the farmers. We have been holding a dharna in Kheri Chopta village for about a month. The sangh will also lead a protest march to Delhi next week to highlight the issues and problems of the farmers, Koth said. MP meets farmers Hisar MP Dushyant Chautala met farmers at the dharna that had been organised by the Jal Sangharsh Samiti in the mini-secretariat here today. He said that he had raised the issue of shortage of canal water in the region in the Lok Sabha during the Budget session of Parliament and asked the Union government why adequate water was not being released to the farmers. The MP has also written a letter to Union Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari to highlight the issue. He also asked the agitating farmers to accompany him to meet Gadkari for a discussion on the issue. editorial@tribune.com Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, February 13 Although the issue of raising of pro-Pakistan slogans by National Conference (NC) MLA Mohammad Akbar Lone was resolved on the floor of the Legislative Assembly on Monday, a group within the BJP has decided to further raise the controversy to counter the Oppositions attack. This came after some political parties as well as a section of the Congress stepped up the attack on the BJP for its failure to counter Lone for hailing Pakistan in the Assembly. BJP sources said the party leadership had given a green signal to a section of the party to raise the issue to blunt the Oppositions attack. After the controversy was resolved on the floor of the House, BJP MLA RS Pathania has lodged a written complaint with Assembly Speaker Kavinder Gupta against Lone, quoting Rule 247 of the Assembly Rules of Procedure. It is in the backdrop of acts/omissions of Mohammed Akbar Lone on February 10, 2018, i.e. the raising of pro-Pakistan slogans on the floor of the Assembly and then trying to justify them before the media. This amounts to not only act of sedition while at the same is violation/abrogation of the oath, Pathania said, adding that all MLAs take oath to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of the country. Pathania demanded unseating of Lone and registration of a first information report or other criminal proceedings against him. Stepping up the attack against the NC, BJP spokesman Sunil Sethi said Lone had put a blot on the image of the political class. He said it was an extremely serious matter and the Speaker should refer it to the privileges committee. For the past two days, Panthers Party has been targeting only the BJP regarding the controversy. The BJP MLAs have hurt the nationalist sentiment and Dogra pride by maintaining a stoic silence while such slogans were raised on the floor of the House, said Harsh Dev Singh, Panthers Party leader. Quotes Assembly rules BJP MLA RS Pathania has lodged a written complaint with Assembly Speaker Kavinder Gupta against Lone, quoting Rule 247 of the Assembly Rules of Procedure. editorial@tribune.com Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 12 A Central Reserve Police Force constable was killed and a policeman injured as the security forces thwarted a possible fidayeen attack on its camp in Srinagar early on Monday. The militants were trapped in a nearby multi-storey building, triggering an encounter, which was still on. The Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) has claimed responsibility for the attack. An alert sentry noticed two armed militants carrying rucksacks emerging from a house and approaching the CRPF battalion headquarters at Karan Nagar under the cover of darkness. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) The sentry immediately opened fire and the effective fire prevented terrorists from entering the camp. The militants fled the scene. Our parties and quick reaction teams were rushed and searches of the camp periphery in the residential area were started. Almost four hours later, a contact with militants, hiding in a partially constructed multi-storey building, was established, CRPF IG Ravideep Singh Sahi told The Tribune. He said the building was located outside the CRPF camp premises. After the area was cordoned off, civilians from neighbouring houses were evacuated and the operation was launched. In the initial gunfight, one of our men was critically wounded who later succumbed, he said. The slain jawan was identified as Mujahid Khan of 49 Batallion and a resident of Bihar. A police man was also injured in the gunfight. The exchange of fire continued as loud sounds were heard during the day. The operation is expected to extend as the building is massive. Minor incidents of stone pelting around the gunfight site were reported, prompting the police to fire tear gas shells. A police officer said the situation was under control. The site is close to Srinagars premier Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital (SMHS), from where a top Pakistani LeT militant, Naveed Jaat, escaped on February 6. Two policemen were killed in the militant attack. Talks with Pak must: Mehbooba "Dialogue with Pak is necessary if we are to end bloodshed. I know I will be labelled anti-national but that doesnt matter. The people of J&K are suffering. We have to talk as war is not an option. If we (Kashmiris) dont talk about it (dialogue), who will? Not a Bihari, not a Punjabi. Mehbooba Mufti, J&K CM monicakchauhan@gmail.com Majid Janangir Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 13 Two holed-up militants were on Tuesday killed during an encounter between security forces and terrorists hiding in a multi-storey building at Karan Nagar in Srinagar, after nearly 30-hour-long gunfight. The identity and group affiliation of the militants is yet to be ascertained While one was gunned down as he came out of the under construction building to get into another adjacent building, the other was trapped and killed inside the building that they took refuge in on Monday," a police officer said. The encounter between militants and security forces, which began yesterday after the terrorists tried to attack a CRPF camp. #WATCH J&K: Encounter underway between security forces and terrorists in Srinagar's Karan Nagar (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/sECH5chjMJ ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2018 Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) In wake of the security operation underway in Karan Nagar, authorities imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar - the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir - to maintain law and order, a police official said. Restrictions have been imposed in eight police station areas as a precautionary measure, the official said. He said curbs, under Section 144 of the CrPc, have been imposed in Nowhatta, Rainawari, Khanyar, Safakadal, M R Gunj, Kralkhud, Shaheedgunj and Karan Nagar police station areas. A CRPF jawan was killed and a policeman was injured in the exchange of fire yesterday. We are suspecting presence of two terrorists, the operation is in its final stage. We have been successful in doing a deliberate assault, we are expecting the operation to finish it very soon: Swayam Prakash Pani, IGP, Kashmir on encounter underway in Srinagar's Karan Nagar pic.twitter.com/KyJyFK6zNo ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2018 The CRPF has claimed that it thwarted the attempt by the terrorists to attack its camp in Karan Nagar area. The incident came days after Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists attacked another Army camp in Sunjwan area of Jammu, killing six people including five soldiers. Three militants were also killed in retaliation by the Army. monicakchauhan@gmail.com Jammu, February 13 A fresh terror attack was averted by alert guards at the entrance of an Army camp in Jammu's Domana area on Tuesday. Two motorcycle borne militants approached the entry point of the Army camp in Domana area around 4.30 a.m. They fired towards the sentry post. As the guards retaliated the terrorists were forced to flee, informed sources in the police said. "A search operation is now underway to trace the militants," they said. The attack comes close on the heels of another audacious attack at the Sunjuwan army camp in Jammu on Saturday in which a group of three heavily armed Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) terrorists entered the camp killing five soldiers and a civilian. IANS editorial@tribune.com Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 13 The nearly 30-hour-long gunfight in Srinagar city ended today with the killing of two holed up militants. The two militants were hiding in an under-construction multi-storey building at Karan Nagar after they failed to attack a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in the wee hours on Monday. The government had imposed restrictions in the old city to avoid any law and order situation during the anti-militancy operation. The encounter concluded this afternoon. In the operation, two terrorists were killed. Their identity is being ascertained. The incriminating material we recovered from them suggests they were from the Lashkar-e-Toiba, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Swayam Prakash Pani said. During the encounter, one CRPF man was killed and one policeman suffered bullet injuries but his condition is stable. The IGP said the operation was carried out in the congested locality and a lot of civilian population was around. While the operation was planned immediately, the civilian population was moved from the area and we thank the citizens of Srinagar city for cooperating with us. Because of the help of the community, we could take out the residents from the encounter site. Subsequently, a deliberate assault line was planned by the CRPF and Special Operation Group of the J&K Police. There was no collateral damage during the operation, he said. Sources privy to the operation said the highly-trained militants were shifting from one room to another and that prolonged the operation. We fired a number of rockets to break the walls of the building. Once we were successful in it, the militant movement was restricted and they took position on the ground floor. At 11 am, we were able to neutralise the first militant, a security official said. The exchange of fire continued and another militant was injured. At around 1 am, the final assault was launched inside the building and the second militant was killed an hour later, he said. Two AK-47 rifles, eight AK-47 magazines and other war-like stores were recovered from the encounter site. A possible fidayeen attack was foiled on Monday, when an alert sentry at Karan Nagar noticed two militants armed with AK-47s and rucksacks, approaching the CRPF Battalion Headquarters at Karan Nagar. The sentry opened fire and the militants fled from the spot and took shelter in a partially constructed multi-storey building in the area. A contact with the militants was established around 10 am. editorial@tribune.com Arun Joshi Tribune News Service The terror attack at Sunjuwan military station is not over as yet. It is a continuing sordid saga since last Saturday when terrorists stormed into the campus. The death toll is pegged at seven - six soldiers and a civilian - and 11 others were injured. That is the physical toll. The worse is the assault on the counter-terrorism strategy, which itself is directionless. After the November 3, 1999, attack in the 15 Corps headquarters at Badami Bagh, Srinagar, in which Major Purushottam an ever-smiling and affable public relations officer - and a few others were killed, the fidayeen attacks have become so frequent that a perception has gained credence that the Army that cannot defend its own cantonments or camps cannot protect the people. This feeling has been reinforced with the Sunjuwan terror attack. All this could have been corrected had the Army done its homework properly and trained its personnel accordingly. Governor NN Vohra had ordered a security audit of all security establishments across the state, particularly those located on the highways and in the populated areas on January 12, 2016, days after the terrorists had mounted an attack on the airbase in Pathankot, Punjab, which lies just a few kilometres from J&Ks border with Punjab. Then the state was under Governors rule following the death of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. The Army and other security agencies perhaps failed to comprehend the seriousness of the situation. They never understood the real idea of the security audit. The infirmities were sought to be explained in terms of raising of concrete walls, rolling out of concertina wire rolls and shifting of observatory towers to a safe distance from the boundary walls. That was not enough. The Sunjuwan military station attack brought this out with the sacrifice of soldiers and their family members. Sunjuwan is also a continuing story because not only is it located in a semi-urban locality but also some sections of the population are hostile to India. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman didnt mince her words on Monday evening at a press conference when she confirmed that the terrorists had local support. The terrorists who attacked the campus have been neutralized, but the local support is alive. That local support will never be allowed to be identified because of political interests that in the first place settled them there with all facilities. That kind of local support for the terrorists across Jammu and Kashmir is fast expanding and the Army camps are becoming more prone to such attacks. vinaymishra188@gmail.com Tribune News Service Jammu, February 13 The Army recovered the body of another soldier from the Sunjuwan military station while sanitising the camp late on Monday, taking the toll in Saturdays terror attack to seven six Army men and a civilian. This even as a combing operation was launched today in Domana area, on the outskirts of the city, after two suspected bike-borne terrorists were seen outside an Army camp. The slain soldier whose body was recovered from the camp was identified as Havildar Rakesh Chandra of 6 Mahar. He belongs to Sankar village in Pauri tehsil of Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) In all, 10 persons sustained bullet injuries in the terror attack and were undergoing treatment at a military hospital, where the condition of two remained critical. Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists had attacked the camp dressed in Army fatigues. The Army operation entailed a search of 26 blocks and evacuation from 189 flats. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today led the wreath-laying ceremony, paying tributes to four of the six soldiers hailing from Kashmir. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports suggested that two bike-borne terrorists opened fire at a sentry post in the Domana area around 4.30 am. They fled the scene after Army jawans retaliated. A search operation has been launched, while the alert has been optimised, said Jammu SSP Vivek Gupta. Asked whether the Army jawans established contact with the gunmen, he said they (police) were investigating the matter. Sources said two terrorists approached the entry point of the Army camp and opened fire. As the guards retaliated, they fled. Srinagar siege ends, two LeT men dead Srinagar: Security forces on Tuesday killed two Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists holed up inside a building after a failed attack on a CRPF camp, ending a 32-hour gunbattle in downtown Srinagar, police said. The operation to flush out terrorists from the under-construction multi-storey building in Karan Nagar was carried out by a Special Operations Group of the J&K Police and the CRPF, a police official said. Inside vinaymishra188@gmail.com Mumbai, February 13 Students in Maharashtra schools will soon get to read about various facets of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the state education department ordering a purchase of nearly 1.5 lakh books on his life. The order was placed last month and most of these books, meant for extra reading for students, will be delivered to state government-run schools by this month-end, a department official said. The order also includes purchase of books on the life of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr BR Ambedkar but their number is lesser than that of the Modi books, the official said. In total, 1,49,954 books on Modi, 79,388 books on Ambedkar, 4,343 on Gandhi and 1,635 books on first Prime Minister Nehru have been ordered, as per the purchase order. Also, 76,713 books on former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee have been ordered, the official said. The books, in Marathi, Hindi, English and Gujarati languages, are being purchased under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), a programme for universalisation of elementary education, and will be kept as extra reading material for students from class 1 to 8, he said. State education minister Vinod Tawde said: An expert committee has recommended the books and the order has been placed accordingly. PTI uttara@tribuneindia.com New Delhi, February 18 The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked if the government was not entitled to seek proof of identity from citizens if their entitlement to certain benefits were dependent upon their identities. A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra also said that idea behind the Aadhaar scheme could be the reason that people should have one ID card. "If your entitlement depends on who you are, then can the government not require proof on that count? Is it not a reasonable condition," a bench, which also comprised Justices AK Sikri, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan, asked. The Bench, hearing pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar scheme and the enabling 2016 law, said: "Even if entitlement is beyond dispute, there has to be minimal way of proving who you are". "A condition is unconstitutional if it requires you to relinquish a constitutional right," the Bench said. The observations came after it was argued that the primary status of a person is that of a citizen and not an Aadhaar cardholder. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the West Bengal government, said the proof of identity has to be linked with the status of the person that entitles him or her for the benefit and moreover, the citizens must have the choice to prove their identity. He then referred to the example of a woman entitled for widow pension, and said it was her status that enabled her to get the benefit and not her identity, and the State could not insist that the identity had to be proved only through Aadhaar. "I can have different ways of proving my identity as a citizen. There are various ways of establishing identity. Aadhaar does not establish my status," Sibal said, adding that the biggest identity was the identity as citizens. On the issue of some people having multiple passports and ration cards, the senior advocate said there were laws to deal with law-breakers, and that it could not mean that the State could make a statute having unconstitutional provisions to deal with law-abiding citizens. Sibal termed the Aadhaar case as "the most important case since independence" as it would decide the future course to be adopted by the nation. "The judgement in this case will decide the course that this country takes. Will we live in a country where there is choiceor do we live in a country where the State is the arbiter of choice," he said, adding that what the court will decide would relate to "me, my children, my grand children and their unborn children". At the outset, the senior lawyer said in most secured countries, the government takes the citizens' information for 10 years only and then all database are deleted. And this data is used for limited purposes. Terming information as the most important aspect, he said that firms, involved with IT, were creating more wealth than traditional companies and gave illustrations of Tripadvisor, Alibaba, Uber, WhatsApp and other such platforms. Referring to various provisions of the Aadhaar Act, he said that architecture of the law was "unconstitutional" and submitted that the nine-judge Bench's privacy judgement had laid down that "the identity of a person cannot be made a public identity and the identity details cannot be centralised". "Our fundamental identity is that we are the citizen of India," he said and added that the Aadhaar law presumed a "person to be criminal until he is proved innocent". He said that there was no difficulty in connecting identity to status, but the primary status of a person is that of a citizen and not as an Aadhaar cardholder. Referring to the doctrine of "unconstitutional conditions", Sibal said the State could not make a benefit or privilege conditional upon an individual giving up his or her other rights including fundamental ones. Highlighting the impact of the Aadhaar scheme, he said the members of the society could not surrender the rights on behalf of future members that are yet to come into the world. The CJI summed up the submission of Sibal saying that "you cannot be asked to barter or surrender one fundamental right in order to have access to another". After Sibal concluded his submissions, another senior lawyer Gopal Subramanium began his arguments saying the Aadhaar scheme infringed dignity, freedom and equality and turns a person into a digital entity. The hearing will resume on February 15. Earlier, the court had said that issues like denial of benefits to citizens for either want of Aadhaar or due to its non-authentication might not be a ground for holding the law as "unconstitutional". The apex court had on December 15 last year extended till March 31 the deadline for mandatory linking of Aadhaar with various services and welfare schemes of all ministries and departments of the Centre, states and Union territories. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com Lucknow, February 13 An army trooper was killed in celebratory firing at a wedding in Uttar Pradeshs Kanpur, police said on Tuesday. The incident happened in Chakeri town late on Monday when the friends of the groom Shiv Prakash opened fire in the air and a bullet hit 28-year-old Kuldeep Dixit. He had come from Ambala to attend his friends wedding. A man named Sanjay Maurya, a resident of Rae Bareli, has been arrested and his rifle seized by the police. A police official informed IANS that the deceased, the groom and the person who fired the bullet belonged to the same village. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) According to the police, people were dancing in the wedding procession outside Pitambara guest house in Shyamnagar, Chakeri, when Sanjay opened fire, apparently in a drunken state and the bullet hit the army trooper. Dixit was rushed to the Kanshiram Trauma Centre where he was pronounced dead. The deceased was married in November last year, police said. Despite the ban on celebratory firing by the Supreme Court, many people are killed every year in such firing during weddings in Uttar Pradesh. IANS amansharma@tribunemail.com Satya Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 13 The Supreme Court on Tuesday clarified that the purpose of installing CCTV cameras in courts was to ensure security and not for video recording the proceedings. A bench of Justice AK Goel and Justice UU Lalit, which is overseeing the installation of CCTV in courts, clarified the position after Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand apprised it of the progress made on this front. Great work, said the bench expressing satisfaction at the progress made in installation of CCTVs in various courts and tribunals. The move is supported by theLaw Ministry. However, Amicus Curiae Sidharth Luthra raised certain concerns regarding identity of victims coming to court and protected witnesses. He said it has to be ensured that CCTV recordings were not leaked. The bench posted the matter for further hearing on April 4. Another bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra had last week sought Attorney General KK Venugopals assistance in deciding petitions seeking live telecast of important cases, particularly Constitution Bench matters. It had directed that copies of the petitions be given to the central agency to enable the Attorney General to assist it in the important matter. The direction had come after petitioners -- senior Advocate Indira Jaising and advocate Mathews Nedumpara explained to the bench the importance of live streaming of court proceedings. Asserting that right to receive information is a fundamental right under Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution, senior advocate Indira Jaising had on January 18 moved the Supreme Court seeking live telecast of important cases, particularly Constitution Bench matters. She has demanded that pending availability of infrastructure for live streaming, important cases before Constitution Bench such as Aadhaar, Sabarimala Temple, homosexuality, adultery and Parsi womens right to equality be recorded and uploaded on its own YouTube channel. rchopra@tribunemail.com Shillong, February 13 An Election Commission (EC) team led by Chief Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat will arrive here on Thursday to take stock of the preparations for the February 27 assembly polls, an official said on Tuesday. Rawat will be accompanied by Election Commissioners Sunil Arora and Ashok Lavasa. The five-year term of the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly will expire on March 6. Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Roy Kharkongor said the Election Commission officials would review the poll preparedness with Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police along with Divisional Commissioners. The Commission will also hold a separate meeting with Central Armed Police Forces and Income Tax officials. They would also hold meetings with Chief Secretary Y Tsering and Director General of Police Swaraj Bir Singh. The Election Commission officials will also meet leaders of political parties. In December, a full bench of the Election Commission led by then Chief Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Joti had visited Meghalaya and voiced satisfaction at the poll preparedness in the state. The Congress, which is ruling the state for a second consecutive term, is confident of retaining power. On the other hand, other political parties, including the BJP which has fielded 47 candidates, are also confident of unseating the ruling Congress. Congress President Rahul Gandhi had visited the state and sought the peoples support to vote for the Congress. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who launched the election campaign for the BJP on December 16, asked the voters to oust the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) government headed by Mukul Sangma. IANS US in touch to use India as staging ground for strikes in Afghanistan: Antony Blinken Secretary of State says US will reassess its relationship wi... amansharma@tribunemail.com New Delhi, February 13 Army men from India and China on Tuesday held a ceremonial Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) at a Chinese garrison in Chushul Sector of eastern Ladakh during which both sides reaffirmed their commitment in maintaining peace along the border, officials said. The meeting was held at Chinese Army's Moldo Garrison on the occasion of Chinese spring festival, they said. "Delegations of both countries reaffirmed their commitment towards enhancing existing cordial relations and maintaining peace," said an army official. There are five BPM points along the nearly 4,000-km Sino-India border. The BPM points are Kibithu, Bum La, Daulat Beg Oldi, Chushul and Nathu La. Troops of India and China were locked in a 73-day standoff in Doklam last year after the Indian side stopped construction of a road in the disputed area by the Chinese Army. The face-off had began on June 16 and ended on August 28. PTI gspannu7@gmail.com Kalaburagi (Karnataka), February 13 Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused the NDA government of creating a problem in Indias foreign policy and said the country stood isolated in the region. Underlining Chinas expanding influence, Gandhi said the most important part of a countrys foreign policy was having a good relationship with others. Today India is actually isolated in the region, he told professionals and business people here during an interaction on the last day of his four-day Janashirvad Yatra in the northern region of poll-bound Karnataka. India should work for creating as many jobs as there are in China, he said, adding that New Delhi must find a peaceful and not aggressive way to counter Beijing. We have to find a way, not an aggressive way, not a military way, but a peaceful way to compete with the Chinese, he said. Gandhi referred to the massive expansion of Chinese presence in the region. You see the Chinese have a presence in Nepal, they have a presence in Pakistan, in Sri Lanka, in Maldives... They have a presence in Burma (Myanmar), Gandhi added. He said the NDA government had created a problem in Indias foreign policy. Indias old friend Russia was now cosying up to our neighbours on the western side, he said, adding, This is actually a serious problem which is not getting discussed. Hitting out at the Union Government on employment generation, Gandhi claimed that while China was creating 50,000 jobs in 24 hours, the NDA government was generating 450 jobs in 24 hours. The simple thing is, there is only one measure, not two: how many jobs is India creating and how many jobs is China creating. Im sad to say that over the last four years it (job creation) has become a really serious problem, he added. On economic growth, he said India was doing okay, (but) it was doing much better before. The issue of jobs, he said, was not being publicly discussed. When it comes to jobs, India is failing completely and this is not something that is publicly in the discourse at all, he added. Gandhi, however, conceded that to an extent even during the Congress-led UPA rule we were nowhere near the number of jobs that needed to be created. He also spoke about the massive increase in the defence budgets of the US, China and Russia, and said, We are now entering a new phase in world politics where you are going to see increased tension between US, China and Russians. In this situation, India has to have a clear understanding of the path going forward, he said. PTI gspannu7@gmail.com Washington, February 13 Americas intelligence chief on Tuesday warned that Pakistan-supported terrorist groups would continue to carry out attacks inside India, thus risking escalation of tension between the two neighbours. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats remarks came days after a group of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists struck the Sunjuwan Military Camp in Jammu on Saturday, killing seven people including six soldiers. Pakistan, in fact, will continue to threaten US interests by deploying new nuclear weapons capabilities, maintaining its ties to militants, restricting counter-terrorism cooperation, and drawing closer to China, Coats said in his testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Militant groups supported by Islamabad will continue to take advantage of their safe haven in Pakistan to plan and conduct attacks in India and Afghanistan, including against US interests, Coats said during the hearing on Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US intelligence community. He said Pakistans perception of its eroding position relative to India, reinforced by endemic economic weakness and domestic security issues, almost certainly will exacerbate long-held fears of isolation and drive Islamabads pursuit of actions that run counter to US goals for the region. Without specifically referring to any terrorist incident by Pakistan-based groups, Coats told the lawmakers that he expects tension between the two Asian neighbours. Relations between India and Pakistan are likely to remain tense, with continued violence on the Line of Control and the risk of escalation if there is another high-profile terrorist attack in India or an uptick in violence on the Line of Control, Coats said. PTI vinaymishra188@gmail.com New Delhi, February 13 A refurbished World War II-era Dakota is set to be flown to India next month, to become a proud possession of the Indian Air Force. The plane, which underwent a six-year-long restoration in the UK, will join the vintage fleet at the Hindon air base in Uttar Pradesh. The aircraft is a gift from Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar to the IAF, and at a function here today, the Bengaluru lawmaker ceremonially handed over the papers and deeds to Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa. The Chief of Air Staff said, They (the aircraft) were introduced in the 1930s. As part of the 12th Squadron of the then Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF), Dakotas were the main workhorse in Ladakh and North-East region. And, they intervened in time to save the valley of Kashmir (in 1947). Military historian Pushpindar Singh had said that Dakota is the reason why Poonch is still with us. They helped in hastening the fall of Dhaka and liberation of Bangladesh, Dhanoa said. Douglas DC3 aircraft, better known as the Dakota, carried the troops of the Armys 1 Sikh Regiment to Srinagar on October 27, 1947, during the first Indo-Pak war, besides carrying supplies and refugees. The Dakota, christened Parashurama, will bear tail number VP 905, the same as the first such aircraft in the Indian service that transported the troops during the 1947 war to Jammu and Kashmir. Chandrasekhars gift will make it the first vintage Dakota for the IAF, which currently has a Tiger Moth and a Harvard aircraft stationed at the Hindon air base. The Dakota is currently kept at Coventry airfield in the UK. It is set to fly next month. Chandrasekhars father Air Commodore MK Chandrasekhar (retd), who was present at the function, was a Dakota pilot in the IAF. PTI amansharma@tribunemail.com Shiv Kumar Tribune News Service Mumbai, February 13, 2018 Security nets and grilles are being erected on a priority basis at Mantralaya, the Maharashtra governments secretariat in Mumbai, after two people committed suicide here in the past month alone. Two others survived their suicide attempts. According to police, Harshal Raote, a 45-year-old murder convict out on parole, jumped off the fifth floor of the secretariat building last week after failing to convince officials to extend his time off from prison. Dharma Patil, an 84-year-old farmer from Dhule district, who came to meet officials for higher compensation for his farm that was acquired by the government drank poison in the secretariat complex two weeks ago and died in hospital. Following these incidents, the opposition parties dubbed Mantralaya a suicide point and sought increased security measures. The public works department has responded by installing a net between the first and second floors of the building to prevent anyone falling on the atrium on the ground floor from the seven-storey structure. While the net will be installed this week, grilles will be installed on the corridors on all floors to prevent anyone stepping on the parapets. Recently one man seeking relief for failed crops had threatened to jump off the parapet on the fourth floor but was persuaded by officials who gave him a written undertaking that the government would consider his demands. Police said no cases have been filed against the two who survived suicide attempts at Mantralaya. Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil of the Congress said the administration has failed across the state thus forcing desperate people from across Maharashtra to make a beeline to Mantralaya. The government should solve the grievances of the people at the local level. Installing safety nets and grilles are temperory solutions, he told reporters here. rchopra@tribunemail.com Rameswaram, February 13 Nearly 2,000 Tamil Nadu fishermen were allegedly chased away by the Sri Lankan Navy while they were fishing in Indian territorial waters, a fishermen association leader said. The fishermen from this island town had put out to sea on Monday in 400 boats and were fishing in the Indian waters when the Lankan Navy transgressed the International Maritime Boundary Line and warned them against venturing near the Katchatheevu islet, Rameswaram Fishermen Association President S Emerit alleged. Following the incident, all of them returned to the shore on Tuesday morning, he said and alleged that they were being prevented from exercising their traditional fishing rights in the Indian waters now. Two days back, over 3,000 fishermen from here were chased away by the island nations naval personnel when they were allegedly fishing near the Katchatheevu islet. PTI amansharma@tribunemail.com Islamabad, February 13 Pakistan on Tuesday warned that it will "pay (back) India in its own coin" in case of any misadventure as it rejected Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's remarks that Islamabad was behind the deadly terror attack on a military camp in Jammu. A group of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists had struck the Sunjuwan Military Camp in Jammu on Saturday, killing seven people including six soldiers. Defence Minister Sitharaman yesterday blamed Pakistan for the terror attack on the military camp and made it clear that Islamabad will pay the price for the "misadventure". Responding to Sitharaman's remarks, her Pakistani counterpart Khurram Dastgir Khan today said Islamabad "will pay (back) India in its own coin in case of any misadventure". "Instead of the knee-jerk reaction of blaming Pakistan without substantiation, India must answer for state-sponsored espionage against Pakistan," Khan said in a statement. He was referring to Indian prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of terrorism. "Pakistan's armed forces are fully prepared to defend the country and any Indian aggression, strategic miscalculation, or misadventure regardless of its scale, mode, or location will not go unpunished and shall be met with an equal and proportionate response," Khan was quoted as saying by Dawn. In a statement, the Foreign Office today said that the "familiar Indian tendency" of apportioning blame to Pakistan, without a shred of evidence, is "regrettable". "The Indian allegations are premature and inopportune, especially as India itself admits that the operation still continued and investigations had just started, when these comments were made," a Foreign Office spokesman said. "We have repeatedly seen India arrogating to itself the role of judge, jury and executioner. The reflex assignment of blame and smear campaigns, based on unfounded allegations, carry no credibility," he said, adding that the tone of Indian defence minister was "deplorable". "More deplorable is the threatening tone of the Indian comments that achieves nothing, but further vitiates the already tense environment marked by unprecedented ceasefire violations by India on the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary," he said. The spokesman also said Pakistan is fully committed and capable of defending itself against any act of aggression. PTI editorial@tribune.com Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 13 Five Dalit children were allegedly stripped naked and thrashed by a farmer from Sohina Kalan village near here as they had plucked radish from his field on Sunday. A villager recorded a video in which the children, all baptised Sikhs, accused Ashurbanpal Singh Latti (37) of assaulting them. In the video, which has gone viral, the children alleged that Latti also forced them to run for almost 3 km towards Bal village while he chased them on a scooter. Sukhdev Singh, grandfather of two of the children, said, The kids were chasing kites. They rushed to Lattis fields when a kite landed there. One of them uprooted a radish plant. Infuriated, Latti forced the children to remove their clothes. He also hit them on their backs. Later that day, the farmers family returned the clothes to the children. Lattis father SS Gill said, The children were ruining the radish and turnip crops daily. On Sunday, Latti saw them in the field and called them. However, the children started taunting him and ran toward the drain of Bal village. He followed them and tried to teach them that committing theft was a sin for baptised Sikhs. They removed clothes on their own. He admitted that the mothers of the children had later taken the clothes back. I have apologised to their parents. Some miscreants are trying to give a casteist colour to the episode. They are targeting us because we are Akalis, Gill said. Majitha SHO Mohit Kumar claimed that he was unaware of the incident. editorial@tribune.com Our Correspondent Sahnewal, February 13 The police today arrested Vishwas Sahu, a resident of Neechi Mangali village, on the charge of raping his two daughters, aged 15 and 10. Director, Childline, Ludhiana, Kuldeep Singh Mann was informed by the chairman of the Child Welfare Committee about the crime. The latter had been approached by Neeru Burman, Principal of Government Senior Secondary School, Neechi Mangali. Burman said the elder victim, a student of Class VIII, had revealed to a friend that her father had been raping her for the past year. The girl also claimed that her mother was unable to save her. She had alleged that her younger sister was now being sexually assaulted too. Her friend promptly informed the Principal. On being intimated by Mann, investigating officer Joginder Singh and Ramgarh Chowki incharge ASI Harbhajan Singh arrested Sahu, who belongs to Nepal. uttara@tribuneindia.com Berlin A rare all-female fish speciesnative to the border region of Texas and Mexico continues to thrive, defying existing theories of evolution which predict that asexually reproducing animals can not survive in the long run, scientists say. Species that produce asexually are rare among vertebrates. The Amazon molly (Poecilia formosa)a small fish speciesdoes not produce any male offspring. The females reproduce asexually through gynogenesis, making their daughters identical clones of themselves. This type of reproduction also means that they need sperm to trigger the cloning process. So the Amazon molly mates with closely related Molly fish to obtain this sperm. The sperm cells even penetrate the egg cell; however, none of the male's DNA is incorporated into the Molly's eggs. Rather, the egg completely destroys the male genes. "According to established theories, this species should no longer exist. It should have long become extinct during the course of evolution," said Manfred Schartl, from the University of Wurzburg in Germany. Researchers explored how the Amazon molly has managed to survive in spite of this. They sequenced the genome of the fish species and compared it with that of related species. There are two main reasons that argue against asexually reproducing species surviving in the long run. "Harmful changes occur in any genome at some point. In creatures whose offspring are pure clones, these defects would accumulate over generations until there are no more healthy individuals," Schartl said. Species that reproduce sexually can easily eliminate such defects when the number of chromosomes is reduced by half during formation of egg and sperm cells to be recombined subsequently during fertilisation from half of the maternal and paternal chromosomes, respectively. There is another argument against the long survival of a species whose offspring are all clones of their mothers. "These species are usually not capable of adapting to environmental changes as quickly as their sexually producing counterparts," Schartl said. "So within a few generations, they should be on the losing side of evolution which calls for the "survival of the fittest," he said. To answer the question why this theory does not apply to the Amazon molly, the scientists studied their genome as well as that of two related fish species that reproduce sexually. "We found little evidence of genetic degeneration in the Amazon molly, but rather a unique genetic variability and clear signs of an ongoing evolutionary process," Schartl said. Especially the genes relevant for the immune system exhibit a high level of genetic variability in the genome of P formosa. The study, published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution, concluded that this variability combined with a broad immune response essentially contributes to the fact that the Amazon molly does not share the fate of many other species that reproduce asexually, namely to fall victim to pathogens. PTI shalender@tribune.com LONDON, February 13 In a huge setback to Julian Assange, a British court today for the second time ruled that a UK arrest warrant against the Wikileaks founder was still valid, making it clear that he could be arrested if he tries to leave the Ecuadorian embassy where he has been holed up since 2012. Senior District Judge Emma Arbuthnot, handing down her judgement before a packed courtroom at Westminster magistrates court, said that she was not persuaded by the argument from Assanges legal team that it was not in the public interest to pursue him for skipping bail. I find arrest is a proportionate response even though Mr Assange has restricted his own freedom for a number of years, Judge Arbuthnot said. The judge said: Defendants on bail up and down the country, and requested persons facing extradition, come to court to face the consequences of their own choices. He should have the courage to do the same. It is certainly not against the public interest to proceed. Assange, 46, skipped bail to enter the Ecuadorian embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden over allegations of sexual assault and rape, which he denies. Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnotis currently also presiding over the extradition trial of liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya. PTI uttara@tribuneindia.com London, February 13 British judge on Tuesday rejected a second attempt by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to overturn a warrant that means he would be arrested if he stepped outside his refuge in the Ecuadoran embassy. Judge Emma Arbuthnot rejected his lawyers' argument that it was no longer in the public interest to uphold the warrant issued in 2012, when he broke his bail conditions during a battle against extradition to Sweden. AFP uttara@tribuneindia.com Colombo, February 13 After its electoral debacle in local council elections, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party has been plunged into a crisis with the premier facing pressure to give up the party leadership, UNP sources said. This was following a reported request by President Maithripala Sirisena to the UNP leader to step down as premier. Party sources said Wickremesinghe has come under pressure from within the party to handover the party leadership to someone else. Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa's new partySri Lanka People's Party (SLPP)defeated Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the UNP, winning 225 councils or two-thirds of the 340 councils that went to the polls on Saturday. The UNP won only 41 councils while the SLFP was a distant third with just 11 in the first electoral test of the unity government headed by Sirisena. Rajapaksa's SLPP swept the polls in a massive wave of support to the former strongman. Sirisena's SLFP suffered its worst drubbing with just 13 per cent of the vote. UNP sources said Sirisena's request to Wickremesinghe to step down was unfair given that the president's party had fared much worse. Meanwhile, a media report said the UNP, the majority party in parliament, is close to a decision on forming a government on its own, ending the coalition arrangement. A UNP minister said following the discussion with Sirisena on Monday, senior UNP members met at Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera's house last night and discussed forming a UNP government at length, the Colombo Page reported. According sources, no decision was taken at the meeting to remove Wickremesinghe as prime minister. The UNP said it reserved the right to take any decision on the premier's future. "We will form our own government independent of the president's party," a UNP backbencher said. The next parliamentary election is due only in August 2020,and the current government's term will run until then. The UNP said their policies could not be implemented without hindrance as Sirisena's SLFP was blocking them at every move. The UNP has 106 seats in the 225-member parliament, seven short of a working majority. Rajapaksa, buoyed by the unexpected success, called for immediate dissolution of parliament claiming both Sirisena and Wickremesinghe had lost their 2015 mandate. PTI amansharma@tribunemail.com Islamabad, February 13 Keen to avert international sanctions, Pakistan has quietly amended its anti-terror laws to include Hafiz Saeed-linked Jamaat-ud-Dawa and Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation and other militant outfits on the list of UN proscribed groups, a media report said on Tuesday. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) A major impact of a new ordinance promulgated by Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain would be the proscription of Saeed-linked JuD and FIF along with the UN listed outfits of Al Akhtar Trust and Al Rashid Trust, Dawn newspaper reported. Saeed, the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, heads the charity JuD, believed to be a front for Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terror group. The move to amend the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 ends an old discrepancy between the UN sanctions list and the national listing of terrorist groups and individuals, the report said. It has come ahead of the crucial Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting in Paris, scheduled to be held from February 18 to 23. The US and India are spearheading an effort to get Pakistan included in the watchdog's international money-laundering and terror-financing 'grey list', the paper said. Pakistan was last placed on FATF's grey list in February 2012 and stayed on it for three years, the report said. Last week, Pakistan's National Security Committee (NSC) had directed the "ministries concerned to complete the few outstanding actions at the earliest". Pakistan's top civil-military coordination forum had reviewed the steps taken by the federal and provincial governments for compliance with FATF requirements in view of the upcoming FATF plenary meeting, which will take up a report to be submitted by Pakistan on actions taken to choke funding of JuD chief Saeed and the organisations linked with him. The intergovernmental body had at its plenary in Buenos Aires held in November last year had asked Pakistan to furnish a compliance report on actions taken against the Lashkar-e-Taiba and JuD at the Paris meeting. The UNSC sanctions list has Al-Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and others. A UNSC 1267 sanctions committee's monitoring team visited Pakistan in January to review the compliance, but analysts fear that the FATF review could be tougher for the country, the report said. It is feared that the international body can take some punitive action against Pakistan, it said. The FATF maintains grey and black lists for identifying countries with weak measures to combat money laundering and terror financing. The watchdog does not have the powers to impose sanctions on a country found not meeting the required standards. However, its listing can affect international transactions from the country concerned as those would then become subject to greater scrutiny. This will increase the cost of doing international transactions and ultimately higher cost of doing business locally. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com Kabul, February 13 Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa arrived in Kabul on Tuesday, where he is expected to attend the Chief of Defence Conference, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. US Army General John Nicholson, the commander of the Resolute Support mission, and Afghan Army chief Gen Sher Mohammad Karimi will also attend the conference, reports Dawn news. The conference comes less than a month after a series of deadly attacks rattled Kabul, following which a high-level delegation from Afghanistan had visited Islamabad. The delegation held talks with the Pakistani leadership on security cooperation amid the highly volatile security situation in their country. Afghan officials had said that the delegation handed over to Islamabad undeniable evidence which claimed that the spate of deadly attacks in Afghanistan were allegedly planned in Pakistan. IANS Truck tankers hauled aviation gasoline to air bases during World War II. This Butler C-train (with fifth wheel on the leading trailer), operated by Groendyke Transportation in Oklahoma, is pictured in a new book published by TTMA. Bob Arn, an old-timer in American Legion Post 171 in Westerville, Ohio, was a flyer before and during World War II, and had a thousand stories about his experiences. Arn, who died in 2016 at age 94, once talked about a mission as a Civil Air Patrol pilot in 1942, when he and a partner spotted a German U-boat near Mobile, Ala. They radioed a nearby U.S. Coast Guard cutter whose crew captured the submarine and its crew before they could escape into deeper waters in the Gulf of Mexico. What does this have to do with trailers? Well, U-boats were torpedoing American cargo ships, including tankers, along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, a dire situation kept quiet by our government because it didnt want the public to panic, Arn told an audience in a lecture at the Westerville Public Library a few years ago. My wife and I attended. Petroleum products were vital to Americas support of the Allied war effort prior to this countrys actual entry into the war. The government, faced with heavy losses by U-boat attacks, decreed that oil be carried by rail and pipeline instead of ships. And to conserve long-distance hauling capacity, it further ordered that shipments under 200 miles be sent by truck. John L. Conley's book covers the evolution of trailer design, building and use from the early 20th Century to the present. Bob Arn, the flyer, didnt cover that development in his talk. But its included in a new book, Truck by Trailer: A History of the Truck Trailer Manufacturing Industry, by John L. Conley, a former trade magazine editor and association president. He writes that trailer builders were allocated supplies of steel and other materials that had been limited for use in building of war munitions, aircraft, vehicles, and equipment. Many thousands of tank, van and specialty trailers were produced during the war years, helping win the conflict. Many tank trailers worked directly for the military, hauling aviation gasoline to Army Air Corps training bases across the U.S. Some of the tractor-trailer rigs were operated by civilian companies and others by GIs. One was my Uncle Ed Nuedling, an Air Corps enlisted man stationed in Texas early in the war. They were Autocars, he said of the tractors. They werent geared high and we could barely make 45 mph. But on downgrades wed put em (the transmissions) in neutral and really roll. There was probably a lot more to the story, but I was too young and ignorant at the time to ask him to tell more. He died more than 20 years ago, so Ill never know. An article in ATHS's Wheels of Time summarizes the book content during the first 50 years of trailer manufacturing. Conley summarized parts of his book in an article for the November-December 2017 issue of Wheels of Time, the magazine of the American Truck Historical Society. The article covers the first 50 years of trailer manufacturing and how industry figures competed and also worked together. Formation of the Truck Trailer Manufactures Association is among the happenings in that time period. TTMA, Conley's organization, is celebrating its 75th anniversary, and published his book as part of that. You can order the book through the association (www.ttmanet.org) or through Amazon.com, where I got my copy. Trucking is part of modern American history, and reading tales of what happened in the trailer industrys early days helps us understand how we got to where we are. Spot truckload rates for van, refrigerated, and flatbed freight set new records in January as capacity remained tight due to shipper demand and fallout from the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate, according to load board operator DAT Solutions. The national average spot van rate was $2.26 per mile in January, up 15 cents compared to December and 59 cents higher than January 2017, to set an all-time record. Januarys spot rate also exceeded the average contract rate by 14 cents, meaning that truckload carriers were paid more for one-time loads from freight brokers than for longer-term contracts negotiated directly with shippers, according to DAT. At $2.66 per mile, the national average spot reefer rate was 18 cents higher month-over-month and 71 cents higher compared to January 2017. As with vans, the reefer rate was higher than any monthly average since at least 2010. The spot rate was 31 cents higher than the average contract rate, what DAT said is an extraordinary gap for reefer freight in January. The national average flatbed spot rate was $2.39 per mile, 7 cents higher compared to December and 47 cents higher year over year. The spot rate beat the average contract rate by 7 cents. Flatbed line haul rates, excluding fuel, were higher for flatbeds in January than in any previous month. When fuel surcharges are added, however, Januarys total rates for flatbeds were a few cents lower than in the summer of 2014, when average surcharges were 20 cents above todays levels. Economic growth contributed to the surge in rates but so did capacity constraints related to ELDs, according to DAT. Beginning Dec. 18, 2017, federal rules require interstate carriers to use ELDs to record driver hours of service, and many fleets have reported that the transition hampered productivity, at least temporarily. These factors caused demand for spot truckload freight services to increase 28 percent over December and 65 percent compared to January 2017, as shown in the DAT North American Freight Index. The Index is a sensitive indicator of demand for transportation services published monthly by DAT, according to the company. Referenced rates are the averages, by equipment type, based on $45 billion of actual transactions, as recorded in DAT RateView. Reference rates per mile include fuel surcharges, but not accessorials or other fees. What should the world do to help refugees? More than a dozen youth refugees from countries as diverse as Iran, Colombia and South Sudan took part in the High Commissioner's 10th Dialogue on Protection Challenges in Geneva, giving them the opportunity to address policymakers directly. The event gathered some 500 representatives from governments, local authorities, civil society, private companies, academics, international organizations and financial institutions. A Rohingya refugee grandmother holds her grandson at Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh. Her family fled Myanmar after seeing their neighbours shot dead. UNHCR/Andrew McConnell NEW YORK Restoring rights to hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees is key to any plan to allow for their safe return to Myanmar, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi told the UN Security Council today. More than 688,000 refugees have fled Myanmar to Bangladesh since late August in a rapid, chaotic outflow driven by violence that follows decades of deep repression and exclusion in their homeland. The causes of this crisis originate in Myanmar; and a genuine search for solutions must finally start, Grandi said in a video address to the Council. At the heart of it all is the restoration of rights - including the right of refugees to return home - voluntarily, and in safe, dignified conditions. The refugee crisis erupted in late August when Myanmar armed forces launched a security operation in the north of Rakhine State, driving thousands of children, women and men to flee over the border to Bangladesh in search of safety. Nearly six months later, that outflow is now dramatically reduced - but still continues, Grandi said. He warned that conditions in Myanmar are not yet conducive to their voluntary repatriation. The causes of this crisis originate in Myanmar, and a genuine search for solutions must finally start. The causes of their flight have not been addressed, and we have yet to see substantive progress on addressing the exclusion and denial of rights that has deepened over the last decades, rooted in their lack of citizenship, he continued. Grandi was speaking from Jordan where he was on mission. He welcomed the dialogue between the Government of Bangladesh and the Government of the Union of Myanmar on the voluntary repatriation of refugees, and the commitment to international standards on voluntary, safe and dignified return set out in a recent agreement between the two countries. In line with UNHCRs responsibility to help resolve refugee crises, he said the agency had extended an offer of support to both governments, including to participate in the joint working group established to work on its implementation, in line with the UN Refugee Agencys mandate. That offer remains open. Grandi stressed that UNHCR has not had access to affected areas of the northern part of Rakhine State since August 2017, and that access in central Rakhine has also been curtailed. Such presence and access remains essential to monitor protection conditions, provide independent information to refugees, and accompany returns as and when they take place. Grandi noted there are also around 120,000 internally displaced people currently in the central part of Rakhine State, mainly Rohingya driven from their homes by inter-communal violence, who are now in their sixth year of confined encampment. He highlighted that finding solutions for them would also help build confidence among refugees. Allowing internally displaced people to return home, and fast-tracking confirmation of their citizenship would send a strong signal to refugees." Granting freedom of movement, allowing internally displaced people to return home, and fast-tracking confirmation of their citizenship would send a strong signal to refugees in Bangladesh that Myanmar is genuinely committed to taking responsibility for their protection and well-being, and to pursuing lasting solutions. In his briefing, Grandi commended the Government and people of Bangladesh for continuing to receive refugees and provide them with protection and support in the Kutupalong area in Coxs Bazar - which is now the largest refugee settlement in the world. He said the Government, together with highly-skilled national and local organizations, and the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies, with solid donor support, has mounted an impressive response, although conditions there remain overcrowded and precarious for many. Disease outbreaks including diphtheria remain a significant risk at the sprawling settlements. Meanwhile, preparations underway ahead of the monsoon rains expected in March are a race against time to avert another emergency. More than 100,000 refugees are currently located in flood or landslide prone areas, Grandi said, while tens of thousands of particularly vulnerable refugees need to be relocated as their lives are at grave risk. The Government is steering a massive emergency preparedness effort, but international support must be stepped up to avert a catastrophe. See also: Rohingya say rights guarantees key to Myanmar return A recently displaced Congolese refugee rests at Sebagoro UNHCR emergency centre in Uganda. UNHCR/Michele Sibiloni UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is deeply saddened by reports of four Congolese refugees who drowned as they were seeking safety in Uganda, after their boat capsized on Lake Albert. UNHCR warns that even more lives could be lost on the often perilous lake routes, as increasing numbers of refugees escape intercommunal violence and conflict, across the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Last week, over 22,000 Congolese crossed Lake Albert to Uganda, bringing the total number of DRC arrivals in the country to about 34,000 since the beginning of the year. The refugees either use small canoes or overcrowded and rickety fishing boats, often carrying more than 250 people and taking up to ten hours to cross. Overloaded with luggage and fishing nets, the small canoe, which was carrying the four refugees who drowned on 11 February, had paddled for nearly two days when it was hit by high waves, causing the passengers to fall overboard. UNHCR staff report several other incidents of boats going adrift due to engine failure or insufficient fuel, prompting rescue operations by the Ugandan authorities. Meanwhile, on 7 February, UNHCR partners recorded two more deaths at the DRC shores of Lake Albert, where thousands of people are waiting to cross, as some wrangled to get onto the boats. With attacks on villages in the DRC province of Ituri continuing over the weekend, UNHCR calls for increased humanitarian access to the area, to cover the populations enormous protection and assistance needs. Refugees crossing to Uganda talk of growing attacks against civilian populations, as well as killings and destruction of private property. UNHCR staff also received many reports of civilians being hacked to death and killed with arrows. Last week, an elderly man died from exhaustion upon arrival in Uganda and a newborn did not survive complications during its birth. In addition to the port of Sebagoro, a small fishing village in the northern side of Lake Albert, refugees also have arrived in their hundreds in Canara, a new landing site on the southern end of Lake Albert. UNHCR works with the Ugandan authorities for the registration and the relocation of the new arrivals to settlements further inland. However, more support is needed to face the demanding situation. Among the critical priorities is the preparation of new settlement areas, together with psycho-social interventions to help refugees overcome their trauma. Meanwhile, crossings through Lake Tanganyika towards Burundi and Tanzania declined significantly last week, currently reaching some 8,000 and 1,200 respectively. Army advances against the armed groups inside DRC, as well as a dwindling supply of readily available fishing boats and canoes, may have contributed to the drop in new arrivals. However, UNHCR is afraid that flows could soon pick up again, given the unpredictable and volatile nature of the conflict. Over the past year, some 120,000 Congolese fled to neighboring countries, joining the 510,000 refugees that were already in exile. With Congolese refugee flows to neighboring countries expected to further increase in 2018, UNHCR is urging donors to step up their support. From the US$368.7 million that UNHCR has requested for the DRC refugee situation, only 1 per cent has been funded so far. For more information on this topic, please contact: The Regional Processing Centre on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, November 2014. UNHCR/Vlad Sokhin Thank you for the chance to briefly update you on UNHCR observations from our latest mission to Manus Island (Papua New Guinea). What stood out the most from this mission at the time we were there, was a pervasive and worsening sense of despair among refugees and asylum seekers. I observed and people shared with us that many are staying in the rooms, not going out, and not meeting and talking with others around them. Those that you see walking or meet are usually downcast. In our conversations with different people theres a sense of desolation. People are grasping for hope. They ask many questions that we, as UNHCR, have previously heard and repeatedly raised as well what will happen to them; when will this end; how long will they have to stay in these conditions? These questions are particularly concerning in the context where current services, as well as future solutions outside of Papua New Guinea, remain insufficient. While the relocation of refugees to the United States is an ongoing and welcome process, the knowledge that many remain without any resolution is weighing on everyone. More than 3,000 refugees and asylum seekers have been forcibly transferred by Australia to the offshore processing facilities since 2013. Currently, more than 500 refugees and asylum seekers are living in three sites in Wards 1 and 2 in Manus Island in Papua New Guinea. It was evident again from our last mission and after more than 100 days since the closure of Australias so-called Regional Processing Centre, that the need for greater mental health support, emergency medical care and specialised torture and trauma counselling remains critical and unmet. I spoke with a refugee who shared with me his daily struggles and what he was going through. He told me how he was concerned about some of his friends who are suffering of depression, who were thinking of self-harm and how he tries to be there for them. He also shared how he felt unable to help on some days because he himself could not get the help he needed. The services provided at the site are predominantly implemented by Australian-contracted providers. The Government of Australia is no longer playing a coordination role on Manus Island. This is in contrast with previous arrangements at the former Regional Processing Centre. UNHCR staff have observed a consistent and ongoing lack of clarity on the designated roles for specific services amongst contracted providers. This continued confusion makes it hard for refugees and asylum seekers to obtain the necessary services and to understand if they are even provided. This highlights the lack of outreach services to people with mental health concerns. This is particularly important at this point as the most vulnerable arent able to seek assistance outside their accommodation sites. Weve already emphasised and it remains the case that the local health facility, primarily the Lorengal hospital, has very limited capacity and resources to assist refugees and asylum seekers with serious mental health concerns. Another observation is the safety of the refugees in the community which remains a major concern. This is noted from the conversations with refugees and community leaders. In the local community, while no curfew is in place, the police have advised all refugees and asylum-seekers that they should return to their accommodation by 06:00pm each evening to mitigate security risks, and to walk in groups and not alone. We cannot emphasize enough that solutions must be found for all, outside of Papua New Guinea, as a matter of urgency. Australia remains ultimately responsible, as the state from which these refugees and asylum-seekers have sought international protection, for their welfare and long-term settlement outside of Papua New Guinea. The Government of Australia should assume a clear coordination role with regard to the service providers it has retained, and adequately monitor and provide services in line with growing and evolving needs. Clearly, much more needs to be done to bring the circumstances of refugees and asylum-seekers on Manus Island up to a basic minimum standard. These critical steps however, will only be a stop-gap measure until durable solutions are found and made available for them outside of Papua New Guinea. Thank you. UNHCR Latest Fact Sheet on situation of refugees and asylum-seekers on Manus Island. Papua New Guinea SVF musics Gaan Piriti to bring together music maestros from India & Bangladesh this Valentines Kolkata, Feb 13 (UNI) The contemporary music of Bengal and Bangladesh has always been the center of attraction for all the Bengali music lovers and they have always dreamt of a live performance of the stalwarts from both the sides of river Padma. And the wait is finally over as SVF Music from the house of SVF Entertainment on this Valentines Day, brings the biggest names from Bengal and Bangladesh music industry together for the 1st Season of new age live concert- Gaan Piriti at Nazrul Manch here. February 13 2018 Ryder Architecture have handed over Lerwicks Anderson High School enabling 1,180 students and staff to obtain their first taste of the UKs most northerly high school.Situated on the outskirts of Lerwick, capital of the Shetland Islands, the secondary and halls of residence takes the form of two wings of accommodation enclosing a central atrium and support spine wrapped by teaching spaces.Remoteness and difficulty of travel necessitated construction of a halls of residence on site within which the majority of pupils will reside during term time. Incorporating ground floor social spaces such as a games space, TV rooms, study spaces and music practice rooms as well as a weekend flat for visiting parents.Chris Malcolm, architectural director at Ryder commented: The new Anderson High School and Halls of Residence projects presented us with a significant architectural challenge how to successfully integrate a four storey exemplar school design into an unspoiled iron age setting.By drawing inspiration from the vernacular forms of the Shetland landscape, we hope we have created an architectural response sympathetic to this unique island setting. It has been a real privilege to work on a project of such profound cultural significance to the people of Shetland.Delivered by Morrison Construction on behalf of hub North the school follows Ryders earlier work at Wick Community Campus and Kirn Primary Published: February 13, 2018 Feb. 22 UT Honors Symposium to Explore Captive Nation: Black Prison Organizing in the Civil Rights Era On Thursday, Feb. 22, Dan Berger, who is an associate professor of comparative ethnic studies and U.S. history at The University of Washington Bothell, will discuss "Captive Nation: Black Prison Organizing in the Civil Rights Era" as part of The University of Tampa's Honors Program symposia series. Berger's talk will begin at 4 p.m. in Reeves Theatre, located on the second floor of the Vaughn Center, and is free and open to the public. Berger is the author or editor of six books, including Captive Nation: Black Prison Organizing in the Civil Rights Era, which won the 2015 James A. Rawley Prize from the Organization of American Historians. Captive Nation documents the central role prisons played within the black freedom struggle between 1955 and 1980. He recently published an op-ed in The Washington Post's "Made by History" blog about Florida prisons. Other published books by Berger include Rethinking the American Prison Movement, The Struggle Within: Prisons, Political Prisoners and Mass Movements in the United Sates and Outlaws of America: The Weather Underground and the Politics of Solidarity. Berger was the editor of The Hidden 1970s: Histories of Radicalism and Letters from Young Activists: Today's Rebels Speak Out. Berger is a faculty associate of the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies at the University of Washington, and he sits on the advisory or editorial board of the journals Abolition, Journal of Civil and Human Rights and The Sixties. For more information about the event, contact Ryan Cragun, director of the Honors Program and associate professor of sociology, at rcragun@ut.edu, or Kacy Tillman, associate director of the Honors Program and associate professor of English, at ktillman@ut.edu. UW Extension Bulletin Details Wyoming Irrigation Methods, Regulations A new bulletin from University of Wyoming Extension helps answer irrigation questions new or existing landowners in Wyoming might have. Extension educators and specialists, along with the mediation coordinator in the Wyoming Department of Agriculture, collaborated to produce the 40-page Wyoming Small Acreage Irrigation, B-1306. Extension educators often field questions from small-acreage landowners who are new to Wyoming and Wyoming water law, or who want help in choosing appropriate irrigation systems for their property, extension educator Caleb Carter says. This guide combines all this information into one place, helping answer their questions, while answering others they may not know to ask, he says. The guide is divided into four sections. -- Can I Irrigate? explains how to determine if a property has a water right, how much water the irrigator is entitled to, how water rights may work within a subdivision (and different scenarios of how landowners coordinate and share water use to meet everyones needs) and a brief description of Wyoming water law. -- How can I irrigate? discusses various irrigation methods used across the state, their pluses and negatives, and which irrigation systems might best fit certain situations. Small-acreage landowners have many options to choose from to irrigate their properties, Carter says. This guide covers benefits and drawbacks to each method, helping landowners make an informed decision, he says. -- Should I irrigate? presents when to irrigate and how much water to apply. Several examples show how to determine the correct amount of water for a crop, how much to order (such as from an irrigation district) and how long to apply it. -- Irrigation Conflicts in Your Neighborhood gives points to consider if a landowner finds himself or herself in a water conflict. Lucy Pauley, mediation coordinator with the Wyoming Department of Agriculture, says her office receives calls and emails every spring from residents seeking help with water disputes in subdivisions across Wyoming. I'm excited to have this resource to share with them and help answer their questions about everything from water rights to disagreements about irrigation methods and everything in between," Pauley says. The guide is available at UW Extension and select conservation district and irrigation district offices across Wyoming. The publication also is available for free viewing or download by going to www.uwyo.edu/uwe, clicking the Find a Publication link and entering the title or number into the search field. The bulletin is in PDF, HTML or ePub formats. FREDERICTON, New Brunswick, Feb. 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trius Investments Inc. (Trius or the Company) (TSXV:TRU) announces that today its Board of Directors (the Board) has formed a special committee of independent directors (the Special Committee) to evaluate strategic alternatives for divesting of the Companys various investments. The Company is also providing an update on its Change of Business (the COB) application with the TSX Venture Exchange (the Exchange). Special Committee The Board considered it appropriate to establish the Special Committee as a strong corporate governance practice, and in light of the related party nature of certain of the Companys historical investments. The Special Committee is comprised of two independent directors, Damian Lopez (Chair) and Peter K. Deacon. The Special Committee will, as necessary or appropriate, review, negotiate, and advise the Board on any proposed related party transactions that may arise in the course of the Companys asset divestiture program, as previously described in the Companys press release on September 26, 2017. Although the Company has been considering all options available to it and has had preliminary discussions with third parties regarding certain of its assets, no formal offers have been received and no agreements have been reached regarding any potential divestitures. There is no guarantee that Trius discussions will result in any transactions or, if a transaction is undertaken, as to its terms or timing. Trius does not intend to make further announcements in this regard except as required by applicable securities laws or the policies of the Exchange. COB Update Since October 2017, Trius has been preparing a formal disclosure document (the Filing Statement) regarding the COB as required by the Exchange. The regulatory approval process has taken longer than anticipated, but Trius continues to cooperate with the Exchange while working towards timely completion of the COB. Trius will publish the Filing Statement for the benefit of existing shareholders, potential investors, and other market participants if and when the Exchange grants its conditional acceptance of the COB. There is no guarantee that the Exchange will approve the COB. Trius does not intend to make further announcements in this regard except as required by the policies of the Exchange. About Trius Investments Inc. Trius owns interests in several real estate and healthcare investments in the United States. Trius common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol TRU. For further information, please contact: Joel Freudman President and Chief Executive Officer Trius Investments Inc. Telephone: (647) 880-6414 Cautionary Statements Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words and phrases such as plans, expects, continues, estimates, intends, anticipates, or believes, or variations of such words and phrases indicating that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken or occur. Forward-looking information in this press release includes, without limitation, statements regarding Trius asset divestiture program and the COB process. This forward-looking information consists of disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or results and is based on numerous assumptions made by management, including that Trius will be able to complete its asset sales and to obtain regulatory approval for the COB. The forward-looking information herein is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause Trius actual results or performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: inability to source and/or complete transactions on favourable terms or at all; regulatory approval processes; and other risks described in the Companys continuous disclosure documents. There can be no assurances that the forward-looking information in this press release will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events may differ materially from those anticipated herein. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. Trius does not undertake to update any forward-looking information in this press release, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. CPTPP will boost the exports and imports of Vietnam. Photo: Unloading cargo from a container at Haiphong Port, by Duc Thanh MPI warns of diminishing benefits The signing of the CPTPP in March in Chile is expected to bring socioeconomic benefits for Vietnam, create a breakthrough in terms of investment, business, and export market expansion. However, in a number of documents MPI sent to the government recently, the ministry warns of a potential decrease of the gains from the CPTPP. The issue pertains to the agreements stipulations on the rules of origin. Currently, the largest importers of Vietnamese goods are not CPTPP countries. Thus, if Vietnam does not implement breakthrough reforms, benefits from the CPTPP could be reduced, MPI emphasised. This is not a new concern, because issues over the origin of goods exported and imported into TPP members before and CPTPP members now, have been stressed for a while. Member countries will be able to access preferential rates under the agreement if export items use materials made in member countries of the CPTPP. However, in fact, Vietnam imports too much from China, which is not a member of the CPTPP. According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, Vietnam imported $58.228 billion worth of goods from China in 2017, including over $6 billion of fabrics. Major dependence on Chinese materials brings risks of commercial protectionist measures by the US. Furthermore, the benefits from the CPTPP will also go below expectations. The solution for this problem is that Vietnam needs to start producing materials domestically through the development of domestic supporting industries. It is necessary to effect large-scale reform and development initiatives in order to maximise the benefits of the CPTPP, as well as raise added-value and take part in the global value chain. What benefits lie in store for Vietnam? If Vietnam makes reforms in time, how will the CPTPP benefit the Vietnamese economy? MPI has provided the answer for this question. According to the ministrys report, signing and implementing the CPTPP will affect the domestic economy in a multitude of ways. Removing or reducing tariffs will accelerate Vietnams economic growth and raise total export and import turnover. If we removed and slashed tariffs at the same time as liberalised trade, the efficiency gains would be far better, the ministry emphasised. According to the World Bank, Vietnams GDP growth will be 1.1 per cent higher in 2030 in comparison to the scenarios without the CPTPP, which could reach as high as 4.5 per cent if productivity was raised and input costs for production reduced. Similarly, export turnover will increase by 2.4 per cent and import by 5.3 per cent. MPI said that the CPTPP will not affect the state budget. Reducing and removing tariffs may decrease budgetary revenue at the beginning due to decreasing revenue from exports and imports. However, this revenue will return in the future through the increase in total export and import turnover. Generally, the CPTPP is forecast not to affect the balance of the state budget much, the ministry confirmed. MPI said that the manufacturing sector, which is particularly labour intensive, along with the light and services industries, especially financial services, will benefit from the expanding market and raising export and import turnover. These sectors should enhance production to create more jobs and increase the income of employees. Meanwhile, animal husbandry, food processing, and other capital-intensive sectors will suffer from limited negative impacts. Therefore, Vietnam should promote reforms to enhance gains and offset losses. Tran Tuan Anh, Minister of Industry and Trade, confirmed at the press conference on the CPTPP in November that without the US, Vietnams gains are not as large as first expected, but this agreement will significantly affect the export market, strengthen reforms, and put competitive pressure on both enterprises and the economy. In case the US returns to the CPTPP fold, the pressure to reform the Vietnamese economy will be even greater. Economist Vo Tri Thanh also agreed with this point. The maintenance of high standards, general equilibrium, and the integrity of the TPP in the CPTPP will strengthen reforms in Vietnam. This is an intangible and uncountable benefit, but will significantly affect the countrys socioeconomic development. CPTPP to be signed in March The eleven members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) have already completed the negotiations and expect to sign the agreement on ... 12 becomes 11, and the TPP finds a way forward With the US withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the remaining 11 nations have decided to develop the pact into another version named the Comprehensive and ... Reasonable chance for TPP at APEC 2017 After US President Donald Trump announced the US withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement, historys largest trade deal to date congregating around 40 per ... TPP countries forge ahead without US The government officials in charge of trade from the remaining 11 member states of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement have agreed to continue with the agreement, despite ... PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc hands over decision to Nguyen Hoang Anh. Photo: VGP In the morning of February 12, 2018, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc handed over the appointment of Nguyen Hoang Anh, former Secretary of the Cao Bang Party Committee, as Chairman of the Committee for State Capital Management. At present, the committee is responsible for managing state assets and capital of around VND5.4 quadrillion ($239 billion). The governmental body must co-ordinate closely with ministries, agencies, and localities to chalk out concrete measures to combat corruption and wastefulness at state-owned enterprises (SOEs), PM Phuc said. Therefore, it is necessary to minimise negative activities in SOEs, reduce unreasonable costs, and turn them to make a significant contribution to the GDP growth of the country. The committee should co-ordinate with ministries and related agencies to propose measures and timelines for tasks of handing over management of all SOEs from ministries and agencies to the committee. Two major tasks In the long run, the committee must hasten the equitisation and capital withdrawal process, while raising operational efficiency of SOEs, especially state groups and corporations. PM Phuc emphasised that equitisation must be done in a transparent and open manner in order to ensure the maximum interests of the state. It is necessary to perfect a modern corporate governance system in line with market principles and use effectiveness and efficiency as the measure for the performance of managers and officers. It is necessary to perfect a modern corporate governance system in line with market principles and use effectiveness and efficiency as the measure for the performance of managers and officers. It is necessary to apply high-technology and science as well as innovate to improve the efficiency of capital usage, productivity, competitiveness, as well as make a positive impact on businesses and the whole economy. The committee is in charge of selecting personnel, especially for top management posts, and must take the lead in innovating management methods. PM Phuc also urged the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) to submit a decree defining the functions, tasks, powers, and organisational structure of the committee within February. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance, MPI, relevant ministries and agencies, and SOEs have to quickly report on the performance of the enterprises under the committees management. Nguyen Hoang Anh was born in 1963 in the northern port city of Haiphong. He holds a Masters degree in world economy and international economic relations and a Bachelors degree in political theory. He has been on the National Assembly Committee for Social Affairs, head of the 11th and 12th National Assemblys delegation of Haiphong, Deputy Chairman of the Central Party Committees Economic Commission, Deputy Secretary of the Cao Bang Party Committee, and Chairman of the Cao Bang Peoples Committee. This picture taken on Feb 10, 2018 shows a firefighter (R) taking pictures at the scene after a double-decker bus toppled over in Hong Kong. (Photo: AFP/Isaac Lawrence) The driver of the double-decker bus, Chan Ho-ming, appeared at the Magistrates Court in Fanling on Tuesday, accused of dangerous driving leading to death. According to local media, prosecutors said police had not finished interviewing more than 30 passengers and other eyewitnesses. They were also waiting for the analysis of the autopsy reports, wreckage examination and the vehicles tachograph or black box recorder. They said that pending legal advice, Chan could face more serious charges. Saturdays crash was the second deadliest bus accident in recent years in the semi-autonomous southern Chinese city. The court was told that Chan, who was denied bail, is suspected to have been driving at 70km/h down a slope when the bus toppled over at a bend in the road. Bus company KMB said Chan was working part-time and in court, the 30-year-old declared his occupation as a cook. Meanwhile, the annual Chinese New Year fireworks along Victoria Harbour scheduled for Saturday has been cancelled out of respect to the victims and their families. Costing more than US$1 million, sponsors said part of the savings will be donated to the families. On Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang expressed their condolences to the families of the victims. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam has also ordered an independent inquiry into the accident and a review of franchised bus companies operating in the city. Chan is due to appear back in court on Apr 10. Mai Linh's requests fell on deaf ears once again In early February, MoF issued an answer to the negative to Mai Linhs proposal. Accordingly, MoF said such requests are not within the companys legal rights. Besides, MoF also stated that there has yet to be any precedent or regulation related to the case. Furthermore, MoF proposed to refer Mai Linhs request to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) because, according to regulations, MoLISA is in charge of social insurance and voluntary insurance issues, while MoH is in charge of health insurance-related queries. Previously, Tran Dinh Lieu, deputy general director of VSS, told Vneconomy that the Vietnam Social Security (VSS) cannot meet Mai Linhs requirements because the proposal is not legal. VSS promised to forward the companys request to the government and relevant agencies for consideration. Meanwhile, numerous experts claimed that it would be difficult to approve the request, saying that every year Vietnam sees thousands of enterprises go bankrupt or suspend operations or simply struggle to remain on the surface. Thus rescuing Mai Linh would set a bad precedent. In January 2018, Mai Linh sent a document to the National Assembly Committee for Social Affairs, MoF, and VSS to report its massive accumulated outstanding debts of social insurance, health insurance, and unemployment insurance, as well as plunging revenue. According to the company, the bleak financial results were caused by the unfair competition from Uber and Grab. Thus, Mai Linh requested the National Assembly Committee for Social Affairs, MoF, and VSS to cancel the interest and the penalty on its social insurance debts and late payment fees, while simultaneously extending the deadline for its original debt payment and permit Mai Linh to pay within 20 months of 2018, with VND6 billion ($264,251) per year. PwC leads the professional services sector as one of the top 50 brands worldwide in the annual Brand Finance Global 500. This is a list of the strongest and most valuable brands on the globe, with the top positions dominated by the technology sector. The report assesses organisations across two main categoriesstrength and brand value. Brand strength is calculated using a number of measures, including marketing, brand perception, and business performance relative to competitors. The strength score feeds into the overall brand value calculation. PwC ranked 50th in terms of brand value, moving up from the 66th place last year. As a result, PwC is the highest performing professional services brand in the Index. The results reinforce the professional services networks leading position as one of the leading brands in the world in 2018. Our brands strength is driven by our peoples contributions and underpinned by the long-term investments we are making in transforming our technology, services, and skills. Bill Cobourn, global chief marketing officer at PwC, commented: Our brands strength is driven by our peoples contributions and underpinned by the long-term investments we are making in transforming our technology, services, and skills. Overall, the index shows how long-established brand names like ours are as strong as new entrants in the technology and consumer sectors. That is critical to our strategy to attract and develop talented people, driving our growth in new, technology-enabled markets, with startups and established businesses alike. PwC's purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. They have a network of firms in 158 countries with more than 236,000 people committed to delivering quality in assurance, advisory, tax, and legal services. PwC Vietnam established offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in 1994, and now there are approximately 1,000 local and expatriate staff with a thorough understanding of the business environment in Vietnam and a wide knowledge of policies and procedures covering investment, tax, legal, accounting, and consulting matters. PwC Vietnam signed MoU with Smart Train PwC Vietnam and Smart Train have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to take their partnership to the next level. PwC Vietnam and UEL form strategic partnership in career orientation and training PwC will support University of Economics and Law (UEL) by assessing and monitoring the performance of students on their internship programmes as well as supporting ... PwC Vietnam and VNCERT form strategic partnership for cyber security incident response In order to promote the development of national cyber security emergency response networks, PwC Vietnam is collaborating with the Vietnam Computer Emergency Response Teams to strengthen training activities ... SK E&C and POSCO E&C are both building projects to support Long Son Petrochemical Complex The ethylene plant is one of the segmented parts of the project, including a polypropylene and a polyethylene plant. SK E&C will build the ethylene plant and other utility facilities. Notably, in February 1, SK E&C announced that it will co-operate with Technip of France to develop an ethylene plant project with total investment capital of $2 billion ($1 billion from each). The construction will be implemented in the form of a turnkey system including basic design, detailed design, purchasing, construction, and test runs. The construction will last for 53 months. On the same day, POSCO E&C announced signing a contract with Vietnam Long Son Petrochemical (LSP), a joint venture of Thailand's Siam Cement Group and Vietnam's oil and gas group PetroVietnam, for the construction of a wharf facility worth $680 million in Ho Chi Minh City to serve the Long Son complex. Accordingly, POSCO E&C will build 28 petrochemical storage tanks with a total storage capacity of 300,000 tonnes at the petrochemical complex, raw material transfer pipelines, a quay for raw material products, and marine facilities. The builder aims to complete them in 2022. This order seems more meaningful in light of the remarkable synergies POSCO E&C generated in its first year in Vietnam. POSCOs work include Cai Mep International Port and an exclusive port for Vung Tau Cold Rolling Mill. Earlier in August 2017, Hyundai Engineering Co., Ltd. announced winning a contract worth $320 million to build facilities at the Long Son petrochemical. Accordingly, the builder will construct infrastructure, such as boilers and water treatment facilities, to produce steam and industrial water for the complex. Long Son Petrochemical Complex now has a total investment capital sum of $5.4 billion, up 20 per cent from its initial plan of $4.5 billion due to rising construction costs. About 30 per cent of the total investment will be used for the development of a deep sea port and other facilities to support the petrochemical plant. Once completed, it will be one of the largest of its kind in Vietnam, with a production capacity of 1.6 million tonnes of olefins per year. Shake-up in foreign-invested refinery and petrochemical projects Foreign investors have adjusted their reported changes in ownership as well as schedules for commercial operation in Long Son Petrochemical (LSP) and Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical (NSRP). In its 25th year of local investment, SCG goes in big SCG is developing a firmer foothold in Vietnam with the recent resumption of its Long Son Petrochemicals complex, first licensed in 2008. English Latvian Olaine, 2018-02-13 09:00 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Since acquisition of daughter companies we are putting a lot of effort to integrate them and use as many synergies as we can. In NPK Biotest, we have created a certified production platform, which will help us use the advantages provided to local producers in Belarus. Other European producers also expressed their interest in using services of NPK Biotest for packing of their products. We also very highly value a long and successful experience that NPK Biotest has in cooperating with pharmacies and other retailers of Belarus, therefore we entrusted them with distributing products of Tonus Elast. We expect that potential of NPK Biotest will contribute to increasing sales of Tonus Elast in Belarus, says Olegs Grigorjevs, Chairman of the Board of AS Olainfarm. AS Olainfarm acquired Belarus based producer of medical herbal infusions in 2016 in order not only to gain the production platform in Belarus, but also to add new products to the portfolio of the group. NPK Biotest is one of the first private pharmaceutical companies in Belarus. It was establishes in 1990 in Hrodna by the team of scientists of Belarus Academy of Sciences. NPK Biotest develops and produces natural herbal remedies and food supplements. Its portfolio contains more than 100 herbal infusions, and mixtures. NPK Biotest also owns four pharmacies in Hrodna. According to preliminary unconsolidated results, sales of AS Olainfarm in 2017 was 91.97 million euros, which is comparable to the sales made in 2016. Its sales in Belarus reached 8.76 million euros, making Belarus the fourth biggest market with a share of almost 10% in total sales. Sales to Belarus in 2017 increased by 20% compared to sales made to this country in 2016. According to preliminary results, Sales of NPK Biotest in 2017 reached 2 million euros. JSC Olainfarm is one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in Latvia with 45 years of experience in production of medication and chemical and pharmaceutical products. A basic principle of company's operations is to produce reliable and effective top quality products for Latvia and the rest of the world. Products made by the Group are being exported to more than 35 countries of the world, including the Baltics, Russia, other CIS, Europe, Asia, North America and Australia. Danish English Aabenraa, Denmark, 2018-02-13 09:00 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sydbanks Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 14 March 2018 at 3:00pm in Snderjyllandshallen, H.P. Hanssensgade 7, 6200 Aabenraa, Denmark. The notice and the agenda for the general meeting have been attached to this announcement. Eleanor Langhoff, age 95, of Villard, formerly of St. Paul, died Monday, September 6, 2021. A memorial service will be held at 11 AM, Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 AM Wednesday at the church. Arrangements are with the A Riverside, CA, Feb. 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CaliPharms, Inc. (OTC PINK: KGET), a Development Stage Company operating in the California Medicinal Cannabis Industry, publicly trading under the OTC Markets symbol "KGET" releases its growth plans for 2018. CaliPharms has expanded its acquisition model into the Cannabis Tech Sector with a medical cannabis delivery app. The Company has already met three times with a cannabis delivery blockchain app developer that could expand the CaliPharms business model into the cannabis tech sector. According to the app developer in laymen's terms; the App was developed to deliver Cannabis and Cannabis related products to legal use home users with a similar type of customer coordination as the Uber App. The App would not physically touch the product, but it would connect customers to drivers and bill the customers using the block-chain internal software. Essentially the system could allow customers to pay by credit card and have the products delivered to their home. An internal cryptocurrency would be used to complete each transaction. The company would have to hold actual Government Currency within its account to bridge each transaction from delivery to doorstep. CaliPharms President Bo Linton stated, We continue our meetings with potential acquisition candidates within the Cannabis Industry. So far this year we have already had very promising meetings with companies to discuss acquisition roll ups in the following; Cannabis Delivery Blockchain App, Extraction Oils, Vape Pens, Vape Cartridges, and Cannabis farms within the State of California. Linton continued, I was hesitant to put out a press releases using the word Block-chain as the SEC has stated the following in a recent Bloomberg article. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-31/signaling-crackdown-sec-boss-emerges-as-crypto-skeptic-in-chief. However; it would be unfair to not disclose to our shareholders the progress and business models we are actively pursuing. The blockchain application we are working to acquire has been described to the Company as a medical cannabis delivery application which uses the blockchain for billing purposes. Until we sign an official agreement and hire an expert in blockchain code as a Chief Technical Officer, I recommend investors use extreme caution when considering an investment into CaliPharms if that decision is based solely on the block-chain or cryptocurrency investment frenzy currently taking place. CaliPharms has no intentions to raise money in an Initial Coin Offering, (ICO) at this time. CaliPharms would ONLY explore the ICO at such time the SEC has determined it as a valid and SEC regulated investment. Please see our company videos: Company Vision https://youtu.be/UNjImyPw1Oc Business Vision https://youtu.be/TCTrG_EC4VU For up to date information on the company please follow us @ facebook.com/CaliPharms twitter.com/CaliPharms About CaliPharms, Inc. CaliPharms Inc., trading under the symbol (KGET) which trades under its former name Kleangas Energy Technologies, Inc. is a development stage medical marijuana-cannabis business. The Company currently is focused within the medical marijuana-cannabis industry. The company intends to expand into other sectors that support the legalized cannabis industry as the laws for each individual State and the Federal Government change and allow. Safe Harbor Statement: Safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by phrases such as CaliPharms or KGET or its management "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "foresees," "forecasts," "estimates" or other words or phrases of similar import. Similarly, statements herein that describe the Company's business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions or goals also are forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Investment into a microcap company is a high risk investment and it should only be considered if you are able to afford a total loss of the investment. Laws and Regulations of Marijuana are currently in direct contradiction between California and Federal Law and these factors should be a part of your consideration when making an investment into KGET. HOUSTON, Feb. 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Era Group Inc. (NYSE:ERA) (Era), one of the largest helicopter operators in the world and the longest serving helicopter transport operator in the United States, is pleased to commence a year-long celebration of 70 years of service beginning in 1948. Eras founder, Carl Brady, learned to fly helicopters in Washington State where he formed Economy Pest Control. In 1948, Brady renamed his company Economy Helicopters and moved his Bell 47B helicopter to Alaska to support the U.S. Governments mapping of the territory, the first use of a commercial helicopter in Alaska. By 1950, Brady's Alaska-based company had moved into the petroleum support business and in 1958 merged with Rotor Aids, Inc. The first letters of Economy and Rotor Aids were combined, and the company became ERA Helicopters, Inc. Rowan Companies, Inc. (Rowan) purchased Era Helicopters in 1967, and by 1970 the company was operating in the Gulf of Mexico, the Middle East and Africa. In 2004, SEACOR Holdings Inc. (SEACOR) purchased then-named Era Aviation Inc. from Rowan to complement its existing aviation business, Tex-Air. On February 1, 2013, Era Group Inc. began trading on the New York Stock Exchange as an independent public company following a spin-off from SEACOR. With a current fleet of more than 130 helicopters, Era has emerged as a leader in the helicopter industry providing an array of services including offshore personnel transport, emergency air medical, search and rescue, firefighting, utility, VIP transport and flightseeing services. Era also provides a variety of operating lease solutions and technical fleet support to third party operators. As we celebrate Eras 70-year history as a pioneer in the aviation industry, we will continue our contribution to Eras rich legacy by focusing on the Companys mission to provide safe, efficient and reliable helicopter services, said Chris Bradshaw, Eras President and Chief Executive Officer. I want to thank all of the Era team members, both past and present, for their contributions in making Era one of the global leaders in our industry. About Era Group Era is one of the largest helicopter operators in the world and the longest serving helicopter transport operator in the U.S. In addition to servicing its U.S. customers, Era also provides helicopters and related services to third-party helicopter operators and customers in other countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, India and Suriname. Eras helicopters are primarily used to transport personnel to, from and between offshore oil and gas production platforms, drilling rigs and other installations. In addition, Eras helicopters are used to perform emergency air medical, search and rescue, firefighting, utility, VIP transport and flightseeing services. Era also provides a variety of operating lease solutions and technical fleet support to third party operators. For additional information concerning Era, contact Jennifer Whalen (713) 369-4636 or visit Eras website at www.erahelicopters.com. Not for distribution in the United States or through U.S. newswire services. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Levon Resources Ltd. (TSX:LVN) (Levon or the Company) announces that it has amended and closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the Placement) through the issuance of units of the Company (Units) at a price of C$0.35 per Unit, for total gross proceeds of $899,925. Each Unit will consist of one common share and one common share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant") entitling the holder to acquire one common share of the Company at a price of C$0.50 per common share for a period of two years from the closing of the Placement. The Placement resulted in the issuance of 2,571,214 common shares of the Company and 2,571,214 Warrants. Proceeds will be utilized for corporate costs and working capital. Securities sold pursuant to the Placement are subject to a four month resale hold, expiring June 14, 2018, under applicable Canadian securities laws. About Levon Resources Ltd. Levon is a gold and precious metals exploration Company, exploring the company's 100% owned flagship Cordero bulk tonnage silver, gold, zinc, and lead project near Hidalgo Del Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico. For further information, contact the Company IR Direct at 604-682-2991, or main office number 778-379-0040. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Ron Tremblay" _____________________________ Ron Tremblay President and Chief Executive Officer Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Safe Harbour Statement - This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (together, the "forward looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the listing and trading of the Levon Shares on the TSX and are made as of the date of this news release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the future circumstances, outcomes or results anticipated in or implied by such forward-looking statements will occur or that plans, intentions or expectations upon which the forward-looking statements are based will occur. While we have based these forward-looking statements on our expectations about future events as at the date that such statements were prepared, the statements are not a guarantee that such future events will occur and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which could cause events or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Denver, Feb. 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TranS1, a spinal device company focused on breakthrough solutions that minimize tissue trauma, today announced it has added three new patents to its portfolio. The patents relate to two new developments associated with presacral interbody fusion, including two new expandable cages designed to create lordosis at L5-S1, along with a new technique to perform sacroiliac (SI) fusion. TranS1s patent portfolio remains one of the strongest in the industry, said Jeffrey Schell, chief executive officer of TranS1, who is also a patent attorney. Our strategy remains to advance the most innovative technologies to lessen tissue trauma during spine surgery and to vigorously guard those technological innovations through domestic and international patent protection. TranS1 offers a full complement of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) solutions for spinal pathologies, including the award-winning Pylon posterolateral decortication and bone graft placement system, the KeyLIF MIS Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion system and the AxiaLIF presacral interbody fusion system.The AxiaLIF procedure allows for minimally invasive spinal fusion at L5-S1 for patients with certain spinal pathologies. Presacral interbody fusion at L5-S1 was awarded a Category 1 CPT Code (22586) in 2013 by the American Medical Associations CPT Editorial Committee. According to the CPT Editorial Panel, procedures recognized as Category 1 are widely performed throughout the United States, consistent with accepted medical practice and supported by relevant published research demonstrating the clinical efficacy of the procedure. In addition to its full suite of MIS procedures and devices, TranS1 has also created and continues to develop a patent portfolio focused on spinal health technologies. The company remains committed to becoming the most innovative in the industry by developing new technologies, applying lessons learned from its development of related approaches, and by attracting the most experienced engineers and surgeons to its team. In all, TranS1 has more than 100 issued patents and has filed more than 50 new patent applications in the last three years. About TranS1 Headquartered in Denver, TranS1 develops medical breakthroughs to solve spinal pathologies that minimize trauma to the tissues surrounding the spine. The companys flagship product, AxiaLIF+, is a minimally invasive option for surgeons to accomplish spinal fusion at the L5-S1 joint. The company was named Denvers Most Innovative Workplace by the 80/95 Awards, presented by the Denver Post. In 2017, the company won the New Spine Technology award from Orthopedics This Week for its Pylon MIS Posterolateral Decortication and Bone Graft Placement System. For more information, visit www.TranS1.com . # # # Annihilation. Photo: Paramount Pictures As the trailer for the upcoming movie Annihilation suggests, Area X seems to be fundamentally altering the nature of anything, or anyone, who ventures inside its borders. But unless Area X is switching around everybodys race all willy-nilly, advocacy group Media Action Network for Asian Americans says the films director has some explaining to do. Writer/director Alex Garland is not being true and honest to the characters in the book, MANAA board member Alieesa Badreshia told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement, referencing the source material of the same name written by Jeff VanderMeer. He exploits the story but fails to take advantage of the true identities of each character. Hollywood rarely writes prominent parts for Asian-American and American Indian characters, and those roles couldve bolstered the careers of women from those communities. American Indians in Film and Television founder Sonny Skyhawk echoed the sentiment, telling THR, We are not surprised by the Whack-a-Mole diversity replacement that goes on; just when you finish objecting to one white-washed casting, another one pops up. While the Annihilation cast might feature several performers of color, including Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson, Benedict Wong, and Sonoya Mizuno (who moviegoers might remember as Kyoko in Garlands 2014 film Ex Machina), the group points to the characters played by Natalie Portman and Jennifer Jason Leigh as evidence of whitewashing. In the sequel to Annihilation, author VanderMeer describes the trilogys protagonist, portrayed by Portman in the film, as having physical characteristics including high cheekbones that spoke to the strong Asian heritage on one side of her family. Meanwhile, Leighs character is characterized as being half white, half American Indian. In an interview with Nerdist in December, Garland denied claims that he had whitewashed the films main character. I did not know that stuff, he said, intimating that he had drawn his script only from the information provided in the trilogys first book. It would not be in my nature to whitewash anything. That just wouldnt be like me. I read a book and I adapted it because I thought the book was amazing. Get Out. Photo: Justin Lubin/Universal Studios The biggest night in movies is only a few short weeks away, which means every minute you let idly tick by could be spent catching up on the slate of nominated films. 2017 saw a bumper crop of movies, from the magical-realist interspecies romance to the no-mercy sensory-assault war picture, and a surprising number of them can be watched from the comfort of your own home right now. The following is a comprehensive guide to each and every nominated film currently available to stream whether you use it to whup your co-workers in your office pool or lord your knowledge over everyone at your Oscar-viewing party is up to you: Victoria and Abdul (Google Play, YouTube, iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video) An unlikely friendship forms between an aging Queen Victoria (Judi Dench) and her Muslim attendant Abdul Karim (Ali Fazal) in this monarchical redressing of Driving Miss Daisy. Reviews were mixed, but just about everybody agreed that the lavish production values were second to none. The dual nominations for Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hairstyling were well-earned. Beauty and the Beast (YouTube, Netflix, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video) For its shameless candlelit extravagance, Bill Condons live-action take on the high point of Disneys late-90s renaissance grossed a mint and nabbed nods for Production Design and Costume Design. Emma Watson steps in to portray beauteous bookworm Belle as she tames the savage heart of the Beast (Dan Stevens), with the assorted animate housewares rendered in uncanny CGI. Baby Driver (YouTube, Vudu, Google Play, iTunes, Amazon Video) Edgar Wright hardwired the heist movie and tricked it out with parts from the musical, comedy, and romance genres in a technically involved motor opera hence the nominations for Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, and Film Editing. Virtuosic getaway driver Baby (Ansel Elgort) decides to scoop up his girlfriend Debora (Lily James) and head for the horizon, but his former crew (Kevin Spacey, Eiza Gonzalez, Jon Hamm, and Jamie Foxx) dont intend on letting them get away without a few scars. Mudbound (Netflix) A quartet of nominations speak to a wide array of talent in this post-WWII period drama: Director Dee Rees and Virgil Williams adapted the sprawling, racially charged novels many narrative points of view into a manageable shape; Rachel Morrison brought a pastoral grandeur as the films cinematographer; and Mary J. Blige does double duty, contributing a moving performance as well as the original song, Mighty River, with Raphael Saadiq and Taura Stinson. Lady Bird (YouTube, Vudu, Amazon Video, iTunes, Google Play) We are all Lady Bird, the teen-in-progress played with boundless empathy by Saoirse Ronan at the heart of longtime actor-writer Greta Gerwigs directorial debut. (They both scored individual nods to go along with their Best Picture nomination.) In a Sacramento full to bursting with sharp detail, Lady Bird navigates her senior year of high school and spars with her caring but overtaxed mother (Laurie Metcalf, also a nominee), hitting a couple life milestones along the way. Funny, warm, and true, its a boon for teens in generations to come. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (YouTube, Vudu, Amazon Video, iTunes, Google Play) Mildred Hayes rents the three billboards, but its Frances McDormand, the actress portraying her, that truly owns Three Billboards. She gives a top-to-bottom bravura performance as a grieving mother antagonizing the towns cops until they find a lead on her daughters killer, burying her pain under a thick mantle layer of pure rage. Her artfully deployed profanity and careful emotional balancing act earned McDormand a nomination likely to clinch a win, the films other lock being Sam Rockwell as a racist lawman with a few grains of humanity left over. Written with baroque black humor by Martin McDonagh and bursting with amusing supporting acts (Peter Dinklage! John Hawkes!), its well in the running for Best Picture as well. Get Out (HBO Go, Vudu, YouTube, Amazon Video, iTunes, Google Play) Jordan Peele pulled a hat trick, collecting Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay nominations for his meticulously crafted horror parable. Daniel Kaluuya, a nominee himself for Best Actor, portrays the rare black guy to make it to the end of a scary movie after his girlfriends family (Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford) turn out to be a touch more psycho than the usual white people. Blade Runner 2049 (YouTube, Vudu, iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Video) Agent K (Ryan Gosling) trudges through a desolate techno-landscape in search of Harrison Fords long-lost Deckard, teaming to combat a greater and more enigmatic threat. The long-delayed sequel to the philosophical sci-fi classic met with a windfall in the technical categories, director Denis Villeneuves vision of a lurid, stark future an achievement on pure aesthetic terms. Of particular note is the Best Cinematography nod for long-overdue master Roger Deakins, the odds-on favorite. Darkest Hour (YouTube, iTunes, Vudu, Google Play, Amazon Video) Joe Wrights chronicle of Winston Churchills life and times snapped up a handsome six nominations, but the star of the show is Best Actor contender Gary Oldman for his blustery turn as the famed military strategist and prime minister. With cigar-chomping brio, he guides the United Kingdom through wartime and crisis, sewn up in his own flaws as he tries to cure the ills of a nation. Dunkirk (YouTube, iTunes, Vudu, Google Play, Amazon Video) Christopher Nolan brought audiences an alternative perspective on Britains engagement in WWII, reporting from the front in a relentlessly intense land, sea, and air triptych. (In exchange, the Academy granted him eight nominations, most high-profile among them Best Picture and Director.) The film dramatically crosscuts from a crackerjack rescue mission on the waves, a frantic effort to escape on the beach, and a perilous flight to protect the soldiers, building to a flattening Eisenstein-styled climax. Roman J. Israel, Esq. (YouTube, iTunes, Vudu, Google Play, Amazon Video) Denzel Washington scored a surprise inclusion in the Best Actor race for his mannered portrayal of an eccentric lawyer embroiled in a predicament much bigger than himself. Always striving to do the right thing but not invulnerable to temptations and other foibles, the title character lands in the crosshairs of danger for taking a stand in court (and for being a little incompetent). Washington delivers an unusual, complex performance, navigating the empathetic with the less admirable sides of himself. The Florida Project (YouTube, iTunes, Vudu, Google Play, Amazon Video) Hard to believe it, but Willem Dafoe is somehow the only nominee from Sean Bakers magnificent childs-eye view of life in a Kissimmee, Florida, hotel complex. With bone-deep kindness, he plays Bobby, the loving but overtaxed supervisor of the Magic Castle, where struggling Halley (Bria Vinaite) and her rambunctious daughter Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) keep residence. Federal interlopers intrude on their fragile domestic setup in a heartbreaking neorealist peek into a corner of a modern America. Logan (HBO Go, Vudu, YouTube, Amazon Video, iTunes, Google Play) James Mangold puts his distinctive spin on X-Men lore with this futuro-Western in which Hugh Jackmans bad-boy Wolverine is old, broken down, and slowly losing his powers. He protects an infirm Professor X (Patrick Stewart) and a young girl with a dark connection to his past as theyre pursued by an unstoppable cybernetic foe and the corporation behind him. Mangold, Scott Frank, and Michael Greens mature, despairing interpretation of pop-culture influences got them the rare Adapted Screenplay nod for a superhero film. The Big Sick (YouTube, Amazon Video, Vudu, Google Play, iTunes) Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon spun the true story of their courtship the interracial element was tough enough before she slipped into a coma into an unorthodox rom-com and snapped up a Best Original Screenplay nomination for their efforts. Nanjiani portrays himself in the gently comic film, with Zoe Kazan stepping in to take Gordons role and her parents getting nuanced portrayals from Holly Hunter and Ray Romano. Contains what must surely be the greatest 9/11 joke ever captured on film. The Boss Baby (YouTube, Netflix, Google Play, Amazon Video, Vudu, iTunes) A rather paltry year in animated features led to a nomination for this fish-out-of-water comedy plopping an infant with the intelligence of adult (adult with the intelligence of an infant Alec Baldwin) in a suburban home to blend in and disarm the puppy menace. The titular infant boss slowly forges a bond with his big brother over the course of an antic-packed romp through early childhood. Cookies are for closers only! Loving Vincent (Google Play, YouTube, iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video) This herculean effort expands our understanding of what constitutes an animated film; a team of 125 artists cranked out 65,000 frames worth of oil paintings for this inquest into the enigma of Vincent van Gogh, the first project of its kind. The film mimics the painters soft and impressionistic style as it relates the events of his tormented life secondhand through imagined conversations with those who knew him during his life. On Body and Soul (Netflix) This abstract Hungarian drama won the Golden Bear top prize at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival, a distinction that would help push it to a Best Foreign Language Film nomination. Writer-director Ildiko Enyedi spins a fantastical tale of two workers in a slaughterhouse hes the malcontent CFO, shes a quality inspector obsessed with order who repeatedly find one another while dreaming. They appear in the form of deer and feel an ecstatic love during sleep, but attaining that same feeling in their waking lives is a more difficult proposition. The Square (Google Play, YouTube, iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video) Another foreign-festival favorite gaining accolades stateside, this Palme dOrwinning comedy contains a decidedly larger number of used-condom jokes than any fellow nominee. Ruben Ostlund gets his wicked kicks with the trials and tribulations of museum curator Christian (Claes Bang) as he scrambles to drum up buzz for a controversial new exhibit, resolve a conflict with a neighborhood child he inadvertently framed, defuse further tensions with an American journalist he unadvisedly bedded, and put out a half-dozen other fires. Devilishly funny and vast in its satirical ambitions, it ranks among the years finest. Abacus: Small Enough to Jail (Google Play, Amazon Video, iTunes, Vudu, YouTube) In the wake of the ruinous late-2000s subprime mortgage crisis, the family-owned Chinatown bank Abacus Federal Savings faced harsh legal comeuppance while the well-funded giants were bailed out and deemed too big to fail. This documentary from Hoop Dreams director Steve James wonders why the government would choose to make an example of a small outfit while the real villains get off scot-free (hint: partly incompetence, partly optics, with a dash of racism). Icarus (Netflix) Documentarian Bryan Fogel set out to make a movie about the burgeoning underbelly of doping in the world of professional sports, which is how he met Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov and stumbled into a much bigger story. The Russian defector told Fogel about an elaborate state-sponsored campaign to game the Olympics, and their efforts to expose the wrongdoing land them in something closer to an espionage film than a political documentary. This film is both. Last Men in Aleppo (Netflix, iTunes, Google Play) This issue docs topic is the Syrian civil war, and particularly the heroic efforts of the volunteer-supported humanitarian-aid organization known as the White Helmets. (A short-form documentary about their noble work earned an Oscar just last year.) This film trains its focus on three of the founding White Helmets during an intense period of introspection, as they debate whether to continue their fight for Syria at home or from abroad. Strong Island (Netflix) Yance Ford directed this heartrending documentary about his uphill battle to get justice for his brother William, the victim of a 1992 murder in which the killer walked away without an indictment. While the film inspects the racially motivated iniquities built into a broken judicial system, it also serves as a devastatingly intimate look into one familys not-always-successful efforts to cope with the loss of their own. Marshall (Google Play, YouTube, iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video) Critics derided this Thurgood Marshall biopic as another paint-by-numbers tribute to a great man under fire, but Common and Andra Days original song Stand Up for Something transcended its delivery system to the public. The rousing, inspirational anthem lifts up Marshall as a trailblazer, both for the black community and for anyone whos ever been pressured against doing the right thing. Wonder (Google Play, YouTube, iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video) The intensive facial prosthetics turning Jacob Tremblay into Auggie March, a plucky fifth-grader who wont let Treacher Collins Syndrome stop him from living life, earned a surprise nomination in the Makeup and Hairstyling category. His realistically rendered medical deformity is the lynchpin of an unrestrainedly sentimental film about daring to be different and celebrating what makes us special. Kong: Skull Island (HBO Go, Vudu, Amazon Video, iTunes, Google Play, YouTube) The Visual Effects category has traditionally favored spectacle, and the bigger the better. For sheer size, theres no beating the mountain-sized ape terrorizing a team of intrepid researchers encroaching on his secluded home. The gargantuan simian and his disarmingly human expressions made this sequel one of the years most-favored blockbusters among critics and audiences alike. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Video, iTunes, Vudu) The most mischievous super-team in the cosmos returns for another adventure, now pitted against a race of haughty golden aliens and a sentient planet taking the shape of Kurt Russell. An elaborately imagined interstellar universe earned Marvels planet-hopping franchise a Visual Effects nod for its exotic creatures and bustling futuristic metropolises. (The digitally rendered fan favorite Baby Groot may have helped, too.) War for the Planet of the Apes (YouTube, iTunes, Vudu, Google Play, Amazon Video) In the final reckoning between humanity and the hyperintelligent primates we never should have created, sophisticated motion-capture technology made Andy Serkiss nuanced performance as chimp leader Caesar possible and snatched a Visual Effects nomination along the way. Most of the simian performances take place entirely without dialogue, so clear facial conveyance is absolutely key, and state-of-the-art mo-cap lets audiences savor every little tic. Matvey Novikov in Loveless. Photo: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics Loveless is the title of Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsevs drama of a 12-year-old boys disappearance, and the word might as well be etched into the screen, hovering in chalk-colored skies over denuded trees on the outskirts of Moscow home of a soon-to-be-divorced woman and man who really, really, really, really hate each other (Ive fucking had it with you; Scumbag) and have no use for their son, either. Loveless is about a state of mind, a lament, an indictment of crimes against the human spirit. This is clear before humans even make their first appearance. Zvyagintsev opens with a winterscape of dead trees. Shots two through nine offer variations thereof. Two ducks drift by in shots ten and 11. The next shot is a large building with an empty lot, over which a Russian flag flutters grimly. The faceless structure is a school that belches out children ahead of young Alyosha (Matvey Novikov), who trudges home alone to find his mother, Zhenya (Maryana Spivak), showing the family apartment to prospective buyers, a man and his pregnant wife. Mute with anger and grief, Alyosha refuses to make eye contact. Soon, we learn that the boys father, Boris (Aleksey Rozin), doesnt want custody of him, and neither does Zhenya, who says, Im moving on, too. To a woman doing her hair, she complains that her son is beginning to smell like her husband. She didnt want the child, she tells her lover, Anton (Andris Keiss), a successful older man, adding, I wasnt even producing milk. One word springs to mind after 15 minutes of Loveless: Getmethefuckoutofhere. The chill eats into you the cold burns and cuts. But it turns out Zvyagintsev has more on his mind than emotional cruelty to kids. By the time the boy vanishes, the director has immersed us in a world in which the milk of human kindness has dried up at the teat. Vladimir Putin has something to do with this present state of lovelessness, which wont surprise you if youve seen Zvyagintsevs Elena (2011) and Leviathan (2014) the latter of which portrays a society so thoroughly poisoned by greed and political favoritism that the directors rage reaches biblical proportions. A cold rage, of course. Always cold. The Austrian iceman Michael Hanekes influence is apparent in shots held for extra beats, characters myopia, and the insistent political undertow. But Zvyagintsev doesnt have Hanekes punk snottiness. He hurts you so youll feel. In the second hour of Loveless, he generates an aura of humanism out of thin air. He does so in stages. First comes the faint revulsion of the world-weary search-party coordinator (Alexey Fateev) and his female partner (Varvara Shmykova) in the face of Zhenyas and Boriss attitudes toward their son nothing big, just mild exclamations over unsympathetic turns of phrase. Then Zvyagintsev introduces Zhenyas mother (Natalya Potapova), who lives in a lightless warren outside Moscow and makes her daughter look like Glinda the Good Witch (Look what youve become a whore Get the fuck out). Its a wonder Zhenya has an ounce of compassion for anything. When she tears into Boris on the way back to Moscow (Thank God I met a good man), Boris throws her out of his car in the middle of nowhere. He goes back to his young lover, Masha (Marina Vasilyeva), whos carrying a child to which he might pay more attention, but I wouldnt put money on it. As searchers move through the woods, the beams from their flashlights diffused by the snow from an Arctic storm, the female detective wails Alyoshas name, and the sound that comes out of her mouth is otherworldly. It gets into your blood. Zhenyas face begins to soften, as if registering the full horror of what she has done and not done. Every shot becomes an objective correlative: the rusted abandoned factories with pools of water, the dank morgue to which the couple is summoned. An elevator descends in a building where the boy might be and searchers watch in silence as the doors open to two giggling teenage girls out for a night on the town another world heard from. Normally, a scenario that centers on a vanished child would make you sick with suspense and dread. But at a certain point in Loveless you begin to feel something else, less specific but larger, as if listening to a quietly anguished piece of music like Mahlers Kindertotenlieder. You start to grieve for every child. The movie has its puzzlers. In several shots, Zvyagintsev lingers on Spivaks bare butt and the backs of her thighs: Is he critiquing her for being sexual (as opposed, I guess, to maternal) or critiquing a world that would gaze on her the way that, well, he is? Theres a baffling point-of-view shot in a fancy restaurant, in which an unseen man asks a beautiful woman (who stares into the camera) for her phone number, which she gives him before sitting back down with her date. Who are those people? Is the director reminding us that love is inconstant? Big news. Back to children. Theyre happily sledding as an announcer on a TV in Zhenyas new apartment describes Ukraine ravaged by the Putin-backed army. The screen shows Ukrainian women weeping. Stone-faced Zhenya runs on a treadmill wearing a jacket that reads RUSSIA. Oh, boy, was the whole movie meant to be that symbolic? Better not to pin it down. Zvyagintsev, at the very least, powerfully anatomizes a disease for which a possible cure will be movies like Loveless. *This article appears in the February 5, 2018, issue of New York Magazine. Funeral arrangements have been made for Lawrenceburg firefighter Jason Dickey and are being handled by Neal Funeral Home. The family will visit with friends from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15 at Mars Baptist Church. The funeral service will also be held at Mars Baptist Church on Feb. 16 at 11:00 a.m. Jason Dickey, 38, an 11-year veteran of the department, died at Southern Tennessee Regional Hospital. "We lost a hero," Lawrenceburg Fire Department Chief Jay Moore said. "We've lost a man that saved several lives in his 11-year career." Dickey leaves behind three children, ages 16, 11 and 2, as well as his wife who's expecting a child in the next few weeks, Moore said. He's the second firefighter to die in the department's history. The other occurred in 1978. "This is hard on the community," Moore said. "It's hard on the fire department. It's hard for the family." Firefighters responded to the fire around 4:30 p.m. at a home on Hood Lakes Road. Just before 8 p.m., the structure collapsed, trapping four Lawrence firefighters and two New Prospect firefighters. All six of the firefighters were pulled from the fire. One fireman did not need medical treatment but the other five, including Dickey were taken to Southern Tennessee Regional Hospital for treatment. As of Tuesday, three of them had been treated and released. One fireman remains in intensive care. Dickey's body was taken to the medical examiner's office in Nashville. Other fire and police departments across the area offered their condolences online. Our thoughts and prayers are will Lawrenceburg Fire Department tonight. #6040 https://t.co/MDj7v5xMd3 Florence Police Dept (@florence_pd) February 13, 2018 Our thoughts and prayers are with #LawrenceburgFire as they mourn the loss of one of their own pic.twitter.com/rxnZIvKdXV Dunlap Fire Department (@DunlapFire) February 13, 2018 ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia officials are turning to social media in an effort to cut down on teen suicides. WABE Radio reports that 144 children and teenagers in Georgia took their own lives from 2015 to 2017. Authorities say that so far this year, at least four children in the state have already killed themselves. Now, state officials are releasing videos on YouTube to try and reach young people with the message that help is available. Trebor Randle, a special agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Child Fatality Program, says that prevention is the major key to reducing the suicide rate among young people. Randle says authorities also want to get educators and school counselors involved in the effort. (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) 2/12/2018 1:47:50 PM (GMT -6:00) SPRINGVILLE, Ala. (AP) - The Alabama Department of Corrections is investigating the fatal stabbing of an inmate at the St. Clair Correctional Facility in Springville. The stabbing happened at about 11:30 a.m. Friday. Correctional officers responded to an inmate assault and found 25-year-old Travis Lamar Wilson Jr. outside a cell block with serious injuries. Wilson was treated at the scene and taken to an area hospital where he later died. Wilson was serving a 25-year sentence on a 2011 murder conviction in Etowah County. The suspect in the stabbing, 25-year-old Cruz Caldwell, will face a charge of first-degree murder. He had been serving a 20-year sentence for a first-degree theft of property conviction in Coffee County. Authorities say it's unclear what led to the assault. (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) 2/9/2018 6:50:38 PM (GMT -6:00) Key evidence in a brutal Colbert County murder is waiting to be tested by the state forensics lab. 69-year-old John Johnson was found stabbed to death in his Bainbridge Loop home just days before Christmas and his killer is still on the loose. Colbert County Sheriff Frank Williamson told WAAY31 his investigators have worked around the clock on John Johnson's murder. They collected DNA evidence at the scene of the crime but are waiting for the evidence to be tested by the Alabama State Forensics Lab, which could put Johnson's killer behind bars. "We've got a killer that's walking the street and we need to get him locked up," said Williamson. Williamson told WAAY31 they are having to wait because the forensics lab is backed-up. We reached out to the state forensics lab but are waiting for a call back. "It's been very frustrating...This is not the forensics lab fault, this is a legislative issue and it needs to be addressed by the legislature," said Williamson. Williamson, Johnson's family, and dozens of others called the state forensics lab to get the evidence in the case fast tracked. Officials are hoping to have the forensic lab results by next week. Williamson is asking lawmakers to properly fund the forensics lab or come up with another solution to get evidence tested quicker. "There is a need. The people of Colbert County and the citizens in the state of Alabama don't deserve this. They deserve better," said Williamson. Since Johnson's murder, officials have increased patrols in the area of Bainbridge Road. The Historic Huntsville Depot will open a new exhibit to the public in March 2019. "Madison County-200 Years of Progress" will be a walk through exhibit which chronicles 200 years of Madison County's rich history. The exhibit is designed to highlight the people and events that make Madison County unique. "Madison County-200 Years of Progress" will honor Alabama's Bicentennial and the important role of Madison County in the state's history. When they (visitors) walk through this exhibit even if theyre from here, I hope they say wow I did not know that and maybe go and try to look it up a little more," said Bart Williams, the Executive Director with EarlyWorks Family of Museums. The EarlyWorks Society made a $100,000 donation for the exhibit during a news conference on Tuesday. The exhibit will be housed on the second floor of the Historic Depot Building once it is opened to the public. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Authorities say a teen has been fatally shot in a central Alabama subdivision. Jefferson County Sheriff's Office told Al.com that officers found the 17-year-old victim wounded Sunday afternoon. Authorities are searching for the suspects who fled the scene in a mid-sized green sedan. The victim, whose name was not released, was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Authorities say the victim knew the suspects and went outside to meet them. One of the suspects opened fire after the victim approached them. (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) 2/12/2018 7:00:38 AM (GMT -6:00) (CNN) -- Marvin Gregory is a large man living in a tiny home. And he couldn't be happier. "I just want to be in here and absorb it all," he says. The 6-foot-5-inch US Army and Coast Guard veteran moved in to his new 240 square foot home in Kansas City last week after spending more than six years on the streets, homeless and struggling to find a place to sleep every night. "Doors are closed for you when you're a little older and people don't think you have the goods to work and make it happen," says the 50-year old father of seven. "It's rough. They have some places. But the shelters are pretty much full and it's hard finding shelter in [Kansas City]." Gregory's new home is one of 13 tiny houses built by Veterans Community Project, a nonprofit organization started by fellow veterans focused on helping homeless vets get housing and services to help them be self-sufficient. "We're pulling these guys out of the trenches in their battle and saving their lives because they would have done the exact same for us," explains Brandon Mixon, one of Veterans Community Project's co-founders and a retired Army specialist. "They could have been that guy that saved my life in Afghanistan or pulled me to safety." 'Guys were getting lost' Two years ago, while working with various nonprofits in the Kansas City area, Mixon and fellow veterans Chris Stout and Bryan Meyer were frustrated at the difficulty many veterans had getting services in the city. "Everybody was defined differently, whether it was where they served, how long they served, what conflict they served in, their discharge status," says Stout, a retired Army corporal and Veterans Community Project's CEO. "It was a mix of many different reasons as to why veteran organizations were not serving them or where they would serve them. Guys were getting lost in that." The three men decided they wanted to create a central place where every veteran, regardless of time spent in the military, could get help. "I don't care if they served a day in the military or 30 years, dishonorable discharged or honorable discharged. At the end of the day, they are still my brother and sister and they took the oath to serve us," says Mixon. 'They need their own space' One of the first services Veterans Community Project provided to vets in need was a program that offered free rides on city public buses. Stout says that made a huge difference for many veterans, but they still had nowhere to go when the buses dropped them off at the end of the day. They began to brainstorm about housing solutions for people coming to them for help. Their first idea: Rehab an abandoned school. "After talking to some of the homeless vets, we realized they refused to go into that communal living," says Stout. "They were like, 'you know we're not going into that shelter living.' The consensus was they need their own space." Someone suggested building tiny houses. "I said, 'what the hell is a tiny house,'" jokes Stout. After doing some research, he knew small-scale houses built close to each other would be the most feasible option for achieving their goal. "It's kind of like that barracks mentality ... so they can be there to support each other and we can support them," he says. Stout and his partners' mission was to build 50 tiny houses and a large community center on a few acres of land they had bought in south Kansas City, and do it in six months. But city officials had other ideas. "[The city] did not want another trailer park," says Stout. 'Catchy, sexy, cool' For several months, Stout and his colleagues worked with city planning officials to make sure the community would be safe, have all proper utilities and access for emergency services. "It's a trick to build a house to code at that size," he says. "But it's just like a traditional house, they're just smaller. We want to put them in something that I'd be willing to work with." Last month, in subfreezing temperatures, Veterans Community Project and volunteers worked tirelessly seven days a week to build the first 13 homes for veterans (11 men and two women) they had chosen to be the community's first residents. One of them: Marvin Gregory. "It's overwhelming at times because I've been in so many negative situations and doors closed in my face," says Gregory. "These guys are going to give me my own place and it's going to give me a start to move higher and get myself in a position to hopefully one day buy my own home." Mixon says when residents do eventually transition out of the community, they can take all of the items out of their tiny home with them. But, he stresses, Veterans Community Project's main mission is not to just provide a roof, couch or refrigerator. "The tiny houses are the very smallest minute piece," he says. "They are the catchy, sexy, cool piece. But what we actually provide are services like free health care, dental care, veterinary services, and help finding work." He and his partners strongly believe that is the best thing they can do for their "brothers and sisters." Veterans Community Project's founders says interest in the project has already come from hundreds of communities across the country. They've begun work with the city of Nashville to replicate the tiny home community in the Music City. For Gregory, his new home leaves him speechless. "Words can't describe it. God has looked down on me and my fellow military buddies came and rescued me. Never leave a man behind." The-CNN-Wire & 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved. Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has released a statement about the latest misconduct allegations. Fairfax Media and News Corp on Tuesday published new allegations of misbehaviour at a 2011 awards night. Mr Joyce is considering legal action in relation to the reports. Mr Joyce denied the reports and said he regretted the "tremendous hurt" suffered by his wife, Natalie, and their four daughters. Mr Joyce said he had not breached the ministerial guidelines because Vikki Campion, his now partner, was not his partner at the time of her employment. Politics live: Barnaby Joyce under pressure to resign over affair fallout Were sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later. Dismiss I, personally, do not remember it because I live in Sydney, where cloud cover made the super blue blood moon look underwhelmingly similar to a regular moon. The celestial phenomenon which saw the moon appear enlarged, red, and, for the second time in a month, full? Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies." - Leslie Knope, on Galentine's Day But, that doesn't matter. Because this year the lunar calendar has given us all a much greater gift. In 2017, Galentine's Day, the February 13th celebration of female friendship and breakfast foods created by Amy Poehler's character, Leslie Knope, on Parks and Recreation, is the same day as Pancake Day, the moon-determined celebration of the imminent start of the western Christian church's season of Lent... and breakfast foods. It's an event which has not occurred since 1945. If you and your Galentines were around then, you would have been sadly eating sawdust-stretched pancakes, your only joy coming from a radio bulletin telling you that the Soviets had just kicked the Nazis out of Budapest. That is how long ago that was. Luckily, Galentine's Day x Pancake Day will occur twice more in the near future, in 2024 and 2029 (put it in your iCal). But then the celestial phenomenon will disappear until brace yourselves the year 2170. A seven-year-old boy is in a critical condition after falling from a third-storey window in Sydney's west. The boy was rushed to Bankstown Hospital by family after he fell from a bedroom window of their third-floor unit on Chapel Road, Bankstown, about 7.20pm on Monday. The child was then rushed to Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick with critical head injuries, where he remained in a critical but stable condition on Tuesday, a hospital spokeswoman said. Police are now investigating the circumstances around the incident. Alleged paedophile Malka Leifer, a former school principal facing 74 charges of child sex abuse, has been arrested by Israeli police after a decade of fighting extradition. Israeli authorities have accused Ms Leifer of faking a mental illness in order to avoid returning to Australia. Malka Leifer has been arrested in Israel. Ms Leifer fled to Israel in 2008 when allegations she had sexually abused girls at the ultra-orthodox Adass Israel School in Elsternwick, where she was principal, were first raised. She is wanted by Victoria Police on 74 counts of sexual assault and rape involving girls. She was arrested by Israel police in 2014 when Australia applied for her extradition, but proceedings were dropped when a psychiatrist found Ms Leifer was unfit to stand trial. A young Perth man who savagely bashed his own grandmother before repeatedly raping his half sister has been jailed for six years. Shocking details of the attack were read out in the WA District Court on Tuesday as the 25-year-old man was jailed. The man pleaded guilty to nine charges. Credit:Louie Douvis The accused man cannot be named for legal reasons in order to protect the identity of the two victims. The court was told the crimes took place at a home in Perth's south eastern suburbs in July last year. London: A former UK government minister has accused Alexander Downer of talking blathering nonsense and interfering inappropriately in British politics in a BBC interview where Downer argued the UK could get cheaper food and clothing in a 'hard' Brexit. Denis MacShane, a former Blair Labour government foreign minister and minister for Europe, complained on Twitter after Australias outgoing high commissioner and former foreign minister told BBC Radio 4 that prices could fall dramatically if the UK left the Customs Union as well as the EU. Outgoing Australian ambassador to the UK Alexander Downer Credit:Fairfax Media MacShane said later it is not really correct to intervene so crudely to support the extreme ideology of those who want an amputation with Europe, adding that Downer had "crossed a line". Downer appeared on the popular Today morning current affairs program on Monday arguing the UK should follow Australias example and unilaterally lower trade barriers once it was outside the EU's Customs Union. Womens groups and human rights advocates have condemned Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for encouraging soldiers to shoot female rebels in their genitals, the latest in a series of violent, misogynist remarks. Duterte, a former provincial mayor, told a group of former communist rebels to tell the soldierstheres a new order from the mayor. We wont kill you. We will just shoot your vagina. If there is no vagina, it would be useless, he said, appearing to imply that women are useless without their genitals. President Rodrigo Duterte told soldiers to shoot female rebels' genitals. Credit:Bloomberg The Presidents Communications Office included the comments in the official transcript of a speech but replaced the word vagina with a dash. The World Customs Organization (WCO) provided support to the Guatemala Tax and Customs Authority under the WCO Mercator Programme Tailor-made Track, 22 26 January 2018. The WCO team successfully conducted a scoping mission and provided recommended actions to effectively implement trade facilitation measures, taking into consideration local conditions and environment, as well as the WCO instruments and tools. Prior to the in-field mission in Guatemala, the experts received a series of documents, which were fundamental for the development of the mission. During the mission, the WCO team met with officials from the Superintendence of Tax Administration (SAT), Ministry of Economy, National Committee on Trade Facilitation, and other stakeholders, including representatives of the private sector. The discussions were crucial to carry out an analysis of the current situation in relation to the implementation of the articles in Section I of the TFA. The WCO team also visited the Airport/COMBEX, loading / import / export / and courier units. The recommendations were classified by priority, timing, and responsible entity and discussed with SAT officials. The results obtained (roadmap and actions related to the implementation of the TFA) were presented to senior officials of the Ministry of Finance and SAT. The WCO will continue to support the Guatemalan Customs modernization program and the successful implementation of the TFA. A WCO National Workshop on the modernization of the Customs Laboratory of Albania, funded by the WCO Reserves fund, was held at the Customs Laboratory in Tirana from 6 to 9 February 2018. The Customs Laboratory is a well-equipped, medium-sized laboratory that was recently relocated to a new modern building in September 2017. In response to the special interest indicated by Albanian Customs, the training course provided theoretical and hands-on training in classifying products from Chapter 27, including waste mineral oils and practical case studies on mineral oils. In order to unify analytical methods with the European Customs Laboratories, the expert from Greece demonstrated how to implement specific ISO standards on petroleum products and evaluate analysis data for the purposes of their correct identification in terms of the Harmonized System (HS). This also gave an immediate example of the value of regional cooperation in sharing best practices on Customs chemical analysis. In addition, there was a focus on safety procedures in their workplaces and the relevant aspects of the Action Plan for Phase III of the Revenue Package. At the closing of the Workshop, Mr. Arber Misja, Director of the Customs Laboratory of Albania, highlighted the continuous support given by the WCO for contributing to the efforts made by the Customs Laboratory of Albania to build its capacity on analyzing different kind of products and to increase its knowledge in the HS. He concluded by thanking the representative from the Greek Customs Administration and the WCO Secretariats Tariff and Trade Affairs Directorate. Traffic Stop Ends in Drug Charges for Three Botafogo have thrown a wobbler and blocked Flamengo from using their stadium for an upcoming match after taking umbrage at Vinicius Junior and the goal celebration he performed after scoring against them at the weekend. The two sides met in the Campeonato Carioca on Saturday night, with Flamengo winning 3-1 thanks to a 94th-minute cake-icer from Vinicius Junior. However, the 17-year-old striker (who signed for Real Madrid in a 45million last year with just two senior games under his belt) celebrated his goal by goading the travelling Botafogo fans with a crybaby gesture. The gesture is regularly used by Flamengo fans to antagonise rival Botafogo supporters and is an enduring reference to the time their entire team appeared on television in the aftermath of a defeat to Fla back in 2008 and openly wept about poor refereeing decisions. Anyway, Botafogo were so upset at Vinicius Juniors mockery that they have now refused to allow Flamengo to use their Estadio Nilton Santos for the latters Guanabara Cup final fixture against Boavista this Sunday. The final was originally intended to be played at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, but the arena is being used to stage a concert instead. In an official statement, Botafogo whined (via Globo Esporte): The decision was taken only in light of the goal celebration of the opponent, demonstrating disrespect to the Botafogo institution. Petty, and gloriously so. NEW RICHMOND Mingo Central erased an early 6-0 deficit and went on to claim[Read More] As protests continue to erupt in the streets of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and across the world in outrage against the horrific shooting of Jacob Bla Read more Close Get email notifications on Lisa Neff daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. Whenever Lisa Neff posts new content, you'll get an email delivered to your inbox with a link. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Here is a look at the life of Sidney Poitier, award winning actor and civil rights activist. Personal: Birth date: February 20, 1927 Birth place: Miami, Florida Birth name: Sidney Poitier Father: Reginald Poitier, tomato farmer Mother: Evelyn (Outten) Poitier Marriages: Joanna Shimkus (January 23, 1976-present); Juanita Marie Hardy (April 29, 1950-July 9, 1965, divorced) Children: with Joanna Shimkus: Sydney and Anika; with Juanita Marie Hardy: Gina, Sherri, Pamela and Beverly Other Facts: Nominated for two Academy Awards. Winner of one competitive and one honorary award. Nominated for and winner of one Grammy Award. Nominated for two Emmy Awards. Grew up on Cat Island in the Bahamas. The family later moved to Nassau. His parents sent him to live with relatives in Miami at 14. After an encounter with the Ku Klux Klan, he left Miami at 16 and moved to New York. Lying about his age, he joined the Army at 16. He feigned insanity to obtain a discharge after nine months, and later admitted the ruse in his autobiography, "Measure of a Man." A heavy Bahamian accent and limited reading ability cost him an acting job at Harlem's American Negro Theater. He overcame the accent by imitating radio announcers and improved his reading skills by studying newspapers. Has dual citizenship in the United States and the Bahamas. Timeline: 1946 - First audition after losing his accent earns him the role of understudy to Harry Belafonte in "Days of Our Youth." 1950 - Film debut in "No Way Out," a study of violent racial prejudice. 1959 - First African-American to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Actor - "The Defiant Ones." August 28, 1963 - One of many Hollywood celebrities in attendance at the March on Washington. 1964 - Wins Academy Award for Best Actor for "Lilies of the Field." He is the first African-American to win for Best Actor and only the second to ever win an Academy Award. Hattie McDaniel was the first; she won Best Supporting Actress for "Gone with the Wind" (1939). 1967 - Stars in three of the highest-grossing films of the year, "In the Heat of the Night," "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" and "To Sir, with Love." August 14, 1967 - Keynote speaker at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Atlanta. 1980 - Publishes his autobiography, "This Life." 1983 - Nineteen-year-old David Hampton pretends to be "the son of Sidney Poitier" and convinces wealthy New Yorkers to provide him with food, clothing, money and a place to stay. Hampton is charged with grand larceny when his lies are discovered. "Six Degrees of Separation," a stage play in 1990 and a movie in 1993, is based on the story. 1992 - Receives the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute. 1995 - Receives the Kennedy Center Honors Lifetime Achievement Award. April 16, 1997 - Appointed Bahamian ambassador to Japan. 2000 - Publishes second autobiography, "Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography." 2000 - Wins the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for "The Measure Of A Man." 2002 - Receives an honorary Academy Award "in recognition of his remarkable accomplishments as an artist and as a human being." 2006 - Receives the Marian Anderson Award in recognition of his humanitarian and diplomatic work and the Cunard Britannia Award for Lifetime Contribution to International film from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. 2008 - Publishes new book "Life Beyond Measure: Letters to My Great-Granddaughter." July 30, 2009 - Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. May 7, 2013 - His sci-fi book, "Montaro Caine," is published. February 14, 2016 - Poitier receives the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Fellowship, it's highest honor. DETROIT (AP) - Ford is telling the owners of 33,428 additional Ranger pickups in North America not to drive them because their Takata air bag inflators may present an extreme danger. The company says its investigation has found test results showing that inflators in the 2006 trucks have a higher risk of exploding and hurling shrapnel than other recalled Takata inflators. Takata uses ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion to inflate air bags. But the chemical can deteriorate and burn to fast, blowing apart metal canisters. Dealers will pick up the Rangers from owners and take them in for repairs. The additional Rangers were built between Aug. 5 and Dec. 15, 2005. Last month Ford told 2,900 Ranger owners not to drive them after finding out that a West Virginia man was killed by an exploding inflator. (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) WILMINGTON, N.Y. (AP) - A Toronto firefighter who was the subject of a massive six-day search involving eight government agencies at an Adirondack ski center has been located safe and sound - in California. Authorities launched a search for 49-year-old skier Constantinos "Danny" Filippidis on Whiteface Mountain last Wednesday afternoon after his companions reported him missing. State police said Tuesday the search was called off when Filippidis contacted local authorities in Sacramento, California. Officials say more than 140 people spent a combined 7,000 hours searching the rugged mountain terrain, calling in helicopters and search dogs to assist. Filippidis was part of a group of Toronto firefighters making their annual ski trip to Whiteface. Police say the circumstances of the case are under investigation. (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) CLINTON A Central New York orthopedic surgeon has been indicted on charges he stole tens of thousands of dollars from the state workers' compensation system. According to a press release from the New York State Inspector Generals Office, 70-year-old Dr. Gregory B. Shankman of Clinton was arraigned Tuesday on two counts of grand larceny and 21 counts of offering a false instrument for filing, after he allegedly defrauded the workers compensation system of more than $50,000 by claiming he was working out of his Utica office where he is required by state law to be when he was performing and billing for medical examinations performed across upstate New York. The press release claims Patients at Shankmans office were often instead only seen by a physicians assistant who was not authorized to examine and treat workers compensation patients without Shankmans direct supervision. The indictment alleges that this physician blatantly and greedily ignored standard procedures to operate an illicit medical billing mill while vacationing abroad, said Inspector General Leahy Scott. He profited personally from his conduct while putting honest medical practitioners at a severe disadvantage." Shankman was originally arrested in August of 2017 for $14,000 worth of fraud cases. Tuesdays indictment supersedes last years arrest. He was arraigned in Oneida County Court and released pending the next court date. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)- One West Lafayette Police Department K-9 has some new gear, all thanks to a celebrity donor. Famous journalist Anderson Cooper donated a $2,500 bulletproof vest to WLPD's K-9 unit. The vest is light weight and not as bulky as the department's current ones. It is also custom-fit. This makes the vest more comfortable for the dog, so they are able to wear it for their entire shift and not overheat or get tired. K-9 handler Elizabeth Romstadt says she normally would only put a vest on her K-9, Barry, when she felt it was necessary. But now, Barry will always be protected and prepared. Romstadt says she was shocked when she heard who the donor was. "Just knowing that somebody of that status that I've never met, that I don't think anyone at my department's met, that he would reach out and touch the dog's life and keep him safe when he may never meet Barry," said Romstadt. Cooper donated the vest through a foundation called Spike's K9 fund. It was founded by a retired navy seal whose K-9 was killed overseas in combat. If you would like to learn more about the foundation, or make a donation yourself, click here. LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) Police said the calls have all come from the 1700 block to the 2100 block, and more of half of them ended up being drug related. Neighbors said many people living on Charles Street are elderly people or families with young children, with the exception of a few rental homes in between. If you ask people what it's like to live on Charles Street, most will tell you it's pretty quiet. Kay Pickett has lived there for many years. "I feel safe here, I don't have any qualms about being here," said Pickett. However in the last month, things have gotten a little louder. "There was a lot of people there that night and a lot of noise," said neighbor Margaret Wherle. Over the weekend, she and her husband saw police pull more than ten people out of a house down the street. "I just knew there was something very bad with that many policemen," Wherle said. Of the five calls police responded to in the last thirty days, three were drug related. One of those happened over the weekend when twelve people were arrested. Neighbors think a big issue is the large number of vacant homes and rental properties. They said for the most part they still feel safe in the area. LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The Lafayette Police department has increased its drug-related arrests by 92 percent in the last year. Police say a big reason for the increase in arrests is because of the community. Drug possession and dealing are the leading cause of criminal activity in Lafayette. The Lafayette Police Department has been cracking down on the drug-related crimes. In 2017, drug-related arrests increased from 786 to 1506. That's largely due to the Street Crimes Unit, the Drug Task Force and social media apps. "Once you stop making those low level arrests, you will see crime kind of spiral out of control," said Lt. Scott Galloway. "That's why we have got to have these units still make those minor, drug arrests." Galloway said the Street Crimes Unit is now fully staffed with six officers, one K-9 and one sergeant. Police visibility has also increased now that police officers take their patrol cars home. Nine more officers are expected to be a part of this program by the end of the year. The Crime Prevention Unit has also been fully staffed. That includes two specialists, a sergeant and a lieutenant. Galloway said because of the anonymous tipline and NextDoor, police have been getting more and more tips about drug-related crime. "We may go to that call and it might not be anything," said Galloway. "But maybe later we can add that to a data point and make a case out of it. Sometimes we get cases right away. So keep those calls coming in. That's what is helping is people calling in and making these complaints." NextDoor currently has 11,500 members and it accounts for 26 percent of households in Lafayette. Police encourage neighbors to keep calling in tips or contacting them through apps like NextDoor. Insight grant supports research on 'seismic shift' in international law Evan J. Criddle: A member of the William & Mary Law School faculty since 2013, Criddle is the author of Human Rights in Emergencies and is a co-editor of The Oxford Handbook of Fiduciary Law. W&M Law School photo Photo - of - Hide Caption Professor Evan J. Criddle of William & Mary Law School and Professor Evan Fox-Decent of McGill University Faculty of Law are among the scholars who recently received Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Insight Grants from the government of Canada. The grant will support a five-year research project on the cosmopolitan justice of international law. This is the third SSHRC grant awarded to the professors to support their collaborative research. Criddle and Fox-Decent are co-authors of Fiduciaries of Humanity: How International Law Constitutes Authority (Oxford University Press, 2016). In January, the McGill Law Journal hosted a symposium, which featured the book as a touchstone for discussion by leading scholars. The event was co-sponsored by McGill Universitys Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism, with financial support from SSHRC. The journal will devote a special issue to the proceedings. The professors also are co-editors of Fiduciary Government (with Sung Hui Kim, Paul B. Miller, and Andrew S. Gold), which will be published by Cambridge University Press later this year. Their co-authored articles have been published in leading American and international law journals. The latest project explores what Criddle said is a seismic shift in international law: the recognition that states bear non-voluntary duties to take into account the interests of other states and extraterritorial foreign nationals as they develop their own national laws and policies. We will document how international treaties, customs, and the jurisprudence of international tribunals have enshrined multilateral and cosmopolitan state duties, and we will clarify the historical and theoretical foundations of these duties, he said. We will also explore how recent developments, including the growth of nationalist movements in some parts of the world, are challenging international laws commitment to cosmopolitan justice. A member of the William & Mary Law School faculty since 2013, Criddle is the author of Human Rights in Emergencies (Cambridge University Press, 2016) and is a co-editor of The Oxford Handbook of Fiduciary Law with co-editors Paul B. Miller and Robert H. Sitkoff (Oxford University Press, forthcoming 2018). In addition to his articles with Fox-Decent, Criddles publications have appeared in leading academic journals, including Cornell Law Review, Georgetown Law Journal, Northwestern University Law Review, Texas Law Review, European Journal of International Law and Legal Theory. China News on Women 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 Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. IAEA helps Nigeria plan for new research reactor 13 February 2018 Share A new peer review service has been launched by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to assist member states in the development of infrastructure for nuclear research reactors. The first Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review for Research Reactors (INIR-RR) mission was carried out last week in Nigeria. According to the IAEA, operation of a research reactor requires a national infrastructure - including a legal and regulatory framework - to ensure that national and international obligations are met during planning, design, construction, operation and decommissioning. The INIR-RR review follows the IAEA's 'Milestones Approach', which provides guidance on the preparation of a research reactor project by addressing 19 issues ranging from nuclear safety and security to the fuel cycle, waste management, and funding and financing. "The INIR-RR helps member states identify and address gaps in infrastructure development, in line with international good practices as well as applicable IAEA safety standards and guidance," the Vienna-based agency said. Andrea Borio di Tigliole, head of the research reactor section in the IAEA's Department of Nuclear Energy, said: "While the IAEA previously carried out advisory missions to support member states in embarking on research reactor programmes, the INIR-RR will offer more structured and systematic assistance for assessing and further developing national infrastructure." The first INIR-RR mission was conducted last week in Nigeria at the invitation of the government, which is planning to construct the country's second research reactor. The five-day mission was conducted by the IAEA Departments of Nuclear Energy, Nuclear safety and Security, and Nuclear Science and Applications, and implemented as part of the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme. The mission team, led by Borio, comprised two experts from Argentina and South Korea, as well as four IAEA staff members. The team concluded Nigeria is making "notable progress" in strengthening the infrastructure for a new research reactor, which is expected to begin operation in 2025. The team also made recommendations and suggestions aimed at helping Nigeria to advance infrastructure development, including to finalise the cost assessment and funding strategy and to complete the plan for human resources development. The team also recognised Nigeria's good practice of utilising effectively resources across national organisations involved in the project. Simon Mallam, chairman of the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission, said, "We believe this review will serve Nigeria well as it moves forward with its plans for a new research reactor, which will provide important resources for healthcare, industry, agriculture and human capacity building in the decades to come." Nigeria's first research reactor - a 30 kW Chinese Miniature Neutron Source Reactor similar to units operating in China, Ghana, Iran and Syria - was commissioned at Ahmadu Bello University in 2004. The reactor has been used for the analysis of materials and training. The IAEA is assisting with the conversion of that reactor to low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel and the repatriation of its irradiated high-enriched uranium (HEU) fuel to China. The new, more powerful research reactor will use LEU and be utilised for producing radioisotopes for cancer diagnosis and treatment, industrial applications, and developing skills and competencies as the country pushes forward with plans to introduce nuclear power. Nigeria has been a member of the IAEA since 1964. Faced with rapidly increasing baseload electricity demand, the country's federal government in 2007 approved a technical framework for a nuclear power programme. Nigeria has sought the support of the IAEA to develop plans for up to 4000 MWe of nuclear capacity by 2025. IAEA support has included two missions to Nigeria in 2015, which found the country's emergency preparedness and response framework to be consistent with IAEA safety standards. A ten-day IAEA Integrated Regulatory Review Service peer review mission last year described the country's nuclear regulator, the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, as a "committed" regulatory body working for the continuous improvement of nuclear and radiation safety. Researched and written by World Nuclear News Related topics USA budgets $50 million for Yucca Mountain 13 February 2018 Share The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) proposed budget for fiscal 2019 includes nearly $50 million for work related to the proposed Yucca Mountain repository. President Donald Trump's FY2019 budget request for the Department of Energy (DOE) includes $120 million for Yucca Mountain and an interim storage programme for used nuclear fuel. The $971 million budget the NRC put to Congress focuses on continued efforts to enhance effectiveness and efficiency while supporting its strategic goals and objectives, and includes 149 fewer employees than in FY2018, the agency said yesterday. The budget is nearly $60 million higher than the previous year because of the inclusion $10 million for the development of a regulatory infrastructure for advanced reactors, and $48 million for work related to the proposed Yucca Mountain deep geological repository for the disposal of used nuclear fuel and other high-level radioactive waste. The request also includes $474.8 million for nuclear reactor safety, a total of $183.7 million for nuclear materials and waste safety (including the $48 million to support Yucca Mountain activities) and $299.6 million for corporate support. Some $12.6 million is requested for the Office of the Inspector General, an independent office that conducts audits and investigations to ensure the efficiency and integrity of NRC programmes to promote cost-effective management. "Through our continued focus on operational and administrative efficiency improvements, the agency's budget has decreased more than $80 million, including a reduction of more than 500 FTE [full-time equivalents], since 2014," NRC Chief Financial Officer Maureen Wylie said. "This budget reflects our commitment to fiscal responsibility." The NRC recovers about 90% of its budget from licensee fees - about $815.4 million for FY2019 - so its net appropriation request is for $155 million. Yucca Mountain activities are not fee-recoverable and require resources from the Nuclear Waste Fund, established by Congress in 1982 into which nuclear utilities were required to pay a 0.1 cent/kWh levy to cover final disposal costs of used nuclear fuel. TVA transmission sale The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) said yesterday that a proposal in President Trump's FY2019 budget of selling the authority's transmission assets would require legislation from Congress. The TVA said the transmission assets described in the budget schedule include more than 16,000 miles of line paid for by its customers over the past 85 years and form an integral part of its power system, which has delivered power at 99.999 percent reliability for the past 20 years. "TVA does not receive any funds from the Federal Government, but rather is completely self-funded from its power revenues and the public debt markets, and TVA's obligations are not guaranteed by the Federal Government," it said. The TVA operates the Browns Ferry, Sequoyah and Watts Bar nuclear power plants. The DOE in 2008 submitted to the NRC a construction and operation licence application for Yucca Mountain - designated under US law as the sole site for the country's repository for used nuclear fuel. However, the US Administration decided to abort the project following 2009's presidential election. In August 2013 the federal Appeals Court ordered the NRC to resume its review of the DOE's application. DOE funding Meanwhile, the FY2019 presidential budget request, also unveiled yesterday, includes $30.6 billion to support the DOE. The request covers funding for the maintenance and development of the USA's nuclear arsenal, protecting energy infrastructure from threats including cyberattacks, promoting an "all of the above" energy strategy, and the clean-up of Cold War environmental legacies, as well as scientific research, development, innovation and commercialisation. "The President's budget request supports the Department's efforts to enhance today's energy security while also making strategic investments for tomorrow," Energy Secretary Rick Perry said yesterday, adding that it would "empower" the DOE to achieve its missions "efficiently and effectively". Some $2.515 billion of the DOE budget is earmarked for energy and related programmes - $1.9 billion less than was enacted for FY2018. This includes $120 million for the restart of NRC licensing activities at Yucca Mountain and the establishment of an interim storage program to develop a capability for earlier acceptance of spent nuclear fuel. The US Congress will now begin the process of finalising the appropriations bills that will eventually become law. FY2019 runs from 1 October 2018 to 30 September 2019. Researched and written by World Nuclear News Related topics Officials from the Martin County Water District Board on Saturday informed residents of the eastern Kentucky county that it could take a decade to repair and upgrade the areas infrastructure before they could have access to safe, clean water. Working class residents of the former coal mining area have had no water or only intermittent service for weeks after the countys antiquated and understaffed treatment plant, which was built in the 1960s, and its poorly maintained pumps and pipe system failed due to freezing and bursting lines. The district is currently losing half of its clean water due to leaks. Residents who do have service are complaining of contaminated and smelly water, and the spread of rashes, bringing to mind the public heath disaster that erupted due to the lead poisoning of the water supply in Flint, Michigan. To add insult to injury, the county is implementing a 49 percent increase in water rates. Jared Goforth's appeal You might compare this to Flint, Michigan, Jared Goforth, a local farmer and handyman in Martin County, said in a heartfelt video appeal posted to YouTube. Without clean water, you cant live, you cant have businesses, kids cant go to school. Its flu season and the kids need to wash their hands every time they can. You cant drink from the water fountains and they are giving out bottled water. Dont take for granted if you have clean drinking water for your family, because there are a lot of people who dont. Were not the only county that has trouble, but were in dire need of help and good leadership here in Martin County, Kentucky. I wanted to share this with everybody, so they can understand some of the trouble we are having here in an Appalachia now that the coal industry is gone. There are hardly any coal mines left, people are out of work and they cant afford the water bills that they have now. A week ago, Gary Michael Hunt, a former miner, was accosted by a state trooper and removed from a water district meeting for criticizing officials and demanding clean and safe water for the areas residents. A video of the trooper grabbing Hunt by the throat and threatening him with arrest has been viewed and shared a quarter of a million times. Workers who attended Saturdays meeting told the World Socialist Web Site they were met by the county sheriff and several deputies, along with threats from board officials. The first thing they said was this was not a question and answer meeting and was only to update us, BarbiAnn Maynard told the WSWS. If anyone opened our mouths, they told us, we would be escorted out of the meeting. The officials said they had no maps from before 1991 and had no idea where the pipes could be deteriorating, dry-rotting or busting, Maynard said. It was like finding a needle in a haystack. When someone raised a question, she continued, the cops stared at him, and then the board voted to have a private meeting and they shuffled us out. The sheriff and two cops were standing behind the reporters to see what they were writing. Thats intimidation. Theyre not communicating with peopletheyre being bullies and saying, Its our way or no way. Maynard said area residents were boiling their water like were in a Third World country. Some county residents have water, but its milky white and smells like bleach. I washed my face with it and my eyes were burning. Officials claim the crisis is due to the loss of population in the economically distressed county, which has led to a collapse in revenue and sustainable deficits. I told them, the population is going down because theyre killing people, said Maynard, who said she has been fighting for clean water since 2000, when a coal slurry dam owned by Massey Energy burst, sending 300 million gallons of black sludge down two tributaries of the Tug River. Because of the districts debt load, contractors are providing replacement parts on a cash-only basis. Instead of replacing lines, the district is making its employees work 100 hours a week to take out the old lines, clean them, and stick them back in the ground. Its a band aid and a lollypop, Maynard said. They look like they are doing something, but theyre not fixing the problem. Theyre telling us it will take at least another 10 years. The county treats surface water, which is withdrawn from Crum Reservoir and replenished from the Tug River, which separates eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia. Due to the current crisis, the county has been forced to buy additional treated water from Kermit, West Virginia, whose source is the Tug River Fork. The districts 2016 water quality report acknowledges that these water sources are contaminated by the coal industry, oil and gas industries and that with each rainfall, herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, animal manure and household chemicals are washed from impervious surfaces and other land areas into storm drains, ditches, sinkholes or streams that flow into our nearby waterways. Maynard said her review of water quality reports showed that the county repeatedly exceeded containment limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The county failed tests for two cancer causing chemicals six times in 2005, seven times in 2006, 10 times in 2007, five times in 2008, 14 times in 2009, and 15 times in 2017. Every time the water is up, the creeks that run from where the mines are into the river are a different color, somewhere between a brown and black. I dont know if theyre just leaking or if the mining companies are intentionally leaking it out. When I was young there were catfish in the creeks. Now there is nothing alive in them and there arent as many animals around. My mom got cancer at 29 and died at 49, Maynard said. The cancer rates and dementia rates around here are very high. In a five-mile stretch, 20 people had cancer 10 years ago and the dementia rate is off the charts. I know people get dementia and cancer, but when it is this condensed there has got to be a common denominator. Even our water bills have a warning on the back saying the water may cause cancer. Clean water is a basic human right, she said. Were living in the heart of the billion-dollar coalfields. In five minutes I can walk to two states and three counties; across the Tug River in Mingo County, West Virginia. I had family that was involved in the Matewan Massacre and the fights to unionize in the 1920s and 1930s. People here are not afraid to stand up and voice our opinion. My momma told me to stand your ground and not back down. Gary Michael Hunt told the WSWS, Weve got water but there is almost no pressure in the taps. Hunt told the WSWS that he had worked for Alpha Natural Resources, which bought out the Massey Energy mines in the area, from 2007 until he got hurt in 2013. These companies have made millions and millions but never put anything back. They just put profits before people. Hunt, who recently listened to the WSWS webinar on Organize Resistance to Internet Censorship, denounced the efforts by the government and technology monopolies like Google and Facebook to suppress free speech on the Internet. Comparing these efforts to the police repression of critics like himself and Louisiana school teacher Deyshia Hargrave, who was arrested for speaking out at a local school board meeting, he said, They shouldnt be allowed to censor anybody. The truth is the truth. The pseudo-left organisation Solidarity organised a rally in Melbourne last week, purportedly to oppose a racist government-media campaign against so-called African gangs. The real agenda, however, was to promote the Greens and trade unions, and to cover up the Labor Partys role in the scapegoating of working class youth of African background. The demonstration, held February 4, was attended by about 300 people, with what appeared to be only a small minority of African origin. Solidarity, a group affiliated with the British state capitalist Socialist Workers Party, provided a platform for the Greens and the trade unions. The speakers pushed an amalgam of identity politics and Australian nationalism, and encouraged illusions in the parliamentary establishment and police. Chairing the demonstration, Solidaritys Jasmine Ali opened the event by declaring that the racist campaign had been led by the Liberal government federally and has been backed by Mathew Guy, the state Liberal opposition leader in Victoria. In focussing on the Liberals, Ali deliberately obscured the role of the Labor Party. Federal opposition Bill Shorten has gone along with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbulls attempt to stoke racist hysteria about African gangs, criticising the government only for not allocating more funding to the Australian Federal Police. The state Labor government in Victoria has allocated an unprecedented $2 billion in additional police funding, expanding the number of officers by 20 percent, while at the same time implementing a series of anti-democratic law and order measures that especially target young people, including imprisoning child offenders in adult prisons. A section of the protest Ali introduced Richard Deng of the South Sudanese Community Association, who began by declaring: Id also like to appreciate what the Victorian police are doing. A lot of people dont really recognise what the Victorian police are doing, especially politicians So thank you to Victorian police. His statement underscores the contempt of a layer of self-styled African community leaders for the experiences of youth in Melbournes working class suburbs, who confront racial profiling, harassment, abuse and violence at the hands of the police. The purpose of identity politics, promoted particularly by the pseudo-left, is to push the fiction that there is a unified African community and to subordinate African workers and youth to figures like Deng. In reality, a class gulf divides the many factory and warehouse workers in suburbs like Tarneit, Truganina, and Werribee, and the handful of unelected, middle class community leaders, promoted by the political and media establishment. Dengs effusive tribute to the police evidently provoked some nervousness among the pseudo-left. Ali afterwards declared that it was important to remember that levels of racism are escalating even under our own state government. She issued a perfunctory criticism of police racial profiling and the state Labor governments $2 billion police expansion. The very next speaker, Matt Kunkel of the Victorian Trades Hall Council demagogically denounced the Liberal Party, declaring: Now it is up to us to come together and call the political price on this type of racist speech. In other words, vote Labor in upcoming federal and state elections. Before leading the march to the state Liberal Party office headquarters, the pseudo-left introduced the Greens Samantha Ratnam, a member of the Victorian upper house of parliament. Her address combined identity politics with crass parliamentarianism. I cant wait for the day that our parliament across this country looks more like all of you than what we see in Canberra at the moment, she declared. So, lets work to change the parliament at every level of representation across this country Lets get those Liberals out, lets get all of you into our parliament. In other words, far from addressing the social and political concerns facing African workers and youth, the gathering was little more than an election rally for the Greens and Labor. A new Greens-backed Labor government at the federal level, like the last one, would undoubtedly continue the punitive and oppressive policies of the Liberals towards refugees and immigrants, as well as support law-and-order policies at the state level. The entire rally was aimed at blocking the emergence of an independent movement uniting workers and young people of all races and nationalities, on the basis of a socialist perspective, as fought for by the Socialist Equality Party. (See: SEP forum rallies opposition against racist African gangs campaign in Australia) The authors also recommend: Australian media promotes fascists amid growing racist hysteria over African gangs [16 January 2018] Australian workers, youth speak out against witch-hunt over African gangs [13 January 2018] Australian government promotes racist diversion over so-called African gangs [5 January 2018] The global Zinc Chemicals market was valued at 7471.18 Million USD in 2020 and will grow with a CAGR of 3.22% from 2020 to 2027, based on HNY Research newly published report. GET FREE SAMPLE PDF : https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/7342028-2021-2027-global-and-regional-zinc-chemicals-industry The prime objective of this report is to provide the insights on the post COVID-19 impact which will help market players in this field evaluate their business approaches. Also, this report covers market segmentation by major market verdors, types, applications/end users and geography(North America, East Asia, Europe, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Africa, Oceania, South America). Zinc is a chemical element with symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is the first element in group 12 of the periodic table. Zinc is the 24th most abundant element in Earth`s crust and has five stable isotopes. The most common zinc ore is sphalerite (zinc blende), a zinc sulfide mineral. By Market Verdors: US Zinc GH Chemicals Akrochem Weifang Longda Zinc Industry Bruggemann HAKUSUI TECH American Chemet Zochem Numinor Rubamin Pan-Continental Chemical Toho Zinc Uttam Industries Seyang Zinc Technology Transpek-Silox Rech Chemical TIB-Chemicals REPORT DETAILS: https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/7342028-2021-2027-global-and-regional-zinc-chemicals-industry By Types: Zinc Oxide Zinc Sulfate Zinc Carbonate Zinc Chloride By Applications: Rubber Compounding Agriculture Glass & Ceramics Paint & Coatings Food & Pharmaceuticals Textiles Chemicals Key Indicators Analysed Market Players & Competitor Analysis: The report covers the key players of the industry including Company Profile, Product Specifications, Production Capacity/Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin 2016-2027 & Sales with a thorough analysis of the markets competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors and comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of major market vendors. Global and Regional Market Analysis: The report includes Global & Regional market status and outlook 2016-2027. Further the report provides break down details about each region & countries covered in the report. Identifying its sales, sales volume & revenue forecast. With detailed analysis by types and applications. Market Trends: Market key trends which include Increased Competition and Continuous Innovations. Opportunities and Drivers: Identifying the Growing Demands and New Technology Porters Five Force Analysis: The report provides with the state of competition in industry depending on five basic forces: threat of new entrants, bargaining power of suppliers, bargaining power of buyers, threat of substitute products or services, and existing industry rivalry. ALSO READ: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ultra-fine-electronic-wire-market-research-report-with-size-share-value-cagr-outlook-analysis-latest-updates-data-and-news-2020-2025-2021-07-06 Key Reasons to Purchase To gain insightful analyses of the market and have comprehensive understanding of the global market and its commercial landscape. Assess the production processes, major issues, and solutions to mitigate the development risk. To understand the most affecting driving and restraining forces in the market and its impact in the global market. Learn about the market strategies that are being adopted by leading respective organizations. To understand the future outlook and prospects for the market. Besides the standard structure reports, we also provide custom research according to specific requirements. ALSO READ: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/warp-knitting-machinery-industry-market-research-report-with-size-share-value-cagr-outlook-analysis-latest-updates-data-and-news-2021-2026-2021-07-06 TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 Industry Overview 1.1 Definition 1.2 Assumptions 1.3 Research Scope 1.4 Market Analysis by Regions 1.4.1 North America Market States and Outlook (2022-2027) 1.4.2 East Asia Market States and Outlook (2022-2027) 1.4.3 Europe Market States and Outlook (2022-2027) 1.4.4 South Asia Market States and Outlook (2022-2027) 1.4.5 Southeast Asia Market States and Outlook (2022-2027) 1.4.6 Middle East Market States and Outlook (2022-2027) 1.4.7 Africa Market States and Outlook (2022-2027) 1.4.8 Oceania Market States and Outlook (2022-2027) 1.4.9 South America Market States and Outlook (2022-2027) 1.5 Global Zinc Chemicals Market Size Analysis from 2022 to 2027 1.5.1 Global Zinc Chemicals Market Size Analysis from 2022 to 2027 by Consumption Volume 1.5.2 Global Zinc Chemicals Market Size Analysis from 2022 to 2027 by Value 1.5.3 Global Zinc Chemicals Price Trends Analysis from 2022 to 2027 1.6 COVID-19 Outbreak: Zinc Chemicals Industry Impact ALSO READ: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/shotgun-microphone-market-research-report-with-size-share-value-cagr-outlook-analysis-latest-updates-data-and-news-2021-2028-2021-07-13 Chapter 2 Global Zinc Chemicals Competition by Types, Applications, and Top Regions and Countries 2.1 Global Zinc Chemicals (Volume and Value) by Type 2.1.1 Global Zinc Chemicals Consumption and Market Share by Type (2016-2021) 2.1.2 Global Zinc Chemicals Revenue and Market Share by Type (2016-2021) 2.2 Global Zinc Chemicals (Volume and Value) by Application 2.2.1 Global Zinc Chemicals Consumption and Market Share by Application (2016-2021) 2.2.2 Global Zinc Chemicals Revenue and Market Share by Application (2016-2021) .. continued CONTACT DETAILS : sales@wiseguyreports.com +44 203 500 2763 +1 62 825 80070 971 0503084105 Confidential Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) emails published by the Guardians Sunday sister paper, the Observer, reveal that British prosecutors warned their Swedish counterparts not to drop extradition proceedings against Julian Assange on trumped-up sexual assault allegations as early as 2013. Ever since, the British government has continued its vendetta against the WikiLeaks founder even though Swedish prosecutors finally abandoned their investigation in May 2017 and sought to revoke the European Arrest Warrant against him. The UK is determined to arrest Assange for breaching his bail conditions in 2012 and seeking refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy, where he remains confined, cut off from his family and friends and suffering from mounting health problems. Julian Assange Last week a British court upheld prosecutors demands that Assange be arrested should he try to leave the embassy. Today it is expected to rule on an appeal by his lawyers that the governments actions are disproportionate after so many years (absconding bail typically receives a fine or short jail term) and that the UN has declared Assange to be unlawfully and arbitrarily detained. According to the emails, as soon as Assange took refuge in the embassy the CPS advised Swedish prosecutors not to interview him there. The unknown CPS lawyer, who was dealing with the Assange case and whose name is redacted, told his Swedish counterpart, Marianne Ny, It is simply amazing how much work this case is generating. It sometimes seems like an industry. Please do not think this case is being dealt with as just another extradition. Assange was quite prepared to be questioned about the allegations against him, but he was wary of returning to Sweden, fearing he would end up being extradited to the United States and tried for espionage and treason, crimes carrying a potential death penalty. It is clearer now why the Swedish prosecutors did not take up his offer of being interviewed in London or by a video link. The emails then reveal that in August 2012 the CPS lawyer told Ny, Dont you dare get cold feet!!! in relation to a newspaper article suggesting Sweden was about to drop the case. In October 2013, Ny once more appeared to be considering dropping the case and emailed the CPS lawyer, There is a demand in Swedish law for coercive measures to be proportionate. The time passing, the costs and how severe the crime is to be taken into account together with the intrusion or detriment to the suspect. Against this background, we have found us to be obliged to lift the detention order ... and to withdraw the European arrest warrant. If so this should be done in a couple of weeks. This would affect not only us but you too in a significant way, Ny concluded. The CPS lawyer replied in December 2013, I do not consider costs are a relevant factor in this mattera reference to the Metropolitan Police revealing they had spent over three million pounds by that point on its operation around the Ecuadorian embassy. All we can do is wait and see [and perhaps be eternally grateful that neither of us have to share a room in the embassy with him over Christmas!] The emails are a devastating indictment of the British government, which has played a critical role in the US dirty tricks operation aimed at silencing WikiLeaks and exacting revenge on Assange for having exposed US war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan and its diplomatic intrigues and crimes around the world. They also stand as an indictment of the Guardians own role as cheerleader for the conspiracy undertaken by the US, British and Swedish governments against Assange. At first it selectively published and edited cables released by WikiLeaks that exposed US war crimes and conspiracies, but it quickly turned on Assange, leading attempts to discredit him and demanding his return to Sweden. Britains pseudo-left groups fell into line, echoing the propaganda of the liberal media that the allegations of sexual assault have nothing to do with the campaign to silence Assange and destroy WikiLeaks. For more than a year, the Socialist Workers Party and the Socialist Party refused to defend Assange, finally and briefly breaking their silence to argue that he must face rape charges, or that the accusations against him should be properly investigated. Neither party has printed more than a passing reference to Assange since 2012. The publication of the Observer story has all the elements of a damage limitation exercise on the eve of todays court case. The emails quoted were released on the CPS website (see here and here) in August 2017 as a result of a freedom of information request by the Italian journalist Stefania Maurizi, who had asked for the full correspondence between the CPS and the Swedish Prosecution Authority, Ecuador, the US Department of Justice and US State Department. The CPS only released the correspondence with Sweden saying, On balance, the CPS considered that the public interest factors were in favour of maintaining the exemptions. The publication of other emails it insisted would have a definite and deep chilling effect on relations with Requesting States, that is the US, and would inhibit the ability of the CPS to conduct extradition proceedings. Not only did the CPS refuse to release correspondence with the US administration, but it was also revealed in a court case brought by Maurizi in November 2017 that the CPS had destroyed key emails after the CPS lawyer retired in 2014. To date it is clear only a small fraction of the Assange case file, which the CPS has admitted comprises mainly 55 lever-arch files, one A4 file and a selection of other paper files, has been published. The blatant act of censorship by the Manchester Art Gallery (MAG) in removing John William Waterhouses Hylas and the Nymphs (1896) in late January generated such a public outcry that gallery officials were forced to hang the painting again after seven days. The work depicts a scene from Greek mythology in which Hylas, the young handsome companion of Heracles (Roman Hercules), is surrounded by enchanting nude nymphs looking up from tranquil water. In the myth, Hylas, who came to the spring looking for water, is dragged in by the nymphs and never seen again. John William Waterhouse, Hylas and the Nymphs, 1896 The well-known painting by Waterhouse (1849-1917) was completed when the artist was 47. He was influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, the artistic movement of painters, poets and critics founded in 1848 by William Holman Hunt, John Everett Millais and Dante Gabriel Rossetti. The gallery, in the north west of England, owns numerous paintings produced by this influential movement, with several on display in its renowned Victorian collection. Hylas and the Nymphs, seen and admired by millions of people over the years, was purchased by the gallery the same year Waterhouse painted it. Waterhouses paintings are among the most popular with the public, and his The Lady of Shalott (1888), on permanent display at the Tate Britain, is beloved by many. Hylas and the Nymphs was a popular theme among artists. The prominent late Victorian artist Henrietta R. Rae based a paintingHylas and the Water Nymphson the same myth and motifs in 1909. Henrietta Rae, Hylas and the Water Nymphs, 1909 MAG officials took down the painting on the pretext that its removal was part of an ongoing project with contemporary artist Sonia Boyce, leading up to her one-woman show in March. The gallery website asserted the event was conceived as a take-over of some of the gallerys public spaces by Boyce, to bring different meanings and interpretations of paintings from the gallerys collection into focus, and into life. This included a series of performances, all filmed by Boyces team, addressing issues of race, gender, and sexuality, culminating in the careful, temporary removal of the Waterhouse painting. This is academic double-talk and damage control. Postcards of the Waterhouse painting were also removed from the gift shopall in the name supposedly of bringing the male gaze into question. In the paintings place a blank space was left, with those responsible saying its aim was to prompt conversations about how we display and interpret artworks. This was never a conversation, but an act of censorship, and was recognised as such by hundreds of concerned visitors who left responses on Post-it notes. The gallerys website received nearly 1,000 comments. Gallery visitors looking at the Waterhouse painting after it was rehung Many of the Post-it notes condemned MAGs action. The general flavour of the sentiments can be found in such comments as Hands Off Our Painting, This is censorship, No to censorshipwhat is art without freedom?, Censorship is the thin end of the dictatorship wedge, 1984, Glad to see this beautiful picture upGot a little a scared it may be books rejected next, Feminism Gone MadIm Ashamed to be a Feminist and Its the peoples gallery, not the directors. This past weekend, more than a week after the painting was restored, gallery visitors were still surrounding the picture with Post-it notes. A Manchester Art Gallery visitor sticks a Post-it near the restored painting Philip Dantes, a writer and poet, sent a tweet to MAG and Boyce, with Raes painting attached, that read, The same scene, painted in the same period, by a woman, Henrietta R. Rae, who, according to Christies, saw herself primarily as a painter of classical themes with a strong emphasis on the female nude. He added, [P]erhaps artists find inspiration in beauty, sensuality and the human form irrespective of their gender. Local artist Michael Browne said, I dont like the replacement and removal of art and being told thats wrong and this is right. Liz Prettejohn, professor of history of art at the University of York, who curated a major Waterhouse retrospective at the Royal Academy in London in 2009, told BBC News, This is a painting that people love and the most ridiculous thing is the claim that somehow its going to start a debate to take it out of public view. Hylas and the Nymphs normally hangs in a room titled, In Pursuit of Beauty. During the process of removing the painting, Clare Gannaway, the gallerys curator, said the rooms name was a bad one: For me personally, there is a sense of embarrassment that we havent dealt with it sooner Weve collectively forgotten to look at this space and think about it properly. She told the Guardian that the #MeToo and Times Up movements were in mind when the decision to remove the Waterhouse was made. These are the words and actions of a censor-in-chief and not those of a responsible curator. #MeToo has served as a means of attacking elementary democratic rights, including the denial of due process and presumption of innocence. The Guardians editorial board played a critical role in endorsing or apologising for the taking down of the painting, giving ample space to voices supporting it. In a wretched editorial, Hylas and the Nymphs: not censorship, published after the painting was back in place, the Guardian commented cynically, Taking down a Waterhouse for a week need not send anyone to the barricades. While arguing that in the painting, The women are the predators, not Hylas, it continued, At the same time, the painting clearly invites the viewer to enjoy the nymphs naked breasts, while betraying more than a little anxiety about female sexuality. The anxiety referred to is that of the editorialists alone. The reference to the male gaze is an ahistorical, moralising approach to art history in keeping with academic postmodernism. It contributes absolutely nothing to our understanding of the social context in which a work was produced or its objective value. No artist jumps out of his or her own skin. But such operations as those undertaken by the Manchester Art Gallery are misguided and reactionary attempts to project middle-class identity politics back into art history and straighten out the latter in accordance with the outlook of contemporary feminists and others. If triumphant, the results would be ghastly. Why stop with Waterhouse? Why not remove every female (or male) nude from galleries and museums? Many of them no doubt reflect troubling and voyeuristic tendencies. Nothing good can possibly come from attempting to ban or regulate appreciation of the human form by artists of either gender in past or present work. The notion that such appreciation is reprehensible, whether it involves detached aesthetic appreciation or even an overt and carnal desire to portray the form in question, is an offense against the history of art and humanity itself. The number of works of art that could be denounced and taken down on this basis by the new puritans is truly frightening. Even a Guardian column opposing the removal of the painting, by Jonathan Jones, accommodated itself in philistine fashion to the censors, ignorantly referring to Waterhouse as a kinky old Victorian perv who has his right to paint soft-porn nymphs. When the painting was again hung, the Guardian referred to it in its headline as soft porn in reference to Jones description. Fellow columnist Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett expanded on the theme, writing of the Waterhouse painting, No, of course, I wouldnt ban it, just as I wouldnt ban filthy old pervert Degas and his pre-teen ballerinas. But I would like to see it as part of an exhibition that interrogates why so much of our artistic energy as a society has been devoted to sexually objectifying young girls. This prudish idiocy passes itself off as the latest in aesthetic and social commentary. In fact, this type of contextualising, in which identity politics watchdogs determine what the public may or may not see, has more than a whiff of the Nazi campaign against degenerate art. In late 2017, an online petition was circulated urging the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York to remove or contextualise Therese Dreaming (1938), a painting by the Polish-French artist Balthus. Launched by a human resources professional at a finance company, the petition argued that the work depicts a young girl in a sexually suggestive pose. It too demanded that the museum censor the work, by either removing the piece from that particular gallery, or providing more context in the paintings description. On that occasion, the Met refused to take the painting down. However, it too spoke about an opportunity for conversation. The next stage in this conversation was a more successful act of censorshipthe removal of Hylas and the Nymphs. The broad public opposition to MAGs shameful censorship and the identity politics agenda that informs it is a positive development. There should be no concessions made to political and social reactionaries masquerading as progressives who have only repression and conformity to offer. The Senate voted 97-1 yesterday to open debate on legislation to revamp the US immigration system and address the legal status of 1.8 million young undocumented immigrants who are either beneficiaries of or eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The program, which shields from deportation young undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children, was terminated last fall by President Trump, who set a March 5 date for the termination to take effect. Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan has given no firm pledge to start debate on immigration and DACA in the lower chamber, saying he will do so only if the proposed bill is backed by President Trump, who is demanding a further buildup of border security and immigration police and prisons, along with sharp reductions in legal immigration. Immigrants could wish for no worse group of people to determine their fates than the 535 corporate hacks and military-intelligence stooges who make up the United States Congress. The strongest warning must be made: there is no possibility of a positive outcome from the debate in Washington. There are two alternatives: either no agreement is reached, leaving hundreds of thousands of immigrant youth to face deportation, or a deal is worked out that tightens restrictions on immigration, separates immigrants from their families, and further militarizes the border, causing thousands more to die in search of a better life. The tone will be set Tuesday when debate begins on Republican senators Tom Cotton and David Perdues proposal, which is a Senate version of Trumps plan to cut legal immigration by 22 million over the next several decades. The plan requires that DACA recipients and DACA-eligible youth sign their own deportation orders as a precondition for entering a 12-year path to citizenship, during which applicants will face deportation unless they are in the military, employed or in school. They will also be ineligible for social benefits during the entire period. The Democratic Party is in complete agreement with this framework. Its representatives are using the debate to engage in one of the most cynical political operations in recent memory. Although the Democrats have already agreed to the most right-wing elements of Trumps immigration proposal, they are posturing as defenders of immigrants so as to avoid a catastrophic drop-off in electoral support from Latino voters. This was on display last week when House Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi gave an eight-hour speech from the House floor to oppose the Senate budget deal on the grounds that it provided no protection for DACA recipients, also referred to as Dreamers. We have no right to talk about Dreamers and to tell their stories and take pride in their actions unless we are willing to take action to support them, Pelosi said in her speech. But the New York Times noted Monday: Ms. Pelosi now says she wanted it [the budget deal] to pass all along. We had a great bill; we got everything, she said in an interview Friday, adding, Republicans gave away the store. Pelosi thereby admitted that her speech was nothing more than a dishonest public relations stunt made long after she had helped ensure the bill would pass without protection for DACA recipients. The real line of the Democratic Party, behind the vacuous references to the importance of immigrants, was expressed by Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, who told a New York radio station, On the wall [Trumps border wall with Mexico], we would be willing to be flexible on border security. Referring to electronic trip wires and military equipment used by the border patrol to capture, arrest and deport immigrants seeking refuge in the US, Blumenthal said, There are ways to be bipartisan ... in devising solutions to make our borders more secure using surveillance and censors, better training for agents." He added that "strengthening some of the physical structures and fences is also a Democratic proposal. Democratic Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer echoed this sentiment yesterday when he said, We have long supported effective border security, adding, the key is to find a consensus bill largely acceptable to a significant number of members in both parties. It is possible that a sufficient number of Senate Democrats will support an extreme right-wing proposal put forward by the Republicans to secure its passage without requiring most Democrats to vote yes. Sixty votes are required to pass a bill out of the Senate, and these ten Democrats plus the 51 Republicans would make 61. In January, five Democrats voted with the Republicans to pass the first budgetary continuing resolution, including Doug Jones, Joe Donnelly, Heidi Heitkamp, Joe Manchin and Claire McCaskill. The latter fourplus six other Democratsare up for reelection in 2018 in states Trump carried in 2016. Manchin even opposed criticism of Trumps January remark calling for harsher restrictions on shithole countries in the Caribbean and Africa. Another possibility is that a bipartisan group of senators will pass a moderate bill that is, in reality, anything but. Multiple proposals have been advanced by different pairs of senators, each accepting calls for more militarization of the border and long, onerous pathways to citizenship for DACA recipients. Whatever is passed in the Senate will then be transformed into an even more anti-immigrant bill in the House, where Republicans have more than the bare majority required to pass legislation. Each time Democrats and Republicans have taken up immigration reform legislation, the outcome has been disastrous for immigrants. In 1996, Congress passed the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act by bipartisan margins of 72-27 in the Senate and 278-127 in the House. This bill authorized construction of a border wall, established reentry bans, dramatically expanded the types of crimes that make immigrants deportable, and sanctioned the jailing of deportees for two years without a court hearing and without a lawyer. Democrats voting yes included Harry Reid, Dianne Feinstein, Steny Hoyer, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Joseph Kennedy II and Elijah Cummings. That same year, Congress passed the Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act by 91-8 in the Senate and 293-133 in the House. This placed major restrictions on asylum applications and stripped federal courts of jurisdiction over many habeas corpus petitions. Democrats voting yes included Joseph Biden, Barbara Boxer, John Kerry, Richard Durbin, Carl Levin, James Clyburn and Charles Schumer. In 2005, the REAL ID Act passed Congress by a 99-0 margin in the Senate and 261-161 in the House. This bill placed further restrictions on asylum seekers, facilitated speedy deportations and waived laws blocking construction of a border wall. Democrats voting yes included Schumer, Reid, Boxer, Biden, Edward Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Debbie Stabenow. In 2006, Congress passed the Secure Fences Act by margins of 80-19 in the Senate and 283-138 in the House. The bill funded construction and militarization of the border. Democratic yes voters included Stabenow, Obama, Clinton and Ron Wyden. The fact that Donald Trump holds the threat of an executive veto over the proceedings makes it all the more certain that any deal to emerge from this xenophobic legislative body will be a further milestone in the assault on immigrants and democratic rights in the US. In two recent speeches, Mark Butler, the Australian Labor Partys national president, presented a devastating portrait of the accelerating disintegration of membership and support for both the Labor Party and the trade unions. Butlers remarks point to a growing fear in ruling circles of the deepening hostility in the working class toward these twin institutions, which have been central to subordinating workers to the profit system since the 1890s, particularly during periods of crisistwo world wars and the 1930s Great Depression. Over the past four decades, Labor governments and the unions have systematically suppressed workers struggles, as they presided over the greatest-ever transfer of wealth from the working class to the financial elite. From apparatuses that propped up Australian capitalism by gaining limited concessions, in terms of wages and conditions, they have become industrial policemen for tearing apart jobs, wages and conditions to satisfy the dictates of globally-mobile finance capital. Addressing the Victorian Fabian Society on January 22, Butler said the partys membership of 50,000 had disturbingly declined by more than 6 percent since a peak in 2015. In a country of 25 million people, it could not credibly claim to be a mass-membership party. Butler emphasised that Labors primary vote in the 2016 federal election was less than 35 percent, only 1.3 points higher than the record low of 2013, when the last Labor government was defeated in a landslide. The partys Senate vote was even worseit dropped below 30 percent for the first time since 1903. In a second speech, delivered to the Australian Institute on February 2, Butler noted that after a collapse in union numbers in the 1990s, the membership had dived again over the past five years. It had reached a threshold we regarded years ago as existentially threateningunder 10 percent of the private sector workforce. For workers aged under 25, the rate was just 5 percent. Butler recalled that when he first became a union official in 1992, membership was still running at about 40 percent of the workforce, having dropped from levels exceeding 50 percent in the mid-1970s. As a long-time factional powerbroker, Butler epitomises these organisations. He was installed as party president in 2015 as the Labor Left factions candidate. Currently Labors shadow minister for climate change and energy, he has been a member of Labors central decision-making body, the national executive, since 2000. Before being hoisted into parliament in 2007, in the working-class electorate of Port Adelaide, he was a union bureaucrat for 15 yearsfrom the age of 22. For more than a decade, from 1996 to 2007, he was the South Australian state secretary of the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union, which was rebadged in 2011 as United Voice. For his services, Butler was quickly promoted. Between 2009 and 2013, he was appointed a highly-paid parliamentary secretary, then a minister in the last Labor government. Butler is the second Labor politician to sound the alarm this year. At the end of January, federal parliamentary Labor leader Bill Shorten warned of the mounting scorn felt among millions of people toward the major parties and the parliament as a whole. Shorten called for a bipartisan mission with the ruling Liberal-National Coalition to restore faith in parliament. What Shorten and Butler could not mention is why support for Labor and the unions has haemorrhaged so dramatically. That is because they are committed to intensifying the pro-business policies that have led to the implosion. In his Fabian Society speech, Butler warned: Respect for the major parties is running at historically low levels. But he denied this was a lack of respect for our ideas and our policies. On the contrary, he lauded the power of Labors ideas, claiming: Labor holds a unique position in Australian society as the principal protector of a fair go for all. In reality, the Hawke and Keating Labor governments of the 1980s and 1990s, working closely with the trade unions, began the restructuring of Australian capitalism to make it internationally competitive at the direct expense of the working class. Through prices and incomes Accords and Australian Reconstructed partnerships with the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), the Labor and union leaders suppressed workers resistance to the elimination of tens of thousands of jobs, the imposition of casualisation and privatisation, the driving down of wages and the tearing up of hard-won rights and conditions. From 1992, the Keating government and the ACTU deepened this offensive via the imposition of enterprise bargaining, which atomised workers into individual workplaces, tied their jobs and conditions to the profits of their separate employers, and outlawed all industrial action outside narrow bargaining periods. The Rudd and Gillard governments of 2007 to 2013, again working with the unions, took this assault to new levels, including by enforcing the destruction of thousands more jobs in basic industries, and imposing market-driven regimes in education, health and disability services. Butler told the Fabians that the problem was Labors lack of organisational reform, which left it in the grips of self-appointed factional warlords. He declared he would fight for changes at Labors next national conference in July. His main proposal was to try to mimic the British Labour Party by creating a new category of registered supporter, giving some voting rights to individuals who did not want to become full members. Butler assured his audience this could be achieved without adopting British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyns hard-Left agenda, because the ALPs Moderate voice was better organised than their British equivalents. The truth is that Corbyns left leadership, which continually prostrates itself to the openly right-wing acolytes of Tony Blair, represents a desperate effort to head-off a leftward movement of workers and youth. Butler made similar pledges to democratise the party when running for party president in 2015. He echoed promises from Shorten, who said in 2014, we must rebuild as a membership-based party and declared his ambition to have 100,000 members. Far from democratising this hollowed-out organisation, such changes only seek to free the parliamentary leadership from the influence of factional and sectional interests to make it more malleable for the business elite. Likewise, Butlers solution to the demise of the unions is to introduce a Californian-style bargaining fee. This would compel non-union members to pay, via the enterprise bargaining system, for enjoying the benefits of union-negotiated wages and conditions. He also suggested adopting German-style Works Councils, which would make the unions full partners in the companies whose workers they police. Butlers bargaining fee plan would mean trying to dragoon all workers, especially the young workers who see no benefit from joining these corporatised organisations, into financing apparatuses that are working continually against their interests. The central pillar of Butlers speech to the Australian Institute was to shore up enterprise bargaining, for the benefit of Australian capitalism. He hailed the 1990s shift to enterprise bargaining as heavily driven by a desire to lift productivity in manufacturing workplaces after the dramatic industry restructuring exercises of the 1980s and in the face of growing global competition. It was, he said, a clever policy response which has served large parts of our economy very well. Butlers two speeches were given against a backdrop of ever-more glaring social inequality, deteriorating working and living conditions, growing concerns about the dangers of war, and indications that the pent-up anger in the working class could erupt in major industrial battles. His remarks are warning of the preparations underway to refashion the Labor Party and unions as the key mechanism to combat the unrest. An explosion ripped through the Monacillo power plant outside of San Juan, Puerto Rico Sunday night, causing large-scale blackouts in the capital city. More than 175,000 residents temporarily lost power. The San Juan International airport, the University of Puerto Ricos San Juan college and Centro Medico, the regions largest hospital, were all left without power for several hours. There were no reported casualties from the explosion. While the cause of the explosion is still unknown Angel Figueroa Jaramillo, union leader for the Puerto Rican Electrical Power Authority (PREPA), told reporters that a breaker should have prevented the blackout and that it was too early to determine if mechanical failure was the problem given the decrepit state of the islands power plants. Sundays blackout illustrates the precarious state of the electrical infrastructure in Puerto Rico nearly five months after Hurricane Maria destroyed the islands power grid, plunging the entire country into darkness and worsening the already impoverished conditions that the majority of Puerto Ricos citizens live in. To date, 30 percent of the island is still without power, encompassing some 1 million people. Where power has been restored, primarily in the urban areas, it is unreliable and subject to failure. The power plant explosion occurred in the wake of the announcement by the islands governor, Ricardo Rossello, that his government would seek to privatize PREPA, the largest public utility company in the United States. In June of last year, the utility had already filed for a form of bankruptcy protection under Title III of the Promesa law, a law passed by Congress in 2016 to impose austerity measures upon the islands population and ensure the payments of its debts to Wall Street. To carry out this task the law created an unelected eight-person body known as the Financial Oversight and Management Board. Staffed by bankers and other social parasites who had driven the island to insolvency through various deals with hedge funds and wealthy investors, the board voted in June of last year to sell PREPA to private interests. Sundays incident will undoubtedly be used to bolster the governors argument that the islands electricity needs can be better served by private business interests. The privatization of PREPA has been a long-held goal of Puerto Ricos elite and the Wall Street interests they represent and serve. Just as on the mainland, and throughout the world, publicly held utilities and their potential to generate vast profits through providing the vital necessities of lifeclean water, electricity, trash removal, etc.are an irresistible target for the capitalist class. Natural disasters are used frequently as the pretext for the transfer of publicly held assets to the private sector. Hurricane Maria was the catalyst for the sell-off, the groundwork for which has been laid by years of under-funding, corruption, and mismanagement. It is a widely held belief among Puerto Ricos electrical workers that the disrepair of the system is the outcome of a deliberate policy intended to smooth the transition to privatization. An examination of the state of repair of the islands electrical infrastructure supports this belief. The average age of power plants in Puerto Rico is 44 years, more than twice the industry average of 18 years. The workforce has been steadily diminished in recent years, from 8,628 workers in 2012 to 6,042 in 2017.Years ago PREPA abandoned a regular maintenance program as too costly, instead opting to make repairs when equipment became damaged. The utility also holds $9 billion dollars of debt, the largest portion of the bankrupt islands $74 billion dollar debt. There have also been indications that the directors of PREPA have deliberately slowed recovery efforts post-Maria. In January, the Intercept published an article describing the armed seizure by FEMA and the US Army Corp of Engineers of a warehouse in Palo Seco, owned by PREPA, where the utility company had been hoarding equipment used in repairing the power grid. Discovered in the raid were hundreds of high tension steel sleeves, which are required to build new power lines along with 2,875 pieces of critical material to contractors. USACE and FEMA reportedly started distributing the seized equipment to contractors immediately, and the story was buried by the media. In addition to hoarding needed equipment, PREPA has also come under criticism for its corrupt contracting process. Most notably, they awarded a $300 million no-bid contract for repairs to Whitefish Energy, a company of two employees founded in 2015 with connections to the Trump administration. The founder of the company, Andy Techmanski is close friends with the Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke. Whitefishs primary investor, HBC Investments, was founded by Joe Colloneta, a major donor to the 2016 Trump campaign. The no-bid contract was awarded due to an executive order issued by Rossello in the aftermath of Maria, which lifted all standard processes and restrictions for awarding government contracts. Included in the contract was a clause that prohibited government auditors from examining the labor costs and profits from the project. Rossello was forced to cancel the contract after news reports detailing its corruption became widespread and resulted in public outrage. Among the more notable discoveries was that Whitefish was charging PREPA $319 per hour for its linemen, roughly 17 times what linemen in Puerto Rico earn. Meanwhile, PREPAs subcontractors, who had been recruited from several large Florida utility companies, were paid $63 per hour, just one-fifth of the total per hour charged by Whitefish to the government of Puerto Rico. The FBI is said to be investigating the awarding of the contract. The drive toward privatization and the austerity measures imposed by the Financial Oversight and Management Board will deepen the social crisis that Puerto Rican workers have suffered under for years. The US colony has been in recession for the last 11 years and 45 percent of the islands population lives below the poverty line. Many Puerto Ricans, facing unendurable hardship, have migrated to the mainland, a process that has greatly accelerated since the hurricane. An estimated 300,000 Puerto Ricans have made the move to Florida alone. Pennsylvania's Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has vetoed a proposed map of Republican-redrawn congressional districts, arguing the map is "a partisan gerrymander" ahead of Thursday's deadline. Pennsylvania's Supreme Court ruled in January that the state's congressional maps must be redrawn this year. The court threw out the Republican-drawn 2011 congressional map, ruling that districts "clearly, plainly and palpably" violate the state's constitution. "The analysis by my team shows that, like the 2011 map, the map submitted to my office by Republican leaders is still a gerrymander," Wolf said in a statement Tuesday. "Their map clearly seeks to benefit one political party, which is the essence of why the court found the current map to be unconstitutional." A new map must be passed in the state legislature, which is controlled by Republicans, and signed into law by Wolf by Thursday, the court said. If that doesn't happen, the court said it will then draft a new map itself, using input from both parties. The redrawing holds ramifications for the upcoming midterm elections. Republicans currently hold 12 of the state's 18 congressional districts (one is vacant pending a special election next month), but Democrats are targeting four districts this fall as they seek to flip 24 seats and retake control of the US House. New maps could shift the partisan makeup of several districts in Democrats' favor. CBS NEWS - A second-grade teacher from Texas has died from complications of the flu. Thirty-eight-year-old Heather Holland fell ill with the flu about two weeks ago and was prescribed antiviral medication to treat her symptoms. But when she saw the $116 price tag, she decided it was too high a cost, CBS DFW reports. "It's principle with her. She's a very frugal person in general, always has been," her husband Frank Holland told the Wall Street Journal. He told the newspaper he bought the medication himself when he learned she'd refused to fill the prescription. "I made her start taking it," he said. But Heather's condition worsened. "Friday night, things escalated and she ended up in the ICU," Frank Holland told the Weatherford Democrat. "The doctors got the blood cultures back and they had to put her on dialysis early Saturday." Heather Holland died on the morning of Feb. 4. Her death comes as hospitals nationwide are seeing record numbers of patients with the flu. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says this year's flu season has been dominated by H3N2, a particularly nasty strain which is linked to more severe illnesses. "Unfortunately, more deaths are likely to happen" over the next few weeks, CDC Acting Director Dr. Anne Schuchat said at a briefing Friday. Antiviral drugs like Tamiflu (oseltamivir) can reduce the severity and duration of flu symptoms somewhat if taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, but they are not an immediate cure. 6 things you can do right now to help prevent the flu Holland taught second grade at Ikard Elementary School in Weatherford, Texas. Former student Mary Grace Foster, 16, explained the impact Holland had on her. "She saw I was kind of a shy, scared kid I acted out a little bit," Foster told CBS DFW. "I would describe Mrs. Holland as someone who really tried hard with me, through everything. All my issues, all my episodes." Foster's mother Lindsay said she was shocked by the news of Holland's death. "You think it's just going to be someone who's elderly with a secondary issue not someone who was young and healthy and vibrant," she said. She remembers Holland as someone who inspired many students over the years. "I am certain it wasn't just my child. She was 'that' kind of teacher. She just had a heart for teaching and a heart for students. She truly cared about the kids she came in contact with education was her calling," said Lindsay Foster. A school official said that custodians have been deep-cleaning the district's schools since December in order to protect students and staff members from this particularly nasty flu season. The school district used Holland's death as a chance to remind everyone about taking steps to avoid the flu, including: Cover your mouth and nose with your inner elbow or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing. - Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth. - Wash your hands often, with soap and water. - Don't share cups, water bottles or eating utensils. 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Twenty-two percent of Vigo County kids are living in poverty according to new research. A closer look shows Black and Hispanic children are more likely to be poor than white children. People gathered Monday night to talk about several problems impacting the Black community including economic disparities. The public forum was entitled "Wake Up" and speakers addressed issues like criminal justice reform and political engagement. They say racial and economic inequalities are evident and impacting adults and kids. Research from the 2018 Kids Count Data Book, released by the Indiana Youth Institute, shows Black children are three times more likely to live in poverty compared to their white peers. Overall, the Hoosier state ranks 31st in the nation for children living in poverty. Pastor Dwayne Malone says it's part of a larger problem. He says there is a lack of opportunity. "Sony closing, that eliminates a lot of our jobs and so hopefully if we are able to invest in our community, we can create those jobs." Another community leader says more must be done to also protect financial support programs. Pastor Terry Clark says, "Feeding one's family is probably the hallmark of keeping families stable and keeping families together so that's why these safety nets that are in place are really required." People at the forum say the Black community is under-represented in many areas and that will not change until individuals start getting involved. TJ Hellman says, "Come into that first community meeting or having that first discussion with your neighbor or having that first letter you write, each one of those things builds on each other and it becomes a thing where you start to gain power as a community and start to believe in ourselves as a community to make changes that we need to make." Public forums like this will be held every other month. The next event is April 19th at the Vigo Public Library at 6pm. Vigo County Schools, taxes and elections will be discussed. Monday night's event included a voter registration drive. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - A freak accident at a local church daycare lands one child in the hospital. It happened January 23rd at 4:47 p.m. Its a date and time that will always stick out in mother Leaerin Fortners mind. That's when she called 9-1-1 as her little boy was badly hurt at daycare. Fortner was just showing up to the daycare to pick up her four sons. She recalls, "I immediately hear, 'Don't climb on that, get off of there!' followed by two pretty terrifying crashes." The scary situation would unfold in minutes. Fortner says, "I see my oldest child who is 10, standing, holding this foldable stage, he's holding it up and his leg is underneath it and I see blood. I get over there and start to lift it off of what Im assuming is my oldest child." But to Leaerin's horror, she finds her 8-year-old, Jon Porter, pinned under the stage's frame. The mother recalls, "Hes screaming to get off his head, his head hurts, he's throwing his legs. You know he's not meaning to, but he's probably kicked me in the face 20 times by now." After Leaerin's call to 9-1-1, Jon is taken by ambulance to Terre Haute Regional Hospital. She says, "I didn't know what was going on because I hadn't actually got to talk to the doctor yet. I had just heard we were getting airlifted to Riley (Hospital for Children in Indianapolis), and the doctor comes in and tells me he's got a decompressed skull fracture, where the skull is pushing on his brain." Later that night, Jon underwent surgery to pull the skull back into place and set it with screws and plates. Leaerin says doctors are hopeful his skull will repair itself, (there are still soft spots), but in young children, it can go either way. She says, "He has physical therapy twice a week, he will start speech therapy this week. With it being an injury to the right side of his brain and it being so close to his motor functions, there's a possibility that the left side motor skills will be damaged. Which is scary, because hes left-handed." If it's one thing she's learned from this experience, it's to talk to your children about being aware of their surroundings. The mother says, "I never thought I would need to sit down and tell my children, 'Look around you. If there's something that can fall on you, don't play by it.' You think somebody would be watching to tell your child that." News 10 reached out to the church where Jons daycare is held, and they didn't want to comment on the accident. Between surgery, therapies, ambulance rides, hospital stays, and travel, the medical bills are piling up fast. Fortner says the issue now is the church's insurance. She says, "Basically what it boils down to is they've told us, 'Your child is on Medicaid. So, Medicaid will cover it, we don't need to.' And it's not Medicaid's job at this point to cover this injury. This is their expense." What Fortner is saying is the insurance company wants the taxpayers to foot the bill. Until Fortner can get things sorted out with the insurance company, she says her family is in need of financial help. A Go Fund Me page is set up in Jons honor if you'd like to donate to cover his medical expenses. You can find it by clicking here. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - You can help kids at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, feel brave this month of February. Its in honor of Colton Murray. Many people came to know and love Colton through the social media hashtag #ColtonStrong. Here in this picture, you see Colton wearing a brave gown. The gowns have prints that are inspirational, fun and help children in the hospital have strength. In honor of Colton, you can donate $30. Click here to visit the BraveGowns.com website. There, you can gift a gown to brighten up a childs day in the hospital. Just make sure at checkout, to use #ColtonStrong. To stay in touch with the Colton family as they continue fundraising efforts and to raise awareness, go to the Colton Strong Heart Warrior Facebook page by clicking here. https://www.facebook.com/ColtonStrongHeartWarrior/ February is also CHD awareness month. It's the abbreviation for Congenital Heart Defect. VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - New business opportunities could be coming to Vigo County's east side. More specifically, the town of Seelyville. On Tuesday, News 10 spoke with Town Manager Brent Spier. He told us "a rather big topic will be discussed at tonight's (Tuesday's) town meeting." Spier says Saturn Petcare is interested in moving into the former Kellogg's Snacks Plant. He said a tax abatement for that business will be discussed, The meeting is open to the public for comment. It will be held on Tuesday night in the Seelyville Town Hall. It starts at 6:00. BRAZIL, Ind. (WTHI)- With several tragic reports of the flu this year, people are eager to find an answer to prevent the flu. Doctors recommend washing your hands and taking Vitamin C to combat the flu. Now, people are turning to a new trend on social media. There's advice circulating online that suggests a home remedy could be the answer to keep you from catching the deadly virus. Lynn Hostetler, a local pharamacist, thinks this flu season has gotten a lot of attention. "I think there is a lot of hype," Hostetler said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report everyone and everywhere is trying to fight off the flu. Hostetler says taking Vitamin D is one way to fight the virus. "When you keep your Vitamin D levels up, that keeps your immune system up," Hostetler said. Posts on social media say antibiotic ointment could help reduce your chances of getting the flu. The post suggest to apply a thin layer of the ointment with a cotton swab in each nostril at least once a day. "My present knowledge and what I've read about it, it's probably not that great of a thing," Hostetler said. Hostetler says this particular remedy is not true. "The antibiotic ointment only works against bugs and not viruses," he said. He says the ointment is mean't to combat things from the environment that are bacterial. And, the flu is viral. Hostetler says an alternative to the antibiotic ointment is Aqua Gel. For about $6, he says this water-based product helps moisturize your nose. "It keeps viruses from coming through," Hostelter said. And, if you are lucky enough to get the flu, he says lozenges containing Zinc can help ease symptoms. "They reduce the length of the cold by about half," Hostetler said. The flu vaccine and washing your hands remain the best lines of defense. BRANDON, Miss. (AP) A man convicted in Kansas of attempted murder and other charges during a series of crimes in several states has been brought back to Mississippi to face murder charges. Rankin County District Attorney Michael Guest said Monday that authorities went to Kansas last week and brought Alex Deaton back to Mississippi on Friday. Guest said he hopes to try Deaton late this summer on charges of murder, drive-by shooting and motor vehicle theft. For now, Deaton is being held without bail in the Rankin County jail. Guest said he didn't know if Deaton has a lawyer for the Mississippi charges. Authorities believe a series of violent crimes that stretched for more than 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) began in the suburbs of Mississippi's capital city on Feb. 22, 2017. Officials believe Deaton strangled his girlfriend, 30-year-old Heather Robinson, and stole her SUV. The next day, Deaton shot Brenda Pinter to death as she was cleaning a rural church near Philadelphia, authorities said. Deaton also faces a first-degree murder charge in Neshoba County, and he was indicted in Rankin County for shooting and wounding a jogger near Robinson's apartment after Pinter's death. Deaton resurfaced Feb. 28 near Albuquerque, New Mexico. He faces an 11-count indictment in Sandoval County there for trying to kidnap two teenage hikers. Authorities say he shot one of them and stole a car. Before dawn the next morning, Deaton robbed and stole a car from a convenience store clerk in Pratt, Kansas. He pleaded guilty in July to attempted first-degree murder and aggravated robbery there, and was sentenced in October to nearly 13 years in prison. Deaton faces a possible life sentence on the murder charge, plus up to another 30 years on the drive-by-shooting if convicted in Mississippi. Guest said his goal is to make sure Deaton never leaves prison. Robinson's mother and other family members sat in the audience as Guest spoke to reporters Monday, with the mother cradling Robinson's red-covered Bible, which Guest said he gave back to the family. Relatives declined to speak to reporters. OXFORD, Miss. (WTVA) -- A jury in Lafayette County Circuit Court has reportedly found a man guilty of capital murder in the shooting death of an Ole Miss graduate student. The Oxford Eagle reports the verdict came Tuesday during a brief trial at the Lafayette County Courthouse. Steven Wilbanks, 27, is on trial in the robbery and shooting death of Zacharias McClendon in December of 2013. McClendon was found dead of a gunshot wound at his home on County Road 140 after his mother notified deputies she was not able to get in touch with him. Joseph Lyons, 24, of Houston, Texas and Derrick Boone, 27, of Laurel have already pleaded guilty to capital murder in his death. Wilbanks testified at Boone's trial the three planned the robbery while high on drugs and said Boone intended to shoot McClendon. The newspaper reports the sentencing phase in the Wilbanks trial will begin Wednesday. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - It's official: Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum and Republican house speaker Richard Corcoran's debate will be televised on Feb. 13. According to Gillum's campaign, the 45 minute debate will be televised on Tuesday, February 13. BREAKING: @richardcorcoran & @AndrewGillum have agreed to debate each other next Tuesday, Feb. 13, on #SanctuaryCities. @fineout & I will moderate the event on behalf of @FLPressCorps from @FLInternetTV's Tallahassee studios. More info soon on how to watch! #flapol Troy Kinsey (@TroyKinsey) February 6, 2018 Speaker Corocran finally agreed to defend his 'racist' and 'fear mongering' TV ad in a live debate against Mayor Gillum, the most outspoken critic of the ad and the most progressive candidate for Florida Governor," said Geoff Burgan, the communications director for Gillum's governor campaign. "Mayor Gillum stood up to Speaker Corcoran because he believes in a welcoming and safe Florida for all people as opposed to Corocran's Florida, where immigrants are depicted on TV as murderers." The announcement comes after the two clashed on Twitter over immigration policies. The debate will be televised live at 8 p.m. at the Florida Internet and Television (FIT) studio in Tallahassee. You can watch it live here or below: WTXL's Ashley Richmond will also be live-tweeting as the debate goes on. You can follow her Twitter for the latest. Ill also be live tweeting! https://t.co/TshHhmPaLL Ashley Richmond (@ARichmondnews) February 13, 2018 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida's Republican house speaker Richard Corcoran and Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum are going to debate each other face-to-face after clashing on Twitter. Mayor Gillum and speaker Corcoran have been at odds over immigration policies. The Florida House passed a bill that would crackdown on so-called sanctuary cities that do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Corcoran sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security, asking them to investigate Gillum for Tallahassee's policies. Gillum has criticized Corcoran, prompting the legislator to say he would debate him "anywhere, anytime." Gillum accepted the offer Wednesday. Gillum is running for governor and Corcoran is expected to jump in the race later this year. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) A bill designed to curtail the frequency of children being left in hot daycare vehicles in Florida has passed through its first committee. The proposed Child Safety Alarm Act on Monday comes after the death of an Orlando three-year-old child last summer, Myles Hill, who was left unattended in a hot daycare van that reached temperatures of 144 degrees. "This is a bipartisan effort to keep our children safe," said State Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando), who presented the bill, passed by unanimous approval. Senate Bill 486 requires daycare centers that transport children to equip their vehicles with reliable safety alarm systems by 2019. These systems will alert drivers to inspect their vehicles for any children who may have been left behind. The bill is expected to be taken up next for a vote in the Senate Transportation Committee, followed by the Rules Committee and a full floor vote. A companion bill, House Bill 305, has been filed by Rep. Bruce Antone (D-Orlando). TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL)--Around 200 crime victims will show up at the Florida State Capitol for a day of sharing their stories and for a day of action on Tuesday. Aswad Thomas, the Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice Chapter Development and Membership Director, stopped by our studio to discuss what happened to him 7.5 years ago in Connecticut when he became a victim of a crime. The events are as follows: 10:30-11:00 a.m. Procession to State Capitol from Trinity United Methodist Church (120 W. Park Avenue, Tallahassee) 12-12:30 p.m. Healing Vigil and Prayer Circle Florida State Capitol (400 S. Monroe Street, Tallahassee 4th Floor Rotunda) DAYTONA BEACH, FL (RNN) River the puppy has a new home after being left for dead in the near-freezing waters of the Halifax River. Animal control officers found the pup under the Seabreeze Bridge after phone call to police dispatch. Temperatures had dropped into the 30s during a January cold snap. Video recorded by one of the officers shows the shivering ball of fur being warmed up before she was taken to the animal shelter to recover. Now that River is healthy, Daytona Beach Police Department Officer Kera Cantrell has adopted her. Copyright 2018 Raycom News Network. All rights reserved. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Several Democratic lawmakers gathered at the State Capitol and called for additional support for Puerto Ricans who have moved to Florida following Hurricane Maria. Hundreds of thousands of people left the island following the september storm, and many settled in the Sunshine State. The group called on the state Legislature to spend more than $300 million in an Affordable Housing Trust Fund on housing for new residents. In recent years, significant portions of the fund have been diverted to other areas of the budget. In addition, recent federal funding approved by congress is aimed at helping school districts deal with the influx of tens of thousands of new students. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The Seminole Tribe of Florida would be allowed to add craps and roulette at its casinos under a bill now moving in the Florida Senate. The legislation calls for a new agreement that would let the seminoles expand the types of gambling they can offer. The tribe's casinos, including the Hard Rock in Tampa and Hollywood, currently feature slot machines and blackjack. In the last few years, legislators have tried to pass gambling bills, but they have stalled due to competing interests. It's still unclear if lawmakers can reach a deal during this year's session. Updated : 2018-02-12 By Pan Qi(chinadaily.com.cn) International students take a group photo with the kids at Tao House in Yixing on Feb 9.[Photo by Fang Luofan] Assembling lanterns and creating Chinese New Year wall-paintings, international students studying at Jiangnan University joined the kids at Tao House in Yixing on Feb 9 to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival. We made it! I thought this would be something that required professional skill. However, it turned out to be quite simple and it was easy to get the pieces to fit together. said Ayrana Kashtak from Russia, who assembled a lantern with the children within 10 minutes. Ayrana Kashtak (at the back in the left row) and children in her group show off their lantern.[Photo by Fang Luofan] For the first activity, the foreigners didnt break a sweat. It was when they followed the children to paint different gods for the New Year, did they suddenly face a challenge. Ive never tried to paint on a wall before, and Im not familiar with the gods in Chinese culture. I really dont know where to start said Oul Somneang from Cambodia. Under the guidance and encouragement of teachers from the Far and Afield Art Studio based in Suzhou, the three expats picked up their paint brushes and got to work. Inspired by artist Wen Nas unique way of illustrating the different gods and fairies, we decided to organize this wall-painting activity to help the kids experience New Year paintings and add to the festive feeling of Spring Festival, said Hu Lingqiao, an art teacher from the Far and Afield Art Studio. CHEYENNE Wyoming Republican Party Chairman W. Frank Eathorne has called a meeting of the Wyoming Republican Party State Central Committee to consider applications to fill the vacancy in the office of Secretary of State resulting from the resignation of Secretary of State Ed Murray on Feb. 9. CHEYENNE Wyoming Republican Party Chairman W. Frank Eathorne has called a meeting of the Wyoming Republican Party State Central Committee to consider applications to fill the vacancy in the office of Secretary of State resulting from the resignation of Secretary of State Ed Murray on Feb. 9. Murray announced his resignation Friday, effective immediately. According to his statement, Murray... Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-12 18:55:01|Editor: Jiaxin Video Player Close A six-foot-tall dog mascot distributes leaflets in the Chinatown of Manila, the Philippines on Feb. 12, 2018. Countless passersby posed on Monday with a happy six-foot-tall dog mascot that animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) lets loose in Manila's Chinatown to send a message to Filipinos to adopt dogs instead of buying from pet shops. (Xinhua/Yang Ke) MANILA, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Countless passersby posed on Monday with a happy six-foot-tall dog mascot that animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) lets loose in Manila's Chinatown to send a message to Filipinos to adopt dogs instead of buying from pet shops. Brandishing a sign that read, "Happy Year of the Dog. Adopt, Don't Shop," activists from PETA initiated "a fun demonstration" to ring ahead of the Chinese Lunar Year with an urgent adoption plea to control the growing number of stray dogs in the country. PETA is encouraging tourists and shoppers in the district called Binondo to adopt dogs from local shelters or rescue groups instead of buying purebreds from pet stores or breeders, which simply serves to exacerbate the homeless-animal crisis. "It's more like a fun demonstration to show the public that one way of honoring dogs in the Year of the Dog is by adopting," PETA spokesperson Jana Sevilla told Xinhua in an interview. With the help of the mascot, Sevilla said PETA was able to catch the attention of the passersby around the Carriedo Fountain in Santa Cruz district in the city of Manila. "We are there with our dog mascot. Holding signs, the representatives from PETA were walking around giving leaflets," Sevilla said. Media representatives were invited to cover the event that PETA hopes to increase the awareness of people on dog homelessness. "We just want people to be aware that there's a problem with animal homelessness, a lot of dogs are homeless," Sevilla said. She said PETA wants everyone to be open with adoption, and not to buy from breeders or pet shops. "A lot of homeless dogs are just waiting for someone to find them and rescue them. Open up your homes for them," Sevilla said. She said animal shelters and pounds are bursting at the seams with dogs waiting to be adopted. Sevilla said the campaign was a success. "Countless passersby in Chinatown were so interested, a lot of people asked what's going on, and requested to have pictures with the dog mascot. It was fun," she said. Aside from promotion and adoption, PETA is also promoting spay and neuter to avoid unwanted pregnancy. "Once dogs get pregnant, they could give birth to six or eight dogs," she said, "If these animals are homeless, it will exacerbate the problem. If we adopt and have them spay and neutered then the population of homeless dogs will decrease." "Spaying and neutering are routine, affordable surgeries that can prevent thousands of animals from being born, suffering and struggling to survive on the streets," Sevilla said. Sevilla said that PETA is working closely with other animal welfare groups like the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and Compassion and Responsibility for Animals (CARA) Welfare Philippines to promote the plight of animals. Packs of stray dogs are a common sight in Philippine streets, fuelled by public reluctance to sterilize pets. Some are aggressive as they scrounge for food scraps in the garbage. In 2007, the government signed into law called "Anti-Rabies Act of 2007" or "an act providing for the control and elimination of human and animal rabies." The law requires local government units to ensure all dogs are immunized and to strictly enforce dog impounding activities and field control to eliminate stray dogs. It also requires that dogs are leashed or confined within the premises of the owner's house or fences surroundings. But the law did not solve the growing number of dogs aimlessly roaming the streets. Buffalo Trace bourbon is shown on Feb. 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois, the United States. (Xinhua/AFP) NEW YORK, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- With its increasingly urbanized population and rising middle class, China is a major growth market for American whiskey, a U.S. industry leader has said. "We've seen growth in China and our exports are up almost 15 percent compared to 2016," said Christine LoCascio, senior vice president of international affairs, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), in a recent interview with Xinhua. "It's a growth market for us. It ranks our 24th largest export market, but there are still a lot of opportunities to grow there and we've been doing promotions there," LoCascio said on the sidelines of the national trade association's annual economic briefing in New York City. "China is a huge spirits market, and we just see it quite an opportunity for us," she said. Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey products are offered for sale at a liquor store on Feb. 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois, the United States. (Xinhua/AFP) Since March 2017, DISCUS has appointed a Beijing-based American whiskey ambassador to provide in-market media relations and general trade servicing, promotions, and educational outreach to bars, clubs, restaurants, and influential trade contracts in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. "We are optimistic that we will continue to grow. China is a relatively open market, and import tariff is only 10 percent. So compared to some other markets throughout Asia, it's a very open market," said LoCascio. "We just continue to view it as an opportunity for growth for us; we are gonna continue our education campaign; we look forward to continuing to expand our exports there," she added. Bourbons are offered for sale at a liquor store on Feb. 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois, the United States. (Xinhua/AFP) Kraig R. Naasz, DISCUS President and CEO, said the industry's strategy in China is predominantly focused on the long-term as the market holds great promise and the markets for premium U.S. spirits are still developing. "American whisky has a rich history and tradition behind it. It's very flavorful and can be mixed in many ways until you find the perfect cocktail for you," said Naasz when asked what makes American whiskey stands out among the world's spirits. "I have tried many Chinese spirits as well as delicacies that are provided throughout China, and find them much delightful," said Naasz, who has visited China on several occasions in recent years. "I look forward to coming back because every time I visit, the change is amazing." "On behalf of all American whisky producers, we wish our Chinese consumers a very joyous new year celebration and we like them to enjoy our products in good health, and good fortune, cheers to Chinese!" Naasz said, referring Chinese Lunar New Year which falls on Feb. 16 this year. Buoyed by a weak dollar, overseas sales of U.S.-made spirits were up more than 14 percent, reaching 1.63 billion U.S. dollars last year, according to DISCUS. The United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil, France, and Spain were the largest export markets for American spirits in 2017. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 04:18:11|Editor: yan Video Player Close HELSINKI, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- The asylum application of an Iraqi man who was reportedly killed after being deported to Iraq had gone through all legal proceedings in Finland, Finnish Minister of the Interior Kai Mykkanen said on Monday. At the press conference after he officially took office, the newly appointed Minister of Interior said that the case is sad and tragic, but it was not considered for non-refoulement when the Finnish Migration Service, Migri, made the decision. "International protection is based specifically on the assumption that an individual faces persecution in the region to return. In this case, it has been estimated that sufficient grounds have not been met," Mykkanen said. Finnish national broadcaster Yle reported earlier on Monday that a 46-year-old former Iraqi policeman, who had received a negative asylum decision in Finland, was shot dead in Baghdad three weeks after returning to Iraq. The man arrived in Finland and sought asylum in autumn 2015, and he was deported to Iraq in November 2017. He was killed by three gunshots in Baghdad on Dec. 17, 2017. According to a security report conducted by Migri, Baghdad is currently safe for returning asylum seekers. When asked whether the Migri's assessment of Iraq was correct at the press conference, the minister pointed out that the Ministry of the Interior cannot direct immigration officials on how to conduct a security assessment. Mykkanen claimed that Finland's policy with respect to security reviews of Iraq is very similar to that of Sweden. The safety assessments are evaluated periodically. "Of course, it is important for us to have the best possible information available so that we can make accurate and balanced assessments," he added. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at a celebration to mark the first anniversary of Crimea's incorporation into Russia, in Moscow, Russia, March 18, 2015. (Xinhua Photo) MOSCOW, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said Monday that it has detained a Ukrainian citizen suspected of conducting espionage in Crimea. The detainee, identified as Konstantin Davydenko, is suspected of "purposefully collecting and transmitting to the special services of Ukraine information on the activities of units of the Russian National Guard and employees of the FSB, and the leak could damage the security of the state," an FSB statement said. The FSB has initiated criminal proceedings against the detainee for espionage, and an investigation is underway, it said. Crimea, formerly part of Ukraine, was absorbed into Russia in March 2014 following a local referendum, which was rejected by Ukraine and its allies. Since then, the FSB has published several reports on the detention of suspected Ukrainian spies or saboteurs in Crimea, but Ukraine has consistently denied such acts. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 05:13:24|Editor: yan Video Player Close AMMAN, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Chief Filippo Grandi on Monday said refugee hosting countries should not be forgotten, the state-run Petra news agency reported. He made the remarks during a visit to Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees on the start of a three-day visit to Jordan as part of a broader mission including Lebanon, Turkey and Syria, aimed at meeting with government officials and refugee families across the region. "Countries like Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt are making big efforts to support the refugees during the ongoing crisis and they shall not be forgotten by the international community," Grandi said. He called on the donor countries "to pledge funds to these countries and consider the responsibility that the host communities are taking." "This is my third visit to Jordan and it is not by chance that the kingdom is my first stop in this regional tour," the commissioner said. He also commented on aid to Syrians stranded in the no man's land between Jordan and Syria. "The individuals stranded in this area are internally displaced within Syria, and therefore, it is the Syrian government who holds responsibility for them." Grandi also hailed Jordan's efforts to boost employment among Syrian refugees, saying greater international support for such schemes was needed to lift millions of Syrians across the region out of poverty. Of some 657,000 registered Syrian refugees in Jordan, more than 80 percent live below the poverty line on less than three U.S. dollars a day, mirroring the situation of more than 5.5 million Syrian refugees across the region. After years of exile, families are slipping deeper into debt and struggling to meet their basic needs. "I want to commend the government of Jordan for having facilitated schemes that allow Syrian refugees to have jobs," the UN High Commissioner for Refugees told a news conference in Jordan's Zaatari refugee camp. "What I will say to donors is we need to invest more in these schemes," he said in a UNHCR statement. Grandi noted that Jordan has so far issued more than 88,000 work permits to Syrians, as part of a 2016 "compact" deal that also increased international aid to the country. The majority of permits were issued for the agriculture and construction sectors, with women accounting for around 5 percent of the total. Grandi hailed the "new way" to support refugees, which does not make them dependent exclusively on handouts of food or cash. "It allows them to earn money, to have the dignity of having work, and to also build skills, especially for women, which will be very useful when they go home," he said. On his third visit to Jordan as high commissioner, he also met with refugees living inside a secure area of Azraq camp, located in the country's remote northeastern desert. Many of the around 8,000 individuals living in the fenced-off area have been there since mid-2016, while they were among more than 21,000 Syrians transferred to the camp after spending months stranded at the border. Grandi acknowledged the government's security concerns, which to date have seen some 13,000 cleared to join the general camp population, but said UNHCR was worried about the impact of such an extended period of confinement on those remaining. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 07:38:08|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Decorations are hung from a tree in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Feb. 12, 2018, to greet the Spring Festival and Tibetan New Year. (Xinhua/Chogo) SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Washington state on the U.S. west coast is considering banning rent discrimination based on the source of income, a report said Monday. The Seattle Times said the state's lawmakers have brought forward bills that will prohibit landlords from rejecting housing tenants based on the source of their income. Senate Bill 5407, which passed the Senate on Friday, would forbid landlords from turning down potential or current tenants who depend on alternative sources of income and benefits such as Social Security, veteran benefits and Section 8 housing vouchers. A study conducted by a former University of Washington researcher in 2016 found that discrimination based on source of income was rampant across the country, the report said. The bill, if awarded final approval, would make Washington one of 12 states that ban similar discrimination based on source of income. Washington will also establish a fund to reimburse property owners for a maximum of 1,000 U.S. dollars to make up for damages that may be caused by tenants and for up to 14 days of rental losses. The fund, which would make Washington the first state to set up a financial-loss mitigation mechanism, would be supported by about 1.5 million dollars raised annually from a three-dollar recording charge on real estate documents. CHICAGO, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Delicious Chinese dumplings, Tai Chi performance, traditional Chinese dance, attracts nearly 600 local residents to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Chicago's City College this weekend. With the activity themed "Dumpling Fest," participants can not only learn how to make dumplings, but also they can have a dip of Chinese culture, one organizer said. "You should hold the side tight, and then a dumpling is well done." 6-year-old Rose listened what the Chinese chef taught at stage and make dumplings herself. She said to Xinhua that it was amazing because she could eat her own works. With the guidance of volunteer, Rose's neighbour Mary Eddery learned how to use chopsticks. 55-year-old Mary said it was the third time she joined in the fest. "It is fantastic as I love Chinese food so much. I found more people attending the fest." She told Xinhua. Besides Chinese food offered at the fest, volunteers form local Chinese communities performed Tai Chi, traditional Chinese dance, which draw applause from people. Several workshops were set up during the fest to show Chinese handicrafts such as hand writing, paper carving, tea ceremony and Chinese acupuncture medicine. The Dumpling Fest, organized by United Chinese Americans(UCA) Illinois Chapter, started a series of activities the City of Chicago will hold to celebrate the Chinese New Year, the Year of Dog 2018. Chicago is the first city in the U.S. to launch Chinese New Year celebration in the name of city government, and 2018 will be the fifth year for the City of Chicago to mark Chinese New Year. Chicago has paid much attention to obtain Chinese investment and attract more Chinese tourists. Compared to east and west coastal areas of the U.S. Midwest with Chicago as its communication hub received relatively less Chinese tourists, and there is a huge potential to expand the market. Thanks to all efforts made, total domestic and oversea visitors to Chicago reached 53.91 million in 2016, an increase of 2.5 percent from record 52.59 million in 2015. To be specific, domestic visitation was a record 52.35 million, an increase of 2.7 percent from 2015; overseas visitation is estimated at 1.466 million, according to statistics provided by Choose Chicago. LONDON, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- A duty-free company that runs its business at London Heathrow Airport apologized on Monday after Chinese customers accused it of alleged discrimination over its VIP voucher policy. "As a global company we are committed to treating all our customers with respect and in a consistent and fair way," the company, the World Duty Free Group, said in a statement. "We would like to offer our sincere apologies to our customers who were in any way made to feel this was not the case." "Once again, we would like to take this opportunity to apologize profoundly to all our valued customers," it said. Chinese social media users alleged Chinese customers had to spend more than 1,000 pounds (1,383 U.S. dollars) to qualify for a discount voucher at World Duty Free. The Chinese social media users claimed customers from other countries needed just 79 pounds to receive the 20-percent discount voucher. The latest statement is the second of the company's apology to customers since the outbreak of the discrimination row over the past days. However, there is a difference in contents of English and Chinese versions of the statement, which was issued on Monday night on Facebook. The English text did not mention Chinese customers explicitly, just simply talked about customers or "all our valued customers", while the Chinese version, immediately following the English one, did mention "the Chinese public". The company did not respond to requests for an explanation of whether it did indeed discriminate against Chinese travelers. The statement came amid pressures from Chinese people who aired their outrage in social media. The first statement, issued on Monday on Twitter, did apologize, but failed to give a full explanation. The claim that Chinese travelers were being discriminated against went viral with people posting to complain about mistreatment. "The VIP program is designed to reward customers -- on top of our normal promotions -- at certain points of the year by offering an attractive incentive on a second purchase," said the latest statement from the company, which is headquartered in Bern, Switzerland. "After close self-examination and having made further investigations, we have taken urgent steps to correct the implementation of this promotion going forward," the statement added. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 07:43:55|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close MEXICO CITY, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Mexico must diversify its trade with Central and South America to avoid depending on the United States, its main trading partner, said an official with the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) on Monday. Taking part at a business forum in Mexico City, ECLAC's executive secretary, Alicia Barcena, said that the country was focusing on the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), to the detriment of increased trade with its own region. As an example, Barcena said Mexico could buy agricultural products from Brazil, Argentina and Chile to reduce imports from the United States, from where 70 percent of Mexican imports in the sector come from. "Mexico is still focusing solely on the negotiation of NAFTA. I understand it, but ... there are other opportunities ... towards Central America, towards South America," said Barcena at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Canada, the United States and Mexico have been revising since last August the NAFTA treaty at the request of U.S. President Donald Trump, who feels it has hurt American industry. However, Barcena said NAFTA led to its members developing a linked production system and enjoying mutual investments. "I feel it is important for Mexico to look for other trade partners as depending only on the United States makes it vulnerable," she explained. Beyond agricultural terms, Mexico has the possibility of boosting trade with Latin America and other markets with sales of white goods, especially since Trump raised tariffs on importing washing machines in January. She said that Mexico had made important advances in the digital realm, including in creating hardware and software, which could lead to new trade opportunities. "I think we have to change the mentality of how to build a policy of industrialization ... but also of regional integration ... and of more modern value chains," concluded Barcena. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 07:48:57|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close MEXICO CITY, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Mexican banking and financial group Interacciones is looking to partner with Chinese companies to financially back infrastructure, energy and transport projects in Mexico, according to the group's general director Carlos Rojo. Mexico's eighth-largest bank is mainly interested in promoting joint projects with other Chinese banks or construction companies, Rojo told Xinhua. "We have been looking for both Chinese banks that could be interested in funding many of these infrastructure projects, and Chinese construction companies that are coming to the country to see this whole topic of energy-sector projects," said Rojo. "We would love to be able to grow at the same rate as China is growing, which is partly due to investments in infrastructure," Rojo added. Projects in the transport sector are also in the group's sights, though to a lesser degree. Partnerships between Chinese and Mexican companies are at a very incipient stage and have a way to go, but Interacciones has already made some headway, he noted. The bank has secured funding for several infrastructure projects from a Chinese bank, said Rojo, though he declined to say which. Interacciones has also financed two water treatments plants through a partnership "with one of the world's largest Chinese companies," which he also declined to name for legal reasons. "There is great similarity between the vision of country and infrastructure development that China has and that we want to have," said Rojo. "We are just getting started. I am convinced that what we need to do is to find a way to build those bridges, so that once the language restrictions are gone, we can show them what we can do and how we do it," Rojo said. Interacciones executives plan to travel more frequently to China to increase their proximity to investors there. "While we may be different or far away, we are very close in terms of our vision of country," said the executive. Grupo Financiero Interacciones, which is in the process of merging with Mexican bank Banorte-Ixe, saw a 12.4-percent rise in net profit in 2017 to 2.704 billion pesos (some 145 million U.S. dollars). DHAKA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Four transport workers have been sentenced to death by a court in central Bangladesh for fatally gang-raping a law student in a moving bus. Acting judge of Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal in central Tangail district, some 97 km away from Dhaka, delivered the verdict on Monday. The court also sentenced the supervisor of the bus to seven years imprisonment and fined 100,00 takas (about 1,204 U.S. dollars) Crowds of onlookers outside the packed courtroom reportedly burst into applause after Judge Abul Mansur Ahmed announced his sentence. The law student Sultana Rupa was gang-raped and murdered on a moving bus on Aug. 25 last year in the district, which sparked widespread anger in Bangladesh. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 08:54:09|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close Lao students perform during a Chinese New Year Reunion and promotion for a culture exchange program in Vientiane, capital of Laos, Feb. 12, 2018. A culture exchange program and Laos-China co-produced TV program promotion was held in Lao National University here on Monday. (Xinhua/Liu Ailun) VIENTIANE, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- A culture exchange program and Laos-China co-produced TV program promotion was held in Lao National University here on Monday. The event was jointly hosted by the People's Broadcasting Station of Guangxi, National University of Laos (NUoL) and Laos National Television. Somchan Phanbounmy, Vice President of NUoL, Viengthong Phimphachan, Deputy General Director of Laos Television, teachers and over 100 students attended the event. By holding the event, the Laos-China co-produced TV programs of Chinese Theater and Chinese Animation were introduced and promoted. The "Chinese Theater," produced by the Guangxi People's Broadcasting Station and Lao National Television was launched on April 24, 2014, and the program was played on every Monday, Tuesday in Lao Television Channel 1. In addition, Guangxi People's Broadcasting Station and Lao National Television Station also co-produced the "Chinese Animation," which was warmly welcomed by Lao children. DHAKA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh's largest opposition party leaders and activists have formed human chains across the country protesting the jailing of its chief and also ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in a graft case. Hundreds of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders and activists gathered in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Monday morning. They blocked the major road in front of the club carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans demanding immediate release of 72-year-old leader who was found guilty of a corruption charge and sentenced to five years in prison Thursday. Shortly after the verdict, Zia was taken to a jail in Dhaka. The court also awarded 10 years of sentence to five others including Zia's son Tarique Rahman a fine of 21 million takas (250,000 U.S. dollars) each. BNP leaders said political vendettas are to blame for the cases against Khaleda Zia and her son. "Our peaceful movement will continue until our leader is released from jail," said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir while addressing the human chain. He reiterated his party's demand for a general election slated for 2019 under a non-partisan and independent election commission. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 10:09:28|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Contrary to conventional wisdom, ideology may not be predominantly responsible for child recruitment into armed groups, even extremist ones, a study of the United Nations University, a UN think tank, has found. Therefore, counter-terror efforts based on widely held assumptions about the ideological motivations of children and youth recruited into extremist groups are unlikely to work, and could backfire, according to the study released on Monday to coincide with the International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers. "In many cases, ideology does not appear predominantly responsible for driving children into armed groups, even those that are labeled violent extremist," said Siobhan O'Neil, lead editor of "Cradled by Conflict: Child Involvement With Armed Groups in Contemporary Conflict," a study based on original two-year field research. "Evidence from the conflicts in Syria and Iraq, Mali and Nigeria suggests that even in cases where ideology plays a role in a child's trajectory toward an armed group, it is usually one of a number of motivating or facilitating factors." Ideology is often intertwined with other factors like community and identity, she said. The research suggests that most children do not so much "opt" into conflict as "grow" into it. Physical safety and food security, family and peer networks, financial incentives, coercion and the allure of armed groups provide a ready-made community, identity and status for young people. Conflict structures the information they see and the choices they make, shapes their identity and heightens their need to find meaning in their lives. Ultimately, the forces of conflict narrow the paths available to children, and tragically, for many, lead to exploitation, violence, and trauma, according to the study. O'Neil also warned that the international community maintains outdated and unrealistic notions of how children leave armed groups and their prospects for reintegration in unstable contexts. "Misconceptions of the problem at hand can result in poorly suited programmatic responses and lead to children feeling stigmatized and resentful." The study proposes five principles for more effective international efforts to prevent and respond to child recruitment and use by armed groups: avoid programs focused primarily on ideological factors; only incorporate ideological components where individually necessary and where they can be embedded into larger, holistic efforts to address the needs and risks of children; ensure all interventions are empirically based; rigorously assess interventions over the long term; engage children not just as beneficiaries, but as partners. On the occasion of the International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers, Virginia Gamba, the special representative of the UN secretary-general for children and armed conflict, said that last year, more than 5,000 children were released from armed groups and reintegrated into society. But she stressed that tens of thousands more children remain in the hands of armed groups. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 10:34:36|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin spoke over phone on Monday to discuss the Russian plane crash as well as issues concerning the Middle East peace process and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). According to a White House statement, Trump expressed his condolences over the crash of Saratov Airlines Flight 703 on Sunday, saying the United States was standing by to assist Russian authorities in the investigation. The Russian airliner carrying 71 people crashed shortly after taking off from Moscow, killing all the 65 passengers and 6 crew members on board. Speaking of the Palestine-Israel peace process, Putin noted that he would meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas later on Monday. In response, Trump said that it is now time to work toward an enduring peace agreement. The Trump administration in December announced its recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, saying it plans to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to the city that the Palestinians also claimed as its capital. The decision has sparked global condemnation. In response, Washington suspended its funding for Palestinian refugees in a bid to force Palestine to accept U.S.-deliberated peace plan in Middle East, which was rejected by the Palestinian side. During the Monday conversation, Trump and Putin also discussed other topics of mutual concern including the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The White House said Trump reiterated the importance of taking further steps. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 11:24:47|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close By Xinhua writer Xia Xiao BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Woof, woof, the dog is barking at the door. The Chinese Year of Dog begins on February 16. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, is not only the most important festival in China, but also celebrated worldwide by people who are interested in Chinese culture. CELEBRATING AROUND THE WORLD As one of the most influential festivals in the world, Chinese New Year celebrations will be held more than 400 cities in more than 130 countries and regions, according to the State Council Information Office. In some countries, such as Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius and Suriname, the Chinese New Year has become a statutory holiday. Events such as galas, dragon and lion dance performances, exhibitions, and temple fairs are being held in towns and cities across the world. In previous years, heads of state and government and leaders of international organizations have delivered their best wishes for the Chinese New Year. Celebrations last for two weeks or more. One of the first to open was the "New Era, New Journey" Spring Festival Gala on Feb. 7 at Indigo O2 in London, which was organized by the Chinese Students and Scholars Association United Kingdom (CSSAUK) and supported by the Chinese embassy in the United Kingdom. At the London Confucius Institute at SOAS University of London, international students played traditional instruments like bamboo flutes, sang folk songs from minority groups and told classic stories to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The grand celebrations for the 2017 Chinese New Year in Trafalgar Square in the center of London attracted more than 700,000 visitors from various countries. The jubilant scene will be held again this year. Britain, the United States, France, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Hungary have issued commemorative stamps and coins with Chinese New Year elements. EAST OR WEST, HAPPINESS IS BEST How do Chinese celebrate the New Year? There are various answers from people in different regions. Traditionally Chinese New Year celebrations begin on the eve of the New Year and end on the Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the first calendar month. In China, there is a week-long public holiday, during which family gatherings, meeting friends, and attending banquets are common activities. New trends are emerging as a growing number of Chinese choose to travel domestically or internationally instead of returning to their hometowns for the holiday. A report released by the China Tourism Academy and Ctrip said an estimated 6.5 million Chinese will travel abroad during 2018 Spring Festival holiday, which is equivalent to the same period in 2017. People from more than 200 Chinese cities have booked tours to over 700 cities in 68 countries and regions on Ctrip, a popular online travel agency based in Shanghai. Top destinations include Thailand, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates and Nordic countries, according to the report. The China National Tourism Administration said that 385 million trips, mostly domestic, are expected to be made during the Spring Festival 2018, up 12 percent year on year. Tourism revenue during the holiday will increase to 476 billion yuan (76 billion U.S. dollars), a rise of 12.5 percent from the previous year. OLD TRADITIONS, NEW TECHNOLOGY Spring Festival customs vary across different regions, but some general changes have taken place in recent years. First of all, China's high-speed trains have brought huge changes to the annual Spring Festival travel rush, known as the "Chunyun." Hundreds of millions of people travel long distances to return home for family gatherings during the holiday. Journeys that previously took several days now take just hours. Thanks to high-speed trains and expanded railway networks, the perceived distance between migrant workers and their hometowns has been reduced. China's railway network is expected to exceed 175,000 km in length by 2025, compared with 127,000 km of operating tracks at the end of 2017. The country will have 38,000 km of high-speed rail tracks by 2025, from just 25,000 km at the end of 2017, according to China Railway Corporation. The country's high-speed rail tracks accounted for 66.3 percent of the world total at the end of 2017. Decades ago, it would take more than 24 hours to travel the 1,300 km from Beijing to Shanghai, now, it takes just four hours. In 2018, the Spring Festival travel rush began on Feb. 1 and will last until March 12, with more than 390 million passengers expected to travel by rail. Travelers can now buy train tickets online, rather than lining up for days in front of ticket windows at railway stations. Due to the rapid development of the internet economy, China has become a leader in moving toward a "cashless society," which has also influenced some customs of the Spring Festival. For instance, red envelopes containing money, known as hongbao in Chinese, should be given to family members and friends during the festival. However, there is now no need for physical envelopes, as one click on a mobile phone can immediately send one or any number of digital red envelopes to one person or group via mobile payment platforms. A report released by Chinese internet giant Tencent said users of WeChat, its instant messaging app, send about 46 billion electronic red envelopes from the Eve through the first five days of 2017 Lunar New Year. Meanwhile, Chinese tourists can shop overseas using their mobile phones as more shops and markets are providing access to Chinese online and mobile payment services such as WeChat Pay and Alipay. Travelers don't need to exchange foreign currency, as the payment platforms directly charge their accounts in Chinese RMB. Chinese travellers can now also have their tax refunds sent to Chinese online and mobile payment platforms when they leave some countries. Many families used to visit markets to stock up food supplies for the holiday. While many still continue the tradition, others now order food or ready-made meals online. From pork, chicken, vegetables, to Boston lobster, Alaskan king crab, fruit from Southeast Asia, almost any food can be ordered online and delivered to your door. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 11:39:49|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close CHICAGO, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. federal judge on Monday set a new trial date for the man suspected of kidnapping and killing visiting Chinese scholar Zhang Yingying, local media reported. At a scheduling hearing in a federal courthouse of Illinois state, U.S. District Court Judge Colin Bruce set the trial for April 2, 2019. Neither the prosecutors nor the defense attorneys objected the new schedule. Brendt Christensen, 28, is charged with kidnapping, resulting in the death of visiting Chinese scholar Zhang Yingying at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) on June 9, 2017. He attended the hearing but did not speak on the spot. The suspect will be held in jail until the trial. On Jan. 19, the U.S. government filed a notice of intent on the website of the Department of Justice to seek death penalty against Christensen. After that, both sides agreed that a delay of the trial previously scheduled for Feb. 27 would be necessary. Zhidong Wang, the legal consultant to Zhang's family, told Xinhua that his clients felt sorry and disappointed at the delay. But at the same time, Zhang's families had known the trial might come later than the previous plan, and thus were willing to respect the court's decision. According to Wang, the delay was expected by both the prosecutors and defense attorneys. While the prosecutors had wanted the next trial to be held in October this year, the defense attorneys had asked the date to be in June 2019. Wang said the new trial date of April will give defense attorneys enough time to make necessary preparations, potentially preventing defense attorneys from asking for another delay in the future. Hereby, Zhang's families would have less trouble when it comes to planning their travel to the United States to attend the trial. Zhang, 26, went missing on June 9 after she got into a black Saturn Astra about five blocks from where she got off a bus on her way to an apartment complex to sign a lease. Christensen was arrested on June 30 after being caught on tape pointing out people he described as "ideal victims" during a vigil in Zhang's honor. On July 5, U.S. Magistrate Judge Eric I. Long ordered that Christensen remain detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the UIUC Police Department jointly conducted the investigation. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 13:00:03|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close GUANGZHOU, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Construction has started on a test site for unmanned ships in Zhuhai in south China's Guangdong Province, sources here said Tuesday. The test site off the coast of Zhuhai will be jointly funded by the Zhuhai city government, the China Classification Society, Wuhan University of Technology, and Oceanalpha, an unmanned vessel company. The first phase of the site will occupy 21.6 square kilometers and second phase 750 squar kilometers. It will have communication and navigation facilities as well as a berth, according to Oceanalpha sources. The Zhuhai-based company said its unmanned patrol ship has been licensed for test. The site is designed to emulate, test and verify functions of unmanned ships, including route planning, tracking, berthing and departure. "Zhuhai hopes to become a high-tech base for the development, test and certification of unmanned ships in three to five years," said Lu Xiaofeng, deputy mayor of Zhuhai. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 13:00:04|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Dragons, massive lotus flowers and other symbols of Chinese culture were met with cheering crowds at Rio de Janeiro's packed parade square Sambadrome as Brazil's top carnival celebration got underway over the weekend. During the Sunday night parade of competing samba schools, Imperio Serrano, nine-time winner of the Rio carnival, wowed some 60,000 spectators with its colorful tribute to the 13th-century explorer Marco Polo and his travels through China. The samba school's elaborately decorated floats, brought to life by 3,500 performers, featured dragon and lion dances, the Great Wall of China and giant lotus flowers, as well as contemporary Chinese-inspired characters such as Kung Fu Panda. Imperio Serrano also paid homage to Chinese philosophy, including Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism, and its culinary contributions. The school's last allegorical float was dedicated to the Chinese New Year and this year's zodiac symbol, the dog, which represents loyalty. Several schools dedicated their floats to serious social problems, from the persistence of slavery in Brazil to environmental conservation and a topic that hit particularly close to home, cutbacks in state funding of samba schools. Schools also poked fun at top politicians, including President Michel Temer, and Rio's mayor Marcelo Crivella. The second night of parades takes place Monday, and the winner will be announced Wednesday. Rio's carnival celebrations officially kicked off on Friday. Millions of revelers took to the streets. In the city's traditional parade square Sambadrome, samba schools paraded from Friday to Monday night, which were broadcasted worldwide. WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump released an initiative on Monday to pump 1.5 trillion U.S. dollars into improving the nation's outdated infrastructure and cut red tape for construction, but said the decision was up to the Congress. The initiative is part of a budget plan Trump sent on Monday to the Congress for approval -- a total of 4.4 trillion dollars in the 2019 fiscal year -- which increases military spending and cuts spending in social programs. The 53-page document details Trump's plans of how to fund the infrastructure spending, shorten project permitting time, remove regulatory barriers, help rural areas, and improve worker training. For the funding, Trump asked the federal government to authorize 200 billion dollars in the next 10 years to leverage another 1.3 trillion dollars contributions from states and private investors to build roads, railways and other public works. Analysts and Democrats immediately doubted the feasibility of the ambitious plan, which suggests that for every dollar the federal government offers, other parties need to pay 6.5 dollars. "Trump's plan is just another giveaway to corporations and wealthy developers at the expense of American workers, and it fails to address some of the most pressing infrastructure needs our country faces," the Democratic National Committee said. In his meeting with several governors and state and local officials at the White House to ratchet up support for his massive infrastructure plan on Monday, Trump said he looked forward to working with lawmakers, but the decision is going to be "up to them," adding that what was very important to him was "the military," "the tax cuts," and "regulation." The lawmakers' debate is expected to be a hard one. The legislation will need 60 votes for passage in the Senate, while the Republicans only hold 51 seats. The initiative proposal came more a year later than Trump had vowed. Trump promised a 1-trillion-dollar infrastructure updating plan during his 2016 presidential campaign, and vowed to unleash it in his first 100 days in office. The plan, however, was delayed due to the Trump Administration's efforts to overhaul former president Barack Obama's healthcare bill and to push for tax cuts. On Monday morning, Trump tweeted, "This will be a big week for Infrastructure. After so stupidly spending 7 trillion (dollars) in the Middle East, it is now time to start investing in OUR Country!" In his letter to the Congress, Trump said, "Our Nation's infrastructure is in an unacceptable state of disrepair, which damages our country's competitiveness and our citizens' quality of life." As the federal government owns little infrastructure across the country, the Trump initiative handles decision making authority to state and local governments. As for the 200 billion dollars to be authorized from the federal budget, the White House said it will raise the money by cutting spending in other areas, including some transit and transportation funds it reckons as ineffective. Trump's infrastructure plan came on the heels of a 1.5-trillion tax cut bill and a budget deal that will increase federal spending by 300 billion dollars over the next two years. Given that the U.S. fiscal deficit will balloon over 1 trillion dollars next year, Republicans have been wary of another big spending measure, further reducing the possibility of passing the bill this year. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 13:35:09|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close A Chinese crested dog is seen during the 2018 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, the United States, Feb. 12, 2018. Around 2800 dogs of over 200 breeds from all over the world participated in the show this year. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) SEOUL, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's exports of the information and communications technology (ICT) products posted a double-digit growth for 14 months through January, a government report showed Tuesday. Exports in the ICT sector advanced 28.1 percent over the year to 17.7 billion U.S. dollars in January, bigger than any January figure in history, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The ICT exports kept a double-digit expansion since December 2016 due mainly to solid demand for semiconductors, of which export surged 53.8 percent to 9.86 billion dollars last month. Shipment for computer and peripherals jumped 38.2 percent to 930 million dollars, but export for display panel fell 5.9 percent to 2.29 billion dollars. Mobile phone export declined 8.3 percent to 1.39 billion dollars amid the fiercer competition in the global market. The ICT exports to China, South Korea's biggest trading partner, expanded 29.2 percent from a year earlier to 9.75 billion dollars in January. Those to the United States gained 6.4 percent to 1.28 billion dollars, with the figures to Vietnam and the European Union (EU) logging 2.46 billion dollars and 940 million dollars respectively. Imports in the ICT sector soared 19.6 percent to 9.33 billion dollars, sending the trade surplus in the sector to 8.38 billion dollars. The ICT trade surplus more than doubled a 3.72 billion-dollar surplus in all industries. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 13:45:15|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close HAVANA, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Cuba plans to publish the Spanish edition of at least two books on the thoughts and ideas of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Chinese and Cuban publishing houses have signed an agreement to jointly bring the Chinese leader's thoughts on state governance and other issues to a wider Cuban audience. The agreement was signed during the 27th edition of the Havana International Book Fair that ended Sunday. Hermes Moreno, of the Cuban publishing house New Millennium that signed the agreement, said 5,000 to 10,000 copies are planned to be printed. "In Cuba, 5,000 copies for such works are a respectable quantity, but it is the minimum that we are looking at," Moreno told Xinhua. Last week, Cuba's state daily Granma highlighted in its reports "the interest of Cuban readers in books containing texts (of articles and speeches) by Xi Jinping," saying it "reflects their eagerness to learn about the thinking of the top political leader of the People's Republic of China." The 11-day book fair saw Spanish and English editions of Xi's books quickly sold out, especially his acclaimed "Xi Jinping: the Governance of China." "Xi's books were sold out very fast, only a few copies of the Russian and French editions remained," said Yu Xin, a young student volunteer in charge of the sale of Chinese books. Yu, who studies Spanish at the University of Havana, was surprised to see Cubans even snap up books in Chinese. Cuban readers are looking forward to having greater access to Xi's books, as well as classic and contemporary Chinese literary works, which New Millennium may publish in the near future. China, as the Havana book fair's guest country for the first time, sent a delegation of more than 200 writers, publishers and officials to take part in the major cultural event held in the Caribbean island nation. KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least 43 militants were killed and more than 20 others injured following airstrikes in southern Afghan province of Kandahar overnight, provincial police chief said Tuesday. "Afghan National Army (ANA) Air Force targeted Taliban militants after they attacked security checkpoints in Nesh district, in northern edge of Kandahar on Monday night, leaving the casualties on the side of the militants," Gen. Abdul Raziq told Xinhua. The strikes forced scores of the other militants to flee the scene before they clash with the security forces, the police official added. Several Taliban's vehicles and amount of ammunition and weapons were also destroyed after the sorties, he said, adding no security force member was hurt in the incident. Security situation has been improving in Kandahar, the former stronghold of Taliban, over the last months, as security forces have conducted search and cordon operations across the province. But the militants attack government interests in the province from time to time. Taliban militants did not make any comments about the report so far. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 14:05:21|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Consul General to San Francisco Luo Linquan said Monday that he hoped overseas Chinese in the United States would continue to work for the long-term development of China-U.S. relations. In a message of greetings to the Chinese community in San Francisco on the occasion of the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year of the Dog, which falls on Feb. 16, Luo said 2017 witnessed positive momentum in the development of China-U.S. relations, and ever-growing change and achievements in China's development. "We have all seen the advent of a new era and shared the warmth and glory of a wealthier and more powerful motherland," he said. Overseas Chinese have made contributions to building a bridge of friendship between the two countries, and played a vital role in safeguarding the core interests of China and spreading Chinese culture to the rest of the world, Luo added. While expressing his appreciation to the Chinese community in San Francisco, Luo said he hoped that overseas Chinese in the consular district would continue to support the development of China and contribute to writing a new chapter for the long-term, steady and healthy development of China-U.S. ties. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 14:51:39|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Festive lanterns are displayed during a lantern fair to greet the upcoming Spring Festival in Zhengding County of Shijiazhuang, capital of north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 12, 2018. The Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, falls on Feb. 16 this year. (Xinhua/Shuang Pengfei) SEOUL, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in said the United States had shown its willingness to talk with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Moon's spokesman said Tuesday. Moon made the remarks during the summit meeting with Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis, who came to South Korea Thursday and attended the opening ceremony of the 23rd Winter Olympics held in the country's east county of PyeongChang on Friday night. The South Korean leader said the United States was seeing the talks between South Korea and the DPRK positively and that the U.S. side had shown its intention to talk with the DPRK. The senior-level, inter-Korean dialogue was held in January, the first such talks in over two years, in the truce village of Panmunjom, where the DPRK agreed to send its athletes and cheerleaders as well as a high-ranking delegation to attend the PyeongChang Olympic Games. HOUSTON, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Young Americans should be encouraged to have cultural exchanges especially with their Chinese counterparts, a U.S. expert from the south central U.S. state of Texas told Xinhua on Monday. As Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration was held in the Confucius Institute in Prairie View A&M University in Texas, James A. Wilson, associate vice president of the university, said that with the help of the institute, there is more awareness of the authentic Chinese culture. He believed that cultural exchange which is based on the educational process should start with young people. "I think you start with young people because they'll remember the exchange they can tell other people," he said. For seven years, Prairie View A&M has been sending their top students who studied Chinese for one to two years to Xi'an International Studies University in northwest China's Shaanxi Province for a six-week program. "Their Chinese background makes them very competitive in future studies or careers," said Wilson proudly. Ashley Bridges, an alumna of the university, had a four-year experience of Chinese study. She said the study helped open her eyes while shaping the way of thinking, and that she would like to establish a company to help young Americans travel abroad, especially to China. "China becomes one of the powerhouse countries. I want students who don't have the opportunity to travel so that they can experience different culture," Bridges told Xinhua. Several Chinese exchange students from Xi'an International Studies University performed during New Year Celebration on Monday. Dozens of U.S. students who study Chinese or are interested in Chinese culture also attended the event. NEW YORK, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations kicked off in New York City on Monday with the opening of an inspiring art exhibition featuring artists from the local Chinese community known for their transnational and cross-cultural practice. "Art is inspiring. Art is reflection of who we are as people in the culture," said David Sprouts, president of New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) in an interview with Xinhua prior to unveiling an exhibition with the theme of "Blurred Boundaries: Recent Works by Chinese Artists in New York." The event, the second of its kind co-hosted by NYSID and China's Central Academy of Fine Arts, serves as an education platform for the school's students and future artists, he said. "Art fosters dialogue between China and the United States," Sprouts said. "Chinese Americans living in New York City (through their arts) blur the boundaries between the East and West, and make people think what that means. I think that's important for our students." "The exhibition challenges our students to stop by and figure out what is different about it and what they can take away from it," he said, adding about 25 percent of NYSID's students are international, and many of them are Chinese. The exhibition, slated from Feb. 12 to March 2, was curated by Dr. Zhijian Qian, assistant professor of Art History at City Tech College of City University of New York. The exhibition was part of "Fantastic Art China 2018," an annual event in New York concurring with the Chinese Spring Festival which falls on Feb. 16 this year. SEOUL, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- A South Korean court on Tuesday sentenced Choi Soon-sil, a longtime friend of ousted President Park Geun-hye, to 20 years in prison for multiple charges including abuse of power and extortion. The Seoul Central District Court sentenced Choi, who is at the center of the influence-peddling scandal that led to the impeachment of former President Park, to a 20-year imprisonment, according to local media reports. The decades-long confidante of the impeached president was taken into custody in November 2016, and indicted in the same month for 18 counts of corruption. An Chong-bum, former senior secretary for Park, was sentenced to six years in jail as he was identified as accomplice to Choi and Park. Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin got a jail term of two and a half years for bribery. Shin was immediately put under custody in the courtroom. NEW DELHI, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and 15 others wounded Tuesday in a blast inside a vessel at a shipyard in southern Indian state of Kerala, officials said. The blast took place at the Kochi shipyard in Ernakulam district, about 200 km north of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala. "The blast went off on board a ship that was undergoing some repairs, killing five people and wounding several others," an official said. "The blast triggered fire, following which firefighters were pressed in to contain the blaze." Reports said 15 people wounded in the blast were immediately sent to a local hospital. The ship belonged to India's state-owned oil and natural gas corporation, which was docked at the shipyard for repairs. According to officials, the explosion took place at the water tank of the ship. However, the cause of the blast was not immediately known. Rescue work was going on in the yard and firefighters were trying to contain the blaze amid columns of smoke emanating from the ship. Unconfirmed reports said two people were trapped inside the ship. Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has expressed grief over the killing of five people in the tragedy. "The incident that led to the death of five people in Cochin Shipyard is sad," an official statement said. "Fire force and police have been instructed for intensive rescue operations," it added. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 16:15:57|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close by Xinhua writer Liu Si BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Recently, a term "sharp power" has become "popular" following a U.S. think tank report and a cover story of the British magazine Economist in December 2017, both of which raised so-called "concerns" over the growing influence of Russia and China. In January, Joseph Nye, the father of "soft power" from Harvard University, published two articles respectively on U.S. magazine Foreign Affairs and international media organization Project Syndicate, attributing "soft power" to the West and labeling China and Russia with "sharp power". Nye defined "soft power" as the ability to affect others by attraction and persuasion, but linked "sharp power" to information of warfare, particularly waged by China and Russia. However, if one looks into the term "sharp power" and learns its ins and outs, one may find that the term is no more than a language trap, coined and manipulated by some Western countries with "zero-sum" mentality and cultural hegemony. WHO'S BEHIND A new report "Sharp Power: Rising Authoritarian Influence", released on Dec. 5, 2017 and powered by the U.S. National Endowment for Democracy (NED), claimed that China and Russia have spent a lot to shape public opinion and perceptions around the world. "Over the past decade, China and Russia have spent billions of dollars to shape public opinion and perceptions around the world, employing a diverse toolkit that includes thousands of people-to-people exchanges, wide-ranging cultural activities, educational programs, and the development of media enterprises and information initiatives with global reach," the report said. What made such a months-old term evolve and spread that fast? There are political factors behind it. The term "sharp power" first appeared in a Foreign Affairs article in November 2017, co-written by Christopher Walker, NED vice president for Studies and Analysis, and research and conferences officer Jessica Ludwig, discussing Russia and China's "overseas influence activities prompt a revisiting of 'soft power'". They coined the term as "a new vocabulary for the phenomenon", which was quickly leveraged by some Western politicians as a good tool to shape the public opinion towards Russia and China. The NED has played a key role in fueling the flame. The NED, a Washington-based private, nonprofit foundation and think tank, was founded in 1983, a year after former U.S. President Ronald Reagan proposed an initiative while delivering a speech to the British Parliament "to foster the infrastructure of democracy". Its creation not only received support from the Reagan administration, but also was funded largely by the U.S. Congress. Thanks to strong Congressional support, it's no wonder that the NED each year makes more than 1,700 grants to support the projects of non-governmental groups abroad who are working for "democratic goals" in more than 90 countries. Calling the NED a "Trojan horse", William Blum, an historian and U.S. foreign policy critic, said that the organization was actually not a NGO (Non-governmental organization) but "a GO". The foundation "meddles in the internal affairs of numerous foreign countries" in multiple ways, including "supply funds, technical know-how, training, educational materials, computers and so on, to selected political groups, civic organizations, labor unions, dissident movements, student groups, book publishers, newspapers, other media, etc", said Blum. U.S. Libertarian congressman Ron Paul argued several times against funding the NED by the U.S. government, saying the NED "has very little to do with democracy." "It is an organization that uses U.S. tax money to actually subvert democracy, by showering funding on favored political parties or movements overseas," said Paul. INVISIBLE POWER American media critic and sociologist Herbert Schiller, who was widely known for the term "cultural imperialism", examined in several of his writings the role of media-cultural power in American global domination. Schiller also argued that American media was controlled by a few corporations that "create, process, refine and preside over the circulation of images and information which determines our beliefs, attitudes and ultimately our behavior". Except for "sharp power", there are several other terms ended with "power" invented by American scholars, including "smart power" (a combination of hard power and soft power) both by Nye and executive director of PEN American Cente Suzanne Nossel in the early 21st century, as well as "discriminate power" in 2013 by Michael Mazarr from the U.S. National War College. No matter how many terms are created, they are used to promote Americanized democracy and safeguard its global interest. The invention of the term "sharp power" should remind us another academic phrase -- "Thucydides' trap" -- popularized by Graham Allison at the Harvard Kennedy School and often used regarding China-U.S. relations to explain the likelihood of conflict between a rising power and a dominant one. Amitav Acharya, a notable Indian-born Canadian scholar on international relations, told Xinhua that Thucydides' trap "can become a self-fulfilling prophecy", adding that "it's dangerous because you start thinking that somehow this part of the concept has some analytical value." Chen Fengying, a research fellow at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told Xinhua that attracted by the growth of emerging economies including China, more and more countries have begun to look eastward. "In fear of losing their dominant place in the world, some of the Western countries find it difficult to adapt themselves to changes of the world order," Chen said. Consequently, showing great concerns and anxiety over China's rapid growth in recent years, some Western countries once and again labeled China with terms like "China threat", "China Collapse", and at this time "sharp power", but ignoring China's normal foreign relations, economic, people-to-people activities and others. In this regard, Qian Chengdan, a notable professor of history at Peking University, once wrote in an article that after the end of World War II, the United States had considered the former Soviet Union, Japan, and the European Union (EU) as adversaries or potential competitors. "Now it's China's turn," added Qian. WALKING OUT OF TRAP In fact, the "China threat" hypothesis is nothing new. It started in the 1990s and varied in different forms from time to time, but was doomed to fade in the end. What history teaches us is that a peaceful China can only withstand the test of time. As the term "sharp power" is meant to preach a new round of "China threat", Michael Szonyi, professor of Chinese history and director of the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard University, told Xinhua that "one of the reasons that the term doesn't really work is that it suggests that the 'sharp power' is centralized". In his two new books about China, Szonyi, together with the world's other leading China experts, examined China's growth and how the world should look at diverse cultures and societies. That was also reflected in his view on the term "sharp power". He said that there were elements in China that the West doesn't like, adding "we need to draw attention to those but we need to be clear that's not China". "We have to become customized towards a more active China," Robert Ross, professor of political science at Boston College and executive committee of Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard University, told Xinhua. Wang Dong, deputy executive director of the Institute for China-U.S. People-to-People Exchange, told Xinhua that there were a lot of phrases that just come and go every year. But he cautioned about the misunderstanding and mis-perception behind these terms, warning "that sort of mutual reciprocal misunderstanding or mis-perception might probably increase mutual distrust or lead to a deepening security dilemma". Wang called on scholars to work very hard to strengthen communications and exchanges and try to better understand each other's real intentions rather than demonize each other. "Of course it's not an easy task but we have to work hard on that," said Wang. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 16:20:59|Editor: Lifang Video Player Close NANJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- As presales of the Chinese version of Japanese writer Haruki Murakami's new book "Killing Commendatore" have begun, Chinese scholars praised the book for acknowledging the Nanjing Massacre. Zhu Chengshan, former curator of the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre, called the book a work of conscience. Zhu said Murakami's book acknowledged that a large number of civilians were involved and killed in the war, and questioned the confusion on the number of victims. Murakami stands in the position of justice and conscience, he said. The novel, released in Japan last year, was Murakami's first multi-volume offering in seven years, and has become an instant best-seller. One theme of the novel is a painter and his neighbor exploring the riddles surrounding a painting titled "Killing Commendatore" which was stored in his attic. While talking about the life of the painter, the neighbor mentions a number of things that happened around 1937 to 1938, which were "fatal" to Japan, and life-changing to the artist and his family, including the full-scale commencement of Japan's invasive war against China and the Nanjing Massacre. "Yes. It's the Nanjing Massacre. Japan seized the city of Nanjing after fierce battles and killed a lot of people there, both during the battles and after that. The Japanese troops had no time for the captives, so they killed most of the surrendered soldiers and civilians," Murakami wrote through the voice of the neighbor. Japanese troops captured Nanjing on Dec. 13, 1937 and killed some 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers over six weeks. The novel has drawn strong criticism from ultra-right wing factions in Japan, who deny the massacre ever happened and questioned Murakami's purpose in writing such a book. The Chinese version of the book is expected to be released on March 10. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 16:26:01|Editor: Jiaxin Video Player Close GAZA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- After Israel's 11-year-long blockade on the Palestinian Gaza Strip, limited health care and lack of necessary medicines have made life worse and worse for people with chronic diseases in the coastal enclave. For Rabeeha al-Assar, 54, the situation is even more complicated as she suffers from pulmonary fibrosis, which forces her to take oxygen therapy around the clock. Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive, scarring lung disease that is incurable, because the lungs slowly become stiffer and develop a honeycomb appearance that can be seen on a CT scan. Oxygen therapy is commonly prescribed for patients with pulmonary fibrosis to treat low levels of oxygen in the blood, which is caused by scarring in the lungs. In her room, several large oxygen cylinders lined up around the bed where she has been ridden for five years already. For her, a continuous flow of pure oxygen is badly needed to increase the concentration of oxygen in the lungs and elevate oxygen levels in the bloodstream. The woman started to suffer from the disease 15 years ago, but her condition dramatically deteriorated in the past five years. Removing the cannula, which is a tube consisting of two prongs placed in the nostrils to deliver oxygen, may put her life in danger. Al-Assar, a mother of 15, is now unable to move as she has to receive oxygen treatment 24 hours a day. "The cannula must be placed in my nose all the day," she said in an intermittent tone. "Oxygen cylinders and concentrators are everywhere in my house." Al-Assar needs 12 oxygen cylinders a day to survive. Bringing these tanks home is a daunting task for her sons who take turns to secure the oxygen containers for their ailing mother. The job is not easy at all for them. "Our business is idle now because all of us have to be around our mother," Mousa, one of al-Assar's sons, told Xinhua as he checked oxygen cylinders in his mother's bedroom. He said his brothers and him have to be with her 24 hours a day to change the cylinders and take care of oxygen devices and pipes. Altough oxygen treatment helps the woman survive so far, but it is never the final solution. Al-Assar now is in desperate need of a lung transplant after all types of drugs have failed to alleviate her disease. Her family appealed to the government to help al-Assar travel abroad for treatment since local hospitals in Palestine lack advanced treatment for this disease. Al-Assar is only one of the thousands of patients suffering from the tight blockade Israel has been imposing on Gaza since Islamic Hamas movement's violent takeover in 2007. According to the World Health Organization, the Israeli authorities have delayed or denied 40 percent of the patients in Gaza their access to medical care outside the besieged coastal enclave since last July. Last week, the Gaza Ministry of Health announced the suspension of medical operations in 16 healthcare centers across the enclave, citing the severe shortage of power and fuel. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 16:26:02|Editor: Jiaxin Video Player Close Under Secretary of Defense (Defense Department Comptroller) David Norquist speaks during a press briefing regarding the fiscal year 2019 defense budget request at the Pentagon in Washington D.C., the United States on Feb. 12, 2018. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) on Monday rolled out a budget of 716 billion U.S. dollars for fiscal year 2019, meeting the limit newly approved by Congress that roughly marks a 10-percent increase over current spending levels. (Xinhua/Ting Shen) WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) on Monday rolled out a budget of 716 billion U.S. dollars for fiscal year 2019, meeting the limit newly approved by Congress that roughly marks a 10-percent increase over current spending levels. This marks the first time that the Pentagon's base budget tops 600 billion dollars in recent years, and an ambitious move to boost defense spending. The budget consists of 617 billion dollars in base budget, which covers Pentagon operation cost and arms purchase, 69 billion dollars in the Overseas Contingency Operations, also known as the war fund, and 30 billion dollars of defense budget allocated for other government agencies. Congress approved last week the proposal to raise caps on military and domestic spending for two years, which sets the defense budget at 700 billion dollars for 2018 and 716 billion for 2019. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Pentagon Comptroller David Norquist said the proposal was drafted in accordance with the National Defense Strategy and National Security Strategy released earlier that focused on "great power competition." Norquist said the Pentagon was pleased that Congress has voted to raise the caps on defense spending and end sequestration, which he said was essential for the U.S. military to "climb out of a hole." The Army will receive some 143 million dollars, the Navy 179 million dollars, the Air Force some 170 million dollars and DoD agencies some 105 million dollars, according to a breakdown of the budget. With the increased spending, the Pentagon plans to add another 25,900 military personnel by the end of the fiscal year 2019, and offer a 2.6 percent pay rise, the highest in nine years. The budget plan, pending approval by Congress, was one of the few in the collective federal budgets released by White House on Monday that increased from last year. By contrast, many welfare programs and government agencies budgets saw steep cuts. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 16:58:34|Editor: Jiaxin Video Player Close An Indian police officer lays a wreath on the coffin of a slain paramilitary trooper during his wreath laying ceremony at a base camp on the outskirts of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, Feb. 13, 2018. The gunfight in Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir Tuesday entered the second day, police said. A paramilitary trooper was killed, while a policeman was wounded fighting the militants in locality on Monday. (Xinhua/Javed Dar) Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 16:56:11|Editor: yan Video Player Close WENCHUAN, Sichuan, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- "My job is to serve the people," President Xi Jinping told local villagers in suburban Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Monday. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when a senior resident of the Zhanqi Village said with excitement, "You are our good leader and the lucky star of the Chinese people!" "Thank you. I am a servant of the public. My job is to serve the people," the president replied. Xi was in the village to see their achievement in using the Internet to help sell local products. An elderly woman wanted to give a pair of her hand-made shoes to Xi as a gift, but the president smiled and insisted on paying for them. Before coming to the village, Xi visited Yingxiu, Wenchuan County, the epicenter of the 8.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Sichuan on May 12, 2008. Xi visited the ruins of a middle school and laid flowers in memory of more than 80,000 people killed in the quake and the heroes who died during rescue work. Xi said the ruins must be protected to become a base for education in patriotism. He also saw the changes in Yingxiu over the past 10 years after the quake and visited a local tea making workshop and a restaurant, where he helped in making buttered tea, cooking fried crisp pork and grinding soybeans to make bean curd jelly. During the visit, Xi told local villagers that China would continue to revitalize the countryside. "The development of the countryside is not just about developing industries or materials, but about spiritual and cultural lives," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 17:01:15|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday called on the United States to restrain the use of trade restrictions after the latter decided to launch trade remedy investigations on imported welded pipes. "China is concerned about the U.S. side's serious trade protectionist tendency in the field of steel products," a Ministry of Commerce (MOC) statement quoted an official as saying. The statement came after the U.S. Department of Commerce announced Monday trade remedy probes over large-diameter welded pipes imported from the Republic of Korea, Turkey, Greece, India, Canada and China. Though it is the right of World Trade Organization members to make such investigations, "frequent and excessive protection of the domestic industry cannot serve the original purpose of trade remedy measures but often create a vicious cycle," Wang Hejun, head of the MOC's trade remedy and investigation bureau, said in the statement. As of January, more than half of effective trade remedy measures taken by the United States were targeted at steel products, covering almost all steel products imported by the country, according to the statement. Wang said the foundation of the global economic recovery remained fragile, which required all countries to work together. "China hopes the U.S. side abides by multilateral trade rules and plays a positive role in promoting world economic development," Wang said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 17:16:24|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Artists from Hangzhou perform during the celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year, in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Feb. 10, 2018. Argentinean citizens and Chinese residents in Buenos Aires gathered on Saturday in the Parques Nacionales Square to celebrate the Spring Festival and enjoy a show of traditional dance, music and acrobatics to welcome the Chinese New Year. (Xinhua/Martin Zabala) BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- As the Chinese New Year is getting closer, the world is getting into the mood of the Spring Festival celebration. Cultural events like music and dance performances, photo exhibitions, art shows are being organized across the globe, with many countries about to embrace a huge influx of Chinese tourists during the week-long holiday. Analysts said the Spring Festival is becoming a "world gala" with more and more people getting to know China better through this timeless tradition while financially benefitting from the festival economy. CULTURAL FEASTING The Spring Festival, or the Lunar New Year, is regarded as the most important traditional festival for anyone of Chinese origin, with "key signature events" such as family reunions, feasts and performances. The year 2018 will be the Year of Dog, which will officially begin on Feb. 16, according to the Chinese lunar calendar. The Spring Festival is chockful with Chinese wisdom, said Guan Zhaoyu, associate research fellow with Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China. Guan told Xinhua that with the Spring Festival gaining a rising global influence, it provides everyone with a good opportunity to understand true Chinese culture. According to the latest release of China's State Council Information Office, the Chinese New Year will be celebrated in more than 400 cities across more than 130 countries and regions this year. Myanmar's Yangon organized a Chinese gourmet festival to introduce traditional Chinese cuisine to the people of Myanmar. The gourmet festival aims not only to exchange food-cultures between the two countries, but also to promote ASEAN-China relations, said Sun Jianhua, deputy director of Education, Culture and Tourism division of ASEAN-China Center. While on the European continent, a gala showcasing singing and dancing was held in the western German town of Hanau. The performances also featured the traditional Chinese opera, Chinese Kung Fu and a cheongsam fashion show, the traditional one-piece Chinese dress for ladies. "We could expect (a) deepened friendship between (the) Chinese and (the) German(s)" with the performance brought by young people from both China and Hanau together, said Juergen Scheuermann, Chairman of Hanau Taizhou Friendship Association. Moreover, the various customs of the Spring Festival is a collective demonstration of the Chinese spirit of inner peace, unity, and respect for traditions and ancestors, according to Guan. "Through the Spring Festival, the world can get to know China about its diversified cultures and understand a more realistic China," said Guan. "I hope that the Spring Festival can become a shared topic of China and the world to communicate with each other," he added. RED ENVELOPE FROM CHINA In tandem with the festivities, traveling abroad has now become a new trend for the Chinese who wish to spend their extended Spring Festival holiday. A total of 6.5 million Chinese will travel abroad during the upcoming week-long holiday, said a report released by China Tourism Academy and Ctrip. People from more than 200 Chinese cities have reserved outbound tours to over 700 cities in 68 countries and regions on Ctrip, a popular online travel agency based in Shanghai. The most popular destinations are Thailand, Japan, Singapore and Vietnam. The Nordic countries and the United Arab Emirates are also among the favorites. Some of the travelers will be going as far as the Antarctica. Tourists are expected to spend 9,500 yuan (1,510 U.S. dollars) each on their trips. And thanks to the mobile payment services provided by Chinese APP of Wechat and Alipay, Chinese travelers don't need to exchange foreign currency, which will largely facilitate the consumers' shopping experience. To accomodate the Chinese tourists, world-renowned landmarks will be lighted up to earmark the Spring Festival. The top of the Empire State Building in Midtown Manhattan, New York, will be emblazoned in red and gold at dusk on Tuesday and Thursday. While the Effiel Tower in Paris will feature a joint light-show between the Chinese and French cities on the eve of the Lunar New Year. During the Spring Festival, the large-scale flow of people, cash and information have created the unique "Spring Festival economy," according to Guan. He said in recent years, that the top tourist destinations for Chinese people have inadvertently become beneficiaries of the Spring Festival "red envelope," referring to the "financial benefits" from this consumption trend. ' "As the Lunar New Year is becoming a global festival, I believe the concept will bring more and more economic and trade benefits to the whole world," he added. CAPE TOWN, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The following are news items in South African major news outlets on Tuesday. -- On Monday night, according to every available report, the African National Congress' National Executive Committee finally took the decision to recall President Jacob Zuma from the South African Presidency. But so far, no resignation has been forthcoming, with various reports suggesting he wanted a "three-month notice" period before resigning. (Daily Maverick) -- The African National Congress (ANC) will hold a press briefing on Tuesday on the outcome of the special National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Monday. After initially being scheduled for midday, the ANC briefing has been pushed back to 2 pm ostensibly for the party to inform its structures of the NEC's decision on President Jacob Zuma's fate first. (Eyewitness News) Photo taken on Oct. 3, 2017 shows some of the displayed items during the African Sourcing and Fashion Week in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde KIGALI, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Rwandan President and AU Chairperson Paul Kagame has said a "historic pact" on the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) "will be signed" in Rwandan capital city Kigali in March. The agreement is expected to get signed at an extraordinary summit of the African Union (AU), said Kagame at the 42nd Annual General Assembly of the Federation of African National Insurance Companies (FANAF), which opened on Monday in Kigali. "This is a historic pact which has been nearly 40 years in the making, and it represents a major advance for African integration and unity," said the Rwandan leader on Monday. He noted that the progressive trade liberalization Africa expects in the years ahead will mean new opportunities for African firms to compete and cooperate across borders and build continental reach. "We will need to harmonize our regulations, and fully implement CFTA in order to get the economic benefits which our people expect and even deserve," said Kagame, who is serving the term of the AU chairperson for the year 2018. "I therefore want to ask for your active support, throughout the ratification and implementation process." The decision to establish the CFTA by an indicative date of 2017 was adopted in January 2012 at the 18th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. WELLINGTON, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand is hosting 14 Pacific countries at the Pacific Conference on Conventional Weapons Treaties in Auckland from Feb. 12 to 14. New Zealand's Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Fletcher Tabuteau, formally welcomed delegates to the conference with a reception in Auckland. "The conference provides an opportunity to reinforce the importance our region places on enhancing human security and protecting our peoples from harm," Tabuteau said in a statement. It further reaffirms the role that the Pacific can play in protecting and strengthening global norms and in advancing the scope and span of humanitarian law, he said. The conference is sponsored by the governments of Australia and New Zealand and is being attended by 12 other Pacific countries. FAIZABAD, Afghanistan, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Four insurgents including a foreign national have been killed as government forces stormed a base of Taliban group in Jurm district of the northern Badakhshan province on Tuesday, an army spokesman in the region said. "The security forces launched a well-coordinated attack against a base of Taliban rebels in Pul-e-Ali Maghal area of Jurm district early today morning, killing four insurgents including a foreign national on the spot and injuring seven others," Ghulam Hazrat Karimi, the spokesman, told Xinhua. The foreign national killed in the attack, according to the official, is from Tajikistan. No security personnel has been hurt in the operation. Meanwhile, locals said that Taliban militants attacked the government forces checkpoints in Sheikh Wali area of Jurm district. Taliban militants are yet to make comments on the situation. MANILA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- A landslide caused by tropical depression Sanba killed at least four people in the southern Philippines on Tuesday, local police said. Police said the residents were trapped inside their house in Gamuton, a village in Carrascal town in Surigao del Sur province. Sanba made a landfall in Surigao del Sur province on Tuesday morning and it is now over the Bohol Sea after crossing the provinces of Surigao and Agusan del Norte. State weather agency PAGASA has downgraded Sanba from a tropical storm to tropical depression, moving west northwest at 27 kilometer per hour from the previous 25 kph with maximum wind of 55 kph and gustiness of up to 80 kph. The agency said that scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains will prevail in the next 24 hours over Palawan and other central Philippine provinces, warning residents that the depression could bring possible flooding and landslides. It also warned that sea travels remains risky. Thousands of sea passengers have been stranded as a result, the Philippine Coast Guard reported. NAIVASHA, Kenya, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's flower farmers on Tuesday decried unreliable power supply in Naivasha area noting that this was adversely affecting production. Speaking ahead of Valentine's Day which will be celebrated on Wednesday, the farmers pointed out the rising cost of production and labor as the major challenges currently facing the sector. According to Van-Den-Berg Roses Farm Human Resource Manager, George Onyango, they were exporting 500,000 stems of roses everyday to Germany and Holland. However, Onyango said the price of stem had for years remained constant against the rise in farm inputs and flight charges. "Currently, the biggest challenge that flower farmers are facing is the high cost of production and labor which are rising by the month," he said. Onyango hit out at Kenya Power, the country's state-run electricity distributor, over the increased cases of power outages in the region noting that this had negative effects to the farmers. "Power supply to Naivasha which incidentally in the source of geothermal power has been very unreliable forcing the farmers to use generators and these are very expensive to maintain," Onyango said. The HR manager also noted that failure by Kenya to sign Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) was causing anxiety among the farmers. "The ongoing saga around the economic agreement is worrying as failure to sign it would mean an increase in taxes for our produce to the EU market," he said. Onyango also expressed his concern over double taxation by the national and county governments adding that there was need to harmonize them. Kenya ranks the third in terms of export of cut-flower export in the EU market. KABUL, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- About 12,500 Afghan refugees had returned or been deported from neighboring Pakistan and Iran during the period of Feb. 4-10, the UN Migration Agency (IOM) reported Tuesday. Marking a decrease of 3 percent compared to the previous week, 570 Afghans have returned from Pakistan back home, said IOM in a statement. Meanwhile, 11,912 Afghans have reportedly arrived in their homeland over the period from Iran, 12 percent more than the previous week. The IOM has provided post-arrival humanitarian assistance, including food and non-food items to the returnees. About 64,887 Afghan refugees have returned to the poverty-stricken country from the two neighboring states since Jan. 1 this year, the statement said. by Xinhua writer Liu Si BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Recently, a term "sharp power" has become "popular" following a U.S. think tank report and a cover story of the British magazine Economist in December 2017, both of which raised so-called "concerns" over the growing influence of Russia and China. In January, Joseph Nye, the father of "soft power" from Harvard University, published two articles respectively on U.S. magazine Foreign Affairs and international media organization Project Syndicate, attributing "soft power" to the West and labeling China and Russia with "sharp power". Nye defined "soft power" as the ability to affect others by attraction and persuasion, but linked "sharp power" to information of warfare, particularly waged by China and Russia. However, if one looks into the term "sharp power" and learns its ins and outs, one may find that the term is no more than a language trap, coined and manipulated by some Western countries with "zero-sum" mentality and cultural hegemony. A new report "Sharp Power: Rising Authoritarian Influence", released on Dec. 5, 2017 and powered by the U.S. National Endowment for Democracy (NED), claimed that China and Russia have spent a lot to shape public opinion and perceptions around the world. "Over the past decade, China and Russia have spent billions of dollars to shape public opinion and perceptions around the world, employing a diverse toolkit that includes thousands of people-to-people exchanges, wide-ranging cultural activities, educational programs, and the development of media enterprises and information initiatives with global reach," the report said. What made such a months-old term evolve and spread that fast? There are political factors behind it. The term "sharp power" first appeared in a Foreign Affairs article in November 2017, co-written by Christopher Walker, NED vice president for Studies and Analysis, and research and conferences officer Jessica Ludwig, discussing Russia and China's "overseas influence activities prompt a revisiting of 'soft power'". They coined the term as "a new vocabulary for the phenomenon", which was quickly leveraged by some Western politicians as a good tool to shape the public opinion towards Russia and China. The NED has played a key role in fueling the flame. The NED, a Washington-based private, nonprofit foundation and think tank, was founded in 1983, a year after former U.S. President Ronald Reagan proposed an initiative while delivering a speech to the British Parliament "to foster the infrastructure of democracy". Its creation not only received support from the Reagan administration, but also was funded largely by the U.S. Congress. Thanks to strong Congressional support, it's no wonder that the NED each year makes more than 1,700 grants to support the projects of non-governmental groups abroad who are working for "democratic goals" in more than 90 countries. Calling the NED a "Trojan horse", William Blum, an historian and U.S. foreign policy critic, said that the organization was actually not a NGO (Non-governmental organization) but "a GO". The foundation "meddles in the internal affairs of numerous foreign countries" in multiple ways, including "supply funds, technical know-how, training, educational materials, computers and so on, to selected political groups, civic organizations, labor unions, dissident movements, student groups, book publishers, newspapers, other media, etc", said Blum. U.S. Libertarian congressman Ron Paul argued several times against funding the NED by the U.S. government, saying the NED "has very little to do with democracy." Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 18:21:57|Editor: Jiaxin Video Player Close A man's face is painted with picture of Lord Shiva during the Hindu festival of Maha Shivaratri at the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 13, 2018. Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva. (Xinhua/Sunil Sharma) KATHMANDU, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Hindu festival of Maha Shivaratri was celebrated in Nepal on Tuesday with devotees offering prayers to lord Shiva, who is regarded as the God of immense power and destruction. Shivaratri is celebrated annually in devotion of lord Shiva on a new moon day in the Nepali lunar month of Falgun. Devotees from across Nepal and other countries like India, Malaysia and Singapore gathered in the holy shrine Pashupatinath in Kathmandu for the special prayers this year. On this day, devotees offer milk and flowers, especially "Dhaturo" (an intoxicating plant) and green leaves named "Belpatra" to Lord Shiva and light the oil lamps. People also observe fast and meditate while lighting bonfires during night and perform prayers. "Shiva is the supreme power, both creator and destroyer. I am observing fast today on his name to receive his blessings for family," a Hindu devotee told Xinhua at the Pashupatinath temple premise. YANGON, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- One worker has been killed with five others injured in a cargo ship explosion in Hlaing Thaya township in Myanmar's Yangon on Monday, according to the release from the Yangon Police Force on Tuesday. The explosion was caused by sparks from electric welding on the flammable turpentine paint applied to the cargo ship at 08:15 a.m. local time. The Family Win company-owned cargo ship with 200 feet in length and 50 feet in width was docked for repair at the shipyard in Industrial Zone (7), Seik Kan Thar street in Glaring Thaya township. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 19:17:10|Editor: Lifang Video Player Close Wang Huning (R), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, visits tenor Wu Yanze in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 13, 2018. Wang Huning Tuesday visited renowned cultural workers and scientists ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year. On behalf of General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping and the CPC Central Committee, Wang extended Lunar New Year greetings to them and all cultural, scientific and technological workers. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Wang Huning Tuesday visited renowned cultural workers and scientists ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year. On behalf of General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping and the CPC Central Committee, Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, extended Lunar New Year greetings to them and all cultural, scientific and technological workers. Wang visited the homes of several renowned cultural workers and scientists, including tenor Wu Yanze, chief designer of China's J-8 II fighter jet Gu Songfen, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Chen Jia'er, and Song Shusheng, one of the founders of the Translators Association of China. The cultural celebrities and scientists expressed their thanks for the care shown by Xi and the CPC Central Committee, and praised the achievements of the Party and country since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012. They also applauded the strategy made at the 19th CPC National Congress to make China a country of innovators and to help socialist culture to flourish. Wang called on cultural workers and scientists to study and implement the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress. He also encouraged cultural workers and scientists to establish confidence in culture and innovation. Chen Xi, head of the CPC Central Committee Organization Department, and Huang Kunming, head of the CPC Central Committee Publicity Department, also attended the event. The Chinese Lunar New Year falls on Feb. 16 this year. KUWAIT CITY, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United States pledges 200 million U.S. dollars in support of the anti-IS coalition efforts in Syria, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson announced Tuesday. He made the announcement at the International Coalition against the Islamic State (IS) meeting at the level of foreign ministers, which kicked off Tuesday. The coalition succeeded in liberating 98 percent of the Iraqi soil from the clutches of IS, while many of the displaced returned home, said Tillerson. He said that IS was still a threat despite the liberation, stressing the need to provide finance for Iraq and Syria in order to make sure IS was thrashed and could never be able to return. The anti-IS coalition meeting is a part of the Kuwait International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq (KICRI), which kicked off Monday in Kuwait City. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 19:32:13|Editor: Jiaxin Video Player Close MANILA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines officially terminated on Tuesday a multimillion dollar helicopter deal with Canada. "The Department of National Defense (DND) has issued a notice to Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) terminating the contract for the supply and delivery of 16 units of Bell 412 Combat Utility helicopters for the Philippine Air Force," the DND said in a statement. The DND said the move is in compliance with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to cancel the 233-million-dollar-deal between the Philippines and Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company. "The termination was precipitated by the review ordered by the Canadian government on the implementation of the signed Contract Agreement between the DND and CCC," the DND statement said. Duterte has ordered the cancellation of the deal when Canada announced it is imposing a review of the deal on suspicion that the helicopters might be used in the Philippine military's counter-insurgency operations. In connection with the cancellation of the contract with Bell Helicopter, Duterte has ordered the DND to look for other sources of helicopters and military equipment outside of Canada and the United States. He suggested China, Russia, Turkey and South Korea as possible new sources that the military can buy equipment. "While the combat utility helicopters being purchased are primarily for the purpose of transporting personnel and supplies, the DND said it believes that it does not owe the Canadian government any justification for an outright purchase of equipment from a privately-owned company. "The department will continue to pursue the modernization program, and will look into procuring the combat utility helicopters from other countries in lieu of the Bell 412," the statement read. NAY PYI TAW, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar government and two more ethnic armed groups signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Accord (NCA) in Nay Pyi Taw Tuesday. The join-in signing of the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) to the government's NCA has brought the total of such signatories to 10 since the first signing with eight armed groups on Oct. 15, 2015. Speaking at the signing ceremony, State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, who is also chairperson of the National Reconciliation and Peace Center, expressed welcome for the two armed groups which she said have taken a bold step in laying down a corner stone for the emergence of a democratic federal union in the future. She maintained that the NCA is not the end of the peace process but the beginning of the process, the beginning of political dialogue and armed conflict reduction and through the dialogue and negotiation, political issues are to be resolved. She invited the remaining armed groups to come to the political negotiation round table under the government's future program, while continuing to work with organizations which have already signed the NCA to consolidate the ceasefire process. NMSP and LDU, which are members of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), are the first two armed groups signing the NCA in time of the incumbent government, led by the National League for Democracy (NLD). The two fresh signatories will join the upcoming third meeting of the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference. Following the 2015 initiation of the NCA, the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conferences were held twice during the incumbent government in August 2016 and May 2017 respectively. The second meeting of the peace conference was able to incorporate a total of 37 adopted principles into a union accord in the country's peace process for the first time in Myanmar's history. The third meeting of the Panglong Peace Conference is likely to be held later this month for further discussion of unfinished fundamental principles on federalism as well as the formulation of new principles. Aung San Suu Kyi has called for inclusiveness in the country's national reconciliation and peace process, reiterating the government's welcome of non-ceasefire signatory armed groups to join the signing of NCA and be inclusive in formulating the principles toward a democratic federal union in the future. Several other groups which have not yet signed the NCA include the Kayinni National Progressive Party (KNPP), the Arakan National Council (ANC), the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 19:42:16|Editor: Jiaxin Video Player Close DUBAI, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Dubai Airports, the holding company of Dubai International Airport, benefited from the world's first Tier III certified Modular Data Centre Complex (MDCC) made by China's Huawei, state news agency WAM reported. Dubai Airports, the holding company of Dubai International Airportsaid on Tuesday that China's ICT giant Huawei has successfully completed the world's first Tier III certified Modular Data Centre Complex (MDCC) for the world's third busiest airport. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, the chairman of Dubai Airports and chief executive officer of Dubai's government-controlled carrier Emirates Airline, toured the new facilities. The project, led by Dubai Airports, was delivered in just more than 400 days, to coincide with UAE's month of innovation being observed during February, said WAM. The complex is equipped with "next generation technologies" to ensure the highest levels of availability, maintainability, resilience and seamless business continuity to support DXB's growing and complex operation, added WAM. Dubai Airports worked closely with Huawei to design and build the Tier III pre-fabricated data centre incorporating smart operations and intelligent management platforms to host critical IT systems. "The new facility will provide a stable and reliable environment for Dubai Airports to host its private cloud," the airport said in a statement. "With over 240,000 passengers and 1,100 flights per day, zero downtime and hundreds of internal and external systems to manage, high reliability and resilience are critical requirements for Dubai Airports' business technology infrastructure," said Michael Ibbitson, executive vice president of Dubai Airports. Earlier last week, DXB said the number of passengers reached 88.2 million in 2017, an increase of 5.5 percent year-on-year. Alaa ElShimy, the managing director and vice president of Huawei Enterprise Middle East, hailed its MDCC as "one of the most advanced and unique Tier III certified data centers in the world that will ensure highest levels of availability, maintainability, resiliency and seamless business continuity." In recent years, Huawei has taken a lead in providing cloud computing and data solutions for Smart City projects across Gulf countries. Dubai aims to provide paperless government solutions and become the world's smartest city by 2021. KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least one person was killed and three others injured as an explosive device planted on a road went off in Imam Sahib district in the northern Kunduz province on Tuesday, district governor Mahboubullah Sayedi said. "A mine planted by Taliban rebels on a road in Ashkali village of Imam Sahib district exploded today afternoon, killing one child on the spot and injuring three passersby," Sayedi told Xinhua. Taliban militants who are in control of several villages in the restive Imam Sahib district have yet to make comment. Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia February 12, 2018. (REUTERS PHOTO) MOSCOW, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas discussed how to settle the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Kremlin said in a statement on late Monday. "The situation in the region was far from satisfactory. Still, everyone knows in detail everything taking place on the Palestinian-Israeli settlement track," said Putin. Russia has always supported the Palestinian people and "we will work out a joint approach to solving this complicated issue," added Putin. Abbas said that a series of moves taken by the United States in recent months shocked the Palestinian people. Palestine refuses to cooperate "in any way" with the United States in its status as a mediator in the Middle East peace process. Palestine does not oppose having a mulilateral mediation format concerning the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in which America can only serve as part of the group of mediators, he added. In December 2017, U.S. President Trump announced that Washington recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and would relocate the U.S. embassy there from Tel Aviv. The move is generally opposed by the international community. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 20:22:28|Editor: Lifang Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders have visited former senior leaders to offer greetings ahead of the Spring Festival. Former leaders, including Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, received personal visits either from the current leaders or from their representatives. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, as well as the other leaders, wished the former leaders a happy Spring Festival, good health and long lives. The former leaders expressed thanks for the visits and praised the historic achievements made by the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at the core in leading the whole Party, military and Chinese people of all ethnic groups to make new advances in the cause of the socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. They also expressed support to the core status of Xi in the CPC Central Committee and the whole Party. KIEV, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who has been deported from Ukraine to Poland, said Tuesday he would not seek political asylum in Poland. "I will not ask for any political salvation (in Poland)," Saakashvili, now leader of Ukraine's opposition "Movement of New Forces" party, said in an interview with Ukrainian TV channel News One. The politician said that he was staying in a hotel in Poland, and that the Polish authorities had provided him with bodyguards. Saakashvili was detained by Ukrainian border guards on Monday in a restaurant near his party's office in Kiev and deported to Poland by plane. Ruslan Chornolutsky, Saakashvili's lawyer, told the Interfax news agency that he will appeal against the deportation -- which Saakashvili said was a kidnapping -- and fight for the politician's return to Ukraine. The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine said Saakashvili had been residing in Ukraine "illegally" and was returned to the country from which he entered Ukraine. Last week, Kiev's Administrative Court of Appeals approved a lower court's decision to reject Saakashvili's application for political asylum, which ruling Ukrainian Justice Minister Pavlo Petrenko said removed the legal obstacles hampering the former Georgian president's extradition from Ukraine. Saakashvili, 50, was Georgian president from 2004-13, after which he went to Ukraine as an ally of Petro Poroshenko, now president of Ukraine. He acquired Ukrainian citizenship in May 2015 and was appointed governor of the southern Odessa region. In July 2017, Poroshenko revoked Saakashvili's citizenship, following allegations that he had submitted false information while applying for his Ukrainian passport. Two months later, Saakashvili entered Ukraine from Poland without showing the necessary documents to the border guards. His supporters broke through the cordon of security forces and escorted him into Ukraine. Polish border guards said in a statement that Saakashvili was allowed entry into Poland as a spouse of a European Union (EU) citizen. His wife is a Dutch national and the Netherlands and Poland are both EU member states. ALGIERS, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The H1N1 influenza has killed 21 people in Algeria, a local health official said on Tuesday . "Our services confirmed that as many as 21 people aged between 4 and 65 were killed by swine flu virus of H1N1," Djamel Fourar, Director of Prevention at Health Ministry, was quoted as saying by state TV. In December, Minister of Health Mokhtar Hasbellaoui denied the existence of any confirmed H1N1 case, but in January the Pasteur Institute of Algiers (IPA) announced 35 cases of H1N1 were confirmed. ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Unrest in Ethiopia's eastern Harari regional state left four people dead, a regional official said on Tuesday. Nesredin Ali, Harari regional state police commissioner, said the deaths happened on Sunday as organized "anti-peace" forces clashed with security forces, reported state-affiliated media outlet Radio Fana. Another 10 people suffered light and heavy injuries in the clashes while seven trucks carrying humanitarian aid were destroyed in the unrest, according to the report, without identifying the identities of the victims. Ali didn't specify what caused the unrest or who the anti-peace forces were. "In addition, machineries amounting to 150 million Ethiopian birr (5.5 million US dollars) were destroyed in the unrest," he said. Ethiopia is still reeling from unrest that affected large parts of the country in 2016. The unrest in 2016 led to the deaths of hundreds and was dubbed by analysts as the gravest challenge the ruling coalition Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front faced in 25 years. The unrest involving parts of the three most populous regions of Amhara, Oromia and Southern regional states led to an imposition of martial law in October 2016 which was only lifted in August 2017. However, sporadic deadly protests especially in Amhara and Oromia regional states in recent months have renewed fears about Ethiopia's stability. NAIROBI, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- African ministers on Tuesday called for strategic application of space technology to provide durable solution to the continent's perennial challenges like poverty, conflicts, diseases and climatic shocks. The higher education and ICT ministers and experts attending the International Space Forum held in Nairobi underscored the potential of space science to transform the lives of communities in the continent. In her opening remarks, Raychelle Omamo, Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Defense, said a robust space sector is key to eradicating Africa's socio-economic, health and environmental challenges. "African states face myriad challenges in the areas of food security, provision of clean water and health services, job creation and industrialization," Omamo said. "Space technologies and applications can provide effective solution to these challenges," she added. Dozens of senior policymakers and scientists who attended the space forum in Nairobi were expected to adopt a continental strategy to revitalize growth of this science. Omamo noted that African countries were committed to development of a vibrant space sector through policy support, investments in skills and infrastructure. "We need to elevate the discourse on Africa's space sector in light of its capacity to fuel economic growth and address societal needs," said Omamo. "The critical issues of capacity building, research, partnerships and supportive infrastructure should be prioritized in order to promote space science in the continent," She added. Omamo revealed that Kenya has borrowed best practices from Africa's trailblazers in space science like South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria and Sudan to power growth of an indigenous space technology sector. At the same time, Omamo said Kenya will harness space technology to achieve four pillars envisioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta in his second and final term in office. These pillars include food security, universal health care, manufacturing and affordable shelter. African countries should seize the opportunity to develop home-grown space sectors as a means to promote environmental sustainability, food security, human health and security. Valanathan Munsami, the Chair of African Union (AU) working group on Space noted that growth of a formidable space sector in the continent hinges on political goodwill, academia-industry linkages and training. "We require greater collaboration, training, research and an enlightened leadership to steer growth of space sector in this continent," Munsami said. He urged African countries to harness the power of space technology to build the resilience of local communities grappling with negative impacts of climate change like recurrent droughts. NEW DELHI, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were killed and eight others injured Tuesday after a brick-laden truck carrying 15 people skidded off the road and fell into a gorge in India's eastern state of Odisha, officials said. The truck met with accident near Luhajhar Ghat of Gumma block in Gajapati district, about 308 km southwest of Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha. "Today in a tragic accident a brick-laden truck carrying 15 people overturned while negotiating a curve on road and drifted around 80 feet drown, killing seven people and injuring eight others" Dhrubaraj Pandey, additional district magistrate Gajapati told Xinhua over telephone. "The injured were immediately rushed to hospital in Parlakhemundi, where from four were referred to MKCG medical college hospital in Berhampur." Pandey said the truck was carrying bricks to Paralakhemundi. "We are investigating as to how so many people managed to travel in a brick-laden truck," he said. Police have registered a case and ordered investigations to ascertain cause behind the accident. Deadly road accidents are common in India often caused due to overloading, bad condition of roads and reckless driving. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 21:02:47|Editor: Jiaxin Video Player Close RAMALLAH, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The detention of a Palestinian teenager, who slapped an Israeli soldier, was extended on Tuesday for one month, according to an Israeli military court order. The court hearing on Tuesday morning was held behind closed doors, and decided to extend the detention of 17-year-old Ahed Tamimi until March 11. Tamimi has been detained since a night raid on Dec. 19, four days after a video of her slapping an Israeli soldier outside her home went viral on the internet. The military court judge demanded all press leave the court room before the hearing began, citing the protection of the minor when her lawyer objected. The Palestinian girl was seen raising her hand in victory sign as she walked into the court room with chains, whispering to her family members. Tamimi's case has drawn wide public attention to Israeli military court procedures, which are often described by rights groups as discriminatory. Amnesty International, a London-based international group focused on human rights, has called for Tamimi's release and accused Israel of "discriminatory treatment of Palestinian children." Her mother Nariman Tamimi, who took the video of her daughter slapping the Israeli soldier, was also arrested on Dec. 20 and accused of incitement. Both the mother and her minor daughter are held in Israeli prisons. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 21:12:48|Editor: Lifang Video Player Close by Xinhua writers Yuan Quan and Zhou Runjian BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- China's capital will be welcoming the Lunar Year of the Dog this month with uncharacteristic quiet. Beijing authorities have banned fireworks in the city proper during the week-long Spring Festival holiday from Feb. 15. There are also fewer fireworks retailers and display areas in outlying suburbs. Neighboring Tianjin and Hebei and some southern provinces have also followed "the strictest firework ban in the past 12 years" in light of heavy air pollution and injuries. "I'm disappointed by the ban," says Liu Bin, 41, a Beijing kite maker. "The Lunar New Year is less joyful than in my childhood, when all the boys looked forward to the fireworks." It is not the first such ban. In 1994, also the Year of the Dog, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou prohibited fireworks in downtown areas for safety reasons. The ban lasted 12 years, and was lifted in 2006 with protests that it was cultural tradition. Beijing and other cities limited firework displays to certain time. A survey that year showed about 80 percent of Beijing residents set off fireworks. However, the number of fires and air pollution caused by the centuries-old tradition have worsened in the past 12 years. Environment monitoring departments in many cities have data showing heavy pollution on the Lunar New Year's eve. Since 2012, Beijing municipal legislators and political advisors have proposed stricter controls on fireworks. CULTURAL ELIMINATION? The strongest voices against the ban came from advocates of folk culture. Feng Jicai, an acclaimed Chinese writer and counselor to the State Council, says the ban is an irresponsible move against cultural traditions. He describes it as a kind of "elimination." Though it may be good for the environment, it means a great loss to China's cultural traditions. The fireworks were originally intended to scare away the "nian" (year in Chinese), a mythical beast that preyed on people and livestock at the turn of the year, but was afraid of loud noises. "Setting off fireworks on the Lunar New Year's eve is the climax of the celebration. For centuries, Chinese people embraced the new year with the sound of fireworks. If fireworks are banned, the Lunar New Year is no different to any other weekend," says Feng, who also campaigned to preserve ancient villages. "Cultural traditions are vulnerable in modern society. Once gone, they are hard to restore." In 2017, due to strong opposition from rural people, a fireworks ban was lifted just two days after it was issued in central Henan Province, where air pollution was very serious. After the local government extended a ban to villages across the province, some fireworks dealers launched an online petition, calling for the government to reconsider. "I don't think setting off fireworks for a day or two will add too much air pollution. Winds will blow away the haze," says villager Ma Hongwei. Many other customs have also given way to environmental concerns. Eagle hunting, a centuries-old tradition in places like Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia and Yunnan, has been passed on for generations as a craft and nominated as an intangible cultural heritage. But environmentalists accuse hunters of animal abuse and want a ban on all hunting. Similarly, in northern cities like Beijing and Tianjin, the tradition of keeping caged birds is dying out amid animal rights concerns. "People should observe birds in the wild," says Liu Yanlin, a wildlife biologist. CULTURE COSTS Inspired by Westerners using artificial Christmas trees, some Chinese are opting for electronic fireworks and fireworks apps, a trend folklore experts reject. "Electronic cigarettes don't satisfy smokers," argues Wang Laihua, a sociologist and a guardian of intangible cultural heritage. Environmental concerns show people are more rational, says Wang, but the conflict cannot be resolved with a "black-or-white" decision. He says fireworks makers should improve quality to make their products less polluting, and the authorities should have stiff penalties for wrongdoers and educate the public on how to light fireworks safely. Gao Yuhan, a director of Jian'gangnanli community in west Beijing, thinks keeping a tradition is less important than safety: "If it is dangerous, then give up the tradition." His community is outside the Fifth Ring Road, where in the past people have been allowed to set off fireworks. Gao, 51, and his colleagues, instead gathering with their families, had to patrol for hours on the holiday in case of emergencies. He recalls a big fire caused by fireworks in his community a decade ago and says most old residential buildings have thermal insulation, which is flammable. "I used to drive my family miles away to the outlying suburbs to light fireworks, but I lost my passion," says Liu Yuan, a Beijing doctor. "Besides, the fireworks are too expensive now." by Naim-Ul-Karim DHAKA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh's top two cell phone companies bid nearly 500 million U.S. dollars on Tuesday to obtain spectrum for fourth-generation (4G) services as part of government's plans to expedite the launch of 4G mobile services. The country's largest cell phone operator Grameenphone, 55.8 percent owned by Norwegian telecom company Telenor and 34.2 percent owned by local Grameen Telecom, bagged 5 Megahertz (MHz) spectrum from 1800 band at the price of 155 million U.S. dollars. The third largest telecom operator Banglalink, a subsidiary of Netherlands-based company VEON Ltd, acquired 10.6 MHz spectrum from two different bands - 2100 and 1800, at a price of 308.6 million U.S. dollars. Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) arranged the auction in the capital of Dhaka, which was attended, among others, by Telecommunication and ICT Minister Mustafa Jabbar. The auction guidelines set a floor bid price of 30 million U.S. dollars per MHz of spectrum in the 1800MHz bands, and 27 million U.S. dollars in the 2100MHz band. According to the guidelines, no auction for licence will be held. All the four operators can take the licence by paying fees. The licence fee for the 4G network technology is 100 million taka (1.2 million U.S. dollars). Robi, the country's second largest operator and state-owned Teletalk did not participate in the auction as they thought their existing spectrum will be enough for offering 4G services. BTRC Chairman Shahjahan Mahmood told reporters after the auction that the government has earned 52.89 billion taka (about 637 million U.S. dollars) as revenue from new 4G spectrum allocation and tech neutrality fees from Grameenphone, Banglalink and Robi, a joint venture of Axiata Group Berhad (Malaysia), Bharti Airtel Limited (India) and NTT DoCoMo Inc. (Japan). He said the commission will handover 4G licence to Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink and Teletalk on Feb. 20. He expressed the hope that 4G services will be launched formally on Feb. 21. Experts said the launch of 4G services could further assist in minimizing the "digital divide" in Bangladesh, a country being poorly served by broadband internet services. The 4G spectrum will enable companies to tap more revenue from fast-growing data services and reduce regulatory costs under a new licensing regime, they said, adding that 4G promises the fastest data speed from mobile devices. Grameenphone, with the help of leading Chinese global telecom vendor Huawei, has already given its network a test run for 4G services. Officials of other operators said they are also almost prepared to launch 4G services at their earliest in Bangladesh where the total number of mobile phone subscribers reached 145.114 million at the end of December 2017 with 18.72 million new users last year. The latest BTRC data showed the number of subscribers of cellphone operators - Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink and Teletalk - at the end of December last year stood at 65.327 million, 42.908 million, 32.384 million and 4.494 million respectively. Bangladesh in October 2012 officially entered the next generation of wireless communications when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the long-awaited 3G or third generation mobile services via state-run cellphone operator Teletalk. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 21:17:50|Editor: Lifang Video Player Close HOHHOT, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- China has imported a herd of 115 reindeer from the Netherlands as part of an effort to boost the number of the species in the country, authorities said Tuesday. The reindeer have arrived in Genhe in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and are undergoing a 45-day quarantine period, according to regional quarantine and inspection authorities. After that, they will be shipped to Aoluguya, where ethnic Ewenki herders known as "the last hunting tribe in China" still use reindeer as an important means of transportation. In recent years, the number of reindeer in the village has dropped to about 800 due to inbreeding. In January last year, China reached an agreement with the Netherlands on reindeer importation. Two months later, the first herd of 30 reindeer arrived in China. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 21:17:51|Editor: Jiaxin Video Player Close File photo taken on Dec. 21, 2017 shows South African President Jacob Zuma attending the closing of the country's ruling party African National Congress (ANC)'s national conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. South African President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday agreed in principle to resign within a time frame of 3 to 6 months, said ANC secretary general on Tuesday. (Xinhua/David Naicker) JOHANNESBURG, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), on Tuesday confirmed that it will recall South African President Jacob Zuma. ANC secretary general Ace Magashule said this when briefing the media in Johannesburg about the ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Monday night. He said the NEC resolved to recall Zuma and will brief Parliament caucus on Wednesday. Magashule also said that President Jacob Zuma agreed in principle to resign, proposing a notice period of 3 to 6 months. Zuma is expected to respond to the recall on Wednesday, said Magashule. The NEC convened a special meeting on Monday in Pretoria. At about 10:30 p.m., ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa left the meeting and drove to Zuma's official residence. Local media said this was to inform Zuma of the NEC's decision that he should leave office. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 21:17:52|Editor: Jiaxin Video Player Close KUWAIT CITY, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Reconstruction of Iraq is the goal for the international community in general and the Middle East in particular, said the Vice President of the World Bank for the Middle East and North Africa Hafez Ghanem on Tuesday. He made the remarks in an interview with the Kuwait New Agency (KUNA) on the sideline of conference on investment in Iraq, which kicked off Tuesday. "As a global entity, the Bank is concerned with the reconstruction of Iraq, due to the fact it is a major country, hence its stability and safety would contribute to stability and security of the region," Ghanem said. The Bank had been working with the Iraqi government in order to assess needs of the war-torn country and requirements for its reconstruction process, he said. "Iraq is an investments-attracting country. It owns significant wealth in oil, agriculture and tourism, in addition to industry," said the WB official. Speaking of the World Bank Group work in Iraq, Ghanem said "it involves financing social projects, rebuilding hospitals and schools in areas recently liberated from IS, as well as financing educational, health care and societal programs," among other investment-related issues. The conference on investment in Iraq is one of events comprising the Kuwait International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq (KICRI), which kicked off Monday in Kuwait City. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 21:35:59|Editor: Lifang Video Player Close A passenger carries a suitcase over his head as he shoulders his way to take the train Z1 from China's capital Beijing to central China's Changsha in Hunan Province, Feb. 12, 2018. The number of passenger trips around China hit 108.363 million from Feb. 1 to Feb. 12 this year. The Spring Festival travel rush began on Feb. 1 and will last until March 12. The China National Tourism Administration said that 385 million trips, mostly domestic, are expected to be made during the Spring Festival 2018, up 12 percent year on year. (Xinhua/Zeng Tao) Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 21:22:54|Editor: Lifang Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- China has offered to help the Tongan government with its rescue and relief work after tropical cyclone Gita hammered the country, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Tuesday. The Chinese government has initiated an emergency humanitarian aid mechanism to provide support to Tonga, according to a MOC statement, which did not specify further details. Starting Monday night, tropical cyclone Gita hit Tonga, a South Pacific island country with over 100,000 residents, causing severe damage and losses. Packing sustained winds as high as 195 kilometers per hour, Gita has destroyed 75 percent of buildings in the capital Nuku'alofa, flattening the nation's parliament. It has also torn roofs off buildings and stopped water and power supplies, caused injuries and extensive economic damage. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 21:22:54|Editor: Jiaxin Video Player Close ADEN, Yemen, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- More than 41 fighters of the Shiite Houthi group were killed and nearly 50 others injured during the past 24 hours of fighting in Yemen's western coast areas near Hodeidah Province, local sources told Xinhua. "More than 41 dead bodies of the Houthi fighters and nearly 50 injured arrived at the medical center during the past 24 hours," sources at a military hospital said. The government forces, backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), made a significant progress during the ongoing fighting with the Iranian-backed Houthis on the outskirts of Hodeidah. "In brief, the Saudi-backed government forces are winning while the Houthis are losing the battle on the western coast," the military source said on conditional of anonymity. "The Houthi fighters are withdrawing and apparently preparing themselves to flee the battleground," the military official added. The UAE-backed Yemeni troops will continue with their massive military campaign aimed at liberating the whole port city of Hodeidah from Houthis' control, the source noted. Yemen's internationally-backed government, allied with the Saudi-led Arab military coalition, has been battling Iran-backed Shiite Houthi rebels over the control of the country for about three years. The coalition began a military air campaign in March 2015 to roll back Houthi gains and reinstate exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and his government to the power. The coalition also imposed air and sea blockade to prevent weapons from reaching Houthis, who had invaded the capital Sanaa militarily and seized most of the northern Yemeni provinces. UN statistics show more than 10,000 people, most of them civilians, have been killed since the coalition intervened in the Yemeni civil war that also displaced around three million. The impoverished Arab country is also suffering the world's largest cholera epidemic since last April, with about 5,000 cases reported every day. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 21:27:55|Editor: Lifang Video Player Close LONDON, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The China Chamber of Commerce in the UK (CCCUK) and the 48 Group Clubs have jointly held the 2018 New Year's Gala Dinner in London, bringing together over 400 guests from the business sectors of China and Britain to discuss the cooperation opportunities between both countries after the upgrading of the "Golden Era" in bilateral ties. Addressing the event on Monday night, China's Ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, said that both China and the UK now stand at the entrance to a new historic stage, "Each embraces a new era, and each has a new dream." "Our converging new eras set the stage for our two countries to explore opportunities and achieve common development. Both the Chinese Dream and the British Dream point to broader and more dynamic cooperation. China is committed to building a modernized economy and an open economy of higher standards. This means that China will open its door wider to the world. And this will create more opportunities for the UK," he said. Liu said it is important that both China and the UK should seize these historic opportunities in the new era to advance bilateral relations and promote common development. Sun Yu, chairman of the CCCUK said, "This year is very special. Developing the golden era as the uk changes its place in the world. The UK is a very important market for China, and increasing source of goods, and two way investment is expanding fast, London is increasingly a hub for the internationalisation of the RMB and the UK and China can have great cooperation in professional services as China further opens up." Stephen Perry, chairman of the 48 Group Club, said, "Some 65 years on from the original 'Icebreakers' ground-breaking trip to China, we continue to work with UK business and other organisations to help them understand, and benefit from, the opportunities offered by a resurgent China." Organizations judged to have made outstanding contributions each year to China-UK relations have been recognized at the dinner in the annual KPMG-sponsored 48 Group Club CCCUK Business Awards. AstraZeneca and China State Development & Investment Corporation (SDIC) were this year's winners. Douglas Flint, chairman of HSBC (2010-2017), recently appointed by the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer as the UK Treasury's Belt and Road Envoy, was awarded The 48 Group Club CCCUK Lifetime Award. ISLAMABAD, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Tuesday rejected allegations by Indian Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman that Pakistan-based militants carried out the deadly attack on a military camp in Indian-controlled Kashmir over the weekend. Indian officials had told the media that the fierce gunfight broke out early Saturday morning after gunmen indiscriminately opened fire and entered a highly fortified military camp at Sunjawan in Jammu, the winter capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. Indian officials said five army men and one civilian were killed while a total of 11 persons were injured, including four army men and seven civilians. Shortly after the attack, Sitharaman warned Pakistan in reported comments and said "Pakistan will pay for this misadventure," according to the Indian media. Responding to a question regarding the comments of the Indian defense minister, the Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesman regretted that Indian leveled allegations against Pakistan without sharing any evidence. "The Indian allegations are premature and inopportune, especially as India itself admits that the operation still continued and investigations had just started, when these comments were made," the spokesman said. "We have repeatedly seen India arrogating to itself the role of judge, jury and executioner. The reflex assignment of blame and smear campaigns, based on unfounded allegations, carry no credibility," he added. Relations between the nuclear rivals had already been tense due to the cross-border shelling. Both countries had declared ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir region and the Working Boundary in 2003. But they routinely accuse each other of violating the ceasefire. The Foreign Ministry spokesman described as deplorable what he called the "threatening tone of the Indian comments" and said such approach will achieve nothing but further "vitiates the already tense environment marked by unprecedented ceasefire violations" by India along the LoC and the Working Boundary. Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir. Sixteen-year-old Palestinian Ahed Tamimi (2-R), a well-known campaigner against Israel's occupation, stands for a hearing in the Israeli military court at Ofer military prison in the West Bank village of Betunia on January 15, 2018. (AFP Photo) RAMALLAH, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The detention of a Palestinian teenager, who slapped an Israeli soldier, was extended on Tuesday for one month, according to an Israeli military court order. The court hearing on Tuesday morning was held behind closed doors, and decided to extend the detention of 17-year-old Ahed Tamimi until March 11. Tamimi has been detained since a night raid on Dec. 19, four days after a video of her slapping an Israeli soldier outside her home went viral on the internet. The military court judge demanded all press leave the court room before the hearing began, citing the protection of the minor when her lawyer objected. The Palestinian girl was seen raising her hand in victory sign as she walked into the court room with chains, whispering to her family members. Tamimi's case has drawn wide public attention to Israeli military court procedures, which are often described by rights groups as discriminatory. Amnesty International, a London-based international group focused on human rights, has called for Tamimi's release and accused Israel of "discriminatory treatment of Palestinian children." Her mother Nariman Tamimi, who took the video of her daughter slapping the Israeli soldier, was also arrested on Dec. 20 and accused of incitement. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 21:53:02|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visits the homes of impoverished villagers of the Yi ethnic group who live deep in the Daliang Mountains of Zhaojue County, Sichuan Province in southwest China, Feb. 11, 2018. Xi asked the villagers about their lives and discussed poverty alleviation with local officials and villagers on Sunday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- While tens of millions of Chinese are heading home for the Lunar New Year holiday, President Xi Jinping is visiting the homes of villagers in southwest China's Sichuan Province about 2,000 km from Beijing. The message is clear: On the nation's way to building a "moderately prosperous society" by 2020, not a single family or individual should be left behind. During his Sichuan tour, Xi, wearing a thick green coat, paid a visit to families of the Yi ethnic group living in a mountainous area and discussed poverty alleviation with local officials and villagers. He went to Zhanqi Village in suburban Chengdu City to see their achievements in using the Internet to help sell local products. He also observed the changes that have taken place over the past 10 years in Yingxiu, Wenchuan County, the epicenter of the 8.0-magnitude earthquake that killed more than 80,000 people on May 12, 2008. The week-long Lunar New Year holiday, starting on Thursday, is the most important in the Chinese calendar. It is a time when millions of families get together and make wishes for the future. Xi's tour has sent a strong signal about the leadership's signature policy and has come as a big push for efforts to eliminate poverty, a "ghost" that has lingered over the nation for thousands of years. China has lifted more than 66 million people, about the population of Britain, out of poverty over the past five years -- a miracle in human history. The country still had around 30 million people living below the national poverty line at the end of last year. There must be better support and more effective measures. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has put himself on the frontline. During the past five years, he has inspected almost all of the country's neediest regions. The trip to mountainous Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture on Sunday came about a year after he remarked that it was heartbreaking to read about Sichuan villagers who must climb dangerous mountains every day. Xi's tour was far more than a trip. The leadership's arrangements and instructions during the tour will serve as guidance for the central and local governments to do more. Infrastructure will be improved. More training programs will be held to help villagers find jobs. Reform measures will be taken to root out the causes of poverty. The affluent eastern regions of the country and central government departments will allocate more resources to poverty-stricken areas, an advantage of socialism that could concentrate resources and accomplish big things. The drive will not stop until the day when the last person living in poverty finds his or her rightful place as a member of a well-off society. China is still a developing country. Its per capita GDP stands only at the middle of the world rankings. And the Chinese government knows clearly the difficulty of winning the battle against poverty. But once the government makes the promise, it takes real actions. These actions are the reason China believes that poverty is a foe that can be defeated. LONDON, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- British police on Tuesday closed off a section of the Parliament after the discovery of a "suspicious package" in the ministerial corridor. A House of Commons spokesman said: "The Police are currently investigating an incident on the Parliamentary Estate. While their investigation is ongoing, any questions should be directed to the Metropolitan Police." The Houses of Parliament were not in lockdown, there was no security alerts and the entrances to the estate remained open as normal. But a heavy police presence was visible behind the House of Commons chamber, according to photos posted on social media. British Metropolitan Police said they would provide an update shortly. WINDHOEK, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's President Hage Geingob urged members of parliament to pay attention to the agenda of the year and to strengthen good governance. Geingob said this Tuesday when he officially opened the 7th Session of the 6th Parliament in Windhoek. This year's theme is Enhancing Partnership to Strengthen Good Governance in Namibia. "In line with your theme for the year, I believe that to strengthen our governance architecture, we have to enhance the twin principles upon which effective governance rests, namely, transparency and accountability," Geingob said. Geingob said accountability is recognized as the most fundamental requirement for effective governance and a critical component of representative democracy. Saying that the parliament is expected to debate about 20 Bills this year, Geingob expressed disappointment that out of 40 Bills tabled in the last session, only 19 were passed. "Ultimately the quality of the debate, which influences the final output, is determined by how effective standing committees operate. I believe more can be done to enhance the effectiveness of our standing committees," he said. Geingob further said he expected parliament to remember that 2018 is the year of reckoning. "Our ability to effectively govern will face scrutiny this year, and that is why I have declared the year 2018 the Year of Reckoning," he said, adding that the parliamentarians have the responsibility to demonstrate the commitment to administer the Organs of State on behalf of the People. Geingob reminded the parliamentarians that their ability to fulfill expectations determines whether they will be re-elected in 2019. WINDHOEK, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Some Namibian politicians who were promoted to the positions of deputy ministers could not be reached on their mobile phones Monday evening. A displeased President Hage Geingob told the media Tuesday during the swearing-in ceremony of 10 deputy ministers at State House in Windhoek that it was a bad start. Geingob said his office called the promoted politicians to talk to them before they get their letters of appointment but none of them was available. "That's a bad beginning already. Government is giving you your cellphones. It's not for business, it should be reached wherever you are," Geingob said. Geingob, who has declared 2018 the year of reckoning, said the swearing-in ceremonies were not a joke. "This is the year of reckoning. You will be sworn in today. You can get out tomorrow too," Geingob warned. In his New Year's statement, Geingob said the government would be more transparent and accountable to improve service delivery to the people, especially those in the rural areas. He also said priorities would be land delivery and connecting more Namibians to essential services, such as water, sanitation and electricity. Geingob also pledged to initiate infrastructure development projects, including airports, ports and rail developments and upgrades. On Feb. 8, 2018, Geingob reshuffled his cabinet, reassigning some ministers and appointing others. The reshuffle came weeks after the dismissal of Jerry Ekandjo, former youth minister and Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, former home affairs minister. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 22:18:10|Editor: Jiaxin Video Player Close RAMALLAH, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Deputy Foreign Minister Tayseer Jaradat on Tuesday slammed the new Israeli law to extend education law over the academic institutions in Jewish settlements built in the West Bank. The law adopted by the Knesset, Israel's parliament, Monday night, is "null, void and means nothing because settlements are illegal," Jaradat told Xinhua. He said that this law comes as part of a series of bills spearheaded by Israeli right wing parties "in attempt to legalize and anchor settlements and take over Palestinian lands resources," explaining that it remains illegal under international law. He stressed that the UN resolution 2334 issued last December is a clear manifestation of the illegality of settlements, since it demands Israel to dismantle its settlements in the West Bank. Jaradat urged the international community to step in to "stop unilateral Israeli measures that disrupt any possibility to resume the peace process in the region." The Knesset adopted a new law that would allow the extension of the education law to apply on academic institutions based in Jewish settlements in the West Bank, with 56 votes in favor and 36 against. According to the law, the Council of Higher Education in the West Bank is dismantled and the schools and universities in settlements will follow the Council of Higher Education in Israel. Right wing Knesset Member Shall Moalem Refaeli, who submitted the draft law said this law allows Israel "to apply its sovereignty over settlements." Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 22:18:11|Editor: Jiaxin Video Player Close GUIYANG, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Southwest China's Guizhou Province has set a target of attracting 950 billion yuan (150 billion U.S. dollars) of actual investment from outside the province this year, according to its investment action plan. The province aims to attract more than 1,000 companies with good growth potential in such fields as advanced manufacturing, big data and electronics, health and medicine, unique agriculture, and mountain tourism in 2018. Last year, Guizhou attracted 880 billion yuan of actual investment from outside. It will strengthen industrial cooperation with the Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Delta, and Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei regions, the three economic powerhouses of the country. The province also plans to attract small and medium-sized enterprises from countries such as Switzerland, Germany, the United States, and Japan as well as regions such as Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, according to its plan. Guizhou is one of the least developed regions in China, but it has become a pioneer in big data due to its climate, power supply, and network infrastructure. NAIROBI, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Kenya Airways confirmed on Tuesday that a member of its cabin crew was arrested over the weekend for allegedly carrying undeclared gold into Mumbai, India. The national carrier said in a statement issued in Nairobi that it is aware of the incident and is in touch with the Indian authorities regarding the situation. "The airline is committed to the integrity of its operation and does not condone any illegal activities by any of its staff members," it said. Kenya Airways said it adheres to all regulations and laws of Kenya and the countries it operates in. "In addition, all members of crew are trained on regulations and laws governing the countries where the airline operates in and are expected to adhere to them at all times," the airline said. According to local media reports in India, the Kenya Airways employee was arrested with 23kg of smuggled gold bars worth more than 1 million U.S. dollars. The police found the cabin crew hiding the bars in his waist belt and knee caps. It is reported that his accomplice was to collect the gold. The gold was handed to the airport's customs officials for investigations. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 22:23:18|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), on Tuesday visited retired senior military officials to offer greetings ahead of the Spring Festival. Zhang extended New Year greetings to the seniors, as well as the organizations and individuals that serve retired officials, ahead of the Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb. 16 this year. During the visit, he stressed the importance of providing active and comprehensive services to senior servicemen. Zhang said the retired officials are a valuable asset to the Party and the army, and it is the duty of the army to take good care of them. NAIROBI, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Yvonne Karanja grew up in a small rural town on the outskirts of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, at a time when the society placed little premium on academic aspirations of the girl child. Nevertheless, the 22-year-old mathematics and geography major defied cultural myths to pursue education with gusto and with the full knowledge that it could open new opportunities that were a mirage to rural girls. Karanja intends to pursue a post graduate degree in urban planning if she excels in her mathematics and geography major. Speaking to Xinhua on the sidelines of an event to mark the International Day for Women and Girls in Science held in Nairobi on Monday, Karanja said her career aspirations were on the right trajectory thanks to embrace of a science related discipline. "Pursuing a highly technical course has not been easy but boundless encouragement from my female mentors and parents has inspired me to go the distance," said Karanja. She is a member of an all female network in her university that seeks to encourage young women countrywide to take up science related courses. "We meet regularly as young aspiring female scientists and engineers to bond and share tips on how we can excel in school and the career world. Luckily, most of us have a shared vision of making a mark in science, technology, engineering and mathematics," Karanja told Xinhua. Kenya marked the international day for women and girls in science amid concern about a glaring gender disparity in the uptake of this discipline. Senior policymakers, campaigners and scholars who graced the event agreed that Kenya's realization of sustainable development and peace hinges on gender parity in science and technology. "Our country should expand the space for women and girls to pursue science related courses. This is the only way to catapult us to the next phase of development," said Moses Rugut, the Director General, National Council for Science Technology and Innovation. He revealed that Kenya ranks among top ten African countries that have enacted progressive legislation and policies to boost uptake of science, technology, engineering and mathematics by the female. Kenya's growing army of female scientists and engineers has defied huge odds to become central players in the country's socio-economic transformation. Fridah Chebet, a 22-year-old civil engineering major, revealed her desire to participate in her country's infrastructure modernization upon graduation. "In civil engineering, I found my calling and would like to utilize my expertise to help modernize our transport infrastructure. Am aware this is a male dominated field but feel honored to be among the few girls who have ventured into it without hesitation," Chebet told Xinhua. She grew up in the tea growing highlands of northwestern parts of Kenya where very few girls dared to pursue engineering and often opted for softer vocations like teaching and nursing. Chebet drew inspiration from her mother who kept on nudging her to pursue a technical course in the university in the hope that it would secure her gainful employment. Kenyan young women have become trailblazers in science and technology fields despite huge bottlenecks that stand in their journey to success. Elsie Njoroge, a 23-year-old petroleum engineering major, said that it took sheer courage and determination for her to enroll for her dream course. "We have very few young ladies in the petroleum engineering course and it is out of sheer determination and hard work that we managed to land in this male dominated field," said Njoroge Born and raised in a middle class suburb in Nairobi, Njoroge was lucky to have enlightened parents and close relatives who gave her strategic career guidance. "My parents were instrumental in my career choice and have vowed not to disappoint them. I look forward to a successful career in oil and gas sector that is still nascent in the country," Njoroge told Xinhua. Kenya should undertake aggressive policy reforms and invest in mentorship and public awareness to bridge gender gap in science related disciplines, analysts believe. Hendrina Chalwe Doroba, the Executive Director of Nairobi-based Forum for African Women Educationalists, said that an enabling policy environment is key to promote the uptake of science, technology, engineering and mathematics among Kenyan women and girls. "It is possible for Kenya to close the gender gap in sciences if the government embarks on policy reforms, invests in teachers' training and mentorship programs to increase the number of girls pursuing technical courses," Doroba said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 22:28:21|Editor: yan Video Player Close Chinese Premier Li Keqiang talks with villagers as he visits impoverished families in Yinghua Village of Zhenlai County in the city of Baicheng, northeast China's Jilin Province, Feb. 12, 2018. Li made an inspection tour in Zhenlai County in the city of Baicheng from Monday to Tuesday. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has stressed efforts to eradicate poverty and improve people's well-being during an inspection in the northeastern Jilin Province ahead of the Spring Festival. Li made an inspection tour in Zhenlai County in the city of Baicheng from Monday to Tuesday and extended Lunar New Year greetings to the local residents. The premier acknowledged the progress in social and economic development that has been made in Jilin, calling for more work to be done to revitalize the northeastern rust belt. When visiting a disadvantaged village, Li talked with rural residents and encouraged them to seek more ways to increase incomes, while demanding authorities to take more targeted poverty relief measures. E-commerce can make farmers' lives and work more convenient, and better tap the growth potential of consumption, he said. Li visited a shanty town expected to be renovated, demanding adequate aid to those living in difficulty. He also met migrant workers at a bus station and talked with sanitation workers on the street. Chinese leaders have made it a tradition to visit ordinary people across the country ahead of Spring Festival, the most important family holiday in the Chinese calendar. The festival falls on Feb. 16 this year. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 22:28:23|Editor: Jiaxin Video Player Close RAMALLAH, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian government said on Tuesday that Israel is evading all signed agreements through annexing settlements in the West Bank. "Israel's annexation threats mean that it has no interest in peace or achieving a solution for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict," the government said in a press statement following its weekly cabinet meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly told his Likud party meeting on Monday that he is in consultation with the U.S. administration over imposing Israeli sovereignty on Jewish-only settlements in the West Bank. Washington, however, denies discussing the issue with Netanyahu. Last December, Netanyahus' Likud party voted in favor of imposing Israeli sovereignty on West Bank settlements in an internal meeting, which practically means annexation of these lands. The decision has drawn international criticism, since Jewish settlements in the West Bank are seen illegal under international law. "The Israeli decision to annex the illegal settlements in the West Bank is part of a plan to impose dictation on the Palestinian people that would lead to the establishment of an apartheid state," Saeb Erekat, secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said in a statement to official Palestinian radio station Voice of Palestine. The Palestinian leadership "won't accept such steps and will never negotiate with Israel over its war crimes," he added. Erekat also blamed the U.S. for supporting the decision. The Palestinian government also slammed an Israeli bill to deduct money for families of Palestinian prisoners or those killed by Israel from Palestinian tax revenues collected by Israel, describing any deduction as "an act of piracy." Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 22:33:26|Editor: yan Video Player Close NAIROBI, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Kenya is experiencing a sharp decline in elephant and rhino poaching, a senior government official said on Tuesday. Najib Balala, Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, told a media briefing in Nairobi that Kenya lost nine rhinos and 60 elephants to poachers in 2017, compared to 14 rhinos and 96 elephants lost in the previous year. "The rapid decline in wildlife poaching is due to concerted government efforts to protect national parks and game reserves that began in 2012," Balala said during a ceremony to hand over 26 vehicles to the Kenya Wildlife Service for use for field operations. The East African nation passed a wildlife law in 2014 that enhanced penalties for those convicted of poaching and engaging in illicit trade in protected wildlife species. Balala said a sensitization campaign in the key source markets of animal products such as ivory has also led to a reduction in wildlife poaching. He said the government is committed to end poaching of wildlife in order to protect Kenya's natural heritage. "Wildlife is a key pillar of the economy because it is the mainstay of the tourism sector that is one of the largest sources of foreign exchange," he added. Balala said encroachment of animal habitats due to human activities is also threatening wildlife populations. "As a country we need to find a balance between economic development and wildlife conservation so that we save our natural resource for future generations," he said. A playground is seen in this general view picture of the Israeli settlement of Modiin Illit in the occupied West Bank March 27, 2017. Picture taken March 27, 2017. (Reuters photo) RAMALLAH, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian government said on Tuesday that Israel is evading all signed agreements through annexing settlements in the West Bank. "Israel's annexation threats mean that it has no interest in peace or achieving a solution for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict," the government said in a press statement following its weekly cabinet meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly told his Likud party meeting on Monday that he is in consultation with the U.S. administration over imposing Israeli sovereignty on Jewish-only settlements in the West Bank. Washington, however, denies discussing the issue with Netanyahu. Last December, Netanyahus' Likud party voted in favor of imposing Israeli sovereignty on West Bank settlements in an internal meeting, which practically means annexation of these lands. The decision has drawn international criticism, since Jewish settlements in the West Bank are seen illegal under international law. "The Israeli decision to annex the illegal settlements in the West Bank is part of a plan to impose dictation on the Palestinian people that would lead to the establishment of an apartheid state," Saeb Erekat, secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said in a statement to official Palestinian radio station Voice of Palestine. The Palestinian leadership "won't accept such steps and will never negotiate with Israel over its war crimes," he added. Erekat also blamed the U.S. for supporting the decision. The Palestinian government also slammed an Israeli bill to deduct money for families of Palestinian prisoners or those killed by Israel from Palestinian tax revenues collected by Israel, describing any deduction as "an act of piracy." Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 22:38:29|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- More than 100 gang members have been sentenced to penalties, including a suspended death sentence, for organized crime, according to local courts. Wuhu Intermediate People's Court in east China's Anhui Province sentenced Zhou Banghai and Ding Shaoping to 20 years and 23 years in prison, respectively, for leading a mafia-style group, opening gambling casinos and injuring others. All their personal assets were confiscated. The illegal gang activities in Wuwei County left one person dead, two seriously injured and 16 others slightly injured, according to the court. The group's illegal gains totaled 27 million yuan (4.3 million U.S.dollars) from 2001 to 2014. The other 54 members were given jail terms ranging from six months to 14 years and fines. Thirty-four gang members in the northwestern province of Gansu were sentenced to prison terms of up to 20 years after being found guilty of robbery, extortion, opening casinos, illegal detention and other crimes, Lanzhou Intermediate People's Court ruled Tuesday. Guangdong Higher People's Court upheld a suspended death sentence for Chen Zhiwei, a gang leader, on Monday after a second trial. The other 15 gangsters received prison terms. The gang members led by Chen killed one person and injured many others, among other crimes, according to the court. China has recently started a new campaign against organized crime to ensure social stability. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 22:53:34|Editor: yan Video Player Close ISTANBUL, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish coast guard on Tuesday rescued 44 illegal foreign migrants from an inflatable boat off Turkey's Aegean coast, the third time for the force to repeat the feat in the region in one month. At least 13 children were saved along with others near Cesme district in the western province of Izmir, the coast guard said in a statement. The illegal migrants, among them 36 Syrians and eight Eritreans, are believed to have tried to sneak into a Greek island, the coast gurad said, noting it launched a rescue operation after receiving a message calling for help from the boat. The Aegean Sea was a favorite route for illegal migrants seeking to cross into Europe via Turkey. A deal between Turkey and the European Union in March 2016 has helped reduce the flow of illegal migration through this route, but a rebound has been reported this year. A total of 2,448 illegal migrants have been blocked by the Turkish coast guard so far this year, up from 1,110 over the same period in 2017, according to latest figures released by the Turkish force. The coast guard rescued a total of 54 illegal foreign migrants in two previous operations on Jan. 11 and Feb. 5. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 22:58:36|Editor: yan Video Player Close JAKARTA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian start-ups were highly encouraged to explore further cooperation with Australian investors so as to expand their engagement with global market. The encouragement was following positive results from the recent 'matchmaking' event resulted in 23 Letter of Intent (LoI) signed by start-ups and investors from Indonesia and Australia respectively. The event was jointly held by Indonesia's Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) agency through its Sydney representative, Indonesian embassy in Canberra, Indonesia Consulate General Office in Sydney and Indonesian Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) Sydney. "This is what we can jointly carry out to encourage further partnership between Indonesian start-ups with global business network," Business Empowerment Director at the BKPM Pratito Soeharyo said in a statement on Tuesday. BKPM Promotion Investment official Sri Moertiningrum said the event was participated by Indonesian start-ups in sectors of food and beverages, agro business, herbal and aromatherapy, jewelry, handicraft, fashion and leather goods. They met with representatives of 30 potential investors from Australia during the event, she added. Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Kristiarto Legowo who attended the event said the number of LoI documents signed in the event showed enormous potential of trade and investment partnership between the two countries. "We would continue improving the communications with related parties so as to expand investment and trade between the two countries," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 23:03:37|Editor: yan Video Player Close BERLIN, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- An attempt to end bitter infighting among the German Social Democrats (SPD) with an immediate transfer of the leadership position from Martin Schulz to the current SPD parliamentary faction leader Andrea Nahles has met with resistance on Tuesday. Regional SPD branches in Berlin, Schleswig-Holstein and Saxony-Anhalt all proposed that the party should instead be led by its parliamentary vice-presidents in the interim until Nahles is confirmed as leader at a party conference. Several legal experts in the SPD joined this charge. "I am surprised that Andrea Nahles wants to take over the leadership immediately, if only in the interim," Harald Baumann-Hasske, Chairman of the Working Group Social Democratic Lawyers, told the newspaper "Welt". "There is no constitutional basis for such a move in our statues," Baumann-Hasske noted, adding that it would hence be impossible for Nahles to make "significant decisions" including with regards to party finances. PARTY STATUES Earlier, senior SPD politicians, including Nahles, had suggested that it would be more sensible for the parliamentary faction leader to take immediate control by Tuesday. The plan to quell internal strife with a fast leadership reshuffle now seems to have had the opposite effect, however, with critics questioning the legal basis for Nahles' elevation to interim leader prior to her formal nomination by the party leadership committee. Under the prevailing statues of the SPD, the party's parliamentary vice-presidents are designated to take charge in the vacant period between the departure of an old and inauguration of a new party leader. Michael Mueller, head of the SPD in Berlin and mayor of the German capital, told the newspaper "Berliner Morgenpost" that he did not reject Nahles' candidacy for the leadership as such, but was in favor of a "clean process" as established by the party constitution. Similarly, the SPD regional branch in Schleswig-Holstein urged the party leadership not to nominate Nahles as leader just yet. Instead, "a person from the rank of parliamentary vice-presidents should take over the office as indicated by our statues," a statement on behalf of the regional party cited by Welt read. The SPD regional branches hereby endorsed an initiative launched by the SPD youth organization (Juso) which has emerged as one of the staunched critics of joining a new "grand coalition." Juso leader Kevin Kuehnert has expressed concerns that the SPD would be electorally marginalized during another term as junior partner to the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU), calling for the renewal of German social democracy in opposition. OTHER VOICES The situation was further complicated following an announcement on Monday night by Simone Lange (SPD), mayor of Flensburg, that she would mount her own candidacy against Nahles. German media cited a letter by Lange to the SPD leadership in which she called on the party to open itself up to a truly democratic debate over its future orientation. The role of leader was "of far-reaching importance for the entire party and country and must not be determined internally by a small group," the SPD mayor argued. "I am advocating for a primary election and want to give our members a voice again and include them seriously in this decision-making process," Lange wrote in the letter. As recently as Monday, SPD secretary general Lars Klingbeil reiterated a long-standing demand for a change in party statutes which would require a binding membership vote on the election of any leader rather than their selection by the party's elite leadership circle. "We have decided at the party conference in December that we would examine the possibility of such a primary election," Klingbeil told "Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland" (RND). Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 23:08:39|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- China was once a recipient of development aid, but now it is a major financial and technology contributor to global health. "China has done a very strong job of addressing health inequality and poverty over the past decades. What we'd like to see is the innovation of China not only continues to help with all the domestic things, but also benefits other developing countries," Bill Gates said Tuesday in an interview with Xinhua. Gates, the co-chair of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said he has seen China successfully partner with the foundation to tackle domestic health and development challenges over the past decade. In 2009, the Gates Foundation has collaborated with China on the launch of a joint tuberculosis (TB) control program to develop and demonstrate innovative control models that can help China further reduce the number of people who develop TB, particularly multidrug-resistant TB(MDR-TB). The model involves integration with health systems, creative financing mechanisms and the use of new tools such as molecular diagnostics and medication monitors. Piloted in the cities of Zhenjiang, Yichang and Hanzhong, the model had benefited about 14 million people by 2015, helping China meet its TB-related UN Millennium Development Goal - to reduce TB prevalence and mortality by half between 1990 and 2015 - five years ahead of target. However, the challenges remain huge. The World Health Organization says China still has the third highest TB rate, with around 900,000 new cases each year. China also has a fifth of the world's MDR-TB cases, which are especially difficult and costly to treat. A new collaborative program started in 2016 to scale up the model at provincial level and test innovations in information and communication technologies, such as updating the national TB information system and establishing an e-learning and certification system for TB-related healthcare providers. The Grand Challenges China program, launched with the National Natural Science Foundation of China, has funded four projects focusing on innovative TB drug and vaccine research, as well as a structure-based HIV vaccine design. Developing countries carry 90 percent of the world's communicable diseases burden. Gates said China's R&D investment and innovations could bring affordable drugs and health products to other developing countries and the disease surveillance system could be applied to other countries. A report published in Globalization and Health in 2014 said China committed 3 billion U.S. dollars to 255 health, population, and water and sanitation projects in Africa between 2000 and 2012. It also built hospitals and malaria control centers, invested in medical equipment, provided anti-malarial treatment, and trained health care workers. "China is listening to what these countries' priorities are. One of the foundation's missions in China is to motivate more Chinese innovators to contribute to the solution of severe public health challenges around the world," said Gates. "We're hopeful that China will engage in malaria elimination in a number of countries like in Southeast Asia and parts of Africa." Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 23:18:42|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIRUT, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's telecommunications service provider Ogero announced on Tuesday that China's Huawei, along with two other foreign technology firms, was awarded tenders to distribute fiber optics service in the country. Speaking from the Grand Serail, Imad Kreidieh, chairman of Ogero, said three companies out of four bidders: Huawei, the U.S.-based Calix and Finland's Nokia, won contracts to distribute fiber optics service from central stations to end users across Lebanon, in partnership with local companies SERTA Channels, BMB and Powertech respectively. While fiber optic cables have already been laid throughout the country to most central stations, the big issue of providing service from the central station to the end user remains. Over the next four years, the project is expected to produce 1 billion U.S. dollars for the government income, Kreidieh said. In a recent speech, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri described the project as one of the government's most important achievements to date. Hariri admitted that the project took some time to advance, "but we decided to go forward and not listen to those who want to hamper the work of the government." "The citizens have needs. It is my job to fulfill these needs for them," the prime minister noted. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 23:28:46|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close MANILA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will start consultation on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea in early March, according to a consultative meeting between China and the Philippines on Tuesday. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou and Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Enrique Manalo held the second meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea (BCM) in Manila on Tuesday. "With the objective of maintaining and promoting peace and stability in the region, both sides discussed ways to manage and prevent incidents at sea, promote dialogue and cooperation on maritime issues, and enhance mutual trust and confidence," said a statement issued after the one-day meeting, adding they "had a positive, fruitful and productive meeting." The technical working groups identified a number of possible cooperative initiatives that can be explored in the future, with both sides reaffirming that contentious maritime issues are not the sum total of the China-Philippines relationship. "Both sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace and stability, freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea, freedom of international commerce and other peaceful uses of the sea, addressing territorial and jurisdictional disputes by peaceful means, without resorting to the threat or use of force, through friendly consultations and negotiations by sovereign states directly concerned, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and the 1982 UNCLOS," the statement said. UNCLOS refers to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It said both sides also agreed to continue discussions on confidence-building measures to increase mutual trust and confidence, and exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities in the South China Sea that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability. "There were intensive discussions on mutually beneficial joint initiatives and consensus on the convening of technical working groups in the areas of fisheries, oil and gas, marine scientific research and marine environmental protection, and political security, in the framework of the BCM," it said. Both sides highlighted the importance of the BCM as a consultation mechanism that would continue to contribute to the stable growth of bilateral relations. Taking off from the discussions during the inaugural meeting of the BCM in May 2017 in China's southwestern city of Guiyang, it said both sides had a frank, cordial exchange of views on issues of concern on the South China Sea during the meeting. Both sides "had productive exchange of views on ways to strengthen cooperation in areas such as marine environmental protection, fisheries, marine scientific research, and oil and gas, without prejudice to their respective positions on sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction." The third meeting of the BCM will be held in China in the second half of 2018. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 23:33:50|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa assured a regional military chiefs' meeting in Afghanistan on Tuesday that the Pakistani territory is not allowed to be used against any other country. The comments came amid allegations by U.S. and Afghan officials that armed opponents of the Afghan government "use Pakistan soil for attacks across the border," which is denied by Islamabad. Bajwa made the remarks during the Chiefs of Defence Conference held in Kabul, which was attended by commander of the U.S. Central Command, commander of Resolute Support Mission (RSM) in Afghanistan and army chiefs of Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Participants agreed to continue cooperation for peace and stability in the region, according to a statement issued by Pakistani army's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations. Bajwa reiterated that the path to regional peace and stability passes through Afghanistan. He said that Pakistan has eliminated all terrorist sanctuaries from its soil, however, residual signatures of terrorists, who take advantage of presence of 2.7 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan and absence of effective border security coordination, are also being traced and targeted through the ongoing major operation. Pakistan forces are currently involved in fencing its long and mostly porous border with Afghanistan to stop the illegal cross-border movement of the militants. Pakistan and Afghanistan have nearly 2,600-km border and military officials insist fencing will be completed by end 2019. Bajwa said collaborative approach and persistence is the answer to all challenges, for which Pakistan is ready to play its part. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 23:38:51|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close CHONGQING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The municipal government of Chongqing, Tsinghua Unigroup and Sino IC Capital have signed a strategic agreement to set up an integrated circuit (IC) investment firm with a registered capital of 100 billion yuan (15.8 billion U.S. dollars). The joint venture is expected to invest up to 100 billion U.S. dollars in the IC manufacturing bases of Tsinghua Unigroup in the next 10 years, the Chongqing municipal government said Tuesday. China's leading chip maker Unigroup also agreed to build an industrial park in the southwestern Chinese city with an estimated investment of over 60 billion yuan. The park will be home to its research and development center and manufacturing base of various IC products. This is the biggest industrial investment since Chongqing became the country's fourth municipality in 1997. Chongqing is a new electronics production case in China, with the electronics industry contributing more than 570 billion yuan, or one fourth of its industrial output in 2017. Unigroup's industrial park in Chongqing will be able to boost the development of upstream and downstream firms and generate a total sales revenue of over 100 billion yuan annually after it goes into operation. Sino IC Capital, which manages the China Integrated Circuit Industry Fund, will help promote more IC companies to operate in Chongqing. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 23:43:55|Editor: yan Video Player Close HARARE, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed a new police chief following the retirement of former Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri last December. In a statement published by The Herald on Tuesday, Public Service Commission chairperson Mariyawanda Nzuwah said the appointment of Tandabantu Godwin Matanga as the new commissioner-general of the Zimbabwe Republic Police was with immediate effect. Prior to the latest appointment, the 56-year-old Matanga was one of four deputy commissioner-generals in the police. A veteran of the country's war for independence, Matanga joined the police in 1982 as a patrol officer and rose through the ranks to become deputy commissioner-general. He became acting commissioner-general following Chihuri's retirement. Matanga takes over at a time when the police is trying to polish its image following allegations of corruption within its rank and file. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 23:48:56|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, extends the Spring Festival greetings in Zhanqi Village of Pidu District in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 12, 2018. Xi made an inspection tour in Sichuan and extended greetings ahead of the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 16 this year. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) CHENGDU, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Ahead of the Lunar New Year, President Xi Jinping has visited for days poor families in southwest China's remote mountains, inspected an earthquake-hit area, and joined villagers to prepare celebrations for this most important festival for the Chinese. In Zhanqi, a village in Sichuan Province, a festive new year spirit is in the air. Villagers made dumplings at home, wrote new year scrolls, and went out to have family photos taken. The Lunar New Year begins on Friday. When Xi arrived, they cheered and surrounded him to wish him a happy new year. The president was more than delighted to chat. "My job is to serve the people," said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. "To let the people live a great life is the original aspiration of us Communists." In the village, Xi watched demonstrations on how villagers used the Internet to conduct agricultural business and sell local handicrafts. He even bought a pair of hand-sewn cloth shoes. Xi later told local Party cadres and government officials to uphold people-centered development. "Always be concerned with what the people are concerned with, love them and let them benefit," Xi ordered. The president said the issues that concern the people most -- education, jobs, health care, social security and order -- should be properly dealt with to let the people feel richer, happier and safer. EARTHQUAKE RECOVERY Before coming to the village, Xi visited Yingxiu, Wenchuan County, the epicenter of the 8.0-magnitude earthquake that struck on May 12, 2008. He visited the ruins of a middle school and laid flowers in memory of more than 80,000 people killed in the quake and the heroes who died during rescue work. Xi said the ruins must be protected to become a base for education in patriotism. In Yingxiu, Xi saw a town that had re-emerged from the quake. The streets are clean, orderly and lined with shops. The festive atmosphere is also thick. The president visited a tea making shop and a restaurant, where he helped make buttered tea, cook fried crisp pork and grind soybeans to make bean curd jelly. Xi said the great achievement in quake recovery showed the strength of the Party leadership and the socialist system. He urged officials to continue to grow the economy and improve the life of the locals. WAR ON POVERTY The first leg of Xi's new year inspection, from Saturday to Tuesday, took him to one of the country's impoverished areas -- Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture. Eleven out of the 17 counties in the prefecture are flagged as key spots in the state's poverty alleviation work. The prefecture is populated by the Yi, an ethnic minority in China. Many live in remote mountainous areas, which impedes their economic development. Xi went to two Yi villages, including one at 2,500 meters above sea level, to visit poor villagers. He was happy to learn that villagers have increased their income through raising cattle and growing potatoes, pepper and walnuts. "Not a single ethnic group, family or person should be left behind," Xi said. "To build a moderately prosperous society, the most difficult task lies in regions with extreme poverty." "But we will fight and must win this war," he added. Under Xi, China aims to eliminate absolute poverty by 2020. About 68.53 million people have been lifted out of poverty over the past five years. There were around 30 million Chinese living below the national poverty line at the end of 2017, according to the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development. The poor have been Xi's foremost concern. For the sixth year in a row, Xi's Lunar New Year inspection tour has taken him to the front lines of China's war against poverty. "Our socialist system is to let people of all ethnic groups live a great life," Xi said. Before leaving the villages, the Yi people sang songs and gave the president a traditional cloak to wear. Xi shook their hands and wished them a happy new year. REAL ECONOMY During Xi's inspection, he also visited an electronics manufacturing firm in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan, where he inspected liquid crystal panels production process and learned about the firm's information security products. Xi showed keen interest in the latest progress in the digital information sector, which is considered a key part of the real economy. The president called on companies to improve their ability to innovate and compete in the global market, stressing that companies need to shift from Made-in-China to Invented-in-China and focus on quality instead of speed and creating more Chinese brands. Xi underscored that China's economy has shifted from high-speed growth to high-quality development and that the goal is to develop a modernized economy. "The government of Sichuan should further promote the development of the real economy, deepen supply-side structural reform, encourage innovation, and push forward the coordinated development of urban and rural areas," he said. Xi said since the 19th CPC National Congress had shown the way forward for the Party and the state, cadres must work hard for the various tasks, and especially work to let the people benefit. He reiterated upholding the authority of the CPC Central Committee and its centralized and unified leadership. "Do whatever the Party authority asks them to do and refrain from doing what it bans," he said. U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin talk during the family photo session at the APEC Summit in Danang, Vietnam Nov. 11, 2017. (Xinhua/REUTERS) WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin spoke over phone on Monday to discuss the Russian plane crash as well as issues concerning the Middle East peace process and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). According to a White House statement, Trump expressed his condolences over the crash of Saratov Airlines Flight 703 on Sunday, saying the United States was standing by to assist Russian authorities in the investigation. The Russian airliner carrying 71 people crashed shortly after taking off from Moscow, killing all the 65 passengers and 6 crew members on board. Russian Emergencies Ministry officers work at the scene where the AN-148 passenger jet crashed on Feb. 11 in the Moscow region of Russia on Feb. 12, 2018. (Xinhua/Sputnik) Speaking of the Palestine-Israel peace process, Putin noted that he would meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas later on Monday. In response, Trump said that it is now time to work toward an enduring peace agreement. Palestinians take part in a protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Dec. 7, 2017. (Xinhua/Stringer) The Trump administration in December announced its recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, saying it plans to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to the city that the Palestinians also claimed as its capital. The decision has sparked global condemnation. In response, Washington suspended its funding for Palestinian refugees in a bid to force Palestine to accept U.S.-deliberated peace plan in Middle East, which was rejected by the Palestinian side. A Palestinian refugee child is seen at al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, on Jan. 17, 2018. (Xinhua/Wissam Nassar) During the Monday conversation, Trump and Putin also discussed other topics of mutual concern including the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The White House said Trump reiterated the importance of taking further steps. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 23:53:58|Editor: yan Video Player Close LONDON, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange had his hopes of freedom dashed Tuesday when a judge in London upheld a warrant for his arrest on a charge of skipping bail. The 46-year-old Australian has been holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London since 2012 fearing arrest if he leaves the building, potentially paving the way for him to be extradited to the United States. Senior District Judge Emma Arbuthnot delivered her ruling Tuesday at Westminster magistrates court in London stating it is in the public interest to pursue him for failing to surrender to his bail. She said: "I find arrest is a proportionate response even though Assange has restricted his own freedom for a number of years." "Defendants on bail up and down the country, and requested persons facing extradition, come to court to face the consequences of their own choices. He should have the courage to do the same. He appears to consider himself above the normal rules of law and wants justice only if it goes in his favor," added the judge. Assange moved into the embassy originally to avoid extradition to Sweden where he was wanted for questioning over an allegation of a sexual assault which he has always denied. The Metropolitan Police hold the warrant for his arrest if he steps outside the compound even though the Swedish authorities have now dropped their investigation against him. Assange's barrister Mark Summers argued that arresting him was no longer proportionate or in the public interest, saying the years Assange has spent inside the embassy were adequate, if not severe punishment for his actions. The Guardian reported Tuesday that Assange's lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, said before the hearing that the U.S. government had made clear its intention to bring a prosecution against WikiLeaks. "The UK FCO [Foreign and Commonwealth Office] refuses to confirm or deny whether there is an extradition request for Assange," she said, adding the Crown Prosecution Service in Britain has refused to disclose certain material because it would "tip off" Assange about a possible U.S. extradition request. "It is time to acknowledge what the real issue is and has always been in this case the risk of extradition to the United States," Robinson said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 23:53:59|Editor: yan Video Player Close TEHRAN, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Iran and Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement held talks on the recent development in Yemen, Press TV reported on Tuesday. Hossein Jaberi Ansari, the Iranian foreign minister's special assistant for political affairs, met with Mohammad Abdulsalam, the Ansarullah's spokesperson, in the capital Tehran. Abdulsalam briefed the current political situation and recent conflict developments in Yemen. The two sides also explored ways of providing humanitarian aid for the Yemeni who have suffered the conflicts since March 2015. Abdulsalam arrived in Tehran on Saturday and held talks with the Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. During the meeting, Zarif stressed the need for an immediate stop to the war and bombing of Yemen by the Saudi-led coalition. Given the human catastrophe in Yemen, there was a necessity for the international community to send humanitarian assistance to Yemen immediately, he said. Zarif underlined the need for what he called an urgent end to the bombardment and siege of the country. Last week, Ali Akbar Velayati, an international adviser to Iran's supreme leader said that Yemen war could be a "quagmire" for Saudi Arabia. Saudi's involvement in the war in Yemen could lead to the same catastrophe that the U.S. government experienced in Vietnam. The Saudi-led coalition has intervened in the Yemeni conflict since March 2015 to roll back the Shiite Houthi rebels and support President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who was forced into exile by the Houthis. The war has killed over 10,000 Yemenis and displaced 3 million people, creating one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 23:54:00|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. State Department on Tuesday lashed out at Russia on the occasion of the third anniversary of the signing of the Minsk Agreements, vowing to continue sanctions against Moscow until it changes course on the Ukraine issue. In a statement, State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert accused Moscow of continuing to "disregard its commitment" under the accord and "stoking a hot conflict" in Ukraine. "Russia continues to deny its direct involvement, while Russian-led forces intimidate and deny secure access to unarmed OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) monitors," she said. The Ukrainian government launched a military operation in its southeast Donbas region in 2014, after the pro-Russia residents refused to recognize the pro-West Ukrainian authorities and sought independence. Kiev and the insurgents reached a peace agreement brokered by Russia, France and Germany in Minsk, capital of Belarus, in 2014, with a more detailed renewal of the agreement, or Minsk II agreement, signed in February 2015. Urging the Russian government to cease its "aggression" in Ukraine, Nauert said the U.S. sanctions will "remain in place" until Russia fully implements its commitments under the Minsk agreements. She added that the West's separate Crimea-related sanctions will also remain in place until Russia "returns the peninsula to Ukraine." Crimea, formerly part of Ukraine, was absorbed into Russia in March 2014 following a local referendum, which was rejected by Ukraine and its allies. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Moscow has been and remains committed to the complete implementation of the Minsk agreements, but there are no significant achievements yet. "Unfortunately, on the anniversary of the signing, we have little to boast of," Peskov was quoted by Russia Today as saying. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 23:59:01|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Culture on Tuesday launched a national campaign to further regulate the country's online performance market, according to a statement from the ministry. Online performance includes live streaming performance and recorded performances available online and via mobile devices. The campaign will examine online performance platforms and organizations in search of those that stream harmful or fake information, said the ministry. Infringement of the rights of juveniles and spreading unhealthy and inappropriate content to juveniles will also be punished, according to the statement. The ministry required the agencies to set up real-name registration of online performers and verify their identities. The online performance industry should strengthen self-examination and establish a blacklisting system for the offenders, added the ministry. The campaign will be carried out until the end of April. Action has been taken before. A nationwide campaign to purify the online environment was carried out from March to November of last year. Some 73 live-streaming platforms shut down, and 1,879 live streamers received lifetime bans in the first half of 2017. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-13 23:59:02|Editor: yan Video Player Close ABUJA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- A Nigerian court has sentenced an abductor of 276 Chibok schoolgirls in northeastern Nigeria about four years ago to 15 years in prison on terrorism charges. Haruna Yahaya, the 35-year-old member of the terror group Boko Haram, pleaded guilty to the charges against him on Monday. The court arraigned him on a two-count charge of terrorism and abduction. Yahaya, who had been in detention since 2015, is one of 1,000 alleged Boko Haram terrorists facing trial in the west African country. Yahaya said he was conscripted into the terror group in 2014, the same night he took part in the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls on April 14 of that year. Yahaya said that before his conscription into Boko Haram, he was a trader in Damboa, an area often attacked by the terror group in the northern state of Borno. "I was threatened that I would be killed if I refused to join them," Yahaya told the court. On the night of the Chibok schoolgirls' abduction, he said one of the girls begged him to help her escape but he could not because he feared for his own life, too. He told his prosecutors that he later had a love affair with the same girl while she was in Boko Haram's captivity. Four judges in a Federal High Court in the Nigerian state of Niger are sitting in the special courts established for the prosecution of 1,000 Boko Haram suspects currently held in a military cantonment in the state. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 00:09:06|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close Myanmar's President U Htin Kyaw (C front) and Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi (2nd L, front) attend the signing ceremony of Nationwide Ceasefire Accord at the Myanmar International Convention Center (MICC) in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, Feb. 13, 2108. Myanmar government and two more ethnic armed groups signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Accord (NCA) in Nay Pyi Taw Tuesday. (Xinhua/U Aung) NAY PYI TAW, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar is expecting two or more ethnic armed groups to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Accord (NCA) this year, an official said on Tuesday. U Khin Zaw Oo, member of secretariat of Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee, made the remarks at a press conference following an NCA signing ceremony between government and two ethnic armed groups - the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU). "Both formal and informal meetings are underway between the government officials and leaders of the non-signatory ethnic armed groups and we will release an official statement if the best result comes out," he added. The signing of two armed groups to the government's NCA has brought the total of such signatories to 10 since the first signing with eight armed groups on Oct. 15, 2015. NMSP and LDU, which are members of the United Nationalities Federal Council, are the first two armed groups signing the NCA under the incumbent government, led by the National League for Democracy. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 00:09:07|Editor: yan Video Player Close HARARE, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe is holding talks with the Botswana government to explore the possibility of it sending its gems to the neighboring country for cutting and polishing, state broadcaster ZBC reported on Tuesday. President Emmerson Mnangagwa revealed this while touring the Diamond Trading Company of Botswana at the conclusion of his two-day state visit to Botswana on Tuesday, ZBC reported. During the tour, the president said if the talks between the government of Zimbabwe and Botswana government are successful, Zimbabwe will send its diamonds to Botswana for cutting and polishing, the ZBC said. Zimbabwe has been exporting its gems in raw form due to lack of beneficiation capacity. The country is planning to resume diamond auctions this month, having suspended sales in February 2017 after the government in 2016 merged operations of seven companies that were mining gems in Marange in the eastern part of Zimbabwe. The government of former president Robert Mugabe accused the companies of lack of transparency and accountability, and of prejudicing the state of about 15 billion U.S. dollars in potential diamond revenue. Some of the companies took the government to court over their forced eviction from the diamonds fields. Zimbabwe started commercial diamond production in Marange in 2010. Over the years, diamond production at the fields has declined sharply from 12 million carats in 2012 to 1.8 million carats in 2017, according to industry figures. Miners have blamed dwindling alluvial diamond deposits and lack of technology at mine conglomerates for the low production. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 00:09:08|Editor: yan Video Player Close GENEVA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Refugees face perils crossing the lakes of Africa as well as at sea, the UN refugee agency UNHCR reported Tuesday in the wake of four Congolese refugees drowning as they sought safety in Uganda after their boat capsized on Lake Albert. UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch said at a UN media briefing that last week that more than 22,000 Congolese had crossed Lake Albert to Uganda, bringing the total number of arrivals to the country to about 34,000 since the beginning of the year. "Even more lives could be lost on the often perilous lake routes, as increasing numbers of refugees escape inter-communal violence and conflict, across the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)," Baloch warned. Over the past year, some 120,000 Congolese have fled to neighboring countries, joining the 510,000 refugees that were already in exile. The refugees either use small canoes or overcrowded and rickety fishing boats, often carrying more than 250 people. The journey to cross the body of water can take up to ten hours. Overloaded with luggage and fishing nets, the small canoe, which was carrying the four refugees who drowned on Feb. 11, had paddled for nearly two days when it was hit by high waves, causing the passengers to fall overboard. Meanwhile, on Feb. 7, UNHCR partners recorded two more deaths on Lake Albert, where thousands of people are waiting to cross, some wrangling to get into the boats. With attacks on villages in the DRC province of Ituri continuing over the weekend, UNHCR has called for increased humanitarian access to the area. Refugees crossing to Uganda speak of growing attacks against civilian populations, as well as killings and the destruction of private property. Separately, UNHCR said lake crossings through Lake Tanganyika towards Burundi and Tanzania declined significantly last week. Some 8,000 people reached Burundi and 1,200 made it to Tanzania. Army advances against the armed groups inside DRC, as well as a dwindling supply of readily available fishing boats and canoes, may have contributed to the drop in new arrivals, said Baloch. However, UNHCR is afraid that flows could soon pick up again, given the unpredictable and volatile nature of the conflict. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 00:14:10|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close Screenshot from a video provided by Russian Emergencies Ministry on Feb. 12, 2018 shows Russian Emergencies Ministry officers working at the scene where the AN-148 passenger jet crashed on Feb. 11 in the Moscow region of Russia. Rescuers have presumably recovered the second flight data recorder of the AN-148 passenger jet that crashed in the Moscow region on Sunday, the Russian Emergencies Ministry said Monday. (Xinhua/Sputnik) MOSCOW, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The crash of a Russian airplane resulting in the death of 71 people on board could have been caused by the icing of its avionics, the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) said in a statement Tuesday. The IAC, a supervising body overseeing the use and management of civil aviation in the Commonwealth of Independent States of the former Soviet Union said it had completed decoding the data of the plane's onboard recorders. "A preliminary analysis of the recorded information, as well as an analysis of similar cases in the past, suggest that the development of a special situation in flight could be caused by incorrect data on the speed of flight on the pilots' indicators, which in turn was apparently associated with the icing," the statement said. It said the heating of the instruments, connected to indicators were switched off and the reasons for that required additional investigation. The Antonov-148 of Saratov Airlines with 65 passengers and a crew of six en route from Domodedovo Airport in Moscow to Orsk of the Orenburg Region on the border between Europe and Asia crashed Sunday near the village of Argunovo, some 80 kilometers from Moscow, killing all people on board. The Antonov-148 is a regional high-wing jet with a maximum range of about 2,100-4,400 kilometers and passenger capacity of 68-85. The plane was designed and built by Ukraine's Antonov company until 2017 and also built by Russia since then. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 00:44:16|Editor: yan Video Player Close TALLINN, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Estonian Foreign Minister Sven Mikser on Tuesday said that his country wishes to see a more effective, more capable Europe with a better future. Delivering his annual speech at the Estonian parliament Riigikogu, Mikser said, "Maintaining people's faith and trust in Europe is of critical importance." He expects Estonia to become one of the leaders of future development in the European Union (EU) to deepen cooperation with partners after the successful Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2017. "As one of the EU's biggest net recipients and now a somewhat more affluent member state, Estonia has to be prepared to contribute a bit more," according to the Estonian foreign minister. Speaking about security, Mikser said, "Just as important as NATO's military readiness is solidarity in the European Union, along with EU and NATO cooperation." "Global issues, be they the climate or development, eradication of poverty, or better access to education, can be best resolved precisely through the UN," he noted, pointing out that Estonia is seeking a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2020-21 period. Estonia has pledged to contribute 0.33 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to development aid by 2030 from the currently just under 0.2 percent, Mikser stated. "Insofar as we need an open global economic environment for our further growth as an open economy, we continue efforts to enter into free trade agreements with all of our key partners," said Mikser, hailing access to the single market on the background of a free trade system based on World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 00:49:17|Editor: yan Video Player Close THE HAGUE, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Dutch foreign minister Halbe Zijlstra resigned on Tuesday over lying about a 2006 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, ahead of a debate on his position in the Dutch lower house of parliament. Zijlstra was supposed to fly to Russia later on Tuesday for a meeting with his Russian colleague Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday. Before the debate in The Hague, Dutch opposition parties were questioning his credibility and argued Zijlstra could no longer function as foreign affairs minister. Zijlstra concurred and announced his resignation. "This is by far the biggest mistake in my political career," Zijlstra said. "There is too much doubt about my functioning as Dutch foreign minister. This is my own decision." After admitting on Monday to Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant to have lied about the meeting with Putin, Zijlstra still received the support of Prime Minister Mark Rutte and several government parties. However, his position became weaker on Tuesday after new revelations he not only lied about being present at a meeting with Putin, but also misinterpreted the words of the Russian President. During a speech at a congress of his party the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) in May 2016, the current Dutch FM claimed to have attended a meeting with Putin and that he heard the Russian President talk about a "Great Russia". Contrary to his earlier claims, Zijlstra admitted he was not present at the meeting and that the reason he made up the story about his presence was to protect his source. This source appeared to be former Shell CEO Jeroen van der Veer, who wrote in an email to de Volkskrant on Tuesday that Zijlstra misinterpreted his words on Putin. "The interpretation in an aggressive manner is not mine, nor my use of words," van der Veer explained. Zijlstra's resignation is a major blow for his career and for Rutte's third government. The 49-year-old VVD politician was one of the main architects of the current coalition. He has served as foreign affairs minister since the new government was formed in October of last year. Previously, Zijlstra worked as VVD Member of Parliament, state secretary for education, culture and science, and as chairman of the VVD in the House of Representatives. Photo shows Subconscious Experience Series 01-04 by Song Xin. (Xinhua) NEW YORK, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations kicked off in New York City on Monday with the opening of an inspiring art exhibition featuring artists from the local Chinese community known for their transnational and cross-cultural practice. "Art is inspiring. Art is reflection of who we are as people in the culture," said David Sprouls, president of New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) in an interview with Xinhua prior to unveiling an exhibition with the theme of "Blurred Boundaries: Recent Works by Chinese Artists in New York." Photo shows Untitled No. 55701-17 by Shen Chen. (Xinhua) The event, the second of its kind co-hosted by NYSID and China's Central Academy of Fine Arts, serves as an education platform for the school's students and future artists, he said. "Art fosters dialogue between China and the United States," Sprouls said. "Chinese Americans living in New York City (through their arts) blur the boundaries between the East and West, and make people think what that means. I think that's important for our students." "The exhibition challenges our students to stop by and figure out what is different about it and what they can take away from it," he said, adding about 25 percent of NYSID's students are international, and many of them are Chinese. Photo shows Van Gogh-Bodhidharma by Zhang Hongtu. (Xinhua) The exhibition, running from Feb. 12 to March 2, was curated by Dr. Zhijian Qian, assistant professor of Art History at City Tech College of City University of New York. The exhibition was part of "Fantastic Art China 2018," an annual event in New York concurring with the Chinese Spring Festival which falls on Feb. 16 this year. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 01:39:28|Editor: yan Video Player Close BERLIN, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The advertisements of more than 20 German firms and organizations have been discovered on websites with extremist content, German public broadcaster ARD reported on Tuesday. The financial institution Postbank, the shoe retailer Deichmann and the Bavarian state government are included in the list of victims of misplaced marketing campaigns highlighted by ARD. Amongst others, their slogans appeared on websites operated by Islamist terrorist organizations which urged visitors to "join Jihad" and "destroy infidels and Jews". All of the businesses and public organizations affected had signed contracts banning the use of their publications on websites with extremist content. A Deichmann representative told Xinhua, "Our advertisement agencies are obligated to ensure that our banners do not appear on websites that are illegal, extremist or harmful to youths." According to ARD, the "AdSense" subsidiary of U.S. search engine operator and advertisement firm Google was to blame for most cases of inappropriate marketing. "AdSense" distributes online marketing banners to millions of websites with an automated system. The operators of the websites earn revenue when these banners are clicked by visitors. Many of the firms cited by ARD voiced dismay at the revelations. The installation of Postbank advertisements on an Indonesian Jihadist portal had "of course not been initiated by Postbank", a spokesperson for the firm said. Similarly, a spokesperson for the Bavarian State Chancellery told press that it was "absolutely unacceptable" that its advertisements featured on "sites with such content". However, Google was unwilling to comment on "individual websites" when questioned about the issue. The Menlo Park-based firm instead responded that it did "not permit the monetization of dangerous or derogatory content" and "vehemently enforced guidelines" towards this end. Google has repeatedly faced criticism for failing to monitor whether its algorithms distribute advertisements to appropriate sites. German magazine SPIEGEL reported in 2015 that German firms marketing clips were appearing on right-wing extremist YouTube videos. Such cases have irked Google's customers, leading several of its large advertisers to temporarily withdraw their marketing content. In order to contain the resulting reputation damage, YouTube has vowed to adopt improved monetization rules in 2018. "In the coming months, we will introduce a three-step control system," a statement by Google read. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 01:39:28|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close GENEVA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Electrified autonomous vehicles will revolutionize urban mobility by reducing travel costs by up to 40 percent and cut down CO2 marginal emissions to zero, a World Economic Forum (WEF) report said Tuesday. The WEF's report, titled "Electric Vehicles for Smarter Cities: The Future of Energy and Mobility", said autonomous and shared mobility, digitalization and decentralization of energy systems require new approaches to electric mobility. The report says the generation of new jobs, combined with resulting improvements in air quality, will benefit human health and could result in up to 635 billion U.S. dollars of value creation for society by 2030 "The convergence of mobility and energy strategies can magnify the economic and social benefits of electric mobility in cities, and ensure increased sustainability, reliability and customer choice," said Roberto Bocca, head of Energy and Basic Industries, and a WEF executive committee member. The WEF report cites examples of world cities where vehicle electrification is proceeding with government and business backing. Guangzhou, China's third biggest city plans to speed up bus electrification and aims to reach 200,000 new units in 2018, notes the report. China's government has also announced it will develop national regulations for testing AV on public roads in cities across the country. Also, in China, the Hong Kong local government encourages developers to scale-up the electric vehicles charging infrastructure. This includes solutions integrated with the smart payment system, Octopus, which is also used to access the public transport network said the report. In the British capital, the Transport for London office requires all new black (metered) cabs to be electric or emission-free, and diesel vehicles will not be permitted in London by 2032. On the U.S. west coast, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has decided to switch 260 fleet vehicles to electric vehicles. By leasing rather than buying vehicles, the LAPD can invest in charging stations, including fast-charging stations in city center car parks. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 01:44:30|Editor: yan Video Player Close by Maria Spiliopoulou ATHENS, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Greece filed a demarche with the Turkish embassy in Athens on Tuesday over the ramming of a Greek Coast Guard patrol vessel by a Turkish Coast Guard patrol boat in the Aegean Sea shortly before midnight on Monday, the Greek foreign ministry announced. The incident occurred off the islet of Imia (Kardak for Turkey) which has been at the center of a dispute over sovereignty that brought the two countries to the brink of war in 1996. No injuries were reported, but the Greek boat suffered damages and was transferred to nearby Leros island and later to Salamina port in the mainland for repair, Greek national news agency AMNA reported. According to the Greek side, the incident occurred within Greece's territorial waters and immediately the Turkish ship sailed away towards the Turkish coast. A similar incident had occurred on Jan. 17 this year when a Turkish vessel also bumped onto a Greek Navy cannon vessel in the area, AMNA stressed. Foreign ministry secretary general Dimitrios Paraskevopoulos conveyed the Greek government's protest, while the Turkish ambassador to Athens was called to the ministry for explanations, according to an e-mailed press statement by the Greek foreign ministry. Athens called on Turkey to "put an end to the infringements of international law and to actions that do not contribute to building relations between the two countries," saying the infringements "undermine the regional security and stability, which Greece advocates and will continue to advocate for," the press statement read. "Dangerous incidents like this that endanger human lives are a result of the escalating and provocative behavior that Turkey is increasingly exhibiting the last few days," the press release added. Athens has already informed NATO about the incident, as well as members of the UN Security Council, and has filed protests with the European Union, AMNA said, citing diplomatic sources. European Commission spokesperson Margaritis Schinas said: "We are following this development closely...we reiterate the need for Turkey to commit unequivocally to good neighborly relations and avoid any kind of source of friction or action directed against member states, which damages good neighborly relations and the peaceful settlement of disputes," according to AMNA. The Greek vessel cost about 28.8 million euros (35.6 million U.S. dollars), according to Greek Coast Guard sources. Seventy-five percent of the cost was covered with European funds. The vessel arrived in Greece in October 2015 during the peak of the refugees and migrants influx from Turkish shores to the Greek islands. (1 euro = 1.23 U.S. dollars) A girl takes part in a rally in Donetsk city, Ukraine, on Feb. 18, 2017. Protestors took part in a rally demanding the Ukrainian government fully implement the Minsk agreement. (Xinhua/Alexander Ermochenko) WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. State Department on Tuesday lashed out at Russia on the occasion of the third anniversary of the signing of the Minsk Agreements, vowing to continue sanctions against Moscow until it changes course on the Ukraine issue. In a statement, State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert accused Moscow of continuing to "disregard its commitment" under the accord and "stoking a hot conflict" in Ukraine. "Russia continues to deny its direct involvement, while Russian-led forces intimidate and deny secure access to unarmed OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) monitors," she said. The Ukrainian government launched a military operation in its southeast Donbas region in 2014, after the pro-Russia residents refused to recognize the pro-West Ukrainian authorities and sought independence. Citizens of Kiev protest in front of Russian embassy and some of them make provocative actions in Kiev, Ukraine, on June 14, 2014. Russia expressed indignation at provocative actions at the Russian Embassy in Ukraine's capital of Kiev, the Russian Foreign Ministry says. (Xinhua/Ivan Teleshko) Kiev and the insurgents reached a peace agreement brokered by Russia, France and Germany in Minsk, capital of Belarus, in 2014, with a more detailed renewal of the agreement, or Minsk II agreement, signed in February 2015. Urging the Russian government to cease its "aggression" in Ukraine, Nauert said the U.S. sanctions will "remain in place" until Russia fully implements its commitments under the Minsk agreements. She added that the West's separate Crimea-related sanctions will also remain in place until Russia "returns the peninsula to Ukraine." Crimea, formerly part of Ukraine, was absorbed into Russia in March 2014 following a local referendum, which was rejected by Ukraine and its allies. A man passes by a billboard with an image of Russia's President Vladimir Putin and lettering "Strong president - Strong Russia!" in Simferopol, Crimea, on Jan. 18, 2018. (AFP/Xinhua) Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Moscow has been and remains committed to the complete implementation of the Minsk agreements, but there are no significant achievements yet. "Unfortunately, on the anniversary of the signing, we have little to boast of," Peskov was quoted by Russia Today as saying. A view shows a flight recorder of the short-haul AN-148 operated by Saratov Airlines at the site of the airplane's crash in Moscow Region, Russia February 12, 2018. Picture taken February 12, 2018. (REUTERS PHOTO) MOSCOW, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The crash of a Russian airplane resulting in the death of 71 people on board could have been caused by the icing of its avionics, the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) said in a statement Tuesday. The IAC, a supervising body overseeing the use and management of civil aviation in the Commonwealth of Independent States of the former Soviet Union said it had completed decoding the data of the plane's onboard recorders. "A preliminary analysis of the recorded information, as well as an analysis of similar cases in the past, suggest that the development of a special situation in flight could be caused by incorrect data on the speed of flight on the pilots' indicators, which in turn was apparently associated with the icing," the statement said. It said the heating of the instruments, connected to indicators were switched off and the reasons for that required additional investigation. The Antonov-148 of Saratov Airlines with 65 passengers and a crew of six en route from Domodedovo Airport in Moscow to Orsk of the Orenburg Region on the border between Europe and Asia crashed Sunday near the village of Argunovo, some 80 kilometers from Moscow, killing all people on board. The Antonov-148 is a regional high-wing jet with a maximum range of about 2,100-4,400 kilometers and passenger capacity of 68-85. The plane was designed and built by Ukraine's Antonov company until 2017 and also built by Russia since then. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 02:09:35|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close ANKARA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Turkey hardened its discourse against the United States ahead of a crucial visit by the U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Ankara, which aims to restore bilateral ties between the NATO allies that deteriorated over their diverging interests in Syria. "It is very clear that those who say 'we will respond aggressively if you hit us' have never experienced an Ottoman slap," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday, addressing to his lawmakers at the parliament. "We declare that we will destroy every terrorist we have seen starting from the ones standing with their side. Then they will understand that it is better for them not to stand with the terrorists which they rub their backs on," the president said, referring to U.S. support to the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) fighters in Syria. In January, Turkey launched an operation in Afrin province of northern Syria dubbed "Operation Olive Branch" to sweep the YPG from its southern border. Turkey would turn its attention to Manbij after Afrin, the Turkish government said, warning U.S. troops stationed there not to get in the way. But Washington said it has no plans to withdraw its soldiers from the town. "You hit us, we will respond aggressively. We will defend ourselves," U.S. Lieutenant General Paul Funk said during a visit to Manbij. Not only the U.S. generals showed muscles, but also a U.S. Department of Defense budget for 2019 included funds to train and equip local forces in Syria. The Pentagon requested 300 million U.S. dollars for Syrian "train and equip activities" and 250 million dollars for border security requirements, a move which is against demands of Ankara to stop supporting and arming the local Kurdish militia. President Erdogan said the Pentagon had allocated 550 million dollars to the YPG in 2019, with indication that it could increase up to 3 billion dollars. A U.S. decision to continue financial support to the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia will affect Turkey's future decisions, Erdogan said. "It will be better for them not to stand with the terrorists they support today. I am calling on the people of the United States, this money is coming out of the budget of the United States, it's coming out of people's pockets," he warned. Turkish government will openly discuss these matters with Tillerson and "present all realities openly," Erdogan stated, stressing that the YPG poses threat to Turkey's national security across its border. Ankara and Washington have long been at odds over their starkly diverging interests in Syria, but the increasing support of the latter to Syrian Kurdish militia, which the U.S. sees as the local partner not only for struggle against the Islamic State(IS) group, but also for its long term plans in the war-torn country, has pushed relations between two NATO allies to breaking point. Last month, the U.S. announced that they will train and establish a border security army with the local fighters, Syrian Democratic Forces, mainly dominated by YPG. Ankara has been enraged by the statement as the Turkish government sees the YPG group as a terrorist organization and an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party. "We will discuss these issues during Tillerson's visit, and our ties are at a very critical stage," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Monday. "Either we will fix our ties, or they will completely be broken." On Tuesday, Cavusoglu reiterated that Turkey has lost its confidence to its NATO ally and asked for three demands to be met if Washington wants to mend fences with Ankara. He blamed inconsistency between actions of the State Department and the Pentagon. The United States should stop giving arms to the YPG and should collect the given weapons, and the YPG fighters should retreat from the west of Euphrates River, he said. As for the third condition, the foreign minister wanted Washington to take legal steps against Fetullah Gulen, a U.S. based Islamic cleric accused by the Turkish government of masterminding a failed coup attempt in July 15, 2016. U.S. President Donald Trump's national security advisor, H.R. McMaster met with Turkish Presidential Spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin on Sunday in a bid to ease bilateral tensions. As part of U.S. attempt to mend fences with Turkey, Secretary of State Tillerson will meet Turkish leadership in Ankara on Feb. 15-16. Washington has proposed Ankara a safe zone in the west of Euphrates to be established by Turkey, but asked them not to enter the Afrin city center, Abdulkadir Selvi, a columnist of daily Hurriyet, wrote on Tuesday. The United States, for its part, will evacuate Afrin city from the YPG, and the proposal also includes establishing a city council with local groups in Afrin, as they did in Manbij town, Selvi said. But Ankara sees the U.S. proposal as a move to protect the YPG and to prevent Turkey's military operation in Afrin, he said. "The U.S. needs to come up with persuasive proposals on Afrin and Manbij to be taken seriously by Ankara," Selvi said, referring to key meetings of Tillerson in Ankara this week. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 02:44:45|Editor: yan Video Player Close KIEV, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian government will allocate 291 million U.S. dollars within the next seven years to boost the safety of the country's military warehouses, a senior military official announced here on Tuesday. Mykola Shvets, chief of the central department of military service security at the Ukrainian armed forces, told reporters that the funds will be used to enhance the resistance of the ammunition depots against fire and explosions. In particular, Ukraine will build new underground ammunition storage facilities and equip them with modern surveillance and firefighting systems, Shvets said. The measures will be carried out in the wake of the series of explosions at Ukrainian army warehouses last year. In September 2017, blasts ripped through a major arms storage facility near the town of Kalynivka, some 250 kilometers southwest of capital Kiev, forcing the evacuation of 30,000 people and damaging 34,000 tons of ammunition. The explosions were a third similar incident in Ukraine last year. The other two blasts happened in March and earlier in September, also in ammunition depots in the Donetsk and Kharkov regions. The preliminary investigation showed that the acts of sabotage were likely behind all three incidents. Local experts have estimated the economic losses from the incidents at 2 billion dollars. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 02:44:45|Editor: yan Video Player Close RIGA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Latvian cabinet ministers at a meeting on Tuesday failed to reach an agreement on new regulations that would make hiring highly skilled guest workers easier, with the proposal to import scientists from foreign countries triggering the hottest debate. Representatives of the Latvian trade union of education and science employees argued that researchers from foreign countries, including from countries outside the European Union (EU), are already working in Latvia and that instead of importing more of them, it would be necessary to support local scientists more. "Science funding has been insufficient for years already, which has been noted also by foreign institutions," said the trade union's leader Inga Vanaga. The Latvian Economics Ministry has drafted a list of professions where Latvia is already facing severe labor shortages and suggested inviting skilled employees from abroad to fill these job vacancies. Under the Economics Ministry's proposal, which the government considered at its meeting on Tuesday, Latvia would be able to import guest workers of 237 professions in areas like scientific research, physics, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, ICT, manufacturing, electrical technology and electronics, construction, financial analysis, fisheries, aviation and technical maintenance. After discussions with medics' organizations it has been decided not to attract medical workers from abroad. Since Latvian Economics Minister Arvils Aseradens is on a foreign visit at the moment, the government decided to postpone the final decision on importing foreign workforce until the minister returns to Latvia, but the list of guest workers' desirable professions is unlikely to change much. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 02:54:46|Editor: yan Video Player Close NICOSIA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades on Tuesday sought to diffuse tensions after Turkey issued a stern warning to the eastern Mediterranean island in natural gas drilling. "There is no cause for anyone to be concerned. This is being handled in a manner to avert any possible crisis which could create problems either to the economy or to the state," Anastasiades said after a cabinet meeting The Cypriot president said the government is concentrating on diplomatic moves to defuse the crisis. The standoff started on Friday night, when Turkish warships prevented a drillship operating on behalf of Italian ENI from heading to a new drilling site between the southeastern Cypriot shores and Lebanon. Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said Turkish warships were monitoring developments in the region, warning Cyprus not to "overstep the mark" in the eastern Mediterranean. ENI's vice president Claudio Descalzi arrived in Cyprus Tuesday for a routine visit on his companies activities in the Cypriot exclusive economic zone, but his talks with Cypriot Energy Minister Yiorgos Lakkotrypis focused mainly on the standoff. Descaltzi told the Cypriot Minister that ENI has made representations to the Italian government to act so that the drillship, "Saipem 12000" could move without undue delay to its drilling target. The European Commission and the European Council have come out in support of Cyprus, calling on Turkey to refrain from stirring up crisis and respect the sovereign rights of an EU member state. Turkey occupied part of Cyprus's territory in a 1974 military operation, in reaction to a short-lived coup by the military rulers of Greece at the time. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 03:34:53|Editor: yan Video Player Close CAIRO, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on Tuesday met with Sergei Naryshkin, chief of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, to discuss security and anti-terror cooperation. Sisi explained to Naryshkin Egypt's current efforts against terrorism in all strategic axes and directions, said Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Rady in a statement. "Eliminating terrorism requires uniting efforts of the international community, not differentiating between terrorist groups and working on uprooting the sources of terrorism at all security, military, political and ideological levels," Rady quoted President Sisi as saying during the meeting. Egypt's ties with Russia have been growing since Sisi came to office a year after he, then the army chief, removed former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 in response to the mass protests against Morsi's one-year rule. Since Morsi's ouster, Egypt has been facing a wave of terrorism that have killed hundreds of policemen, soldiers and civilians, with most of the attacks claimed by a Sinai-based militant group affiliated with Islamic State (IS). The IS claimed a Russian plane crash over Egypt's Sinai Peninsula in late October 2015 that killed all 224 people on board, mostly Russians. The attack did not affect Egypt's relations with Russia, which later signed an agreement to build Egypt's first nuclear power plant in Dabaa city of the coastal Matrouh province. The Egyptian security forces have killed hundreds of terrorists and arrested thousands of suspects during the country's war on terror declared by Sisi following Morsi's ouster. The Egyptian forces have killed over 50 terrorists and arrested more than 500 suspects in the ongoing massive anti-terror campaign launched on Friday, in the regions including North Sinai, Nile Delta provinces and the western borders with Libya. Sisi's meeting with Naryshkin came a day after the Egyptian president held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, during which he underlined the importance of boosting Egyptian-U.S. relations and reaffirmed the deep-rooted strategic ties between the two countries. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 04:04:57|Editor: yan Video Player Close BRUSSELS, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- In a clear and rare warning, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday argued against the development of European Union defense cooperation in competition with NATO, while U.S. officials also warned against protectionism in the European defense industry. At a press conference in Brussels ahead of a NATO meeting on the level of defense ministers, Stoltenberg said recent EU initiatives for defense cooperation within the bloc could benefit the NATO alliance if it did not enter into competition with it. "More European defense spending and capabilities can strengthen NATO and contribute to fairer burden-sharing, but only if the EU's efforts are developed as a complement and not an alternative to NATO," Stoltenberg said. For the European Union, common European defense has been a critical theme of the shift away from dependence on the United States, with the November 2017 signing and December 2017 launch of the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) agreement. The PESCO pact will allow 25 participating EU member states to pursue greater cooperation on matters of defense and security. In the Q&A session that followed his briefing, Stoltenberg stressed European commitment to the NATO, as well as how the continent's defense relied on the alliance. "It will be absolutely without any meaning if EU and NATO started to compete because we share the same members," NATO chief said, adding: "90 percent of the people living in EU live in a NATO country -- more than 90 percent." "The protection of Europe is dependent on NATO, especially after Brexit. 80 percent of NATO's defense expenditures will come from non-EU allies," said the NATO chief and former prime minister of Norway, which is non-EU member of the alliance. For Stoltenberg, an example of possible problems came from the possibility of EU defense operations creating a list of capability requirements for its members that was in contradiction with a similar list from NATO, leading to incoherence. "We are only one set of forces and we cannot have two lists of conflicting capability requirements," he said. Stoltenberg's warning came on the same day that the United States gave a warning against European defense initiatives leading to consolidation of the European defense industry that would ultimately create discrimination for American defense companies. U.S. envoy to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison warned on Tuesday against defense "protectionism", according to local media reports. "Certainly we do not want this to be a protectionist vehicle for the EU and we are going to watch carefully because, if that becomes the case, then it could splinter the strong security alliance that we have," she told reporters in Brussels. "We want the Europeans to have capabilities and strength, but not to fence off American products." U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized European NATO allies since just before his inauguration in January 2017 on what he has characterized as a lack of fair-burden sharing in defense spending, with only 3 allies meeting a 2 percent spending target in 2014. The latest concerns from the Trump administration seemed to indicate that the U.S. wanted to make sure European allies were not pulling away from the alliance. PESCO and other European Defense Union initiatives have been presented as complements to NATO -- foremost a defense alliance -- but observers have noted that they represent a general change in political orientation, with European allies less confident of support and cooperation from the United States. Asked to comment on these criticisms from the U.S. during his conference, Stoltenberg said, "We have to avoid new barriers inside NATO." "What we would welcome is a more competitive defense industry because that will benefit all NATO allies," he said. Defense ministers of the NATO allies will meet on Wednesday and Thursday in Brussels, to discuss updates to the NATO command structure, increases in fair burden sharing, and NATO-EU cooperation, among other topics. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 04:04:57|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close TIRANA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Albania's majority and opposition parties on Tuesday came up with a joint document expressing commitment to work together to help Albania's European integration. The joint document was signed on the sidelines of the 12th meeting of Stabilization Association Committee in the capital over pas two days co-chaired by the chair of European Parliament (EP) delegation, Monica Macovei, and the chair of Albanian delegation Taulant Balla. Speaking at a news conference, Balla said that Albania's two main political camps had finally come to a full agreement on majority-opposition recommendations that the Stabilization Association Committee addressed to the European Union. "MEPs and Albanian MPs have come together to ask the member countries via the Council and Committee to recommend the opening of accession negotiations with Albania and set a date for the negotiations' kickoff," Balla said. The chair of the EP delegation, Macovei, stated that the opening of EU accession negotiations with Albania was in the interest of the country. She voiced hope that in April, Albania would celebrate the opening of accession negotiations. "Opening of negotiations will be associated with an increase of foreign investments in the country as they boost confidence in the country, which is instrumental," she said. On the second day of the meeting, Slovakian EPP Group member of EP Eduart Kukan stated that Albania deserved the opening of EU accession negotiations. However, he noted that Albania needed to push EU members to make it happen. The Albanian government is hopeful that the European Commission (EC) will recommend the opening of accession talks with EU in the first half of this year. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 04:25:05|Editor: yan Video Player Close TIRANA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Albanian economy has gained momentum and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is willing to further support Albania with technical assistance and to minimize potential risks, visiting IMF Deputy Managing Director Zhang Tao said on Tuesday. Zhang also praised the IMF-Albania cooperation program that was completed a year ago. According to Zhang, the IMF's senior officials assessed such program as successful. "We are pleased the program was completed successfully and I take advantage of this occasion to compliment the Albanian government on meeting key objectives of this program," Zhang said in meeting with Albanian Finance Minister Arben Ahmetaj. The Finance Ministry said in a statement that Ahmetaj praised the cooperation with IMF in the framework of the three-year program with the Albanian government. Ahmetaj informed Zhang of the structural reforms that the Albanian government has undertaken in recent years. Speaking about the economy, Ahmetaj said that economic growth was quadrupled compared to 2013, and in the first ninth months of 2017 the growth stood at 3.9 percent. Ahmetaj said the Albanian government remains committed towards fiscal consolidation, reduction of public debt and advancing structural economic reforms. The visit of Zhang to Tirana is the first of an IMF's senior official in the last 10 years. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 04:25:06|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close KAMPALA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Approximately 800 World Customs Organization (WCO) delegates are expected to take part in the fourth Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) conference next month in Uganda to discuss mutual recognition of AEOs and secure global trade. The delegates, according to Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), are expected from 169 customs organizations from Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia, on March 14-16. According to URA acting commissioner general Patrick Mukiibi, recognition of Ugandan economic operators by other global customs authorities will help speed up clearing processes and cut costs for companies in the country. "Mutual recognition will give our authorized operators the same benefits as are accrued to them here. This means that they can do their own tax assessments, which then saves time and also earns them preferential treatment by other customs organizations across the world," he said. AEOs are businesses certified by customs administrations to do self-assessment in relation to compliance with customs rules. Uganda now has 36 local operators, with another 46 operating at the East Africa regional level under a mutual recognition agreement. According to Mukiibi, Ugandan AEOs currently contribute to 19 percent of all revenue collections, and nearly 25 percent of all customs cargo annually. The commissioner for customs, Dickson Kateshumbwa, said the AEO regime is currently being implemented in 77 countries at both national and regional levels, with Uganda operating the most mature program in Africa. "We were granted the opportunity to host this event on account of having the most mature AEO program in Africa," he said. "Now we want to push for a bigger and better arrangement in the region for the benefit of our economies." Previous AEO global conferences were held in Seoul, South Korea, in 2012, Madrid, Spain, in 2014, and Cancun, Mexico, in 2016. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 04:30:07|Editor: yan Video Player Close TIRANA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Albania has been swept across by freezing rain and heavy snowfalls, resulting in deterioration of circulation in several roads across the country, Albania's Civil Emergency Department informed late Tuesday. Snow has covered the southeast and north of Albania while local authorities reported some road axes in villages were blocked. Even the border crossing point between Albania and Macedonia in Qafe Thana (southeast Albania) remained blocked for few hours until the situation was normalized. However, the national roads remain open for traffic, said Civil Emergency Department. "National and rural road segments remain open for the traffic, but drivers should consider using tire chains while driving along several rural roads in remote areas of Shala and Theth," Department said in a press release. Meanwhile, rain precipitated in the north-eastern region of Shkodra and southern city of Vlora. Despite these adverse conditions, local rivers and streams flows remain normal. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 05:25:17|Editor: yan Video Player Close TEHRAN, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese embassy in Tehran on Tuesday signed a handover certificate with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to mark the successful conclusion of a 1-million-dollar refugee aid project. Under a deal signed with the WFP in August, 2017, the Chinese government donated 1 million U.S. dollars to the WFP for buying food for the refugees in Iran, mainly from Afghanistan and Iraq. China and the WFP recognized the successful accomplishment of the aid project, which has fulfilled its original mission, according to the certificate. Negar Gerami, the WFP representative in Iran, expressed gratitude to Chinese Ambassador to Iran Pang Sen, who attended the ceremony on behalf of the Chinese government. After receiving the Chinese donation, the WFP bought 1,200 tons of emergency food to feed about 30,000 refugees, Gerami said. As the procurement price of the food was lower than expected, the WFP managed to buy more food, achieving a better result than planned in helping those refugees, she noted. Pang said that, though China has become the second largest economy already, it is still a developing country in terms of the GDP per capita. He said China is willing to continue its aid within its capabilities to help other developing countries, especially the most undeveloped ones, to overcome poverty. The Chinese envoy also highlighted the principles of China's donation policies, in which China's donation is provided without political aims, non-interference in the recipient countries' internal affairs, and respecting their legitimate rights to seek development in their own ways. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 05:30:20|Editor: yan Video Player Close CAIRO, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's military prosecution decided Tuesday to detain Hisham Geneina, the former anti-corruption chief, for 15 days pending investigation into his claim about the presence of classified documents overseas. Geneina, former director of of Egypt's Central Auditing Authority, said in a recent interview with the HuffPost Arabi news website that former military chief of staff Sami Anan, currently in custody, keeps abroad secret documents and evidence that could convict senior Egyptian officials of crimes in major events since the ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak in early 2011, the state-run news agency MENA reported. In response, the military spokesman said that the army will refer the issue to the concerned authority for probe, accusing Geneina of "attempting to raise doubts about the state and its institutions." The police arrested Geneina earlier on Tuesday and he was later taken to the military prosecution for interrogation. The former top auditor is a supporter of Anan, who was arrested last month pending military investigation over announcing a run for the 2018 presidential election without prior permission from the armed forces as required. The army also accused Anan of falsifying official documents stating he had ended his service in the armed forces. Geneina said in the interview that he was beaten by a number of thugs outside his house in Cairo in late January, which prevented him from holding a scheduled meeting with a lawyer to appeal Anan's detention. Egypt's presidential election is scheduled for late March. Incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi is expected to make an easy win for a second term due to the lack of strong challengers in the race. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 05:50:24|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close Students of Yemeni primary and secondary schools shout slogans during a rally demanding the United Nations take measures on warring sides to pay teachers' salaries and resume teaching at schools, outside a UN office in Sanaa, Yemen, on Feb. 13, 2018. (Xinhua/Mohammed Mohammed) by William M. Reilly UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed with the United Nations on the technical aspects of transferring one billion U.S. dollars in aid for war-wracked Yemen, the chief UN spokesman said on Tuesday. Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, said 930 million U.S. dollars of the funds for the United Nations to use solely for humanitarian aid in support of its 2018 Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan (YHRP), "without regard for other considerations. An additional 70 million U.S. dollars will be provided by the two countries to support port rehabilitation and infrastructure in Yemen." The funds are to be received by March 31, Dujarric said, referring to a statement by Undersecretary-General Mark Lowcock, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator. They represent almost one third of the 2.96 billion dollars required under the YHRP. Once converted, the pledge will reduce hunger, contain disease, maintain essential health, water and education services and relieve the suffering of millions of Yemenis across the country, the relief coordinator said in a statement on Monday. Lowcock said Saudi Arabia and the UAE also pledged to raise an additional 500 million dollars from other donors in the region. "If fully funded, the United Nations and its partners will provide, among other assistance, emergency food to more than 8.5 million Yemenis, nutritional services to 5.6 million children, pregnant women and mothers, and safe water to 5.4 million people," the relief coordinator said. "The UN and its partners will also rehabilitate more than 1,400 schools and 650 health facilities destroyed by the ongoing conflict," he said. Lowcock thanked Saudi Arabia and the UAE for "this generous and much needed infusion of funds." "I hope this generosity will encourage more donors to contribute to the YHRP, including ahead of the international pledging conference on Yemen to be held in Geneva on April 3," he said. "The humanitarian situation in Yemen continues to deteriorate because of ongoing conflict, collapsing basic services and economic decline," he said. "A record 22.2 million people are now in need of humanitarian assistance -- 3.4 million more than last year." The emergency relief coordinator reiterated the frequent call by humanitarian workers for "rapid, safe and unfettered humanitarian access to Yemen." Saudi Arabia is leading a coalition force defending the internationally recognized Yemeni government against Houthi rebels allegedly supported by Iran. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 05:50:24|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the annual Government Press Office (GPO) New Year's toast for foreign journalists in Jerusalem, on Jan. 10, 2018. (Xinhua file photo/JINI) JERUSALEM, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Israeli police on Tuesday recommended charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in two separate corruption cases. After the month-long investigation, the police handed over their recommendation to Israel's Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who will decide whether to press charges against the prime minister. In a formal statement, seen by Xinhua, the police said that they have concluded that there is "sufficient evidence" against Netanyahu in the cases. In the first case, dubbed by the police "case 1000," Netanyahu allegedly accepted bribery from an Israeli businessman and Hollywood tycoon Arnon Milchan, and an Australian businessman, James Packer. The police said between 2007 and 2016, Netanyahu and his family received expensive cigars, champagne, and jewelry worth about a million shekels (282,800 U.S. dollars). Following the re-election of Netanyahu as prime minister in 2009, "the scope and frequency of the transfer of goods increased significantly," the statement said. In return for the goods, Netanyahu allegedly approached U.S. officials and asked them to extend Milchan's visa to the United States. He also acted to promote a law that gives tax exemption for returning Israeli residents who were living abroad for over 10 years, known as the "Milchan Bill," and helped Milchan to promote his investment in the Israeli media. In another case, dubbed "case 2000," Netanyahu allegedly received bribes from Arnon Mozes, the publisher of Yedioth Aharonoth, one of Israel's largest newspapers. The police said Netanyahu and Mozes held talks over an "exchange deal," in which Netanyahu would receive favorable coverage in Yediot Aharonot in return for promoting a law and other measures that would limit the distribution of Israel Hayom, Yedioth's main rival. Netanyahu maintained his innocence in a video statement broadcast on all of the main channels in the country and on his Facebook page. He accused the police of launching the investigation in order to "topple" him from power. "Things will end without anything," he said in an address from the courtyard of the official Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem. "These recommendations have no place in a democratic state," he said. Lawmakers with the opposition called on Netanyahu to resign, saying he is not capable of performing his duties under the serious suspicion. But sources close to Netanyahu said he would resign only if he was found guilty in the court of law. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 06:05:27|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close THE HAGUE, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Tuesday survived a vote of no confidence in Dutch parliament after Foreign Minister Halbe Zijlstra stepped down for lying about a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Party for Freedom (PVV) leader Geert Wilders had proposed the vote of no confidence against Rutte for his reaction on Zijlstra's lie, and he was supported by five other opposition parties. The motion didn't get a majority vote. Earlier on Tuesday, Zijlstra announced his resignation just before a debate on his position in the Dutch lower house of parliament. The pressure on him was too high after the 49-year-old FM had admitted in Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant on Monday that he lied on having being present at a meeting with Putin in 2006. One day later he also appeared to have misinterpreted words of Putin on a "Great Russia". The debate continued without Zijlstra, but with Rutte, who had to defend his decision to initially support Zijlstra and why he did not inform the parliament immediately after he heard about Zijlstra's lie on Jan. 29. Rutte admitted he made a mistake and he blamed himself for underestimating the seriousness of the case when Zijlstra informed him two weeks ago about the forthcoming article in de Volkskrant. "I thought he could continue as a minister with a good explanation," said Rutte. "I found his lie a sin, but not a mortal sin." Sigrid Kaag, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, will temporarily take over the tasks of Zijlstra as FM until a successor is found. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 06:10:28|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close by Hassan Rouhvand TEHRAN, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Iran's rial hit an all-time-low against major foreign currencies on Tuesday, as Iran's rising tensions with the United States were regarded as the main cause. In the street markets in the capital Tehran, one U.S. dollar was traded for 49,500 rials, and one euro for 61,500 rials. Some exchange centers in downtown Tehran stopped trade on Monday and Tuesday due to the "insane" fluctuations of exchange rates. Since Dec. 2017, Iran's currency has fallen some 18 percent in value to its lowest point ever. As a main cause of the market turbulence, analysts point to the rising tension between Iran and the United States over the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, which the latter has threatened to pull out. In case Washington withdraws from the deal, the sanctions relief on Iran would not be waived by the U.S., which will cause unprecedented repercussions for the economy in the Islamic republic. U.S. President Donald Trump extended sanctions relief on Iran last month, while warning that it would be the last waiver. The White House announced, on Jan. 12, that Trump was seeking for an overhaul of the landmark deal with the European countries in the next 120 days, or he would pull the United States out of the multilateral pact. Since 2017, when Trump took office, his administration has imposed several sanctions on Iranian and international individuals and entities over Iran's alleged human rights abuses and ballistic missile program. The allegation have been categorically dismissed by Tehran. Governor of the Central Bank of Iran Valiollah Seif attributed the volatility in rials value to political uncertainty prompted by Trump's anti-Iran rhetoric and his efforts to undermine Iran's nuclear deal. "The reality is that the United States, especially after the election of its new president, has used its position in the global economy to target the stability of Iranian economy by triggering artificial volatility and spreading anxiety among investors," Seif was quoted as saying by Financial Tribune daily. The U.S. threats could weaken Iran's negotiation strength for the attraction of foreign funds to help the growth of its economy, he said. Although some Iranian officials point to the improvement in Iran's international banking relations, big international banks caution against monetary cooperation with Tehran, in fear of running into U.S. legal trouble if the U.S. reapply sanctions. Under the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, whereby international sanctions against the country were lifted in exchange for restrictions on Iran's nuclear program, Iran has increased oil and gas production, and signed major deals, worth tens of billions of dollars, with the global giants to develop its energy sector. The deals also included purchase of commercial planes from the plane manufacturers Airbus and Boeing to modernize Iran's aged air fleet. Due to the likelihood of reduced inflow of foreign capital, the implementation of infrastructure projects of the country, particularly in oil, gas, petrochemical sectors, will experience a setback. As Iran imports lots of goods, a decline of foreign investment could also have negative impact on Iranians' lives. This would raise further panic among people as their savings continue to lose value sharply. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses Indian industrialists during his visit to Mumbai, India on January 18, 2018. (AFP Photo) JERUSALEM, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Israeli police on Tuesday recommended charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in two separate corruption cases. After the month-long investigation, the police handed over their recommendation to Israel's Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who will decide whether to press charges against the prime minister. In a formal statement, seen by Xinhua, the police said that they have concluded that there is "sufficient evidence" against Netanyahu in the cases. In the first case, dubbed by the police "case 1000," Netanyahu allegedly accepted bribery from an Israeli businessman and Hollywood tycoon Arnon Milchan, and an Australian businessman, James Packer. The police said between 2007 and 2016, Netanyahu and his family received expensive cigars, champagne, and jewelry worth about a million shekels (282,800 U.S. dollars). Following the re-election of Netanyahu as prime minister in 2009, "the scope and frequency of the transfer of goods increased significantly," the statement said. In return for the goods, Netanyahu allegedly approached U.S. officials and asked them to extend Milchan's visa to the United States. He also acted to promote a law that gives tax exemption for returning Israeli residents who were living abroad for over 10 years, known as the "Milchan Bill," and helped Milchan to promote his investment in the Israeli media. In another case, dubbed "case 2000," Netanyahu allegedly received bribes from Arnon Mozes, the publisher of Yedioth Aharonoth, one of Israel's largest newspapers. The police said Netanyahu and Mozes held talks over an "exchange deal," in which Netanyahu would receive favorable coverage in Yediot Aharonot in return for promoting a law and other measures that would limit the distribution of Israel Hayom, Yedioth's main rival. Netanyahu maintained his innocence in a video statement broadcast on all of the main channels in the country and on his Facebook page. He accused the police of launching the investigation in order to "topple" him from power. "Things will end without anything," he said in an address from the courtyard of the official Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem. "These recommendations have no place in a democratic state," he said. Lawmakers with the opposition called on Netanyahu to resign, saying he is not capable of performing his duties under the serious suspicion. But sources close to Netanyahu said he would resign only if he was found guilty in the court of law. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 06:25:31|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close HAVANA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Representatives of Cuba and the United States met in Washington to discuss on the prevention and the fight against money laundering, Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday. According to a release, the talks analyzed the "trends of this scourge at regional level, the main experiences in the struggle against money laundering and the next steps to be taken." "The Cuban delegation emphasized the need to increase the cooperation between the authorities of the two countries to guarantee the effective confrontation against this form of crime," said the release. Havana and Washington also agreed that "it is necessary to act with determination against such events and the offenders, without allowing impunity." They also agreed to continue holding technical meetings on the subject in the future and coordinate actions to effectively fight against money laundering. This was the second meeting on money laundering between Cuban and American experts. Both nations addressed this crime for the first time in Havana in May 2016, where they agreed to cooperate and set up bilateral instruments to fight it. So far this year, both countries have held dialogues on cyber-security, terrorism, criminal matters and soil erosion. These collaborations have happened despite bilateral ties having waned since President Donald Trump took office in January 2017 and vowed to roll back the progress seen under his predecessor. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 06:40:36|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close ALGIERS, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Visiting U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs Alan Patterson said Tuesday the U.S. is keen to benefit from Algeria's experience in combating terrorism. Following his meeting with Algerian Foreign Minister Abdelkader Messahel in Algiers, Patterson told reporters that the talks were held as part of the eighth Algerian-U.S. military dialogue. Patterson said they discussed the issue of strengthening security consultation through the exchange of information and experience, especially as Algeria plays a pivotal role in the fight against terrorism. The U.S. official added that the U.S. would like to benefit from Algeria's experience in order to contribute to the achievement of security and stability in the region and the world. For his part, Masahel said he discussed with the U.S. official ways of strengthening bilateral relations, and exchanged views over issues of common interest, including the situation in the region, especially in Libya, Mali and the Sahel countries in general. He said the meeting was "fruitful" as it enabled the two parties to enhance bilateral cooperation and coordination in terms of the fight against terrorism, whether bilaterally, within the United Nations, or on the level of the Global Forum against Terrorism. Algeria and the U.S. are due to hold their fifth Bilateral Strategic Dialogue on Security and Counterterrorism in June in Algiers. The dialogue is to assess bilateral counterterrorism partnership amid emerging threats in the North African region, Algerian Foreign Ministry said days ago, following the visit of Principal Deputy Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the U.S. Department of State Alina Romanowski. Algeria also is due to to host in April a conference on the international fight against terrorism and cutting off financial sources for terrorists, as part of the Global Counterterrorism Forum held in collaboration with the African Union. Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-14 06:55:38|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close BEIRUT, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese peacekeepers in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in south Lebanon on Tuesday celebrated the Spring Festival with a cultural and artistic event. The event, held at the headquarters of the Chinese contingent in south Lebanon, was co-organized by Chinese Ministry of Culture and the Chinese embassy in Lebanon. UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Michael Beary thanked China for its support to UNIFIL and to the cause of international peace and security. He praised the Chinese contingent for the "excellent work they have done, and continue to do, and how they reflect the professional military standards of the Chinese People's Liberation Army." Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon Wang Kejian said this was "an occasion to review the accomplishments of the last year for Lebanon." He called the past year as "an extraordinary year" for Lebanon as the country was able to ensure stability in general, with improved security and economic recovery. He also expressed hope for continued cooperation between Lebanon and China in the new year. China is ready to contribute with the Lebanese to creating a local and regional environment of security, stability and prosperity, he said. China will continue to support the UNIFIL, he added, and "is preparing to boost its contribution in this regard." The Chengdu Tianfu Culture Art Troupe then took the stage and presented a concert of traditional Chinese music. By RALPH ANSAMI [email protected] IRONWOOD The Ironwood City Commission voted 3-1 Monday to approve a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development pay package for the Phase 4 water project. Commissioners approved a $26,654 water payment, with Rick Semo absent and Joe Cayer Jr. opposed. Cayer said after the meeting he is opposed to up to $164,000 being added to the transmission line project for matting that he said should have been included in the original specifications. At a special city commission meeting on Jan. 29, the need for additional funds for the required matting... By RICHARD JENKINS [email protected] HURLEY A second defendant in the murder of a Lac du Flambeau man appeared in Iron County Court Monday for a hearing where his bond was set at $1 million cash. Joseph Lussier, 26, appeared in court after being transferred to the Iron County Jail from Vilas County Friday. He is one of five defendants facing charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree intentional homicide as a party to a crime while armed with a dangerous weapon and hiding a corpse in connection to the death of Wayne Valliere Jr. Valliere was last sen Dec. 22 and reported mis... MIDLAND, Mich. - Allan R. Knivila, of Midland, passed away at MidMichigan Medical Center, Midland, surrounded by his family. Allan was born and raised in the logging town of Trout Creek in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. After high school, he joined the Navy where he was on active duty on the USS Intrepid. Al was involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis and aided in the recovery of one of the original Apollo missions. After the military, he attended Michigan Technological University on two separate occasions earning two masters degrees. Al worked as a sales executive for the Dow Corning Corporation, in charge of the Chicago area. While at Dow, he met his wife of 48 years, Sue Ann. He went on to pursue a career in real estate and finally found his calling as a physics professor at Michigan Tech and Delta College. After retirement, Al spent his remaining years visiting the local lake with his beloved dog, Rascal, and was an avid movie aficionado. An intelligent man with an analytical mind and gift for eloquence, he had much to give to this world. Allan is survived by his wife, Sue; two children, Christine (Andrew) Smedley, of Zealand, and Bradley (Tricha) Knivila, of Mt. Pleasant; four grandchildren, Kaitlyn (Timothy) Moore, Kennedy Smedley, Hannah Knivila and Mackenzie Smedley; and two brothers, Robert and Stephen Knivila, of Trout Creek. Allan was preceded in death by both his parents and his infant brother, Bernard. There will be a memorial service on Monday, Feb. 12, at 1 p.m. at Berry Funeral Home in Shepherd with Valiant Jones officiating. The family will start receiving people at noon. 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... New Delhi: Contrary to media reports claiming that now you can transfer money via WhatsApp in India, the digital payment feature in the platform is still in the testing phase and will be officially rolled out to over 200 million Indian users in the days to come. The feature is currently in beta but has not been publicly announced because it is not widely available at this moment. Some users have received the beta update but "it will be wrong to assume that the feature is currently live in India for all users," informed sources told IANS. "There will be an official announcement when the feature finally goes live in India," they added. When launched, the new payments feature is set to give a tough competition to Paytm and other digital payment services like Google Tez. The payments feature would take advantage of UPI (Unified Payments Interface) and include support by a number of banks, including the State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, and Axis Bank. Beta testers found their WhatsApp interface displaying a large list of supported banks and they can see a payments feature appear in their WhatsApp Settings menu. In order to configure the feature, users must first verify their phone number via SMS and then choose a bank. After the completion of the configuration, the option to send a payment becomes available. According to WhatsApp privacy policy, users will have to agree to the Payments Terms when they decide to use the feature. The terms and conditions said that WhatsApp is not a licensed financial institution, do not receive, transfer, or store any funds in connection with Payments, and are not responsible for UPI service interruptions or acts or omissions of PSPs or your bank including the payment, settlement, and clearance of funds. "You have a separate relationship with your bank regarding your bank account, and WhatsApp has no affiliation with your bank in this respect," it added. Mumbai: Today on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri, a day dedicated to Lord Shiva, devotees across the country are expected to throng temples throughout the day to offer their prayers and seek divine blessings. Devotees have already started queuing up outside temples to get darshan. Heres taking a look at some of temples where an ocean of humanity has turned up to begin their day on a propitious note: Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, famous for its majestic temples is witnessing a massive turnout. Devotees from various parts of the city have turned up to pay tribute to Lord Shiva, who is known by various names such as Omkareshwar, Mahakaleshwar etc. The Bhasma aarti (aarti with ash) was performed in the early morning hours at Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar temple. #MadhyaPradesh: 'Bhasma aarti' performed in the early morning hours at Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar temple #MahaShivRatri pic.twitter.com/iTrn9fdPLk ANI (@ANI) 13 February 2018 Special prayers were also offered at the Mahakaleshwar Temple. Mahakaleshwar is one of the Jyotirlingas. In Maharashtra, at the Bhimashankar temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, devotees have been visiting since early morning. #Maharashtra: Devotees perform special prayers at Bhimashankar temple near Pune #MahaShivaratri pic.twitter.com/ZyDDf4w7pV ANI (@ANI) 13 February 2018 One of Mumbais oldest temples dedicated to Lord Shiva Babulnath- too has devotees lined up for Darshan. Devotees throng Mumbai's Babulnath temple on the occasion of #MahaShivaratri pic.twitter.com/ekK4nY8tQR ANI (@ANI) 13 February 2018 #Chattisgrah: Devotees take holy dip in Mahanadi river at 'Rajim Kumbh' in Rajim on the occasion of #MahaShivaratri pic.twitter.com/660SND0oNJ ANI (@ANI) 13 February 2018 Maha Shivratri dedicated to Lord Shiva is one of the most significant Hindu festivals and is celebrated by his devotees across the globe. The auspicious day is of special significance because it marks his martial union with Goddess Parvati , who is also referred to as Shakti. Meaning Shivas night, Maha Shivaratri falls on Chaturdashi Tithi during Krishna Paksha in month of Magha in the South Indian calendar or the Amavasyant Hindu lunar calendar. However according to North Indian calendar or the Poornimant lunar calendar, Maha Shivaratri is the Masik(monthly) Shivaratri in month of Phalguna. If we were to go by the Gregorian calendar, the day falls on February 13 and extends until February 14. NEW DELHI: Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked Indigo, Spicejet airlines to partially shift operations from Terminal 1 (T1) to Terminal 2 (T2) at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. Upheld its single-judge order accepting Delhi International Airport Ltd's (DIAL's) suggestion, the court asked the airlines to approach the airport regulator within a week. The DIAL will now decide the time frame by when the airlines have to shift. Last year, the DIAL had asked Indigo, SpiceJet and GoAir to shift some of its flight operations from T1 to T2 in order to continue expansion work of the Delhi airport. While GoAir shifted operations, Indigo and SpiceJet were unwilling to shift. SpiceJet said that rights of T1 cannot be given exclusively to IndiGo Airlines, as it would be anti-competitive. The airlines added that it would shift operations if IndiGo also shifts. IndiGo had said that option of staying fully in T1 and said if in future its number of passengers exceed the capacity of the terminal, then it will move some of its operations to T2. With PTI inputs NEW DELHI: A seven-year-old boy in Delhi was killed and his body was allegedly kept inside a suitcase for over a month by a former tenant. The incident took place in Delhi's Swaroop Nagar. Identified as Avadesh Sakya, the accused is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) aspirant. 27-year-old had Sakya used to stay with the victim's family for at least five years. Sakya was allegedly unhappy with the boy's parents who objected his habit of partying. He had recently shifted to another house in the neighbourhood from where the kid's body was found. The kid went missing since January 7. Sakya had even accompanied the search party and had gone to the police station with the boy's parents to file a missing complaint. According to police, the boy was killed immediately after he was kidnapped. NEW DELHI: Kolkata will become a "safe city" for women with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee seeking the measure to ensure safety and security to women from the Nirbhaya Fund, a Central government official said on Monday. "For the first time, Mamata Banerjee had sent her team to attend meetings of Ministry of Home Affairs and suggested proposals for utilisation of funds from Nirbhaya Fund and `safe city` project is a part of it," a Union Women Child and Development Ministry official told IANS. According to the ministry, seven more cities, apart from Kolkata have been finalised for safe city projects under Nirbhaya Fund and these are New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Lucknow. "The project cycle has been fixed for four years and the expenditure from the fund will happen accordingly. The amount allocated cannot be utilised overnight," the official added. Union Women Child and Development Minister Maneka Gandhi, addressing a press conference, said that Banerjee had earlier refused to implement `One Stop Centres` (OSC) in her state despite being approached by her ministry. The OSC scheme started in 2015 under Nirbhaya Fund, are supposed to provide access to services like medical aid, police assistance, legal aid and psycho-social counselling to victims of sexual assaults. Asked about the utilisation of Nirbhaya Fund, Gandhi said that funds will only be disbursed if the schemes are actually meant for providing safety to women. "We are just waiting for good ideas to come in. There is money under Nirbhaya Fund and it is being utilised but I am strict. WCD is using the fund where I find that those funds will make a difference to women and where it wont', I am not going to approve," she said. Police have arrested four men in Gurugram for allegedly molesting a South Korean woman on Sunday. The woman had complained to the police that they men had forcefully tried to take pictures with her, and had thrashed her friend when they had tried to get away. Police said the men had also made a video of the incident, while continuing to molest the woman. The woman, who works for a multinational in Gurugram, had been returning from Jaipur with a friend when the incident happened. She said they had stopped the car on NH-48 near Sehrawan after her friend told her that he had attended a polytechnic college nearby. The woman, 32, said she had clicked a few pictures of a nearby hillock to send to her family, when she was approached by four or five men, one of whom started shooting a video. They allegedly caught hold of her wrists after she shouted at them to stop filming her. The men then allegedly started clicking selfies with her, despite her protests. They then beat up her friend. The woman and her friend called the police once they got back into their car and started moving. Police said this appears to have been a case of 'moral policing', where locals had gotten suspicious of the man and woman for standing around clicking pictures after having got out of their car. Police have arrested four men and have registered an FIR under sections that deal with sexual harassment, insulting a woman's modesty and criminal intimidation. Three of the men have been sent to judicial custody while one is in police custody for further investigation. They are still looking for a fifth man accused of taking part in the molestation. (With inputs from agencies) New Delhi: Reacting to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharamans warning to Pakistan, Islamabad said on Tuesday that any "Indian aggression" will not go "unpunished". "Any Indian aggression, strategic miscalculation or misadventure regardless of its scale, mode, or location will not go unpunished and shall be met with an equal and proportionate response. We will defend robustly every inch of Pakistan's soil," Khurram Dastgir, Pakistan's Minister for Defence said. Any #Indian aggression, strategic miscalculation or misadventure regardless of its scale, mode, or location will not go unpunished & shall be met with an equal & proportionate response. We will defend robustly every inch of #Pakistan's soil. ~Khurram Dastgir, Minister for Defence pic.twitter.com/EqfgiP0lHk Govt of Pakistan (@pid_gov) February 13, 2018 On Monday, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had blamed Pakistan for the terror attack at the Sunjuwan military camp in Jammu and Kashmir and had made it clear that it will pay the price for the "misadventure". She had asserted that even though evidence of Pakistan's role may be shared, India still reserved the "right to respond adequately at the time our choosing". "Pakistan will pay for this misadventure. I repeat Pakistan will pay for it," the Defence Minister had told reporters in Srinagar. "I would not certainly set a timeline but Pakistan will pay for this misadventure. I can only assure the people of J&K and the entire country that the Army, both the governments at the state and the centre, are definitely looking at it with all seriousness," she had added. Asked whether the government was sharing evidence with Pakistan, Sitharaman had replied in the affirmative. "Yes, all the evidence which have been collected will be compiled and definitely the evidence will be given as always to Pakistan. But Pakistan, inspite of being given dossiers after dossiers, has not taken any action," she had said. Sitharaman had further said that giving evidence to Pakistan would have to be a continuous process because it has to be proven over and over again so that their involvement is there for everybody to see. She had also said that intelligence inputs suggested that terrorists who attacked the Sunjuwan camp were controlled by handlers from across the border. A group of heavily armed men struck the sprawling camp of the 36 brigade of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry before dawn on February 10, 2018. Five Army men, including two Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), were martyred in the attack. (With PTI inputs) New Delhi: A fully-refurbished World War II-era Dakota is all set to be flown to India next month, to become a proud possession of the IAF. The plane, which underwent a six-year-long restoration in the UK, will join the vintage fleet at the Hindon Air Base in Uttar Pradesh. The aircraft is a gift from Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekar to the India Air Force, and at a function held in Delhi on Tuesday, the Bengaluru lawmaker ceremonially handed over the papers and deeds to Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa. Hailing the qualities of the aircraft, the Chief of Air Staff, said, "They were introduced in the 1930s... As part of the 12th Squadron of the then Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF), Dakotas were the main workhorse in Ladakh and Northeast region. And, they intervened in time to save the Valley of Kashmir (in 1947)." "Military historian Pushpindar Singh had said that Dakota is the reason why Poonch is still with us. They helped in hastening the fall of Dhaka and liberation of Bangladesh. And, in 2014, we had given a shell on the Dakota to the Bangladesh Air Force," Dhanoa said. Douglas DC3 aircraft, better known as the Dakota, carried the troops of the Army's 1 Sikh Regiment to Srinagar on October 27, 1947, during the first Indo-Pak War, besides carrying supplies and refugees. The Dakota, christened 'Parashurama', will bear the tail number VP 905, the same as the first such aircraft in the Indian service that transported the troops during the 1947 war to Jammu and Kashmir. Chandrasekar's gift, will make it the first vintage Dakota for the IAF, which currently, has a Tiger Moth and a Harvard aircraft stationed at the Hindon Air Base. "The Dakota is currently kept at Coventry airfield in the UK. It is set to fly next month. The vintage plane will traverse over 4,800 nautical miles. From the UK, the route will be through France, Italy, Greece, Egypt, Oman, in that order. In India, the first stop would be Jamnagar, from where it will fly to Hindon," he told PTI on the sidelines. According to a short film screened at the function, the aircraft was acquired from scrap and underwent six years of painstaking restoration in the UK, and the IAF had technically accepted it late last month. The IAF has helped the MP in getting the aircraft registered and in upgrade of the navigation system. "Since it has to fly through multiple foreign airspace, we helped them in getting permission," the IAF chief said. In his address, he had called the gifting of the Dakota to the IAF a "great gesture" for funding the acquisition, repair and eventual ferrying of the aircraft. The MP said, "I acquired it around 2011 and this gift is a permanent way of honouring the men and their machines, who make us all proud today as a nation," adding, "finding and restoring this bird was a huge challenge". Chandrasekhar's father Air Commodore (retd) M K Chandrasekhar, who was present at the function, was a Dakota pilot in the IAF, and the lawmaker said, "the seeds were sown perhaps very young." "My father is 84 now. And, I grew up seeing him flying Dakota. So, my passion for planes is natural. And, it is on behalf of my father that this gift is being made to the IAF, in dedication to the air warriors. And, I hope it will inspire future air warriors," he said. NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking probe into the alleged irregularities in purchase of the AgustaWestland helicopters for VIPs. The plea was filed by NGO Swaraj Abhiyan seeking probe into the purchase of the VVIP choppers in 2006-07 and the foreign bank accounts purportedly linked to the son of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh. The plea was dismissed by the division bench of Justice AK Goel and Justice UU Lalit, saying they did not find any merit in it. Hearing the arguments into the plea, the court had earlier said that it was concerned whether any "fraud" was committed while purchasing a VIP AgustaWestland helicopter. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the NGO, had said that a proposal of the state in December 2006 stated that there should be open bid to purchase the helicopter. It said that helicopter firms should be invited but no company was called and a tender was issued only for AgustaWestland. He had also told the court that the documents received under the RTI showed that although the Bell helicopter was denied a bid, the government was still hiring it on rent. However, the Chhattisgarh government had said court that there was nothing wrong in the bid and that at present 24 AgustaWestland helicopters were flying in the country. Denying the allegations, the state government had called the claims "reckless" and "politically motivated" aimed at maligning the reputation as elections were due in Chhattisgarh. A quick glance at the top news of the day: 1. Government allows purchase of 7.40 lakh assault rifles for Armed forces, 5,719 sniper rifles for Army With no end to terrorist activities, the Defence Ministry has cleared the proposal to buy 7.40 lakh assault rifles for the three services and will also procure light machine guns worth Rs 1,819 crore. Read full report 2. A day after India's warning, Pakistan says 'Indian aggression won't go unpunished' Reacting to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharamans warning to Pakistan, Islamabad said on Tuesday that any "Indian aggression" will not go "unpunished". Read full report 3. IND vs SA Live, 5th ODI: Rohit, Kohli take India forward with ease Virat Kohli and his men will look to post a good total after being put into bat by South Africa captain Aiden Markram. Read full report 4. Idea of demonetisation came from RSS, not RBI or Jaitley, claims Rahul Gandhi Attacking the ruling Modi government at the Centre, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said that the BJP and the RSS are making attempts to "capture" all institutions in the country. Read full report 5. Priya Prakash Varrier breaks YouTube recordRead details Internet sensation Priya Prakash Varrier became the ruler of hearts with just a wink! Read full report https://goo.gl/d2qY5v 6. Yogi Adityanath calls Rahul Gandhi's 'temple run' a victory for BJP Taking a dig at Congress chief, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Tuesday that it was a victory for the BJP that Rahul Gandhi was now a 'janeu-dhari Hindu' (the one who wears Brahminical thread). Read full report NEW DELHI: The Defence Ministry has cleared the proposal to buy 7.40 lakh assault rifles for the three services and will also procure light machine guns worth Rs 1,819 crore. The Narendra Modi government has also cleared the proposal for the purchase of 5,719 sniper rifles for the Army at the cost of Rs 982 crore. The Indian Army has been pressuring to fast-track the procurement of the weapons considering the threats from bordering Pakistan and China. The long-pending proposals were cleared at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the defence ministry's highest decision making body on procurement. The Defence Ministry said the DAC chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman cleared capital acquisition proposals which were valued at Rs 15,935 crore. It said the DAC accorded approval for procurement of 7.4 lakh assault rifles for the three services at an estimated cost of Rs 12,280 crore. The rifles will be produced in India under the 'Buy and Make (Indian)' category through both state-run Ordnance Factory Board and private sector. In a statement, the ministry said "essential quantity" of Light Machine Guns (LMGs) will be through the "fast track" route at an estimated cost of over Rs 1,819 crore, primarily to meet the operational requirement of the troops deployed on the borders. "A concurrent proposal is being processed for the balance quantity to be procured under the 'Buy and Make (Indian)' categorisation," the ministry said. The approval to the proposals come amid increasing hostilities by Pakistan along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir as well as China's aggressive posturing in several sectors along the nearly 4,000-km-long Sino-India border. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had in January 2018 cleared the procurement of 72,400 assault rifles and 93,895 carbines worth Rs 3,547 crores to meet an immediate requirement of the troops deployed along the borders. The DAC had simplified 'Make-II' procedure, which prescribes guidelines to be followed to develop and manufacture defence equipment through Indian industry. Considering that no government funding is involved in 'Make-II' project, the DAC had simplified the procedure to make it industry-friendly, with minimal government control. The salient aspects of the revised procedure allow MoD to accept suo-moto proposals from the industry and also allow start-ups to develop equipment for the Indian Armed Forces. The minimum qualification criteria to participate in Make-II projects has also been relaxed by removing conditions related to credit rating and reducing financial net worth criteria. (With PTI inputs) New Delhi: The the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-People's Democratic Party (PDP) alliance in Jammu and Kashmir has failed to tackle terror attacks, said All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday. BJP- PDP waale donon baithke malayi khaa rahe hain. Kab tak drama karte rahenge yeh log. Yeh inki nakaami hai. Ab yeh sochna hai ki inn cheezon ki responsibility kiski hogi (BJP-PDP people are just reaping the benefits. How long will they continue with this drama? This is their failure. Now we need to think who'll take up the responsibility of these things), said the Hyderabad MP on recent string of terror attacks in the Valley. Over the last few months, terror outfits have unleashed a series of attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. A group of heavily-armed terrorists struck the Sunjuwan Army camp of the 36 brigade of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry before dawn on Saturday. Later, terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for the attack. On Monday, once again terrorists attacked the Karan Nagar army camp. Later, Lashkar-e-Toiba claimed responsibility for the attack. The AIMIM leader on Monday had alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants Muslims to give up the Babri Masjid issue and trying to create a rift in the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB). Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that terrorists who attacked an Army camp in Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed some local support and had handlers across the border. She also said that Pakistan will have have to pay for the misadventure. With agency inputs NEW DELHI: The number of foreign visitors arriving on e-Tourist visa in India registering a massive growth of 58.5% as compared to January 2017. During the month of January, 2018, a total of 2.40 lakh foreign tourists arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 1.52 lakh during the month of January, 2017 registering a growth of 58.5%, said the Ministry of Tourism on Tuesday. Out of the 2.4 lakh visitors, New Delhi Airport received 37.3% of the footfalls, followed by Mumbai Airport 19.6% and Dabolim (Goa) Airport 12.4%. The overall number of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in January 2018 was 10.66 lakh as compared to 9.83 lakh in January 2017 and 8.45 lakh in January 2016. The growth rate in FTAs in January, 2018 over January, 2017 was 8.4%, compared to 16.4% in January, 2017 over January, 2016, said a release from the ministry. NEW DELHI: Attacking the ruling Narendra Modi government at the Centre, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are making attempts to "capture" all institutions in the country. "BJP Hindustan ke institutions ko capture karne ki koshish kar rahi hai. RSS apne logon ko har institution me daalne ki koshish kar rahi hai. Mohan Bhagwat Ji ka bayan to aapne suna hoga (BJP is trying to capture all institutions in India, RSS is trying to push its people in every institution. You must have heard what Mohan Bhagwat ji said)," he said. The Congress president went on slamming RSS and said that the idea of demonetisation neither came from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) nor Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. He claimed that it was the Sangh that gave the idea of demonetisation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who then announced it on November 8, 2016. "Do you know from where the idea of notebandi came from? It was not the RBI, not Arun Jaitley, it was not an officer in the Finance Ministry. It was a particular ideologue of the RSS. The RSS presses an idea into Prime Minister's mind and PM launches that idea," the Rahul said. Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi trained guns at RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for his remarks that the 'Sangh will prepare military personnel within three days which the Army would do in 6-7 months'. Seeking an apology from the RSS chief, Rahul said that he had insulted the soldiers of the Army by making such a comment. "Mohan Bhagwat ji has insulted the sacrifices of our jawans. He should apologise for his remark," he said during his trip to poll-bound Karnataka. Rahul had earlier also said that Bhagwat should be ashamed of drawing comparisons with the Army. Speaking to the RSS cadre, Bhagwat had said that the Sangh can prepare an "army" within three days to fight for the country if such a situation arises. "This is our capability. Swayamsewak will be ready to take on the front if the country faces such a situation and Constitution permits to do so)," Bhagwat had said. He had also said that the Sangh is neither a military nor a paramilitary organisation, but is like a "parivarik sangathan" (family organisation) where discipline is practised like the Army and where workers are always happily ready to make supreme sacrifice for their country. However, the RSS issued a clarification saying that Bhagwat's speech was being misrepresented. RSS, in the statement, said: "Bhagwat ji had said that if situation arises and the Constitution permits, Indian army would take six months to prepare the society whereas Sangh Swayamsevaks can be trained in three days, as Swayamsevaks practise discipline regularly." The statement also added that there was no comparison drawn between the Indian Army and the Sangh Swayamsevaks, but the comparison was between general society and swayamsevaks, when given the opportunity to be trained by the Indian Army. NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy has invited applications for Pilots, Observers and Air Traffic Controllers (AIRs) in the Short Service Commission (SSC). The Indian Navy Recruitment 2018 notice was released on the official website of the Indian Navy https://www.joinindiannavy.gov.in. The last date to apply is March 4, 2018. In order to apply for Indian Navy Recruitment 2018 for Pilot/Observer/ATC Short Service Commission, candidates need to follow these steps 1. Go to the official website of Indian Navy joinindiannavy.gov.in 2. Click on the tab: 'Current Events' and open the notification, SSC [SSC(PILOT)(OTHER THAN MR)],SSC [SSC(ATC)],SSC [SSC(OBS)],SSC [SSC(PILOT)(MR)] - 01/2019" 3. Next, hit the "Click here to apply online" tab and create your account 4. Follow the steps and complete the application process 5. After completing the process, download the confirmation page Applications are invited from unmarried eligible male & female candidates for Short Service Commission (SSC) in Pilot/ Observer/ ATC entry of the Indian Navy for course commencing Jan 2019 at the Indian Naval Academy Ezhimala, Kerala. Candidates must fulfil condition of Nationality as laid down by the Govt. of India, read the official notification. Indian Navy Vacancy Details ATC: 7 post Observer: 4 posts Pilot (MR): 3 posts Pilot (Other than MR): 5 posts New Delhi: BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha on Tuesday came out in support of Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury, saying "we are fond of you" and those who "oppose women`s empowerment would melt soon". "Laugh Renuka laugh. We love you, we`re fond of you and wish you well. Don`t worry, be happy," he tweeted. "Let them cry and shout hoarse. Things will settle down. Those who oppose women`s empowerment and laughter would melt soon. We all will have the last laugh. Long live `nari shakti` (women`s empowerment). Jai Hind," the Patna Sahib MP added. Laugh Renuka laugh! We love you, we're fond of you & wish you well. Dont worry, be happy! Let them cry & shout hoarse. Things will settle down. Those who oppose women's empowerment & laughter would melt soon. We all will have the last laugh. Long live Nari Shakti. Jai hind! Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) February 13, 2018 Sinha's remarks came in the wake of the controversy that erupted on February 7, 2018, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken a jibe at the Congress Rajya Sabha MP after she laughed loudly when he claimed that the Aadhaar idea was conceptualised during the (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee government. The PM was replying to the debate on the motion of thanks on President`s address in the Rajya Sabha. Naidu had disapproved of the behaviour but PM Modi had asked him not to stop Chowdhury. "Sabhapati ji meri aapse vinti hai Renuka ji ko kuch mat kahiye. Ramayan serial ke baad aisi hansi sunne ka saubhagya aaj jaake mila hai (I request you not to say anything to Renuka ji. After the Ramayan serial, we got the privilege of hearing this kind of laughter only today," he had said to the thumping of desks by treasury benches in the Upper House. Chowdhury had protested the remarks but the chairman had not allowed her comments to go on record. Meanwhile, the Congress MP on February 9, 2018, had moved a privilege motion in Rajya Sabha against Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju for posting a video of PM Modi's remarks on her laughter in the Rajya Sabha. Rijiju had captioned the tweet as - "Despite such vexatious laugh by Renuka Chaudhary ji PM Narendra Modi ji didn`t get irritated." (With Agency inputs) The Jammu and Kashmir police have confirmed that the attempt to attack a CRPF camp in Karan Nagar area of Srinagar was made by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists. Addressing a press briefing in Srinagar, Kashmir IGP SP Pani said that the security forces gunned down two terrorists in the operation that went on for over 24 hours. He further said that one jawan of the CRPF suffered injuries in the attack, but was completely out of danger. The encounter between the terrorists and security forces began on Monday after an attempt to attack a CRPF camp. As the gunbattle continued for over a day, the terrorists went into hiding in an under construction building in Karan Nagar area. Earlier, terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) had claimed responsibility for both Sunjwan and Karan Nagar CRPF camp attack. Saturday's attack on the Sunjwan Army camp in Jammu was reportedly the worst in since Uri attacks. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said that Pakistan would have to pay for the misadventure. "All the evidence collected have been compiled. Definitely, they will be given to Pakistan. Even after giving dossiers after dossiers Pakistan has not taken any action," she said. "Giving the evidence to Pakistan will be a continuous process. It will have to be proved over and over again that they are responsible. Pakistan will have to pay for this misadventure. Intelligence inputs show that terrorists were controlled by their handlers from across the border. Pakistan is expanding the arch of terror to areas south of Pir Panjal and resorting to ceasefire violations to assist infiltration," the Defence Minister added. However, amid the attacks, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday pitched afresh for a dialogue between India and Pakistan to end violence in the state. "If Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti say hold talks with Pakistan, they are dubbed anti-national. There is no alternative (to resolve the issue) except by holding talks," she told the state Assembly on the concluding day of the budget session. "If we (the Kashmiris) don't talk about it (dialogue), who will? Not a Bihari, not a Punjabi," Mufti added. "Dialogue with Pakistan is necessary if we are to end the bloodshed. I know I will be labelled anti-national by news anchors but that doesn't matter. The people of J&K are suffering. We have to talk because war is not an option," she later tweeted. (With agency inputs) When Nagaland goes to the polls on February 27, former Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio would have no reason to worry about retaining his seat. He has already been declared the winner from the Northern Angami-II seat. Rio's unopposed victory came after his rival from the Naga People's Front (NPF) withdrew his nomination. Rio had quit the NPF last month and joined the newly-formed Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP). The NDPP is a BJP ally. He is in the running for a fourth term as Nagaland Chief Minister. "The NPF candidate withdrew his nomination today, and the only other candidate of the NDPP was declared winner," Nagaland's Chief Electoral Officer Abhijit Sinha said on Monday. Rio's only opponent for the Northern Angami-II was NPF's Chupfuo Angami, who happens to be Rio's brother-in-law. Angami said he had quit the race because "his position was not good", reports said. This is not the first time that Rio will enter the Nagaland Assembly without a challenge. In 1998, he had been elected unopposed as a Congress candidate, thanks to boycott of the election by other parties. Rio is presently the Member of Parliament for Nagaland, the only seat the state has in the Lok Sabha. He had won the seat in 2014 as an NPF candidate. In the event of a victory for his party, Rio would have to resign his Lok Sabha seat to be able to continue as a Nagaland MLA, and possibly Chief Minister. Rio has served three terms spanning 11 years as Chief Minister of Nagaland, from 2003 to 2014. He had passed on the CM's office to TR Zeliang after winning the Lok Sabha seat. Rio had quit the NPF, which he had co-founded, after the party leadership decided to break its alliance with the BJP. Nagaland goes to the polls on February 27. Counting of votes will be held on March 3, along with the Assembly elections in Tripura and Meghalaya. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has announced new price control measures for stents used in angioplasty procedures. The new price caps are aimed at cracking down on profiteering and maintain affordability, the agency said. The NPPA has capped the prices of drug-eluting stents (DES) at Rs 27,890 and bare metal stents at Rs 7,660. It said it had found it imperative to cap the margin for these items at eight percent. Before the notification, DES had been priced at Rs 30,180 and bare metal stents at 7,400. The new price caps have come into effect immediately, and will remain valid till March 2019. New stent prices hihghlights; 1-DES: 27890 ex GST BMS: 7660 ex GST 2- No sub categories in DES 3- Trade margin capped at 8% 4-Prices of catheters etc to be mentioned in billing separately 5- order Valid till 31/3/2019 *Present price DES: 30180 BMS: 7400 - NPPA~India__ (@nppa_india) February 12, 2018 The NPPA order on this said stents need to continue to be kept under price regulation in larger public interest. "_ to prevent the cardiac stents market falling back to its old archaic state characterized by exorbitant margins leading to exploitative pricing, unethical profiteering and an extraordinary failed market system causing unwarranted and unreasonable economic burden on out of pocket expenses of hapless patients and their families (sic)," read the text of the order. The order also included a number of directions to hospitals, stent manufacturers and markets. It directed them to cap the price at the new levels on existing stock as well as new stock. It told them that the final MRP of the stents should only include the relevant taxes. Here is the attested notification of new prices of coronary stents under publication in the Gazette of India Extraordinary and to be effective from February 13, 2018; https://t.co/hXfPbyKrUP - NPPA~India__ (@nppa_india) February 12, 2018 The order also instructed hospitals against forcing patients to buy stents from them and ensure availability of all brands. The hospitals were also asked to show the price of the stents and their type in the billing, separately from catheters and other items. The NPPA also warned hospitals and manufacturers against allowing any disruption of the supply chain under the pretext of printing the fresh prices. Here are the top news headlines of the day: 1. Pakistan tightens ban on JuD, other terrorist outfits; matches its ban list to UN Under pressure from the United States, Pakistan last week quietly pushed forward an ordinance that would put terror group Jamaat-ud Dawa, led by Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed, on the list of banned terrorist individuals and organisations. Islamabad further endorsed the United Nations' list of banned terrorist organisations by barring them in Pakistan as well. Read more 2. These are the 3 richest and 3 poorest Chief Ministers of India The average assets of the 31 Chief Ministers in India are worth Rs 16.18 crore. Read more 3. Srinagar CRPF camp attack: Operation to comb out terrorists continues on Day 2 The encounter between armed forces and terrorists holed up in a building in Karan Nagar area of Srinagar continued in the morning after an overnight lull. Read more 4. No Valentine's Day, celebrate Maha Shivratri instead: Lucknow University to students The university also asked parents not to send students to campus on Wednesday. Read more 6. Widow of soldier killed in anti-terror ops in Kashmir joins Officer's Training Academy On September 2, 2015, the world came crashing around Sangeeta. . Her husband Shishir Mal, a rifleman with the Indian Armed Forces, sacrificed his life, fighting terrorists during Operation Rakshak in Baramulla, Kashmir. Read more 7. Nagaland polls: Neiphiu Rio, BJP ally and former CM, has already won elections This is the second time Rio is being elected to the Nagaland Assembly without a challenger. Read more 8. Xiaomis new teaser hints at Mi TV launch on Valentine's Day? The teaser video just shows a little edge of a mystery device and that doesnt resemble a smartphone. Read more NEW DELHI: After Asaduddin Owaisi blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alliance for having failed in tackling terror attacks, Rajya Sabha MP from Tamil Nadu Duraisamy Raja backed the MP from Hyderabad claiming that it is the BJP and RSS, who are questioning the patriotism of Muslims. He further said that Religion should not be made a criterion to brand people as nationalist or anti-nationalist. "The statement has been made in response to what BJP and RSS are saying. Because it is BJP and RSS combined which is questioning the patriotism of Muslims. Religion should not be made a criterion to brand people as nationalist or anti-nationalist," said Raja. Earlier in the day, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh hit back at the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief holding him responsible for polarising the society. "Owaisi has always polarised society on the basis of community. People like him are taking undue advantage of the greatness of the democracy. By speaking such things, Owaisi and others like him are weakening society and helping Pakistan, separatists, and terrorists in a way," Nirmal Singh had said. Owaisi had on Tuesday accused the BJP-PDP government of doing drama over the terror attacks in the state. "BJP-PDP waale donon baithke malayi khaa rahe hain. Kab tak drama karte rahenge yeh log. Yeh inki nakaami hai. Ab yeh sochna hai ki inn cheezon ki responsibility kiski hogi (How long will the BJP-PDP government continue this drama? This is their failure. Now we need to think who'll take up the responsibility of these things," the Hyderabad MP had said on the recent terror attacks that have taken in the state. On Saturday a group of terrorists attacked the residential quarter inside the Army camp at Sunjuwan in Jammu killing seven people - six soldiers, including two junior commissioned officers (JCOs) and father of one of the slain soldiers - and injuring 10 others. On Monday, an encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Karan Nagar area. The encounter which began on Monday after the terrorists tried to attack a CRPF camp, ended after almost 24 hours on Tuesday. New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday called the PDP-BJP alliance in Jammu and Kashmir an opportunistic one and said that they had a non-existent Kashmir policy. "PDP says 'talks' with Pakistan, BJP Defence Minister says 'Pakistan will pay the price', while our soldiers pay with their blood for BJP/PDPs opportunistic alliance and non-existent Kashmir policy. Modi ji dithers," he tweeted. 1. PDP says talks with Pakistan. 2. BJP Defence Minister says "Pakistan will pay the price". While our soldiers pay with their blood for BJP/ PDPs opportunistic alliance and non-existent Kashmir policy; Modi Ji dithers. Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 13, 2018 On Monday, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had blamed Pakistan for the terror attack at the Sunjuwan Military Camp in J&K and had made it clear that it will pay the price for the "misadventure". She had asserted that even though evidence of Pakistan's role may be shared, India still reserved the "right to respond adequately at the time our choosing". "Pakistan will pay for this misadventure. I repeat Pakistan will pay for it," the Defence Minister had told reporters in Srinagar. "I would not certainly set a timeline but Pakistan will pay for this misadventure. I can only assure the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the entire country that the Army, both the governments at the state and the centre, are definitely looking at it with all seriousness," she had added. Asked whether the government was sharing evidence with Pakistan, Sitharaman had replied in the affirmative. "Yes, all the evidences which have been collected will be compiled and definitely the evidences will be given as always to Pakistan. But Pakistan, inspite of being given dossiers after dossiers, has not taken any action she said. She had further said giving evidence to Pakistan would have to be a continuous process because it has to be proven over and over again, as many number of times, so that their involvement is there for everybody to see. Sitharaman had also said that intelligence inputs suggested that terrorists who attacked the Sunjuwan Camp were controlled by handlers from across the border. A group of heavily armed men struck the sprawling camp of the 36 brigade of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry before dawn on February 10, 2018. Five Army men, including two Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), were martyred in the attack. Meanwhile, earlier on Monday Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had pitched afresh for a dialogue between India and Pakistan to end the violence in the restive state. "If Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti say hold talks with Pakistan, they are dubbed anti-national. There is no alternative (to resolve the issue) except by holding talks," she had told the state Assembly on the concluding day of the budget session. "If we (the Kashmiris) don't talk about it (dialogue), who will? Not a Bihari, not a Punjabi," Mufti added. "Dialogue with Pakistan is necessary if we are to end the bloodshed. I know I will be labelled anti-national by news anchors but that doesn't matter. The people of J&K are suffering. We have to talk because war is not an option," she had later tweeted. Dialogue with Pakistan is necessary if we are to end bloodshed. I know I will be labelled anti-national by news anchors tonight but that doesnt matter. The people of J&K are suffering. We have to talk because war is not an option. Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) February 12, 2018 Mufti had also met the Defence Minister and briefed her about the security situation in the state. Met Defense Minister @nsitharaman ji & briefed her about the security situation in J&K. pic.twitter.com/JFc1TMJkdZ Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) February 12, 2018 On the other hand, a CRPF constable was killed in a gunfight with terrorists in downtown Srinagar on Monday after security forces foiled attempts by terrorists to strike a CRPF camp. Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba had claimed responsibility for the attack on the CRPF camp. Its Kashmir chief Mehmood Shah had claimed in an e-mailed statement that the attack was perpetrated by its activists, PTI reported. The heavily-armed militants had tried to strike the CRPF camp, located very close to SMHS Hospital from where LeT terrorist Naveed Jutt alias Abu Hanzala was freed from police custody by terrorists on February 6, 2018. (With Agency inputs) New Delhi: February 13 marks the birth anniversary of renowned poet, political leader and freedom fighter, Sarojini Naidu. The biggest names in Indian politics including the President of India Mr Ram Nath Kovind paid their tributes to the 'Bharat Kokila' on her 139th birth anniversary. Tributes to Sarojini Naidu poet, political leader and pioneer of our womens movement, on her birth anniversary #PresidentKovind President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) February 13, 2018 Remembering the 'Nightingale of India': Today in 1879, noted poetess and freedom fighter #SarojiniNaidu was born In video: She introduces Carnatic singer late M.S. Subbulakshmi to the north Indian audience Video courtesy: @NFAIOfficial pic.twitter.com/3AH1uZenek Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive) February 13, 2018 Remembering freedom fighter Sarojini Naidu on her birth anniversary Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) February 13, 2018 My homage to Sarojini Naidu ji, The Nightingale of India on her Birth Anniversary today. pic.twitter.com/HUfSa84zDC Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) February 13, 2018 Pay my tribute to the remarkable freedom fighter and poet Smt. Sarojini Naidu also known as the 'Nightingale of India' on her birth anniversary. pic.twitter.com/dcKAcHr0Cv Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) February 13, 2018 My humble tributes to the Nightingale of India Sarojini Naidu Ji on her birth anniversary. Fondly remembered poetess and freedom fighter had made distinguished contributions in social welfare, womens empowerment and nationalism. N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) February 13, 2018 Sarojini Naidu, also known as the Nightingale of India, was born in 1879 in Hyderabad. A child prodigy, activist and a poet, she was the first female President of the Indian National Congress (INC) and the first female Governor of Uttar Pradesh. Sarojini Naidu had great interest in poetry from the childhood days onwards. Her poems were known to be imagery and gestures of ideal love. In 1905 she published a collection of poems entitled Golden threshold which received massive appreciation. Jawaharlal Nehru and Rabindranath Tagore admired for her many of her works and Gopal Krishna Gokhale advised her to use her power of language to inspire people to build a free India. She presided over the annual session of Indian National Congress in Kanpur in 1925 and attended the East African Indian Congress in South Africa in 1929. Naidu participated in the Round Table Conference with Mahatma Gandhi and Madan Mohan Malaviya in 1930. Sarojini Naidu traveled across India to encourage women to fight for India's independence, after her meeting with Mahatma Gandhi. Naidu played a pivotal role during the Civil Disobedience movement. She also faced arrest in 1942 during the "Quit India" movement and was jailed for 21 months with Gandhi. She had a very pleasant relationship with Gandhi and often called him "Mickey Mouse." Post-Independence, she served as the first Governor of the United Provinces from 1947 to 1949 and also contributed to the drafting of the Indian Constitution. Her writing career began at the age of 13 and her major contribution was in the field of poetry. Her collection of poems 'The Broken Wings' was published in 1905. The Feather of The Dawn was edited and published posthumously in 1961 by her daughter Padmaja. She passed away on March 2, 1949, at the Government House in Lucknow after suffering a heart attack. In fresh embarrassment for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the son and supporters of a party MLA in Uttar Pradesh have been caught on CCTV camera thrashing a toll plaza employee. BJP MLA Pooran Prakashs son and supporters beat up an employee at the Mahuvan toll plaza after a barrier fell on their car. #WATCH Son of BJP MLA Pooran Prakash & his supporters thrashed a toll employee at Mahuvan toll plaza in front of his father after the barrier fell on their car in Mathura (CCTV footage) pic.twitter.com/22vHYBD7Qu ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 13, 2018 The BJP MLA was inside the car when the toll plaza employee was slapped and beaten up. A video released by news agency ANI showed that as the MLAs car was passing through the toll plaza, the barricade fell on the roof of it. Angered by this, the MLAs son and supporters came out of the car and began slapping a toll plaza employee. Despite the surfacing of the video, the MLA remained defiant saying the toll plaza staff were to blame for whatever happened. He said, "My security vehicles went before us but still they dropped that stick on our car, despite seeing the big writings of 'vidhayak' on it. This is nothing new, they often do such things." Pooran Prakash represents the Baldev constituency of Uttar Pradesh in the state assembly. Before joining the BJP in December 2016, Pooran Prakash was a member of the Rashtriya Lok Dal. NEW DELHI: On September 2, 2015, the world came crashing around Sangeeta. Her husband Shishir Mal, a rifleman with the Indian Armed Forces, sacrificed his life, fighting terrorists during Operation Rakshak in Baramulla, Kashmir. Mall, a part of 3/9 Gorkha Rifles, was posted in 32 Rashtriya Rifles. Before dying, Mall eliminated one terrorist and injured another. Days after his death, Sangeeta plunged into depression. Eventually, with the help of her family and in-laws, she emerged out of her shell and decided to give life another shot. She appeared for competitive exams and was selected for service in the bank. Sangeeta with her husband, martyred Rifleman Shishir Mall During that time, Sangeeta - who lived in Dehradun - received a call to attend an event at Central Command in Ranikhet. There, Mall's former colleagues and friends encouraged her to join the defence forces and guided her to become a part of Officer's Training Academy. Married into a family of soldiers, Sangeeta was inspired. She got in touch with Veer Nari Committee in Delhi and started focusing on cracking the entrance for OTA. Nearly three years after Mall's death, Sangeeta cleared the examination for a Short Service Commission (SSC) and will be reporting to the Officers Training Academy, Chennai. After completing the OTA training, she will be the first person in the family of soldiers to join as a Lieutenant. As she eagerly waits for her call to join the training academy, her mother-in-law Renuka Mall can't stop celebrating. "We supported her in every step. Feels wonderful to see her here," she says. We're proud of her. Our daughter is an Army officer now, said an emotional Bhagwan Singh Negi, Sangeeta's father. New Delhi: Taking a dig at Congress chief, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Tuesday that it was a victory for the BJP that Rahul Gandhi was now a 'janeu-dhari Hindu' (the one who wears Brahminical thread). "It is a victory for us that the very same Rahul Gandhi whose ancestors used to say that they are 'accidental Hindus', today says that he is a ' janeu-dhari Hindu'," he said in Tripura's Sabroom. On Monday, Rahul had defended his visits to temples and religious places, asserting that he would continue it. "I like going to temples, wherever I get a religious place I go there. I feel good and feel happy and I will continue (to go)," he had told reporters in poll-bound Karnataka. Rahul was responding to BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa's "Election Hindu" jibe at him. Dear #ElectionHindu @OfficeOfRG, you have no moral right to speak about #RafaleDeal. Lest you forget, yourself & Sonia Gandhi are #BailBirds in the #NationalHerald case. From the first Jeep Scam of Independent India to National Herald, nation knows what #Congress stands for. B.S. Yeddyurappa (@BSYBJP) February 11, 2018 Dear #ElectionHindu @OfficeOfRG, for appeasement, you visit Dargah, but opposed the #TripleTalaq bill that restores the dignity of Muslim women. Why this double standards? Are you against women empowerment!? B.S. Yeddyurappa (@BSYBJP) February 12, 2018 During his current tour to north Karnataka, Rahul has visited Goddess Huligamma temple, a famous shrine in the region, and Gavi Siddheshwara Mutt, a mutt of the majority Lingayat community. He also visited a Dargah in Raichur on Monday. Rahul Gandhi visited a Temple and a Dargah in Kalaburagi earlier today #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/4IVHid0qt4 ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2018 Congress President Rahul Gandhi pays his respects at the Sharana Basaveshwara Temple, Kalburgi, Gulbarga #JanaAashirwadaYatre pic.twitter.com/UanwpbgRL6 Congress (@INCIndia) February 12, 2018 Congress President Rahul Gandhi pays a visit to Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah, Gulbarga #JanaAashirwadaYatre pic.twitter.com/84mW2LRnOG Congress (@INCIndia) February 12, 2018 Earlier, in November 2017, the Congress had claimed that Rahul was a 'janeu-dhari Hindu'. The Congress' claim had come after a row had erupted over his visit to Somnath Temple in Gujarat wherein his name was allegedly listed as a non-Hindu visitor in the visitor-book. Addressing a press conference, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala had said, "Rahul Gandhi is janeu-dhari Hindu." The controversy had started when Congress party's media coordinator Manoj Tyagi had entered names of Rahul and Congress MP Ahmed Patel in the special register for non-Hindus visiting the temple. Meanwhile, questioning Rahul's temple visits ahead of the coming Karnataka Assembly polls, Union Minister and Karnataka election in charge Prakash Javadekar said on Monday that Congress was earlier "pseudo-secular" but are now "pseudo-Hinduism." "They are changing brands. They were earlier pseudo-secularists, now they are pseudo-Hinduism. People understand which is an election gimmick and which is true devotion," he said. Javadekar had claimed that Rahul did not go to temples in Delhi when he was elected Congress president, which was the biggest day in his life. "He goes to temples in Gujarat and Karnataka because there is an election. So it is a vote gimmick. But people are not fools. In our country, illiterate intelligence is very powerful. Robust common sense works and people understand who is a real devotee and who is an election devotee," he had said. (With Agency inputs) Tral: About 1,500 people gathered in Jammu and Kashmir's Tral to take part in the funeral procession of Lance Naik Mohammed Iqbal Sheikh and his father. The two sons of Tral, the area known to security officials as a hub of Jaish-e-Mohammed sympathisers and activists, were killed in an attack on the Sunjuwan military camp in Jammu by the terror group. As the bodies of Sheikh and his father Mohi-ud-din Sheikh were brought, the Rishipora area echoed with the wails of the soldier's young widow, Shabnama. Iqbal, 32, who had served the Army for 12 years, married Shabnama two years ago. Their son is 18 months old. "Iqbal had insisted that his father come and live with him in his camp. It was his first posting to the home state and he wanted his father to live with him so that he could avoid the harsh winter of the South Kashmir area," Tariq Ahmed, the soldier's cousin. "What is happening is not right," said a local resident. "These were our own people. What crime did he commit to deserve this death? The bloodshed must stop," he added. Another person present at the funeral recalled that Iqbal was a jovial man who always had a smile on his face. Cousin Ahmed remembered how happy Iqbal was on being posted to Sunjuwan. "This was his first home state posting in his 12 years of Army service during which he was posted across the country," he said. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, an official said that people may have attended the funeral of Hizbul terrorist Burhan Wani in large numbers in 2016 because they feared the local terrorists, but the gathering for a jawan's funeral procession showed they were ready to defy the diktats of terror organisations, PTI reported. A group of terrorists struck the residential quarter inside the Army camp at Sunjuwan on Saturday, killing seven people - six soldiers, including two junior commissioned officers (JCOs) and father of one of the slain soldiers - and injuring 10 others. Three heavily-armed JeM terrorists were killed in the retaliatory action by the Army. Gen Bipin Rawat #COAS & All Ranks #IndianArmy salute supreme sacrifice of Hony Lt Madan Lal Choudhary, Sub Mohd Ashraf Mir,Hav Habibullah Quareshi,Hav Rakesh Chandra, Nk Manzoor Ahmed Deva & L/Nk Mohd Iqbal Sheikh & offer condolences to the family members of the Bravehearts. pic.twitter.com/m7zCrr0S0m ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) February 13, 2018 Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday morning led the wreath-laying ceremony organised to pay tributes to four of the six soldiers who were killed in the attack. Later in the day, Army bid adieu to another soldier whose body was recovered on Monday late night from the encounter site. Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, ministers Abdul Haq Khan and Choudhary Zulfkar, state BJP president and MLA Sat Sharma, among others, were present in the ceremony. Attended wreath laying ceremony of Army personnel who lost their lives in #SunjuwanArmyCamp terror attack. May their soul rest in peace. Jai Hind pic.twitter.com/6gDtUz30bU Dr Nirmal Singh (@NirmalSinghBJP) February 13, 2018 JCO Madan Lal Choudhary (50) of Kathua was cremated with full military honours at his village on Monday, while the body of Havaldar Rakesh Chandra of Pauri Garhwal district in Uttarakhand was recovered from the scene of the gunfight on Monday night. A wreath-laying ceremony was held separately for Havaldar Chandra at the technical airport. Senior Army officers led by Lt Gen Mohan and General Officer Commanding of Tiger Division Maj Gen Sanjay Singh paid rich tributes to the slain soldier. (With PTI inputs) Lucknow: Lucknow University has asked its students not to roam on the campus on February 14, Valentine's Day, threatening to take strict action against anyone who fails to observe the orders. Issuing a strict advisory, the varsity indirectly asked students to celebrate Maha Shivratri and avoid the influence of 'Western' culture. Over the past few years, it's been observed that under the influence of Western culture, youth are celebrating 14.2.2018 as Valentine's Day. All students are hereby informed that on 14.2.2018, the university will remain closed on the occasion of Maha Shivratri, said a notice from the varsity. Lucknow University issues advisory to its students to not to roam inside the premises of the university on Valentine's Day (14.2.2018). Disciplinary action will be taken against whosoever is found violating the advisory. pic.twitter.com/dQ8cdESICK ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 13, 2018 The notice goes on to inform that the varsity will remain closed on Wednesday and that there'll be no cultural programmes or exams or classes on that day. The university also asked parents not to send students to campus on Wednesday. This is not the first time that the university has issued such a notice on Valentine's Day. In 2009, authorities banned carrying of flowers, bouquets and gifts on campus on Valentine's Day, to prevent any untoward incidents or misbehaviour against girls. In 2014, the varsity once issued a list of dos and don'ts for students, ahead of Valentine's Day. BHOPAL: More than 1500 people in a village in Madhya Pradesh fell ill after consuming 'prasad' (khichdi) of Shivratri. The prasad was served at an ashram in MP's Barwani district. The villagers complained of stomach ache and vomiting. At least 1500 villagers fell ill, complaining of stomach ache & vomiting after consuming 'prasad' (khichdi) of Shivratri at an ashram in Barwani #MadhyaPradesh pic.twitter.com/2tRnhtXyqP ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2018 Meanwhile, forces have been deployed to identify the victims and bring them to the District Hospital. 1500 villagers complained of stomach ache & vomiting after consuming 'prasad' (khichdi) of Shivratri at an ashram in Barwani #MadhyaPradesh pic.twitter.com/7DAXmq4xO6 ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2018 The victims are also admitted to two other private hospitals. The situation, however, is now under control. "We deployed force to identify the victims and bring them to the District Hospital, 2 private hospitals helped in this too. The situation is under control now," Collector and District Magistrate, Tejaswi S Naik said. Agartala: Tripura has never seen a campaign like this, at least he cannot recall, says Mithun Ghosh, a government employee in his 40s, of the BJP's relentless, star-studded electioneering to breach this Left bastion of over 25 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in the north-eastern state last week and will hold two rallies on Thursday. BJP president Amit Shah has held multiple public meetings and road shows while top leaders like Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari besides its Hindutva face - Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath -- have been reaching out to the 25 lakh voters in its 60 assembly seats. The national spotlight the tiny state is getting is something new for its curious and politically aware voters who are divided on whether the saffron surge will be enough to surmount the red fortress. For a party which got less than two per cent votes in the last assembly polls, the task at hand could not be more arduous. The Left had received over 50 per cent of votes and its mascot and Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has a standing that often rises above the common refrain about lack of employment opportunities, development, and basic issues of drinking water and electricity. If the Left is promising continuity with its focus on rural development and the poor, the BJP has let it be known that with the party in the power at the centre, it can shower the state with goodies and funds which the CPI(M) cannot. "When India's finance minister releases our vision document and promises that government employees will get salaries as per seventh pay commission and not fourth, which is the case now, then it is clear that we mean business," state BJP president Biplab Deb says. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had released the document on Sunday. The CPI(M) on its part has termed the BJP's promises, including smart phones for youths, a 'jumla' (rhetoric) . However, BJP campaigners have persistently pointed out in their rallies the state's high poverty rate of over 67 per cent and unemployment rate besides erratic power supply in large parts to corner the Left government. The state has been under the Left rule since 1978 barring a five-year period between 1988-93 and Sarkar has been at the helm since 1998. The BJP feels it can cash-in on an anti- incumbency. Left workers like Ashok Bhattacharya say capital Agartala used to have strong Congress pockets which have now shifted to the BJP, but assert that the villages in the largely rural state remains under the sway of the "Left movement". People go to see the BJP's road shows and its leaders rallies out of curiosity, he says, and adds that "every family in the state will tell you that the Left has made their lives better". A BJP leader, who is from West Bengal and has been campaigning in Tripura, calls the fight with the Left "neck and neck", saying his party will do well in Agartala but the Left has deep roots in villages. The BJP, its leaders say, has brought in hundreds of workers from neighbouring states like Assam to campaign for it across the state. The party has, they said, workers in every booth and have been working assiduously to build base in villages since Amit Shah took over as the party chief in 2014 and set his sight on this Left's citadel. The decades-long work put in by the RSS and its affiliates means that the party also has a seasoned pool of activists on the ground to capitalise on the buzz created by rallies of its big leaders. The BJP is confident that it will be able to attract the the young population, which rues lack of opportunities in the state. Uppal Bishwas (28), who calls himself a farmer, raises the BJP's slogan of 'chalo paltai' (Let's change the government) when asked of his opinion. Asked what he expects a BJP government to do, he says Tripura depends heavily on the Centre for its resources and it will help if it comes to power. In a first direct electoral contest between the left and the right, Tripura goes to the polls on February 18 and results will be out on March 3. New Delhi: Hundreds of thousands of central government employees who are eagerly waiting for the implementation of increased pay as recommended by the 7th Pay Commission may finally get some relief in April. Here is the monthly round up on fitment factor, pay hike and more The Central government is considering increasing the salary of low-level officials, from matrix level 1 to 5 and go beyond the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission, media reports have said. Central government employees are currently getting basic pay according to the fitment formula of 2.57 of the basic pay although the employees union have long been demanding the fitment formula of 3.00 of the basic pay. The official announcement regarding this will also reportedly come around the month of April. However the implementation of the revision in the fitment factor resulting in higher salaries for the employees does not seem to come into effect before the next financial year, several media reports quoting sources have said. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised 7th Pay Commission benefits to government employees of Tripura if the BJP was voted to power. Addressing two rallies in the poll-bound state last week, Modi said that Tripura government employees still get salary according to the Fourth Pay Commission, while the 7th Pay Commission has been implemented across the country. The Union Cabinet had in June last year approved recommendations of the CPC with 34 modifications, which will mean an additional annual burden of Rs 30,748 crore on the exchequer. All allowances are given effect from July 1, 2017. The recommendations benefit over 1 crore employees. This includes over 47 lakh central government employees and 53 lakh pensioners, of which 14 lakh employees and 18 lakh pensioners are from the defence forces. The new scales of pay provide for entry-level basic pay going up from Rs 7,000 per month to Rs 18,000, while at the highest level i.e. Secretary, it would go up from Rs 90,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh. For Class 1 officers, the starting salary will be Rs 56,100. New Delhi: To aid scientists in solving the mystery of dark energy that is believed to drive the accelerating expansion of the universe, a 45-year-old telescope in the US will create the largest three-dimensional map of the universe. The four-meter Nicholas U. Mayall Telescope, put inside a 14-story, 500-ton dome atop a mile-high peak, closed on Monday to have its largest-ever overhaul and set the stage for installing the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). Dark matter was one of the biggest secrets of the vast universe that was divulged in the 1970s. It is a mysterious and as-yet-unobserved component. Its nature remains unknown, but scientists estimate that it is five times as abundant as ordinary matter throughout the universe. The new instrument would begin a five-year observing run at Kitt Peak National Observatory after its installation next year, Xinhua reported. Besides finding evidence about the universe's expansion, DESI would also help to set limits on theories related to gravity and the formative stages of the universe. It could even provide new mass measurements for a variety of elusive yet abundant neutrinos, a kind of subatomic particles. "One of the primary ways that we learn about the unseen universe is by its subtle effects on the clustering of galaxies," DESI Collaboration co-spokesperson Daniel Eisenstein of Harvard University was quoted as saying. "The new maps from DESI would provide an exquisite new level of sensitivity in our study of cosmology," Eisenstein added. The expansion of the telescope's field-of-view will allow DESI to map out about one-third of the sky. Brenna Flaugher, a DESI project scientist who leads the Astrophysics Department at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, said: "Instead of one at a time we can measure the velocities of 5,000 galaxies at a time, we will measure more than 30 million of them in our five-year survey." DESI's observations would provide a deep look into the early universe, up to about 11 billion years ago. All of DESI's six lenses, each about a meter in diameter, are complete. DESI will use an array of 5,000 swiveling robots, each carefully choreographed to point a fiber-optic cable at a pre-programmed sequence of deep-space objects, including millions of galaxies and quasars, which are galaxies that harbor massive, actively feeding black holes. The cylindrical, fiber-toting robots, which will be embedded in a rounded metal unit called a focal plane, will reposition to capture a new exposure of the sky roughly every 20 minutes. The fiber-optic cables will carry the light from these objects to 10 spectrographs, tools that will measure the properties of this light and help to pinpoint the objects' distance and the rate at which they are moving away from us. Installation of DESI's components is expected to begin soon and to wrap up in April 2019, with first science observations planned in September 2019. (With IANS inputs) LUCKNOW: Another accused have been arrested in connection with the brutal murder of the Dalit Law student who was beaten to death by a group of men outside a restaurant in Allahabad. Three accused have been apprehended so far, however, the prime accused is still at large. 3 accused arrested. Main accused yet to be arrested. He'll be arrested soon. Strict action to be taken against those responsible: Praveen Kumar, DIG (Law & order) on death of LLB student Dileep Saroj who was thrashed by group of people during an argument in Katra Bazar, Allahabad pic.twitter.com/VrjB7gb0H3 ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 13, 2018 Identified as Vijay Shankar Singh, the prime accused is posted as a Train Ticket Examiner (TTE) with the Indian Railways. DIG (Law and order) Praveen Kumar have assured that strict action will be taken against those who are responsible for the killing. "Three accused arrested. Main accused yet to be arrested. He will be arrested soon. Strict action to be taken against those responsible," Kumar said. On Friday, the 26-year-old had reportedly gone to a restaurant for a meal in Karnalganj along with two friends. An altercation broke out between Dileep and few persons, outside the eatery. The men soon started assaulting Dileep with bricks and sticks, leaving him seriously injured. Two days later, he succumbed to his injuries. The CCTV footage of the incident later went viral on social media. On the basis of a complaint lodged by Dileep's brother, an FIR was registered against three unidentified accused, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Akash Kulhari had said. Restaurant owner Amit Upadhyay, who's familiar with the main accused, has also been arrested. He had failed to inform the police about the incident, said the authorities. The body has been sent for post-mortem and further probe into the matter is on, the senior official had said. Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya handed over a compensation amount of Rs 20 lakh to the family of the student. LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Tuesday handed over a compensation amount to the family of the Dalit student who was beaten to death by a group of men outside a restaurant in Allahabad. A cheque of Rs 20 Lakh was given to the family of the LLB student, Dileep Saroj. He died after being thrashed by a group of people during an argument. The entire incident was caught on CCTV. On Friday, the 26-year-old had reportedly gone to a restaurant for a meal in Karnalganj along with two friends. An altercation broke out between Dileep and few persons, outside the eatery. The men soon started assaulting Dileep with bricks and sticks, leaving him seriously injured. Two days later, he succumbed to his injuries. The CCTV footage of the incident later went viral on social media. On the basis of a complaint lodged by Dileep's brother, an FIR was registered against three unidentified accused, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Akash Kulhari had said. Based on the footage, the cops have arrested one accused. The prime accused was identified as Vijay Shankar Singh who is posted as a Train Ticket Examiner (TTE) with the Indian Railways, Kulhari said, adding that the accused is still at large. Restaurant owner Amit Upadhyay, who's familiar with the main accused, has also been arrested. He had failed to inform the police about the incident, said the authorities. The body has been sent for post-mortem and further probe into the matter is on, the senior official said. LUCKNOW: Hitting out at Mohan Bhagwat, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati today said the comparison made by the RSS chief between the Army and the Sangh is "disturbing and insulting". Bhagwat has come in for criticism from opposition parties for remarks that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) had the ability to fight for the country with three days' training if needed, while the Army would take 6-7 months to ready troops. In a statement issued here today, the BSP chief said, "The comparison made between Army and RSS swayamsevaks (volunteers) by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is indeed disturbing and insulting." Mayawati added, "If Bhagwat has so much faith in his militant swayamsevaks, then why are special commandos engaged in his security at the government's expenses." The BSP chief said that at a time when the Army is facing different types of challenges, the statement made by the RSS chief lowers the morale of the force. Mayawati demanded that Bhagwat tender an apology to the country for his "wrong" statement. Attacking the RSS, she said, "Mohan Bhagwat should remove his bhram (confusion) about swayamsevaks, because the RSS is no longer a social organisation, and is fast becoming a political organisation. "Its swayamsevaks have shelved social service, and are seen busy in electoral politics of the BJP." The RSS yesterday said Bhagwat had not compared the Army with Sangh volunteers and his remarks on the matter were "misrepresented". Bhagwat's remarks at RSS workers meet in Bihar on February 11 were made as a comparison between common people and volunteers and were in "no way a comparison" with the Army, RSS Akhil Bhartiya Prachaar Pramukh Manmohan Vaidya said in a statement. LONDON: A London court will rule on Tuesday whether it would be in the interests of justice to pursue action against WikiLeaks` founder Julian Assange for failing to surrender to bail back in 2012. If the judge rules in his favour, then Assange, 46, would be free to leave the Ecuadorean Embassy in London where he has been holed up for more than five years. However, he might still elect to remain in the embassy, where he has been granted political asylum because he fears Britain would arrest him under a U.S. extradition warrant, the existence of which has neither been confirmed nor denied. WHO IS JULIAN ASSANGE? Assange was born in Townsville, Australia, in July 1971, to parents who were involved in theatre and travelled frequently. In his teens, Assange gained a reputation as a sophisticated computer programmer and in 1995 he was arrested and pleaded guilty to hacking. He was fined, but avoided prison on condition he did not re-offend. In his late 20s, he went to Melbourne University to study mathematics and physics. WIKILEAKS Assange launched WikiLeaks in 2006, creating a web-based "dead letter drop" for would-be leakers. It says it is a non-profit organisation funded by human rights campaigners, journalists and the general public, with the aim of fighting government and corporate corruption. The website rose to prominence in April 2010 when it published a classified video showing a 2007 U.S. helicopter attack that killed a dozen people in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, including two Reuters news staff. In July that year, it released more than 90,000 classified U.S. military documents on the war in Afghanistan and then in October, it published about 400,000 more secret U.S. files on the Iraq war. The two leaks represented the largest security breaches of their kind in U.S. military history. It followed these up with the release of 250,000 secret diplomatic cables from U.S. embassies around the world, with some of the information published by newspapers such as the New York Times and Britain`s Guardian. The leaks angered and embarrassed U.S. politicians and military officials, who said the unauthorised dissemination would put lives at risk, and drew similar condemnation from U.S. allies such as Britain. ARREST IN 2010 On Nov. 18, 2010, a Swedish court ordered Assange`s detention as a result of an investigation into allegations of sex crimes. He had spent much of the year in Sweden and the accusations of misconduct were made by two female Swedish WikiLeaks volunteers. On Dec. 7, 2010, Assange was arrested by British police on a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) issued by Sweden. Assange denied the allegations and was eventually granted bail on Dec. 16. He said from the outset that he believed the Swedish case was a pretext to extradite him to the United States to face charges over the WikiLeaks releases. His extradition to Sweden for questioning was ordered in Feb. 2011. Subsequent appeals failed and an order for his surrender was issued for June 29, 2012. On June 19, he entered the Ecuadorean Embassy in the upmarket Knightsbridge area of London seeking asylum. Ten days later a judge at London`s Westminster Magistrates` Court issued a warrant for his arrest. ECUADOREAN EMBASSY Ecuador granted Assange asylum on Aug. 16, 2012 and at the time he said he expected to wait six months to a year for a deal which would allow him to leave the embassy. British police mounted a round-the-clock guard to prevent his escape, saying he would be arrested should he leave. The impasse left Assange living in cramped quarters in the embassy with no political or legal solution to the saga in sight. A United Nations panel said in Feb. 2016 that Assange had been arbitrarily detained. Britain called that description "ridiculous", saying his detention was voluntary. British police ended their permanent guard in October 2015, having spent an estimated 12.6 million pounds, but said they would maintain "covert tactics" to arrest him if he left the embassy. SWEDISH CASE DROPPED On Nov. 14, 2016, Swedish prosecutors questioned Assange at the embassy in London about the alleged sex crimes for about four hours. Swedish prosecutors announced on May 19, 2017, that they had dropped their investigation and withdrawn their EAW. However, British police said he would still be arrested if he left the embassy because there was an outstanding warrant for failing to surrender to bail. In January this year, Ecuador granted Assange citizenship after Britain refused a request for him to be given diplomatic status, saying he would face justice if he left the embassy. NEW COURT CHALLENGE On Jan. 26, Assange`s lawyers asked London`s Westminster Magistrates Court to drop the arrest warrant against him because it no longer applied as Sweden`s EAW had been withdrawn. They said Assange and his guarantors had forfeited more than 110,000 pounds ($156,000) when he failed to surrender and he had already spent 5-1/2 years in conditions which were "akin to imprisonment". Last Tuesday, Judge Emma Arbuthnot rejected his bid to have the warrant withdrawn. However, she then agreed to consider whether, even if Assange were arrested and brought to court, it would actually be in the interests of justice to take any further action against him. Her ruling will be made on Tuesday and if he is successful, it would mean there was no public, legal case in Britain against him. U.S. CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION During his successful election campaign, U.S. President Donald Trump praised Assange`s organisation for releasing hacked emails from Democratic National Committee (DNC) computers, telling a rally in Oct. 2016 "I love WikiLeaks". There is no public record or evidence demonstrating any U.S. criminal charges are pending against Assange. When Barack Obama was president, the U.S. Justice Department leadership concluded it would be inappropriate to prosecute WikiLeaks because it was too similar to a media organization. However, in March last year, U.S. federal prosecutors in Alexandria, Virginia, expanded a long-running grand jury investigation into WikiLeaks and its personnel including Assange. A Justice Department official recently confirmed to Reuters this investigation was still open. Last April, CIA Director Mike Pompeo described WikiLeaks as a "hostile intelligence service" abetted by states such as Russia, who had used it to distribute hacked material from DNC computers during the 2016 presidential election. He also called Assange a "fraud" and a "coward". Assange and his supporters believe that U.S. prosecutors have a sealed, therefore secret, indictment against him. They also suspect that Britain has received a U.S. extradition warrant linked to these charges and that he would be arrested by British police were he to leave the embassy. They hope if his court case is successful, it will put pressure on the British authorities to disclose what, if any, U.S. efforts are in place to prosecute him. BEIJING: Chinese prosecutors have charged disgraced senior politician Sun Zhengcai with bribery, state media said on Tuesday. Sun, who was abruptly removed from his post as party chief of the southwestern metropolis of Chongqing in July, had illegally accepted a huge amount of assets, the official Xinhua news agency said, citing prosecutors. Moscow: Speed sensors that were iced over may have caused a Russian passenger jet to crash near Moscow, killing all 71 people on board, the Interstate Aviation Committee said on Tuesday. In a statement, the committee said a preliminary analysis of black box data made them believe that the pilots` screens were showing the wrong speed as the velocity sensors had frozen, the BBC reported. A twin-engined Antonov AN-148 model belonging to the Saratov regional carrier departed Moscow`s Domodedovo Airport on Sunday afternoon carrying 65 passengers and six crewmembers en route to the southern city of Orsk before it came down just 80 kilometres southeast outside the capital, near the village of Argunovo. The plane is believed to have been fully intact until the moment of impact, when it exploded and strewed wreckage across the snowy field in which it crashed. More than 700 people are involved in the search operation, struggling through deep snow. The Emergencies Ministry was collecting DNA samples from victims` relatives in order to identify the bodies. ISLAMABAD: Under pressure from the United States, Pakistan last week quietly pushed forward an ordinance that would put terror group Jamaat-ud Dawa, led by Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed, on the list of banned terrorist individuals and organisations. Islamabad further endorsed the United Nations' list of banned terrorist organisations by barring them in Pakistan as well. The move spells bad news for several terror entities such as Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), Lashkar-e-Toiba and Harkat-ul Mujahideen, which are among the 27 banned outfits on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) list. The amended Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) ordinance, which goes into effect immediately, will see the assets of the banned organisations frozen. The ordinance, pushed by President Mamnoon Hussain last Friday, was made public on Monday evening. President Mamnoon Hussain last Friday quietly promulgated an ordinance amending the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 with regards to proscription of terrorist individuals and organisations to include entities listed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in a move that would end a longstanding ambiguity over the status of Hafiz Saeed-linked Jamaatud Dawa and Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) by firmly placing them on the list of proscribed groups, said Pakistani daily Dawn. The development comes just days before a Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting is scheduled to take place in Paris. It was feared that FATF, under pressure from the US and India, would place Pakistan on its grey list, which in turn could raise the cost of doing international financial transactions for Pakistan, reported Dawn. On Monday, US President Donald Trump proposed a $256-million in civilian assistance and $80-million in military aid to Pakistan while unveiling the $4-trillion annual budget for the fiscal 2019 beginning October 1. Earlier in January 2018, US President Donald Trump froze a $ 2 billion military aid to Pakistan for its inability to act on terror outfits on home soil. Later, Pakistan's financial regulatory body Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) banned Saeed-led JuD, FIF, LeT, as well as several other such organisations from collecting donations. Washington: US President Donald Trump today unveiled a USD 4 trillion annual budget for the fiscal 2019 beginning October 1, proposing USD 256 million in civilian assistance and USD 80 million in military aid to Pakistan. The proposal of aid to Pakistan comes weeks after Trump administration suspended nearly USD 2 billion in security assistance to Islamabad due to its inability to take action against terrorist groups operating from its soil. The White House has said it would consider lifting the freeze if it sees action by Pakistan against terrorist groups. The budgetary proposal says that the military aid depends on Pakistan taking action against terrorist safe havens. "The budget requests USD 256 million for Pakistan in economic and other assistance to help increase stability, promote economic growth and create opportunities for US businesses," said the annual budgetary proposals sent by the White House to the Congress. "In addition, the Budget requests USD 80 million in Foreign Military Financing assistance to enhance Pakistan's counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency capabilities, contingent on Pakistan taking appropriate action to expand cooperation in areas where US-Pakistan interests converge and to address areas of divergence, in line with the administration's South Asia strategy," the White House said. The budget furthers the US goal of a stable and secure South Asia by supporting the Afghan government and security forces in their fight against the Taliban insurgents and jihadist terrorist organisations such as al-Qaeda and ISIS. It requests more than USD 5 billion for continued US training and assistance for the Afghan security forces and would enable US forces to conduct counter-terrorism operations to ensure that the region cannot be used by jihadist, terrorist groups to plot transnational attacks against the US homeland, citizens overseas, or allies and partners. "The budget also continues to include funding to support America's partnership with Pakistan," it said. The budget's more than USD 630 million for civilian assistance supports the President's new strategy to empower the people of Afghanistan to take ownership of their future, the White House said. In addition, the budget strengthens and sustains improvements in education, health, governance and other sectors that are essential for securing a stable and prosperous Afghanistan. It also allows the US to honour the pledge made at the Brussels conference on Afghanistan, which anticipated gradually declining assistance levels, it added. Aleksandr Lukashenko, the President of Belarus does not see a real alternative to the Minsk Talks. He claimed this at the Security Council meeting as Belta reported. 'Belarus continues to provide the necessary conditions for the holding of the regular session of the Trilateral Contact Group. 30 meetings of it took place in 2017. I think that despite different and quite unexpected statements (they can be unexpected for the public but they are expected for me), there is no real alternative to this negotiation platform for today', Lukashenko said. The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine claimed on February 12 that Russia did not fulfill any of the points of the Minsk Agreement during three years and it needs the destabilization of Ukraine. Also, Germany is not satisfied with the implementation of the Minsk Agreement. It was noted that it was not done enough to settle the conflict that led to the death of more than 10, 000 people. Berlin urges all side of the Donbas Conflict to finally show the political will to fulfill the Minsk Agreements. As we reported earlier US President Donald Trump suggested to move the Minsk talks on resolving the conflict in Ukraine someplace else and discussed it with President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev. 'We discussed the fact that Minsk-1 has stumped, and a Minsk-2 is needed' He (Donald Trump) says: 'Lets hold it someplace else'. I say Lets do it, Nazarbayev said, noting that originally the talks should be held in Kazakhstan. Pavlo Klimkin, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine claimed that the place where Trilateral Contact Group meetings are held doesnt matter for reaching a result. Also, Japan will present an armored vehicle to the 'Donbas Water' Company Japan will allocate $4 million to restore the ruined infrastructure of Donbas as Pavlo Zhebrivsky, the Head of Donetsk Military Civilian Administration reported on Facebook. 'Japan will allocate $4 million through the humanitarian organizations for the support and restoration of the ruined infrastructure of Donetsk region at both occupied and controlled by Ukraine territories', Zhebrivsky noted. He added that the 'Donbas Water' Company will get the armored vehicle for more safe and efficient work in 2018 thank the financial support of Japan. 'Shigeki Sumi, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Japan to Ukraine announced such plans during our meeting in Kramatorsk', he said. According to Zhebrivsky, the delegation of the UN Refugee Agency to Ukraine headed by Pablo Mateu, the representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees was also present at the meeting. 'We jointly discussed the recently adopted law on the reintegration of the occupied territories and defined the directions of the joint work in this year. Particularly, I heard the understanding of both, Shigeki Sumi and Pablo Mateu on the necessity to support the projects on the restoration of the ruined residences and water-, gas-supply for the citizens of occupied and controlled by Ukraine territories of Donbas', Zhebrivsky concluded. Earlier we reported that since the beginning of military activity in Donbas, the region suffered over $463.6 million losses according to the response to an inquiry by Glavkom as to the damaged and ruined objects and overall losses to the military-civilian administrations of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine Shigeki Sumi and delegation of the United Nations Agency for Refugees in Ukraine visited Donetsk region. This was reported by the press service of the Donetsk Regional State Administration. "During the visit, the delegation accompanied by the Deputy Chairman of Donetsk Regional State Administration Ihor Stokoz, inspected housing in the village of Kurdyumivka restored by the United Nations Agency for Refugees with the financial support of the Government of Japan and other international donors in the UNHCR project for 2017. The project provided for carrying out repair works of the houses, affected by the conflict along the line of demarcation," the report said. In the summer, Japan allocated nearly 4 million dollars to Ukraine for the development of the National Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine (UA: PBC). As it was reported earlier the Principal Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, Alexander Hug, will be visiting eastern Ukraine on February 15 21. He will assess the security situation along with the contact line and its impact on civilians, and engage with communities on the ground. It was noted that he will also hold news briefings, the exact time and locations of which will be communicated in due course. Russian-occupational forces continued attacking Ukrainian soldiers in the Donbas conflict zone on February 12. Overall, there have been eight militant attacks since midnight. Unfortunately, one Ukrainian soldier was killed in the attacks, another one was wounded. Open source The Yevpatoria City Court in occupied Crimea made a decision to send back 23 citizens of Ukraine from the peninsula due to 'the illegal labor activity performed by a foreigner or a person without citizenship of labor activity' as Kryminform reported citing the Border Department of the FSB of Russia in Crimea. It is reported that the Russian law enforcers established the fact that 36 citizens of Ukraine illegally performed the labor activity at 'Yakirek' kindergarten, in Novoozerne village. In the result, the law 'On violation of the stay regime in Russia' was enforced against them. 'All trespassers were brought to the administrative responsibility according to the article on the illegal labor activity performed by a foreigner or a person without citizenship of labor activity. Moreover, 18 people were accused of the violation of the stay regime in Russia', the message said. The Yevpatoria court controlled by Kremlin made a decision to ban 23 citizens of Ukraine from the entry to Russia. At the same time, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine noted that it is impossible to identify the detained in Crimea as Russia does not disclose their personal data. As we reported the FSB, Russia's Federal Security Service claimed that a Ukrainian citizen was detained in Simferopol, in the annexed Crimea. The FSB claimed that Kostyantyn Davydenko, the citizen of Ukraine appeared to have intentionally collected secret information about the activities of the National Guard and the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation. Since midnight, the militants attacked the Ukrainian soldiers eight times Open source The Russian-occupational forces continued attacking Ukrainian soldiers in the Donbas conflict zone, as the Ukrainian Army HQ reports. In Luhansk sector, the enemy attacked near Novoluhanske, Svitlodarsk, and Zaitseve. Here, the occupants fired from grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and small arms. A few attacks were heard not far from Novhorodske. Grenade launchers were used near Katerynivka and 82-mm mortars - near Popasna. However, most active attacks occurred near Krymske. Here, the militants used 82 and 120-mm mortars, grenade launchers, and small arms. Overall, there have been eight militant attacks since midnight. Unfortunately, one Ukrainian soldier was killed in the attacks, another one was wounded. Open source The United States is keen on stopping the military actions in Donbas, but for that to happen, Russia should choose peace. Kurt Volker, U.S. special envoy for Ukraine-related affairs posted that on Twitter. 'Yesterday was the anniversary of the signing of the Minsk Package of Measures - three years later there is still a hot war. The U.S. is ready to help end the fighting, but Russia has to choose peace', he wrote. Its been three years since Ukraine, Russia and the OSCE signed the Minsk agreement, the framework document that aims to solve the Donbas conflict. It was signed back in January 2015 and approved by the Normandy Four member countries France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia. Currently, only three out of 13 positions have been fulfilled. OSCE monitors observe the situation across the entire combat area. However, they do not have full access to all sectors held by the militants. The Russian mercenaries have been violating ceasefire regime almost around the clock, and thats the key condition to solve the conflict, which lasts almost four years now. Besides, there are still many hostages to be released from captivity. Ukraine still does not have full control over the militant-held section of the state border, and Russia does not hurry up to withdraw its troops from Donbas. Read the original text at 112.ua. These days, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that a contract for the supply of natural gas from Romania for a period of 15 years would soon be signed. According to Orban, three Hungarian firms have won the corresponding tender in Romania. Hungary would purchase 4 billion cubic meters from Romania each year, which is equivalent to half the volume of the annually consumed amount of the blue fuel. In 2015, Hungary has consumed 7.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas, of which 6.8 billion cubic meters were imported. The Hungarian Prime Minister believes that the supply of natural gas from Romania will begin after 2022. Orban also stressed that the era of Russias gas monopoly in Hungary would come to an end. Orban's statement on the supply of Romanian gas corresponds to the position of the US and the European Parliament on the need to reduce the EU's dependence on Russian gas. Last year, Orban advocated deepening energy cooperation with Russia. In 2016, Gazprom supplied Hungary with 5.54 billion cubic meters of natural gas (81.5% of the total volume of natural gas imports). Last summer, the Hungarian Government, and Gazprom agreed to extend the sections of the Russian gas pipeline Turkish Stream to Hungary. In 2017, Viktor Orban has twice met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. They discussed the prospects for cooperation in various fields, including the energy field. Orban has a negative attitude towards anti-Russian sanctions and believes that they harmed the economies of Hungary and Russia in the amount of 6.5 billion dollars. In 2015, he argued that the United States exerted pressure on Hungary due to energy ties with Russia and the country's participation in the Russian gas pipeline project South Stream, which is no longer relevant. Map of gas pipelines in Hungary Reducing the dependence of European countries on the supply of Russian gas meets the interests of the United States. At the end of January this year, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that Russia would use energy resources as a political tool if it expanded the capacity of its gas pipeline along the bottom of the Baltic Sea to Germany, bypassing the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. In his opinion, Europe needs to diversify the directions for the purchase of energy resources, since the commissioning of the second branch of the Nord Stream gas pipeline would undermine the energy stability and security. The second branch would allow doubling the capacity of the existing gas pipeline (now it is 27.5 billion cubic meters of gas per year). Also, Russia is implementing a project of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline (two branches with a capacity of 15.75 billion cubic meters) along the bottom of the Black Sea and Turkey's territory in the EU. As there is a potential threat of imposing US sanctions on foreign companies that invest large sums of money in the construction of Russian gas pipelines, Gazprom does not exclude financing the Turkish Stream at its own expense. Deputy Chairman of the Board of Gazprom Alexander Medvedev believes that the share of Russia in the European gas market might increase to 40% after 2025. For 9 months of 2017, Gazprom's share in the EU market was 34%. Having a stable income from sales of natural gas, the Kremlin will continue to carry out aggression in Ukraine, develop new types of conventional and strategic weapons, sponsor separatist regimes in post-Soviet countries, Eurosceptic parties in the EU and spend big money on information campaigns to influence political processes in America and Europe. Perhaps, the US decided to create conditions for the weakening of Moscow's positions on the gas market in the EU and to derive economic benefits from it. Tillerson promised Poland to help reduce energy dependence on Russia by supplying liquefied natural gas from the United States. For Hungary, the Americans came up with another alternative to Russian gas. It is not accidental that Orban started talking about the supply of natural gas from Romania. In April last year, the US oil company ExxonMobil, where Tillerson held the position of chairman of the board of directors from 2006 to 2017, worked on the possibility of investing $ 942 million in the development of a deep-water gas field on the Neptune block on Romanias Black Sea shelf. An agreement with the Romanian oil and gas company OMV Petrom on the development of this shelf was reached in 2008. The development of the Romanian oilfield should begin in 2018. Natural gas reserves in the field are estimated at 84 billion cubic meters. Hypothetically, these volumes would be enough to completely replace the supply of Gazproms natural gas for the needs of Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland for 3-4 years. This time is enough to cause significant damage to the Russian economy by reducing natural gas exports. In 2016, Gazprom supplied to these countries 24.84 billion cubic meters of natural gas, which is about 14% of the total volume of supplies to Europe (178.3 billion cubic meters). The US lobby for the interests of ExxonMobil in Europe, for which Gazprom is a competitor. Not without a reason deployed the United States its anti-missile defense system in the Romanian village of Deveselu. Usually, Americans create military bases and strongholds in those countries where they have economic interests. American businesses need security guarantees before investing large sums of money in ambitious projects. The interests of American congressmen who are interested in cutting off oxygen from Russia and forcing it to stop its aggressive foreign policy, and the interests of American oilmen, who are not averse to cashing in on natural gas, met in Romania and Hungary. Hungary is convenient for ExxonMobil to start shipping natural gas from the Black Sea shelf of Romania. Both countries border on each other. In 2010, Romania and Hungary opened a 47-kilometer stretch of the Nabucco gas pipeline along the Arad-Szeged route, which connects the Hungarian and Romanian gas distribution systems. The Nabucco gas pipeline project for the transportation of natural gas from the Caspian fields to the EU has not been implemented. However, the existing developments can come in handy. Until 2020, Romania plans to build a gas pipeline that will connect Hungary, Bulgaria, and Austria with its Black Sea field. This gas pipeline, worth 220 million euros, will allow supplying 4.4 billion cubic meters of gas per year to Hungary. In October 2017, Hungary and Slovakia agreed on the construction of the North-South gas pipeline under the Eastring project. With a favorable combination of circumstances, Hungary has a chance to transit the Romanian natural gas to Slovak consumers. Hungary can set a precedent for a voluntary abandonment of Russian natural gas and question the arguments that there are no other alternatives to ensure EU energy security other than the Nord Stream and Turkish Stream gas pipelines. Orban is moving towards the US, promising to buy large volumes of natural gas from Romania, contrary to previously reached agreements with Gazprom. Perhaps he is making such sacrifices in order to establish relations with US President Donald Trump. Orban did not resemble the leaders of Germany and Turkey, he did not criticize Trump for unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in December last year. Then Hungary blocked a joint statement by 28 EU member states criticizing Trump's position on the Jerusalem issue. During the campaign, Orban supported Republican Trump, not Democrat Hillary Clinton. During a telephone conversation with Orban in 2016, Trump stressed that he respected Hungary very much. Orban is interested in supporting Trump in disputes with the EU. The Hungarian authorities are ardent opponents of the European Commission's plan to accommodate Muslim refugees from Italy and Greece in other European countries. The quota meant providing 1294 refugees with shelter, but Hungary failed to do it. Refugees come into Hungary through the state border with Serbia and Croatia, so special fences were built, equipped with video surveillance, to prevent penetration. Last year, the Hungarian authorities built 4 military bases to patrol the border areas and timely detain refugees for subsequent deportation. There is a threat that the European Commission will continue to insist on its positions and will impose sanctions against Hungary. Russia cannot help Hungary in the dispute with the EU. The Kremlin supports the ultra-right Eurosceptic party "Jobbik", which has built its image on anti-migrant sentiments and xenophobia and is a political rival of the "Fides" party of Viktor Orban. But the US can help. However Trump is negatively treated by the European Commission and the EU Council, the United States has the last word in ensuring Euro-Atlantic security. During his visit to Warsaw last year, Trump stated that the Poles had the right not to let Muslims. The American president is pursuing a tough migration policy like Orban does. Hungarians and Americans build relations on the principle of "quid pro quo." Budapest helps ExxonMobil to enter the market of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe with Romanian natural gas and press Russia's position, and Washington will support the Hungarians in disputes with the EU. It is possible that Orban is trying to play on the contradictions between the US and Russia in order to bargain a discount on the price of natural gas from Gazprom. It is a common practice in business when a client begins to express an intention to find a new supplier just for the sake of the old supplier to reduce the price. In this case, the role of the "new" supplier is assigned to Romania. The appearance of Romanian gas in the Hungarian market will significantly reduce Russia's ability to use energy resources as a lever for pressure on EU member states. Increased free competition in the gas market of the EU will allow Hungary and other countries to "twist Gazproms arms" and defend its interests. Read the original text at inosmi.ru. Open source The law on the National Memory Institute (INP), adopted by the Polish Sejm and signed by President Andrzej Duda, has launched a big international scandal. Although the law has not yet been approved by the Constitutional Court of Poland, it caused an earthquake-like reaction of the world community. The document itself consists of three main parts: Criminal punishment for denying crimes committed by Ukrainian nationalists (Banderites) during the Second World War. Criminal punishment for using "Polish death camps" expression, which actually suggests Poland was responsible for the camps where millions of people were killed. Criminal punishment for attempts to hold responsible the Polish nation of the crimes against the Jewish population of Poland. The first point has been opposed only by Ukraine, while all the Western allies of Poland, as well as Israel, went on their hind legs because of the second and especially the third points. The main argument is that the law blocks the possibility of further investigation on the Holocaust in Poland, and also prevents finding the truth about the crimes committed by the Poles against Jews. But earlier, all the western partners of Poland recognized that the expression "Polish death camps" was nonsense, and they were also trying to omit the issue of Polish anti-Semitism. So why did the aggravation happen right now? Apparently, we should talk about a combination of several factors. First, this Polish law was adopted at a very inconvenient moment, when Warsaws nationalist policy threatens the unity of the European Union and the West at large. Secondly, from the point of view of the European and American neo-liberals, it is time to put the present Polish government, who violates a number of basic ideological principles of the neo-liberal Western civilization, in his place. These include not only the anti-Semitism issue, but also political correctness, the rights of women and LGBT people, freedom of the press, and multiculturalism. In addition, a number of observers associate such a violent reaction with the internal political crisis in Israel, where the Netanyahu government is trying to find an external "scapegoat". And, obviously, the "anti-Bandera" part of the law is a pain in the neck of the Ukrainian leadership, which stated that the law of the INP "violates the principles of strategic partnership between the two countries." All the leading representatives of Europes intelligentsia have signed the letters of protest, and the US government has protested as well. In this regard, we should recall that during the visit to Warsaw in May 2012, then-President Barack Obama provoked a diplomatic scandal, mentioning the "Polish death camps". The US State Department had to publicly apologize for this incorrect statement. However, today Western neo-liberals has completely changed their attitude towards Poland. A while back, the European Parliament removed from office its vice-chairman Ryszard Czarnecki - representative of the ruling Polish party "Law and Justice" (PiS). Czarniecki has rudely taken the representative of Polish liberals Rosa Thun down, who criticized the judicial reform in Poland. He called her "szmalcownik," a derogatory term for the Poles who blackmailed Jews, or Poles hiding Jews, during the Nazi German occupation of Poland. In addition, along with the current scandal, Poland is threatened with several EU penalties - for violating the principles of "basic democracy and the rule of law", for rejecting migrants and other misdeeds (from the point of view of neo-liberal ideology). Poland will make "scathing rebuke" to face the other "rebels" in the European Union down, primarily Hungary and all the "Visegrad Four" countries. The mistaken expression "Polish death camps" has its own prehistory. It was used right after the Second World War in the USA, referring to the geographical location of the concentration camps. Nazi death camps really operated on the territory of Poland Auschwitz, Sobibor, Majdanek, and Treblinka. Americans could use this expression for simplification (because of their geographical ignorance). But since the mid-1950s, the media by the German special services have been actively using this term, thereby shifting part of the blame for the Holocaust to the Poles. This expression has settled in poorly informed circles, which caused the deserved fury of the Poles. However, such an expression was never allowed in cultural countries like France; the French could only say something like "Nazi concentration camps on the territory of Poland." However, the real "bomb" in the text of the new Polish law was an item on the denial of the collective or partial responsibility of the Polish nation for the Holocaust. The Polish government claims that the Poles are not responsible for crimes against Jews in Poland: the country was under German occupation, and therefore all crimes of this period, including the genocide of Jews, are exclusively related to Nazi terror. To corroborate its words, the Institute of National Remembrance (INP is the initiator of the current law) cites data according to which there were no Poles in the protection and servicing of concentration camps, these were mostly Ukrainians, Latvians, and Lithuanians. The service of the camp guards and warders also included "Trawniki men" - mobilized mainly in the territory of Western Ukraine soldiers of the Red Army, captured and sent to the service of the Germans. One of the "Trawniki men" was the infamous Ivan Demjanjuk, nicknamed "Ivan the Terrible." "Trawniki men" have distinguished themselves in the course of the ruthless suppression of the uprising in the Warsaw ghetto in 1943. Probably, the Poles did not take part in the auxiliary services and troops because the Germans simply did not trust them. In occupied Europe, only two peoples - the Poles and the Serbs - did not go for extensive cooperation with the Nazi authorities. All the rest (including the French) cannot boast of this. The INP notes that while the Nazis began recruiting local residents throughout occupied Europe, the leadership of the Polish underground resistance issued the strictest order not to cooperate with the German invaders. Nevertheless, the document issues remain unresolved. And they concern "people's anti-Semitism", which was historically extremely developed in Poland, as well as in Western Ukraine and the Baltics. Numerous anti-Semitic crimes of wartime, including pogroms and the extradition of Jews to the Germans, are connected with this phenomenon. There are numerous cases of robbery of Jewish property, the extradition of Jews who fled from the concentration camps to the German authorities. The Jedwabne pogrom (July 1941) is especially notorious: local Poles killed more than 1,500 Jews. There are other crimes against Jews, which took place in 24 districts of Poland. This conclusion was reached in due time by the Polish government commission, and in 2001 the then Polish president Alexander Kwasniewski brought to the Jewish people an apology for these crimes. However, not everyone in Poland supports this position. Most of Poles believe (according to the survey) that the sufferings of the Polish population during the war have never ceded the sufferings of the Jews. For a long time, the Poles cherish the idea (and it became the basis of national ideology) that the Polish people is a "martyr of history". And external criticism can only strengthen this position. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or 112.International and its owners. Halbe Zijlstra passed off another man's information for his own and has been concealing the truth until recently Halbe Zijlstra, the foreign minister of the Netherlands, resigned from his office after recognition that he lied about meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. According to NOS web portal, he never attended that meeting, which occurred in 2006; he made up this story and passed off another man's information for his own. Before the parliamentary debates began at the Tuesday session, Zijlstra said he resigns, describing his made-up story 'the biggest mistake in his political life'. 'The Netherlands deserve a foreign minister who would not cause any doubts,' he said. Both the parliamentary coalition and the opposition forces came to the conclusion that the Minister can't be trusted. In 2006, Zijlstra said he was present at a meeting of the Russian president with business representatives, where Putin commented on the 'Great Russia, which would include Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and the Baltic States'. Now, he confirmed that he 'borrowed' some details of the meeting from a man who actually was present at that meeting, and posed the information for his own. Ukraine put 70 countries on the migration risk countries list; among others, it includes Russia Thanks to Ukraine's efforts in migration control area, the EU does not consider it a migration risk country. Petro Tsygykal, the head of the State Migration Service said that at a briefing in Kyiv. 'Over the past year, 3,000 cases of illegal migration were reported, with 3,800 migrants crossing the border... About 500 of them came from Russia. We know that a lot of them come from this country - sometimes they arrive in Russia legally, but then cross the Ukrainian border, violating the procedure', he said. Tsygykal added that Russia, Algeria, Afghanistan, Vietnam and India are among those on Ukraine's migration risk countries. The negotiations will take place within the Munich Security Conference Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General of NATO claimed that he intends to meet Petro Poroshenko, the President of Ukraine this week and hold the negotiations with him at the Munich Security Conference as Interfax-Ukraine reported. 'This week I will meet President Poroshenko in Munich', Stoltenberg is cited. According to him, Ukraine is the important partner of the NATO and the Alliance intends to continue close cooperation with it. It is noted that the Munich Security Conference will take place on February 16-18, 2018. Most of the crimes were related to labor and sexual slavery Over past year, the State Migration Service busted 25 channels of human trafficking across Ukraine. Petro Tsygykal, the head of the Service said that as quoted by the press department of the State Border Guard. 'About 600 people were detained over that period. We conducted joint operations with Polish and Lithuanian counterparts to bust these channels,' he said. According to the official, most frequently, the crimes are related to labor and sexual slavery of Ukrainians abroad. AK AL AS AZ AR CA CO CT DE DC FL GA GU HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA PR RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VI VA WA WV WI WY The veto right is the only tool for Hungary to protect the sub-Carpathian Hungarians, - foreign minister Peter Szijarto Hungary will remain in the same positions regarding the Ukrainian law on education. Peter Szijarto, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Hungary said that at a press conference in Budapest. The Hungarian official said that the veto right, which any NATO member country may use, is 'the only instrument that Hungary might use to protect the sub-Carpathian Hungarians and thus make Ukraine act in the frameworks of the international norms'. 'It is an obligation of Hungary's foreign policy to protect Hungarians wherever they reside... Hungary cannot agree that the national minorities issue should not be related to the veto right in the international organization. Ukraine should respect the rights of national minorities. If the country really aims for closer ties with the NATO and the EU, it should live up to their expectations,' he said. As we reported the Venice Commission did not support Hungarys accusations of infringement of ethnic minorities rights by the education law in Ukraine. The new law on education was signed by Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko on September 25. In particular, it introduces a 12-year-long school program and limits the number of subjects taught in the languages of national minorities. This particular decision evoked outrage in Moldova, Romania, Russia, and Hungary. Budapest even threatened to slow down the process of Ukraines integration with the EU. According to the prosecutor, he will be detained once his whereabouts are established A chief editor of Strana.UA Ihor Guzhva was placed on the wanted list, according to the ruling of the Shevchenkivsky district court of Kyiv, as Channel 5 reports. This was the prosecutors appeal. According to the prosecution, Guzhva is trying to escape the investigation (as he is currently in Vienna). The individual that evades prosecution is placed on the wanted list. Once his whereabouts are established, he will be detained, the prosecutor said. At the same time, lawyers are assuring that their defendant is going through medical treatment abroad and will return to Ukraine on Feb. 20. I think its done prematurely. The court received all the statements that he is now being treated. This is why this decision is premature, Guzhvas lawyer Olena Klymenko said. As we reported, in 2017, the SBU held the searches at the editor's office of Strana.ua and the flats of two journalists of this edition. The chief editor of Strana.ua Igor Guzhva connected this with the critical articles towards MP of the Verkhovna Rada Dmytro Linko (Radical Party). According to him, the criminal case against the edition was fabricated. Later Guzhva was detained and transferred to the Main Department of the National Police of Kyiv. He was sentenced to the detention in the custody with the possibility of the bailment in the sum of 21.2 thousand of dollars. He emerged from the Lukyanisvska Prison on June 27 and claimed that two more investigations are prepared against him. At the end of January, Ihor Guzhva addressed Austrian authorities with a plea for political asylum. He left Ukraine when his restrictive measure ended. At the same time, he remains the chief editor of 'Strana.ua'. It is noted that very little has been done to resolve the conflict in Donbas Open source Germany is not satisfied with the state of implementation of the Minsk agreements. This was stated by the German Foreign Ministry. "Thanks to the Minsk agreements, we managed to contain the conflict in the east of Ukraine and prevent aggravation in the region. With political will, progress can now be achieved - as shown by the successful exchange of hundreds of prisoners at the end of December. We cannot be satisfied with the implementation of the Minsk agreements within three years ", the statement said. It is noted that very little has been done to resolve the conflict, as more than 10,000 people were killed. "The ceasefire is broken again and again, especially in winter months. This has devastating consequences: people lack coal, water, and food," the German ministry said. Berlin calls on all parties of the conflict in Donbas to finally show political will for the implementation of the Minsk agreements. "First of all, it is important to stabilize the security situation and withdraw heavy weapons from the region. The potential peacekeeping mission of the United Nations can provide opportunities for the implementation of the Minsk agreements," the message said. It is reported that Germany, together with France, will continue to work intensively to resolve the situation in the Donbas in the Normandy Format. As it was reported earlier Russia did not fulfill any of the points of the Minsk Agreement during three years and it needs the destabilization of Ukraine as the spokesperson of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reported. The Normandy Four (Ukraine, Germany, France and Russia) signed the agreement 'Minsk II' at the leaders' level on February 12, 2015. The agreements also provide the ceasefire, disengagement of forces and heavy weaponry observed by the OSCE. The attacker was detained at the scene of the incident Shooting occurred in the center of Kyiv. A 26-year-old offender shot a man. This was reported by the press service of Ukraine's National Police. Shooting happened during the conflict on the Saksagansky street. The young man took out a gun and wounded his opponent in the shoulder and thigh. Law enforcers detained the attacker at the scene. The gun and cartridges were seized and sent for expert examination. The investigation department of the local police department started criminal proceedings with charges for hooliganism. The offender faces up to seven years of imprisonment. As it was reported earlier the shooting took place in Odesa during the detention of the malefactor on January 19. The police officer was wounded during it and the attacker was shot dead as Ruslan Frostiak, the Adviser of the Chairman of the National Police in Odesa said. According to the spokesperson, the local police inspector of Prymorsky District Department and the operative officer came to the mentioned address where was the malefactor wanted for the hooliganism. Also, Frostiak reported on three wounded police officers at Facebook. One of them was in serious condition. Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine will assess the security situation along the contact line and its impact on civilians, and engage with communities The Principal Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, Alexander Hug, will be visiting eastern Ukraine on February 15 21. He will assess the security situation along the contact line and its impact on civilians, and engage with communities on the ground. This was reported on the OSCE website. During the visit, Hug will join OSCE monitors as they patrol locations along the contact line. Journalists are invited to join Hug on these patrols, the message says. It was noted that he will also hold news briefings, the exact time and locations of which will be communicated in due course. As it was reported earlier the Russian-occupational forces continued attacking Ukrainian soldiers in the Donbas conflict zone on February 12. Overall, there have been eight militant attacks since midnight. Unfortunately, one Ukrainian soldier was killed in the attacks, another one was wounded. Under the slogan "Do not cry, but act! Indifference kills!" it is planned to attract to the initiative not only official structures, but also Ukrainians in the country and abroad At the 10th meeting of the Public Council for Cooperation with Religious Organizations of the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine, it was decided to continue commemorations of the victims of Holodomor of 1932-1933 in Ukraine. In particular, the council supported the initiative of the Secretary of Synod of Bishops of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Bohdan Dzyurakh, to provide symbolic assistance to the countries of Africa and Asia, which suffer the most from hunger. This was reported by the press service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry. "Having survived the tragedy of the intentional annihilation of the Ukrainian peasantry, when the totalitarian regime imposed on world the silence about the facts of mass killing by famine, Ukraine will honor the memory of the victims of the Holodomor by providing assistance to the population of other countries that suffers from hunger," the message said. Under the slogan "Do not cry, but act! Indifference kills!" it is planned to attract to the initiative not only official structures, but also Ukrainians in the country and abroad. As it was reported earlier Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and chairman of the Austrian Parliament Wolfgang Sobotka discussed a wide range of political issues, including the situation in Donbas and the importance of anti-Russian sanctions. The head of the Ukrainian state urged the Austrian parliament to recognize the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as the genocide of the Ukrainian nation. Besides, the head of the Ukrainian state urged the Austrian parliament to recognize the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as the genocide of the Ukrainian nation. The sides also talked over the State Fiscal Service reform and introduction of corporate management in state banks Open source Ukraines Finance Minister Oleksandr Danilyuk met with the group of experts of the International Monetary Fund headed by Ron van Roden on Monday, February 12. This was reported by the Economic Ministrys press service. Deputy Finance Minister Oksana Markarova and Deputy Minister on European Integration Bohdan Butsa were from the Ukrainian side. The sides also talked over issues of the further implementation of the IMF program, the State Fiscal Service reform and introduction of corporate management in state banks. "For us, this visit of the IMF expert group is especially important, because now is the time when we can use the opportunity for Ukraine to move forward in cooperation with the Fund and successfully fulfill its obligations under the program," Daniluk said. As it was reported earlier Volodymyr Groysman, the Prime Minister of Ukraine met Ron van Rooden, the Head of the IMF mission on February 12. IMF technical mission begins its work in Ukraine. 'The technical mission of the International Monetary Fund began its work in Ukraine. The aim of the mission is the discussion of the practical issues connected with the continuation of the work of the EFF. Volodymyr Groysman, the Prime Minister of Ukraine met Ron van Rooden, the Head of the mission', the message said. Earlier Petro Poroshenko, the President of Ukraine claimed that the IMF tranche should be in April as by now the government has already fulfilled commitments before the Fund by 80 percent. According to the decision of the National Security and Defense Council, the Russian company 'Volga-Dnepr' is not imposed by the sanctions The specialists of 'Antonov' State Enterprise perform the work on the contract basis on the estimation of the technical state of An-124-100 'Ruslan' for Russian company 'Volga-Dnepr' that is not imposed by the sanctions according to the decision of the National Security and Defense Council. Oleksandr Kryvokon, the president of the enterprise reported this to 112.ua. The works take place on the basis of the inter-departmental agreements with the authorized ministries and departments and explanatory letters of the State Export Control Service. The 'Antonov' State Enterprise is the developer of the aviation equipment and the certificate holder of AN-planes, particularly An-124-100 'Ruslan' and owns the unique right to increase the resources of the aviation equipment. As the organization- developer 'Antonov' is obliged to estimate the structural integrity of its vehicles during the term of their exploitation that allows to find out the damages of the structure before it will become the problem for the whole aviation park. Moreover, as the organization- developer 'Antonov' should work out the instructions for the maintenance of the flying suitability. The duties of the developer are determined by the acting international standards and organizational documents in the sphere of the maintenance of the flying suitability that is stated in Annex 8 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation Organization and ICAO Guidance on flying suitability. Kryvokon reported that in the case of the refusal to estimate the technical state of the exploited 'Ruslan' planes, the Ukrainian enterprise can be imposed by the sanctions. Particularly, it could be deprived of the status of the developer of the aviation equipment and lose the positions at the aviation market. 'It should be noted that the exploitation of the planes that do not possess the flying suitability is dangerous. Moreover, the 'Ruslan' planes perform the flights, including the international on the request of the organizations that need to submit the package of the documents that confirms the flying suitability and technical readiness of the plane to perform the flights. The plane will not get the permission for the flight without the document of the organization-developer that confirms flying suitability', he said. Earlier we reported that Ukraine and Russia can hold the private negotiations on the prolongation of the flight worthiness of the planes Antonov An-124 Ruslan. Antonov Company left the Ukrainian-Russian joint enterprise 'UAK Antonov' due to the Russian aggression in Ukraine and stopped the maintenance of the Russian carrier. Roman Romanov, a state enterprise Ukroboronprom head announced his resignation on Monday, Feb. 12. After that, Petro Poroshenko, the President of Ukraine, dismissed Roman Romanov by his decree of February 12. Romanov wrote about his resignation in a statement on the website of the enterprise. I decided to leave the post of the head of Ukroboronprom. Mass media reminded me all the time that I came to the state concern from a business. This is true. I think every man has to spend some period of his life serving his country. These three and a half years were my service, Romanov said. Romanov thanked the staff members of Ukroboronprom for believing in defense industry regeneration. I am sure that my follower will continue pursuing this course. I will gradually pass him all duties so that my resignation does not affect the enterprises productivity, he noted. As 112.international reported earlier, Volodymyr Groysman asked Romanov to quit by his own initiative and criticized Ukroboronprom ex-head for not paying up shipyards staff salaries. The deadline for the debt repayment was December 25, the Prime Minister reminded. Consequently, the head of the state decided to sign the papers on Romanovs resignation on Wednesday. Romanov worked at this position from July 4, 2014. It was also reported that Ukroboronprom is getting ready to modernize the air defence system Pechora, as Poroshenko announced. The President noted that the modernized complex can reach targets that are 40 km away, while the maximum height of its range is 25 km. 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 Commerce Department has initiated antidumping and countervailing duty investigations into imports of large diameter welded pipe from Canada, China, Greece, India, South Korea and Turkey. The Commerce Department has initiated antidumping and countervailing duty investigations into imports of large diameter welded pipe from Canada, China, Greece, India, South Korea and Turkey. The goal of the investigations is to determine whether this product is dumped on the U.S. market at less than fair value or receives unfair government subsidies. The investigations are based on a recent petition filed by a group of U.S. pipe manufacturers, including American Cast Iron Pipe Co. of Birmingham, Ala.; Berg Steel Pipe Corp. of Panama City, Fla.; Dura-Bond Industries of Steelton, Pa.; Skyline Steel of Parsippany, N.J.; and Stupp Corp. of Baton Rouge, La. The estimated dumping margins alleged by the petitioners are 50.89 percent for Canada, 41.04 percent for Greece, 120.84 to 132.63 percent for China, 37.94 percent for India, 16.18 to 20.39 percent for South Korea, and 66.09 percent for Turkey. The unfair subsidy programs alleged by the petitioners include export subsidies, inputs for less-than-adequate-remuneration, tax incentives, and subsidized loans from China, India, South Korea and Turkey. Large diameter welded pipe from Canada and Greece are excluded from the countervailing duty investigations. According to Commerce, imports of large diameter welded pipe in 2016 from Canada, China, India, Greece, South Korea and Turkey were valued at $66 million, $139 million, $26 million, $70 million, $150.3 million and $116.1 million, respectively. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) will make its preliminary determinations of injury to U.S. industry by March 5. If the ITC determines that an injury has taken place, then Commerces investigations will continue, with its preliminary countervailing and antidumping determinations expected to be delivered by April 16 and June 29, respectively. If either the ITC finds no injury, or Commerce determines that there is no dumping or countervailable subsidies, the investigations will end. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The works to re-launch the Kapan airport are scheduled to be completed in June 2018. The Czech L-410 aircraft is already purchased which will be delivered to Armenia in March, Governor of Syunik province Vahe Hakobyan said in an interview to ARMENPRESS, presenting the activities for 2018. -Mr. Hakobyan, how can you describe 2017 for Syunik province in general? What key achievements will you identify? -You know, its always difficult to give an objective assessment to your work and that of your team, and perhaps, it will be right to avoid self-assessment, but just to mention facts giving the right to assess to the public. Firstly, I would like to highlight the establishment of the Syunik development and investment fund thanks to which projects aimed at developing the province at several directions were implemented. Among them the most significant is, of course, the re-launch of the Kapan airport which, I am sure, will boost the socio-economic development of the province. The next important program implemented in the province was the establishment of Italian pizza production which today operates and has plans to export the product to Iran and Russia. A specialized brand store opened in the center of the province. It is the first of its kind in the Republic. The construction of cinema in accordance with international standards launched in 2017, and the works will end soon, and I want to state that it will start operating in the coming days. In late 2017 we also managed to reach an agreement with our Italian partners over a new project which will create nearly 500 jobs in the province. The talk is about a new knitted fabric. In fact, its difficult to mention the whole works within one question, but I mentioned the most important projects we implemented in 2017. -The office of Aras Free Trade Zone, Meghri Free Economic Zone opened in Syunik in late 2017. What developments can be expected from these major initiatives in 2018? In this context what economic development prospects are there for the Syunik province? -The creation of the Meghri FEZ is important in a sense that, being located on the border with Iran, it will give additional impetus for boosting the commercial relations between our countries, attracting companies with Iranian capital and will strengthen the existing close cooperation. The Free Economic Zone will have a great sectoral involvement, including agriculture, processing industry, trade, transportations, tourism and other fields. As you stated, in December 2017 the office of Aras Free Trade Zone opened in Kapan which started actively operating and thanks to the works carried out by this Office, the Julfa-Kapan bus route will launch in the near future. This will contribute to tourism development between Syunik province and Iran, as well as will create a good opportunity for boosting trade turnover. In 2018 we have planned to establish a close cooperation with Iran in the sphere of agriculture. I also want to state that at the moment talks are being held on exporting canned food and honey from Armenia to Iran. -Mr. Hakobyan, by the end of first half of 2017 the renovation works of Kapans airport launched. What are the expectations for 2018 in this regard? Are there any clarifications regarding the frequency of flights and ticket prices? -The works aimed at re-launching the airport are expected to be completed in June 2018. We are more than convinced that in addition to everything the existence of the airport will boost the ongoing investments in the province as the investor will be able to visit Kapan easily and quickly, just in 35 minutes. As we earlier informed the Czech L-410 aircraft is already purchased and will be delivered to Armenia in March. The flight frequency will, of course, depend on the demand, therefore, at the moment I cannot say for sure regarding the flight frequency. As for the air ticket price, I want to mention that it was repeatedly stated that this is not a business project and it cannot be so. This means that the cost of the flight will be very close to the self-cost, and in some cases, the ticket price will be subsidized thanks to the initiative of the Syunik development and investment fund (the talk concerns subsidizing tickets for citizens who need to quickly depart for Yerevan for health and other urgent reasons). -Are other investment programs outlined for the province this year which will lead to creation of jobs? -Last year was really full of investment programs. Of course, we have a number of new programs which at the moment are at the active discussion stage. I assure you we will have many occasions to highlight the continuous development process of Syunik province. Interview by Anna Gziryan Full interview is available in Armenian. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. US President Donald Trump and Russias President Vladimir Putin discussed issues of mutual concern, including North Korea, in a February 12 phone conversation, the White House reported. President Donald J. Trump spoke today with President Vladimir Putin of Russia to express his condolences regarding the crash of Saratov Airlines Flight 703 on February 11. President Trump said that the United States was standing by to assist Russian authorities in their investigation. President Putin noted that he would meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas later today, and President Trump said that now is the time to work toward an enduring peace agreement. The two presidents discussed other topics of mutual concern, and President Trump reiterated the importance of taking further steps to ensure the denuclearization of North Korea, the White House said in the readout of the phone call. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Donald Trump Jr., the son of US President Donald Trump, says he believes that oppositionists are behind sending the suspicious white powdery substance via mail to him. Earlier media reported that the wife of Donald Trump Jr. Vanessa Trump has been hospitalized as a precaution measure after opening the envelope. The content of the envelope was said to be harmless. Thankful that Vanessa & my children are safe and unharmed after the incredibly scary situation that occurred this morning. Truly disgusting that certain individuals choose to express their opposing views with such disturbing behavior, Trump Jr. said on Twitter. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Former Odesa (Ukraine) Oblast Governor and ex-Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who was deported to Poland on February 12 from Ukraine, has released a footage of his arrest. CCTV footage from the restaurant where Saakashvili was dining shows dozen of masked men storming in. The politician is then tackled to the ground and taken out with force. Saakashvili said on Facebook that he has been beaten, blindfolded and threatened at gunpoint. Saakashvili considers what happened an act of kidnapping. Poland has confirmed his arrival to Warsaw. Supporters of Saakashvili rallied outside the presidential office in Kiev, and clashes with police forces also happened. Upon arriving to Poland, the former Georgian president said during an interview that he plans to return to Ukraine legally. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Prominent Armenian doctor, dermatologist Hakob Kotoghyan has passed away at the age of 79 in Turkey, Hurriyet reports. Ethnic Armenian MP of Turkey Selina Dogan commented on the death of the doctor on Twitter, mentioning that the country has lost one of the most renowned dermatologists. May God rest his soul Dogan wrote in Armenian. Hakob Kotoghyan was born in 1939 in Istanbul. In his early years he worked at a workshop, where he lost his arm in a machine accident. Upon being hospitalized, doctors said there is no hope for him to live. After days of being in coma, he eventually regains consciousness. He is later nicknamed Armless Hakob. Patients from all over the world were coming to Kotoghyan for treatment. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. A Southwest Airlines plane was evacuated at John Wayne Airport on February 12 after a fire in the aircraft's auxiliary power unit, officials said, Los Angeles Times reports. A few people sustained minor injuries, though no one was hospitalized, airport officials said on Twitter. Nearly 140 passengers and five crew members used chutes to evacuate. The flight was departing for San Jose when the fire broke out. No one was injured in the incident and the airport resumed operations normally. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The organization works of events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the First Republic of Armenia and the May heroic battles are underway. They will have a national nature, covering the provinces, as well as the capital city Yerevan. Vahe Stepanyan chief of the governments staff, secretary of state commission for organization of festive events, gave an interview to ARMENPRESS talking about the works done so far for this purpose, the planned events and the amount of sums planned under the budget for implementing them. -What is the program of events? Can you, please, present the geography of jubilee celebrations? -The program draft of events is conditionally divided in 3 parts which are the followings: -major national events dedicated to the event -events in the provinces -events to be held in Yerevan According to the program of events visits will be organized to Bash-Aparan, Gharakilisa, as well as celebrations will be held in the Sardarapat Memorial, an exhibition will be held in the History Museum of Armenia, and international scientific-conference dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the May heroic battles and the First Republic of Armenia, a great concert in Yerevan, in the Republic Square, as well as a number of other events, including concerts, dances will be held in both the capital and the provinces. In addition, there is a separate part titled 100th anniversary of the First Republic in the website of the Diaspora ministry, it is planned to collect and release historical-documentary materials on the First Republic widely spreading them also in the Diaspora media. The Public Radio and the Public Television of Armenia will make graphic symbolic designs, First Republic 100 series of TV programs will broadcast, as well as documentaries and feature films will be displayed. Concerts and theatrical performances will be organized in administrative districts of Yerevan. 700 million AMD will be allocated from the 2018 state budget for organizing and holding these events. Lilit Asatryan Full interview is available in Armenian. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Archbishop Garegin Bekchian, whom Turkish authorities refused to recognize as elected patriarchal locum tenens of the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul, released a letter before leaving Turkey, Agos reports. After serving abroad for more than 50 years, the reason of me coming to Turkey was to end the transition period which was lasting for 9 years. I thought it would be enough to proceed with faith and conscience in this matter, in order for our church and people to achieve success in the patriarchal election. Only now I understand how wrong I was, Bekchian said in the letter. He said that after assuming tenure he faced a shocking reality. Most important being that from the very first day it was clear that the election process will not be able to be advanced transparently, under fair election rules. I dont think its necessary to mention all examples. I neither want to remember nor remind those sad and sorrowing examples, he said. The recent developments are not a consequence of one day. It is so unfortunate that his process, the target of which was seemingly I, was aimed to sabotage the 85th patriarchal elections, this was a result of a long lasting and planned campaign, which began from the very first day that I was elected as locum tenens, he said, adding that he fears that all of this can even more divide the Armenian community. The Archbishop mentioned that particularly after the letter from the interior ministry he is forced to leave Istanbul, and stressed that he isnt a conflicting man by nature. My presence should not anyhow cause more damage to the Armenian community which already suffered damage, he added. I decided to leave the country with a goal to begin a new service in the upcoming period, praying for my brother Archbishop Mesrop Mutafyan, who is ill for a long time, his dear mother Mary Mutafyan and you my dear spiritual brothers, Bekchian said in the letter. The Patriarchal seat was declared vacant in 2016 due to the health condition of Patriarch Mutafyan. In March of 2017, Bekchyan was elected patriarchal locum tenens after arriving to Istanbul. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. At this moment Armenia doesnt have a more competitive gas price offer than the Russian one. Hayk Harutyunyan, deputy minister of energy infrastructures and natural resources, told ARMENPRESS discussions over the Iranian gas price arent stopping, but the most competitive at this moment is the price of gas imported from Russia. Permanent discussions continue, they never stopped. The Iranian side itself said that they cant offer a more competitive price now. We dont have a more competitive price of gas than the price given from Russia. This is the situation currently, when something changes you will know, he said. Earlier the Iranian Ambassador had said that his country is willing to sell gas to Armenia on convenient prices. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Ucom sales and service center is already operating in Agarak town situated on the southwest of Syunik province, 2-3 km away from the border with Iran, Ucom told Armenpress. We are delighted that the population of Agarak had got the opportunity to watch quality TV content, as well as to have access to fast fixed and mobile internet and phone services. As you may know, Ucom mobile Internet was recognized the fastest in Armenia in 2017. As an Armenian operator, we are thankful for the trust put in us as a local company, and we will make every effort to make the same services available to all other settlements in Armenia, said Hayk Yesayan, the Director General at Ucom. Im quite satisfied with the quality of Ucom TV, Internet and phone services and now Im here to extend my subscription agreement, said Hasmik Gevorgyan, who has joined Ucom 2 years ago. Everyone is recommended to use this operators services. Regardless of the chosen tariff plan, the speed is simply amazing, Levon Avanesyan, another loyal customer of Ucom was there to express his satisfaction. In the words of Ani Baghramyan, the Manager of the sales and service center operating in Agarak, although Ucom services have been available to the population of Agarak since long ago, however, the sales and service center has only now opened its doors to the existing and new customers. Our customers are mainly young and demanding. They believe that the internet should only be high-speed and the TV channels should offer a big variety of quality content. Today Ucom is the very Armenian operator to meet the needs of the most demanding customers. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The Bank of Thailand, the countrys Central Bank, has requested financial institutions not to get involved in cryptocurrency transactions for fear of possible problems from the unregulated trading, Bangkok Post reports. Banks are prohibited from investing or trading in cryptocurrency, offering cryptocurrency exchanges and creating platforms for cryptocurrency trading. They are also banned from allowing clients to use credit cards to buy cryptocurrency, and from advising customers on investing or trading in cryptocurrency, the bank added. The central bank said cryptocurrencies were not legal tender in Thailand and it was worried that they may be used in illegal activities such as money laundering or supporting terrorism. YEREVAN, FEBRURARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Russian-Israeli travel blogger Alexander Lapshin says he is happy that his arrest in Azerbaijan has boosted tourism development in Artsakh even more. In a post on his personal blog - puerrtto.livejournal.com Lapshin mentioned that a criminal regime which is engaged in a clan policy and has appropriated the oil resources of the Azerbaijani people cannot guide people where to travel or not. Lapshin also said that his Lithuanian and Latvian friends have already finished the production of a film on Artsakh, and that although the film was shot by personal funds, it turned out rather professional. The Baku TV website writes that traveler Alexander Alimov, who along with friends filmed this movie in the war for independence of Karabakh, is serving for the Armenian propaganda and is carrying out an Armenian order. In terms of marketing, Azerbaijans attention towards relatively unknown bloggers is interesting. Raising us on a high level is good, both in the case of my humble person and my friends. People spend millions for this kind of publicity, while the Armenian spy [person carrying out the order of the Armenian side] has been installed to the office of propaganda minister of Azerbaijan, and the process worked. While Azerbaijanis are publishing everything about us without understanding, with this they lower themselves and elevate us, we are on top, the blogger said. Lapshin was arrested in Belarus in 2016 after Azerbaijan issued an arrest warrant. Lapshin was blacklisted by Baku for visiting Artsakh without authorization from Azerbaijan, which is a totally blatant violation of international rights. Azerbaijans arrest of the blogger was condemned and criticized by numerous human rights activists, bloggers, politicians and public figures worldwide. After being extradited from Belarus, he was sentenced to 3 years in prison in Baku, but was pardoned by the president shortly after. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Former Odesa (Ukraine) Oblast Governor and ex-Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who was deported to Poland on February 12 from Ukraine, has called on German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the EU to help him in withstanding the Ukrainian authorities and President Petro Poroshenko. If the EU, and first of all Chancellor Angela Merkel dont do anything, Ukraine will collapse, he said in an interview to Bild. Poroshenko is destroying the country, he wants to push me as far as possible because I am fighting against corruption, he added. Saakashvili says Ukraines corrupt president Poroshenko is behind his brutal arrest. CCTV footage from the restaurant where Saakashvili was dining in Kiev shows dozen of masked men storming in. The politician is then tackled to the ground and taken out with force. Saakashvili said on Facebook that he has been beaten, blindfolded and threatened at gunpoint. Saakashvili considers what happened an act of kidnapping. Poland has confirmed his arrival to Warsaw. Supporters of Saakashvili rallied outside the presidential office in Kiev, and clashes with police forces also happened. Upon arriving to Poland, the former Georgian president said during an interview that he plans to return to Ukraine legally. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. President of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan participated in the mass gathering dedicated to the 30th Anniversary of the Artsakh National-Liberation Movement in Stepanakerts Revival Square, the presidents office said. Attendees included former president of Artsakh Arkady Ghoukasyan, Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, war veterans, officials, foreign guests. President Sahakyan delivered a speech at the event: On behalf of the Artsakh Republic authorities and personally myself I convey the most heartfelt congratulations to all of us, our entire people on the 30th anniversary of the Artsakh Movement. The year of 1988 was a turning point in the history of the Armenian nation. Three decades ago these days the entire Armenian nation joined forces, doubled their fist, alerting the whole world of their readiness to struggle for living free and secure in their Fatherland. This nationwide outburst was a dare given to tyranny, persecutions, gross violations and abuses of human rights, all the scourges, which our people had undergone over the course of their centuries-old history. And the movement was wreathed with the restoration of the independent Armenian statehood. Being under alien and artificially-created Azerbaijan's yoke against its will Artsakh was condemned to extermination and death. The same fate befell Nakhijvan, other historical Armenian regions annexed to Azerbaijan. Numerous ethnic minorities in that country were forcibly assimilated and disappeared from the stage of history. We had no alternative and were never reconciled to captivity, making numerous attempts to throw off the foreign yoke. It is worth quoting world famous academician Andrei Sakharov who said in his time that for the Armenians this struggle was a matter of life and death, for Azerbaijan - just a matter of ambition. Notwithstanding all this, the Artsakh Movement is one of the exceptional examples of national-liberation struggles that adopted the policy of restoring historical justice and violated human rights through civilized and peaceful means, in strict compliance with international norms and rules. In response to this the Azerbaijani authorities once again without hesitation resorted to violence, organizing mass killings, massacres, displacement of the Armenian civilian population, which became the manifestations of the most detestable crimes against humanity. As a result of this genocidal policy hundreds and thousands of Armenians were forcibly displaced from their homes, various regions of our historical Homeland, thousands of people perished and were wounded, rich material and spiritual heritage of the Armenian culture was destroyed in the territory of the present-day Azerbaijani Republic. Azerbaijan pursues this inhumane policy today as well. The Baku authorities have not abrogated their aims of solving the Artsakh issue by force, resorting to different provocations, violating the ceasefire regime on a daily basis, conducting aggressive policy against Artsakh and Mother Armenia in information, political, diplomatic and other spheres. Moreover, launching the large-scale offensive in April 2016 Azerbaijan planned to destroy the Artsakh statehood via blitzkrieg. All those endeavors failed and the adversary was rebuffed, suffering serious casualties, material and moral losses. It always has been like that, so it will be in the future too. The guarantors of that are our powerful army, the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora unshakable trinity, our people carving their country's secure future on their own, the patriotic and strong independence generation being forged while defending the Motherland. The Defense Army and the Armenian Armed Forces are among the greatest achievements of our National-Liberation Struggle, our independent statehood, the most reliable guarantee ensuring our people's and motherland's security and its normal development, one of the most influential factors of maintaining peace and stability in the region. Eternal glory to our heroic liberator army! The state will further on do everything possible towards strengthening the country's defense capacity, securing the high level of our Armed Forces' fighting efficiency, shipping the army with modern military equipment. In this struggle for survival, unfortunately, we have had irretrievable losses. The best sons and daughters of our people have sacrificed their lives for the sacred mission of defending the Motherland. They are not victims, they are martyred heroes who have become immortal and continue the sacred mission of being the Motherland defenders inspiring and obliging to devotedly serve the homeland, work for the glory of its development and strengthening. All our losses are open wounds and will always remain in our people's memory and history. Dear compatriots, Thirty years later the spirit and testaments of the 1988 continue to be landmarks for our people and our vision is directed solely towards the future. We will continue to build independent democratic and social country, further cement the Mother Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trinity. Independent statehood is our greatest value and everybody's responsibility is to do the maximum towards its consistent progress and reinforcement. Over the past three decades Artsakh has passed a determined state building path. Our people efficiently fulfilled the most difficult tasks set before them. We defended our state, its independence and freedom, restored the economy almost completely ruined as the result of the war and entered the stage of sustainable development. Currently, almost all the branches of the economy are steadily developing, people's living standards are consistently improving. Artsakh's international recognition is in process. Day by day our country is becoming recognizable to the world and is establishing stable ties with different entities. During all these years we have always felt the special care of Mother Armenia towards Artsakh. Our achievements and accomplishments are impossible to imagine without the active and immediate participation of the Republic of Armenia. Today we solve great and responsible tasks together. We are all resolute and will do our best to make the future day reliable, our homeland stronger and more prosperous. The adversary must always know that the language of force is doomed to failure. Our people, our army and the whole Armenian people will give a worthy counterstroke to every encroachment that threatens our freedom and security. Glory to free and independent Artsakh! Glory to Mother Armenia! Glory to the heroic Armenian people! EREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Reliability and simplicity are behind the main reasons of success of WhatsApp, business development executive Niraj Arora said in Dubai on February 12. Speaking at the 6th World Government Summit, he said that the number of monthly users has reached 1,3 billion, with over 1 billion using the messenger daily, sending over 55 billion messages. Arora reaffirmed that the messages are protected with an end to end method. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The friend of former South Korean leader Park Geun-hye who was at the center of an influence-peddling scandal that rocked the countrys business and political elite has been sentenced to 20 years in jail, a Seoul court said on Tuesday, Reuters reports. The court also sentenced the chairman of the Lotte Group, Shin Dong-bin, to two years and six months in prison in the same case. Choi Soon-sil, a confidante of Park, was convicted of receiving bribes from South Korean conglomerates including Samsung, and the Lotte Group. Park was dismissed from the presidency last March after being impeached and standing trial separately on charges of bribery, abuse of power and coercion. She denies any wrongdoing. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made a harsh comment on the Greek attempts to extract oil in Cyprus and the Greek actions in the Aegean Sea, Diken reports. During a session of the AK party, Erdogan addressed Greece and threatened that the Turkish Navy can commence actions at any time. Our battleships, air force and other security forces are closely monitoring the developments in the region and are authorized to carry out any intervention, Erdogan said. On February 12, the Greek foreign ministry said that Turkey is violating international rights and the sovereign rights of Cyprus by disrupting the drilling works in the Cyprus special economic zone (SEZ). The Turkish Navy blockaded the marine Saipem 12000 drilling station, which is drilling in the Cyprus SEZ for the Italian ENI oil company. The Navy isnt allowing the station to go further to the 3rd block and commence works. Greek President Nicos Anastasiades said on February 11 that Turkey is continuing provocations in the Cypriot SEZ and that Nicosia intends to reach an end of the international rights violations of Turkey. The Greek foreign ministry said Turkish actions are illegal. Turkey continues to question international rights by grossly violating the sovereign rights of Cyprus in Eastern Mediterranean, the ministry said, calling on Turkey to refrain from further illegal actions. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. A 6,1% growth of electricity production was recorded in Armenia in 2017, with 4,1% growth in consumption and 17,1% growth in exports, Hayk Harutyunyan, deputy minister of energy infrastructures and natural resources told a press conference. He said that there is positive dynamics in the directions of gas imports and consumption. Particularly, a 7% growth was recorded in imported gas volumes from Russia, and 2,9% growth in imports from Iran. The total consumption in the gas sector in Armenia increased by 5,3%. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said February 13 that member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) need to jointly modernize their armies. If we speak generally, in the CSTO we are very seriously underestimating the danger of the situation which is being created. Russia is modernizing its military for itself. We, together with other members, are trying to be armed, modernize etc. Everyone on itself, Lukashenko said during the countrys security council session. At the same time, he said Russia can play an important role in the modernization of CSTO member state militaries. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The number of solar water heaters in Armenia is growing every year, deputy minister of energy infrastructures and natural resources Hayk Harutyunyan told a press conference. We carried out large scale works last year in non-gasified communities, he said, adding that solar panels have been installed on all rooftops of Lernamerdz community. Based on the positive results, the ministry designed new programs for other non-gasified communities, with 310 additional installments on the sidelines of a special project. More than 300 installations took place under various loan programs, he said. Harutyunyan says estimates show that the number of solar water heater users is multiplying yearly since 2014. Speaking about solar panel production, the deputy minister mentioned Solaron, the company which introduced solar panel manufacturing in Armenia last year. The largest station of the company was opened in Tavush province. I regularly monitor the production of that facility, I can say that it gives rather surprising results, he said, adding that it has produced up to 153 KW daily, against the planned 147,8. The deputy minister said that another investment program is planned to be kicked off this year, with the government granting tax, customs privileges to Multisolar, a similar company planning production in Kotayk province. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Former Ombudsman of Armenia, Chairperson of Against Legal Arbitrariness NGO Larisa Alaverdyan documents that the Artsakh (Karabakh) Movement was the consequence of the unbearable oppressions that Armenians in Artsakh and Soviet Azerbaijan were subjected to. Larisa Alaverdyan told the reporters at the media hall of ARMENPRESS news agency that there is misperception that the persecutions and hostile attitude towards Armenians in Soviet Azerbaijan were the reaction of Azerbaijanis to the Artsakh Movement. There is a wrong perception and it seems the general approach is that those brutalities took place as an answer to Karabakh Movement. Today its of key importance for Armenians to make clear that the Artsakh Movement was the reaction to those oppressions that had already grown unbearable, Alaverdyan said, adding that Azerbaijanis had succeeded in getting rid of Armenians in Nakhichevan but had failed to do the same in Artsakh. She added that the Armenian massacres in Sumqayit took place not only on February 27-29, 1988, as it has been recorded, but continued afterwards. At that time no one in the Soviet Union could realize that all those were not a usual operation, but was the exposure of the strategic goals of Azerbaijan set back in 1918. And its not accidental that today Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev makes explicit announcements about their strategic goals, she said. The former Ombudsman of Armenia notes that the Sumqayit massacres are well documented there have been trials, testimonies but neither political nor legal assessments have been given to those events so far. The Sumqayit massacres did not last three days, neither three years. Its already 30 years this genocidal policy is being pursued overtly, and unfortunately, no adequate political assessment is given to this policy, Larisa Alaverdyan emphasized. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan received on February 13 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Estonia to Armenia Kai Kaarelson. The Head of the Executive thanked Estonia for supporting the procedure of signing the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between Armenia and the EU and noted that the Armenian side plans to implement that ratification procedure as quickly as possible. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Government of Armenia, referring to the future development and expansion of relations between Armenia and Estonia, Karen Karapeyuan emphasized that he had a rather detailed discussion of the issue in Davos with his Estonian counterpart. The Premier highlighted the expansion of bilateral economic partnership, increase of trade turnover, and attached impotence to the organization of business forums for the utilization of the existing potential. Karen Karapetyan stressed that Armenia can be interesting for the Estonian business in terms of the entering the EAEU and Iranian markets considering the privileged trade regimes of Armenia. Ambassador Kaarelson also highlighted the development of economic cooperation and expressed readiness to contribute the implementation of relevant events. She noted that Estonia is also interested in expanding and deepening relations with Armenia. During the meeting the sides also discussed issues of exchange of Estonias experience in digital agenda. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The crash of the passenger plane near Moscow could have been caused by the incorrect data on the flights speed as a result of the sensors icing up, ARMENPRESS reports, citing TASS, the Interstate Aviation Committee said on Tuesday, after deciphering the flight data recorder. "A preliminary analysis of the recorded information, and also the analysis of similar cases that occurred in the past suggest that a distinct situation could have developed in mid-air due to incorrect data on the flights speed on the pilots displays. This in turn, could have been linked to the ice-up of the total pressure probes since their heating systems were switched off," the Interstate Aviation Committee said. "During all the other flights registered on the flight recorder [15 more flights], the heating of the total pressure probes was switched on before takeoff in its line-up position," the Interstate Aviation Committee said in its report. An emergency situation developed aboard the crashed An-148 passenger plane about 2.5 minutes after takeoff, the Interstate Aviation Committee also said. "A special situation began to develop about 2 minutes and 30 seconds after the takeoff at an altitude of around 1,300 meters and the indicator speed of 465-470 km/h," the Interstate Aviation Committee said. At that moment, the passenger planes flight recorders recorded divergences between the readings of the speed sensors, it said. Thirty seconds after that, the divergences in the speed sensors reached about 30 km/h, after which the one-off command for the crew appeared: "The Instrument Panel - Compare!" This command was repeated at an altitude of about 2,000 meters and this time the difference between the speed sensors readings grew even bigger. After the second command: "The Instrument Panel - Compare!" the crew turned off the autopilot and the subsequent flight proceeded in manual mode. The speed indications of the planes air parameter modules strongly differed from each other: one showed a speed of 0 km/h and the other 540-560 km/h. Then the speed indications of the latter sensor started to fall intensively (to 200 km/h and lower) and the plane was switched into intensive descent with angular movement for a dive at 30-35 degrees. Before the plane hit the ground, one of the sensors continued to show a speed of 0 km/h while the other showed a speed of 800 km/h. "Four-five seconds before hitting the ground, the plane developed a right-side roll of 25 degrees," the Interstate Aviation Committee said, adding that it continued to analyze the information obtained. Radio contact with the An-148 passenger plane of the Saratov Airlines, which took off from Domodedovo airport at 14:24 Moscow time on Sunday, was lost four minutes after taking off. Fragments of the plane were found near the village of Stepanovskoye in the Moscow Regions Ramensky district. There were 65 passengers and six crew members on board. According to the latest data, no one has survived. A criminal case on charges of violations of flight safety and aircraft operation rules entailing the death of two or more people through negligence has been opened. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Halbe Zijlstra has tendered his resignation over the scandal around his lying about meeting the Russian president back in 2006, ARMENPRESS reports, citing TASS. Announcing his decision during debates in the national parliament, he said those statement was the biggest mistake in his political career and his country deserved a better foreign minister. FERNDALE, Mich.Nalpac is now shipping four new collections from Shots America: ManCage, Pumped, SLT: Self Lubricating Technology and ElectroShock. Nalpac invites retailers to take a look at these new lines from Shots! We are really impressed with the innovation Shots has shown with packaging, product and price point. Check out our blog posts and call your sales rep to find out more about getting these new collections in your stores now, said Glenn Leboeuf, Nalpacs director of operations. ManCage, Pumped, SLT: Self Lubricating Technology, and ElectroShock are some of Shots Americas new male-focused collections. Nalpac is the first distributor to have Shots Americas new and groundbreaking STL: Self Lubrication Technology products in-stock and ready to ship including the SLT Self Lubrication Easy Grip Masturbator XL, SLT Self Lubrication Missionary Masturbator, SLT Self Lubrication 7 Inch Dong, SLT Self Lubrication 5 Inch Buttplug and more. Shots revolutionary Self Lubrication Technology takes the mess of lube away; by adding water or saliva to the products they naturally lubricate. The new ManCage Collection showcases a wide selection of male chastity items and cock cages while the Pumped Collection is comprised of various sized pumps in black, clear and bold colors. The ElectroShock Collection combines technology and function for a fun line of E-stim pleasure devices which deliver a variety of impulses, from a gentle tickle to a heavy throbbing throughout the body. Products include ElectroShock E-Stim Vibrating Prostate Massager, ElectroShock E-Stim Cock Ring with Ballstrap, ElectroShock E-Stim Vibrating Buttplug and the ElectroShock E-Stim Gloves. Highlights of the new Shots America collections can be seen on the Nalpac blog at Nalpac.us. Nalpac also offers nine other collections from Shots America: Sono, Ouch!, Simplicity, Fist-it, Retro, Hiky, Jil, Mjuze and Chrystalino are also in stock and shipping. Retailers interested in these new items can contact their Nalpac account manager or email [email protected]. Government has crippled community-based human services providers. A devastating new report by a coalition of community human services providers and government health and human services agencies details the ways government funding, regulations, service demands, and slow payments get in the way of providing help to one another through formal organizations.As much as 75 percent of the $200 billion in annual revenue for nearly 218,000 human services community-based organizations (CBOs), or what we normally think of as the nonprofit sector, comes from government. Payments to health and human services providers account for 86 percent of government payments to nonprofits. Their reliance on government funding forces these organizations to deal with redundant audits, conflicting mandates, and increased litigation risk.Researchers examined 200,000 publicly available tax filings from 40,000 human services CBOs for A National Imperative: Joining Forces to Strengthen Human Services in America . They found that half of them have been losing money on operations for three years, 30 percent do not have enough cash in reserve to cover less than a month of expenses, and 12 percent areExecutives said cutbacks in federal or state and local funding were the biggest concern. But the funding they get is fraught with challenges. CBOs have government contracts that cover between 30 and 44 percent of indirect expenses, leaving the CBOs to generate the rest of the money on their own. But social workers spend up to 75 percent of their time filling out paperwork, which leaves less time to provide services or raise money. The CEO of one organization interviewed for the project said his organization had been waiting six years for a $500,000 payment from the government. This is not an isolated incident . Illinois alone owes $11 billion in overdue bills to nonprofits and other vendors.In addition to the financial risk, CBOs face litigation risks. Governments have sovereign immunity, but even those that receive 100 percent of their funding from government do not. As a result, their liability insurance rates continue to climb. Local governments may impose caps on the use of funds that make it difficult to meet federal service-level obligations. Like any other business, these providers also deal with excessive regulation. A human services CEO quoted in the report said,The local focus of community-based organizations further hamstrings their ability to get out from under their financial risk. Of 218,000 organizations, 56 percent of them have less than $250,000 in annual revenue. Just 10,000 of them (4.5 percent) earn more than $10 million in a year, accounting for 60 percent of total revenue for the sector. While 14,000 profit-seeking companies merge each year, only about 50 CBOs do.But all is not lost. The report was commissioned by the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities, an association of nonprofit human services providers, and the American Public Health Services Association, an association of state and local government agencies. With sponsors like these, one would expect additional funding to be a top recommendation. Instead, they focus on making more productive use of the funding already available.Beyond the standard call for a commitment to long-term outcomes, innovation, and partnership, governments and nonprofits regularly pledge to do better in each of these areas. Reports like this are less likely to call for better financial management practices and policies or less burdensome government regulations.Among the concerns, nonprofits too often take a loss on contracts because they pursue revenue with little appreciation of the actual cost of providing services. Governments acknowledge that they try not to pay the full cost of services even as they spell out specifics of implementation for providers with little flexibility.Maybe the most striking recommendation is one forPrivately-managed local human services providers can avoid some of the regulatory burdens by seeking more private financial support. More diverse investors can fund more innovative approaches to social challenges. Governments and nonprofits have diagnosed some of the problems and solutions in this latest report. A true partnership will require more independence for nonprofit providers. Opportunity Scholarships, Judicial Appointments Back in Court Press Release: The continuing battle over separation of powers between Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and the Republican-led General Assembly played out simultaneously in two venues Friday morning. At the Legislative Building, the Senate debated and passed House Bill 90, a measure among other things taking control of a discretionary Atlantic Coast Pipeline fund Cooper claimed for himself. A few blocks away at Campbell University School of Law, attorneys for Cooper and the legislature clashed over a law cutting the number of appeals court judges and funding the Opportunity Scholarship Program. A three-judge Superior Court panel heard arguments Feb. 9 in Cooper v. Berger. The defendants, Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, and House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, asked Judges Henry Hight, Jay Hockenbury, and Nathaniel Poovey to dismiss the lawsuit. Cooper v. Berger deals with two issues. Cooper has argued House Bill 239, which reduces the number of judges on the Court of Appeals from 15 to 12, encroaches on his constitutional authority to appoint judges. The governor also has objected to a provision in the budget law - Senate Bill 257 - that outlines funding for the Opportunity Scholarship Program and requires Cooper to include the appropriated funds in the base budget. Cooper has staunchly opposed opportunity scholarships - tuition vouchers allowing low-income K-12 students to attend private schools - refusing to include funding for them in any budget he has proposed. "The legislature is telling the governor to include vouchers in the base budget. The base budget is part of the recommended state budget and preparing that recommended state budget is assigned exclusively to the governor," said attorney Eric David, who represented Cooper. "When the General Assembly dictates what the governor is supposed to include in his recommended state budget, they are violating the separation of powers." David argued the recommended state budget should reflect the governor's priorities, because the constitution says only the governor can recommend a budget. But because the base budget is part of the recommended state budget, the General Assembly violated separation of powers by requiring opportunity scholarship funding to be part of the base budget. "Yet the voucher mandate in the legislature is seeking to make the governor their mouthpiece ... for a policy he doesn't support," David said. Martin Warf, arguing for Berger and Moore, said it's not a constitutional violation to require the governor to prepare a base budget reflecting the law. Warf said the governor can make a case for his policy priorities in his recommended state budget. "The base budget does not constrain the governor's ability to recommend whatever he likes going forward. He still has that ability," Warf said. "The base budget is a reflection of the law." The base budget, he said, is a starting point the executive and the legislative branches use to prepare and enact a future budget. While the governor can recommend whatever funding he desires, the General Assembly can choose whether to adopt the recommendations. In the 2017 budget proposal, Cooper recommended about $4 million to fund opportunity scholarships for students currently enrolled, while adding a note saying he didn't anticipate any new scholarships. The General Assembly didn't adopt Cooper's recommendation, and instead provided more than $44 million for fiscal year 2017-18 and more than $54 million for fiscal 2018-19. Cooper vetoed the bill, but the General Assembly had enough votes to override it. "What is reflected in the base budget is the law. What he wants to do with that going forward is in the recommended budget, and he is free and clear to do anything he wants in that budget," Warf said. "It is not unconstitutional for the General Assembly to tell him to make sure the base budget is correct." The issue of separation of powers also came up in arguments over the legislature's attempts to reduce the number of appellate judges. Attorney Jim Phillips, representing the governor, argued the law was unconstitutional because the General Assembly can't shorten or lengthen judicial terms. H.B. 239 fails to immediately abolish three judicial positions, but when a judge resigns or retires, the position would be eliminated until the total number of appeals court judges drops to 12. Phillips argued it's the governor's constitutional right to appoint judges. The legislation would likely prevent Cooper from appointing any new appellate judges in the near future. "The General Assembly's claim is shocking in its breadth. Based on their interpretation of the law there's nothing to stop them from abolishing the term or abolishing the seat of a judge sitting in office whose decision they disagree with," Phillips said. Attorney Noah Huffsteler, representing Berger and Moore, said the law is constitutional because it doesn't prevent the governor from filling a vacancy. Huffsteler argued that there's no vacancy for the governor to fill if the office no longer exists. "There is nothing in the constitution that forbids the General Assembly from abolishing an office at the end of the eight-year term," Huffsteler said. The Democrats sent a very political and long response memo which they knew, because of sources and methods (and more), would have to be heavily redacted, whereupon they would blame the White House for lack of transparency. Told them to re-do and send back in proper form! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 10, 2018 So many positive things going on for the U.S.A. and the Fake News Media just doesn't want to go there. Same negative stories over and over again! No wonder the People no longer trust the media, whose approval ratings are correctly at their lowest levels in history! #MAGA Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 11, 2018 The mainstream media got all wee-weed up (to use a phrase from Barack Obama) about a 10-page memo penned by Democrats intended to rebut the blockbuster memo by Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee.The GOP memo, written by Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) and released last week, clearly showed that Obama's Justice Department and his hand-picked minions at the FBI abused a surveillance program in order to spy on President-elect Donald Trump. Democrats (and their minions in the MSM) went into overdrive to dispute the memo (not very effectively, by the way).So, Democrats decided to put together their own memo, drafted by hyper partisan lawmaker Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA). But they really didn't care if the memo was released - in fact, they packed it with highly-classified information to make sure that it either wasn't released or that it was heavily redacted. Their intent: Bash Trump and Republicans for lack of transparency.Trump saw through their little reindeer games and nixed the whole thing.Right on cue, the Democrats played their already-exposed card."Mr. President, what you call 'political' are actually called facts, and your concern for sources and methods would be more convincing if you hadn't decided to release the GOP memo ('100%') before reading it and over the objections of the FBI," Schiff said on Twitter.Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who had no role whatsoever in the House memo, said: "The President's double standard when it comes to transparency is appalling. The rationale for releasing the Nunes memo, transparency, vanishes when it could show information that's harmful to him. Millions of Americans are asking one simple question: what is he hiding?"But White House counsel Donald McGahn said late Friday that Trump could not release the Democratic memo because it contained "numerous properly classified and sensitive passages." McGahn said to Nunes in a letter that the Justice Department had made the conclusion.McGahn's letter included another letter from FBI Director Christopher Wray and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein that identified "information for which national security or law enforcement concerns are especially significant." The two expressed concerns about the memo's release "in light of longstanding principles regarding the protection of intelligence sources and methods, ongoing investigations, and other similar sensitive information."Trump, meanwhile, said he would release the Democratic memo if classified and sensitive information was removed.Nunes said in a statement that House Intelligence Committee Republicans "encourage the minority to accept the DOJ's recommendations and make the appropriate technical changes and redactions so that no sources and methods are disclosed and their memo can be declassified as soon as possible."And Nunes said Democrats intentionally "packed their memo full of sources and methods" - sensitive information about how the House committee recruits sources and uncovers information.So, Democrats have been outplayed by Trump - again. You'd think they'd get tired of so much losing, but apparently not.[UPDATE: Trump is, no doubt, a big reader of The Daily Wire, and shortly after our story posted, the president helped out by posting this tweet:Thanks, Mr. President!] A hen in a battery cage is forced to spend her entire life in a space thats smaller than the dimensions of an iPad. Photo by The HSUS 670 shares The HSUS works year-round to secure the passage of animal protection bills in state legislatures, and to block bad ones advanced by lobbyists for Big Ag. Some lawmakers in Iowa have recently introduced two retrograde bills that seek to reverse the good work done by animal protection advocates in improving conditions for hens in battery cages. Today, on the blog, I have asked HSUS Midwestern Regional Director Anne Sterling to share her perspective on these bills that would force grocery stores to sell eggs from caged hens. The factory farm lobby has reached a new low. Agribusiness is rushing two awful bills HSB 623 and SF 2242 quietly through the Iowa legislature, aimed at undoing much of the progress the animal protection movement has achieved for chickens. This bizarre legislation would actually force many grocery stores to sell a product that businesses and consumers are increasingly rejecting: eggs from caged hens. Few industrial practices cause more animal suffering than the egg industrys use of battery cages. In these barren wire cages, each hen is forced to spend her entire life in a space thats smaller than the dimensions of an iPad. Virtually unable to move, the hens cant engage in almost any of their natural behaviors, such as perching, nesting, foraging, or even walking more than a few steps. Caged chickens often suffer from bone fractures, feather loss, and metabolic disease; some hens even become caught in the wire and die of dehydration and starvation, unable to reach water or food thats just inches away from them. Virtually every major food retailer has adopted policies requiring explicitly cage-free conditions, a vast improvement over cage confinement. These companies are simply listening to their customers, who are rightly concerned about the enormous animal welfare and food safety problems these cages cause. Walmart, Costco, and Dollar Tree are among more than 200 companies that are making the transition to cage-free. But instead of heeding the markets demands, lobbyists for caged-egg producers want to make these transitions to cage-free illegal, and force retailers to sell eggs from caged hens under threat of financial penalty. Not only would these dangerous bills perpetuate the use of cruel and inhumane battery cages, but they would undoubtedly increase food safety risks for Iowa families. More than a dozen studies have shown that caging hens results in higher rates of the harmful pathogen salmonella. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration estimates that 79,000 illnesses each year are caused by consuming eggs contaminated with salmonella. Even the industry admits to the problem: one major trade publication states bluntly Salmonella thrives in cage housing. The HSUS supports independent family farmers across Iowa and the rest of the country who work hard to treat their animals with greater decency; and, in fact, many of these farmers have converted to cage-free systems, or have never used cages in the first place. Consumers increasingly want to support them as well, yet this legislation would move the state of Iowa in the opposite direction of consumer demand. In an ironic twist, factory farming corporations try to stop any regulation of their cruelty by saying that the free market should decide. But now that the free market, state legislatures, and courts are deciding against the worst factory farming practices, the corporations are changing their tune and demanding that the government bail them out, taking market share away from cage-free farmers. Its a matter of nonpartisan agreement that the government has at least a minimum role in regulating commerce to protect people and animals. But the government should never force private businesses to sell a product that both businesses and consumers reject as unsafe and unethical. Please join us in fighting back against these horrible bills by sharing this action alert with your friends and family in Iowa. With national opioid addiction rates at an all-time high, civilians, lawmakers, and loved ones of victims are all calling for stricter controls on the extremely addictive medications. The ability to obtain opioids such as fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone, and other drugs is surprisingly easy and many who find themselves hooked on the drugs had their addiction begin with a doctor-prescribed prescription for some sort of pain management. If drug companies are being asked to reevaluate marketing tactics and distribution methods of opioids, then prescribers themselves should also be forced to closely examine how frequently and to whom they are prescribing pain killers. Doctors in hospitals, clinics, private practices, and nursing homes, as well as dentists, oral surgeons and anyone else with prescribing ability should all be held to the same standard. The pharmacies that dispense these drugs, whether free-standing (independent stores or local, regional, or national chains) or in-house (within hospitals), need to be tracking prescriptions vigilantly, but also monitoring how they are dispensed to the actual patient and how they are stored within the facility. Last April, Levin & Perconti founding partner Steven Levin was interviewed by ABC 7 Chicago about an incident that sounds like a plot from a tv mystery. An anonymous person mailed a box of fentanyl patches to ABC 7 I-Team investigative reporter Chuck Goudie with a note that read these lay around like candy. The package was stamped Oak Park, Illinois, but the box of fentanyl patches was prescribed to a patient at Westchester Health & Rehabilitation that died two weeks after the prescription fill date. The pharmacy that supplies the nursing home with its prescription drugs fills drug carts that are kept on site at Westchester Health & Rehab, and asks that the nursing home use the cart to store medications and lock them up when not in use. While the sender of the package is unknown, it is clear that they wanted to let someone with a voice know that the ease of getting their hands on opioids at the nursing home was quite easy. Nursing homes with lax standards for keeping track of opioid inventory may just be ideal grounds for a thief to swindle these coveted prescription painkillers. In fact, during his interview, Steve Levin told ABC 7 that properly securing prescription drugs in nursing homes has been a long-standing problem, despite strict federal and state laws that dictate how they are prescribed, dispensed, and stored. Milwaukee CNA Shorted Patients Dosages, Sold to Informant 4 Times in Less Than 2 Months Tomorrow, a woman who worked as a CNA at Birchwood Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center in Milwaukee will face a judge in Racine County Court over 4 counts of Conspiracy to Commit Delivery of Narcotics. The CNA, identified as 31 year old Mariana Cooper, met with a confidential informant (CI) for the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) on 4 separate occasions to sell oxycodone and morphine. October 25, 2017: Mariana Cooper meets with the CI to sell $450 worth of oxycodone (60 pills) and tells the CI Ive got a lot more that Im sitting on. The exchange is recorded by the CI. November 3, 2017: Mariana Cooper sells the CI 42 oxycodone pills for $530 and is recorded once again. This time she tells the CI that she has been softening the prescriptions of the residents at the nursing home where she works (Birchwood Healthcare & Rehab). November 17, 2017: Mariana Cooper tells the CI that an over order at Birchwood means she has a lot of pills to sell. This time she sells the CI 30 oxycodone pills. December 15, 2017: The CI asks for morphine pills which Mariana Cooper delivers, but the morphine pills are wet and unable to be properly identified. She also gives the CI 5 valium pills because during the call the CI asked if she had anything else to sell. After the 4th drug deal on December 15, police obtained a search warrant for Mariana Coopers home. During the raid, she told police that she worked as a CNA at Birchwood and that the pills she sold had been lying around, despite telling the CI during their dealings that she had been shorting patients dosages. Nursing Home Residents Surprising Victims of Opioid Crisis While tomorrows court proceedings will determine if Mariana Cooper will face a jury over stealing and dealing opioids, we would like to take a moment to address the fallout of elderly nursing home residents having their pain medication shorted or skipped entirely. Pain medication is given in specific dosages with scheduled frequency to avoid something called pain breakthrough. Pain experts acknowledge that pain is best managed with a consistent, controlled dosage that prevents the pain from reaching a peak, thus making it harder to get under control. For those who suffer, receiving a smaller than intended dosage, receiving a dosage late, or skipping a dose entirely can mean the difference between getting by relatively pain-free or suffering excruciating pain. By allowing opioids to lay around, whether or not the country is in the midst of gripping drug epidemic, is what Steven Levin ABC 7 Chicago called the equivalent of drug dealing. To allow a nursing home to order an overabundance of pain pills and leave them relatively unchecked and unmonitored should be punishable by law. A CNA, a nurse, a pharmacist, or any other nursing home employee should never have the opportunity of freedom to undercut a patients dosage or to take excess pills for themselves. A combination of reckless prescription drug management, a lack of staff oversight and accountability on the part of Birchwood Healthcare & Rehab and a greedy, opportunistic employee are all to blame for allowing helpless nursing home residents to suffer. If you suspect that a loved ones prescription pain medication has been mishandled or you are an employee of a nursing home that suspects medication is being mismanaged, please contact the nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys of Levin & Perconti. Consultations with our lawyers are always free and confidential and can be requested by calling us at 312-332-2872 or completing our online case evaluation form. You know that thing where politicians take money from big companies and then try to pass bills that represent the interests of those big companies? Well, some of that shit went down in West Virginia last Friday when a bill was brought into the legislature that would allow oil companies to drill for black gold on a piece of land, provided 75% of the land are cool with it. I'm not huge on math, but it seems to me that this would seriously screw the last 25% of the land's owners who don't want their land messed with. Lissa Lucas, a Democrat who's running for a seat in the state's House of Delegates, thought so too. Also, she has a serious issue with the strangle hold that energy companies have on West Virginia's politics and, in turn, West Virginian politicians. Giving voice to her beef, Lucas stood up and attempted to read, on camera, the names of all of the politicians who were voting on the bill who happened to have also received political donations from oil companies. For her troubles, she was hauled out of the legislature faster than shit pours through a goose. Did I mention that the whole thing was caught on video? Welp, here we are. The Intercept's spoke with Lucas about the incident, earlier today. If you've got a few minutes and care about the right of citizens to have their say over what their government does, and why, it's worth a read. There are about 4,200,000 surveillance cameras in United Kingdom. According to a feature in Wired UK, police want to take an even closer look. The West Yorkshire Police Service is currently testing a mobile fingerprint scanning system that's connected to databases containing the fingerprints of 12 million immigrants and criminals. 250 mobile fingerprint scanners have been issued in the North Eastern region of England and will be used, as part of a pilot program, to help identify individuals who refuse to or are unable to tell the police who they are or are. The Yorkshire Police Service says that the system would most likely only ever be used on suspects at the scene of a crime, those who are found to have no identification papers or anyone found dead or unconscious. Featured Post Zapatista Delegation Prepares to Board Flight for Tour for Life in Europe Sept. 13, 2021 Photo by Roberto Garcia Ortiz, La Jornada Now! Mexico City Airport, morning of Sept. 13, 2021 Photos 2 and 3 courtesy Assemblea catalana de ... Archive Search This Blog Donate to Censored News Please donate to Censored News for travel and equipment for our live coverage. Thank you, Brenda. About Censored News Censored News is published by Brenda Norrell. Since 2006, Censored News has received more than 20 million pageviews. As a collective of writers, photographers and broadcasters, we publish news of Indigenous Peoples and human rights. Contact publisher Brenda Norrell: brendanorrell@gmail.com From the publisher Censored News is published by Brenda Norrell, a journalist in Indian country for 39 years. Norrell created Censored News after she was censored and terminated as a staff reporter at Indian Country Today in 2006. She began as a reporter at Navajo Times during the 18 years that she lived on the Navajo Nation. She was a stringer for AP and USA Today and later traveled with the Zapatistas through Mexico. She has been blacklisted by all the mainstream media for 14 years. Contact brendanorrell@gmail.com Translate News / National by Staff reporter The Meteorological Services Department has warned Zimbabweans to be vigilant and be abreast with current weather patterns as the atmosphere is very unstable, with more rains likely to fall.This comes as the country has been experiencing heavy rains throughout much of last week, the Met issuing an alert of possible flooding extending into the week.A forecast over the weekend predicted that heavier rains would be expected in Matabeleland North Province, Midlands Province, Harare Metropolitan Province, all Mashonaland Provinces as well as Manicaland Province."The influx of moisture from Zambia coupled with the warmer daytime temperatures should result in outbreaks of thunderstorms; heavier falls being expected along the Zambezi Valley stretching from Victoria Falls, through Binga to Kariba and surrounding areas. Expect scattered clouds under warmer conditions than of late," MSD said.According to a forecast issued last week, rains in excess of 50 millimetres (mm) were recorded in areas such Crowborough, Concession, Wedza, Mhondoro, Buffalo range, Honde valley and Zvishavane."Indications are that the rain may result in sharp downpours, damaging winds, lightning, hail and flash flooding. Uprooting of trees and damage to infrastructure is possible with this type of rain intensity," read part of the alert.The department also warned people not to cross flooded rivers and swollen streams where the depth is unknown and to stay indoors throughout the duration of the heavy rains.MSD also said warned motorists against the urge to drive on roads covered by water as well as to be cautious when driving at night."In case of severe thunderstorms, if outdoors, seek shelter immediately but DO NOT seek shelter under a tree or in isolated sheds," they said.The advent of the rains brought new hope for farmers after the country had experienced a prolonged dry spell.Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president Chabikwa said that not all the crop will be destroyed as they were at different stages.Chabikwa added that with the rains that are coming now they hope to salvage at least 67 percent of crop that was already planted."The first crop which was at the wilting stage and had been hit by the drought will not be salvaged. That one is lost. However we still have quite a sizeable crop which was at four weeks and below, that crop will survive. The last crop we have had not germinated and that one will benefit immensely from the rains. So in brief the middle and last crop will benefit from these rains.""What we however wish for is that these rains at least continue until April so that we have a good yield. We also wish that the temperatures do not drop but remain high during the day. We were almost in disaster mode but the rains came at the right time," Chabikwa said. News / National by Staff reporter Zimbabwe's human rights record will once again go under the spotlight, as activist Evan Mawarire, pictured, is set to make a presentation on the situation in the country at the 10th Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy in Switzerland on February 20, 2018.According to the Geneva Summit website, #ThisFlag movement leader Mawarire is going to be one of the speakers at the event, which draws rights activists from across the globe.Some of the speakers include Venezuelan opposition leader Antonio Ledezma, Canada's former Justice minister Irwin Cotler, Ugandan activist Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera and Chinese activist Yang Jianli, among others."On the eve of the United Nations Human Rights Council's main annual session, the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy assembles each year hundreds of courageous dissidents and human rights victims, activists, diplomats, journalists and student leaders to shine a spotlight on urgent human rights situations that require global attention."The Geneva Summit is sponsored by an international coalition of 25 NGOs, and brings human rights heroes, dissidents, activists and political prisoners from China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Venezuela and other countries to testify about their personal struggles for human rights, democracy and freedom," the organisation said.Mawarire became an overnight sensation after a couple of his videos posted on social media calling for Zimbabweans to confront deposed president Robert Mugabe's government over failure to meet its obligations.Following several videos, Mawarire - a pastor - was eventually arrested on allegations of inciting public violence, but the State later tried to change the charge to that of attempting to subvert a constitutionally-elected government.The charges arose from Mawarire's call for peaceful job stay-aways to force the government to address the public grievances that include corruption, police brutality and non-payment of civil servants' salaries.Mawarire was later released, before he left for South Africa and eventually settled in the United States.He made a surprise return in February last year and was arrested upon arrival at the Robert Mugabe International Airport. He was however cleared of any wrong-doing by the High Court late last year.The then High Court judge Priscillah Chigumba, who is now chairperson of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, said in the videos that the State relied upon, Mawarire always spoke about peaceful demonstrations as opposed to the claims by prosecutors that he demanded people to act in a violent manner.Zimbabwe has over the years been battling a negative human rights record, owing to incarceration of political and social activists under the former president Robert Mugabe's rule.The current President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who came into power in November last year after the intervention of the army, has promised to uphold human rights as provided for in terms of the Constitution. News / National by Staff reporter NPRC NATIONWIDE PROVINCIAL CONSULTATIONS DATES. pic.twitter.com/xMec4vWq1F National Peace and Reconciliation Commission(NPRC) (@NPRCZim) February 12, 2018 THE National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) which was forced to suspend its provincial public hearing meetings on past human rights abuses which were scheduled to start on February 9, 2018, following a High Court interdict by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum is set to resume it nationwide consultation on 19 February 2018.Zimbabwe's history is tainted with incidences of unresolved cases of politically- motivated violence and without a functional National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) complimenting other interventions that seek to build peace and reconciliation in communities, social cohesion can never be achieved, peace watchdogs and analysts contend.President Emmerson Mnangagwa faced protests by activists in South Africa and Bulawayo who demanded answers on the 1980s Gukurahundi atrocities in which an estimated 20 000 Zimbabweans are thought to have perished. News / National by Staff Reporter Transform Zimbabwe (TZ) will tomorrow 14 February 2018 lead a demonstration against the rewriting of the O'Level English Paper 2 Exam. The Ministry of Education has ordered the rewrite after what it said was widespread cheating discovered during the marking of the paper. TZ has taken it upon itself to lead other civic organizations to call both ZIMSEC and government to order over the issue.In a statement, the TZ leader Mr Jacob Ngarivhume blasted the Ministry of Education and ZIMSEC for superintendenting over the destruction our of our education. He said, "The problem of cheating has been around ever since we left Cambridge and ZIMSEC does nothing about it ever year"."For this rewrite, there was no consultation on the parents and no enough notice for preparations. Some children are out of thecountry and can't make it in time. This represents an unnecessary and unreasonable expense on the parents".Ngarivhume added that rural schools were complaining of poor communication over the issue."There is a deliberate attempt to disadvantage our children and subvert the education system by this government. Most of the leaders in government are disconnected from what is happening on the ground as their children are abroad where they write Cambridge exams. The are not in any way affected by this ZIMSEC madness", he charged.Ngarivhume added that TZ will not rest while ZANU PF continues to destroy what left of our once world class education. It is thus calling on all patriotic Zimbabweans to come be part of this great cause and demonstrate against the planned resit. The demonstration will start at CNR Julius Nyerere and Jason Moyo at 1000 hours. Opinion / Columnist Patron Khutshwekhaya Nketha - Zapu Secretary for Elections. The forth coming general elections cannot be free and fair. After holding violent successive elections since 1980, the Mnangagwa regime is not showing any signs of allowing a truly democratic process to prevail. The coup politicians have talked well, even going all over the world telling everyone that elections will be free, fair and peaceful. This is contrary to what is on the ground.Everyone who is interested in our political situation knows pretty well that ZEC is not independent. Zapu did highlight the gross anormalities of ZEC in 2013 and our calls were ignored even by other opposition parties. We had raised many issues such as the multiple appearances of voters on the voters roll. This time around Zimbabweans still have to go with this same ZEC that is far from being independent. It is a ZanuPF controlled set up that can never produce credible election results if those results are against ZanuPF. It is a fact that Zimbabwe has never had free and fair elections ever since. The progressive and democratic forces the world over must not be hoodwinked by those who have their long standing clandestine deals with ZanuPF and Mnangagwa precisely for selfish business interests.It is an open secret that coup politicians have engaged the traditional chiefs to violently campaign for them. A very brutal and primitive method of denying non ZanuPF members food is being used by the chiefs who have been bribed by expensive cars. Is it fair to expect starving peasants to vote otherwise?Zapu's prospective candidates have been complainig of specific and open intimidation by the powerful ZanuPF chiefs and councilors who have demanded their voter registration slips. No -one has dared to take this seriously. From Matebeleland North it was reported in detail how a ZanuPF seating MP threatened the villagers warning that a soldier, Rugeje would come down on them. These villagers are people who survived Gukurahundi mass killings. Rugeje could have been one of the murderous Gukurahundist soldiers. All this rampant intimidation can not in any way go along with a democratic process whatsoever.There are similar reports from Matabeland South at Bayethe of Esigodini where a certain village head Sindiso Ncube forced every registered voter to surrender their voter registration slip for recording in a form with a ZanuPF candidate. Those failing to do so were threatened with unspecified punitive measures. This has been reported but nothing has been done. What kind of free and fair elections can come out of such a political environment?Addressing people in Mashonaland West in Shona Mnangagwa referred to political competitors as dogs. Of course this is not new to ZanuPF. It is typical of their inborn undemocratic tendency. With such hate speech coming from the top man one wonders what his armed trigger-happy murderous supporters are now saying and doing to the un- armed and defenseless civilians. Zapu deplores this obvious level of irresponsible and violence -insiting gesture. Of course ZanuPF possesses no other political vocabulary. They have never acquired any political communicative capacity that can be devoid of violence or threats especially on un-armed people.Then, there is the role of the army. Phillip Valerio Sibanda has been visiting soldiers and telling them not to be bribed by the rival G-40 ZanuPF faction. Obviously he is involving the whole army into politics. How does the public respond to this situation? General Chiwenga explained the coup by saying ``our party Zanu PF was going to be like UNIP of Zambia.`` It is clear that the army is a ZanuPF political branch. Who can ever win an election if it is common knowledge that the army supports ZanuPF? The army removed Mugabe, can they allow another political party to rule even if that party wins an election?Zapu would like to tell SADC, the AU and all democratic forces the world over that Zimbabweans just need genuinely free, fair and credible elections organised at internationally acceptable standards. Foreign governments that are now engaging Mnangagwa believing that there is a new political despensation are helping ZanuPF to do its usual game of denying Zimbabweans to decide and shape their own political destiny. Some of these countries did so in 1980 and during Gukurahundi. They only started `` mposing some sanctions`` when Mugabe refused to stop the people from grabbing the land from the whites. Now that there is talk of whites getting back their land, these governments want to lie to the world. There is no way elections can be free and fair unless there is a radical transformation from the government to uproot all the deeply rooted traditions of repression of ZanuPF. Opinion / Columnist In 2015 the newly elected Zambian president, Edgar Lungu, collapsed during a public event and it was later announced that he would need to seek treatment abroad. The procedures following a president's death are often rather straightforward - as Zambians know all too well having had two presidents die in office since 2008. But what happens when a president falls ill and cannot perform the duties of his office?In the United States, if a president's illness makes him unable to discharge his duties, the 25th Amendment to the Constitution provides for the vice president to take over the duties of the president. There are two ways the 25th Amendment can be invoked. According to Section 3 of the amendment, the president can make a written declaration of his inability to discharge his duties. Alternatively, if the president doesn't voluntarily transfer powers before his incapacitation, according to Section 4 of the amendment, the vice president can, with a majority of the cabinet (or some other such "body as Congress may by law provide"), submit their own written declaration that the president cannot discharge his duties, after which the vice president immediately assumes the powers and duties of the office. However this is not the case in the MDC constitution. With its pool of lawyers one wonders how did they miss that important section.Despite the position of the constitution common sense should tell the MDC that they have a duty to look after Tsvangirai even if he is sick. It is at this time of sickness that Tsvangirai needs his party and his party must show their compassion and love towards their leader.Tsvangirai is beyond a party person, his opposition politics plays a big role in promoting democracy in ZIMBABWE. In his own right he is a national figure. It is on that basis that his party should show respect to him.Instead of taking care of Him the MDC executive have surrendered Tsvangirai to his family and engaged in the leadership fight. They have transformed their party from Movement for Democratic Change to Movement for Democratic Confusion. One wonders if MDC cannot take care of their leader now how can they take care of the nation. Now they are busy fighting for positions while Tsvangirai has to sort his pain. The lack of compassion in the MDC leadership exposes their selfishness and lack of purpose.Tsvangirai is the most unlucky person who is surrounded by gluttons greedy thugs, his family started looting his property before hr even dies. His wife is being chased away from the ailing husband and the MDC women league looks aside and fight for positions. The character exhibited by the MDC is not expected from a National party expecting to be a government.The lessons we learn from MDC are that you vote for them at your own peril. They form a military vigilante group which bares leaders from entering Harvest House but no security protecting their leader's wife and his property.If it was not for the president of Zimbabwe who asked the police to protect Tsvangirai from his party and his relatives Tsvangirai would be a pauper by now.The treatment given to Mrs Elizabeth Tsvangirai shows how MDC will treat women should they come into power. Not long-ago MDC sent thugs to thrash Khupe in Bulawayo now they send more thugs pretending to be relatives to persecute Elizabeth in South Africa at the husband's bedside.Tsvangirai in his frail state has to engage into a hunger strike to protect his wife from his relatives and party members who are using his wife to settle their factional scores. One would have thought that by now using the president's wife to gain entry to the president's heart will backfire. ZANU PF had fallen into that problem and we all believed that the nation has learnt. Where can we get another Chiwenga to restore legacy in the MDC.Tsvangirai deserves better in the time of his weakness.Despite its relative youth, the MDC's constitution has no provisions for presidential incapacity. If the board deemed the president incapacitated, the constitution is silent.What does this mean for MDC It is hard to make a direct comparison to ZANU PF though the little information that has been shared about President's ailment makes clear his condition is life threatening. His loses in the past special elections and the general election scheduled to be held sometime in the next four months will likely motivate him and his supporters to downplay his condition. This will prove challenging because his poor health was widely reported.The handling of presidential health is a delicate matter. Though well studied in the United States, there is more to be learned about the politics of presidential health in African countries.Even though ZANU PF had its succession fights it had a clear succession policy on paper. The wars were simply as a result of mischievous elements who needed the army to whip them in line. This can not be said of MDC. They should live up to their name but in this case, they have failed.Tsvangirais treatment by his relatives and his party serves to tell Zimbabweans that you vote for them at your peril.Vazet2000@yahoo.co.uk Francisco gets up every morning and heads to the courtyard. The first thing he does in his daily routine is to feed his feline housemates. Looking at the horizon he sees barbed-wire fences. He lives in Quatre Camins prison, located 40 kilometers from Barcelona. This penitentiary is pioneering the use of cats as part of social reintegration. In an environment that may not sound very welcoming, a glaring of 70 cats has found happiness. The structure of the jail allows them to escape through the fences, and the project even allows some of the inmates to spend a few hours a week outside the jail to take care of cat colonies from nearby towns. People approach us as if we were normal people, we are not seen as prisoners, explains one inmate Every Thursday a group of four inmates, escorted by a social worker, leave the center to feed different groups of abandoned or wild cats living in towns near the jail. In some cases the prisoners have built wood houses in order to give shelter to more than 200 animals that live in bushy areas, waste grounds or abandoned lots. I thought cats could benefit our prisoners and that they would make their life better, a kind of mutually beneficial cooperation, explains Sara Diaz, founder of the Gats La Roca (Cats La Roca) project and a social worker at Quatre Camins. "Those cats followed us everywhere and were living in a deplorable situation", continues Diaz, who promoted the initiative working hand in hand with La Roca Del Valles City Hall. Prisoners that can opt to take part in this project must be in an advanced stage of their sentence, and benefit from Spanish Prison Regulation 100.2 article, which says that inmates can spend some time outside. It is difficult to be chosen because to get penitentiary benefits the prisoners must have completed a specific therapy course related to the crime they were imprisoned for. We have to go through a lot of administrative formalities to get them out to collaborate, explains Diaz. Inmates like the project because they can go outside. Moreover, Francisco highlights other reasons: They give us the opportunity to collaborate in society, to offer a service and this makes us feel useful. People approach us as if we were normal people, we are not seen as prisoners, explains Oscar, another inmate. Quatre Camins prisoners take care of two type of cats: abandoned domestic felines and stray cats. The abandonment of cats who used to be pets is a death sentence for them, as they do not know how to find food and they do not have instinct to survive. We put docile cats up for adoption, but we use to find street cats, says Sara Diaz. elpais.cat in English From November 2016, the Catalan edition of EL PAIS, Elpais.cat, has been publishing a selection of news stories in English. The texts are prepared by journalism students at the Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), who adapt content from Catalan current affairs, adding extra information and explanation to these stories so that they can be understood in a global context. Inmates feed cats and catch females to have them spayed. That is the only measure they can resort to in order to slow down the growth of a colony. The reason they focus on neutering females is budgetary. This veterinary intervention and other medical procedures have a cost. Gats La Roca receives a subsidy from the Catalan government health department. But it is insufficient, according to the promoters of the project. For this reason, they have found other ways to finance their activities, such as selling calendars or handicraft made by inmates in street markets. When we go to a market we all wear the same t-shirts, so people do not know who are the inmates and who are not, says Diaz. For the volunteers, one of the best things about the project is the chance to get prisoners close to society once more. This project makes their self-esteem grow, it improves their sensitivity and generates positive feelings. The fact prisoners spend a good time outside jail and feel some kind of connection with cats sees reoffending decrease, because they do not want to lose the chance to take part in the project. TUESDAY, Feb. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Screening for ovarian cancer is not recommended for women with no signs or symptoms of the disease, newly released guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force say. That represents no change in advice from the 2012 guidelines or the task force's draft recommendations issued in the summer of 2017. "Evidence shows that current screening methods do not prevent women from dying of ovarian cancer and that screening can lead to unnecessary surgery in women without cancer," task force member Dr. Michael Barry said in a task force news release. He's a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a director of the Informed Medical Decisions Program at Massachusetts General Hospital. No major U.S. medical or public health organization recommends screening for ovarian cancer. However, the task force recommendation does not apply to women at high risk for ovarian cancer. That includes those with a BRCA gene mutation that is associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is difficult to detect because it often causes no signs or symptoms in the early stages. Also, many symptoms are vague and similar to those of other health problems. This means that the disease is often diagnosed in the late stages, when it is harder to treat. However, results from screening tests could prompt a woman to have surgery to remove one or both ovaries when those results could be so-called "false positive." That means the tests indicate the woman has cancer when, in fact, she does not. Dr. Stephanie Blank, a professor of gynecologic oncology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, said she generally agrees with the task force recommendations "because we do not have an effective screening test." However, she said, "because screening for ovarian cancer is not effective, it is extremely important that women be aware of the symptoms of ovarian cancer and advocate for themselves." "A woman who believes she is at increased genetic risk for cancer should discuss this with her doctor, and together they can decide whether genetic testing or screening is appropriate," she said. "A woman who really wants ovarian cancer screening and does not have an indication for it or any symptoms would have to convince her doctor to order the tests," Blank said. "If they are ordered, sometimes they will be covered [by insurance] and sometimes they will not." However, "if a woman has symptoms of ovarian cancer -- bloating, trouble eating, pelvic or abdominal pain, urinary frequency -- she should demand this testing!" she said. Besides its recommendation on who should or should not be screened, the task force "is calling for research to find better screening tests and treatments that can help reduce the number of women who die from ovarian cancer," said task force member Dr. Chien-Wen Tseng. She's chair of health services and quality research at the University of Hawaii School of Medicine. The task force is an independent, volunteer panel of national experts in prevention and evidence-based medicine. Its guidelines on ovarian cancer screening were published online Feb. 13 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. More information The American Cancer Society has more on ovarian cancer. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram New York, February 13, 2018Kyrgyz authorities should immediately drop all charges against freelance journalist Elnura Alkanova, lift her travel ban, and allow her to report without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Alkanova was charged today with seeking and disclosing confidential commercial information and put under a travel ban following the publication last fall of investigative reports on the allegedly corrupt sale of government property near the capital Bishkek, the independent online news site 24.kg reported. Speaking to CPJ today, the journalist denied the charges and said she collected information from open source material. If found guilty, Alkanova faces up to five years in prison, according to the independent regional news site Fergana. The charges against journalist Elnura Alkanova are apparently politically motivated and in retaliation for her investigative reports, CPJ Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator Nina Ognianova said. We call on the Kyrgyz authorities to drop the case against Alkanova, stop harassing her, and allow her to do her work without fear of reprisal. When contacted by CPJ today via phone, the senior investigator in the case who identified himself only by his last name, Omorkulov, said he cannot give any comments either over the phone or in a written form. In recent weeks, police interrogated Alkanova several times about her reporting and requested that she reveal her sources and identify her reporting team, including her cameraman and others, Alkanova told CPJ. She also said that the police threatened her with prosecution for giving false information to the policea criminal offence in Kyrgyzstanif she does not reveal her sources. During the interrogation, Alkanova was also given a print-out of her phone calls and asked questions about her contacts with her sources, the journalist said. Kyrgyz police first summoned Alkanova for questioning in December 2017 after her investigative reports on alleged corruption in the sale of government property were published by Fergana in October and November 2017. Alkanova is an awardwinning investigative journalist who has published several reports with the Sarajevo-based Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and worked for the U.S. Congress- funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). She has also contributed to the independent online news sites Kloop and Fergana. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram Nazmul Huda pointed his TV camera at garment workers demonstrating for higher wages in Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka, and at the police firing tear gas and rubber bullets at them. It took a while for police to notice the ETV reporter, and they were furious. After all, they had ordered him to leave the area and stop reporting the day before. So they demanded he turn over his recordings. When Huda explained that he had noneit had all been broadcast liveit only made the police angrier. As Huda told his story recently in a hotel lobby in Dhaka, his friendly, made-for-TV personality grew more somber. That December 2016 afternoon marked the start of a nightmare for Huda that is ongoing. And while few journalists in Bangladesh ever face the brutality and intimidation that he described that day, its a cautionary tale that explains the feeling of fear repeated again and again by journalists with whom I spoke, who say they worry no one is there to protect them. By appearances, Bangladesh has a vibrant and boisterous media industry. But its journalists are facing a diverse range of threats, from out-of-control police and forced disappearances, to tough criminal defamation laws under Section 57 of the Information and Communication Act. Militant attacks decimated a once-thriving community of bloggers and many journalists say they still feel the threat. Highly partisan politics polarized the journalist community, even splitting the journalist union into two competing organizations. Meanwhile, journalists say they endure repeated intimidating advisory phone calls from police, army intelligence, or the government. The net result is a siege mentality. I dont have the courage anymore, said Matiur Rahman, editor of the leading Bangla daily paper, Prothom Alo. Rahman worries not just about himself and his family, but also his staff and the fate of the newspaper that he mustered the courage to found in 1998. The result, according to every editor and reporter with whom I spoke, is that important news is sometimes ignored to avoid angering the military, the governmentespecially Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her familyor extremist religious groups. Im at a very high level of self-censorship, said Mahfuz Anam, editor of the leading English paper The Daily Star. Anam said that he is personally facing 84 legal cases for sedition or defamation, with potential damages of US$8 billion. With cases filed in different jurisdictions, the editor said, he is forced to travel around the country to defend himself. Other journalists with whom I spoke, and who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation, had similar stories. One of them recalled how he received a call from the government requesting that he stop giving blanket coverage to a controversial mayoral election. He said he complied, as did all other publications and broadcast channels. In Hudas case, the journalist said that when he realized police were trying to pick him up a few days after the protest, he turned himself in, never imagining what would come next. Huda recalled how he was taken away, hooded, handcuffed and beaten for days, thrown in a ditch, retrieved, beaten some more, and, when he asked for water, was forced to drink urine. He said he had to stand for two days straight, while police tried to obtain a confession that he had conspired with the garment workers, and finally came before a judge to face six criminal charges. Mercifully, he said, the judge sent him to prison, where the beatings ended. After 45 days Huda was granted bail. A court later threw out all the charges filed against him, except for a criminal defamation one filed under Section 57 of Bangladeshs Information and Communication Act. But legal charges arent his biggest worry. Any time, they can pick me up and kill me, said Huda, whose case is still ongoing. I am always with that fear. Huda said he has returned to work, but with police repeatedly warning him not to attend press conferences or cover stories, he has trouble making living. He added that intelligence agents monitor and follow him and he never leaves home without a companion, so at least someone can bear witness and inform his family should he disappear. Abdul Awal, the officer in charge of Ashulia Police Station, where the case against Huda was filed, told CPJ he had no knowledge of the allegations that the journalist was tortured after his arrest. When we met in his Dhaka office, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, dismissed claims of a beleaguered press and boasted of the transparency of the government, including the 2009 Right to Information Act, and of the thousands of online applications for newspaper licenses, as if to say, how can people complain? And theres some truth to that, with the emergence of innovative online news portals like bdnews24, or relatively recently launched print products in the past few years, such as the Dhaka Tribune. As for Section 57, the online criminal defamation law that has struck fear into so many journalists? Its not a law for journalists, he said, but rather aimed at online criminal activities, although he admitted that local police are sometimes been overzealous, throwing journalists and others into jail over perceived slights to others. CPJ has documented several arrests under the act in the past three years and every journalist with whom I spoke while in Dhaka said they were afraid of falling afoul of it. A bill to replace Section 57, the Digital Security Bill, is in the works and will put authority to apply the laws harsh provisions to a committee of experts, the information minister told me. Even so, the proposed law, like the current one, criminalizes speech, so the potential dangers for journalists remain. Aside from the threat of legal action or arrest, the divisiveness of Bangladeshi politicsbetween the ruling Awami League and the Bangladesh National Partyhas polarized the journalism industry with most publications and broadcast channels identified as pro or anti one party or the other. And disappearances, while mainly affecting politicians, have scared everyone. It hit close to home last year with the disappearance of journalist Utpal Das, who reappeared, unharmed, unexpectedly a few months later. Fear still lingers from a spate of murders in 2015, when extremists hacked to death four bloggers in separate attacks. Arif Jebtik, who started blogging in 2006, said he at first ignored the threats he received until his mother started getting calls in the family village home. We had indications they would burn down our house, he said, speaking in his home in Dhaka. He uprooted his mother to Dhaka, quit his job, stopped jogging outside, and went into hiding, where he essentially remains. The life that he once had is finished, and he hasnt posted on his blog in two and a half years. Once you are a target, he said, you are a target for the rest of your life. With such a range of threats, reversing the damage to freedom of expression will prove difficult, especially as the nation drifts from the secular, liberal democratic, values that inspired Bangladeshs freedom fighters in the 1971 war of independence against Pakistan. What we achieved in 24 years [struggling] against Pakistan, said Rahman, the Prothom Alo editor, we lost in 46 years of Bangladesh. Indian Army is contributing approximately 2300 personnel to support United Nations Peacekeeping Missions to South Sudan (UNMISS) in order to bring peace and normalcy in the war-torn country. It includes deployment of seven Garhwal Rifles Infantry battalion group of the Indian Army. The deployment of Indian peacekeepers in South Sudan is under Chapter VII which entails Peace Enforcement. Key Facts This is for first time troops hailing fromGarhwal region have been nominated to deploy in United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The unit will be in operational control of sensitive Jonglei state of South Sudan with detachment at Juba, its headquarters in Bor County and air maintained company group at Pibor County where armed conflicts and ethnic violence is on the rise. Background South Sudan had gained independence from Sudan in 2011, making it the newest nation in the world. Civil war had broken out in infant nation in 2013. The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is newest UN Peacekeeping Mission. India, with 2,237 troops, is the highest contributor in terms of troops to UNMISS. In addition to India, 53 nations from around the world have contributed troops to the peacekeeping mission. India and UN Peacekeeping The Indian Army is the largest cumulative troop contributor to United Nations Peacekeeping Missions mandated to maintain stability and negotiate a peace settlement in turbulent regions of the world. So far India has provided almost 200,000 troops in nearly 50 of the 71 UN peacekeeping missions over the past six decades, including 13 of the current 16 missions. Last year, 7,606 Indian peacekeepers were deployed in UN missions. Moreover, India has suffered 163 fatalities since the peacekeeping operations began in 1948, the most by any country. Our Divisions Copyright 2021-22 DB Corp ltd., All Rights Reserved This website follows the DNPA Code of Ethics. Ukrainian lawmakers invest US$7.3 mln in cryptocurrency in 2017 media Bitcoins are not taxed, and it is almost impossible to control their turnover. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Ukraines Antonov explains renewed cooperation with Russia The company says it will face international sanctions if it refuses to perform contractual obligations. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Ukrainian oil and gas producer set to recover assets in occupied Crimea through int'l seizure warrants To protect its interests, the company has been actively cooperating with the prosecution bodies. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter TO BE HOPEFUL in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our livesIf we remember those times and placeswhere people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we dont have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory. --Howard Zinn I refuse to accept despair as the final response to the ambiguities of history. I refuse to accept the idea that the "isness" of man's present nature makes him morally incapable of reaching up for the eternal "oughtness" that forever confronts him. --Martin Luther King Jr. True religion consisted in an inward life, wherein the heart does love and reverence God the Creator, and learns to exercise true justice and goodness...I found no narrowness respecting sects and opinions, but believed that sincere, upright-hearted people, in every society, who truly love God, were accepted of him. --John Woolman Love each other as I have loved you.. I call you friends because I have made known to you everything I heard from my Father. --Jesus in John 15: 12-15 ...Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself. You have answered right, said Jesus, do this and life is yours... Who is my neighbor? Jesus replied with the Parable of the Good Samaritan [heretic, outsider, enemy]. --from Luke 10:27-37 Religion has been emphatically embodied, not in speculative theories, but in practical righteousness, in active virtues, in reverence to God, in benevolence to man- the latter being the only sure test of the former. --Thomas M'Clintock ...It is safer to approach God through the Holy Spirit than through the door of theology. We can identify the Holy Spirit whenever it makes its presence felt. Whenever we see someone who is loving, compassionate, mindful, caring, and understanding, we know that the Holy Spirit is there. --Thich Nhat Hanh Tuesday, February 13, 2018 MEP Ujazdowski opens Wrocaw exhibition On the 6th of February, the exhibition "Wrocaw broke the Iron Curtain" was opened by ECPM MEP Kazimierz M. Ujazdowski in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The exposition told leaders and citizens of countries from all over Europe about post-war Wrocaw and its successes. Wrocaw is an amazing city whose history and heritage has been shaped by many cultures and nations for centuries, according to ECPM MEP Ujazdowski and the organizers. Its present shape was also influenced by the total exchange of populations, an event unprecedented in the history of Europe, as well as by the heroic activity of the democratic opposition and the consistent Polish-German reconciliation process. This effort for reconciliation was initiated over the years by the words of the Wrocaw Cardinal when he said "We forgive and ask for forgiveness." The producer and organizer of the exhibition was the Wrocaw History Center 'the Depot' and its director, Marek Mutor, is the author of the texts and studies. "Wrocaw is a city that has done the impossible after the war. Although it was polluted and destroyed, it managed to regain its former splendor and its inhabitants identified their identity in the 1980s during the Solidarity revolution," Mutor says. Mr Ujazdowski underlined Wrocaw's successes: "We show to Europe a post-war Wrocaw, a wonderful city of Polish freedom." He added that a very important part of the exhibition is the story of the letter of Polish bishops to the German bishops from 1965. "This appeal for Polish-German reconciliation is part of the European heritage and should be constantly reminded. After the conclusion of the exhibition in the European Parliament, the exhibition will be shown in other places and cities throughout Europe. " " Detail from a ceramic piece found at Tikal, the ancient Mayan city now known to have been part of a massive civilization recently discovered in the Guatemalan jungle. M and M, Inc/Corbis/Getty Images By using a technology called LiDAR to peer through the dense tree canopy of the Guatemalan jungle from above, researchers have uncovered a massive network of ancient Mayan ruins, which have been hidden for centuries. The discovery, first reported by National Geographic, promises to alter our understanding of the Maya civilization, by revealing that it was far bigger in scale and more advanced and complex than previously believed. Researchers located the ruins of more than 60,000 houses, palaces, highways and other manmade features, according to the publication. A press release by the University of Houston, home of the National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping (NCALM), describes the find as sprawling over an area of 811 square miles (2,100 square kilometers). To appreciate the size of the Maya megalopolis, consider this: It was 1.7 times bigger than the modern-day city of Los Angeles. Advertisement According to National Geographic, the discovery suggests that the Maya civilization, which peaked 1,200 years ago, was highly sophisticated. CNN reported that the findings include a 90-foot (27-meter) tall pyramid, as well as evidence of agriculture, quarries and fortifications, plus an extensive road system that connected settlements. According to CNN, researchers believe that 10 million people lived in the region, many times more than previous estimates. " " Scientists study a projected LiDAR image from Tikal, the site of the recently-discovered Mayan civilization in Guatemala, as featured in the National Geographic documentary "Lost Treasures of the Maya Snake Kings." More information can be found here Photo Courtesy National Geographic/Wild Blue Media "These findings are important because the data lay bare an entire civilization that has not been disrupted by modern development," says Thomas Garrison, a Maya archaeologist and assistant professor at Ithaca College who worked with other researchers on the PACUNAM LiDAR Initiative. PACUNAM is a Guatemalan nonprofit that focuses upon aiding scientific and archaeological research and efforts to preserve the Central American nation's cultural heritage. "We don't just see the big sites," Garrison explains in an email. "Instead we're seeing all of the infrastructure that made the Maya civilization function. How they fed themselves, how they traveled, and how they defended themselves." From the density of the settlement, "we now know that the ancient Maya were able to sustain a population in this region that was substantially greater than what exists in the present, and they did so for over 1,000 years," Garrison says. Diane Davies, a British archaeologist and educator who specializes in the Maya, says the discovery of the extensive ruins could help challenge widely held assumptions about the Maya culture, such as the belief that challenges of living in the rainforest environment would have limited the population size. "The Maya lived in this area for over 1,500 years in the millions," she writes in an email. "To live this long and at such high numbers suggests that they were not only highly efficient in their agricultural systems but also environmentally aware that is they knew the limitations of the environment and sought to protect it." The new findings add to existing evidence of the Maya civilization's advanced state, such as their writing system, mathematics and complex calendars. The Maya "had some of the largest temple-pyramids in the world, all built without metal tools, the wheel or pack animals," Davies says. "These are just a few of their achievements and why people need to re-evaluate the Maya." LiDAR Revolutionizes Archaeology The discovery also is another example of how LiDAR which stands for Light Detection and Ranging is rapidly revolutionizing archaeology. Instead of hacking through the jungle in search of ruins, researchers can fly over it in an aircraft equipped with a laser and other equipment. By firing hundreds of thousands of laser pulses each second, they can collect data and create a three-dimensional map of the ground surface and its features. As this 2016 article from The Conversation by British archaeologist Mark Horton explains, LiDAR was first developed by NASA in the early 1970s as a tool for space exploration. The 1971 Apollo 15 mission used an early LiDAR instrument to map the moon's surface topography from orbit, and scientists subsequently used it to study Mars and detail the shape of an asteroid, according to this 2010 NASA document. But archaeologists figured out how to adapt the technology to find ancient ruins in remote places. In the early 2010s, as detailed in this New Yorker article, researchers utilized LiDAR to locate la Ciudad Blanca, the "White City" in Honduras whose existence had been the subject of rumor and legend since the days of Hernan Cortes. More recently, others used LiDAR to scan the Cambodian jungle and uncover a 1,400-year-old city that would have rivaled Phnom Penh in size, according to this 2016 Guardian article. NCALM director Ramesh L. Shrestha says that LiDAR technology has become vastly more powerful since he first began to use it in the late 1990s. In that time, devices have gone from shooting 3,000 pulses per second to 900,000 today. That results in much higher resolution maps, and has reduced the amount of time required to cover an area such as the Maya site. "The advances made it possible to do a project of this scale," Shrestha says. According to Shrestha, though, the Maya megalopolis may be dwarfed by even bigger future LiDAR projects. He said researchers eventually want to map areas that are nearly 5,800 square miles (15,000 kilometers) in size in Guatemala and Mexico. Now That's Interesting The Maya used a turquoise blue paint in ritual ceremonies and for painting pottery. It was durable and fade-resistant, retaining its bright blue color throughout the centuries. The color was named Maya Blue and scientists recently may have solved the mystery of how it was created, theorizing that the Maya used heat and resin from copal, the sacred incense, to fuse indigo extract and clay. Fifteen prominent Iranians from cultural and political spheres inside Iran and in exile have signed a statement calling for a referendum on the theocratic ruling system in the Islamic Republic. The group of civil rights activists, lawyers, film directors, a Nobel laureate, and current and former political prisoners demanded a nationwide referendum held under the supervision of the UN in order to bring about peaceful change. The only way out of the current situation is a peaceful transition from an Islamic Republic toward a secular state based on parliamentary democracy and free peoples votes, which fully respects human rights, eliminates all institutionalized discrimination, particularly against women, ethnic and religious minorities, and all other minorities, the group wrote in their statement. With a UN referendum, the statement argued, The people of Iran will be able to retain control over their destiny and choose their ideal system for running their homeland. The signatories say such a referendum would give momentum to a movement already in motion following the anti-establishment protests that swept the country earlier this year. The statement is signed by the first and only Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Shirin Ebadi, lawyers and former prisoners of conscience, Nasrin Sotoudeh, Mohammad Seifzadeh; film directors, Mohmmad Nourizad, Mohsen Makhmalbaf and Jafar Panahi; author, Kazem Kardavani; political analyst and former Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Kazem Shariatmadaris son, Hassan; physicist and defender of human rights, Nargess Mohammadi; students rights activist, Heshmatollah Tabarzadi; co-writer of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Charter, Mohsen Sazgara; leaders of the Islamic Revolution Mojahedeen, Abolfazl Ghadyani and Professor of Islamic Studies and former Shiite clergy, Mohsen Kadivar. Of the signatories, Ebadi, Makhmalbaf, Kardavani, Shariatmasari, and Sazgara currently live in self-imposed exile, while Nargess Mohammadi is behind bars in Tehrans notorious Evin Prison. The statement was published just a few days after President Hassan Rouhani himself proposed holding a referendum on a ruling establishment that he says has alienated too many people. When the revolution took place, we were all together and there were plenty of passengers on the train of the revolution; some of them wanted to get off the train themselves, and we got some of them off the train, whom we didnt have to, Rouhani said in a speech at a celebration commemorating the 39th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. Rouhani added that when citizens disagree on the path the country is taking, they should refer to article 59 of the Iranian Constitution. The article stipulates, In extremely important economic, political, social, and cultural matters, the function of the legislature may be exercised through direct recourse to popular vote through a referendum. Any request for such direct recourse to public opinion must be approved by two-thirds of the members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly. Earlier, internationally acclaimed Iranian film director Jafar Panahi had also proposed holding a referendum, or at least allowing people to freely demonstrate and measure the popularity of the ruling theocracy by how many take to the streets either for or against it. If you dont have the necessary funds for holding a referendum, just call on your supporters to pour into the streets on a given day, and without deploying security, police, or military force, let those opposing you hold a demonstration on another day, Panahi wrote on his Instagram account. The investigation into the death of Dr. Kavous Seyed-Emami, the Iranian environmentalist who died in prison on February 8, is not complete until the family is given an official post-mortem document to verify the cause of death, a lawyer for the mans family told Radio Fardas Farin Assemy. Tehrans Forensic Medicine Department and the Iranian coroners office have carried out an autopsy on Emamis body, but a death certificate takes a month to be issued, Payam Derafshan, a lawyer representing Emamis family told Radio Farda. According to prison authorities, 63-year-old Emami committed suicide while incarcerated in Tehrans notorious Evin Prison. His family do not accept this explanation, however, and say a video recording purportedly showing their relatives suicide contains nothing indicating Emami took his own life. MP and National Security Committee Chairman Allaedin Boroujerdi had earlier claimed that the family watched the video, accepted the official explanation for his death, and are not requesting an official death certificate. The family has since rejected the claim, saying that the video clip they saw shows no suicide. International human rights watchdogs including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have called for an independent investigation into the matter. We need to know whether or not he was given any medication, or perhaps medication he needed was withheld, said Derafshan, adding that prison officials are legally accountable for deaths that occur in their facilities, including a suicide if the inmate was under undue pressure. Amnesty International expressed concern that there is a "callous cover-up" attempt in Emami's case, when authorities refuse to release his body. The authorities refusal to allow an independent investigation into the extremely suspicious death of Dr Seyed-Emami smacks of a deliberately orchestrated attempt to cover up any evidence of torture and possible murder. He was detained in Evin prison where detainees are held under constant surveillance and stripped of all personal possessions. It would have been near impossible for him to commit suicide", said Magdalena Mughrabi, Amnesty internationals Deputy Director for the Middle East and Africa. Derafshan in his interview with Radio Farda also disclosed that even the prosecutors office did not have any information about the espionage charges against Emami that lead to his incarceration. Emami, a sociologist and environmental activist, was arrested January 24 along with several other activists. Prison officials told his family February 8 that he had committed suicide. His family has announced that his burial will take place February 13. The Campaign for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) has said in a statement that the Iranian judiciary is fully responsible for Emamis death. According to the CHRI, Emami is the third person to have allegedly committed suicide while in police custody in the Islamic Republic in the last two months. The CHRI has called for an immediate UN-led investigation into the three deaths, two of which occurred in Tehrans notorious Evin Prison, and one which happened at a police station in the city of Arak. Meanwhile, former Tehran Mayor Morteza Alviri, who was himself previously an inmate in Evin Prison, tweeted on Tuesday that Even if a prisoner is led to a situation to commit suicide, still the government should be held accountable for the loss of life. A number of Iranian MPs have also expressed concern over Emamis death in custody. In a span of a week, another Israeli minister from the 12-member security cabinet has made tough statements about Irans presence in Syria, this time threatening President Bashar al-Assad. Energy and Water Minister Yuval Steinitz said on Monday, Assad is the weak link in the Iranian-Shia axis and he should not forget that when allowing Iran to expand its military presence in the country, reports The Jerusalem Post. In an Israeli Army radio interview, Steinetz threatened action against Assad, if Iran crosses Israels red lines, including turning Syria into a forward base for the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) or allowing Hezbollah to upgrade its missile capabilities to more precise warhead delivery vehicles. Assad and Hezbollah are the same, and if there will be an attack against us, we will not be obligated to act only against the source of the attack, he said. We will reserve the right to choose the right front, Steinetz emphasized. A week earlier, Education Minister Naftali Bennett, who is also a member of the security cabinet, had told a conference in Tel Aviv that action must be taken against the Islamic Republic directly. (Reuters) - Israel will face "more surprises" should it again attack Syrian territory, Damascus said on Tuesday, after Syria's air defenses shot down an advanced Israeli warplane during the fiercest flare-up between the old foes in 36 years. The F-16 jet was hit over northern Israel on Saturday as it returned from a raid on a Syrian position blamed for launching an Iranian-made drone across the border. Iran is supporting President Bashar al-Assad in Syrias near seven-year civil war. "Have full confidence the aggressor will be greatly surprised, because it thought this war - this war of attrition Syria has been exposed to for years - had made it incapable of confronting attacks," Assistant Foreign Minister Ayman Sussan said. "God willing, they will see more surprises whenever they try to attack Syria," Sussan said during a Damascus news conference. The downed F-16 was the first warplane Israel has lost to enemy fire since its 1982 Lebanon war. Its two-man crew survived, with injuries, after bailing out of the stricken jet. Israel retaliated by destroying around half of Syria's anti-aircraft batteries, according to an initial assessment shared with Reuters by an Israeli official who requested anonymity. Israel has said it will press ahead with missions in Syria, where it has launched scores of sorties against suspected arms transfers to Iranian-sponsored Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas. "There are no limitations, and nor do we accept any limitations," Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman told reporters during a tour of Israel's border with Syria and Lebanon. "We will continue to defend our vital security and other interests. And I would like to paraphrase the well-known saying: 'This is not the time to bark, this is the time to bite.'" Tehrans involvement in Syria, including the deployment of Iran-backed forces near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, has alarmed Israel. It has also has accused Iran of building precision-guided missile factories for Hezbollah in Lebanon. Syria and Hezbollah celebrated the F-16 shoot-down as a blow to Israeli military superiority. Israel's Army Radio said on Tuesday that investigators believed pilot error - rather than Syrian capabilities - were mainly at fault for the F-16's failure to evade what was probably an aged SA-5 missile. Israeli military spokesman declined to comment on that report, saying the investigation was ongoing. Saturday's incident stirred up further questions in Israel about the effectiveness of a coordination mechanism set up with Russia, which has also been reinforcing and arming Assad's army. Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to the flare-up by urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid escalation in Syria. Moscow said on Monday it did not have information to support Israel's allegation about an Iranian military presence in the site bombed for launching the drone. Zeev Elkin, a Russian-speaking Israeli cabinet minister who serves as Netanyahu's interpreter in the talks with Putin, defended the coordination mechanism on Tuesday as granting Israel "freedom of action in the skies above Lebanon and Syria". "I don't think the Russians ever pledged that they would take military action against the Iranians and the Syrians for us," Elkin told Israel Radio. "We are going one-on-one against the Syrians. We don't need assistance from the Russians. We know how to deal with Syrian anti-aircraft fire, as everyone ultimately saw." Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 Trend: U.S. Ambassador Robert F. Cekuta and Head of the Kurdemir District Executive Authority Jeyhun Jafarov opened the Kurdemir Career Day Feb.13. Forty young people from the Kurdemir and Fizuli IDP communities, as well as Ministry of Culture representatives participated. Ambassador Cekuta met with the young Career Day participants to learn about their aspirations and offer ideas and resources for building a strong future. U.S. Embassy staff and the Kurdemir American Corner introduced students to the latest technology tools that are part of the Embassys Maker Space, such as 3D printers and robotics. They also offered students presentations about career development resources and U.S. exchange and education opportunities. In his remarks, Ambassador Cekuta highlighted the United States long-standing commitment to Azerbaijans IDP community as part of the overall U.S. effort to help Azerbaijanis create new opportunities and strong future careers. The United States has provided over $1.3 billion in assistance to Azerbaijan since 1991, including $125 million to internally displaced Azerbaijanis. The American Corner Program, which includes a flagship Baku American Center at the Azerbaijan University of Languages and regional American Corners in Kurdemir, Ganja, Salyan and Khachmaz, is an excellent resource for Azerbaijanis to improve their English, access information about the United States, learn more about educational or exchange opportunities, or participate in innovative high-tech projects at the Maker Space. The Corners offer lectures, conversation clubs, and a variety of other activities, as well as free internet and computer access for everyone in the community. For more information about the Kurdemir American Center, please visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kurdemirac or contact the U.S. Embassys Information Center at 488 3300, x3617. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Azad Hasanli - Trend: Operation of German companies in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan is unacceptable, Azerbaijani Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev said. He made the remarks on Feb. 13 at a meeting with a delegation led by Wolfgang Buechele, chairman of Germanys Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations, Azerbaijans Economy Ministry said in a message. Azerbaijan informed the German side about the companies that illegally operate in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region. In turn, Buechele noted that he will study this issue and will inform the Azerbaijani side about this. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.13 By Ilhama Isabalayeva Trend: Studies conducted by the Institute of History of Azerbaijan's National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) proved that until 1918 there never was an Armenian state in the South Caucasus, the institute's director Yagub Mahmudov told Trend. Mahmudov said that the fundamental research -"The Iravan Khanate: the Russian occupation and the relocation of Armenians to the lands of North Azerbaijan", which is a collaborative work of historians, has been translated into Russian, English, Romanian, Italian, Spanish and Arabic languages. Also, soon the "Iravan Khanate" book will be published in Turkish and German languages. Mahmudov stressed that the speech by President Ilham Aliyev at the 6th Congress of the New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) relied on historical facts, historical reality. "Irevan is our historical land, and we, Azerbaijanis must return to these historic lands," President Ilham Aliyev said in his speech. Meanwhile, Yagub Mahmudov said that Armenians around the world conduct propaganda, claiming that they are the most ancient people of this region, while the Azerbaijanis were resettled here. "I state once again - Armenians were resettled, as say the sources and the "father of history", Herodotus. He says the Armenians are descendants of the Phrygians, who migrated to the Van lake from the Balkan Peninsula," said Mahmudov. He went on to add that Armenians are not aborigines of the South Caucasus, they were moved to these lands by tsarist Russia from the Ottoman Empire and Iran. "We have thousands of archival documents on the resettlement of Armenians. Adopted on May 29, 1918 under international pressure, the decision of the National Council of the Azerbaijani Democratic Republic (ADR) to transfer Irevan to Armenians was a mistake. For the adoption of this decision, 16 of 28 National Council members voted. On June 1, the deputies from Irevan Mirhidayat Seyidov, Bagir Rzayev, Narimanbek Narimanbekov expressed their protest, saying that it was an unlawful decision,"Mahmudov said. According to him, the documents prove that, according to the Batumi talks and treaties (May 11 - June 4, 1918), the Armenians undertook a number of commitments, after being given Irevan and nearby Azerbaijani lands. "The government of the Republic of Armenia has pledged to involve all military forces for withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from Baku as soon as possible. The Armenian side committed to stop the massacre committed by Armenian armed groups in Azerbaijani counties against Muslims. The Armenian government also committed to ensuring the rights of Muslims to free religion, to receive education in their native tongue in Irevan and other territories of the newly created Armenian state. Batumi talks reached an agreement that the Armenians should give up their territorial claims against Azerbaijan, "Mahmudov said. However, when the Armenians achieved their goals, they unilaterally violated all their obligations, continued their aggressive policy, the scientist added. "Thus, the relevant paragraphs of the Batumi Treaty and the decision of the National Council of the ADR of May 29, 1918, have lost their legal force. Therefore, the decision of the National Council of ADR should be reviewed and the historical right of the Azerbaijani people to Irevan and surrounding lands should be restored, "said Mahmudov. Mahmudov noted that the Armenian state, created on May 29, 1918 on the Azerbaijani land with an area of 9,000 square kilometers, with the direct help of Moscow, brought the area of its territory to 29,743 square kilometers. The director of the institute stressed that the territory of modern Armenia is the land of the Irevan Khanate, which was an Azerbaijani state. "In 2016-2017 the Institute of History published numerous works on the history of the Irevan khanate, which describes the Irevan city was destroyed, the ancient cultural center of Azerbaijan. At the beginning of the 20th century there were 310 mosques in the territory of the Irevan province, today only one mosque in the territory of Armenia remains - the Blue Mosque," Mahmudov said. "The Azerbaijani soldier should know that the land under the feet of provocative Armenians is Azerbaijani land. The enemy can never defeat Azerbaijanis on Azerbaijani soil. Those who rule the Armenian state today must fundamentally change their political course. The Armenians cannot defeat us by sitting in our historic city of Irevan," Mahmudov said. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: An International Khojaly Symposium will be held in Ankara on the 26th anniversary of Khojaly tragedy, Turkish media reported. The international symposium will be held at Yldrm Beyazt University on Feb.26-27. On Feb. 25-26, 1992, the Armenian armed forces, together with the 366th infantry regiment of Soviet troops, stationed in Khankendi, committed an act of genocide against the population of the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly. As many as 613 people, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old people were killed in the massacre. Eight families were totally exterminated, 130 children lost one parent and 25 children lost both. Some 1,275 innocent residents were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 people still remains unknown. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 Trend: The CIS Interparliamentary Assembly will create and send a group of observers to monitor the process of preparing and holding the presidential election in Azerbaijan, to be held on April 11, 2018, said a message published on the website of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly Feb. 13. "Speaker of the Azerbaijani parliament Ogtay Asadov sent an invitation to Valentina Matvienko, chairwoman of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the CIS Council, speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia, for the group of observers from the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, the message said. In his letter, Asadov emphasized that the Republic of Azerbaijan attaches great importance to the further development and intensification of all-round ties with the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly," the message said. The CIS Interparliamentary Assembly will send a group of observers to Azerbaijan, consisting of the parliamentarians of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly member-states, as well as the representatives of the Secretariat of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly and experts of the International Institute for Monitoring Democracy Development, Parliamentarism and Suffrage Protection of Citizens of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly Member-States. At the stage of long-term monitoring, the experts of the International Institute for Monitoring Democracy Development, Parliamentarism and Suffrage Protection of Citizens of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly Member-States and the representatives of the Baku branch of the International Institute for Monitoring Democracy Development, Parliamentarism and Suffrage Protection of Citizens will analyze the compliance of Azerbaijan's electoral legislation with international election standards. Moreover, they will collect and assess information characterizing the electoral processes and activity of legislative, executive and judicial structures during the presidential election in Azerbaijan. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Ilhama Isabalayeva Trend: Reconstruction work on the Guba Genocide Memorial Complex and burial of the human remains are carried out in order to express a respect of Azerbaijani society to the deceased, vice-president of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan and a member of the investigation committee of the Guba Genocide Memorial Complex academician Isa Habibbeyli told Trend. According to the scientist, the committee, created by the order of the head of Presidential Administration, reviewed the actual issues, held a meeting with participation of local executive authorities and assessed the situation in regard to research of the Guba burial site and preparation of proposals a year ago. The proposals were presented to the Presidential Administration. One of the proposals suggested burying remains from the mass graves according to the national and religious traditions, Habibbeyli said. Brutally killing people, Armenians had thrown their bodies to the wells. They were not buried according to the national and religious traditions, thats why now they have to be interred to graves and, I believe, both religious traditions and scientific principles are to be complied with in such case, the scientist said. Representatives of different nations are among the buried, the academician said. He added, that most of the killed are Azerbaijanis, but there were Jews, Lezgins and peoples of other ethnic groups. The human remains have already been buried in separate graves according to the national and religious traditions, Habibbeyli said. Reconstruction work is ongoing at the burial site. The burial demonstrates Armenian atrocities against Azerbaijanis and some remains have been kept open to show this brutality, the scientist said. Guba mass burial site raised due to the genocide committed by Armenians against Azerbaijanis in May 1918 was discovered on April 1, 2007 during construction work carried out on the area and serves as an evidence of the events. Two wells and two aryks (small aqueducts) filled with human remains were found during the work on the area of 514 square meters. One of the wells came down in 20072008. On December 30, 2009, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on the establishment of the Guba memorial complex to the victims of genocide in Guba region. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.13 Trend: Azerbaijan's energy projects are not limited to only Shah Deniz-2, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev said. President Aliyev made the remarks in talks with a delegation led by Chairman of Germany's Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations Wolfgang Buchele. The head of state voiced his satisfaction with the activity of Uniper Global Commodities in Azerbaijan, expressing hope that the company will continue successful cooperation in the future. Stressing that the energy sector is successfully developing in Azerbaijan, President Aliyev said the country is implementing global projects in this sector. The Southern Gas Corridor is of great importance, he added. The head of state said Azerbaijan is the initiator and leader of this project and soon ministers will meet in Baku as part of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council. "Azerbaijan's energy projects are not limited to Shah Deniz-2 ," President Aliyev said, adding that talks are in the active phase with a number of world's leading companies on new fields. Thus, oil and natural gas production in Azerbaijan will remain stable and will further increase in the future, said the president. Speaking of the importance of extending the contract on development of the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli fields by 2050, the head of state said this shows that Azerbaijan together with the world's leading companies will be able to jointly develop these giant fields at least for 30 years from now on. "All of this contributes to the welfare of population, the strengthening of the country's economy, and the energy security of our partners." Noting the importance of the strong support for the Southern Gas Corridor project by the European Commission, President Ilham Aliyev wished success to Uniper Global Commodities in Azerbaijan. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 Trend: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order approving the state program for development of citrus fruit growing for 2018-2025. According to the order, Azerbaijans Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Economy have been instructed to take the necessary measures every year during formation of state budget and state investment programs in order to take account of the funds for financing the events envisaged in the approved state program. The Ministry of Agriculture has been instructed to coordinate the implementation of the events envisaged in the state program and to inform the Azerbaijani president about the state programs implementation once in a year. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 Trend: A fourth-year Process Automation Engineering student of Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) Ayaz Samadli, who became a winner of 10th Grant competition conducted by the Youth Foundation under the President of the Azerbaijan Republic, has successfully completed a project entitled "Development of Algorithmic Thinking". The Higher School provided the organizational support to the project implementation. The final stage of the project, which was held at BHOS, gathered teachers of the Process Automation Engineering department including senior instructor Suleyman Suleymanzadeh and senior lecturer, Head of Internet of Things laboratory Abbas Alili, as well as students of the Higher School and other national universities. The project author Ayaz Samadli gave detailed information about objectives and prospects of the project. The project comprising ten training sessions started on December 11, 2017, he said. Participation in the project was held through competition and the first 28 winners gained the right to take part in it. Students from six leading universities of the country, as well as pupils of the lyceum named after academician Zarifa Aliyeva, attended the training courses. The participants learned about algorithms and data structures and importance of their application, and practiced their theoretical knowledge through the e-olymp.com site, which is a system of code-based evaluation. At the end of the training, a special contest was held among the participants to evaluate the knowledge and skills they gained. Speaking at the event, senior teachers of the Process Automation Engineering department Abbas Alili and Suleyman Suleymanzadeh wished the students every success in their future activities. The participants talked about importance of their involvement in the training courses aimed at developing of algorithmic thinking and shared their views on the ways of applying their new knowledge. The students who successfully participated in the project were awarded with certificates and the contest winners were presented with various gifts. Thailands central bank said on Monday it had asked financial institutions not to get involved in cryptocurrency transactions for fear of possible problems from the unregulated trading, Reuters reports. Banks are prohibited from investing or trading in cryptocurrency, offering cryptocurrency exchanges and creating platforms for cryptocurrency trading, the central banks governor, Veerathai Santiprabhob, said in a circular. They are also banned from allowing clients to use credit cards to buy cryptocurrency, and from advising customers on investing or trading in cryptocurrency, the bank said. The central bank said cryptocurrencies were not legal tender in Thailand and it was worried that they may be used in illegal activities such as money laundering or supporting terrorism. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Maksim Tsurkov - Trend: The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway initiated by Azerbaijan is undoubtedly the main regional transport project of the 21st century, which is becoming increasingly popular. The BTK railway will serve to increase the transit potential of the countries of the region. This railway connected Asia with Europe. Of course, such railways already existed, but namely the BTK is the shortest and quickest way for delivery of goods from one part of the world to another. Another important advantage of the BTK is safety, which is important for all participants of cargo transportation process - the sender, the carrier and the recipient. The BTK railway became one of the popular topics of discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev spoke about the railway to the leaders of the countries and the biggest companies of the world. The Central Asian countries, including Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, as well as Pakistan, China and India, showed particular interest in the project. All of them are big and promising markets. The BTK railway was opened on Oct. 30 last year, and more than 500 containers have been transported via it so far. The transportation will only grow in the future. Javid Gurbanov, head of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC, told reporters last week that the first cargo train from Austria to Kazakhstan will soon be sent via the BTK. Thus, this will be the first and obviously not the last cargo train from Europe to pass along the railway. The Czech Republic, Bulgaria, the Baltic countries are also interested in the use of the BTK railway. Even Russia, which has own railway network, showed interest in the BTK. Javid Gurbanov said that Russian metallurgical companies are ready to send 70,000 tons of metallurgical products from Russia to Turkey every month. Turkey itself is also unlikely to miss the opportunity to establish cargo flows by rail to Russia. In May this year, passenger transportation along the BTK will be launched. Passengers will also be able to freely travel from Asia to Europe and in the opposite direction via the BTK railway through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, and further through the railway tunnel under the Bosphorus strait. In general, Azerbaijans entire railway infrastructure has been flourishing in recent years. In accordance with the relevant instructions of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the existing railway lines are being upgraded, modern rolling stock is being purchased, and several important projects will be launched this year. The speed of trains will increase as a result of the reconstruction of the Baku-Boyuk Kasik railway (part of the BTK). In addition, the investment program for this year envisages modernization of the Baku-Yalama and Baku-Astara (Azerbaijan) railways, construction of the Baku suburban railway with the creation of 23 new stations at the same time. Laying the railways to Azerbaijans Gabala district and the Shahdag Mountain Resort and their subsequent possible merger will also become the most important projects. Thus, thanks to the attention and care of the Azerbaijani president, the railway transportation, which is one of the main parts of Azerbaijans transport system, is now at the stage of rapid development and within the next 5-7 years the Azerbaijani railways will be brought to the international level. This will bring significant dividends to Azerbaijans economy and will make life easier for Azerbaijani citizens who will be able to safely, quickly and conveniently travel across the country. --- Maksim Tsurkov is Trend News Agencys staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @MaksimTsurkov Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Nigar Guliyeva - Trend: Uzbekistan and Ukraine plan to cooperate in breeding of pigs and cattle, Uzbek media reported. In February, a delegation of the Ukrainian Stock Breeders Association led by its chairman Iryna Palamar will visit Uzbekistan. The Ukrainian delegation will hold talks at the Agriculture and Water Resources Ministry of Uzbekistan with the participation of the leadership of the Nasle Hizmat Association of Livestock Breeding, the Governor of the Tashkent Region and heads of farms. By autumn of 2017, Uzbekistan has signed eight import contracts worth 8.7 billion soums for the purchase of almost 3,500 goats from France, Germany, Russia and the Czech Republic. In 2017, the output of livestock products increased in Uzbekistan by 4.2 percent in value terms and amounted to 21.1 trillion soums, including meat in live weight - by 5 percent to 2.3 million tons. The number of cattle increased by 1.9 percent and exceeded 12.4 million cattle, including cows - by 4.8 percent to 4.4 million, sheep and goats - by 5 percent to 20.7 million and poultry - by 6.4 percent to 71.3 million. The official exchange rate for Feb. 13 is 8188.33 UZS / USD Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.13 By Nigar Guliyeva - Trend: The volume of bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and South Korea reached $ 1.2 billion a year, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Sukhrob Kholmuradov said at the Uzbek-Korean business dialogue in Tashkent. During the dialogue, the sides thoroughly discussed the prospects for expanding mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. "We have achieved turnover of $1.2 billion a year, but we can confidently say that we have all the opportunities for a significant increase of these figures," Kholmuradov said. He stressed that South Korea is rightly considered one of the key partners of Uzbekistan, as well as a friend, an investor and participant in large-scale programs implemented in the republic aimed at structural transformation, modernization of the economy, expansion and production of competitive products, and an increase in exports. Kholmurodov noted that today more than 70 representative offices of Korean companies operate in Uzbekistan, 440 enterprises with Korean investments operate in almost all sectors of the economy, whose trade volumes exceeded $5 billion. In turn, Executive Vice President for Business Information and Trade at KOTRA Won Sok Yun, referring to the data of Korean side's statistics, also confirmed that the volume of bilateral trade between the countries is growing and over the year it increased by 35 percent. "Korea mainly supplies to Uzbekistan automobile parts, machinery and chemical products, while cotton and textiles are imported from Uzbekistan to Korea. Now the most active investments in Uzbekistan are made by Daewoo, Samsung and LG, thanks to a new policy to attract foreign investment," he stressed. Recently, Korean companies take an active part in the development of the economy of Uzbekistan. In recent years, new areas of partnership have been opened, a number of joint projects are being implemented in the oil and gas industry, energy, education, information technology, engineering, chemical industry and others. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Anvar Mammadov Trend: Private tax declaration system must be implemented in Azerbaijan, president of American Chamber of Commerce in Azerbaijan (AmCham) Nuran Kerimov said addressing the Taxes. Transparency. Development conference on Feb. 13. According to Kerimov, a taxpayer must be sure of collected money being spent on important social and economic initiatives. The head of AmCham also proposed to revise fiscal tax load. The corporate tax load in Azerbaijan is not too high; nevertheless the fiscal tax load should be revised. Current tax load is too heavy for the employees and entrepreneurs. It is high time to consider this, Kerimov added. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Anvar Mammadov Trend: The scope of simplified tax subjects must be expanded in Azerbaijan, head of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations of Azerbaijan Mammad Musayev said addressing the Taxes. Transparency. Development conference on Feb. 13. Total taxable operations volume quota for any month of a year, to enroll for the simplified tax payment, must be increased to 500,000 manats. Current maximum operations volume to be eligible for the simplified tax is 200,000 manats. In the simplified tax payment system legal entities are exempted from VAT, profit tax and property tax, whereas individuals dont pay VAT and profit tax. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Anvar Mammadov - Trend: Transparency will be ensured in the tax system of Azerbaijan, Minister of Taxes Mikayil Jabbarov said addressing the Taxes. Transparency. Development conference on Feb. 13. Extensive work is ongoing in this direction, he added. We started reorganization of structure and management principles of tax authorities, the minister said. The process of establishment of a new, dynamic tax administration, based on modern management principles and satisfying all the demands, has begun. Jabbarov noted that improving the principles of working with taxpayers and holding tax supervision by using information technologies will become the main goal of the ministry. The work is underway to address the issues of concern for entrepreneurs, especially problems when conducting tax inspections, the minister said. We understand that in order to increase budget revenues, the fiscal burden on entrepreneurs has increased in recent years, there have been cases of exerting pressure on businessmen. Jabbarov noted that the fiscal burden of taxpayers should be distributed evenly. Fiscal obligations should be formed based on real growth indicators and in accordance with the revenues received, he added. Jabbarov also noted the need to eradicate corruption in the tax authorities. We have already begun to clean up our own ranks, and this process will continue, he said. At the same time, we will re-define the powers and responsibility of the tax authorities. All disputable issues will be explained with the participation of a taxpayer to prevent unreasonable financial sanctions. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Maksim Tsurkov Trend: Another freight train was sent off from Kazakhstan to Turkeys Mersin port city via the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway, Kazinform news agency reported with reference to the Kostanay branch of KTZ-Freight Transportation JSC Feb. 13. Reportedly, the first batch of wheat has been recently transported from the Kostanay region to Mersin port. Kazakhstans Asun LLP transported its wheat to Turkey. According to the branch of KTZ-Freight Transportation JSC, 1,500 tons of Kostanay wheat will be sent for export in batches in 72 wagons. "Presently, we transport wheat from Kostanay to Turkey, Kazinform quoted Askar Mamedov, director general of Asun LLP, as saying. In the future, we intend to transport peas, lentils and other cereals in this direction. Turkey has great demand for our Kostanay agricultural products and it is ready to cooperate with us." "This is a very promising direction for our shippers," Berik Kaidarov, director of the Kostanay branch of KTZ-Freight Transportation JSC, said. A new, rapidly developing transit route for transportation of Kostanay products provides producers with such additional opportunities in Kazakhstan as opening of new sales markets in a new direction, concluding of new contracts with new market participants. The official opening ceremony of the BTK railway was held in Baku Oct. 30, 2017. The BTK railway was constructed on the basis a Georgian-Azerbaijani-Turkish intergovernmental agreement. The railways peak capacity will be 17 million tons of cargo per year. At an initial stage, this figure will be one million passengers and 6.5 million tons of cargo. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @MaksimTsurkov Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Anvar Mammadov - Trend: The Azerbaijani Taxes Ministry will study the use of approaches based on the blockchain technology which will help organize the work of tax bodies at a higher level, Azerbaijani Minister of Taxes Mikayil Jabbarov said at the conference "Taxes: Transparency: Development" in Baku Feb. 13. He said that the service system of the Taxes Ministry must be improved to meet the requirements and expectations of taxpayers. "Each taxpayer must have access to any service at any time and from any place, he said. The new technologies must completely transfer contacts with taxpayers to the e-format and enable to achieve transparency in these relations," the minister said. Jabbarov added that the Taxes Ministry has been actively using information technologies for many years and will continue that policy in the future. "Digitalization of tax administration has a cumulative effect, he said. Technologies are the basis for increasing the level of voluntary compliance with tax legislation. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.13 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) can allocate $3.6 million worth funds to Azerbaijan in 2019 for financing a range of projects, according to the draft budget of the US State Department and USAID. In 2019, USAID can issue $3 million worth funds to Azerbaijan to support the countrys economic development and $600,000 for professional military education in the country. For 2018, it is planned to give only $600,000 to Azerbaijan to support professional military education, including various trainings and courses in the country. No funds are planned for Azerbaijan for other two categories in 2018. Azerbaijan received $639,000 from USAID in 2017 for the abovementioned purposes, while another $1 million was allocated as military financing. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Deatils added (14:04) Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Anvar Mammadov - Trend: The Taxes Ministry of Azerbaijan is developing a new package of amendments to the Tax Code, Azerbaijani Minister of Taxes Mikayil Jabbarov said at the conference "Taxes: Transparency: Development" in Baku Feb. 13. He said that a package of changes to the Tax Code will help solve key problems in the tax administration that entrepreneurs face. "This package will be submitted to the government for consideration as part of the process of forming the 2019 state budget. The main attention will be paid to reducing the share of the shadow economy and encouraging the transition to a legal economy. We intend to ensure this transformation so that it become favorable for entrepreneurs. We are ready to cooperate both with businessmen, and with the government and parliament to develop the changes," the minister said. The minister noted that changes in economic policy require appropriate changes to the Tax Code, but frequent changes complicate the planning process for entrepreneurs, and additives can lead to unplanned tax risks. "We consider it undesirable to amend the Tax Code every year, several times a year. Since the Tax Code entered into force, 680 articles and 1,548 items have been amended. This reflect the lack of a systematic approach and allow to achieve only short-term goals. Such goals should not prevail over more global tasks such as creating a favorable business environment and attracting foreign investments to Azerbaijan. The business likes stability and face difficulties in adapting to annual changes, "Jabbarov said. The minister said it is necessary to ensure the stability of the legislation and direct it to support the entrepreneurship development. First of all, according to Jabbarov, it is necessary to monitor the tax legislation, assess the effectiveness of the existing system of preferences and the possibilities for further improving the tax system. Details added (14:09) Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Anvar Mammadov Trend: Taxes Ministry of Azerbaijan may reduce the number of inspections, Azerbaijani Minister of Taxes Mikayil Jabbarov said. "We can reduce the number of tax inspections and will do this. But this step does not mean weakening the control system. Tax inspections should be carried out remotely, using innovative tools such as a tax risk management system," Jabbarov said at the "Taxes. Transparency. Development" conference in Baku Feb. 13. He said the ministry aims to achieve a trust in relations between tax authorities and taxpayers. "But transparency must be respected not only by tax authorities; businesses must also comply with obligations. The state expects the entrepreneurs properly compile accounts and fulfill their obligations in exchange for a favorable business environment created in the country. The principle is simple - observe the law and you will not face tax authorities," Jabbarov said. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Nigar Guliyeva Trend: The first Uzbek-Korean trading house will open in Seoul this March, Uzbek media reported referring to Foreign Trade Minister Jamshid Khodjaev. "We are ready to expand direct supplies of strategic goods, such as uranium concentrate, non-ferrous and rare-earth metals, as well as cable and wire products, cotton yarn, ready-made textiles, fruit and vegetable and other demanded products to the Republic of Korea," the minister said. The minister added that Uzbekistan can purchase from Korea the high-tech equipment to meet the needs of the country's industry sector. In this regard, the Uzbek side intends to actively use the opportunities of the Uzbek-Korean trade house in Seoul, which will begin operating in March this year. The sides agreed on opening of the Uzbek-Korean trade house and show room in Seoul, where Uzbek products will be presented, as part of the state visit of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Korea last year. The volume of bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and South Korea reached $ 1.2 billion a year. Recently, Korean companies take an active part in the development of the economy of Uzbekistan. In recent years, new areas of partnership have been opened, a number of joint projects are being implemented in the oil and gas industry, energy, education, information technology, engineering, chemical industry and others. Today more than 70 representative offices of Korean companies operate in Uzbekistan, 440 enterprises with Korean investments operate in almost all sectors of the economy, whose trade volumes exceeded $5 billion. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.13 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: OPEC compliance with the oil output cut deal has reached 137 percent, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its Oil Market Report. OPEC crude oil production in January was steady month-on-month (m-o-m) at 32.16 million barrels per day. Higher Nigerian output offset losses elsewhere. Compliance with supply cuts reached a new high of 137 percent, said the report. This is while IEA estimates that non-OPEC output dropped by 175,000 barrels per day in January, to 58.6 million barrels per day, but was 1.3 million barrels per day higher than a year ago. US crude output, up 1.3 million barrels per day year-on-year (y-o-y), will soon overtake Saudi Arabia and could catch Russia by the end of the year. Compliance with output cuts by non-OPEC countries was 85 percent, said the report. IEA experts believe that in 2018, fast rising production in non-OPEC countries, led by the US, is likely to grow by more than demand. For now, the upward momentum that drove the price of Brent crude oil to $70 per barrel has stalled; partly due to investors taking profits, but also as part of the corrections we have seen recently in many markets. Most importantly, the underlying oil market fundamentals in the early part of 2018 look less supportive for prices, said the report. OPEC and several other non-OPEC producers have reached an agreement to extend the production deal for a further nine months. This would shift the expiration date of the agreement from March to the end of 2018. The agreement is on the same terms as those agreed in November 2016. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Maksim Tsurkov - Trend: Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov has met with a delegation led by Wolfgang Buechele, chairman of Germanys Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations, Azerbaijani Energy Ministry said in a message Feb. 13. The delegation included representatives of such German companies as GP Gunter Papenburg AG, Herrenknecht AG, Uniper Global Commodities SE, Airbus Group International, CLAAS Global Sales GmbH. At the meeting, the German companies engaged in production of drilling equipment and laying underground gas pipelines expressed interest in cooperation with Azerbaijan. Shahbazov noted that the economic relations between the two countries are developing in the non-oil sector and stressed that a large share of Germanys trade with the countries of the South Caucasus accounts for Azerbaijan. More than 200 German companies operate in Azerbaijan, Shahbazov said. Buechele, in turn, stressed the need to create favorable conditions for expanding cooperation in the economy, and in particular in the energy sector. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Huseyn Valiyev Trend: A new ecosystem for supporting start-ups will be created within the framework of the project on forming an innovation center by the High Technologies Park in Baku, a source in the country's IT market told Trend. The innovation center will be based in the building of the Khatai telecommunication center of the Baku Telephone Communication LLC. Work on the construction of the center is planned for the current year. The source noted that a new approach on supporting od startups will be that the residents of the LLC, like the startups themselves, will be located directly in the innovation center and will directly participate in the development of innovative projects. The project on the innovation center stipulates the reconstruction of the building with a total area of about 7,000 square meters, where the head office of the LLC, business incubation center, coworking center, laboratories, etc. will be located. As previously reported, 10 percent of the building's area will be used for administrative needs, and the remaining part will be allocated for start-up projects. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Maksim Tsurkov - Trend: Azerbaijan and China will soon sign a memorandum on cooperation in the tourism sector, Azerbaijani Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev said at a press conference on the Azerbaijani-Chinese economic relations on Feb. 13. Tourism is an extremely attractive area of cooperation, Mustafayev said. Every year, 120 million tourists from China visit other countries. As is known, group tours are very popular among the Chinese. After signing the memorandum, it will be possible to organize similar group tours of Chinese tourists to Azerbaijan. Details added (first version posted on 15:57) Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Maksim Tsurkov - Trend: Azerbaijan and China will soon sign a memorandum on cooperation in the tourism sector, Azerbaijani Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev said at a press conference on the Azerbaijani-Chinese economic relations on Feb. 13. Tourism is an extremely attractive area of cooperation, Mustafayev said. Every year, 120 million tourists from China visit other countries. As is known, group tours are very popular among the Chinese. After signing the memorandum, it will be possible to organize similar group tours of Chinese tourists to Azerbaijan. The foreign ministers of Russia, Iran and Turkey plan to meet next month to discuss the situation in Syria, Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov said on Tuesday, Reuters reports. The sides have yet to fix the exact date and location, Abdrakhmanov told reporters, but one of the options is the Kazakh capital, Astana, which will also host a fresh round of lower-level talks on Syria between the same three parties. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- Hours after allegations of domestic abuse came to light including stark photos of one ex-wife with a black eye and a harrowing account of violence from a second ex-wife former White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter sought to downplay the narrative, instead offering stories of household mishaps and minor squabbles to explain the womens wounds, two sources with knowledge of his account told ABC News. Porter told senior staffers his first ex-wife, Colbie Holderness, received a black eye and facial bruises during an argument as the two struggled over Venetian glass in their hotel room while on vacation in Venice in the early 2000s after they were married. He said that [Holderness] was ready to throw glass onto the floor to smash and they both lunged for the glass and there was a struggle, according to two people with knowledge of the account. Porter went on to say that she bruised her eye when she fell during their struggle and denied punching her. He also said that the was first time they had a physical altercation and that there were no elbows or knees involved. Holderness told the Daily Mail that he punched her in the face. In the case of the restraining order that his second ex-wife Jennifer Willoughby filed against him for allegedly breaking into their house with his fist, Porter said that he was merely tapping the glass pane with his index finger, according to the two people with knowledge of what he shared with senior staff. Porter said he and Willoughby were separated at the time. He returned to the house to collect his clothes, and while tapping the glass door pane with his index finger, his knuckle went through the glass. Porter said he went into the house to wrap up the wound but Willoughby told him to leave, and then she called the police. She said that he punched through the door with his fist, according to a criminal complaint reviewed by ABC News. Neither the White House nor Porter responded to requests for comment. The divergent tales and Porters own adamant denials to a group of senior staffers were part of what led the White House to initially defend him, sources told ABC News. In addition to the confusion over Porters accounts, there is also conflicting messaging on the actual timeline of events that led to Porters resignation on Wednesday. After delivering his account to senior White House staffers on Wednesday morning many of them encouraged Porter "to stay and fight," according to the source. A smaller number of those told were incredulous and thought his story wasn't believable. That afternoon White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders announced in the White House briefing room that Porter would resign, and defended him, saying the President and Chief of staff have had full faith in his ability and his performance. Its unclear if Porters account was shared with President Donald Trump and if that played a role in his decision to continue to defend Porter. In a tweet over the weekend the president implied the lives of the accused are being ruined, asking "is there no such thing any longer as Due Process?" It remains unclear why it took more than 12 hours after the photo of Holderness with a black eye surfaced for Chief of Staff General John Kelly to release a statement condemning Porter. Both Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney and legislative affairs director Marc Short seemed to provide on Sunday accounts inconsistent with the reported timeline of events that led to Porters resignation on Wednesday. I think what you saw happen this week was completely reasonable and normal, Mulvaney told Fox News on Sunday. He claimed that Porter had initially come to both Trump and Kelly with an explanation disputing the Daily Mails original story detailing spousal abuse but that it became obvious when the photographs came out that [Porter] was not being honest and we dismissed [Porter] immediately. But that timeline conflicts with how and when the series of events leading to Porters ouster were reported in the media. The Daily Mail posted the first interview with Willoughby on Tuesday night, followed by a separate story on Wednesday morning that included pictures of his first ex-wife Holdernesss black eye. Throughout the day on Wednesday, The White House said that Trump and Kelly continued to have confidence in him even after Porters resignation announcement. And it wasnt until 9:28 p.m. Wednesday night that Kelly released his updated statement saying he was shocked by the new allegations released today and that he accepted [Porters] resignation not that he was dismissed, as Mulvaney claimed. Short in his interview with Meet with the Press seemed to directly contradict Mulvaney, saying that I do know what Gen. Kelly has told me, which is he learned the full information on Tuesday and by Wednesday morning Rob Porter was out. White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders told reporters on Monday that after they learned the extent of the situation, within 24 hours his resignation had been accepted and announced. She added that the administration takes domestic violence very seriously. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. FT. LAUDERDALE, FL FEBRUARY 13, 2018 Bicom Systems, the only unified communications provider with all the right pieces in all the right places, announced the latest version of its Business Communications Solution package at ITEXPO this morning. New releases will include PBXware 5, gloCOM 5, gloCOM GO, and SERVERware 3. PBXware is a turnkey IP-PBX communications platform with unmatched scalability, flexibility, and reliability. Developed to increase efficiency, PBXware 5 will unite the latest technologies and in-house innovation in a brand new GUI. While a refreshed design is exciting and impressive, changes to PBXware will be anything but superficial. The new interface will feature enhanced navigation options and an array of tools to get more done in less time. For example, existing tools like call recording playback and the setup wizard will be embedded directly in the web interface. Brand new tools will enhance functionality with features like remote storage, notifications, and an online self-care dashboard. PBXware 5 will support productivity tracking with change records and queue statistics. gloCOM is a unified communications desktop application that enhances and simplifies day-to-day business communications. gloCOM 5 may not look much different on the surface, but changes under-the-hood will drastically improve security, reliability, and stability. The implementation of Asterisk 13 in PBXware will make it possible to push gloCOM further than ever before. Some of the most exciting new features will include improved voice quality for users on limited bandwidth, multi-device support, and integration with a range of other applications. gloCOM will be even easier to use thanks to multi-device support and improved integration with desk phones and even some headsets. gloCOM GO is a unified communications mobile app that puts all the functionality of your office in the palm of your hand. A new release of gloCOM GO for iOS and Android will greatly enhance functionality with several new features. Right off the bat, QR Code Scanning will make gloCOM GO quick and easy to start using. Basic communication capabilities will increase to include transfers to another device, contact, or number, as well as voicemail and individual or group chat. Push notifications will be supported to make gloCOM GO more practical. One particularly interesting feature that is coming is geo-location to automatically detect whether the user is in the office and adjust call behavior accordingly. SERVERware is a Cloud IP Services Delivery Platform with 99.999% redundancy and easy-to-use GUI administration. SERVERware 3 will be a more powerful and functional update to its predecessor. In keeping pace with advancing technologies, SERVERware 3 developers are updating the underlying virtualization technology to Linux Containers (LXC) and moving to Shared Storage in lieu of Duplication. These technical changes combined with a new dashboard and more features will form a more stable and powerful platform. SERVERware 3 will offer the convenience of two different editions: The Mirror Version, which will run on just the primary storage server, and the Cluster Version, which will run on multiple processing hosts. New tools will include built-in backup, continuous system monitoring, and performance statistics. Bicom Systems announced these updates at ITEXPO in Ft. Lauderdale. They are showcasing all seven of their Unified Communications products at the EXPO. Stephen Wingfield of Bicom Systems explains, Our seven core products make up all of the pieces needed to build and grow a Business Communications Solution. We support partners from the ground up with not only software, but also dedicated Account Managers that take a real interest in growing your company. Visit Bicom Systems at Booth 420 or attend their presentations on Thursday in Room 114. Learn more about PBXware, gloCOM, and SERVERware on the Bicom Systems website: www.bicomsystems.com. About Bicom Systems Bicom Systems is the worlds first and most mature Professional Open Standards Turnkey Telephony Platform. Since 2003, Bicom Systems has deployed flexible, reliable, and scalable New Generation Communication Systems to SMBs, enterprises, and governments worldwide by unifying the most advanced of latest technologies. For more information, please visit our website at www.bicomsystems.com or contact us at sales@bicomsystems.com today. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 Trend: Tajikistans National Bank carried out intervention in the amount $300 million to support the exchange rate of the national currency, Tajik Telegraph Agency TajikTA reported. "The credit organizations were provided with around $300 million to meet the demand for the US dollar in Tajikistan in 2017," the agency reported. According to the bank, the foreign exchange intervention was carried out in 2017 through the funds purchased for the Russian rubles rather than through gold and foreign exchange reserves. The exchange rate policy, based on the floating rate regime, was underway in 2017. According to the countrys National Bank, the official exchange rate of somoni against the US dollar decreased by 12 percent in 2017 (the decline was 10.8 percent in 2016). Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Khalid Kazimov Trend: Iranian Foreign Minister Spokesperson Bahram Qasemi has said that Iran will participate in the reconstruction of Iraq. Iran will continue its constructive role in the reconstruction of Iraq, IRNA news agency quoted him as saying. The spokesperson further added that Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will attend the Kuwait International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq. The conference kicked off Monday in Kuwait City, Kuwait's capital, with the focus on postwar reconstruction of Iraq and vital issues concerned. The three-day meeting brings together several economic powers as well as regional and international organizations to discuss the needed contributions to rebuilding Iraq in the post war era. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Khalid Kazimov Trend: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has unveiled his new plan to create new job opportunities in the country over the coming fiscal year (starting March 20). Under the plan, the government will support a scheme to replace aged residential units in the urban areas with new ones. This is an important plan aimed at creating job opportunities, improving the health condition of the nation and strengthening buildings against earthquake, Rouhani told an administrative meeting on February 13. According to the president, the owners of the residential units will hand over their houses to the government and will receive modern flats which are 20 percent larger than the old ones. President Hassan Rouhani told all government bodies to cooperate in fulfilling the plan and urged them to handover their empty lands in order to construct new residential units and new factories. The president believes that the scheme on the construction of new residential units is capable of creating up to 300,000 job opportunities in short-term. The president further called for easing regulations to facilitate employment in the country and said the issue of employment is the most significant demand of the people and important steps must be taken in this regards over the next year. According to the president, creating jobs in the fields of agriculture, IT and industry are on the government agenda, as well. Rouhani said that the government has considered plans to create 100,000 jobs in the field of IT over the next year. President Rouhani further touched upon plans to develop the agriculture sector and said the country is expected to equip about 390,000 hectares of agricultural lands with modern irrigation methods. Management and Planning Organization of Iran through its latest report has forecasted an unemployment rate of 12.1 percent with an economic growth of five percent over the next fiscal year (starting March 20). Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Khalid Kazimov Trend: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has pardoned 565 prisoners or commuted their sentences, following requests for amnesty by judiciary chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani. The decision was made on the occasion of the 39th anniversary of the countrys revolution in 199, ILNA news agency reported. Ayatollah Khamenei, as the nation's supreme leader, has the constitutional right to grant prisoners amnesty. Prisoners are often pardoned by Khamenei to mark holidays in Islamic Iran. Tehran, Iran, Feb. 13 By Kamyar Eghbalnejad Trend: SAIPA, Irans second largest carmaker, has announced plans for producing a new Renault brand in Iran. In line with policies aimed at deepening cooperation with our international partners, we are planning to manufacture a new product in cooperation with Renault over the coming year, CEO of SAIPA Mohsen Qasem-Jahroudi said at a conference on the automotive industry in Tehran on Tuesday. He further described the new product as low cost and "of quality". However, the official did not provide further information on the new product. According to the official, the carmakers daily output of SAIPA over the current fiscal year (starting March 20) reached 3,200 units. Over 1.253 million cars were produced in Iran during the first 10 months of the current Iranian fiscal year. The figure indicates a rise by 15.2 percent as compared to the same period of the preceding year, according to the Irans industry ministry. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Gazenfer Hamidov Trend: Iran decreased its oil output in January by 3,400 barrels per day month-on-month, OPEC said in its latest monthly report released on Feb. 12. Irans oil output decreased to 3.829 million barrels per day in January compared to 3.832 mb/d in December 2017. According to the report, Irans January output was 18,000 b/d more than the 2017 average and 314,000 b/d more than the 2016 output. The Islamic Republics oil output was 3.817 mb/d in January, according to an OPEC report based on direct communications, indicating a 12,000-barrel difference between OPEC's estimates and Irans data. Irans heavy oil price increased by 8.2 percent or $4.98 month-on-month to $65.85 per barrel in January. OPEC members decreased their oil output by 8,100 b/d in January to 32.302 mb/d, according to the report. Crude output increased mainly in Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Libya, while production mainly declined in Venezuela and Angola. Saudi Arabia was the top oil producer in OPEC with 9.977 mb/d of output, followed by Iraq (4.435 mb/d), Iran (3.829 mb/d), the UAE (2.864 mb/d) and Kuwait (2.707 mb/d). Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Khalid Kazimov Trend: The airport authority of southwestern province of Khuzestan has announced that the airport of Ahvaz city will not carry out any flights until further notice due to poor horizontal visibility over exposed areas. Mohammadreza Rezaei, the provincial aviation authority, has said that the horizontal visibility at airport has reduced to less than 200 meters, ISNA news agency reported. According to the official, two flights have already been canceled and no other flights will be conducted at Ahvaz airport until further notice. Last year, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously approved Irans proposed resolution titled Combatting Dust Storms. Iran's Ambassador to the UN Gholamali Khoshroo said that Iran is well familiar with the impacts of dust storms and for the same reason it has put countering it on its agenda. He said that the UN resolution clearly emphasized that dust storms adversely affects public health, urging the UN and World Health Organization (WHO) to work out a global strategy to aid the affected countries. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Fikret Dolukhanov Trend: President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev touched upon many actual topics of both internal and external nature, addressing the 6th congress of the New Azerbaijan Party on Feb. 8. Mentioning the success of Azerbaijan on the international scene, the head of state spoke about the reasons for the disastrous situation in neighboring Armenia. Fairly calling Armenia a political, economic, energy and transportation dead-end, Ilham Aliyev once again reminded that Azerbaijan and its people havent forgotten their historical lands Irevan Khanate, Zangazur and Goycha, and marked the return to these lands as our political and strategic goal. President Aliyevs speech caused a painful reaction in Armenia, which got used to unpunished attacks to its neighbors with territorial claims and convinced many sympathizing in its delirious anciency and indigenousness demagogy. His speech triggered a reply in the form of big "ancient and great Armenia" lie bag. This kind of reaction from the Armenian authorities was expected: they received a clear message that Azerbaijans patience wears thin and promises no good for Armenia, thus their statements arent even worth mentioning. But some representatives of Russian media began selectively collecting certain parts of these lies and pretentiously republishing them as analytics. Those articles, which have no trace of scientific ground and include no credible sources to support their (or maybe Armenian? cant tell too similar) delusional claims, literally accumulate all political and historical nonsense of the latest Armenian agitprop. Author of one of the first articles holds his discourse hopping from Chechen historiography to Alans, from Greek Homer to Croatians and trying to give himself credibility with such scientific and solid notions as trolling, internet hype and Armenian anecdotes. At the same time he blames Baku of war-mongering and history falsification. But the incompetence of the author is clearly seen as soon as he claims that Caucasian Albanians, who, it seems, however were not Turks, were some kind of Proto-Iranians. It is sad to see such absurdity challenging readers attention and time, because the author, who, it seems, however has no idea of the topic, shouldve read at least a few related Wikipedia articles, if he was in such a hurry to please someone with his commissioned writings. In foreign historiography (the author doesnt trust Azerbaijani sources, does he?) the Caucasian Albans are considered the ancestors of todays Caucasian-speaking nations. They also participated in ethnogenesis of Azerbaijani nation. An author of another article retells the Armenian version of history of Yerevan and Armenia (or Hayastan, how the author calls it, not touching upon the reasons for the difference), omitting the period of Irevan and Karabakh Khanates and hypocritically calling the Ottoman and Safavi rule occupation. "Why do you see the speck that is in your brothers eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye," - anyone remembers this one? Armenia, whose historical revisionism has never been doubted by anyone, is not getting tired of talking about its homemade sea-to-sea country concept based only on feverish fantasies and claiming lands of its neighbors. But such theories as well as the revanchist attitude dont worry the bribed authors. They prefer not to mention the Armenian state policy aimed to raising of new generations in the spirit of hatred towards everything Turkic and claims on vast areas of neighbors territories. For some reason, they dont consider these policies to be a source of racism and aggression. Never mind the state policy and historiography. The 30-year long occupation of Azerbaijani lands, which began with demonstrations of enraged crowd, worked up by the Armenian agitprop machine, putting the ideas of long-sufferance and due revenge into the heads of their people for decades, is out of sight of such scribblers. Everything mentioned is so clear that nothing new can be said to justify the true aggressor. How did it come, that those, writing long meaningless opuses worth of the 20th century propaganda leaflets, dont mention four resolutions of the UN Security Council, where Russia is a permanent member? How come that those, foolish enough to blame president of the neighboring country, with whom even according to Armenian media Russian President Vladimir Putin has very amiable relations, didnt find time to read at least one solid scientific source on the history of the region to see that the lands they write about had been belonging to Azerbaijani rulers and people for centuries? Maybe demagogy covering the naming of historical khanates and states in Caucasus has been circulating for so long that made some unable to differentiate between black and white? Then Id advice them to consider the history of Germany, Italy, Japan and even Russia itself countries formed by the consolidation of feudal states. Demagogy, however, has become a popular tool in the hands of Russian media outlets. The recent hysteria around Ukraine, the US and earlier Turkey, habituated some authors to solve certain tasks by idle talk and populism. Historical revisionism of modern pseudo-historians dropping unpleasant mentions of everything Scandinavian, Turkic or Mongolian is not seen, revanchist sentiments gaining momentum in the last years are not seen, demonization of West is not seen too. But as soon as there is an order for a few anti-Azerbaijani lines with great pleasure! Everything forgotten in Armenia necessity of stayaway from aggressive calls, inadmissibility of revisionism and revanchism and undesirability of political and historical antagonism are all applied only to Azerbaijan. Id suggest looking at the situation from a bit different angle though, for it only emphasizes vulnerability and weakness of Armenian government and everyone involved. We all know that small dogs tend to bark louder. But the Arabs say, "The dogs may bark, but the caravan moves on." To sum it all up - the patience is running thin. Azerbaijani president once again pointed to that. Hopefully, to some people this will serve as a wake-up call. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Turkey always feels the support of Azerbaijan, Metin Kulunk, MP from Turkeys ruling Justice and Development Party, told Trend. He said that there is no analogue of the partnership between Ankara and Baku. "Azerbaijan is the most important brotherly country for Turkey," the MP said. The stressed that in recent years, Turkey has faced many threats, including terrorist attacks, and in particular the attempt of a military coup by FETO terrorists. "At a time when the country was actively fighting against all threats, Azerbaijan has always been close to Turkey, and the reason for this is the fraternal relations between the two countries," Kulunk said. He noted that Turkey and Azerbaijan daily strengthen relations in all spheres. "With the implementation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars project (BTK), the relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan have been strengthened even more," he said, noting the great importance of the development of these relations. Turkey and Azerbaijan are the main countries of regional cooperation formats, such as Turkey-Azerbaijan-Georgia, Turkey-Azerbaijan-Iran, Turkey-Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan, and Turkey-Azerbaijan-Pakistan, he added. Kulunk also noted that Turkey, as before, will support Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "We know very well about the murders of civilians committed by the Armenians in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, and we will never forget this," he said. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili hosted European parliament members at the government administration, Agenda reports. Kvirikashvili introduced the MEPs with the implemented and ongoing reforms in Georgia. The parties further discussed Georgias European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. It was also highlighted that integration with the European Union (EU) remains Georgias main foreign priority. Welcoming the Georgian reforms, the MEPs expressed their unanimous support towards the countrys progress on its path to Euro-integration. They also reiterated their support towards the countrys sovereignty and territorial integrity. (Editors Note: The TMC team is at ITEXPO 2018 this week. And the cloud, communications, and customer experience are key topics of this event. Join us in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for this event. For more details, click here.) The hospitality division of Amadeus delivers next generation business solutions based on open, cloud technology for hospitality organizations and offers them as software as a service. The hospitality team at Amadeus is dedicated to partnering with its customers to help adapt to new business challenges and market opportunities, differentiate the guest and brand experience, and share success with key business stakeholders. Having incorporated more than 1,000 hospitality experts through acquisitions of companies over the years, it became critical for all frontline employees and leadership alike to preserve the relationships with customers around the world. Real-time visibility into the customer experience became especially critical for employees at all levels to address and meet the needs of their customer base. Before implementing an automated survey program, gathering customer feedback was often a manual process. This fostered a subjective and inconsistent invitation process. As a result, very low sample sets of responses ensued. As Amadeus continued to grow in the hospitality space worldwide, the team needed to implement a solution that would ensure the Voice of the Customer effort successfully grew with the business. We needed a solution that would enable us to standardize the methods for receiving feedback, while maintaining flexibility, promoting accountability and fostering organizational success, explained Alesha Bencivenga, director of customer support operations at Amadeus Hospitality. With Confirmit Horizons, Amadeus now conducts different surveys in multiple languages throughout the year, including transactional surveys and semi-annual relationship surveys. Feedback and results are then shared with relevant departments, including Customer Support, Sales, and Executives through real-time access to live dashboards and monthly reports. The data is personalized and shared with various levels of the organization based on their own needs and the information that will impact their key business decisions. Frontline representatives have access to live dashboards on Confirmit Horizons, providing a deepened awareness to the level of the service in real time. This allows frontline employees and project managers to re-evaluate their service, immediately make changes if needed, and incorporate the constructive feedback in future interactions. Senior leadership receives overall satisfaction and Net Promoter Score results for each business unit, key accounts and the program as a whole via monthly reports, allowing them to implement process improvements in their department. The Executive Team also receives a monthly report that emphasizes overall satisfaction and NPS scores from all surveys, providing a customer-driven aspect of the business. Continuous review of these metrics has augmented the customer-centric position that the hospitality division of Amadeus strives to represent. Finally, the Confirmit Horizons integration with Salesforce has allowed contact-specific survey responses to be shared in real time with the Amadeus hospitality team. The benefit of this insight into customer sentiment and level of satisfaction for all team members who interact directly with their customers is immeasurable. Using a Salesforce peer recognition program, team successes are posted openly for all members of the organization to view. The hospitality Customer Support team has expanded the program to also encompass department-specific peer recognition with their LEAF (Leadership, Excellence, Accountability, Focus) program. The hospitality division of Amadeus also leverages Confirmit Action Management alerts to engage Customer Support managers and Customer Relations in any missed expectations reported. With this added visibility, the team can re-evaluate and efficiently respond to email requests, celebrate team successes and receive immediate calls-to-action for client follow-ups. The division also has a more holistic perception of the customer journey, and of specific projects from initial contact to completed implementation. All that has given the hospitality division of Amadeus accountability, flexibility, and competitive advantage as it continues to grow worldwide. With a company-wide NPS goal of 50 or greater, as of August 2017, the hospitality division was at 76.4. The support overall satisfaction score has reached 9.28 as of August 2017 as well, with a goal of 8.6. Alesha Bencivenga noted: The holistic view and deeper understanding of the customer experience that the solution provides have enhanced our ability to keep the customer as our No. 1 priority. The hospitality division of Amadeus was also able to adjust its internal processes for better results. For example, through the surveys and subsequent customer feedback, the team learned its frontline Customer Support team was friendly and willing to help. However, there were concerns that the representatives werent as knowledgeable on certain subjects, thus hindering the customers experience and capability to view the representative as a true expert. To address this issue, the hospitality team at Amadeus hired a training implementation specialist to ensure all new and current employees are fully ready and able to provide informed, insightful information to their customers. The hospitality division of Amadeus also implemented the Admin 201 Salesforce certification program, offering all employees the opportunity to pass the certification exam. Following the feedback gathered from the transactional survey for Professional Services, the division created a twice-weekly standing meeting for Project Managers to work directly with Services leadership to plan out projects that are difficult to schedule or need a quick turnaround, for example. The implementation of these meetings has reduced the amount of project management overhead, cut down on mistakes in determining a projects scope and decreased the number of escalations from customers due to long lead times. The hospitality division of Amadeus also implemented a formal quoting process for the Sales team to determine the level of effort needed from Professional Services to deliver a specific solution. This has reduced the time that it takes for Sales to turn a quote around to a customer by reducing the possibility of inaccurate services line items or quantities in a sales order. Implementing this change has also minimized challenges with deployment by allowing the correction of order issues before delivery of the services in order to exceed a customers expectations during and after a project. The Voice of the Customer program drives our strategic theme to continue our customer intimacy strategy and increase customer satisfaction. By distributing the data, we offer employees insight into our customers sentiment and level of satisfaction. This information has proven to be vital to our success, said Erin Jacobsen, vice president of customer support at Amadeus Hospitality. As the hospitality division of Amadeus expands its footprint by offering a cloud-based platform approach to its customers for operational needs, they will look to Confirmit. The ability to integrate the data from Confirmit Horizons to Salesforce has provided an opportunity to better drive customer interactions for all employees and within the next few months the company will be looking to expand on how the data is displayed and reported on in Salesforce. A key focus for the next year will be using the feedback from the relationship survey in a more holistic manner. While this survey continues to provide valuable information, the worldwide scalability for area of improvement changes has remained challenging. By focusing its efforts across all business domains and regions, it can ensure that regardless of a customers physical location, the interaction with each department is consistent and guarantees a seamless experience with Amadeus hospitality team. Karine del Moro is vice president of marketing at Confirmit (www.confirmit.com). To learn more about Customer Experience, join TMC and friends this week at ITEXPO 2018. For example, theres a 1 p.m. session tomorrow/Wednesday titled How AI is Changing the Customer Experience. Featured speakers include Eric Bauer of AudioCodes, Bachir Halimi of Speech Mobility, Brett Lancaster of Ricoh USA, Muthusamy Selvaraj of Cloudbreak, and moderator Jon Arnold of J Arnold & Associates. Share this Page Edited by Ken Briodagh South Africas ruling party has given president Jacob Zuma 48 hours to resign, local media has reported, The Guardian reports. The decision to tell Zuma to stand down or face being stripped of his office was taken at a specially convened emergency meeting of the highest decision making body of the African National Congress near Pretoria, the administrative capital, late on Monday evening. A meeting of the ANCs national executive committee (NEC) was called after it became clear over the weekend that nearly five days of talks between Zuma and the deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa, who took over the leadership of the ANC in December, had failed. After nearly 10 hours of heated debate, Ramaphosa and a key ally of Zuma left the meeting shortly before midnight to drive to the presidents official residence to deliver an ultimatum: stand down or face recall, a technical term for the process of ordering an ANC official to leave their post. Zuma, who had led the ANC since 2007 and has been South Africas president since 2009, has come under increasing pressure to resign in recent weeks. His tumultuous nine years in power have been marred by economic decline and multiple charges of corruption that undermined the image and legitimacy of the party that led South Africans to freedom from apartheid in 1994. NATO expects eight allies to meet the bloc's benchmark of spending two percent of gross domestic product (GDP) on defense in 2018, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday, Xinhua reported. Speaking at a press conference ahead of defense ministers meetings later this week, Stoltenberg said the topic of fair burden-sharing would be high on the agenda. NATO allies agreed to move towards spending two percent of GDP on defense at Wales summit in 2014. "After years of decline, since 2014 we have seen three years of increasing defense spending across European allies and Canada, amounting to an additional 46 billion U.S. dollars," Stoltenberg said. "In 2014, only three allies spent two percent of GDP or more on defense. This year we expect eight allies to meet the target," he added. "And by 2024, we expect at least 15 allies will spend two percent of GDP or more on defense," Stoltenberg said, "but we still have a long way to go." Only five of the 29 NATO member states, including the United States, and Britain have so far met NATO's spending guidelines. Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed North Korea by phone on Monday, but the discussion was not in-depth, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday, Reuters reports. He also said that Trump offered U.S. help to Russia in investigating a fatal plane crash on Sunday which killed 71 people on board. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjrn Jagland will visit Turkey, the Turkish Foreign Ministry told Trend Feb. 13. The visit is scheduled for February 15-16, 2018. "This will be Jagland's third visit to Ankara over the last two years," the ministry said. During the visit, Jagland is expected to meet with the country's officials. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: The provision of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) terrorists with financial assistance worth $500 million by the US may completely break off relations between Ankara and Washington, the Turkish media quoted the countrys Deputy Prime Minister Hakan Cavusoglu as saying Feb. 13. Cavusoglu added that the US must cooperate on all issues with Turkey, rather than with terrorists. "Unfortunately, the US has not changed its positions with regard to terrorists in Syria, and Washington continues to render military assistance to PYD terrorists," Cavusoglu said. On Jan. 20, the Turkish Armed Forces, together with the Free Syrian Army, launched the Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, Syria. F-16 fighters of the Turkish Air Force are involved in the operation, inflicting strikes on the positions of PYD/YPG on the Syrian-Turkish border. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: The Istanbul police are conducting an operation against drug traffickers, the city police said in a message Feb. 13. Over ten drug traffickers were detained within the operation. Earlier, police of Turkeys eastern Diyarbakir province confiscated over one ton of drugs. On Jan. 9, 2018, a police drug bust resulted in confiscation of 500 kilograms of drugs. Heroin accounted for 150 kilograms of the total confiscated drugs. The minimum age of Turkish citizens who started using drugs is 13 years old, the average age 36 years old, the maximum age - 65 years old. Thus, 2.9 percent of the country's population account for drug addicts aged 15-24, 2.8 percent - those aged 25-44, 2.3 percent - drug addicts aged 45-64. Some 18 percent of the total number of people arrested in the country in 2016 accounted for drug dealers. More than 300,000 people have been detained in Istanbul for using and selling drugs over the past four years. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Oppositio parties of Turkey are in a disagreement over the military operation in city center of Afrin, Syria. While the opposition Republican People's Party of Turkey (CHP) is against Turkish Armed Forces entering the Afrin city center, representatives of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) call for the decisive assault operation. CHP explains its cautious position with possible huge casualties as a result of the military operation in densely populated urban areas of Afrin. MHP considers the military operation in the Afrin city center to showcase military power and determination of Turkey. Earlier, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim announced that about 8,00010,000 PYD/YPG terrorists are supposed to be hiding in Afrin, Syria. On Jan. 20, the Turkish Armed Forces, together with the Free Syrian Army, launched the Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, Syria. Turkey began drawing its military to the Syrian border from the late June, 2017. The forces were being concentrated in Turkish Kilis province bordering Syrian territory controlled by YPG/PYD. On Aug. 24, 2016, Turkish Armed Forces, with the support of the Syrian opposition, launched the Euphrates Shield operation against the IS militants and liberated the city of Jarabulus as well as the city of Al-Bab in northern Syria. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Turkey has decided to rename the street in Ankara where the US Embassy is located, the Turkish media reported Feb. 13. Presently, the street is named after Nevzat Tandogan, and the streets name will be changed to Olive Branch, according to the report. Such a decision was made due to the US position regarding the military Operation Olive Branch held by Turkey and aimed at the liberation of Syrias Afrin from the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) terrorists. Earlier, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Hakan Cavusoglu said that the provision of the PYD terrorists with financial assistance worth $500 million by the US, may completely break off relations between Ankara and Washington. Cavusoglu added that the US must cooperate on all issues with Turkey, rather than with terrorists. "Unfortunately, the US has not changed its position with regard to terrorists in Syria, and Washington continues to render military assistance to PYD terrorists," Cavusoglu said. On Jan. 20, the Turkish Armed Forces, together with the Free Syrian Army, launched the Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, Syria. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Since the beginning of the Operation Olive Branch in Syrias Afrin district, 1,369 terrorists were killed, the Turkish General Staff said in a message Feb. 13. According to the message, 51 settlements were liberated in Afrin. In particular, 70 members of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), the Peoples Protection Units (YPG) and Islamic State (IS) terrorist organizations have been recently killed. On Jan. 20, the Turkish Armed Forces, together with the Free Syrian Army, launched the Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, Syria. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: The people of Turkey dont consider the US a friend or an ally, and this is related to the US position towards the terrorists of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the Peoples Protection Units (YPG), Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, the countrys media reported Feb. 13. From the first day of the Operation Olive Branch in Syrias Afrin, Turkey was sincere with the US, but the US authorities, as before, didnt keep their promise, he noted. The US must fulfill Turkeys demands and stop supporting the PYD/YPG terrorists in Syria, Cavusoglu said. The US must take into account the interests of Turkey, he added. Earlier, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Hakan Cavusoglu said the provision of the PYD terrorists with financial assistance worth $500 million by the US, may completely break off relations between Ankara and Washington. Cavusoglu added that the US must cooperate on all issues with Turkey, rather than with terrorists. Unfortunately, the US has not changed its position with regard to terrorists in Syria, and Washington continues to render military assistance to PYD, Cavusoglu said. On Jan. 20, the Turkish Armed Forces, together with the Free Syrian Army, launched the Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, Syria. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has named three conditions for the repair of relations with the US, Turkish media reported Feb. 13. He noted that first of all, the US must stop arming the terrorists of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the Peoples Protection Units (YPG). Secondly, the US must ensure that the PYD/YPG terrorists leave Syrias Manbij city, and thirdly, Fethullah Gulen must be extradited to Turkey, Cavusoglu said. He noted that for now, the US hasnt fulfilled any of Turkeys conditions. The Turkish authorities accuse the leader of the Hizmet movement, Fethullah Gulen, who resides in the US, of involvement in an attempted military coup in Turkey in 2016 and demand the US to extradite him. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Turkish jets destroyed at least 16 PKK terror groups targets in northern Iraq, the military said on Tuesday, Anadolu reported. The Turkish General Staff said in a statement that the airstrikes were carried out on Monday in the Sinath-Haftanin region of northern Iraq. A total of 16 shelters, hideouts, and weapons pits used by the terrorist organization were destroyed during the airstrikes, the statement added. It also said the terror group members were plotting an attack on Turkish military and their bases in the region. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and his Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras on Tuesday spoke over the phone and discussed recent developments in the Aegean Sea, a source in the Prime Ministry said, Anadolu reported. According to the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on talking to the media, Yildrim said Turkey is distressed by the recent tensions with Greece. The prime minister said Turkey expects from Greece to take necessary measures to lower the tension in the Aegean Sea, the source added. The two leaders agreed that, if necessary, it would be useful to bring together the top military officials of the two sides. Despite the differences between the two countries, the phone conversation was held in a positive atmosphere, the source said and added the two leaders focused on solving the problems through dialogue. By Vivian Ho, KYODO NEWS - Feb 13, 2018 - 11:25 | World, All A year since his audacious assassination in a crowded Malaysian airport, justice remains elusive for Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. While the prosecution is expected to wrap up their case soon in the trial of two women charged with his murder, the alleged real masterminds -- North Korean agents -- remain scot free despite anecdotal evidence and security camera images offering tantalizing hints of their involvement. Indonesian Siti Aisyah, 25, is jointly charged with Doan Thi Huong, 29, from Vietnam, and four other North Korean men still at large with the murder of Kim Jong Nam on Feb. 13 last year at Kuala Lumpur International Airport's budget terminal. The women have pleaded innocent. The prosecution named the four North Koreans as Hong Song Hac, 34, Ri Ji Hyon, 33, Ri Jae Nam, 57 and O Jong Gil, 55. The trial at Shah Alam High Court in the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, which began Oct. 2, entered its 29th day on Friday. A total of 34 witnesses have testified so far, mostly police and government chemists and forensic experts. There remain only one or two witnesses left to take the stand before the judge rules either to call for the defense or to acquit the women. The prosecution's case is built around footage from the airport security camera that captured the attack, the movement of the six accused and chemical evidence that confirmed the presence of the highly lethal VX nerve agent on the deceased and the two women. Thus far what has been established in court was that Aisyah was recruited by another North Korean named Ri Ji U, 30, who introduced himself as a Japanese named James. They met on Jan. 5 last year at the Pavillion, a swanky shopping mall in downtown Kuala Lumpur. Aisyah's lawyer Gooi Soon Seng said she was offered opportunities to act on what was claimed to be a Japanese YouTube prank show. There she performed her first "pranks" whereby she swiped people's faces with a substance given by Ri Ji U. For her first "performance," she was paid 400 ringgit (about $101). Over the next four days, Ri Ji U took her to perform "pranks" at KLIA and around Kuala Lumpur. Each time, she was paid 600 ringgit plus 50 ringgit for her taxi fare. The police found photos of Ri Ji U on Aisyah's handphone that was taken at KLIA and outside the iconic Petronas Twin Towers. They also retrieved records of text messages between the two from her phone. Among the messages produced in court was one where after a "prank" on Jan. 15 last year outside Petronas Twin Towers, Aisyah texted Ri Ji U in her broken English, "I see today I acting no good, right?." James, whom she listed in her phone as "Jepun" or "Japan" in the Malay language, replied, "Not natural." The key witness, investigating officer Wan Azirul Nizam, had testified that Ri Ji U left the country but he did not know when or to where. Ri Ji U was never caught and questioned by the authorities and Azirul said he was not at the airport on Feb. 13 when Kim Jong Nam was killed. Huong, meanwhile, was seen walking with Ri Ji Hyon alias "Mr Y." In other footage, both Hong and Ri Ji Hyon were seen together with Ri Jae Nam or "Hanamori." Ri Jae Nam was also seen with O Jong Gil. Azirul said Hong applied the VX liquid on Aisyah's palm and Ri Ji Hyon did the same to Huong's. Ri Jae Nam was described as the "mastermind" behind the assassination. All four North Koreans later changed their clothes before flying out of Malaysia on the same day via KLIA's main terminal. Other North Korean actors in the plot included Ri Jong Chol, who was the owner of a black van used to ferry Hong, Ri Ji Hyon and Ri Jae Nam to the budget terminal; Kim Uk Il, employee of North Korean airline Air Koryo, and Hyon Kwang Song, the second secretary of the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. According to Azirul, Ri Jong Chol, a chemist and computer expert, had told the police that an embassy official had in October 2016 approached him with a request that his name be used to buy the van. "A few people from the North Korean Embassy" were with him when they went to buy the van and he claimed he never used it. Instead, he was driving a Peugeot with a diplomatic number plate from October 2015 to the day he was arrested on Feb. 17 last year. Ri Jong Chol was deported on March 3 after being detained for two weeks due to insufficient evidence to press charges. Azirul said they failed to identify the man who drove the van on Feb. 13. Kim Uk Il and Hyon Kwang Song, meanwhile, had been captured on camera helping his four compatriots to check in and board their flights out of the country. All four took a convoluted route to return to Pyongyang. Kim Uk Il and Hyon Kwang Song were declared suspects by the police but they sought refuge in the embassy. The stand-off with the police lasted for weeks. Kim Jong Nam's murder had spiraled into a diplomatic spat between Malaysia and North Korea that saw nine Malaysians at Malaysia's embassy in Pyongyang barred from leaving the country until Malaysia allowed Kim Jong Nam's remains and the two men holed up in the embassy to return to Pyongyang on March 30. Before Kim Uk Il and Hyon Kwang Song departed Malaysia, police were given access to question the duo. Azirul told the court they claimed it was routine for them to send off their compatriots at the airport. Without a single North Korean in the hands of the authorities, motive can only be implied as thus far prosecution has yet to establish one. "The prosecution has not revealed any motive for the killing. This is more a case of political assassination," Gooi said outside court. The court heard that Kim Jong Nam met with a Korean-American in Malaysia's northern island resort of Langkawi just days before he was murdered. Data from his laptop was copied onto a pen drive that was not among items found on the deceased. This sparked speculation that he may have sold sensitive information on the North Korean regime to the American agent since some $138,000 was found in Kim's backpack and this could have brought his early demise. Azirul, however, denied the speculation. He said police could not identify the American. Chief prosecutor Muhamad Iskandar Ahmad told reporters recently that motive "is not an ingredient in a murder case," indicating that he only needs to prove the women had the intention to kill by their conduct. "We only need to prove that both accuseds are at the same place i.e. the crime scene. They have the chance to attack the victim. The act was captured by CCTV. Victim said he was attacked. We have proven VX was used and VX and its precursor were found on the clothing of the two accuseds," Iskandar said. "We managed to prove the four still at large, do exist but unfortunately had flown out on the very same day," he added. Huong's lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik said his client has "no knowledge" that the liquid applied on her was VX and she has "no intention" to kill. "We are still very confident. We believe in our client. The actual culprits are the four North Koreans, not the two girls," Hisyam said. Budget Trump budget stresses modernization, cyber The Trump administration released its proposed budget for fiscal year 2019 on Feb. 12, calling for a total of $4.4 trillion in spending, including significant increases for military and infrastructure investments. As expected, the administration put a heavy emphasis on supporting IT modernization and cybersecurity initiatives. The federal governments outdated technology infrastructure is listed as one of the major causes behind a series of damaging cyberattacks that have plagued the public sector over the past few years, as well as a contributing factor in a more general loss of public trust in government. The administration writes that antiquated, unsecure technology risks can leave the public frustrated and vulnerable and that too many federal employees perform outdated duties that rely on outdated skillsets. To restore that lost trust, the budget promises a more nimble approach going forward, one powered by IT modernization, data transparency and a retrained workforce capable of thriving in that environment. This includes broader goals to do away with burdensome rules and requirements related to meaningless compliance, as well as greater transparency around how agencies spend their IT dollars to facilitate greater efficiencies in areas like procurement and grant spending. The administration promises to provide more detail on goals and metrics for these initiatives with the release of the Presidents Management Agenda in March 2018. According to a fact sheet put out by the White House, the administration is proposing $80 billion in total IT and cybersecurity spending across the federal government and $45.8 billion for civilian agencies. Total proposed IT spending is up 5.2 percent from last year. However, modernization proponents believe updating the federal governments technology infrastructure will lead to reduced overall IT costs, something the White House and the Office of Management and Budget are likely taking into account as agencies begin drawing from capital funds created through the Modernizing Government Technology Act this year. A draft memorandum written by OMB and reported on by FCW notes that spending related to the MGT Act must come from the General Services Administration central fund, which in turn can be funded only through the appropriations process. Shortly after the presidents budget was released, GSA announced a new $210 million modernization fund from which agencies could draw if their projects are approved. The agency also announced $20.5 million in new funding for improvements to the IT dashboard and $58.4 million for citizen-centric cybersecurity programs. The investments in our nations physical and cyber infrastructure proposed in the Presidents budget will improve our governments security posture and empower agencies to more efficiently and effectively accomplish their critical missions, said GSA Administrator Emily Murphy in a statement accompanying the announcement. The document also calls for development of a next-generation 5G wireless network, but unlike earlier reports that a nationalized approach was being considered, the administration makes clear it is looking for the commercial sector to lead the way. Shifting funds and reorganizing programs to protect federal networks and the private sector from cyber attacks is a common theme throughout the budget. The administration earmarks approximately $15 billion for publicly acknowledged cybersecurity-related activities across the executive branch, an increase of approximately 4 percent year over year. More than half of that figure, $8.5 billion, goes to the Department of Defense. The budget also requests $46 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Homeland Security, the governments primary civilian cybersecurity agency, and $6.8 billion for IT services, the highest dollar figure out of all civilian agencies. The White House calls for $1 billion in dedicated cybersecurity funding at DHS. Much of that money will go to programs overseen by the National Protection and Programs and Directorate, which handles many critical aspects of cybersecurity policy within civilian agencies, the private sector and state and local government. Cybersecurity funding for the directorate is pegged at $785 million in 2019, an increase of more than $100 million over estimated 2018 funding levels. The budget also includes $71 million to the Transportation Services Administration to expand the use of security technologies like computed tomography scanning for baggage and electronics at airports. Thats less than half the funding requested by TSA, and House Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) criticized the administration recently in his annual State of National Security Address for leaving the nations airports vulnerable to newer threats such as laptop bombs. Amazon amzn is cutting hundreds of jobs at its Seattle headquarters in a rare set of layoffs for the online retailing giant, according to a media report. The company will also cut hundreds more jobs in other parts of Amazons operations, the Seattle Times reported on Monday, citing a person familiar with the eliminations. An Amazon spokesman told Fortune that as part of our annual planning process, we are making head count adjustments across the companysmall reductions in a couple of places and aggressive hiring in many others. According to the Times, the Amazon layoffs are the result of the quick growth of late that saw it end up with too much staff in some units. The paper also said managers are under pressure to squeeze out lower-caliber employees and show more spending discipline. Amazon has a problem right now with overpopulation, one unnamed engineer told the Times. The layoffs are mostly concentrated in Amazons consumer retail businesses, the Times reported. The move echoes recent layoffs at Amazons e-commerce arch-rival Walmart wmt . Walmart is in the process of cutting up to 500 or so jobs at its Bentonville, Arkansas headquarters as it looks to streamline its operations and be as nimble as it can to compete with Amazon. For both companies, the cuts are modest in relation to staffing levels. Amazon employs about 566,000 people worldwide, according to its recently published annual report for 2017. That was up from 341,400 a year earlier. (In addition to its organic growth, Amazon has made some acquisitions in the last year, notably that of Whole Foods Market last summer.) Such has Amazons growth been that it is currently in the process of prospecting locations for a second headquarters. Earlier this month, Amazon reported revenues of $60.5 billion for the three months ended Dec. 31, up from $43.74 billion a year earlier, fueled by strong sales during the holiday season. It also reported a profit of $1.9 billion on the strength of the popularity of its voice-activated Echo devices and jump in its Prime memberships. In this article: California Resources Corp (NYSE: CRC) recently announced a $750 million midstream joint venture with Development Capital Resources, owned by the private equity group Ares Management, as well as a $50 million equity investment. The Analyst Imperial Capital analyst Jason Wangler upgraded California Resources from In-line to Outperform and maintained a $26 price target, suggesting roughly 46-percent upside from current levels. The Thesis California Resources' joint venture and equity deal add significant incremental capital that the company can use for its assets or to improve its balance sheet and debt metrics, Wangler said in a Monday note. "We think these funds can lead to significant future value for CRC," the analyst said. The company has the future option to redeem the interests in the joint venture, he said. Ares Management's purchase of $50 million in common equity from California Resources further strengthens the relationship and also raises incremental capital for the oil and gas producer, according to Imperial Capital. "CRC has about $297 million allocated to repay the company's outstanding credit facility balance and we think it should remain opportunistic with the remaining funds," Wangler said. The Price Action California Resources shares are nearly flat, with a slight downside bias, over the past year. The stock was up 4.87 percent at $18.74 at the close Monday. Related Links: The End-Of-The-Year Oil Trade Is Spreading To Leveraged ETFs Pains At The Pump, Gains For Oil Investors: The 2018 Gas Outlook Latest Ratings for CRC Feb 2018 Imperial Capital Upgrades In-Line Outperform Feb 2018 Goldman Sachs Upgrades Sell Neutral Jan 2018 Bank of America Upgrades Neutral Buy View More Analyst Ratings for CRC View the Latest Analyst Ratings See more from Benzinga 2018 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. CyberArk Software CYBR is set to report fourth-quarter 2017 results on Feb 15. The company delivered a positive earnings surprise of 38.9% in the previous quarter. Let's have a look at the factors that may influence fourth-quarter results. Partner Program & Sales Strategies to Drive Revenues We remain optimistic about the companys top-line performance. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $75.6 million, indicating year-over-year increase of 17.5%. The increase is likely to be backed by steady client addition via enhanced product offerings and expanding sales capabilities. It should be noted that in the third quarter, the company showed signs of revival wherein its revenue growth rate once again accelerated to almost 18% from the slowest-ever revenue growth rate of 14% in the second quarter. We believe that the revival was a result of the companys initiatives, which included enhancing relationship with channel partners and go-to-market sales strategy. The company, on the third-quarter conference call, noted that channel partners were a significant driver of its go-to-market sales strategy and generated roughly 60% of the business. We believe that the aforementioned strategy will continue to benefit the company and help in bringing new customers, thereby boosting revenues. Additionally, CyberArks expansion strategy through acquisitions is also encouraging. During the third quarter, the company revealed that its newly acquired Conjur business had received strong customer response. Conjur specializes in offering DevOps security software. Therefore, the acquisition is anticipated to boost CyberArks capabilities in empowering companies to accelerate software deployment with more security and thereby attract customers. Apart from this, the companys C3 technology alliance program is also attracting deals, in turn, bolstering its revenues. CyberArk has nearly 70 partners, under this program, which includes companies like Proofpoint PFPT, Qualys QLYS and ServiceNow NOW. Escalating Expenses to Weigh on Profitability We are apprehensive about the increasing operating expenses pertaining to initiatives related to enriching the solutions suite as well as enhancing its sales competency. Though these investments will have benefits over the long term, we anticipate these to be a drag on the companys profitability and the hence the bottom line in the near term. Notably, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter 2017 earnings stands at 36 cents per share, reflecting year-over-year decline of 12.2%. Story continues CyberArk Software Ltd. Price and EPS Surprise CyberArk Software Ltd. Price and EPS Surprise | CyberArk Software Ltd. Quote CyberArk has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Wall Streets Next Amazon Zacks EVP Kevin Matras believes this familiar stock has only just begun its climb to become one of the greatest investments of all time. Its a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in pure genius. Click for details >> 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 Qualys, Inc. (QLYS) : Free Stock Analysis Report ServiceNow, Inc. (NOW) : Free Stock Analysis Report CyberArk Software Ltd. (CYBR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Proofpoint, Inc. (PFPT) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. bill gates trump tower Reuters In his annual letter, Bill Gates writes that President Donald Trump's "America First" worldview concerns him. He says Trump's proposed cuts to foreign aid would hurt the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's efforts to fight diseases abroad before they become pandemics. Melinda Gates adds that she wishes Trump would treat all people, especially women, with more respect. In the latest annual letter about their charitable work, released Tuesday, Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda (who's also the cofounder of their foundation), answered 10 frequently asked questions. These questions delved into a range of topics, including education, climate change, and the pair's extensive philanthropic efforts through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In the letter, Bill Gates said he had received more questions in the past year related to President Donald Trump than all other topics in the letter combined. Specifically, he answered the question, "How are President Trumps policies affecting your foundation's work?" He wrote that Trump's proposed cuts to foreign aid would impede the foundation's efforts toward fighting poverty, illness, and hunger abroad. "These efforts save lives. They also create US jobs," Gates wrote. "And they make Americans more secure by making poor countries more stable and stopping disease outbreaks before they become pandemics. The world is not a safer place when more people are sick or hungry." Gates said that more broadly, Trump's "America First" worldview concerned him. "It's not that the United States shouldn't look out for its people," he wrote. "The question is how best to do that. My view is that engaging with the world has proven over time to benefit everyone, including Americans, more than withdrawing does. Even if we measured everything the government did only by how much it helped American citizens, global engagement would still be a smart investment." Story continues The Trump administration's proposed 2019 budget includes a 29% slash ($17 billion) in spending for the State Department and the United States Agency for International Development. The proposal calls for increasing military spending and maintaining foreign-aid levels for only one country, Israel. In 2017, foreign aid received bilateral support in Congress. Gates has met with Trump and his team, he wrote, "because if the US cuts back on its investment abroad, people in other countries will die, and Americans will be worse off." Melinda Gates added that she wished Trump would treat all people, especially women, with more respect and "model American values in the world." "Equality is an important national principle," she wrote. "The sanctity of each individual, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender, is part of our countrys spirit. The president has a responsibility to set a good example and empower all Americans through his statements and his policies." NOW WATCH: How compression pants work and why they are so popular See Also: SEE ALSO: Trump's $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan ignores one key thing that could prevent billions in annual damages Not too long ago, Alaska Air (NYSE: ALK) was a model airline, at least from an investor's perspective. In both 2015 and 2016, the company produced outstanding 24% pre-tax margins (excluding special items), outpacing rivals. However, rising costs, growing competition in Seattle, and unit revenue weakness at its Virgin America subsidiary are combining to undermine its profitability. In the current quarter, Alaska will be lucky to break even. Alaska Air's management expects results to improve dramatically over the next year or two, as the company begins to unlock merger synergies and the competitive environment hopefully improves. Upgrading to Boeing's (NYSE: BA) newest jet -- the 737 MAX 10 -- could drive further margin improvements for the company. A refleeting opportunity awaits When Alaska Air acquired Virgin America in late 2016, it inherited a fleet of more than 60 Airbus A320-family aircraft. This Airbus fleet is set to grow to 72 planes by the end of 2018. By contrast, Alaska Airlines had previously operated an all-Boeing 737 mainline fleet. An Alaska Airlines airplane flying over clouds Alaska Airlines' mainline fleet currently consists of Boeing 737 jets. Image source: Alaska Airlines. Alaska Air has been considering whether to maintain a mixed fleet going forward or to return to an all-Boeing mainline fleet. It had initially planned to make a final decision by the end of 2017, but that timeline appears to have been delayed by the company's recent financial difficulties. Returning to an all-Boeing fleet would be relatively straightforward. 53 of Virgin America's A319s and A320s are leased, with expiration dates between 2019 and 2025 (and heavily concentrated in 2022 and 2023). That would leave only 10 owned A320s that would need to be sold -- potentially requiring writedowns -- and about nine leased A321neos, which should be easy to unload, thanks to the massive demand for that model. In other words, if Alaska Airlines wants to return to an all-Boeing fleet, it should be feasible to do so between now and 2025. Story continues The advantage of going big Alaska Air's management estimates the annual savings from operating a single fleet type at a fairly modest $20 million-$25 million. However, there would be additional benefits from undertaking a fleet transition. Most significantly, the Virgin America fleet has a high concentration of smaller narrow-bodies, with 10 A319s and 53 A320s. After Alaska Airlines retrofits these planes to add more seats, the A319s will seat 126 and the A320s will seat 150. By contrast, the most common aircraft in Alaska Airlines' fleet is the 737-900ER, which holds 178 seats. A Virgin America airplane in flight Virgin America primarily operates A320s with about 150 seats. Image source: Virgin America. It may have made sense for Virgin America to use smaller aircraft since it was a relatively young (and small) airline that was still building its customer base. By contrast, Alaska Airlines has found that the lower unit costs of larger planes more than offset the negative unit revenue impact of "upgauging." As a result, more than half of Alaska's Boeing fleet consists of the largest 737 models (the 737-900 and 737-900ER). With the combined carrier having even more heft on the West Coast, there's an even greater rationale to move toward the largest aircraft. Furthermore, Boeing's new 737 MAX 10 has space for two extra rows compared to the 737-900ER. This would give it a capacity of 190 seats in Alaska Airlines' configuration. Between the inherent efficiency of larger planes within an aircraft family and the fuel savings from the 737 MAX's state-of-the-art engines, Alaska Air's trip costs for a 737 MAX 10 wouldn't be much more than what it is paying for the much smaller A320 today. Thus, an A320-to-737 MAX 10 fleet transition could potentially deliver a massive unit cost reduction. Plenty of room for the 737 MAX 10 in Alaska's route network The biggest problem for airlines trying to upgauge their fleets is finding suitable markets for the new, larger planes. Fortunately, Alaska Airlines shouldn't have any trouble putting the 737 MAX 10 to work profitably. Flights to Hawaii are an obvious use case for the 737 MAX 10, as leisure travel demand remains robust. Busy hub-to-hub corridors like Seattle-Anchorage, Seattle-San Francisco, and Seattle-Los Angeles could also thrive with a larger aircraft. Lastly, the 737 MAX 10 could be useful for adding seats on transcontinental routes to the capacity-constrained New York-area airports. To be fair, Alaska Airlines could achieve the same benefits of upgauging and upgrading to new engine technology by ordering more A321neos. However, if it is going to make the massive investment of replacing its fleet of A319s and A320s, it might as well also get the $20 million-$25 million annual savings from operating a single fleet type. That's why the 737 MAX 10 could be Alaska Airlines' airplane of the future. More From The Motley Fool Adam Levine-Weinberg owns shares of Alaska Air Group. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Plans to sell Harvey Weinsteins movie company reportedly crumbled on Sunday after New Yorks attorney general filed a lawsuit against the studio and its co-founders, accusing them of committing civil and human rights violations. A group headed by former Small Business Administration chief Maria Contreras-Sweet was expected to finalize a roughly $500 million deal which included the assumption of debt to purchase Weinstein Co., The Wall Street Journal reported. Just before the deal was signed, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman filed his lawsuit, which demands civil penalties and victim compensation should any sale of the company be made. An attempt to sell Weinstein Co., which was co-founded by disgraced media mogul Harvey Weinstein, was reportedly derailed on Sunday by a lawsuit filed by New York's attorney general. (Photo: GUS RUELAS / Reuters) Any sale of the Weinstein Company must ensure that victims will be compensated, employees will be protected going forward, and that neither perpetrators nor enablers will be unjustly enriched, Schneiderman said in a statement. Contreras-Sweets investor group has previously said that it would create a settlement fund for women who have accused Weinstein of abuse, should the companys purchase be finalized. Weinstein Co.s board, responding to news of Schneidermans lawsuit, has disputed the accuracy of many of the allegations against the company. Former Small Business Administration chief Maria Contreras-Sweet headed a group that was reportedly planning on purchasing the Weinstein Co. (Photo: J. Countess via Getty Images) We are disappointed that the New York attorney general felt it necessary to file the lawsuit, the board said in a statement obtained by the WSJ. Many of the allegations relating to the board are inaccurate and the board looks forward to bringing the facts to light as part of its ongoing commitment to resolve this difficult situation in the most appropriate way. The company, which reportedly has debts totaling $225 million, could be forced into bankruptcy if it is unable to find a buyer, according to The New York Times. Weinstein was fired from his company in October after widespread allegations of sexual misconduct and assault against him emerged. Multiple actresses have shared detailed recounts of the abuse they say they experienced at his hands, including Rose McGowan, Daryl Hannah, Mira Sorvino, Ashley Judd and Asia Argento. Story continues Bob Weinstein, Weinsteins brother and business partner, is among those accused of having had knowledge of the misconduct. Contreras-Sweet headed the SBA under former President Barack Obama from 2014 until early 2017. She founded ProAmerican Bank in Los Angeles, which focused on serving businesses in the Latino community. Related... Director Of Tarantino Documentary Wants Out Of Weinstein Co. Partnership NYPD: Harvey Weinstein Could Be Arrested How Weinstein May Have Used Spies LA District Attorney Considering Charges Against Harvey Weinstein, James Toback Also on HuffPost Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Heres a look at some of the companies the Yahoo Finance team will be watching for you today. The vitamin and supplement retailer GNC (GNC) is gaining some serious muscle. The stock is soaring on news that Chinese drugmaker Harbin is investing $300M in the company. GNC says the strategic partnership will consolidate manufacturing, marketing, sale and distribution in China to accelerate GNCs growth in the worlds second largest economy. General Motors (GM) is closing one of its four plants in South Korea citing unprofitably. It will announce the fate of its other three South Korea plants in the coming weeks. Since 2015, GM has exited unprofitable markets in Europe, Australia, South Africa and Russia. Apple Music (AAPL) is launching student subscriptions in 79 new markets today. The list of countries includes Israel, Malaysia and the Philippines. Three additional markets will go live by the end of the month. Its been roughly two years since Apple first launched its student discount for its subscription Apple Music service. The Wall Street Journal reports Walgreens (WBA) is looking to takeover drug distributor AmerisourceBergen. Walgreens already owns 26% of Amerisource. The move comes as Walgreens looks for different ways to insulate itself against other companies in the ever-competitive healthcare space. Remington Outdoor Co., one of the largest firearms makers in the United States, said on Monday it planned to file for a Chapter 11 bankruptcy deal as part of a plan to lower its debt and turn around its slumping business. The company, which is controlled by private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management, will shed some $700 million in debt in the prepackaged reorganization that will be filed soon with federal bankruptcy court in Wilmington, Del. The move comes amid declining sales linked, at least partly, to reduced fears among gun owners that the U.S. government will impose more regulations on buying firearms. Last year, President Trump called himself a true friend of the gun industry. In the first three quarters of 2017, Remington's sales fell 27.5% to $466.7 million, pushing it into the red. The company also faced intense, unwanted attention in the aftermath of the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown, Conn. where 26 people, including children, were killed by a gunman armed with, among other weapons, a Remington Bushmaster assault rifle. That made it hard for the company to attract new investors. After the Sandy Hook shooting, Cerberus Capital failed to sell Remington, then known as Freedom Group, even as some investors exerted pressure on Cerberus to do so. Remingtons plan calls for it to receive $145 million in bankruptcy debtor-in-possession financing as it winds its way through the Chapter 11 process. Cerberus will no longer own the 200-year-old Remington, while creditors will get equity in the company in exchange for the debt being written down. The company will have to contend with the prospect of lower sales for some time. According to the FBI, the number of background checks of prospective firearms buyers, a proxy for gun sales, fell again in January compared to a year earlier, continuing a trend of declines for nearly every month in 2017. For the full year in 2017, background checks fell 8.4% to 25.3 million. Story continues In a statement, executive chairman Jim Geisler said, Difficult industry conditions make todays agreement prudent. See original article on Fortune.com More from Fortune.com * Palestinians say annexation would destroy peace efforts * Israeli leader gives no timeframe for such a move * Trump has urged Israel to be cautious on settlements (Adds quotes, Palestinian reaction, Trump interview with Israeli newspaper) By Jeffrey Heller JERUSALEM, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday he has been discussing with the United States the possibility of Israel annexing Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, drawing swift condemnation from Palestinian leaders. Netanyahu did not say how far discussions had gone on annexing some of the land that the Palestinians want for a future state - a move that would be certain to meet strong international opposition. "On the subject of applying sovereignty, I can say that I have been talking to the Americans about it for some time," Netanyahu was quoted by a spokesman of his right-wing Likud party as telling a meeting of its legislators. Netanyahu was referring to applying Israeli law to the settlements, a step tantamount to annexation. They are currently under the jurisdiction of the Israeli military that occupied the West Bank in a 1967 war. There was no immediate confirmation from the White House on whether discussions on the subject had been held. Some commentators suggested Netanyahu's words may have been a move to placate right-wingers in his cabinet rather than a concrete plan. But the statement stoked Palestinian anger already high over U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition on Dec. 6 of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Nabil Abu Rdainah, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said any annexation would "destroy all efforts to try and save the peace process". "No-one has the right to discuss the situation of the occupied Palestinian lands," Abu Rdainah said from Moscow, where Abbas was holding talks with President Vladimir Putin amid reports they may discuss new options for Middle East mediation. Most countries regard the Jewish settlements in the West Bank as illegal. Israel disputes this. Story continues IDEOLOGY Netanyahu's comments to the legislators appeared, at least in part, to be an attempt to soften any political fallout within Likud over his decision on Sunday to block a bill proposed by several right-wing lawmakers to annex settlements. A source at the prime minister's office said on Sunday the bill was blocked in order to allow diplomatic efforts. An Israel Radio political affairs commentator described Netanyahu's comments as largely ideological in nature and said it was unlikely any practical steps would be taken in the near future. The Likud spokesman did not mention any timeframe for an annexation. He quoted Netanyahu as saying at the party forum that any change in the settlements' status must first be coordinated, "as much as possible" with the United States, Israel's main ally. The Trump administration has been less critical than the Obama White House of Israeli settlement policy. But in an interview published on Sunday in Israel Hayom, a pro-Netanyahu newspaper, Trump urged Israel to tread cautiously. "The settlements are something that very much complicates and always have complicated making peace, so I think Israel has to be very careful with the settlements," Trump said. Trump also voiced doubts about Palestinian and Israeli commitment to making peace. Asked when he would unveil a promised new peace plan, Trump said: "We are going to see what goes on. Right now, I would say the Palestinians are not looking to make peace, they are not looking to make peace. And I am not necessarily sure that Israel is looking to make peace." U.S.-brokered peace talks collapsed in 2014, with the settlement dispute one of the main factors behind their failure. (Additional reporting by Ali Sawafta in Ramallah and Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem; Editing by Andrew Heavens) NASA has a whole lot of fancy image-gathering hardware on Earth and in space, and weve seen countless of stunning snapshots taken from here on Earth as well as nearby planets like Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The pictures are often gorgeously detailed eye candy, but the latest batch of images from the space agency is remarkable for an entirely different reason. Captured by NASAs New Horizons spacecraft, the images were gathered at a greatest distance from Earth than any in the history of mankind. So, just how far is the farthest ever? Right around 3.79 billion miles. Yeah, its kind of crazy. There are three images in total, each focusing on a different distant object. The subjects include the Wishing Well star cluster as well as two large objects in the Kuiper Belt which have never been observed from such a distance before. Don't Miss: The hottest iPhone and Android accessory weve covered in 2018 so far is only $37 on Amazon New Horizons has long been a mission of firsts first to explore Pluto, first to explore the Kuiper Belt, fastest spacecraft ever launched, New Horizons Principal Investigator Alan Stern, of the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado, notes in a statement. And now, weve been able to make images farther from Earth than any spacecraft in history. The images, as seen above (Kuiper Belt objects) and below (Wishing Well cluster), are somewhat grainy and not the most detailed weve seen from NASA, but that doesnt make the feat any less remarkable. New Horizons originally launched way back in early 2006, and it the spacecraft has made close passes of a number of planets during its more than a decade of cruising through our Solar System. Its primary mission was set to last roughly 10 years, but was extended once it became clear that the spacecraft was healthy enough to continue sending back observations for a while longer. Its new extended mission will wrap up in early 2021 after it performs a number of flybys of large objects in the Kuiper Belt that scientists want to learn more about. However, that might not be the last we hear from New Horizons, as its power source could continue to provide life into 2026 and beyond. If it makes it that long, NASA plans to use the spacecraft to study the outer heliosphere. Story continues BGR Top Deals: Trending Right Now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com OPEC chief says he has Putin's word that Russia won't flood the market with oil OPEC Secretary General Mohammed Barkindo says he has assurances from Russian President Vladimir Putin that Moscow will stick to a deal to cap oil output. OPEC, Russia and other producers are keeping 1.8 million barrels a day off the market in a bid to shrink global stockpiles of crude oil. Rising oil prices and surging U.S. crude exports raise concerns that Russian energy giants will try to exit the deal, which began last year and runs through 2018. Russia has pledged not to abandon a deal with OPEC to keep a lid on oil supplies, even as crude prices rise, OPEC Secretary General Mohammed Barkindo said on Monday. A stronger-than-anticipated rally has raised concerns that Russian oil giants will seek an exit from OPEC's agreement with Moscow and other producers to limit their output. Oil prices have rebounded nearly 60 percent since June, with Brent crude rising to three-year highs above $71 a barrel, prior to a pullback last week that wiped out its gains for 2018. Those worries have been compounded by rising U.S. crude exports that threaten to loosen Russia and Saudi Arabia 's grip on key overseas markets at a time of strong economic growth and rising demand for petroleum products. However, Barkindo says President Vladimir Putin and Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak have assured him Russia won't blink. "I have heard and received assurances both from Mr. Alexander Novak and President Putin that they will remain committed to the OPEC, non-OPEC collaboration and the Declaration of Cooperation," he told CNBC on the sidelines of the Egypt Petroleum Show in Cairo. "They have proved this beyond any reasonable doubt through their high level of conformity to their supply adjustment, so I think there's no concern here," he said. "We are all in the same boat." Market-watchers have long been wary of Russia's commitment to the deal. The nation's oil and gas giants are seen as reluctant participants in the agreement, which began in January 2017 and aims to keep 1.8 million barrels a day off the market through the end of the year. Story continues Russia vowed in 2016 to cut its output by 300,000 barrels, but unlike the state-owned oil companies typical of OPEC, Russian energy giants are publicly-traded enterprises with shareholders. The head of Russia's Gazprom Neft on Friday said producers could adjust their commitments under the deal as soon as next quarter, Reuters reported. Gazprom CEO Alexander Dyukov said he hoped producers would agree to raise output since the market has essentially balanced after years of oversupply. While it's true many analysts believe oil supply and demand have reached a state of equilibrium, OPEC's official goal is to shrink stockpiles of crude oil to the five-year average. On Monday, OPEC said inventories remain about 109 million barrels above that level. It warned the deal might not achieve its objective until the end of 2018. Barkindo said it is in the interest of OPEC, Russia and other non-OPEC producers to continue coordinating policy even after the market rebalances. "This is a work in progress and we are confident that a global forum such as the Declaration of Cooperation will serve as an insurance against future severe volatility and downturn that we had seen beginning in the autumn of 2014," he said, referring to the start of a punishing three-year downturn in oil prices. "I think we have learned enough lessons, and we are beginning to put some building blocks in order to institutionalize this partnership," he said. Asked whether he could see OPEC members fighting among themselves and with the United States for market share in Asia, a key demand center, Barkindo said the concern to the contrary is whether producers have invested enough in projects to bring new supply online to meet future demand. OPEC on Monday raised its forecast for demand growth in 2018, but also said it now sees output from the United States and other non-OPEC member nations rising faster than the cartel initially anticipated. More From CNBC A sign on the Qualcomm campus is seen, in San Diego, California, U.S. November 6, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Blake By Greg Roumeliotis (Reuters) - Qualcomm Inc and Broadcom Ltd plan to meet on Wednesday to talk about the latter's $121 billion acquisition offer, the first time the semiconductor companies will discuss the potential deal, people familiar with the matter said. The meeting comes after Broadcom raised its cash-and-stock offer last week from $70 to $82 per share, and made other concessions, including offering to pay Qualcomm an $8 billion breakup fee should antitrust regulators block the deal. Qualcomm said last Thursday that Broadcom's new offer still undervalues it and falls well short of the firm commitments on regulatory issues it expected. However, it offered to meet Broadcom to see if it can address what it called "serious deficiencies in value and certainty in its proposal." As part of its bid to take over Qualcomm, Broadcom has also launched a campaign with Qualcomm shareholders to replace Qualcomm's board. Both companies are due to meet proxy advisory firms ISS and Glass Lewis before their Feb. 14 meeting to argue why Qualcomm shareholders should back them in a vote scheduled for March 6. Broadcom had requested last week to meet over the weekend, but has now agreed to meet on Wednesday instead, the sources said on Sunday, asking not to be identified because the meeting's details are not public. Qualcomm and Broadcom did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The takeover battle is at the heart of a race to consolidate the wireless technology equipment sector, as smartphone makers such as Apple Inc and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd use their market dominance to negotiate down chip prices. Singapore-based Broadcom is mainly a manufacturer whose connectivity chips are used in products ranging from mobile phones to servers. San Diego-based Qualcomm primarily licenses its technology for the delivery of broadband and data, a business that would significantly benefit from the rollout of 5G wireless technology. Broadcoms antitrust counsel, Daniel Wall of Latham & Watkins LLP, said in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission last week that Broadcom was willing to sell two Qualcomm businesses to resolve any antitrust problems. These are its Wi-Fi networking processors and RF Front End chips for mobile phones. Story continues Qualcomm responded on Thursday that unless Broadcom will agree to do whatever is necessary to ensure the deal closes, a commitment to divestitures without restrictions often referred to as "hell or high water", it would have to be extremely clear and specific about what actions it would refuse to take. Broadcom CEO Hock Tan told Reuters in an interview last week that Broadcom decided not to offer hell-or-high-water provisions to Qualcomm because it does not view them as a very well defined legal standard. (Reporting by Greg Roumeliotis in New York; Editing by Alistair Bell) This article was originally published on ETF Trends.com. The Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) , the largest equity-based energy exchange traded fund, slumped about 8% last week, but some market participants believe the sector's recent struggles could present astute investors with a buying opportunity. Market observers and analysts argue that U.S. energy stocks are in a position to outperform broader equity markets this year, even if oil prices dont move higher. The energy industry has grown more efficient after cutting costs in response to the plunge in crude oil prices in previous years, so they are now in a better position to improve revenue at lower oil prices. Exxon Mobil (XOM), usually the largest component in cap-weighted ETFs like XLE, is aiming to turn things around by ramping up production in U.S. shale, while also prioritizing the development of several large discoveries off the coast of Guyana, reports OilPrice.com. Meanwhile, ExxonMobil recently announced plans to spend $50 billion on U.S. shale over the next five years. By 2025, the oil major says it will quadruple its shale production to around 800,000 bpd, three quarters of which will come from the Permian. Market observers believe the sector can continue its recent rebound. Current OPEC compliance with production cut plans remains above their historical average, and it usually takes between two to three quarters for inventories to normalize after the cuts. The challenge for energy equities is that some oil market observers see more declines coming for crude. Oil traders are concerned over how fast U.S. shale oil producers will increase production to capture the rising prices. Investors shouldnt forget about the demand side either, especially with a growing global economy. Citigroup projects a greater likelihood of persistent shortage of oil than a big jump in supply over the coming quarters. Rivals to XLE include the Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE), iShares U.S. Energy ETF (IYE) and the Fidelity MSCI Energy Index ETF (FENY) . Story continues Moreover, there is a group of large oil companies that are now in a place where they can cut costs and rake in cash, having completed a series of large-scale projects in recent years, according to OilPrice. com. Royal Dutch Shell, BP and Total all grew heavily in recent years, and are now looking to cash in on those investments. For them, things are on the upswing. For more information on the ETF industry, visit our current affairs category. POPULAR ARTICLES FROM ETFTRENDS.COM READ MORE AT ETFTRENDS.COM > (Adds Massmart comment) JOHANNESBURG, Feb 13 (Reuters) - South Africa's Competition Tribunal on Tuesday dismissed a complaint brought by Massmart accusing grocery retailers of anti-competitive behaviour, saying the unit of Wal-Mart had failed to present a strong case. The decision is a blow for Massmart's ambitions to expand further into the grocery market, which is dominated by industry giants such discounter Shoprite and upmarket retailer Woolworths. Massmart is in the middle of transforming its flagship Game chain from a primarily electronics retailer to one that sells groceries. It lodged the complaint in 2014, saying its expansion into the fresh grocery sector was being hampered by lease arrangements that restrict malls from renting out space to rival food retailers. The tribunal upheld, for the second time, arguments made by retailers Shoprite Checkers, Pick n Pay and Spar Group and found that Massmart had failed to make a strong case of anti-competitive conduct. "The other problem for Massmart is that its business case has driven its competition case and not vice versa," the tribunal said in a statement. Massmart is disappointed that the merits of its case were not assessed by the Competition Tribunal, its spokeswoman said. "We remain of the view that exclusive lease agreements are intuitively anti-competitive, protectionist and prejudicial to South African consumers," Massmart spokeswoman Annaleigh Vallie said in an emailed response to questions. "We are optimistic that this view, which we expressed at the Grocery Retail Market Inquiry, will shape the panel's findings." The Competition Commission is finalising its sector-wide investigation, known as the Grocery Retail Market Inquiry, which is also examining competition between small informal foreign-owned shops and local stores popularly known as "spazas". (Reporting by Tiisetso Motsoeneng and Nqobile Dludla; Editing by Adrian Croft) South Korea is reportedly considering a technology-specific licensing scheme as part of it proposed regulation of cryptocurrency exchanges. According to BusinessKorea, a government official involved with a virtual currency task force said Sunday that such rules, which bear a similarity to New York's controversial "BitLicense," introduced in 2015, could be enacted or at least debated. The source said: "We are positively considering the adoption of an exchange approval system as the additional regulation on cryptocurrencies. We are most likely benchmark the model of the State of New York that gives a selective permission." The news appears to mark a softening of the country's stance after some regulators had proposed that exchange-based crypto trading be shut down completely, as it is in China. South Korea has also recently moved to ban the use of anonymous virtual accounts for trading in the country, with real-name accounts being compulsory from the end of January. BusinessKorea cited the government source as saying that another option on the table would be to impose taxes instead of creating additional regulations "We will hold a meeting to respond to national petition related to digital currencies this month but we are highly likely to make up for the defects of existing measures only at the meeting," the source said The news source added that government is likely to make a final decision on cryptocurrency exchanges after local elections due in June. Launched after some delay in June 2015, the New York State Department of Financial Services' (NYDFS) regulatory framework - dubbed the "BitLicense" - sets out that no company or individual can offer cryptocurrency services as a custodian or exchange without first receiving a license, and they must also operate in compliance with stringent money transmitter regulations. The high cost of attaining a license has meant that a limited number of exchanges now operate in New York, while some have left the state completely. Story continues S. Korean National Assembly image via Shutterstock Related Stories Tuesday, February 13, 2018 Martinez Kisses Trump Ring At WH Meet, Keller Hits DC For ART Money, John Sanchez In Line For Something Big? And Santa Fe Mayor Predictions His chances of getting the stalled cash for the so fair failed transit project appear to have improved. There are Keeping it on Capitol Hill. . . When the star of US House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi shines bright so does that of her NM protege, Dem Rep. Ben Ray Lujan. Right now the Pelosi star is looking a David Wasserman, who tracks House races for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, said that in an era when voters are disaffected with Washington, it is difficult for Democrats to make the case that they are change agents with Ms. Pelosi at the helm. Ben Ray is chairman of the DCCC, charged with the campaign strategy to take back the House for the Republicans in 2018. He and Pelosi we're also in charge of that task in '16 and took heat for making only a tiny gain, but they survived. This could be the pair's last try. If they can't bring it home this year when the President's approval rating is so low, this could be their last hurrah as key national players. We've reluctantly come to . . . Upgrade the quality of legislators by paying them a base salary. A fair amount would be $50,000 a year. . . Having a reasonable base salary would allow people of every demographic group to run. By expanding the pool of candidates and, more important, the pool of talent, New Mexico might get better lawmakers. . . Some will say New Mexico cannot afford to add 112 legislators to the payroll. . . Good legislators are essential for state government to be what it often is not--efficient, open and competent. There are plenty of places to cut fat, starting with the job of lieutenant governor. That position pays $85,000 a year and the office drains another $447,000 annually. Speaking of the lieutenant governor, the current one is John Sanchez whose political career has become roadkill under unpopular Gov. Susan Martinez. But all may not be lost. The rumor mill--and we stress it is the rumor mill--has Sanchez under consideration for a possible appointment as a US ambassador to somewhere. Well, considering what has happened to him here, John would probably welcome relocating to an exotic locale. Is Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales dropping out of the race for the Dem nomination for lieutenant governor? Alligators raised the question and we asked Gonzales and his consultant for comment but got none. Phone home when you're ready, Javier. . . UPDATE: Gonzales ended his candidacy Tuesday afternoon, saying when he got in he feared there were no progressive candidates in the contest: . . . The progressive voice across the state is strong, and that many qualified candidates are bringing their passion and perspective to the Lt. Governor race. Unfortunately my heart is not in this race, so with a clear conscience, I have decided to end my campaign Gov. Martinez was FILING ACTION (CONT.) More Alligator musings on this week's candidate filings for statewide offices. This one deals with the Court of Appeals in which five seats are on the ballot: Joe, it's interesting that it's 4 Republican men versus 5 Democratic women in the Court of Appeals races. And if my sources are correct, all the woman are graduates of the Emerge program designed to get Democratic woman elected to office. This would put 8 women on the ten member bench. Bad optics for the Republicans IMHO. There are currently three women judges on the court and with the state leaning blue in the statewide races, we could easily get to 8. Dem Judge Jennifer Attrep is one of them and a sure thing. She was appointed to fill a vacancy but drew no GOP opposition. SANTA FE MAYOR Webber is with the sugar tax bunch that were defeated soundly! The New Mexican endorsement can also be the kiss of death! Ron Trujillo has a strong and aggressive grass roots campaign so don't count him out. Trujillo is a Santa Fe City Councilor and seen as one of the leading challengers to Webber in the five way race. Longtime NM political consultant and media buyer Chris Brown, also a longtime resident of Santa Fe, starts the countdown fun to the March 6 mayoral election with the first round of predictions. Here they are: Mayor Alan Webber. Broadest support, best ideas. Most money, but he started slowly. I dont think his money or newspaper endorsement(s) will be decisive. He does have by far the most membership organizations endorsing him, so that has to be a plus. Mayoral surprise: Ron Trujillo will get more eastside votes than one or both of our councilors, Maestas and Ives. Mayoral top three in ranked order, as we say: Webber, Trujillo, Noble, in that order, all with strong showings. Then a big gap to Ives and Maestas District 1--Incumbent Signe Lindell; 2--Carol Romero-Wirth; 3--Roman "Tiger" Abeyta (unopposed);4:Joanne Vigil Coppler. In District 2 the edge goes to Romero-Wirth because of the Sierra Club endorsement which goes a long way in that area. If Chris is wrong there will be punishment--at least 25 lashes with a wet noodle made fresh from one of this fancy Italian restaurants up there. 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 DC sources close to the congressional delegation report that ABQ Mayor Keller was in Washington in late January making the rounds for $75 million in ART funding. They say he focused on the staffs of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees where any bill that includes the delayed ART funding would be written.His chances of getting the stalled cash for the so fair failed transit project appear to have improved. There are big dollar increases in the recently approved two year Federal budget so money for the ART project on Central Avenue might have have a better chance of getting here.Keeping it on Capitol Hill. . .When the star of US House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi shines bright so does that of her NM protege, Dem Rep. Ben Ray Lujan. Right now the Pelosi star is looking a bit faded Ben Ray is chairman of the DCCC, charged with the campaign strategy to take back the House for the Republicans in 2018. He and Pelosi we're also in charge of that task in '16 and took heat for making only a tiny gain, but they survived. This could be the pair's last try. If they can't bring it home this year when the President's approval rating is so low, this could be their last hurrah as key national players.We've reluctantly come to this same conclusion but see zilch in the way of momentum for a constitutional amendment that would be needed to make the switch:Speaking of the lieutenant governor, the current one is John Sanchez whose political career has become roadkill under unpopular Gov. Susan Martinez. But all may not be lost. The rumor mill--and we stress it is the rumor mill--has Sanchez under consideration for a possible appointment as a US ambassador to somewhere. Well, considering what has happened to him here, John would probably welcome relocating to an exotic locale.of the race for the Dem nomination for lieutenant governor? Alligators raised the question and we asked Gonzales and his consultant for comment but got none. Phone home when you're ready, Javier. . .Gonzales ended his candidacy Tuesday afternoon, saying when he got in he feared there were no progressive candidates in the contest:Gov. Martinez was at the White House along with other Governors and politicos for a meeting with President Trump Monday on his infrastructure plan , She clapped approvingly and smiled cheerily at the man she refused to endorse for the presidency and which surely got her into his dog house. But now with limited time left on in her governorship maybe she's looking to get out of it and dropped off her resume during her visit. Can she at least join Sanchez on that rumor list of possible ambassadorial appointees? Knowing Trump he'd send her to Siberia if he could.More Alligator musings on this week's candidate filings for statewide offices. This one deals with the Court of Appeals in which five seats are on the ballot:There are currently three women judges on the court and with the state leaning blue in the statewide races, we could easily get to 8. Dem Judge Jennifer Attrep is one of them and a sure thing. She was appointed to fill a vacancy but drew no GOP opposition. Now that he's the clear front-runner in the Santa Fe march mayoral election, it's time Alan Webber to take the hits. Here's reader Savannah Baca taking a swing:Trujillo is a Santa Fe City Councilor and seen as one of the leading challengers to Webber in the five way race.Longtime NM political consultant and media buyer Chris Brown, also a longtime resident of Santa Fe, starts the countdown fun to the March 6 mayoral election with the first round of predictions. Here they are:If Chris is wrong there will be punishment--at least 25 lashes with a wet noodle made fresh from one of this fancy Italian restaurants up there.This is the home of New Mexico politics. E-mail your news and comments. (jmonahan@ix.netcom.com) (Adds postponement of Tuesday court hearing, paragraph 8) By Tom Hals WILMINGTON, Del., Feb 11 (Reuters) - Takata Corp's U.S. unit reached a settlement with its creditors, lawyers for those injured by its deadly air bags and automakers that smoothes the way to end its Chapter 11 bankruptcy and sell its viable operations, according to court papers. The Japanese company's air bags can explode with too much force and have been linked to at least 21 deaths and hundreds of injuries, prompting the largest recall in automotive history and forcing Takata and its U.S. unit, TK Holdings Inc, into bankruptcy. The U.S. unit was gearing up for a court fight starting on Tuesday to get approval for its plan to exit bankruptcy over the opposition of a committee for injured drivers and a separate committee of unsecured creditors. But those two committees, automakers and Key Safety Systems, which is acquiring the viable business lines of Takata, reached a deal that resolves the biggest objections to the plan, according to court documents filed on Saturday. Under the agreement, a trust will be established to pay compensation for those injured or killed by the air bags, which will be funded in part by automakers surrendering some of their claims against Takata. The 13 automakers which joined the agreement include General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co, Toyota Motor Corp , and the U.S. affiliates of Honda Motor Co Ltd and Volkswagen AG. An amended plan of reorganization will be filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court soon, according to Takata's U.S. unit. Tuesday's court hearing had been adjourned to Thursday at the earliest, Takata's U.S. unit said in court papers filed on Sunday. A spokesman for the U.S. unit and lawyers for the committee of injured drivers did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The trust will pay compensation based on the injury, ranging from $10,000 for bruising to $5 million for death or loss of eyesight, according to court documents. Story continues If the agreement is approved by the Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Delaware, injured drivers will be prevented from suing the automakers that joined the agreement. A lawyer appointed to represent future injured drivers also joined the settlement, as did Key Safety Systems, a unit of China's Ningo Joyson Electric Corp. Key Safety Systems plans to acquire Takata's viable operations for $1.6 billion. The proceeds will fund restitution claims for automakers and help pay injury claims as part of a plea deal with the U.S. Department of Justice. (Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Del.; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Peter Cooney) Three more women have filed a lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein, accusing the disgraced Hollywood powerbroker of sexual assault (AFP Photo/ROBYN BECK) New York (AFP) - Talks were still on Monday between a group of investors and the troubled Weinstein Company, despite New York prosecutors throwing a spanner in the works by filing a lawsuit against the movie studio, source said Monday. The deal, led by former Obama administration official and businesswoman Maria Contreras-Sweet to buy The Weinstein Company for a reported $500 million, was widely reported to have been imminent before the state attorney general filed a lawsuit Sunday. Prosecutors accuse Weinstein, the company and his brother of failing to protect employees from his alleged sexual misconduct despite multiple complaints to human resources. New York's attorney general said he acted out of fear that the imminent sale could leave victims without adequate redress. The Wall Street Journal said the deal fell apart because the lawsuit introduced too much uncertainty and that the company would now likely enter bankruptcy reorganization. But a source close to the talks insisted to AFP that negotiations were still on. "The attorney general's comments have shed a new perspective to the deal," the source admitted, calling discussions "very fluid." "I hope that this deal does not go away for these people's jobs because then there will be nobody monitoring anything," Bob Weinstein was quoted as saying by the Journal. The bid from the group of investors led by Contreras-Sweet reportedly included a fund to compensate victims and plans to appoint a majority-woman board. Weinstein's career went into free fall last October after allegations surfaced that he had sexually harassed, assaulted and even raped women going back 40 years. The accusations now come from more than 100 women. The twice-married father of five is being investigated by British and US police, but has not been charged with any crime. He denies having non-consensual sex and is reportedly in treatment for sex addiction. Recent undervalued companies based on their current market price include Detroit Legal News and Instructivision. Investors can profit from the difference by investing in these stocks as the current market prices should eventually move towards their true values. If capital gains are what youre after in your next investment, Ive put together a list of undervalued stocks you may be interested in, based on the latest financial data from each company. The Detroit Legal News Company (OTCPK:DTRL) The Detroit Legal News Company provides sheet fed commercial printing services to customers located in southeastern Michigan. Detroit Legal News was founded in 1898 and has a market cap of USD $15.01M, putting it in the small-cap category. DTRLs stock is currently hovering at around -46% under its intrinsic value of $736.71, at a price tag of $395, based on my discounted cash flow model. This difference in price and value gives us a chance to buy low. Whats even more appeal is that DTRLs PE ratio stands at 15x relative to its media peer level of 18.4x, meaning that relative to its comparable set of companies, DTRLs shares can be purchased for a lower price. DTRL is also robust in terms of financial health, with current assets covering liabilities in the near term and over the long run. DTRL has zero debt on its books as well, meaning it has no long term debt obligations to worry about. More detail on Detroit Legal News here. OTCPK:DTRL PE PEG Gauge Feb 13th 18 Instructivision, Inc. operates as a New Jersey test preparation company. Instructivision was established in 1981 and with the companys market cap sitting at USD $35.63K, it falls under the small-cap group. ISTCs shares are currently trading at -86% beneath its true value of $0.11, at a price of $0.02, based on my discounted cash flow model. The mismatch signals a potential chance to invest in ISTC at a discounted price. Moreover, ISTCs PE ratio is currently around 4.5x against its its software peer level of 33.4x, meaning that relative to its comparable set of companies, we can buy ISTCs stock at a cheaper price today. ISTC is also a financially healthy company, with current assets covering liabilities in the near term and over the long run. ISTC also has no debt on its balance sheet, which gives it headroom to grow and financial flexibility. Dig deeper into Instructivision here. Story continues OTCPK:ISTC PE PEG Gauge Feb 13th 18 J.Jill, Inc. operates as a specialty retailer of womens apparel under the J.Jill brand in the United States. The company provides employment to 2604 people and has a market cap of USD $358.73M, putting it in the small-cap category. JILLs shares are currently floating at around -43% less than its actual value of $13.64, at a price of $7.81, based on my discounted cash flow model. This mismatch indicates a chance to invest in JILL at a discounted price. Also, JILLs PE ratio stands at around 11.8x compared to its specialty retail peer level of 17.4x, suggesting that relative to its peers, you can buy JILLs shares at a cheaper price. JILL is also in great financial shape, with current assets covering liabilities in the near term and over the long run. Interested in J.Jill? Find out more here. NYSE:JILL PE PEG Gauge Feb 13th 18 For more financially sound, undervalued companies to add to your portfolio, you can use our free platform to explore our interactive list of undervalued stocks. To help readers see pass the short term volatility of the financial market, we aim to bring you a long-term focused research analysis purely driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis does not factor in the latest price sensitive company announcements. The author is an independent contributor and at the time of publication had no position in the stocks mentioned. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has promised to tackle fake news - PA Unilever, the worlds second largest advertiser, has threatened to pull investment from platforms that fail to tackle fake news amid a techlash from the public against social media giants. The consumers goods company behind brands Lynx and Dove warned that brands have to take the lead in confronting the deep systematic issue as Facebook and Twitter attempts to grapple with a string of scandals in which their platforms have been used to spread politically-charged and misleading news reports. Unilever says it will not invest in platforms that create division in society and promote anger or hate, arguing that social media should build social responsibility. Facebook has come under fire for allowing fake news to flood users news feeds and Twitter has been accused of failing to confront political bots amid allegations that Russia used an army of fake accounts to sway the Brexit vote and US election in 2016. Tech giant Google is also attempting to purge search engine results of inaccurate and misleading news. Unilever marketing boss Keith Weed will deliver his warning to tech companies at an industry convention later today. Brands have to play their role in resolving it, he will say. No longer can we stand to one side or remain at arms length just because issues in the supply chain do not affect us directly, warned, adding that the industry is sleepwalking on progress. Russia is accused of using social media to meddle in the US election and Brexit He will note that the publics faith in tech giants has deteriorated in recent years with less than a third of Americans trusting social media platforms. Consumers dont care about third party verification. They do care about fraudulent practice, fake news, and Russians influencing the US election. They dont care about good value for advertisers. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg used his new years message to promise to rebuild users trust by tackling the issue in 2018. The world feels anxious and divided, and Facebook has a lot of work to do - whether its protecting our community from abuse and hate, defending against interference by nation states, or making sure that time spent on Facebook is time well spent, Mr Zuckerberg wrote. The social media network ditched its fake news red flags in December after they made fabricated media reports more believable to users and now shows related articles alongside fake news to provide more context. MPs on the digital, culture, media and sport select committee grilled representatives from Facebook, Google and Twitter in a special hearing in Washington last Thursday with its chairman Damian Collins telling reporters that tech giants would invest an awful lot more in confronting the issue if threatened with legal action or fines. By Ismail Shakil and Rishika Chatterjee (Reuters) - The largest U.S. drugstore operator Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc has made a takeover approach to drug distributor AmerisourceBergen Corp, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, outlining a deal that would accelerate healthcare sector consolidation. AmerisourceBergen shares rose 15.7 percent in after-hours trading and shares of Walgreens, which has around 13,000 drugstores worldwide, mostly in the United States, were unchanged. Walgreens is valued at $67.82 billion and AmerisourceBergen has a market capitalization of $19.65 billion, according to Thomson Reuters data. Healthcare payers and pharmacies are responding to a shifting landscape, including changes in the U.S. Affordable Care Act, rising drug prices and the threat of competition from online retailers such as Amazon.com Inc. A new deal by Walgreens would follow the $69 billion acquisition of health insurer Aetna Inc by drugstore rival CVS Health Corp and would also reflect a move toward vertical consolidation, where members of a supply chain combine. Representatives of Walgreens' Chief Executive Stefano Pessina made "a high-level outreach" to representatives of AmerisourceBergen CEO Steven Collis several weeks ago, the WSJ said, citing people familiar with the matter. (http://on.wsj.com/2Ch5Gg9) AmerisourceBergen said it did not discuss potential mergers or acquisitions. Walgreens was not available for comment. The two companies are already closely allied, having struck a 10-year deal in 2013 for AmerisourceBergen to buy drugs for Walgreens, which subsequently acquired 26 percent of the distributor. Walgreens would buy the remaining shares under the deal being considered, the Journal reported. An offer has not been made, and there may be no deal, it added. The drugstore operator last year represented 30 percent of AmerisourceBergen's revenue and is its largest customer. Walgreens reported in January its sixth straight quarterly fall in retail same-store sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 along with a drop in gross margins in its U.S. business. Story continues AmerisourceBergen reported last week a threefold jump in quarterly profit to $861.9 million, helped by a $587.6 million tax benefit. Leerink analyst Ana Gupte said the Walgreens-AmerisourceBergen deal would be "poised to improve the profitability of the drug store giant through purchasing power with generics and branded drug manufacturers." The CVS-Aetna deal was seen pressuring rival insurers, drugmakers, pharmaceutical benefits managers and retail pharmacies to consider mergers or switching partners to try to keep up with the potential healthcare cost savings or increase in profit margins. Evercore analysts said Walgreens could fund all or a majority of the transaction via debt, likely making the financial returns notably attractive. Walgreens shares have fallen 17.8 percent in the past 12 months, while AmerisourceBergen shares are down 1.9 percent in the same period. CEO Pessina drove the Walgreens-Boots Alliance deal and more recently agreed to acquire 1,932 stores from smaller U.S. rival Rite Aid, partly in a bid to improve its ability to negotiate for lower drug costs. (Reporting by Ismail Shakil and Rishika Chatterjee in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Peter Henderson in San Franciso, Caroline Humer in New York and Bhanu Pratap in Bangalore; Editing by Peter Cooney and Lisa Shumaker and Amrutha Gayathri) Harvey Weinstein fired back at a blistering lawsuit from the New York attorney general on Sunday, arguing that he has become a scapegoat for Hollywoods treatment of women. In a statement, Weinsteins attorney Ben Brafman contends that a fair investigation by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman will demonstrate that many of the allegations against Harvey Weinstein are without merit. The attorney general accused Weinstein, his brother Bob Weinstein, and the Weinstein Co. of systemically discriminating against female employees by subjecting them to an atmosphere of sexual harassment and abuse. The suit alleges that the company had the opportunity to stop Weinsteins behavior, and repeatedly failed to do so. While Mr. Weinsteins behavior was not without fault, there certainly was no criminality, and at the end of the inquiry it will be clear that Harvey Weinstein promoted more women to key executive positions than any other industry leader and there was zero discrimination at either Miramax or TWC, Brafman said in the statement. If the purpose of the inquiry is to encourage reform throughout the film industry, Mr. Weinstein will embrace the investigation, Brafman continued. If the purpose however is to scapegoat Mr. Weinstein, he will vigorously defend himself. The L.A. County district attorneys office is reviewing five investigations forwarded by the LAPD and the Beverly Hills Police Department for possible charges. Weinstein also faces criminal probes in London and New York. The Schneiderman suit seeks to impose conditions on the sale of the Weinstein Co., including requiring an independent monitor to oversee the companys handling of sexual harassment complaints, and the release of Weinstein Co. employees from non-disclosure agreements. The suit has raised doubts about whether the $500 million sale, to a group backed by investor Ron Burkle, will be completed. Story continues Related stories David Glasser's Leadership Abilities Questioned by N.Y. State Attorney Producer Jill Messick, Rose McGowan's Former Manager, Dies at 50 LAPD Submits Three Harvey Weinstein Sex Cases to District Attorney Subscribe to Variety Newsletters and Email Alerts! The company co-founded by producer Harvey Weinstein is being sued by the New York Attorney General: Getty More details have been revealed about the lawsuit brought by the New York Attorney General against the company founded by Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Eric Schneiderman said in a statement that the Weinstein Company repeatedly broke New York law by failing to protect its employees from pervasive sexual harassment, intimidation, and discrimination. A four-month investigation conducted by Mr Schneidermans office led to several examples of Mr Weinsteins alleged abuse and threatening behaviour. His lawyer Ben Brafman has said that while the blockbuster producers behaviour was not without fault, no crime was committed. He told the BBC: At the end of the inquiry it will be clear that Harvey Weinstein promoted more women to key executive positions than any other industry leader and there was zero discrimination at either Miramax or [the Weinstein Company]. The companys board issued a statement saying it was disappointed with the lawsuit. Many of the allegations relating to the board are inaccurate and the board looks forward to bringing the facts to light as part of its ongoing commitment to resolve this difficult situation in the most appropriate way. The lawsuit said Mr Weinstein reportedly told employees, I will kill you or I will kill your family. Weinstein allegedly employed wing women, or female employees of the company who would be required to attend events with him in order to facilitate [his] sexual conquests. The lawsuit also cited examples of Weinsteins alleged mistreatment of female employees who were menstruating, with suggestions that he required his drivers to keep condoms and erectile dysfunction medicine in vehicles at all times. It also said that he made quid pro quo offers or demands of sexual favours in exchange for career advancement at [the Weinstein Company], or to avoid adverse employment consequences. The company itself is also being charged with several counts of mistreatment of employees. Story continues One of the main charges is that the companys executives knew about the several women who made claims about Mr Weinsteins abuse and did nothing. Mr Schneidermans office alleges the company effectively monetised his supposed sexual harassment by adding a clause in Mr Weinsteins contract that attached financial penalties for harassment claims rather than simply prohibiting it. The lawsuit, filed in New York County Supreme Court, was brought on by the attempted $500m sale of the movie studio to a former official of President Barack Obamas administration, Maria Contreras-Sweet. Mr Weinstein has been accused by several women including actresses Selma Hayek, Ashley Judd, and Lupita Nyongo, and almost 50 other women of sexual harassment or abuse. Mr Weinstein has repeatedly said the allegations are false. Any sale of the company must ensure victims are adequately compensated, employees are protected, and that enablers of sexual misconduct will not be unjustly enriched, Mr Schneiderman tweeted. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The statement said that every New Yorker has a right to a workplace free of sexual harassment, intimidation and fear. Ms Sweet, who ran the US Small Business Administration from 2014 to 2017, had been in negotiations for several weeks and had promised to set up a majority-female board and set up a fund to assist women who claimed Mr Weinstein sexually harassed them, according to the LA Times. Mr Weinstein was fired from the company in the wake of the many allegations. The Weinstein Company may have to file for bankruptcy should the sale not go through. An Iraqi official has said the leader of the Islamic State (IS) extremist group, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, remains alive and is being treated at a hospital in Syria after being wounded in air strikes. "We have irrefutable information and documents from sources within the terrorist organization that Baghdadi is still alive and hiding" in Syria's northeastern Jazira region, Iraqi intelligence chief Abu Ali al-Basri was quoted as saying by the government daily Al-Sabah on February 12. IS retains a significant presence in northeastern Syria's Hasakeh Province despite having lost most of its self-declared "caliphate," which once covered a third of Iraq and Syria. Basri said that Baghdadi was suffering from "injuries, diabetes, and fractures to the body and legs that prevent him from walking without assistance." The militant chief was wounded in "air raids against IS strongholds in Iraq," he said. Iraqi authorities last week published a list of "internationally wanted terrorist leaders," headed by Baghdadi, a self-proclaimed "caliph" who was born in 1971 under the name Ibrahim Awad Ibrahim Ali al-Badri al-Samarrai. In June 2017, Russia said it had probably killed Baghdadi in an air raid near Raqqa, but U.S. officials said they believed the IS chief was still alive and hiding in eastern Syria's Euphrates River Valley. Based on reporting by AFP and dpa India warned Pakistan that it would "pay for this misadventure" following a deadly attack by militants on an army camp in Indian-administered Kashmir. Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on February 12 that the Indian military has evidence proving that "these terrorists were being controlled by their handlers from Pakistan. Sitharaman said the February 10 attack left at least five soldiers and one civilian dead and 11 other people injured. Three militants were also killed. The Indian minister said that the gunmen belonged to the Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed. "Pakistan is expanding the arc of terror... resorting to cease-fire violations to assist infiltration," she said. Meanwhile, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry rejected all "insinuations" from Indian officials. "We are confident that the world community would take due cognizance of India's smear campaign against Pakistan, and the deliberate creation of war hysteria," a statement said. In continuing violence in the Himalayan territory, one paramilitary soldier was reported killed on February 12 when gunmen opened fire near a paramilitary camp in India-administered Kashmir. Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British rule in 1947. Both claim the region in its entirety and have fought two wars over it. New Delhi frequently accuses Islamabad of arming, training, and sending fighters across the Line of Control to launch attacks on its soldiers in Kashmir. Pakistan denies the allegations, saying it only provides diplomatic support to the Kashmiri struggle for right to self-determination. Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP 5G gets NTIA support The wireless industry's expansion of next-generation 5G services has the critical support of the federal government, a senior leader at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration said in recent remarks. MORE INFO FCC upends licensing process for 5G research To make wireless spectrum research easier, the Federal Communications Commission launched a web portal and experimental licensing system that speeds the license modification process for researchers. Read more. First 5G standards approved The newly approved guidelines will pave the way for the transition from 4G LTE to 5G NR. Read more. 5G will power the Internet of Things and governments Although 5G technology is still at a nascent stage of development, citizens and government will soon demand it to power a real-time connected world. Read more. "We must do everything we can to encourage infrastructure development," NTIA Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information David Redl said in remarks at a Feb. 6 broadband, media and internet conference. His remarks followed a late-January kerfuffle over a leaked draft of a plan to nationalize commercial 5G networks because of security concerns. The White House quickly distanced itself from the presentation, however, and the official who authored the memo, Air Force Brig. Gen. Robert Spalding, has since exited the National Security Council.The federal government's role in 5G networks should be opening up more spectrum and facilitating infrastructure construction, including making it easier to place such infrastructure on federal land, Redl, said. As the largest landowner in the country, the federal government can be a critical resource for companies looking to expand broadband services, especially into rural areas, he added. The patchwork of federal permitting, siting and regulations should be streamlined, Redl said. Those obstacles, he said, stand in the way of the build-out of backhaul connections as well as infrastructure that would support the small cells on which 5G will rely, such as poles, streetlights, rooftops and other structures. An integral part of that streamlining, according to Redl, rests on an Executive Order and Presidential Memorandum issued by the White House in January supporting broadband tower facilities on federal properties. The executive order calls for the continued implementation of the provisions in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. That law requires the General Services Administration to develop a common master contract for wireless facility siting on buildings and other federally owned property. The order said those common contracts would allow the government to more efficiently process wireless facility siting requests and provide more predictability for site availability to broadband providers. It gave GSA 180 days to evaluate the effectiveness of the Common Form Application with federal property managers and to report back. This article was first posted to FCW, a sibling site to GCN. Rutland, Vt. and Waltham, Ma., Feb. 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) and GridAmerica Holdings, Inc., a part of National Grid Ventures, the non-regulated affiliate of National Grid, today announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and a services agreement to support the Granite State Power Link (GSPL) project. GSPL is a proposed clean energy project that will transmit new Canadian wind energy to New England via a new overhead transmission line located in an expanded existing right-of-way owned by, VETCO, a VELCO managed company. VELCO is pleased to extend our working relationship with National Grid by joining them on this regional project, said Tom Dunn, President and CEO of VELCO. If the Granite State Power Link project is selected for the Massachusetts Clean Energy RFP, our contract ensures that an established Vermont company with a proven track record for completing complex electric transmission projects on time and on budget will be leading the project management and land acquisition effort within Vermont. VELCOs responsibility is to provide safe, reliable electricity and to serve the public good consistent with Vermont values. This agreement advances VELCOs vision to help Vermont create a clean energy future. By expanding an existing transmission right-of-way, GSPL will construct a new 59-mile overhead transmission line with 53 miles built adjacent to VELCOs existing transmission line in the Northeast Kingdom. Another six miles will be built in Littleton and Monroe, New Hampshire, with converter stations on each end of the line. Under the signed agreements, Vermont Transco LLC, acting through VELCO as its manager, will collaborate as a contractor with GridAmerica to permit and construct the Granite State Power Link. This will create economic opportunity, as well as deliver long-term rate relief to Vermont electricity customers of nearly $3 million per year for 40 years. This partnership is very important in supporting local Vermont jobs and reducing our electric rates for the foreseeable future, said State Senator Jane Kitchel, Caledonia District. Granite State Power Link continues to listen to our needs and develop solutions that will yield positive results for Vermont. VELCO is a trusted name in Vermont and tapping their local expertise furthers our commitment to ensuring a strong result for all Vermonters now and into the future, said Will Hazelip, Vice President of U.S. Business Development, National Grid Ventures. We are confident that this collaboration will deliver on our promises to build a clean energy project that minimizes environmental impact, and maximizes economic, wildlife and recreational opportunities, while creating jobs and reducing energy costs in Vermont. GSPL offers, at a minimum, the following direct benefits to Vermont as a result of the Granite State Power Link: Over $450 million in local and state property tax revenue. $20 million for job creation and retention, and economic development in the Northeast Kingdom via revolving loan funds and economic and community development grants through a partnership with the Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA). $487 million in rate reductions within the first ten years of the project. $3 million a year for 40 years in rate relief through payments to Vermont Transco LLC, a company structured to return earnings to Vermont. Millions of dollars in low income energy assistance from Citizens Energy. Enhanced wildlife, habitat and recreational opportunities. GSPL has earned support from nearly 50 percent of the Vermont route communities (with one host community agreement signed), state legislators representing route communities in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, the NVDA, and the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers. The project also has the support of over two dozen New Hampshire state legislators, three New Hampshire towns, a Grafton County Commissioner, the Central New Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 104 and 490, and scores of residents. The project is currently in permitting and, once approved, is scheduled to begin construction in mid-2020 with an end of year 2022 in-service date. ### About Granite State Power Link The Granite State Power Link (GSPL), a project co-developed by National Grid and Citizens Energy, will deliver 1,200 MW of clean, affordable Canadian wind power to New England. Staying within or adjacent to existing transmission corridors, GSPL will build approximately 59 miles of new HVDC (direct current) transmission line from a new converter station in northern Vermont to a new converter station in Monroe, New Hampshire. From Monroe, the interconnection point, approximately 109 miles of existing AC (alternating current) transmission line will be upgraded to a new switching station in Londonderry, New Hampshire. Visit www.GraniteStatePowerLink.com for more about GSPL. About National Grid Ventures National Grid Ventures is a separate unit within National Grid plc that operates a broad renewable energy portfolio across the US and UKfocused on accelerating a clean energy transition. NGVs partnership with GSPL is being conducted through GridAmerica Holdings Inc., a non-regulated indirect subsidiary of National Grid plc. For more information, please visit nationalgrid.com/ventures. About VELCO Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) provides reliable, cost effective and environmentally sound electric transmission services to in-state electric distribution companies. Formed in 1956 when local utilities established the nation's first "transmission only" company to access clean hydro power from New York, VELCO's system now includes: 738 miles of transmission lines, 55 substations, switching stations and terminal facilities, and 13,000 acres of rights-of-way; and a 1,500-mile fiber optic network that monitors and controls the electric system and serves as a key link for Vermonters' high-speed data internet access. Ownership is shared by the state's 17 distribution utilities and a public benefits corporation, with a for-profit structure that returns value to our shareholders, their customers and to every Vermonter. For more information please visit our website at www.velco.com. About Vermont Transco, LLC Vermont Transco is the limited liability corporation that owns Vermonts high-voltage electric transmission system. VT Transco provides serve to the utilities that directly serve Vermont homes and businesses, as well as a small area of New Hampshire, and interconnects with New Englands regional grid. VELCO manages the Vermont Transco LLC system, and in that capacity, operates and maintains Vermonts electric transmission system, as it has since 1956. MIDLAND, VA, Feb. 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Easi-Set Worldwide , a subsidiary of Smith-Midland Corporation (SMID) project update: The open airfield at Grissom Air Reserve Base in Kokomo, Ind., leaves vital Air Force equipment vulnerable to potentially damaging winds. The area has historically been subjected to straight line winds over 100 mph and strong Midwest tornados reaching 150 mph. When the base recently needed a Ground-Air Transmit-Receive (GATR) building to house new communication equipment, a rugged solution was the only option to withstand such weather conditions. The remedy was found with an all precast concrete building from Easi-Set Buildings . The flight line in which the building is placed is wide open, allowing for exceptionally strong winds, says Richard Sparks, a project manager with Federal Construction Group. Since the structure houses sensitive communications equipment, something extremely solid was needed to fit the bill, and precast concrete was the perfect answer. McCann Concrete Products Inc., Dorsey, Ill., is the Easi-Set Buildings licensed producer that worked directly with the Federal Construction Group to manufacture an Easi-Span Building. Easi-Span Buildings are the largest clear span all-concrete building system on the market, in addition to being the only expandable concrete building system. The buildings can be installed in hours, depending on the size and complexity of the structure, and also feature Easi-Sets patented post-tensioned and pre-stressed roof and floor system. The 24 x 40 x 12 Easi-Span Building installed at the base has insulated wall panels in Shoji White with the doors and roof in Tricorn Black. Insulated walls were necessary to help control the temperature in the building, but they also reduced jobsite working hours. Placing the insulation inside the concrete allowed more work to be done away from the site in a controlled environment and eliminated many man hours had the work been done onsite, notes Matt McCann, project manager for McCann Concrete. The building was customized with doors, openings for electrical and mechanical penetrations, and integral insulation. Every building offered by Easi-Set Buildings is customizable, and the network of licensed producers located throughout North America work directly with customers to create endless customized solutions. Each client has specific needs, and the military in particular works with very detailed plans, often in highly restricted areas, says Moffette Tharpe, managing director of Easi-Set Worldwide. The licensed producers focus on supplying precast concrete products to various markets no matter the limitations. The GATR building was delivered to the base and erected in two days by Ben Hur Construction on a cast-in-place slab. The McCann Concrete trucks were escorted onto the airfield in groups of two and staged until Ben Hur Construction was ready to erect the structure. Once the load truck was in place, it was just like any other Easi-Span project with a fast and smooth execution. The wall panels were set and braced, followed by the roof sections. The connections were made, and the joints were sealed. Security and costs were also top priorities. A quick turnaround with minimal disruption to the secure site led military personnel to the choice of a precast concrete building. This building is placed right out on the airfield tarmac, just a few hundred yards away from an operating runway. Security was tight, and getting construction crews cleared to enter the baseand even the daily in-and-out through securityadds costs for everyone and complexity for the construction manager. Our precast building minimized the amount of work done onsite and created less congestion for the air base, McCann says. Discover more about Easi-Set Buildings and its network of licensed producers at www.easisetbuildings.com or by calling 800-547-4045. McCann Concrete Products has more than 40 years of experience in the residential, commercial, and transportation markets. McCann Concrete Products is a family-owned business that can supply standard products for much construction needs, as well as one-of-a-kind structures. Visit mccannconcreteproducts.com or call 618-377-3888 for more information. Grissom Air Reserve Base was established as Naval Air Station Bunker Hill in 1942 and an active Air Force installation from 1954 to 1994. It now is a joint-use civil airport and military base with Grissom Aeroplex. The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission. Visit www.grissom.afrc.af.mil . Easi-Set Worldwide, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Smith Midland Corporation, a public company, licenses the production and sale of Easi-Set products and provides diversification opportunities to the precast industry worldwide. Easi-Sets pre-engineered buildings are designed to provide durability, convenience and long-lasting security under a variety of applications. These maintenance-free structures are available through licensed precast concrete manufacturers across North America. Each producer manufactures Easi-Sets Buildings with the patented post-tensioned roof and floor system to guarantee a weatherproof structure. For more information about Easi-Set Worldwide or licensing opportunities, contact Easi-Set by calling 800-547-4045, visiting www.easiset.com or emailing info@easiset.com. aniket2045 wrote: voodoochild wrote: According to the new school district policy, only teachers that have tiled floors can have food in their classrooms. All of the classrooms in the new wing of the high school have tiled floors. However, most of the school's classrooms are still carpeted. Therefore, teachers who like to eat their lunches in their classrooms should be offered classrooms in the new wing of the high school. Which of the following is an assumption that enables the conclusion above to be properly drawn? (A) Teachers in the new wing who eat their lunches in the cafeteria should keep their assigned classrooms (B) Teachers with tiled classrooms should not eat in their classrooms, even though the new district policy permits them to do so. (C) Teachers with carpeted classrooms should be allowed to eat in their classrooms (D) The district policy should allow all teachers who want to eat in their classrooms an equal opportunity to do so, regardless of original classroom assignments. (E) The district policy should minimize potential damage to school property, such as that caused by food stains in carpet. - If I negate B, argument gets destroyed, as it will say only teachers with tiled classroom will have lunch in their classrooms. No other teacher will get opportunity to have lunch in classroom even if he or she wants to. Can you please explain why B is wrong. VeritasKarishma - If I negate B, argument gets destroyed, as it will say only teachers with tiled classroom will have lunch in their classrooms. No other teacher will get opportunity to have lunch in classroom even if he or she wants to.Can you please explain why B is wrong. Veritas Prep GMAT Instructor Learn more about how Veritas Prep can help you achieve a great GMAT score by checking out their KarishmaVeritas Prep GMAT InstructorLearn more about how Veritas Prep can help you achieve a great GMAT score by checking out their GMAT Prep Options > Signature Read More Only teachers that have tiled floors can have food in their classrooms.All of the classrooms in the new wing of the high school have tiled floors.However, most of the school's classrooms are still carpeted.Conclusion: Teachers who like to eat their lunches in their classrooms should be offered classrooms in the new wing of the high school.We want an assumption that will allow the conclusion to be properly drawn. That is, we need the option that will make the conclusion hold. What will help us establish the conclusion? Teachers can have food only if they have attuned classroom. New wing has tiled classrooms but rest are carpeted (accounting for most of the classrooms). If we say that teachers who want to eat in their classrooms should be able to, then it makes sense to conclude that these teachers should be offered classrooms in the new wing.(A) Teachers in the new wing who eat their lunches in the cafeteria should keep their assigned classroomsNot correct.(B) Teachers with tiled classrooms should not eat in their classrooms, even though the new district policy permits them to do so.This is against our conclusion. Hence this cannot help make our conclusion valid.(C) Teachers with carpeted classrooms should be allowed to eat in their classroomsNo, we are saying that teachers who want to eat in classrooms should be given the new tiled classrooms.(D) The district policy should allow all teachers who want to eat in their classrooms an equal opportunity to do so, regardless of original classroom assignments.Correct. This says that the policy should allow all teachers to have an equal opportunity to eat in the classroom. If this stands, then we can say that those who want to eat in the classroom should be given the new tiled classrooms so that they can eat there (as per the policy that they can eat in tiled classrooms only)(E) The district policy should minimize potential damage to school property, such as that caused by food stains in carpet.It does. Perhaps that is why eating in carpeted classrooms is not allowed.Answer (D)_________________ INSEAD Vs Johnson Vs Ross Vs Darden [ #permalink Hi all Appreciate your thoughts on this! I am an international student (from South-East Asia) and am hoping to enroll in an MBA program. My goal is to enter strategy consulting (hopefully MBB), location of work is not an issue. I am open to working almost anywhere (Asia, Europe, US, Australia). I've shortlisted some schools to apply for and also listed the pros and cons of each. Hope to hear your thoughts. Which school would give me the best shot to achieve my goal? Thanks in advance. 1) INSEAD Pros: 10 month accelerated programme [Maybe lower cost?] Multi campus structure with exchange programs in the US (Wharton and Kellogg) Very diverse crowd Opens up job opportunities to anywhere in the world but the US Mixture of case method and lectures Top International business school outside US High rate of placement in strategy consulting, even after stripping off the effects of sponsored students. Can anyone help to comment on this? Cons: No internship (Sept intake). Will this be a problem when I apply for strategy consulting firms? I have no previous experience in strategy consulting. Heard that career services outside consulting may not be so stellar. Any comments? MBB opportunities might be limited to only certain geographies/ nationalities. Could anyone comment about MBB recruitment scene in Singapore? Even though INSEAD has a Singapore campus, I've heard that they don't hire that many because the market in Singapore is not very huge to begin with. Also, you don't really need another language, other than English, to work in Singapore so the competition could be really tough. Where do non-sponsored students usually get placed for MBB? 2) Cornell Pros: Ivy league brand and well known in Asia Opportunity to spend a semester overseas on exchange and in the NYC tech campus Immersion program seems ideal for someone who is looking to switch industries Gives me a crack at the US job market. Cons: Heard that Cornell is mainly a banking school and consulting firms (MBB) don't really recruit there. Can anyone share how the consulting scene is like there? 3) Ross Pros: MAP! An excellent chance to work on a consulting project during the MBA. Is MAP overrated though? MBB recruitment seems pretty respectable. Any comments? Recruitment for other industries seem pretty stellar as well. Mixture of case method and lectures Gives me a crack at the US job market. Cons: MBB at Ross would be centered mainly in the Midwest (Chicago in particular). However, I would be competing with students from Booth and Kellogg. There may be more MBB slots reserved for them? Any international student can share how difficult it is to get such a role there Brand name is not as well known in Asia. 4) Darden Pros: Very impressed with the case study method and the teaching faculty at Darden Charlottesville seems like a great college town MBB recruitment seems pretty respectable. Any comments? Cons: MBB at Darden is mainly centered in Atlanta/Washington DC. Any international student can share how difficult it is to get such a role there? Brand name is not as well known in Asia. Thousands of pounds worth of free gifts and goodies will be hidden around intu Trafford Centre for lucky shoppers to get their hands on as part of its Chinese New Year celebrations. Taking on the Chinese tradition of gifting red envelopes for luck, the centre will be filled with over 1,000 red envelopes packed with goodies including intu gift cards, Elemis beauty treatments, Leon coffee and much more. If youre planning to visit the centre from between Thursday and Saturday, keep your eyes peeled for a chance of winning, as the letters are being distributed throughout the three days. And the mall will be filled with surprises for the whole family to enjoy and photo-friendly installations including a giant oriental floral archway and enchanting lion dances. On Friday 16 February, tap along to the beat of the pangu drummers whilst you watch the hypnotic movements of the Lion Dance, as the talented performers perform one of Chinas most famous displays. The parade will be performed four times throughout the day starting from 2.15pm, bringing a mass of colour to The Orient. Also on Friday, LEGO lovers of all ages can join LEGOLAND Discovery Centres master model builder to create a LEGO Chinese dragon. On Saturday 17 February, local artist Joe Ford will be teaching children the traditional art form of woodblock painting on Peel Avenue between 11am and 4pm. With a host of traditional Chinese and Eastern dishes to feast on including Yang Sing, Tampopo and East Street, its a must-visit destination this half-term. New York, Feb 13 (JEN): Denouncing the detention of two Supreme Court judges in the Maldives, United Nations human rights experts warned that the independence of the judiciary is under serious threat in the country, as is the principle of separation of powers between the State and the courts. It is clear that the rule of law in the Maldives is now under siege, said the experts in a news release issued Monday by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). We call on the Government to refrain from any threats or interference that may hamper the courts independence as the supreme guardian of the countrys constitution and legislation, they added. In the release, Jose Antonio Guevara Bermudez, the current Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; and Diego Garcia-Sayan, the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and magistrates, also stressed that judicial independence, enshrined in the national constitution and in international human rights treaties, had to be guaranteed by the State. Garcia-Sayan also raised concern over the timing of the arrests, five days after the Supreme Court had ordered the release and retrial of nine opposition leaders, including former President Mohamed Nasheed. Following the arrest of Chief Justice H.E. Abdulla Saeed and Ali Hameed Mohamed shortly after the Government declared a state of emergency the three remaining Supreme Court judges overturned the order to free the nine leaders. In the same vein, Bermudez underscored that Judges should be able to decide all matters before them impartially, on the basis of facts, and in accordance with the law free of any intimidation.[This] is at best suspicious, said Mr. Garcia-Sayan, adding that the acts constitutes an intolerable act of intimidation against the highest judicial authority in the country. [However,] this is not possible when their very liberty and security is threatened, he stressed. According to the news release, the UN experts have been in contact with the Government of Maldives regarding their concerns. UN Special Rapporteurs and independent experts are appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council the highest UN intergovernmental body on all matters related to human rights to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme or a country situation. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work. Photo: UNODC Wellington, Feb 13 (IBNS): Former New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English on Tuesday announced he has decided to quit politics. English served as the 39th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2016 to 2017. The main opposition leader of the country announced his resignation as leader of the National Party and his exit from parliament. Announcing his resignation, he thanked his supporters and family members in a short message he posted on Twitter. " Today I announced I'm resigning as Leader of the @NZNationalParty and leaving Parliament. It's been an honour and a privilege - thank you to my family and all those New Zealanders who have supported me. I am sure the National Party will continue to strengthen," he tweeted. He will leave Parliament on Mar 1. Image: Bill English Twitter page New Delhi, Feb 13 (IBNS) Hafiz Saeed, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind and one of the most wanted by India, has been declared a terrorist by Pakistan, media reports said. According to Dawn, President Mamnoon Hussain on Friday quietly approved an amendment to the existing law in the form of an ordinance that brings all individuals and organisations banned by the United Nations Security Council, like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jamaat-ud-Dawah, and Harkat-ul Mujahideen, under the ambit of the amended Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997 of the country. Two charities run by Saeed Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and the Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) have been outlawed by the U.N. Security Council for being "terrorist fronts" for Lashkar-e-Taiba, a group Saeed founded 30 years ago. This means that now, under Pakistani law, Saeed is a terrorist, and the JuD is a terrorist organisation. The move enables Islamabad to take action against groups and individuals banned by the UNSC - that includes sealing their offices and freezing their bank accounts. The promulgation of the ordinance was made public on Monday. Islamabad's move comes a week before the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on terror financing holds a crucial meeting in Paris to assess Pakistan's efforts to choke funding sources to terrorist groups, including those linked to Saeed. Washington has offered a $10 million reward for bringing Saeed to justice and warned Islamabad of repercussions in November after a Pakistani court freed the cleric from months of house arrest, citing a lack of evidence linking him to the Mumbai attacks. Ottawa, Feb 13 (IBNS): Complaining about the new international tax imposed by Canada, US President Donald Trump has said the neighbouring country does not treat them right, media reports said. Trump made the comment at the White House on Monday. He has unveiled a new infrastructure plan. Speaking at the trade practices, Trump said: "Canada does not treat us right in terms of the farming and the crossing the borders." "We cannot continue to be taken advantage of by other countries" he added. Earlier, Trump had complained about the Canadian dairy controls and softwood lumber. Trump said: "We are going to charge countries outside of our country countries that take advantage of the United States." "Some of them are so-called allies but they are not allies on trade So we're going to be doing very much a reciprocal tax and you'll be hearing about that during the week and the coming months" he added. According to the CHRI, Seyed-Emamis arrest took place on January 24 and his death was officially announced on February 9. The Associated Press reported that this announcement was confirmed by several Iranian lawmakers on Monday and that these individuals also reiterated the judiciarys claim that the prisoner had committed suicide. Such a claim is familiar to those who have been following political unrest since the outbreak of nationwide protests in late December, because at least two detained protesters were also said to have committed suicide. These claims were quickly disputed in the cases of Sina Ghanbari and Vahid Heydari, by their families and fellow activists. When the bodies of these and other deceased protesters were returned to their families, they reportedly showed clear signs of torture. The National Council of Resistance of Iran has determined that at least a dozen protesters have died under these circumstances, but their stories have received varying levels of exposure in part because of the pressure that regime authorities exert on the families of deceased prisoners. This patter is recurring in the case of Seyed-Emami, according to multiple reports. On one hand, Associated Press noted that Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the head of a parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy, declared that the prisoners family had accepted the official account of his suicide. But this claim conflicts with the accounts given by the New York Times and by two separate reports from CHRI, among other sources. The discrepancy likely reflects the regimes efforts to compel cooperation from witnesses and relatives who might otherwise undermine the official narrative. This is something that the second CHRI report specifically warned about, noting that Iran has a long and document history of forcing individuals to make statements and confessions. The report also suggests that further evidence of a constructed narrative about the death can be seen in the efforts by Tehrans chief prosecutor to give an exact account of the reason for the alleged suicide. This person was one of the accused [environmental activists] and given he knew that there is a torrent of confessions against him and he confessed himself, unfortunately he committed suicide in prison, the prosecutor said. The New York Times indicates that Seyed-Emamis family categorically denied the allegation that he had been operating as a spy, and of course similar denials have been repeated by other environmentalists who were arrested as part of the same crackdown. Following the arrests of several co-founders of the Persian Heritage Wildlife Foundation, the IRGC also ordered the arrest of the head of the Iranian governments own Department of the Environment. This official, Kaveh Madani, was reportedly detained on Saturday but released on Monday, but it remains unclear whether he still stands to face charges. Although the question of criminal charges is now irrelevant in the case of the deceased Seyed-Emami, the accusations of spying might still be reinforced through forced confessions by his would-be co-defendants. This is arguably even more important for the regime now, as it is essential to the official account not only of his arrest but also of the circumstances of his death. Accordingly, CHRI describes authorities as being engaged in an increasingly desperate cover-up, which includes pressuring Seyed-Emamis loved ones to bury his quickly, before an independent autopsy can be performed. Boroujerdis statement on the case declared that in addition to acquiescing to the official narrative, the family had declined to ask for an autopsy. But this too was contradicted by other sources. On the basis of these contradictions, there is grounds for skepticism about Boroujerdis further claim that several lawmakers had seen CCTV footage that corroborates the official account of Seyed-Emamis death. There is no indication that such footage has been viewed by any other party, let alone a reliably independent one. Statements by CHRI and other human rights groups urge the Iranian judiciary to make all evidence available to a full and independent investigation into this death. Meanwhile, the National Council of Resistance of Iran continues to urge a similar inquiry into all suspicious deaths that it has recorded since the nationwide protests. Furthermore, this is not the only broad-based human rights campaign to which Seyed-Emamis death is relevant. His case is representative of the separate, ongoing problems of torture and repression of dissent. But it also highlights the similarly ongoing problem of Tehran criminalizing dual nationality. This may have informed the IRGCs targeting of Seyed-Emami and also of Madani, the Iranian environment official. As the New York Times notes, Madani was educated in the US and held an academic position at Londons Imperial College, from which he was on leave at the time of his arrest. The report also suggests that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani hired Madani as a sign the country is ready to welcome back expatriate Iranians. Rouhani has professed that readiness at various times since taking office in 2013, but dual nationals and returned expatriates have remained the constant target of arrest and intimidation. The announcement of Seyed-Emamis death came on the same day that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a statement once again urging the Iranian judiciary to vacate the death sentence imposed on Ahmadreza Djalali, an Iranian-born academic and medical doctor who was residing in Sweden when he traveled to Iran in April 2016 at the invitation of Tehran University. Djalali was then arrested, denied due process, and forced to make false statements, leading to his conviction on unsubstantiated charges of espionage. The UN statement was issued in the wake of reports that Djalali had been denied an opportunity to appeal his case. Such reports are indicative of the arbitrary mistreatment that is especially likely to be visited upon dual nationals. The CHRIs reporting on Seyed-Emamis death notes that there are at least a dozen other dual nationals currently in detention in the Islamic Republic. Raam Emami, Seyed-Emamis son, does not believe he has taken his own life. As well, his colleagues in Irans academic community are in shock. Activists believe it is related to the suspicious deaths among detainees that have also been labelled as suicide. In fact, the Centre for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI), a New York-based lobby group, also told the BBC the Iranian authorities had increased their targeting of dual nationals in Iran. According to ILNA news agency, Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari-Dolatabadi said, He was one of the defendants in a spying case and unfortunately he committed suicide in prison since he knew that many had made confessions against him and because of his own confessions. On Friday, the Iranian authorities told Mr Seyed-Emamis wife he had died in Evin prison. The news of my fathers passing is impossible to fathom, Raam Emami said in social media posts. They say he committed suicide. I still cant believe this. It has been reported that the Iranian authorities have refused to release the body to his family unless there is an immediate burial and no attempt to conduct an independent autopsy. Responding to this allegation, Magdalena Mughrabi, Amnesty internationals Deputy Director for the Middle East and Africa said, The authorities refusal to allow an independent investigation into the extremely suspicious death of Dr Seyed-Emami smacks of a deliberately orchestrated attempt to cover up any evidence of torture and possible murder. He was detained in Evin prison where detainees are held under constant surveillance and stripped of all personal possessions. It would have been near impossible for him to commit suicide. She added, We are deeply concerned that Dr Seyed-Emamis body bears incriminating signs of torture and other clues to the reasons for his death. We call on the Canadian government and the international community to continue to place pressure on the Iranian authorities to allow an independent investigation into the circumstances of Dr Seyed-Emamis death in accordance with international standards. Those responsible, including any individual with command responsibility, must be brought to justice. Mughrabi said further, The mounting deaths in custody and the authorities refusal to allow independent and transparent investigations are deeply troubling illustrations of the utter contempt for human life and accountability that exists in the Iranian criminal justice system today. On February 11th, Tehrans Chief Prosecutor issued a statement saying that Kavous Seyed-Emami was driven to suicide by confessions that he had made and the incriminating statements others had made against him. Seyed-Emamis death is the third to be declared a suicide in detention by Iranian authorities following the December 2017 protests. During these golden years, the Iranian regime was able to expand further across the Middle East and to strengthen its military power at home, and abroad with the use of militias and proxy groups. Therefore, it is critical that President Trump adopts a more confrontational policy and puts an end, once and for all, to the appeasement of Iran. And it seems like he may be open to this. For one, he has given the European Union one last chance to fix the flawed nuclear deal otherwise the US will be pulling out. However, as much as Trump has expressed his intentions to crack down on Iran, he has done very little to put this into action. The Iranian regime has shown that it is completely incapable of reform, and those who believed that the nuclear deal would bring reconciliation between Iran and the wider international community have been proven wrong. On numerous occasions Iran has had the opportunity to reform, but it has been made very clear that those in charge do not want better relations with the United States. It counts the US as its enemy and it treats it as such. In the past, there have been more moderate leaders in Iran, but they have not been allowed by higher powers to ensure better relations between the Islamic Republic and the US. Israel, a US ally, has been threatened by Iran on a number of occasions and its proxy groups and militias have vowed to eradicate the Jewish state. Hamas is now being supported by Iran against Israel. Iranian officials have said that the regime is determined to help Israels enemies and has expressed its determination to ruin Israel. Iran is fuelling the conflicts across the region. In Yemen, it got involved in the war to hurt US ally Saudi Arabia. Threatening US allies in the region can have profound consequences for the US, and the allies do not want a direct confrontation with Iran. In Bahrain, for example, US interests are being undermined by Iran. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia despite its numerous challenges and major incompatibilities with the United States can only be described as a strong ally. It too is being threatened by Iran and it recently intercepted a missile sent by Iran from Yemeni territory. Thankfully it was intercepted before it hit the kingdoms main international airport in the capital city. If Iran is allowed to continue to mould the region, it is certain that instability and impoverishment will prevail. Iran is looking for conflict and refuses to cooperate and compromise. It is the responsibility of the United States, and international leaders, to confront Iran and its malign policies. Irans efforts on the Yemeni front against Saudi Arabia show that letting Iran take over Syria, Lebanon and Iraq will not simply end there. According to Abdulrahman al-Rashed, former General Manager of Al Arabiya News Channel, Irans control over Lebanon enabled it to take over Syria by using Hezbollah which it nurtured to be its regional power. He says that Iran also used some Lebanese institutions to support its operations in Syria and it used Lebanon to support its Yemeni proxy, the Houthis. Iran resembles a house made of glass following protests which erupted in dozens of cities and raised slogans demanding its exit from Syria, writes Abdulrahman al-Rashed. With the recent clashes in Syria, a positive outcome would be that all major parties may be forced to agree on solutions that avoid direct wars and minimize losses. Or, they can have negative results, and expand the conflict. The US secretary of defense has reiterated that they are militarily present in Syria to confront ISIS. Still, fighting terrorism may lead to confronting Iran. Al-Rashed believes that when controlling the conflict between Russia, America, Iran, Turkey and Israel fails, Iraq will be the most prone to danger. As well, if Turkey engages in battles against the Syrian regimes allies or insists to pursue Kurds who are allied with the US, he thinks it will be in danger. He says that Israel has enough power and alliances to be less vulnerable to threats. The conflict in Syria will also affect Iran, itself. The people of Iran have already voiced their opposition to war in Syria, and any expansion is a possible threat to the Khamenei regime in Tehran, as more money is directed toward it, instead of to the dire economic situation in the country. The Iranian people staged massive protests at the turn of the year, calling for not only and end to Irans efforts in Syria, but also regime change. The Iraqi war should have proven that the region is subject to conflict and divisions, no matter the appearance of being governed with clear rules of engagement. What guarantees the security and stability of countries that are surrounded with war is security, and an end to expansive political projects. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former Liberian President, Wins Coveted Leadership Prize Liberias Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has captured the Mo Ibrahim prize for distinguished African leadership. She is the fifth recipient of the prize since it was first presented in 2007. Mrs. Sirleaf, who stepped down last month, was praised for her work rebuilding the nation after civil war and leading a process of reconciliation. She served two six-year terms after becoming president in 2005. The committee awarding the prize cited her exceptional and transformative leadership when confronted with unprecedented challenges. Liberia had been devastated by nearly 15 years of civil war that claimed an estimated 250,000 lives, where hundreds of thousands of women were raped and most of the countrys infrastructure destroyed. Over the course of her two terms, much of the countrys $4.6 billion debt was erased by the IMF and World Bank, $18 billion worth of investments arrived in her first term and an economic recovery was in the cards until falling commodity prices and a devastating Ebola outbreak in 2013 derailed those efforts. She is credited with restructuring the military which, like rebel groups, committed atrocities during the civil war, and had even once imprisoned her. She also reformed the police and established a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Ms. Johnson Sirleaf shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011, shortly before she won a second term. She was faulted, however, for having appointed her two sons to high-level government positions and failing to tackle graft and corruption. She agrees. On reflection, she said recently, I should have been more careful. She was also expelled from her party for failing to sufficiently support her partys candidate for president, Joseph Boakai, who was defeated in a landslide. The last Ibrahim prize, named for Mo Ibrahim, a Sudanese-born telecommunications billionaire and philanthropist based in Britain, was given to Namibias former president, Hifikipunye Pohama in 2014. With the presidency firmly back in the hands of a male majority led by President George Weah, at least one of her last acts toughening the rape law has been modified, allowing accused men to apply for bail and be released from jail. ADVERTISEMENT UK aid groups knew of sex orgies by staffers in poor countries report Time is running out for the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo as a united front of the Catholic Church and members of the main opposition party plan a massive march to demand President Joseph Kabilas resignation. All activists are urged to respond, read a statement from the Union for Democracy and Social Progress. A Party congress scheduled for Feb. 26-27 has been postponed to support the Feb. 25 action, they said. ADVERTISEMENT Kabilas regime, riddled with corruption, repression and incompetence, faces mounting protests since he refused to leave office after his term expired in December 2016. While European countries chide the unpopular leader for the humanitarian crisis worsening daily in that country, and the U.S. demands to know the outcome of an investigation into two murdered U.S. aid workers, the United Nations this month outlined a situation so desperate that 13.1 million people are practically speaking on deaths door and in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Humanitarian coordinator Kim Bolduc, speaking in Kinshasa, did not sugarcoat the bad news. The past year has been one of the most difficult for millions of civilians, with the unrelenting cycle of violence, diseases, malnutrition and loss of livelihoods taking a toll on families. Todays appeal reflects the magnitude, severity and unpredictability of a crisis that has gone on for far too long, she said. But while money is to be made, it is unlikely that President Kabila will step down voluntarily. This month, the state mining company announced the renegotiation of all contracts with foreign mining companies to squeeze out a greater share of profits from copper and cobalt. A new mining code will raise royalties and taxes paid by miners to the government. We can no longer afford to feed global industry with our minerals for as little as we see today, said Albert Yuma Mulimbi, chairman of the state company, cynically. But theft of this mineral income at the highest levels starves ordinary Congolese of the bare minimum needed to live. The US-based Carter Center said in a report in November that the state mining company Gecamines failed to internally register $750 million in income between 2011 and 2014, and that much of this was now untraceable. ADVERTISEMENT Elisabeth Caisens, director of the Belgium-based Resource Matters that monitors the DRC mining industry, underscored the dilemma: A contract review a decade ago and partnership audit in 2012 generated hundreds of millions [of dollars] for Gecamines but few tangible results for the Congolese people. Time is running out for the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo as a united front of the Catholic Church and members of the main opposition party plan a massive march to demand President Joseph Kabilas resignation. All activists are urged to respond, read a statement from the Union for Democracy and Social Progress. A Party congress scheduled for Feb. 26-27 has been postponed to support the Feb. 25 action, they said. Kabilas regime, riddled with corruption, repression and incompetence, faces mounting protests since he refused to leave office after his term expired in December 2016. While European countries chide the unpopular leader for the humanitarian crisis worsening daily in that country, and the U.S. demands to know the outcome of an investigation into two murdered U.S. aid workers, the United Nations this month outlined a situation so desperate that 13.1 million people are practically speaking on deaths door and in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Humanitarian coordinator Kim Bolduc, speaking in Kinshasa, did not sugarcoat the bad news. The past year has been one of the most difficult for millions of civilians, with the unrelenting cycle of violence, diseases, malnutrition and loss of livelihoods taking a toll on families. Todays appeal reflects the magnitude, severity and unpredictability of a crisis that has gone on for far too long, she said. But while money is to be made, it is unlikely that President Kabila will step down voluntarily. This month, the state mining company announced the renegotiation of all contracts with foreign mining companies to squeeze out a greater share of profits from copper and cobalt. A new mining code will raise royalties and taxes paid by miners to the government. We can no longer afford to feed global industry with our minerals for as little as we see today, said Albert Yuma Mulimbi, chairman of the state company, cynically. But theft of this mineral income at the highest levels starves ordinary Congolese of the bare minimum needed to live. The US-based Carter Center said in a report in November that the state mining company Gecamines failed to internally register $750 million in income between 2011 and 2014, and that much of this was now untraceable. Elisabeth Caisens, director of the Belgium-based Resource Matters that monitors the DRC mining industry, underscored the dilemma: A contract review a decade ago and partnership audit in 2012 generated hundreds of millions [of dollars] for Gecamines but few tangible results for the Congolese people. For some industries, Christmas or New Years celebrations are the busiest times of year. But for Kenyas flower growers, the biggest holiday is Valentines Day. Workers in the city of Navaisha, the center of Kenyas flower industry, are busy cutting, packing, and cooling roses. Flower workers are celebrating something else, too: a plan for direct flights from Nairobi to New York City beginning next October. The move would create a possibility for the Kenyan flower industry to sell more in the American market. Right now, South American exporters dominate the U.S. market. Jane Ngige is the outgoing chief of the Kenya Flower Council. What we're looking at is an opportunity to diversify our markets to the American market and were also looking not to compete with the South Americans, who are the main producers or the main suppliers of flowers to North America, but to look at complementing the product. Because our products are very different. Kenyas roses, for example, have smaller heads than those grown in Colombia. Industry experts believe Kenyan growers can offer different types of flowers and lower production costs. Kenya is currently the fourth-largest exporter of cut flowers. Most of its flowers go to Europe, Australia, and Japan. It does not sell as many cut flowers to the United States because the cost of an air freight stopover in Europe is costly. Jonathan Ralling is with Flamingo Horticulture Kenya. He says that the Kenyan flower industrys success in America will depend partly on how much freight space is available on planes making the planned nonstop flights. For most of the year, Kenyas flower industry directly employs about 100,000 workers. But the Flower Council says other services and products create another 400,000 jobs. In total, the industry provides livelihoods for about 2 million people. And with better access to the U.S. market, Kenyas flower industry can only grow. Im Kelly Jean Kelly. Daniel Schearf reported this story for VOA. Kelly Jean Kelly adapted it for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story dominate - v. to be the most important part of freight - n. goods that are carried by ships, trains, trucks, or airplanes livelihood - n. a way of earning money in order to live As the world follows North Koreas diplomatic offensive at the Winter Olympics, two young women could be sentenced to death. They stand accused in the murder of the half-brother of North Koreas leader. It is a crime that involved the two Southeast Asian women, even if they knew nothing about it. Kim Jong Nam was the target of a deadly attack one year ago in a crowded airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He was a brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the eldest son of former leader Kim Jong Il. Siti Aisyah of Indonesia and Doan Thi Huong of Vietnam are the only defendants in the murder case. Malaysian officials accuse them of rubbing a cloth containing the nerve agent VX on Kim Jong Nams face. The poison, developed for military use, is so strong that he was dead within two hours. Kim was once seen as a possible leader for North Korea. But he fell out of favor with the countrys leadership and moved overseas. While Kim was not a political threat to Kim Jong Un, he may have been seen as possibly competing with his brother. Trial of two suspects From the start of their trial last October, the two suspects have said they thought their actions were part of a trick for a hidden-camera television show. They face a death sentence by hanging if found guilty. A lawyer for the women says the lack of North Korean suspects in the case hurts their legal defense. He said, As long as the North Korean suspects are away, the actual truth will never be proven. I sincerely believe that the girls should be acquitted because we have clearly shown that they are being used as scapegoats. Both the defense and prosecution lawyers agree the women, coming from rural poverty, could not have been acting completely on their own. They believe that the crime was carried out as part of a plot by a group of North Korean agents. They think the agents sought out the women, then trained and supplied them with the VX nerve agent. The Malaysian government even has a good idea who the suspected plotters are. Four North Koreans were seen on airport security cameras after the attack. They appeared to be changing their clothing and throwing away their belongings. A North Korean embassy official was believed to have helped the four men with flights out of Malaysia. But Malaysian officials have not officially accused North Korea of involvement in Kims death. Instead, they have focused narrowly on proving the womens guilt. Prosecutors said the two women knew they were working with poison. They said airport video showed them moving quickly to the washroom and holding their hands away from their bodies after the attack. Trial to re-start next week The trial is set to continue on February 22. Prosecutors are expected to rest their case by April or early May. If the judge finds there is no case against the women, they will be freed. If he rules against them, the trial will continue for several more months. An appeal to higher courts could add several years. James Chin is director of the Asia Institute at the University of Tasmania in Australia. He said, The Malaysian government wants it all to go away by trying to rush the trial and end it. Chin added, Once everything is under the bridge, which will take years, Malaysia and North Korea will likely resume normal relations. The Kim Jong Nam case will be just another footnote in history. I'm Caty Weaver. Eileen Ng and Eric Talmade reported this story for the Associated Press (AP). Hai Do adapted their report for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story eldest adj. of the greatest age out of favor expression. having or showing approval acquit v. to find someone not guilty scapegoat n. someone who is blamed unfairly for something prosecution n. the act or process of holding a trial against someone focus v. to direct attention rush v. to do something in a hurry Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. The following companies are subsidiares of Bristol-Myers Squibb: 1096271 B.C. ULC, 345 Park LLC, A.G. 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LLC, Celgene ApS, Celgene B.V., Celgene BVBA, Celgene Brasil Produtos Farmaceuticos Ltda., Celgene CAR LLC, Celgene CAR Ltd., Celgene Chemicals Sarl, Celgene China Holdings LLC, Celgene Co., Celgene Corporation, Celgene Distribution B.V., Celgene EngMab GmbH, Celgene Europe B.V., Celgene Europe Limited, Celgene European Investment Company LLC, Celgene Financing Company LLC, Celgene Global Holdings Sarl, Celgene GmbH [Austria], Celgene GmbH [Germany], Celgene GmbH [Switzerland], Celgene Holdings East Corporation, Celgene Holdings II Sarl, Celgene Holdings III Sarl, Celgene Ilac Pazarlama ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Celgene Inc., Celgene International Holdings Corporation, Celgene International II Sarl, Celgene International III Sarl, Celgene International Inc., Celgene International Sarl, Celgene K.K., Celgene Kft., Celgene Limited [Hong Kong], Celgene Limited [Ireland], Celgene Limited [New Zealand], Celgene Limited [Taiwan], Celgene Limited [UK], Celgene Logistics Sarl, Celgene Ltd, Celgene Luxembourg Sarl, Celgene Management Sarl, Celgene NJ Investment Co, Celgene Netherlands B.V., Celgene Netherlands Investment B.V., Celgene Pharmaceutical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Celgene Pte. Ltd., Celgene Pty Ltd, Celgene Puerto Rico Distribution LLC, Celgene Quanticel Research Inc, Celgene R&D Sarl, Celgene RIVOT LLC, Celgene RIVOT Ltd., Celgene RIVOT SRL, Celgene Receptos Limited, Celgene Receptos Sarl, Celgene Research Incubator At Summit West LLC, Celgene Research S.L.U., Celgene Research and Development Company LLC, Celgene Research and Development I ULC, Celgene Research and Development II LLC, Celgene Research and Investment Company II LLC, Celgene S. de R.L. de C.V., Celgene S.L.U., Celgene S.R.L., Celgene SAS, Celgene Sarl AU, Celgene Sdn Bhd, Celgene Services Sarl, Celgene Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Celgene Sp. Z.o.o., Celgene Sro [Czech Republic], Celgene Summit Investment Co, Celgene Switzerland Holding Sarl, Celgene Switzerland II LLC, Celgene Switzerland Investment Sarl, Celgene Switzerland LLC, Celgene Switzerland Sarl, Celgene Tri A Holdings Ltd., Celgene Tri Sarl, Celgene UK Distribution Limited, Celgene UK Holdings Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing II Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing III Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing Limited, Celgene d.o.o., Celgene sro [Slovakia], Celmed LLC, Celmed Ltd., ConvaTec Divestiture, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals AB, Crosp Ltd., Delinia Inc., Deuteria Pharmaceuticals Inc., DuPont Pharmaceuticals, E. R. Squibb & Sons Inter-American Corporation, E. R. Squibb & Sons L.L.C., E. R. Squibb & Sons Limited, EWI Corporation, EngMab Sarl, F-star Alpha, FermaVir Pharmaceuticals L.L.C., FermaVir Research L.L.C., Flexus Biosciences, Flexus Biosciences Inc., Forbius, Galecto Biotech, GenPharm International L.L.C., Gloucester Pharmaceuticals LLC, Grove Insurance Company Ltd., Heyden Farmaceutica Portuguesa Limitada, IFM Therapeutics, Impact Biomedicines Inc., Inhibitex, Inhibitex L.L.C., Innate Tumor Immunity Inc., JuMP Holdings LLC, Juno Therapeutics GmbH, Juno Therapeutics Inc., Kosan Biosciences, Kosan Biosciences Incorporated, Linson Investments Limited, Mead Johnson (Manufacturing) Jamaica Limited, Mead Johnson Jamaica Ltd., Medarex, Morris Avenue Investment II LLC, Morris Avenue Investment LLC, MyoKardia, O.o.o. Bristol-Myers Squibb, Oy Bristol-Myers Squibb (Finland) AB, Padlock Therapeutics, Padlock Therapeutics Inc., Pharmion LLC, Princeton Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Receptos LLC, Receptos Services LLC, RedoxTherapies Inc., Route 22 Real Estate Holding Corporation, SPV A Holdings ULC, Seamair Insurance DAC, Signal Pharmaceuticals LLC, Sino-American Shanghai Squibb Pharmaceuticals Limited, Societe Francaise de Complements Alimentaires(S.O.F.C.A.), Squibb Middle East S.A., Summit West Celgene LLC, Swords Laboratories, VentiRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Westwood-Intrafin SA, Westwood-Squibb Pharmaceuticals Inc., X-Body Inc., ZymoGenetics, ZymoGenetics Inc., ZymoGenetics LLC, ZymoGenetics Paymaster LLC, iPierian, and iPierian Inc.. Basic Energy Services, Inc. engages in the provision of well site services to oil and natural gas drilling and producing companies. It operates its business through the following segments: Completion and Remedial Services, Well Servicing, Water Logistics, and Corporate and Other. The Completion and Remedial Services segment utilizes coiled tubing services, air compressor packages specially configured for underbalanced drilling operations, an array of specialized rental equipment and fishing tools, thru-tubing, and snubbing units. The Well Servicing segment encompasses a full range of services performed with a mobile well servicing rig, including the installation and removal of downhole equipment and elimination of obstructions in the well bore to facilitate the flow of oil and natural gas. The Water Logistics segment focuses in the fleet of trucks and related assets, including specialized tank trucks, storage tanks, water wells, disposal facilities water treatment, and related equipment. The Corporate and Other segment comprises principally of working capital and debt financing costs. The company was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, TX. 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. Glencore plc produces, refines, processes, stores, transports, and markets metals and minerals, and energy products in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. It operates through two segments, Marketing Activities and Industrial Activities. The company produces and markets copper, cobalt, nickel, zinc, lead, chrome ore, ferrochrome, vanadium, alumina, aluminum, tin, and iron ore. It also engages in the oil exploration/production, distribution, storage, and bunkering activities; and offers coal, crude oil and oil products, refined products, and natural gas. The company markets and distributes physical commodities sourced from third party producers and its production to industrial consumers in the battery, electronic, construction, automotive, steel, energy, and oil industries. It also provides financing, logistics, and other services to producers and consumers of commodities. The company was formerly known as Glencore Xstrata plc and changed its name to Glencore plc in May 2014. Glencore plc was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in Baar, Switzerland. Read More 6 hours ago Are You Creditworthy? A Look at What Your Lender Sees (and Does Investing Affect Your Credit?) If you're thinking about getting a loan for something like a house, a car or another type of loan, you might wonder what your lender sees when they take a look at your creditworthiness. You want to have every advantage at your disposal, particularly in the face of what's going on in the housing market right now. Read Article Manulife Financial Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services in Asia, Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Wealth and Asset Management Businesses; Insurance and Annuity Products; And Corporate and Other segments. The Wealth and Asset Management Businesses segment provides mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, group retirement and savings products, and institutional asset management services through agents and brokers affiliated with the company, securities brokerage firms, and financial advisors pension plan consultants and banks. The Insurance and Annuity Products segment offers deposit and credit products; individual life, and individual and group long-term care insurance; and guaranteed and partially guaranteed annuity products through insurance agents, brokers, banks, financial planners, and direct marketing. The Corporate and Other segment is involved in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance businesses; and run-off reinsurance operations, including variable annuities, and accident and health. It also manages timberland and agricultural portfolios; and engages in insurance agency, portfolio and mutual fund management, mutual fund dealer, life and financial reinsurance, and fund management businesses. Additionally, the company holds and manages oil and gas properties; holds oil and gas royalties, and foreign bonds and equities; and provides investment management, counseling, advisory, and dealer services. Manulife Financial Corporation was incorporated in 1887 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More An Australian prime minister who a decade ago set an ambitious timetable for ending indigenous disadvantage has blamed a lack of government funding for slow progress. Kevin Rudd committed Australia to reducing the difference in life expectancies between Aboriginal and non-indigenous people on Feb. 13, 2008, when he made a historic apology to Australias indigenous minority for past injustices. On the eve of the 10th anniversary of that apology, Rudd told the National Press Club of Australia yesterday that the conservative governments of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his predecessor Tony Abbott had failed to maintain funding for overcoming disadvantage and concealed cutbacks through a lack of transparency. Rudd led two center-left Labor Party administrations, mostly recently in 2013. A major reason, although by no means the only one, were languishing in meeting a number of targets is the uncertainty in governments financial effort over recent years and this needs to be named for what it is, rather than being buried in an increasingly indecipherable lump of statistical mud, Rudd said. The government yesterday released its 10th annual Closing the Gap report which measures progress in overcoming disadvantage in seven areas, the most important being a decade difference in the life expectancy between the races. Australia was on track to meet only three of those targets halving the gap in child mortality by 2018, halving the difference in students completing high school by 2020 and enrolling 95 percent of indigenous 4-year-olds in education programs by 2015. The gap in life expectancies was widening due to an increase in indigenous cancer deaths, the report found. Rudd had hoped to eliminate that gap by 2030 Rudd described the latest report as a mixed picture. I can only conclude that a major reason we are starting significantly to fall short of the Closing the Gap targets is because this [] government has withdrawn funding effort, Rudd said. Turnbull has denied cutting indigenous spending and criticized Rudd for setting targets and timeframes without consulting indigenous leaders. AP Suspended lawmaker Sulu Sou confirmed to TDM he will appeal to Macaus top court after the Second Instance Court ruled earlier this month it does not have the jurisdiction to hear the appeal. Sous defense claim that several irregularities leading up to the December 4 suspension vote at the Legislative Assembly violated the rules of procedure and fundamental rights of the appellant, and that this should annul the suspension. However, the TSI has refused to consider the appeal on the basis that it does not think it has the authority to rule on affairs of the legislature. The young lawmaker is accused of civil disobedience in a lawsuit related to a protest last year against a controversial donation from the Macao Foundation to Jinan University. He was ousted in a secret ballot vote at the Legislative Assembly, with 28 legislators voting in favor and just four against. Ten carbon monoxide poisoning cases recorded Ten cases of carbon monoxide poisoning have been registered so far for this winter, with one incident resulting in death, the Health Bureau (SSM) announced in a statement on Sunday. According to the SSM investigation, in all cases the houses involved gas water heaters that were incorrectly installed without an exhaust pipe to allow waste gas to be channeled outside. Most house buyers are Macau residents Most of Macaus property buyers over the last two years were Macau residents, Financial Services Bureau director Iong Kong Leong revealed recently during a TDM program. According to Iong, 56.7 percent of Macau residents who purchased a property in the last two years already owned a house. Recently, the local government relaxed the loan conditions for young first-time home buyers taking out a mortgage loan. Before the measure was announced, the average monthly residential transactions amounted to between 600 and 700. In the first nine days following the announcement of the measure, the transactions climbed to 900. Some temples still disobey safety instructions The deputy director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), Leong Wai Man, said that certain temples still fail to comply with the governments safety requirements. Last year, the IC banned the indoor burning of incenses at night in temples, and required temples to switch off their electricity supply overnight. According to a report by Jornal Va Kio, Leong stated that the IC conducted inspections across all of Macaus 43 temples in which it was determined that 20 to 30 percent of the temples were still noncompliant. Suspect sprays flammable liquids on Old Court Building A person sprayed a pile of papers with flammable liquids at the entrance of the Old Court Building around 4 p.m. yesterday. The police rushed to the scene shortly after the incident. Upon evaluation, it was concluded that the building had not suffered any damage. The police are handling the case as an attempted arson. Ophthalmologist Jose Batalha has passed away Ophthalmologist Jose Batalha died last Friday at the age of 96, TDM radio reported. The physician, a prominent figure within the Macanese community, worked for several decades in the Macau Health Bureau and was also the clinical director of the public hospital between 1983 and 1986. In the mid 1950s, he served as vice-president of the administrative committee of the Leal Senado. Batalha, whose name is almost synonymous with ophthalmology in the region, was also one of the founding members of the Association for Macanese Education (APIM). One of the things which APIM runs is the D Jose da Costa Nunes Kindergarten in addition to significant participation in Macaus Portuguese School. Batalha was given two honors from both the Macau and Portuguese government during the 1980s. Aecon Group. Inc. has extended the timeline of its proposed takeover by a Chinese buyer, saying Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus cabinet is reviewing the deal on national security grounds. In a statement yesterday, Aecon pushed the outside date to complete its plan of arrangement with a unit of China Communications Construction Co. to March 30, from Feb. 23, after the government ordered a continuation of the national security review of the proposed acquisition. It still expects the deal to close by the end of the second quarter, assuming the satisfaction or waiver of remaining conditions. Investors had been betting a takeover of Aecon Group Inc. is no sure thing, with shares posting their biggest one-week decline since the CAD1.19 billion (USD945 million) offer from a Chinese buyer amid questions of whether the Canadian government will review it on grounds of national security. Canadas analysis into whether the transaction is in the countrys net benefit had already stretched into overtime. Yesterday, Aecon said Trudeaus government had given notice under section 25.3 of the Investment Canada Act, a passage that allows the government to order a review if it considers the takeover could be injurious to national security. The deal, announced in October, would see Aecon acquired by the Chinese firm for CAD20.37 a share. The stock ended Friday at CAD19.50, and traded as low as CAD19.33 on the day, a gap of 5.1 percent from the takeover price. The shares fell 2.3 percent last week, the biggest one-week drop since the deal was announced Oct. 26. The purchaser filed an application for review on Nov. 9. Once that application is certified complete, it begins a 45-day clock for Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains office to review the deal, according to a summary of the process provided to shareholders by the company. The government can request an extra 30-day extension for its so-called net benefit reviews of major deals, such as this one, Aecon said. Critically, the deadline can also be extended if the proponent and government agree. Aecon continues to respond to officials from the Investment Review Division in Bainss office, Chief Executive Officer John Beck said last week in another statement. Aecon welcomes the review on the merits of the proposed transaction and will continue to seek to obtain all the necessary regulatory approvals to close the transaction. Bloomberg The Macao Customs Service and Gongbei Customs recently conducted a joint operation between February 7 and 9 to combat smuggling. Several people were found smuggling items to mainland China using school-aged children and equipment for children such as infant strollers. According to a Customs statement, the Macau and Zhuhai customs authorities deployed a total of 340 people during the joint operation. The two departments recorded 58 violations of customs law, including cases of people transporting fresh food between Macau and mainland China. The Customs statement reads that smugglers paid intermediaries to bring items from Macau to mainland China. Those items include electronic devices, cigarettes and alcohol. In total, eight cases involved school-aged children and three cases involved the use of infant strollers to smuggle items to mainland China. These cases combined represent 19 percent of all smuggling cases. In September last year, the Macau government joined the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. For the first time as part of the joint initiative, Customs authorities seized species listed on the convention. According to the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureaus identification, the seized items consisted of 26 crocodile and one ostrich leather product. As a political crisis plays out in the Maldives, a quiet tug of war is taking place around it, with heavyweights China and India vying for strategic dominance in the picturesque Indian Ocean nation. At first glance, Beijing and New Delhi want no part in the turmoil that erupted Feb. 1 when the Maldives Supreme Court overturned the convictions of several opposition politicians, including the presidents main rival. Chinese and Indian officials spoke in usual diplomatic tones, saying they have no interest in interfering in the archipelagos internal affairs. But in reality, both have strategic regional interests to safeguard and are jostling for the upper hand. President Yameen Abdul Gayoom has sent envoys to friendly nations China, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to explain his governments position since he rejected the court ruling, imposed a state of emergency last week and arrested two of the Supreme Court judges. His actions fueled suspicion that he has no intention of easing up on eliminating his rivals and tightening his hold on power ahead of this years elections. His most powerful opponent, exiled former President Mohammed Nasheed, appealed to India to send troops to end the crisis. On behalf of Maldivian people we humbly request: 1. India to send envoy, backed by its military, to release judges & pol. Detainees [] We request a physical presence, Nasheed tweeted last week. Traditionally, the archipelago of 1,200 islands and a population of 390,000 Sunni Muslims has been firmly in New Delhis sphere of influence, with India even intervening in 1988 when a group of mercenaries tried to seize power. Its support helped keep former strongman Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in power for three decades and later aided Nasheed, the countrys first democratically elected leader, who became famous when he used his low-lying island nation to highlight the risk of rising sea levels and climate change. But the Maldives began tilting toward Beijing after Yameen, the half brother of Gayoom, came to power in 2013 by defeating Nasheed. Yameen has rolled back many of Nasheeds democratic gains, with all of his potential political opponents either jailed or in exile. His government curbed freedom of speech and assembly, with heavy fines imposed on journalists and social media users found guilty of defamation. In 2015, in a trial widely criticized by rights groups, Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years in prison. He later received asylum in Britain. China saw the developments as an opening. Until 2011, China didnt even have an embassy in the Maldives. Coming to 2018, its seen as a big player in this whole Indian Ocean region, said Mahalakshmi Ganapathy, an India-China expert at Singapores S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. When Yameen visited Beijing in December, the two countries signed a free trade agreement that eliminates most tariffs on Maldivian exports, primarily fish, and opens the island nation to Chinese goods and services, including in finance, health care and tourism. China is already the Maldives primary source of tourists, whose spending largely drives the economy, and Beijing is investing hundreds of millions of dollars in an airport expansion, housing development and other projects. China now sees the Maldives as a crucial part of its One Belt One Road project along ancient trade routes through the Indian Ocean and Central Asia. The initiative envisages building ports, railways and roads to expand trade and Chinas influence in a swath across Asia, Africa and Europe. Chinas massive lending to poor nations for such projects has raised concerns about their ability to repay. Already, Beijing has taken over ports it developed in Sri Lanka and Pakistan on long-term leases. Nasheed says China is buying up the Maldives under Yameen, accusing the president of opening up the floodgates to Chinese investments with little or no oversight and transparency. China has dismissed those allegations. Beijing is watching the Maldives very carefully. If the political situation turns in Nasheeds favor, that may shift the balance of influence back toward New Delhi. India is clearly uneasy with Chinas growing presence in its backyard. Whats less clear is how it will respond to the current upheaval in the Maldives. So far, India hasnt responded publicly to Nasheeds demand that it deploy soldiers to end the crisis, and its held off formally meeting with Yameens envoy. But last wee, Indias Ministry of External Affairs issued a carefully worded statement aimed at China. We note that China has said that Maldives Government has the ability to protect the security of Chinese personnel and institutions in Maldives. We hope that all countries can play a constructive role in Maldives, instead of doing the opposite, the statement said. India is in a very difficult position, said David Brewster, an expert on Indian Ocean strategic affairs at the National Security College in Canberra, Australia. It would like to see Yameen replaced, but it is not sure how to do that. He added: Indias primary concern is not to restore democracy, but rather to reduce Chinas influence in the country. Muneeza Naqvi, New Delhi, AP Sands China is implementing a paid paternity leave policy for eligible team members, effective from February 16, the gaming operator announced in a statement yesterday. Male team members who have contributed at least one year of service to the company will be eligible for five consecutive days of paid paternity leave, to be taken within 30 days after the birth of their child. Wilfred Wong, president of Sands China, said, We strive to address the needs of our team members, so were very pleased to announce this new paid paternity leave policy, acknowledging the important role of fathers in the family. With this new policy, fathers of new-borns will have time to be with their families to enjoy this important milestone of life and to support them, helping maintain a harmonious family life, he added. CTM distributes food hampers to families The CTM Volunteer Team organized a Chinese New Year Visit with Caritas Macau, providing food hampers and New Year decorations, including Fai Chun. The volunteers visited underprivileged families at Ilha Verde Social House, sending out Chinese New Year blessings and presenting each of the families with festive foods. Volunteer Team members also helped to set up the decorations for the families. Paul Pun, secretary general of Caritas Macau, expressed his appreciation to CTM and the CTM Volunteer team members for their continuous commitment to fulfilling corporate social responsibility by delivering care and support to those in need, according to a press release issued by the telecommunication company. CTM pledged that it will continue to fulfill its philosophy of serving the community and contributing to the society. Education representatives gathered last week to discuss the latest developments of Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) in the global context with a focus on the application to classroom instruction and e-assessment platforms. Organized by the School of Education at the University of Saint Joseph, the conference included four scholars from Taiwan, Hong Kong and the region, sharing their latest research findings and school-based, pedagogical practices. Speaking to the Times, Ana Correia, dean of the School of Education reiterated the need for schools to change their methodologies and pedagogies. According to Correia, the university is prepared to be a hub for related projects in the future and are waiting for SRL techniques to develop further. Correia added that the university plans to collaborate with other institutes. I think Macau has the resources, and I think it also has the enthusiasm so now we need to work together and collaborate between schools and universities. Echoing the same sentiments, principal of St Pauls School, Fr Alejandro Salcedo remarked that schools in the region should come up with a methodological program on how to move away from the traditional way of schooling and prepare students for the rest of the 21st century, where the required skills will be differ from those of the past. In 2012, St Pauls School became a paperless school as Primary 4 students to Form 6 made the transition and completed their studies through online platforms. We have to change. Unfortunately, we have all the things we dont need in education. We need to change in the school and try to give a 360 degree turn, said the principal. Fr Salcedo noted that innovation should start in the education sector so that students will be prepared and capable of contributing to the evolving work force. Society [in the future] will be completely different from the one we have now, so we have to look for ways and means in preparing our students for that. If other industries are trying to advance, why does education have to be left behind? The principal admitted that it is challenging to encourage long-term teachers to change the way they deliver lessons. Teachers [should] see the need for change and see that the future will be different from what we have now, so we have to offer something else. The principal revealed that the school is working on a project that aims to focus on cultivating the habits of students at an early age. From the current 3-6-6 system, which describes the years from Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary level, St Pauls School is looking at implementing a 6-6-3 system. K1 to P3 is crucial not for learning but for creating habits. So, we have to make students to want to come to school. As of now, they are not missing it because the school starts with tests, memorizing and drilling, the principal explained. Although the change will be internal, Fr Salcedo explained that university requirements nowadays are far more complex than several years ago, adding the need to prepare students and develop the eagerness to learn. The planned curriculum will focus on allowing the first category to learn within classrooms by sharing and not by lecturing. The Catholic school is also working on developing a new English curriculum to enhance the students ability to speak the language. China said yesterday that a Hong Kong-based Swedish man who sold gossipy books about Chinese leaders is under detention on suspicion of leaking state secrets, and rebuked Stockholm for demanding his release. Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Gui Minhai had violated Chinese laws and thus must be dealt with in accordance with Chinese laws. The Swedish sides repeated demands that China release him is a crude and unjustifiable interference into Chinas judicial sovereignty. We have lodged multiple solemn representations with the Swedish side over this matter, Geng said. Gui, 53, was taken off a train by police on Jan. 20 while in the presence of two Swedish diplomats with whom he was traveling to Beijing. Sweden said its officials were taking him to seek medical treatment. On Sunday, police in the eastern city of Ningbo said that Gui was being held in the city jail and that they had evidence to back up their accusations that he leaked state secrets and intelligence to foreigners. No details about the charges were given. Gui told pro-Beijing media outlets over the weekend that he never wished to leave China and that Sweden was using his case to create trouble for Chinas government. Looking back, I might have become Swedens chess piece. I broke the law again under their instigation, Gui was quoted as saying by Hong Kongs South China Morning Post newspaper. My wonderful life has been ruined and I would never trust the Swedish ever again. The statement from Gui, who spoke in a detention facility flanked by police, was immediately denounced by rights activists as coerced. In putting Gui before the press, Chinese state security appeared to be responding to Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom, who last week sharply questioned the rule of law in China and blasted Beijings brutal treatment of Gui after weeks of relatively mild pleas for his release. Gui went missing in 2015 from his seaside home in Thailand, turning up months later on Chinese television saying he had turned himself in for an alleged 2003 drunk driving accident in which a female college student was killed. Several of Guis colleagues from his Hong Kong publishing house also went missing in quick succession, sparking suspicions that mainland security forces were seeking to snuff out independent voices in the semi-autonomous city. Gui was released in October after completing his two-year sentence, but had committed to remaining in Ningbo until an investigation was completed into charges of running a business illegally, the Ningbo police said in its statement faxed to The Associated Press. It gave no details about the state of that investigation but said Guis rights were being preserved as he faced the new charges. Guis overseas friends and family, including his daughter Angela, have said the charges are bogus and that Gui was keen to leave China for Europe. AP Iceland is expected to use more energy mining bitcoins and other virtual currencies this year than it uses to power its homes. With massive amounts of electricity needed to run the computers that create bitcoins, large virtual currency companies have established a base in the North Atlantic island nation blessed with an abundance of renewable energy. The new industrys relatively sudden growth prompted lawmaker Smari McCarthy of Icelands Pirate Party to suggest taxing the profits of bitcoin mines. The initiative is likely to be well received by Icelanders, who are skeptical of speculative financial ventures after the countrys catastrophic 2008 banking crash. Under normal circumstances, companies that are creating value in Iceland pay a certain amount of tax to the government, McCarthy told The Associated Press. These companies are not doing that, and we might want to ask ourselves whether they should. The energy demand has developed because of the soaring cost of producing and collecting virtual currencies. Computers are used to make the complex calculations that verify a running ledger of all the transactions in virtual currencies around the world. In return, the miners claim a fraction of a coin not yet in circulation. In the case of bitcoin, a total of 21 million can be mined, leaving about 4.2 million left to create. As more bitcoin enter circulation, more powerful computers are needed to keep up with the calculations and that means more energy. The serene coastal town of Keflavik on Icelands desolate southern peninsula has over the past months boomed as an international hub for mining bitcoins and other virtual currencies. Local fishermen, chatting over steaming cups of coffee at the harbor gas station, are puzzled by the phenomenon, which has spawned oversize construction sites on the outskirts of town. Among the main attractions of setting up bitcoin mines at the edge of the Arctic Circle is the natural cooling for computer servers and the competitive prices for Icelands abundance of renewable energy from geothermal and hydroelectric power plants. Johann Snorri Sigurbergsson, a business development manager at the energy company Hitaveita Sudurnesja, said he expected Icelands virtual currency mining to double its energy consumption to about 100 megawatts this year. That is more than households use on the island nation of 340,000, according to Icelands National Energy Authority. Four months ago, I could not have predicted this trend but then bitcoin skyrocketed and we got a lot more emails, he said at the Svartsengi geothermal energy plant, which powers the southwestern peninsula where the mining takes place. Just today, I came from a meeting with a mining company seeking to buy 18 megawatts, he said. At the largest of three bitcoin farms currently operating within Keflavik called Mjolnir after the hammer of Thor, the Norse god of thunder high metal fences surround 50 meter-long warehouse buildings stacked with computer rigs. The data centers here are specially designed to utilize the constant wind on the bare peninsula. Walls are only partial on each side, allowing a draft of cold air to cool down the equipment. What we are doing here is like gold mining, said Helmut Rauth, who manages operations for Genesis Mining, a major bitcoin mining company. We are mining on a large scale and getting the gold out to the people. Genesis Mining, founded in Germany, moved to Iceland in 2014 when the price of bitcoin fluctuated from USD350 to $1000. Today, one bitcoin is valued at about $8,000, according to tracking site Coindesk, after peaking at almost $19,500 in December. The currency took a hit in January when China announced it would move to wipe out its bitcoin mining industry, following concerns of excessive electricity consumption. Rauth said bitcoin should not be singled out as environmentally taxing. Computing power always demands energy, he argues. How much energy is needed for credit card transactions and internet research? Cryptocurrencies have the same global impact, he said. In the capital, Reykjavik, some are more skeptical about bitcoin. The last time Iceland was an international hub for finance, the venture ended with a giant bank crash, making the country one of the symbols of the 2008 global financial crisis. The political turmoil following the crash swept the upstart Pirate Party into Icelands parliament, where it currently holds 10 percent of seats. Pirate Party legislator McCarthy has questioned the value of bitcoin mining for Icelandic society, saying residents should consider regulating and taxing the emerging industry. We are spending tens or maybe hundreds of megawatts on producing something that has no tangible existence and no real use for humans outside the realm of financial speculation, he said. That cant be good. Egill Bjarnason, Keflavik, AP The jobs were advertised as some of the best in Las Vegas: collect big tips while dealing blackjack on the Strip. But inside the casino party pits, women were the prey, dressed in bikinis and lingerie to be ogled by the customers and used as bait for gamblers. The workers are part of a chorus of women in the casino industry, among them cocktail waitresses and go-go dancers, who say theyve been harassed, groped or asked by bosses for sex in return for good assignments. Yes, this is Las Vegas, a city built on excess, gambling, drinking and sex. But the abrupt resignation of Steve Wynn, chief architect of the modern Strip, has drawn widespread attention to what has long been an open secret: few places in the U.S. are more perilous for women workers than Vegas. A review of lawsuits, and interviews with women who have worked in party pits and casinos, paint a picture of an industry that has allowed its reputation for debauchery and permissiveness to seep its way into the workplace. (Wynn, whos been accused of harassing women and coercing them into sex, has called the allegations preposterous.) Theres a culture on the Strip. Sex sells, said Las Vegas attorney Maile Lani Esteban-Trinidad. The casino industry in Nevada employs more than 179,000 people, many of them in low-wage jobs in housekeeping, food service and bartending. The state leads the nation in sexual harassment complaints per capita, according to data from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The rate was about 25.6 complaints per 100,000 female workers. Those numbers represent a small percentage of the overall incidents, according to labor lawyers and workplace safety advocates, because so many dont get reported out of fear of retribution. Sexual harassment is endemic in the hospitality industry, where you have vulnerable workers who are quite frightened to do anything about it, said Jay Holland, an attorney specializing in employment law in Greenbelt, Maryland. In Las Vegas that culture, that fear, is magnified by the whole theme of the city: What happens here, stays here. One woman, Eriko Yutani, was trying to make a go of it as a blackjack dealer by joining a staffing agency called Casino Job Center Inc. The company specializes in staffing party pits with scantily clad women at poolside gaming tables and other parts of resorts, with loud music and provocative dancing creating an atmosphere of bacchanalia. Party-pit dealers such as Yutani could make as much as USD90 a hour in tips much more than traditional dealers made working at a high-end property like the Cosmopolitan to pay for her education. The compensation came at a price. Yutani and other dealers were rated by some of the casinos based in part on their looks, she said in a court filing. And since management controlled which casinos shed work and when, the assignments could make a huge difference in her income. Things began to go awry for Yutani in 2015 when she says the companys owner began texting that he was having erotic thoughts about her. He asked for pictures of her in her bikini uniform as well as other sexier photos. Other dealers, she believed, were providing sexual favors to the manager to obtain better work schedules. Stressed out by his advances, Yutani quit and filed a complaint with federal regulators, citing what she called a sexually charged hostile environment, according to the filing. The owner, Jace Mande, declined to comment on the allegations because of a confidentiality agreement as part of the settlement of the case. I was told I was not allowed to discuss anything about it, he said. He also declined to discuss his business. Im kind of busy, he said. Yutani and her lawyer Jeffrey Gronich also declined to comment but gave permission for her name to be used. The Cosmopolitan declined to comment. Dealers in ordinary positions in casinos have also raised allegations of being harassed, and even facing swift retaliation when making complaints. A dealer at Boyd Gaming Corp.s Fremont Casino said her boss inappropriately hugged and touched her in his office, pressuring her to perform sex acts on him and threatening her job if she refused. The manager left the company and moved to rival Golden Nugget, where he continued to harass her, she said in a court filing. The woman reported his behavior to Golden Nugget management, but found herself immediately suspended, denied a transfer and the subject of constant gossip and hostility at work from other Fremont Casino managers whom she said where friends of her former boss. Boyd Gaming didnt respond to requests for comment. Late shifts and an alcohol-fueled environment were part of the on-the-job conditions for Eva Perez, a waitress at Red Rock Resorts Inc.s Texas Station casino. The woman said in a court filing that she was socializing after hours with coworkers one night in 2015 when the bartender began pouring tequila shots for her. After the 2 a.m. closing time, the bartender insisted on driving her home even though he himself was intoxicated. He instead took her to his apartment where he sexually assaulted her, she claimed in a lawsuit. Red Rock had no comment. Perez gave permission for her name to be used through her attorney. I wouldnt want to indict an entire town with one statement, but I think for certain individuals, being in Vegas presents a little greater liberty in their mind about how they can act around women, said attorney Daniel Watkins, who also represents sexual harassment victims in Las Vegas. Some companies, and advocates for employees, are trying to change conditions. Culinary Workers Union, which represents some 57,000 casino employees in Nevada, said it has been making strides in protecting employees, including pressing casinos to allow housekeepers to wear pants instead of skirts as their uniforms and giving them panic buttons, handheld devices they can use to call for help in the event they are attacked. Winning harassment cases against casinos has historically been difficult, in part because casinos donate to the election campaigns of local judges, who tend to be more sympathetic to business, according to Esteban-Trinidad, the Las Vegas employment attorney. The Wynn allegations, which led to the toppling of an industry legend, may inspire other women to come forward. Gaming regulators in Nevada continue to investigate the allegations against Wynn, even after he stepped down last week as CEO of the company he founded. Public awareness of it will make others more willing to stand up and take on these types of cases, Esteban-Trinidad said. Christie Smythe, Christopher Palmeri, Bloomberg The 17 people who died last week after a strong earthquake hit Taiwans east coast were honored at a memorial service yesterday, with attendees bowing their heads while placing flowers in front of photos of the victims. Fu Kun-chi, the magistrate of worst-hit Hualien county, spoke at the noon ceremony at a local funeral parlor. Members of the military and police force, religious group volunteers and city workers paid their respects. Family members, who requested that media remain outside the memorial hall, sat inside while various officials expressed their condolences. The attendees then stepped into the memorial hall in turn, bowing and placing white flowers before the photos. The deceased include nine mainland Chinese, one Philippine national and two Canadians, according to Taiwans official Central News Agency. The shallow, magnitude 6.4 quake last Tuesday also injured 280 people after several midsized buildings were left tilting at dangerously sharp angles. Fu announced the end of search efforts Sunday with the consent of family members, CNA reported. The magistrate said the last two victims were trapped under heavy columns that could not be removed without risking the collapse of the entire 12-story Yunmen Tsuiti building, which housed a hotel on its lower floors. The last bodies that were recovered belonged to members of a five-person family from mainland China, including parents, grandparents and their 12-year-old son. Hundreds of rescuers had been on the scene. A team from Japan deployed equipment that can detect a heartbeat within a range of 15 meters. An Fengshan, spokesman for the Chinese State Councils Taiwan Affairs Office, thanked donors in mainland China on Monday for contributions of nearly 21 million yuan (USD3.3 million), CNA reported. Taiwan has frequent earthquakes. While most of them are minor, a 1999 quake killed more than 2,300 people and was Taiwans worst recent natural disaster. Taijing Wu, Hualien, AP Credit: CC0 Public Domain What should physicians say to their patients who ask them about the safety of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and whether the devices can help them quit smoking? Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) physician Nancy Rigotti, MD, outlines what is and is not known about the risks and benefits of e-cigarettes in a commentary published in the February 13 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine. A member of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) committee that recently issued the report, "Public Health Consequences of E-Cigarettes," Rigotti writes that while, "E-cigarettes have the potential for enormous benefit if they help smokers quit... This benefit must be balanced against potential harm if e-cigarettes entice youths who would not otherwise have become cigarette smokers to try e-cigarettes, become addicted to nicotine and then switch to combustible cigarettes." The NASEM committee was convened to evaluate all available evidence on the health effects of e-cigarettes and make recommendations for future research. Its primary finding was that using e-cigarettes is less hazardous than continuing to smoke combustible cigarettes. This is because e-cigarettes do not burn tobacco, and the health hazards of cigarettes are largely due to the chemicals produced when tobacco is burned. While e-cigarettes do emit some potentially toxic chemicals, they are less hazardous and at lower levels than what are emitted by combustible cigarettes. Completely switching to from cigarettes to e-cigarettes is likely to reduce smoking-related health hazards, but there is much less evidence of benefit for e-cigarette users who continue to smoke cigarettes, . While the NASEM committee found no evidence that the devices increase risks of cardiovascular or pulmonary disease, cancer or other adverse outcomes, the novelty of e-cigarettes means that the kinds of long-term, epidemiologic studies required to establish such risks have not yet been possible. "However, lack of evidence does not equal evidence of no risk," Rigotti writes, reiterating the committee's call for long-term observational studies. Determining the public health impact of e-cigarettes will depend on the balance of three factors, she notes - the ability to help current smokers quit, the potential to increase adolescents' use of combustible cigarettes and any inherent toxicity of e-cigarettes themselves. The committee did find that e-cigarettes may increase the likelihood that never-smoking teens would try combustible cigarettes, but whether they would become established smokers is not yet clear. Evidence supporting e-cigarettes as a quit-smoking aid is even more limited but promising. Overall, the committee's model for estimating the net effect of e-cigarettes on lives saved or lost in the U.S. over the next 50 years projected that the devices would likely save lives. The report purposely offered no explicit advice to physicians or other health professionals, but Rigotti points out that its findings can help guide their discussions with smokers. She writes, "I tell patients that using e-cigarettes is less harmful than continuing to smoke cigarettes; but because e-cigarettes are so new, I caution them that many questions about their long-term safety remain unanswered." Because of questions about safety, she recommends that smokers trying to quit use established, FDA-approved smoking cessation medications aids. For those who want to try e-cigarettes, she advises switching completely from cigarettes to e-cigarettes and eventually aiming stop the e-cigarettes too. Director of the MGH Tobacco Research and Treatment Center and a professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Rigotti concludes, "Overall, the message I aim to convey is that I will continue to support and assist patients on their journey to becoming nonsmokers." A new study by UCalgary scientists may help explain why people get stressed out just hearing about someones stressful experience. The papers authors are, from left: Tamas Fuzesi, Nuria Daviu, David Rosenegger, Neilen Rasiah, Dinara Baimoukhametova, Toni-Lee Sterley (lead author), Jaideep Bains (principal investigator), and Agnieszka Zurek.Credit: Adrian Shellard, for the Hotchkiss Brain Institute Health-care workers treating soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) report that some soldiers' partners and family members display symptoms of PTSD despite never serving in the military. A research study by scientists at the University of Calgary may help explain how that could happen. Jaideep Bains, PhD, and his team at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI) in the Cumming School of Medicine have discovered that stress transmitted from others can change the brain in the same way as a real stress does. The research team studied the effects of stress in pairs of male or female mice. They removed one mouse from each pair and exposed it to a mild stress before returning it to its partner. They then examined the responses of a specific population of brain cells in each mouse, which revealed that networks in the brains of both the stressed mouse and naive partner were altered in the same way. "There has been other literature that shows stress can be transferred and our study is actually showing the brain is changed by that transferred stress," says Toni-Lee Sterley, an Eyes High postdoctoral fellow in Bains's lab and the study's lead author. "The neurons that control the brain's response to stress showed changes in unstressed partners that were identical to those we measured in the stressed mice." The researchers discovered that the activation of the neurons causes the release of a chemical signal, an "alarm pheromone," from the mouse that alerts the partner. The partner who detects the signal can, in turn, alert additional members of the group. "What we can begin to think about is whether other people's experiences or stresses may be changing us in a way that we don't fully understand," says Bains, professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology. "The study also demonstrates that traits we think of as uniquely human are evolutionary conserved biological traits." The study shows that the effects of stress on the brain are reversed only in female mice following a social interaction. The team noticed that, in females, the residual effects of stress on neurons were cut almost in half following time spent with unstressed partners. The same was not true for males. "If some of the effects of stress are erased through social interactions, but this benefit is limited to females, this may provide insights into how we design personalized approaches for the treatment of stress disorders in people," says Bains. The findings will be published in the March 2018 edition of Nature Neuroscience. Explore further Females react differently than males to social isolation More information: Toni-Lee Sterley et al. Social transmission and buffering of synaptic changes after stress, Nature Neuroscience (2017). Journal information: Nature Neuroscience Toni-Lee Sterley et al. Social transmission and buffering of synaptic changes after stress,(2017). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-017-0044-6 Pharmacogenetic activation of the ventral hippocampus recruits inhibitory interneurons in the medial prefrontal cortex to cause fear relapse. Credit: Texas A&M University Steve Maren, the Claude H. Everett Jr. '47 Chair of Liberal Arts professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Texas A&M University, and his Emotion and Memory Systems Laboratory (EMSL) have made a breakthrough discovery in the process of fear relapse. A paper on their findings, called "Hippocampus-driven feed-forward inhibition of the prefrontal cortex mediates relapse of extinguished fear," was published in the February issue of Nature Neuroscience, a scholarly scientific journal that focuses on original research papers on brain science. Maren said this discovery could prove helpful for clinicians treating disorders like PTSD. "Patients often undergo exposure therapy to reduce their fear of situations and stimuli associated with trauma," Maren said. "Although exposure therapy is often effective, pathological fear and anxiety are known to return or 'relapse' under a number of circumstances. This often occurs, for example, when trauma-related stimuli, which have come to be tolerated during therapy, are unexpectedly experienced outside of the clinical context. Relapse of fear after therapy has been estimated to occur in upwards of two-thirds of patients undergoing exposure therapy." In their research, Maren and his team studied the relationship between three parts of the brain: the hippocampus, which is involved in memory; the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in executive control and regulation; and the amygdala, which is involved in emotion. While the neurocircuit between the three have long been known to process fear, this study has been able to pinpoint connections between the hippocampus and a specific type of cell in the prefrontal cortex that is involved in a relapse of fear. Travis Goode, a graduate student and member of the research team, said, "This has wide-spread implications for treating fear disorders in the future, as we now know what part of the brain to target." Other members of the research team from Texas A&M include Jingji Jin, Thomas F. Giustino, Qian Wang, Gillian M. Acca, and Paul J. Fitzgerald. EMSL also collaborated with the Sah Laboratory in Australia, led by Pankaj Sah. Explore further Study offers new insight for preventing fear relapse after trauma More information: Roger Marek et al, Hippocampus-driven feed-forward inhibition of the prefrontal cortex mediates relapse of extinguished fear, Nature Neuroscience (2018). Journal information: Nature Neuroscience Roger Marek et al, Hippocampus-driven feed-forward inhibition of the prefrontal cortex mediates relapse of extinguished fear,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-018-0073-9 One of the greatest health threats to children with sickle cell anemia is getting a dangerous bacterial infectionbut most are not receiving a key medication to reduce the risk, a new study suggests. Just 18 percent of children with the inherited blood disease in the Michigan Medicine study received daily antibioticswhich are proven to reduce the risk of infection by 84 percentaccording to findings that appear in the journal Pediatrics. "Most children with sickle cell anemia are not getting the antibiotics they should be to adequately protect against potentially deadly infections," says lead author Sarah Reeves, Ph.D., pediatrics faculty and epidemiologist with the Child Health Evaluation and Research Center at the University of Michigan Medical School and C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. "Longstanding recommendations say children with sickle cell anemia should take antibiotics daily for their first five years of life. It can be lifesaving." The study involved 2,821 children aged three months to five years with sickle cell anemia between 2005 and 2012 in Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, South Carolina and Texas. Researchers evaluated receipt of antibiotics through insurance claims for filled prescriptions. Sickle cella condition in which irregularly shaped red blood cells prevent adequate oxygen flow throughout the bodyis the most common inherited blood disorder. It predominately affects racial and ethnic minority populations in the U.S., with 1 in 375 African-American infants diagnosed with it. Without intervention, children with the condition are 100 times more likely to get a bacterial infection and 300 times more likely to have a stroke compared to other children. Infections can develop into serious issues such as meningitis or even death. Challenges to care While the study did not examine reasons for the low rate of children with the disease receiving recommended antibiotics, Reeves notes several possible barriers. Caregiver challenges include picking up prescriptions every two weeks from a pharmacy as well as remembering to administer it to a young, healthy-appearing child twice a day. "The types of challenges involved in making sure children get the recommended dose of antibiotics is exacerbated by the substantial burden of care already experienced by families to help control the symptoms of this disease," says Reeves, who is also a member of the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. She says further studies should more deeply explore barriers preventing families from getting antibiotics and also potential interventions to improve the rate of children receiving recommended prescriptions. These may include implementing a system within the medical chart to alert health care providers at appointments that antibiotics need to be prescribed and to prompt conversations with families. "Interventions to improve the receipt of antibiotics among children with sickle cell anemia should include enhanced collaboration between health care providers, pharmacists and families," Reeves says. "Doctors need to repeatedly discuss the importance of taking antibiotics with families of children with sickle cell anemia. Social factors that may impact receiving filled prescriptions should also be considered, such as the availability of transportation and time to travel to pharmacies to pick up the prescriptions." Explore further Low rates of abx prophylaxis for pediatric sickle cell More information: Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Children With Sickle Cell Anemia, doi: 10.1542/peds.2017-2182 , Journal information: Pediatrics Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Children With Sickle Cell Anemia, doi: 10.1542/peds.2017-2182 , pediatrics.aappublications.org 02/01/peds.2017-2182 An Australian National University (ANU) researcher is warning against undue alarm as the concept of health concerns from third-hand-smoke - lingering residue from cigarettes - is starting to build momentum in Australia. Professor Simone Dennis, an anthropologist who has studied the lives of smokers for 15 years, has urged Australian policy makers to wait for appropriate scientific evidence before passing any laws relating to third-hand-smoke. "There is a paranoia now about whether or not smokers are dangerous even if they don't have a lit cigarette in their hand," Professor Dennis said. "They are considered dangerous, dirty and infected. "Third-hand-smoke is where you have cigarette residue on clothes, skin, or other surfaces such as in a car or house. "It can't be removed by washing or airing out, and no-one knows how long it stays for as the science is really new," said Professor Dennis, who works at the ANU School of Archaeology and Anthropology. "However, the fact that the science is not proven has not stopped people from making alarmist claims about the dangers to people's health." Despite a lack of evidence, Professor Dennis said the idea that third-hand-smoke might be dangerous is starting to take hold in Australia. "I saw an example online where a new mum was concerned about her baby being exposed to her father-in-law because he wears the same clothes as when he smokes," Professor Dennis said. "As a result there were people, even doctors, advising her not to allow that person around the baby." Professor Dennis said the concept is being led in the United States where the idea of third-hand-smoke is more prominent. "We're starting to see it in hotels, especially California, where you have signs that say certain rooms used to accommodate smoking. "This is so people are aware prior to checking in that the rooms may have third-hand-smoke. Even though they have repainted, put in new curtains and replaced the carpets, people are concerned that the smoke residue is still there," she said. Professor Dennis said that by further ostracising smokers, Australia risks creating an underclass of people excluded from public spaces. "Smoking laws are starting to create a new form of classed-public," she said. "We know smoking is now something more prominent in the lower rungs of Australia's socio-economic ladder, and now we are increasingly excluding that group of people from public spaces without very good evidence for doing so." Explore further Thirdhand smoke lingers in casino months after smoking ban (HealthDay)Nearly one in 10 U.S. adults has depression, and the rate is almost twice as high for women as men, health officials say. National survey data showed that more than 8 percent of adults aged 20 and older suffer from low mood, according to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among women, slightly more than 10 percent have depression, versus 5.5 percent of men. And the mood disorder affects everyday life for a majority of these people, the 2013-2016 questionnaires show. "One of the findings that surprised us the most was that for both men and women, about 80 percent of adults with depression had at least some difficulty with functioning with daily life," said lead author Debra Brody. These include going to work, completing daily activities at home and getting along with other people, said Brody, of the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). "This report should make people aware how serious depression is, and that it impacts everyday life," she added. According to the report, depression is most prevalent among blacks (9 percent) and least so among Asians (3 percent). Among whites and Hispanics, the rate is about 8 percent. Also, as income levels fall, depression rises. Poor Americans are four times more likely to have depression than middle class or rich peopleabout 16 percent versus 4 percent, respectively. According to Dr. David Roane, chairman of psychiatry at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, "The biggest issues with depression are diagnosis and treatment." In most cases, primary care doctors are able to diagnose depression, he noted. "But people often don't get adequate treatment in terms of both medication and psychotherapy," Roane said. He stressed that anyone with depression should be monitored by a doctor or mental health professional, such as a social worker, nurse or therapist. Effective treatment includes antidepressant medications and talk therapy, Roane explained. However, there are obstacles to treatment, he said. For one thing, people often don't realize they are depressed, even if they have mood problems and changes in thinking. Also, mental health problems are still often considered taboo. "The stigma related to depression has decreased somewhat, but it's still a major issue for someone to be diagnosed with a mental health disorder," he said. In addition, many cases of mild depression will resolve over time, so some patients don't want treatment. "The problem is that if you are having functional impairment, it can be highly disruptive to your life," he said. "Six months is a long time to suffer from depression, and I don't recommend that." Anyone with recurrent depression, suicidal thoughts or manic and depressive swings should be under the care of a mental health professional, Roane advised. He said that depression affects all aspects of life, affecting people emotionally and physically. When people are depressed, they don't sleep or eat well. They are sad and have a negative view of life and feelings of hopelessness, he explained. The researchers reported that the percentage of American adults who suffered from depression in a given two-week period remained steady from 2007 to 2016. The study authors also pointed out that major depression is associated with high societal costs and greater functional impairment than other chronic diseases, such as diabetes and arthritis. It has been shown before that women are more prone to depression than men, but the reasons are not known, Roane said. Data for the report were gathered from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. The findings were published online Feb. 13 in the CDC's NCHS Data Brief. Explore further Study finds only one-third of patients diagnosed with depression start treatment More information: Debra Brody, M.P.H., division of Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; David Roane, M.D., chairman, psychiatry, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City; Feb. 13, 2018, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's NCHS Data Brief, online. Debra Brody, M.P.H., division of Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; David Roane, M.D., chairman, psychiatry, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City; Feb. 13, 2018, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's, online. For more about depression, visit the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health. Copyright 2018 HealthDay. All rights reserved. ATF6-activated human stem cells form blood vessels. Credit: UC San Diego Health People who inherit a mutated version of the ATF6 gene are born with a malformed or missing fovea, the eye region responsible for sharp, detailed vision. From birth, their vision is severely limited, and there is no cure. Jonathan Lin, MD, PhD, associate professor of pathology at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Shiley Eye Institute, and team were the first to link ATF6 to this type of inherited vision impairment. Now, in a study published February 13 in Science Signaling, Lin's team discovered that a chemical compound that activates ATF6 also converts patient-derived stem cells into blood vessels. "We wanted to see if there was a way to correct this gene defect to restore function and help these patients with vision difficulties and blindness," Lin said. "But it turns out our findings could also help advance the development of new treatments for other diseases caused by lack of blood supply to an organ, such as occurs in stroke and heart attack." The ATF6 protein is a transcription factor, meaning it helps turn other genes "off" or "on," depending on what's needed by the cell. ATF6 is normally activated when the cell is under stress due to the accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins. Lin's team previously found that ATF6 is naturally "on" during stem cell development. After Lin's team first published the link between the ATF6 gene and this type of inherited vision loss, known as achromatopsia or cone-rod dystrophy, a few years ago, people with these conditions began contacting them from around the world. Many had never known the cause of their vision problems and they were eager to see if they had a mutated copy of the ATF6 gene. They were also eager to contribute to research that would further the understanding of the disease and efforts to find a treatment. For this latest study, Lin's team collected donated skin samples from a family living in New York. Three children in this family were born without fully functioning ATF6 genes. The researchers dialed the skin cells back, developmentally speaking, to produce induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)a special type of cell that can both self-renew, making more iPSCs, and differentiate, specializing into almost any other cell type. Meanwhile, collaborators at The Scripps Research Institute screened millions of chemical compounds, using robotic technology to test each for their abilities to activate ATF6. They found 10 compounds that looked promising and gave them to Lin's team for testing on the stem cells. "We weren't sure what to expect," Lin said. "We just hoped one of these compounds would have some kind of positive effect." That's why the team was particularly surprised, Lin said, when they saw the effects of one of these compounds, known as AA147. Not only did treatment with the AA147 compound activate ATF6 in stem cells, it altered the cells' differentiation path. AA147 directed the stem cells to develop primarily into endothelial cells, which are essential for blood vessel formation. "Normally, stem cells differentiate into many different cell types and it's difficult to get them to produce a good amount of any one specific cell type," Lin said. "Yet after AA147 treatment, around 70 percent of the culture turned into endothelial cells that were able to form blood vessels. That's the most efficient way to experimentally produce blood vessels that I know of." Lin cautioned that AA147 is not yet a "bona fide drug" for many reasons. First, the effects they saw have so far only been replicated in cells growing in a laboratory dish, using high concentrations of AA147. They are now developing newer generations of the compound that are more potent at lower doses. Ultimately, AA147or some version of itwould need to undergo clinical trials for safety and efficacy before it could potentially be used to treat patients. In the meantime, Lin said, the study provides valuable new information on ATF6's role in human development and how its malfunctioning can lead to blindness. Explore further Boosting your own defenses against heart disease More information: "The unfolded protein response regulator ATF6 promotes mesodermal differentiation," Science Signaling (2018). Journal information: Science Signaling "The unfolded protein response regulator ATF6 promotes mesodermal differentiation,"(2018). stke.sciencemag.org/lookup/doi 26/scisignal.aan5785 University of Houston clinical psychologist Johanna Bick wants to know if online writing can alleviate Hurricane Harvey stress in women who were pregnant during -- or just after -- the natural disaster. Credit: University of Houston Johanna Bick, assistant professor of clinical psychology at the University of Houston, is launching a study of women who were pregnant during Hurricane Harvey, or who became pregnant within six months after, to track the role of stress in neonatal development and pregnancy outcomes and whether a simple online writing exercise can alleviate some of that anxiety. "The more we learn about how different women deal with stress in these circumstances and how it affects birth outcomes, the better equipped we'll be to develop prevention and intervention programs." Bick will study 1,000 Houston moms like Chandra Frederick, who was 29 weeks pregnant and went into false labor when Harvey struck. (Spoiler alert: Her baby Justin was born on time, and she reports he is adorable.) Three days after the monster storm, Frederick summoned the courage to walk with her three children outside her undamaged home in Spring to assess the neighborhood. She traipsed up and down the streets, talking to friends, taking in the damage and becoming increasingly anxious. "As we were walking I started having contractions," said Frederick. "It was less than ten minutes after seeing all this damage, and I think it was completely due to stress." Frederick may be spot on with her diagnosis. Research indicates excessive exposure to stress hormones in utero may compromise fetal development and pregnancy outcomes. "If we can reduce maternal stress, then we can potentially reduce the risk to fetal development," said Bick, whose research project will ask pregnant women to participate in a brief, online writing exercise. The women will write about certain experiences for 15 minutes a day for 4 days. Because the goal of the study is to see if the writing will have an effect, some women will not be asked to write at all. There's no better place to test this simple intervention than in Harris County and Houston, where 72,000 babies will be born in the year following Hurricane Harvey. Bick will work with Suzanne King, a professor at McGill University in Canada and David M. Olson, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Alberta. King's work includes four other prospective longitudinal studies of children exposed to maternal stress in utero as the result of a natural disaster: The Quebec ice storm of 1998, Iowa floods of 2008 and Queensland floods in Australia in 2011. Olsen works with King on a study of women exposed to the 2016 Alberta wildfires in Canada. Explore further Child development experts discover potential upside to prenatal stress More information: To learn more about the Harvey Mothers's study, or to take part, please go to this website: To learn more about the Harvey Mothers's study, or to take part, please go to this website: www.harveymomstudy.com Melanoma in skin biopsy with H&E stain this case may represent superficial spreading melanoma. Credit: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0 Obese patients with metastatic melanoma who are treated with targeted or immune therapies live significantly longer than those with a normal body mass index (BMI), investigators report in a study published in Lancet Oncology of 1,918 patients in six independent clinical cohorts. This effect, referred to as the "Obesity Paradox", principally manifested itself in men, said Jennifer McQuade, M.D., lead author and instructor of Melanoma Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. "Obese men consistently did much better than men with a normal BMI, with nearly a doubling of overall survival," McQuade said. The researchers found no significant differences in survival between women with normal, overweight or obese BMI. "The question is what underlying mechanism causes this advantage in obese men, and can we take advantage of it to improve outcomes in patients with melanoma?" McQuade said. "One hint may be the interaction between obesity, sex, and outcomes, which has not been detected before in any cancer." Women with metastatic melanoma have long been known to have better outcomes compared to men, McQuade noted. In this study obesity overcame that survival disadvantage for men, leading researchers to now look at the possible impact of sex hormones in this effect. Associations don't prove causation, the researcher's note, but point to new areas to study in greater depth. "The public health message is not that obesity is good. Obesity is a proven risk factor for many diseases," McQuade said. "Even within our metastatic melanoma population, we would not suggest that patients intentionally gain weight. We need to figure out what is driving this paradox and learn how to use this information to benefit all of our patients." Obesity is a known risk factor for developing 13 types of cancer according to the World Health Organization and is set to overtake smoking as the leading preventable cause of cancer. The relationship between obesity and survival in patients that already have cancer is not as consistent. Recent studies have shown a similar survival benefit for obese patients with colorectal or kidney cancer. Obesity expected to be disadvantage The team expected to find obesity to be harmful for melanoma patients, based in part on research that implicates obesity in activation of a cancer-promoting molecular pathway called IGF-1/PI3K/AKT. They analyzed the association between body mass index (weight divided by height) and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in six independent cohorts of patients treated with targeted therapy, immunotherapy or chemotherapy in pivotal trials that led to FDA approval of these drugs. While advantages in PFS and OS emerged in an overall meta-analysis of the entire group, the survival benefit associated with obesity was restricted to men treated with targeted or immunotherapies, where obese men had a 47 percent decreased risk of death compared to men with normal BMI. Doubling of overall survival in men Results from 599 patients receiving combination targeted therapy of dabrafenib (BRAF inhibitor) and trametinib (MEK inhibitor) were: Normal BMI of 18.5-24.9 - median PFS of 9.6 months, OS of 19.8 months Obese BMI 30 and above - median PFS 15.7 months, OS 33.0 months A multivariable analysis that included factors such as age, sex, stage, disease burden, certain mutations and prior treatment showed that obesity still improved PFS and OS compared to normal BMI patients. The team analyzed results by sex and found significant differences only among men. Normal BMI men - PFS 7.2 months, OS 16.0 months Obese men - PFS 12.8 months, OS 36.5 months. By contrast, women, for example, had overall median survival of at least 33 months, regardless of BMI. A validation cohort of 240 patients treated with vemurafenib (BRAF inhibitor) and cobimetinib (MEK inhibitor) yielded similar results. For immunotherapy, in a cohort (330 patients) treated with checkpoint inhibitors blocking either the PD1 check point on T cells or its PD-L1 ligand, results again showed no differences among women, but: Normal BMI men - PFS 2.7 months, OS 14.3 months Obese men - PFS 7.6 months, OS 26.9 months A cohort of patients treated with the immune checkpoint inhibitor ipilimumab (207 patients) showed similar results. There was no effect of obesity found among two cohorts (541 patients) treated only with the chemotherapy dacarbazine. Possible estrogen connection The researchers are following up to understand biological factors that might provide an advantage to obese male patients. Obesity is associated with increased inflammation, which could improve the effectiveness of checkpoint blockade drugs that unleash an immune response against cancer. The sex-specificity of the observed differences points to a potential hormonal mediator. Fat (adipose) tissue produces an enzyme called aromatase that converts male hormones called androgens into estrogens, female hormones. Perhaps this happens enough in obese men to help them clear some type of hurdle toward greater survival, McQuade said. The researchers are collaborating with investigators at the University of Pennsylvania that have found that turning on a very specific type of estrogen receptor on melanoma makes it vulnerable to immunotherapy. The MD Anderson team also is looking at gene expression, mutations and immune profiling to identify potential differences in melanoma in obese and non-obese patients and developing preclinical models. Explore further Effect of obesity on patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer Use of the painkiller acetaminophen during pregnancy may cause harmful sex hormone abnormalities, according to a study led by San Diego researchers. The study adds to concerns about the drug, sold under the brand name Tylenol. Previous studies have found potential for harming offspring exposed to acetaminophen during pregnancy. In this study, researchers found an association with use of the drug and lower levels of "sulfated" forms of sex hormones in men and women. Also called neurosteroids, many of these hormones are active in the brain. One of these hormones, DHEA-S, is well known to be important for placental health. The lowered levels roughly equated to the natural effect of 35 years of aging in adults, potentially affecting their health. But the greatest risk appears to be to the developing fetus. Acetaminophen may reduce the placenta's ability to regulate hormone levels, the study said. The study was published last week in the journal EBioMedicine. It builds on previous research in mice and human tissue on prenatal exposure to acetaminophen, also called paracetamol. A 2017 study found that exposure is associated with male urogenital malformation and altered male brain masculinization, which controls gender-linked behavior in mice, such as the frequency of intercourse and aggression toward rival males. A 2015 study found evidence that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen may reduce the ability of the male fetus to produce testosterone. Testosterone production was reduced in human fetal testicular tissue that had been transplanted into castrated mice given acetaminophen for a week. This new study referenced those previous findings as a reason to more fully explore the effects of acetaminophen. Research published last month has linked Tylenol use during pregnancy to language delays in baby girls. That research was published too recently to be included in this study. Acetaminophen's newfound ability to affect both placental health and the nervous system through reduction in neurosteroid production may explain these findings, said study leader Isaac Cohen of Human Longevity in La Jolla. Established by genomic researcher J. Craig Venter, Human Longevity sells comprehensive health assessments. The research also indicates a possible new path toward developing new drugs. No drugs have been approved to specifically target neurosteroid metabolism, said Cohen, who is also a doctorate of pharmacy candidate at the University of California, San Diego. Drugs that do so could potentially help relieve chronic pain and depression. The study was observational, not a randomized clinical trial designed to definitively determine cause and effect. Cohen said the study was designed that way for safetynobody was intentionally exposed to acetaminophen to test for possible harm. Still, the study results are strong enough that further research into acetaminophen's effects is warranted, Cohen said. The linkage was originally found in data from people who had undergone health assessments at Human Longevity. The data is aggregated and used anonymously for research. "We have all this data from Human Longevity, and what we do is we look back at all the data that we already have, instead of putting new people at risk," Cohen said. Researchers looked at data from thousands of subjects. This includes their genetic profiles and the presence of metabolites, which are biomolecules produced during metabolism. In particular, they identified biomarkers characteristic of acetaminophen use. The data came from multiple sets of subjects with varying ethnic backgrounds. By using multiple unrelated groups, researchers gained confidence that the findings were real and not a one-time coincidence. The correlation was first established in data from 455 people over 18 examined at Human Longevity. To validate the early findings, researchers then examined data from two additional groups. They included 1,880 twins of European ancestry from the TwinsUK study; and 1,235 individuals of African American and Hispanic ancestry from the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study. In addition to Human Longevity, the study included authors from J. Craig Venter Institute and UC San Diego in La Jolla; along with Metabolon, Durham in North Carolina; and King's College London in the United Kingdom. The study was funded by Human Longevity. Explore further Acetaminophen use during pregnancy associated with elevated rate of language delay in girls 2018 The San Diego Union-Tribune Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Patients and their caregivers desire information about upcoming imaging examinations, but many are not getting it, according to a new study published online in the journal Radiology. The researchers found that half of all patients and caregivers end up seeking information on their own. As medicine shifts to an era of patient-centered care, much of the efforts in radiology have focused on communicating the results of imaging tests to patients. Less attention has been paid to engaging patients prior to and during the examination, said study lead author Jay K. Pahade, M.D., an associate professor of radiology at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. To find out more about this often-overlooked aspect of care, in early 2015 Dr. Pahade and colleagues surveyed patients and caregivers at three pediatric and three adult hospitals across the U.S. Questions focused on patient and caregiver preferences for receiving imaging test information before an exam and what type of information they found most useful. Overall, 1,117 of 1,438 respondents, or 78 percent, reported receiving information about their examination. "This means one in five people are showing up for the exam without any information about the test they are getting," Dr. Pahade said. "This is an important finding in today's health care system, where we want more patient engagement and involvement." Ordering providers were the predominant and preferred source of examination-related information. For pre-examination information, respondents placed the highest importance on information about examination preparation and the lowest importance on whether an alternative radiation-free examination could be used. In the pediatric hospitals, respondentstypically parentsplaced an even higher value on pre-examination information. "These results show that what we as radiologists think patients value is not necessarily what they actually value," Dr. Pahade said. "Our study found that patients value basic information related to the test more than information related to the radiation dose, so we should probably shift our focus to providing that." Dr. Pahade noted that a lack of information can have a dramatically negative effect on the patient's experience. Anxiety is known to be higher among uninformed patients, he said. "In the radiology realm, we need to take more ownership over the entire imaging process," he said. "One big gap has been in the pre-imaging part of that process, and the data show we have work to do in closing that gap." Half of respondents reported seeking information themselves. Connecting patients with already existing resources is an easy and cost-effective way to ensure that they are well-informed, Dr. Pahade noted. At Yale, appointment reminders sent to patients now include, along with the examination time and location, links to pertinent information on RadiologyInfo.org, an online resource for medical imaging, jointly sponsored by RSNA and the American College of Radiology. Dr. Pahade joined the committee that reviews the site after the survey was completed. RadiologyInfo.org tells patients how various X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, radiation therapy and other procedures are performed. It addresses what patients may experience and how to prepare for their exams. The website contains over 230 procedure and disease descriptions covering diagnostic and interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy and radiation safety in English and Spanish. It also offers videos of radiologists explaining common imaging exams. "We need to increase visibility of sites that provide some of this information," Dr. Pahade said. "Half of our studied population stated they tried to find information on their own, but there was very little use of radiology-created sites like RadiologyInfo.org that can serve as a great resource." Explore further Radiologists seek greater involvement in patient care More information: "What Patients Want to Know about Imaging Examinations: A MultiInstitutional U.S. Survey in Adult and Pediatric Teaching Hospitals on Patient Preferences for Receiving Information before Radiologic Examinations" Radiology, 2018. Journal information: Radiology "What Patients Want to Know about Imaging Examinations: A MultiInstitutional U.S. Survey in Adult and Pediatric Teaching Hospitals on Patient Preferences for Receiving Information before Radiologic Examinations", 2018. New information revealed by University of Aberdeen study could help inform treatment of premature babies. Credit: University of Aberdeen Scientists have discovered crucial new information about how a foetus develops which could explain why very premature babies suffer low blood pressure and other health problems. It is well-known that babies born before 32 weeks of pregnancy often suffer from dehydration, a drop in blood pressure and even death in some cases. The team found that even at 20 weeks of pregnancy babies in the womb do not yet create a vital hormone called aldosterone, which likely explains some of the risks facing premature babies. The findings will help inform the understanding and treatment of premature babies. The study by scientists from the universities of Aberdeen, Glasgow, British Columbia and Queen Mary University of London was funded mainly by the UK Medical Research Council and has been published in BMC Medicine. Aldosterone is a hormone vital for controlling blood pressure and is created by the adrenal glands. If a baby does not have enough aldosterone then too much salt is lost in its urinecalled 'salt wasting'. It is this salt wasting that can cause some of the severe problems seen in very premature babies with one in three experiencing the condition to some degree within their first week after birth. This study showed that while a foetus's adrenal glands are active throughout the second trimester of pregnancy, they do not yet make aldosterone. As such, babies born before 32 weeks do not have fully functioning adrenal glands and so they are at risk of salt wasting. "There are still many things we do not fully understand about how the foetus develops in the womb," explains Professor Paul Fowler, Director of the Institute of Medical Sciences at the University of Aberdeen. "This study helps shed new light on the development of this crucial gland and its potential impact on a prematurely born baby." Zoe Johnston, a Ph.D. student at the University of Glasgow and first author of the project, adds: "This study identifies important information required for the detection and treatment of salt-wasting disorders in very premature babies. It is striking that the baby's kidneys can detect aldosterone and so rely on their mother's adrenal glands until their own are fully functional." Dr. Stephen Meader, Programme Manager for Reproductive Health at the MRC, says: "Better understanding of why premature babies end up with certain health problems lays the groundwork to finding solutions. "When babies aren't carried to full term, it is a stressful experience for the entire family, and could come with lingering health concerns. This research could play a role in helping the scientific community improve health outcomes for premature babies." Explore further Entire set of rare quintuplets die in Kenya More information: Zoe C. Johnston et al. The human fetal adrenal produces cortisol but no detectable aldosterone throughout the second trimester, BMC Medicine (2018). Journal information: BMC Medicine Zoe C. Johnston et al. The human fetal adrenal produces cortisol but no detectable aldosterone throughout the second trimester,(2018). DOI: 10.1186/s12916-018-1009-7 (HealthDay)Devices that send electrical pulses to the brainin the comfort of your own homeare a treatment option for depression and certain other conditions. But a new research review finds little evidence they work. The therapyknown as cranial electrical stimulation (CES)involves a handheld device that delivers low-intensity electrical currents through electrodes placed on the head. The new review, of 26 clinical trials, found "low-strength" evidence that the therapy can help people with both depression and anxiety. But there was no proof it was effective for depression alone, insomnia, joint pain or chronic headaches. However, the review doesn't prove the therapy doesn't work, either. Researchers said the issue is that most of the studies were small, short-term or had other limitations. "The evidence was insufficient that these devices are effective. But that's not the same as saying that they don't work," said lead researcher Dr. Paul Shekelle, chief of general internal medicine at the VA West Los Angeles Medical Center. Dr. Wayne Jonas called the findings "disappointing," but agreed they are not the final word on cranial electrical stimulation. "There's just not enough evidence there for us to know whether it works," said Jonas, of Samueli Integrative Health Programs, in Alexandria, Va. Jonas wrote an editorial published with the review in the Feb. 13 online edition of Annals of Internal Medicine. A number of CES devices are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for people to use at home, with a doctor's prescription. However, they are easily purchased onlineon sites where they are sold second-hand, for example. Jonas advised against that. "This is supposed to be something a doctor prescribes for you, not something you buy off the internet," he said. And given the uncertainty around CES, Jonas said, it's important that people talk to their doctor about all of their treatment options. Shekelle agreed. The devices themselves are powered by a 9-volt battery, he noted. The concern is not so much that CES will directly harm people. The main worry, Shekelle said, is that people will "self-treat" with CES, and not get therapies that have good evidence to back them up. The findings are based on an analysis of 26 clinical trials, most involving fewer than 30 patients. Most studies tested CES against a "placebo," meaning an inactive device. A few pitted it against standard treatment. One relatively larger trialof more than 100 patientsfocused on people with both depression and anxiety. And it found that CES appeared more effective than a placebo version. But, Shekelle said, it had limitations. It was only five weeks long, for one. There was no clear evidence the stimulation therapy was better than a placebo when it came to other conditions. These included depression alone, insomnia, and chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, headache and achy joints. On the bright side, the therapy seemed fairly safe. Side effects were mainly mild skin tingling or irritation, and sleepiness. "The risk of harm appears to be pretty low, as long as you use an FDA-cleared device," Jonas said. But like Shekelle, he said the main potential "harm" is that people will bypass proven therapies in favor of CES. And that includes other non-drug options, Jonas stressed. When it comes to low back pain, for instance, treatment guidelines say people should first try tactics such as heat wraps, acupuncture and yoga before turning to medication. If CES does help people with combined depression and anxietyor any other disorderit's not clear why. Early animal studies suggested it might alter certain "chemical messengers" in the brain. More recently, research has shown it might temporarily change the "connectivity" among certain brain cells, according to Shekelle's team. Jonas suspects CES works mainly by "inducing relaxation." What about people who are already using the therapy? "If you are using this under medical supervision, and feel that it's helping, then by all means keep using it," Shekelle said. On the other hand, he added, if the therapy has not eased your symptoms, it may be time to discuss other options with your doctor. For people who are considering CES, cost is another factor. Insurance may cover it, but there may be a hefty co-pay. Jonas said he works at a military hospital where active-duty personnel can get a CES device for freewhile those not on active duty have a co-pay of about $300. Explore further Chiropractors not magicians when it comes to chronic back pain Copyright 2018 HealthDay. All rights reserved. The city of Munnar, located in southern Kerala, India. Credit: Northwestern University A simple toolkit of checklists, education materials and quality and performance reporting improved the quality of care but not outcomes in hospitals in the south Indian state of Kerala and may have the potential to improve outcomes of heart attacks and other major cardiovascular disease events in other settings, according to a new Northwestern Medicine study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Previous studies had identified gaps in the quality of care in Kerala, so an international consortium including Northwestern University and several Indian public health and professional institutions recruited more than 21,000 patients from 63 hospitals between 2014 and 2016 to try and improve heart attack care. The Acute Coronary Syndrome Quality Improvement in Kerala (ACS QUIK) study represents the largest randomized trial in cardiovascular medicine in India to date, an important milestone in a country that has more heart attacks than any other. Over the course of the study, hospitals were first assigned to deliver usual care, but were then randomly assigned to implement a quality improvement toolkit that included audit and feedback reporting, checklists, patient education materials and linkage to emergency cardiovascular care training, which are all common strategies in the United States. The investigators used a complex, yet useful, method known as a "stepped wedge" design, which improves investigators' understanding of the effects of complex interventions. This method was first used in the implementation and evaluation of Gambia's hepatitis B vaccination program in the late 1970s, yet has been rarely used because of its logistical challenges. Over the course of the study, the investigators measured the quality of care delivered by physicians, as well as patients' rates of major cardiovascular events including death, heart attack, stroke or major bleeding 30 days after hospital discharge. The study found that the intervention group experienced higher rates of key in-hospital and discharge medications. The intervention group also experienced lower rates of major cardiovascular events at 30-day follow-up compared with the usual care group5.3% versus 6.4%but after accounting for variables including time trends, those findings failed to reach the level of statistical significance. While most studies would have determined that the intervention led to these differences in outcomes, the stepped wedge designed used by the ACS QUIK team allowed for adjustment of important variables such as time trends. The overall results suggest favorable trends in outcomes among heart attack patients in Kerala, which have improved over the past decade based on the team's prior work and are similar to outcomes among US heart attack patients. "While we hoped that our trial would achieve its primary outcome, we demonstrated a high level of baseline care in Kerala. Without using the stepped wedge design, we would have incorrectly determined that our intervention was more effective than it was, which is important for setting policies to improve heart attack care," said Mark Huffman, MD, MPH, associate professor of Preventive Medicine in the Division of Epidemiology and co-first author of the study. The other co-first author was P.P. Mohanan, MBBS, MD, DM, director of Cardiology at Westfort Hi-Tech Hospital in Kerala, India. Mohanan is also a member of the Cardiological Society of India, Kerala chapter. "Over the past decade, patients in Kerala with a higher-risk form of heart attack, known as a ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, are twice as likely to survive their heart attack to hospital discharge, a survival rate that now exceeds 95 percent, which is similar to countries like the United States. These improvements in the quality and safety of cardiac care reflect the tireless efforts of not only the CSI-K but also its collaborators," Mohanan said. The overall results of the study suggest favorable trends in outcomes among heart attack patients in Kerala, Huffman said. The improvements in several process-of-care measures for patients having heart attacks, including restoring blood flow to tissue or opening closed arteries with medicine or stents, demonstrated the toolkit's potential for improving the quality of care delivered at Indian hospitals, including those with lower baseline performance, according to the authors. "The Keralan cardiologists are leaders in creating a culture that values quality and safety in Indian healthcare," said Huffman, also an associate professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiology. "We are interested in exploring the effects of this type of intervention in other states and conditions." This project also served as a hub for four of Feinberg's Fogarty Global Health Fellows over the past three years, including Kyle Yoo, fourth-year medical student, Smitha Sarma, fourth-year medical student, Anubha Agarwal, MD, incoming fellow in the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program in the Department of Medicine and Amisha Patel, MD, MS, former cardiology fellow who is now an assistant professor of Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center in New York. Most recently, Yoo adapted the World Management Survey to survey 91 nurses, cardiologists and administrators about their management practices, finding low quality of management practice, particularly in goal-setting. "The ability to set goals in quality improvement work is essential," Yoo said. Huffman believes these results could be used to shape future interventions. "Global health is an area of strategic focus for Northwestern University," Huffman said. "This large trial shows the institution's commitment to improving the health and healthcare of people in limited resource settings." The ACS QUIK toolkit was developed and tested by an international consortium consisting of investigators from Northwestern University, the Centre for Chronic Disease Control in Delhi, India and members of the Cardiological Society of IndiaKerala Chapter. "The ACS QUIK study is a great example demonstrating the utility of simple health system interventions. Not only is it a model for replication in improving patient care but is also an exemplar of collaborative research involving several cardiologists from Kerala, the Centre for Chronic Disease control in Delhi and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine," said co-author Dorairaj Prabhakaran, MD, DM, MS, professor of Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, executive director of the Centre for Chronic Disease Control and vice president of research and policy at the Public Health Foundation of India. More information: Mark D. Huffman et al, Effect of a Quality Improvement Intervention on Clinical Outcomes in Patients in India With Acute Myocardial Infarction, JAMA (2018). Journal information: Journal of the American Medical Association Mark D. Huffman et al, Effect of a Quality Improvement Intervention on Clinical Outcomes in Patients in India With Acute Myocardial Infarction,(2018). DOI: 10.1001/jama.2017.21906 While therapy dogs have long been welcomed as "nonpharmacological interventions" for some hospitalized patients, their use with those who are critically ill is new for many hospitals. Writing today in the journal Critical Care, Johns Hopkins rehabilitation and ICU experts conclude that a therapy animal is "a great exemplar" of nonpharmacological interventions that can help ICU patients become active and engaged in their recovery as early as possible. "Doctors and nurses have traditionally been of the mindset that if we just give patients the 'right' medication, their psychological status will improve," says Dale Needham, a professor of medicine and of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the School of Medicine and senior author of the new editorial. "In fact, we probably need to give less medicine and rely more on nonpharmaceutical interventions, such as music therapy, relaxation training, and animal-assisted therapy to help improve patients' psychological status." ICU patients, the specialists say, often require mechanical ventilators to breathe, feeding tubes, catheters, and an array of other technology that "dehumanizes" and demoralizes them. In addition, ICU patients may be sedated and restricted to bed rest, adding to their risks of muscle weakness, confused thinking, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Studies show that up to 80 percent of ICU patients have deliriumcharacterized by inattention, disorientation, confusion, and sometimes hallucinationsduring their stays, while evidence is growing that the risk of developing these conditions eases among patients who are more active and less medicated. Always searching for ways to engage patients in their own medical care and to humanize the ICU, rehabilitation psychologist Megan Hosey, an assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the School of Medicine, saw how successful animal-assisted therapy was in the inpatient rehabilitation unit at Johns Hopkins. Patients who participated in animal therapy were able to meet goals faster by involving the animalsstanding for longer periods of time while patting a dog, for instance. Speculating that similar benefits could occur among ICU patients, Hosey worked with ICU physician Needham and other experts to adapt the hospital's protocol to safely bring dogs to ICU patients who could benefit. All dogs involved in animal therapy programs at Johns Hopkins must be registered through a program called Pet Partners, which ensures that both handlers and dogs are up to date on training. To qualify for visits, patients must be awake and alert enough to engage calmly with a dog, not at high risk of infections, and be interested in having a dog visit. The typical length of stay in the Johns Hopkins medical ICU is a few days. The 10 patients who received visits from dogs in 2017 ranged in age from their 20s to their 80s, with a variety of medical diagnoses. Each patient had at least one 20- to 30-minute visit from a therapy dog while in the medical ICU. In a few instances, the animal therapy included a physical therapist or occupational therapist to pair physical rehabilitation with the dog visit and achieve specific functional goals. "The data from a psychological perspective shows that building motivation to become more active, for example, is a way dogs can help patients," says Hosey. "Once you have a dog in the room staring up at you expecting a treat or a pat, it's hard for a patient to avoid engaging." In other cases, a dog may simply sit on a patient's lap, providing a calm, affectionate presence that has been shown to improve mood and pain ratings. Given the positive response from patients, the team plans to measure pain, breathing rate, and mood in the future. The editorial makes the case, Hosey says, that other hospital ICUs and other hospital units should consider nonpharmacological interventions including therapy dog visits. She says hospitals considering such therapies need to set clear program goals, include stakeholders who can help overcome barriers, and partner with a program such as Pet Partners or Assistance Dogs International that have credibility in certifying animals. Moreover, launching the program with patients who have the highest likelihood of success and improvementnot those with delirium or communicable diseases, for instanceis recommended. Explore further Practical play: Interactive video games appear valuable for patients More information: Megan M. Hosey et al. Animal-assisted intervention in the ICU: a tool for humanization, Critical Care (2018). Journal information: Critical Care Megan M. Hosey et al. Animal-assisted intervention in the ICU: a tool for humanization,(2018). DOI: 10.1186/s13054-018-1946-8 We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. (Want to get this briefing by email? Heres the sign-up.) Good morning. Heres what you need to know: Budget and political statement President Trump has proposed steep cuts to domestic programs and large increases in military spending as part of a $4.4 trillion budget proposal that he sent to Congress on Monday. Although it has little chance of being enacted as written, the plan would add $7 trillion to the deficit over the next 10 years. Republicans have traditionally embraced balanced budgets. I probably could have made it balance, Mr. Trumps budget director, Mick Mulvaney, said, but it would have taken funny numbers to do it. We outlined the administrations proposal. ARCHIVED - Spain must pay compensation to convicted Basque separatist terrorists The European Court of Human Rights finds that the perpetrators of an attack at Madrid airport were maltreated The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has ruled that Spain must pay compensation to two convicted terrorists who formerly belonged to the Basque separatist organization ETA, having found that they were unfairly treated during their arrests and trial. The case concerns allegations of ill-treatment sustained by Igor Portu and Martin Sarasola Yarzabal when they were arrested on 6th January 2008 by officers of the Guardia Civil and at the beginning of their police custody, following which they were found guilty of the terrorist attack at Terminal 4 of Madrid-Barajas airport in December 2006. Two people died and another 20 were injured in the attack. Following their detention the two men, who are currently serving jail sentences in Cordoba and Jaen, were admitted to hospital suffering from multiple injuries and alleged that they had been beaten by the security forces while already in custody. The Guardia Civil maintained that the injuries had been due to the necessary use of force when the terrorists resisted arrest, but in 2010 four officers were found guilty in the courts of Guipuzcoa in the Basque Country of serious torture. This judgement was overturned by the Supreme Court a year later, but now the ECHR has found that the injuries described were indeed caused while they were in the hands of the Guardia, and that neither the national authorities nor the government has provided any convincing or credible arguments to explain or justify them. Four of the seven judges involved were of the opinion that compensation should be paid as a result, with the amounts decided on being 30,000 euros for Igor Portu and 20,000 euros for Martin Sarasola Yarzabal, both in respect of moral damages. Image: the European Court of Human Rights building in Strasbourg Follow Murcia Today on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest news, events and information in the Murcia region: https://www.facebook.com/MurciaToday/ --> The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is reviewing its position on private cryptocurrencies to inform an appropriate policy framework and regulatory regime. This review forms part of its financial technology programme to assess the emergence of financial technology (fintech) in a structured and organised manner, and to consider its regulatory implications. The main goal of the programme is to track and analyse fintech developments and to assist policymakers in formulating frameworks in response to these emerging innovations, the SARB said. This SARB cryptocurrency review will address regulatory issues such as clearing and settlement risks, exchange control impacts, monetary policy, and financial stability. It will also consider other matters such as cybersecurity, it said in a press statement. Through collaboration with the other regulatory bodies, matters such as tax implications, consumer and investor protection, and money laundering activities will also be addressed, the SARB said. The SARB expects to complete the review in the second half of 2018. Apart from reviewing cryptocurrencies, the SARB will also investigate and decide on the applicability of innovation facilitators innovation hubs, regulatory sandboxes, and accelerators for the SARB. The SARB hopes to have concluded its assessment of the appropriateness of innovation facilitators by the third quarter of 2018. Project Khokha a distributed ledger technology proof of concept The SARB is further set to launch Project Khokha which will experiment with distributed ledger technologies (DLTs). The aim of this project is to gain a practical understanding of DLTs through the development of a proof of concept (POC) in collaboration with the banking industry. The objective of the POC is to replicate interbank clearing and settlement on a DLT, which will allow the SARB and industry to jointly assess the potential benefits and risks of DLTs. The POC involves the processing of wholesale payments using Quorum, an Ethereum enterprise DLT. ConsenSys is the technology partner that will assist the SARB in the design, setup of infrastructure, and running of the POC. This does not imply a radical move to DLT for the countrys national payments infrastructure, but rather a structured approach to understand the implication of using a tokenised asset on DLT technology to transfer value, the SARB said. A public report will be released to explain all the findings, risks and benefits of the associated project during the second quarter of 2018. Now read: Bitcoin and online payments in South Africa Putin holds phone talks with Iranian counterpart Armenia Supreme Judicial Council chairman on his relations with PM Nikol Pashinyan Karabakh President meets with journalists and editors of country's Free Artsakh newspaper US Embassy in Armenia to Baku: Only comprehensive solution can help normalize Armenian-Azerbaijani relations Armenia President receives Slovakia FM Armenia defense minister's mother dies Armenia parliament's foreign relations committee chairman meets with Ukrainian MPs Armenia Syunik Province governor meets with newly appointed US Deputy Ambassador Monument to heroes who took revenge over Armenian Genocide organizers to be placed in Yerevan Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister-led delegation Digest: Protests being held in Yerevan, more on COVID-19 in Armenia Yerevan mayor: Not going to resign Why polluted air in the office is so dangerous? Dollar still going down in Armenia Karabakh emergency situations service: Remains of 1 Armenian serviceman found in Varanda Armenia Cassation Court has new judge PACE recommends holding debates over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Afghanistan situation National Archives of Armenia and Iran to sign memorandum within scope of cooperation Armenia PM, Gazprom Management Committee chairman discuss Armenian-Russian energy partnership Armenia Deputy PM participates in session of Eurasian Economic Commission's Council Madonna's daughter makes noise at Met Gala red carpet with her armpit hair Police apprehend Yerevan neighborhood resident on hunger, water strike Two-time Olympic champion, unsurpassed world record holder Yuriy Sedykh dies Armenia Ambassador to Ukraine: Aim of intergovernmental commission is to take steps to unblock communication Deceased serviceman's little brother born at medical center in Armenia's Etchmiadzin Taliban denies war crimes charges against human rights defenders Armenia PM, Slovakia FM discuss Karabakh peace process Ronaldo: Our minds already set on Champions League game Criminal case opened into death of Armenia soldier, another one receiving gunshot wounds Biden: You either keep Gavin Newsom as your governor or you'll get Donald Trump Armenia Investigative Committee former chair, ex-Prosecutor Generals arrest appealed 4 of Yerevan neighborhood residents protesting outside city hall apprehended Frances Macron makes social media post in Armenian Iran ambassador tries to discuss, with Azerbaijan presidential aide, demarche against Iranian trucks in Armenia 4 new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh US and EU urge global community to cut methane emissions by 30% Gout drug may be effective against coronavirus and flu Ukraine official: We have always considered Armenia as important partner in South Caucasus US, Japan and South Korea discuss new North Korean missile tests Yerevan neighborhood residents close off street adjacent to city hall Armenia Central Bank raises refinancing rate by 0.25 percentage point Appeal filed against court decision to arrest mayor of Armenias Goris 25,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine sent by France arrives in Yerevan Armenia FM informs visiting Slovakia colleague about Azerbaijan provocations Armenia ruling partys parliamentary faction holding closed meeting Armenia MOD confirms: There is also wounded soldier in tragic incident at the military outpost Slovakia FM: Process of returning Armenian captives from Azerbaijan must continue US intends to invite Russia and China to international summit on COVID-19 fight Kim Kardashian appears at Met Gala in balaclava with a mysterious man Armenia legislature elects Corruption Prevention Commission new member 657 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Karen Vardanyan has allocated 105 million AMD to rescue the Yerevan Botanical Garden Armenia MOD: Army representatives will observe Russia-Belarus joint military exercise ArmLur.am: New details become known from tragic incident at Armenia military outpost China to start cooperation with Singapore on drug development Armenia to assume CSTO chairmanship on Thursday 42-year-old actress Kate Hudson is getting married Google fines $ 177 million by South Korea's antitrust regulator Yerevan neighborhood resident on hunger strike declares water strike too Slovakia FM visits Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan (PHOTOS) Armenia MOD: Reserve sergeant receives fatal gunshot wound Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. Alashkert: Bookmakers view Armenian historical sites in Djulfa, Nakhichevan, elsewhere in Azerbaijan systematically erased Met Gala 2021: Long-awaited Costume Institute Gala held (PHOTOS) Armenia parliament continues regular sessions Newspaper: Armenia authorities ready to offer deal to Investigative Committee former head, ex-Prosecutor General Newspaper: Opposition Armenia bloc itself to not run in upcoming local elections Armenia ombudsman: Azerbaijan police base, barricades, cameras on Vorotan road must be removed immediately Champions League group stage kicking off Premier League: Everton win, join current leaders Eduard Spertsyan's goal helps save FC Krasnodar from defeat Armenia PM receives French Co-Chair of OSCE Minsk Group, paths for Karabakh conflict settlement discussed Armenia Deputy PM introduces newly appointed governor of Gegharkunik Province Traffic jams on Armenia's Goris-Kapan interstate road, Azerbaijanis rudely telling Armenians to drive away FC Pyunik defeat FC Urartu About 50 soldiers and police officers killed after attacks in Myanmar 2 dead after explosion near COVID-19 testing site in central Myanmar Armenia pregnant woman with COVID-19 dies Azerbaijan planning another festival in occupied Armenian Shushi Karabakh emergency situations service: Remains of 2 more Armenian servicemen found in Hadrut Russia to resume flights to Spain, Iraq, Kenya and Slovakia Russia Senator: Russian peacekeepers will remain in Karabakh so long as their presence is necessary Armenia FM receives French Co-Chair of OSCE Minsk Group "Armenia" alliance: Armenian authorities have turned detention into punitive mechanism against opposition Armenia appoints new Ambassador to Belarus Armenia has new Ambassador to the State of Qatar Iran MFA responds to situation regarding Iranian truck drivers in Armenia's Syunik Barca's Martin Braithwaite to undergo knee surgery The rapper implanted gold chains instead of hair Armenian MFA: No negotiations being held for normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations at the moment Digest: Azerbaijan tries to control goods transportation via Armenia, more on COVID-19 Armenia Deputy PM receives Co-Chairs of Armenian-Ukrainian Intergovernmental Commission Armenia appoints new Ambassador to Greece New Little Mermaid remake to premiere on May 23 Judge delays granting Armenia ex-President Kocharyan permission to travel to Moscow Armenia Ambassador to Ukraine Vladimir Karapetyan is in parliament Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff chief has new deputy FM: Azerbaijan armys illegal presence in Armenia undermines de-escalation efforts in region Armenia Parliament Speaker: Results of all elections between 1996 and 2018 were falsified Armenia parliament considering election of member of anti-corruption commission YEREVAN. The British Envoy to Armenia and Georgia, Mark Pritchard, MP, began his third visit to Armenia since his appointment in September 2017, to continue his exploration of opportunities to increase the volume of trade and investment between the UK and Armenia. During his visit, Mr Pritchard will have meetings with the Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources of Armenia Mr Ashot Manukyan, Mayor of Yerevan Taron Margaryan, Head of the State Tourism Committee Zarmine Zeytuntsyan and Head of Tourism Development Foundation Ara Khzmalyan as well as with business operators in Armenia. Mr Pritchard will be on a visit to Armenia and Georgian on February 13-14. The first two visits of the UK Trade and Investment Envoy to Armenia took place in October and November 2017. Mr Pritchard MP, used these two visits to learn more about Armenia and opportunities for closer collaboration through meetings with the Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan, various Ministers as well as representatives of International Financial Institutions. Mr Pritchard was appointed as British Trade and Investment Envoy to Armenia by the UK Prime Minister Theresa May on 12th September 2017, underscoring the UKs commitment to boosting bilateral trade and investment with Armenia. Trade and Investment Envoys are a network of parliamentarians appointed by the Prime Minister, drawn from across the political spectrum. They engage with one or more emerging markets where substantial trade and investment opportunities have been identified by the UK government. They support the drive for economic growth by building on the UKs existing relations with these markets and maximising bilateral trade. YEREVAN. Iran has not yet offered Armenia lower gas price than Russia, Armenian deputy energy minister Hayk Harutyunyan told reporters on Tuesday. His remark came in response on the statement of the Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Seyed Kazem Sadjadi that Iran is ready to sell gas to Yerevan at affordable prices. Armenia received specific price proposals, said the deputy minister without going into the details. Negotiations are being conducted. We will discuss it when we are offered a more competitive price, said Harutyunyan. According to him, the supply of Iranian gas to Armenia is constantly on the agenda. Iran is interested in increasing gas exports, while Armenia is interested in acquiring gas at more affordable prices. During the talks, we repeatedly said that we need alternative supplies, but Iran has not offered us lower prices yet, Hayk Harutyunyan said. As reported earlier, Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Seyed Kazem Sadjadi told reporters on Monday that Iran is ready to sell gas to Yerevan at affordable prices. The adversary must always know that the language of force is doomed to failure. Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic/NKR) President Bako Sahakyan on Tuesday stated the abovementioned during the public rally at the NKR capital city Stepanakerts Revival Square, and devoted to the 30th anniversary of the Artsakh National Liberation Movement. The event brought together Artsakh second President Arkadi Ghukasyan; Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh of the Armenian Apostolic Church; Artsakh Movement veterans; senior state officials; representatives from Armenia and the Armenian diaspora; and foreign guests. In his address, President Sahakyan stated as follows: Honorable Mr. President Arkady Ghoukasyan, Your Grace, Dear compatriots, Respected veterans of the Artsakh Movement, On behalf of the Artsakh Republic authorities and personally myself I convey the most heartfelt congratulations to all of us, our entire people on the 30th anniversary of the Artsakh Movement. The year of 1988 was a turning point in the history of the Armenian nation. Three decades ago these days the entire Armenian nation joined forces, doubled their fist, alerting the whole world of their readiness to struggle for living free and secure in their Fatherland. This nationwide outburst was a dare given to tyranny, persecutions, gross violations and abuses of human rights, all the scourges, which our people had undergone over the course of their centuries-old history. And the movement was wreathed with the restoration of the independent Armenian statehood. Being under alien and artificially-created Azerbaijans yoke against its will Artsakh was condemned to extermination and death. The same fate befell Nakhijevan, other historical Armenian regions annexed to Azerbaijan. Numerous ethnic minorities in that country were forcibly assimilated and disappeared from the stage of history. We had no alternative and were never reconciled to captivity, making numerous attempts to throw off the foreign yoke. It is worth quoting world famous academician Andrei Sakharov who said in his time that for the Armenians this struggle was a matter of life and death, for Azerbaijan just a matter of ambition. Notwithstanding all this, the Artsakh Movement is one of the exceptional examples of national-liberation struggles that adopted the policy of restoring historical justice and violated human rights through civilized and peaceful means, in strict compliance with international norms and rules. In response to this the Azerbaijani authorities once again without hesitation resorted to violence, organizing mass killings, massacres, displacement of the Armenian civilian population, which became the manifestations of the most detestable crimes against humanity. As a result of this genocidal policy hundreds and thousands of Armenians were forcibly displaced from their homes, various regions of our historical Homeland, thousands of people perished and were wounded, rich material and spiritual heritage of the Armenian culture was destroyed in the territory of the present-day Azerbaijani Republic. Azerbaijan pursues this inhumane policy today as well. The Baku authorities have not abrogated their aims of solving the Artsakh issue by force, resorting to different provocations, violating the ceasefire regime on a daily basis, conducting aggressive policy against Artsakh and Mother Armenia in information, political, diplomatic and other spheres. Moreover, launching the large-scale offensive in April 2016 Azerbaijan planned to destroy the Artsakh statehood via blitzkrieg. All those endeavors failed and the adversary was rebuffed, suffering serious casualties, material and moral losses. It always has been like that, so it will be in the future too. The guarantors of that are our powerful army, the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora unshakable trinity, our people carving their countrys secure future on their own, the patriotic and strong independence generation being forged while defending the Motherland. The Defense Army and the Armenian Armed Forces are among the greatest achievements of our National-Liberation Struggle, our independent statehood, the most reliable guarantee ensuring our peoples and motherlands security and its normal development, one of the most influential factors of maintaining peace and stability in the region. Eternal glory to our heroic liberator army! The state will further on do everything possible towards strengthening the countrys defense capacity, securing the high level of our Armed Forces fighting efficiency, shipping the army with modern military equipment. In this struggle for survival, unfortunately, we have had irretrievable losses. The best sons and daughters of our people have sacrificed their lives for the sacred mission of defending the Motherland. They are not victims, they are martyred heroes who have become immortal and continue the sacred mission of being the Motherland defenders inspiring and obliging to devotedly serve the homeland, work for the glory of its development and strengthening. All our losses are open wounds and will always remain in our peoples memory and history. Dear compatriots, Thirty years later the spirit and testaments of the 1988 continue to be landmarks for our people and our vision is directed solely towards the future. We will continue to build independent democratic and social country, further cement the Mother Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trinity. Independent statehood is our greatest value and everybodys responsibility is to do the maximum towards its consistent progress and reinforcement. Over the past three decades Artsakh has passed a determined state building path. Our people efficiently fulfilled the most difficult tasks set before them. We defended our state, its independence and freedom, restored the economy almost completely ruined as the result of the war and entered the stage of sustainable development. Currently, almost all the branches of the economy are steadily developing, peoples living standards are consistently improving. Artsakhs international recognition is in process. Day by day our country is becoming recognizable to the world and is establishing stable ties with different entities. During all these years we have always felt the special care of Mother Armenia towards Artsakh. Our achievements and accomplishments are impossible to imagine without the active and immediate participation of the Republic of Armenia. Today we solve great and responsible tasks together. We are all resolute and will do our best to make the future day reliable, our homeland stronger and more prosperous. The adversary must always know that the language of force is doomed to failure. Our people, our army and the whole Armenian people will give a worthy counterstroke to every encroachment that threatens our freedom and security. Glory to free and independent Artsakh! Glory to Mother Armenia! Glory to the heroic Armenian people! The US intends to allocate over $ 200 million for humanitarian aid in Syria, said Secretary of State Rex Tillerson at a meeting in Kuwait of the U.S-led global coalition against ISIS. Tillerson said Washington is concerned over recent events in north-west Syria but fully understands Turkish legitimate security concerns , Reuters reported. According to him, the members of the international coalition should continue their struggle against the ISIS attempts to recruit new supporters and provide financing. Tillerson opened U.S-led global coalition against Islamic State, which was attended by the representatives of over 70 countries. A coalition action plan for the next year, as well as the settlement of the situation in Syria and Iraq was included in the agenda. YEREVAN. -- The festival dedicated to the 85th anniversary of Polish composer and conductor Krzysztof Penderecki, who is considered one of the greatest musicians of our time, will start at Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall on Tuesday evening. During a press conference dedicated to the festival Armenian Minister of Culture Armen Amiryan noted that its an honor and joy to be next to one of the best musicians of our time and to host him, and especially to celebrate his 85th anniversary, culture ministry said in a statement. During the jubilee year, the 85th anniversary of Maestro will be celebrated in different countries and it is a great honor for us that the series of jubilee events starts from the capital of Armenia, Yerevan. Krzysztof Penderecki is a world famous star, a man who was able to change the world with his music, a man who has enlightened our life and future with his art, Armen Amiryan noted. The minister also quoted Pendereckis interview where the maestro stressed the fact that two composers - Bach and Komitas - had a serious impact on his creative activities. Penderecki also added that it was an amazing and unique phenomenon when the composer is also considered to be a hero. And, in Armenia Komitas is really considered a hero. Krzysztof Penderecki noted that that it is important for him that such a festival is held Armenia. I always come to Armenia with my wife with great pleasure. Every time visiting Armenia I hear amazing music performed at a high level, and most importantly, I meet wonderful people here. I feel like I'm here at home. I'm sorry that I do not speak Armenian. Answering the question about his compositions on Armenian topics, the composer mentioned that he had Armenian roots. His grandmother was from Isfahan. Third Psalm a piece he wrote several yeas ago is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Every time I hear my works performed in Armenia. You have wonderful conductors, who present my compositions and I am grateful to them, Maestro Penderecki noted. The composer writes about 60 concertos annually and confessed that he had many projects. The press conference of the RA Minister Armen Amiryan and Krzysztof Penderecki was held at Yerevan Tchaykovsky Specialized Secondary Music School. Before the press conference Penderecki planted a fir in the yard of the music school and then toured the school. The festival dedicated to Penderecki will be held from February 13 to 17 under the auspices of the First Lady Rita Sargsyan. The jubilee was organized by the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra, Yerevan Perspectives International Music Festival, with the support of the RA Ministry of Culture. During the four concerts, symphony and chamber compositions by the composer will be performed. Armenian premieres will be presented too. The festival has brought together different Armenian musicians. Armenian State Symphony Orchestra (Artistic Director and Principal Conductor: Sergey Smbatyan), Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director and Principal Conductor: Eduard Topchjan), Hover State Chamber Choir (Choirmaster: Sona Hovhannisyan), as well as famous foreign artists will perform within the festival. Abductors of Mrs Funmilayo Akpama, wife of the accountant of the Living Faith Church, Rantya have apologised to the family for killing their dog in the process. Their apology to the family was made after they collected a ransom of N1million from the husband, Simon Akpama,to free the woman. In an interview on Monday, Akpama said that the kidnappers collected N1 million ransom directly from him before releasing his wife. He said they released my wife directly to me at about 6pm on Thursday. There was no police involvement in the transaction; the police only came to take statements after and discuss the issue of the killed dog which they suggested to me should be slaughtered for meat. The kidnappers apologised to me over my dog as I handed over the ransom money. They killed the dog before taking me, my wife and our three year-old child. They also told me that they monitored my house for three months before the abduction at about 8pm on 7 February. The accountant said they were abducted at the gate into their premises as they returned from the mid-week service of the church which usually lasted until after 7 p.m. He said they were about opening the gate into their compound located around the Federal Low Cost Housing Estate in Rantya when the kidnappers seized them. Akpams said that the kidnappers changed their mind about taking him and the child with them. They dropped him off, along with the child, to source the ransom money. He said that the abductors called him on phone to collect the ransom, but he told them that he had nothing to give. The abduction was announced to members of the church during the Covenant Hour Prayer on Thursday 8 February, during prayer session led by Snr. Pst. Joseph Yadung. Akpams lamented that the security personnel were far from the people they were meant to protect and called on the government to prioritise the security of the citizenry. There is need for the government to beef up security around residential areas and for the people to take keener interest in their own security. The gunmen that abducted my wife are Fulani, who infiltrated the community. They are not locals. The Plateau State Police Command had on Thursday confirmed the abduction of Fumilayo and the release of the husband on condition that he should source for a ransom of N10 million. The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Terna Tyopev, confirmed the incident was reported at the Rantya Police Division in Jos. He also said the police were investigating the incident. Home | News | General | Strike paralyses activities at Enugu federal psychiatric hospital ENUGUON-GOING industrial action by workers of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu has crippled activities at the hospital, leaving patients stranded. UNN JAC Chairman, Paul Arua Addressing Students during the protest. When Vanguard visited the hospital Monday, it was deserted, as workers have complied with the strike declared by the Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU. Only few senior medical officials and security were seen at the hospital as at the time of filing this report. The indefinite strike, which resumed 12 midnight last Thursday is over non-payment of salary and other arrears. Mr. Ben Asogwa, chairman, Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals and Secretary, Trade Union Congress, TUC, Enugu State Chapter, while addressing the workers at a pre-strike rally, said they had exhausted all avenues for dialogue to no avail. He said they had no choice than to down tools pending when all their salary arrears were paid to the last kobo. This followed alleged refusal of the Medical Director, Dr. Jojo Onwukwe to accede to the request of the workers despite the requisite notice given to him. The workers JOHESU had earlier issued a 21-day ultimatum to the management of the hospital over a litany of issues. This was followed by another 7-day ultimatum, which has also expired. JOHESUs ultimatum borders on withheld salaries and arrears from February 2017 till date; withheld promotion arrears, withheld teaching allowance and enrollment of the hospital into the Integrated Payroll Personnel Information System, IPPIS. The ultimatum was signed by Comrades Ozurumba Anthony, Onu Bank-Anthony, Sims Nwagwu, Ugwu Eric. A. Eze Mathew and Oduru Friday on behalf of the JOHESU affiliate bodies. The ultimatum was followed by another one, University Graduates of Nursing Science Association, UGONSA, signed by its president, Chief S.E.O Egwuenu and the secretary, Nurse Goodluck Nshi. The group alleged there was escalating rascality, highhandedness, corruption and abuse of civil service rules by the medical director. According to the group, the current situation in the hospital if not checked will result in a breach of peace and a breakdown of law and order. They said peace would not return to the hospital without the immediate implementation of the report of a panel earlier sent to the hospital by the minister. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | 2018 Lagos Intl Polo tournament gallops off By Jacob Ajom Polo enthusiasts in Lagos and its environs will be treated to two weeks of top notch experience as the 2018 Lagos International Polo tournament gallops off today at the popular Lagos Polo Club, Ikoyi Lagos with 34 teams vying for honours in five titles. The first week billed to run from today to 18 will see teams compete in the Silver Cup which has eight home teams and six visiting teams while Open Cup will feature four teams all of which are from Lagos. The tournament will feature four major cups namely Silver Cup, Open, Low and the Majekodunmi Cup in addition to four select Cups which are the Oba of Lagos Cup, Italian Ambassadors Cup, Chargoury Bowl and Churchward Plate. These will present different teams and different competitions in one tournament, an official said. In todays opener, Ibadan Jericho will be taking on Kano BUA in the Silver Cup. The second match in the Silver Cup will see Lagos Avon taking on Lagos Alchemy The second week will run from February 21 to 25 with seven Lagos teams and seven visiting teams battling for the Low Cup while Lagos Fifth Chukker and Kaduna Keffi Ponys will round off the tournament with a titanic clash for the prestigious Majekodunmi Cup, the most valuable polo title in West Africa. Organisers of the tournament which has GTBank as the major sponsor said this years edition promises all the thrills, sophistication and uncompromised style that have become synonymous with the annual tournament touted as the biggest and most glamorous in West Africa. Speaking at the pre-tournament press briefing at the Club House yesterday, Tournament Manager, Seyi Oyinlola said, the tournament would be much more entertaining and action-packed than the previous years. We have raised the bar and spectators will be thrilled with what they will see as some of the best Polo players from around the world will be on parade. Apart from showcasing the best Nigerian Polo players, we also have players from Argentina, Spain, England and South Africa, he said. Some of the expected foreign players to feature include Martin Juaregi, Augustine Canale, Juan Cruz Guebera, Manuel Crespo all from Argentina, Mario Gomez from Spain, Leroux Hendricks from South Africa, among others. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | FUTA hosts IITA, ZEF, FARA on cassava flour The Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, in collaboration with international Institute for Tropical Agriculture, IITA, Ibadan; Centre for Development Research, ZEF, Germany; Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa, FARA, Accra, Ghana, and Biomass Web, a project sponsored by FARA, has hosted a fabricators forum and a one-day dissemination workshop on pneumatic flash dryer for high quality cassava flour, HQCF, an essential ingredient in the production of bread and other confectioneries. Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State. The convener of the workshop and team leader, Biomass Web project, FUTA, Professor Olawale Olukunle disclosed that the Federal Governments policy on the 10 percent inclusion of HQCF into wheat flour for baking and confectionery, created a huge demand for HQCF by flour millers. He added that since the indigenous fabrication industry has shown immense innovation and commitment through the commercial production of flash dryers, there is a need for collaboration between the experts in academics and local fabricators to develop an efficient drying system for HQCF production. On his part, FUTAs Vice Chancellor, Professor Joseph Fuwape, said the workshop came at a time when research institutes in developing countries, including higher institutions, are challenged to play a more active role in the technological development. Professor Fuwape said as a specialised university with the mandate of advancing the cause of technology, FUTAs department of Agricultural Engineering has developed three cassa-va peelersKnife Edged Automator Peeler type 1 and 2, and the abrasive tooled automated peeler. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | Beheaded farmer: Well deal with herdsmen our way Agbekoya Kidnapping, robbery, herdsmen/farmers clashes: Our security solutionsll stand test of time Buhari We lost four persons Bambado, SWest Fulani leader Were not aware of any crisis Police Govs back Presidency on state, community police By Dapo Akinrefon, Ola Ajayi & Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJAFollowing killings by herdsmen across the country since the beginning of the year, President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, said his government has grasp of the security challenges in the country and is determined to implement solutions that would stand the test of time. One of the victims. The Presidents declaration came after he emerged from a three-hour meeting with security agencies, including service chiefs, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Buharis statement came at a time Agbekoya Farmers Association, AFA, vowed to deal with herdsmen, following last Saturdays beheading of a 70-year-old farmer and injuring of his son in their farm at Iseyin, Oyo State. They also issued an ultimatum to all herdsmen in their land to leave immediately or face their wrath. Although there was no usual briefing of State House correspondents after the meeting, President Buhari, on his Twitter handle, said the government would implement solutions that would be acceptable anywhere. Security solutions The Presidents post on his Twitter handle read thus: Today (yesterday), I presided over a meeting of the security council. We fully understand the seriousness & urgency of Nigerias security issues, and are determined to implement carefully considered solutions that will not only earn the confidence of Nigerians, but also stand the test of time. Our law enforcement agencies must at all times stay ahead of bandits and criminals, wherever they are across the country, by efficiently gathering, sharing and acting on credible intelligence. I am assuring that we will give them all the support needed to succeed. Let me also assure that all persons arrested so far, including those arrested for illegally possessing arms, will be duly prosecuted. I urge judicial officers to be alive to responsibilities in this regard, to enable the speedy dispensation of justice. The meeting, which was an enlarged one with heads of Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Prisons Service, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, lasted about three hours at the State House, Abuja. At the meeting were the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha; Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali; Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and National Security Adviser, Majjor General Babagana Monguno, retd. Also in attendance were Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS; Lawal Daura; Director of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency, NIA, Ahmed Abubakar, and Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris. The service chiefs at the meeting included Chief of Defence Staff; Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff; Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, and Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar. Well deal with herdsmen our own way Agbekoya Meanwhile, following the beheading of a 70-year-old farmer in Iseyin, Oyo State, the Agbekoya Farmers Association, AFA, has vowed to deal with herdsmen in their own way, if the federal and state governments failed to curb herdsmens activities. They also issued an ultimatum to all herdsmen in their lands to leave immediately. This came as the leader of Fulani in the South West, Alhaji Mohammed Bambado, and his counterpart at Oke-Ogun, Alhaji Bello, claimed that they had lost four of their men. Recall that a 70-year old farmer, identified as Mustapha, alias Baba Jeje, was beheaded on his farm by herdsmen, while his son, who was with him on the farm, was also said to have been injured by the herdsmen who destroyed crops in the farm. The farmer had since been buried according to Islamic injunctions. Speaking with Vanguard, President-General of Agbekoyas Worldwide, Kamoru Okiki Aremu, said the deceased was a gentle man who was very popular at Iseyin. Aremu warned that unless the Federal Government and Governor Abiola Ajimobi arrest and prosecute the culprits, the Agbekoyas would declare war on herdsmen all over Oyo State. Aremu said: They killed a farmer at Iseyin three days ago. They slaughtered him and then beheaded him. What was his offence? He complained that their cattle ate his dried cassava tubers. It was his child who narrowly escaped that raised alarm. We cannot take this any longer. As a result of the killing, some of my members called me to get permission if they could go in search of the assailants. We cant wait for the Police again. Police cant guarantee us safety again. We have severally complained to the Police, the state government and the Federal Government and we have found out they cannot handle the issue. Asked if it would be easy to get the alleged killer, he replied saying he knew that majority of the herdsmen were stubborn. If they dont release the killer, we wont take this lightly. We can no longer fold our arms while they have field day mowing down our people. We are ready for whatever happens. Enough is enough. We thought we could live together in peace, but these ones dont understand the language of peace. Similarly, the leader of Agbekoya in Oyo State, Alhaji Shehu said: We have been given the mandate not to sit by and watch these lawless herdsmen. Our people are already in the bush looking for them. We know that the real culprit is not easy to find. What we are saying is that they should leave our lands and anyone who fails to heed the warning should have himself to blame. You need to see the inhuman manner they killed the farmer. His children had to be picking his body parts that had been decapitated. Just some days ago, they killed a SARS commander at Saki. We have had enough of these killings and we are tired of it. They have inflicted so much pain on us in this Oke Ogun area and we have been driven to the wall. We cant tolerate this any longer, he added. Weve lost 4 men, many cows-Fulani leaders When Vanguard called the Sarkin Fulani in Oke Ogun area, Alhaji Bello, he said four herdsmen and many cows had been killed. Bello said: As you are talking to me now, they have killed four Fulani men and many cows. They have gone to bring three corpses of our men they killed. The Policemen are already here. On ways of resolving the crisis, he said: The only way is for the government to summon a meeting of stakeholders where we will iron things out. Also, Chairman, Association of Fulani Chiefs, South-West Nigeria, Alhaji Mohammed Bambado, said: With what I gathered, they said the Police are investigating the matter. At present, our people have gone into the bush because with what I gathered, they have killed four Fulani but it has not been confirmed yet. They are not sure whether it was the Fulani that committed that crime because they said it was a family issue. There is no grazing route along that area that would make a Fulani man to go through that area. The Police are there carrying out their investigation. Honestly, that is all I can say about this. Were not aware of any crisis Police Reacting to the incident, Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said he would call his men in the area to verify. But he said he was not aware of any crisis between the Agbekoya and the herdsmen. He promised to call back after he had been properly briefed about the incident but at press time last night, he had yet to do that. Insecurity: Govs back Presidency on State Police Governors of the 36 states of the federation, under the aegis of Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, yesterday threw their weight behind the Presidency on the decentralisation of the police force in the country. Addressing journalists at the end of the two-day National Security Summit organized by the Senate to review the current security infrastructure in Nigeria in Abuja, yesterday, Chairman of the Governors Forum, and Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, said the Forum had endorsed the idea of state police since 2015 but that the division within, at that time made it difficult to marshal further action on it. According to him, the governors met in August 2017 and reached a common ground on state police which they have now put on the table at the security summit. The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, while declaring open the Summit, had presented the position of the Presidency which stressed the need for state and community policing if the present security challenges in the country must be nipped in the bud. The position of the governors yesterday tallies with the resolution of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, on restructuring. Yari, who dismissed fears that state police would become a weapon of coercion if left in the hands of governors, however, argued that if governors were not doing same with state court; he doubted if they would do that with state police. He said: You know the issue of security is not something that the nation can play with because the primary responsibility of government anywhere in the world is to ensure that the life and property of citizens are protected. On the position by some governors that they cannot afford state policing, Yari said: That is why we are saying that it is not all the states that are supposed to have state police. Those that can, should have it. For instance, Lagos State, as rich as they are, can have state police. The federal police in Lagos, they can reduce the number to Osun, Ogun and other states that cannot do it. If Rivers State can afford it, the number of federal police can be redeployed to Cross River and other neighbouring states like Enugu that cannot do it. If Kano State can do it, they can take to my state that is not all that rich. It is something that we cant take up at the same time and land at the same time. Nigeria security chiefs and other critical stakeholders have been brainstorming on Nigerias security challenges hoping to identify the lapses within the entire security architecture and to come up with solutions. Healing process needed Senate Meanwhile, some senators at the end of the summit have stressed the urgent need for Nigeria to begin what they described as healing process, in view of the need to address the security challenges confronting the country. In his comments, Senator Victor Umeh (APGA, Anambra Central), who expressed optimism that the summit would give Nigerians the required results in terms of security, however said practical and verifiable options were crucial in tackling insecurity. Contributors continue to highlight the need for government to tackle the root causes of insecurity in the country. It is not enough when these things escalate we begin to adopt fire brigade approach and to ask why are these things happening. Things start gradually and snowball into a big problem and if you dont tackle it from the beginning it will continue to pose serious challenges to the country. There is need for the country to start a healing process by going back to those things that agitate the minds of the people, things that make people to protest. Also speaking with journalists, Senator Sam Egwu (PDP, Ebonyi North), who noted that the issue of security requires collaborative efforts by all, said everybody was in danger, adding that this must not be left in the hands of the executive alone. He said: As an arm of government we have to contribute our quota by trying to find out means to avert the serious dangers we find ourselves as a country. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | We dont call cow bros, Prof. Adewole! By Yinka Odumakin DEAR Hon. Minister, Pardon me for boring you with this little story in a community in some corner of Nigeria a few years ago. Leaders of the said community had decided on a N20m fund-raising for some project so dear to them and fixed a day to invite their sons and daughters to do them proud . The event started as planned and people started to donate in turns with applause here and there when a convoy of about 10 exotic jeeps screeched to a halt and dust covered the entire arena. When the palpitation settled, a young man in a pair of jeans and shirt came out from one of the cars followed by a retinue of aides. He made straight for the microphone and told the gathering that he is a native who came uninvited to the event. He added that he just heard that his community was looking for money and he decided to come and be a blessing to the land of his birth. But that it saddened him to see his community erecting tents just because of N20m.He beckoned on his boys to offload the bags containing the N20m from the cars and the crowd went ecstatic chasing away the hitherto dignitaries on the high table for the young man and his entourage. An elder of the community who narrated the story said the only thing that came to his mind where he sat was how would the Yoruba have reacted to this? That ethical lamentation raises the fundamental essence of the value-driven profile of the proper Yoruba person built on heritage of ethical standard across generations. It erects some moral columns with a base below which an Omoluwabi is not expected to fall no matter the trappings of money, power and influence. This code of behaviour is well captured in that saying of our people that the craving for Suya should not lead any man to call a cow Bros. This is the background to the consternation at your staying put in office after you were literally sacked last week with the recall by the President of the boss of National Health Insurance, NHIS, Professor Usman Yusuf whom you suspended last year July when President Buhari was on medical vacation in London to pave way for investigations of corruption allegations against him. Yusuf had in a very contemptuous manner fired you a memorandum then that he did not know what you think of yourself or whatever leftover mandate you were hanging around when Constituted Authority was in some medical facility in London. Excerpts from his letter: By virtue of Section 47 of the NHIS Act, you are empowered to give directives of a general nature to the Governing Council of the Scheme and in the absence of the Council, you have presidential mandate to exercise the powers and functions of the council, but since the powers and functions of the Council do not include discipline, suspension or removal of the Executive Secretary of the Scheme from office, the directive in your letter under reference cannot find comfort under the said section or presidential mandate; and The letter of suspension is not in accordance with Public Service Rules as no prima facie case has been established against me in respect of the petition referred to in the letter. The mere fact that there are pending petitions against a public officer which is yet to be substantiated does not constitute a ground for suspension under the Public Service Rules. Otherwise, with over 18,000 petitions pending against public office holders before the EFCC and ICPC as at the end of June 2017, the total number of public officers who would have been on suspension by now including the Honourable Ministers is left to be imagined, It took practically shutting the doors by security agents for him to stop the defiance of your directive. His recall last week by the President without reference to your office is a vindication for his impunity and a dirty slap on your face as a Minister of the Federal Republic. Sorry, there is a reference to your office. You have been asked to work with him the way Benue was encouraged to find accommodation with killer herdsmen. What about the reports of the administrative panel you set up that found him guilty ? Well,you are free to use them in your shithole! The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed added some comical dimension to the whole saga when he said that the recall will not stop Yusufs investigation even as he added that he was not aware that the EFCC is investigating him but if that is the case I dont think his reinstatement is a bar to any investigation. When asked why he claimed not to be aware that the NHIS ES is under investigation, the Information minister said, I didnt say Im not aware of his investigation, I said EFCC. I was precise I said I am not aware that the EFCC is investigating him and that if it is true, that the fact that he has been reinstated does not mean a stop to it. That is what I said. I am not saying Im not aware that he was suspended or any investigation is going on. The fact that he has been reinstated does not mean that the EFCC will not continue with its investigation, that is what I said. While the gullible ones are free to foam in the mouth about anti-corruption war, the worry here is that you still carry on in office as if you cannot process what has just happened to you with this sheer impunity. In plain language: you remain in office but stripped of authority. Like an attorney observed,you are no more than a subordinate to Yusuf at the moment. Since you seem to have taken the decision to swallow your pride to remain in office, life would be very comfortable if you learn fast how to say ranka dede to Oga Yusuf whenever you run into him in the corridors. Your present humiliation in some way is an encore, though the earlier one was noble for you and you carried yourself with great dignity and admiration. You were elected the President of the National Association of Resident Doctors,NARD, in 1984 at a time when the dreaded Buhari-Idiagbon military junta held sway in Nigeria.The culture of fear imposed on the country then did not stop you from leading doctors on a major confrontation with that administration to press for better working conditions .The regime wielded the big stick by sacking you and your colleagues. The repression was capped with the decision to declare you wanted. Realising the crude force at play, you had a rapid dialogue with your feet (apology to WS) and spent the next fifteen months in exile with the juntas goons on your trail. In an interview you granted The News magazine to mark your 60th birthday you recalled those days thus : Let me say clearly, I have been a victim of interactions with so many adventures. At various levels, those adventures largely contributed to who and what I am today. I joined medical politics by sheer accident. I was encouraged by Dr. Kayode Obembe, who just came to me and said, Dr. Adewole, I want you to be the secretary. And I said, Why not? And I became the secretary of the association of the resident doctors at the University College Hospital, UCH, at that early level and rose to the position of national president, led a nationwide strike and we were dismissed. That was a turning point. Everything appeared bleak and blank at that point because we were sad. That was during the Buhari/Idiagbon regime. We were not only sacked, we were asked to be picked dead or alive and some of us went into exile. I was away for about 15 months. But the experience I had at a research laboratory in London also influenced what I am today and helped me when I returned because while I was there, I wrote four papers. The then president, Ibrahim Babangida, gave us pardon. He said he was granting pardon to all the dismissed doctors so that they could participate in the national political discourse. By some twist of fate it would appear that the knock you ran away from in 1984 is now descending on your skull. Unfortunately and understandably , the head is no longer as hot as it was in 1984. It can absorb just anything now. Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe(SAN) speaking with a Sunday Newspaper could not conceal his disgust at your ordeal when he declared If I were the Minister of Health, I would resign and give them back their useless position. The President has undermined his so-called war on corruption for whatever reason, and it does him no credit that he is doing this. A man under his watch is accused of corruption and is being probed, and you reinstated him? He has undermined that minister. And this professor (Yusuf) was so boastful, saying only the President could query him. That he (Buhari) would do this kind of thing no longer shocks me. Is the Presidency the court? When they dragged people all over the pages of newspapers people accused of crimes did they say they needed to be proved? They called everybody a looter. The people they were calling looters, have they been found guilty? The reason this man (Buhari) is doing this is because that man (Yusuf) is his fellow tribesman. Thats all! This country belongs to all of us; you cant do this kind of thing to people I smell it so strongly that this land is crying for some real man or woman who will stand up and say a NO that will resound and prove we are not bereft of heroes.You have missed it but that person wont with the full digestion of Maya Angelous words Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you cant practice any other virtue consistently. Extend my courtesies to maigida Yusuf. Feedback Re:Time to call out Osinbajo I AM Dr. Iwuagwu progress, a dentist by profession and a proud Igbo man. I make sure I read your write ups and view points on contemporary issues in Nigeria. I want to commend you for your sagacity, brilliance and consistency of views. Your advice to our dear Vice president in candid notes (Vanguard) of 6th February deserves Nobel prize for literature. We will never forget you when the battle for freedom from the current misrule is won and Nigeria restructured. More grease to your elbow. Jisi ke- Dr. Iwuagwu Progress . CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | IPOB expresses outrage over disappearnace of Nnamdi Kanus case file at Appeal Court By Emeka Mamah ENUGUTHE Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has expressed outrage over the alleged declaration that its leaders case file was missing in court. IPOB said that the Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, yesterday, declared Nnamdi Kanus case file missing after over one year of trial adding that it was unthinkable that the appellate court would make such a pronouncement. Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu This was contained in a statement signed by the Media and Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful. The statement read, When we thought the judiciary and legal establishment could not sink any lower in Nigeria, the impossible has happened. The Court of Appeal judge today (yesterday) sitting in Abuja has declared the file of the leader of IPOB missing/misplaced. It is unheard of in the history of the Nigerian judiciary that (the case file of a matter) coming up for final judgement almost a year after the appellate courts jury adjourned the matter having heard all the arguments is missing. Not only is the delay by the Appeal Court illegal and unconstitutional, the conduct of those that heard and handled this very case is troubling. We no longer know what to make of the Nigerian Judicial system. This is beyond a joke. The only thing missing from todays court hearing is that of the proverbial snake because it wasnt confirmed if the case file had been swallowed by yet another snake at the Appeal Court. We are drawing the attention of the civilised world to the mess in the Nigerian Judiciary; terrorised by a brutal dictatorial regime has turned into. Instead of delivering judgement for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the judiciary would rather break every constitutional provision guiding the time line in cases at the Appeal Court. Nnamdi Kanu is in court to challenge the ruling of Justice John Tsoho who reversed a ruling he gave on yje issue of masking of witnesses in the treasonable felony trial of the IPOB leader and three others. This matter is overdue for judgement by one year because the Nigerian constitution, which judges are meant to interpret and uphold, clearly stipulates that all Appeal Court judgements must be delivered within three months. This case is up to a year without any judgement on the matter contrary to constitutional provisions. The Chief Justice of the Federation must step into this matter before the already tarnished image of the Judiciary suffers more before the eyes of the world. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | 2019: Go home and rest, after failing Nigerians woefully, Junaid tells Buhari By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor ABUJASecond Republic lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, yesterday, pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to take a dignified exit from governance and return home to take care of his troubling health and save Nigeria from further woes arising from his inability to hold the country together. He said avoidable skirmishes between herdsmen and farmers had heightened across the country under Buharis leadership and could escalate in the years ahead if Buhari continues as president of the country beyond 2019. The working president, walking gently in his farm Mohammed, who claims to be one of the closest northern leaders to Buhari, accused the president of losing focus of giving Nigerians a purposeful leadership as a result of paying priority attention to the interest and welfare of family members and friends than the wellbeing of Nigerians. The former aide to President Shehu Shagari said Buhari had also lost count of the Nigerian economy, having allowed his friends and allies to take charge of key economic enterprises that should be manned by experts and technocrats. He said: There is no need for us to continue to keep silent while a cabal, led by persons with little or no knowledge of the economy and those who have never run any successful business enterprise, continue to toy with the well-being and future of over 180 million Nigerians just because they are related one way or the other to the president, who himself knows nothing about the economy. It is also not in doubt that this president has brought more of his kinsmen, most of them who are unqualified, than any other Nigerian president in history into key national positions, thereby trivialising governance and promoting mediocrity at the highest level. Asked if the north would present a consensus candidate to challenge Buhari in 2019, Mohammed, who is a member of the 2014 National Conference, described the thought of a consensus candidate as primitive and unworkable under the present political reality. Mohammed cautioned those behind the move to have a rethink and recognise the fact that the north does not have a monopoly of power and that the presidency could go to only those who are prepared mentally and physically to take it. He said: Look, there is nothing that makes it compulsory for Nigerians to concede the presidency to the north at any point in time. Any group that needs the presidency of Nigeria must be ready to work for it. We must not continue to accept a situation where some people sit somewhere and anoint some persons they know are either ill or weak and impose them on the rest of the people and they either die midway into their tenure or fail woefully to perform due to ill health or poor understanding of the economy or both. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | Rumoured plan by Saraki, others to rejoin PDP sparks protest in Kwara state - PDP youths fault Bukola Sarakis rumoured defection to the party - The state secretary of the party in Kwara state, Gidado Alakawa, says the organisation is not against the entry of new members or the return of former members - APC members protest alleged imposition of candidates in Oyo The rumoured plan by the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, and some of his associates to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been rejected by some youths in Kwara state. The youths who are members of the Kwara state chapter of the PDP on Monday, February 12, protested against the Senate president rejoining the party. The protesters made their opposition known at the sidelines of a media briefing by a PDP group, Face of Change. The protesting group urged the party not to allow Saraki and his associates join its fold, the Punch reports. READ ALSO: Security meeting: Intelligence sharing must be taken seriously - President Buhari No to Bukola Saraki and cronies in the PDP, MM defection is a liability, PDP exco, shine your eyes, and PDP gov ticket is not for sale, some of the placard carried by the group stated. However, the state coordinator, Face of Change, Kubrat Abdullateef, told journalist that the protesters were only expressing their personal views and were not part of the conference. She said: What we are trying to do is that we do not want a repeat of what had happened in the past when Bukola Saraki planted his cronies in our party and we had a very rancorous primary. We are guarding against that and we do not want a repeat of that. Those who are carrying placards, that is their personal opinion. Reacting to the protests, the state secretary of the PDP, Gidado Alakawa, said the party was not against the entry of new members or the return of former members, he however, noted that new members and returnees must abide by the constitution, process and procedures of the party. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app Meanwhile, a faction of APC members in Oyo state have protested against alleged imposition of candidates by Governor Abiola Ajimobi and his loyalist. Premium Times reports that the protest which took place at the state secretariat of the party in Ibadan was organised by a faction of the party loyal to a former governor of the state, Lam Adesina. The aggrieved members were said to be opposed to a reported plan by the Oyo state governor to impose party candidates in the coming council polls The party in the state is said to be divided into two major divisions, tagged the Lamists and the Senaco loyalists. Nigerians want PDP back in 2019 - Goodluck Jonathan declares at PDP Caucus Meeting on NAIJ.com TV [embedded content] Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | Your allegation is false and unfair - Ortom, Ishaku reply Emir Sanusi's statement on herdsmen crisis - Benue and Taraba state governors have replied to a statement made by Emir of Kano blaming the anti-open grazing law on herdsmen crisis in the two states - The governors also debunked the belief that they are sponsoring militia to counter-attack herdsmen in the state - They urged the Emir of Kano to rather use his position as a traditional leader to help douse the heated situation between herders and farmer Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom and Taraba state governor, Darius Ishaku have both reacted to a statement made by Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, accusing the governors of sponsoring militia to attack herdsmen in the states. Sanusi was reported to have said over the weekend that the vice president of Nigeria needs to invite the two governors and advise them to curtail the activities of the militia in their states. Reacting to the statement made by the Emir, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ortom, Mr Terver Akase absolved his principal of the allegations, Channels TV reports. READ ALSO: Good news as police commence payment of N400m investments to retired personnel Akase argued that if the governor was sponsoring the militia, they would not have launched an attack on the state. Similarly, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ishaku on Media and Publicity, Mr Bala Abu, described the allegation as false and unfair. Abu said: The government has not recruited militia and is not involved in the training of such people anywhere in or outside of the state. The government advises the Emir to rather use his vantage position as a traditional and religious leader to complement the peace efforts of the government than raise unnecessary alarm capable of causing disaffection among the peace-loving people of Taraba state." He adds that the Anti-Open Grazing Law and the establishment of ranches are in furtherance of the state governments peace efforts. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa state says government has put machinery in place to reclaim all designated grazing reserves that have been encroached upon in the state. Al-Makura disclosed this at an expanded state Security Council meeting on Monday in Lafia. He attributed the incessant clashes between farmers and herders to the encroachment on grazing reserves across the state. Victims of herdsmen killing buried in Benue state - on NAIJ.com TV [embedded content] Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | It's not compulsory for Nigerians to concede presidency to the north - Junaid Mohammed speaks on 2019 - A former lawmaker has advised President Muhammadu Buhari against contesting in 2019 - Junaid Mohammed asked President Buhari to go home, rest and attend to his ailing health - He said no la has made it mandatory that the president must come from the nortg A second republic lawmakers, Junaid Mohammed has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to take a bow from contesting for presidency in 2019. Mohammed pleaded with the president to exit governance and return home to attend to his health. He also said President Buhari will save Nigerians by taking a rest. READ ALSO: How government has become a looting business centre - ADP Vanguard reports that Junaid who claims to be the closest northern leader to the president, said the clashes between herdsmen and farmers across Nigeria is avoidable. Junaid said: There is no need for us to continue to keep silent while a cabal, led by persons with little or no knowledge of the economy and those who have never run any successful business enterprise, continue to toy with the well-being and future of over 180 million Nigerians just because they are related one way or the other to the president, who himself knows nothing about the economy." It is also not in doubt that this president has brought more of his kinsmen, most of them who are unqualified, than any other Nigerian president in history into key national positions, thereby trivialising governance and promoting mediocrity at the highest level." Junaid said. READ ALSO: Security meeting: President Buhari speaks about fate of those arrested for illegal possession of arms Look, there is nothing that makes it compulsory for Nigerians to concede the presidency to the north at any point in time. Any group that needs the presidency of Nigeria must be ready to work for it. We must not continue to accept a situation where some people sit somewhere and anoint some persons they know are either ill or weak and impose them on the rest of the people and they either die midway into their tenure or fail woefully to perform due to ill health or poor understanding of the economy or both," the former lawmaker said. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app NAIJ.com earlier reported that the former lawmaker had said that President Buhari does not deserve a second term. Junaid said the president has not done enough to seek re-election. He said it is important for the All Progressives Congress to allow for an open candidacy in 2019. What must President Buhari do to regain the trust of Nigerians? - on NAIJ.com TV [embedded content] Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | Patience Jonathan urges court to strike out ex-parte application by EFCC By Innocent Anaba LAGOSWife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience, has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to strike out an ex-parte application by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, seeking temporary forfeiture of her $8,435,788.84 and N7.35 billion. EFCC boss Magu and Patience Jonathan She is also praying the court for an order striking out the motion filed last December 13 on the ground that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear it. Mrs Jonathan said the EFCCs motion was a gross abuse of court process because the issues were already pending before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The ex parte originating summons filed by the EFCC amounts to forum shopping, thus an abuse of court process, she said. Meanwhile, hearing was stalled in the case, yesterday, due to Justice Olatoreguns absence, but the case was adjourned till tomorrow. Through her lawyers, Mr Ifedayo Adedipe, SAN and Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, Mrs Jonathan said the same application had earlier been filed by the EFCC before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the courts Lagos division, upon which it had obtained an ex-parte order. She said the same application was before Justice Nyako over same parties to be affected by this same application. The former first lady said EFCC allegedly failed to disclose the different suits and orders made prior to filing the application before Justice Olatoregun in Lagos. The respondent is making great mockery of this judicial system and by extension this court, Mrs Jonathan said. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | Osoba condemns outrageous pension packages for ex-govs LagosFORMER governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, says he has never benefited from the outrageous pension packages for former governors and their deputies across states in Nigeria. Chief Olusegun Osoba Osoba also disclosed that the only amount he receives monthly from the government of Ogun State since he left office in 2003 is N676,000. Speaking to journalists at his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, Osoba said his monthly package is consistent with the provisions of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC. During the administration of former governor Gbenga Daniel, he disclosed that the state government did not pay his entitlement until some highly placed traditional rulers and other prominent people in the state intervened. He said the N676,000 pension does not even cover the cost of fuelling his car in a month. Osoba, who is also a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, said: I pay my tax to Lagos and Ogun States. I do my civic responsibility by making my annual tax returns voluntarily. I pay to Lagos and Ogun because I reside in the two places. What I pay back to the state is in millions compared to what they (state government) pay to me. I will only speak for myself. I cannot comment on others unless I have facts and figures indicating what they are collecting with what they are collecting in their various appointive or elective offices now. If I am holding any appointive office, I will rather collect all my entitlements because the N676,000 I am collecting from Ogun State cannot sustain me. The former Osoba argued that the RMAFC made provisions for changing cars of former governors and their deputies every three years. If the issue of car is covered under the law, it is their right and entitlement. Let us be honest with ourselves, in the 1999 Constitution, former presidents and governors are not by law allowed to hold any office with any multinational company or conglomerates. The former governor, therefore, noted that he was not against the regular change of vehicles for ex-governors, because, former governors are endangered because they must have stepped on a lot of toes with the decisions they took while in office. While he condemned the ostentatious lifestyles of former governors and deputies, he said the government can change a car as recommended by the RMAFC, but not a fleet of cars. He said: That is too much (fleet of cars). Changing a car once in a while is not too much, though I have never benefited from this provision. He explained that the only time the Ogun State government changed his car was when he turned 70 almost nine years ago, noting that the state government has not given him the privilege in the last 15 years. He said, I do not mind because the way any governor lays his bed today is the way he will sleep on it tomorrow. If they leave office and ask for what they do not give to me, I will raise the alarm and fault them. Like my medical treatment. I know how much I have spent, but nobody asked me. A lot of prominent Nigerians have asked me to demand it. But I refused to make such demand. I do not want anything scandalous. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | Ikpeazu has performed well, says Secondus as APC lawmaker defects to PDP UMUAHIATHE national chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus has said that the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has performed well in the delivery of democracy dividend. Speaking during a tour of completed and on-going projects in Abia yesterday, the PDP national chairman thanked Governor Ikpeazu for inviting the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party for the projects inspection. Uche Secondus Okezie is a performing governor of Abia State. I came with our PDP NWC members from WADATA PLAZA to see the achievements of Ikpeazu. He was bold to invite us because he knew he has performed. From the faces of Abians, I am convinced that he has performed. The faces I have seen today, I dont think I have seen it like this before. Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has taken over everywhere. Those politicians that make things happen in Abia State are with the governor in PDP. This is what PDP governors in the states are doing. All the PDP governors are in unison and agreement, standing on our party. Secondus also joined Governor Ikpeazu to receive members of the APC who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. One of them was Hon. Theophilus Ugboaga, member representing Ikwuano State Constituency. The PDP national chairman also gave hints of many other persons who would join the party soon. He said: All the PDP governors are intact waiting to accept all those that are coming to our party. We are on a mission to recover Nigerians from the APC Government. Everybody knows that APC has collapsed. The APC government is responsible for all the killings in this country. We must blame them for misinformation and collapse of the economy. He added that the party had embarked on rescue mission to take over power from the All Progressives Congress, APC and return to the presidency in 2019. Earlier, Governor Ikpeazu told Secondus that unity, love and togetherness were the salient factors which bind Abia PDP together. He said, The story is that love is here and that is what will take us higher. Take it that Abia is safe for PDP. We will support all the programmes that you have set up and that will take PDP back to Aso Rock in 2019. We have a very long day, you are rebranding PDP without making noise. We have done enough but there are more to be done. Today, we are commissioning 20 projects and another 20 tomorrow. Our achievements have increased our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Abia State. He informed the leader of the defectors from APC that his privileges have been restored with immediate effect. Youre so lucky that you are returning in the presence of our national chairman receiving you in this circumstance; youre automatically given all the full privileges. We have restored your rights and privileges. All the people who started this party are here, Ikpeazu stated. Among the projects visited in Umuagu Isingwu erosion site, Abia Investment House, Aba Road in Umuahia, Abia State poultry cluster in Umuosu Nsulu, Umuala-Nbawsi Road, Umunkpeyi-Amaiyi-Umuehim Road, Umuanunu-Ekwereazu Ngwa-Akwa Ibom Road, Abia State Multi Skill Development Centre, Unuobiakwa, Owo-Onichangwa-Ikot Ekpene, Osusu Amukwa model school, Ururuaka Road, Ukaegbu Road, Ehere Road, Umuola Road, ovom Street, Faulks Road, Ifeobara pond, Osisioma flyover, Port Harcourt road, MCC-Samek among others. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | DHL has grown tremendously in Africa By Onome Amawhe The history of DHL, the worlds leading logistics company is a fascinating one. In the late 60s, Larry Hillblom, was a law student at University of Californias School of Law. He also combined a side job running courier services at Oakland International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport. At its core, the services rendered were in picking up packages for both airports first and last flights of the day five times a week. After graduation, Hillblom met Adrian Dalsey, a salesman and together, they expanded the business, delivering packages to several other destinations. By this time, the business had assumed a fast paced delivery approach; a trait that the company is well known for to this day. Drawing on a portion of his student loan, Hillblom brought in another friend, Robert Lynn and started the global logistics giant now known as DHLa combined initials of the first letter of their surnames: Daisley, Hillblom and Lynn. By the 1970s, there was a burgeoning awareness of the effectiveness of DHL delivery and this culminated in a rapid domestic and international expansion. DHL hit the African continent in 1978 where it grew at an incredible pace. During the late 90s, Deutsche Post AG, the German postal service and international courier Service company acquired some shares in DHL. Subsequent shares acquisition enabled Deutsche Post to reach majority ownership in 2001 and by 2002, 100% of DHL was absorbed into the German Courier Service, making it the worlds largest logistics company. At this time, other enterprises had been incorporated into the business namely; DHL Express, DHL Freight, DHL Supply Chain, DHL Global Mail and DHL Global Forwarding. Saddled with the responsibility of driving DHLs Global forwarding business in Africa and the Middle East is Amadou Diallo; one of the hardworking men who make transportation of goods possible across the region with his 20 years expertise in logistics and corporate integration. Diallo assumed the role in July 2017. Amadou Diallo, CEO, DHL Global Forwarding, Middle East and Africa In the 49 years since DHL was founded in 1969, what has been its biggest achievement? Our business across all divisions has grown tremendously and we continue to strive to be the postal service for Germany and the logistics company for the world. We are the global market leader in the international express market. Global market leader in air freight and among top two leading ocean freight services; one of Europes leading road freight forwarders and global market leader in contract logistics. Deutsche Post is also Europes largest mail services operator and market leader in the German mail and parcel market. As a group, we employ approximately 510,000 people in over 220 countries and territories worldwide and generated revenues of more than 57 billion in 2016. Our employees have professional expertise and our customer- centric culture makes us the best in the industry. How is the company changing today, and where does it want to go? Deutsche Post DHL Groups Strategy 2020 sets our strategic priorities for the coming years and underscores our goal to become the company that defines the logistics industry. Digitalization and automation are likely to play an increasingly important role both in reshaping and disrupting how we work and in opening up new opportunities for greater productivity and innovation. The companies that embrace these developments are the ones that will be successful in the future. In terms of addressing our environmental footprints, Deutsche Post DHL Group aims to achieve net zero logistics-related emissions by 2050. Up to 2025, four interim targets will be used to track progress with the implementation of the new target. In the future, the company will focus its activities even more intensively on emission-neutral logistics concepts. How do you evaluate the situation in the freight forwarding sector in Africa? Having provided world-class freight services in Africa for the past few decades, we have seen the rapid economic growth and development in the region, and the opportunities which businesses here can tap into. With our long-term expertise and with the support of our extensive, global network, we at DHL Global Forwarding work every day towards offering our clients the best possible tailor-made solutions, which meet their evolving business needs. We remain committed to supporting them with timely, agile, and cost-effective global freight connections that allow them to reach their fullest potential. And our approach is clear: We think global and act local. That requires us to have a global and long-term view, while at the same time operating within local or regional constraints or cultural restrictions, to best maximise the situation. Could you shed some light on the geographical importance of Africa to DHL? Africa is one of our networks fastest growing markets. With rising disposable incomes and more stable economic and socio-political environment, Africa as a region presents many opportunities for businesses. According to African Development Bank Group, trade among African countries expanded from 10 per cent in 2000 to about 16 per cent in 2014, creating sizable opportunities as disposable incomes rise continent-wide. As the region gains in economic importance not least due to its strategic value to initiatives like Chinas Belt and Road, businesses in the Middle East and Africa need comprehensive freight connections, flexible capacity, and durable partnerships more than ever before if they wish to grow alongside these opportunities. Thats what we are in the business of offering: what works best for our clients they can leverage our extensive network and expertise to extend their foray in the international markets. As a global company, how do you stay relevant to local needs in a continent that is so diverse? DHL is an established global logistics service provider; staying close to the market with strong local knowledge and experience, and being adaptable and responsive to customer needs are DHLs fundamental principles. With our long-term expertise and with the support of our extensive, global network, we work every day towards offering our clients the best possible service and solution. We are also heartened that our clients also see the value we bring to their table in 2017; we were voted Africas International Freight Forwarder of the Year for the fourth consecutive year by readers of STAT Times, a leading international air freight publication. What are the best practices/strategies that you employ, to seek out, develop and implement solutions for trade requirements? DHL has been driving innovations through various initiatives which enable us to identify and implement changes that improve trade flows as well as meet our customer needs even before they anticipate them. Our footprint expansion will play a major role in facilitating international trade across the region especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are consistently seeking access to growth opportunities beyond our borders. Safety and reliability of delivery are traditionally perceived as the key competitive strength of the global freight forwarding business. What initiatives does DHL undertake to bring its services in line with the market expectations? We facilitate global trade and offer innovative logistics solutions to help businesses tap into opportunities. In Nigeria for example, we are the only freight forwarder with a bonded warehouse at the Port Harcourt International Airport (opened in 2015) and dedicated Customs area to navigate Customs requirements and processes. In Lagos, we have a dedicated air-side facility with in-house Customs at the airport to ensure shortest time possible delivery. We have a total of 1980sqm air-side facility in Lagos and 1000sqm bonded warehouse in Port Harcourt. Staying close to the market and being adaptable and responsive to customer needs are DHLs fundamental principles. With economic integration gaining momentum in Africa, what are your thoughts on how these trends will affect the logistics industry, and how does DHL plan to take advantage of this? Logistics, as an enabler of trade, creates the connections necessary for growth and cross-border commerce, thereby laying the groundwork for thriving businesses, industries and economies. Greater integration of African economies will remove barriers to trade and investment, and logistics as an enabler of trade will also grow to support the regions logistics needs. For example, when the integration of the three African regional economic communities (RECs): Comesa, SADC and the EAC under the TripartiteFree Trade Area (TFTA) does come into fruition in the near future, the region will see immense growth, for which we can best support with our global expertise and network. We are always actively seeking out new markets to expand our already extensive network in the region, with the best local talents. A number of countries in the region were some of the hardest-hit in the downturn. Has DHL suffered a knock-on effect from this? How did your strategy develop in the context of the downturn? As a general principle, Deutsche Post DHL Group is well accustomed to dealing with political, regulatory, social and economic changes around the world. We are confident that we will be able to make any necessary short and mid-term adjustments needed to avert disruption to our operations and to ensure that our customers will continue to enjoy the seamless service they have come to expect from us. How did the region perform in the past year in terms of volumes and revenues? Our full year figures are not out till March 2018, and we do not break down our figures by region. The region has been working hard to improve our service quality for our customers, and local businesses are recognising that we offer some of the best-in-class network services to enable them to facilitate trade with the rest of the world. As a general principle, Deutsche Post DHL Group is well accustomed to dealing with political, regulatory, social and economic changes around the world. We are confident that we will be able to make any necessary short and mid-term adjustments needed to avert disruption to our operations and to ensure that our customers continue to enjoy the seamless service they have come to expect from us. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | How Shagari picked Ekwueme as VP (2) By Eric Teniola ON December 12 1978, after winning the Presidential nomination of the NPN, Alhaji Shehu Shagari did not name his running mate. The rules of the party gave him the prerogative to name his running mate after consulting with the party leaders. As he locked himself up at Eko Hotel, speculations remained high on whom he would nominate as his running mate. Several names were mentioned. The name of Dr. Kinsley Ozumba Mbadiwe topped the list. Dr. Mbadiwe and Alhaji Shehu Shagari were colleagues as Ministers under the then Prime Minister, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa. While Alhaji Shagari served as Minister of Internal Affairs in April 1965, Dr. Mbadiwe served as Minister of Trade. In fact, Dr. Mbadiwes best friend, Dr. Kolawole Balogun, Nigerias former ambassador to Ghana, from Otan Aiyegbaju in the present Osun state told anyone who cared to listen that Dr. Mbadiwe was the choice. Another group wanted Dr. Josiah Onyebuchi Johnson Okezie from Umuahia-Ibeku in Imo state. Under General Yakubu Gowon, Dr. Okezie was Minister for health and later Minister for Agriculture and Natural Resources before becoming Chairman Board of Directors, African Continental Bank, ACB. In the constituent assembly, he represented Ikwuano/Umuahia/Bende constituency. There was also the youthful, Dr. Dike Nworah, a historian and businessman from Awka in Anambra state, who later became the Owelle of Awka. Being the National Secretary of the party, Dr. Nwakama Okoro(SAN) was also mentioned as a possible choice. The profile of Dr. Okoro was intimidating. He was from Amuri, Arochukwu in Imo state. He had earlier served as the Secretary of the Enugu branch of the Nigerian Bar Association. Between 1976 and 1978, he was the President of Nigerian Bar Association. In the Constituent Assembly of 1977-198 he represented Ohafia/Arochukwu constituency. Other names mentioned were my friend, Dr. Chuba Wilberforce Okadigbo,the Oyi of Oyi, Chief Christian Chukwuma Onoh, Dr. B.U. Nzeribe, Chief Hilary Njoku, Mr. M.N. Elechi and Mr. J.S. Asegua. Dr. Okadigbo represented Onitsha/Anambra constituency in the constituent assembly while Chief C.C. Onoh represented Enugu constituency. Mr. Elechi represented Abakaliki/ Ikwo constituency. Dr. Mbadiwe represented Ideato/Nkwerre/Isu constituency while Chief Hilary Njoku represented Owerri/Ikeduru constituency. In the constituent assembly, Chief Onoh was very vocal in championing the creation of WAWA state now Enugu state. He was a member of Federal House of Representatives representing Enugu Metropolitan council between 1958-1959. He was Chancellor of the Anglican Diocese of Enugu in 1969 and Chairman Market Authority (1971-1987) and later Chairman Nigeria Mining Corporation. He held the title of Okaa Omee of Ngwo. At that time, Dr. Azikiwes party, the NPP was the dominant party in East Central zone-thanks to Chief Jim Nwobodo and Chief Sam Mbakwe. The publicity Secretary of the party at that time, Chief Mo Obiekwe told me several times that the people of Imo and Anambra states would never vote NPN insisting that the scars of the war were still with them. On Tuesday December 15, Alhaji Shagari embarked on a National campaign tour that took him to Ibadan, Benin, Warri,Owerri, Port-Harcourt,Calabar and later ended on December 30 in Enugu. In Calabar at Metropolitan hotel at a party hosted by the former Commissioner for transport in the old south eastern state, Dr. Joseph Wayas, I teased Alhaji Shagari to give me a Christmas present by disclosing to me exclusively his running mate. He smiled and directed me to Alhaji Umaru Dikko to tell me. For 42 days, Alhaji Shagari did not name his running mate. Finally on January 23, 1979, the NPN called for a press conference at the party headquarters at Jibowu street, Yaba, Lagos and I saw an unsmiling Dr. Okadigbo at the ground floor complaining to me Hes not even in our party, can you believe that. He then directed me to the first floor where Alhaji Shagari was holding a press conference in company of party leaders. It was at the conference that Alhaji Shagari first presented Dr. Alex Ifeanyi Ekwueme as his running mate. I saw a handsome gentle man who looked urbane and polished whom I have never heard of in National politics. It was the introduction and later the Presidential election that shot Chief Ekwueme to National limelight and made him a treasured National asset. Since that day, he never came down from being valued. Why Alhaji Shagari picked Dr. Ekwueme is still a mystery and only him can explain. His name was never speculated. Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu was 46 at the time. He was unknown in the political arena. Except for his business profile as an Architect and Town Planner and that he once worked for Esso West Africa, Lagos overseeing the construction and maintenance department of the company, little was known about him in politics. The media over troubled Alhaji Suleiman Takuma, the spokesman of the NPN at that time to give details about Dr. Ekwueme, he was not forthcoming only promising later. After the press conference, the media mocked Dr. Mbadiwe with a headline the following day SHAGARI PICKS EKWUEME BUT KO IS NOT OK. The selection of Dr. Ekwueme rattled a lot of politicians in the East Central zone and created party crisis within the NPN. A case in point was in Imo state where the leader of the party, Chief Nnana Kalu suspended Dr. Mbadiwe for alleged anti-party activities. Dr. Mbadiwe had to address the press later during which he asked WHO IS NNANA KALU, FROM WHERE DID HE DERIVE HIS POLITICAL AUTHORITY, HAVE YOU EVER HEARD WHERE A MESSENGER WILL SUSPEND HIS BOSS, ENOUGH OF THIS POLITICAL RASCALITY. The campaign was no doubt hectic especially for Dr. Ekwueme. For he could not mobilise enough people for his party in the East Central in spite of his gospel of reconciliation. He worked hard during the campaign. He spent a lot of money too but unfortunately for him in 1979, the east central zone was the empire of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and in spite of the civil war and fourteen years absence, the emperor was still in command of his empire. In the July 7 1979 Senate election, THE NPP won all the 10 seats in Imo and Anambra states. In the July 14 1979 election to the House of Representatives, THE NPN had one seat in Anambra as against THE NPP with 28 seats while in Imo states THE NPN had two seats against THE NPP with 28 seats. In the gubernatorial election that followed in Anambra state, Chief James Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo, (77) alias Jim Nwobodo defeated Chief Christian Chukwuma Onoh of the NPN. In Imo state, Chief Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe from Avutu of the NPP defeated Dr. Nwakamma Okoro of the NPN in the gubernatorial election In the Presidential election of August 11 1979, Shehu Shagari of the NPN scored 13.50% of the total votes in Anambra state as against 82.88% of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwes NPP. In Imo state, Alhaji Shehu Shagari scored 8.80% as against Dr. Azikiwes 84.69% for the NPP CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... A former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has described as shocking, the death of a former military administrator and an ex-member of the National Assembly, Senator John Shagaya. Also, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, and the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, expressed sadness and disbelief at the death of Shagaya in a ghastly motor accident on Sunday. One of our correspondents obtained in Ogun State, a copy of the condolence letter which Obasanjo sent to the Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, commiserating with the state over Shagayas death. The former President noted that the late Shagaya had served the country meritoriously as a military officer. Obasanjo said in the letter, I was shocked to receive the sad news of the tragic death of Senator John Nanzip Shagaya. He served his country meritoriously as a soldier, a military administrator and a lawmaker before he died after a tragic road accident. He will be sorely missed by his family, his community and surely by his state and his friends and former colleagues in the military. May his soul rest in perfect peace and may God console his family, friends and peers. On his own part, Atiku, in a statement made available to the press by his Media Office in Abuja, described the late Shagaya as one of the remarkable and distinguished Nigerians of his generation. The late Shagaya was a wise and adaptable personality, Atiku said, recalling the ease with which the deceased transformed from a military officer to a civilian and a democrat winning the confidence of his people to become an elected senator. Also, Obaseki expressed shock over Shagayas sudden death, saying his demise was a loss to the All Progressives Congress and the nation at large. He was a strong advocate of a united, progressive and prosperous Nigeria and his contributions will be greatly missed as the nations democracy continues to evolve, Obaseki said. The 75-year-old retired army general was reportedly on his way to Jos from his village in Langtang, when his vehicle was involved in an accident at Amper in the Kanke Local Government of Plateau State, claiming his life. Born in Langtang North on September 2, 1942, Shagaya served as a Minister of Internal Affairs under the military junta of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. Shagaya represented Plateau South in the Senate from 2007 to 2011. Northern elders have alleged that the late President Musa YarAdua and President Muhammadu Buhari were imposed on the region by external forces and interest. They, however, threatened to resist another attempt to impose another candidate, come 2019. This position was made when they met in Abuja to decide on a consensus candidate for 2019. Speaking at the event, convener and one of the stakeholders, Bello Muhammed also faulted the failure of Buharis government in the area of killings, ethno-religious divisions, nepotism and blatant disregard to some sections of the countrys constitution. According to Mohammed, After due consideration of current political situation in the country, it becomes highly expedient to convene a conversation of critical Northern Elders and stakeholders to deliberate on the best way forward for the region. From what is apparent in the political arena today, it is clear that the major political operators have agreed that in the forthcoming 2019 general elections, it is the turn of the North to produce the president. And what we can see in the political arena, is that most political operators have agreed that the political leadership of our country should be zoned to the North according to our Constitution with regards to zoning and rotation. But from what we have seen earlier, it has always been zoned to the North but the decision on what to do and who to be has never been a Northern decision. What we observed is that the same trend is starting now. We have seen all kinds of movements coming up. If you look at what is happening now and remember what happened when it was the time of the North to produce president, President Umaru YarAdua of blessed memory was produced but was he really a Northern choice? At the end of the day, YarAdua had mishap and lost his life in the process and somebody else was also chosen, his Vice President. We knew the struggle that went on when it was decided that the presidency should leave the North. It wasnt the northerners who decided that the Presidency should leave the North. We had to follow the bandwagon. The same thing happened in 2015,the North voted for the northern candidate but the decision on who should be the candidate wasnt a northern decision. What we want is that this time around, let us have the opportunity to come together so that whatever is decided for the North, it is the Northern leaders who decide it and then we get support from other regions. If we are able to do that,then we should be able to produce a leadership for this country that would be just, equitable and lead us to nations development which is eluding us. That is the reason why we are here. Similarly, the elders had disclosed plan to work towards promoting Northern unity ahead of 2019 presidential election. The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has raised the alarm over the purported disappearance of the case file of its leader, Mr Nnamdi Kanu at the Appeal Court. The group said the announcement of the disappearance of the file was a huge joke that further portrayed the rot in the Nigerian Justice sector, while calling on the chief Judge of the federation to step in and salvage what was left of its integrity. A press release signed by its spokesman, Mr Emma Powerful stated that, Court of Appeal judges today sitting in Abuja has declared the file of the leader of IPOB missing/misplaced. It is unheard of in the history of Nigerian judiciary that a matter coming up for final judgement almost a year after the appellate court jury adjourned it having heard all the arguments would go missing. Not only is the delay by the Appeal Court illegal and unconstitutional, the conduct of those that heard and handled this very case is troubling. We no longer know what to make of the Nigerian Judicial system. This is beyond a joke. IPOB mocked the court, saying that the only thing left was for the court to declare that the case file had been swallowed by a mysterious snake as a staff of JAMB had recently declared, over a missing N36million. The only thing missing from todays court hearing is the proverbial snake because it wasnt confirmed if the case file had been swallowed by yet another snake at the Appeal Court. We are drawing the attention of the civilised world to the mess the Nigerian judiciary, terrorised by a brutal dictatorial regime has turned into. Instead of delivering judgement for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the judiciary would rather break every constitutional provision guiding the time line in cases at the Appeal Court, it said. Kanu had gone to court to challenge the ruling of Justice John Tsoho when he reversed a ruling he gave on the masking of witnesses in the treasonable felony trial of the IPOB leader and 3 others. The group lamented that the matter was already one year overdue because the Nigerian constitution, which judges are meant to interprete and uphold, clearly stipulates that all Appeal Court judgements must be delivered within three months. It is up to a year without any judgement on this matter contrary to constitutional provision. We call on the Chief Justice of the Federation to step into this matter before the already tarnished image of the judiciary suffers even more before the eyes of the world, he said. The former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, who is facing money laundering charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday said he Supreme Court struck out his appeal on technical grounds. Metuh, who spoke through his counsel, Barrister Ben Chuks Nwosu, in a statement on Monday, said the Apex Court did not determine his appeal, challenging the dismissal of his no-case submission by Justice Okon Abang, on the merit. While we welcome the verdict of the Supreme Court on the No Case Submission filed by our client, Chief Olisa Metuh, in his on-going case at the Federal High Court, Abuja, we wish to state for the records that: Whereas our client retains the legal right to comply with the Supreme Courts decision by seeking leave to appeal so that the matter can be heard on its merit, we are more eager to continue with the defence of the substantive suit; as this is the fastest way to prove his innocence. However, more important to our client and his family right now is his health challenge and the treatment of his worsening spinal chord ailment. We are following all lawful ways and means to ensure that he receives appropriate medical treatment, especially against the background of recent events that clearly put his life in danger. We restate our complete faith in the laws of our land, confident that truth, justice and equity will prevail in the end, the statement said. The Supreme Court last week held that Metuh faces his trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja , in the N400 million money laundering charge preferred against him by the Federal Government. Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom and his and his Taraba State counterpart, Mr Darius Ishaka, have hit out at the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, after he accused him of sponsoring the militia causing havoc in the states. Sanusi claims Ortom training militia to attack the herdsmen. During a meeting with the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Niger State, Sanusi regretted the attitude of the states towards open grazing. He said: We hope that the Vice President will speak to the Governors of Taraba and Benue in particular, on the manner the militias have continued to implement these obnoxious and unconstitutional laws. We hope that he will speak to the governors and the traditional rulers of the Bachama, the Tivs. This country cannot afford ethnic conflicts and hopefully we will sit down with them and find a way forward. Reacting to the statement, Ortoms Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, absolved his principal of the allegations. Akase argued that if the Governor was sponsoring the militia, they would not have launched an attack on the state. Similarly, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ishaku on Media and Publicity, Bala Abu, described the allegation as false and unfair. The government has not recruited militia and is not involved in the training of such people anywhere in or outside of the state. The government advises the Emir to rather use his vantage position as a traditional and religious leader to complement the peace efforts of the government than raise unnecessary alarm capable of causing disaffection among the peace-loving people of Taraba State, Abu said in a statement. At least 1,400 buildings marked for demolition in Abeokua, Ogun State, to pave the way for the construction of the $1.5bn standard gauge Lagos-Ibadan rail line may no longer be pulled down, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said. The minister, who spoke to journalists on Monday in Ibadan, Oyo State, after a meeting with officials of the contractor handling the project, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, said the Federal Government would thus be saving about N2.8bn required to compensate owners of the affected buildings. He stated that the contractor had been advised to see the possibility of avoiding the 1,400 structures marked for demolition among several buildings on the new lines right of way. Amaechi said, What we have suggested today is that they should review the location of the train station in Abeokuta to avoid an area where we have too many buildings. If you observe, when we visited the area where we have so many buildings on the proposed station site of the Lagos-Ibadan rail project in Abeokuta, towards the left of that area is a huge expanse of land that has fewer or no structures on it. We have told the contractor to look at the possible option of going towards the left, instead of going through the MKO Abiola Complex (in Abeokuta) and running through buildings behind it. It doesnt involve any new engineering structure. All they need do is move towards the left of the MKO Abiola Complex so that the path of the standard gauge project will avoid an area where we have too many houses. If we agree to go towards the left of the MKO Abiola Complex, then we wont be paying N2.8bn as compensation to property owners because we would have avoided where we have concentration of too many houses and that would have reduced the project cost eventually. And by that, we will allow the people to live in peace. The minister, however, admitted that he was under intense pressure to deliver the new railway project in December this year, adding that the challenges being encountered in Lagos were enormous. Amaechi stated, In Lagos, we have set up a committee to be chaired by the Chairman of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, with (representatives of) the CCECC, the Nigerian Army and the Lagos State Government as members. This is because the Lagos State challenges are huge. We have oil pipelines and water pipelines, some belonging to the NNPC, some belonging to private investors and some belonging to the Lagos State Government. The committee members are to look at possible solutions to the problems, having at the back of their minds the deadline target of December 2018. Two Lagos bridges and a flyover at Ijoko, Ogun State, also marked for demotion among other right of way issues, caused the initial suspension of the project last year. The new Lagos-Ibadan rail, spanning 156.65 kilometres, is a double line, which is the first phase of the 2,733km new Lagos-Kano rail line, and is expected to be linked with the Kaduna-Abuja standard gauge railway recently completed and now running. The lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye, has said he is ready to engage the Federal Government in a legal battle over allegation that he gave false information about an assassination attempt on his life to the police in April 2017. Melaye, in his reaction to his arraignment by the Federal Government on March 1 before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, alleged that there was a gang up against him by the Kogi State Government, the Presidency, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN) and the police. He said, The same police who paraded the assassination suspects, their weapons, the car they used, have confessional statements of the suspects, asked me who were my suspects, are now colluding with the Minister of Justice to arraign me for misinformation over a case that is in court, where the court has accepted the statements of the suspects as exhibits. I, a victim of an assassination attempt, is now to face trial. I will fight you all with the last drop of blood in my body. I will never be cowed or made to be silent over perfidy, corruption, injustice and maladministration, either in Kogi or the Presidency. In an unjust society, silence is a crime. I will not stop speaking the truth to power at all levels. You will continue to hear from me at all times. If I die in the process, so be it. I ready for una. Please, Nigerians should watch this video and judge. The video, which Melaye published on his social media accounts, showed the Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police, Jimoh Moshood, when he paraded the suspects in 2017. Melaye was accused of falsely incriminating the Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Mr. Edward David, in the said assassination attempt. The office of the Attorney General of the Federation filed the charges, marked CR/106/18 on January 31, 2018. The case had been assigned to Justice Olasumbo Goodluck, who sits in the Maitama Division of the FCT High Court. Home | News | General | EFCC wades into NHIS controversy, invites managers, contractors over alleged N919million fraud - The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has waded into the alleged fraud in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) - The EFCC has grilled a few managers and invited some contractors of the NHIS - Some officials of the NHIS were also said to have accepted bribes from contractors A report by The Punch indicates that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has grilled a few managers and invited some contractors of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). According to the report, more officials had also been invited by the EFCC to explain their role in the N919million fraud allegedly perpetrated by the recently reinstated Executive Secretary of the NHIS, Professor Usman Yusuf. Some officials of the NHIS were also said to have accepted bribes from contractors. NHIS boss, Professor Yusuf in the eye of the storm. Source: Twitter READ ALSO: PDP blasts presidency for reinstating indicted NHIS boss The EFCC is said to be acting on a report submitted to the commission by a panel set up by the minister of health, Professor Isaac Adewole. The report indicted the general manager, human resources, Uwais Fatika; the general manager, finance, Mr. John Okoh; the general manager in charge of procurement; an employee of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr. Naziru Umar; and several other companies. The spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed that some officials had been grilled while others had been invited. He however, did not disclose the identities of the persons. It is true. Some officials of the NHIS are being questioned by the commission, he said. On Monday, February 12, policemen took over the headquarters of the NHIS as workers continue their protests against the recall of Professor Yusuf. reports. The armed police officers occupied the premises and were also stationed along the road in the area. The workers union had also protested on Thursday, February 8, stressing that reinstating Yusuf at this time is contrary to fairness and equity. Last week, Yusuf was reinstated by President Muhammadu Buhari in a move that was widely criticised. The executive secretary was suspended by the minister of health, Isaac Adewole, in June 2017, following allegations of gross misconduct. Yusuf was found culpable of infractions that ranged from nepotism to theft of public funds by a panel commissioned by the minister. READ ALSO: We would challenge reinstatement of NHIS boss in court - Group N1,500 for health of Nigerians on NAIJ.com TV [embedded content] Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | Trouble for Oshiomole as Edo APC youths ask Buhari not to consider him for federal appointment; call for ex-governor to be probed - Edo APC youths have asked President Muhammadu Buhari not to consider former governor Adams Oshiomole for any federal appointment - The aggrieved youths are accusing the ex-governor of consistently violating the partys constitution, in collaboration with his loyalists - They are also calling for the former governor to be probed, and have given the president and the partys leadership a 14-day ultimatum to comply or face mass action President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged by All Progressives Congress (APC) youths in Edo state, not to the immediate past governor of the state, Adams Oshiomole, for any board appointment allocated to the state. According to The Sun the youths also called for the ex-governor to be probed, and demanded the cancellation of the January 24, 2018 affirmative primaries that produced him as leader of the party. READ ALSO: EFCC is making a mockery of the judicial system - Patience Jonathan NAIJ.com gathers that the youths made their comments in a petition titled Arbitrary and Undemocratic Actions of APC in Edo State under the leadership of Oshiomole. The petition was signed by Destiny Oviasu, Abu Umoru and Odianosen Monday, APC leaders in Edo south, Edo north and Edo central respectively. The aggrieved youths accused Buhari of protecting the former governor from EFCC investigation, and gave the president and the partys leadership a 14-day ultimatum to comply with the petition, or face mass action. According to the youths, Oshiomole had consistently violated the APCs constitution, in collaboration with his hand-picked loyalists. The youths are also seeking for elected executive members from the ward to state level who were illegally removed from their posts on trumped-up charges to be reinstated. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole sent a message to the people of Isoko nation to join the ruling All Progressives Congress and enjoy federal appointment. The former Edo governor spoke at a grand reception held at Owhelogbo, Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta state, by immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Mr Ovuozorie Macaulay, in honour of a former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori. What must President Buhari do to regain the trust the Nigerians? - on NAIJ.com TV: [embedded content] Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | Please let's settle out of court - Patience Jonathan begs EFCC - Former First Lady Patience Jonathan has begged EFCC for out of court settlement - She is being tried for alleged money laundering - Patience said the amicable settlement will be in her best interest and EFCC Former First Lady, Patience Jonathan appears to be tired of fighting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in court and has asked for out-of-court settlement. Vanguard reports that in a January 30, 2018 letter, titled: Proposal for out-of-court settlement of all cases related to Dame (Mrs.) Ibifaka Patience Jonathan, she told the EFCC of her intention to settle the matter. READ ALSO: Dont blame us for Kano underage voters - INEC tells Nigerians NAIJ.com gathered that the letter, which was written by her counsel, Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), is being considered by the EFCC. The letter said: As senior counsel, representing Dame (Mrs.) Patience Jonathan (former First Lady) and companies linked to her and some family members, associates, companies and NGOs, we have thought it fit to engage your commission in a discussion over all issues involving her and the commission with a view to having amicable resolution of all cases as stated above. This will enable both sides create an atmosphere for mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence. We will therefore appreciate it, if you can give us an appointment at your earliest convenience to have a discussion over all matters involving her and members of her family. We believe that an amicable settlement will be in the best interest of both your commission and our client. We assure you of our utmost commitment and sincerity of purpose in this connection, and we solicit your cooperation in this regard. Please, accept the assurances of our warm regards. It was reported that her letter came as EFCC stumbled on more startling information on how she piled up dollar deposits in Skye and First banks, including how she lavished part of the money. According to The Nation, she blew thousands of dollars at highbrow stores in various capitals of the world. The cash came from $11,849,069.03, which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said 31 individuals and companies paid into her two domiciliary accounts. The accounts, which are Skye Bank (2110001712) and First Bank (2022648664) had questionable deposits between 2013 and 2017. The Skye Bank account had about $7,452,319.32 lodged in it. Detectives found $4,036,750.00 in the second account with First Bank. The ex-First Lady allegedly spent the cash at TFS stores, Selfridges, John Lewis, Kingsgate, Sainsburys, Harrods, Marks and Spencer, Dolce and Gabbana, and Gina. She went on a shopping spree in expensive outlets in the United States, Britain, Germany, Hong Kong, UAE, Italy and China. The highest shopping was at Goyard Beijing in Beijing CN on January 28, 2014 where Jonathan shelled out $28,388.72. On the same day at Hulian Xinguang Beijing CN, she blew $13, 069.68 on some luxury items. An EFCC source told The Nation that it iDVD considering the Former First Ladys offer if settlement. We have received a letter from the ex-First Lady, we are studying it on whether or not to accept the out-of-court settlement or allow justice to take its course. Apart from the cash, the ex-First Lady is linked to 12 choice properties and a plot of land on which a building is being built. The investigative team had recommended that Section 7 of the EFCC Establishment Act 2004 be invoked on the properties after due verification. The assets linked to Mrs. Jonathan in Port Harcourt are: former customs service officers mess; two duplexes at 2/3 Bauchi street; landed property with blocks at Ambowei street; 3 luxury apartments of 4-bedroom each at Ambowei street; and Grand View Hotel along airport road. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app In Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital, are two marble duplexes at Otioko GRA by Isaac Boro Expressway; Glass House along Sani Abacha expressway which is housing Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board; Akemfa Etie Plaza by AP filling station, Melford Okilo road; and Aridolf Resort, Wellness and Spa on Sani Abacha Expressway. Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had previously reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been accused of making a mockery of the judicial system by former first lady, Patience Jonathan, Punch reports. Jonathan made her comments in an application seeking to reclaim the sums of $8,435,788.84 and N7.35bn seized from her by the anti-graft agency. The EFCC stages a walk against corruption - on NAIJ.com TV [embedded content] Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | EFCC gives update on JAMBs missing N36m allegedly swallowed by mysterious snake - JAMB suspends worker over N36m swallowed by snake - The head of information of the examination body, Benjamin, says Chieshe is going through all other disciplinary procedures while investigation is ongoing on the matter The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun investigating a sales clerk, Philomina Chieshe , who claimed a mystery snake sneaked into the account office of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Makurdi, the Benue state capital and swallowed N36m. The anti-graft agency in a Facebook post on Tuesday, February 13, said it was probing the matter and would keep Nigerians updated. READ ALSO: Fair play: Members of APC in Kwara take stalwarts' decision to join PDP in good faith The Eagle on the snake! We shall keep you posted, it said. Meanwhile, JAMB on Sunday, February 11, declared that it had suspended its employee, Philomina Chieshe based on the N36 million which was reported to have been swallowed by a snake in the boards office in Makurdi, Benue state. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! Punch reports that the JAMB head of information Fabian Benjamin said the board was taking her through other disciplinary measures while security agencies were investigating the matter. It was learnt that Chieshe explained in her statement that a mystery snake sneaked into JAMB accounts office and made away with the N36m cash. The money was said to be from the purchases of scratch cards from JAMB state offices and other designated centres. A team of auditors were said to have been dispatched to different state offices of JAMB to take inventory of sold and unsold scratch cards and recover the generated money. The woman reportedly told the team that she could not account for N36m made in the previous years before the abolition of scratch cards. The EFCC stage a walk against corruption on NAIJ.com TV [embedded content] Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | 10 women freed by Boko Haram not police personnel - Official - The police has debunked claims that 10 women of the 13 people released by Boko Haram are personnel of the Force - The commissioner of police in Borno said the women are not also wives of police officers as widely reported - Damian Chukwu said the reports are false and misleading Damian Chukwu, the Police Commissioner in Borno, says the 10 women rescued from Boko Haram were neither police women nor wives of police personnel. Chukwu made the clarification while addressing newsmen during the monthly police officers meeting on Monday, February 12, in Maiduguri. He described reports indicating that 10 police women were among the 13 persons released by Boko Haram insurgents as misleading. READ ALSO: State policing is the only answer to insecurity in Nigeria - Governors agree That information is false, I have to react to it. It will be recalled that on 20th June, 2017, a burial party of one our women sergeants attached to the SIB who died in the course of duty was being taken home to Lassa in Askira-Uba Local Government Area for burial. And due to security encumbrance on Maiduguri-Damboa Highway, they were under military and police escort, on getting to a town about 30 kilometres from Maiduguri; they were ambushed by the Boko Haram and some women who took advantage of the empty space in the truck. So the women were trapped; we do not know their number but a few of them who were able to jump down, scampered for safety, escaped. Those of them who could not make it were taken away with the truck by the Boko Haram. READ ALSO: Just in: Nigerian troops clear Boko Harams major hideout in Sambisa forest, make massive discovery (photos) Among them, since that time, we recorded only one woman inspector attached to the CIB, who happened to be a very close friend of the deceased sergeant, the rest of them are not police women and they are not wives of police personnel. He further disclosed that one policeman was killed while the driver of the truck and a brother of the deceased were shot and sustained injuries in the attack, a situation which de-mobilised the vehicle. It will be recalled that the federal government had on Saturday announced release of 13 persons by the Boko Haram insurgents, sequel to negotiations brokered by the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC). The freed persons are three male workers of University of Maiduguri and 10 women, abducted on separate raids coordinated by the insurgents between June and July, 2017, in Borno state. PAY ATTENTION: Read best news on Nigerias #1 news app NAIJ.com reported that the Borno state commissioner of police Damian Chukwu has confirmed that his men rescued herdsmen and over 200 cattle from Boko Haram insurgents. Chukwu disclosed that the police also neutralized two female bombers when they attempted to attack Police Divisional Office in Dikwa local government area of the state. He also said the officers arrested one Peter Ali in possession of two cars without valid documentation. Source: NAN Are Nigerian Policemen the worst in the world? on NAIJ.com TV [embedded content] Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has warned his Plateau State counterpart, Simon Lalong against interfering into the affairs of the state. Governor Ortom gave the warning early hours of Monday at a stakeholders meeting with National Economic Council, NEC, technical committee on herdsman/ farmers crisis resolution led by Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi. The meeting which commenced Sunday night at the new banquet hall, government house, Makurdi dragged to early hours of Monday. The governor in his remarks at the meeting told the audience that his deputy, Benson Abounu had met Lalong at a function outside the state recently where Lalong said he still stands by his statement, warning governor Ortom to desist from the anti-open grazing law. According to Ortom, my deputy told me that he had a discussion with Lalong recently at a function, where he said that he had to apologize to me over his statement because of pressure on him, saying, he stands by his earlier statement. He also told people that he introduced this Kenya woman in this committee to me, whereas, this woman was introduced to me by Nasir El Rufai, not him. I'm the governor here (Benue), how can he say that he warned me, who is he to warn me, he can only advise me. It would be recalled that Governor Lalong at the peak of the herdsmen attacks onBenue State told newsmen in Abuja that he warned governor Ortom against the new law. Other speakers who spoke at the meeting include; Catholic Bishop, Makudi diocese, Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, former attorney general and minister of justice, Hon. Mike Aondoaka, SAN, a former commissioner in the state, Mrs Rebecca Akpedzan. Others include; president general Mdzough U Tiv, Cheif Edward Ujege, Benard Hon, SAN, State chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev Akpen Negua and a second class traditional ruler, Chief Abomtse. Former First Lady, Patience Jonathan has asked for out-of-court settlement with EFCC, Vanguardngr reports. In a January 30, 2018 letter, titled Proposal for out-of-Court Settlement of all cases related to Dame (Mrs.) Ibifaka Patience Jonathan, she told the EFCC of her intention to settle the matter. The letter, which was written by her counsel, Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), is being considered by the EFCC. The letter read in part: We believe that an amicable settlement will be in the best interest of both your commission and our client. We assure you of our utmost commitment and sincerity of purpose in this connection, and we solicit your cooperation in this regard. Please, accept the assurances of our warm regards. Her letter came as EFCC stumbled on more startling information on how she piled up dollar deposits in Skye and First banks, including how she lavished part of the money. According to TheNation, she blew thousands of dollars at highbrow stores in various capitals of the world. The cash came from $11.8m, which EFCC said 31 individuals and companies paid into her two domiciliary accounts. The accounts, which are Skye Bank (2110001712) and First Bank (2022648664) had questionable deposits between 2013 and 2017. The Skye Bank account had about $7.5m lodged in it. Detectives found $4.m in the second account with First Bank. The ex-First Lady allegedly spent the cash at TFS stores, Selfridges, John Lewis, Kingsgate, Sainsburys, Harrods, Marks and Spencer, Dolce and Gabbana, and Gina. She went on a shopping spree in expensive outlets in the United States, Britain, Germany, Hong Kong, UAE, Italy and China. The highest shopping was at Goyard Beijing in Beijing CN on January 28, 2014 where sh shelled out $28,388.72. On the same day at Hulian Xinguang Beijing CN, she blew $13, 069.68 on some luxury items. Home | News | General | To NatGeo: A story idea on Nigerian animals - Reuben Abati (Opinion) Editor's note: A former presidential aide, Reuben Abati has analysed the recent disappearance of N36 million from the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board in Benue state. Abati analysis claims that the money was swallowed by a snake that invaded the office. He further makes suggestion for National geographic Magazine to try pitching story ideas from the Nigerian political space. I am a great fan of your magazine, National Geographic, and your sister platform, National Geo Wild, and your coverage of natural history, particularly the behaviour of animals in the wild. I must commend you and your organization for the high level of commitment, attentiveness to details and professionalism consistently and habitually displayed in your various reports both in print and the broadcast form. As a journalist of many years standing myself, I will like to suggest to you and your various channels, a story idea that you may probably find interesting, for professional reasons and for reasons of corporate social responsibility. Kindly pardon my presumptuousness in this regard, but I crave your understanding. Knowing how busy your schedule is likely to be, I will try to be quick and as specific as possible. This is about my country, Nigeria, a land of over 900, 000 sq. kms., with rich biodiversity and ecosystem, and definitely the largest market for both human and natural resources in Africa. Since May 2015, when a new government took over power at the centre in our country, I have observed a curious and intriguing change in the behaviour of animals in Nigeria, suggestive of a certain transmutation, or perhaps transformation within the animal ecosystem, resulting in patterns of behaviour and interaction that may be of interest to your readers and viewers. The most recent incident in this regard and the trigger for this letter is the current news in Nigeria about how a snake, described as a mysterious snake, has reportedly swallowed a sum of N36 million ($100k) belonging to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). JAMB is the national regulatory body in charge of admissions into tertiary institutions, very much like UCAS in the United Kingdom. This incident occurred we are told, in the process of the attempt by JAMB to audit the accounts of its zonal headquarters. In Makurdi, one Ms. Philomena Chieshe who has now been suspended, allegedly could not account for the said N36 million, being part-proceeds from the sale of forms for students seeking university admissions. When interrogated, she reportedly said her maid had confessed to the missing money having been taken by a mystery snake. READ ALSO: Just in: Nigerian troops clear Boko Harams major hideout in Sambisa forest, make massive discovery (photos) As a media channel that reports animal behaviour, this must be of great interest to you. I dont know whether this happens in other parts of the world, but here in Nigeria, we now seem to have a variety of snakes that are attracted by the smell of raw cash, and which feed on vaults and bags of money. A documentary on this new variety of snakes, and a proper documentation of the genus and peculiarities would be good for filming. What exactly does the smell of national currency do to snakes? How nutritious is paper currency to snakes? The JAMB Registrar, Professor Isi-aq Oloyede who has turned JAMB, for the first time in its existence, into a revenue generating body by plugging all loopholes within the system, and without increasing any fees, is insisting that this is a case of corruption and that he will get to the root of it. The Professor probably may not understand the way of snakes and the new variety in Nigeria. He is a good man and I like him. I wouldnt want him to be bitten by snakes. Your investigative intervention should assist him. Your experts and investigators can deploy the tools of science and investigative journalism to seek out these snakes and catch them in action, and document for your numerous patrons, this new scientific development. Right now in Nigeria, we are preparing for the general elections scheduled for 2019. We need information and knowledge because if the Makurdi snake gets away with the N36 million, the same snake and its family could return in 2019 to swallow ballot boxes and papers and thus compromise Nigerian democracy. I am, however, tempted to believe that the snakes in Makurdi may have become quite audacious, in reaction to a recent declaration, under this same political administration, by a high-ranking state official, that he bought two houses in Dubai from the sale of snakes! Are snakes vengeful? Is this nemesis? Do they resent being sold for profit? Do snakes have the capacity to feel and settle scores? Could the sale of snakes, with the profit of houses in the UAE by a senior official, have motivated some snakes in Benue state to swallow money meant for the national treasury? What does the process of swallowing, and the digesting of money by snakes entail? Many young Nigerians and I believe other persons across the world will learn a lot from this. READ ALSO: EFCC gives update on JAMBs missing N36m allegedly swallowed by mysterious snake I therefore hope you will consider this a very urgent subject for your consideration and editorial intervention. Sir, the truth is that animals all over Nigeria are growing and becoming wild. They have no respect anymore for Nigerias constituted authority. We could wake up one of these days to hear that elephants have invaded the Central Bank of Nigeria, and swallowed all the banks vaults, leaving the entire country impoverished. The way things are, nobody will be surprised. I am sure you would not want that to happen, considering Nigerias strategic importance and population. If that were to happen, neither Africa nor the West would be able to handle the natural and humanitarian crisis that would ensue. And if that were to happen, I am sure you will not want to miss the story. I made the point that Nigeria has become such a wild zoo where the animals no longer respect constituted authority, and where there seems to be a conflict of roles between animals and human beings. Let me elaborate a little. Every year, Nigeria holds what is called Armed Forces Remembrance Day on January 15. One of the highlights of the event is the release of pigeons by the President at the end of the ceremony to symbolise the release of peace upon the land. I became really worried about the Nigerian animal kingdom when in the last three years, the pigeons released by the President simply refused to fly. Government officials shouted at the pigeons to fly. Some waved their hands and even tried sign language. Some professional sycophants flapped their arms like birds to guide the pigeons. But no way! The pigeons just jumped onto the floor and behaved as if they were having an evening-time promenade. When you focus on birds on NatGeo Wild, the birds are shown flying. Whats going on here then? Why are some birds in Nigeria refusing to fly? The President of Nigeria is the most powerful man in the land. When he asks human beings to jump, they actually do more than jump; they make an effort to somersault. But birds, common birds, are defying Presidential orders. What kind of birds are these? A deaf and dumb specie? Or are they resisting being used as symbols of peace? Is it possible that birds have witchcraft? - because since those birds refused to fly, Nigeria has not known peace. I began to suspect that something was indeed terribly wrong with the animal kingdom in Nigeria when sometime in 2017 rats invaded the President of Nigerias office! These criminal rats chased the President out of his office for more than a month. They tore the furniture in his office apart, littered the place with their droppings and disrupted Presidential work. I am not making this up. The Nigerian Presidency issued an official statement to this effect. Your publication and the Nat Geo Wild Channel missed the story, quite unfortunately. But you have a second chance. You can do a good story, investigating the furniture-eating rats in Nigerias Presidential Villa. The President has since returned to his office, but what if the fangled-teeth rats are still around the place? What else will they eat? Having eaten up the Presidents furniture without consequences, or implications, they may most certainly, just decide to munch the countrys security vote and foreign reserves! This then, is a matter of national security. If your cameras can just unmask these disrespectful rats, that will be the story of the decade. I believe you will also get good stories and footages from covering the story of cows in Nigeria. I must tell you, cows have become far more important in my country today than human beings. Whereas many Nigerians have become homeless and defenceless, cows have bodyguards wielding AK-47 guns, bodyguards who insist that the life of cattle is more important than that of human beings. In your experience, you may have heard about cattle ranches and modern ways of processing cattle, but in Nigerias animal kingdom, there has been much talk about creating colonies for cattle in Nigeria: as in plans to take land from human beings and give to cattle! Many Governors in the country have resisted this, even the President has said that he has no constitutional powers to seize anybodys land, but one young Governor, the one in Kogi state, has donated 15, 000 hectares of his peoples land, as cattle colony. This must make a good story for your National Geo Wild Channel. Why would any state Governor prefer cattle to human beings? What kind of behaviour is that? What is it really that attracts human beings to animals? READ ALSO: Breaking: Pandemonium as suspected herdsmen reportedly take over Akure council, chase out workers My knowledge of the Bible tells me that the battle between herdsmen and farmers is an old, original battle. Of the two sons of our father Adam, and our mother, Eve, one was a farmer Cain, the other was a herdsman Abel. Cain killed Abel. Since then, the world has not known peace. Their descendants have been at each others throats for as long as antiquity. I sincerely hope that it is not this original battle of vengeance that is now being re-enacted in Nigeria today over the battle of the cows and the farmlands. Herdsmen are killing farmers and vice versa and many of us are scared. Some people are even now saying they will create a Third Force to put an end to the drift. But nobody is sure of what tomorrow will bring. You have expert photographers and cameramen; they should be able to tease out the finest strands of this story. Should you decide to take on this story, and do a documentary on how Nigeria has been turned into a wild zoo, within three years, I must advise that your reporters and experts should also be prepared for the shock of hearing some prominent Nigerians making references to animals all the time. One of our more outspoken Senators who should be a good interview subject about ten months ago actually told Nigerians that the seat of power, that is the Presidency of Nigeria, had been taken over by hyenas, wolves, and jackals in the absence of the lion-king. He also drew attention to a mortal combat between crocodiles and fishes. This remains a great puzzle. The wife of the President would later reply that the hyenas and jackals would soon be expelled from the Kingdom. I am not sure this has happened, and I do not intend to go near the place to find out the truth. I can tell you why in a private conversation. But the other day, a prominent government official, a Professor of Law, who should know what he is talking about, but who has been sounding like one of the hyenas the Senator complained about, gave a lecture in which he himself complained about how Nigeria has become an animal kingdom! This same Professor not too long ago, also announced that the ruling party of which he is a member, is led by rogue-elephants. I have a confession to make. I worked in government until recently but I am frightened by the manner in which wild animals are now all over the place. When public officials talk, they see animals. When events occur, they blame animals. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app When things get missing, animals creep into the picture. Fela, the musician once warned us about animals but I didnt take him serious. As a responsible media house, interested in the life and times of animals in the wild, please hurry up and investigate how Nigeria has become a country of snakes, fishes, hyenas, crocodiles, cows, lions, wolves and jackals in just three years! Your audience will be supremely enriched by the effort I also assure you that there are many knowledgeable persons on ground who can assist you to do a good story or a series of excellent reports. Incidentally, we have a former President who once wrote a book titled: This Animal called Man, and who is a famous chicken farmer to boot. We have another former President who has a Ph.D in Zoology and was once described as a fisherman. We also have a sitting President who before becoming President, a second time, owned 150 cattle (I dont know how many he has now) and who is a life patron of the herdsmen association of Nigeria. We even have a Nobel Prize winner, who enjoys hunting in the forest of a thousand animals. And you have me here, waiting, expectantly, who can serve as your consultant (my charges are modest) - as you write the story of how Nigeria, suddenly, before our very eyes, became a country of wild animals. Thank you very much for your time and attention. Please dont delay until rogue elephants swallow the Central Bank or wolves eat up the NNPC our treasure trove. Best regards. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of NAIJ.com. Your own opinion articles are welcome at info@corp.naij.com drop an email telling us what you want to write about and why. More details in Naij.coms step-by-step guide for guest contributors. Were ready to trade your news for our money: submit news and photo reports from your area using our Citizen Journalism App. Contact us if you have any feedback, suggestions, complaints or compliments. We are also available on Twitter. The EFCC stage a walk against corruption - on NAIJ.com TV [embedded content] Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | Doctors separate conjoined twins as Yakubu Dogara offers free medical treatment to 50,000 patients in Bauchi - A team of medical doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians and surgeons attend to patients at Dogaras free medical programme - Yakubu Dogara says NASS will not allow sale of national assets Over 50,000 patients in Bauchi state are to benefit from the free medical services offered by speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, as he commenced his annual medical outreach to Nigerians. Information posted on the speakers website, Yakubudogara.com.ng, stated that hundreds of patients who turned out for different medical needs have been attended to by a team of medical doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians and surgeons. READ ALSO: Taraba, Benue governors react to Emir Sanusi's statement on herdsmen crisis The doctors on Monday, February 12 , successfully separated conjoined twins and the programme is set to continue for the next five days at the Trauma centre of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi. Other services being provided include outpatient consultations, medical check up with free drug, ultrasound scanning, reading glasses and cataract operations, laboratory tests such as diabetes, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, and gynecological surgeries and public health education on hygiene, malaria,TB,HIV/AIDS and Lassa fever among others. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app This is the third time in two years the speaker is conducting free medical outreach in Bauchi which attracted people from neighboring Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Yobe, Gombe and Adamawa states. In other news, the speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, says the National Assembly will not allow concession of any national economic assets. Dogara said this on Monday, February 12, in Ajaokuta, Kogi, after a facility tour of Ajaokuta Steel Complex in company with the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. Dogara stressed that the National Assembly would complement President Muhammadu Buharis determination to revive the steel company, which had the potential to generate initial 10,000 jobs for Nigerian Engineers and another two million multi-sectoral jobs. What is working well and what needs improvement in Nigeria? on NAIJ.com TV [embedded content] Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | North Korea pledges partnership with FG to boost security, peace in Nigeria - North Korea has pledged to partner with the Nigerian government to boost peace and security in the country - The Asian country, through its ambassador, wished Nigeria success in the fights against corruption and terrorism - The ambassador made the remarks at the posthumous 76th birthday ceremony of the late Korean leader, Kim Jong-Il The Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK), on Monday, February 12, promised to partner with Nigeria in the area of peace and security, The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. NAIJ.com gathered that Jong Yong Chol, the ambassador, DPRK, said this in his address at the 76th birthday ceremony of the late Korean leader, Kim Jong-Il, organised by the embassy in Abuja. He described the late Korean leader as one who devoted his lifetime to enthrone peace and security in Korea and in the world. He, therefore, commended the post-hummus ceremony, which was to commemorate his exemplary leadership. According to him, it was under his leadership that the country witnessed external relationship with countries like Nigeria, they enjoy today, which brought about economic ties between both countries. READ ALSO: Just in: Nigerian troops clear Boko Harams major hideout in Sambisa forest, make massive discovery (photos) Kim Jong Il devoted his lifetime to the service of the whole world, this is why not only Koreans, but progressive people all over the world are celebrating his birthday. We hope to build on the traditional relationship and cooperation between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Korea. We hope to consolidate and sustain the existing peace and security. This is because the revolutionary of Kim Jong-Il today is successfully and succeeded by Kim Jong Un, the supreme leader of our party and people towards promoting peace, he said. He, however, wished the government and people of Nigeria success in the fights against issues like corruption and terrorism. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app NAN reports that North Koreas Kim Jong-Il, who was born on February 16, 1942, died on December 19, 2011 at the age of 69 years. The high points of the ceremony were video display on the life and times of the late Korean leader, pose for photographs. NAIJ.com previously reported that some senators on Monday, February 12, said there was urgent need for federal government to re-address security challenges in the country and begin a healing process for the people. The lawmakers made the call on the sideline of the National Security Summit organised by the Senate in Abuja. They expressed optimism that the summit would give Nigerians the result they wanted in terms of security and said that practical and verifiable options were crucial in tackling insecurity. Nigerian herdsmen vs Nigerian farmers on NAIJ.com TV [embedded content] Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | APC tackles PDP, blames Fayose for herdsmen-farmers' clashes in Ekiti - APC and PDP have traded blames over herdsmen killings in Ekiti state - The ruling party blamed the recent clashes between suspected herdsmen and farmers on Governor Ayo Fayose's anti-grazing law - But in its reaction, the PDP said that APC's comment is approval of killings allegedly carried out by suspected herdsmen across the country The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti state has blamed the recent clashes between suspected herdsmen and farmers on Governor Ayo Fayose's anti-grazing law. Premium Times reports that while the APC accused the Ayo Fayose-led government of creating a hostile environment for the herdsmen through his anti-grazing laws and his refusal to allow for cattle colonies in the state, the PDP believes that such comments showed "a tacit approval for the wanton killings and destruction of farmlands by the herdsmen. READ ALSO: Atiku remains best presidential candidate for 2019 - Group NAIJ.com gathered that the deputy chairman of the APC in the state, Kemi Olaleye, while blaming the attacks on the anti-grazing law enacted by the Ayo Fayose administration, said Fayose should be held culpable for the killings perpetrated by the herdsmen. Olaleye who spoke on Saturday, February 10, while featuring on radio programme in Ibadan, Oyo state, said establishing cattle colonies was the way forward. She urged herdsmen in Ekiti state to be patient and wait for the APC to take over government in October this year for cattle colonies to be created in Orin Farm Settlement in Orin Ekiti, Aramoko Ekiti Forest Reserve, Itapaji Dam Area, Oke-Ako, Ise-Emure axis and Otun Ekiti. We will create cattle colonies in Ekiti state when we return to power and there is no argument about that, she said. But the PDP in a statement on Monday, February 12, accused the APC of backing the herdsmen in their continued killings of farmers and destruction of farmlands in the state. The statement which was signed by the state publicity secretary, Jackson Adebayo, said it was strange that the APC never said a word to condemn the "murder of innocent sons and daughters of Ekiti state, as well as destruction of farmlands. The statement said instead of showing empathy and supporting the efforts of the State Governor, the APC and its leaders had been inciting the herdsmen, especially its umbrella organisation, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association against the government. They are even saying that they will create cattle colonies in the State if they return to power and we wonder how a responsible political party will because of quest for power go into agreement that will cede lands in the State to people who are embarking on wanton killings and destruction of farmlands, the statement read. If they claim they are not giving tacit support to herdsmen, Ekiti people should ask the APC people one single press statement they issued to condemn the killings by herdsmen, calling for arrest of the perpetrators. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app Rather than condemning the herdsmen killings in Oke Oke, Orin, Okemesi, Aiyede, Ipao and other places, what the APC and its obviously heartless leaders have been doing is to criticise Governor Fayose for the anti-grazing law and visiting Benue state to commiserate with Governor Samuel Ortom and the people of the State over the killings of 73 people by herdsmen. Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had earlier reported that the Association of Small Scale Agro Producers in Nigeria (ASSAPIN) on Tuesday, February 13, said engagement of more agriculture extension officers could play a role in stemming the clashes between herders and farmers in the country. Nigerian herdsmen vs Nigerian farmers - on NAIJ.com TV [embedded content] Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | Breaking: Pandemonium as suspected herdsmen reportedly take over Akure council, chase out workers There was pandemonium on Tuesday, February 13, as suspected herdsmen reportedly invaded premises of the Akure South local government area, sacking their workers in the process following alleged disagreement. The Punch reports that the situation was however calmed by the intervention of the Ondo state commissioner of police, Gbenga Adeyanju, and the commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Pedro Ideba, who deployed their men in the council. READ ALSO: Breaking: Nigerian troops record success against Boko Haram again, recover military vehicles The report said one of the workers of the council was reportedly macheted by the herdsmen. The members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) are now reportedly asking the government to act on the matter as the secretariat has been deserted by the workers, some of whom returned home after the incident. NAIJ.com earlier reported that Prof Sulyman Abdulkareem, the vice-chancellor of the University of Ilorin, decried the destruction of the institution's multi-million naira research and training farms by alleged herdsmen, who also reportedly poisoned the dam with chemicals. The News Agency of Nigeria quotes the university's weekly bulletin issued on Monday, February 12, as saying the management of the institution recently held a security meeting with the leaders of the 11 Fulani settlements on the university land. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app The report said the publication quoted the vice-chancellor as saying that economic trees were destroyed by cattle grazing on the vast land of the institution. Nigerian herdsmen vs Nigerian farmers - on NAIJ.com TV [embedded content] Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | Kenya airways employee nabbed with 23 kilos of gold worth N356.5 million in India - A man believed to be an employee of Kenya Airways was allegedly arrested with gold worth N356.5 million in Mumbai, India - The 29-year-old man, identified as Abdalla Ali, was reportedly found with 150 gold biscuits that were neatly tucked in is waist belt and knee-cap supports - He was nabbed in a five-star hotel near the international airport shortly after he landed in the foreign city with the smuggled goods A 29-year-old Kenyan man believed to be an employee of Kenya Airways (KQ) has reportedly been arrested with gold worth N356.5 million in Mumbai, India. NAIJ.com gathered that Abdalla Ali was arrested on Monday, February 12, in a five-star hotel in Mumbai city shortly after he landed in the foreign country with the smuggled goods. READ ALSO: Former head of state Abdulsalam Abubakar visits Buhari in Aso Rock (video) It was reported that the KQ crew member was nabbed with 23 kilogram of 150 gold biscuits tucked in his waist belt and knee-cap supports. Ali was reportedly arrested alongside another Kenyan, identified as Ibrahim Ali Hussein, 26, who was set to collect the goods from the KQ crew member. The 23 kilos of gold consignment is said to be the biggest haul ever been seized from an airline in India's Mumbai city. This, however, was not the first time that a Kenya Airways employee was being caught with smuggled goods in India. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had previously reported that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) recently confirmed the seizure of 25.6 kilograms of an illicit substance known as Cannabis Skunk in Yola, Adamawa state capital. 2019 reelection bid: Should President Buhari heed Obasanjo's advice? - on NAIJ.com TV [embedded content] Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | JAMB gives candidates 24hrs to complete registration - The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has given a grace of 24 hours for candidates to complete their registration - The candidates concerned are those who had started registration processes and had paid and procured the registration e-pins before close of sales - The board said it will not entertain any complaints from candidates who fail to complete their registration exercise The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has given 24 hours to candidates who have obtained their pins to complete their registration. The board gave the instruction in a statement to announce the close of sales of forms for 2108 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the Nation reports. NAIJ.com gathered that the statement was issued by JAMBs Head of Information, Fabian Benjamin, on Tuesday, February 13, in Abuja. READ ALSO: Former head of state Abdulsalam Abubakar visits Buhari in Aso Rock (video) According to the statement, the examination board noted that it would not entertain any complaints from candidates who fail to complete their registration exercise. Benjamin said the extension applied to candidates who had initiated registration processes and had paid and procured the registration e-pins but could not register at the close of sales. The statement reads: Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board wishes to inform the general public that the sale of 2018 UTME application is closed. However, the public is urged to note that all candidates who paid and obtained pins and could not unsuccessfully register at the close of sale are allowed to quickly within 24hrs complete their registration as no complaints would be entertained afterwards. For purposes of emphasis, this applies to only candidates who had initiated registration processes and have paid and procured the registration e-pins but could not register at the close of sales. Take note that candidates are not to generate any profile codes (55019) for the purpose of 2018 UTME registration as doing so would have no effect and a waste of time and resources. Profile codes generation through 55019 will only be used for Direct Entry Registration which is still ongoing. The Board commenced the sale of the 2018 UTME registration on the 6th of December, 2017 and was to close on the 6th of February, 2018 but extended to 11th of February, 2018. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! At the close of pin vending, a total of 1,662,818 candidates paid and obtained the e-pins while 1,650,547 had successfully registered for the 2018 UTME. The difference is the numbers outstanding who have not registered but are holding the e-pins and are now allowed to register within 24hrs." NAIJ.com previously reported that the JAMB said about 1.6 million registration forms for the 2018 UTME were sold, two days to the end of the exercise. Benjamin disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, February 9, in Lagos. However, the boards registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, on February 6, announced the extension of sales to Sunday, February 11, in an attempt to accommodate candidates who failed to register within the two-month window. Applicants lament bitterly over JAMB registration hassles on NAIJ.com TV [embedded content] Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Olusegun Obasanjo, former President has launched another attack at President Muhammadu Buhari over his administrations handling of the fight against corruption. In his latest attack, the former President maintained that Buhari has corruption on his nose. In an interview with Germanys international broadcasting outlet, Deutsche Welle, Obasanjo said the presidents anti-corruption fight has been polluted by people in his inner circles. Obasanjo said the president could do better on how he goes about the war on curruption. He said if he was the president, he I would make sure people in charge of anti-corruption institutions are people of integrity. There is no point in fighting corruption beyond you and you have corruption on your nose. On his newly formed movement, Coalition for Nigeria movement, CNM, the former president said the movement will truly help Nigerians to move away from the old order of politics and into a new age where the interests of the citizens are truly represented. He said, It (Coalition for Nigeria) is not an old wine in a new bottle, but a new wine in a new bottle. I will not stand in the way of that movement if it decides to become a party. But in that case, I will withdraw. Recall that Obasanjo had on January 23, 2018, in a statement titled, The Way Out: A Clarion Call for Coalition for Nigeria Movement, lambasted Buhari over his inability to successfully run the affairs of the county. In the statement, the former President cautioned Buhari against seeking a second term in 2019. Home | News | General | Jonathans government arrested me 14 times, I shall continue to speak- Senator Dino Melaye - Senator Dino Melaye said he is not afraid of going to prison - The Kogi senator vowed to continue to criticise the government - He noted that he has been arrested in the past and was not afraid Senator Dino Melaye has vowed to continue to speak out against injustice saying he is not afraid of going to prison. The senator spoke in the wake of report that the federal government had filed charges against him for allegedly report that there was assassination attempt on his life. READ ALSO: Former head of state Abdulsalam Abubakar visits Buhari in Aso Rock (video) Melaye had claimed that Edward David, chief of staff to Governor Yahaya Bello, attempted to take his life but it was reported that that the government filed charges against the senator for false information and claim. The senator in his reaction on Tuesday, February 13 said he was not afraid of prison and would continue to criticise the government including the president. He said: Edward is the chief of staff to Kogi state governor and Taofeek is the caretaker chairman of Ijumu local government of Kogi state. I stated this in my statement to the Nigerian police, Melaye said. As a result of that information, they immediately moved to the residence of Alhaji Taofeek where ammunition was recovered immediately that morning. If naming suspects now become misinformation, I am wondering. The police swung into action. The tactical command of the IGP swung into action. Ten days after, they apprehended six out of the ten that came to kill me. Not only were they apprehended, the spokesperson of the Nigerian police paraded them in a national press conference. Not only were they paraded, the spokesperson of the Nigerian police informed Nigerians that all the rifles used for their missions have to be recovered by the police. Not only were the ammunition recovered, confessional statements have been made by those who were directly involved and they also invited this same Taofeek. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app I shall continue to speak. I shall continue to ask questions. I shall continue to criticize any public office including the president of the federal republic of Nigeria. I have conquered fear, I am not afraid of the prison. The last administration arrested me 14 times, Abachas government detained me. Babangidas government detained me. I am not afraid of the prison. It is built because of human beings, but we will not stop speaking the truth. In an unjust society, silence is a crime. The battle to bring Nigeria back on track from these criminals in power is a battle of no retreat no surrender and I am ready to fight the federal government on this matter and I will fight with the last drop of my blood. NAIJ.com had earlier reported that Senator Melaye on Tuesday, February 13, vowed to fight those whom he referred to as criminals in power, at both levels of the government, until sanity is restored to the polity. NAIJ.com gathered that the Senate committee chairman on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on the floor of the upper chamber cited order 14 and spoke on the publication made by Sahara Reporters, The Nation and The Sun for the misinformation by the police that a case has been instituted between the federal government and himself. Kogi West senatorial district to recall senator Dino Melaye from the Nigerian Senate on NAIJ.com TV. [embedded content] Source: Naija.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... 1.) Not surprised. 2.) I don't claim to have read the bible, but even I know Jesus would have been anti-Trump. (As everyone should be tbh) Reply Thread Link I love how this idiot thinks Jesus would have voted with someone spewing so much hate. Perhaps that says more about Kevin's relationship with religion. Reply Parent Thread Link I'd expect no less from someone who was in Gods not Dead Reply Thread Link Isn't this the dude from that MTV pseudo-incesty show set in an amusement park? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link missed an opportunity to use a gif of Kevins character getting hit by a car Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Lmaaooo Reply Parent Thread Link Oh look, Kevin Sorbo opened his mouth again and unsurprisingly shit is spewing out. LOL at him comparing Norwegians to Muslims. Like can he comprehend the difference. Reply Thread Link It's amazing how so many so called Christians have such a huge misconception regarding Jesus Reply Thread Link Most Christians I know have never read the Bible, never studied it. They only go to church to show off new outfits, listen to whatever the pastor is spewing and go about their business of judging everyone else. Reply Parent Thread Link or if they did, they interpret the Bible for their own convenience. cast the stone if you're so clean and whatnot (or something like that...) and yet many oh-so-devout Christians [I know] are the first ones to judge/discriminate. Reply Parent Thread Link My grandma stopped going to church because of shit like this. Before there was an awesome preacher we all liked a lot (and I'm an atheist so trust me when I say he was cool and good) but he went back to Nigeria and this white dude came in and started talking about how the Muslims and Hispansics were going to "outbreed" white people and she told him to shove it (not exactly but she put her foot down from what I understand) and has never gone back. I think she's looking for a new church but idk it's been a couple years now she mostly just watches the Pope on Easter and Christmas Reply Parent Thread Expand Link They also go so they can feel virtuous, superior and that all the nasty shit they've done is forgiven so they don't have to feel bad anymore. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Right? I'm not very religious, but my interpretation of Jesus was that he was pretty cool and wanted GOOD things for everyone, i.e., no Trump. Reply Parent Thread Link isn't it? lmao Reply Parent Thread Link Christianity is just a front for their own weird cultural amalgamation that they created over the decades. Like when the mob owns a "restaurant" but really they only have it so they can launder money but continually point to "where the money is coming from". These people have created their own rules and regulations and then when we try to call them out they point to the Bible even though it is COMPLETELY not relevant to what they're saying. I mean, lets be real, Jesus would dismantle the ENTIRE US government and/or flee to another country like Finland instead. And if he had to vote for a Presidential candidate this time around it would have been Bernie Sanders. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link They remind me of Tyler Durden fanboys Reply Parent Thread Link I'm pretty sure most conservative Christians would absolutely despise him if he were a current day public figure. Everything he preached was almost directly in opposition to the "fuck you, got mine" sentiment most of them cling to nowadays. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Lmao seriously Reply Parent Thread Link [ Spoiler (click to open) ] Andromeda & Hercules are stll 2 of my favs that I can't quit tho disappointing as always Reply Thread Link I like how you're so ashamed that you had to put your love for those shows under a spoiler cut. Reply Parent Thread Link but that show spoke to me on a v gay level so lmao I side-eye myself 4 Hercules mostlybut that show spoke to me on a v gay level so Reply Parent Thread Link andromeda was straight up fantastic before he got control though. i'm still so bitter. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Right? Tho Imma be honest and say I can't quit Iolaus :( Reply Parent Thread Link I haven't seen Andromeda yet (have the DVDs from the library so I should start soon), but Hercules is one of my favorite background shows when I'm working. I love it mostly for Michael Hurst and Bruce Campbell, though. Reply Parent Thread Link OMG that's amazing Reply Parent Thread Link lolol Reply Parent Thread Link Fuck.yes. That's my go to! Reply Parent Thread Link lol Reply Parent Thread Link His paternal great-grandfather was born in Norway and he's going around saying he's "100%" Norwegian yeah okay sure Reply Parent Thread Link Tormund <3 Reply Parent Thread Link what a dumbass Reply Thread Link Says that he's Norwegian, and that if Norwegians were going around bombing people, he wouldn't care if people racially profiled him Easy thing to say when you know that will never happen. Meanwhile your ass,and people like you,can't even be called racist without getting in your feelings. You'd be ready to make Norwegians a protected class if they got treated half as bad as Muslims or other POC. Reply Thread Link he's vile Reply Thread Link jesus would be racially profiled seeing as hes middle eastern. read a bible. Reply Thread Link omg hdu Jesus was a light brunette, blue eyed babe who carried lambs around and had a stunningly pointed beard that helped to accentuate his jawline! Reply Parent Thread Link not according to ontd, he's not! Reply Parent Thread Link I see it both ways. It would be nice to see a woman in that iconic role, but equally, just create a female spy movie. I'm quite ok with Bond staying male. Reply Thread Link MTE Reply Parent Thread Link i want both tbh, i want our own shit but it's important to see women and poc in already recognized roles (and my personal revenge on white men for paying us dust in film lol) Reply Parent Thread Link ppl have been gender-flipping roles since the dawn of time tho also why not both, i.e. a female bond and female-lead original stories? Reply Thread Link this is how I see it too. Women absolutely deserve their own, original and authentic stories. But wouldn't it also be cool to see a woman Bond?BOTH PLS Reply Parent Thread Link yup Reply Parent Thread Link exactly. we can have both and more. Reply Parent Thread Link i agree tbh i'm much more interested in new stories with women tho i can't wait for oceans 8 oop Reply Thread Link Im excited for Oceans 8! I wish there was more diversity tho Reply Parent Thread Link i am gonna act tf up during this movie!!! Reply Parent Thread Link I really hope Oceans 8 is legitimately good. They had me from the first trailer. Only thing is I'm not so thrilled about the heist tho the execution may surprise me Reply Parent Thread Link I see where she's coming from but I still want a female Bond so w/e. Reply Thread Link we can have both, though. i've only ever read one bond book, but do they ever mention that bond changes personality and appearance every five minutes? if not, then i guess what ian intended doesn't matter. Reply Thread Link lmao mte Reply Parent Thread Link I get where shes coming from and I agree. Women deserve their own stories and James Bond is misogynistic trash. Reply Thread Link Of course James Bond's wife is going to say this, lol Reply Thread Link She's right. Make more Atomic Blonde movies. I loved Salt with Angelina Jolie. You could even spin-off Ilsa from Mission Impossible into her own franchise. I know Proud Mary was critically panned but I liked the idea behind it. I know studios don't like taking chances with original characters but John Wick has done really well. Reply Thread Link atomic blonde was great on so many levels... more movies like that would be a gift that we most likely wont get.. Reply Parent Thread Link Atomic Blonde and Salt were so good and AB deserves some sort of Oscar nomination imo Reply Parent Thread Link I read that proud mary fooled people into thinking it was a bad ass action movie (from the trailer) when it was some family crap about her taking care of some kid for the whole movie with a few mins of action. Which is such a shame. Reply Parent Thread Link Man I fuckin loved Atomic Blonde. Was Proud Mary at least fun to watch? I wanted to see it, but didn't hear much about it. Reply Parent Thread Link I have no idea. I liked the trailer but apparently the movie is nothing like it. Reply Parent Thread Link yeah i wish they would let rebecca ferguson take over the mission impossible franchise Reply Parent Thread Link I agree, if they cast a woman I can just see guys getting upset and doing their best to trash it. I know that shouldn't matter, but I wouldn't want an actress to go through that and all the annoying think-piece articles it would span. Same if they cast a moc for Bond, we already saw all the nasty comments Idris got for even being fancasted. I'd much rather see a woman front a franchise with a similarly complex spy character tbh. Bonus if it was written/directed by a woman. Reply Thread Link Look how much men cried over Ghostbusters being made with an all female cast. James Bond is misogynistic trash. We deserve better tbh. Reply Parent Thread Link i support both creating new franchises headlined by women/poc and women/poc making the mra baby jesus cry by invading their beloved franchises Reply Parent Thread Link What's doubly annoying is that people put a lot of pressure on these movies to do well and it becomes a political statement rather than a simple action movie. So you're placing this huge burden on these actresses, something their male counterparts never have to deal with. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Oh hell no. Does she have a Russian accent in that? Idk if I can tolerate it. Reply Parent Thread Link Her accent is fine. I don't get the OTT complaints Reply Parent Thread Link Is that out already Reply Parent Thread Expand Link No thanks. Nhf this before an actual Black Widow film Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Oh don't get me wrong, I still plan on seeing Red Sparrow. I'm just not sure I can picture Jen going that dark. Reply Parent Thread Link the responses to this are yikes. imma see it Reply Parent Thread Expand Link For anyone that has T-Mobile, they'll be giving away $4 tickets to see it! Should be the Tuesday before it comes out. I'll be seeing it! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link why not both.gif wonder how much her answer is related to daniel craig clinging to the role lol Reply Thread Link I mean they are paying Craig a lot of money to come back. They couldve easily moved on and saved all the money theyre paying him. Reply Parent Thread Link nah, it's pretty well known that Daniel Craig has been wanting out out of the franchise for a while. Reply Parent Thread Link i don't believe that bullshit, literally who is holding a gun to his head and forcing him to be in another bond movie? if he ACTUALLY wanted out of the franchise he would damn well be out of the franchise. Reply Parent Thread Link I don't think it has anything to do with Craig, who has already given some other younger actors his blessing. They had to pay him a fortune to get him to do the upcoming Bond movie, he's very ready to move on. It's not like he wants to do 5 more. I think she's just saying instead of calling her Jamie Bond and making her a female version of 007, why not create an all new character for a woman to play? Why do a copy when you can have a fresh original? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I agree because idgaf about James Bond tbh + Im always here for fresh, new content. Reply Thread Link Im not sure I really buy into this argument. Women can be just as emotionally-stunted and use sex in the same way a male Bond does. It wouldnt really be standing on the shoulders of male stories, it would just be an interesting take on an old role. But whatevs. Reply Thread Link ATOMIC BLONDE ANYONE ?! Reply Thread Link Ppl can't hear you bcuz they hated it it was fucking awesome tho and the stairwell sequence deserved to win at ONTD Awards Reply Parent Thread Link i really hope we get a second one Reply Parent Thread Link I want her entire wardrobe in that movie. And the boots. All the boots. Reply Parent Thread Link i thought it was boring af tbh Reply Parent Thread Link I mean so are the bond movies ItsEquality.gif Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I would love both tbh Moreso original female spy content (that doesn't really rely on her sex appeal because that's tiring (Spy)but ymmv) than a female bond but at this point I'm desperate Reply Thread Link I'd love a spy movie with someone like Gwendoline Christie tbh Reply Parent Thread Link Is he from rooster teeth? Reply Thread Link that's Betty Cooper's sweater Reply Thread Link Yep Reply Parent Thread Link Why the single, lonely descriptors? Always gotta find an excuse for the behaviour of men like this. Guess its the fault of women for not giving him a chance Reply Thread Link I bet you the man is white lol Reply Parent Thread Link He was Reply Parent Thread Expand Link It's so fucked up that the police even feel entitled enough to call him "lonely" based on seeing him getting into his car. They don't know shit about him, yet they're already prepared to give him the privilege of humanising qualities. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link because he's white ofc, but tbf being single and lonely often does drive men to commit these acts of violence against strangers (because men are entitled and have no self control). whereas when they're in a relationship and not lonely, they often commit acts of violence against their partners (because men are entitled and have no self control). Reply Parent Thread Link cause he's white. white people need a way to Other criminals. if these people are non-white then it's easy enough for them to do, because they can explain it away with racism. but when the people are WHITE, just like them, they need a way to distance themselves. so it's "crazy" and "lonely" and "disturbed" and "lone wolf". Reply Parent Thread Link I don't think...that's a fan. Reply Thread Link Lol right? Reply Parent Thread Link That is terrifying, I'm glad they didn't get hurt. I'm not sure that calling him "infatuated" and a fan is correct when he apparently wanted to kill her so the male youtuber would die alone? And he was probably "single and lonely" because he was a violent psycho that no one in their right mind would get close to. That someone like him had easy access to a gun (and there's probably a million more like him)... from an outside perspective, love many things about US culture but that is one thing I'll never understand. Reply Thread Link That is incredibly scary. I also hope it discourages more people from becoming youtubers, as almost all of them are sociopaths. Reply Thread Link the last part is incredibly false. Reply Parent Thread Link tbf most people who's careers revolve around selling themselves as a product tend to exhibit narcissistic and sociopathic tendencies. the successful ones, at least. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link nah, pretty true. Reply Parent Thread Link i wonder if they wished they were filming during the ordeal Reply Parent Thread Link wtf is this comment and people agreeing with this? this person's house got broken into and you're calling them sociopaths? Reply Parent Thread Link My house was broken into whilst I was sleeping, it was terrifying knowing that someone was in my house whilst I was unaware, but also knowing that it could have been so much worse had me unable to sleep and rest well for months. But I did find the contents of my handbag and passport strewn around in the street outside, so there was that. My husband has OCD and door locks is one of his ticks, so he didn't really deal well either. Least it was only a thief and in the UK no risk of a gun. We moved house barely a year later just because no one could settle. Reply Thread Link im so sorry this happened to you D: Reply Parent Thread Link That's so scary. I live in Australia so there's no risk of guns for me either but just the thought of having someone in my home without me knowing makes me uneasy. I hope your family is doing ok now Reply Parent Thread Link Edited at 2018-02-13 03:22 pm (UTC) It was 5 years ago now and the new place is great (smaller, we went from a giant 4 bedroom semi to a 2 bed bungalow) and we have 2 little guard dogs who bark at nothing, shadows and the wind and our front door beeps when it opens now so no sucker is getting in without detection now. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link and I'm in small town Alabama nowhere. Reply Parent Thread Link At least they're safe and no one, other than the creep, was harmed. On a side note, I've been lurking here for years and the hate/ discontempt thrown at YouTubers on here is a little ott. Not everyone who decides to make YouTube their career is a Logan Paul or PewDiePie. If they provide entertainment for an audience then they can be paid for it I don't see the problem. Judging all YouTubers over who gets the most views is like judging all pop music/ country music by who tops the charts. It's just not accurate. Reply Thread Link ia, thank you. Reply Parent Thread Link Ia Reply Parent Thread Link yep Reply Parent Thread Link thanks for posting and welcome (i guess?). re: generalizing. it happens here a lot, as in real life. what's also real is that i can attest that people here have shared some fun youtube channels during free-for-alls. keep your eyes peeled. after someone shared it, i subscribed to a channel that's nothing but videos of shaggy scottish cows being adorable. it's very relaxing to watch them.s Reply Parent Thread Link This is the truth! Reply Parent Thread Link A lot of it is probably jealousy, many popular youtubers have zero talents. Reply Parent Thread Link The insecure ones emulate what others do to get hits and a lot of people don't know what they're talking about -- those are my pet peeves with the youtubers that don't have the most views. I'm sure they're good people there but I fell like categorizing ~60% of it as trash is accurate. Reply Parent Thread Link especially all the lgbt youtubers, who open up their lives (be it single or with a partner) and give a lot of lgbt youths someone accessible to look up to Reply Parent Thread Link Knowing that someone wanted to murder you must be fucking terrifying. How do you go on after that? I havent watched Roosterteeth in years but always loved Gavin. Reply Thread Link literally what and why? i don't know what's going on with you, but you have been such a mess these days. Reply Parent Thread Link i mean that would possibly, in some other plane of existence, be relevant if meg or gavin had made a video about this, but they didn't? they didn't say anything for a month until a news outlet made the story public, so? Reply Parent Thread Link Reading the replies you got... lol. I thought it was funny Reply Parent Thread Link mte i'm a bad person but i seriously wanna know if they filmed the ordeal lmao Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I hate click bait youtubers Reply Parent Thread Link Lmao at the replies. This was the first thing that popped up in my head, too. Unfortunately for them, it wasn't some OTT caption, but I get why your (and my) brain went there. Reply Parent Thread Link this is legit my worst fucking nightmare. like if i even think i hear a strange sound outside my window i start to panic. the rational part of me knows at least that my dog would lose his shit if someone would try to break in and hopefully scare them off. im glad these guys are okay and hope they have the support system they need to work through this. it must be so horrible to feel so unsafe in your own home. Reply Thread Link Home invasions scare the shit outta me. I've always lived in either high rise apartments or battle-axe blocks, so whenever I housesit for friends whose homes are right on the street I become rill anxious and paranoid. I'm always peeping out the windows hoping someone isn't peeping back Reply Thread Link I've almost always lived on the bottom floor, and I'm still paranoid. I used to close the curtains because as soon as it got dark I managed to convince myself there was someone out there. Not sure how closing the curtains would have made me any safer tho lol Reply Parent Thread Link Where I live, everyones house has gates. When I used to live in the US we would stay at my sisters friends house and I was legit terrified sleeping every night cos there were no gates and her house was sort of in the woods in MA and the neighbors werent close and I feel like you needed a compass to get to the next house And she didnt even lock the bedroom door until I asked her to and she was like youre so silly! Okay! Bitch u didnt even lock your basement door. I DONT WANNA DIE. She somehow thought she was safer cos she lived in a remote place which... imo it was a perfect home invasion/ murder setting Reply Parent Thread Link I mean, if someone really wants to get at you they probably will, a locked bedroom door or even a gate isn't 100% preventable, what are the gates electric or 20 ft high or somtehing? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I live with a woman and shes half a mile in the woods by her self in the middle of no where.said she leaves her house unlocked even at night.i said somebodys gonna get you.the very next day strangers drove up to her house and knocked on the door and then went in side.at least it wasn't bad people and shes ok. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I had an argument with my mom because she put up wicker wreaths that block the peep holes. She lives in a neighborhood in miami where there was just a home invasion and two people were murdered, so maybe shell take down those wreaths now. Reply Parent Thread Link Ive always live in houses and its been a fear but you learn to live with it lol. I live in an apartment building for the first time ever and Im still paranoid. I hate it more than a house cause all I can see through is the peephole. No windows :( Reply Parent Thread Expand Link edit: i think this is the correct post but i'm not sure since reddit is blocked at work Edited at 2018-02-13 03:05 pm (UTC) there was a girl on reddit who was sleeping at her friend's house and the two were sharing a bed and she said she woke up at like 3am to discover another man was in the bed with them and she said she froze and just lied there for what seemed like forever and then the man got up and she heard him go out the backdoor. she talked to her friend about it and her friend thinks it was a nightmare but she said she never went back to sleep and was 100% certain they weren't alone.edit: i think this is the correct post but i'm not sure since reddit is blocked at work https://www.reddit.com/r/nosleep/comments/56mzjw/could_someone_just_acknowledge_this_it_really/ Reply Parent Thread Link I'm always peeping out the windows hoping someone isn't peeping back this is straight up one of my biggest fears when looking out a window at night. lol Reply Parent Thread Link Break ins are my worst nightmare too. Its why we pay a ridiculous amount for home security, we put a door bar in our bedroom, and my boyfriend has his glock within arms distance at night, all he has to do it scan his fingerprints. I know that statistically, a nobody like me wont deal like a situation like theirs, that if anyone breaks in, they want my stuff, so I hope that if anyone breaks in, theyll just take my stuff. shit Ill help them carry my tv to their car if they just leave me and family physically unharmed. Reply Thread Link I sleep with a baseball bat within arms reach and u would have to go thru some shrubbery, then a massive tall gate around my house, then two big dogs, locked entrances, staircases, and a locked bedroom door before u get to me God show that criminal mercy cos so help me I have a lot of rage buried deep within Reply Parent Thread Link Damn, you sound paranoid as fuck. Reply Parent Thread Link Hell yeah I am sis. I've been grabbed and stalked before so like, you know, can't live life too free now because the fear of it happening again will live with me foreverrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link A lot of people live in dangerous places. Thats not paranoia but reality. Reply Parent Thread Link I'm in small town nowhere and I'm paranoid as fuck lol Reply Parent Thread Link "his glock within arms distance at night, all he has to do it scan his fingerprints." Dang sis..... Reply Parent Thread Link the gun would scare me more. i'd be terrified he'd accidentally shoot me thinking i was an intruder. i keep mace by the bed and just lock the bedroom door lol Reply Parent Thread Link Why am I so turned on by your bfs fingerprint glock Reply Parent Thread Expand Link damn, girl, you go all out. we just have a gun. i'm kind of thinking about stepping up our security too because there have been a string of burglaries in our neighborhood, including right next door. i had the police question me about it. i was home when it happened and my dogs were acting up, barking at the fence and i didn't think anything of it. i just called them in. they usually never bark at the neighbors, too. i also had a stranger jump the fence and run through our yard a year or so ago while i was sleeping. the dogs woke me up and bolted after him. i'm too damn reliant on them as an alarm system. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Wait wait the gun reads his fingerprints? Am I reading that correctly? Because if so, that's cool as hell and I don't even know why I love it so much lol. I'm with you tho, the thought of a home invasion is absolutely terrifying and I'd do the same thing, like...I'll help y'all carry my shit away if you'll just leave my family alone. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Aw, he was single and lonely? Well that makes it understandable. It's every woman's fault for not giving him a chance! Glad he's fucking dead. Reply Thread Link wtf? they were not using that as an excuse, but an explanation. people like to hear what motivates people to do crazy things. sometimes it leads to solutions too. Reply Parent Thread Link Same, beautiful corgi. Reply Parent Thread Link Those two should be fun together I hope Tiffany keeps booking roles Reply Thread Link I love that Melissa is moving away from comedies. This sounds interesting and I'm here for it. There's apparently a third wife so I wonder who else will be cast. Reply Thread Link This will be a comedy. Reply Parent Thread Link fuuuuck yesss. i love this casting. and if y'all haven't read it yet, get on the kitchen! Reply Thread Link Oh, this is going to be a drama? I was excited for a moment because her hack husband's name isn't mentioned, which gave me hope for an entertaining movie. Reply Thread Link This sounds really good. Im such a sucker for mafia shit. Reply Thread Link Umm, I love these actresses and yay for women directors booking more studio movies but this is like the 4th upcoming major movie where the women take over for their boyfriends/brothers/husbands. Is this the only way they think women can team up? Reply Thread Link the kitchen came first. when widows was first announced, i was like? why not just adapt the kitchen? and here we are Reply Parent Thread Link i'm into it. i love melissa and i'm here for Tiffany snatching all the roles. Reply Thread Link fuck yes, i love mafia movies! Reply Thread Link Okay, Im super here for this pairing. Reply Thread Link Same lol. I'll know it's a true gift if we get even a glimpse of a hot guy as Jack McGurn... They really need to stop making him hot in movies. Reply Parent Thread Link lmao same sign me the fuck up Reply Parent Thread Link I loved Spy so much. Feig and Melissa McCarthy should just never stop working together. They are comedy gold. Reply Parent Thread Link I was surprised by how much i enjoyed Spy. Peter Serafinowicz had me dying. Reply Parent Thread Link I love his voice! If you haven't already he's in an episode of Black Books and reads the Shipping News section and Tamsin is so in lust with his voice that she uses that as an 'aide'. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link v into it Reply Thread Link Based on plot alone, TAKE MY MONEY! But I don't want it if it's a comedy. Unless it turns out like Oscar, I guess. But then I'm one of the two people who likes that movie. Reply Thread Link Sounds awesome. BUT WHERE IS SPY 2 MELISSA MCCARTHY!! Reply Thread Link 101 Motorcyclist Traffic Deaths Last Year in Colorado Still, the motorcyclist total was a bright spot in the 2017 data because there were a record 125 motorcyclist fatalities in 2016. Most motorcyclists killed in 2017 crashes were not wearing helmets, according to CDOT. Overall traffic deaths in Colorado rose last year by 4 percent, to 630, according to preliminary data recently released by the Colorado Department of Transportation. Traffic deaths statewide were up by 29 percent since 2014, and there were 101 motorcyclist deaths in accidents during 2017. Still, the motorcyclist total was a bright spot in the 2017 data because there were a record 125 motorcyclist fatalities in 2016. "We can't lay the blame for the uptick on Colorado's population growth," said Michael Lewis, CDOT's executive director. "This comes down to poor choices many people make when driving, from not buckling up to driving impaired or using their phones." He said despite Colorado's seat belt law, 16 percent of Coloradans do not buckle up, and Colorado ranks 36th in the country in seat belt use. There were 211 unbelted deaths in passenger vehicle crashes last year -- accounting for half of the 399 passenger vehicle fatalities in 2017. "Fatal crashes continue to be a tragic ending for hundreds of people in Colorado each year," said Col. Matt Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. "Every life matters. They matter to me, my troopers, and the families suffering from these preventable tragedies. We encourage drivers to make good decisions, always drive sober, and avoid distractions. Help us save lives this year by buckling up, dropping the distractions, and focusing on driving." Most motorcyclists killed in 2017 crashes were not wearing helmets, according to the agency, which also reported pedestrians deaths rose for a second year in a row in 2017 to 93, up from 64 in 2015, while bicycle fatalities remained flat. "Colorado lacks many of the protections that other states have, including primary enforcement of our seat belt law and a hands-free law for using cell phones," Lewis said. "That certainly does not help as we work to solve the traffic safety crisis in Colorado." Construction zone fatalities during the year totaled 15, more than twice as many as the seven deaths during 2016. Shells of the common blue mussel Mytilus edulis from south Greenland. Credit: British Antarctic Survey Temperature, salinity and food supply are key influences on the shape of common blue mussels (Mytilus spp.), reveals a new study involving scientists from British Antarctic Survey. The research is published this week (12th February 2018) in the journal Scientific Reports. Common blue mussels generate unique habitats which support considerable biodiversity in coastal regions, and are a key economic resource for the aquaculture industry. Understanding how they respond to environmental alterations is becoming increasingly important, given the predictions of future environmental change. Scientists studied blue mussel populations over a wide geographic range, along the Arctic, North Atlantic and Baltic Sea coastlines, to assess the potential environmental impacts on shell shape. The results identified that temperature, salinity and food supply are the main drivers of variability in shell shape for mussel populations. Lead author Luca Telesca, from the University of Cambridge and British Antarctic Survey, says: "Identifying this connection, between environmental conditions and shell shape, is important as it provides an insight into how mussel populations may change in rapidly changing environments." Telesca continues: "Despite the large geographic spread of about 4000 km we observe similar changes in shell shape across the populations studied. This suggests that these changes are important responses to environmental stress, which may lead to dramatic shape modifications in common blue mussels in the future." Variation of common blue mussels (Mytilus spp.) shells from high to low latitudes (from left to right). The shells becomes progressively rounder with increasing temperature and salinity. Credit: British Antarctic Survey In natural environments, shell form in mussels is affected by many environmental factors during growth and aging, and it varies between species. Previously the complexity of these interactions limited the value of predictions on the future responses of mussel communities to habitat alterations. However, in this study the researchers developed a new method to study the effect of environmental factors upon shell shape variations in mussel populations. The approach allows scientists to accurately describe which shell traits change with specific environmental parameters, such as temperature or salinity, regardless of aging, species and other potentially confounding factors. This study is part of the CAlcium in a CHanging Environment (CACHE) (www.cache-itn.eu/) Marie Curie Initial Training Network aiming at pushing forward our understanding of how commercially important shellfish make their shells in changing environments. Explore further Ocean acidification affects mussels at early life stages More information: Luca Telesca et al. Blue mussel shell shape plasticity and natural environments: a quantitative approach, Scientific Reports (2018). Journal information: Scientific Reports Luca Telesca et al. Blue mussel shell shape plasticity and natural environments: a quantitative approach,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20122-9 Credit: University of Pennsylvania In many modern animated movies, the trick to achieving realistic movements for individual characters and objects lies in motion-capture technology. This process often involves someone wearing a tracking suit covered in small, colored balls while a camera captures the position of those colored balls, which is then used to represent how the person is moving. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are developing a similar technology to obtain atomic-resolution "movies" that track how proteins fold and change shape. To generate these movies, the scientists label the protein with probes at many positions and observe the movement of those labels. The fluorescence data on the relative positions of the probes can then be used to construct computational models of the protein structure in atomic detail. This research could lead to improvements in drugs used to treat neurodegenerative diseases, as well as new methods of imaging that could lead to their earlier detection. The research was multi-disciplinary effort led by E. James Petersson. The paper was published in Biophysical Journal. "One of the big fundamental questions in biochemistry is how proteins fold into a certain shape," said Petersson, "and this is dictated by the sequence of amino acids in the protein. The information in all of the interactions of the amino acid side chains somehow leads to it folding into a proper shape." In healthy scenarios, Petersson said, that proper shape allows the protein to have different functions, such as transporting oxygen in the blood or becoming "molecular machines" that ultimately lead to muscle movements, such as those required for walking and running. But in certain disease states, particularly in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, the proteins misfold into an unhealthy shape, which can cause multiple copies of the proteins to aggregate into "spaghetti-like tangles or long fibrils." These fibrils, Petersson said, are toxic to neurons, which underlies Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. "Since all of these involve protein folding into a certain shape, then what we'd like to do is to track the changes in shape of proteins," he said. "There are a number of different techniques that can be used to do this, but we like fluorescence because you can acquire fluorescence data fast enough that you can actually watch proteins fold in real time. Ultimately we'd like to try to watch proteins folding in cells." To get information about protein shape using fluorescent probes, researchers use a technique called fluorescence resonance energy transfer, which requires them to measure many distances between different points on the protein and then use that information to understand its shape, similar to motion-capture technology. In this paper, the researchers made about 30 measurements of different distances within the protein alpha-synuclein under different states where it's changing shape. They then used that collection of distance measurements in combination with complex computational modeling to get atomic resolution structures of the protein's shape. Ferrie received a fellowship from the Parkinson's Disease Foundation to spend the summer in David Baker's laboratory in the University of Washington, where Rosetta, one of the most commonly used programs for modeling proteins, was developed. "Rosetta is designed to model stable well-folded proteins," Petersson said, "not disordered proteins that can change shape, so Jack had to do a lot of rewriting of the code himself to be able to model these unruly proteins." Ferrie and Yoon made a series of experimental measurements that could be used to direct the protein folding to be consistent with the experimental measurements, which allowed him to model protein shape. Since it was a new approach, the researchers wanted to demonstrate that the structures coming out of the computational models were consistent with reality. In order to do this, they conducted three types of experiments to match real data with the models coming out of these fluorescence experiments. They collaborated with Rhoades' group to validate the modeled structures using single molecule fluorescence measurements made by Pan. Working in Fakhraii's group, Lin, used a different type of technique called atomic force microscopy to image the protein and validate the models. Chris Dobson, a professor of chemistry at Cambridge University, shared nuclear magnetic resonance data about alpha-synuclein that provided further confirmation of the accuracy of the computer models. The paper represents one of the largest libraries of proteins labeled with synthetic fluorophores yet reported. According to Petersson, the researchers needed to make a lot of distance measurements over different regions of the protein to have enough data to generate computational models. Ferrie and Haney had to come up with a streamlined approach to attaching different sets of probes that would function over different distance ranges. The researchers are now working to apply this technique to model protein structure in the aggregated forms that are toxic to neurons and to model its response to drugs that would cause it to change shape, preventing this aggregation. "The ability to watch a protein as it changes shape," said Petersson, "and to actually get structures out of that is a really important basic science goal that we've been working towards for 10 years. There have been some very impressive breakthroughs in getting structures of proteins in neurodegenerative diseases, but the fluorescence technique has the potential to do that in living cells, which no other technique has the ability to do." According to Petersson, proteins adopting multiple shapes, stacking different copies upon each other and aggregating, as they do in neurodegenerative diseases, are an important basic biochemistry problem that other structural biology techniques can't really tackle. A better understanding of how that works and what those shapes are has the potential to make an impact on diseases such as Parkinson's and to give researchers an opportunity to figure out how drug or diagnostic models interact with the protein. "We're working on being able to generate model structures that actually show what is the effect of these drugs," Petersson said. "We take the protein with the fluorescent labels, add the drug, allow the protein to change shape, make fluorescence measurements and then take those back to the computational modeling so we can actually see the structural effect of these drugs. Hopefully this will lead to more of a rational understanding so that better second and third generation drugs can be made." The researchers are also collaborating with Robert Mach, the Britton Chance Professor of Radiology in Penn's Perelman School of Medicine. Mach's group is interested in developing positron emission tomography imaging probes that can be used to bind to the aggregated forms of proteins and image them in patients. "There are some promising drugs for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, that could block this formation of aggregates," Petersson said, "but the problem is that, by the time people show cognitive or motor-tremor symptoms, it's too late to use these drugs because there's already too much neurodegeneration. If you're getting aggregates in your brain, even if you're not showing any behavioral changes or learning deficits, these probes could noninvasively image the aggregates. By achieving a rational understanding of what the protein structure is, we hope we can help with that work moving forward." Explore further Discovery of new protein shape could impact cancer and neurodegenerative disease therapies More information: John J. Ferrie et al. Using a FRET Library with Multiple Probe Pairs To Drive Monte Carlo Simulations of -Synuclein, Biophysical Journal (2018). Journal information: Biophysical Journal John J. Ferrie et al. Using a FRET Library with Multiple Probe Pairs To Drive Monte Carlo Simulations of -Synuclein,(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2017.11.006 Researchers at Linkoping University, Sweden, use fruit flies as a model organism to study sex differences in lifespan. Credit: Karin Soderlund Leifler / Linkoping University The shorter average lifespan of males compared to females appears not to be a result of the fact that males have only one X chromosome. This is the conclusion from a research study on fruit flies at Linkoping University, Sweden. The results have been published in the scientific journal Evolution. It is common that the lifespans of males and females differ. For mammals, including humans, females live on average somewhat longer than males. The difference in humans at a global level is that women live 4.7 years longer than men, according to statistics from WHO for 2015. We do not know why this is the case in so many species, but several theories have been put forward. Researchers at Linkoping University (LiU) have now had a close look at one of the theories concerning the role of genetics in sex differences in lifespan. One obvious genetic difference between the sexes is that they have different numbers of sex chromosomes, and what is known as the "unguarded X hypothesis" is based on this. In many species, including humans, females have two X chromosomes while males have an X and a Y chromosome. In birds, and in some species of fish, reptiles and insects, males have two copies of the same sex chromosome, and in such cases it is most often males who have the longer lifespan. The sex that has two X chromosomes has two variants of each gene on the X chromosome. The gene variants act as back-ups for each other, so if a gene on the X chromosome is not functional, the gene copy on the other chromosome can compensate for this. In the sex that has two different sex chromosomes (one X and one Y), in contrast, only one copy of most genes on the X chromosome is present, and no back-up is available if there is something wrong with them. The theory suggests that this mechanism contributes to making the average lifespan of males shorter. It is an old theory, but only a few studies have been carried out to test it. The researchers who carried out the new study used fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) to test the theory. "The fruit fly is a useful model organism to test the hypothesis, since females generally live longer, and the X chromosome constitutes as much as one fifth of the genetic material. If the theory is true, the effects should be clear in the fruit fly," says Martin Brengdahl, PhD student at the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology at LiU, and one of the principal authors of the study. The researchers bred fruit flies in which the two X chromosomes in the females were identical, such that neither of the copies was able to compensate for faults in the other. The flies in a second group were instead given two identical copies of one of the other chromosomes (not the sex chromosomes), known as "autosomal chromosomes". "There was no difference in average lifespan between females that had been inbred for the X chromosome and normal females. Inbreeding of one autosomal chromosome, on the other hand, did have a negative effect and the effects were equally large in females and males," says Martin Brengdahl. The results suggest that having an unguarded X chromosome cannot explain the difference in lifespan between the sexes. At least, not in fruit flies. "Genetic mechanisms are often relatively similar in different organisms, but we should be careful about drawing far-going conclusions from this study about how things work in humans. We have investigated the validity of the issue in one model, and further research can build on these results in the future," says Urban Friberg, senior lecturer at the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, who has led the study. The research group is now continuing to examine why there is a difference in lifespan between the sexes, and will be taking a close look at one of the alternative theories. In many species, competition between males to mate with females is intense. The theory of sexual selection suggests that this may compel the males to use more energy in finding partners and less in maintaining bodily functions, which leads to a shorter lifespan. Explore further XX protection against age-related mutations More information: Martin Brengdahl et al. Sex differences in life span: Females homozygous for the X chromosome do not suffer the shorter life span predicted by the unguarded X hypothesis, Evolution (2018). Journal information: Evolution Martin Brengdahl et al. Sex differences in life span: Females homozygous for the X chromosome do not suffer the shorter life span predicted by the unguarded X hypothesis,(2018). DOI: 10.1111/evo.13434 As more food than ever is being grown, it is important to find ways to promote and maintain soil quality. Credit: Pixabay/ meganelford0 Sharing best practice farming techniques with farmers from different cultures and traditions could help increase the quality of our soils a vital step in ensuring that we can grow enough food for people in the coming decades. At Wageningen University in the Netherlands, scientists are coding an app that will allow farmers in countries as far away as China to compare soil quality with their smartphones. With a flick of the finger, farmers will be able to post soil test results to the cloud and share details on how they work their fields. The platform will allow food producers in similar climates abroad to assess the long-term impact of these farming techniques and the merits of applying them to their own crops. Dr. Luuk Fleskens, who is developing the app through the EU-funded iSQAPER project, says that farmers from different cultures have a lot to learn from each other. 'The wheat growing area in north-eastern China is comparable to the conditions in eastern Poland,' said Dr. Fleskens. 'Same crop and same conditions but different fertilisation strategies.' Since the introduction of the Nitrates Directive in 1991, the EU has limited the use of chemical fertilisers. In contrast, China's wheat fields rely on chemical inputs, which gradually erode the quality of their soil. By offering a window into what has worked well in Europe, iSQAPER can help wean Chinese farmers off unnecessary growth additives. Likewise, the app allows vast testing facilities in China to share their results with EU researchers on emerging environmentally-friendly farming techniques. Cross-checking Cross-checking results has long presented a challenge in agronomy. Harvests vary each year depending on uncontrollable variables such as pest invasions and the weather. At present, agricultural records tend to be local and fragmented. Few farmers test their own soil and each country adopts its own metrics to evaluate field outputs and soil quality. Tools like iSQAPER are bringing big data within reach of agronomists for the first time. 'We now have a simple technology to communicate between researchers and farmers directly,' said Dr. Fleskens. 'We are collecting a truly global dataset on soil quality.' The iSQAPER consortium will test its app across 14 sites in the EU and China before releasing a full beta version this summer. If the right testing standards and data ownership measures can be introduced, these measurements could turn into the first truly representative data sample on global soil. An archive on this scale would prove useful to check the effectiveness and sustainability of different farming techniques. It's a perspective that is urgently needed. According to Professor Oene Oenema at Wageningen Environmental Research, an increasing use of machinery, chemical fertilisers and pesticides in modern-day farming could be masking a worrying decline in soil quality. 'There is a matter of concern if you look at this from a global scale,' said Prof. Oenema. 'We need to produce more food per acre if we want to nourish the world's growing population.' In China and other major food markets, the solution has long been to increase the dose of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. This ticking time-bomb places future agricultural yields at risk. As part of a project called SoilCare, funded by the EU, Prof. Oenema is helping identify and evaluate promising soil-improving cropping systems from 16 test sites across Europe. These involve, for instance, natural pesticides, smarter crop rotations and tricks to redress local populations of pollinators. Scrutiny SoilCare coordinator Dr. Rudi Hessel, also at Wageningen Environmental Research, says that controlled experiments are exposing established farming techniques to the scrutiny of science, sometimes running against millennia of malpractice. 'In some parts of Europe, farmers consider that fields do not look tidy if there are weeds or plants beneath the crops,' said Dr. Hessel. 'That's a cultural thing, but from a scientific perspective it is good to have other plants there.' The Issue The declining quality of our soils, known as soil degradation, could have dramatic impacts on our food system. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that 95% of our food is directly or indirectly produced on soils and the vast majority of food-producing plants need healthy soil to grow. It also impacts climate and health. Soils are one of the largest carbon storage areas on Earth, holding about twice as much organic carbon as above-ground vegetation, except in tropical ecosystems. Poor soil quality could not only reduce this function but also lead to a greater incidence of diseases such as tetanus or parasites such as hookworm. In 2012, the EU's Joint Research Centre estimated that the yearly cost of soil degradation due to human activities and natural causes in the EU could be 38 billion a year. Explore further New study proposes greater sharing of data between farmers and archaeologists Jennifer Newman (bottom right) is leading the effort to build a photo database for steganalysis research. Credit: Christopher Gannon There is nothing striking or remarkable about the tens of thousands of pictures an Iowa State University research team has spent the past 18 months collecting for a new database. Jennifer Newman, an associate professor of math leading the team on behalf of the Center for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Evidence based at Iowa State, says they are not interested in aesthetics or photos worthy of framing. In fact, the dimly lit and overexposed pictures make the database valuable for researchers interested in steganalysis. "The pictures in the database are of ordinary scenes, and we purposely collected poor quality pictures in different camera-setting environments," Newman said. "We've found the settings can influence how well the steganalysis detection works." Steganalysis is of growing interest to forensic investigators analyzing digital photos, which might contain hidden content related to a criminal case. Steganography a covert method of sending messages without detectiondates back to ancient Greece. It has evolved with technology, Newman said. Now, anyone with a simple algorithm available through a variety of free apps can manipulate the code of a picture or any digital file, such as a Word document or PDF, to conceal a message. Unlike encryption, which does not mask the presence of a message, steganography "hides the message in plain sight" so someone looking at the photo would not suspect it contains hidden text, Newman said. Helping forensic investigators identify and decode these messages is the ultimate goal for researchers, but first they must establish a foundation for steganalysis, or steg detection. That is where Newman and colleagues Yong Guan, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at ISU; and Min Wu, at the University of Maryland, along with a team of ISU graduate and undergraduate students are focusing their efforts. Armed with nearly two dozen different cell phone models, the researchers have taken more than 50,000 original images for the StegoDB database, expected to launch in late March. Now researchers around the world have a catalog of cell phone images to use for training and testing steganalysis detection tools. "If you don't have the database to test images, where do you even start? We hope other researchers can look at the data we gather and develop a quantitative statistical analysis that is useful in a court of law," Newman said. Technology creates a need Existing public steganalysis databases only include images from still cameras. With the widespread use of cell phone cameras, ISU researchers recognized the need for data specific to cell phone images to help in the development and testing of steganalysis detection tools. Newman says because camera settings, which are unique to each phone brand and model, can affect a tool's reliability, it is necessary to test for inconsistencies. Considering the multitude of phone brands and models, that is a daunting task, but Newman says the team is up for the challenge. One of CSAFE's goals is to introduce a statistical framework for evidence in criminal cases that does not currently exist, she said. According to a 2009 National Academy of Sciences report, only DNA had reliable, quantifiable error rates associated with the conclusions. Newman says that means there is no statistical validity or scientific support for evidence such as fingerprints, bite marks, bullets or stego images. "This is valuable evidence that can help rule out suspects in a case, but you need to identify the strength or lack of strength of the evidence," Newman said. "As scientists, our work is focused on quantifying what is known and what is unknown. We are setting boundaries of what is statistically known and statistically uncertain for these forensic arenas." Determining these statistical boundaries then allows an expert witness to testify to a degree of certainty that a photo collected as evidence came from a specific phone model and the likelihood that it contains hidden content, she said. It will take years of research to reach this point, but Newman says the work may benefit investigators in child pornography and intellectual property theft cases. As an example, she explained more and more companies are interested in technology to scan outgoing electronic files to detect if an employee is covertly sending sensitive information to someone outside of the company. New area for exploration Newman says steganalysis is a relatively young field with several unexplored applications. This creates opportunities for researchers to explore and contribute to the framework. She and her colleagues presented some of their initial findings at conferences on computer forensics and multimedia images. The work would not be possible without the team's combined expertise in math, statistics, computer science and engineering and physics. The team will continue collecting photos taken with different phone models to expand the database. Newman says for it to be effective, researchers need a wide variety of images for greater applicability. Explore further Digital camera 'fingerprinting' developed Jarrod Hodgson with rubber ducks. Credit: University of Adelaide A few thousand rubber ducks, a group of experienced wildlife spotters and a drone have proven the usefulness and accuracy of drones for wildlife monitoring. A University of Adelaide study showed that monitoring wildlife using drones is more accurate than traditional counting approaches. This was published today in the journal Methods in Ecology and Evolution. "For a few years now, drones have been used to monitor different animals that can be seen from above, including elephants, seals and nesting birds. But, until now, the accuracy of using drones to count wildlife was unclear," says the study's lead author, Jarrod Hodgson from the university's Environment Institute and School of Biological Sciences. "We needed to test the technology where we knew the correct answer. We couldn't use wild animals because we could never be sure of the real number of individuals present." The answer was a few thousand rubber ducks and the #EpicDuckChallenge. The researchers made fake bird colonies out of the decoy ducks on a beach in Adelaide, Australia. Experienced wildlife spotters challenged those who counted birds from drone imagery to see which group could get closest to the actual number of fake birds. Conditions on the day were ideal. The ground spotters counted the fake birds using binoculars or telescopes. Meanwhile, a drone was flown over the beach, taking pictures of the birds from the sky at different heights. Citizen scientists then tallied the number of birds they could see in the photos. The drone approach won. "We found it is more accurate and more precise to have people count birds from the drone imagery than to do it on location," Mr Hodgson says. But the scientists weren't finished there. Counting birds in photos takes a long time and citizen scientists can get tired. So the researchers made a computer algorithm to count the ducks automatically, which yielded results just as good as humans reviewing the imagery. "With so many animals across the world facing extinction, our need for accurate wildlife data has never been greater," Mr Hodgson says. "Accurate monitoring can detect small changes in animal numbers. That is important because if we had to wait for a big shift in those numbers to notice the decline, it might be too late to conserve a threatened species." "Our results show that monitoring animals with drones produces better data that we can use to proactively manage wildlife." The research paper was co-authored by scientists from the Australian Antarctic Division, the University of Tasmania and Monash University. A video showing some of the #EpicDuckChallenge can be viewed here. Explore further Drones revolutionize ecological monitoring More information: Hodgson JC, Mott R, Baylis SM, et al. Drones count wildlife more accurately and precisely than humans. Methods Ecol Evol. 2018;00:18. Journal information: Methods in Ecology and Evolution Hodgson JC, Mott R, Baylis SM, et al. Drones count wildlife more accurately and precisely than humans.. 2018;00:18. DOI: 10.1111/2041-210X.12974 The ESPRESSO instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope in Chile has used the combined light of all four of the 8.2-meter Unit Telescopes for the first time. Combining light from the Unit Telescopes in this way makes the VLT the largest optical telescope in existence in terms of collecting area. This picture shows in highly simplified form how the light collected by all four VLT Unit Telescopes is combined in the ESPRESSO instrument, located under the VLT platform. Credit: ESO/L. Calcada The ESPRESSO instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope in Chile has used the combined light of all four of the 8.2-meter Unit Telescopes for the first time. Combining light from the Unit Telescopes in this way makes the VLT the largest optical telescope in existence in terms of collecting area. One of the original design goals of ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT) was for its four Unit Telescopes (UTs) to work together to create a single giant telescope. With the first light of the ESPRESSO spectrograph using the four-Unit-Telescope mode of the VLT, this milestone has now been reached. After extensive preparations by the ESPRESSO consortium (led by the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Geneva, with the participation of research centres from Italy, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland) and ESO staff, ESO's Director General Xavier Barcons initiated this historic astronomical observation with the push of a button in the control room. ESPRESSO instrument scientist at ESO, Gaspare Lo Curto, explains the historical significance of this event: "ESO has realised a dream that dates back to the time when the VLT was conceived in the 1980s: combining the light of all four Unit Telescopes on Cerro Paranal to feed a single instrument!" When all four 8.2-metre Unit Telescopes combine their light-collecting power to feed a single instrument, the VLT effectively becomes the largest optical telescope in the world in terms of collecting area. Two of the main scientific goals of ESPRESSO are the discovery and characterisation of Earth-like planets and the search for possible variability of the fundamental constants of physics. The latter experiments in particular require the observation of distant and faint quasars, and this science goal will benefit the most from combining the light from all four Unit Telescopes in ESPRESSO. Both rely on the ultra-high stability of the instrument and an extremely stable reference light source. Due to the complexity involved, the combination of light from all four Unit Telescopes in this way, at what is known as an "incoherent focus", had not been implemented until now. However, space for it was built into the telescopes and the underground structure of the mountaintop from the start. A system of mirrors, prisms and lenses transmits the light from each VLT Unit Telescope to the ESPRESSO spectrograph up to 69 metres away. Thanks to these complex optics, ESPRESSO can either collect the light from up to all four Unit Telescopes together, increasing its light-gathering power, or alternatively receive light from any one of the Unit Telescopes independently, allowing for more flexible usage of observing time. ESPRESSO was specially developed to exploit this infrastructure. Light from the four Unit Telescopes is routinely brought together in the VLT Interferometer for the study of extremely fine detail in comparatively bright objects. But interferometry, which combines the beams "coherently", cannot exploit the huge light-gathering potential of the combined telescopes to study faint objects. Project Scientist Paolo Molaro comments: "This impressive milestone is the culmination of work by a large team of scientists and engineers over many years. It is wonderful to see ESPRESSO working with all four Unit Telescopes and I look forward to the exciting science results to come." Feeding the combined light into a single instrument will give astronomers access to information never previously available. This new facility is a game changer for astronomy with high-resolution spectrographs. It makes use of novel concepts, such as wavelength calibration aided by a laser frequency comb, providing unprecedented precision and repeatability, and now the capability to join together the light-collecting power of the four individual Unit Telescopes. "ESPRESSO working with all four Unit Telescopes gives us an enticing foretaste of what the next generation of telescopes, such as ESO's Extremely Large Telescope, will offer in a few years," concludes ESO's Director General, Xavier Barcons. Explore further First light for ESPRESSOthe next generation planet hunter Wild red-fronted lemurs (Eulemur rufrifrons) appear to be able to recognize individuals belonging to the same species (conspecifics) from photographs, a study published in the open access journal BMC Evolutionary Biology suggests. Researchers at the German Primate Center found that red-fronted lemurs spent significantly more time looking at pictures of conspecifics than at pictures of other, closely related species (heterospecifics). Dr Hanitriniaina Rakotonirina, the corresponding author said: "We were surprised to find that the animals appear to be able to differentiate among closely related sister species. For example, males of the rufous brown lemur (Eulemur rufus) and the red-fronted lemur (Eulemur rufifrons) are difficult to distinguish by the human eye. However, we found that lemurs seem to be able to do it." The time lemurs spent looking at pictures correlated with genetic difference; the more genetically different individuals were (which corresponded to how different they looked), the less time lemurs would spend looking at their pictures. Females showed a more pronounced response than males. This may indicate that female red-fronted lemurs perceive and respond to differences in fur patterns and coloration to recognize viable mates from their own species, enabling them to avoid costly interbreeding. The results also suggest sexual variation in color vision. Whereas male red-bellied lemurs are dichromatic (their eyes have receptors for two different colors), females can be dichromatic or trichromatic, allowing them to see three or more colors. However, the authors caution that the genetic tests required to test this assumption were not performed as part of this study. Dr Rakotonirina added: "These findings are particularly interesting because Eulemur species actually hybridize in nature - that is they mate with individuals from other species - even though they are able to recognize individuals of their own species. Future studies in hybrid zones - places where two or more species occur together - are required to examine whether experience with closely related species affects their ability to discriminate between species." To test their hypothesis that red-fronted lemurs would respond more strongly to pictures of their own species and that females would show a stronger response than males, the authors showed eight female and seven male adult red-fronted lemurs pictures of five species that didn't occur in the same area (they were geographically separated). These included red-fronted lemurs and three closely related species - white-fronted lemurs, brown lemurs and rufous brown lemurs - as well as genetically more distant red-bellied lemurs. Experiments were conducted in Kirindy Forest, Western Madagascar, making this is the first study to test lemurs' ability to distinguish between conspecifics and heterospecifics in the wild, something that had only been tested in captive settings before. The authors also found that red-fronted lemurs spent more time sniffing at pictures of their own species than pictures of other species. Dr Rakotonirina said: "The fact that they not only looked at the pictures but also showed sniffing behavior suggests that they use two different sensory modalities, smell and sight, at the same time to differentiate between individuals of their own species from other Eulemur species. Hence, cross-modal recognition appears to play an important role for species recognition; an interesting subject to study in the future." Explore further Duke University receives two endangered lemurs from Madagascar More information: Hanitriniaina Rakotonirina et al, The role of facial pattern variation for species recognition in red-fronted lemurs (Eulemur rufifrons), BMC Evolutionary Biology (2018). Journal information: BMC Evolutionary Biology Hanitriniaina Rakotonirina et al, The role of facial pattern variation for species recognition in red-fronted lemurs (Eulemur rufifrons),(2018). DOI: 10.1186/s12862-018-1126-0 Senior German politicians say free public transport would get private cars off the road "Car nation" Germany has surprised neighbours with a radical proposal to reduce road traffic by making public transport free, as Berlin scrambles to meet EU air pollution targets and avoid big fines. The move comes just over two years after Volkswagen's devastating "dieselgate" emissions cheating scandal unleashed a wave of anger at the auto industry, a keystone of German prosperity. "We are considering public transport free of charge in order to reduce the number of private cars," three ministers including Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks wrote to EU Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella in the letter seen by AFP Tuesday. "Effectively fighting air pollution without any further unnecessary delays is of the highest priority for Germany," the ministers added. The proposal will be tested by "the end of this year at the latest" in five cities across western Germany, including former capital Bonn and industrial cities Essen and Mannheim. The move is a radical one for the normally staid world of German politicsespecially as Chancellor Angela Merkel is presently only governing in a caretaker capacity, as Berlin waits for the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) to confirm a hard-fought coalition deal. On top of ticketless travel, other steps proposed Tuesday include further restrictions on emissions from vehicle fleets like buses and taxis, low-emissions zones or support for car-sharing schemes. Air pressure Action is needed soon, as Germany and eight fellow EU members including Spain, France and Italy sailed past a January 30 deadline to meet EU limits on nitrogen dioxide and fine particles. Brussels environment chief Vella gave countries extra time to present further pollution-busting measures or face legal action. "Life-threatening" pollution affects more than 130 cities in Europe, according to the Commission, causing some 400,000 deaths and costing 20 billion euros ($24.7 billion) in health spending per year in the bloc. Countries that fail to keep to EU limits could face legal action at the European Court of Justice, the EU's highest tribunal, which can levy fines on member states. Even without the pressure from Brussels, air quality has surged to the top of Berlin's priorities over the past year. Suspicions over manipulated emissions data have spread to other car manufacturers since Volkswagen's 2015 admission to cheating regulatory tests on 11 million vehicles worldwide. Environmentalists brought court cases aimed at banning diesels from parts of some city centres, and fears millions of drivers could be affected spurred Chancellor Angela Merkel into action. Titans like BMW, Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler or the world's biggest carmaker Volkswagen agreed to pay some 250 million euros into a billion-euro fund to upgrade local transport. The government "should make sure that the car manufacturers finance the emergency measure" of free transport, Greenpeace urged, adding that more parking and road tolls in cities could help reduce urban traffic. On their own account, the auto firms have stepped up plans to electrify their ranges, with a barrage of battery-powered or hybrid models planned for the coming decade. Feet of clay Public transport is highly popular in Germany, with the number of journeys increasing regularly over the past 20 years to reach 10.3 billion in 2017. In comparison with other major European nations, tickets can be cheap: a single ticket in Berlin costs 2.90 euros, while the equivalent on the London Underground costs 4.90 pounds (5.50 euros or $6.80). But cities were quick to warn that more planning was needed if free travel was to succeed. "I don't know any manufacturer who would be able to deliver the number of electric buses we would need" to meet increased demand if transport was free, Bonn mayor Ashok Sridharan told news agency DPA. Meanwhile, Association of German Cities chief Helmut Dedy warned that "we expect a clear statement about how (free transport) will be financed" from the federal government. Other attempts around the world to offer citizens free travel have failed, including in US city Seattle. Ministers "should think again during a ride on the U6 (underground line) in Berlin at 7.30 am," Die Welt newspaper commented. "The conclusion would be clear: more carriages, more personnel, and maybe even more tracks and lines would be needed. Where would the billions for that come from?" 2018 AFP A USC-led analysis of the Aliso Canyon gas leak determined corporate dysfunction by the SoCalGas Co. and lax regulatory oversight charted the path to the largest greenhouse gas leak in U.S. history. The new study, researchers said, is the first to report what went wrong and why an estimated 97,100 metric tons of methane - more than what 440,000 cars emit in a single year - polluted a Los Angeles neighborhood from October 2015 to February 2016. The findings have pivotal implications for the nation because the United States operates the largest number of underground gas storage facilities in the world. "SoCalGas's Aliso Canyon system failure and the resulting major environmental scandal in 2015 has clear echoes of BP's Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 and BP's Texas City refinery explosion in 2005," said Najmedin Meshkati, senior author of the study and a professor of civil and environmental engineering and industrial systems engineering at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. That translates to one major energy sector disaster every five years. "How many more oil and gas disasters have to occur before a healthy culture of safety is implemented?" Meshkati asked. "The lessons learned from the Aliso Canyon gas leak can improve the nation's underground gas storage facilities. Better industrial safety culture will protect the health and safety of people, will protect the environment, will help keep electricity and gas prices down and will shield the reputation of industries such as Sempra Energy, the parent company of the SoCalGas Co." Published in the Journal of Sustainable Energy Engineering late last year, the study used a robust risk management framework called AcciMap to systematically analyze how the government, regulators, company, management, staff and work processes contributed to the four-month-long Aliso Canyon gas leak that temporarily displaced more than 11,000 Porter Ranch residents. SoCalGas's organizational system was dysfunctional The SoCalGas Co. supplies 22 million customers and 17 power plants with natural gas energy. This pressure pushed upper management to prioritize unsafe supply practices to meet increased demands, the report stated. "SoCalGas had lenient requirements for infrastructure record keeping, no comprehensive risk management plan and no testing programs or plans in place to remediate substandard wells," Meshkati said. "The company needs to improve its safety culture." SoCalGas was aware of a possible future leak in the Standard Sesnon 25 (SS-25) well about a quarter century before a pipe ruptured there. Company logs from 1992 say "check for potential leakage past shoe as high as 8,150 [feet]." The SS-25 well is 64 years old and 8,750 feet deep. An underground safety valve designed to shut off flow to the surface when abnormal conditions occurred was removed in 1979 and never replaced, according to the study. "If a functional kill valve were in place for well SS-25 in October 2015 when the leak began, the leak could have been stopped in a matter of hours or days rather than after four months," Meshkati said. SoCalGas made eight unsuccessful attempts to stop the leak using kill procedures. It later contracted a well control company to "facilitate a proper kill procedure," the study reported. This case study offers tips for nationwide underground gas storage facilities, such as improved well monitoring using up-to-date technology like infrared methane detectors, nonstop pressure monitoring and more training for employees. It notes that logs are necessary to assess possible risks linked to specific wells and that records for mechanical integrity must be documented. (The last time well SS-25 recorded an inspection was in 1976.) "We believe that a proactive culture of committed leadership, having a questioning attitude, personal accountability, good communication and innovative technology are necessary to ensure that systems act to their full potential," Meshkati said. "These are among the traits of a healthy safety culture developed by the nuclear industry. It will be beneficial if it were adopted by all safety-sensitive industries." Lax regulatory oversight Methane is about 32 times more detrimental to global warming than carbon dioxide because of its stronger heat-trapping ability, the study stated. The federal Clean Air Act does not regulate methane, though it does have strict regulations for carbon dioxide. Considering that the United States is the most prolific operator of underground gas storage facilities in the world, we must rethink the lack of federal, state and local oversight in this arena, said Maryam Tabibzadeh, study first author and a recent USC Viterbi doctoral graduate when the study was conducted. She is now an assistant professor at California State University, Northridge. A key energy source Natural gas is a significant energy source in the United States. It supports 33 percent of electricity generation in America via more than 350 underground gas storage facilities or about 14,000 wells, according to a 2005 report. These wells were functioning without a national risk analysis framework, which is used to prevent operational failures and to streamline crisis management protocols when accidents happen, the study reported. After the Aliso Canyon gas leak, Congress passed the Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (PIPES) Act in June 2016. The act created an interagency task force led by the U.S. secretary of energy. Having a task force in place quickens the response time when accidents happen because studied and practiced procedures are activated, said Meshkati, whose expertise is in major complex technological systems failures such as the Chernobyl disaster, Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster and BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. "Risk analysis is vital for safe well operations and relies on analyzing prior data records, yet no national standards for well records were in place prior to the accident," the report stated. "There was no clear overarching agency that was in control of the accident's intervention and aftermath." Without an authoritative agency to direct emergency response, the SoCalGas Co. did not have a clear path for addressing emergencies quickly, nor was it forced to maintain or update aging infrastructure, the report stated. As of August 2016, California was one of only three states that had regulations addressing well construction, well maintenance and well closures, the report noted. Explore further The puzzle to plugging the worst natural gas release in history Maps depict the close correlation of crop production, rainfall and temperature in the U.S. Midwest in the last half of the 20th century. In this map, the number of bushels of corn produced are shown in shades of green. Credit: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Scientists agree that changes in land use such as deforestation, and not just greenhouse gas emissions, can play a significant role altering the world's climate systems. Now, a new study by researchers at MIT and Dartmouth College reveals how another type of land use, intensive agriculture, can impact regional climate. The researchers show that in the last half of the 20th century, the midwestern U.S. went through an intensification of agricultural practices that led to dramatic increases in production of corn and soybeans. And, over the same period in that region, summers were significantly cooler and had greater rainfall than during the previous half-century. This effect, with regional cooling in a time of overall global warming, may have masked part of the warming effect that would have occurred over that period, and the new finding could help to refine global climate models by incorporating such regional effects. The findings are being published this week in Geophysical Research Letters, in a paper by Ross Alter, a recent MIT postdoc; Elfatih Eltahir, the Breene M. Kerr Professor of Hydrology and Climate; and two others. The team showed that there was a strong correlation, in both space and time, between the intensification of agriculture in the Midwest, the decrease in observed average daytime temperatures in the summer, and an increase in the observed local rainfall. In addition to this circumstantial evidence, they identified a mechanism that explains the association, suggesting that there was indeed a cause-and-effect link between the changes in vegetation and the climatic effects. Eltahir explains that plants "breathe" in the carbon dioxide they require for photosynthesis by opening tiny pores, called stoma, but each time they do this they also lose moisture to the atmosphere. With the combination of improved seeds, fertilizers, and other practices, between 1950 and 2009 the annual yield of corn in the Midwest increased about fourfold and that of soybeans doubled. These changes were associated with denser plants with more leaf mass, which thus increased the amount of moisture released into the atmosphere. That extra moisture served to both cool the air and increase the amount of rainfall, the researchers suggest. This map shows deviations in precipitation compared to the previous half-century. Areas of increased rainfall are shown in green (with the darkness increasing in proportion to the amount of increase) and areas. Credit: Massachusetts Institute of Technology "For some time, we've been interested in how changes in land use can influence climate," Eltahir says. "It's an independent problem from carbon dioxide emissions," which have been more intensively studied. Eltahir, Alter, and their co-authors noticed that records showed that over the course of the 20th century, "there were substantial changes in regional patterns of temperature and rainfall. A region in the Midwest got colder, which was a surprise," Eltahir says. Because weather records in the U.S are quite extensive, there is "a robust dataset that shows significant changes in temperature and precipitation" in the region. Over the last half of the century, average summertime rainfall increased by about 15 percent compared to the previous half-century, and average summer temperatures decreased by about half a degree Celsius. The effects are "significant, but small," Eltahir says. By introducing into a regional U.S. climate model a factor to account for the more intensive agriculture that has made the Midwest one of the world's most productive agricultural areas, the researchers found, "the models show a small increase in precipitation, a drop in temperature, and an increase in atmospheric humidity," Eltahir saysexactly what the climate records actually show. That distinctive "fingerprint," he says, strongly suggests a causative association. "During the 20th century, the midwestern U.S. experienced regional climate change that's more consistent with what we'd expect from land-use changes as opposed to other forcings," he says. Changes in average summertime temperatures are shown on this map, with higher than average temperatures in red, lower than average in blue. The analysis shows a very strong correlation between the areas with increased crop production, higher rainfall, and lower temperatures. Credit: Massachusetts Institute of Technology This finding in no way contradicts the overall pattern of global warming, Eltahir stresses. But in order to refine the models and improve the accuracy of climate predictions, "we need to understand some of these regional and local processes taking place in the background." Unlike land-use changes such as deforestation, which can reduce the absorption of carbon dioxide by trees that can help to ameliorate emissions of the gas, the changes in this case did not reflect any significant increase in the area under cultivation, but rather a dramatic increase in yields from existing farmland. "The area of crops did not expand by a whole lot over that time, but crop production increased substantially, leading to large increases in crop yield," Alter explains. The findings suggest the possibility that at least on a small-scale regional or local level, intensification of agriculture on existing farmland could be a way of doing some local geoengineering to at least slightly lessen the impacts of global warming, Eltahir says. A recent paper from another group in Switzerland suggests just that. But the findings could also portend some negative impacts because the kind of intensification of agricultural yields achieved in the Midwest are unlikely to be repeated, and some of global warming's effects may "have been masked by these regional or local effects. But this was a 20th-century phenomenon, and we don't expect anything similar in the 21st century," Eltahir says. So warming in that region in the future "will not have the benefit of these regional moderators." "This is a really important, excellent study," says Roger Pielke Sr., a senior research scientist at CIRES, at the University of Colorado at Boulder, who was not involved in this work. "The leadership of the climate science community has not yet accepted that human land management is at least as important on regional and local climate as the addition of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere by human activities." Pielke adds that "Professor Eltahir has been one of the pioneers in the improvement of our knowledge on this scientifically and societally important issue." This paper "is a significant contribution on this subject." Explore further Deadly heat waves could hit South Asia this century: study More information: Ross E. Alter et al. Twentieth Century Regional Climate Change During the Summer in the Central United States Attributed to Agricultural Intensification, Geophysical Research Letters (2017). Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters Ross E. Alter et al. Twentieth Century Regional Climate Change During the Summer in the Central United States Attributed to Agricultural Intensification,(2017). DOI: 10.1002/2017GL075604 This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching. NASA's Terra satellite saw powerful Tropical Cyclone Gita in the South Pacific Ocean on Feb. 12 at 5:20 p.m. EST (22:20 UTC). Fiji is located northwest of the storm. Credit: NASA Goddard MODIS Rapid Response Team NASA's Terra satellite provided a visible image of Category 3 Tropical Cyclone Gita as it continues to bring heavy rainfall, powerful winds and storm surge to Fiji Islands after pounding the island of Tonga. On Feb. 12, Gita hit Tonga with the force of a Category 4 hurricane with powerful winds and heavy rainfall, destroying structures and causing flooding. Tonga is a Polynesian kingdom that consists of more than 170 South Pacific islands, many uninhabited. The Tongan government declared a state of emergency on Monday, Feb. 12 and advised the public to stay off the roads. A statement from the Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that Australia and New Zealand were sending humanitarian aid to Tonga. A Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind scale is a major hurricane. The scale defines a Category 3 storm as "Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes." On Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. EST (1500 UTC) Tropical Cyclone Gita had maximum sustained winds near 126.6 mph (110 knots/203.7 kph). Gita's eye was located near 21.1 degrees south latitude and 179.1 degrees east longitude, about 190 nautical miles south-southeast of Suva, Fiji. Gita has tracked westward at 10.3 mph (9 knots/16.6 kph) The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA's Terra satellite saw powerful Tropical Cyclone Gita in the South Pacific Ocean on Feb. 12 at 5:20 p.m. EST (22:20 UTC). The image depicts a well-organized and symmetric tropical cyclone with a distinct eye feature. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center noted that "Upper level analysis shows moderate to unfavorable vertical wind shear, ranging from 25 to 30 knots. The vertical wind shear is offset by a strong poleward outflow channel. Sea surface temperatures remain favorable between 28 and 29 degrees Celsius (82.4 to 84.2 degrees Fahrenheit)." Tropical cyclones need at least 26.6 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit to form or maintain strength). On Feb. 13, warnings were in effect for Fiji. A Gale Warning remained in effect for Ono-I-Lau, Vatoa, Matuku, Totoya, Moala, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands and is cancelled for the rest of southern Lau. A strong wind warning remains in force for the rest of Fiji. For updates from the Tonga Meteorological & Coast Radio Services, visit: http://www.met.gov.to/. For updates from the Fiji Meteorological Service, visit: http://www.met.gov.fj/. Gita is still under the influence of the sub-tropical ridge (elongated area) of high pressure, located to the south and is still being steered westward. The ridge will continue to steer Gita generally westward through the next two days keeping the eye over open waters, south of New Caledonia. Explore further Tropical Cyclone Gita packs heavy rain, warnings now for Tonga and Fiji Many northern fur seal pups die on their initial migration from the Bering Sea to the North Pacific Ocean, but researchers are unsure why. Credit: Jeremy Sterling. Scientists have confirmed what native Alaskans have observed for centuries - maritime winds influence the travel patterns of northern fur seal pups. New research presented at the Ocean Sciences Meeting here today shows strong winds can potentially displace seal pups by hundreds of kilometers during their first winter migration. Most northern fur seals breed on islands in the Bering Sea during the summer and embark on an eight-month-long journey to the North Pacific Ocean to forage for food in November and December of each year. For unexplained reasons, seal births have been declining there since the late 1970s, prompting increased research into the animals' behavior. Researchers found many pups die during their initial migration from the Bering Sea to the North Pacific Ocean, but the rate at which this happens varies from year to year - and scientists are unsure why. New research comparing the movements of individual seal pups during their migration with reconstructions of ocean surface winds shows that as wind speed increases, pups increasingly move downwind and to the right. The preliminary findings suggest surface winds could influence an individual pup's displacement by hundreds of kilometers during their first winter migration. It is unclear whether being blown downwind is helpful or harmful to the seal pups, but the results offer a new insight into environmental effects on seal survival, according to the researchers. "They're at the whims of what's happening in the environment of the North Pacific Ocean," said Noel Pelland, a physical oceanographer and National Research Council postdoctoral associate at NOAA's Alaska Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, Washington, who will present the new research today at the 2018 Ocean Sciences Meeting, co-sponsored by the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography, The Oceanography Society and the American Geophysical Union. This map shows where tagged seal pups went in 2005 and 2015. These illustrate the contrasts between years, in addition to showing where the pups go in general. These are portions of the pup tracks in November-December, just after theyve left their birth islands. The tracks are overlaid on an 1895 chart that depicts the North Pacific Ocean and the understanding at that time of where northern fur seals traveled on their migration. Credit: Noel Pelland/Proceedings of the Tribunal of Arbitration at Paris, Volume 7. Northern fur seals are among the most long-studied marine mammals because of their historical importance to the fur trade. They have been a staple food of native Alaskans for thousands of years and have been commercially harvested for their fur since Europeans arrived in Alaska in the 18th and 19th centuries. In the new research, Pelland and his colleagues analyzed data from more than 150 seal pups equipped with tags that allow satellites to track their movements. The researchers compared the pups' movements to models of wind speed and intensity in the North Pacific from 1997 to 2015. They found differences in the prevailing winds aligned with where the pups ended up. During years when strong winds blew from the west, the pups ended up farther east, in the Gulf of Alaska, by about January 1. But in years where winds were weaker and came from the north, the pups ended up farther south, closer to the Aleutian Islands. The researchers are unsure which scenario is better for pup survival, but the results confirm anecdotal evidence of seal migration behavior observed by native inhabitants of the Aleutian Islands, Pelland said. In 1892, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury sent Captain C. L. Hooper to the Aleutian Islands with instructions to gather as much information as he could about northern fur seals from the Aleuts who lived there and hunted them. The Aleuts consistently told Hooper seals always travel with a fair wind and disliked traveling against the wind. "What's cool is that with this project, we have this sophisticated technology that allows us this unprecedented look at the lives of individual animals, and what it allows us to do is quantify things that may have been known for millenia, by the people who've lived there and experienced this species," Pelland said. More information: "Seals travel with a fair wind": The influence of marine winds on the migration of newly-weaned northern fur seal pups, "Seals travel with a fair wind": The influence of marine winds on the migration of newly-weaned northern fur seal pups, agu.confex.com/agu/os18/meetin app.cgi/Paper/323643 Credit: CC0 Public Domain A small team of researchers from The University of Melbourne, the Georg Eckert Institute and Freie Universitat has found problems with research related to assessing the propensity for war amid environmental changes due to global warming. In their paper published in the journal Nature Climate Change, the group argues that much of current research on the topic suffers from several bias flaws. Cullen Hendrix with the University of Denver outlines the arguments by the research team in the same journal issue and suggests future research efforts will have to be refocused if they are to be useful in predicting future conflicts based on global warming projections. As the planet heats up, some areas are going to become hotter and drier, and if that leads to a reduction in resources available to the people living in those areas, the result is likely to be bloodshed. Some people inside and out of the science community have even gone so far as to suggest that we have already seen examplesfamine and war in Darfur, or on a larger scale, the ongoing Syrian civil war. But, the researchers with this effort point out, making predictions regarding future conflicts must be based on unbiased research efforts, something that has not been done very well so far. The team combed through over 100 papers published from 1990 to 2017 meant to offer insights into the link between global warming and warfare and report finding substantial bias. They found, for example, that much of the research was focused on headline-making conflicts rather than small-scale affairs. They also noted that most of the conflicts occurred in areas where people spoke English, making it easier for the researchers, but leaving out many areas that likely should have studied but did not. They also found that many of the studies focused on areas that were already experiencing conflict, such as Syria and Sudan. But, perhaps most strikingly, they found that areas of study were often not even those that have been deemed more likely to be geographically impacted by a warming planet. They conclude by suggesting biased research in such a context could lead to "reproduction of colonial stereotypes"a reference to English-speaking countries that were once part of the British empire. Explore further Global warming poses substantial flood risk increase for Central and Western Europe More information: Courtland Adams et al. Sampling bias in climateconflict research, Nature Climate Change (2018). Courtland Adams et al. Sampling bias in climateconflict research,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41558-018-0068-2 Abstract Critics have argued that the evidence of an association between climate change and conflict is flawed because the research relies on a dependent variable sampling strategy. Similarly, it has been hypothesized that convenience of access biases the sample of cases studied (the 'streetlight effect'). This also gives rise to claims that the climateconflict literature stigmatizes some places as being more 'naturally' violent. Yet there has been no proof of such sampling patterns. Here we test whether climateconflict research is based on such a biased sample through a systematic review of the literature. We demonstrate that research on climate change and violent conflict suffers from a streetlight effect. Further, studies which focus on a small number of cases in particular are strongly informed by cases where there has been conflict, do not sample on the independent variables (climate impact or risk), and hence tend to find some association between these two variables. These biases mean that research on climate change and conflict primarily focuses on a few accessible regions, overstates the links between both phenomena and cannot explain peaceful outcomes from climate change. This could result in maladaptive responses in those places that are stigmatized as being inherently more prone to climate-induced violence. Journal information: Nature Climate Change 2018 Phys.org Credit: Save the Tasmanian Devil Program Ongoing monitoring of wild Tasmanian devils shows that overall population numbers are continuing to decline, due to the presence of devil facial tumour disease. Results of this researchconducted by the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program (STDP) in collaboration with staff from the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment (DPIPWE), San Diego Zoo Global, Toledo Zoo and the University of Tasmaniawere published this month in the Journal of Applied Ecology, in a paper titled "Density Trends and Demographic Signals Uncover the Long-term Impact of Transmissible Cancer in Tasmanian Devils." Tasmanian devils face extinction in the wild because of devil facial tumor disease, a rare, contagious cancer found only in devils. It is transmitted from one animal to another through biting, a common behavior among devils when mating and feeding. The disease kills all infected devils within 6 to 12 months, and there is no known cure or vaccine. Lead author Billie Lazenby, Ph.D., wildlife biologist with the STDP, indicated that research of devil densities at monitoring sites, together with spotlight counts around the state, show that populations have decreased by about 80 percent following the emergence of devil facial tumour disease (DFTD). "While the number of Tasmanian devils in the wild continues to decline and DFTD is spreading, to date, devils are still found in the wild in Tasmania," she said. "We are now dealing with very small and potentially isolated groups of devils across Tasmania. The ongoing impact of DFTD, which continues to cause high mortality in devils, could make them vulnerable to other threats." Research further indicates that remaining wild populations are showing slight reproductive changes, possibly in response to the challenges posed by the disease. "Devils in diseased areas are now breeding younger and having more pouch young, which has allowed them to persist at low levels in the wild," said Mathias Tobler, Ph.D., Population Sustainability scientist with San Diego Zoo Global. "This research has shown the structure of the wild devil populations in diseased areas has shifted dramatically, with devils over the age of 2 being very rare, compared to sites before DFTD emerged. Earlier breeding in young devils means that they are contracting DFTD younger, often as 1-year-olds." Although these reproductive shifts are allowing the populations of this species to maintain, the overall reduction may indicate that the species is at greater risk of extinction due to other factors. "While devils have persisted to date in the wild, such large reductions in their numbers and the change in their age structure means their populations are impacted more by other threats, such as roadkill, bushfire, loss of genetic diversity, variation in food availability caused by drought and changes in the ecosystem as it responds to the loss of devils in the wild," said David Pemberton, Ph.D., STDP program manager and senior author. "Efforts to manage the devils, such as the development of an immunotherapy, are ongoing, but remain in a research-and-development phase." Tasmanian devils are listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. They are native to the island state of Tasmania, which is part of Australia, where they live in forest, woodland and agricultural areas. Tasmanian devils are nocturnal hunters and use their keen senses of smell and hearing to find prey or carrion. They can give off a fierce snarl and high-pitched scream, which can be heard at feeding time, to establish dominance. San Diego Zoo Global is working with the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program and zoos and universities in Australia to create disease-free populations of this species, to ensure the species does not go extinct. Explore further Stem cell research provides hope for tasmanian devils with a deadly, transmissible cancer The Airbus A321 neo LR(long range) test plane is making its maiden flight across the Atlantic on Tuesday The long-range version of Airbus's updated single-aisle aircraft took off Tuesday on a flight from Paris to New York in what could be a boon for low-cost flights across the Atlantic. The A321neo LR is essentially taking a workhorse of the medium-haul market that is widely used by low-cost airlines and extending its range so it can handle the transatlantic and similar routes. Airbus believes that the plane will help airlines open new market segments and routes. "You can look at it as a step towards the democratisation of long-haul flights where a students on a budget could pay just a bit more for a Paris to New York ticket than what they pay now to fly from Paris to Toulouse" in the south of France," said Cedric Favrichon, an engineer on the flight. Like other Airbus's other 'neo' aircraft, the A321neo LR uses new engines and has other design features meant to conserve considerable amounts of fuel, one of the greatest costs for airlines. The low-cost sector has yet to make much inroads into the transatlantic segment, partially due to the lack of a suitable aircraft. The only other single-aisle aircraft that made transatlantic flights, Boeing's 757, is no longer in production and occasionally needed to stop for fuel if winds were strong. Low-cost Norwegian, which is making transatlantic flights with Boeing's widebody Dreamliner, has ordered 30 A321neo LR aircraft. Airbus has received more than 100 orders for the aircraft. The European aircraft maker believes that in addition to transatlantic flights it could also be used for routes such as Dubai-Beijing, Kuala Lumpur-Tokyo or Singapore-Sydney where long-haul carriers are currently needed. Airbus is hoping to obtain certification from US and EU regulators in the coming months for the aircraft so it may enter service by the end of the year. Boeing is expected to make a decision this year whether it will launch an aircraft in this segment, which it estimates at some 4,000 aircraft. Explore further Emirates throws Airbus A380 a lifeline with jumbo order 2018 AFP Villi-like extensions that primary small intestinal cells protrude into the lumen of the epithelial channel of the chip. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University The small intestine is the main site where we digest and absorb nutrients and minerals from food, and it is also a place where many intestinal infections occur and digestive and inflammatory disorders manifest themselves. To better understand the intestine in its normal and pathological states, researchers have created "organoids" by isolating intestinal stem cells from human biopsy samples. These organoids form all of the cell types present in human intestine, but they grow as cysts surrounded by thick extracellular matrix gels with their "apical" cell surface (which is normally exposed to the content of the gut) facing an enclosed lumen. This prevents the study of dynamic processes involving the intestinal barrier, including nutrient and drug transport, as well as its interactions with the microbiome. In addition, organoids lack a vasculature and the mechanical movements caused by normal peristalsis and blood flow, which are vital for many processes in the gut, including its regeneration and control of bacterial overgrowth. In an effort to overcome these limitations, a team at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering led by its Founding Director, Donald Ingber, M.D., Ph.D., had previously engineered a microfluidic "Organ-on-a-Chip" (Organ Chip) culture device in which cells from a human intestinal cell line originally isolated from a tumor were cultured in one of two parallel running channels, separated by a porous matrix-coated membrane from human blood vessel-derived endothelial cells in the adjacent channel. Although this human Gut Chip recreated the villus epithelium of normal intestine and enabled new insights into how flow and cyclic peristalsis affects intestinal differentiation and function, it could not be used to study processes that relied on normal intestinal cells from individual donors, which, for example, is crucial for studying patient-specific responses for personalized medicine. In a new study, published in Scientific Reports, Ingber's team now removes these roadblocks. "We are now able to leverage the organoid approach to isolate intestinal stem cells from human biopsies, but we break up the organoids and culture the patient-specific cells within our Organ Chips where they spontaneously form intestinal villi oriented towards the channel lumen, and the epithelium in close apposition to human intestinal microvascular endothelium," said Ingber, who is also the Judah Folkman Professor of Vascular Biology at Harvard Medical School (HMS) and the Vascular Biology Program at Boston Children's Hospital, as well as Professor of Bioengineering at Harvard's John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). "This approach presents a new stepping stone for the investigation of normal and disease-related processes in a highly personalized manner, including the transport of nutrients, digestion, different intestinal disorders, and intestinal interactions with commensal microbes as well as pathogens." A series of confocal microscopy sections taken through the intestinal epithelial and vascular channels of the primary Small Intestine-on-a-Chip visualizes first the surface of epithelial villi-like structures (in red) and nuclei (in blue) of small intestinal epithelial cells in the intestinal channel, and then cell-cell contacts (in green) of intestinal endothelial cells in the adjacent vascular channel. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University The team collaborated with David Breault's laboratory at Boston Children's Hospital to build an organoid culture step into their procedure to isolate normal intestinal stem cells and increase their cell numbers. The resulting organoids could either be banked for future use or immediately fragmented and seeded into the "epithelial" channels of multiple Organ Chips where they were further matured by flowing specialized culture medium and applying mechanical stimulation to the channels to mimic physiological peristalsis-like motions. The epithelium's maturation into a villus intestinal epithelium with long finger-like extensions was helped along by co-culturing human intestinal microvascular endothelial cells on the opposite side of the shared matrix-coated porous membrane in the "vascular" channel where they assembled a surrogate blood vessel with a hollow lumen through which feeding medium was flowed. Thus, combining two of the most advanced technologies in the field of tissue engineering ? organoid culture and Organ Chips ? allowed the generation of intestine tissues and organ-level structures lined by human donor-specific cells with morphology, composition, and function strongly resembling that of the duodenal region of normal small intestine. "Because the primary Small Intestine Chip recapitulates the physical microenvironment that cells experience inside the human body, such as fluid flow and cyclic peristalsis-like stretching motions, it exhibits a genome-wide gene expression profile that comes closer to its in vivo counterpart than that of the same intestinal cells grown as 3D organoids," said first-author Magdalena Kasendra, Ph.D., a former Postdoctoral Fellow on Ingber's team and now Principal Scientist at Emulate, Inc. in Boston. Along with intestinal stem cells, the team identified differentiated nutrient-digesting and absorbing enterocytes, mucus-producing Goblet cells, hormone-secreting enteroendocrine cells, and microbiome-regulating and sensing Paneth cells, and they performed a series of assays that confirmed their functions. As the small intestinal microenvironment can be maintained for weeks in continuously perfused Organ Chips, they enable both short and longer-term studies whose observations can be related back to the health and physiology of individual donors. Ingber's team is applying the same approach now to different regions of the intestineduodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colonwhose functions and disease vulnerabilities differ from one another. This approach is also being used to reverse engineer even more complex gut environments by integrating other cell types, such as immune cells, neuronal cells, and commensal microbes into the device. "In the future, such efforts could allow us to much better understand human-microbiome interactions, model malnutrition disorders and inflammatory diseases of the gut, and perform personalized drug testing," said co-first author Alessio Tovaglieri, a Graduate Student at the Department of Health Science and Technology at ETH Zurich in Switzerland, who performs his thesis work on Ingber's team. Explore further Unexpected findings prompt re-evaluation of how the intestine repairs itself More information: Magdalena Kasendra et al, Development of a primary human Small Intestine-on-a-Chip using biopsy-derived organoids, Scientific Reports (2018). Journal information: Scientific Reports Magdalena Kasendra et al, Development of a primary human Small Intestine-on-a-Chip using biopsy-derived organoids,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21201-7 Credit: Adobestock The JRC has launched a new tool with data on all 10,000 urban centres scattered across the globe. It is the largest and most comprehensive database on cities ever published. With data derived from the JRC's Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL), researchers have discovered that the world has become even more urbanised than previously thought. Populations in urban areas doubled in Africa and grew by 1.1 billion in Asia between 1990 and 2015. Globally, more than 400 cities have a population between 1 and 5 million. More than 40 cities have 5 to 10 million people, and there are 32 'megacities' with above 10 million inhabitants. There are some promising signs for the environment: Cities became 25% greener between 2000 and 2015. And although air pollution in urban centres was increasing from 1990, between 2000 and 2015 the trend was reversed. With every high density area of at least 50,000 inhabitants covered, the city centres database shows growth in population and built-up areas over the past 40 years. Environmental factors tracked include: 'Greenness': the estimated amount of healthy vegetation in the city centre Soil sealing: the covering of the soil surface with materials like concrete and stone, as a result of new buildings, roads and other public and private spaces Air pollution: the level of polluting particles such as PM2.5 in the air Vicinity to protected areas: the percentage of natural protected space within 30 km distance from the city centre's border Disaster risk-related exposure of population and buildings in low lying areas and on steep slopes. The data is free to access and open to everyone. It applies big data analytics and a global, people-based definition of cities, providing support to monitor global urbanisation and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The information gained from the GHSL is used to map out population density and settlement maps. Satellite, census and local geographic information are used to create the maps. Background The city centres database is showcased for the first time today at the 9th annual World Urban Forum in Kuala Lumpur. The World Urban Forum was created by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme in 2002 to examine rapid urbanisation and the impact this has on the population, communities, economy and climate. The JRC has organised training at this year's event, on open data and tools for the New Urban Agenda as well as monitoring urban development with the GHSL database. The JRC also provides expert input to discussions at the Forum on the global definition of cities. In the frame of the Better Knowledge Pillar of the Urban Agenda for the EU, the Commission also promotes the development of analytical tools such as the JRC's Urban Data Platform and Territorial Dashboard. These online platforms enable a wide range of stakeholders to explore future urban and regional scenarios. The tools are being expanded to cover other global regions beyond Europe, including Africa. Explore further New satellite image database maps the dynamics of human presence on Earth A 32x32 TES X-ray microcalorimeter array that is a candidate for use in the Athena X-IFU demonstration model. The individual, closely packed Au/Bi absorbers are arrayed on a 0.25 mm grid. Credit: NASA NASA is part of an international team developing a cutting edge microcalorimeter X-ray camera that will provide extraordinarily detailed information about energetic cosmic phenomena. An X-ray microcalorimeter is a non-dispersive spectrometer that uses an equilibrium approach to energy measurementthe energy of an X-ray photon heats an isolated thermal mass, and the temperature change is measured. The ultimate energy resolution is determined by how well the temperature pulse can be measured against a background of thermal fluctuations; thus, high-resolution spectrometers must be operated at very low temperatures (< 0.1 K). The basic idea for these instruments was proposed three decades ago, but since then, a variety of implementations and optimizations have been developed, with a steady improvement in capability and an increase in the number of imaging elements (pixels). With each improvement, new mission concepts are developed that require even larger arrays. The NASA/Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Soft X-ray Spectrometer (SXS) instrument onboard the JAXA Hitomi mission had 36 pixels, but the X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) instrument that will fly on the European Space Agency's Athena mission requires an array of about 4000 pixels, each about 0.25 mm wide (covering 5 arc seconds of the sky). X-IFU will be a groundbreaking X-ray camera capable of distinguishing tens of thousands of X-ray colors. As part of the X-IFU consortium, NASA is developing the superconducting transition edge sensor (TES) array employed on the instrument. These sensors, composed of Molybdenum/ Gold TES thermometers and Gold/Bismuth X-ray absorbers, achieve better than 2.5 eV resolution. An example of a hybrid array consisting of a 10 x 10 array of small-pixel TESs with Au absorbers (0.05 mm pitch) surrounded by an array of larger pixels with composite Au/Bi absorbers (0.25 mm pitch). Such an array was considered for X-IFU to provide a central region optimized for higher spectral resolution or higher count rates. Credit: NASA Cosmic phenomena that produce X rays characterize the evolution of cosmic structures on both large and small scales. High-resolution X-ray spectroscopy can determine density and temperature, identify ions and determine their velocities, and enable scientists to study effects such as turbulence or the environment near supermassive black holes. Combining imaging with spectroscopy, a microcalorimeter instrument probes dynamics and variations within spatially extended objects such as supernova remnants and galaxy clusters with unprecedented sensitivity. In 2016, the NASA team focused on working with partners at SRON, the Netherlands Institute for Space Research, to prepare for an X-IFU demonstration model incorporating a kilopixel TES array. Because the planned readout for X-IFU uses frequency-division multiplexing, which involves applying alternating voltages to the TES thermometers, the near-term focus has been on determining the optimal pixel design for that mode of operation. Important progress was also achieved using backup multiplexing technologies that apply a constant voltage to the TES thermometers (time-division and code-division). A timedivision multiplexing demonstration of a column of 32 TES pixels achieved 2.55 eV average energy resolution at 6 keV at a speed appropriate for the original X-IFU baseline. The team completed the layout for a full-sized X-IFU prototype array, and in the next year these prototypes will be fabricated and tested. The team also successfully demonstrated that pixels with different characteristics (width, X-ray absorber materials and thickness, and superconducting transition temperature) can be incorporated into a single array, should it be determined to be optimal to do so on X-IFU or another mission. Simulated map of line-of-sight velocities in the X-ray emitting gas in a galaxy cluster like the Perseus cluster, as determined from the high-resolution X-ray spectrum that the X-IFU will measure for each pixel. (Credit: left panel of Fig 2 in Barret et al. 2016, Proc. SPIE. 9905, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2016: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray, 99052F). Credit: NASA Illinois Supreme Court Rules ban on Guns within 1000 feet of Parks Unconstitutional Dean Weingarten. February 10th, 2018 Original Article Source The Supreme Court of the State of Illinois has ruled that a state ban on carrying guns within a 1,000 feet of a park is obviously unconstitutional. It is unconstitutional because it "directly implicates the core right of self-defense". From reason.com: Yesterday the Illinois Supreme Court unanimously ruled that a state ban on carrying guns within 1,000 feet of a public park violates the constitutional right to bear arms. The decision in People v. Chairez extends the logic of prior rulings by the same court and by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit holding that Second Amendment rights exist outside the home and cannot be categorically restricted without a strong justification. The decision is a number of pages long, and is well written. For those who do not have the time to read it in its entirety, this paragraph explains the logic of the court. From People v. Chairez at illinoiscourts.gov: We believe the State defines the core right protected by the second amendment too narrowly. According to this court's holding in Aguilar, neither Heller nor McDonald expressly limited the second amendment protections to the home. Aguilar, 2013 IL 112116, 18-20. To the contrary, both Heller and McDonald at least strongly suggest that the second amendment right to keep and bear arms extends beyond the home. Id. 20. Moreover, the State's reliance on Skoien--which did not involve the core self-defense component of the right to bear arms--is misplaced. We find that the 1000-foot firearm restriction at issue more closely resembles the restrictions at issue in Ezell I, Ezell II, Moore, and Aguilar. In fact, the 1000-foot firearm restriction not only directly implicates the core right to self-defense, it does so more severely than the regulations at issue in the Ezell cases. That is so because section 24-1(a)(4), (c)(1.5) of the UUW statute prohibits the carriage of weapons in public for self-defense, thereby reaching the core of the second amendment. While in the Ezell cases, the laws only affected a right (maintain firearm proficiency) that was merely a "corollary" to the right to possess firearms for self-defense. Although the firearm restriction at issue is not a comprehensive statewide ban, like in Moore or Aguilar, the restriction is not minimal. The firearm restriction not only covers a vast number of public areas across the state, it encompasses areas this court held in Mosley to be areas where an individual enjoys second amendment protection, i.e., public ways. See Mosley, 2015 IL 115872, 25. As to the second variable on the sliding scale, the severity of the law's burden on the right, the law at issue affects the gun rights of the entire law-abiding population of Illinois like the laws in Moore, Ezell, Aguilar, and Mosley. As in those cases, the law functions as a categorical prohibition without providing an exception for law-abiding individuals. It is therefore a severe burden on the recognized second amendment right of self-defense. There are obvious implications for equally severe burdens placed on the exercise of Second Amendment rights by the bizarre "Gun Free School Zone Act"of 1996. That act bans the carry of guns within 1,000 feet of a school. The first federal ban on guns in and around schools was the Gun Free School Zone Act of 1990. It was held to be unconstitutional in U.S. v. Lopez in 1995. Janet Reno and Bill Clinton lobbied hard for superficial changes to the bill, and passed it again, in 1996. U.S. v. Lopez did not rule on the constitutionality of the act under the Second Amendment, but invalidated the bill because it did not involve interstate commerce, thus limiting federal authority. The Illinois Supreme Court is following, and building on, the precedent set at the 7th Circuit with Moore v. Madigan and the Illinois Supreme Court with People v. Aguilar. It is uncertain when we may see those arguments applied to the federal Gun Free School Zone Act, but I expect we will see them. The possibility of a rational ruling will be enhanced if President Trump appoints another strict constructionist and textualist, as he did with Justice Gorsuch. 2018 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included. Gun Watch Back to Top February 13, 2018 in Education (E) [prMac.com] Saint Louis, Missouri - Mobile app developer, Peak Reality, LLC is pleased to announce that they have released AR Flashcards Abraham Lincoln to the Apple App Store. This is an augmented reality app using Apple's ARkit to learn about Lincoln's life. AR Flashcards Abraham Lincoln makes learning about America's 16th President more immersive and fun than ever before. Using Apple's ARkit, users can place a full sized Abraham Lincoln on the ground and watch him recite the Gettysburg Address. Users can also place doorways on the ground and step through them with their device to suddenly be transported to real historical places that Lincoln grew up in. Since launching AR Flashcards Animal Alphabet in 2012, developers Heath Mitchell and David Callahan have grown the AR Flashcards brand to over 1 million downloads. "We wanted to create an experience where people of all ages could visit real historical places that Lincoln lived as he was growing up," says Heath Mitchell, lead developer. "Our hope is people will learn something about Lincoln that they never knew." Peak Reality recently updated all of their apps to be compatible with the recently released iOS 11 for Apple devices. Interview opportunities, screen shots and digital downloads are available for working media. Device Requirements: * iPhone SE or later, and iPad 5th generation or later * Requires iOS 11.0 or later * 512.8 MB Pricing and Availability: AR Flashcards Abraham Lincoln is Free (With In-App Purchases) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Education category. For more information, please contact Heath Mitchell. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, Peak Reality created AR Flashcards Animal Alphabet, their first mobile app in 2012. Using augmented reality and mobile technology, Peak Reality has reached over one million users providing children with a unique way to integrate technology into a learning environment. Recently, Peak Reality has been partnering with museums to create immersive interactive experiences. All Material and Software (C) Copyright 2018 Peak Reality, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPod and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other trademarks and registered trademarks may be the property of their respective owners. ### Reinsurance Group of America, Inc. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of traditional and non-traditional life and health reinsurance products. It operates through the following segments: U.S. and Latin America; Canada; Europe, Middle East, and Africa; Asia Pacific; and Corporate and Other. The U.S. and Latin America segment markets individual and group life and health reinsurance to domestic clients for a variety of products through yearly renewable term agreements, coinsurance, and modified coinsurance. The Canada segment offers individual life reinsurance, and to a lesser extent creditor, group life and health, critical illness and disability reinsurance, through yearly renewable term and coinsurance agreements. The Europe, Middle East, and Africa segment serves individual and group life and health products through yearly renewable term and coinsurance agreements, reinsurance of critical illness coverage that provides a benefit in the event of the diagnosis of a pre-defined critical illness and underwritten annuities. The Asia Pacific segment comprises individual and group life and health reinsurance, critical illness coverage, disability, and superannuation thr Read More Genworth Financial, Inc. is a financial services company, which engages in the provision of insurance, wealth management, investment and financial solutions. It operates through the following segments: U.S. Mortgage Insurance, Australia Mortgage Insurance, U.S. Life Insurance, and Runoff. The U.S. Mortgage Insurance segment offers mortgage insurance products predominantly insuring prime-based, individually underwritten residential mortgage loans. The Australia Mortgage Insurance segment offers flow mortgage insurance and selectively provides bulk mortgage insurance that aids in the sale of mortgages to the capital markets and helps lenders manage capital and risk. The U.S. Life Insurance segment offers long-term care insurance products as well as service traditional life insurance and fixed annuity products in the United States. The Runoff segment includes the results of non-strategic products which are no longer actively sold but continue to service its existing blocks of business. Its non-strategic products primarily include variable annuity, variable life insurance, institutional, corporate-owned life insurance and other accident and health insurance products. The company was fo Read More On model development, and sanity Posted on 13 February 2018 by Guest Author This is a re-post from ClimateSight When I was a brand-new PhD student, full of innocence and optimism, I loved solving bugs. I loved the challenge of it and the rush I felt when I succeeded. I knew that if I threw all of my energy at a bug, I could solve it in two days, three days tops. I was full of confidence and hope. I had absolutely no idea what I was in for. Now I am in the final days of my PhD, slightly jaded and a bit cynical, and I still love solving bugs. I love slowly untangling the long chain of cause and effect that is making my model do something weird. I love methodically ruling out possible sources of the problem until I eventually have a breakthrough. I am still full of confidence and hope. But its been a long road for me to come around full circle like this. As part of my PhD, I took a long journey into the world of model coupling. This basically consisted of taking an ocean model and a sea ice model and bashing them together until they got along. The coupling code had already been written by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute for Arctic domains, but it was my job to adapt the model for an Antarctic domain with ice shelf cavities, and to help the master development team find and fix any problems in their beta code. The goal was to develop a model configuration that was sufficiently realistic for published simulations, to help us understand processes on the Antarctic continental shelf and in ice shelf cavities. Spoiler alert, I succeeded. (Paper #1! Paper #2!) But this outcome was far from obvious for most of my PhD. I spent about two and a half years gripped by the fear that my model would never be good enough, that I would never have any publishable results, that my entire PhD would be a failure, etc., etc. My wonderful supervisor insisted that she had absolute confidence in my success at every step along the way. I was afraid to believe her. Model coupling is a shitfight, and anyone who tells you otherwise has never tried it. There is a big difference between a model that compiles and runs with no errors, and a model that produces results in the same galaxy as reality. For quite a while my model output did seem to be from another galaxy. Transport through Drake Passage how we measure the strongest ocean current in the world was going backwards. In a few model cells near the Antarctic coast, sea ice grew and grew and grew until it was more than a kilometre thick. Full-depth convection, from the ocean surface to the seafloor, was active through most of the Southern Ocean. Sea ice refused to export from the continental shelf, where it got thicker and thicker and older and older, while completely disappearing offshore. How did I fix these bugs? Slowly. Carefully. Methodically. And once in a while, frantically trying everything I could think of at the same time, flailing in all directions. (Sometimes this works! But not usually.) My colleagues (who seem to regard me as The Fixer of Bugs) sometimes ask what my strategy is, if there is a fixed framework they can follow to solve bugs of their own. But I dont really have a strategy. Its different every time. Its very hard to switch off from model development, as the bugs sit in the back of your brain and follow you around day and night. Sometimes this constant, low-level mulling-over is helpful the solutions to several bugs have come to me while in the shower, or walking to the shops, or sitting in a lecture theatre waiting for a seminar to start. But usually bug-brain just gets in the way and prevents you from fully relaxing. I remember one night when I didnt sleep a wink because every time I closed my eyes all I could see were contour plots of sea ice concentration. Another day, at the pub with my colleagues to celebrate a friends PhD submission, I stirred my mojito with a straw and thought about stratification of Southern Ocean water masses. *** When you spend all your time working towards a goal, you start to glorify the way you will feel when that goal is reached. The Day When This Bug Is Fixed. Or even better, The Day When All The Bugs Are Fixed. The clouds will part, and the angels will sing, and the happiness you feel will far outweigh all the strife and struggle it took to get there. Im going to spoil it for you: thats not how it feels. That is just a fiction we tell ourselves to get through the difficult days. When my model was finally good enough, I didnt really feel anything. Its like when your paper is finally accepted after many rounds of peer review and youre so tired of the whole thing that youre just happy to see the back of it. Another item checked off the list. Time to move on to the next project. And the nihilism descends. But heres the most important thing. I regret nothing. Model development has been painful and difficult and all-consuming, but its also one of the most worthwhile and strangely joyful experiences Ive had in my life. (What is it that mothers say about childbirth?) Its been fantastic for my career, despite the initial dry spell in publications, because it turns out that employers love to hire model developers. And I think Ive come out of it tough as nails because the stress of assembling a PhD thesis has been downright relaxing in comparison. Most importantly, model development is fun. I cant say that enough times. Model development is FUN. *** A few months ago I visited one of our partner labs for the last time. I felt like a celebrity. Now that I had results, everyone wanted to talk to me. If you would like to arrange a meeting with Kaitlin, please contact her directly, the group email said, just like if I were a visiting professor. I had a meeting with a PhD student who was in the second year of a model development project. How are you doing? I asked, with a knowing gaze like a war-weary soldier. Im doing okay, he said bravely. Ive started meditating. So he had reached the meditation stage. That was a bad sign. Try not to worry, I said. It gets better, and it will all work out somehow in the end. Would you like to hear about the kinds of bugs I was dealing with when I was in my second year? I like to think I gave him hope. SHOPIAN:Thousands of people Sunday morning participated in the funeral prayers of Saima Jan who was injured in army firing at Audoo village of shopian in January and succumbed to injuries at SKIMS Soura on last evening after battling with life for around 18 days. Saima was buried next to the grave of her slain militant brother, Sameer Ahmad wani, who was one among the two local militants killed in a brief encounter at Audoo village on January 24. Her classmates, cousins and friends, who had travelled from different neighbouring villages, were dismal. A large number of girls and women were seen participating in her funeral procession who raised anti-Indian and pro-freedom slogans. Some girls, who were participating in the procession, were seen fainting. Two rounds of funeral prayers were held for slain Saima in which around 4 thousand people from different villages of Shopian and Pulwama including Chaigund, Dairyoo, Rajpora, Shadimarg, Yedepora, Gabarpora, Wathoo, Tengwani, Qalampora, Ganowpora, Nadipora, Balapora, Keegam, Nikas, Bellov and Drabgama participated. She was my classmate and we used to call her Sabreena at home, one of her cousins said, adding that she was very brilliant student of arts stream. She had recently passed 12th class examination from higher secondary school Keegam and secured 368 marks out of 500, the cousin said. Saima was elder than Sameer by some months and they were batch-mates up to 12th class. Sameer had dropped out from 12th class to join militant ranks before he was killed with another local militant, Firdous Ahmad of neighbouring Ganowpora village. Saima is survived by a younger brother, Sayar Amad Wani and an elder sister, Masrat Hilal, both of whom are students. Another cousin informed that Saima, who had received a bullet injury on head, was operated twice at SKIMS Soura. She was in coma for about 16 days and two days ago she was shifted from ICU (intensive care unit) to general ward, he said, adding that two days back she opened her eyes and showed some movement in one hand. He further said that doctors had informed them that if Saima recovers her left side would remain paralyzed. Recalling the fateful day, villagers in Audoo said that Army opened targeted fire on Saima, who was standing near her house with five other cousin sisters. She received a bullet on head, a cousin, Asif Ahmad, said. He further said that army didnt allow them to take her to hospital for around 30 minutes during which she bled profusely. We took injured Saima to a neighbouring village and from there a vehicle was arranged, he said. Saima was taken to district hospital Pulwama where from she was shifted to SKIMS. Another girl, Sumiya, daughter of Ghulam Hassan Bhat, was also injured in army firing in Audoo and a boy, Shakir Ahmad Mir, of neighbouring Qalampora village died on spot after receiving a fire from army. Two students, Suhail Javid of Ganowpora and Javid Ahmad Bhat of Balapora died in army firing on civilians in Ganowpora village on January 27 and another youth, Rayees Ahmad Ganie of Nadipora village who was critically injured, succumbed at SKIMS Soura on January 31. Another boy, Musharraf Yusuf Najar, 10, of Daramdora village, who was injured on 24 January after fiddling with an explosive substance, he had brought home from site of encounter at Audoo, too succumbed at SKIMS on February 1. Meanwhile, mobile internet was snapped in twin districts of Shopian and Pulwama A new trailer for John Krasinskis upcoming film A Quiet Place was released Monday, and it looks like its going to be two films in one. On its face, its the story of a family trying to survive an invasion from creaturesits not clear if theyre zombies or aliens or whatwho use sound to hunt their prey. But as in any movie about earthshaking developments, the real story is happening in the background, in Americas newsrooms, as fearless journalists risk everything to explain to the public that civilization is over forever. Lets see how they did! Newspapers Newspapers really killed it when it came to covering everyone in the world getting killed! The San Francisco Chronicles front page from Nov. 27, 2018, is a perfect example: look how the heavy type and traditional forms instantly convey the gravity of the situation: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chronicle immediately conveys the most important facts in the story (SHANGHAI DEATH TOLL IN THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS), even if the story itself is much smaller and more difficult to read and the few legible words dont seem to be related to the Shanghai Death Toll. Still, most people never read past the headline, so bravo, Chronicle. Tabloid papers, too, had their role to play in the destruction of human civilization as portrayed in the trailer for A Quiet Place, as can be seen in this iconic front-page image: Advertisement Advertisement Who knows which editor had the idea of placing a low-angle photograph of the U.S. military looking heroicand so unconcerned about making noise that theyre flying around in helicoptersover the headline U.S. Military Defeated: We can no longer protect you, but it speaks to its own sort of heroism. We hope the full film makes it clear whether or not readers had time to appreciate the photo choice before the zombies or aliens or whatever they are killed everyone involved in the production of this newspaper. Less impressive: Bobby Buckler (?) and Carl Russels reporting, for a traditional broadsheet paper, hanging next to it. IN/OUT CLOSED POWER OUTAGES is a pretty good headline about the difficulty of getting delicious hamburgers and horrible French fries during a civilizational collapse. And Magnetic Pulses Cripple Wall Street as Financial Districts Hard Drives are Wiped seems like a pretty informative, if not completely related subhead. But what the hell is going on with this lede, which is legible if you zoom in? Advertisement Advertisement The 238 passengers and crew members of MH370 came from 13 different countries, but their families share a common pain, the roller coaster ride of hope and the despair of not knowing what happened to their mother, husband, daughter, father, wife or son. Not only does that have nothing to do with In-N-Out or Wall Street, it seems to be lifted from a blog post about grieving after a disaster where bodies arent recovered, as posted on CremationSolutions.com! Its inevitable that some journalistic standards will suffer as human civilization comes to an end for all time, but plagiarism? Unacceptable. The split between lively, vibrant tabloid coverage and hidebound old-line newspapers is clear in this shot, too: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not bullets, not bombs! Armor is impenetrable! is a great pull-quote, even if its unclear which of the joint chiefs said it, or why he or she was speaking in sentence fragments. Contrast that with NO CHOICE BUT FORCE DECLARES PRESIDENT on the right. First of all, its basically the New York Times subhead from the opening of the first Gulf War. Second, at the end of the article is a bunch of white space and a WEEKEND ARTS section with stories headlined Brawn and Brains Battle Beauty and Whole Lotta Wishin Goin On. This checks out: theres certainly a battle, though its unclear which side has brawn and brains and which has beauty, and there would be a whole lotta wishin going on as the world came to an end. But for Gods sake, editors, let your arts writers go home to be with their families instead of searching for culture angle! The few surviving humans probably dont care much about the arts anymore, anyway. Advertisement On the whole, the print coverage of the humanity-ending disaster in the trailer for A Quiet Place seems to have widened existing divisions between older newspapers and more agile and lively tabloids as the industry contracts. Still, its clear that print offers the most comprehensive coverage of everyone getting killed, even considering plagiarism scandals like the one sparked by that story about the end of Wall Street. Television Television coverage of humankinds end in the trailer from A Quiet Place is terrible, and baffling besides. Heres a complete transcript of the coverage: Advertisement Advertisement finding a massive invasion around the world an attack total devastation. Perhaps, as our species packs it in for once and for all, some of the countrys remaining citizens would still absorb their news by channel-surfing. And its true that these little sound bites convey the gist of the story: everyone is going to die, very, very soon. But theres no depth to this coverage, and the trailers context-free visuals the of TV news raises even more questions: Advertisement Advertisement While its reassuring to see that TV news remains committed to the put a camera in front of a disaster style of reporting that served them so well when the world wasnt ending, thats a vintage CRT picking up what looks like an over-the-air broadcast, judging from the static. Why is a TV station broadcasting in analog in 2018? Did local broadcasters snap back up the entire TV spectrum the second the FCC collapsed? Is that a black and white broadcast or a black and white television? The trailer for A Quiet Place answers none of these critical questions about the television industrys coverage of the violent deaths of everyone youve ever met or cared about, and frankly, it would be a better trailer if it did. Advertisement Advertisement But theres still enough evidence here to judge TV news performance compared to other forms of media, and to find it lacking. While its understandable that local television markets would be thrown into chaos by the wholesale slaughter of virtually every human being, its still disappointing to see this sort of industry-wide disarray, even more so than it was to see the print medias end-of-the-world plagiarism troubles. After all, that scandal was just caused by a few rogue reporters who presumably met unspeakable ends shortly afterward. The problems with television coverage, on the other hand, are clearly systemic in nature. On the bright side, the extinction of humanity would presumably break Sinclair Broadcast Groups stranglehold on local markets. Citizen Journalists On the right side of this shot, you can see Emily Blunts notes on the creatures that killed off most of her species: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They read, in their entirety: London 19:49 Bogota 19:52 Moscow 19:54 Boston 19:58 NO PATTERN Questions How Many? 3 5 Demands? Organized? Attack in packs? [Ed.: this is circled, for some reason.] WHY DONT THEY EAT THEIR KILL Confirmed Blind Attack sound! What is the WEAKNESS [Ed.: WEAKNESS has a box drawn around it.] Advertisement Good reporting can come from anyone, but what the fuck, Emily Blunt? Theres no structure, no throughline, no sign that this sort of reporting could (or should) ever even stand alongside professional journalism, let alone take its place. The trailer for A Quiet Place makes a clear and convincing argument that as economic pressures (and hordes of murderous, humanoid creatures with an implacable lust for human blood) shutter the remaining legacy media outlets, we can expect a sharp decline in the quality and quantity of local coverage that bloggers will do little to stem. As if to emphasize this point, the same shot has an image of a newspaper with a headline that shows exactly why older forms of media will matter more than amateur reporting when the creatures from the trailer to A Quiet Place arrive to destroy us all. DEATH ANGELS, it reads: simple, succinct, perfect. Now thats the kind of sharp phrasemaking that will be more important than ever as we wait to be slaughtered by sound-hunting creatures from beyond time and space. On its April 6 release, will A Quiet Place instantly become the Trump eras next beloved paean to old-fashioned shoe-leather reporting, in the vein of Spotlight or The Post? You read it here first. Mallory Ortberg is online weekly to chat live with readers. Heres an edited transcript of this weeks chat. To get advice from Prudie: Send questions for publication to prudence@slate.com. (Questions may be edited.) Join the live chat Mondays at noon. Submit your questions and comments here before or during the discussion. Call the voicemail of the Dear Prudence podcast at 401-371-DEAR (3327) to hear your question answered on a future episode of the show. Q. Thanks, but I dont need a babysitter: My baby (our only child) is 11 weeks old, and I have just returned to work after maternity leave. Ever since he was a month old, my husband and mother-in-law have been looking for opportunities to have my mother-in-law babysit to give me a break. She has kept the baby twiceonce was even overnight. I missed him terribly both times and decided that Im just not ready yet to hand him over to a babysitter for no good reason. I dont feel like the stereotypical frazzled new mom, and I enjoy taking care of him and having him with me. I told my husband this after my mother-in-laws most recent offer to babysit, and his feelings were hurt because he thinks I dont appreciate the help. The pressure to leave him is not helpful! I know the baby would be well cared for, so I dont think its an issue of being overprotective. How can I communicate to them that I just want to spend time enjoying my child, especially now that Im back at work, without offending everyone? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A: Im sure the day will come when Im ready to take a break from baby duty and Ill be so grateful for your help then, but right now I want to spend as much time with him as I can. Why dont you come over for playtime next Thursday? Q. New(ish) boyfriendthe kid question: My boyfriend and I met via a podcast around three months ago. It was a total fluke, and I am happy we met. We get along so well, and I really like him. Im a 25-year-old teacher, and hes a 27-year-old software programmer. This is both of our first serious relationship. Im white and was raised in the Midwest but lived abroad for a couple of years. He is from southern India and came here to live and work when he was 21. He has a house, a nice 401(k), and a car. Im finishing up living with my parents while throwing money at student loans. I say all this because the other day he asked whether I see myself having kids. I answered that I hadnt really given it an extensive amount of thought but was kind of on the fence. He really wants to get married and have kids by the time hes 31, at the latest. Advertisement Advertisement We both agreed we wouldnt be compatible long term if we had different thoughts on this. I dont know what to do. He said he would give me time to thinklike around a monthbut I dont know if I can give him a clear answer within that timeframe. I just think he has more of his life together and is more anxious to start this next stage than I am. Should I set him loose to find his marriage-ready match while I mourn the loss of a good relationship, or bide my time? Advertisement A: A month isnt very much time to decide whether or not you want to have children in the next four years before your boyfriend turns 31. You like him, but youre not in love, and youve only been seeing each other for a few months. Hes extremely clear about the timeline he has in mind for getting married and having children, while youre on the fence about the entire subject. We both agreed we wouldnt be compatible long term if we had different thoughts on this is your answer. You two have different thoughts on this, and youre not compatible long term. Uncertainty, unreadiness, or indifference is just as important to pay attention to as a firm, obvious No. Enjoy this relationship for what it was, and wish him the best. Advertisement Advertisement Q. My ex wants me to help him pick out sex toys for his new gf: I broke things off with my boyfriend of 18 months because I felt like he was always pushing me into things I was uncomfortable with, whether that be connected to money, sex, or something else. I didnt say no firmly enough because I always felt like I had to be cool or chill or measure up to his gorgeous, laissez-faire ex. I honestly felt amazing after the breakup, and I assumed hed be happy too, since he always talked about things I couldnt give himbut he was angry instead. Weve maintained an acquaintanceship at his request, but barely. Recently I had a very weird experience: He texted me asking, in detail, for help picking out sex toys for his new gf. I assumed he was drunk and ignored it, but he followed up the next day. Advertisement This is weird, right? Im torn between ignoring him and wanting to send him something snarky and passive aggressive about how Im happily having consensual sex with someone great now, and heres a list of the toys we enjoy together. I wasnt angry after the breakup, but Im angry now. Why is my life turning into a low-budget sitcom? Advertisement Advertisement A: This is more than weird! I mean, yes, youre right, its absolutely weird, but its also cruel, vindictive, embarrassingly childish, and even more embarrassingly transparent. I almost never recommend that a letter writer send something snarky and passive aggressive to an ex, particularly an ex with a history of disregarding indirect responses. Here is the text you should send: No, Im not going to do that. We are not friends. Im blocking your number. Advertisement There is no reason on earth for you to maintain a friendshipor even a bare acquaintancewith this person. He does not care about you and never has. There is nothing you can get out of further contact with him. Think of how amazing you felt after the breakupyoull feel even better once you free yourself of the sense of obligation that you have to answer his texts every couple of weeks. Q. Can I keep my brothers dealer from contacting him again?: My younger brother recently confessed to my parents that he has been snorting heroin for a little over two years. They rushed to get him into an inpatient rehab, because hes about to turn 26 and will lose their health insurance. By all accounts hes doing well. They turned his phone over to me to delete his Google contact list, and I noticed he had Facebook Messenger as well. One of his friends is the person we now know got him hooked to begin with. Not that hes to blamethats all on my brotherbut I am concerned about what would happen if my brother were able to contact this person again. I know if I just use the app to unfriend him theres nothing stopping them from reconnecting, and I know that deactivating his profile doesnt erase it. Im almost tempted to message this guy from my brothers account, asking him to stay away. But I doubt this would fix anything, and its a huge boundary to overstep. Is there anything else I can do to ensure that this jagoff doesnt jeopardize his recovery? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A: I can understand the desire to do something when youre concerned for your brothers recovery and well-being. And, to be honest, if you decide to delete this guys contact information, I dont think it ranks especially high on the list of privacy violations. But there are a lot of heroin dealers in the world, and its impossible to ensure he never sees or hears one again. The only way your brother will be able to stay sober is to commit to it internally. You say that your parents gave you your brothers phone in order to delete his contacts on one form of social media, but that youre concerned about extending the purge to another. Has your brother asked for help in deleting his contacts? Are you worried about ignoring his privacy concernswhich, even though hes currently receiving treatment for his addiction, he still has a right to? Can you hold off on deleting any contacts until youve had a chance to speak to your brother and ask him what hed like you to do? Advertisement If nothing else, dont message the guy. You know, I think, that that wont accomplish anything other than temporarily making you feel like you have some control over a chaotic situation again. Your brother is going to have to figure out a new basis for living in the world and choosing his relationships; you could delete the number of everyone he used with and hed still be able to relapse if he decided to. Find another way to support him in his continued recovery. Advertisement Q. Ships passing in the night/day: I have been dating a wonderful man for the last year and a half. He is kind and considerate and loves me very much, and I love him. I am concerned, however, about his sleeping habits. He struggles with depression and anxiety (he does not work and receives disability as a result), and is somewhat of a night owl anyway. He often goes to bed in the wee hours of the morning and sleeps until after lunch. I usually sleep from midnight to 8 a.m. or so. I often text or call him during the day and dont hear from him until late. I get frustrated because I feel like I never see him (we dont live together). I worry that our relationship, which is otherwise very good, wont survive our very different sleep schedules, especially if we do move in together, which we have begun to discuss. This is my only concern about our relationship, but it is a big one for me. Advertisement Advertisement A: If your only concern about your relationship is that you never see your boyfriend, then you sort of dont have a relationship. Of course its a big concern for you! How can a relationship be otherwise very good if you two dont regularly talk or see each other? This doesnt mean hes a bad person, or that you have no empathy for his daily struggle with depression, but its absolutely OK for you to express concerns about how rarely you two talk or see each other, and ultimately for you to decide the relationship isnt working for you if nothing changes. Advertisement Q. Re: New(ish) boyfriendthe kid question: Set this guy loose. You have only been dating three months, and now he is only giving you a month to decide if you want kids with him in the future? Thats not a good sign. A good partner will not pressure you to make a big decision that fast, nor will he try to move the relationship along as quickly as this guy seems to be. You can find a guy out there who has all of this guys great qualities, minus the pressure tactics. If you agree to his timeline in order to keep dating, you will not be happy together down the road. Advertisement A: I did find that detail a little baffling and a little hilarious! Dont worry, you can have a full month to decide whether you want kids in the next four years. I dont think hes being a jerk about this, but his proposed compromise isnt much of a compromise at all. Its a deadline, and in the absence of strong certainty about having children, I think the No should always carry the day. Advertisement Q. Heirloom: Sometime in the 1950s my grandfather bought my grandmother an unusual ruby ruby ring, which she loved. She wore it for about 30 years, then gave it to my mother, who also wore it for about 30 years before passing it down to me. I was thrilled, and I took it to an appraiser to have it insured. The appraiser had to break the news to me that the ruby was fake. I was slightly taken aback (and embarrassed), but knowing my grandfather, I figured he was in heaven laughing, so I put the ring on and figured Id just carry that secret to my grave. Advertisement Advertisement The thing about gems that are not made out of rock is that they do not last for generations, and sadly it has started to disintegrate to the point where its about to fall out of the setting. Honestly, if I could find an actual ruby that color that would pass, Id buy one, and my family would be none the wiser, but Ive had no luck. I know that my family will notice Im not wearing it, and worse, I have a niece who I think is hoping shes next in line. Do I have to come clean? Is there any other way? A: You dont have to, certainly, although if your response on learning the truth was one of wry appreciation, I think its likely your relatives would see the humor in the situation too. But if they notice youve stopped wearing it, tell them as much of the truth as youre comfortable with: The stone is deteriorating, and its in danger of falling out of the setting. I may need to have a new stone put in. Thats all perfectly true but doesnt go into unnecessary detail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Q. Mystery divorce: My parents are getting divorced. They announced this several months ago and have said several vague and nasty things about each other in the time since. My siblings and I are all very upset, and wed like to know why this is happening. The one thing my parents seem to agree on is that its none of our business, but their vague sniping makes it clear that one parent is somehow to blame. As adult children, do we have a right to know more? Prior to their announcement, none of us knew anything was amiss in their relationship (I know that sounds suspect, but were all close with our parents and were all totally shocked). I feel like weve lost all agency in figuring out our relationships with our parents in this new situation if we dont know what led to it. Advertisement A: If your parents think the divorce is none of your business, then they should keep their pointed remarks to themselves. Youll have to give this speech twice, Im afraid, but just swap out Mom for Dad: I respect your privacy, and I know getting divorced is really hard, but you cant ask us not to talk to you about this and then make vague, insinuating comments about [other parent]. Im having a hard time processing this. I thought the two of you were happy together. That doesnt mean you have to share the details of your marriage with me, but please bear in mind that your soon-to-be-ex is still my mother/father, and dont make little digs at them when youre talking to me. Advertisement Advertisement Q. Vacation: My boyfriend has been divorced for a decade. He has two grown children and one teenager. His ex is remarried, and they all go on vacation together at least twice a year. I find this completely bizarre, but apparently he and his ex have been doing this for years. He wants me to come with him. We have been dating for about six months, and I have met his kids a couple of times. My boyfriend made the comment about continuing this family tradition with the future grandkids. He gets defensive when I bring up how odd this is. He says it makes it easier on the kids and that he genuinely likes his ex and her husband so why make it difficult for no reason. I love him, but I dont want to see his ex-wife on vacation! His ex and her husband seem nice, but I dont want to see them socially. It is just too weird for me. How do I deal with this? Advertisement Advertisement A: I dont think its odd for a family to go on vacations together. Your boyfriends ex is very much a part of his family. They have an excellent co-parenting relationship, which is a testament to his character. If youre not interested in joining him on these family vacations, then thats fine, but dont try to discourage him from continuing a tradition that means a lot to him and his children by claiming its bizarre. Advertisement Advertisement Youre dating a man whose children are very important to him, whose ex-wife and mother of his children is a dear and trusted friend. If you hope you can change this about him, or try to slowly wear down the friendship between them, then I think you should look for a different boyfriend. This is a good thing, not a problem to be overcome. But if its too weird for you, then date someone who doesnt have children or who has a frosty, distant relationship with all of his exes. Mallory Ortberg: Forge ahead into discomfort, then let me know how it goes next week. If you missed Part 1 of this weeks chat, click here to read it. Discuss this column with Dear Prudence on her Facebook page! Nine months ago, the Supreme Court of Bermuda struck down the British territorys prohibition on same-sex marriage, ordering the government to license these marriages on equal terms with opposite-sex unions. On Wednesday, the government overturned the courts ruling, imposing a new ban on same-sex marriage that relegates gay couples to watered-down domestic partnerships. The swift abolition of marriage equality in Bermuda marks an unprecedented setback for LGBTQ rights, one that will have immediate international ramifications. Its also a timely reminder, for Americans especially, that there is nothing inherently permanent about civil liberties: The rights of minorities are only as strong as the institutions that protect them. Advertisement Like the United States, Bermuda attained marriage equality through a legal challenge to a law that limited marriage to opposite-sex couples. In 2016, Winston Godwin and Greg DeRoche applied for a marriage license in the territory and were denied because they were both men. They sued under the territorys expansive Human Rights Act, which bars discrimination in the supply of any services on the basis of sexual orientation. In May 2017, the Supreme Court ruled that marriage licensing qualifies as a service covered by the act, and that rejecting gay couples applications constitutes sexual orientation discrimination. The court directed the territorial government to begin providing equal marriage licenses to all couples, without regard to sex or sexual orientation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ruling spurred an immediate outcry among religious conservatives, who pointed to a 2016 referendum in which 69 percent of voters opposed same-sex marriage and 63 percent opposed even civil unions for same-sex couples. Although the referendum was nonbindingand invalidated altogether due to low turnoutlegislators cited it as justification to overrule the court. American anti-LGBTQ groups like the National Organization for Marriage also lobbied parliament to outlaw same-sex marriage once again. Bermuda illustrates one way that the U.S. Supreme Court could overturn same-sex marriage in the future. In December, Bermudas Parliament responded by easily passing the Domestic Partnerships Act. The law strips same-sex couples of marriage rights while creating domestic partnerships that provide a limited set of rights and are open to all couples, gay and straight. Gov. John Rankin approved the bill on Wednesday, noting that same-sex marriages licensed before its passage will remain valid. (The United Kingdoms Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson could have blocked the law but chose not to.) Advertisement The Rainbow Alliance of Bermuda, the territorys leading LGBTQ rights group, promptly denounced the bill, declaring that it creates a watered down version of rights, leading to a separate-but-equal status under the law that turns gay couples into second-class citizens. Bermudas tourism board lobbied against the act, informing parliament that the measure would cause serious reputational damage and lost tourism business. (The islands economy depends upon tourism revenue, and visitor spending rose to $431 million in 2017.) The board added that many companies and the overwhelming majority of the younger visitors support marriage equality, warning of a financial fallout similar to those experienced by Indiana after that states passage of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and North Carolina after it passed its notorious bathroom bill. Advertisement Advertisement The financial impact of the new law, however, extends far beyond Bermuda itself. Thats because a significant number of cruise ships are registered in Bermuda and can only conduct marriages at sea in accordance with the territorys laws. Cunard, Princess, and P&O Cruises all rolled out packages for same-sex couples following the Bermuda Supreme Courts decision, urging them to marry on their ships. Now that same-sex marriage has been declared illegal, both P&O and Princess are working to cancel and refund packages purchased by same-sex couples who had hoped to marry aboard their vessels. Bermudas repeal of same-sex marriage may push more cruise lines to register in Malta, a famously LGBTQ-friendly country with full marriage equality. (Celebrity already registers its ships there and hosted the first known same-sex marriage at sea in January.) Advertisement Advertisement Still, the primary burden of the new law falls on Bermudas robust LGBTQ community, which has made huge strides over the last decade. As the LGBTQ nonprofit OUTBermuda noted on Friday, the territory is generally quite progressive on the rights of sexual minorities. Its Human Rights Act bars anti-gay discrimination in virtually all walks of life. Its immigration laws also treat Bermudians noncitizen same-sex partners equally with regard to visas and work permits, and it allows same-sex couples to adopt children together, whether theyre married or not. Bermuda law has been moving toward greater tolerance of LGBTQ people for years; the repeal of marriage equality defies that trend. Advertisement It also comes at a contentious time for marriage equality throughout the Americas. In January, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled Costa Rica must legalize same-sex marriage under the American Convention on Human Rights. Its decision has roiled the countrys ongoing presidential election, with leading candidates condemning the ruling as an immoral overreach. In theory, the courts decision is also binding on the 19 other countries in the Caribbean and Latin America that have accepted its jurisdictionbut many of their governments may refuse to comply with the courts order. (International human rights courts do not have many tools to mandate compliance.) Advertisement Bermuda has ties with several of these countries through CARICOM, a regional organization of countries and territories. Its reversal of same-sex marriage can only embolden them to buck the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruling and maintain their anti-gay marriage laws. The new ban has certainly emboldened anti-LGBTQ activists in the United States. Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage, issued a fundraising letter on Friday touting the groups significant role in restoring Bermudas same-sex marriage ban. Brown cited Bermuda as proof that marriage equality can still be repealed in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement He is absolutely correct. The U.S. Supreme Court legalized marriage equality by a 54 vote in 2015. Since then, conservative judges in Texas and Arkansas have attempted to downgrade same-sex marriages, denying gay couples equal spousal benefits and parenting rights. Justice Neil Gorsuch has already signaled his eagerness to roll back marriage rights for same-sex couples. Nationwide same-sex marriage may be one vote away from oblivion. Advertisement Indeed, Bermuda illustrates one way that the U.S. Supreme Court could overturn same-sex marriage in the future. Because the island is bound by the European Court of Human Rights, it must recognize same-sex unions to some degree. It has done so by creating skim milk partnerships with some, but not all, of the rights of marriage. American courts could do the same, purporting to respect gays equal dignity while granting them a restricted set of rights. Gorsuch would certainly support such a move. Mark Pettingill, the Bermuda attorney who challenged the first same-sex marriage ban, has indicated he might sue to restore equal marriage for gay couples. But the Bermuda Supreme Court may view the governments creation of domestic partnerships as a satisfactory compromise, particularly in light of the backlash its first ruling provoked. The territorys marriage ban appears likely to remain law for the foreseeable future, a bleak reminder that equality is neither inevitable nor irreversible. Civil rights activists often proclaim that the moral arc of the universe bends toward justice. Bermuda just proved it can also be bent back. A spokeswoman for the Department of Education told BuzzFeed News that the agency will no longer investigate complaints from transgender students barred from using school bathrooms that match their gender identity. This comes after a year of uncertainty about how the Trump administration was officially handling transgender issues in public schools. Soon after Trumps inauguration, the Education and Justice departments overturned a 2016 guidance by the Obama administration that had directed public schools to allow transgender students to use bathrooms matching their gender identity, but the administration had not clarified how the department would handle civil rights complaints from these students. Advertisement That 2016 guidance had interpreted gender identity issues to fall legally under Title IX protections against sex discrimination. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos reversed that policy, arguing that sex discrimination protections did not cover gender identity, and the U.S. Supreme Court subsequently declined to hear a case on the issue. According to the Washington Post, in June, the acting head of the DOEs Office for Civil Rights said that staff should approach transgender students complaints on a case-by-case basis. But on Monday, the department confirmed to the Post that it would no longer be investigating these cases at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, not gender identity, Education Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Hill said in response to questions from The Washington Post. Where students, including transgender students, are penalized or harassed for failing to conform to sex-based stereotypes, that is sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX. In the case of bathrooms, however, longstanding regulations provide that separating facilities on the basis of sex is not a form of discrimination prohibited by Title IX. The department says it will still look into civil rights complaints from transgender students that dont involve bathrooms. Activists for transgender rights argue that banning students from bathrooms matching their gender identity exposes them to indignities, humiliation, and bullying. Catherine Lhamon, who headed the Education Departments Office for Civil Rights under President Barack Obama, told the Post that the decision was appalling and deeply dangerous. On Tuesday, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, rejected a Republican-drawn map that purported to remedy the current partisan gerrymander of the states congressional districts. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that those districts unlawfully favored Republicans under the state constitution and ordered the elected branches to draw up a new map. Wolfs repudiation of Republican legislators proposed plan all but ensures that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will instead commission a nonpartisan map for the 2018 midterms. Advertisement For the past eight years, Pennsylvania has boasted one of the worst gerrymanders in the country, holding elections under a map that gave Republicans at least three extra seats in the House of Representatives. In January, the state Supreme Court held that this gerrymander violates the state constitution, which declares that all elections shall be free and equal. By diluting Democratic votes, the court explained, Republicans had denied Pennsylvania voters an equal opportunity to translate their votes into representation. The court directed the GOP-controlled Legislature to draw new congressional districts composed of compact and contiguous territory without partisan bias. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a failed emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, Pennsylvania Republicans drew up a new mapbehind closed doors, with no public or Democratic inputthat seemed to contain more compact districts. But data analysts, including University of Florida professor and redistricting expert Brian Amos, quickly pointed out that this new map featured almost the exact same level of partisan bias. Princeton University professor Sam Wang wrote that a prettier map can still conceal ill intent, concluding that Republicans are not dealing in good faith and the new map is still a partisan gerrymander. Tufts University professor Moon Duchin, another redistricting specialist, also found the proposed map to be an extreme outlier along partisan lines with a decidedly partisan skew that cannot be explained by Pennsylvanias political geography or the application of traditional districting principles. Advertisement Citing these expert opinions, Wolf declared he would not accept the new map because it fails to comply with the courts order or Pennsylvanias Constitution. He also rejected the proposal because it was drawn exclusively by two Republican leaders without approval from the legislature, as ordered by the court. The task of drawing a genuinely nonpartisan map now falls on Stanford law professor Nathaniel Persily, whom the court has commissioned to draw new districts. Persily has drawn congressional maps for other courts that have invalidated legislative gerrymanders. While its certain his new map wont please Republicans, some Democrats also likely wont be pleased, as the current map packs several Democrats into safely blue districts whose voters now must be redistributed to create more competitive elections statewide. Advertisement Advertisement Persilys work will likely satisfy the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which laid out clear guidelines to explain how districts can comport with the Free and Equal Elections Clause. Presuming Republicans actually comply with the courts orders, Pennsylvanians will finally vote under a legal map in 2018. With fairer districts, the state will probably send three additional Democrats to the U.S. House of Representatives in November. That could be just enough to help the party win back control of the chamber. Advertisement Update, Feb. 13, 2:30 p.m.: Pennsylvania House Speaker Mike Turzai and Senate President pro tempore Joseph Scarnatiwho drew the rejected maphave issued a response to Gov. Wolf. Your letter sets forth a nonsensical approach to governance, Turzai and Scarnati wrote. Quit being coy. Its time that you produced a map for the public to review in a transparent fashion. They added: Advertisement Furthermore, we do not concede that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has the power to invalidate a congressional map (or draw new ones) that has been in place for the past 3 elections cycles This entire exercise, while cloaked in litigation, is and has been nothing more than the ultimate partisan gerrymanderone brought about by the Democrat Chief Executive of the Commonwealth acting in concert with politically-connected litigants in order to divest the General Assembly of its Constitutional authority to enact Congressional districts. We look forward to reviewing your fair map and are ready and willing to meet at your earliest convenience to see if, together, we can reach consensus on a fair map that can garner majorities in the House and Senate and that you will sign. Advertisement Advertisement Wolf will almost certainly turn down this overture. Turzai and Scarnati could have invited his input before they submitted their map; instead, they drew new districts in closed meetings without consulting the governor or any of their Democratic colleagues. If GOP leaders truly wanted Wolfs counsel, they had ample opportunity to request it. Instead, they wasted nearly a week filing a doomed appeal in an effort to preserve the current gerrymander. Moreover, theres little reason to believe that Turzai and Scarnati would negotiate in good faith. Scarnati has already flagrantly defied one court order, and he continues to denounce the legitimacy of the Pennsylvania Supreme Courts ruling. If Wolf put forth a fair map, he and Turzai would almost certainly reject it. Given that the court will take over map-drawing duties on Feb. 15 in the absence of an agreement, Wolf is better off ignoring GOP leaders and allowing Persily to take over from here. The Senate voted 97 to 1 early Monday evening to open debate on an immigration bill. The next question, for which there is no apparent answer or secret end game, is whether the body can produce an immigration bill. The occurrence of an actual neutral, open debate and amendment process to resolve a policy issue is confusing to both young reporters and the many senators who havent been around long enough to see the Senate function as intended. The main proposal thats ready to go is one from Sens. John Cornyn, Chuck Grassley, James Lankford, David Perdue, Joni Ernst and Tom Cotton that codifies the White Houses recent immigration framework into legislation. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has promised a neutral process, endorsed the bill in remarks on the Senate floor on Friday. This bill, which would grant a path to citizenship to 1.8 million Dreamers, allocate $25 billion for border security, and make sharp cuts to family-based immigration, is not expected to get 60 votes on the Senate floor. So, then what? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bipartisan working group calling itself the Common Sense Caucusthe group of moderates who meet in Maine Sen. Susan Collins office and pass around a talking stickhas had plenty of friendly, problem-solving bipartisan chats, but they have yet to finalize a piece of legislation. Even the common-sense moderates appear to have strong disagreements about what constitutes common sense legislation when it comes to immigration. Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, a member of the group, told me that the sticking point involved how simple to keep it, and how to pursue changes to family-based immigration, or whether to pursue those changes at all. I asked him when their proposal would be ready. Well, it would have to be offered sometime this week, he said. Advertisement Indeed, it would be wise to introduce the immigration bill before the immigration debate concludes. Though theres been some chatter about the process going multiple weeks, the No. 2 Senate Republican, John Cornyn, told reporters that the process would need to conclude this week. The proposals, and proto-proposals, each take a different approach to how broad the bill should be. Delaware Sen. Chris Coons and Arizona Sen. John McCain have put together a narrow bill that combines protections for Dreamers with money for border security, mirroring a bipartisan proposal from Reps. Pete Aguilar and Will Hurd introduced in the House. But that proposal wont get many Republican votes. Advertisement Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake, whos tuned into several working groups, understands that the moderates group is prepping a bill that touches on only three of the four policy areas the administration laid out: Dreamers, border security, and the diversity lottery, but not family-based immigration. Thats why Flake is working on his own bill that touches all four areas, but doesnt cut the overall number of legal immigrantsmeaning some family-based visas would be redistributed rather than banked as cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democratic leader on the issue, was somewhat less optimistic than I expected about the Senate working its way to a final accord. I just dont know at this moment if well have 60 votes, he said. I dont know if we can get 11 Republicans to join all the Democrats. The debate that started nearly six months ago, when President Trump began the process of winding down Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and challenged Congress to devise a solution, bears little resemblance to the flashpoint of today. The idea then was to pair a solution for Dreamers with border security for a clean, narrow trade. Each side has put all of its cards on the table for those issues. The White House has conceded that its willing to offer 1.8 million Dreamers a path to citizenship. Democrats, as Durbin said, have put on the table a big ol beautiful $25 billion wall. That means the conversation now centers on cuts to legal immigration that the Trump administration and its conservative allies in Congress have made a must. If the Senate is to work its way towards a solution, finding a compromise on an issue that sensitive, which both sides can live with, is the major obstacle. Israeli police have officially announced that they think there is enough evidence to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for corruption in two separate cases. This long-teased and widely expected announcement does not, however, mean that charges will actually be filed against Netanyahu. If youre experiencing a bit of deja vu, thats because there have been BREAKING news stories for months now indicating that the Teflon prime minister is on the verge of being prosecuted. But only the countrys attorney general can actually file charges against Bibi, and it will likely take him several months to decide whether or not to do so. Even then, Netanyahu would not be legally required to step down. Advertisement So whats this all about? There are at least four major ongoing corruption scandals involving Netanyahu, his family, and his associates. The two discussed in the police recommendation today are known as Case 1000 and Case 2000. Case 1000 concerns allegations that Netanyahu, his wife Sara, and his son Yair received tens of thousands of dollars in gifts from Israeli Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer. Netanyahu says the giftsregular shipments of pink champagne and Cohiba cigars, as well as free flights and jewelrywere just tokens of friendship, but the allegation is that the PM helped secure Milchan a U.S. visa and Packer Israeli residency in return for their generosity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A former Netanyahu aide recently testified that Netanyahu had brought up the cigars at a meeting with Milchan where they were discussing efforts to convince the Obama administration to renew residency for the producer of movies including The Revenant and 12 Years a Slave. Police also say that Netanyahu pushed for a law cutting taxes for Israelis who, like Milchan, return to Israel after spending time abroad. Advertisement Case 2000 involves recordings of conversations between Netanyahu and the publisher of the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, which has long been critical of the PM. He is accused of offering to advance legislation that would hurt the papers free rival, the traditionally pro-Netanyahu Israel Hayom, in exchange for more favorable coverage in Yedioth Ahronoth. (Israel Hayom, backed by U.S. casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, scored an interview with Donald Trump this week.) Netanyahu says he was not serious about the offer. As for Case 3000 and 4000, they are also very bad, but Netanyahu himself is not a suspect in either. The decision on whether to actually indict Netanyahu now falls to Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who has appeared very reluctant to move against the prime minister. Mandelblit even asked the police to delay its finding on Sunday until the countrys supreme court ruled on a legal challenge filed by a right-wing lawyer, which sought to block the recommendation. But the court rejected the petition in a matter of hours. Israeli political analyst Ben Caspit suggests that Mandelblit is worried about the potential damage to Israels legal institutionsnot to mention his own reputation and career ambitionsif Netanyahu were charged but not convicted. (Demonstrators have been holding weekly rallies outside Mandelblits house for more than a year, calling for an indictment. There was a bit of an uproar last month when loud demonstrations outside his synagogue prevented him from saying kaddish for his recently deceased mother.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crazy as this all is, its not exactly uncharted water for Israeli politics. Netanyahus predecessor Ehud Olmert resigned in 2008, after police recommended corruption charges against him, and went on to serve 16 months in prison. Moshe Katsav resigned from the countrys ceremonial presidency in 2007 when he was charged with rape. But neither of those men dominated the countrys political landscape like Netanyahu has for nearly a decade now. For his part, the prime minister has shown no sign of backing down, dismissing the charges against him as slander and vowing to stay in office even though a poll in December found that 60 percent of Israelis thought he should step down if police recommend charges. Netanyahu has been accusing police investigators and media of engaging in a partisan witch hunt for months now, eliciting comparisons to his friend Donald Trumps handling of his own legal troubles. (Playing the role of Don Jr., Yair Netanyahu, who could be in legal hot water himself, has gone as far as posting anti-Semitic memes blaming the investigation on a George Sorosorganized conspiracy.) Advertisement Theres never really a quiet time in Israeli politics, but the latest twist in the Bibi affair comes at a particularly tense moment for the country. The downing of an Israeli war plane that was bombing Iran-backed positions in Syria suggests that the country is inching ever close to direct military confrontation with Iran. Trumps ultimatums to Palestinian leaders, which were welcomed by Netanyahu, have thrown what was left of the peace process into disarray. And Gaza is on the verge of humanitarian collapse. It seems deeply bizarre that in the midst of this, a scandal over cigars and pink champagne may be whats occupying most of the prime ministers, and the countrys, time. South Africas African National Congress party moved Tuesday to oust President Jacob Zuma from office in a recall effort of a member of its own party that would see Zuma leave office well before the scheduled end of his second term in mid-2019. The 75-year-old leader, whose two terms have been marred by economic decline and persistent allegations of corruption, has resisted calls to resign as head of state despite losing control of the party to Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, who was elected to replace Zuma as the head of the ANC in December and is widely considered the countrys president-in-waiting. Advertisement Zuma hasnt gone quietly, but the protracted battle for control appears to be coming to a head one way or another. Legally, Zuma does not have to resign at the behest of the executive committee of his party, but if he refuses to step aside, the ANC could call a vote of no confidence to remove him from office. Calling a no confidence vote on its own president and party leader until two months ago, however, shows how fractured the countrys long-dominant political party has become. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Ramaphosas elevation to the countrys top job would fulfill a decades-long ambition of the former union leader, the Financial Times notes. A veteran of the anti-apartheid struggle, the 65-year-old was Nelson Mandelas preferred choice to succeed him in the 1990s. But the ANC leadership chose Mr Mbeki, causing Mr Ramaphosa to leave mainstream politics to carve out a business career. After becoming one of the countrys richest black businessmen, he returned to politics in 2012 when he became Mr Zumas deputy in the ANC. Two years later, he took over as state deputy president, but many in the party questioned whether he had the grass roots support and the stomach for the fight that would be required to take the top job. He enjoys the support of corporate South Africa and has in recent months adopted increasingly tough rhetoric against state graft. Zumas refusal to step down is believed to be linked to his concerns he could face prosecution after leaving office for the myriad of corruption charges leveled against him and his family. This piece was originally published on Just Security, an online forum for analysis of U.S. national security law and policy. For the No. 3 lawyer at the Department of Justice to quit after just nine months on the job is, to say the least, unusual. Under the Trump administration, where the downright bizarre is so commonplace that the merely unusual barely registers, this is nevertheless an aberration worth marking, because it says a lot about the state of a Justice Department locked in a surreal conflict with its own president and his party, none of it good. When United States Associate Attorney General Rachel L. Brand last week announced shed be stepping down to take a job as a vice president at Walmart, it made headlines primarily because it also meant passing on her role as heir apparent to embattled Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Tasked with supervising Robert Muellers investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election following Attorney General Jeff Sessions recusal, Rosenstein has become an improbable target of invective from the very president who appointed him, from Republican legislators, and even from political action committees. It seems clear that Trump is laying groundwork for his eventual removal, in hopes that Rosensteins successormeaning, until her departure, Brandmight be more willing to carry out an order to fire Mueller. But her departure should be seen as a warning sign with implications not only for the Mueller inquiry but the future of the Trump Justice Department as a whole. To see why, its helpful to appreciate two things about Rachel Brand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first is that Brand had a solid bipartisan reputation as a conservative lawyer of professionalism and integrity. When confirmed to her post last May, she won praise from Clinton administration veteran Jamie Gorelick as well as Barack Obamas former acting Solicitor General Neal Kaytal. When I first encountered Brand, in her previous role as a Republican member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board during the Obama administration, she was as consistent as she was vocal in her disagreement with those of us who believed government surveillance in the name of the war on terror had gone too far. Yet she also impressed me as a serious and fair-minded advocate for her positions, and many of my colleagues in civil society have expressed public disappointment at her impending departure. Advertisement Imagine a Justice Department staffed by lawyers as compliant and loyal to the boss as Trump the CEO had assumed at the outset they all would be. The second thing to understand is that if you squint at Rachel Brands resume, it resolves itself like a Magic Eye stereogram into a single boldfaced, all-caps sentence, which reads: MY LIFES AMBITION IS A SENIOR POST AS A POLITICAL APPOINTEE AT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT. At Harvard Law School, she joined the conservative Federalist Society, and after graduating won a coveted Supreme Court clerkship under Justice Anthony Kennedy. When Elizabeth Dole was considering a run for the Republican presidential nomination, Brand served as general counsel to her exploratory committee and would later join the judicial advisory committee for Sen. John McCains campaign. She was on the transition team for the George W. Bush administration, which she would later join, spending five years as assistant attorney general for the Office of Legal Policy. Decamping to the private sector, she spent a few years at the firm WilmerHale, returned to public service as a member of the PCLOB, worked at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as chief counsel for regulatory litigation, and finally found herself back at Main Justice as one of the early appointees of the fledgling Trump administration. All of which is to say: This is not the profile of a person who arrives two rungs south of attorney general at the age of 44, then departs after less than a year on the job because she has suddenly realized the private sector pays better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It should be no surprise, then, to find theres more to this story than a hidden passion for Walmart. As NBC News reported Monday, citing sources close to Brand, the associate attorney general had been unhappy with her job for months, having grown both frustrated by vacancies at the department and afraid she would be forced to take up Rosensteins burden of supervisingand so potentially being ordered to dismissRobert Mueller. The most obvious and immediate inference to draw from this is that Brand, surely as well-positioned as anyone to read the writing on the wall, has not been reassured by the White Houses repeated assertions that neither Mueller nor Rosenstein are on the chopping block. She regarded it as likely shed be faced with the Hobsons choice of executing an order to sack Mueller, and in the process immolating her reputation for probity, or defying a Republican president and being sacked herself, which, however popular it might make her with MSNBC hosts, would play poorly in the conservative legal circles where shed built her career. Advertisement Yet not everything in life, improbable as it sometimes seems, is about Russia and Bob Mueller. Brands departure also suggests that the working environment at Justicenot only under regular assault from Trump as a handmaiden of a corrupt Deep State, but facing unsubtle and unseemly pressure from White House chief of staff John Kellyhad become corrosive and demoralizing. Advertisement Whatever the relative weight of these factors, that Brand preferred to jump ship before the dilemma could present itself can only be an ill omen to those in line behind her. Imagine being seated for a long flight, then seeing the planes co-pilot parachute out just as you reach cruising altitude. The clear message: If youve got options, nows the time to take them if you want to avoid damage to your career. Advertisement Advertisement Who, with Brands parachute deploying in full view, will be most inclined to stay at this Justice Department, let alone step in to fill one of those many frustrating vacancies? Those without more attractive private sector options, perhapsbut also those sufficiently free of professional qualms that carrying out a presidents legally dubious order would present no dilemma at all. Bad news for Robert Mueller? Perhaps. But also bad news for an independent Justice Department. If one thing has become clear over the past year, it is this: Donald Trump entered the White House with little real grasp of how government worksof its rules and policies, of course, but also its institutional norms. He expected to operate like a corporate CEO, expressing his whims and watching his subordinates scurry to carry them out, whatever they were. It had not occurred to him that those subordinateseven bona fide conservative Republicansmight tell him no or insist that it was improper for him to issue direct orders at all. And he has expressed his profound surprise, frustration, and anger at discovering how the Justice Department works repeatedly and vehemently, not only in private conversations related to press, but in public interviews. Advertisement Advertisement He has fumed at Sessions decisionquite clearly required by the DOJs own rulesto recuse himself from overseeing the Russia inquiry and openly professed the view that the attorney generals proper role is to protect the president. But more than that: Echoing his unsettling declaration during the campaign that Hillary Clinton would be bound for prison under a Trump administration, he has made it quite clear, in both fiery tweets and interviews, that he wants to the Justice Department and FBI to investigate his Democratic opponents. He is incensed that he is not supposed to simply order his law enforcement agencies to do so. Advertisement At the start of 2018, an editorial in the Wall Street Journal chided Trump critics for their dire predictions of looming autocracy. Not, mind you, because Trump lacked autocratic impulses, but because American institutions had proven robust enough to check those impulses. And there is, perhaps, something to that. Trumpaccording not to the paranoid fears of his opponents, but his own professed desireswould have the governments law enforcement institutions act as political weapons, aimed by his diktat. His anger and frustration testify that they have, as yet, failed to do so. Advertisement Brands departure shines a spotlight on the flaw in the Journals argument, however: Institutions are, in the end, made up of people. Their cultures and norms are sustained by individual human beings who treat them as binding. But people can be replaced. The primary check on who replaces them, at least at the highest levels, is the United States Senate, whose Republican majority has not demonstrated any very great will to block questionable appointees. Advertisement Advertisement Imagine, then, a Justice Department where the Rachel Brands and the Rod Rosensteins have either sought greener pastures or been booted toward them. Imagine a Justice Department staffed by lawyers as compliant and loyal to the boss as Trump the CEO had assumed at the outset they all would be. Imagine, ultimately, a Justice Department that actually behaves in all the ways Trump constantly and openly insists that it should. Dont conjure worst-case scenarios dreamed up by Trumps critics: just assume that Trumps own words should be taken seriously. Now realize that the chief practical obstacle to that bleak image being realized is people like Rachel Brand. They are starting to leave. There are three years left. More from Just Security: If Trump Pleads the Fifth, Here Are Muellers Options It Is Up to House Intel Committee, Not Trump, Whether to Release Democratic Memo on the Page FISA Application Every few months, some public figure comes up with the brilliant idea that porn is bad for women. They worry that teens will never have normal, pleasurable sex if all they watch is gang-bangs, that porn allows misogyny to sustain and replicate itself, and that women learn to be aroused by their own degradation when they see ejaculatory facials onscreen. None of these arguments are exactly wrong. All things considered, the porn industry as it currently exists probably makes real-life sex worse than, say, a porn landscape that only models loving, gentle relationships would. But every time a porn pushbackand the attendant pushback-to-the-pushbackbegins, actual facts about the industry and teenage sexual behavior get lost in the ahistorical wailing of activists who arent concerned about womens well-being or sexual fulfillment at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is considerable disagreement over the current state of the porn debate, and whether no one or everyone is talking about it. In a Sunday op-ed entitled Lets Ban Porn, conservative New York Times columnist Ross Douthat patronizes to the #MeToo movement, writing that it clearly wants to talk about pornography, even if it doesnt quite realize that yet. On the flip side is porn actor Conner Habib, who wrote a much-discussed Twitter thread claiming that a cultural movement to ban pornography is building right now. Somewhere in the middle is a recent reported piece from the New York Times Magazine, in which Maggie Jones hangs out with teenagers in a Boston porn literacy program that teaches them how to interpret porn with a critical eye. Advertisement Both Habib and Douthat are wrong to believe that the U.S. could or would ever ban, or even heavily restrict, pornography. U.S. free-speech law gives adult-media makers a wide berth to create and disseminate to consenting adults nearly any pornographic content they can dream up. Even so far as the Supreme Court leans conservative, its justices are unlikely to allow regulations passed to curb personal and commercial expression that causes no easily traceable public harm. Advertisement This is one reason why the only movements against porn in U.S. have been marginal and quickly quashed. Consider one of the most famous feminist anti-porn activists, Andrea Dworkin, whose legislative efforts in the 80s fell flat when her law declaring pornography a civil rights violation against women was deemed unconstitutional before it could spread beyond the city limits of Indianapolis. Most other anti-porn crusades have been religiously motivated, but have still failed where other pet causes of the Christian rightabortion and LGBTQ rights, for instancehave succeeded. In Utah, one of the most conservative and religious states in the union, the best the legislature has been able to do on pornography is to issue a nonbinding resolution declaring it a public health crisis that makes men more likely to cheat and less likely to want to marry, a concern Douthat echoes in his op-ed. Advertisement Advertisement The other reason why the U.S. will never ban porn is that many, many, many people watch it. The people making laws, the people voting for people who make laws, even the people arguing for anti-porn lawsmost of these people probably watch porn. Its hard to get accurate data on porn viewership, for obvious reasons, but surveys have found that one in three women watch porn at least once a week, and that nearly two-thirds of men watch porn at least once a month. It would be impractical and unpopular to try to ban something that so many people want and use, uneventfully, on a regular basis. Advertisement More importantly, the arguments for banning pornography seem to be confused about the actual problem. Porn itself isnt a social ill; misogyny is. Men dont foist unlubricated anal sex on semi-willing women in porn in a vacuum. If porn narratives sublimate female desires and feature more choking than communication, its because they are a product of a culture that devalues women at every stage of their lives. Porn is not the only venue, or even the principal venue, in which men learn to demean women and women learn to accept mistreatment. Look to the White House, where multiple sitting and recently departed men, including the president, have been accused by multiple women of sexual and physical abuse, but continue to enjoy the privileges and powers of an administration beloved by rank-and-file Republicans. Advertisement Porn is not even the primary media disseminator of female degradation. Womens subjectivity is lost in many mainstream films and television shows, which depict women through the eyes of male writers and directors, drop all interest in women once they turn 30, and only put a beautiful woman onscreen if shes a love interest. One teen interviewed by Jones in her New York Times magazine piece cited Fifty Shades of Grey, a film in wide release, as an example of where he learned that women like to be dominated. Another mentioned a porn whose female protagonist was bored by a man who approached sex gently but became ecstatic with a far more aggressive guy. That tiresome trope is at least as old as Hollywood itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its funny that Douthat positions his anti-porn argument as a companion piece to Jones story, when the latter counters almost every point Douthat sets out to prove. Teens tell Jones they wish they had a place to learn about sex (home, school, a community sex-ed program), but absent that, learn about sex from porn. Rather than offering a porn ban as a solution, a thinking person might suggest we give teens other opportunities to learn about healthy sexual relationships, starting with comprehensive sex education in all U.S. schools. If a kid said she wanted to eat healthy food but could only find vegetables in dumpsters, wed enroll her in a free-lunch program. We wouldnt ban dumpsters. Porn can also do some good, if its created under ethical circumstances by producers and directors with a healthy conception of sex. Jones article notes that for gay and bisexual youth, porn can provide affirmation that they are not alone in their sexual desires. If youve ever wondered or heard someone ask, How do lesbians have sex? you can imagine what a queer teenager might gain from lesbian porn made for and by women and trans people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bad things Douthat, Jones, and others worry porn doeslike make anal sex a seeming foregone conclusion for sexually active teenscan be more effectively prevented by affirmative measures than by criminalizing a widely available and highly sought-after genre of media. Studies have shown that teenagers sometimes opt for anal sex to avoid pregnancy; better sex education and availability of contraceptives would help teens make whatever informed choice they want. And if men feel that women owe them anal sex, and women feel they cant say no, thats not all on porn. The larger problem is twofold: Young women dont have the confidence to demand what they want or the resources to help them learn about their own bodies, and young men dont feel comfortable being vulnerable or exploring ways of feeling good that arent tied to humiliating women or submitting to hegemonic notions of masculinity. The solution to this problem begins with more discussions about sex, not less, and certainly not censorship. Affirmative consent, that crazy concept that asks sexual partners to discuss what sexual things they want to do before they do them, would seem to be a natural cause for Douthat and his ilk to pick up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some porn-watching teens are already getting the message. One of Jones teens said he had seen a woman kneeling, giving a standing man oral sex, in a porn film. At one point, he thought thats how it might go one day when he had sex, Jones writes. But when he talked with his girlfriend, they realized they didnt want to re-enact that power dynamic. He talked! With his girlfriend! After watching porn! This teenage relationship should serve as a model for how consent education and pornography might coexist in a healthy, sex-positive society. Would that all adults had such a mature, critical engagement with the media they consume. But even without any concerted investment in sex education, a porn ban would still do far more harm than good. When victimless behaviors and livelihoods are criminalized, the already-marginalized suffer. Note how U.S. prostitution laws have made sex workers vulnerable to abuse, both from johns and law enforcement officials. Porn performers would face similarly elevated risks if forced to ply their trades in a black market that would surely thrive. The good kind of porn, the kind that affirms minority sexualities and female pleasure, would be even harder to fund and distribute than it is today. Young people, who are already prosecuted for felonies in some states for merely sexting, would be funneled into the criminal justice system for seeking out sexual information theyre not getting anywhere else. Fortunately, that dystopian future is nowhere near fruition. In a tweet promoting his op-ed, Douthat linked to a set of Gallup data on how Americans judge a series of moral issues. While many sexual taboos have fallen with de-Christianization, its noteworthy that most Americans still do know that porn is bad, he wrote. This framing neglects some essential context: As the Gallup analysis explains, the 36 percent of Americans who deemed pornography morally acceptable in May 2017 marked a high point in U.S. history. In other words, more people than ever before are willing to tell a Gallup pollster that they approve of porn. Thats only evidence of a crisis if your feminist activism extends no further than the annals of XTube. 118 kg illegal gold bust in six years Authorities have confiscated over 118 kilograms of gold from Tatopani border point in Sindhupalchok in the past six years that people tried to smuggle into Nepal. Back in 2013, when Gen. James Mattis was head of the U.S. Central Command, he told the Senate, If you dont fully fund the State Department, then I need to buy more ammunition. On Monday, President Trump proposed cutting this years State Departments budget by 26 percent. Fulfilling his own prediction, Secretary of Defense Mattis is proposing a 28 percent increase in spending for missiles and munitionsa 50 percent increase over the sum for those items in President Obamas last budget. Advertisement To put it another way: The $20.7 billion hes requesting for just missiles and munitionsa mere 3 percent of the total military budgetamounts to just a little less than the $25.8 billion that Trump is asking for the entire State Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such is the lopsided picture of national security displayed by Trumps fiscal year 2019 budget proposal. The administration is asking for $716 billion for the total military budgeta 10 percent increase over the current level. (This includes $686 billion for the Defense Department and $30 billion for other departments defense-related items, including the Energy Departments nuclear labs and warheads.) At a news conference, Pentagon officials, attempting to minimize the economic burden of such a large budget, noted that it amounts to just 3.1 percent of GDP. But this means little, especially at a time of overall economic growth. More pertinent facts about the budget might include these: Advertisement As a percentage of discretionary federal spending, the Defense Department is allotted almost exactly the same as all other departments combined. Almost all government departments are cut, in some cases drastically, except defense. Finally, for all of Mattis talk of sound management practices, his budget kills just one programan upgrade of the Air Forces 20-year-old JSTARS battle-management planewhich would have cost $7 billion over several years. Mattis has decided instead to build a new plane. In short, we are seeing the return of a let-er-rip era in defense spending, last seen in the George W. Bush administration. Trump is outspokenly inclined to give his generals whatever they want. Congress last week handed the Pentagon an extra $160 billionfor fiscal years 2018 and 2019 combinedwith no strings attached. Advertisement Opening up the spigots so widely, and unconditionally, sends a message: Keep the money flowing out, and it will keep flowing in. Certainly there are shortfalls in the militarys budget, especially given the almost constant rotation of ships, planes, and troops to battle zones worldwide. Mattis budget fills some of these with huge increases in the operations and maintenance account, a boost in innovative procurement practices and a well-deserved 2.6 percent hike in military pay. Advertisement But opening up the spigots so widely, and unconditionally, sends a message to the defense bureaucrats and program managers: Keep the money flowing out, and it will keep flowing in. Heres one small but telling indicator. Ever since the mid-1960s, the three main servicesthe Army, the Air Force, and the Navy (including the Marines)have received an equal share of the total military budget, plus or minus one or two percentage points. This was a formula, hit upon by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to avoid the internecine warfare that had plagued the services relations up till that time. Toward the end of the Obama years, this artifice became unsustainable: The Army stopped building big new tanks while the Navy and Air Force kept building more ships and planes. So, in Obamas last year, as a share of the three services budgets, the Navy got 36 percent, the Air Force 35 percent, and the Army a mere 29 percent. Advertisement Advertisement In the budget that the Pentagon released on Monday, the three services are back to equal handouts: The Navy and Air Force each get 34 percent, the Army 32 percent. So either a rational divvying up of defense dollars just happens to allot each service almost the exact same amount, or bureaucratic games are going on. So how would the $716 billion be spent, ifas is likelyCongress lets the administration do as it pleases? The picture is clearer if we look just at the Pentagons $686 billion share. Ten percent of it, or $69 billion, goes for overseas contingency operations, i.e., to fight the wars, including $46.3 billion for the war in Afghanistan and $15.3 billion for the wars in Syria and Iraq. Advertisement A huge increase is in shipbuilding, from the $27 billion in Obamas last budget to $31 billion for fiscal year 2018 to $33.1 billion for fiscal year 2019including two Virginia-class submarines, three Aegis cruisers, and one aircraft carrierwith plans to boost the number of Navy ships in the next four years from 289 to 326. This may make sense, given the vast expansion of U.S. military missions around the globe. No one is asking whether this expansion of missions makes sense. Advertisement Advertisement An increase in missile defense programs from $8.5 billion in Obamas last year to $9.9 billion. The beginnings of an increase in strategic nuclear weapons, including $2.3 billion (on top of the $2 billion in Trumps fiscal year 2018 budget) for the new B-21 long-range bomber and $600 million (on top of $500 million in 18) for a new air-launched cruise missile. Advertisement An increase in spending for combat planes from $45.3 billion in Obamas last year to $55.2 billion in 2019, almost one-fifth of it$10.7 billionfor 77 F-35 stealth jet fighters (which are still experiencing difficulties in tests of theiractual stealthiness). Officials at the Pentagons news conference indulged in some of the usual rhetorical hat tricks, not least the claim by Comptroller David Norquist that in 2016, the U.S. military was the smallest its been since World War II. As Norquist well knows, smallest does not necessarily mean least capable. One would be hard-pressed to find a general or admiral who would trade the military of 2016 with that of almost any previous year. Advertisement Few analysts in Congress, or in the think-tank world, scrutinize the defense budget the way they once did. When a nation is at war, much less when its embroiled in a half-dozen wars, there is a natural tendency to give the generals and admirals whatever they say they need. But, again, 90 percent of Trumps defense budget has little to do with the wars were fighting but rather with the wars we might be fighting in the future. Theres vast room for debate about those wars: the chances well really be fighting, the merits of whether we should be, the weapons wed need to do so, andnot leastthe things we might be doing now to prevent those wars from erupting, some of which have nothing to do with the size of the defense budget. The renowned robot-maker Boston Dynamics released a new, and likely highly produced, video on Monday of its latest robot dog, the SpotMini. From the looks of it, its an incredible piece of machinery with remarkably lifelike movements, showing a level of dynamism and coordination between its body and software that Ive never seen before, and it certainly left some people at least slightly worried that were nearing a future in which robots will be able to let themselves out of the lab. Advertisement In the video, a little robot dog prances over to a door, only to realize it has no hands and cant open it. A few seconds later, a larger Spot robot dog that has an articulated arm with a grabber for a hand where its head should be emerges from around a corner. The bigger Spot uses its grabber to grasp the door handle and begins to pull the door toward itself. The robot then props the door open with its foot, which frees its arm to stretch inside the door and push it open. It then holds it open as it waits for its friend to go through before following behind, all the while holding the door open with its arm as its body takes a turn and walks forward. Whats impressive here is that the robot isnt just agile enough to grab a door handle without either missing it by knocking on the door or grabbing the air, its also strong enough to pull it open and leverage its own weight to keep it open. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assuming the robot isnt completely remote controlled by an operator with exceptional motor skills, Spot probably had to be able to see the door handle, using some array of cameras and sensors, so it would know exactly where to place its claw and subsequently its foot to prop open the door, which shows a keen understanding of what its body is capable of. Most robots cant do this; this one can. Advertisement Computer vision in robotics is an area thats been making rapid advancements in recent years, but its a tough nut to crack. In e-commerce logistics, for example, bin picking and picking things off a shelf of varied weights, colors, and sizes have been particularly challenging tasks for robots, and most robots on the warehouse floor act more like smart pallets that can move heavy boxes without banging into anyones shins or another shelf. Advertisement While Boston Dynamics isnt showcasing a robot that can distinguish between two similarly shaped items on a shelf and pick the right one without knocking over everything else next to it, the robot dog in the video obviously knows how to use its grabber with an impressive level of precision and exert the right amount of force to complete its task. Advertisement Advertisement At this point, theres really no telling how a robot dog like Spot could be used beyond a military applicationperhaps to disarm or dispose of an explosive, or for some other task that is unsafe for humans. Before it was acquired by Google in 2013, Boston Dynamics primarily operated on research contracts from the military. Its famous humanoid robot ATLAS was funded by DARPA, the militarys experimental research arm, as was an early iteration of its quadruped robot, Big Dog. Last year, Google sold Boston Dynamics to the Japanese tech firm SoftBank, adding to the companys already impressive robotics roster. In 2012, SoftBank acquired a majority stake in the robotics company Alderban, which makes the humanoid robot Pepper thats supposed to be used in customer service settings. (I interacted with Pepper for not the first time at the CES technology show this year, and I wasnt impressed.) Advertisement Advertisement At TED 2017, Boston Dynamics founder and CEO Marc Raibert showed a video of its Spot robot delivering packages to peoples doors in Boston, explaining that one application for his mechanized dog might be package delivery. Weve been taking our robot to our employees homes to see whether we could get in the various access ways, Raibert said onstage. Were doing very wellabout 70 percent of the way. The robots clean casing will certainly go a long way in making that future more tenable, since the last thing anyone wants to knock on their door is a four-legged terminator. Two tech heavyweights gathered in a San Francisco courtroom last week for what was supposed to be a truly epic battle. Waymo, the self-driving car project of Google parent company Alphabet, had initially sued Uber over the alleged theft of more than 100 trade secrets. According to Waymo, the deed went down when one of its star engineers, Anthony Levandowski, quit and founded an autonomous truck company called Otto, which was acqui-hired by Uber, which like Alphabet wants to be first to market with a self-driving car. At the time, Uber was steered by Travis Kalanick, who last year was forced to step down from the $70 billion ride-hail startup following a series of embarrassing revelations about his leadership style and the sexist, alienating workplace culture that metastasized during his tenure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After just four days of fairly juicy testimony, however, the fight between the two companies fizzled. Both sides agreed to a settlement with no clear victors, though Uber will pay Alphabet the equivalent of $245 million in equity. While that may seem like a rather dull end to what was supposed to be the rare public Silicon Valley smackdown, the truth is that had the case played out to the end, neither side would have had much to gain. At least on the surface. By the time the suit, filed more than a year ago, made it to court, the list of potentially stolen trade secrets had dwindled to eight. Though its not clear what those secrets arethats the whole point of secretswe know they have to do with LiDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging, which allows self-driving cars to measure the distance between objects and detect them. If Uber had lost, it could have had to pay around $1 billion in damages. Had Uber won, Waymo would have looked petty. While $1 billion isnt nothing, Uber could easily have afforded the hit. Putting aside the paltry list of thefts, advances in autonomous driving technologies are happening so fast that these trade secrets were probably already outdated or were just about to be. And its not like either side is losing business yet: Self-driving cars havent hit the road beyond a few highly controlled tests, and right now the money is primarily from capital investment with no return. Advertisement Advertisement So what were these two tech superpowers actually arguing about? And does the settlement actually signal a cessation of hostilities between the two companies? The answer to the second question is definitely noeveryone racing to build a self-driving car assumes its a winner-take-all contest. Which is why the answer to the first question is a lot bigger than those eight supposed trade secrets would suggest. Advertisement For Uber, which has said it hopes to eventually replace the human drivers on its platform with a fleet of self-driving cars, losing is not an option, according to a text message Kalanick, then still Ubers CEO, sent Levandowski in 2016. (The text messages emerged as evidence during the trial.) The golden time is over. It is war time, went another message from Kalanick to Levandowski, who was also drunk on the possibilities of how powerful this new technology could be. That year he texted Kalanick, I just see this as a race and we need to win, second place is first loser. So great were the rewards of perfecting self-driving tech, the two believed, that the first to do so stood to potentially remake how humans move aroundand of course make gobs of money in the process. Advertisement Advertisement Everyone racing to build a self-driving car assumes its a winner-take-all contest. And they werent wrong. This technology will have a massive impact on human existence, says Karl Brauer, an industry analyst and the executive publisher at Autotrader and Kelly Blue Book. It will mean pure mobility and freedom when people can go wherever or whenever they want. I dont think the stakes of the UberWaymo case were super high. I think the stakes of the race are super high. The trial may not have been about much, but it was a proxy skirmish in a war that, to Uber and Alphabet, is about everything. Think about how Apples iPhone changed how we communicate and interface with the world, or Googles search product changed how we consume information. By perfecting those technologies, Apple and Google sparked whole industries that were once near-impossible to imagine. Telephones once changed the world, and then smartphones changed it again. The internet was revolutionary before it was easily searchable, and Google came in and revolutionized it again. Waymo and Uber are sure that something similar, but different in one crucial way, will happen with the automobile: Unlike phones and search, theres no room for almost good enough when it comes to cars. If its not totally safe, no one is getting in it. And that means that with this race, the first thing a company puts out there that people actually start to use has to be flawless. Sure, theres always room for improvement, but theres no room for mistakes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, its extremely unclear who is winning the fight. One of the pieces of evidence that came out in the trial was a 2015 internal presentation from Googles self-driving car project that showed how it wanted to consume all of Ubers profits, as well as a memo from Chris Urmson, a former Google self-driving car engineer, about how Uber was hiring people he suggested Google hire but didnt. That evidence and Kalanicks texts to Levandowski about how going slower is NOT an option anymore offer a portrait of two companies that werent exactly confident in their standing as leaders of a driverless tomorrow. And since 2015, Waymo has lost a plenty of talent from its self-driving team, including early engineer Chris Urmson, who started his own self-driving car company, Aurora, as well as Levandowski, who left for Uber only to be subsequently fired as the Waymo lawsuit gained heat. Theres also Bryan Salesky, another Google self-driving car engineer, who is now the CEO at Argo, an autonomous vehicle company backed by $1 billion from Ford, and Dave Ferguson, another Waymo engineering alum who is behind the wheel of yet another self-driving transportation startup called Nuro. Its not a stretch to imagine that Waymowhich got years of adoring press for the self-driving Google cars it had tooling around Northern Californiafeels it is losing or has even lost its advantage in the self-driving race. Meanwhile, with Uber still cleaning up the mess its former CEO made, the company might not be on top of its game with self-driving technology right now, either. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To really understand why a huge company like Alphabet would want to take on Uber in court, its important to consider how messy the birth of autonomous driving tech was. When the U.S. militarys innovation arm, DARPA, held a self-driving car competition more than a decade ago, many of the people who are now set against each other at rival companies were on the same team. There were lots of overlaps and informal sharing and all kinds of personalities early on, says Bryant Walker Smith, a law professor at Stanford who specializes in automated driving technology. The UberWaymo case can be seen, he says, as tidying up loose ends dealing with the remnant messiness from the beginning, said Smith. Still, just because the case is settled doesnt mean the road that lies ahead for automated driving is any less rocky. Advertisement Advertisement Complicating things further, almost every player in this race has some kind of financial tie to another one. Before the lawsuit Google Ventures, Alphabets venture capital arm, had already invested nearly $300 million in Uber. Then theres GM, which has partnered with Uber but is heavily invested in Ubers rival Lyft. Alphabet is also deeply invested in Lyft. Whats more, Apple has poured $1 billion into Didi Chuxing, Ubers rival in China thats also working on a self-driving car project. Both Uber and Waymo have conceded that they cant make all the tech that goes into the cars on their own. Waymo uses Chrysler vans and Ubers self-driving tech is hosted on Volvo SUVs. And if the talent and money continues to swirl like it has been before robot cars are actually ready to hit the road, dont expect this to be the last legal battle between runners in the self-driving race. I dont think people have figured out what form everything will take, Smith told me. That explains the willingness to hedge your bets or learn from your partners, and throw lots of stuff at the wall to see what sticks. Advertisement Advertisement This may seem like nothing but palace intrigue to anyone who doesnt make a habit or profession out of watching the tech industry. But if the prognosticators are correct, the proliferation of self-driving cars will reshape communities, transportation patterns, and how we spend our time while getting from here to thereif we can still afford to get from here to there. That has consequences for all of us, not just the people who will get even richer through their dominance of the technology. Dont be surprised if the race to perfect it takes another detour through a courtroom before one of these companies reaches the finish line. The judge a lawsuit against online and mobile food delivery service GrubHub has ruled Raef Lawson, who made deliveries for the company, was an independent contractor and not an employee. The Lawson v. Grubhub decision comes as several gig-economy companies grapple with the status of their employees and the associated costs of misclassification. GrubHub Drivers are Contractors So What? The ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley is extremely significant because it is the first federal court to reach a verdict on the status of gig economy employees. And coming from California, a state which has higher standards than most states for establishing workers as independent contractors, it means suits in other states will have a better chance of succeeding in favor of the companies. For small businesses using contractors of any kind, this is good news. There is a big difference between an independent contractor and an employee. Treating workers as employee entails following federal and state employment and labor laws, a much more costly and labor intensive process for employers. This can include minimum wage, overtime, expense reimbursement, workers compensation benefits and other protections depending on the state where the person is employed. So the settlement is a welcomed one by Grubhub and other companies leveraging the gig economy. In a statement posted on Arstechnica, Grubhub CEO Matt Maloney said, Were extremely satisfied with todays ruling in Lawson v. Grubhub, which validates the freedom our delivery partners enjoy from deciding when, where, and how frequently to perform deliveries. We will continue to ensure that delivery partners can take advantage of the flexibility that they value from working with Grubhub. The Case When the bid to classify the lawsuit against Grubhub as a class-action failed, it was limited to Lawson, a driver who claimed he was misclassified as an independent contractor while delivering food for the company. In her decision, Judge Corley wrote, Based on what the Court observed at trial and the facts found, and after applying the Borello test, (The Borello test determines if workers are properly classified as independent contractors) the Court finds that during the four months Mr. Lawson performed delivery services for Grubhub he was an independent contractor. What Does the Ruling Mean for Gig Economy Businesses? For gig economy businesses he ruling means they can lawfully continue to structure their companies on an independent contractor model. For small businesses using contractors and freelancers of any kind, the case may also lessen the fear of being penalized for misclassifying their workers. This is a huge issue for small businesses which in many cases do not have the budget to hire full-time employees especially when starting out. Robert Gilpin, R.I.P. - The Washington Post : His greatest book was written in 1981, but the main theory in it is perhaps more trenchant now... RegioJet launches daily Bratislava-Budapest Airport bus connection The private bus and train operator reacts to interest of passengers. Private carrier RegioJet is launching a direct bus connection between Bratislava and Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport in Hungary in response to passenger interest in using flights provided by low-cost air carriers from Budapest, the TASR newswire wrote on February 12. The private company buses will run on a daily basis, leaving Bratislava at 3:15 and arriving at Budapest Airport at 6:45, before morning flights. Conversely, the bus from Budapest Airport will leave at 10:15 and will pull into Bratislava at 14:15. Read also: Read also: RegioJet boosts capacity of trains on Bratislava-Komarno route Read more Were responding to repeated calls from passengers who want to save money and use a dense network of low-cost flights to and from Budapest, business director of RegioJet buses Marcela Hamrikova told TASR. We expect passengers to be interested in the new route. She added that if the new route is successful, more buses to Budapest Airport could be added in the future. In addition, RegioJet operates a direct bus link between Bratislava and Budapest five times a day. The buses stop at Budapests Kelenfold railway station, where it is possible to change for the underground. Beginning this year, the carrier launched a new Bratislava-Vienna-Budapest bus route, and it plans to launch new routes in Germany by the end of the year. 13. Feb 2018 at 13:44 | Compiled by Spectator staff European Commission to decide on further steps in air quality later Slovakia has found itself among the countries required to file new air quality plans to the European Commission, unless ready to face the Court of Justice later this year. Font size: A - | A + The European Commission will take one month to assess new measures presented by nine European Union member states to fight air pollution, the Euobserver.com website wrote on February 12. It also announced that it would postpone the decision of whether to take any of them to the Court of Justice for not doing enough. We will return to the matter in mid-March, EC spokesperson Mina Andreeva said on that day, as quoted by Euobserver.com. She spoke after the deadline for nine member states the Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom to present their new air quality plans expired. Commissioner calls for increased fight against air pollution Read also: Read also: Slovakia faces sanctions for polluted air Read more European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella told ministers, or their deputies, from those countries last month that they needed to step up their measures to prevent air pollution. He told them they had until February 5 to submit the plans, although a commission spokesman later said that it was not a legal deadline, and information sent over the course of the last week would also be accepted. We can now confirm that indeed all member states concerned have submitted additional information, which we will now evaluate, Andreeva summed up on February 12. The nine member states are all at the receiving end of the commissions infringement procedure, which is an escalation method of increasing pressure through subsequent warnings, and could end up in Court of Justice of the EU with a potential fine. So far this seems not to have happened. Last month, Vella acknowledged that some critics have said that the EC waited too long. The EC usually announces infringement decisions in monthly packages. Mondays announcement means, though, that those nine member states will have at least another month for active steps, Euobserver.com wrote. 13. Feb 2018 at 13:53 | Compiled by Spectator staff Stolen national treasure case stopped The alleged theft of a national treasure when a collection of jewelry, gold and money was collected among Slovaks back in the 1990s from the Matica Slovenska cultural institution was not a theft. The police have halted the investigation of the allegedly stolen national treasure of a cultural revival institution Matica Slovenska, which was created from peoples donations in the 1990's: from ordinary Slovaks jewels, gold and money. Matica Slovenska informed on the disappearance of part of the national treasure last year, the Sme daily wrote on February 13. This announcement was followed by several complaints. The prosecution halted on November 6 last year, as the deed investigated is not a criminal offence, and there is no reason to proceed further in this case, Zilina Regional police spokesperson Jana Baloghova told the public-service broadcaster RTVS. What happened to the Slovak "national treasure"? Read also: Read also: Missing items at Matica Slovenska are under investigation Read more Slovaks raised money and valuables for the national treasure between 1993 and 1996, to be further used for enlightenment, education and cultural events connected with Slovak traditions and nationality. Around 1 million have allegedly been collected in cash, gold and jewels. However, Matica Slovenska allegedly lost more than 800,000 of the collection when it invested in the Shares Cooperative Slovak Investments (Podielove Druzstvo Slovenske Investicie), which went bankrupt. Last year, the then-head of Matica Slovenska, Marian Tkac, pointed to the discrepancies. He opined that several dozen gold items were missing in the collection, the SITA newswire wrote. 13. Feb 2018 at 13:56 | Compiled by Spectator staff Volkswagen Slovakia reduces production Temporary step due to preparation for two new VW models. In the upcoming future, the Bratislava plant of German carmaker Volkswagen will start producing two new models: the new Audi Q8 and the third-generation Volkswagen Touareg. The preparations have already started and that is why some staffers were not at work at the weekends in January, after the factory holiday, the Sme daily wrote on February 12. Read also: Read also: Volkswagen officially opens its new Porsche segment Read more The carmaker plans to continue the four-shift operation soon, Volkswagen Slovensko spokesman Michal Ambrovic told the daily. These are short-term operation measures related to the productions expansion to three segments, he explained for Sme, adding that the onset of new models is also involved and that VW in the Devinska Nova Ves borough of Bratislava plans to continue four-shift operation. Read also: Read also: Automotive industry keeps growing Read more The changes in production will not be reflected in the standard employee salaries, head of Modern Unions in VW Slovensko, Zoroslav Smolinsky, said as cited by Sme. The launch of the new model production is expected this autumn, with the Volkswagen Touareg to be presented at a Beijing car show by the end of March and the new Audi Q8 at a Geneva car show at the beginning of March. 13. Feb 2018 at 13:59 | Compiled by Spectator staff After a six-year long dispute, the verdict was issued by the regional court. Czech Prime Minister of Slovak origin Andrej Babis has definitely lost the court dispute with the Nations Memory Institute (UPN) which included him in its list of communist secret police StB confindants. This stems from the ruling issued by the Bratislava Region Court, the Sme daily reported on February 13. The dispute lasted six years. The regional court had to deal with the whole case again, based on the Constitutional Court verdict from October 12, 2017. In its ruling issued in late January, it dismissed the original lawsuit submitted by Babis. It repeated what the constitutional court judges suggested earlier: the Bratislava Regional Court and the Supreme Court did not issue a fair ruling when they previously supported Babis in the dispute with UPN. The rejection of the motion filed by Babis, however, does not mean that he really was with StB. Judges underlined that UPN is not responsible for the content of the documents. Babis plans to turn to the courts again For us and for UPN this means that the Babis case is legitimately and definitely closed, said lawyers of the Polacek & Partners law firm, who represented UPN before the court, as quoted by Sme. Currently, there is no court decision claiming that Andrej Babis was wrongfully listed as an StB agent. Read also: Read also: Babis did not re-write the past Read more UPN has welcomed the ruling, but Babis, who won the Czech parliamentary elections but his government has meanwhile resigned, said he will turn to the courts again. I have never collaborated [with StB], I havent signed anything, it is a fabricated affair, Babis told the CTK newswire, adding that there are hundreds of people like him. The ruling does not suggest who should be sued, Babis claimed. Back in October, after the ruling of the Constitutional Court, he said he would probably sue the Slovak Interior Ministry because the Constitutional Court senate said in its ruling that even if Babis was listed in StB files without justification, UPN is not responsible as it only manages the archive of files. As a result, the potential culprit is the Interior Ministry, Sme wrote. The ministry told the daily they have not received any lawsuit yet. The Bures case Babis appears in the StB files published by the UPN most often under the name Bures. He would allegedly meet his superior in a secret flat and report on people, according to the Dennik N daily. During the proceeding, UPN claimed it had provided 12 files that document the activities of the agent under the cover name Bures, and that the authenticity and trustworthiness of these files are proven by 40 signatures of StB officers in various managing positions. Read also: Read also: Babis case will be reviewed Read more The file codenamed Bures was created by former StB agent Julius Suman, who in the court described the circumstances under which the file was made. Suman said he did not know Babis personally. In 1980, he created the file, but stressed that Babis knew nothing about it and that he did not contact him, nor ask to meet. Babis insisted his appearance in the files, often under the code name Bures, stems from a requirement that agents recruit new collaborators as part of their job. He contended that Suman merely listed his name so as to meet his recruiting quota. 13. Feb 2018 at 20:59 | Compiled by Spectator staff 2 women killed in Saptari elephant attack Two women have died in an elephant attack in Saptari on Tuesday. UNESCO inscription of primeval forests in Poloniny may be threatened The Carpathian Beech Forests, a UNESCO world heritage site, are not properly protected according to WWF and the Supreme Audit Office. The Slovak Supreme Audit Office (NKU) has found several flaws in the protection of the Carpathian primeval beech forests situated in the Poloniny National Park (NP) which are listed as a UNESCO site. The results of the full audit will be announced by NKU head, Karol Mitrik, during the cabinet's February 14 session. NKU advises Slovak government The audit office warned that under current circumstances, the inscription on the UNESCO world heritage list may be threatened. The main problem remains the legislative defining of the activities of the State Natural Protection of Slovakia (SOP SR), which is primarily focused on tasks of environmental protection, NKU spokesperson Daniela Bolech Dobakova said, as quoted by the Sme daily. This organisation has limited possibilities in terms of financing, insufficient staff levels, limitation of development activities as it is not the owner or manager of the areas lying in the NP Poloniny. Thus, NKU recommends the cabinet re-evaluates and elaborates on a draft of alternative ways of controlling the territory of the bio-spherical reserve, analyses the needs of legislative changes in the localitys management and governance, and boosts the position of the bio-spherical reserve. Read also: Read also: Slovaks celebrate forests primeval Read more The audit office also deemed the issue of ownership rights important, especially for the highest-level protection areas. Auditors recommended the Environment Ministry include the issue of this natural reserve in the Concept of Protection of Nature and Landscape that is now being prepared and update the Strategy of the SOP SR development, stressing the governance of localities with international importance. The Foreign Affairs Ministry has been recommended to coordinate the process of updating the map of international the bio-spherical reserve in NP Poloniny according to the current state. NKU recommendations evaluated positively Some reservations are rooted in the current, generally valid setting of nature protection, Environment Ministry spokesman Tomas Ferencak reacted, as cited by Sme. Thus, we evaluate very positively the NKU recommendations. Basically, they proposed some changes we are working on. These include the possibility to move part of the area owned by state under the SOP SR administration, drafting an amendment to the law on environmental protection for localities, etc. As for other flaws, some positive changes have already been made, Ferencak suggested, while some more are expected after the SOP SR undergoes organisational transformation. WWF unhappy with the vague measures Less than a week earlier, on February 9, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) warned that the draft of measures for the Carpathian primeval beech forests but also for other European regions elaborated on jointly by the Environmental, Agricultural and Foreign Affairs Ministries are too vague and unspecific, and do not secure full protection for the region composed of four parts in Slovakia and some more in Ukraine, which have been listed as UNESCO world heritage sites. Read also: Read also: UNESCO and WWF concerned about protection of Primeval Beech Forests Read more WWF called on Slovakia in July 2017 to ultimately define the borders of its locality and buffer zone, secure protection against logging and wildlife hunting, finish the integrated management plan and support sustainable tourism. Despite acknowledging some progress in this field, the WWF nevertheless states that the report on the Slovak part of the Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe is too general, unspecific and an insufficient reaction to the calls of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. In other words, it fails to secure the protection of these forests, head of WWF in Slovakia Miroslava Plassman pointed out, as quoted by the SITA newswire. What are the Carpathian primeval forests? The primeval forests in the NP Poloniny were inscribed on the List of the Biggest UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2007, among the most important global cultural and natural monuments. The inscription, initiated by the joint nomination of Slovakia and Ukraine, took place on June 28, 2007, in Christchurch, New Zealand, the TASR newswire wrote. Four localities of beech primeval forests National Natural Reserves: Stuzica, Havesova, Rozok and Vihorlat had been prepared by the Environment Ministry and the Technical University in Zvolen which specialises in forestry for seven years, TASR reported. The inscription involves cross-border world heritage that is composed of 10 individual localities of which four lie in Slovakia and six in Ukraine, along an axis 185 kilometres long, from the Rachiv Massif to the west, along the Poloniny Ridge all the way to the Bukovske and Vihorlatske Hills in Slovakia. The forest received this inscription because of its intact and virgin character which represents the climax of a natural environmental system. The act also obliges both countries to protect and preserve this unique, natural and untouched habitat. 13. Feb 2018 at 22:15 | Compiled by Spectator staff Slovak films featured at the 2018 Berlin film festival A Slovak co-production and short animation will be showcased at Berlinale 2018. The Slovak-Czech-Austrian co-production, The Interpreter, will premiere at the 68th International Film Festival (IFF) Berlinale which takes place between February 15 and 25. Thanks to its screening in Berlin, our film may reach foreign audiences, director Maritn Sulik said, as quoted by the TASR newswire. It may also be sold to countries it would never have reached otherwise And I am also curious about the reaction of German-speaking audiences, as the movie deals with Germany a great deal. Premiere, award and more The story of two elderly men, whose ancestors were on opposing sides during World War II and who seem to carry this burden into modern-time central Europe, will be shown on February 23. On his birthday, Czech actor/director Jiri Menzel, who plays the Slovak interpreter whose parents perished in wartime Slovakia, will get the Berlinale Camera award in Kino International, which celebrates international personages and institutions for their contributions and achievements, the Slovak Film Institute (SFU) and the film producers informed. Apart from Menzel, German actor Peter Simonischek (Felix Award 2017 main role in Toni Erdmann the Oscar-nominated film) plays an Austrian man, the son of a Nazi officer who was deployed in Slovakia. Other cast members include mostly Slovak actors/actresses: Zuzana Maurery, Anita Szvrcsek, Anna Rakovska, Eva Kramerova, Reka Derzsi, Attila Mokos, Karol Simon, Igor Hrabinsky and some others. The film, somewhere in-between a comedy and tragedy, adapted and directed by Martin Sulik, will premiere on February 23 and will be screened again on February 25. Other Slovak films at Berlinale The Slovak-Serbian animated short film, Untravel by Ana Nedeljkovic and Nikola Majdak Jr. (whose first work, Rabbitland, from 2013, already received the Cristal Bear) will also be premiered at Berlinale on February 17. The Little Harbour by director Iveta Grofova, the movie awarded last year by the Childrens Jury in Berlin, will vie for the EFCA award, the Best European Film for Children and Youth for 2017. The IFF Berlin 2018 will feature three more Slovak, or co-produced films: Nina by Juraj Lehotsky, Barefoot by Jan Sverak and Freedom by Jan Speckenbach. Slovak cinematography will also present itself at the European Film Market (EFM), together with Czech and Slovenian works in a joint presentation stall, Central European Cinema. A bilingual catalogue, Slovenske Filmy / Slovak Films 17-18, will also be issued along with a bulletin about Slovakia at Berlinale, and an English issue of the film magazine Film.sk with selected events of 2017 and 2018. In Slovakia, The Interpreter will go to cinemas on March 1. 13. Feb 2018 at 22:09 | Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovska 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. 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Trin Tr-Information. This is a purely informative post. Of late, I have received emails from some of you who have made it to a grad school in the US. First, ... Childhood Chocolate Memories Opting out of a late lunch, I inserted the one dollar bill into the vending machine and watched with fascination as the bar of snickers f... Ever Been To Jugarat? As a student, there are lots of parties one could attend here. Welcome parties, potlucks, barbecues, international students' parties,... Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Book Review Weighed down by a really heavy book (both in terms of actual mass and content mass) called The Chosen: The Hidden History of Admissio... Working for myself One year ago, I started working as a tenure-track faculty at a research university. After the first day at work, Ma asked me, "So wha... Mere Paas Ma Hai ... Aur Tumhare Pass? They are the reserve stores of love and affection (and adipose). Their pious feet (with sacred dust and all) mark the sanctuaries of the d... Activa(ting) talk Imagine a day comes when you make an entry in your gratitude journal that reads like this: Today, I was able to place an order with bigb... Sans Antonio, not sans love San Antonio, Texas. I shut the alarm at 5:30 am and went back to sleep again, getting late for day one of the conference. When I fina... New school year For as long as I can remember of my childhood, spring used to be the most exciting time of the year. This is because spring to me also mea... 3 Indian men held with stolen silver ornaments Three Indian men have been arrested in possession of stolen silver ornaments on Tuesday. Agricultural fair slated to open on Thursday The second edition of the Nepal AgriTech International Expo will kick off on Thursday at Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu. Are we following the Tottenham project plan? by | 13/02/2018 There seems to be quite a lot of similarities between Everton and how Spurs have performed after the sale of a top player. When Spurs sold Bale to Real Madrid in the summer of 2013 for 86m, they went on a spending spree buying seven players. They went on to finish one place worse off in the 2013-14 season, finishing 6th, one place below Everton. There are only two of the seven players still at the club (Eriksen and Lamella) so five of the seven failed to make the grade. Spurs went on to finish 5th, 3rd and 2nd in the following seasons and look good to finish in the top four again this season. Redknapp was replaced by Villas-Boas before the sale just as Martinez was replaced by Koeman; what followed was a short period under Sherwood before finally getting Pochettino in and settling down. We can only hope that we follow their lead and find the right man to replace Allardyce, then settle the ship. Spurs also had plans for a new stadium that should be ready in the near future hopefully we can replicate this as well. Return to Talking Points index : Add your Comments Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer About these ads ToffeeWeb Thousands of passengers were left stranded at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday as their flights home for Tet celebrations were repeatedly delayed. The incident came as no surprise as Vietnam is experiencing a travel rush when internal migrants in big cities return to their hometowns to observe the Lunar New Year that begins this Friday. Celebrations for Tet, the biggest family reunion of the year, are normally ongoing during the week before and after the date. A number of low-cost Vietjet passengers arrived at the Ho Chi Minh City airport on Monday night only to know that their flights had been delayed due to late aircraft arrival. The waiting room at the departure terminal was overloaded between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm, when thousands of passengers who had completed security screening were unable to board their flights home. Vietjet had to repeatedly announce its flight delays via the loudspeakers system, with some flights having their departure time adjusted two to three times. A flight delay announcement Many exhausted flyers had to lie on the floor waiting, while others had to buy extra food. Families who traveled with babies and the elders suffered the worst inconvenience. As of 8:30 pm the same day, the waiting hall of the domestic departure terminal remained packed with tired passengers. The travel rush, whereby students, workers and people working in big cities return to their hometown for the biggest family reunion of the year, began on Friday when it was less than a week away from the holiday. Tan Son Nhat is expected to serve 4 million passengers during the Tet travel rush. Below are some photos taken by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper: People in Vietnams Central Highlands and the southern region may have to celebrate the first rainy Tet in years, with the latest forecast on Tuesday showing that typhoon Sanba will approach the East Vietnam Sea right on the Lunar New Years Eve. Storm Sanba, which developed off the Philippines on Sunday, is gathering strength as it heads toward Vietnams Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago in the East Vietnam Sea, according to the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting. The typhoon is expected to make landfall in the southern coast of the Philippines on Tuesday afternoon, packing winds at 60 to 75km per hour and gusts at up to 100km an hour, the center said early the same day. As of Wednesday afternoon, the typhoon is forecast to head to the waters eastern of the Philippine island of Palawan, with the same wind strength, before moving into the East Vietnam Sea, where it becomes Vietnams second storm of the year. A map detailing the journey of Typhoon Sanba from February 13 to 17, 2018. Photo: National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting This Friday (February 16) marks the first day of the Lunar New Year, ushering in the Year of the Dog, in Vietnam. Called Tet, this is the biggest holiday in the Southeast Asian country. As of Thursday morning, or the Tet eve, storm Sanba is expected to reach a location some 450km northeastern off Truong Sa Island in the Truong Sa archipelago, packing winds at the same strength between 60 to 75km per hour. Le Thanh Hai, deputy director of the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting, said it is likely that the storm will weaken into a tropical depression upon entering the East Vietnam Sea. The closer the weather condition gets to Vietnams coast, the weaker it becomes, Hai said. The worst case scenario is that the tropical depression will cause unusual rain in the south-central, Central Highlands and southern regions, he added. This is the third time in two months Vietnams Truong Sa has had to face stormy weather conditions. Typhoon Tembin entered the East Vietnam Sea on Christmas Day, before storm Bolaven hit the area on the first days of 2018. The Australian Writers Guild is now calling for entries for the 51st Annual AWGIE Awards. The AWGIE Awards span film, television, documentary, theatre, radio, interactive, and are judged exclusively on the basis of the writers own vision, the script. 2018 entries are open to all eligible produced works that finished principal photography or production or had a first performance in 2017. In the 16 years since Blue Planet last aired film technology has seen staggering change, from cameras to manned submersibles, from drones to High Definition screens across most of Australia. At the same time the oceans have been subjected to rapid ecological decline. And while he is now 91 years old Sir David Attenborough remains the constant -a supreme storyteller, backed with the mighty resources of the BBC. Blue Planet II took more than 4 years to film, but the results are a joy from beginning to end. Attenborough appears briefly in the first episode to set the scene that the oceans encompass 70% of the planet, yet remain under explored. For the record he attributes degradation of the oceans as most likely a consequence of human activity but his focus remains preservation and education. Never has there been a more crucial time to reveal what is going on beneath the surface of the seas, he says. Backed by his producers, director, photographers, sound, researchers and more, Attenborough serves as tour guide of a parade of high drama. Here sea creatures become characters, and segments serve as small narratives. On the Great Barrier Reef we meet the quirky, persistent Tusk Fish, which has mastered the art of smashing open small clams for food. Some fish are much cleverer than you might suppose, Attenborough suggests. Off the Seychelles the giant trevally fish leap from the water to snatch birds hovering above the surface. Warning: backed by dramatic music from Hans Zimmer, this is like something from a Piranha movie. There is a ballet-like sequence between stingray and plankton, the latter now glowing thanks to new camera technology. There are sea otters, urchins and dragons and a curious exchange between false killer whales and bottle-nosed dolphins off New Zealand. Wait for the striking, bulbous Kobudai fish from Japan which has the ability to change genders. Very now. Inside every female Kobudai there is a new male in waiting, Attenborough reveals. Further north we meet killer whales rounding on herring, which makes for a visually stunning sight, later joined by humpback whales (its not clear why we overlook that the former is a predator of the latter). Finally, it is hard not to become affected by the plight of walruses in the Arctic, facing diminishing ice floes, as indeed are their natural predators, the polar bear. How does the animal kingdom endure when climate change is impacting their territory? Throughout this excellent work the cinematography is superb. On an HD screen, shimmering auroras hang in the sky while giant waves in slow motion unfold like mother natures curtain. The strings and choirs wrapped up in the soundtrack, together with Attenboroughs assuring tones, add a cinematic quality. The effect is quite spellbinding and Nine will follow with the shorter Making Of, also narrated by Attenborough, with each episode. Dont miss it. 7pm Saturday on Nine. Guests tonight on Hughesy, We Have a Problem are Kate Langbroek, Anne Edmonds, Merrick Watts & Sam Simmons plus an appearance by Brooke Satchwell. Radio partners Kate Langbroek and Dave Hughesy Hughes ruffle each others feathers when she joins the panel of Hughesy, We Have A Problem tonight at 9.00pm, only on TEN and WIN Network. The long-time friends cannot resist taking a friendly jab at one another as they work through everyday issues alongside some of Australias funniest problem-solvers: Anne Edmonds, Merrick Watts and Sam Simmons. Some of the big questions up for analysis this episode include is it ok to play offensive music in front of a baby, how do I tell my house guest to clean up her act, and how do I bring the love back to my marriage? Also this episode, beloved Australian actress Brooke Satchwell comes in to seek help with her hoarding habit that is slowly taking over her life. 9pm tonight on TEN. Ajayameru aims to be first e-municipality Ajayameru Rural Municipality will transform itself into e-rural municipality by mid-July this year, the municipalitys top executive has said. UK & Ireland Sunday Briefing: Another Impressive Win for Beresford February 13 2018 Matthew Pitt Conor 1_conor_b_1 Beresford is currently ranked number one in the United Kingdom for online poker tournament play by our friends at PocketFives.com and will likely extend his lead at the next update thanks to yet another impressive victory. Beresford came out on top of a star-studded 392-strong field in the PokerStars Sunday 500 to get his hands on $35,521. This latest win pushed Beresfords lifetime winnings through the $5.8 million barrier and was Beresfords 12th largest online score. Fishunter666 is another British player who found themselves in the winners circle on Sunday. After British grinders Link685 and westcourt bust in eighth-place for $4,452 and in fifth-place for $11,977, Fishunter666 took down the $215 Sunday Warm-Up for an impressive $44,815. While Beresford and Fishunter666s scores were substantial, they were blown out of the water by the massive $106,983 secured by olehaswonit. This gigantic sum was awarded to the Brit after he finished fourth in the $215 Sunday Million, a tournament that ended in a four-way deal. Some of the other notable cashes and victories by players from the UK and Ireland at PokerStars on Feb. 11 included: hdjgkfgsdl - runner-up in the $2,100 Sunday High Roller for $49,909 Crokou - winner of the Bigger $215 for $18,565 Luke Bit2Easy Reeves - sixth-place in the $2,100 Sunday High Roller for $14,961 woody266409 - runner-up in the $33+R Sunday Rebuy for $10,704 KeysOfCyprus - fourth-place in the $22 Double Deuce for $7,549 Tagult - fourth-place in the $530 Omania High Roller for $7,289 Mihaita $odomizr Croitoru - third-place in the $33+R Sunday Rebuy for $6,328 RagztoRiches - fifth-place in the Bigger $55 for $4,457 888poker proved to be a happy hunting ground for British players this week with a flurry of wins and big scores enjoyed by them. SpitOnGraves turned $1,050 into $24,200 by finishing second in the $120,000 Whale while hell0_br0tti finished third in the $100,000 Sunday Mega Deep for a $10,920 score. HLodge was the third-place finisher in the $15,000 Turbo Mega Deep, a result worth $2,576 and Brits dominated the $50,000 Sunday Challenge with three players at the final table. Charlie chazcombes Combes banked $3,898 for his fourth-place finish with mpompos6 turning $109 into $7,167 by finishing second. The tournament was won by Dan DeepInCidurr Daw who collected a cool $9,682. Over at partypoker, Chris Therealmoorm Moorman finished second in the $50K Gtd Sunday Title Fight (Fast) for a $7,400 addition to his bankroll while UK-based Lithuanian Matas bebaimis777 Cimbolas was the ninth-place finisher in the $250K Gtd Sunday Title Fight for $2,473. The last big score by a British player came in the $100K Gtd Sunday Grind (Slow) where Dean mugggy1 Quinn finished on top of the 580-strong field to secure a $21,367 payday, Want a mention in this article? First you'll need an account at these online poker rooms. Get the best deposit bonuses here. The Stars Group owns a majority shareholding in iBus Media Specialty pharmaceutical company Diurnal Group announced on Tuesday that the European Commission has granted a paediatric use marketing authorisation for Alkindi as a replacement therapy of adrenal insufficiency in infants, children and adolescents. The AIM-traded firm said the authorisation followed the positive opinion issued by the European Medicines Agency in December. It said Alkindi was specifically designed to provide the first regulated, consistent preparation of hydrocortisone to ensure efficacy and safety and ease of use for children suffering from adrenal insufficiency. Having adopted the EMA decision, the EC marketing approval under a paediatric use marketing authorisation would afford 10 years' data and market exclusivity for Alkindi in Europe. Given the specialist prescribing base, and to retain the full commercial value of the product, Diurnal said it would commercialise Alkindi itself in the major European markets. Diurnal has a detailed commercial plan in place for the anticipated first launch of Alkindi in the second quarter. We are delighted to receive European approval for Alkindi, a significant milestone for Diurnal as our first marketing authorisation, said chief executive Martin Whitaker. This approval is a major breakthrough for paediatric patients with adrenal insufficiency, with Alkindi being the first licensed treatment in Europe specifically designed for use in these children. Whitaker said paediatric AI was currently treated by compounding adult preparations of hydrocortisone, which has been approved for more than 50 years. We have a detailed commercial plan in place to bring this important new treatment to paediatric patients and address the current unmet medical need. We anticipate the first launch of Alkindi in the second quarter of 2018. Building a local food regime Eradicating hunger is a major challenge for sustainable development. According to a report released by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), there are about 795 million people around the world who are suffering from chronic hunger, including 159 million children who are chronically malnourished. Early cancer detection company Oncimmune Holdings announced its interim results for the half year ended 30 November on Tuesday, reporting continued commercial progress with its EarlyCDT-Lung product as a framework agreement with Genostics Company for China was signed. The AIM-traded firm said the exclusive licence was for the distribution, manufacturing and future development of all products related to the EarlyCDT platform. Royalty payments between 8% to 12.5% were agreed, with minimum royalties over the first six years post market entry of 15.7m, and 5m index linked per year thereafter. A 10m equity investment was also made in Oncimmune, with the first investment tranche of 7m completed on 29 January. In addition, the company signed new agreements in multiple territories during the period, with the EarlyCDT-Lung kit product now having minimum payment guarantees of 7.9m over the next five years in the Asia Pacific region, not including China. The EarlyCDT-Lung kit also had a minimum sales commitment of approximately 2.0m over the next five years in Europe. Oncimmune reported that the first commercial batches of the EarlyCDT-Lung kit were shipped to distributors for introductory testing prior to full market release, adding that its distributor base in the US was now being trained for the sale of our EarlyCDT-Lung test. A preliminary distribution partnership was said to be progressing well with an unnamed major US pulmonary sales force, for the use of EarlyCDT-Lung in assessing indeterminate lung nodules. The initial phase of that partnership was expected to complete by the end of the month, and following that, the parties would assess the results. If successful, it was expected that should lead to a distribution agreement for the US pulmonologists. Oncimmunes finger stick test was also launched, which the board said increased the speed and simplicity of the EarlyCDT-Lung test. On the research and development front, the company said development of the kit version of its EarlyCDT tests was helping expand Oncimmunes geographical reach, and the firm expected to make significant progress on that going forward. It reported that it had now validated the EarlyCDT-Liver test, and was on track to begin commercial sales in the first half of 2018. The NHS lung cancer screening trial was also now fully recruited, with 12,210 patients and final study results expected in 2019. Looking at the books, the companys revenues were flat at 0.1m, generated from early sales of the EarlyCDT-Lung test. Its loss before one-off and non-cash items was 3.04m, widening from 2.3m year-on-year, which the board said reflected recruitment, product development and commercialisation activities. A total of 5.0m was raised from new and existing investors during the period, with the company reporting a cash balance at period end of 6.3m, down from 7.6m. Since period end, the company had received the first tranche equity subscription of 7.0m from Genostics, making the cash balance 11.8m at the time of its announcement on Tuesday. Oncimmune continues to make excellent progress in delivering on the potential of our platform to detect up to four years earlier than other methods based on a simple, robust, blood test - a liquid biopsy, said CEO Geoffrey Hamilton-Fairley. We have recently entered an exclusive distribution and product development agreement in China which includes a 10m equity investment and 15.7m in minimum royalties. Hamilton-Fairley noted the company had now secured agreements for 12 countries with minimum sales commitments of 25.6m. We have also entered a preliminary distribution partnership with a major US pulmonology salesforce which is progressing well and, if successful, should lead to a significant distribution agreement focused on the risk detection of indeterminate pulmonary nodules - a large and growing market. With our R&D programme delivering new tests and commercial opportunities in personalised medicine and companion diagnostics, we are excellently placed to deliver value in the medium and long term. Pan African Resources updated the market on its progress for the six months ended 31 December on Tuesday - a period which saw the group further implement its strategy to provide a platform of stability at its operations at Barberton Mines and Evander Mines, as well as improved and sustainable cash flows and production for the second half of the year. The AIM-traded firm said the measures taken had seen substantial changes at all of its underground operations, with the restructuring at Evander Mines and the increased investment in development at Barberton Mines. It said the Elikhulu tailings retreatment plant project remained on track to commence commercial production a number of weeks ahead of schedule, whilst the operational challenges at Barberton tailings retreatment plant and the lower-than-anticipated recoveries were expected to be resolved following the installation of a regrind mill to assist with the processing of the coarser material encountered. The commissioning of Elikhulu will significantly advance Pan Africans strategy of sourcing a substantial portion of its annual gold production from long-life, low-cost surface tailings operations, its board explained in its statement. These surface tailings operations ensure sustainability in the challenging South African operating environment. The delivery of 85,282oz for the half year, down 6.9% year-on-year, was still described by the board as a credible performance in the light of the substantial challenges faced during the reporting period. Pan African noted that it remained profitable despite the currency volatility, the lost production days from industrial disputes, and the technical challenges at the BTRP. The group said it was now positioned for a stronger second half, with the results of its investment in the BTRP regrind mill and improved grades from Barberton Mines set to deliver strong production growth and lower costs over the next 12 months. Its production guidance for the full financial year was now approximately 177,000oz-181,000oz. Language, intellectual property support services and localisation provider RWS Holdings said on Tuesday that first-quarter trading has been in line with expectations. In a statement ahead of its annual general meeting, the company said the year to the end of September 2017 saw the fourteenth consecutive year of growth in group sales, underlying profits and dividends since flotation in 2003. Chairman Andrew Bode was due to say: "The group has performed in line with the board's expectations in the first quarter of the current financial year. Our focus now is upon the integration of Moravia together with the successful exploitation of the opportunities provided by our recent acquisitions. "Notwithstanding US exchange rate headwinds, the board is confident of further substantial progress in 2018 as RWS consolidates its global leading positions in its chosen sectors." RWS bought Moravia, which provides technology enabled localisation services to technology companies, on 3 November last year for $320m in cash. The company said the deal enhances its global presence, adding operations in the Czech Republic, USA, Japan, China, Argentina, Hungary and Ireland, provides further geographic and currency diversification, and adds an additional profitable, cash generative division of scale to the group. At 0920 GMT, the shares were down 0.7% to 427p. AIM-quoted oil and gas explorer SDX Energy gave investors an update on its North African operations on Tuesday, announcing that while things in Egypt had picked up speed, its Moroccan project had been stalled due to a faulty rig. SDX announced it had inked a contract for an ST-6 rig, set to be used to drill its Ibn Yunus-1X exploration well in South Disouq, Egypt. This would see four firm and one contingent well brought into production with spudding anticipated to start in mid-March. Operations at Ibn Yunus-1X were anticipated to take 30-40 days and will target the same Abu Madi conventional natural gas bearing intervals that had previously been discovered at its SD-1X asset in April 2017. Elsewhere in Egypt, SDX had spudded its Rabul 5 development well on the West Gharib Concession. However, in Morocco, drilling has been delayed at its KSS-2 development well after a top drive unit on one of its rigs had experienced an undisclosed failure. SDX said the unit was being repaired and with drilling set to recommence on Tuesday afternoon, it anticipated the rig would reach its target depth within "seven to ten days." Paul Welch, president and chief executive of SDX, said, "We are pleased to have secured a drilling rig for our upcoming drilling campaign in Egypt, which is set to commence in March. The Ibn Yunus-1X and Kelvin-1X wells are targeting up to 150bcf and, if successful, will be tied back to the SD-1X processing facility." "Following our discovery at Rabul 2 in October 2017, we plan to drill two development wells on the West Gharib concession this year, as we believe the licence holds significant development potential and further upside for all our stakeholders. We look forward to updating our shareholders on our exciting drilling campaigns in both Egypt and Morocco in due course," he added. As of 0900 GMT, shares had jumped 17.07% to 0.960p. Budget carrier RyanAir has announced that the 20% increase in salaries it's negotiating with its pilots will push its costs 100m higher next year. Speaking in Madrid on Tuesday, Michael OLeary has assured that although their costs may increase, the price of flights will remain the same and Ryanair will continue to be the cheapest airline. "We wont increase the prices, or our profits decrease or our costs will decrease, we still dont know." Although Ryanair had already reached an agreement with Balpa, the pilots union in the UK, in countries like Spain the labour disputes were still ongoing. Spanish union Sepla was planning legal action against Ryanair for having their pilots on an Irish contract, also claiming that many of them were working as "self-employed". At Tuesday's press conference, Michael OLeary explained that only 50% of the workforce was on such a contract and often by choice. The company had also extended the 20% salary increase to cover those pilots but Sepla was preventing it from being voted on, despite it not being a process requiring union recognition. "What Ryanair should see is that the workers are refusing the salary rise so that half of their colleagues become staff" Sepla said. That, the union argued, was more important for labour rights and safety than any salary increase. In parallel, the Irish carrier said it had slashed the price of flights to Catalonia by 30% in order to fill up flights. The unstable political situation in Catalonia and the summer terrorist attack threatened to reduce the number of tourists visiting the region. Michael OLeary explained that the airline didn't wait for demand to decrease and with their price reduction they have managed to keep flights packed. Ryanair also announced 29 new routes in Spain, with OLeary explaining how that highlighted the Mediterranean country's importance to the outfit. After consulting with a number of its other large shareholders, Shawbrook has rejected a takeover offer from major investor Pollen Street, while also publishing solid full year results that impressed analysts. On Friday private equity group Pollen Street, which brought Shawbrook to market two years ago at 290p and still holds approximately 38.9% of the group's shares, offered a price of 330p per share for the challenger bank that valued it at roughly 825m. The 330p offer price represented an implied premium of 37% to the six month weighted average share price of 241p on 30 January, a 23% premium to the closing price last Thursday before the approach was confirmed and a 14% premium to the April 2015 flotation price. Shawbrook's board, not including Pollen Street partner Lindsey McMurray who has been excluded due to conflict of interests, said they took into account the terms of the proposal, the board's confidence in the current strategy and feedback from its major institutional shareholders, concluded that it was not willing to recommend the consortium's proposal. "The revised proposal has therefore been rejected by the board." The board said it also considered the likely time it would take to deliver Shawbrook's strategy and achieve its longer term growth prospects versus the upfront value and certainty of the cash offer. "The board remains very confident in Shawbrook's strategy as a publicly listed company, as outlined in the capital markets day in May 2016, and in the ability of its current management team to deliver its plan, and is clear that its successful delivery and growth trajectory would generate significant shareholder value over the period to 2020." Shawbrook also announced its annual results on Tuesday, showing net interest margin down slightly at 5.6% compared to the 6.2% the prior year, while the cost to income ratio was improved to 45.1% from 48.3%. With the loan book growing by 22.0% to 4.1bn and net operating income up 26% to 209.6m, pre-tax profits grew 14% to 91.4m, and at the statutory level profits were up 26% to 88.2m. The underlying profit number includes a near-12m provision for a controls breach in the Asset Finance business, as announced by the group earlier in the year, though this has increased from the 9m reported at the interim stage. Excluding this, adjusted pre-tax profit increased by 29% to 103.4m. Statutory earnings per share up 7.5% to 25.9p and a maiden final dividend per share of 2.7p was recommended, 10% of profits as pledged at the IPO, which management said will increase to a ratio of 30% in 2017. The core tier 1 ratio decreased by 1.1 percentage points to 13.3%, which remains well above the regulatory minimum capital requirement of 13.0%. Looking forward, management's outlook was upbeat in spite of the macroeconomic and regulatory uncertainty: "the momentum we have seen in our results and the pipeline we continue to build for 2017 and beyond as we continue to invest in our platform gives confidence in our ability to continue to deliver strong and stable returns whilst we grow the business at a pace appropriate to market conditions as they unfold". Guidance was given for the return on tangible equity to remain in the 22-25% range, underpinning earnings growth. Chief executive Steve Pateman hailed the "pivotal year" for Shawbrook as it continued to deliver against the strategic pillars set out at IPO. "Shawbrook's journey since listing has been somewhat more challenging than anticipated due to the changes in the macroeconomic climate and outlook and the identification of the controls breach in the Business Finance Division announced on 28 June 20161. "However, Shawbrook today has a strengthened management team and sound foundations, making it well placed to take advantage of the opportunities that will continue to arise from the structural changes taking place in the UK banking market. Our disciplines on risk, returns, costs, liquidity and capital are clear and as we move forward, our guiding principles will be quality rather than quantity which, combined with practical banking and good sense, will create resilience, durability and sustainability." Reaction With the rejecting of the consortium's offer, the shares were down more than 2% to 312.4p. Broker Shore Capital said it felt the offer materially undervalued the group against its fair value of 400p. "We therefore think that the Board has come to the correct decision in rejecting this approach, but it now needs to convince the market it can deliver the growth strategy," said analyst Gary Greenwood. Numis also said it believed Shawbrook offers good value, trading at 10.9 times underlying historic earnings and, given the positive outlook and macro backdrop, the broker expect to upgrade forecasts by mid to high single digits. "We believe the potential offer from two PE houses -- we observe that PE houses are more or less universal sellers of businesses to the market at this time -- highlights the value Shawbrook offers," said analyst James Hamilton, pointing out that Shawbrook has the highest income margin amongst the challengers. "We like businesses that have sustainably high risk-adjusted margins, with low leverage, as they are better able to absorb external shocks, in our view. They consequently usually also offer lower risk as well as higher returns. High sustainable margins without a duration imbalance indicate pricing power, low negative earnings volatility, and a lack of excessive competition all of which we like. "Furthermore, high-margin businesses are better able to self-fund their own growth and return more profit to shareholders for any given volume of new business." Tour operator Tui jetted off to a strong start for its financial year with sales and underlying earnings both much improved on last year, sending its shares to fresh highs. Turnover of 3.55bn in the three months ending 31 December was up 8.1% or 9.1% at constant currency rates, while losses before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of 24.9m was halved from the 60.3m loss a year ago. Just focusing on ongoing operations, EBITDA was positive and grew 86% to 55.4m. Loss per share of 0.17 was slightly improved on 0.19 a year ago. There was a 20m hit to EBITDA from the bankruptcy of Air Berlin's Niki business but this was balanced as there was no repetition of the 24m charge taken a year ago when Tuifly's German pilots all called in sick. Tui also benefited from a 38m gain on the disposal of three Riu hotels. With the winter programme 88% sold with customers up 3% and average selling prices ahead 3%, current trading was said to be "progressing in line with our expectations", with summer already 35% sold. The UK is 41% sold with bookings in line with the prior year with prices ahead by 3%. Tui said it was "well positioned" to deliver at least 10% underlying EBITA growth at constant exchange rates for full year 2018. "We are delivering our ambition - strong strategic positioning, strong earnings growth and strong cash generation, with underlying EBITA doubling between FY14 and FY201." Demand was said to remain strong for the Western Mediterranean and Caribbean despite hurricane disruption and continues to improve for Turkey and North Africa. Eight openings of Tui's own hotel brands have boosted winter 2017/18 and seven further openings are due for summer 2018, following the disposal of three Riu hotels in the quarter and five 'repositionings' under the Tui Blue and Tui Magic Life brands to come, while one resort hotel in Fuerteventura is undergoing renovation and will be closed for most of the financial year. REACTION & ANALYSIS Shares in Tui hit new record highs on Tuesday morning, up more than 4% to 1,665p. This was a "robust" performance, said analyst Greg Johnson at Shore Capital, with seasonal losses down sharply and full- and future-year guidance reiterated. He said underlying improvement was driven by hotels and cruise capacity of 11m and a 17m improvement in the tour operator segment, driven by a good performance in the Nordics, Belgium and Netherlands partly offset by lower margins in the UK. This was partly offset by increased losses from all other segments, most notably extended maintenance at Corsair. Current bookings "appear strong" across most regions, albeit the UK is down 4% with load factors slightly ahead, against tough comparatives and a modest reduction in risk capacity, with ASPs ahead by 8% reflecting the high cost inflation in the UK market, with margins down on the year. Johnson forecast 2018 underlying EBITA up 10% to 1,224m and earnings per share of 1.29. "Tui continues to make good progress in delivering on its strategy to recycle capital into high quality growth channels of cruise ships and hotels, with a further delivery for its Tui Cruise JV announced for 2023. These channels continue to deliver strong profit growth with less seasonality. The tour operator segment continues to deliver a resilient performance with demand strong for most regions, albeit sterling related cost pressures continue to impact the UK, where margins and profits are likely to be down year-on-year." Mike van Dulken, head of research at Accendo Markets, said shareholders are being comforted by strong demand for holidays in the northern and central regions, summer selling in-line with expectations and continued improvement in destinations such as Turkey and North Africa which had been shunned following acts of terrorism. "Very reassuring too is the growing cruises segment faring so well with revenues and profits jumping in spite of much implement weather in H2 last year." But whats really driving the shares to fresh record highs with a 10% bounce from last weeks sell-off lows, he said, is likely to be lower debt and improved underlying profitability, if excluding one-offs, disposals/acquisitions, restructuring charges that were "awkwardly plentiful" in the latest period, leaving management comfortable even at this early stage to reiterate full year growth guidance. Another front has opened against Syria. Israels Air Force attacked Syria Feb. 10. Three Syrian air defense batteries and four Iranian military targets were among 12 positions attacked. Israel lost an F-16. Two crew ejected and were recovered in Israel. One has been released from the hospital; the health of the pilot remains unclear. Israel claims its attack was launched in response to an Iranian drone launch into Israeli airspace. Tehran rejected the claim that one of its drones had made an incursion. Russia issued a warning to Israel cease and desist after the attack. The Israeli Prime Minister held phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson after the retaliation. Putin urged Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid any steps that could lead to a new round of confrontation dangerous to everyone in the region, Russias U.S. mouthpiece RT reported. Moscow has Russian service members stationed in Syria and said it considers any threat to their lives unacceptable. That might be why the Russians abandoned posts in Afrin before Turkey attacked Kurds in Syria. Israel's attack came just two days after U.S. military equipment routed Syrian forces Feb. 8. A Pentagon reporter suggested, Russian contractors" were within the pro-Syrian force attacking a Kurd/U.S. position in Deir al-Zor province east of the Euphrates. When Syrian President Bashar al-Assad attempted to retake oil fields in Khusham, he found it costly. No U.S. or U.S.-backed forces were reported dead. One SDF was injured. Washington estimated that more than 100 pro-Syrian government forces were killed in the counter-attack. Syrian state television reported that the coalition had caused dozens of dead and wounded. But a commander in the military alliance supporting Assad disputed the death toll, saying only seven members of the pro-government forces were killed and 27 injured. Exactly who comprised those forces is unknown. Russia provides air support for Syria. Iran provides arms, military advisers, and combat troops. Hezbollah has also sent thousands of fighters. Shia Muslim militias, recruited in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, and Yemen also fight for Syria, according to the BBC. Mixed signals Moscow and Washington reportedly maintain contact in eastern Syria to prevent unexpected confrontation between forces they support. The Pentagon claims Russias command in Syria was warned before the attack. The U.S.-led coalitionincluding Arab militias and Kurdshad alerted Russian officials about the presence of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a U.S. official said. Some YPG fighters seemed to adopt the SDF moniker last summer to continue U.S. support. Russias Defense Ministry said the pro-government militias involved in the attack had been carrying out reconnaissance and their activities had not been previously agreed to with Russia, according to Russias Interfax. The reconnaissance included a battalion-sized unit formation supported by artillery, tanks, multiple-launch rocket systems and mortars, a Pentagon spokesperson said. The West considers the Kurdish Democratic Union Partys armed wing, the YPG, a terrorist group with ties to the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged a decades-long fight inside Turkey. Want to fight? After 20 to 30 artillery and tank rounds landed within about 500 yards of the SDF headquarters, the SDF, supported by the U.S.-led coalition, targeted the attackers with a combination of air and artillery strikes, the spokesperson said. The Assad's forces then decided to charge in a different. The U.S.-led coalition was set up in 2014 to battle Islamic State fighters in both Syria and Iraq, who were largely defeated last year. Some 2,000 U.S. forces remain on the ground in Syria. Americas reaction was a counter-punch, according to U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. This is self-defense, he added. Develop surface links under Silk Road plan Nepal needs to focus on developing surface connectivity along eight proposed north-south corridors under Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), experts and stakeholders said. M&A General Dynamics' and CSRA's recompete challenge There is some caution for CSRA with respect to its recompete picture as its $6.8 billion acquisition by General Dynamics comes closer to completion. Krishna Sinha, government market analyst at Vertical Research Partners, wrote in a note to investors that the medium term will see CSRA having to rebid for the third Groundbreaker recompete yet to be awarded, another large Transportation Security Agency IT contract, the Armys Warfighter Focus contract and others. The company also is in the hunt for the $3.5 billion Navy Next Generation Enterprise Network recompete, currently held by DXC. A solicitation is expected in the coming weeks with an award possible by the end of the year. Large-scale mergers in federal IT can impact a companys win rates due to consolidation of bid and proposal staff and management attention being diverted to the integration among other reasons, Sinha wrote. That said, the combined companys pipeline of new opportunities could help mitigate any recompete risk. CSRA CEO Larry Prior told investors that there are 25 contracts north of $500 million in the pipeline that a larger entity could better target. After Leidos and the General Dynamics IT-CSRA combination, Booz Allen Hamilton would be government IT and services third-largest player at $5.8 billion for its most recent fiscal year. Next would be SAIC at $4.45 billion, then CACI International at $4.35 billion in revenue. The combination of DXCs U.S. federal business with Vencore and KeyPoint Government Solutions would be just behind CACI at $4.3 billion in revenue. Illegal settlers occupy more than 25,000ha forest land in Kailali More than 25,000 hectares of forest land in Kailali district have been encroached upon and being converted into private properties. Taking the honors for best movie for grownups was Star Wars: The Last Jedi, an iconic film for our generation. Gary Oldman received the best actor award for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour, and Annette Bening was awarded best actress for her portrayal of Gloria Grahame in Film Stars Dont Die in Liverpool. We also paid tribute to Helen Mirren, whose distinguished career spans stage, screen and television, with the Movies for Grownups Career Achievement Award. As a richly talented woman, whose avalanche of honors began arriving just about the time she turned 50 and continues as she moves into her 70s, she is an extraordinary role model who challenges and inspires us to take on today. Researchers have discovered that the gene responsible for Huntington's disease contains "super assassin" sequences that produce molecules that clobber cancer. The discovery, published this week, means that we may one day have an effective way to kill cancer cells without the side effects of chemotherapy. Harnessing these killer molecules could be a game changer, says Marcus Peter, a professor of Cancer Metabolism at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, the senior author of the study published in EMBO Reports, a scientific journal. In earlier research, the team discovered that everyone has natural cancer-fighting RNA molecules. Peter says they appear to be an ancient kill-switch that weve had for eons, meant to make sure that our cells dont become cancer cells. That study used the molecules to reduce tumor growth in mice. There were no apparent side effects in the treated mice. Their more recent study took that research one step further by looking at the gene that causes Huntington's, a neurodegenerative disorder. People who have Huntington's have a reduced risk of getting cancer up to 80 percent lower than the general population. Peter and his colleagues designed small RNA molecules that mimicked the sequences found in Huntingtons genes and introduced them to tumor cells in mice. They were blown away by how effectively the Huntington's RNA molecules attacked the cancer. The molecules are 100 times more toxic, 100 times more effective than the cancer fighters in the earlier study, says Peter, who will be presenting the findings at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) meeting in Chicago this spring. Take tiny, tiny amounts of them, introduce them to any cancer cells and they are flattened, every one of them. In theory, the new molecules could be used as cancer treatment instead of chemotherapy, which messes up the genome and can elevate a patients risk of other cancers. The whole thing is totally exploding, says Peter. "We're very excited about this." However, it's still years from being ready for prime time. It needs much more testing before it can become a widespread treatment. But, Peter adds, "Of course we are frantically working on it. Purdues statement said it eliminated more than half its sales staff last week and will no longer send sales representatives to doctors offices to discuss opioid drugs. The OxyContin time-release pill was a breakthrough for relieving chronic pain when introduced in 1995. But some users discovered they could get a heroin-like high by crushing the pills and snorting or injecting an entire dose at once. In 2010 Purdue reformulated OxyContin to make it harder to crush. Purdue eventually acknowledged that its promotions exaggerated the drugs safety and minimized the risks of addiction. The company and three executives pleaded guilty in 2007 for misleading the public and agreed to pay more than $600 million. Andrew Kolodny, codirector of opioid policy research at Brandeis University and an advocate for stronger regulation of opioid drug companies, said Purdues decision is helpful but wont make a major difference unless other companies follow suit. Allergan, which makes three opioid medications, said it has not actively marketed those drugs in years, and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a unit of Johnson & Johnson, said it stopped marketing the medications in 2015. Both said opioid drugs make up a very small portion of total revenue. Kolodny said opioids are useful for cancer patients who are suffering from severe pain and for people who need a pain medication for only a few days. But he said the companies have promoted them as a treatment for chronic pain, where they are more harmful and less helpful, because its more profitable. Michael Ventura/Alamy According to Mattel, the average kid in the U.S. owns 50 Hot Wheels cars, and 10 cars are sold every second. There are Hot Wheels Collectors Clubs around the country, an annual convention for collectors in Los Angeles recent online listings included a fluorescent pink 1973 Hot Wheels Mercedes Benz for $1,100 and a Hot Wheels live-action feature film reportedly in development and set to star Jeremy Renner, 47, of The Hurt Locker. A few Hot Wheels milestones: 1968: The first Hot Wheels car is created: a blue 1968 Camaro RS, Chevrolet. According to Mattel lore, when designer Elliot Hander saw the first car rolling along the floor, he said, Those are some hot wheels. 1979: The company teams with Marvel to create scene machines vans and trucks with comic book heroes inside. 1987: The first Hot Wheels Collectors Convention is held in Toledo, Ohio. 1991: The 1 billionth Hot Wheels car is made. 1995: Mattel releases its limited edition Treasure Hunt models with real rubber tires and fiery paint jobs. With only 10,000 of each produced, collectors love them. 1997: Hot Wheels buys Matchbox. (Bye-bye rivalry.) 2017: Chevrolet releases a full-scale version of the first Hot Wheels car, the 2018 Camaro Hot Wheels Edition. (For $4,995 you can get graphite stripes, a unique grill, embossed headrests and more on the Camaro 2LT and 2SS coupe and convertible models.) Undefeated Aberdeen Central remains at third spot in latest poll Class 11AA continues to shape up as a tight race with top-ranked Tea Area, No. 2 Pierre, and No. 3 Aberdeen Central. Indian envoy meets UML Chair Oli Indian Ambassador to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri held a meeting with CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, who is widely seen as the next Prime Minister, at Singhadurbar in the Capital on Tuesday. SANTA FE A bipartisan package of anti-crime legislation with support from both prosecutors and public defenders cleared a key Senate committee Monday as supporters raced to get it passed in the final days of the session. The 90-page proposal, co-sponsored by Republican Rep. Nate Gentry and Democratic Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, both of Albuquerque, was approved 11-0 in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill combines a variety of crime-fighting strategies ranging from $15,000 bonuses to encourage retention of veteran police officers to increased penalties for violent felons caught with a firearm. There also provisions that change penalties for minor offenses to ease the burden on prosecutors and allow them to focus on more serious crimes. This may not be perfect, but I think its a big step forward, said Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe. This is the type of balance we need. But others raised questions about whether the proposal, House Bill 19, is ambitious enough. I worry that were still spinning our wheels, said Sen. Cisco McSorley, D-Albuquerque. I worry that there should be a lot more true reform. Gentry and Ivey-Soto said the proposal is a pragmatic attempt at finding common ground between the traditional Democratic and Republican approaches to crime. Gentry is the Republican floor leader in the House. Ivey-Soto said other anti-crime bills including some hes proposing may also have merit, but the more contentious ideas were left out of the bipartisan bill to make it easier to win support. Theres no guarantee that Gov. Susana Martinez, a Republican and former prosecutor, will sign the bill, but the legislation cleared the state House on a 66-1 vote. The legislation picked up support in Mondays meeting from agencies and advocates who are often at odds in the crime debate. State prosecutors, public defenders, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico and the state Association of Counties all testified in favor. Crime is a horrible, rising problem in Albuquerque, said Terri Cole, the chambers president and CEO. The business community considers this a crisis that needs to be fixed. New Mexico had the nations highest property crime rate and second-highest violent crime rate, after Alaska, in 2016, the latest year for which FBI data are available. To make it to the governor, the proposal still must clear the Senate Finance Committee and the full Senate and then go back to the House for approval of some minor amendments by noon Thursday, the end of the 30-day session. The bill has provisions aimed at getting treatment for inmates struggling with a mental illness or addiction, even after they leave jail. It would also tighten alcohol-testing requirements for people who want to remove an ignition interlock device installed on their car. A law firm that previously sued Bernalillo County for fatally wounding an elderly man with a less-lethal pepperball gun is now considering a case against the manufacturer of the weapon. Last week, a complaint to enforce the Inspection of Public Records Act was filed against the state Department of Public Safety. The complaint, filed in state District Court in Santa Fe, is seeking damages and the release of all pepperball training materials, and correspondence between the company that provided the pepperball guns and DPS, according to the complaint. Pepperball weapons are less-lethal guns that shoot a ball filed with a stinging chemical at a suspect. Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office shot Fidencio Duran, 88, dozens of times with the guns when he was found wandering distraught in the South Valley in September 2015. Duran died a month later and his death was ruled a homicide, according to a lawsuit brought against the county by Durans family. The county settled that case last year. Shannon Kennedy, an attorney for the family, said the settlement prohibited the plaintiffs from disclosing the amount. The county didnt respond to a records request or a comment about the settlement on Monday. PepperBall is a registered trademark of United Tactical Systems LLC, the manufacturer, according to the PepperBall website. Kennedy said that the complaint against DPS to enforce IPRA is an attempt to find out how widespread the weapons are in New Mexico and what type of training is provided to law enforcement agencies that use them. She said the information may be used in a future products liability case against the maker of the weapon. They know its dangerous to use (the weapons) on the elderly, pregnant and children, Kennedy said. We think that training should be mandatory. SANTA FE The top Democrat on the Senate Rules Committee accused New Mexicos public education chief, Christopher Ruszkowski, of failing to submit the paperwork necessary for consideration of his appointment as a cabinet secretary. Sen. Linda Lopez, an Albuquerque Democrat and chairwoman of the Rules Committee, said Ruszkowski has refused to submit a questionnaire asking about tax liens, conflicts of interest and other past conduct. And a release allowing him to undergo a background check hasnt been submitted, she said. I find it curious that the cabinet-secretary designate is choosing not to live up to this standard that we require of our educators, Lopez said in a written statement. Gov. Susana Martinezs administration fired back, arguing that Ruszkowski underwent a background check in 2016 when he was appointed deputy secretary. With over 100 nominees still waiting for a hearing, its clear Linda Lopez is unable to do her job no matter how much paperwork is done, Martinez spokesman Michael Lonergan said. The idea of the Senate Rules Committee accusing anyone of not fulfilling a constitutional duty is laughable. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE Much of what aerospace companies do at Spaceport America even who they are could be kept confidential under legislation that passed the state Senate on Monday. The proposal won approval on a 35-5 vote and now heads to the House, with just a few days left in the session. Sen. William Burt, an Alamogordo Republican and a co-sponsor of the legislation, said the bill is needed to ensure the Spaceport can compete for business in the aerospace industry, where companies demand privacy to ensure rivals dont steal their intellectual property. A few senators, meanwhile, questioned whether so much secrecy is appropriate for a publicly funded agency. And one senator questioned the viability of the Spaceport itself. In the end, just five senators, all Democrats, opposed the bill. Supporters said the measure would help taxpayers earn a return on their $220 million investment in the Spaceport. They hinted that customers are ready to sign contracts if the bill passes. The agency itself suggested the legislation might result in at least $2 million more in annual state revenue because of new customers. Landing just one large company, the Spaceport contends, could result in 200 new jobs. It is a new day at Spaceport America, Burt said. This bill will provide them the protection they need to bring in some of the biggest names in aerospace. Sen. George Munoz, D-Gallup, said the Spaceport has already operated with too much secrecy and the state has continued to plow money into the place, even after the initial investment. At the end of the day, weve invested over $250 million, he said, and the Spaceport has done nothing for the state of New Mexico to generate income. But he noted that the agency is under new management, and he supported the bill in the end. If passage of the bill doesnt result in new business, Munoz said, the state should sell the Spaceport. Sen. Howie Morales, D-Silver City, also questioned the need for more confidentiality. New Mexico taxpayers deserve to have the information they need in a timely fashion, said Morales, who voted against the bill. Senate Bill 98 would exempt more Spaceport information from disclosure under New Mexicos public records law. Trade secrets are already exempt. But the proposal would also allow the agency to keep secret the identity of the Spaceports aerospace customers, if they dont want their names disclosed. The legislation also allows confidentiality for any proprietary business and technical information related to customers operations. The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, which opposes the bill, has said the legislation would make the Spaceport the least transparent agency in the state. The proposal now heads to the House where it may have to pass a committee or two, in addition to the full House. The legislative session ends at noon Thursday. Mahashivaratri festival observed (in photos) Hindu devotees all over the country are celebrating the great festival of Mahashivaratri by worshiping Lord Shiva at various shrines on Tuesday. SANTA FE Father. Husband. Actor. Those are three aspects of Brendan Fehrs life that are special to him. Hed like to add one more New Mexican. The Night Shift and Roswell actor was the keynote speaker at the annual Film and Media Day at the Roundhouse on Monday. I have a long history with New Mexico, even before I set foot into it, Fehr said. Then it took me another 15 years to arrive in Roswell when I shot the film Roswell FM. It was like going home. After getting a starring role as Dr. Drew Alister in The Night Shift, Fehr moved his family to New Mexico from California. Three years later, his wife and children dont want to leave. None of them want to go back, he said with a laugh. I dont have an interest in going back, either, to be perfectly honest. Fehr says New Mexico is home and the family is planning on staying. It does seem like there is something that keeps calling me back, Fehr said, I have no interest in fighting against it. The Film and Media Day celebrated how the film industry continues to be a bright spot for the New Mexico economy. For the third year in a row, the industry has broken its own record of direct spending into the economy, with $505.9 million. In addition to that, the state also had 52 productions with a budget of over $1 million, up from 30 in fiscal year 2016. Because the number of productions grew, the number of worker days also increased to 448,304 from 260,307 in fiscal year 2016. In this years legislative session, Rep. Antonio Moe Maestas, D-Albuquerque, introduced House Bill 113, which would remove the annual cap on the film tax credit. It is in the House Taxation and Revenue Committee. Currently, there is a $50 million limit on the credits paid out in a fiscal year, and the state reaches the limit each year. Rep. Bill McCamley, D-Mesilla Park spoke about the economic impact the film industry has in the state. He says the film industry creates good jobs. It created options for people to stay here, McCamley said. It also showcases the state. The landscapes are so gorgeous, and people want to live here. Movies and TV gives us a reach into the rest of the world. Fehr said the impact that a production has in the state is massive. And he wants to see the film industry keep moving forward. Art can change lives, Fehr said. The film community makes it possible for people to tell their stories. Its a privilege being part of this community. WASHINGTON President Donald Trumps national spending plan for 2019 arrived on Capitol Hill on Monday with a $4.4 trillion price tag that includes substantial budget increases for the Pentagon and the nuclear weapons complex and deep cuts to the Interior Department, Environmental Protection Agency and other non-defense departments. The budget reflects our commitment to the safety, prosperity, and security of the American people, Trump said in the documents preface. The more room our economy has to grow, and the more American companies are freed from constricting over-regulation, the stronger and safer we become as a nation. The presidents spending request is just that a request, as appropriations are the responsibility of Congress. Some Democrats, including Sen. Tom Udall a New Mexican who sits on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee pronounced it dead on arrival and lamented cuts to clean air initiatives, Medicaid and other domestic programs. The budget is an assault on struggling families, gutting funding for the very programs that help people grappling with poverty and trying to get ahead, Udall said. The Department of Defense may be strengthened in the short term with increased funding, but by mortgaging diplomacy, education and families across the country, we will ultimately sap the strength of the American people, including the military. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., said that the budget is not perfect but that there is much to be encouraged by in this request. The White House remains committed to rebuilding our nations military and defenses, it continues to prioritize the reduction of burdensome and duplicative regulations, it supports New Mexicos federal facilities, and it strives to make a real dent in our nations ever-growing debts, Pearce said. The presidents spending outline for the first time acknowledges that the Republican tax overhaul passed last year would add billions to the deficit and not pay for itself as Trump and his Republican allies asserted. If enacted as proposed, though no presidential budget ever is, the plan would establish an era of $1 trillion-plus yearly deficits. Trumps $4.4 trillion spending plan for 2019 is about $300 billion higher than his $4.1 trillion request for 2018. Unlike last years submission, the 2019 Trump proposal would cut Medicare by $554 billion over the next 10 years, a 6 percent reduction from projected spending, including cuts in Medicare payments going to hospitals and rehabilitation centers. Trump is requesting a record $686 billion for the Pentagon, a 13 percent increase from the 2017 budget enacted last May. The Environmental Protection Agency budget would be cut by 23 percent, with dozens of programs eliminated under the Trump proposal. The White House budget would funnel $15.1 billion or $2 billion more than current year spending to the National Nuclear Security Administration, a division of the Department of Energy that oversees nuclear weapons work at Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories in New Mexico. Nuclear spending has generally increased in both of the past two presidential administrations, but not as much as Trump is proposing. U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry citing LANL as one example said Monday that previous administrations have neglected the nations nuclear complex. Our nuke weapons program has been pushed back and pushed back and pushed back for years, Perry told reporters on a conference call Monday. They havent been able to keep up with the modernization work that needed to occur for maybe decades. At the Department of the Interior, which manages most of the federal governments vast landholdings, Secretary Ryan Zinke told reporters the budget proposal asks Congress to start a fund of up to $18 billion to help erase a deep backlog of repairs and maintenance to national parks and wildlife refuges. The fund, which would also pay for repairs to the Bureau of Indian Education schools, would be paid for with new energy development leases. This budget is all about rebuilding our park system and will use our energy holdings to pay for it, Zinke said. The Trump budget would spend $11.7 billion on the Interior Department in 2019, slightly more than the $11.6 billion proposed for fiscal 2018. But the administrations budget requests less than the current $13.5 billion. The Associated Press contributed to this report. LAS CRUCES A Las Cruces police officer has resigned after being charged with an aggravated DWI, police officials confirmed. Ryan Holguin, a patrol officer for the Las Cruces Police Department, was pulled over by a Dona Ana County sheriffs deputy around 2:43 a.m. Friday, Feb. 9, for allegedly failing to maintain his lane of travel, according to DASO incident records. Holguin, who was traveling south along N.M. 28 in an unknown vehicle, was stopped near Vinton Road in Anthony, New Mexico, according to DASO. A responding deputy reported that Holguin had an odor of consumed alcoholic beverage, slurred speech and bloodshot watery eyes. During the traffic stop, Holguin allegedly refused to conduct standard field sobriety tests and submit to chemical testing. The deputy also learned that Holguins drivers license had been suspended. Holguin was charged with aggravated DWI. It is unclear if he is facing additional charges. DASO incident records indicate that he was charged, cited and (his) vehicle (was) towed. But Holguin was not booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center, according to jail records. It is unclear why. The countys public information office did not immediately respond to questions. LCPD spokesman Dan Trujillo said the department first learned of the incident on Friday morning. Holguin was then immediately placed on administrative leave, Trujillo said. But later on Friday, Holguin submitted his resignation, Trujillo said. Holguin had been with LCPD since March 6, 2017. Carlos Andres Lopez can be reached 575-541-5453, carlopez@lcsun-news.com or @carlopez_los on Twitter. 2018 the Las Cruces Sun-News (Las Cruces, N.M.) Visit the Las Cruces Sun-News (Las Cruces, N.M.) at www.lcsun-news.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. _____ TUCSON, Ariz. A man has been sentenced to 59 years in prison for kidnapping and raping a south Tucson woman at gunpoint. Abraham Antonio Garcia was convicted last December. Prosecutors say the victim was walking home with her baby in a stroller in March 2016 when the then 22-year-old Garcia came up behind her with a handgun, forced her into a walking path and sexually assaulted her. The Arizona Daily Star reports fingerprint evidence recovered at the scene led police to Garcia, who was arrested the following day. Garcias sentences will run consecutively. They include 10 1/2 years for kidnapping the woman, 10 1/2 years for each of two counts of sexual assault, 17 years for kidnapping her baby, 7 1/2 years for the aggravated assault and three years for sexual abuse. ___ Information from: Arizona Daily Star, http://www.tucson.com TUCSON, Ariz. A man convicted in absentia for a homicide in Tucson 14 years ago has been sentenced to life in prison. Tucson TV station KOLD reports that 60-year-old Francisco Baez Fuentes was sentenced Monday. Prosecutors say Fuentes killed 29-year-old Daniel Pacheco, whose body was found near Old Vail Road in 2004. Fuentes fled before his trial was over and spent more than a decade on the run. He was arrested in Mexico by federal agents in October 2017 and returned to Arizona. ___ Information from: KOLD-TV, http://www.kold.com/ FARMINGTON Navajo Nation officials have taken a step to strengthen tribal statutes by enacting a law against cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is bullying that occurs by way of digital devices like cell phones or computers and it can occur through text messaging or on social media, according to the federal government website StopBullying.gov. The new law, signed by President Russell Begaye on Sunday, updates the tribes criminal code by adding cyberbullying to sections that address harassment, stalking and manslaughter as well as sentencing. Under the new law, tribal courts have jurisdiction over the crime if the electronic communication starts or is received on the reservation. In addition, the court has jurisdiction over tribal members who allegedly commit the crime, but not if the suspect is a member of another tribe or state jurisdiction has initiated prosecution. Delegate Amber Kanazbah Crotty sponsored the bill, which passed during the winter session in January. She said its development and implementation was an effort between the legislative, executive and judicial branches. Officials are working to modernize tribal law as technology develops and methods for communication increase, she said in a telephone interview today. Among the next steps are public education, including working with schools on the reservation to have the new law cited in agreements that address technology usage, Crotty said. Begaye was joined by Speaker LoRenzo Bates and Chief Justice JoAnn B. Jayne at a signing ceremony on Sunday in Window Rock, Ariz. Yvonne Kee-Billison, an executive staff assistant for the presidents office, said in a press release the tribe experiences high rates of violence but its law had not addressed crimes that occur exclusively or originate online. When law enforcement was presented with evidence of harassment via social media or the internet, prosecution could only go so far because of the old laws. Public safety has updated our laws to protect our children, Kee-Billison said. Noel Lyn Smith covers the Navajo Nation for The Daily Times. She can be reached at 505-564-4636 or by email at nsmith@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. LONDON A judge upheld a British arrest warrant for Julian Assange on Tuesday, saying the WikiLeaks founder should have the courage to come to court and face justice after more than five years inside Ecuadors London embassy. Judge Emma Arbuthnot rejected arguments by Assanges lawyers that it is no longer in the public interest to arrest him for jumping bail in 2012 and seeking shelter in the embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden. Prosecutors there were investigating allegations of sexual assault and rape made by two women, which Assange has denied. Arbuthnot did not mince words in her ruling at Londons Westminster Magistrates Court, saying that by jumping bail Assange had made a determined attempt to avoid the order of the court. She said Assange appeared to be a man who wants to impose his terms on the course of justice. He appears to consider himself above the normal rules of law and wants justice only if it goes in his favor, the judge said, drawing exclamations of dismay from Assange supporters in the public gallery. Assange can seek to appeal, though his lawyers did not immediately say whether he would. Swedish prosecutors dropped their investigation last year, saying there was no prospect of bringing Assange to Sweden in the foreseeable future. But the British warrant for violating bail conditions still stands, and Assange faces arrest if he leaves the embassy. Assanges lawyers had asked for the U.K warrant to be withdrawn since Sweden no longer wants him extradited, but the judge rejected their request last week. Assanges attorney had gone on to argue that arresting him is no longer proportionate or in the public interest. Lawyer Mark Summers argued the Australian was justified in seeking refuge in the embassy because he has a legitimate fear that U.S. authorities want to arrest him for WikiLeaks publication of secret documents. I do not find that Mr. Assanges fears were reasonable, the judge said. If the United States initiates extradition proceedings, Mr. Assange would have the ability to raise any bars to the extradition and challenge the proceedings in a British court, she said. Arbuthnot dismissed another plank of Assanges case a report from a U.N. working group which said the 46-year-old was being arbitrarily detained. I give little weight to the views of the working group, the judge said, noting that Assange had restricted his own freedom for a number of years. Assanges lawyer had argued that the 5 years Assange has spent inside the embassy were adequate, if not severe punishment for his actions, noting that he had health problems including a frozen shoulder and depression. The judge accepted that Assange had depression and other conditions, but said he was overall in fairly good physical health. Arbuthnot also rejected an argument that Assanges actions had not stalled Swedens legal case, because he had offered to be interviewed by Swedish prosecutors at the embassy. Assanges legal team said emails recently released after a freedom of information request showed that a British state prosecutor had advised Sweden that it would not be prudent for Sweden to try to interview Mr. Assange in the U.K. The judge said she could not tell from the emails she had seen whether the lawyer who sent them had behaved inappropriately. But she said Assanges failure to surrender has impeded the course of justice. Defendants on bail up and down the country, and requested persons facing extradition, come to court to face the consequences of their own choices, she said. He should have the courage to do so too. The ruling leaves the long legal impasse intact. Apart from the bail-jumping charge for which the maximum sentence is one year in prison Assange suspects there is a secret U.S. grand jury indictment against him for WikiLeaks publication of classified documents, and that American authorities will seek his extradition. Assanges lawyers say he is willing to face legal proceedings in Britain, but only if he receives a guarantee that he will not be sent to the U.S. to face prosecution. That is not an assurance Britain is likely to give. Outside the courtroom, Assange lawyer Gareth Peirce gave little indication of what might come next in the twisting legal saga. The history of the case from start to finish is extraordinary, she said. Each aspect of it becomes puzzling and troubling as it is scrutinized. ___ Danica Kirka in London contributed to this story. KIRKLAND, Wash. Bill and Melinda Gates, as the worlds top philanthropists, are rethinking their work in America as they confront what they consider their unsatisfactory track record on schools, the countrys growing inequity and a president they disagree with more than any other. In an interview with The Associated Press, the couple said theyre concerned about President Donald Trumps America first worldview. Theyve made known their differences with the president and his party on issues including foreign aid, taxes and protections for immigrant youth in the country illegally. And they said theyre now digging into the layers of U.S. poverty that they havent been deeply involved with at the national level, including employment, race, housing, mental health, incarceration and substance abuse. We are not seeing the mobility out of poverty in the same way in the United States as it used to exist, Melinda Gates said. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is studying these topics with no plans yet for any particular initiatives, though it has done related work at home in Washington state on a much smaller scale. Last year, it funded a grant for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities to look into state and federal policies that can reduce poverty. Once the worlds richest man, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has marked a decade since transitioning away from the tech giant to focus on philanthropy. He said hes had two meetings with Trump, where they discussed innovation in education, energy and health including vaccines, which Trump has voiced skepticism about. I got, both times, to talk about the miracle of vaccines and how those are good things, Bill Gates said. Melinda Gates, who left her job at Microsoft to raise their three children before turning to the foundation full-time, has lately embraced her role as a public figure more boldly. She called out Trumps behavior, saying the president has a responsibility to be a good role model when he speaks and tweets, and that his verbal attacks dont belong in the public discourse. You just have to go look in Twitter to see the disparaging comments over and over and over again about women and minorities, Melinda Gates said. Thats just not what I believe. Its not the world that I see. Trump has said hes a counterpuncher who goes after people when they go after him, only 10 times harder. Taking a more reflective review of their work than in years past, the couple in their annual letter published Tuesday also answered 10 questions critics often ask them. They acknowledge its unfair that they have so much wealth and influence but reject the notion that theyre imposing their values on other cultures. Behind the scenes, these are the tough, tough questions that people are asking us, and yeah, we have to wrestle with them ourselves, Melinda Gates said in the Feb. 1 interview. Since 2000, the Seattle-based private foundation has amassed an endowment worth over $40 billion, which includes a large portion of billionaire investor Warren Buffetts fortune. The Gates Foundation has given money to various programs in more than 100 countries, as well as in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Their approach to giving has shifted the philanthropy world as a whole. Theyve been criticized for prescribing how the money is spent and then expecting tangible proof their investments work. About 75 percent of the foundations resources are dedicated to global health and development. Bill Gates said theyre proudest of their efforts to help eradicate polio and curb the number of child deaths, calling those global health improvements a miracle. But he concedes the same level of progress didnt happen in the U.S. with their strategy of chasing equity through education reform. U.S. education initiatives are a distant second funding priority for the foundation, but the $450 million the Gateses spend annually on the issue makes them the top funders of schools reform in America. Theyve been major supporters of charter schools and also pushed Common Core education standards, teacher evaluation systems that factored in student test scores and a smaller schools model highly polarizing education policy reforms that didnt dramatically change student outcomes but made the Gateses deeply unpopular in some communities. Its in taking all of those lessons and saying, OK, but did they reach the majority of the school districts? Did they scale and change the system for low-income and minority kids writ large, at scale? And the answer when we looked at it, it was no, Melinda Gates said. Christopher Lubienski, an education policy expert who studies philanthropy, said he found the couples honesty refreshing but noted their foundations overall approach means it will continue to systematically influence education reform. Lubienski, who said he has not sought nor received money from Gates, also noted that by turning their attention to poverty, the Gateses are tackling the really big elephant in the room when it comes to student achievement. Its also a much bigger, more expensive and politically stickier area to attack than simply changing the structure of schools, Lubienski said. The Gateses say theyre going in a less prescriptive direction on U.S. education by funding efforts through regional networks of schools, which will lean more heavily on educators at the local level. They also intend to support new curriculum development and charters catering to students with special needs. The foundation will spend $1.7 billion on education over the next five years, as K-12 will remain their primary focus in the U.S. But as they take stock of the country from the West Coasts growing income gap to the generations of racial inequities in the American South the Gateses say theyre looking at myriad problems that hinder children in the classroom. Poverty is like education, where theres not enough philanthropic resources to take on responsibility, but if you can show how to have a lot more impact, then the policies will benefit from that, Bill Gates said. ___ Follow Sally Ho at twitter.com/_sallyho. WASHINGTON A high-stakes Senate debate over immigration got off to a halting start Tuesday, with Republican and Democratic leaders immediately at loggerheads over how to move forward and President Donald Trump warning this was the last chance to extend protections to Dreamer immigrants. Trump issued the warning in a morning tweet as the Senate opened what was billed as an unusual and open-ended debate on a host of immigration issues. Democrats had pushed for the debate, hopeful they might be able to craft a piece of legislation in real time on the Senate floor or at least force Republicans on the record on some difficult issues. But the experiment in legislating didnt go very far. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., began the process by throwing his weight behind legislation based on the presidents priorities. To kick the debate off, McConnell proposed allowing Republicans to bring up an amendment targeting cities that dont fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities, so-called sanctuary cities. Then, Democrats would bring up legislation of their choosing. Amendments gaining 60 votes would become part of the broader immigration bill. The Senates top Democrat, Chuck Schumer of New York, quickly objected. To begin the debate as the Republican leader suggests would be getting off on the wrong foot, Schumer said. Very partisan. Schumer wants McConnell to bring up legislation that incorporates President Donald Trumps priorities and a second, much narrower bill from Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Chris Coons, D-Del. His reasoning: The legislation should address the population of young immigrants that lawmakers from both parties say they want to help, rather than deal with side issues such as punishing sanctuary cities. McConnell replied: Im not trying to dictate to them what they offer. They shouldnt be trying to dictate to us what we offer. We ought to just get started. The disagreement pushed any immigration-related votes into Wednesday. That gives a group of moderate lawmakers more time to come up with a package that could generate 60 votes in the Senate. Until we reach an end there, I still hope thats the vehicle, said Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., one of the groups key participants. Exiting the Senate floor Tuesday evening, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said things change by the hour on immigration, but he felt better as the day went on about the prospects of getting a bill passed. He said lawmakers are meeting privately in search of a compromise. Trump, in an early-morning tweet, said Congress must act now to provide legal protections to young Dreamer immigrants. Wouldnt it be great if we could finally, after so many years, solve the DACA puzzle, he wrote, adding: This will be our last chance, there will never be another opportunity! March 5th. Trump was referring to a deadline he announced last year to end a program protecting young immigrants from deportation, formally known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. But a recent court ruling has rendered that deadline all but meaningless. In an exchange later Tuesday with Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Trump again tried to accuse Democrats of not wanting to fix DACA, but then told the senator he was joking. Everybodys in there working hard on it right now. I think we have a chance to do DACA very bipartisan. I think that can happen, he said during a meeting on trade issues with lawmakers at the White House. And I hope were going to be able to do that, senator. One GOP proposal based on principles dictated by the White House would pave a path to citizenship for up to 1.8 million young Dreamer immigrants in the U.S., a lure for Democrats that many Republicans oppose. Trump also wants $25 billion for Trumps border wall with Mexico and other security measures, as well as curbs on legal immigration a must for many Republicans. This proposal has my support, and during this week of fair debate, I believe it deserves the support of every senator whos ready to move beyond making points and actually making a law, McConnell said. McConnell and other GOP supporters describe the measure as the Senates best shot of passing a bill that the president will sign, but many Democrats consider some of the proposals, including limiting the relatives that legal immigrants can bring to the U.S., to be non-starters. Schumer expressed opposition to Trumps sweeping approach, pushing for a more narrow focus. Helping the Dreamers become Americans and protecting our borders. That should be the focus of all our energies, Schumer said. Trumps overall immigration plan, opposed by many Democrats, stands little chance of prevailing because any measure will need 60 votes. That means proposals will need substantial bipartisan support since the GOP majority is 51-49, and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has been absent in recent weeks battling cancer. Still, many Republicans insist that legislation incorporating Trumps priorities is a compromise because it gives up to 1.8 million young immigrants a pathway to citizenship. The presidents framework is not an opening bid in negotiations. It is a best and final offer, said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark. In a meeting with sheriffs at the White House, Trump continued to frame the debate in a way that depicts many of the illegal immigrants seeking to enter the U.S. as dangerous criminals. Were asking Congress to support our immigration policy that keeps terrorists, drug dealers, criminals and gang members out of our country. We want them out. We dont want them in and right now were working on DACA, were working on immigration bills and were making them tough, Trump said. ___ Associated Press writers Alan Fram and Darlene Superville contributed to this report. Mahashivaratri festival today Hindu devotees all over the country are celebrating the great festival of Mahashivaratri by worshiping Lord Shiva at various shrines since early Tuesday morning. Eight-and-a-half years after a Native American woman was found beaten and left for dead near Roosevelt Park in southeast Albuquerque, detectives have indicted a suspect in the case, charging him with murder as a hate crime. The case had been cold for years when detectives identified 41-year-old Roger Paul Preston, who was already in prison, as a suspect, according to officer Simon Drobik, a spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department. He said detectives would not comment on what tied Preston to the victim or how he became a suspect. And Michael Patrick, a spokesman for the District Attorneys Office, wouldnt say what circumstances caused the killing to be considered a hate crime, although he did say that race was a factor. (Prosecutors) are saying that based on the race of the victim and the events that had transpired thats why they feel the hate crime enhancement was levied, Patrick said. Drobik said on July 4, 2009, shortly before 2 a.m., police were called to the 500 block of Maple SE, near Coal. When they arrived they found Cato Terri Benally with a severe head injury lying in the street. Benally is transgender and had been living as a female, Drobik said. Previous news reports refer to Benally as him. Terri was rushed to the hospital but unfortunately died from the injuries, Drobik wrote in an email. Violent crimes worked the case but it became cold and was forwarded to the APD Cold Case Unit. He said the cold case unit began investigating the case in 2013 and identified Preston as a suspect. Preston had been behind bars since 2010, when he pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy and tampering with evidence in the near-deadly beating of another Native American. According to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court, two days after Benallys death, Preston got into a fight with Ronald Begay after spotting him riding a bike near Zuni and Ortiz SE. He repeatedly beat him with his fists and a bat, until he appeared to be dead, before stealing his wallet and bike. Preston was sentenced to 15 years in prison and was locked up at the Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility in Las Cruces. Thats where he was being held Monday when a Bernalillo County grand jury indicted him on the charge of first-degree murder with a hate crime enhancement. A local startup with a novel drug to generate insulin-producing cells in diabetes patients has joined forces with a Boston-based company. Boston Therapeutics Inc. on Tuesday morning announced acquisition of CureDM, an Albuquerque firm headed by Lori Upham, former executive director of the ABQid business accelerator. Upham launched CureDM with colleagues in Philadelphia in 2004 to develop a new peptide, HIP2B, that can stimulate creation of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The company has invested nearly $20 million over 14 years through private investment, grants and a previous partnership with the multinational pharmaceutical firm Sanofi. Boston Therapeutics is a penny stock company traded on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board thats developing its own drug, a chewable treatment to slow or block sugar absorption in a patients digestive system. That company, currently valued at about $3 million, is awarding 50 percent of its stock to CureDMs 59 shareholders through the acquisition, Upham said. We are very excited to be joining forces with Boston Therapeutics and look forward to leveraging the many synergies that exist between us, Upham said. As a publicly-traded company, Boston Therapeutics provides critical access to capital needed for HIP2B clinical trials, Upham added. And, through Boston Therapeutics partnership with a development group in China, it also provides manufacturing capabilities and access to Asian markets. Boston Therapeutics CEO Carl W. Rausch said the acquisition means attacking diabetes before and after the disease develops through a treatment to prevent sugar absorption in pre-diabetic patients, plus a drug to generate insulin-producing cells in people who already have it. We are establishing our company and its alliance partners in Asia as one that is changing the way diabetes is treated, Rausch said in a statement. The HIP2B peptide is a game changing compound that will fit strategically into our portfolio. Boston Therapeutics is based in Lawrence, Mass., but Upham hopes to persuade the company to relocate its U.S. headquarters to Albuquerque. CureDM, which is headquartered in Delaware, operates out of the Bioscience Center in Uptown Albuquerque, where Upham will continue working as chief operating officer for Boston Therapeutics. Ill remain in Albuquerque and work to drive both diabetes projects forward, Upham said. I hope to build a new team here to do that. The city of Albuquerque for the time being will not enforce an ordinance that restricts panhandling. The city and the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico reached the agreement as part of a lawsuit the ACLU filed against the city over an ordinance that went into effect in December. The legislation aims to stop people from panhandling on certain medians and other areas because of safety and traffic concerns. It doesn't prevent people from asking for or giving money. Albuquerque isn't making admissions about the legality of the ordinance by entering into the agreement, according to court documents. City Councilor Trudy Jones, who sponsored the legislation, referred to the law as a pedestrian safety ordinance. We're really confident that we're going to win, she said of the lawsuit. But we certainly don't want to be in a situation where we would be faced with paying damages to people who might have been cited. Gilbert Gallegos, a spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department, said the department will train its officers about the ordinance and police will focus on proven, effective community policing strategies to ensure public safety. The ACLU's lawsuit, in part, claimed that the ordinance violated people's freedom of speech. The agreement, reached last week, means that the city won't enforce the ordinance while the ACLU's lawsuit against the city is litigated. This ordinance has always been about pushing homeless people and poor people out of public view, ACLU of New Mexico staff attorney Maria Sanchez said in a statement. We're relieved that with this agreement in place Albuquerque's most vulnerable residents will be able to exercise their constitutional rights without fear that they will be harassed, cited, or arrested by the police. Through our lawsuit, we'll continue fighting to ensure the ordinance is declared unconstitutional and permanently stricken down. City councilors in November voted 8-0 on the legislation, which restricts panhandlers on medians within the flow of traffic. Former Mayor Richard Berry never signed or vetoed the legislation and it became law. Under the ordinance, police could cite drivers for engaging with panhandlers or others while in a travel lane. The president of Santa Fes chapter of the National Education Association is accusing Santa Fe mayoral candidate Alan Webber dirty tactics by promoting the American Federation for Teachers-New Mexicos endorsement of Webber. The scathing email from Grace Mayer, president of the NEA-Santa Fe, carried the subject line Misrepresenting the Truth! It was sent to the Webber campaign and others Saturday, the same day that a Webber campaign flier promoting the AFT endorsement arrived in Santa Fe mail boxes. The flyer featured quotes from Santa Fe native Jarel LaPan Hill, who it identifies as a former Obama administration appointee. Alan Webber is the best choice for our childrens future, says the quote on the front of the flier along side a picture of LaPan Hill, who worked for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under President Obama. Printed below the quote are the words Alan Webber endorsed by and the ATF New Mexico logo. While thats true, Mayers email took Webber and his campaign to task, claiming the flier misleading voters in the March 6 election. She pointed out that NEA-Santa Fe, which represents the vast majority of school district employees, is endorsing school board member Kate Noble for mayor. It is astounding that you continue to misrepresent the truth to the voting public about which Union represents the MAJORITY of education employees in Santa Fe, Mayer wrote. She says that the local chapter of NEA represents 1,400 employees at Santa Fe Public Schools, while the SFFSE represents just 65 SFPS custodian and maintenance workers. Your campaign has lost all of its integrity by using these dirty tactics to get ahead, she wrote. Webber is considered by many to be the front runner in the race for Santa Fe mayor. The author, entrepreneur, and former candidate for governor has raised, spent and has more cash on hand than the other four candidates combined, according to campaign finance reports released by the citys Clerks Office last Friday. Mayer said that all the mayoral candidates were previously invited to participate in a vetting process that would result in an endorsement by the local union. Your response to our questions fell short, regarding serious issues public education employees face every day at their work sites, Mayer said to Webber. How dare you insult us further by dismissing our Union. Mayer said NEA-Santa Fe endorsed Noble because she has the vision and the practical experience to get things done! Invited by the Journal to respond to Mayers accusations, Webbers campaign manager, Neri Holguin, said in a statement that, Alan is proud to have the endorsement and support of Santa Fe Federation of School Employees and the hard-working maintenance and custodial employees they represent. Stephanie Ly, president of AFT-New Mexico, said her group didnt think Mayers email is much of a story. While it is true that NEA-SF came to a different conclusion than our members as far as who should be Santa Fes next Mayor, thats part of the process, Ly wrote in an email to the Journal. Everyone is participating in the electoral process, and at the end of the day thats what we should focus on working to get people involved in their local government and advocating for our students and community. The email was also addressed to Morty Simon and Carol Oppenheimer, who have backed progressive Democrat candidates, including current mayor Javier Gonzales in the last election and are supporting Webber during this campaign. Simon told the Journal he didnt know why the email was sent to him and his wife. SANTA FE A proposal to reinstate an income tax credit for homes and businesses that install solar panels is headed to the House floor. Senate Bill 79, sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, would bring back a tax credit that expired in 2016. Stewart said it would help make solar energy more affordable, especially as new tariffs are expected to drive up the cost. The proposal passed the Senate on a 35-6 vote earlier this week, and it cleared a House committee 9-6 on Tuesday. To become law, it must also pass the full House and be approved by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez. The Sierra Club, Conservation Voters New Mexico and other groups testified in favor of the proposal. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE With a 30-day legislative session nearing its end, the Senate signed off Tuesday on a $6.3 billion spending plan that would use a recent revenue uptick to increase state funding for public schools, Medicaid and crime-fighting efforts, especially in the Albuquerque area. However, after the Senate voted 40-2 to approve the budget bill, the House voted not to accept the Senates changes to the legislation. That means appointees from each chamber will meet likely today in a conference committee to try to reach an agreement. Surely, we can find a 50-yard line in talks, Senate Finance Committee Chairman John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, said in an interview late Tuesday. With the states budget outlook finally improving after a lengthy revenue downturn, much of this years Roundhouse debate has centered on how much funding for law enforcement and prosecutors should be increased, especially in the states largest city. Sen. Michael Padilla, D-Albuquerque, said on the Senate floor that his car has been burglarized twice in the past six months and called a funding infusion for crime-fighting efforts a positive step. In Albuquerque alone, we have had some severe crime all over the city, Padilla said. Before Tuesdays vote, a Senate committee made several revisions to the budget bill originally approved 65-3 by the House, including adding $2 million more recurring money for Bernalillo County District Attorney Raul Torrezs office. Those changes appeared aimed at addressing concerns raised by Gov. Susana Martinez and others, as the two-term GOP governor had described the House spending plan as soft on crime. Smith said during Tuesdays debate that the Governors Office was included in recent budget talks. We didnt give them everything they wanted, but they were included in the process, Smith said. However, some senators from outside the Albuquerque area expressed misgivings about the big budget hike for prosecutors in the states largest city. Albuquerque may be making it difficult for the outlying district attorneys to find prosecutors, said Sen. Ron Griggs, R-Alamogordo. Torrez has sought a big funding increase of roughly 30 percent to keep up with an Albuquerque crime wave, and the revised budget bill would grant most of his request. He had sought a base budget increase of $5.4 million to hire more prosecutors and increase pay. The Senate-approved bill would allocate $4.3 million. The only two senators to cast no votes on the spending bill were Jacob Candelaria, D-Albuquerque, and William Sharer, R-Farmington. Candelaria said the legislation didnt go far enough in addressing Albuquerques needs. Pay raises Most state employees have not received pay raises since 2014, and the spending plan approved Tuesday would provide a 2 percent salary bump for rank-and-file workers starting in July. Starting teacher pay would also go up from $34,000 to $36,000 a year and all educators would get 2.5 percent salary increases. Those are the people that are taking care of our kids, said Sen. George Munoz, D-Gallup, in extolling the pay raises. However, the biggest salary increases would be for State Police and corrections officers, who would get even larger pay raises 8.5 percent than under the House-approved plan. Judges would be in line for 6.5 percent pay raises, as would prosecutors and public defenders. Overall, the pay raises would represent more than one-third of the state spending increase or roughly $90 million of the nearly $260 million in additional appropriations. New money The spending plan approved Tuesday would use the newfound state revenue primarily from a spike in oil production in southeastern New Mexico to boost state spending by about 4.1 percent over current levels. It would also set aside more than $632 million or roughly 10 percent of state spending in cash reserves. The reserves were drawn down last year, after two consecutive years of lower-than-expected revenue collections prompted spending cuts and other belt-tightening maneuvers. But Smith cautioned Tuesday that buffer might not be as high as it should be, given historically volatile energy prices and a coming ruling in a lawsuit over state education funding that could force the state to allocate millions of more dollars for K-12 programs. To limit year-over-year spending growth, the spending plan approved Tuesday is full of one-time expenditures. That includes $54 million for road projects statewide, $10 million to improve highway rest areas and $10 million to build a new hangar at Spaceport America, near Truth or Consequences. With New Mexico poverty rates still among the nations highest, the bill also calls for more money to be spent on child care assistance and early kindergarten programs. Several senators sounded a note of relief during Tuesdays debate that they were close to accomplishing their top task for the 30-day legislative session and, in the process, being able to restore funding to some cash-strapped programs. This is the reason were up here to pass a budget said Sen. Clemente Meme Sanchez, D-Grants. Journal Capitol Bureau reporter Dan McKay contributed to this report. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE Rep. Sarah Maestas Barnes joined prosecutors, police officers and others Tuesday to plead for a committee hearing on her proposal to expand Baby Briannas Law to cover older children. The Albuquerque Republicans legislation, House Bill 100, passed the House 62-6 Friday but hasnt yet been heard by either of the two Senate committees its been assigned to, she said. The measure would have to clear the Senate Judiciary and Finance committees and the full Senate by noon Thursday to reach Gov. Susana Martinezs desk. I am completely disgusted at the fact that this bill cant get passed, New Mexico State Police Chief Pete Kassetas told a news conference. Maestas Barnes said she believes theres still enough time this session to get the bill through the Legislature, if its a priority of Democratic leaders in the Senate. This is the same tragic ending that weve had in prior sessions, she said at a news conference. Its the hope that those leaders in the Senate will take note of the critical importance of this legislation. In an interview, Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, said the bill will have to go through the committee process like any other and that Maestas Barnes isnt the only one trying to get hearings on legislation. Ive got lots and lots of people frustrated, he said. Wirth added that a wide-ranging bipartisan bill to adjust criminal penalties, retain police officers and make other changes to the criminal justice system is further along and the focus of attention. That proposal, House Bill 19, is ready for action by the full Senate. The Baby Briannas Law proposal would stiffen penalties by imposing a life sentence for the intentional abuse of a child resulting in death, when the child is ages 12 to 17. The law already covers younger children. Oddly enough, Sen. Richard Martinez, D-Espanola, is a co-sponsor of Maestas Barnes bill. He is also chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, where the bill is awaiting a hearing. Maestas Barnes said the recent torture and death of Jeremiah Valencia, a 13-year-old boy in Santa Fe County, underscores the need for stiffer penalties. Sen. Greg Baca, R-Belen, who is also pushing for changes to child abuse laws, said there are plenty of grim reminders of what were faced with. The bill is a priority of Gov. Martinez, a Republican and former state prosecutor. SANTA FE Javier Gonzales, the mayor of New Mexicos capital city, announced Tuesday that he was ending his bid for New Mexico lieutenant governor. The abrupt decision came just one week after Gonzales filed the necessary paperwork to be placed on the June 5 primary ballot and leaves four Democrats seeking the nomination for the states second-highest office. In a statement, Gonzales said his decision was based in part on the number and quality of other candidates in the contest. Unfortunately, my heart is not in this race, so with a clear conscience, I have decided to end my campaign and return to the private sector after my term as mayor expires, Gonzales said. Service takes many forms, and I look forward to continuing my service to our state in the future. Gonzales, who is also a former state Democratic Party chairman, surprised many last fall when he announced he would not seek a second four-year term as mayor in the March city elections. He then announced in December that he would run for lieutenant governor, after state Sen. Michael Padilla of Albuquerque dropped out of the race over renewed criticism over sexual harassment allegations lodged against him a decade ago. A member of a prominent Santa Fe political family, Gonzales, who is openly gay, was elected mayor in 2014. His term ends March 12. As mayor, Gonzales has sought to combat climate change and reduce poverty. He also pushed a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks last year as a way to fund early childhood programs. That proposal was soundly rejected by Santa Fe voters. The four remaining Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor are state Sen. Howie Morales of Silver City, Dona Ana County Commissioner Billy Garrett, former state Rep. Rick Miera of Albuquerque, and former Public Education Commissioner Jeff Carr of Eagle Nest. There is just one Republican running for the office, former law enforcement officer Michelle Garcia Holmes of Albuquerque. Per state law, New Mexicos lieutenant governor makes an annual salary of $85,000, though that could go up under legislation pending at the state Capitol. Morang police free three men from abductors Three Indian men, who were kidnapped on Wednesday from Sundar Haraicha Municipality, Morang, have been rescued from Belbari Municipality. Britannia Good Day, the smile cookie and the No. 1 biscuit brand in urban India is celebrating 2018 as the Year of Smiles and as part of that has launched a nation- wide initiative called the Britannia Good Day - Smile Makers of India. The campaign recognizes people from different walks of life, who through exemplary acts, have spread smiles to millions of Indians. The initiative has been launched in partnership with The Better India, Asia's largest solution-based media platform, which uses impactful storytelling to reach over 30 million people every month. The Smile Makers of India were felicitated by Britannia Good Day, as part of its first, large promotion for 2018, The Great International Family Holiday. The Great International Family Holiday is aimed to bring together near and dear ones, be it family or friends, to take time out for a holiday. The Smile Makers of India will each receive an international holiday with their family, as a small token of appreciation from the brand. To commemorate these heroes, Britannia released four videos that capture the inspiring stories of these Smile Makers. Speaking on the first-of-its-kind initiative by brand Good Day, Ali Harris Shere, VP-Marketing, Britannia Industries Ltd. said, Two years ago, Good Day, our flagship brand launched an all- encompassing mission to make India smile more. The brand has now rolled out the Smile Makers of India initiative that both recognizes Smile makers and shares their stories through a large platform, to audiences across the country. Smile Makers of India is our way of celebrating people who through their acts of courage and optimism or their ability to cut through the mundane, have brought about smiles to millions of Indians. We are honoured to have felicitated four such people today. And we will continue to do so across the rest of the year as well. The Britannia Good Day Smile Makers of India are: Lt. Col. Dr Srinivas Gokulnath : An army doctor by profession, and a cyclist by passion. Last year, he cycled 3,000 miles across 12 Indian states, and climbed 1,70,000 vertical feet, to become the first Indian to complete Race Across America (RAAM) 2017. : An army doctor by profession, and a cyclist by passion. Last year, he cycled 3,000 miles across 12 Indian states, and climbed 1,70,000 vertical feet, to become the first Indian to complete Race Across America (RAAM) 2017. Shanu Babar : A cinematographer and the founder of a thrilling, crowd-sourced photo project that documents places and people seen from the window seat of a train. : A cinematographer and the founder of a thrilling, crowd-sourced photo project that documents places and people seen from the window seat of a train. Neeru Gandhi, Monicka Chanana, Sarita Manocha, Pratibha Sabharwal : Popularly known as Nanis on the highway, 3 middle-aged women who decided to break social stereotypes and set out on an epic journey of new life experiences. : Popularly known as Nanis on the highway, 3 middle-aged women who decided to break social stereotypes and set out on an epic journey of new life experiences. Devendra Jhajharia: An Indian Paralympic javelin thrower who became the first Indian to win gold twice at the Paralympics. Britannia Good Day invites citizens of India as well, to help spread these stories curated by The Better India and inspire the country. The complete video stories of the Smile Makers can be viewed on the Britannia Good Day Facebook page https://goo.gl/5BgSqT The Great International Family Holiday rolled out in early January is the first ambitious campaign under the aegis of The Britannia Good Day Year of Smiles. The initiative sponsors 60 families/groups of friends, for an all-expenses paid holiday to international destinations. All that one needs to do is grab a packet of Good Day, SMS the lot no. mentioned behind the pack to 7259188888 and stand a chance to be one of the lucky winners to take his/her family on a memorable holiday. The release of the Indian Readership Survey data in January this year has given a fresh impetus to the print media industry in the country. Coming after a gap of four years, the IRS 2017 data shows encouraging overall growth in the readership numbers for newspapers and magazines. According to the findings of the Report, 39 per cent of Indians (12+ years) read newspapers, and 20 per cent of all newspaper readers in 50 lakh plus population towns read newspapers online. Adgully spoke to Pradeep Dwivedi, CEO, Sakal Media, to gauge his take on the IRS 2017 data, its implications for the print media industry in India, especially regional print media, further increasing the readership base and more. Excerpts: What are the trends that you foresee in the print space post the launch of the IRS 2017 data? Regional publications are growing and will continue to grow sustainably Expected to continue growth for the next 8 to 10 years Readers may get swayed with schemes and offers on cover price, but media is a habit and they will eventually come back to their publication of comfort Getting more hyper local is an important aspect for growth Digital will play a strong role and we will see exponential growth on that front Sakal is at the cutting edge on that front with over a million unique readers on our e-sakal page and heavy engagement on our social media feeds as well What should be the content strategy to expand the readership base, both offline and online? Our unique and differentiated content engine serving different target audiences and their varied interests will be key in the future. The role of the publication is to stay neutral and present both sides of the story, which is the forte of Sakal as we have consistently refused to take sides as a conscious strategy. We continue to listen closely to our readers and share content around their preferences. Most people today first get served with news/ information online. But to confirm, they will always refer back to the morning newspapers. In the world of fake news, it is important that readers have a publication they can trust, and this is what we have been doing over the years. How are you going to further fortify your marketing and distribution efforts? We have over 2,000 writers across the length and breadth of Maharashtra contributing to Sakal. At the same time, we have a strong team looking at distribution in those geographies. There is always a swing effect when other publications drop their cover price or offer gifts/ freebies, therefore discounting their titles, but as a policy, Sakal will never do anything on those lines as we take a lot of pride in the content that we create. What we have seen is that we do get impacted for a few months, but those readers come back to Sakal as the competitor title comes to them for free. On the marketing front, we have many initiatives to engage our audiences, for instance, the Chitra Kala Pratispadha where we have 7 to 8 lakh children participating every year. This has been going on for the last 15 to 20 years and is something that every child looks forward to every year. In addition, we organise many events for the real estate, retail, education, and other sectors for business promotion of our clients. We have started the Sakal Beauty of Maharashtra contest this year and the response has been tremendous. We are very enthused by the participation across key cities around Maharashtra. Our networks such as Tanishka for women and YIN for youth continue to bring positive impact across communities. We will have many more such engagement points to ensure we are in touch with the needs of our audiences and stay engaged via print as well as offline with them. How do you view the spurt in the younger reader base? We will have to engage them differently and as we approach a century mark for Sakal. We have been doing so and staying relevant for the last 86 years. Our digital footprint continues to grow and we will be making substantial investments on this front. Will the IRS numbers lead to higher OTS? We believe that the strength of the medium will be appreciated better by advertisers now and an increased frequency of utilisation of print medium will have a direct positive bearing on OTS. If you look at Maharashtra, we have substantive leadership in circulation as per ABC Reports (January-June 2017), and in critical markets like Pune, this undisputed domination of our reach is supplemented by our IRS 2017 AIR numbers, which is the key metric for determining OTS. What is your take on magazine readership going up as per the IRS 2017 data, especially regional magazine readership? We have specific magazines catering to varied interest groups. This will continue to grow well. Within Maharashtra, the combined readership of our two magazines (Saptahik Sakal and Tanishka) put together is higher than any other magazine, giving us an absolute leadership of this segment too. Gozoop one of Indias leading integrated marketing agencies has won the integrated marketing mandate for Paisalo Digital Limited (PAISALO: NSE), formerly known as S. E. Investments Limited, following a multi-agency pitch. As a part of the mandate, the agency will catalyse the brands digital transformation, focusing on the brands newly launched app Paisalo which offers quick and easy income generation loans for MSMEs and individuals. Gozoop brings to the table, a wide range of expertise across marketing channels, both traditional and new as well as in-depth experience working with BFSI. As part of the mandate, the agency will be focusing on the end-to-end communication for the brand, which includes creative communication, brand campaigns, content strategy, social media, web and technical services. Gozoop will be leveraging a unique digital first, multi-channel approach in order to drive awareness and maximise ROI for the app. Speaking about the win, Mr. Ahmed Aftab Naqvi, CEO & Co-Founder, Gozoop said, Our best work emerges when we are trusted advisors to brands & businesses. In Paisalo, we have a partner that not only values our rich legacy in digital but also our expertise in transcending its boundaries to deliver a unified consulting & marketing solution. We look forward to working closely with the Paisalo team on this exciting digital business transformation journey, to co-create value for customers and stakeholders alike. Commenting on the association, Mr. Sunil Agarwal, Managing Director, Paisalo Digital Limited says, What we loved most about Gozoop was their understanding of audience behaviour and unique platform agnostic approach. Their ability to seamlessly unite creativity and technology, to address tangible business realities is what makes this an exciting partnership. With Paisalo, we have worked hard to create a product for the consumers of the new millennium and Gozoop has been perfectly aligned with our vision from the get go. Its a pleasure to work with them and we look forward to our long term association. Jennifer Lopez has released her brand new single Us at all digital retailers. Upon going live last Friday, the song immediately catapulted into the Top 10 of iTunes Overall Top Songs Chart and Top Pop Songs Chart where its remained ever since. Produced by the powerhouse team of Skrillex [Justin Bieber, Fifth Harmony] and Poo Bear [DJ Khaled, Usher], the dance track proves instantly infectious with a sound bound to resonate worldwide. Once again, the GRAMMY Award-nominated multiplatinum superstar delivers a show-stopping and stunning vocal performance and pushes the boundaries of pop music in the process. While serving up the style and spirit that millions of fans worldwide adore, she simultaneously evolves with a new dancefloor-ready anthem thats impossible to shake. Its the perfect follow-up to her most recent English-language smash Aint Your Mama, which has drummed up over 536 million YouTube views and counting and earned an RIAA gold certification. Its simply Jennifer Lopez Fans can catch her residency show, All I Have, at The Axis in Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas all year. Shell also be returning to the television screen on NBCs Shades of Blue and World of Dance later this year. Get ready, because 2018 is the year of Jennifer Lopezbrighter, bolder, and bigger than ever. Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier? Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop. Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News N Augusta Breaking News Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time. Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up! Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page. The Aiken City Council met Monday night, approving a Eustis Park community center budget increase and the first reading of an ordinance that will establish a new City committee, among other things. During a work session, which started at 5 p.m., City Council heard the case for increased spending on the Eustis Park community center project. At the regularly scheduled 7 p.m. meeting, City Council unanimously approved the budget amendment. Interim City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh expects Mondays budget amendment to be the last one. Joy Lester, a capital projects sales tax administrator, said the fiscal bump was needed to get the entire project done given its future demands. Lester said the current project allotment $3.85 million just isnt enough. An additional $700,000 is needed. The current budget we have will allow for construction only, Lester said to City Council. Community center construction could start immediately after funding approval, Lester said. The project could finish in 14 months, project leaders said Monday night. Bedenbaugh said he hopes for a ribbon-cutting ceremony in 2019. Groundbreaking could start, he added, in a month or so. I never thought wed get there, City Council member Dick Dewar said during the work session. The budget increase will be funded utilizing unused capital projects sales tax money and hospitality funds, according to City Council documents. Parks and Recreation Director Jessica Campbell said the community center project is a big deal: This facility has been talked about Its been a project that the community has been behind many years. The community center project has been in development for approximately 14 years. Once completed, Campbell said, the community center would focus on senior services but is meant to appeal to all ages the City as a whole. The latest Eustis Park community center design includes two 100-person meeting rooms and a 296-person banquet hall, which can, if requested, be subdivided for alternative uses. City Council also approved the first reading of an ordinance to establish the Equine Committee as a codified City entity. Bedenbaugh described it as formalizing something that already exists. Upon second reading and final approval, the Equine Committee will comprise seven members. Each City Council member will appoint one person. City Council member Ed Woltz said formalizing the committee is a great thing to do. He said full City recognition and coordinated City code amendments will give the committee a little more teeth. City Council member Andrea Gregory said she appreciates the formalization, too. We really need to be mindful of the economic impact in our community from the equine community, Gregory said. At the end of the meeting, City Council member Dick Dewar nominated Reggie Ebner to serve on the County Sales Tax Commission. His nomination was approved. Ebner is a former City Council member. Currently serving City officials cannot be members of the commission. The County Sales Tax Commission comprises six members: a representative from Aiken, North Augusta, a collection of Aiken County municipalities and three representatives for Aiken County at-large. Virginia-based Dominion Energys proposed $14.6-billion merger with SCANA Corp. might not be the best deal out there for the Palmetto State and SCANAs customers, S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster said during a visit to Aiken on Monday. The Republican indicated that another, more desirable suitor, could emerge if the agreement isn't finalized. Dominion is one of several that are interested, said McMaster while answering questions following his speech to the Rotary Club of Aiken at Newberry Hall. I am fairly confident that there will be other offers. There are a lot of negotiations going on right now behind the scenes that you just dont hear about." SCANA, the parent company of SCE&G, teamed up with Santee Cooper for a project to construct two new nuclear reactors in Fairfield County. But after nearly a decade of work, they abandoned the effort. Dominion officials have said their merger with SCANA would result in lower electrical rates for SCE&G customers and provide a partial refund of what those consumers already have paid in rate increases to support the failed nuclear project. But in order to close the deal, which SCANA has accepted, Dominions executives believe they need to keep portions of the Base Load Review Act intact. Approved in 2007, that law allows power companies to charge their customers for building reactors. While elected officials have no say in the potential Dominion-SCANA merger, they could decide to repeal the Base Load Review Act in its entirety. As for McMaster, he said he believes that SCE&G and Santee Cooper customers need to either get those reactors or they need to get their money back. In addition, McMaster reiterated his previously expressed opinion about the fate of Santee Cooper, which is a state-owned utility. My position on Santee Cooper is that we need to sell it, he said. Its $8 billion in debt, and $4.3 billion is for those nuclear reactors. That $4.3 billion is bonded indebtedness. Its like a mortgage; youve got to pay it. I dont know how we are going to get $4.3 billion out of the rate payers who buy power from Santee Cooper. So I believe the only answer is to let one of those big organizations, with plenty of money and many multiple times bigger than Santee Cooper and SCANA put together buy it. I have met with, I guess, probably seven or eight different companies that are interested in investing. Some have said no at first and then have come back and said, Yes we are interested. So, weve got a long way to go. Topics covered by McMaster during his speech included economic development, safety in public schools and the issue of sanctuary cities. He described the Palmetto State as having a full head of steam on the economic development front. I have met people from all over the world who are interested in coming to South Carolina, McMaster said. We are sometimes referred to as the Beast of the Southeast, and what they are talking about is industrial and manufacturing development. The main thing we have to do in our state to see that we achieve our fullest potential is to convince people that these manufacturing jobs that dont require a four-year degree are great jobs. They pay very well, and you can go from high school to one of the technical colleges, get a good degree and go to work in a plant before you know it. And ladies and gentlemen, McMaster added, a good-paying job is a cure for almost every problem that we have. McMasters recommendation for making schools safer for students emphasized the increased involvement of law enforcement officials. Weve got to have officers in the schools, he said. I would like, in just a few years, to have a security officer in every school so the children dont have to worry and the parents dont have to worry about sending their children to school. McMaster also told Rotarians and their guests that he wasnt a fan of the sanctuary cities concept, where certain laws, including ones dealing with immigration, arent enforced. Even though we dont have any sanctuary cities in South Carolina now, McMaster said, he would like to see the state legislature pass a law that requires the cities and every municipality to certify that they are not serving as a sanctuary city. The reason, McMaster explained, is his concern that a state that doesnt enforce its laws will have a lot of laws broken. No pilots: Chinese planes to sit idle State-owned Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) lacks enough pilots to fly its two new Y12e aircraft that will be arriving from China on Tuesday, and officials see increasing chances of their remaining parked at the airport for quite a while. By Nathan Gain What if France was betting on the ACCaP program scrap ? In a note unveiled by the Belgian economic newspaper L'Echo, Paris contradicts the legal advices the Belgian MoD asked for, and specifies that the country may legally interrupts its RfGP without fear of legal repercussions from the two other contenders, BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin. A French Air Force Rafale fighter jet (Credit: Dassault Aviation) Belgium can definitely conduct bilateral discussions on France's strategic partnership proposal in parallel with the ongoing RfGP, says the legal note issued by the French government. In this document, French legal experts believe that reviewing the military and economic partnership proposed by Paris "would not present any risk for the Kingdom of Belgium". Yesterday, the Belgian newspaper Le Soir confirmed that Paris will not submit a Best and Final Offer (BAFO) on the fateful date, February 14. First of all, the French document says the RfGP "is not a call for tenders intended for companies within a logic of equal access to the official tender, but it offers guidelines to governments to develop proposals to Belgium, to conduct the discussion and to allow Belgium to make a sovereign choice between different proposals". In other words, Belgium remains totally sovereign, including in the choice of a procedure. For Paris, this means that "a contracting authority may abandon an acquisition process by declaring it closed." And would open the way "to an intergovernmental agreement of cooperation with France". However, Paris' new gamble is unlikely to succeed, as Belgian Defense Minister Steven Vandeput seems determined to carry out the ACCaP program within the rules defined by the RfGP. The Belgian government has not yet made an official announcement about the French proposal, which placed the ACCaP program on a much more political level. On his side, Steven Vandeput, confirmed that his position "has not changed regarding the French effort. I did not receive a legal opinion contradicting the two previous ones," he said on February 7 to the Chamber of Representatives' National Defense Comittee. Meawhile, the official RfGP is ongoing, and the date of submission is still set for tomorrow. The only two BAFOs which will be taken into account are those sent by the two state agencies promoting the Lockheed Martin F-35A and the BAE Systems Eurofighter Typhoon. Belgium approved in December 2016 the purchase of 34 new fighter aircraft to be acquired from Spring 2018 for an amount of 3,573 billion euros ($4.2 bn). Two contenders are officially competing: Lockheed Martin with its F-35A JSF, and BAE Systems with the Eurofighter Typhoon. The Spanish FAMET (Fuerzas Aeromoviles del Ejercito de Tierra), and the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr), who have been involved in different UN-peacekeeping missions and currently in Mali with Tiger helicopters, are increasing their capabilities with Thales rockets to meet their ambitions, the company said on February 8, 2018. A FAMET Tiger HAD-E attack helicopter (Credit: FAMET) The Spanish and German Procurement Agencies have just awarded Thales for a batch of respectively 1,000 and 10,000 70mm/2.75 rockets to complete the weapon systems of their Tiger HAD-E and their UH Tiger. Deliveries are expected on a very short term base. Produced by Thales in Belgium (Herstal), the 70mm/2.75 rockets offer a high level of safety and efficiency recognized by their worldwide customers on both helicopters and combat fixed wing aircraft. The aim of this contract with the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support is to deliver practice rockets to meet the increased demand for training of the German Armed Forces. The rocket will feature a modified rocket motor FZ90 MOD.4 with reduced debris. Thales 70mm/2.75 rocket system is part of the weapon system installed on the Spanish Tiger fitted with four light weight composite rocket pods, two of 19 tubes (FZ225) combined with two of 7 tubes (FZ233), able to carry a mixed loading of practice and high explosive warhead as well as other qualified and certified warheads with sub projectiles. On their HAP configuration Tigers, FAMET have used in operation the Thales Induction Rocket System since 2009. Complementarily, with this first batch of Thales 70mm/2.75 rocket, FAMET will now operate on their HAD Tigers the best version of the 70mm NATO standard rocket, which is also in service in German and Australian armies. Through these new contracts, Thales confirms and strengthens its presence within the Tiger community all over the world. Every forces equipped by Tiger helicopters Spanish, French, German and Australian are using Thaless rockets systems solution, in Induction version or in 2.75/70mm. China's latest J-20 stealth fighters have been commissioned into air force combat service, a spokesperson confirmed Friday. "It marks an important step for the J-20 to have comprehensive combat capabilities," said Shen Jinke, spokesman for the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force. (Credit: CGTN) Since the fighters have been commissioned into the combat units, the air force has made steady progress in the training of pilots, he said. According to the spokesman, J-20 played a vital role in the air force's Red Sword 2017 exercise and laid a foundation for the enhancement of its new war capacities. "The stealth jets will improve the air force's comprehensive fighting ability and enable it to better safeguard China's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity," Shen said. The aircraft features a glass cockpit, with two main large color liquid crystal displays (LCD) situated side-by-side, three smaller auxiliary displays, and a wide-angle holographic head-up display (HUD). According to analysts, the J-20 could features the Type 1475 AESA radar. Chinas 2017 defence budget is to grow by a further 7% to over $150 billion, Beijing announced last week. This is still roughly only a quarter of what the United States spends on its military. The J-20 is China's fourth-generation medium and long-range fighter jet. It made its maiden flight in 2011 and was first shown to the public at the 11th Airshow China in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, in November 2016. The fighters made their parade debut when the PLA marked its 90th anniversary in July 2017 at Zhurihe military training base in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. NRB says it wont aid banks short of funds to give loans The Nepal Rastra Bank, the central bank, has tacitly said it would not come to the aid of banks and financial institutions that are facing shortage of funds that could be disbursed as loans. CAIRO Women and human rights organizations in Egypt marked the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Feb. 6 by announcing an Anti-FGM Action Plan to create new policies and mechanisms to reduce these practices against women and young girls in Egypt. According to the most recent gender-based violence survey conducted by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics in 2015, 9 out of 10 women in Egypt have undergone FGM. In 2014, that figure was about 92% of married women aged between 15 and 49, with 78.4% of the operations performed by doctors and nurses. Representatives of 146 organizations were present at the press conference, including the Tadwein Gender Research Center, the New Woman Foundation, the Centre for Egyptian Women Legal Assistance, the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, the Women's Center for Legal Guidance and Awareness, Salemah for Women's Empowerment, the Cairo Center for Development, the Egyptian Coalition on the Rights of the Child and the Union of Associations to Combat Harmful Practices against Women and Children. Amal Fahmi, the director of Tadwein and the groups coordinator, told Al-Monitor that efforts by state institutions against FGM practices have not achieved the necessary changes. They have criminalized FGM without setting up a framework to enforce the law or raising awareness of the psychological and physical dangers of female circumcision. The situation is getting worse as 80% of FGM procedures are done at the hands of doctors, according to the stats obtained by the anti-FGM associations and organizations. The campaign that was recently launched aims to pressure the government to change its approach, raise awareness through sex education courses in schools in addition to media awareness campaigns against the medicalization of female genital cutting and develop a human rights discourse against FGM with a focus of womens rights to health and bodily integrity, Fahmi explained. Fahmi also stressed the need for the government to enforce the laws criminalizing the custom to act as a deterrent and to stop its spread. She noted that the government will have to train health inspectors, police and prosecutors to monitor for and detect FGM and respond to incidences of it. Since 2008, when the state added Article 242 to the Penal Code criminalizing FGM, only two cases have been brought to court. The first was in 2015, when the Mansoura Appeals Court sentenced a doctor to two years in prison with hard labor and closed his practice for one year after a child death following a procedure. Similarly, in July 2016 in Suez, a doctor, anesthetist and the victims mother were prosecuted in the death of a girl during a circumcision surgery. They were charged with manslaughter, and each received suspended sentences of one year in prison. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued Law No. 78 of 2016 to amend Article 242. Before that point, the article called for imprisonment between three months and two years or a fine of $282. After the change, those accused of practicing FGM face harsher punishments: imprisonment for a period of no less than five years and no more than seven. Reda el-Danbouki, the director of the Women's Center for Legal Guidance and Awareness, told Al-Monitor that the coalition will lobby for an amendment to close a loophole created by Article 61, which allows for violence committed to protect oneself or others against serious physical or moral harm. Danbouki said lawyers or judges could claim circumcision is done for necessary medical reasons, "basing their argument on this article. Danbouki added that there is no need to increase FGM-related punishment as the real change will come when the existing law is enforced and the government starts inspecting hospitals and medical centers, punishing perpetrators and raising awareness on the dangers of this practice, which many Egyptians continue to view as necessary according to Sharia despite a fatwa by Dar al-Ifta declaring FGM haram (religiously forbidden). According to a survey of Egyptian youth conducted by the International Population Council in 2017, 70% of young men and 57% of young women feel that FGM is necessary. Azza Soliman, the director of the Centre for Egyptian Women Legal Assistance, told Al-Monitor that the campaign is intended to revitalize the efforts of the human rights organizations that took the first steps to fight FGM in 1997. Back then, their work brought about a drastic change in the rhetoric around FGM, and for the first time people started talking about it as violence against women. This group conducted thorough studies on the history of FGM to prove that it was not related to Islam or Pharaonic traditions but rather a practice that originated in Africa. Consequently, they worked to remove the religious framework and basis for this practice and demanded an end to it, Soliman added. In 2003, the organizations efforts came to a halt, when the authorities took it upon themselves to combat FGM but failed to bring about a substantial change, prompting the womens organizations to join hands and try to make a real difference to protect women and young girls against the dangers of this practice, Soliman added. BAGHDAD A Facebook post last month putting up for sale several gazelles has raised questions on whether the Iraqi authorities are doing enough to protect this endangered species. The post, put up by Ahmad Ahmad, a user who sells animals online under what looks like a fake name, offered several endangered gazelles. Online sales of rare animals are common in Iraq, where a Facebook page for the sale of Goitered Gazelles originates. A rare and endangered species globally, the Goitered Gazelle gets its name from an enlargement of the neck and throat in male gazelles during the mating season. They are found in Iraq, Afghanistan, Central Asia and northwest China and Mongolia. According to the International Union for Conservation of Natures (IUCN) Red List, which monitors endangered species, the Goitered Gazelle is a vulnerable species whose population has declined by 30% in the last 14 years. IUCN estimates that there are between 42,000 and 49,000 Goitered Gazelles in the world. The main threats to this species are illegal hunting, for meat and to a lesser extent for trophies, and habitat loss due to economic development or conversion to agriculture. Although the press and social media users comments indicate that the gazelles put up for sale are likely coming from the Diyala Reserve for Gazelles in eastern Iraq, near the Iranian border, the reserve officials deny that this is the case. The reserve has its own management that does not allow such breaches, Haidar al-Mandalawi, a member of Mandali Council where the reserve is located, told Al-Monitor. He said that the gazelles on sale are not from the reserve, but hunted in open spaces by specialized hunters who then put them up for sale. Mandalawi said, Although the Diyala Reserve is neglected and lacks professional expertise, enough man power and good health services, it has the highest number of gazelles 110. He warned that the reserve, despite its importance for the conservation of nature, lacks adequate funding. Last November, Mandali authorities told local media that the reserve needed further investment from the government. Iraqs Ministry of Agriculture has built several reserves in the country to protect endangered species, but many of them remain in dire need of funding to help protect rare species and help them reproduce. Besides the Diyala Reserve near the Iranian border, there is another Goitered Gazelle reserve in Maysan province in southeastern Iraq, also near the Iranian border. It was established in 2012 and is home to 25 gazelles. Ali Hassan, one of the supervisors at the reserve, said that the area was famous for its many gazelles in the past, but that they have disappeared over time. He noted, It is a remote area that nobody visits. Ferocious animals are an imminent threat because they dig into the soil from under the metal fence to get into the reserve. Hassan added, The reserve is managed using primitive techniques. There are no surveillance cameras or experts in animal health or breeding; only guards protect the reserve and feed the gazelles at the same time. The problems that Hassan highlighted are not specific to just one reserve. The Samawah Gazelle Reserve in southern Iraq that was built in 2014 over an area of 500 dunams (124 acres) and has about 100 gazelles is plagued with diseases affecting gazelles. They also lack funds. Shanaga Reserve in Kirkuk, which extends along 2,800 dunams (692 acres) and started out with 25 Goitered Gazelles, succeeded in increasing the number to 80. Terrorism and violence took its toll on gazelles in the Al-Rataba Reserve in Anbar province also. The Islamic State (IS) invaded one-third of Iraqi territories and stole 7,000 gazelles in 2014 transporting them in trucks to Syria, after the group recoiled with the advancement of Iraqi forces. The animal-rich prairies of Iraq attract hunters from the Gulf states, and as a result, many animal species have decreased due to illegal hunting. Amir al-Hassoun, the director general of the Environmental Awareness and Media Department at the Ministry of Health and Environment, told Al-Monitor that human settlement and vegetation contributed largely to the declining biodiversity. He calls for improving the environment, especially in areas that shelter rare species, and enforcing laws that punish those hunting rare species such as the gazelles. Hassoun also said that trading animals was a result of citizens lack of environmental awareness. The government has been preoccupied with political and security problems since 2003, and the environment was the least of its priorities, he added. Future plans include calling on relevant international organizations to help Iraq in developing reserves by investing in them and turning them into profitable touristic and economic projects. Parliamentarian Abdul Hadi al-Saadawi agrees with Hassoun in regard to encouraging investment. He calls for developing reserves to become touristic sites because they are currently not profitable and represent closed cantons. Saadawi told Al-Monitor, The end of the war on IS and Iraqs recovery from its financial crisis allow support for investment projects that should not be limited to the government. The state should encourage the private sector to embark on this project supporting the environment and the economy. He said he hoped there will be more private investment in the future. This investment perspective was translated in a private sector endeavor at the Gazelle Farm in Babil, which was established by investor Hussein al-Shumari and proved successful and profitable, providing protection for the gazelles. Shumari told Al-Monitor that the private sector projects established farms to breed gazelles in Babil and other Iraqi provinces, noting that this would provide much-needed support for the reproduction of endangered species. An assassination attempt against a Hamas military leader last month has sparked speculation as to whether Israel and Hamas have opened a northern front in Lebanon in their ongoing struggle. On Jan. 23, Turkey handed over Ahmad Beitiye to Lebanese authorities for suspected involvement in the Jan. 14 car bombing that targeted Hamas leader Mohammed Hamdan in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon, leaving him with an injured leg. Israel did not comment on the assassination attempt, but Hamas accused it of being behind it. It has become customary for Israel to remain silent after conducting assassinations outside the Palestinian territories perhaps to escape the immediate wrath of the countries whose laws it has violated but it will sometimes claim responsibility years later. In December 2016, Hamas accused Israel of killing Mohammed Alzoari, a Tunisian with ties to the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas military wing. Assassins shot him at point-blank range in Sfax, Tunisia. Israel is also believed to have killed Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, a Hamas military official, in Dubai in 2010. Hamas accuses Israel of having killed another military official, Izz ad-Din Sheikh Khalil, in Damascus in 2004. A Hamas official residing in Lebanon told Al-Monitor on the condition of anonymity, The assassination attempt [against Hamdan] followed meetings between the Lebanese and Palestinian resistance [i.e., Hezbollah and Hamas] in Beirut over the past weeks, during which they reviewed next possible steps for confronting Israel and the possibility of a broad Israeli war on the Gaza front as well as in Lebanon and Syria, in addition to developing a unified resistance strategy. He added, however, Although we want to show Israel that Hamas is not easy prey, we do not want our fight to relocate to other areas. Hamdan is not particularly well known in media and political circles beyond also being known as Abu Hamza. A Palestinian security source revealed to Agence France-Presse in mid-January that Hamdan is a security official and high-ranking military leader in Hamas. That Mohammad Sadiq Fadhli, Iran's deputy ambassador to Lebanon, visited him in the hospital on Jan. 20 speaks to Hamdan's importance within Hamas. Qassem Kassir, a Lebanese writer close to Hezbollah, told Al-Monitor, The attempt to assassinate Hamdan shows the dangers that Hamas currently faces inside and around Palestine. This dangerous security operation is a continuation of previous Mossad operations targeting Lebanese and Palestinian resistance figures [that is, from Hezbollah and various Palestinian factions]. However, this attempt is particularly serious because it targeted an unknown cadre, with no declared activity, and it occurred at a time when the Lebanese and Palestinian resistance are developing a strategic plan to address US President Donald Trumps efforts to squash the Palestinian cause. On Jan. 26, the Lebanese Interior Ministry announced that Israel was indeed behind the attempt on Hamdan's life, reporting that a number of Lebanese suspects under arrest had admitted to having been hired by Israeli intelligence to carry out the attack. This prompted Hamas to praise Lebanese security efforts in a Jan. 31 media statement. A delegation of Hamas officials, led by Izzat al-Rishq, a member of the movement's political bureau and head of Arab and Islamic relations, visited Lebanon Jan. 29-31 for meetings with state officials, including parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri and Democratic Gathering leader Walid Jumblatt. The delegation also met with Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim, chief of General Security; Maj. Gen. Imad Othman, director general of the Internal Security Forces; and Brig. Gen. Antoine Mansour, director of the intelligence service. Rishq, who currently resides in Qatar, told Al-Monitor that the attack was not only aimed at Hamas. The operation also targeted civil peace in Lebanon and constitutes an attack on its sovereignty, Rishq said. Hamas met with Lebanese officials to reiterate its keenness to strengthen the fraternal relations between Lebanon and Palestine, asserting that Hamas will not be dragged into external battles with the Israeli occupation and will continue down the path of resistance in occupied Palestine. Several other Hamas leaders have also recently emphasized that the movement has no intention of battling Israel outside Palestine Ali Baraka, the movement's representative in Lebanon, said so on Jan. 14, as did political bureau member Moussa Abu Marzouk on Jan. 27. The latter also stressed that Hamas is present in Lebanon for political reasons and to support the Palestinian people in refugee camps. Such statements suggest that Hamas is avoiding conflict with Israel in other countries as a matter of policy. Perhaps it wants to avoid problems with other governments or perhaps it simply lacks the operational capabilities to attack outside the Palestinian territories and Israel. These same reasons may, however, encourage Israel to target Hamas members outside the territories. On Jan. 19, four days after the Hamdan assassination attempt, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman told the press that Hamas has been seeking to build infrastructure in southern Lebanon to use in attacks against Israel. Yoni Ben Menachem, a former Israeli intelligence officer, wrote on the website of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs on Feb. 1 that the attack on Hamdan could represent the return of an Israeli policy of assassinations against Hamas outside Palestine. Investigations conducted by Lebanon's Internal Security Forces revealed that the Israelis involved in the attack on Hamdan used Georgian, Swedish and Iraqi passports to exit Lebanon. They are said to be two intelligence officers, one of whom, a woman, planted the bomb under Hamdan's car. The other officer, based out of a rented warehouse facing Hamdans home in Sidon, had been tracking him for seven months. The two officers left Lebanon before the bombing. What happened to the third person remains unknown or unannounced. Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri contacted Turkey on Jan. 20, setting in motion the arrest of Beitiye, while his accomplice, a woman, remains at large. On Jan. 26, the Lebanese press reported that Turkey had rejected an Israeli request not to extradite Beitiye to Lebanon. Saleh al-Naami, an expert on Israeli affairs for the New Arab news website in Gaza, told Al-Monitor, Israels attempt to assassinate a Hamas cadre aimed to criminalize Hezbollah in the eyes of the Lebanese public and the international community by showing it as giving way to non-Lebanese forces, such as Hamas, to exploit the Lebanese territories to implement attacks against Israel. He also offered a second reason for the operation, stating, Israel wanted to warn Hamas about going after it outside Palestine. The attempt on Hamdan's life could be interpreted as an indication of Israeli concern about possible Hamas operations from Lebanon and therefore a pre-emptive strike against the movement for fear of a strong front taking shape in Lebanon through the combined efforts of Hezbollah and Hamas. This could well be the beginning of confrontation beyond Palestinian borders. During a speech marking the 39th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called for a direct vote to end moments of political gridlock within the country, a controversial move that is certain to anger the countrys hard-liners. Citing a mostly unknown constitutional article, Rouhani said, If we have differences, we must refer to Article 59 of the constitution which says, in certain cases of passing laws or legislative acts on important social, cultural, economic or political issues, we must send it to a direct vote by the people. Rouhani continued, If we have differences on two issues, or the factions have differences, or they are fighting, bring the ballot box out and according to Article 59 of the constitution, whatever the people have decided, implement that. Our constitution has this capacity, and we must act within the capacity of our constitution. Rouhanis Twitter account also later tweeted this segment of the speech. Rouhani, who has been opposed by the countrys hard-liners and unelected officials since first taking office in 2013, has faced stiff resistance in introducing social and economic reforms, despite his re-election in 2017. His comments about a direct vote are an indirect criticism of the Guardian Council, a 12-member body that vets candidates who run in Irans elections and vets laws passed by Irans parliament. The supreme leader selects six members of the council. The other six are elected by parliament among nominees recommended by the head of the judiciary, who himself is appointed by the supreme leader. Unlike the hard-liners in unelected positions, Rouhani and other moderates and Reformists have relied on elections to stay in power. This is why in earlier parts of the speech, Rouhani asked the Guardian Council to make participation and running in elections easier. To protect the system and the revolution, we have no other path than the participation of the people. And if our revolution has remained, it is because of elections. He continued, We have to ease the path to elections for the people. Rouhani means the path to running as candidates, not necessarily voting, given that in Iran voting falls on a Friday, which is the equivalent of a Sunday in the United States. Rouhanis calls for a direct vote comes amid the news of arrests of a number of environmentalists in Iran, with one death so far while in custody. The family of Kavous Seyed Emami was notified Feb. 9 that the 63-year-old Iranian-Canadian professor died 16 days after his arrest. Tehrans prosecutor office told his family that he had hanged himself, which the family does not believe. Seyed Emami was the managing director of the Persian Heritage Wildlife Foundation and a professor of sociology at Imam Sadegh University. Caught up in the round of environmentalists is Kaveh Madani, the deputy head of Irans Environmental Department, who had returned in part in answer to Rouhanis calls for Iranian professionals to return to the country. After reports surfaced of his arrest, Madani posted a video on his Instagram page to say that he is free and well. Regarding the arrests, Secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said Feb. 11 that he did not have precise information regarding the arrests, but added that some activists have questionable connections, meaning likely with foreign governments and that their cases are under review. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's proposal to hold a referendum to resolve the issues and differences between conservatives and Reformists have led many to harshly attack him. On Feb. 11, the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, moderate Rouhani referred to Article 59 of the Iranian Constitution, saying, If there are disagreements among the parties, [we should] bring in the ballot boxes and we will do whatever people say. Islam, Iran and the Iranian nation are our priorities. Rouhanis proposal has been rejected by conservatives, who see it as a tactic to mislead public opinion. In this vein, Hossein Shariatmadari, editor of the hard-line Kayhan daily, said Feb. 12, The proposition of a referendum by the president may indicate his dissatisfaction with the presence of millions of people in the 22nd of Bahman [Feb. 11] marches, which emphasized the foundations of the revolution and the Islamic [political] system and this was [tantamount to] an extensive referendum with millions saying yes to the political system. Vahid Yaminpour, a hard-line TV host, also took a swipe at Rouhani, saying Feb. 12, If a referendum is to be held, based on the findings of a survey by [presidential media adviser Hesamoddin] Ashna on peoples dissatisfaction with their livelihoods, the holding of a referendum on an early presidential election is the [top] priority." Furthermore, the spokesman for the Guardian Council, Abbas-Ali Kadkhodaiei wrote on Telegram Feb. 13, The president has proposed [to hold a referendum] that seemingly wasnt stated after a study [of the constitution], because the function of Article 59 is known to all those who know the basic law. He added, Article 59 is related to the authority of the parliament. Mr. President has perhaps mistaken this [article] with another one. Of note, the conservative-dominated Guardian Council is tasked with reviewing parliamentary bills to see whether theyre in accordance with the constitution and Sharia. Despite the hard-liner attacks, conservative analyst Amir Mohebian said Feb. 13, A referendum is a constitutional article, but I assume that the opponents [of Rouhani] dont want this [kind of measure] to turn into a normal procedure [for how to resolve political deadlocks]. It appears that what the conservatives are really worried about is the possibility that Rouhani may attempt to revise the constitution to decrease Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's power. Rouhani has responded to the criticisms, referring to the 1979 referendum on whether to establish an Islamic Republic: In that vote, 98% voted in favor of abolishing the monarchy. [In 1979], people recognized the right path, which was the path of independence and [not allowing other countries] to meddle with our destiny. If you now ask people whether they want independence or foreigners meddling [in the countrys affairs], 98.2% will say that they want independence. This figure doesnt change. If we ask people whether they want freedom or tyranny, the same percent [of people] will vote for the Islamic Republic [again], he said on Feb. 13. Rouhani also emphasized that he, as president, has the responsibility and duty of implementing the constitution. Amid the conservative sniping, it should be noted that Reformists have largely shied away from publicly endorsing Rouhanis proposal for a referendum and refrained from wholeheartedly backing him. For instance, Shargh, one of the main Reformist dailies, only covered the issue on its Feb. 13 edition by covering the conservatives reactions as well as a brief history of referenda in Iran. Nitzan Mintz and Dede are walking a fine line, on many fronts. These include their private lives as a couple and their artistic and professional collaboration; street art and museum exhibitions; Nitzans verbal creation and Dedes visual art; and commercial gallery sales and free street displays, some of which have been erased or even stolen. Mintz started writing poetry during her mandatory military service, where she penned dozens of poems inspired by the frustration, pressure and depression she experienced. She graduated from the Department of Fine Arts and the Department of Creative Writing at Minshar School of Art, Tel Aviv, and from the Helicon Poetry School. During her studies, she started writing her poems on the walls in Tel Aviv, signing them with her own name. Unlike Mintz, Dede protects his anonymity and is known only as Dede. What we know about him is that at the age of 13 he painted the sky on a wall at his school, and when he was doing his military service and was ordered to paint a sign saying smoking prohibited, he only wrote prohibited. He went on to study art and design at Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem, and after graduating took classes for a year at an arts school in Geneva. He told Al-Monitor that he learned the most from working in the streets and from the public feedback he received. Mintz discovered his artwork in the streets and tracked him down in 2012; they met and got involved romantically and professionally. Dedes artistic signature is the adhesive bandages and giant birds he paints on city walls. Mintzs trademark is closely written lines of poetry in square letters that usually overlap one another. Protest is not the main thrust of their work, but social criticism often finds its expression in their art. For example, in 2015, Mintz spray-painted in acrylic a poem on the wall of a rundown street in southern Tel Aviv frequented by hookers, across from where their pimps sit puffing on hookahs and barbecuing meat. She wrote in giant letters, Where was Daddys fist. Where Daddys fist was. I wanted [the pimps and the customers] to see it, she told Al-Monitor. They saw it and made sure someone [erased] it. Dedes protest is directed at the urban and commercial establishment. He has turned the Dolphinarium, an abandoned dolphin aquarium and discotheque on the Tel Aviv beach, into an expressionist canvas. A parking lot has been turned into a giant bulls-eye resembling an anti-missile Iron Dome defense system, and the support columns at the entrance to Tel Avivs central bus station have been painted to resemble giant toilet paper rolls an allegorical reference to the facilitys filthy interior. The artistic couple has recently started exhibiting in museums and galleries. In November, their artworks went on display at the Haifa Museum as part of a series of protest exhibitions titled Dangerous Art that focus on artists reactions to limitations placed on personal freedoms, on the right to protest and on womens, LGTB and refugee rights. Shifting Dedes giant birds and Mintzs texts from the streets of south Tel Aviv into a museum space is designed to convey a message of protest against the way traditional art regards the urban neighborhood, exhibition curator Svetlana Reingold told Al-Monitor. Whether consciously or subconsciously, the art world relates to the neighborhood with a proprietary attitude that turns it into an imaginary venue. The joint works by Dede and Mintz point to the fact that when the interest in a poor person is limited to the aesthetic aspect, the poverty itself remains outside our field of vision. Dede told Al-Monitor that the minute a work of art is displayed in a museum, it is no longer street art, but art. Period. We did not domesticate it, we worked with our materials, the same materials we use on the street, like construction materials, graffiti spray, rough paper stretched on a wall and not framed under glass. As long as we can both get out and do our stuff inside, it is even inspirational. Another exhibition of the couples works opened Jan. 18 at Tel Avivs Zemack Contemporary Art Gallery. On the same night, they took their spray paint and other raw materials and went out to write graffiti poetry and create a street installation at one of Tel Avivs main intersections, at a corner of King George and Dizengoff streets. Mintz said the street art has a life of its own, as well as an end. I want the city to come and erase my artworks from the walls, she explained. That way I will have the hunger to write the next thing. If the text stays on the wall, the hunger will dissipate. The erasure prompts new creation. Art historian Miri Krymolowsky told Al-Monitor that most graffiti artists dream of gaining recognition and seeing their artworks displayed in museums. She said that both Mintz and Dede are street artists who also have a formal education in the arts, and their collaboration gives birth to something far more interesting than each one separately and thats part of their success. Success and recognition has its drawbacks. One of Dedes street artworks, where he painted a metal fence surrounding a construction site, was stolen in August. In November, the piece was discovered at an art auction, where an Israeli dealer paid more than 10,000 Israeli shekels (roughly $2,800) for it and donated it to the childrens department at the Assaf Harofeh Medical Center. Dede was upset, but he also understood that the theft was a type of recognition. The artist cannot control his street art, Dede said, noting that he is happy the stolen artwork found a worthy home and will cheer up sick children, even if the thief is the one who eventually profited. Kurdish disunity is cited as one of the main reasons the worlds largest people without a country, as the Kurds are often described, still dont have one. The Iraqi Kurds failed referendum on independence in September, which saw one group cooperate with Baghdad against the other, was the most recent and damning example of how a lust for power can trump the collective Kurdish good. So when a delegation of Iraqi Kurds from rival political parties arrived in the Syrian Kurdish enclave of Afrin to show solidarity with their cousins facing a Turkish siege, a groundswell of euphoria erupted. Asiya Abdullah, the former co-chair of the Democratic Unity Party (PYD), declared, The visit by members of the Kurdistan Parliament sent an important message to the people of Afrin and all the people of Kurdistan. Today, Afrins resistance against the occupation of Turkey and their rebels is fierce. The assault on Afrin is an assault on the people of Kurdistan, and Afrins victory will be that of all of Kurdistan. Her comments were reported by Kurdistan 24, one of the few media outlets to make it into Afrin. It's believed to be financed by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)'s muscular intelligence chief, Masrour Barzani. Kurdistan 24 journalists would have had to cross through territory controlled by Syrian regime forces and their Iranian allies to reach Afrin, a journey that Western journalists, Americans in particular, would hardly risk. On Jan. 30, the Iraqi Kurdish parliament held a special session on Afrin and condemned Turkeys offensive against the PYDs military arm, the Peoples Protection Units (YPG), which has entered its 24th day. The parliament called for an immediate halt to Turkish aggression and pledged to step up humanitarian assistance to their besieged brethren via the Fish-Khabur border crossing, saying, We praise the resistance of the men and women in Afrin and Rojava [Syrian Kurdistan] and wish them success. The session was convened at the request of Barzanis Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which is led by his father, Massoud, the former president of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, and that of the opposition Change (Gorran) Movement. But this outburst of cross-border Kurdish unity may come at a cost. Until recently, Turkey viewed the KDP, the dominant party in Iraqi Kurdistan, as its top ally against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), the armed group that first fought for Kurdish independence and later for Kurdish self-rule inside Turkey since 1984. The YPG was birthed by the PKK and pledges fealty to its imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan. In Turkeys eyes, any support for the YPG is tantamount to support for the PKK, and that is how it is likely to view Iraqi Kurdish gestures over Afrin. Although Turkey fiercely opposed the referendum on Kurdish independence, it did not seal its border with the KRG, the Iraqi Kurds sole conduit to the West. Nor did it turn off a pipeline carrying Iraqi Kurdish crude to export terminals on Turkeys Mediterranean coast. Now that the Iraqi Kurds have lost control of oil fields in Kirkuk, Turkey is even more critical to their economic survival. So why are they poking Turkey in the eye? There are several reasons for the apparent shift. Amid the sharpening economic woes that have beset the KRG in the wake of the referendum, Kurdish nationalism serves as a useful distraction for an increasingly disgruntled populace. Also, the solidarity felt by ordinary Kurds for their Syrian cousins is real. For many, the PKK and the YPG have displayed great valor against the Islamic State and now Turkey. And the sober lifestyle embraced by PKK commanders holed up in the mountains stands in stark contrast with the opulence and corruption engulfing some of their Iraqi Kurdish peers. Mohammed Salih, an expert on religious extremism in Iraqi Kurdistan and an Al-Monitor contributor, said in an interview, The YPGs ability to fight and resist Turkey and [Syrian Arab rebel] groups in Afrin is taking on huge significance for average Kurds in light of the peshmerga's inability last year to put up a fight in Kirkuk and other parts of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Salih was referring to the retreat of Iraqi Kurdish fighters known as peshmerga from the contested oil-rich province in the face of advancing Iraqi troops and pro-Iranian militias. Elections for a new parliament and president are supposed to take place this year. Iraqi Kurdish political parties want to capitalize on the sympathy felt for Afrin, said Bilal Wahab, a Wagner fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, a conservative DC think tank. But there are more subtle dynamics at play. Since the referendum, Turkish leaders have shunned formal contact with the Iraqi Kurds, including Nechirvan Barzani, the KRG prime minister. He was long viewed as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans go-to Iraqi Kurdish politician, especially for energy deals. Erdogan is keeping his distance from the Iraqi Kurds in a sop to his far-right nationalist allies, whose backing will be key in Turkey's 2019 presidential elections. The KRGs relations with the United States have also gone south because of Washingtons support for Baghdad during and after the referendum. Iraqi Kurdish leaders reckon it's time to recalibrate. Rojava provides a back door to Iraqi Kurdish relevance, not least because the United States relies heavily on the KDP-controlled Fish-Khabur border crossing to move weapons and other equipment to more than 2,000 special operations forces and their YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces allies in northeastern Syria. Ceng Sangic is the coordinator of the Kurdish Studies Program at the Moshe Dayan Center in Tel Aviv. He contended in an interview with Al-Monitor that the Iraqi Kurds main focus is on rebuilding relations with Iraq because the annual share of the Iraqi budget that the KRG has received and periodically been denied over the years is what helped build up its economy. However, since assuming the de facto leadership of the KRG after his uncle Massoud Barzani stepped down as president, Nechirvan Barzani has also sought to restore the pre-2014 status quo for the KRG when it enjoyed good relations with Iraq, Iran, Turkey, the US, the PKK and the Syrian Kurds as well. Sagnic was referring to the period before the Islamic State overran much of Iraq, allowing the Iraqi Kurds to fill the vacuum and win control over territories that the central government and the KRG claim for its own, including Kirkuk. Nechirvan Barzanis recent trip to Tehran is part of this rebalancing, which may also help spook Ankara and Washington into paying the Iraqi Kurds more attention again. One very big concession made by the KRG to Tehran was to tell Iranian Kurdish militias to withdraw from scattered mountain posts along the Iran-Iraq border, from which they launch sporadic attacks against Iranian regime forces. A prominent Kurdish-Iranian politician told Al-Monitor on condition that he not be identified that KRG officials had approached various Kurdish-Iranian groups based in Iraqi Kurdistan asking that they pull back from the Iranian border. He predicted that they would eventually all be forced to comply. The real function of the posts is to collect taxes from smugglers bringing liquor and other contraband into Iran. The PKK, which has a larger presence on the border, will be able to pocket all the revenue for itself. Ranj Alaaldin is a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution, Doha. He cautioned in emailed remarks to Al-Monitor, Turkey runs the risk of unifying otherwise divided Kurdish groups, and the longer the current operation in Afrin continues, the more alienated Ankara becomes from the KDP and [its main rival] the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, both of whom have historically cooperated with Turkey to combat the PKK. Alaaldin continued, That would enhance Irans standing with the KRG and weaken Ankaras, but everything could quickly change if the Afrin operation and Turkeys conflict with the PKK more generally spills over into Iraqi Kurdistan. Informed sources briefing Al-Monitor on strict condition of anonymity warned there is a real risk that Turkey will escalate its fight against the PKK in Iraqi Kurdistan. The sources said Turkey and Baghdad were discussing a possible Turkish operation to dislodge the PKK from Sinjar. The area serves as a bridgehead for PKK fighters traveling from their bases on the Iraq-Iran border to Syria. In exchange, Turkey would comply with Baghdads long-running demand to withdraw its troops from Bashiqa, near Mosul. The PKK is reportedly already bracing for just such an attack, digging tunnels and generally fortifying its defenses there. The same sources said the United States also wants the PKK out of Sinjar and would likely share intelligence for a Turkish operation provided that Baghdad was on board. Washington sees it as a free way to ease tensions with Turkey over its continued alliance with the YPG. The sources speculated that the United States may also believe that disrupting the PKK's access to Rojava may weaken its hold over the YPG. Until recently, the KRG and above all the Barzanis would have wanted the PKK ejected as well because they were infuriated by the PKKs growing influence in Sinjar, which they consider to be their own dominion. But when Iraqi troops rolled into Sinjar in their post-referendum push, Iraqi Kurdish calculations changed, Wahab said. KDP support for a Turkish operation against the PKK in Sinjar is no longer a given, he said. A recently found malware espionage campaign, called Dark Caracal, has affected thousands of people in 20 countries. The malware was discovered in January by two American cybersecurity organizations Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and Lookout. They tracked the source of the malware to a building belonging to the Lebanese national security agency, the General Directorate of General Security (GDGS). At least since 2012, Dark Caracal has been actively transmitting private information, from call records and audio recordings to documents and photos, of military personnel, activists, journalists and lawyers living in the United States, Canada, Germany, France and Lebanon. This was made possible through trojanized apps, fake versions of applications, including Signal and WhatsApp. Trackers are able to take photos, retrieve location and information and capture audio. So far, no legal action or sanctions have been taken, and it remains unknown if the GDGS activities are still ongoing. The joint investigation between EFF and Lookout started after EFF released a report called Operation Manul in August 2016. The report detailed a series of cyberattacks that targeted journalists and political activists critical of Kazakhstans authoritarian government, along with their family members, lawyers and associates living in the country and Europe. EFFs research noted references to Android components that attackers used in tandem with the desktop malware, Andrew Blaich, security researcher at Lookout, told Al-Monitor. However, no samples had been discovered at the time of the reports release. So Lookout went looking for the Android samples. Once we identified the samples, found the exfiltrated data, began to develop hypotheses around attribution and realized this story was much bigger than originally thought, Lookout reconnected with EFF to have them co-author the report with us. This investigation led the two organizations to a piece of Dark Caracals infrastructure, with at least 500 gigabytes of data left publicly accessible. With this insight, it led them to view the collected data and pin it to a physical location, a building belonging to the GDGS in Beirut near the National Museum. During the whole process, they made sure they were not violating any law such as hacking. We have knowledge of hundreds of gigabytes of data exfiltrated from thousands of victims in more than 20 countries, Blaich said. He added, Dark Caracal relies primarily on social engineering via Facebook and WhatsApp messages in order to compromise and target systems, devices and accounts, the goal of which is to eventually drive victims to a watering hole, a fake app store controlled by Dark Caracal. Applications trojanized with the Pallas malware family were found to be offered via the fake app store, secureandroid.info, which Dark Caracal manages directly. There is also some indication that the GDGS has used physical access in the past to install their mobile components since it also controls border security. Blaich further said, Dark Caracal is a persistent and prolific actor which we believe had and may still be operating out of a building belonging to the Lebanese GDGS. For Eva Galperin, EFFs director of cybersecurity, This is a very unusual case. Galperin told Al-Monitor, It potentially represents an entirely new model for nation-state hacking, where government actors rent infrastructure from third parties [tech companies]. This may be cheaper than buying software like FinFisher [a surveillance software that is installed on targets' computers by exploiting security lapses], which we know these actors [Lebanese authorities] have done, and it enables them to hide in the noise, because the same infrastructure is used on numerous campaigns for different clients. The same technological infrastructure, or spying malware, can be used on different targets at the same time and, therefore, is less traceable. Following the release of the Dark Caracal report Jan. 18, various rights organizations called for Lebanon to investigate this spying case. Human Rights Watch said in a Jan. 24 article that under international law, Any government interference with privacy must be necessary to achieve a legitimate aim and must be carried out in accordance with both international and domestic law. Any law allowing secret surveillance must be sufficiently clear in its terms to give citizens an adequate indication as to the circumstances. In Lebanon, Law No. 140 of 1999 protects the confidentiality of private communications from eavesdropping, monitoring or disclosure, except in some cases. In these cases, the law also authorizes the interior minister and the defense minister to order the interception of specific communications based on a written decision approved by the prime minister. This can be possible in order to fight terrorism, crimes against state security and organized crime. In reaction to the Dark Caracal report, Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim, the director general of GDGS, told Reuters on Jan. 18 he wanted to see the report before commenting on its contents, adding, General Security does not have these type of capabilities. We wish we had these capabilities. On Jan. 20, Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk downplayed the scale of the affair while implicitly saying that Lebanese security agencies are involved in surveillance to preserve national security. Contacted by Al-Monitor, the GDGS refused to comment on the matter, saying it cant give out information on a security case related to its work. Bassam Khawaja, a Lebanon and Kuwait researcher at Human Rights Watch, told Al-Monitor, Lebanon urgently needs better laws protecting privacy and personal information. The prosecutor should investigate whether the reports of this operation are correct, bring criminal charges against any unlawful surveillance and authorities should end any ongoing arbitrary surveillance. We need to question, under the eavesdropping section of Law No. 140/1999, the fact that 500 gigabytes of data was left on the web for years, Lebanese digital rights organization SMEX co-founder Mohamad Najem told Al-Monitor. This [the data] was picked up by the researchers, but also might have been picked up by other surveillance states or groups. We need to know from the independent administrative committee [which] submits their report to the president about this specific point. The information collected by security agencies need to be secured and peoples private data protected. After these surveillance activities showed to the world that Lebanon is behind this data left alone, aren't we at a bigger risk in the case of a cyberwar? How much peoples data can be protected if other countries spy on us? he added. Galperin confirmed it was a targeted surveillance case, saying, Each of these mobile devices was compromised through the installation of a backdoor version of a common app. The apps were often downloaded from a fake Android store, but sometimes they were installed via physical access. It remains unclear if the Lebanese state will take action to limit this surveillance or question its legality. So far it remains unknown whether the GDGS is continuing its surveillance activities. But without a proper law to protect the privacy of its citizens and a stricter surveillance law, the GDGS and other security agencies can keep on spying on citizens without any fear of being held accountable. AMMAN, Jordan Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has stepped up his recently launched diplomatic offensive on future peace negotiations, including by emphasizing the need for Moscow to reassert a balancing role in the Middle East conflict. On Feb. 10 in Ramallah, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed four agreements totaling $41 million and expressed support for a two-state solution, and 24 hours later, Abbas arrived in Moscow for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin. On Feb. 13, a senior Omani official, Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, arrived for the first time in Ramallah for a visit. Abbas' Russian trip is remarkable in that it reflects a major shift in Palestinian diplomatic efforts aimed at dislodging the United States as the sole sponsor of the peace process. The Palestinian ambassador to Russia, Abdel Hafiz Nofal, had told Maan TV on Feb. 11 that Abbas is seeking a new sponsor for peace. We want a sponsor that is serious about the peace process after the United States has failed over 25 years, Nofal said. We believe that Russia is ready to play this role. Nofal added that the Palestinians want Russia, China and the European Union to have a bigger role in the new international order. Russian media reported on Feb. 11 that Putin had canceled a trip to Sochi to meet with Abbas. Nofal further explained Palestinian objections to US-led talks in an interview published by WAFA, the Palestinians' official news agency, Feb. 11. President Abbas announced that for the Palestinians, the United States is not welcome to play the role of broker because of its bias toward Israel, Nofal said. At the same time, we remain committed to the peace process and wish to resume it and achieve a two-state solution. Abbas senior adviser Majdi Khaldi hinted in press reports from Feb. 11 that the effort is aimed at launching an international peace conference. Russia can make any initiative it wants after discussions with the Palestinians, Khalidi said, leaving Moscow with a wide range of options. Whatever the Russians suggest, we will welcome, after Palestinian-Russian discussions. Abbas took and has maintained an aggressive posture ever since US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israels capital on Dec. 6, and the Palestinian Central Council approved his plan to reject a US-sponsored ultimate deal. The visit to Moscow follows a decision made Feb. 1 by Arab foreign ministers, meeting in Cairo, calling for a new international mechanism for peace. During the last four weeks alone, Abbas has visited Cairo to attend an Al-Azhar University conference in support of Jerusalem on Jan. 17; Addis Ababa, for an African summit on Jan. 28; and Brussels, for discussions with European foreign ministers on Jan. 22 and a meeting with Belgium Prime Minister Charles Michel Jan. 23. The Palestinian leader also squeezed in a state visit to Jordan to meet with King Abdullah II on Jan. 29. Abbas is scheduled to speak at the UN Security Councils special session on the Middle East on Feb. 20 in New York. Riyad Mansour, Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, told Saudi newspaper Arab News on Feb. 3 that Abbas will be extending an olive branch at the Security Council meeting. We stretch our arms out for peace, and we will make sure that the international body takes on its responsibility for world peace, Mansour said. The model that Abbas and the rest of the Palestinian leadership are trying to emulate is that of Iran that resulted in the nuclear agreement. In that process, the international community was represented by the P5+1 that is, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council including China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States plus Germany. Slovenia has indicated that it plans to recognize Palestine, and a three-country coalition of Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg is working together to announce recognition simultaneously. Sweden, which recognized the State of Palestine in October 2014, would like to see other European countries follow them, a senior Swedish official told Al-Monitor. France, whose president, Emmanuel Macron, said on Jan. 24 that his country will not recognize Palestine at the present time, appears to be the key country pushing to play kingmaker in any new peace mechanism. Abbas diplomatic offensive appears to be focused on securing an international breakthrough that will limit destructive actions by Washington without totally eliminating the US role. Abbas understands that he needs the United States to put pressure on Israel, but he does not want it to have a monopoly at any talks. It is too early to say whether the Palestinian president will succeed in this difficult balancing act. The Pentagon is seeking hundreds of millions of dollars to train Syrian fighters near the Turkish frontier while tamping down Ankaras fears of a Kurdish-led border force. The fiscal year 2019 budget blueprint released Monday calls for $300 million to train and equip the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces and $250 million for border security requirements related to the mission to counter the Islamic State (IS). The Pentagon released a statement today suggesting that the border security funding was meant to support US partners in Syria, only to later clarify that the money is meant to support the governments of Lebanon and Jordan to combat the crippled Sunni insurgency along with other violent extremists, illicit weapons, as well as narcotics smuggling. The miscommunication has set off recriminations in the Turkish media that President Donald Trump's administration is moving forward with previously leaked plans to create a 30,000-strong border force in northeastern Syria to help cement gains made by the United States' Kurdish allies. Last month, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the proposed force a terror army and threatened to strangle it before its even born. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has since walked back that proposal, and a Pentagon spokesman today flatly denied that the train-and-equip effort will pose a threat to Turkey. This is not a new army or conventional border guard force, Maj. Adrian Rankine-Galloway told Al-Monitor. This training and these forces are consistent with campaign objectives to ensure an enduring defeat of [IS], facilitate stabilization efforts, and create the conditions that support the UN-led Geneva [peace] process. The Defense Departments yet-to-be-released budget justification could provide more details about what will be supplied to Syrias neighbors. In fiscal 2017, the Pentagon sent $180 million from the counter-IS account to help Jordan and Lebanon equip their border forces. Mondays budget proposal also calls for $350 million in foreign military financing for Jordan and $50 million for Lebanon. The Trump administration has also used lesser-known Pentagon accounts to boost Jordan and Lebanons defenses against border threats. Using the Defense Departments Global Train and Equip fund, the Pentagon sent $19 million in explosive rockets, night vision goggles and machine guns to Jordan in October. The United States also delivered $85 million worth of Black Hawk helicopters and 105 mm howitzer cannons earlier in the year. Arms deliveries under the fund in October also included a $120 million boost for Lebanons air forces, including US-made attack helicopters and high-performance drones. The Pentagon clarification comes as top US officials, including Tillerson, White House national security adviser H.R. McMaster and Defense Secretary James Mattis are set to meet with their Turkish counterparts this week in Ankara in an effort to ease tensions following the Turkish offensive against US-backed Syrian Kurds in Afrin. The Turks are furious at continued US support for the so-called Peoples Protection Units (YPG), which Ankara considers a terrorist group, while Washington is eager to prevent the Turkish offensive from expanding further east toward Manbij, where many of the 2,000 US troops in country are located. Turkish officials have said Trump agreed to stop sending US arms to the YPG in November, but US weapons assistance to the group has continued, according to the Pentagons inspector general. In the meantime, analysts say, Turkish officials may be leveraging their domestically popular Afrin operation to put pressure on the United States to rethink its pro-Kurdish policy; all the while, the operation is drumming up support for Erdogan, who could call a snap election as early as this summer. There is universal support for the Afrin intervention, said Soner Cagaptay, Beyer Family fellow and director of the Turkish Research Program at The Washington Institute. It points at a mutual lack of confidence from elites on both sides. I think the Afrin operations will force a serious debate inside US government about how to deal with the YPG relationship and not kick the can down the road. Rankine-Galloway, in an emailed statement to Al-Monitor, called Turkeys security concerns legitimate. We are keenly aware of the security concerns of Turkey, our [anti-IS] Coalition partner and NATO ally, he said. We will continue to be completely transparent with Turkey about our efforts in Syria to defeat [IS] and stand by our NATO ally in its counter-terrorism efforts. Correction: Feb. 13, 2018. Because of inaccurate information provided by the Pentagon, an earlier version of this story indicated that a $250 million border security fund would be used to support US-backed groups in Iraq and Syria. The Pentagon has since revised its information to reflect that the money will be used to support Jordan and Lebanon. Pashupati temple trust discontinues VIP pass system for Mahashivaratri The Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) will not be issuing VIP passes for the Mahashivaratri festival this year. The Donald Trump administration today unveiled a budget blueprint for next year that calls for slashing the US contribution to the United Nations mission in Lebanon by almost half while pursuing similar cuts to international peacekeeping missions around the world. The State Department budget proposal for fiscal year 2019 seeks a 42% cut over fiscal 2017s request for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), from $146.1 million to $84.2 million. Funding for UN missions in the Golan Heights, Western Sahara and Cyprus is also to be slashed. The cuts unveiled today follow months of uncertainty after the State Department in last years budget declined to indicate any specific figures for UN operations pending negotiations on reducing overall UN peacekeeping budget levels or US assessed contributions. As a result, todays budget marks the first time the Trump administration has publicly revealed hard-dollar amounts for UN peacekeeping operations in the current fiscal year, which started Oct. 1. Because we are looking for greater cost containment at the UN more generally, we do have a lower funding level than the full peacekeeping estimate, said Douglas Pitkin, director of the State Departments Bureau of Budget and Planning. Still, Pitkin cautioned that final numbers are subject to change. Indeed, the numbers released today reveal that even as the State Department initially sought deep cuts for the current year, its estimate for how much money will actually be spent in fiscal 2018 is close to the fiscal 2017 request for many of the UN missions, including Lebanon. We have not made a specific commitment to any particular mission, Pitkin said at a briefing today. At this point the request for the contributions to the international peacekeeping account will be sufficient to fund about 56% on average of our assessments. When asked to clarify the status of US negotiations on peacekeeping levels at the UN General Assembly, a State Department official told Al-Monitor that while [fiscal 2019] budget materials include estimated assessments, final determination of payments is currently under negotiation. First established in 1978, UNIFIL supports the Lebanese Armed Forces and is tasked with ensuring stability in southern Lebanon while seeking to reduce tensions with Israel following invasions in 1982 and 2006. Despite the proposed cut, the budget proposal uses the same language as last year, noting that UNIFIL funding is anticipated to continue to maintain security and stability in southern Lebanon along the border with Israel, despite the conflict in Syria, which has had a destabilizing effect on the region. The seven-year war next door has further complicated an already volatile area, with the Iranian-backed, Lebanese paramilitary group Hezbollah fighting alongside the Bashar al-Assad regime while allegedly developing missile-production factories in southern Lebanon. Irans efforts to arm Hezbollah with more accurate rockets have repeatedly provoked the Israelis, prompting an escalation in cross-border tensions with the downing of an Israeli jet this weekend. The Israelis, in turn, have provoked Beirut by beginning construction of a wall on the disputed border. Even as it seeks to cut UNIFIL funding, the State Department is also seeking $50 million in military aid for the Lebanese Armed Forces, noting that it modernizes the [Lebanese Armed Forces] and strengthens its capacity to control Lebanons borders and national territory; and detect, interdict and repel extremist groups efforts to destabilize Lebanon. The current years budget, by contrast, did not include any foreign military financing for the country. In addition to the UNIFIL cuts, the Trump administration is also seeking to slash or eliminate US contributions to peacekeeping missions in 15 other countries from 2017 funding levels. The proposal notably seeks cuts for operations across the Middle East, including a 55% cut to the UN Disengagement Observer Force in the Golan Heights (from $24.6 million to $11.1 million); 54% for the UN mission to the Western Sahara (from $18.4 million to $8.4 million); and 62% to the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (from $13.9 million to $5.3 million). The Golan Heights cut comes even though the budget proposal says equipment modernization and additional technology "will likely be necessary in FY 2019 to provide adequate force protection for the troops as they continue to return to their positions within the area of separation between Syria and Israel. In the disputed Western Sahara, which Morocco claims as its own despite international support for an independence referendum, the US budget request notes that the UN mission may achieve slight efficiencies in civilian staffing as well as a slight reduction in the force. Finally, the Cyprus peacekeeping mission faces cuts even as Turkey is deploying ships to prevent Greek Cypriots from exploiting natural gas reserves in waters around the contested island. Congress, however, is unlikely to allow such steep cuts to peacekeeping operations. Indeed, both the House and Senate are already seeking to appropriate more funding than requested in the current fiscal year, as reflected in the higher estimated spending levels over the Trump administrations initial request. A strong, bipartisan coalition in Congress has already acted once to stop deep cuts to the State Department and Agency for International Development that would have undermined our national security, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce, R-Calif., said in a statement today. This year, we will act again. The leaders of Turkey, Iran and Russia have agreed in principle to a summit on Syria to be held in Istanbul. The decision follows recent phone calls by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. The date is yet to be determined. Foreign ministers from the three countries will hold a preliminary meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, in March. Given the latest developments in Syria, which require increased military coordination and cooperation among the three countries, Ankara would clearly like the summit to take place sooner rather than later. Turkeys Operation Olive Branch in Afrin against the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which Ankara considers a terrorist organization, and Russias joint operations with Syrian regime forces and Iranian-backed fighters in Idlib have caused strains between Ankara and its informal allies in Moscow and Tehran. Attempts by the United States to consolidate its position in territories held by the YPG in northern Syria, nevertheless, remain the main motive for keeping the informal, tripartite alliance alive. Regardless of Turkeys suspicions about long-term Russian and Iranian intentions in Syria, and vice versa, the three do not want to allow potential strains among them to work to the United States' advantage, not only in Syria, but in the region as a whole. The Istanbul summit will therefore aim to present a picture of deepening cooperation between Turkey, Russia and Iran while devising a practical approach to preventing them from stepping on each others toes in Syria. Differences between Ankara and Moscow and Ankara and Tehran have recently emerged on a number of occasions, illustrating that the alliance is not made in heaven. Idlib remains a thorn in the side of Turkish-Russian cooperation in Syria. Carefully avoiding any mention of Russian involvement there, the Foreign Ministry in Ankara blasted the Syrian regime on Feb. 7 for its operations in Idlib, as well as in Eastern Ghouta, calling for an immediate cessation of the regimes violations there. It is also no secret that Moscow is unhappy about the Syrian fighters allied with Turkey in northern Syria, whom it is bombing in Idlib. Moscow and Damascus clearly aim to rid the whole of Idlib province of radical Islamist groups as well as opposition groups backed by Ankara. An increasing number of analysts believe that the de-escalation zone allotted to Turkey in Idlib under an arrangement arrived at in Astana by Turkey, Russia and Iran is part of Moscows plan to facilitate this. There has been a marked increase in violence by the regime and Russia in the area since the zone was declared. It is doubtful that Erdogans plans for Idlib will sit well with the Syrian regime or Moscow. He told a gathering at his presidential palace on Feb. 8, [Turkey] will solve the Afrin issue [and] the Idlib issue, and we want that our refugee brothers and sisters return to their country. The majority of refugees in Turkey fled from the regime. Turkey is also wary of Russias ultimate intentions regarding the Kurds. Moscow might have given the green light to Turkeys Afrin operation, but it has not endorsed it unequivocally. It instead primarily blames the United States for pushing Turkey into what it sees as a development that complicates the situation in Syria. Kerim Has, a Turkish academic who lectures at Moscow State University, says that Moscow has not abandoned its plans for providing the Kurds political, administrative and social rights in Syria. Moscow put such a proposal forward in a draft constitution for Syria that it produced at the first Astana meeting of Turkey, Russia and Iran in January 2017, much to Ankaras consternation. Has also believes that Russia had an ulterior motive in green lighting Turkey's move on Afrin. Writing for BBC Turkey, he argued that the difficulties the Turkish army might face in Afrin and mounting casualties among Turkish soldiers could become an instrument for pushing Turkey closer to Moscows vision regarding the Syrian Kurds. Reports that Damascus has been facilitating the transfer of YPG reinforcements to Afrin are being noted with concern in Ankara. Many contend that this could not happen without Russian backing. Meanwhile, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad continues to voice his opposition to Turkeys Afrin operation. Damascus has warned that Turkish jets will be shot down, and it recently deployed air defense systems to Idlib and Aleppo. This move, which could not have taken place without Russian approval, was clearly a warning shot at Turkey. No other country is currently conducting air operations in the area. Russia also bolstered its air defense capabilities in the region after losing a jet fighter to ground fire from opposition forces in Idlib. Turkish media reported that Syrian airspace was closed to Turkish jets while this was underway. The episode showed the kind of limitations Ankaras operation in northern Syria could face barring close cooperation and coordination with Moscow. Turkish military planners of course took note of the downing of the Israeli jet by Syria on Feb. 10. Sedat Ergin, a leading columnist for Hurriyet and a former representative for the paper in Washington, counts among those who see an ulterior motive in Russias green light on Afrin. By facilitating the launch of the Afrin offensive, with which Russia knows the US would be uneasy, Russia has caused Turkey and the US to drift farther away from each other, Ergin wrote in his Feb. 1 column. Ankaras ties with Tehran also hold potential problems, which if not managed could get out of hand. This became apparent after Rouhanis call on Feb. 6 for Turkey to halt its military operations in Afrin. Rouhani, speaking to reporters in Tehran, added, A military foreign intervention should be based on the authorization of the host country and its people, barely shrouded criticism of Turkeys uninvited military presence in Syria. Ankara was also angered when Iranian state TV claimed that Turkey was using chemical weapons in Afrin. The Turkish government-controlled Anadolu Agency called the report fake news. Rouhanis call elicited angry responses from within Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AKP). Mehmet Metiner, a prominent AKP deputy, wrote in his column in the pro-government Star that Tehran must abandon its Syria policy for its own sake. Iran has to see that a foreign policy based on sectarian blindness and fanaticism will, at the end of the day, bring its own destruction, he wrote in response to Rouhani. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu flew to Iran a day after Rouhanis remarks to assure Tehran that its concerns about Turkeys operation were misplaced. In the meantime, Tehran is unlikely to have forgotten Erdogans call in Bahrain a year ago, almost to the day, for the need to prevent Persian nationalism from spreading in the region. For the moment, the loose alliance of Turkey, Russia and Iran appears able to hold, despite their differences, because of shared animosity toward the United States. Whether this is sustainable in the long run is not so apparent. The potential for differences between the three countries in Syria to resurface as a result of unexpected developments on the ground should not be ignored. DIYARBAKIR, Turkey Ground zero at the border was a term the Turkish media used frequently in the 1990s when Turkey carried out cross-border military operations into northern Iraq to pursue militants of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Journalists covering the operations would say they were reporting from ground zero at the border to emphasize that they were at the Turkish-Iraqi frontier. Yet, at times, some of those who made that claim would in reality be kilometers away from the border. The Turkish media is back at ground zero at the border, but this time at the Syrian border, as the Turkish military presses ahead with its offensive on Kurdish-held Afrin. In the 1990s, the public had to rely largely on what the mainstream media reported, but today, in the digital era, people have easy access to various news sources via the internet. Agence France-Presse, for instance, reported that historical sites were damaged in the operation, even though the Turkish media did not mention the issue. Also, Turkish officials frequently emphasize that utmost attention is paid to avoid civilian casualties, but according to Robert Fisk, the veteran reporter of The Independent, civilians were hit as well. In the Turkish media, such reports could be found only in a few opposition news sites. The Turkish medias performance in the Afrin campaign had in fact become obvious from the very onset. Soon after the operation started, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim convened a meeting with senior media representatives to give them guidelines on how to cover the offensive. As part of the 15-point list, media organizations were reportedly urged to emphasize that the army was cautious about harming civilians and that the operation targeted not only the PKK and the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) but also the Islamic State (IS) and to avoid picking up foreign media reports without editing them. Hamza Gul, a veteran journalist for an oppositional TV channel who has long reported from border regions and is now covering the Afrin operation, told Al-Monitor, Unfortunately, television channels, newspapers and agencies that are close to and supportive of the government and that [have a track record of] manipulative reporting have erred again during this operation. Public and private channels broadcasting from the region [receive instructions] from their headquarters on what they should say and whom they should invite for commentaries. In a sense, he continued, a country of 80 million gets the misperception that things are unfolding in the way reported from four or five live broadcasting spots. For Gul, the Turkish media has failed at objective reporting and accurately informing the public ever since the 2003 Iraq war, including [Operation] Euphrates Shield more recently and now Operation Olive Branch. The Turkish public is being misled, he added. According to Gul, reporters from more than 50 foreign media outlets had arrived in the region after the campaign started, but began to leave after a few days. I asked why they were leaving, he recounted. A Russian television reporter told me they got instructions from headquarters to leave because it was not worth it as headquarters came to believe this was a move by [President Recep Tayyip Erdogan] aimed at domestic politics. Erol Onderoglu, the Turkey representative of Reporters Without Borders, said the prime ministers 15-point instructions had set the limits for the Turkish media. In terms of the results of the operation, the General Staff is not only a very distinct source of news, but seems to be managing the main axis of journalism, he told Al-Monitor, adding he had to follow international media reports even for the basics of the operation. On the one hand, there is an editorial process that sanctions the operation, sometimes by opining and sometimes in a blindfolded manner, and on the other hand, journalism is almost nonexistent in the theater of action, Onderoglu said. Such control over journalism cannot be healthy for any society. It is painful to see that we have to refer to journalists from various foreign media organizations who are asking the most basic questions. The prevailing climate in Turkey, Onderoglu believes, does not allow for questioning of the war. In a country where journalists are not free, one cannot expect any questioning of the destructions of war and the war itself or any comprehensive coverage of Turkeys geopolitical concerns, he said. In such situations, journalism is a guarantee for society, encouraging the public to think deeper. Here, however, the climate is seemingly very favorable, with everybody backing the war and the operation. Yet the deeper apprehensions of the public economic concerns and apprehensions about armament and militarizing a region are not mentioned at all in the mainstream media. For Onderoglu, Turkish journalism has been in a pathetic state when it comes to the Afrin operation because the government restricted its activities to a certain space from the very beginning. He said the country had lost the benefit of debate involving the media, various political quarters and academia. In Turkeys case, there is a government that knows everything better than anyone. All other quarters must be kept under control, he said. This leads to various forms of impoverishment, from lack of information to information pollution." As the situation in Syria heats up among all players including Israel Turkey and the United States so far have limited their exchanges to a war of words. However, signs aren't encouraging that it will end there. Decision-makers in Ankara have toughened their rhetoric against the United States, and many senior figures in the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) are hinting at the possibility of armed confrontation between Turkish and US soldiers. If US soldiers wear the garb of terrorists and hang around with them, and if they attack Turkish soldiers, no doubt we will not have a chance to distinguish between them, Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said last week. In a Feb. 6 speech before AKP parliamentarians, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, speaking to the United States, Get out of Manbij. We will come there to deliver the land to its true owners." Turkey started its assault on Afrin in January to drive out the Kurds, specifically the Peoples Protection Units (YPG). Ankara appears insistent on expanding the Afrin offensive to Manbij, about 60 miles east, after gaining full control of the area west of the Euphrates River. The United States, for its part, sounds determined not to abandon Manbij, even though it has no permanent military outposts there. As Ankara hardened its stance, a coalition team including Lt. Gen. Paul Funk and Maj. Gen. James Jarrard visited Manbij on Feb. 7 and had plenty to say. Were very proud of our positions here, and we want to make sure everybody knows it, said Jarrard, the special operations commander for the US-led coalition against the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria. You hit us, we will respond aggressively. We will defend ourselves, Funk added, raising the stakes. An armed confrontation Feb. 7 between US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and President Bashar al-Assad's forces backed by Russia escalated to a major battle in Deir ez-Zor, an oil-rich town in eastern Syria. War planes were involved yet another sign the United States intends to hold on to the territory it has brought under its control in the post-IS setting. Is an armed confrontation in Manbij between Turkish and US soldiers really a possibility? The key consideration here is whether Turkey is genuinely willing to challenge the United States militarily in Syria. Or is Ankaras increasingly aggressive rhetoric just part of its effort to deter the US military from working more closely with the YPG in Manbij? The situation on the ground now seems very similar to the one that led to the notorious hood incident in July 2003, which ended with US forces based in Kirkuk, Iraq, capturing Turkish special forces personnel operating in Sulaimaniyah in Iraq's Kurdish region. The 2003 incident began when an unmarked building in Sulaimaniyah used by Turkish special forces operating secretly in Iraqi Kurdistan was raided by American soldiers on the pretext of stopping an alleged assassination plot against the Kurdish governor of Kirkuk. Turkish special forces were detained with hoods over their heads and were questioned for days at a Kirkuk air base. During the interrogation, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan militants misled the American soldiers and provided false translations, thus stalling the Turkish soldiers' release for days. The resulting crisis of confidence became a major trauma that still has a place in Turkeys strategic culture. As a former special forces officer, I was assigned as a liaison team commander of Turkish special forces with the US 173rd Airborne between November 2003 and May 2004. Today I shudder, sensing the same operational environment at Manbij. Exactly as in the April-July 2003 period, Turkish and American soldiers are moving all over Manbij in the same operational environment without coordination, practically as hostile forces on the ground, again guided by local forces and translators. In a Jan. 25 Al-Monitor article, I had described Turkeys Afrin offensive as an effect-based operation that targets US cooperation with the YPG forces east and west of the Euphrates River. This is why Ankara will keep pressure on the United States as much as it can over Manbij. How long will US decision-makers resist this pressure? I think we will get some indicators of the US response with the visits to Ankara of US national security adviser H.R. McMaster last week and by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson this week. From developments, I sense the United States is trying to stall a showdown by using a good cop/bad cop tactic. But it's also obvious that strategy doesnt work with Ankara. At the end of the day, special forces that serve in chaotic areas like Manbij have to rely on the guidance of local forces and translators. As happened during the hood incident, if the local guides and translators want to ignite a conflict, they can easily do it which is the dynamic that frightens me now. The blood feud between the Free Syrian Army (FSA) elements that provide guidance to Turkish troops and the Kurdish YPG elements that do the same for the Americans are well-known. Because of that all-consuming feud, even if Turkish and American soldiers try to avoid direct contact, they can be manipulated well by a process of which they are not even conscious. The harassment-fire exchanges between the FSA and YPG at Manbij could get out of control and escalate to a major clash that will reduce the distance between Turkish and American soldiers and put them in range of direct fire from tanks and anti-aircraft guns, and indirect fire of artillery, mortar and rockets. The best method to minimize these hot contacts would be to deploy US liaison teams with Turkish troops and to set up a joint operations center to coordinate their moves. Such a mechanism doesnt exist today, but I hope one would be set up before we experience another traumatic event like the 2003 hood incident. We all hope a decision is made soon to set up this mechanism. If that cant be done, I would suggest getting ready for another hood incident. But this time, those captured and hooded may not be Turkish. Getting an underground graffiti artist to talk on the record is not easy, even in the calm Aegean city of Izmir where police turn a blind eye to graffitists. After assurances to use only his tag and not to take any photos that show his face, Nconen agreed to meet at a cafe aptly called Duvar, Turkish for "wall." They know me here, he told Al-Monitor, explaining that the three black-and-white murals on the walls are his. One of them is the portrait of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, done in a classical style that contrasts with the caricatural portraits or splashes of color seen in his street artwork. Nconen is a student at the Fine Arts Faculty of Dokuz Eylul University in the morning, professional graffiti artist drawing commissioned work in the afternoon and an underground graffitist at night. A year ago, at the height of the state of emergency in Turkey, he went on a painting spree in downtown Izmir with two Slovak colleagues from a group known as RCLS ("Rascals") who draw graffiti on trains and metro cars all over the world and film their work under the title "The Show Must Go On." Nconen said, One of them was caught by the police and got deported. I managed to escape with the other one. I felt very alive then." He added, My real passion is the work I do at night. But you need money to buy spray paint. So I have to work during the day. Born in the underprivileged Esrefpasa district of Izmir, Nconen explained that he, like the young people of his neighborhood, has always been a rebel. I listened to rap and painted disturbing images on a piece of paper, he mused. Then his parents sent him to a language course in London, and there he saw the graffiti in the metro stations, particularly in the poorer areas. When he returned to Turkey in 2009, he was determined to be a graffiti artist. His first attempt in Ankara ended up at a police station. The neighbors thought we were going to write political slogans, so they shopped us to the cops, he recalled. We were immediately taken to the police station. When we managed to explain to them that we had no intention of writing anything political but simply write our tags, they were even angrier. One of them said, Why the hell did you keep us busy all night if you were not even going to write anything political? Nconens encounter with the police was notably smoother than that of Tunc Dindas, better known as Turbo, who was charged with one year in prison some 30 years ago. In the Turkish world of graffiti, 46-year-old Turbo is known as the father of Turkish graffiti or the guru particularly after he became the first Turkish graffiti artist to participate in the Istanbul Biennial, Turkeys most important art event, in 2005. I was caught drawing graffiti on a railway bridge [in Istanbul], at a time when the police were merciless against those who wanted to write political slogans on walls, Turbo told Al-Monitor. They were particularly watchful of pro-Communist slogans and thought the tag looked like the name of a Communist Party. So I was charged with five years for damaging public property and political propaganda for an outlawed party [Communist parties were outlawed in Turkey then]. Fortunately I was underage and had no criminal record, so the judge just sentenced me to one year, which was then converted to a fine. Today, Turbo is far too famous to go unnoticed in the night. His works can now be found everywhere art galleries, museums, videos and advertisements of large companies such as Turkeys leading telecom company Turkcell and Red Bull energy drinks. The graffiti scene has changed a lot since I started, he told Al-Monitor. There are many good graffiti artists in many different cities around Turkey. There are many shops to buy materials from. When I first started, all I had was some white spray paint I had found at a hardware store the type of paint you use on white refrigerators. People can now have access to your graffiti through the internet; graffiti can be shared across the wall. Much like anything else, graffiti has become internationalized. Turbo describes Istanbul as an important center for graffiti, just like Berlin or Barcelona, with exciting new artworks in different parts of the 15-million metropolis. Many of these are sponsored by the local municipalities themselves. The Kadikoy municipality, with its ambition of emerging as the new bourgeois-bohemian neighborhood on the Asian side of the city, organizes Muralistanbul, an annual international mural festival that brings together Turkish and international artists. If the high point of the graffiti and street art was the Arab Spring for artists in the Middle East, for Turkish graffitists that moment came with the 2013 Gezi Park events, the largest wave of protests in recent Turkish history, where hundreds of thousands took to the streets to oppose the demolition of a park in Istanbul. Despite the police brutality, tear gas and water cannons, the demonstrators found creative ways to protest for months, including with scribbled slogans and stenciled images. Two particular works of art became international symbols of the demonstration: the stenciled drawing of a woman in red, which portrays Ceyda Sungur, a demonstrator who was sprayed with water by the police, and the slogan Every day, I am chapulling a reference to then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who called the demonstrators capulcular (Turkish for looters), creating a neology with a rarely used Turkish word. I got so excited when the protests began to spread all over Turkey that I took all the spray paint in the house and went out to paint in bright daylight, recalled Nconen of the events in July 2013. I had just a few bottles of spray paint, so I simply wrote 'Izmir' in huge letters. People who were demonstrating stopped and took photos. Having completed the word "Izmir," he went on to write, It is Taksim everywhere and, after some reflection, he added, Tayyip, would you like your raki straight? a dig at the teetotaler Erdogan who has launched a strong campaign against alcohol consumption in Turkey. "Gezi was wonderful for street artists," Nconen concluded. "It showed our works to the whole world. Turkish graffiti artists jumped a decade with Gezi." Washington Mishears the Lullaby of Moscow The Russians are coming, the Russians are coming. Every night, you'll hear a Russian lullaby. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif), the ranking member of the U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, has been engaged for over a year in an unrelenting, dogged, unholy quest to discover evidence of collusion between unnamed Russians and named members and associates of the Trump administration. He is correct that there is a Russian conspiracy that affects governmental behavior, but sadly, he, and like-minded investigators, are singing the wrong melody and pointing at the wrong target. Their attention should be switched from Washington, D.C. to Eastern Europe, where the Russians are increasingly active. In his famous speech on September 19, 1946 in Zurich, Winston Churchill spoke of the need to "build a kind of United States of Europe." Though Churchill may not have regarded it as his prototype, the European Union came into existence as a result of political and organizational additions to the 1957 Treaty of Rome. Now an organization of 28 states, including Britain, containing 510 million people , the E.U.'s main achievements have been an internal single market through a standardized system of laws; free movement of people, goods, services, and capital; and common policies on certain issues such as trade, agriculture, and fisheries. From its origins, the European community consisted essentially of Western European countries. For many years, the E.U. has taken little interest in Eastern Europe. Recently, however, the E.U. leadership has spoken of the Eastern area of Europe as having the same history, the same geography, the same cultural heritage as the rest of Europe. On February 6, 2018, the E.U. announced that it is exploring the possibility of admitting six Balkan nations, which it usually refers to as Western Balkans, into membership of the E.U. The countries Serbia (7 mil), Kosovo (3.8 mil), Bosnia (3.5 mil), Albania (2.9 mil), Macedonia (2.1 mil), and Montenegro (0.4 mil) many of which emerged from the end of Yugoslavia, have a combined population of 18 million. They are poor countries, and none has a fully functioning market economy. The countries may be admitted into the E.U. if they make reforms: free press, fundamental rights, independent courts, ending corruption, breaking up crime rings, public administration reform, solving border disputes, and definitive peaceful relations with neighbors. The E.U. has declared a Western Balkans strategy to enlarge its membership, which is part of its larger objective to strengthen its own union. It will deal with the various countries at different speeds and on their own merits, depending on when they meet the stated criteria. The E.U. has not forgotten that in 2007, it rushed membership of Romania and Bulgaria, as well as poorly mismanaging migration from East Europe to the West. This is an ambitious undertaking. Since the E.U. was formed, the Balkans have been the scene of a series of wars and war crimes. It is a region where 140,000 died in the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. The area of Kosovo is still the subject of dispute between the Republic of Kosovo, which declared its independence from Serbia in February 2008, and the Republic of Serbia. Incidentally, Spain has not recognized Kosovo for fear that the country would be a role model for Catalan separatists. Bosnia is divided between rival governments, one in the mainly Muslim area where Saudi Arabia is building both mosques and luxury resorts and another in the northeast under Orthodox Christian Serbs. Macedonia is eager to join the E.U. but is likely to be blocked by Greece, which opposes the name the country took when it declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, even if Macedonia did build a fence to block migrants. The question is why the E.U. is interested in the Western Balkans. Economically, the E.U. is the most important trading partner of the W.B., but this is only about 1.3% of total E.U. trade. Politically, the E.U. is confronting the difficult problem of Brexit and is troubled that two members, Hungary and Poland, now have illiberal governments. The answer, one in which the Trump administration and perhaps Rep. Schiff should be interested, is E.U. concern about two increasing factors: Russian assertiveness and growing influence and increasing Chinese involvement and investment in the area. Russian President Vladimir Putin has many motives for acting in Eastern Europe. Among them is the Russian need to bypass Ukraine as the pipeline of natural gas to Europe, as it tried to do, 2012-2014, with the ill fated and abandoned South Stream project, to transport natural gas from Russia through the Black Sea and the Balkans to Western Europe. Another is the memory of Russia being humilated by not being consulted over NATO bombing in 1999 of Serbia, which it regarded as being part of Moscow's sphere of influence. Russia in the past and recently has long been interested in Belgrade. On a personal level, Serbian politician President Tomaslav Nikolic is said to have a close relationship with Putin. Nikolic asserts that Serbia wants to become a member of the E.U., to which it applied 17 years ago, but also that it has a close relationship, historical, religious, and linguistic, with the Russians. In 2013, the two sides signed a strategic partnership and a military cooperation agreement. A year later, Putin was given Serbia's highest award. Russia has been involved in both military and economic issues. It has provided Serbia with Mig-29 fighter jets, T-72 tanks, and other hardware and is discussing sending S-300 s urface-to-air missiles. This is puzzling, since not only does Serbia have a relationship with the U.S. and NATO, but its armed forces have conducted joint activities with NATO. The state-run Russian Railways is working on a 220-mile stretch of track in Serbia. Its state-owned energy company, Gazprom, has a majority share in Serbia's natural gas-supplier. Not surprisingly, Serbia refused to join in the Western sanctions imposed in 2014 over the Russian annexation of Crimea. A controversial group is the Russian-Serbian Humanitarian Center, started in 2012, which some, such as Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), regard as a Russian intelligence outpost. Russia is also active in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country of clashes among ethnic Serbs (Orthodox), ethnic Croats (Catholic), and Bosnian Muslims (46% of the population). Memories are still vivid of the massacre in Srebrenica in July 1995, when 8,000 Muslim Bosnians were murdered by the army of Srpska. Russia is supporting the Republic of Srpska, one of Bosnia's two legal entities, each with its own government, and its president, Milorad Dodik, the hard-line nationalist Serb politician, who is regarded as Putin's man in the area. One sign of the collaboration is that Russian-trained mercenaries are helping establish a paramilitary unit for Dodik. To strengthen its position, Russia is also linked to the head of the Croat party. Noticeably, Russia in November 2014 abstained on the U.N. Security Council Resolution to authorize a E.U.-led multinational stabilization force in Bosnia. In Montenegro, the Russian security services have been accused, together with Serbians, of being involved in and even in planning the failed coup, in October 2016, to kill the then-prime minister and overthrow the government. The Russian objective was to prevent Montenegro from becoming a member of NATO. China has been increasing relations in the Western Balkans, especially with its BRI ($1-trillion belt and road initiative) infrastructure drive, first proposed by Chinese president Xi Jinping in 2013. China is investing in Serbia, as an opportunity to export to the European market as a whole. It is therefore investing in Serbia's railroad and highway systems, bridges, and roads, and in a long high-speed rail link between Budapest and Belgrade, for which China is providing about 85% of the total cost of 2.4 billion euros. The Chinese Export-Import Bank is also funding $1 billion for a highway in Montenegro. Politically and contrary to U.S. policy, China sides with Serbia in not recognizing the legitimacy of Kosovo. China started the 16+1 framework, consisting of China and 11 E.U. countries and 5 Balkans to intensify and expand cooperation between them in issues of investment, transport, finance, science, education, and culture. Meetings have been talking place at regular intervals. The Russian lullaby, and its Chinese counterpoint, are not ended. Washington politicians should be aware of the political dissonance of those sounds in the Western Balkans. According to Google X Labs founder and current Udacity Chairman Sebastian Thrun, artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to create superhuman workers especially in certain fields that require repetitive work. Thrun recently spoke at the World Government Summit in Dubai where he explained that one of the strongest characteristics of AI lies in its ability to handle repetitive work with ease, so while a medical doctor could greatly benefit from AI, other, more repetitive tasks might be entirely replaced by AI. This has been one of the biggest worries surrounding AI, i.e. the idea that artificial intelligence could make certain jobs obsolete, which is one of the reasons why Elon Musk had previously stated that a universal income might be necessary in the wake of this powerful technology. On the other hand, while Thrun acknowledged the potential of AI to replace certain jobs, he also stated that the emergence of AI should push humans away from a repetitive working society and adopt a more creative mindset where we invent new things. The reality at this particular point in time is that humans dont necessarily trust AI to handle certain tasks. For example, a recent study had shown that medical patients in Europe and America are reluctant to accept the idea of an AI replacing human doctors; however, at the same time, these patients were fine with nurses being helped by artificial intelligence. Having said that, different jobs and careers will be affected in varying ways by AI, and according to Thrun, some of those jobs that require the most repetitive work will eventually become obsolete. Ideally, people should be able to find new jobs as old ones will be replaced by AI and as human society will be reshaped with a more creative mindset. On the other hand, this view might be a bit too optimistic because not every individual who might lose a job has the necessary creative background in order to create new products or ideas from which human society can benefit. Either way, AI is becoming more popular and utilized in an increasing number of fields, virtually turning some workers into superhumans, as Thrun suggests. For instance, according to a recent report, Chinese police will employ smart glasses equipped with facial recognition technology during the Lunar New Year in order to scan the crowds for wrongdoers. But as far as this topic is concerned, the biggest worry isnt that AI will replace police officers in China, but rather that AI used in this manner endangers privacy. The emergence of AI might lead to one of the biggest shifts in the way human society operates, and while the idea of an AI-assisted employee is sound, certain jobs will inevitably be put at a higher risk of becoming obsolete than others. Three low-resolution images depicting whats said to be HMD Globals upcoming Nokia 9 leaked online on Tuesday, having been shared by Indonesian tech blog DetikInet. The smartphone shown in the photographs seen in the gallery below appears to be mostly in line with recent supposed depictions of the same device, with one of its defining features being a screen that curves around its long edges and is somewhat reminiscent of Samsungs Edge Display first commercialized with the Galaxy S6 Edge in early 2015. The top and bottom bezels of the seemingly 18:9 phablet are also noticeably slimmer than those found on the Nokia 8, though still thicker compared to something like the LG V30 or Galaxy Note 8. The Nokia 9 supposedly boasts a metal-and-glass build and a dual-camera setup entailing two sensors centered near the top of its rear panel in a vertical manner. The system appears to be supported by a dual-LED flash flanking it from its right, with the entire setup being located above a circular fingerprint reader. Not much more can be inferred from the latest low-quality leaks, with one of them only suggesting that the default Camera app of the Nokia 9 will have a user interface thats relatively similar to the app thats pre-installed on previously released devices from HMD Global. Older rumors suggested the Finnish smartphone company is preparing to officially announce its new Android flagship at this years edition of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, with the source of the new leak reiterating those claims. If the smartphone ends up launching with the Snapdragon 845, it likely wont hit the market until mid-2018 due to the industry-wide shortage of Qualcomms newest chip which has reportedly been caused by Samsungs demand given how the same silicon is set to power the U.S. variants of the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus. HMD already promised its preparing some awesome announcements for MWC 2018 but hasnt provided any more details on the matter. Besides the Nokia 9, the firm may use the Barcelona-based trade show as an opportunity to announce the Western launch of the Nokia 6 (2018) and Nokia 7, the latter of which may be revised for its global debut as recent rumors hinted at the existence of a device called the Nokia 7 Plus. Former Samsung Chief Technology Officer Injong Rhee joined Google to head the companys Internet of Things unit, the industry veteran revealed in a LinkedIn post published Monday. Mr. Rhee resigned his position at Samsung in December and has now taken the role of an Entrepreneur In Residence under Googles cloud computing division. As such, he will be reporting directly to Google Cloud Chief Executive Officer Diane Greene. The tech executive said one of his first priorities will be coordinating Googles IoT projects in order to make the companys overall ventures in the segment more efficient while simultaneously paving the way for the development of unique offerings targeted at both enterprise customers and individual consumers. Ultimately, the goal of the appointment is to strengthen Google Clouds senior management and ensure the companys long-term sustainability, as suggested by Mr. Rhee. The holder of a Ph.D. in Computer Science from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill spent more than six years at Samsung, having been deeply involved in the development and launches of a number of high-profile products such as Samsung Pay mobile payments solution, Bixby artificial intelligence assistant, and Knox, the companys mobile service for secure data storage. His vast experience in the field and strong academic background make him a traditional Google hire, with his appointment also appearing to be more than just one of Googles attempts to bolster its unit catering to big businesses. Given Mr. Rhees specific mention of consumers as one of his new teams target audiences, it appears that Google is also looking to continue its major hardware push thats been underway for over a year now, having originally started with the launch of the first-generation Pixel flagships and its Google Home lineup of smart speakers in late 2016. Google already confirmed the arrival of Mr. Rhee but has yet to provide any details on his immediate goals. The company recently started another major restructuring, having opted to reabsorb Nest only a year and a half after first spinning it off into a largely standalone entity. According to its official comments on the matter, Google opted to once again join forces with Nest so as to achieve a higher level of integration of its AI technologies into the firms smart home devices. Pokhrel is city police chief as head office transfers Dhanuk Nepal Police Headquarters has replaced Kathmandu Police chief Senior Superintendent of Police Rabindra Dhanuk with SSP Bishworaj Pokhrel. Google on Monday publicly released a massive image dataset of burst photography, having said the move is the latest step in its efforts to support the research community. The library consists of 3,640 full-resolution bursts coming in the form of RAW (DNG) files, with the photographs being composed from 28,461 individual images using the Alphabet-owned firms HDR+ algorithms. The Mountain View, California-based tech giant is providing the dataset under the Creative Commons license, meaning capable researchers and engineers could use it to develop commercial HDR+ solutions. The database can be downloaded by referring to the banner below and is over 750GB in size. All of the images in the dataset have been captured using the publicly available Android Camera2 API running on a number of Android-powered devices from the Nexus and Pixel lineups. Google credits the cameras of the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, and the Nexus 6P for their roles in the process of compiling the library, having also revealed some images have been captured using the original Pixel and Pixel XL released in late 2016. Researchers are able to analyze individual shots based on their metadata which will reveal the exact camera model that captured them. The vast majority of the images contained in the dataset have been recorded using the same exposure time and gain settings, in addition to spanning a wide variety of scenarios, Google said. The public release of the database should accelerate any independent HDR+ burst research in the future, allowing engineers to quickly compare their own solutions to those created by Google or even base their technologies on the companys dataset. Googles critically acclaimed imaging techniques implemented into the Pixel and Pixel 2 smartphone lineups largely rely on HDR+ burst to deliver photos, compiling every single shot out of a collage of images taken in a short succession but at different exposure levels. Once stitched, the photographs produced through such an approach should boast a higher dynamic range than anything you could get from the same hardware using a more traditional shooting method, with the technique hence effectively allowing users to surpass the physical limitations of their mobile cameras, at least to a certain degree. Over 660,000 users signed an online petition against Snapchats new redesign thats gradually been making its way to more devices since early December. A Change.org-hosted petition started by one Nic Rumsey from Australia had 666,391 supporters as of Tuesday morning CET, with the initiative criticizing the revamp thats causing annoyance due to its useless features. The author of the petition argues Snapchat didnt become easier to use following the update, adding that some of the new additions to the app go against its original purposes. The redesign was meant to make Snapchat more accessible and consequently boost its acquisition rates but critics repeatedly argued its primarily catering to the apps existing user base which is already highly engaged with the platform. The latest development signals not even the entirety of the services core audience is happy with the revision. The main change Snap introduced to its ephemeral messaging app was a separation between the content posted by ones friends and that created by celebrities and brands. The move limited the reach publishers have on Snapchat but didnt significantly alter the fundamental mechanics of navigating the app which were often cited as the main reason for its convoluted nature, whereas the changes it did introduce arguably made it even more complex. Instead of separating the content by its type, the new update only filters through it based on its origin, meaning everything from the ephemeral Stories and Direct Messages to Snaps from ones friends is now presented as part of the same list. Snap managed to attract nearly nine million people to Snapchat over the final quarter of the year, although its redesign was only introduced near the end of that three-month period and still doesnt encompass all clients, being available to approximately a third of its global users in total. The company previously acknowledged the update may not be to everyones liking but repeatedly reiterated its belief the change will be beneficial to the platform in the long term. Snap is still describing Snapchat as a messaging platform and not a social network, insisting its inherently different from services such as Facebook. The company ended the final three months of 2017 $350 million in the red but still posted its best quarter ever, showing signs that its revenue will soon be growing quickly enough to outpace its losses. The Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus will boast support for 3D animations similar to that featured by Apples iPhone X, ETNews reported Tuesday, citing sources from a number of Korean wireless carriers who are already testing Samsungs upcoming pair of Android flagships. The official name of the functionality remains unknown, though its basic mechanics are understood to be extremely similar to how Apples latest iOS smartphone handles Animoji; users will be able to select one of many emoji as a basic texture, then have the Galaxy S9 scan their face in order to animate their selection, allowing them to record messages they can send to others or simply export them so that theyre able to share them at a later date. The feature would require a relatively advanced facial recognition system and is hence in line with recent reports suggesting Samsung has improved its biometric solutions meant to be implemented into the Galaxy S9 lineup. The South Korean original equipment manufacturer first debuted a mobile face unlock functionality with its discontinued Galaxy Note 7 and went on to refine the technology for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus. An essentially identical version of the platform made its way to the Galaxy Note 8 but the upcoming Android-powered duo is expected to boast noticeable improvements, both in terms of speed and accuracy. Sources from the Far Eastern countrys wireless industry are now also reiterating previous rumors that the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus will boast dual stereo speakers flanking their USB Type-C port from both sides, as seen in multiple leaks that emerged online in recent months. The audio setup of Samsungs upcoming high-end devices is expected to be tuned by AKG Acoustics, a Vienna, Austria-based company owned by Harman International Industries which Samsung acquired last year. AKG also helped design and configure the audio systems of the Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8 Plus, and the Galaxy Note 8, in addition to participating in the creation of the earphones bundled with Samsungs 2017 flagships. The Galaxy S9 lineup is scheduled for an official announcement on February 25 and should begin retailing around the world by mid-March. Samsungs Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus will support Gigabit Class 4G LTE, BusinessKorea reported Tuesday, citing industry sources with knowledge of the matter. The companys upcoming flagship series is hence expected to offer a networking performance improvement amounting to approximately ten-percent compared to the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus which allow for peak download speeds of approximately 900Mbps. Insiders are primarily attributing the boost to the second-generation 10nm FinFET chips set to power Samsungs next pair of ultra-premium devices, with the Seoul-based tech giant already confirming the Exynos 9810 will support 6x carrier aggregation as opposed to the previous Exynos 8895 which was compatible with a 5x variety of the same solution. The functionality thats enabled by the chips Cat.18 LTE modem can theoretically allow for download speeds of up to 1.2Gbps and upload speeds amounting to a maximum of 200Mbps. While the Galaxy S9 is unlikely to be able to reach its peaks in practice for a prolonged period of time, it shouldnt have any issues with consistently offering Gigabit Class LTE on compatible networks, some industry sources believe. The actual number of such networks is currently extremely small and all infrastructure that supports 6x carrier aggregation remains experimental in nature, though a first standardized take on the technology is expected to debut at some point this year, presumably in either the United States, South Korea, or both. The Galaxy S9 lineup will also support 44 MIMO, being able to take maximum advantage of contemporary macrocells, sources claim. Networking capabilities are expected to soon be advertised as one of the main selling points of modern flagships, especially once 4.5G and 5G technologies start being commercialized. Sprint already hinted that Samsung will be the first original equipment manufacturer to offer 5G-ready smartphones in early 2019 in the U.S., presumably launching them in the form of the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10 Plus. The stateside and Chinese variants of the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus equipped with Qualcomms Snapdragon 845 are also expected to support Gigabit Class 4G LTE and boast similar networking performance. The Android-powered flagships are set to be launched on February 25. BARCELONAThe Catalan National Assembly (ANC) has announced that it is to take legal action against the state-owned Spanish Radio and Television Corporation (RTVE) after the latter translated "brave" (valentes) as "violent" (violentes) in a news report relating to an ANC statement issued last weekend. The pro-independence grassroots organisation made the announcement on its Twitter feed, which was accompanied by video of the news item in question, broadcast on RTVEs Canal 24h, in which subtitles relating to the statement show the following "we denounce the lack of action and we are planning protests in support of violent actions or to call for them...". The ANCs original statement [in Catalan] spoke of "brave actions", leading the ANC to declare that it will undertake the "necessary legal actions to call for a retraction". The Catalan group posted the video, which was broadcast in various news segments without being rectified, in spite of an avalanche of criticisms on social media, pointing out how TVE had twisted the statement [in their Spanish translation]. Es confirma que @RTVE va traduir "valentes" per "violentes" en diversos informatius d'ahir a la nit. Emprendrem les accions legals pertinents per exigir una rectificacio pic.twitter.com/WP954pCCTl Assemblea Nacional Catalana (@assemblea) 12 de febrero de 2018 Professor of Contemporary History, UABWhen Franco's Law of Political Responsibilities was being drafted, which was to take effect as of 9 February 1939, various bodies of the state organized by the perpetrators of the coup put forward amendments and made remarks which they asked to be taken into account. One of the most revealing in relation to the political justice (or, rather, political revenge by judicial means) that was being drafted by Ramon Serrano Suners team, stated: "The Minister of Justice (Tomas Dominguez Arevalo, The Count of Rodezno, a traditionalist) also questions the name of the Law, since, according to him, it appears that "political views" are being punished, the "subjective ideas", when we ought only to find a means to repair the objective, the "damage done". However, if all subjective political views are considered legitimate and respectable, the rapporteur does not conceive of how a legitimate standpoint can cause any damage that requires reparation. The notion that "thoughts do not break the law" may be true in the political sense, as long as this is not exteriorized; but to argue that only the damage must be repaired the inevitable harvest of sowing such pernicious ideas among the masses through propaganda or actions without punishing the ideas in any way is akin to affirming that the effect must be sanctioned while leaving the cause unpunished, which constitutes an enormous inconsequence of the purest liberal kind". This statement by the rapporteur of the Law was one of extraordinary brutality and an undisguised attack on the Francoist Minister of Justice for doubting the legislators totalitarian intent: the alleged crime and the thought that had generated it were both to be punished. Upon reading the texts in which the Supreme Court Judge Pablo Llarena continues to justify (if one can call it that) prison on remand for Catalan political and grassroots leaders, one is inevitably reminded of the rapporteurs comments on the Law of Political Responsibilities. By substituting certain words in the above quote, it is clear that "pro-independence ideology" causes "damage"; as a consequence, in an attempt to seek out the intellectual and legal origins on which it is based, the Supreme Court judge declares that it is necessary to pursue and, most likely, to punish "the sowing" of pro-independence ideas and "the damage" which they cause. Pure Francoist legal orthodoxy. We are faced with a (political and legal) witch-hunt equivalent to the McCarthy era persecutions in 1940s America. The enemy is no longer the Communists, but rather those who favour Catalan independence. An Un-Spanish Activities Committee has not been created because it is not necessary (and, perhaps, because they have not dared to go to such ridiculous lengths): the PP government unleashed the State Prosecutor's Office which in turn has dragged the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court along with it, to their obvious delight. In such difficult circumstances, it seems to me that we have to assume, once and for all, that the path taken by the Spanish government (and, with it, the entire judicial apparatus) is irreversible. As the journalist Jose Antich neatly put it a few days ago, their ultimate goal is to annihilate an entire political generation and turn the clock back to zero. When the Deputy PM of the Spanish government bellowed in the streets that Mariano Rajoy had beheaded the independence movement, her only error was in naming who was responsible: Mr. Rajoy merely outsourced to the judicial apparatus the job of carrying out the persecution and a strictly political witch-hunt. The Supreme Court and the Constitutional Courts political-judicial persecution will last for years, dragging away with it dozens of individuals. There will be those banned from holding public office (as also happened under the Law of Political Responsibilities), there will be fines (as also happened under the Law of Political Responsibilities), there will be prison sentences. It will have been made quite clear that "thoughts can break the law", since independence is a political project that wishes to be implemented, it is not just simply a theory with no desire to become a reality. One must only keep in mind that the consequences of the Law of Political Responsibilities, especially the financial ones (the most important for the Francoist legislators) persisted for years. In the 1960s, twenty years after the law was repealed, there were still unfinished cases, economic sanctions in place and assets seized which were never returned. In this undeclared state of emergency in which the Spanish government has placed us (with the tacit approval of the PSOE and Ciudadanos, a fact we shouldnt forget), the political, legal and financial consequences will last for years. Therefore, whoever it falls to, must be told that new strategies, new deadlines and, probably, a new political and intellectual generation are all needed. The witch hunt has begun and it wont stop for a long time to come. By: Vasundhara Rastogi Cambodia is among the fastest economies in the world, registering a stable economic growth rate of 6.9 percent to 7.6 percent every year, over the last 10 years. Though relatively less developed than its neighboring countries, Cambodia presents huge opportunities for foreign investors. Cambodia is known for its macroeconomic stability, low-cost labor, competitive investment incentives, and a pro-business government. Besides, it has the most favored nation (MFN) and generalized system of preference (GSP) status that gives it a preferential access to the worlds most lucrative markets such as Europe, North America, Korea and Japan. Cambodia has also signed numerous trade agreements, such as the US Cambodia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) in 2006 and ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) starting from 2015, that facilitate and promote greater trade and investment between signatory countries. RELATED: Pre-Investment and Market Entry Advisory from Dezan Shira & Associates Investment climate Cambodia offers potentially rewarding opportunities for investment to foreign companies. The country has an open and liberal foreign investment regime with a relatively pro-investor legal and policy framework. Besides, the country is located at the center of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which offers opportunities to small and mid-level investors for integration into regional and global value chains. Some of the most lucrative incentives for foreign investors include 100 percent foreign ownership of companies, corporate tax holidays of up to eight years, a 20 percent corporate tax after such period, duty-free import of capital goods, and no restrictions on capital repatriation. In addition, companies investing in the country can take advantage of a one-stop service for the swift process of investment applications; full import and export duty exemptions for investment projects that are registered as quality investment projects (QIPs) with the Council of Development of Cambodia (CDC); employment allowances; and access to special economic zones with one-stop customs processing among other incentives. Further, small and medium enterprises, with low-level of startup capital can also enjoy foreign investment incentives. The CDC requires a qualified investment project on manufacturing and production to have a minimum investment of US$200,000 to US$500,000, much lower than other neighboring countries. Some of the countrys leading investors are China, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan. Between 2011 and 2015, China accounted for about 70 percent of the total industrial investment in Cambodia. Lack of transparency in the legal system, shortage of energy supply and infrastructural problems, however, remain significant obstacles to foreign investment. Economy Cambodia has a strong economy that greatly benefits from its stable macroeconomic environment and improvements in productivity at the nations manufacturing centers. The garment industry represents the largest share of Cambodias manufacturing sector, accounting for 80 percent of the countrys exports. In 2016, Cambodias garment exports were worth US$6.3 billion and reached US$4.9 billion in the first seven months of 2017. The sector employs over 600,000 workers in the country. In 2018, however, the industry is expected to slow down following increased competition from lower-cost or more efficient Asian rivals such as Vietnam, and the impact of elections this year. On the construction side, the country received a total investment of 4.94 billion U.S. dollars in the first six months of 2017, up by 27 percent over the same period last year. Other important economic sectors include agriculture, which is the traditional mainstay of the Cambodian economy; tourism; and construction. Key industries Owing to its plentiful land and cultural resources, low-labor costs, and investment-friendly environment, Cambodia offers great business opportunities in the following industries: agribusiness and food processing; tourism infrastructure and resorts; garment manufacturing; construction and construction material, household goods and appliances; used cars and automotive parts; power generation equipment and power transmission infrastructure; pharmaceuticals; and medical supplies and equipment. Outlook 2018 Cambodias economy will continue to expand at a healthy pace this year. Both Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, in their recent reports, forecast the country to grow between 6.9 to 7.1 percent, supported by a favorable global and regional outlook, export diversification, strong construction and tourism activities, and supportive fiscal policy. Nonetheless, risks from election-related uncertainty remain that could potentially impact investors and business confidence. For instance, following the crackdown on the dissent and opposition to the rule of Prime Minister Hun Sen in the lead-up to Julys national elections, Cambodia may face trade sanctions from the west. Man held with 400 kg marijuana in Makwanpur Police have arrested a person in possession of 400 kg marijuana in Makwanpur district. Richard Sandover, chairman of partners at Jackson McDonald, said that the firms clients increasingly require complex advice across projects in the resources industry. The new appointment bolsters the firms offering in the sector, he said. By building our expertise in these areas, we are moving with the needs of our clients, and of the WA economy, Sandover said. The appointment also reflects and reinforces the firms focus on the state, where it is the largest independent law firm. It also supports the firms inbound Asian strategy, it said. Jackson McDonald now has more than 190 staff, including 27 partners. The firm specialises in construction, commercial litigation, commercial transactions, corporate advisory, M&A, mining and resources, energy, property, taxation, insurance, reconstruction and insolvency, and private client service. Brendan Fyfe Related stories: Seasoned lawyer leaves private practice for government job Firms hire from each other From the commencement date of the scheme, organisations will have to notify the OAIC and affected individuals when they experience a data breach. Civil penalties of up to $1.7m may apply if a breach occurs (as well as potential compensation for damages). The scheme requires agencies, organisations and certain other entities to provide notice to affected individuals of an eligible data breach, as well as to the Australian Information Commissioner. Data Breach Notification Requirements in Australia The NDBS scheme creates a legal requirement for mandatory data breach notifications which means that organisations must provide notice to affected individuals and relevant regulators when security incidents compromise information of a certain kind, such as personally identifiable information (PII) or other information that may meet a specified harm threshold. The new legislation applies to all entities that are currently subject to the Australian Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (e.g. many Australian Government agencies and private sector organisations with an annual turnover of more than $3 million). It will also apply to certain credit providers, credit reporting bodies, and holders of tax file number information. The U.S. Air Force detailed plans to address its aircrew shortage and modernize its fleet in the Fiscal Year 2019 budget request released on Monday. There is a bow wave of modernization over the next 10 years, said Heather Wilson, secretary of the Air Force, in a statement posted online. Bombers, fighters, tankers, satellites, helicopters and our nuclear deterrent they are all going to be modernized, she said. The budget requests funding for the purchase of 48 F-35A Lightning II fighters, 15 KC-46 Pegasus tankers and continued development of the B-21 Raider bomber. The budget also supports the selection of the T-X advanced trainer aircraft and the replacement of the UH-1N helicopter. The budget request also seeks funding to address the aircrew shortage. The Air Force wants to boost pipeline capacity, expand pilot training, continue incentive pay and bonuses and fund flying hours. The B-21 bomber, now in development at Northrop Grumman, is expected to enter service in the mid-2020s. It will replace the current B-1 and B-2 bomber fleets, which will be incrementally retired, Wilson said, as the B-21s take flight. We have to accelerate programs and get good value for every dollar we spend, Wilson said. We are driving forward with the next generation of technology focused on families of systems that connect and communicate across all domains: air, land, sea, space, cyber and subsurface. Voom, the on-demand helicopter service that Airbus launched in Sao Paulo last April as part of its A^3 incubator program, is now officially part of Airbus Helicopters, the company announced on Tuesday. Voom has flown thousands of passengers, and the company plans to expand its operations this year. Urban transportation on and below ground is reaching its limits, and naturally Airbus is looking to the skies to redefine a third axis for public transportation solutions, said MatthieuLouvot, a vice president with Airbus Helicopters. Voomwill allow us to grow the usage of existing helicopters for the benefit of urban citizens and operators. The Voomplatform connects travelers with licensed helicopter operator partners, providing air-taxi flights from crowded urban cores to outlying airports.Voomair taxi flights can be booked online as little as 60 minutes in advance, and travelers can arrive at the heliport just 15 minutes before their boarding time. Voom CEO Uma Subramanian said the company is thrilled to join Airbus Helicopters. Our services provide convenient, reliable and affordable air transit to urban areas that so desperately need an alternative to traditional ground transportation, she said. The service will soon expand into more cities, starting with Mexico City early this year, Subramanian said. Relations between Russia and Turkey took a hit last week after a Russian warplane was shot down over Idlib province by Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a Syrian al-Qaeda offshoot allied with Turkey. Why it matters: HTS used a man-portable air-defense system (MANPAD), a shoulder-fired missile system the U.S. has refused to provide to Kurdish militias, fearing it could fall into the hands of extremists. The terror group likely received the weapon from Turkey. The Russian plane's downing followed a joint attack by HTS and Turkish troops that undermined a Russian-led de-escalation zone. In response, Russia has blocked Turkish fighter jets and drones from entering Syrian air space. The bottom line: Syrian peace talks in Astana have already collapsed as a result of Turkish aggression, including the recent unprovoked attacks on Kurdish civilians in Afrin. This setback in Russia-Turkey relations increases tensions between countries vying for influence in Syria. In a region where "the enemy of my enemy is my friend," it may improve U.S.Russia relations, catalyzing greater cooperation between Washington and Moscow in UN-brokered negotiations. David L. Phillips is director of the Program on Peace-building and Rights at Columbia Universitys Institute for the Study of Human Rights. The Iraqi government requested $88 billion to help them rebuild after ISIS militants left millions displaced and parts of the country in ruins. On Tuesday, allies had offered less than 5% of that, the New York Times reports. A conference focused on rebuilding Iraq ends Wednesday, and things don't look good. On Tuesday, there was "barely $4 billion pledged," the Times reports. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates all pledged around $1 billion, per the Times. The U.S. did not pledge anything. A big concern: A country struggling to rebuild is a potential playground for extremism. What this tells us: President Trump has frequently voiced displeasure about U.S. spending in the Middle East. He tweeted on Monday that after "stupidly spending $7 trillion in the Middle East, it is now time to start investing in OUR Country!" While that number has been disputed, the bottom line is clear: "President Trump is leaving nation-building to others, and they are barely responding," per NYT. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Tuesday at the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS: "Without continued attention on the part of coalition members, we risk the return of extremist groups like ISIS in liberated areas in Iraq and Syria and their spread to new locations." said on Tuesday at the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS: "Without continued attention on the part of coalition members, we risk the return of extremist groups like ISIS in liberated areas in Iraq and Syria and their spread to new locations." Tillerson called on other countries to contribute, stressing that the U.S. had already given billions in assistance. Go deeper: Mosul, after ISIS. Policy against poverty The 2017 Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) was produced jointly by the National Planning Commission (NPC) and UK-based Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). In recent years, polio cases were 73% more common in areas of Pakistan experiencing insecurity from conflict, and vaccination rates were about 5% lower during those periods, according to a new study. Why it matters: Pakistan is one of only three countries that hasn't eradicated the virus, and insecurity is often cited as a reason. "[B]ut the science to support this claim was surprisingly weak," study author Amol Verma from the University of Toronto tells Axios. "Our study provides strong scientific evidence that insecurity is an important obstacle to polio eradication in Pakistan, which is one of the last reservoirs of polio in the world." What's happening: The poliovirus was deemed a "public health emergency of international concern" by the World Health Organization. There were just 8 reported cases in Pakistan last year but the virus is still being detected in the environment. The study: Researchers examined monthly data on the incidence of polio in 32 districts in northwest Pakistan from 2007 to 2014 and the rate of vaccination from 2007 to 2009 and compared it to terrorist attacks and other conflict-related event statistics. Their findings: 1. One of the primary factors linking reduced vaccination rates and insecurity is restricted access for health workers administering vaccinations. 2. Districts are not "uniformly secure or insecure," they write; the high and low insecurity that vaccination campaigns encounter can fluctuate. But per the study, campaigns in the midst of high insecurity have 5.3% lower vaccination rates than those during what were considered secure periods. Even though its only a 5 percent reduction in vaccination rates, that is enough to allow the virus to continue to be circulated and transmitted. Verma told Voice of America 3. Insecurity can have lasting effects. The researchers note that "vaccination rates were reduced in campaigns up to 12 [months] after security incidents." The limitations: The researchers studied incidents by district, and the last census of the area was taken in 1998. A supplementary analysis was done using the government's 2013 population projection and the researchers report the "main findings were unchanged." The African National Congress South Africa's ruling political party has turned on President Jacob Zuma and is demanding his resignation, AP reports. This comes after Zuma faced months of mounting pressure to step down over corruption charges. If he doesn't step aside, the opposition party may move to a no confidence vote in parliament. But leaders of the African National Congress hope for an amicable solution," with Zuma promptly resigning and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa succeeding him. Cryptocurrency miners are rushing to rural Washington state, where hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River generate a huge volume of cheap power, the Wall Street Journal reports. Miners need a lot of power to operate the special computers that produce new units of cryptocurrencies. The big picture: If you ask the guys at UPS or FedEx what theyre delivering to Wenatchee, I think theyd tell you its a whole bunch of bitcoin mining machines," Mayor Frank Kuntz of Wenatchee, Washington, a town of 34,000, told WSJ. And, per the Journal's Alison Sider, "If all the cryptocurrency mining operations in the works go forward, power demand could double in some areas and require expensive new infrastructure." A session of Yerevans municipal council descended into chaos on Tuesday as three of its female opposition members scuffled with pro-government colleagues while trying to stage an unusual protest against Mayor Taron Markarian. Zaruhi Postanjian, an outspoken opposition politician, and two other council members representing her Yerkir Tsirani party brought to the council auditorium glass containers filled with sewage collected from a damaged sewer pipe in the citys Nubarashen suburb. A group of angry local residents blocked a road there on Monday to demand that municipal authorities quickly fix the problem. Shortly after the regular session got underway, two Yerkir Tsirani councilors put on gloves, took up the foul-smelling containers and walked towards the assembly podium occupied by Markarian to present him with what they called a gift from Nubarashen residents. They were confronted by a group of angry councilors representing the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK). The two sides scuffled and shouted insults at each other in ensuing chaotic scenes. Members of Yelk, a less radical opposition group also represented in the council, tried in vain to separate them. One of the Yerkir Tsirani councilors, Marina Khachatrian, slapped a male colleague from the HHK, Edmond Kirakosian, after being jostled by him. Kirakosian slapped Khachatrian in the face while another HHK member pulled her hair in response. Another government loyalist grabbed her around the waist and forcibly dragged her away moments later. The two other women were also forced out of the council room before Markarian interrupted the session. The mayors allies defended the use of force against them. One of them, Naira Nahapetian, claimed that the Yerkir Tsirani action was an attack on Taron Markarian. We too condemn the use of force and nobody can use force here, the mayor said for his part. Postanjian and her two associates remained defiant when the session resumed after the emergency break in the presence of police officers called in by Markarian. By contrast, journalists were barred from returning to the chamber without any clear explanation. That foul smell will accompany you wherever you go, Postanjian told the pro-government majority. Even your expensive perfume and cognac wont save you. You cant suffocate from foul smell. But you must be poisoned. We are going to poison your lives. Yerkir Tsirani won 5 seats in Yerevans 65-member council in municipal elections held in May. The party set up a year ago effectively lost two of those seats as a result of defections. Postanjian and the two other women have frequently clashed with Markarian and his allies during council sessions. They also have uneasy relations with Yelk, which holds 14 council seats. Postanjian has branded Yelk as President Serzh Sarkisians clients. By Rashid Shirinov The attempted provocation by the Armenian Armed Forces on the Azerbaijan-Armenia state border on February 11 is a further example of Armenias policy to impede the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, said Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry's Spokesman Hikmat Hajiyev. Practice shows that if during the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs visits to the region specific issues related to settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are discussed, the Armenian side resorts to diversionary provocative attempts of various kinds, he told Trend on February 12. On February 11 morning, taking advantage of the foggy weather, Armenian servicemen attempted to cross the forward positions of the Azerbaijani army near the Gazakh region. A UAZ car with the Armenian Armed Forces reconnaissance and sabotage group inside, moving towards the Azerbaijani positions, was timely detected. Azerbaijani Armed Forces took preventive actions and prevented the attempt of the Armenian reconnaissance and sabotage group to move ahead. As a result, the group abandoned the vehicle and hurried back to its positions. The Armenian sabotage group also opened fire at the car, destroying it, while retreating. Hajiyev reminded military and political provocations Armenia committed in June-July 2017, after the visit of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to the region. As a result of these provocations, a two-year-old girl Zahra Guliyeva and her grandmother were killed in Alkhanli village of Azerbaijans Fuzuli region on July 4, the spokesman noted. He further mentioned that Armenia aims to impede the progress of the negotiation process in every possible way, and this once again shows that the presence of the Armenian Armed Forces in the occupied Azerbaijani territories remains a serious threat to regional security and peace. To achieve progress in the political settlement of the conflict, it is necessary to ensure the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied Azerbaijani lands and change the current status quo, which is based on occupation, Hajiyev said. Armenia broke out a lengthy war against Azerbaijan by laying territorial claims on the country. Since a war in the early 1990s, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. To this day, Armenia has not implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva has met with a delegation led by Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher. First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva expressed her confidence that the Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher's visit will give an impetus to the development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the Holy See. First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva noted that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to the relations between the two countries. She pointed to the recent high-level meetings, and visits, saying the visits of Pope John Paul II in 2002 and Pope Francis in 2016 to Azerbaijan opened a new page in the Azerbaijan-Holy See relations. Saying representatives of different religions, cultures and nations have lived in peace and mutual respect for centuries in Azerbaijan, First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva noted that the Azerbaijani people highly appreciate the atmosphere of tolerance and peace. She described this as both the policy of the Azerbaijani government and the lifestyle of the Azerbaijani society. First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva hailed the current relations between the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Vatican, and underlined the importance of the jointly realized large-scale projects. First Vice-President recalled the events that were held on the occasion of the restoration of Azerbaijan's state independence and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2011- 2012 in the Vatican with the support of Paul Richard Gallagher, as well as the launch of the exhibition at one of the Vatican's museums, featuring Azerbaijan's history and traditions. She noted that Azerbaijan is proud to be the first country to organize the exhibition at the Vatican museum. First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva also highlighted Azerbaijan's contributions to the preservation of famous Christian monuments, including the restoration of catacombs in the Vatican with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva noted that the collaboration between Azerbaijan and the Holy See has been elevated to the level of friendship, and expressed her confidence that the friendly relations will continue in the years ahead. Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher said he is deeply impressed with his three-day visit to Azerbaijan, praising the hospitality of the Azerbaijani people. Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher extended the greetings of Pope Francis and Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The results of the presidential election in Azerbaijan will definitely have a positive impact on bilateral relations between the two countries, political scientist, researcher at the Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexander Karavaev told Trend. Next presidential election in Azerbaijan is to be held on April 11, 2018, according to an order signed Feb. 5 by the country's President Ilham Aliyev. According to the Calendar Plan of Azerbaijans Central Election Commission (CEC), pre-election campaigning starts 23 days prior to the voting day and is stopped 24 hours before the start of voting. Thus, the campaigning will start on March 19 and end at 08:00 (local time) on April 10. Alexander Karavayev believes Azerbaijan and Russia are closely connected by friendly relations throughout the centuries, and now the two countries are reliable strategic partners. "I think the same level of cooperation will be implemented after the election," he said. Meanwhile, Russia is getting ready to hold its own presidential election in March of 2018. Karavayev further added that Russia may send its group of observers to the presidential elections in Azerbaijan, in the context of support to the friendly country. The 6th congress of the New Azerbaijan Party was held in the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku Feb. 8. The decision was made during the congress to nominate chairman of the party Ilham Aliyev as a presidential candidate. The decision was unanimously adopted. Back in December 2017, according to a survey conducted by the public association ELS Independent Research Center, about 91.4 percent of respondents support the foreign policy of President Ilham Aliyev. The public association ELS Independent Research Center conducted the survey to assess the current socio-political situation, voter turnout, and the populations attitudes to the current issues. The study was conducted in November-December 2017 in the form of an express survey in 68 districts of the country (with the exception of the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and the occupied districts). The survey was conducted at respondents homes, face to face in the form of a poll. In general, 4,560 respondents were surveyed. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend State Migration Service of Azerbaijan arrested seven citizens of Nepal, three citizens of India and one citizen of Sri Lanka as part of activity against illegal migration. Investigations determined that an individual named Dipak working in India collaborated with Ukrainian citizen Vladislav Kobil and organized the transfer of foreigners into Azerbaijan. Three people from India and one from Sri Lanka, willing to visit Europe, addressed to Dipak, who transferred them to Azerbaijan. Dipak contacted Vladislav Kobil to acquire temporary residency permit for the foreigners and promised to transfer them to Europe, fraudulently appropriating large sum of money. Dipak sent seven Nepali citizens to Azerbaijan and promised to find them jobs. Organized measures prevented the illegal smuggling of foreigners into Azerbaijan and an attempt to establish an illegal migration channel. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed an order Feb. 12 approving the State Program for the Development of Tea Industry for 2018-2027. According to the order, the state program is approved to develop tea growing, increase the export potential in this industry, and ensure the employment of rural population. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed an order Feb. 12 on measures to build kindergartens in the countrys regions. According to the order, 19.577 million manats will be allocated from the investment expenditures of the 2018 state budget to the Agency for Restoration and Reconstruction of Territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan Liberated From Occupation to build 1,230-seat kindergartens in 15 cities and regions with a population of more than 306,000 people. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Poll body instructs three parties to correct PR list The ruling Nepali Congress on Monday submitted its names of its lawmakers under the proportional representation (PR) system at the Election Commission. By Trend Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of EU (European Council) is an additional opportunity to expand the cooperation with Azerbaijan, Prime Minister of Bulgaria Boyko Borissov said in an interview with Trend. He pointed out that Bulgaria welcomes the progress of the negotiations on a new comprehensive agreement between the European Union and Azerbaijan, which will set up a new stage in the relations between them. Borissov pointed out that Bulgaria strongly supports the Eastern Partnership as a strategic dimension of the European neighborhood policy and key factor for stability in Eastern Europe. Talking about priorities of Bulgarias presidency in the Council of EU, the prime minister said that they include: The Future of Europe and Young People - Economic Growth and Social Cohesion; European Perspective and Connectivity for the Western Balkans; Security and stability in a strong and united Europe; Digital economy and skills of the future. They follow from the Trio Estonia-Bulgaria-Austria program and are attuned with the European Commissions legislative agenda for 2018, added Borissov. The Western Balkans is a key foreign policy priority of the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council. It is vital to reaffirm the European perspective of the region. The Bulgarian Presidency pays also special attention to the Danube and Black Sea region, he said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Oil market somehow balanced and crude began to trade above $60 following the last two and a half years, during which the industry has experienced its deepest downturn since at least the 1990s. As history repeats itself, after every oil bust comes a recovery, if not a boom. But this time a recovery has been too volatile and sensitive. There are undoubtedly some disturbances in and outside the market that suggest it will require some time before oil nations return to calmer waters. Cyril Widdershoven, a Middle East geopolitical specialist and energy analyst, a partner at Dutch risk consultancy VEROCY and SVP MEA-Risk, told Trend that there are for sure some dark clouds on the horizon that can generate large price responses. He said that oil demand is still growing, while supply is increasingly feeling the effects of years of extremely low investments worldwide, which can push prices up. "The possible shale oil production volume surge could be lower than expected as costs of drilling and production in shale are increasing. This could lead to lower than expected overall volumes additionally on the market. If this is the case, then prices could become very volatile with a large upwards potential," he said. At the same time, according to the energy analyst, totally misunderstood or even not assessed at all is the fact that shale oil has a higher API, which means it is not competing with OPEC main volumes, while at same time, refineries worldwide are looking mainly for lower API (light crudes). "This will constrain impact shale oil, except if there is increased refinery capacity and export of petroleum products from the US," he noted. Widdershoven added that situation in Venezuela, where oil production falling to a nearly three-decade low, is almost out of control. "If there is additional struggle due to elections, and increased trade union issues, already struggling production could be much lower even than currently is the case. Taking out another 500,000 bpd would be pushing prices even up higher," he noted. Widdershoven stressed that an increased tension in Middle East, that is, between Turkey-Russia and Arab world would push prices also up, further noting that ongoing instability in another cartel nation- Iran will be a major issue to keep an eye on, as this would defer additional volumes. Theretofore, the oil markets could be poised for another wild ride while analysts predicting a price of anywhere between $40 and $70 by the end of the year. But presently, the crude prices remain half what they were in mid-2014, with a high chance of a new price shock either up or down at any time. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Sara Israfilbayova The cost of oil is growing steadily on Tuesday morning as part of the recovery of world stock markets after the fall last week. Brent crude futures were up 21 cents at $62.80 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 6 cents at $59.35, Reuters reported. The optimism of investors in the commodity market is connected with the rise of U.S. exchanges on February 12. So, the main U.S. stock indexes by the end of the day added 1.4-1.7 percent after the market crash last week. In addition, European stock indices also rose by 1-1.4 percent. With the gradual stabilization of stock exchanges, the attention of traders shifts to the fundamental indicators of the oil market, which are supply and demand. Against this background, investors are waiting for data from the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the U.S. Energy Department for weekly stocks of black gold in the country. Analysts predict that the U.S. Energy Department will report an increase in oil reserves in the country for the week ended on February 9, by 2.6 million barrels after growing by 1.895 million barrels a week earlier. Meanwhile, the President of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s Energy Minister, Suhail Al Mazrouei, has stated that the increased production of shale oil by the U.S. will not hamper the efforts of OPEC and non-OPEC countries to clear the glut in the oil market. Speaking in an interview in Dubai on February 12, AI Mazrouei disclosed that the oil market should re-balance this year, given robust demand and producers compliance with their pledges to curtail supply. He noted that the U.S. shale oil wont be a huge distorter for the oil market as stronger demand and compliance with oil cuts have buoyed prices. OPEC and non-OPEC producers reached an agreement in December 2016 to curtail oil output jointly and ease a global glut after more than two years of low prices. OPEC agreed to slash the output by 1.2 million barrels per day from January 1. Non-OPEC oil producers such as Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, Sudan, and South Sudan agreed to reduce output by 558,000 barrels per day starting from January 1, 2017. OPEC and its partners decided to extend its production cuts till the end of 2018 in Vienna on November 30, as the oil cartel and its allies step up their attempt to end a three-year supply glut that has savaged crude prices and the global energy industry. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The foreign ministers of Russia, Iran and Turkey plan to meet next month to discuss the situation in Syria, Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov said on Tuesday, Reuters reports. The sides have yet to fix the exact date and location, Abdrakhmanov told reporters, but one of the options is the Kazakh capital, Astana, which will also host a fresh round of lower-level talks on Syria between the same three parties. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Kamila Aliyeva The Kazakh Ministry of Energy is negotiating with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to finance the construction of the Kazakhstans Saryarka main gas pipeline. This was announced by Kazakh Energy Minister Kanat Bozumbayev during the meeting of the government, Kazinform reported. Currently, active negotiations are underway on the issue of financing the project by attracting borrowed funds from the EBRD, he said. An interdepartmental working group is now being formed with the participation of representatives of the ministries of national economy, finance, Samruk-Kazyna, KazMunaiGaz, and Akimat of Astana, according to the official. This is being done to determine the conditions and the financing scheme for the Saryarka gas pipeline project, he explained. If implemented this project will allow gasification of 192 private, 48 small communal boiler houses, as well as 22,000 private residential houses and hot-water boilers of CHPP-1, CHPP-3 in Astana, which in turn will improve the ecology in the city. According to our assessment, this will reduce emissions by 35,000 tons per year. In addition, along the main gas pipeline route, there will be an opportunity for infrastructure development, creation of new production facilities using natural gas, Bozumbayev added. The project on gasification of Astana, northern and central regions of Kazakhstan will allow providing efficient and convenient heating system, increasing the power output. New Saryarka pipeline will provide consumers with domestic natural gas from Beineu-Bozoi-Shymkent main pipeline. Works on design and construction of Saryarka main pipeline for the gasification of Astana, northern and central regions of Kazakhstan are performed by order of Kazakhstans Head of State Nursultan Nazarbayev. This project is one of priority projects for KazTransGas JSC. Specialists of the company chose the most efficient construction variant for its implementation considering the use of operating pipelines currently kept in conservation. It is expected to allow reducing sufficiently the net cost of the pipeline construction and setting comfortable gas price and rates for consumers. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Kamila Aliyeva The volume of cargo transportation between Kazakhstan and other countries amounted to 8.8 million tonnes in 2017. This indicator rose by 4 percent up to 355,500 tonnes compared to 2016, according to the message of the Kazakh Ministry of Investment and Development The ministry noted that the share of Kazakh carriers increased by 6 percent amounting to 52 percent. To date, the Central Asian country has about 3,500 international carriers with a fleet of vehicles consisting of more than 17,000 units. So far, Kazakhstan has signed agreements on road transportation with 41 foreign countries. In 2017, an agreement between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on road transport came into force. Since January 8, 2018 the regular bus en route Shymkent-Tashkent was launched. On April 3, an agreement was signed between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan on international road transport. The agreement established legal norms for the implementation of road transport between the two countries, regulates the types of trucking and the procedure for establishing quotas for the exchange of permit forms. An agreement between the governments of Kazakhstan and Serbia on international road transport, providing for the introduction of a non-permissive system for bilateral and transit cargo shipments, came into effect on July 6. In December 2017, an agreement between Kazakhstan and Norway on international road transport came into force. Currently, the issue of concluding similar agreements with Denmark, Portugal is under consideration. Moreover, the decisions on amending the existing agreements with Armenia, Georgia and Turkmenistan were reached. In 2018, Kazakhstan established a quota for the exchange of permit forms with 40 countries. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Kamila Aliyeva Oil production at giant Tengiz field, developed in Kazakhstans Atyrau region, amounted to 28.7 million tonnes in 2017. In 2017, crude oil production at Tengiz field amounted to 28.7 million tonnes, or 229 million barrels. In 2008, Tengizchevroil (TCO) completed the project of injecting crude gas and commissioning a second-generation plant (SGG/SGP), as a result of which daily oil production amounted to approximately 75,000 tonnes, or 600,000 barrels, and daily production of natural gas - 22 million cubic meters (750 million cubic feet), the press service of Tengizchevroil LLP reported. In 2016, the field produced 27.5 million tonnes. Earlier, the Kazakh-American Future Growth project with an estimated cost of more than 3 trillion tenge was launched at Tengiz field. This project will allow increasing volumes of extraction of raw materials on Tengiz field by 12 million tonnes per year that is from 27 to 39 million tonnes. The new plant will consist of individual modules weighing 53,000 tonnes. It is expected that the works will be completed by 2022. Tengiz is located on the 2,500 square kilometer (1,600 square mile) project license area which includes the super giant Tengiz field, the smaller but sizable Korolev field and several exploratory prospects. Estimated oil in place in the Tengiz field is 3.2 billion metric tonnes (25.5 billion barrels) with 200 million metric tonnes (1.6 billion barrels) in the Korolev field. Total recoverable crude oil in the Tengiz and Korolev fields is estimated to be 800 million to 1.3 billion metric tonnes (6.4 to 10.7 billion barrels). Tengiz, which was discovered in 1979, is one of the biggest oil fields in Kazakhstan. Its oil reserves are estimated at 3.2 billion metric tonnes (25.5 billion barrels). The Tengizchevroil (TCO) partnership was formed on April 6, 1993, between Kazakhstan and Chevron. Chevron Corporation became the first foreign company which signed agreement with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev. For 25 years, production at Tengiz has grown from 4 up to 28 million tonnes per year. The shareholders of Tengizchevroil are KazMunaiGas national oil and gas company of Kazakhstan (20 percent), Chevron Overseas (50 percent), ExxonMobil (25 percent) and LukArco (5 percent). --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Authorities in Hardin County are asking the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to assist in an investigation involving drugs and stolen property from "across the Golden Triangle," Sheriff Mark Davis said in a statement Monday to BeaumontEnterprise.com. Davis said the sheriff's office, Lumberton Police Department and the Southeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force started a joint investigation on Feb. 6 of theft of a travel trailer from a Rose City dealership that was located in Hardin County. A "large amount of property believed to be stolen from the Golden Triangle" was found inside the trailer located at 10545 Gordon Lane, which is north of Silsbee, Davis said. "An automobile and a motorcycle were recovered along with multiple guns and electronics," according to Davis. "Authorities seized one pound of methamphetamine from the travel trailer." Samantha Thomas, 32, of Buna was arrested in connection with the stolen travel trailer. She is charged with possession with intent to deliver a felony amount of methamphetamine and failure to identify as fugitive with outstanding warrants from Jefferson and Orange counties for evading arrest and felony drug charges. Davis said she posted bonds totaling $55,000 in Hardin County and has been released to authorities in Orange County, where she faces additional charges. "On February 11th, the investigation continued with Lumberton Police locating a suspect with direct involvement to the stolen travel trailer and illegal drugs," Davis said. "Officers attempted to detain suspect Robert Deckert, who was operating a motorcycle in Lumberton and he refused to surrender, leading officers on a pursuit." Davis said Deckert, 34, eventually wrecked the motorcycle and required medical treatment before being released to the Hardin County jail. Deckert, who Davis said was "in possession of a large amount of methamphetamine," is charged with two counts of felony drug possession, felony theft, felony evading detention and one count of misdemeanor drug possession. He has been released from the Hardin County jail on bonds totaling $ 30,750, Davis said. "Multiple law enforcement agencies continue to work together to pursue other suspects in this case," Davis said. "Deckert stands accused of possessing and trafficking nearly three pounds of methamphetamine. Authorities believe he is also involved in the trafficking of guns and stolen property to further his criminal activity. "Due to the large amount of drugs and weapons located thus far, local law enforcement have asked the ATF for assistance with the investigation and possible federal prosecution of those involved." A man convicted of stealing from investors in a high-profile Port Arthur development scam was sentenced on Monday to 10 years in prison. William Curtis Jones was convicted by a Jefferson County jury last week of one count of misapplication of fiduciary property. He faced a 20-year prison sentence. Prosectors alleged Jones took more than $200,000 from the accounts of Management Resources Group Inc. for his own personal use. Jones, who pleaded not guilty, faces two other felony charges for theft and money-laundering related to the same actions as chief operating officer of the company, which promoted plans for a natural gas-fueled power plant in Port Arthur and other developments to the city's downtown. The plan was bolstered by involvement of high-profile Southeast Texans, including the late Chester "Eddie" Stockton, developer Jeff Hayes and former U.S. Congressman Nick Lampson, as well as an "alliance" with Lamar University. Lampson did not invest in the company but was an adviser and a member of its board. He testified last week that he resigned in 2011, about a year after becoming involved in the project, because he was concerned "about a lack of direction." He said he was approached about the energy project, which included discussions of nuclear power and power generation plants on barges before settling on the natural gas plant. He was asked if he could be helpful in seeking grants from the Department of Energy for the project, he said, and was promised stock in the company. Lampson was involved in promoting the project, he said, speaking with potential investors and appearing on television to discuss the developments. At a meeting before Lampson resigned from the board, he said members examined company bylaws that had "significant problems" and seemed to have been copied from another company's files, he said. He said he didn't know much about the "day-today operations" of MRG but said the company needed to set more realistic goals. "We pretty much followed the lead of Curtis," he said. Lampson said he "couldn't recall" when he learned that Jones had written checks to himself from the company's account but said it "should have" raised concern. Brian Jagneaux, an officer in the Texas Department of Public Safety's Criminal Investigations Division, testified last week that his agency was contacted by people who had put their "whole life savings" into the company. According to bank records, investors' money was transferred to personal accounts within a day after it was received, he said. LTeitz@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/LizTeitz Poudel sworn in as Prov 3 CM CPN-UML Parliamentary Party (PP) leader Dormani Poudel took oath of office and secrecy as chief minister of Province 3 on Monday. A 3-year-old boy died Sunday morning after being found unresponsive in a pool at a Stone Oak-area swim school Saturday evening, according to authorities. Sunday afternoon the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office identified the boy as Mitchell Chang, and reported he died at 5:35 a.m. According to Officer Carlos Ortiz, the boy was found by staff members in the deep end of a pool at the Love to Swim School on the 20200 block of Stone Oak Parkway. Ortiz said staff called emergency personnel around 7:45 p.m. and were performing CPR on the child when emergency medical personnel and police arrived. It is unclear how long the boy was in the pool, or how the child came to be in the pool by himself. The school was hosting a parent's "date night" Saturday evening, according to the school's website. The 3-year-old was transported to North Central Baptist Hospital in critical condition where he later died. Police are calling the incident a "tragic accident," and no one at the school is currently facing any charges. aluna@express-news.net | Twitter: alexluna801 Staff Writer Chris Quinn contributed to this report. The Texas Court of Appeals on Friday rejected a San Antonio man's unusual bid to overturn his latest DWI conviction. In appealing his fourth DWI conviction, Ralph Alfred Friesenhahn claimed drunk driving laws discriminated against alcoholics. Friesenhahn, 65, was convicted in 2016 by a Comal County judge after he caused his car to roll over in 2012 while his BAC was 0.29, more than three the legal limit of 0.08. He was sentenced to four years in prison. Through his lawyer, Gina Jones, Friesenhahn argued the legal limit established by the law "violates equal protection because it unfairly discriminates against alcoholics," according to the court documents. RELATED: 4 teens face murder charges in slaying over stolen backpack He claims the law is discriminatory because "many of those folks who suffer from the disease of alcoholism are able to maintain normal function at 0.08 versus a person who does not." "The time is right for the judicial branch of the government to refocus on these laws to find out if our citizens that suffer from this disease are being unfairly treated versus others members of the society," the appeal argues. The argument is a self defeating one, the court ruled. "In essence, (Friesenhahn) does not argue that members of his defined class of alcoholics are treated differently than other DWI defendants under the statues. Instead he argues that they should be treated differently," the judge wrote. "In sum, because the 0.08 alcohol concentration definition of intoxicate applies to all DWI offenders, all similarly situation persons are treated alike under the DWI statutory scheme," the ruling goes on to say. The judge quashed the appeal, saying the argument did not meet the burden to make the DWI law unconstitutional. Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.com Sean McSweeney, founder and president of Apache Health, a Los-Angeles based medical billing company, told Becker's ASC Review his top five tips for spine coding. 1. Understand add-on codes and how they work. 2. Know the importance of modifiers and the correct use of them. 3. Always bill the main procedure codes per the highest reimbursement according to your carrier contract first, as some contracts do not follow the resource-based relative value units. 4. Understand the specific description of major procedures codes to determine [which is] most accurate, as many codes have similar descriptions and only differ by a few words. 5. Keep track of insurance carrier guidelines to understand each specific requirement, as many policies today simply will not cover certain spine codes. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards is expected to propose Medicaid work requirements in a special session beginning Feb. 19, according to The Advocate. Here's what you should know: 1. House Republicans floated Medicaid work requirements by the Democratic governor in the midst of budget negotiations, but the groundwork was already being laid. House GOP Caucus Chair Lance Harris had drafted a bill for the regular session that will likely be similar to what's proposed in the special session. 2. If enacted, Harris's plan will require 19- to 64-year-olds without disabilities to work 20 hours a week at minimum or participate in community engagement activities as a condition for Medicaid coverage. 3. Several groups of people, including pregnant women and those enrolled in drug or alcohol addiction treatment programs, would be exempt from the requirement. 4. About 1.6 million Louisiana residents are on Medicaid. The Louisiana Department of Health estimates that about 10 percent or 160,000 people would be affected by the work requirement. 6. An estimated 65 to 75 percent of Medicaid recipients in Louisiana are already working, and an additional 20 percent would qualify for exemptions. 7. "A growing body of evidence suggests that targeting certain health determinants, including productive work and community engagement, may improve health outcomes," said Brian Neale, who stepped down as Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services director earlier this month. 8. Opponents of the bill argue that the work requirement would create an unnecessary burden for Medicaid recipients yet save little on costs. 9. Kentucky and Indiana are the only two states that have received federal approval for work requirement requests. Eight states' requests are pending approval. President Donald Trump's White House proposed a new tax spending plan, outlining his priorities for the coming year in time for Congress to consider spending bills. The plan would increase military spending as well as fund the president's much-discussed border wall with Mexico, according to the Santa Fe Mexican. But it also addresses healthcare spending, cutting $554 billion from Medicare spending over the next decade, even as the beneficiary population booms. The proposal also includes a provision that would cut the facility fees for medical practices owned by hospitals; this is expected to save the government $33.9 billion in 10 years. The proposal affirms the fears of many low-cost providers when it comes to site-neutral payments; instead of marginally increasing payments to the lower cost provider in this case the independent physician groups the proposal would pay the physician rate to hospital-owned groups not located on the hospital's campus. It's unlikely Mr. Trump's budget proposal will make it through Congress, but it shows legislators are paying attention to the site of service cost differential as they draft policies and legislation for the future. The flu has come to Maine, and the emergency department at the Maine Medical Center in Portland is using outpatient surgery beds to handle the inpatient overload, the Bangor Daily News reports. Here are five things to know: 1. Infectious disease specialist August Valenti, MD, said the ED has had to divert incoming flu patients to different hospitals on several occasions. 2. In addition to using outpatient surgery beds to handle the overload, flu patients are sometimes paired up in double rooms instead of private rooms. 3. The hospital has also considered canceling elective surgeries to keep acute care beds open and using a disaster management heating tent to triage emergency patients. 4. Flu season is typically later for Maine than more western and southern states, due to cooler weather and a sparser population. The latest Maine flu data in show that it has caused 34 deaths, 667 hospitalizations and outbreaks in 77 nursing homes, schools and other institutions this season, more than the 2009 H1N1 outbreak, one of the worst recent flu seasons. During the 2009 outbreak, 21 adults died from the flu and about 250 Maine residents were hospitalized. 5. If conditions worsen significantly, EMMC will look beyond outpatient surgery and open overflow beds in non-medical facilities, such as area hotels or the Cross Insurance Center. More articles on quality and infection control: Common deficiencies cited by AAAASF and how to fix them emergency preparedness 25% of opioid prescriptions are above CDC dosage guidelines, AHIP report says: 4 things to know Surgery center linked to 2012 meningitis outbreak fights punitive damages claim 5 insights Here are six updates on ASC management companies to note: Roslyn, N.Y.-based St. Francis Hospital of Catholic Health Services of Long Island partnered with Regent Surgical Health to open the East Hills (N.Y.) Surgery Center. Physicians Endoscopy is in the midst of celebrating its 20th anniversary. Renton, Wash.-based Providence Health & Services will begin construction on a new joint venture ASC at its St. Vincent Medical Center campus in Portland, Ore., in April. The center is a partnership between 18 physician investors, Providence's Oregon Region and Surgical Care Affiliates. Nobilis Health broadened its market reach through a new ASC in Dallas. The center is a multispecialty facility that'll offer services similar to Nobilis' nine direct-to-consumer marketing brands. Construction is nearing completion on a three-story, 50,000-square-foot medical office building in Plano, Texas, and United Surgical Partners International will serve as the anchor tenant. CCSC Holdings, a First Choice Healthcare Solutions' subsidiary, acquired an additional 25 percent of Melbourne, Fla.-based Crane Creek Surgery Center, increasing its total ownership interest to 65 percent. The American Academy of Family Physicians penned a letter Feb. 7 to CMS Administrator Seema Verma and ONC head Don Rucker, MD, to offer recommendations to reduce clinician burdens associated with health IT. The group cited a 2017 study published in the Annals of Family Medicine that found primary care physicians spend nearly six hours, roughly half of their workday, interacting with EHRs. The AAFP argued the high cognitive load physicians experience when working with EHRs contributes to clinician burnout and takes away time spent on direct patient care. "The AAFP maintains that the current regulatory framework with which primary care physicians must comply is daunting and often demoralizing," the letter reads. "It is unfortunate and avoidable that the regulatory framework for physician practices has reduced face-to-face time with patients and increased operating costs at a time when physician payment is stagnant." To address clinician burden, the AAFP developed a set of priorities to simplify administrative processes in EHRs. "We encourage CMS and ONC to adopt policies and practices consistent with these principles to alleviate unneeded regulatory burdens and to improve patient care," the letter reads. Here are the seven priorities the AAFP listed in its letter. 1. Minimize health IT utilization measures required under the Merit-based Incentive Payment System 2. Eliminate outdated guidelines on medical record documentation, such as those for evaluation and management services 3. Focus interoperability policy on information blocking, penalizing "bad actors" and aligning financial incentives 4. Create consistent, standards-based clinical data models to promote interoperability 5. Work toward eliminating prior authorization requirements for durable medical equipment, imaging, supplies and generic drugs 6. Adopt a single set of quality measures across public and private payers 7. Decrease certification and documentation burdens that impede a physician's ability to order medical supplies and services To access AAFP's letter, click here. Prez cant reject PMs recommendation: Minister Basnet Minister for Information and Communications Mohan Bahadur Basnet has said that President Bidya Devi Bhandari will endorse the three names recommended by the government for National Assembly. Hospitals and health systems continually seek to reduce claim denials so they don't miss out on revenue. One way to achieve this is by using a multidisciplinary approach, according to Kyle Kobe, vice president of consulting and analytic services at nThrive. Mr. Kobe shared the following tip with Becker's Hospital Review. "To reduce the recurrence of denials, it's imperative that healthcare systems employ a multidisciplinary approach that leverages technology and data analytics to optimize processes and shift from a reactive to a proactive approach. By employing data analytics, problematic areas can be identified and internal processes fine-tuned to reduce denials, accelerate cash flow and decrease administrative inefficiencies." If you would like to share your RCM best practices, please email Kelly Gooch at kgooch@beckershealthcare.com to be featured in the "RCM tip of the day" series. More articles on healthcare finance: CHI sees operating loss shrink as turnaround efforts take hold Kaiser Permanente sees revenue climb $8.1B in 2017 CMS launches initiative to reduce Medicare appeals backlog: 3 things to know The Baltimore-based University of Maryland Medical Center has hired a new president to lead its Midtown Campus. The appointment comes roughly one month after a patient was found outside the hospital's emergency room wearing only a hospital gown in frigid temperatures, according to The Baltimore Sun. Here are five things to know about the appointment. 1. Officials voted Monday to appoint Alison Brown, BSN, president of UMMC's Midtown Campus, effective March 5. She will report directly to UMMC's CEO Mohan Suntha, MD, according to the report. 2. Ms. Brown currently serves as senior vice president and chief strategy officer of UMMC's parent company, Baltimore-based University of Maryland Medical System, and is responsible for the system's marketing and strategic planning initiatives. She will continue in her position overseeing marketing and communications for the system while serving as president of UMMC. 3. In a statment to Becker's Hospital Review Feb. 13, UMMC said Ms. Brown will work closely with Brian Bailey, senior vice president and executive director of UMMC's Midtown Campus. Mr. Bailey is expected to leave the organization this spring. 4. Dr. Suntha said Ms. Brown's appointment was not a result of the Jan. 9 incident, in which a viral video depicted a 22-year-old hospital patient outside the ER barely clothed and appearing disoriented, the report states. "A key strategic initiative for UMMC, set in motion last summer, is to fully integrate UMMC's University and Midtown hospital campuses, with efforts focused on providing a seamless patient experience across both hospitals, maximizing patient safety and outcomes, and realizing greater efficiencies in the delivery of care. In her new role at UMMC Midtown, [Ms.] Brown will oversee the execution of these ongoing campus integration efforts," UMMC said in its statement to Becker's. 5. Dr. Suntha said the hospital conducted an internal investigation into the incident and discovered a "breakdown in coordination" regarding the 22-year-old patient's care after she was discharged to "ensure the social needs of the patient were met," The Baltimore Sun reports. Hospital officials reportedly said individuals involved in the incident have been held accountable, but did not specify if anyone had been disciplined. To access the full report, click here. Editor's note: This article was updated Feb. 13 at 11:35 a.m. to include additional information from the University of Maryland Medical Center. Arthur Evans, administrator/CEO of Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital in Demopolis, Ala., is retiring June 30, according to a Demopolis Times report. Here are four takeaways: 1. Mr. Evans joined Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital in 1979 as a controller. 2. He also served as CFO/assistant administrator until he was appointed interim administrator/CEO in October 2014. 3. He was named to his current role permanently in January 2015. 4. Among his achievements as CEO is the partnership Mr. Evans spearheaded between the hospital and University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System. Eric Tomlinson, chief innovation officer at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C., and president of Wake Forest Innovation Quarter, is resigning March 1. Here are six things to know: 1. Dr. Tomlinson has worked at Wake Forest Baptist since June 2012. 2. During his tenure as chief innovation officer, Wake Forest Baptist faculty and staff were issued 400-plus patents, allowing the organization to complete more than 50 technology license and option agreements as well as help create 19 start-ups. 3. He also spearheaded the creation of the Wake Forest Baptist's Technology Development Program. 4. As president of Wake Forest Innovation Quarter, an enterprise of the medical center in collaboration with private developers, the City of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, Dr. Tomlinson helped create a hub for research, business and education. 5. The Wake Forest Innovation Quarter includes 3,600 workers and more than 150 companies. 6. Dr. Tomlinson will assist Wake Forest School of Medicine leaders in ensuring a smooth transition over the next few months. Aberdeen, Wash.-based Grays Harbor Community Hospital has lost two executives in recent weeks amid worries of the hospital's impending financial crisis, The Daily World reports. Grays Harbor CEO Tom Jensen said in an email to hospital district board members Friday COO Larry Kahl will depart from the organization April 6. Mr. Kahl is reportedly leaving to pursue another opportunity at an undisclosed hospital in Oregon, according to the report. His departure reportedly comes just weeks after the hospital's CFO Joe Vessey submitted his resignation, which will be effective March 23. Mr. Jensen said the process of finding replacements for both individuals has been placed on hold until officials receive a report from consultants hired to evaluate the hospital and its associated businesses, the report states. Mr. Jensen said the hospital is expected to lose more than $8 million once the audit for last year is complete. "The timing is never good when you lose an executive," Mr. Jensen told The Daily World. "But the fact of the matter is this organization functions 24-7 apart from the executives. We're doing what we can on the legislative side, and on the hospital side we're getting more efficient and we'll do what we do until they tell us we can't." Editor's note: Becker's Hospital Review reached out to Grays Harbor Community Hospital for comment and will update the article as more information becomes available. President Donald Trump this week released his fiscal year 2019 budget proposal, which includes various healthcare measures. Here are six reactions to the proposal from healthcare groups. 1. The American Hospital Association's reaction was mixed. "Unfortunately, this budget proposal would weaken the important safety net that Medicaid offers for millions of Americans who rely on the program for their healthcare needs. Access to care for vulnerable, low-income people including the elderly, disabled, children and veterans could be jeopardized by making large reductions in the program," AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack said in a statement. "We are encouraged by the Administration's willingness to tackle skyrocketing drug costs a heavy burden borne by America's hospitals and the patients we serve. However, we are opposed to the administration's continued overreach regarding their authority over the 340B Drug Pricing Program We encourage the administration to adopt many of the proposals we have offered to lower drug costs." 2. The Federation of American Hospitals reacted negatively to the proposal. "According to MedPAC [the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission], hospitals are already experiencing the lowest Medicare margins in history, while the CBO [Congressional Budget Office] says nearly half of all hospitals will be facing negative margins by 2025," Federation of American Hospitals President and CEO Chip Kahn said in a statement. "The White House's FY19 budget proposal would more than double the $160+ billion in cuts imposed on hospitals since 2010. "Among the flawed proposals are massive reductions in Medicare bad debt payments and cutbacks in funding for hospital care for millions of uninsured Americans, plus those in post-acute facilities. It also dramatically reduces resources for Medicaid and the training of needed new doctors. "Enough is enough. These unsustainable cuts would directly impact hospitals' ability to serve patients." 3. 340B Health, an association with more than 1,300 hospital members, also expressed concerns. "The President's proposal to alter Medicare payment policies for hospitals participating in 340B raises serious concerns about the future of this vital program and the patient care it supports," the group said in a statement. "In the guise of lowering drug prices, the administration is seeking to continue its misguided policy of reducing Part B payments to 340B hospitals, a policy that violates Medicare law and undermines the 340B program enacted by Congress. This policy is already forcing many hospitals to cut back on services and personnel and has weakened their ability to serve low-income and rural patients. "The administration has proposed to take money away from hospitals that serve high volumes of low-income and rural patients, harming access to care for Americans who are underinsured and enrolled in Medicaid and Medicare. This policy would not lower drug prices and could, in fact, lead to higher profits for drug manufacturers. Congress should reject this ill-advised proposal and continue its strong, bipartisan support for this vital program." 4. The Association of American Medical Colleges argued the proposal would "exacerbate the projected physician shortage," and that the 340B program proposal "does nothing to address this problem and is counter to the intent of the program." "The administration's proposed cuts would be devastating to patients, current and future providers, the healthcare safety net and, ultimately, our nation's health security," Association of American Medical Colleges President and CEO Darrell Kirch, MD, said in a statement. "The AAMC and the nation's medical schools and teaching hospitals urge Congress to reject the proposals harmful to programs that are vital to the health of the nation." 5. The National Association of County and City Health Officials, which represents nearly 3,000 local governmental health departments, noted the effects on the CDC. "The disinvestment in public health programs will only cost this nation more in the end," Laura Hanen, NACCHO's interim executive director and chief of government affairs, said in a emailed statement. "The budget makes deep cuts that will negatively impact CDC and state and local health department's ability to do their job which is to keep our communities healthy and safe." 6. America's Essential Hospitals applauded efforts to curb opioid addiction and veterans care funding, but called the budget plan overall "unacceptable." "We have serious concerns about proposals for the 340B Drug Pricing Program that appear to restrict program participation and impose administratively burdensome new reporting requirements," Bruce Siegel, MD, president and CEO of America's Essential Hospitals, said in a statement. "The threat to the healthcare safety net is worsened by the proposal to expand cuts to hospital outpatient departments and large-scale reductions in graduate medical education spending. We urge the administration and Congress to protect funding for hospitals that care for those who face financial hardships and that deliver trauma care, emergency preparedness, healthcare workforce training and other communitywide services. We commit to working with policymakers to ensure all patients and communities have access to the vital services they need." Six health systems in New Jersey have launched a new healthcare consortium aimed at reducing employee health plan costs. The new group, called the Healthcare Transformation Consortium, includes the following New Jersey health systems: Morristown-based Atlantic Health System, Freehold-based CentraState Healthcare System, Teaneck-based Holy Name Medical Center, Flemington-based Hunterdon Healthcare, Paterson-based St. Joseph's Health and New Brunswick-based Saint Peter's Healthcare System. The health systems each have self-funded employee health plans, and they will collectively bid out for third-party administration of their self-insured plans. By seeking a single insurance carrier, the health systems aim to reduce administrative fees associated with providing healthcare benefits. "As healthcare organizations that are collectively providing medical benefits to nearly 50,000 employees and families in New Jersey, we need to take the lead in improving the quality and affordability of care," Kevin Joyce, vice president of insurance networks for Atlantic Health System, said in a statement. "The model developed by HTC can be shared locally with other self-insured employers and replicated nationally." More articles on leadership and management: Lehigh Valley Health Network eliminates 70 management positions House passes budget deal that boosts healthcare programs, extends CHIP Physician recruitment and retention: How 2 rural hospitals are overcoming the challenge Kentucky is gearing up to be the first U.S. state to implement work requirements for Medicaid recipients with other Republican-led states poised to follow, according to The New York Times. Here are six things to know. 1. Federal officials approved Kentucky's request to implement Medicaid work requirements last month, although the decision is facing a legal challenge from a group of state residents. 2. The state's Medicaid rules require adults between the ages of 19 and 64 to complete at least 80 hours each month of "employment activities," including work, job training and community service. It also requires Medicaid enrollees to pay an income-based premium of $1 to $15. Enrollees who don't pay the premium risk losing coverage for six months. Additionally, many Medicaid recipients must earn "rewards dollars" to receive dental and vision care, according to the report. The Medicaid work requirements do not apply to former foster care youth, pregnant women, primary caregivers for dependents, full-time students and disabled individuals. 3. Kentucky health official Kristi Putnam in a recent meeting said various regional workforce boards will keep track of employment activity compliance; managed care companies will collect premiums; and rewards dollars will be monitored through a new online platform, where enrollees will document their work, volunteer or training hours, reports the NYT. 4. Supporters of the Kentucky Medicaid work requirements argue completing employment activities will offer dignity and improved health for "able-bodied, working-age adults," while others are concerned low-income people, who may find transportation and internet access difficult, will face challenges complying with the new Medicaid documentation rules, according to the report. 5. Kentucky's work requirements will affect some 350,000 people who joined Medicaid under ACA expansion, according to state estimates cited by the NYT. 6. Kentucky is not alone in seeking Medicaid work requirements. The federal government has also approved Indiana's request to impose work rules. Additionally, Arizona, Kansas, Maine, Utah and Wisconsin are seeking federal waivers to impose lifetime Medicaid coverage limits. Leo Vartorella contributed to this report. The full NYT report is available here. More articles on leadership and management: Lehigh Valley Health Network eliminates 70 management positions House passes budget deal that boosts healthcare programs, extends CHIP Physician recruitment and retention: How 2 rural hospitals are overcoming the challenge %MCEPASTEBIN% Jeff Walker, COO of Columbus-based James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, is the latest of at least 10 individuals to leave OSU Wexner since January 2017, according to Columbus Business First. Here are five things to know about the situation. 1. Mr. Walker's impending departure from the James Cancer Hospital will go into effect later this month. 2. His departure follows that of Michael Caligiuri, MD, who resigned from the James Cancer Hospital last November. The reason for his resignation was unclear. Dr. Caligiuri will begin in his new role as physician-in-chief and president of City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, Calif., later this month as well. 3. Mr. Walker and Dr. Caligiuri are two of at least 10 high-ranking individuals who have left OSU Wexner since January 2017. Roughly half of the individuals who have left the institution were part of a coalition of at least 25 medical school faculty members that penned a letter of "no confidence" to OSU Wexner's former CEO in May 2017. 4. The seven-page letter criticized the leadership of former OSU Wexner Medical Center CEO Sheldon Retchin, MD, stating he retained "unrealistic clinical effort and research funding expectations incompatible with academic medicine," The Columbus Dispatch reported at the time. 5. John Campo, MD, the Sinsabaugh Professor and chair of the department of psychiatry and behavioral health at OSU Wexner, told The Lantern last week he and his wife, who is also a high-ranking employee at the university, plan to leave the institution in March for Morgantown, W.Va.-based WVU Medicine. Dr. Campo was also one of the signers of the letter of no confidence last year. "I think that the university missed an opportunity to hear what I think were very sincere concerns by the folks who wrote those letters," Dr. Campo told The Lantern. "We were reaching out to ... the leadership to say we're concerned that were losing our way." To access the full Columbus Business First report, click here. Editor's note: Becker's Hospital Review reached out to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center for comment and will update the article as more information becomes available. The board of trustees of Toledo, Ohio-based ProMedica authorized the signing of a patient transfer agreement Monday to keep the city's last surgical abortion clinic operational, according to The Blade. In a statement to The Blade, a ProMedica spokesperson said the patient transfer agreement with Capital Care Network of Toledo, the city's last abortion clinic, "formally puts into writing an existing practice to provide emergency medical care to all who need it in our community." "Entering into this agreement aligns with ProMedica's mission and values, including our focus on being a health system dedicated to the well-being of northwest Ohio and our belief that no one is beyond the reach of life-saving healthcare. Furthermore, we believe that all individuals should have access to the best care in their neighborhoods," the statement continued. Capital Care Network of Toledo had previously formed an agreement with a Ann Arbor-based Michigan Medicine hospital to continue providing surgical abortions. However, Ohio lawmakers called for the clinic's closing unless it entered into an agreement with a local hospital. Regulators ruled the clinic's agreement with the Michigan Medicine hospital was not permissible because the Michigan Medicine facility did not constitute a local hospital. The Ohio Supreme Court ruled last week to uphold the state's order. However, the clinic's agreement with ProMedica satisfied the mandate the clinic enter into an agreement with a local hospital. To access The Blade's report, click here. Province 4 CM swearing in put off The swearing in of Province 4 Chief Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung slated earlier for Wednesday has been postponed for Friday. A former pediatric rheumatologist at the Ann Arbor-based Michigan Medicine at the University of Michigan is under investigation for possession of child pornography and could lose his license amid allegations he had a sexual relationship with a young patient, according to All About Ann Arbor. After receiving a complaint of misconduct in December, local authorities searched the home of Mark Hoelztel, MD, and found a flash drive containing over 200 images of child pornography. They also found dozens more images saved to his laptop. Dr. Hoelztel first got into trouble in 2004 for exchanging flirtatious social media messages with an 11 year-old girl he met at a University of Michigan arthritis camp. He did not face disciplinary action and was instead sent to a boundaries course. A criminal complaint against Dr. Hoeltzel alleges he also engaged in a sexual relationship with a young patient beginning in 2016, with some of those encounters taking place during appointments. The patient was 18 years old when the relationship began, and Dr. Hoeltzel would allegedly prescribe the patient oxycontin and morphine and also supply alcohol during their appointments. "Dr. Mark Hoeltzel is no longer employed by Michigan Medicine. These are serious allegations, and we are taking steps to protect our patients. Their well being is our highest priority," the University of Michigan wrote in a statement, according to All About Ann Arbor. "We know this is disturbing news for our patients, and we have reached out to them to offer resources." An inmate being treated at Charleston (W.Va.) Area Medical Center shot a police officer Saturday afternoon while trying to escape custody. Here are five things to know about the incident. 1. The suspect, Bryan Ogle, was being guarded by police in hospital room 502. When he was allowed to use the restroom, he fled through an adjoining room, according to WSAZ. 2. Hospital security officers found Mr. Ogle in the hospital's basement, but he got away after a struggle. He was found a short time later in the alley behind the hospital's ER, and police officers took him into custody. He allegedly began resisting police officers while they were leading him back upstairs. 3. During the struggle with the police officers, Mr. Ogle allegedly caused one of the officers to fall down the stairs and grabbed another officer's firearm. 4. Mr. Ogle allegedly fired two shots, one of which hit an officer. The officer who was shot is alive and alert, according to the Charleston Gazette-Mail. 5. On Sunday, Mr. Ogle was arraigned on several charges, including fleeing with reckless indifference, disarming a law enforcement officer and attempted murder. He is being held in jail on $250,000 cash bond, according to WSAZ. More articles on legal and regulatory issues: Kindred shareholder sues to halt $4.1B deal with Humana, two equity firms: 5 things to know 8 latest healthcare industry lawsuits, settlements Patient accused of sexually assaulting nurse at Pittsburgh hospital The following lawsuits were announced or filed since Jan. 17 by two counties, two states and three cities. The suits seek to recover funds spent addressing widespread illicit opioid use in each community. Plaintiffs named in the suits include drugmakers, drug distributors, a local clinic and pharmacy retailers. The lawsuits are listed below, beginning with the most recent. 1. Alabama AG takes aim at Purdue Pharma with opioid lawsuit Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall on Feb. 2 filed a lawsuit against Purdue Pharma, accusing the drugmaker of illegally marketing and selling OxyContin and other opioid drugs. 2. Indiana county files opioid epidemic lawsuit against 20+ drugmakers, distributors Indianapolis-based attorneys retained by Marshall County, Ind., filed a 165-page lawsuit the week ending Feb. 2 against more than 20 drugmakers and distributors for the companies' alleged roles in facilitating the overuse of opioids. 3. Baltimore sues opioid manufacturers, distributors The city of Baltimore filed a lawsuit Jan. 31 against drug manufacturers and distributors, as well as a local clinic, in an effort to curb the opioid epidemic. 4. Colorado county 1st in state to file opioid lawsuit against drug companies Attorneys on behalf of Huerfano County filed a lawsuit Jan. 28 against drugmakers and distributors for allegedly contributing to the county's opioid crisis, marking the first such lawsuit filed by a local government in Colorado. 5. NYC files opioid lawsuit against 8 drugmakers, distributors Attorneys filed a lawsuit Jan. 23 on behalf of New York City against five drugmakers, three drug distributors and subsidiaries of the companies. 6. Delaware files opioid lawsuit against drug companies, retail pharmacies Delaware State Attorney General Matt Denn filed a lawsuit Jan. 19 against drugmakers, drug distributors and two pharmacy retailers for the companies' alleged roles in facilitating widespread opioid use in the state. 7. Philadelphia files opioid lawsuit against drugmakers Philadelphia on Jan. 17 filed a lawsuit against drugmakers for their alleged role in contributing to the nation's ongoing opioid overdose and addiction crisis. More articles on opioids: Pennsylvania governor declares opioid epidemic statewide public health emergency Purdue cuts half of sales force, ends direct opioid marketing to prescribers: 4 things to know Narcan developers donate 5k doses to Illinois' opioid overdose task force Infectious disease physicians are the ideal stakeholders to lead antimicrobial stewardship programs in the healthcare setting, according to a paper published in Clinical Infectious Diseases. The paper's authors leaders from the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America argue multidisciplinary antimicrobial stewardship programs are most effective when led by infectious disease physicians. These physicians are able to look beyond individual patient cases and see the broader repercussions of widespread antimicrobial use. The study authors cited numerous antimicrobial stewardship programs led by infectious disease physicians nationwide that have significantly improved patient outcomes and lowered rates of central line-associated bloodstream infections or Clostridium difficile infections. The authors also highlighted the potential benefits of tools like telemedicine to expand healthcare facilities' access to infectious disease leaders to help with antimicrobial stewardship. Deepening its move into healthcare, Amazon is pushing to turn its developing medical supplies business into a major supplier to U.S. hospitals and outpatient clinics, reports The Wall Street Journal. The latest push into the healthcare arena comes less than two weeks after Amazon announced it would collaborate with JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Berkshire Hathaway to launch a new company aimed at cutting healthcare costs for their U.S. employees. Here are seven things to know about Amazon's latest venture. 1. Amazon Business, the company's separate business-to-business marketplace, already sells a limited selection of medical supplies ranging from sutures to hip implants as well as industrial supplies and office supplies. However, Amazon is hoping to expand this marketplace into one where hospitals could shop to stock emergency rooms, operating suites and outpatient facilities. 2. Amazon has invited hospital executives to its headquarters in Seattle on numerous occasions, most recently in late January, to understand the needs and wants of the healthcare industry and to feel out ideas for expanding its medical supplies business, according to The Wall Street Journal, which cited hospital executives who attended the meetings. 3. Recently, Amazon Business sent employees to a large hospital system in the Midwest with roughly 150 outpatient facilities to test Amazon Business as a medical supplier. Essentially, the pilot is testing if the system can effectively order healthcare supplies for all of its facilities. The pilot is customized for the healthcare system's catalog of supplies and allows employees to compare prices the hospital negotiates with its distributors and the supplies in Amazon Business' marketplace. 4. When asked about these current efforts, Amazon Business told The Wall Street Journal it is building technology to serve healthcare customers and seeking to reinvent typical hospital purchasing, which is generally done through contracts with distributors and manufacturers, like McKesson Corp., Cardinal Health and Owens & Minor. The e-commerce giant, echoing opinions held by some in the industry, said existing supply chain options are outdated. "Our goal is to be something new," Chris Holt, the leader of global healthcare at Amazon Business, told The Wall Street Journal, adding that to simplify purchasing, the company has been "actively building out new capabilities and features." 5. Over the past year, Amazon slowly acquired more than 10 wholesale pharmacy licenses from state pharmaceutical boards. The licenses are held in Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon and Tennessee. These licenses are necessary for selling medical equipment to licensed professionals. 6. Some hospital administrators have been hesitant to purchase supplies from Amazon Business, citing reasons such as lack of options, disruption in the continuity of product supply, and lack of control over shipping. Typically, hospitals contract for assurance with distributors to ensure the products are available and delivered securely and in a timely manner. "We can't be without supplies," Phyllis McCready, chief procurement officer for Great Neck, N.Y.-based Northwell Health, one of the hospital executives who attended a meeting with Amazon in Seattle, told The Wall Street Journal. "It's a little different than being out of a size 6 dress. I can't be out of a six French catheter." 7. Fees and administration, marketing and shipping costs account for 20 to 30 percent of healthcare supply costs, according to a 2017 research report cited by The Wall Street Journal. Rob Austin, a former hospital supply chain executive and associate director at Navigant Consulting, told The Wall Street Journal about Amazon's latest move, "There's a lot of people with fingers in the pie. There is a huge opportunity." Vik Kapoor, MD, a Medovex medical advisory board member, presented initial data from his DenerveX System study. Here are four points: 1. During the NSpine Platinum Small Group Educational Event in Arosa, Switzerland, from Jan. 29 through Feb. 3, Dr. Kapoor presented data from his first 20 cases using the DenerveX System. 2. Dr. Kapoor noted his initial results with the DenerveX System are very positive. 3. About 50 European neurosurgeons, spine surgeons and orthopedic surgeons attended the presentation. 4. The DenerveX System is designed to deliver ongoing pain relief from facet joint syndrome. Atlanta-based Back Pain Centers of America welcomed Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center to its network. Here are three points: 1. Back Pain Centers of America connects patients with board-certified providers in the appropriate geographic region. 2. Eighteen spine physicians provide care at Wake Forest Baptist, with various locations throughout North Carolina. 3. Charles Branch, Jr., MD, serves as professor and chair of the department of neurosurgery and executive director of the spine service at Wake Forest Baptist Health. "We selected Wake Forest Baptist Spine Center because of their strong reputation and proven expertise in helping patients return to the activities they enjoy," said Brent Wheeler, president of Orthopedic and Back Pain Centers of America. The first glimpses of Vivegam that we caught were the on-set images of Thala Ajith. He looked stylish and sophisticated. We saw how he transformed himself for this film, physically, by stunning us with his six packs and inspiring all his fans, and unanimously, all his co-stars. The first look took social media by storm and gave a strong essence of an international film. Completely shot in Bulgaria and its neighboring European countries, the film promises to be an entirely international premise. Director Siva strategically revealed many images from of Thala Ajith, one by one, on his Twitter page making sure that the fans are teased to the maximum level. Then came the teaser in which we saw a stylized AK. The cinematography, editing, and the locales were all ultra-modern and gave us a lot to expect. Anirudh Ravichander has been an important reason for the reach and the standard of this film to go one league higher. His music has been outstanding, and its paradigm has been thoroughly westernized. The script seems to touch upon terrorism with some sequences involving military weapons and tanks, cyber-crime with space satellites, and it is widely discussed that it also includes the significance of time. Siva has taken a lot of effort in research to develop a storyline which would also showcase the mass side of Ajith, while also trying to deliver a classy script. In the recently released trailer, we got a better view of the masterclass in Vetri's visuals and Ruben's cuts and every character's new avatar, making every element in this story, an important contributor to its pre-release success and rise in the expectation meter. With the film's release just two days away, will Ajith and team elevate Tamil cinema to international standards? We'll know soon. Ann McGregor, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry The business community is urging Northern Irelands political leaders to press on with securing a fresh deal on devolution amid claims that good progress has now been made. Prime Minister Theresa May flew in to Belfast yesterday to meet Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and party leaders, in a bid to reach an agreement following more than a year without an Assembly. DUP leader Arlene Foster said no deal has been reached in talks between her party and Sinn Fein, but good progress was made. Ann McGregor, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: Following recent reports, NI Chamber of Commerce and Industry is optimistic that an Executive could be up and running at Stormont very shortly. We urge our political parties to get a deal across the line. And Glyn Roberts, chief executive of Retail NI, said it is encouraging that progress has been made in the talks and we hope that an agreement is possible. We need to see a new Stormont administration hitting the ground running, tackling key challenges. The boss of First Trust Bank is leaving his top Northern Ireland post to head up a UK building society. Des Moore, who has been at the helm of First Trust since 2013, has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Cumberland Building Society, and will take up the role in April. Based in Carlisle, the building society is the 10th largest in the UK with 160,000 customers and a network of 34 branches. Mr Moore has been in the banking industry for the best part of four decades, starting off as a teller in Drogheda in 1982. After successful stints with Bank of Ireland, Permanent TSB and the National Australia Bank Group, the Wexford-born financier took over the reins at First Trust at a time when public trust in banking was at a low and major challenges were on the horizon. Just last year, First Trust announced it was closing half of its branch network. Shunning English A few weeks ago, the Office of the Company Registrar (OCR) published a public notice that said that all documents submitted had to be in the Devanagari script and in the Nepali language. The Northern Ireland company behind fizzy drink Shloer will now sell peanut butter after snapping up a firm in England in a multi-million pound deal, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal. SHS Group in Belfast has paid an undisclosed sum for 3V Group in Hampshire - a move adding trendy spread brand Meridian to its portfolio. 3V also owns Rocks, a brand of organic squashes. Elaine Birchall, the chief executive of SHS, said: "The acquisition of Meridian and Rocks strengthens our owned-brand portfolio and manufacturing capability as we continue to invest in bringing high quality brands to a wide range of channels and geographies. "We are delighted to have acquired this dynamic business." While the amount of the deal was not made public, its understood 3V Natural Foods Group has been acquired for a multi-million pound sum. Russell Smart, commercial director of 3V, said: The team at 3V have worked incredibly hard to bring innovative and relevant product development to the market in response to changes in consumer demand over the last 12 years. The SHS Group, with its depth of expertise in fast-moving consumer goods brands, will help support our growth strategy and market reach in the UK and beyond. The protein-rich make-up of peanut butter has led to a big surge in popularity among health-conscious consumers. And other forms of nut butter have also taken off. Meridian also makes almond butter, cashew butter and sunflower seed butter. It also manufactures fruit spreads and nut bars. SHS Group, based at Airport Road West, reported a jump of 23% in turnover to 467.7m during 2016. It also reported a 33% rise in pre-tax profits to 24.8m during the year. It employs nearly 800 people. In July, SHS Group announced it had bought Standard Brands in Surrey, which produces Sunny Jim firelighters and the Zip range of fire products. It has also snapped up no&more, which sells flavoured spring water. Hes been in the job of chief commercial officer at Flybe for just four weeks and Co Armagh man Roy Kinnear vows the energy hes displayed so far wont be flagging. I do not get comfortable and I do not do the status quo at all. My energy levels, my thinking outside the box, will be the same in six to 12 to 18 months as it is now. This is me as a personality. I drive hard, Im probably not the easiest person to work for because I do have very demanding levels, I understand that. But its all done for the right reason for the benefit of the company or for the benefit of the individual. The airline services 15 UK destinations from Belfasts City Airport, running eight aircraft and employing 200 people. On a visit to Belfast one of regional airline Flybes top three UK locations Roy marvels over the number of people hes met on his trip who recall him from earlier in his career. He vows not to flinch from making changes if they are required, and has a mantra of flex your public offering to what the public want when it comes to routes and their frequency. Sometimes your demand from Belfast to London is focused on about Monday and Tuesday, coming back in opposite direction on Wednesday and Thursday ... and leisure demand is more on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday. A good airline takes that into account instead of being the same product, Monday to Sunday, 52 weeks a year you flex your public offering. It may be on Wednesday you have fewer flights and Friday you have more. We should be going through that checklist to make sure its as good as it can be for Belfast. That will give us a better chance of success and ultimately to grow. Youre going to see that over the weeks and months ahead. He started out in the now-defunct British Midland, after a degree in economics and statistics at Ulster University in Jordanstown. And his latest move to Flybe has meant a move from the ostensibly more appealing location of the Seychelles, where he was chief executive for two-and-a-half years of Air Seychelles. People do say to me. You gave up Seychelles for Flybe? But I was CEO of an airline which has 12 aircraft. Looking forward to the next three to four years were we going to buy another 10 or 20 aircraft? No, because being placed geographically in the middle of the Indian Ocean, that would have been completely the wrong thing to do, and financially would not be right. But a company like Flybe, with 81 aircraft and flying to 78 UK and European cities you know, Flybe did their homework on Roy Kinnear but I did my homework on Flybe as well. It would have been silly not to. After working for BMI, he moved to Bahrain, then United Arab Emirates and India, before the Seychelles job came up. Hes worked for Etihad Airways, Gulf Air and Jet Airways. Hes never afraid of change. Moving from the Seychelles was the right move for reasons out there so the fact that its geographically different of the world with a different climate its irrelevant to somebody like myself. I think every individual is different. For some people, things like that may have a large part to play, but for me, no. Ive always been open-minded that I need to be flexible enough to move to wherever I think the right move will be. Im not somebody who will always stay stuck in the same place and go whatever I want has to fit around me. One of the first big projects during his first year at Flybe will be overhauling its technology. Flybe will be changing our technology platform in October this year. We need to because the world diversifies. Weve taken it so far but we need to improve our reservations and we need to improve our airport check-in systems to make it easier to book and easier to fly. The platform well be using, Amadeus, will bring with it other spin-off opportunities which weve never had before. That will bring particular benefits for business customers. Well give them recognition that theyre important to us. Were loyal back to them and we recognise that by giving them an easier front-end booking platform thats personalised for their company and business and we will have that from October onwards. Its the single-largest technology investment Flybe has made in its history. Its a huge investment. For most airlines its something you would do once a decade, not just the investment but the upheaval in an organisation. He says working in the Seychelles, a popular holiday destination in the Indian Ocean, wasnt as idyllic as you might imagine. You dont have to Photoshop it it is geographically beautiful. But it is a hard place to work. Being an island, being a small place like that, everybody knows everybody and everybody had a view on the national airline. As such the people aspects of running an airline like that are probably way above running an airline like Flybe. He acknowledges hes a workaholic and doesnt get back home too often. I was born in Keady and my mother still lives there. Family and relations are centred around Keady, Co Armagh and Co Monaghan. I have one sister, who teaches in Lurgan and lives in Co Monaghan, who has the patience of Job compared to myself. Roy says he received a good education at the Royal School in Armagh but that rugby was often a bigger priority than the books. You look back on it and think should I have spent more time academically as I lived, breathed and ate rugby at that stage. You probably trained twice a week and played once or twice a week. You played it in all types of weather but it made you a stronger person. He says there was nothing in his family background which would foretell his own adventure in aviation. His parents philosophy was being incredibly supportive and wanting to give their children the best possible opportunity to move forward with their life, which they probably did not have themselves. Roy has a 23-year-old daughter and 34-year-old stepson, who are both back in Abu Dhabi. His wife Fiona is now back in Exeter with Roy. Their three dogs are the centre of the family. The dog walking is where I get out to clear my head. But hes pragmatic about the moves hes made. Ive been lucky, I think, in my three decades that Ive probably changed role to something bigger, wider, using a different skillset every two-and-a-half to three years. The industry has been good to me, Id say. And he has plenty of ideas for Flybe. I honestly believe theres a lot of ingredients there. Its got a great network but I think there are changes we can make to strengthen it further. I do have views on how we widen our name. I do think Flybe is well-known but for my desires, I dont think its enough of a household name. I think theres more we can do with that. Flybe has been in the headlines in Northern Ireland for the wrong reasons, including the emergency landing in Scotland of a flight from Birmingham to Belfast after a technical fault. Flybe has 81 aircraft, 56 Q400s out there, says Roy. It is absolutely not an excuse. Things happen. The important thing is you manage them. There was that unfortunate incident where we diverted and landed in Belfast. Its not something that happens every week. For people who are on it, its an unfortunate incident and memory for them. We as a company need to make sure we follow through on the learnings from that. Thats one isolated incident and touch wood we hope there isnt another episode like that or worse. He believes the airline is an untold success story. How many people know we fly to 15 cities directly out of Belfast, apart from the obvious like London and Manchester. I think thats a hidden gem. And he says hes in touch with the realities of the business. Im not the guru sitting in the ivory tower. Im here, Ill actually be speaking to trade later on. Are we flying to the right cities? Are we flying the right number of flights every day? Should we be flying double-daily? Ill be listening to that feedback to work out what should be our right network. Former London Mayor Boris Johnson during a visit to Wrightbus in 2016 Wrightbus says its facing the loss of up to 95 workers due to challenging market conditions among both public and private customers. The Ballymena firm is starting a consultation process for cutbacks, which could see 95 staff losing their jobs. Stephen Kelly, chief executive of Manufacturing NI, said: We have been warning for some time that there is a visible slowdown in capital investment, both public and private, which is impacting a number of sectors and most notably transportation. Wrightbus chairman, Mark Nodder, said that along with the rest of the industry, is facing some very difficult conditions in its domestic market at present, with current order intake for new vehicles at relatively low levels. In order that the business remains competitive in the long term, it is vital that we promptly take appropriate steps to align our production capacity to projected demand in the foreseeable future. DUP MP for North Antrim, Ian Paisley, said: I am very disappointed by the news that 95 jobs are to be cut from the Wright Bus workforce. Obviously this will come as a blow to the local manufacturing sector. I have been in discussions with the chief executive of the company and I understand the reasons behind this decision. Looking forward, the company has considerably good prospects but order books must match the workforce. It is essential that in the future, government bus contracts start to favour local manufacturers so as to avoid such peaks and troughs in the production cycle. As usual, the workforce has demonstrated a resilience and a stoicism that one would expect, despite this devastating announcement. My thoughts are with those 95 workers who will be losing their jobs and who will feel this news most acutely. Mr Kelly added: We have been warning for some time that there is a visible slowdown in capital investment, both public and private, which is impacting a number of sectors and most notably transportation. This is driven by both a reduction in government spending but also uncertainty within the UK economy given political events. Wrightbus is an extraordinary Northern Ireland success story who continually make large investments in innovation, workforce development and leadership. They will continue to be a success, but they and the rest of the manufacturing sector would benefit from a functioning local Executive and a bespoke manufacturing strategy which capitalises on the opportunity which exists to increase sales and employment. Mr Nodder said the company had continued to invest in our product range so that it remains best in class in terms of fuel efficiency and environmental performance. The company will therefore be well-positioned when market conditions improve, he added. As a privately-owned business and one of the largest employers in Northern Ireland, we have not come to this decision lightly and it is done with a heavy heart. However, we operate in a dynamic marketplace with competition from around the globe and we must respond and react accordingly. We will naturally work with the union and employee representatives to ensure we manage the process in the most sympathetic way possible. The firm currently employs around 1,700 workers. Vincent Taggart of the Northern Regional College said it had a close and long-standing connections with Wrightbus in Ballymena through its engineering apprenticeship scheme, and the college delivers a range of bespoke business solutions to the firm. Furthermore many of the current and previous staff at Wrightbus are alumni of Northern Regional College, he said. Myself and the staff at Northern Regional College are fully committed to working in partnership with others to ensure those impacted by any decision to reduce staffing levels have opportunities for further training and to gain the necessary qualifications and skills to meet industry and personal development needs. Some of the biggest jobs blows to the Co Antrim have fallen on Ballymena, with the loss of 800 jobs at the JTI cigarette factory and 860 at the Michelin tyre plant in the last year. Last month, it was revealed Kilroot power station in Carrickfergus will close in May with the loss of around 240 jobs, while its sister station at Ballylumford will see around 30 staff cut. And last week around 440 job losses emerged in the space of one day. Williams Industrial Services (WIS), which employed 145 people in Mallusk, has been put into administration. Energy firm NIE Networks has also said it is cutting 90 jobs. And oil services firm Schlumberger is going ahead with the closure of its site, which employs 205 people in Newtownabbey. With the first series of Derry Girls finishing on Channel 4 last week, attention has now turned to when the hit comedy will return. Derry native Lisa McGee's nostalgic series depicts the lives of a group of teenagers growing up in the Maiden City in the 1990s amid the Troubles. Read More Delighting both critics and audiences, Derry Girls has become an instant classic and Channel 4 have already ensured it will return for a second series. When will Derry Girls return to our TV screens? Channel 4 commissioned a new series of Derry Girls after just one episode aired, however the broadcaster has not confirmed an exact date for transmission. But filming is expected to begin later this year with the first new episode airing early next year. Will the whole cast be returning? Yes, Erin, Michelle, Orla, Clare, wee English fella James, Ma Mary, Da Gerry, Granda Joe, Aunt Sarah and Sister Michael will all be returning for the second series. What can we expect from the new series? Creator and writer Lisa McGee recently told the Radio Times she is currently drawing up ideas for series two. Read More She said: Im toying with maybe doing the ceasefire and how everyone reacts to that because I remember it actually unsettled people. I remember people didnt know what to do. Lisa also said she would like to include former US President Bill Clintons visit to Derry in 1995. Will love be in the air for any of the Derry Girls? McGee said she would love one of the characters to get a boyfriend or for Clare, who came out during the last episode of series one, to get a girlfriend. Actress Nicola Coughlan, who plays Clare, told the Radio Times it would be an interesting story. Read More She said: I cant imagine Clare trying to be like, on a date. I dont know what the hell she would wear, the flat Doc Martin shoes and all this stuff. I was chatting to Cathy Prior, our costume designer, the other day and we were talking about looks for Clare. Theres just so much, its such a great period for costumes, as long as I dont have to wear the ski pants again Ill be super happy. What can we expect from Orla? Ditzy Orla was a fan favourite following series one and audiences will be excited to see what else she can get up to in the new run of epsiodes. Actress Louisa Harland, who plays Orla, said she would like her character to meet her father - and has just the person in mind for who it could be... Kathy Kiera Clark (Aunt Sarah) and I want Rod Stewart to be my dad, she joked. Were going to try and pitch that to Lisa, that Sarah hasnt got a clue who Rod Stewart is and she just drunkenly on a night out slept with him and that hes my dad and he comes to Derry to find her. What would the rest of the cast like to see happen for their characters? Well, Saoirse Jackson, who plays Erin, wants a bit of a challenge for her character and wants to see how she would would cope if her friends got close to new people. Id love to see Erin being devastated and so jealous if Clare got a girlfriend or Clare got another best friend. And as for Michelle? I think she should do a bit of Stars in Their Eyes! joked actress Jamie Lee ODonnell. Will there be a third series of Derry Girls? So far Channel 4 have not looked beyond a second series, but McGee has said she would be happy to do a third, telling Radio Times: Id love it to get them to finish school. They have three school years left if we do it year by year so maybe, well see. Derry Girls series one is available to watch online. Saoirse Ronan has said it was important to her not to cover up her acne in her new film Lady Bird because it represents teenagers as they actually are. The Irish star, 23, has received her third Oscar nomination for her portrayal of a teenage girl growing up in Sacramento, California, in 2002. She said she was asked to keep her make-up covering up her breakouts to a minimum by the films director Greta Gerwig, who has become the fifth female director to score an Oscar nomination. Ronan told the Press Association: I started to get bad skin when I was about 21 and I was doing a lot of press and I did a play and my skin was just under so much strain and I started to get acne. I had never had it before and for whatever reason I wasnt insecure and self-conscious about it. Lady Bird will brighten your life. Discover the 5 Academy Award nominated film, in cinemas February 23. Tickets: https://t.co/CT2Sd1Xmhm pic.twitter.com/aepPA9y19q Universal Pictures UK (@universaluk) February 9, 2018 I went into Lady Bird and we were doing camera tests we were still figuring out her hair and make-up and the whole thing and while we were doing them, the hair and make-up girls and Greta asked me if I would consider not covering them up so much. I just thought it would have been a missed opportunity to not represent teenagers as they actually are. And I also dont think it takes anything away from her either. You should do it if you can and youve got the materials to do it, do it. Oscar-nominated Saoirse Ronan is Lady Bird, in the film thatas guaranteed to make you want to call your mum. #LadyBird pic.twitter.com/ErFafWoWrD Universal Pictures UK (@universaluk) February 8, 2018 Speaking about Gerwigs nomination, Ronan said she hopes that a change is coming for female filmmakers. She said: There has to be. I really do think there is; I think with Lady Bird and with Wonder Woman (which was directed by Patty Jenkins) as well, because it was such a huge hit and such a big blockbuster, there will be a change. The conversation is just too big now to go away. And first and foremost, the best material has to be the stuff that gets made, but in order to make it as diverse as possible, women, for example, need to be able to get a meeting with the executive and kind of go, Heres my piece of work now decide what you will, whether you think its good or not. But there needs to be the option, at least. Congratulations to Greta Gerwig and the team on #LadyBird for their 5 #AcademyAward nominations including #BestPicture! pic.twitter.com/8MsQCLyIpg Universal Pictures UK (@universaluk) January 23, 2018 Ronan added that she feels the female-centric film is landing at a particularly interesting time. She said: It definitely does. I do think as well that the type of films that have come out over the last year are also a reflection on the massive, massive changes that weve all gone through in the last couple of years, politically and otherwise. The likes of Brexit and Trump and all this stuff has really affected all of us and our creativity and needing to go, I have to say something. So I think people were hungry for a film like this, without even realising it. And when it came along, the reaction we got to it was sort of like, Why werent we doing this all along? And its because, really, women wouldnt have gotten in the door, and going, I want to make this film about a teenage girl just wouldnt have been plausible. But it does feel like this was the right time for it to come out. Lady Bird is released in selected UK cinemas on February 16 and nationwide on February 23. From being there to talk to helping those who are dying to compile memory books, Cancer Focus Northern Irelands Family Support Service provides vital and sensitive help to many. Now, as it receives a welcome 600,000 National Lottery grant, three families speak to Marie Foy about the huge difference it made to their lives in the most harrowing of times. Cancer Focus Northern Ireland is delighted to have received a bumper grant of almost 600,000 in National Lottery funding for its lifeline Family Support Service. Family Support is the charitys most used service and helps children when a mum, dad or grandparent has cancer. The extra funding means Cancer Focus NI will be able to expand and reach even more families who need its support and advice. Cancer Focus NI is one of the latest projects to receive a grant from the Big Lottery Funds Empowering Young People programme. For more information call, 028 9066 3281, email cancerfocusni.org or visit www.cancerfocusni.org. Anyone with concerns about cancer can call the Cancer Focus NI NurseLine on 0800 783 3339 Im grateful Maire had someone to discuss things with ... I was fearful she hadnt prepared for death Dr Cameron Imrie (56), a paediatrician at Altnagelvin Hospital, lives in Londonderry with his two children, Calum (21) and Nuala (18). His late wife, Maire (53), passed away in January last year. He says Cancer Focus NI helped tremendously: Maire first took ill in 2004, when she was diagnosed with chronic leukaemia. At the time she was working as a physio, but she had to give it up because she was so ill and exhausted. The children were very young then. Nuala was only four and Calum was eight. At the time the prognosis wasnt very good for Maire, but the children didnt understand how sick she was. I was trying to do school runs as well as hold down a busy job, which sometimes meant I was on call and had to leave everything and run to see a patient while looking after Maire too. Looking back, it was a very stressful time. We coped, though, because Maire was so positive and so determined to beat her illness. She helped everyone else remain upbeat and hopeful. Slowly Maire recovered and after several years she was told she was in remission. However, fate hadnt finished with her and in 2012 we received the worst news that Maire had bowel cancer. Typical of her, she didnt question Why me? or dwell on how ill she was. She wanted to focus on getting better and on beating the disease. The children were her world over the next few years and regardless of how sick or tired she was they were her priority and she wanted to spend as much time with them as possible. She was a true inspiration and many people have said to us since how well she coped with her illness. She wanted to make sure everyone was okay and looked after. About 18 months before Maire died, Rachel Smith, the Family Service Co-ordinator from Cancer Focus NI, came into our lives and what she did for us was invaluable. Our home was busy with visiting nurses, all of whom were wonderful, but Rachel offered something different she had such a lasting impact on Maire and our family. Rachel came to our home to speak with us. To some extent, we had all been dealing with things separately; Rachel brought us together. She helped us open up, so we could all talk about our feelings and concerns together or on a one to one basis with Rachel herself. Maire had a special bond with Rachel who provided tremendous support helping her prepare for her possible death. She provided a conduit for Maire to discuss her biggest and intimate concerns, especially as she felt she couldnt discuss them with us. The Family Support Service is just so important. It is quality driven and people like Rachel are quite simply invaluable; we couldnt have got this support anywhere else. One of the most beneficial things is the irreplaceable Memory Book. Maire decided to create her own book which is full of precious memories and life stories. With Rachels help, we collected photographs and Maire spent time writing messages in it. Now, the Memory Book provides us with therapy; its a great help but is very hard to read. Im so grateful that Maire had someone to discuss things with. I was fearful that she hadnt prepared for death as she preferred not to discuss it with me. But I realised that she had prepared with the support of Rachel and a couple of close friends and that she was only protecting myself and our two children. That was a huge relief for me. Cancer Focus NI has been such a great help to us. Its at the toughest times that the Family Support Service helps the most. Emma just would not entertain the thought of talking about how she felt Downpatrick dad David Telford (54) had to support his daughters, Emma (21) and Evie (15), when they sadly lost beloved mum Lorna (49) to cancer in September 2014. David says: Lorna displayed such bravery and composure when she told the children she had cancer. We were eventually to learn that she had lung cancer and that it had spread. Our world imploded. Cancer had arrived in our lives and we were devastated. Lorna explained to Emma and Evie, who were 14 and eight years old at the time, that she had bad cells in her body. Evie was oblivious to the fact her mum would not survive and while her innocence at the time and sense of humour was a blessing for the family, she realised in the final few months of her mums life that Christmas would not be the same that year. She was right. Lorna passed away her brave, long battle had come to an end. Lorna courageously battled cancer for over four more years. When she met Rachel Smith, from Cancer Focus NI, it was suggested that Rachel should not only work with Lorna but also with Emma and Evie as well. As a teenager living with a mother who had cancer, Emma was not the most open, nor did she ever entertain the thought of speaking about how she felt. To her, not talking about it made everything okay. Thankfully she was to change her mind. Emma says: As long as I didnt talk about cancer, it wasnt real and everything would be fine. As a result of my unwillingness to talk about my feelings, Id often have brief moments of utter despair. All of a sudden there would be an explosion and I was no longer in control of my emotions. Im someone who wants to be in control all the time so the concept of feeling sad or crying was not only alien, but felt like it wasnt allowed. I was reluctant to talk to Rachel, but I was persuaded and Im glad I did. It was the best decision Ive ever made. It took me a long time to come to terms with the fact that I had to talk about death because it was in my face and there was no escape. Over the course of almost a year I embraced crying and learned that its okay not to be yourself or to have a bad day. When mum was in the hospice it was the most challenging seven weeks of my life and when it became evidently clear she was dying, her wish was for me to be with her, something I never thought I could do. I always panicked at the thought of living without mum, being alone and not being able to say goodbye. What Rachel taught me is that you can talk and it truly helps. Children should never be left to deal with it alone Sinead Farry (46), from Belfast, has four children, John (14), James (11), Una (8) and Henry (5). Her family would have struggled to get through the past four years after losing her husband Gareth to cancer without Cancer Focus Northern Irelands Family Support Service. She says: My husband Gareth died in August 2013, 13 months after being diagnosed with salivary gland cancer. He was only 40. Gareth had had a lump on his neck for many years but when it started to get bigger he went to the doctor. He was diagnosed with cancer, which rocked our world. We had just been blessed with our fourth child, Henry, and we tried to keep things at home as normal as we could for him and our other three children. Gareth had surgery in September 2012 to remove the tumour but the following February he started getting bad headaches. Then the cancer spread to his lungs, liver and brain. We went into shock as the news was incredibly hard to deal with the floor fell from under us. Four months later, Gareth sadly died. Cancer Focus NIs Family Support Service has supported my family through the worst of times. My children and I have found it invaluable. Rachel Smith, the charitys family support co-ordinator, came to our home to speak with the children to help them understand why their daddy had cancer in a way they could understand. She helped take the fear away and spent time with each one so they knew they were not alone. I found that one of the most beneficial parts of the service for my children was CLIMB (Childrens Lives Include Moments of Bravery). My son John, who is now 14, benefitted greatly from the six-week programme that helps children understand cancer through art, craft and play. The various activities helped John talk informally about his fears and to ask questions about his dads illness. And he was able to meet other children in similar situations all the children saw that there were other kids going through the same thing. When my world was falling apart, Rachel gave me the strength to say I can do this with the kids. The three younger children still go to the family support they give a feeling of steadiness and a belief that everything is going to be okay. Its such a wonderful service and Im so pleased it has got this funding other children in this terrible situation should never be left to deal with cancer alone. A motion to rename a Dublin street in honour of John Hume is to go before the full city council - although a number of councillors have expressed their concerns at the proposal. The motion, put forward by independent councillor Mannix Flynn, has already seen a backlash from a number of councillors, who felt there should be a better way to honour Mr Hume. The former SDLP leader and Nobel peace laureate played a vital role in the peace process. Mr Flynn had hoped to rename Hume Street on Dublin's southside 'John Hume Street'. It is currently named after the surgeon Sir Gustavus Hume. Mr Flynn said he had received the blessing of Mr Hume's wife Pat. "He is deeply honoured and we all appreciate your thoughtfulness," Mrs Hume wrote. But Green councillor Claire Byrne said "he deserves something bigger than just a simple street name change". And Labour's Dermot Lacey called for something more "substantial and meaningful". Mr Lacey said he hoped this will kick-start a move for something different. Fresh concerns have been raised over the future of Northern Ireland's electricity supply after a power plant was out of service for an entire weekend. Coolkeeragh, one of three conventional power stations in Northern Ireland, was offline and not producing power earlier this month. That meant Kilroot power station - which is due to shut in May - and Ballylumford were producing electricity in order to help meet demand. Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs said the power shutdown at Coolkeeragh has made him question a recent technical assessment that Kilroot and the full facilities at Ballylumford aren't needed to keep Northern Ireland's lights on. But the System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI) has said there are no concerns over the future of supply here, and there is "no so-called energy gap". Writing in today's Business Telegraph, Mr Beggs said: "Would we have faced electricity blackouts if a similar event happened in the absence of three turbines now listed for closure at Kilroot and Ballylumford?" Aside from the closure of Kilroot power station - which will see 240 jobs go - around 30 workers will also go at its Ballylumford plant. Mr Beggs has written to the Utility Regulator and SONI and called for the technical assessment to be made public. "Northern Ireland is a small electricity grid and as such is very vulnerable during planned and unplanned plant maintenances or outages that could cause blackouts," he said. "I have been asking for a re-think over the assessment that Kilroot was not needed." The East Antrim MLA said he was aware that the recent forced outage at Coolkeeragh occurred when the power station was offline for longer than expected following planned maintenance on site. Should Coolkeeragh go offline again, Mr Beggs questioned if this would cause blackouts without Kilroot and the part of Ballylumford which are presently deemed unrequired by SONI and the regulator. ESB, which operates Coolkeeragh, said despite the recent outage it was committed to maximising the availability of the plant as well as continuing to provide "secure and affordable wholesale electricity in the single electricity market". Kilroot failed to be selected as part of the new all-island integrated single electricity market (I-SEM), which kicks in later this year. SONI general manager Robin McCormick said it had looked at various scenarios, including models around the winter peak without the coal units at Kilroot and the B5 station at Ballylumford. He added: "Our results are robust and show that the capacity auction has delivered sufficient capacity to cover for credible unplanned events. "There is no so-called energy gap. "And it is also important to note that under the new market system there is a strong financial incentive for generators to be available when they say they will be." A man who headbutted a former partner after she told him their son wasn't his was sent to prison yesterday A man who headbutted a former partner after she told him their son wasn't his was sent to prison yesterday. Stephen James Fox, who appeared at Belfast Crown Court with 117 previous convictions, was handed a 12-month prison sentence by Judge David McFarland. The court heard that at the time of the assault, the injured party had been granted a non-molestation order against 41-year-old Fox, from Henderson Avenue, which he breached. Crown prosecutor Peter Magill said the assault occurred on October 22, 2016, when police received a 999 call from a child saying "mummy and daddy are fighting". When police arrived at the address, they observed a woman who was visibly upset and who was subsequently taken to Antrim Area Hospital. The child who made the call was not present when officers arrived. Mr Magill said the attack took place after a remark was made about their two-and-a-half year old son not being his. Revealing this was not the case as a DNA test confirmed Fox was the father, Mr Magill said Fox has been in a similar situation in a previous relationship when he was told a child was his, when in fact he wasn't. The prosecutor said that due to a remark made by his ex about their son's paternity, Fox "lost his temper" and attacked her. He grabbed her by the throat then followed her into another room, where he headbutted her. She sustained soft tissue injuries as a result. Defence barrister Luke Curran spoke of his client's "long-standing" addiction to drink and drugs, and said he had underlying mental health issues which has included being admitted to a psychiatric unit in 2007. Regarding the incident, Mr Curran said that when his ex told Fox their child was not his - due to what had happened to him in a previous relationship - he "went mad". Handing Fox a 12-month prison sentence, Judge McFarland said it was clear he had poor coping skills. The judge told Fox: "When you were faced with this particular situation, you were not able to cope with it and as a result you assaulted this unfortunate lady." The ripples from the Oxfam sexual misconduct scandal have reached Belfast, with one business saying they are suspending all ties with the charity over the claims and encouraging others to do the same. Haiti's government has demanded that Oxfam identify its aid staff who paid for sex in the aftermath of the devastating 2010 earthquake. Officials have called on the staff concerned to be prosecuted and is considering legal action against the charity. Yesterday, as Oxfam faced crisis talks with the British Government over its handling of the sex allegations, deputy chief executive Penny Lawrence resigned, saying she took "full responsibility" for the behaviour of staff in Haiti, and also in Chad. And as the fallout from the scandal continued, one popular Belfast book store says they are terminating their business relationship with the charity. Belfast Books have donated thousands of books to Oxfam since 2014. Director John Junk said that "nothing short of a judge-led inquiry" will make them change their mind. "We have donated tens of thousands of pounds' worth of books to Oxfam," he said. "We have also bought a significant amount of books from their Botanic Avenue shop. We have always had a good relationship with them. "We were absolutely rocked by what we have heard as the story developed. It has turned from one or two individuals in Haiti to people in Chad, potentially underage children. "People knew that we had that ongoing relationship with Oxfam and we just couldn't let it sit. What went on is unacceptable and how it was investigated was unacceptable. "I am speaking for my company, which is a donor to Oxfam. As a human being I have a responsibility to stand up for the people this happened to. Nothing less than a judge-led inquiry will put us in a position where we feel comfortable coming back into a relationship with Oxfam." Mr Junk said that other businesses and individuals "need to look at themselves" regarding future donations to Oxfam. Other Northern Ireland-based charities were also feeling this backlash from the Oxfam scandal. Kevin Donnelly, Trocaire's regional manager for Northern Ireland, said he hoped that the scandal would not diminish public confidence in humanitarian workers. "Trocaire has a zero tolerance approach to sexual exploitation and abuse of any person," he said. "All staff are required to sign our safeguarding policies and are also made aware of their mandatory duty to report any incident or allegation of exploitation or abuse. "We are horrified by recent reports relating to Haiti. Humanitarian workers are motivated by a desire to help people in crisis situations, often putting themselves at great risk in order to do so. "We sincerely hope that public confidence in the overwhelming majority of people who engage in this life-saving work with professionalism and courage is not diminished. That would be a terrible outcome for the millions of people throughout the world who face crisis and rely on outside help." Meanwhile, Save the Children say they have put forward measures to improve standards of professional conduct within the aid sector following the controversy. Chief executive Kevin Watkins said: "As an organisation, and as a sector, we have a moral responsibility to protect the vulnerable children and adults we come into contact with. "We also have a responsibility to the UK public and to the government to ensure that we meet the highest standards, not just in financial reporting, but in the behaviour we expect of our staff. "These are tests of leadership - and I am wholly committed to putting Save the Children at the forefront of efforts to tackle the current crisis." A spokesperson for the British Red Cross said that there had been no dismissals of its staff working overseas for reasons relating to sexual harassment, abuse or paedophilia in the past five years. "All British Red Cross staff working overseas sign up to a strict Movement Code of Conduct, which guards standards of behaviour, including the prohibition of any act of sexual exploitation or abuse," he said. "This is strictly enforced. Last year, there were a small number of reported cases of sexual harassment by staff in the UK, involving inappropriate use of language or behaviour. All those cases have been investigated and appropriate action taken. "Even a small number of incidents is too many. We have a zero tolerance policy to any form of sexual harassment and misconduct, and treat all complaints extremely seriously. "Any disclosures can be made confidentially and would be thoroughly investigated. We also run an employee assistance programme that offers confidential guidance for staff and volunteers." Charity Commission director of investigations Michelle Russell said that the watchdog was not told the full story at the time Oxfam first investigated allegations of misconduct in 2011. It's not often the big guns come to town. The Taoiseach is one thing, and a handsome one like Leo. But the Prime Minister too - and on the same day? Well, that's big, surely. So expectations were high on the Hill yesterday. To start with at least. Before midday more than 25 reporters' cars and satellite vans lined the walkway up to Stormont. Photographers and journalists stood huddled in excited bunches, wrapped up against the biting wind. "Was something actually going to happen?" people asked. Did anyone actually have a clue? And as the chit-chat continued and the wind whistled through the air, a half-filled bus of tourists passed. What was this, they wondered, nodding back and forth. They gawked and waved from the cold top deck, curious to know what momentous moment they'd stumbled upon in their half-term trip to Belfast. But it wasn't long before the buzz that had built up over the weekend began to fizzle out, becoming little more than another damp squib in the long, dull road to any restoration of devolution. It started with the first nod to action, a call to leave Carson's statue and march our way behind officials through the gates to Stormont House. As we got there, the first of many let-downs was upon us - we'd missed the Taoiseach. Mr Varadkar had been waiting in his car for a while, we were told. So where was he, we wondered. Then it dawned on us the tall, dark stranger in the dashing suit we'd seen through the gates was him - he just hadn't hung around to say hello. We weren't going to miss the PM, though, that was for sure. Penned in behind some sturdy rails like teens at a Bieber gig, there was no chance of anyone grabbing out at Mrs May or fainting at her feet. In fact, so determined was she to keep a lid on our excitement, the Prime Minister didn't cast her eyes in our direction, heading straight, instead, to the safe, warm arms of Secretary of State Karen Bradley for a familiar double kiss. Her huge entourage emptied itself from her cavalcade of 4x4s and traipsed its way in behind her. Before we had time to say 'Was that it?' the wooden doors shut behind the lot of them and we were asked to move along. On up in the main Stormont building the buzz was still low-level. Ian Paisley had been spotted, some other top team faces too. But left wandering the corridors, as much in the dark as the rest of us, were the leaders of the other parties. Colum Eastwood, Jim Allister, Robin Swann were there. Rumours of Naomi Long as well. Doug Beattie said the whole thing was an anti-climax after a weekend of hype. "It's all a bit flat," he said. "We arrived expecting something to happen, but we've been here before. "You hear the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach are in town and you think there's some serious substance. But so far, nothing. "We'll have to wait and see, yet again, if anything comes of all the talk." Alliance's Kellie Armstrong agreed. "We've been here so many times," she said. "The choreography looks like we could be moving to an end-game, but until we see the whites of everyone's eyes, we're cautious." Mr Eastwood said he hoped something came of the "buzz" but added if rumours about a three-pronged take on the Irish language was the way Sinn Fein would get its Language Act over the line, then it had wasted months. "As far as I can see that's more or less what the NIO suggested last year, so what's new? Why wait all this time, why would Sinn Fein hold the whole place to ransom for months just to agree something they could have done months ago?" he asked. Mr Allister wasn't expecting a deal. He recalled how the DUP had kept Mrs May waiting before. "They'll do it again," he said. "It's a power play." As a series of Press conferences was scheduled for the afternoon, the buzz from earlier bubbled up again - but only briefly. First came the SDLP, and it was clear no deal was done. Then the DUP, followed quickly by Sinn Fein. Progress, hard work, hopes for more. Then it was back to Stormont House for the stars of the show, the Taoiseach and the Tanaiste, followed by Theresa May. Again, despite the throng of reporters and the many flashing lights, the atmosphere was decidedly flat. Platitudes aplenty, and promises that progress had been made. Hopes of more in the coming days. But nothing to report. Not really. A DUP insider has expressed concerns that the deal under consideration at Stormont offers Sinn Fein more than it does their party. The source blamed the failure to finalise an agreement yesterday on continuing differences over the Irish Language Act. "There is more in the deal currently proposed that benefits Sinn Fein than the DUP," they said. "There also isn't enough there to protect the institutions from being collapsed again by Sinn Fein." The source said it was wrong to characterise differences in the DUP as being between MPs and MLAs. "There is no power struggle between Westminster and Stormont. But individuals in both groups have raised key issues," they said. DUP and Sinn Fein leaders both insisted yesterday that good progress had been made in the talks to restore power-sharing. Arlene Foster and Mary Lou McDonald were speaking as the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach travelled to Stormont to encourage the parties to finalise an agreement. Theresa May called for "one final push" to secure a deal and Leo Varadkar said he was "very hopeful" of an agreement being brokered this week. Mrs Foster said: "There isn't a deal yet but there is very good progress and we will keep at it and continue to work on that progress." She described the tone of the discussions as "very good" and said the DUP would "continue to have conversations with Sinn Fein around the outstanding matters". Mrs Foster said: "It is about finding an accommodation that recognises the need to respect all languages and all cultures in Northern Ireland and not allow one to dominate over another." She added that if the public were "frustrated at the pace of progress, we all are as well". Ms McDonald said: "We believe that we are close to an agreement which, certainly, we can put to our grassroots and to the community as a whole." She acknowledged "we are not exactly there just yet" but maintained "there is nothing insurmountable if there is the political will". There were no bilateral talks between the two big parties yesterday and the DUP spent much of the day in internal meetings. "Clearly we need to meet, clearly we need to resolve the outstanding issues," Ms McDonald added. The Prime Minister described her discussions with the parties as "full and frank" and was optimistic about progress. Mrs May said: "The DUP and Sinn Fein have been working hard to close the remaining gaps." Mr Varadkar said there was a "lot of work to do" but progress was going in the "right direction". The Taoiseach and Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney held discussions with all the parties except the DUP. It is understood that the party felt that a meeting was inappropriate because the talks related to the internal affairs of Northern Ireland. UUP leader Robin Swann hit out that the talks remained "an exclusive two-party process" and said a deal between the DUP and Sinn Fein still wasn't over the line. "We made clear to the Prime Minister that the UUP wants to play a positive, constructive role in these discussions but we remain excluded from the process. "If the intention is to form a stable and effective Executive, then this talks process would need to move to the next stage very rapidly," he said. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood claimed the Prime Minister and Taoiseach had been brought to sign-off on a deal but were "instead left embarrassed by the DUP and Sinn Fein". "The opportunity is still there to get this deal over the line but it will require a level of leadership and courage that has evaded these parties for far too long. Instead of allowing these parties to run the show, both Governments need to drive this process to a conclusion," he said. Alliance leader Naomi Long said any deal must be "futureproofed and sustainable". She said reform of the petition of concern was essential "to prevent any future difficult decisions destabilising a new Executive and Assembly". Mrs Long added: "It is vital not only we see an Executive restored, but it is stable and capable of addressing the major political, social and financial challenges which face us. Anything less will fail to restore public confidence in politics and the institutions." TUV leader Jim Allister said a "DUP climbdown" on the Irish language appeared increasingly likely. The DUP was switching from "curried yoghurt to humble pie", he claimed. "In 2014 Gregory Campbell boasted to the DUP party conference to wild applause: 'We'll say it slowly so you understand Caitriona (Ruane) and Gerry - we will never agree to your Irish Language Act. Do you understand? The paper your wish list is written on well, we'll just regard it as toilet paper'. "A question which the DUP now has to face is - is the Sinn Fein wish list still 'toilet paper' or is it now the Programme for Government?" Mr Allister asked. After a year of saying no to an Irish Language Act, and a very loud and definitive no at that, speculation is mounting that the DUP could be preparing to say yes. Well, yes to some form of legislation that may well stretch its grassroots members and voters. The Irish language remains the major stumbling block to signing off a deal to see Stormont up and running very soon. So after taking such a stern stance on the issue for so long, is Arlene Foster now preparing to eat her words and "feed the crocodile"? Taken at face value, the positions of Sinn Fein and the DUP are irreconcilable. Mary Lou McDonald's party has insisted on a standalone Irish Language Act which Mrs Foster has ruled out in no uncertain terms. But a fudge that would give both cover has long been under consideration, with civil servants reportedly tasked with drawing up several possible concoctions which would enable the leaders of both parties to save face. Speculation at Stormont yesterday centred on the possibility of three separate Bills on the Irish language, Ulster-Scots and Culture and Respect. They would be brought separately to the Assembly but would later be fused into one Act. Sinn Fein could argue that it had bagged a win on its red line issue. The DUP could maintain it was a hybrid Cultural Act. The problem for the DUP leadership is that the camouflage hasn't so far convinced the wider unionist community. There is no great passion in loyalist areas for extra measures for Ulster-Scots. Indeed, a founding member of the DUP, Wallace Thompson, last year said he viewed it as a dialect and didn't equate it with the Irish language. A more effective sweetener for the unionist community in any legislation would focus on the Orange Order. Perhaps the deal will include a financial package tailored at Orange culture. Conradh na Gaeilge has costed an Irish Language Act for Northern Ireland at 19 million over five years, although unionists claim this is a major under-estimation. The Irish language organisation has cited the cost of establishing and running a translation unit, responsible for translating official documents, to be 100,000 for initial set-up and 500,000 per year after that. But the key question centres on how comprehensive the proposed legislation at the heart of the Sinn Fein-DUP deal is likely to be. Will it apply solely to Irish, or be more of what one Stormont insider calls "a mish-mash" which puts that language on an equal footing with Ulster-Scots? The role of a commissioner is the most vital component. Will they have judicial powers - like the Welsh equivalent does - or advisory powers as in Scotland? The former would see the appointment of a figure with powers to order government departments and public bodies to take certain actions. The latter would entail a more toothless commissioner with the power only to make recommendations. The fear of Irish language street signs popping up in loyalist areas is unlikely to be realised. Councils currently introduce such signage only if a majority of residents support it. But, regardless, any extra funding for the Irish language will remain highly controversial in our divided community. Many grassroots unionists see it as unnecessary and argue that the money would be far better spent on health and education, while for nationalists the issue has become increasingly central to recognising their identity. A student who claims two Ireland and Ulster rugby players raped her has denied that she engaged in a consensual sex act with a third man. The young woman was also accused of having a "fractured and ragged" memory of the night she claimed she was raped by rugby stars Paddy Jackson (26) and Stuart Olding (24). The pair, who deny the claims, are at the centre of the high profile case which is in its third week at Belfast Crown Court. Also in the dock are Blane McIlroy (26), who is accused of exposure, and Rory Harrison (25), who faces a charge of perverting the course of justice. Mr McIlroy, from Royal Lodge Road, Belfast, and Mr Harrison, of Manse Road, Belfast, deny the charges against them. The alleged victim, who was in her seventh day of cross-examination, was asked about her memory of the night of the alleged offences in June 2016. She admitted there were moments of the night that were "slightly hazy". She added: "There were very clear, precise moments that I can remember." Mr McIlroy's defence barrister, Arthur Harvey QC, said to the woman: "You have a capacity to start off with a basic fact such as 'I was in the taxi' to create a narrative which you believe personally serves the case that you are seeking to make?" Mr Harvey added: "You have an easy facility of moving from truth to untruth or falsehood and self-delusion." When the woman asked if the barrister was calling her "delusional", Mr Harvey said: "Self-delusion is when you refer to a version of events that do not correspond with reality." The complainant said: "I disagree with that." Mr Harvey said: "Your memory is either clouded by drink or clouded by an unwillingness to acknowledge what happened. "You simply had sex with a number of men after going to their home without an invitation. "You went upstairs to the bedroom when there were girls downstairs. "Any call you would have made that night would have been heard. "If you had called out for help or assistance it would have been heard by three girls." Mr Harvey further asked her about the statement she gave to police about Mr McIlroy. He put it to the alleged victim that she had provided a "diametrically opposed" version of events involving Mr McIlroy. She had previously told the court that when Mr McIlroy entered the room he was naked and masturbating, while in her police statement she stated that he "had his trousers down". The lawyer said: "A man trying to push his d*** into you and a man masturbating are identical to you?" Mr Harvey asked the university student why her police statement and evidence to the court were different. "There's no mention of McIlroy masturbating (in the police statement)." "He was masturbating," she replied. The defence barrister also said to her: "When you look at your account of these events your memory is not only fractured but it is ragged at very significant parts of what happened." The lawyer went on to claim that she had engaged in consensual sexual activity with his client. He added: "He (Mr McIlroy) lay on the bed and you put your hands into the waistband of his trousers and began to masturbate him." He then accused the alleged victim of performing oral sex. She denied this saying: "Mr Harvey this is a rape case. "I was raped. "If Mr McIlroy had touched me I would have made that abundantly clear to police." Mr Harvey suggested the alleged victim had "had regrets" about what happened. She added: "That's not how the situation played out. I refute everything you have said." When asked if some details had slipped her mind, she said: "No, it has not slipped my mind. "I can picture this quite clearly." She went on to tell the court: "It's because you are so distressed and it's very difficult to process what had happened. "Immediately after a violent attack like this you go into shutdown." Mr Harvey questioned the alleged victim about repeatedly using "you" rather than "I" to describe what happened to her. "You are repeating something you read rather than something you personally experienced?" She replied: "That is completely incorrect. I am addressing you and trying to make it applicable to everyone here." Mr Harvey stated: "Yes, you are trying to make it applicable that every rape victim feels like this." She later told Mr Harvey: "I am not going to argue with you about grammar." During further questioning the woman told the court she had pleaded for Mr Jackson to use protection. Mr Harvey said: "Are you saying that during the course of a rape you asked Mr Jackson to use a condom?" She responded: "I was pleading with him to at least use a condom. That's not indicative of consent." The trial continues. The tragic death of Co Antrim five-year-old Kayden Fleck has "ripped out the heart" of his school and community, its principal said. Yesterday, a book of condolence was opened at Harryville Primary School where, the day before he died, the little boy and his twin Jayden had enjoyed dressing up for 'Superhero Day'. Expand Close Harryville principal Lesley Meikle / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Harryville principal Lesley Meikle A steady stream of local people entered the small Ballymena school on the first day of the half-term holiday, to pen tributes to the child and to extend sympathy to his grieving family. As they did so, schoolteachers broke down in tears as they recalled the P1 pupil and his "gorgeous smile". Kayden lost his life after falling into the Braid River near the Ecos Centre in Ballymena at around 1pm on Saturday. It is understood that the twins' dad Darrel raised the alarm after he went looking for the them. They were thought to have been playing in a park near the Flecks' old family home in Ballykeel 2. The family had moved to a new home in Cullybackey just a week ago. A major search operation was launched and Kayden was pulled from the water near Tullygarley, more than 45 minutes later. He was immediately airlifted to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, but sadly, he passed away in hospital. Principal of Harryville Primary School, Lesley Meikle, revealed that Kayden's death was the second tragedy involving twins to hit his family. "His dad Darrel was a twin too, but he lost his brother in a car accident in the late Nineties," she explained. "This is a double tragedy for the family. "Kayden was a wee fighter - he had spent the first year of his life in hospital due to a heart condition. For him to have made it through only for this to happen is devastating. "When we heard the news we all broke down in tears. We are gutted and heartbroken. "This school is a family, and the heart has been ripped out of it and the community." Kayden's parents Leanne and Darrel Fleck, who have two other children, Daniel (14) and Amelia (3), married exactly a fortnight before the tragedy and Mrs Meikle revealed that the boys had been proud of their role as ring-bearers in the ceremony. "The boys were very excited, they were gorgeous in their wee grey suits and ties," she said. "They each had a wee pillow to carry as they were ring-bearers. They were typical wee boys, full of mischief and joined at the hip." Kayden's P1 teacher Sarah McCullough said she could "still see him bouncing up the corridor in his superhero costume". "He loved playing with sand and Lego and had a habit of walking backwards in the corridor," she said, her eyes filling with tears. "I think he wanted to be a superhero when he grew up. "So many of the staff have children or grandchildren that age. It feels so wrong to be thinking about the funeral of a young child. "We have spoken to family members and every church in Ballymena was praying for the family on Sunday." Expand Close Kayden Fleck / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kayden Fleck The close-knit school, which has 166 pupils, is working to support staff and pupils as they come to terms with the loss. An educational psychologist was on hand to offer advice yesterday, and other support workers will also help the school community. "When the children come back, the staff will be speaking with their own classes," Mrs Meikle explained. "Kayden is being brought home today, and staff from the school will be going to his funeral. Our thoughts go out to his family and to the emergency services, who worked so long and so hard." Chair of the Board of Governors, Councillor Beth Adger, said she could "feel the agony" of the Fleck family. "Our thoughts and prayers are with them - everyone is numb," she added. Young children witnessed the "brutal and horrifying" killing of a man in a shooting in Belfast, the MP for the area said. Police have launched a murder investigation following the incident at a house on Glenbawn Avenue in Poleglass. Read More It is understood a gunman entered the house with a shotgun before opening fire on the resident in the living room shortly before 8pm on Tuesday. The PSNI said the victim was in his late 20s. Scores of heavily armed police and emergency services swarmed to the scene within moments of the attack. MP for the area Paul Maskey described the attack as "brutal and horrifying". He told the Belfast Telegraph: "It is a brutal attack that was carried out in front of young children. "This has to be condemned outright. There is no call for this, it is shocking, it is horrifying. The community is horrified. "This action has to be stopped and stopped immediately. "My thoughts are with the man's family." The SDLP has criticised Sinn Fein and DUP for creating the political vacuum to allow attacks such as this to happen. Read More "I am not sure why this person has been attacked," added Mr Maskey. "What I do know is people are working for peace and have been for some time. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Armed police arrive at the scene of a murder in the Glenbawn Avenue area of Poleglass in west Belfast on February 13th 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Armed police arrive at the scene of a murder in the Glenbawn Avenue area of Poleglass in west Belfast on February 13th 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Armed police arrive at the scene of a murder in the Glenbawn Avenue area of Poleglass in west Belfast on February 13th 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Armed police arrive at the scene of a murder in the Glenbawn Avenue area of Poleglass in west Belfast on February 13th 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Armed police arrive at the scene of a murder in the Glenbawn Avenue area of Poleglass in west Belfast on February 13th 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Armed police arrive at the scene of a murder in the Glenbawn Avenue area of Poleglass in west Belfast on February 13th 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Armed police arrive at the scene of a murder in the Glenbawn Avenue area of Poleglass in west Belfast on February 13th 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Armed police arrive at the scene of a murder in the Glenbawn Avenue area of Poleglass in west Belfast on February 13th 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Armed police arrive at the scene of a murder in the Glenbawn Avenue area of Poleglass in west Belfast on February 13th 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) "This action is totally uncalled for and should be left in the past. There is not a place for it." Sinn Fein councillor Stephen Magennis has spoken to the victim's family and friends. "They are obviously devastated and in a state of shock," he said. "This community is stunned and outraged at this latest brutal killing. There can be absolutely no justification for this murder which was carried out in the most brutal fashion. The people carrying out these attacks are bringing nothing but death and destruction. They need to be condemned and should get off the backs of this community. I would appeal to anyone who has any information about this attack to bring it to the PSNI. The SDLP's Tim Attwood said there was shock and anger among the community at the incident. "While the exact circumstances of what happened here this evening are unknown, what we must always be sure of, is that murder is wrong," he said. "Those who think they can take the lives of others into their own hands are wrong. Leaving a family and a community paralysed with fear that this could happen on their doorstep is wrong." SDLP councillor Brian Heading also condemned the attack. "This was not a punishment attack, this was a shooting with the intent to kill," he told the Belfast Telegraph. "Obviously I condemn the attack, but it has to go deeper than that and I condemn the two main parties for creating the political vacuum that exists. "They need to be aware their failure is resulting in people who settle their differences by shooting first and asking questions later being allowed to terrorise their communities. "A man is dead tonight and because of the political vacuum we can expect more of this." Detective Chief Inspector Peter Montgomery said: "At this time we are working to establish a motive for the attack and are appealing for anyone with information which may assist us with our inquiries to contact us." Police at the scene in Lismoyne Park, north Belfast following the death of May Stevens. Police are no longer treating the death of May Stevens, the 64-year-old found dead in her north Belfast home, as suspicious. Mrs Stevens and her husband were in their Lismoyne Park home when it was entered between 1.30am and 2am on Sunday. A number of items were taken along with her red Hyundai i30 car, registration NRZ 3370, which was abandoned by two men at 6.45am in Glenbank Place, Ballysillan. Police traced the car to Mrs Stevens' home where officers attended and found her dead. Detective Chief Inspector Peter Montgomery from the PSNI's Serious Crime Branch called the death a "sickening incident" and appealed directly to the two men to examine their consciences and hand themselves in. However, on Tuesday night, police said they were no longer treating her death as suspicious following a post mortem. Retired town planner Clive Graham (68) is from Bangor The whole thing depends on how it's executed. If it is abused, and the language is politicised or weaponised, then that is a problem for me. However, if it's done properly, like it has been in Scotland and Wales, then I have no problem with it, there's no reason it should offend anyone. The Irish language should be for everyone and Protestants in this country have a strong history with it. If it was done properly, then I'd think of learning it myself. I'd say let us all have a go and we might get a lot out of it. Irish doesn't just belong to Sinn Fein. Gabby Mackin (38) is a mum-of-two and assistant manager in a charity shop. She's from east Belfast I went to a Catholic school and learned Irish up to third year, but I've never used it. I think this Act, and replacing all the signs through the whole of Northern Ireland, isn't a good idea. People are crying out for funding in lots of other spheres like health and education, so it seems like we're getting our priorities wrong if this goes through and takes money from elsewhere. Ultimately, it shouldn't be holding the whole process up, either way. Classroom assistant and mum-of-three Su Parks (42) lives in Ballyhackamore I'm originally from America but have been living in Belfast for 12 years and I don't see why an Irish Language Act is a problem. People should have the right to have their own language recognised and catered for properly. In all honesty, I feel like this is Ireland, it's the Irish language and part of many people's culture, so I can see why it would be beneficial. My 13-year-old is studying three languages, none of them Irish, but I think it would be lovely if she could learn it too. It would be good for all children here to have the option. Grandfather Tony White (71) is retired and from Magherafelt I think it's a load of nonsense and just gives them all an excuse to keep on arguing with one another. To be truthful, I think there probably should be an Irish Language Act - however, if there wasn't I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. It would be no skin off my nose. If they're going to do it, get on with it, that's all I'd say. But most important is to stop all the arguing and decide one way or another so everyone can move on. Snow lies on Tan Hill in North Yorkshire, as others parts of the country are bracing themselves for wintry showers. Steve Parsons/PA Wire Cars drive through snow on the A26 in Ballymena, Co Antrim, as blizzard conditions are set to sweep in, bringing "a real taste of winter to the whole of the UK". Niall Carson/PA Wire A dog walker in the snow in Ballymena, Co Antrim, as blizzard conditions are set to sweep in, bringing "a real taste of winter to the whole of the UK". Niall Carson/PA Wire Snow covers a road sign in Greenloaning, near Stirling, as blizzard conditions are set to bring "a real taste of winter to the whole of the UK". Andrew Milligan/PA Wire Sheep in the snow in Ballymena, Co Antrim, as blizzard conditions are set to sweep in, bringing "a real taste of winter to the whole of the UK". Niall Carson/PA Wire Snow on the outskirts of Armoy in Northern Ireland. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press Snow on the outskirts of Armoy in Northern Ireland. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press Drivers battle through the snow on the outskirts of Armoy in Northern Ireland. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press A farmer battles through the snow on the outskirts of Armoy in Northern Ireland. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press Walkers threw the Snow on the Outskirts of Armoy in Northern Ireland, as snow fall hits across the country with more expected. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press This is a view from my window in Rathfriland, the Mournes at the far back left of the picture. Submitted by Lucy Barry - January 2017 Our spectacular Thursday afternoon drive around Giants Causeway. Submitted by Sharon Saverin & TJ Abraham. January 2017 Jonathan Sims took this photo at Katesbridge. Submitted Jan 2017 Our spectacular Thursday afternoon drive around Giants Causeway. Submitted by Sharon Saverin & TJ Abraham. January 2017 Loving the snow are my pups Murphy, Lexi and Dexter. Submitted by Kathy Mackin-Jackson, from Armagh. Jan 2017. Loving the snow are my pups Murphy, Lexi and Dexter. Submitted by Kathy Mackin-Jackson, from Armagh. Jan 2017. Snow begins to fall on the Stormont Estate in east Belfast. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye Snow begins to fall on the Stormont Estate in east Belfast. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye Snow begins to fall on the Stormont Estate in east Belfast. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye Pacemaker Press 08/12/2017 Snow falls in Crumlin , as heavy snow falls across Northern Ireland on Friday morning, leaving difficult driving conditions for motorists and some schools closed. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 08/12/2017 Snow falls in Crumlin , as heavy snow falls across Northern Ireland on Friday morning, leaving difficult driving conditions for motorists and some schools closed. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 08/12/2017 Young Boys play in the snow in Crumlin , as heavy snow falls across Northern Ireland on Friday morning, leaving difficult driving conditions for motorists and some schools closed. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 08/12/2017 Salting the foot patch as Snow falls in Crumlin , as heavy snow falls across Northern Ireland on Friday morning, leaving difficult driving conditions for motorists and some schools closed. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 08/12/2017 Snow time in Crumlin , as heavy snow falls across Northern Ireland on Friday morning, leaving difficult driving conditions for motorists and some schools closed. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 08/12/2017 Snow falls in Crumlin , as heavy snow falls across Northern Ireland on Friday morning, leaving difficult driving conditions for motorists and some schools closed. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker People make their way to work as snow falls over Belfast. Picture Colm O'Reilly People make their way to work as snow falls over Belfast. Picture Colm O'Reilly Snow has fallen over Belfast. Tourists have their pictures taken in the snow at Clarendon dock Belfast. Picture Colm O'Reilly People make their way to work as snow falls over Belfast. Picture Colm O'Reilly People make their way to work as snow falls over Belfast. Picture Colm O'Reilly Pacemaker Press 08/12/2017 Eoin Donnelly plays football in Crumlin , as heavy snow falls across Northern Ireland on Friday morning, leaving difficult driving conditions for motorists and some schools closed. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 08/12/2017 Walking the dogs in Crumlin , as heavy snow falls across Northern Ireland on Friday morning, leaving difficult driving conditions for motorists and some schools closed. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 08/12/2017 Children Ruben and Zara McGlinchey , Nathan McCann and Shea McLaughlin enjoying the snow in Crumlin , as heavy snow falls across Northern Ireland on Friday morning, leaving difficult driving conditions for motorists and some schools closed. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 08/12/2017 A dog enjoying the snow in Crumlin , as heavy snow falls across Northern Ireland on Friday morning, leaving difficult driving conditions for motorists and some schools closed. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press Belfast 08-12-2017: Heavy snow showers overnight have led to disruption across parts of Northern Ireland. Dozens of schools have been closed due to the wintery conditions. The snowfall means an unexpected day off for some young people. Police are advising road users to use extreme caution on the roads. Patrick Morgan pictured enjoying the snow. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker. Pacemaker Press 08/12/2017 Children Ruben and Zara McGlinchey enjoying the snow in Crumlin , as heavy snow falls across Northern Ireland on Friday morning, leaving difficult driving conditions for motorists and some schools closed. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press Belfast 08-12-2017: Heavy snow showers overnight have led to disruption across parts of Northern Ireland. Dozens of schools have been closed due to the wintery conditions. The snowfall means an unexpected day off for some young people. Police are advising road users to use extreme caution on the roads. Patrick Morgan pictured enjoying the snow. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker. Pacemaker Press Belfast 08-12-2017: Heavy snow showers overnight have led to disruption across parts of Northern Ireland. Dozens of schools have been closed due to the wintery conditions. The snowfall means an unexpected day off for some young people. Police are advising road users to use extreme caution on the roads. Snow in North Belfast. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker. Pacemaker Press 08/12/2017 Battling threw the snow on Divis Mountain in Co Antrim , as heavy snow falls across Northern Ireland on Friday morning, leaving difficult driving conditions for motorists and some schools closed. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 08/12/2017 Children Ruben and Zara McGlinchey , Nathan McCann and Shea McLaughlin enjoying the snow in Crumlin , as heavy snow falls across Northern Ireland on Friday morning, leaving difficult driving conditions for motorists and some schools closed. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker General views of Snow in Belfast on December 8th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Pacemaker Press 08/12/2017 Battling threw the snow on Divis Mountain in Co Antrim , as heavy snow falls across Northern Ireland on Friday morning, leaving difficult driving conditions for motorists and some schools closed. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 08/12/2017 A Snow Man on Divis Mountain in Co Antrim , as heavy snow falls across Northern Ireland on Friday morning, leaving difficult driving conditions for motorists and some schools closed. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press Belfast 08-12-2017: Heavy snow showers overnight have led to disruption across parts of Northern Ireland. Dozens of schools have been closed due to the wintery conditions. The snowfall means an unexpected day off for some young people. Police are advising road users to use extreme caution on the roads. Paul and Ollie Forbes pictured enjoying the snow. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker. General views of Snow in Belfast on December 8th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Pacemaker Press 08/12/2017 A Snow Man on Divis Mountain in Co Antrim , as heavy snow falls across Northern Ireland on Friday morning, leaving difficult driving conditions for motorists and some schools closed. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 08/12/2017 A dog enjoying the snow in Crumlin , as heavy snow falls across Northern Ireland on Friday morning, leaving difficult driving conditions for motorists and some schools closed. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 08/12/2017 Children Ruben and Zara McGlinchey , Nathan McCann and Shea McLaughlin enjoying the snow in Crumlin , as heavy snow falls across Northern Ireland on Friday morning, leaving difficult driving conditions for motorists and some schools closed. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press Belfast 08-12-2017: Heavy snow showers overnight have led to disruption across parts of Northern Ireland. Dozens of schools have been closed due to the wintery conditions. The snowfall means an unexpected day off for some young people. Police are advising road users to use extreme caution on the roads. Anne Curley pictured enjoying the snow. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker. Pacemaker Press 08/12/2017 A dog enjoying the snow in Crumlin , as heavy snow falls across Northern Ireland on Friday morning, leaving difficult driving conditions for motorists and some schools closed. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 10th December 2017 Four-year-old Noah Adams enjoys the snow at Stormont in east Belfast as it continues to lie across Northern Ireland. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 10th December 2017 A view of Stormont from the Castlereigh Hills outside Belfast as snow continues to lie across Northern Ireland. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 10th December 2017 A view of Stormont from the Castlereigh Hills outside Belfast as snow continues to lie across Northern Ireland. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 10th December 2017 Faith Adams(4) and Gracie Worth(7) enjoy the snow at Stormont in east Belfast as it continues to lie across Northern Ireland. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 10th December 2017 Four-year-old Noah Adams enjoys the snow at Stormont in east Belfast as it continues to lie across Northern Ireland. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 10th December 2017 Snow continues to lie across Northern Ireland as this robin red breast is pictured in the Fourwinds area outside Belfast. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 10th December 2017 Children enjoy the snow at Stormont in east Belfast as it continues to lie across Northern Ireland. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 10th December 2017 A man walks his dog in Fourwinds outside Belfast as snow continues to lie across Northern Ireland. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com 10/12/17 PACEMAKER PRESS People make the best of the snow in the grounds of Stormont. Brian Buckley with his two children Finn and Jenna take their sled out. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 10/12/17 PACEMAKER PRESS People make the best of the snow in the grounds of Stormont. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 10/12/17 PACEMAKER PRESS People make the best of the snow in the grounds of Stormont. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 10/12/17 PACEMAKER PRESS People make the best of the snow in the grounds of Stormont. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 10/12/17 PACEMAKER PRESS People make the best of the snow in the grounds of Stormont. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS PACEMAKER, BELFAST, 9/12/2017: Teal-Bella Alexander from Bangor has fun in the snow at the Enchanted Winter Garden which opened on Saturday in Antrim's Castle Gardens. The annual Christmas event is now in it's fifth season. Enchanted Winter Garden is running to 20 December in Antrim Castle Gardens, Antrim. For event information and tickets visit www.enchantedwintergarden.com PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON PACEMAKER, BELFAST, 9/12/2017: Sarah and Ethan Gillespie from Limavady have fun in the snow at the Enchanted Winter Garden which opened on Saturday in Antrim's Castle Gardens. The annual Christmas event is now in it's fifth season. Enchanted Winter Garden is running to 20 December in Antrim Castle Gardens, Antrim. For event information and tickets visit www.enchantedwintergarden.com PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON PACEMAKER, BELFAST, 9/12/2017: Ella and Bobby McMullan from Aghalee have fun in the snow at the Enchanted Winter Garden which opened on Saturday in Antrim's Castle Gardens. The annual Christmas event is now in it's fifth season. Enchanted Winter Garden is running to 20 December in Antrim Castle Gardens, Antrim. For event information and tickets visit www.enchantedwintergarden.com PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON Presseye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 9th December 2017 Children enjoy the recent snow fall at Stormont in east Belfast. Jack (5) sledges down the hill at parliament buildings. Mandatory Credit Matt Mackey / Presseye.com Presseye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 9th December 2017 Children enjoy the recent snow fall at Stormont in east Belfast. Jack (5) sledges down the hill at parliament buildings. Mandatory Credit Matt Mackey / Presseye.com Presseye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 9th December 2017 Children enjoy the recent snow fall at Stormont in east Belfast. Mia (10) pictured at parliament buildings. Mandatory Credit Matt Mackey / Presseye.com Presseye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 9th December 2017 Children enjoy the recent snow fall at Stormont in east Belfast. Mia (10) pictured at parliament buildings. Mandatory Credit Matt Mackey / Presseye.com Presseye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 9th December 2017 Children enjoy the recent snow fall at Stormont in east Belfast. Jack (5) along with his sister Mia (10) and friend Rachel (11) pictured at parliament buildings. Mandatory Credit Matt Mackey / Presseye.com Presseye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 9th December 2017 Children enjoy the recent snow fall at Stormont in east Belfast. Jack (5) sledges down the hill at parliament buildings. Mandatory Credit Matt Mackey / Presseye.com Presseye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 9th December 2017 Children enjoy the recent snow fall at Stormont in east Belfast. Mandatory Credit Matt Mackey / Presseye.com Snow in Ballymena, Co Antrim, as blizzard conditions are set to sweep in, bringing "a real taste of winter to the whole of the UK". Niall Carson/PA Wire Snow covers a fence in Greenloaning, near Stirling, as blizzard conditions are set to bring "a real taste of winter to the whole of the UK". Andrew Milligan/PA Wire Pacemaker Press 08/12/2017 Snow time in Crumlin , as heavy snow falls across Northern Ireland on Friday morning, leaving difficult driving conditions for motorists and some schools closed. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 08/12/2017 Battling threw the snow on Divis Mountain in Co Antrim , as heavy snow falls across Northern Ireland on Friday morning, leaving difficult driving conditions for motorists and some schools closed. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Walkers trudge through the Snow on the Outskirts of Armoy in Northern Ireland. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 16th January 2018 Vehicles on the M1 outside Belfast as the Met Office upgrades its warning for snow and ice from yellow to amber across Northern Ireland. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye 16/1/2018 A rear wheel drive BMW cant make its way through the icy roads in Lisburn. Mandatory Credit Stephen Hamilton 16/1/2018 Horses pictured at Divis mountain in Belfast during a fall of snow. Mandatory Credit Stephen Hamilton 16/1/2018 Peter Wachs pictured at Divis mountain in Belfast during a heavy fall of snow with dogs Muppet and Lulu Mandatory Credit Stephen Hamilton Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 16th January 2018 Vehicles on the M1 outside Belfast as the Met Office upgrades its warning for snow and ice from yellow to amber across Northern Ireland. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Peter Wachs from Belfast out with dog Muppet at Divis Mountain. Mandatory Credit Stephen Hamilton Heavy snow has caused widespread travel disruption in Northern Ireland, with bus and rail services affected and some roads closed. Horses as Snow falls near Divis on the outskirts of West Belfast in Co Antrim on Tuesday , as heavy snow falls across the country. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker General view of a Transit van which skidded off the road on the Hannahstown hill. Mandatory Credit Stephen Hamilton Rush hour traffic on the Ballygowan Road in east Belfast after snow fell across Northern Ireland overnight. - 17th January 2018 Vehicles on the M1 outside Belfast. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye General views of Snow in Belfast on December 8th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 10th December 2017 A view of Belfast from the Castlereigh Hills as snow continues to lie across Northern Ireland. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Northern Ireland has been issued with a further weather warning for snow and ice. The warning will impact much of the region. A band of heavy rain will spread eastwards during Tuesday morning, quickly turning to snow on high level routes above 300 metres. The Met Office has reported that snow levels in lower grounds will be more variable with a few centimetres possible in some places while others will just see sleet and rain. The warning is in place between 2am and 10am on Tuesday. A self-proclaimed paedophile hunter who cornered a BBC reporter in a Belfast cafe has said he "absolutely" sees himself as "judge, jury and executioner". George Keenan, who uses the pseudonym James O'Neill, was speaking to the BBC's Nolan Show about his group's activity ahead of the broadcast of a Newsline report by BBC investigative reporter Kevin Magee. Read More On Tuesday February 6, Mr Keenan and a group of men shot live video footage of them confronting Mr Magee in a coffee shop, apparently angry at his attempts to interview Mr Keenan. Asked by host Nolan what gave him the sense of entitlement to carry out his group's activities, Mr Keenan said: "Do I see, or did I see myself as judge, jury and executioner? Absolutely I did. I am not there for the pretty blue lights coming round the corner." In the course of the interview Mr Keenan stated he was no longer involved with any self-proclaimed paedophile hunting group. Asked if confronting suspected criminals would be better carried out by the police, Mr Keenan said: "There is only one thing that these individuals are afraid of. And if you watch any of my stings back, even watch stings that will take place this week. Any of these teams around Northern Ireland. "There is only one thing these individuals fear: its that bright light of a torch shining in their face that exposes the wee dark corner that theyre in, preying on our children." He added that "the police are incompetent" and "the establishment doesn't work, it will never, ever work". When carrying out a sting, Mr Keenan said his mission is to "destroy every single part of this human being's life before he gets out of my sight and into a police car. And I will do that because they are there to destroy a child". Journalist Kevin Magee appeared on BBC's Good Morning Ulster and discussed his confrontation by the group. "It has never been as bad as that, ever. And Ive been here in this organisation for 25 years and Ive never had a personal confrontation like that before," he said. "The irony in all of this for me, is I did everything possible to hear their point of view. Provided they would be able to provide it without hiding behind anonymity, as they do when they are out doing what they do." Mr Magee's report is set to be screened on tonight's main Newsline bulletin at 6.30pm. Police are currently investigating an incident on the Parliamentary Estate, a House of Commons spokesman said. Police are currently investigating an incident on the Parliamentary Estate, a House of Commons spokesman said. Witnesses are reporting seeing a heavy police presence around the Houses of Parliament. The Metropolitan Police have yet to release comment on the situation. More to follow Reporter Kevin Magee has thanked those who supported him after he was confronted by an angry mob of so-called paedophile hunters during an investigation into their activities. The broadcaster's report about the online vigilante groups is to be screened tonight on BBC1 NI. Investigations correspondent Mr Magee was accosted by the group of self-proclaimed paedophile hunters last Tuesday evening in a Belfast coffee shop. It appeared they were angry that he had attempted to interview one of them earlier. The group broadcast the confrontation live on Facebook. One of the men was furious, apparently after Mr Magee had visited his home for an interview about the activities of groups which track down sex offenders. There is no suggestion Mr Magee has done anything wrong. During the video, one man asks Mr Magee: "How does it feel to be confronted? You don't like this, Kevin, do you? "This is what you call power." The footage was viewed around 100,000 times before it was taken down. The expletive-ridden rant at the senior journalist was condemned as an "attack on media freedom". The BBC is to screen Mr Magee's investigation on tonight's main Newsline bulletin at 6.30pm. "Thanks to everyone who sent me messages last week. Much appreciated," tweeted the journalist. In a plug for the investigation, he can be seen confronting members of the groups. "You're absolutely disgusting," said one man. "Your conduct does not deserve me to talk to you." The PSNI is reviewing the footage of the incident to establish if any offences were committed. A Sunday Life investigation at the weekend revealed that while members of the groups profess to be moral crusaders protecting children, some are crooks and others have links to paramilitaries. Detective Chief Superintendent Paula Hilman also told the paper that at least one individual involved in these vigilante gangs had been questioned by detectives about sexual assault. The senior officer asked the groups to stop live-streaming their confrontations as it wrecked any chance of a successful prosecution. A deal is unlikely for the next fortnight, a DUP source has claimed. There will be no deal on resurrecting the Northern Ireland power-sharing institutions this week, a senior DUP source has said. And one of the major stumbling blocks in the ongoing talks is the role, if any, an Irish language commissioner would have. Hopes of a deal were high in recent days and, with the arrival of Prime Minister Theresa May and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, it was widely assumed an agreement was just to be signed off and the photocall arranged. "People thought we brought the Prime Minister over," a DUP source told the Belfast Telegraph. "But the PM was brought over to put pressure on .. and we won't be be bounced into anything. "It's looking precarious now." The source said on Monday morning the Assembly group met and party officers had met earlier. "There was never a deal until everyone signed off on it," said the source. "We are concerned about how much this will cost. Will the public lose out?" Speculation over the type of deal the DUP and Sinn Fein have worked out led to DUP leader Arlene Foster coming out saying much of the reporting on what had been agreed was not "grounded in any sort of reality". She also ruled out any laws that would require bilingual road signs in Northern Ireland and compulsory teaching of Irish in schools. Northern Ireland has been without devolved government for just over 400 days and an Irish language act has been a key demand of Sinn Fein in the past 13 months. Sources have suggested three pieces of legislation an Irish Language Act, an Ulster Scots Act and a broader Culture and Respect Act could be a means to satisfy both sides. Read More It's thought the major stumbling block in the talks is the role of an Irish language commissioner and what powers they may hold. "If that is agreed then there is a fear that whatever does not get agreed then the commissioner will be used to get them through the courts. "If there is no bilingual road signs, then the commissioner could argue people are being denied their rights and it could end up in court. "Like the way the human rights commissioners or equality commissioners work. Just look at how the Ashers Bakery decision was made." Christian-owned bakery Ashers lost a landmark court case after it was found by the Equality Commission to have breached equality laws by refusing to bake a cake with a slogan supporting same-sex marriage. The Supreme Court is to hear the final appeal in case at the end of April in Belfast. The DUP has also issued a pro-forma letter to its representatives should they come under pressure from constituents in terms of what is being agreed between it and Sinn Fein. Read More "It's standard party policy stuff," the source continued, "but we have been getting lots of people, sensible people - even Alliance voters - come to us and say we can't give in. "People are asking how much it would cost. If you look at primary schools it costs around 2,000 to educate a child, in the Irish sector it's 11,000 so there is a real imbalance. "There is a lot of pressure on the party." On a deal, and if there would be one, the source said there would be nothing this week and possibly nothing for at least a fortnight. "It is looking very precarious at the moment," he added. "But the talks team are working very hard they are very tight, but the problem is Sinn Fein want everything addressed before they go back into government and that makes matters all the more difficult. "There will be no deal unless it is the right deal. I can't see anything for at least a fortnight." During her visit to Northern Ireland on Monday, Theresa May urged them to make one final push to strike a deal to salvage powersharing. DUP MP Ian Paisley has accused the BBC of "ignoring paedophiles" before the broadcaster runs an investigation into the activities of so-called paedophile hunters in Northern Ireland. The report about the vigilante groups is to be screened on Tuesday evening on BBC1 NI. However, on Tuesday morning Mr Paisley hit out at the BBC for "going after" paedophile hunters rather than paedophiles. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, he said he had "no comment" to make on the actions of the groups. Responding to a Steven Nolan tweet about his interview with a self-proclaimed paedophile hunter, Mr Paisley tweeted: "Why does the BBC not go after paedophiles? I suppose they have special rights." Replying to a Belfast Telegraph article about the BBC investigation, Mr Paisley tweeted: "When will BBC take on the paedophiles?" When asked by the Belfast Telegraph to elaborate on his comments, Mr Paisley said: "I am just posing the question 'when are the BBC going to pursue the paedophiles rather the paedophile hunters?'." On whether he condoned the actions of the so-called paedophile hunter groups operating in Northern Ireland, the senior DUP figure said: "I have no comment on that, I am just asking the question. I just think it is interesting the BBC has spent a lot of resource and have done a programme on paedophile hunters. " Several hunter groups operating in Northern Ireland have shot live video footage of them confronting people they claim are paedophiles. The PSNI has appealed to the groups to report any evidence they have of crimes to the police rather than taking it upon themselves to confront individuals. A BBC spokesperson said: We are satisfied that this investigation has dealt with important issues of public interest. We have investigated many cases of abusers which are also in the public interest and will continue to do so. Heather Humphreys said the report was there to guide the Government (Brian Lawless/PA) The Irish economy will be hit by Brexit whatever the outcome of negotiations between the UK and the European Union, the Government has been warned. It has said that it will act on the advice outlined in the economic report to help prevent the worst from happening post Brexit. Business Minister Heather Humphreys raised the findings of the Government-commissioned report at Cabinet on Tuesday. The independent study by Copenhagen Economics calculated the impact of Brexit on Irelands trade and economy. It identified four scenarios, and in the worst outcome the Irish economy would grow by 7% less than it would have without the UK withdrawing from the EU. In the best scenario the Irish economy would grow by 2.8% less. The report was commissioned by the Government. The stark outcome for agriculture and food presented in today's #Brexit report is not surprising - this is what IFA has raised and warned against at all political levels since before the referendum https://t.co/IdAx7zfE2E Irish Farmers' Association (@IFAmedia) February 13, 2018 Irish Farmers Association president Joe Healy said the findings of the report were stark for farming and food in Ireland. We are not surprised to see that our sector faces such a catastrophic outcome in the event of a hard Brexit, he said. The severe impact across the board is something IFA has raised at all political levels since before the referendum. Mr Healy said the warning should serve to refocus Government efforts towards securing an outcome that avoids the bleak scenario for the countrys largest indigenous sector. If the UK wants continued access to the EU market, the EU must insist that the UK will not be free to open their markets to low standard or low value products from outside the EU, he said. A spokesman for the Taoiseach said: The Government will act on its advice. It will inform the Government in terms of future decisions. He added: The Government is satisfied that it is doing all that it can and more to deal with the Brexit situation. Expand Close Leo Varadkar's spokesman said the Government was doing all that it could to deal with Brexit (Niall Carson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Leo Varadkar's spokesman said the Government was doing all that it could to deal with Brexit (Niall Carson/PA) Ms Humphreys said the report was there to guide the Government and help prevent the worst from happening. The report found five sectors will account for 90% of the impact. They are agri-food, pharma-chemicals, electrical machinery, wholesale and retail, and air transport. Ms Humphreys said the Government was acutely aware that certain sectors are particularly exposed to Brexit. That is why, among other supports, we will be rolling out a new 300 million euro Brexit Loan Scheme in late March, which will be open to all sectors, with at least 40% of low interest loans being made available to the agri-food sector, she said. We are also developing a Longer-Term Loan Scheme, and announced a 25 million euro Brexit Response Loan Scheme for the agri-food sector in Budget 2018. The Police Service of Northern Ireland should be given information about the shooting, local councillors said (Paul Faith/PA) A man has been shot dead in west Belfast. The victim, aged in his late 20s, was gunned down in Poleglass around 8pm. He was shot dead at a house in Glenbawn Avenue. It is understood other family members were in the property when the murder took place. Detective Chief Inspector Peter Montgomery said: The male victim, who was in his late 20s, died after being shot just before 8pm. At this time we are working to establish a motive for the attack and are appealing for anyone with information which may assist us with our inquiries to contact us. Local councillor Stephen Magennis said the local community was outraged by the attack. This community is stunned and outraged at this latest brutal killing, said the Sinn Fein representative. I have spoken to some of the victims family and friends and they are obviously devastated and in a state of shock. There can be absolutely no justification for this murder which was carried out in the most brutal fashion. The people carrying out these attacks are bringing nothing but death and destruction. They need to be condemned and should get off the backs of this community. I would appeal to anyone who has any information about this attack to bring it to the PSNI. Police and other emergency services are currently at the scene of a shooting at a house in the Glenbawn Avenue area of west Belfast this evening. There are no further details at this time. Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) February 13, 2018 SDLP councillor Brian Heading said: The entire community in West Belfast is in shock this evening. These are scenes that we thought we had left far behind us. Those responsible for this monstrous criminal act must be caught and they must be brought to justice. There is no room in this city or in this society for those intent on murder and mayhem and who will commit the most heinous crimes. Im calling on anyone with information to please come forward to police. These thugs cannot be allowed to bully this strong community into silence. They cannot dominate us, we cannot let them. Alliance Party leader Naomi Long tweeted: Shocking murder in West Belfast this evening. My thoughts are with the victims family at this time. I would appeal for anyone with any information to contact the PSNI. Whilst those responsible are free on our streets, the community is not safe. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. One of five Britons accused of producing pornographic pictures at a Cambodian pool party said the gathering was like every other day in the holiday hotspot. Thomas Jeffries, 22, from Hampshire, was among 10 Westerners who were arrested on January 25 at the event in a villa in Siem Reap, a tourist town near the Angkor Wat temple. Police accused the group of posting lewd pictures of the event online, but all those arrested deny the charges and claim they have no link to years-old photos circulating of partygoers apparently simulating sex positions. Mr Jeffries had been working in bars and hostels in the popular holiday destination for two years, but was deported back to the UK last week. Its a shame to leave because I had so many good friends there, both Cambodian and WesternersThomas Jeffries He said: Its a shame to leave because I had so many good friends there, both Cambodian and Westerners. Its been my home for two years. I loved the country, it is a fantastic place, really kind people. The villa was much like every other day in Siem Reap, very similar to any hostel, pool or bar, anywhere that Ive been to in the country. I didnt see any reason why it would be any different. Then the police arrived. It had just tipped it down with rain so people were all hiding under cover moments before. All I saw were people cowering from the rain and having a few beers. The music wasnt even that loud. The group, who were pictured in orange prison uniforms and some with shaved heads, did not know how long they would remain in custody. Mr Jeffries said: It was a scary time for all of us. There were always concerns in the back of our heads but at that point I guess we didnt really understand the severity of the situation. Seven of them Mr Jeffries, fellow Brits Vincent Harley Robert Hook, 35, Billy Stevens, 21, and Paul Francis Harris, 33; Canadians Jessica Drolet, 26, and Eden Koazoleas, 19; and 32-year-old New Zealander Paul Martin Brasc were all deported last week. Briton Daniel Richard Leeming Jones, 30, Dutchman Job Robertus van der Wel, 22, and Norwegian David Nikolaus Aleksandr Ballovarre, 22, remain in custody. Mr Jeffries father Gary, 48, said: He did not know that attending a social pool-side event, which happen almost every day in Siem Reap, would be offensive to Cambodian culture and sincerely apologises to anyone who was. Tom meant no disrespect to the Cambodian people. The charges are denied by Tom and by the rest of the group. I think everyone has been very clear that there was nothing that could be construed as pornography going on. Particularly in the British media there is one picture that has been used over and over again of a load of young people sat astride each other. Its a picture from three or four years ago and predates Toms time in Cambodia and is nothing to do with any of the people that were arrested and detained. It was obviously quite an ordeal for him. The Foreign Office said it is continuing to assist a British man who was arrested in Cambodia. A doctor sexually assaulted five female patients over a 10-day period, including a woman who was groped after complaining of a high temperature, a court has heard. Dr Amirul Haque, aged 33, is alleged to have ignored chaperone guidelines while also targeting patients being assessed for ear pain, a sore throat, and an eye problem. Haque, of Ladypool Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, denies five counts of assault while training in general practice at a surgery in the Dudley area of the West Midlands. Opening the case against Haque, prosecutor Philip Bradley QC alleged that all of the women felt the doctor pressing his groin against parts of their bodies. One of the alleged victims, the court heard, claims Haque sexually assaulted her after asking her to move her bra aside as he checked her heartbeat. Because he was new to general practice, he was allowed 30 minutes with his patients as opposed to the usual 10Philip Bradley, prosecutor Explaining the issue due to be considered by the jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Mr Bradley said: It is a feature of this case that because he was new to general practice, he was allowed 30 minutes with his patients as opposed to the usual 10. It is common ground that if Dr Haque acted in the way these women allege, there could be no medical justification for doing so. Claiming Haque had committed the offences for sexual gratification, Mr Bradley added: The prosecution case is that Dr Haque breached guidelines on intimate examinations and chaperones and that those breaches were not inadvertent, rather they were necessary to commit these offences. The issue in this case is straightforward and best understood by Dr Haques response to all of this. Police twice interviewed him under caution when these allegations came to light. Haque, Mr Bradley said, had chosen not to answer the officers questions but had submitted a prepared statement denying that he had sexually assaulted any of the women. Mr Bradley told the jury panel: It follows that the issue that you have to determine in each count is can you be satisfied so that you are sure that each of these women is telling the truth? If having heard the evidence your answer to that question is yes, your verdict would be guilty. If you are not sure, it would be not guilty. Prince Harry and fiancee Meghan Markle were given a warm welcome on a cold day when they arrived in the heart of Edinburgh for the start of their visit to Scotland. The citys world famous castle, a fortress for centuries, was chosen as the starting point of their first joint visit to the Scottish capital. Meghan and Harry wrapped up against the cold in winter coats were greeted by Frank Ross, Edinburghs Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost, who represented the city. Meghan greets crowds outside Edinburgh Castle at start of Scottish visit pic.twitter.com/lCxo3C68Iw PA Royal Reporters (@PARoyal) February 13, 2018 Crowds gathered on the castles esplanade where the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is staged each year to welcome the prince and his bride-to-be. Ms Markle, who is making her fourth joint visit with Prince Harry, wore a Burberry coat and trousers by Veronica Beard. With the centuries-old fortress as a backdrop the couple began shaking hands, saying hello and thanking the well-wishers for coming to see them. Expand Close Meghan Markle meets well-wishers at Edinburgh Castle (John Linton/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Meghan Markle meets well-wishers at Edinburgh Castle (John Linton/PA) Sarah Coronado, 28, a masters student from Mexico studying at Edinburgh University, was one of the first well-wishers to arrive at the castles esplanade. She said: Seeing the couple is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We dont have these visits in Mexico or my hometown of Monterey. They are also the hot couple of the moment because of their marriage coming up. I also think Meghan is a role model, shes not just a pretty face. I think shes going to change the face of the monarchy. Expand Close Meghan Markle meets crowds of well-wishers during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Meghan Markle meets crowds of well-wishers during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle The trip to Scotland is the fourth public appearance Ms Markle and Harry have made together and follows successful visits to Nottingham, Brixton in south London and Cardiff in the months that followed their engagement announcement in November. Kensington Palace had said: Throughout the day Prince Harry and Ms Markle will have the opportunity to meet members of the public, learn more about organisations that work in the local community and nationwide, and celebrate youth in the Scottish Year of Young People 2018. Inside the castle at the historic Edinburgh Garrison, which looks out across the city, the couple will watch as the One oclock Gun is fired, a tradition started in 1861 to mark time for ships in the Firth of Forth. Expand Close Meghan Markle meets young well-wishers who braved the cold to see her in Edinburgh (Andrew Milligan/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Meghan Markle meets young well-wishers who braved the cold to see her in Edinburgh (Andrew Milligan/PA) The couple will then move on to the New Town to visit Social Bite, a social enterprise cafe which distributes 100,000 items of food and hot drinks to homeless people across Scotland each year, as well as employing staff who have experienced homelessness themselves. In the cafe, Harry and Ms Markle will learn more about the social enterprise, meet staff and tour the kitchen. Thank you to everyone who came out to welcome Prince Harry and Ms. Markle to Edinburgh Castle this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/1pzOiV1F0A The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) February 13, 2018 They will be the latest in a string of high-profile visitors to Social Bite premises. Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio stopped for lunch at Social Bite venture Home in Edinburghs west end in November 2016 while the Duchess of Cornwall and George Clooney have been to Social Bites Rose Street branch. Prince Harry and Ms. Markle are greeted on arrival at Edinburgh Castle by the Band of the Royal Marines and the mascot of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Shetland pony Cruachan pic.twitter.com/3nzR9W6ZP5 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) February 13, 2018 Prince Harry and Ms Markle will round off their visit by attending a reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse to celebrate youth achievements marking Scotlands Year of Young People 2018, an initiative that aims to inspire Scotland through its young people. Jeremy Corbyn has faced questions on a Labour MP who was reprimanded by the party for making deeply offensive comments. The Labour leader was asked if the party plans to suspend Hugh Gaffney, who is reported to have made a joke about Robert Burns not being bent, and to have used a racist term when referring to a Chinese meal. Mr Corbyn said: He has apologised for what he has said and has been reprimanded for that. He is undertaking the appropriate equality and diversity training and indeed he has met and talked to people in the Chinese community and is meeting other communities as well. What he said is completely wrong, of course, but he has recognised and understood that and apologised and thats what weve done. Expand Close Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn meets with local party supporters and residents in Penicuik, Midlothian PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn meets with local party supporters and residents in Penicuik, Midlothian Scottish Labour has said it will develop a new anti-discrimination policy following the incident involving Mr Gaffney, who represents Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill. It comes after Labour MSP Anas Sarwar, who lost the leadership contest to Richard Leonard, claimed an elected councillor had told him he could not back him because he was a brown, Muslim Paki. Mr Corbyn was questioned about Mr Gaffney as he arrived at Shottstown Miners Welfare Halls in Penicuik to give a speech. Earlier, he was joined by Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard as he began a campaign tour across parts of the country. He is making a series of stops in Selkirk, Midlothian and North Ayrshire this week in which he will pledge to invest in every community. He has criticised the Scottish Government for being too timid against the powerful, but received criticism of his own for failing to back continued membership of the single market and the customs union. A judgment on whether to lift a UK arrest warrant against Julian Assange will be made on Tuesday. Senior District Judge Emma Arbuthnot last week rejected his legal teams argument that the warrant issued in 2012 was no longer valid because an investigation by the Swedish authorities into a sex-related allegation had been dropped. But the WikiLeaks founders lawyers went on to argue at Westminster Magistrates Court that it was no longer proportionate or in the public interest to pursue him for failing to answer bail at a police station as he fought extradition to Sweden. Expand Close Jennifer Robinson, a lawyer representing Julian Assange, outside Westminster Magistrates Court,(John Stilwell/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jennifer Robinson, a lawyer representing Julian Assange, outside Westminster Magistrates Court,(John Stilwell/PA) Mr Assange claimed his case had exposed improper conduct by the Crown Prosecution Service and his legal teams case could still be successful. He has accused the UK Government of a cover up to keep him detained. Mr Assange has been living inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London for more than five years, fearing extradition to the United States for questioning over the activities of WikiLeaks if he leaves. His lawyer, Mark Summers QC, told the court last week there were four main reasons why his case should be discontinued, including that Mr Assange was justified in seeking refuge in the embassy because he had legitimate fears he would be sought by authorities in the US. Tomorrow: Judge set to rule whether continued arbitrary detention of WikiLeaks publisher can be ain the public interestahttps://t.co/exmwANOnua pic.twitter.com/v1vhWfmarK WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) February 12, 2018 He added: Secondly, that the UN has ruled that his situation at present is arbitrary, unreasonable and disproportionate. Thirdly, that his conduct did not have the usual consequence of paralysing the underlying legal proceedings. At all times he offered his co-operation to the Swedish investigation. Fourthly, the last five-and-a-half years that he has spent may be thought to be adequate, if not severe punishment, for the actions that he took. Mr Assange remains ready to face British justice and to resolve any outstanding matters related to his seeking protection in the Ecuadorian embassy Jennifer Robinson He said emails uncovered by a Freedom of Information request showed the Swedish prosecutor had been advised by a case lawyer at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) that Mr Assange should be interviewed in Sweden. It (the correspondence) records that the CPS had already advised that it would not be prudent for Sweden to try to interview Mr Assange in the UK, he said. When I say the CPS, I mean the particular CPS lawyer who conducted this case. He records his reasoning as such: The defence would without any doubt seek to turn the event to its own advantage. Mr Assange sought to engage with the underlying process, requested to be interviewed in order to further it and the delay between 2012 and 2016, in which nothing happened, was the result, it appears, of advice that Sweden had received from a CPS lawyer. Jennifer Robinson, one of Mr Assanges legal team, said: Mr Assange remains ready to face British justice and to resolve any outstanding matters related to his seeking protection in the Ecuadorian embassy but not at the risk of being forced to face American injustice for exercising the freedom to publish. Meghan Markle wore tartan for her first official visit to Scotland with Prince Harry, and waiting to greet them was one of the armed forces smallest recruits a Shetland pony. The couple celebrated Edinburgh and its people during a whirlwind tour of the Scottish capital, which began with a walkabout at the citys famous castle which dominates the skyline. Ms Markle reportedly told one well-wisher her hen do was sorted while another well-wisher Tom Martin said Harrys response to questions about his stag do was Im sure Williams got something up his sleeve. The prince and his bride-to-be also met Scotlands First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and were offered the services of a local band for their forthcoming wedding if Ed Sheeran does not perform at the bash. The American actress paid tribute to her Scottish hosts by wearing a Burberry coat featuring a design very similar to the famous Black Watch tartan. Expand Close Meghan Markle during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle (Andrew Milligan/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Meghan Markle during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle (Andrew Milligan/PA) Hundreds of well-wishers had braved cold and wet conditions outside the castle to meet the couple, who were carrying out their fourth joint engagement together. On the eve of Valentines Day, one amorous male well-wisher gave Ms Markle a bunch of roses and told her Dont marry Harry, marry me as she and Harry greeted crowds on the castles esplanade. After shaking hands, posing for photographs and sympathising with royal fans for enduring the weather, the couple were introduced to Corporal Cruachan IV, the mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, by Pony Major Mark Wilkinson. The nine-year-old pony is famed for trying to upstage the Queen when she visited Stirling Castle last summer by nibbling on her posy. But he was on his best behaviour and spent most of his time nibbling on Harrys fingers in the hope of a treat. Expand Close Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet Pony Major Mark Wilkinson and regimental mascot Cruachan IV (Andrew Milligan/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet Pony Major Mark Wilkinson and regimental mascot Cruachan IV (Andrew Milligan/PA) Pony Major Wilkinson said: They were asking about him, saying hes a wee star, he knows hes on parade and is showing off they said it was lovely to meet him. Later inside the castle at the historic Edinburgh Garrison, the prince and Ms Markle joined Sergeant Dave Beveridge, District Gunner, Royal Artillery, for the firing of the One OClock Gun but had earplugs in place. Expand Close Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watching the firing of the One OClock Gun at Edinburgh Castle (Jane Barlow/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watching the firing of the One OClock Gun at Edinburgh Castle (Jane Barlow/PA) Harry and Ms Markles whirlwind visit to Edinburgh also took them to the New Town to visit Social Bite, a social enterprise cafe which distributes 100,000 items of food and hot drinks to homeless people across Scotland each year, as well as employing staff who have experienced homelessness. Prince Harry asked Josh Littlejohn and Alice Thompson, the co-founders of Social Bite, when are you bringing this down south? after the pair had explained how homeless people struggle to find employment without an address. Expand Close Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during a visit to Social Bite (Owen Humphreys/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during a visit to Social Bite (Owen Humphreys/PA) Later when speaking to staff in the kitchen, Ms Markle said she wanted to work there because it seemed fun. They were the latest in a string of high-profile visitors to Social Bite premises. Expand Close Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during a visit to Social Bite (Owen Humphreys/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during a visit to Social Bite (Owen Humphreys/PA) Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio stopped for lunch at Social Bite venture Home in Edinburghs west end in November 2016 while the Duchess of Cornwall and George Clooney have been to Social Bites Rose Street branch. The couple ended the day at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where they met the First Minister during a reception to celebrate the achievements of young people in Edinburgh. Expand Close Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during a reception for young people at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh (Andrew Milligan/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during a reception for young people at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh (Andrew Milligan/PA) A band from Impact Arts were among the performers and they made a tongue-in-cheek pitch to play at the royal wedding on May 19. Band member Darren Telford said: What we said was that a little birdie had told us that Ed Sheeran was going to be playing an upcoming wedding and if he couldnt make it we are free if they wanted. Soldiers from 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh set up their tents for the night during Exercise Winter Camp (Joe Giddens/PA) British soldiers revealed they have received some of the best kit in their military careers whilst deployed in Estonia, with some items proving to be game changers. Currently there are more than 800 UK troops stationed in the Baltic country as part of Britains Nato commitment to the Enhanced Forward Presence. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh are based in the town of Tapa, but have been carrying out exercises and training in the surrounding forests, often braving sub-zero temperatures. Expand Close British troops in Estonia PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp British troops in Estonia Acting platoon sergeant Corporal Christian Long has been in the Army 12 years and described working in temperatures which plunge as low as minus 19C as a unique experience. To counter the cold, the soldiers have been provided with a raft of winter kit, including overboots that cover their own so they do not freeze, specialist four-man tents so they can sleep outside, as well as sleeping bag and glove layering systems. I have been quite shocked actually, I think we all have. When we left the UK for Estonia we didnt think that we would get a lot of the kit, he said. Describing the overboots, Cpl Long said: These have proved to be very, very effective out here these have been a really big game changer. Following a cold weather operator course recently taught to them by the Royal Marines, Cpl Long said they have since used this information and adjusted their techniques to suit. You dont get cold like this in the UK - it is hard to deal withFusilier Addison Lightowler, 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh Some of these tricks include taking the insoles out of their boots at night and putting them inside their sleeping bag, alongside other damp items of kit such as gloves and hats. The 30-year-old, from Porthcawl in South Wales, said the low temperatures change how they operate and that the cold does slow them down forcing them to allow more time for tasks. He admitted that due to the cold, he and his colleagues will wake up groggy and have to kick in and get their administration (such as eating and washing) done, otherwise they will get cold easily first thing in the morning. If we can administrate and survive out here then we can take this back to the UK and it will only make us more effective, Cpl Long added. Fusilier Addison Lightowler, 19, from Llanfyllin, told the Press Association that he is on his first big deployment, which he is enjoying. (But) you dont get cold like this in the UK it is hard to deal with, he added. Major Nicholas Zorab, from Edinburgh, is the officer commanding A company in the Royal Welsh and said so far the deployment has offered some fantastic training opportunities, but that the weather has presented them with some unique challenges. I think the highlight for me is the opportunity we have had to work with our Estonian and Danish allies learn from them, the 35-year-old said. At the end of the day this is the Estonians country, theyre used to this weather, we are not used to it, so they have been able to give us lots and lots of information to help us operate out here. The chairman of Oxfam International has been arrested as part of a corruption probe in Guatemala. Juan Alberto Fuentes Knight, a former finance minister in the country, was detained along with former president Alvaro Colom as part of an investigation into a public bus deal. The development comes as Oxfam Great Britain is embroiled in an aid worker sex scandal in relation to Haiti. He has assured us that he has co-operated fully with the investigation in the confidence he did not knowingly transgress rules or proceduresWinnie Byanyima, Oxfam International executive director Oxfam Internationals executive director Winnie Byanyima said: Oxfam does not yet know the nature of formal charges, if any, against Dr Fuentes Knight. However he has been entirely open with his Oxfam board and executive that he has been among former officials being investigated as part of a budgetary transaction made by the Guatemalan government while he was finance minister. He has assured us that he has co-operated fully with the investigation in the confidence he did not knowingly transgress rules or procedures. The charity watchdog is to begin its inquiry into Oxfam following the aid worker sex scandal which resulted in the resignation of one of its most senior figures. Oxfam issued an unreserved apology to the Government, donors, supporters and the people of Haiti over its handling of sex allegations, including the use of prostitutes by workers in Haiti in 2011. Announcing her resignation as deputy chief executive, Penny Lawrence said she took full responsibility for what had happened on her watch and was sorry for the harm and distress it had caused supporters, as the charity faced a battle to rebuild the public trust following crisis talks with the Government over future funding. @ChtyCommission statement in response to concerns raised in the media about Oxfam: https://t.co/MbS2EDFiD0 pic.twitter.com/l2GAOfEzHu Charity Commission (@ChtyCommission) February 12, 2018 The watchdog said Oxfam may not have fully and frankly disclosed material details about the allegations at the time in 2011 and it also had concerns about its handling of the incidents since, and the impact that these have both had on public trust and confidence. The commissions deputy chief executive David Holdsworth said: Charities and dedicated, hard-working aid workers undertake vital, lifesaving work in some of the most difficult circumstances across the world. However, the issues revealed in recent days are shocking and unacceptable. It is important that we take this urgent step to ensure that these matters can be dealt with fully and robustly. Expand Close Penny Lawrence, former deputy chief executive of Oxfam GB (PA Wire / Charlotte Ball) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Penny Lawrence, former deputy chief executive of Oxfam GB (PA Wire / Charlotte Ball) The commissions inquiry came as: Helen Evans, Oxfams former global head of safeguarding, told Channel 4 News she begged senior staff, ministers and the regulator to act about the sexual abuse allegations. International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt told Oxfam they must now demonstrate the moral leadership necessary to address this scandal, rebuild the trust of the British public, their staff and the people they aim to help, and deliver progress on these assurances. Oxfams chief executive Mark Goldring said he would not stand down unless the charitys board told him they had lost faith in his leadership. Expand Close International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt met with Oxfam bosses to discuss the relationship between the charity and the Government (PA Wire / Nick Ansell) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt met with Oxfam bosses to discuss the relationship between the charity and the Government (PA Wire / Nick Ansell) Ms Evans detailed three new allegations made against Oxfam staff overseas in a single day. She said: There was one of a woman being coerced to have sex in a humanitarian response by another aid worker, another case where a woman had been coerced in exchange for aid and another one where it had come to our attention where a member of staff had been struck off for sexual abuse and hadnt disclosed that, and we were then concerned about what he might be doing, and that was three allegations in one day. Mr Goldring apologised to Ms Evans over the way her concerns were handled. He told Channel 4 News: I certainly apologise for not acting fast enough, I think we did take them seriously and we responded on many different fronts the records checking was one of them, training was another, the promotion of the helpline was another she did some great work. I am ashamed that this happened on my watch and I take full responsibilityPenny Lawrence, former Oxfam deputy chief executive What I recognise now, with the severity of issues as they have emerged, is that we should have resourced that team up faster as we now have, indeed, done. He said he would not resign as he was not in the post in 2011, and added: But if our board turn round and say actually you are not the right person to lead forward then I of course would resign immediately. Following a meeting between Oxfam bosses and International Development Secretary Ms Mordaunt, the minister said: I was clear that part of an organisations moral leadership comes from individuals taking responsibility for their actions. The charitys chair of trustees Caroline Thomson said Oxfam unreservedly apologised to her (Ms Mordaunt) as well as to our supporters, donors and the people of Haiti for the things that happened in our name. PRESS RELEASE: Oxfam announces resignation of Deputy Chief Executive https://t.co/s7wNu70B60 Oxfam News Team (@oxfamgbpress) February 12, 2018 Announcing her resignation, Ms Lawrence said: As programme director at the time, I am ashamed that this happened on my watch and I take full responsibility. I am desperately sorry for the harm and distress that this has caused to Oxfams supporters, the wider development sector and most of all the vulnerable people who trusted us. The resignation comes after claims on Monday that the charity was aware of concerns about the conduct of two of the men at the centre of the allegations in Haiti when they worked previously in Chad. We at @oxfamgb commit to further improvements in aftermath of Haiti reports . Oxfam GB https://t.co/nClCrIUflW via @po_st Mark Goldring (@Mark_Goldring1) February 11, 2018 The charity received 31.7 million in Government funding in 2016/17, but the support has been put at risk by the scandal. Four members of Oxfam staff were dismissed and three, including the country director Roland van Hauwermeiren resigned before the end of the 2011 investigation. According to The Times, Oxfam knew about concerns over the conduct of Mr van Hauwermeiren and another man when they worked in Chad before they were given senior roles in Haiti. Residents who were evacuated following the discovery of an unexploded Second World War bomb near London City Airport can return to their homes, police said. People living within the 214-metre exclusion zone in the London Borough of Newham were asked to voluntarily leave their property on Monday while bomb disposal teams handled the 500kg ordnance. The @metpoliceuk have said the initial 214-metre cordon that was put in place early on Monday morning is now lifted. Residents from Holt Road, Leonard Street, Lord Street, Newland Street, Tate Road, Muir Street and Kennard Street can now return to their homes. https://t.co/WdJL2jEHdT Newham London (@NewhamLondon) February 12, 2018 Metropolitan Police said the 1.5 metre-long tapered-end shell, which was found 15 metres underwater in King George V Dock in east London on Sunday, has been moved. It has been taken to a secondary position within the dock, the force said. Expand Close Locates unexploded Second World War bomb in George V Dock close to London City Airport Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Locates unexploded Second World War bomb in George V Dock close to London City Airport Royal Navy divers will work with police through the night to move the German general-purpose bomb down the River Thames and carry out a controlled explosion on Tuesday morning. The process will disrupt some late-night train services from St Pancras station. The last two Southeastern trains will be delayed as police have asked for the tunnel under the Thames to be closed. The 23:55 to Faversham and the 00:12 to Ashford International are affected, the operator said, and apologised for inconvenience caused. INFO - The unexploded World War II bomb found near London City Airport will be transported down the river this evening. As a result, the last two trains from St Pancras will be delayed as the tunnel under the Thames will be closed at police request: https://t.co/jjmS2Zgsvd Southeastern (@Se_Railway) February 12, 2018 The operation caused travel disruption at London City Airport, which closed on Monday with more than 100 flights cancelled. It is expected to reopen on Tuesday, said CEO Robert Sinclair. Theresa May and Angela Merkel will hold talks in Berlin (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Theresa May will hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday as the Government steps up efforts to make progress on Brexit. Chancellor Philip Hammond has already embarked on a Brexit charm offensive, meeting European counterparts and business leaders. The Prime Ministers talks with Mrs Merkel at the Chancellery in Berlin comes ahead of her speech in Munich on Saturday. And Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson will use a speech on Wednesday to set out his view of the next stage of the Brexit process. Mr Hammond is visiting European Union members Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal as part of his tour. His first stop is Norway which is outside the EU but is in the European Economic Area and part of the single market, a post-Brexit model rejected by Theresa May because it would not give control over laws or immigration and would require continued payments to Brussels. Starting the first leg of my four-day European tour. I'll be meeting my counterparts and business leaders in five countries. First stop Oslo to meet Norwegian finance minister @Siv_Jensen_FrP. pic.twitter.com/cWJHHNQPiM Philip Hammond (@PhilipHammondUK) February 13, 2018 The tour comes as the UK prepares to reveal further details of its approach to the next phase of the Brexit process, which will focus on a transitional deal for the period after leaving the bloc in March 2019 and the future trading relationship with Brussels. Mr Hammond said: I am taking the message to Europe that, while we are leaving the EU, Britain still cares about its relationships with the countries, citizens and businesses with whom we share a close history and common values. We look forward to agreeing a new, deep and special partnership with the EU that keeps our relationship growing strongly in the future. Turkeys president has issued a warning to Greece, Cyprus and international companies exploring for gas in the eastern Mediterranean not to step out of line and encroach on Turkish rights. Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the warning in an address to legislators of his ruling party as Turkish warships continued to stop a rig reaching a location off Cyprus where Italian energy company Eni is scheduled to drill for gas. It came as Greek authorities said a Turkish coastguard vessel had rammed a Greek coastguard boat off a couple of uninhabited islets in the Aegean Sea over which the two Nato allies nearly went to war in 1996. Expand Close The Gavdos 090 vessel was reportedly rammed by a Turkish coastguard boat (Greek CoastguardAP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Gavdos 090 vessel was reportedly rammed by a Turkish coastguard boat (Greek CoastguardAP) Turkey opposes the gas drilling, saying it disregards the rights of breakaway Turkish Cypriots. The Cypriot government says it has a sovereign right to drill, and that if the search is successful, any income would be shared equitably if the island is reunified. The European Union on Monday cautioned Turkey to respect the territory of its member states and to avoid ratcheting up tensions. Cyprus has been divided since Turkey invaded in 1974, after a failed coup by supporters of union with Greece. The island joined the EU in 2004, but only the southern part enjoys full membership benefits. Many in Turkey also dispute Greek ownership of uninhabited Aegean islets near Turkeys coastline. We are warning those who step out of line with miscalculations in Cyprus and the AegeanRecep Tayyip Erdogan Opportunistic attempts concerning gas exploration off Cyprus and concerning Aegean islets are not escaping our attentions, Mr Erdogan said. We are warning those who step out of line with miscalculations in Cyprus and the Aegean. Greeces coastguard said nobody was injured in the collision around midnight on Monday, although the Greek vessel suffered damage to the stern where the Turkish boat hit it with its bows. It said the precise circumstances of the incident are still unclear. Expand Close A drilling platform outside Larnaca port in Cyprus (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias, File) AP / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A drilling platform outside Larnaca port in Cyprus (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias, File) The coastguard vessels were off the uninhabited Imia Kardak in Turkish islets, which both countries claim and are prime fishing spots, attracting boats from both countries. Greek government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos voiced concern but appealed for restraint. Right now there is no need to pour more oil on the flames. What is needed is calm, level-headedness and a serious handling of the situation, he said. Recently we have been seeing increasingly provocative behaviour from Turkey, which is a source of very serious concern to us, he told private Alpha radio. An Uzbek man who carried out a deadly attack in Stockholm last year swore allegiance to the Islamic State group in a video and wrote that he wanted to scare the infidels and leave my life, prosecutors have said. Rakhmat Akilov went on trial on Tuesday at Stockholm District Court for ramming a stolen truck into a crowd in the Swedish capital, killing five people and injuring 14 others because he wanted to punish Sweden for joining a coalition against IS. He is charged with terror-related murder and attempted murder. The prosecution has asked that he gets a life sentence and is extradited from Sweden. Expand Close Stockholm truck incident Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Stockholm truck incident Akilov, who has confessed to the attack, wore handcuffs as he entered the high-security courtroom. Prosecutor Hans Ihrman described how Akilov drove a stolen beer truck into a busy Stockholm shopping street on April 7 before being arrested hours later. The case is about 40 seconds that changed forever the lives of those who were on Drottninggatan promenade that day, he said. Five people were killed a British man, a Belgian woman and three Swedes, including an 11-year-old girl. The Briton, Chris Bevington, 41, worked as a director with music streaming service Spotify and was based in Stockholm with his family. It is with shock and a heavy heart that I can confirm that Chris Bevington from our Spotify team lost his life in... https://t.co/HXPkWZVWzT Daniel Ek (@eldsjal) April 9, 2017 Yes, it was Akilov who drove the truck, his lawyer Johan Eriksson told the court. In a room next to the courtroom, relatives of the victims listened quietly, some in each others arms. Akilov, who turns 40 on Wednesday, was born in Uzbekistan and worked there as a construction worker. He arrived in Sweden in 2014 and applied for asylum, claiming he had been persecuted. His application was rejected and he was ordered to leave in December 2016. Instead, he went underground, eluding authorities attempts to track him down. Swedens domestic intelligence agency has said it had nothing indicating he was planning an attack. Expand Close Stockholm truck incident Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Stockholm truck incident Inside the courtroom, Akilov stared at a screen where footage from the attack including film he shot while driving the truck was shown. The prosecutor said Akilov used 53 sim cards and social media including WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, Facebook and Zello to communicate with others about his activities. Akilov has said he proposed carrying out an attack in Stockholm to IS on their behalf. It was not clear whether the group accepted his offer. Investigators have found internet chat logs with unknown people in which Akilov discussed becoming a martyr and swore allegiance to IS between January 12 2017 and the attack. They have also found a memory card with execution videos and thousands of photos, including one of IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The prosecution also played a video where Akilov swore allegiance to IS. On April 6 the eve of the attack he wrote in a chat: Tomorrow, in the evening I will find a large vehicle and I will drive into a crowd with it. A Bangladeshi police officer stands guard in front of the building that once housed the Holey Artisan Bakery cafe where 29 people died in a July 2016 militant attack, July 1, 2017. The younger sister of a 24-year-old Bangladeshi woman accused of a militant-inspired knife attack in Australia faces similar charges after she pulled a blade on a law-enforcement official in Dhaka, authorities said Tuesday. Dhaka police said Asmaul Husna, 22, [alias Sumona] attacked Tohidul Islam, the assistant commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), while officers were at her apartment Monday night to get information about her sister, Momena Shoma, who is facing terrorism charges in Melbourne. As the police personnel were about to leave the apartment, the accused Sumona came out of a room with a knife in hand and started stabbing Islam, a police report said. Sumona shouted Allahu akbar, which in Arabic means God is great, when she began the attack, the report said. The other officers snatched the knife away and Islam was taken to a hospital where he was declared out of danger, the report said. DMP spokesman Masudur Rahman told BenarNews that police filed anti-terrorism charges against Sumona on Monday after she admitted during interrogation that she and her older sister were members of a faction of the banned extremist group Jamaat-ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB). Bangladeshi authorities have blamed that faction, Neo-JMB, for a 2016 terrorist attack at a Dhaka cafe that left 29 people dead, including 17 foreigners. Middle East-based Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility, but Bangladeshi authorities blame home-grown militants for the massacre. The two women apparently were radicalized by watching militant videos online and on social media, according to a preliminary police report obtained by BenarNews. Both sisters got inspired to devote to jihad and vowed to fight for establishing Islamic caliphate in Bangladesh, the report said, referring to the Arabic term for struggle. Police seized a laptop and two mobile phones from Sumonas apartment, officials said. IS-inspired attack in Melbourne Australian police filed terrorism-related charges against Shoma on Saturday over what investigators alleged was an IS-inspired attack when the Bangladeshi woman stabbed a 56-year-old man in the neck while he was asleep at his home. The man was taken to a hospital where he underwent surgery for injuries that were not life threatening, police said. His young daughter was present at the time of the attack, but was not injured. The mans neighbor heard a commotion and went to the mans assistance, police said. Shoma was arrested at the scene and taken to the hospital after suffering a minor hand injury, according to an Australian police statement. Shoma, according to the statement, traveled to Melbourne on Feb. 1 on a student visa and moved into the victims home six days later as a renter while continuing her studies. The daily newspaper The Australian said that until late last year Shoma attended the North South University, the same school attended by four of the Holey Artisan Cafe attackers. Australian police investigators on Saturday said they were not looking for any other suspect in the Shoma case. We will allege this was a standalone, IS-inspired attack, designed to cause harm to our community, Australian Federal Acting Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney said in a statement. Since Sept. 12, 2014, when Australia raised its national terrorism threat level, police have charged 85 people including Shoma as a result of 36 counter-terrorism operations around Australia, the statement also said. The womens father, Moniruzzaman, declined BenarNews requests for an interview. A friend, who identified herself as Julie, said Sumona used to say prayers regularly. But I never thought that she would turn into a militant, Julie said, adding that Sumona had always been immersed in social media. Then-Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin pours champagne on one of eight helicopters procured by the Philippine Air Force from Bell Helicopter Textron of Canada during a ceremony at Villamor Air Base in Pasay city, Philippines, Aug. 17, 2015. The Philippines on Tuesday formally cancelled a U.S. $233-million deal to purchase helicopters from Canada after Ottawa expressed concerns that these could be used in counter-insurgency operations. Only six days after the two countries signed off on the deal, the Department of National Defense said it issued a notice to the Canadian Commercial Corp. terminating the contract to deliver 16 Bell 412 helicopters to the Philippine Air Force. The department said it would look instead to buy helicopters from other countries, including China and Russia. The department said the cancelation was precipitated by the Canadian government ordering a review of the deal, a day after the contract was signed, over concerns it could violate the countrys strict regulations on weapons sales if the helicopters were to be used in combat operations by the Philippines. While the combat utility helicopters being purchased are primarily for the purpose of transporting personnel and supplies, the department believes that it does not owe the Canadian government any justification for an outright purchase of equipment from a privately owned company, it said. Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla, the deputy chief of staff for planning for the Philippine Armed Forces, told BenarNews earlier that the helicopters would not be used in the governments anti-insurgency campaign in troubled areas of the country such as Mindanao in the south, but would be tapped primarily for humanitarian missions. The order to cancel the deal came after President Rodrigo Duterte issued a directive, citing a law on procurements that authorizes the termination of a contract for the governments convenience. On Monday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the government was looking at bids from South Korea, Russia, China and Turkey. Were back to square one in the procurement process, Lorenzana told reporters, adding that the Canadian deal took two years to finalize. In 2014, Canada had sold to the Philippine Air Force eight Bell 412 helicopters valued at $92 million. American Ambassador to Thailand Glyn T. Davies (left), Thai military chief Gen. Tanchaiyan Srisuwan and U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. Lawrence Nicholson speak to reporters during the opening ceremony of Cobra Gold 2018 in Rayong, Thailand, Feb. 13, 2018 Marking 200 years as an ally with Thailand, the United States returned with its largest contingent of troops since before a Thai military coup in 2014, as both countries kicked off the annual Cobra Gold Exercise 2018 in Rayong province on Tuesday. Gen. Tanchaiyan Srisuwan, chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, called the 10-day joint military exercises being co-hosted by the two countries a heavy year for Cobra Gold. As many as 11,000 troops from Thailand, the U.S. and 27 other countries are taking part in the exercises at the U-Tapao Naval Air Base. The number of troops is up this cycle and has nothing to do with the politics at all. Some years, the U.S. had other operations to conduct such as in the Middle East, so participation in past years was reduced, Tanchaiyan told reporters at the ceremony. The same as our side, it depends on budget and planning. The 37th edition of Cobra Gold runs through Feb. 23 and involves troops from five fully participating countries namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea and Japan a Thai official said. About 6,800 U.S. personnel will participate either ashore or at sea, according to the U.S. embassy. That represents nearly twice the number of troops involved in previous Cobra Gold exercises that followed the coup, which toppled the civilian-led government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra four years ago. After the coup installed a junta that remains in power today, the Obama administration scaled down U.S. participation in the annual exercise. In 2016, American Ambassador to Thailand Glyn T. Davies spoke about the U.S. decision to send about 3,600 troops, a number similar to the previous year. The U.S. sent about 9,000 personnel to the annual event prior to the coup. As deep and broad as our partnership is today, it will grow stronger still when, as the prime minister has affirmed, Thailand returns to elected governance. With a strengthened, sustainable democratic system, Thailands regional leadership role, and our alliance, can reach its full potential, Davies said in 2016, according to media reports. He was referring to pledges by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, the general who led the coup, to steer Thailand back to a path of democracy and hold elections. The junta, however, has postponed the promise of nationwide polls on several occasions, but the Trump administration increased the U.S. contingent for this years Cobra Gold. Tanchaiyan and Davies, along with U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. Lawrence Nicholson, oversaw Tuesdays opening ceremony. Our goal is to work with so many partners and nations here in Cobra Gold in Thailand. And you think about the humanitarian disaster operations that we have done. ... We are better when we come together, Nicholson told reporters. Cobra Gold consists of a command post exercise, humanitarian projects and disaster relief and field training exercises. Highlights will include an amphibious landing on Saturday at Had Yao and a combined live-fire exercise on Feb. 23 at Baan Chantaklem in Chanthaburi province. Among the other countries participating in or observing the warfare training and humanitarian exercises are the Philippines, Myanmar, Bangladesh, India and China. Myanmars invitation to observe the humanitarian and disaster relief training drew criticism from U.S. congressional leaders and others over a brutal crackdown by Myanmars military in Rakhine state. The crackdown since August 2017 has brought about widespread accusations that Myanmar has targeted members of the Rohingya Muslim minority in an ethnic cleansing campaign. China relationship As its relationship with the U.S. cooled toward the end of the Obama administration, Thailand moved closer to China, which is participating in the humanitarian projects this year after observing the exercises for several years, and Russia. Thailand recently signed a contract to purchase three submarines valued at 36 billion baht ($1.1 billion) from China, expecting the first delivery in the next five to six years. Last month, the Royal Thai Army showcased the newly acquired Chinese-built VT-4 main battle tanks to the media to refute public doubts about the quality of Chinese-made weapons. Thailand plans to purchase at least 48 Chinese tanks to replace 1950s-era U.S. M-41 tanks. Thailands Chinese-made VT-4 tanks fire smoke grenades to counter against laser target locks from other weapons during a demonstration in Saraburi province, Jan. 26, 2018. (Pimuk Rakkanam/BenarNews) Ongoing protests Cobra Gold opens at a time when Thailand has faced a series of protests tied to an announcement by the deputy prime minister on Jan. 25 that a general election would again delayed this time from November 2018 to early 2019. Two days later, pro-democracy activists identified as Red Shirts, protested against the delay, leading to the arrests of 39 activists for violating Thailands strict Public Gathering Act, which bans crowds of more than five people. On Jan. 30, seven of the protest leaders were charged with sedition and defying the gathering act and the other 32 were later charged with violating the gathering act. Last week, 35 of the activists reported to police to face charges after they were allowed time to prepare for bail following their arrests. This past Saturday, 300 to 400 people gathered at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok to urge the junta to hold the election in November. The gathering was one of the largest by pro-democracy activists since the coup. An academic at Ubon Ratchathani University told BenarNews that the demonstrators were making a case for their demand to return Thailand to a democratically elected government. The demonstrations reflect demands for basic human rights. But most of them are Red Shirts, so they are seen as dissidents, said Titipol Phakdeewanich, a political science lecturer. At this moment I think the Red Shirt demonstrators are too few. The business sector is OK with the government and there is no sufficient pressure from the foreign community. Moncks Corner, SC (29461) Today Sun and clouds mixed. High near 85F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Most of us, deep down, want the same things out of life. Of course, Im talking about ultimate things, not immediate things. On the immediate level, people have a wide variety of desires. Some people like to travel. Some people like fine dining. Some people prefer indoor plumbing and a comfortable bed. And other people like camping. There are a million different tastes, interests, and hobbies. But if we get to the level of the heart, I think people all around the world generally want the same things: We want purpose. We want to be happy. We want to know we are okay. We want to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. We want to be known by someone bigger than ourselves. We want to live forever. And if you dig around in those desires, youll find that most people are waiting for some word from somewhere so that they can finally know this good life. They want a law or a list that will tell them steps to take to get there. They want their teacher to say, Youve passed, or their parents to say, I love you. They want to get a call from their dream job or their dream date. They want to hear good news about their retirement fund or their health or their kids. Many of them are listening intently to hear from the most sacred voice they know: their own. And some are desperate to hear from God. The doctrine of the necessity of Scripture reminds us of our predicament: the One we need to know most cannot be discovered on our own. And it assures us of a solution: this same ineffable One has made himself known through his word. As the Westminster Confession of Faith explains, Although the light of nature and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto salvation. Holy Scripture, the Confession goes on to say, is therefore most necessary (WCF 1.1). The Scriptures are our spectacles (to use Calvins phrase), the lenses through which we see God, the world, and ourselves rightly. We cannot truly know God, his will, or the way of salvation apart from the Bible. We need Scripture to live the truly good life. We need Scripture to live forever. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life (John 6:68). There is no other book like the Bible. It reveals a different kind of wisdom, comes from a different source, and tells of a different love. A Different Wisdom Wisdom is one of the main themes in the opening chapters of 1 Corinthians. Writing amid a Greek culture that lauded fine-sounding philosophers and fancy orators as the rock stars of their day, Paul takes great pains to differentiate the gospel from that kind of wisdom. If you are looking for wisdom in sophisticated speech and powerful rhetoric, Paul says, youll not find it in the preaching of the cross (1 Cor. 1:1825). Youll not find it in my sermons (2:15). And youll not find it in many of yourselves (1:2631). The gospel is wisdom for the mature (2:6), but it has nothing to do with the wisdom this world longs to see. Gods wisdom is not of this age (v. 6a). It doesnt belong to this earthly realm or this not yet moment in redemptive history. Gods wisdom is not of the rulers of this age (v. 6b). It has nothing in common with scheming powerbrokers or the cunning devices of the Evil One (cf. 2 Cor. 4:4; 10:46). Gods wisdom is unique. It is not immediately obvious to all or universally appreciated by all (1 Cor. 2:7). We can get very frustrated when people dont see what we see, when good arguments from Scripture dont seem to carry the day. But we should not be surprised. Gods wisdom is a secret and hidden wisdom. This doesnt mean we must cross the sea or climb into the heavens to find the wisdom of God. It means God must speak to us if we are to be truly wise. All truth may be Gods truth, but all saving truth is revealed truth. The word of the world is not like the word of God. One is new and now. The other is ancient and everlasting. One is fleeting (doomed to pass away; 1 Cor. 2:6) while the other is fixed and firm (decreed before the ages; v. 7). If we want the wisdom of passing fashions, impressive brains, and talented people, then we can look to the world. But if we wantand if we needa wisdom that is beyond us, that is outside of us, that will never fail us, we must look into the things that God has revealed to us through the Spirit (v. 10). A Different Source So where do we go to learn the things God has revealed? Do we look to the trees? What about the inner light? How about community standards? Maybe human reason and experience? The clear testimony of 1 Corinthians is that only God can tell us about God. Just as the spirit of a person discloses the thoughts and feelings and intentions of that person, so also no one can make known the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 2:11). The only Being knowledgeable enough, wise enough, and skillful enough to reveal God to you is God himself. Taken from Taking God At His Word: Why the Bible Is Knowable, Necessary, and Enough, and What That Means for You and Me, by C. Michael Patton. Used by permission of Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, Il 60187, www.crossway.org. Can we trust the Bible completely? Is it sufficient for our complicated lives? Can we really know what it teaches? With his characteristic wit and clarity, award-winning author Kevin DeYoung has written an accessible introduction to the Bible that answers important questions raised by Christians and non-Christians. This book will help you understand what the Bible says about itself and the key characteristics that contribute to its lasting significance. Global Handbook of world health organization gives Health-Care Providers Accurate and Practical Guidance for Counseling Clients Family planning is considered a development "best buy" and a life-saving intervention for millions of women and girls. Crucial to the success of family planning efforts worldwide is a well-educated and trained health workforce. In support of the global family planning workforce, a new edition of Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers, commonly known as the Global Handbook, will be released on February 15 in New Delhi, India, at the 2018 Regional Consortium Meeting of the Implementing Best Practices (IBP) Initiative. Written in plain terms and organized for quick review, the Global Handbook has served as the world's standard reference on family planning methods and related topics since its first publication in 2006. To date, more than 500,000 copies have been distributed in 13 languages. This will be the third edition published jointly by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the World Health Organization (WHO), with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and its Knowledge for Health (K4Health) Project. The Global Handbook is endorsed by more than 125 organizations worldwide, many of them members of the IBP Initiative. The new edition includes information about available and new methods, including the LNG-IUD and implants, long-acting reversible methods; subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC), with the potential for self-injection; and the new progesterone-releasing vaginal ring for breastfeeding women. New recommendations from WHO, including guidance on topics such as intimate partner violence, task sharing, and serving clients with disabilities. A new section on how family planning providers should respect, protect, and fulfill the human rights of their clients. New job aids on whether to use the pregnancy checklist or a pregnancy test and on counseling women who want progestin-only injectable where HIV risk is high. The third edition of the Global Handbook is available in English and will soon be translated into French and Spanish. After receiving his rejection letters from the provincial government, Growers n Smokers owner Rick Macl said he had his best nights sleep in a while. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/2/2018 (1309 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us After receiving his rejection letters from the provincial government, Growers n Smokers owner Rick Macl said he had his best nights sleep in a while. These letters, sent to business partners of his, noted that their joint applications to open up to a dozen cannabis dispensaries in Manitoba had been rejected, which Macl said might just be a blessing in disguise. While selling cannabis is something he had been working toward for the past year, Macl said the more he thought about it, the more he has come to appreciate what he already has. "I have a huge following, a huge community behind me. Its really crazy," he said, adding that the little head shop he opened a year ago has "evolved into something so much better." The other local entrepreneur to apply for one of four dispensary licences being divvied out during this first round is Robert Ritchot of B.O.B. Headquarters, who did not respond to a message by press time on Monday. B.O.B. Headquarters partnered with Tokyo Smoke, 4Front Advisors, Leos Group and Green Acre Capital in applying to open cannabis dispensaries in Manitoba. Macl opened Growers n Smokers, at 223 18th St. N., on March 17 of last year. Since that time, he has expanded into the storefront that neighboured his initial strip mall space, to accommodate the display and sale of hydroponic grow equipment. He has also helped hundreds of people obtain medical cannabis prescriptions by linking them with medical professionals willing to sign off on it, which he said is not always an easy task given the stigma of using cannabis. Education has also been a centrepiece to his work, with Macl helping people navigate the differences between different strains concentration of THC, CBD and terpenes and their corresponding effects on the body. From the beginning, his end game has been opening up a cannabis dispensary in the space. Now that the government has said "no," hell have to reexamine his goals. With a fast-approaching legalization date for recreational cannabis of sometime this summer and the provinces continued uncertainty on many fronts as it relates to the rollout of legalization in Manitoba, Macl predicts "chaos." "I couldnt even imagine what headaches there are going to be, because its all over the place," he said. Further to that, he said he foresees the governments instating razor-thin profit margins, which points to a marketplace thats more devoted to bulk sales than it is the quality of these sales. "At the end of the day, there was never a lot of money in the dispensary," Macl said, adding that it would nonetheless have been a nice thing to add to the packages hes able to offer customers. Macl said as soon as the winning bids are announced, he plans on connecting with the winning candidates to see whether he might be able to partner with them in some capacity. He said that he now sees his role in the future of legalized recreational cannabis coming in the form of education and pointing people toward its medicinal benefits rather than certain strains ability to make people feel "stoned." "Money isnt everything," Macl said, adding that although his business has been financially successful in its first year his greatest reward has come from people visiting him after getting their prescriptions to let him know how cannabis has allowed them to get off prescription pills and improve their lives in various capacities. "You cant even put a dollar figure on that," he said, adding after a pause, "You cant." At latest update, the provincial government planned on letting the more than 100 business entities that applied for cannabis dispensary licences learn the status of their applications by some time this month. tclarke@brandonsun.com Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB By Eamon Quinn A finance expert has called on the Central Bank to investigate the operation of all the credit committees of the banks whose unsustainable lending during the boom years led to the crash and the 64bn bill for taxpayers. The call by Brian Lucey, professor of finance at Trinity Colleges School of Business, comes after the Central Bank censured and imposed a fine of 20,000 on Michael Walsh, former non-executive chairman at Irish Nationwide Building Society. One reason the Central Bank cited for the settlement was the INBS credit committees failure to function in accordance with INBS internal policies. The settlement sees Mr Walsh banned from managing a regulated financial firm for three years. Mr Lucey said there has been no specific investigation into how all the credit committees at all the banks in the boom years had broken basic rules to lend billions to an overheated economy. There has been no individual audit of the hygiene and the operations of these committees, he said. Of the 64bn-plus that taxpayers pumped into all banks, INBS received 5.4bn. Other observers have, in the past, pointed to the mystery of how credit committees and bank boards sanctioned lending excessive amounts to a single industry commercial property. Asked about credit committees at other lenders, a spokesman for the Central Bank said it does not comment on its enforcement investigations, whether ongoing or potential. Brian Lucey The spokesman said the breaches admitted by Mr Walsh related to a period from the start of August 2004 to late September 2008. Mr Walsh resigned from INBS in early 2009. The maximum applicable monetary penalty for breaches occurring at that time is 500,000 for a natural person, said the Central Bank, adding that the appropriate sanctions were decided after taking into account factors including the need for an effective deterrent impact on other non-executive directors. Niamh Brennan, professor at the UCD Quinn School of Business, said it is better to hold individuals to account because fining institutions hurts shareholders and borrowers, not wrongdoers. Stobart Air, the franchise flying partner to leading airlines including Aer Lingus and Flybe, has invested in its fleet as the airlines contract to operate the Dublin-Donegal and Dublin-Kerry Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes, under the Aer Lingus Regional brand was recently renewed. The announcement comes following a report by the Killarney Chamber of Commerce released this week on the economic impact of tourism in Kerry, and the need for improved transport and accessibility. The report found that the industry is worth over 400 million to the town annually, attracting 1.1 million visitors per year. Stobart Air, operating as Aer Lingus Regional, has operated these routes, on behalf of the Irish Government, since 2015 and the renewed contract will run until 31 January 2022. The airline has invested up to 13.8million in its fleet to operate its PSO services over the period. Stobart Air has invested in a new aircraft with Nordic Aviation Capital, while extending an existing lease with GE Capital Aviation Services. Nordic Aviation Capital, the worlds largest regional aircraft leasing company, provides leasing and lease management services to airlines and aircraft investors worldwide. The new aircraft will operate the Donegal services while the airline will deploy its larger aircraft (ATR72) to operate the Kerry route, increasing capacity by up to 50% on Kerry services in 2018. More than 33,000 passengers used the service to Donegal in 2017, while 51,000 flew between Kerry and Dublin in the same period. These numbers are expected to grow significantly over the duration of the contract to a combined total approaching 100,000 passengers. Last year, Stobart Air announced a 25-million investment in the airline, to include the creation of 60 new jobs and the addition of jet aircraft to its fleet. Commenting today, Graeme Buchanan, Managing Director of Stobart Air, said that regional connectivity in Ireland is key, and the airline is keen to continue to operate and develop these vital routes with new aircraft on both routes this year. Aer Lingus Regionals track record on the Kerry and Donegal routes is strong, with passenger numbers growing year-on-year. We have seen passenger numbers grow by 53% for Donegal and 35% for Kerry over the past two years. These are popular routes for tourism and for linking rural areas in Ireland with the capital, facilitating opportunities for work and business. Were confident these routes will grow and develop further this year as weve invested in the service with new planes, meaning added comfort and service for passengers. At the heart of our offering is connectivity to Dublin and to international destinations, particularly to North America, through mainline Aer Lingus services. Passengers to and from North America can connect seamlessly to both Donegal and Kerry. The passenger convenience, and wider tourism benefits of this for both regions, are considerable. Working with our colleagues in Donegal and Kerry airports, we look forward to continued success of these important routes, Mr Buchanan said. Commenting on the study published by Killarney Chamber of Commerce this week, Mr Buchanan said: "We welcome this study which demonstrates the importance and potential of tourism to the local economy in Killarney. Ensuring a regular and reliable air service, connecting Kerry with our capital, is central to further growing and developing tourism in the area. We look forward to working with Kerry Airport and our tourism colleagues in achieving this. Commenting today, Chairman of Kerry Airport, Denis Cregan, said: Kerry Airport sees as positive the confirmation from the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, that the contract has been awarded to Stobart Air to operate the Public Service Obligation (PSO) air route linking Kerry Airport with Dublin for the next four years. "The contract, will allow the existing twice daily flights between Kerry and Dublin to continue uninterrupted until 31st January 2022. Passengers booking flights with Aer Lingus Regional (via www.aerlingus.com) between Kerry and Dublin will ultimately benefit from Stobart Airs familiarity of the route while the continuation of the PSO will be a major positive step for both Kerry Airport and the business and tourist interests of the county." We are delighted that Stobart Air, operating as Aer Lingus Regional will continue the Dublin Donegal route under the new PSO contract. The route has shown good steady growth over the last three years with a huge marketing effort involving the airline, airport and the tourism and business development agencies. "The continuity with the same operator on the route will enable this work to continue with all of the stakeholders and enable access to markets throughout the Aer Lingus world network for the greater good of the entire North West Region, said Anne Bonner, Managing Director Donegal Airport. "We extend our best wishes to the airline and look forward to continuing our good working relationship with them to deliver this excellent service," she said. While many of us spend Valentine's Day cuddled up with our significant other, others will spend the day separated from loved ones. Among those are the members of Defence Forces who are currently deployed in other countries. There are 375 personnel serving in Lebanon, 135 in Golan Heights in Syria and many others deployed in 11 other countries including Mali, The Democratic Republic of Congo and Western Sahara. It is always difficult to be away from family and friends but special occasions can be especially tough. This Valentine's Day some members who are serving overseas have sent messages to their loved ones here in Ireland. Pat Burke sent a sweet message home to his wife in Cork "Happy Valentines Day to my gorgeous wife I hear your heart beating everywhere I go" - Commander (NS) Pat Burke UNIFIL Newly-engaged Alan channeled the Bard for his message "Ruth, By the time you read this we will be engaged! Otherwise please ignore this message As Shakespeare once said: The very instant that I saw you, did my heart fly to your service. You make me want to be a better man, Love from the Captain of your heart, Alan." - Capt Alan Burke UNDOF "To Jade, Happy Valentines Day. Of our 6 Valentines together, this is only the 4th that Ive missed. Hopefully next year!! See you soon, Love always, Robbie." - Pte Robert Kelly UNDOF Paul sent a Valentine as Gaeilge to Rachel "La fheile Vailintin faoi mhaise duit Rachel Gra mo chroi thu mo stor." - Comdt Paul O'Donoghue UNIFIL Damien feeling thankful for his wife Clare "To my wife Clare Huang Meade I am truely blessed to have you in my life I love you and look forward to spending time with you soon Happy Valentines Day my love xxx" - Cpl Damien Meade UNIFIL John Paul is counting the days until he is reunited with Jasmine "Jasmine sorry I cant be there to celebrate Valentines Day with you Hopefully my present will make up some bit for it Less than 100 days to go." - Lt John Paul Lee UNIFIL Colin is sending love to his three Valentines "Happy Valentine's Day to my beautiful wife Mandy and our two beautiful little girls Abigail and Chloe. Love Colin." - Cpl Colin Dwyer UNIFIL Shane never feels too far from his fiance "Happy Valentine's Day to my wonderful fiance. You are in my heart always. I look forward to seeing you very soon. Lots of love, Shane." - Lt Shane Flood UNIFIL Luke is looking forward to being reunited with his family "I'd like to wish my beautiful fiance Trish a happy Valentine's Day. I hope you're not missing me too much. I hope Mike is being good for you! I will see you soon. Love Luke x" - Pte Luke Ward UNIFIL - Digital desk Update 7.50pm: The prospects of an imminent breakthrough in powersharing talks at Stormont appear to have receded after an impasse over the Irish language deepened. The Democratic Unionists and Sinn Fein set out public positions on Tuesday that suggested a meeting of minds on the crucial Stormont sticking point was still a long way off. DUP leader Arlene Foster made clear she would not sign off on a stand-alone Irish Language Act - a key Sinn Fein demand throughout the 13 months the North has been without devolved government - and also ruled out any legislation that would see road signs in Irish or workforce quotas of Irish speakers within the civil service. Stormont's former first minister moved to temper expectations that a deal to restore devolution is likely this week. "I am hopeful that we will move toward devolution again," she said. "Whether it is this week, whether it is in a couple of weeks or whether it's in a couple of months what I must ensure is that we have an accommodation that everybody feels content with." In response, Sinn Fein insisted an Irish Language Act was a prerequisite of any deal . Party president Mary Lou McDonald told the DUP to show leadership and ignore the hard-line critics who were opposed to any settlement. She said the region's main unionist party had to make up its mind whether it wanted to do a deal or not. "I am concerned that the leader of the DUP felt moved to come out and talk back to some of the very unhelpful outside noise at this time," Mrs McDonald told RTE. "The DUP know, like the rest of us, what is required to reach a deal - Acht Gaeilge (Irish Language Act) and indeed other rights are clearly part of that." Sinn Fein wants a standalone piece of legislation to protect speakers - an Irish Language Act - but the DUP has long insisted it would only countenance new laws if they also incorporate other cultures, such as Ulster Scots. The basis of a compromise solution appears to lie in how any legislation is presented. Sources have suggested three pieces of legislation - an Irish Language Act, an Ulster Scots Act and a broader Culture and Respect Act - could be a means to satisfy both sides. But Tuesday's statements indicate a resolution is still proving elusive. In an interview with the Press Association, Mrs Foster rubbished speculation about the shape of Irish language laws that might emerge from the powersharing negotiations. Mrs Foster said rumours about what legislation might look like were "not grounded in any sort of reality". "There won't be a stand-alone Irish Language Act - we have always made that very clear, people aren't going to be forced to learn Irish, there isn't going to be Irish compulsory in schools, there's not going to be bilingual signs or quotas in the civil service," she said. "Some of the speculation has actually caused a lot of concern right across the community in Northern Ireland and it's important that we say that that is not based in reality. "What we are trying to find is an accommodation and a way forward that values those people who are Irish speakers but doesn't impinge on the lives of those who aren't Irish speakers and I think that's important." Sinn Fein senior negotiator Conor Murphy said: "However they want to describe it the DUP know that agreement requires an Acht Gaeilge. "The DUP need to make up their mind about whether they are up for a deal or not." Mrs Foster also made clear that if devolution is restored she expects to be first minister of the new administration. Sinn Fein had previously ruled out her return to the post while an inquiry into a botched green energy scheme continued. "I am the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party so therefore I will be the person that's put forward by the party to be first minister," she said. The Prime Minister and Taoiseach travelled to Stormont on Monday to encourage the region's parties to finally end the deadlock that has left the North without a functioning government since last January. Theresa May urged them to make "one final push" to strike a deal to salvage powersharing. Mrs Foster said while the leaders were welcome, their presence proved a "bit of a distraction" as it interrupted negotiations. The DUP leader said the governments had been told in advance of their trip that "the deal wasn't done". The DUP did not meet Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Monday but Mrs Foster rejected the suggestion that recent frayed relations between the two over Brexit was the reason. She said she did not feel it necessary to meet Mr Vardakar because the negotiations were touching on matters solely related to internal matters within the North. Mrs Foster said language was not the only remaining sticking point, and said gaps still had to be bridged on other wrangles between the two parties. "We have made very good progress in these last three weeks - these last three weeks has been quite intensive and we have made good progress," she said. Original story (2.30pm): Arlene Foster plays down concerns over Irish language laws Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster has rubbished speculation about the shape of Irish language laws that might emerge from Stormont's powersharing negotiations. Mrs Foster said rumours about what legislation might look like were "not grounded in any sort of reality". In an interview with the Press Association, the DUP leader again insisted her party would not sign off on a stand-alone Irish Language Act - a key Sinn Fein demand throughout the 13-month impasse. She also ruled out any laws that would require bilingual road signs in Northern Ireland; compulsory teaching of Irish in schools; or quotas of Irish language speakers within the civil service. Stormont's former first minister also moved to temper expectations that a deal to restore devolution is likely this week. Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster at Parliament Buildings at Stormont, as she has rubbished speculation about the shape of Irish language laws that might emerge from powersharing negotiations. "I am hopeful that we will move toward devolution again," she said. "Whether it is this week, whether it is in a couple of weeks or whether it's in a couple of months what I must ensure is that we have an accommodation that everybody feels content with." Mrs Foster also made clear that if devolution is restored she expects to be first minister of the new administration. Sinn Fein had previously ruled out her return to the post while an inquiry into a botched green energy scheme continued. "I am the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party so therefore I will be the person that's put forward by the party to be first minister," she said. The British Prime Minister and Taoiseach travelled to Stormont on Monday to encourage the region's parties to finally end the deadlock that has left Northern Ireland without a functioning government since last January. Theresa May urged them to make "one final push" to strike a deal to salvage powersharing. Mrs Foster said while the leaders were welcome, their presence proved a "bit of a distraction" as it interrupted negotiations. The DUP leader said the governments had been told in advance of their trip that "the deal wasn't done". The DUP did not meet Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Monday but Mrs Foster rejected the suggestion that recent frayed relations between the two over Brexit was the reason. She said she did not feel it necessary to meet Mr Vardakar because the negotiations were touching on matters solely related to internal matters within Northern Ireland. Sinn Fein wants a standalone piece of legislation to protect speakers - an Irish Language Act - but the DUP has long insisted it would only countenance new laws if they also incorporate other cultures, such as Ulster Scots. The mood music emerging from the negotiations has been more positive in recent days, with growing anticipation that a resolution is close. Mrs Foster said speculation about what new language laws might look like had caused public concern. "Some of the speculation yesterday wasn't grounded in any sort of reality at all," she said. "There won't be a stand-alone Irish Language Act - we have always made that very clear, people aren't going to be forced to learn Irish, there isn't going to be Irish compulsory in schools, there's not going to be bilingual signs or quotas in the civil service. "Some of the speculation has actually caused a lot of concern right across the community in Northern Ireland and it's important that we say that that is not based in reality. "What we are trying to find is an accommodation and a way forward that values those people who are Irish speakers but doesn't impinge on the lives of those who aren't Irish speakers and I think that's important." Mrs Foster said language was not the only remaining sticking point, and said gaps still had to be bridged on other wrangles between the two parties. "We have made very good progress in these last three weeks - these last three weeks has been quite intensive and we have made good progress," she said. - PA Both parties in the Irish Rail training dispute have agreed to refer the issue to the Labour Court. They made the decision after 18 hours of discussions at the Workplace Relations Commission. Reform of the film industry funding model is needed to protect workers and eradicate abuse and waste of taxpayers' money, the GMB trade union has said. GMB regional organiser Denise Walker said the current funding model had created many problems in the industry. Ms Walker told an Oireachtas committee on Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht that the union has become aware of issues of serious concern within the industry. GMB represents 300 people working in construction, props and driving crews in the Irish film industry. "Bullying harassment, mistreatment of workers, breaches of health and safety and unsafe working practices, which includes the length of the working day and week," she said. "No-one has a permanent contract; many have worked in the industry for 20 years yet still have no provision to acquired rights or even a pension." Ms Walker said those who spoke out for their rights or the rights of their fellow workers were then prejudicing their future employment. "To challenge the status quo has led GMB activists and members amongst others effectively being blackballed on current productions," she said. The sector in Ireland is worth an estimated 550million, directly employing 7,500 workers on a full-time basis. Section 481 tax incentives, which production companies can claim and have helped fund thousands of productions, is currently under review. "This is an industry which receives millions of euro annually in loans and grants and very generous 481 incentives to create quality employment, yet we see no evidence of quality employment on the ground," Ms Walker said. She said drivers are regularly expected to work longer than 12 hours a day, breaching current legislation - and that rest periods were often ignored. She added there were also issues with "bogus self-employment". "There are many problems with the funding and it has created many problems within the industry," Ms Walker said. "We welcome ongoing investment in the industry, we want to see the industry grow and prosper, but we would call for serious consideration to the reform of how funding is made going forward. "This reform must seek to eradicate abuse and waste of taxpayers' monies. As a minimum, proper scrutiny must take place to ensure that funded projects actually create clearly defined jobs and this must be rigorously monitored." - PA By Ann O'Loughlin A 20-year old woman with cerebral palsy who had sued over the circumstances of her birth at Wexford General Hospital has settled her action against the HSE with an interim payout of 1.95m. Shauni Breen's counsel Dr John OMahony SC told the High Court it was a sad case where Shauni was born about 40 minutes after her healthy twin sister. Shauni Breen has cerebral palsy, spastic diplegia and is confined to a wheelchair Mr Justice Kevin Cross was told. The young woman will come back to court in five years time when her future care needs will be assessed. Shauni Breen from Meadwobrook, Riverstown, Glanmire, Co Cork had sued the HSE over the circumstances of her birth in 1997. It was claimed on December 30, 1997, when the twins were 33 weeks and three days, their mother Marie Foley was admitted to Wexford General Hospital with contractions at 5am. Shauni's infant twin Nicole was born healthy at 6.10am. It was further claimed the second stage of labour for Shauni lasted forty minutes and it was claimed the management of her birth was allegedly incompetent . There was it was claimed an alleged failure to have an anesthetist present for the birth and there was an alleged failure to have a full team in attendance ready and prepared for every eventuality an an alleged failure to recognise it was a high risk labour. The court was told the claims were denied and the HSE contended the management of the birth complied with general and approved practice and the treatment was entirely consistent with optimum, conventional medical practice in a district hospital maternity unit in 1997. Dr O'Mahony told the court the baby had an abnormal presentation and his side contended she should have been delivered by Caesarean section within fifteen minutes of her sister. He said when born Shauni had to be resuscitated and was transferred to another hospital. Counsel said the young woman is doing well and the care given by her mother throughout the years, Dr O'Mahony said was extraordinary. Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Kevin Cross said it was a good one. He also congratulated Shauni's mother and extended family for the care they have given her in the last twenty years. By Ann O'Loughlin A campaigner against the Shell Corrib gas project in Co Mayo has urged the High Court to quash a ministerial consent for a pipeline bringing gas to a refinery at Ballinaboy. From the time of her first submission in May 2001 to Mayo County Council concerning the project, and despite not being able to argue every facet of what later took place, I knew what was at stake, Maura Harrington said. She had recognised, from "day one", the entire project was a land, sea and air attack on the place that is Erris. The case by Ms Harrington, representing herself, and opposed by four senior counsel representing the State and Shell, opened on Tuesday before Mr Justice Michael McGrath. Ms Harrington is challenging a December 29th 2015 consent, issued under the Gas Act, by then Minister Alex White for a pipeline transporting gas from the Corrib gas field to the Ballinaboy refinery. Among various claims, she contends the process under which the consent issued was flawed and no environmental impact assessment sufficient to comply with the consolidated EIA Directive of 2011 was carried out. Ms Harrington said the State and Shell maintain the consent was for raw gas to run from point a to point b and that her case amounted to an impermissible collateral attack on the process under which it and other consents were gathered. She disputed such arguments and maintained the process is amenable to judicial review. At issue is the balance of rights between herself, who had taken part in all the statutory processes from beginning to end, and the respondents, she said. Before the gas could run from point a to point b, the other consents had to be in place, she said. The December 2015 consent was the final part of a long, complex and complicated project which began in November 2000 with Shells first planning application to Mayo County Council, she said. In the long and complicated process of consent gathering, she was precluded from comment on aspects of the project which had not yet been presented by Shell for consideration for consent, such as the question of raw gas running through a pipeline from one point to another, she said. Her difficulty now, when seeking to rely on European law designed to protect the environment, she was being told she cannot do that as it amounted to an impermissible collateral attack on other consents. The Aarhus Convention - concerning public participation in decision making affecting the environment - was ratified by Ireland in 1997 although it was not transposed into Irish law until relatively recently, she said. The question of integrated public participation arises under principles of the Aarhus Convention but the difficulty for public participation in the planning process for the Corrib gas field was that the different stages of it were presented at different times, she said. The December 2015 consent must be assessed in a context of the integrated public participation provided for under the Aarhus Convention, she said. It appeared irrational, contrary to common sense and a nonsense to maintain that consents which were relied upon for phases of this entire project, and to support this final consent, had been fully examined and deemed fully compliant with Irish and EU law, she said. The hearing continues. By Sarah-Jane Murphy The former head of Treasury at Anglo has described hand delivering a letter to the Central Bank requesting more than 1bn in emergency funding on the evening of September 29, 2008. Matt Cullen was giving evidence at the trial of David Drumm, who it is alleged was involved in a conspiracy to defraud in the amount of 7.2 billion between March and September 2008. We were short of funding that day and we saw we didn't have the cash to make payments the following morning, he told Paul O'Higgins SC, prosecuting. Mr Drumm (51), with an address in Skerries, Co Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to conspiring with former bank officials Denis Casey, William McAteer, John Bowe and others to defraud depositors and investors at Anglo by dishonestly creating the impression that deposits in 2008 were 7.2 billion larger than they were. He has also pleaded not guilty to false accounting on December 3, 2008, by furnishing information to the market that Anglo's 2008 deposits were 7.2 billion larger than they were. Earlier today Mr Cullen told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that he and others were told to come up with ideas to generate funding in advance of Anglo's half-year end in March 2008. He said this followed the "St Patrick's Day Massacre" when the bank's share price had dropped significantly. Mr Cullen said discussions took place between David Drumm, the Financial Regulator, the Central Bank and executives in other banks in late March 2008, as to how Irish banks would help each other. He said he was asked to approach people he knew in other banks to see if any assistance could be given in this regard. Mr Cullen said Bob O'Hara, who was in charge of the money desk at the Central Bank, phoned him on April 28, 2008 to check how fundraising initiatives at Anglo were progressing. Bob said we were not to show 'effing reliance on ECB funding', he said. Mr Cullen said he received a phone call from David Gantley, Director of Treasury at Irish Life and Permanent, asking if Anglo would do a repo for ILP's return date, which was June 30. A repo was explained to the jury as a sale and repurchase deal. I asked what size. He said 3bn. I spoke to McAteer, Bowe and Drumm. The answer came back straight away yes, Mr Cullen told Mr O'Higgins. The witness said weekly financial incentive meetings became the norm at Anglo from June 2008 on, as the global financial situation worsened. He said staff from corporate funding, retail funding, large corporations and interbank attended and reported how things were out there and in here. He said these briefing sessions were a precursor to regular Friday afternoon meetings held in Mr Drumm's office. Mr Cullen said he was asked to come up with funding initiatives again in July 2008 in preparation for Anglo's year end in September. The jury were shown a document with several proposed ideas and the corresponding initials of bank executives who were tasked with coordinating each one. When asked how the mechanics of the circular transaction between Anglo, ILP and Irish Life Assurance, which took place in September 2008, was decided, he said it was done in stages. If we tried to do 7.2bn cash in one go and got blocked by the system, the fear was that everyone in other banks would hear you had problems with your payments, he said. Last Friday, Mr. Drumm's defence barrister, Tessa White BL, told his trial that there were facts he wished to admit to which would reduce both the length of the trial and the complexity of the evidence. The trial continues before Judge O'Connor and a jury of ten men and five women. Update 1.38pm: "A series of most unfortunate events" led to the circulation of a false rape allegation against garda whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe in 2013, lawyers for the Garda Commissioner have have told the Disclosures tribunal, writes Gerard Cunningham. The tribunal is hearing closing submissions from legal teams in relation to its first module, where evidence was heard in July 2017. That module set out to investigate the creation, distribution and use by TUSLA (formerly HSE) of a file containing false allegations of sexual abuse against Sgt McCabe sent to Gardai in 2013, and whether these false allegations and the file were knowingly used by senior garda officers to discredit Sgt McCabe. A "cut and paste error" led to a more serious allegation being added to a report from Miss D after she sought counselling in 2013. Miss D had initially made a complaint against Sgt McCabe in 2006. After a garda investigation the DPP decided that the allegation did not constitute an offence. Tribunal chairman Mr Justice Peter Charleton said this morning that a GSOC review of the original garda investigation had concluded it was a thorough inquiry. He said the investigation, headed by Garda Superintendent (then Inspector) Noel Cunningham "would be a very good example for teaching purposes of how to conduct an investigation of this kind." Micheal P O'Higgins SC, counsel for the Garda Commissioner, said that HSE officials had acknowledged that the errors which were made in 2013 were theirs. "This was a series of most unfortunate errors," Mr O'Higgins said. He said the errors were not garda errors, and garda officers took reasonable steps to correct the errors once discovered. "Perhaps chaos theory was ruling, rather than any conspiracy," Mr O'Higgins said. The barrister said there was "no evidence the false accusations were knowingly used by members of An Garda Siochana to discredit Sgt McCabe in any way." Mr O'Higgins said that in appointing Assistant Commissioner Derek Byrne and Chief Superintendent Terry McGinn to look into policing issues in the Cavan Monaghan division, the force made an appropriate and reasonable attempt to address Sgt McCabe's complaints. Paul Anthony McDermott SC, on behalf of Tusla, said there was no evidence of any conspiracy or deliberate plan to cause harm to Sgt McCabe. Mr McDermott said the agency wanted to apologise to those affected by the sequence of errors, and to apologise again in public to Sgt McCabe and his family. He said the agency was revising how it dealt with historic allegations. Michael Cush SC, for the HSE, said there was "a terrible error", and when it was discovered HSE employees took steps to recover copies of the report which had been sent out, but unknown to them, a report has also been forwarded to An Garda Siochana. Earlier: D family asked why sexual allegations against Maurice McCabe were being raised years later The Chairman of the Disclosures Tribunal has asked counsel for the D family was there anything behind reviving allegations of sexual assault against Maurice McCabe in 2014. The DPP had ruled in 2007 that even if there werent issues of credibility with Ms Ds account of events, what had occurred did not amount to sexual assault or even assault. Peter Charleton asked counsel for the D family why the allegations were being raised again so many years later, including speaking to journalist Paul Williams. Counsel for Ms D said she was concerned that Sgt McCabe was being portrayed in a glorified manner by certain sections of the media, and she thought there were different perspectives on matters. - Digital Desk By Gordon Deegan A 65-year old farmer today pleaded guilty to a charge in connection with the dumping of 12 decomposing animal carcasses from a 300 ft high cliff four years ago in west Clare. At Ennis Circuit Court, Martin Gerald Foley pleaded guilty to disposing of waste in a manner that is likely to cause environmental pollution on dates unknown between April 20, 2013 and March 13, 2014 contrary to Section 32 (1) of the Waste Management Act. The 12 carcasses were made up of eight horse carcasses and four cattle carcasses. At a previous court date, counsel for Mr Foley, Pat Whyms BL said that his client would be contesting the charge and that the trial would take more than one week. A jury was ready to be empanelled in the case today, however, Mr Foley of Lislanihan, Kilkee said Guilty judge when arraigned on the single charge in court. Todays guilty plea followed a lengthy Garda investigation into the discovery of the rotting animal remains at the base of the cliffs at Baltard, Doonbeg in April 2014. This resulted in gardai serving a two-volume Book of Evidence on Mr Foley in September 2015. In April 2014, Clares ISPCA warden, Frankie Coote carried out the examination of the decomposing carcasses at the base of the Cliffs. The Garda investigation in the case included DNA tests that were carried out on the dead animals to determine who they belonged to and the work of an oceanographer to determine if the carcasses were washed ashore or not. The carcasses had to be cremated at the scene as it was not possible to remove them. In response to the discovery of the carcasses, four separate agencies launched investigations that included the Gardai, the ISPCA, the Department of Agriculture and Clare Co Council. The bloated animals were located close together at the bottom of the isolated cliffs. The decomposing remains were brought to the attention of the Gardai by a walker who discovered the carcasses while walking on the rocky shore. The walker reported the discovery to Kilrush gardai, who attended soon after. In the case, Mr Foley is represented by his brother, Galway-based solicitor, Oliver Foley and Mr Whyms. In 2016 in court, Mr Whyms made a successful application for legal aid for his client. Mr Whyms said: Mr Foley doesnt have any regular income as such." He added: He does have a small holding on which he he keeps a few horses for himself and there are also some cattle that he is minding for a man who owns the cattle." Mr Whyms said: His only income in the last year came from the sale of a few horses and if you have average that over the week, it comes at 200 a week." Mr Whyms also stated: He is not on social welfare and doesnt have a job. This waste legislation that is in the case is very technical and there is no way that a lay person could conduct a defence on his own and he doesnt have any money. In court today, Mr Whyms said that there would have been a lot of technical evidence in the trial and in response to his application, Judge Keys extended the legal aid cert for Mr Foley to cover the costs of an engineers report that had been carried out. Judge Gerald Keys remanded Mr Foley on bail to April 23 for sentence. Ireland could be joining a group of European countries who jointly negotiate pharmaceutical deals with major manufacturers. Negotiations are to begin with Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Austria on drug pricing and supply. The collaboration is known as the BeNeLuxA Initiative. Health Minister Simon Harris says he'll be travelling to Belgium and the Netherlands soon to begin discussions with ministerial counterparts in both countries. Minister Harris said Im delighted that Cabinet has given formal approval for Ireland to open these negotiations and I look forward to working with these countries to explore opportunities to secure affordable access to new medicines for Irish patients, through information sharing and policy exchange. Securing access to new and innovative medicines, in a manner thats affordable and sustainable, is one of my key objectives. The BeNeLuxA collaboration is well established and is a concrete step forward. It will allow Ireland to explore opportunities, in an increasingly challenging environment of high pricing of medicines by pharmaceutical companies, to secure sustainable and affordable access for patients to new and innovative medicines. By Natasha Reid A jury has been told to consider the defences of duress and reasonable excuse in the trial of a mother of one charged with impeding her boyfriends apprehension by staging the suicide of the woman hed strangled. The judge was giving his charge to the Central Criminal Court jury today on the sixth day of the mushroom pickers trial. The 34-year-old Latvian is charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of her boyfriend, knowing or believing him to have murdered her 49-year-old housemate, Antra Ozolina (49), or committed some other arrestable offence. It is alleged that Egita Jaunmaize, of no fixed abode, placed a blue cord around Ms Ozolinas neck so as to simulate her suicide in order to make it more difficult to establish that her death was suspicious. She has pleaded not guilty to carrying out the offence at their home at The Old Post, Main Street, Kilnaleck, Co Cavan on or about June 27 or June 28 2014. She told gardai that she was in fear for her life and acting on her boyfriends orders at the time, having just seen him strangle Ms Ozolina. The trial has already heard that he has not been charged. The neo-nazi is currently being spoon fed as a result of a traumatic brain injury sustained months later while fleeing after a car he had hijacked crashed. Patrick Gageby SC, prosecuting, reminded the jury that the reason the accused gave gardai for having lied initially was a fear of her boyfriend being sent back to Latvia, where he was wanted by the authorities. He said in his closing speech that this was a matter of some importance. The accused did not want (him) arrested and sent back, he said. She was in a relationship with him, lets be frank, not one that you or I would ever be party to either as a man or a woman, he continued. And she did try to conceal the fact that he was the person who killed her flatmate, the lady who had taken her under her wing. He pointed to the fact that she had continued a relationship with him afterwards. No sooner was she out of garda custody than she went back to him, even though the gardai had offered to provide some security to her, he said, referring to the offer of accommodation through St Vincent de Paul. He also pointed to what she told gardai after his crash, when she was still living with him: I know now I cant help him, I cant change him. Im tired trying to help him. Isnt that really the thing? suggested the barrister. She had consistently stayed with him and tried to help him. He said that what she did in putting the rope around her housemates neck was beyond doubt. That, after all, was the main reason why the first gardai to the scene thought it was a suicide, he noted. What we are saying is theres no reasonable excuse for what she did." Giollaiosa O Lideadha SC, defending, began his closing speech by asking the jury a number of rhetorical questions. What would you have done in that situation on the night? What would a reasonable person do in those circumstances? he asked initially. (He) murdered a human being, a woman, in front of Egitas eyes. That is the prosecution case. He asked the jury to consider both duress and reasonable excuse as defences for his client. Look at the situation she was in and decide if there was a reasonable possibility she was in fear of death at the time, he suggested. She is guilty of having been in a relationship with a bad man. She is guilty of going back to the bad man afterwards, he said. However, he said it would be a horrific miscarriage of justice to allow a belief that she was therefore a bad person to dictate the result. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy told the jury that the real issue for the prosecution to prove was whether she had carried out the act with the rope without reasonable excuse. You must decide what, objectively speaking, a reasonable excuse is, he said. What would the average person, objectively thinking, consider a reasonable excuse to be? He said that duress was another issue in the case. Duress arises where threats of immediate death or personal violence are so great as to overbear the ordinary power of human resistance, he said. He explained that such threats should be accepted as a justification for things that would otherwise be criminal. You are literally dealing with this womans state of mind on this occasion, not some theoretical, supposedly average person, he said, explaining that this time the test was subjective. He will continue his charge to the jury of seven men and five women tomorrow morning. Update 8.30am: Efforts are intensifying in Belfast to finalise a power-sharing deal. The North has been without a Government for 13 months, since Sinn Fein pulled out of the northern executive in a row with the DUP. Both sides say progress is being made, and it is hoped a breakthrough is imminent. Sinn Fein's leader in the North Michelle O'Neill says restoring trust is a vital piece of the jigsaw. She said: "What we are trying to do here is resolve the issues at the heart of the current political impasse. "We need to ensure public confidence is restored back into these institutions." Tanaiste Simon Coveney. Earlier:DUP and Sinn Fein continuing efforts to reach powershare deal at Stormont The DUP and Sinn Fein are continuing efforts to reach a deal that would allow the restoration of a power sharing government in the North. The Irish and British governments have been expressing confidence an agreement is possible. Issues like Sinn Fein's demand for Irish language legislation are proving difficult to overcome. Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney says it is important to give both sides the space they need. He said: "Particularly over the last couple of weeks, as two governments we've not commented publicly on the details of a negotiation because it is sensitive, it is difficult. "The parties are definitely trying in my view, to find a way forward." - Digital Desk Update 8.38am: The Government has made improvements in support for LGBT children - but needs to do more on issues like child homelessness. That is according to the Children's Rights Alliance, which will issue its annual report card this morning. The card will rate the government on how well it has fulfilled commitments made to children in the Programme for Government. Chief Executive of the Children's Rights Alliance, Tanya Ward, says there are a number of issues that need to be addressed. She said: "We are calling on the Government to really prioritise children in the next year and face the inequalities children are facing particularly in the areas of health care, education. "For travellers and refugee children,w e are asking the Government to take concrete steps to end the inequalities they experience on a daily basis." Earlier: Report card issued this morning will rate the Government's commitment to children A report card will be issued this morning, rating how well the Government's commitments to children have been delivered. The Children's Rights Alliance will call for more action on issues such as child homelessness and access to high-quality childcare services. The government will get a grade from A to F depending on its performance in each area. Tanya Ward is Chief Executive of the Children's Rights Alliance, she says this year's report card is going to look at areas of child homelessness, health measures effecting children and also childminding services. She said: "There is some good news in this year's report card, more in the case of education and services for LGBT children. - Digital Desk Update 11.17am: The Islamic Centre of Ireland says its trying to give Muslims the confidence to say no to Female Genital Mutilation. It has issued a fatwa against the practice since a leading Islamic figure last week called for it to be legalised. Update 6.35pm: Opposition leader Micheal Martin has said a new report on housing rents makes for "very dismal and depressing reading." He said that over a number of years the rental increase in Dublin has been "shocking" and warned it is having a "huge impact on people." Mr Martin also accused Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of complacency in his approach to the country's housing crisis. The Fianna Fail leader was speaking during a debate in the Dail about the findings of the latest Daft.ie report which showed that rents were at an all-time high. Mr Martin said that behind all the figures were human stories. "Many families are under threat of eviction and are extremely worried, having been given deadlines by landlords to leave their properties because they need to renovate them or give them to family members. "Many families are now doubling and tripling up, as we know from our clinics. "There are people coming in who are living with their parents or siblings and so on. There are young people getting their first jobs in cities and 40% to 50% of their income is going on rent. The student experience is becoming hazardous," he said. Mr Martin also criticised the Taoiseach for being unable to recall the recommendations from a Department of Finance report in September to help tackle the crisis. He said it was extraordinary that none of the recommendations had been implemented by the Government. When Mr Varadkar said he would have to look again at the report because it was published some time ago Mr Martin said his response was "very worrying". "That sums up the complacency around this issue of housing," he said. "These were the measures designed to retain, and increase the supply of, landlords in the market and he does not have a clue about them, coming in here. That sums up the complacency around this issue of housing," added Mr Martin. Mr Varadkar hit back and said: "I do recall the report. I am familiar with it but, obviously, if I am going to be asked detailed questions about the recommendations, I would have liked the opportunity to at least cast my eyes over the report again before speaking to it." He said the Government was "very aware of the impact that rising rents are having on many people." "In some cases they risk driving people into homelessness. In many cases people are required to pay a huge portion of their post-tax incomes in rent, thus leaving very little money for other costs, whether child care or the many other costs of living. "We acknowledge absolutely that rising rents are having an enormous impact on people, particularly those who are struggling to make ends meet," added the Taoiseach. - PA Update 3.01pm: Tougher rent laws could create 'even more of a black market', says Taoiseach The Taoiseach says introducing tougher laws on renting could cause even more of a black economy in the housing market. Leo Varadkar was facing criticism in the Dail after the latest Daft.ie report shows rents are at an all-time high. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said many young people are now spending half their income on rent. However, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is reluctant to expand the rent pressure zones around the country. "When it comes to any additional measures, we need to be careful," said Mr Varadkar. "There is a risk that if you bring in rent controls that are too strict or too rigid, that that is counterproductive. That you actually create even more of a black market in rent. "We see that happening in places where there are very strict rent controls and people end up paying cash amounts under the table or end up sub-letting to others. "We need to make sure we don't make those kind of mistakes." - Digital Desk Update 12.07pm: Calls for landlords to be up front about the rent they are charging There are calls for landlords to be up front about the rent they are charging. Housing agency Threshold wants an independent registry to keep track of rental prices for individual properties. It says the database could make sure prices in rent pressure zones do not go up by more than the 4% limit. Threshold's Chief Executive John-Mark McCafferty. The calls follow a new Daft report showing that national average rental costs have risen by over 10% in the past year to more than 1,200 a month. Threshold's Chief Executive John-Mark McCafferty says renters need to be able to clearly see what the rent was for the previous tenancy. He said: "Currently it is the landlords word you have to take at face value but if there was a transparent register then potential renters would be able to see what the previous rent was." Update 10am: Landlords operating in 'hostile climate' as rents reach all-time high Landlords say they are operating in a hostile climate as rents reach an all-time high. A new report from the property Website Daft shows average monthly rental costs have now topped 1,200 a month. It is a 10% annual increase nationally - and well above the 4% hike allowed in so-called rent pressure zones. The figures have sparked concern from housing campaigners. But Fintan McNamara, the Director of the Residential Landlords Association, says it is a simple case of supply and demand. He said: "Political climate at the moment is very hostile to landlords, the rental sector is overly regulated. "Hardly six months goes by and we have some new regulation or other and I think it is time to stop focusing on the regulation and focus on the supply. Update 9.43am: Rent caps need to be monitored and policed, says Daft's top economist Daft's top economist says that the rent caps need to be monitored and policed. It is after the latest Daft.ie report shows that the average rent now stands at 1,227 a month - a new all time high. Ronan Lyons. Rents went up over 10% nationally last year - well above the 4% limit for pressure zones. Daft Economist Ronan Lyons says we need to look at allowing the Residential Tenancies Board to police rents because the current system isn't working. He said: "Unfortunately the rent pressure zones aren't working for the very reason they were brought in - there is a lot of demand and not a lot of supply and therefore rents are rising." - Digital Desk Earlier: Rents surge beyond boom levels with prices rising average of 10.4% during 2017 More misery for renters is revealed in the latest property round-up, which shows rents at their highest level ever with little sign of them slowing any time soon, writes Caroline ODoherty. The number of properties available to let has also plummeted to the lowest on record leaving renters at the mercy of a market that can name its price. According to property website Daft.ie, rents rose by an average 10.4% during 2017 the fourth year in a row that increases have topped 10%. That is despite areas where the highest increases occurred being included in rent pressure zones which are meant to cap annual rises at 4%. Housing charities say the figures clearly show the failure of rent pressure zones and other Government initiatives aimed at tackling the rental crisis. Niamh Randall, spokeswoman for Simon Communities, said the measures needed urgent review. Rent pressure zones cannot work without proper monitoring and enforcement, she said. Focus Ireland said the survey was deeply troubling. Its advocacy director, Mike Allen, said: We have a truly dysfunctional housing system and while we recognise that Government has taken a number of measures, the evidence is clear that these still fall far short of what is needed. Rent pressure zones were introduced in 2016 and cover 21 areas, including all of Dublin, Cork City and several suburbs, much of Galway, and key parts of Meath and Louth, yet rent increases in these areas last year ranged from 7.7% to 14% far above the 4% cap. Surges also occurred in Limerick City and Waterford City, which are not zoned and saw increases of 14.8% and 12%. All bar one county, Donegal, had increases at least double the 4% marker. Ronan Lyons, economist at Trinity College Dublin and author of the Daft report, said the underlying pressure for rising rents continued to be a chronic shortage of available rental accommodation. With at least 40,000 new homes a year needed to meet underlying demand, but with below 20,000 homes built in 2017, it remains the priority for policymakers to bring constructions costs down in line with affordable levels, he said. According to Daft, there were just 3,143 properties available to rent in the whole country on February 1 which is the lowest since surveying began in 2006. Rents nationally now average 1,227 per month, with Dublin still the most expensive at 1,822 followed by Cork at 1,180, Galway at 1,096, Limerick at 1,004, and Waterford at 835. Around the rest of the country, the average is 860. The latest increases mean nationally rents have grown by 65% since they bottomed out in 2011, while there has been an 81% leap in Dublin. A renter in the capital has to fork out 4,500 more per year than they did during the previous peak in 2008. In most cases, it would be cheaper to buy a property than rent it, as the difference between mortgage repayments and rent is almost double in some instances, and is particularly high in the case of starter properties such as one-bed apartments and two-bed houses. The Irish Property Owners Association (IPOA) disputed the interpretation of the figures, saying they reflected rents being asked for new tenancies and not existing tenancies being renewed. IPOA chairman Stephen Faughnan said he had warned there would be a shortage of properties because heavy taxation of rental income would push many landlords out of the market. A private landlord is left with far less for running the business than would appear from the regular media hype about increased rents, he said. The Department of Housing said it would be rolling out new powers to the Residential Tenancies board for the enforcement of the rent pressure zone regulations over the next two years and was moving towards the annual registration of tenancies which would provide a national rent dataset which would better inform future policy decisions. By Ann O'Loughlin A woman who sustained multiple serious injuries in a head on car crash in which her parents died has settled her High Court action. Emma Kenneally (35) told the High Court she had to be cut from the wreckage and thought she was going to die after a car veered onto her side of the road as she drove home from a shopping trip in Kilkenny. Her father, Tom Kenneally (65), a farmer, and mother Angela (61), from outside Templemore, Co Tipperary, died as a result of the accident which happened about six kilometres outside Kilkenny city on August 24, 2011. It was claimed the car which veered across the road and ploughed into Ms Kenneallys car did so after a psychiatric patient who was a front seat passenger allegedly grabbed the wheel of the car, being driven by his sister. Ms Kenneally fractured all four limbs as well her spine and ribs and spent three months in hospital after the accident. Ms Kenneally (pictured above), a teacher, of Barnane, Templemore, had sued Elizabeth Dillon, Bowsfield, Killerig, Tullow, Co Carlow, the owner and the driver of the other car and Ms Dillon's brother, Sean, of the same address who was the front passenger in the car. It was alleged Sean Dillon grabbed the driver's wheel as his sister drove. Ms Kenneally had also sued the HSE, as owner of St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny where Sean Dillon had received treatment. She had also sued the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland arising from the allegation Sean Dillon was in control of the car at the time of the accident. It was alleged the reason Ms Dillon's car went onto the incorrect side of the road was because her driving was compromised by the actions of Sean Dillon, at that time a psychiatric patient under the care of the HSE at St Luke's Hospital. It was further alleged against Ms Dillon that she allowed her brother to travel as a front seat passenger when she knew or ought to have known it was potentially unsafe to do so. It was claimed against the HSE that it allegedly released Mr Dillon into the care of his sister when it was allegedly dangerous and unsafe to do so and there was alleged failure to ensure there was adequate assistance available to Ms Dillon to manage the behaviour of her brother. The claims were denied. Mr Justice Anthony Barr, who had heard evidence over several days, was told the case had been settled. By Sarah-Jane Murphy A witness has told the trial of former Anglo executive David Drumm that he realised there was trouble ahead after receiving a phone call from a colleague to say that the interbank market was drying up. Matt Cullen, former head of Treasury at Anglo Irish Bank, agreed with Paul O'Higgins SC, prosecuting, that tremors were starting to reverberate around the financial world at this time. At the opening of his trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court last week, the jury heard that Mr Drumm (51), the former chief executive of Anglo Irish Bank, allegedly authorised deals which lead to the falsification of the banks balance sheet. Mr Drumm (51), with an address in Skerries, Co Dublin, has pleaded not (NOT) guilty to conspiring with former bank officials Denis Casey, William McAteer, John Bowe and others to defraud depositors and investors at Anglo by dishonestly creating the impression that deposits in 2008 were 7.2 billion larger than they were. He has also pleaded not guilty to false accounting on December 3, 2008, by furnishing information to the market that Anglo's 2008 deposits were 7.2 billion larger than they were. This morning Mr Cullen said the interbank market was typically the one which would first indicate trouble. He said that following a meeting in 2007 with the Governor of the Central Bank and representatives from the Financial Regulator, David Drumm set up a group in Anglo to look at ways of raising funding by way of incentives. John Bowe had responsibility for this group. I assume its setting up was as a response to the conversation that had been had at the Central Bank meeting, Mr Cullen said. Mr Cullen said that on Sunday March 16, 2008, he received an email from David Drumm, asking him to come to work the following day, St Patrick's Day, for an executive directors' meeting. He said in the email, Mr Drumm asked his colleagues to put some thought into what the Governor of the Central Bank had said regarding how Irish banks could help each other. Mr Cullen said the email asked him to consider what banks Anglo should speak to and how things might be structured. He said Mr Drumm suggested that the various banks list their placings and takings and pool them into a 12-month facility, which would be shared by all financial institutions. He asked if this would work, or if there was a better way. He said he wanted to get into dialogue with the other banks as soon as possible, Mr Cullen said. Mr O'Higgins asked the witness what other global financial events were taking place around this time. Mr Cullen said that there were all types of rumours regarding what was going on in various international markets. He agreed with Mr O'Higgins that these conditions impacted on a bank's capacity to attract funds. Last Friday, Mr. Drumm's defence barrister, Tessa White BL, told his trial that there were facts he wished to admit to which would reduce both the length of the trial and the complexity of the evidence. Tessa White BL, defending, told Judge Karen O'Connor that Mr Drumm accepted all factual matters as set out by the prosecution, relating to the transactions that took place in September 2008. However, she said, Mr Drumm disputes whether they were fraudulent or dishonest, or that there was any dishonesty in their reporting. The trial continues before Judge O'Connor and a jury of ten men and five women. By Ann O'Loughlin A woman who was wrongly arrested and brought to Mountjoy Prison in Dublin over a mistake about non-payment of a TV Lience has settled her High Court action for damages. Law student, Amy Daly (aged 27), Kilbrook, Tullamore, Co Offaly, sued the Garda Commissioner, the Governor of the Dochas Centre at Mountjoy, the Minister for Justice and Equality and the State, over the incident on January 9, 2015. The case opened before a judge and jury today but, following talks, was settled. Mr Justice Bernard Barton made an order for Ms Daly's legal costs and discharged the jury. She had sued for false imprisonment, breach of her constitutional right to liberty, negligence and breach of duty. The State parties had admitted liability for these breaches but there was an issue over the level of damages, the court heard. Earlier, Robert Beatty SC, for Ms Daly, said Ms Daly, who has a seven year old son, had picked the boy up from a creche on January 9 and brought him back home where she was making a sandwich for him while the then four-year-old was playing upstairs. A knock came to the door and two gardai were there to tell her there was an outstanding arrest warrant with regard to a TV licence. Counsel said Ms Daly, who is a single mother, had been saving 4 TV licence stamps since the previous October and had collected 144 worth since then. The gardai told her she would have to come to Tullamore Garda Station. While there were logistical problems in regard to the care of her son, she presented herself at the station a short time later where she was incarcerated in a small cell there for the whole afternoon, counsel said. Later she was brought to Mountjoy prison where she was again detained for several hours until the defendants became aware of their mistake, he said. At that point, her father drove from Tullamore to collect her and she was in an extremely distressed state. Counsel said she was in an anxious and distressed state throughout the day. She had a history of anxiety and suffered post-natal depression after the birth of her son in 2010. For some six months before this incident however, she had been clear of those problems, counsel said. The State parties have "held up their hands", counsel said, and said there was not just cause to incarcerate her. The case was now about what level of damages she was entitled to and the focus of the issues between the parties was over her existing pre-incident difficulties, counsel said. There had been no apology for what happened, he said. There would be evidence that arising out of what happened she suffered panic attacks and felt unable to breathe. She feared the defendants might try to arrest her again and moved out of her own home for a time to go back and live with her parents. She was unable to return to college for a time, suffered sleep disruption, nightmares and flashbacks and was prescribed medication for anxiety. When the case was about to resume after lunch, Mr Beatty said the case had been settled. Mr Justice Barton congratulated the parties on reaching a settlement. A UK judge has challenged Julian Assange to show the "courage" to appear in court as she ruled his arrest warrant was in the public interest. Handing down her strongly-worded judgment before a packed courtroom at Westminster Magistrates' Court, Senior District Judge Emma Arbuthnot said she was under the impression the WikiLeaks founder wanted justice "on his terms". His legal team had argued it was no longer in the public interest to pursue him for failing to answer bail at a police station as he fought extradition to Sweden in 2012. But the judge said: "Defendants on bail up and down the country, and requested persons facing extradition, come to court to face the consequences of their own choices. "He should have the courage to do the same. "It is certainly not against the public interest to proceed." Mr Assange claimed his case had exposed "improper conduct" by the Crown Prosecution Service, including emails his legal team claimed showed a CPS lawyer apparently persuading the Swedish prosecutor not to drop the case. He has been living inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London for more than five years, fearing extradition to the United States for questioning over the activities of WikiLeaks if he leaves. But on Tuesday, Judge Arbuthnot dismissed every argument put forward by his legal team on his behalf and in his absence. She said: "The impression I have, and this may well be dispelled if and when Mr Assange finally appears in court, is that he is a man who wants to impose his terms on the course of justice, whether the course of justice is in this jurisdiction or in Sweden. "He appears to consider himself above the normal rules of law and wants justice only if it goes in his favour." Mr Assange tweeted that the "judge is just defending UK state actions", while his solicitor, Gareth Peirce, said it would be possible to appeal against the decision. Speaking outside the court, she said: "Whether it is pursued is another question. "The history of the case from start to finish is extraordinary. "Each aspect of it becomes puzzling and troubling as it is scrutinised." Mr Assange has accused the UK of a "cover-up" to keep him detained, and his lawyer Jennifer Robinson previously said the Government had refused to confirm or deny whether there is an extradition request from the US. Judge Arbuthnot last week rejected his legal team's argument that the warrant was no longer valid because an investigation by the Swedish authorities into a sex-related allegation had been dropped. The judge, in her latest ruling, also commented on Mr Assange's health, which his lawyers argued had deteriorated during his time in the embassy. But she said: "I do not accept there is not sunlight, there have been a number of photographs of him on a balcony connected to the premises he inhabits. "Mr Assange's health problems could be much worse." He responded directly to the claim, tweeting: "Pulling security to get me safely on the balcony six times in six years for a few minutes turns into this..." The judge added she weighed up the costs of police resources, the losses incurred by Mr Assange's supporters in posting previous bail costs, known as sureties, and the public confidence in the justice system in making her decision. And she dismissed as "quite wrong" the findings of the United Nations Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention that Mr Assange had been forced into confinement and denied access to justice. On Twitter Mr Assange said: "We are surprised. The judge went outside what the parties presented in court. This seems to have led to the significant factual errors in the judgment. There are three months to appeal UK ruling." The spokesman said the US Justice Department had confirmed on Monday that its case was ongoing. Manchester police investigating the attempted rape of a 10-year-old girl have released CCTV images of a man they want to speak to. The child was attacked when she became separated from her friends in the Openshaw area of Manchester on Saturday afternoon. Police say a man led the girl to an area of wasteland where he sexually assaulted her before attempting to rape her. The "brave" girl managed to escape before alerting a nearby dog-walker, Greater Manchester Police said. The attacker is described as a man in his 20s, of Asian appearance, with a slim build and wearing a dark coat. Police now say that a man matching his description was seen at Clayton Hall tram stop at 1.33pm, after travelling there on the Ashton line from Edge Lane. He was also spotted at other locations in Openshaw on the same day, police said. Investigators have asked anybody who recognises the man in the images to come forward. They say they are keeping an "open mind" about whether he is in fact the attacker. Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Boyce said: "We are continuing to do all we can to find the man responsible for this horrendous attack on an innocent young girl but we still need the public's help. "We have released images of a man that we wish to speak to in connection with this incident and I would like to appeal to anyone who may recognise him to please come forward. "If you see the man pictured then please do not approach him but contact us straightaway instead." - PA The charity watchdog is to begin its inquiry into Oxfam following the aid worker sex scandal which resulted in the resignation of one of its most senior figures in the UK. Oxfam issued an "unreserved apology" to the government, donors, supporters and the people of Haiti over its handling of sex allegations, including the use of prostitutes by workers in Haiti in 2011. Announcing her resignation as deputy chief executive, Penny Lawrence said she took full responsibility for what had happened on her watch and was sorry for the "harm and distress" it had caused supporters, as the charity faced a battle to "rebuild the public trust" following crisis talks with the Government over future funding. The watchdog said Oxfam may not have "fully and frankly disclosed material details about the allegations at the time in 2011" and it also had concerns about its handling of the incidents since, and the impact that these have both had on public trust and confidence. The commission's deputy chief executive David Holdsworth said: "Charities and dedicated, hard-working aid workers undertake vital, lifesaving work in some of the most difficult circumstances across the world. "However, the issues revealed in recent days are shocking and unacceptable. It is important that we take this urgent step to ensure that these matters can be dealt with fully and robustly." The commission's inquiry came as: - Helen Evans, Oxfam's former global head of safeguarding, told Channel 4 News she begged senior staff, ministers and the regulator to act about the sexual abuse allegations. - International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt told Oxfam they "must now demonstrate the moral leadership necessary to address this scandal, rebuild the trust of the British public, their staff and the people they aim to help, and deliver progress on these assurances". - Oxfam's chief executive Mark Goldring said he would not stand down unless the charity's board told him they had lost faith in his leadership. Ms Evans detailed three new allegations made against Oxfam staff overseas in a single day. She said: "There was one of a woman being coerced to have sex in a humanitarian response by another aid worker, another case where a woman had been coerced in exchange for aid and another one where it had come to our attention where a member of staff had been struck off for sexual abuse and hadn't disclosed that, and we were then concerned about what he might be doing, and that was three allegations in one day." Mr Goldring apologised to Ms Evans over the way her concerns were handled. He told Channel 4 News: "I certainly apologise for not acting fast enough, I think we did take them seriously and we responded on many different fronts - the records checking was one of them, training was another, the promotion of the helpline was another - she did some great work. "What I recognise now, with the severity of issues as they have emerged, is that we should have resourced that team up faster as we now have, indeed, done." He said he would not resign as he was not in the post in 2011, and added: "But if our board turn round and say 'actually you are not the right person to lead forward' then I of course would resign immediately." Following a meeting between Oxfam bosses and International Development Secretary Ms Mordaunt, the minister said: "I was clear that part of an organisation's moral leadership comes from individuals taking responsibility for their actions." The charity's chair of trustees Caroline Thomson said Oxfam "unreservedly apologised to her (Ms Mordaunt) as well as to our supporters, donors and the people of Haiti for the things that happened in our name". Announcing her resignation, Ms Lawrence said: "As programme director at the time, I am ashamed that this happened on my watch and I take full responsibility. "I am desperately sorry for the harm and distress that this has caused to Oxfam's supporters, the wider development sector and most of all the vulnerable people who trusted us." The resignation comes after claims on Monday that the charity was aware of concerns about the conduct of two of the men at the centre of the allegations in Haiti when they worked previously in Chad. The charity received 31.7 million in Government funding in 2016/17, but the support has been put at risk by the scandal. Four members of Oxfam staff were dismissed and three, including the country director - Roland van Hauwermeiren - resigned before the end of the 2011 investigation. According to The Times, Oxfam knew about concerns over the conduct of Mr van Hauwermeiren and another man when they worked in Chad before they were given senior roles in Haiti. - PA The trial of an Uzbek man who has confessed to ramming a stolen truck into a crowd in Stockholm last year, killing five people and injuring 14 others, started on Tuesday under heavy security. Rakhmat Akilov appeared at Stockholm District Court, where he is charged with terror-related murder and attempted murder. The prosecution has requested that he gets a life sentence and is extradited from Sweden. Akilov appeared in court wearing a green fleece jacket and flanked by his defence lawyers. He has said he wanted to punish Sweden for participating in the international coalition against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. Throughout the nearly 10-month investigation, Akilov has been co-operative, according to his lawyer and the prosecution. Prosecutor Hans Ihrman said Akilov drove a stolen beer truck into a crowd of shoppers in a busy shopping street outside an upmarket department store in Stockholm's city centre. Akilov was arrested hours later. "Yes, it was Akilov who drove the truck that day," his defence lawyer, Johan Eriksson, told the court. The dead included Briton Chris Bevington, 41, who worked as a director with music streaming service Spotify and was based in Stockholm with his family. The others were a Belgian woman and three Swedes, including an 11-year-old girl. Three interpreters were on hand during the trial, which is expected to end on May 9. A verdict is expected before the summer. Akilov had said he offered to carry out an attack in Stockholm on behalf of Islamic State, and had gathered information about possible targets. It was not clear whether the terror group had accepted his offer. Investigators have found internet chat logs with unknown people in which Akilov discussed becoming a martyr and swore allegiance to IS between January 12 2017 and the attack on April 7, as well as a memory card with "material that can be connected to IS", including execution videos. The construction worker, who was 39 at the time of the attack, was subject to deportation from Sweden ahead of attack as his asylum application had been rejected. Akilov had been ordered to leave Sweden in December 2016. Instead, he went underground, eluding authorities' attempts to track him down. Sweden's domestic intelligence agency has said there was nothing to indicate he was planning an attack. Security was high on Tuesday, with heavily armed police officers and scores of reporters going through metal detectors before entering the courtroom. - PA If any Australian company needs to come clean over its climate risks, its QBE. Not just so shareholders can understand how secure (or not) their capital is as climate impacts intensify. This is about Australians being able to see just how perilous our future has become without urgent action to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Hurricanes belted QBE as well as America. Credit:AP Last October QBE said it expected 2017 to be the costliest year in the history of the global insurance industry, flagging a $US600 million ($767 million) hit to its pre-tax earnings. They weren't wrong, nor were they alone. A Seoul court jailed Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin for bribery, leaving the nation's largest retail group leaderless as the conglomerate seeks to navigate a planned initial public offering of its hotel unit and China relations threaten the sale of a chain of stores there. Lotte Chairman Shin Dong-bin arrives for his sentencing. Credit:AP Shin, who turns 63 on Wednesday, was sentenced to 30 months in prison after the Seoul Central District Court found him guilty of charges stemming from Lotte's decision to give 7 billion won ($8.2 million) to a confidante of former President Park Geun-hye, allegedly in exchange for government favors in providing a license to operate duty-free stores. Prosecutors had sought a four-year jail term. Korea Inc convictions He becomes the second head of a top conglomerate to be imprisoned for seeking to curry favor with impeached President Park by bribing one of her confidantes. The de-facto head of technology giant Samsung was jailed last year in a related trial but he was unexpectedly released last week on appeal, in a ruling that was perceived as a setback to government pledges to curtail the power of the nation's corporate elite. More than 95 per cent of workers 12 million Australians hold superannuation accounts, double that of 20 years ago. We have built the fourth largest pool of savings globally in just 25 years. Yet Australias population size and age profile pose significant challenges to our system. We are getting older and are having fewer children. If not addressed by policy makers, an ageing population may affect both economic growth and the viability of our retirement income system. We need as many taxpayers as possible to fund our aged pensions, or, preferably, maximise the super accounts of workers. It is incumbent upon government to deal with other challenges to our retirement system. Non-payment of superannuation is rampant. Workers have been fleeced of $17 billion since 2009 - an average $2.81 billion every year between 2009 and 2015. Some businesses are reducing entitlements for workers who choose to make voluntary contributions through salary sacrificing. Government must prosecute a zero-tolerance approach towards employers who dont pay super. Our super sector is also increasingly failing employees because the system was designed in the early 1990s for individuals who worked in stable, full-time employment, not for multiple employers or as contractors. The traditional nine-to-five jobs market been placed under severe strain by the emergence of a so-called "gig economy", or "Uberisation' of the workforce, dominated by casual or part-time workers and contractors. A third of employees are engaged as freelancers and that number is set to rise dramatically over the next decade, while the number of independent contractors, sham or deliberate, is on the rise. A lack of gender diversity is just one of the problems with the Australian tech and start-up sector, according to speakers at the Tech Inclusion Conference in Melbourne on Tuesday. Melinda Briana Epler, chief executive and co-founder of Change Catalyst, organiser of the conference, says there are a lot of under-represented people in the tech industry. Wayne Sutton and Melinda Briana Epler are co-founders of Change Catalyst. "Some of the people who are under-represented are women and there are some great conversations here in Australia about gender, but conversations about gender often leave people out," she says. "It has to be not just about white women, but all women, women with disabilities and women from different backgrounds. When we talk about diversity we talk about race, ethnicity, gender, people with disabilities, indigenous people, LGBTQ and age." Australia can transition to electric vehicles, but it needs government policy to build a foundation for the sectors growth, says Renault senior model line manager Elena Woods. Speaking from the sidelines of the Schneider Electric Innovation Summit this week, Ms Woods said electric vehicles can become more ingrained in Australias transport landscape if the government is willing to support it in its early stages. Support beyond the state level could help propel growth in the EV sector. "What weve seen in Europe is that government policy did launch the uptake of electric vehicles," Ms Woods told Fairfax Media. CUB's head office in Southbank could become a new gallery. Credit:Jason South The $95.5 million sale of Carlton and United Breweries' Southbank building to the state government has sparked speculation about the site as a potential home for a new cultural venue. The purchase of the brewer's headquarters follows years of lobbying by two of Melbourne's biggest arts venues: the National Gallery of Victoria for a third gallery, NGV Contemporary, and Arts Centre Melbourne, for a national performing arts gallery. The CUB site at 77 Southbank Boulevard sits on the corner of Sturt Street, which borders the rear of NGV International. To the music of David Bowie's The Jean Genie and Heroes, the dancers dipped and turned, moving their hands to form the shapes of the king and the queen in the famous lyrics. John Coles, 66, lifted his arms in the air, turning his palms in and out, attempting a classic ballet pose, as the dance class for people with Parkinson's disease and their families and carers began atthe Opera House's Utzon Room on Friday. Craig Taylor participates in a dance class for people who have Parkinson's disease and their carers in the Utzon Room at the Sydney Opera House Credit:Janie Barrett Occasionally Mr Coles' arms wouldn't fully obey his instructions, but many others in the room were struggling to control even unrulier limbs and jerky hands. Later, Mr Cole, of Chatswood, beamed: "I enjoyed it very much. I like David Bowie and it is a good feeling you get from dancing, which is not something you normally do," he said. It is written around the sound and history of Bibeau's magnificent 1580 instrument, and begins on the lowest string (tuned down to create a softly resonant D chord) against a quick, quiet ricochet from the orchestra. American composer Missy Mazzoli's new work, Dark with Excessive Bright, belongs to that rare but not endangered species of concertos for double bass and was commissioned to celebrate bassist Maxime Bibeau's 20th year with the ACO. As the ideas evolve, the work builds an atmosphere of sinewy, evocative mystery, resembling music of the baroque as if remembered in a dream. After a cadenza, the bass accompanies high ethereal violin notes, moves through a passage of struggle, and dissolves into quiet, though one is left wishing it would go on. The concert began with another American work, Prince of Clouds by Anna Clyne, for two violins and orchestra. Violinists Ike See and Glenn Christensen opened with a texture of high distant luminescence that was suddenly interrupted by chords of spiky ferocity. The gentler music, built on falling ideas like the sound of cascading water, eventually prevailed in a quiet close. Burrell, who was married to his wife Maria for 32 years, also talked about coming out as gay and his happiness since his second marriage to his husband Graham Cooper in April last year. James Hewitt told Sunday Night he was not Prince Harry's father. Credit:Sunday Night He said the Queen had offered him marriage advice many years ago. "I was feeding the dogs with the Queen. She had nine corgis. She is doling out the dog meat. She looked at me and said 'have you ever thought about getting married, Paul?" Poms together: Vicky Pattinson and Paul Burrell on I'm A Celebrity Australia. Credit:Ten "I said 'why do you say that?' 'Because I've heard a rumour', she said," Burrell told the campmates. "She said 'look around the palace, there are lot of lovely young girls who would make an ideal life". Burrell said when he asked the Queen "Do you think it is a good way forward?" she replied "Marriage is a fine institution and when your children arrive you will realise how much". "There is the Queen of England giving me marital advice," Burrell said. Comedian Fiona O'Loughlin noted: "Paul was tight lipped on many things not!" With the loss of Anthony Mundine last week, the show's cohosts attempted to recycle one of their favourite lines for the new arrivals From Britain. "They have created a royal rumble in the jungle," Chris Brown managed to declare with a straight face. Problem is, most of the campmates initially had no idea who Burrell was, let alone his fellow British intruder Vicki Pattinson. It was only when campmate Josh Gibson politely asked "so Paul, what do you do?" that Burrell began name-dropping his previous connection to Princess Diana and the British royal family. Gillies shrieked out loud when she realised his royal connection. (Clearly this time around she had received no early "psychic messages" from the spirit world). Simone Holtznagel, who was hanging on every word of Burrell's royal stories, said: "I am so glad Paul is here, I am obsessed with him." Pattinson arrived on set with the air of someone who is really famous elsewhere and expects, deep-down, everyone to know it. They didn't. She did, however, win the British series in 2015 and appears to have been included for "light relief", if that's what bad jokes about plastic surgery are meant to represent. Pattinson is particularly keen on talking about herself in the third person. "What this camp needed was a boob job Vicky Pattinson human boob job" she said. "All engines going on charisma." Pattinson later admitted she couldn't understand a word Shannon Noll was saying. "Shannon is really hard to understand," she said. Burrell said: "You have to listen carefully is that really broad Australian?" Clearly, it was taking a while for the Brits to settle in. Not everyone was thrilled about their arrival. "What's your name?" said a bemused Kerry Armstrong to Pattinson. "I couldn't help but notice a frisson of caution there from Kerry," said host Julia Morris. "We were both on the UK version of this," Pattinson said, telling the other contestants she won a series. "I'll be just as grubby as you guys in no time as all." She arrived as a bubbly "plastic fantastic" addition to the show, but also quickly showed a vulnerable side after discussing the topic of alcoholism with Fiona O'Loughlin. Pattinson admitted her own father is an alcoholic who is still undergoing treatment in the UK. "You wonder if this person will ever get better. Will I end up the same? Is my Dad ever going to turn his life around? And be the bloke I used to know," Pattinson said. "Why doesn't he love us enough to stop," she said in tears. Pattinson said she wondered if it was the reason she had agreed to appear on another version of I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! was because she found the experience "addictive". In another segment of Tuesday night's episode, Shannon Noll and Simone Holtznagel were chosen for the "blind diner" tucker trial.. Holtznagel said she felt like eating spaghetti bolognese from Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. Instead she ended up drinking worm wine and eating foods including a tarantula in the dark. Loading A Journey from East to West. Art Song Canberra. Wesley Music Centre, Forrest. Sunday, February 25, at 3pm. Tickets $15-$35 available only at the door. artsongcanberra.org. Inquiries: 6286 7373. This aptly named recital, A Journey from East to West, will take the audience from Turkish folk songs to Russian works via the gypsy melodies of Antonin Dvorak. Singer Ayse Goknur Shanal aims to bring three regions together through Russian, Czech and Turkish music in her upcoming concert. Ayse Goknur Shanal was born in Brisbane to parents who migrated from Turkey in 1930 and she herself lived in Turkey for several years when she was very young. She says that her mother allowed her to play with neighbourhood gypsy children and she experienced the fiery passions of gypsy mothers that are reflected in many of the songs by Turkish composers with which Shanal will open this recital. As accompanist Alan Hicks says: "It's always wonderful to hear an artist sing in her own language and Ayse is a beautiful performer and a wonderful interpreter." An Australian National University academic says she has been confronted with homophobia and sexism during a 51-week fight for parental leave to care for her and her wife's child. Climate scientist Sophie Lewis last week wrote on Twitter her application for maternity leave had been declined by her funding body, the Australian Research Council, as she was not her child's birth mother. Dr Sophie Lewis, pictured in 2013. Credit:Michael Clayton Jones Dr Lewis said this was despite her wife suffering a traumatic birth that left her unable to hold their baby unassisted for six weeks and in defiance of the couple's decision that Dr Lewis would be their child's primary caregiver. Writing her experience was one suffered by many non-traditional families, Dr Lewis encouraged employees to look out for leave policies that used non-gendered language and did not specify how a family was created. Seven protesters who staged a sit-in at the Lonsdale Street office of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection avoided a conviction on Tuesday for trespassing on Commonwealth property. On November 3 last year, the seven protesters joined a larger group in a protest following the close of the Manus Island detention centre three days earlier. The Manus Island detention centre. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The office manager asked the group to leave, and while some did, the seven who were sentenced on Tuesday for the trespass offence stayed in the office lobby. Police were called and they asked the protesters to leave. The seven, Larissa Barritt, Dylan Clements, Annastassia Dennis, Vanamali Hermans, Zoe Hinge, Judith Pabian and Lina Koleilat refused again, and were arrested. There has been millions of dollars budgeted and lots of discussion about bringing fountains back to Brisbane for several years, but to date, most of the plans have been scrapped or put on hold. Lord mayor Graham Quirk has been talking about bringing fountains back to the CBD since he announced $2.2 million for water features and fountains in the 2015-16 budget. The fountain at Emma Miller Place was restored in 2015. Credit:Cameron Atfield The money was to fund the restoration of three fountains, including E.E. McCormick Place, Mooney Memorial Plaza and Emma Miller Place, as well as design work for a new river water feature. Fountains were turned off and removed from the city in the early 2000s because of severe drought. The weather bureau says above-average temperatures will hang around for "the foreseeable future", with a warm air mass above most of Queensland showing no signs of moving on. The gloomy forecast comes after the central Queensland town of Blackall dropped to 30.7 degrees overnight, its warmest night on record, and the outback town of Winton broke its February record for the highest minimum temperature at 31.3 degrees, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Above-average temperatures were expected to remain in Brisbane throughout the week. Credit:Glenn Hunt - Fairfax Media Brisbane only reached 33 degrees on Tuesday, two degrees below the forecast maximum, and residents woke to humidity above 80 per cent. However, the river city was bracing for a top of 36 on Wednesday before temperatures were expected to cool down slightly, with an expected high of 34 on Thursday and 32 on Friday. Jay Franklin was three when he had a blood transfusion, 18 when he discovered by chance that it infected him with hepatitis C, and 40 when he died in October waiting for a federal government apology to tainted blood victims that never came. His mother Bertha wept for the son whose life was a battle against devastating health conditions from the minute he was born, as the newly appointed chair of a British judicial inquiry promised much-needed answers for victims and families of the tainted blood scandal, and victims pushed for a similar inquiry in Australia. Bertha Franklin holds a portrait of her son Jay. Credit:Joe Armao Mrs Franklin is the first to concede her son did not die because of hepatitis C. But an apology recommended after a Senate inquiry in 2004 would have acknowledged the suffering and isolation he experienced through his 20s, as the carrier of a little-known infection during a period of heightened public fear about blood-borne diseases. Even somebody writing him a letter saying they were sorry this had happened would have helped a long way. It would have made some difference that people recognised the wrong thing was done, Mrs Franklin said. Damaging wind gusts are wreaking havoc around Victoria, felling trees, blocking roads, delaying trains and causing blackouts. A 22-year-old man has also been rushed to hospital in a serious condition after a tree fell on him in Hastings, on the Mornington Peninsula. Dark clouds and rain descended on Melbourne at 8.30am, with winds of up to 100km/h recorded around the state and shrouding the city in dust. More than 37,000 homes around the state are without power, with the south-eastern suburbs of Caulfield, Malvern East, Noble Park and Edithvale the hardest hit. Experts say proper assessments of young people entering the court or justice system must be made Findings highlight the vulnerability of young people within the justice system "These findings, which document an unprecedented prevalence of FASD and severe neurodevelopmental impairment, highlight the vulnerability of young people within the justice system and their significant need for improved diagnosis to identify their strengths and difficulties, and to guide and improve their rehabilitation," Professor Bower said. "We recommend that young people be fully assessed on entry into the juvenile justice system and preferably much, much sooner, at their first encounter with the law or before, so their vulnerabilities are recognised, and specific and appropriate interventions and care plans can be put in place." Of the 99 young people who completed full assessments we found 36 of them more than one in three had FASD. Professor Mutch, a paediatrician, said many of the children had been written off by society as simply "naughty children". "If you have difficulty with understanding language, you have difficulty with understanding instruction," she said. Banksia Hill is WA's only youth detention centre. Credit:ABC News Perth It's a behaviour by accident of how your brain works, not by your wilful choice "If you have difficulty with holding attention, if you have difficulty with remembering what you were told in the room next door and carrying that instruction through to the room that you are currently in, then it's likely that your behaviour won't be complying with ... what is the safest choice. "Of course it will have negative consequences. Depending on which environment you are in, that negative consequence will have a repercussion. Maybe a punitive repercussion." Proper diagnosis on the first interaction with the justice system was essential and would have a big impact on how the young person was treated in detention. It would mean guards may understand some behaviour came from an "underlying organic brain injury". "That it's not wilful. It's a behaviour by accident of how your brain works, not by your wilful choice," Professor Mutch said. We are not adequately managing our vulnerable young people WA Commissioner for Children and Young People Colin Pettit, who has previously called for better rehabilitation of children at Banksia Hill Detention Centre, said he was alarmed by the findings. "This is important research that adds to the growing evidence that we are not adequately managing our vulnerable young people who come into contact with the justice system," he said. "I am alarmed that the majority of the young people in Banksia Hill diagnosed with FASD or other neuro-disability through this study had not previously been diagnosed. "We need to better support these young people with early intervention, family support and appropriate services to help them before they reach the justice system." He reiterated his previous calls for immediate action to address the lack of coordination between government agencies and use of justice diversion programs. Calls for immediate action "As a community we lament the over-representation of Aboriginal young people in our youth justice system and wonder why we are not making progress, but the lower rates of diversion is an example of why this occurs," he said. "We simply must get better at developing and coordinating programs that support vulnerable children and young people who are coming to the attention of police, which are focused on prevention, diversion and rehabilitation." Professor Mutch said proper assessments of young people entering the court or justice system must be made. "What needs to follow is increased funding to make sure that that's easily accessible and equally accessible to all young people and not simply as a result of participating in a study," she said. Ideally neurodevelopmental issues should be identified during early education years. "Some of these young people were profoundly impaired, yet for many this was the first time they had received a comprehensive assessment to examine their strengths and difficulties, despite attending school and, in many cases, despite their prior engagement with child protection services and the justice system," Professor Mutch said. "These are missed opportunities for earlier diagnosis and intervention, which may have prevented or mitigated their involvement with justice services and more importantly may have permitted alternative community care with targeted health and educational interventions and rehabilitation." She said the longer someone's impairment was left unrecognised the more frequently they would experience negative repercussions. "They experience more often punitive responses to their behaviours rather than reflective responses based on the fact that you understand they have an underlying brain impairment," Professor Mutch said. "Those recurrent punitive responses in and of themselves build up negative effects in these young people." WA Corrective Services Minister Fran Logan said the government had an "extremely complex and challenging" task on its hands to address the issue. "Banskia Hill Detention Centre has incarcerated people with some of the most complex and difficult needs in WA," he said. "Staff have been aware of the symptoms of these neurological impairments, but they did not know specifically what was causing these issues. "The challenge now is to adapt the approach to the management of these highly complex young people in detention." The Minister said his department had a new model of care in development, taking into account the research findings. "Three pilot programs are already under way that look at targeted behavioural support planning, transitional planning and referral processes and the delivery of cultural programs by Indigenous elders," he said. "Detainees already receive individualised care programs from a multi-disciplinary team but now youth custodial officers will be given training to help them better recognise, understand and respond to young people with suspected neurodevelopmental impairments." The findings would provide staff at the youth detention centre with better tools to help them manage individuals with significant needs. Several other initiatives involving various government departments were being developed or going through Cabinet. A WA Department of Justice spokesman said a team consisting of psychologists, mental health nurses, psychiatrists, education officers, Aboriginal welfare officers, case management co-ordinators and the custodial team would work together to assess detainees. The new model would include specialised staff training to ensure targeted support and services were provided. Embattled Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi has cried during a hearing to determine her penalty for repeatedly breaching the Local Government Act. Ms Scaffidi was giving evidence at the State Administrative Tribunal on Tuesday when she choked up describing the past few years, including dealing with the case and media attention, as the "worst time of my life". Lisa Scaffidi will front a second penalty hearing, with 26 fewer breaches, on Tuesday. Credit:Heather McNeill. "It's been a very emotional ride," she said. "I've come a long way in my understanding of the issues in the last three years and I do apologise and accept that some of my word choices throughout were not ideal," Ms Scaffidi said. Two boys have been hit by cars within an hour of each other in two separate incidents in Perth's southern suburbs on Monday. A police spokesman said a four-year-old boy rode his scooter in front of a Mazda sedan on The Bridgeway in Canning Vale around 4.15pm. Major Crash officers at the scene. Credit:Emma Young A 17-year-old driver hit the boy who was taken to hospital with injuries to his face, arms and legs. Nine News Perth journalist Alice Pooley said it was understood his mother was just nearby at the time. Even so, John's teachers doubted he would do well. The day before the excursion to St Andrews Village in Hughes, the rehearsal was a lesson in chaos. John pulled faces, swore and made rude finger gestures. The program was funded by the ACT government and run out of the Australian National University's school of music. Its staff stressed that learning the songs was more important than getting them right. Accuracy can get in the way of what's natural. The dropped program was used as an example of how music can help address social problems. Credit:David Walker Then, over just a few weeks, he and peers learnt songs as part an outreach activity with the music engagement program. The aim was to sing with residents of a local retirement home. John, a primary school pupil in Canberra's south, was doing badly. At times disruptive and appearing uncaring or unaware of others' feelings, he was at risk of falling behind. On the big day, much to the surprise of those who were there, John needed little or no behaviour management. Video of the 45-minute session shows him talking to residents between songs, asking and answering questions. At one point, he notices that one has dropped her stick and runs over to pick it up. His behaviour towards others "was uniformly positive, gentle and polite". What changed? The singing excursion turned him from being "helped" into a "helper", moving him from receiving help to providing it. He is just one of tens of thousands of students the program has enriched. In 2008, it was recognised with a community music award from the Music Council of Australia. It is listed in a United Nations compendium called Music as a Global Resource, which showcases the ways in which music is used to address social problems around the world. After their visit to St Andrews Village, John and his fellow students continued to behave and respond in a better way. An especially aggressive student, Robert (described as "likely to hurt people") said about the residents: "I love them, they're lovely people." In the evaluation, a classroom teacher enthused: "The nursing home visit was nothing short of a miracle ... I was particularly surprised at John ... He finds it difficult to be in a group at all ... John overcame his shyness ... They were given a different sense of who they are." Mr McKell to retire The Premier, Mr. McKell, will retire from politics next year. He will resign the Premiership before the State elections which will be held in May 1947, if Parliament runs its full term, and will not be a candidate for Redfern his seat. Mr. McKell said: "I decided after the last elections that if the war finished during my present term I would not stand for re-election. I intend to give effect to this decision." Aid for French artists To aid the artists of France, the artists of Australia have contributed paintings to an exhibition to be held at the David Jones Art Gallery, Market Street, opening on February 20, under the auspices of the French Comforts Fund. The gallery has been loaned for the exhibition by Mr. Charles Lloyd Jones, and the object is to sell 100 five-guinea tickets, each of which will entitle the buyer to a picture. Removal of barracks urged The outcome of a religious freedom review headed by Philip Ruddock could undermine or even nullify the ACT's Human Rights Act, the territory government has warned. In a submission to the religious freedom inquiry, announced to to smooth the way for the passage of the same-sex marriage bill last year, the ACT government wrote the right to religious freedom was one of many freedoms already protected under the territory's human rights framework. Former federal minister Phillip Ruddock has been appointed to conduct a review into religious freedom. Credit:Nick Moir The bill was passed in 2004 and enshrines the individual's right to worship or believe what they choose. It also enshrines an individual's right to not be coerced into the adoption of religious belief or practice. Personal injury lawyers dissatisfied with the ACT government's citizens' jury on compulsory third party insurance are setting up their own deliberative democracy workshop on the future of the scheme. A group of Canberra law firms, including Blumers, Malliganis Edwards Johnson, Slaters, and Maurice Blackburn, will pay a consultant to run a workshop on the ACT's current common law, at fault scheme, after concerns the government-run jury was "flawed". 18-year-old Isabella Buckley from Griffith and 73-year-old Mark Dickerson from O'Connor brought their perspectives to the CTP citizens' jury last year. Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong But the consultant running the project has denied it is a rival citizens' jury. Instead, she wanted the process to "complement" and "value-add" to the process already under way. Religious organisations' exemptions from anti-discrimination laws would be permanently enshrined in federal law under an unprecedented proposal from several major Christian churches made to Philip Ruddock's review of religious freedom. A Religious Freedom Act, similar to a charter of rights, would codify and expand the exemptions to anti-discrimination laws currently extended to churches when it comes to hiring and firing. As well as furthering protections for people who don't want to associate with same-sex marriages, the act would limit and override the anti-discrimination laws of Australia's states and territories. Anglican Archbishop of Sydney Glenn Davies endorsed the submission. Credit:Kate Geraghty The submission, made by the Freedom for Faith think tank, was led and endorsed by prominent church groups including Hillsong, the Presbyterian Church and the Anglican Diocese of Sydney. We might wind the blog up right there. Another day of Barnaby Joyce's troubles hogging the spotlight. The pressure on the Deputy Prime Minister has not relented and, overall, he appears to be in a weakened position. Labor is sure to be keeping the pressure on, asking all sorts of questions on potential breaches of rules and any suspect spending of public funds. But, for now, all the signals point to him being safe as Nationals leader. His deputy, Bridget McKenzie, and allies have rallied around him amd publicly say he's not going anywhere. That's it from me for the week. One of my colleagues will be in charge of the blog tomorrow and I'll see you again two weeks from now for the next sitting week of Parliament. Until then, you can follow me on Facebook and Twitter, and Alex Ellinghausen on Twitter. On the evening of May 24, 2011, Barnaby Joyce took his seat as a guest on a table at the Rural Women's Awards inside the Great Hall of Parliament House in Canberra. The black tie awards, sponsored by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, honour the role women play in rural industries, business and communities. They are a chance for country women from around Australia to network, talk business, and inevitably, gossip. The women up for the national prize were farmers, teachers and women in agribusiness. Other women in attendance have gone on to sit on government boards and committees. Some attendees were loyal Nationals members. Some attendees didn't, and don't, care for the Nationals one bit. A former senior ASIC investigator has told the Federal Court in Brisbane of his fears of corruption among Indian Government officials meant to be acting in the interests of the millions of victims of the alleged Ponzi scheme run by India's Pearls group. Niall Coburn, now a barrister in private practice, was on Tuesday giving evidence in a case to determine what happens to the almost $100 million in proceeds from the 2016 sale of the Sheraton Mirage hotel on the Gold Coast by Australian company MiiResorts. Barrister Niall Coburn addresses victims of the Pearls alleged Ponzi scheme in Pune, India. Mr Coburn, representing a group of 37,000 Pearls investors known as the Janlok Committee, in 2016 won a court injunction to freeze the proceeds after showing MiiResorts had bought it using money provided by Pearls. He traveled to India as part of a two-year effort to gather evidence from investors who claim they were ripped off in land schemes run by the Pearls group and associated companies. As far back as 1962, the historian and author Daniel Boorstin lamented the replacement of real news with the "pseudo-event", a "synthetic novelty" manufactured by "round-the-clock media" as well as the replacement of the hero - someone such as Joan of Arc, William Shakespeare or George Washington "who has shown greatness in some achievement" - with the "celebrity", whom the author described as "a person who is well known for his well-known-ness". Little could Boorstin have imagined that pseudo-events and celebrities would take over not just our culture but also our politics. After years of drowning in coverage of Princess Diana, Madonna, Beyonce and Jay-Z, The Real Housewives, Kate Middleton and, of course, the Kardashians, it was only natural that voters would select a reality-television star as president. The cult of celebrity is now infecting foreign policy as well. Kim Yo-jong, the sister of the despot Kim Jong-un, is being treated as if she were one of the Spice Girls. A headline blared: "Kim Jong-un's sister is stealing the show at the Winter Olympics." One article claimed: "North Korea has emerged as the early favourite to grab one of the Winter Olympics' most important medals: the diplomatic gold." Another declared: "They marvelled at her barely-there makeup and her lack of bling. They commented on her plain black outfits and simple purse. They noted the flower-shaped clip that kept her hair back in a no-nonsense style." Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, and North Korea's nominal head of state Kim Yong-nam at the Winter Olympics. Credit:AP The breathless coverage given to Kim Yo-jong's visit -- the first by a member of the royal Kim clan to the South -- is not only vapid, it is dangerous and disgusting. This is the modern-day equivalent of celebrating Paula Hitler, Adolf's sister, or Joseph Stalin's children, except that Kim Yo-jong is more complicit in totalitarianism than they were. Netanyahu maintained his innocence in a televised address to the nation on Tuesday night. After months of investigations, Israeli police handed over their recommendations to Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit on Tuesday evening. Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be indicted in two corruption cases, police recommended on Tuesday, ramping up pressure on the leader who has served more than a decade in office. The first case, referred to as Case 1000, details gifts that the prime minister and his wife, Sara, are suspected of receiving from billionaire benefactors such as Australian James Packer and Israeli-born Hollywood producer Arnon Milchen. In a detailed statement, police said Packer and Milchan "over years awarded gifts of various types", including champagne, cigars and jewellery, to Netanyahu and his family. In all, the gifts were worth more than one million shekels (AUD$360,000), the statement said. Netanyahu's lawyers have said the presents were simply tokens of friendship and no quid pro quo was given. The other case, 2000, involves deals made between Netanyahu and Arnon Mozes, publisher of popular Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth. According to information leaked to the Israeli press, the deal apparently would have allowed the prime minister to receive more favourable coverage from the newspaper if he agreed to weaken the status of rival daily newspaper Israel Hayom, owned by US casino magnate Sheldon Adelson. Brafman responded in a statement distributed globally, however that: "We believe that a fair investigation by Mr Schneiderman will demonstrate that many of the allegations against Harvey Weinstein are without merit. The latest legal attack is civil rights suit issued by Attorney-General Eric T. Schneiderman, which alleges Weinstein's "assistants were exposed to and required to facilitate" his "sex life as a condition of employment". Brafman has come out swinging against allegations - both criminal and civil - which have made Weinstein's name a global byword for sexual harassment and assault. New York: Harvey Weinstein has hired high-profile defence attorney Ben Brafman to defend him against a scathing law suit issued by the New York Attorney-General. "While Mr Weinstein's behaviour was not without fault, there certainly was no criminality, and at the end of the inquiry it will be clear that Harvey Weinstein promoted more women to key executive positions than any other industry leader and there was zero discrimination at either Miramax or [The Weinstein Company]. "If the purpose of the inquiry is to encourage reform throughout the film industry, Mr Weinstein will embrace the investigation. If the purpose however is to scapegoat Mr Weinstein, he will vigorously defend himself." Brafman was described in a recent New Yorker article as "The Last of the Big-Time Defence Attorneys". His clients have included the former head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Michael Jackson, and the man known by some as "the most hated man in the world," former pharmaceutical company executive, Martin Shkreli. Schneiderman's suit alleges that Weinstein required executive assistants to arrange his sexual encounters, even directing them to "essentially badger women who refused or expressed reluctance". One group of Weinstein's assistants kept copies of a document known as the "Bible" detailing a list of Weinstein's "friends" and instructions on arranging his "personals," or sexual encounters. Drivers for Weinstein in New York and Los Angeles were required to keep condoms and erectile dysfunction injections in the car at all times, according to the law suit. Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC Its a construction conundrum. Locals minds are spinning over the fate of two adjacent Gowanus plots currently zoned for manufacturing that a borough-based developer is about to buy, because its anyones guess what the new owner a firm the mayor recently tapped to build luxury towers on a nearby public-housing complexs parking lot might propose for the massive parcels. Builder Two Treess pending purchase comes amid the citys exploration of rezoning the longtime industrial neighborhood for more residential development, and though Mayor DeBlasio has previously committed to retaining its blue-collar feel, exactly what the real-estate powerhouse may erect there is a mystery, according to a local leader. Were in the middle of a lot of unknowns with the city rezoning that just makes this so much more interesting, said Paul Basile. It is our hope that the city continues to remain committed in helping us grow jobs here and keep the manufacturing community in Gowanus. The Dumbo-based developer is reportedly buying a lot on Second Avenue between 10th and 12th streets now occupied by a Lowes Home Improvement store from builder Forest City Ratner, and a neighboring parcel on 12th Street along the banks of the Gowanus Canal home to the now-shuttered Pathmark supermarket from current owner Town Slope LLC, according to Crains, which first reported the deals that together total more than $100 million. A rep from Two Trees declined to comment on the purchases, however, and a Forest City rep said the company cannot comment on its sale until the last document finalizing the transaction is signed. But even after the deals are done, the home-improvement retailers lease for its Gowanus space doesnt expire until at least 2023, Crains reported, and its honchos have no intentions to pack up and leave, according to a spokesman. We have no plans to close this store and cant speak to Two Trees intentions, said Lowes rep Steve Salazar. Both lots are within the Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Business Zone an area that local entrepreneurs and activists hope will survive any possible rezoning after the city designated it in 2006 to protect Gowanuss manufacturing roots and stimulate economic growth in the blue-collar hub. And the imminent arrival of Two Trees which is also constructing the megadevelopment on the old Domino Sugar factory campus in Williamsburg and donated significantly to DeBlasios campaign, according to a New York Daily News report isnt any more worrisome than the potential rezoning itself, according to Basile, who said a possible construction boom is not what the nabe needs amid the Feds slow-going, years-long scrub of the toxic Gowanus Canal. Were no more concerned than we were before, we dont know what [Two Treess] idea is, he said. But we know the canal will not be clean for many, many years, and if anyone is building in the middle of the cleanup, that further complicates it. Indigo and SpiceJet will have to partially shift operations from Indira Gandhi International Airport's Terminal-1 (T-1) to Terminal-2 (T-2). The Delhi High Court on Tuesday upheld its single judge order accepting Delhi International Airport Ltd's (DIAL) decision to shift the operations of Indigo, GoAir and SpiceJet airlines to and from Delhi to Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru. A bench of justices Hima Kohli and Rekha Palli has now given Indigo and SpiceJet a week's time to approach DIAL on the matter, following which the authority can decide on the date to finally shift their services from T-1 to T-2. All other flights of these airlines will continue to operate from the Terminal-1. Indigo and SpiceJet had challenged the Delhi HC's single judge order of December 20, 2017. They also accused DIAL of acting unfairly or unreasonably and said the order would cause inconvenience to its passengers. The DIAL had taken the decision on the grounds of exceeding flight operation capacity at T-1. It had informed the court that there was a strong need to decongest the airport to rid overcrowding, and carry out the renovation and the expansion of T-1. In its December 20 order, the Delhi HC had ruled there was no illegality in the airport operator's decision to partially shift the operations of private carriers Indigo, GoAir and Spicejet from Terminal-1 (T-1) to Terminal-2 (T-2) at the IGI Airport from January 4. "The impugned decision of DIAL cannot be said to be unilateral for the simple reason that it took this decision, on account of any of the airlines, including IndiGo, failing to respond to its repeated requests and the proposals, in as much as, the operations of the airport is the prime responsibility of DIAL, which, it seeks to discharge," the court had said, extending the deadline provided to IndiGo and Spicejet till February 15. Initially DIAL had in January 2017 directed all three airlines, which were operating from T-1, to reach a consensus for the operations of their flights or even propose the flights that might be relocated from Terminal-1 to Terminal-2, as a temporary measure. The Ministry of Civil Aviation had also taken a strong exception of severe capacity constraints at T-1 due to the increased demand of the three low-cost carriers. IndiGo challenged the DIAL decision saying the partial shifting would inconvenience passengers, especially those on hopping flights emanating or ending at those sectors, as T-1 and T-2 are not connected. It also said if the DIAL order was allowed, the airline's operations would spread across all the terminals (T-1, T-2 and T-3). Supporting the court decision, the centre government had said IndiGo's plea was not maintainable. Why DIAL wants airlines to move from T1 The DIAL wants IndiGo, GoAir and SpiceJet to move a part of their domestic operations from T1 to T2 because it plans to increase the capacity of T1 by 2021 - from 20 million a year to 40 million - for which it needs to free up a part of T1. Till a few months ago, T1 was operating at a capacity of 24 million. GoAir, which flies about 4 million passengers to and from IGIA, has already moved to T2, thereby bringing the capacity back to the threshold of 20 million. With PTI inputs It is not the European Central Bank's job to regulate Bitcoin, its President Mario Draghi said on Tuesday, while warning the public about the risks associated with the volatile cryptocurrency. Calls are growing for authorities, including central banks, to step in and regulate the market for digital tokens, which has seen wild price swings and a series of heists as well as a rapid proliferation in the number of coins on offer. But Draghi said in a video response to questions from the public that banning or regulating such tokens was not one of the ECB's tasks. "Many of you posted questions about whether the ECB is going to ban Bitcoins or it's going to regulate Bitcoins," Draghi said. "I have to say it's not the ECB's responsibility to do that." The head of the Bank for International Settlements, Agustin Carstens, called last week for central banks to end what he described as the "Ponzi scheme" of cryptoacurrencies, by restricting their access to banks and financial infrastructure. The world's largest central bank chiefs are expected to discuss the matter at a G20 meeting in Buenos Aires in March. Answering a question from a member of the public about whether he should buy Bitcoin, Draghi struck a cautious tone. "Frankly I would think (about) it carefully," he said. Draghi pointed out that the value of Bitcoin had oscillated much more wildly than that of the euro and that cryptocurrencies were not backed by any public institution. He added blockchain, the distributed ledger technology used to record Bitcoin transactions, was "quite promising" and expected it to bring "many benefits", citing its possible use to settle payments. He cautioned, however, it was not yet safe enough for use by central banks. "We're very interested in this technology but it's still not secure for central banking and therefore we need to look through it and investigate it more," he said. The ECB and the bank of Japan have been looking into using blockchain for financial market infrastructure for over a year, reporting in September "promising results" but "no direct conclusion" for its practical use. (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie Ryanair has been cutting fares by up to 30% to fill flights to Barcelona and other cities in Catalonia as holidaymakers are nervous of political upheaval in the Spanish region, Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said on Tuesday. Tourist numbers in Barcelona dipped after an attack in August left 16 people dead and an illegal independence vote prompted scenes of police violence and mass protests, but have since rebounded. Ryanair still plans to increase capacity in Spain as a whole sharply in the coming year, adding 9% more flights in the year to March 2019, O'Leary said, compared with an increase of 6% in its network as a whole. "To fill the aircraft we had to lower the fares (for flights to Barcelona) very significantly," O'Leary told a press conference in Madrid. "The fares are significantly lower as we approach the summer than they were last year," he said, though demand for travel to Madrid remained strong. Capacity in Spain has increased in recent years as operators have moved from destinations in the Middle East and North Africa in the wake of attacks on tourists. The number of international tourists visiting Spain broke records for a fifth straight year in 2017, climbing 8.9% year-on-year to 82 million. One threat to Ryanair's rapid expansion plans are relations with pilots. While strike threats in December were averted by a pledge to recognise labour unions for the first time, the airline has so far only managed to reach a recognition agreement with one of the seven unions with which it is in talks. O'Leary said Spain's SEPLA pilots' union had not yet responded to offers of a pay rise and terms for union recognition and Ryanair was considering bypassing the union and offering the increase directly to pilots - something it has done in Ireland. "With SEPLA we're trying to say: let's have a vote on the Spanish pilots' pay increase, even when we're trying to finalise the agreement. If you don't, we'll offer it directly to the Spanish pilots," he said. SEPLA last week said it would launch a legal action against Ryanair and said it had been naive to think management wanted to change "toxic labour relations." (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie Chinese regulators are stepping up scrutiny of insurance companies overseas financing activities amid a broader campaign to reduce excessive corporate leverage and rein in financial risks. The China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) said Monday that it is limiting how much offshore financing can be backed by domestic guarantees. The new cap is 20% of an insurers net assets as of the end of the previous year, according to a circular jointly issued by the insurance regulator and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE). Going forward, insurers must get a go-ahead from the Insurance Asset Management Association, an industry self-regulatory body, for any overseas financing plan to raise more than $50 million or the equivalent backed by domestic guarantees, according to the circular. The move reflects the regulators efforts to curb insurance companies debt-driven overseas investments. In a speech in late January, Chen Wenhui, vice chairman of the CIRC, warned about risks stemming from insurers radical business operations and said the commission will closely scrutinize companies liquidity and credit risks as well as tighten regulations on domestic guarantee-backed overseas lending activities. Insurers, along with other Chinese companies, have increasingly used guarantee papers issued by domestic banks backed by their domestic assets to get offshore loans and financing for their subsidiaries. The companies see this practice as a convenient, low-cost ways to fund their overseas investments. But regulators concerns mounted as related default risks rose, SAFE spokeswoman Wang Chunying said at a press conference last month. Moreover, some companies have used onshore guarantees to fund overseas shopping sprees while skirting regulatory oversight on their borrowing and investment activities, Wang said. In the Monday circular, the CIRC said insurance companies will only be allowed to provide debt guarantees for their directly-controlled overseas arms, or units in which their indirect ownership is more than 95%. Funds raised with domestic guarantees must be managed separately and used for their designated investment projects, according to the circular. The debts will be included in insurance companies overall leverage calculations. The underlying assets of the investments must follow the countrys industrial and overseas investment rules, said a CIRC official, adding insurance companies shouldnt use provisional funds or other assets with repayment obligations for debt guarantees. Chinas onetime-sleepy insurance industry turned into a thorny issue for regulators after cash-rich or financially savvy private companies were allowed to get into the business earlier this decade. Some newcomers funded their shopping sprees overseas with highly-leveraged borrowing and complex financing structures. Regulators condemned such irrational acquisitions, warning they pose risks to Chinas overall financial structure. Over the past two years, regulators have started clamping down, restricting the kinds of acquisitions insurers can make. One of the highest-profile companies to come under scrutiny by the regulator is Anbang Insurance, which bought the landmark Waldorf Astoria New York hotel in 2014. Contact reporter Han Wei (weihan@caixin.com) A growing number of foreign drugmakers are bringing their most cutting-edge drugs to China, catering to an increasingly affluent populace that is willing to pay for such expensive treatments. Photo: VCG U.S. pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. has applied to launch one of its core cancer drugs in China, three months after global rival Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) applied to sell a similar drug in the lucrative market. The China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) this week began to process Mercks application for Keytruda, the brand name for the injected drug pembrolizumab, according to CFDAs pipeline database. Keytruda belongs to a group of cutting-edge biologically-based cancer drugs known as PD-1 inhibitors, shorthand for programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitor, which use a patients own immune system to destroy cancer cells. Five such drugs are now available worldwide. Besides Keytruda, the other four are Opdivo by BMS, Tecentriq from Swiss drug maker Roche AG, AstraZenecas Imfinzi and Bavencio, co-developed by Merck and Pfizer. So far, only Merck and BMS have eyed the China market, the latter filing its own CFDA application in late October. Mercks PD-1 inhibitor has lower global sales, but is growing faster. In 2017, sales of Keytruda surged 172% to $3.8 billion, while BMS saw sales for its product rise 31% to $4.9 billion, according to the companies financial results. In China, a dozen pharmaceutical firms are carrying out clinical tests for their own similar drugs, including Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine, Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Co. and BeiGene Ltd. Jiangsu province-based biopharmaceutical firm Innovent Biologics Inc. is the only Chinese maker of a PD-1 inhibitor that has completed clinical trials and applied to launch its own drug, filing with the CFDA in December. Innovent founder Yu Dechao told state media in August that he expected the new drug to be available for patients as early as late 2018. A growing number of foreign drugmakers are bringing their most cutting-edge drugs to China, catering to an increasingly affluent populace that is willing to pay for such expensive treatments. At the same time, Chinas regulator is trying to speed up the approval process, following criticism that many of the worlds best drugs are only available outside China. Although PD-1 inhibitors have worked well in some clinical trials, some oncologists have questioned their overall efficacy, as they only cure 10% to 30% of patients with certain types of cancer. Some studies also show that the drugs can cause side effects such as fever, dizziness and even enteritis, an inflammation of the intestine. Contact reporter Coco Feng (renkefeng@caixin.com) An aerial view of the Yangshan Deep-Water Port, the worlds largest automated cargo wharf, which was build by China Communications Construction Co. (CCCC). If successfully completed, CCCC's planned acquisition of Aecon Group Inc. is set to bethe largest-ever investment by a Chinese company in Canadas transport and construction sector. Photo: IC A Chinese state-owned companys planned acquisition of Canadas largest infrastructure construction company is now facing prolonged scrutiny by the Canadian government. The deadline for completing the plan of arrangement for China Communications Construction Co.s (CCCC) CA$1.45 billion ($1.13 billion) takeover of Toronto-based Aecon Group Inc. has been pushed back by 35 days after Canadas Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development extended the ongoing national security review of the deal, Aecon announced Monday. The acquisition was announced in October, although its unclear when the Canadian government began its review. As part of the agreement between CCCC and Aecon, Aecon will be delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange and become a wholly-owned subsidiary of CCCCs Hong Kong-listed international investment unit. Both companies remain committed to working with the Investment Review Division to obtain approval of the transaction, Aecon said in its statement. Prior to Mondays announcement, Aecon rebutted critics of the deal, saying in an earlier statement that it does not own any intellectual property related to nuclear energy, nor does it possess other sensitive proprietary technology, meaning the acquisition did not pose a security risk. CCCC could not be reached for comment. If successfully completed, the acquisition is set to become the largest-ever investment by a Chinese company in Canadas transport and construction sector, according to the China-Canada Investment Tracker, a University of Alberta research project. While governments around the world, including in Europe, Australia and the U.S., have moved to block or restrict the growing tide of Chinese overseas investment, Canada has recently been more welcoming of Chinese acquisitions, making the extension of CCCCs review an uncharacteristic move. In June, the Canadian government allowed Shenzhen-based Hytera Communications to buy Vancouver-based Norsat International Inc., a satellite communications technology firm with military clients, without the usual in-depth national security review. In March, partially state-controlled Chinese company O-Net Technologies Group was allowed to complete its takeover of Montreal-based ITF Technologies by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, despite the deal having been blocked by his predecessor, Stephen Harper, on national security grounds. But the stance from Trudeaus Liberal government on Chinese investments has not been without critics. In response to the announcement of the CCCC-Aecon deal, former Canadian ambassador to China David Mulroney said Canada should not make every decision with a view to making the Chinese happy, and warned that the more you do that, the more bad deals come your way from China, Canadas conservative-leaning National Post reported. CCCC, which is more than 60% owned by the Chinese government, is one of Chinas largest infrastructure construction firms. The company has been involved in multiple projects outside of China, including Belt and Road initiative projects in Malaysia and East Africa. Aecon, previously named Armbro Construction, was founded in 1887 and has over 12,000 employees. Aecons predecessor companies have been involved in major construction projects including the Vancouver Sky Train and the Montreal-Trudeau International Airport. Contact reporter Teng Jing Xuan (jingxuanteng@caixin.com) Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact. Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here. Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing. You are our people. You Care. We Care2. Lucknow University Bans Valentine's Day Celebrations After declaring a holiday for Mahashivratri, the students have been ordered not to come to college on Valentine's Day; the varsity has warned stringent action against those who turned up on 14 February 2018. "Over the past few years, it's been observed that under the influence of Western culture, youth are celebrating 14.2.2018 as Valentine's Day. All students are hereby informed that on 14.2.2018, the university will remain closed on the occasion of Maha Shivratri," it read. Also Read: National Youth Day 2018 : Swami Vivekananda's Best 10 Quotes On Education Mahashivratri And Valentine's Day Image Source There are different reasons for one to celebrate Mahashivratri. One of them is that, this is the night when Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married. It so happens that the day after that, on February 14, Valentine's Day is celebrated as per Western culture. Although Western culture has brought in the concept of a romantic relationship to celebrate Valentine's Day, the day could be represented as a day to express love for anything. So does Lucknow University have to rethink its decision against celebrating Valentine's Day? Also Read: Modelling, A Career Inclusive For Differently Abled, Proves Mahalakshmi Mahadevappa Valentine's Day In Lucknow University In 2017 Lucknow University's chronicles for previous year Valentine's Day seem to carry a similar stand but with a different rule. In 2017, students were allowed to enter the college premises but forbidden from bringing any presents citing keeping a check on harrassment of women. Merriam Webster Publishes Word of the Year, How Can Your Dictionary Educate? Valentine's Day In Lucknow University In 2018 This year, the varsity had decided to ban the day's celebration on the whole. The college authorities seem to however claimed to carry the same concern of harrassment and declare the holiday as a pre-emptive measure. Miss World Manushi Chhillar, A True Role Model for Students 1. Institute Of Hotel Management, Catering And Nutrition, Pusa, New Delhi For the last five years, this college has been the top hotel management college in the country. The reason for the same may be attributed to its placements, faculty and the discipline that it inculcates amongst its students. This college is directly governed by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. What sets this college apart from other hospitality schools is the fact that it gives its students the option to pursue vegetarian-only courses. The college has exceptional infrastructure in terms of bakery labs, training restaurant, housekeeping and other facilities. Visit Us At: Institute of Hotel Management, Catering & Nutrition, Pusa 2. Welcome Group Graduate School Of Hotel Administration, Manipal Being the first institute in the country to offer a bachelor's degree in hotel management, this institute has tie-ups with eight foreign universities. With three high-tech kitchen labs, a library with audio visual facilities and an area of 3000 square feet, the infrastructure of the college is indeed commendable. Some of its alumnae are placed in the top-notch hospitality chains in India. Visit Us At: Welcomegroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration 3. Institute Of Hotel Management Catering Technology And Applied Nutrition, Chennai This is another autonomous body under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. It is affiliated to both the NCHMCT as well as IGNOU. The students of this institute are subjected to campus placement through which they get placed in catering establishments, airlines, guest houses and hotels. This facility is available to all the students irrespective of whether they are pursuing their degree, diploma, craft or PGD courses. Visit Us At: Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Chennai 4. Institute Of Hotel Management, Catering Technology And Applied Nutrition, Mumbai Established in 1954, this institute is one that has stood tall to its values of quality of service through the passing decades. The institute encourages its students to bring in creativity to their work. A number of students who have graduated from this institution have often been selected for advanced training in catering technology and hotel management as well as on a number of commendable foreign placements. Visit Us At: Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Mumbai 5. Institute Of Hotel Management, Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition, Hyderabad Established in 1972, this institution offers a number of unconventional courses like a degree in accommodation operations other than the usual graduate and postgraduate courses in hospitality. It also offers an MBA in hotel administration. The students of each of these courses are placed in the top chains of the country and abroad and they have very lucrative pay packages. Visit Us At: Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition, Hyderabad 6. Institute Of Hotel Management, Bangalore What sets this institution to be different from all others is the fact that it trains its students, especially before they are made to sit for placements. This ensures that the campus placement that happens in this institute is better than that of most of its other competitors. Organisations like the Taj and Trident are seen hiring graduates of this college year after year. Visit Us At: Institute of Hotel Management, Bengaluru 7. Christ University, Bangalore With 700 books in the departmental library and over 10 laboratories, this institute boasts of having one of the finest quality hotel management training courses in the country. The teacher to student ratio here is a mere 15:1 and that is how it is ensured that each student gets the attention that he or she deserves. The high quality of education that the institute imparts to its students ensures that a decent quality of placements follows. Visit Us At: Department of Hotel Management, Christ University 8. Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute Of Hotel Management & Catering Technology, New Delhi In a short span of seven years, the institution has established itself as one of the most sought-after hotel management institutes in terms of placements. Recruiters who have visited this college just once, often seem to want to do so on a regular basis. Its recruiters include big names of the industry like the Taj Hotels, Oberoi Hotels, Radisson Blu, Hyatt Residency, Cafe Coffee Day, amongst others. Visit Us At: Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology 9. Institute Of Hotel Management, Gwalior Having a fee structure of about Rs 70,000 for diploma courses and less than Rs 3,00,000 for a degree course, this institute ensures that all the money and effort that you invest here does not go wasted. With the high quality of placement that this college brings to you, you do not have to worry about not getting a job of your liking on the completion of your course. Most of the students who complete the course with the required cut-off are well placed in top-notch companies. Visit Us At: Institute of Hotel Management, Gwalior 10. NSHM School Of Hotel Management, Durgapur What sets this institute apart from others is that it focuses more on hands-on learning instead of the traditional theoretical learning approach. With the certifications given by the institute being recognised at an international level, the students are often taken abroad for study tours and campus placement purposes. The holistic learning approach that is adopted by the institution ensures that the student get jobs in the best of companies. Visit Us At: NSHM School of Hotel Management, Durgapur There was a time not so long ago when Hartford, Conn., was widely known as the Insurance Capital of the World. These days, Hartford has work to do to reclaim that title. But with insurance technology companies opting to start up in U.S. cities like Silicon Valley, New York and Chicago, and in places like London, Singapore and Shanghai outside the United States, can any one city lay claim to the title InsurTech Capital of the World today? It depends on the counting method being used. An analysis provided exclusively to Carrier Management by Venture Scanner (venturescanner.com), an analyst and technology-powered research firm, highlights the point. Venture Scanners data reveals that the cities of London, New York and San Francisco rank highest by a simple count of the number of InsurTechs in each city. Looking at concentrations of funding dollars instead, London sinks to 12th place, with Palo Alto and San Francisco, Calif., commanding the two top spotseach with over $2 billion. New York Citys 61 InsurTechs still puts it in the top three in a ranking of cities by InsurTech funding dollars, but the city that never sleeps comes in neck-and-neck with its sleepless Asian counterpart, Shanghai, Chinaeach with nearly $1.4 billion raised by InsurTechs. The leaderboard also depends importantly how InsurTech is defined. Venture Scanner defines InsurTechs as companies falling in one or more of these 14 categories: Automotive; Employee Benefits; Enterprise/Commercial; Health/Travel; Data/Intelligence; Consumer Management; Comparison/Marketplace; Education/Resources; Infrastructure/Backend; User Acquisition; Life, Home, P/C Insurers; P2P Insurance; Product; Reinsurance. At the date of this writing in early February, the firm had counted 1,458 InsurTechs in 61 countries with total funding of $20.8 billion. Venture Scanner captures all publicly known funding events, including all sources (VCs, corporates, PE, etc.) and rounds (early stage, late stage, post IPO equity, etc.), according to Nathan Pacer, Venture Scanners co-founder and chief research officer. The vast majority of those funding events (more than 95 percent) occur from 2011 onward, he noted. Cities are determined by Venture Scanner using each companys self-described location, Pacer said, noting that this generally correlates to their operational headquarters. In January, when the city ranking data was compiled for Carrier Management, Venture Scanner counted 1,438 InsurTechs with $19 billion of funding, with 625 of them located in cities that had five or more InsurTechs (CM chart totals). That means that more than 800 others are scattered in cities with four InsurTechs or less, underscoring the fact that insurance technology startups are a worldwide phenomenon. The P/C Capitals: London and Palo Alto Still Reign Analyzing some of the underlying data for the 196 individual InsurTechs ranked in the top three cities on both lists, Carrier Management editors set out to examine several questions: Why do cities with small numbers of startupslike Shanghai and Palo Altohave such large total funding amounts? Why does London have a low funding level compared to New York and San Francisco, with similarly high startup counts? And which of these cities is the capital of property/casualty InsurTechs? A handful of outliers stood out, with large funding amounts for Palo Alto and Shanghai and a predominance of early funding rounds in London. London also has a higher percentage of P/C InsurTechs than either New York or San Francisco, making the home of Lloyds the P/C InsurTech Capital of the World by sheer number of startups. London: London tops the European InsurTechs in Venture Scanners analysis, with 64 startup counts, but those attracted only $160.8 million in overall funding. Unlike New York and San Francisco, for which Venture Scanner lists some startups involved in Series B, C or D funding rounds (several with $100 million-plus funding amounts on their own), there are no London InsurTechs described in the database as having progressed past Series A. (Venture Scanner identified the latest round funding type for 31 of 64 London InsurTechs. Among these, 10 are seed or angel funding and 13 are Series A. Eight others are simply identified as venture or PE.) Fifty-six London startupsmore than 85 percent of the total counted by Venture Scannerhave some ties to P/C insurance based on Carrier Managements reading of descriptions on the individual company websites. For all locations, including London, however, determining the type of insurance that each technology firm serves turned out to be a challenge. Particularly, for companies delivering infrastructure and back-end services, user acquisition technology, or data and artificial intelligence, many websites fail to make any reference to insurance typean indication perhaps that InsurTech executives see little need for line of business or even life vs. non-life policy distinctions. Palo Alto: With over $2.1 billion from private investors captured in Venture Scanners report to Carrier Management, data mining giant Palantir dominates the funding totals, putting its Palo Alto location at the top of the worldwide funding list. But while Palantir is clearly a technology company, it might not make every list of insurance technology companies given its broad mission across industries and government entities. According to Palantirs website, Palantir is a mission-focused companydedicated to working for the common good and doing whats right, in addition to being deeply passionate about building great software and a successful company. While Palantir does not focus on insurance technology as its main specialty, data projects involved with monitoring risks like cyber crime, terror and natural disasters are among those recounted on the website and in popular media. (See, for example, Forbes, Palantir Connects the Dots with Big Data.) Separately, Zurich Insurance disclosed its collaboration with Palantir on seven pilots leveraging key competencies of both companies during a May 2015 Investor Day meeting, listing Palantirs competencies in cyber, infrastructure scalability and advanced data correlation on a presentation slide. Other familiar names with ties to P/C insurance in Palo Alto include the likes of NAUTO (providing advanced computer vision, AI for safe driving), Next Insurance (small commercial) and Cape Analytics (geospatial imagery). Ladder Life is the only life insurance enterprise among the seven names. Shanghai: Zhong An, the Shanghai digital insurer, backed by founding partners Ping An, Tencent and Alibaba in 2013, has the second-largest single funding amount of any company located in one of the five cities for which Carrier Management reviewed company details. Venture Scanners data includes a $936.9 million total for funds raised prior to a $1.5 billion IPO in September 2017. Absent Zhong An and some other funding totals captured by Venture Scanner primarily on the life insurance side, the funding for Shanghai InsurTechs would not even make the top 20 cities, nor would any other city in Asia. New York City vs. San Francisco: On opposite coasts of the United States, New York City and San Francisco are among the top three cities worldwide in both startup counts and funding totals on Venture Scanners list of InsurTechs. But in both cities, InsurTechs devoted to health insurance and benefits rather than P/C insurance contributed significant amounts to total funding. In the Big Apple, where Venture Scanner counts 64 InsurTechs with nearly $1.4 billion in total funding, Oscar Healths $727.5 million in funding is half of the total. Eliminating more than two dozen InsurTechs without ties to P/C insurance, New York Citys startup count drops to 40 with funding of $562.7 million. Similarly, in San Francisco, where the $583.6 million funding level of Zenefits and Clover Healths $425.0 million together contribute $1 billion to the $2.3 billion city total, there are 23 InsurTechs unrelated to P/C insurance. Excluding these organizations, San Francisco still ranks below New York City in startup counts (35 for San Francisco vs. 40 for NYC) and ahead of the East Coast metropolis in funding dollars ($812.7 million vs. $562.7 million.) Considering all types of InsurTechsrelated to life, health, benefits and non-lifethe only other city in New York state with five or more InsurTechs is Brooklyn. In California, InsurTechs located in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Mateo and Mountain View, combined with San Francisco and Palo Alto, bring the Golden State total over 100. Hartford on the Move The city rankings that Venture Scanner provided to Carrier Management only include cities with five or more InsurTechs. While Hartford, Conn., didnt make the cut, the city is working hard to get back on the world map of insurance capitals. As Insurance Journals East Coast Editor Elizabeth Blosfield reported in December last year, Hartford InsurTech Hub selected 11 startups to take part in an InsurTech Accelerator program. Hartford InsurTech Hub, an initiative established by Hartford-based insurance carriers, the city of Hartford and CTNext, is part of Startupbootcamp, a global network of industry-focused accelerator programs. Carrier program partners include Cigna, The Hartford, Travelers, USAA and White Mountains. Recently Atlanta-based claims manager Crawford & Company signed on as a partner as well. The initial cohort of 11 InsurTechs, selected from more than 4,000 startups from 96 different countries and 850 cities, relocated to Hartford and started working at Upward Hartford, a co-working space, private office and conference facility, in early January for a three-month period. While Hartford may have arrived late to the InsurTech party, the historical significance of the cityand the state of Connecticutin the insurance industry is well documented. In November 2017, PwC and the Connecticut Insurance & Financial Services initiative (CT IFS) published an 88-page report (2017 Connecticut Insurance Market Brief: Ready Set Innovate) describing a history of innovation in the state along some figures that answer the question Why Hartford? for startup consideration. Using information sourced from the Connecticut Economic Research Center, Moodys Analytics, the Department of Labor and the Connecticut Insurance Department, the report noted, for example, that: Connecticut ranked third in the U.S. in direct written premiums in 2016, with 1,449 domestic and nondomestic insurance companies licensed to do business there. Connecticut ranks first nationally in insurance carrier employment as a percentage of total employment (2.6 percent) and in insurance payroll as a percentage of total payroll (5.1 percent). With 850 actuaries employed in the state and earning an annual mean wage of $118,510, Connecticut has the highest concentration of actuaries in the U.S. The insurance revolution is happening in Hartford. World-class companies and determined employees are driving change, executives from CT IFS wrote on the opening page of the report. InsurTech Boom in the Startup Nation In a different part of the world, an InsurTech revolution not revealed by the Venture Scanner data has already happened, according to Donald Light, a research director in the insurance practice at Celent. Light, who authored a report titled InsurTech in Israel: Global Implications, points to characteristics unique to Israel to explain why InsurTech activity in the Startup Nation is booming. Referring to the title of a 2009 bestselling book, Startup Nation: The Story of Israels Economic Miracle, Light noted that the small country is a global leader in technology and VC-fueled startups. Focusing on InsurTechs specifically, Light wrote that capabilities in cybersecurity, cyber warfare, fraud mitigation, machine vision, and the application of AI and machine learning to huge datasets used for national intelligence all are byproducts of geostrategic necessity. Outstanding technical and scientific education and an Israeli army that exploits technological advantages are further contributors to a startup ecosystem, he wrote, noting that mobility has also emerged as an InsurTech theme in Israel. A proof point is that over 80 InsurTech startups competed in [an] InsurTech Israel Competition' in early 2017, said Lights report, which also highlights the activities of carriers like AXA and AIG in support of insurance technology companies in Israel and describes some notable Israeli InsurTechs, including Click-Ins and Mobileye. Click-Ins, the developer of the getmeins platform designed to combat insurance fraud based on military-grade intelligence, is one of two InsurTechs included in the Venture Scanner database for the city of Netanya in Israel. Venture Scanner confirmed that no city in Israel shows up with five or more InsurTechs in its database, which partially explains why Netanya, Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan arent visible on the rankings developed for this article. It doesnt explain the absence of Mobileye, a developer of advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous driving technology, highlighted in Lights report as another proof point of Israels InsurTech boom, underscored by the fact that Intel paid more than $15 billion to acquire the company in March 2017. Mobileyes global headquarters are in Jerusalem. However, the company also has a main office in New York City, as well as representatives in major cities around the world, a Mobileye representative told Carrier Management, going on to highlight the companys ties to the insurance industry, including a partnership with Munich Re announced in September 2017 designed to protect commercial fleets and other Munich Re clients. (Venture Scanner actually has Mobileye based in Amstelveen Netherlands in its database. The Netherlands appears as a jurisdiction of incorporation for Mobileye N.V. on past SEC filings that Carrier Management discovered through an online search.) Contacted by Carrier Management about the Israeli InsurTech landscape, Light also pointed us in the direction of an online database of Israeli startups of all types at startupnationcentral.org. Searching that database using the tag insurtech, Light and Carrier Management both uncovered more than 60, including established insurance technology firms like Earnix and Bolt Solutions as well as newbies such as cyberwrite and Lemonade. Responding to a request to understand what locations are used to compile the data, representatives of startupnationcentral.org replied: According to our methodology, [a] company counts as an Israeli company if its co-founders or R&D [are] based in Israel. While Venture Scanner captured Earnix and cyberwrite as Israeli companies, Venture Scanners database lists both Bolt and Lemonade as New York companies. Lemonades ties to Israel became clearer in January, when Lemonade Co-founder Shai Wininger called out Amazon for poaching the Israeli employees of his insurance carrier powered by artificial intelligence and behavioral economics in several social media posts. While Lemonades LinkedIn page indicates that the companys location is New York, Winingers personal LinkedIn page puts him in Israel. According to a communications office at Lemonade, the company is headquartered in New York and its R&D teams are based in an office in Tel Aviv. Foster will be Fox Animation/Blue Skys first musical project, and will feature songs by La La Land lyricists Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The duo more recently wrote the songs for The Greatest Showman and the upcoming Disney remake of Aladdin. Tim Federle (Ferdinand) is scripting the original idea, and Marc Platt (La La Land) produces. According to Variety, which first reported on the film, Foster follows a young super fan who isnt satisfied with the ending to a series of fantasy books [and] after he seeks out the author to voice his displeasure, the pair finds themselves transported into a mystical world. Fox Animation is stressing the films originality. The divisions co-president Robert Baird told Variety, Weve tasked Pasek and Paul with doing a different kind of animated musical and to create something thats never been done before. We want to make our characters sing in a different way. Foster is currently slated to arrive in theaters on March 5, 2021. Two other Blue Sky films will be released ahead of it: Spies in Disguise (Jan. 18, 2019) and Nimona. It remains unclear how the the Walt Disney Companys impending purchase of 21st Century Fox could affect Blue Sky. If that deal goes through, it could potentially put a halt to some of these productions. Were keeping our heads down, Baird told Variety. Were aware of whats happening in the world, but we dont have time to think much about it. Its all we can do to keep our eye on the ball and make great movies. Willian Who took the field before Corinthians In Goiania for not fulfilling the quarantine period after landing in Brazil on... Cementos Argos sees revenues rise, but Colombia challenges income 13 February 2018 Argos reported an improvement in its revenues for 4Q17 with stable sales for the full-year 2017. While EBITDA results fell both for 4Q17 and 2017, adjustment for non-recurring severance payments and anticipated pensions took out some of the sting as adjusted EBITDA margins for 4Q17 and 2017 reached 17.8 and 17.3 per cent, respectively. However, positive dynamics in the USA and the Caribbean and Central America regions could not fully offset a more challenging home market in Colombia and the company's full-year net income fell to COP-13bn. 4Q17 cement volumes rise 17.6% Consolidated cement volumes for Cementos Argos reached 4Mt in 4Q17, with a 17.6 per cent increase on 3Q17, driven by positive dynamics in the US and Central America and the Caribbean regions, says Cementos Argos. Concrete volumes in 4Q17 decreased 3.9 per cent QoQ to 701,000m3, explained by the lower dispatches in the USA and Colombia. The adjusted EBITDA, excluding no-recurring items associated to the BEST programme, closed in COP375bn (US$127.9m) with a 17.8 per cent margin. "The results reflect the efforts in efficiency and the geographical diversification strategy, which allowed the company to partially offset the market conditions in Colombia. The net income reflects the lower sales in Colombia and non-recurring charges in the US, related to the deferred asset tax impairment of US$34.7m," said Cementos Argos. USA Cement dispatches in the USA grew 20 per cent excluding the Martinsburg operation, well above the total US market growth (4.7 per cent QtD as of November), and were boosted by a pent-up demand after the hurricane season, and the performance of the Carolinas and the southern states, where Argos has operations. Total US cement volumes sold by Argos during 4Q17 reached 1.468Mt, up 52.3 per cent QoQ. The 1.6 per cent QoQ reduction in ready-mix concrete volumes to 1.761Mm3 in the quarter is explained by a decrease in the south-centre region, mainly in the Houston market, according to Cementos Argos. US revenues increased 12.4 per cent QoQ to US$379m in 4Q17. EBITDA increased 57.7 per cent, including the non-recurring profit of ~US$17m explained by the sale of the block business assets and a higher demand. Colombia Cement volumes in Colombia decreased 1.3 per cent QoQ to 1.258Mt in 4Q17. The company's ready-mix volumes decreased 9.8 per cent to 701,000m3, explained by the performance of the mid-income housing segment, which was offset by civil works. Revenues reached COP544bn, down 9.7 per cent QoQ and EBITDA saw a 12.5 per cent drop to COP109bn when compared with 4Q16. Adjusted EBITDA (excluding non-recurring severance payments and anticipated pensions) fell 7.2 per cent to COP115bn. Caribbean and Central America In the Caribbean and Central American market, total cement volumes in 4Q17 increased 9.8 per cent to 1.316Mt when compared with 4Q16, driven by the improved sales performance of Honduras (eight per cent), Panama (4.6 per cent) and Dominican Republic (26.8 per cent). The shipments of concrete remained stable at 105,000m3, highlighting the growth of seven per cent in Panama. The region reported revenues of US$144m (+12.2 per cent QoQ) and EBITDA of US$35m (-42.7 per cent QoQ), which is not fully comparable due to the US$20.4m of extraordinary income recorded in Panama at the end of 2016, from the sale of real estate assets. The EBITDA margin in the 4Q17 was affected by a 12-day maintenance halt of the kiln in Honduras and the impact of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico (affecting the plants operation during 153 days) and in the eastern Caribbean islands. Full-year 2017 performance For the full-year 2017, Argos' cement volumes rose 16.5 per cent to 26.275Mt from 13.976Mt reported in 2016. However, concrete volumes fell 6.1 per cent YoY from 11.273Mm3 to 10.59Mm3 in 2017. The Colombia-based cement and concrete producer saw total revenues for 2017 edge up 0.2 per cent to COP8533bn from COP8517bn in 2016. EBITDA decreased 15 per cent to COP1479bn, but the drop was smaller at 11.5 per cent for adjusted EBITDA, which reached COP1479bn. The company's net profit of COP420bn in 2016 turned into a COP13bn loss and the net profit margin went from 4.9 per cent in 2016 to -0.1 per cent one year later. Argos attributes the drop in net income to lower sales in Colombia and non-recurring charges in the US, realted to the deferred asset tax impairment of US$34.7m. USA In the US a strong performance was reflected by a 47.8 per cent rise in cement volumes from 3.969Mt in 2016 to 5.867Mt in 2017. However, concrete volumes fell 6.2 per cent YoY to 7.154Mt from 7.626Mm3. Revenues were up 11 per cent YoY to US$1.541m and EBITDA advanced by 32.9 per cent to US$240.5m when compared with 2016 (US$181m). The EBITDA margin for the region increased from 13 per cent in 2016 to 15.6 per cent in 2017. Colombia In Argos' home market of Colombia, cement volumes were up 5.7 per cent YoY to 5.343Mt from 5.055Mt in 2016, but concrete volumes were down 7.1 per cent to 2.992Mm3. Revenues fell 12.5 per cent YoY to COP2270bn and EBITDA saw a 44.3 per cent drop to COP371.7bn when compared with COP668bn reported in 2016. As a result, the EBITDA margin contracted from 25.7 per cent in 2016 to 16.4 per cent. Caribbean and Central America There was a positive development in sales volumes in the Caribbean and Central America with cement volumes up 2.3 per cent to 5.065Mt and ready-mixed concrete volumes advancing 4.3 per cent to 444,000m3. Revenues improved by 5.3 per cent YoY to US$580m from US$551m reported a year earlier, but the region's EBITDA fell 18.5 per cent to US$173m from US$212m in 2016. The Caribbean and Central America EBITDA margin declined from 38.4 per cent to 29.8 per cent in 2017. Published under If youve followed the news in recent years, you might be a little worried about the state of democracy in America. That is, you might be wondering why people say every vote counts. We wont even get into foreign election interference. Considering how the majority party can draw districts in each state, we dont need Russians to undermine democracy. No, were doing it just fine ourselves. Just look at how parties maximize their partisan advantages. Start with Pennsylvania, a state traditionally with a majority of Democratic voters. Somehow, the state got 13 out of 18 Republican representatives though the GOP won by a razor-thin margin in 2016. Meanwhile, in Democratic-run Philadelphia, youll hear voters complain that no checks ever come from the Republican party. Both complaints are valid; only one has anything to do with the value of a vote. Looking around the country, you will find these same issues as well as blatant attempts to discourage and even eliminate votes. Here are 15 states where your vote hasnt mattered much in recent years. 1. Wisconsin Following the GOP takeover of the state government in 2010, Republicans promptly changed the district maps. In one instance, a competitive state senate district got changed into a horseshoe shape in order to make the next election easier for the ruling party. The maps we pass will determine whos here 10 years from now, a GOP aide told lawmakers, Ari Berman reported in Rolling Stone. With the new map in place, only a Republican could win, barring a complete overhaul in the population within two years. If you were unhappy with your rep, you had little chance of replacing them with someone from another party. Thats not how democracy works, and its why Wisconsins gerrymandering case got picked for the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018. Next: The right to vote in Ohio doesnt include the right to not vote. 2. Ohio The problem in Ohio hasnt so much been your vote counting as being able to vote. In 2016, a federal appeals court ruled the state ran afoul of the National Voter Registration Act by removing people from the voting rolls. If you hadnt voted in the previous election (mid-term or national), Ohio sent a letter asking for confirmation from voters. When they didnt receive a reply, they eliminate the voters registration. In America, the right to vote includes the right to not vote, too. If everyone who missed an election lost that right, wed have even worse turnout than we do. The Supreme Court was weighing a decision on this issue in 2018 as well. Next: Experts called North Carolinas congressional map the worst in America. 3. North Carolina Election experts called North Carolinas maps the most brazen and egregious attempt at making votes irrelevant, and the man who drew them agreed. I think electing Republicans is better than electing Democrats, he said when explaining his map. We used (redistricting) criteria to gain (political) advantage. Judges in the state struck down the map in early 2018, declaring it unconstitutional. The maps here were so bad Republicans won 10 out of 13 seats with just 53% of the vote. Even after the ruling, several rigged districts will remain for the 2018 midterm elections. Next: Pennsylvania could also win the title of worst state for voters in America. 4. Pennsylvania As happened in North Carolina, judges on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court struck down the map drawn by legislators. This message was clear: The map was illegally drawn and the enemy of free and equal elections. Keystone State voters must have had a distinct impression they had an electoral college within the state, for an evenly split vote has not given Democrats representation over the past decade. This case will head to the Supreme Court, where the conservative-packed judiciary will make a final ruling. Partisan bias wont be effective there. If courts rule gerrymandering districts is fine, Democratic majorities could do the same thing once the party regains power (most likely, in November 2018). Next: Another swing state had questionable voting procedures in place for the 2016 election. 5. Michigan You probably noticed how nearly every state here has been a competitive purple or swing state. Political parties (in this case, mainly the GOP) have every reason to tilt the election in their favor in these places. If you cant beat em, exclude em would be the motto at work. In Michigan, claims of lost and uncounted votes numbered in the thousands, which is quite significant in a state Donald Trump won by just 10,700 votes in 2016. Reports of rejected provisional ballots those done without photo ID show a sky-high rate of lost votes. According to an Election Law Journal study, 10% of these provisional ballots were rejected in the 16 elections. Thats much more than a rounding error. Next: Blue New York should actually be much bluer. 6. New York Most people consider New York among the most reliably blue states in the Union, and it has been in national elections. However, district by district, youll see one of the countrys biggest Republican advantages in play. According to a data analysis by Azavea, the map favored GOP candidates in 2016 with an efficiency gap of 6%. That calculates to two extra seats for New York Republicans in Congress. Meanwhile, on the state level, a conservative group of Democrats known as the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) actually limits the power of its own party. New York City metro-area voters may dominate the state in population and income, but their votes dont get them equivalent representation on state or national levels. Next: Republican voters have a hard time getting equal representation here. 7. New Hampshire Because its not a large state, you dont hear much about New Hampshires gerrymander, but its one of the worst in the country. Azavea data shows a 47% efficiency gap for Democrats here easily the largest advantage in America. In 2016, New Hampshire showed a nearly even split between Democrat (52%) and Republican (48%) votes, but the two seats in Congress both went blue. With fair districting, this state might have its two seats split along party lines. Next: This giant state ranks among the worst for equal representation. 8. Texas As Texas has been turning blue for several election cycles, the 39% of Democratic voters only holds about 30% (11) of the states 36 House seats. The difference comes down to the states built-in advantage for Republicans. According to Azavea, Texass gerrymander gave the GOP two extra seats in the state. As the remarkably unpopular Ted Cruz looks to defend his Senate seat in November 2018, the rigged House map wont be able to help him. Next: This blue state shuts out nearly a quarter of Republican votes. 9. Nevada In terms of simple math, no state had an easier-to-understand gerrymander than Nevada. The 2016 showed an even, 50-50 split between Republican and Democrat voters while the GOP only won one of the four seats. Data from Azavea noted the Democratic Partys advantage as 24%. So one half plus one quarter gives you three quarters, and thats exactly what Dems won: three of the four seats. Next: Nevadas neighbor also showed a clear advantage, but in this case Republicans had the edge. 10. Utah Like Nevada, Utah has four seats in the House, but in this case all four belong to Republicans. Thats unusual for a state where 33% voted for Democratic candidates in 2016. Data compiled by Azavea showed a 17% efficiency gap that benefited Republicans in play. That edge cost Democrats one seat from Utah. Next: This states electoral politics have been a mess for years. Its map is no different. 11. Kansas When Trump wanted to study a voter fraud problem that didnt exist, he turned to Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach to lead his commission. (That commission disbanded after an unproductive few months.) However, it was no accident the president turned to a player in one of Americas most corrupt states. After all, it was among the states with the highest number of discarded votes in 2016 despite being 33rd in population. According to an AP analysis, Kansas threw away votes at a three-times-to-one rate in the 16 elections. If thats not enough, the state also has an unfair district map that gave Republicans a 20% edge and one extra House seat. Next: Americas largest state is about to become one of its bluest. 12. California As far as redistricting and gerrymandering go, no one takes issue with Californias map. However, if youre a Republican voter and choose to swallow the tax increase coming to many in the state, your vote wont go far in the future. At the start of 2018, California had 39 Democrats and 14 Republicans representing the state in Congress. Many have predicted a full sweep of GOP seats (including the one held by Devin Nunes) in November, which would leave Americas largest state and economic power pure blue. Two prominent Republicans already retired to protect themselves against such a fate. Next: This state does gerrymandering the old-fashioned way. 13. West Virginia While California is about to become bluer than ever, democracy (i.e., a majority of votes) is the reason behind it. West Virginia, which ranks 12th with a 17.1% efficiency gap tilted toward Republicans, cant say the same thing. In effect, the district map gives state Republicans an extra seat, meaning a clean sweep of the available three. You cant blame the 34% Democrat voters for feeling their ballot didnt matter in 2016. Next: This blue state squeezed out all GOP representation. 14. Connecticut With 36% of the population voting Republican, you would think the GOP could manage to squeeze one House seat out of the five available. However, the gerrymandered map includes a 23% efficiency gap benefiting Democrats. As a result, all five of the seats feature Democrats with just 64% of the vote. Its one of the states that feels like it has an electoral college. Finally: Where 40% of the vote only gets you 16% of the representation 15. South Carolina Finally, the great state of South Carolina checks in with another case of gerrymandered districts. Despite having 40% vote for Democrats in 2016, only one House seat went to a Dem candidate. Five of the six (approximately 80%) seats are held by GOP members, who in total received 60% of the votes. If youre a Democrat, you might think your vote is basically worthless here. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Prince Harry and Meghan Markle just tied the knot and Princess Eugenie and her fiance Jack Brooksbank will follow later this year. After months of planning, were sure that both couples are looking forward to the moment when they can finally step back from the spotlight and spend some quality time together relaxing. Were not sure where Harry and Markle will honeymoon. However, because the British royal family is super traditional, they have been known to favor a few special places for their first few weeks as married couples. Check out the stunning and lavish spots that the royals frequent for their honeymoons. Seychelles After they were married in front of 20 million television viewers back in 2011, Prince William and Duchess Kate Middleton jetted off to the stunning islands of Seychelles. Full of white beaches across its 115 islands, the East African country is a royal and celebrity favorite. The prince and the duchess stayed at the exclusive and private North island in a luxury villa called Villanovo, which cost an astounding 5,000 per night. Brad Pitt and George Clooney also spent their honeymoons there, so you know its plush. Next: The perfect location for sunbathing and reading Cyprus When your husband is a rugby player, you might have to postpone your honeymoon so that you can schedule it when hes not in season. Thats exactly what happened with the queens granddaughter, equestrian Zara Tindall. Tindall married her husband, former rugby player Mike Tindall back in 2011. When the new couple finally decided to jet off, they headed to Cyprus, a small country in the Middle East. They stayed at the five-star Columbia Beach Resort where they spent their time sunbathing and reading. It probably helped to get away because the rugby player was caught canoodling with an ex-girlfriend just before the honeymoon. Next: The place you want to sail to if you have a grand yacht at your disposal The Mediterranean It might seem super romantic to sail around the Mediterranean sea on the lavish Royal Yacht Britannia for two weeks, but youd have to be excited about your marriage for anything romantic to go down. After their 1981 wedding, Prince Charles and the late-Princess Diana boarded the yacht and set sail. Unfortunately, the honeymoon set the tone for their marriage. Secret letters from the princess were unearthed later, and she described her honeymoon as the perfect trip to catch up on sleep. Next: A lush green location full of nostalgia Scotland Though they might seem proper and put together, especially since they are in their wiser years, Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip are actually super outdoorsy. Its no wonder then that in 1947 after they tied the knot, the two decided to head to Scotland to celebrate their marriage. They stayed on the Balmoral Estate in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Full of lush greenery, history, and castles, this was the perfect location for the traditional couple. It was also nostalgic for the queen since she often spent her summers in Scotland with the Queen Mother. Next: A familiar place Hampshire Preferring to stay close to home, especially since Britain was just coming out of World War II, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh first headed to Hampshire in England before heading to Scotland. In Hampshire, which is located on the Southern coast, the young couple stayed at Broadlands, owned by Prince Philips Uncle Earl Mountbatten. Next: A tropical island full of hydrangeas The Azores Prince Charles younger brother, Prince Andrew, might have had a tumultuous relationship with his ex-wife and current partner Sarah Ferguson, but at least their honeymoon was stunning. When the young couple married in 1986, they hopped on the Royal Yacht Britannia and sailed to the Azores Islands near Portugal. The Azores are full of astounding landscapes that include miles of green pastures and rows of blue hydrangeas. The views had to be out of this world. Next: One of the most beautiful places in the world The Caribbean If youve ever been to the Caribbean then you know how refreshing and relaxing the pure blue waters, constant sunshine, and stunning environments are. Queen Elizabeths sister, Princess Margaret chose the Caribbean as her honeymoon location when she married photographer Anthony Armstrong-Jones in 1960. Hoping aboard the trusty Royal Britannica, the couple visited Antigua, Mustique, and Trinidad, among others. It seemed like the perfect thing to do in order to escape the prying eyes of the U.K. press and public. Next: A honeymoon location right around the corner. Windsor Honeymoons are a more modern advent, so it makes sense that, in the 19th century, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert stayed in the town of Windsor, England during their honeymoon. Though the duo was madly in love (the queen wore black for forty years after her husbands death), Queen Victoria threw balls during her honeymoon instead of spending time with her new husband. A castle certainly isnt a shabby place to spend your days after all, Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie will be using the setting for their actual weddings. Next: Islands known for their stunning beaches and white buildings. The Greek Islands In addition to boating around the Mediterranean, Prince Charles and Princess Diana also took the yacht around the Greek Islands. Though they obviously werent into one another, they had to be into the stunning sunsets and white architecture that cover the islands. Santorini is particularly awe-inspiring. Next: A country where safaris and lands are aplenty. South Africa South Africa has some of the most beautiful locations on the planet, which is why the queens grandson, Peter Phillips, and his wife, Anne, chose to spend their honeymoon there when they wed in 2008. The couple stayed at the Tuningi Safari Lodge on the Madikwe Game Reserve. The five-star resort usually goes for around 1,000 a night and sits on 165,000 acres. The lodge also has a full-fledged luxury spa. Wed say they had a pretty iconic honeymoon. Next: The place where much of civilization began Egypt Though they werent exactly bonding on their honeymoon, Prince Charles and Princess Diana did enjoy their time in in Egypt. The stunning North African country is full of history, and they also gave a dinner for President Anwar Sadat and his wife, Jihan, on board the Royal Yacht. It was probably a nice distraction, especially since the Prince of Wales was wearing cufflinks that his former flame and current wife, Duchess Camilla, had given him. The newlywed couple also had a terrible fight during their trip. Next: A quaint English county Surrey A county in the South East of England doesnt seem like the ideal place for a honeymoon, but it worked for Queen Elizabeth I and King George VI when they married in 1923. The couple spent two weeks at the Polesden Lacey, a superb Edwardian mansion which is styled opulently. The king was probably thrilled to spend time with his new wife since she had turned down his marriage proposals twice before finally accepting. The queen was overwhelmed with the responsibilities of what it meant to be a royal. Unfortunately, the queen caught whooping cough during their honeymoon, which probably wasnt very romantic. Next: A Scottish location perfect for fishing Birkhall In 2005, Prince Charles and Duchess Camila finally wed and to celebrate, the couple set of to Birkhall, their private residences located in Scotland. On the estate, the prince and Duchess of Cornwall enjoy fishing and walking the vast grounds. After some rest in Birkhall, they set off aboard the yacht of their friend, billionaire Spiros Latsis, where they cruised around the Greek Islands. Next: Rihannas island Barbados The country that gave us Rihanna is obviously stunning, which is why Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips chose the location for their 1973 honeymoon. Apparently, right after their wedding, they flew to Barbados and boarded the Royal Yacht Britannica. Unfortunately, their honeymoon would be a prelude to their failed marriage. They encountered violent storms with 20-foot waves while they were sailing. The couple would divorce in 1992 after news broke that Phillips had fathered a child outside of his marriage. Next: This is the African country where rhinos reign. Botswana Though Meghan Markle and Prince Harry havent revealed where they will be spending their honeymoon, Botswana might be at the top of their list. The prince regularly visits the Southern African country since he is a part of the Rhino Conservation. Also, the couple has already spent a romantic getaway there. The diamonds in Markles engagement ring are sourced from the country, and they also took a three-week trip to the region for Markles 36th birthday. Follow Aramide Tinubu on Twitter @midnightrami. Read more: The British Royal Family Loves to Wine and Dine at These Posh Locations Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! In the battle of the U.S. vs. North Korea, its mostly a war of words. An insane war of words, yes, but words all the same. The leaders of each country, Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un, are eerily similar, but each wants to destroy the other. What if we told you the U.S. can take down North Korea without firing a shot? We know North Korean missiles can reach us, and that an attack on the United States would ruin our economy. The opposite is also true. But it doesnt have to come to that. North Korea has used cyber attacks on the United States in the past. The U.S. can do the same to take down the Kim Jong Un regime. 1. A little bit of history Before we dive into how the U.S. can take down North Korea without bullets and missiles, lets have a history lesson. The Korean peninsula was divided into two halves at the end of World War II. South Korea came under U.S. control and North Korea was influenced by Soviet Russia. North invaded South and ignited the Korean War, which is technically not over. North Koreas growing nuclear arsenal and cyber attacks, such as the Sony Pictures hack, illustrate its wartime mindset in the 21st century. Next: A few reasons why war is a bad idea. 2. Theres a lot we dont know The whole death and destruction aspect of a nuclear war is a problem, but its not the only one. North Korea is one of the United States primary enemies, but theres a lot we dont know about it. For example, we dont really know how many nuclear weapons North Korea has, or how powerful they are. Al Jazeera reports the country has 60 nuclear weapons and the ability to build six per year. For that matter, we actually know very little about Kim Jong Un. As Politico writes, we dont even know how old he is or how many children he has. In a war with North Korea, the U.S. would be firing blindly to a certain extent. Next: Are North Korean missiles a symbol instead of a threat? 3. Diplomacy isnt working Despite the posturing, were pretty sure North Koreas nuclear arsenal isnt what you think. The missiles might be symbols instead of real threats. They could be signs that show North Korea is a world power ready to negotiate for peace. Even Vice President Mike Pence is warming to the idea of talks. Of course, diplomacy hasnt worked so far. North Korea makes money despite all the sanctions, and the fact that Kim Jong Un has a well-stocked nuclear war hideout isnt a good sign. Next: Tickets for the gun show? 4. War isnt the answer Weve just seen how diplomacy with North Korea isnt really working. All-out war is another option, but its a terrible idea. A tactical so-called bloody nose strike would prove the United States military might to North Korea, but it risks dangerous escalation. Still, Donald Trump is considering war with North Korea as a solution. Given the weapons in each countrys arsenal, and it almost certainly would be a nuclear war and one of the bloodiest wars in history. Next: Winning a war without firing a shot. 5. The nonviolent solution So diplomacy barely works, and war isnt the answer. How can we deal with the North Korea threats without launching missiles? With technology. We mentioned earlier how North Korea hacked Sony Pictures. The nonviolent solution would be like that, but the U.S. would be hacking millions of North Korean devices. In a written statement to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Dennis Blair of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation suggests distributing digital propaganda in North Korea. Its citizens are basically brainwashed to hate America. A propaganda offensive by the U.S. showing how poorly the North Koreans have it could spark a revolution and topple the Kim regime from the inside. Next: How North Koreas rich kids will play a role. 6. Why it might work A counter-propaganda offensive sounds absurd. After all, North Koreas internet is small, not widely available, and is filtered through China. Despite that, it has a chance of working, and we can thank North Koreas middle class. Most citizens are poor, but a group of rich kids live like Americas 1%. That includes cell phones, which are easily hacked. And as Dennis Blair wrote to the Senate Armed Services Committee, The kryptonite that can weaken North Korea is information from beyond its borders. The cult of personality is deeply ingrained in most North Koreans, so turning average citizens against the regime will be tough. But if the elites with cell phones can be swayed by propaganda to act against the state, it could be the beginning of the end for the Kim dynasty. Next: A blueprint of a hacking attack. 7. How it could happen Individual cell phones are susceptible to hacking, and its not all that difficult. Hacking an entire cell phone network is more complicated, but the NSA has experience doing it. If the U.S. cant break into North Koreas phone network from a distance, it can always rely on the Navys stealth ship to get closer to the target. In the end, hacking the network and distributing propaganda is going to be the most effective way to topple Kim Jong Uns regime. Of course, the opposite is also true. As the Sony Pictures hack demonstrates, North Korea can hack into U.S. computer systems. It has a specific arm of the military, Unit 121, dedicated to hacking, and its the third-largest cyber unit in the world. Next: Lets peer into the crystal ball. 8. What comes next? As weve discussed, North Korea still has a wartime mindset, especially when it comes to the United States. North Koreas threats are just that so far, threats, but diplomacy isnt working and war isnt the answer either. Even nonviolent cell phone hacking might be viewed by North Korea as an act of war. For all we know, Kim Jong Un just might be insane enough to launch a nuclear attack at the slightest provocation. So how does the United States end the North Korea threats? Actually, it might not be up to us. We might not have to do much of anything in order to take down North Korea. Relations between North Korea and South Korea seem to be thawing. Some North citizens work good jobs in factories building things for South companies. The two countries are competing under the same Olympic flag. Kim Jong Un is ready to welcome South Korean president Moon Jae In for a visit. Maybe all we have to do is sit back, let things play out, and intervene if asked. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment An estimated 1 in 5 adults in America battle with mental illness every year. More than nine million people suffer from "Serious mental illness in a given year that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities," according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. But where is the church in all this? Stephen Grcevich, MD, a Psychiatrist in Ohio explains in Mental Health and the Church: A Ministry Handbook for Including Children and Adults with ADHD, Anxiety, Mood Disorders and Other Common Mental Health Conditions that the church can't serve people struggling with mental illness if they are not equipped. Why do we rarely hear of a sermon or a discussion from the pulpit regarding mental health? I don't think it's fair to say that mental health-related topics are never discussed from the pulpit. That's certainly not the case at the church my family attends, but the research suggests a big disconnect between the frequency pastors report talking about mental illness at church and what individuals with mental illness and their families say they need. LifeWay and Focus on the Family conducted a survey of Protestant pastors, adults with depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia and their family members around the impact of their conditions on church participation and spiritual development. When family members were asked what local churches should do to assist families supporting persons with mental illness, their number one response was "Talk about it openly so that the topic is not so taboo." In the very same survey, nearly half of all pastors reported they "rarely" or "never" speak of mental illness during worship services. Nearly two-thirds speak of mental illness once a year or less. We talk about the news and politics, but mental health remains taboo. The taboo, or stigma around mental illness exists on two levels. The first level represents the stigma associated with mental illness in our larger society. Our patients often fail to receive necessary support services because of their reluctance to self-identify or because parents are reluctant to disclose their child's mental health disability to others. One reason why a stand-alone mental health ministry is unlikely to be successful is the last thing most people with mental illness want to do is call attention to themselves. They'll flee anything that draws attention to their differences because what they most want is to fit in inconspicuously with everyone else. The stigma is compounded in the church. In response to the widespread embrace of moral relativism by large swaths of the mental health professions in the 1960s, the Nouthetic Counseling movement emerged. Essentially, followers of the Nouthetic approach believe any mental health condition without a demonstrable organic or physical cause results from sin. This view gained great influence among prominent church leaders in denominations and traditions most committed to evangelism and outreach and persists in many churches to this day. How do we start the dialogue? The conversation has already started among key influencers in the church, even if it hasn't yet started to reshape what happens at the local church level. Ed Stetzer has done a wonderful job of using the platforms he's occupied at Lifeway Research, Christianity Today and Wheaton College to promote a dialogue in the church around mental illness. Rick and Kay Warren have done much to advance the dialogue through their advocacy following the tragic death of their son, Matthew. Amy Simpson was a prominent voice at Christianity Today when she wrote highly praised books describing her personal experiences growing up in a pastor's home with a mother with schizophrenia and the challenges experienced by Christians overwhelmed with anxiety. We're trying to advance the dialogue by providing a model for churches that want to take the next step by developing a ministry strategy for serving persons with mental illness in the communities they serve and their families. You talk about how the church is great in welcoming new people; they have classes, mentors and other tools for the transition. But we lack the understanding that many of these people are struggling to get out bed in the morning. Where is the church missing it? Here's the challenge in a nutshell... People serving on staff in a church and folks who are actively involved with church are likely very comfortable with the "culture" of church. By culture, I'm referring to the types of activities we engage in at church, our expectations of one another and the rules, both written and unwritten, that guide our behavior. What happens when someone experiences one or more mental health conditions is that certain traits or attributes associated with those conditions present challenges for someone seeking to enter into our church culture. For example, churches are intensely social places. What challenges might someone experience if they have a mental health condition that affects their ability to pick up on verbal or non-verbal social cues, body language or facial expression? What if your brain is wired in a way that you overestimate the risk involved in entering new situations and assume that others are judging you much more harshly than they really are? How will that person handle the level of self-disclosure expected in a small group? Churches have VERY clear expectations for behavior. What if someone has a condition that causes them to experience more difficulty controlling their impulses or emotions? My hypothesis is if we can help church leaders better understand the ways in which people with common mental health conditions experience our church culture and ministry environments, they can go about creating culture and environments that are more welcoming for everyone. Tell us about your inclusion strategy. What has been the biggest challenge in implementing this? The inclusion strategy is built around the idea described above that there are certain traits or attributes associated with a wide range of mental health conditions that present challenges to someone entering into the culture and ministry environments of our churches. We identified seven common barriers to church involvement related to mental illness stigma, anxiety, executive functioning or one's capacity for self-control, sensory processing, social communication, social isolation and past experiences of church. We then identify seven broad inclusion strategies that churches pursue across their different areas of ministry to help minimize or eliminate each of those barriers. The seven strategies are easily remembered by the acronym "TEACHER." T: Assemble your inclusion TEAM. E: Create welcoming ministry ENVIRONMENTS A: Focus on ministry ACTIVITIES most essential for spiritual growth. C: COMMUNICATE effectively H: HELP families with their most heartfelt needs. E: Offer EDUCATION and support. R: Empower your people to assume RESPONSIBILITY for ministry. I think the biggest challenge involves all of the needs and demands that compete for the time and attention of church leaders. There are always more worthy ministry ideas and opportunities than there are time, money and manpower. This model doesn't demand that church leaders establish a new program that will take resources away from other important priorities. We're talking about a mindset as opposed to a program. A good strategy involves coming to a better understanding of the challenges that 20-25 percent of the population experience in being part of church and thinking of ways to make it easier for them to participate in the activities your church offers to promote spiritual growth. What did you find in your research? I can't say that I've personally conducted research in this area. With that said, one of the drivers for starting Key Ministry was the observation that the kids and families we were serving in my child and adolescent psychiatry practice appeared to be significantly less likely than families in our broader community to be actively involved in a local church. The available research from LifeWay suggests that nearly a quarter of adults with serious mental illnesses who regularly attended church at one point either stopped attending church, changed churches or couldn't find a church because of the ways people in the church responded to their mental illness. Investigators from Baylor University report that 30 percent of persons who reach out to their churches for help with mental illness report negative experiences, 15 percent report a weakening of their faith and 13 percent leave the church entirely in response to their experiences. The numbers are shocking. What trends are you seeing in your practice and ministry? One of the most exciting trends is that God seems to be raising up many different leaders and ministries called to help the church minister more effectively with individuals with mental illness and their families. Fresh Hope and Mental Health Grace Alliance represent two outstanding ministries that offer Christian-based education and support models. Outside In Ministries has an innovative model for equipping church leaders and volunteers to serve as mental health liaisons in their congregations. We're in a similar place as the special needs and disability ministry community was 10-15 years ago just prior to experiencing explosive growth. You mention in your book about creating a new way of how we address people with disabilities. Can you share more about this? Over the last 15 years in the church, we've made remarkable progress in ministry with persons with physical disabilities, due in large part to the leadership of Joni Eareckson Tada and the ministry organization she founded. More recently, a number of outstanding ministries have blossomed to help churches serve children and adults with intellectual disabilities and more severe presentations of autism spectrum disorders. We do well in the church in serving persons with more profound disabilities where there's general agreement that the person afflicted bears no moral responsibility for their condition. Mental health-related disabilities are different in that persons with those conditions are often disabled some, but not all of the time, and in some, but not all environments and activities. Mental health disability is often episodic. Someone with recurrent depression may be a regular attender at church or Bible study but disappear for weeks or months at a time during a mood episode. The disability is often hidden. Someone with agoraphobia may turn around and leave church shortly after arriving if there are no open seats near a door allowing for a discrete exit if labored breathing or palpitations occur during the worship service. The man with a mental health condition associated with sensory processing difficulties may be fine at a small group, but unable to handle a contemporary worship service when the band turns their amplifiers on high. Mental health disability may be situation-specific. Someone with social anxiety may be quite successful in their work or studies but find themselves incapacitated by fear at the prospect of visiting a church for the first time. The middle schooler with separation anxiety may sit with his parents at worship every Sunday, but overnight retreats or mission trips are out of the question. What are the key barriers that face the church and Christian culture? If were talking about barriers facing the church in developing an outreach and inclusion strategy for persons with mental illness, there are several. One of the most alarming findings from the LifeWay study I referenced earlier is that 55 percent of U.S. adults who don't regularly attend worship services perceive that churches are unwelcoming to individuals with mental illness. We have to radically shift perceptions of the church in a part of our culture where we have little influence. Because persons with mental illness are often socially isolated, they're less likely to know church members and attendees who'll invite them to worship services and other activities. We'll need to be very intentional and strategic in pursuing relationships with persons with mental illness. Finally, in a culture that highly values individual autonomy, self-determination and sexual liberty, attending a church and publicly identifying as a Christian increasingly has less and less appeal to many, including persons with mental illness. How do we finally overcome the stigma of mental illness? We're winning the battle against stigma. As more and more high-profile Christians who have led lives of unquestionable spiritual fruitfulness disclose their own personal experiences of mental illness, the view that sin is the cause of all mental illness becomes less and less defensible. Combine their witness with our rapidly expanding base of scientific knowledge demonstrating the biological basis of common mental health conditions and I find myself very hopeful that subsequent generations of church leaders and attendees will have radically different attitudes toward persons with mental illness. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A destructive and militant gender ideology continues chugging across the country. Parents, students and teachers in every state are being indoctrinated to blindly believe that confusion over one's gender cancels out the scientific reality of chromosomes, genes, and DNA within little girls and little boys. So how long do you think it will take before the gender-neutral train derails? Camille Paglia is an American cultural critic, and has been a professor at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia since 1984. Paglia said there are "a lot of lies being propagated" regarding transgender issues, including the fabrication that sex-reassignment surgery can change someone's sex. Paglia believes that people who encourage children to become transgender are committing "child abuse." Interestingly, Paglia said she suffered "gender dysfunction" herself as a child, dressing in men's clothing "as often as I could." In an interview Paglia referred to those who "flee all reference to biology when it comes to gender." She went on to say, "The cold biological truth is that sex changes are impossible. Every cell of the human body remains coded with one's birth gender for life." And The Heritage Foundation wisely and lovingly declared: "Biology Isn't Bigotry." Michelle Cretella, M.D., is President of the American College of Pediatricians. She writes, "Even the American Psychological Association's Handbook of Sexuality and Psychology admits that prior to the widespread promotion of transition affirmation, 75 to 90 percent of prepubertal children who were distressed by their biological sex eventually outgrew that distress. The vast majority came to accept their biological sex by late adolescence after passing naturally through puberty." She goes on to write, "Professionals are using the myth that people are born transgender to justify engaging in massive, uncontrolled, and unconsented experimentation on children who have a psychological condition that would otherwise resolve after puberty in the vast majority of cases. Today's institutions that promote transition affirmation are pushing children to impersonate the opposite sex, sending many of them down the path of puberty blockers, sterilization, the removal of healthy body parts, and untold psychological damage. These harms constitute nothing less than institutionalized child abuse." And on another gender-related topic, a bill was introduced last month in the Nebraska Legislature that seeks to change the terminology used by ministers and magistrates in the solemnization of marriage. The proposed bill (LB785) strikes out the phrase "husband and wife" and replaces it with "spouses." The Nebraska Legislature held a Judiciary Committee public hearing recently to consider this bill. Since anyone can testify at these committee hearings, I decided to attend and share the following statement at the Capitol building in Lincoln, Nebraska. February 2, 2018 A Statement to the Nebraska Legislature Judiciary Committee Regarding LB785 The terms we use to describe ourselves matter a lot. "So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." (Genesis 1:27) Terminology matters. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." (Ephesians 5:31) What happens if you toss aside standard, time-honored gender terminology used in marriage ceremonies for thousands of years? The terms we use to describe spouses matter a lot. It would be insightful to hear Senator Vargas and Fr. Damian share the excellent reasons why their Catholic congregation in Omaha, along with thousands of other Christian churches across Nebraska, will most certainly continue to use the terms "husband" and "wife" in their wedding ceremonies, regardless of what happens with LB785. In other words, the bill is fraught with ambiguity, while being unrealistic and impractical for the majority of churches in our state, including the senator's own congregation. And most importantly, LB785 unwittingly and unnecessarily violates the critical separation between church and state. A Pew survey of 4,573 people was recently conducted. It found that in America today, 77 percent of Democrats with four-year degrees think sex is not determined at birth. Yet 55 percent of black Democrats and 41 percent of Hispanic Democrats disagree with their fellow Democrats and say that a person's gender IS determined by their sex at birth. Make no mistake about it. Mandating gender neutrality in marriage ceremonies is only a few steps away from mandating gender neutrality in our public grade schools. Dr. Michelle Cretella, president of the American College of Pediatricians, said a person's sex is determined by one's DNA and stamped in every cell in the body. Furthermore, she added, hormones and surgery cannot alter the nearly 6,500 genetic differences between men and women. Who can fully measure the pain and heartache experienced by young children when taught that their gender is up in the air? And yet today, children and parents are being encouraged to make monumental gender declarations based on their subjective feelings, rather than relying on the objective facts of their DNA. Is it wise, or is it cruel, to promote confusion and uncertainty in children regarding their God-given gender? The terms we use to describe our children matter a lot. And so let's not kid ourselves. While LB785 aims to remove long-established marriage terminology, the bill also lays the tracks for a day when public school teachers would not be allowed to affirm and celebrate a student's gender based upon DNA. It is the natural evolution of man playing God, and assuming he knows more about gender and marriage than our Creator. Changing marriage terminology is a surefire way to speed up the gender-neutral train, while the toddlers playing on the tracks have no clue what is barreling full steam ahead in their direction. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment In 1980 I was a newlywed working as a bank coin teller. There were a lot of silver coins in circulation back then, and the price of silver was skyrocketing toward an all-time high. At one point I sold roll of silver dimes (face value: $5.00) to a coin dealer across from the train station near my home for $35.00. If I had waited a few months, I could have sold it for $100.00. One day I found a quarter that was minted in the 1920s. As was my practice, I exchanged it for one of my own quarters and took it to the coin dealer. Its numismatic (or collectors') value would have been far more than that of its silver content, but the year had worn off the coin's face from repeated handling. The dealer knew exactly what year it was minted due to a distinct feature that only quarters from that year had, but since the date had worn off, I could only sell it for the value of its silver. The coin had been used so many times that its value had gone down. I once heard former Moody Church Pastor Warren Wiersbe say that words are like coins: the more they are used, the more they wear out, until no one knows what they mean anymore. (This is especially true of silver coins, which are made of a more valuable but softer metal.) That was around 1980, and he was complaining that the phrase "born again" had been so overused it could mean just about anything. There were magazine articles about "born again kitchens." We have the same problem with the word "evangelical," and we've had it for quite some time. To illustrate, I will let you pick the punch line to the following joke: "An evangelical walks into a bar, and the bartender says..." (a) "We don't serve Republicans here!" (b) "If you're looking for The Flat Earth Society, it meets next door." (c) "Did God know that you would decide to come here?" (d) [Fill in your own punch line.] For many, the word "evangelical" has become so identified with conservative social causes that it is as much a political term as a religious one. For others, evangelicalism is simply another way of saying "anti-science." And for those somewhat, but not much, more familiar with it, evangelicalism is so theologically elastic that it can even include those who deny the historic Christian doctrine of God's omniscience (they're called "Open Theists"). But there are probably as many stereotypes of evangelicalism as there are people, hence option "d." When it comes to what "evangelicalism" actually stands for, opinions today are probably more confused than ever, and the fault does not lie with the world or the media or some satanic conspiracy. We have brought this upon ourselves. Definitions are the "values" of words. Vague words capable of multiple definitions do not have much value when you are trying to say something meaningful. And because we evangelicals have failed to be more specific as to what our name means, for most people it no longer says anything truly meaningful about usespecially about what we believe. And is not what we believe supposed to be the central reason why we call ourselves "evangelicals" in the first place? Exhibit A in this case is the well-known "Bebbington Quadrilateral." David Bebbington's four "characteristics" of evangelicalism have become a common working definition: (1) conversionism (the need for repentance and faith in Christ), (2) activism (active public evangelism and discipleship), (3) biblicism (the Bible as the sole source for spiritual truth), and (4) crucicentrism (the cross of Christ as the focus of the Gospel). (See Evangelicalism in Modern Britain: A History from the 1730s to the 1980s, pages 2-17.) But while Bebbington talks about doctrine, Carl Trueman points out "the nearly complete absence of doctrinal criteria" in his "Quadrilateral." This comes out in Bebbington's discussion of crucicentrism, where he notes that while evangelicals of the late-18th and early-19th centuries consistently affirmed the doctrine that on the cross Christ suffered the penalty sinners deserved as their substitute, in the 20th century it only survived among "conservative Evangelicals," a term I first heard more than a decade before Bebbington wrote, demonstrating that "evangelical" had become so watered-down that it was necessary to distinguish between theologically-conservative and theologically-liberal evangelicals. Although the cross of Christ was still in some way "central" to evangelicalism, what that cross means, apparently, is now any evangelical's guess. It seems evangelicals have come to be defined more by what they do or what they experience than by what they believe. How long has the face of evangelicalism's coin, and hence its identity, been wearing out? By the time the preacher D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones gave his 1971 address titled, "What Is an Evangelical?" it had apparently been going on for quite some time. Lloyd-Jones recalled his experience with people who even listed Karl Barth as an evangelical. "Because Barth was so wonderful a critic of liberalism," he wrote, "he was regarded as a true evangelical, something that he, of course, never was." (Knowing the Times, page 311.) And it got worse. Many were calling Malcolm Muggeridge an evangelical. Lloyd-Jones wrote, "Having read his last book, which is called Jesus Rediscovered, I would not hesitate to say that Malcolm Muggeridge is not a Christian at all. He does not believe in the virgin birth, he does not believe in the miracles as facts, he does not believe in the atonement, he does not believe in the literal physical resurrection, he does not believe in the person of the Holy Spirit, he does not believe in prayer, yet he is being used in evangelical conferences and meetings. Why? Only because he has changed his general position and is now talking vaguely about Christ." (Ibid., 311-312.) And the list goes on and on. "There have been many other examples of this. I find that C.S. Lewis has almost become the patron saint of evangelicals. He was never an evangelical and said so quite plainly himself." (Ibid., 312.) Lloyd-Jones wrote as if the word "evangelical" had specific content in his day, which for him included the ultimate authority of Scripture, the denial of evolution in favor of the biblical account of creation, the historic Fall of Adam, Christ's penal substitutionary atonement, justification by faith alone, and more. Back then the problem was not that the word had become too vague, but that it was being misapplied. The situation, however, has deteriorated since then. I was working at Wheaton College in 1994 when Mark Noll, who was teaching there, published his book, The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind. It famously begins with the sentence, "The scandal of the evangelical mind is that there is not much of an evangelical mind." That inspired some rather heated comments that were aired at a faculty and staff dining hall table where I ate lunch. The book was not universally well-received by evangelical academics. (But then, what book is?) Fifteen years later, Carl Trueman published The Real Scandal of the Evangelical Mind, from which I quoted earlier. I believe he is closer to the mark when he notes that the real scandal is that there is not much of an evangelicalism. "It is not that there is no mind," Trueman wrote, "but rather that there is no evangelical." (Kindle version, Chapter 3, paragraph 1.) How can there be? When evangelicalism can stand for practically anything, it really stands for nothing. The tragic result of this downward trend is that in 2003, the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) failed to receive the necessary 75-percent vote by its members to remove two notorious Open Theists, Clark Pinnock and John Sanders, from its rolls. Now people could call themselves evangelical theologians even while denying that God can predict the future! The penchant for slapping the label "evangelical" on as many theological viewpoints as possible has been dubbed "big-tent evangelicalism," which contains an allusion to outdoor evangelistic meetings under circus-like tentswhich is oddly appropriate given the circus-like antics of some evangelicals. But how many different species can you squeeze into that big tent before you no longer have a circus, but a zoo? Can the words "evangelical" and "evangelicalism" be salvaged, and their historic meaning restored? I would hope so. But, in the meantime, people who care about orthodox biblical doctrine are leaving the big tent in increasing numbers. If this trend is not reversed, we stand to lose a truly beautiful and useful word that for generations has bound together those from many denominations who are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, based on the truth of Scripture alone. Ron Henzel is the Senior Researcher at Midwest Christian Outreach, Inc, co-author of A Matter of Basic Principles: Bill Gothard and the Christian Life and co-host of The Unknown Webcast. He has an M.A. in Biblical Studies from Wheaton College (IL) and is an elder at Providence Christian Church, Cape Coral, Florida. Anna Duggar returns to social media, draws mixed reactions from fans After two years on a social media hiatus, "19 Kids and Counting" star Anna Duggar decided to return and post about her two young boys, Michael and Marcus. In the photo collage posted on Instagram (@annaduggar), the two boys were on top of the counter and were playing with oranges. "Usually my boys are playing with blocks, hot wheels, and nerf guns. Sometimes they decide to get creative 'toys' stack 'em and then snack 'em! #creativity," she wrote. Most of the comments made by netizens applauded her return to social media. "Adorable! Anna I'm so happy you are back on Instagram!" a fan wrote. "I missed you Anna! Love seeing the kiddos! Thanks for posting," commented another. However, there were some who criticized her parenting skills since she allowed the boys to play on countertops. "People usually don't allow kids play on countertops because of safety issues. But whatever, she has 3 more kids if these two will fall down and break something," an Instagram user wrote. On the other hand, there were some who recalled the past transgressions of Anna's husband Josh, who was implicated years earlier for molesting several underage girls and using the cheating website, Ashley Madison. "I don't see your little girls in the pictures. I hope someone besides your cheating, molesting husband is watching them," an angry netizen commented, referring to her daughters Mackynzie and Meredith. In another post, Anna shared a photo of her youngest son Mason. "#Mason is ready for the great outdoors!" she captioned it. Once again, fans expressed their excitement over her comeback. "I love that [you're] back. I've missed you and your cute Family!" one person wrote. "He's so cute!! Praying for your family. I love seeing what God has done for you ALL!! With God I truly believe ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!!" another weighed in. Egypt sentences Coptic priest's killer to death An Egyptian man found guilty of killing a Coptic priest last year has been sentenced to death. Ahmed Saeed's attack on 40-year-old priest Samaan Shehata with a knife in October was one of a number of assaults on Christians in recent years. Another priest was wounded in the attack. The Cairo Criminal Court ruled that Saeed should face the death penalty for his attack in the city of al-Salam, northeast of Cairo in October. Monday's verdict can be appealed. Violence against Christians, who make up around 10 per cent of the country's 95 million population, has surged in recent years and the persecution charity Open Doors pointed to an unprecedented spike in persecution making it the 17th most dangerous country in the world to be a Christian. Hardline Islamist extremists, pushed out of Syria and Iraq, have fled to Turkey and Egypt bringing a sharp rise in violence and aggression towards Christians there, the charity said. In April, twin suicide bombings, claimed by ISIS, struck two Coptic churches, killing at least 47 people. The Palm Sunday bombings prompted Egypt to declare a nationwide state of emergency. Muslims are also being targeted by jihadists and around 300 people died in a coordinated gun and bomb attack on al-Rawdah mosque in Bir al-Abed, west of Arish city in the Sinai region last November. Muslim teens sentenced to studying Qur'an references to Virgin Mary after mocking Christianity In a refreshing twist on blasphemy sentences from the Middle East, three Lebanese teenagers who were charged with insulting Christianity have been given the unusual sentence of studying the references to the Virgin Mary found in the Qur'an. It is relatively little-known that Muslims believe in the Virgin birth of Jesus Christ. And in a move that is being hailed as a progressive step towards interfaith relations, a Christian judge, Joceline Matta, found the Muslim boys guilty of 'contempt of religion' for insulting Mary. The charge covers verbal insults or physical defiling of religious rites and objects and can be punishable by up to three years in prison. But delivering her sentence last week, the Justice said that she wanted the teenagers to learn about Islam's reverence for the mother of Christ, calling the law 'a school and not just a prison'. The Independent pointed out that Islam also regards Jesus as a major prophet of Allah, and Mary is honoured in several Islamic texts, including the Al-Omran surah, which reads: 'And [mention] when the angels said, "O Mary, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds".' Judge Matta pointed out that a chapter of the Quran is named after Mary, showing revealed the boys' ignorance of their own religion. The three teenagers must now learn verses from the Al-Omran surah in order to be released, she said. Lebanon's prime minister Saad Hariri said the sentence was the 'epitome of justice' and promotes co-existence between Muslims and Christians together through the 'teaching of common ideas'. During the 1975-1990 civil war, which killed an estimated 120,000 people, Lebanon was torn apart by sectarian violence between various Muslim, Christian and Druze factions. Under the country's constitution, which emphasises religious harmony, the president must be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of parliament a Shiite Muslim. Russian Orthodox bishop accuses US of trying to influence Russian elections The much-criticised 'Kremlin list' prepared by the US treasury department is designed to undermine the Russian electoral process, according to a senior Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) figure. The list was issued at the end of January and purported to show Russian oligarchs who had made money corruptly and could be targeted with sanctions. However, it was shown to have been compiled from an all-inclusive list of rich Russians compiled from Forbes magazine, along with the names of some Kremlin officials. Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the ROC's department of eternal relations and the Church's 'foreign secretary', told Rossiya-24 TV the list was an attempt to influence Russian elections. According to Interfax, he said: 'Surely, it is direct interference in the electoral process. (...) Surely, it is direct pressure on Russian authorities and wish to undermine the authorities.' He said the attempt would not succeed, adding: 'People will go to elections, and each of them will make the choice as their conscience tells them.' Hilarion's comments are to be seen against the background of continuing investigations into allegations the Trump campaign colluded with the Russians during the run-up to the election last year; US intelligence agencies concluded Russia had taken active steps to disrupt the US presidential election. The issue has dogged President Trump since his inauguration and may see the president interviewed by special counsel Robert S Mueller. Shrove Tuesday: Evangelicals must endure the suffering of Lent Pancake Day isn't much of a thing, really. Egg, milk and flour, fried, flipped and served with sugar and lemon? Forgive me for not exactly salivating. They do things better in New Orleans or Rio, where Shrove Tuesday is Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday the last day of Carnival, where the party goes wild. Too wild, in fact, for the evangelical mayor of Rio, Marcelo Crivella, a bishop in Brazil's Universal Church of Kingdom of God. He's not a fan of the licentious behaviour associated with the event and thinks the money it costs could be much better spent, opening the carnival under protest. But the UK's pared-down version of Fat Tuesday has the same religious roots as those exuberant affairs in less buttoned-up parts of the world. It's the day before Lent begins. Indulge yourself while you can, because tomorrow you'll be reminded you're dust and ashes. The next 40 days are about giving yourself up, not letting yourself go. The contrast is very instructive, and points to an abiding tension in how Christians hold together joy and sorrow, celebration and mortification, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. There are two things about this that trouble me. The first is the whole Easter thing, when the spiritual rhythm of lamenting and rejoicing comes into sharp focus. Easter Day comes after Good Friday. Resurrection comes after crucifixion. Evangelical Christians in particular, unhampered by or undisciplined by any particular regard for the Christian year, have a particular issue here. I suspect Lent in many evangelical churches is hardly a thing. Anecdotally, neither is Good Friday. I hear stories of Good Friday services being omitted from the church's calendar altogether, or barely mentioning that nasty crucifixion business. The opportunity to immerse ourselves in the suffering of Christ is lost. Why? Is it too difficult for feel-good faith? Does it require so many trigger warnings churches decide it's not worth it? Do we just not do sadness any more? If that's true, it's horrifying. It ignores the core of the gospel story, and ignores the reality of human experience. Missing out Good Friday mutilates Easter Day. It would probably not be feasible to restrict attendance on Sunday to people who can show they've been on Friday, but it's tempting. Christian life is not all carnival, whether it's the so-understated-you-hardly-notice of Pancake Day or the full-scale Mardi Gras. My second worry, though, is more about that carnival. I entirely get the Rio mayor's reservations. But I do wonder whether, in their efforts to distance themselves from the unsavoury aspects of the festival, Brazilian evangelicals are throwing the baby of good clean fun out with the bathwater of licentiousness. To a British writer, what happens in Rio is neither here nor there. They do Mardi Gras, we do Pancake Day, and a bit of batter stuck to the ceiling is hardly likely to set the heart pounding with visions of forbidden ecstasies. But I wonder whether, in certain sections of evangelicalism at least, we're lacking that full-blooded acceptance of the created world, with its boundless varieties of experience and endless opportunities to learn, think and feel. Obviously there are things we don't do but are we so taken up with avoiding sin that we limit our experience of goodness? Do we only let ourselves be inspired and enthused by music, art, nature or other people in the safety zone of a worship service? The robustly pagan poet AC Swinburne wrote sorrowfully of Christ: 'Thou hast conquered, O pale Galilean; the world has grown grey from thy breath.' How can Christians, who believe in life in all its fullness, present a Christ who says 'no' to so much that makes life richer and fuller? We, of all people, should be carnival-goers. It's a big, beautiful, God-created world, and we shouldn't be afraid of it. But that, too, is why we need Lent and Good Friday: to remind us that it's a fallen world, too, and that Christ died for it, and for us. Carnival for secular joy, and we should enjoy it. Easter is for sacred joy, and we should enjoy that too. But Lent punctuates and critiques both, and we shouldn't pretend otherwise. Follow Mark Woods on Twitter: @RevMarkWoods Sony Xperia XZ2 and XZ Pro release date news: Sony flagship phones may be unveiled at MWC 2018 Several tech companies will take the opportunity to launch their newest smartphones at the Mobile World Congress this year. There has been news that tech giants like Huawei, Asus and Samsung will participate in the said event. Another tech company showing up at the upcoming MWC would be Sony, which is expected to unveil the Xperia XZ2 and XZ Pro. While there have been no confirmation on this news yet, WCCFTech is expecting that Sony will unveil their newest flagship phones by Monday, Feb. 26. According to the report, the announcement is anticipated to happen around 2:30 a.m. EST or 11:30 p.m. PST on Feb. 25. Other smartphone manufacturers who are expected to launch their respective flagship phones are Nokia, unveiling the Nokia 9, Nokia 1 and a 4G version of Nokia 3310. Huawei could also be launching a new line of smartphones but is not expected to be a flagship entry. On the other hand, Korean-tech giant Samsung is anticipated for the launching of the Galaxy S9 and S9+. Blackberry will be introducing two new phones as well. Previously, it announced that one of these phones would be the successor to the Blackberry KEYOne, Trusted Reviews reported. Google could also be introducing something at the MWC this year, but not with their smartphones. According to a separate report by Trusted Reviews, the American-tech company maybe preparing to launch an enhanced version of Google Home. LG may not be preparing for a flagship smartphone on Feb. 25 since it is currently focusing on furnishing a new version of the LG G7. However, the company may potentially introduce a smartwatch at the event. For Motorola, which was recently owned by Lenovo, it will be an opportunity for the company to unveil the Moto G6, Moto G6 Plus and Moto G6 Play which are rumored to boast impressive specs. The 2018 Mobile World Congress will debut in Barcelona, Spain on Feb. 25 and will run until March 1 to showcase the latest in smartphones, tablets and other consumer-grade electronics. 'The Young and the Restless' spoilers: Nick and Sharon team up against Victor; J.T. to be killed off Fans are in for a treat this week, the long-running daytime TV series "The Young and the Restless" is serving up a plethora of exciting new developments starting with Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) and Sharon Collin's (Sharon Case) team-up against Victor (Eric Braeden) and J.T's (Thad Luckinbill) much speculated exit. "The Young and the Restless" fanatics seem to be hell-bent on the rekindled romance between Nick and Sharon. The Inquistr suggests that a reunion between past lovers, Nick and Sharon, is imminent, seeing as Sharon recently called it quits with the cheating Scott Grainger (Daniel Hall). Another solid proof of this is Nick's souring relationship with Chelsea, wherein the former turned to Sharon for advice. However, another dramatic turn of events will push the two's tandem into fighting off Victor Newman, Nick's ruthless father, who will most likely lay claim on Nick's son, Christian. In contrast with the coming together of a new romance arc, an imminent exit involving recent returning character J.T Hellstrom is at hand. "The Young and the Restless" teased hints regarding Hellstrom's failing health. In recent episodes, Hellstrom's heart condition was highlighted in the show which pushed fans to conclude that his departure from the show is not a far-off future for the character. The Inquisitr also confirmed that the actor Thad Luckinbill, who plays Hellstrom, only agreed for a brief stint in the show. Coupled with the fact that he is plagued with failing health and a brief contract stint, Hellstrom's future in the series might surely be next in the chopping block. "The Young and the Restless" is currently on its 45th season and airs weekdays at 12:30 p.m. EST on CBS. The UK has more profound poverty than Uganda In parts of the UK, there is a kind of poverty more profound than in Uganda. This is the view of Rev Jenny Green, a missionary working with Church Mission Society on the Faxfleet estate in Bradford. Prior to taking up her current role as community chaplain in Bradford, Green spent 20 years with CMS in Kisoro, south west Uganda, where she set up Potter's Village, a children's crisis and medical centre. While one third of the population of Uganda subsists on less than $2 a day, Green said: 'In Kisoro, almost everyone has someone. Although many are struggling, there is help from extended family networks and the local community. But in Faxfleet, as in many other parts of the UK, community and even primary family structures are so broken that many find themselves destitute.' She told the story of Shirley [name changed], a mother of three. For several months Shirley has lived in a tent in the woods, with no income or benefits, surviving on food from her local food bank. This past Christmas, Green helped Shirley source some Christmas presents for her children, inviting Shirley to her home to wrap the gifts donated by the local cathedral. Shirley's story is one of many Green can tell of people facing physical and spiritual poverty in her current location: 'Vandalism, arson and fly-tipping are rife, and people are frightened and lonely. A few frail elderly people find themselves unable to sell the homes they bought years ago, as their value has been so eroded. They've been joined by people from a mix of nationalities, unfamiliar with each other's cultures and languages, and struggling in isolation with their own issues.' In her role as a community chaplain, Green helps bridge the gap between church and community, supporting those whose lives have been torn apart by poverty, unemployment and family breakdown. As well as befriending people and welcoming families into her home, Green has worked with a community Christians Against Poverty group, organised a children's mission and works among asylum seekers and immigrants to integrate them into the community. Green is one of 15 UK-based missionaries that CMS supports. Like her, several of them are using skills gained from previously working with CMS overseas. Naomi Steinberg, CMS head of communications, said: 'People don't realise how much work CMS does in the UK. Unfortunately, this vital UK mission can be harder to raise support for. We will never waver in our commitment to overseas mission. But the whole world is now in the UK, and we cannot ignore the real needs here.' Green concluded: 'The UK is a wealthy country, and many are clearly thriving. But the reality is that so many others in our nation feel utterly abandoned and without hope or help. They matter so dearly to God, and what breaks my heart is that they just don't know it.' Aside from supporting 15 mission partners who are working with refugees, asylum seekers, creation care, evangelism, combatting FGM and a whole host of life-changing activities, CMS runs a Pioneer Mission Leadership Training course, through which it has trained more than 100 people for cutting-edge UK mission contexts. CMS also helps churches discover and live out their mission call through Partnership for Missional Church. Naomi Steinberg is head of communications for CMS. The next major boost for Houston's economy comes compliments of the recently passed tax bill, says Regina Mayor, who leads consulting giant KPMG's global and U.S. energy practice. Her practice includes oil and gas, power and utilities, chemicals, mining and renewables, and it covers three major businesses - audit, tax, and advisory. She recently talked to the Chronicle about the impact of tax reform on the Houston economy, the mood at the recent World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, and the need for energy companies to adjust to a less hydrocarbon-intensive planet. Q: How do you expect tax reform to affect Houston's economy? A: It's going to have a positive impact. You'll see money being repatriated. Companies that had pursued inversion strategies in the past are actively looking at how to pull many of their activities back to Houston. We'll see many jobs returning. We'll see people having more free cash as their taxes go down. I think we'll see companies being more generous with bonuses and increases, to share some of the benefits with employees. RELATED: Q&A Deloitte partner leads women into boardrooms Q: What effects will we see globally? A: Now here is something I did not appreciate till I was in Davos. The world is watching what the U.S. is doing and the results - growing corporate profits, all-time high consumer confidence, near all-time low unemployment. And this is encouraging other countries to sort of kick-start their own economies. I under-appreciated how the U.S.'s positive economic output and confidence would have a trickle-down effect on the rest of the world. If what the U.S. has done with tax reform helps shake off the global economic doldrums, it might just have a huge knock-on effect. You know, everyone was there to say invest in my country, we've got terrific people, we've got terrific resources, we're going to promote investment, we're going to be business-friendly. It sounded a lot like what President Trump was saying about the U.S. Trump's tag line was "America is open for business." Then many other countries' leaders said the same thing. The level of optimism from all these other countries was stark and amazing. My big take-home message was how energized other parts of the world were due to U.S. tax reform. Q: Did you expect this to turn out so well? A: I was originally skeptical when the administration and Congress were pushing tax reform at the end of last year, but when I saw how encouraged everyone else was at Davos, I thought maybe there was more to this. And even the protectionist patter, the tariffs, didn't have a damper on how bullish the rest of the world seemed to be on economic opportunities, not wanting to be left out of what they see happening in the U.S. Q: Do you think the new tariffs on solar panels, and any repercussions, will ultimately diminish that optimism? A: There will be an effect. No doubt we'll see retaliatory kinds of moves from other countries. But the negatives were a tiny fraction compared to what everyone was focused on - economic growth. It was truly encouraging. I came back fired up! Q: Is tax reform changing how you are advising your Houston and U.S. clients? A: It's resulting in alternative strategies, and our team has been working night and day with our clients to understand what it means for them. We can't generalize because our clients have individual considerations. We are reading the fine print and going through a lot of modeling and scenarios and trying to figure out if our interpretations are correct. The taxing authorities are going to have to weigh in; not everything is black and white and cut and dry. Q: What are energy companies focusing on now? A: I hear consistent dialogue around two key focus areas. One is digitization - how to drive efficiency from technological changes and tools that are available today. And the second is the energy transition and how quickly we might hit a peak energy demand scenario. Some think it's coming sooner rather than later, and some think it's at least 100 years off. There are quite divergent points of view about when it will happen, but not about if it will happen. Energy businesses are dealing with many challenges and opportunities as they migrate their portfolios to adapt to a changing set of requirements on the energy front. As companies contemplate the transition, they are exploring how they are going to operate as a hydrocarbon company in a non-hydrocarbon world. What's their energy transition going to look like? How will they emerge? It's quite fascinating because everyone - power companies, chemical companies, mining companies, oil companies - has to transform. Q: What is your view on the timing of a peak energy demand? A: I think it's a long way off because the mature economies are still hungry for power. And our devices and technologies consume more and more power. It takes a ton of energy to process all the data that's being generated. Additionally, we still have 1.3 billion people on the planet who don't have access to electricity. And electricity is the single biggest driver of wealth creation. It's a key way we need to lift the rest of the world out of poverty. And then we also still need petroleum-based products in everyday things. Big oil becomes big plastic. And I don't see alternatives for that yet. So, I think fossil fuel will be part of our portfolio at least through the end of this century. And I don't necessarily see it going away ever, because of the petrochemical component. So, I'm not sure we will ever hit "peak demand" because I think the world gets hungrier and hungrier for power, and power is life. It's such a key ingredient for how we get everyday life done. I'm not saying the renewables aren't part of it, like solar, wind, geothermal, even small-scale nuclear. Liquefied natural gas has a role. If we could get "clean" coal - people say that's an oxymoron - but there are still a lot of countries that are burning coal to generate power. The world needs to figure out a way to respond collectively. How do we pull together and drive a more conscious climate-friendly approach to energy consumption and generation while still providing energy to places like Africa, India and Pakistan? Q: Do you have an answer? A: There's no easy answer. But my answer is, let's not demonize any one source. Let's look at carbon-friendly ways that all the components can play. We did a project with the World Economic Forum about how to identify and accelerate the investment in new technologies for energy sustainability, because right now it's an uneven market that can sometimes create winners and losers, and I don't think we want winners and losers. Achieving the world's energy requirements requires an all-of-the-above strategy. Former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama looked vital and happy Monday as they unveiled two of the most anticipated commissions in years by the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery. The moment wasn't just significant because their African-American faces would finally hang among all the portraits of powerful whites, painted by white men, in the galleries. The painters chosen by the Obamas to create their portraits are the first African-American artists to be represented there as well. And each has a distinctive style, focusing on black identity through different lenses. EXHIBITION: 'The Beauty of the Black Woman' celebrates women of all shades via strong, thoughtful portraits Kehinde Wiley, the superstar who painted Barack Obama's portrait, places his subjects in poses borrowed from art history, amid baroque backgrounds that often call to mind floral wallpaper or tapestries. Amy Sherald, Michelle Obama's bold choice, uses a trademark grayscale skin tone -- to suggest that skin is irrelevant -- and typically places her figures against monochromatic backgrounds. While it's a wild departure from other portraits in the "America's Presidents" exhibition, Obama's portrait is exactly what fans of Wiley's would expect. The former president is seated in a traditional-looking chair that floats in front of a dense screen of greenery. The symbolic flowers sprinkled among the leaves fittingly represent places significant to Obama's personal history - Chicago, where he built his career and family; Hawaii, where he grew up; and Kenya, where his father was born. The figure's slightly furrowed brow and pursed lips capture the wonky, intense side of the former president. His skin glistens, as if he's sweating. He could be in a hothouse. Meanwhile, Sherald seems to have placed Michelle Obama in a deep freeze, against a cool blue background. The fashion world weighed in quickly on what the former first lady is wearing: A cool gown from the Spring 2017 collection of the American label Milly (Michelle Smith), whose fabric was inspired by Piet Mondrian's modern art and Gees Bend quilt graphics. That was an appropriate decision. But it looks like Sherald was more interested in the dress than in the face above it. Her Michelle Obama looks pensive, or maybe a bit defiant; and maybe younger than the real one, with slightly more generic features. At least she is posed with a hand under her chin, like August Rodin's "The Thinker." During her remarks, everything Sherald said about her subject rang true: "The act of Michelle Obama being her authentic self became a profound statement that engaged all of us. What you represent to all of us is an ideal: A human being with integrity, intellect, confidence and compassion." Sherald also suggested that once her paintings are done, they take on a different life. "I see something bigger, more symbolic, an archetype. I paint things I want to see," she said. "I paint as a way of looking for myself in the world." In other words, this is a fantasy vision; perhaps even an acknowledgement that all paintings are fantasies. If they were disappointed in any way, the Obamas didn't show it. Michelle Obama said she was "honored, humbled and proud" to be the first person in her family to sit for a portrait. Barack Obama joked about asking Wiley to make his ears smaller and his hair less gray. "It's hard to judge something that is a portrait of you, but I am in awe of Kehinde's gifts," he said. His portrait has been added to the 50-year old exhibition "American Presidents." Michelle Obama's is on temporary view, in the "Recent Acquisitions" corridor, until November. Like them or not, the new portraits should draw new audiences into the galleries and provide a more interesting -- and perhaps more meaningful -- viewing experience. A man has been identified in a shooting that took place after an alleged drug purchase on Monday in southwest Houston, according to a news release from The Houston Police Department. Police said the victim was Crishun Chaney, 19, who tried to buy narcotics from an unknown man who eventually shot him around 6:35 p.m. in the 10800 block of Bexley Drive, the release said. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States would soon announce a "reciprocal tax" on countries that take advantage of the United States on trade, including trading partners he described as "so-called allies." "They'll send in their product, and we won't charge them anything," the president said during a meeting with mayors and governors to discuss his proposal for rebuilding U.S. infrastructure. "And we send them our product - same product as they're sending us - and they'll charge us 50 and 75 percent tax, and that's very unfair." 'Nothing formal' Though the president said more information would be forthcoming as soon, White House officials quickly played down his comments, with one senior administration official saying that the proposal was "nothing formal right now." "The reciprocal tax is, simply, what you do to us, we'll do to you," the official said. But when it comes to imposing reciprocal tariffs, trade analysts said the president's hands were somewhat tied. The relatively low tariffs that the United States charges on many foreign goods were hammered out through decades of bargaining and bartering at the World Trade Organization. Tariffs charged on individual products in various countries can vary widely. Most countries, especially wealthier ones like the United States, have relatively low tariffs on imports but may have negotiated at the WTO to protect some sensitive industries with a higher tariff. The WTO might have the authority to overrule the administration should it enact new tariffs, an action that would then allow other countries to raise their own tariffs on U.S. products as a punishment. To substantially raise its tariffs, the United States would most likely have to leave the WTO - a prospect that could damage the U.S. economy given how globally integrated many companies have become. The White House has already taken action to impose tariffs on washing machines and solar power modules and is considering several other trade actions that could raise tariffs on specific products or countries. Ohio senators On Tuesday, the president will meet with lawmakers, including Ohio's senators - Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, and Rob Portman, a Republican - to discuss an ongoing investigation into whether steel imports pose a national security threat by harming that industry in America. The administration began the investigation last spring, but the results were delayed amid pushback from economic and defense advisers. Brown and Portman both support the tariffs. Trump added Monday that the United States was losing "vast amounts of money with China and Japan and South Korea and so many other countries." "They've gotten away with murder for 25 years," he added. "But we're going to be changing policy." The Lone Star Flight Museum will induct five new members into its Texas Aviation Hall of Fame on May 5, the museum announced Tuesday. The new inductees are: Capt. James Lovell : Lovell was a Navy test pilot who joined the second class of NASA astronauts participating in the Gemini and Apollo programs. He flew four space missions, including two to the moon, but is remembered most as the commander of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission. The six-day mission in April of 1970 was hailed a "successful failure" after the crew of three, led by Lovell, returned safely in a critically damaged spacecraft. Congressman Sam Johnson: Prior to his 27 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, Johnson was a U.S. Air Force Colonel and decorated fighter pilot. He is a combat veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He flew 62 combat missions in Korea and downed a MiG-15 while flying the F-86 Sabre. On August 16, 1966, while on his 25th combat mission over Vietnam, Johnson's F-4 Phantom II was shot down and he spent seven years as a prisoner of war, including 42 months in solitary confinement. After his release in 1973, he returned to his home state of Texas and established a real estate business before becoming a politician. MORE: Warbirds land new home in Houston Azellia White - Born in Gonzales, Texas, in 1913, White followed her husband Hulon "Pappy" White to Alabama as he pursued a career as a mechanic with the Tuskegee Airmen. While at Tuskegee Field, White took to training and flying in a Taylorcraft airplane and earned her pilot's license in 1946. At the end of World War II, White and her husband returned to Texas and helped start the Sky Ranch Flying Service in South Houston. Sky Ranch served as an airport for the segregated black community and provided instruction to veterans interested in flying. Brig. Gen. Noel Parrish (1909-1987) - Parrish, a member of the U.S. Army, oversaw the "Tuskegee Experiment" at Maxwell Field, Alabama. Choosing to forego combat duty, Parrish took command of the Tuskegee Army Airfield in December of 1942. The field was the home base for training of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American aviators in the U.S. Armed Forces. Parrish is remembered for his willingness to call out blatant racism against black aviators and the steps he took to desegregate the airfield. Thomas (1883-1954) and Paul (1887-1954) Braniff - Brothers Tom and Paul were the founders of Braniff Airways, which officially formed in November 1930 with passenger and airmail flights between Oklahoma and Texas. By 1934, Braniff had moved its base of operations and maintenance from Oklahoma City to Dallas, and the administrative offices followed in 1942. The company continued to grow through mergers and expansion with flights across the United States and South America. While both Braniff brothers died in 1954, the airline continued under various names and leadership until 1982. MORE: New Lone Star Flight Museum will shine from floor to ceiling The Texas Aviation Hall of Fame was established in 1995 to honor and recognize Texans and Texas companies or organizations that have made significant and lasting contributions to the advancement of aviation. There are currently 71 members in the Hall of Fame. The five new members were selected from more than 100 nominees by a panel of aviation historians, experts and the Lone Star Flight Museum Board. Federal charges were unsealed Monday against five former Venezuelan government officials for their alleged role in an international money laundering effort involving bribes to secure energy contracts from Venezuela's state-owned and state-controlled energy company, Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. It is part of a larger, ongoing investigation by the U.S. government into bribery at PDVSA that has, to date, brought charges against 15 individuals. The five indicted Monday, including former officials of PDVSA and the Venezuelan government were known as the "management team" and wielded significant influence within the Venezuelan energy company, according to the indictment. RELATED: Two businessman plead guilty in bribery case The team members conspired with one another and others to solicit PDVSA vendors for bribes and kickbacks, the U.S. government charged. Then they laundered the proceeds through a series of complex international financial transactions, using U.S. bank accounts, real estate deals and other U.S. investments, according to the U.S. Justice Department, which announced the indictment. Four of the defendants were arrested in Spain in October by Spanish authorities. Those defendants included Luis Carlos De Leon Perez, Nervis Gerardo Villalobos Cardenas, Cesar David Rincon Godoy and Rafael Ernesto Reiter Munoz. The 20-count indictment was returned in Houston in August. RELATED: Houston a center of foreign bribery enforcement Cesar Rincon was extradited from Spain on Friday and made his initial appearance Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Smith in Houston. De Leon, Villalobos and Reiter remain in Spanish custody pending extradition. A fifth defendant - Alejandro Isturiz Chiesa remains at large. All five are Venezuela citizens. De Leon is also a U.S. citizen. RELATED: Woodlands man pleads guilty in Woodlands bribery case The indictment alleges that two PDVSA vendors Roberto Enrique Rincon Fernandez of The Woodlands, and Abraham Jose Shiera Bastidas of Coral Gables, FL, sent more than $27 million in bribe payments to an account in Switzerland for which De Leon was an owner. The money was later transferred to other Swiss accounts. Both Roberto Rincon and Shiera previously pleaded guilty to federal foreign corrupt charges in connection with a scheme to bribe PDVSA officials that included the payment of bribes and other things of value to make sure their companies were included on bidding panels. Rincon and Shiera are awaiting sentencing. MORE: With corruption probes widening, oil companies face reckoning A U.S. Army soldier who was under investigation for a sexual assault at Fort Bragg has been charged with a brutal, 2013 rape and kidnapping during which a Cypress teenager was attacked with an ax and left for dead in a field. Levi Austin Goss, 24, was charged last week with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault of a child. Goss was arrested after Harris County Sheriffs Office investigators matched his DNA to forensics samples from the U.S. Army's Criminal Investigation Laboratory. Goss, who joined the Army in 2016, was arrested on a fugitive warrant last week in Cumberland County, North Carolina, where he is also under investigation for a 2017 sexual assault at the Fort Bragg army base, Harris County investigators said at a Tuesday press conference. In the Harris County case, Goss is alleged to have viciously beaten and raped his victim before leaving her for dead in a grassy area outside a Cypress movie theater on Feb. 5, 2013. The 16-year-old victim later told investigators she'd left her home after getting into an argument with her foster mother earlier in the night. About 30 minutes later, the girl was struck with the blunt side of an ax as she walked near Cypress Woods High School, court records show. Goss wore a "ninja" mask, and dragged the girl into a nearby field where he raped her, court records show. The teen told investigators that Goss then pulled her to her feet and hit her in the back of the head with the ax. Bloodied and naked, she then played dead for a few minutes as Gross stood over her, according to court records. Read more: Suspect sought in rape, beating near movie theater Harris County investigators said Goss had family that lived near the crime scene. The brutal attack had for years remained unsolved. The sheriff's office released a composite sketch of a suspect a few days after the incident, and an employee of a nearby gas station told investigators that a man in a grey shirt, identified as Goss last month, used the store's bathroom. The man then exited wearing a white "muscle shirt," court records show. The gas station employee found the grey shirt, drenched in blood, inside the bathroom trash can, court records show. Then, late last year, Harris County investigators were contacted by the Department of Defense regarding a DNA match, after which Goss agreed to be interviewed by deputies. "This case lingered on for years," said Sgt. Russell Gonzales, of the department's child abuse unit. "Now, here we are today to put this monster behind bars, where he belongs." The U.S. Army did not immediately provide details Tuesday of Goss' alleged crime during his time of service. However, Harris County investigators said that the charge against him in that assault was not particularly strong. Goss is being held on $1 million bond at the Cumberland County Jail, and is awaiting transfer to Harris County. Robert Downen covers crime for the Houston Chronicle. Follow him on Twitter or email him at robert.downen@chron.com. Crime show junkies, rejoice: A local law enforcement agency will soon be featured on A&E's ""Live PD"." For fans of the show, they can see the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office featured on the show starting this Saturday night. Crews from the show will be riding along with the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office for the next 12 to 14 weeks starting this weekend. They hope to catch one of Sheriff Troy Nehls' deputies on camera during high-octane police work. The show, which first aired in 2016, is akin to COPS by following police officers from around the country and broadcasting their interactions with the public. But with "Live PD", everything the viewer sees is happening in real time broadcast direct from the camera crew's lenses to the viewer's TV screen. The show boasts "unfettered and unfiltered live access" to police work on a weekly basis. COPS IN HOUSTON: Which law enforcement agency has the most officers? ABC's Dan Abrams and analyst Tom Morris Jr. host the show in studio as camera crews from all across the country ride along with several agencies. Once the camera crews come along something interesting, the program cuts to live video from the camera crews. FBCSO Spokesperson Caitilin Espinosa said the sheriff's office is excited to join the program. "It's great to do it just so we can show the transparency here and to show what it's like," Espinosa said. "There's excitement, but there are also days where it's quiet." VALENTINE'S MURDER: Fort Bend County detectives seeking answers in 1986 slaying The crews will focus primarily on the Mission Bend area, which is in the northeast portion of the county near Westpark Tollway and Texas 6. Espinosa said the sheriff's office and "Live PD"'s producers have been in talks about the partnership for about two weeks. "We've watched the show and gotten acquainted with it," Espinosa said. "It's a unique platform where people get to see policing across the country in rural, urban and different types of atmospheres and policing." The announcement is already generating buzz on social media, according to FBCSO Major Chad Norvell. "Live PD" airs Friday and Saturday nights on A&E at 7 p.m. Jay R. Jordan is a breaking news reporter at Chron.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan. University of Texas System regents shouldnt come knocking at Renu Khators door. The University of Houston Systems chancellor said she isnt interested in UTs open chancellorship, which William McRaven said he would vacate by the end of the academic year. I am good here, Khator said, when asked by the Houston Chronicle in January if she was interested in McRavens job. I am very happy here. Khator has served as UHs president and chancellor since 2008, well longer than the average university president. Under her leadership, UH has improved its research profile and graduation rates. KHATOR'S CLIMB: An ambitious president. A Houston university set on change. And the 10 years that elevated them both. She has said she remains committed to UH, adding in an interview that she hoped to remain at UH through 2027, its 100th anniversary. My heart and soul are here, she said. The first three years, it felt like a job, just like any other job. I told my husband that sometime during the third year, it became a passion. McRaven said in December that he would step down from UTs top post, citing health concerns, after a difficult year in which the system's spending saw criticism from lawmakers and regents. UT's regents have launched a search committee for McRavens successor, headed by board Chair Sara Martinez Tucker. On Thursday, they will discuss the search in executive session. Lindsay Ellis writes about higher education for the Chronicle. You can follow her on Twitter and send her tips at lindsay.ellis@chron.com. Houston police are searching for the gunman who shot a 17-year-old in the leg early Tuesday as he walked home in the Westchase area. Datronye Okamgba was walking home from a friend's house just after 1 a.m., police said, when he was shot in the leg by a known suspect who fled the scene. SIMONTON For five months, pipeline operator Tommy Lindsey didn't know where to eat lunch. He tried having a salad at Whataburger. It was fine but it wasn't the same as the meal he missed so much: a grilled chicken Caesar at Roper's Country Store and Cafe in Simonton. Twice Roper's had been swamped by a flood, and most of the city of Simonton along with it. But twice the owners of the beloved restaurant, akin to the town gathering place, had rebuilt. VIDEO: Weather radar shows Hurricane Harvey's entire path of destruction At 6 a.m. Tuesday, the owners once again opened their doors to dish up breakfast tacos, chicken fried steak and cobb salads for a slew of regulars eager to return to their weekly, daily or even twice-a-day place in the country to eat. As one diner said, "This is home." The grand reopening, full of smiles, hugs and hard work, was a sign of normalcys for the small, rural city of Simonton, population 814, which was devastated by major floods first in 2016 and again when Harvey struck last August. Some residents there continue to await buyout application decisions, while others are rebuilding their homes the only way they can: raised up on pier and beam. (Some are living temporarily in campers or in trailers without their normal kitchens.) Tucked among the woods along the Brazos River, an hour's drive west of downtown Houston, Simonton began as a place of country homes with room for horses. Today, its identity is ever-changing, as city leaders wrestle with how to keep a town where 90 percent of homes flooded both safe and financially sound all while growth from Houston barrels its way. "The people in Simonton they're very, very resilient," Simonton Mayor Louis Boudreaux said. The restaurant, which claims Oct. 4 as a city-sanctioned "Roper's Day," is one of the only places to eat in Simonton and an important part of the community fabric. Diners on Tuesday likened it to eating at a friend's house. Food aside everyone seems to have a different favorite it's a place to relax, catch up on local gossip and, inevitably, trade stories about the flood. Walking in the door for lunch Tuesday, Lindsey, who works in the area, found that everything looked like it had before. The deer heads were back mounted on the wall. Fresh painted barn-red wood siding ran along the lower half of the walls. Red-and-white checkered tablecloths covered the 13 tables. Lindsey didn't have to say his order. More for you Cinco Ranch church focuses on long recovery after Harvey Manager Maria Silva, 31, brought over his salad, piled high with olives, tomatoes avocado and cheddar cheese, with a side of chips and salsa (among the house favorites) and a sweet iced tea. Over his eight years of coming there, often several days a week, he didn't think he had ever ordered anything else. Today, it was as good as he remembered. "We can get our routine back again," the 56-year-old Lindsey said, digging in. RELATED: 'The river is a monster' Harvey's devastation Harvey flooded an estimated 241 of 267 homes in Simonton, compared with 224 flooded and repaired the year before, according to the city secretary, one of two municipal employees. As the Brazos River spilled over its banks and across town, there was nothing anyone could do to stop the murky brown floodwater flowing again into Roper's, which hadn't even been open a year since the owners rebuilt from the Memorial Day 2016 flood. Fort Bend County flood maps, last updated in 2014, show most of the city in the flood plain. Boudreaux, who was sworn in for a second time right before the 2016 flood hit, has tried to make changes accordingly, and the city now prohibits houses from being rebuilt by raising land with soil. (They didn't want the mounds of dirt making the situation worse for anyone else.) They also require that homes be built to 2 feet above the expected 100-year flood level. Still, not everyone has wanted, or been able, to stay. When the first wave of applications became available after the 2016 flood, 28 people applied for buyouts and 20 applied for help with home elevations. Those decisions have yet to be returned. The mayor worries about the effect of that on the tax roll; the law prevents buyout properties from ever being developed again, and it requires the city to maintain it. But he knew some people needed that option. Many in town, meanwhile, find themselves again living in trailers in front of their homes on bumpy streets with names like Pony Lane, Cowhide Drive and Wagon Road. They've been cooking on tiny stoves in campers, or grilling when they can. It all added to the excitement of Roper's being back in business. Rebuilding again Lauren Gillespie, who lives nearby in Fulshear, first opened Roper's with her husband Marty in 2007, when, she jokes, there was no competition around. She took pride in serving homemade food in heaping portions. They peeled their own potatoes. They pounded their chicken. She liked how, when things got busy, people knew to refill their own coffee cups themselves. With such a loyal clientele, Gillespie knew she had to rebuild after the 2016 flood. She swore she would never do it again. But then, after Harvey, she did. Everywhere she went, people asked when the reopening would be. And so, on Tuesday, after all the trauma and heartache, Gillespie got up at 4:45 a.m., arrived at the restaurant by 5:50 a.m. and took the first order of half-a-dozen breakfast tacos at 6 a.m. She found herself singing the words of the old Gene Autry song "Back in the Saddle Again." The restaurant hummed. "We're the heart and soul of this community," Gillespie said. "Everybody's at home here." The usual breakfast club group came in, then as breakfast switched to lunch, neighbors Ramona Neal, 48, Laura Krueger, 50, and Anne Little, 71, who typically gathered here weekly, took a seat to order what they had been craving: a burger, chicken fingers (with half saved for Krueger's husband) and a brownie with ice cream. Each wore a shade of purple. For Neal, seeing Roper's open again brought a sense of hope. Little said she'd lost 37 pounds since its most recent closing. They'd brought a gift for the restaurant a small, antique "Welcome" sign that they'd planned to bring by at Christmas. Running the show in the dining area, Silva first gave them all hugs. 'Back to normal' The relationships, in some cases, run deep. One diner told about how the Gillespies had offered to help put up his family after the first flood. Another, 44-year-old Kelli Matula, said she and the Gillespies became such good friends that they vacationed together. Matula, who lost her job in the oil business, ate at Roper's three or four times a week. Her family has lived in Simonton for three generations, and she was in the process of rebuilding the family home, ruined after the 2016 flood, 8 feet higher. She even has her own special: a warm brownie with bananas, vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup and pecans. Tuesday, she had a grilled chicken Caesar wrap. "I'm ready for it to be back to normal, I really am," she said. With the local hangout back open, it felt like progress. Seated at the bar, friends Steve Clark, 55, and Mark Horton, 60, chowed down on a BLT sandwich with coffee and a glass of milk and chicken fingers with a soda. Living in a camper with limited kitchen appliances, they'd eaten here every day after the Memorial Day 2016 flood damaged Clark's home and much in it. The wood of the bar was stained with how high the water had risen then. Then Harvey had come, adding another high water mark. Their camper stay continued. It was nice to be back. Clark had learned of the opening only the night before, after seeing a sign taped on the door on his way back from eating dinner in Sealy, and pulling over to read it. "Right back in the same old spot, huh?" another diner said, coming to shake his hand. Clark replied, "Yeah, right back in the same old spot." MORE: A closer look at Houston's biblical floods The Cinco Ranch Library serves as the background for a scene shot by two Art Institute of Houston students, who combined their love of scary movies with creating their own films. "Thirteen Ghosts," a film by Tiara Sparks of Katy and Pablo Castro of Sharpstown, was an assignment for institute teacher Ralph Nickerson in his digital film/video production class. Nickerson couldn't be reached for comment. For Sparks, a graduate of Cinco Ranch High School, it started her senior year when she took a video production class where she discovered a love for filmmaking. Further exploration uncovered what she could do in film-related fields. A tour of the Art Institute of Houston sealed the deal. "I fell in love with the school," she said. Castro, a graduate of San Benito High School in South Texas, combines his love of film with a desire to do something different. "I like watching films," he said. "I want to be different from my family." He explained his family includes lawyers, doctors and nurses. But he wants to be known as a director or actor. "I want to be something different." "Thirteen Ghosts" tells the story of what happens after an impoverished nephew inherits from a rich uncle a haunted mansion. Sparks and Castro's production features Kelsey Johnson, Ester Cruz, Mike Garcia and Jeffery Drager, fellow film students. Credits list Castro as editor, Sparks as production designer and both as director of photography and director. The focus is not so much on action in the film but rather in presenting to the audience the realization of what's going to happen, said Castro. The goal is to "make the audience feel what the character is feeling." For Sparks one of the most difficult challenges with the film involved scheduling because of the weather and the cast coming from throughout the Houston area. Castro identified challenges as including positioning the actors in the right location and then having the camera set up in the right position to capture what the director wants to show. "The director is responsible for actors. The producer is responsible for everything," said Castro. Visit https://tinyurl.com/ycrqyakn to watch a scene. Both say "Thirteen Ghosts" is just the beginning. "If you love something, you keep doing it," said Sparks. "Keep dreaming, keep making movies, keep producing, keep doing what you love to do. Don't stop." "Every time I watch films, I kind of critique why did they do this or that," said Castro. He's as determined as Sparks to continue working with film. Though it isn't easy, Castro said it's a matter of being driven to do what you want to do and not what others want you to do." Sparks' favorite film is "Lord of the Rings" because of the way it looks and it's put together, the wardrobe, makeup and screenplay. "Details matter," she said. Courtesy photo Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers has increased the reward for information that leads to the arrest in a murder case in the Houston area of Fort Bend County. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $15,000 for information that leads to an arrest in this case. Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of a female that occurred Tuesday evening, Dec. 5. At 7:40 p.m., the Sheriff's Office received a call in reference to a female who had been shot. The location was near the intersection of Addicks-Clodine Road and Bissonnet in the Houston area of Fort Bend County. The body of an Asian female, Lieu Nguyen, 38, was found in a Toyota Camry. Victory Prep North, an in-district Houston ISD charter school, will close on Friday due to financial issues, forcing about 300 students to relocate to campuses in the middle of the semester. The charter's executive director, the Rev. Lisa Berry-Dockery, said unexpectedly low enrollment following Hurricane Harvey led to a budget shortfall at the school. "We had students who simply did not return or did not enroll," Berry-Dockery said. Typically "around Labor Day we see a huge boost in enrollment, and we did not receive that because of the hurricane." The announcement left some parents fuming about the timing of the closure and short notice given to parents. Gregory Lamb said his daughter, a seventh grader at the campus, brought home a letter from the school on Friday announcing the decision. The school didn't personally notify him or his wife about the closure, he said. "If they had come to us when school was out for the winter break, I could have went to another school and she could have started fresh at the semester break," Lamb said. "We've got three months left in school, and you're going to make a change like this? Move a child and expect them to get acclimated? I feel like my daughter is either going to get ate up or caught up." Parents of displaced students can enroll their children in Houston ISD campuses or charter schools with available space. Houston ISD staff will be on-site all week to help parents, district officials said. Victory Prep officials were expected to meet with parents at a community gathering Monday evening. Victory Prep South, a high school campus governed by the same nonprofit responsible for Victory Prep North, is expected to remain open. That campus serves about 250 students. HoustonChronicle.com: Houston ISD gives second life to troubled charter school The decision to close Victory Prep North comes nearly two years after Houston ISD threw a lifeline to the fledgling Victory Prep charter network. The Texas Education Agency in 2016 ordered Victory Prep to shut down after receiving three straight "improvement required" ratings for poor academic performance. But Houston ISD's school board voted to make Victory Prep an in-district charter, allowing it to stay open for its roughly 500 students. Under the arrangement, Houston ISD took on some oversight responsibility for the school, but the charter network's nonprofit board retained control over governance. Victory Prep North's governing board decided to close the campus. Victory Prep North is located off Interstate 69, a few miles north of downtown Houston. Its student population last year was about 92 percent black and 95 percent economically disadvantaged, according to state demographics data. Most of its students came from the city's northwest side, Houston ISD data shows. After serving about 300 students last year in kindergarten through the 8th grade, Victory Prep officials planned to increase enrollment to about 500 students at their north campus. The charter's leaders added classroom space for elementary and middle school students by moving about 150 high school students from its north campus to its south campus. PREVIOUSLY: Houston ISD declines to throw lifeline to low-performing charter But following Hurricane Harvey, the enrollment bump never materialized, Berry-Dockery said. School leaders waited until after the winter break, another period when they typically add students, to see if enrollment would increase, and they unsuccessfully sought donor help. "We kept hoping beyond hope that we would be able to close the shortfall," Berry-Dockery said. Victory Prep's high school students met state academic standards last year, while its K-through-8 students were deemed "improvement required." Districts across the region experienced a decline in enrollment after students were displaced by Hurricane Harvey. State officials are providing funding based on pre-hurricane enrollment projections and totals, meaning districts won't be punished financially for losing students. 1. Yes. COVID-19 can only be stopped through vaccinations. A mandate is needed. 2. Yes. This is a major step, but were facing a national emergency. It is a justifiable move. 3. No. The government is right to promote vaccinations, but not to require them. 4. No. This is government overreach and legally questionable. A mandate is wrong. 5. Unsure. Its in the publics interest, but mandates infringe on individuals rights. Vote View Results President Donald Trump announced Monday he will nominate another Texan and a top staffer to Gov. Greg Abbott to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The Trump nominee is Andrew Oldham, who is currently Abbott's general counsel, a position he's held for just a month. Before his appointment to the governor's office, he was the state's deputy solicitor general. The New Orleans-based federal appeals court handles cases referred from lower courts in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. If confirmed, Oldham will fill the vacancy left by Edward Prado, a 5th Circuit judge Trump has nominated to be U.S. Ambassador to Argentina and some critics expressed dismay that Oldham, who is white, would replace the only remaining Hispanic judge on the 5th Circuit. Trump recently picked two other Texans to sit on the 5th Circuit: ex Texas Supreme Court justice Don Willett and former Texas solicitor general James Ho were both confirmed to the bench in December. Read more: Trump nominates two conservative Texas jurists to 5th Circuit Like Ho, Oldham has never served as a judge. He previously among other roles was an attorney at a private law firm in Washington, D.C., a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, and legal counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice. He earned a degree from Harvard Law School in 2005. Abbott tweeted the announcement Monday afternoon, calling Trump's pick "an excellent choice of a strict construction constitutionalist." Both Texas senators issued statements Monday praising Oldham's nomination and calling for a swift confirmation. "Andy is a dedicated public servant who has spent a career defending Texas and the Constitution," said Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. "His expertise and commitment to the rule of law will make him a strong addition to the bench, and I look forward to his speedy confirmation in the Senate." To be confirmed, Oldham will require the support of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, then the full Senate. Lena Zwarensteyn, director of strategic engagement at the American Constitution Society in Washington, D.C., has followed Trump's judicial nominations carefully. She was not surprised to see Oldham named for the appeals court post. "He fits the mold, honestly, for the type of nominees that this administration in particular is looking for," she said conservative, white, male and willing to push forward the president's agenda. "If you had to put up a profile for what this administration wants out of the courts, then I think this nomination makes a lot of sense to them." Furthermore, Zwarensteyn said, the 5th Circuit deals with cases in a racially diverse region, so it's significant that the court's only remaining Hispanic judge has just been replaced by a white man. In recent years, the 17-member court had three Hispanic judges. "The administration seems to be actively de-diversifying the federal court," Zwarensteyn said. "The vast number of white men who have been nominated young white men is going to really change the composition of the court," both now and for decades to come. Deontra Dontell Smith's mother had once questioned her son's friendship with the men Houston police now believe are his killers. Dnice Smith Adams said when she asked her son about his friends - before they were accused of ambushing and fatally shooting him in the back in Southwest Houston - he defended them, calling them his brothers. He had the utmost respect for the guys, Smith Adams recalled. When I got the call that my son had been brutally shot in his back and he was running for his life, I could not believe that his so-called homeboy friends would have done him like this. While police believe they know the legal names of those responsible for the Sept. 11, 2016 shooting, a detective on Tuesday put out a call for witnesses to come forward so police have enough evidence to name and charge the suspects. The case has gone unsolved for more than a year because of a lack of people willing to speak up about the case, Houston Police Department Homicide Detective Ken Fregia said at a Tuesday news conference . In my heart of hearts, I know there were people out there and they saw it and theyre just truly scared, Fregia said. Were just asking that they do the right thing. The event began around 6 p.m. Sept. 11, 2016, when Smith, then 37, got in a verbal altercation with a woman in the parking lot of Pines of Westbury Apartments, at 12600 Dunlap, Fregia said. He lived at that address, according to court records. During the argument, two men approached Smith in broad daylight with their guns drawn, Fregia said. Smith turned to run and was shot several times in the back before he collapsed and died on the scene, the detective said. Deontra ran from the scene, not because he was a coward, but because he was running for his life, Fregia said. The woman he was arguing with could have possibly served as a distraction while the other two men approached, Fregia said. A motive isn't currently known, but Fregia said the shooting could be over something that happened in the past, such as a dispute over owed money. Police are looking for the three suspects in the case, two men and a woman. One of the men, who goes by the name D-Lo, is 6 feet tall with tattoos on his neck and short hair, police said. The second man possibly goes by the name Shaky Red, has a light-skinned complexion, has reddish hair and is between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall, police said. Both are believed to be between 25 and 30 years old. The woman had black, shoulder-length hair at the time of the incident and is believed to be married to one of the suspects, according to police. Police believe that all three frequent the area where the shooting took place. Witnesses said that one of the men was driving in a dark-colored SUV, possibly a Chevy Trailblazer, and the other man was in a black Camaro sports car. Police previously arrested and charged one of the men, Fregia said. Charges were dropped when an eyewitness backed out of testifying in the case, he said. Smith Adams called the attack an ambush and said her son never would have approached the men if he knew they had any motive to kill him. You took my baby boy, Smith Adams said. You took a brother, you took a father, you took a grandchild, you took everything from us. Deontra was precious to us. If the suspected shooters arent held accountable, their violence will continue and other people will be subject to the pain Smith Adams is feeling now, she said. I hope people who were there that day are seeing this I just pray that I touch your hearts, Smith Adams said. I need witnesses. Anyone with information in this case or on the identities of the suspects is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222- TIPS. A Houston woman has been charged with two misdemeanors after being accused of assaulting her Uber driver. Around 2:10 a.m. Sunday, Monique Ann Lookadoo, 31, got picked up around the 7500 block of Westheimer, Houston Police Department spokesman John Cannon said. She wanted to go to Briscoe Street, near the Brookhaven and Sunnyside neighborhoods, but she didnt give an exact address, Cannon said. An Austin area school district said it is discontinuing an assignment which asked students to draw themselves as a slave. The take-home lesson, first reported on by KVUE after a parent expressed outrage, was originally intended to teach the consequences of slavery and generate empathy, a spokesperson for Leander ISD told Chron.com on Monday. "It's not something the school is going to keep doing," spokesperson Corey Ryan said. In the assignment, students were asked to draw themselves as a slave in Texas during the 1850s, as well as write a sentence for each of the five senses that would describe their surroundings during the time. "There's nothing about slavery that I would want any child, regardless of color, to have to relive," Tonya Jennings, the mother who met with school officials to discuss the assignment, told KVUE. SHOCKING: New report details casualties of 'alt-right' movement in 2017 A statement by Leander ISD read as followed: A parent contacted Four Points Middle School earlier today with a concern about a Texas History lesson regarding the Civil War and the role of slavery. The campus quickly responded to the parent to hear his concerns and discuss the situation. When teaching sensitive content, we strive to deliver lessons with care and context to our students. The tragic impacts of slavery are well documented and relevant to our state and nation's history. The state curriculum for seventh-grade history expects students to explain reasons for Texas' involvement in the Civil War, including states' rights, slavery, sectionalism and tariffs. The state also asks students to be able to identify points of view from the historical context surrounding an event and the frame of reference that influenced the participants. For more information about the seventh-grade social studies curriculum, please refer to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) website, section "113.19. Social Studies, Grade 7, Beginning with School Year 2011-2012", sub-sections five and 21. Above: See racist, controversial moments in Texas that occurred in the past year. Four teenagers have been arrested in a killing authorities said followed an armed attempt to retrieve a stolen backpack at a Southwest Side mobile home. Samuel Ayala, 17; Milo Mendez, 17; David Samora, 18; and Damian Erick Walker, 19, were charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Raymond Silva, 19, on Friday at the Valley Ridge Mobile Home Park in the 8600 block of Southwest Loop 410. RELATED: Driver hospitalized after crashing into H-E-B delivery truck in San Antonio Mendez, Samora and Walker were booked into jail on $100,000 bonds, and Ayala, who is also facing charges of possession of a weapon in a prohibited place and possession of a controlled substance received a $110,000 bond. According to arrest affidavits for the suspects, someone pistol-whipped Ayala and stole his backpack as he walked home about three days prior to the shooting. The man who robbed him ran towards a mobile home at Valley Ridge, leading Ayala to believe his attacker lived there. Because he had two outstanding warrants, Ayala never contacted police about the robbery, instead devising a plan to exact revenge with two friends, Mendez and Samora, police said. The three would confront the alleged robber, who they believed was Silva, and get the backpack back. A fourth man, Walker, would wait across the street with a rifle trained on Silva, officials said. Mendez and Samora borrowed guns from Walker's brother before the scheduled confrontation, according to the affidavits. The four initiated the plan at midnight Friday, according to their arrest affidavits. Mendez and Samora, wearing masks, met Ayala and then walked to Silva's home. As they did so, Silva and another person approached them, police said. According to the arrest affidavit, Ayala was unarmed, Mendez had his gun pointed at the witness, and Samora had his sights on Silva. Across the street, Walker lay on the ground with his rifle ready. Then, things escalated. According to the arrest affidavits, Silva slugged Samora in the eye, and then the shooting started. Ayala would later tell police he saw Samora shoot Silva. Mendez opened fire too, and the two gunmen told a witness they could have shot Silva up to 17 times, police said. Walker told police he fired his rifle twice. RELATED: 3 masked suspects slay teen in revenge shooting at SW side mobile home park, police say The suspects fled in different directions, police said. Paramedics pronounced Silva dead at the scene just before 12:15 a.m. Friday. Police apprehended Ayala near an access road of Loop 410 by Old Pearsall Road. He gave police Samora and Mendez's names, as well as a third person who was supposed to be the rifleman across the street, but according to police records, was replaced by Walker. Officers with the Street Crimes Unit later detained Mendez and a witness for questioning. Mendez demanded his lawyer but the witness told police Mendez and Samora admitted to shooting Silva with guns obtained from Walker's brother and that Walker had been involved, according to affidavits. By Sunday morning, all four suspects had been arrested and booked into jail. If convicted, they could face up to 99 years in prison. 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 The Pasadena Citizen recently asked its Facebook readers which new businesses residents would like to bring to the city. Food and shopping were at the top of the want list. Several posters said they want more big brand chains like Costco, Whole Foods or Stein Mart. There were a few nostalgic shout-outs for long-gone-from-the-area outlets like Taco Bueno, while places like Frenchy's or Mellow Mushroom made the wish list. Some requested more health-food oriented dining, with poster Frances P. requesting a vegan restaurant. More options for grocery shopping was another common response. Some had specific examples of places they didn't want to see more of, as poster Scott joked, 'We could use a title loan place or somewhere I can buy a mattress.' That post elicited some sarcasm from Jorge T., who commented, '..or a used car lot'. Peggy M.J. would like Pasadena to attract more high-end retailers and lamented the high number of discount stores in the area. For now, no Costco, Whole Foods or La Madeline are on horizon, but it doesn't hurt to ask. The case is more than 30 years old but the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office is still looking for a resolution. Marilu Geri was murdered on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 1986. Her body was discovered by Sheriff's Office personnel in the morning at a home in the 9800 block of Chalford Street in the Tealbriar development off of Highway 6. The home belonged to Marilu and Stephen Geri. "This was a tragic crime that has lingered for more than 30 years," said Sheriff Troy Nehls. "Despite the time frame, we are hoping there are residents who remain in the Houston area or elsewhere who might recall some detail that will lead to an arrest." Marilu and her husband had recently moved into the Chalford Street home, which is located along Highway 6, north of present-day Sugar Land Airport. Marilu worked with her husband, who operated an insurance business from their upscale home. By all accounts the victim and her husband lived and projected the lifestyle of an affluent couple. On Feb. 14, 1986, however, Marilu Geri was found bleeding and unresponsive that morning. She was transported to Fort Bend Community Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the facility. The victim was to host a party at their home the day of the murder in a combined celebration of Valentine's Day and the birthday of her mother, Maria Serrato. Tragically, it was Marilu's mother who discovered the crime as she arrived to help with party preparations. Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers is offering a $20,000 reward in hopes of collecting information that will aid the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office in solving this murder. In the years following the murder, this case garnered national attention as it was profiled by Robert Stack on "Unsolved Mysteries" (https://unsolved.com/gallery/marilu-geri). Fort Bend County Detectives have submitted physical evidence for laboratory examination using the latest in forensic analysis technology. It is the Sheriff's Office hopes that information provided by anyone with knowledge of this crime coupled with recent advances in forensic technology will result in justice in this case. Anyone who has information on this crime is asked to call Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers, Inc. Call (281) 342-TIPS (8477). Send a text message to FBCCS plus your tip to CRIMES (274637). Submit online at www.fortbend.crimestoppersweb.com. Information, which leads to the apprehension and filing of charges on the suspect(s) involved, could earn that person up to a $20,000 cash reward. All calls to Crime Stoppers are anonymous. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Newly released federal figures show a sharp rise in child abuse fatalities in the U.S., with the bulk of the increase occurring in two states Indiana and Texas where child-welfare agencies have been in disarray. According to a report released this week by the Department of Health and Human Services, there were 1,700 fatalities resulting from child maltreatment reported in fiscal year 2016, compared to 1,589 the previous year a 7 percent increase. The figures encompass data from every state but Maine, as well as from the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Accounting for most of the increase were Texas, where fatalities jumped from 162 to 217, and Indiana, where the death toll more than doubled from 34 to 70. "It breaks my heart for the kids in this state right now," said Juvenile Judge Marilyn A. Moores, whose Indianapolis courtroom has seen a surge in child welfare cases due to the opioid epidemic. "Traditional systems of early warning are overwhelmed. And parents, because of addiction, aren't seeking intervention because their kids are going to be removed," she added. "It allows kids to die. It's a fact." Long festering problems in Indiana's child welfare system exploded into public view in December, when the director of the Department of Child Services resigned with a scathing letter that accused Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb of making management changes and service cuts that "all but ensure children will die." "I choose to resign, rather than be complicit in decreasing the safety, permanency and well-being of children who have nowhere else to turn," wrote Mary Beth Bonaventura, a former juvenile judge appointed to lead the agency by then-Gov. Mike Pence in 2013. In recent years, the number of child welfare cases in Indiana has skyrocketed, rising from about 13,000 in 2012 to nearly 24,000 last year. Funding, meanwhile, has not kept pace, said Cathy Graham, executive director of the Indiana Association of Resources and Child Advocacy. Advocates paint a picture of an agency in perpetual triage, with caseworkers spread so thin that they have little choice but to cut corners. The agency does not have enough caseworkers to meet a minimum requirement set in state law and turnover has been a major problem, according to the agency's most recent annual report. Holcomb launched a review in December. A preliminary report released Thursday found the state has an inadequate case management system. In Texas, abuse-related fatalities have continued to rise despite high-level personnel changes at the child welfare agency, new legislative appropriations, and a federal judge, Janis Graham Jack, declaring in 2015 that the foster care system violated the constitutional rights of youngsters' placed in long-term foster care. In January, the judge issued her final order in the case, saying the state's foster care system remained "broken." She also ordered improvements in regards to record keeping and the handling of foster care placements. Texas appealed the ruling. Two years ago, a commission created by Congress concluded that the United States lacks coherent, effective strategies for reducing the number of children who die each year from abuse and neglect. Although the number of such deaths reported by HHS has hovered at around 1,500 to 1,600 annually in recent years, the commission citing gaps in how the data is compiled suggested the actual number may be as high as 3,000 a year. The commission issued an update this week noting that states across the country were moving to implement some of its recommendations for preventing maltreatment deaths. The new report released by HHS's Children's Bureau, formally known as the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System, does not offer theories explaining the sharp rise in child fatalities, but it provides demographic data on the victims. According to the report, 70 percent of the victims were younger than 3. Fatality rates were higher for boys than for girls, and higher for African-American children than for whites and Hispanics. Parents acting alone, together or with other individuals were the perpetrators in 78 percent of the deaths. Looking more broadly at national trends, the report estimated that 676,000 children were victims of abuse and neglect in 2016, a 1 percent drop from 2015. Most of the cases involved neglect; about 18 percent involved physical abuse up slightly from 2015. ___ Crary reported from New York. Will Weissert in Austin, Texas, also contributed to this report. Since the Houston Astros left the Astrodome after the 1999 season, there have been a number of ideas bandied about regarding what to do with the Eighth Wonder of the World. On Tuesday, Harris County commissioners voted to move forward with a plan to renovate the Astrodome into a revenue-generating event and convention space. RELATED: Astrodome hotel plan includes 610 exit ramp (2006) The decision was the final go-ahead before the design and eventual construction of a project that would raise the ground level two floors in order to fit in roughly 1,400 parking spaces, and transform the Dome into a venue for festivals and conferences. This $105 million project finally puts an end to decades of ideas for the Houston icon. These have ranged from pie-in-the-sky notions, like casinos and marijuana grow houses, to more mainstream ideas like jogging trails and office space. A marijuana casino might have killed two birds with one stone for some Texans sick of traveling to satisfy their vices legally. RELATED: Harris County OKs $105 million renovation of Astrodome Quite frankly, most people are surprised that it's even still standing inside the NRG complex, surrounded by NRG Stadium, NRG Center, younger brother NRG Arena and vast amounts of parking. Most ideas over the years have been fun to think about, but were either cost-prohibitive or ignored the needs of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo or the Houston Texans, who happen to have very important and influential voices. RELATED: Revisiting the dazzling, hidden suites at the top of the Crowne Plaza next to the Astrodome Back in 2010, the Houston Press' Richard Connelly proposed a sort of big game hunting experience inside the Dome. It was an April Fool's Day joke borne of years of hemming and hawing over what to do with the structure. In 2013, Harris County voters struck down a $217 million "New Dome Experience" project that came with a heartfelt marketing campaign. And so now, after Tuesday's vote we will wait and see how the next chapter in the life of the Dome shakes out. Construction is expected to begin later this year, so expect plenty of last looks inside the stadium before construction crews come in. It remains to be seen how much it will cost to park inside the Eighth Wonder... With additional reporting from Mihir Zaveri Craig Hlavaty is a reporter for Chron.com and HoustonChronicle.com. A Houston physician who is under indictment for running a "pill mill" that sold painkillers for cash has had her medical license suspended. Myrtle Oates was charged for unlawfully practicing medicine in June 2016 after Houston Police Department investigators found that personnel at the I-Med Primary Clinic, 8191 Southwest Freeway, were authorizing painkillers for non-medical purposes, court records show. Fort Worth's Bryan "Law Hawk" Wilson has produced a new commercial that combines his love for the winter Olympics with weight lifting and his disdain for terrorists. Wilson, 31, produced the commercial Sunday in the parking lot of a closed Subway in Fort Worth along with his friends. The 10-second long spot features Wilson lifting a 155-pound barbell over his head and slamming it down on a table featuring fictitious terrorists sitting around it. OH BOY: Man finds fake surveillance cameras at Goodwill, hilarity ensues "The idea just popped into my head. I just love smashing stuff and America and I hate terrorists," Wilson told Chron.com Tuesday afternoon. The commercial was shot in two takes mostly because he felt like he pulled something in his back on the second go around. "I wanted to use real weight," Wilson added. "I wanted them to be scared of the weight I was going to throw down." Wilson has been practicing law, and making commercials, for four years. In 2015, a commercial featuring him riding a dirt bike and screaming collected more than 2 million views on YouTube. Wilson got the nickname "Law Hawk" while in law school at Texas Tech. Fernando Alfonso III is a digital reporter at Chron.com. Follow him on twitter at @fernalfonso. The 23-year-old city employee who was impaled by a fence pole in a crash this weekend died Monday night at an area hospital, officials said. He was identified Tuesday by the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office as Jeffery Ryan Castillo. Castillo, an employee of the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department, crashed into the fence of the San Fernando Cemetery, in the 700 block of Castroville Road, around 2:20 p.m. Sunday. RELATED: Man tried to grab 15-year-old S.A. girl as she walked to school, administrators say Police said he smashed through about 50 feet of fence line and a fence pole pierced his service truck and impaled him at the neck. Paramedics rushed him to University Hospital in critical condition with the pole still partially in his body. He died of his injuries around 9:45 p.m. on Monday. Whitney Atkins, special projects manager for Parks and Recreation, said Castillo was a Parks Maintenance Worker who had been employed with the department for a year. "The City of San Antonio has and will continue to assist Jeffery's family during this difficult time," Atkins 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 SAM HODGSON/STR NEW YORK - Donald Trump Jr.'s wife was taken to a New York City hospital on Monday as a precaution after she opened an envelope addressed to her husband that contained an unidentified white powder, though police later said the substance wasn't dangerous, authorities said. The frightening episode happened after 10 a.m. when Trump, 40, opened the letter addressed to the president's son at her mother's midtown Manhattan apartment, investigators said. She called 911 and said she was coughing and felt nauseated, police said. AUSTIN There are six people vying to become the next Texas land commissioner, but voters wanting to ask incumbent George P. Bush some questions may discover he's hard to find. Bush has no public campaign events listed on his campaign website or Facebook page. He has not participated in any of the dozen forums with the other Republicans candidates. Jerry Patterson, his most outspoken opponent who served as Land Commissioner prior to Bush taking office, believes voters don't know how to find Bush on the campaign trail. "It would be helpful if people knew the schedule so they could show up," said Patterson, who has all his events on his campaign Facebook page. "The guy is cloistered. He's kind of like Kim Jong-un he doesn't get out much unless it's in a real secure environment." The land commissioner is an important government official in the lives of many Harris County residents who are trying to repair homes devastated by Hurricane Harvey. The General Land Office is tasked with overseeing housing recovery efforts following a natural disaster, including administering millions of HUD Community Development Block Grants. EXPLAINED: What exactly does the Texas General Land Office do? His campaign told the Houston Chronicle that Bush has events planned in Harris County at the end of this week, but they have not publicly released any details of those events. A spokesman for the Harris County Republican Party said Tuesday he was not aware of any events, but said Bush is scheduled to speak at the Tough Tejano Award Gala on Feb. 22. It is open to the public, but a ticket to the gala costs $125. Asked how the average voter can get more information on where to find Commissioner Bush, campaign spokesman Lee Spieckerman said voters are getting information from various groups interested in the campaign, but declined to say which ones. "I'll say we have had zero communication that people can't find George P. Bush," Spieckerman said. "It's not like he is showing up to his events and no one is there." Spieckerman said while the campaign may not be sending out information on the events to the media, "that doesn't mean any of his appearances are secret." Voters are well aware of what Bush has done while in office, Spickerman said. "There has been no shortage of coverage. This is the most heavily covered land commissioner race in memory," Spieckerman said. "He's doing a great job despite some ridiculous accusations." All of Bush's opponents, both Democrats and Republicans, have condemned Bush's handling of recovery efforts, arguing the agency has been too slow to get people back into their homes. The three other Republican candidates Patterson, Davey Edwards and Rick Range also have criticized Bush for not showing up to candidate forums. The San Antonio Express-News reported that Bush has launched a bus tour, which made a stop in Fort Worth last week. He has not publicly posted where he plans to visit during the bus tour. In his stop in Fort Worth, Bush spoke to a group of mortgage bankers during a conference and later that day met with a group of people in a private home. He also attended a re-election rally for State Rep. Dan Flynn, R- Canton. Flynn posted on his Facebook page less than a day before the event that Bush planned to stop by the rally. In December, the McLennan County Republican Club in Waco was organizing a forum with the GLO candidates. A campaign official emailed Wesley Lloyd, the club president, to say Bush's calendar was "filling quite quickly," and wouldn't be able to attend the forum two months later in February. "I want to be sure you understand that we're not trying to set anyone up or take sides in this race," Lloyd told the campaign after they said Bush would not attend. "I served with [Bush] on two lease board at the GLO for a few years. We know each other and I consider us friends. Also, we hosted [Bush] at the Club a few times, including very early in his first run for the GLO, with a positive response." Bush could not attend and Lloyd canceled the forum. "We host these so local people can come see them in person and meet them, size them up, shake their hand and have a personal interaction that helps them make a more informed decision when they go to the ballot box," Lloyd said in an interview. "That's my goal. This story has been updated to reflect that Speickerman said voters are getting information on Bush campaign events through groups interested in the campaign, not "interest groups." Alejandra Matos covers politics, immigration and education policy. Follow her on Twitter. Email tips to alejandra.matos@chron.com. ERP definition Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is a system of integrated software applications that standardizes, streamlines and integrates business processes across finance, human resources, procurement, distribution, and other departments. Typically, ERP systems operate on an integrated software platform using common data definitions operating on a single database. ERPs were originally designed for manufacturing companies but have since expanded to service industries, higher education, hospitality, health care, financial services, and government. Each industry has its own ERP peculiarities. For example, government ERP uses contract lifecycle management (CLM) rather than traditional purchasing and follows government accounting rules rather than GAAP. Banks have back-office settlement processes to reconcile checks, credit cards, debit cards, and other instruments. The benefits of an ERP system ERP systems improve enterprise efficiency and effectiveness in a number of ways. By integrating financial information in a single system, ERP systems unify an organizations financial reporting. They also integrate order management, making order taking, manufacturing, inventory, accounting, and distribution a much simpler and less error-prone process. Most ERPs also include customer relationship management (CRM) tools to track customer interactions, thereby providing deeper insights about customer behavior and needs. They can also standardize and automate manufacturing and supporting processes, and unifying procurement across an organizations disparate business units. An ERP system can also provide a standardized HR platform for time reporting, expense tracking, training, skills matching, and the like, and greatly enhance an organization's ability to file the necessary reporting for government regulations, across finance, HR and the supply chain. Properly operating ERP systems enable enterprises to reduce the time required to complete virtually every business process. They also promote collaboration through shared data organized around common data definitions, resulting in better decision-making. The standardization and simplification that ERP systems offer result in fewer rigid structures, thereby creating a more agile enterprise that can adapt quickly while increasing the potential for collaboration. An ERP systems centralized database, while being a bigger target, is easier to secure than data scattered across hundreds of systems. 4 key features of ERP systems The scale, scope, and functionality of ERP systems vary widely. However, most ERP software features the following characteristics: Enterprise-wide integration. Business processes are integrated end to end across departments and business units. For example, a new order automatically initiates a credit check, queries product availability, and updates the distribution schedule. Once the order is shipped, the invoice is sent. Real-time (or near real-time) operations. Since the processes in the example above occur within a few seconds of order receipt, problems are identified quickly, giving the seller more time to correct the situation. A common database. A common database enables data to be defined once for the enterprise with every department using the same definition. Some ERP systems split the physical database to improve performance. Consistent look and feel. Early ERP vendors realized that software with a consistent user interface reduces training costs and appears more professional. When other software is acquired by an ERP vendor, common look and feel is sometimes abandoned in favor of speed to market. As new releases enter the market, most ERP vendors restore the consistent user interface. Types of ERP solutions ERP systems are categorized in tiers based on the size and complexity of enterprises served. Typical tiers include: Tier I ERPs support large, global enterprises and handle all internationalization issues, including currency, language, alphabet, postal code, accounting rules, etc. For decades, Oracle and SAP have been considered Tier I. Microsoft and Infor are more recent competitors but are frequently categorized as Tier I as well. support large, global enterprises and handle all internationalization issues, including currency, language, alphabet, postal code, accounting rules, etc. For decades, Oracle and SAP have been considered Tier I. Microsoft and Infor are more recent competitors but are frequently categorized as Tier I as well. Tier I Government ERPs support large, mostly federal, government agencies. These vendors support the nuances of government accounting, HR, and procurement. Oracle, SAP and CompuServes PRISM are considered Tier I with Infor and CGIs Momentum close behind. support large, mostly federal, government agencies. These vendors support the nuances of government accounting, HR, and procurement. Oracle, SAP and CompuServes PRISM are considered Tier I with Infor and CGIs Momentum close behind. Tier II ERPs support large enterprises that may operate in multiple countries but lack global reach. Tier II customers can be standalone entities or business units of large global enterprises. Most of these ERPs have some internationalization but lack Tier I breadth. Depending on how vendors are categorized there are 25 to 45 vendors in this tier. support large enterprises that may operate in multiple countries but lack global reach. Tier II customers can be standalone entities or business units of large global enterprises. Most of these ERPs have some internationalization but lack Tier I breadth. Depending on how vendors are categorized there are 25 to 45 vendors in this tier. Tier II Government ERPs focus mostly on state and local governments with some federal installations. Tyler Technologies and UNIT4 fall in this category. focus mostly on state and local governments with some federal installations. Tyler Technologies and UNIT4 fall in this category. Tier III ERPs support mid-tier enterprises. Most handle a handful of languages and currencies but only a single alphabet. Depending on how ERPs are categorized, there are 75 to 100 Tier III ERP solutions. support mid-tier enterprises. Most handle a handful of languages and currencies but only a single alphabet. Depending on how ERPs are categorized, there are 75 to 100 Tier III ERP solutions. Tier IV ERPs are designed for small enterprises and often focus on accounting. Over the past few years, ERP vendors have created new systems designed specifically for the cloud, while longtime ERP vendors have created cloud versions of their software. Cloud ERP is becoming increasingly popular, and fall into two major types: ERP as a service . With these ERPs, all customers operate on the same code base and have no access to the source code. Users can configure but not customize the code. . With these ERPs, all customers operate on the same code base and have no access to the source code. Users can configure but not customize the code. ERP in an IaaS cloud. Enterprises that rely on custom code in their ERP cannot use ERP as a service. If they wish to operate in the cloud, the only option is to move to an IaaS provider, which shifts their servers to a different location. For most enterprises, ERP as a service offers three advantages: The initial cost is lower, upgrades to new releases are easier, and reluctant executives cannot pressure the organization to write custom code for their organization. For more on cloud ERP, see: Top ERP software Choosing an ERP system is among the most challenging decisions IT leaders face. In addition to the above tier criteria, there is a wide range of features and capabilities to consider. With any industry, it is important to pick an ERP vendor with industry experience. Educating a vendor about the nuances of a new industry is very time consuming. To help you get a sense of the kinds of decisions that go into choosing an ERP system, check out The best ERP systems: 10 enterprise resource planning tools compared, with evaluations and user reviews of Acumatica Cloud ERP, Deltek ERP, Epicor ERP, Infor ERP, Microsoft Dynamics ERP, NetSuite ERP, Oracle E-Business Suite, Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne ERP, Oracle Peoplesoft Financial Management and SAP ERP Solutions. ERP implementation Most successful ERP implementations are led by an executive sponsor who sponsors the business case, gets approval to proceed, monitors progress, chairs the steering committee, removes road blocks, and captures the benefits. The CIO works closely with the executive sponsor to ensure adequate attention is paid to integration with existing systems, data migration, and infrastructure upgrades. The CIO also advises the executive sponsor on challenges and helps the executive sponsor select a firm specializing in ERP implementations. The executive sponsor should also be advised by an organizational change management executive, as ERP implementations result in new business processes, roles, user interfaces, and job responsibilities. Organizational change management can help everyone in the enterprise understand the impact ERP will have on their work. In many cases, an organizational change management firm, rather than an internal executive, provides this support. Reporting to the programs executive team should be a business project manager and an IT project manager. If the enterprise has engaged an ERP integration firm or an organizational change management specialist, their project managers should be part of the core program management team. See also: How to assemble a winning ERP team ERP implementation: The 5 major steps Most ERP practitioners structure their ERP implementation as follows: 1. Gain approval The executive sponsor oversees the creation of any documentation required for approval. This document, usually called a business case , typically includes the following: Problem definition Description of the programs objectives and scope Assumptions Implementation costs Implementation schedule Development and operational risks Projected benefits Once the business case is complete, the executive sponsor presents the business case to the appropriate group of senior executives for formal approval to spend money and direct staff to implement the ERP. 2. Plan the program The high-level timeline created for the business case is then refined into a work plan, which should include the following steps: Finalize team members. Key internal individuals should be identified by name. Other required staff should be identified by role. External partners need to be selected. Typical partners include: ERP implementation specialists, organizational change management specialists and technical specialists. Key internal individuals should be identified by name. Other required staff should be identified by role. External partners need to be selected. Typical partners include: ERP implementation specialists, organizational change management specialists and technical specialists. Complete contracts. Contracts for new software, technology, and services should be finalized. Contracts for new software, technology, and services should be finalized. Plan infrastructure upgrades. On-premises ERP systems frequently require faster processors, additional storage, and improved communications. Some organizations can minimize infrastructure upgrades by using a cloud ERP. But even cloud ERPs can require infrastructure upgrades. On-premises ERP systems frequently require faster processors, additional storage, and improved communications. Some organizations can minimize infrastructure upgrades by using a cloud ERP. But even cloud ERPs can require infrastructure upgrades. Create a work plan and timeline. Tasks, dependencies, resources, and timing need to be made as specific as possible. 3. Configure software This is the largest, most difficult phase. Major steps include: Analyze gaps. Understanding the gaps in current business processes and supporting applications helps the project team determine how to change business processes to conform to the software. Understanding the gaps in current business processes and supporting applications helps the project team determine how to change business processes to conform to the software. Configure parameters. Parameters in the ERP software are set to reflect the new business processes. Parameters in the ERP software are set to reflect the new business processes. Complete required programming . Ideally, no changes are needed for the ERP software. However, some programming may be required for interfaces to other systems or for data migration. . Ideally, no changes are needed for the ERP software. However, some programming may be required for interfaces to other systems or for data migration. Migrate data. The team standardizes data definitions and examines existing files for data completeness, quality, and redundancy. Finally, existing data is cleansed and migrated to the new ERP. The team standardizes data definitions and examines existing files for data completeness, quality, and redundancy. Finally, existing data is cleansed and migrated to the new ERP. Test system. The system is tested to ensure it delivers the needed functionality and required responsiveness. The system is tested to ensure it delivers the needed functionality and required responsiveness. Document system. Required functional and technical documentation is created. Typically, the vendor has documentation that can be tailored to enterprise standards. Required functional and technical documentation is created. Typically, the vendor has documentation that can be tailored to enterprise standards. Upgrade infrastructure. Complete any required upgrades. 4. Deploy the system Prior to the final cutover when the new system is in production, multiple activities have to be completed. These include: Train staff. All staff need to be trained to operate the system and be given access rights. All staff need to be trained to operate the system and be given access rights. Plan support. A support team will be needed to answer questions and resolve problems after the ERP is operational. A support team will be needed to answer questions and resolve problems after the ERP is operational. Test the system. The new system must be thoroughly tested to ensure it is secure, responsive, and delivers the functionality described in the business case. The new system must be thoroughly tested to ensure it is secure, responsive, and delivers the functionality described in the business case. Make the Go live decision. Once the executive sponsor is confident the new ERP is ready, the enterprise needs to switch from the old system to the new system. 5. Stabilize the system Following ERP deployment, most organizations experience a dip in business performance as staff learn new roles, tools, business processes, and metrics. In addition, poorly cleansed data and infrastructure bottlenecks will cause disruption. All impose a workload bubble on the ERP deployment and support team. For more on ERP implementation, see: Hidden costs of ERP The four factors that are commonly underestimated during project planning include: Business process change. Most people are content to work within the current environment unless they are a systems analyst or worked for a different enterprise with better systems. Once teams see the results of their improvements, most feel empowered and seek additional improvements. Success breeds success often consuming more time than originally budgeted. Most people are content to work within the current environment unless they are a systems analyst or worked for a different enterprise with better systems. Once teams see the results of their improvements, most feel empowered and seek additional improvements. Success breeds success often consuming more time than originally budgeted. Organizational change management . Although process improvements make enterprises more efficient and effective, change creates uncertainty at all organization levels. A formal organizational change management program reassures staff and helps them accept the changes. With many executives unfamiliar with the nuances of organization change management, the effort is easily underestimated. . Although process improvements make enterprises more efficient and effective, change creates uncertainty at all organization levels. A formal organizational change management program reassures staff and helps them accept the changes. With many executives unfamiliar with the nuances of organization change management, the effort is easily underestimated. Data migration . Prior to an ERP implementation, enterprises frequently have overlapping databases and weak editing rules. The tighter editing required with an ERP system increases data migration time. The time required is easy to underestimate, particularly if all data sources cannot be identified. . Prior to an ERP implementation, enterprises frequently have overlapping databases and weak editing rules. The tighter editing required with an ERP system increases data migration time. The time required is easy to underestimate, particularly if all data sources cannot be identified. Custom code. Although enterprises have customized ERPs for years, it remains a bad practice. Customization increases implementation cost significantly as users demand additional features. It voids the warranty; problems reported to the vendor must be reproduced on unmodified software. It makes upgrades difficult; the custom code usually requires changes every time the vendor issues a new release. Finally, most enterprises underestimate the cost; even enterprises that estimate the initial cost rarely include the cost of migrating to new releases. For more on ERP costs, see: Why ERP projects fail ERP projects fail for many of the same reasons that other projects fail. The most common cause is an ineffective executive sponsor who cannot command respect throughout the organization, is not interested in the project, or is distracted by other responsibilities. Other ways to fail include poorly defined program goals, weak project management, inadequate resources, and poor data cleanup. There are several causes of failure that are closely tied to ERPs. Specifically: Inappropriate package selection. ERPs, particularly Tier I ERPs, are very complex with many options. Many enterprises believe a Tier I ERP is by definition best for every enterprise. In reality, only very large, global enterprises will ever use more than a small percentage of the functionality available in a Tier I ERP. Enterprises that are not complex enough to justify Tier I, may find implementation delayed by feature overload. Conversely, large, global enterprises may find that Tier II or Tier III ERPs lack sufficient features for complex, global operations. ERPs, particularly Tier I ERPs, are very complex with many options. Many enterprises believe a Tier I ERP is by definition best for every enterprise. In reality, only very large, global enterprises will ever use more than a small percentage of the functionality available in a Tier I ERP. Enterprises that are not complex enough to justify Tier I, may find implementation delayed by feature overload. Conversely, large, global enterprises may find that Tier II or Tier III ERPs lack sufficient features for complex, global operations. Internal resistance. While any new program can generate resistance, this is more common with ERPs. Remote business units frequently view the financial or other standardization imposed by an ERP as an effort by headquarters to increase control over the field. Even with an active campaign to explain the benefits of the new system, it is not uncommon to find people in the field slowing implementation as much as possible. Even groups who support the ERP can become disenchanted if the implementation team provides poor support or is perceived to be rude or unresponsive. Disenchanted supporters can become vicious critics when they feel they have been taken for granted and not offered appropriate support. When the game is on the line, speed, intelligence and security are non-negotiable. That's why every NFL stadium's replay control room is built on Cisco technology. The test is not the articulation but the implementation, the tweet read, in response to the release of President Trumps $4.4 trillion spending plan. Government excels at rhetoric but fails in results. Overly complicated efforts are destined to fail. We know how to build. We just need the funding. The words could have come from the mayor of any upstate New York locality, railing at Albany and its first citizen, Governor Andrew Cuomo. But the tweet came from Cuomo himself, demonstrating not only a lack of self-awareness on the governors part but also tone-deafness to irony. We know how to build, the governor says. Well, not really, the record shows. The New York Times made the case for caution in December, detailing the delays and cost overruns in the Metropolitan Transportation Authoritys East Side Access projecta rail tunnel connecting the Long Island Rail Road to Grand Central Terminal. The current cost of $3.5 billion per mile makes this the most expensive trackage on the planet. So when Cuomo says we just need the funding, he shouldnt be surprised by the eye-rolling that ensues. He has overseen the MTA for seven-plus years and done nothing to correct the inefficiencies that produced the East Side Access debacle and similar budget blowouts that have haunted the Second Avenue Subway project ($2.5 billion per mile). Nor has he even mentioned the work rules and featherbedding that make public construction so expensive in New York. He has done nothing to reform the system. When Cuomo tweets that the test is not the articulation but the implementation, its hard to argue, but the principle applies richly to his own administration. As for Government excels at rhetoric but fails in results, those words could be chiseled into upstate New Yorks economic tombstone. The man who took office pledging to be upstates savior pumped hundreds of millions into economic development schemes north of Yonkers. He has virtually nothing to show for the investment, save fat campaign-treasury accounts and an embarrassing corruption trial now underway. The man who once all but assured insiders that hydraulic frackingan economic godsend elsewherewas coming to New York wound up banning fracking, offering gambling casinos instead. Now the United States is on the verge of energy independence because of fracking, with an economic boom taking place in shale-rich local economies from North Dakota to Pennsylvaniabut not New York, where Cuomos casinos are foundering. So, yes: government indeed excels at rhetoric but all too often fails in results. Just ask New Yorkers in the Southern Tier. Overly complicated efforts, Cuomo lectures, are destined to fail. Time will tell if that observation applies to the governors panicky attempts to soften the impact of President Trumps tax reforms. Washington hit a button and launched an economic missile and it says New York on it, and its headed our way, the governor declared. His claim that the loss of tax deductibility means a $14 billion tax increase for New Yorkerseverybodys taxes go up 25 percentis preposterous. Some New Yorkers will be hard hit, namely high-income earners who already carry a vastly disproportionate share of the state income-tax burden. But most New Yorkers will see their total tax bill go down. Meanwhile, Cuomos proposed remediesessentially converting the personal income tax into a payroll tax and relabeling some taxes charitable contributionsare unrealistic, verging on overly complicated. Just as the governors rhetorical skills desert him when the topic is infrastructure cost overruns, he has nothing to say about the root causes of the problem: spending in New York is too damn high. We know how to spend, Cuomo could have tweeted. We just need the deductibility. Photo: Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, New York State The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into Oxfam over concerns that the aid charity did not fully disclose details to the regulator over sexual misconduct by its staff in Haiti. Its announcement comes after Oxfam sent documents to the Commission yesterday regarding the allegations of misconduct by staff involved in its humanitarian response in Haiti. The Commission said it has concerns that Oxfam may not have fully and frankly disclosed material details about the allegations at the time in 2011, its handling of the incidents since, and the impact that these have both had on public trust and confidence. The investigation comes after accusations Oxfam covered up the use of prostitutes by senior aid workers in Haiti, who were there in 2011 following an earthquake in 2010. A 2011 report about Oxfams investigations into allegations which was leaked to The Times last week revealed that there had been a culture of impunity among staff in Haiti. Issues are 'shocking and unacceptable' David Holdsworth, deputy chief executive of the Charity Commission said: Charities and dedicated, hard-working aid workers undertake vital, lifesaving work in some of the most difficult circumstances across the world. However, the issues revealed in recent days are shocking and unacceptable. It is important that we take this urgent step to ensure that these matters can be dealt with fully and robustly. The Commission said that further details about the scope of the inquiry will be made public in the coming days. It said that the opening of the inquiry is in line with the regulators duty to promote public trust and confidence in charities. It said it will ensure that the inquirys findings are put on the public record. In December 2017 the regulator told Oxfam it needed to improve its overall governance and safeguarding in a case report. The Commission yesterday said it will ensure the actions put forward are properly and fully carried out. Yesterday Oxfams deputy chief executive stepped down, saying: As programme director at the time, I am ashamed that this happened on my watch and I take full responsibility. On Monday Civil Society News asked the Commission if it had asked Oxfam to send the regulator its final report of the charity's investigation into the Haiti allegations in 2011. The Commission has not yet responded. International Development Select Committee to discuss Oxfam Stephen Twigg MP, chair of the International Development Select Committee, has announced that the Committee will be holding a public hearing next Tuesday on Oxfam and the safeguarding concerns that have arisen. Nigel Evans MP, a member of the Committee, has said that he expects Goldring to attend the hearing himself and answer questions. The international development secretary has written to all overseas charities to demand they step up, and has created a new unit with the option to create a register of aid workers in the wake of the Oxfam scandal. Penny Mordaunt, secretary of state for international development, met with senior Oxfam representatives and the Charity Commission yesterday after the Times reported details of internal investigation from 2011 where senior Oxfam aid workers were sacked or resigned over paying for sex in Haiti. Mordaunt said in a statement after the meeting that: I have issued a letter to all UK charities working overseas including Oxfam to demand that they step up and do more, so that we have absolute assurance that the moral leadership, the systems, the culture and the transparency that are needed to fully protect vulnerable people are in place, all of the time, and wherever these charities work and with whichever partners they work with. She added that any and all safeguarding concerns should be reported to the relevant authorities and that the Department for International Development would continue to work closely with the Charity Commission. She said the two organisations will co-host a summit by the end of this month. Any charities that do not meet the government's standards will lose any DfID funding. Whatever the complications and pressures organisations face, the people we are here to serve must be the number one priority. I remain very clear: we will not work with any organisation that does not live up to the high standards on safeguarding and protection that we require, Mordaunt said. New unit to review whole aid sector Mordaunt said she had created a new unit to urgently review safeguarding across all parts of the aid sector to ensure everything is being done to protect people from harm, including sexual exploitation and abuse. The unit will have an option to set up a global register of development workers and independent experts will be brought in to advise. This builds on the changes we have made to introduce tough sanctions for human rights abuses including sexual exploitation for all new contracts with suppliers and new training for DFID staff to identify and respond to any concerns. I have asked for a meeting with the NCA [National Crime Agency], the Foreign Office, the Ministry of Defence and others to discuss how to make further progress, she said. Mordaunt also committed to working internationally to tackle sexual exploitation. She said: I am going to step up our work to tackle sexual exploitation and abuse across the UN and other international organisations. Already, the UK is working with the UN Secretary-General Guterres to stop abuses under the UN flag, and we have introduced specific clauses in our funding agreements with a number of UN agencies to take every action possible to prevent all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse and take robust and prompt action in response to any allegations." Safeguarding sumit Mordaunt announced that a summit, co-hosted with the Charity Commission, will take place this February. She said: The Charity Commission and DfID will co-host a safeguarding summit before the end of the month with the aid sector and alongside UK counterparts, where we will agree a set of actions to strengthen safeguarding processes and mechanisms, including around staffing and recruitment, paving the way for a series of events throughout the year. We will also work with the Commission to provide technical assistance and support to other nations that wish to improve the standard and regulations of safeguarding. Mordaunt also said she would encourage other countries to take similar steps when she gives a speech in Stockholm later this week. Oxfam must deliver progress Mordaunt met with Mark Goldring, the chief executive of Oxfam, and Caroline Thomson, its chair. Neither were at the charity in 2011. Oxfam made a full and unqualified apology to me, and to the people of Britain and Haiti - for the appalling behaviour of some of their staff in Haiti in 2011, and for the wider failings of their organisations response to it, Mordaunt said. She added that she had been assured that the charity is cooperating fully with the authorities in Haiti and will do so in any other country where abuse has been exposed. Yesterday the deputy chief executive Penny Lawrence, who was the international programme director in 2011, resigned, saying she took responsibility. The perpetrators in Haiti were not British nationals, and Mordaunt has now directed Oxfam to immediately provide full details of those involved to the governments of their home countries, so that appropriate legal processes can be taken forward. Oxfam must also confirm to DfID by the end of the week precisely how they will handle any forthcoming allegations around safeguarding - historic or live - in a way in which the public can have confidence. We expect this process to include an independent and external element of scrutiny. Mordaunt said Oxfam must demonstrate the moral leadership necessary to address this scandal, rebuild the trust of the British public, their staff and the people they aim to help, and deliver progress on these assurances and that she would judge the charity on actions going forward. Oxfam's former global head of safeguarding has accused the charity and the Charity Commission of not acting quickly enough after a report was compiled highlighting the scale of the problem. Helen Evans, Oxfams former global head of safeguarding between 2012 and 2015, gave an interview to Channel 4 last night in which she said Mark Goldring, Oxfam's chief executive, stopped her from presenting a report compiled from confidential internal surveys of the charitys international aid staff which highlighted further instances of sexual harassment, sex in exchange for aid handouts and rape. Evans said that, having returned to the organisation from maternity leave in 2014, the number of allegations against Oxfam staff overseas began to escalate. Evans said 120 Oxfam staff working in three different countries were confidentially surveyed regarding issues around sexual harrasment and exploitation. She described the results of the survey as very, very concerning. We were getting between 11 and 14 per cent of people reporting that theyd either witnessed or reported rape by Oxfam representatives. In one country programme (South Sudan) we had 7 per cent of staff witnessed or experience rape or attempted rape. Across the programmes, three in total, we also had about 1 in 10 staff reporting they had experienced unwanted sexual advances, sexual assault. This was staff on staff; we hadnt even gone out to beneficiaries who were receiving aid from us. Evans asked for a chance to present this report to Oxfams senior leadership team but about an hour before I was due to present I was told I was no longer needed. She told Channel 4 she was extremely concerned about that and wrote to Mark Goldring to ask why she hadnt been given the opportunity to report those findings and discuss her concerns. Her email to Goldring, shared with Channel 4, said: Having a concern discussed at LT (leadership team) with feedback from the chief executive can go a long way to effecting positive change. As the HECA (Horn, East and Central Africa) report indicates, we are increasingly gathering data that points to a culture of sexual abuse within some Oxfam offices. Goldring responded: You are right that this is a serious issue. LT recognised this but felt that there was nothing as a group that we could actually add to the situation, which was clearly laid out on the paper. His response refers to the 2011 report which was published by The Times last week. Mark Goldring was appointed chief executive of Oxfam GB in May 2013. A continual fight for more resource In her interview, Evans also said that she faced a continual fight to get more resources from the charity for her safeguarding team, but said her pleas were ignored. It was me initially working on this four days a week, and then I had three days a week of admin support. I asked repeatedly: we need more resource for this and it wasnt forthcoming. It was a continual fight to try and get more resource and I just found that so frustrating. Because I felt our failure to adequately resource was putting people at risk. Evans said she struggled, and still struggle to understand why Oxfam didnt respond immediately to her requests for more resource. After the interview aired, Evans tweeted a statement summarising her position. 'Limited exchanges with the regulator' Evans also said she raised concerns about Oxfams safeguarding procedures to the Charity Commission in 2015, but had only limited email exchanges with the charity regulator. They didnt ask to meet with me. They didnt ask to speak to me. I had limited email exchanges. I pushed and pushed and they stopped replying to me. To say I felt disappointed these are meant to be the people that you go to in these circumstances and I trusted them. I just didnt understand why they didnt take action. The Charity Commission said it took concerns Ms Evans raised very seriously and engaged with Oxfam on a formal regulatory basis to address them. This included meeting with the charity and requesting detailed information about its safeguarding procedures. The Commission said it subsequently met with Evans in 2017 following more revelations. The Commission contacted Oxfam about reports of sexual exploitation in October 2017 and published a report calling on the charity to improve its safeguarding procedures in December 2017. We regret we did not act on Helens concerns much quicker In its response to Helen Evans, Oxfam said it regrets not acting more speedily on the concerns and issues raised and said it has now doubled the number of people in its safeguarding team. Thanks to Helen's work we have introduced a whole range of measures to improve how we deal with safeguarding issues. We regret that we did not act on Helen's concerns much quicker and with more resources. We have doubled the number of people to four in our dedicated safeguarding team and we are in the process of recruiting two extra staff. Representatives from Oxfam have yet to say whether the four people now working in its dedicated safeguarding team are full or part time members of staff. Oxfam also said that it in ran a number of training course in 2014 as part of its efforts to improve our safeguarding in highly vulnerable countries. The statement said: As part of our efforts to improve our safeguarding in highly vulnerable countries we ran training courses in 2014. Those who attended were surveyed as to their experience or witnessing of sexual harassment. The results shocked us and reinforced the need to tackle such reprehensible behaviour. As a result we ran intensive safeguarding training in high risk countries to help our staff know what is acceptable and what is unacceptable behaviour when working for Oxfam, and how they can safely and securely alert us when they experience or witness sexual harassment or other misconduct. Oxfams former safeguarding chief has warned that sexual abuse is being reported in the charitys shops and said that the charity and regulators are not doing enough to address the problem. Helen Evans, head of global safeguarding from 2012 to 2015, said in an interview with Channel 4 News broadcast yesterday evening that there had been incidents of abuse involving volunteers, some under 18, reported at Oxfams charity shops during her tenure. There have been more than 100 reports of allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct in Oxfams UK trading division since 2013, with the number increasing year-on-year. According to the charitys latest accounts, for the year to March 2017, 52 allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct were reported from its UK-based trading division during the year. This figure was more than double the 23 allegations reported the previous year, while there were 17 such reports made in 2014/15 and 16 the year before that. In her interview, Evans spoke about one particular case of an adult volunteer assaulting a child volunteer during her tenure, which she said went to court. Evans said the shop manager put pressure on the volunteer not to go to the police. She said the shop manager was ultimately dismissed but she felt it was challenging to get the right outcome. In a written statement posted on Twitter after the interview, Evans said the charity received three allegations of child abuse in its shops in January 2015. Extraordinary loophole In the interview, Evans said she raised concerns about Oxfam not conducting Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks with the charity, government and regulatory bodies. She said: That troubled me because I knew Oxfam was not conducting the criminal record checks that it needed to conduct, that children were being left alone with adults who hadnt been criminal record checked. And that is something that afterwards I took to the Charity Commission. I took to the Childrens Commissioner. I took to the Home Office. And at that time the Home Office and the Charity Commission were saying that because it was retail, it was okay not to have those checks. Evans described the fact that it was not supposedly a requirement for charity shops staff to have a DBS check, as an extraordinary loophole. Oxfam and all the charity shops, people trust. People trust them because they are charities. And the point I made repeatedly are parents are trusting these organisations to keep their children safe when they volunteer. These are 14-year-old children and if parents knew that those adults were not checked, they would not be sending their children into those shops. Charity response Oxfam published a statement following Evans interview saying that it had introduced standard DBS checks for all shop managers and deputy managers but it does not say this requirement extends to volunteers. It said standards requirements were introduced in 2012 and extended to the enhanced level in 2014 and from 2015 retrospectively to all managers. The charity also said it has been providing safeguarding and security training for shop managers since January 2013, with a full roll-out ongoing since 2015. It said: This resulted in a dramatic improvement in the ability of shop teams to recognise potential safeguarding issues, and an increase in the number of reported cases. All 900 shop and deputy shop managers are now required to have enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks, this would uncover the same data as Police National Checks e.g. any spent and unspent convictions, cautions and warnings held by police forces and children and/or adults barred lists. We take references for all volunteers and we have seven dedicated HR staff who help deliver the training and support to our shops, in conjunction with our area managers. Civil Society News has asked Oxfam to confirm whether it requires volunteers to be DBS checked. Regulators respond A spokesman for the Childrens Commissioner for England told Civil Society News that Evans had contacted the regulator indirectly through her MP, Andrew Smith. The spokesman said Smith had not raised any details about individual cases but that the regulator had recommended at the time that people who supervise children in charity shops should be DBS checked. He said: The MP said Im raising on behalf of my constituent concerns about the levels at which shop workers are checked. And we thought that was a broadly fair comment and we would highly recommend that the adherence was anyone in day to day supervision of children is DBS checked. The Charity Commission, meanwhile, also said Evans had not reported concerns about specific incidents to the regulator in 2015. Civil Society News asked the Commission and the Home Office to confirm what was said to Evans in 2015 regarding shops workers needing a DBS check. A spokesperson for the Home Office said: "A shop volunteer does not necessarily require a DBS check but could do if their role included the supervision of children who were also volunteering in the shop, for example. "The framework for eligibility for DBS checks is set out in legislation and relates to what the role involves and/or the circumstances in which it is performed, and includes roles working closely with children or other vulnerable groups. "It is the responsibility of an employer to determine if a DBS check is required for a particular role or activity." "Any employer is entitled to ask potential employees about unspent convictions and any individual is entitled to apply for a Basic Criminal Records Check for this or any other purpose." As the safeguarding scandal surrounding Oxfams handling of safeguarding issues unfolds, there has been a deluge of online and media commentary surrounding the issue. Here are some of the key bits so far. Representative bodies Bond, the umbrella body for international aid charities, issued a statement on Sunday saying that it was working with its members and the Charity Commission. NCVOs chair, Peter Kellner, said in a statement: All the major charities have policies and procedures in place and dedicate significant effort to minimising the risk of abuse taking place. However, it is clear that more can and must be done, not only to revive the reputation of those charities in the news but also to maintain public confidence in the sector as a whole. Elsewhere Karl Wilding, director of public policy and volunteering at NCVO, wrote a blog on the umbrella bodys website. He said: A critical first step is to establish fully and clearly what happened, in a process that involves the Charity Commission as regulator and DfID as one of the major funders of organisations in this field. Until we have that clarity, it will be difficult to learn the right lessons. "Were pleased to see that Bond, the umbrella body for international development, will be coordinating charities and working with the Charity Commission on this. At NCVO, we will offer our full support to this process. On Twitter, Vicky Browning, chief executive of Acevo, said: If we want charities to be transparent - & we do - we're unfortunately going to hear more about things going wrong. Harassment and abuse clearly exist across all sectors and countries, & no-one can be complacent. If we want charities to be transparent - & we do - we're unfortunately going to hear more about things going wrong. Harassment and abuse clearly exist across all sectors and countries, & no-one can be complacent. Vicky Browning (@browning_vicky) February 11, 2018 Daniel Fluskey, head of policy and research at the Institute of Fundraising, tweeted: Abuse is a societal problem, and safeguarding vital to protect vulnerable people. Charities arent perfect, and when things go wrong (as in sports, religious, or health organisations) the right response is to directly address the problem, not cut funding. Abuse is a societal problem, and safeguarding vital to protect vulnerable people. Charities arent perfect, and when things go wrong (as in sports, religious, or health organisations) the right response is to directly address the problem, not cut funding. Daniel Fluskey (@danielfluskey) February 12, 2018 Andrew OBrien, director of policy and engagement at the Charity Finance Group, wrote a blog on its website reminding charities about reporting serious incidents to the Charity Commission. He said: Serious incidents can highlight concerns around the general mismanagement and conduct of the charity. The Charity Commission needs to be given a picture of the incident, the response and what steps are being taken to prevent it happening again so that it can decide whether there needs to be a further investigation into the charity. Serious incident reporting isnt about criminal investigations, if you think that an issue requires this you should report it to the police or relevant authority as well as the Charity Commission. Development sector Save the Childrens chief executive Kevin Watkins wrote a blog yesterday outlining the steps his charity has taken on safeguarding and saying that he had written to the secretary of state for international development offering to work with others. As an organisation, and as a sector, we have a moral responsibility to protect the vulnerable children and adults we come into contact with through our programmes. We also have a responsibility to the UK public and to our donors to ensure that we meet the highest standards, not just in financial reporting, but in the behaviour we expect of our staff, he said. In a statement, Christian Aid said it had investigated two sexual misconduct cases overseas in the past 12 months. One investigation led to the dismissal of a staff member, while the other case resulted in disciplinary action. It added: We continuously review and refresh our current policies and practices, to ensure that we take timely and corrective actions to prevent and censure such behaviour, ensuring we have confidential and robust mechanisms that enable and support our workforce, beneficiaries and stakeholders to report concerns and incidents without fear or favour, and to ensure protection and support for individuals who report or have experienced such incidents. Across Christian Aid we continue to work with colleagues to ensure a better (and shared) understanding of what sexual harassment is, and the zero-tolerance culture we expect including by training staff across the global organisation on the organisations code of conduct. ActionAid said in a statement: Throughout the organisation we have a zero-tolerance policy on any form of sexual harassment and misconduct, and clear child protection policies aimed to protect beneficiaries. We have a whistleblowing policy to encourage staff to come forward if they have any concerns and if an allegation is made, processes are in place to ensure immediate and decisive action is taken. We have recently been working with external safeguarding experts to develop further our policy and procedures with regards to children and vulnerable adults, to ensure they are fit for purpose and in line with our new strategy. This includes training on the policy and procedures for all staff. It is essential that we are transparent and accountable, both to the communities where we work and to inspire confidence in those who so generously support our work with women and girls living in the worlds poorest places and help change lives for good. In the media Guardian columnist Zoe Williams wrote: We are not looking at a rightwing media conspiracy against Oxfam: there is no moral case for discovering the Haiti scandal and not publishing it. However, on claims that malpractice is widespread, she added that attempts to imply contagion are in bad faith. Also on the Guardian, Matthew dAncona warned: In the era of Trump, Brexit and silken Rees-Moggery, the notion that prosperous nations have a moral and practical responsibility to the poorest is fading from fashion. In the Times, which broke the story last week, there is an interview with Linda Polman a Dutch journalist who has covered international disasters. She told the paper that the problem is widespread and that agencies dont fire people because they are protecting their own reputation with the public and the donor governments. They keep it a secret. They dont talk about it. They keep it under their hats. Elsewhere in the Times today, Melanie Phillips, one of the papers columnists, called for tougher regulation of the sector. She said the Charity Commission was fooled by Oxfam in 2011. She added: The Oxfam scandal has exposed this culture of impunity. As Priti Patel observes, however, this is but the tip of a sanctimonious and morally compromised iceberg which now needs to be hauled into view. On HuffPost today, Anastasia Kyriacou, who is aid and development writer for AidEx, called for solidarity with the sector. Regardless of the apology and shame professed on behalf of the charitys chief executive Mark Goldring, Oxfam will quite literally pay a price for the scandal, as donors may respond by withdrawing funding, she said. Measures must be taken to prevent such behaviour in the future and more must be done to ensure events like this cannot be concealed. She added: As for the rest of the sector, namely field workers who risk their lives to help others every single day, they must not be prevented from carrying out their invaluable and necessary humanitarian work. Which is why we must call on solidarity at a time of crisis for the aid and development community. Writing in the Telegraph, Wiliam Hague former Conservative Party leader, defended the aid budget. A reduction in aid would be a strategic blunder, ultimately damaging our own national interest and our ability to deal with one of the biggest problems heading our way, he said, adding: The case for the type of work done by Oxfam is too strong to allow it to be undermined by bad behaviour and inadequate standards of disclosure or investigation. In mid-December of last year, Reuters Chief Operating Officer Reg Chua got a call no editor wants to receive. Two of the news agencys reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, had gone to dinner with police officers in Myanmar and not come back. The pair, as Chua would later discover, had been arrested under the countrys colonial-era Official Secrets Act. They had been investigating the brutal oppression of the Rohingya Muslim population in Rakhine state. Chua immediately went to work, filing a missing persons report and reassuring other reporters in the region. Last week, Reuters published the findings of Wa Lone, Kyaw Soe Oo, and two colleagues in an extraordinary special report laying out the events leading up to the massacre of 10 Rohingya men in Inn Din village last September, including groundbreaking confessions implicating Buddhist villagers and Myanmars security services. For Reuters Editor in Chief Stephen Adler (who chairs CJRs Board of Overseers), the decision to publish was clear cut, despite the risks attached for the still-incarcerated reporters. Our bias will always be toward publishing, he says. In addition, the reporters in prison really wanted it published. ICYMI: In his first year in office, Trump has attacked the press relentlessly. But the legal assault has not come. Chua and Adler spoke in Toronto on Monday at an event sponsored by CJR in collaboration with Reuters, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and The Globe and Mail. The conference marked the kickoff of CJRs newest print magazine, published in collaboration with CPJ and focused on press threats in the US and beyond. According to CPJ data, a record number of journalists262were imprisoned worldwide in 2017, as governments realize that jailing journalists can sometimes be a way to silence them. Its an effective tactic to throw journalists in jail, CPJ Board Chair Kathleen Carroll said in Toronto. Thats why so many of them are in jail. Donald Trumps anti-journalism rhetoric has galvanized many of the worlds despots, as well as would-be despots in democracies like Poland and Hungary. But, as many panelists on Monday noted, global press threats have a longer history than Trump. Al Jazeera Englishs Jeff Ballou reflected on the imprisonment of his colleagues in Egypt, where three of Al Jazeeras reporters were jailed in 2013 for supposed ties to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, and another, Mahmoud Hussein, remains in detention following his 2016 arrest. Others spoke about long-standing climates of intimidation and fear in countries as diverse as Rwanda, Iran, and the Philippines. As CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon pointed out, 97 percent of jailed journalists are in prison in their own country. Sign up for CJR 's daily email As the Toronto event and CJRs accompanying Threats issue make clear, the US cant claim immunity from the sort of problems that riddle these countries. The US used to be a beacon, [projecting] Heres what we do, heres what you should do, CJRs Chief Digital Writer Mathew Ingram said on Monday. Thats no longer the case. We depend on the US to stand up for press freedom at the United Nations, added CPJ Advocacy Director Courtney Radsch. Its very hard when you have a president with this rhetoric and lack of normative power. The US has also been exporting press threats unrelated to Trump. Facebook and other social networks, for example, are US-based and often have a US-centric view of how their services should operate. Ingram touched on Facebooks experiments in countries like Cambodia, where it recently removed news articles from users main feeds. While Facebook saw this as a kind of product-centric A/B test, it had serious consequences for citizens: In Cambodia, most people get their news from Facebook, and the countrys autocratic prime minister, Hun Sen, has made the site a key plank of his communications strategy. Facebook is a massive double-edged sword, Ingram said. In fact, if theres a sword that has more than two edges, Facebook is that sword. Panelists also reflected on the blase attitude of many US news organizations, despite increased proximity to severe threats to their work. According to CPJs Carroll, US outlets have generally done a poor job of working together to counter dangers to their craft, often lapsing into old, competitive instincts instead. The international agencies have always worked closely [in terms of reporters safety], she said. But if you tried to decide whether to have peanut butter with strawberry or grape jelly with the White House press corps youd be there for six days. The first panel in Toronto, moderated by CJR Editor Kyle Pope, focused on the surprisingly wide range of domestic press threats, from the erasure of digital archives to non-disclosure agreements that gag journalists to the risk of reporter and reader burnout. CJR Senior Delacorte Fellow and Staff Writer Alexandria Neason said the wave of killings of black Americans by police in recent years, for example, has been a particularly hard story to process and report on. You experience [these things] first as a person in the world, then as a reporter, and the rules are different for those two identities. But you only have one Twitter account, she said. Some panelists on Monday did sound notes of optimism amid the gloom. Ingram, for instance, said its important to keep in mind how social media could still inspire far-reaching positive change in a troubled industry. But, like social media, other apparent avenues of optimism have turned out to be problematic. Reuterss Americas News Editor Paul Thomasch said that while reporters do enjoy greater access to White House officials under Trump, much of the information they get from that access is false, distracting, or trivial. So how can journalists, both in America and overseas, push back against the threats facing their profession? Sometimes, its simply a question of shouting about them loudly and relentlessly, as Reuters has done about Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. Other times, its about rationing exposure to protect your mental health. But thats not always possible. Moving away from the news makes it very hard for me to do my job, said CJRs Neason. Sometimes you put your phone down knowing itll suck when you pick it up again. Sometimes you put it down and really regret it the next day when you show up at work. ICYMI: An ongoing feud between two media goliaths Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop. Journalism is under threat. The president of the United States is undercutting us, autocrats around the world are cracking down on us, police and the courts are moving against us. When CJR decided months ago to devote an entire issue to the threats faced by journalism, I assumed our challenge would be to find ways to bring a fresh eye to issues that we all, sadly, have come to know too well. ICYMI: An ongoing feud between two media goliaths My fears were misplaced. Not only are the dangers faced by reporters growing and morphing dailymaking our efforts to catalog them that much more critical and vibrantbut the nature of the threats we face is, quite frankly, more wide-ranging and fundamental than I ever would have imagined. Donald Trumps press-hating tweets and the trickle-down threat posed by his language are just slivers of the problem. What about the guttural fear faced by reporters as they do their jobs in a world dominated by trolls? Or the psychic and physical toll of burnout, particularly for reporters of color working at a time when racist language permeates our news feeds? Both are brilliantly described in essays by Bob Moser and Alexandria Neason in these pages. Other threats weve brought on ourselves. Sexual harassment and inequality in our industry are finally receiving the attention they have long been due, exposing the dangers faced by women reporters simply doing their jobs. Read Anne Helen Petersens The cost of doing journalism as a woman for a sobering account of how much still needs to change, and Christiane Amanpours call for action. Sign up for CJR 's daily email We have partnered in this issue with the Committee to Protect Journalists, home to the worlds experts on press threats. CJR is proud to be part of the US Press Freedom Tracker, a coalition of groups organized by CPJ to document press abuses at home. Thumbnails of cases pulled from the tracker are peppered throughout this issue, as well as reported pieces about the disturbing spread of anti-press sentiment around the globe, all made worse by our commander in chief. CPJs Joel Simon, in a piece co-written with Alexandra Ellerbeck, notes that many of our worst media-bashing fears of the Trump White House have not yet come to fruition; most of his direct threats have been empty ones. But Simon and Ellerbeck also caution against complacency, noting that the drumbeat of a press crackdown from Attorney General Jeff Sessions, in particular, is growing louder. What this issue makes clear is that journalists around the world are doing astonishing work in a climate that is perhaps tougher than ever. We are working under a leader of the free world who calls us liars, as our ad revenue continues to leach away to Facebook and others, in office environments that can be hostile to our own coworkers. Ive said before that we are living through one of the most thrillingand frighteningmoments to be a journalist in our lifetimes. The story is enormous. Our readers care deeply what we have to say. The stakes couldnt be higher. ICYMI: In his first year in office, Trump has attacked the press relentlessly. But the legal assault has not come. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Kyle Pope is the editor in chief and publisher of the Columbia Journalism Review. At some point over the past decade, Facebook stopped being a mostly harmless social network filled with baby photos and became one of the most powerful forces in mediawith more than 2 billion users every month and a growing lock on the ad revenue that used to underpin most of the media industry. When it comes to threats to journalism, in other words, Facebook qualifies as one, whether it wants to admit it or not. Facebooks relationship with the media has been a classic Faustian bargain: News outlets want to reach those 2 billion users, so they put as much of their content as they can on the network. Some of them are favored by the companys all-powerful (and completely mysterious) algorithm, giving them access to a wider audience to pitch for subscriptions or the pennies worth of ad revenue they receive from the platform. ICYMI: The New Yorker publishes a salacious Trump scoop But while many media outlets continue to pander to Facebook, even some of the digital-media entities that have catered to the company seem to be struggling. Mashable, which laid off much of its news staff to focus on video for Facebook, is being acquired by Ziff Davis for 20 percent of what it was valued at a year ago, and BuzzFeed reportedly missed its revenue targets for 2017 and had to lay off a number of editorial staff. Facebook continues to move the goalposts when it comes to how the News Feed algorithm works. In January, the company said that it would be de-emphasizing posts from media outlets in favor of meaningful interactions between users, and suggested this could result in a significant decline in traffic for some publishers. The fact that even Facebooks closest media partners like BuzzFeed are struggling financially highlights the most obvious threat: Since many media companies still rely on advertising revenue to support their journalism, Facebooks increasing dominance of that industry poses an existential threat to their business models. Sign up for CJR 's daily email ICYMI: The story BuzzFeed, The New York Times and more didnt want to publish According to a recent estimate by media investment firm GroupM, Google and Facebook will account for close to 85 percent of the global digital ad market this year and will take most of the growth in that marketmeaning other players will shrink. This is exceedingly bad news for the balance of the digital publisher ecosystem, the firm reported. While it may be tempting to see Facebook as an evil overlord determined to crush media companies and journalists under its boots, most media companies find themselves in this predicament because they failed to adapt quickly enough, so in a sense they only have themselves to blame. Did God give us that (advertising) revenue? No, says CUNY journalism professor Jeff Jarvis. It wasnt our money, it was our customers money, and Facebook and Google came along and offered them a better deal. The problem, says Jarvis, whose News Integrity Initiative counts Facebook as a donor, is that we didnt change our business models. We insist on maintaining the mass-media business model, and thats more of a problem than social media. Nobody believes Mark Zuckerberg woke up one morning and decided to destroy the media industry. His companys behavior is a lot more like an elephant accidentally stepping on an antsomething that has happened while Facebook has gone about its business. Facebook is a threat not necessarily because its evil but because it does what it does very well, which is to target people for advertisers, says Martin Nisenholtz, former head of digital strategy at The New York Times. The question, he says, is has it become so dominant now that its become essentially a monopoly, and if so what should publishers do about it? As well-meaning as it may be, theres no question Facebooks dominance of social distribution, and the power it gives the company to command attention, represents a direct threat to media companies. Its about control. As digital advertising continues to decline as a source of revenue thanks to Google and Facebook, many media companies are having to rely increasingly on subscriptions. But the readers they want to reach are all on Facebook consuming content for free. Places like The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal have the kinds of international brands that will allow them to continue to be advertising destinations and also get the lions share of subscriptions. But where does that leave mid-market papers that dont have the scale or the reach? Most media companies find themselves in this predicament because they failed to adapt quickly enough, so in a sense they only have themselves to blame. The brutal truth for publishers is that, absent the cost structure and differentiation necessary to create a sustainable destination site that users visit directly, they have no choice but to bend to Facebooks wishes, technology analyst Ben Thompson wrote in his newsletter, Stratechery. Given how inexpensive it is to produce content on the internet, someone else is more than willing to take your share of attention. As a result, publishers risk becoming commodity suppliers to Facebook. And not only are commodity suppliers unable to demand very much in the form of pay, but they can also be replaced easilyor asked to pay for the right to reach the users they originally reached for free. ICYMI: Jonah Peretti: Everything is fine Either way, as Facebook increases its control, theyll decide which brands they are going to elevate and which they will filter out, says Emily Bell, director of the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia. Theres an ethical view that this is a terrible state of affairs, since it means that Facebook effectively decides which media outlets survive and which dont. Author and journalism professor Dan Gillmor recently described a future in which we will be living in the ecosystem of a company that has repeatedly demonstrated its untrustworthiness, an enterprise that would become the primary newsstand for journalism and would be free to pick the winners via special deals with media people and tweaks of its opaque algorithms. If this is the future, we are truly screwed. In addition to the economic threat it represents to media companies, Facebook also arguably poses a threat to journalism itself. Into this bucket we can throw things like fake news and misinformation, which works primarily because Facebook focuses on engagementtime spent, clicks, and sharingrather than quality or value. In many ways, sociologists say, Facebook is a machine designed to encourage confirmation bias, which is the human desire to believe things that confirm our existing beliefs, even if they are untrue. As a former Facebook product manager wrote in a Facebook post: The news feed optimizes for engagement, [and] bullshit is highly engaging. Facebook has announced a number of attempts to fix its misinformation problem, including a fact checking project that adds the disputed tag to stories that have been flagged by partners. But those efforts have been stymied by the fact that some of Facebooks problems appear to be baked into the platform (and into the companys relentlessly efficient DNA). Late last year, Facebook announced that it was dropping the disputed tag because it proved to be ineffective in stopping people from sharing misinformation, and in fact may have actually achieved the opposite goal, by reinforcing peoples erroneous beliefs about certain topics. Given the platforms repeated misunderstanding of its role in the information ecosystem, some believe that Facebook may simply not be a great place for journalism to live. Digital-journalism veteran David Cohn has argued that the networks main purpose is not information so much as it is identity, and the construction by users of a public identity that matches the group they wish to belong to. This is why fake news is so powerful. The headline isnt meant to inform somebody about the world, wrote Cohn, a senior director at Advance Publications, which owns Conde Nast and Reddit. The headline is a tool to be used by a person to inform others about who they are. This is me, they say when they share that headline. This is what I believe. This shows what tribe I belong to. It is virtue signaling. Twitter suffers from a similar problem, in the sense that many users seem to see their posts as a way of displaying (or arguing for) their beliefs rather than a way of exchanging verifiable news. But Facebooks role in the spread of misinformation is orders of magnitude larger than Twitters: 2 billion monthly users versus 330 million. Facebook watchers, including some former and current employees, say many of the companys journalism problems are exacerbated by the fact that the news simply isnt a core focus for the company, and likely never will be. In recent years, as heat on the company has risen, Facebook has tried to pretend that isnt the case. Zuckerberg has gone from saying that it was a crazy idea to suggest fake news on the network affected the US election to admitting that Facebook does play a role in the dissemination of misinformation, and that Russian troll factories used the platform in an attempt to meddle with the election. If you move fast and break democracy, or move fast and break journalism, how do you measure the impact of thatand how do you go about trying to fix it? Facebook has rolled out a range of well-meaning journalistic efforts, including its partnership with fact-checking organizations, the Facebook Journalism Projectwhich is aimed at helping newsrooms get more digitally savvyand the News Integrity Initiative, which Jarvis helped launch last year with funding from Facebook and others. But these tend to come off looking more like public relations vehicles, as the company tries to stay ahead of federal regulators and others who might want to impose legal restrictions on what it can and cannot do. Throwing money at things is a Band-Aid, says a former staffer. Theyre not grappling with the real problems their dominance is causing. I left because it became frustrating to know that they werent taking seriously the impact they were having on journalism and the news. Its not that Facebook doesnt care about things like fake news, its that it doesnt care enough. And the reason why is the same as it is for Google (which has a number of its own well-meaning efforts aimed at journalism)because ultimately those issues dont affect the central business of the company, which is to connect everyone on the planet and generate as much advertising revenue as humanly possible. Former Facebook employees say the engineering-driven, move fast and break things approach worked when the company was smaller but now gets in the way of understanding the societal problems it faces. Its one thing to break a product, but if you move fast and break democracy, or move fast and break journalism, how do you measure the impact of thatand how do you go about trying to fix it? ICYMI: My editor was like, dont worry about it. But I let my husband know. I let my sister know. I let the school district know I think theres a possibility that they just dont know what to do about these larger problems, says Nisenholtz. I think theres a chance they dont have the people in their organization or the DNA to even understand what is going on or what to do about it. Im fundamentally optimistic about Facebooks desire to help, but Im not as optimistic about its ability to help. Jarvis, however, believes Facebook does care, and is prepared to devote its considerable weight to solving the problem. Ive talked to Chris Cox, the head of product at Facebook, and I believe he cares deeply about news. I think Mark Zuckerberg cares. We have to reinvent journalism, and we should be doing it in partnership with Facebook and Google because theyre a lot fucking smarter about it than we are. But its not the smarts of the Facebook employee that anyone doubts. Its whether this company, literally engineered to do one thing incredibly well, can reprogram itself to care about somethingjournalismit knows very little about. As much of a threat as Facebook currently represents for the media industry, it could get much worse. The company could, for instance, continue to vacuum up even more of the advertising market to the point where ads are no longer a viable revenue source for media companies at all. For some, that would mean going from ads contributing as much as 60 percent of revenue to zero. There are parts of the media business model that are just broken, like the advertising businessthe distribution bottleneck is gone, says Bell. What the new journalistic business looks like, that can not just survive but thrive in this new world, we havent really figured it out yet. Could advertising disappear completely as a viable revenue source? Jason Kint of Digital Content Next, a lobby group that includes some of the largest media brands in the country, says he sees Google and Facebook continuing to dominate programmatic or automated advertising. But he believes there is still the potential for other forms of advertisinghigh-value display, for exampleto continue generating revenue for media companies. But even those new possibilities are likely to hit the Facebook algorithmic wall. Either the advertising business as we know it goes away, or you survive as a media outlet because you are in Facebooks favor, either algorithmically or otherwise, says one veteran journalist, who didnt want his name used because he has to work with Facebook. Theres no precedent in terms of the size and dominance of it as a media entity, and no one has any idea what to do about it. We are in uncharted territory here. Illustration by Diego Patino As bad as scraping for advertising revenue might be, theres another way the Facebook threat could actually get worse: Instead of continuing to be a primary platform for news companies and trying to strike relationships with them, the company could decide to simply wash its hands of news entirely, either because it isnt generating enough revenue, or because it has become too much of a political headache. For Facebook, it has to be distracting to devote so much of its time and energy to congressional sub committees or European Union directives related to fake news and Russian trolls. And for all its attempts to help media companies with revenue sharing and fact-checking and other initiatives, it inevitably gets criticized for not doing enough. In a larger sense, newsmeaning journalistic stories produced by credible publisherslikely represents a small proportion of the content that appears on Facebook, most of which is composed of family photos or posts about friends and co-workers. News may encourage engagement, but is it worth the hassle? Facebooks decision in January to de-emphasize publisher links in the News Feed is a step away from news, a move some have argued might actually be good for media companies. An even bigger move would be a split News Feed, where the majority of content in the main feed is related to personal relationships, and a separate feed includes traditional news articles from mainstream outlets. We got a glimpse of what that might look like earlier this year, when Facebook tested a split feed in several Asian and Eastern European countries. News outlets who work in those countries said their reach on the social network fell by as much as 60 percent overnight. Ironically, some criticized Facebook for these experiments because they said the company was messing around with what has become a key source of news for people in struggling democracies like Cambodia, where traditional media is untrustworthy. In many ways, this reinforced the power that Facebook has developed over news consumption, not just in the US but around the world. Could they decide just to give up on news, or relegate it to the sidelines? I feel like theres a real chance that they might just decide its too much trouble, too much of a PR mess, and theyre not even making that much money from it to begin with, says one former staffer. But the genie is kind of out of the bottle now. Im not sure they can go back at this point. To really come to grips with what its size and influence have wrought both in journalism and society at large, Facebook is going to have to not only change its outlook but also its culture. But is that even possible at this stage? Can a company that became a $500 billion colossus by thinking in one way start to think in a different way? Facebook is going to be an important institution, even if it decides it doesnt want to actually produce journalism, says Bell. If its here to stay, it needs to be part of figuring this problem out. My worry is that they only see things in market terms, so its all about market share. And my biggest fear is that they just sort of give up and decide its just not part of their core vision. After all, the company didnt set out to kill anything, including the media industry, says one former staffer. Zuck is just a very competitive guy, and he wanted to build the largest company he could. And now theyve done ithes won. But they fundamentally dont know how to deal with it. In a way, Facebook is like a band of revolutionaries who dont know what to do once they manage to topple the dictator and actually become the government. And we are all living in the world that they have created for us, whether we like it or not. ICYMI: The New York Times sparks outrage with profile A timeline of turmoil While Facebook has become enormously influential as a distributor of news, that sway hasnt come without pain. In the past decade, the company has been criticized for helping to spread scams, hoaxes, and fake news, all while becoming one of the biggest media companies on the planet. September 2006: The hated news stream Facebook launches the News Feed. A blog post describes it as a stream that highlights whats happening in your social circles on Facebook. Many users hate it. September 2011: The reader that wasnt Facebook launches its social news reader apps with The Washington Post and The Guardian. But the algorithm is later changed so many users dont see them. January 2012: Advertising is introduced The company starts showing advertising inside the News Feed. That year, Facebooks ad revenue is $4 billion. By 2016 it would hit almost $27 billion. December 2013: A newspaper of ones own Mark Zuckerberg says he wants to make the News Feed the best personalized newspaper in the world. In 2014 the company launches a standalone app called Paper. January 2015: Scam alert, version 1.0 After criticism of hoaxes and scams, Facebook says it will crack down, but says we are not reviewing content and making a determination on its accuracy. May 2015: Arrival of instant articles Facebook launches Instant Articles, a feature that makes mobile pages load faster. Initial launch partners include BuzzFeed, The New York Times, and National Geographic. May 2016: Conservative controversy Gizmodo reports that Facebooks trending topics team routinely inserts or removes news articles from the section, and that it does so with conservative news sites in particular. November 2016: The election effect Zuckerberg says the idea that fake news affected the US election is crazy. But a month later Facebook says it will work with users and third-party verification services to identify fake articles. April 2017: In the DC spotlight Facebook admits that Russian government agents used fake accounts to influence the US election, and later appears before Congress after admitting Russian trolls bought political ads. January 2018: Personal over political Facebook announces a change to the News Feed to prioritize personal posts over news content, and warns publishers their traffic from the social network will likely decrease. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Mathew Ingram is CJRs chief digital writer. Previously, he was a senior writer with Fortune magazine. He has written about the intersection between media and technology since the earliest days of the commercial internet. His writing has been published in the Washington Post and the Financial Times as well as by Reuters and Bloomberg. During his tumultuous campaign, Donald Trump declared war on the press, pledging to open up our libel laws and impose fines on critical journalists if elected. Within a month of taking office, he vowed to go after leakers, comparing them to Nazis, and urged then-FBI director James Comey to jail reporters who published classified information. In response, money began pouring into legal defense funds set up to protect the press from the looming legal onslaught and defend the First Amendment. First Look Media, the news organization started by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar, put up $2 million and promised more; Jeff Bezos, owner of Amazon and The Washington Post, donated another $1 million to the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. The Democracy Fund (also backed by Omidyar) threw in an additional $800,000 for legal support. In his first year in office, Trump has attacked the press relentlessly, describing critical media outlets as the enemy of the American people, fake, and failing. He singled out individual journalists by name. But the legal assault has not come. The US Press Freedom Tracker, a project of 30 organizations (including CJR) that documents press freedom violations in the United States, has logged 34 arrests and 44 physical attacks on journalists in the last year as of mid-Januarybut only one leak prosecution. ICYMI: The story BuzzFeed, The New York Times and more didnt want to publish So is Trump all bark and no bite? Should the legal defense funds be put to other uses? Not so fast, cautions Steven Aftergood, the director of the Federation of American Scientists Project on Government Secrecy. Were still in year one of the Trump administration and it does take time to build a case, identify a suspect, and make a decision to prosecute, Aftergood pointed out. I think we should all be concerned and worried, added Lynn Oberlander, the general counsel for Gizmodo Media Group and board chair of the Media Law Resources Center. The clearest evidence that leak prosecutions might be coming is the public statements from Attorney General Jeff Sessions. We have 27 investigations open today, Sessions said in a House Oversight Committee hearing last fall. We intend to get to the bottom of these leaks. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Sessions noted that in the last few years of the Obama administrationwhich was criticized for its aggressive posture toward leakersthe Justice Department averaged just three investigations per year. Sessions promised to do better, which has pleased Trump. After many years of LEAKS going on in Washington, it is great to see the A.G. taking action! For National Security, the tougher the better! the president tweeted over the summer. Naturally, all governments want to control leaks and reporters want to receive them, but it wasnt until the Nixon era that the government indicted journalistic sources under the World War Iera Espionage Act. Around the same time, subpoenas of reporters picked up in earnest and began to be considered a true danger to press freedom. In his first year in office, Trump has attacked the press relentlessly. But the legal assault has not come. A tenuous equilibrium came in the form of a 1972 Supreme Court case that the press actually lost. In a 5-4 decision in Branzburg v. Hayes, the court held that three reporters, including New York Times reporter Earl Caldwell (whose case involved his reporting on the Black Panthers), could be ordered to testify in court. In a concurring opinion, Justice Lewis Powell suggested that the First Amendment required some reasonable limits on the ability of prosecutors to subpoena journalists. James Goodale, the former Times general counsel (and CPJ senior advisor and former board member), latched on to Powells stance and used it to develop a legal standard, upheld in lower court rulings, that limited the circumstances in which prosecutors could issue subpoenas to cases in which their testimony was central to a determination of guilt and innocence and the information could not be obtained elsewhere. The standard held until the Bush administration, when the DC Circuit Court upheld a subpoena against New York Times reporter Judith Miller. Later, under Obama, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals also upheld a subpoena against New York Times reporter James Risen, dismissing the argument that Powells concurrence represented a qualified reporters privilege. ICYMI: One of the most elaborate undercover stings in American journalism history At the same time that the new legal environment opened the door to subpoenaing reporters, the intelligence community, increasingly concerned by large-scale leaks and data dumps, began pushing for more aggressive prosecutions. The creation of the National Security Division in the Justice Department under the Bush administration added dedicated resources to this effort. The main factor in the dramatic increase in leak prosecutions was technology, noted Times investigative reporter Scott Shane. In almost every leak case, an electronic trail led from the source to the reporter that the FBI could file. This new environment opened the door for the Obama administration to launch an unprecedented legal effort targeting leakers that in several cases ensnared reporters, including Risen. All told, the Obama Justice Department prosecuted eight government employees or contractors accused of leaking to the media under the 1917 Espionage Act. The war on leaks and other efforts to control information are the most aggressive Ive seen since the Nixon administration, wrote former Washington Post Executive Editor Leonard Downie Jr. in a 2013 report published by CPJ. Following a public furor over the administrations aggressive tactics, a leading group of journalists and lawyers that included Downie; Karen Kaiser, general counsel for the Associated Press; and Bruce Brown from the Reporters Committee, met with former Attorney General Eric Holder to strengthen Justice Department guidelines based on the formula first articulated following the Branzburg decision. This meant the Justice Department would only issue subpoenas when the information was crucial and could not be obtained by other means. The Attorney General had to approve requests, although the FBI could still obtain journalists records using National Security Letters, which were not covered under the guidelines. Journalists may face a flurry of subpoenas if the Justice Department moves ahead with leak prosecutions. And there is evidence that the department is doing just that. In the wake of the public backlash and after the revised guidelines were put in place, subpoenas slowed, as did the leak investigations. But in his Senate confirmation, and in subsequent statements, Sessions has indicated he does not look favorably on the guidelines, which are voluntary and have been in place in some form since the 1970s. In a press conference in August, he said the Justice Department was reviewing them. We respect the important role that the press plays, and well give them respect, but it is not unlimited, he said. Without the guidelines in place, journalists may face a flurry of subpoenas if the Justice Department moves ahead with leak prosecutions. And there is evidence that the Justice Department is doing just that. The Supreme Court has not recognized reporters privilege, Congress has not passed a media shield bill. In the absence of those provisions, these self-imposed guidelines have been a meaningful constraint, points out David Pozen, a professor at Columbia Law School. In July, Republicans on the Senate Committee on Homeland Security gave Sessions a study, which included a list of 125 news articles (with bylines) that had allegedly harmed national security. In December, FBI Director Christopher Wray said he had created a dedicated unit to go after leaks. One case that the Justice Department has pursued, involving a 26-year-old NSA contractor named Reality Winner, sets a chilling example and shows that prosecutors are willing to go to extremes to punish alleged leakers. Winner is accused of leaking a classified NSA report about Russian interference in the 2016 election to The Intercept. Winner was denied bail twice and may spend a year in prison before her trial even starts, despite her parents offer to put up their house and everything they own to guarantee bail. Because the court has said her lawyers can only look at news reports containing classified information in secure facilities, they cannot even Google basic news stories from their office or discuss them with their client. Some experts have suggested that as technology makes it easier for the Justice Department to identify leakers by obtaining information through service providers, the government will have less of a need to subpoena journalists. But this assumes that the government wants to avoid issuing subpoenas to the press, while Sessions has indicated a specific desire to go after the media and drag journalists into the legal proceedings. Sessions personally approved a subpoena last February for John Sepulvado, a former reporter for Oregon Public Broadcasting, which required Sepulvado to testify about an interview he had with Ryan Bundy, one of the leaders of the group that forcibly occupied the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in 2016. (The Obama administration had asked Sepulvado to voluntarily testify, but did not issue a subpoena when he declined.) The guidelines also require prosecutors to make all reasonable attempts to obtain the information elsewhere, something that RCFP attorney Selina MacLaren says they failed to do. The Court found that the prosecutors had another way to get the information: by asking the defendant himself. This raises questions about how the guidelines were applied, she says. The subpoena was ultimately quashed. One looming test case involves WikiLeaks. Trump has said he loves WikiLeaks but there is no evidence that the Justice Departments shares his view. Widespread but unconfirmed reports suggest that a sealed indictment has been issued for Julian Assange, which is what is keeping him holed up in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London. If Assange were to be tried for violations of the Espionage Act, it would not only have a chilling impact on the media, but could ensnare the many journalists who had used Assange as a source. For all of these reasons, Bruce Brown of RCFP is continuing to build up the legal defense fund and planning for the worst. While larger media organizations have general counsels and the resources to mount an adequate defense, smaller ones could find themselves unprepared. Regarding leak investigations, we know from experience that those often go through newsrooms, Brown points out. Theres nothing more existential to journalists than facing a subpoena. We have to be extremely vigilant. ICYMI: Thanks to the generosity of his backers, including the Mercer family, [James] OKeefe made $300,000 last year. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Joel Simon and Alexandra Ellerbeck are the authors of this story. Joel Simon is a CJR columnist and the executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists. Alexandra Ellerbeck is the North America program coordinator at the Committee to Protect Journalists. Journalism is under threat, CJR Editor and Publisher Kyle Pope writes in the opening pages of our newest print issue. The president of the United States is undercutting us, autocrats around the world are cracking down on us, police and the courts are moving against us. Weve grown used to stories about journalists struggling to do their work in countries whose leaders dont respect the value of a free press, and, over the past year, much has been written about Donald Trumps attacks on the media contributing to a lack of public trust at home. But Pope writes that the threats to journalism go far beyond those familiar topics. Not only are the dangers faced by reporters growing and morphing daily, he writes, but the nature of the threats we face is, quite frankly, more wide-ranging and fundamental than I ever would have imagined. From billionaires with the power to bring down entire news outlets to non-disclosure agreements that prevent journalists from informing the public, practicing journalism in 2018 is perhaps tougher than it has ever been. CJRs new issue, published in partnership with the Committee to Protect Journalists and out today, explores those issues and more. Contributors for the issue include, among others, Christiane Amanpour, Maria Bustillos, Michelle Dean, Siddhartha Deb, Walter Mosley, Alex Pareene, Anne Helen Petersen, and Michael Rosenwald. Well be rolling out more pieces as in the next two weeks, and wed love for you to spend some time with the issue as it publishes online. If youre not already a member, wed be grateful for your support$50 gets you a year of access to exclusive content, four issues of the print magazine, and invitations to CJR events. Below, the first few pieces weve already made available online. The presidents phantom threats : Donald Trump has so far has failed to follow through on his promised press assault. But CPJs Joel Simon and Alexandra Ellerbeck write that journalists shouldnt get complacent. Noting Jeff Sessionss testimony regarding 27 open leak investigations, Simon and Ellerbeck write that its too soon to think were in the clear. Donald Trump has so far has failed to follow through on his promised press assault. But CPJs Joel Simon and Alexandra Ellerbeck write that journalists shouldnt get complacent. Noting Jeff Sessionss testimony regarding 27 open leak investigations, Simon and Ellerbeck write that its too soon to think were in the clear. The burnout year : CJR Senior Staff Writer Alexandria Neason writes on the psychological and physical toll of burnout, particularly for reporters of color working at a time when racist language permeates our news feeds. CJR Senior Staff Writer Alexandria Neason writes on the psychological and physical toll of burnout, particularly for reporters of color working at a time when racist language permeates our news feeds. One Dangerous Year : Looking at 2017 by the numbers, Christie Chisholm, Denise Southwood, and Alexandra Ellerbeck have a depressing set of infographics cataloging the jailing, attacks, and killings of journalists in the US and around the world. Looking at 2017 by the numbers, Christie Chisholm, Denise Southwood, and Alexandra Ellerbeck have a depressing set of infographics cataloging the jailing, attacks, and killings of journalists in the US and around the world. Erasing history: Maria Bustillos takes on the new battle over journalisms digital legacy. With the shift to digital publishing, there was an assumption that the journalistic record would live on forever. But Bustillos writes that new digital records have degraded even more quickly than did newsprint. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Other notable stories 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. The Nebraska Supreme Court in Barnes v. American Standard Insurance Company of Wisconsin, 297 Neb. 331, 900 N.W.2d 22 (2017) recently considered whether an insurance companys cancellation of an auto policy by certified mail permitted the granting of summary judgment on the cancellation issue. In this case, Jimmy Barnes was involved in a motorcycle-motor vehicle accident. Prior to the accident, Barnes had three motor vehicle insurance policies issued by American Standard, including the motor vehicle policy in question. The insurer, American Standard, issued three cancellation notices for the three policies on September 18, 2013. The cancellations occurred because the bank account from which American Standard electronically withdrew the monthly premium payments had insufficient funds. Alternatively, the bank may have otherwise rejected the transaction at the time that the premiums were due. Because of this, notices were sent to Barnes at his mailing address, advising that the three policies would be cancelled effective October 1, 2013 unless the premium payments were received. American Standard mailed the cancellation notices to Barnes by certified mail. However, Barnes alleged that he did not receive the cancellation notices. Mr. Barnes was involved in a motor vehicle accident on October 10 where he was struck by an underinsured motorist while riding his motorcycle. The accident occurred after the October 1 cancellation date. Barnes received serious injuries as a result of the accident. The tortfeasors insurer paid its policy limits of $100,000 because of the injuries and Barnes presented a UIM claim to American Standard. American Standard rejected the UIM claim because of the prior cancellation. Thereafter, Barnes sued American Standard, alleging the policy was not cancelled. American Standard filed a motion for partial summary judgment on the issue of whether American Standards notice of cancellation was sent by certified mail. The court convened a hearing on the motion for partial summary judgment, at which time Barnes introduced into evidence his affidavit, blank U.S. Postal Service forms 38-11 and 3800, a copy of American Standards mailing log on postal form 3877, American Standards responses to Barnes request for production of documents and the cancellation notices dated September 18, 2013. American Standard offered as exhibits the cancellation notices, two affidavits from American Standard employees regarding American Standards mailing procedures, various documents regarding American Standards policy cancellation procedure, a demonstrative exhibit used to illustrate certified mail, a copy of American Standards mailing log form 3877 dated September 18, 2013, and a U.S. Postal Service Certificate of Mailing for a piece of first class mail relating to Barnes homeowners policy. U.S. Postal Service form 3877, relied on by both Barnes and American Standard, indicated that there were three pieces of mail sent to Barnes. Form 3877 had a space on the form to indicate what type of service was applied to the mail but the box for certified was not checked. Form 3877 also had a space where the sender was to include the addressees information and stated addressee (name, street, city, state, and zip code). Although American Standard had supplied on the form Barnes name, city, state, and zip code, it did not include his street or house number. Form 3877 contained the Postmasters stamp, date, tracking numbers, fees and postal worker signatures. Nebraska statute required the cancellation notice to be sent by registered or certified mail to the named insured. See Nebraska Revised Statute 44-516(1) (reissue 2010). Under the statute, insurance companies were not required to establish that the named insured received the cancellation notice. During the hearing the court noted that in the context of federal tax cases, other courts had determined that form 3877 was an acceptable method to prove that an item was sent by certified mail. Although the court noted the defects in the submitted form 3877, the court nevertheless determined that the majority of the evidence in this case established [American Standard] complied with Nebraska Revised Statute 44-516 by sending the cancellation notice to [Barnes] via certified mail on September 18, 2013. Therefore, American Standards motion for partial summary judgment was granted. The Nebraska Supreme Court rejected the grant of summary judgment and remanded. The parties focused on the defects in form 3877. The District Court had acknowledged that American Standard failed to check the certified box and neglected to include Barnes street address on the form. Nevertheless, the District Court found that the defects were overcome by American Standards presentation of other evidence in the form of employee affidavits indicating mailing procedures and that American Standards cancelled procedures were followed. The street address on the cancellation notices on policies not at issue in the case created a strong inference that the cancellation notices were all sent to the same address, even though the notice in question did not have the address on it. Form 3877 did show that three pieces of mail (presumably the cancellation) were sent to Barnes. The Nebraska Supreme Court began its analysis by noting that the burden of establishing an effective cancellation before a loss was on the insurance company. Therefore, it was American Standards burden to demonstrate compliance with the statute. Reviewing the trial court record, the Supreme Court found there was no actual direct evidence that the notice of cancellation was mailed certified to Barnes within the context of a motion for summary judgment. The court held that the weight to be accorded American Standards other evidence had to await resolution at trial. Had American Standard checked the certified mailing box, the proof of a certified mailing would have been greatly enhanced. The Nebraska Supreme Court found that the Nebraska legislature had specifically selected that the notice of cancellation be mailed by registered or certified mail. The court found informative the reasoning of the Illinois Supreme Court as discussed in the Illinois Court of Appeals case of Hunt v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 213 Ill. App. (1st) 120, 561 36, 994 N.E.2d 561, 570-71, 373 Ill. Dec. 792, 801-02 (2013): [T]he Supreme Court stated [i]t is apparent from the wording of the provision in the context of the insurance co. that the purpose of the statute is to protect the insured from cancellation of his insurance without his knowledge. To accomplish this purpose the legislature could have required insurance companies to prove receipt by the insured. But, by enacting this section, the legislature clearly sought to strike a balance between the interest of the insured in being informed of a cancellation of his insurance policy and the burden that would be put on an insurance company to prove receipt by the insured. [Citation omitted]. In striking a balance between insured persons and insurers, the legislature gave insurance companies a very low threshold of proof relating to the mailing of cancellation notices, requiring only that the insurer show proof of mailing on a recognized United States Post Office form or form acceptable to the United States Post Office or other commercial mail delivery service [citation omitted]. The court then held that a finding that the statute implicitly allows an insurance company to use other evidence to show it maintained the proof of mailing when the statute explicitly requires it to maintain such a form would disturb the balance that the legislature sought to achieve in enacting [the statute]. The Nebraska Supreme Court found the quoted language above to be relevant in its case disposition. By adding those terms of art, the Nebraska legislature deliberately chose those services. Taking the inferences in favor of Barnes as the non-moving party, the court found that the evidence submitted by American Standard did not establish directly that it mailed the notice of cancellation by certified mail and it was not entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Maryland Reports 77 Charged With Insurance Fraud in 2017, $466,000 in Fines and Penalties The Maryland Insurance Administration continues to partner with federal, state and local government agencies, insurance carriers and producers to investigate and prosecute individuals and businesses for committing insurance fraud. For the calendar year 2017, Maryland Insurance Commissioner Al Redmer, Jr. authorized civil orders and criminal charges totaling $466,261 in fines, penalties and restitution. Insurance fraud is one of the most costly crimes in the country, costing consumers directly in the form of higher premiums. Our Insurance Fraud Division continues to investigate all tips regarding suspected civil and criminal insurance fraud, said Commissioner Redmer. We want Marylanders to know they can and should call us if they suspect insurance fraud. All tips are confidential and we follow up on each lead. The bad actors need to be held accountable for their actions. Over 40 individuals were ordered to pay $200,514 in administrative penalties and restitution for committing civil insurance fraud in Maryland. Additionally, the investigative work of the Insurance Fraud Division of the Maryland Insurance Administration led to 37 people being criminally prosecuted for committing insurance fraud, resulting in $265,747 in fines, penalties and restitution. LAPD Officer Charged with Workers Compensation Fraud A Los Angeles, Calif., police officer is set to be arraigned this week on one felony count each of workers compensation insurance fraud and attempted perjury under oath, the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office announced. Deputy District Attorney Arunas Sodonis of the Healthcare Fraud Division said Jason Gordon went on workers compensation leave for an on-the-job injury at the Los Angeles Police Department but later was found to be engaged in certain physical activities over several months in 2016. Gordon then allegedly lied under oath in a deposition, the prosecutor said. The prosecutor is recommending bail be set at $40,000. Gordon faces up to five years, six months in state prison, which could be served in local custody, if convicted as charged. The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Departments Special Operations Division, Workers Compensation Fraud Unit. California Man Charged With Felony Insurance Fraud On May 21, 2015, Sarkis Varpetyan was driving on Sunrise Boulevard when he suddenly hit his brakes for no reason, causing the car behind to rear-end his vehicle. Several witnesses stated that it appeared Varpetyan intentionally caused the accident. On June 11, 2015, Varpetyan filed an insurance claim stating he had come to a stop because of traffic and was not liable for the accident. The claim was ultimately denied based on the witness statements and the California Highway Patrol report that found Varpetyan to be at fault for the accident. Varpetyan pled no contest to felony insurance fraud and was sentenced to 180 days in county jail, 3 years formal probation and ordered him to pay $43, 527.83 in restitution ($5,485.86 to Farmers Insurance and $38,041.97 to State Farm). This case was prosecuted by the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office Insurance Fraud Unit. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Jeff Bezos, Warren Buffett and Jamie Dimon. CNBC The recent announcement of a health alliance by Berkshire Hathaway, Amazon and J.P. Morgan promises to disrupt the health-care industry (but with few details), and it has thrown the market into a tizzy. The overall reaction in the press has been that the initiative is the business community saying, "Government has failed; let us take over." But it is also private health care that has failed. Both the government and the health-care system (whether for-profit or nonprofit) are slow, bureaucratic and perversely incentivized. Nonetheless, these three companies are well positioned to make a difference. They are large enough and influential enough to change culture which is what cultivating health at scale is about. First, the leadership lineup is promising. All three of these outfits think long term: Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Berkshire CEO Warren Buffett as individuals, and J.P. Morgan because it is a bank and understands compound interest, discount factors and externalities and the economics of long-term thinking. By contrast, government is motivated by votes and short-term results, while health care is motivated by money and short-term results. (Yes, nonprofits have budgets, too.) While there have been efforts to address these issues recently there has been some focus on "accountable care," where the health-care provider gets rewarded according to results that approach is spreading very slowly. Customers like the Berkshire-Amazon-J.P. Morgan alliance, which can bargain for results-based payments, could move that needle for themselves and ultimately inspire others. Second, the trio have access to a broad, critical-mass pool of people to work with. They get automatic scale and a bit of coercive power, vis a vis both their own employees and their suppliers. Not too much: They can't force things on people. Yet what's most exciting is that these three big employers, like other employers, have as great an interest in improving the health (and productivity) of their employees as in reducing the medical costs of their poor health. And unlike the employees themselves, they have great influence over the environment and culture in which employees spend a large portion of their waking hours. They can take away alternatives, such as bad food. They can reward managers for treating their people decently. They can make exercise facilities convenient and good food cheap; they can relieve a lot of stress. And they can threaten to move their health-care dollars to different providers. The real motivation for this major move So the first question is: What is their motivation in launching this initiative? Is it three smart, powerful, rich men who see a problem a market inefficiency, perhaps and want to fix it? Is it to save money on health care, to invest in making their employees healthier and more productive, or perhaps to become more attractive as employers? Starting during World War II, when wage controls prohibited employers from raising wages, they offered health plans as a competitive lure. Now, as wages stay competitive but good employees are scarce, this might also be an effective way to attract the best people. It also offers a sharp counterpoint to the gig economy, where people are basically on their own to find health care and look out for themselves. With luck, most employees will have the advantage of a clear choice between these two approaches on fair terms. However, if the alliance focuses only on reducing health-care costs, it won't achieve as much lasting value as it could. It's universally acknowledged that the U.S. health-care system is a mess. (I once called it a calcified hairball.) Making it more efficient and cheaper would indeed be a big win and would help millions of people whose treatment is often worse than the underlying condition (whether it's excessive medication or the sheer mental struggle of interacting with a siloed, unresponsive and arbitrary system). But it still wouldn't address the bigger problem for employers (and society): keeping people healthy in the first place. Even the U.S. Army complains that it can't find enough healthy recruits. Numerous studies show that health care determines only a fraction (10 percent to 20 percent) of health outcomes; genetics is another small percentage. The vast majority of the influence comes from social and lifestyle factors. The big win for the Berkshire-Amazon-J.P. Morgan alliance would be to support the health of employees rather than just attracting them with cheaper and better coverage (or paying less for their health-care benefits). Numerous studies show that health care determines only a fraction (10 percent to 20 percent) of health outcomes; genetics is another small percentage. The vast majority of the influence comes from social and lifestyle factors: where you live, how you eat, whether you get enough sleep and exercise and, yes, whether you feel you have a purpose something you may get at work as well as at home. There's a famous joke about this: A rich man drives by and asks three laborers, in succession, "What are you doing?" Laborer 1 says, "Laying bricks, duh!" Laborer 2 says, "I'm building a cathedral." Laborer 3 says, "I'm honoring God." Guess which of the three will take the longest to meet his maker? This kind of change is hard to effect and requires management leadership as well as a budget. Imagine seeing your CEO eating healthy in the cafeteria or walking up the stairs to her corner office on the top floor. Imagine a manager who asks about your sleep. And imagine being surrounded by colleagues who set a healthy example or who follow your lead when you do. The 5 steps to creating better employee health Japanese cryptocurrency exchange Coincheck, stung by the theft of $530 million of digital money last month, is expected to file a report with regulators on the hacking on Tuesday. The Financial Services Agency ordered Coincheck to raise its standards after the hack, and gave the exchange until Feb. 13 to submit a report on the heist, the safety of its systems, and measures it would take to prevent a repeat. Coincheck said on Friday it would allow customers to restart yen withdrawals on Tuesday. The exchange, which froze all withdrawals of yen as well as digital currencies following the theft, said it had confirmed the integrity of its system security. Coincheck has received withdrawal requests from customers totaling about 30 billion yen ($280 million), a person with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters last week. Still, the exchange said it would keep restrictions on cryptocurrency withdrawals until it could guarantee the secure resumption of its operations. It did not give further details. The Coincheck heist exposed flaws in Japan's system of regulating cryptocurrency trading, and raised questions over the country's dash to oversee the industry - a move that was in sharp contrast to clampdowns by policymakers in countries such as South Korea, China and India. Anxiety around China's globe-spanning Belt and Road initiative is seeping into the digital economy of at least one country. Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak and Alibaba Group founder and executive chairman Jack Ma after the launching of the country's Digital-Free Trade Zone in Kuala Lumpur on March 22, 2017 MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images An Alibaba-led digital trade zone in Malaysia, which is part of Beijing's ambitious infrastructure project, is expected to boost trade between Southeast Asia and China, but some fear it could hurt Malaysian firms. The "Digital Free Trade Zone," or DFTZ, is designed to make cross-region shipments more affordable for Malaysian small and medium-sized companies the majority of businesses in the country. A core element of the scheme is an electronic world trade platform (eWTP) which is designed to ease trade between Malaysian and Chinese firms. The virtual platform, due to take effect in 2019, will connect businesses, manage cargo authorizations and assist on customs. A brick-and-mortar facility in the Malaysian capital will also help with logistics. An Alibaba monopoly? The eWTP is a win for Alibaba, which hopes to eat rival Amazon's lunch in Southeast Asia, home to a booming e-commerce market. But critics say the Chinese tech giant holds too much control over the process. "The initiative is led by Alibaba, which effectively makes it a monopoly as of now," said Abhineet Kaul, a director at Frost & Sullivan's Asia Pacific public sector and government practice. "More private players need to be encouraged to provide similar services to ensure that there is sufficient competition in the market." That concern mirrors international worries around the Belt and Road initiative, which is widely seen as an attempt by China to construct a massive, multi-national zone of economic and political influence that has Beijing at its center. Last month, Chinese media reported that Beijing intends to arbitrate trade disputes with other countries through a set of new courts that are subservient to its ruling Chinese Communist Party. When it comes to the digital push in Malaysia, Alibaba denies excessive control over the program. A spokesperson told CNBC that no company is blocked from participating in the eWTP: "This platform is open to any company willing to similarly make their own investment of money and resources to develop the necessary infrastructure, and embrace a public-private partnership model to foster more cross-border trade in Malaysia and elsewhere." Malaysia's minister of Communications and Multimedia, Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak, said he hopes other e-commerce interests will eventually participate. "Alibaba was the natural private-sector partner to establish and kick-start this project, but we are engaged in discussions with several other ecosystem players as well and in due course our vision is to see more eCommerce players coming on board as partners to make the most of the DFTZ," he said. Tough competition, digital differences Another concern is that Malaysian firms may find themselves facing stiff competition from Chinese firms many of which are supported by the government in Beijing. "The e-service platform is open to more Chinese (small and medium-sized firms) from China," which means Malaysian vendors will face tougher competition, noted Chan Xin Ying, a Malaysia research analyst at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University. Satish Raguchandran, founder of Russell Taylors, a firm that imports and re-brands kitchen appliances from China, for sale in Malaysia, expressed similar fears. Companies that compete mostly on price will certainly be hit, said Kaul. But he said that any subsequent reduction in revenue or jobs would be compensated by greater business opportunities for the more efficient companies. In response, Alibaba said the eWTP remains "open, transparent and inclusive," adding that the program "is not favorable to small businesses of one country over another." Malaysia's government also listed several local companies that have seen revenue increase since the DFTZ went live in November. Another potential area of difficulty for Malaysian entrepreneurs could be their country's relatively nascent digital development. Kuala Lumpur is behind Beijing in terms of high-skilled labor and innovative practices, Chan noted. "In order to close the gap between Beijing's technology, it will cost a lot in terms of both finance and time." But Alibaba argued that companies in Malaysia have other, built-in advantages, and the company wants to help them boost exports. "Malaysian firms have many natural advantages including language and education to enable them be highly competitive globally," according to an Alibaba spokesperson. "Our role is to provide tools and training to help more Malaysian (small and medium-sized companies) get online and access global export markets." Concern over Chinese investment Silicon Valley entrepreneur Christine Lemke has a rare genetic disease that causes inflammation of the joints and the spine, leaving her with frequent back pain. Her pain might be severe at times, but it hasn't stopped her from running her venture-backed start-up Evidation Health, which works with pharmaceutical giants like Sanofi and Eli Lilly to help clinical research teams figure out if their medications are working for people in real life. Evidation's thesis is that there's a lot to learn about people's experience of disease through their digital footprint. But to do that, they need to generate evidence through clinical studies of their own. For Lemke, Evidation's latest research project hits close to home. The goal for the "Discover Project" study, which kicks off on Monday, is to find out whether the latest technologies can be used to better measure chronic pain, which effects an estimated 100 million Americans. Researchers have found that despite the prevalence of pain, more research is needed to guide treatment decisions. Evidation wants to fill that gap. And Lemke will be among the first to sign up to participate. "Sometimes we take on studies out of curiosity, especially for questions that aren't well studied or well understood," she explained. Effectively measuring pain has been a persistent challenge for decades. Doctors still rely on subjective measurements, like asking patients to rate the intensity of their pain on a scale of 1 to 10. That's problematic. Some people have a higher pain tolerance than others. And as studies have found, feelings of helplessness and hopelessness can be a contributing factor in the experience of pain. Electric vehicles appear to be gaining further ground in China's automobile market, and companies are betting that the trend will continue. An example of that optimism, is Chinese ride-sharing giant Didi Chuxing's announcement last week that it plans to set up an e-vehicle sharing service with 12 automakers. Those automakers will include both Chinese players, such as Geely and BYD, as well as a couple of foreign firms, like South Korea's Kia Motors, and the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. Didi, which bought out Uber's China operations back in 2016, also said it would be opening up its ride-hailing platform to the automakers' own sharing services. So far, the introduction of electric vehicles in the Chinese automobile market has seen strong sales figures. "Sales volumes for new-energy vehicles exceeded 700,000 last year, and this number is further expected to increase to more than 2 million in 2020, and to more than 5 million in 2025," said Kevin Li, a China-based senior analyst at Strategy Analytics. He added there would be fierce competition between those vehicles and the traditional automobiles about seven to eight years down the road. Sales for e-vehicles have also been so strong, he said, that the government even had plans to reduce and cancel local subsidies for their production and sales last December. However, that has not stopped many automotive start-ups from continuing to work on research and development and the production of new electric vehicles to cater to the rising demand, he added. Aside from Didi, Japanese automaker Nissan already has designs on the market. Nissan said earlier this month it plans to sell its all-electric Leaf in China this year and plans to develop 20 electric models with its Chinese partner over the next five years. Just last October, electric automaker Tesla also struck a deal to build a factory in Shanghai that would focus on making Model 3 sedans and Tesla's planned crossover vehicle, the Model Y, for China and for some surrounding countries. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Changes that Facebook is making to boost the quality of news content will help local publishers but significantly hurt some others, company executives told a media-industry gathering late Monday. The resulting experiments, which are still ongoing, could ultimately cause some to re-consider working with the company altogether, said Campbell Brown, the company's head of news partnerships. "If you're a publisher who feels Facebook isn't good for your business, you shouldn't be on Facebook," Brown told an audience at the Code Media conference in Los Angeles. Last month the company said it would start showing users more news from local sources. Facebook also said it would start polling users about which media outlets they trust the most and would begin favoring news from broadly-trusted sources on its site. "News organizations should be thinking differently about their relationship with Facebook. This is not us stepping back from news, this is us changing our relationship with publishers. This is about Facebook doing something it's never done before, having a point of view and leaning into quality news," said Brown, a former CNN anchor. "Not all news is created equal. The way we're thinking about it now, this is very early stage, give a boost to broadly trusted publishersgive a boost to local news publishers," Brown said during an onstage interview. Adam Mosseri, head of Facebook's news feed product who sat alongside Brown during the interview, said "Instant Articles will be more useful for small publishers" while the revamp overall would mean "meaningful downward pressure in the months ahead for publishers" and their distribution. "We've said over the next few months it (news content on Facebook) would go to 4 percent from 5 percent of overall content." Mosseri also addressed criticism about the company's two-question user survey, which it will use to determine which news sources its users deem most trustworthy. "This isn't a popularity contest -- not who is trusted the most, but those who are broadly trusted by a wide variety of users. To game it, you'd have to get people from different viewpoints." Brown also announced that the company will roll out its "subscription product" for publishers on March 1. It will allow publishers to set a limit for the number of free articles users can view on Facebook's Instant Articles feature, then allow them to set up a paywall to charge those who want more. People wait for a subway at a stop in Brooklyn, New York. A record number of states saw well-being worsen, with declines in social, emotional and psychological health offsetting gains in physical health, according to new research. In 2017, 21 states saw declines despite a booming economy, compared with 15 states that showed declines in 2009 during the Great Recession, the annual Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index found. None posted any statistically significant improvement for the first time in the 10 years the study has been conducted. The national score declined to 61.5 in 2017 from 62.1 in 2016. "Well-being as a multi-faceted measure relates to productivity and health-care costs, both of which are critical aspects to the economy," said Ashlin Jones, vice president of research and advanced data science at Sharecare. "That's why it matters to measure it and watch the trends." Researchers interviewed more than 160,000 adults about purpose, social, financial, community and physical metrics to assess overall well-being. Two categories with steep declines were social and purpose. US President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin at the 25th APEC summit on November 11, 2017. U.S. President Donald Trump, who complained last month that Moscow was "not helping us at all with North Korea," told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday that more needs to be done to scrap Pyongyang's nuclear program. "President Trump reiterated the importance of taking further steps to ensure the denuclearization of North Korea," the White House said in a statement, about the call with Putin. In an interview with Reuters last month, Trump accused Russia of helping North Korea evade international sanctions meant to punish Pyongyang for its pursuit of a nuclear-armed missile capable of reaching the United States. "Russia is not helping us at all with North Korea," Trump told Reuters. Moscow denied it has failed to uphold U.N. sanctions. Trump and Putin spoke after U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, in an interview with the Washington Post, raised the prospect of talks with North Korea. But Pence, who traveled to South Korea for the Winter Olympics, also said Washington would intensify its "maximum pressure campaign" against Pyongyang until it takes a "meaningful step toward denuclearization." Last year, North Korea conducted dozens of missile launches and its sixth and largest nuclear test in defiance of U.N. resolutions. Russia signed on to the latest rounds of United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea imposed last year, including a ban on coal exports, which are an important source of the foreign currency that Pyongyang needs to fund its nuclear program. But North Korea shipped coal to Russia at least three times last year after the ban was put in place on Aug. 5, three Western European intelligence sources told Reuters. The North Korean coal was shipped to the Russian ports of Nakhodka and Kholmsk, where it was unloaded at docks and reloaded onto ships that took it to South Korea or Japan, the sources said. Wakil Kohsar | AFP | Getty Images The Trump administration's national security budget of $716 billion in fiscal 2019 would add more troops, combat aircraft and start rebuilding the Navy fleet while also supporting modernization of the nuclear triad and boosting research spending for cyber, electronic warfare, artificial intelligence and space. "Clearly, this budget is targeted at high-end capabilities to deter and dissuade Russia and China," said Cowen defense analyst Roman Schweizer. Defense officials briefing reporters Monday said the increased investment in defense was needed to confront new threats from rival superpowers as well as a more dangerous international security situation with rogue states such as Iran and North Korea. They also said the president's fiscal 2019 budget request was based on several key priorities, including accelerating warfighter readiness, cost-effective modernization and strengthened alliances, as well as a secure and effective nuclear deterrent. "The United States faces an increasingly competitive and dangerous international security environment, characterized by the reemergence of great power competition with China and Russia, dangerous new technologies, empowered non-state actors, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction," the White House said in its budget document for the Department of Defense. "The budget requests resources needed to compete with great powers and others, deter conflict, and win the nation's wars." The administration's fiscal year 2019 budget proposal of $716 billion for national security includes the Pentagon's budget request of $686 billion and funding for Department of Energy nuclear weapons programs. The Department of Defense's base operations budget is $617 billion and the overseas contingency operations fund is $69 billion. $74 billion boost for defense The fiscal 2019 proposal represents a $74 billion increase, or 10 percent real growth, in the DoD funding over the amounts set in the continuing resolution levels. "While the $74 billion increase is large, it is important to put it in its historical context," David Norquist, the Pentagon comptroller and chief financial officer, told reporters in a briefing Monday. "Even with this budget agreement, defense outlays will remain near historical lows as a share of the U.S. economy." It follows Congress last week agreeing to lift the sequester spending caps on defense from $549 billion as part of a two-year budget agreement. The agreement ended a partial government shutdown Friday but there's still work ahead before a final fiscal 2019 DoD budget is the law. "This fiscal 2019 budget is just a suggestion Congress still has to finish up with the fiscal 2018 budget and then get around to doing this," said Cowen's Schweizer. "You still have to go through the authorization process and the appropriations process. So we are a long way from a final budget. This is just the first inning of an extra-inning game." The administration said the budget request pursues "innovation and reform, while making disciplined increases to sustain America's military advantage and to account for the long-term costs of contingencies. Over the 10-year budget window, funding for DoD is $1 trillion above projections from the previous administration, dramatically improving the warfighting ability of the joint force." 'Serious about rebuilding' military "This shows Trump is serious about rebuilding the military and that it wasn't just campaign lip service," said Frederico Bartels, policy analyst for defense budgeting at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. "This is a fairly balanced approach to addressing the readiness crisis of making sure that assets you have translate into actual military power." Bartels said the White House "took the leadership" with its fiscal 2019 defense budget proposal whereas in fiscal 2018 "they had a somewhat timid defense budget request that only reflected most of the priorities from the Obama administration with a few tweaks. On this one, they actually put their imprint on the budget and they are showing what they intend to do." Defense spending was 4.5 percent of gross domestic product in 2010 and will average 3.1 percent of GDP over the next several years, according to Norquist. In contrast, defense spending during the Reagan military buildup in the 1980s approached around 6 percent of GDP. Included in the fiscal 2019 request by the administration is more than $84 billion in investment for "research, engineering, and prototyping activities to maintain technical superiority," according to the budget document. "Key areas of focus include artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and hypersonics," the document said. Missile defense spending According to the DoD comptroller, the budget also addresses the call in the National Defense Strategy to modernize the nation's nuclear triad land, sea and air-based capabilities as well as to focus on a "layered missile defense and disruptive capabilities for both theater missile threats and the North Korean ballistic missile threat. With that guidance, we invested in the nuclear deterrent modernization program for the triad as well as increased funding for [the] Missile Defense Agency and the larger missile defense program." Overall, the budget requests $24 billion to modernize and sustain the nuclear triad as well as the nuclear command, control and communications systems. There's also nearly $13 billion for missile defense in the 2019 proposal. The budget calls for increasing force strength by 25,900 military personnel above the president's fiscal 2018 budget and increasing forces 56,600 by 2023. Norquist said this will allow the DoD to fill "key skills," including recruiting more aviators to ease the chronic shortage of pilots and adding cybersecurity experts. Army modernization The budget seeks to boost modernization of the Army's armored brigades to four over the five-year window while also adding a 16th heavy combat team. It also supports the Marine Corps' 24 active infantry battalions and 18 active MV-22 Osprey squadrons. "The added force strength is a very good sign that the era of doing more with less is changing at a minimum," said Heritage's Bartels. Besides adding new troops, the budget also adds investments in armored vehicles, long-range artillery, amphibious vehicles and munitions, including long-range missiles to suppress enemy defenses. The Army also plans to significantly step up modernization and upgrading of the Abrams tanks, which is good news for contractor General Dynamics. "M1 Abrams spending has pretty much more than doubled," said Cowen's Schweizer. "A lot of that stuff is oriented toward Europe and up significantly as well on the budget." Still far from 355-ship goal For the Navy, the budget requests the purchase of 10 battle force ships in 2019 as part of the administration's effort "to deter threats and maintain control of the sea," according to the budget request document. The Navy also plans to procure some 54 battleships over the next five years. President Donald Trump has previously called for a Navy of up to 355 deployable ships up from the current 280. The president's fiscal 2018 request unveiled last May didn't include a major buildup but only eight new vessels, part of his predecessor's plan. "The Navy budget is solid," analyst Schweizer said. Yet he added, "The Navy in its own admission said it's not going to get to 355 ships until sometime in the early 2050s and it plans to get to like 326 ships in fiscal 2023." Buying more combat aircraft Meantime, there's also money in the budget request to support continued development and procurement of advanced fighter aircraft, bombers, aerial tankers and other support aircraft. For example, the Pentagon seeks to increase procurement of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft from 70 planes in the fiscal 2018 request to 77 in fiscal 2019. That amounts to about $10.7 billion in funding to purchase the advanced stealth fighter manufactured by Lockheed Martin. At the same time, the budget continues funding of Northrop Grumman's B-21 bomber but at a slightly reduced level and supports development of the Air Force's T-X advanced trainer aircraft. There's also about $3 billion set aside to fund 15 new KC-46 aerial tankers from Boeing. That said, the Air Force confirmed they won't be funding the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (or JSTARS) recapitalization in its fiscal 2019 request. Three teams were vying for what was expected to be a $7 billion program: Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. DoD also wants to boost purchases of the Boeing-made F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters from 14 to 24 jets "to help us address an operational shortfall in the Navy Tac-Air," said Norquist. That will cost the Pentagon about $2 billion. Presidential helicopter Photo by BSIP President Donald Trump took one more step toward realizing paid family leave for new parents with the release of the annual budget on Monday. But such a provision could have negative consequences for your bottom line. Trump's proposal includes six weeks' leave for new mothers and fathers, including those who adopt, to promote time to "recover from childbirth and bond with a new child," according to the budget language. The provision calls for states to establish leave programs based on unemployment insurance. The president briefly mentioned the initiative in his State of the Union address last month. "Let us support working families by supporting paid family leave," Trump said in his speech. The proposal comes as many Americans do not have access to paid family and medical leave. The federal Family and Medical Leave Act currently allows some workers to take unpaid leave. Some states have moved to address the issue with paid plans of their own, including California, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. "I think it's a sign of evolution in the national dialogue that we're seeing a proposal in the budget," said Vicki Shabo, vice president for workplace policies and strategies at the National Partnership for Women & Families, a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit group. But "the policy details matter," Shabo said, particularly the potential impact on state unemployment insurance programs. Many states don't have the reserves to withstand another recession, she said. "The concern is the reserve funds aren't big enough to add another obligation without raising taxes," Shabo said. Michael Strain, an economist at American Enterprise Institute, a public policy think tank, said Trump's proposal would likely involve increased payroll taxes. "That's kind of the trade off," he said. For now, the inclusion of the plan should slow talk of funding paid leave through the Social Security system, which has been suggested by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, Strain said. Rubio will likely still introduce a bill at some point, Strain said. For individuals, the proposal raises additional worries. Unemployment insurance generally provides just about one-third of a person's wages per week, capping out at about $333 on average, according to Shabo. Two groups excluded Trump's proposal excludes two key groups who take advantage of family leave policies, namely those who are providing care to family members or who have personal medical issues. Those two groups account for 75 percent of those who take advantage of leave policies, Shabo said, citing data from the Department of Labor. In addition, Trump's proposal provides for a six week leave. In contrast, current federal law under the Family and Medical Leave Act allows some workers to take up to 12 weeks off. Another proposal put forth by Congress, the Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act, known by the name FAMILY, also provides for a 12-week leave. The losers as a result of such a policy would likely be women, namely those who have low incomes and are of child-bearing ages, Strain said. For many families, there is a decline in income starting the month before a child is born and continuing until well after birth, noted Elizabeth Peters, institute fellow at Urban Institute, an economic and social policy think tank. "This at least goes part ways to supporting families at this critical time," Peters said, noting that the U.S. and Papua New Guinea are two of the only countries with no mandated paid leave. The question is whether a plan will be progressive, Peters said, and replace income at a higher rate for low-income families that are hit the hardest. Still, Trump's family leave proposal could face an uphill battle, Strain said, without much support from Republican legislators. "It's another spending program and Republicans are kind of averse to starting new entitlement programs," Strain said. "It has to be paid for somehow and certainly increasing payroll taxes is something Republicans would shy away from." More from Personal Finance: Trump's budget plan may delay future tax refunds Trump's budget ends student loan forgiveness program, slashes repayment options Now may be your best chance to get a raise, thanks to corporate tax cuts WATCH: WH budget calls for 2% cut in discretionary spending Amazon formed a consortium with J.P. Morgan and Berkshire Hathaway to figure out how to reduce health spend for its own employees. The company is also selling medical supplies into small doctors' offices and large hospitals alike, and is considering a push into the drug supply chain. Cook acknowledged at the company's annual shareholders meeting in Cupertino, California, that the health-care sector, which is notoriously complex, doesn't always encourage new players to innovate. But he reassured shareholders that he views Apple as having a "great position," in the sector, by taking a more consumer-friendly approach. Apple CEO Tim Cook talked up the company's ambitions in the health-care sector on Tuesday, hinting that it will move beyond wellness apps and devices, like its step-tracking Apple Watch. Alphabet has an array of initiatives in the space, ranging from an anti-aging group called Calico to its health software and devices-focused unit, known as Verily. The $3 trillion health sector represents such an enticing opportunity for health care players, as it's considered behind the curve when it comes to technology. There's also a growing trend of consumerization in health care, with Americans increasingly paying out of pocket for their health care rather than relying on employers or the federal government to pick up the tab. Apple's iPhones now include software for consumers and health developers to access medical information. But it also has a business-to-business strategy, as its iPad and other devices are also widely used in the medical community, particularly among doctors. To get beyond wellness, Apple will need to work with federal regulators going forward. Cook also said at the meeting that he's "not worrying" about whether the government will agree to reimburse its offerings. Apple is already collaborating with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a pilot program to help the agency figure out how to regulate lower-risk digital health products. While it might not be getting widely reimbursed by insurers, it has locked down a partnership with health insurer Aetna to get discounted Apple Watches into the hands of its members. Cook also mentioned the company's efforts to bring medical records to the iPhone. This product is still in beta, and only about a dozen hospitals are signed up, although the company has big ambitious to open this up more broadly to the entire U.S. health-care ecosystem. "The more and more time we spend on this," explained Cook, "the more excited I am that Apple can make a significant contribution here. FBI Director Christopher Wray (L) and CIA Director Mike Pompeo (2nd L) testify on worldwide threats during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, February 13, 2018. Six top U.S. intelligence chiefs told the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday they would not advise Americans to use products or services from Chinese smartphone maker Huawei. The six including the heads of the CIA, FBI, NSA and the director of national intelligence first expressed their distrust of Apple-rival Huawei and fellow Chinese telecom company ZTE in reference to public servants and state agencies. When prompted during the hearing, all six indicated they would not recommend private citizens use products from the Chinese companies. "We're deeply concerned about the risks of allowing any company or entity that is beholden to foreign governments that don't share our values to gain positions of power inside our telecommunications networks," FBI Director Chris Wray testified. "That provides the capacity to exert pressure or control over our telecommunications infrastructure," Wray said. "It provides the capacity to maliciously modify or steal information. And it provides the capacity to conduct undetected espionage." Following are excerpts from a CNBC interview with the BP CEO Bob Dudley and CNBC's Steve Sedgewick. SS: Thank you very much indeed for your time. We talked about the excellent return in the form of your numbers last week as well let's talk about how operationally the business is going on- you're here in Egypt as well. Why is Egypt such a good example of where you want to be in the world at the moment? BD: Believe it or not Steve we invested more money in capital last year in Egypt than any other country in the world. So people are very surprised about that we've been here for 50 years, we're producing lots of gas natural gas. New projects another one came on today. We've been in the Gulf of Suez with oil for a long, long time. It's just sort of woven into the fabric of the building of BP. So it's good to be here. SS: But in terms of the amount of discoveries that are available in a country such as Egypt and when we talk about products that are getting much harder to find it's getting much harder to find. And of course Eni has had a lot of success here, you've had success here as well. Is there are a lot of gas and oil that you think is not so difficult to find in less difficult political areas at the moment still? BD: Well this is the energy story here is vital to the success and the stability of Egypt and it's got a nearly 100 million people, it's a growing young population it needs natural gas. So this is really for the Egyptian market and the returns on this investment are very reasonable. So the government has worked with us through ups and downs. It's been an interesting country to work in for 50 years. It's really important for us. SS: How difficult is it to work with any country that's had such a big change from 2011 and 2013, 2015. All big dates in recent history as well. You just had to ride all that out though. BD: That's right. Never missed a day of production because we've been here for 50 years. We've got great Egyptian nationals here. In fact they work all over the world with BP and men and women great women here in Egypt. I mean it's just really a very professional place. Very enthusiastic. And the governments have been good but this government is actually great. President on down has always said I'm going to cut through the red tape. Tell me what needs to be done. It's excellent. The Prime Minister, Energy Minister, all of them one team. So that's really rare. Now in a world where a government just works to move things fast quickly helps track. SS: What about elsewhere in the Middle East at the moment. Iraq is somewhere where you course you've always had such huge production in the south and right at the height of the crisis you said you you believe that production was very safe. Now you're looking to areas that are more contentious as well. Rosneft as well of course your collaboration with them, they're looking at Kirkuk and areas that are previously controlled by the KRG as well. Is this a tricky political area for BP to get into? BD: Well if you think back over the last four years Iraq has been in a lot of had a lot of turbulence so let's put it that way. It's now getting its feet back on the ground it wants to attract investment. They're talking to us about Kirkuk where we've been working with them and turned it off for a while during the difficult years. So it's a field we know we have a long history there and Rosneft is working up in the north, north Iraq I don't even call it Kurdistan in northern Iraq. So it's it's not a given that we work together but there's something there about bringing stability to the region, maybe. SS: Do you have concerns about operating in such areas that it could flare up again but potentially? BD: You know this is a question we get asked a lot. You look back at the history of not only BP but other countries I think about the oil industry went into Angola in the middle of the Civil War. Azerbaijan, we were in there through several changes and coups. You know it takes long term commitment. The world forgets that that's what oil and gas companies do. And it has to be safe or people won't go there. But we have a history of working in places that most people would say why would you do that? SS: In terms of the broader stability of the markets moment some of the geniuses on Wall Street are now questioning the supply and demand dynamics saying they're not sure that some of the fundamentals that have got us to high 60s for brent can be maintained going forward what's your thought? BD: Before I do that I'm going to clarify one thing I just said because I do not want to imply that Azerbaijan and Angola are not stable I'm thinking back 20 years and that's really important because they're very stable places. SS: That's fair enough. So in terms of the price sustainability at current levels? BD: I think it got over 70 I think I think 72 a few weeks ago that felt very high to me our fundamentals seemed or were planning on now at the end of the decade between fifty and sixty five dollars a barrel. Stock levels have come down tremendously over the last three years. The shales will turn themselves back on to a point. So I think we're in a range where the shales will be a shock absorber on the upside and the downside very comfortable where oil prices are as we project out not just this year but I think SS: You don't think shale is going to ruin the party and just get a little bit overexcited over produce at these kind of current levels? BD: I have to say in the last year I've seen discipline come back into the shales so not just about cash returns and actually people getting a return on capital so you can see the rig count going up. I'm sure production will go up but I think it will also be moderated. The U.S. is such a fast response to the marketplace like no other place in the world. SS: We've been speaking to Mr. Barkindo here as well here in Egypt and people get very excited when Mr. Barkindo speaks to the shale producers and thinks oh can anything happen there as well. But realists would suggest perhaps it's never going to happen. The U.S. is never going to get involved, or are they? BD: No I think there are thousands of companies operating in the U.S. There's not going to be a market mechanism that's from a regulatory standpoint that will tell people what to do. It will be the market that will respond. And I think we saw that the last downturn and I think we're going to see it again and prices get too high over a little bit and come back down. I think we're seeing a big temperature moderator on the world. SS: So they will self regulate rather than regulating in cohorts with the likes of OPEC and others. BD: Absolutely. That's right. Including the big companies. I mean we can't get involved with reducing production for market mechanisms. I mean we work in OPEC countries so we're curtailed here and there, but in terms of coordination and managing the oil price, no way. SS: You got yourself back involved in the Brexit debate I hear as well - some comments you made may or may not been taken out of context as well. So just for our viewers as well, how do you think Mrs May is doing in negotiations? They're very tricky negotiations. Is she doing the right thing by keeping her cards close to her chest? BD: And that's a good question. I mean I'm sympathetic to the Prime Minister for everyone wanting to know every move she's going to make. I mean you're in the oil and gas you negotiate all the time constantly in negotiations. You don't do them publicly. So I think everyone should take a deep breath and there are people that you know want to report on everything every day. That's not realistic. And in my experience negotiators don't come together until closer to a deadline. So, I think it's unrealistic for her to negotiate in public. I think that's not good for the country actually. SS: So your message to people who want to know every detail just just take a step back and let it get on with it. BD: I think that's right. I mean I think that's right. And you know people will put things try to negotiate for her whatever. But I think this is, it's a really important time for Britain in getting this right is really important and expecting everything to be out there for public debate on every point. Actually it's not in Britain's interest in my experience. SS: I know what a huge international company but in terms of the importance of Great Britain you see of course your headquarters in London as well full commitment from BP to remain headquartered in London regardless or actually conditional on what happens in the negotiations? BD: No no we're deeply committed. It's a great British company that's been around for a century. Absolutely. BP is there. I think I think it's not for me to speak for Britain by the way of the negotiations so nobody students understand that for BP, deeply committed to Britain, we will be around for a. Long long time, very proud. ENDS For more information contact Jonathan Millman, EMEA Communications Executive: Jonathan.Millman@CNBC.com About CNBC International: CNBC is the number one business and financial news network on the planet. Our mission is to help the influential and aspirational to make astute decisions to get ahead. CNBC International ensures no matter where you are you can keep up to date with the latest breaking business and financial news. With international headquarters in London and Singapore, we provide you with the perfect 24-hour global business briefing. In addition to our global TV channel, available in more than 409 million homes worldwide, CNBC is also available on mobile, tablet and desktop. CNBC.com is the preeminent financial news source on the web, featuring an unprecedented amount of video, real-time market analysis, web-exclusive live video and analytical financial tools. Following are excerpts from a CNBC interview with CNBC's Steve Sedgwich and Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, OPEC Secretary General SS: Mr. Barkindo a real pleasure to see you here in Egypt. And in terms of just an update on the monthly report that was out today as well, is OPEC finally learning to not underestimate U.S. shale production because it seems that one of the notes that you made today was actually Non-OPEC production is set to increase. MB: Thank you very much Steve. I think the issue is not about overestimating or underestimating its realism and the integrity of our report speak for itself. We do acknowledge that non-OPEC supplies surged last year and hence we adjusted and revised our numbers and also our projections for 2018 but be that as it may we had also revised our demand figures in line with global economic growth. You and I were in Davos when the IMF also revised the numbers to three point nine percent and we have revised our global GDP growth from three point seven to three point eight percent. And because of the relationship between global economic growth and demand and other factors we also revised our demand numbers to one point six million barrels for both 2017 and 2018. SS: The strategy from OPEC and its non-OPEC allies led by the Russians is being seen as very successful to date. What do you see are the biggest challenges to the longevity of the success of that strategy? MB: We have agreed way back in December of 2016 when the declaration of cooperation was crafted that there was need for us to look beyond a rebalanced market and the market was in any event going to rebalance itself. But we thought that we should come together both OPEC and non-OPEC to assist the market to achieve an accelerated rebalancing process. But ministers in their own wisdom also decided way back then that we needed to see beyond that by working out a framework to institutionalize this partnership initially of 24 producing countries. And we saw six additional countries come into Vienna on the 30th of November last year to pay solidarity and support to the Declaration of cooperation. So this is work in progress and we are confident that a global forum such as the Declaration of cooperation will serve as an insurance against future severe volatility and downturn that we had seen beginning in the autumn of 2014 that had impacted severely on this industry. You had at this conference several of the IOCs, several ministers from different countries all on almost Single chorus taking stock of the fallout of this severe cycle, the worst of all the cycles. And I think we have learned enough lessons and we are beginning to put some building blocks in order to institutionalize this partnership. And we are receiving very positive response from particularly the non OPEC producing countries. So all in all we are pleased that this noble effort is paying and we are on course to achieving our objectives in the course of the year. SS: One of the key objectives originally was getting those OECD inventories down to five year averages that is seen as happening past in the second possibly the third quarter of this year. But what you're telling me is this deal goes way beyond that so even when your objectives are achieved, you don't see people putting extra barrels back on the table? MB: Certainly not. I think there is a consensus within the group that we work out this framework. How we're going to continue to partner whether in a deficit environment or an oversupply that we have seen we have a common objective Steve and that is not only to restore stability but to sustain it on a sustainable basis going forward. The IOCs, the service companies, the producing countries, including the consumers, you heard from the South African Minister of Energy a major consuming country in Africa all testifying to the need to maintain stability in this industry. Without stability the global economy itself will be threatened. SS: And you were just on a panel talking about the volatility in the markets, a question that was addressed to you earlier on. We have seen the oil price come off. We have seen concerns about excess supply coming from non-OPEC. But we've also seen appetite for risk on instruments, including oil, challenged in the last week or so. Do you have concerns that other issues in the global economy including falling stock markets could hurt the level of oil and indeed hurt the production agreement? MB: Unlike in the first quarter of 2017 when we came into the quarter with an excess supply in the region of about two point four to two point five million barrels a day from both OPEC and non-OPEC and going into a low demand season. This year is a different story. The implementation of the supply adjustment by both OPEC and non-OPEC at a record conformity levels of over 100 percent had shrunk this glut by over 200 million barrels. Now we are hovering around 100 million over and above the five year average. In fact some agencies are even arguing that we have already achieved our objectives because of the changes on the baseline. Now what happened last week in the equity markets and the financial markets of course did affect all other commodities. But you can see it is just a blip and it's expected. So the fundamentals are so strong we do not expect any hiccup along the way similar to what we had or we saw last year because of this is a reality factor. SS: Is OPEC going to be and I use the word loosely fighting amongst itself trying to sell the same barrels to Asian and emerging market customers as well. Of course we are seeing emerging market growth in logistics, transportation, consumer demand as well. But do you see a situation where OPEC is fighting with U.S. players as well more aggressively going forward to sell to the Chinese and other emerging markets? MB: The growing concern to the contrary the growing concern now in the industry is whether we have enough capacity and whether we are ready and willing to continue to provide to supply this market with this growing demand. You have heard from ENI, you have heard from BP in their panel that demand is almost outpacing supply at the moment. So it is in the interest of all producers not only OPEC to ensure that we remain a reliable and dependable suppliers of oil not only to the current global community but for future generations. Therefore we need to continue to invest. We need to recover the lost investments that we have seen in the last two years in order to guarantee future supplies to this growing demand industry. SS: Finally sir no concerns about appetite from some of the big domestic Russian players and others about wanting to be let off the leash and to produce more barrels. You think Mr. Novak and the Kremlin will keep them in check? MB: I have had and received assurances both from Mr. Alexander Novak and President Putin that they would remain committed to the OPEC non-OPEC collaboration under the declaration of cooperation and they have proved this beyond any reasonable doubt through their high level of conformity to their supply adjustment. So I think there is no concern here. We are all in the same boat. We have developed a bondage now over the past year or two, walking together. And it is in the interest of both of us within OPEC and Russia as well as other non-OPEC producers to continue in this fashion beyond the rebalanced market. ENDS For more information contact Jonathan Millman, EMEA Communications Executive: Jonathan.Millman@CNBC.com About CNBC International: CNBC is the number one business and financial news network on the planet. Our mission is to help the influential and aspirational to make astute decisions to get ahead. CNBC International ensures no matter where you are you can keep up to date with the latest breaking business and financial news. With international headquarters in London and Singapore, we provide you with the perfect 24-hour global business briefing. In addition to our global TV channel, available in more than 409 million homes worldwide, CNBC is also available on mobile, tablet and desktop. CNBC.com is the preeminent financial news source on the web, featuring an unprecedented amount of video, real-time market analysis, web-exclusive live video and analytical financial tools. The entire cryptocurrency market will reach a total value of $1 trillion this year, according to the chief executive of a top digital currency exchange. Jesse Powell, founder and CEO of Kraken, said Tuesday that the cryptocurrency market would continue to see an "acceleration" of growth despite a sharp pullback in recent weeks. He told CNBC: "You've got a lot more kids graduating from crypto programs at universities now. I think we're just going to see it continue exponentially from here." Asked whether he thought the market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies would hit the $1 trillion mark in 2018, Powell agreed. The current market cap of all cryptocurrencies stands at around $417 billion, according to data from industry website CoinMarketCap. It hit an all-time high of more than $800 billion in early January, before falling dramatically as a result of a huge cryptocurrency sell-off. Traders have been weary of regulatory signals recently as government ministers in South Korea and India have both upped their rhetoric against virtual currencies. On Monday, three top European Union regulators issued a warning to consumers about the risks associated with buying cryptocurrencies. However, cryptocurrency enthusiasts seemed to be mostly positive about a hearing on cryptocurrencies held by the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee last week. Price manipulation in the cryptocurrency space is "unavoidable" but will disappear once the market has matured, the head of cryptocurrency firm NEM said Tuesday. "Price manipulation is not something new. You see it in mainstream markets as well. We are in a very nascent, growing phase of our industry and these things are unavoidable," Lon Wong, president of NEM, told CNBC. "Based on that fact, it will be a thing of the past, perhaps maybe when it is more mature. But as far as manipulation is concerned and as far as what we are concerned (about) as NEM, we are more interested in the promotion of our technology than the prices." Wong was referring to a report in The New York Times in January that said an increasing number of cryptocurrency investors were concerned about the price of bitcoin and other virtual assets being propped up by cryptocurrency Bitfinex. He added that he is "not concerned" about price manipulation. NEM's cryptocurrency XEM was involved in a huge cryptocurrency heist recently, when hackers stole around $530 million worth of the digital asset from Japanese crypto exchange Coincheck. Wong told CNBC that regulators should work to form coherent regulation for digital currency exchanges. "Regulators today are in a learning curve and many of them, I would say, have insufficient knowledge and experience to actually look at how to regulate cryptocurrencies, particularly in exchanges," he said. "At the end of the day we should see both sides of the divide, the exchanges and the regulators, coming together worldwide and coming to a conclusion about how to get to the next step." It seems like a noble pursuit: Eric T. Schneiderman, New York's attorney general, filed a lawsuit over the weekend against the Weinstein Company over the "toxic" environment it created that allowed its co-founder Harvey Weinstein to harass and abuse dozens of women. But is it a wise pursuit? Mr. Schneiderman said all the right things about compensating the victims, protecting current employees and assuring "that neither perpetrators nor enablers will be unjustly enriched." And the lawsuit was timed perfectly for maximum impact: just hours before the company was to be sold on Sunday to a group of investors led by Maria Contreras-Sweet, who had said she planned to set aside at least $50 million for a victims' fund and start a new female-led movie studio. More from The New York Times: The Sexual Discrimination Claims Shaking Steve Cohen's New Firm Bill and Melinda Gates Tackle 'Tough Questions' and Trump in Letter How Artificial Intelligence Is Edging Its Way Into Our Lives If Mr. Schneiderman's goal was to upend the deal and make headlines, he succeeded. The sale of the company was quickly put on hold. But if Mr. Schneiderman's goal was to help Mr. Weinstein's victims, he may have actually hurt their chances: If no sale goes through, the Weinstein Company may be forced to file for bankruptcy protection. In bankruptcy, the victims wouldn't jump to the front of the line. Quite the opposite: The victims would be treated like any unsecured creditor, which means there would most likely be no funds for them no matter how much abuse and misconduct they could prove in court. It is now likely going to be harder, not easier, for victims to receive compensation for enduring years of harassment and abuse. "Question Number One: Is there enough money?" said Kenneth Feinberg, the lawyer who administered funds for the victims of the Sept. 11 terror attacks, the BP oil spill and the faulty ignition switch at General Motors. That, he told me, is always the single most important issue when trying to redress victims. Mr. Feinberg said that protecting the value of a company in crisis is paramount to supporting the cost of paying victims. "These funds only get set up when there is sufficient money to forgo all the litigation," he said. In each of the major victims' funds Mr. Feinberg administered, the funds were backed by either large companies or, in the case of the 9/11 victims, American taxpayers. Mr. Feinberg's position was echoed by Gloria Allred, the California lawyer who is representing a group of Mr. Weinstein's victims. Ms. Allred was in favor of the sale to Ms. Contreras-Sweet and, in fact, advised her to voluntarily create a victims' fund. She said she was furious with Mr. Schneiderman. Dow futures were pointing to triple-digit losses this morning after the Dow gained 410 points Monday, adding to Friday's 330 point gain for the best two-day rise since June 2016. During last week's crazy swings, the Dow had dipped into correction territory from January's record highs. Ahead of today's open, the major stock averages have gained back nearly half of the losses incurred during the market sell-off that began Feb. 2. (CNBC) * Volatility is the 'new normal,' but that's not a bad thing: Market watcher (CNBC) AmerisourceBergen (ABC) stock surged about 19 percent in the premarket after a report said the pharmaceutical sourcing and distribution services company is a possible buyout target of Walgreens (WBA), which already owns about a 26 percent stake. (WSJ) * Amazon's latest ambition: To be a major hospital supplier (WSJ) Under Armour (UAA) shares soared more than 13 percent in premarket after the company reported sales that topped analysts' expectations, fueled largely by growth outside of North America. It incurred a one-time charge this quarter due to new tax legislation. (CNBC) PepsiCo's (PEP) shares rose slightly in premarket trading after the drink and snacks giant reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings and revenue. PepsiCo also boosted its annual dividend by 15 percent. (CNBC) MetLife (MET), Occidental Petroleum (OXY), Denny's (DENN), Fossil (FOSL), Twilio (TWLO), and Western Union (WU) are among the companies set to release quarterly earnings after today's closing bell. (CNBC) Apple (AAPL) hosts its 2018 annual shareholder meeting at the new Steve Jobs theater today, with several items on the agenda including votes on board member and executive compensation. CEO also takes questions. (CNBC) There are no major economic reports out today, but there is one Fed-related speech ahead of the open. Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester, a voting member of the FOMC for 2018, speaks at 8 a.m. ET in Dayton, Ohio. (CNBC) Syrian pro-government members hold a position as they stand on the back of an armoured vehicle in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor, on October 31, 2017, during an operation against Islamic State (IS) group jihadists. There were an undisclosed number of U.S. coalition advisors on the ground with SDF fighters during the clash but they apparently didn't suffer casualties. Coalition forces called in airstrikes to halt an attack from pro-Assad forces. "This was self defense," Air Force Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command, said at a news briefing Tuesday. "This is a hostile force launching an unprovoked, coordinated attack ... against an established SDF position." Reports have suggested more than 100 fighters supporting the regime led by Syrian President Bashar Assad were killed Feb. 7 in Syria's Deir al-Zor province when they attacked U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, who are fighting ISIS. The Pentagon on Tuesday defended an airstrike on pro- Syrian government forces last week that reportedly killed "dozens" of Russian mercenaries. Some of those Russians killed were said to be mercenaries for the secretive Russian private military group Wagner, which has provided thousands of contract soldiers to help the Assad regime. Reuters reported the names of at least two Russian men fighting informally with pro-Assad forces who were killed in the incident in Deir al-Zor province, citing interviews with their associates. It said their associates also confirmed that "dozens" of other Russian fighters lost their lives in the same fighting on Feb. 7. However, Harrigian refused to speculate on the composition of the hostile force or whose control they were under but confirmed they supported the Assad government. He also wouldn't even confirm whether Russian nationals were among the dead in the attack. "We are focused on a singular enemy ISIS," said the Air Force general. "We are not looking for a fight with anyone else. But as [Defense] Secretary Mattis said last week, 'if you threaten us, it will be your longest and worst day.'" According to Harrigian, the pro-Assad forces initiated the attack by firing artillery and tanks rounds at SDF positions. He said the battalion-sized group of fighters attempted to advance on the SDF "under cover of supporting fires from artillery, tanks, and multiple launch rocket systems and mortars." Harrigian said the U.S.-backed coalition contacted the Russians through the "deconfliction" telephone line to make them aware of the unprovoked attack. After these calls, he said the coalition officials gave the approval to conduct "strikes to destroy hostile forces." The U.S. counterattack involved the use of F-15 fighter jets, B-52 bombers, AC-130 gunships and Apache combat helicopters as well as MQ-9 Reaper drones. Harrigian said the attack by the pro-Assad forces was not a surprise since the U.S. and its partners had observed them engaged in a slow buildup the week before the attack. An IPO of a retail company worth billions? Not far fetched it is Farfetch. Online fashion retailer Farfetch plans to interview bankers in upcoming weeks to help lead its New York-based initial public offering, according to sources familiar with the matter. The IPO could come as soon as this year. The London-based company is aiming for a valuation as high as $5 billion, some of the sources said. E-commerce companies are often quickly growing and lacking clear peers in the public markets, so their planned IPO valuations may evolve with market conditions and investor receptivity. Unlike typical retailers, Farfetch does not own the inventory it sells, but rather serves as a conduit for brands and boutiques. As such, it can avoid the complicated task of predicting what customers want and the expense of holding it in stock. Such "marketplace" companies, like eBay, Amazon, JD.com and Alibaba often trade at a higher premium than traditional retailers. A $5 billion valuation would take advantage of that premium, pegging Farfetch against them. The U.S. IPO market has gotten off to a strong start this year, with January raising more IPO proceeds than any other month on Dealogic record. The sources requested anonymity because the information is not yet public. Farfetch declined to comment. In 2016, Farfetch generated revenue of 151 million pounds ($209.9 million, under current exchange rates), a 74 percent increase over the year prior, according to filings with U.K. regulators. It reported gross merchandise value (value of the goods exchanged on its platform) of 547 million pounds ($760.3 million). It reported losses of 34 million pounds ($47.3 million). Farfetch's CEO in 2016 told Reuters an IPO was the company's next key financial milestone, but declined to delve into specifics on timing. Farfetch touts itself as a marketplace for the global fashion consumer. It connects shoppers to over 700 brands and boutiques internationally, selling established lines like Gucci and emerging ones like Gabriela Hearst. It prides itself on curation and inspiration, allowing shoppers to navigate by brand, item or its stylized edits. It express ships to more than 190 countries worldwide. Farfetch and peer Yoox Net-a-Porter have been able to thrive by occupying a niche that Amazon has yet to be conquer: luxury fashion. The world's most elite labels have resisted selling on the Seattle giant's website, suspicious of its ability to maintain the integrity of their brand. Cementing the value luxury companies see in the upper echelons of online retail, Cartier owner Richemont last month offered up to 2.8 billion euros ($3.4 billion) to buy the stake of Yoox it did not previously own. Net-a-Porter founder, Natalie Massenet, sits on the Farfetch board. Unlike Farfetch, Net-a-Porter owns the inventory it sells. Farfetch has grown through a number of partnerships that have helped it broaden its distribution, offerings and capabilities. Its deal with JD.com in Asia and The Chalhoub Group in the Middle East provide distribution and logistics support in those respective regions. Its partnership with Conde Nast, announced last year, integrates the magazine publisher's content with Farfetch's shopping platform. Its Style.com website also now redirects to Farfetch. In 2015, Farfetch purchased London fashion boutique Browns. It is using Browns as one of its testing grounds for new retail technology in what it calls the "Store of the Future." Offerings include touch-screen-enhanced mirrors and connected clothing racks. Farfetch also launched Black and White, an infrastructure platform that luxury brands can use to develop their own e-commerce business. Farfetch was founded in London in 2008 by Portuguese entrepreneur Jose Neves. It has offices in 11 cities, including London, Tokyo and Los Angeles. Its global investor base includes France's Eurazeo and Singapore's sovereign wealth fund Temasek. German Chancellor Angela Merkel may have given the finance ministry to her Social Democrat (SPD) coalition partners but Berlin is not putting its finances at risk, a former lawmaker told CNBC Tuesday. Michael Fuchs, a former member of parliament with Merkel's Christian Democratic Party (CDU), said he is optimistic that Germany's finances will continue to be run efficiently. "In the coalition contract, which we do have at the moment, it's very clearly stipulated that there will be no new debt at all," Fuchs said. "Like we did in the last four years, we've run the budget result without any debt and we want to continue to do so. "So I am quite positive there will not be too much change." The SPD's Olaf Scholz has been tipped as Germany's next finance minister, following last week's coalition agreement between the CDU and SPD. The deal saw Merkel give three of the most influential ministries to the SPD, including the helm of the country's finances raising doubts whether Germany would lose its fiscal discipline. In 2017, Germany registered the highest current account surplus in the world, according to data from the Ifo economic institute. Institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Commission have urged Germany to invest more and boost economic activity. According to Fuchs, the new coalition government is unlikely to change its fiscal policy. However, a new finance minister represents a change in tone towards the euro zone. The relentless rise of U.S. shale growth could soon spark another dramatic change of policy from leading oil producers, according to the latest monthly report from the International Energy Agency (IEA). "U.S. producers are enjoying a second wave of growth so extraordinary that in 2018 their increase in liquids production could equal global demand growth," the IEA said in its closely-watched report published Tuesday. "This is a sobering thought for other producers currently sitting on shut-in production capacity and facing a renewed challenge to their market share," the Paris-based organization added. In November 2014, the so-called U.S. shale revolution prompted OPEC to announce a new strategy geared towards improving its market share. Analysts interpreted this move as an attempt to squeeze higher-cost producers, including U.S. shale oil, out of the market. Market conditions in early 2018 seem to be reminiscent of that first wave of U.S. shale growth, prompting the IEA to warn history could be repeating itself. The latest monthly report from the IEA comes at a time when rising U.S. crude exports and a stronger-than-anticipated price rally have threatened to loosen Russia and Saudi Arabia's grip on key overseas markets. "We are seeing United States production rising very, very dramatically before our very eyes and that's likely to continue in 2018," Neil Atkinson, head of the oil industry and markets division at the IEA, told CNBC Tuesday. The Trump administration's pick to lead the problem-wracked Indian Health Service has a track record of financial problems that include a filing for bankruptcy and failing to pay federal taxes on a business he ran, a new report says. Robert Weaver, the nominee to run the Indian Health Service, already was facing heightened scrutiny after an earlier Wall Street Journal report suggested that he had "misrepresented his work experience at a Missouri hospital to a Senate committee." In a new article Tuesday, the Journal reported that Weaver, 39, omitted on his public resume that he had worked as a practice manager for four years at a Missouri psychological clinic. Weaver, a member of the Quapaw tribe of Oklahoma, did, however, disclose his tenure at the clinic to a Senate committee reviewing his nomination. The post oversees an agency that has a $6 billion budget and operates more than two dozen hospitals. IHS provides health care to more than 2 million Native Americans, who have a right to such services from the United States as a result of treaty obligations with Indian tribes. The founder of the clinic told the newspaper that Weaver had fallen far behind in his responsibilities of billing insurers and collecting payments during his tenure from 2004 and 2008. The founder, Dr. Herndon Snider, told the Journal he would not recommend Weaver for another job unless Weaver was closely supervised. The Journal reported that Weaver, before he worked at the clinic, had filed for personal bankruptcy in 2001, listing debt of $25,000 against an annual income of about $26,000 from his job at a Missouri hospital. The newspaper also reported that, several years after Weaver started an insurance and benefits consultancy, the IRS filed two liens against the company in-mid 2010, because of $120,000 in unpaid taxes. The IRS released the liens in early 2012 after Weaver paid the taxes, according to the article. Asked for comment on the Journal's article, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, which oversees the Indian Health Service, said: "The suggestion that Mr. Weaver is unqualified to be Director of the Indian Health Service is nothing but an attempt at pure character assassination." CNBC has reached out to Weaver seeking comment. In its earlier article about Weaver's job experience, the Journal questioned the characterization by the Trump administration that he had "nearly two decades of experience in hospital, mental health administration." The article quoted several former executives at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo., as saying they had never heard of Weaver. He had told the Senate Indian Affairs Committee in a document that he worked there in "supervisory and management positions" at the hospital at a time when those executives worked there. A 2016 report by HHS found that Indian Health Service employees said they were "struggling to meet patients' basic needs" at the agency's hospitals, and that as a result some patients were dying. A shopper for Instacart studies her smart phone as she shops for a customer at Whole Foods in Denver. Amazon's arrival on the grocery scene with its acquisition of Whole Foods has done nothing to slow Instacart. The grocery delivery start-up just raised $200 million in fresh funding which boosted its valuation by nearly a billion dollars and had its best year ever. All the better to battle Amazon which, just last week announced it is testing free two-hour delivery for Whole Foods groceries on Prime Now. Instacart's CFO, Ravi Gupta, told CNBC that the company now has "more money than we need," and that the Amazon-Whole Foods effect has given the start-up "tremendous momentum." As Amazon's acquisition of Whole Foods threatens to disrupt the entire grocery industry, American grocers are increasingly looking for ways to boost their e-commerce offerings and are increasingly finding a partner in Instacart. Instacart has now signed deals with the top five U.S. groceries. It also expanded its partnership with Costco, and has gone international with its partnership with Canada's largest grocer, Loblaw. "It's been our best year ever, growing at 160 percent year over year, we've gone from 30 markets to 200 last year," Gupta said. He says Amazon's acquisition of Whole Foods "served as a catalyst for the entire industry to suggest that e-commerce is for real and everyone needs an e-commerce solution." "We were all the grocer's first call," he said. And now, it's raised a fresh round of funding, which Gupta says it will use to go into even more markets and double the size of its team. The Series E round was led by two new investors, Coatue Management and Glade Brook Capital Partners, and also had participation from existing investors. We asked Gupta whether Whole Foods, a previous investor, was involved. "Whole Foods did not participate in the round," he said. Gupta also said the company won't raise another round before going public. The vote of confidence from the venture capital community which boosted Instacart's valuation to $4.2 billion, from $3.4 billion in its last financing round in March 2017 is a far cry from the uncertainty swirling around the grocery start-up after the Amazon-Whole Foods deal last year. In 2016, Instacart signed a five-year deal to be the exclusive delivery provider for most Whole Foods goods. But since Amazon acquired the chain, it's been boosting its delivery options and is now testing two-hour delivery of Whole Foods groceries to Amazon Prime customers in some U.S. cities. A simmering political crisis in the Maldives, a luxury travel hotspot, has evolved into a litmus test for India's foreign policy intentions in Asia. The former leader of the Muslim-majority nation, famed for idyllic beaches but currently under a state of emergency, has requested New Delhi send troops. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision on the matter could ultimately represent how his country intends to lead in a region with rising Chinese influence and extremism. "If India cannot even safeguard its primary interests so close to its mainland, then it can hardly be trusted to become a net security provider for the wider region," Rumel Dahiya, a retired Indian army brigadier, said in a recent note published by the Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses, a New Delhi-based think tank. Since authoritarian President Abdulla Yameen came to power in 2013, rule of law in the Maldives has steadily deteriorated, but the situation hit a boiling point last week. Tightening his grip on power, Yameen jailed high-ranking members of the judiciary, including Supreme Court Justice Ali Hameed, as well as former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. That prompted former leader Mohamed Nasheed, widely credited for bringing democracy to the archipelago, to ask India for help. In a Twitter post on Feb. 6, Nasheed requested that New Delhi send an envoy, backed by the Indian military, and called on Washington to halt any transactions through American banks tied to Yameen's regime. Former U.S. President Barack Obama stands next to his newly unveiled portrait during a ceremony at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, on February 12, 2018 in Washington, DC. The portraits were commissioned by the Gallery, for Kehinde Wiley to create President Obama's portrait, and Amy Sherald that of Michelle Obama. Former U.S. President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama's official portraits for the Smithsonian Institute's National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. were revealed on Monday. The Obamas made history not only as the country's first African-American presidential couple featured in the gallery but also for selecting the first African-American painters to receive a presidential portrait commission from the museum. Barack Obama selected New York-based portraitist Kehinde Wiley for his painting, while Michelle Obama selected Baltimore-based artist Amy Sherald. "Thanks to Kehinde and Amy, generations of Americans and young people from all around the world will visit the National Portrait Gallery and see this country through a new lens," Obama said in an Instagram post after Monday's portrait unveiling. "They'll walk out of that museum with a better sense of the America we all love. Clear-eyed. Big-hearted. Inclusive and optimistic. And I hope they'll walk out more empowered to go and change their worlds. " Wiley's portrait of Obama features the former president wearing a black suit, sitting on a wooden chair surrounded by flowers and green foliage. "What I was always struck by whenever I saw [Wiley's] portraits was the degree to which they challenged our conventional views of power and privilege," Obama said at the gallery on Monday. "The ability to be the first African-American painter to paint the first African-American president of the United States is absolutely overwhelming. It doesn't get any better than that," Wiley said. Here are five things you may not know about Wiley. Obama and Wiley share a similar upbringing Preparing Obama for the portrait required Wiley to shoot thousands of images, Wiley told the Guardian in 2017. As a result of the time-intensive process, Obama said he thinks "it's safe to say Kehinde and I bonded." Obama also realized how much he and Wiley had in common. "Both of us had American mothers who raised us with extraordinary love and support. Both of us had African fathers who had been absent from our lives and in some ways, our journeys involved searching for them and figuring out what that meant," Obama said at Monday's portrait unveiling. "I ended up writing about that journey and channeling it into the work that I did because I cannot paint," Obama jokingly added. "I'm sure that Kehinde's journey reflected some of those feelings in his art." Wiley, 40, grew up in South Central, Los Angeles during the 1980s. Wiley explained on his website that art was his escape from the violence that occurred in the neighborhood. "I was humbled by this invitation, but I was also inspired by Barack Obama's personal story, that sense in which he and I both do have that echo of single parents, African fathers, that search for the father," Wiley said. The White House has previously recognized Wiley's work As a result of using his art to "promote cultural diplomacy," Wiley was awarded the U.S. Department of State Medal of Arts in 2015, according to the department's Art in Embassies program. Former Secretary of State John Kerry presented Wiley with the biannual award, which allows American artists to showcase their work at U.S. embassies across the world. Wiley has also served as a juror for the White House Historical Association's "This Art is Your Art" national student competition. Wiley has wanted to paint Obama since 2008 Months before Obama was elected as U.S. president in November 2008, Wiley shared his interest in painting the politician. "I'd love, love, love to do his official presidential portrait. I'm actively campaigning," Wiley told Time Out New York magazine in July of 2008. Leading up to Obama's reelection in 2012, Wiley told BBC he thought "it would be really interesting to paint Obama." "The reality of Barack Obama being the president of the United States quite possibly the most powerful nation in the world means that the image of power is completely new for an entire generation of not only black American kids, but every population group in this nation," Wiley told BBC. "Now there are children who are four or five who would have known only a black man at the seat of power in this nation. It's an important social message," he said. Wiley told the New York Times he was sworn to secrecy by the National Portrait Gallery, but said, "I'm excited about it: It's going to be amazing." "It's going to be, like, boom!" he added. Wiley has painted portraits of Michael Jackson, Notorious B.I.G. and other famous figures... For VH1's 2005 annual Hip Hop Honors event, the network commissioned Wiley to create portraits of hip hop leaders, including Ice T, Notorious B.I.G. and Grandmaster Flash, according to the National Portrait Gallery. Select portraits were shown in the Smithsonian exhibit "Recognize!" This photo shows Equestrian Portrait of King Philip II, 2009,(L) featuring the late king of pop Michael Jackson, by artist Kehinde Wiley on display December 6, 2009 at the Ar Juan Castro | Getty Images In the summer of 2008, the now deceased Michael Jackson asked Wiley to paint a portrait of him. "He saw one of my works at the Brooklyn Museum, a very large equestrian portrait of a young black man in the pose of Napoleon crossing the Alps. He said to his crew: 'I need to meet that artist,'" Wiley told the Guardian. "At first, I didn't believe it. Eventually, a mutual friend said: 'Will you please answer the f--king phone?' And so we set something up." The result was a portrait of Jackson atop a horse titled, "Equestrian Portrait of King Philip II (Michael Jackson)" created in 2009. Jackson did not get to see the painting, which sold for $175,000 at an auction. ...but his favorite subjects include everyday people As an alternative to the gang-ridden streets of South Central in the 1980s, Wiley's mother sent him to art school as an 11-year-old. Wiley then completed his undergraduate studies at the Art Institute of San Francisco. His art style began to take its current form while getting his MFA at Yale University. There, he f on the topics of identity, gender and sexuality as well as painting as a political act. Wiley's portrait subjects are usually "urban, black and brown men" he randomly selects on the streets of wherever his projects take him. Through his portraiture, Wiley depicts these otherwise unknown people as "heroic, powerful, majestic" figures commonly found in classical European paintings of noblemen, royalty and aristocrats. Obama said he was struck by "the way [Wiley] would take extraordinary care, precision and vision in recognizing the beauty, grace and dignity of people who are so often invisible in our lives and put them on a grand stage." "In my small way, that's part of what I believe politics should be about. It's not simply celebrating the high and the mighty and expecting that the country unfolds from the top-down, but rather that it comes from the bottom-up " Obama added. Former US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama stand before their portraits and respective artists, Kehinde Wiley (L) and Amy Sherald (R), after an unveiling at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC, February 12, 2018. Saul Loeb | Getty Images The recent surge in volatility has given way to a buying opportunity in one hot area of the market, according to Oppenheimer. In a new note to clients and in comments Monday on CNBC's "Trading Nation," the firm's head of technical analysis, Ari Wald, said when the times get tough for the markets investors ought to look to momentum stocks, particularly the iShares Momentum ETF, to weather the storm. Momentum stocks are called such because of high-momentum characteristics like long-term uptrends and consistently high returns. Oppenheimer has long advocated for buying momentum names, as well as the MTUM exchange-traded fund, which features large- and mid-cap U.S.-listed stocks with "relatively higher price momentum," according to issuer BlackRock. Wald recommended the same fund to investors two years ago when the market sold off at the beginning of 2016. He generally sees times of market turmoil as occasions to buy the MTUM. "Historically one of the better performing styles over the last 30 years, we view market weakness as an opportunity to buy the iShares Momentum ETF (MTUM) because we see it as a positive tell that MTUM's relative profile has ticked higher through the ETF's 10 percent pullback," Wald wrote in a note to clients Saturday. The fund, which has risen 32 percent in the last year, outperforming the broader market more than twofold in the same time, is most heavily weighted by J.P. Morgan, Microsoft, Apple, Boeing and Bank of America, respectively. The basket of stocks, most exposed to technology and financials, rolled over with the broader market in the last week. Bank of America looks particularly attractive here, Wald said on "Trading Nation," noting the stock is coming off a new high. Other market participants are less optimistic on momentum as a trade. The MTUM specifically looks attractive as the market bounces off its recent lows, though not in the long term as the broader market environment has shifted fundamentally, said Boris Schlossberg, managing director of foreign exchange strategy at BK Asset Management. He cited a broad, fundamental shift in the market environment. "I think 'buy the dip' has now changed to 'sell the rally.' We're in a regime change, in my opinion, as far as the market goes. Until we take out fresh highs, and are proven otherwise, I believe the much better trade now is to sell the rally. So I'm very cautious about trying to buy momentum," Schlossberg said Monday on "Trading Nation." Oreo cookies maker Mondelez International said on Tuesday activist investor Nelson Peltz would step down from its board of directors nearly four years after he was appointed. Peltz, the CEO of Trian Fund Management, will step down on March 1 to give more time to other companies' boards. Mondelez will name former Reynolds American CEO Debra Crew and Trian Fund President Peter May to its board. A technician at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Novartis's Sandoz division has won U.S. approval for a larger dosage of its Glatopa drug for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, ending a costly delay that allowed rival generics makers to beat it to market. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a 40 milligrams per milliliter injection of the Novartis copy of Copaxone, Teva's blockbuster medicine, Sandoz said in a statement on Tuesday. Sandoz began selling a 20 mg/ml Glatopa dosage to U.S. patients with relapsing MS in 2015 but missed out on millions of dollars in sales after the double-dosage version was pushed back last year after contamination problems at the Pfizer fill-and-finish plant being used by Sandoz. The FDA approval, which Novartis had expected in the second half of this year, could help to compensate for the recent FDA delay of a Sandoz version of GlaxoSmithKline's asthma and COPD drug Advair, analysts said. The drug's launch is now unlikely before 2019. "The earlier than expected authorization (of Glatopa) and commercial launch might add an estimated $200 million to Sandoz' 2018 top line, translating in a low-single-digit divisional growth," said Baader Helvea analyst Bruno Bulic. "We see ... Glatopa 40mg offsetting the Advair setback and reiterate our buy rating." Novartis developed Glatopa with Massachusetts-based Momenta Pharmaceuticals. The Philippines' biggest restaurant operator says it will buy a majority interest in Denver hamburger company Smashburger for $100 million. Jollibee Foods Corp., or JFC, bought a 40 percent interest in Smashburger, the chain's legal name, back in October 2015 for an estimated $100 million. Now it intends to buy another 45 percent interest in Smashburger parent SJBF LLC from holding company Smashburger Master LLC for another $100 million, company officials said, bringing its ownership stake in Smashburger to 85 percent. "JFC will be able to participate in the very large mainstream American consumer market in addition to serving Filipino-Americans there," Jollibee said in a statement to the Philippine Stock Exchange, per Reuters news service. Smashburger Master will retain the remaining 15 percent stake. The transaction is pending U.S. government approval. Read more from Denver Business Journal: Double trouble: In-N-Out Burger sues Smashburger in trademark beef Smashburger CEO abruptly exits after 8 months Denver to shift focus after US Olympic Committee says no plans to bid on 2026 games JFC has a market value of $5.7 billion, Reuters reports. The company says it operates 2,875 restaurants in the Philippines and 924 in other countries, including 37 Jollibee locations and 33 Red Ribbon outlets in the U.S. It also has major operations in China and Vietnam. As the DBJ's Ed Sealover reported in 2015 when JFC acquired its minority stake in Smashburger, "Jollibee's history with the brands it's acquired ... shows that it has kept local leaders in place and has continued to nurture those chains rather than turn around and sell them off." "Jollibee has been an invaluable strategic partner to date," said Tom Ryan, co-founder and CEO of Smashburger, in a statement. "Our momentum in 2017 around improved guest experience, iconic and record-setting product launches, and innovative marketing provide JFC a tremendously strong brand to enter the North American market," he said. "Our entire team couldn't be more excited to grow the Smashburger brand and share the great tastes of Smashburger with the world." Bradford Reynolds, the chain's CFO, said the "reinforced strategic partnership with JFC will allow Smashburger to continue to focus on growth in both existing and new markets including the opportunity to bring our great tasting burgers, fries and hand-spun shakes to Southeast Asia. We look forward to building upon our successful relationship to further bolster the brand as an international leader in the better burger segment." Smashburger was founded in 2007 with funding from Consumer Capital Partners, a Denver private equity firm led by Rick Schaden, who currently is Smashburger's chairman, and his father, Richard Schaden. It says it currently has 360 corporate-owned and franchise locations operating in 38 states and nine countries. Ryan became Smashburger's CEO in December 2016 when Michael Nolan left the position less than eight months after taking the role. Nolan had taken over for Scott Crane as chief executive; Crane succeeded David Prokupek in the position in 2013. In May, Smashburger finished ninth in the annual Harris Poll EquiTrend rankings of "Burger Restaurant Brand of the Year." Smashburger ranked No. 7 on the annual Denver Business Journal list of "2017 Franchises" with 371 units as of Feb. 1, 2017. The first oil supertanker, capable of carrying 2 million barrels of crude, was being loaded in Louisiana this week, signalling the next phase in the U.S. transition to becoming a major energy exporter. The tanker, 'Shaden,' was chartered by Shell Oil and is Saudi Arabian-flagged, according to a report by S&P Global Platts. The ship was due to leave the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port with a cargo of medium sour crude, sources told Platts. Shell declined to comment on the report. "There's a lot of different infrastructure projects that have been underway all over the Gulf Coast to facilitate the rise in U.S. production. We see that activity taking advantage of the rising interest globally in U.S. exports of all types, and the rising demand environment as well," said Michael Cohen, Barclays head of energy commodities research. U.S. oil exports have been growing since Congress reversed a 40-year-old law prohibiting most exports just over two years ago. As oil prices improved, U.S. oil production has also boomed, recently topping 10 million barrels a day, the highest since 1970. The U.S. exported an average 1.4 million barrels a day of crude over the last four weeks, up from an average 605,000 barrels a day a year ago, according to government data. "It's a big deal for the industry because it develops additional logistics for our increasing oil production," said Andrew Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates. Lipow said the ship looks set to sail on Feb. 18. "There's an ever increasing amount of logistics that are being used to export crude off the Gulf Coast to overseas markets." Lipow said there was another supertanker, named Anne, that took on a partial Occidental Petroleum cargo last year in a test at Ingleside, near Corpus Christi, Texas. But that tanker had to complete its loading off shore. In this case, the Shaden can be entirely loaded at LOOP before sailing, he said. LOOP officials were unavailable for comment, but the port said on its website that it "has moored a VLCC and initiated its detailed test and checkout procedure." The VLCC, or very large crude carrier, is owned by Saudi shipper Bahri and was expected to take the crude into the Shell refining system, according to Platts. The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently said the U.S. should be a net energy exporter by 2022, moving up its forecast by four years. Recently becoming a net exporter of natural gas, the U.S. continues to import oil with 7.8 million barrels a day imported last week. Canada is the biggest source of imports. The U.S. oil industry also has a growing export business with an average 4.8 million barrels a day of gasoline and other refined products exported over the past four weeks. Cohen said the LOOP has been working to export fuel by supertanker. "These projects have been underway for several years and we expect more to move forward as U.S. production continues to grow and exceed the appetite for U.S. domestic refiners for that crude," he said. Cohen said bottlenecks in the U.S. system had been a concern but as they get worked out more U.S. crude can move offshore. "Now the question is whether we may see further significant discounts between Gulf Coast grades and Brent, in the balance of this year or next year as the refining system outside the U.S. adjusts to the reality of new types of exports of different quality," he said said. For instance, in the futures market, the price of U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude has grown closer to Brent, at about $63 per barrel Tuesday. WTI futures were at $59.21 per barrel. "It's a lever to reduce the arbitrage opportunity. The exports act as a lever to narrow the arbitrage. As infrastructure gets built, the arbitrage may not be as large as it is right now," he said. A healthy and growing economy should be good news for us all. Yet, while economic optimism is strong according to a recent Harvard-Harris poll too many people also believe that economic growth and social inclusion are inherently at odds. Over the past year in particular, the political debate in the United States and in many parts for the world, from Brexit to Germany, underscored that far too many people are feeling shut out of the rewards of a growing economy. Ensuring that economic growth reaches those being left behind will take work and the business community must lead. The recent changes in the U.S. corporate tax system and a more constructive regulatory and business environment have now provided a major opportunity for businesses to drive more inclusive growth. Over the last decade, the notion of a company's broader responsibility to society has evolved. Writing big checks to charity and hoping for the best is no longer sufficient. And the idea that a company must prioritize its bottom line above all else, including its responsibility to society, is simply outdated the two are interdependent. Companies need to focus on their full range of stakeholders, including their employees, shareholders, clients and communities at large. And they must play a leadership role in solving problems, pulling together the best of their business employees, data, technology, relationships and philanthropic capital to tackle big challenges. This needs to be incorporated into a company's DNA, not simply because it's the right thing to do but because it is essential to securing their own long-term future. Outgoing Sen. Bob Corker is reconsidering his retirement as some Republicans in Tennessee worry about potentially losing his seat, Politico and The Washington Post reported. Later a spokeswoman for Corker told NBC News the senator is "listening closely" to those who are encouraging him to reevaluate his decision to retire. Some members of the GOP in Corker's home state want him to run again in this year's midterm elections, according to Politico. The 65-year-old Tennessee Republican, a frequent critic of President Donald Trump, announced plans in September to retire after his current term ends. Despite their clashes after Corker publicly worried about Trump's competence, the president reportedly wanted him to run for Senate again. In Corker's absence, the race will likely pit Republican Rep. Marsha Blackburn against Democratic former Gov. Phil Bredesen. While the state has proven reliably Republican in recent elections, Democrats see opportunity in places where they were not previously competitive after Sen. Doug Jones won the Alabama special election last year. The current minority party is trying to win control of the chamber despite a daunting re-election map. One recent Tennessee poll that overweighted Republicans showed Bredesen with a 2-point advantage, Politico reported. Widely followed sites that rate congressional elections show mixed signals for the GOP: The Cook Political Report rates the race as a toss-up, while Sabato's Crystal Ball rates it as "likely" Republican. Blackburn's campaign is confident in her ability to win, and the congresswoman has no plans to step aside if Corker re-enters the race. Campaign spokeswoman Andrea Bozek told CNBC that "anyone who thinks Marsha Blackburn can't win a general election is just a plain sexist pig." "We aren't worried about any ego driven, tired old men," she said, noting that some polls have shown Blackburn with a comfortable lead. The congresswoman raised about $2 million in the fourth quarter and had more than $4.5 million on hand at the end of the year. She has so far outraised all candidates in the Senate race, including Republican Stephen Fincher and Breseden. Republicans currently hold 51 seats in the Senate. The GOP's odds of losing control of the chamber appear slim at this point: Democrats have to defend 26 seats in this year's elections, versus only eight for Republicans. Several Democrats face re-election in states Trump won in 2016 including North Dakota, Missouri, West Virginia, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Ohio. NBC News contributed to this report. According to the LinkedIn Workforce Report, January was the strongest month for hiring in the U.S. since May 2017. Across the country, hiring was 13 percent higher last month than it was the previous year. These conditions make now a great time to be a worker in the job market, but one thing still makes it challenging for companies to quickly hire more employees: the skills gap. The skills gap describes conditions in which the supply of workers with certain skills and abilities does not meet the demand from employers. Experts have been calling attention to the American skills gap for years. "I think this is the defining issue of our time," says Penny Pritzker, founder of PSP Capital Partners and former secretary of Commerce. "Which is making sure not only that there are jobs and opportunity but also that the workforce is prepared for 21st-century jobs." Most people of my generation know Sony as the company of the Walkman and neon yellow headsets that we used to wear in the '80s. It was the definition of cool. It was a giant in the consumer electronics world that obviously fell on hard times in the three decades since then, as Apple surpassed it. Six years ago, Kaz Hirai replaced Howard Stringer as Sony CEO. Unlike Stringer, Hirai was a Japanese Sony insider who was very charismatic. He took over Sony at a time where there were no expectations. The company was in the $20 billion to $30 billion market-cap range and was kind of an afterthought in the tech world. Sony's peak market cap was around $180 billion in the late '90s before the dot-com crash. Hirai has very ably led the company through a very significant turnaround that in the last five years has led to a 231 percent gain in the stock. The shares are now worth more than $60 billion, yet it still doesn't get much attention on business TV or in Hollywood compared with most of its competitors. Sony has really executed its turnaround in the shadow of the bigger American tech companies that typically have a $400 billion to $700 billion market cap. You're talking about a company that, even after this phenomenal comeback in the last five years, is only one-tenth the size of the big tech gorillas. I understand why it gets ignored, but I don't think it should be for much longer. There were some interesting things that came out of Sony's earnings results nearly two weeks ago. It was another good set of numbers the biggest quarterly profit in Sony's history. It also raised its guidance for the year. Perhaps the biggest announcement was that Hirai would be stepping down as of this April, and he's going to be succeeded by longtime CFO Kenichiro Yoshida. Although Hirai deserves full credit for what the company's done under his watch, a lot of investors have showered praise on Yoshida for his role in the turnaround. Yoshida's elevation to the CEO role now has sparked a lot of speculation about what this means strategically to Sony and which divisions he may sell off. There are a number of divisions at Sony today. The gaming and networking division, which is home to the PlayStation. This is probably now the crown jewel of the company. PlayStation 4 is still the dominant console out there today, even with the rise of the Switch by Nintendo. Though it's very far into the current hardware cycle, PlayStation continues to grow. PlayStation Network, which is the subscription component for people who want multiplayer access, has been a margin bonanza for Sony, and that increased significantly just in the last quarter the operating income for the gaming network services division was up 35 percent compared with a year ago. Music. Sony is one of the three music publishers around the world today (along with Vivendi, which owns Universal Music Group, and Warner). All these publishers have benefited from the work that the music industry has gone through these past few years transitioning to digital and streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. Those streaming services are growing significantly and have lucrative deals for those publishers. There's a finite group of them that are really controlling the top artists. In the coming couple of quarters, we're likely to see the Spotify IPO, which will put a greater focus on Sony's music group. Sony Pictures which consists of the old Columbia Pictures movie studio, as well as the TV production business, the IP associated with that content (e.g., "Wheel of Fortune," "Jeopardy" and "Seinfeld"), and cable networks around the world. Just in India, the number of viewers for Sony's cable networks has increased 400 million in the last year. Home entertainment and sound this would be TVs, which are going through a bit of a renaissance now with 4K. Imaging products and solutions a division that had some question marks going into this quarter from some analysts about whether a slowdown in iPhone X sales was going to have a significant impact on Sony and others who provide some of the imaging sensors in these high-end devices. (The division's results ended up being fine, by the way.) Mobile communications basically its phone unit, which has been a laggard for some time. Yoshida, as CFO, has taken a bunch of steps to try to stabilize things here. Semiconductors group this has really been growing well in the last year. Financial services a whole group of insurance products that most of us don't think of when we think of Sony, but are still doing well. Just in the last quarter financial services operating income was up 27 percent year on year and top-line revenue was up 54 percent year on year. Most investors give a lot of the credit for Sony's turnaround to Yoshida. One of the things that he did when he came in was to put more transparency on each of those divisions. The outside world and investors were aware of divisional goals that's sparked a lot of improvement. Yoshida also spearheaded selling off lesser-performing divisions. He got out of the personal computer business. He took write-downs where appropriate, including last year with Sony Pictures. The pictures division is riding a big hit this year with "Jumanji," which was 20-year-old Sony IP. Like most executives at Sony, Yoshida's been there a long time. Before the CFO role he had a bunch of different roles, and one of the interesting things is that his successor as CFO is going to be someone he worked with closely in his last stint prior to getting the CFO job. So Yoshida's elevation is part pat on the back for a job well done and part a doubling down on his turnaround strategy. Yoshida said in his introductory news conference that directionally not much would change, but there would be some subtle differences. That's sparked a lot of conversation in the media about what that means, and if he would look to unload the Sony Pictures division. That's a division that they did a strategic review on two years ago, and Hirai reaffirmed Sony's desire to keep the division. But does Yoshida continue to believe in that division the same way Hirai did? There's a lot of other moving parts in the media world right now, with Fox selling its assets to Disney. The conventional wisdom is that the number of studios is going to shrink. Most expect Sony would be a natural seller. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats framed global cybersecurity threats in stark terms on Tuesday, saying: "Frankly, the United States is under attack." Coats sounded the alarm in opening remarks at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on worldwide threats annual testimony by intelligence chiefs about the greatest dangers to U.S. security. He said the cybersecurity threats from state and nonstate entities are using technology to target "virtually every major action that takes place" and are one of his "greatest concerns and top priorities." Russia, China, Iran and North Korea pose the greatest global cyberthreats, but terrorists, criminal organizations and even individuals are engaging in cyberoperations as well, Coats said. Russia is likely to continue to pursue cyberactions against the U.S. "using elections as opportunities to undermine democracy, sow discord and undermine our values," he said. Cybersecurity is far from the only threat on Coats' radar, however. North Korea's continuing nuclear ambitions will pose the greatest threat in terms of weapons of mass destruction in the coming year, Coats said. Other nations, including Russia, also pose a threat with wepons of mass destruction, he added. He spoke alongside FBI Director Christopher Wray, CIA Director Mike Pompeo and NSA Director Adm. Mike Rogers. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) (2nd L) speaks as (L-R) Sens. Tom Cotton (R-AR), Joni Ernst (R-IA), David Perdue (R-GA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) listen during a news conference on immigration February 12, 2018 at the Capitol in Washington, DC. A Republican senator asserted Tuesday that President Donald Trump's immigration plan is the only measure that could pass Congress. Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas spoke as the Senate was scheduled to start an open debate on how to proceed. Bipartisan senators will continue contentious discussions on the best measure to protect up to 1.8 million young immigrants brought to the United States illegally as children and boost border security. A measure drafted by GOP senators including Cotton aims to mirror Trump's immigration proposal, which calls for restrictions on legal immigration that Democrats consider unacceptable. "The president's framework bill is not an opening bid for negotiations. It's a best and final offer," Cotton told "Fox and Friends" on Tuesday morning. The Senate will have an open process this week to propose amendments to include in an immigration bill. Measures will need 60 votes to pass. If all 51 Republican senators support Trump's framework, they will need nine Democrats to pass it. Lawmakers are seeking legislation to enshrine protections for the young immigrants who were protected or eligible for the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Trump ended DACA in September with a six-month delay. President Trump's search for deeply conservative federal judges appears to have eliminated most African Americans and Hispanics from the running. Among Trump's first 87 judicial nominees, only one is African American and one is Hispanic. Five are Asian Americans. Eighty are white. The demographics signal a return to the 1980s, when 94% of President Ronald Reagan's confirmed judges were white. Since then, minority enrollment in law schools has nearly tripled. The last four presidents, both Republican and Democratic, filled at least 10% of open seats on the federal bench with black or Hispanic nominees. More than one-third of President Barack Obama's confirmed judges were minorities. "It is most unfortunate," says Kristen Clarke, president of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. "It turns the clock back on years of work and effort that went into promoting judicial diversity." The numbers became more striking Monday, when Trump nominated seven men and two women to federal appellate and district courts. "Surprise!" Obama's former White House deputy counsel, Christopher Kang, tweeted. "All 9 of Trump's judicial nominees today appear to be white." What's unclear is whether the White House is passing over potential African American and Hispanic candidates, or whether they are having trouble finding those with sufficiently conservative credentials. Read more from USA Today: Trump's race to remake federal courts proves divisive President Trump's controversial conservatives vie for federal courts Trump's 21 potential court nominees are overwhelmingly white, male and from red states Nan Aron, president of the liberal Alliance for Justice, suspects the goal is to have strict conservatives at all costs. "These nominees are the product of years-long grooming and a networking process that was put in place by the Federalist Society," Aron says. "They are picking from the most ideologically extreme end of the spectrum." Unlike President George W. Bush, who chose 18% minority judges, the new administration has made an effort to find candidates who adhere to the twin judicial philosophies of originalism and textualism strict adherence to the Constitution and federal statutes. "Working with the Senate, we are appointing judges who will interpret the Constitution as written, including a great new Supreme Court justice and more circuit court judges than any new administration in the history of our country," Trump said in his State of the Union address last month. He cited gun rights and religious liberty as priorities. Senate Republicans who have confirmed those appeals court judges at a record pace also herald the change. "President Trump had more new circuit court judges confirmed in his first year than any prior president, a testimony to the fine quality of the nominees he sends here to the Senate," Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. Carrie Severino, chief counsel at the conservative Judicial Crisis Network, which has promoted and applauded Trump's nominees, says quality is more important than quotas. "President Trump isn't looking for people to fit a quota. He's looking for people with a principled judicial philosophy," she says. "The fundamental question is making sure we have judges who are going to be faithful to the Constitution." The president has nominated five Asian Americans for judgeships, including James Ho, the first to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit covering Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Two others have come from McConnell's home state of Kentucky. But Alabama's Terry Moorer is the lone African American nominee, and Texas's Fernando Rodriguez the lone Hispanic. Both have been nominated for district courts. The trend toward more white judges already is having a noticeable effect in the nation's courts: Trump has selected white nominees for 10 seats that Obama unsuccessfully sought to fill with minorities. The 5th Circuit appeals court will have no Hispanic judges, down from three during Obama's first term. Nearly four in 10 Texas residents are Hispanic. The 7th Circuit appeals court will have no minority judges at all. Illinois is about 40% minority, while Indiana and Wisconsin are about 20%. "Why can't they find any diversity, or why aren't they trying to find any diversity?" says Kang, who managed Obama's judicial nominations for four years. "There are some really conservative judges out there who are also people of color. "If the conservative judicial philosophy is so alienating to people of color, who will soon be a majority in this country, I think that's an indictment of that judicial philosophy itself." Unilever has threatened to boycott Facebook and Google if the tech giants fail to efficiently police extremist and illegal content. "We need to redefine what is responsible business in the digital age because for all of the good the tech companies are doing, there's some unintended consequences that now need addressing," Keith Weed, chief marketing officer at Unilever, said Monday. In a speech delivered at the Interactive Advertising Bureau's annual leadership meeting in Palm Desert, California, Weed said tech companies were to blame for creating a "swamp" in which fake news and criminal content were being circulated. Unilever, which makes Ben & Jerry's ice cream and Dove soap, said the tech space needed to review transparency measures and improve consumer trust in an era of illegal content. Big oil-producing nations have nearly achieved their goal of draining a prolonged oil glut after taking some bitter medicine: cutting the crude production that funds their governments. But with victory in sight, U.S. drillers are poised to spoil OPEC's plans for the second time in three years. On Tuesday, the International Energy Agency warned that surging U.S. production could delay OPEC's bid to balance the long-oversupplied oil market. It's another sign that the 14-member cartel will have to adjust to a market whose ups and downs are increasingly influenced by U.S. shale oil. The IEA's warning came in the latest monthly report from the Paris-based advisor to energy producers the first it has issued since U.S. government data showed America's oil output topped 10 million barrels a day in November, roughly matching the all-time record set in 1970. "Today, having cut costs dramatically, U.S. producers are enjoying a second wave of growth so extraordinary that in 2018 their increase in liquids production could equal global demand growth," IEA said Tuesday. In other words, U.S. production could climb enough this year to satisfy the 1.4 million additional barrels a day that IEA forecasts the world will consume in 2018. "This is a sobering thought for other producers currently sitting on shut-in production capacity and facing a renewed challenge to their market share," IEA said. To be sure, OPEC has put up some big wins in the past two years. The producer group convinced Russia and several other nations to contribute to a historic deal to cut oil output by 1.8 million barrels a day. Along with stronger-than-anticipated growth in oil demand, that deal has shrunk global stockpiles of crude oil and boosted prices. OPEC's official goal is to drive down inventories to the five-year average. At the start of last year, they were 264 million barrels above that level, according to IEA. Now, they are just 52 million barrels higher than OPEC's target. "With the surplus having shrunk so dramatically, the success of the output agreement might be close to hand," IEA said on Tuesday. "This, however, is not necessarily the case: oil price rises have come to a halt and gone into reverse, and, according to our supply/demand balance, so might the decline in oil stocks, at least in the early part of this year." IEA says a lot can change in a few months, but if stockpiles do start rising again, the United States would be the main culprit. OPEC itself warned Monday that it might not achieve its goal until the end of 2018. In its own monthly report, the cartel hiked its forecast for supply growth from non-OPEC producers, mostly due to resurgent U.S. output. History repeating itself Now, IEA warns that history might be repeating itself. The U.S. shale oil revolution fueled by new technology that allows drillers to squeeze oil and gas from shale rock was a major contributor to the 2014 oil price collapse. OPEC, led by top exporter Saudi Arabia, initially responded to the downturn by refusing to cut production, a strategy that it historically used to drain oversupply. The Saudis wagered that low oil prices would flush high-cost U.S. drillers out of the market, setting up a recovery as the shale revolution ground to a halt. While dozens of American energy companies filed for bankruptcy, OPEC's new policy didn't break the industry. U.S. shale producers survived by drilling more efficiently, securing discounts from service companies and slashing headcounts. Ultimately, many shale drillers proved they could keep pumping with oil prices below $50 a barrel, forcing OPEC to reach a deal with Russia and other producers at the end of 2016 to cut output. They twice extended the agreement, which is set to expire at the end of this year. On Monday, OPEC Secretary-General Mohammed Barkindo told CNBC the cartel is seeking to institutionalize the agreement and continue coordinating policy even after it achieves its goal. He also said he had assurances from President Vladimir Putin that Russia will stick to the deal. Market watchers are wary of Russia's commitment, especially as U.S. crude oil exports have surged to record highs, threatening to erode Moscow's grip on key demand centers like China. The Feast of St Valentine is almost upon us, and brands are hoping their marketing efforts will woo consumers. Here's a look at current and past love promotions from the scientific dating based on what groceries you buy to the plain silly: a Doritos bouquet, anyone? Greggs Greggs Best-known for its counter pastries served to hungry Britons in a rush, U.K. chain Greggs is inviting people to a 15 ($21) four-course "fine-dining experience" for two. Think classical music, roses, candles, Prosecco and, of course, Greggs' famous sausage roll, a popular British pastry staple. Sadly, places are now sold out. Taco Bell TWEET Taco Bell fanatic Dan Rychert won the wedding of his dreams in 2017 after entering the fast-food restaurant's "Love and Tacos" Valentine's Day contest, marrying fiancee Bianca Monda in a Las Vegas Taco Bell last June. The chain now offers a $600 wedding package at its Las Vegas Cantina, complete with chapel, sauce packet bouquet and private reception area. Poundland UK discount store Poundland is selling an inexpensive Valentine's meal Poundland U.K. discount store Poundland is advertising "the cheapest Valentine's Day meal on the high street," a "luxury" dinner for two for just 5 ($6.99). The deal includes Heinz soup, tinned chili con carne with rice and a sticky toffee pudding with custard. Shoppers can also buy wine glasses for 1 each, or a cocktail-making set for the same price. TWEET McDonald's might not seem the most romantic place to celebrate Valentine's Day, but couples in northeast England can do just that at a U.K. franchise store. "McValentine's dreams really do come true," states the Newcastle Metrocentre outlet on its Facebook page. It is offering couples a three-course dinner for 20 ($28), although the exact menu hasn't yet been revealed. Morrisons Morrisons Heart-shaped chocolates and desserts might be obvious choices come Valentine's Day, but how about a heart-shaped burger? U.K. grocery store Morrisons has given its regular burgers a "whole-hearted makeover" and is selling its "love burger" for 2 ($2.80) for a packet of two. Burger King An image on Burger King Israel's Facebook page Could burgers really be the food of love? On Valentine's Day 2017, branches of Burger King in Israel sold an "Adult's Meal," including an adult toy. In a 30-second commercial for the meal, posted on YouTube by ad agency Leo Burnett Israel, a voiceover said: "Kid's meal? That's for kids," as the music changed from chirpy to something more seductive. Toys included an eye mask, feather duster and a head massager. Tesco Bloomberg | Getty Images U.K. grocer Tesco made the most of love in the aisles in 2016 with "Basket Dating." Thirty-two people took part in an experiment at an outlet near London to meet their match based on what was in their shopping carts, before they enjoyed a mini-date in the store. Doritos Canadian Doritos fans were in for a treat on Valentine's Day in 2016, with the snack's "Doritos Ketchup Roses" promotion. People in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver could send a bunch to their loved-one, but the crunchy gifts sold out fast. People can make their own bouquets, however, with Doritos' handy online DIY guide. Superdrug An ad for Superdrug in the UK Superdrug Iran's fateful decision to send a military drone from Syria into Israeli airspace last weekend has changed everything in the Middle East. Israel responded fiercely with a massive airstrike that took out as much as half of Syria's air defenses. The U.S. in turn issued a strong statement of support for Israel. Now, it's Russian President Vladimir Putin's move. He has to decide whether to keep backing Syria and Iran or decrease his risks in the region. Putin has some critical questions he needs to answer to make his decision easier. Is supporting Bashar al-Assad still worth it? Russia has been supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with air forces and troops in that country's civil war since 2015. 17 months later, Assad's forces have regained the upper hand in the civil war and ISIS has been basically defeated in that country. But even before this latest Iranian provocation, the Russian death toll was starting to creep up. Bloomberg is reporting that as many as 200 Russian contract soldiers fighting for the Syrian army were killed last week in an attack on a base held by U.S. and Kurdish forces in the Deir Ezzor region. About 400 of those Russian paramilitary troops have now been killed in the war. The number of official Russian soldiers killed in Syria is an additional 40 or so. Russian soldiers dying in battle so far from home can erode support even for the most powerful dictator. The Soviet regime was thought to be invulnerable to internal opposition, but the long and costly Afghanistan war helped to prove that wrong. Is backing Iran really worth it? Propping up Assad isn't really so much about helping Assad. The Syrian government has been a major ally and quasi-proxy for Iran for years, long before the civil war began. So Russia's decision to help Assad is more about supporting Iran. But with Israel jumping into the fray, backing Iran now comes with a lot more baggage. Israel and Russia have basically stayed out of each other's way in Syria, but that is going to be harder to do going forward. Israel has made it clear to Putin that another clash with Iranian forces in Syria is inevitable. In other words, Russia has been able to thread the difficult needle that allowed it to back Syria and indirectly aid Iran for two years plus without making an outright enemy of Israel. Those days look like they're soon going to be over. How can Russia best accomplish its goals in the Middle East? Russia has been following only one rule pertaining to its involvement in the Middle East since at least 2013: Get involved everywhere. While Putin continues to back many Iranian interests, the Kremlin is also making infrastructure and oil supply deals with Iran's archrivals in Saudi Arabia. Libya and Egypt are also areas where Putin has been increasing Russian military influence. The standard operating procedure for Russia in the Middle East seems to be to make deals with everyone first and ask questions later. But there's an old Yiddish saying that, "you can't dance at all weddings," and Iran's provocation of Israel is starting to make that more of a reality for the Kremlin. It's time to choose a side. At long last, Putin needs to pick a side. The cost in human lives alone must make him see that by now. The risks in Russia's Syrian and overall Middle Eastern adventurism are mounting on the Iranian side of Putin's ledger. The other side of the ledger has much more to offer. Saudi Arabia has almost twice the GDP of Iran. Israel has the region's most powerful military. Thanks to the growing Saudi-Israeli alliance, Russia can easily work with both of them without conflict. That's really what Putin's choice boils down to now. After this past weekend, that choice really isn't that hard at all. Commentary by Jake Novak, CNBC.com senior columnist. Follow him on Twitter @jakejakeny. For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter. Headlines about the digital media business are grim. Facebook's changes to its News Feed threaten publishers' traffic and revenue. BuzzFeed and Vice both reportedly missed their revenue targets last year. And last year Mashable sold for just $50 million, a fraction of its onetime valuation. But Vox Media CEO Jim Bankoff says that company is bucking the trend, with traffic to Vox Media brands up 20 percent this past January compared with the prior year. At the Code Media conference in Huntington Beach, California, he discussed on Tuesday how his portfolio of digital brands such as Curbed, Eater and SB Nation are better equipped to navigate the quickly changing landscape. His strategy: "Offering marketers a one-stop shopping for display media" across platforms, without relying too much on Facebook. Bankoff said Vox Media will benefit from Facebook's push away from "fake news and fake views" and towards quality content and interactions. "I think those of us who use Facebook know that they had been favoring these low- or empty-calorie videos where it was a lot of eye candy." "The goal was to get you to stop ... and watch a video, and you'd see content companies bragging about 'we've got a million views,' but it was all inflated, it really wasn't adding value to the Facebook experience," said Bankoff. "I don't blame [Facebook] for tapering down that stuff. When [Facebook executive] Campbell Brown appeared on our stage [Monday] at Recode and Code Media she talked about how Facebook is going to value quality news. We produce quality news so we think we'll be okay." While Bankoff believes Vox Media will be okay with Facebook's new algorithms, he said he has always taken a multiplatform approach. In addition to Facebook, Bankoff works with Google as well as Apple news and more recently has struck a partnership with Netflix for the Vox brand and PBS for the Eater brand. "You'll probably see us producing less content that is hosted on Facebook just on spec because Campbell is right its unreliable monetization and promotion. But it's a very big audience that has shown that they love the work we produce, so we're going to continue to work with Facebook, make sure our stuff is surfaced well," he said. In light of the criticism Facebook and YouTube have faced in the past year over issues of "brand safety," Vox Media is working to partner with other companies to give advertisers both quality content and reach. "Even our scale is not enough, so we've partnered with NBC, Brit + co, Flipboard, a lot of other great companies. And we are coming together where we can provide quality and scale, predominantly in video and mobile," he said. "Obviously there are huge dollars going to Facebook and Google, but there are other alternatives where you can get quality and scale and performance." Disclosure: CNBC parent NBCUniversal is an investor in Recode's parent Vox Media. Recode and NBC have a content-sharing arrangement. The list of the biggest philanthropists of 2017 is dominated by some of the most famous and powerful people in the world. Last year, moguls like Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and Michael Dell gave away millions of dollars to charity. Also on the list is Austin McChord. In 2017, the 32-year-old CEO of unicorn start-up Datto joined the list with a $50 million dollar gift to a college he barely graduated from. They say that A students grow up to work for C students, but when McChord was a C student at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), he was not so confident it would work out that way. In 2007, McChord had a 2.2 GPA and was still a few credits short of his bachelor's degree. "I basically never did any homework," he tells CNBC Make It. "As I was wrapping up my degree, I was very concerned that I would not be able to get a job because of my low GPA." Instead of relying on his paltry list of academic achievements, McChord decided to test his entrepreneurial skills. Austin McChord in 2007 Courtesy of Austin McChord "I decided that I would start my own company and that that way I would have something that I could put on my resume that wasn't my GPA," he says. "My feeling was that I would almost certainly fail at starting a business, but that it would be good experience and it would show that I at least applied myself and it would help me find a 'real' job someday." But McChord never ended up applying for a 'real" job. Ten years later he is still the CEO of Datto, a now-billion-dollar data protection company that he started out of his parent's basement. "I thought that I could do this cheaper than anybody who had attempted it before," he says. "I had one more semester to finish my degree and as the business was gaining steam over the summer, I made the decision not to go back to RIT. My parents were super upset." While he stayed home and focused on his growing business, McChord's parents forced him to finish his final credits at a local community college. Two years later, he finally and barely earned his RIT degree. As he built his business, McChord decided to open an office in New York in order to take advantage of the START-UP NY state incentive program. He thought that his old college town would be the perfect place for Datto, and while working in Rochester, McChord started to reconnect with his alma mater. "I got a lot more involved with the university after graduating," he says. "Along the way, I came up with this idea that I would make a very large gift to RIT if I ever did achieve great personal success." On October 26th, 2017 Datto was acquired by Vista Equity Partners for $1.5 billion. One week later, McChord announced that he would be donating $50 million to his alma mater, the largest donation in the school's 189-year history. He hopes the gift will challenge RIT to think more creatively about the way the school educates students and prepares them for the industries of tomorrow. "Higher education tends to have a pretty conservative way of thinking, and if I can be a little bit of an agitator for change then I think that's a positive," he says. McChord's gift will be used to fund two major projects. About $30 million will be used for creative entrepreneurship initiatives, including scholarships for students to take an "entrepreneurial gap year." The remaining $20 million will be used to support cybersecurity and artificial intelligence research. I'm currently on the graphics desk. I've also been an assistant city editor and a reporter on the community and education beats. You can reach me by email at oliviagarrett@mail.missouri.edu or on Twitter @_oliviagarrett. Follow this search Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today 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 Microsoft is working to create a blockchain-based, decentralized digital identity management platform that would allow users to own and secure access to their online persona via an encrypted database hub. Over the past year, Microsoft said it has been exploring how to use Blockchain and other distributed ledger technologies to create new types of digital identities designed to enhance personal privacy, security and control. "This new world needs a new model for digital identity, one that enhances individual privacy and security across the physical and digital world," Ankur Patel, a principal product manager with Microsoft's Identity Division, wrote in a blog post. "Rather than grant broad consent to countless apps and services, and have their identity data spread across numerous providers, individuals need a secure encrypted digital hub where they can store their identity data and easily control access to it." Last month, Microsoft joined the ID2020 alliance, a global partnership working to create an open-source, blockchain-based digital identity system for people in the U.S. or nations who lack legal documentation because of their economic or social status. The ID2020 alliance is targeting the people who lack fundamental rights and services such as voting, healthcare, housing and education that are tethered to legal proof of identification. This week, Microsoft detailed what it has learned from its own exploration of blockchain as well as from its partnership with ID2020; as a platform for a new open ledger ID technology, the company plans to use its existing cloud-based Microsoft Authenticator application, which already enables multi-factor authentication for business and consumer customers. Microsoft plans to work with other companies and industry groups to enable its "self-sovereign digital identity platform," according to Patel. [ To comment on this story, visit Computerworld's Facebook page. ] A spokesperson said the company will release more information about the progress of a proof of concept with Microsoft Authenticator in coming weeks. G2 Crowd "Today, the Microsoft Authenticator app is already used by millions of people to prove their identity every day. As a next step we will experiment with Decentralized Identities by adding support for them into Microsoft Authenticator," Patel wrote. "With consent, Microsoft Authenticator will be able to act as your User Agent to manage identity data and cryptographic keys." On the new platform, only a user's hashed ID is rooted on a blockchain, while actual identity data is encrypted and stored in an off-chain ID Hub that Microsoft can't see. "Once we have added this capability, apps and services will be able to interact with [a] user's data using a common messaging conduit by requesting granular consent," Patel said. "Initially, we will support a select group of [decentralized identifiers] implementations across blockchains and we will likely add more in the future." While Microsoft is targeting a larger audience, blockchain's use for security and authentication is not new and other companies are also using it as an ID aggregator. For example, Estonia-based data security provider Guardtime already uses blockchains to create a Keyless Signature Infrastructure (KSI), a replacement for the more traditional Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). PKI uses asymmetric encryption and a cache of public keys maintained by a centralized certificate authority. The company has already grown into "the world's largest blockchain company by revenue, headcount, and actual customer deployments," according to a recent report from B2B reviews platform G2 Crowd. "In 2016, the company reached an incredible milestone as it secured all of Estonia's 1 million health records with its technology," G2 Crowd said. Along with Guardtime, HYPR and NuCypher also offer some of the most popular blockchain-based identity management solutions. While there are dozens of these security ID products available, blockchain gets pigeonholed as a fintech-focused resource, when in actuality, "anything pertaining to transactions or data integration could adopt blockchain capabilities, and identity management companies are the first to jump in," G2 said. Database management and information storage systems will see a big influx of blockchain-secured systems this year, according to G2. "The Dubai Government is working on a city-wide blockchain pilot with IBM and ConsenSys in an effort to become a blockchain-powered government," said Csilla Zsigri, a senior blockchain analyst with 451 Research. "Proofs of concept in plan include streamlining ID verification to reduce business registration times, and digitizing and tracking citizens' health records, wills and contracts, among other assets." Cllr Kevin Beaty is the Leader of Eden Council. It is great to see farming and the environment become a hot topic in the Brexit debate. Given that Whitehall ceded almost all responsibility for these areas of government to the EU over the past few decades, its hardly surprising they are important in the discussions around taking back control. Michael Gove, as Environment Secretary, has placed some aspects of rural life at the centre of debate with some radical and broadly well received policy changes. The real question here is what do we want from the countryside and rural areas? And perhaps fundamentally, what is the countryside for? A playground for everyone? A carbon sink to placate our guilt at pumping out pollution? If these are the answers then go ahead pay farmers to plant trees. But, that is not what rural life really is. London is one of the worlds growing number of mega-cities and provincial cities are also growing or even merging. Take the Oxford-Milton Keynes-Cambridge area; the wider area is largely rural, yet the area as a whole is recognised as a world beating intellectual and economic region. I am the Leader of the most rural local authority in England, Eden District Council. We sit between the Tees Valley combined authority to the east, the nuclear developments on the industrial coast of Cumbria to the west , the string of pearls of Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool to the south and the new Borderlands cross border initiative and the Scottish central belt to the north. All these areas are around one and a half to two hours travel time from each other. A true hinterland wedged between two National Parks, the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. I spend a good deal of my time fighting for better funding for our local services, consistently underfunded compared to our urban neighbours. I struggle with an outdated local government structure which is paralysed in a groundhog day of debate on whether to be unitary, combined or devolved. It sometimes feels like a battle between rural areas and our new metropolitan city regions which are often first in the queue for funding. Government (of all different party colours) sometimes seems to have forgotten that people live and work and thrive in our rural areas, and we have so much to offer by way of our people, our resources (water and power), lifestyle and housing delivery. I dont blame them, as part of the EU it was Brussels who set the rural agenda for the past thirty years. Many of you will pass through my council area as you travel to Scotland or visit the Lakes or Dales via the west coast rail-line or the M6 motorway. We have amongst the lowest average wages in the UK, yet were reported as one of the happiest areas in the country both of these from ONS surveys, so its true that money isnt everything. But, I return to my previous question: what is the countryside for? For a start, its not just farming and the environment, although these interdependent things shape what you see and provide 60 per cent of the nations food. Agriculture and food are a larger industry than aerospace and car manufacturing combined so its encouraging to see a Government agri-tech strategy, but where is the Rural Industrial Strategy? In Eden we believe we have a big part to play in the Northern Powerhouse. We are strategically placed on the M6 trans-Pennine crossroads with the upgrade of the A66 trans-Pennine route makes us a great place to live and do business, especially if that business is logistics focused. We believe the emerging technology of autonomous freight and increased broadband speeds will lead to our area being ever closer to the marketplace. In an era of flexible working why would you not want to live within minutes of the Lake District fells and Yorkshire Dales, work for the world beating nuclear tech industry or a high powered city firm, but be able to be in London for 9.15am by catching the 6am train? The countryside delivers hugely for our urban areas it negates pollution and can be a flood defence or a source of power and water. These aspects of natural capital are provided by and from the countryside so maybe we should be compensated for these to pay for our dilapidated infrastructure and support our services. Local government funding is based on population within an area, as is the funding for roads and crucially, more recently, the size of funding in devolution deals. Rural areas cover 85 per cent of the land mass with only 20 per cent of the population to pay for rural local government services like roads. Forty-four per cent of all road journeys are on rural roads (Source: Dept of Transport, excludes motorways), so you can see the potential for underfunding. As well as providing natural capital, rural areas could solve the housing crisis by being a place where people live and work and connect with our cities, providing weekend respite and leisure in abundance. Rural and urban in the UK should be one; not competing. We should be working together in a sense of common fellowship. Rural areas should be linked to their metropolitan neighbours to share the burden of health and infrastructure costs. If the One Yorkshire Devo-Deal comes off it will be interesting to see if the rural and urban areas within it can work as one authority to do just that. I am setting up a think tank to bring together the brightest and the best to discuss how, as our city regions grow, we can use the countryside as part of the wider economy to link together with the metropolitan cities, to be a part of a united country interlinked by technology, sharing a common history and source of governance. Urban and rural together. Frank Young is Head of Family Policy at the Centre for Social Justice During the coming weeks, the Government will publish new draft guidance on Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) in schools. This will be the biggest shake-up of what young people are taught about sex and relationships in 20 twenty years. The last time a Government issued guidance on this subject, no one had heard of Facebook or Snapchat, pornography was something you found on the top shelf of your local newsagent, and the smart phone hadnt been invented. It is a long overdue reform to the school curriculum. When the guidance is published, a lot of attention will be paid to updating the sex bit to bring it in line with the modern world, and rightly so. But what shouldnt be forgotten is the importance of relationship education. Our approach to talking about relationships in schools should look to the future as much as it does to the challenges facing young people today. This which is what young people themselves are asking for, according to a survey conducted by Survation on behalf of the Centre for Social Justice and Family Stability Network. It found that almost eighty per cent (78 per cent) of 14-17 year olds in England think a long term, lasting relationship in adult life is just as important (or even more important) to them than their career ambitions. We invest heavily in careers advice for young people, but they aspire to a lasting relationship just as much as a good job. When we asked young people what they wanted from Relationships and Sex Education, 72 per cent said they wanted these lessons to teach them how to achieve a lasting relationship when they grow up. This is an important finding for officials drafting new guidance.Not only do young people want a lasting relationship in adult life; they aspire to get married. Eight in 10 14-17 year olds we quizzed told us they want get married when they grow up, with only four per cent saying its not in their life plans. Relationships Education shouldnt ignore the word marriage and the ambition of young people to get married as adults. Policy documents published by the Department for Education on this subject talk about helping older children develop their understanding of what makes a healthy adult relationship and how to maintain these relationships. If we want to give our children the skills and knowledge to develop stronger relationships when they grow up, we need to talk to them about marriage and overcome our strange political mutism on this subject. The world has moved on since we last looked at Sex and Relationships Education in schools. What hasnt changed in that time is the evidence for backing marriage if we want to encourage long-term relationship stability. On current trends, a child born today has no better than a 50/50 chance of living with both birth parents by the time they take their GCSE exams. However, for those who do nearly all of their parents (93 per cent) are married. In fact, by the time they collect their GCSE results a British teenager is three times more likely to live with both their birth parents if they are married. If we want to give our children the skills and knowledge to develop stronger relationships when they grow up, we need to talk to them about marriage. We should have the confidence to do this, and not be afraid simply because some marriages will fail. There are few other areas of policy where there is such a reluctance to speak up for fear of failure. We dont shy away from encouraging business and new start-ups because we are worried that some will fail: we encourage new businesses with enthusiasm because we understand the benefits of a business succeeding. We should take a similar approach to talking about the importance of marriage, and putting it firmly on the school curriculum. Our polling shows that there is a long way to go in supporting young people in achieving their relationship ambitions. Teenagers are evenly split when it comes to understanding the important role of marriage as more than just another kind of relationship. When we asked young people if they agreed or disagreed with the statement being married is no different to just living together 41 per cent agreed with 39 per cent disagreeing. This follows recent evidence showing that only half of todays 20 year olds will ever marry. Schools need to step in to address the mismatch between this ambition and the reality years later. This issue is near the top of the to-do list for the Education Department, with laws passed last year setting a tight deadlines on the Government. These numbers should give Ministers the confidence to put a positive statement on marriage onto the school curriculum, knowing they are not just backing marriage they are backing the ambitions of young people themselves. James Frayne is Director of communications agency Public First and author of Meet the People, a guide to moving public opinion The behaviour of former staff at Oxfam was appalling and will rightly horrify the public. At the time of writing, the scale of the problem is unclear: the Deputy Chief Executive of the charity has resigned, but Oxfam deny any institutional cover-up of events in Haiti took place, and are continuing to explain their position to the media and to those in Government that fund their operations. More allegations are coming out about the organisation, however. It is not only right but self-evidently reasonable that the Government look at public funding of Oxfam and that the Charity Commission is satisfied that the organisation is being run properly. As a major recipient of public money, politicians and officials have a duty to ensure that the charity is fit to deliver aid projects with the highest levels of professionalism and integrity. Oxfam have a brand to protect, of course, but they also effectively represent the British Government and the British public abroad. It is also an obvious and important policy response to rethink how the actions of charities and NGOs can be effectively held accountable in the places they operate. The Government and policymakers outside should put their minds to this question. On the face of it, this prompts the consideration of another significant change in policy a reduction in the aid budget. Long-standing opponents of the high levels of British aid spending will cite this as another example of how money is being misused and therefore how spending levels should be reduced. Critics of British aid policy have always been able to point to widespread examples of corruption in many countries where aid is spent, but they can now point to concrete examples of bad behaviour of some of those that help implement the actual projects. The attack line writes itself: how can we spend so much on aid, and channel so much through charities, when their staff cant be trusted to behave in the right way? There are good reasons to argue that we spend too money on foreign aid and certainly that the pledge to spend 0.7 per cent of GDP each year is wrong. Its hard to justify to taxpayers that a set amount of money must be spent per year on foreign aid projects, regardless of the state of the domestic economy and, just as importantly, regardless of the actual demands from developing countries. And, of course, theres also an extremely strong argument that the best way to raise the living standards of the worlds poorest countries is primarily through free trade. But critics of British aid policy should be careful about dragging the Oxfam issues into the existential debate on this particular policy change. While very serious allegations are being made about the organisation, which may seriously damage Oxfam, public support for aid charities is high. The public respect the work they do on the ground and the work of volunteers. Cut aid because of the behaviour of charities is not a message that will secure much sympathy. As Ive written on this site in the past, British public attitudes to aid policy are something of a mystery. While polls show that clear majorities believe the Government aid budget to be too high, they continue to pour their own money into foreign aid charities. While its hard to be sure, this suggests that the public have greater trust in aid charities to spend money wisely than they do in Government. (Of course, much of UK Government spending goes to these charities, the public clearly still see charities as being independent vehicles.) Either way, opposition to high Government spending is clearly not simple. Perhaps things will change. If more stories come out about bad behaviour of aid workers abroad, its possible that people will begin to question the merits of aid policy in a big way and to reduce their own donations along with demands for a serious reduction in the aid budget. But, until that point, critics of aid policy, and specifically of the 0.7 per cent pledge, should be extremely wary of using this scandal to further this cause. They risk looking opportunistic in the extreme. The survival of Poland is one of the wonders of modern history. Powerful and ruthless neighbours repeatedly sought to partition and destroy it, yet from Nazi and Soviet tyranny, as well as earlier occupations, it has escaped, revived and flourished. Just as the historic heart of Warsaw was rebuilt after being reduced to rubble in the Second World War, so now national sovereignty has been regained after being crushed by Hitler and Stalin. British politicians and diplomats were right to see, in the widening of the European Union to the east, a way of thwarting schemes of domination conceived in Brussels. Poland would not tolerate vassal status. And yet the way in which the Polish government is just now asserting Polish sovereignty is highly regrettable. It has passed a law which imposes a criminal penalty of up to three years imprisonment for public and contrary-to-fact conduct that attributes responsibility or co-responsibility for Nazi crimes committed by the Third German Reich to the Polish nation or the Polish state. The law is entirely unnecessary. No serious historian imagines the Polish nation or state requires such protection, for no serious historian supposes the Polish nation or state was responsible for the Holocaust. On the contrary, it is generally recognised that Poland suffered abominably at the hands of the Nazis. References by foreigners such as Barack Obama to Polish death camps, to mean death camps erected on Polish soil, are insultingly slipshod, but do not mean Poland is being blamed for Nazi crimes. The new law is additionally provocative because it grants exemptions to academics and artists, but not to journalists or teachers. What then will happen if a journalist or teacher refers to such events as the Jedwabne massacre of 1941, when Poles did indeed kill Jews? The ruling Law and Justice Party passed this law in order to raise a storm of protest, against which it can then defend the embattled nation. Poland becomes the victim of international attack, with Israel, Ukraine, the United States and other foreign powers expressing outrage at the law, which in turn justifies xenophobic and anti-semitic responses from Poles. This poisonous dynamic can do untold harm, notably to relations with Polands Jews, which have greatly improved in recent decades. But how, beyond issuing dignified protests, should Poles and friends of Poland respond to the new law? For the EU, this is a particular difficulty, for if it condemns what Warsaw is doing, or indeed the provocations uttered by Viktor Orban in Budapest, it opens itself to the charge that Brussels itself is an appallingly undemocratic place, full of hypocritical officials with an inflated idea of their own worth, who imagine they have the right to tell democracies like Poland and Hungary how to behave. It is no good brandishing a moral club at Poland, as if it were some errant schoolchild. The real argument against the new law is that it threatens to bring the Polish nation into disrepute. It is a law unworthy of one of the great, civilised nations of Europe. Ive written before on this site about the way that some people on the British Right choose to accept and even spout the propaganda of Britains enemies, particularly Vladimir Putin. We see the same thing on various parts of the Left think of Jeremy Corbyns work for Iran and apologism for Hamas and Hezbollah, John McDonnells praise for the bombs and bullets of the IRA, or Seumas Milnes warm feelings for a variety of tyrants. This kind of knowing support for vile individuals and governments who wish Britain ill is bad enough. Anyone with the good fortune to live in a free country, with unrestrained access to knowledge and the liberty to speak as they choose, should know better than to put those gifts to work in the cause of regimes which deny the same freedoms to their own people. But theres a whole other type of disturbing interaction with the propaganda of tyrants going on in the West: people, including major news outlets, who witlessly allow themselves to be gulled into aiding the spin of tyrannies. While the traditional term for the fellow-travellers I described above is useful idiots, this second group are exhibiting genuine stupidity in allowing themselves to become propaganda tools of the worlds worst governments. I wrote for todays i paper about one current example of this trend the way in which North Koreas propaganda efforts at the Winter Olympics have been soft-soaped by outlets including the BBC, CNN and Fox News. Some of the reporting has been stomach-churningly obsequious and unquestioning, but just as bad are the write-ups that try to reduce the Kim dictatorship to a quaint joke. We shouldnt be bowing to a tyrannys view of itself, and nor should we be minimising their crimes by treating them as simply eccentric. Thats just the latest instance of this harmful habit. As the direct danger of totalitarianism was felt to have retreated, particularly since the end of the Cold War, so the presentation of these regimes has retreated into either wry amusement or even rose-tinted nostalgia. For the latter, look to the way in which Cuba is presented as some kind of retro paradise, a hipster holdout all Instagram-filtered snaps of 1950s cars and old jazz musicians sipping mojitos next to distressed-looking buildings. The Castro dictatorships less fashionable habits, like shooting their critics in the head and imprisoning gay people in labour camps for re-education, dont fit the narrative so they are conveniently ignored. This might all seem harmless or irrelevant. But before going along with it, just consider: if they arent playing us for their own advantage, why do such states put so much effort into creating and distributing this propaganda in the first place? 02/13/2018 Photo (c) EHStock - Getty Images Ford Motor Company raised another caution flag to owners of older pickup trucks on Monday, advising 33,000 owners to stop driving the trucks immediately. The warning targets 33,428 Ranger and 1,955 Mazda B-Series model year 2006 vehicles built at the companys Twin Cities Assembly Plant in Saint Paul, Minnesota between August and December of 2005. It was just last month that Ford alerted 2,900 owners of 2006 Ford Ranger trucks of possible defects tied to Takata airbag inflators. The warning came on the heels of a second death tied to those inflators and trucks that were built the same day. Ford expanded its warning to a wider time frame thanks to further testing. In Fords notice to the trucks owners, it emphasized that the issue is the airbag inflator and not the actual airbag. It also noted that its possible to have different suppliers for the driver and passengerside airbag inflators in your vehicle. Is your truck affected? Ford has created a look-up tool where customers can determine if their vehicle is one of those involved in the recall. If a truck owner determines their vehicle is defective, theyre asked to contact a Ford dealership. If Ford truck owners have additional questions, they should contact the Ford Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Affected owners are urged not to drive these vehicles and to contact Ford and Mazda immediately to schedule a free repair, advised the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In its printed release, the agency went on to confirm that dealers will tow the pickups to service bays to replace the faulty inflators and provide loaner vehicles. Off to a rough start This marks the third time Ford has had to drive down this bumpy road in 2018. Despite an exclamation that its trucks are safe, the Center for Auto Safety asked Fords CEO Jim Hackett to recall 1.3 million 2011-2017 Ford Explorers due to concerns that carbon monoxide was leaking into the passenger cabin.. In one such scare, various police departments reported bizarre instances in which on-duty officers passed out or became sick while driving Ford Explorers. However, Ford took a defiant stance in this situation, placing blame squarely on the police for modifying the vehicles after they were built. This isnt Takatas first liability rodeo, either. Just this week, the company reached a settlement with creditors, auto industry clients, and representatives for drivers who were injured or killed by its faulty airbags. SOUTH GLENGARRY, Ontario Jan. 18, 2018 marked the one-year anniversary of the grand opening of the Rachels Kids House of Hope at their current location on Boundary Rd. in South Glengarry. It has been a busy year for the organization that has seen new partnerships and initiatives grow out of the centre. These include a partnership with the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario (CDSBEO), who bring special needs students from schools in the area to the House of Hope. The House of Hope provides support and a safe space for children who are on the autism spectrum or have developmental disabilities. This year also saw the launch of the Rachels Kids House of Hopes 100 Souls initiative. The 100 Souls initiative is a group of 100 supporters of the House of Hope who meet regularly at social events organized by Rachels Kids. The club meets for one hour, four times a year and each supporter contributes $100 to attend. Since opening a year ago, Rachels Kids House of Hope has tried to provide services it feels are needed in the community, including summer camps. We are growing very quickly and faster than anyone anticipated, said Executive Director Kim Lauzon. Lauzon said that this first year would not have been possible without the strong community support that they have received. The House of Hope has been the beneficiary of the local Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign for the past two years, which raised over $40, 000 for the House of Hope in 2017. The House of Hope was also the beneficiary of the Trunk Sale this past fall and Lauzon says that whenever the House of Hope needs support, the community is right there. If we need toys or books, the community always comes through for us with open arms, she said. Lauzon said that in the past year, easily over 200 kids have used the House of Hope. I cannot praise this centre enough, said Carol Brown, whos grandchildren use the centre. Our two granddaughters just love to go to Rachels bubble house, as they call it. They cry when it is time to leave, as everything is geared to their autism. We are so fortunate to have a place like this in Cornwall. Thank you! Going forward, Lauzon says that the House of Hope wants to sustain what they have built and to continue growing into the future. CORNWALL, Ontario A 17-year-old Cornwall youth was arrested on Feb. 12, 2018 and charged with theft under $5,000 X 2. It is alleged the youth entered a Second St. East store and removed alcohol on two occasions during Jan., 2018 making no attempt to pay for the items as he left the store. Police were contacted and an investigation ensued. The youth was taken into custody during a traffic stop on Feb. 12, 2018, charged accordingly and released to appear in court at a later date. His name was not released as per provision of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. BREACH CORNWALL, Ontario Rodney Helmer, 44, of Cornwall was arrested on Feb. 9, 2018 and charged with breach of recognizance for communicating with someone known to have a criminal record and for associating with someone known to be a member of an organized motorcycle club. It is alleged on Jan. 28, 2018 the man was seen in breach of his conditions by a member of the Cornwall Community Police Service and an investigation ensued. On Feb. 9, 2018 the man was taken into custody, charged accordingly and held for a bail hearing. IMPAIRED, OVER 80 CORNWALL, Ontario Jordan Mac Cormack, 19, of Cornwall was arrested on Feb. 10, 2018 and charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle and over 80. It is alleged on Feb. 10, 2018 the man was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol in the area of Fifth St. West. He was taken into custody during a traffic stop, charged accordingly and released to appear in court on Feb. 27, 2018. CORNWALL, Ontario Marc Menard, 35, of Lancaster was arrested on Feb. 11, 2018 and charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle and over 80. It is alleged on Feb. 11, 2018 the man was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol in the area of Pitt St. and Thirteenth St. He was taken into custody during a traffic stop, charged accordingly and released to appear in court on Feb. 20, 2018. WARRANT CORNWALL, Ontario Christopher Riviere, 32, of Cornwall was arrested on Feb. 11, 2018 on the strength of a warrant. It is alleged the man breached his probation and a warrant was issued for his arrest. On Feb. 11, 2018 the man was located by police, taken into custody on the strength of the warrant and held for a bail hearing. BREACH CORNWALL, Ontario Cherie Szuky, 43, of Cornwall was arrested on Feb. 11, 2018 and charged with breach of recognizance for being in possession a cell phone. It is alleged during a traffic stop on Feb. 11, 2018 the woman was found to be in possession of a cell phone despite her conditions. She was later taken into custody, charged accordingly and released to appear in court on March 27, 2018. POSSESSION OF COCAINE, BREACH CORNWALL, Ontario Shonna Godfrey, 20, of Cornwall was arrested on Feb 11, 2018 and charged with possession of cocaine and breach of recognizance for failing to notify a change of address and failing to keep the peace. It is alleged the woman was found to be in possession of a quantity of cocaine during a traffic stop on Feb. 11, 2018. She was also found to be in breach of her recognizance. She was taken into custody, charged accordingly and held for a bail hearing. BREACH CORNWALL, Ontario Kayla Marshall, 25, of Cornwall was arrested on Feb. 11, 2018 and charged with breach of recognizance for having care and control of a motor vehicle. She was also charged with breach of undertaking for failing to keep the peace. It is alleged the woman was found to be in breach of her conditions during a traffic stop on Feb. 11, 2018. She was taken into custody, charged accordingly and held for a bail hearing. THEFT, BREACH CORNWALL, Ontario Ashley Gagnon, 24, of Cornwall was arrested on Feb. 12, 2018 and charged with theft under $5,000 X2 and breach of undertaking and probation for failing to keep the peace. It is alleged the woman attended a local store on two separate occasions (December, 2017 and January, 2018) and removed merchandise making no attempt to pay for the items as she left the store. Police were contacted and an investigation ensued. The woman was taken into custody during a traffic stop on Feb. 12, 2018, charged accordingly and held for a bail hearing. There were 124 calls for service in the City of Cornwall in over the weekend (8am Friday to 8am Monday morning). To see whats happening in your neighbourhood visit our Crime Plot Map @ http://www.cornwallpolice.ca/ . CCPS reserves the right to not post all calls for service in order to protect the identity of the victims. AKWESASNE The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service is seeking the publics assistance in locating a missing community member. Donald Do Johnson, was last seen on the afternoon of Friday February 9, 2018, in Kana:takonn (St. Regis). Donald was believed to wearing a dark green jacket and blue jeans. Donald is 31 years old, approximate height of 52 and approximately 165 lbs, he has black hair worn short and has dark complexion. He has a paralyzed left arm. Police learned from the investigation that Donald was not the type to go anywhere for any length of time and would always return home each day. Donald did not tell anyone where he was going and has not been in contact with anyone since Friday. The Akwesasne Mohawk Police encourages anyone with any information that could identify his whereabouts to contact police immediately. At this point, we do not believe that his disappearance is suspicious, but there is a great concern for us to confirm his safety said Kariwate Mitchell, who is overseeing the investigation. It is very unlike him to not be in touch with anyone added Mitchell. The Criminal Investigation Unit of the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service is also still looking for information into the investigation of Kenny Leaf who was reported missing on January 22, 2018. Leaf, age 50 had not been seen by family members since the weekend of January 13, 2018. Police are seeking any persons who have not been spoken to by police and would have had contact with him on the weekend of January 14, 2018 to come forward. Detective Sergeant Kariwate Mitchell is hoping that someone with knowledge from direct communication with Leaf will step forward, We are looking for first-hand knowledge, whether you spoke to him in person, phone or social media and you havent spoken to the police yet, please contact us said Mitchell. A search was conducted in the Snye Chanel and parts of the frozen St. Lawrence River by the Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department after this missing person report was filed. However, according to police investigation, there was no confirmed information that Leaf had fallen into the ice. Taking into consideration that it was a possibility for this time of year, the search and rescue team of our local Fire Department were performing due diligence and conducted a general search said Sergeant Mitchell. We are looking at all possibilities. If you have any information and would prefer to remain anonymous, anyone can call Crime Stoppers and leave a small tip or detailed information added Mitchell. The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service encourage anyone with any information that could assist in the on-going missing persons investigations to call and request to speak with an officer. Anyone with information related to these cases can call 613-575-2000. Xerox, in support of its campaign to drive more channel sales through the SMB market, has constructed a pioneering package of ConnectKey software solutions to enable better customer adoption of apps and services from MPS Accredited partners. Announced Tuesday, the MPS Essentials Suite is a bundle of core managed print offerings that includes cloud-based mobile print management, advanced scanning solutions, secure authentication features and partner productivity and support capabilities. MPS Essentials is the first of what will eventually be multiple bundles, Xerox executives told CRN, citing positive partner reaction to this first software collection. "We're working on other versions that will move further up the stack made available to the partners at the higher end of our MPS accreditation," said Darren Cassidy, president of Xerox' U.S. Channels Unit. [Related: Xerox Wants Solution Providers To Lead SMB Channel Print Offensive] The MPS Accreditation Program, launched by Xerox in July 2017, provides specialized training, sales and marketing support and exclusive analytics tools to the vendor's top managed print services providers. The program stacks on top of Xerox's partner authorization program and features three tiers of distinction. The release of MPS Essentials marks the next chapter of Xerox's quest to establish more meaningful and valuable SMB client relationships with its channel. A key part of that is helping partners move away from the traditional "hardware plus cost-per-copy" model, Cassidy said, and toward more margin-friendly recurring revenue streams. Another component involves the wide range of customized apps developed by partners since the massive launch of Xerox's ConnectKey-enabled devices last year. End customers had an array of options, but no one-stop offering meant to address a broad set of print service needs; the easy deployment of MPS Essentials fills that gap, Cassidy said, and it should prove to be a key differentiator for partners. "We set out to create a game changer We're in MPS to win, and we're in it to win in the SMB space exclusively with our channels," he said. The scanning solutions include partner-developed apps such as the CapturePoint Transformer App, which allows clients to scan documents and convert them into searchable, editable formats like Microsoft Word and Excel. "CapturePoint is a tremendous differentiator," said Monica Wilmore, director of solutions and IT services marketing at Xerox partner Virginia Business Systems. "Traditionally to provide that functionality to SMBs, there has been a server infrastructure requirement. The fact that it's cloud-based makes it a function that every office can utilize." Wilmore also praised customer response to a scan-to-cloud email app that allows scanned documents to be emailed or saved to the cloud, and a translation app that can convert language on uploaded documents into one of 40-plus other languages. VBS has found particular success with the translation app in school systems, as well as clients with social services and behavior health departments, VP of Sales and Marketing Rick Lingon said. However, demonstrating the value of productivity and support-focused apps is the major challenge at hand for partners, he added. "It's still (about) educating the end-user and the market about what's out there here's the next platform going into the tablet-based app market. That's where it is. It's the future, and the future's here now," Lingon said. Chris Gallagher, print management consultant at Chicago-based Green Office Partner, has won key SMB deals in large part due to his knowledge of document security and compliance laws. He said the security elements baked into ConnectKey devices give add to the value proposition Xerox partners can deliver on with the MPS Essentials bundle. "It's easy to explain to the value to the client that Xerox is not here to sell you a box," Gallagher said. "As a vice president of sales, are you going to take the call from the guy who's talking copier language? Or one who's talking about an example of a similar company that has increased its sales by 10 percent by personalizing customer experience, being able to edit documents and translate into different languages quickly. Now we're talking their language." Also among the components of MPS Essentials are a Xerox-developed print management and mobility service solution, which allows for remote access to printer fleets, the Firmware Connect app, which allows customers to automatically receive those updates, and the Xerox Support Assistant App, which will enable customers to track service and supply requests. There has been no rest for disgruntled Xerox investors Carl Icahn and Darwin Deason since Fujifilm Holdings Corporation agreed to purchase a 50.1-percent majority stake in the printer and copier vendor. On Tuesday, Deason launched the latest attack: A lawsuit filed against Xerox, its board of directors, its former CEO Ursula Burns and Fujifilm that aims to enjoin the transaction. Deason, Xerox's third-largest individual shareholder, claimed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that the Fujifilm deal is a result of a "lock-up" agreement made between the two companies in 2001 that was "fraudulently concealed" from investors. Fuji Xerox is a joint venture agreement initially entered into by Xerox and Fujifilm in 1962. The business develops, manufactures and distributes document processing products in the Asia Pacific region, and the pact was designed to maintain access to patents and technology on both sides. [Related: 10 Things You Need To Know About Fuji Xerox] The Fuji Xerox joint venture terms were updated in 2001 when the 50-50 partnership became majority-owned by Fujifilm (75 percent). Also, Xerox was prohibited from selling print and copier devices in Asia, because Fuji Xerox maintained those rights, and if a named competitor ever acquired more than 30 percent of Xerox, Fujifilm had the option to terminate the agreement entirely. Those details were disclosed by Xerox in a recent SEC filing related to the Fujifilm transaction, and Deason claims they had never been previously made available to investors. He added that the restrictive elements of the Fuji Xerox agreement "precludes a transparent and fair process for the potential sale of Xerox." Deason goes on to highlight the lack of a control purchase premium passed on to Xerox shareholders, their minority stake in the new company and the continued leadership of Jeff Jacobson, who will serve as CEO of Fuji Xerox upon deal closure. Xerox issued the following response to CRN through a company spokesperson: "Mr. Deasons allegations are without merit and the company will vigorously defend itself," Xerox said. "After having considered all strategic alternatives available to the company, Xeroxs Board of Directors remains steadfast in its belief that the combination with Fuji Xerox is the best path to create value for the company and its shareholders. "It is unfortunate that Mr. Deason is seeking to interfere with Xerox shareholders right to decide and is relying on meritless legal claims. Xerox has fully disclosed the joint venture agreements, and the company will respond to Mr. Deasons legal claims through the appropriate legal channels in due course." Xerox partners who spoke with CRN believed the Fujifilm transaction would be beneficial to both companies, as well as their channels. Josh Justice, president of La Plata, Md.-based JustTech, said he was excited by the prospect of working with Fuji Xerox in Asia. "[We're] now partnered with an $18 billion company that has committed to future growth investments and the elimination of costs, which will make Xerox products even more competitive in this marketplace," Justice said. "Xerox and Xerox channel partners had a great 2017, and it's clear that Fujifilm sees an opportunity to grow even more together with Xerox and their partners." Ichan and Deason, who together own 15 percent of Xerox, penned a letter to fellow investors on Monday that argued a Fujifilm takeover would be "the companys final death knell" if approved. In its biggest converged infrastructure launch in years, Dell EMC unveiled today the new VxBlock 1000 which increases server scalability by 56 percent along with enhanced capabilities and sales options for partners. "What our customers are asking for, is for greater operational simplicity and efficiently this is an answer to that," said Kent MacDonald, senior vice president at Long View Systems, a Calgary, Canada-based solution provider, ranked No. 87 on CRN's 2017 Solution Provider 500 list. "It's great for partners to see this type of innovation and investment by Dell in the converged market. This is validation that, although cloud is a significant area and a growing resource, there's still a great need from customers for converged infrastructure solutions." The converged infrastructure market leader's new VxBlock 1000 adds new options of storage and native data protection as well as compute and networking from Cisco. For the first time, organizations can mix four types of storage arrays Dell EMC's Unity, VMAX, XtremIO and Isilon as well as opt for Cisco's UCS C-Series rack servers in VxBlock. [Related: 12 New Dell EMC Rebates, Programs And Partner Strategies Just Unveiled] Compared to previous generations, the VxBlock 1000 increases server scalability by 56 percent, from 512 to 800 servers, and can now support up to ten storage arrays. Additionally, unlike VxBlock products in the past, data protection is "now a native element of the VxBlock 1000 architecture," said Trey Layton, senior vice president of Dell EMC Converged Infrastructure, in an interview with CRN. "We've always offered the ability for customers to add data protection to the architectures, but in doing so, there were these established and fixed standards and it maybe didn't adapt to every particular data protection scenario a customer encountered in VxBlock. So customers gave us a lot of feedback in saying, 'We'd like to see you adapt your integration standards for data protection in a more flexible manner," said Layton. "Now it's a native element. It's very simple to add on. It's not something that comes with a rigid standard that you have to apply." The all-in-one system also reduces rack space by up to 60 percent, according to the company, as well as a 75 percent reduction in time for lifecycle management with a single upgrade process for multi-technology systems. MacDonald said the new solution will help solve the "complexity anchor" customers are currently dealing with. "This raises the bar in how you can create that operational simplicity and efficiency customers are really looking for which will is very compelling," he said. "We're excited to start selling this." Dell EMC supports more than 2,000 VxBlock customers today, according to Layton, with many customers "begging for us to release new converged infrastructure capacities like this." "The VxBlock 1000 is about introducing greater degrees of flexibility, improving and enhancing the operational lifecycle experiences associated with the VxBlock architecture to improve customer satisfaction, and serve a larger base of customers," said Layton. "We already have a majority of those converged infrastructure customers. We want to sell more to the existing customers that we have and take share from the competitors." Dell's Future-Proof Storage Loyalty Program is being applied to the VxBlock 1000 which includes a three-year satisfaction guarantee and built-in Virtustream Storage Cloud. The VxBlock 1000 is now globally available for partners to sell. Okta has snagged former Gigya global channel chief Patrick McCue to help gain a foothold with digital agencies and drive partnerships between SIs and ISVs. The San Francisco-based enterprise identity vendor also brought in longtime SAP corporate development leader Monty Gray to spearhead Okta's corporate development objectives. The hires come less than a year after Okta raised $187 million through an IPO valuing the company at $1.5 billion. "I've been impressed by how much they've been able to accomplish," Gray told CRN. "We view the identity market as growing and expanding beyond what we're doing now." [Related: Okta Goes Public In First Big Cybersecurity IPO Of The Year] One of McCue's biggest goals coming out of the gate is expanding beyond solution providers focused on security and compliance and into agencies focused on digital transformation. Okta wants to ensure that it's at the forefront with digital agencies as identity and security tie into more of what those partners are doing, McCue said. Okta has historically been strong with the security and compliance businesses at consultancies like Accenture and Deloitte, McCue said, but contact with Accenture Interactive or Deloitte Digital has been much more limited. McCue said Okta would like to form stronger bonds with that side of the organization, as well as striking up new relationships with pure-play digital agencies. McCue also hopes to bring Okta's ISV and SI groups together to allow for better collaboration and make it easier for end customers that work with both an ISV and an implementation house. Instead of having two people in each region supporting these partner types separately, McCue said Okta will now ensure its regional reps understand both go-to-market motions. Okta plans to onboard different types of ISVs focused in areas other than CRM and ERP, to help identify additional areas where the company's technology would be complementary, McCue said. The company has been continuously building single sign-on integration with different industries and technologies, McCue said. Okta hopes ISVs can help leverage those integrations in their areas of expertise. In addition to bringing the company into new areas of expertise, McCue said Okta's partner community could give the company feet on the street in geographies where there isn't a brick-and-mortar footprint. Okta has offices in North America, London and Australia, and McCue said the company hopes to leverage partners to drive growth in Continental Europe, Asia and Latin America. A more robust base of European and Asian partners will also make it easier for Okta to support end users in their local language, McCue said. "We're looking to extend the success we've already had in place," McCue said. "It allows us to scale in that area." As senior vice president of worldwide partners, McCue will be responsible for forging new partnerships in a broad array of verticals and geographies and reports to Charles Race, president of worldwide field operations. His first day was Feb. 5. Gray, meanwhile, will be responsible for corporate development, strategic partners and strategy and execution across the Okta Integration Network (OIN) as senior vice president of corporate development. Gray started Jan. 29, and reports to co-founder and COO Frederic Kerrest. Following nearly two decades at 90,000-person SAP, Gray said he has a good grasp of how Okta should think about markets and the next stage of growth. At the same time, Gray said it's typically easier for employees at more modestly-sized organizations like Okta to comprehend the company's bigger picture. "Everyone has the ability to play different roles at a smaller company," Gray said. A Forceful Impact The tech industry is constantly in flux, with continuous growth and innovation creating a laundry list of technical complexities that require new talent and introduce a variety of new security threats. Artificial intelligence projects, for example, not only require an increase in processing power, but also in man power, creating an overwhelming need for data scientists. The Internet of Things is streamlining entire industries, but connecting devices that were never meant to be connected is introducing an insurmountable amount of security risks. For vendors, this rate of change underscores the importance of channel partnerships. A solid solution provider stable can be the conduit for a vendor's technology to function effectively in the field. So what market forces are having the biggest impact on your company's channel strategy for 2018? And what are you doing to accommodate for it? We asked the honorees of the Channel Chiefs 2018 list to shed a little light on the market forces that are shaping their company's channel strategies right now. Here's what they had to say. The China Cruise and Yacht Industry Association (CCYIA) recently hosted a visit from MSC Cruises at the associations Beijing headquarters. Zheng Weihang, executive vice president and secretary general of the CCYIA, met with Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises; Bud Darr, executive vice president of maritime policy and government affairs; Luca Biondolillo, chief communications officer; Helen Huang, president of greater China for MSC; and others. The MSC Splendida will enter the Chinese market this May, and is poised to start a year-round program in 2019. The Splendida's arrival builds off MSC Lirica, which has been in the Chinese market since 2016. Both parties discussed the development trends of China's cruise market, according to a statement, including diversifying the sales channels in China and market potential in south China. Zheng said the southern China cruise market represented a huge potential area for passenger sourcing. However, he noted the market still faces challenges in terms of awareness. The statement noted that MSC's Vago highly appreciates the CCYIAs active role in the development of the cruise industry in China, and is looking forward to developing the relationship between MSC and the CCYIA. Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, has been selected as the recipient of Seafarers House International Golden Compass Award for 2018, according to a statement. The award is given each year to those who have achieved distinction in the maritime world, those whose vocation or avocation has been the sea, or those who have ministered to or otherwise assisted seafarers, the group said. Seafarers House plays a critical role in the lives of those who work in the maritime industry. Many of our crew members have come to rely on the organization and consider its casa their home away from home when docked at Port Everglades, said Bayley. I am pleased to be counted among the distinguished group of maritime professionals who have received this award over the years from an organization that truly cares for the seafaring community. Past Golden Compass award recipients include: Jan Swartz, group president of Princess Cruises and Carnival Australia; artist, philanthropist and entrepreneur Guy Harvey; President and CEO of Resolve Marine Group, Joseph Farrell; international seafaring hero Captain Richard Phillips; Roberto Giorgi, V.Ships; Dan Sten Olsson, Stena Sphere; Adam Goldstein, Royal Caribbean International; Stein Kruse, Holland America Line; Captain Nicola Arena, MSC Cruises; and Thomas B. Crowley, Jr., Crowley Maritime Corp., among others. Michael has had a long and successful career with Royal Caribbean. Under his leadership, the cruise line has grown significantly and will continue to do so with the addition of several new ships in the next few years, said Seafarers House Executive Director Lesley Warrick. Michael and Royal Caribbean have been long-time supporters of Seafarers House and we are thrilled to honor him with this award. Abby Beckley thought her left eye was irritated because of a stray eyelash. She rubbed her eye, flushed it with water, but when the discomfort remained, she peered into the mirror. She thought she saw a piece of clear fuzz. She pinched it with her fingers and pulled it out. It was a worm. About half-inch long, translucent and threadlike. "It was alive and squiggling around," she recalled. Beckley remained calm. The 26-year-old was a deckhand on a commercial salmon fishing boat in Alaska. Maybe a common but harmless salmon worm had fallen into her eye. At a local urgent care clinic, the clinicians did not know what to tell her, but they pulled out two more worms. An ophthalmologist pulled out another two. Beckley became increasingly alarmed. She was not in pain, but her eye was red and inflamed. No one knew how to advise her, and she imagined the worst. Could she lose her vision? Could the worms crawl into her brain? Paralyze her face? Luckily, her boyfriend's parents, both doctors, got her an appointment with an infectious disease specialist in Portland, Ore. They also reassured her the worms probably did not have the capacity to reproduce or crawl into her brain. In the end, it was a team of scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that solved Beckley's case, which took place in August 2016. Scientists at CDC's special lab that diagnoses parasitic diseases figured out she had been infected by a species of eye worm that had never before been found in a human. By the time her ordeal was over, 14 worms had been pulled from her eye. Medical parasitologist Richard Bradbury identified the species by searching the medical literature and eventually finding an obscure journal written in German that was published in 1928. The case study about Beckley's ordeal was published Monday in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. "We never expected to see this particular species in a human," Bradbury said. Until now, this type of worm, Thelazia gulosa, had only been found in cattle. This half-inch long eye worm - once only found in cattle - was one of several that infected Abby Beckley's eye in the summer of 2016. (Courtesy of Abby Beckley)[/caption] Eye worms infect a variety of animals, but human infections are rare. The worms are transmitted to eyes by flies. The flies ingest the worm larvae, then land on an animal's eyes, where the flies feed on tears and other secretions. During this process, the flies deposit the worm larvae into the eye, where they grow into adult worms. Eye worm infections typically occur in children and the elderly, experts said. Human infections have been reported in parts of Asia as well as in Russia, Italy, and France. The worms cause inflammation but symptoms go away if they are removed. In more serious cases, they can cause scarring of the cornea and even blindness. There have only been 10 other cases of eye worm infections in the United States, but they have not involved the cattle eye worm that infected Beckley. Photos of Beckley's inflamed eye and one of her eye worms are now part of the official CDC Thelazia page. She made medical history because of bad luck. In the weeks before her infection, she had been walking through cattle fields in her native southern Oregon and was often around cows and horses. It is very possible, she said, a fly landed on her eye and infected her. When she showed up at Oregon Health and Science University in mid-August 2016, no one knew what was going on with her eye. Some doctors were skeptical of her story. "When the ophthalmology people checked me out, they said, 'this is probably mucous,'" Beckley recalled. When she heard that, Beckley silently directed her thoughts to the worms: You have to show yourself. Within 30 minutes, she felt that by-now familiar sensation. "I'll never forget the look on the intern's face when he saw one squiggle across my eye," she said. Beckley's treating physician, infectious disease specialist Erin Bonura, had already been in touch with the CDC specialists. They suspected it was an eye worm and recommended Beckley keep flushing them out pending a final identification. Bonura also reassured the young woman this was not likely to be a vision-threatening infection. "I stayed in contact with her, and we were able to tell her this was very localized, that it was not systemic," the physician said. "She was worried they would crawl into her brain." In the meantime, a Washington state pathology lab, where some worms were first sent for identification, was unable to identify them. That lab sent two worms to CDC's parasitic diseases lab in Atlanta. As the reference laboratory for rare and unusual parasites, it is the "final stop for anything difficult," CDC's Bradbury said. The lab receives an average of 6,670 specimens a year, virtually all from within the United States. The CDC confirmed the worms were part of a group of eye worms known as Thelazia, but the scientists did not know which species. They suspected it was the same species that had caused previous infections in humans. For patients, the treatment for any Thelazia infection was the same: removal of the worms. It was only when Bradbury was preparing to write up the case months later that he and colleagues noticed some of the worms' features, such as the position of the genitalia and the shape of the mouth, looked unusual. Scientific literature was sparse. Bradbury eventually found the 1928 German paper that had pictures of the worm species in question. A CDC colleague and native German speaker helped confirm the text descriptions. Now the case study took on greater significance because this worm had never been found to infect humans. Parasitic infections often are neglected in the United States, experts said. Beckley's case, they said, is a reminder that whenever there is the intersection of humans, animals and the environment, "there's always that chance of things moving across," Bonura said. Beckley, now 28, is a sophomore at Southern Oregon University studying psychology. The experience has made her more meticulous about washing her hands. Also, whenever she is sees a lot of flies, "a little part of me says I need to get to the bathroom," to peek at her eyes. She hopes her ordeal will help others who might find themselves in a similar situation. When she found the first worm, she remembers searching the Internet and finding no information. Now, at least, there will be articles about her if someone types in "worm in eye," Beckley said. "If this does happen to anyone else, I want them to know this girl went through it, and she's fine," she said. "And not to freak out." Most artists have the freedom to practice their craft even when their work isnt selling. A painter can paint in his or her loft until someone finds value in their art. A would-be novelist can keep slaving away at a book in-between other jobs. Stage actors, however, are in a different category because they are most often relegated to a horribly passive position in which they cannot practice their art until someone else hires them for a play. Lauren LaRocca is part of new wave of performers who are creating work opportunities by developing their own material. She is a member of a New York City theater collective, The Associates, which just received strong reviews for Sheila, a play the group has been working on for the past two years. Its a passive (profession) otherwise, the Glastonbury native says of waiting around for someone else to allow her to work on a play. The company provides all of us with an artistic lifeline. Otherwise, you would always be up in the air. LaRocca often uses the term theatermaker for herself and other members of the Associates because they are putting their own work up on the stage. The performer has spent time developing new plays at Yale Repertory Theatre in New Haven and at the NYC Fringe Festival, where she took the prize for Overall Excellence in Acting. The Associates met at a training program at the Actors Theatre of Louisville in Kentucky five years ago. Upon their return to New York, the five performers decided to start making their own plays. Formed in 2014, the company has presented two full-length plays publicly and has sponsored a series of salons in which new material is showcased. The troupe begins by deciding who the people in a new play might be. We work from a character-oriented place. We see things through the lens of character rather than plot or an issue first, LaRocca says. Sheila started with the notion of a play about two women. Over the course of many months, the piece slowly evolved into an examination of a troubled female friendship. In the play, LaRocca is Gloria, a 28-year-old woman who has just returned to her hometown a decade after she fled under mysterious circumstances. Her closest friend from childhood, Mary (Peregrine Heard), turns up for a reunion, with barely tamped-down anger over being abandoned by Gloria with no explanation. We want to make manifest the art we want to see in the world, LaRocca says of the gripping and sometimes shocking play that has been honed into a seamless piece of work. If you didnt know how Sheila was created, you would assume it is the tightly focused product of one imagination rather than a collective. What we aim for is a play with a unified voice, she adds. The intimacy of the play (which closed its first run Jan. 27) was heightened by the way it was directed by Jamal Abdunnasir at the A.R.T./New York Theatres on the West Side of Manhattan. The set was in the middle of the space, with the audience sitting on both sides of the action (and no seat more than a few rows from the actors). Because of the intense realism of the reunion of these former friends, and the way that the two women tease long-buried secrets out of each other, Sheila has an aura of emotional intimacy that is rare in the theater. We in the audience eventually come to feel like a third friend in the room. We like to examine the unspoken rules and norms for our relationship with the audience, LaRocca says of the physical closeness of theatergoers and actors. Too often theater insulates the audience from a play keeping them separate. With this play, you are right there (in middle of it). LaRocca credits a lot of her passion for theater to her studies at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts. Thats where a lot of the things I was sort of feeling came together in a real way. It was so formative and I met a lot of great people who are still my friends, she says of her transition from Glastonbury Middle School to theater studies in Hartford. The Associates hasnt zeroed in on its next collaborative project yet. We are taking a little breather, so we have time to ask ourselves a few questions, especially, What do we do with this momentum?, she says. One of our goals is to tour the piece. Wed like to present it in middle America where the play takes place. It might be new to audiences there in a way that it isnt to our peers (in New York). Its always fun for us to have new people come those who havent heard of our work before. jmeyers@hearstmediact.com; Twitter: @joesview WASHINGTON Connecticuts senators found themselves in the thick of Day One of the Senate DACA debate, uncertain over how much ground on border security and chain migration theyll have to cede Republicans to win continued legal status for young immigrant Dreamers. The word of the day is fluid, said Sen. Richard Blumenthal. Things are very much in flux. The opening of Senate debate Tuesday on 700,000 recipients of President Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals was the result of a pledge offered by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to secure Democratic votes needed for last weeks two-year budget deal. Congress has until March 5 to restore the full legal status for so-called Dreamers, more than 8,000 of them in Connecticut. Brought to this country illegally as children, they lost the protection offered them last September when President Donald Trump canceled the program. Trump and Republican leaders on Capitol Hill also support continued legal status for Dreamers and their legislative vehicle in the Senate debate, the Secure and Succeed Act, stipulates not only legality but a path to citizenship for 1.8 million immigrants a number that includes DACA-eligible youth who did not apply. Senators of both parties in essence are searching for compromise that can muster the 60 votes needed for passage. Any such measure would face an uncertain future in the more-conservative House, and Trumps signature on it would be a question mark. A tweet from Trump For Blumenthal, Sen. Chris Murphy and the remaining 47 Senate Democrats, the dividing line is less over the Dreamers than how much of Trumps border-security and immigration-restriction theyll have to swallow in order to restore DACA protection. Trump is using the Dreamers as hostages to get his border wall and other demands such as an end to what Trump terms chain migration and the visa-lottery system, Murphy said. We have to have eyes wide open about this behavior, Murphy said. There are a lot of well-meaning Republicans trying to get to yes, but right now theyre not engaging in negotiations likely to lead to compromise with Democrats. Trump tweeted early Tuesday: Wouldnt it be great if we could finally, after so many years, solve the DACA puzzle. This will be our last chance, there will never be another opportunity! March 5th. Connecticut Dreamers say they are counting on Blumenthal and Murphy to be the #DreamHeroes we know they can be, said Carolina Bortolleto of Danbury, spokeswoman for Connecticut Students for a Dream. We need our Senators to fight for permanent protection for immigrant youth, but it cannot come at the cost of advancing Trump and Stephen Millers white supremacist vision for this country, she said, referring to an aide to Trump known for his staunch opposition to immigration. Talking points for the Trump-backed Secure and Succeed Act do not, in fact, mention the U.S-Mexico border wall, which was among the signature promises of GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump in 2026 (he also promised Mexico would pay for it, an assertion that appears to have little momentum now). Instead, they talk about a $25 billion Border Security Trust Fund that includes more tactical infrastructure, detection technology, personnel, and port of entry improvement much of which already has sprouted across the 2,000-mile length of the border. The GOP bill also promises additional resources and security improvements for the U.S. border with Canada. Democrats including Blumenthal and Murphy have said they do not oppose added money for border security. But how much is enough and whether it goes to build a wall remains in doubt. Twenty-five billion dollars is a non-starter for me, said Murphy. Thats an absurd amount, better spent on the opioid epidemic. Asked how much border security would be enough, Murphy said: Its hard to articulate in the absence of a plan. Hitting the wall With Trump wanting to appear as delivering on his premier campaign promise, Democrats face navigation of a tricky path between giving ground on border security and appearing to capitulate on the wall. Trump can call it anything he wants, but I want to protect Dreamers, Blumenthal said. I think its a realistic hope. In addition to border security, Trump and Republicans are demanding significant changes in the visa lottery system and what they call chain migration rules that permit access to relatives of legal immigrants. The GOP bill would limit the categories of relatives to spouses and children. At a minimum, Blumenthal, Murphy and other Senate Democrats also want parents also to be admitted. The GOP bill would end the visa lottery system, under which the State Department issues visas to historically underrepresented nations in places such as Africa. Trump ignited a flame over that issue at a White House meeting in which he referred to nations of Africa as well as Haiti and El Salvador as shithole countries, and asked why the U.S. couldnt attract more immigrants from places like Norway. We are unwilling to permit Republicans to turn Dreamers into a blank check for a nativist, fringe, right-wing agenda, Blumenthal said. Were a nation of immigrants and we need to stay true to those values. Both Connecticut senators say that to gain the 60 votes necessary, a DACA bill will have to be drawn narrowly protection for recipients plus a still-undetermined investment in border security. We know we have to reach across the aisle, said Blumenthal. We cant win with 49 votes, the number of minority Democrats in the Senate. dan@hearstdc.com Environmental Conservation Police are looking for two people suspected of hunting from a tree stand in a Connecticut city park that bans the practice. On Monday, they arrested a 22-year-old Meriden man for illegal hunting. Now, they are looking for two people of interest, who are suspected of doing the same thing. The illegal hunting, EnCon officers say, happened in the nearly 600-acre Giuffrida Park in the northeast corner of Meriden. The park is a popular destination for hikers across the state. From the top of the parks trap rock ridges, there are views of Long Island Sound to the south and to Mount Tom, more than 45 miles away in Massachusetts. The public trails connect to the Mattabessett Trail (a Connecticut Blue-Blazed Trail). The trails have easy terrain particularly around the Crescent Lake shore with steeper areas along the trap rock ridges ascent of the Metacomet Ridge and approaching Mt. Lamentation. The investigation into illegal hunting there began last Thanksgiving when state EnCon Police officers on foot patrol located an illegal hunting tree stand and other items indicating illegal firearms hunting had been taking place. Through an investigation it is alleged that Giovanni Carabetta, 22, of Meriden, had hunted in Giuffrida Park on Nov. 21 and 22. There is no hunting in Giuffrida Park and the City of Meriden does not give out permission for people to hunt there, EnCon police said in a release. Carabetta is also accused of not wearing the required four-hundred square inches of fluorescent orange while he was hunting. Four-Hundred square inches of fluorescent orange is required to be worn from September 1 to the last day in February, outside of certain exemptions, while hunting. On Monday Carabetta, 22, was taken into custody at Troop I in Bethany on an arrest warrant. The warrant stems from a lengthy investigation that was started on Thanksgiving . In addition, the department is seeking help identifying two additional persons of interests, who are believed to be have been illegally hunting in Giuffrida Park during the same time period, trail camera photos of those suspects are attached with this release. Carabetta was charged with three counts of third-degree criminal trespass and two counts of interfering with an officer, hunting on private land without permission of the owner and two counts of failure to wear four-hundred square inches of orange while hunting. He was released after posting a $1,000 bond and will appear in Meriden Superior Court later this month. If people have any information on the case they can contact EnCon at (860) 424-3012. 5 1 of 5 Contributed Photo / Connecticut State Police / Contributed Photo Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Connecticut State Police / Contributed photo Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Connecticut State Police / Contributed photo Show More Show Less 5 of 5 ORANGE Two face charges after a K9 found one pound of marijuana and over one-half kilogram of powder cocaine during a traffic stop, state police said. Jocelyn Nyas Serrano-Rivera, 20, of Hamden, was charged with conspiracy to commit possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of cocaine with intent to sell within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell within 1,500 feel of a school, two counts of possession of untaxed marijuana/controlled substance and speeding. Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media file New Haven Rep. Juan Candelaria on Thursday will officially kick off Connecticuts recreational cannabis season, during a scheduled news conference and forum aimed at his continuing effort to change hearts and minds on the issue of retail marijuana sales for the masses. Tax revenue will be highlighted, along with attempts to shatter the drugs reputation for being a gateway to heavier substances. Connecticut NORML, is highlighting a recent Newsweek article that notes in states with legalized marijuana opioid-overdose cases have fallen by double-digit percentages. But in an election year, its likely to fall by the legislative wayside, yet again. The duck-in-the-water metaphor is often used by industry leaders to describe life as an entrepreneur. Ducks appear calm and collected at first glance, but they are actually paddling hard below the surface of the water to get to their final destination. Like the duck, entrepreneurs must remain calm in order to effectively lead their employees and grow their business, no matter how hectic it may be below the waters surface. Staying calm can be difficult for anyone under a great deal of stress -- especially for entrepreneurs who are building a business. Fortunately, there is one simple way for entrepreneurs to stay calm at work no matter what obstacles they may encounter. Get a good nights sleep. Some entrepreneurs may find it difficult to fall asleep at a reasonable hour, but dont give up. There are a number of non-habit forming products that can help. Related: 15 Unexpected Things That Are Stealing Your Sleep Its important to learn how sleep affects your mood so you understand the link between a good nights sleep and staying calm at work. How sleep affects mood. Whether youd like to admit it or not, at some point you have probably apologized for snapping or lashing out at someone by saying, Sorry, Im just tired. This isnt just an excuse that entrepreneurs fall back on to justify bad behavior -- sleep really does affect mood. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can lead to irritability and an inability to control ones anger. In fact, even partial sleep deprivation can have a significant impact on a persons mood. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that participants who slept only 4.5 hours a night for one week reported increased levels of anger, stress and sadness. As soon as they returned to their normal sleeping schedule, they all reported a drastic improvement in their moods. Researchers believe sleep deprivation leads to an increase in activity within the amygdala, which is a structure in the brain. It is also believed that a lack of sleep affects the amygdalas ability to communicate with another part of the brain that regulates its functioning. The increase in activity combined with the lack of communication between the amygdala and its regulator leads to more negative emotions, which makes it harder for sleep deprived people to stay calm. The importance of staying calm at work. Being around someone who is angry and irritable can make people feel uncomfortable and tense. As an entrepreneur, its your job to motivate and inspire those around you, not scare them away with hostility. Everyone makes mistakes, so employees should be able to forgive you for an isolated incident. But after repeated outbursts, employees may start to view your inability to remain calm as a lack of respect or empathy. Related: Here Are 7 Gadgets at CES Designed to Help You Sleep Better Not only will this affect your relationship with your employees, but it will also impact your effectiveness as a leader. It is challenging to make employees feel comfortable sharing new ideas if they are worried that something they say may cause you to lose your cool. Employees will also take less pride in their work and lose motivation if they dont feel as if they are being appreciated. Therefore, it is crucial for entrepreneurs to remain calm if they want to get the most out of their employees. Tips for getting a better nights sleep. Based on these studies, getting a good nights sleep may be better for business than burning the midnight oil. If youre having trouble falling asleep at a normal hour, try to avoid consuming any type of caffeine after 2 p.m. everyday. Even if you have a high tolerance for caffeine, it can continue to affect your alertness for hours after it has been consumed. Dont pop sleeping pills before going to bed, either. This may seem like an easy way to fix your sleep struggles, but sleeping pills can actually make you more tired and irritable the next day. If you do want to use a sleeping aid, a supplement such as Som Sleep is preferable since they promote rest and relaxation instead of acting as a sedative. Related: 16 Things That Lack of Sleep Can Do To You, According to Science If you wake up in the middle of the night, experts recommend never laying in bed for more than 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, get out of bed and find something boring to do so you can fall back asleep. Instead of turning on the TV, which is stimulating and can make you feel more alert, read a boring section of the newspaper or fold clothes. Doing these activities will clear your mind and make you feel drowsy so you can return to bed and sleep until morning. Winding down and going to sleep at a normal hour can be hard if you are under a lot of stress as an entrepreneur, but its worth it to preserve your relationship with your employees, maintain a positive working environment and stay focused on building your business. Related: How a Better Night's Sleep Can Help Entrepreneurs Stay Calm and Focused at Work 3 Surprising Reasons Entrepreneurs Consistently Fail With Healthy Eating 5 Tips to Help Busy Entrepreneurs Stay Healthy and Happy Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com Millennials, defined as the generation born between 1981 and 1997, surpassed boomers as the nations largest generation in 2016 and now number 75.4 million. But just because the members of this particular population cohort can tout that milestone doesn't mean they're universally beloved. Related: 6 Ways Millennials Have Changed Business Practices In fact, millennials have been maligned as self-absorbed job-hoppers who need to be coddled with participation awards and constant praise. Theyve been criticized for being glued to their iPhones and for scrolling Instagram feeds and Snapchat stories rather than engaging with the real world. What's more, theyve been dubbed a materialist generation, whose members will pay $10 for avocado toast but wont make long-term investments, like the purchase of a home or a car. While these generalizations make great click-bait headlines, the truth is a little more complicated. Some examples? College-educated millennials have longer track records with their employers than Gen X workers did at the same age, according to 2017 research from the U.S. Department of Labor. They're fiscally responsible: After all, they came of age during the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, Possibly as a result, 72 percent of millennials are saving for retirement, having started at a median age of 22. Theyre also a generation of digitally savvy entrepreneurs who are highly collaborative and motivated by purpose, not praise. As the following ten success stories demonstrate, millennials are a generation often unafraid to take risks to build something exceptional. 1. Kaspar Povilanskas, 24 -- Co-Founder, NowADays Media Povilanskas gains a spot on this list because of his ability to have garnered over 750 million followers on Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat. NowADays Media, based out of Los Angeles, works to reduce cost per click costs associated with marketing campaigns, and has reduced costs to $.75 to $1.25 per click. After dropping out of college at 20, Povilanskas helped bring an underground industry to major corporations and small businesses. With all those followers, NowADays Media has the capacity to serve hundreds of millions of impressions on branded content daily. By generating millions of downloads for apps and garnering just as many views on movie trailers, Povilanskas has helped revolutionize the way advertisers use social media. Related: Millennial Entrepreneurs -- 4 Myths, Debunked "The issue with most advertising today is that it is being ignored by Gen-Z and millennials since they are constantly being bombarded with marketing," Povilanskas told me "We've created a way to bring subtle, organic and effective advertising to a variety of industries. Our biggest app client won Apple's 'App of the Year 2017,' and we're now actively working with Current.us and Mark Cuban to bring a Blockchain-driven streaming app to the masses." 2. Kelley Weaver, 30 -- CEO, Melrose PR, and podcaster Weaver makes the list for her passion for Blockchain technology. She was one of the first in the Blockchain world to create a public podcast, Crypto Token Talk, on the subject. Weaver's Los Angeles-based company is a public relations and creative marketing agency for Blockchain and cryptocurrency industries. A true voice in the space (whose work has appeared in major publications), Weaver also creasted her podcast to feature new ideas and conversations with a range of crypto entrepreneurs and experts, set to launch in January of 2018. Weaver is passionate about providing insight into the world of Blockchain for crypto enthusiasts and novices alike; as she explained to me, Blockchain technology is still a relatively unknown and misunderstood industry, so my hope is that the podcast can bring the revolutionary technology to a wider and non-technical audience via dialogues between Blockchain industry leaders and veterans. 3. David Raphael, 28 -- CEO, Infinity Growth Raphael makes the list because of his work with Bloom, a decentralized credit-scoring system powered by Ethereum. He serves as marketing advisor on that company's board and helped Bloom raise more than $40 million in Ethereum during its token sale in December. As CEO of Infinity Growth, based out of Brooklyn, NY, Raphael powers user-acquisition strategies for tech companies looking for explosive growth; Artsy and Wag are examples. He is currently a marketing advisor for Bloom, a protocol for decentralized credit on the blockchain. "We announced Bloom on the same week that Equifax leaked the personal data of 145 million Americans," Raphael told me. "One of Bloom's most exciting innovations is that the constant transfer of sensitive data is no longer required for a lender to validate the identity and creditworthiness of a given borrower." Bloom, Raphael said, reduces the reliance of the credit system on the three largest credit bureaus. "Instead of relying entirely upon credit bureaus, lenders can rely on the distributed trust of the Bloom network," he explained. 4. David Siu, 32 -- CEO, Novatron Capital Siu earned a spot on the list because of his projects with small- and medium-sized enterprises. As CEO of an initial coin offering incubator based out of Ontario, Canada, Siu works on many innovative and ground-breaking projects in the field of Blockchain technology. One of the startups backed by Novatron is RepuX, a platform that allows small- and medium sized enterprises to share encrypted data with developers, who can then use these data sets to build customized dApps that will ultimately support SMEs in growing their businesses. In todays digital economy, data is paramount, yet so many businesses collect data and then have no way to optimize it," Siu told me. "RepuX aims to provide avenues for these businesses to not only get the most out of their data, by seeing it integrated into useful applications, but to also earn rewards for sharing their anonymized data." 5. Dylan Dewdney, 37 -- Co-Founder, Harbour Dewdney makes the list because of his passion to revolutionize democracy and the way we vote today. Dewdneys company, Harbour, based out of Toronto, was born out of what he saw as a huge necessity to modernize decision-making and voting for the 21st century. "Our aim is that our protocol and platform will help to evolve both democracies and organizations toward greater accountability, freedom, fairness and efficiency through using the inherent advantages of the blockchain," Dewdney told me "We use code to help the world make better decisions. Wonder, curiosity and even naivete are some of the greatest gifts we have because they force you to ask the most basic questions," Dewdney continued. "They allow you to feel that there are still unique answers to those questions, and new roads to follow." Keep wonder and hope alive, he said. "It is the accumulation of the more mundane stuff that forms any large achievement. Accumulation of small things takes dedication. Dedication unlocks achievement. Discipline allows dedication. And discipline is just a choice." 6. Charlie Hulcher, 24 -- CTO and Co-Founder, Spire Hulcher, CTO of Spire, gained a spot on the list because his company, based out of Washington, D.C., is bringing Blockchain to smartphones in emerging markets. It's doing this by providing its telecom partners with pre-installed "Digital Currency Wallets" and access to a curated marketplace of decentralized applications (dApps). By delivering equal access to products and services, we can help level the playing field, in terms of unlocking every individuals potential, financially and socially," Hulcher told me. With the cost of smartphones plummeting, access to electricity and 4G connectivity getting more reliable and new technologies like Blockchain and edge computing coming online, emerging markets are facing huge change. "Suddenly, trusted access to identity, remittance, contracts and sharing of all kinds of resources is possible and affordable, decentralized across networks of smart devices. 7. John Wise, 32 -- CEO, Loci Wise, CEO of Loci, makes the list because his product, InnVenn, allows inventors to conduct their own research at a fraction of the cost of hiring a patent attorney. The idea behind Loci, based in Sterling, VA, originated during Wises time working in the automotive racing industry. Loci encourages inventors to claim and patent their ideas by making the patent research process more user-friendly and straight-forward, with fewer hoops, Wise told me. 8. Zachary Dempsey, 19 -- CEO, Slogan Social Dempsey earned a slot on the list because his company runs accounts for some of tthe biggest influencers on social media. As CEO of Vancouver-based Slogan Social, an influencer marketing and social media-management company, Dempsey and his team oversee the management of hundreds of nfluential accounts on Twitter and Instagram. With a combined following of over 250 million, Slogan Social has achieved over 2.5 billion organic impressions per month, Dempsey claimed. "In today's age of digital marketing, brands are struggling to keep the attention of their consumers. In order to stay relevant, brands need to embrace new mediums and leave behind old strategies," Dempsey told me. 9. Melissa Quinn, 27 -- Corporate development manager, RightMesh Quinn, of RightMesh, makes the list because of her project with Blockchain. RightMesh, based in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, is putting connectivity into more people's hands with its decentralized, mobile mesh networking platform. The platform uses the tokenization Blockchain allows to encourage users to share surplus Internet bandwidth with those in need. Quinn was recently appointed director of the Blockchain Users Group in Canada, and is an advocate for women working in that technology space. Our mission has always been to connect the next billion people in emerging markets, and enable a new subset of users to have the same social and economic benefits many of us take for granted," Quinn told me. "However, it is apparent now more than ever that mesh networks, and the incentivization of good behavior within that network are needed here in North America as well." 10. Ben Chester, 28 -- Co-Founder, Bedly Chester made the list because of his innovation in creating a new process to meet a basic need: finding a new apartment. In fact, Chester himself and his co-founder -- his roommate -- went from living in what he described as a closet to raising millions. The two were frustrated with the antiquated process of apartment-hunting: the need to deal with brokers, utilities, furniture shopping and inflexible leases. Since Chester's company, Bedly, based in New York City, started as a side project, it's raised millions in VC dollars and rocketed Bedly to extreme heights. Today, Bedly is the largest co-living platform in New York and Boston and has helped thousands of renters simplify their housing needs. Landlords are offering a product that doesnt make sense to modern renters. Were transforming apartment rentals by providing a simple, seamless experience previously unheard of in real estate. Chester shared with me. Related: Millennials Have Rediscovered the Benefits of Joining a Professional Organization Bottom line Millennial leaders, like the ten profiled here, are often entrepreneurial, passionate and engaged. While past generations idealized climbing the corporate ladder, millennials are pitching their ideas to create a business that doesnt just make money but makes the world better for future generations. Related: Oh, No! Not Another Article About Millennials! India's New Class of Entrepreneurs #5 Ways Companies Can Hire and Engage Next-Gen Talent Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com FAIRFIELD Two people were arrested Sunday and charged with shoplifting from Kohls, 290 Tunxis Hill Road. The pair was seen by store security removing sensor tags and concealing $1,300 worth of merchandise and then walking past the registers without paying. Jakaya Bittle, 27, of Third Street, Hamden, and Richard Mullings, 50, of Brooks Street, Bridgeport, were both charged with fourth-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit fourth-degree larceny. Mullings was also issued a ticket for possession of marijuana, when a small amount of marijuana was found in his pocket. Bittle was released on a promise to appear in state Superior Court in Bridgeport on Feb. 20. Mullings was released after posting a $400 bond and was given the same court date. A North Texas teacher has died from complications from the flu. Heather Holland, a second-grade teacher at Ikard Elementary School with the Weatherford Independent School District died over the weekend, the Weatherford Democrat reports. Holland got sick about a week ago and took medication, but delayed picking up the prescription due to the $116 copay, according to the newspaper. BRUTAL SEASON: This map of Texas explains why everyone you know has the flu 3 1 of 3 Weatherford ISD Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Getty Images Show More Show Less 3 of 3 By Friday night, Holland's condition worsened and she was taken to the hospital. Her husband Frank Holland told the Weatherford Democrat that she died Sunday morning. "She loved helping people, helping the kids, and the kids loved her," Holland's husband told the Weatherford Democrat. Charlotte LaGrone, a spokeswoman for Weatherford ISD, told news station CBS DFW that counselors are available at the school for the rest of the week to help students and school staff cope with the sudden loss. She added that custodians started deep cleaning the district's schools in December to keep students from getting sick, and that the specific campus where Holland was employed had received an additional cleaning on Friday, Feb. 2. MORE FLU IN TEXAS: Texas teacher is on life support after contracting two strains of the flu This year's flu season has been particularly deadly, with flu-related deaths being reported across the nation. Last month, five flu-related deaths were reported in the greater Houston area. The CDC reports the flu is widespread across America this year and possibly won't peak until March. Scroll through the gallery above to see top prevention tips for avoiding the flu. Will Axford is a digital reporter for Chron.com. Read more of his stories here and follow him on Twitter. When Bruce Foulke joined American Heritage Federal Credit Union in 1979, it was a $5 million financial institution serving 4,000 members. Under the CUES members leadership as president/CEO, the credit union has grown to $2 billion. Over time, says Chair Cecilia Grady, We began to hear warnings: You have to be careful about compensating him well, because as he makes a name for himself, other credit unions may try to steal him from you. We began looking at other forms of compensation that would entice Bruce to stay with our credit union. The boards executive committee took on the task of gathering information about options for structuring deferred compensation plans to supplement Foulkes salary and annual bonus. About 15 years ago, the board voted to offer him a 457(f) plan structured to enhance retention. In addition, a split-dollar life insurance program was put in place for him in 2016. American Heritage FCU now offers deferred compensation plans to its full senior management team: Investigations into Northeast nursing homes ongoing as COVID deaths rise State and federal investigations are ongoing into COVID-19 outbreaks at nursing homes in NY, NJ and PA. What we know about push for accountability. At the age of 15, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto wrote a letter to Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah on April 26, 1943. His anger at the events in the Frontier and Kashmir spilt on the paper. The events, he wrote, were the pro-India stance of Dr Khan Sahib and Sheikh Mohd Abdullah. How can Sheikh Mohd Abdullah and Dr Khan Sahib call themselves musalmans when they fall victim to Congress policy? It breaks my heart when I listen to their stupid speeches against the League. Are they really so ignorant or is it their idea of patriotism? In one stroke, he condemned pro-India movement of Red Shirts and Indian stooges like Sheikh Mohd Abdullah of Kashmir, calling them ignorant speeches of impractical men. Deep distrust of the other was embedded in the mind of this teenager. The letter seems to spit out the words. Musalmans should realise that Hindus can never, will never unite with us. They are the deadliest enemies of our Koran and our Prophet. The 15-year-old was studying at Cathedral School, Bombay. He had Parsi friends, like Piloo Mody, but must have rubbed shoulders with Hindu boys as well. He then offers himself to his one and only leader, The time will come when I will even sacrifice my life for Pakistan. He affirms his strong belief that Sindh will one day play a vital role in the birth of Pakistan. These childhood expressions later on were to become the foundation of his popularity when the country was at its most vulnerable - first having lost the 1965 war to India and later when Ayub Khan and Lal Bahadur Shastri signed the Tashkent Agreement in 1966. Next was the war of 1971 which led to the fall of Dacca on December 16. The country was stung with even more humiliation. For the two countries, the 18 intervening years following Independence and Partition, 19471965, were filled with extreme tension and enmity. There were divided families on both sides. Difficulties of travel were mounting; in the early days, permission from district commissioner was the only required document needed for travel. Soon special passport and later international passport was introduced. In the aftermath of the India-Pakistan war of 1965, many Pakistanis became anxious about the future of their country. There was widespread economic hardship in daily life. There was scarcity of coal, water, weapons; India had not paid Pakistans share of the consolidated fund. Indias refusal after Partition to part with what a resource-starved Pakistan regarded as its meagre share of financial assets and military equipment was deplored by no one less than Mahatma Gandhi. Pakistan was deprived of salt pans, which India had in plenty. East Pakistan had all the jute cultivation but its market and trade was not in Dacca; it was in Calcutta, a factor which paralysed East Pakistan. The battle over the accession of the Muslim majority state of Kashmir in 1948 (which was to be cut into half by a ceasefire line) sealed the feud. Not including the communal slaughter occasioned by Partition, it would be only the first round of bloodletting between India and Pakistan. Both states embarked on a collision course which was to become a permanent feature of their relationship in the years ahead. India, because of its greater economic resources and an industrial base as well as a vibrant political movement, led by the Congress party, was better able to absorb the costs of such ventures, Pakistan was not. ZAB wrote Confrontation with India at the time he was in thick of politics. His bitterness as reflected in the letter to Quaid-e-Azam now covered a much wider canvas. At the time of Partition, Pakistan had lost Gurdaspur, Ferozpur and certain disputed parts of Punjab as well as valuable territories in the East, notably Assam and Tripura. Likewise in district Amritsar, Muslim majority areas that we lost, spread from Lahore to the suburbs of Amritsar It has taken 20 years and two wars to establish the separate entity of our state with its population of over 120 million, and yet there are people who still lament the Partition of the sub-continent, portraying Pakistan as prodigal son who will someday return to the bosom of Bharat Mata... India wants breathing space in which to deal firmly with dissident elements. She would like to crush the Nagas and Mizos, who are close to East Pakistan, suppress the South and the Sikhs, contain pockets of discontent in Rajputana and break the spirit of 60 million Indian Muslims. ZABs resentment against what he sees as Indias hegemony recurs throughout his writings and speeches. His deep-rooted hurt at Pakistans weak responses and capitulation to India became the trigger which catapulted him into the political arena. It played out in the theatre of war in 1965. India-Pak skirmishes reached Srinagar between August 10 August 13. The government of India issued strong protest against Pakistan violating the Line of Control. As Pakistans foreign minister, ZAB denied the charge in strong words. On August 16, 1965, Pakistan entered Kargil and conflicts occurred in Chhamb, Medhar, Poonch, Uri and Thethwal. Pakistani armies advanced till Joriyan. On September 6, 1965, India crossed the International Border and opened war fronts in Sialkot, Lahore and Sindh. The 1965 war began. ZAB did not, publicly at least, take the credit for starting the war with India in 1965. However, as subsequent disclosures were to reveal, he was the chief proponent of a forward policy directed at forcing Indias hand over Kashmir. Thus, in accordance with Operation Gibraltar in August 1965, Pakistan had infiltrated trained guerrillas into Kashmir whose task was to provoke an armed uprising in the troubled valley. Unhappily for ZAB, Gibraltar was an unqualified fiasco. The Indian forces had responded in full measure not only to meet Pakistans offensive in Kashmir, but had escalated the conflict by launching an attack against Pakistan itself. While Ayub Khan favoured limited and short military adventure, he had no desire for a full-scale war which neither the US nor the Soviet Union would support despite their own differences. The war would only give satisfaction to China. Thus, the 17-day war was brought to an abrupt end in September. Fifty years after the 1965 war, at the age of 92, Dr Mubashir Hasan speaks with sharp recall of his deep personal feelings as eyewitness to the India-Pakistan war: The 1965 war between India and Pakistan was to leave a deep imprint on the psyche of the people of Pakistan, especially along the eastern border of the country. I too was profoundly affected. The Indian Army was within 12 miles of my home; I could hear the booming of the guns and regretted the inadequate preparation of the Pakistan Army. While I was opposed to the regime of the military dictator, field marshal Ayub Khan, I offered my services to the commander-in-chief, general Musa Khan for war duty, an offer which he declined. ZABs speech as Pakistans foreign minister at the emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on September 22, 1965 launched his star on Pakistans political firmament. He began by asserting that Pakistan was a small country. You have only to look at a map of the world and see our size to be aware of our resources and our ability. He defines India as a great monster, always given to aggression. He recounts its aggression against Junagadh, Manavadar, Mongrol, Hyderabad and Goa. Pakistan, according to Indian leaders, is its enemy number one. We have always known that India is determined to annihilate Pakistan. At the UNSC meeting, ZAB announced the cessation of hostilities by Pakistani forces. But before making the announcement, he made sure that he had put across what was his deepest conviction. We are resolved to fight for our honour, to fight for Pakistan, because we are victims of aggression. Aggression has been committed against the soil of Pakistan. Irrespective of our size, irrespective of our resources, we have the resolve, we have the will to fight because ours is a just cause. Ours is a righteous cause. He went on to speak words which would echo in the region for decades. We will wage a war for a thousand years, a war of defence. Born to be hanged, by Syeda Hameed; Rupa Publications With these lines, he raised the stature of his country and made the world sit up in grudging admiration of the grit of this fiery orator from a country which was on the discard list of most nations: This is the last chance for the Security Council to put all its force, all its energy, all its moral responsibility behind a fair and equitable and honorable solution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. History does not wait for councils, organisations or institutions, just as it does not wait for individuals Let me tell the Security Council on behalf of my government, that if now, after this last chance that we are giving the Security Council, it does not put its full force, full moral responsibility and full weight behind an equitable and honourable settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, Pakistan will have to leave the United Nations. In leaving the United Nations Pakistan will be fulfilling the Charter of the United Nations. He then stated the reason why Pakistan was created; its basic principle was to bring about a permanent settlement between the two major communities. For seven hundred years we sought to achieve equilibrium between the people of the two major communities, and we believed eventually that the only way to live in lasting peace with India was to establish our homeland, to establish a country smaller in area, but nevertheless capable of having a relationship, a modus vivendi, with a great and powerful neighbour. That was one of the prime factors responsible for the creation of Pakistan. He gave example of Sweden and Norway, which had to separate to get closer. By the same token, he explained, a separate country, Pakistan, would enable a permanent peace, a permanent understanding, between the people of both countries. He spoke of the limited resources of both the countries, which need to be deployed for development of the people. It is not the law of God that people in Asia and Africa should be poor We want to break the barriers of povertywe want to give our people a better life, we want our children to have a better future. He speaks of his countrys respect and regard for people of India and its hope that separation would have brought them closer. The basic principle that areas occupied by Muslim majority would form Pakistan, he said, was accepted by the Indian leaders. All we ask is to live in peace, friendship and goodwill with India on the basis of the understanding and agreements which the Indian government and the Indian leaders themselves solemnly pledged to my people and my country. Passionately appealing to stop the war of aggression, he said, Today we are fighting a war, a war imposed on us by India, a naked predatory unwarranted aggression by 450 million people against 100 million people, a war of chauvinism and aggrandizement by a mighty neighbour against a small country. We do not want to be exterminated But today our cities are being bombed indiscriminately by the might of India He later asked India to honour its commitments, pledges and promises to the people of Pakistan. Having said that, he came to the unresolved issue of Jammu and Kashmir. Perhaps this is one of the most iconic speeches by any foreign minister at the UN Security Council. ZAB uttered these words to representatives of world powers. The following statements echo Bhuttos frustration at the negligence of the world towards Pakistan while it was confronting India during the 1965 war. Jammu and Kashmir is not an integral part of India and has never been an integral part of India. It is a disputed territory between India and Pakistan. It is more a part of Pakistan than it can ever be of India, with all its eloquence and with all its extravagance with words. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are part of the people of Pakistan in blood, in flesh, in life - kith and kin of ours, in culture, in geography, in history and in every way and in every form We will wage a war for 1,000 years, a war of defence. I told that to the Security Council a year ago when that body, in all its wisdom and in all its power, was not prepared to give us a resolution But the world must know that the 100 million people of Pakistan will never abandon their pledges and promises. The Indians may abandon their pledges and promises - we shall never abandon ours. Irrespective of our size and resources, we shall fight to the end. The anger which was simmering all through the speech burst out and his words hit hard both India and UN. We are grateful to all of you for whatever you have done to uphold the cause of justice, because, finally and ultimately, justice must prevail. We believe, more than ever, that justice is bound to prevail for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Five million people must have the right to decide their own future. Why should they be made an exception? The debate tossed up the issue to heights beyond the sky which stretched over the UN dome when he asked, Should the whole phenomenon of self-determination, stretching from Asia and Africa, apply to the whole world except to the people of Jammu and Kashmir? Are they some outcastes of an Indian society? Are they some untouchable pariahs that they should not be given the right of self-determination, that they should not be allowed to have the right to their own future? The whole world believes in the right of self-determination. Must it be denied to the people of Jammu and Kashmir merely because power must prevail over principle? Power shall never prevail over principle. Finally and ultimately, principle must prevail over power. This is a Christian concept, it is an Islamic concept, and it is a civilized concept. He then avers that in this matter India was isolated with the whole of Asia and Africa supporting the right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir. Listing the countries which support Pakistan, he said, On the one hand, you have the whole world arrayed on the side of the cause of right and justice and morality, and, on the other hand, you have a war machine, an arrogant and chauvinistic state breaking its pledges, breaking its promises and wanting to destroy the will and the spirit of a people. The will and spirit of our people can never be destroyed. Let me tell you: you can have one ceasefire, you can have another ceasefire, but the 100 million people of Pakistan shall face extermination rather than forsake their principles or allow their principles to be negated and destroyed by sheer force and power. The Presidents message was lying untouched on his desk, he did not once look at it while he spoke. There was total silence in the Security Council. But the time had come when, having exonerated himself, he would read what was written by his head of state. I have the honour to transmit the following message from the President of Pakistan, which I received from Rawalpindi at 2 oclock ( which, is 11 o clock WPST) today (22 September 1965): Pakistan considers Security Council Resolution 211 of September 20 as unsatisfactory. However, in the interest of international peace and in order to enable the Security Council to evolve a self-executing procedure, which will lead to an honourable settlement of the root cause of the present conflict namely, the Jammu and Kashmir dispute I have issued the following order to the Pakistan armed forces. They will stop fighting as from 12.05 hours West Pakistan Time today. As from that time they will not fire on enemy forces unless fired upon, provided the Indian Government issues similar orders to its armed forces. Please accept, Excellences, the assurances of my highest consideration. Anyone else in this situation would have concluded his speech at this point, not ZAB. It was an extraordinary display of confidence fuelled by anger, which made him continue, drawing the Security Councils attention to its own cardinal weakness. After reading the message, he continued, But a cessation of hostilities is not enough. The Security Council the most important organ of the United Nations must now address itself to the heart of the problem. For 18 years, it has played and toyed with the future of Kashmir. It can no longer make a plaything or a toy out of five million people. It is the moral responsibility of the Security Council to address itself to a meaningful, a lasting solution of the problem of Jammu and Kashmir. He reminded the Security Council that the last time he was here it was not prepared to give Pakistan a piece of paper called a resolution. The Security Council had called it a dead and dormant issue. This can never be a dead issue, it can never be dormant. The speech to UNSC was followed six days later on September 28 by a much longer speech to the General Assembly which focused on the Kashmir dispute. First he laid down the basic principle; ceasefire this time must lead to a final settlement of the grave political problem underlying the conflict of the future of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto with Indira Gandhi in Shimla. (India Today) He gave historical precedents of self-determination such as Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria expressly based on the principle of ascertaining and respecting the wishes of the people involved. To deny people their right to choose their own destiny as India denies it to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the excuse given is that they are building multiracial or multi-religious societies and if they permit self-determination of one group or area their whole state may disintegrate. In pleading this excuse, they try to exploit the fear of dismemberment among many sovereign states. He then quoted words of one of the foremost Indian ideologues, Jayaprakash Narayan, which vindicate his argument, If we are so sure of the verdict of the people of Kashmir, why are we so opposed to giving them another opportunity to reiterate it? The answer given is that this would start the process of disintegration of India. Few things that have been said in the course of this controversy are more silly than this one. The assumption behind the argument is that the states of India are held together by force and not by the sentiment of a common nationality. It is an assumption that makes a mockery of the Indian nation and a tyrant of the Indian state. He referred to the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan. He said that the plan embodied in the Commission (UNCIP) resolutions of August 13, 1948 and January 5, 1949 provided for a ceasefire and the demarcation of a ceasefire line; the demilitarisation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir; and a free and impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the UN to determine the question of the accession of the state to India or Pakistan. It was upon acceptance of both resolutions by India and Pakistan that hostilities ceased on January 1, 1949. Then, as now, the ceasefire was meant to be a prelude to a permanent settlement, which was to be achieved through a plebiscite under UN auspices after a synchronized withdrawal of forces. Confronting Indias stand, he said that the whole history of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is Indias exploitation of the ceasefire, the first part of the agreement, for evading the implementation of the other two parts, rather than facilitating them. But the non-performance of an agreement by one party cannot render it invalid or obsolete. If it did, there would be no order in international life and the entire basis of the United Nations Charter would be undermined. Even though the agreement embodied in the two United Nations resolutions was not implemented by India, the Security Council repeatedly made clear its binding nature as an agreement and affirmed that its provisions were recognised and accepted by both India and Pakistan. ZABs speech at the UN changed the history of Pakistan. Emerging as a national hero, he became immensely popular, especially in those districts where Indian bombs had fallen during the 1965 war. 0His speech was delivered on the world stage, which stunned the most powerful countries, says Mubashir Hasan. In January 1966, a few months after ZABs speech at the UN, India and Pakistan met at Tashkent under the watchful eye of the Russian President. The Indian delegation was headed by Lal Bahadur Shastri and the Pakistan delegation by Ayub Khan. The venue of the meeting was a hotel in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. There is a Pakistan Archives photo of General Ayub Khan and Lal Bahadur Shastri; behind them is a third figure, a glum-faced Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Newspaper Mashriq in Pakistan reported: When Pakistan rejected the Indian compromise formula, Presidents Kosygin and Ayub held a discussion, the content of which was not revealed. Bhutto being the greatest impediment to this agreement was excluded from this meeting. Everybody knew that Bhutto was very unhappy with Tashkent. Kuldip Nayar, resident editor of The Statesman, reported: Bhutto was in a sour mood from the beginning. All the Pakistan delegates greeted Shastris inaugural speech with loud cheers, Bhutto, however, sat passively with his arms crossed. He wrote how ZAB was kept at a distance throughout by Ayub. After the inaugural speech, when the three leaders walked out to meet in a private room, ZAB tried to join them, but with a motion of his eye Ayub stopped him. Anger was large on the foreign ministers face. He insisted that Kashmir be included for the reason that no peace between India and Pakistan was possible until this was settled. None of his suggestions were taken on board. ZAB threatened to return to Pakistan and take the nation into confidence. His plea to Ayub Khan was to the effect, Accept my resignation and let me go back to Larkana; and I cannot work with you anymore. Being placed in a very tight spot, Ayub Khan pleaded with him not to resign or leave. He said, If you resign at this time, the opposition will take advantage and there will be a chaos in the country with the result that both India and Russia will intervene. Under great stress, ZAB stayed back for a day in Tashkent, but could no longer continue in Rawalpindi. He returned home to Larkana. Pakistan Times reported ZABs statement which was issued from his home. Although the Tashkent declaration has resumed the dialogue between India and Pakistan but no amount of platitudes can substitute or detract from the imperative need for a permanent settlement of the tragic dispute over Jammu & Kashmir. A year after ZAB left Ayub Khans government, he wrote his book, The Myth of Independence. The dispute over Kashmir, he argued, was no ordinary territorial dispute. If Pakistan were to settle for peace without securing the right of self-determination for the people of Kashmir, it would be the first step in the establishment of Indian hegemony in South Asia, with smaller states reduced to the status of Indian satellites. (Excerpted with permissions of Rupa Publications from Born to be hanged by Syeda Hameed.) Also read: Sunjuwan Army camp attack: Time to bite the bullet on Pakistan terrorism India faces a most difficult dilemma in dealing with the current developments in the Maldives. No easy course of action is available to stop the murder of democracy in the island nation without compromising many principles that we uphold in the conduct of international relations. Internal affairs We believe in respecting the sovereignty of states and non-interference in the internal affairs of countries. However repugnant to democratic norms may be President Abdulla Yameens conduct, it remains the Maldives internal matter and direct foreign intervention would violate international law. While India is wedded to democracy, it does not believe in imposing it on others. Consequently, any intervention by India to counter Yameens autocratic suppression of democracy at home would be contrary to its own beliefs. Our intervention in the Maldives in 1988 and in Sri Lanka in 1987 was at the request of and in agreement with the legitimate governments of these two countries. We have received no request for intervention from the Maldivian government. The former Maldivian President has no doubt sought it, but however worthy his appeal it lacks legitimacy in international law as a basis for intervention. Moreover, he is not in control of any territory in the Maldives and his appeal has not been made from Maldivian soil together with a group of significant politicians. If a civil war situation was developing with a real danger of loss of lives and timely intervention is needed, India as the closest neighbour with the capacity to act could intercede, but this is not the situation at present. Yameen has bludgeoned the Supreme Court into submission and is in control of the military. There is no street resistance to his high-handed conduct. India could interfere to evacuate Indian nationals if their lives were under threat but this contingency has not been reached yet. Yameens deplorable conduct certainly has internal consequences for the people of the Maldives but does not for the moment threaten peace and security, which if it did would have given the UN Security Council a basis to intervene. In case it appeared that the deteriorating internal political situation within the country was of a magnitude that if ignored could lead to external intervention of some kind by one country and a countervailing response by another, and, therefore, to prevent a potential conflict some step by the UN would be opportune, ideas like a UN fact-finding mission to assess the situation could be proposed. But for this to materialise there has to be a consensus in the UN Security Council. Chinas consent would be required, but one cannot see it agreeing to such an initiative. It has already advised against any external interference, arguing that the situation should be left to be handled internally by the Maldivians themselves and that the security of its projects and personnel can be assured by the authorities. It knows that the ouster of the Yameen government and the return of Mohamed Nasheed to power would not be in its interest, and therefore would resist a step that would weaken the current dispensation in Male. Regional options Unfortunately, regional options to deal with untoward developments that violate certain political standards that regional countries would like to uphold are not available either. The African Union, for instance, does not recognise the legitimacy of military coups in an African state and takes an adverse position as it has done in the most recent case of Zimbabwe. Even if the actual effectiveness of such non-acceptance is doubtful, there is a consensus within the organisation on unacceptable forms of internal political developments in African countries. In our case, a regional effort of sorts under the umbrella of SAARC to put political and moral pressure on the Maldives is out of the question given the political bankruptcy of SAARC. Not surprisingly, Yameen has reached out to Pakistan whose own rogue conduct makes it a plausible interlocutor. Chinese angle China has a vital geopolitical interest in the Maldives as part of its Indian Ocean strategy represented by its Maritime Silk Road project which the Yameen government has supported. Under Yameen legislation has been passed to transfer land on long-term lease to foreign enterprises to facilitate Chinas strategy. A Free Trade Agreement with China has been signed in all haste without discussion in the Maldivian parliament. Some key infrastructure projects have been awarded to China. All of this has been done in total disregard of Indias interests and concerns, including security ones. Yameen has been impervious to Indian diplomacy. His foreign ministers visit to India in January was unsatisfactory. He believes he can continue to play the China card against us. China says that it wishes to avoid another flashpoint with India (after Doklam) which suggests that it sees a conflict of interest between it and India in the Maldives, similar to the one in Bhutan. But China does not claim sovereignty over the Maldives and no border dispute with India is involved. China is implicitly denying India right to intervene in the Maldives and threatening to oppose it. The nuance of the Chinese position is unacceptable. Yameen is overplaying his hand and endangering Indias security. If understandings between the US, Japan, India and Australia on the Indo-Pacific and mounting European concerns about Chinas geopolitical ambitions are to be translated into concerted action in the region, the situation in the Maldives provides an opportunity to do so. Political and economic sanctions against the Yameen government should be the first step. (Courtesy of Mail Today) Also read: Why Renuka Chowdhury's laughter hurt Modi's ears In a recent statement, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has stated that if the Constitution were to permit, the RSS could raise a force for the country in three days, as opposed to the Indian Army, which would take six to seven months. He maintains that the Sangh is not a military institution, but has the wherewithal to raise a militia. Bhagwat making the three days versus 6-to-7 months distinction calls into question the functioning of an entire system and the capabilities of the country, although the RSS has since been at pains to clarify that this was not what he meant. The Opposition has gone to town over the issue, calling the statement an insult to the Army and the tricolour. It claims Bhagwat has insulted the martyrdom of our soldiers. Sadly, however, the Opposition has been unable to see what Bhagwat has actually revealed from his remarks. The outcry has been akin to tackling cancer with painkillers, completely missing the full heft of the issue. Bhagwat, through his remarks, has made two key things clear. His first claim is that he can raise an army in three days. The point here is not whether he can actually mobilise a fighting-fit force in three days. The question that needs to be asked is why exactly has the Sangh been training an army? What have its shakhas, camps and lectures been teaching that can be useful in organised warfare? In a democracy, is any organisation or ideology permitted to raise an army? Who gave the Sangh the permission to impart military training, and can such a militia ever be in the countrys best interests? Naxalites had tried to raise similar armies. They even managed to raise some platoons, which ended up killing people they were made up of. The Indian government considers them outlaws, and is running major operations against them. Similar attempts in Bihar saw the creation of upper caste militia Ranveer Sena, which proceeded to slaughter Dalits, and Bihar burnt in caste violence for years. Several communal groups indulge in armed training, and we suffer the consequences in the form of riots. If, by army, Bhagwat meant mobilising an army of volunteers, who, like the Armed Forces, can provide relief work in case of floods and other natural disasters, then every citizens collective, Gurudwaras, missionary bodies, should also be given the permit to raise such armies, for they all provide similar service, with more zeal than the Sangh. However, if Bhagwat actually meant an armed, fighting unit, it is a matter for grave concern. The Sangh draws its basic belief system from a deeply communal, polarised ideological space. Its ideology goes against the broader Hindu way of life, as well as Indias syncretic cultural heritage. In such a scenario, a clash of ethos is natural. But in such a clash, if one group is talking of raising armies and has actually been imparting training to that effect, it rings alarm bells for the country and the society. The second important bit is Bhagwat talking of the Constitution permitting the creation of such an army. The RSSs fond dream is a Hindu Rashtra based on its brand of Hindutva. Bhagwat knows that is not possible unless it has absolute control over the countrys government. He is also aware that for such total, lasting control, the Constitution needs to be altered. Changing the Constitution in a manner that can further the saffron agenda is among the Sanghs dearest ambitions. The RSS has always dreamt of the day when the Constitutions ownership will be taken away from Ambedkar and the Indian society and put on its table. From that day, the Sanghs writ will be law. Not for nothing did Bhagwat talk of if Constitution permits. The words betray his visions of a Constitution the Sangh can derive legitimacy and authority from. A Consitution that validates and empowers the RSS. This vision is of a divisive, polarised India that goes against the grain of the Constitution as we know it. It is instead a reflection of the kind of India that the RSS dreams of building and ruling. Today, the government that rules the country is controlled by the Sangh. However, this government has limitations of numbers in the Parliament and of the Constitution. The Sangh is aching to increase these numbers, so that the government is in a position to alter the Constitution and make the RSSs hold over India permanent. The claims of rustling up an army in three days and the implicit admission of conducting armed training do not stem from nothing. For the next few days, Bhagwat will be in Uttar Pradesh, where there will be a buzz over his recent remarks. The states chief minister already runs an "army" of his own, the Hindu Yuva Vahini. Such statements and situations create an atmosphere where one section of the society is living in fear, and the other is allowed to exploit and reinforce the fear at will. This violates the spirit of inclusiveness, and is dangerous for Indias internal security. Unfortunately, the Opposition, which claims to be the defender of the Constitution, has failed to recognise the actual menace behind Bhagwats words. It has limited itself to the flag and the Army, while the scale of the war is far greater. (Translated from Hindi by Yashee.) Also read: Mohan Bhagwat must explain why he has lost faith in Indian Army The terror attack on the Army camp at Sunjuwan on Srinagar National Highway has once again proved that the Pakistani establishment is providing all support to Jaish-e-Mohammad chief leader Maulana Masood Azhar, and leaving no stone unturned to protect him and the deadly terror outfit. In recent years, Masood Azhar has become the mainstay of Pakistan's anti-India agenda. Masood, who has spent most of his years with al Qaeda and the Taliban, is today busy preparing his army of most-dreaded terrorists to "fight for Kashmir", to train them and help them provide local support in Kashmir. In doing so, Masood is getting full support of the Pakistani army and the government, because for the past two years he has been kept completely underground and hidden from the outside world. No public appearance Masood Azhar has not made public appearance since the Pathankot attack two years ago. Sources in Indian intelligence agencies say that some concrete information on Masood Azhar did come about at the time of the Pathankot attack in January 2016. Back then, even Pakistans Punjab province law minister Rana Sanaullah had confirmed that the banned JeM chief Masood Azhar was taken into protective custody, but not arrested in connection with the Pathankot attack. That was the first time that Masood Azhar was detained in Pakistan. But since then, the Pakistan Army and the neighbouring country's government maintained complete silence over Masood. Indian intelligence agencies have come to know that the JeM chief has organised four major events in the past few months. In the first week of December, he organised an event on Kashmir at Rawalakot, where a camp was also held by the terror outfit at a local stadium. Local JeM terrorists had unknowingly put up posters in the city in which there was a mention of Maulana Masood Azhar. After this, three to four weeks ago, a programme on Kashmir was also organised by the JeM in Larkana (Sindh), in which it gave out a threat that soon a major attack on the Indian Army was to take place. Public statement in Peshawar According to intelligence agencies, for the past two years, Azhar has not taken part in any such programme from where his photos or videos were suspected to have come out. In cities such as Sindh and Karachi, Azhar's brother Maulana Talha Siaf read out Azhars speeches in Jaish's anti-India events. Masood did give a statement from Peshawar in November 2017, which was about his nephew Talha Rasheed, who was killed by security forces in Pulwama, Kashmir. He had refused to accept Rasheed's dead body. The extent to which the JeM chief enjoys influence in Pakistan can be understood from the fact that along with terrorists even the local police are involved for the security of his headquarter in Bahawalpur. SIT on Pathankot attack The SIT formed by Pakistan government after the Pathankot attack has not come out with its report till now. Masood Azhar was accused of plotting an attack on former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf, but he was never arrested in that case too. Despite all efforts by India, Pakistan along with China has been protecting Azhar from UN sanctions. Also read: No, eating cashews is not bad for you Long back on Twitter, a user noted that the words So, Valentines Day are the anagram for Senas violent day. This observation could not have been more apt. As per multiple news reports, members of Shiv Sena in Muzaffarnagar conducted a lathi puja (stick worship) on February 11, days before the day of love, declaring that these purified sticks would be used to teach a lesson to couples who dare to engage in public display of affection. The romantic history of Valentines Day celebrations and right-wing Hindu groups like Shiv Sena, Shriram Sene, Bajrang Dal, Hindu Mahasabha and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena is quite toxic. Every year, members of one of the many Senas (or all of them) decide that a celebration of love outside of marriage is harmful for the nations cultural values and proceed to attack and harass couples incidentally that is not against our culture at all. They beat up couples, they force them to marry, they raid pubs and bars, they burn pink Valentines Day cards and they talk about Hindu culture and tradition. This year, Shiv Sena, a party known to indulge in casual vandalism and mob violence has taken things up a notch: they are seeking gods blessings before they can propagate gods message of punishing teenagers who hold hands in public. Shiv Sena members burning Valentine's Day cards in Delhi, 2009. [Photo: Reuters] The Times of India quotes Lalit Mohan Sharma, the vice-president of the Uttar Pradesh Shiv Sena, saying: "Our workers will visit restaurants and hotels and conduct checks. We have also warned owners of such establishments not to organise Valentine's Day events. There could be a risk of property damage, for which the owners themselves will be responsible." It takes a certain amount of gall for a political party to threaten establishments with vandalism, while casually reminding them that if damage does occur, it will be at their own risk. But it doesnt end there. Lokesh Saini, another member of the party, added: "Celebration of Valentine's Day increases the occurrence of love jihad. This is not our culture. Our people will be deployed in parks and schools. If we find someone in an objectionable position, we will teach him a lesson." Shiv Sena members burning Valentine's Day cards in Delhi, 2009. [Photo: Reuters] In Uttar Pradesh, almost everything seems to boil down to communal politics. It is then not surprising at all that Valentines Day and the false bogey of Love Jihad the belief that Muslim men in India are conspiring to convert Hindu women by ensnaring and subsequently marrying them have found a common opposition. Not long ago, a CNN News18 report highlighted the techniques utilised by Hindu groups to nip love jihad in the bud. The report said that Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has set up a network of spies who work as restaurant employees across Western UP, whose job is to tip off the organisations about any potential relationship between a suspicious Muslim man and a Hindu girl. While the police have said that they will not let anyone take the law in their hands, it is a bit much to expect any real effective law enforcement against couple-beating-goons in UP when the state has its own moral policing mechanism in place in the form of anti-Romeo squads teams of policemen deployed to identify eve teasers and troublemakers in a crowd who have been accused of harassing law-abiding citizens under the garb of vigilance and protection. Also read: Have questions over Rafale deal made Nirmala Sitharaman lose her sheen? The following companies are subsidiares of Abbott Laboratories: 3A Nutrition (Vietnam) Company Limited, ABON Biopharm (Hangzhou) Co. 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V., ISP Global Operations (Barbados) Inc., ISP Global Technologies Deutschland Unterstutzungskasse GmbH, ISP Global Technologies Inc., ISP Global Technologies LLC, ISP HC Limited, ISP Holdings (U.K.) Ltd., ISP Hungary Holdings Limited Liability Company, ISP International Corp., ISP Investments LLC, ISP Lima LLC, ISP Luxembourg Canada S.a.r.l., ISP Management Company Inc., ISP Marl GmbH, ISP Marl Holdings GmbH, ISP Microcaps (U.K.) Limited, ISP Pharma Systems LLC, ISP Real Estate Company Inc., ISP Singapore Holding LLC, ISP Technologies Inc., ISP Technologies LLC, International Specialty Holdings LLC, International Specialty Products, International Specialty Products (India) Private Limited, International Specialty Products Funding Corporation, International Specialty Products Inc., Jiangmen Ashland Chemicals Company Limited, Nanjing Clear Environment Protection, Northwest Coatings, Oil Can Henrys, PT Ashland Asia, PT ISP Chemicals Indonesia, Pakistan Gum Industries (Private) Limited, Pharmachem Laboratories, Pharmachem Laboratories LLC, Pharmachem Laboratories Utah LLC, Prince Street Paterson LLC, Progiven S.A.S., Proprietary Nutritionals LLC, Ralop S. de R.L. de C.V., Saudi Industrial Resins Co. Ltd. (Polyester), Shanghai Ashland Industrial Trading Co. Ltd., St Croix Petrochemical Corp, Taiwan Ashland Co. Ltd., Techwax Limited, Vemera S. de R.L. de C.V., and WSP LLC. 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. Ralph Lauren Corp. engages in the design, marketing, and distribution of premium lifestyle products. The firm offers apparel, accessories, home furnishings, and other licensed product. It operates through the following segments: North America, Europe, and Asia. The North America segment consists of sales of Ralph Lauren branded apparel, accessories, home furnishings, and related products made through the Company's wholesale and retail businesses in the U.S. and Canada, excluding Club Monaco. The Europe segment caters to sales of Ralph Lauren branded apparel, accessories, home furnishings, and related products made through the Company's wholesale and retail businesses in Europe and the Middle East, excluding Club Monaco. The Asia segment covers the sales of Ralph Lauren branded apparel, accessories, home furnishings, and related products made through the Company's wholesale and retail businesses in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. The company was founded by Ralph Lauren in 1967 and is headquartered in New York, NY. Read More Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. engages in global investment banking, securities, and investment management, which provides financial services. It operates through the following business segments: Investment Banking, Global Markets, Asset Management, and Consumer & Wealth Management. The Investment Banking segment serves public and private sector clients around the world and provides financial advisory services, help companies raise capital to strengthen and grow their businesses and provide financing to corporate clients. The Global Markets segment serves its clients who buy and sell financial products, funding and manage risk. The Asset Management segment provides investment services to help clients preserve and grow their financial assets. The Consumer & Wealth Management segment helps clients to achieve their individual financial goals by providing a wealth advisory and banking services. The company was founded by Marcus Goldman in 1869 and is headquartered in New York, NY. Read More The Boeing Co. is an aerospace company, which engages in the manufacture of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. It operates through the following segments: Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space and Security; Global Services; and Boeing Capital. The Commercial Airplanes segment includes the development, production, and market of commercial jet aircraft and provides fleet support services, principally to the commercial airline industry worldwide. The Defense, Space and Security segment refers to the research, development, production and modification of manned and unmanned military aircraft and weapons systems for global strike, including fighter and combat rotorcraft aircraft and missile systems; global mobility, including tanker, rotorcraft and tilt-rotor aircraft; and airborne surveillance and reconnaissance, including command and control, battle management and airborne anti-submarine aircraft. The Global Services segment provides services to commercial and defense customers. The Boeing Capital segment seeks to ensure that Boeing customers have the financing they need to buy and take delivery of their Boeing product and manages overall financing exposure. T Read More CA, Inc., doing business as CA technologies, develops, markets, delivers, and licenses software products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Mainframe Solutions, Enterprise Solutions, and Services. The Mainframe Solutions segment offers solutions for the IBM z Systems platform, which runs various mission critical business applications. Its mainframe solutions enable customers enhance economics by increasing throughput and lowering cost per transaction; increasing business agility through DevOps tooling and processes; increasing reliability and availability of operations through machine intelligence and automation solutions; and protecting enterprise data with security and compliance. The Enterprise Solutions segment provides a range of software planning, development, and management tools for mobile, cloud, and distributed computing environments. It primarily provides customers secure application development, infrastructure management, automation, and identity-centric security solutions. The Services segment offers various services, such as consulting, implementation, application management, education, and support services to commercial and government customers for implementation and adoption of its software solutions. The company serves banks, insurance companies, other financial services providers, government agencies, information technology service providers, telecommunication providers, transportation companies, manufacturers, technology companies, retailers, educational organizations, and health care institutions. It sells its products through direct sales force, as well as through various partner channels comprising resellers, service providers, system integrators, managed service providers, and technology partners. The company was formerly known as Computer Associates International, Inc. and changed its name to CA, Inc. in 2006. CA, Inc. was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in New York, New York. Read More Canadian Real Estate Investment Trust (the Trust) is a real estate investment trust. The Trust's primary business objective is to accumulate and aggressively manage a portfolio of real estate assets and deliver the benefits of such real estate ownership to its Unitholders. It operates in three segments: retail, industrial and office. It operates in geographical locations, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan (Prairies), Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick (Atlantic), and Chicago, Illinois (the United States). Its portfolio includes over 200 properties, containing approximately 33 million square feet of gross leasable area. Its retail portfolio consists of over 9.2 million square feet. Its industrial portfolio consists of over 10 million square feet. Its office portfolio consists of approximately three million square feet. Its Ontario office portfolio consists of properties in the Greater Toronto Area. Its development portfolio consists of over 10 properties. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Prudential Financial: 210-220 E. 22nd Street SSGA Owner LLC, AIG Edison, AIG Star, AREF Cayman Co Ltd., AREF GP II Pte. Ltd., AREF GP Ltd., ASPF II - Feeder Fund GmbH, ASPF II - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, ASPF II Management GmbH, ASPF III (Scots) L.P., ASSURANCE, AST Investment Services Inc., Adlerwerke CB Investment LLC, Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones Habitat S.A., Administradora de Inversiones Previsionales SpA, Aoba Life Insurance Company, Asia Property Fund III GP S.a.r.l., Assurance IQ LLC, Assurance Intelligence LLC, BSC CP LP, Braeloch Holdings Inc., Braeloch Successor Corporation, Brazilian Capital Fund GP Limited, Broad Street Global Advisors LLC, Broome Street Holdings LLC, CB German Retail LLC, CLIS Co. Ltd., COLICO INC., Campus Drive LLC, Capital Agricultural Property Services Inc., Chadwick Boulevard Investment Holdings Co. LLC, Cibecue LLC, Coconino LLC, Colico II Inc., Columbus Drive Partners L.P., Commerce Street Holdings LLC, Commerce Street Investments LLC, Coolidge LLC, Coral Reef GP, Coral Reef L.P., Coral Reef Unit Trust, Cottage Street Investments LLC, Cottage Street Orbit Acquisition LLC, DHFL PRAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, DICKENS AVENUE HOLDINGS VI LLC, DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI (Ireland) L.P., DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI (US) L.P., Don Cesar Investor LLC, Dryden Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Dryden Finance II LLC, EVP II GP S.a r.l., EVP II Sweden Resi I GP S.a r.l., Edison Place Senior Note LLC, Essex LLC, EuroCore GP S.a r.l., European Value Partners GP S.a.r.l., Everbright PGIM Fund Management Co. Ltd., Flagstaff LLC, GA 1600 Commons LLC, GA 333 Hennepin Investor LLC, GA BV LLC, GA Bay Area GP LLC, GA Bay Area Investor LLC, GA Belden LLC, GA CLARENDON LLC, GA Cal Crossings LLC, GA Collins LLC, GA E. 22nd Street Apartments Holdings LLC, GA East 86 Street LLC, GA JHCII LLC, GA MENLO PARK INVESTOR LLC, GA Manor at Harbour Island LLC, GA Metro LLC, GA Mission LLC, GA TRITON INVESTOR LLC, GA W Paces LLC, GA/MDI 333 Hennepin Associates LLC, GIBRALTAR BSN HOLDINGS SDN BHD, GIBRALTAR INDIA SOLUTIONS LLP, Gateway Holdings II LLC, Gateway Holdings LLC, German Retail Income CP LP, Gibraltar BSN Life Berhad, Gibraltar International Insurance Services Company Inc., Gibraltar International Service LLC, Gibraltar Reinsurance Company Ltd., Gibraltar Universal Life Reinsurance Company, Glenealy International Limited, Global Portfolio Strategies Inc., Gold GP Limited, Gold II L.P., Gold L.P., Graham Resources Inc., Graham Royalty Ltd., Green Tree GP, Green Tree L.P., Greenlee LLC, Halsey Street Investments LLC, Hirakata LLC, IVP Fund GP LLC, Impact Investments Bridges UK S.a.r.l, Inter-Atlantic G Fund L.P., Inversiones Previsionales Chile SpA, Inversiones Previsionales Dos SpA, Ironbound Fund LLC, Jennison Associates LLC, Kyarra S.a r.l., Kyoei Annuity Home Co. Ltd., LINEUP LLC, Lake Street Partners IV L.P., MC GA COLLINS HOLDINGS LLC, MC GA COLLINS REALTY LLC, MC Insurance Agency Services LLC, Manor at Harbour Island LLC, Marble Canyon LLC, Maricopa LLC, Market Street Holdings IV LLC, Morenci LLC, Mulberry Street Holdings LLC, Mulberry Street Investment L.P., Mulberry Street Partners LLC, Mullin TBG Insurance Agency Services LLC, MullinTBG Insurance Agency Services, National Family Assurance Group LLC, New Savanna, Orchard Street Acres Inc., PAI Bay Farm LLC, PAI Bayrock Groves LLC, PAI Belvidere Farms LLC, PAI Big Cypress Farm LLC, PAI Corcoran 640 Ranch LLC, PAI DeKalb Farm LLC, PAI Delano 1500 Ranches LLC, PAI Flicker Orchard LLC, PAI Good Hope Farm LLC, PAI Hawk Creek Ranch LLC, PAI Hills Valley Ranches LLC, PAI Holly Hill Groves LLC, PAI Hunt Farm LLC, PAI Jackson Bayou Farm LLC, PAI Lake Placid Groves LLC, PAI Wallula Gap Vineyard LLC, PCP V Cayman AIV GP L.P., PEREF II Co-Invest 1 GP S.a r.l., PEREF II GP S.a r.l., PEREF II PV S.r.l, PFI EM-Tech Fund I LLC, PG Business Service Co. Ltd, PG Collection Service Co. Ltd., PGA Asian Retail Limited, PGA European Limited, PGI Co. Ltd, PGIM (Australia) Pty Ltd, PGIM (Hong Kong) Ltd., PGIM (Scots) Limited, PGIM (Shanghai) Company Ltd., PGIM (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., PGIM AVP IV GP S.a r.l., PGIM Advisory (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PGIM Agricultural Investments GP LLC, PGIM Agricultural Investors LP, PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Fund L.P., PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Partners LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management (Feeder) VI LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management Fund VI L.P., PGIM European Financing Limited, PGIM European Services Limited, PGIM Financial Limited, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund II L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives GP LLC, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives II GP LLC, PGIM Foreign Investments Inc., PGIM Holding Company LLC, PGIM INDIA ASSET MANAGEMENT PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM INDIA TRUSTEES PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM Inc., PGIM International Financing Inc., PGIM Investments LLC, PGIM Japan Co. Ltd., PGIM Korea Inc., PGIM LTIF Berlin GP S.a r.l., PGIM LTIF Berlin MLP S.ar.l., PGIM LTIF GP S.a.r.l., PGIM Limited, PGIM Loan Originator Manager Limited, PGIM M Campus GP S.a r.l., PGIM Management Partner Limited, PGIM MetaProp Investor LP LLC, PGIM Netherlands B.V., PGIM Overseas Investment Fund Management (Shanghai) Company Ltd, PGIM Private Capital (Ireland) Limited, PGIM Private Capital Limited, PGIM Private Placement Investors Inc., PGIM Private Placement Investors L.P., PGIM REF EUROPE SCSp, PGIM REF Europe GP S.a r.l., PGIM REF Europe Member LLC, PGIM REF Intermediary Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate (Japan) Ltd., PGIM Real Estate (UK) Limited, PGIM Real Estate CD S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Capital VII GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest L.P., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest SCSp, PGIM Real Estate Co-Invest Holdings LLC, PGIM Real Estate Debt GmbH, PGIM Real Estate Finance Holding Company, PGIM Real Estate Finance LLC, PGIM Real Estate France SAS, PGIM Real Estate Germany AG, PGIM Real Estate Global Debt GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Inmuebles S. de R.L. de C.V, PGIM Real Estate Italy S.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Loan Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate Luxembourg S.A., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate Management Luxembourg S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Mexico S.C., PGIM Real Estate S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate U.S. Debt Fund GP LLC, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management (Feeder) I LLC, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management Fund I L.P., PGIM Strategic Financing LLC, PGIM Strategic Investments Inc., PGIM USPF VI Manager LLC, PGIM Warehouse Inc., PGLH of Delaware Inc., PIFM Holdco LLC, PIIC Limited, PIISC Holdings (UK) Limited, PIM KF Blocker Holdings LLC, PIM KF Blocker V Holdings LLC, PIM USPF V Manager LLC, PLA Administradora Industrial SRL, PLA Administradora LLC, PLA Administradora S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional II S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional S.de R.L. de C.V., PLA Co-Investor LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager I LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager II LLC, PLA Mexico Residential Manager I LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Limited Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund IV Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund IV Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund I Blue LP, PLA Retail Fund I LP, PLA Retail Fund I Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund I Red LP, PLA Retail Fund II Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LP, PLA Retail Fund II Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II U.S. Carry/Co-Invest LP, PLA Services Manager Mexico LLC, PLAI Limited, PMCF Holdings LLC, PMCF Properties LLC, PPPF General Partner LLP, PR GA SCP Apartments LLC, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP (SCOTS FEEDER) LLP, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP LLP, PRECO ACCOUNT III LLC, PRECO ACCOUNT PARTNERSHIP III LP, PRECO Account IV LLC, PRECO Account Partnership IV LP, PRECO III GP LLP, PREFG Hanwha Manager LLC, PREI Acquisition I Inc., PREI Acquisition II Inc., PREI Acquisition LLC, PREI HYDG LLC, PREI International Inc., PRIAC Property Acquisitions LLC, PRICOA Management Partner Limited, PRISA Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Pooled Manager LLC, PRISA III Fund GP LLC, PRISA III Fund PIM LLC, PRREF II Fund Manager LLC, PRU 3XSquare LLC, PRUCO LLC, PRUDENTIAL CAPITAL ENERGY PARTNERS MANAGEMENT (FEEDER) LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP MEMBER LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP REIT LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE 2 LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE LLC, PT PFI Mega Life Insurance, Passaic Fund LLC, Pine Tree GP, Pine Tree L.P., Platinum GP Limited, Platinum II L.P., Platinum L.P., Pramerica (Hong Kong) Holdings Limited, Pramerica (Luxembourg) CP GP S.a.r.l., Pramerica (Scots) CP GP LLP, Pramerica Business Consulting (Shanghai) Company Limited, Pramerica EVP CP LP, Pramerica Financial Asia Headquarters Pte. 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Ltd., Prudential Trust Company, Prudential Universal Reinsurance Company, Prudential Workplace Solutions Group Services LLC, Prudential do Brasil Seguros de Vida S.A., Prudential do Brasil Vida em Grupo S.A., Prudential/TMW Real Estate Group LLC, Pruservicos Participacoes Ltda., QMA JP EM All Cap Equity Partners LLC, QMA LLC, QMA Wadhwani LLP, Quartzsite LLC, Residential Services Corporation of America LLC, Rio CP LP, Rock European Real Estate Holdings S.ar.l., Rock Global Real Estate LLC, Rock Kensington Limited, Rock Marty GP S.a r.l., Rock Oxford S.a r.l., Rock UK Real Estate Holdings S.ar.l., Rock UK Real Estate II S.a.r.l., Rockstone Co. Ltd., Rosado Grande LLC, Ross Avenue Energy Fund Holdings LLC, Ross Avenue Minerals 2012 LLC, SCP Apartments LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERS VI GP LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERSHIP FUND VI GP LLC, SHP IV Carried Interest LP, SHP V Carried Interest L.P., SMP Holdings Inc., SVIIT Holdings Inc., Sanei Collection Service Co. Ltd. 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Ltd., The Prudential Home Mortgage Company Inc., The Prudential Insurance Company of America, The Prudential Life Insurance Company Ltd., The Prudential Real Estate Financial Services of America Inc., The WMF Group, Thurloe Commercial Guernsey Limited, Times Square Center Associates, USPF V - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, USPF V Carry LLC, USPF V Co-Invest LLC, USPF V Investment LP, United States Property Fund VI GP S.a r.l., Vailsburg Fund LLC, Vantage Casualty Insurance Company, Wabash Avenue Holdings V LLC, Wabash Avenue Partners V L.P., Wadhwani Capital Limited, Waveland Avenue Holdings I LLC, Waveland Avenue Partners I (Ireland) L.P., Waveland Avenue Partners I (US) L.P., Wellness Services Ecossistema De Bem Estar Ltda., Wellness Services SRL, Yamato Life, and Yavapai LLC. CAE Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and supplies simulation equipment and training solutions to defense and security markets, commercial airlines, business aircraft operators, helicopter operators, aircraft manufacturers, and healthcare education and service providers worldwide. The company's Civil Aviation Training Solutions segment provides training solutions for flight, cabin, maintenance, and ground personnel in commercial, business, and helicopter aviation; flight simulation training devices; and ab initio pilot training and crew sourcing services, as well as end to end digitally-enabled crew management, training operations solutions, and optimization software. Its Defence and Security segment offers training and mission support solutions for defense forces across multi-domain operations, and for government organizations responsible for public safety. The company's Healthcare segment provides integrated education and training solutions, including surgical and imaging simulations, curriculum, audiovisual and centre management platforms, and patient simulators to healthcare students and clinical professionals. The company was formerly known as CAE Industries Ltd. and changed its name to CAE Inc. in June 1993. CAE Inc. was founded in 1947 and is headquartered in Saint-Laurent, Canada. Read More Vermilion Energy Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of petroleum and natural gas in North America, Europe, and Australia. It owns 81% working interest in 642,300 net acres of developed land and 87% working interest in 376,700 net acres of undeveloped land, and 613 net producing natural gas wells and 3,034 net producing oil wells in Canada; and 96% working interest in 248,900 net acres of developed land and 91% working interest in 222,100 net acres of undeveloped land in the Aquitaine and Paris Basins, and 325 net producing oil wells and 3.0 net producing gas wells in France. The company also owns 49% working interest in 930,000 net acres of land and 51 net producing natural gas wells in the Netherlands; and 36,900 net developed acres and 965,900 net undeveloped acres of land, and 61 net producing oil wells and 8 net producing natural gas wells in Germany. In addition, it owns offshore Corrib natural gas field located to the northwest coast of Ireland; and 100% working interest in the Wandoo offshore oil field and related production assets that covers 59,600 acres located on Western Australia's northwest shelf. Further, the company holds 138,000 net acres of land in the Powder River basin, and 136.6 net producing oil wells in the United States; and 951,200 net acres of land in Hungary, 244,900 net acres of land in Slovakia, and 2.4 million net acres of land in Croatia. Vermilion Energy Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Read More Suncor Energy Inc. operates as an integrated energy company. The company primarily focuses on developing petroleum resource basins in Canada's Athabasca oil sands; explores, acquires, develops, produces, transports, refines, and markets crude oil in Canada and internationally; markets petroleum and petrochemical products under the Petro-Canada name primarily in Canada. It operates in Oil Sands; Exploration and Production; Refining and Marketing; and Corporate and Eliminations segments. The Oil Sands segment recovers bitumen from mining and in situ operations, and upgrades it into refinery feedstock and diesel fuel, or blends the bitumen with diluent for direct sale to market. The Exploration and Production segment is involved in offshore operations off the east coast of Canada and in the North Sea; and operating onshore assets in Libya and Syria. The Refining and Marketing segment refines crude oil and intermediate feedstock into various petroleum and petrochemical products; and markets refined petroleum products to retail, commercial, and industrial customers through its other retail sellers. The Corporate and Eliminations segment operates four wind farm operations in Ontario and Western Canada. The company also markets and trades in crude oil, natural gas, byproducts, refined products, and power. The company was formerly known as Suncor Inc. and changed its name to Suncor Energy Inc. in April 1997. Suncor Energy Inc. was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Read More Mumbai: Priya Prakash Varrier has become an overnight sensation with just one wink. She has become every boys crush and it is something that she might have not expected right in her debut film. What is Priyas reaction on it? I am very happy. Dont know how to handle so much love. Its completely surreal, Priya tells Hindustan Times. Im falling short of words trying to express myself. Never expected this, said an exhuberant Varrier. Ahead of Valentines Day, her mailbox is full of date requests, with so many proposals already. My family and I are confused about how to react to his instant fame. It happened overnight and I dont how to really handle all this fame and attention. This is my first feature film, Priya told Gulf News. Speaking about the preparation for the Malayalam song Manikya Malaraya Poovi from her debut film Oru Adaar Love, Priya told HT, The director wanted me to play with my eyebrows in a certain way. Its a mappila song (rhythmic songs in the north Kerala tradition) that has been recreated for the film. And theres a scene where this girl and this boy converse through expressions and the director wanted a certain mannerism. I just followed his instruction. The expressions were a totally natural process, exclaimed Priya. All of this is so unexpected and I never expected such a huge reaction What you see in that song was all spontaneous. The director asked me to do something cute and just asked me if I could wink, said Varrier with a laugh to Gulf News. The expressions shown in the song was all done on the spot and therefore all of this is so unbelievable, Varrier added. A trainer dancer, Priya feels that it has helped her become an overnight star. Maybe it did help I have trained in Bharathnatyam and Mohiniyattam. Although I want to continue my studies, I want to act more, she stressed. Theres no one special in my life. My studies and my dream of becoming an actor are the two focal points of my life. On Valentines Day, Ill have to go to college because attendance is a problem. Im not thinking much [about getting mobbed] after all, I go to a girls college, she laughed while speaking to Hindustan Times. Priya also hopes to work in Bollywood sometime later. I would definitely want to work in Bollywood. Sanjay Leela Bhansali is the director I would want to work with. I have got a lot of offers from Malayalam, Tamil and Bollywood. But I have not signed any other movie yet, she told CNN News 18. Working in Bollywood is a dream. My favourites are Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, she signs off to HT. After the song, a teaser from her debut film will be out tonight. I hope the teaser tonight also gets such a huge reaction like the song got, Varrier signed off. The child's body was found in the suitcase on Tuesday following rising stench from Sakya's home, which he had blamed for dead rats. (Photo: Representational/PTI) New Delhi: A seven-year-old boy was murdered and his body found hidden in a suitcase in the house of a former tenant of the boy's family in northwest Delhis Swaroop Nagar. The boy had been missing since January 7. The tenant, Avadesh Sakya, an IAS aspirant, was "unhappy" with the boy's family as they had objected to his partying in the house, the police said according to a report in NDTV. Sakya, who had stayed with the family for eight years in Swaroop Nagar, had recently shifted to another house in the same neighbourhood. He used to visit the family regularly. After the boy went missing, Sakya had also joined the search party and had also gone to the police with the child's parents. The child's body was found in the suitcase on Tuesday following rising stench from Sakya's home, which he had blamed for dead rats. "My son used to call him Avadesh Uncle. He fed him Chhole Kulche and also promised him a new cycle. That day, he asked me to go to Chachi's house and then he never returned," the child's mother was quoted as saying by NDTV. The police believe that Sakya couldn't dispose off the body as the area was continuously being investigated after the child's abduction. They said that looking at the condition of the body, the boy might have been killed immediately after his abduction. Kannur: Youth Congress leader S.P. Shuhaib hailing from Edayannur was hacked to death allegedly by CPM workers late on Monday night. Shuhaib was taking tea at a roadside eatery with his friends when a gang arrived in a van and threw a country-made bomb and hacked him on his legs. His friends, Noushad, 27, Pallipparambath, Riyas, 27, and Riyas Manzil, who tried to save him, were also injured and admitted to a private hospital in Kannur. Shuhaib, who was bleeding profusely, died on the way to Government Medical College, Kozhikode. The post-mortem was also held at MCH. The Congress observed a dawn-to-dusk hartal in Kannur on Tuesday. Shuhaib was Youth Congress Keezhallur mandalam president. Around two weeks ago, he was arrested in connection with the clashes in a nearby school and was released on bail. The CPM workers had allegedly taken out a procession a fortnight ago shouting death threats against him. The Congress workers have circulated the video soon after his death. The Congress alleged that the slogan stated Ninte Naalukal Ennappettu (Your days are counted). However, the CPM denied the allegation with district secretary P. Jayarajan promising to conduct a probe within the party. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala condemned the killing as Red Terrorism. However Mr Jayarajan retorted that the coinage sounded similar to that by the RSS. Kannur DCC president Satheesan Pacheni will hold a hunger strike on Wednesday in front of the collectorate demanding the speedy arrest of the culprits. Kannur range IG Mahipal Yadav told this newspaper that four people were suspected to be behind the attack, but none was taken into custody yet. Though the CPM has denied any role in the murder, it seems to have political involvement, as the victim was earlier involved in clashes with the CPM in the locality with cases and counter cases, the IG said. The minister's team members said that he had made the statement to the party workers. (Photo: DC/File) Chennai: Tamil Nadu's School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan courted controversy after he said on Sunday that job opportunities would be provided to only those who are recommended by the ruling AIADMK workers. "You do not have to worry. In future, only those who you point will get job opportunities," the minister told party workers in Gobichettipalayam, according to NDTV. "This assurance and this idea have been expressed to the party high command when our chief minister and the deputy chief minister and we were seated," Sengottaiyan said. "This government is forever ready to take you to the peak if the cadre decide to run the party in the best way," he added. The minister's team members told NDTV that he had made the statement to the party workers. "He referred to appointment of sweepers and office assistants in ration shops. He had responded to a specific question on this," they said. Earlier in February, another AIADMK minister, Sellur K Raju said that government welfare measures would be given only to AIADMK card holders, even as Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said that such schemes were meant for all. Also Read: Only AIADMK card holders will get welfare schemes benefits: TN minister "AIADMK party card is what identifies us and is equal to our life itself.... every party member should have it. All party members should have the card. Only if you have it, can you get government welfare schemes benefits either for you or your family," he had said. The demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya resulted in several months of inter-communal rioting between India's Hindu and Muslim communities, causing the death of at least 2,000 people. (Photo: AFP/File) Ayodhya: Days before the Supreme Court's final hearing on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a right-wing group will launch a "Ram Rajya Rath Yatra" from Ayodhya on Tuesday. The rally is expected to pass through 6 states over the next two months and will end in Tamil Nadu's Rameswaram. The Yatra will be flagged off by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath from Karsevakpuram in Ayodhya. The Yatra will travel from UP, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and end in Tamil Nadu. The Yatra is designed to revive the Ram temple movement in time for the next Lok Sabha elections. Senior BJP leader LK Advani took out the the BJP's first Rath Yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya, in 1990. The yatra was aimed at creating awareness about Ayodhya movement. Leaders from non-BJP states like Kerala said that they were not comfortable with the rally in view of the rally held by Advani in 1990. Senior CPM leader MA Baby from Kerala admitted that he was "very apprehensive" and hoped the yatra won't materialize, according to a report in NDTV. The CPM has termed the rally as "politically motivated", which the organisers have denied. The Supreme Court last week made it clear that it will deal with the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case purely as a land dispute and posted the batch of 14 appeals for hearing from March 14. The demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya resulted in several months of inter-communal rioting between India's Hindu and Muslim communities, causing the death of at least 2,000 people. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Congress party has condemned the murder of Youth Congress Mattanur block secretary T. H. Shuhaib on Monday night. Leaders, including party president Rahul Gandhi, CWC member A.K. Antony, KPCC president M.M. Hassan and Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala called for swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice. Mr Rahul Gandhi in a tweet expressed his condolences to the victim's family and said "May his soul rest in peace." Mr Antony lashed out at the CPM and said the CPM was showing arrogance of power. "The police have become ineffective before the CPM terror. Murderous and blood-soaked politics is ingrained in their blood. Those who have voted the CPM to power are encouraging violence," Mr Antony said here. He added that the chief minister holding charge of the home department had failed to maintain law and order in his own constituency. Mr Antony also did not spare the state BJP leadership and said the BJP is all about intolerance and communal fascism and CPM about intolerance. Mr Hassan said that the CPM had again shown its brutal face. "The CPM is trying to evolve Kerala into a war zone by triggering violent politics. This is a murder that happened with the knowledge and permission of the CPM district leadership," he said. The video showing some CPM members shouting "your days are numbered" during their rally at Edayannur two weeks ago was proof for the fact that the CPM was behind the murder. Mr Chennithala said that the murder had jolted human conscience. "Kannur is witnessing 'red terror,' he added. "So far, 21 political murders have happened in Kannur after the LDF came to power. The CPM is wreaking terror in Kannur by not allowing any other political party to function," Mr Chennithala said. Terming the murder as shocking, former chief minister Oommen Chandy alleged that the violence in Kannur had the silent consent of the state government. "The killing is part of the CPM's attempt to make Kerala a war zone by turning the CPM-BJP rivalry towards the Congress also. Despite the police knowing about the turmoil in Kannur and Vatakara, they didn't raise a finger. All those who believe in democracy should stand against CPM's killer politics," said Mr Chandy. Congress leader V. M. Sudheeran said Mr Pinarayi Vijayan had proved to be an utter failure and demanded his resignation. SRINAGAR: Two Lashkar-e-Tayyaba militants holed up in an under construction multi-storey building in Srinagars Karan Nagar area were killed in the security forces final assault on Tuesday afternoon, 32 hours after the duo had made an abortive attempt to storm a nearby camp of the Central Reserve Police Force. Inspector general of police (Kashmir range), Swayam Prakash Pani, announcing it at a press conference here said, Both terrorists who were engaged in a gunfight with the security force since Monday morning have been neutralised. He said that one CRPF jawan Muhammad Mujahid Khan, a resident of Arah district of Bihar, was killed and a J&K policeman Javid Ahmad was injured while fighting the militants. He added that the identity of the slain militants is being ascertained. The militant duo had tried to storm the camp of the CRPFs 23rd Battalion shortly before dawn on Monday, exactly the way a group of militants believed to be members of Jaish-e-Muhammad did at an Army station at Sanjwan in Jammu. Hyderabad: Stating that terrorists dont discriminate on the basis of religion, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday said that five of the seven soldiers who died in a terror attack on a Army camp in Jammus Sunjwan were Muslims. Mr Owaisi said so-called nationalists question the nationalism of Muslims, but the terrorists are killing us too as they treat everyone as Indians. But there are many people in the country who still question our integrity. Taking a dig at the Central government, he said, This is not the first incident. In 2003, a similar attack took place in Sunjwan. The same route was adopted. No lessons have been learned from Uri, Pathankot or Nagrota. Who will take the responsibility? Is it not intelligence failure? Hyderabad: About 1,500 police officers will be deployed as part of the security arrangements for Iranian President Dr Hassan Rouhanis visit to the city on Thursday and Friday. Dr Rouhani will be staying at a hotel in Banjara Hills. He is expected to hold a meeting with scholars of various schools of thought and religious sects on Thursday evening. He also plans to visit the Mecca Masjid and address a public gathering on Friday. A hassle-free route has been identified for the convoy of the President of Iran, Dr Hassan Rouhani. Inside the mosque, there will be policemen in plain clothes, and outside, uniformed men from various agencies will be posted, said V. Satyanarayana, the DCP of the South Zone. Teams from the Rapid Action Force, the Greyhounds and the Octopus will be part of the security arrangements. The West Zone Police are also preparing for the visit. On Tuesday, officials of the Iranian security agencies and the local police visited and inspected the various places that Dr Rouhani is scheduled to visit. Vijayawada: Infertility has increased among males in Vijayawada city in the last one decade. Two case studies in Vijayawada suggested that 40-45 pc of infertility cases among men in the Capital city were due to genetic disorders, infection, ignoring nutritious food, lack of regular exercise, work stress, exposure to environmental pollutants, etc.. In a case related to Ms Priyanka, 30, and Mr Bala, 37, (names changed) who were married for 5 years and have been wanting to become parents for the last 3 years, they were evaluated at different clinics to find the cause behind inability to conceive. Priyanka had regular menstrual cycles with normal ovarian reserve and normal uterus with good endometrial thickness. However, Bala had Azoospermia i.e. no sperms were found in the ejaculate. They were advised for donor sperm IUI to get pregnancy, according to Dr. G. Sree Lakshmi, a city-based fertility specialist. After detailed history and examination and a semen analysis was repeated, it has been confirmed there were no sperms in the semen, said Dr Sree Lakshmi. Bala's testosterone and FSH hormone evaluation was found to be within the normal range with normal testicular size. After proper counselling to the couple, a successful surgical retrieval of sperms from testis was done. The couple was then explained about their chances of having their own genetic baby through ICSI procedure with testicular sperms. Later, the couple had a successful pregnancy with help of the same technology. In second case, Latha, 27, and Sandeep, 34, (names changed) were married for 7 years when they approached the fertility specialist, with history of infertility. On investigating both, Latha was found to be normal. Sandeep had very low sperm count. He was then counselled for lifestyle modifications like quitting alcohol and cigarette smoking. Antibiotic course, aromatase inhibitors, and antioxidants were given to improve sperm parameters for 3 months, but there was no improvement. The couple wanted their own genetic baby, so they decided to go for self-sperm ICSI. Though it was unsuccessful in the first attempt, Latha conceived in the second cycle. Explaining the reasons for infertility in men in the Capital city, Dr Sree Lakshmi said that excessive dependence on electronic devices like laptops, tabs and ipads was found to be the cause of radiation, resulting in infertility in males. KALABURAGI: Asserting that Karnataka was far better off than BJP ruled states in so far as law and order and governance is concerned, AICC President Rahul Gandhi advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to deliver a "discourse" on these subjects to people of Karnataka. Addressing a big gathering of Congress workers at Jewargi near here on Monday as part of his 'Janashirvad Yatre,' Mr Gandhi said: Violence is rampant In Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan where the BJP is in power. The BJP is creating enmity between communities and triggering violence among them. Dalits, minorities and other backward communities are bearing the brunt of the violence. Mr Modi, please go and see those BJP-ruled states instead of delivering a discourse to people of Karnataka. The Congress president also flayed Mr Modi for neglecting the interests of farmers, while going out of the way to promote the interests of select corporate bodies. Once I had gone to Modi's office and requested him to waive farm loans (borrowed from nationalised and scheduled banks). Mr. Modi didn't say anything. After a few days, I raised the same issue with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He took a decision to waive farm loans of around Rs 8,000 crore (borrowed from cooperative societies) in ten hours, Mr Gandhi said. He hailed the contributions of Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and former CM late Dharam Singh in the enactment of Article 371(J) providing special status to Hyderabad-Karnataka. The BJP-led NDA government had outrightly rejected the demand for Article 371(J). After the Congress-led UPA assumed power at the Centre, we did it, he said. He added that the H-K region got additional 5000 medical and engineering seats every year, 20,000 additional jobs and Rs 4000 crore additional funds in the last three years thanks to Article 371(J). Kalaburagi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused the RSS of trying to capture every institution and charged that NDA ministers at the Centre were not operating independently as the Sangh Parivar outfits men were planted in each ministry. He also said the idea of demonetisation was given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by a particular ideologue of the RSS. In every single ministry in India, at the national level there is an OSD from RSS working with the minister The minister is not operating on his own, he said. Interacting with professionals and the business community at the end of his four-day campaign in poll-bound Karnataka, Mr Gandhi said The approach is of capture, the approach here is an institution and let us capture it; as opposed to allowing an institution to serve the people of India and allowing the people of India to capture the institution. This is the fundamental conflict we have with BJP. Their idea is wherever they go, they plant people with their ideology into that organisation, he said. The Congress idea is to democratise institutions while BJP believes in bureaucratising the institutions, he said. Mr Gandhi said the idea of note ban was also given by an RSS ideologue. Do you know where the idea of note bandi (note ban) came from? Do you know who gave the idea of note bandi to the Prime Minister It was not RBI, it was not Arun Jaitley (finance minister), it was not an officer in the finance ministry, Mr Gandhi said. It was a particular ideologue of the RSS. Now you imagine the RSS places an idea into the Prime Ministers mind and the Prime Minister launches that idea, said Mr Gandhi who squarely blamed the PM for the ill-advised move saying it had wreaked havoc on the lives of people. Reiterating his strong opposition to the Gabbar Singh Tax (GST), Mr Gandhi made a promise to reform and simplify it (when his party comes to power). He again blamed Mr Modi for introducing GST solely with an intent to show off to the world. The Congress had a simple concept about GST. It wanted one tax slab for a large number of items used by the general public and another slab for the rest. Moreover we had suggested introducing it as a pilot project for three months and later on extending it after seeing the results, he said. When this suggestion was put before Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the latter expressed his inability saying the PM had already made up his mind. It's a self-inflicted injury and the result of Modi's desire to show off to the world. We will reform and remove the hurdles that have been created, Mr Gandhi assured. Replying to a women entrepreneur, Mr Gandhi said that he was for encouraging more women in different fields including politics. "I want to bring more women from panchayat bodies to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. I want to see more women MLAs, MPs and CMs. I will speak to my party CMs in different states in this regard. I'm also of the view that bank loans should be given directly to women entrepreneurs, he added. It was a state visit to a non-state. We have de-hyphenated our relations with Palestine and Israel and now we see them both as mutually independent and exclusive and as part of this policy the Prime Minister is undertaking this visit, boasted an external affairs ministry joint secretary. But the linkage and the hyphen seemed very strong indeed as Israeli Air Force helicopters escorted the Royal Jordanian Army helicopter in which Narendra Modi travelled to Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank whose entrance, exit, borders and airspace are all strictly controlled by Israel. No doubt Mr Modi meant well. Some reports claim he said India hoped for an early realisation of a sovereign and independent state of Palestine. Whether he did or not, he didnt want millions of dispossessed Palestinians to feel his heady bromance with Benjamin Netanyahu leaves them forever stateless in a no-mans-land. Hence the balancing act of this visit. The surreptitious pussyfooting of all those years going back to the 1962 Himalayan war when India felt guilty about its Israeli lover is over. India and Israel are now proud strategic partners, ties extending to intelligence- sharing on terrorism and joint military training. As the largest buyer of Israeli weapons, India actually helps Israel maintain its stranglehold on the conquered West Bank, Gaza and Golan Heights. Indo-Israeli military business was worth around $9 billion between 1999 and 2009. Unlike his predecessors, Mr Modi doesnt have to be secretive. If Israeli claims regarding a survey by an unnamed international market research company are to be believed, Zionism is more popular in India than in the United States. The study claims 58 per cent of Indian respondents are sympathetic to the Jewish state, against only 56 per cent of Americans. But let us not pretend the Israelis had nothing to do with this first visit to Palestine by an Indian Prime Minister. No doubt under official guidance, some reporters made much of the fact that Mr Modi travelled from Jordan and not Israel, as Pranab Mukherjee had done. That eyewash will convince no one who knows the situation. Mindful of its artificial identity and precariously poised monarchy, the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan is Israels closest friend in West Asia. The late King Husseins limousine could be seen waiting at the Allenby Bridge early every morning even during the Six-Day War for the Jerusalem Post newspaper, which he obviously regarded as more reliable than any Arab publication. The half-English, British-trained King Abdullah II, whom the media showed in the obligatory bear hug with Mr Modi, was Mr Netanyahus proxy on this occasion. That wouldnt have mattered if the visit meant a genuine step towards sovereign independence. Palestines present status can be compared to the 15 republics of the old Soviet Union (several of which were United Nations members) or more appositely apartheid South Africas Bantustans, four of which were declared independent although recognised only by Pretoria. For that matter, pre-1947 India was a founding member of the League of Nations and the United Nations, declared war and made peace, but all on Londons orders. The red carpet reception for Mr Modi, the guard of honour and troop inspection could be compared to the Maharaja of Bikaner and Lord Sinha attending the 1919-20 Versailles Peace Conference. Allowing Mahmoud Abbas the fripperies of a head of state receiving a visiting foreign head of government showed Mr Netanyahu understands the visitors psychology. Mr Modi proudly boasts he calls his friend Mr Netanyahu by his nickname Bibi. Despite contradictory statements, Israel hopes to sell India 8,000 Spike anti-tank missiles for $500 million. Following talks I have held with my friend, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Netanyahu declared when visiting India last month, the Indian government has informed us it is putting the Spike deal back on track. This is very important and there will be many more deals. The two men seem made for each other. But does this mean Israel will stop illegal Jewish settlements in the West Bank, relax the squeeze on Gaza, return the Golan Heights or recognise Palestines independence? Mr Modi would deserve the grateful thanks of six million West Bank inhabitants if he could persuade his friend to do so. But then, he may not even be aware of the historical background and rationale for the Israeli recalcitrance. Shimon Peres, Israels former Prime Minister and President, regarded as a dove in a cast of hawks, who died in 2016, explained the Zionist stand in his books. First, he denied the existence of a separate Palestinian nation, claiming Palestinians were only those Arabs who happened to be in the West Bank or Gaza but were indistinguishable from other Arabs throughout West Asia. Second, Peres held that the old Mandate for Palestine carved out of the former Ottoman empire at the end of the First World War could hold only two independent states Israel and Jordan which already exist. There is no room for a third. Beyond that is the suspicion of the Zionist dream of Eretz Yisrael, Land of Israel, stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates. Mr Netanyahu has not said or done anything to dispel such fears. Mr Modi promised Palestinians generous financial and technological assistance. But that was also part of Peres benevolence for a conquered land and its people. Choosing his words with care, Mr Abbas described Mr Modis visit as significant. It will deserve a higher adjective only if future events show the Prime Minister persuaded his real host in Jerusalem who oversaw all arrangements to disgorge the fruits of war and cease to be the only country in the world to retain conquered territory. Then only might the visit be termed historic. The Maldives is the second youngest of the South Asian countries. It came into existence as an independent nation in 1965, when it had a population of one lakh. Today its home to more than four lakh people, who face the real possibility of extinction should the God Almighty be unkind enough to allow the Indian Ocean to inflict a six-foot wave-tsunami on it. Of the 1,200 islands in the Maldives, over 900 are uninhabited, posing a potential threat to its very existence due to calculated infiltration, organised smuggling, illegal occupation and the forced use of its territory as a terrorist training ground. India was one of the first to recognise the Maldives as an independent country and also the first to open its diplomatic mission in Male. Consequently, India-Maldives bilateral ties flourished. So much so that when the bona fide, legitimate government in Male headed by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was threatened by terrorists in 1988, then Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi quickly rose to the occasion and rushed its armed forces to save the country and rescue its leaders from an impending disaster. In Churchillian terms, 1988 was their finest hour, an apogee of the New Delhi-Male bilateral bonhomie. In reality, the seeds for this were sown much earlier. It was the strategic ocean foresight of then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi that resulted in the Indo-Maldives Preferential Trade Agreement being signed in 1981; which among other things ensured the supply of all essential commodities to the Maldives from India. In return, the Maldives could sell anything and everything it manufactured to India without any restrictions. This scenario was too good to last. For the dragon entered South Asia to sail into the sea, and make a space for itself in the coveted island nation. In September 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Male to sign a series of agreements on trade, infrastructure development, defence, security and tourism, clearly targeting the Indian position. Here too, the real game had started much earlier; when then Maldives President Mohammed Nasheed had allowed China to open its diplomatic mission in 2011, just a day before it was to host the Saarc summit. (The Chinese are now playing the same trick and trying desperately to open their embassy in Indias northeastern landlocked neighbour of Bhutan as a way to corner India.) The situation in the Maldives today is a clear warning on the future scenario in Indias northeastern frontier. When incumbent Maldives President Abdulla Yameen and Chinas President Xi Jinping signed a free trade agreement in December 2017, it crossed the rubicon for India. The move is clearly a long-term outflanking strategic manoeuvre against India. The Maldives Majlis (Parliament) simply rushed through the agreement late at night, in a record 15 minutes. Though the pact was apparently aimed at bilateral ties between Beijing and Male, the target, without an iota of doubt, is Indias position in the South Asian region. Chinese pressure and direct intervention in the island stands at its supreme and sovereign best to make Male capitulate and crawl before the dragon. The Communist czars in Beijing desperately need to depict Indias democracy in a poor light despite the fact that the Han mandarins actually run a open-market capitalist order, with its dictatorial tradition upheld by eruptions like Tiananemn Square 1989. Today, the Maldives Abdulla Yameen seeks (certainly not on his own volition) a similar FTA with India despite being fully aware that the Sino-Maldives FTA has already opened the floodgates to cheap (and substandard) goods into his country. He seems to be either ignoring or forgetting the fact that under the 1981 Male-New Delhi trade agreement, India had allowed the former unfettered access to this country, in which there was no room for third country re-exports. Thus the recent Beijing-Male FTA is one of the many ways China will try to access the Indian market through a neighbouring country. In nearby Sri Lanka too, the Hambantota SEZ is targeted towards the Indian market for Chinese goods. It comes as no surprise, therefore, to see the Chinese medias stern warning to India saying that for a long time the Maldives ... (was) being manipulated by India... (which) has a strong desire to control South Asian countries. It goes on to say that India regards the region (South Asia) as its backyard. Should then India leave the geography of South Asia for good, and the subcontinent be turned into Far East Chinas courtyard of one-way, monopolised laissez-faire? Or should India remain, and play the perennial second fiddle? The absurdity goes on: India takes it for granted that it can openly intervene in their (small South Asian countries) domestic affairs... The Maldives sovereignty should be respected. But when has India ever failed to respect the sovereignty of the Maldives? Or is Beijing confusing this with its own acts of omission and commission from Tibet to Taiwan, Xinjiang to the South China Sea, Senkaku to the Spratly Islands, and beyond? Maturity is sorely needed in diplomacy and the conduct of international relations. What then explains Chinas attitude towards India? Is it because China feels boxed in? Or is it a prelude to ensure that the Maldives goes bankrupt and is then forced to hand over some its islands to China, which can then use them to set up a naval base? The developments in the Maldives can no longer be seen as a Sino-Indian tug of war in the Indian Ocean. The Maldives constitutes Indias fifth front. There are two land fronts (Pakistan and China) and three naval ones (Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean). The idea is to bleed India white; increase expenditure on the Pakistan Army-ISI-run terrorists deep inside the hinterland; hike the budget for two-front land warfare; spend more money for an expanded Indian fleet to face the Chinese Navy, which now has a 360-degree unfettered command, control, communication, intelligence, surveillance and deployment facility and operational flexibility pertaining to its fleet in the Indian Ocean. If the Chinese can virtually overnight build islands in the South China Sea, the 900-plus unihhabited islands of the Maldives will present very little challenge. Let us see who finally manages to prevail. But unfortunately, the victim in this scenario is sure to be Maldives if not today, then surely tomorrow. In December last year, the government had planned to take over two charities belonging to Hafiz Saeed the JuD and the FIF and an action plan in this connection was supposed to be submitted. (Photo: File) Islamabad: Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain has signed an ordinance aimed at reigning in individuals and organisations like the Let, Al-Qaeda and Taliban, which have been banned by the UN Security Council, a media report said today. The ordinance amends a section of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), enabling the authorities to take action against the UNSC-proscribed individuals and terror outfits, like sealing their offices and freezing their bank accounts, The Express Tribune reported. The sources in the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) confirmed the new move, saying the ministries of Interior, Finance and Foreign Affairs as well as NACTA's Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT) wing are working together on the matter. An official in the Presidency familiar with the development confirmed the said legislation but refused to share details, saying the Ministry of Defence was the notifying authority. "The relevant ministry will notify and comment on it," the official said. It is learnt that the authorities are bound under international obligations to take measures against such outfits under the framework of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) an international body that combats money laundering and terrorist financing. The UNSC sanctions list includes Al-Qaeda, Tehreek-e- Taliban Pakistan, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), Lashkar-e-Taiba (Let) and others. In December last year, the government had planned to take over two charities belonging to Hafiz Saeed the JuD and the FIF and an action plan in this connection was supposed to be submitted. Last month, the government had also banned companies and individuals from making donations to the JuD, the FIF and other organisations. Jundullah was the last organisation declared "proscribed" by the government of Pakistan on January 31, 2018 on the NACTA website. However, the JuD and the FIF continue to be on the NACTA "watch list". Laskar-e-Taiba was declared a banned organisation under the UNSC resolution 1267 in 2005. The US State Department in 2014 had named the JuD as a "foreign terrorist organisation", a designation that freezes assets the organisation has under the US jurisdiction. India also blamed JuD leader Saeed for the Mumbai attacks of November 2006, but Pakistan argues that New Delhi has failed to provide incriminating evidence against him, the report said. Joanie Harrison, 81, thought she would never live long enough to know what happened to her daughter Kathy, whom she placed for adoption in 1957 in hopes of offering her a better life. The Montreal Gazette recently featured the reuniting of Harrison, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with her daughter, Kathy Kirkley, after 60 years. Kirkley, 60, said she began to search for her birth mother after the death of her adopted mother and her retirement from teaching. This fact, in combination with my increasing curiosity about my origins and my birth mother, urged me to move forward in a search for the missing pieces in my life, Kirkley said, according to a prior story by the Montreal Gazette. The article explains how Kirkley located her birth mother, who was found in May 2017, with the help of an adoption agency. Kirkley reached out to Harrison by letter and received a reply a week later. Dear Kathy, Harrison wrote in her response, according to the Gazette, I dont know why it is so difficult for me to say hello much harder than saying goodbye to you all those years ago. I held you and told you I would love you forever and asked you to forgive me. You were beautiful and perfect and I knew that somewhere a special family needed a beautiful and perfect little girl to make their family complete. I have often thought that I would never live long enough to know what happened to you and here I am, just turned 81, and I have lived long enough for a miracle. After the two corresponded through letters and emails, Harrison, who now lives in a retirement home in Cedar City, Utah, called Kirkley on her 60th birthday. It must have taken courage for her to make the first call a call for which I will be eternally thankful, Kirkley told the Montreal Gazette. As Kirkley and Harrison shared stories and developed their relationship, they planned a 12-day visit in September of last year. What I did not know then, but would soon come to learn, was that strength comes in many forms. My mother was indeed strong, Kirkley said of the first time she saw her mother in the airport. Her body had started to betray her as she battled Parkinsons disease; her mind and her spirit, however, were truly strong and resilient. The entire account of Kirkley and Harrisons reuniting can be read in the Montreal Gazette. SALT LAKE CITY The Utah House overwhelmingly rejected a bill Monday that would have made it a crime for a witness to an assault or situation in which someone is hurt to fail to call 911. HB125 obligated people to call the emergency line or face being charged with a class B misdemeanor. House Minority Leader Brian King, D-Salt Lake City, called it a tool for prosecutors to deal with "callous indifference." "The effect of the bill is to save lives," said King, who sponsored the measure. Rep. Merrill Nelson, R-Grantsville, argued against that and said the legislation is a "drastic departure from criminal law before lawmakers voted it down 51-20. The law, he said, focuses on action and intent, not inaction. "We are saying youre a criminal if you do nothing," he said. Rep. Kelly Miles, R-Ogden, said he likes the idea of sending a message that people should step up, but the state doesn't need a law with a penalty to do that. "I dont like the idea of legislating goodness," he said. King said Utah already has a law requiring people to report abuse of children and vulnerable adults. He said his bill is a "modest" extension of that law. Though it doesn't specifically target domestic violence, he said the law would tell abusers and predators that their actions would be reported. "We need to ferret those individuals out sooner not later," King said. COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS After giving birth to her daughter River in April, Kelsey Hixson-Bowles began a quick countdown from 10 the number of paid days she could take off work. Hixson-Bowles, 27, scraped together another five days by cashing in the few paid sick and vacation hours she'd managed to accrue since accepting a position at Utah Valley University last February. When River was a month old, Hixson-Bowles was working full-time from home and a few weeks after that, was back in the office. "I was just turning that corner, still gaining that confidence as a new mom, and to have to come back and leave her all day," her voice trailed off. "(It) takes weeks to feel that 'OK, I can do all of this.'" Hixson-Bowles said she is incredibly grateful to her supervisors, who worked with UVU's and the nation's paid leave policies as best they could; she just wishes the policies themselves could have been more accommodating. The United States is the only economically advanced country without a national paid family leave policy, instead offering unpaid leave through the Family and Medical Leave Act, or FMLA, which allows "eligible employees of covered employers" to take 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for birth, adoption or personal health issues. Instituted in 1993 25 years ago this February FMLA was hailed as a progressive step for employees and families, yet many advocates and legislators say it's not broad enough, and have campaigned for years for a more protective, generous mechanism than unpaid leave. Although their efforts haven't yet resulted in sweeping national changes, there are a growing number of paid parental leave policies at the state, city, county and individual business level including a bill now being proposed at the Utah Legislature, HB156, that would provide six weeks of paid, job-protected leave to state employees for the birth or adoption of a child. Advocates of paid family leave cite studies that show it promotes healthier babies, higher rates of breastfeeding, greater maternal physical and mental health and parental bonding allowing employees to be caregivers without financial strain. Critics respond that requiring companies to offer paid leave may financially ruin small businesses, or at the very least, de-incentivize larger companies that already offer generous benefits. Others argue these are family matters the government shouldn't dabble in. While still debated, the paid leave conversation is generating "a lot of interest and momentum," says Vicki Shabo, vice president of the National Partnership for Women & Families. "This is an example of a kitchen-table issue that really does impact people's lives quite directly," she said, noting that conversations are happening everywhere. In addition to state initiatives, Shabo references the 2016 election, in which candidates on both sides mentioned paid family leave; the Trump budget proposal for six weeks of paid family leave; and "Paid family and medical leave: An issue whose time has come," a compromise plan recommending eight weeks paid leave issued by American Enterprise Institute and Brookings, two Washington think tanks on opposite sides of the ideological spectrum. Paid leave is quickly becoming a "when," not an "if" issue, says Utah Rep. Elizabeth Weight, D-West Valley City, and sponsor of HB156. She points to Salt Lake City, which started the paid leave trend in December 2016, followed several months later by Salt Lake County. And the LDS Church made national headlines last summer by announcing six weeks of paid maternity leave and one week of paid parental bonding. "When (employees) can take this kind of leave, not only are they healthier and their children and their families healthier, but theres a lot more trust in their employer and they come back," she says. "That security and stability for their families turns into stability in the workplace and for the employer." But even more than financial support, Weight believes her bill could send a message that Utah supports its employees and families in solid, financial ways beyond lip service. "I really like the idea of being able to say we have a culture of supporting families," says Weight, "(and that the) money invested in employee paid leave actually helps us portray the culture that we say we have." Existing benefits Hixson-Bowles still remembers the call from UVU offering her the job of writing center coordinator. She calmly wrote down the information, thanked them and asked for a day to think about it. After hanging up, she immediately called her college adviser for negotiation advice. She wasn't worried about vacation days or a higher salary. At nearly five months pregnant, maternity leave was the major factor. In 1993, when then-President Bill Clinton signed the Family Medical Leave Act into law, it assured workers that they wouldn't lose their job or health insurance if they needed to take time off to care for a new baby or adopted child, a sick family member or a personal health crisis. Yet FMLA is only available to employees who've worked 1,250 hours in the last year for a qualified employer with more than 50 employees; so part-time, new or small-business employees are unprotected. This meant that Hixson-Bowles, as a new employee, didn't qualify to take time off for her baby. Her colleagues tried offering her some of their paid time off, she said. But sharing PTO is for catastrophic situations only, and although having a baby rocked her world, it didn't count. Across the country, 47 percent of Americans took less time off than they needed or wanted for a family or health emergency because they worried they would lose their job, according to a 2017 in-depth report on paid family and medical leave from Pew Research Center. Another 69 percent said they took less time because they simply couldn't afford it. Access to paid leave is disproportionately out of reach for those with lower incomes. Among leave takers making less than $30,000, 62 percent had no pay when they took time off for an FMLA reason, compared to only 26 percent of those making $75,000 or more. In Utah, 64 percent of employees said they can't use FMLA either because they don't qualify or they can't afford it, according to a new report from the National Partnership for Women & Families. Still others find themselves physically unable to return to work any sooner than 12 weeks, and take the whole time off, struggling financially all the way. Sharalyn Howcroft, an archivist with the Joseph Smith Papers and employee of the LDS Church, had carefully saved up years worth of paid sick and vacation time, but when her twin girls were born in the spring of 2013, it only equalled six paid weeks of leave. Physically unable to go back that soon and scrambling to finish her online master's degree before her FMLA time ran out, she stayed home for another six weeks without a paycheck. As the primary breadwinner in their family (her husband, Matthew, is a former telecommunication field engineer who traveled nine months out of the year until they decided he'd become a stay-at-home dad), Howcroft described their situation as "incredibly challenging." Their flexible spending account had run dry and she found herself waking up at night, wondering how they were going to pay the bills, which, because they had twins, were always doubled. "The very thing we say as a society that we value most, that people be good parents to children, good children to their parents, right now carries a heavy price tag," said Ellen Bravo, co-director of Family Values @ Work, a network of state coalitions working for policies like paid leave. "A lot of families take a big financial hit for doing exactly what we ask them to do and praise them for doing." When the LDS Church announced its paid leave policy in June six weeks of paid maternity leave, plus a week of parental bonding for men and women Howcroft and her husband were thrilled she was just months away from delivering their second set of twins. This time, her entire 12 weeks of FMLA was paid seven weeks through the new policy and the remaining weeks through her accrued sick and vacation days. "There just wasn't the stress this time," she says. "We just didn't have the stress of wondering how are we going to pay for this, or questioning, 'Should I be going back to work earlier than I'm going?' just because of the pressure of making money. We were able to spend our time and energy and focus on our babies." Howcroft is grateful for the policy change and what it says about the LDS Church's support for families, as well as its contribution to the national conversation about paid leave. "The more policies take care of families," she says, "(that's) doing things to benefit society, because the society starts with families." Why not? Yet the United States remains one of two industrialized nations without some nationwide form of paid family leave for new parents, according to the International Labor Organization Papua New Guinea being our cohort. By comparison, Chile offers 30 weeks fully paid, Latvia offers just over 53 weeks paid, and Estonia tops the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development chart at 85 weeks of full salary for maternity leave and paid home care to nurture young children. Even Congo and Ethiopia in sub-Saharan Africa offer new moms nine weeks of paid leave. [Bravo](http://familyvaluesatwork.org/about-us), who's been advocating for paid leave for decades, says that the U.S. doesn't have paid leave for a blend of historical, philosophical and financial reasons. In the wake of World War II, European countries needed women to work and have babies, so they created policies that supported both, says Bravo. As a result, the average amount of paid maternity leave in the European Union is 21.8 weeks. Europeans also tend to believe that government has a positive role to play in their lives, so benefits are more generous while taxes are higher, explains Isabel V. Sawhill, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and co-director of the AEI/Brookings initiative. In the United States, there's a greater desire to keep the government's power limited and encourage individual responsibility and lower taxes. Corporate lobbies also wield significant power in U.S. politics, says Bravo, rejecting any policy that might stretch or strain business owners. Some people simply don't want the government meddling in family issues, says Sawhill, adding that there's chatter about asking Congress to pass a law prohibiting states/cities from passing their own paid leave laws, so national businesses don't have to deal with a patchwork of policies. Gayle Ruzicka with the Utah Eagle Forum, a conservative advocacy group, believes it's not an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars to "pay for people to stay home." Private companies may do what they want, but bills like HB156 are not a good idea, she said. Even without a tax hike to fund the bill, the money has to come from somewhere, and if those employees' jobs can be absorbed by their colleagues for six weeks, then why are those employees there in the first place, she questions. When a baby is imminent, employees should save their money, plus sick and vacation days and use those for paid time off, Ruzicka said. Moms need the time off to recover physically, she said, but paternity leave is "unbelievable" to her. "The husband does not need that time off to stay with his wife and the baby," Ruzicka said. "I don't even know where that came from. When he comes home from work, (he can) let his wife take a nap and (he can) take care of the baby. Taxpayers do not need to pay for a dad to stay home." For both parents Much of the support for paid parental leave, however, extends to the ability of both parents to take it. A Pew survey from March 2017 found that 82 percent of Americans support paid maternity leave and 69 percent of Americans support paid paternity leave. Not only does paternity leave help with gender equity in the home, but research also shows that dads who take leave are more likely to be involved with caretaking activities when their child is 9 months old. During the AEI/Brookings year-long workgroup, there was nothing the entire group agreed on except the fact that any parental leave policy should apply to both moms and dads equally, said Sawhill. "Talking about (just) maternity leave is really out of sync with where we are as a culture," she said. "Adding paternity leave as an afterthought we did not like that." Salt Lake City was the first city in Utah to offer parental leave for new parents six weeks of full pay and due to their predominantly male police and firefighting forces, two-thirds of their 94 leave takers this year were dads, said Salt Lake City human resources director Julio Garcia. One employee stopped Garcia in the hallway to say that the policy doesn't just boost the morale of the person taking it, but it builds camaraderie among the employees who help fill in the gaps, he said. "When they know that they have a role in helping a co-worker spend valuable bonding time with their newborn, it creates a sort of 'we are in this together' type of team atmosphere," said Garcia. "We're thrilled to hear that." The AEI/Brookings workgroup also recognized that their recommendation for eight weeks of paid parental leave is a narrow solution because it leaves out everyone else who uses FMLA to care for a sick child or spouse, help an aging parent or deal with a personal health emergency, said Aparna Mathur, a resident scholar in economic policy studies at AEI and co-director of the report. "Everyone needs to feel that this is a system they can benefit from," she said, which is why broader family leave is the subject of their discussions this year. New legislation Should it pass, Weight's bill would apply to around 18,000 state employees and 37,862 employees at the eight public colleges and universities plus all the University of Utah hospital staff. However, only 1,256 state employees took FMLA leave for childbirth or adoption last year. Weight wants to decrease the anxiety new parents feel and support them in a critical time in their lives, and she believes her bill can do it without increasing the burden on the state. Her bill's fiscal note is zero, because employee salaries are already fixed expenses. There is a one-time, $8,000 fee to update payroll systems and a note about "forgone output," or the cost of work that doesn't get done when someone is on leave. Considering the 1,256 employees who took leave last year, and calculating $10,000 per employee for six weeks, the state could potentially lose $12.6 million if the bill passes. However, under FMLA, employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave, which means that there's always some level of "forgone output" regardless of HB156's future. The bill also doesn't address potential costs of hiring a temp or paying other workers overtime when a colleague is out on leave. When a Salt Lake City employee takes leave, the department can either spread their work among colleagues or hire a temp, using some of the $175,000 set aside for the policy, said Garcia. Over at Salt Lake County, departments absorb the work when someone goes on leave, says Erin Litvack, Salt Lake County's deputy mayor and chief administrative officer, and whose office is currently down a staffer who's out on paid maternity leave. "Everybody notices when we're picking up extra workload," Litvack says, "But we really have a culture here at Salt Lake County where people are supportive of each other. People want to step in and help out." The county's policy provides for six weeks of fully paid leave for dads and 12 weeks of fully paid leave for moms. Since the policy began in August, 77 employees have taken leave, 47 dads and 38 moms. Considering a parental leave policy for state employees through HB156 is an important conversation, says Derek Monson, executive director of Utah's Sutherland Institute, but he wants to make sure the discussion isn't rushed. He's also doesn't want unintended discrimination against families. If an employer is choosing between two similar employees one single and one married and of child-bearing age the employer might hire the person less likely to take parental leave in the near future, Monson says. He is also concerned about that cost of lost productivity, which would be higher if employees could take paid, and thus longer, leave. "We should do this the right way that benefits families in a way that's workable for businesses and cost-effective for taxpayers," he said. Utah Senate Majority Leader Ralph Okerlund, R-Monroe, said he also believes it's a "good time to have a discussion" about paid leave, but was still concerned about potential taxpayer costs. However, perhaps the fact that the LDS Church "a major employer in the state" already offers paid parental leave will help move discussions along at the Legislature, said Senate Minority Leader Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake City. "The more we see employers instigating this in the private sector," he said, "it only means that the public sector needs to do the same thing." Looking forward It's a snowy Friday night in January, and Hixson-Bowles's husband, Jacob Gray, is encouraging River Hixson-Gray to finish her dinner of baby food chicken and rice. She coos and laughs between bites but ends up playing in the food, so he gives up. River, almost 9 months old, is more interested in crawling around her bedroom, exploring the crib slats, playing with puzzles and swatting at the books Hixson-Bowles is trying to read to her. She scoots over to dad and squeals as Gray tosses her in the air. "I missed you today," he says, catching her and nuzzling her neck. While it's still a bit early to talk about siblings for River, when that day comes, Hixson-Bowles will qualify for FMLA, so she could at least take unpaid, job-protected time off. And if Weight's bill were to pass, as a state employee, Hixson-Bowles would be eligible for six of those weeks to be paid. Though it would be great for Hixson-Bowles, it wouldn't do as much for Gray, who said he'd love to see more cultural support for dads during those first few weeks and months of a new baby's life. He said he often felt "split," trying to provide financially while still offering support physically and emotionally. Gray's company was understanding, and after giving him a week off, allowed him to work from home. While good in theory, it failed in practice, and Gray ended up back in the office sooner than either of them wanted. The recent holiday break was great, because it meant time together all day, every day for nearly two weeks. In fact, River even went with Hixson-Bowles to her office at UVU, playing on a blanket while mom finished a few things. The duo reveled in the closeness, and Hixson-Bowles noted that it was the longest amount of uninterrupted time they'd spent together since maternity leave. Now, post-holidays, it's back to their regular schedules. "That's why I've been missing her so much this week," Hixson-Bowles says smiling, her voice slightly wistful. "I got a peek at what maternity leave could have turned into." ....... SALT LAKE CITY Sen. Evan Vickers, R-Cedar City, said Monday he's been asked to review surveillance footage from the Little America Hotel as part of the ongoing investigation into whether a woman claiming to be his "date" tried to entrap him. "I changed rooms," Vickers said, calling it a "safety precaution" following the Thursday incident where a woman showed up at his hotel room insisting she was his date for the evening. Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Todd Royce said the State Bureau of Investigation has the footage but is not making it public "so they can isolate and figure out whats happened. We are in contact with Sen. Vickers." Royce said authorities are trying to identify the woman so she can be interviewed. The incident, described by Senate President Wayne Niederhauser, R-Sandy, last week as a possible case of entrapment, came a day after a story appeared in a British tabloid alleging former Rep. Jon Stanard, hired a prostitute twice last year. Stanard, a Republican from St. George, resigned from the Legislature on Tuesday. He has not addressed the allegations, but House officials are looking into whether to seek reimbursement from him for hotel costs paid for by the state. Niederhauser said he expects an update on the investigation later this week from law enforcement authorities. No other instances have been reported by lawmakers, he said. "We don't know all the details, other than we were just assuming some things," Niederhauser said, advising lawmakers they should "take precautions to make sure we're aware and on alert." Security has not been increased for lawmakers from outside the Wasatch Front area who stay at Little America and other hotels during the 45-day legislative session as well as interim meetings, he said. "Hopefully, everybody is thinking twice about wandering off alone and making sure they have somebody with them," the Senate leader said. Royce said the buddy system is a good way to stay out of trouble. "Absolutely," he said. "Just for accusations." The UHP lieutenant praised Vickers' actions after the incident. The senator asked a fellow lawmaker waiting for him in the hotel lobby to come up to his room so they could leave together. "What Sen. Vickers did after the incident occurred is exactly what we would hope they would do to protect themselves from any criminal actions and or allegations," Royce said. He said he was not sure if UHP was discussing providing additional security to lawmakers. "I do know, especially during the legislative session, theyre vigilant," Royce said. "Even if we did, we probably wouldnt reveal that." SALT LAKE CITY Utah drivers may be getting a version of their retro black license plates back. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore, R-South Jordan, is sponsoring SB41, which would create a special license plate commemorating the Utah State Historical Society. The license plates would be black with raised white letters. Special license plates in Utah are usually white with blue letters. "There's been a problem creating reflectorized black paint," Fillmore told the Senate Business and Labor Committee on Monday. The bill instructs the Utah State Tax Commission to try to find reflective black paint. If that can't be obtained, the black license plates would be exempt from the usual reflecting paint requirements. Utahns who buy the special plating would be making a $25 annual donation to the Utah State Historical Society. The committee recommended the bill unanimously to the full Senate for debate. OGDEN An Ogden couple accused of starving and beating their 3-year-old child to death will remain in jail without bail while a judge awaits written briefs on whether the case should proceed to trial. At the conclusion of a two-day preliminary hearing Monday, prosecutors argued against bail in the shocking child abuse case, pointing to records searches for Miller Eric Costello, 25, and Brenda Emile, 23, that revealed more than a dozen alternative names and addresses in multiple states for each of them. Additionally, prosecutors noted, the couple had more than $45,000 in cash when arrested, including an $8,000 cashier's check, and a warrant is pending for Costello in Montana stemming from allegations of fraud and witness tampering filed in October 2016. They also presented evidence the couple had lied about their identities when they rented their Ogden home, claiming Emile was a single mother of two children and Costello was just visiting, according to prosecutors. Costello and Emile are both charged with aggravated murder, a first-degree felony and a potential capital offense, in the death of their 3-year-old daughter, Angelina Costello, who was found dead of starvation, blunt force trauma, burns and other injuries on July 6. The couple has "self-proclaimed ties to a transient Romanian gypsy community" and had lived in the Ogden home less than a week when Angelina died, according to charging documents. Second District Judge Michael DiReda did not issue a decision on whether there is sufficient evidence to bind the case over for trial, but will wait instead for both sides to file additional written briefings and argue them in a hearing on May 14. The couple will remain in custody with no bail until then. Under advice from their attorneys, Emile and Costello did not speak during the hearing, though Costello appeared visibly stunned when prosecutor Nicholas Caine said an officer involved in the arrest had reported Costello offered to "make it worth his while" if he released him. According to the officer, Costello reported his family had "a lot of money" from a scrapping business. During the preliminary hearing Monday, Assistant Medical Examiner Michael Belenky gave a detailed report of the extensive injuries covering Angelina's emaciated body. There was hemorrhaging in the skull and neck, suggesting a hard blow to the head. Marks from new and old burns, apparently made my cigarettes, caked over with makeup on the girl's face. Bruising covered more than half of the girl's back, surrounding long, thin marks that appeared to be caused by whipping, and there was more bruising and scarring along the arms, legs and feet. Internally, damage to the girl's pancreas suggested a hard blow to the small child's torso. In all, Belenky said the four-hour autopsy revealed "trauma upon trauma, nonaccidental, consistent with child abuse." However, Belenky couldn't point to just one injury or another as the cause of Angelina's death. Because on top of all of that trauma, the girl appeared to be severely starved, which would have weakened her ability to survive her injuries. "If you starve someone or beat someone repeatedly over a period of time, they won't have the same survival rates to any other trauma they experience later," Belenky said. Belenky ruled the girl's death to be a homicide. During the first day of the hearing, two Ogden police officers who investigated Angelina's death compared the girl to a Holocaust victim, a 13-pound skeletal figure with sunken eyes, thinning hair and little to no muscle on her frame. Prosecutors on Friday presented photos and videos from the couple's phones that showed Angelina appearing increasingly bruised and injured as she seemed to waste away physically, even as her two siblings remained healthy. In some of the images, Emile seems to taunt Angelina with food. In others, Costello quizzes the toddler about whether she hates him and asks if she is "evil." In taped police interviews, Emile insisted that up until a few days before she died, Angelina had been as healthy as her siblings with the exception of a bout of Clostridium difficile a bacterial infection that causes diarrhea in 2015. In the last days of her life, Emile said Angelina had been extremely tired, had diarrhea and wouldn't eat. Costello told police in his interview that Emile would become angry if he tried to feed Angelina. He also said he had been "praying" someone would realize something was wrong and help his daughter. SALT LAKE CITY Utahns would be free to stand their ground in self-defense situations under a bill that passed the House on Monday. HB129 modifies self-defense law to say in no uncertain terms that failure to retreat from an aggressor "is not a relevant factor in determining whether the individual who used or threatened force acted reasonably." The bill's sponsor, Rep. Cory Maloy, R-Lehi, described the bill as "good for all of the people of Utah." The only objection on the floor during debate came from House Minority Assistant Whip Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City, who said she did not understand what the bill was changing in the law and could not support it. Earlier in committee, the opposition's discontent with the bill was more vocal. I am outraged. This bill opens a floodgate for the unnecessary escalation of dangerous situations," said House Minority Caucus Manager Sandra Hollins, D-Salt Lake City. A perceived threat is not always a threat. In this country, there is a culture of fear, and this bill empowers people to act on that fear, said Rep. Elizabeth Weight, D-West Valley City The bill passed 58-11 and now goes to the Senate for consideration. SALT LAKE CITY In the ongoing saga of suffragette versus scientist, a House legislative committee on Monday voted in support of a resolution to replace a Washington, D.C. statue of Philo T. Farnsworth with one of Martha Hughes Cannon, but the end of the debate seems far from over. Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, highlighted the extraordinary life of Cannon, a Mormon pioneer who became a doctor, women's rights advocate and the first woman elected to a state senate in the country, in presenting SCR1 to the House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee Monday morning. Former Rep. Adam Gardner, who said he'd originally conceived the notion of moving the Cannon statue from Utah to D.C. nine years ago, said he was pleased the effort was underway after leaving the Legislature to take a job as the new Salt Lake County recorder last summer. "I was scared that when I left the (Utah) House of Representatives that this would kind of die on the vine. I didnt think a lot people were very passionate about this," Gardner said. "And then I had seven legislators reach out to me who said they wanted the bill when I left. That was really touching to me." Passion was in evidence in the public testimony offered at the hearing, with supporters of both Farnsworth who pioneered innovations that contributed to the development of television, radar, nuclear fusion and other advancements and Cannon, who in spite of being part of a polygamist relationship is widely seen as being ahead of her time in numerous areas previously off-limits to women. Farnsworth supporters would like to see his statue remain in place at the National Statuary Hall, while Cannon fans believe it is the right time for her statue to find a home there, particularly as the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment approaches in 2020. After earning the committee's support on a 6-4 vote, SCR1 is headed to the House for that body's consideration. SALT LAKE CITY At an emergency meeting of the state Executive Water Task Force, members said they will not throw their support behind controversial legislative reform measures and would instead prefer they receive study over the coming interim. That Monday decision was followed by a legislative subcommittee's endorsement of moving to establishing a working group of "subject matter experts" to take up the issue of extraterritorial jurisdiction in Wasatch watersheds and transparency involving water supply sourcing, cost and service areas. Supporters of HB124 andHB135 do not believe their efforts at water law reform have been entirely doused this session, however, because enough of their colleagues' attention was sufficiently captured over the need for action. A trio of issues involving extraterritorial jurisdiction, water provider transparency and surplus water contracts has been percolating with intensity for more than a year in political backrooms and at the halls of the Legislature. The conflict pits private property owners against watershed ordinance protections some assert are too restrictive. Extraterritorial jurisdiction means a city of 100,000 or more people can control land use decisions outside its municipal boundaries based on water sources or points of diversions, and those decisions can conflict with property owners who didn't elect those decision makers. At the same time, cities can enter into surplus water contracts for water delivery outside their boundaries that are revocable with 30 days notice without reason. State Engineer Kent Jones told lawmakers last fall the tenuous nature of surplus water supply contracts in force in places with Salt Lake City and the ski resort town of Alta are troublesome because they support permanent infrastructure with an impermanent water source. At the water task force meeting, members discussed the possibility of trying to get a constitutional amendment on the ballot this election cycle that would allow cities to lease water instead of supplying it through surplus contracts. Currently, Utah law forbids the sale or lease of municipal water supplies in a more than century-old edict forged by the fear that leaders would be hoodwinked out of a precious natural resource. Mike Styler, director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, said many players involved in the complex water delivery question recognize that concerns over surplus water contracts are viable and merit discussion. In addition, the need to address extraterritorial jurisdiction to broach solutions between canyon property owners and the desire for watershed protections deserve thorough discussion, he said. "They are so complex. Politically, they are hot potatoes. We need to spend more time." Rep. Kim Coleman, R-West Jordan, had a water transparency bill that demanded water providers post information about sources of water, delivery points, water rates, a service map and a gamut of other information. While on its face its seem ubiquitous, critics say the bill was aimed at Salt Lake City in a charge that the municipality has claims to more water rights than it discloses and that the water rights information should be made available, as well as its cost for delivery and retail water rates for customers outside service areas. Some opponents of the bill alleged it would complicate national security to provide such detailed information. Critics and supporters of these complicated reform measures don't believe they will subside during this session and instead continue to foment heated discussion about the future of water policy in Utah. "Of course like all water issues, these are particularly emotional," said Sen. Margaret Dayton, R-Orem, a chair of the state Water Development Commission and the architect of a multitude of water bills. "This is very emotional and there are passionate advocates on all sides," she said. Dayton said study of "heavy" issues like extraterritorial jurisdiction are appropriate given its complexity and the importance in balancing rights of property owners in the context of growth. "These are critical issues we are dealing with," she said. SALT LAKE CITY A proposal to add electronic data and communications to the Utah Constitution protection against unreasonable searches sparked a thought-provoking debate among state lawmakers but no conclusion Tuesday. "It's a tricky, tricky issue," Rep. McKell, R-Spanish Fork, said after an hourlong House Judiciary Committee discussion. Rep. Craig Hall, R-West Valley City, proposed a resolution, HCR9, that would ask voters to amend the state constitution to include electronic data such as emails, text messages and cloud storage in the section forbidding unreasonable searches. Hall said laws have not kept pace with new technologies, and amending the constitution is better than a "hodgepodge" of statutes addressing issues they arise. University of Utah law professor Paul Cassell argued against the resolution, saying it's unnecessary and existing case law already protects electronic data from illegal searches. Cassell said it's a solution in search of a problem. "I really dont see a good reason for making any changes here," he told the committee. Cassell, a former federal judge, said amending the constitution also would remove power from the Legislature and hand it to the Utah Supreme Court. Legal interpretations could interfere with police investigations, particularly in the area of child pornography, he said. Marina Lowe, ACLU of Utah legislative counsel, said it's important to explicitly protect electronic communications. Neither legislatures nor courts can keep up with changing technology, and that causes lags in the law with each new electronic device, she said. "This sends a clear message that this data is protected," she said. Rep. Brian Greene, R-Pleasant Grove, worried that an argument could be made that emerging technology wouldn't be covered if it weren't specifically spelled out in the constitution. Hall said those opposed to the proposal are arguing both sides. "Either it will do nothing or cause lots of problems. It can't be both," he said. The Utah Chiefs of Police Association and the Statewide Association of Prosecutors also opposed the bill. The committee voted to hold the resolution but have the state's Constitutional Review Commission study the issue. "It's not an issue that is going away," Hall said. The government of India has announced plans to invite bids for 3,000MHz of spectrum across nine frequency bands, in what would be the countrys largest ever auction. Regulator TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) has been requested by the Indian telecoms ministry to provide suggested reserve prices for spectrum in the 700MHz, 800MHz, 900MHz, 1.8GHz, 2.1GHz, 2.3GHz, 2.5GHz, 3.3GHz to 3.4GHz, and 3.4GHz to 3.6GHz bands. No date has been confirmed for the auction, but if it goes ahead it will mark the first time that spectrum above 3GHz has been made available for bidding. However, there is significant resistance to another auction from the countrys heavily indebted operators, who are calling for a delay until at least the current spate of consolidation is complete. COAI (Cellular Operators Association of India) director general Rajan Mathews said that the Indian authorities must not rush into any spectrum auction this year, arguing that a sale should take place only once all consolidation has been announced and locked down. Last year, TRAI issued a consultation paper regarding the auction of spectrum across seven bands, prompting some of Indias largest operators including Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular to push back, claiming that increasing debt levels and spiralling revenues meant that the market was not ready for another auction. The issues affecting the market currently can be traced back to the September 2016 launch of Reliance Jio, which shook up the mobile space by offering free or heavily discounted services, forcing rivals to lower their prices. The incumbent operators have argued that auctions should be pushed back to late 2018 or early 2019. Similarly, there is little appetite for a 5G spectrum auction until a greater ecosystem of compatible devices develops in the market. This is not the first time that operators have bemoaned the frequency of spectrum auctions in a market that is not ready for them. While Indias last auction brought in $9.8 billion for the government, 60% of the 2,300+ MHz of available frequencies went unsold, with the majority of bidders angling for 1.8GHz and 2.3GHz 4G spectrum in the service areas that would allow them to cover Indias larger cities. In particular, the highly efficient 700MHz and 900MHz bands attracted no interest as their reserve prices were deemed unreasonably high. The government had anticipated a haul of INR4 trillion ($62.2 billion) from just the 700MHz band; industry watchers have recommended that the government reduce the reserve prices. Tory islanders will rise before dawn tomorrow morning and make their way to the capital to protest against the new ferry which is to begin servicing the island from April 1st. Islanders have been unwavering in their belief that the ferry that is to begin servicing the island is not up to standard for the island. The vessel, the Queen of Aran (pictured), was built in 1976. Members of Conradh na Gaeilge from across the country will also be present at the protest at Dail Eireann tomorrow. Island families have threatened to leave the island and islanders also say that they will not allow the ferry dock at the pier on April 1st. The population of the island has increased in recent years. The first pre-school has been opened and roads have vastly improved on the island. Many meetings on the ferry controversy have been held between the islanders, the Government Chief Whip Joe McHugh and officials from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. However, a resolution to the issue continues to be sought. During 2017, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht ran an open tender competition, in accordance with public procurement rules, for the provision of a passenger and light cargo ferry service for Toraigh Island to come into effect from April 1st. Following evaluation of tenders received, the contract for this service was awarded to the company, Realt na Maidne Teo, using the vessel, MV Queen of Aran. The contract was allocated for five years. A statement from the department said that at a meeting which was held on February 2nd, it was indicated that they were open to looking at a range of options for future ferry services to the island, including the possibility of purchasing a new vessel, building a bespoke vessel, subsidising the provision of a separate fast ferry service for the island to supplement both the new service scheduled to commence on 1st April 2018 and the islands subsidised weekly winter air service. Funding for any of these proposals would have to be evaluated in accordance with the Public Expenditure Code as set down by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. It is hoped that members of Comharchumann Thorai will meet with officials and the minister next week to further discussions in relation to the ferry issue. The manager of Comharchumann Thorai, Marjorie Ui Chearbhaill said they are not satisfied that the vessel Queen of Aran is suitable for the crossing from Machaire Rabhartaigh to Tory and, as yet, a resolution has not been met. Mrs. Ni Chearbhaill said she really hopes the issue can be resolved for all parties involved. Parent company of the Dundalk Democrat, Iconic Newspapers and the 5-star Lough Eske Castle, a Solis Hotel & Spa, in Co Donegal are giving offalyexpress.ie readers a chance to win a romantic two-night stay in the fabulous Lough Eske Castle. This could be your chance to escape to this beautiful hotel in the picturesque surrounds of Donegal for a wonderful two-night break. This fantastic prize includes: - Two nights in a Deluxe Guestroom - Daily full Irish breakfast in Cedars Restaurant - Set dinner in Cedars Restaurant on one evening - A 45 minute tailored Spa Solis Signature Massage and access to Thermal Suite on the day of your treatment. The Spa Solis signature massage blends traditional Swedish massage techniques with specially blended essential oils. The tailored massage will focus on your specific areas of concern and is adapted to suit your skins individual needs Package includes complimentary use of the indoor swimming pool and fitness centre in Spa Solis To be in with a chance to win this prize, all you have to do is answer the following question: In which county in Ireland are the Bluestack Mountains? Send your answers by email to competitions@iconicnews.ie . Please put Dundalk Democrat/Lough Eske competition in the subject line. The closing date is February 20. To find out more about Lough Eske Castle, a Solis Hotel and Spa, click here *Please note that this prize must be availed of by March 29, 2018. A primary school student from Dundalk has come first in the Failte Pope Francis competition, scooping 1,000 for her school. Aoife Murphy (aged 7) from 2nd class in Scoil Mhuire na nGael, Bay Estate, Dundalk took first prize in the competition run by The Irish Catholic newspaper which asked primary school children to draw a picture and write a letter of welcome to the Pope for his expected visit to Ireland for the World Meeting of Families in August. In her letter Aoife offered a room in her house for Pope Francis to stay during his visit. When Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem, they had nowhere to stay. Have you somewhere to stay when you come to Ireland? We have a spare room in our house and you could meet all my family and friends from school, she wrote. The response to the competition from primary schools was so overwhelming, one cuter than the next, that the decision was made to publish a book with the most engaging entries. The book Failte Pope Francis will be published by Columba Press and is available in shops from March. All royalties from the book will be donated to Our Ladys Hospital Crumlin. Rents in Louth are on the rise again. According to the latest figures released in a report from Daft.ie rents in the wee county rose by 1.9% in the last quarter of 2017. The average price for a rental property in Louth is now 1,086 - which means prices have risen by 14.1% compared to the same period last year. These trends were echoed across the rest of the country. According to the report, rents rose in every county in Ireland in the last quarter of 2017. The average Dublin rent now stands at 1,822. Shockingly this is 380 higher per month than at the Celtic Tiger peak. Rents across the country rose at a rate of 2.4% driven by dramatic rises in rents across Dublin. And compared to this time last year, rents across the country have risen by 10.4%. The lowest average rents were found in Leitrim (542) and Donegal (599). The other highest rents outside of Dublin were in Wicklow (1,256) and Kildare (1,212). The data also revealed that there were only 3,143 properties available to rent nationwide on 1 February this year - the lowest number since Daft.ie started collecting data back in 2006. Worryingly, the figure marks a 15% decrease on the same date for 2017. Read about Louth County Council's innovative new scheme to tackle the issue of lack of housing in Ireland: https://www.dundalkdemocrat.ie/news/home/296136/louth-county-council-praised-for-bringing-vacant-properties-back-into-use.html Instantly delete email threats with 365 Threat Monitor 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. Amazon has been plotting its next big move to control its ever-evolving logistics chain, with a new service called "Shipping with Amazon" in the works. The company plans to launch the new service within weeks, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday. It initially will pick up goods from third-party sellers that already work with Amazon and deliver them to customers. The service eventually will expand to merchants that currently do not work with Amazon. It will launch in Los Angeles and expand to other U.S. cities over time, according to the Journal. The new service will undercut UPS and FedEx on price, according to the report, although it did not include any details about its pricing structure. Amazon confirmed that it intends to expand into a new delivery endeavor, but the company did not provide details on the schedule or scope. "We're always innovating and experimenting on behalf of customers and businesses that sell and grow on Amazon to create faster low-cost delivery choices," spokesperson Kristen Kish told the E-Commerce Times. The move marks Amazon's latest effort to increase its control over logistics, which have been a central focus of the company as its has grown to become the most powerful e-commerce retailer in the U.S. Logistics Control Amazon has relied on third-party shippers for many years, but those firms have tended to become overwhelmed and backlogged during the critical Christmas holiday delivery season. To address the shipping challenges, Amazon has experimented with drone deliveries. It also created a service called "Deliver With Amazon," which lets local delivery services partner with Amazon to get packages to local customers. It has expanded its network of warehouses and fulfillment centers to locate merchandise closer to customers. Amazon also acquired a fleet of freight aircraft for its Prime Air business and built a US$1.5 billion hub in Kentucky. Amazon last week launched Prime Now, a two-hour delivery service for its Whole Foods Markets. Deliveries can include fresh produce and meats along with many other items. Prime Now debuted in Austin, Dallas, Virginia Beach and Cincinnati, and Amazon plans to expand it nationwide over the course of the year. More than 5 billion items shipped through Amazon's Prime membership program last year, according to the company. Two-day shipping is free to Prime members, while one-day, overnight and same-day shipping typically require a fee. The WSJ's suggestion that Amazon's delivery service will compete with FedEx and UPS, indicates "a lack of basic understanding of the full scale of the global transportation industry," said Patrick Fitzgerald, senior vice president for integrated marketing and communications at FedEx. FedEx has a network of 650 planes, 400,000 people, tens of thousands of stores, drop boxes and ship centers, 150,000 vehicles and other facilities, he told the E-Commerce Times. UPS will continue to support Amazon and all other valued customers, said spokesperson Glenn Zaccara. However, the company declined to comment specifically on Amazon's latest business strategy. For UPS, "there is tremendous opportunity in the B2C [sector] and more growth coming," he told the E-Commerce Times, "irrespective of how other companies may shift strategies." UPS reported 8 percent revenue growth in 2017, very strong revenue per piece, and average annual price improvement of 2.9 percent, which was at the higher end of its 2-3 percent guidance range, Zaccara pointed out. The company's per package volume rose by about 4.5 percent to 5.08 billion. Holiday Crush UPS expected to deliver 750 million packages during last year's holiday season, it said in December -- 40 million more than its year-before shipments of 712 million packages. The record shopping that took place during last November's Black Friday weekend created a bit of pressure on major shipping providers, leading UPS to warn of delays. Shipping costs are some of the most important and most concerning in the e-commerce business, said Jill Dvorak, senior director of digital retail at the National Retail Federation They can range from 10-20 percent of costs, depending on carriers, rate tables and product size, she told the E-Commerce Times. "Amazon's move to add delivery services for their business customers is a demonstration of how they are working to enable end-to-end, customer-centric experiences for everyone," said Scott Webb, president of Avionos. "B2B -- and especially the supply chain -- has been slow to innovate with innovative tech solutions just because they typically work with large products that are more deeply rooted in brick-and-mortar commerce," he told the E-Commerce Times. "They can buy planes, trains and automobiles, but until they stop shipping so much air, I don't see Amazon improving internal shipping profitability," said Paula Rosenblum, managing partner at RSR Research. Amazon is starting to call third-parties "Prime" shippers. However, they often fail to come close to meeting the time frames that you see with orders fulfilled through Amazon itself, she told the E-Commerce Times. Some of those shipments can take eight days versus Amazon's own two to three days, Rosenblum noted. Establishing its own shipping service could help Amazon reduce those discrepancies. 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. Instantly delete email threats with 365 Threat Monitor 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. If you haven't read last week's Vanity Fair article on the institutionalized sexual exploitation going on in tech companies, you should. This is on top of the realization that social media companies like Facebook are destroying the U.S., and former Facebook executives have been dissociating themselves from the company. Further, news recently broke of what initially was reported to be an Intel flaw, but turned out to be a bigger industry-wide problem. Behind it was the report that Intel's CEO dumped every share he legally could during the period when Intel knew of the problem but had not reported it. This may be an optics rather than an insider trading problem, but it does imply a severe lack of confidence in Intel's future on the part of its own CEO (though it may be just a lack of confidence in the Trump administration). I think we may be looking at a potentially catastrophic collapse of Silicon Valley. Given that the Valley supports the Democratic party almost exclusively, it doesn't bode well for the 2018 mid-term election -- which, before this, was expected to be a Republican rout. Individually, each of these events is bad. Collectively, they are catastrophic. I'll share some thoughts on that this week and close with my product of the week: an interesting way to keep your outdoor spa both warm and accessible during the winter months. The Sport of Extreme Sexual Harassment I get the need for the Valley to overachieve, but in this era of Harvey Weinstein and career-killing events, the concept of powerful men driving drug-induced sexual orgies seems to me to be suicidal. You need to read the linked Vanity Fair article, but in short what allegedly has been happening, is that the top Silicon Valley executives, bankers, VCs, and I'll bet some politicians have gone a tad sex-crazy. They have been holding and attending what appear to be orgies, where women are given drugs to make them receptive, and then they engage in group sex. Many of the women apparently work for some of the men, and many of their spouses attend. This is not a well-kept secret, and the drugs allegedly used are for the most part illegal. Recall that Harvey Weinstein reportedly abused a lot of women before one spoke up, and the entire thing cascaded until he lost his job, his company, and his position on boards. The father of one of his accusers reportedly even threatened to kill him. A parent's reaction to this kind of behavior, as Sorvino demonstrates, takes anger to the extreme. The Democrats, who have a zero-tolerance policy regarding this kind of thing, likely will run from these folks like they have the plague, and the Republicans have no love for the Valley in the first place. All it would take is a trigger event -- say an underage woman alleging drug-induced rape at one of these parties, or a Justice Department raid (or both) -- to cost most of these folks their jobs, companies and much of their net worth. Granted, many likely could get on their jets and avoid immediate arrest, but you don't recover from something like this. Just ask Roman Polanski. People don't forget this kind of thing (but they all could move to Switzerland). From women who are abused through this practice, to politicians who want to gut Democratic Party funding, to law enforcement that wants to stick it to rich jerks who are abusing the law, to countries like China that would love to cripple Silicon Valley, the number of people who might use this to cripple the U.S. tech industry are legion. Social Media Meltdown? When executives start treating past jobs as if they were criminal activities, it's a sign of a serious problem. The combination of a growing realization that Facebook is doing massive harm to the country with ex-Facebook executives treating their time there as if they had a substance abuse problem suggests things aren't looking good. There already have been a massive number of social media-fueled tragedies, including suicide and murder. Just last week, a YouTube star became infamous for showing the body of a suicide victim in a video. Given that I was almost killed myself during a rave organized on Facebook, I'm very aware of the risks surrounding the use and adverse impact of social media. Personally, I find social media to be way too dangerous -- particularly when it looks like your job prospects could be killed over posts taken out of context. The amount of false (fake) news generated on these platforms is incredibly troubling, and I find the arguments that social media didn't corrupt the elections to be so poorly researched as to be laughable. The realization that a poorly worded tweet might start a nuclear war doesn't let any of us sleep very deeply now. (The idea of buttons on desks that could launch nuclear payloads is just wrong in so many ways.) Maybe the words that will doom the world will be: "Damn it I told you not to put my breakfast on my desk, you've just launched World War III you covfefe!" In case you wonder what that word means... Brian Krzanich's Ill-Advised Share Sale The problem with the Intel chips being a manufacturing defect of some kind appears to be fake news (though the Linux folks are less than amused), but selling every share you legally can sell during the window between when Intel learned of the problem and when it was disclosed appears not to be. This leaves us with two possible obvious choices, both of which are bad. Either Krzanich sold the shares to make sure he didn't take the loss (insider trading), or he lost confidence in Intel's ability to execute. My guess is that this likely had nothing to do with Intel at all, but with concerns that the market is going to correct massively when the U.S. president is indicted. (Krzanich was one of the early CEOs to abandon the president.) This is a reminder of how important optics are, but the appearance of wrongdoing or lack of confidence in his firm adds to the overall impression that the valley is about to implode. Much of the valuation of a company is based on confidence in it, and if the CEO doesn't have confidence, regardless of the performance of the firm, investors, employees and customers won't either. You can kill an industry or company with bad optics. Wrapping Up: Silicon Valley Has Become Suicidal In the post-Weinstein world, the idea of group sex parties with subordinates and drugs alone seems just nuts -- but on top of that, the ability of the U.S. or a foreign government to use these things effectively to wipe out much of the market is unprecedented. In some strange way, you can almost hear Harvey Weinstein say, "I was stupid and bad, but I wasn't THAT stupid and bad." Then layer on the massive damage social media is doing to the country -- damage that has caused executives to detach themselves from their own company backgrounds -- and you get what could be termed a "suicidal complex." Finally, if you look at what one of the most powerful CEOs just did with his own shares... well, while any one of these things would be bad individually, collectively they provide a picture of a segment that is behaving suicidally. We thought 2018 was going to start with a bang, but I doubt that any of us were thinking that it would be the sound of the tech segment imploding. My wife and I have a swim spa, which is basically a swimming treadmill. The problem last year was that it snowed so much, we often couldn't open the damn cover to get into the thing -- it was covered with snow. Even when it wasn't, running around in a wet bathing suit trying to close the thing back up again when done was a nonstarter after the first time. Finally, this spa is big, so the cover was heavy all by itself, and my wife had issues both getting it open and closed, so the spa basically would sit out the winter, which is when you kind of need to be able to use it. We needed something that handled the snow, was far easier to open and close, and didn't require you to run around the pool in near zero-degree weather while wet to close it up again. What I found was the Covana Motorized Spa Cover. This isn't a cheap date, but it powers up and down, and it has the added benefit of not only being able to lift a lot of snow but also providing a cover for you while you are swimming or using the Jacuzzi side of the spa. Covana Hot Tub Cover Covana also makes smaller versions for hot tubs, and one of them has internal lights, privacy curtains, and a peaked roof that allows the snow to slide off. It uses a solar-charged battery, so it is surprisingly easy to wire up (though you typically would have it professionally installed, which is what we did). We've been using it for a few weeks now and love it -- not to mention it looks cool opening and closing, though I think I'll rig a remote switch, so I can do that from inside the house. One interesting feature is the escape hatch, in case someone closes the spa while you're in it (which could come in handy with that remote switch). We all need to exercise more, and part of the fun of a hot tub is using it in the snow. However, the power bill for leaving it open takes a lot of the fun out of it. The Covana motorized spa cover does both (we got the Legend), so it is my product of the week. Rob Enderle has been an ECT News Network columnist since 2003. His areas of interest include AI, autonomous driving, drones, personal technology, emerging technology, regulation, litigation, M&E, and technology in politics. He has undergrad degrees in merchandising and manpower management, and an MBA in human resources, marketing and computer science. He is also a certified management accountant. Enderle currently is president and principal analyst of the Enderle Group. He formerly served as a senior research fellow at Giga Information Group and Forrester. Email Rob. By Marlene Cimons Ten years ago, Japanese chemist Eijiro Miyako was trying to invent a liquid that could work as an electrical conductor. But the sticky gel he created failed, so he shoved it into a cabinet in an uncapped bottle and forgot about it. Recently, during a lab cleanup, it was rediscoveredwith the viscous stuff unchanged. Motivated by concerns about climate change and the impact it was having on natural pollinators, especially bees and other insects, Miyako wondered whether the material he had made, still good after a decade, could pick up pollen. Ultimately, he jury-rigged a tiny, insect-sized remote-controlled drone that could carry his substance and use it to pick up and deposit pollen grains. The artificial pollinator brushes a lily. Eijiro Miyak "I think climate change is one of the terrible problems affecting our natural pollinators," he said. "Our technology and artificial pollinators could be hopefully promising for giving us a good solution against the pollination crisis for our beautiful planet." Globally, an estimated 1,000 plants grown for food, beverages, fibers, spices and medicines must be pollinated by animals, including apples, blueberries, chocolate, coffee, melons, peaches, potatoes, pumpkins, vanilla, almonds and tequila, according to Pollinator Partnership. Pollination by honeybees, native bees and other insects produces $40 billion worth of products annually in the U.S., according to the group. But pollinators have been in trouble in recent years, suffering from habitat loss, chemicals misuse, diseases and parasites, among other hazards. As a result, the nation has lost more than half of its managed honeybee colonies in the last ten years. Research has shown that the effects of global warming are shrinking the geographic home range of North American and European bumblebees, with the insects unable to adapt to the changing conditions. Before tackling the honeybee problem, Miyako experimented with houseflies and ants. He put the goop on the ants' bodies and let them wander inside a box of tulips. Compared with the insects that didn't have the gel on them, those that did were much more likely to have pollen attached. Artificial pollinator top (left) and bottom (right). Eijiro Miya Still, to devise an effective artificial pollinator, he needed some kind of flying machine to transport the pollen. He found an insect-sized, remote-controlled four-propeller drone, worth about $100 and attached horse hair to it in order to mimic the fuzzy exterior of a bee. He and his research colleagues then slathered the gel onto the horse hair bristles so the pollen would stick to it. Furthermore, the horse hair generates an electric charge that keeps the grains in place. They flew the little droneswith hair and gel attachedover the flowers of pink-leaved Japanese lilies. The little flyers picked up pollen and the researchers guided them to other flowers, where they deposited the grains, artificially pollinating the plants. The artificial pollinator brushes a lily. Eijiro Miyak He and his colleagues believe that robotic pollinators ultimately could learn pollination paths via GPS systems and artificial intelligence. Nevertheless, Miyako acknowledges that much work remains before the tiny drones will have widespread application in agriculture, including improving how the small machines drop the pollen. Once stuck, the grains require some kind of additional physical force to release them. Thus far, "desorption of pollens possibly happened by hitting materials with piled up pollens onto female flowers," he said. "Indeed, we have never characterized what kind of forces were actually effected on them. That is a future challenge, to improve the performance for dropping off pollens on our desired plant." Miyako, a senior researcher with the Nanomaterials Research Institute of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in Ibaraki, Japan, described his work in a study published in the journal Chem. A radio-controlled flying robot equipped with animal hairs coated with a liquid gel pollinates a flower. Eijiro Miyak He and his colleagues are the latest in a long history of those who have tried to find ways to help nature with pollination, efforts that go back thousands of years, at least to 2000 BC, when humans pollinated date palms by hand. More recently, people have hand-pollinated tomato flowers in greenhouses and, in some parts of China, apple trees in the absence of native pollinators. Still, despite the urgency posed by climate change and other threats to insect pollinators, some experts believe artificial methods would be less effective and economically feasible to preserve bee populations. And they worry that attention and resources directed toward artificial pollination technology could discourage efforts to address the impact of global warming on natural pollinators. "Fortunately, in most cases around the world, the ecosystem service of pollination is provided for free by native insects, so there has been no need to rely on artificial pollination," said David Inouye, professor emeritus of biology at the University of Maryland, who studies pollination biology and who was not involved in the study. "The new technology is interesting, but it's likely less expensive to take measures to encourage native pollinators than it will be to use drones." Berry J. Brosi, associate professor in the department of environmental services at Emory University, who also was not involved in the research, agrees. "There is the possibility that such technology would reduce the incentives for pollinator conservation," he said. Also, mechanical replacement of pollinators, while feasible at small scales, is very unlikely to be economically possible at the levels needed for crop pollination, Brosi said. "Japanese lilies, the plant species that was used for the proof-of-concept of this technology, have very large and showy flowers, in stark contrast to most crops," he said. A bee pollinates a canola flower. Pixabay For example, canola, an economically important pollinator-dependent crop, has very small blooms clustered on thin stalks that grow very close together in commercial canola fields, he said. "Current technology for mechanical pollination would have to advance tremendously in a number of dimensions to allow for this much more challenging application," Brosi said. Moreover, he adds, replacing living pollinators with mechanical alternatives could produce societal inequities. "Research has shown that pollinator declines are likely to be associated with nutritional deficits in the developing world among smallholders, exactly the population that would almost certainly be unable to afford such technology," he said. Beyond their role in crops, insects also pollinate more than 90 percent of wild flowering plants and trees, which in turn provide a range of ecosystem services that people depend upon, "including production of oxygen, water and air purification, prevention of erosion and scenic beauty among many others," Brosi said. "Creating a pollinator habitat within or adjacent to crop fields, can provide many other benefits, including providing habitat for natural enemies of crop pests, carbon sequestration, erosion control and support of plant and other biodiversity." The Japanese researchers acknowledge these shortcomings and the obstacles ahead. Nevertheless they hope their continued research will be valuable, even if only to reduce the pressure put on bee populations by commercialization and other stressors. With help from artificial pollinators, honeybees, for example, might be better able to do one thing the robots can'tmake honeywhile drones do the pollinating. Hopefully, the little robots can "help counter the problems caused by declining honeybee populations," Miyako said. Reposted with permission from our media associate Nexus Media. From Jan. 28 to Feb. 7 my wife and I were in Vieques, Puerto Rico, helping as best we could with recovery from Hurricane Maria, which hit on Sept. 20, 2017 almost five months ago. Help is very much still needed. I don't think I realized how much that is true until I got home to New Jersey and experienced all of the things I didn't experience during those 10 days: the lights and everything electrical turning on or being on all day and night whenever I need it; a hot, not cold, water shower; not worrying about hitting something or falling when I had to get up and go to the bathroom or move around at night; not hearing (or smelling) loud gas generators behind the house where I was staying and several other places in the neighborhood as day turned into night; not having to do extra-special filtering of the tap water because of concerns about its quality; reliably accessing my cell phone apps, telephone and the internet whenever I want to. These were the main differences. I was staying at Casa de Kathy in Esperanza, the second largest town in Vieques. The only street in Esperanza that fully had electrical power when we were there was the Malecon, the downtown street next to the water where bars, restaurants and hotels are, and they didn't get that power until the fifth day we were there. What electrical power there was elsewhere in town came from gas-powered generators bought by residents who could afford them. Ted Glick There was concern about the tap water. Neither the EPA nor anyone else had done tests to determine how safe it is to drink. There were still piles of debris and branches that had been blown down by the storm, as well as collections of stoves and refrigerators disabled by it. Ted Glick Despite all of these serious problems, the sense I had was that people in general were pulling together, some more than others, to climb out of the hole the hurricane put them in. They were doing so even though there was a lot of criticism of FEMA for its slowness and for it denying aid to a number of people whose homes had been damaged. I was glad to learn that the use of solar energy, in different forms, is growing, from small solar lights, which are popular, to solar panels on roofs to provide an alternative to an unreliable electric grid. One of the big takeaways for me was the reinforcement of something I have known intellectually for years, that extreme weather events, like the climate changing which makes them worse and more frequent, hurts low-income people the most. Middle- and upper-class people who have access to financial and other resources had found ways to lessen their suffering or discomfort, like through personal generators. But those without those resources were in a different situation. I heard of at least one family that was sleeping in a tent in their living room because there had been serious damage to their roof that they had not yet been able to afford getting fixed. Unfortunately, it's not just recovery from the big storm that is a big problem. The pro-statehood Governor of Puerto Rico, Ricardo Rossello, announced just before we got there that he wanted to privatize the electrical system, currently publicly owned, which would certainly lead to higher electrical rates for many struggling Puerto Rican consumers as the corporate buyer looks to make its profits. Then there is the relatively large Puerto Rican debt (though hugely smaller than the U.S. debt) of $73 billion. There have been calls for that debt to be forgiven, for obvious reasons. Lin-Manual Miranda, for example, creator and star of the Broadway hit Hamilton, called for that in a December opinion piece in the Washington Post. He wrote: "Puerto Rico's creditors should do the right thing and walk away. It is the only way forward. Anything short of full debt forgiveness would be a brutal form of economic punishment to a people already suffering." But to add insult to injury, the Republican tax bill passed at the end of 2017, unless challenged and changed, will make things even worse. A Dec. 20 Washington Post story reported that the Puerto Rican Governor "is calling on lawmakers to rewrite a key part of the tax bill that he says might cause the island's hefty manufacturing sector to contract, jeopardizing hundreds of thousands of jobs. [It] includes a new 12.5 percent tax on profits derived from intellectual property held by foreign companiesa move designed to compel those companies to move back to the U.S. The new tax "is a big hit, and Puerto Rico both fiscally and economically is downtrodden, and this is the last thing they need," said Federico de Jesus, a former Puerto Rico government official who has been tracking congressional relief efforts for the island." U.S. citizens have a special responsibility to help Puerto Rico, which has been a colony of the U.S. since 1898. It is our humanitarian and moral responsibility, and it is our duty as citizens of the nation which has the power to help Puerto Rico either move forward or backwards after Maria. We must do what we can as far as practical hurricane recovery support but also support groups calling for a cancellation of the debt, changes to the Republican tax bill and reform of the electric power system, not its privatization. Ted Glick is a former activist with the Puerto Rico Solidarity Committee in the 1970's. He was a supporter of the historic civil disobedience campaign in Vieques in the early 2000's which led to the removal of the U.S. Navy. He has been a progressive activist and organizer since 1968. Past writings and other information can be found here, and he can be followed on Twitter. The Trump administration's $1 billion budget request for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) seeks $66.7 million for the Wild Horse and Burro Management program and a continued push to eliminate annual appropriations bill riders that prohibit the sale or killing of the federally protected animals. Congress has yet to act on the administration's 2018 budget request, which also requested lifting the appropriations riders. "The 2019 budget continues to propose the elimination of appropriations language restricting BLM's use of all of the management options authorized in the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act," the Interior Department's plan states, in reference to the 1971 law that calls for the "protection, management and control" of the animals on public land. "This change will provide BLM with the full suite of tools to manage the unsustainable growth of wild horse and burro herds." For more than a decade, Congress has used appropriations bill riders to prohibit the BLM from spending taxpayer money on "the destruction of healthy, unadopted, wild horses and burros in the care of [BLM] or its contractors or for the sale of wild horses and burros that results in their destruction for processing into commercial products." The BLM uses helicopters to round up thousands of wild horses and burros from public lands each year. About 45,000 captured animals are held in government corrals and pastures, costing taxpayers $50 million annually. Another 67,000 wild horses and burros roam around on federal land. The bureau asserted last year that a high number of "excess wild horses and burros causes habitat damage that forces animals to leave public lands and travel onto private property or even highways in search of food and water" and requested that Congress remove some restrictions on the sale and disposition of "excess" animals. The American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC) condemned the president's latest budget proposal. The horse advocacy group worries that the animals in holding and those considered "excess" on the range would be killed en masse if Congress were to grant the BLM's budget request. "The Trump administration continues to defy the will of the American people by proposing the slaughter of America's iconic wild horses and burros," said Suzanne Roy, executive director of the American Wild Horse Campaign. A poll cited by the AWHC showed that 80 percent of Americansincluding 86 percent of Trump voters and 77 percent of Clinton votersoppose the slaughter and mass killing of wild horses and burros. "The administration's decision to prioritize slaughter over humane management alternatives recommended by the National Academy of Sciences is irresponsible, reckless and politically unacceptable," Roy said. A 2013 National Academy of Sciences review of the BLM's Wild Horse and Burro Management program found that a birth control vaccine was among the most safe, effective and economical ways to humanely reduce horse reproductive rates on the range. But according to the AWHC, the BLM "has refused to use this method in more than a token manner, opting instead for costly and cruel helicopter roundups." The flow of students from Puerto Rico has slowed in recent weeks, but mainland schools continue to take in new evacuees five months after Hurricane Maria devastated the island. In parts of the country with large Puerto Rican communities, districts are still hiring bilingual staff, monitoring students closely for signs of trauma, reconfiguring classrooms, tinkering with their budgets, and hoping that state education departments cough up more money to help cover the unexpected costs. In Florida, which has taken in the largest number of Puerto Rican evacuees to date, educators are grappling with needs large and small, including ensuring that high school students who may have spent months outside of the classroom are on track to graduate at the end of the school year. Some 11,000 evacuees from the U.S. territory were attending the states public schools at the end of January. Florida schools also have taken in more than 900 students from the U.S. Virgin Islands, which were pummeled by hurricanes Irma and Maria in a span of 14 days last year. In the western Massachusetts city of Holyoke, where nearly half the resident population is Puerto Rican or of Puerto Rican descent, the 5,300-student district has hired up to seven staff memberssome of whom are evacueesto help students and their parents navigate a school system that may seem foreign to them. And nearby West Springfield, a 4,000-student district thats been growing, has used about $175,000 from its school choice fund to add seven staffers, including two special education teachers, to attend to the needs of the 75 Puerto Rican students who are currently registered. Where Are They? Public schools in Florida had enrolled 11,439 Puerto Rican evacuees by the end of January. Hover to see how many Puerto Rican evacuees are enrolled in each district. Source: Education Week Research Center analysis of CCD and Florida Department of Education Data, 2018. Reporter: Denisa Superville. Analysis and Visualization: Laura Baker and Alex Harwin. Note: The data were reported by the school districts and may include students who have transferred from one district to another. They are struggling with constant change, said West Springfield Superintendent Michael J. Richard. Their needs are great, and we are trying to identify them. Unlike Holyoke, West Springfield does not have a large Hispanic population, and the evacuees enrolling in the district are staying in temporary housing at nearby hotels. This creates an added layer of uncertainty for the district as it weighs accommodating the needs of families and students who may not be around in a few months. An additional challenge for Richard and others in his position is determining the placement of students who arrive on the mainland without education records. Nearly 75 percent of the evacuees who are enrolled in West Springfield schools are in special education programs because they had an individualized education program, or IEP, or because their parents told district officials that their children had been in special education programs in Puerto Rico. Funding Uncertainties Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, plans to provide $15 million in additional funding for districts serving the nearly 2,500 evacuees from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As a result, Holyoke could receive about $6,000 per student, said Stephen Zrike, who the state appointed as the district superintendent in 2015 after years of sluggish academic performance and low graduation rates. The state had previously split a $60,000 grant under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act among the districts that had enrolled the largest number of evacuees, which came to about $5,000 per district, Zrike said. Complete Coverage: Putting Puerto Ricos Schools Back on Track But Holyoke is not letting the availability of state aid determine its response, he added. Our approach is that we are going to do what we need to do to ensure that once they [arrive], they are going to get to school as soon as possible, Zrike said. We are going to be flexible. If the influx continues, Zrikes wish list includes Spanish-language books, teachers, counselors, and help for the homeless-assistance coordinator whose caseload has ballooned. Holyoke had registered nearly 200 Puerto Rican students by the end of January, though a smaller number of students, 182, are actually in the system. The district allowed the newcomer students to attend the schools in their neighborhoods to minimize disruptions and avoid busing them to unfamiliar neighborhoods. While that decision has its advantages, it also means that grades in some schools are nearing capacity, officials said. Language Support A Newcomer Academy at Holyoke High School, which opened at the beginning of the school year, has been providing small-group instruction to high school students with limited proficiency in English. Students have a double-block of English instruction by a certified English-language-learner teacher, while continuing their core courses in Spanish. Barbara Page, the Newcomer Academy lead, plans to team up with tutors from local colleges over spring break to provide intensive tutoring for high school seniors worried about passing state exams. Its a big problem, Page said of the uncertainty seniors feel about whether they will graduate on time. We dont want these students to be penalized for a natural disaster that hit their island. Housing remains the biggest challenge for families and the greatest source of instability for students, who may be forced to move from school to school as their parents housing situation changes. While many families are doubled up with relatives, about 600 families were staying in hotels and using time-limited vouchers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to cover the cost of housing, said Betty Medina Lichtenstein, the executive director of Enlace de Familias, the point-organization for Puerto Rican evacuees heading to western Massachusetts. Many are set to lose those benefits this week, she said. A number of parents also do not speak English, which makes it difficult to immediately find well-paying jobs. And rental apartments are expensive in western Massachusetts. Frustrated by the slow pace of progress and the level of disaster assistance they are receiving, some families have decided to return to Puerto Rico. The stress is tearing families apart, Medina Lichtenstein said. I dont think that the parents or the children are really taking care of their own mental health, said Medina Lichtenstein, whose organization has helped about 2,000 individuals from Puerto Rico. The children are also on autopilot. Families Reunited But the hurricane and the unplanned exodus from Puerto Rico has reunited some families, even as the children struggle to adjust. Madeline Castaner has now settled in Holyoke with her husband, Julio Robles, who had left Jayuya, in Puerto Rico, just days before the hurricane. With Robles already on the mainland, it was easy to decide to leave after Maria struck the island and destroyed the familys home. But after Castaner joined Robles last December, their 7-year-old daughter, Juleyska Robles Castaner, dreaded going to school, mainly because she didnt understand the language, her mother said. Castaner credits the staff at Morgan Elementary School with helping the 1st grader work through her anxiety. A kindergarten teacher who speaks Spanish took Juleyska aside in the initial days to offer reassurance whenever she started to get anxious, and reviewed class material with the young girl to help her keep up with her studies. A bilingual classmate also spoke to Juleyska in Spanish to help her feel comfortable in her new surrounding. Weeks later, Juleyska is learning English and making progress, her mother said. While she would like Juleyska to have more classes in Spanish, Castaner said she appreciated the schools efforts to make her daughters transition a little smoother. She feels better that someone is looking out for her, her mother said. In the Miami suburb of Homestead, Hurricane Maria also led to a reunion between a father and his sons. Diego Ignacio Cordero Sanchez, 16, started the year as he had many others at La Nueva Escuela Juan Ponce de Leon in Guaynabo, about 20 minutes from San Juan. Diegos parents had always intended for him to finish high school in Puerto Rico and then move to the mainland to join his father, Giovanni Cordero, who left Puerto Rico three years ago, looking for work. Hurricane Maria sped up the process. We were worried that they were going to lose a year of school, Cordero said of the rushed effort to evacuate Diego and his younger brother, Lorenzo Alberto Cordero Sanchez, 15. In order to keep them goingand not fall behindwe had to make the decision. By the end of October, the boys were settling into a new three-bedroom home in a planned development that their father had just purchased. Cordero found himself navigating a school system that is very different from the one he was used to in Puerto Rico, where he said one can walk into the school and talk to any teacher about any pressing issue. The experience was a roller coaster, he said, but it helped that the Miami-Dade school district held a community fair to assist evacuee families explore schooling options. Diego is also one of the 50 students that Communities in Schools of Miami, the local affiliate of the national drop-out prevention program, is helping with a $60,000 grant the organization received from the Miami Foundation. Diego, who is fluent in English, said the new system took some getting used to. Most of his classes in Puerto Rico were in the same room or nearby rooms. At Homestead Senior High School, where he and his brother enrolled, Diego often found himself late as he rushed from class to class. His grades have not suffered and at the end of January his social studies teacher congratulated him on obtaining one of the highest scores on a quiz about the Great Depression and World War I. Lorenzo had an easier time making friends, but both boys said they are appreciating the time with their father. Still, Diego misses his mother, Lina Sanchez, who works at a music school and is still in Puerto Rico. Its scary, he said. Its difficult knowing that I am OK here, while she is back there. I definitely miss her a lot. Its been hard. From that aspect, its been hard. Frank Zenere, the chairman of the crisis-management department at the Miami-Dade school district, said that he has found that the student evacuees have been quite resilient. Miami-Dade counselors and teachers have been given a checklist of things to do and to avoid when interacting with their new students. They are encouraged to: let students know there is a caring adult in the room, give students the opportunity to speak about their experience if they want to, assign a buddy to the new students, and meet with students and families before they enroll. Zenere, who has spent 20 years helping school districts get back on track after natural disasters, school shootings, and other emergencies, said district teachers were also able to empathize with students. It was helpful for many of the kids to understand that they were not in this alone and that this was a community that had a hurricane experience this yearand over the years, he said. I think there was a level of empathy that was already built into our teachers [and] counseling staff. With the state legislative season now in full swing, K-12 fundingas well as the prospect of changes to how that money is distributed among schoolshas emerged as a top issue for lawmakers. While bickering over how much money public schools should get is a perennial drama, school finance analysts predict that real and lasting change to states school spending habits could be on the horizon. The supreme courts in Kansas and Washington have threatened those states legislatures with shutting down schools this summer if they dont boost their spending in the coming months. Iowa, Maryland, Texas, and Wyoming are considering bills that would fully replace their funding formulas, and dozens of states have commissioned studies on their school funding formulas. In plenty of other states, governors proposed in their State of the State speeches last month major cuts or increases to their public schools budgets. Confluence of Factors Analysts attribute the flurry of activity to a confluence of factors: Health-care and pension costs continue to squeeze K-12, which, for years, has dominated states budgets. Money Battles School fundinghow much and how its distributedtakes center stage among education issues in many of this years legislative sessions around the country. Among the hot spots: Kansas After the Kansas Supreme Court last year rejected the states revised school funding formula, the legislature is back at the drawing board trying to come up with $600 million by this fall for the states public schools. State revenue has started to rebound after a series of dramatic tax cuts that left Kansas millions of dollars in the hole. New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants the states largest districts to break out school-by-school spending, sparking a backlash. The same will soon be required for schools nationwide under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Oklahoma Amid a sharp decline in oil revenue, Republican Gov. Mary Fallin has been in a pitched battle with the Republican-controlled legislature over how to avoid cutting money from school districts, many of which operate on a four-day week. Fallin has also pushed this year to give teachers a pay raise. Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott propose a 2.5 percent cap on the amount of money districts can pull from property owners. That comes a year after the states supreme court said it was not its role to dictate to the states legislature how to spend its money on public schools. Washington Legislators have to speed up a timeline to boost average teacher pay after the states supreme court said a new funding formula wont kick in soon enough. Lawmakers are at odds with Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee on where to get the necessary funds. Source: Education Week Rising anti-tax sentiment paired with soaring school technology and special education costs have left legislators little choice but to act this year. State courts in recent months have ruled in several school funding lawsuits from parents and districts to either free up or force legislators to replace their funding formulas. The Every Student Succeeds Act gives states more control over their own education agendas, and many governors want their spending habits to be in line with new statewide initiatives and school accountability systems. With Republicans in complete control of several statehouses, many are rushing to replace school funding formulas before this falls election, when 36 governors and two-thirds of state legislative seats are up for grabs. Although the recession is in states rearview mirror, some continue to struggle with collecting sales-, income-, oil-, and coal-tax revenue. Thats led to cuts in some states K-12 budgets. But the relative rebound of property tax has given states breathing room to consider more fundamental changes to their school funding formulas, said Daniel Thatcher, a school funding analyst for the National Conference of State Legislatures. States for so long have been in catch-up mode, Thatcher said. They finally feel like they can put their heads up and look at changing their funding formulas now that revenue has caught up. Funding formulasthose complex calculations that dictate how most education funding is distributedare both technically and politically volatile. If legislators tinker with one tiny rule, they can cause dramatic budget cuts for one district and a windfall for another, upsetting a broad bipartisan and vocal coalition of parents. Experts suggest funding formulas should be replaced every seven to 10 years, though the average funding formula today is more than 20 years old. Some states, such as Delaware and Vermont, have funding formulas that are more than 40 years old. Local district officials have complained that antiquated funding formulas arent responsive to shifting demographics and 21st-century-classroom needs. Courts Weigh In This year in particular, state supreme courts in some instances have instigated changes to their states funding formulas. In Kansas, the supreme court said last year that the amount of funding the legislature sent to the states schools was still not enough to meet a 2016 ruling that determined the states school spending is constitutionally inadequate. The court said the legislature must come up with a solution by April or risk the shutdown of all public schools. Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer, who recently replaced current U.S. Ambassador Sam Brownback, said in a speech last week that he wants to add a $513 million increase in public school aid over the next five years. But hes opposed to raising the states taxes or levying any new ones, as the state did last year, and hopes to get the money mostly from economic growth. We must keep our schools open, he said. Similarly, in Washington, that states legislative chambers are at odds over how to speed up the timeline to provide teachers with a pay raise as that states supreme court has demanded. In a damning ruling last year, the court said the legislature was still in contempt of court for failing to adequately fund its schools as the court asked the state to do in its 2012 McCleary v. Washington ruling. Taking a cue from Kansas, the court said itd ramp up penalties if the state failed to provide a solution before the end of this years session in March. In some instances, court rulings against plaintiffs and in states favors have sparked a rush by legislators to replace funding formulas. Texas supreme court in 2016 ruled that even though the states funding formula was wanting, it wasnt the courts place to determine how the legislature spends its money. Since that ruling, the states GOP-dominated legislature has made several attempts to dismantle the states Robin Hood funding formula, which redistributes more equitably oil money between richer and less-wealthy districts. This year, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said he wants to place a 2 percent cap on property taxes for school funding. The states legislature will consider the proposal in its 2019 bienniel session. Connecticuts supreme court in January struck down a lower-court ruling that took issue with several portions of the states funding formula and teaching practices. Although the ruling freed up the legislature to spend as it likes, Democratic Gov. Dannel Malloy said that its still necessary to replace the funding formula because of rising pension costs, aging demographics, and the large achievement gap between the states white, black, and Latino students. And in Mississippi, a court last fall struck down a lawsuit from 15 school districts that claimed the state failed to fully fund the states funding formula. The Mississippi Senate is currently debating a bill passed by the House that would provide $107 million more to schools over the next seven years. Mississippi has one of the lowest per-pupil spending rates in the country. On the Horizon Some states are rushing to change their funding formulas before pending court rulings. Iowas restrictive funding formula, crafted in 1971, has left many of its impoverished urban districts and depopulated farming communities with little cash to spend on schools. Parents there sued the state last year, arguing the formula is unfair and discriminatory against poor students. A lower court struck down the case, but the states supreme court could soon weigh in. Meanwhile, the Iowa Senate last year passed a replacement of the states funding formula, but the House has yet to vote on it. Elsewhere, while major changes to states funding formulas arent being debated, governors and legislative leaders are pushing major decreases or increases in school spending. States heavily dependent on natural resources are looking to reduce their budgets. Alaskas legislature is attempting to stave off cuts to its school system by pulling $1.2 billion from its reserves, a solution thats unsustainable, many school advocates say. In Wyoming, Gov. Matt Mead, a Republican, is proposing that the state take $66 million out of its $1.8 billion in school spending. A state-hired consulting firm recently recommended to the legislature that it avoid cuts hitting English-language learners and disadvantaged students. And in Oklahoma, Gov. Mary Fallin, a Republican, used her State of the State speech last week to roll out a proposal to raise taxes to stave off an ongoing fiscal crisis. As part of that plan, dubbed Step up Oklahoma, teachers would get an ongoing $5,000 bump in pay. Let us make no mistake about it, Fallin said. This is a historic, defining moment before us. What we do as a unified group of people elected by the citizens of our state could be considered the moment in time that changed Oklahoma. Manx police warn of romance fraud The Isle of Man Constabulary is urging local residents to be careful when meeting people online following an attempted romance fraud. Police say this type of fraud happens when a criminal creates a fake identity to use on dating sites, grooming a victim before asking for money or stealing their identity. The offenders use stolen identities, fake profiles and images of other people found online to create their profiles. Officers are urging anyone using dating websites not to give away too many personal details such as date of birth and home address as this could result in identity theft. Police also advise those talking to people on dating websites to stick to the site's messaging service and not switch to social media or texts as this can leave no evidence of them asking for money. Anyone who believes they're speaking to a fraudsters can contact the Isle of Man Constabulary for assistance and report the profile to Action Fraud. 2018-02-13 Maeci The chief Italian diplomat said: Daeshs now imminent defeat must not induce us to neglect the need to preserve the Coalition as a collective instrument of reference in the fight against fundamentalist terrorism, wherever it may be. He went on: In relation to the stabilisation process, Italy is leader in training the Iraqi police forces to be deployed in the liberated areas to assure the security and the rule of law for the population. This is why we will continue to assure Italys support in helping our Iraqi friends to stabilise the Country and to restore the peace that they have too long waited for. The plenary session of the member States of the Global Coalition against Daesh will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (CET) and it will be divided into two working sessions: the first will focus on Iraq and Syria in which Minister Alfano will address the assembly and the second will be dedicated to the global dimension of Daesh. In parallel with the Meeting, Kuwait City will also host the Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq. During his mission, Minister Alfano will also meet with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and the Minister of Defence, Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al Ahmad. 2018-02-13 Maeci The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Angelino Alfano met his Turkish colleague, Mevlut Cavusoglu, in Kuwait City on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition against Daesh. The meeting followed a telephone conversation Minister Alfano had yesterday morning with theTurkish Foreign Minister, during which the SAIPEM 12000 Platform issue was raised. Alfano informed Minister Cavusoglu that Italy wished to find a shared solution, in accordance with international law and in the interest of ENI, the countries in the region, and the two Cypriot communities. Today, the two ministers agreed on the need to take into consideration the national interests of both countries and the concerns expressed by their respective governments, also in view of preserving an atmosphere of trust, which is needed to promote future energy-related projects along with those already in place. Medical Cannabis Significantly Safer for Elderly With Chronic Pain Than Opioids, According to Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Researchers BEER-SHEVA, Israel...February 13 - Medical cannabis therapy can significantly reduce chronic pain in patients age 65 and older without adverse effects, according to researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) and the Cannabis Clinical Research Institute at Soroka University Medical Center. The new study, published in The European Journal of Internal Medicine, found cannabis therapy is safe and efficacious for elderly patients who are seeking to address cancer symptoms, Parkinson's disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, and other medical issues. "While older patients represent a large and growing population of medical cannabis users, few studies have addressed how it affects this particular group, which also suffers from dementia, frequent falls, mobility problems, and hearing and visual impairments," says Prof. Victor Novack, M.D., a professor of medicine in the BGU Faculty of Health Sciences (FOHS), and head of the Soroka Cannabis Clinical Research Institute. Novack is also the BGU Gussie Krupp Chair in Internal Medicine. "After monitoring patients 65 and older for six months, we found medical cannabis treatment significantly relieves pain and improves quality of life for seniors with minimal side effects reported." This older population represents a growing segment of medical cannabis users, ranging from approximately seven percent to more than 33 percent, depending on the country. Recent U.S. polls indicate Americans over 65 represent 14 percent of the total population and use more than 30 percent of all prescription drugs, including highly addictive painkillers. BGU researchers surveyed 2,736 patients 65 years and older who received medical cannabis through "Tikun Olam," the largest Israeli medical cannabis supplier. More than 60 percent were prescribed medical cannabis due to the pain, particularly pain associated with cancer. After six months of treatment, more than 93 percent of 901 respondents reported their pain dropped from a median of eight to four on a 10-point scale. Close to 60 percent of patients who originally reported "bad" or "very bad" quality of life upgraded to "good" or "very good" after six months. More than 70 percent of patients surveyed reported moderate to significant improvement in their condition. The most commonly reported adverse effects were dizziness (9.7 percent) and dry mouth (7.1 percent). After six months, more than 18 percent of patients surveyed had stopped using opioid analgesics or had reduced their dosage. All patients received a prescription after consulting with a doctor who prescribed treatment. More than 33 percent of patients used cannabis-infused oil; approximately 24 percent inhaled therapy by smoking, and approximately six percent used vaporization. While the researchers state their findings to date indicate cannabis may decrease dependence on prescription medicines, including opioids, more evidence-based data from this special, aging population is imperative. ### The researchers in the study also include, Ran Abuhasira, a BGU Ph.D. candidate working in the Soroka Clinical Research Center, Lihi Bar-Lev Schleider of "Tikun Olam," and Prof. Raphael Mechoulam of Hebrew University. Prof. Novak is an advisor to the dean for Clinical Research in the FOHS at BGU. He is also the head of the Clinical Research Center and Research Authority at Soroka. About American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (AABGU) plays a vital role in sustaining David Ben-Gurion's vision: creating a world-class institution of education and research in the Israeli desert, nurturing the Negev community and sharing the University's expertise locally and around the globe. As Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) looks ahead to turning 50 in 2020, AABGU imagines a future that goes beyond the walls of academia. It is a future where BGU invents a new world and inspires a vision for a stronger Israel and its next generation of leaders. Together with supporters, AABGU will help the University foster excellence in teaching, research and outreach to the communities of the Negev for the next 50 years and beyond. Visit vision.aabgu.org to learn more. AABGU, which is headquartered in Manhattan, has nine regional offices throughout the United States. For more information, visit http://www.aabgu.org. Contact: Andrew Lavin A. Lavin Communications 516-944-4486 alc@alavin.com PORTLAND, Ore. -- Scientists have confirmed what native Alaskans have observed for centuries - maritime winds influence the travel patterns of northern fur seal pups. New research presented at the Ocean Sciences Meeting here today shows strong winds can potentially displace seal pups by hundreds of kilometers during their first winter migration. Most northern fur seals breed on islands in the Bering Sea during the summer and embark on an eight-month-long journey to the North Pacific Ocean to forage for food in November and December of each year. For unexplained reasons, seal births have been declining there since the late 1970s, prompting increased research into the animals' behavior. Researchers found many pups die during their initial migration from the Bering Sea to the North Pacific Ocean, but the rate at which this happens varies from year to year - and scientists are unsure why. New research comparing the movements of individual seal pups during their migration with reconstructions of ocean surface winds shows that as wind speed increases, pups increasingly move downwind and to the right. The preliminary findings suggest surface winds could influence an individual pup's displacement by hundreds of kilometers during their first winter migration. It is unclear whether being blown downwind is helpful or harmful to the seal pups, but the results offer a new insight into environmental effects on seal survival, according to the researchers. "They're at the whims of what's happening in the environment of the North Pacific Ocean," said Noel Pelland, a physical oceanographer and National Research Council postdoctoral associate at NOAA's Alaska Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, Washington, who will present the new research today at the 2018 Ocean Sciences Meeting, co-sponsored by the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography, The Oceanography Society and the American Geophysical Union. Northern fur seals are among the most long-studied marine mammals because of their historical importance to the fur trade. They have been a staple food of native Alaskans for thousands of years and have been commercially harvested for their fur since Europeans arrived in Alaska in the 18th and 19th centuries. In the new research, Pelland and his colleagues analyzed data from more than 150 seal pups equipped with tags that allow satellites to track their movements. The researchers compared the pups' movements to models of wind speed and intensity in the North Pacific from 1997 to 2015. They found differences in the prevailing winds aligned with where the pups ended up. During years when strong winds blew from the west, the pups ended up farther east, in the Gulf of Alaska, by about January 1. But in years where winds were weaker and came from the north, the pups ended up farther south, closer to the Aleutian Islands. The researchers are unsure which scenario is better for pup survival, but the results confirm anecdotal evidence of seal migration behavior observed by native inhabitants of the Aleutian Islands, Pelland said. In 1892, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury sent Captain C. L. Hooper to the Aleutian Islands with instructions to gather as much information as he could about northern fur seals from the Aleuts who lived there and hunted them. The Aleuts consistently told Hooper seals always travel with a fair wind and disliked traveling against the wind. "What's cool is that with this project, we have this sophisticated technology that allows us this unprecedented look at the lives of individual animals, and what it allows us to do is quantify things that may have been known for millenia, by the people who've lived there and experienced this species," Pelland said. ### 2018 Ocean Sciences Meeting Oregon Convention Center Portland, Oregon 11-16 February 2018 Ocean Sciences Press Office Contacts: Nanci Bompey +1 (914) 552-5759 nbompey@agu.org Lauren Lipuma +1 (504) 427-6069 llipuma@agu.org More than 4,000 scientists are expected to present the latest research findings about the world's oceans at the 2018 Ocean Sciences Meeting. The biennial meeting brings together researchers from the American Geophysical Union, the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography, and The Oceanography Society. Notes for Journalists Lead researcher Noel Pelland will give a poster presentation about this research on Tuesday, 13 February at the 2018 Ocean Sciences Meeting. The meeting runs from 11-16 February 2018, at the Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland, Oregon, 97232. Visit the Ocean Sciences Media Center for information for members of the news media. Abstract: "Seals travel with a fair wind": The influence of marine winds on the migration of newly-weaned northern fur seal pups Session: Basin- to Global-Scale Ocean Transport, Connectivity, and Dispersal: Interdisciplinary Connections II Posters Date: Tuesday, 13 February 2018 Time: 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. PST Location: Oregon Convention Center, Poster Hall (Halls C and D ) Abstract number: EP24A-0764 Contact information for the researcher: Noel Pelland 1 (206) 526-4545 (office) +1 (206) 679-4772 (cell) noel.pelland@noaa.gov The following release, and accompanying images can be found at: https://news.agu.org/press-release/ocean-winds-influence-seal-pup-migration/ PORTLAND, Ore. -- Scientists have for the first time captured the sounds of snapping shrimp off the Oregon coast and think the loud crackling from the snapping of their claws may serve as a dinner bell for eastern Pacific gray whales, according to new research being presented at the Ocean Sciences Meeting here today. Snapping shrimp are among the noisiest animals in the ocean. They produce a loud clicking noise when snapping their claws to stun or kill their prey. When enough shrimp snap at once, the din can be louder than the roar of a passenger jet flying overhead. Snapping shrimp are typically found in warm, shallow subtropical waters all over the world, but no one had yet detected them in the colder waters off the coast of the Pacific Northwest. But in 2016, ocean researchers deployed a drifting hydrophone - a microphone that records sound underwater - in the shallow waters off the Oregon coast. When they listened to the hydrophone recordings, they noticed something strange - loud popping, clacking sounds characteristic of snapping shrimp. When the researchers compared the recordings to known snapping shrimp sounds, they matched. Listen to a recording of snapping shrimp captured by the researchers here. "Nobody was aware of any sign of snapping shrimp in Oregon nearshore waters ever - they are completely undocumented," said Joe Haxel, a marine acoustics researcher at Oregon State University's Cooperative Institute for Marine Resources Studies and NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory in Newport, Oregon who will present the findings today at the 2018 Ocean Sciences Meeting, co-sponsored by the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography, The Oceanography Society and the American Geophysical Union. "That was a surprise, and very interesting to us, because we found areas with our drifting recordings that were just chock full of these snapping shrimp sounds, and they're really loud." In addition to discovering the presence of snapping shrimp, the researchers found eastern Pacific gray whales were often foraging near the rocky reefs the shrimp inhabit. Gray whales don't eat snapping shrimp, but they do eat other crustaceans usually found near the rocky reefs. Haxel and his colleagues suspect the loud snaps and cracks could be an acoustic cue to direct whales to areas of the ocean where their typical food might be plentiful. "The ocean is really patchy with prey," Haxel said. "But we're seeing that whales are more concentrated in these rocky reef areas that have kelp and other food sources where the snapping shrimp are also found. So that potentially could be kind of a dinner bell effect." "Whales are very acoustic animals, so we assume that a lot of the cues they get about where food is located is based on sound," said Leigh Torres, a marine ecologist at Oregon State University in Newport and collaborator on the research project. "The ocean is generally a very dark place, especially at night, but these whales feed around the clock. So when they can't see, either because they're in the deep ocean or because it's night, they must rely on other cues, and we think acoustic cues are a primary way of doing that." The discovery is part of a larger effort by researchers to better understand the acoustic environment of Pacific Northwest coastal waters. By deploying the hydrophones, they hope to characterize the volume and types of sounds animals hear in Pacific Northwest waters. The new research shows snapping shrimp are an important contributor to the coastal soundscape, Haxel said. The researchers are unsure whether snapping shrimp have inhabited these waters for some time or if they've just arrived. If the shrimp are new to the area, it's not clear why they are showing up now. But the discovery of the shrimp and their connection to gray whale feeding grounds could mean changes to the underwater soundscape affect marine animals more than previously thought, according to Haxel. "The co-location of snapping shrimp with particular habitats and foraging prey for gray whales begins to uncover a potentially very important link between the underwater acoustic environment and healthy ocean ecosystems," he said. More than 4,000 scientists are expected to present the latest research findings about the world's oceans at the 2018 Ocean Sciences Meeting. The biennial meeting brings together researchers from the American Geophysical Union, the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography, and The Oceanography Society. ### Ocean Sciences Press Office Contacts: Nanci Bompey +1 (914) 552-5759 nbompey@agu.org Lauren Lipuma +1 (504) 427-6069 llipuma@agu.org Notes for Journalists Lead researcher Joe Haxel will give a poster presentation about this research on Tuesday, 13 February at the 2018 Ocean Sciences Meeting. Poster title: Snapping Shrimp in Oregon? A Potential Acoustic Cue for Marine Predators Session: Advances in Approaches to Monitoring the Occurrence, Distribution, Behavior, and Ecology of Top Predators III Posters Date: Tuesday, 13 February 2018 Time: 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. PST Location: Oregon Convention Center, Poster Hall (Halls C and D) Abstract number: IS24A-2573 Contact information for the researcher: Joe Haxel: joe.haxel@oregonstate.edu, +1 (541) 961-5918. The Israel Prize in Physics and Chemistry for 2018 will be awarded to Bar-Ilan University Prof. Shlomo Havlin, Education Minister Naftali Bennett has announced. Upon the announcement the Prize Committee wrote, "Prof. Shlomo Havlin is one of the pioneers of a number of fields in statistical physics and its implications for complex systems in different areas. Prof. Havlin deals with the application of knowledge in physics to the broadest disciplines such as social networks, technological networks, economic networks, physiological systems and DNA function. Of all Israeli scientists, Prof. Havlin is the most cited by scientists around the world. He devotes his time and energies to guide young scientists and graduate students and contributes greatly to the creation of scientific ties between the State of Israel and the world." "We are proud of Prof. Havlin's immense achievements in advancing science and his tremendous contribution to increasing Bar-Ilan University's standing in Israel and around the world," wrote University Rector Prof. Miri Faust in a letter to faculty and staff. Prof. Havlin, of the Department of Physics, has published 11 books and over 800 articles in leading scientific journals over the past forty-eightyears. His scholarly work has triggered several new fields of research and has been cited over? ?73,000 times. In a 1992 article published in Nature, he and his collaborators discovered specific patterns in DNA sequences. These patterns later led to the understanding of the function of non-coding DNA segments that were previously considered non-functional. In 2000, Prof. Havlin, together with his former students, Prof. Reuven Cohen and Prof. Daniel ben-Avraham, developed the first mathematical theory for evaluating the stability of complex networks such as the Internet. The study was published in Physical Review Letters and represented a breakthrough in the understanding of complex networks and, in particular, in applying physics tools to network science. Prof. Havlin's research since 2000 has produced groundbreaking new mathematical methods in network science which have led to extensive interdisciplinary research in the field. In 2010, together with colleagues, he published a theoretical framework in Nature which paved the way for understanding and predicting the effects of the interaction between networks. For this breakthrough, Prof. Havlin received the American Physical Society's prestigious Lilienfeld Prize which is awarded for "a most outstanding contribution to physics." In addition to the Lilienfeld Prize, Prof. Havlin is the recipient of numerous awards and citations, among them the Landau Prize for Outstanding Research, the Humboldt Award (Germany), the Nicholson Medal from the American Physical Society, the Chaim Weizmann Prize for Exact Sciences, and in 2014 the Rothschild Prize in Physical and Chemical Sciences. Most recently he was awarded the "Order of the Star of Italy", one of Italy's highest civilian honors. This award, given by the Italian President, is conferred upon those who performed outstanding scientific achievements as well as acquired special merit in the promotion of relations and cooperation between Italy and other countries. It was presented to him by the Ambassador of Italy, H.E. Francesco Maria Talo'. Prof. Havlin was born in Jerusalem in 1942. He graduated from Bar-Ilan and Tel Aviv Universities with Highest Distinction. He began his academic career at Bar-Ilan University in 1972 and became a full professor in 1984. He served as Chairman of the Department of Physics from 1984-88 and Dean of the Faculty of Exact Sciences from 1999-2001. During his sabbaticals he was a Visiting Scientist at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and a Visiting Professor at Boston University. Prof. Havlin has served as President of the Israel Physical Society, Director of the Minerva Center for Mesoscopics, Fractals and Neural Networks at Bar-Ilan, Head of the Israel Science Foundation National Excellence Center for Complex Networks, and in many more capacities. He continues to publish new research and to guide young researchers in many institutes all over the world. The Israel Prize will be awarded to Prof. Havlin on Israel's 70th Independence Day on April 19, 2018. ### One of the original design goals of ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT) was for its four Unit Telescopes (UTs) to work together to create a single giant telescope. With the first light of the ESPRESSO spectrograph using the four-Unit-Telescope mode of the VLT, this milestone has now been reached [1]. After extensive preparations by the ESPRESSO consortium (led by the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Geneva, with the participation of research centres from Italy, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland) and ESO staff, ESO's Director General Xavier Barcons initiated this historic astronomical observation with the push of a button in the control room. ESPRESSO instrument scientist at ESO, Gaspare Lo Curto, explains the historical significance of this event: "ESO has realised a dream that dates back to the time when the VLT was conceived in the 1980s: combining the light of all four Unit Telescopes on Cerro Paranal to feed a single instrument!" When all four 8.2-metre Unit Telescopes combine their light-collecting power to feed a single instrument, the VLT effectively becomes the largest optical telescope in the world in terms of collecting area. Two of the main scientific goals of ESPRESSO are the discovery and characterisation of Earth-like planets and the search for possible variability of the fundamental constants of physics. The latter experiments in particular require the observation of distant and faint quasars, and this science goal will benefit the most from combining the light from all four Unit Telescopes in ESPRESSO. Both rely on the ultra-high stability of the instrument and an extremely stable reference light source. Due to the complexity involved, the combination of light from all four Unit Telescopes in this way, at what is known as an "incoherent focus", had not been implemented until now. However, space for it was built into the telescopes and the underground structure of the mountaintop from the start [2]. A system of mirrors, prisms and lenses transmits the light from each VLT Unit Telescope to the ESPRESSO spectrograph up to 69 metres away. Thanks to these complex optics, ESPRESSO can either collect the light from up to all four Unit Telescopes together, increasing its light-gathering power, or alternatively receive light from any one of the Unit Telescopes independently, allowing for more flexible usage of observing time. ESPRESSO was specially developed to exploit this infrastructure. Light from the four Unit Telescopes is routinely brought together in the VLT Interferometer for the study of extremely fine detail in comparatively bright objects. But interferometry, which combines the beams "coherently", cannot exploit the huge light-gathering potential of the combined telescopes to study faint objects [3]. Project Scientist Paolo Molaro comments: "This impressive milestone is the culmination of work by a large team of scientists and engineers over many years. It is wonderful to see ESPRESSO working with all four Unit Telescopes and I look forward to the exciting science results to come." Feeding the combined light into a single instrument will give astronomers access to information never previously available. This new facility is a game changer for astronomy with high-resolution spectrographs. It makes use of novel concepts, such as wavelength calibration aided by a laser frequency comb, providing unprecedented precision and repeatability, and now the capability to join together the light-collecting power of the four individual Unit Telescopes [4]. "ESPRESSO working with all four Unit Telescopes gives us an enticing foretaste of what the next generation of telescopes, such as ESO's Extremely Large Telescope, will offer in a few years," concludes ESO's Director General, Xavier Barcons. ### Notes [1] ESPRESSO -- the next generation planet hunter -- made its very first observations on 6 December 2017 using just one of the four 8.2-metre diameter Unit Telescopes (UTs) that make up the VLT. [2] The word "incoherent" means that the light from the four telescopes is simply added up, without the phase information being considered in the way that it is in the VLT Interferometer. [3] The new incoherent combination of light has the light-collecting power comparable to a 16-metre aperture telescope. However, the angular resolution remains that of a single 8-metre telescope, unlike in the VLT Interferometer where the resolution is increased to that of a (virtual) telescope with an effective aperture equal to the maximum separation between the constituent telescopes. [4] The "AstroComb", a wavelength calibration system based on a laser frequency comb, was developed and manufactured by Menlo Systems GmbH in Martinsried, Germany. More information ESO is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory by far. It is supported by 16 countries: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, along with the host state of Chile and by Australia as a strategic partner. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries. ESO also plays a leading role in promoting and organising cooperation in astronomical research. ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor. At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope and its world-leading Very Large Telescope Interferometer as well as two survey telescopes, VISTA working in the infrared and the visible-light VLT Survey Telescope. ESO is also a major partner in two facilities on Chajnantor, APEX and ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, close to Paranal, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope, the ELT, which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky". Links * ESPRESSO first light - https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso1739/ * ESPRESSO instrument page - http://www.eso.org/public/teles-instr/paranal-observatory/vlt/vlt-instr/espresso/ * Photos of the VLT - http://www.eso.org/public/images/archive/category/paranal/ Contacts Francesco Pepe University of Geneva Geneva, Switzerland Email: Francesco.Pepe@unige.ch Stefano Cristiani INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste Trieste, Italy Email: cristiani@oats.inaf.it Nuno Santos Instituto de Astrofisica e Ciencias do Espaco and Universidade do Porto Porto, Portugal Email: Nuno.Santos@astro.up.pt Rafael Rebolo Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias Tenerife, Spain Email: rrl@iac.es Gaspare Lo Curto ESO Garching, Germany Email: glocurto@eso.org Antonio Manescau ESO Garching, Germany Email: amanesca@eso.org Florian Kerber ESO Garching bei Munchen, Germany Email: fkerber@eso.org Richard Hook ESO Public Information Officer Garching bei Munchen, Germany Tel: +49 89 3200 6655 Cell: +49 151 1537 3591 Email: rhook@eso.org Despite proven lifesaving benefit of antibiotics for children with sickle cell anemia, only 18 percent of children with the disease receive them ANN ARBOR, Mich. - One of the greatest health threats to children with sickle cell anemia is getting a dangerous bacterial infection -- but most are not receiving a key medication to reduce the risk, a new study suggests. Just 18 percent of children with the inherited blood disease in the Michigan Medicine study received daily antibiotics -- which are proven to reduce the risk of infection by 84 percent -- according to findings that appear in the journal Pediatrics. "Most children with sickle cell anemia are not getting the antibiotics they should be to adequately protect against potentially deadly infections," says lead author Sarah Reeves, Ph.D., pediatrics faculty and epidemiologist with the Child Health Evaluation and Research Center at the University of Michigan Medical School and C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. "Longstanding recommendations say children with sickle cell anemia should take antibiotics daily for their first five years of life. It can be lifesaving." The study involved 2,821 children aged three months to five years with sickle cell anemia between 2005 and 2012 in Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, South Carolina and Texas. Researchers evaluated receipt of antibiotics through insurance claims for filled prescriptions. Sickle cell -- a condition in which irregularly shaped red blood cells prevent adequate oxygen flow throughout the body -- is the most common inherited blood disorder. It predominately affects racial and ethnic minority populations in the U.S., with 1 in 375 African-American infants diagnosed with it. Without intervention, children with the condition are 100 times more likely to get a bacterial infection and 300 times more likely to have a stroke compared to other children. Infections can develop into serious issues such as meningitis or even death. Challenges to care While the study did not examine reasons for the low rate of children with the disease receiving recommended antibiotics, Reeves notes several possible barriers. Caregiver challenges include picking up prescriptions every two weeks from a pharmacy as well as remembering to administer it to a young, healthy-appearing child twice a day. "The types of challenges involved in making sure children get the recommended dose of antibiotics is exacerbated by the substantial burden of care already experienced by families to help control the symptoms of this disease," says Reeves, who is also a member of the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. She says further studies should more deeply explore barriers preventing families from getting antibiotics and also potential interventions to improve the rate of children receiving recommended prescriptions. These may include implementing a system within the medical chart to alert health care providers at appointments that antibiotics need to be prescribed and to prompt conversations with families. "Interventions to improve the receipt of antibiotics among children with sickle cell anemia should include enhanced collaboration between health care providers, pharmacists and families," Reeves says. "Doctors need to repeatedly discuss the importance of taking antibiotics with families of children with sickle cell anemia. Social factors that may impact receiving filled prescriptions should also be considered, such as the availability of transportation and time to travel to pharmacies to pick up the prescriptions." ### High-tech scans of the resting human brain can provide a new way to define and interpret the brain's actual mental capacity, new research suggests. In a report published in the journal PLOS ONE online Feb. 12, NYU School of Medicine researchers used a specialized imaging technology to measure patients' brains for entropy, the variety of nerve circuits used to interpret the surrounding world. Part of theories on human consciousness, the concept of entropy has become a greater research focus with recent improvements in the ability of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to track chemical activity patterns in the brain. By analyzing fMRI images in every region of the brains in 892 American men and women, the study authors linked greater entropy to more versatile processing of information. This is considered a key aspect of intelligence, researchers say, because of the large volume of sensory information coming into the brain from its environment. "Our study offers the first solid evidence that functional MRI scans of brain entropy are a new means to understanding human intelligence," says study lead investigator Glenn Saxe, MD, a professor in child and adolescent psychiatry at NYU School of Medicine and a member of NYU Langone Health's Neuroscience Institute. "Human intelligence is so meaningful because it is about the capacity to understand whatever may come, when there is no way beforehand to know what may come," says Saxe. "So, an intelligent brain has to be flexible in the number of possible ways its nerve cells, or neurons, may be rearranged. And that is what entropy is all about." If further research proves successful, Saxe predicts that fMRI scans of brain entropy could one day help in assessing problems in brain function in people with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or autism, in which processing information becomes difficult. Functional MRI scans use magnetic fields and radio waves to measure subtle changes in blood flow to detect which brain cells and circuits are active or inactive. As part of the new study, people were tested when their brains and minds were resting (not unengaged in a particular task) to get a base reading. Study participants had their brains imaged as they enrolled in the Harvard-based Brain Genomics Superstruct study over the last decade, with the stored images forming the foundation of the NYU team's analysis. Researchers compared hundreds of fMRI scans taken milliseconds apart. The scans revealed the number of possible combinations of electrically active brain cells available to interact with each other in specific regions of the brain. The research team then used mathematical models validated by past studies to arrive at reliable, statistical entropy scores based on how well one set of active nerve-cell combinations captured by one image predicted those in the next image. Experts say the activity level of the estimated 100 billion neurons in the brain depends on how much sensory information is being processed at any instant, with many often inactive. Scientists next compared their statistical measures of relatively higher or lower entropy with participants' scores on two standard IQ tests: the Shipley-Hartford test, which gauges verbal skills, and the Wechsler test, which assesses problem-solving abilities. If brain entropy could offer useful insight into intelligence, Saxe proposed, then it should track closely with IQ scores. People with average intelligence have an IQ score of about 100, Saxe says, with current study participants having an above-average IQ, at 108. According to Saxe, study participants' entropy scores were strongly tied to IQ. Using standard statistical techniques that were performed two different ways to ensure accuracy, the researchers found that higher entropy was significantly related to the brain regions where previous research has shown it matters most. Entropy scores closely matched IQ scores from the Shipley-Hartford test for the left side of the middle brain (the left inferior temporal lobe), which is tied to learning speech. Similarly, entropy scores tracked closely with those from the Wechsler test for the front region of the brain (bilateral anterior frontal lobes), a known center for organization, planning, and emotional control. ### Funding support for the study, which took over a year to complete, was provided by NYU and by Harvard University. In addition to Saxe, other NYU Langone scientists involved in this research were Daniel Calderone, PhD; and Leah Morales, BS. NASA's Terra satellite provided a visible image of Category 3 Tropical Cyclone Gita as it continues to bring heavy rainfall, powerful winds and storm surge to Fiji Islands after pounding the island of Tonga. On Feb. 12, Gita hit Tonga with the force of a Category 4 hurricane with powerful winds and heavy rainfall, destroying structures and causing flooding. Tonga is a Polynesian kingdom that consists of more than 170 South Pacific islands, many uninhabited. The Tongan government declared a state of emergency on Monday, Feb. 12 and advised the public to stay off the roads. A statement from the Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that Australia and New Zealand were sending humanitarian aid to Tonga. A Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind scale is a major hurricane. The scale defines a Category 3 storm as "Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes." On Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. EST (1500 UTC) Tropical Cyclone Gita had maximum sustained winds near 126.6 mph (110 knots/203.7 kph). Gita's eye was located near 21.1 degrees south latitude and 179.1 degrees east longitude, about 190 nautical miles south-southeast of Suva, Fiji. Gita has tracked westward at 10.3 mph (9 knots/16.6 kph) The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA's Terra satellite saw powerful Tropical Cyclone Gita in the South Pacific Ocean on Feb. 12 at 5:20 p.m. EST (22:20 UTC). The image depicts a well-organized and symmetric tropical cyclone with a distinct eye feature. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center noted that "Upper level analysis shows moderate to unfavorable vertical wind shear, ranging from 25 to 30 knots. The vertical wind shear is offset by a strong poleward outflow channel. Sea surface temperatures remain favorable between 28 and 29 degrees Celsius (82.4 to 84.2 degrees Fahrenheit)." Tropical cyclones need at least 26.6 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit to form or maintain strength). On Feb. 13, warnings were in effect for Fiji. A Gale Warning remained in effect for Ono-I-Lau, Vatoa, Matuku, Totoya, Moala, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands and is cancelled for the rest of southern Lau. A strong wind warning remains in force for the rest of Fiji. For updates from the Tonga Meteorological & Coast Radio Services, visit: http://www.met.gov.to/. For updates from the Fiji Meteorological Service, visit: http://www.met.gov.fj/. Gita is still under the influence of the sub-tropical ridge (elongated area) of high pressure, located to the south and is still being steered westward. The ridge will continue to steer Gita generally westward through the next two days keeping the eye over open waters, south of New Caledonia. ### Last year was a record-breaking one for Operation IceBridge, NASA's aerial survey of the state of polar ice. For the first time in its nine-year history, the mission, which aims to close the gap between two NASA satellite campaigns that study changes in the height of polar ice, carried out seven field campaigns in the Arctic and Antarctic in a single year. In total, the IceBridge scientists and instruments flew over 214,000 miles, the equivalent of orbiting the Earth 8.6 times at the equator. "A big highlight for 2017 is how we increased our reach with our new bases of operations and additional campaigns," said Nathan Kurtz, IceBridge's project scientist and a sea ice researcher at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "In the Arctic, we flew out of Svalbard for the first time, expanding our coverage of the Eastern Arctic Ocean. And with our two Antarctic aircraft campaigns from Argentina and East Antarctica, we've flown over a large area of the Antarctic continent." The expanding sets of measurements collected by IceBridge will continue to be invaluable for researchers to advance their understanding of how the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are contributing to sea level rise and how the changing polar sea ice impacts weather and climate. For example, in 2017, scientists worldwide published studies that had used IceBridge data to look at ways to improve forecasts of sea ice conditions and to use satellites to map the depth of the layer of snow on top of sea ice, a key measurement in determining sea ice volume. Regarding research on ice sheets and glaciers, 2017 saw further integration of Operation IceBridge's ice height measurements into decades-long records that combine airborne and satellite data, as well as the use of combinations of datasets from multiple IceBridge instruments, including its radars and laser altimeter, into products such as an improved map of the bedrock underneath Greenland's ice sheet, and studies that looked at the evolution of glaciers. Since 2009, IceBridge has carried at least two major campaigns per year, in the Arctic and Antarctica, plus two smaller yearly sets of flights in Alaska. In 2017 the team overcame several logistical challenges in order to nearly double the number of campaigns flown compared to previous years. "Working in new locations and with different airplanes as we did this year always presents a challenge, but we took them on in order to continue expanding our knowledge of some little-explored areas of the Arctic and Antarctic," Kurtz said. The first IceBridge campaign of the year was in the Arctic springtime. From Mar. 9 until May 12, the mission carried a total of 40 flights (14 over sea ice and 26 over land ice) from four sites: Thule Air Base and Kangerlussuaq in Greenland, Fairbanks in Alaska, and the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. This was the first time IceBridge explored the Eurasian half of the Arctic Basin to collect data on sea ice and snow in a scarcely measured section of the Arctic Ocean and surrounding seas, along with surveys of a few glaciers in the Svalbard archipelago. The airborne mission also collaborated with international teams in collecting and comparing measurements of snow and ice; partners included CryoVEx - a campaign to validate data collected by the European Space Agency's (ESA) CryoSat-2 satellite, a group of European adventurers taking snow depth data while en route to the North Pole, ESA's Sentinel-3A satellite, and a GPS survey near Summit Station, Greenland, designed to help with instrument calibration on upcoming missions, such as Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2), among others. Next, the IceBridge scientists performed four sets of flights in the Arctic during the summer to measure how the melt season impacted Arctic sea and land ice. In July, the mission carried six surveys out of Thule Air Base, in northwest Greenland, focusing on the older and thicker sea ice cover north of Greenland and in the Canadian Archipelago. IceBridge also completed an experiment to determine how well the laser instrument could measure the depth of the aquamarine lakes of meltwater that form on the surface of the Greenland Ice Sheet and Arctic sea ice every summer. Preliminary results indicate that the laser could penetrate more than thirty feet through these lakes, a first step to gauge the depth of these ponds. The second summer Arctic campaign, flown between Aug. 25 and Sept. 20, was launched from Kangerlussuaq, in central Greenland, and replicated land ice surveys that IceBridge had carried the previous spring. A total of 15 flights measured how much ice had melted since spring. Meanwhile, in Alaska, a companion campaign that regularly monitors the state of the Alaskan mountain glaciers completed two sets of flights in May and August. Led by Chris Larsen of University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Operation IceBridge-Alaska carried a total of 10 aerial surveys. "The main focus was repeated lines for laser altimetry, but we also expanded our radar coverage on the Bering and Malaspina glaciers," Larsen said. "A highlight of the missions was flying the Harding and Sargent icefields on the Kenai Peninsula. Other areas included the Fairweather Range in Glacier Bay National Park, and the eastern Alaska Range." The last feat of 2017 for IceBridge was launching two consecutive sets of Antarctic flights from South America and Antarctica. The first Antarctic campaign, carried out from Oct. 29 to Nov. 25 from Ushuaia, Argentina, comprised 11 science flights over the Antarctic Peninsula and Weddell Sea that included gravity surveys of the Larsen C and Venable Ice Shelves, plus two flights under the tracks of the German TanDEM-X satellite to explore whether scientists can use the radar data from the spacecraft to detect a band of older and thicker sea ice that may exist near the northern edge of the ring of sea ice around Antarctica. Finally, IceBridge scientists and instruments deployed to McMurdo Station, Antarctica, from where they completed 16 survey flights between Nov. 28 and Dec. 18. "Our McMurdo campaign exceeded all expectations," said Joe MacGregor, IceBridge's deputy project scientist and a glaciologist at Goddard. "We covered lots of ground around the South Pole, the Transantarctic Mountains, the Ross Ice Shelf and Victoria Land. We surveyed all our highest priority targets and then some." The mission of Operation IceBridge, NASA's longest-running airborne mission to monitor polar ice, is to collect data on changing polar land and sea ice and maintain continuity of measurements between ICESat missions. The original ICESat mission launched in 2003 and ended in 2009, and its successor, ICESat-2, is scheduled for launch in the fall of 2018. Operation IceBridge began in 2009 and is currently funded until 2020. The planned overlap with ICESat-2 will help scientists connect with the satellite's measurements. ### For more about Operation IceBridge and to follow future campaigns, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/icebridge PORTLAND, Oregon - An August 2016 call to an infectious disease hotline OHSU runs for Northwest physicians ended up being one for the record books. Erin Bonura, M.D., assistant professor of medicine (infectious disease) at the OHSU School of Medicine, heard this on the other end of the line: "'This patient has worms coming out of her eye. What are we going to do?'," Bonura recalled. "That's one of the more unique calls I've received." The patient, then a 26-year-old woman from Brookings, Oregon, ended up being the first-ever known case of the nematode worm Thelazia gulosa, a type of cattle eyeworm, infecting a human. A paper published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene describes the odd infection. The paper's lead author is Richard S. Bradbury, Ph.D., of the CDC's Parasitic Diseases Branch, who did some serious sleuthing with Bonura and others to identify the unwelcome worm. Worms in the family Thelazia are a common parasite in North American cattle, but are rarely spread to humans. Before this case, there were just 10 known incidences of humans being infected with a Thelazia worm in North America, but none of those cases involved the species gulosa. This was the first case of a person being infected with a Thelazia worm in the U.S. in more than two decades. The best Bonura and her colleagues can guess is the patient, Abby Beckley, may have been infected while being near cows or horses in the rural fields near her family's home. The cattle eyeworm is spread from cow to cow by flies that suck on cow tears and pick up worm larvae in the process. One fly carrying cattle eyeworm larvae may have briefly landed on the patient's eye. Luckily, the cattle eyeworm can't easily reproduce in humans -- and didn't in Beckley's case. However, the deposited larvae did grow into adult worms and begin wriggling around on the surface of the Beckley's eye. She had recently started work on a fishing boat in Alaska when her eye first began to feel irritated, as if there was an eye lash she couldn't remove. While examining her eye, Beckley was able to remove a thin, half-inch-long translucent worm with her fingers. She initially thought it might have been a salmon worm, but she couldn't find any online reports of people who fish and had worms in their eyes. She saw a few doctors while she was onshore in Alaska, but no one knew what to do. Frustrated, Beckley cut her fishing stint short and flew home to Oregon. Bonura met her at the OHSU Emergency Department and worked with other OHSU staff to help Beckley find some relief. Unfortunately, Beckley was the most skilled at plucking out her own worms. All in all, 14 worms were removed from Beckley's eye over the course of a month. "I was really thankful to be linked up with Dr. Bonura," Beckley said. "Dr. Bonura was so willing to just talk with me and was really empathetic to what I was going through as the person who had this thing in her eye. I was thankful for her grit and dedication." Meanwhile, Bonura was frantically working with the CDC and Northwest Pathology to identify these strange worms, samples of which had been sent to Bradbury's CDC lab in Atlanta. They narrowed it down to a Thelazia worm in about two weeks, but didn't realize it was the gulosa species until they were writing their paper months later. Two and a half years later, Beckley is doing well. She removed the last worm herself on Aug. 30, 2016. Besides being briefly worried when she feels a lash in her eye, she doesn't have any other lingering effects. Though infectious diseases can be spread anywhere, another case like this isn't likely. "Infections from Thelazia worms mostly happen in animals and humans are just incidental hosts," Bonura said. "This is incredibly interesting and I'm sure it might make some people squeamish, but it's not something people should worry about." ### REFERENCE: Richard S. Bradbury, Kathleen V. Breen, Erin M. Bonura, John W. Hoyt, Henry S. Bishop, "Case Report: Conjunctival Infestation with Thelazia gulosa: Novel Agent of Human Thelaziasis in the United States," American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Feb. 12, 2018, https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.17-0870, https://www.ajtmh.org/content/journals/10.4269/ajtmh.17-0870. For more info: CDC website on infections from Thelazia: https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/thelaziasis/index.html OHSU Physician Consult & Referral Service: http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/health/for-healthcare-professionals/consults-referrals/index.cfm Erin Bonura, M.D.: http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/education/schools/school-of-medicine/departments/clinical-departments/medicine/divisions/infectious-diseases/faculty/erin-bonura.cfm Surprising results from a unique bat study in the US reveal shifting behavioral patterns due to environmental change that could have far-reaching implications for agriculture globally Historical radar data from weather monitoring archives have provided unprecedented access to the behaviours of the world's largest colony of migratory bats and revealed changes in the animals' seasonal habits with implications for pest management and agricultural production. The work, which focuses on the Bracken Cave colony in southern Texas, is the first long-term study of animal migration using radar, say Phillip Stepanian and Charlotte Wainwright, meteorologists from Rothamsted Research. The pair's findings are published today in Global Change Biology. "These bats spend every night hard at work for local farmers, consuming over half of their own weight in insects, many of which are harmful agricultural pests, such as the noctuid moths, corn earworm and fall armyworm," says Wainwright. "Our initial goal was just to show that the populations could be monitored remotely without disturbing the colony. We weren't expecting to see anything particularly noteworthy. The results were surprising," says Stepanian. Millions of bats regularly migrate north from Mexico to Bracken Cave, which is managed by Bat Conservation International in the suburbs of San Antonio. Using the radar data, the pair measured the population exiting the cave every night for 22 years, from 1995 to 2017, enabling them to record seasonal and longer-term changes. "We found that the bats are migrating to Texas roughly two weeks earlier than they were 22 years ago. They now arrive, on average, in mid March rather than late March," says Wainwright. While most bats tend to have left by the end of November, the pair discovered that about 3.5% of the summer population are now staying for the winter, compared with less than 1% 22 years ago and, from written cave surveys, no overwintering bats at all in the mid 1950s. "We can't tell if the overwintering bats are bats that arrived in March and have not returned south, or if they migrated to Bracken Cave from farther north," says Stepanian. "However, the behavioural patterns indicate a response to some environmental change, and to the presence of insect prey earlier in the year." This bat study "presents a new perspective on adaptation to global change, answering some longstanding questions while raising many more," conclude the pair. They also note that "weather radar networks are key infrastructure around much of the world...and hold the promise of providing continental surveillance of bat populations, as well as their ongoing responses to global change." ### NOTES TO EDITORS Publication: Ongoing changes in migration phenology and winter residency at Bracken Bat Cave [DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14051. The link is live after publication; for embargoed copies, contact bill.oneill@rothamsted.ac.uk] Rothamsted Research contacts: Phil Stepanian, Meteorologist Marshall Sherfield Fellow Tel: +1 (412) 852 0218 E-mail: phillip.stepanian@gmail.com Charlotte Wainwright, Meteorologist Tel: +1 (412) 852 8845 E-mail: charlotte.e.wainwright@gmail.com Susan Watts, Head of Communications Tel: +44 (0) 1582 938 109 Mob: +44 (0) 7964 832 719 E-mail: susan.watts@rothamsted.ac.uk About Rothamsted Research Rothamsted Research is the oldest agricultural research institute in the world. We work from gene to field with a proud history of ground-breaking discoveries. Our founders, in 1843, were the pioneers of modern agriculture, and we are known for our imaginative science and our collaborative influence on fresh thinking and farming practices. Through independent science and innovation, we make significant contributions to improving agri-food systems in the UK and internationally. In terms of its economic contribution, the cumulative impact of our work in the UK exceeds 3000 million a year (Rothamsted Research and the Value of Excellence, by Sean Rickard, 2015). Our strength lies in our systems approach, which combines science and strategic research, interdisciplinary teams and partnerships. Rothamsted is also home to three unique resources. These National Capabilities are open to researchers from all over the world: The Long-Term Experiments, Rothamsted Insect Survey and the North Wyke Farm Platform. We are strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), with additional support from other national and international funding streams, and from industry. For more information, visit https://www.rothamsted.ac.uk/; Twitter @Rothamsted About BBSRC BBSRC invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. Our aim is to further scientific knowledge, to promote economic growth, wealth and job creation and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond. Funded by Government, BBSRC invested over 469M in world-class bioscience in 2016-17. We support research and training in universities and strategically funded institutes. BBSRC research and the people we fund are helping society to meet major challenges, including food security, green energy and healthier, longer lives. Our investments underpin important UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. More information about BBSRC, our science and our impact. More information about BBSRC strategically funded institutes About Bat Conservation International BCI is a non-profit organisation with members in 60 countries and a growing range of international partners. Founded in 1982, BCI uses science, education and conservation action to protect bats and their habitats around the world. Learn more about bats and their critical role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and human economies at BCI's website: http://www.batcon.org OAK BROOK, Ill. - Patients and their caregivers desire information about upcoming imaging examinations, but many are not getting it, according to a new study published online in the journal Radiology. The researchers found that half of all patients and caregivers end up seeking information on their own. As medicine shifts to an era of patient-centered care, much of the efforts in radiology have focused on communicating the results of imaging tests to patients. Less attention has been paid to engaging patients prior to and during the examination, said study lead author Jay K. Pahade, M.D., an associate professor of radiology at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. To find out more about this often-overlooked aspect of care, in early 2015 Dr. Pahade and colleagues surveyed patients and caregivers at three pediatric and three adult hospitals across the U.S. Questions focused on patient and caregiver preferences for receiving imaging test information before an exam and what type of information they found most useful. Overall, 1,117 of 1,438 respondents, or 78 percent, reported receiving information about their examination. "This means one in five people are showing up for the exam without any information about the test they are getting," Dr. Pahade said. "This is an important finding in today's health care system, where we want more patient engagement and involvement." Ordering providers were the predominant and preferred source of examination-related information. For pre-examination information, respondents placed the highest importance on information about examination preparation and the lowest importance on whether an alternative radiation-free examination could be used. In the pediatric hospitals, respondents -- typically parents -- placed an even higher value on pre-examination information. "These results show that what we as radiologists think patients value is not necessarily what they actually value," Dr. Pahade said. "Our study found that patients value basic information related to the test more than information related to the radiation dose, so we should probably shift our focus to providing that." Dr. Pahade noted that a lack of information can have a dramatically negative effect on the patient's experience. Anxiety is known to be higher among uninformed patients, he said. "In the radiology realm, we need to take more ownership over the entire imaging process," he said. "One big gap has been in the pre-imaging part of that process, and the data show we have work to do in closing that gap." Half of respondents reported seeking information themselves. Connecting patients with already existing resources is an easy and cost-effective way to ensure that they are well-informed, Dr. Pahade noted. At Yale, appointment reminders sent to patients now include, along with the examination time and location, links to pertinent information on RadiologyInfo.org, an online resource for medical imaging, jointly sponsored by RSNA and the American College of Radiology. Dr. Pahade joined the committee that reviews the site after the survey was completed. RadiologyInfo.org tells patients how various X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, radiation therapy and other procedures are performed. It addresses what patients may experience and how to prepare for their exams. The website contains over 230 procedure and disease descriptions covering diagnostic and interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy and radiation safety in English and Spanish. It also offers videos of radiologists explaining common imaging exams. "We need to increase visibility of sites that provide some of this information," Dr. Pahade said. "Half of our studied population stated they tried to find information on their own, but there was very little use of radiology-created sites like RadiologyInfo.org that can serve as a great resource." ### "What Patients Want to Know about Imaging Examinations: A MultiInstitutional U.S. Survey in Adult and Pediatric Teaching Hospitals on Patient Preferences for Receiving Information before Radiologic Examinations." Collaborating with Dr. Pahade were Andrew T. Trout, M.D., Bin Zhang, Ph.D., Pradeep Bhambhvani, M.D., Victorine V. Muse, M.D., Lisa R. Delaney, M.D., Evan J. Zucker, M.D., Pari V. Pandharipande, M.D., M.P.H., James A. Brink, M.D., and Marilyn J. Goske, M.D. Radiology is edited by David A. Bluemke, M.D., Ph.D., University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis., and owned and published by the Radiological Society of North America, Inc. RSNA is an association of over 54,200 radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists promoting excellence in patient care and health care delivery through education, research and technologic innovation. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Ill. (RSNA.org) For patient-friendly information on medical imaging exams, visit RadiologyInfo.org. HOUSTON - (Feb. 13, 2018) - Rice University scientists who introduced laser-induced graphene (LIG) have enhanced their technique to produce what may become a new class of edible electronics. The Rice lab of chemist James Tour, which once turned Girl Scout cookies into graphene, is investigating ways to write graphene patterns onto food and other materials to quickly embed conductive identification tags and sensors into the products themselves. "This is not ink," Tour said. "This is taking the material itself and converting it into graphene." The process is an extension of the Tour lab's contention that anything with the proper carbon content can be turned into graphene. In recent years, the lab has developed and expanded upon its method to make graphene foam by using a commercial laser to transform the top layer of an inexpensive polymer film. The foam consists of microscopic, cross-linked flakes of graphene, the two-dimensional form of carbon. LIG can be written into target materials in patterns and used as a supercapacitor, an electrocatalyst for fuel cells, radio-frequency identification (RFID) antennas and biological sensors, among other potential applications. The new work reported in the American Chemical Society journal ACS Nano demonstrated that laser-induced graphene can be burned into paper, cardboard, cloth, coal and certain foods, even toast. "Very often, we don't see the advantage of something until we make it available," Tour said. "Perhaps all food will have a tiny RFID tag that gives you information about where it's been, how long it's been stored, its country and city of origin and the path it took to get to your table." He said LIG tags could also be sensors that detect E. coli or other microorganisms on food. "They could light up and give you a signal that you don't want to eat this," Tour said. "All that could be placed not on a separate tag on the food, but on the food itself." Multiple laser passes with a defocused beam allowed the researchers to write LIG patterns into cloth, paper, potatoes, coconut shells and cork, as well as toast. (The bread is toasted first to "carbonize" the surface.) The process happens in air at ambient temperatures. "In some cases, multiple lasing creates a two-step reaction," Tour said. "First, the laser photothermally converts the target surface into amorphous carbon. Then on subsequent passes of the laser, the selective absorption of infrared light turns the amorphous carbon into LIG. We discovered that the wavelength clearly matters." The researchers turned to multiple lasing and defocusing when they discovered that simply turning up the laser's power didn't make better graphene on a coconut or other organic materials. But adjusting the process allowed them to make a micro supercapacitor in the shape of a Rice "R" on their twice-lased coconut skin. Defocusing the laser sped the process for many materials as the wider beam allowed each spot on a target to be lased many times in a single raster scan. That also allowed for fine control over the product, Tour said. Defocusing allowed them to turn previously unsuitable polyetherimide into LIG. "We also found we could take bread or paper or cloth and add fire retardant to them to promote the formation of amorphous carbon," said Rice graduate student Yieu Chyan, co-lead author of the paper. "Now we're able to take all these materials and convert them directly in air without requiring a controlled atmosphere box or more complicated methods." The common element of all the targeted materials appears to be lignin, Tour said. An earlier study relied on lignin, a complex organic polymer that forms rigid cell walls, as a carbon precursor to burn LIG in oven-dried wood. Cork, coconut shells and potato skins have even higher lignin content, which made it easier to convert them to graphene. Tour said flexible, wearable electronics may be an early market for the technique. "This has applications to put conductive traces on clothing, whether you want to heat the clothing or add a sensor or conductive pattern," he said. ### Rice alumnus Ruquan Ye is co-lead author of the study. Co-authors are Rice graduate student Yilun Li and postdoctoral fellow Swatantra Pratap Singh and Professor Christopher Arnusch of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. Tour is the T.T. and W.F. Chao Chair in Chemistry as well as a professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering at Rice. The Air Force Office of Scientific Research supported the research. David Ruth 713-348-6327 david@rice.edu Mike Williams 713-348-6728 mikewilliams@rice.edu Read the abstract at https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.7b08539 This news release can be found online at http://news.rice.edu/2018/02/13/graphene-on-toast-anyone/ Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews Video: https://youtu.be/oaaHLu77pQc Video produced by Brandon Martin/Rice University Related materials: Zap! Graphene is bad news for bacteria: http://news.rice.edu/2017/05/22/zap-graphene-is-bad-news-for-bacteria-2/ Defects are perfect in laser-induced graphene: http://news.rice.edu/2014/12/10/defects-are-perfect-in-laser-induced-graphene-2/ Tour Group: http://www.jmtour.com Arnusch Lab: http://arnuschlab.weebly.com Wiess School of Natural Sciences: http://natsci.rice.edu Images for download: http://news.rice.edu/files/2018/01/0129_FOOD-1-web-1rnfiey.jpg Laser-induced graphene is a highly conductive addition to a piece of bread. A Rice University lab is using an industrial laser to write graphene patterns on everyday objects, including food, cloth, cardboard and wood. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University) http://news.rice.edu/files/2018/01/0129_FOOD-2-web-22m6tku.jpg Rice University chemist James Tour shows a potato enhanced with a conductive pattern of laser-induced graphene. He said graphene-based RFID tags burned directly into food could track the food's path from farm to table. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University) http://news.rice.edu/files/2018/01/0129_FOOD-3-web-1z4fhc4.jpg Rice University graduate student Yieu Chyan, left, and Professor James Tour. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University) http://news.rice.edu/files/2018/01/0129_FOOD-4-web-26se475.jpg Rice University chemist James Tour, left, and graduate student Yieu Chyan prepare a sample in an industrial laser to turn the sample's surface into laser-induced graphene. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University) http://news.rice.edu/files/2018/01/0129_FOOD-5-web-2cph1xl.jpg Rice University scientists experimented with various materials to create highly conductive laser-induced graphene, a foamy variant of the one-atom-thick form of carbon. Graphene burned into food could be used as radio-frequency tags for tracking or sensors to warn if the food is contaminated, according to Rice chemist James Tour. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University) http://news.rice.edu/files/2018/01/0129_FOOD-6-web-2ji31hu.jpg A Rice University lab uses a laser to burn graphene in the form of a Rice Owl into a piece of cloth pre-treated with fire retardant that turns the surface into amorphous carbon. The technique created at Rice allows conductive laser-induced graphene to be created on many surfaces. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University) Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,970 undergraduates and 2,934 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for quality of life and for lots of race/class interaction and No. 2 for happiest students by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance. To read "What they're saying about Rice," go to http://tinyurl.com/RiceUniversityoverview. BUFFALO, N.Y. -- To power entire communities with clean energy, such as solar and wind power, a reliable backup storage system is needed to provide energy when the wind isn't blowing and the sun isn't out. One possibility is to use any excess solar- and wind-based energy to charge solutions of chemicals that can subsequently be stored for use when sunshine and wind are scarce. During these down times, chemical solutions of opposite charge can be pumped across solid electrodes, thus creating an electron exchange that provides power to the electrical grid. The key to this technology, called a redox flow battery, is finding chemicals that can not only "carry" sufficient charge, but also be stored without degrading for long periods, thereby maximizing power generation and minimizing the costs of replenishing the system. Researchers at the University of Rochester and University at Buffalo believe they have found a promising compound that could transform the energy storage landscape. In a paper published in Chemical Science, an open access journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry, the researchers describe modifying a metal-oxide cluster, which has promising electroactive properties, so that it is nearly twice as effective as the unmodified cluster for electrochemical energy storage in a redox flow battery. The research was led by the lab of Ellen Matson, PhD, University of Rochester assistant professor of chemistry. Matson's team partnered with Timothy Cook, PhD, assistant professor of chemistry in the UB College of Arts and Sciences, to develop and study the cluster. "Energy storage applications with polyoxometalates are pretty rare in the literature. There are maybe one or two examples prior to ours, and they didn't really maximize the potential of these systems," says first author Lauren VanGelder, a third-year PhD student in Matson's lab and a UB graduate who received her BS in chemistry and biomedical sciences. "This is really an untapped area of molecular development," Matson adds. The cluster was first developed in the lab of German chemist Johann Spandl, and studied for its magnetic properties. Tests conducted by VanGelder showed that the compound could store charge in a redox flow battery, "but was not as stable as we had hoped." However, by making what Matson describes as "a simple molecular modification" -- replacing the compound's methanol-derived methoxide groups with ethanol-based ethoxide ligands -- the team was able to expand the potential window during which the cluster was stable, doubling the amount of electrical energy that could be stored in the battery. Cook's team -- including fourth-year PhD candidate Anjula Kosswattaarachchi -- contributed to the research by carrying out tests that enabled the scientists to determine how stable different cluster compounds were. "We carried out a series of experiments to evaluate the electrochemical properties of the clusters," Cook says. "Specifically, we were interested in seeing if the clusters were stable over the course of minutes, hours, and days. We also constructed a prototype battery where we charged and discharged the clusters, keeping track of how many electrons we could transfer and seeing if all of the energy we stored could be recovered, as one would expect of a good battery. "These experiments let us calculate the efficiency of the device in a very exact way, letting us compare one system to another. Because of these studies, we were able to make molecular changes to the cluster and then determine exactly what properties were effected." Says Matson: "What's really cool about this work is the way we can generate the ethoxide and methoxide clusters by using methanol and ethanol. Both of these reagents are inexpensive, readily available and safe to use. The metal and oxygen atoms that compose the remainder of the cluster are earth-abundant elements. The straightforward, efficient synthesis of this system is a totally new direction in charge-carrier development that, we believe, will set a new standard in the field." Matson and Cook's research groups have applied for a National Science Foundation grant as part of an ongoing collaboration to further refine the clusters for use in commercial redox flow batteries. A University of Rochester Furth Fund Award that Matson received last year enabled the lab to purchase electrochemical equipment needed for the study. Patrick Forrestal of the Matson lab also contributed to the study. ### New York, 12 February 2018 - Counter-terror efforts based on widely-held assumptions about the ideological motivations of children and youth recruited into extremist groups are unlikely to be effective, and could backfire, concludes new research released today by the United Nations University (UNU), a UN think-tank. "In many cases, ideology does not appear predominately responsible for driving children into armed groups, even those that are labeled 'violent extremist'," says Dr Siobhan O'Neil, lead editor of "Cradled by Conflict: Child Involvement with Armed Groups in Contemporary Conflict", a new volume based on original field research on three conflict case studies. "Evidence from the conflicts in Syria and Iraq, Mali, and Nigeria suggests that even in cases where ideology plays a role in a child's trajectory towards an armed group, it is usually one of a number of motivating or facilitating factors." O'Neil, the Project Lead for the Children and Extreme Violence project, suggests that ideology is often intertwined with other important factors like community and identity. "Armed groups like Boko Haram have intertwined their ideologies with a rejection of the State to recruit those who have experienced state oppression and violence into their ranks." "Cradled by Conflict" points to other factors present in conflict areas, such as physical safety and food security, family and peer networks, financial incentives, coercion, and the allure of armed groups, which provide a ready-made community, identity, and status for young people. "The international community maintains outdated and unrealistic understandings of how armed groups recruit children and maintain their involvement, as well as of how children leave armed groups and their prospects for reintegration in unstable contexts," continues O'Neil. "These findings have significant implications for policies and programmes aimed at addressing child recruitment, use and exit from armed groups. Misinterpretations of the problem at hand can result in poorly suited programmatic responses and/or lead to children feeling stigmatized and resentful." "We have a responsibility to better tailor our policy and programmatic interventions to prevent child recruitment and use by armed groups. Children are our greatest resource. The international community can do more to harness their positive motivations and engage them as partners on the path to peace." "Cradled by Conflict" is the culmination of a two-year research project led by UN University in collaboration with UNICEF, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), and the governments of Luxembourg and Switzerland. ### In addition to "Cradled by Conflict: Child Involvement with Armed Groups in Contemporary Conflict", UNU recently launched three research briefs which synthesize current knowledge on three important topics: "Viewing Non-State Armed Groups Through a Brand Marketing Lens -- a Case Study Of Islamic State" "Insights from Social Science on Child Trajectories into and out of Non-state Armed Groups" "Insights from Criminology on Child Trajectories into and out of Non-State Armed Groups" All are available for download at https://unu.edu/children-and-extreme-violence. About UNU: The United Nations University is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-relevant research on pressing global issues, specialised postgraduate training and capacity building, and the dissemination of knowledge. UNU functions as a think tank for the United Nations system. It operates as a global network of institutes and programmes, coordinated by UNU Centre in Tokyo. About the Children and Extreme Violence project: The United Nations University in collaboration with UNICEF, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), and Luxembourg and Switzerland, is running a research initiative to fill key knowledge gaps about child recruitment and use by armed groups in contemporary armed conflicts, including those groups listed as terrorist and characterized as "violent extremist". The initiative also examines the factors that impede child release from such groups. The goal of this project is to use the empirical findings of the research to inform programmatic guidance for actors in the field working to prevent the recruitment and use of children by contemporary armed groups and to effectively disengage children from such groups. The research initiative combines extensive outreach and rigorous research methodologies, including extensive consultations with experts and practitioners, a wide-ranging desk review, original field research for three conflict case studies (Syria/Iraq, Mali, and Nigeria), and legal analysis. The project is expected to produce several outputs: three "State of Research" briefs; an edited volume analysing how and why children become associated with, used by, and exit armed groups in contemporary conflict; and technical guidance, informed by the project's empirical findings, to assist practitioners in their efforts to design and implement effective prevention and release/reintegration programmes for children. Please visit https://unu.edu/children-and-extreme-violence. The wisdom of experience goes a long way. That may hold especially true in complex topics such as quantum mechanics. When studying the science that explores properties of molecules, atoms and their constituents -- electrons, protons and neutrons -- along with other, more esoteric particles, any leg up is welcome. Soon, UC Santa Barbara physics majors interested in quantum mechanics will get exactly that. Next fall, an introductory course in the subject will feature learning assistants -- undergraduates who have already taken the class and have been trained to help their peers navigate it. Adopting a model introduced at the University of Colorado Boulder in 2006, UCSB assistant physics professor Nathaniel Craig will refine what he and his colleagues have learned over the past few years. Craig first taught introductory quantum mechanics, an upper-division course, in 2015. The following year, a former participant started a supplementary section, acting informally as a learning assistant. His success suggested to Craig an opportunity to involve undergraduates more directly in education. On the heels of a promising 2017 pilot project for physics learning assistants funded by Pierre Wiltzius, UCSB's Susan & Bruce Worster Dean of Mathematical, Life and Physical Sciences, Craig has won prominent support for the effort in 2018. For the education plan he developed formalizing a learning assistants program for the physics department, Craig received a Cottrell Scholar Award. The award is given to outstanding teacher-scholars for the quality and innovation of their research programs and their academic leadership skills. "Professor Craig is well-positioned to introduce learning assistants," said Don Marolf, physics department chair. "He has shown himself to be a skilled educator at all levels of our curriculum, ranging from introductory undergraduate courses to very advanced graduate material. I look forward to his work this fall with great anticipation." Quantum mechanics is one of the first courses students take on their varied trajectories toward physics degrees. "They've learned classical mechanics, but suddenly none of that intuition works anymore," Craig explained. "They have to start from the ground up and there are lots of places they can get lost." Because quantum mechanics requires students to think differently about physics, Craig noted, the course is ideal for learning assistants, whose presence favorably reduces the teacher-student ratio. He also noticed that students tend to be more open about their conceptual shortcomings with their peers than with an instructor. The physics department's learning assistants program aims to address skyrocketing overall enrollment in the major and high attrition among Hispanic physics majors in part by bringing the interactive and collaborative environment typical of a small-enrollment class into the instructor-centered environment of a large-enrollment upper-level course. To that end, class sections for introductory quantum mechanics consist of 25 students, who meet weekly with both learning assistants and graduate teaching assistants. Feedback from both students and learning assistants has been enthusiastic and positive. According to Craig, not only do the learning assistants acquire a better knowledge of quantum mechanics, they also are excited by their exposure to pedagogy. "The Cottrell Scholar Award provides the opportunity to implement a more systematic program and a template that can one day be used for both graduate and undergraduate instruction," said Craig, who plans to learn from colleagues at other institutions that have implemented Colorado's learning assistant approach. "I'm curious to learn what other people's experiences are and how to optimize instruction." ### Women who suffer from depression, anxiety, and fatigue are more likely to be injured at work, according to a new study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine led by researchers from the Colorado School of Public Health's Center for Health, Work & Environment on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. The study found that these health factors significantly affected women's risk of injury but not men's risk. "The findings of our study demonstrate that keeping workers safe requires more than your typical safety program. It requires an integrated approach that connects health, well-being, and safety," said Dr. Natalie Schwatka, the study's lead author and assistant professor in the ColoradoSPH's Center for Health, Work & Environment and Department of Environmental and Occupational Health. The authors collaborated with Colorado's largest workers' compensation insurer, Pinnacol Assurance, to examine the claims data of 314 businesses from a range of industries. Close to 17,000 employees ranging from executives to laborers were represented in the study. The researchers found that men were more likely to sustain a work-related injury but behavioral health factors, like poor sleep and anxiety, did not directly affect their risk of injury. Women were more likely to report experiencing mental and behavioral health issues and these conditions increased their risk of getting hurt on the job. Almost 60% of women with a work injury reported experiencing a behavioral health condition before they were injured, compared to 33% of men. Yet, Dr. Schwatka cautions that further research is needed to understand why there are differences in women's and men's risk of work-related injuries. Overall, workers who had an injury in the past were more likely to be injured again, regardless of their gender. "There a number of social and cultural factors that may explain why women reported having more behavioral health concerns than men did. Men generally admit to fewer health concerns," said Dr. Schwatka. "And women may face different stresses at work and at home. It's something that is worth exploring in future research." ### This study is part of a broader, longitudinal research project ColoradoSPH researchers conducted with Pinnacol Assurance to understand the relationship between employee health and workers' compensation and whether integrated safety and health promotion programs at work improve employee health. Researchers from Segue Consulting, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the Integrated Benefits Institute also contributed to this study. The Center for Health, Work & Environment is one of six Centers of Excellence for Total Worker Health? and houses the Mountain & Plains Education and Research Center, one of 18 centers of its kind supported by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Our mission is to advance worker health, safety, and well-being. We educate future leaders, conduct research, and design practical solutions to occupational health and safety challenges with our partners. We use a Total Worker Health approach in all that we do, by prioritizing safety, first and foremost, while striving to improve overall worker health. The center is part of the Colorado School of Public Health on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. For more information, please visit chwe.ucdenver.edu. In many modern animated movies, the trick to achieving realistic movements for individual characters and objects lies in motion-capture technology. This process often involves someone wearing a tracking suit covered in small, colored balls while a camera captures the position of those colored balls, which is then used to represent how the person is moving. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are developing a similar technology to obtain atomic-resolution "movies" that track how proteins fold and change shape. To generate these movies, the scientists label the protein with probes at many positions and observe the movement of those labels. The fluorescence data on the relative positions of the probes can then be used to construct computational models of the protein structure in atomic detail. This research could lead to improvements in drugs used to treat neurodegenerative diseases, as well as new methods of imaging that could lead to their earlier detection. The research was multi-disciplinary effort led by E. James Petersson, associate professor of chemistry in Penn's School of Arts and Sciences, and graduate student Jack Ferrie. Elizabeth Rhoades and Zahra Fakhraii, both associate professors of chemistry at Penn, as well as Abhinav Nath of the University of Washington, Seattle; Penn undergraduate Jimin Yoon; postdoctoral fellow Conor Haney; and graduate students Buyan Pan and Yi-Chih Lin also contributed to the study. The paper was published in Biophysical Journal. "One of the big fundamental questions in biochemistry is how proteins fold into a certain shape," said Petersson, "and this is dictated by the sequence of amino acids in the protein. The information in all of the interactions of the amino acid side chains somehow leads to it folding into a proper shape." In healthy scenarios, Petersson said, that proper shape allows the protein to have different functions, such as transporting oxygen in the blood or becoming "molecular machines" that ultimately lead to muscle movements, such as those required for walking and running. But in certain disease states, particularly in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, the proteins misfold into an unhealthy shape, which can cause multiple copies of the proteins to aggregate into "spaghetti-like tangles or long fibrils." These fibrils, Petersson said, are toxic to neurons, which underlies Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. "Since all of these involve protein folding into a certain shape, then what we'd like to do is to track the changes in shape of proteins," he said. "There are a number of different techniques that can be used to do this, but we like fluorescence because you can acquire fluorescence data fast enough that you can actually watch proteins fold in real time. Ultimately we'd like to try to watch proteins folding in cells." To get information about protein shape using fluorescent probes, researchers use a technique called fluorescence resonance energy transfer, which requires them to measure many distances between different points on the protein and then use that information to understand its shape, similar to motion-capture technology. In this paper, the researchers made about 30 measurements of different distances within the protein alpha-synuclein under different states where it's changing shape. They then used that collection of distance measurements in combination with complex computational modeling to get atomic resolution structures of the protein's shape. Ferrie received a fellowship from the Parkinson's Disease Foundation to spend the summer in David Baker's laboratory in the University of Washington, where Rosetta, one of the most commonly used programs for modeling proteins, was developed. "Rosetta is designed to model stable well-folded proteins," Petersson said, "not disordered proteins that can change shape, so Jack had to do a lot of rewriting of the code himself to be able to model these unruly proteins." Ferrie and Yoon made a series of experimental measurements that could be used to direct the protein folding to be consistent with the experimental measurements, which allowed him to model protein shape. Since it was a new approach, the researchers wanted to demonstrate that the structures coming out of the computational models were consistent with reality. In order to do this, they conducted three types of experiments to match real data with the models coming out of these fluorescence experiments. They collaborated with Rhoades' group to validate the modeled structures using single molecule fluorescence measurements made by Pan. Working in Fakhraii's group, Lin, used a different type of technique called atomic force microscopy to image the protein and validate the models. Chris Dobson, a professor of chemistry at Cambridge University, shared nuclear magnetic resonance data about alpha-synuclein that provided further confirmation of the accuracy of the computer models. The paper represents one of the largest libraries of proteins labeled with synthetic fluorophores yet reported. According to Petersson, the researchers needed to make a lot of distance measurements over different regions of the protein to have enough data to generate computational models. Ferrie and Haney had to come up with a streamlined approach to attaching different sets of probes that would function over different distance ranges. The researchers are now working to apply this technique to model protein structure in the aggregated forms that are toxic to neurons and to model its response to drugs that would cause it to change shape, preventing this aggregation. "The ability to watch a protein as it changes shape," said Petersson, "and to actually get structures out of that is a really important basic science goal that we've been working towards for 10 years. There have been some very impressive breakthroughs in getting structures of proteins in neurodegenerative diseases, but the fluorescence technique has the potential to do that in living cells, which no other technique has the ability to do." According to Petersson, proteins adopting multiple shapes, stacking different copies upon each other and aggregating, as they do in neurodegenerative diseases, are an important basic biochemistry problem that other structural biology techniques can't really tackle. A better understanding of how that works and what those shapes are has the potential to make an impact on diseases such as Parkinson's and to give researchers an opportunity to figure out how drug or diagnostic models interact with the protein. "We're working on being able to generate model structures that actually show what is the effect of these drugs," Petersson said. "We take the protein with the fluorescent labels, add the drug, allow the protein to change shape, make fluorescence measurements and then take those back to the computational modeling so we can actually see the structural effect of these drugs. Hopefully this will lead to more of a rational understanding so that better second and third generation drugs can be made." The researchers are also collaborating with Robert Mach, the Britton Chance Professor of Radiology in Penn's Perelman School of Medicine. Mach's group is interested in developing positron emission tomography imaging probes that can be used to bind to the aggregated forms of proteins and image them in patients. "There are some promising drugs for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, that could block this formation of aggregates," Petersson said, "but the problem is that, by the time people show cognitive or motor-tremor symptoms, it's too late to use these drugs because there's already too much neurodegeneration. If you're getting aggregates in your brain, even if you're not showing any behavioral changes or learning deficits, these probes could noninvasively image the aggregates. By achieving a rational understanding of what the protein structure is, we hope we can help with that work moving forward." ### This research was supported by the University of Pennsylvania, the National Institutes of Health (grants NS081033 and NS079955), the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the National Science Foundation (DGE-1321851), an Age Related Neurodegenerative Disease training grant (NIH T32 AG000255) and the University of Pennsylvania Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. SoCalGas's corporate dysfunction and a lack of federal, state and local regulations for underground gas storage facilities are responsible for the largest methane gas leak in American history, USC-led study finds A USC-led analysis of the Aliso Canyon gas leak determined corporate dysfunction by the SoCalGas Co. and lax regulatory oversight charted the path to the largest greenhouse gas leak in U.S. history. The new study, researchers said, is the first to report what went wrong and why an estimated 97,100 metric tons of methane - more than what 440,000 cars emit in a single year - polluted a Los Angeles neighborhood from October 2015 to February 2016. The findings have pivotal implications for the nation because the United States operates the largest number of underground gas storage facilities in the world. "SoCalGas's Aliso Canyon system failure and the resulting major environmental scandal in 2015 has clear echoes of BP's Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 and BP's Texas City refinery explosion in 2005," said Najmedin Meshkati, senior author of the study and a professor of civil and environmental engineering and industrial systems engineering at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. That translates to one major energy sector disaster every five years. "How many more oil and gas disasters have to occur before a healthy culture of safety is implemented?" Meshkati asked. "The lessons learned from the Aliso Canyon gas leak can improve the nation's underground gas storage facilities. Better industrial safety culture will protect the health and safety of people, will protect the environment, will help keep electricity and gas prices down and will shield the reputation of industries such as Sempra Energy, the parent company of the SoCalGas Co." Published in the Journal of Sustainable Energy Engineering late last year, the study used a robust risk management framework called AcciMap to systematically analyze how the government, regulators, company, management, staff and work processes contributed to the four-month-long Aliso Canyon gas leak that temporarily displaced more than 11,000 Porter Ranch residents. SoCalGas's organizational system was dysfunctional The SoCalGas Co. supplies 22 million customers and 17 power plants with natural gas energy. This pressure pushed upper management to prioritize unsafe supply practices to meet increased demands, the report stated. "SoCalGas had lenient requirements for infrastructure record keeping, no comprehensive risk management plan and no testing programs or plans in place to remediate substandard wells," Meshkati said. "The company needs to improve its safety culture." SoCalGas was aware of a possible future leak in the Standard Sesnon 25 (SS-25) well about a quarter century before a pipe ruptured there. Company logs from 1992 say "check for potential leakage past shoe as high as 8,150 [feet]." The SS-25 well is 64 years old and 8,750 feet deep. An underground safety valve designed to shut off flow to the surface when abnormal conditions occurred was removed in 1979 and never replaced, according to the study. "If a functional kill valve were in place for well SS-25 in October 2015 when the leak began, the leak could have been stopped in a matter of hours or days rather than after four months," Meshkati said. SoCalGas made eight unsuccessful attempts to stop the leak using kill procedures. It later contracted a well control company to "facilitate a proper kill procedure," the study reported. This case study offers tips for nationwide underground gas storage facilities, such as improved well monitoring using up-to-date technology like infrared methane detectors, nonstop pressure monitoring and more training for employees. It notes that logs are necessary to assess possible risks linked to specific wells and that records for mechanical integrity must be documented. (The last time well SS-25 recorded an inspection was in 1976.) "We believe that a proactive culture of committed leadership, having a questioning attitude, personal accountability, good communication and innovative technology are necessary to ensure that systems act to their full potential," Meshkati said. "These are among the traits of a healthy safety culture developed by the nuclear industry. It will be beneficial if it were adopted by all safety-sensitive industries." Lax regulatory oversight Methane is about 32 times more detrimental to global warming than carbon dioxide because of its stronger heat-trapping ability, the study stated. The federal Clean Air Act does not regulate methane, though it does have strict regulations for carbon dioxide. Considering that the United States is the most prolific operator of underground gas storage facilities in the world, we must rethink the lack of federal, state and local oversight in this arena, said Maryam Tabibzadeh, study first author and a recent USC Viterbi doctoral graduate when the study was conducted. She is now an assistant professor at California State University, Northridge. A key energy source Natural gas is a significant energy source in the United States. It supports 33 percent of electricity generation in America via more than 350 underground gas storage facilities or about 14,000 wells, according to a 2005 report. These wells were functioning without a national risk analysis framework, which is used to prevent operational failures and to streamline crisis management protocols when accidents happen, the study reported. After the Aliso Canyon gas leak, Congress passed the Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (PIPES) Act in June 2016. The act created an interagency task force led by the U.S. secretary of energy. Having a task force in place quickens the response time when accidents happen because studied and practiced procedures are activated, said Meshkati, whose expertise is in major complex technological systems failures such as the Chernobyl disaster, Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster and BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. "Risk analysis is vital for safe well operations and relies on analyzing prior data records, yet no national standards for well records were in place prior to the accident," the report stated. "There was no clear overarching agency that was in control of the accident's intervention and aftermath." Without an authoritative agency to direct emergency response, the SoCalGas Co. did not have a clear path for addressing emergencies quickly, nor was it forced to maintain or update aging infrastructure, the report stated. As of August 2016, California was one of only three states that had regulations addressing well construction, well maintenance and well closures, the report noted. ### Simone Stavros, a master's student at USC Viterbi, and Mikhil Ashtekar, a master's student from California State University, Northridge, also contributed to the study. Meshkati was a member of the steering committee of a seminal report assessing the long-term viability of underground natural gas storage in California. It was prepared by the California Council on Science and Technology, a think tank that recommends policy solutions within the state. The recently released 910-page report, "Long-Term Viability of Underground Natural Gas Storage in California: An Independent Review of Scientific and Technical Information," was prepared for California Gov. Jerry Brown at his request. Obese patients with metastatic melanoma who are treated with targeted or immune therapies live significantly longer than those with a normal body mass index (BMI), investigators report in a study published in Lancet Oncology of 1,918 patients in six independent clinical cohorts. This effect, referred to as the "Obesity Paradox", principally manifested itself in men, said Jennifer McQuade, M.D., lead author and instructor of Melanoma Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. "Obese men consistently did much better than men with a normal BMI, with nearly a doubling of overall survival," McQuade said. The researchers found no significant differences in survival between women with normal, overweight or obese BMI. "The question is what underlying mechanism causes this advantage in obese men, and can we take advantage of it to improve outcomes in patients with melanoma?" McQuade said. "One hint may be the interaction between obesity, sex, and outcomes, which has not been detected before in any cancer." Women with metastatic melanoma have long been known to have better outcomes compared to men, McQuade noted. In this study obesity overcame that survival disadvantage for men, leading researchers to now look at the possible impact of sex hormones in this effect. Associations don't prove causation, the researcher's note, but point to new areas to study in greater depth. "The public health message is not that obesity is good. Obesity is a proven risk factor for many diseases," McQuade said. "Even within our metastatic melanoma population, we would not suggest that patients intentionally gain weight. We need to figure out what is driving this paradox and learn how to use this information to benefit all of our patients." Obesity is a known risk factor for developing 13 types of cancer according to the World Health Organization and is set to overtake smoking as the leading preventable cause of cancer. The relationship between obesity and survival in patients that already have cancer is not as consistent. Recent studies have shown a similar survival benefit for obese patients with colorectal or kidney cancer. Obesity expected to be disadvantage The team expected to find obesity to be harmful for melanoma patients, based in part on research that implicates obesity in activation of a cancer-promoting molecular pathway called IGF-1/PI3K/AKT. They analyzed the association between body mass index (weight divided by height) and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in six independent cohorts of patients treated with targeted therapy, immunotherapy or chemotherapy in pivotal trials that led to FDA approval of these drugs. While advantages in PFS and OS emerged in an overall meta-analysis of the entire group, the survival benefit associated with obesity was restricted to men treated with targeted or immunotherapies, where obese men had a 47 percent decreased risk of death compared to men with normal BMI. Doubling of overall survival in men Results from 599 patients receiving combination targeted therapy of dabrafenib (BRAF inhibitor) and trametinib (MEK inhibitor) were: Normal BMI of 18.5-24.9 - median PFS of 9.6 months, OS of 19.8 months Obese BMI 30 and above - median PFS 15.7 months, OS 33.0 months A multivariable analysis that included factors such as age, sex, stage, disease burden, certain mutations and prior treatment showed that obesity still improved PFS and OS compared to normal BMI patients. The team analyzed results by sex and found significant differences only among men. Normal BMI men - PFS 7.2 months, OS 16.0 months Obese men - PFS 12.8 months, OS 36.5 months. By contrast, women, for example, had overall median survival of at least 33 months, regardless of BMI. A validation cohort of 240 patients treated with vemurafenib (BRAF inhibitor) and cobimetinib (MEK inhibitor) yielded similar results. For immunotherapy, in a cohort (330 patients) treated with checkpoint inhibitors blocking either the PD1 check point on T cells or its PD-L1 ligand, results again showed no differences among women, but: Normal BMI men - PFS 2.7 months, OS 14.3 months Obese men - PFS 7.6 months, OS 26.9 months A cohort of patients treated with the immune checkpoint inhibitor ipilimumab (207 patients) showed similar results. There was no effect of obesity found among two cohorts (541 patients) treated only with the chemotherapy dacarbazine. Possible estrogen connection The researchers are following up to understand biological factors that might provide an advantage to obese male patients. Obesity is associated with increased inflammation, which could improve the effectiveness of checkpoint blockade drugs that unleash an immune response against cancer. The sex-specificity of the observed differences points to a potential hormonal mediator. Fat (adipose) tissue produces an enzyme called aromatase that converts male hormones called androgens into estrogens, female hormones. Perhaps this happens enough in obese men to help them clear some type of hurdle toward greater survival, McQuade said. The researchers are collaborating with investigators at the University of Pennsylvania that have found that turning on a very specific type of estrogen receptor on melanoma makes it vulnerable to immunotherapy. The MD Anderson team also is looking at gene expression, mutations and immune profiling to identify potential differences in melanoma in obese and non-obese patients and developing preclinical models. ### Co-authors with McQuade and senior author and co-corresponding author Michael Davies, M.D., Ph.D, are Patrick Hwu, M.D., of Melanoma Medical Oncology; Carrie Daniel-MacDougall, Ph.D., of Epidemiology; Kenneth Hess, Ph.D., of Biostatistics; Lauren Haydu, Ph.D., Shenying Fang, M.D., Ph.D., Jennifer Wargo, M.D., Jeffrey Gershenwald, M.D., and Jeffery Lee, M.D., of Surgical Oncology; Christine Spencer of Genomic Medicine; and Meredith McKean, M.D., of Cancer Medicine, all of MD Anderson; and Carmen Mak, Ph.D., Stephen Lane, Dung-Yang Lee, Ph.D., Mathilde Kaper, Tomas Haas, and Jeffery Legos, Ph.D., of Novartis Pharmaceuticals of East Hanover, N.J.; Daniel Wang, M.D., Kathryn Beckermann, M.D., Samuel Rubinstein, M.D., and Douglas Johnson, M.D., of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville; Rajat Rai, M.D., Matteo Carlino, M.D., Georgina Long, M.D., and Alexander Menzies, M.D., of the Melanoma Institute Australia and the University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; John Park, M.D., Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia; Matthew Wongchenko, Isabelle Rooney, M.D., Luna Musib, Ph.D., Nageshwar Budha, Ph.D., Jessie Hsu, Ph.D., Yibing Yan, PH.D., and Edward McKenna, PharmD, of Genentech, San Francisco; Theodore Nowicki, M.D., and Anthoni Ribas, M.D., of the University of California Los Angeles Medical Center; Alexandre Avila, M.D., and Dana Walker, M.D., of Bristol-Myers Squibb, New York; Maneka Puligandla and Sandra Lee, SciD, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston; Paul Chapman, M.D., of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York; Jeffrey Sosman, M.D., of Northwestern University, Chicago; Dirk Schadendorf, M.D., of University Hospital Essen and the German Cancer Consortium, Essen, Germany; Jean-Jacque Grob, M.D., of Hospitalo-Universitaire Timone, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France; Keith Flaherty, M.D., of Massachesetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston; and John Kirkwood, M.D., Hillman University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Cancer Center, Pittsburgh. This research was funded by MD Anderson's Melanoma Moon Shot, part of the institution's Moon Shots Program, MD Anderson's Specialized Program in Research Excellence (SPORE) in Melanoma (NIH/NCI P50CA221703), the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G Adelson Medical Research Foundation, ASCO/CCF Young Investigator and Career Development awards, MD Anderson's Cancer Center Support Grant from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health (P30 CA016672), additional NIH grants (T32 CA009666, P30 CA008748, K23 CA204726 and R01 CA187076-01); the MD Anderson Cancer Center Various Donors Melanoma and Skin Cancers Priority Program Fund; the Miriam and Jim Mulva Research Fund; the McCarthy Skin Cancer Research Fund; the Marit Peterson Fund for Melanoma Research; the University of Sydney Medical Foundation, NHMRC Australian Research Fellowship and a Cancer Institute NSW Fellowship. Just as Goldman Sachs released their report for Crude Oil to hit $85 this year the Oil price seemed to hit a wall, crashing from its highs to below $60bbl to end last week. The strong uptrend has now seen a sizeable correction, and it remains to be seen whether or not this was a trend change or a pullback to buy into. Economists at CIBC are calling for a slowdown in global growth which should put the brakes on the Oil rally given how linked the speculative increase in price has been to booming stock markets and positive sentiment around the world. The Canadian Bank is calling for an average price below $60 bbl for the remainder of the year and into 2019, Crude oil took a leap above our target average for 2018, but count us as skeptics on its staying power, or its implications for Canadian producers. Oil is, of course, notoriously volatile from month to month, but for investors rather than day traders, short-term spikes are largely irrelevant, so separating signal from noise is critical. The latest leg to the $65/bbl range for the WTI benchmark was in part a product of the strong global economic activity, and were on record as calling for a modest deceleration in world GDP in 2018. But supply developments in both the US and the OPEC world will really tell the story ahead, and have us retaining our call for a 2018 average WTI price of $57, and $59 for 2019. Swiss health insurance companies and surgeons have reached agreement on charging flat rates for certain ophthalmic operations. Talks are continuing regarding other surgical areas. The move is seen as a step towards reducing rising health costs. Santesuisse, the association of Swiss health insurers, said in a statement on February 9 that it had signed a contract with the association of Swiss surgeons (FMCH) regarding a flat-rate outpatient plan for certain ophthalmic operations. Fixed rates will be paid for cataract and glaucoma operations, as well as procedures on the vitreous. The contract must still be approved by cantonal health directors. Participation in this new fixed-price system is voluntary, and doctors who will use flat-fee billing will also automatically participate in a European quality assurance programme. The Swiss healthcare system is known for its excellent level of care, but is also among themost expensive in the world. Switzerland spends 11% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on healthcare, behind the US (17%), Netherlands, France, Germany and Canada. The government has been trying to reduce health costs and health insurance premiums. According to the associations, flat rates for outpatient treatment simplifies billing and controls, andreduces administrative charges and costs. The prices agreed with the eye surgeons are slightly below their previously charged average treatment costs. Verena Nold, the director of Santesuisse, is convinced that savings can be made in this way, she told swissinfo.ch. Efficient and cost-conscious doctors will be rewarded under this new system, whereas doctors who continue to adhere to the old and expensive system of individual tariffs will face critical questions from insurance companies in future. Nold said that this method would hopefully root out the few black sheep in the medical profession which had been exploiting the complicated system and driving up medical costs. The Swiss Federal Council (executive body) estimates that half a billion francs could be saved with this new healthcare model. SDA-ATS/ln By Ruth Anderah: Boda boda 2010 patron Abudallah Kitata and his 11 co-accused have been remanded to Luzira prison by the General Court Martial Chairman Lt Gen Andrew Gutti. These appeared before the 9 member panel at the Makindye based General Court Martial over charges of unlawfully possession of government stores and failure to protect war materials. Kitata and others have been sent on remand after they all objected to being tried before a military court yet they are civilians. On Friday last week, the armys Unit Disciplinary Court sitting in Mbuya committed Kitata and his co-accused to the General Court Martial following completion of investigations. However Kitata and his co-accused have never taken plea to the charges because the Unit Disciplinary Curt has no powers to try such offenses which are punishable by death and life sentences. The court chairman has ordered the suspects to return to court on February 27th. Switzerlands Federation of Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) supports a proposal to do away with mandatory licence fees for public service broadcasters, which will come to a nationwide vote on March 4. Two of its members sat down to discuss the issue. The SME umbrella organisation is up against an alliance of most political parties, parliament, the government, trade unions and most sectors of the business community, who recommend voting against the initiative. But it is a political force to be reckoned with, representing about 300,000 companies grouped in 250 trade associations. The federation spearheaded a campaign to try to scupper a reform of the public radio and television funding system in 2015. It has also been at the forefront of political efforts to abolish public broadcast licence fees, but not all of its members toe the line. Jurg Schar, who made a name for himself as a e-bike pioneer, is a chairman of several SMEs outside Bern. Konrad Ruegg, a former owner of a travel agency outside Zurich, is now renting out apartments. Both are members of the Federation of SMEs, but Ruegg says he will vote in favour of the initiative, while Schar is opposed. They shared their reasons in a discussion with swissinfo.ch. swissinfo.ch: Do you use the services of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC)? Konrad Ruegg: I have to pay the licence fee and therefore I use some of the content on offer, particularly news and sport. The SBC offers good products in principle swissinfo.ch: which youd like to get rid of? K.R.: No, the only thing I want to scrap is the mandatory licence fee. The SBC could survive without it. swissinfo.ch: How much would you have to pay if you still owned your travel agency? K.R.: This is exactly the point. The owner of an SME is taxed twice. First you pay as a private individual. Companies with an annual turnover of more than CH500,000 ($531,000) also have to pay a fee. Inevitably, small companies in the travel business have turnovers beyond this level. swissinfo.ch: Every company has devices (such as TVs, radios and computers) which allow for the consumption of SBC programming. Jurg Schar: [Yet] I agree that its not nice to impose such a levy on companies. Let me give you an example. A friend of mine runs a company in this part of the country with more than 100 employees. He owes about CHF130,000 in SBC licence fees even though he has banned the use of radio and television during work hours. Im afraid this flaw encourages citizens to approve the initiative. swissinfo.ch: Is it therefore right to abolish licence fees for public radio and television altogether? J.S.: I think it is wrong to take drastic measures. Also because the SBC programmes are not the only ones to benefit from licence fees but also more than 30 private local and regional radio and television stations. swissinfo.ch: My fee as an individual consumer will soon drop to CHF1 a day. Is this too much? K.R.: Switzerland has the highest public service fees in Europe. The annual CHF365 may be a fair price for the service provided. But it must be possible to get the funds from elsewhere, without a mandatory fee. swissinfo.ch: Mandatory fees are presumably not a welcome method for a liberal-minded entrepreneur like you, Mr. Schar? J.S.: If the principle of this initiative were applied in strict terms, you could launch an initiative calling for education-related tax for those who dont have children, [for example]. The radio and television licence fee is a de facto tax. It might be simpler if it were added to the tax bill. swissinfo.ch: Do you agree that the fee is too high? J.S.: In comparison, Switzerland has high radio and television fees. But my income and the salaries of my employees are also higher than in Portugal or in northern Germany. swissinfo.ch: One of the key arguments brought forward by opponents of the initiative is that the SBC guarantees interest-free and reliable information, both essential for Switzerlands system of direct democracy. Do you agree? K.R.: Independent reporting will continue to be guaranteed. There are no quality norms in journalism swissinfo.ch: . the SBC media must adhere to strict journalistic principles. K.R.: . this is also true for private media. What counts are the contents. If they are balanced and of interest to a majority of the audience, there will be enough demand and the SBC can continue to generate revenue from advertising. The opponents of the initiative want us to believe that only populist radio and television programmes would be feasible if it is accepted. This is nonsense. J.S.: Small private media organisations can generate income from advertising under current rules. Ive often bought advertisement or sponsored programmes in the past. Regional television or radio are more suited as advertisement platforms than SBC outlets. It is already a largely a free market and I doubt whether this initiative will bring great new opportunities for small media providers. There is also the question of who will take over a broadcasting licence, to be given to the highest bidder. Will this inevitably lead to television programmes like under Berlusconi in Italy? Will some right-leaning billionaire buy up broadcasting rights and use them to influence politics? swissinfo.ch: The SBC has an official mandate to provide all of Switzerlands four language regions with a comparable information offer. Do you take these linguistic minorities into account? K.R.: Certainly, it is worth cultivating. But it is a matter of costs. The SBC in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland has about 1,100 fulltime jobs. This is stifling every private competitor. J.S.: I have no reservations about contributing to pay a relatively high price for a comparable information offer for the language minorities. A country made up of German, French, Italian and Romansh speakers which I hope will always be the case depends on the spirit of solidarity. Adapted from German by Urs Geiser, swissinfo.ch Senegal and Spain are in close contact over the case of four Spanish tourists robbed and allegedly raped last month in Senegal's restive Casamance region, their interior ministers said Tuesday. Three women were dragged into a forest and raped after their vehicle was stopped on January 25 near the village of Karonge, around 60 kilometres (37 miles) from the regional capital Ziguinchor, according to police. The group were also robbed of some 5,000 euros worth of local currency before they were finally released. I am in touch with the Spanish embassy and the minister has told me investigations are under way and will soon be completed, Spanish Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido said after talks in Dakar with Senegalese counterpart Aly Ngouille Ndiaye. Zoido added he had been keeping a close eye on developments from the outset. We are awaiting the conclusions of the investigation, said Ndiaye, adding two of the rape victims had returned home and the third remained on vacation in Senegal. Three days after the attack, Ndiaye had in a radio interview expressed doubts on the assault after only one woman agreed to a medical examination and that in her case there was no trace of rape. He added that no jewellery or watches were stolen in the attack despite cash being taken. The Spanish foreign ministry had earlier indicated it would not comment until the victims had themselves explained what had happened near the small town of Diouloulou. The attack in the restive region came three weeks after 14 young men were executed in a protected forest, reigniting debate over rebel and criminal groups. Ndiaye on Tuesday dubbed them enemies of peace operating in the area. The bloodbath which comes at a delicate time for peace talks for Casamance caused some to blame a group that has led a 35-year armed campaign for the regions independence. Privacy Settings This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. Which cookies and scripts are used and how they impact your visit is specified on the left. You may change your settings at any time. Your choices will not impact your visit. NOTE: These settings will only apply to the browser and device you are currently using. Portuguese police have detained a man who arrived at Lisbon airport on a flight from Brazil wearing "fake buttocks" that contained about a kilo of cocaine, police and reports said Tuesday. Customs agents at Portugals busiest airport found the drugs on the mans body, police said in a statement. While not specifying exactly where the drugs were found, the statement was accompanied by photos of a pair of multicoloured swim trunks that had two brown bags attached to the rear. Daily newspaper Publico and other media said the man was arrested after he arrived from Belem in northern Brazil wearing fake buttocks stuffed with cocaine under his swim trunks. He had also swallowed bags of cocaine, it added. Police said they arrested a second man at Lisbons main rail station who they suspect was the intended recipient of the cocaine. The two men, aged 32 and 40, face drug trafficking charges. US intelligence chiefs said Tuesday that Russian attempts to meddle in US politics are continuing unabated -- and pose a threat to mid-term congressional elections in November. They also said North Koreas nuclear program poses a potential existential threat to the United States, and that the time is nearing for Washington to respond to that danger. In a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on the most urgent threats facing the country, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and the heads of the CIA, FBI, NSA and two other spy agencies were unanimous in saying that Moscows efforts to disrupt US politics are as intense now as they were in the 2016 presidential election. Throughout the entire community, we have not seen any evidence of any significant change in Russian behavior, said Coats. There should be no doubt that Russia perceived its past efforts as successful and sees the 2018 US midterms elections as a potential target for Russian influence operations. Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo said: We have seen Russian activity and intentions to have an impact on the next election cycle here. National Security Agency Director Michael Rogers warned that this is not going to change or stop. Americas leading intelligence agencies concluded last year that Russian President Vladimir Putin had directed a broad intelligence effort to influence the 2016 presidential election to undermine the campaign of Democrat Hillary Clinton and boost Donald Trumps chances. That effort included hacking and releasing emails and documents from the Clinton campaign, filling social media with posts and news items aimed at discrediting her, as well as targeting voter-registration operations and election databases. Trump has repeatedly dismissed the idea that Moscow helped him and all allegations of collusion as fake news, and criticized the intelligence agencies for repeating it. Countering Russian interference But a large volume of information has surfaced on Russian use of social media to influence public opinion in US public policy debates. As a result, leading online media companies like Twitter, Facebook and Google have been forced to begin policing their pages for fake news reports and fake accounts. The Russians utilize this tool because its relatively cheap, its low risk, it offers what they perceive as plausible deniability, and it is proven to be effective at sowing division, Coats told the Senate panel. We expect Russia to continue using propaganda, social media, false-flag personas, sympathetic spokesmen and other means of influence to try to build on its wide range of operations and exacerbate social and political fissures in the United States. But more than a year after Russian interference became widely known, the intelligence community (IC) chiefs were unable to detail how the United States was countering it or punishing Moscow. Democratic Senator Jack Reed asked the officials whether Trump had ordered them to take action. But none of the six said the president had specifically done so. Pompeo said the CIA was acting but could not make the details public. We have a significant effort to rebuff Moscow, he said. It is not just our effort, it is a certainly all-of-IC effort. There may be others participating as well, to do our best to push back against this threat. Existential threat On North Korea, Coats said its leader Kim Jong Un continues to demonstrate a provocative nature and instability that makes Pyongyangs nuclear capability more threatening. This is an existential threat, potentially to the United States, but also to North Korea, Coats said. Kim Jong Un views this as any kind of a kinetic attack or effort to force him to give up his nuclear weapons is an existential threat to his nation and to his leadership in particular, he said. Our goal is a peaceful settlement, he added. Were using maximum pressure on North Korea in various ways. Separately, Coats stressed that the US governments repeated failure to craft a full-years budget, and the large fiscal deficits, constitute another important security threat. Im concerned that our increasing fractious political process, particularly with respect to federal spending, is threatening our ability to properly defend our nation both in the short term and especially in the long term, he said. The mounting US debt, now over $20 trillion, is unsustainable and represents a dire threat to our economic and national security. Scandal-hit British charity Oxfam was reeling Tuesday after fresh claims of sexual assault and cover-up in South Sudan, as Haiti's president condemned the behaviour of some of its staff in his country as "undignified and dishonest". The latest revelations by Helen Evans, former global head of safeguarding, heaped pressure on chief executive Mark Goldring just hours after his deputy resigned over a scandal involving aid workers use of prostitutes in Haiti and Chad. Evans accused senior managers of failing to act and also warned of assaults on children volunteering in Oxfams hundreds of charity shops in Britain. The charity groups name took another hit on Tuesday when Oxfam Internationals chairman Juan Alberto Fuentes Knight was arrested in his native Guatemala over government graft allegations unrelated to the sexual assault claims. A spokesman for Oxfam International the umbrella group for 20 national and regional affiliates said Fuentes maintains his innocence and is cooperating fully with the investigation. The sex scandal was slammed Tuesday by Haitian President Jovenel Moisem who said on Twitter that there was nothing more undignified and dishonest than humanitarian aid workers exploiting needy people. Minister of Planning and External Cooperation Aviol Fleurant condemned serious sexual crimes carried out by staff members and said they had used money destined for victims of a devastating 2010 earthquake. Oxfam has been battling accusations it covered up allegations about the use of prostitutes by staff members in Haiti and admitted it could have been more transparent with regulators. Following an internal investigation, some staff members were dismissed and others including country director Roland van Hauwermeiren were allowed to resign. The Times newspaper, which broke the story, reported a fellow aid worker made a complaint about van Hauwermeiren over his alleged sexual misconduct back in 2004 while working for the charity Merlin in Liberia. Minnie Driver quits Evans told Channel 4 News of a survey conducted during her 2012-2015 tenure which exposed a culture of sexual abuse in some Oxfam offices. The survey of 120 staff across three countries found between 11 and 14 percent said they witnessed or experienced sexual assault. Seven percent of staff in South Sudan four people witnessed or experienced rape or attempted rape involving colleagues. The revelations have caused outrage in Britain, where Oxfam received 31.7 million (35.7 million euros, $43.8 million) from the government last year. The charitys deputy chief Penny Lawrence resigned on Monday, saying: As programme director at the time, I am ashamed that this happened on my watch and I take full responsibility. Actress Minnie Driver became the first Oxfam ambassador to step down from the role late Tuesday. Devastated for the women who were used by people sent there to help them, devastated by the response of an organisation that I have been raising awareness for since I was nine years old, she wrote on Twitter. Scope for abuse Britains international development ministry has begun a wider review of how the foreign aid sector deals with allegations of sexual misconduct in the workplace. Emergency situations are almost a perfect environment for these kind of activities to emerge, Mike Jennings, head of the Department of Development Studies at the University of Londons School of Oriental and African Studies, told AFP. You have extremely vulnerable people and a few people who are effectively controlling access to resources, or have huge amounts of power, he said. Megan Nobert, who was drugged and raped by a fellow aid worker in South Sudan in 2015, told BBC radio that sexual violence in humanitarian workspaces was a common occurrence. She drew parallels with the #MeToo campaign of denouncing sexual harassment, which started in Hollywood and has since expanded to different sectors such as the media, politics and the world of music. The humanitarian community is the latest to have to grapple publicly with an issue that its been trying to figure out how to respond to quietly, Nobert said. Evans said she asked to take her findings about abuse to the senior leadership team at Oxfam, but the meeting was cancelled and Goldring told her that discussing the report would not take things any further. Later during her tenure, Evans said she received three new allegations in a single day in February 2015, including one woman forced to have sex for aid. Evans now a local councillor in England said she struggled to understand why senior management did not give her more resources to address the problem. In a separate issue, Channel 4 cited figures showing seven incidents of inappropriate conduct with children in Oxfams shops in 2013/14. One case involving an adult volunteer assaulting a child the minimum age for volunteers is 14 went to court, Evans said. Here are key dates in Julian Assange's extradition battle as the WikiLeaks founder loses his new court bid Tuesday to cancel the UK arrest warrant hanging over him. Arrest warrant issued In November 2010, a Swedish prosecutor issues a European arrest warrant for Assange on sexual assault allegations involving two Swedish women. Assange denies the claims, saying the young women consented. WikiLeaks starts releasing more than 250,000 classified US diplomatic cables, revealing frank assessments of US officials as well as the views of other governments. Some 500,000 classified military documents concerning American diplomacy and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq had already been released by Wikileaks earlier that year. In December, Assange turns himself in to police in London and is placed in custody pending a ruling on the Swedish extradition request. He is later released on bail and calls the Swedish rape allegations a smear campaign. In February 2011, a British judge rules Assange can be extradited to Sweden. In November Britains High Court rejects an appeal against his extradition. Assange fears Sweden will hand him over to US authorities who could prosecute him for publishing the documents and possibly sentence him to death. Seeks refuge at embassy In 2012 Assange requests, and is later granted political asylum at the Ecuadorian embassy in London. The following year, Ecuador demands that Britain allows Assange to fly to Quito. In July 2014 a Swedish court upholds the European arrest warrant against Assange and in November Assange loses an appeal against the arrest warrant. UN appeal Also in 2014, Assange files a complaint against Sweden and Britain with the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. His lawyers later petition Swedens Supreme Court to quash the arrest warrant in February 2015. The following month, Swedish prosecutors offer to question Assange in London. At Quitos demand, an Ecuadorian prosecutor does the questioning, which takes place in November. In February 2016, the UN panel confirms its view that Assange has been arbitrarily detained, saying he should be able to claim compensation from Britain and Sweden. Britain rejects the ruling. The Stockholm appeals court in September rejects a request by Assange to lift the arrest warrant in light of the UN panels non-binding legal opinion. Beginning of the end? In January 2017, WikiLeaks claims victory after then US president Barack Obama commutes the sentence of Chelsea Manning, a soldier who leaked a huge amount of defence department files published by WikiLeaks, and who is released on May 17. Two days later, Swedish prosecutors say they have closed their seven-year rape investigation. In London, police say they are obliged to arrest Assange if he leaves the embassy, for breaching the terms of his bail in 2012. Ecuadorian citizen In January, days after announcing it is seeking a mediator to resolve the standoff with Britain, Ecuador says it has granted Assange citizenship. The Australian became an Ecuadorian citizen on December 12. Ecuador asks London to recognise Assange as a diplomat, which would give him immunity from arrest. Britain refuses to do so. Later in the month Ecuadors President Lenin Moreno describes Assange as an inherited problem that has created more than a nuisance for his government. Doctors say his embassy stay is dangerous to his health. On January 26 Assanges lawyers ask a court to lift the arrest warrant. The court rejects the bid on February 6 and then a second attempt on February 13. Haiti's President Jovenel Moise has decried Oxfam's handling of a prostitution scandal in the Caribbean nation, calling the situation a "serious violation of human dignity." The British charity has come under sharp criticism for its handling of misconduct allegations against staff members accused of using prostitutes in Haiti following a devastating 2010 earthquake. There is nothing more undignified and dishonest than a sexual predator who uses his position as part of the humanitarian response to a natural disaster to exploit needy people in moments of great vulnerability, Moise wrote on Twitter late Monday. The Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation has summoned representatives of the charity in Haiti to appear Thursday and provide explanations. We have learned, not without dismay, that the NGO Oxfam could be implicated in juvenile sex crimes in Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010, Minister Aviol Fleurant said Tuesday. The directors would have used the organizations funds for this purpose, he said, saying that in addition to serious sexual crimes, the episode would also meet criteria for a crime against development in light of the possible diversion of external aid for the use of illegal criminal activities. Oxfam has denied covering up the scandal, which triggered the resignation of its deputy chief executive on Monday. It has also said it had yet to find evidence proving allegations that underage girls were involved. As program director at the time, I am ashamed that this happened on my watch and I take full responsibility, Penny Lawrence said in a statement. The allegations revolve around Roland van Hauwermeiren, who was Oxfams country director for Haiti and was previously the head of the charitys mission in Chad. Oxfam investigated sexual misconduct allegations in 2011, and van Hauwermeiren was one of three staff members who resigned while four others were dismissed. Investigations into the seven men examined the use of prostitutes, downloading of pornography, bullying and intimidation. The devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti killed more than 200,000 people and caused damage worth an estimated 117 percent of GDP in the already impoverished nation, the poorest in the Americas. By Samuel Ssebuliba Civil society organizations have asked government to stop the rhetoric on fighting corruption and hold all those implicated in graft scandals accountable. This after the Office of the Prime Minister was again hit by a corruption scandal that has caused interdiction of four officials for their alleged involvement in mismanagement of humanitarian assistance to refugees. Speaking to KFM, the executive director Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda Ms.Cissy Kagaba says corruption in this office is cyclic thus extra ordinary measures must be taken to clean it up. As government moves to investigate the latest corruption scandal in the Office of the Prime Minister, some Members of Parliament are still pessimistic about the likely results. According to Nakaseke Souths representative Lutamaguzi Ssemakula, this will not be the first investigation to yield no results. He cites reports from the over sight committees of parliament, several investigations done by the IGG among other probe committees whose results have never seen the light or day. On January 26, 2018, the Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda received a letter from the UN resident coordinator, Rosa Malango citing gross mismanagement, fraud and corruption in Ugandan refugees operations. Donors especially US, European Union and UK threatened to withdraw aid to refugee programmes in Uganda. However, in a statement issued last evening the United Nations System in Uganda welcomes the swift action taken by the Government of Uganda to investigate allegations in the refugee response. Since these allegations were brought to the attention of the Government, it has maintained an open-door policy, allowing the exchange of information on emerging risks and possible mitigation measures, said Ms. Rosa Malango UNDP Resident Representative in a statement. We thank the Government and the people of Uganda for opening up their country to welcome refugees, she added. Monday, February 12, 2018 New Congressional Era: Spending In, Deficits Out, Wall $1.8 B By Peggy Sands Orchowski Legislators are earning their keep this month. Last week, both houses passed a two year 31 trillion dollar federal budget Friday Feb. 9 at 5 a.m. refunding the government after a five-hour shut down. In the massive new budget, there was no mention of legalizing illegal immigrants -- DACA recipients and DREAMERS for which Congressional minority leader Nancy Pelossi (CA) performed an historic eight-hour "magic minute" House leadership filibuster on Wednesday Feb. 7. Neither was there any reduction in the trillions of dollars of higher deficit, for which libertarian Republican Senator Rand Paul (KY) performed a six hour filibuster on Thursday Feb. 8 that lasted passed midnight when funding for the government officially expired. Party faithful members sitting dutifully next to the two filibusterers with candidate-wives expressions of rapt approval, paid their dues for the votes to follow. Now the real work begins in Congress. Budgeted money still has three more steps to go before it actually is expended: appropriations, allocations and expenditures. For instance, the first hearings on the some $300 billion budgeted for defense spending will be held Tuesday Feb. 13 in the House, when the Armed Services committee holds two closed meetings and one open to discuss defense authorizations and the actual evidences of world wide cyber and other terrorist threats. Many such committee hearings will be held as the appropriations and authorization process proceeds over the next many weeks before the money ever gets to the agency Secretaries, who then will decide how the money is actually spent. In the meantime, new legislative proposals, much of it driven by the President, will Congress this week. A huge one is the unprecedented $1.5 trillion proposal President Trump issued this morning to fund deteriorating and new infrastructure programs throughout the country. Just about every legislative committee will be involved in the weeks and months to come. The big question to be answered: "Where will the money come from?" Then there's the promise to do something about immigration often described as "fixing our broken immigration system". That has meant different things to different parties: for the Democrats the focus has been on giving 700,000 to 4 million DACA DREAMERS green cards -- Permanent Legal Residency permits, the only permit that can lead to citizenship. The number depends on which definition is used. DREAMERS as defined in yet-to-be-passed Dream Act legislation, are anyone who "came in the U.S. before the age of 16", have been here five years, graduated from high school or its equivalent, and are under the age of 30. There are no English language requirements. About 2 million would qualify. Senator Dick Durbin's recent Dream Act proposal would allow them to have come in before the age of 18 with no upper age limit. Close to four million would qualify. DACA recipients are DREAMERS who applied on an individual basis for President Obama's executive memo of 2012 establishing a temporary Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Some 700,000 renewed before President Trump ended the program on March 5, 2018 , when all DACA recipients will begin to lose (depending on their renewal date) their temporary protection from deportation and their temporary work permits. The numbers could go up even more. Many DACA DREAMERS want their parents and older siblings included or no deal. But almost all DREAMERS are not kids; they are adults, millennials ages 18-30. Many Americans are very conflicted about DREAMERS. Even most Republicans are sympathetic about the idea of legalizing those who were brought in by their parents as very young children innocently and illegally. But since Democrats, who have been using DREAMERS (unsuccessfully) to pass a broad comprehensive immigration reform that would have legalized almost all of the 11 million illegal immigrants in the country, Republicans now want something for DREAMER legalization. The President's plan includes new laws that would end family reunification/chain migration; replace diversity visas perhaps for merit-based ones; and punish sanctuary cities that harbor illegal immigrant criminals. It would exchange the legalization of DREAMERS for stricter enforcement of immigration laws such as e-verify and increased border security. The infrastructure plan includes $18 billion for a wall and some $5 billion for other border enhancements. Beginning today, the Senate will take up the discussions. Congressional committees and the House will follow next week. The infrastructure bill, the new budget and the immigration debates seem to indicate a new philosophy in Congress today: spending is in, deficits are out, trade is the MO. The number of illegal immigrants to be legalized probably well determine what will be traded in exchange. # # # ## # From: American Evaluation Association (AEA) For Immediate Release: Dateline: Washington , DC Tuesday, February 13, 2018 Sophia Guevara, MLIS, MPA. I am a co-chair for the Social Network Analysis Topical Interest Group at the American Evaluation Association. My co-writer is Simon Geletta, who was a past program chair of the SNA TIG. Simon is a professor of public health at the Des Moines University. In this post we would like to introduce a software called ORA. ORA is an extremely flexible network analysis tool that is ideal for creating, manipulating and analyzing networks and network structure from data that are stored in a number of different ways and formats (e.g., as a set of relational tables stored in a database or in a spreadsheet, as an n-dimensional matrix etc.) It allows visual as well as statistical analysis capabilities on both static social networks and dynamic social networks that can vary over time and/or space. ORA is versatile, as it is a multi-platform toolkit that can operate either in stand-alone mode, or as a service plug-in within a web architecture. With both a GUI version and batch mode version of ORA, it is noteworthy to mention that the batch mode version has been used with networks with 106 nodes. ORA supports high dimensional network data (or meta-network data), including data that represent spatiotemporally dynamic network structure. Hence, while most SNA tools are capable of mapping single-mode or two-mode networks, ORA can handle n-mode networks this makes it ideal for measuring and understanding network changes over time or through space. A second powerful feature is its ability to visualize geo-spatial networks. The ESRI proprietary geographic shape file can be used together with network data to visualize relationships between entities over geographic space. Further, ORA outputs can also be export to Google Earth, or to KML files, thus enabling interoperation with third-party tools. Finally, ORA is interoperable with a number of other SNA tools such as Pajek and UCINET. Further, its output can be consumed by a wide range of applications because they can be made to conform to CSV, TSV, XML, JSON and similar standards. According to the Center for Computational Analysis of Social and Organizational Systems (CASOS) website, there is ORA-LITE which is limited to 2,000 nodes and a Pro version with no node limit available at Rad Resource: ORA Google Group This Google Group provides information for those interested in network science and network science tools. You can find more information on the page about training and purchasing tools. The American Evaluation Association is celebrating Social Network Analysis TIG Week with our colleagues in the Social Network Analysis Topical Interest Group. The contributions all this week to aea365 come from our SNA TIG members. Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this aea365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the About AEA The American Evaluation Association is an international professional association and the largest in its field. Evaluation involves assessing the strengths and weaknesses of programs, policies, personnel, products and organizations to improve their effectiveness. AEAs mission is to improve evaluation practices and methods worldwide, to increase evaluation use, promote evaluation as a profession and support the contribution of evaluation to the generation of theory and knowledge about effective human action. For more information about AEA, visit www.eval.org. My name is. I am a co-chair for the Social Network Analysis Topical Interest Group at the American Evaluation Association. My co-writer is, who was a past program chair of the SNA TIG. Simon is a professor of public health at the Des Moines University.In this post we would like to introduce a software called ORA. ORA is an extremely flexible network analysis tool that is ideal for creating, manipulating and analyzing networks and network structure from data that are stored in a number of different ways and formats (e.g., as a set of relational tables stored in a database or in a spreadsheet, as an n-dimensional matrix etc.) It allows visual as well as statistical analysis capabilities on both static social networks and dynamic social networks that can vary over time and/or space.ORA is versatile, as it is a multi-platform toolkit that can operate either in stand-alone mode, or as a service plug-in within a web architecture. With both a GUI version and batch mode version of ORA, it is noteworthy to mention that the batch mode version has been used with networks with 10nodes. ORA supports high dimensional network data (or meta-network data), including data that represent spatiotemporally dynamic network structure. Hence, while most SNA tools are capable of mapping single-mode or two-mode networks, ORA can handle n-mode networks this makes it ideal for measuring and understanding network changes over time or through space.A second powerful feature is its ability to visualize geo-spatial networks. The ESRI proprietary geographic shape file can be used together with network data to visualize relationships between entities over geographic space. Further, ORA outputs can also be export to Google Earth, or to KML files, thus enabling interoperation with third-party tools.Finally, ORA is interoperable with a number of other SNA tools such as Pajek and UCINET. Further, its output can be consumed by a wide range of applications because they can be made to conform to CSV, TSV, XML, JSON and similar standards.According to the Center for Computational Analysis of Social and Organizational Systems (CASOS) website, there is ORA-LITE which is limited to 2,000 nodes and a Pro version with no node limit available at Netanomics.com . The Netanomics.com site invites visitors to access an article published in The Economist in 2015 that mentions the use of this software.: ORA Google Group https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/ora-google-group This Google Group provides information for those interested in network science and network science tools. You can find more information on the page about training and purchasing tools.The American Evaluation Association is celebratingwith our colleagues in the. The contributions all this week to aea365 come from ourmembers. Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this aea365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the aea365 webpage so that we may enrich our community of practice. Would you like to submit an aea365 Tip? Please send a note of interest to aea365@eval.org . aea365 is sponsored by the American Evaluation Association and provides a Tip-a-Day by and for evaluators. Lawyers for state Sen. Carlos Uresti wrapped up their defense in his criminal fraud trial Tuesday, deciding against calling the lawmaker or any of the big names that they previously submitted as potential witnesses on his behalf. Uresti lead lawyer Michael McCrum rested the San Antonio Democrats case after the lunch break on the 14th day of the trial. Urestis lawyers filed a December court document listing a powerful collection of judges, politicians and lawyers to potentially testify on Urestis behalf, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, former San Antonio Mayors Julian Castro and Henry Cisneros, state Sen. Jose Menendez, state District Judges Peter Sakai and Solomon Casseb III, and Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood. We didnt think it was necessary, McCrum said on why the decision not to call Uresti or any of his character witnesses. He also stood by his previous statement that the government hadnt proven its case. Part of Urestis defense is that he acted in good faith with no specific intent to defraud, his lawyers indicated to Senior U.S. District Judge David Ezra. They also have argued that Uresti was bamboozled by the head of the company that landed the lawmaker in this trial in the first place. Outside of the jurys presence, Ezra posed a series of standard questions to Uresti about the decision waiving his right to testify. Was it your own personal decision not to testify, Ezra asked. It was, your honor, Uresti answered. One of the prominent names on Urestis witness list was Chief U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia. Rather than appear on the witness stand, however, his testimony was summarized in a stipulation agreed to by defense lawyers and prosecutors. McCrum read the stipulation to the jury, including how Uresti reached out to his long-time friend in June 2015 to say that he suspected the CEO of a startup oilfield company that Uresti was involved with was committing fraud. Garcia then called Richard Durbin, the then-U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas, and asked if he could recommend an FBI agent who could look into the matter. Judge Garcia then contacted Mr. Uresti and passed along the name and phone number of the FBI agent, McCrum said, reading from the stipulation. Judge Garcia does not know if Mr. Uresti ever called the FBI. No evidence has been presented during the trial about whether Uresti contacted the FBI. Uresti is charged with 11 felonies including securities and wire fraud and money laundering over his involvement in oilfield company FourWinds Logistics, which collapsed into bankruptcy in 2015 amid allegations that investors were defrauded. Uresti served as the companys legal counsel, 1 percent owner and he recruited investors. Co-defendant Gary Cain, who worked as a company consultant, is charged with nine felonies. Uresti and Cain have denied the charges. Cain took the witness stand right after Urestis legal team rested. During testimony that took up the entire afternoon, Cain spoke extensively about how he was trying to clean up a mess created by FourWinds CEO Stan Bates and to save the company. Bates misused investors money to pay personal expenses, including his sons college tuition and his daughters child support, as well to support a lavish lifestyle. Bates pleaded guilty to eight felonies Jan. 8 rather than sit at the same defense table as Uresti and Cain. Cain joined FourWinds in September 2014 and initially was provided financial records that made it appear to be a solid company. He added it wasnt until well after he left FourWinds in May 2015 that he learned the full scope of wrongdoing that went on. Cain disputed testimony by FourWinds comptroller Laura Jacobs earlier in the trial that she presented him with a fake spreadsheet showing that investor Denise Cantus money was used to purchase sand. Its absurd, Cain replied under direct examination by his lead lawyer, Charles Chad Muller. Cain had started a company called Trinity Global Funding & Consulting that entered into a consulting agreement with FourWinds after he was introduced to the company by LaHood and Uresti. Cain mentioned that LaHood, the current Bexar County DA, was a Trinity owner for about three months. The same month he was elected DA in 2014, LaHood participated in discussions with a group of Mexican nationals about it taking a controlling interest in FourWinds, Cain said. Bates rejected the groups overtures, though. Muller asked Cain if Bates, who owned 51 percent of FourWinds, was concerned about losing control. That was his biggest concern, Cain said. While in private practice, LaHood successfully defended Cain against criminal charges that he had swindled Rackspace Hosting in 2007 land deal. Urestis lawyers called nine witnesses over two days. Tuesdays witnesses included Urestis best man, Ronald Gabriel, president of Gabriel Investment Group, which operates Gabriels Wine & Spirits and Dons & Bens. Uresti approached Gabriel about investing in FourWinds and the businessman sat in on a quick pitch by Bates. It was not my cup of tea but I did listen as a courtesy, Gabriel said. It seemed like a good deal, it just wasnt something I wanted to do. Uresti sat in on Bates presentation but did not speak, Gabriel said. Bates last month pleaded guilty to eight felony charges, becoming the fourth company official to enter a plea in the case. On cross-examination, Gabriel acknowledged referring to Bates as a piece of trash. I never felt good about the gentleman, Gabriel added. Asked if Uresti felt uneasy with Bates, Gabriel said, It just felt like Bates was trying quite hard and it looked like Carlos was trying to diffuse the conversation. He felt quite embarrassed. After Gabriels testimony, McCrum called Shelby Jordan, a Corpus Christi lawyer specializing in commercial bankruptcies. Jordan testified that payments Uresti received from FourWinds investors were paid from the companys accounts rather than out of the investors profits. Jordan chronicled the rise and fall of oil prices and the impact it had on Eagle Ford Shale and businesses supporting oil and gas production. Urestis lawyers called as their first two witnesses for the a court reporter and a lawyer who participated in a deposition that Cantu, a FourWinds investor, gave in a wrongful-death case involving two of her children. Uresti was part of the legal team that obtained a $2.5 million settlement for Cantu in the case. He later recommended she invest some of the proceeds with FourWinds. She invested $900,000 and lost about $800,000. Both the court reporter and lawyer said Uresti did not attend the deposition the same deposition where Cantu alleged he told her she looked sexy. Cantu has alleged she later became sexually involved with Uresti, a charge he has denied. AUSTIN One of the biggest upsets in recent political history came at least partially thanks to Texans and their wallets. Texas donors, including H-E-B Chairman and CEO Charles Butt, ended up giving nearly $1 million to Alabama Democrat Doug Jones, who narrowly defeated Republican Roy Moore in one of the most contentious special elections in the nation late last year. Moore, 70, was besieged by allegations that he had inappropriate relationships with teenage girls in Alabama when he was in his 30s charges Moore denied. Moore lost to Jones, a former U.S. attorney best known for prosecuting two Ku Klux Klansmen who killed four black girls in Birminghams infamous 1963 church bombing. Newly released campaign finance records show that just in the final three weeks of the campaign, Texas donors stepped up and sent nearly $550,000 to Jones campaign more than double the amount of money Texans sent Moore during the same stretch, Federal Election Commission reports show. Texas donors included Dallas heiress Patricia Walker and New Braunfels resident William Holliday. Walker gave over $5,900 to Jones. Holliday gave just over $3,100 to Jones. Others to give at least $2,700 to Jones included Butt of San Antonio and Houston attorney Kathy Patrick. In total, Jones raised $849,000 from Texans for his entire campaign. Moore pulled in $597,000. As for Moore, in the last three weeks of the campaign from Nov. 23 to Dec. 12, Texans gave him about $197,000. Those donors included former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, a Republican who lives in Sugar Land and who sent $1,000 to Moores campaign on Dec. 10 two days before Election Day. Besides DeLay, other big Republican donors from Texas to Moore included Lee Roy Mitchell, founder of the Cinemark USA movie theater chain from Dallas; physician and conservative activist Lawrence Gelman from McAllen; and same-sex marriage opponent and conservative activist Steven Hotze and his wife, Janie Hotze, from the Houston area. All four gave at least $8,100 each to Moores campaign. Hotze also used a new political action committee he created in June called Restore Our Godly Heritage PAC, to help Moore. That PAC has spent at least $100,000 to help Moores campaign. For the entire race, Jones spent $9 million on the race, according to FEC records. Moore spent $6 million. As FBI agents questioned people about a reported kidnapping Friday in Laredo, a resident alerted them that two men were running through nearby backyards and jumping fences, according to court documents filed in federal court. It turned out one of the fleeing men was the alleged kidnapping victim agents were seeking. Both were undocumented immigrants from Mexico who said theyd been held for ransom at a nearby house, according to the court documents. They had apparently escaped the home where they were being held while FBI agents questioned the owner outside. The FBI agents arrested two other men at the home, John Daniel Pavon and Juan Manuel Ancira, both 21, and charged them with conspiracy to violate interstate communications. If convicted they face up to 20 years in prison. FBI agents began investigating the alleged kidnapping after being contacted by a Kansas man who said hed received a call from someone claiming to work for the Gulf Cartel. The supposed cartel member said hed kidnapped the mans son and was holding him for a $2,000 ransom, according to court records. Agents watched surveillance video from a Laredo Walmart where the money was received and were able to trace the vehicle of a woman who picked up the cash to the Laredo neighborhood where the alleged kidnapping victims were rescued, according to the documents. One of the men who agents found on the scene was Fabian Israel de Arcos Padilla, the Kansas mans missing son. The other was Luz Daniel Sanchez Segura, who told agents his family in Louisiana was asked to pay $4,000 for his release. A judge ordered the U.S. Marshals Service to hold de Arcos and Sanchez as material witnesses, each on a $25,000 bond. Roel Canales, Anciras defense attorney, called his client a young and simple man who flat out denies the allegations. Pavons attorney didnt respond to a request for comment. Art Fontes, a former FBI agent whos worked in Laredo and in Mexico, said its not unusual for human smugglers on both sides of the border to hold immigrants against their will and demand payment. Its normally that they need to pay the balance, whatever is due, Fontes said. When they come across they arrange (a smuggling fee), but sometimes when they cross the border (smugglers) raise it, its a little higher, and the family cant pay it. Mexicos drug cartels use the extortion schemes, but so do small-time smugglers, he said. Sometimes those independent smuggling organizations claim connection to a larger cartel as an intimidation tactic. Lets say youre Joe Blow, but if you mention another cartel, people get intimidated by that and theyre going to pay the money quicker, Fontes said. jbuch@express-news.net | Twitter: @jlbuch This flu season, with a strain more severe than past years, has shown no signs of slowing down at a time when the number of cases reported tend to peter out. Bexar County typically sees a decline in flu cases reported in February, but the illness hasn't let up yet, Dr. Anita Kurian, assistant director for the communicable diseases division of the Metropolitan Health District told the Express-News. Texas health officials confirmed Monday that the flu was at a peak not seen since 2009. During the 2014-2015 season, the percent of weekly hospital visits attributed to influenza-like illnesses in Texas reached roughly 13 percent and then began falling, according to the Centers for Disease Control. But this year, on the week of Jan. 29, more than 14 percent of Texas hospital visits were attributed to such illnesses. Bexar County reported its first pediatric death due to the flu in December. Leon Robert Sidari, a 4-year-old, died on Christmas Day from a strain of the flu. Kurian told the Express-News that one or two children die annually in Bexar County from the flu. At the week ending Feb. 3, 63 children had died in the U.S. from the flu, according to the CDC. Last flu season, 110 kids died flu-associated deaths. Sidari contracted type A influenza, which for the past few flu seasons has been the most common lineage in Texas, according to the CDC. For more stories that highlight the statistics in South Texas, visit S.A. Stats. About 73 percent of Texas's influenza-positive tests are attributed to influenza A, while about 80 percent of the nation's more than 17,000 positive tests since October have been attributed to that flu type. Finally, while many are concerned for the children who fall victim to the flu, the elderly across the country are hospitalized at an extremely high rate compared to other age groups. During the 2017-2018 flu season, people age 65 and older were hospitalized at a rate of 263 per 100,000, while children from infant age to 17 years have been hospitalized at a rate of 40 per 100,000. For more stories that highlight the statistics in South Texas, visit S.A. Stats. @annieanyway | amillerbernd@express-news.net An alleged member of a ring that distributed more than 350,000 pain killer pills laced with deadly fentanyl has agreed to plead guilty to drug-trafficking conspiracy in the case. Mohamed Blake Al Salihi has signed a plea deal that says he ran a stash house at an apartment on Fredericksburg Road for the reputed ringleader, Alaa Mohammed Allawi, 28. The stash house was used to make the counterfeit pills and distribute them on college campuses and the streets of San Antonio. His plea hearing is scheduled for March 6. Al Salihis plea deal contains a factual summary of the case that says that from September 2015 to June 2017, Allawis drug ring distributed 359,553 Oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl, 342,551 pills of Adderall laced with methamphetamine and 145,395 pills of counterfeit Xanax. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and San Antonio police shut down the pill mill in the summer, following a two-year investigation that began on the campus of the University of Texas at San Antonio and stretched to back alleys of the Internet. The investigation took priority in the wake of the countrys opioid crisis, and federal prosecutors could not recall a case like it in San Antonio in recent memory. Al Salihi and Allawi both Iraqi immigrants and former roommates who served as interpreters for U.S. military forces were among eight people charged federally last summer. The ring is alleged to have manufactured pain and anxiety pills laced with fentanyl or other drugs obtained from China, using commercial pill presses also obtained from that country. The group then used the Dark Web where visitors can buy anything from illegal drugs and black-market guns to fake IDs to sell the drugs, the DEA said. Many orders were mailed, placing postal workers in danger, prosecutors have said. Fentanyl is an opioid pain medication with a rapid onset and short duration. Its 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more powerful than morphine, according to the DEA and prosecutors. It sometimes is mixed with heroin or other drugs and can be deadly. Tiny specks of the powder have overdosed police officers around the country who unknowingly handled the substance at crime scenes. Agents believe several people may have died from using the fentanyl-laced pills, including some in San Antonio, though none of the defendants is charged in any deaths. Agents found that during the investigation, the ring moved its pill lab to suburban Houston. On May 17, in a raid captured by television cameras, DEA agents used hazmat space suits to search a home in Richmond linked to the ring and seized 500 grams of fentanyl, 500 grams of crystal meth, 500 grams of cocaine, 10 kilograms of fraudulent Oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl, 4 kilograms of fruadulent adderall tablets laced with meth, 5 kilograms of fraudulent Xanax pills. Also last summer, agents searched the San Antonio stash house and a home related to the ring in the Medical Center and found drug ledgers, computers, iPads, $2,225 in cash, 917 grams of meth, a homemade AR-15-style rifle and .223-caliber ammunition. Al Salihi admitted his involvement to the DEA, telling agents of shipments that arrived for making the deadly pills. He also told agents that one time, he heard Allawi yell at someone not to sniff the fentanyl because it could kill them, the factual summary said. Al Salihi also told agents that Allawi paid him to stay at the Fredericksburg Road apartment and gave him pocket money for operating the stash house and for keeping his mouth shut. Once he formally pleads guilty in March, Al Salihi faces 10 years to life in prison. His co-defendants await trial. gcontreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland WASHINGTON - A long-awaited infrastructure plan President Donald Trump sent to Congress Monday aims to spur investment in the nations ailing highways and bridges, but provides little in the way of a road map for Texas and other states looking for ways to pay for new construction. The plan, which Trump said is intended to help the states out, calls for the federal government to invest $200 billion over the next decade to leverage as much as $1.5 trillion in state and private infrastructure spending. Cities like Houston could use the money for new water projects, road building or public transit. But theres a catch for state and local officials: the bulk of the funding would have to come from their own coffers, either by borrowing, taxing, tolling, or cutting budgets. While Republicans remained largely silent about the plan, Democrats immediately assailed it as unworkable for states and municipalities facing their own budget woes. Texas U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, a San Antonio Democrat, called it not a serious plan. The plan, a major campaign plank, was released alongside a $4.4 trillion budget blueprint cutting a host of domestic programs while also pushing up military spending and raising annual deficits over the next decade. Although White House budgets are widely seen only as starting points in long spending negotiations, Trumps budget, if enacted, would send ripples through NASAs Houston-based space community by privatizing the International Space Station by 2025 and redirecting federal investment into a lunar exploration program. The space station is currently funded only through 2024, but it is widely expected to be extended by Congress. Texas could feel the effects of Trumps spending proposals in other ways as well. In spending for the new fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, the budget would include $1.6 billion for 65 miles of new border wall along the Rio Grande Valley which, according to a senior administration official briefing reporters on condition of anonymity, is based on our priorities given to us by the operators on the ground. The administration wants to eventually spend $18 billion on the wall. The White House also is proposing a $47.5 billion budget next year for the Homeland Security Department, which spends heavily in Texas - a 7.8 percent increase over the present year. We continue to invest in people, infrastructure and technology to keep terrorists and unwanted criminals out of our nation, the White House official said. The budget requests $2.8 billion for 52,000 beds associated with immigration enforcement, an expansion of about 800 in the detention capacity this year and $782 million to hire 2,750 more customs and immigration agents. Houston-region U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, praised the presidents budget, particularly for its spending on cybersecurity and the border. But until now, congressional Democrats have fought Trumps wall funding proposals to a standstill. Its expected to be central to this weeks debate about the legal status of Dreamers and the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. For Texas, there is more uncertainty surrounding the infrastructure plan as well. Half of the $200 billion Trump is proposing would create an incentive program to help states that put up their own money for major building projects. The money, awarded competitively, would cover up to 20 percent of project costs. The plan sets aside another $50 billion for rural infrastructure programs distributed to governors through block grants. Some $30 billion more would be reserved for existing loan programs to attract private financing, and the remaining $20 billion would target transformative new projects, possibly including high-speed trains such as the proposed new service between Houston and Dallas. Trumps proposal to foster more public-private partnerships for road building mirrors a bipartisan plan sponsored by Texas U.S. Sen. John Cornyn last month to raise the federal limit on tax-exempt private activity bonds for infrastructure projects. The Trump plan does not identify any new public revenue streams for the federal dollars, such as raising the 18.4-cents-a-gallon gasoline tax, which hasnt seen an increase since 1993. Instead, officials said the plan would be funded by cuts to other parts of the federal budget. No longer a roadblock In comments to state and local officials Monday at the White House, including Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, Trump made clear that the infrastructure push would have to come from the states. If you want it badly, youre going to get it, Trump told the group. And if you dont want it, thats OK with me, too ... Because the states will have to do it themselves if we dont do it. But I would like to help the states out. At the same time, Trump promised to streamline federal permits and eliminate regulatory barriers. Were going to get the roads in great shape, he said. Washington no longer will be a roadblock to progress. Trump also signaled that he would leave it up to the Republican-controlled Congress to get behind his infrastructure plan, which he rated as a lower priority than the recently-enacted $1.5 trillion tax, a military build-up, and business deregulation. If for any reason, they dont want to support it, hey, thats going to be up to them, Trump said. What was very important to me was the military. What was very important to me was the tax cuts. And what was very important to me was regulation. Some state officials cheered the spirit of Trumps message, even if it didnt commit Washington to much more money. The administrations infrastructure proposal reflects our shared confidence in the partnership of federal, state and local entities to develop and complete major infrastructure projects, said J. Bruce Bugg, chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission. Trumps plan mirrors many efforts already in motion across Texas. Voters in 2014 and 2015 approved additional money for highways, using oil and gas taxes and a portion of the states economic stabilization fund, also called the rainy day fund. That allowed the transportation to plot $70 billion in capital projects over the next decade, a jump of about $20 billion from previous 10-year plans. Texas stands ready to work with the administration and partners to make the most of these dollars, Bugg said. Toll roads Some rules, of that spending, however, conflict with Trumps plan, which heavily leverages private investment. Both Prop. 7, passed in 2014 and Prop. 1, passed in 2015, bar the additional state money from being used to advance toll projects in any way. The transportation commission last month approved its ten-year plan, minus some projects that lawmakers felt blended the state and toll money too closely, even as those projects had broad support in the Dallas and Austin areas. To get from the $200 billion Trump proposes spending in tax dollars to the $1.5 trillion he pledged for failing roads, bridges, waterways and other projects, the presidents plan relies on public-private partnerships that award federal money for 20 percent of major projects. Though some states allow metro areas to add taxes for transportation, Texas counties and municipalities are limited. The Houston areas ability to come up with anything in addition to Metropolitan Transit Authoritys one percent sales tax is negligible. Asking for local or private investment at 80 percent will mean that every project built in Texas will be tolled, said Adrian Shelley, director of the Texas office of Public Citizen, a left-leaning public advocacy group. Tolling, while widespread in Texas metro areas, is also bitterly opposed by some on the left and the right as ultimately costlier for commuters. What good does it do us to have the Trump tax cut put money in one pocket and take it out of the other pocket with a toll privatization project, said Terri Hall, head of the nonprofit Texans for Toll-free Highways. Hall predicted a really big fight with members of Congress, especially over changes that would allow tolling on existing interstate lanes. This is the kind of language that can blow up a highway bill and we hope that it does, Hall said of Trumps plan for tolling. I think this is an attack on urban areas, while in the rural areas you see the proposal has plans for grants. That disparity, Hall said, hits Trumps base of working-class people the worst, she said, as many live in suburban communities and travel to jobs in urban cores. It throws Main Street under the bus in favor of Wall Street, she said. Still, there are some positives from the presidents plan, Hall added, including possible cuts to other transportation programs such as the Federal Transit Administrations New Starts program that shifts gas tax revenues to transit projects. Houston received $900 million of the $2.1 billion it spent on three new light rail lines from New Starts. Flood control Donald Jackson, the Corps deputy commanding general for civil and emergency operations, said in a conference call Monday that Trumps infrastructure plan did not contain measures for any specific flood control projects. It talks legislative principles and proposals for Congress to consider that would sort of change the rules that would provide some flexibility to different organizations, Jackson said, pointing to state, local or private partners who could use the plan to finance the projects. He said specific projects for the Houston region would likely instead stem from the emergency disaster relief measure Trump signed into law last week. Bill Lambrecht and Mihir Zaveri contributed to this report Thanks to her political allies, Lucy Adame-Clark, a Democratic candidate for Bexar County clerk, celebrated a pre-election victory on Monday. In an approval of a joint motion submitted by Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood and signed by Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar both fellow Democrats for whom Adame-Clark has campaigned the candidate received a $42,600 taxpayer-funded settlement and was reinstated to her former position as a latent fingerprint examiner in the Bexar County Sheriffs Office. Six years ago, Adame-Clark was demoted from that job when officials learned shed been counseled in 2005 for untruthfulness. An internal investigation under former Sheriff Ralph Lopez had determined that Adame-Clark at the time a processing clerk for the BCSO was untruthful when she accused her ex-fiance, sheriffs deputy Rudy Dominguez, of stalking and harassing her. The motion, submitted last week by LaHood and approved Monday by the Bexar County Sheriffs Civil Service Commission, stated that the prior findings against Adame-Clark were made in error and are unfounded. Bexar County commissioners approved LaHoods request on Jan. 30, and the BCSO under Salazar has agreed to expunge all disciplinary records related to Adame-Clarks grievance. Dominguez, who is still a Bexar County deputy, was surprised by the reversal. Her accusations, they were criminal accusations toward me, he said. So am I going to be charged with a crime now? I am going to talk to (LaHood) and Javier Salazar about this decision because I am very disappointed. The stalking allegations against Dominguez date back to 2004, when he and Adame-Clark went through a breakup. In June 2004, Adame-Clark encountered Dominguez in an H-E-B. I saw Lucy and her son in one of the aisles and proceeded toward her, Dominguez later wrote in a statement. I walked up and said, I want to make peace with everything. She said, There will be no (expletive) peace between us. An attorney for Adame-Clark later cited this exchange as evidence that Dominguez was, in fact, stalking and harassing her. In March 2005, the BCSO came to the opposite conclusion after reviewing an H-E-B surveillance video, a statement given by an H-E-B employee and Adame-Clarks own written statement. As a result of the investigation conducted by (Professional Standards and Integrity), it was found that your statements were conflicting when questioned by the polygraph examiner and admitted the statements given by Rudy Dominguez were accurate, a chief deputy wrote to Adame-Clark. You are hereby counseled for violation of Sheriffs Policy 5.32 Untruthfulness. Late Monday, Adame-Clark alleged that BCSO officials at the time had engaged in a cover-up to protect Dominguez, who had harassed her on other occasions. They said it was untruthful because of the fact that they covered their own at the time, she told me. This was back in the day. My son and I were violated. Our private lives were violated for almost three years. I decided not to be a victim and fall into the hands of a perpetrator. Despite the untruthfulness finding, Adame-Clark was promoted in 2010 to the position of latent fingerprint examiner, a job that required her to testify in criminal cases. Two years later, the district attorneys office under former DA Susan Reed learned of the untruthfulness finding and recommended that Adame-Clark be reassigned from her current sensitive position to a position where she will have no impact on criminal cases to be prosecuted in our courts. Adame-Clark was swiftly demoted, first to office assistant, then to criminal warrants processor. In response, she filed a federal lawsuit and a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; both were dismissed. She also filed a grievance with the civil service commission. Meanwhile, Adame-Clark campaigned for Salazar intensely for months. In 2016, she updated her cover photo on Facebook to a photograph of Salazar kneeling with more than a dozen supporters. Today is the big day! the caption read. Dedicated till the finish line with Javier Salazar for Sheriff along with the Salazar Famila (sic) This year, she did the same for LaHood. On Saturday, Adame-Clark posted a photograph on Facebook of herself surrounded by LaHood volunteers in front of a LaHood campaign sign. I was out block walking with an amazing team, out block walking all morning and afternoon, she wrote. On Monday, Salazar denied that Adame-Clarks past support for him played any role in his decision to reverse the long-standing findings. He said he was troubled that she was demoted seven years after the initial finding of untruthfulness. Youve got to look at every case objectively, and this one just didnt smell right to me, the sheriff told me. Whatever it was, the time frame was not something I was comfortable with. In a statement, Salazar added that he referred the case to LaHood, whose staff looked at the case with an open mind and the right thing was done. Dominguez said he was dumbfounded by the outcome. She keeps coming out of the woodwork on this one thing, he said. I guess the right people in office can do this. bchasnoff@express-news.net By Damali Mukhaye. Uganda today celebrates international condom day on a positive note. Health Minister of Health Dr. Jane Aceng has revealed that the prevalence of HIV/Aids has reduced to 6% from 7.3% after more people embraced the use of condoms. She notes that since the introduction of combined prevention measures, including free condom distribution there has been an increase in the use of condoms among the local population. She notes that is the trend is kept, HIV prevalence in the country will further reduce, calling for concerted effort from all stakeholders to achieve this. This Day seeks to promote the use of condoms as a means of preventing unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. For months, Jeff Scher combed through archival photographs and historical films of the Holocaust, shot by shot and frame by frame, to give life to the story of one of its survivors. It was crucial research for the Westport animator and illustrator, whose live animation work fills the screen for about 10 minutes in a new documentary for HBO, executive produced by, Sheila Nevins, The Number on Great-Grandpas Arm. Its not a long film, about 19 minutes, but its a powerful one. It teams 90-year-old Holocaust survivor Jack Feldman with his 10-year-old great-grandson Elliott, who asks about the tattoo on Feldmans arm A17606 from his imprisonment in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. That was his number, Elliott says early in the film. He told us, back then, your number was your name. That was all he was to them. Elliotts questions for his great-grandfather about life before and after the Nazis took power, and the effect that had on a young Jack in his hometown of Sosnowiec, Poland, unearths happy memories of growing up in a close-knit family, as well as those of sorrow and loss as he is shipped off to the ghettos and ultimately, the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. After its prisoners were liberated in 1945, Feldman came to the United States. As the filmmakers edited the narrative, it created the template for images needed to illustrate it, Scher says. It all grew out of (Jacks) story, which was similar to the stories of other people, too. Emmy award-winning director Amy Schatz brought Scher into the project, having worked with him on other HBO films, including Goodnight Moon and Other Sleepytime Tales, and Twas the Night. (Schers wife, graphic designer Bonnie Siegler, also worked on the documentary.) The creative team wanted to use archival content to visualize Feldmans story, but they had to think about who would watch the movie. The footage and photos are so heart-wrenching we didnt want to overlook that, Schatz says in an email. But we also wanted to be mindful of a young audience. . Jeff was able to create hand-painted animation based on the archival footage and photographs that would stay true to the content and make it come to life in a new way. Scher has been creating films since his Staples High School days in the 1970s. After his 1976 graduation from Bard College, he set up shop in Brooklyn, N.Y., as an experimental filmmaker and animator. Throughout the course of his career, he has directed music videos, worked on television shows, created films, wrote for the New York Times blog The Animated Life and had his work accepted into the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. He moved with his family to Westport about five years ago. He has always been a painter of sorts, he says, having grown up in an artistic home, but was frustrated that his paintings didnt move. With his use of the rotoscope technique, tracing film footage frame by frame to give a realistic look to the animation, he gets past that frustration. Its what he used for The Number on Great-Grandpas Arm. Using the chosen stills and documentary footage as a guide, he hand-painted each frame, creating 12 drawings for each second of animation. The technique, in effect, transforms real-life movements into mirror-image animated ones. By the end of the project, he had a stack of about 4,000 watercolor paintings. Before the Nazis, when (Feldman) reminisces about his childhood, the images are full of color blues, greens, pinks, all the colors of life, he says. When the Nazis come in, I drop out all of the colors one at a time. Scher only dips his brush into two bright colors once the Nazis invade, the bright red of the swastika flag and the yellow star of David that Jewish people were forced to wear. Historical photographs and documentary footage are used, but the animation, told in storytelling fashion, creates a linear line for Feldmans story and millions of others. With the narrative, you have a character to identify with, Scher says. That one person could be you. Such an empathetic viewing is going to become increasingly more important in the years to come. Those who were children in the Holocaust are in their 80s and 90s, and each day means there are less and less firsthand witnesses to the systematic persecution and murder of 6 million Jewish men, women and children and millions of others. The film debuted last month and is available on multiple HBO platforms. Its being presented with the New York Citys Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, which is hosting an installation through April 29. The show features 24 of Schers original watercolors and 400 digitized images drawn from 20 sequences in the film. Schers scrutiny of the images left a lasting impression on him. When you live it a frame at a time, there are things you discover in the shots, he says, referencing footage that shows a line of people being led away from their village. You realize these two girls are being marched down the street and they dont have shoes or coats, and its winter. chennessy@hearstmediact.com; Twitter: @xtinahennessy HARTFORD Vivian Perez, a Stratford-based energy contractor, joined leading lawmakers on Tuesday in an effort to restore $145 million that the General Assembly raided from an efficiency fund that is supposed to help lower-income consumers. Perez, representing the Home Performance Alliance of Connecticut and the owners of a single and multi-family energy efficiency company, said the legislature made a major mistake in taking away the money used to fund energy audits and upgrades. In the last few months, Ive come to the realize that theres a lack of understanding regarding the connection between the Conservation and Loan Management, and our businesses, she said, stressing that the diversion affected her income and employees. Sales enable us to create jobs and provide services, she said. When our source of income is diverted, then our businesses have no choice but to retract. We retract our workforce and we retract the homes we serve and the services that we provide. Perez said that her 10-employee company, HE-Energy Solutions LLC, has a skilled workforce, who have been offered a stable workload and environment serving the elderly, young families and unemployed people who are financially vulnerable. The average energy cost is $380 a month per family. There are 300,000 households in Connecticut that cannot afford their energy, said Brenda Watson, executive director of Operation Fuel, the program that helps low-income residents with energy costs. Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, D-Westport and Rep. Lonnie Reed, D-Branford, co-chairman of the Energy and Technology Committee joined Perez and other energy-efficiency advocates in a morning news conference supporting a bill that would repeal the diversion of surcharges on consumer electric bills into the General Fund. While we pursue the shift from fossil fuels to renewable, distributed energy sources, we must also commit to energy efficiency initiatives across the board, said Steinberg, a member of the energy committee, in a statement. The funds diverted last year undermine our ability to achieve such efficiencies and support the companies which provide them. We are talking about an incredibly important workforce of taxpaying professionals with families to support, Reed added. We must restore funding and stop bait-and-switch tactics. Faced last year with a deficit that soared to $5 billion, both Republican and Democratic lawmakers scrambled and scrimped through a record, months-long delay in approving a budget for the fiscal year that started July 1 of last year. The final piece of the budget was put together on January 31, when the House and Senate voted to override a Gov. Dannel P. Malloy veto, to restore income levels for more than 90,000 elderly and disabled participants in the Medicare Savings Program. kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT MINNEAPOLIS Cargill and Brazilian non-profit Gastromotiva are teaming up to globalize the Social Gastronomy Movement, which uses food to address social inequality, improve nutrition education, eliminate food waste and create jobs. Cargill has signed on as a founding partner, which includes a three-year, $1.5 million commitment to scale the community-based approach to tackle these urgent societal challenges across the globe. Movement. Gastromotiva helped to pioneer the Social Gastronomy Movement, with chefs driving the effort in local communities. Connecting the world through food, education Chef David Hertz founded Gastromotiva to create opportunities for those living on the margins of society, while also working to reduce food waste. Currently, they provide vocational kitchen training, entrepreneurial classes and nutrition education in communities across Brazil, El Salvador, South Africa and Mexico. Refettorio Gastromotiva, a community kitchen in Rio de Janeiro, serves as both a school and a restaurant. There, students receive free vocational training and help prepare meals made from food surplus that would otherwise go to waste. The meals are served restaurant-style to people in need. By training people to work as chefs, feeding those in need and using food that would have otherwise gone to waste, we generate opportunities, lift up those who are struggling and empower the world through service, said Hertz. Cargills partnership was forged to take this model to scale. The partners will focus on launching an online platform and establishing new hubs in communities around the world. Food is the great connector and the Social Gastronomy Movement can serve as an equalizer restoring dignity and respect for anyone in need of a meal or in need of a job, said Devry Boughner Vorwerk, Cargill corporate vice president. Read more at socialgastronomy.org. Get more Great Recipes in your inbox each week by getting Around the Table. It's a FREE weekly e-newsletter all about food. Sign Up Today! *VIRTUAL EVENT* The 2021 World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit is going virtual! Join us live online on March 9-10 for 1-1 meetings, interactive group discussions and critical intelligence on the future of the agri-food system. Rural Accommodation near this Show 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. Children have a "huge lack of knowledge" when its comes to knowing how and where their food is produced, the NFU has said. National Farmers' Union Deputy President Minette Batters said the industry "believes passionately" about educating young people, and food production should be part of the national curriculum. The comment follows research which shows children across the UK exhibiting serious flaws in their knowledge of food and farming. A survey of more than 27,500 children conducted by the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) found that nearly a third of children believe cheese comes from plants, tomatoes grow underground and fish fingers are made of chicken. However, children do have an appetite to learn more about food and farming. In 2015, a survey showed that more than four in five primary age school children said they would visit a farm to find out more about where their food comes from. To get children learning more, the NFU has this week created a new education initiative which links agriculture with the national science curriculum in England. Teachers will be able to show their children science and farming under a new 'Science Farm' series to support classroom lessons. They will explain how carrots are produced, the food chain of a school dinner and a sensory trail exploring the farm with five senses. 'Huge lack of knowledge' NFU Deputy President Minette Batters said there appeared to be a "huge lack of knowledge" among children of all ages about how and where their food is produced. We believe passionately about educating young people and we feel strongly that food production should be a core part of the national school curriculum, Ms Batters explained. Were really excited with these new educational digital tools that will allow teachers to provide truly memorable lessons where children will get the opportunity to explore where their food comes from and how its grown. The job of a farmer is not just to grow food, but to engage and reconnect with the public, including children, Ms Batters said. Learning about British food and farming from a young age will ultimately help our future generations make informed choices, she added. As Defra Secretary of State Michael Gove said at the Oxford Farming Conference, we need to educate children about where food comes from and how to make healthy choices about buying, preparing and enjoying food. The education initiative follows news of a North Yorkshire MP receiving widespread media attention after calling for a GCSE in agriculture to encourage the "serious need" of fresh talent. Television personality and farmer Adam Henson has also called for its introduction. Latest data shows rural landowners are "sitting tight" amid short term uncertainty as prices and demand remain in line with figures displayed this time a year earlier. Half of respondents in RICS/RAU UK Rural Land Market Survey have reported a decline in the availability of land for sale to levels not seen since 2004. The transaction based measure of prices rose fractionally in H2 2017. However at 10,260 per acre, prices are slightly down (2%) on a year ago. Meanwhile, bareland prices fell in H2 with the opinion based measure slipping a further 1.4% leaving it down 8% year on year. Moving forward, price expectations are slightly downbeat, with 13% more respondents expecting to see land prices fall in the twelve months ahead. Again, sites including a residential element continue to fare better than commercial only. The availability of farmland for sale continued to decline over the second half of last year, with respondents returning the most negative reading since 2004. Brexit and land Both residential and commercial units saw supply decline in the latter part of 2017, with contributors citing Brexit as having an impact. The issue of Brexit and its effect on the rural land market has been highlighted by respondents in every survey since the referendum. Looking ahead over 2018, 32% of respondents felt the ongoing Brexit process would result in less land being made available for purchase. At the headline level, and following a two year period in which demand has deteriorated, the H2 results show a stabilisation in new buyer interest. Individual farmers continue to drive interest in rural land, at 60% of purchases, while lifestyle buyers continue to make up just over a fifth of all transactions. According to the H2 results, plots with a residential element are more highly desired by would-be buyers than commercial only units. This trend is long established and has been seen for the last six successive reports. Anecdotal evidence suggests that buyers focus on high quality land in a good location resulting in the challenge to sell lower grade farmland persisting. Weakness in commodity The latest results show average arable land rents dipped in H2, but were still up by 4% on an annual basis. Compared to the 2014 peak however, arable rents remain down by more than 10%. Average pasture land rents also slipped during the second half of 2017, albeit only marginally, equating to a 1% annual decline. Alex Lawson, Director of National Farms and Estates at Savills said that while some farmland values continue to be affected by short-term uncertainty, he believes the downturn in values initially triggered by weakness in commodity prices during 2014 is slowing. Currently, there is a huge range in values across all land types and geographies with some commercial areas and lesser-quality properties seeing greater falls than others, Mr Lawson explained. In certain circumstances excellent sale results are, and will continue to be achieved which is particularly the case for farms and estates with significant amenity appeal which are proving to be increasingly popular. 'Clarity' Tamara Hooper, RICS Policy Manager said the latest data shows the "need for clarity" from Government for the rural community. We have seen demand, prices and rents fall since the EU referendum and now our latest survey results point to less availability of land for would-be buyers, Ms Hooper said. RICS has continuously called for Government to support agriculture and horticulture and when 60% of the sales market is driven by farmers it is clear that Government need to provide yet more clarity and certainty. However, we cannot deny that the nature of rural land-based businesses continues to evolve. With the inevitable restructuring of UK agriculture ahead, there will be a need to support all rural business activities beyond primary agricultural production. Scottish hill farmers and crofters will be offered a nationally-funded loan for Less Favoured Area Support Scheme 2017. The loan scheme will inject up to 55 million into some of Scotland's most remote and rural communities in the hope of safeguarding jobs and local agricultural businesses. Eligible hill farmers and crofters will be offered a loan of up to 90% of their LFASS entitlement, with payments beginning in April. Tere are specific EU rules around advance payments which at this stage of processing 2017 claims would mean the Scottish government unable to make advance payments. Therefore, is has made the offer of loans from domestic funding which is not constrained by EU rules. Announcing the scheme at the annual NFU Scotland AGM, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said LFASS payments are important to farmers in marginalised areas. While we are making good progress in our handling of LFASS2017 scheme payments, and are on track to commence payments earlier than we have done in previous years, I want to offer as much certainty as I can right now, Mr Ewing said. While this loan scheme will inject up to 55 million into some of our most vulnerable and remote areas, providing much needed financial security in the months ahead, I want to reassure farmers and crofters that this loan offer does not take away funding from any public services. It is theirs and they should have it. The MP who called for the introduction of a GCSE in agriculture has said the industry is in "serious need" to encourage fresh talent into the sector. Conservative MP for York Outer and ex-farmer, Julian Sturdy, led a debate in Parliament last week calling on the government to introduce a GCSE in agriculture. He said the course could help create a "better skilled and more productive workforce" for Britain. Speaking in the The Times, he said pupils can currently study for GCSEs in geology, astronomy, business and psychology, but not farming. "Surely they should also be able to learn about farming at the earliest possible opportunity, given how essential it is for putting food on everyones tables, and managing our landscapes and natural environment," Mr Sturdy said. He said the average age of a farmer is 59 in the United Kingdom, so there is a "serious need" to encourage fresh talent into the sector. 'Rapid pace' The North Yorkshire MP also said agricultural methods are changing at a "rapid pace", with an increased emphasis on technology, and that the government should be "looking to engage" young people with these advances. "A school leaver entering the farming sector in the next few years could expect to use GPS technologies to harvest wheat, driverless tractors, drones to deliver herbicide to weeds on a precision basis, grow wheat with nitrogen-fixing bacteria and new technologies that will drive up animal welfare, such as robotic milking parlours," he added. The government has introduced an expansion to vocational and technical education in the form of T-levels as an alternative to A-levels, which will provide young people the chance to study hands-on training. However, Mr Study said: "If we are truly to establish the parity of esteem necessary to seriously boost take-up of the vocational and technical route, this option needs to be offered to pupils at the first point they select the qualifications they will take at GCSE level." The majority of British people believe the public need to learn more about the origins of their food, new research has revealed. UV light reduces foodborne illnesses from eggs, study says New US study says it is an effective alternative Having played a sperm donor in his debut and a man suffering from erectile dysfunction in another, actor Ayushmann Khurrana wants to own the space of movies which tackle taboo subjects in a quirky manner. In an interview with PTI, the actor said, "I want to own this space. I started like that and I have that in me as an actor. I would love to act in such subjects (like of a sperm donor, erectile dysfunction). It is important to have your own space as an actor," he said. "At the same time, I have to shift gears like I am doing a thriller film with Sriram Raghavan, it is an exciting genre for me. I am happy in this kind of space and I will continue to choose films that are interesting," he added. Year 2017 turned out to well for Ayushmann with three releases -Meri Pyaari Bindu, Bareilly Ki Barfi and Shubh Mangal Saavdhan - receiving good reviews. The new year too looks promising for the actor with films such as Badhai Ho, Manmarziyaan and a film with Raghavan tentatively titled Shoot The Piano Player. "You need to see how interesting, engaging and novel a script is before saying 'yes' or 'no'. There are different medium available today to tell stories... In terms of films, you need to show the audience something that they have never experienced before," he added. The 34-year-old actor has come a long way from being a contestant on a reality show to an RJ to a VJ, followed by hosting popular television shows. Ayushmann also recently produced his wife Tahira Kashyap's directorial debut short film Toffee which highlights the practice of child marriage. The actor also said he is open to the idea of exploring the digital platform. "I have never thought about it as I am busy with acting in films. But anything that is radical and path-breaking, I would love to be part of it. I would love to act in it, be it as an actor or anchor on web."PTI Over the years, Tini Tom has grown to be one of the most talented supporting actors of the Malayalam film industry. The actor with a mimicry background now enjoys a place of his own in the Malayalam film industry and is more than just a comedian. Now, Tini Tom is all set to conquer new areas as the talented actor is gearing up for a debut in Tamil film industry. Yes, Tini Tom will take a step forward in Kollywood with the upcoming Tamil film, which has been titled as Operation Arapaima. Image Courtesy: Facebook Page Of Tini Tom Importantly, the location stills of the movie have gone viral and the amazing makeover of Tini Tom has left everyone stunned. Reportedly, the actor will be seen playing the role of a transgender in this upcoming film, which features actor Rahman in the lead role. According to the reports that have come in, Tini Tom will be seen essaying a character with negative shades in this Thriller movie, directed by debut film-maker Prash. Well, it definitely is a challenging role and we definitely can expect a power-packed performance from Tini Tom. Meanwhile, Tini Tom is one among the judges of the popular comedy show Comedy Utsavam aired on Flowers TV. Tini Tom is a part of the film Kaly, which had hit the theatres in the past week. The actor was also recently seen in the film Diwanjimoola Grand Prix in which he reprised the character Supran from Pranchiyettan And The Saint. 71 Killed in Russian Plane Crash Near Moscow Saratov Airlines Flight 703 came to a tragic end over the weekend when the Antonov AN-148 went down 50 miles south of Moscow with no explanation. All 71 souls aboard 65 passengers and six crew members were killed in the incident. Investigators are now working to piece together why and how 6W703 came down. Russian investigators are working to piece together why a Saratov Airlines Antonov AN-148 flew erratically on Sunday, February 11, 2018, before coming to a crash 50 miles south of Moscow. The New York Times reports that Saratov Airlines Flight 703 went down near the Russian capital, killing all 71 souls on board. According to a playback of the flight from FlightRadar24, the aircraft took off normally from Moscow Domodedovo Airport (DME), bound for Orsk Airport (OSW) near the Russia-Kazakhstan border. Instead of climbing to their normal cruising altitude of around 30,000 feet, the regional jet instead struggled to reach 6,000 feet, climbing regularly until the final moments. Russian authorities claim that the aircraft lost radio contact with the aircraft several minutes after takeoff, followed by a loss of radar contact. While no cause has been immediately identified, reports suggest at least one flight data recorder has been recovered. A list of those believed to be aboard the flight shows three children, as well as citizens of three countries: Azerbaijan, Russia and Switzerland. While the majority of passengers of 6W703 came from Moscow or Orsk, four of the six crew members came from the airlines home in Saratov. Russian investigators are using DNA samples to confirm the identities of those killed in the crash. Saratov Airlines was originally founded as Saratov United Air Squad in 1931 with a fleet of 12 aircraft. The airline had the distinction of becoming the first airline in Russia to operate the Embraer E-Jet aircraft. Prior to this incident, the airline received multiple safety warnings: in 2015, the airlines rights to operate international flights were terminated over safety concerns of individuals in the cockpit, but was resolved in six months. In December 2017, the airline also received another safety warning for flammable material storage on the ground. Georgias ex-president says he is more dangerous in Poland than in Ukraine - GeorgianJournal What's the difference With the development of AI chips, the reliance on the cloud will be reduced and the response speed to requests and data processing will be increased. It's still unclear when the shift would take place, but the reports suggest that Amazon has been trying to amplify its chipmaking abilities since it acquired Israeli chipmaker Annapurna back in 2015. The company also acquired blink, a security camera manufacturer in December last year for an undisclosed sum. Blink started cramming in its own video hardware after it faced issues selling the chips alone. This put the company on Amazon's radar, and now it is under Amazon's ecosystem. But what difference does Blink makes to the e-commerce giant remains to be seen. The future The new custom-chips will bring some major upgrades to Alexa's assistant capabilities. The new chips will enable Alexa to respond to requests faster than it currently does. But there are long-term improvements as well, such as controlling both hardware and software front for Alexa will give Amazon a much tighter control over the user experience. Amazon could also see a big rise in its revenue by using its own chips. The company would be able to bring new AI-driven features to the voice assistant without relying on third-party chipmakers. Auto Expo 2018: How Artificial Intelligence can change the face of Mobility The competition Both Apple and Google have already begun the similar shift. Apple developed its own chips for the latest generation iPhones, such as the graphics processor and power management unit. The company developed a new neural engine to power its A11 Bionic chip by handling on-device processing for machine learning to run features like the FaceID and ARKit apps. More Nokia phones were sold than OnePlus, Sony, HTC in Q4 2017 News oi-Chandrika HMD Global was the No. 1 phone brand (including smartphones and feature phones) in Vietnam and several Middle Eastern markets. HMD Global has sold more than 4 million Nokia-branded smartphones in the last quarter of 2017, according to a revised report from Counterpoint Research. The Finnish company managed to move up to 11th spot in the list of top smartphones companies with a market share of 1%. Apparently, 4.4 million units of Nokia phones were sold during the Q4 2017. It is worth mentioning that HMD surpassed some famous brands like HTC, Sony, Google, Lenovo, OnePlus, in terms of smartphone sales. The company made some records with the Nokia brand in the previous quarter. To give you an insight, it was the No. 1 phone brand (including smartphones and feature phones) in Vietnam and several Middle Eastern markets. HMD also brought the Nokia brand into the top 3 group in the UK smartphone market. While in Russia, HMD was among the top 5 smartphone manufacturers. Counterpoint Research analyst Neil Shah shared the aforementioned stats in a Twitter thread. One of his posts mentioned, HMD also increased Nokia's share of the feature phone market to 15 percent, making it the world's No.1 feature phone brand. This means, Nokia is now 6th mobile phone brand globally with a market share of 5 percent (combining the market share for both smartphones and feature phones). While HMD Global has done an appreciable job with the Nokia brand within just one year, there is still space for improvement in the smartphone segment. Neil Shah believes the company should focus more in the regions including Asia, Europe and MEA in 2018. "If @HMDGlobal succeeds in India market, it should drive up Nokia brand to top five phone brands globally," reads his tweet. The analyst also thinks HMD can take on Samsung and Motorola, with a better strategy in the Latin American market in the second half of 2018. Nokia 3310 quick specs and features (2017) - GIZBOT Meanwhile, HMD is all set to unveil a slew of Nokia phones at the upcoming MWC 2018. We expect the company to launch the flagship Nokia 9, Android Oreo (Go Edition) based Nokia 1, Nokia 7 Plus, Nokia 8 Sirocco at the tech show scheduled to take place later this month. Apart from that, the Nokia 6 (2018)'s global launch should be announced as well. 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), Nokia 1, Nokia 9 India launch to begin in April News oi-Abhinaya Prabhu Come this April, we can see a few notable Nokia smartphone launches in India. HMD is rumored to announce a slew of smartphones and the global variant of its Nokia 3310 4G feature phone at an event on February 25 at the MWC 2018 show floor. The company is believed to come with the global variant of the Nokia 6 (2018) and Nokia 7. Also, it is said to announce the Nokia 7 Plus, Nokia 9, and Nokia 1 smartphones too at the press conference to happen in the coming days. While we await the unveiling of these devices, we have interesting information regarding the India availability of some of these models. The word from a NokiaPowerUser report citing retail sources is that the Nokia 6 (2018), Nokia 1 and Nokia 9 (Nokia 8 Sirocco) smartphones will be launched in India starting from April. Having said that, we can expect more details regarding the upcoming Nokia smartphones in India to unfold in the coming weeks. We can also expect more devices to be launched in the Indian market after these smartphones. Nokia 6 (2018) Nokia 6 (2018) was unveiled in China earlier this year and came up with many new features and improvements than its predecessor. The smartphone makes use of a 5.5-inch FHD 1080p display and a revamped design. It has a 16MP main camera and an 8MP selfie camera both with Bothie support and a 3000mAh battery as its predecessor. The global variant of the smartphone is said to use the same Snapdragon 630 chipset but is likely to arrive with 3GB RAM and called Nokia 6.1. Nokia 1 As of now, there is no detailed information about the Nokia 1. It is believed to be an Android Go (Oreo edition) smartphone. From the previous leaks, it is said that the smartphone might have a metal frame and a polycarbonate build. It is likely to use the Nokia 2's hardware including a Snapdragon 212 SoC paired with 1GB RAM and 16GB storage space. Auto Expo 2018: How Artificial Intelligence can change the face of Mobility Nokia 9 aka Nokia 8 Sirocco The Nokia 9 is the third smartphone that is believed to be launched in India in the second quarter. The recent reports have suggested that the Nokia 9 could be announced with the moniker Nokia 8 Sirocco. However, we need to await further confirmation 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 Opo R13 and Oppo R13 Plus Talking about the smartphones, Oppo R13 and Oppo R13 Plus have already received 3C certification in China. The two Oppo phones came with model numbers PAAT00 and PAAM00. However, apart from the model numbers and support for 20W fast charging, nothing concrete has been revealed. One key thing that we can take away from this leak is that since the listing has offered details regarding the charging aspects if you look at older Oppo devices, only smartphones in the R-series are available with 20W VOOC charging feature. Further, since the Snapdragon 660 chipset was used with Oppo R11 duo, the Snapdragon 670 may be used to power the upcoming Oppo R13 and R13 Plus smartphones. Opo R13 and Oppo R13 Plus expected Feature and Specs As for the features and specs, previous rumors and leaks have suggested that Oppo R13 and Oppo R13 phones will come with a notch design similar to that of an iPhone X. The R13 and R13 Plus are expected to come with advanced facial recognition feature and the duo are also expected to feature gesture-enabled virtual home bar and vertically stacked dual rear cameras. The two smartphones will likely come preloaded with Color OS 4.0 based on Android 8.1 Oreo. Oppo R13 could come with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage. As for Oppo R13 Plus, the handset could feature 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB or 128 GB of storage. That is pretty much we know about the devices right now. More details should pop up in the coming days. Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 As for Snapdragon 670 chipset, we have already seen several leaks in the past. Rumors and leaks have revealed that the Snapdragon 670 SoC will deliver improved and impressive graphics performance. The chipset will be based on 10nm fabrication process similar to the flagship Snapdragon 845 or Samsung's Exynos 9810. Further, the chipset will likely feature modified Cortex A55 and Cortex A75 cores designed by ARM Limited which will include 4 x Kryo 360 Gold cores clocked at 2.06GHz and 4 x Kryo 385 Silver cores clocked at 1.6GHz. Previous reports have added that each cluster will have 32Kb of L1 cache, 128Kb of L2 Cache and 1024Kb of L3 cache altogether. The CPU will be aided by Adreno 615 GPU operating between 430MHz and 650MHz with turbo boost up to 700MHz. Snapdragon 670 will also bring updated Qualcomm modem with support for theoretical download speeds up to 1Gbps and upload speed of 150Mbps. The chip will also bring support for UFS memory and older eMMC 5.1 flash standard as well as up to a WQHD screen. With dual 14-bit Spectra 260 ISP, the Snapdragon 670 is said to support smartphone camera setups with a single sensor up to 26-megapixel or dual sensors up to 13-megapixels each. Xiaomi deletes Twitter poll as users prefer Android One to MIUI 9 News oi-Abhinaya Prabhu Xiaomi takes down Twitter poll as the results were unexpected. We know that the Xiaomi smartphones are pre-loaded with the company's custom ROM called MIUI that is based on Android OS. The Mi A1 is the first smartphone from the Chinese manufacturer to be preloaded with the pure Android experience - Android One instead of the company's MIUI ROM. Except for this smartphone, the other devices from Xiaomi are based on the MIUI custom ROM. Recently, the company conducted a Twitter poll asking users to vote their choice among two options - in-house MIUI 9 or Android One. Though only the Mi A1 runs Android One, the poll results on its social media handle worked out in a different way. For this reason, the company deleted this poll within a short while, claims a report by Android Police. Xiaomi has not come up with an official statement regarding the removal of the poll but it is speculated to be due to the popularity of Android One. However, the exact reason for this deletion remains unknown. Android One is widely popular The poll saw a higher number of votes for the Android One initiative instead of the company's in-house MIUI 9. Though there is no official word regarding the same, it is understandable that the company did not like the result of the poll. The reason for the MIUI 9 to be disliked by the users could be due to the lack of key Android features due to the customization. The custom ROMs are usually buggy and do not perform as the stock Android. pic.twitter.com/3j0kjkfxIX Raju PP (@rajupp) February 9, 2018 The deleted Twitter poll A Twitter user RajuPP managed to capture a screenshot of the deleted Twitter poll before the same was taken down by the company. The screenshot shows that the Android One was leading with 57% of the total votes while the company's MIUI 9 had received 43% votes. At that time, 14,769 users had cast their vote and almost 8,419 of them preferred Android One. Top 7 Xiaomi Redmi Y1 Tips & Tricks Android One like features expected We believe that Xiaomi might come up with future smartphones based on MIUI that will be preloaded with Android One like features. However, we cannot say anything clearly for now as the company has not given a clear explanation on what was behind the purpose of the poll. 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 1.5m funding boost for UofG diagnostic project A University of Glasgow-led project, which will develop new tests for parasitic diseases common in the developing world, has received 1.5m in funding. The project is one of 15 announced today which aim to tackle international health challenges and will share in 16m in funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR). The funding is part of the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), a 1.5 billion government fund to support cutting-edge technology and methods that address challenges faced by low and middle income countries. The GCRF harnesses the strength of the UKs research base to support excellent, multidisciplinary research that addresses complex global development challenges. The projects announced today are designed to address key challenges in diagnostics and prosthetics. The funding for the University of Glasgows project is part of the GCRFs focus on the development of affordable, robust, reliable and portable imaging and diagnostics tools that can be used to diagnose and monitor both infectious and non-communicable diseases. The University of Glasgows project brings together the expertise of the Universitys School of Engineering, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, and Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, with Epigem Ltd, FIND Diagnostics, Omega Diagnostics (UK), the Gloag Foundation and the University of California Los Angeles. The researchers aim to tackle the prevalence of parasitic diseases such as malaria and schistosomiasis, which together infect more than 415 million people across the world and negatively affect many more. The team aim to design and manufacture paper-based DNA diagnostic tests, combined with mobile phone-based imaging technology, to provide point-of-care testing in remote locations that can help to enable appropriate and rapid treatment. Health Technology Assessment (HTA) methods will be used to identify, measure, and value the resource, health and broader environmental and societal impacts resulting from improved diagnosis and targeted treatment for both diseases. The research team includes partners from Uganda and Rwanda, where malaria and schistosomiasis are particularly prevalent. Professor Jonathan Cooper, Wolfson Chair of Bioengineering at the University of Glasgow, is the principal investigator of the new project. He said: Were very pleased to have received this significant funding input from EPSRC, NIHR and the GCRF. The ability to quickly diagnose infectious diseases in an affordable manner, with new highly sensitive sensors that can help inform treatment, will be of huge benefit to healthcare workers in low and middle income countries. Our main testing sites will be in Uganda, working with the Vector Control Division in the Ministry of Health and the Infectious Disease Institute in Makerere University. Were also particularly pleased to be working with our Rwandan colleagues, as the Scottish Government has pledged its support to Rwanda through its international development strategy. Our ambition is to explore whether, through not-for-profit business planning, we can develop productive interactions with governments, hospitals, charities and NGOs. Ultimately, wed be keen to scale the manufacturing of these devices appropriately so that they can eventually be made in Africa, for Africa, by Africans. Professor Philip Nelson, EPSRC Chief Executive, said: Responding to healthcare challenges in low and middle income countries can require the development of innovative new approaches; key factors include affordability, portability and the requirement for point-of-care operation in often remote locations. The projects announced today ensure that these necessities are incorporated into healthcare solutions that have the potential to transform many lives. Media enquiries: media@glasgow.ac.uk/ 0141 330 3535 Russian FSB Detains Ukrainian In Crimea On Suspicion Of Spying RFE/RL February 12, 2018 Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) says it has detained a Ukrainian national in Russian-controlled Crimea on suspicion of espionage. In a February 12 statement, the FSB said that Kostyantyn Davydenko was detained on February 11. According to the statement, Davydenko is suspected of illegally collecting classified information related to the FSB and Russian's National Guard. It alleged that he had planned to give the information to Ukrainian authorities. Rights activists say Russia has jailed several Ukrainians on trumped-up, politically motivated charges since Moscow seized control of Ukraine's Crimea region in March 2014. In March 2017, the European Parliament called on Russia to free more than 30 Ukrainian citizens who were in prison or other conditions of restricted freedom in Russia, Crimea, and parts of eastern Ukraine that are controlled by Russia-backed separatists. The list included filmmaker Oleh Sentsov, who is serving a 20-year sentence in a Russian prison after being convicted of plotting terrorist attacks in a trial supporters called absurd, and reporter Roman Sushchenko, held in Moscow on suspicion of espionage. The list, which the parliament statement said was not complete, also included several leaders of the Crimean Tatar minority, which rights groups say have faced abuse and discrimination since Russia's takeover. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-fsb-detains -ukrainian-crimea-spying/29035203.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Belarus Puts Ukrainian Journalist On Trial For Espionage RFE/RL's Belarus Service February 12, 2018 MINSK -- The Supreme Court of Belarus says it has started the trial of a Ukrainian journalist charged with espionage. Court spokeswoman Yulia Lyaskova told RFE/RL on February 12 that the trial of Pavlo Sharoyko is being held behind closed doors. "We cannot comment when exactly the trial started and who is the judge as the trial is closed for outsiders," Lyaskova said. Lyaskova's comment came hours after Sharoyko's lawyer, Larysa Bykava, said that her client had gone on trial. Sharoyko was detained in Belarus in November. Ukraine and Belarus expelled each other's diplomats after Sharoyko's arrest. Sharoyko's colleagues said at the time that he had been working on stories related to the search for Pavlo Hryb, a 19-year-old Ukrainian citizen who disappeared in Belarus after being arrested and was later found to have been sent to Russia, where he was charged with terrorism-related offences. Relations between Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine -- mostly Slavic former Soviet republics with deep historical and cultural ties -- have been strained since Moscow seized control of Ukraine's Crimea region and threw its support behind armed separatists in eastern Ukraine in 2014. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-ukrainian- journalist-trial-espionage/29035648.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Alleged Iranian Drone Captured By Israel is 'Copy' of US' Sentinel UAV Sputnik News 22:11 12.02.2018(updated 22:35 12.02.2018) A drone captured by the Israeli Air Force over the weekend, which Israel claims belongs to Iran, is essentially a "copy" of a Lockheed Martin Sentinel drone made for the US Air Force and Central Intelligence Agency that was shot down in Iranian skies in 2011 by Iranian forces. "It's a copy of a similar system that fell in Iran," Israeli Brig. Gen. Tomer Bar told Defense News Monday. "They more or less duplicated it." The IDF reportedly launched yet another series of missile attacks on Syrian soil February 7. A few days later, the Israeli Defense Forces said they had downed an Iranian drone and carried out attacks on Iranian targets in Syria. Syrian forces defended their territory by downing an Israeli F-16, forcing the pilots to eject. The Kremlin has called on both sides to de-escalate the situation "in favor of avoiding any steps that could lead to a new round of dangerous confrontations in the region." When Israel said that an Iranian drone had been intercepted over Israeli airspace, Tehran denied that any of its military equipment was even in the area. "Reports of downing an Iranian drone flying over Israel and also Iran's involvement in attacking an Israeli jet are so ridiculous Iran only provides military advice to Syria," Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said February 10. According to an expert at the Fisher Brothers Institute for Air and Space Strategic Studies, it certainly would have been within Tehran's capability to have a Sentinel-like unmanned aerial vehicle operating in the region. "There are two copies that Iran made out of the [Sentinel]. One is Shahed 171, and this is supposed to be jet powered and for reconnaissance missions. Then there is the other variant of this vehicle similar in design to RQ-170, with a piston engine and a propeller named Saeqeh. This variant was shown in 2016 armed with four laser-guided munitions," said Tal Inbar, director of UAV studies at the institute. The drone identified by the IAF general was said to be a Shahed 171 aircraft. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Department of Defense Press Operations News Transcript Presenter: Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis February 11, 2018 On the Record Press Gaggle by Secretary James N. Mattis SECRETARY OF DEFENSE JAMES N. MATTIS: Good to see you. All right, and this will be on the record for a little bit, OK, and then we'll go off the record at some point. Then I can really (inaudible). Well, first of all, thank you all for going on the trip. I'm sure I ruined your Saturday night as well as your Sunday, so one of those things, but I appreciate it, going out and covering what's going on for us. First stop, as you know, is Rome, and for those of you who go to crummy places, just remember I took you to Rome when we go the crummy places. And then we'll head up to Brussels, Stuttgart and Munich. Rome's the D-ISIS conference. This is where we get together with a whole lot of nations, and we talk about the way ahead. There are numerous questions right now about what's next as we go forward. First mission, finish off ISIS physical caliphate. That is still underway. For those of you who've been on the plane, remember me saying the fight's not over against ISIS. It's not over. It goes on. There's been tough fighting the last week with ISIS. We had the added complexity of a pro-regime force crossing the river. Sometimes that happens back and forth. We crossed the river in Tabqa, for example, all coordinated with the -- with the Russians, through the Russians, and all -- in this case, they came across the river and went some 10 miles, veered directly toward one of our positions. They knew it was our position. How do we know that? Because they began shelling it. We did have Americans at the position with the SDF headquarters there. We responded and stopped the incursion. That force retreated back to the west side of the river. There's also been other firing going on there. The reason for it, we cannot give you a reason for it. We don't know. As you know, the deconfliction line has pretty much worked, in terms of the river, and the deconflicion communication line between us and the Russians has stayed up for months, and has never gone down. But it was up throughout this latest series of incidents. The Russians told us they had no forces there initially. I think that's still the case, but we don't have full clarity on what the regime forces are doing there. But for right now, at least at this moment, it's calm. In Rome, we'll be talking about the way ahead, and this has to do also with the recovery efforts for the area that we're occupied by ISIS. As you know, they tore the heck out of those places, and so there's a lot of recovery that's got to go on, and we'll be talking about that as well. Most of what we'll be talking about there will be the initial recovery of places we take. How do you get the IEDs out of the area, because there's schools open, get the clean water flowing again so you don't have disease outbreaks, that sort of thing. Then I'm going up to Brussels, and that's for a long-scheduled defense ministerial. There's nothing timely about this. This is the normal routine for that. Obviously an opportunity to strengthen the alliance. I've had a lot of either phone calls or notes, letters passed to me, from the allies, expressing support for the National Defense Strategy, as well as the -- the Nuclear Posture Review, both of which, as you know, those of you who have been on the plane before, been in some of the conferences we've had, those were coordinated with them going in. In other words, we're talking with them about the Nuclear Posture Review, consulted with them, getting their inputs and their ideas. Same thing on the National Defense Strategy. So there was no surprise. It has been embraced by the nations. But we continue to bolster interoperability and coordination. This is a normal thing that keeps NATO fit for its time. We will address alliance modernization and burden sharing, as we have for years. In the last adminstrations, plural, both Bush and Obama, and of course we continue today to press for everyone carrying their full share of the load -- fair share of the load, and keep NATO probably the most successful military alliance, at least in modern history, maybe ever, because it prevented war more than anything else. (Inaudible) quite a war, was as military alliance that prevented war. It is engaged in fighting now as you know in Afghanistan. Afghanistan will be a key part of the discussion there in Brussels. And as you know, we remain unambiguously committed to the alliance and to our allies, and that comes through loud and clear in the National Defense Strategy and underneath the White House and national security strategy. In Stuttgart, I'm basically going to Stuttgart to see our two combatant commands there, AFRICOM and EUCOM, talk with them about their specific focus areas, their missions, and what they need, and always the normal clarification of civilization oversight of the military and what we expect from our military commanders, the combatant commanders. They have critical roles, EUCOM of course looking mostly the east and to the south. That is where NATO is mostly focused right now, so that's where EUCOM is focused. The European Command is under SACEUR and SACEUR of course is the combined NATO command. AFRICOM, they're bolstering efforts to eliminate violent extremism by, with and through allies. We see, for example, the brilliantly led, as the only way to describe it, French campaign in the Sahel, that it's French led, French supported to the Africans, with American assistance. So we'll certainly be talking about what -- what we're going to be doing in the future. We do have a report coming out soon on the Niger incident, where we lost our lads in a fight there late last year. That report is making its way to me. It's not yet been sent to me. I would expect it as soon as the AFRICOM commander has reviewed it. It is extensive. It is thousands of pages long. It looked into all that (inaudible), not just into the specific incident, but into the broader circumstances surrounding that incident, so you get a holistic view. So it's going to take him a little while to get through it and make his recommendations, based on what the investigating officer, who is the chief of staff of AFRICOM, senior officer basically of the staff, went in to the do the investigation. So once we get that up, obviously, we'll be briefing you. I don't expect it for a week or two. I've got to see. But that, too, is something that I need to confirm when I see General Waldhauser, the commander. But again, these are the commands that take the words by, with and through our allies and turn them into reality, turn them into action, not just theory, so I want to hear how they're doing with our allies, and we'll break that out into a lot of individual countries. How did we do in this country? How did we do in that country? Making certain that we're response to other nations' requirements and aware of the challenges that they face. Then I'm going to go over to Munich. There it's a security conference. It's the premier security conference in European each year, and what I really want to do there, I want to do a lot of listening, and then I want to do some bilateral engagements, just like I'll be doing in Rome with Minister of Defense Pinotti. She's been the minister there since I came in. I'll do it in Brussels with individual ministers, NATO ministers. Then in Munich I'll be dealing mostly with ministers who are not NATO. In other words, other ministers around Europe and elsewhere that come. So I'll be doing that work there throughout the trip in all of the locations, reinforcing the trans-Atlantic bond, which -- to which we are fully committed. So that gives you a little sense of where I'm going and what I intend to you. Yes? Q: You ready for a question? (Laughter.) I have two (inaudible). SEC. MATTIS: Golly, I mean, let me catch a breath -- go ahead. Q: (inaudible) SEC. MATTIS: Yes? Q: When you said there was... (CROSSTALK) SEC. MATTIS: I was born ready for your questions. No problem. Q: I'm sorry. One, you said there had been some tough fighting over the last week against ISIS. I was wondering if you could expand on that. And secondly, the -- Afghanistan's key to the discussions in NATO. Can you be a little more specific about that? SEC. MATTIS: Yes, on the ISIS campaign, I would like a little bit to snow that you're pushing against. You know that the Iraqi security forces basically are now in (inaudible). You go down to small cells of little areas held. But basically on the -- on the Iraq side of border, ISIS has lost everything, pushing them into Syria. Of course from the Syria side, as you're seen from Manbij and all the way down to Tabqa, and Raqqa, and (inaudible), again, what we call the Middle Euphrates River Valley. That's basically the river valley from Raqqa downstream to the Iraqi border, we're pushing against that. So as you do that, you're compacting what's left of ISIS. So the fighting actually becomes a little tougher at that point. And, plus, you know, you've got the -- the distraction of what's going on up in Afrin right now, which is drawing off some of the Syrian Democratic Forces, which have got about 50 percent -- that's probably not a firm percentage; could be less, could be more -- that are Kurds, and so they see their fellow Kurds in Afrin under attack, so that is causing at least their attention to shift up there. In some cases, some of the -- the troops have drawn off to there. Not a significant number right now, but you know, between the concentration of ISIS and the distraction of Afrin, then you've got tough fighting down along the line on contact there, in what we call the Middle Euphrates River Valley. And what was it on, Afghanistan? Q: Afghanistan, what you said would be key to the discussions in NATO. Could you be more specific? SEC. MATTIS: Yes. As you know, yes, in Afghanistan, last August, I think it was, we rolled out a new strategy, four R's plus S. How do sustain the four R's of -- basically start with a regional view. We're going to realign our forces there into advisory duties to the unit that had not had advisers for a long time. A lot of the special forces have had them; the others have not. I was down in Fort Benning, for example, talking the reinforcements, the third 'R', that are going in. In this case, I was down there to bid them farewell and pay my respects. And then reconciliation is where we're all -- all this is to drive them to the reconciliation table. Already we have had splinter groups and some people in the Taliban just since August, even before we got any reinforcements there, start talking more. Now what we need to do is make certain that the pre-fighting season efforts are fully engaged, brief everybody on those, what we're doing, and then ensure that we're all aligned with whose bringing in more troops. We've got I think around a dozen nations right now that are sending more troops. In many cases -- why is it taking so long? In many cases it requires parliamentary action by -- due to the nature of their governments, so those things of course move at legislative speed. But I want to sit down with all the MODs, see where they're at, see what more they're going to do. Some that can't send more troops right now, whether it's because of their concerns from the south, and they're putting more troops down there. Take a look at France. Thousands of troops down in the Sahel. Then can they provide either schooling for Afghan NCOs or officers in their countries, or money to support the campaign. That's (inaudible). It's all that coordination. Is that it? Q: Yes, thank you. Q: A couple of follow-ups. Just on Syria, with some distraction going on with the SDF, are you concerned about these pro-regime fighters attacking U.S. and SDF more frequently? Is that kind of a worry now? And are you having more discussions with Russia over the deconfliction line, to see if there's a way that they can put those at rest? SEC. MATTIS: The deconfliction communication line with Russia is constantly used. We keep each other informed. The Russians profess that they were not aware when we called about that force that had crossed, and it came closer. The -- they were notified when the firing began. That's when we heard there were no Russians there. And we go out of our way to ensure that we do not endanger the Russians, as you know. And so when we took them under fire, that's when they began the indirect fire, the artillery fire. We went after them. And to us, no, it's not a concern right now. We're watching it. Why do I say it's not a concern? We're quite capable of rebuffing them. It's perplexing why they would do it. They have nothing to gain by fighting us. There's ISIS to be fought. It -- it doesn't make sense, and I think that's probably why the Russians, too, at least appear to be perplexed by it. Q: Well, that's why -- have you had discussions with the Russians looking ahead, or can they dissuade this from happening again? SEC. MATTIS: Yes, we do deconfliciton. We don't do coordination with the Russians. We do deconfliction. Because we have a deconfliction line, it doesn't need a lot of coordination, if you see what I mean, until someone decides they're going to come across the line. And we're OK with that in places where they need to go after ISIS, and they need to go -- and they're taking fire from the other side of the river, hey, we'll coordinate to make sure that we have nobody there. And what they do is up to them. But, no, we don't do coordination of that nature. We don't need to. It doesn't inhibit us, our operation on the other side of the river. It doesn't inhibit their operation on the other side. Obviously if we have aircraft near the river, then we'll talk to each other, because sometime an airplane can cross the river just in its normal bombing run. Q: But they're not influencing -- they're having less influence on Syria then perhaps U.S.... SEC. MATTIS: I'm not willing to say that. I don't know if it's the same influence. And this is a group that's off on its own agenda. I'm not willing to say that the Russians have -- have lost influence or gained influence. Clearly coming out of Sochi, and Moscow's assurance they would support the U.N. approach. We're on our way to Geneva is the law applied. For those who think that Russia is somehow the kingmaker, no, it's Steffan de Mistura, the U.N. envoy is the kingmaker here. He's the one who's going to decide how do you -- not the kingmaker, the peacemaker here. Q: Mr. Secretary, very quickly on North Korea. SEC. MATTIS: Yes. Q: Over the past few days, there seems to be a warming of sort of tensions between North Korea and South Korea, with the North Koreans inviting the South Korean president to Pyongyang, and he appears to be accepting it. Is that positive sign for the peninsula? And there's a bit of concern about that growing a wedge between the U.S. and South Korea. So how do you see that playing out? SEC. MATTIS: Yes, I know that people are watching for a wedge between South Korea, Republic of Korea, in other words, and the United States. There's no wedge there. They -- staff -- the military staffs are integrated. If you move up to the political level, Admiral Song, Minister of Defense Song, flew into Hawaii when I was out in the Pacific, just so he and I could sit down face to face and consult. He broached it to me. He said -- as a matter of fact, in his opening remarks he said to the press that there is no wedge; there's no gap at all. So in a political level in Seoul, there is no -- no wedge that can be driven between us by North Korea. Clearly it's too early to say if this -- this -- that if using the Olympics as a non -- using the Olympics in a way to reduce tension, if that's going to have any traction once the Olympics are over. We can't say right now. Q: But is it a good sign, the fact that they're just at least talking? SEC. MATTIS: I don't know if it's a sign. It's too early for me to tell what he'll do, because in the midst of all of this, he ran a military parade that -- that highlighted his ballistic missiles. That's a very strange time, if in fact he's trying to show a warming to the country that he has attacked repeatedly as an American puppet, a country that impeached their last president. It's clearly a democracy. It runs its own affairs. So, I -- it's just too early to tell. Yes? Q: Go back to Syria. Assad said several times publicly that he's going to go after SDF, so how are you going to avoid engaging a Syrian regime directly? SEC. MATTIS: Yes, it's a good question, because it's one of the most complex battlefields you could ever imagine. I mean, as soon as you think you could make it this complex it grows in complexity. We are there for one reason, and that is to fight ISIS. This is an international campaign. No country in the world supports ISIS. For example, Lebanese Hezbollah has got a state sponsor, Iran. ISIS has no state sponsor. There's no nation-state (inaudible) to say, we're for ISIS; we're there. Countries all across the world, from the Middle East to Europe, have all contributed money or forces, whatever is needed, and this campaign that we're working on is couched firmly inside that -- that policy of defeating ISIS. You saw it in Iraq, where we have a government we can work with. After what Assad did to his own people when they rose up against him, that is not -- we have not had that luxury in Syria. However, we are there for one reason only. We will not be deflected. Obviously we have the right of self-defense. You saw that when the pro-regime force for some reason, without apparently telling the Russians, without coordinating with anybody, came across the river and then attacked us. So we will rebuff anyone who attacks us obviously. That's natural. But we're not going to broaden the war. We're against -- that's not in our interest. There will be no mission creep. That would be a choice. We will not choose to enlarge that mission. Q: But are you going to defend the (inaudible) of the territory that the SDF (inaudible)? SEC. MATTIS: Yes, what we are going to do is hold that territory and get it back in local leaders hands. Use Steffan de Mistura's Geneva Process to come up with a post-conflict map and post-conflict plan for the way ahead, and assure that ISIS 2.0 doesn't rise in the middle of all of that, and derail everything we're fought for, and many people have paid the price on this thing. We don't simply up and leave when most of the caliphate's done, before the caliphate's really finished, and leave the diplomats without a leg to stand on against people who have no diplomatic inclination. So that's how we'll keep it. Now, it will be a challenge. It will be -- it will be difficult, but we do difficult, no problems. Yes? Q: So you got the two-year budget deal locked in now with Congress. SEC. MATTIS: Yes. Q: So... SEC. MATTIS: It's not quite locked in, OK. (Inaudible), there has to be an appropriations bill, yes. But yes, we -- that was quite an achievement for the president to get it to where it is. Q: So president has said one of his main goals is to rebuild the military. SEC. MATTIS: Yes. Q: Last year the budget was (inaudible) as this is just kind of stopgap measure, but it (inaudible). SEC. MATTIS: Yes. Q: Is that still true? Because 2018 might be the first (inaudible) kind of larger rebuilding. SEC. MATTIS: Uh-huh. What we did, we got money from Congress. As you know, a supplemental last spring, and that was just -- that was almost like stopping the bleeding, you know, trying to stop the continued degradation of the military readiness. Buy more spare parts, get more fuel, buy more fuel for aviators, get more time in the air. But it just a stopgap. It was not an integrated effort. Because Dr. Nadia Schadlow, and she -- who led the effort in the White House on the National Security Strategy, made it very collaborative with us. We were in on the ground floor. We saw different drafts. We went in with our inputs and all. At the same time, we were putting together our National Defense Strategy. So what we were able to do, our budgeteers, were getting constant guidance as the National Security Strategy and the National Defense Strategy were put together. So we're already starting the longer term. In other words, this all feeds into the longer term view. It's already couched inside the defense strategy. Whether it will be a larger military initially, or will we just bring on the additional capabilities. I'll give you, an example, cyber troops that we need. We know we've needed them. Nine of the last 10 years we've operated under continuing resolutions of unpredictable and varied lengths. And what that did was it gave us a stop and go, so we couldn't really adjust to the new forms of warfare that were coming out. So first of all, we've got to further enhance the (inaudible) of what we have right now. In some cases that means buying new gear, because squadrons that rate 10 airplanes have only seven. They can't repair the others; they're no longer repairable. They've -- we've flown the wings off of them, so to speak, (inaudible). So we'll get to buy some new F-18s, for example, in order to keep the F-18 squadrons where they can be maintained at full strength. So we'll be buying stuff. We'll be standing up some new elements. Cyber is one example. And we'll be recruiting more mechanics in the Air Force, and we'll be recruiting more soldiers to fill in gaps in the U.S. Army, for example. So it's not a lot bigger organizationally; it's more addressing -- it's built more to address the changing forms of warfare, and to bring the current capabilities up. But the longer-term defense strategy projections that you can read about in what we release, that is also guiding where these funds are going. We were able to do some of them as we were constructing the defense strategy. Kind of a long answer for you. Is that -- what... Q: Is there anything you couldn't get with $716 billion? If you were -- if you were pushing (inaudible)? SEC. MATTIS: I am very confident that what the Congress has now done, and the president is going to allocate to us in the budget is what we need to bring us back to a position of primacy. STAFF: (Inaudible) real quick and then we're going off the record (inaudible). SEC. MATTIS: No, we'll do one from each on the record. Go ahead, yes? Q: If I can bring you to NATO. You mentioned a long-term (inaudible) with adding to alliance burden sharing. Can you speak a little bit about how much you think allies have refocused on burden sharing in the last year, if they've done anything, and what more would you like them to do? SEC. MATTIS: Yes. Q: And if you could just describe a little bit in their relationship with Turkey and (inaudible) progress on the (inaudible). SEC. MATTIS: Let me just hit on Turkey right up front. Turkey is a NATO ally. It is the only NATO country with an active insurgency inside its own border. We are assisting Turkey, a number of the nations are assisting Turkey, in terms of missile defense and counter-terrorism -- excuse me. And we continue to work on the areas of disagreement, which is how do we take down ISIS as rapidly as possible. But they have a legitimate security concern, and we do not dismiss one bit of that, along that border with Syria. I mean, I don't care whether you're Israel or Lebanon, you're Jordan, Iraq or Turkey, you have legitimate political, you have legitimate security concerns. So how do we thread that needle in this very complex -- what we were talking about earlier, this very complex campaign? It's tough, and we're going to continue to work closely with Turkey. Our militaries meet daily right now, so that's on (inaudible). You're other question about burden sharing, clearly NATO has reversed what was a downward trend, and so now we're well into the second year I believe, where the nations are spending more on defense. And you see it with the number of nations that have already achieve 2.0, or will here this year, and you see it in the number that have national plans to get 2.0 You also see it more broadly in Europe. If you take a look at Sweden at Finland, not members of NATO and look what they're doing with their defense establishments. So I would say that it's on a positive trajectory. It's clearly stated by a number of the nations, they're going to make the 2.0, or they're already there. You see it from France. You see it from Britain. It's over 2 percent. Some of the bigger nations. In Germany you see the -- putting together -- the new government has delayed some of those kind of policy decisions, but I have a very close and collaborative working relationship with my counterpart, and she assures me that Germany will be doing more. I expect -- I can't -- I've got to wait on one thing until after the government is formed, and it rolls out. But basically the trajectory is very positive. That's not to say that everyone's where they need to be or has plans for where they're going, and we'll discuss that. We're all sovereign nations, and these are sovereign decisions. So we've got to discuss it, so that's everyone carrying their share. Q: Sir, during this pretty big) dust-up between Israel and the Syrian regime in recent days... SEC. MATTIS: Yes. Q: ... (inaudible), Israel's accused Iran of flying a drone from Syria into Israel. Can you talk a little bit about, was there any U.S. role in supporting those Israeli strikes, and what is -- is Iran's activities in Syria increasingly a risk, and increasingly perceived as a threat to the (inaudible)? SEC. MATTIS: Yes, first of all, no, we were not involved in -- in the events of the last -- on a military basis we had no involvement on the -- on the fighting there, the Israeli air force and the Syrian forces. It is interesting that everywhere we find trouble in the Middle East, you find the same thing behind it. Whether it be in Yemen or Beirut, or in Syria, in Iraq, you always find Iran engaged. Now in two places, I can say, well, it just happened to fall out that way. In three places, it's starting to look like there's something to it. And I think the further you are from there, the easier it is to dismiss this as some sort of, you know, Washington, D.C. chicanery or something. If you live in the region, there's no doubt what Iran is doing. If you're in Bahrain, and the police there have captured explosives and that sort of thing, clearly from Iran; if you're picking up debris in Saudi Arabia of Iranian missiles; or you've got explosive boats, remote-controlled boats, out in the Red Sea, you can see where Iran is -- is either producing the wherewithal for the fight or actually leading the fight, in some case. I think you'll all aware of when the Quds Force leadership is in Iraq or in Syria. So when Syria, which has made no -- has not hidden at all, made no excuse for what they're doing alongside Iran, when they are providing throughput for Iran to give weapons, including more sophisticated weapons, to the Lebanese Hezbollah, Israeli has an absolute right to defend themselves. They don't have to wait until their citizens are dying under attack before they actually address that issue. So Israel has an absolute right to defend itself, and I think that's what happened yesterday. http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Transcripts/Transcript-View/Article/1438483/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taliban invites GOP senator for 'mutual talks' in Doha Iran Press TV Sun Feb 11, 2018 09:24PM Taliban has invited a US senator for "mutual talks" in the Qatari capital Doha, where the so-called Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has an office. The terror group's social media accounts extended the invitation to Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul over his latest comments about the United States' long war in Afghanistan, The Washington Times reported Sunday. "We invite the respectable US Senator Rand Paul, in his official capacity to visit our political office in Doha for mutual talks," read a Twitter post by the self-declared Information Committee of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. It further suggested that the US should withdraw its forces from the war-ravaged country for peace to emerge. "We'll prove to Mr. Rand Paul, the immediate US withdrawal from [Afghanistan] will bring peace to our country & will enhance international security," the group added in the social media post. 'No US victory in Afghanistan' The Kentucky lawmaker had criticized investment in the war on Afghanistan during an interview with Fox News on Thursday. "The war in Afghanistan is costing us $50 billion a year It's time to come home. There is no military victory there," Paul said. On August 21, Trump announced he would prolong the military intervention in Afghanistan. The United States -- under Republican George W. Bush's presidency -- and its allies invaded Afghanistan on October 7, 2001 as part of Washington's so-called war on terror. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US to deploy 1,000s of troops near China's border: Report Iran Press TV Sun Feb 11, 2018 07:02PM The Pentagon is planning to deploy thousands of US Marines and other military forces to East Asia in a bid to form a front against China, a new report has revealed. According to the new plan, the administration of US President Donald Trump would authorize deploying Marine Expeditionary Units, or MEUs, to the region, the Wall Street Journal reported earlier in the week. Comprising about 2,200 Marines complete with their own aircraft, tanks and other heavy weaponry, the MEUs will be deployed in rotating seven-month tours. Some of the troops are said to be deployed from bases in the Middle East, where the US has been engaged in the so-called wars on terror for years in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan. The US also has around 50,000 service members in Japan, almost 30,000 in South Korea, and 7,000 more in the Pacific territory of Guam. The Pentagon is also expected to increase the number of its Marines deployed in Darwin, Australia, where there are already some 1,250 American troops deployed on rotating six-month tours. According to the report, the pending deployments fall in line with America's new National Defense Strategy published earlier by the Trump administration which revolves around pushing against Russia and China's growing influence in the region. "I believe the [National Defense Strategy] and other guidance requires us to adopt a more global posture and this will shape our future naval presence, especially in the Indo-Pacific region," said General Robert Neller, the commanding officer of the US Marine Corps. "We have to be present and engaged to compete," he added. The new defense strategy "will shape our future naval presence, especially in the Indo-Pacific region." In order to counter China's rise, the US has also established strong trade and military ties with India. India has begun holding trilateral naval exercises with the US and Japan that military experts say could eventually include Australia as well. China is in a territorial dispute with India and with some of its other neighbors in the East and South China Sea. While strengthening its military, the country has been seeking a peaceful rise to a global power status. In January, Admiral Harry Harris, the head of the US military's Pacific Command, said China was a "disruptive" power in the Indo-Pacific region and needed to be confronted. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President's Fiscal 2019 Defense Budget Request Calls for $686.1 Billion By Jim Garamone DoD News, Defense Media Activity WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2018 The president's fiscal year 2019 defense budget request calls for $686.1 billion in spending and will reverse years of military erosion, defense officials said here today. The budget also calls for a 2.6 percent raise for service members. There is no raise in the budget for civilian employees. The base budget is set for $617 billion and the overseas contingency operations fund is set for $69 billion. Overall, the request is 3.1 percent of gross domestic product -- a figure near historic lows, Defense Department Comptroller and Chief Financial Officer David Norquist said. The budget builds on the bipartisan budget act passed last week. "We are appreciative of Congress raising the caps and ending the destructive effects of sequestration-level funding," Norquist said during a Pentagon news conference. "And we are committed to the reforms necessary to be good stewards of taxpayers' money." The budget is a strategy-driven document that stresses the nation's primary goals: to defend the homeland, make the military more lethal, and to strengthen old alliances and build new ones. Derived From Strategy The budget is the child of the White House National Security Strategy and the National Defense Strategy that shifts DoD's focus. "Great power competition, not terrorism, has emerged as the central challenge to U.S. security and prosperity," Norquist said. "It is increasingly apparent that China and Russia want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian values, and in the process, replace the free and open order that has enabled global security and prosperity since World War II." The United States will seek areas of cooperation with any competitors, but must do it from a position of strength. "We recognize that, if unaddressed, the eroding U.S. military advantage versus China and Russia could undermine our ability to deter aggression and coercion in key strategic regions," the comptroller said. The budget funds Defense Secretary James N, Mattis' three lines of effort: building a more lethal, resilient, agile and ready joint force; strengthening alliances and attracting new partners; and reforming the department's business practices for greater performance and affordability. Overall, the budget calls for an increase of 25,900 military personnel by the end of fiscal year 2019. End strength for the department would be set at 1,338,000 active-duty personnel and 817,700 reserve component personnel. "This allows us to fill in units and provide key skills related to recruiting pilots, maintainers and cybersecurity experts," Norquist said. "It also allows us to add units related to reinforcing the National Defense Strategy." Funding Levels The Army will receive $143,314,452, the Navy will get $179,065,809, the Air Force will receive $169,767,948 and DoD agencies will receive $104,925,839. Improving military readiness is crucial and the operations and maintenance funds will receive a major boost. Departmentwide operations and maintenance will receive $15.3 billion more than in fiscal 2018. Procurement gets the biggest increase with a $24 billion plus-up to $131.1 billion and with research and development funds increasing by $18 billion to $90.6 billion. The research and development funds will examine new technologies including hypersonic technology, cyber-integrated defense, making space assets more resilient, directed energy weapons and artificial intelligence. Military personnel funds will receive $12.2 billion more and are pegged at $148.2 billion. The budget follows strategy on the ground as well. Some of the key enhancements with regard to Asia involve "continued investment in air and space superiority; procurement of additional weapons systems, including the Virginia payload module for Navy submarines; procurement of additional P-8As, and work to increase naval presence appropriately as this strategy is implemented in the Pacific, to include infrastructure investments," said Army Lt. Gen. Anthony Ierardi, the director of force structure, resources and assessment at the Joint Staff. "In Europe, we continue robust increases in our investments to enhance Army pre-positioning stocks and responsiveness, including the enhancement of a second armored brigade combat team's worth of equipment in an Army pre-positioned set; replenishment of wartime stocks, including preferred and advanced munitions and increased lethality of each; and expansion and enhancement of air bases to support our operations, as appropriate," the general said. Among the new equipment coming into the military are 77 new F-35 Lightning II's to the Air Force and Navy, 60 new AH-64 Apache helicopters, 15 new KC-46 Pegasus tanker aircraft, 10 new P-8 Poseidon aircraft, 10 new ships added to the fleet and a myriad of space and cyber capabilities. The military will buy 5,113 new joint light tactical vehicles, refurbish and modernize 135 M-1 Abrams tanks, 30 amphibious combat vehicles and 197 armored multi-purpose vehicles. The budget begins the process of modernizing the nuclear triad with $2.3 billion dedicated to the Air Force's B-21 bomber, $3.7 billion to the Columbia-class submarine and $300 million to the ground-based strategic deterrent. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mattis Looks to NATO, Future of ISIS Fight By Jim Garamone DoD News, Defense Media Activity WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2018 Defense Secretary James N. Mattis left yesterday on a six-day trip to meet with defense leaders from around the world to chart the way ahead against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. The secretary is now in Rome and will move on to Brussels for this year's first NATO defense ministerial, before traveling on to Stuttgart to visit U.S. Africa and European commands, finally wrapping up his trip in Munich to attend the 54th Munich Security Conference. Mattis said the fight against ISIS has gone well, but that hard fighting remains. He said the terror group has been pushed out of Iraq, but is still a problem in Syria's Euphrates River Valley. Defeat-ISIS Campaign The battlespace there is complex, the defense secretary said, with Assad regime forces violating the deconfliction line at the river, forcing a coalition response. "We crossed the river in Tabqa, for example, all coordinated with through the Russians, and in this case, [regime forces] came across the river and went some 10 miles, veered directly toward one of our positions," Mattis told reporters traveling with him. "They knew it was our position. How do we know that? Because they began shelling it." There were Americans at the position and they responded and stopped the incursion. The Syrian force retreated back to the west side of the river. "In Rome, we'll be talking about the way ahead, and this has to do also with the recovery efforts for the area that were occupied by ISIS," he said. "As you know, they tore the heck out of those places, and so there's a lot of recovery that's got to go on, and we'll be talking about that as well." Recovery will be important in the affected areas. Removing improvised explosive devices; opening schools; and restoring basic services such as water, electricity and gas will be crucial to stopping the terror group from coming back. NATO In Brussels, the secretary will participate in the first NATO defense ministers meeting since the release of the National Defense Strategy and the Nuclear Posture Review. He has received praise from allies on the documents. The secretary will stress alliance modernization and burden-sharing. He wants all allies to carry their full shares of the load. "[NATO] is engaged in fighting now as you know in Afghanistan," he said. "Afghanistan will be a key part of the discussion there in Brussels. And as you know, we remain unambiguously committed to the alliance and to our allies, and that comes through loud and clear in the National Defense Strategy and underneath the White House National Security Strategy." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Soldiers sharpen tactical, anti-terrorism skills in Jordan By Master Sgt. Mark Hanson February 12, 2018 AMMAN, Jordan -- A radio crackles to life on what seems like another routine security patrol in a remote village. 1st Lt. Brent Lemler, of Bravo Company "Bushmasters," 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, keys his hand-held radio and responds. While listening to the communication, he motions for his squad leaders. After a moment, 1st Lt. Lemler relays to his leadership the tasking he has received. "A high value target's cell phone has just pinged in our vicinity," said Lemler. His team has been tasked with searching a nearby building to attempt to locate the high value target that his team has been tracking for months. The target is suspected of producing homemade explosives that have targeted coalition convoys on the main supply routes with devastating consequences. After explaining his plan of action, Lemler's platoon disperses. They soon secure key terrain in the village and setup an over-watching position on a nearby elevated location. The platoon then begins to survey for various threats that an urban environment can conceal. The conditions are set and the entry teams move into position. While this reads like a story stemming from any number of real-life missions from the Global War on Terror, in reality, it's a training scenario. The Soldiers of Bravo Company trained on the collective task to conduct a security patrol and escort civilians from the battlefield during a training event at the Joint Training Center, near Amman, Jordan. "White space on the calendar equals training. Everything we do now, as an Army, is focused on readiness," said 1st Lt. Rory Hight, company commander of the Bushmasters. Soldiers from Bravo Company of the California Army National have been training on light infantry tasks during the months of January and February, in order to meet the Army's Sustainable Readiness Model guidance. "We are constantly seeking opportunities for our own improvement and to maintain our readiness as a unit," said Hight. "The Sustainable Readiness Model reminds us we need to maintain our unit proficiency on team, squad, platoon, and company level infantry tasks." The Bushmaster's primary mission has been on the Jordan Operational Engagement Program, which focuses on regional security and partnership building with the Jordanian Armed Forces. The next JOEP rotation is set to take place in late February, which has created an opportunity for the Bushmasters to use the break between JOEP rotations to maintain their proficiency they earned during pre-mobilization training. Bushmaster company leadership has created stimulating and realistic training on the challenging terrain and dusty ranges of the Joint Training Center for their Soldiers. The company training has focused on weapons proficiency, squad and platoon level movement to contact scenarios, military operations in urban terrain, and company level defense operations. "This is as good of environment to train in as any. We try to throw countless scenarios at our leaders and Soldiers, to get them thinking on their feet," said Hight. "The enemy of the future will challenge all our Soldiers, so we conduct our training in a complex and dynamic environment against a peer or hybrid threat as we seek to challenge ourselves more and more." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 299th BSB Conducts Live-Fire Training in Grafenwoehr By Staff Sgt. Sharon Matthias February 12, 2018 GRAFENWOEHR, Germany -- Leaders from 299th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division know Soldiers must maintain fundamental skills. Capt. Corey Dyke and 1st Lt. James Mashburn, both assigned to 299th sought to improve their unit's ability to perform well under pressure during a mounted, live-fire training exercise, in Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Feb. 8, 2018. The 299th BSB is currently deployed to Europe in support of Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. effort to deter aggression in Europe and to strengthen existing relations with ally and partner nations. Under the supervision of Dyke and Mashburn, the 'Lifeline' Battalion set up a network of operators, who monitored communications and software located at the range control center, as 299th BSB Soldiers performed their set tasks. The training was designed to test each Soldier to perform their assigned job while executing fundamentals in offensive and defensive soldiering task in a convoy. "This training gives us the capability to protect our own convoys as we move out, and it also protects us in the BSA (brigade support area) when we're in the field," said Dyke. "This gives our crews practice engaging enemy targets on the move and in stationary positions." The 299th BSB training also provided participants the chance to develop crew communications skills in a vehicle loaded with equipment and supplies. "Getting sustainers qualified while driving the type of vehicle they will be driving with an actual load on the back, whether that's MREs (Meals-Ready-To-Eat) or fuel," explained Dyke from the control center. As the next iteration of training began, Dyke quieted as a hurried voice over the radio filled the center. "Targets at 50 meters!" shouted the vehicle's leader over the radio. "On the way," the gunner for the vehicle replied. A burst of rapid gunfire echoed amongst the trees from a distance shortly thereafter. The convoy was under attack and it was time for the Soldiers to apply lessons given to them in previous classroom instructions. Their enemy, represented by plastic human and vehicle silhouettes painted in olive-drab green, were quickly eradicated. On this vehicle shooting range, Soldiers faced simulated attacks from moving and stationary enemy. "Each target pops-up for 90 seconds, and the way the scoring works, you have to identify and engage the targets within 90 seconds or else it falls down," said Mashburn an ordinance officer. "Your time starts when you start putting rounds down range." The Soldiers were given 340 rounds for six different scenarios, said Mashburn, thus requiring each Soldier to manage the use of their ammunition. Staff Sgt. Daryl Carroll, with 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, 2nd ABCT participated in the training exercise and found it challenged him. "I do say that this training is well worth it," said Carroll. "It should be taken seriously because it does help." This training is helping lower enlisted Soldiers further hone their skills as they continue supporting Atlantic Resolve. "The training was good," Said Pfc. Sandy Peralta, a motor transport operator and native of Hawaii. "I am learning a lot." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Department of Defense Press Operations News Release February 12, 2018 DoD Releases Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Proposal "To address the scope and pace of our competitors' and adversaries' ambitions and capabilities, we must invest in modernization of key capabilities through sustained, predictable budgets. Our backlog of deferred readiness, procurement, and modernization requirements has grown in the last decade and a half and can no longer be ignored. We will make targeted, disciplined increases in personnel and platforms to meet key capability and capacity needs. The 2018 National Defense Strategy underpins our planned fiscal year 2019-2023 budgets, accelerating our modernization programs and devoting additional resources in a sustained effort to solidify our competitive advantage." - Summary of the 2018 National Defense Strategy of the United States of America Today President Donald J. Trump sent Congress a proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 budget request of $716 billion for national security, $686 billion of which is for the Department of Defense. The National Defense Strategy, which aligns with the National Security Strategy, connects strategy to the FY 2019 budget priorities, enabling the Department to compete, deter, and win. This establishes a foundation for rebuilding the U.S. military into a more capable, lethal, and ready Joint Force. The objectives of the Department are "to be prepared to defend the homeland, remain the preeminent military power in the world, ensure the balances of power remain in our favor, and advance an international order that is most conducive to our security and prosperity." The FY 2019 budget has been developed to meet these specific objectives. Secretary Mattis recently said, "In a world awash in change, with increasing threats, there is no room for complacency. Failure to implement or fund the 2018 National Defense Strategy will leave us with a force that could dominate the last war, yet be irrelevant to tomorrow's security. For too long we have asked our military to carry on stoically with a success-at-any-cost attitude." We are grateful to Congress and the American people for the recently-enacted Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, which lifts the caps so our military can be resourced at a funding level commensurate with our mission. The National Security Strategy states that the United States "must reverse recent decisions to reduce the size of the Joint Force and grow the force while modernizing and ensuring readiness." The FY 2019 budget increases end strength by 25,900 (24,100 in the active components and 1,800 in the reserve components) over the FY 2018 budget. Each military service has a distinctive readiness recovery plan and the increases are targeted to advance these plans to improve readiness and increase lethality. As the National Defense Strategy notes, "investments will prioritize ground, air, sea and space forces that can deploy, survive, operate, maneuver, and regenerate in all domains while under attack." This budget's major warfighting investments include: Aircraft 77 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters - $10.7 billion 15 KC-46 Tanker Replacements - $3.0 billion 24 F/A-18s - $2.0 billion 60 AH-64E Attack Helicopters - $1.3 billion 6 VH-92 Presidential Helicopters - $0.9 billion 10 P-8A Aircraft - $2.2 billion 8 CH-53K King Stallion - $1.6 billion Shipbuilding 2 Virginia Class Submarines - $7.4 billion 3 DDG-51 Arleigh Burke Destroyers - $6.0 billion 1 Littoral Combat Ship - $1.3 billion CVN-78 Class Aircraft Carrier - $1.8 billion 2 Fleet Replenishment Oilers (T-AO) - $1.1 billion 1 Expeditionary Sea Base - $0.7 billion Ground Systems 5,113 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles - $2.0 billion 135 M-1 Abrams Tank Modifications - $2.7 billion 30 Amphibious Combat Vehicles - $0.3 billion 197 Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles - $0.8 billion The National Defense Strategy also notes the importance of prioritizing "investments in resilience, reconstitution, and operations to assure our space capabilities." Our space investments include: 5 Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles - $2.0 billion Global Positioning System - $1.5 billion Space Based Infrared System - $0.8 billion Highlighting the importance of missile defense programs, the National Defense Strategy calls for investments that will "focus on layered missile defenses and disruptive capabilities for both theater missile threats and North Korean ballistic missile threats." Those investments for FY 2019 include: 43 AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense (SM-3) - $1.7 billion Ground Based Midcourse Defense - $2.1 billion 82 THAAD Ballistic Missile Defense - $1.1 billion 240 Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancements - $1.1 billion In addition, the National Defense Strategy calls for a Joint Force that "must be able to strike diverse targets inside adversary air and missile defense networks to destroy mobile power-projection platforms." To help accomplish that goal, the FY 2019 budget includes the following preferred munitions: 43,594 Joint Direct Attack Munitions - $1.2 billion 9,733 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) - $1.2 billion 6,826 Small Diameter Bomb I - $0.3 billion 1,260 Small Diameter Bomb II - $0.4 billion 7,045 Hellfire Missiles - $0.6 billion 360 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range - $0.6 billion 1,121 Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles - $0.3 billion The budget implements the commitment in the National Defense Strategy to "modernize the nuclear triad including nuclear command, control, and communications, and supporting infrastructure." FY 2019 investments in nuclear deterrence include: B-21 Long Range Strike Bomber - $2.3 billion Columbia Class Submarine - $3.7 billion Long-Range Stand-Off Missile - $0.6 billion Ground Based Strategic Deterrent - $0.3 billon President Trump's National Security Strategy articulates that "a growing and innovative economy allows the United States to maintain the world's most powerful military and protect our homeland." This budget request invests $13.7 billion in science and technology to further innovation and new and advanced capabilities including hypersonics technology, cyber space, space, directed energy, electronic warfare, unmanned systems and artificial intelligence. The FY 2019 budget supports our service members and their families, providing a competitive compensation package that reflects the unique demands and sacrifices of military service. As the National Defense Strategy highlights, "The creativity and talent of the American warfighter is our greatest enduring strength, and one we do not take for granted." The budget: Provides a 2.6% military pay raise the largest increase in 9 years Includes NO compensation cost share reforms in FY 2019. Instead, the Department is focusing on internal business process improvements and structural changes to find greater efficiencies, such as modernizing our military health care systems into an integrated system Sustains family support initiatives by investing more than $8 billion in: o Spousal/community support o Child care for approximately 1 million military children o DoD Dependent Schools, which are educating over 78,000 students o Commissary operations at 237 stores o Counseling support for service members and their families This budget increases facilities investment to $10.5 billion, which is 7% above the FY 2018 base budget request. It concentrates on ensuring the basing infrastructure is sized to increase force lethality and minimizing the cost of maintaining unneeded capacity. The budget balances investment in infrastructure across DoD priorities and includes: Operational and training facilities (including airfield improvements, training ranges,) to increase readiness Maintenance and production facilities (maintenance hangars, missile assembly building, and high explosives magazine) to improve readines Recapitalization of facilities in poor and failing condition Improved Quality-of-Life for service members and their families (including schools, barracks, and medical facilities) The FY 2019 budget continues to implement the Administration's commitment to reform DoD business practices for greater performance and affordability. Highlighting this commitment, the National Defense Strategy cautions that "we must transition to a culture of performance where results and accountability matter." Secretary Mattis has directed Deputy Secretary Shanahan to reform DoD's business operations and reapply those savings to improve readiness and to increase the lethality and capacity of the military. The DoD is focused on spending wisely by using shared, centralized services with the goal of using best practices to maximize effectiveness in areas including: Information Technology Real Property Financial Management Logistics and Supply Chain Testing and Evaluation Healthcare Human Resources Contracted Goods & Services Community Services The FY 2019 Budget also reflects continued savings from ongoing reforms such as defense travel modernization and the 25% management headquarters reduction. Recent DoD reforms include: Reorganizing the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics into two new Under Secretaries of Defense: one focused on Research and Engineering to advance technology and innovation, and one focused on Acquisition and Sustainment to deliver and sustain timely, cost-effective capabilities for the armed forces and DoD Appointing a Chief Management Officer to manage business operations Elevating Cyber Command The OCO budget for FY 2019 supports Operation FREEDOM'S SENTINEL in Afghanistan, and Operation INHERENT RESOLVE in Iraq and Syria. The entire budget proposal and additional material are available at: http://comptroller.defense.gov/budget-materials. http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/1438798/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mississippi Visits Yokosuka During Current Deployment Navy News Service Story Number: NNS180212-09 Release Date: 2/12/2018 10:02:00 AM By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Elesia K. Patten, Submarine Group 7 Public Affairs FLEET ACTIVITIES YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- The Virginia-class attack submarine USS Mississippi (SSN 782) arrived at Fleet Activities Yokosuka Feb. 12, for a routine visit as part of its deployment to the Indo-Pacific region. This kind of visit strengthens the already positive alliance between the U.S. and Japan through the crews' interaction with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. It also demonstrates the U.S. Navy's commitment to regional stability and maritime security in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Seventh Fleet, which celebrates its 75th year in 2018, spans more than 124 million square kilometers, stretching from the International Date Line to the India/Pakistan border; and from the Kuril Islands in the North to the Antarctic in the South. Seventh Fleet's area of operation encompasses 36 maritime countries and 50 percent of the world's population with between 50-70 U.S. ships and submarines, 140 aircraft and approximately 20,000 Sailors in the 7th Fleet. Mississippi is one of the most technologically advanced and stealthiest submarines in the world and is capable of fulfilling a multitude of missions. Mississippi is homeported in Pearl Harbor. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lake Champlain Arrives in Guam Navy News Service Story Number: NNS180212-04 Release Date: 2/12/2018 9:04:00 AM By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nathan Carpenter, Carl Vinson Strike Group Public Affairs SANTA RITA, Guam (NNS) -- USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) arrived in Guam for a regularly scheduled port visit, Feb. 12. Lake Champlain is on a regularly scheduled Western Pacific deployment with the Carl Vinson Strike Group. "The crew is very excited to have the opportunity to experience the wonderful sights, culture and hospitality of Guam," said Capt. Jennifer Ellinger, commanding officer of Lake Champlain. "This port visit will also give the crew a chance to relax after several weeks at sea." While in Guam, Sailors will have an opportunity to participate in tours organized by the ship's Morale, Welfare, and Recreation program. "For many Sailors, this will be their first port visit outside the continental United States," said Ellinger. "At the same time, I am also pleased that some Sailors will have a unique opportunity to visit with members of their extended family here in Guam." Lake Champlain is a multi-mission platform operated by more than 350 crew members and capable of air warfare, undersea warfare, naval surface fire support, and surface warfare. The cruiser is equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles, providing an additional long range strike capability to the strike group, standard SM-2 surface-to-air missiles, two 5-inch dual purpose guns, and two MH-60R helicopters. The strike group is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to conduct maritime security operations, promote freedom of the seas, and work with partners and allies to enhance regional security and stability. The deployment marks the second time the strike group is operating throughout the Indo-Pacific region under U.S. 3rd Fleet's command and control as a Third Fleet Forward asset. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Navy Submits 30-Year Ship Acquisition Plan Navy News Service Story Number: NNS180212-45 Release Date: 2/12/2018 3:11:00 PM From Navy Office of Information WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Department of the Navy submitted the long-range ship acquisition plan to Congress Feb. 12. The 30-Year Ship Acquisition Plan is a Congressionally-mandated report which describes the Department of the Navy's long-range shipbuilding plans for 2019-2048. This year's report focuses on meeting the Navy's baseline acquisition requirements needed to build the Navy the Nation Needs (NNN) and sustaining the domestic industrial base to meet that aim. In support of the National Defense Strategy's stated goal of achieving a more lethal, resilient and agile force, the plan serves as a roadmap to reach a 355-ship fleet by the early FY2050s, potentially quicker with an aggressive investment of resources. The plan pursues acquisition strategies to build ships more quickly and affordably and places top priority on sustaining the industrial base now and for the future. Ultimately, the plan supports the Navy's overall effort to build the Navy the Nation Needs to protect the homeland, defend the interests of America and its allies abroad, and preserve America's strategic influence around the world. This plan addresses the Navy's most critical shipbuilding needs by: * Building CVNs four years apart after CVN 82 instead of five to support a 12-ship CVN force. * Building 12 Columbia-class SSBNs in support of the Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) and STRATCOM deterrence requirements. * Establishing a stable profile of two per year Attack Submarines (SSN). * Establishing a stable profile of 2.5 per year Large Surface Combatants (DDG), plus an additional ship in FY2022. * Establishing a stable profile of two per year Small Surface Combatants (LCS, FFG) starting in FY2022, accommodating the transition to FFG(X). * Increasing the pace for amphibious ship production to support a 12-ship LHD/LHA force and modernized lethality in FY2033, FY2036 and FY2039. * Addresses the candidate long-term replacement for the NNN payload-based submarine, filled mid-term by Virginia Payload Module (VPM). The plan can be viewed in its entirety here: www.secnav.navy.mil/fmc/fmb/Pages/Fiscal-Year-2019.aspx. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Navy Installations Command Reserve Force Essential to Exercise Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield Navy News Service Story Number: NNS180212-44 Release Date: 2/12/2018 1:13:00 PM By Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Womble, Navy Reserve, Navy Installations Command WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Nearly one-hundred members of Navy Reserve units throughout Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) augmented their active duty commands during Exercise Solid Curtain - Citadel Shield 2018, an anti-terrorism/force protection exercise conducted across Navy installations within the continental U.S. Whether their support was at an Operations Center or as a member of the Navy Security Forces (NSF), each member of the Reserve Shore Enterprise team played a vital role to the success of the exercise. Rear Adm. Matt O'Keefe, Reserve Deputy Commander, Navy Installations Command, was the senior Reservist supporting CNIC for Solid Curtain and led the headquarters' effort in supporting U.S. Fleet Forces Command during the numerous simulated events. He highlighted the critical support the Reserve force, in particular the Navy Reserve Security Forces and the Operation Center units, brought to the exercise. "We once again showed from the headquarters perspective that when these types of events occur - whether its exercise or real world - our active duty commands rely heavily on the Reserve Component to bring the right number of people with the right skill sets to support the mission," said O'Keefe. When the Navy shifts from Force Protection Condition (FPCON) Bravo to Charlie or Delta, the Navy relies on the auxiliary security forces and the reserve security forces to sustain around the clock operations. This is where Lt.j.g. Mark Smith, Commanding Officer Navy Reserve, Navy Security Force Everett, sees the greatest value added by the reserve NSF team. "We maintain both our weapons qualifications and our annual sustainment training so that when they have a need we can answer that need immediately and get right to work instead of having to get into a classroom or into a range to get our qualifications up to date," Smith said. This value was personally acknowledged by O'Keefe. "Every region in the continental United States went to FPCON Charlie as part of Solid Curtain and we know without question that they can't sustain that without the Navy Reserve," he said. "Once again our Navy Reserve NSF stepped up. They reported on station, trained up, and ready to go without any delay which is critical." At the Operations Centers, Reservists filled vital watch standing roles, allowing their active duty counterparts to balance the duties of the exercise watch with their real-world duties. "The sailors we brought in to support the Crisis Action Team in the Shore Enterprise Operations Center were a group of professionals," said O'Keefe. "They were well trained, they were ready and from the moment they arrived, they were engaged, they were in charge and they did a fantastic job." At Naval District Washington, Exercise Director Matt Brown singled out Navy Reserve Operations Specialist 2nd Class David Rau for his value added to the exercise. "OS2 Rau really stepped up and did a great job for our team" said Brown. "He was critical to our success and he is the type of sailor we want on our team." At Navy Region Southeast (NRSE), Lt. Jeff Gurley, Operations Officer NR NRSE noticed how much the active duty team valued their efforts. "Our active duty counterparts really expect us to walk in and fill the [watch stander] seat. By doing this we were able to allow our active duty counterparts the flexibility to support Solid Curtain, Citadel Shield and the real world watch." Within the Navy Installations Command there are 3,500 reservists providing support daily in various capacities. Reserve Sailors add an additional layer of preparedness to the shore enterprise by bringing their civilian experience and expertise to their active duty supported commands. The Navy Reserve provides essential naval warfighting capabilities and expertise, strategically aligned with mission requirements - valued for our readiness, innovation, and agility. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USS Hopper Returns from 4-month Deployment Navy News Service Story Number: NNS180212-26 Release Date: 2/12/2018 10:29:00 AM From USS Hopper Public Affairs PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70) returned to its homeport Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam after a successful four-month deployment, Feb. 9. While deployed to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf with the U.S. 7th Fleet and U.S. 5th Fleet, Hopper promoted security and stability as well as ballistic missile defense. "What this crew has accomplished not only over the past four-plus months of our surge deployment, but in the months leading up to it, is nothing short of greatness," said Cmdr. Jeff Tamulevich, Hopper's commanding officer. "Hopper has the best Sailors and warfighters in the world, and I am proud to be their commanding officer." An early highlight to Hopper's deployment was a visit from Secretary of the Navy Robert V. Spencer on Thanksgiving Day. While aboard, Spencer received a tour of the ship, which provided an opportunity for him to speak with Sailors on watch before heading out to the ship's flight deck to address the rest of the crew. He reminded them how much their service means to the country. "What the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps team represent is the deployed power to keep peace by presence, but [to also] deliver the fight tonight when called on," said Spencer. "You are that team, and you make me really proud." Hopper, at the time operating with the America Amphibious Ready Group, had the opportunity to exchange Sailors with Her Majesty's Australian Ship HMAS Warramunga (FFH 152). Two groups of six Hopper Sailors made the small boat ride over to Warramunga. "I was lucky enough to be one of the Hopper Sailors to visit Warramunga, where we received a warm welcome," said Lt. j.g. Keelen Collins, Hopper's navigator. "We toured the Australian frigate with counterparts of similar rank and compared ships, crew structure, and lifestyle. It was a fantastic experience visiting a fellow warship in the Gulf and making new acquaintances from the land down under." Tamulevich said Hopper, a ballistic missile defense asset, provides operational commanders with one of the most lethal and capable warships in the world, fully certified in 20 warfare areas. "We seamlessly integrated with a myriad of commanders, and the Hopper Team executed all mission tasking like the professionals we are." Hopper conducted a boarding of underway replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe (T-AO-200) while working in coordination amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), expeditionary mobile base vessel USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3), and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit during an expanded maritime interdiction operation (EMIO) exercise. "The EMIO event was an excellent opportunity to flex Hopper's ability to embark a prize crew and practice taking control of an unfamiliar vessel," said Lt. j.g. Alexandra Chan, Hopper's Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) officer. "It was a pleasure to work with our Marine Corps brethren on the America. The 15th MEU were true professionals. I was impressed by their proficiency and appreciated the training they provided our VBSS and combat gunnery team." During the four-month span, Hopper executed port visits in Bahrain, Singapore, and Guam. Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR)-sponsored tours and events offered during the port visits allowed Sailors to explore and experience the culture of each location. "We've been at sea for almost 12 of the past 18 months, which has presented many challenges, but we've been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit so many amazing countries and see the world," said Quartermaster 3rd Class Rodrigo Hernandez. Commissioned Sep. 6, 1997, Hopper is named after former U.S. Navy Rear Adm. "Amazing" Grace Hopper, owing to the breadth of her accomplishments as a pioneering computer scientist and naval officer. Hopper is part of U.S. 3rd Fleet and U.S. Naval Surface Forces. U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy, working constantly with U.S. 7th Fleet. The forces of both fleets complement one another across the spectrum of military operations in the Pacific. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin Says Spoke With Trump About Israel-Palestinian Situation February 12, 2018 Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken by phone with his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, about the situation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, Russian news agencies reported. The two leaders spoke on February 12 ahead of a meeting in Moscow between Putin and Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas, the reports said. "I just spoke with American President Trump," Putin was quoted by TASS and Interfax as telling Abbas before holding talks behind closed doors. "Obviously we spoke about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict." The agencies reported that Putin said the discussion centered on how to bridge the differences between Israel and the Palestinians as the current situation in the region was far different than the Kremlin would like to see. They quoted Abbas as saying that the Palestinians could not accept the United States as the sole mediator in talks with Israel because of Washington's actions. Relations between the U.S. administration and the Palestinians have been strained since Trump on December 6 announced he was recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and vowed to relocate the U.S. Embassy there. Palestinians regard East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. Israel has annexed East Jerusalem and declared the entire city as its capital, a move never recognized by the international community, and Abbas would like to strengthen his position behind Russian support. Abbas is also looking to get backing for an international mechanism for Middle East peace talks to supplant the United States as the leading player. Abbas's trip to Moscow comes two weeks after a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Abbas was originally scheduled to meet with Putin at the Black Sea resort of Sochi, but the Russian leader canceled the trip to remain in the capital to monitor developments after the crash of a passenger plane killed 71 people outside of Moscow on February 11. Trump offered his condolences for the fatal crash during the phone call with Putin, the Russian news agencies said. Based on reporting by Interfax, TASS, AFP, Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-trump- palestinian-israeli-talks/29035848.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Abbas In Moscow To Seek Support On Jerusalem, Peace Conference February 12, 2018 Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas arrived in Moscow on February 12 for meetings with President Vladimir Putin as he seeks Russia's support in the face of rising tensions with the United States. Abbas was originally scheduled to meet with Putin at the Black Sea resort of Sochi, but the Russian leader canceled the trip to remain in the capital to monitor developments after the crash of a passenger plane killed 71 people outside of Moscow on February 11. The Palestinian leader's trip to Moscow comes two weeks after a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Relations between the U.S. administration and the Palestinians have been strained since President Donald Trump on December 6 announced he was recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital, angering the Arab world and triggering condemnation elsewhere. Palestinians regard Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. Israel has annexed East Jerusalem and declared the entire city as its capital, a move never recognized by the international community, and Abbas would like to strengthen his position behind Russian support. Abbas is also looking to get backing for an international mechanism for Middle East peace talks to supplant the United States as the leading player. Israel and the United States have long opposed an international effort involving the United Nations in peace negotiations, expressing concerns it would be biased against Israel. They have insisted on direct talks between the parties. "Russia and Putin can play an important role within the frame of an international forum for peace," Majdi al-Khalidi, an adviser to Abbas, was quoted by The Times of Israel as saying. Abbas, who is scheduled to speak at the UN Security Council on February 20, has also been angered by threats by Trump to cut funding to the Palestinian Authority. The Palestinian envoy to Moscow, Abd al Hafiz Nofal, said on February 11 that the Palestinians were not looking to exclude the United States from the peace process, "only asking that other parties join" as well. Aleksandr Shumilin, a Middle East scholar at the Institute for U.S. and Canadian Studies, called Abbas's visit "an attempt to cozy up to Russia, a consistent ally, and to stop Netanyahu leading Moscow astray during an improvement in Russia-Israeli ties." Shumilin told the AFP news agency that the Palestinian leader's visit "is a necessary political gesture for Abbas but can do little in the practical sense." "It is also definitely not worth expecting a breakthrough from this visit," he added. Russia in 2016 offered to host one-on-one talks between Abbas and Netanyahu, but nothing came of the suggestion. With reporting by AFP, AP, The Times of Israel, and Palestinian News & Info Agency Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/abbas-putin-middle- east-peace-jerusalem/29034495.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Serbia's Vucic Begins 'Uneasy But Useful' Visit To Croatia RFE/RL's Balkan Service February 12, 2018 The presidents of Croatia and Serbia have pledged to intensify work on border issues, minority rights, and searching for missing persons from their 1990s war in an effort to improve strained bilateral ties. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic kicked off an official two-day visit to Croatia -- the first official meeting between the Serbian and Croatian heads of state in five years -- by holding talks with his Croatian counterpart, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, on February 12. Grabar-Kitarovic said that it was "unfortunate" that the "past is still preventing us from being able to describe the relations between our two countries as friendly." "It is our obligation to meet and talk and find common interests," she said after meeting with Vucic, adding that the two countries had a "common responsibility for the future of southeast Europe." Vucic said he came to "discuss all our open issues, which are many." "In the next 100 days, we will try to change the atmosphere," he added. Croatia and Serbia are the two largest republics to emerge from Yugoslavia, which collapsed in 1991 and descended into a bloody war. They have sought to improve ties since, but tensions remain. Relations between the two nations are considered key for the peace and stability of the Balkans. Vucic was also due to hold talks with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and parliament speaker Gordan Jandrokovic, as well as minority Serb representatives and religious leaders during the visit. The sides were expected to discuss minority rights, unresolved border disputes, people still missing since the war, and cooperation in the prosecution of war crimes suspects. Bilateral relations have been strained since Croatia's declaration of independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, which set off a four-year conflict with rebel ethnic Serbs, who were supported militarily and politically by Belgrade. Safety measures were increased in Zagreb ahead of Vucic's visit. Serbian flags could be seen in the streets where the Serbian president passed. Hundreds of people responded to a call by war veteran groups to protest against Vucic's trip and gathered on Zagreb's Ban Jelacic Square. Carrying Croatian flags, the protesters demanded an apology and war reparations from Serbia. The European Union says Serbia needs to establish good neighborly relations if it wants to joins the bloc. Croatia is already an EU member. In a message on Twitter, President Grabar-Kitarovic wrote on January 30 that she was inviting her Serbian counterpart "in good faith that both sides have a desire to overcome disputes and events which have kept us hostage to the past and to move forward to enable progress for our peoples and states." Confirming he had accepted the invitation, Vucic said on January 31 that his talks with Croatian officials "will not be easy or pleasant, but I am convinced that it will be useful for both Croatia and Serbia." Vucic initially planned a trip to Zagreb in late 2017, but indefinitely postponed it amid a spat over a statue erected in Belgrade to a soldier of the Serb-dominated Yugoslav People's Army who blew up an ammunition depot during the Croatian war of independence in the city of Bjelovar. The soldier, Major Milan Tepic, is seen by the Croatian side as a criminal. Croatia's Foreign Ministry said the erection of the monument confirmed that Serbia "still isn't ready to confront the past and its role in the bloody breakup [of Yugoslavia]." Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic accused Croatian officials of "anti-Serbian hysteria." Earlier last year, relations were strained over an exhibition on the World War II death camp at Jasenovac in Croatia where tens of thousands of Jews, Serbs, Roma, and anti-fascist Croats perished. The camp was run by Croatia's Nazi-allied Ustase regime. Dacic opened the exhibition at the United Nations headquarters in New York in January. The meeting between Vucic and Grabar-Kitarovic will be the first official meeting of the Serbian and Croatian presidents since 2013, when Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic met Croatia's Ivo Josipovic in Belgrade. With reporting by AP, Reuters, BalkanInsight Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/serbia-vucic- croatia-uneasy-but-useful-visit/29034851.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump Urges DoD to Purchase Twice as Much Military Equipment at Half Price Sputnik News 23:08 12.02.2018 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he is pushing the Department of Defense to double its purchases of military equipment at half the price. "We want you to buy twice, okay, twice what you thought for half the price," Trump said he told Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. "So maybe we're going to get involved a little bit in the buying. We want to get twice as many planes for half the price." Trump also said the United States is increasing its weapons arsenal of "virtually every weapon." Moreover, the United States will also modernize and create a brand new nuclear force, Trump said. On Friday, Trump signed a bill to end the brief US federal government shutdown and remove spending caps for military and non-defense spending until 2019. Meanwhile, according to the budget proposal for the fiscal year 2019, US President plans to modernize the United States' nuclear triad. "[T]he Budget requests $24 billion to modernize and sustain the three legs of the nuclear triad land, sea, and air as well as nuclear command, control, and communications systems," the proposal said. Speaking earlier about the budget proposal, Trump vowed that the US military would be "stronger than ever before". Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pentagon Report on Niger Ambush Finds 'Missteps', Need for Stronger Oversight Sputnik News 21:59 12.02.2018 The New York Times has reportedly acquired the results of the military investigation into the October ambush of US and Nigerien troops that left four Americans and five Nigeriens dead. The report recommends fewer ground missions and higher required levels of command approval for operations. The report, compiled by US Africa Command (AFRICOM), calls for a slashing of US ground missions in Niger and for missions to require approval from AFRICOM leaders in Stuttgart, Germany, or the Pentagon instead of commanders on the ground. US soldiers in Niger are not authorized to engage enemy combatants except in self-defense, but AFRICOM's field commanders in Niger have the authority to send them on reconnaissance patrols. This proved controversial when it was found that the US soldiers who were ambushed were conducting a reconnaissance sortie in an area where Islamic militant groups were known to operate. The report also found several "missteps" in the handling of the mission, including "a breakdown in communications that may have stemmed from a failure by members of the American and Nigerien team, and their superiors, to check their equipment before heading out on the Oct. 4 mission." When asked about the report on Sunday, US Defense Secretary James Mattis said that he had yet to receive the final version. "I would expect it as soon as the AFRICOM commander has reviewed it," he said. "It is extensive. It is thousands of pages long." The US has maintained forces in Niger since at least 2013 to coordinate with Niamey against Islamic militant groups active in the region. The force started out as 100 US soldiers to operate unarmed reconnaissance drones, but the mission has ballooned to include armed Reaper drones as well as more than 800 US soldiers and. Their mission is to aid in the quest to "defeat violent extremism in Africa" and respond to the "global threat with foreign fighters," according to US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford in October. The October 4 ambush occurred near the village of Tongo Tongo along the border between Niger and neighboring Mali, about 120 miles from the Nigerien capital of Niamey. A dozen US soldiers were accompanying 30 Nigerien soldiers in a sortie searching for a local Islamic militant, although the Pentagon has refused to disclose the specifics of the US mission. The militants sprang an ambush on the US and Nigerien troops, opening fire on them with machine guns and destroying their vehicles with rocket-propelled grenades. The battle ended when French air support stationed in Mali arrived, sending the militants into retreat. The militants are believed to be with a new branch of Daesh that has formed, the so-called Islamic State in the Greater Sahel (ISGS). Other groups such as the local al-Qaeda offshoot and the infamous Boko Haram have also made their presence known in the region, but have rarely ranged outside of it. The incident became a major talking point as many Americans, including some lawmakers, expressed surprise that the US maintained a military presence in Niger at all. But the US maintains a military presence in 51 of the 54 African countries: only Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau are exempt. The bulk of resources are concentrated in Niger, the beleaguered Libya and Somalia the latter two of which are in the midst of civil wars that include Islamic militant factions and Djibouti, a tiny nation that reaps millions in revenue from allowing foreign countries such as China, France, Italy and Japan to maintain military bases on its soil. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address More than 5,000 child soldiers released in 2017, but tens of thousands still being used in conflict - UN 12 February 2018 The global commitment to end the use of children in armed conflict led to the release and reintegration of more than 5,000 children in 2017, but tens of thousands of boys and girls are still being recruited, kidnapped, and forced to fight or work for military groups or armed forces at "alarming rates," according to the United Nations. "Children can only be freed from armed groups and forces through a comprehensive reintegration process, including medical and psycho-social support, as well as educational programmes and trainings," the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, said Monday, on the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers. "Without a strong political and financial commitment to the reintegration process, re-recruitment is unfortunately likely to happen in many conflict situations," Ms. Gamba added. Despite progress, boys and girls continue to be recruited, kidnapped, forced to fight or work for military groups or armed forces. The recruitment and use of children happened in all 20 country situations covered by the mandate entrusted to Ms. Gambia and her office. Sixty-one parties to conflict out of 63 are listed for this grave violation in the 2016 Annual Report of the Secretary-General on the issue, making it by far the most widely-spread violation. "It is our responsibility to show these children that there is hope outside of conflicts, that they can live in peace and security and be allowed to live their dreams," Ms. Gamba, reminded. The International Day was initiated in 2002 when the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict entered into force on February 12, 2002. This protocol, which sets the minimum age for recruitment into armed forces in conflict at 18, has been ratified by 167 States. Is the international approach fit-for-purpose? Meanwhile, the United Nations University (UNU) has been collaborating with the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Luxembourg and Switzerland, to examine whether the international community's approach to this scourge is effective, or requires adjustments. The goal is to use the empirical findings of the research to inform programmatic guidance for actors in the field and to effectively disengage children from armed groups. In their report, titled Cradled by Conflict: Child Involvement with Armed Groups in Contemporary Conflict, researchers suggest that most children do not so much "opt" into conflict as "grow" into it. According to the report, conflict structures the information they see and the choices they make. It pulls and pushes them in many directions. Conflict erodes their relationships. It exacerbates their needs and exposes them to untold risks. Conflict shapes their identity and heightens their need to find meaning in their lives. Ultimately, the forces of conflict narrow the paths available to children, and tragically, for many, lead to exploitation, violence, and trauma. These findings undermine the conventional wisdom that "violent extremism" or ideology is predominantly responsible for driving children into armed groups. The report proposes five principles for more effective international efforts to prevent and respond to child recruitment and use by armed groups: avoid programmes focused primarily on ideological factors; only incorporate ideological components where individually necessary and where they can be embedded into larger, holistic efforts to address the needs and risks of children; ensure all interventions are empirically based; rigorously assess interventions over the long term; and engage children not just as beneficiaries, but as partners. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Civilians in war-torn Yemen 'under fire on all sides' - UN rights chief 12 February 2018 Raising alarm over continuing civilian casualties in the midst of increased hostilities in war-ravaged Yemen, the United Nations human rights chief underscored that all parties to the conflict are obliged under international humanitarian law to ensure that civilians are not harmed. The situation in Taizz governorate located in south-west Yemen is of particular concern. "Civilians are under fire on all sides, as Houthi and affiliated forces carry out sniper attacks and indiscriminate shelling, and the Saudi-led Coalition continues to conduct airstrikes," the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, said in a news release Monday. "For the civilians in the city of Taizz, the conflict is not just escalating but inescapable." Between 1 and 8 February, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) verified that 27 people were killed and 76 injured in Yemen more than double the number of civilian casualties confirmed during the previous week. The actual number could be higher. Among those killed were three children who lost their lives in shelling by Houthi forces in Al Qahirah district (northern Taizz) on 6 February; and a woman working as field monitor for the Yemen National Commission of Inquiry in Salh district on 8 Ferbruary. Elsewhere in the country, eight civilians including a woman and a child were killed and 32 injured on 4 February when three airstrikes hit a Ministry of the Interior building in Bani Al Harith district, in Amanat Al Asimah Governorate. OHCHR officials who visited the scene said that there did not appear to be any military objects near the building, which had previously been hit in January 2016. Also in the first eight days of February, OHCHR document sniping and indiscriminate shelling by Houthi forces in frontline areas in Hudaydah and Hajja governorates, and airstrikes by the Coalition on areas under the control of the Houthi forces, including in Sana'a, Sa'ada, Hudaydah and Amran Governorates. Underscoring the obligation on all parties to the conflict to ensure that civilian populations are not harmed, the UN human rights chief reiterated that "any intentional, direct attack against civilians or civilian objects is considered a serious violation of international humanitarian law." Since March 2015 and as of 8 February, OHCHR has documented 15,467 civilian casualties, with 5,974 killed and 9,493 injured. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump Budget Request Includes Funds for Border Wall, Military By Peter Heinlein, William Gallo February 12, 2018 U.S. President Donald Trump is sending a $4.4 trillion budget request to Congress that includes money for a southern border wall and building up the military, but is projected to increase the federal deficit by more than $1 trillion. White House officials all but acknowledged the proposal unveiled Monday has little chance of becoming law Congress alone controls federal government spending. But the White House insisted the budget proposal still sends an important message about Trump's priorities. "This is a messaging document," White House budget director Mick Mulvaney told reporters at a briefing Monday. The Trump budget calls for major cuts to domestic programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and food stamps. But the plan would still not balance the federal budget, in part because of reduced federal revenue due to tax cuts passed last year. Democrats widely rejected the plan. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi called the proposal a "brutal collection of broken promises and staggering cuts." The proposal's failure to eliminate debt is also likely to upset some Republicans, who have traditionally opposed budget deficits. "It's simply adjusting to the Washington, D.C., we live in," Mulvaney said, stressing that the new budget plan would help "turn the tide" on national debt. The White House proposal builds on the massive, two-year spending bill passed last week by Congress and signed by the president. That bill includes a major boost for the military, as well as domestic programs. Mulvaney, a former lawmaker and long-time opponent of federal debt, has acknowledged he likely would not have supported the bill were he still in Congress. But he said the new White House proposal does not mean that all of the money approved by Congress must be spent. "These are spending caps, these are not spending floors," he said. Under the two-year budget deal reached last week by Congress, the Pentagon will get a record-high $700 billion for 2018 fulfilling a Trump campaign pledge. "We took care of the military like it's never been taken care of before," Trump said Monday. But at a White House meeting Monday on infrastructure with state and local officials, Trump said he looked forward to spending more on the U.S. not overseas. "As of a couple of months ago, we have spent $7 trillion in the Middle East. Seven trillion dollars. What a mistake," Trump said, using an oft-disputed figure about U.S. spending on wars in the Middle East. "We're trying to build roads and bridges and fix bridges that are falling down, and we have a hard time getting the money. It's crazy," Trump said. The budget request is being unveiled along with an infrastructure initiative designed to rebuild what a White House fact sheet calls the nation's "crumbling infrastructure." The plan envisions budgeting $200 billion in federal funds to spur at least $1.5 trillion in infrastructure investments from private investors and state and local governments. But the infrastructure proposal's fate is uncertain. Many members of Trump's Republican Party say they are reluctant to add any additional government spending, especially after passing tax cuts. Many Democrats, meanwhile, want more federal dollars to be used on infrastructure. The proposal also includes $23 billion for border security and immigration enforcement, including $18 billion for a wall along the frontier with Mexico. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US, Israel Differ on Whether They Have Discussed Israel Settlement Annexation By Ken Bredemeier February 12, 2018 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he has had talks with the United States about the possibility of annexing Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, but in a rare note of discord between the staunch allies, the White House said his claim was false. "On the subject of applying sovereignty, I can say that I have been talking to the Americans about it for some time," Netanyahu told a closed-door meeting of lawmakers from his right-wing Likud party. Settlements stall peace talks The controversial settlements are in territory claimed by the Palestinians as part of a possible, future Palestinian state, but have been occupied by Israel since the Six Day War in 1967. Control of the territory is one several disputes that for decades have stymied efforts by the United States, the Israelis, the Palestinians and others to reach an Israeli-Palestinian peace accord. White House spokesman Josh Raffel rebuffed Netanyahu's claim, saying, "Reports that the United States discussed with Israel an annexation plan for the West Bank are false. The United States and Israel have never discussed such a proposal, and (President Donald Trump's) focus remains squarely on his Israeli-Palestinian peace initiative." Trump has sought to rejuvenate Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, dispatching his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, a White House adviser, to the region to gauge the climate for renewed negotiations. But the U.S. leader has acknowledged the difficulty, as have past American presidents. Trump has his doubts In an interview published Sunday in Israel Hayom, a pro-Netanyahu newspaper, Trump said, "The settlements are something that very much complicates and always have complicated making peace, so I think Israel has to be very careful with the settlements." He voiced doubts about the Palestinians and Israelis wanting to reach a peace deal. "We are going to see what goes on," he said. "Right now, I would say the Palestinians are not looking to make peace, they are not looking to make peace. And I am not necessarily sure that Israel is looking to make peace." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address India, Pakistan Trade Barbs After Attack on Indian Kashmir Army Camp By Anjana Pasricha February 12, 2018 Indian Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Monday accused the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed militant group of attacking on an army camp in Indian Kashmir and vowed that "Pakistan will pay for this misadventure." The pre-dawn assault on Saturday by heavily armed militants claimed the lives of five soldiers, one civilian and three militants. Women and children were among 10 people wounded as the militants breached the residential quarters inside the camp. It was the worst militant attack in months in Kashmir and threatened to fuel tensions between India and Pakistan, whose ties are already at a low point. Sitharaman visited the camp on Monday after it was secured by dozens of troops following a two-day gun battle. Stating at a press conference that terrorists who carried out the assault were controlled by handlers from across the border, the defense minister said "Pakistan is expanding the arc of terror to the areas south of Pir Panjal [Himalayan] ranges and resorting to cease-fire violations to assist infiltration." Militant attacks usually take place in the Kashmir valley, but the assault took place in Jammu, which lies to the south and has been relatively free of violence. New Delhi has long accused Pakistan of arming and training militants and helping them cross the border into Indian Kashmir to conduct strikes against Indian targets allegations Islamabad denies. In a statement issued on Monday before the Indian defense minister's press conference, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry accused India of "making irresponsible statements and leveling unfounded allegations, even before any proper investigation in any incident has been initiated." It called on the international community to urge India to stop violations of human rights in Kashmir and "refrain from any misadventure across the Line of Control" that divides Kashmir between the two countries. In 2016, India said its troops had crossed into Pakistani Kashmir and carried out a raid on militant camps after an attack on an Indian army base in Kashmir. Meanwhile, the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir state, Mehbooba Mufti, in a tweet on Monday, called for talks with Pakistan. "Dialogue with Pakistan is necessary if we are to end bloodshed,"the minister said. Analysts, however, say that is unlikely to happen due to the tough position taken by the federal government in New Delhi. "The diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan are virtually non-functional right now," said Manoj Joshi at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi. "The government is saying we will crush the militancy and then we will talk to Pakistan." More violence flared in the restive region on Monday. Indian officials said one soldier was killed as security forces foiled an attempted attack on a paramilitary camp in Kashmir's summer capital, Srinagar. The Himalayan region of Kashmir, divided between India and Pakistan but claimed by both, lies at the heart of their bitter relations. India accuses Pakistan of supporting armed militants to fuel an insurgency in India's only Muslim majority region, while Islamabad accuses New Delhi of human rights violations against Kashmiris. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tillerson: Up to North Korea to Engage in Talks By VOA News February 12, 2018 U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Monday any possible negotiations with North Korea over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs can only happen if North Korea shows it is ready to engage in meaningful talks. "I think it's too early to judge," Tillerson said during a visit to Egypt. "As we've said for some time, it's really up to the North Koreans to decide when they're ready to engage with us in a sincere way, a meaningful way. They know what has to be on the table for conversations." Tillerson spoke at a joint news conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry after the two diplomats discussed regional security issues such as Libya and Syria, as well as the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Tillerson said the Egyptian people should be confident in the continuing U.S. commitment to supporting Egypt in fighting terrorism. "Our joint commitment to defeat ISIS is steadfast and there has been no gap between Egypt and the United States in our joint efforts to confront terrorists and extremism in the region, but most specifically here in Egypt as well," he said, using an acronym for the Islamic State group. Tillerson is due to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi on the first stop of his five-country Middle East trip. He is also visiting Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, and Kuwait. Sissi is widely expected to win re-election next month after most candidates believed to represent a serious challenge have dropped out of the race, including several who were arrested or faced pressure to withdraw. When asked questions about how fair the vote will be, Tillerson said the United States has always supported free and fair elections in any country, including Egypt. "So the U.S. is always going to advocate for an electoral process that respects the rights of its citizens to make the choices the citizens want to make and the full participation of citizens in those elections," he said. Shoukry said certain human rights groups that criticized the electoral climate in Egypt lacked information and "direct association" with Egyptian society. "It is the Egyptian people who should determine how they are applying their freedoms and their political activism," Shoukry said. Turkey In Ankara, Tillerson will press Turkey to release Americans detained by Ankara, and urge the NATO ally to show restraint in military operations in northern Syria, according to senior U.S. officials. "At times like this, engagement is all the more important," said a State Department official Friday, while acknowledging, "It's going to be a difficult conversation." The top U.S. diplomat's visit to Ankara comes amid escalated tensions over a series of disagreements, including human rights cases and the Syria crisis. "Look, it's difficult. The rhetoric is hot, the Turks are angry and this is a difficult time to do business, but it's our belief that there are still some very fundamental underlying shared interests," the senior official said Friday. The State Department says U.S. citizen Serkan Golge, a NASA scientist who was arrested in July 2016, was convicted "without credible evidence" on February 8 by Turkish authorities for being a member of a terror organization. On February 1, Amnesty International's Turkey chairman, Taner Kilic, was re-arrested and placed back in pretrial detention. Kilic is facing terrorism charges. The State Department said it is deeply troubled by those cases and urged the Turkish government to "end the protracted state of emergency, to release those detained arbitrarily under emergency authorities, and to safeguard the rule of law consistent with Turkey's own domestic and international obligations and commitments." In the year after a failed coup in July 2016, Turkey arrested more than 50,000 people and fired 150,000, including many from the police, army and judiciary. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Fethullah Gulen, an exiled cleric based in the United States, of orchestrating the attempted coup. Gulen has denied any role in the plot. Ankara has also asked Washington to extradite Gulen. The lack of trust between Washington and Ankara grew after Turkey started an air and ground offensive in Afrin, Syria, against a Kurdish group known as the People's Protection Units, or YPG. Turkey considers the YPG to be a terrorist organization, alleging it is an extension of a Kurdish group fighting for autonomy in Turkey for decades. The United States denies those connections and sees the YPG as a key ally in the battle against Islamic State militants. "We are urging them [Turkish authorities] to show restraint in their operations in Afrin, and to show restraint further along the line across the border in northern Syria," said a senior State Department official. "We can work with them to address their legitimate security concerns while, at the same time, minimizing civilian casualties and above all else, keeping everything focused on the defeat ISIS fight, which is not over," he added, using the acronym of the Islamic State militants. Other stops on schedule In Amman, Tillerson will meet with the Jordanian leadership on the conclusion of a new memorandum of understanding on bilateral assistance, and discuss key regional issues, such as the ongoing crisis in Syria and Jordan's support for Middle East peace. In Beirut, he will meet with Lebanese President Michel Aoun, Prime Minister Saad Hariri, and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri to emphasize U.S. support for the Lebanese people and the Lebanese armed forces. The chief U.S. diplomat will also lead a delegation to the ministerial meeting in Kuwait of the 74-member Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. He will also participate in the Iraq Reconstruction Conference, which is the first since Islamic State was defeated in Raqqa, Syria and Iraq declared some of its own territory liberated. The three-day Iraq Reconstruction Conference will showcase private sector investment opportunities and international support for Iraq. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tillerson Calls for Transparent, Credible Elections in Egypt By Edward Yeranian February 12, 2018 U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson began a five-nation visit to the Middle East in Egypt, where he called for next month's presidential elections to be transparent and credible. His talks Monday with his counterpart Sameh Shoukri touched on topics including economic and military cooperation, and the fight against terrorism. In a joint news conference at the old foreign ministry compound, Tillerson and Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukri highlighted bilateral issues, including the fight against terrorism, and U.S. concerns about Egypt's presidential elections. Both men stressed that they had agreed not to interfere in each other's internal affairs. Tillerson noted that discussions included "the promotion and protection of human rights and the vital role of civil society in Egypt" and the upcoming Egyptian presidential election in March, in which incumbent President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi is running largely unopposed. "The United States, as it does in all countries, supports a transparent and credible electoral process and all citizens being given the right and the opportunity to participate freely and fairly," said Tillerson. When asked about alleged political oppression in Egypt, Shoukri responded that "development in the social and political field is an evolutionary process." "The Egyptian people have shown their commitment and their determination and their ability to change their course and to indicate their dissatisfaction if they deemed they were dissatisfied," he added. "They have been able to change two governments in the last seven years and they have undertaken legislative elections and know how to protect their rights and advocate." Terrorism Tillerson stressed that both the U.S. and Egypt are determined to jointly pursue the fight against terrorism. He noted that Egypt is a key member of the U.S.-led coalition against the so-called Islamic State group: "We agreed that we would continue our close cooperation on counter-terrorism measures, including our joint commitment to the defeat of ISIS, and Egypt has been a very important member of the defeat-ISIS coalition from the beginning," he said. 'Egypt deals with the threats of ISIS themselves and are dealing with it currently in the Sinai." Egypt began a country-wide anti-terrorism operation, dubbed Sinai 2018, on Friday. It has been launching air strikes against terrorist targets, including arms caches, and attempting to disrupt arms supply routes from Libya and Gaza. Jerusalem In response to an Arab journalist's question about U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel, Tillerson insisted that the U.S. remained committed the peace process and that several key points of the president's decision were being misinterpreted. "In the announcement President Trump made regarding Jerusalem, he also made two very important points, as well, one of which was, he was not advocating for any change to the status quo as to the oversight of the holy sites, recognizing the proper role of existing authorities," he said "And the second is that the final boundaries of Jerusalem are yet to be determined and will be decided among the parties." North Korea When asked about Egypt's relations with North Korea, Shoukri pointed out that many U.S. allies also have diplomatic ties with Pyongyang, but stressed that economic and other ties were minimal. "Egypt has had normal diplomatic ties with North Korea, as do many Western and NATO members," he said. "And those ties are, in terms of the relationship, limited to representation and there is almost no existing economic or other areas of cooperation." Secretary Tillerson added that the U.S. is still evaluating eventual diplomatic negotiations with North Korea. But he pointed out that it's "up to Pyongyang to decide when they're ready to engage with [the US] in a sincere and meaningful way [since] they know what has to be on the table for discussions." Tillerson met with el-Sissi at the al Ittihadiya Presidential palace before heading to the airport and continuing his tour, with stops in Kuwait, Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Africa's Political Crisis Deepens Over Embattled President By Anita Powell February 12, 2018 South Africa's tense political crisis reached a peak Monday as leaders of the ruling African National Congress met to demand President Jacob Zuma's resignation. But after more than a week of unsuccessful negotiations, the opposition vowed that is not the end of the nation's political turmoil and called for early elections to replace Zuma. The coalition of opposition parties said they are seeking to move up a planned no-confidence vote in parliament, the ninth such vote Zuma has faced. Previous votes have failed because Zuma enjoyed the support of the ruling party, which he has now lost. An opposition coalition led by the Democratic Alliance and the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters says it will demand parliament be dissolved and early elections held once Zuma is out. Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema says the opposition is not content to allow Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to hold Zuma's seat until elections in mid-2019. "They want Zuma to go because it is the time for Cyril's group to eat," he said. "And they call it a transition.Transition from what? It can not be a transition, it is not a transition. That is an abuse of concepts. It is factions changing, swapping seats. ... It's a swappie, from one corrupt failure to another corrupt failure." The opposition and many South Africans have been calling for Zuma to step down for years as he sank deeper into growing, widening corruption scandals, protected by the ANC's comfortable majority in parliament. But since the ANC replaced Zuma as party head in December, Ramaphosa, his successor as party leader, has been working to push him out of the presidency as well. This past week, top ANC members met privately with Zuma to try to convince him to resign. Ramaphosa said Sunday the ANC knew South Africans were losing patience. "The successful resolution of this matter has great, significant consequences for the country and for the African National Congress," he said. "... We know you want closure on this matter. Comrades, as you do want closure, we will be doing so, keeping our eyes on what is in the interests of all of our people and how we continue to unite the nation." But Ramaphosa's new job will not be easy, especially if the opposition makes headway in its quest to push him out, says analyst Daniel Silke. "But I think Ramaphosa is a wily character, someone who has the ear of both domestic and foreign business interests in South Africa," he said. "And there is a large body of South Africans, ordinary South Africans, who are desperate for political change and will give him the benefit of the doubt, even if he has to compromise on some of these challenges he will face." And, Zuma is unlikely to enjoy an easy retirement. He could face numerous corruption investigations, including a pending case that includes 783 charges of corruption. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Soviet Aircraft - Cold War Phantom Fighters During the Cold War, both sides closely followed the technical achievements of each other, especially close surveillance was given to aviation and rocket construction. A plane did not have time to go to trial, and already its images were studied by the opposing party, which wrote instructions on the fight against it. The Western aviation press tried to illuminate their readers on Soviet aircraft, but these journalists faced many obstacles. Sometimes they were lucky and the Western military shared their materials, but in other cases, the only thing that the air journalists could offer was the fruits of their imagination. Until recently, there was enormous confusion, because many designations were kept secret and information flow was slow. The assigning of NATO codenames to aircraft was done for good reason. Sufficiently old books will claim that the "Foxbat" is the 'MiG-23', "Faceplate" is the 'MiG-21', or that "Backfin" was in production as the 'Yak-42'. A few times detailled three-view drawings of non-existing aircraft have been published. And often, even if a general designation of the aircraft is known, different versions with different engines may not be distinguished. Writing in Flying Magazine in January 1951, the noted English author and student of World War II combat aviation, William Green noted that "Since 1947 it has been a capital offense in the Soviet Union to publish even the most innocent details about Red military aviation which have not been passed through official censorship. Neverthelss, information keeps coming through the Iron Curtain [or over or under it] and careful research permits the assembly of the jigsaw pieces into a nearly complete picture. By such methods comes information on the newest Soviet warplanes known to be in quantity production .... From time to time the editors of FLYING have been challenged on the authenticity of our inforamtion about Soviet warplanes. here is one source of the drawings and silhouettes whcih have appeard in past issues of FLYING. These pictures from behind the Iron Curtain are the first authentic unretouched photographs of Soviet jet warplanes whcih have ever been published in a Western country. All of them were taken with the aid of telescopic lenses and smuggled out." Avion, in its April 1956 issue, reported (page 150) on several aircraft whose descriptions were too vague to identify. "Super-MiG: missidentified as MiG-17 some years ago. Probably based on a twin-jet MiG-15 development. A version with nose radome and lateral intakes seems to have been existed. Anyway the type never went beyond the prototype stage.... Super-MiG or Mik-21: The G from Gurevitch would be lost. Twin engine project. ... By 1954 rumors from German sources indicated a Tupolev all weather fighter had entered series production by 1953. It was similar configured as the French Vatour. By 1956 the wide-ranging effects of the new Soviet line had asserted themselves with extraordinary force in the Communist world, in the West and in the Middle East. On 24 June 1956, in the annual observance of Soviet Air Force Day, the Soviet Union flew at least four new types of military aircraft through rain-swept skies over Moscow with occasional bright periods and generally good visibility. The air power demonstration had heavy political overtones. Describing the Tushino scene a Moscow Radio aviation expert said that not only was the airfield itself packed with spectators, but for miles around thousands more were seated by the roadside, on farm wagons and on rooftops. Attendance at Tushino proper was of the order of 200,000 and in all some 500,000 must have watched the flying. Last in this dramatic phase came "new Soviet aeroplanes, designed by Antonov, Tupolev, Yaklovlev, Mikoyan and Sukhoi". Soviet jet bombers flew In the sky parade above Tushino airfield, near Moscow, but there were only 16 medium and heavy bombers, compared with more than 130 fighters, several of them new types. The new planes had been forecast. One that had been expected, a four-engine jet transport, was missing. Contradictory and garbled as were available reports, it was clear that the new deltas of which there were three, ascribed to the designer Sukhoi, varying, it appeared, in nose design were extremely advanced aircraft indeed. Two more new fighters were described as enlarged versions of the Farmer (Farmer itself is unofficially reported to be designated Yak-25); and the parade of new types was completed by two developments of the all-weather Flashlight, one having a modified fighter-type nose, and another a transparent nose-cone, possibly indicating adaptation for the light-bomber role. On the following day, at Kubinka Airfield, 40 miles from Moscow, the Western visitors were taken in cars past a line-up of every type of Russian operational military aircraft. Not previously seen were a twin-jet, swept-wing bomber of about Canberra size which, the Russians claimed, was supersonic. Another new type was a single-jet ground-attack aircraft, with armor plating under the fuselage. There was also a naval machine with extensive provision for external stores, and powered by one turboprop. The experimental model of aircraft "91" was demonstrated on June 25, 1956 at the Moscow airfield Kubinka to an American aviation delegation, which visited the USSR on an official visit. The head of the delegation was General Nathan Twining. General Nathan F. Twining, as Chief of Staff, Air Force, had formulated the initial military policy of the New Look period, in JCS 2101/113, and later served as Chairman of the JCS from August 1957 until September 1960. Besides the aircraft "91" the delegation was shown the not yet flown "Tu-98" and the Il-54. All three aircraft were experimental, and fate of two of them was already decided - that they would not go into series production (Il-54 and "91"). After the trip of the Twining delegation to the USSR, approximate configurations of the aircraft "91" appeared in the western aviation press. The first photograph of the "91" appeared in the western press at the beginning of the 1960. In the photo the aircraft was foreshortened 3/4 from the starboard. Prior to the beginning of the 1990 this was the only published photograph of machine. On the basis it for almost 30 years there were done the very approximate drawings of aircraft, which briefly gave some idea about the "bull calf". As to an over-all estimation of the State of American air power as against that of the Soviets, quotes from testimony by General Twining and General Irvine after their return from Moscow give a fair summation. Asked how far superior USAF is over the Russians qualitatively, General Irvine said, " ... we are not very far ahead of them at the moment, they have been closing the gap over the last 15 years, and so I can only come to one conclusion: That in such areas as ballistic missiles, nuclear bombers, Chemical bombers, long-range interceptors, we must do everything we can in marshaling people and resources into expediting those programs to the fullest. Amron Katz wrote in 1957 that "In preparation for General Twining's visit last year to an air show at Moscow the Engineering Division at RAND hastily put together "notes for visiting tourists who might see missiles." This was an informal effort and has not yet been fully documented... .. The mechanics of disclosure by the Soviets of their aircraft and weapons are fairly well understood. We seem to be able to pick up weapons tests with good reliability and precision. Our main knowledge of Soviet aircraft is picked up at the several air shows in and around Moscow by photographic methods and other methods". Soviet Phantom Aircraft Fighter-interceptor vertical take-off. A fighter-interceptor vertical take-off appeared for the first time in Life magazine, which described how a promising development of captive German engineers, to protect industrial facilities. According to the magazine, the plane was already in mass production, and, according to reports from Korea, American Saber pilots had already met the plane in combat. It is interesting to land an airplane not with engines, but with parachutes. Later, this aircraft was widely used in Italian aviation magazines, where it appeared throughout the 1950s. The principle of the VTOL family of tail-sitter is to take off and land a device with the fuselage placed vertically on the ground, hence the designation "tail-sitter". In the late 1940s, the US Navy Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAer) began to seriously examine the feasibility of developing a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) tailsitter aircraft to protect convoys, task forces, and other vessels. These specialized interceptors would be placed on the decks of ships to provide a rapid defensive air support to protect convoys, task forces, and other vessels. The diminutive Ryan X-13 Vertijet was designed to explore the feasibility of a pure-jet vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) fighter aircraft. Using a Rolls Royce Avon turbojet engine, the aircraft easily made the transition between vertical and horizontal flight and enjoyed a highly successful career. In the USSR, Boris Yuryev presented in 1946, the KIT-1 and -2 projects, tail-sitter (with a piston engine VK-108) similar to the Convair XFV-1 but which did not go beyond the stage of the board drawing. In the Soviet Union, the Yakolev Yak-36 made its first untethered flight in 1963. Although it was never put into production, it led directly to the operational Yak-38 Forger. Cheranovski Che-22 / BICh-22 One of the leading glider designers in Russia, V.I. Cheranovski, was also a great exponent of man-powered flight, and demonstrated his ideas through the construction of a number of machines. The first of the series was built in Moscow in 1921. In 1924 two flying wing gliders of B.I.Cheranovskij (BICh-1 and BICh-2) were presented at the Glider Contest. Pilot was almost hidden inside of the thick 'inhabited' wing. Boris Ivanovich Cheranovsky, as an aircraft designer, began his journey from work on an absolutely round wing, and in the 20-30s. switched to "paraboloids," by the 1940s. became a supporter of more "arrow-shaped" apparatus, in terms of resembling a triangle rather than a flying saucer. And yet he did not completely abandon the idea of using the advantages of the previous concept. Therefore, if A.S. Moskalev, the developer of "Strela" and "Sigma", in 1944 created the project of a high-speed fighter RM-1, which was an elongated-pointed version of "Sigma" that had completely lost the signs of "plateau" - then Cheranovsky in the war years went on a different path. His project, which appeared almost simultaneously with the RM-1, was a wide and short "flying wing", designed for transonic speeds. It was not implemented, like Moskalev's proposal - but he managed to noticeably influence the design idea of many aviators. On 17 July 1949 during an air show on Tushino, the Soviet government presented a spectacular flyover, in which national and foreign observers were able to appreciate the Soviet aviation development. This parade was organized with the aim of impressing the world with the Soviet military advances and in it modern fighters and reactive bombers participated, although many of them were only experimental prototypes, which would never enter into production. The result was the expected. Among the planes demonstrated in the parade was a small glider in flying wing composition. This glider was the Che-22, in which the pilot IA Petrov showed evolutions of piloting of high school in front of the public gathered there. The presenter of the show announced that this specimen was a training glider conceived for the preparation of the pilots of a supersonic reactive interceptor developed with the same concept. The Western specialists were totally amazed. It was the year 1949 and the Russians had already developed an interceptor capable of overcoming the sonic barrier. This was a danger that could not be ignored, so soon Western intelligence services echoed this new Soviet weapon. The prestigious Jane's encyclopedia published information about the mysterious and secret Soviet supersonic interceptor fighter developed in 1949. The designer was said to be developing projects for supersonic aircraft such as the "flying wing" BICH-24 and BICH-26 with a turbojet engine. The BICh-22 was conceived as a single-seat experimental glider and featured a flying wing configuration. At the end of 1949 in the DOSAV workshops in the Chornoye suburb of Moscow, an accident occurred during a flight of the Che-22, killing the test pilot I.A.Petrov. The development work of the glider series was cancelled. Cheranovsky Tank Carrier Among Soviet aircraft designers, Boris Ivanovich Cheranovsky (1896-1960) occupies a special place by the unusual nature of the schemes of his gliders and aircraft. B. I. Cheranovsky - the founder of the tailless in Russia and implemented in nature flying wing of a thick profile throughout the world. In 1950-1951 in the model workshop of the MAI aerodynamic laboratory, based on Cheranovskiy's drawings, several wind-tunnel ["blow-down"] models of airplanes and gliders designed according to the "flying wing" scheme were made for aerodynamic experimental studies of them in a wind tunnel. In 1951, according to the order of the Central Committee of DOSAAF, a model of a flying-wing type glider, TLK, designed for research in the T-1 wind tunnel, was made using Cheranovsky's drawings. The testing of the TLK model was preceded by tests of the special profile arms developed by Cheranovsky. (This profile was used in the layout of the airframe wing.) The works were carried out at the MAI in 1952. Hawley Bowlus was an interesting man who led a varied and rich life. He started the Airstream Travel Trailer Company which produces those iconic polished, round-cornered aluminum skinned trailers. He also designed gliders as well as teaching many to fly them in fact he taught Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Bowlus also designed the AC Bowl 02 (also called the MC-1) which the U.S. military tested as the XCG-16 (manufactured by General Airborne Transport) an aircraft strongly reminiscent of the Burnelli CBY-3 Loadmaster (designed by Vincent Burnelli). The design is that of a lifting fuselage with wings there is no fuselage, in the conventional sense. The most common way for tanks to be transported during the Second World War was by rail or tank transporter. Tanks are not meant to traverse long distances on their own. The moving parts in tanks are designed to withstand extreme conditions but this comes at a price. In the Second World War, some late war German vehicles had extremely powerful engines (and other parts) that were designed to basically work under full load for only a few hours. In countries without a densely developed road infrastructure (especially in more distant regions) such as Russia, the preferred method of transporting tanks is by rail. But the Russian rail network had only limited coverage. Air travel is not only very expensive, but also requires specialized aircraft. Not every transport plane can carry a main battle tank. On 17 March 1951, the "Picture Post" published by the New York Herald Tribune printed artwork of what was described as a Cheranovsky Tank Carrier. It generally resembled a Bowlus flying wing, with Italian style tri-motor engines. There is no indication that this aircraft had any existence outside of the fevered imagination of the artist. While it was a not-implausible design, there is not other attestation of such an aircraft, by this or any other designer. La-8 Avion, in its April 1956 Issue, reported (page 150) that in 1946 a limited number of jets with Me-262 configuration entered service with Soviet Air Force. It was suposed to be a Lavochkin type and designated La-8. A further improvement from 1948 was given the La-13 number. It was a straight wing type with underwing podded engines. Armament was 4 NS 23 mm in the nose. At the end of the Great Patriotic War, Comrade Stalin assigned OKB Sukhoy [later OKB-51] to create a new-generation jet fighter, but because of safety concerns, technical delays, and Stalin's perception that the design was too derivative of the German Me 262, Sukhoy's Su-9 and its subsequent modifications were never adopted for production. Stalin eventually closed his design bureau in November 1949, and Sukhoy's team became a subdivision of the Tupolev design bureau in Moscow. After Stalin's death in 1953, the Soviet government permitted Sukhoi to regroup his old team as an independent design bureau. La-13/15 In Flying Magazine December 1952, Ian Morton reported that "Since the last war, Lavochkin has produced a series of twin-engine jet fighters based on German designer Willy Messerschmitt's Me-262 Sturmvogel. The first of thse was put into limited production under the designation La-13. Then followed the La-15, a 1948 development, powered by Russian-built M-004 axial turbojets. When the 6,600 lb. static thrugh M-012 engines became available, Lavochkin set about to dedesing the obsolescent La-15. The revamped version had swept wing and tail surfaces, and was in limited production as an all-weather fighter at the start of 1951." La-16 Avion, in its April 1956 Issue, reported (page 150) on the La-16, a 1949 evolution from La-8/13 types with swept surfaces and armament allocated in the forward fuselage sides to allow instalation of a powerful radar in the nose. The first public apearance in Tushino 1955 of an all weather interceptor codenamed Flashlight seems to be the final developmental stage of the La-16. Nevertheless the Flashlight shows several differences in detail with the La-16 and nobody can be sure even the Flashlight is a Lavokhin product. La-17 Avion, in its April 1956 Issue, reported (page 150) on La-17, an interim fighter with nose radar (similar to that illustrated for the MiG-15) has been fielded while waiting for a >deffinitive all-weather fighter. A 2-crew assault had been tested but not adopted. Lateral intakes leaving a pointed nose for a radar and 4 cannons instalation. La-26 In Flying Magazine December 1952, Ian Morton reported that a "revamped version had swept wing and tail surfaces, and was in limited production as an all-weather fighter at the start of 1951. ... Lavochkin's "F-89" is a sleeker looking job than its American counterpart. performancee figures are, at present, unknown, but with the installation of two modified M-012 turbojets, a maximum speed in excess of 700 mph should be attained... Although once attributed to a bomber design similar to the B-26 in aerodynamic configuration, the designation La-26 is tentatively linked with the new all-weather jet." "Avion, in its April 1956 Issue, reported (page 150) on the La-26 that nothing more had been heard about this all-weather twin jet. La-47 / "Transonic Research Plane" Modern aviation is a technique of great speeds. At the disposal of specialists, then there was no powerful computer technology, and it was not possible to obtain accurate computational results. As the speeds of aircraft increased, other mechanisms of loss of stability were discovered. At near-sound speeds, for example, so-called shock waves are formed. Similar phenomena, called buffeting (from the English buffet - to strike, strike), occur at subsonic speeds at large angles of attack. The August 1950 edition of "Flying Magazine" included artwork of a Soviet "Transonic Research Plane" described as "one fo the Red's most advanced, reconstructed from three authentic photos. Craft resembles British Supermarine 510, has 35 sweep-back on wing leading edge.... They first built a sweptwing research craft to investigate sonic speeds. One of these machines flew in 1948 and is presented here in fully substantiated detail for the first time. Accompanying illustrations are not "'artist's impressiones" but accurate reconstructions of actual photos. This is probably the most interesting genuine aeronautical information to come from Russia since the end of the war". The first jet planes (mid-1940s) were built on the basis of the previous aerodynamics, but only with engines without propellers. But the subsequent sharp increase in speed led to cardinal changes in the entire external figure of the machine. There appeared a swept wing of small elongation, which sharply reduced the resistance at speeds close to the speed of sound. The transonic airplane acquired a new aesthetic expressiveness due to elements born as a result of the research of scientists and designers. In subsonic airplanes, the constant-geometry air intake with its rounded leading edge performs well enough. For supersonic aircraft, it was necessary to develop air inlets of a different form and another principle of operation. Due to the wide range of operational speeds of these aircraft, their air intakes and air ducts should work equally well under different conditions. The achievements of German specialists became the basis on which the transonic airplanes were born, both abroad and in the Soviet Union. The La-176 fighter, on which the test pilot Ivan Fedorov, on December 26, 1948, for the first time in the USSR overcame the sound barrier, was an entirely unrelated design. The "Transonic Research Plane" was otherwise un-attested outside of the pages of "Flying Magazine". But in December 1952 in "L'Ala D'Italia" under the title "Rassegna dell'aviazione sovietica" ["Soviet Aviation Review"] it is reported that this design "appeared for the first time in 1950. The characteristic silhouette is detached considerably from that of other Soviet fighters. The air intake is far forward: it almost gets confused with the fuselage. The top of the T-tail is raised to a certain height relative to the plane of the wings. Velocity is 1100 km/hour." [E apparso per la prima volta nel 1950. Caratteristatica la sua sagoma che si stacca notevolmente da quella degli altri caccia sovietici. Canina posta molot avanti: quasi si confonde con la fusolliera. Piani di dierzione a T sollevati a una certa altezza respetto al piano delle ali a delta. Velociat: ikm 1100/ora."] Confusingly, another entirely different airplane was represented a few pages later with the same designation MiG- Fearless The Fearless was described as a "new variable geometry air superiority fighter developed by the Mikoyan bureau", undergoing flight testing, according to Air Enthusiast December 1971, which reported a T/W Ratio: 1.2:1, agross weight: 40,000lb and 2 x 24,000lb turbojets. The Spanish Ministry of Defense BOLETIN DE INFORMACION NUM. 62-IX Marzo, 1972 reported on the development of a new series or "family" of tactical fighter aircraft, would augment the already formidable arsenal. The advanced apparatus, a "Mikoyan" with variable wing, known as "Fearless", had been specially projected to counteract the American series of fighters such as "McDonnell-Douglas" F-15 of the USAF and "Grumman" F14 of the Navy. The "Fearless" had a combat of about 300 nautical miles a gross weight of approximately 40,000 lb and a maximum speed of Mach 2.5. The relationship between thrust and weight of the Fearless was reported as 1.2, consiederably better than other Soviet aircraft, which typically had a thrust-to-weight of 0.7 to 0.9. Airplanes with variable geometry are sometimes referred to as "swing-wing aircraft" (e.g. "Grunmann F-14 Tomcat", "Mikoyan-Gurevitch MiG-23 and MiG-27" etc.). These aircraft comprise a fuselage with a pair of wings projecting therefrom in the transverse direction. Each of the wings has an inner wing section arranged stationarily with respect to the fuselage and an outer wing section adjacent thereto and pivotable about a pivot axis. The pivot axis is substantially oriented in the vertical direction of the aircraft. By means of the pivotability of the outer wing sections of such a swing-wing aircraft, the sweep of the wings, and thus the geometry ("configuration"), can be varied during the flight so as to advantageously adapt the flight characteristics (e.g., air resistance, uplift, maneuverability etc.), to take account of the respective requirements in different flight situations (e.g. take-off and landing, cruise flight, military combat missions etc.). It is known that a rather small sweep is advantageous, for example, for an energy-efficient flight over large distances (cruise flight), whereas a larger sweep is particularly advantageous for reducing the air resistance during a particularly fast flight. However, the aircraft with variable geometry also have disadvantages. Besides the need to install a pivoting drive for pivoting the wings, which increases the weight, there was an increasing demand with respect to a "low radar signature shape" in order to avoid radar detection or ranging of the aircraft or at least to make it difficult. Additionally, this field typically required an energy-efficient cruise flight, as well as maneuverable and agile flight characteristics, as in case of a combat aircraft, within one flight mission. The design objectives for an aircraft which meets these requirements are complementary. A particularly energy-efficient cruise flight is only possible with wings having a high aspect ratio (slim wings). However, such wings reduce the agility due to the relative high moment of inertia about the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. Moreover, slim wings make it difficult to design suitable pivoting kinematics for a predefined wing area. The MiG-23 FLOGGER with a variable sweep wing and a maximum takeoff weight of 18,000kg [40,000 pounds] was designed in 1964-66 as a successor to the MiG-21. The prototype first flew in April 1967 and MiG-23s began entering operational service in 1971. In early 1974, the chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff US Armed Forces, Admiral Thomas Moorer, made a sensational statement about the appearance of Soviet attack aircraft of the new generation of Class F-111, which NATO experts gave the name "Fencer" and [mis]identified as Su-19, with a Maximum takeoff weight of 39,700 kg [87,000 pounds]. The design of the successful MiG-23 "Flogger" interceptor was the basis for the MiG-27, a swing-wing ground-attack aircraft with a variable sweep wing and a maximum takeoff weight of 20,5600kg [45,000 pounds]. In 1969, the MiG-23-based strike aircraft was chosen, dubbed the MiG-23B, made its maiden flight on 20 August 1970. The MiG-27 retained the same NATO codename of "Flogger" as the MiG-23. MiG-X "Rhombus" In 1954, an article of the aircraft designer Mikoyan on diamond-shaped or delta-shaped wings came to the Western press. The article was published in several magazines and caused quite an interesting reaction. Many journalists decided that the USSR had already built a fighter with a similar wing. For the first time the reconstruction appeared in the "French Journal of Aviation" in 1956. In it the plane is called simply and unpretentiously - the MiG. According to the description, this was a supersonic interceptor, armed with two guns, without any additional details. Since that moment the procession of this aircraft begins in magazines, and soon it got the name MiG-X. The description of the aircraft also changed. In the Italian "Journal of Aviation" they wrote that this interceptor was already in mass production. The Spanish aviation almanac already reported the presence of guided missiles in the armament of the aircraft. And in the French magazine "Avion" suddenly became a combat training subsonic fighter. So in different images MiG-X surfaced in various articles almost until the late 1960's. Helge Bergander is a profound expert on Soviet aircraft and very familiar with original newspapers and magazines from the 1950s and 1960s. This is what he wrote about the mysterious fighter: An article written by A I Mikoyan was published on June 19, 1954 (it was the eve of the Tushino parade) in the daily newspaper Sovietskaya Literatura and came like a bomb to western aviation circles. The parade itself was totally uninteresting. The article was also published in British and US magazines (e. g., Aviation Week Sept 20, 1954). The Rhomb(us) MiG which was 'created' by western editorial offices based on this article. They contained two misinterpretations. Mikoyan doesn't write about MiGs, but about the whole Soviet aviation industry. The term rhomboidal wing came from the TsAGI and doesn't mean the rhomb as an mathematic-geometrical term, but a delta wing with negative swept trailing edge as used on the Tsybin RSR, Myasishchev M-54, and Convair B-58. Interestingly, there was a more correct interpretation in the excellent translation by the Aviation Week from 1954 the Russian original specialized literature came up with this statement/definition not before 1990. MiG-17 The design of the MiG-17 was undertaken to correct the deficiencies that the earlier MiG-15 had at higher speeds. The prototype MiG-17 (NATO code name Fresco) first flew in January 1950 and was reported to have exceeded Mach 1 in level flight. Production began in late 1951, but the aircraft were not available in sufficient quantities to take part in the Korean War. Deliveries to the Soviet Air Force began in 1952. In April-May 1954 in "L'Ala D'Italia" under the title "Rassegna dell'aviazione sovietica" ["Soviet Aviation Review"] an aircraft of this designation was reported, but each and every detail was in error. MiG-18 In January 1949 in the "Popular Mechanics" was published information about the MiG-18 with a mixed power plant. The main engine is an air-cooled piston motor. At the tail of the aircraft was a rocket engine used as a booster. According to the description in the article, the plane could reach a speed of 900 km / h, and was armed with four guns, and was intended to gain air supremacy. Where American journalists have taken such a plane is not clear. MiG-19 Barile Volante ["Flying Barrel] Aerei d'Oltre Cortina "Planes from Outer Curtain" reported "Surely a not orthodox shaped fighter, the MiG-19 betrays in its appearance the breed from the German Ta-183, and looks like the Argentine Pulqui II, a direct development of the German project. Supposed to be the successor of Mig-15, the MiG-19 should have found not a few difficulties in the set-up process, since the Mig-17 has been chosen instead as standard. After the clamorous apparition occurred in Tushino in 1951, anything new has been heard about the new jetplane, up to a couple of years later, when news came about the introduction in the first line of a certain amount of models. The speed of MiG-19 should be in the range of 1200 Km/h." Avion, in its April 1956 issue, reported (page 150) on "MiG-19 : "Flying Barrel", shown in Tushino on 1951. A possible failure. According to some sources entered in service by 1953 but in very limited numbers. The Fresco was prefered for mass- production." MiG-19 / Yak-25 In the early 1950s, details of Soviet aircraft were hard to come by. But that didn't stop the then-nascent Aurora Models company from kitting a so-called Russian fighter "inspired" by Nazi Germany's experimental TA-183. Definitely one of the stranger selections in Aurora's stable of airplane kits was the fictitious aircraft they chose to first call the "Yak-25" then later "MiG-19". Of course it was neither, looking more than a stylized interpretation of a late-war Luftwaffe drawing board concept. First released as the YAK-25 in 1953, the simple model was retooled with missiles, landing gear and surface detail and re-released in metallic green plastic as the MIG-19 a year later [Revell's issuing a more accurate kit of the real Yak-25 may have had something to do with that]. Although the TA-183 did lead to the development of an actual Soviet Fighter -- the MIG 15 -- this particular design was purely fanciful. Aurora made this kit based on a fuzzy picture in an avaiation magazine, a common source of subjects in the 50s. MiG-19 Air Trail was a magazine for aircraft enthusiasts and modelers very popular in the US during the 50s. It published its own vision of the MiG-19 in June 1953 (the same month of the release of the Aurora Yak-25!) via an article with the title Inside Story of MiG-19. This article presented an aircraft with a similar general shape of the Aurora model but with a completely different tail, and with two engines instead of only one. The Super-MiG-19 is a beautiful fighter which was first seen publicly at the last Summer Aviation Days display at Thushino Airport and made its combat debut over Korea last October. This affirmation is especially nice when it is compared with the true saying that the real MiG-19 made its first flight in January 1954. The I-340 was a dual-seat, twin-engine prototype of a fighter with a radar in the nose that flew in 1949 and 1950. Jean-Francois Fulconis notes that "the general shape of this plane is very near the imaginative MiG-19, especially in the aspect of the nose, the cannon position, the wings and the tail. The nose and wings of Auroras model kit look like the I-340, although the tail is completely different. ... We can imagine that some pictures of the I-340 were transferred to the West in the beginning of the 50s, willingly or not. We can completely think that it was done willingly because at this time the I-340 had no interest for the Soviets, but it was a good card to play in the propaganda domain. Therefore if a journalist well informed with good military sources had a copy of one or several picture of the I-340, it was very easy to create the MiG-19 of Air Trail in 1953." MiG-23 Flipper 'The World's fighting Planes' 4th Ed. by William Green and published by Macdonald: London in 1964, mentions the MiG-23 Flipper, known today as the Ye-152 as "potentially one of the best current short-range, single-seat all-weather fighters extant, and is presumably intended to form a team in the I.A.-P.V.O. with surface-launched missiles and the longer-ranged Fiddler." It goes on to describe the 'Awl' IR-guided AAM on the pylons and the intake cone was presumed to house a 28" A.I. radar with a range of thirty miles. It mentions a centre-line pylon for fuel tanks and a rocket pack as well. Die Deutsche Wissenschaftlich Technische Fachzeitschrift Fur Die Zivile Verteidigung for February 1965 noted "Mig-23 "Flipper", a heavy-duty fighter-bomber with a maximum speed of Mach 2 is the fastest attack weapon of the Soviet air force. The air-to-air missiles are easily recognizable... It should not go unmentioned in the list of jet-tactical bomber the Mig-23 "Flipper", probably the most modern single-seated aircraft of the Red Air Force. Here is the Russian aircraft also as in the"Fiddler" on the line of Western air arms has realized a unitary aircraft looking for both interceptor hunting and reconnaissance as well as the attack on ground targetscan. In contrast to earlier hunting aircraft of the Mig-Series, it is expected to be in service only in small numbers." Flipper was the NATO code name given to an experimental twin-engined interceptor which briefly appeared during the 1961 Tushino flyby. It had the familiar delta-wing configuration of the MiG-21 fighter, but was appreciably larger and more powerful. Since it was assumed at the time that this aircraft was the intended successor to the MiG-21 in Soviet Air Force service, it was thought in the West that the designation of this aircraft was MiG-23, and many publications used this designation for the aircraft. However, the actual designation of this aircraft was Ye-152A, a Mikoyan design bureau number. Since the aircraft never achieved production status, it was never assigned an official MiG designation. The MiG-23 designation was later given to the swing-wing Flogger design. Su-21 The Su-21 airplane appeared in the Spanish arms encyclopedia in the mid-1980. It was described as a prospective Soviet fighter in the class F-15 / F-18, which came to the USSR to replace the MiG-23. The aircraft was able to develop a speed of Mach 2 and carry on external suspensions up to 10 missiles. It is unknown where this plane came to the Spaniards. It is clear that it was created under the influence of rumors about the experimental Soviet aircraft of the fourth generation, but the real Su-27 is the last thing it looks like. The logic of the Spaniards in the choice of designation was also interesting. Tu-10 Boris and Natasha may have told the guys at Popular Science [August 1951] this was a Tupolev design- but in reality it was an Ilyushin II-28, NATO code name "Beagle'. In December 1952 the ever imaginative "L'Ala D'Italia" under the title "Rassegna dell'aviazione sovietica" ["Soviet Aviation Review"] reported the two aircraft separately. Side note: the Soviet Air Force has always been obsessed with providing all aircraft with a rear gun if there was any possible way to jam one in. This devotion to blazing away at tail-gators extends to present day military transports. The Tupolev ANT-10 was a prototype single-engined light bomber/reconnaissance aircraft of the 1930s. Another Tu-10 was a Tu-2. This was a four-crew aircraft fitted with inline Mikulin AM-39FNVs of 1850hp. Yak-21 The Yak-21 appeared in one issue of the "Popular Mechanics" with the MiG-18. It was described as a Soviet twin-engine supersonic interceptor, armed with three 20-mm guns, developed on the basis of captured German technology. It was noted that the aircraft could also be used as an escort fighter. Unlike his counterpart in the article, it became well known in comic books in the early 50's, it was this Yak-21 that often confronted superheroes, if they encountered Soviet aviation. As late as 1955, the design appeared in Life Magazine [06 June 1955, page 147], attributed not to Yak but to "Cheranovski, one of Russia's best aviation engineers". But later they forgot about the plane. Yak-26 Mentioned in some American magazines as a Soviet copy of U-2, created after studying the downed Powers aircraft. The aircraft was first mentioned in the Aviation Week in 1963, as being in development. Until the mid-1970s it occasionally appeared in the European press as already being in series production. It is interesting that in the USSR, however, an attempt was made to copy U-2. Designing the machine, which received the designation C-13, was engaged in OKB Beriev, but work on it was stopped in May 1962. The "Yak-26" design was generally similar in layout to the actual Yak-25RV Mandrake, a single-seat high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft generally comparable to the American RB-57D. This derivative of the basic Yak-25 design replaces the swept wing with a high aspect ratio straight wing. The actual Yak-26 was created by Decree of the Council of Ministers -616-381 of March 30, 1955. This supersonic twin-engine aircraft in three directions: a front-line bomber, an interceptor and a front-line scout. The aircraft were to be equipped with two perspective afterburner engines AM-11 design OKB AA Mikulina. The new bomber received a preliminary designation Yak-123 (later designation Yak-26) and was created on the basis of an experimental Yak-125B. By the end of 1956, all the ordered Yak-26 had been completed at the factory No. 30. However, the military unsatisfied with the test results did not accept the aircraft. A modified version of this design eventually saw service as the Yak-28 FIREBAR / Yak-28 Brewer. Yak-149 Blowlamp / Blowtorch In 1956 the aircraft was shown to a US Military Delegation at Kubinka, 40 miles from Moscow. The Western visitors were taken in cars past a line-up of every type of Russian operational military aircraft. Not previously seen were a twin-jet, swept-wing bomber of about Canberra size which, the Russians claimed, was supersonic. The delegation was told that the Il-54 was the Il-149, as part of the deception program (according to some reports, the aircraft was demonstrated as the Yak-149). As a result, the Il-54 was assigned far more importance than it actually warranted. The aircraft was assigned the NATO reporting name ("Blowlamp") after it had ceased flying. Yak Seaplane First appeared in the Life magazine in an article about the achievements of Soviet aviation. Subsonic fighter, armed with three 30-mm guns. According to the magazine, it was developed in the Yakovlev Design Bureau as a response to the American Sea Dart, although inferior to it in all respects. Convair Sea Dart was a unique American seaplane fighter aircraft that rode on twin hydro-skis for takeoff. It flew only as a prototype, and never entered production. The Sea Dart is the only seaplane so far to have exceeded the speed of sound. Saunders-Roe SR./A.1 was a prototype flying boat fighter aircraft designed and built by Saunders-Roe in 1947. It was tested by the Royal Air Force shortly after World War II. In the West, the massive American carrier buildup of 1944 and 1945 removed any need for fighter seaplanes. It was said to be possible to base the Yak airplane on both conventional ships and submarines. Life Magazine reportd 06 June 1955 that "three of the Soviet seaplane fighters underwent tests on the White sea as long ago as March 1953. Air intakes and tailpipes of twin jet engines which may drive the plane at mover 600 mph are mounted high to clear water spray on takeoff and landing." The "Yak Seaplane" appears to be a mis-identification of the Be-10, which first flew 20 June 1956. The Be-10 was first unveiled to the public at the Soviet Aviation Day in 1961, and the aircraft soon captured no fewer than twelve world class records for seaplanes. The Be-10 was a marine reconnaisance-bomber hydroplane. The aircraft Beriev Be-10 "Mallow" was the world's only production flying boat with turbojet engines. This jet-engined flying boat was the only one its class to enter operation service. Yet few Be-10s were built, and the Be-12 was preferred because of its endurance and better rough sea capability. The Be-10 had highly swept wings, with strong anhedral and floats attached to the tips. The engines were placed in the enlarged wing roots. Yak Fiddler The Tu-128 'Fiddler' was long thought to be a Yakolev product. Die Deutsche Wissenschaftlich Technische Fachzeitschrift Fur Die Zivile Verteidigung for February 1965 noted "As the most modern heavy fighter-bomber of the Red air force must be considered the Yak "Fiddler", which apparently - as it has been realized in the West for some time - is intended as a multi-purpose high-performance aircraft, it can also be used as a remote hunter and reconnaissance. The two engines that with afterburning each 10400kp thrust are installed in the fuselage and bring the machine to Mach 1.7. The arrangement of air inlets on both sides of the front fuselage are very similar that of the "StarfIghter". The crew consists of 2 men. The weight is approx. 30 000 kg, the range 4500 km. The aircraft is 30 m long and 22 m long, considerably larger than comparable types in NATO." The Statesman's Year-Book 1967-68 mentioned that "The twin-jet Yakovlev ('Fiddler') fighter, armed with long-range missiles and carrying powerful search radar, is believed to have re-equipped some squadrons." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address France PM vows to boost military spending to tackle 'dangerous world' Iran Press TV Sun Feb 11, 2018 02:54PM French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe says his country will increase its military spending within the next five years in order to tackle the mounting threat of a "dangerous world." "The defense effort made by France in the next five years will be greater than what has been made in the past, it will be an unparalleled effort for our country, because we know that the world is a dangerous place, and that in order to face it in a serene way, we must be ready," Philippe said during a keynote address at the World Government Summit in Dubai on Sunday. He added that Europe must not only be a large market but also a reference point of protecting itself in the face of the threat of terrorism, the negative consequences of globalization, the social and economic dumping, fraud and tax evasion as well as trafficking. He emphasized that his country would continue to insist on this fundamental ambition in order to ensure that the European Union is a pole of stability. "We cannot be satisfied with the way the world is now, so we have to change it, we have to make it better," the premier said. However, Philippe warned against imposing values on other cultures, saying, "I don't know if democracy imports itself, exports itself, or if it decreases, but I think it is shared, I think it supports itself, I think it is learned, and if I remember one thing from French history, it is that democracy takes time to learn." Philippe's remarks came after French Defense Minister Florence Parly said on Thursday that France is planning to spend $33 billion (27bn) to upgrade its arsenal of nuclear weapons as part of a massive $370 billion (300bn) military spending over the next few years to meet the NATO military alliance's requirements. Parly added that Paris wanted to increase its military budget so that it can "hold its own" as a key power in Europe. Under the new plan, President Emmanuel Macron's government increases overall spending by $2 billion (1.7bn) a year starting from 2019 until 2022, when it will reach $53 billion (44bn). Then the budget would be bumped up by $3.6 billion (3bn) a year between 2023 and 2025. French military forces are currently deployed to West Africa on a declared mission to fight militant groups. The country is also a main contributor to a US-led coalition that has been targeting alleged terrorist positions in Iraq and Syria since 2015. The coalition has come under fire for its civilian casualties and failure to dislodge terrorists. The years-long operations have put strain on France's military forces and equipment. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Baghdad Asks British Energy Giant BP To Study Developing Kirkuk Oil Fields February 11, 2018 Iraq's oil minister says Baghdad has asked British energy giant BP to draft a study on boosting production in the Kirkuk oil fields in Iraq's Kurdistan region that were reclaimed by Baghdad late last year. Oil Minister Jabbar al-Luaybi told the AFP news agency on February 11 that he hoped to discuss the proposal with BP's head, who is due to visit Kirkuk in the coming days. "I suggested they study my proposal and I am waiting for their reply," Luaybi told AFP. Kirkuk's oil fields discovered in the 1920s have been a flashpoint between Baghdad and Iraq's Kurdish region for decades. BP and Baghdad signed a previous deal on Kirkuk's Baba Gurgur and Havana oil fields in 2014, but the work never started. Baghdad lost the Kirkuk fields to Kurdish forces that year during a sweeping offensive by the Islamic State extremist group. In January, the Oil Ministry signed a new memorandum with BP after the federal government took back the control of five oil fields in the area in October. A sixth oil field remains in Kurdish hands. Luaybi's comments come as Baghdad seeks to attract multibillion-dollar investments at an international meeting on rebuilding the war-torn country. Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi is to lead the Iraqi delegation at the three-day conference, which starts in Kuwait on February 12. An Iraqi official was quoted by the dpa news agency as saying that Iraq "will present 212 investment projects covering all the Iraqi economic sectors, including projects in the autonomous Kurdistan region." The official said Iraq seeks to lure investments worth $100 billion at the conference, which will be attended by the World Bank and hundreds of international companies and organizations. Based on reporting by AFP and dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iraq- oil-bp-draft-study/29033561.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraq Needs $25Bln at First Stage of Recovery After Daesh Defeat Official Sputnik News 15:42 12.02.2018 KUWAIT CITY (Sputnik) - Iraq needs $25 billion to restore infrastructure and housing after the defeat of the Daesh terrorist group (banned in Russia), the adviser to the country's minister of water resources, Zafir Hussein told Sputnik. "At the first stage, which may last 10 years, we need $25 billion. The total amount we need for all programs is $104 billion," the Zafir Hussein said. According to the adviser, the funds are needed, first and foremost, for the construction of housing and infrastructure in the areas of the country affected by the clashes. The international investment forum on Iraq's post-war reconstruction started on Monday in Kuwait city. A large-scale event, attended by representatives of more than 70 countries and more than 1.4 thousand companies will be held from until Wednesday. "Rebuilding Iraq is restoring hope to Iraq, and restoring the stability of Iraq is stabilizing the states of the region and the world," said Planning Minister Salman al-Jumaili. Iraq has issued a list of some 157 projects seeking private grants at the conference, which some 1,900 representatives of foreign governments, private firms and NGOs have registered to attend. The projects include rebuilding destroyed facilities such as Mosul airport and new investments to expand the economy beyond oil sales, by developing transport, agriculture, and industries based on the nation's energy wealth, including petrochemicals and oil refining. The Iraqi Army's victory over Daesh was declared in December 2017 after the country's forces had gained complete control over the border with Syria. Daesh had restrained Iraq since 2014, after seizing Mosul, the country's second-biggest city, and turning it into the terrorist group's so-called capital in Iraq. A year later, the country's forces, backed by the US-led coalition, started an operation to free the territories. Iraqi forces regained control over Mosul last summer, while later in November, they fought back the town of Rawa, the last Daesh fortification in the country. Iraq has been suffered from violence and instability for decades. The fight against terrorism started when the country has already been rocked by wars with Iran for most of the 1980s and its invasion of Kuwait in 1990 led to war with a US-led coalition and more than a decade of international sanctions. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraq Seeks $100 Billion for Post-IS Reconstruction By Margaret Besheer February 12, 2018 The Iraqi government's hope of raising close to $100 billion to reconstruct areas devastated by the Islamic State group appeared dim Monday, as an international reconstruction conference kicked off in Kuwait. "The government has faced major and dangerous challenges," Mahdi al-Alak, the head of Iraq's Cabinet of Ministers, said of the country's more than three-year struggle to defeat the terrorist group. At one point, IS controlled as much as a third of Iraq's territory. "This disrupted the economic and development process, especially that the country was facing one of the fiercest terrorist attacks and the government had to change its priorities and embark upon liberation," al-Alak noted. At the same time, global oil prices plunged, and the combined shock severely impacted Iraq's economy. Damages in IS-affected areas are estimated at $45.7 billion, according to an assessment by the Iraqi government and the World Bank. Recovery and reconstruction needs stand at just over $88 billion; the government is hoping to raise $100 billion to support the decade of work ahead. Hopes of large contributions have faded, with the United States essentially confirming reports last week it would not be pledging any additional funds. Major contributions from wealthy Gulf Arab states do not appear likely either. Enter the private sector. Nearly 2,000 companies from 60 countries are expected to attend Tuesday's meetings on investing in Iraq. The conference co-chairs Iraq, Kuwait, the European Union, the United Nations and the World Bank hope to mobilize their money. More than 150 U.S. companies have registered to attend, the largest contingent from any country, a conference official said. A World Bank report declares Iraq is "fertile ground" for investments, with its huge oil reserves and need for reconstruction. "Despite the risk, investment in Iraq could provide among the highest rate of returns," the report concludes. The National Investment Commission has identified over 190 projects in 12 sectors that span energy to ice cream factories. Although officially defeated, IS still casts a long shadow in the region. Ministers will meet Tuesday to discuss protecting against a resurgence of the group in Iraq and neighboring Syria. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will be among those to address the session. Iraqi officials say it is important to stabilize military success with work on the ground to prevent creating a space for IS or other extremist groups to re-emerge. That is one of the reasons they hope to get a number of short-term projects up and running quickly, both to restore basic services and put citizens to work. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Contingent in Syria Has Potential to Deter Terrorism - Kremlin Sputnik News 15:16 12.02.2018 MOSCOW (Sputnik) Russia's remaining contingent in Syria has the necessary potential needed to deter terrorist activity, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday. "As far as terrorists' sorties are concerned, everybody understood that those sorties could not be stopped overnight. But the Russian air force component which is tasked with continuing to help the Syrian armed forces in fighting terrorism, has the necessary potential to keep suppressing terrorist activity in Syria," he told reporters. The spokesman specified that Russia is continuing diplomatic efforts on Syria. "This is the continuation of the Astana and Sochi dimensions. As you know, the president continued regular contacts with his colleagues from Turkey and Iran in recent weeks. This work will continue," he added. Currently, two Russian bases in Tartus and Hmeymim, as well as the center for Syrian reconciliation are operating in the country. So far, most part of Russian contingent in Syria has been withdrawn from the country's soil, following the December order of Russian President Vladimir Putin after over two years of an anti-terrorist aerial campaign conducted in the Arab Republic. Less than a month after Putin's announcement, terrorists conducted two attacks on the base in Hmeymim that resulted in two servicemen being killed. Commenting on the attacks Vladimir Putin described the attacks as provocation, adding that Russia knew, who the perpetrators were. Lack of US Assistance Speaking further, Peskov notes a lack of US assistance in the fight against terrorism in Syria and organization of political settlement there. "As for the assistance on the part of the United States of America in stabilizing the situation in Syria and continuing work on a politico-diplomatic settlement, there is a lack of such assistance," Peskov told reporters. The US deployed its troops to Syria in 2014 without obtaining a mandate from either the UN or Syria. Damascus has numerous times called on the US to withdraw the troops from Syrian territory. In his most recent call, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mekdad dubbed such deployment "invasive," adding that Damascus would regard such actions as "occupation." Russia has also called for preserving Syria's integrity. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's New Su-25 Jet Will Be Immune to MANPAD Fire Reports Sputnik News 11:01 12.02.2018 Russian engineers have developed a system which ensures 100-percent protection against the heat-seeking warheads of Stinger and Igla MANPADS, Rossiiskaya Gazeta has reported. Dubbed Vitebsk, the new system will be installed on the Su-25SM3 ground attack planes, whose combat efficiency will be three times better than what the workhorse Su-25s can offer. The system is currently available on all Russian Ka-52 helicopter gunships and Mil-8 rotorcraft currently deployed in Syria. It proved its reliability in October 2016 when a Mil-8 helicopter remained immune to an attack by a shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missile. With the Vitebsk system in place, the Su-25SM3 will be able to engage in dogfights in addition to its primary task of taking out targets on the ground. The use of the GLONASS satellite positioning system will allow the pilot to pare his destination point accuracy down to a mere 10 meters (less than 20 feet) and to destroy targets even under conditions of poor visibility. The Su-25SM3 will reportedly carry more advanced onboard missiles, including self-homing ones, as well as smart bombs. And, last but certainly not least, the new jet will boast a wide range of speeds from almost 1,000 kilometers an hour (621 miles an hour) down to 100 kilometers (62 miles) without stalling. On February 3, a Russian Su-25 was shot down by a handheld anti-aircraft missile while on an observation mission over the Idlib de-escalation zone in Syria. The pilot managed to eject but, surrounded by militants on the ground, blew himself up to evade capture. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Moscow Unaware of Iran's Military Base Near Syrian Palmyra - Deputy FM Sputnik News 12:19 12.02.2018(updated 17:49 12.02.2018) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian Foreign Ministry has no information about Iran having a military base near the Syrian city of Palmyra, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said Monday. "No, I do not have such information," Bogdanov told reporters when asked whether Moscow was aware of Iran's military base near Palmyra. Speaking further, the senior official noted that Russia was urging to avoid the escalation of tensions in the region after Israel's strikes on Syria. "We call on everyone to be calm, to prevent a very dangerous escalation in countries of the region," Bogdanov told reporters. The statement comes several days after Israeli Defense Forces released footage allegedly showing the downing of an Iranian drone by an Israeli attack helicopter and the subsequent airstrike against it on the Syrian soil. The Israeli attack prompted response fire from the Syrian air defense systems. In the second wave of the attack, the Israeli forces struck 12 targets in Syria, including Syrian air defense batteries and Iranian military facilities, the country's Defense Forces (IDF) said. Commenting on the situation, US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said that the US considered the incident to be Iran's "calculated escalation" of tension. At the same time, Iran dubbed Israel's reports of a downed drone "ridiculous," saying that the Islamic Republic had only an "advisory, not a military presence" in Syria. Iran has already been accused by Israel, the US and some of their allies of providing arms to the Hezbollah movement that is fighting terrorists alongside the Syrian army. Tehran has denied the claims, though admitted its political support for the Shiite movement. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mattis: Syria Foreign Fighters Should Face Justice at Home By Sabina Castelfranco February 12, 2018 The United States wants detained foreign fighters being held by U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces to be turned over to face justice in their home countries. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is expected to raise the issue during a meeting in Italy with other members of the coalition fighting IS in Iraq and Syria. Mattis arrived in Rome for talks on the war against the Islamic State terrorist group and what to do with thousands of detainees being held by the Syrian Democratic Forces, the SDF. Hundreds are foreign fighters and Mattis is expected to tell Defense Ministers from the coalition fighting the IS they must take responsibility for the foreign fighters from their countries. Foreign fighters will not be the only issue discussed at the Rome meeting with 13 of his coalition counterparts. He said the battle to eradicate IS is ongoing. "There are numerous discussions about what's next," he said. "As we go forward, first mission: finish off IS' physical caliphate. That is still under way. The fight is not over against ISIS. It's not over. It goes on. There's been tough fighting in the last week with ISIS." Speaking on the plane that carried Mattis to Rome, Kathryn Wheelbarger, the principal deputy assistant defense secretary for international security affairs said the key goal is to keep the fighters off the battlefield. She added that at one point the SDF was capturing as many as 40 militants a day. The issue of detained foreign fighters has become even more prominent after the SDF announced it had captured two notorious British members of an Islamic State cell known as the Beatles and known for beheading hostages. Wheelbarger said Britain has so far refused to accept them, claiming their visas were revoked and the U.S. Justice Department is reviewing the cases and is unlikely to be moving quickly. Another U.S. official said Guantanamo Bay is not being considered for The Beatles. Mattis said one of the main issues to be discussed is the recovery effort in the areas that were occupied by ISIS. This will include ensuring that explosive devices are found and eliminated, getting schools re-opened, and making sure clean water is available to avoid disease outbreaks. After the Rome meeting, the U.S. defense chief travels to Brussels. There, he will attend a defense ministerial meeting that he hopes will be an opportunity to strengthen the NATO alliance, which remains crucial in another ongoing conflict. "It is engaged in fighting now, as you know, in Afghanistan," he noted. "Afghanistan will be a key part of the discussion there in Brussels." Mattis's final two European stops will be in Germany first, Stuttgart to visit with the United States' European and Africa commands based there. His last stop will be at the Munich Security Conference. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey Issues Ultimatum to Washington Ahead of Tillerson Visit By Dorian Jones February 12, 2018 Turkey is calling on the Unites States to take concrete steps to address its concerns about American support for a Kurdish militia in Syria or face a breakdown in relations. The stepped up pressure comes ahead of U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's visit to Turkey next week. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusolgu issued the ultimatum as he spoke on the sidelines of a Turkish-African meeting Monday in Istanbul. He said Turkey's ties with the United States are at what he called a very critical point and the countries will either fix them or they will break completely. He said Turkey does not want promises. It wants concrete steps in order for trust to be restored. He blamed the United States for that missing trust. The two NATO allies have been at odds over Washington's support of the Syrian Kurdish militia, the YPG, in its war against Islamic State militants. Ankara considers the YPG terrorists linked to a longtime Kurdish insurgency in Turkey. Syria operation Last month, Turkish forces entered the Kurdish militia-controlled Syrian Afrin enclave despite repeated calls by Washington for Ankara not to intervene. But Turkey has threatened to expand its operation to the Syrian town of Manbij where U.S. forces are deployed with the YPG. Washington has criticized Ankara, claiming its ongoing Syrian operation is undermining the war against the Islamic State. But Cavusoglu also questioned the U.S commitment to fight the Islamic State, claiming it is not attacking Islamic State members in Syria as an excuse to continue working with the YPG terrorist group. U.S. officials had no immediate response to the top Turkish diplomat's allegation. Sunday, U.S. National Security Advisor M. H. McMaster met in Istanbul with Turkish presidential foreign affairs advisor Ibrahim Kalin. Following the meeting, a joint statement was issued in which both sides committed themselves to a long-term strategic relationship. But analysts point out there was no mention of addressing ongoing differences between the countries. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is expected to have a list of U.S. concerns for his Turkish counterpart when he visits Turkey later this week as part of a tour of the wider region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defence Secretary hails modern partnership with Australia The Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has visited the regional power with global interests, Australia, to discuss reinforcing the modern partnership, as well as tackling the nuclear threat from North Korea. 12 February 2018 In his first trip to Australia as Secretary of State for Defence, Mr Williamson met his counterpart, Minister for Defence, Marise Payne, in Sydney. They examined how both allies can continue to adapt in the face of cyber-attacks and nuclear threats from North Korea and how best to counter global terrorism. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "Britain and Australia both face intensifying, complex and evolving threats to our way of life. That is why it is so important our two countries stand side-by-side to stay ahead of those who want to harm us." "Two Royal Navy warships, HMS Sutherland and HMS Argyll, are heading to the region to continue the pressure campaign on North Korea, demonstrating Britain's role on the international stage." "We have a long and historic relationship with Australia but today we are modern, equal, and global powers with shared values and a commitment to make the world a safer place." As part of this modern partnership the UK and Australia: - Have more than one hundred people from all three services on exchange programmes between our nations, working together and learning from each other; - Are part of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing organisation and work together on tackling shared threats; - Hold annual meetings of foreign and defence ministers (AUKMIN) to coordinate responses to shared threats, such as Daesh; - Work together on the mission to establish stability in Syria and Afghanistan, to which Australia is the largest non-NATO contributor; - Combine on humanitarian missions, such as: the two Malaysian airline incidents, Ebola in Sierra Leone and disaster relief in Vanuatu; - Police the seas as part of the Combined Maritime Forces, to provide security and stability on the seas, including tackling drug and weapon smugglers; - Work together on science and technology, and defence equipment; - Additionally, Royal Navy ship HMS Sutherland will visit Australia in February and March, allowing further opportunities for the two naval forces to collaborate. The UK Defence Secretary also met Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne, in Canberra today (Monday 12 Feb) to discuss exciting new defence export opportunities as Britain prepares to leave the European Union. The Type 26 Global Combat Ship is a key example of this and has been shortlisted for Australia's Future Frigate Programme. The cutting-edge warship would not only boost the partnership between the two countries, but would bolster Australia ballistic missile defences and give them an unrivalled anti-submarine warfare capability to face growing underwater threats. Mr Williamson went on to meet Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel, Michael McCormack, to talk about issues impacting and sharing research on Veterans and the successes of the British Armed Forces Covenant. Australian forces recently solved a 103-year-old mystery when they discovered His Majesty's Australian Submarine AE1, the first Allied submarine lost in World War One, off the coast of Papua New Guinea. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deported Saakashvili Accuses Putin, Poroshenko Of 'Wanting To Get Rid Of Me' Christopher Miller, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service February 12, 2018 Opposition politician Mikheil Saakashvili has accused Russia, Georgia, and Ukraine of "wanting to get rid of" him and urged his supporters to remain calm after he was deported from Kyiv to Poland. Ukraine's State Border Guard Service said that the Georgian-born politician was removed from Ukraine on February 12 because he was in the country illegally. "The criminal case against me is a complete lie. Putin and Poroshenko and Ivanishvili want to get rid of me," Saakashvili said in a Facebook video in reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, and former Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. Earlier in the day, Ukrainian security forces detained Saakashvili at a Georgian restaurant near the headquarters of his New Forces party in the capital, Kyiv, before being transported to a nearby airport. A post on Saakashvili's Facebook page said he was held by unidentified men in masks and taken away. "The kidnappers were in three white Volkswagen minivans," it said. A short video clip showed gun-toting men in camouflage struggling with a man inside a restaurant and shouting at him to lie down and stay down. One of the armed men kicks the man when he is prone. "This person was on Ukrainian territory illegally and therefore, in compliance with all legal procedures, he was returned to the country from where he arrived," Oleh Slobodyan, a spokesman for the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service said. He added that border guards "had to defend themselves using force" against some individuals associated with Saakashvili. Slobodyan gave no further details. Polish border police confirmed in a statement that Saakashvili had arrived in Warsaw and that "the basis for the admission decision was a readmission application submitted by the National Migration Service of Ukraine to the commander-in-chief of the Border Guards." "Taking into account the fact that M. Saakashvili is a spouse of a citizen of a member state of the European Union, the request of the Ukrainian side was considered positively," it added. Saakashvili's wife, Sandra Elisabeth RoelofsSaakashvili, was born in the Netherlands and has Dutch citizenship. Unlike the street protests that allowed Saakashvili to escape police custody in December, there were no immediate signs of public demonstrations against the move by security officials. "We need to react calmly" to the expulsion, Saakashvili said, adding that Poroshenko "is not a president or a man, but a sneaky huckster who wants to ruin Ukraine." "This all shows how weak they are. We will defeat them," he said. David Sakvarelidze, an ally of Saakashvili, vowed opposition to Poroshenko would continue unabated. "It was a mistake by Poroshenko and his people to abduct Saakashvili. Poroshenko must understand that even if Mikheil is out of the country, his plan to hold rallies on February 18 will be implemented no matter what. I do not know exactly where they keep him now," Sakvarelidze said. The developments came a week after a court rejected an appeal by the former Georgian president for protection against possible extradition. Saakashvili's backers expressed concern that the ruling increased the chances that he would be handed over to Georgia, where he is wanted on charges he says are fabricated, or deported to another country. The reformist president of Georgia from 2004-2013, Saakashvili lost his Georgian citizenship in 2015, when he accepted Ukrainian citizenship and Poroshenko's offer of a job as governor of the Odesa region. But he resigned from the post in November 2016, accusing the government of undermining his efforts to fight corruption and carry out reforms. Saakashvili has become an outspoken opponent of Poroshenko, who came to power after Moscow-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych fled amid massive protests known the Euromaidan in 2014. In July 2017, Poroshenko stripped Saakashvili of his Ukrainian citizenship while he was abroad. In September, Saakashvili defied a border blockade and crossed from Poland into Ukraine, where he has been leading anti-Poroshenko protests and struggle against the state in a series of court cases. Ukrainian authorities accused Saakashvili of abetting an alleged "criminal group" led by Yanukovych, and claim the protests he has led are part of a Russian plot against the government in Kyiv. Saakashvili has denied all the charges, calling them "absurd" and politically motivated. With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, Interfax, and Dozhd Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-saakashvili- detained-kyiv/29035346.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Opposition Leader 'Kidnapped', Deported to Poland By VOA News February 12, 2018 Ukraine opposition leader Mikheil Saakashvili has been deported to Poland, officials said Monday, after he claimed to have been kidnapped by "unknown people in masks" in Kyiv. "This person was on Ukrainian territory illegally and therefore, in compliance with all legal procedures, he was returned to the country from where he arrived," Ukraine border service spokesman Oleh Slobodyan said in a post on Facebook. Hours earlier, a post of Saakashvili's official Facebook claimed that "Unknown people in masks seized Mikheil Saakashvili and took him away." "The kidnappers were in three white minivans," it added. Also posted on his Facebook page was an unconfirmed video from a "witness" of his kidnapping, which shows commotion surrounding a number of masked men in what appears to be camouflage exiting a restaurant. Saakashvili's lawyer had warned last week that he may face extradition from Ukraine after his appeal for protection was rejected by a Kyiv court. Kyiv police were not involved in the operation Monday, Reuters reported. Saakashvili, 49, became a regional governor in Ukraine in 2015 at the invitation of Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko. The two men later had a falling out, with Saakashvili accusing the president of corruption and calling for his removal from office. Saakashvili was stripped of his Ukrainian citizenship when he was out of the country last year but returned in September, facing what he calls politically motivated extradition. He accused Poroshenko of attempting to thwart his political campaign against him. Saakashvili is also wanted in his native Georgia for alleged abuse of power. He was president of Georgia from 2004 until 2013. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address STAMFORD Point72 Asset Management, the firm that manages the personal fortune of billionaire Steven Cohen, faces a scathing critique of its workplace culture in a new lawsuit from a female executive who alleges that women are routinely harassed and denied equal pay and promotions. Filed Monday in federal court in New York by Point72 associate director Lauren Bonner, the complaint describes Point72 as a hostile and abusive environment for women, in which male employees comment on female colleagues bodies and put down their abilities, and women at times earn less than 50 cents for each dollar made by their male counterparts. Cohen and Point72 President Doug Haynes are named as defendants, along with the firm as a whole, but Cohen is not personally accused of inappropriate behavior. The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages. Women should not have to account for why such conduct is wrong in any workplace, and Ms. Bonner is no exception, Michael Willemin and Jeanne Christensen, partners in Wigdor LLP, the Manhattan-based law firm representing Bonner, said in a statement. But, as alleged, the male-centric leaders at Point72 opted to operate above the law. We are confident that a jury of Ms. Bonners peers will hold Point72 accountable for what we believe is abhorrent conduct that effectively reduces female employees to second-class citizens. In a statement, Point72 said it emphatically denies these allegations and will defend itself in a more appropriate venue than the media. The statement also cited the firms record in hiring and developing women employees. In an industry where women are historically underrepresented, the hundreds of women at Point72 are vital members of every part of our organization, the statement said. Our female investment professional workforce exceeds published industry averages a direct result of our concerted and sustained focus on promoting diversity at Point72. Wigdor has taken on a number of high-profile sexual harassment lawsuits in recent years. The firm has filed several complaints against Fox News and also represented a male employee in a complaint two years ago against Westport-based Bridgewater Associates, the worlds largest hedge fund. The latter claim was settled in 2016. Many allegations The lawsuit lists a number of accusations against top executives. Haynes is alleged to have allowed last year the word pussy to remain on his whiteboard for weeks. Female employees openly shared the view that as long as Haynes served as president, women will be paid less, the complaint said. Chief Operating Officer Tim Shaughnessy allegedly referred to women as girls and barred women from events because he said no girls [are] allowed. Among other incidents, the lawsuit alleges Bonner was involved in a conversation at a Point72 fundraiser in which a firm consultant and associate of Cohen used a vulgarity to ask whether a Point72 investment portfolio manager wanted to have sex with a female acquaintance of the consultant. Bonner has worked at the firm since July 2016 and runs its Talent Analytics team, with 14 employees reporting to her. She has not been promoted to director, despite achievements such as creating an industry-leading technology platform. A committee charged with considering a promotion for Bonner included a managing director who had humiliated and insulted Bonner, the complaint said. Some committee members criticized Bonner for being too aggressive and abrasive, even though such language is seldom, if ever, used to fault male employees, the lawsuit said. Only one of Point72s 125 portfolio managers is a woman, and just one of its approximately 30 managing directors is a woman, according to the lawsuit. Among other panels allegedly lacking gender balance, the suit said none of the firms board of advisers is a woman. In addition, male executives, including current and former portfolio managers, have openly said they will not hire women for their teams, the complaint said. Their alleged reasons include their wives not giving them permission and women being too emotional and not team players. Widespread issues Hostile work environments in which women feel excluded from gatherings of male colleagues are not uncommon in financial services, according to Lisa Mainiero, a professor of leadership and management at Fairfield University and the author of Office Romance: Love Sex and Power in the Workplace. It is well known that investment banking and hedge funds are closed circles, and while a token woman may be promoted from time to time, the culture of these firms are largely male-defined, Mainiero said in an email. Closet discrimination can take place in many ways, from constant use of pejorative slurs against some, sexual innuendo, or simply not inviting women to deal-making meetings. Often women are not considered on the short list for promotion, become frustrated, and leave. The litigation comes as Cohen aims to rebound from a two-year federal ban on investing with outside funds. He is widely believed to be raising capital for a new hedge fund. After the federal government imposed $1.8 billion in penalties linked to Cohens then-hedge fund SAC Capital Advisors guilty plea to insider-trading charges, the firm was converted into Point72 in 2014. Cohen was not charged with wrongdoing, but a 2016 settlement reached with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission prohibited him from supervising third-party funds until 2018. Headquartered at 72 Cummings Point Road in the citys Waterside section, Point72 employs about 1,100 worldwide. Several hundred work at the Stamford offices. pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; twitter: @paulschott For Greenwich couple Eva Maria Janerus and Kevin Mowers, the origin stories of their relationship and business are intertwined. That is why they are spending Valentines Day traveling to Barbados and St. Lucia for a research trip, said Janerus, framing her sentence with air quotes. Business purposes prompt their occasional tours of the Caribbean islands because they are in the alcoholic beverage industry and there is no better place to source rum, said Mowers, a longtime food scientist. Together, the couple founded rum-based drink brand Bom Bom, which launched a year and a half ago, they said in an interview this week. Bom Bom is sold in 11 states, including bars and stores across southwestern Connecticut. Janerus and Mowers trace the beginning of Bom Bom back several years to their early stages of dating. Despite Mowers extensive background in crafting popular food and drinks, his attempts to impress Janerus with his skills mostly flopped. Previously, he had worked at Diageo, Kraft Heinz, ConAgra Foods and Campbells. Mowers tried mixing Janerus drinks featuring top-shelf whiskeys, bourbons and other spirits. I tried to showcase high-end stuff, he said. Janerus did not particularly like his creations, and she did not try to hide her distaste. Im pretty direct, she said, with her now-husband adding, She makes the perfect focus group. Unwilling to give up, Mowers decided to deconstruct his romances favorite candy, Mounds. The Hersheys bar is filled with shredded coconut and covered with dark chocolate. I have a serious sweet tooth, Janerus said. Mowers said he melted down a Mounds and reverse-engineered it into a mixed drink that he hoped would win the approval of Janerus, who remembers feeling skeptical when he asked her to come try the creation. After tasting it, I think my phrase was Im going to bathe in this, Janerus said. In the following months, Janerus repeatedly asked Mowers to make the Mounds-inspired drink for her and her friends. It was eventually dubbed Bom Bom, which means good good in Portuguese and is slang for my sweetie in Spain, the couple said. They launched the brand together in 2016 and theyre enjoying working in an industry that transcends the office. We all like to partake in libations, Janerus said. I think the biggest part of our success has been having fun and sharing that with other people. Before helping Mowers self-fund the launch of Bom Bom, Janerus had worked in finance. Now, she handles much of Bom Boms business while her husband focuses on the beverage creation and innovation. Bom Bom currently markets two products: the original, comprised of chocolate, coffee, coconut and Caribbean rum called Coco Mochanut, and Nilli Vanilli, made with rum, almond milk and vanilla cookie flavors. The couple promises a third drink will be released in a few months. Looking ahead, the entrepreneurs aspire to triple their distribution every year, which they believe they can do by focusing on large distribution partners, such as Stew Leonards. The wine and spirits chains Danbury location was their first account, they said, with other area partners including BevMax shops around Connecticut and A1 Cellars in Greenwich. mbennett@greenwichtime. com; Twitter @Macaela_ A Xerox shareholder asked a New York judge to block the companys sale to Fujifilm Holdings, claiming Xerox took a $6.1 billion deal that undervalues its assets, and that the companies concealed for years a lock up provision on intellectual property rights for their Fuji Xerox joint venture that benefits Fujifilm. Darwin Deason is Xeroxs third largest shareholder, having acquired his stake in the companys 2010 buyout of Affiliated Computer Services which he founded. GREENWICH Picture this: In the next few years, virtual reality headsets may be on the school supplies list at Greenwichs Central Middle School. Students wont be buying the VR headsets, though, says Brian Ciancio, library media specialist at the school. Using a fabric and woodcutter called Cricut in Centrals Innovation Space, students will cut and assemble headsets out of cardboard or plastic. Then theyll use VR to visit the Great Wall of China or the Louvre in Paris. This is the next big thing, said Ciancio. It really takes you somewhere else that the textbook cant bring you. New this year, Centrals Innovation Space is a portion of the library that is now home to three 3-D printers, stacks of VR headsets, programmable robots, Legos and other building materials. Teachers are slowly pairing use of the space with their curriculum. In an eighth grade art class this fall, students drew roller-coaster designs and then used 3-D printing pens to create models of their designs that could withstand a marble rolling down the tracks. An English teacher asked her students to use Cricut to cut out silhouettes of a character from a memoir they were studying and decorate them with character traits. Other students used Innovation space tools for an experiment on hurricane-resistant housing. Soon, students will use virtual reality to explore the periodic table through a Google Expeditions app. One recent day, science students strapped on the headsets to learn how whales perceive color through sound waves. When you make things like waves things that people cant see concrete, it makes it more fun, said science teacher Kate Bruzinski. Central is the only public middle school in Greenwich with an Innovation Space. But around the district, classrooms driven by problem-based learning, technology and tools are quickly cropping up. The most notable example is Greenwich Highs Innovation Lab, a program now in its third year at the high school that students can enroll in for interdisciplinary classes and experiential learning. Innovation or Maker Spaces have also opened at many of the districts elementary schools, including Parkway, Cos Cob, Julian Curtiss, Glenville, Hamilton Avenue and New Lebanon Schools. At a recent Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Jill Gildea even pitched the idea of rebranding Western Middle School as Innovation Lab, Jr. for a new magnet theme. This would be a prototype for schools of the future, she said. Central Middle School Principal Tom Healey said Innovation Spaces are more than just the education fad of the moment. I dont think it is the hot new trend or topic because the tools or the machines can be recycled as new ones come along; its the philosophy, its the pedagogy behind it that is driving everything that we do, he said. Its now the way education is. Its how we are teaching for deeper levels of engagement. The Innovation Space is useful for getting students hooked, Healey said. They are more excited to learn the content of the curriculum. It also gives students new ways to present their learning to their teachers. Instead of writing a book report, a student could create a video, record a podcast, build a representation or maybe even code something. As schools move toward personalized learning, which Greenwich has identified as a strategic goal for its future, classes are changing, and classrooms, too. Administrators are discussing what do we need now, Healey said. For example, one thing that all schools really had to have were computer labs. Were a one-to-one district now; that doesnt mean computer labs arent necessary, but we have to stop thinking in that way. Central funded its Innovation Space with a $20,000 grant from the nonprofit Greenwich Alliance for Education. Ciancio and eighth grade teacher Kevin Krois applied for the grant because they saw a gap in exposure to Innovation-style learning between the elementary years and high school. The space was under development throughout the summer and fall as the school acquired materials, relocated library items and completed electrical work. The Central Innovation Space has been fully operational only since December, and Ciancio said he still wants to add a splash of paint to the rooms white walls and make other changes. Use of the space has been grassroots and piecemeal, with teachers bringing their classes in on their own initiative. At different times throughout the spring, all sixth-graders will go to the Innovation Space every day for a week with their adviser groups to learn how to use various tools and to complete a project. Central sixth-graders will do this each year so they all have one base Innovation Space experience, in addition to projects in classes. Though the space is new, anecdotal feedback has been positive, Healey said. Teachers, first and foremost, I think they are really loving the collaboration, he said. Its always wonderful when two professionals can get together, bounce ideas off each other and highlight their areas of expertise. The school plans to seek another Greenwich Alliance grant next year to fund more professional development to help teachers use the Innovation Space. Currently, Ciancio, who was a technical education teacher for 10 years before working in Centrals library, helps most Central teachers plan and execute their lessons using the space. The first year is still a lot of trial and error, said Ciancio. emunson@greenwichtime.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson Being an entrepreneur and starting your own business can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life, but also one of the most challenging and complicated ones. Certainly, entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. Related: How Businesses, Including Apple and Amazon, Are Helping Victims of Hurricane Harvey, and How You Can Too There will be days, especially in the beginning, when you'll feel like throwing in the towel and simply calling it quits. You will continually get punched in the mouth; you will frequently question whether you have what it takes; and you will likely watch as family and friends lose their faith in you, letting you know in no uncertain terms that they think you are crazy. But despite all this, I believe that if you can weather the storms and move forward amid the adversity crossing your path, you'll be in a much better position to win and come out victorious. Regardless of your journey, it's imperative that to be a successful entrepreneur, you'll have to overcome adversity and learn how to thrive in times of uncertainty. When the going gets incredibly tough, that's when you become that much closer to creating transformational breakthroughs. It's in the struggle that amazing breakthroughs are to be found, waiting to erupt. Given this theme of adversity, I recently sat down with Lorenzo Marquez, former vice president of marketing for Cosentino and now the founder and president of Marqet Group, a full-service marketing agency servicing the design and construction industry and stone fabrication in particular. Marquez not only made the jump into entrepreneurship and successfully started his own business, he also overcame an astounding number of hardships and setbacks throughout his journey when the unthinkable happened. Houston-based Marqet Group was growing in exposure, client base, team members and -- most important -- revenue, he told me. "All of those start-up fears started fading away," he said. Related: When Hurricanes Harvey and Irma Struck, This App Hit the Top of the Charts. Here's What Its CEO Has Learned. The team had expanded to ten people in just five months, including graphic and web designers, account managers, copywriters and event and merchandising coordinators. "Things were going the way any aspiring entrepreneur would dream of," Marquez said. Then, the night of August 26, 2017, happened. As Marquez told me, "Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas Gulf Coast and completely shattered every sense of security, not only business wise, but also personally as well." The next morning, he and his wife and their five children, with the youngest being only three months, plus their dog, had to be evacuated by boat to an apartment complex nearby with very minimal food and water available. The food and water that was available had to be shared by all of the families evacuated from nearby homes. The children were terrified, and, Marquez said, he began to let doubt win the battle in his mind. "My sense of stability and security was shaken to the core," Marquez said. "The fear of losing everything had now become a reality." He and his family experienced the complete loss of their home, belongings, and cars. "Everything was swept away, as our home sat with 5 feet of water inside for close to two weeks." Marquez knew that he had to stay strong for his children. Not only was his family counting on him; so were his team members at work. With his back against the wall, Marquez made sure his family was safe, then turned to his employees and clients. Things were bad there too: His office building was flooded for weeks and employees were scattered, trying to deal with their own losses. But Marquez refused to put his business on the back burner. Facing the hardest time of his life, Marquez was able to regrow his business and achieve extraordinary heights. Here are three things that Marquez said he executed on to turn an extreme tragedy into an incredible breakthrough while at the same time growing a majorly successful business. These are three actionable ideas and strategies that you can implement into your own life and business to help you turn failure and adversity into a gift. 1. Feel the fear; then take action. Fear is real and will always be present in your life as an entrepreneur. If you don't ever experience fear, that means you aren't consistently stepping out of your comfort zone and going after your biggest goals and dreams. Where many people go wrong has nothing to do with fear itself, but with how they react to the fear. As Marquez told me, "Fear attacked me when I first wanted to start my own business; then it tried to completely take over my life when Hurricane Harvey hit. I was more scared than I have ever been in my life, but I also knew that this major adversity carried a monumental opportunity along with it." Marquez's message is, the next time you feel a lot of fear, don't fight it. Acknowledge that it's there and then take action. The best way to fight your fears is to use consistent and massive action, even if you feel that you aren't ready to do that. Marquez told me, "Looking back on that horrific experience, I can honestly say that the most beneficial thing that I did for both my family and business was to develop the courage to take action despite all the fear that was attacking me." In other words, breakthroughs occur when you look your fears straight on and develop the courage to take action. Here are two exercises that have greatly helped me overcome my fears and not let them paralyze me from moving forward. 2. Create a crystal-clear vision. Vision is everything. If you can't see yourself achieving it, it will never happen. Not only that, but creating a crystal-clear vision is critical in being able to overcome the short-term disappointments. Marquez told me: "There is no way that my business would have survived if it wasn't for the clear and massive vision that I created. Every single time I felt like quitting, I pictured my family happy and safe while my business was thriving and serving the community." Whether it's overcoming a personal tragedy as Marquez had to do, or moving forward despite the hardships you encounter in entrepreneurship, a clear vision is the starting point for all high success. If you haven't done so already, visualize what your ideal business and life looks like this week. Write that vision down, share it with others, then work the vision every waking moment. There is nothing more powerful than getting clear on what you want your life and business to stand for, then making that that a reality. 3. Develop a strong and positive support system. Building a business can often be a lonely experience, especially in the early stages. Marquez told me, "I never knew how important a strong and positive support system truly was until my family and I were being rescued by boat when we lost our home. "As the days and weeks went on, it was the support system that I had developed over the years that ultimately kept me going." He continued: "It was everyone, from friends and family to customers, who were constantly in my ear reminding me how powerful I am and that my family would without a doubt overcome this tragedy. They really helped me to believe that this negative experience would somehow turn into a positive." Marquez is a perfect example of how critical a support system is for entrepreneurs. Not only is building your business daunting and challenging, but that happens amid the hard times of life that also unexpectedly pop up. The School of Social Work at the University at Buffalo has expressed ideas on why a strong support system is so important and how to cultivate one. Something that has worked exceptionally well for me, personally, is to try to pick one specific support person for each area of my life. I have people to whom I can turn when it comes to business, health, relationships and spiritual support. The story of Marquez and his family overcoming devastating loss in the face of Hurricane Harvey is just one example of thousands of brave Houstonians who exemplified what true courage and strength look like. Theirs was an example that we as entrepreneurs can all learn from. What impressed me the most about Marquez's story is that he didn't stop growing his business even when he and his family lost absolutely everything they owned. That's the type of obsession, perseverance and courage it takes to achieve greatness as an entrepreneur. How has life changed for the Marqet Group since the hurricane? The business just moved into a new 3,000-square-foot office, continues to grow its team and has seen its revenue hit a record high. Related: How Sonic Drive-In Prepared for Natural Disasters -- and Then Thrived Despite 2017's Hurricanes I hope this story of persevering in the face of adversity inspires you to take full responsibility for your own business and life. It's a prime illustration of how you truly are the driver of your own destiny regardless of how tough times may become. Related: How This Entrepreneur Turned Hurricane Harvey into an Incredible Breakthrough 5 Ways Drones Are Changing the World 5 Things to Research Before Working With a Startup Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com If you recall a few days ago, someone in Vietnam accidentally received an Android Oreo update to their Galaxy S7 edge, complete with the same Samsung Experience 9.0 that is already rolling out to the Galaxy S8 and S8+. Well, it turns out that more than one person got that same update in Vietnam, and one of them offered a system and kernel dump so that a flashable ROM could be made for folks with the Exynos-powered S7 edge with an unlocked bootloader. Thanks to this dump of information, a member of XDA-Developers was able to quickly compile a functional ROM that is based off of the leaked software from Vietnam. With this, users will be able to experience Android Oreo much earlier than Samsung would release the official update for the last-gen flagship. Of course, flashing such unofficial ROMs is not recommended if you dont know your way around unlocking a bootloader, flashing a custom recovery and downloading ROM files. If youre not familiar with any of these things, we dont recommend you do this as you could possibly brick your smartphone. If youre feeling adventurous, head to the Source link and read everything thoroughly before proceeding. Source These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Haiti - UN : End of Mission for Bintou Keita Friday, February 9, Guinea's Bintou Keita, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, ended her 4-day mission to Haiti to assess the progress of the United Nations Mission for the Support of Justice in Haiti (Minujusth) and to determine unifying milestones for strengthening the rule of law. She confirmed the commitment made during her meeting with President Moise, that Minujusth would stay in Haiti for only two years to accompany the national authorities in the consolidation of the rule of law, stressing that this is about a relatively short period for missions of this type. The UN representative, on her last day of work, signed an agreement with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), which strengthens the joint actions of the UN organization and at the same time, paves the way towards sustainable progress, especially in building the capacity of national institutions, the local private sector, civil society and communities in Haiti. During her stay, Keita met the stakeholders of the Civil Society in Port-au-Prince as well as the Office of Citizen Protection and the Superior Council of the Judiciary, in order to identify with them the actions to put in place to advance the issue of human rights. The Assistant Secretary-General then addressed all Minujusth teams to commend their work and commitment to the implementation of the mandate. She also visited the Constitute Police Unit (FPU) of Rwandan at Minujusth in Grand'Anse (South) and visited the prion of Jeremie which has 304 detainees of which only 51 were judged... Recall that the Minjusth, which replaced in October 2017 https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-23185-icihaiti-justice-minujusth-s-innovative-approach-to-strengthening-the-rule-of-law.html the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, has no military personnel and is composed of 7 constituted police units (980 persons) and 295 police officers outside constituted units https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20656-haiti-flash-bye-bye-the-minustah-hello-the-minujusth.html See also : https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-23498-icihaiti-un-first-visit-of-bintou-keita-to-the-country.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22590-haiti-un-a-woman-at-the-head-of-minujusth.html HL/ S/ HaitiLibre Haiti - TPS : El Salvador calls Honduras and Haiti to join the negotiations Friday in Washington after four days of meetings on Capitol Hill to try to convince lawmakers (Republicans and Democrats) to offer an alternative at the end of the Temporary Protection Status (TPS), the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Salvador Hugo Martinez, asked Honduras and Haiti to work together and join the negotiations to try to convince the US Congress to approve a means of permanent residence for all people currently benefiting from TPS and who will be threatened by deportation in less than two years. "The approach that we adopted in all the meetings concerned all the people covered by the TPS and I sent a note to Honduras and Haiti to join their negotiations efforts in the Congress," declared in Conference Chancellor Martinez adding "We are looking for a solution that ensures the transition from temporary to permanent residence." Recall that following the decision of the Trump administration not to renew the TPS, 195,000 Salvadorans, 50,000 Hondurans and 58,000 Haitians risk expulsion from US territory in less than 2 years... https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22759-haiti-flash-tps-more-than-50-000-haitians-will-have-to-leave-the-usa.html See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23316-haiti-flash-usa-ultimate-reregistration-to-tps-you-have-60-days.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22892-haiti-flash-tps-senator-campbell-at-the-head-of-the-haitian-temporary-relief-task-force.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22759-haiti-flash-tps-more-than-50-000-haitians-will-have-to-leave-the-usa.html SL/ HaitiLibre Havre Public Works has notified residents that due to the amount of snow the region received during the last weeks and drifting and upcoming snow, the department will be plowing streets in accordance with the city Ice and Snow Plan. People are asked that while plowing is occurring, if possible they park their cars off the streets so make the process of clearing the streets more effect. The plowing will make it difficult for owners to move their cars once the street has been plowed. The city will not be able to clear snow away from the cars left on the street. The city will also only be clearing the street and alley intersections. As time, equipment and budget allows the city will continue additional snow removal. A copy of the Snow and Ice Plan is on the citys website at http://www.ci.havre.mt.us/. The department thanked local residents in advance for their cooperation. After a month of being closed for cleaning and changing museum displays, H. Earl Clack Memorial Museum Board Chair Judi Dritshulas said the museum has reopened. The museum was closed Jan. 1 to Feb. 6, but is now open Tuesdays through Saturdays 1 to 5 p.m, she said. For the past few years the Clack Museum has closed in January and into February when visitor traffic has traditionally been low so board members and volunteers can clean the museum, make needed repairs and alter displays. This year will mark 100 years since the end of the First World War and the museum is urging people to come look at its display. World War I, then known as the Great War ended in November 1918. and Dritshulas said the museum does have a small display about the war that the public is encouraged to come see. The display at the museum, located in the Holiday Village Mall, included information on Robert Patterson, a Montana pilot in the war. Board members and Emily Mayer discussed ideas to mark 100 years since the end of the war. Mayer said she has a list of area residents wounded in the First World War. Board Vice-Chair Lela Patera asked Dritshulas if the museum had any items in storage from the era. Dritshulas said it would be worth looking through museum items stowed at their future location in downtown Havre in the Griggs Building. Dritshulas added that she would like to have at least one of the featured speakers at this years Summer Speaker Series talk about the war, though she does not yet know who that will be. She said this year retired Havre High School history teacher Jim Magera will be the third speaker in the series. He will give an encore presentation of his talk from last year about local places and their names. In other business, the advertisement for the open position of manager of both the museum and the Wahkpa Chugn Buffalo Jump has been posted at the Havre, Dritshulas. said. She added that the advertisement for the part-time position was taken to the Job Service and posted Jan. 25. The position will be advertised until Feb. 25. Dritshulas said she has not checked to see if anyone has applied for the position, The position of museum manager opened last fall, following the death of Manager Jim Spangelo. Three intermittent part-time employees have since worked at the museum. The new manager will be tasked with overseeing both the museum and Buffalo Jump as longtime Buffalo Jump managers John and Anna Brumley retired late last year and moved to Salt Lake City. Dritshulas said the theme for this years April 28 historical tea fundraiser will be Building Havres Heritage. The fundraiser is meant to raise money to cover the cost of upgrades to the museums future location that now houses Griggs Printing. Building Havres Heritage will celebrate well-known buildings in Havre, some that are still standing, such as the Hill County Courthouse and others that are not, Patera said. In addition to serving tea, the event will include the display of pictures of the buildings, Dritshulas said. Pam Veis will provide a brief narration about the history of the individual buildings. Karen Vosen will also provide a quilt featuring all the buildings honored and it will later be raffled off. A smaller version of Hands on History will be held Saturday June. 2 during Havres annual Living History Celebration, Dritshulas said The event will include activities for children and will take place in the museum. Last year, the foundations traditional Living History fundraiser was not held. The boards next meeting will be 6 p.m. Monday, March 12, at the Havre Inn and Suites. Havre High School Close Up members will be having a Crunch for a Cause fundraiser at Taco Johns Thursday to raise money for their upcoming trip to Washington, D.C., and New York City in June. To support HHS Close Up, people simply need to eat at Taco Johns Thursday between 5 and 7 p.m. and mention at the register that they are eating for the fundraiser and 50 percent of the purchase price will go toward the student organization. This June 15 Havre High juniors will be traveling to Close Up and will spend five days participating in educational workshops and tours in Washington, D.C., and then two days touring major cultural and historical sites in New York City. About 15 sophomores also are fundraising for their trip in 2019. This June will be the fourth year Havre High students have participated in Close Up. For more information or questions, people can contact Lindsey Ratliff at Havre High School. Medication-assisted treatment doctor advocates visited Havre Monday to put on multiple presentations praising the benefits of opioid antagonists to treat people with opioid addiction. Twenty medical professionals in all of Montana are legally allowed to use opiates like Methadone, Naltrexone or Buprenorphine to treat people with opioid addiction, said Dr. Bruce G. Trigg. Bullhook Community Health Center, said a clinic representative, has two employees wavered to administer opioids. Trigg, a native of New York, began the presentation describing how the opioid epidemic began and how large the problem has become. It started with "over- and mis-prescription" of opioid painkillers, he said. Reasons doctors over- and mis-prescribed opioids include industry greed, as well as laziness and naivete on the part of doctors. Pain is subjective. Trigg said he recently attended two talks. One speaker said 102 million people reported they were in pain and the other speaker said 160 million Americans report they are in pain. It's unclear, Trigg said, if people are in emotional or physical pain, or both. As blurred as the real cause for people's suffering may be, one thing that's for sure is there's a problem, Trigg continued. Dr. Greg Holzman, who accompanied Trigg, cited statistics about Montana's drug problem. Drug overdoses are the third leading cause of injury-related death in Montana, accounting for 1,334 deaths between 2003 and 2014; Montana's data mirrors the national average at 5.4 per 100,000 people who overdose and die on opiates from 2013 to 2014; and since 2,000, more than 700 Montanans have died from an opioid overdose. "This is a crises," Trigg told the small crowd in Bullhook's Jon Tester Room. One of the things needing to be done to address opioid addiction, Trigg said, is switching from treating it as a criminal justice issue to looking at it as a medical issue. "People don't hate people with spleen disease, but they do for addiction," he said. "It's the only disease people go to jail for their symptoms." In fact, he would later add, opioid antagonists are anti-crime drugs, citing a SAMHSA graph that showed crimes such as drug dealing went from 16 percent to 1 percent after 30 days. In that category, in six months, the number of those who went back to drug dealing was 3 percent. Addiction, "a brain-centered disease whose symptoms are behaviors" is something one has no control over, Trigg said. And it's time to start treating it like every other disease is treated, with medicine. "These are people with a disease that meets every criteria of a disease." To fight this epidemic, it's important to prevent people from starting drugs, reduce opioid addiction by providing access to medication-assisted treatment and reversing overdoses with things such as naloxone, Trigg said. "Everyone using high-dose opiates should have in their house a kit of naloxone, he said," adding that it reduces opioid overdose by 95 percent. A great portion of the 4 o'clock presentation was dedicated to praising one specific opioid antagonist, Buprenorphine. "It's as close to a perfect treatment as you can get." Buprenorphine, an opioid often sold in the streets, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2002. Physicians are required to complete eight hours of training to administer it and they can treat up to 30 patients a year. Naloxone is usually added to discourage injection. Buprenorphine is said to prevent drug withdrawal, block or diminish the effects of other opioids, and prevent cravings that continue for some people after detox. Buprenorphine, Trigg said, is a drug many in the law enforcement community are concerned about. However, Buprenorphine has a threshold for how high someone can get, making it "almost impossible" to overdose on. Also, Trigg said, a lot of illegal use is for self-medication that leads to treatment entry. Trigg cited, via PowerPoint, a few studies to support that medication-assisted treatment works. A study published in Lancet in 2003, shows that of 40 heroin addicts, 70 percent were still on Buprenorphine after a year and none had died. The treatment includes counseling. With the placebo - in that same study - after a year, 0 percent were still on it and 20 percent had died. A 2003 study reported by The New England Journal of Medicine, showed that, after six months of medication-assisted treatment, 57 percent of participants were still on Buprenorphine. A 2006 study by the Journal of General Internal Medicine shows that after one year, patients were still in treatment, using Buprenorphine. Press release February is traditionally known as the month of love and romance. However, along with roses and chocolate comes the need to make well-informed choices about intimate relationships and sexuality. That is why February has been deemed Sexual Health Awareness Month. Sexual Health Awareness Month aims to raise awareness about the impact of sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs. Its a time to stress the importance that people honestly discuss all matters of sexual health with their healthcare providers and if sexually active, their partners. Regardless of race or gender, data show that sexually active teens and young adults are at an increased risk for STDs when compared to older adults. Every year in the United States, there are an estimated 19 million new infections. The CDC estimates that even though young people represent only 25 percent of the sexually experienced population, nearly half of all STD cases occur in young people aged 15 to 24. More chlamydia cases were diagnosed in Montana among people aged 2024 years, 41 percent, than any other age group. In Montana in 2016, the chlamydia incidence rate for people identified as American Indian was more than four times greater than those who reported as white. Chlamydia is one of the most common STDs, especially among young women. Hill County Family Planning recommends that all sexually active women younger than age 25 be tested for chlamydia once a year. Women 25 and older who have a new sex partner, more than one sex partner, a sex partner with concurrent partners, or a sex partner who has a sexually transmitted infection should be tested. The good news is that most STDs are treatable, and many are curable early detection through testing is key. Yet, stigma, inconsistent or incorrect condom use, access to health care, and a combination of other factors contribute to high rates of STDs among teens and young adults. You can participate in Sexual Health Awareness Month by talking with the young adults in your life and ensure that they are well-equipped with the knowledge to make positive choices when it comes to their sexual health. Hill County Family Planning is encouraging honest and open communication regarding sexuality. Hill County Family Planning can offer a variety of educational materials, resources, and learning opportunities to discuss healthy sexuality. For more information or opportunities, people can contact Hill County Family Planning, Wanda Meredith RN, 265-5481, ext. 256. Set for Feb. 22 at MSU-Northern Press release Bear Paw Development Corp. announced today that Seth Bodnar, president of the University of Montana, will serve as the keynote speaker for the organizations Annual Meeting, slated for Thursday, Feb. 22. Bodnar was approved as the 19th President of the University by the Montana Board of Regents in November of 2017 and began his term in January of this year. The theme of Bodnars presentation will be The Role of Todays University in Shaping Tomorrows Economy. As we celebrate the good work in which we were engaged last year as Montanas longest-servi... It seems like such a little thing, but a wardrobe can be a big deal to someone transitioning, said Whisman, who transitioned from female to male in 2005. Whisman recalled seeing a 2004 email about the banks uniform policy which stated that women should wear a blouse, slacks, dress or skirt while men should wear slacks, a button down shirt, tie and suit jacket. At that point I didnt identify as transgender, but it panicked me, he said. I realised I didnt want to choose a female uniform because thats not who I am. ANZ said it made the change following feedback from its staff Pride network of LGBTQI+ employees as well as the Australian Workplace Equality Index of initiatives to promote diversity inclusion. Building a culture of diversity, inclusion and respect is important to our staff and customers, said Felicity Evans, ANZs GM of talent and culture. We want our staff to be true to themselves at work, so this is a step we hope helps them feel comfortable. Trent Sebbens, Partner at Ashurst, explains how determining whether a direction is reasonable will depend on the particular circumstances of the case. An employee with a physical or psychological illness or injury can pose challenges for an employer. The condition of the employee may pose a risk to the health and safety of the employee or other workers, and long term or frequent absences may also cause workforce and operational difficulties. An employer may wish to determine whether the employee is capable of performing the inherent requirements of their role, or, if the employee has been on a long term absence, the prognosis of the employee and when they may be fit to return to work. There are a number of options that may be available to an employer to require an employee to attend a medical examination to obtain this information: (a) Voluntary agreement: The employer can request the employee to attend the examination and the employee can consent to do so voluntarily. (b) Express right: If the employer has an express right under the employee's contract of employment or in an enterprise agreement, then the employer can direct the employee to undertake a medical examination in accordance with the terms of the instrument. (c) Legislative right: There may be an existing requirement under legislation that the employee participate in a medical assessment. (d) Lawful and reasonable direction: The employer can give a direction that the employee attend the medical examination, if the direction is a lawful and reasonable. If an employee refuses a reasonable and lawful direction, an employer may be entitled to dismiss the employee for failure to follow that direction. Reasonable and lawful direction Whether a direction is reasonable will depend on the particular circumstances of the case. Issuing a direction might be lawful and reasonable where: medical certificates provided by the employee are vague or lacking in detail there have been frequent or lengthy unexplained absences from work the employee has not offered any information about their prognosis the nature of the illness or injury of the employee, and its effect on the employee's ability to safely perform work, is not known; or there is conflicting medical evidence. A court or tribunal will also take into consideration the employer's obligations under safety legislation to ensure the safety of the employee and other workers, when considering whether the request is reasonable. A Full Court of the Federal Court in Grant v BHP Coal Pty Ltd [2017] FCAFC 42 recently upheld a decision of the Fair Work Commission that the failure of an employee to follow a direction to attend a medical examination was a valid reason for dismissal. The Full Court held that while relevant coal mining safety legislation that applied to the workplace did not declare in express terms that coal mine workers (such as the employee) may be required to undergo medical examinations, the legislature intended that they may be so directed if it is reasonable and necessary to ensure that anyone is not exposed to an unacceptable level of risk. Specialised medical examination Whether a direction to attend a medical examination by a medical practitioner with a specialisation, such as an occupational physician or a psychiatrist, is reasonable will depend on the circumstances, and in particular, the available information on the medical condition of the employee. For example, in Thompson v IGT (Australia) [2008] FCA 994, the Federal Court held that it was reasonable for an employer to direct an employee to attend a psychiatric assessment to determine whether the employee was fit to perform his duties and whether he could do so safely. In reaching this conclusion, the Court had regard to the employee's history of significant absences (including unexplained absences), the employee providing medical certificates that only stated "medical condition", and inconsistencies in the employee's own statements about his health. Conversely, in Schoeman v Director-General, Department of Attorney-General and Justice [2013] NSW1RComm 1018, a tribunal found that the employer's direction to attend a psychiatric assessment was unreasonable because the employee had sustained a wrist injury (in circumstances where, some years prior, the employee had taken time off due to psychological injuries). Risks Assessing fitness for work can be a complicated and fraught process. There are a range of legal risks which an employer could be exposed to, such as breaches of the general protections provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) or anti-discrimination laws, unfair dismissal claims, breach of contract or claims under workers compensation laws. There is no "one size fits all" approach and each step in the management of an ill or injured employee must be carefully considered in light of each employee's circumstances. This article was contributed by Trent Sebbens, Partner at Ashurst He receives $411 per week instead of the $1,800 per week he would have received under the award as a permanent employee. "I hate it. We do exactly the same job, work the same hours and are exposed to the same dangerous conditions, yet they pay us about half of what the BHP employees get," Turner said. The class action is brought by more than 400 mine workers who alleged that BHP, Chandler Macleod and another labour-hire firm, Tesa, hired them as casuals to avoid paying them entitlements worth $20,000 per annum. The claimants allege that BHP was involved with Chandler Macleod and Tesa over a period of six years to casualise its workforce. "We want to be treated as normal humans and [be] paid exactly the same as everyone else for doing the same job and working the same hoursyou can't go and get a loan, you can do anything, they say you're casual," Turner said. "In today's world it's very difficult for people to juggle both work at home and work in the office. We want people to be the best they can when they're in the office but also the best at home." While some organisations have trialled longer hours across fewer days, Barnes says employees will still work a typical workday and receive their normal salaries. "We've put it to the team and what they've now got to do is work out how they deliver the same amount of work in a week over four days," said Barnes. That means work smarter, work cleverer, change the systems, change the processes." Christine Brotherton, head of people and capability at the company, pointed to research showing a correlation between employee engagement and productivity. If you look at an average office worker at the moment, almost 70-80% of their time they are not doing the work they should be doing, said Dr Thapliya. They are looking for documents or for the right person to ask about a particular problem. We would like a special type of robot that would fit right into the workplace so that people will not be disturbed by its presence but at the same time help them with their tasks. The first phase of the project involved preliminary engineering tests at UNSW. In the next phase, the robot will be placed in real-life scenarios to test audience reactions, first at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo then at the Fuji Xerox office. The second phase will concentrate on developing technology that will monitor and enhance the employees' wellbeing and facilitate collaboration between colleagues. UCSF Study Finds Current Cannabis Regulations Inadequate to Protect Public Health California already has the nations largest medical marijuana market, and this year is expected to have the worlds largest recreational market. With enormous potential to influence policy, the state should take an assertive approach to cannabis labeling, packaging and product formulation, according to a new UC San Francisco study. The analysis found that requiring plain packaging and large warning labels, reducing visual appeal to minors, and putting strict limits on the potency of cannabis products would better protect public health over business interests. The researc h, which draws upon the best practices of tobacco control, serves as a roadmap to improve new marijuana regulations in California. The paper is published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. The findings are important, the authors said, because California policy could set the tone for regulating the nascent cannabis industry nationwide, and help prevent the type of harm seen due to widespread tobacco use before public health policies were enacted to counter that industry. Theres an opportunity to do cannabis policy well, to apply lessons from regulating other products, said first author Daniel G. Orenstein, JD, MPH, a UCSF post-doctoral fellow at the UCSF Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, and the Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies at UCSF. If effective control methods had been in place in the early era of mass tobacco commercialization, immense harm could have been prevented, Orenstein said. By applying lessons from tobacco control best practices now, in the early period of cannabis commercialization, we may avoid repeating that unfortunate history. In November 2017, the California Department of Public Health which oversees cannabis manufacturing, packaging and labeling issued initial medical and adult use regulations. The new UCSF analysis assessed those regulations using evidence-based best practices from tobacco control. It focused on manufactured cannabis, which includes concentrates, extracts, edibles, tinctures, topicals, and other products. The recommendations include: Requiring larger and more comprehensive labels, rotating messages, and graphic warnings to reduce the appeal of marijuana to minors, while better informing adult consumers; Requiring plain packaging no logos or branding; Eliminating packaging that appeals to children or imitates non-cannabis products; Prohibiting flavorings in nonedible products; Prohibiting product formulations that may increase health risks; Prohibiting additives that promote addictiveness. The current six point warning labels are hard to see, much less read, said senior author Stanton A. Glantz, PhD, UCSF professor of medicine and director of the UCSF Center for Tobacco Control Research and Prevention. The political power of the emerging cannabis industry will only make it harder to regulate cannabis in a way that prioritizes public health. California has a world-class tobacco control media campaign that takes on the tobacco industry and strong laws to protect bystanders from secondhand smoke, Glantz said. The state should deploy these strategies to minimize marijuana use in addition to implementing tobacco control best practices to cannabis warning labels, packaging, and product formulations because they are likely to be effective for cannabis. A January 2017 report issued by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, which provides nonpartisan guidance for national decision-makers, found substantial evidence that cannabis is effective for treating chronic pain, nausea and vomiting, and in reducing spasticity symptoms in multiple sclerosis, but also found clear risks for pregnant women and youth. It found substantial evidence of an association between cannabis use and the risk of motor vehicle crashes, as well as of lower birth weight after maternal use, more frequent chronic bronchitis episodes, and the development of schizophrenia or other psychoses. The report recommended prioritizing cannabis research clinically and in health policy, health economics, public health and public safety especially in at-risk and under-researched populations, such as children and youth, older populations, pregnant women and heavy users. The research was supported in part by the National Institute of Drug Abuse grant DA-043950. UC San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It includes top ranked graduate schools of dentistry, medicine, nursing and pharmacy; a graduate division with nationally renowned programs in basic, biomedical, transitional and population sciences; and a preeminent biomedical research enterprise. It also includes UCSF Health, which comprises three top-ranked hospitals, UCSF Medical Center and UCSF Benioff Childrens Hospitals in San Francisco and Oakland, and other partner and affiliated hospitals and healthcare providers throughout the Bay Area. Brooklyn Beckham has paid tribute to his mother Victoria with a new tattoo. The 18-year-old has had a rose-covered heart inked on his upper arm, emblazoned with the word 'Mum'. Brooklyn posted a picture of his new inking on Instagram, thanking the artist who created it. Amazing "Cheers to this man x another amazing one," he said. Brooklyn has other etchings on his body. They include a camera, presumably a nod to his interest in photography, and the image of a Native American which is tattooed onto the teenager's right forearm. The tattoo is similar to one his father David has on his left arm. A motion to rename a street in the capital in honour of John Hume will go before Dublin City Council despite a number of councillors expressing misgivings. The motion, put forward by councillor Mannix Flynn at the South East Area meeting, was criticised by a number of members, who felt there must be a better way to honour the former SDLP politician who represented Derry. Mr Hume, now 81, played a vital role in the Northern Ireland peace process. Blessing Mr Flynn is hoping to have Hume Street on Dublin's southside renamed John Hume Street. The street is currently named after the family of surgeon Sir Gustavus Hume. Mr Flynn told the Herald the proposal has the blessing of Mr Hume's wife, Pat. "He is deeply honoured and we all appreciate your thoughtfulness," she said in a letter. Mr Hume is suffering from dementia. Mr Flynn insisted that it was time to start acknowledging the people "that stood for peace". He added that Mr Hume was fundamental in securing this for the North. "It's important to remember the people at the heart of the Belfast Agreement," said Mr Flynn. "It would be very nice to honour him while he is alive." However, a number of local representatives for the South East area said that while they are in favour of honouring Mr Hume, they do not feel that renaming a street would not be the most appropriate way to do so. Green Party councillor Claire Byrne said: "He deserves something bigger than just a simple street name change." Labour councillor Dermot Lacey called for something "more substantial and meaningful". He added that he hoped the street name idea will kick-start a move for some more fitting tribute to be proposed. Sales of luxury Gucci designer goods soared by 58pc to 6.19m in Ireland in 2016-17. On the back of the mass-ive increase in revenues, pre-tax profits at Gucci Ireland Ltd rose 17-fold to 726,537 in the 12 months to the end of last February. The company's directors said the jump in revenues is primarily due to the Gucci outlet in Kildare Village enjoying a full year of trading. That store traded from July 2015 to January 2017. The company added that a significant share of its sales in Ireland were to tourists. The Late Late Show's Valentine's special was a ratings winner for RTE - but not everyone was impressed. The station received a total of 13 notes of negative feedback from the public, 10 emails and three phone calls, while no formal complaints to RTE were made in relation to the show. Positive However, the broadcaster also said that both the RTE Information Office and the Late Late Show team were contacted by viewers who offered positive feedback on the episode. It seems the show tamed its ways over the last 12 months as the 2017 Valentine's episode was inundated with 176 calls and 120 emails offering "negative feedback" on the show, which featured appearances by Eurovision star Linda Martin and comedian Al Porter. Always one of the most popular episodes of the chat show, this year's Valentine's special drew an average audience of 520,100, a slight dip from last year's show when 568,400 viewers tuned in. Friday night's episode drew 46.37pc of the TV audience, while viewership peaked at 622,500. The total reach of viewers who tuned in at some point was 1,046,400. The episode featured several memorable moments, most notably when a couple got engaged live on air. James Hennessy (28) proposed to his partner Siobhan Hiney (23) during a fake game of Mr And Mrs, getting down on one knee before a visibly shocked Siobhan finally said "yes". Her response was met with a rapturous "Ole Ole Ole" from 200 singletons in the audience. Viewers were also introduced to "Colm from Dungarvan" whose mother joined him on stage to help him in his pursuit for love in the style of Blind Date. TV and radio presenter Doireann Garrihy also made an appearance and chatted to host Ryan Tubridy about the Irish dating scene, saying that she thinks it's harder these days for singletons to meet someone. "Gone are the days of getting dolled up to the nines and going out and meeting the one. "It's harder than that these days. There's online dating, people get it at the tap of a finger. Hard "Don't look for it too hard. Don't have the smell of want off you, as my sister would say," she said. However, the Dubliner ultimately has a positive outlook on the dating scene for Irish singletons, saying: "It's not all that grim." The show prompted hundreds of tweets from viewers who compared the episode to a university's rag week. Donald Trump Jnr's wife Vanessa was taken to a New York hospital yesterday after she opened a piece of mail containing an unidentified white powder that was later determined to be non-hazardous. "The substance had arrived by mail and it was addressed to Donald Trump Jnr," said a New York Police Department spokesman. Vanessa Trump, the daughter-in-law of US president Donald Trump, was taken to hospital after she complained of nausea following the exposure. Symptoms Three patients from the household were taken to the New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Centre for further evaluation, said a fire department spokeswoman. The three included Vanessa Trump's mother, although she had not complained of symptoms. The package had a Boston postmark, it was reported, but police officials declined to comment on that detail. US authorities have been on alert for mail containing white powder since 2001, when envelopes laced with anthrax were sent to media outlets and US lawmakers, killing five people. The US Secret Service, which is charged with protecting members of the president's family, has now joined the investigation. President Trump spoke with his daughter-in-law yesterday afternoon, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said, declining further comment on the investigation. The apartment building where the incident happened is in Manhattan's Sutton Place neighbourhood close to the East River. It may be the home of Vanessa Trump's mother, local news outlets reported. Collusion Donald Trump Jnr, the president's eldest son, has been in the public eye for his role in 2016 meetings with a Russian attorney and others, where the Trump campaign was offered potentially damaging information about Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. Congress has held investigations into those meetings and whether they were part of a Russian campaign to influence the 2016 US presidential election. Russia denies trying to influence the election. President Trump has dismissed any talk of collusion. In 2016, white powder, which also proved harmless, was sent to the home of Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jnr's brother. Here's the latest on who has filed to run for elected office This new local article, headlined "St. Louis Police Continue to Cite Blacks for Marijuana Possession at a High Rate," reports on some interesting data on arrest rates in St. Louis both before and after the cite decriminalized marijuana possession. Here are the details: St. Louis police continue to make arrests for pot possession and most of those arrested are black. In 2013, the final year before St. Louis attempted to decriminalize marijuana, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department made 1,056 arrests solely for pot possession with black suspects accounting for 87 percent of those arrested. But in the four years since the city made big changes to the way it handles marijuana possession cases, police records show that black suspects have continued to comprise roughly the same percentage of violations: a total of about 85 percent from 2014 to October of 2017. That statistic, first obtained by the Riverfront Times through a Sunshine law request, was startling to civil rights attorneys. Sara Baker, the legislative and policy director for the ACLU of Missouri, remarks that the new data stands as a reconfirmation of an old problem. Proponents of reforming the citys drug laws had cheered the policy change that was implemented in 2014, following the passage of a bill that enjoyed broad approval by the city's Board of Aldermen. Prior to the bills passage, officers sent all drug cases, even for small quantities of weed, to the Circuit Attorneys Office for state-level misdemeanor and felony charges, which can carry significant fines and jail time. Then came the decriminalization proposal sponsored by Alderman Shane Cohn. Starting in 2014, officers were instructed to treat those suspected of possessing less than 35 grams of marijuana similar to someone committing a traffic offense, with fines between $100 and $500. But the racial dynamics of who was being cited, records now show, have stayed stubbornly the same. Officers may have changed the paperwork form on which they wrote the charges, but not the racial makeup of the people they cited. Whats incredibly revealing about the data, says the ACLUs Baker, is that time and time again, when we see reforms either at the state or local level, and particularly reforms that still allow for fees or for low level criminalization, we might see a dip in is the amount of people overall that are arrested and charged. But that disparity rate remains shockingly persistent. Operating under the new policy in 2014 for the first time, pot possession arrests in St. Louis dipped by 144 from the previous year. But that modest decrease still showed virtually the same racial breakdown seen in prior years. In 2014, officers recorded 294 arrests for violations of the citys updated municipal code; 85 percent of those people arrested were black. African Americans also accounted for 87 percent of the 618 arrests made on state charges, which are now reserved for suspects with more than 35 grams or those with at least two prior possession arrests in the city. The pattern continued in 2015: 88 percent of those busted for ordinance violations were black, as were 87 percent of 649 people facing state charges. Across all five years worth data, there's no significant departure from the pattern. The only year where the percent of black arrests dipped below 85 percent was 2016, which showed ordinance violations given to black suspects in 77 percent of cases. By 2017, with data from January 1 to October, the percentage of black suspects ticked back up to 85 percent for both ordinance violations and criminal arrests. As of October 31, police had arrested 685 people on pot possession charges, about one-third for ordinance violations. The persistence of the racial gap in arrests continues to worry Baker and the ACLU of Missouri. However, Rick Rosenfeld, a criminologist at the University of Missouri-St. Louis whose work focuses on crime statistics, says it's not necessarily a sign of racial bias among cops. Instead, he suggests, it may reflect the way blacks are more likely to live in neighborhoods plagued by violent crime. "[Officers] stop blacks on the street, typically young black men, out of a concern of violent crime," he explains. "They find no evidence that that individual was involved in violence crime, but they do find marijuana on the individual. And they arrest him." "That seems to be the pattern. That's not the only reason. It's possible theres racial bias involved in some of these arrests. Racial bias could be just one element in the stew, Rosenfeld notes. Officers in neighborhoods suffering violent crime tend to be proactive and on the lookout to stop violence before it happens. They make judgment calls based on experience and (hopefully) reasonable suspicion. Sometimes those judgment calls need a convenient pretexual arrest, like a traffic stop or marijuana possession. The notable question in the title of this post is prompted by the last sentence of this notable recent commentary, headlined "Marijuana Legalization Is Not the Answer to the Injustices of the War on Drugs," authored by New Jersey State Senator Ronald L. Rice. Here is the bulk of the piece (with one particular line stressed for follow-up commentary): In 1982 President Ronald Reagan declared a war on drugs. He promised to fund a major campaign against drugs and to develop a plan to carry out his war. Reagans declaration followed that of President Richard Nixon, whose effort to vilify people of color and tear apart their communities began when he used those same words in 1971. The war on drugs theme of these administrations was the political rhetoric that ultimately became the statutory and legislative foundation over the years for the United States domestic policy. The campaigns launched by these administrations were designed to change the publics perception of the use of drugs. They were intended to demonstrate that the administrations of Nixon and Reagan were concerned about public safety, crime prevention and victims of crime. As a result, African-Americans and Latinos became the target. And the public perception became that these groups were responsible for the immoral habits, practices and crime such as drug use, possession, sales, prostitution, and bad conduct in general. The war on drugs was a racially divisive campaign that put countless numbers of black people behind bars, became a political tool for the government and a money-making venture for too many in America. African-American communities to this day suffer from discriminatory practice of mass incarceration of black people. The use and violation of drug laws by whites and blacks are reasonably proportionate; however, the enforcement effort disproportionately affects minorities. In fact, the American Civil Liberties Union found that in New Jersey, blacks are arrested for marijuana possession at three times the rate of whites, despite similar usage rates. There is also disparity in sentencing, with blacks often receiving longer and more severe sentencing, for the same type and similarly-situated crimes. In states that have legalized recreational marijuana, such as Colorado, black people are still arrested at a rate of nearly three times greater than whites for a violation of marijuana laws. There are more children being exposed with calls to poison control centers increasing, nearly half of the cases a result of a child ingesting an edible product. There are more babies born with THC in their system due to the mothers use of marijuana than there were prior to legalization of recreational marijuana, and much we dont know about the extent of harm this could cause. And there is a lot of money being made by business people and investors, who are largely white, at the expense of people of color. Their profits are also coming at the expense of newborn babies, children and the poor.... Legalizing recreational marijuana would without a doubt produce in New Jerseys urban communities, more so than any other community, unintended consequences. It would continue the problems we are seeing now, such as racial profiling and disparity in arrests and incarceration. It would mean increased homelessness and undoubtedly it would mean increased crime. It would only compound the unequal outcomes caused by the so-called war on drugs. The legalization of recreational marijuana is not the answer to the injustice, disparity issues and the discriminatory arrests of people of color. We can begin the process of righting the wrong by passing legislation that will decriminalize marijuana use and possession, releasing people from jails and prisons who are incarcerated for use and possession of marijuana, and by expunging their records. This we can do without passing another Jim Crow law that disproportionately harms people who historically have seen the most suffering as a result of the War on Drugs. On February 8, a special court in Bangladesh sentenced former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to jail over the embezzlement of $252,000 meant for an orphanage. Her son, Tarique Rahman, the acting head of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and four others a former BNP MP, an ex-principal secretary to the PM, a nephew of Zia and a businessman have also been convicted in the case. The BNP has alleged that the corruption cases against Khaleda Zia are a political conspiracy by the ruling PM Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League (AL) government. While BNPs supporters may agree with this view, theres little doubt that the Khaleda-Tarique combine headed a corrupt and extortionist government (2002-2006). Tarique and his younger brother (the late Arafat Rahman Koko) ran an extortion racket and a parallel government during Khaleda Zias prime ministership. His business partner was also convicted of extortion and is in jail. Zias home minister is in jail for arranging arms and ammunition from Pakistan for the Ulfa. Even Saudi Arabia has stated that Zia and her sons have invested billions of dollars in real estate in that country. During Khaleda Zias premiership, Bangladesh and Pakistan joined hands to subvert Indias interests. Apart from providing support to Indian insurgent groups in the Northeast, several Islamic extremist groups came into prominence, with the support of the Tarique clique and Pakistan. Tarique wanted to use these extremists to target the AL leadership and workers, while Pakistan wanted to use them against India. In 2004, PM Hasina escaped a grenade attack at a rally in which several AL leaders and workers were killed, including the wife of the former president. Several BNP leaders were convicted for this attack. Tarique is an accused in this case too. Alleging that the conspiracy was hatched in Tariques house, the prosecution is demanding death penalty. The BNP boycotted the last election but will not make the same mistake this time even though Khaleda Zia may be debarred from contesting. With Tarique unable to return to lead the party and its electoral ally Jamaats top leadership executed for war crimes, a weakened BNP may not be able to put up much of a fight in the elections. India has backed Sheikh Hasina and must continue to do so, given the track record of the Khaleda-Tarique regime. But in Bangladesh, there is a growing perception of misrule by the AL government even though Hasina has done a lot for the economic and infrastructure development of the nation. So India must be prepared to deal with a BNP-Jamaat government in future and hope they would not commit the same mistakes vis-a-vis India once again. Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty is a distinguished fellow, Observer Research Foundation, and former High Commissioner to Bangladesh (2007-2010) The views expressed are personal Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization) has sent intelligence inputs to wildlife officials in Madhya Pradesh regarding the alleged wildlife crimes of Manivannam Murgesan, accused of being an international turtle smuggler who was arrested by MPs special task force (STF) wildlife crimes from Chennai earlier this month, said senior STF officials. STF will now write to the Interpol to get a red corner notice issued against the Murgesan, accused of being the kingpin of Indias illegal turtle trade market so that he could be prosecuted in Thailand where he is wanted in alleged wildlife crimes, said STF officials. The communique sent by Interpol environmental security program states, We would like to congratulate India on the arrest of Manivannan Murugesan. Manivannan Murugesan is suspected to be a big turtle smuggler. He has been under review for a few years Confirming the development, Ritesh Sirothia in-charge STF (wildlife crime) said after they arrested Murgesan from Chennai and brought him to MP, they wrote to Interpol, urging it to provide details about his wildlife crimes in other countries. We didnt want that he should get a bail and abscond like has happened in some earlier cases with us. So to make our case more strong before the judge, we wrote to Interpol about our big catch and asked them to provide us details about his crimes in other countries. They not only provided us with the details of his crimes, they also lauded us for the big catch, who operates in many countries, he said. In October 2016, Interpols environment crime wing had issued a red corner notice against international wildlife smuggler Jaiy Tamang alias Passang Limi, who hails from Tibet, following a request by MPs wildlife department in a case pertaining to smuggling of pangolin and tiger bones. STF had arrested the 42-year-old Jaiy Tamang from Delhi in October 2015, but he absconded after securing bail in MP later. STF officials said as he operates in the entire South Asia, especially Nepal, Tibet, China, Myanmar, they were not sure about his whereabouts now. The ongoing investigation by STF has unveiled a pan-India poaching and trafficking network that smuggles rare turtles out of the country to Hong Kong and Singapore through two routes-one via Madras-Sri Lanka and other through Kolkata-Bangladesh route. Sirothia said Murgesan was a Singapore based businessman and had illegal trade links in Thailand, Malaysia, Macau, Hong Kong, China and Madagascar besides Singapore. On February 1, four-member STF team led by Ritesh Sirothia had brought Murgesan to MP after arresting him in Chennai and presented him before the Special Court at Sagar. According to STF officials, Murgesan was wanted by STF, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and Uttar Pradesh STF for a long time. If youve been book hunting to find that perfect read for your bibliophilic other on Valentines Day, or are looking for a good book for a quiet evening in, look no further. Heres what we recommend: This is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz In these nine interlinked stories, Junot Diaz takes a long, hard look at the infidelities and complexities of being in love through his protagonist Yunior. In an interview, Diaz described the book as being a tale about a young mans struggle to overcome his cultural training and inner habits in order to create lasting relationships... A perfect gift for the Yunior/s you might know. Opening lines: Im not a bad guy. I know how that soundsdefensive, unscrupulousbut its true. Im like everybody else: weak, full of mistakes, but basically good. Magdalena disagrees though. She considers me a typical Dominican man: a sucio, an asshole. See, many months ago, when Magda was still my girl, when I didnt have to be careful about almost anything, I cheated on her with this chick who had tons of eighties freestyle hair. Didnt tell Magda about it, either. You know how it is. A smelly bone like that, better off buried in the backyard of your life. Magda only found out because homegirl wrote her a fucking letter. And the letter had details. Shit you wouldnt even tell your boys drunk. All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven High school outcast, Theodore Finch, meets popular girl Violet Markey. But the story is not that simple and what brings them close is more than just teenage angst. Violet is grieving for her dead sister and Theodore battling an illness that is hard to understand and even harder to live with. Opening lines: Is today a good day to die? This is something I ask myself in the morning when I wake up. In the third period when Im trying to keep my eyes open while Mr Schroeder drones on and on. At the supper table as Im passing the green beans. At night when Im lying awake because my brain wont shut off due to all there is to think about. Is today the day? And if not todaywhen? Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman The 2017 movie, directed by Italian director Luca Guadagnino, and based on Andre Acimans coming-of-age novel was nominated for four Oscars last year. The movie was acclaimed as a masterpiece and the book, set in the 1980s, is just as brilliant. It is the story of a queer love affair between a teenage Italian boy and an American doctoral student. Opening lines: Later! The word, the voice, the attitude. Id never heard anyone use later to say goodbye before. It sounded harsh, curt, dismissive, spoken with the veiled indifference of people who may not care to see or hear from you again. How to Love by Thich Nhat Hanh Can love be taught? Is there a wrong or right way of loving someone? How do you build trust? Can you love another without loving yourself first? Buddhist teacher and human rights activist Thich Nhat Hanh explores different kinds of love and the habits that make it stronger in this pocket-sized guide, part of a how-to series where he explains how to practice mindfulness in everyday life. An ideal gift if your date is a cynic or emotionally constipated. Just ask him/her to approach it with an open mind. Opening lines: Heart Like a River If you pour a handful of salt into a cup of water, the water becomes undrinkable. But if you pour the salt into a river, people continue to draw the water to cook, wash, and drink. The river is immense, and it has the capacity to receive, embrace, and transform. When our hearts are small, our understanding and compassion are limited, and we suffer. We cant accept or tolerate others and their shortcomings, and we demand that they change. But when our hearts expand, these same things dont make us suffer anymore. We have a lot of understanding and compassion and can embrace others. We accept others as they are, and then they have a chance to transform. So the big question is: how do we help our hearts to grow? Committed: A Sceptic Makes Peace with Marriage by Elizabeth Gilbert When marriage seems like a quick fix to end her Brazil-born partners visa troubles, Elizabeth Gilbert, author of the bestselling memoir Eat Pray, Love, in which she wrote about healing after her divorce, begins a deep dive into the history and evolution of the institution she has grown wary of. Opening lines: Late one afternoon in the summer of 2006, I found myself in a small village in northern Vietnam, sitting around a sooty kitchen fire with a number of local women whose language I did not speak, trying to ask them questions about marriage. Labor of Love: The Invention of Dating by Moira Weigel Courtship may be as old as time but the institution of dating is a rather recent invention. A romantic disappointment forces scholar Moira Weigel to think hard about what she wants from a relationship and how it can be different from what popular culture has conditioned her to expect. And so begins her research into the history and evolution of dating from the 1900s to the present-day Tinder version. Opening lines: The con was up. Or about to be. That was what it felt like in my midtwenties. I was not sure who I had been fooling, or why, or how exactly I was going to slip up and get caught. The self-help books and my Irish Catholic mother said it was the drumbeat of imminent spinsterhood I heard approaching. I did not want a lonesome, loveless future; who does? But the dread I felt was not about that. I was starting to realize I did not know how to want. Spinster: Making a Life of Ones Own by Kate Bolick Is being alone forever such a bad thing? Maybe not, says writer Kate Bolick as she sets out to document the joys of never settling down. She intersperses her experiences with those of five women who have inspired her through their agency and independence. Opening lines: For several summers when I was a child my family vacationed on a tiny island off the coast of Maine. Barely a fleck on the map, its a mile at the longest point, a scruffy bramble of fir trees and rocky beaches, no hotels or stores or restaurants, not even cars, only a scattering of forty or so once-grand summer homes sagging on their foundations. Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters Sarah Waters 1998 debut is a lesbian romance and a coming-of-age drama set in Victorian England. Young Nancy Astley falls in love with entertainer Kitty Butler who works at the local theatre. Nancy follows her to London, first as her dresser and then her performing partner and eventually becomes her secret lover. Opening lines: Have you ever tasted a Whitstable oyster? If you have, you will remember it. Some quirk of the Kentish coastline makes Whitstable natives as they are properly called the largest and the juiciest, the savouriest yet the subtlest, oysters in the whole of England. Whitstable oysters are, quite rightly, famous. The French, who are known for their sensitive palates, regularly cross the Chanel for them; they are shipped, in barrels of ice, to the dining-tables of Hamburg and Berlin. Andal: The Autobiography of a Goddess by Priya Sarukkai Chabria and Ravi Shankar This new translation of 9th century teenage mystic poet-saint Andal incorporates her entire body of work. In her erotic bhakti poetry, Andal writes explicitly about female desire and of her deep love and yearning for Vishnu Narayana. Excerpt: Wine-dark clouds, massed ready for monsoon, Batter the name of my beloved on Vengadam, for valiant in battle, he is finally ready to put down his arms and come home to be with me. Tell him like the scrolls of leaves that fall unread after prolonged rain has stripped the branches, I too waste away, unread, waiting for the day he might translate the secret letters of my limbs. From Dark Clouds Be My Messenger, translated by Ravi Shankar Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen A list of books about love cannot be complete without the mention of the most popular novel ever written about love and marriage. Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy must overcome a series of misunderstandings, matchmaking mothers and aunts, handsome rakes and their own biases and pig-headedness to realise they are perfect for each other. An excellent book to re-read or read for the first time (if youve been living under a rock) on the day designated for love. Opening lines: It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters. Follow @htlifeandstyle for more Congress leader P Chidambaram on Tuesday said the chorus of dissent against the 2018-19 budget has grown and even economists of the government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor have spoken against its provisions. In a series of tweets, he said that former NITI Aayog vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya had spoken against the protectionist custom duties and world stock exchanges protested government-inspired NSE/BSE restrictions on sharing data. The chorus of dissent against Budget provisions grows. ... Dr Rathin Roy, Member, PMEAC joins Dr Panagariya, he said on Twitter. In a newspaper article, Panagariya had expressed reservations over the governments new trade template in the budget. Roy, a member of the Prime Ministers Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC), has reportedly expressed unhappiness about the relaxation in fiscal deficit target. Chidambaram, a former finance minister, said that Surjit Bhalla, another member of the PMEAC, has spoken against long- term capital gain tax on stocks and mutual funds. Dr Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog hopes that these measures are temporary! Dr Urjit Patel, Governor, RBI warns of five taxes on capital and how it will inhibit capital investment. World stock exchanges protest government-inspired NSE/BSE restrictions on sharing data with other exchanges as protectionist, he said on the micro-blogging site. Citing the recent spate of suicide bids in and outside Mantralaya, the state home department wants to overhaul the security system at the state secretariat. It has proposed a detailed screening and an access-controlled entry for the visitors. The department also wants to expand the CCTV coverage at Mantralaya. On Monday, the state government installed a safety net across the second-floor to prevent suicide attempts after a 44-year-old murder convict committed suicide by jumping off the fifth floor of the building on February 8. Last week, HT had reported the state was looking at upgrading the security measures to prevent suicide bids at Mantralaya. We are proposing an access-controlled system for authorised vehicles and individuals. We are working on a system, which will be operational in the next four months. If a visitor wants to go to a particular department, he will be given access to only that department, said Deven Bharti, joint commissioner of police (law and order). He added records of all visitors entering the building will be scrutinised. Senior bureaucrats said the government is exploring an option of allowing visitors only with appointments. But it is unlikely to be feasible because several people come to visit junior officers and it cannot be always done only through appointments. We are taking preventive steps, by keeping convenience of the public in mind, said a senior bureaucrat. A senior official from the home department said while investigating the recent suicide at Mantralaya, it came to light that CCTV cameras are installed in the corners and have a limited coverage area. Bharti said that the department will install additional CCTV cameras in Mantralaya. Security outside the gate will be beefed up. We are installing bollards and vehicles scanners as well. After leopards, the deer family is most threatened in Uttarakhand, revealed an RTI reply from the state forest department. A total of 177 wildlife crime cases related to the deer family including chital, sambhal, barking deer and swamp deer were registered across the 35 forest divisions in the state between 2007 and 2015, according to the RTI reply. Leopard was the only more threatened species than the deer family with 227 wildlife crime cases related to the leopards registered during the same period. Of the 177 wildlife crime cases related to the deer family, 91 were related to chital, 72 related to sambhar, 12 related to barking deer and two cases were related to swamp deer, the reply mentioned. Officials partially blame the situation on the man-leopard conflict in the hill state. More than 600 people have been killed an average 50 people per year and over 3,000 have been injured by leopards since the state formation in 2000. Nowadays, leopards prowling in human habitations are common sights with scientists and experts blaming the shrinking forest area as the reason. We understand that the prey base is threatened in forests because of crime as well as increasing population of big cats. We have plans to establish breeding centres for the species (deer), said Digvijay Singh Khati, the chief wildlife warden. An Indo-German initiative is also underway that will provide financial assistance to three states in the country, including Uttarakhand, to mitigate the man-animal conflicts. The last wildlife census in the state was conducted 10 years ago. According to the census, the population of chital or spotted deer was 53,730, Sambhar was 9,533 and barking deer was 10,111. In 2015, the forest department mooted the idea of establishing breeding centres for deer at Ranikhet and Haridwar. The objective was to breed the deer species and release them into forests to strengthen the prey base. However, a Central Zoo Authority guideline said that purpose of the breeding centres is to conserve endangered species. We should first have actual figures of the prey base to establish the issue. Naturally, strengthening the prey base could be of great help to mitigate leopard conflict, said AK Singh, the team leader of Terai Arch Landscape World Wide Fund. Meanwhile, approval for the breeding centres is awaited from the ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC). This new local article, headlined "SF will wipe thousands of marijuana convictions off the books," reports on an interesting and encouraging development int he Bay area. Here are the details: San Francisco will retroactively apply Californias marijuana-legalization laws to past criminal cases, District Attorney George Gascon said Wednesday expunging or reducing misdemeanor and felony convictions going back decades. The unprecedented move will affect thousands of people whose marijuana convictions brand them with criminal histories that can hurt chances of finding jobs and obtaining some government benefits. Proposition 64, which state voters passed in November 2016, legalized the recreational use of marijuana in California for those 21 and older and permitted the possession up to one ounce of cannabis. The legislation also allows those with past marijuana convictions that would have been lesser crimes or no crime at all under Prop. 64 to petition a court to recall or dismiss their cases. Rather than leaving it up to individuals to petition the courts which is time consuming and can cost hundreds of dollars in attorney fees Gascon said San Francisco prosecutors will review and wipe out convictions en masse. The district attorney said his office will dismiss and seal more than 3,000 misdemeanor marijuana convictions in San Francisco dating back to 1975. Prosecutors will also review and, if necessary, re-sentence 4,940 felony marijuana cases, Gascon said. Instead of waiting for people to petition for the community to come out we have decided that we will do so ourselves, Gascon said. We believe it is the right thing to do. We believe it is the just thing to do. He made the announcement at a news conference at which he was joined by city Supervisors Malia Cohen and Jeff Sheehy, along with Nicole Elliot, director of the citys Office of Cannabis, Laura Thomas of the Drug Policy Alliance reform group, and the Rev. Amos Brown, president of the San Francisco chapter of the NAACP. Advocates for poor and minority communities have long complained that marijuana laws are applied disproportionately to the impoverished and people of color. A 2013 study by the American Civil Liberties Union found that African Americans were more than twice as likely to be arrested for marijuana possession as whites, despite similar levels of use. In San Francisco, African Americans were four times as likely as whites to be arrested for possession, the study found. A marijuana conviction can affect whether a person qualifies for federally subsidized housing, student loans and disability insurance.... According to the Drug Policy Alliance, nearly 5,000 people statewide have petitioned courts to have their marijuana convictions expunged since Prop. 64 took effect. In San Francisco, however, fewer than two dozen people have done so, Gascon said. His office is believed to be the first in the state to move to clear old marijuana convictions, Gascon said. Most of the work will be done outside of courtrooms, and those affected wont be required to show up for court. Misdemeanor clearances will begin immediately, but felony cases will take a little more time, Gascon said. Those who were convicted of felony marijuana counts that were tied to other offenses may not be eligible to have their cases expunged under Prop. 64. Gascon said he will have a limited number of attorneys and paralegals going over such cases at first, but may assign more depending on the workload. Its evolving, he said. It will be a lot of clerical work, and we will evaluate as we start reviewing felonies. Prosecutors will also have to coordinate with the state attorney generals office to make sure cases are updated in the state system. Gascon said he hopes his undertaking will prompt other jurisdictions to follow suit. Were hoping what we are doing here will not only benefit San Francisco, he said. Were hoping other elected officials around the state will say this is the right thing to do. On Jan. 9, Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Oakland, introduced a bill that would make it easier for many people statewide to have marijuana convictions expunged. The legislation, AB1793, would allow automatic expungement or reduction of a prior cannabis conviction. However, the number of such convictions throughout California over the years runs into the millions. Opponents of the bill have said ordering courts to expunge them on a broad scale could cost millions of dollars. Three former chief ministers of Uttarakhand Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Narayan Dutt Tiwari and Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri are unwilling to pay rent for the accommodation they had occupied in Dehradun, the state government stated in an affidavit filed before the high court. The government has enclosed the letters sent to the former chief ministers to support its claim and sought the courts intervention to recover the dues from the ex-CMs. Responding to the affidavit, the HC division bench, comprising chief justice KM Joseph and justice UC Dhyani, has asked the litigant to file a rejoinder in four weeks. The government had filed the affidavit in March last year, but the matter came up for hearing before the court on Monday. We have been asked to submit rejoinder in the due course of time, Kartikeya Hari Gupta, the counsel for Dehradun-based NGO Rural Litigation for Entitlement Kendra (RLEK), told reporters on Tuesday. RLEK filed a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging free residence, car, security and other perks to the former chief ministers in 2010. In an affidavit filed before the court, CS Napalchayal, then secretary (estates department) informed the court that barring former chief ministers Ramesh Pokhriyal and Vijay Bahuguna, the others are yet to pay rent of the government bungalows that they had occupied earlier. The estates department calculated the rent at a flat rate of 1,000 to 1,200 per month. The total dues on former chief ministers are less than 1.57 lakh, but they are unwilling to pay, Gupta said. The state witnessed eight chief ministers in the last nine years. Barring first chief minister Nityanand Swami, all others availed government accommodation. ND Tiwari was the longest serving chief minister holding the office between 2002 and 2007. Others are Bhagat Singh Koshyari, BC Khanduri (twice), Ramesh Pokhriyal and Vijay Bahuguna. In October 2016, the HC instructed ex-CMs to vacate the government bungalows. In February last year, the court ordered the state government to calculate the market rent for use and occupation of the premises, beyond the period of entitlement, in order to recover the same from the private respondents. Avdhash Kaushal, the RLEK chairman, said the NGO will also request (the) court to recover other dues such as (that incurred) on water and electricity. The estates department claimed the fixation of rent has been done as per norms. According to the affidavit, 1.43 lakh is pending on Tiwari, 1.55 lakh on Koshyari and 1.55 lakh on Khanduri. HT tried to reach out to the former chief ministers against whom the dues are pending. While BC Khanduri and BS Koshyari did not respond to repeated calls, ND Tiwari is admitted to a Delhi hospital. Tiwari had earlier requested the court not to recover the dues from him citing financial inability. The Uttarakhand government has a separate monetary provision aimed to uplift the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) but the dedicated funds meant for development in areas inhabited by them, remain underutilised, failing to stem migration. The underutilisation of funds released every year is affecting the growth prospects of the SCs and STs who constitute 22% of the states population of more than a crore. State social welfare minister Yashpal Arya admitted that the underutilisation of funds was a concern. It is worrisome because the dedicated funds are meant for the uplift of a society that is still economically backward and is, therefore, badly in need of development, he said, adding that all possible steps are being taken to ensure the fund meant for the poor is untilised in full. Arya also admitted that underutilisation of the dedicated funds is affecting the infrastructural growth in tribal areas, most of which are along the states border with Nepal and China. The improper infrastructural growth in the border areas inconveniences the tribes people, leading to forced migration as is the case in other non-tribal areas, said social activist and former bureaucrat Surendra Singh Pangety. The border areas are inhabited by five local tribes peoplethe Tharus, Buksas, Jaunsaris, Bhotias and Vanravats. We need to focus on development in the border areas as people are leaving the region due to underdevelopment, which can pose a threat to the countrys security, he said. Arya said proper utilisation of the dedicated funds can help in checking the forced migration from the SC and ST-dominated areas. The funds are released under the Schedule Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) and the Scheduled Tribe Sub Plan (STP). Data shows that the funds mostly remain underutilised. Date of utilisation of funds allocated under the SCSP show that out of the total budget of Rs 646.68 crore released under the SCSP in 2017-18, the expenditure until December, was 329.14 crore, which is 51.02% of the total released amount. The department of social welfare is yet to receive the latest figures of expenditure. In 2016-17, the total expenditure against the released budget of 859 crore was 646.11 crore, which is 75.14% of the allocated fund. In 2015-16, more than 20% of the released budget of 889.40 crore could not be utilised and lapsed. Expenditure figures suggest that on an average 15% to 20% of the total released budget could not be utilised from 2004-2005 onwards. Data show similar expenditures against the TSP allocations. In 2017-18, only 59.25% of expenditure has been reported until now against the released budget of 225.41 crore. In 2016-17, only 20% of the total released budget of 283.72% could be spent. The figures project 2005-2006, as the only fiscal when the expenditure came to a maximum 104.21% of the total released fund of 70.56 crore. The remaining data show that on an average 15-20% of the total fund released could not be spent from the fiscal 2004-2005 onwards. Arya said that lack of effective monitoring by officials and politicians in power was the reason for the underutilisation of funds. I would not like to comment on what went wrong in the past, he said when asked to elaborate on the reasons behind the underutilisation of funds under the twin heads. We have, however, directed officials to provide us the details of underutilised funds, so we can ensure it is fully utilised. Pangety said the underutilisation of funds meant for the SCs and STs also leads to corruption. It leads to corruption as most of the funds are spent when the fiscal year comes to an end. From collecting evidence to suggesting names of suspects who may have kidnapped a seven-year-old missing boy, police said that Avadhesh Sakya worked intelligently to keep the needle of suspicion away from him. Sakya, 27, was arrested from his home in north Delhis Nathupura on Tuesday morning for allegedly killing the boy, Ashish Saini, and hiding his body in a bed box for 37 days. Aslam Khan, DCP (northwest), attributed the motive of the murder to Sakyas hatred for the boys parents and his desire to extract ransom from them. The police are also probing Sakyas relationship with the women in Ashishs family and if that had anything to do with the murder. An MSc in Physics and a native of Etah, in Uttar Pradesh, Sakya told police that he had appeared for his civil services examination thrice, clearing the preliminary stage on two occasions. But for Ashishs family, most locals of nathupura, Sakya was a senior officer with the Central Bureau of Investigations. Brutal neighbours NOVEMBER 2017: A 30-year-old woman was arrested for kidnapping and killing her neighbours minor son after a tiff with them in southwest Delhis Uttam Nagar. The woman took the boy to her room, beat him and bashed him against the floor till he died on November 23, 2017. She then wrapped the body in a jute bag. The next day, the boys mother became suspicious, searched the womans room with locals and found her sons body. SEPTEMBER 2017: A man allegedly killed a 6-year-old after keeping him tied up inside the storage box of a bed for a day. The incident took place in southeast Delhis Okhla on September 27, 2017. The accused later told the police that he had kept the boy inside the box for around 24-36 hours before strangling him to death. JUNE 2017: The body of a missing 12-year-old boy was found buried in a 2.5-foot-deep pit inside his neighbours house at Shaheed Nagar in Delhi-Ghaziabad border on June 10, 2017. A few days before the incident, the boy had had an altercation with the neighbours grandson, when he burst a balloon near the latters face. JULY 2016: A three-year-old boy was murdered and dumped in a tank near Surajmal Vihar metro station on July 27, 2016, by a neighbour, who had abducted him for ransom. The accused was arrested after colony residents reported seeing him take the toddler to his house. He allegedly took the child home by offering him sweets. But before he could call his father to demand ransom, the child started crying. The accused panicked and tried to gag the child, but ended up choking him to death. A 30-year-old woman was arrested for kidnapping and killing her neighbours minor son after a tiff with them in southwest Delhis Uttam Nagar. The woman took the boy to her room, beat him and bashed him against the floor till he died on November 23, 2017. She then wrapped the body in a jute bag. The next day, the boys mother became suspicious, searched the womans room with locals and found her sons body.A man allegedly killed a 6-year-old after keeping him tied up inside the storage box of a bed for a day. The incident took place in southeast Delhis Okhla on September 27, 2017. The accused later told the police that he had kept the boy inside the box for around 24-36 hours before strangling him to death.The body of a missing 12-year-old boy was found buried in a 2.5-foot-deep pit inside his neighbours house at Shaheed Nagar in Delhi-Ghaziabad border on June 10, 2017. A few days before the incident, the boy had had an altercation with the neighbours grandson, when he burst a balloon near the latters face.A three-year-old boy was murdered and dumped in a tank near Surajmal Vihar metro station on July 27, 2016, by a neighbour, who had abducted him for ransom. The accused was arrested after colony residents reported seeing him take the toddler to his house. He allegedly took the child home by offering him sweets. But before he could call his father to demand ransom, the child started crying. The accused panicked and tried to gag the child, but ended up choking him to death. He would sometimes say he works for the intelligence bureau. At other times he said he was with the income tax department. In January, he said he had become a CBI officer and would be taking up the job on February 12. He said he had been given a bungalow, a car and a gun. He spoke fluent English and was educated and confident. We believed him, said Ashishs father, Karan Saini. The aura he had created around himself came handy when the police began searching for Ashish, hours after he went missing around 5.30pm on January 7. Ashish had left his uncles home around 5.15pm and was captured by a CCTV camera near Sakyas home at 5.17pm. Sakya was very enthusiastic about searching for my child. He helped me register a missing persons case with the police the same day. He said that he knew CBI officers and would get the investigations transferred to the agency. He also promised to get the crime branch and the special cell to trace the boy, said the boys father. Over the next four weeks, Sakya stayed over at Sainis home, ate food with them and guided them with the search. He would accompany them when they went to the investigators as well as to the district DCP. One day, he brought an empty alcohol bottle, some empty snacks packets and a handkerchief and told us that he lifted them from near a drain and it could have been used by the criminals. He told us not to leave our fingerprints on the items. On another occasion, he said that the kidnappers mobile phone signals had been picked up in Jahangirpuri and Bhalaswa. We were grateful to him for his help, said Ashishs father. Meanwhile, the police had been making frequent rounds of the neighbourhood to search for the boy. Residents said the police would search bed boxes, racks and water tanks, but Sakya managed to keep them away from his own rented home. Sakya would sit at the doorsteps of his building until the police team left, said Shalini Rajour, a neighbour. When the boys father visited his home around a week ago and found a foul smell inside, Sakya pointed towards a dead rat. He immediately sprayed a bottle of perfume and the odour was gone. I did not know that the man we fed and loved was the killer of our boy, the boys father said. According to the DCP, Sakya had purchased poison to kill rats and would show the dead rodents as the source of the foul smell. She said at least 10 deodorant cans and perfume bottles were recovered from Sakyas home. But throughout, Sakya nursed a grudge against the boys parents. He was irritating and a loudmouth. But we never abused him, said the boys father, dismissing Sakyas allegations of abuse. According to the DCP, Sakya wanted to buy a SUV car with the ransom he expected to extract from the boys family. Sakya would scold the boys parents for spending so much on house construction and would advice them to save a few lakh rupees. He believed he could easily get Rs 15-20 lakh ransom and had even accompanied the boys father recently to a car showroom, said the DCP. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday registered two FIRs in case of tampering of records related to Delhi government land, worth around Rs 600 crore, in south Delhi. Hindustan Times had first reported the alleged scam on November 27 detailing how around 30 acres of prime government property in Asola village was transferred to private individuals by fudging land records. According to the two FIRs, there was tampering in revenue records related to six khasras (gram sabha plots) numbers 1082, 1348, 1354, 1435, 1437 and 1632 at the village. A CBI spokesperson confirmed, We have registered two FIRs in the case and launched investigations. A senior CBI official said records of at least 125 bighas (26 acre) government land was tampered. The probe into the tampering of records related to one property was first handed over to the Delhi police. But given the magnitude to the scam, Delhi lieutenant governor Anil Baijal later asked the CBI for a probe. The agency on Tuesday re-registered two FIRs as per standard operating procedure in transferring the case to the agency. The FIR quotes the governments enquiry report that during an internal probe a fraudulent entry was detected in revenue record (khatauni) of plot 1354, which showed one Mahesh, son of Shankar, as land owner since 1985. An inquiry by an additional district magistrate was then ordered, which found that record tampering was done between January 30, 2014 and April 24, 2015. The then Patwari(keeper of records), in charge of the village, Inderjeet had on April 24, 2015, had for the first time recognised Mahesh as owner or Bhumidar of the plot, which belongs to the government. The enquiry also found that on the basis of tampered records, a no objection certificate (NOC) and sale deed of the land was registered during Inderjeets tenure. Later, the land was sold to Amritsar resident Raman Mehra. According to the FIR, in October 2015, Inderjeet again made changes in the Khasra Girdawari, which is a biannual inspection report by revenue officers to check the lands ownership and current usage, and entered the name of Raman Mehra as Bhumidar in place of Mahesh. According to the sale deed papers, Mahesh, had received Rs 1.4 crore from the woman for selling 10 Bigha gram sabha land. HT investigation had found that plot 1354, measuring around 2-acre, has a market price of around Rs 40 crore. According to the FIR, Inderjeet, during enquiry, had claimed that all reports, while issuing NOCs and sanctioning of mutation (called P-1 report), were written by his private assistants. He reportedly mentioned only the first names of his three assistants but didnt give their address, the enquiry officer noted. Following the enquiry, then sub-divisional magistrate Ankita Chakravarty lodged a complaint at the Neb Sarai police station on April 6, 2017 seeking a probe. Six days later, she lodged another compliant with the police giving details of five more gram sabha plots. The police then registered another case and launched a probe. HT had earlier contacted Mehra who declined to comment. Mahesh had claimed that the land belongs to him and threatened to sue the Delhi government. Delhi government has suspended the Patwari and kanungo (supervisor) and also annulled the sale deed between Mehra and Mahesh. The government has begun taking back their land on paper by correcting the tampered records. A Chinese passenger acted as an interpreter and ended up helping customs officials at Delhi airport arrest two Taiwanese nationals for smuggling gold. On February 2, customs officers stopped a Taiwanese national on suspicion of smuggling gold, but were unable to question him as the passenger did not speak English. However, officials managed to ask a Chinese national to translate on their behalf and eventually caught another smuggler who had already exited the terminal. It was on February 2, a Taiwan national was stopped for checking. He was coming from Taipei via Hong Kong. We found four gold bars wrapped in a newspaper and kept in the pocket of his trousers. We interrogated him with the help of another passenger and traced another Taiwan national for being part of the racket, said a customs officer, requesting anonymity. Gold worth 1.21 crore was seized and both the passengers were arrested, officials said. Customs officials said smugglers are now seen shifting base to Hong Kong from east Asia and have started using Taiwanese nationals for smuggling. In a similar case on February 10, four Taiwan nationals were arrested. They had also arrived from Taiwan via Hong Kong. They were stopped after crossing the green channel. In a modus operandi similar to the previous one, gold bars wrapped in a newspaper and kept in the pocket of trouser were recovered. Total 10 kg gold worth 3 crore was seized, the officer added. In the February 10 case, the gold was recovered from three passengers, while a fourth accused handed them the gold in Hong Kong. In the first case also, gold was handed over to another passenger in Hong Kong. We have established the link through CCTV footage and statement has also been recorded. The smugglers have shifted base from gulf and are now bringing gold from Hong Kong using Taiwan nationals, who are usually not on our list of potential suspects, the officer added. New Delhi For more than a month, seven-year-old Ashish Sainis family shielded Avadhesh Sakya from police interrogation. We knew that Ashish was to visit Sakyas home the evening he went missing. But Sakya was close to us and we feared that the police would thrash him if we named him. So, we hid the information from the police, said Ashishs grandfather, Lala Ram. When Sakya was finally arrested on Tuesday for killing the boy, stuffing his body in a suitcase and concealing it in his bed box, the boys family called up a senior investigator. They have requested us to not beat him up. They still cant believe that he was the killer, said the investigator. Sakya had been at the forefront of the search operation for the missing boy ever since he went missing on January 7, said DCP (northwest), Aslam Khan. On his advice, the police too had picked up and questioned several local residents. Among those questioned by the police was a local resident who was caught on camera carrying a dead body on a motorcycle. The DCP said the body turned out to be that of the mans boy who had died of illness. While the male members of Ashishs family trusted Sakya, it was the boys mother who finally pointed the finger of suspicion towards him. A week ago, I asked my family to inform the police that Ashish was to visit Sakyas home the evening he went missing. He was the only one who had not been questioned. His insistence that we delay installing CCTV cameras at our home also aroused my suspicion, said Ashishs mother, Neelam. So last week, Ashishs family secretly visited the office of the district DCP, Aslam Khan, and gave them a go-ahead to question Sakya. Sakya was allegedly furious on learning that he had been named as a suspect. Sakya stopped visiting the boys home. He called his parents to his home. Sakyas father threatened to kill Ashishs father if Sakya got into trouble, said the DCP. The last time he visited our home, he was furious at us for having served him cold rotis and threw the food away. We alerted the police about this changed behaviour, said the boys father Karan Saini. The police picked up Sakya around 6am on Tuesday after he had stopped receiving calls from the police for nearly two days. We subjected him to sustained interrogation. He first tried to cook stories about another man killing the boy and forcing him to hide the body at gunpoint. But he soon confessed to the crime and led us to the body, said the DCP. This is the second suspicious death in Ashishs family. In 2007, Ashishs uncle had drowned in a canal in the neighbourhood. His family alleged foul play, but the case was never solved. We are told there was never a better time to be in Delhi than now when it comes to the bustling restaurant scene. Theres a man running a cool college-campus like Mizo eatery in Safdarjung Enclave and an Italian mans too-pricey restaurant in Greater Kailash-I. Shahpur Jat has a cosy restaurant specialising in Bihari cuisine. But what about, say, the food of Jharkhand? We just cant find a restaurant in this vast sprawling city that can serve us Jharkhands famous dhuska. Made of rice and dal, the finished dish transcends its commonplace ingredients and tastes neither like dal, nor rice but something entirely different. Finally, in our search for this dish, we ended up in Shubha Sinhas duplex apartment in east Delhis Mayur Vihar Phase I. In her fifties, Ms Sinha grew up in Ranchi, before moving to Delhi after getting married. She learned cooking the hard way. When she was still a schoolgirl, her mother was diagnosed with tuberculosis and had to be sent to a sanatorium out of town. She and her brother would visit maai once a week but her father, an accountant, would bicycle daily to deliver homemade food to the mother. Papa would cook every morning before leaving for the office, says Ms Sinha, reminiscing her childhood while sitting on her drawing-room sofa. She started cooking in the evenings after returning from the school. I knew nothing in the beginning but gradually became more comfortable. Ms Sinhas mother returned home after two years. She was, however, too weak to work one of her lungs was damaged and had to be removed. But maai would often sit in the kitchen and talk to me while I would be cooking. She passed away many years ago. Ms Sinha is now a mother of two daughters. Today, she is making us dhuska. Its basically a dish of the Chhota Nagpur region... we usually make it on special occasions... I remember this was the first dish Id made in Delhi for my husband. INGREDIENTS 1 bowl uncooked rice 1/2 bowl chana dal 1/4 bowl urad dal Zeera Garlic (5-6 cloves) Red chilli powder Green chillies Black pepper corns Mustard Oil for frying (userefined oil as per preference) Salt METHOD Soak rice and dal in water for 6 hours. Grind the dal in a mixer-grinder along with zeera, garlic, red chilli powder, black pepper, green chillies and salt. Grind the rice and mix it with the dal mixture. Make sure you grind it all into a smooth paste. Heat oil for deep frying. Scoop the batter in a ladle and slowly pour it into the hot oil. Fry till it is crispy on the outside. Serve it with chutney (tomato or mint) or mutton /liver gravy. Its proving to be a terrible day for salesman Anand Kumar. For the past four hours, hes been walking around the streets trying in vain to sell his handmade notebooks. Just 20 for a dozen pads, but what can I do? Im trying my best! sighs Mr Kumar. This man is a surprising sight as we had never seen a street vendor hawking handmade writing pads before. We fall into conversation with him in west Delhis Naraina on a lovely sky-blue day. Theres little doubt that his project is environment-friendly, to say the least. He collects discarded paper from Sadar Bazaar and then cuts and sticks it into tidy 50-page pads smaller than the palm, resembling office post-its. All this is done at his family home in Seelampur with assistance from his wife. He then heads out to sell this recycled product. He considers himself lucky if he can pull in 6,000 a month, he says. But what I really want is a good job. Mr Kumar arrived in Delhi about five years ago from a village in UPs Etawah district. There just werent any jobs there, he says. Mr Kumar plans to go on making and selling notepads until something more lucrative turns up. Itll work out, he says hopefully, before returning to the streets to ferret out customers. New Delhi: The Jawaharlal Nehru University has indefinitely postponed the Academic Council meeting to be held on February 23, giving rise to allegations from the JNU Students Union (JNUSU) that the administration is unwilling to interact with the students and teachers regarding the mandatory attendance issue at the university. Many students across party lines and a section of teachers have been protesting against the new policy and a strike has been going on since Friday. Since Saturday, students have been gathering at the outlawed freedom square outside the administrative block every day to resist the move. The registrar has issued an appeal to the JNUs academic community that the protest is in violation of the JNU rules and the Delhi High Court orders, and that the Sabarmati Hotel lawns was designated for holding protest demonstrations. While the administration encourages debate, discussion, dissent and even peaceful and lawful methods of protest, the JNUSU, now supported by the JNU Teachers Association, appear hellbent on violating the rules and regulations, reads the statement, while adding that the attendance policy was in keeping with UGC regulations. JNUSU general secretary Duggirala Srikrishna said that all office bearers had also received personal notices from the registrar asking them to cease protests at the freedom square, and have even received disciplinary notices from the chief proctors office. However, they are continuing with their protests at the same place. The JNUSU has, in turn, alleged that the administration is scared of facing students and teachers, and has hence postponed the AC meeting, which was supposed to be held on February 23. By not conducting the AC at a time when thousands of JNU students have been boycotting compulsory attendance and protesting at Ad Block the JNU administration proved that it is not interested to discuss the issue in the highest decision-making body of the university. Indeed, true to his track record, JNU V-C is once again running away from all institutional and democratic accountability for his arbitrary steps, reads a statement released by the JNUSU, which also demands that the meeting should be held as scheduled before. The V-C and the registrar were unavailable for comment. A seven-year-old boy was kidnapped, smothered to death, his body stuffed in a suitcase and concealed in a bed box in north Delhis Swaroop Nagar for 37 days, allegedly by a man aspiring to be a civil servant who was a former tenant of the family. The accused, the police said, was upset with the boys parents. Avadhesh Sakya, 27, would allegedly kill rats and present them as the source of stench whenever questioned about the foul smell emanating from his room. At least 10 deodorant cans and perfume bottles were recovered from Sakyas home, said Aslam Khan, DCP (north-west). Ashish Saini, a Class 1 student, lived with his parents in Nathupura. Sakya was a tenant in the familys home till three years ago. He was close to the family, and made the police believe that he was actively involved in the search for the missing seven-year-old, said the DCP. On his Facebook page, Sakya claims to have served in the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Information Bureau and the income tax department, but in reality he had made three failed attempts to crack the Union Public Service Commission examination. The fake portrayal helped the MSc (Physics) graduate build an aura around himself and the boys relatives were in awe of him, said the DCP. The boys relatives knew of Sakyas closeness to the family. As a result, they had found nothing odd when Sakya had called Ashish to his one-room home to give him a bicycle as a belated birthday present, police said. That was the last time that Ashish was seen. The family had not told the police about this when they filed the complaint that the boy was missing. Sakya was arrested and the body recovered on Tuesday morning, 37 days after he kidnapped the boy at around 5.20 pm on January 7, police said. The arrest happened after the boys mother, Neelam, got suspicious and insisted last week that the police be informed about Sakyas invitation to her son on the day of his disappearance. Sakya and the boy lived in the same neighbourhood in Nathupura in Swaroop Nagar. Ashishs father, Karan Saini, owns a small department store in the neighbourhood. Three years ago, when Sakya moved out as a tenant at one of the houses owned by the boys family, he rented a room four houses down the road from the Sainis. The DCP quoted Sakya as saying that while he was close to most of the boys relatives, the childs parents despised him and even abused him in private. The boys grandfather treated Sakya almost like his fourth son and this was not liked by the childs parents, said Khan. The police said that Sakyas plan was to first kill Ashish and then demand a ransom of R15-20 lakh from his parents. It is as yet unclear how he thought he would have managed to get the money without being able to return the child to his parents, or giving proof that the boy was still alive. On my brothers birthday on December 19, uncle [Sakya] had promised to give him a bicycle. On January 7, he asked him to meet him at his room at 5.30 pm, said Ashishs elder sister. According to the police, when Ashish entered Sakyas room, the man first played with him for around 10 minutes. The boy then mentioned that his parents disliked Sakya and had asked him to not have much to do with him, the DCP said. Sakya already planned the murder. The boys revelation acted as a trigger. He used his woollen scarf to smother the boy. He then wrapped the body in a plastic mat and stuffed it in a blue suitcase before hiding it in his bed box, Khan said. Sakya wanted to make the ransom call, but not before disposing the body. he found this difficult because of the presence of the police after the kidnapping had been reported and CCTV cameras in the neighbourhood, the officer added. This Washington Post piece, headlined "Cities, states work to clear marijuana convictions, calling it a states' rights issue," provides another useful account of the ever-growing movement to undue past marijuana convictions in conjunction with modern marijuana reforms. Here are excerpts: When California voters passed a measure in 2016 that legalized cannabis and allowed for people to have their marijuana convictions wiped away or reduced, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan ordered her staff to immediately start scouring the citys criminal records to find people who qualified. As marijuana becomes legal in more states, some are allowing people to ask to have their old marijuana convictions expunged or reduced. It is, proponents say, a way to atone a war on drugs that disproportionately affected low-income and minority communities and to ensure that the criminal records people carry are not out of sync with current laws. It also attempts to get to the root of a complex legal question: what happens when people have a conviction on their record for a crime that is no longer illegal? If youve made a legislative determination that this is no longer criminal, why would you want to continue to have people feeling the ramifications of something that people going forward will no longer have to suffer? said Jenny Roberts, an American University law professor. At least nine states, including Colorado, Maryland and Oregon, have made it easier to have some marijuana charges sealed or thrown out completely. Recreational marijuana use is legal in some, but not all, of those states. Colorado last year approved a bill that allows people convicted of misdemeanor marijuana possession before Dec. 10, 2012, to petition to have their convictions sealed. In Oregon, lawmakers stated that judges must take the current law -- which says that possessing and selling marijuana is legal -- into account when they consider whether or not to change a persons criminal record. In Maryland, people convicted of marijuana possession can petition a court for expungment. It really makes sense to not burden these people with a lifelong criminal record, said Kate Bell, a lobbyist for the Marijuana Policy Project in Maryland. In most places, people must specifically request to have their records expunged, a process that can be costly and time-consuming. Though the laws largely aimed to help low-income people, there is concern that the petitioning process makes it more difficult, and therefore less likely, that they will move to have their records changed. On Wednesday, San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon announced that his office will clear all marijuana misdemeanor convictions dating to 1975 and review all felony convictions to see if they are eligible for a reduction. California voters have clearly sent a message, he said. The war on drugs has been a failure, and more specifically, the war on marijuana has been a failure.... Gascon said he made the decision to automatically clear records so people will not have to jump through hoops to get relief. He estimates that about 3,000 people will be eligible to have their convictions vacated and about 5,000 will be eligible to have their cases reviewed for possible reduction. Prosecutors can decide not to support a reduction should a person have a major felony, such as murder, on their record. Old convictions will be reclassified under the law as it reads now. For example, if someone had been convicted of possessing an ounce or less of marijuana, that conviction would be tossed out because that is now legal under California law. California Assemblyman Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) introduced a bill that would require automatic expungment of records. The role of government should be to ease burdens and expedite the operation of law not create unneeded obstacles, barriers and delay, Bonta said in a statement. These individuals are legally entitled to expungement or reduction and a fresh start. It should be implemented without unnecessary delay or burden. Nevada assemblyman William McCurdy (D) introduced a bill that would allow people convicted of possessing less than an ounce of marijuana to have their records wiped clean; it was vetoed by Gov. Brian Sandoval (R). McCurdy said he would like to reintroduce the legislation in the state, where marijuana is now legal. Ive always been under the belief that if you made a mistake in the past and the law has changed, you should definitely benefit from the changing of that law, he said. Theres a lot of folks who are sitting behind bars for less than an ounce of marijuana, and thats troubling. In San Diego, Stephan ordered attorneys to look at cases shortly after voters passed the ballot initiative in November 2016, when the expungement provisions took effect. Prosecutors first looked at people in prison, then at those who were recently convicted, recommending their cases to public defenders. They worked backward, with the idea that persons that received their convictions more recently might be directly impacted in terms of their ability to look for jobs or have informal probation, housing benefits, military, other things, she said. About 680 people have had their convictions lessened, 55 of whom are currently behind bars, Stephan said. She believes there are about 5,000 people who are eligible to have their convictions changed. Our hope is that they will take advantage of it and use it to reintegrate and enter society without the burden of having a felony conviction, she said. Most of the sentencing laws are tied to the legalization of marijuana, something that Kevin Sabet, the founder of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, which opposes legalization, said shouldnt be the case. People deserve a second chance, and we shouldnt penalize people for past convictions, but it shouldnt take having to legalize -- and commercialize -- marijuana for that to happen, he said. This a false choice between legalization and criminalization. Youre gonna floor your bae with flowers, take him out for a coffee date he wont forget, and get the most beautiful gifts delivered to her, all to declare your love on Valentines Day. But, have you ever wondered that behind every flower decoration, delicious cappuccino, and gift is a hero who made all that happen without any real effort from your side? These heroes work a minimum of eight to 12 hours a day, even on the day of love, to ensure that you have your perfect date. Whats more, after setting up your perfect date for you, they find the time to celebrate Valentines Day with their own special person. How they do it is superhuman, but we decided to find out what they do to make their Valentine feel special despite the long, long work day. Pyaar ki koi umar nahi hoti, aur naa koi time: Ram Babu, florist Ram Babu, 62, is a florist near Palika Bazaar, Connaught Place, Central Delhi. He says that Valentines Day might keep him busy all day, but that doesnt mean he cannot find the time to gift things to his Valentine. (Photo: Sarang Gupta/HT) At 62, Ram Babu still has a rocking sense of romance and humour. The florist, whose stall is near Palika Bazaar, Connaught Place, Central Delhi, says that Valentines Day might keep him busy all day, but that doesnt mean he cant find the time to gift things to his Valentine thats his dear wife. He says with a flourish, Pyaar ki koi umar nahi hoti, aur na koi time. Poora din yahaan logo ke Valentine manwaate hain, aur phir ghar jaake apna Valentines Day mana lete hain (Theres no specific age for love, and no specific time. I spend all day here, celebrating other peoples Valentines Day, and then I go home and celebrate my own Valentines Day). Every year, he gifts his wife roses and something she loves. After finishing work by 11pm or so, he goes home bearing Valentines Day gifts. And if it gets too late? Kayi baar, jab zyada kaam ho toh wife ko hi yahaan bula leta hoon, he says. In chhoti cheezo se hi pyaar badhta hain, aur yeh hum saalon se karte aa rahe hain. *** Sabke chakkar mein apna Valentine nahi chhootna chahiye: Amit Badhana, florist For Amit Badhana, a florist near Palika Bazaar, Connaught Place, Valentines Day celebrations are as important as getting customers. (Photo: Sarang Gupta/HT) For Amit Badhana, another florist near Palika Bazaar, Connaught Place, Valentines Day celebrations are as important as fetching customers. Yeh saal ka sabse busy din hota hain, par sabke chakkar mein apna Valentine nahi chhootna chahiye (This is the busiest day of the year, but one shouldnt forget ones own Valentine in ones rush to deal with all the others), he says. Since Amit is in the flowers and gifts business, he doesnt have to worry about finding the time to shop for some. Aur agar zyada busy ho gaye to kisi bhi ladke se packing karwa lete hai (And if it gets too busy for me, then I get it packed by another chap), says Amit, the wise one he knows that while business is important, the special one in his life is very important, too. Valentines Day pe customer bahot aate hain, par life mein jo hai woh bhi to utna hi important hai na, he says with a smile. *** Morning shifts are ideal for meeting your Valentine: Jyoti Rawat, barista Jyoti Rawat, a barista, says that working on Valentines Day is hectic, but she finds time for romance. (Photo: Sarang Gupta/HT) She has made many a coffee date perfect for couples, and does the same when it comes to her own life. Jyoti says that working on Valentines Day is hectic, but she finds time for her bae. Morning shifts arent as busy, so we find time to celebrate then. But if its a very busy day, we head home after work and treat each other to goodies. Some of us do take an off day to meet their Valentines, but work is work, too. Sometimes, its flowers, other times its gifts, but its a special day thats meant to be celebrated in each others company, so whod miss a chance to do so, she says. *** Din mein to kuchh time nahi milta, shaam ko free hoke hi celebrate kar lete hain: Mohammed Shahid, delivery executive Mohammed Shahid, a delivery executive, says that he always tells his wife that she is a special person, and that something special has to be done to mark Valentines Day. With e-commerce booming, Valentines Day is one of the busiest days of the year when it comes to deliveries, as most people now choose to get gifts delivered well in advance for their dates. But that doesnt keep Mohammed Shahid from finding time for love. Poore din mein to kuchh time nahi milta, shaam ko saat-aath baje tak hi free hoke celebrate kar paate hain. Par celebrate karte zaroor hain (Theres never any time during the day, so we celebrate when were free after seven or eight in the evening. But we certainly do celebrate), he says. Asked how he celebrates Valentines Day, Shahid replies, Gifting aur phool har baar ho na ho, wife ko yeh bata dena ki woh special hain, ya kuchh special kar dena hi bahot hota hain (Even if there are no gifts or flowers every time, its important to tell ones wife that she is special or to do something special that day). Two recent foreign policy initiatives of the Indian government have the promise of yielding key gains in the long-term. In January, New Delhi witnessed the unprecedented sight of the leaders of the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) being honoured as chief guests at the annual Republic Day Parade after a crucial dialogue. On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian PM to make an official visit to Palestine during a trip that also took him to the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Indias near simultaneous engagements show the change in thinking and depth of Indias foreign policy outreach, aimed at balancing its long-term goals of playing a vital role in the region. Many Asean states have strong economic relations with China despite disputes over such issues as the South China Sea. India would do well strengthen its links in a wide range of areas with the regional bloc, especially trade, connectivity and security. Though the Asean states have signed up for Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, many members continue to be wary of their larger neighbour because of territorial disputes and Beijings trade and security policies. In such a situation, India stands to gain a lot by taking on a greater leadership role in the region, not necessarily to confront China, but to offer an alternative path that could be more attractive to other nations. Mr Modis visit to Palestine was hardly surprising, given his stand-alone visit to Israel last year. The outcomes of the visit, including Mr Modis support for an independent Palestine, bode well for Indias overall outreach to West Asia, home to millions of expatriates. Besides trade and energy supplies, India has also forged close security ties with countries in West Asia that are crucial for the war on terrorism. There may be little common ground between the Israeli and Palestinian leadership but India enjoys huge constituencies of goodwill on both sides that it can leverage to its advantage in the longer run. It may be a while before Uttar Pradeshs education board rids itself of the examination fraud taint, but officials believe the newly introduced reforms are a step in the right direction. The BJP government led by Yogi Adityanath had spelt out cleansing the state board known as the Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad as one of its chief priorities after coming to power last year. Deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma, who also holds the portfolio of secondary education minister, then announced measures such as installation of CCTV cameras at 8,057 examination centres, virtual allocation of exam centres and online registration of candidates to ensure that free-and-fair examinations were held across the state in collaboration with the special task force. These measures, however, gave rise to major repercussions. As many as 2,89,308 candidates dropped out on the first day of the examinations (February 6), and six days later, the number had swelled to 10,54,992 15.89% of the 66,37,018 registered examinees. This bulk exodus of examinees shows that many candidates were relying on fraudulent means to pass. Students who attend classes and study for their examinations will not give up that easily. Even if they fail to do well in one or two examinations, they will strive to make up in the rest, said Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shikshak Sangh (UPMSS) general secretary Lal Mani Diwedi. The teachers association official claimed that all such candidates were prepaid degree-seekers who managed to infiltrate the boards registration process but failed to execute their plans due to safeguards instituted by the administration. They had no option but to quit because they were largely depending on fraudulent means to pass, he said. UPMSS (Allahabad unit) president Sunil Kumar Shukla sought action against all such offenders. Who exactly are these copying mafia leaders? Do they infiltrate the examination system from outside, or are they already ingrained in it? The Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad should identify such elements and make an example out of them, he said. According to Abhay Awasthi, Congress district unit officer-bearer and former Allahabad University students union leader, the copying mafia has been calling the shots in the state board examinations for years due to corruption in the Uttar Pradesh education boards machinery. These people use both money and muscle to sully the system. First, they get their colleges affiliated to the board. Then, once their institutions are made examination centres, they get fake candidates registered in exchange for hefty bribes. Crores of rupees change hands with candidates from Uttar Pradesh shelling out anywhere between Rs 8,000 and Rs 20,000, and those from other states paying a little more, he said. Awasthi also wanted the government to investigate candidates who dropped out, so as to get to the root of the fraud allegedly perpetrated by private schools. A clerk with the district inspector of schools office in Allahabad claimed that the rot runs deep in the states education system. Everything here is on sale be it educational degrees, contracts pertaining to the boards functioning, allocation of examination centres, granting of affiliation or appointment of teachers and other staffers. One government cannot fix everything. This problem is as old as the boards existence, and it has only worsened over the years, he said on the condition of anonymity. Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad secretary Neena Srivastava said the authorities may consider investigating the quitters once the examination process is completed. We could even check their attendance levels in class, so as to gauge if these candidates were solely dependent on unfair means to pass the examinations, she added. Srivastava insisted that the anti-fraud measures implemented by the state government were starting to yield results. The large number of dropouts only goes to show that our attempts at holding free-and-fair examinations are working, she said. Official records with the board reveal that as many as 6,75,701 candidates (4,18,419 high school and 2,57,282 intermediate students) decided to quit in view of strict measures enforced at examination centres in 2015, while 6,45,025 dropped out in 2016. The number stood at 5,35,494 examinees last year. The Uttar Pradesh education board had barred 1,277 principals from being appointed as centre superintendents for high school and intermediate examinations in February 2016, after rampant cheating was witnessed the previous academic year. The action was taken on the basis of reports filed by flying squads affiliated to the board. Meerut region saw the maximum number of principals barred at 506, Allahabad at 348, Varanasi at 328, and Bareilly at 95. According to board officials, more than 6.4 million regular and 1.8 million private students appeared for this years examinations. However, over 1.47 million dropped out in the first few days. With JEE (Main) round the corner, students are gearing up for one of the prestigious examinations held in the country for entry to Indias premier and finest engineering colleges, the IITs. As the time is inching closer, students are going through turmoil as tension and anxiety have already started building up when all they need to do is be calm and patient. If you too are caught up in a similar predicament, it is essential that you avoid the last minute stress and anxiety and take appropriate measures in order to put your best foot forward in the JEE. To help you crack one of the most challenging examinations, we have listed a few tips below which shall help you keep pace with the upcoming JEE Main 2018 and prepare best for the same in just three months. Follow a proper routine Plan a good and proper routine for the last one month and follow it diligently. Make sure that you sleep and wake up at a fixed time and have a good 8 hours sleep. You must also develop a habit of studying for 4-6 hours continuously with short breaks of 5 minutes after every 40 minutes. This will help you focus better and learn effectively. Also thoroughly go through NCERT textbooks and solve the back exercises rigorously. In addition, pay attention to the second half of the syllabus in class XI for JEE Main. Dont miss out important topics True, the entire syllabus is important but there are some topics whose concepts are omnipresent in the rest of the syllabus. It is essential to understand and practice these topics, as a good proficiency in these topics will make it easier to understand other chapters as well. Practice mock papers One of the major strategies is to strengthen your base and have your fundamentals clear. For this, you need to thoroughly practice and solve both theory and practical problems. It is not possible to find a text which is sufficient enough that you just read it and start solving all your questions in your textbooks. Once you are done with your board exams, start focussing on Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and practice as much as possible. This, in turn, will help you to manage time and will also strengthen your subject knowledge besides helping you analyse your weak areas. One needs to also practice at least one good question bank designed for JEE. Taking up both online and offline mock tests before the final exams can be helpful for students as they can become well acquainted with the online system and also learn how to manage time. Moreover, solving mock tests helps understand the structure of the exam thoroughly and how to best go about it. Mock tests expose you to the real exam scenario and help getting used to it and combat nervousness. A good practice of mock tests not only gives an insight into your preparation level but also helps to focus on the key strategic points. Refer to the expert tips and videos You can get expert tips and tricks to clear JEE main 2017 from online experts and they will elaborate upon some more tricks to clear the examination. Dont forget to watch the videos uploaded on YouTube by experts which can be downloaded free and can help clear your doubts and further strengthen your concepts. Pay extra attention to the following topics: Every portion of the syllabus is imperative, but there are certain topics which require special attention in every subject which form the basis of the entire subject and can help you score well. These topics can be applied in all other chapters and therefore, having a thorough understanding of them is important. It is a must to understand and practice these as good proficiency in these topics that will make it easier to understand the remaining chapters. Physics: In Physics, units & measurement, motion in a plane, system of particle and rotational motion, mechanical properties of solids, Thermal properties of matter, Thermodynamics, Oscillations, Electric potential and capacitance, Current electricity, Electro Magnetic Induction, Ray optics, Wave optics, Dual nature of radiation and matter, semiconductors are some of the main areas to look for. You should have a fair understanding of kinematics and Dynamics which will help you improve your solving ability and skills. Also, the Theory of fields (Electromagnetism) is very important. Pay special attention to the Optics and Modern physics which is usually neglected by the students. Chemistry: Atomic structure, Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure, Thermodynamics, Electrochemistry + Redox, Equilibrium, Biomolecules, Solutions and Colligative properties, Polymer and chemistry in everyday life, Coordination Compound, P-Block Elements, Alcohol, Phenol, Ether, Some basic concepts of chemistry, Solid state, Hydrocarbon, Haloalkane and Haloarenes, Chemical Kinetics, Nuclear chemistry, Organic compound containing nitrogen are some of the vital topics candidates should concentrate on. Physical chemistry is quite scoring. Numerical problems can come from this chapter that can fetch you really good scores and hence all the units must be done carefully. Students tend to neglect inorganic chemistry but just a proper understanding of it can prove beneficial. Basic concepts of Organic chemistry and basic concepts of inorganic chemistry must be thoroughly prepared. Make a schedule of revision plan for inorganic chemistry so that you are able to go through it at least for 4-5 times. Mathematics: Calculus forms a base for almost every part of Mathematics. Other important and scoring topics are Determinants, Sequences, Permutation and Combination Limits, Continuity & Differentiability, 3-Dimensional Geometry, Applications of Derivatives, Matrices and Determinants, Coordinates and Straight Lines, Pair of Straight Lines, Sequence& Series, Conic Section, Vectors, Probability, Statistics, Complex Numbers, Differential Equations, Trigonometric Ratios & Identities, Height & Distance, Properties of Triangles, Inverse Trigonometry and Integration. In addition to this, students must also have an in-depth understanding of topics like coordinate geometry, Vectors and trigonometry. Three-dimensional geometry should be practised to get that additional or compensating score. (Aakash Chaudhry is the director of Aakash Institute. Views expressed are personal.) Melting ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica are speeding up the already fast pace of sea level rise, new satellite research shows. At the current rate, the worlds oceans on average will be at least 2 feet (61 centimetres) higher by the end of the century compared to today, according to researchers who published in Mondays Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences. Sea level rise is caused by warming of the ocean and melting from glaciers and ice sheets. The research, based on 25 years of satellite data, shows that pace has quickened, mainly from the melting of massive ice sheets. It confirms scientists computer simulations and is in line with predictions from the United Nations, which releases regular climate change reports. Its a big deal because the projected sea level rise is a conservative estimate and it is likely to be higher, said lead author Steve Nerem of the University of Colorado. Outside scientists said even small changes in sea levels can lead to flooding and erosion. Any flooding concerns that coastal communities have for 2100 may occur over the next few decades, Oregon State University coastal flooding expert Katy Serafin said in an email. A delegate looking at a projection of the Earth on the opening day of the COP 21 United Nations conference on climate change, on November 30, 2015 in Le Bourget, France. (AFP File Photo) Of the 3 inches (7.5 centimetres) of sea level rise in the past quarter century, about 55% is from warmer water expanding, and the rest is from melting ice. But the process is accelerating, and more than three-quarters of that acceleration since 1993 is due to melting ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica, the study shows. Like weather and climate, there are two factors in sea level rise: year-to-year small rises and falls that are caused by natural events and larger long-term rising trends that are linked to man-made climate change. Nerems team removed the natural effects of the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption that temporarily chilled Earth and the climate phenomena El Nino and La Nina, and found the accelerating trend. Sea level rise, more than temperature, is a better gauge of climate change in action, said Anny Cazenave, director of Earth science at the International Space Science Institute in France, who edited the study. Cazenave is one of the pioneers of space-based sea level research. Global sea levels were stable for about 3,000 years until the 20th century when they rose and then accelerated due to global warming caused by the burning of coal, oil and natural gas, said climate scientist Stefan Rahmstorf of the Potsdam Institute in Germany, who wasnt part of the study. Seawater floods the entrance to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel in New York in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. (AP File Photo) Two feet of sea level rise by the end of the century would have big effects on places like Miami and New Orleans, but I dont still view that as catastrophic because those cities can survive at great expense that amount of rising seas under normal situations, Nerem said. But when a storm hits like 2012s Superstorm Sandy, sea level rise on top of storm surge can lead to record-setting damages, researchers said. Some scientists at the American Geophysical Union meeting last year said Antarctica may be melting faster than predicted by Mondays study. Greenland has caused three times more sea level rise than Antarctica so far, but ice melt on the southern continent is responsible for more of the acceleration. Antarctica seems less stable than we thought a few years ago, Rutgers climate scientist Robert Kopp said. Veteran fashion designer Manish Arora celebrated a decade of showcasing at Paris Fashion Week with a retrospective installation of all his favourite garments from the shows across the 20 seasons. Known for his vibrant, colourful and artistic creations, Arora on Sunday unveiled his new creative studio at Dhan Mill Compound, Chhatarpur, considered the capitals oasis for the arts. I am honoured to have been a part of the prestigious Paris Fashion Week as the only Indian designer showcasing since the last 10 years. The platform is an important one as it has given me the opportunity to represent India in its pure vibrancy, Arora said in a statement. A post shared by manish arora (@manisharorafashion) on Mar 14, 2017 at 3:37am PDT In his presence at Paris Fashion Week, Arora has presented his unique technicolor vision to the fashion world to helming Paco Rabanne. He has been fusing traditional Indian craftsmanship with innovative modern constructs and fits. His brand manifests itself in luxury lifestyle as a fusion of textile detail, eye-catching embellishments and a love for all things colour with a contemporary twist. On his new creative design studio, Arora said: The space will be my design studio, epitomising happiness, joy, and glorious celebrations, illustrating what makes life truly beautiful. After cementing his space in the European fashion scene, the designer is now looking east to expand his eponymous label. He has strong sales in China, and opened two stores in Shanghai and Suzhou in December 2017, with plans to open three more this year. Follow @htlifeandstyle for more Actor-activist Rose McGowan has condoled the death of her former manager Jill Messick, who died of an apparent suicide. Messick, 50, who was battling from depression for years and was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder, committed suicide in Los Angeles, her family had said in a statement. McGowan paid her tributes to Messick on Instagram and without naming disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, blamed him, for causing so much damage. For Jill: May your family find some measure of solace during this pain. That one man could cause so much damage is astounding, but tragically true. The bad man did this to us both. May you find peace on the astral plane. May you find serenity with the stars, she wrote alongside a photo of the sun behind the earth viewed from space. Messick served as McGowans manager in 1997, the same year when the Charmed actor alleged rape by Weinstein. She later served as a production executive at Miramax, a company owned by Harvey and his brother Bob Weinstein, from 1997 to 2003. In the aftermath of multiple exposes that revealed the extent of Weinsteins sexual transgressions, McGowan went public with her own account. She had claimed that an ex-manager arranged the meeting with Weinstein, which took place in a hotel room. Messick was named as a part of an email exchange released by Weinstein, where his attorney Ben Brafman showed a message from her to reveal how she allegedly defended his client. Messicks family said the whole saga had a devastating effect on her as she was already battling depression. Follow @htshowbiz for more Denial of entitlements in case a citizen does not have Aadhaar or refuses to get one leads to abrogation of his fundamental rights, lawyer and senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal said on Tuesday. The submission was made before a Constitution bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices DY Chandrachud, AK Sikri, AM Khanwilkar and Ashok Bhushan. Sibal pressed the fact that Aadhaar should not be the sole identity criterion for claiming benefits, and that it would be a constitutional violation in restricting the choice of identity to one. Aadhaar does not establish my status. And (if) I can prove my identity for the purpose of that entitlement by any method, I am entitled to the benefits, he said. Justice Chandrachud at this point said that if entitlement depended on who you were, then couldnt the government require proof on that count? Was that not a reasonable condition? He further pointed out that Sibals argument would suppose that every person would hold at least one form of identity. Sibal clarified that the point of Aadhaar was not to grant identity to those who dont have it, but to authenticate identity. What you want to say is that you cant be asked to barter or surrender one fundamental right in order to have access to another, Dipak Misra observed as he summarised the basis of Sibals arguments. Sibal agreed. Sibal concluded his arguments by putting forth the significance of this case, This is the most important case since Independence. When this court decided the ADM Jabalpur case, it was in the context of the Emergency. It was limited to a period of time but the issues we are talking about will extend. It is going to decide the future of India, he told the court. As part of the arguments against the unique identification number, Aadhaars architecture has been criticized on grounds of it leading to a surveillance state by tracking people or using their personal data if not curtailed, being destructive of a limited Constitution and violating an individuals fundamental right to privacy. Issues with UIDAIs enrolment procedure that raised concerns about data breaches have also put been forth. The court is hearing a batch of petitions challenging several aspects of Aadhaar, the 12-digit unique identity number that has become a bedrock of government welfare programmes, the tax administration network and online financial transactions, and the use/sharing of personal data collected by the UIDAI. Hearing will resume on 15 February. A crane operator allegedly attacked an MBA student with a knife after she refused to accept his love proposal on Tuesday, the police said. The man, identified as Prasad, attacked the girl with a knife in her neck, police said, adding that he also tried to knife three men who came to the rescue of the girl. The girl and the three others were discharged after they were administered first aid at the government hospital, a police official said. In her complaint, the girl said Prasad was harassing her since last few days. At least five people died and seven others were injured after a blast on board an under-repair drilling ship at the Cochin Shipyard in Kerala on Tuesday. The explosion occurred in the water-tank of the ship Sagar Bhushan, owned by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), and was triggered by a gas leak, said Madhu Nair, chairman and managing director of the shipyard. He also ruled out any foul play. The state-owned ONGC put the time of the blast at 9.15am. Ship repair is one of the most dangerous jobs and we do take enough safety procedures. Despite strong measures it is sad such a tragedy took place. It seems to be a freak accident and we dont see sabotage angle in the mishap, the CMD said. The cause of the explosion is being ascertained, ONGC added in a statement. Union minister for road transport and shipping Nitin Gadkari directed the government-owned shipyard, the largest shipbuilding and maintenance facility in India, to constitute a high-level inquiry into the accident. Shocked by the unfortunate blast in the shipyard. I have spoken to the MD of the shipyard and asked him to provide all necessary medical support to victims and initiate an immediate inquiry, Gadkari tweeted. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan also expressed his condolences to the affected families. Kochi police commissioner MP Dinesh said the fire was brought under control in an hour and most of workers died due to suffocation and burn injuries. Of the seven injured, two are reported to be in a critical condition, police added. Officials said a major tragedy was averted because Tuesday was a holiday and a minimum number of employees were present when the accident took place. The drill ship was berthed at the shipyard since December 7 to undergo mandatory repairs. Loud noise indicates there was a gas consolidation. We have to find out how gas consolidation took place in the water tank, Nair said in Kochi. He also announced Rs 10 lakh each to the deceased. We have been servicing this ship for more than two decades. While dealing with old ships we do take utmost precaution. It seems today was not our day, the CMD said, adding that a detailed inquiry will bring out the exact cause. He added that three high-level inquiries were on one an internal probe by the shipyard, the second by the director general of shipping and the third by the local police. By evening, all the deceased were identified. Two of them worked as firemen, two as contract labourers and one as a supervisor. Survivors said 20 workers were present on the ship when the accident took place. Today was a holiday that is why a major tragedy was averted. Otherwise the toll would have been much higher, said P Rajeevan, a worker, who suffered splinter injuries. There was a deafening sound and in the impact I was thrown out a few metres away. The incident took place while welding work was going on inside the tank and all the victims were trapped. They were taken out after breaking one side of the tank, said Bineesh, another injured. This new Denver Post piece, headlined "Cory Gardners siege of the Justice Department over marijuana enters second month," provides an interested accounting of the current impact and import of the decision last month by Attorney General Jeff Sessions to rescind Obama-era marijuana enforcement guidance. Here are excerpts: Its been a month since the pot blockade began, and U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner is standing firm in his vow to jam all appointments to the Department of Justice until Attorney General Jeff Sessions softens his stance on marijuana. So far, his siege to protect both Colorados cannabis industry and the states sovereignty has prevented as many as 11 nominees from getting a Senate floor vote the last major step before they can start work and there is little indication that Gardner, R-Colo., and Sessions are any closer to finding common ground. It may never resolve itself, said U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who chairs the committee in charge of getting these nominees to the floor. If that happens, the consequences would extend far beyond the 11 nominees that Gardner has put on ice. More than 20 other candidates are in the congressional pipeline for Justice-related jobs, including U.S. marshals and U.S. attorneys assigned to states across the country. One even hails from Colorado: David Weaver, a former Douglas County sheriff in line to become the states next U.S. marshal.... Senator Gardner does a real disservice to the nation as a whole and we urgently ask him to reconsider his rash and ill-advised obstructionism, said Chuck Canterbury, president of the National Fraternal Order of Police. Policy differences should be worked out by a dialogue and not turn into hostage situations. At the root of the fight is a decision last month by Sessions to rescind an Obama-era policy that generally left alone states such as Colorado that have legalized marijuana, which remains illegal on a federal level. While the change hasnt led to federal raids on pot dispensaries and business largely has continued as usual the move still sent shock waves through the fledgling cannabis industry. Gardner wasnt able to convince Sessions to reconsider when the two Republicans met last month, though aides to the Colorado lawmaker said the two sides havent given up on negotiations. Our staff and DOJ staff continue to talk and meet to discuss a path forward which recognizes Colorados states rights and ensures law enforcement has the authority and tools needed to protect our communities, said Casey Contres, a Gardner spokesman, in a statement. These discussions continue to be necessary and we appreciate their willingness to have them.... [Debate over congressional spending bills mean] it could be another month or more before theres a chance to resolve the issue and another month in which Gardner is expected to keep up the pot blockade. He opposed the legalization of marijuana in 2012 but is not going to sit back and let Colorados rights be trampled on by the federal government, Contres said. Under Senate rules and tradition, lawmakers are allowed to put a hold on nominees put forward by the White House a tactic thats often used to extract concessions from the executive branch. These holds can be overridden, but doing so requires party leaders to chew up valuable time on the Senate floor. For the time being, Gardners hardball approach hasnt caused much public strife among his Senate Republican colleagues. I can understand why he did it, said Grassley, who nonetheless disagreed with Gardners argument for states rights. Im an advocate for federal law under the Supremacy Clause of the constitution that federal law overrides state law. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky also is awaiting a floor vote for a U.S. marshal candidate in his state. Aides to McConnell did not respond with comment, though Grassley said its up to him to broker a solution and end the siege. Said Grassley of the nomination process: If McConnell isnt willing to intervene then you know it all stops. Rahima Bewa is 75 and has spent all her years without a toilet. But now she wants to change it. Some people told me defecating in the open is harmful for our health. So, I decided to build a toilet in my house. Im spending some of my savings for it, said Bewa, who lives in Nowdapara in West Bengals Murshidabad district. The toilet will cost her around Rs 15,000 but that has not deterred Bewa, who begs for a living. Bricks and pipes have been bought and masons have begun work. Once the construction is over, the toilet would be only brick and mortar structure in Bewas mud house that she shares with her 50-year-old daughter, Kamala Bewa. Kamala is physically challenged and it is her mother who takes care of her. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee is opposed to the Modi governments Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, or Clean India Mission, aimed at freeing the country of open defecation by October 2019. Bengal has its own Nirmal Bangla (Clean Bengal) plan under which the administration gives Rs 10,000 and the beneficiary has to chip in Rs 900 for a toilet. If a householder cant come up with the share, the person has to work for five days in MNGREGA. But, Bewa is not eligible for Nirmal Bangla. Her sons, who threw Bewa out of their home, had already taken the subsidy. So, she was not eligible for a direct subsidy but the administration would help her, said Rakhi Pal, the block development officer of Berhampore in which the village falls. We will try to deliver to her whatever government aid is possible within the next two days, Pal said on Monday. Bewa has lived in Nowdapara for more than 30 years. Her husband, Din Mohammad, was a farmer and died 20 years ago, forcing Bewa into begging. Bengal has declared eight of its 23 districts open-defecation free but Murshidabad is not one of them. Recently government officials visited our village and tried to impress upon us the need to build toilets in the house, Ibrahim Biswas, a villager, said. Bewa seems to have got the message. A Delhi court on Tuesday framed conspiracy and other terror charges against Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal and his associate in a case related to the September 2008 serial blasts in Delhi that claimed 26 lives and left 135 people injured. Additional sessions judge Siddharth Sharma put Bhatkal and his associate Asadullah Akhtar on trial for various offences punishable under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Explosive Substances Act. The present case relates to the twin explosions at Greater Kailash-I in South Delhi where nine people were injured at the M-block market. The charges framed by the court include criminal conspiracy (120B) punishable under Indian Penal Code, various sections UAPA, including conspiracy for committing terror act (section 18) and being member of a terror organisation. The court posted the matter for further hearing on February 28. The accused persons, represented by advocate MS Khan, pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. The police had said Bhatkal and Akhtar, along with others, were part of the conspiracy to carry out the blasts at several places in Delhi on September 13, 2008. They had claimed that the accused had waged war against India by carrying out the terror attacks. Bhatkal was arrested by the National Investigation Agency from Indo-Nepal border on the night of August 28, 2013. Later, Delhi Police took his custody in blast case at Greater Kailash-I. Five cases were lodged in connection with the blasts at Ghaffar Market in Karol Bagh, Barakhamba Road near Connaught Place, besides the one at Greater Kailash and the recovery of a bomb near India Gate. All the five cases were clubbed by the trial court for the purpose of framing of charges and trial on the ground they arose from the series of the same transaction. Congress president Rahul Gandhi accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), of attempting to capture Indias public institutions on Tuesday, alleging that decisions such as demonetisation were the result of the RSS having a say in government policy. Gandhi was interacting with professionals and businessmen on the last of his four-day tour as part of the Janashirvada Yatra in Karnataka. How many of you know that in every single central ministry there is an OSD (officer on special duty) from the RSS working with the minister? The minister is not operating on his own. He is being guided by the RSS on what to do and the approach is to capture institutions, Gandhi said. Gandhi said wherever the BJP was governing, it planted people who adhered to its ideology. Take the Planning Commission, they changed it to Niti Aayog and planted their people. In Madhya Pradesh, thousands and thousands of teachers, basically they destroyed the education system of MP because they wanted to place their people. According to the Congress president, this approach was contrary to his partys, which was to let the people capture the institution. For us, institutions are sacred, we dont believe that they belong to the Congress. Our tendency always is to democratise institutions. Refuting the charges, Union minister Sadananda Gowda of the BJP said Gandhis statements better reflected the situation that prevailed when the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was in power. Perhaps in that government, OSDs used to be people close to the Gandhis, which is why he feels a similar situation prevails now. The Congress-ruled Karnataka goes to the polls later this year. Speaking on foreign policy, Gandhi said India was isolated because of the Centres focus on Pakistan, as a result of which it was unable to see the encirclement of the country by China. He said a peaceful response had to be found to counter the Chinese and that could only be done by creating jobs. Im sad to say that over the last four years it has been a really serious drop. But I will also say that even during the UPA we were nowhere near creating the number of jobs required. I would also include to a certain extent the Congress and the UPA in not being able to deliver 50,000 jobs, Gandhi said. To safeguard India, Gandhi argued, it was necessary for the country to become self-sufficient in food production. However, according to him, the current central government was relying on imports rather than strengthening farmers. The Congress president said farmers wanted their children to get jobs and move to cities and creating 450 jobs a day, which he said was what was being achieved at present, would mean 90% of Indians would not be given jobs. Gandhi also criticised the Goods and Services Tax and said if voted to power, the Congress would reform and simplify GST. The Congresss concept of the GST was one tax capped at 18%. The BJP and NDA did not listen to this and they went ahead and you see the result, Gandhi said. Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar on Tuesday launched an attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT), saying there was a concerted effort to assume power in the poll-bound state by creating rifts in the society. The 60-member Tripura Assembly is slated to go to the polls on February 18. The BJP-IPFT alliance has emerged as the main contender of the CPI(M)-led Left Front, which has been in power in the north-eastern state for the last 25 years. The results of the Tripura election will be declared on March 3. At an election rally, Sarkar alleged that there was a concerted effort to assume power in the state by creating rifts in the society and accused the IPFT of maintaining clandestine links with terrorists. Separatist forces had tried to secede Tripura from the Indian Union in the past. The demand has now changed to a separate state, the veteran CPI(M) leader said. He pointed out that the IPFT had raised the demand for a separate Twipraland for the indigenous communities of the state during its inception in 2009. The National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), a banned insurgent outfit, was still active across the international border in Bangladesh, Sarkar said, adding that it was trying to divide the state. Describing the IPFT as the over-ground mask of the NLFT, he criticised the BJP for forging a pre-poll alliance with the outfit. In an oblique reference to the BJP-led Assam governments idea of a National Register of Citizens (NRC), Sarkar, who has been the chief minister of Tripura for 20 years, said a conspiracy was being hatched to drive out those who were evicted from the then East Pakistan after the partition of the country and given shelter in Tripura. Stating that according to the Constitution, all the citizens of the country, irrespective of their religion, had equal rights, the Left leader alleged that the BJP was trying to change the Constitution and transform India into a Hindu nation. Sarkar also said that the Hindutva propagated by the BJP-RSS was against the true Hindu ideals, as championed by religious leaders such as Ramakrishna, Lokenath and Anukulchandra. A court in Muzaffarpur district framed charges against controversial Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Mohammad Shahabuddin on Monday in a case pertaining to his appearance at LLB examination while at large in 2005. The court of sub-divisional judicial magistrate Shailendra Kumar Rai framed the charges against Shahabuddin, a former Lok Sabha member from Siwan, after finding sufficient evidence against him. However, Shahabuddin, through video conferencing from Tihar jail in Delhi, where he is currently lodged, denied the allegations. Earlier, an FIR was registered in October 2005 against Shahabuddin and 20 others after investigations revealed that somebody else had appeared on behalf of Shahabuddin in the LLB part-2 examination, conducted by Bhim Rao Ambedkar Bihar University (BRABU). Among the accused were Mohammad Tauheed Alam, principal of RDS College, Muzaffarpur, where the examination was held, and principal of SKJ Law College Jayant Kumar. The examination was conducted between September 21 and 29, 2005, a time when Shahabuddin was on the run in the wake of non-bailable arrest warrants against him in connection with the seizure of illegal fire-arms, and unaccounted foreign currency, and stolen vehicles from him. He was also indicted in the poaching of a deer. Later, Firoz Alam, who was arrested in 2006, confessed in an affidavit submitted in the court that he wrote the test for the MP, following a promise that he would be paid Rs 20,000. Shahabuddin, who was shifted from Siwan Jail in Bihar to Tihar Jail in February 2017 on the orders of the Supreme Court, is facing trial in 45 criminal cases. The top courts order came on the pleas by Siwan-based Chandrakeshwar Prasad, whose three sons were killed in two separate incidents, and Asha Ranjan, the wife of journalist Rajdeo Ranjan, who was murdered in Siwan. The government is considering crucial changes in criminal law that will allow for the confiscation of the property of NRI men for deserting their wives and not responding to repeated notices issued to them, Union women and child development (WCD) minister Maneka Gandhi said on Monday. The WCD ministry is also writing to the Union home ministry (MHA) to indefinitely increase the time limit for reporting cases of child sexual abuse including molestation from the current rule that says this has to be done within three years of commission of the offence, as first reported by Hindustan Times on February 1. WCD secretary Rakesh Srivastava said the ministry has sought an amendment in the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) that will allow a summons hosted on the website of ministry of external affairs (MEA) to be treated as deemed to have been served. If three such notices have been served and the person does not appear, it will be assumed that he is evading summons and will be treated as an absconder. The enforcement agencies will be authorised to attach the property of such persons and their families. The MEA has already written to MHA proposing the changes to CrPC , Srivastava said at a press conference. Currently, a woman has to file a complaint with police, which write to embassies. The embassy then tries to serve the summons. Recommendations suggesting these changes were suggested by an inter-ministerial panel headed by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to review the legal and regulatory challenges faced by women deserted by NRI men. The change in law will ensure that the person appears before the law enforcement agencies, Srivastava said. Separately, Gandhi took up the issue of increasing the statute if limitations on child abuse after a woman of Indian origin from Canada met her last month and narrated how she had been abused when she was a child. The Centre on Tuesday told the Supreme Court there had been large-scale corruption in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employee Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme in Tripura, a state which goes to polls on February 18. Appearing for the Centre, senior advocate V Mohana said that the government had received a large number of complaints pertaining to irregularities and corruption in the implementation of the MGNREGA scheme in the state. The Centre sent an audit team to look into the allegations and it has confirmed that there was corruption. MGNREGA provides a guarantee of 100 days of employment in a year to every rural family. However, the Centre is yet to file an affidavit in the court in this regard. The accusation came after advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the NGO Swaraj Abhiyan, told the bench of Justice Madan Lokur and Justice NV Ramana that there were demands by the Tripura and Telangana governments for more Central funds. Bhushan argued that the Centre had drastically cut down the number of projected work days under MgNREGA and was also forcing states to slash their projected demand for funds due to which they were unable to provide employment. Yashpal Malik, the caste-warrior from Uttar Pradesh, has been setting the Jat agenda in Haryana for years. His organisation, the All-India Jat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS), has spearheaded several Jat agitations demanding reservation under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category in government jobs and educational institutions. Maliks recent threat to disrupt BJP national president Amit Shahs rally in Jind made the Haryana government jittery yet again. It organised parleys and once again agreed to meet all his demands. We spoke to Malik on his meeting with the government, and the future of Jat protests that have become routine in Haryana. What happened in your meeting with CM Khattar and BJP leaders on Sunday? In the six-hour meeting, we presented our apprehensions before the government on the delay in fulfillment of our demands. In March 2017, and again in August, the government had assured us it will honour our truce. We felt that the government was breaking its promise. On Sunday, the CM and Union minister Birender Singh assured us again that they were serious about working for Jats welfare. All our pending demands will be met soon. What made you believe in the government this time? The government listed factors that were causing the delay in the withdrawal of cases. For example, the Dera violence that rocked Haryana kept officials busy for two months and they could not work on withdrawing cases against the Jats. We genuinely felt that the government had its plate full with other important things. The day we announced that we will disrupt the Amit Shah rally, the government withdrew 85 cases. It promised that it was in the process of withdrawing more cases and a new list will be announced. In the end, we can only believe in the government and hope it keeps its word. We will wait till March 31 for the government to do what it has promised before deciding if we will start a new protest. Yashpal Malik What were the contentious issues discussed at the meeting? The three main issues were the withdrawal of every single case against Jats; reservation for the community at the Centre and in Haryana. The government has also assured us that OBC bill will be passed in Parliament in the current session and it will submit data to the backward commission before March 31 for reservation in the state. Did the government agree to withdraw the cases transferred to the CBI? The government agreed to withdraw all cases. Whether they are in the ambit of state or the Centre, it is for the government to handle. The government has also assured us that it will convince finance minister Captain Abhimanyu to withdraw cases related to loot and arson at his residence, in which many Jat men continue to languish in jail. After this truce, will you still go ahead with holding Balidan Divas on February 18? Balidan Divas, in memory of 18 Jats killed in 2016, is the annual event of the community to be marked in every Jat-dominated district of the country. It will be organised every year, including this time on February 18. We had earlier planned to announce new dates of agitation during the Balidan Divas. However, since talks with the government have gone well, we will not talk about a new agitation for now. Jat protests have become routine in Haryana. What are your plans? We will wait till March 31 for the government to do what it has promised before deciding if we will start a new protest. This time, we hope that we will not have to wait long. Our social movement to uplift the Jat community by setting up educational institutes and skill centres will continue. Vagabhai Lalabhai Mir writes his name with his fingertip in the soft brown sand on the outskirts of Deesa, Gujarat. The patriarch of the Mir tribe is a turbaned, beedi-smoking septuagenarian with a sense of humour. Despite never having been to school, he can read and write Hindi, Gujarati, Arabic and Kathiawadi, a Devnagiri script in which he maintains records. The Mirs are illiterate on record, and sign all government documents with a thumb imprint. Ask him how he reads if he was never taught and Vagabhai taps his head. He trained his mind to. Where did he learn to write? He points to the ground, finger in the sand. Vagabhai asks his son to bring the book. The Book of the Mirs is a carefully wrapped, leather-bound sheaf of pages that has been updated for centuries by the tribe. Passed down from father to son, it maintains hand-written records of the tribes births and deaths, and important incidents in their lives. The book is wrapped in plastic, to protect it from the rain, and again in embroidered cloth, to protect it from the dust. It records what the government fails to: that the Mirs belong to the nomadic de-notified tribes, or vicharti jati as they are known in Gujarat, with a rich 700-year-old tradition of being both Hindu and Muslim. The Renke Commission of 2008 updated the Gujarat state list of nomadic tribes with the Faqirs as only the Muslim tribe. The Mirs are classified instead as an economically and socially backward class, and tagged as Muslims, along with the Mirasis and Dholis. This does not only fail to record their true religious and social identity, leaving them open to pressure groups, it also takes from them the benefits of the nomadic status. Since they dont have a permanent address, this would enable them to claim rations, reservations and loans. A Rabari shepherd dressed in white shows up at the bramble-encircled Mir settlement. He will not sit down with these, his closest cousins, because he is above them clan-wise, since they embraced another religion. The Mirs exist like a third gender, neither here nor there, says Mittal Patel, of Vicharta Samuday Samartan Manch, an organisation that has worked to get the Gujarat election commission to include those without address proofs on the electoral rolls. Gujarat was the first state to implement this process of inclusion for homeless people and nomads in 2005, making way for national policy changes to election lists. All the subsequent identity, ration and Aadhaar cards for these tribes were made possible because of this. The lack of a nomadic tribe certificate leaves the Mirs unable to settle. They must prove their address to gain even the basics, such as the registration of births and deaths, and state aid during natural disasters. They can be evicted from the plot of land they live on near Deesa, as they often are from other places to make room for rapidly expanding cities. Their settlements, on once-vacant plots, are increasingly seen as encroachments. Their last spot was taken up by a builder who rented out the open-air space for weddings and parties. The Mirs are also susceptible to pressures from religious ideologues both Hindu and Muslim. Most Mirs have two names, a Hindu one and a Muslim one. The Book of the Mirs, on which each page begins with the word Kaaba written in Devnagiri script, traces their history back several hundreds of years. It dates back to a time when their births were registered under the Rabari tribe during the rule of the Solanki or Chalukya king Jayasimha Siddharaj. By historical estimation, that would date the records back to the 11th century. The book gets a physical upgrade with every generation as the pages fall apart. Who are the Mirs RE Enthoven (1922) in Tribes and Castes of Bombay classifies the Mirs along with the Mirasis and Dholis. The 1901 census estimate put the number of Mirs at 3624. Their number is now estimated to be 10,000 in Gujarat. The sects of the Mirs are called ataks. Mirs of one atak cannot marry others of the same atak. The Mirs oral history claims them to be originally Rabaris, another nomadic denotified tribe, excommunicated by association with Muslims. They are now both Hindu and Muslim and practice both religions. The Mirs are the historical scribes of Gujarat and know how to read and write without any formal training in school systems. On government forms though, they use the angoothachaap or thumb imprint, to sign, as they are classified as illiterate. According to SR Khan and Radhey Shyam in the Encycopaediac Ethnography of the Indian Muslim, the tribes conversion dates back 700 years. Nomadic tribes do not have a concept of dates and years and function by noting the passage of Uttarayan and Dakshinayan, the winter and summer solstices. Other versions claim the Mirs are descendants of Kashmirs Butt tribe, which migrated into Gujarat. The Vishwa Hindu Parisad (VHP) has in the past claimed that they were originally Gandharvas, or Hindu temple musicians. They are noted for playing the shehenai, a practice that continues in the Vaishnavite Bet Dwaraka temple where Mirs are crucial to the morning and evening aratis, according to anthropologist Professor JJ Roy Burman, at the Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. The confluence of multiple influences makes theirs a liminal religion representing the unique syncretic cusp of both Hinduism and Islam. In other regions, they were known as the breeders of Kathi horses. And with mastery over Arabic, Urdu, Gujarati and Hindi, they became major influencers of poetry in the region. The Rabaris, who clashed with filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali over his alleged misportrayal in the film Ram Leela, are a nomadic clan predominant in the Kutch region of Gujarat. Legend has it that they were appointed guardians of the goddess Parvatis camels, and remain a fiercely orthodox tribe. The Gulf of Khambat was one of the first regions to receive Islamic influence via trade. Mir legend has it that a Muslim leader or tradesman wanted to marry a beautiful Rabari women. Raja Siddhiraj refused to allow it. By some confusion or trickery, as Vagabhais group tells it, some members of the clan ate the food and drank the water at a feast thrown by the Muslim suitor. In those days of forbidden intermingling, this was taken to mean that the part of the tribe that participated in the feast had been converted. The Rabari tribe refused to accept them back into the fold and Raja Siddhiraj banished them from the temples. The Mirs then began wandering, and became scribes and bards in the courts of the kings and sultans. They became the keepers of Rabari genealogy, writing in books with wooden styluses dipped in ink. The Mirs survived on the patronage of their clients, and as kingdoms broke up, the Mirs became attached to various Hindu or Muslim families and clans. A battle over the Mirs has been underway in Gujarat for two decades now. In the 1990s, the VHP convinced several thousand in the Kutch region to come back to the fold and embrace Hinduism. Sometimes, local mullahs who stop by to read the Quran with the Mirs try to convince them to discard their overtly Hindu ways and embrace the Islamic pyjama-kurta and other modes of life. But for many humble Mirs like Vagabhais family, they are comfortable being both. The Mirs bury their dead, are circumcised and marry by nikaah the Islamic way, but they do not practise polygamy. Some eat meat and beef, but not of the cow. Most men and women both smoke profusely. They celebrate Moharram and Bakr-Eid, but we do not sacrifice the goat, we milk it they say. They read the Namaz every Friday but also perform godhbharai ceremonies and celebrate Janmashtami and Navratri the Hindu way. Holi is a major festival for them. When we die, we are all the same, so why cant they let us be both? Vagabhai asks, as he gestures to show that if you cut his hand the blood would be the same. Others seem more concerned about what religion they belong to. Some upper-caste Hindu communities dont like them to settle on open grounds near them. Some Muslim communities are overeager that they join the fold. The incessant wandering means the Mirs are left vulnerable to whosoevers kindness they may need at the time. They take up manual labour where they can find it. An endless cycle of being thrown out from one clan to another over a choice of religion has shadowed the Mirs through the centuries. As long as they must choose, they remain in No Mans Land. Perhaps third religion needs to be a valid policy option for them. The war of words between the Congress and the BJP over Prime Minister Narendra Modi equating selling pakodas with employment opportunities offered by the government has taken a strange turn in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). The key opposition party in the NMC, the Congress, while attacking the BJP over unemployment, is demanding that jobless youth be given space in the city for sell pakodas. Congress corporator Sandip Sahare, through a letter, demanded that unemployed youth be given commercial space within the city to sell pakodas. Sahare said that he handed over a letter to the NMC secretary on February 12 and sought the initiation of necessary steps in this regard. He demanded a discussion on the issue in the next general body meeting of the NMCHe also said that the party activists would also start an agitation if the NMC fails to provide such space. The leader of the Opposition in the NMC, Tanaji Wanve, said that if the civic authorities rejected the proposal, the party leaders would meet chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who belongs to Nagpur, and submitted a memorandum in this regard. As highlighted by a number of posts linked below, the notion of expunging past marijuana convictions following legalization has quickly become a mainstream part of the reform movement. The latest notable development on this front comes from Seattle where, as reported here, city leaders are pledging to vacate past vacate misdemeanor marijuana-possession convictions. Here are the details: Seattle will move to vacate misdemeanor marijuana-possession convictions prosecuted by the city before pot was legalized in Washington in 2012, Mayor Jenny Durkan and City Attorney Pete Holmes said Thursday. Describing the action as a necessary step to right the wrongs of what she called a failed war on drugs, the mayor said such convictions have been an unfair barrier for people trying to obtain housing, credit, jobs and educations. The war on drugs ended up being a war on people who needed help, who needed opportunity and who needed treatment, Durkan said in a news conference at Rainier Community Center in South Seattle. We did little to stem the tide of the supply of drugs and instead incarcerating almost an entire generation of users who could have had a different way. Holmes will ask the Seattle Municipal Court to vacate all convictions and to dismiss all charges for misdemeanor marijuana possession prosecuted before pot was legalized statewide, he said at the news conference. He believes the move will result in the vacation of 500 to 600 convictions from 1997, when Seattle took over misdemeanor marijuana prosecutions from King County, until 2010, when the city stopped such prosecutions as a matter of policy.... In 2010, soon after he was elected, Holmes dismissed all of the citys marijuana-possession cases and said his office would no longer prosecute such cases. As Seattle seeks to undo the consequences of the countrys decades-long war on drugs, its challenges include a Trump administration, which would like to turn back the clock, he said. Were going to do everything we can in the city of Seattle to hold our gains, Holmes said. The city attorney said he plans t0 file a single motion by early next week for all convictions to be vacated and said his office will set up a website where people can determine whether their convictions have been cleared. Karen Donohue, the presiding judge for Seattle Municipal Court, is very supportive of the move, Durkan said. The mayor said vacating hundreds of convictions from the earlier period will help communities disproportionately impacted by the criminal-justice system and help the city try to eliminate racial disparities in Seattle. Marijuana-possession arrests in Washington increased sharply between 1986 and 2010, rising from 4,000 a year to 11,000 a year, said the mayors office, citing the Drug Policy Alliance. There were 240,000 arrests in that period, with some communities affected more than others. In Washington, black people were three times more likely than white people to be convicted of marijuana crimes, Durkan said. Those numbers tell us we were dealing with an unjust system, she said, adding, While we cannot reverse all the harm that was done, we can give back to those people a record that says they were not convicted, because that is the more just thing to do.... Durkan said she would like to see officials at the county and state levels, who handle felony marijuana cases, follow the citys lead.... Seattles move follows an announcement last week by San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon, who said he would dismiss 3,038 misdemeanor marijuana charges and would consider reducing 4,900 felony marijuana charges. A pact to exchange information on money laundering and financing terrorist activities between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is ready for signing this month, officials familiar with the development said, adding that the two countries would also roll out the currency swap deal soon. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the Exchange of Financial Intelligence related to Money Laundering, Associated Predicate Offences and Terrorist Financing, was concluded during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the UAE on February 10 and 11. This MoU is a significant development because the money laundering and related financial crimes have a bearing on national security. This pact would go a long way in addressing our concerns on the issue of terrorist financing. Terrorism is an issue of mutual concern for both countries, Naveedp Suri, Indias ambassador to UAE, said. Money laundered through Gulf nations that aid subversive activities in India remains a concern for New Delhi. The proposed pact, for which finance ministry is the nodal ministry in India, is expected to strengthen the cooperation between India and the UAE in fighting transnational crimes. The pact is yet another ideal template in the growing convergence between the two countries (as part) of security cooperation in diverse areas such as de-radicalisation to drug trafficking, an Indian official said. The currency swap agreement between the two sides is also set for a roll-out soon. This involves the exchange of interest and sometimes of principal in one currency for the same in another currency. Suri said taking the energy cooperation to a new high was perhaps the most significant outcome of Modis second visit to the UAE. India and the UAE had signed an MoU between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Central Bank of the UAE in 2016 on bilateral swapping of Indian Rupee with Dirham. It is a very important development that Prime Ministers visit led to India getting its first oil concession in the Gulf. Explaining the deal, Suri said this translates into roughly 2.2 million tonnes of crude per year for the next 40 years. He said two sides also worked out the final details of the strategic petroleum reserve agreement. Indian Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat, who is on a three-day visit to Nepal will meet the countrys top leaders on Tuesday. Gen Rawat arrived here on Monday on the invitation of Nepal Army chief Gen Rajendra Chettri, to attend the Army Day function, which coincides with the 250th anniversary of the Himalayan nations unification. According to Nepal Army headquarters sources, Gen Rawat is to meet President Bidya Bhandari and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. He will also hold talks with his Nepalese counterpart at the Army Headquarters in Kathmandu, they said. Gen Rawat on Tuesday visited the Bindhyabasini temple in Pokhara, where he and other Nepal Army officers were welcomed by the temple development committee. There has been close and cordial relations between Nepal Army and Indian Army since a long time and there is a tradition of inviting chiefs of Nepalese and Indian Army during special occasions, according to a Nepal Army statement. High-level visits between the two armies will further strengthen bilateral relations and promote mutual interests, the statement said. A ceremonial Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) between Indian and Chinese army on the occasion of Chinese spring festival was held on Tuesday in Chushul sector of Ladakh region, an Indian Army statement said. The statement said the meeting was held at Chinese BPM hut in Moldo garrison of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) in Chushul sector of eastern Ladakh. The delegations were led by Colonel Deependra Jasrotia on the Indian side and Senior Lieutenant Colonel Bu Hong Dong from the Chinese side, it said, adding that the BPM was marked by saluting the national flag of China by both the delegation members. This was followed by the ceremonial address by both delegation leaders covering exchange of greetings, wishes and vote of thanks which reflected the mutual desire of maintaining and improving relations at functional level at the border. Thereafter, a cultural programme showcasing vibrant Chinese culture and traditional grandeur was organised, followed by lunch, the statement said. Both the delegations interacted in a free, congenial and cordial environment. The delegation parted amidst feeling of friendship and commitment towards enhancing the existing cordial relations and maintaining peace along the line of actual control (LAC), it said. Both sides also sought to build on the mutual feeling to uphold the treaties and agreements signed between the governments of the two sides to maintain peace and tranquillity along the LAC, according to the statement. All the MPs belonging to YSR Congress party will resign from their parliamentary membership on April 6, if the National Democratic Alliance government does not concede special category status to Andhra Pradesh by then, party president YS Jaganmohan Reddy announced on Tuesday. The budget session of Parliament, which is resuming on March 5, will continue till April 6. Our party MPs will continue their fight all through the session and make all out efforts to bring pressure on the Centre to grant special category status to AP. If there is no response from the Centre even after our best efforts, the YSRC MPs will submit their resignations, Jagan said, addressing a massive rally at Kalikiri in Nellore district. The YSRC president held an emergency meeting of his party MPs, MLAs and senior leaders after the conclusion of his padayatra on Monday evening and discussed the strategy to be adopted by the party in the wake of the growing unrest among the people over the raw deal meted out to AP in the Union budget. The YSRC won eight Lok Sabha seats in the 2014 elections, but two of them switched over to the TDP and another MP has chosen to remain neutral. It has one MP in Rajya Sabha. The Special Category Status was one of the major promises made by the UPA in Parliament while passing the AP Reorganisation Act on February 20, 2014. Jagan said the party would adopt the slogan of Hoda mana hakku, package tho mosapovaddu (Special category status is our right; dont get cheated with special financial package). On March 1, our party leaders and cadre would lay siege to all the collector offices in the state and also at the CMs office in Vijayawada demanding the state should refuse to accept the special financial package and instead stick to the special category status demand. On March 3 Jagan will hold a meeting with his MPs and flag off their journey to New Delhi with the slogan demanding special category status to AP. On March 5, when the Parliament reassembles for the budget session, the YSRC MPs would lead a march of more than a thousand Andhra people from Ekta Sthal to culminate in a protest outside Parliament House. The Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra will constitute a new bench to hear the politically controversial Rs 64 crore Bofors kickback case after Justice AM Khanwilkar recused himself from the case on Tuesday. Justice Khanwilkar was part of the three judge bench, including the Chief Justice of India Dipak Mira and Justice DY Chandrachud that was to hear the 12 year old appeal by advocate Ajay Agarwal, challenging the discharge of all the accused in this case. While, Justice Khanwilkar gave no reason for excusing himself from the case, CJI fixed March 28 as the next date of hearing in the case. The Delhi high court in 2005 given a verdict in the Bofors case where it quashed all charges against the three Hinduja brothers Srichand, Gopichand and Prakashchand and the Bofors company and castigated the CBI for its handling of the case, saying it had cost the exchequer about Rs 250 crore. Ajay Agarwal had filed an appeal against the high court order in Supreme court after CBI failed to move in the case. The Supreme Court had last month taken objection to an advocate, who is not a party to the case filing an appeal. The court had asked Ajay Agrawal to explain his locus in filing an appeal. CBI on Tuesday also informed the court that it too had recently filed an appeal in the case citing new evidence. In its appeal, CBI has informed the top court that it has decided to pursue the case and conduct further investigation in the wake of the television interview of Michael Hershman, the president of the US-based private detective firm Fairfax. Michael Hershman, in a TV interview in October last year, claimed that during his probe into violation of currency control laws by some wealthy Indians, he received leads indicating that Bofors had paid bribes through banks. Hershman also offered to testify and help the Indian agencies in the Bofors case. Militants from the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) met just days before a fidayeen attack on a CRPF camp in Srinagar on February 12, suggesting the strike might have been the result of a rare collaboration between the two principal terror organisations in the region, intelligence officials said on Tuesday. While there have been occasions where the LeT provided logistical support to home-grown militant groups such as the Hizbul Mujahideen, its collaboration with JeM signals a shift in the Valleys insurgency landscape, the officials said. A day before the attack in Srinagars Karan Nagar area, local police sent information about a meeting that had taken place in south Kashmirs Tral area on February 1 between LeT and Jaish militants. It was decided to carry out a terrorist attack on SFs (security forces) in downtown Srinagar and in Baramulla town, according to a report sent to the Jammu and Kashmir police by state intelligence agencies. The report, which has been seen by HT, warned of an attack in the next three days. The LeT had taken responsibility for the Srinagar attack, which was carried out just a day after the JeM attacked a military base in Jammu, killing six soldiers and a civilian. A senior Jammu & Kashmir police official, who asked not to be named, said, Information about the joint meeting was forwarded by state intelligence agencies and shared with all security forces in the Valley. The intelligence received said that at least one militant from each outfit met in Tral, the hometown of slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. One Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) trooper was killed in the Karan Nagar attack by two militants, who were neutralised after a 32-hour gunbattle that ended on Tuesday. Senior government officials said the LeT-JeM meeting before the attack could be interpreted in two ways. First, JeM and LeT may together to carry out similar fidayeen attacks; second, the JeM may slowly take up space occupied by LeT because the latter has come under repeated international scrutiny. Ajai Sahni, the executive director of the New Delhi-based Institute for Conflict Management, said that, as per his knowledge, this was the first time the two militant outfits had planned an attack together. The LeT and JeM are considered sort of rivals in their field of operation, Sahni said. A joint planned attack is unheard of, but I feel that this could be another ISI (Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence) plot to give prominence to one militant group and take the heat off the other, Sahni added. The late 1990s saw a lot prominence being given to Lashkar, following which the JeM came into the picture. Then in 2016, the Hizbul Mujahideen was being projected, and now the attention is back on JeM. Handlers in Pakistan do it for reasons of their own, Sahni said. A senior government official, who asked not to be named, said the home ministry was keeping a close watch. He said the joint meeting could be a repetition of what happened with JeMs predecessor Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. The JeM was formed by former Harkat militants and if LeT and JeM are joining hands, it is possible that the former might take a back seat, but not immediately, the official said. Security forces faced off against militants in a gunfight in Jammus Karan Nagar area, even as defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman held a press conference to address the militant attack on the Sunjuwan military camp. The Supreme Court stayed proceedings against an Indian Army major accused of opening fire on civilians. These were the top stories on Monday. Read more on the days most-talked about news stories. Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman says Pakistan will have to pay Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed a press conference on the Sunjuwan attack, holding Pakistan-based militants responsible for the attack. Sitharaman said the terrorists belonged to Jaish-e-Mohammed and were sponsored by Masood Azhar, and said that India would be sharing evidence with Pakistan. Giving the evidences to Pakistan will be a continuous process. It will have to be proved over and over again that they are responsible. Pakistan will pay for this misadventure, said Sitharaman. On Monday morning, a gunfight broke out in Srinagars Karan Nagar area between militants, who tried to attack a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in Sunjuwan earlier, and security forces continuing the sanitisation operation. Supreme Court stays proceedings against Indian Army major named in FIR over 3 civilian deaths The Supreme Court stayed criminal proceedings on Monday against Aditya Kumar, a major in the Indian Army, who was named in an FIR filed by Jammu and Kashmir police over the recent firing incident in Shopian that killed three civilians. The SC order came after Kumars father filed a plea in the apex court, asking for the FIR to be quashed and saying that the soldiers opened fire only to impair and provide a safe escape from a savage and violent mob engaged in terrorist activity. A DU students video of a man masturbating on bus goes viral A 23-year-old south Delhi woman recorded a video clip of a middle-aged man sitting beside her on the bus who masturbated and allegedly tried to molest her. The woman, a Delhi University student, said no other passenger on the bus came to her support when she raised an alarm. She reported the matter to the police after which an FIR was registered at Vasant Vihar police station on Sunday. Really glad to get a response from all the media houses. I just want that person to be arrested as soon as possible. And the video was a message to those people who are just doing wrong things to women's, now it's a wake up time women's we have to stand up for ourselves.#SpeakUp Manisha Gulati (@ManishaGulati6) February 12, 2018 Protests against Dalit students murder in Allahabad A group of protestors staged a demonstration and set a bus on fire in Allahabad city after a 24-year-old Dalit student, who was attacked by a group of men with bricks and iron rods, died of his injuries. Dilip Saroj, a law student at Allahabad Degree College, was beaten up after a fight with some people at a restaurant in Katra area on Saturday night and succumbed to his injuries on Sunday morning. Bank of Baroda to exit South Africa after controversies Bank of Barodas announcement that it would be exiting South Africa comes after the bank became embroiled in the corruption scandal surrounding the Gupta family. The Guptas are accused of using their friendship with President Jacob Zuma to influence cabinet appointments and win state contracts.The Bank of Baroda was the last financial institution in South Africa offering banking services to the Guptas Oakbay investment holding firm. Pakistani Taliban confirm No. 2 killed in US drone strike Azam Tariq Mehsud, the spokesman for the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, confirmed that the groups deputy chief, Khalid Mehsud was killed in last Thursdays strike by the US in the border village of Gorwak in North Waziristan, once a stronghold of militants. He said another commander, Mufti Noor Wali, has now been appointed as the groups deputy chief. As two rebel groups signed a ceasefire pact with Myanmar government, India on Tuesday said it will continue to support the peace process and that national reconciliation in the neighbouring country will also benefit the north-eastern states. Spokesperson in the external affairs ministry Raveesh Kumar said comprehensive peace and national reconciliation in Myanmar will also be conducive for peace and prosperity in Indias northeastern region. The presence of Indian representative demonstrates the countrys continued support to the peace process in Myanmar, he said. India supports the Myanmar peace process, Kumar said. The two groups -- New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) -- signed the National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), joining the peace process. Eight groups had joined the peace process in 2015. Myanmar is one of Indias strategic neighbours and shares a 1,640-km-long border with a number of northeastern states including militancy-hit Nagaland and Manipur. Kumar said given the positive bilateral ties and significance for India of Myanmars peace process, the neighbouring country had earlier invited New Delhi together with China, Japan, Thailand, UN and European Union to sign the NCA as international witnesses in October 2015. He said NSA Ajit Doval had represented India on that occasion. Todays event is another step in the process with two more parties, the NMSP and the LDU, agreeing to sign the NCA. The presence of our representative demonstrates Indias continued support to the peace process in Myanmar, Kumar said. He was responding to a query on Indias presence at the signing of the NCA in Myanmar. The government of Aung San Suu Kyi is pursuing the peace process in the country and impressing upon various rebel groups to join it. India has been concerned over some militant groups from the North-East region taking shelter in Myanmar. The country has been assuring India that it would not allow any insurgent group to use its territory against India. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said powered by Prime Minister Narendra Modis popularity, development and good governance, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will oust the Left parties from power in the February 17 Tripura assembly polls. After the BJP comes to power in Tripura, there will be one ruling party in the state and at the Centre. It will ensure rapid development of the state. Besides, Modijis popularity, growth and good governance is the main thrust of the BJP in these polls, he told the media in Agartala. Adityanath, who has addressed four election rallies in northern Tripura since coming to the state on Monday, said if the CPI-M government could not even satisfy its own employees, how would it please the people. The Uttar Pradesh chief minister, who will address three more public meetings in southern Tripura during the day, said there are many central schemes for roads, houses, safe drinking water, health services, and public welfare, but the Left government of Manik Sarkar did not implement more than 115 such schemes. The Uttar Pradesh government has given higher salaries as per Seventh Pay Commission recommendations to its 14 lakh employees but the Tripura government has not been able to do so. Adityanath claimed that law and order in Uttar Pradesh had improved a lot in the last 10 months. There is no riot, no curfew and 22 crore residents of the state are very happy with my governments performance, the BJP leader said. Addressing an election rally in southern Tripura, he said the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxists cadres had siphoned off Rs 1,500 crore meant for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act scheme. Nalini, serving life term in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, on Tuesday moved the Madras High Court challenging a CrPC sections constitutionality noting that there cannot be two different treatments for single class of life convicts, when it comes to premature release. Section 435 (1) (a) of the CrPC mandates the state government to consult the Centre to remit or commute a sentence, in any case investigated by central agencies. According to Nalini, the Tamil Nadu government passed an order on February 1 introducing a scheme of premature release of life convicts under Article 161 (Power of governor to grant pardons, and to suspend, remit or commute sentences in certain cases) of the Constitution. But she would not be eligible for the scheme, since there is a specific clause in the order, to the effect that the cases of eligible life convicts should not come under CrPC section 435. Since the offence for which Nalini was convicted was investigated by the CBI, she becomes ineligible for premature release under the scheme. When the object of premature release is reformation and rehabilitation of prisoners, and when the convicts are released only on the basis of good conduct in prison, which can be assessed only by the respective state government, the law mandating the state to consult the Centre would be irrational, Nalini said. Once convicts are confined in prison, all of them are required to be treated equally and there cannot be two different treatment for single class of convicts, she submitted. She also submitted that the state has not applied its mind that the provision 435 would apply only when the government exercises its powers under CrPC sections 432 and 433. Nalini has been lodged in a special prison for women at Vellore for more than 26 years since her arrest in connection with the assassination of the former prime minister at Sriperumpudur by an LTTE suicide bomber on May 21, 1991. As reported in this post three weeks ago, Billy J. Williams, the United States Attorney for the District of Oregon, penned a commentary to express a "significant concerns about the state's current regulatory framework and the resources allocated to policing marijuana in Oregon." That commentary also spoke of his plans to convene a summit to discuss his concerns. This new local article, headlined "US Attorney for Oregon says state has 'formidable' problem with black market marijuana," reports on the summit which took place today. Here are some details: The top federal prosecutor in Oregon on Friday pressed for data and details about the scope of the state's role as a source of black market marijuana. U.S. Attorney Billy Williams told a large gathering that included Gov. Kate Brown, law enforcement officials and representatives of the cannabis industry that Oregon has an "identifiable and formidable overproduction and diversion problem." "That is the fact," he told the crowd at the U.S. District courthouse. "And my responsibility is to work with our state partners to do something about it." Added Williams: "Make no mistake. We are going to do something about it but that requires an effort to do this together. It requires transparency. The facts are what they are. The numbers are what they are." Williams didn't detail how his office will carry out a new federal directive stripping legal protections for marijuana businesses. He said his office needs more information so it can accurately assess the scope of the problem and come up with a response. Williams didn't say what data he's looking for, but he previously he has said he wants more information from the state about black market trafficking. In a recent opinion piece published in The Oregonian/OregonLive, Williams said he is awaiting a final version of a Oregon State Police report on the issue. He convened a daylong "marijuana summit" where public health and law enforcement officials gave presentations, along with land owners and industry representatives. He said Oregonians are worried about the implications of legal marijuana on their property rights, their water rights and the environment. Public health, particularly teen access and use, is a priority, he said. "I am not an alarmist," he said. "Please don't have that perception of me. I just believe in looking at things head on. Take the blinders off, here are the realities." The press was shut out of those presentations and was allowed only to report on statements offered by Williams and Brown.... Brown also spoke briefly Friday, telling those gathered that Williams has assured her staff that "lawful Oregon businesses" are "not targets of law enforcement." She didn't offer details on how the state will address Oregon's role as an illicit source of cannabis, saying only that she is committed to keeping cannabis in the state. The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a petition seeking a probe into the alleged irregularities in the purchase of an AgustaWestland helicopter by the Raman Singh-led Chattisgarh government in 2007. Refusing to set up a special investigation team to probe the deal, a bench of Justice AK Goel and Justice UU Lalit said: There is nothing on record to show that the helicopter could have been procured for lesser price. No person claiming to give a better deal has come forward. Thus, in absence of clear evidence that loss was caused to public exchequer by way of commission payment which was only a route to send the payment to the son of the chief minister, interference by this court is not called for. The petitioner, NGO Swaraj Abhiyan, had alleged that Chattisgarh chief ministers son, Abhishak Singh, was paid kickbacks by Sharp Ocean Investments, OSS Air Management Pvt. Ltd. and AgustaWestland in return of the BJPs state government buying the chopper. The apex court, however, rejected the allegation and said: There is no material to prima facie hold that beneficiary of transaction was Abhishak Singh. We do not consider it necessary to go into the allegation of mere procedural irregularities. We broadly find that no case is made out for interference by this court for issuing a direction as sought in absence of allegation of extraneous consideration being substantiated. Raman Singh called the courts verdict a victory of truth and said it exposed the petitions political nature. The courts decision has proved that truth can never be defeated and it was a victory of truth, news agency PTI quoted him as saying. (with PTI inputs) Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Tuesday the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government had a non-existent policy for Kashmir, and held the ruling BJP-PDP alliance in the state responsible for the bloodshed in the region. He also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of dithering while Indian soldiers were getting killed in terror attacks. PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) says talks with Pakistan. BJP defence minister says Pakistan will pay the price. While our soldiers pay with their blood for BJP-PDPs opportunistic alliance and non-existent Kashmir policy; Modi Ji dithers, Gandhi wrote on Twitter. His remarks came in the wake of divergent statements by Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman regarding the stance against Pakistan following the recent attack on a military base in Jammu in which six soldiers and a civilian were killed. Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari also asked the Centre to clarify its stand on the CMs statement. It is a very disturbing situation. On one hand, you have the PDP-BJP government which files an FIR against an army major. Then you have the BJP trying to shed crocodile tears and distance itself from that FIR, he said. But the PDP-BJP government does nothing to withdraw that FIR and the father of the officer has to finally approach the Supreme Court to get an order that no coercive steps should be taken, the leader said. Tewari wondered if the back channel with Pakistan was active. We would like to ask the government if it is talking to Pakistan. Is there a back channel with Pakistan which is still active because a day after Kulbhushan Jadavs mother and wife were publicly humiliated by the Pakistani establishment, there was a meeting between the two national security advisors in a foreign capital? he said. The country does not want you to talk to Pakistan about terror... it wants you to act on the commitment that you had made to the people of India that you would act on the question of terror, Tewari said. The Supreme Court on Tuesday cited the 26/11 Mumbai attack and 2016 Patiala House court violence in Delhi to stress the benefits of installations of CCTV cameras in courts and tribunals, saying it wanted to bring discipline, security and oversight in judicial proceedings. The top court, while referring to the CCTV grab of convict Ajmal Kasab at Victoria Terminus railway station, said it had proved detrimental for him during the trial. Similarly, the bench also cited case of Swapnil alias Pintu Shirke, who was lynched inside district court premises in Nagpur on February 11, 2002, saying there was no CCTV evidence and despite the murder having taken before hundreds of people, no one came forward. A bench of Justices Adarsh Goel and UU Lalit lauded the government for the good work done in installations of CCTV cameras in several tribunals, including the National Green Tribunal, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal and National Company Law Tribunal. Like 26/11 Mumbai attacks where CCTV cameras at the Victoria Terminus railway station caught one of the perpetrators of the incident, the CCTV use can be beneficial, the Supreme Court bench said. Author Taslima Nasreen calling public masturbation a victim-less crime in response to a man masturbating inside a bus while sitting next to a 23-year-old woman, has drawn the ire of several social media users. An unidentified middle-aged man masturbated sitting next to the Delhi University student in a bus in south Delhi and allegedly tried to molest her, on February 7. The Bangladeshi author tweeted twice about the incident first on Monday, and then on Tuesday after she received flak for her comment. While her second tweet read that women are not safe in practically any situation or scenario, it was the authors first tweet that enraged tweeple. Bus not safe for women,train not safe, streets not safe,crowded place not safe, deserted place not.Night not safe for women,day also not safe. School not safe. office not. Even home not safe. Because of men. Men have to give up misogyny to let half of human species live safely. taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) February 13, 2018 A man in a crowded Delhi bus masturbated. It should not be considered a big crime in the era of rape culture. Men should rather masturbate, than rape and murder. Is masturbating in public a crime? Well it is a victim-less crime. taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) February 12, 2018 Nasreen tweeted saying that public masturbation, should not be considered a big crime in the era of rape culture...Is masturbating in public a crime? Well it is a victim-less crime. Both her tweets have been shared over 700 times. While some users point out that masturbation is not victimless and traumatises the victim, several seem appalled at her supporting an obscene act in public. it traumatises the viewer. how the fuck is it a victimless crime priya (@priya_ebooks) February 13, 2018 I disagree, the victims are people who have no control over what they are forced to see. They have not consented to a person sexually pleasuring themselves in front of them. It gets even worse when you consider that public spaces are supposed to be safe spaces for children. Raghav Sagar (@raaghav_s) February 12, 2018 Is masturbating in public a crime? Yes Sec 354, Sec 509, Sec 268 IPC TeachinglawsofIndia (@tlawsofindia) February 12, 2018 This is sick..that you even consider this as a doable thing. Devil's Advocate (@_MrPr0_) February 12, 2018 But one as to agree the degree of discomfort caused to the person next to him. How is it victimless if there's a girl he's looking at. Pretty sure he wouldn't do that if there was a guy next to him. It's not like he's looking at some magazine. He's looking at her. Deb D (@BakayokoHaram) February 13, 2018 A few users, however, agreed with Nasreen but were of the opinion that men should control their sexual desire in public. You have a point but can't he just control his sexual desires in public place ? Sarkar (@Nidhipa) February 12, 2018 Agreed on every points other than the last point. Victim here is the public Senti Human (@senti_human) February 13, 2018 The woman reported the matter to the police with a video of the incident after which an FIR was registered at Vasant Vihar police station on Sunday. She said no other passenger on the bus came to her support when she raised an alarm. The incident took place aboard an orange cluster bus plying on route number 774. The woman was returning home from college when she felt the seat shaking. I was reading a book when the seat started shaking. I soon realised that the man sitting beside me was indulging in something wrong. He repeatedly tried to touch my waist with his elbow. I recorded his act on my mobile phone before calling him out, she said. Sunny Leone strikes a sultry pose in a red bikini against the green backdrop of a farmers large field of vegetable crop in Andhra Pradeshs Nellore district. And as intended, she attracts all the attention. The 45-year-old A Chenchu Reddy of Banda Kindi Palle village is not a particular fan of the Indian-American porn-star-turned-Bollywood-actor, but her poster is keeping his bumper crop of cauliflower and cabbage safe from the evil eye of fellow villagers. This year, I have a good crop on 10 acres. This has been attracting unnecessary attention of villagers and passersby. To ward off their evil eye, I thought of this idea of putting up the big flax poster of Sunny Leone a couple of days ago, he said on Tuesday. The poster has a line written in Telugu: Orey, nannu chusi edavakura (Hey, dont cry or feel jealous of me)! The strategy is working apparently and Leone is diverting peoples gaze from his field. The trick has worked. Nobody is looking at my crop now, Reddy said. Its quite common in the countryside for superstition-steeped farmers to use straw-filled scarecrows with an upside down clay pitcher to resemble a human head for scaring birds away from fields or put ugly, fearsome dolls called bommalu in Telugu to block the evil eye. In rural Andhra Pradesh, demons drawn on a metal plate or a pumpkin are set up as dishti bomma or evil eye doll in front of homes and near farms. But a poster of a popular actor in a skimpy bikini is a first, perhaps. The farmer doesnt think he has breached any indecency law, and nor does he give a hang to agriculture officials or police finding the visual objectionable. The officials never bother to come to our fields to find out our problems. Why should they have any objection? he asked. Two school students committed suicide on Monday in two coastal states for allegedly being rebuked by their teachers. A Class 9 student is reported to have killed himself in Odisha by consuming insecticide after being reprimanded by the school headmaster on Monday, the state police said. A 17-year-old Class 12 student allegedly hanged himself from a ceiling fan at his house after reportedly being scolded by a teacher for reaching the school late, the police in Tamil Nadus Tanjavur district said on Tuesday. Sourav Sahu of Sunapalli High School in Kabisuryanagar block of Ganjam district was reprimanded by teachers and later the school headmaster over his indiscipline. He was scolded once again in front of his maternal grandfather, who reportedly slapped him. During lunch break Sourav went home and did not come back. Later, the students were told that Sourav had committed suicide. The police were informed about the incident only on Tuesday. One of Souravs friends said he was distressed after the headmaster reprimanded him. Souravs father said he was not aware about the circumstances under which his son ended his life. Police said the students classmates, teachers and his family members will be interrogated. In the TN case, the Class 12 teenager was studying in a private school near Pattukottai in Tanjavur district. The incident occurred on Monday. The boys relatives alleged that a teacher had scolded him for reaching the school late. After returning from school last evening, he went to his room and an hour later his mother found him hanging fromt he ceiling fan, police said. The relatives held a protest on the main road demanding action against the school authorities. Police assured them that a case would be registered, following which they dispersed. (With PTI inputs) Union minister Uma Bharti said on Tuesday she will not contest elections for the next three years owing to health problems. She, however, clarified that she was not retiring from politics. I am suffering from knee and back problems, and to recover, I will take some rest. I will not fight elections for the next three years, she told reporters in Bhopal. The Union minister for drinking water and sanitation said she would not even run for the Rajya Sabha, but would campaign for the party, if asked. Bharti, the BJP MP from Jhansi, said she wants to work from 9 am to 5 pm. I want to live a balanced life, have a lifestyle according to doctors advice, she said. Bharti said BJP chief Amit Shah had asked her to continue as Union minister till 2019. I had a talk over phone with him three days ago (during which Shah told her to continue in the Union government), she said. There is nothing unusual about taking such a break, Bharti said, adding former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had done so for health reasons during his political career. This doesnt mean I am retiring from politics, the 58-year-old leader said, adding she was younger than Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and two other leaders from the state BJP general secretary Kailash Vijaywargiya and former Union minister Prahlad Patel. I will have many years left in politics even after the next three years. In fact, I am focusing on health to ensure that it does not deteriorate, the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister said. I need to rejuvenate my body, she said. Slamming the Left Front government in Tripura for its 25-years of misgovernance, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath told the audience at an election rally here on Tuesday that if the BJP was voted to power in the state, it would ensure that all welfare schemes of the Centre reach the poor, even in the farthest corner of the Northeastern state. Adityanath, who arrived in Tripura on Monday to campaign for party candidates, said the Manik Sarkar-led communist government had deprived people of the benefits of the Centres flagship schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (for small enterprises), Startup India, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (a housing scheme), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (a village roads construction scheme), and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (for subsidised cooking gas cylinders). Tripura goes to polls to elect a 60-member assembly on February 18 and the results will be declared on March 3. I appeal to the voters to replace the Left government by the BJP this time. If same party is in power in both Centre and the state, development happens rapidly, said Adityanath while interacting with mediapersons at the BJP headquarters in Agartala. The BJP leader also promised that if voted to power, the party would implement the 7th Pay Commissions recommendations that were not introduced in Tripura, much like what the party did in Uttar Pradesh after it came to power 10 months ago. Adityanath denied allegations by the Left parties that law and order had deteriorated in Uttar Pradesh. Law and order is completely under control. There was no incident of riots and central forces did not have to interfere even once in the newly-formed BJP governments rule in UP, he said. During his two-day visit, the UP chief minister held road shows and addressed several public meetings in different districts of Tripura. The Rajasthan government will digitize more than 20 million historical and revenue records of nine erstwhile princely states for the future generation. Chief minister Vasundhara Raje made the announced of digitizing and microfilming of administrative and historic documents in her budget speech on Monday, which will cost more than 10 crore. The government will digitize administrative documents of the erstwhile princely states of Kishangarh, Karoli, Dholpur, Kota, Udaipur, Ajmer, Jaisalmer, Shahpura and Jhalawar and will upload the archived records on the official website of the state archives department, said Mahendra Khadgawat, director of the Rajasthan state archives department. The website has more than 8 million historical and revenue records of Rajputanas princely states that are available for research scholars, administrative department, and judiciary, he told Hindustan Times. The online records are available for different research uses, including teaching, building plans, publications and legal proceeding, he said This will help people and research scholars. State government departments, including the judiciary, research centre, library and other state archives will also benefit from the online records as they obtain essential information for use in legal process and research. More than 10 crore will be spent in digitizing, microfilming and preserving the documents, said Khadgawat. Under the project, records of non-archival value will be also be restored and preserved in the form of microfilms, he said. There are more than 325,000 patta or land records of the Bikaner division, including Bikaner Bahiyat, records from the British era, confidential records and files of Praja Mandal and the peasant movement of the erstwhile princely state of Bikaner that have been archive, officials in the department said. The department has also archived classified files dating from 1896 to 1927 of Bikaner princely state, and confidential secretariat records dating from 1894 to 1940 of the princely state of Jaipur state, some of them said. Besides revenue and settlement records, political administration reports, gazetteers, rules and regulation, city Improvement, and rare books, too, have archived in addition to administrative reports of 110 erstwhile princely states of India. Documents of agriculture, census, famine and revenue settlement and medical and veterinary reports will also be digitized, official said. The records of administrative reports of the princely states, the round-table conference, Chamber of Prince, treaties, engagements and sanads and records of agriculture, economics, education, history, biography, and archaeology have also been preserved and archived, they said. With the state government sanctioning 400 crore for land acquisition under the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project, the project is finally set to move forward in Rajasthan. Chief minister Vasundhara Raje made the announcement during her budget speech on Monday. The process of acquisition of about 500 hectares land in five villages in Alwar district will get underway once the notification is issued, an official familiar with the matter said. The state government had initiated the land acquisition process five years ago, but the process was stuck since then due to lack of funds. The government had initially earmarked 1,425 hectare land in 10 villages in Bhiwadi and Nimrana region in Alwar district to be acquired at an average per hectare cost of 1.91 crore or 30 lakh per bigha amounting to a total cost of 2,732 crore. However, earlier this year, the cabinet decided to de-acquire 993 hectare land in five villages of Gugalkota, Choubara, Jaunayachakhurd and Shajahanpur and Bawar. A notification in this regard is yet to be issued. The $100 billion (6,42,550 crore) project is being built along the high-speed DFC that would reduce the time for goods movement between Dadri near Delhi to Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai from current 14 days to about 14 hours. A look at the progress in other states reveals that states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have already formed the special purpose vehicle (SPV) and made significant progress in implementing the project. However in Rajasthan, apart from the master plan notification, there is little progress on the ground. The land acquisition process for Khuskhera-Bhiwadi-Neemrana (KBN) industrial smart city started in 2012 and in April 2015, the government was able to declare compensation amount. While the farmers were initially elated at the high compensation amount (as per new Land Acquisition Act 2013), at present they are unable to sell their land to other people as the government has imposed prohibition orders. However, after more than two years, the government is yet to disburse the amount. The state government has been negotiating with financial and housing institutions for loans for more than a year, but nothing has come out of it. Under DMIC, the state governments have to acquire the land for the projects and form SPVS with DMIC Trust for each project. In each SPV, while land becomes the equity of the state, DMIC Trust provides funds as part of its equity to develop the trunk infrastructure. Once the land is acquired and trunk infrastructure gets developed, the smart industrial hubs will be open for both domestic and international investors. In 2014, while announcing the budget for 2014-15 fiscal, chief minister Vasundhara Raje had announced the formation of the Maru Vikas Board for the development of Barmer and Jaisalmer. However, the plan is yet to see the light of the day. The Maru Vikas Board was proposed for the planned development of Barmer and Jaisalmer districts. The board was to have its headquarters in Barmer and was supposed to ensure all-around development of the desert districts. When HT asked BJP district president Jalam Singh Rawlot on the present status of the board, the former legislature from Sheo was clueless. Earlier, Rawlot had told the media that the process of forming the board is underway. Sources in the district administration too confirmed that till date they have not received any proposal or correspondence from the state government in the matter. BJP legislature from Chohtan constituency in Barmer, Tarun Rai Kaga, accepted that there has been no progress in the matter yet. Formation of the Maru Vikas Board will boost development in the desert district, Kaga said. Mevaram Jain, Congress legislature from Barmer assembly seat said that he had raised the issue in the state assembly and other platforms. This government had always ignored Barmer, he said. He alleged that Barmers development was never this governments priority. He alleged that this government has not only misguided the people in the name of Maru Vikas Board but also on other issues. This government has cheated the people of Barmer in the name of the refinery, medical college, drinking water projects, rail link, inland dry port and much more, said Jain. Not only are the people of Barmer and Jaisalmer waiting for the formation of the Maru Vikas Board but also a number of politicians. Sources claimed that Maru Vikas Board will be an autonomous body and the chairperson may get the status of a cabinet minister or MP. Thats why many politicians in Barmer and Jaisalmer are waiting for it. However, political observers have another view over the entire issue. Rajendra Singh Bhiyand, a political observer, claimed that the announcement was a planned political strategy. He said that it was to woo a particular section, adding that the party will announce the chairperson of Maru Vikas Board soon before the next election. Police on Tuesday arrested three members of a gang for allegedly duping candidates of various competitive examinations on the pretext of helping them clear the same. The gang members used to take money and original documents from candidates on the promise of helping them crack recruitment exams of Delhi police, Food Corporation of India, school teachers, etc, said Sanjay Arya, station house officer (SHO) of Bani Park police station. The police learnt about the gang when brother-in-law of a Rajasthan Eligibility Examination for Teachers (REET) candidate, who was duped, registered an FIR against four people on Monday. The police arrested three of the accused, while the mastermind of the racket is on the run, Arya said. About 35,000, taken from the REET candidate, was also recovered, he added. The police found documents of more than 20 candidates with the gang members and also seized 3.5 lakh in cash, the SHO said. They were active for over a year and operated in Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Churu, Nagaur and Jaipur. They did not have any way of unfairly cracking the exam, but just made false promises and kept the money of those who cracked the exam on their own, he added. Two of the arrested gang members, Satender Singh (25) and Ashish Kumar Jat (22), are from Jhunjhunu, while Bhoma Ram Jat (26) is from Nagaur. The police also found fake papers in their mobile phone. The three were presented in court on Tuesday. Trinamool Congress will launch a nationwide protest unless the Union government withdraws the proposed Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) Bill, Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said on Tuesday. The FRDI Bill, that was tabled in the Parliament in August triggered intense controversy, most of it due to a bail-in clause that would shift the burden of probable bankruptcy on depositors. Read: Reserve Bank goes back on its opposition to FRDI Bill Common people deposit their hard earned money in banks. If this bill is passed there will be no guarantee on the security of their money. I want to caution the Centre, either withdraw the bill or be ready to face nationwide protest, she said while addressing a public meeting in Nadia district. Incidentally, after the demonetisation in November 2016, Banerjee attended protest rallies in Bihar and UP with Lalu Prasad Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav. According to the Trinamool Congress chief, FRDI is another way of jeopardising the interest of the common people after demonetisation and the Goods & Services Tax (GST). Read: FRDI Bills bail-in clause unlikely to be watered down Demonetisation led to decline in the economic growth rate. Small traders and businessmen are suffering due to unplanned GST. Now, the Union government is after the hard-earned money of the common people, she said. She also ridiculed the Union governments Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme. The total allocation under this scheme for the entire country is just Rs 100 crore, which means each state will not get even Rs 3 crore. We have already spent Rs 5,000 crore under Kanyashree scheme since its inception. Are they trying to fool people? she remarked. Read: FRDI Bill to protect, enhance depositors rights: Government Launched in August 2013, Kanyashree is a welfare project for the girl child. Under this scheme, a girl aged between 13 and 18 years and belonging to a family with an annual income of less than Rs 1.2 lakh is given Rs 1,000 a year for education. On attaining 18 years, she gets Rs 25,000 if she continues her studies and does not get married. Those studying in college get Rs 2,000 (for humanities) and Rs 2,500 (for science subjects) a year. SSP Akash Kulhary on Monday said the role of Vijay Shankar Singh prime accused in the killing of law student Dilip Saroj was being scanned in the Sant Gyaneshwar murder case of 2006. An unidentified travelling ticket examiner (TTE) was among the accused booked under Section 120 B of the IPC for conspiring the shootout. His name was, however, dropped from the case later, Kulhary said. Sant Gyaneshwar aka Sadanand Tiwari and seven of his disciples, including four women, were peppered with bullets in Handia area of Allahabad in 2006. Former MLA Sonu Singh was named the prime accused in the shootout and Vijays connections with him are being scanned, the SSP said. After the arrest of waiter Munna Singh Chauhan in Dilip murder case, the police arrested two more accused, Gyan Prakash Awasthi and Ramdeen Maurya, who were seen attacking Dilip in the video footage. The two accused were arrested in different raids in Katra area on Monday, he said. Kulhary said Vijay and Ramdeen had come to the restaurant in an SUV which was driven by Gyan Prakash. At the restaurant, they had an argument with Dilip and his friends which led to a clash. Vijay and his aides dragged Dilip out of the hospital and attacked him with rods and bricks, he said. The SSP said the SUV belonged to a railway contractor Vikram Singh, an associate of Gyan Prakash. The vehicle has been seized by the police, he said. During interrogation, Ramdeen informed the police that he works as a domestic help at Vijay Shankars rented house in Mumfordganj area of Allahabad. Vijay Shankar is posted as a TTE in Ghazipur district and used to visit his family every week, Kulhary said. He said the police had received clues regarding Vijays whereabouts and he would be arrested soon. Leading industrialists are expected to attend the two-day Uttar Pradesh Investors Summit 2018 that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate in Lucknow on February 21. As efforts by successive governments in the past failed to make much of an impact, questions are being raised whether this summit will be able to get big ticket investment for the state. Umesh Raghuvanshi spoke to minister for industrial development Satish Mahana about the seriousness of their current efforts, the prospects of their success and vendetta politics of the past. Excerpts. How serious is this effort? This is the first mega effort of its kind to attract investment. We organised six road shows ahead of the summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the summit. We have been making efforts for the past six months and I have personally met or visited the investors in their offices. In the past, the road shows were passed off as summits. How is this summit different from previous efforts? We are attracting investment for the states development and not for anybodys personal gain. There was a complete disconnect between previous governments and industry in the past. Our government and industry have developed a strong bond now. Why has government denied benefits promised to investors in the past? We have not denied any benefits to the investors. The Mayawati government had denied benefits of the Uttar Pradesh Industrial Investment Promotion Policy 2006 to the industrialists who had invested during the tenure of Mulayam Singh Yadav as chief minister. We do not believe in this. We are continuing to provide benefits of Infrastructure and Industrial Investment Policy 2012 that Akhilesh Yadav government had formulated for the investors. What about the law and order situation? Law and order is the prime concern of the Yogi Adityanath government and efforts have been made to bring about an improvement. We have zero tolerance for crime. The Uttar Pradesh Control of Organised Crime Bill has been already moved in the state assembly to check organised crime. We are also committed to providing complete security to the investors. We are posting the best police officers in the industrial areas and action will be taken against those found causing problems to the industrialists. Do you have land available for investors? We have sufficient land available in the industrial areas to be given to investors. The state government has also brought a policy for development of private sector industrial parks. This will ensure that the investors do not face any problem in getting land to set up their industry. Will your PPP model work? We are in touch with Adani group and other investors to implement metro rail projects on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. What about politics of revenge? Do you have any preferred areas? We do not believe in politics of revenge. We want to develop the whole state unlike the previous governments that had preferred areas. But the chief minister says Gorakhpur is getting investment of Rs 1500 crore? Our policy provides for special incentives for development of backward regions like east UP and Bundelkhand. The Gorakhpur Industrial Development Authority (GIDA) had been set up years ago and investment has to come there. How much investment do you expect? We are not giving any figures. We are working sincerely and all the MoUs being signed now will be implemented. We hope leading industrialists will announce major investment projects in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. You spoke about proposals of Rs 2.53 lakh crore? I did not give this figure to anyone. I have checked. But somehow this figure was communicated to the media. Over 18 industrialists have shown interest in setting up factories with a total investment of Rs 1467 crore in Gorakhpur, the hometown of chief minister Yogi Adityanath, an official said. PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS IN GORAKHPUR Crazy Bread (bakery products). SD Polytech (polyester fabric and spun yarn). Modi Chemicals (chemical and gas industry). Sarvottam Feeds Products (cattle feed) SP International (plastic packaging industry). GKP Resource Ltd (rice brain oil). Shudh Plus (sanitary pads) Ankur Udyog (integrated steel plant) Narayni Laminates (plastic goods) Mahaveer Jute (jute industry) Gallant Ispat (steel industry) Shivam Traders (transformer industry) Samani Building Products (building material) Laxmi Agro (oil seeds processing) Eastern Doors (mica manufacturer) Ahsan Agro (food and beverages) Surya Udyog (disposable plastic products) Sidhdheshwar Udyog (paper cups and table ware) The products proposed to be manufactured at the Gorakhpur Industrial Development Area (GIDA) here include sanitary pads, packaged breads, beverages, oxygen cylinders , cattle feed and disposable syringes. Puja Srivastav, assistant commissioner, district industries and enterprise promotion centre ( DIC), said: Eighteen industrialists, including one from Kolkata, have submitted proposals for setting up factories with Rs 1467 crore (in GIDA). Another Industrialist has applied for setting up a food processing industry worth Rs 150 crore in Kushinagar. Possibly one or two such (more) proposal will also come in a day or two. They will move to Lucknow to sign MoUs at the UP investors summit scheduled on February 21 and 22. She said a delegation of 100 entrepreneurs had registered for participation in the UP Investors Summit in Lucknow. These entrepreneurs will move to Lucknow to attend summit and sign memorandums of understanding (MoU) with the government to set up their Factories During his recent visit to Gorakhpur, the chief minister had inaugurated the new administrative building of GIDA and announced the UP Investor Summit will open doors to investment worth Rs 1500 crore in the district.. The GIDA was set up in 1995 to foster economic growth in east UP. Since its establishment, GIDA had witnessed total investment of Rs 1200 crore, which was not adequate, Adityanath said. Vijay Aggarwal, former president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said under the Yogi regime, industrialists from across UP were encouraged to move beyond Noida and other cities to set up industries in Gorakhpur, which with investment of nearly Rs 1500 crore. The perception has changed now. Better road connectivity, good infrastructure, rebate in cess, access to round the clock power supply and all other necessary facilities have attracted the investors here. The day seems not too far away when Gorakhpur will become an industrial hub, he said. A friend of mine had bought land in Uttarakhand to set up a factory but now he is coming back to Gorakhpur, seeing the favourable invest climate here, Aggarwal added. By setting up industries, the government aimed to stopping migration of people to other cities in search of jobs by setting up industries in their areas, said Satendra Sinha, a BJP spokesperson. The executive committee of the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) on Monday passed a budget of Rs 1,700 crore for the year 2018-19. In the five-hour-long meeting, the 12-member panel discussed 29 proposals. Initially, when the mayor announced the proposal of restricting corporators fund to Rs 85 lakh from Rs 90 lakh, the corporators were not happy. But they cheered when she revealed they would get a special grant of Rs 10 lakh for the development of model colony in their ward every year. This would increase the corporators quota to Rs 95 lakh per year. On the pattern of central government that has directed all its MPs to develop at least one village, the LMC executive committee also decided to develop model colonies in wards with a budget of Rs 10 lakh each, said mayor Sanyukta Bhatia. The LMC will also organise Lok Mangal Diwas every Tuesday for solving the problems of residents. This day will be organised at every zonal office in rotation. The Mangal Samadhan Diwas would be organised in two wards every week so that all the eight zones of the city are covered in a month, added the mayor. However, the LMC panel didnt impose any new tax on residents. Instead, it showered relief for those house owners who got their house constructed recently and erred in payment of their first house tax bill. House owners paying the bill for the first time will not be charged interest in case of late payment. The task of cleaning drains and nullahs would be performed by LMC staff. To prevent wastage of funds, no drain would be cleaned by contractors this year, said the committee. The proposal of issuing Rs 100-crore bonds was passed by the LMC panel for the consideration of state government. The fund raised through bonds would be used for construction of housing units in Aurangabad Khalsa area of the city. The ambitious housing project of the LMC needs the thrust of bonds, said mayor Sanyukta Bhatia. The proposal of withdrawing the rebate given to LMC staff in case of booking kalyan mandaps was taken back after protest by LMC employees. The Uttar Pradesh government will soon come out with a new tourism policy. Also, the Indian subsidiary of global marketing company McCann Erickson has been roped in to brand the state as a tourism destination, said minister for tourism Rita Bahuguna Joshi on Monday. She said McCann India, with eminent lyricist and writer Prasoon Joshi as its CEO, had already begun work with a tagline UP nahin dekha toh India nahin dekha. Joshi was replying to a question of Congress member Aradhana Mishra during question hour in the state assembly. She said the state government was implementing the Centres Prasada Yojana and Swadesh Darshan Yojana, including the Ramayan Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Krishna Circuit and Spiritual Circuit to develop infrastructure facilities for the tourists. She said the government had been able to get Rs 500 crore under Prasada scheme of the centre to give a boost to spiritual and religious tourism. Replying to a supplementary from Congress Legislature Party leader Ajay Kumar Lallu, she said the state government had signed MoUs with different organisations to provide air connectivity to 15 divisions of state. She said the state tourism department had reached an understanding with the Forest department to promote wildlife tourism and Dudhwa National Park would also be connected by air service. Joshi said for the first time the state government was a partner in Surajkund Mela in Haryana that chief minister Yogi Adityhanath inaugurated recently. The University of Lucknow has issued an advisory to its students, asking them not to come to the campus on Wednesday and warned of disciplinary action against those violating the order on Valentines Day. It has been noted in recent years that certain youth celebrate Valentines Day on February 14 influenced by western culture. In this regard, all students of the co-ed campus are informed that the university will remain closed on February 14 on the occasion of Mahashivratri, proctor Vinod Singh said in a press release issued on February 10. After the proctors attracted the ire of some students, LU vice-chancellor SP Singh tried to soothe frayed tempers: The proctor went a little over enthusiastic and some of the content mentioned in the order could have been avoided, he added, referring to the bits about western culture and Valentines Day He said a new order was issued on Tuesday. The entire university will remain closed on February 14 on account of Mahashivratri. There will be no classes on the campus. The students are expected to follow the order. If any suspicious person is found roaming on the campus, strict action will be taken, reads the revised order of the proctor. In the previous order, the proctor had also appealed to the parents and guardians of all students not to send their wards to the campus on Wednesday.. We have separate hostels for boys and girls and as a proctor, I have to ensure their safety as well, Singh said. The universitys decision to prevent students from coming to the campus on Valentines Day was criticised by students as moral policing. We all are adults and the university proctor has no right to tell us what to do and what not, an undergraduate student, who did not wish to be named fearing disciplinary action, said. Another post-graduate student said the university administration should focus on improving the standard of academics and ensure teachers take regular classes rather than telling students what is expected of them on Valentines Day. The police also sounded an alert in Lucknow in view of Valentines Day on Wednesday, apprehending trouble from right-wing groups. Officials said the Women Power Line (1090) will address emergency complaints related to misbehaviour with women and girls. The staff of police control room (UP 100) and Anti-Romeo Squad, constituted earlier by the state government, have also been sensitised to lodge complaints by women on a priority basis, they added. Directions have been issued to in-charges of police stations and Anti-Romeo Squad to deal with troublemakers strictly. People getting involved in any kind mischief with women or trying to do any moral policing will be on our radar, Lucknows senior superintendent of police Deepak Kumar said. Right-wing groups protest against Valentines Day every year in different parts of the country, saying it is a western import. Activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal workers have for years been demanding a ban on anti-Hindu and anti-Indian Valentines Day in India. The protests have often turned violent with couples roughed up and shops and restaurants vandalised for selling products or organising events related to Valentines Day. There were only 596 registered specialists of interventional radiology in India, a country with 130 crore people. This meant that only one interventional radiology expert was available per every 2.18 lakh population, said professor Shiv Kumar of the department of radio-diagnosis, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS). Highlights In the whole of India, there are only 596 registered specialists of interventional radiology. SGPGI has 5 interventional radiologist specialists. More than 300 delegates, including 30 international faculties, are attending the three-day annual conference. Speaking at the three-day 20th annual conference of Indian Society of Vascular and Interventional Radiology which began in the institute on Monday, he said the PGI had five specialists in interventional radiology department doing research and treating patients for complex diseases. That was the reason Lucknow emerged as a bigger centre for diagnosis of complex diseases through radiological techniques. In the conference, more than 300 delegates and around 30 international faculties will interact with new specialists and share their researches. Interventional radiology (IR), sometimes known as vascular and interventional radiology (VIR), is a medical specialty which provides minimally invasive image-guided diagnosis and treatment of disease. Image guidance and minimally invasive techniques minimize risk to the patient. Most IR treatments were minimally invasive alternatives to open and laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. As many IR procedures started with passing a needle through the skin to the target, the technique was sometimes called pinhole surgery, said Dr Shiv Kumar. The most important role of an interventional radiologist is in diagnostic image interpretation and the manipulation of needles and the use of fine catheter tubes and wires to navigate around the body under imaging control, he said. Dr Shiv Kumar said, The range of conditions which can be treated by IR is enormous and continuously expanding. It is important to recognize the advantages of these minimally invasive techniques like reduced risks, shorter hospital stays, lower costs, greater comfort and quicker convalescence and return to work. The effectiveness of treatment is often better than with traditional treatments. Hence the theme of the conference this year is Conquer Interventional Radiology. Thirty international faculties and around 80 national faculties of repute will deliver lectures and share their case studies and practical experiences during the various sessions and panel discussions. After accusing it of having links with terror groups in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, Shia Central Waqf Board chairman Wasim Rizvi on Monday called for a ban on the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and a probe into its credentials. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rizvi said the AIMPLB, a non-government organisation, had rejected the proposal by Muslim clerics to broker peace on Ayodhya dispute. It will be in the national interest to carry out an inquiry into the radical ideology being propagated by it. The NGOs registration should be cancelled and a ban should be imposed on it, said Rizvi, referring to the charges leveled against AIMPLB by ousted member Maulana Salman Nadvi. Soon after he was sacked on Sunday, Nadvi alleged that the Board had been hijacked by hardliners. Maulana Salman Nadvi has been thrown out by the organisation because he supported the proposal mooted by the Shia Board to shift the mosque away from the disputed site in Ayodhya, Rizvi said. The Nadwa cleric had allegedly stoked a controversy last year when he wrote a letter extending support to the chief of Islamic State of Iraq Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi. The personal law board did not take any action against him at that time. Now, when he has supported the construction of Ram temple on the disputed land in Ayodhya, he has been expelled from AIMPLB, Rizvi said. He added that the organisation had also come out openly in support of TV evangelist and Islamic preacher Zakir Naik when he was declared a threat to the country. Earlier, Rizvi had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a ban on madarsas as they were being used to aid terror activities. It is a marriage made in heaven for cute-obsessed Japan: this Valentines Day, lovers can present the object of their affection with a worlds first -- naturally bright pink chocolate. The KitKat store in the glitzy shopping area of Ginza in Tokyo is a riot of wall-to-wall pink, as marketing departments go into overdrive to promote the fourth type of chocolate, after milk, dark and white. And the salespeople have chosen their moment wisely: Valentines Day is massive business in Japan -- with tradition dictating that the women give presents to the men. I love pink. I love chocolate. So this is just great for me, said 24-year-old Natsuko Takeuchi, searching for a sweet treat at the Ginza store. Ruby KitKat bars, made of pink ruby chocolate, next to mock cocoa beans at a KitKat chocolatory shop in Tokyo. (AFP) Knowing that this chocolate is created purely naturally, without any additional flavour or colour. I think its really good, added Takeuchi, who operates a food trolley on Japans iconic bullet trains. For more than 80 years, when white chocolate was invented, the world has had to be content with just three varieties. Then in September, Swiss group Barry Callebaut unveiled its new ruby type -- the fruit of more than 10 years of research -- and five months later, bars appeared on shelves in both Japan and South Korea. The pink colour is obtained naturally, without using additives or artificial colouring, explained Akiko Hara, a manager for Barry Callebaut in Japan. The colour comes from ruby cocoa that can be found in normal plantations, Hara told AFP. The firms R&D department keeps the recipe a closely guarded secret, locked away in a safe. The result is a chocolate that tastes both creamy and fruity, with a subtle hint of raspberry. - Obligation choc - If Japan is the testing ground for the new variety of chocolate, it was well chosen. The Japanese chocolate market is worth nearly five billion dollars per year, according to figures from research group Euromonitor. This places Japan still way behind the United States ($18.9 billion) but still at the top of the Asian league table. Japanese patissier Kazuya Nagata checking his work "Dear Myself", a high heel made of chocolate for Valentine's Day. (AFP) Japanese consumers also crave a huge variety of products, as can be seen from the enormous range of KitKat flavours -- from wasabi to green tea to sake. So consumers have a huge choice in what chocolates to buy: Honmei-choco for lovers, giri-choco for male bosses and colleagues and tomo-choco for close friends. In a sign of how seriously Valentines Day is taken, Belgian chocolate firm Godiva created a storm when it called on people to forgo the chocs for colleagues (known as obligation chocolate) to focus on loved ones. Convenience stores on every corner are packed with potential presents and master chocolatiers also go to town for the occasion, creating ornate shapes such as pink high-heeled shoes made of chocolate. The result: huge sales. This year, love-struck Japanese are expected to shell out 130 billion yen (one billion dollars) on Valentines Day chocolates, according to Kinenbi Culture Laboratory, a research group on Japanese festivals. The tradition of women giving chocolate to men stems from a promotional campaign at the end of the 1950s. Males reciprocate the favour a month later on a holiday called White Day, where female significant others receive a gift in return for their Valentines Day present, said Megumi Matsunaga, an analyst at Euromonitor. Frederic Madelaine, a French pastry chef who runs several shops in Tokyo, said Valentines Day was the be-all and end-all for the industry. A Japanese woman will hand out on average between eight and 10 presents. Then the man has to return the favour -- and triple or quadruple the value of the gift, he told AFP. You have to try things out, be innovative, stand out from the crowd, he said. This year is no exception and among his offerings at this years annual chocolate fair in Tokyo were a Camembert-shaped chocolate and dalmatian eclairs to celebrate the year of the dog. Follow @htlifeandstyle for more Love that defied religious hatred and death threats, love that miraculously survived a death train during Partition, love that defeated the most deep rooted ostracism... these beautiful love stories make you believe in the unbelievable. We feature couples who had unshakable faith in their love and knew that no matter what, they would be together one day. These stories tell us that the powers of evil do not stand a chance in front of unconditional, all encompassing love. These couples reinstate our belief that hate, wrath and rage will always be vanquished, when pitted against love and goodness. Heres to love that made the lives of ordinary people, extraordinary, with its sheer magic. WHEN LOVE TRUMPED RELIGION: MONICA AND MUSTAFA Monica and Mustafa have been married for 22 years. Ask any poet, and theyd tell you love knows no language. And, for Monica Singh and Mustafa Nouri, the verses are strewn together seamlessly. We met when we were studying in the US, through a common friend. I was 18 and Mustafa, whos family is from Afghanistan, was 20. When I brought him home, the response was not positive My mother comes from an orthodox Brahmin family, and my father is a Sikh who went through Partition, so religion was a problem, says Monica. The couple is now married for 22 years, and are parents to two teenagers, having eventually shifted base to India. And, how did they overcome the struggle? With the help of activist Swami Agnivesh, Monicas uncle. When my youngest sister Kamlas daughter, Monica, met Mustafa my sister said, Never! He is Muslim, she cant stay with him. When I went to the US, I met the guy and was very impressed by him. So I told my sister, dont take the decision of marriage right now, just ask him home for tea. They called him multiple times, and they themselves fell in love with the boy!, Swamiji told us, re-telling the story of how the pair eventually wed with an American priestess, Swami Kamla, presiding over the ceremony. Swami Agnivesh believes in the universal values of truth, compassion, love and justice. (Amal KS/HT) For Mustafa, love has to be accompanied by values. There was never a moment when I had misgivings about my decision to embark on a life together with Monica. She embodies too many precious qualities for me to have wavered or doubted my decision. In all frankness, the gel that has kept us marching together is more than just love. It is the deep compatibility in thought, outlook, worldview and values, and the fact that we both came from different faith and traditions was of little significance, he says. Monica adds: Once you take off the stereotype, then you realise that a person is a person! I go to the gurudwara, have a little mandir at home, and, when its Eid, my husband likes to take the kids to the mosque. So mutual respect is the key. As Swami Agnivesh put it succinctly: Universal values are the most important. Applied spirituality of truth, love, compassion and justice is vital. I DIDNT LOOK FOR RELIGION IN HER NAME... Afsana Bano and Malkit Singh. (Shara Ashraf/Hindustan Times ) Dange karwaoge kya? Aur bhi asaan tarikey hain marne ke...(Do you want to trigger riots? There are easier ways to die), This is what everyone, who knew their story, told them. Childhood friends, Afsana Bano, 22 and Malkit Singh, 24, belonged to two different religions but their hearts beat as one. Afsanas father beat her up with an iron rod, burnt her with cigarettes and locked her in a room without food and water for days for loving a Sikh man. Her uncle planned attacking Malkit with the support of local history-sheeters, and pledged to kill the offspring from this union. The locality where the couple lived had a history of communal clashes and faint-hearted cops didnt intervene, fearing that it would disturb law and order. A journalist helped them run away, got them married and ensured police protection once they returned home. The couple had a baby boy last Diwali. I didnt look for religion in Afsanas name..love is the only true religion. This is what Sikhism has taught me, says Malkit. Love can survive anything, believes this couple that was reunited by fate. (Waseem Gashroo/Hindustan Times) A shared past, no matter how painful, often becomes a powerful connector. Their tragic history often connects families that survived India-Pakistan partition. Sudesh Kumar Chhabra and Sumitra Chhabra crossed each others path when they took the train from Faisalabad to Delhi during the Partition in 1947. Both were young children, aged 12 and 9 respectively. Little did they know that after 13 years, they will fall in love and will be tied in the bond of marriage. It has been 58 years since then and Sudesh, now 81, and his wife Sumitra, 78, have stayed in love. Sudesh recalls the horrific time when he boarded the train. It was a miracle that I survived. The memory of watching a sea of dead bodies in the train is still vivid. As fate would have it, my future wife was also on the same train, he says. Our families resided in Lyallpur (now Faisalabad) in Pakistan, and knew each other. While Sudeshs family initially settled in a refugee camp in Delhi, my family made Jalandhar, Punjab, their new home, recalls Sumitra. Destiny reunited them after a decade. All that refugees talked about was who made it and who didnt. One day, my family found out that Sudeshs family had survived, and we decided to meet. We recalled how we had defeated death in the India bound train. We felt naturally drawn to each other, and a special bond was created. We recalled how we had survived death in that train, says Sumitra. Love is about the faith that God has made that special someone for you. Love can survive anything. We were destined to meet and live together forever, says Sudesh. THERES A BABA WHO STANDS BY LOVE Sanjoy Sachdev at his shelter home for rescued lovers. (Sarang Gupta/HT) You wouldnt expect a shelter for rescued lovers to be brimming with smiles, the sound of pot and pans clinking in the kitchen, wafting with aromas of fresh cooked dal and chapatis. The peeling plaster and a lonely sherwani mark the walls. Love Commandos shelter is a home for the loved and the loveless. The soldier, Sanjoy Sachdev, fondly called Baba, who leads the battalion from the front, while rescuing these couples, is managing interviews with print and TV reporters. He punctuates our conversations with the couples with anecdotes of his own. Would you believe that even in a place like Delhi, issues of caste and religion stand in the way of love?, asks Sachdev. His core team is currently out on a rescue operation, and will return the next morning. The shelter is patrolled by police. There are policemen outside. We are under protection as families can go to any extent to protect their honour, he says. Baba takes it upon himself to get them married and safeguard their love, forever. He can be contacted at the following helpline numbers: 09313784375 and 09313550006 IF YOU LOVE, YOU FEAR NOTHING Kavita Solanki and Ajay Singh. (Sarang Gupta/HT) Ajay Singh, 25, met Kavita Solanki, 23, at her cousins wedding in 2010. After years of courtship, they decided to get married. Her parents had already fixed her match, and to make things worse, the couple belonged to different castes. I am an OBC and she is a Jat. Jat apne aage kisi ko samajhte hain kya, says Ajay. Kavita refused to marry anyone, and rebelled, despite knowing that it could cost them their lives. The couple ran away from Agra and reached Delhi on December 11, last year. The very next day, we got married in an Arya Samaj temple. When my family got to know, they beat up my husbands friends for information. They blocked his ATM cards and started tracking his phone. We are living in hiding as our families want to kill us. But they cant separate us. If you love, you fear nothing, she says. CASTE IS NOT OUR ONLY IDENTITY... FEW UNDERSTAND THIS Priyamvad and Vibhavari Priyamvad Ajaat, a Brahmin boy and Vibhavari, a Dalit girl, met while they were perusing their graduation at Allahabad University. They were introduced by common friends and in no time, the two found the perfect partner in each other. I was drawn to his positive vibes and the work he was doing as a part of student rights activist. It was his point of view on things and open-mindedness that made a girl like me from a small town fall in love with him, says Vaibhavari. Soon, they became sure that they wanted to live together forever. However, this was not going to be easy. We not only had to fight our families, but also the relatives and the society.It took us almost six years to convince my parents to let us marry. My husbands parents didnt accept me even when we married in an Arya Samaj mandir, recalls Vibhavari. She remembers the time when she had to hear insulting things about herself and the caste she belonged to. Priyamvadhs parents used to introduce me to relatives as a girl from Allahabad so that they dont get to know about my caste. Im scheduled caste and I am cool with telling this to the world. So why change it? Zaat hi insaan ki pehchaan nahi hoti par yeh har koe nahi samjhta (Caste is not the only identity, but few people understand it), she says. In a country where a scheduled caste person is considered as untouchable or socially disadvantaged, it was hard to deal with the pressure for the couple. But love, we know, knows no boundaries. After fighting for years, the couple is happily married today, They still face social boycott sometimes, but they have learnt to live with it. Priyamvadh and Vibhavari are now weekend lovers as she puts it for us. Im here in Delhi and he is working in Rudrapur. We meet only on weekend which is really hard for me to deal with. But Priyamvadhs love and his company is my biggest strength, says Vibhavari with moist eyes. LOVE KNOWS NO RULES Stylist Prayag Menon decided to marry fashion photographer Porus Vimadalal and stay in a country where homosexuality is a crime. Fashion stylist Prayag Menon and fashion photographer Porus Vimadalal are among the few people from the LGBTQ community who are married and living in a country where homosexuality is a crime and people are still fighting for their rights. Ask Prayag about his D-day and he gushes, It was the most wonderful day of my life. I was surrounded by my close friends and the man I loved. The stylist and photographer duo got married at City Hall, New York City in June 2016. They first met in 2006 and love was a natural process that happened. There was nothing unnatural about their love, since love is love. The duo did have a tough time convincing their parents when they decided to take the next step and walk down the aisle. Their parents didnt take long to accept their kids and supported the marriage. Our parents saw that we will be happy together and for them our happiness is their priority, says Prayag. We are lucky to have the friends/ support system that we do and being a part of the fashion industry which is progressive, welcoming and inclusive, we never felt any prejudice, he adds. THE ONLY CASTE THAT EXISTS IS LOVE Sonal and Ketan Patdiyas families have pledged to kill them. (Sarang Gupta/HT) Ketan and Sonal Patdiya, both 24, fell in love while they were in high school in Rajkot. Ketan is a Kumhar by caste, while Sonal is a Yadav. Their families ordered them to forget each other due to the caste difference. Love made them decide otherwise and they ran away. Ketan was badly beaten up by Sonals brother, and his parents were labelled outcasts and forced to leave the village. Sonals parents traced them down to the Love Commandos shelter in Delhi, along with Gujarat police but they were married by then. They threatened the couple that they would kill them if they ever step out of the shelter. We are not afraid. After living such hell, our love has only grown stronger. Ours is a bond forever, says Sonal. CONCEPT: Shara Ashraf TEXT: Shara Ashraf, Snigdha Ahuja, Etti Bali, Prerna Gauba, Abhinav Verma, Akshay Kaushal Love Per Square Foot Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Angira Dhar Director: Anand Tiwari Rating: 3/5 In a Mumbai jostling for space, two youngsters dream of owning a 550-square-feet house, but they dont know how to transform it into a home. This sounds cliched, but Netflixs Valentines Day special, Love Per Square Foot, is far better than usual Hindi films that want us to realise the value of family and love in the middle of a concrete jungle. Sanjay Chaturvedi (Vicky Kaushal) and Karina DSouza (Angira Dhar) represent the famous Mumbai spirit. They are sharp, fast-paced and tactical. For years, they have individually nursed their little wish of having a permanent nameplate outside their house. A newspaper advertisement for a housing scheme for couples brings them together, but it may not culminate on a happy note. The whole process of love-marriage-house takes place in reverse for them. Its a journey that may change them forever. Its not the shining South Mumbai, but an area full of crumbling houses adjacent to railway tracks. You can hear your neighbour even if you dont want to. Their life is not totally private as the person living on the first floor can cause more damage to the rickety apartment. The hardest part of life is not realising that its not a good one, but the understanding that it might not ever change. Director Anand Tiwari spaces out his sub-plots with leisure. If he lets us enter the world of Sanjays software engineer with a peek into his exploitation at the hands of his female boss, he gives us the glimpse of Karinas inner happiness with a slow motion shot of her chicken dance. Tiwari, who is one of the pioneers of the web series explosion in India, focuses on creating charming moments even if they come at a cost of looking tonally different. Probably its his experience in web series that makes him think in episodes. Love Per Square Foot is definitely funny, but its uneven too. Vicky Kaushal and a terrific Angira Dhar (Remember Bang Baaja Baaraat?) save the day with their spontaneity, charm and understanding of the space. They make sure that the audience feel the drama yet not forget the theme. Their love story is entwined with the house. Its breezy but with serious intentions and dollops of everyday humour. They couldnt ask for a better supporting cast. Raghubir Yadav, Ratna Pathak Shah, Supriya Pathak, Kunaal Roy Kapur, Gajraj Rao and Brijendra Kala display fantastic comic timing. They eliminate any chance of going overboard and repeating one of their previous roles by remaining true to the set-up. A nuanced sense of middle class values and the paradoxes attached to them make these characters endearing. I wish Tiwari could have focussed more on them than stretching the exploiting boss angle. I wouldnt blame Alankrita Sahai, who played the insecure, conniving boss, though. She makes her presence felt. Its a different matter that you dont ask for it all the time. Love Per Square Foot doesnt delve deep into matters of the heart, but its a feel good film for sure. Angira Dhar makes a promising debut and Vicky Kaushal shows his lighter side. Anand Tiwari handles romance with proper care and maturity. Love Per Square Foot is youthful, urbane and lovable. Interact with Rohit Vats at Twitter/@nawabjha ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop A truck driver and cleaner sustained injuries after two trucks met with an accident on Mumbai-Pune Expressway in the early hours of Tuesday. According to the police, a truck that was going to Pune from Mumbai hit the truck ahead of it. The incident occurred at Lonavala city. The driver of truck which hit the other vehicle and the cleaner from the second truck sustained minor injuries in the accident. They were taken to a hospital and were discharged after initial treatment, said a police officer from the state highway traffic police. Both the vehicles were partially damaged in the accident. They left for Pune later. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai police has arrested developer Shirish Dixit for allegedly duping tenants of a Wadala building on the pretext of redevelopment. Dixit failed to complete the redevelopment project for eight years, after promising the tenants of the building to complete it in 36 months. Cops said Dixit had duped the tenants of Rs100 crore by mortgaging the building and refusing to pay rents to tenants, said an official. He was produced in Esplande court and was remanded in police custody till February 17. According to the police, complainant Sunil Kishan Soi has in his complaint stated that Shirish Dixit of Dixit Realties signed an assignment with the original owner Sohnaz building in Wadala (West). Dixit told the 21 tenants of Sohnaz building that he is the owner of the building and would not allow any other developer to redevelop it. As per the complaint, he also allegedly offered the tenants bigger shops and flats against their smaller ones, on the condition they that they assigned him as the developer for their property. He was willing to provide some other amenities too, along with the rent, until the completion of redevelopment. After the agreement with Dixit, the tenants shifted to an alternative accommodation, followed by demolition of the building. The tenants had allegedly stopped receiving rents since 2012. In 2015, the tenants learnt that Dixit had mortgaged the building to Dhiren Patel of the Sangoi Group without their knowledge and had taken a loan of more than Rs10 crore from him. When Dixit failed to return the money, Patel filed a suit against him in the court and demanded Rs27crore from him, after which the ownership rights of the building were given to Patel. The Bombay HC recently ordered the auction of some of Dixits properties to complete the redevelopment. Fire broke out in a godown near Shil Phata, near Mumbra, a little after midnight on Tuesday. The flames spread rapidly within the godown because it was used to store inflammable plastic materials, and took more than two hours to douse, officials said. There have been no casualties. Shil Phata is located around 29km from Mumbai city. The Thane Municipal Corporations Regional Disaster Management Cell (RDMC) received a call about the fire around 12.30am from locals living near the godown, which is located inside Khan Compound.The workers staying beside the godown reported the fire. Within 20 to 25 minutes, the RDMC team reached the spot with four fire engines and four water tankers, said Santosh Kadam from the RDMC. The godown was used to store plastic granules and the fire was huge, so it took two hours to douse it, after which cooling operations began and continued for 90 minutes, Kadam said. The fire could have started because of a short circuit, he added. The godown is spread over one and half acres of land, and was filled with plastic granules, which were cleared using JCBs and Quick Response Vehicles, which were called to the spot, to prevent the fire from spreading. The police are now investigating to establish the source of the fire. The prosecution on Tuesday objected to the bail pleas filed by the accused in connection with the Kamala Mills fire, which killed 14 people. The prosecution claimed that the charges of 304 (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of IPC is applicable against the accused. The sessions court is hearing bail plea of owners of Mojos Bistro Yug Tuli and Yug Pathak, owner of 1Above restaurant, owner of the mills, Ramesh Govani and director Ravi Bhandari; the owner of the hookah supply firm Nirvana, Utkarsh Pandey and managers of 1Above Lisbon Lopes and Kevin Bawa. The prosecutor Prakash Shetty emphasised on the findings of the report submitted by the fire department. Shetty contended that the accused had knowledge of the irregularities. The prosecution pointed out the irregularities in the two restaurants Mojos Bistro and 1Above and the illegal construction carried by the owners. He said that the wall against the exit way was demolished by the corporation but the accused had again constructed it. Further, Shetty also highlighted that the toilet constructed by 1Above was illegal and blocked the fire exit. The arguments by the prosecution will continue on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the defence continued to point out that the guests died of suffocation and not fire. The lawyer also argued that charges under section 304 of IPC is not applicable to the case as the victims did not die of fire but suffocation. The lawyer for the owners of 1Above restaurants played CCTV footage gathered by them showing that there was enough place for guests to move out. However, Shetty objected to the same as the footage has not been verified so far and neither been presented for investigation. In a major decision which gave relief to 550 flat buyers, the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) has asked the builder of a project in Mira Road that has been stalled for the last seven years to hand over the possession to the buyers by December 31 2019. The MahaRERA order stated that failure to hand over the apartment within the stipulated time period, including a 3-month grace period, would entitle the builders to pay interest till the date of possession. Tanvi Eminence Phase 1 and Phase 2, a mega-residential project on Mira road, was started in 2009 and hit a roadblock in 2011. The project got stalled due to environmental clearances. However, even after the environmental clearances, an internal dispute between the partners of Kashimira Ceramic Products LLP brought the project to a standstill. 550 homebuyers booked the apartments between 2010 and 2017, and were still uncertain about whether or not they would get possession of the apartment. The flat buyers then formed the Tanvi Eminence Owners Welfare Association and took their case to MahaRERA. Representing them, housing activist Ramesh Prabhu said that the buyers were ready to take over the project. This made all the difference as the promoters then resolved their differences and signed new consent terms with the association, said Prabhu. The promoters have now allowed Dahyabhai Sutaryia, one of the original partners, to take over the whole project. Sutaryia, along with a new stakeholder, Dhaval Darji, will now be responsible for the project. Ever since MahaRERA came to force last year, it has served to provide respite to many homebuyers who have been waiting for years for possession. It has received kudos from real estate experts for its speedy disposal of cases. Unit 11 of Mumbai crime branch arrested three more suspects in the fake job racket. The total arrest is now five, including a woman and mastermind Lalit Omprakash Sawant, who posed as assistant commissioner of police (ACP) and duped 70 people across the state by promising them jobs in police department, BMC and railways. All five were produced in court on Tuesday. The court has extended the police custody of Sawant and Mangal Singh alias Pappy, 37, Rohit Gautam, 25, Dinesh Nanji Barwadia, 27, till February 15 for further investigation. The woman accused Mayura Makwana was given judicial custody. Investigations revealed that Makwana had provided fake government identity cards and stamp of appointment letters to Sawant for job aspirants. With the help of Mangal, she approached Rohit and Dinesh who run a shop in Santacruz and made stamps for several offices, said a police officer. Sawant has cheated people of at least Rs1.25 crore and police are trying to recover the amount. Sawant had visited Naigaon police headquarters during recruitment and approached several candidates outside. He had introduced himself as an ACP of special branch and promised them jobs in the police force. He had also taken money from them, said an official. Sawant followed all the procedures by issuing aspirants with ID cards, appointment letters and conducting medical tests. He even got them to stitch uniforms based on their jobs so they could not doubt him. A passenger and a travel agent were arrested after the passenger allegedly tried to fly from Mumbai to Kolkata using a forged air ticket on Sunday night. The accused have been identified as Dilip Jana, 29, the travel agent, and Deepak Mula, 46, the flier, both of whom are natives of West Bengal and based in Mumbai. Mula, who works at a jewellery shop in Chira Bazaar, needed to go to Kolkata urgently. Jana had already booked an air ticket for one of his clients who had later asked him to cancel it, but instead of cancelling the ticket, he sold it to Mula and forged his name on it so that the name on the ticket would match his ID card. Airport police officials said the agent forged the ticket, which was worth Rs5,100, to make money through both clients. Around 9pm on Sunday, Mulla managed to enter the airport with the forged ticket. However, during the second check, the bluff was caught as his name did not match the name in which the ticket was booked as per the airlines records. Mulla was taken into custody by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, and handed over to the Airport police. When he was questioned, Mulla told the police about Jana who had given him the ticket. Police officials then traced and arrested Jana, too. Police sub-inspector Amol Waghmare, who is investigating the case, said the accused will be in police custody till Wednesday. We are trying to find out if the agent has committed such crimes in the past, he said. A Pune-based publisher, Bhartiya Vichar Sadhana (BVS), leads the list of publishing houses from where the BJP-ruled Maharashtra government will purchase children's books for its school libraries. The list of books, accessed by HT, shows that the government has decided to purchase over 16 lakh copies of 50 titles published by BVS, costing around Rs8.18 crore. The contract bagged by the publisher is more than triple in size compared to the contract awarded to the second highest grossing publisher, Saket Prakashan Limited, Pune, which will provide books worth Rs2.6 crore. The books being purchased from BVS include 1.12 lakh copies of Marathi book Katha Ganpatichya, costing Rs58.22 lakh - the highest for any title. Other books were on Hindu philosophers Adi Shankaracharya and Ramanuja, mythological figures such as Bhagirath, Ram, Krishna and Hanuman, the author of Mahabharata Ved Vyasa, Gautam Buddha, Mrutunjay mantra (chants), warrior king Shivaji, mystic Sarada Devi and a number of saints. Meanwhile, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, the opposition leader in the state legislature, said that the government paid more than double the actual cost of books published by BVS. He claimed that several titles, which are available at Rs20 for a copy, are being purchased at a rate of Rs50. "The government should explain why it so benevolent to BVS," he said, adding that the BVS was a RSS affiliate. Education minister Vinod Tawde said that the contract was awarded through a transparent bidding process. "It's a tender process. So whoever bid well got it. The publishers' association is satisfied with the process and say that it was transparent," he said. Earlier, Sunil Magar, director, Balbharati and director in-charge, State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) had also justified the purchases. He had said that the books were chosen by an expert committee on their merit. However, Vikhe-Patil criticised the government for its choice of books. "The earlier list issued by the government had more books on historical figures and saints. But the minister scrapped the list, citing irregularities in the tendering process. A new list was issued on January 12, which is full of religious and mythical books. The government wants to force the culture of a particular ideology on children," he said. The World Bank-funded Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) 2 was planned to decongest the citys suburban railway network for 75 lakh daily commuters. But at the end of six years, it has now been revealed that MUTP 2 worth Rs 8,087 crore, missed all its relevant targets to reduce overcrowding, improve punctuality and travelling time of local trains. The original cost was Rs 5,400 crore. A World Bank report on partial completion of MUTP 2, submitted last year, shows that the target to reduce overcrowding in our suburban locals to 4,000 passengers, reducing travelling time by two to six minutes between various sections and improving punctuality of trains to 98.5 and 94 points on Western railway (WR) and Central Railway (CR), could not be met. The report was submitted to the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC), a joint company formed by the state and Indian Railways and an executing body for MUTP-2 and other railway projects. The report has been accessed by HT. RS Khurana, chairman and managing director of MRVC, however, said they have increased train capacity by up to 35% each in the first and second phase of MUTP, but the travel demand busted targets. The capacity has increased, but the latent demand has also gone up in these years, said Khurana. The actual work of MUTP-2 began in October 2010, but the targets for the project were set in April 2009 and were originally supposed to be achieved by June 2015. MUTP-2 failed to achieve these targets till the end of December 2016, when this delayed project was partially completed. The project is likely to be completed only by 2022. However, the World Bank-funded portion of the project, worth US $280 million more than a year ago. The report is seen as a review of the project by the funding agency. It indicates Mumbaiites are still a long way off from a commute that meets global standards. An unidentified man robbed a senior citizen of Rs2.5 lakh from a state government bank at Andheri East on Monday afternoon. The police said the incident took place around 1.25 pm in the Marol branch, when the complainant, 62-year-old Mansoor Siddiqui, a resident of MIDC, went to the bank to withdraw money. Siddiqui withdrew Rs2.5 lakh and put the money inside a bag. He left the bag on the counter and went to fill some forms. On his return, he found the bag to be missing. The distraught citizen alerted the bank officials, who then started searching for the bag in the bank premises. Siddiqui then approached the MIDC police station where a First Information Report (FIR) was registered under section 380 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for theft. A police official from MIDC police station said, We have checked the CCTV footage, where the accused can be seen. But the footage is of poor quality, and thus, it is very difficult to find out the identity of the robber. Our probe is on. The Shivaji Nagar police have arrested three men for allegedly thrashing a cab driver to death on Eastern Express Highway in Govandi on Monday night, in a case of road rage. According to the police, Ola cab driver Salim Gulam Shaikh had an altercation with the three men after his cab brushed past their Activa bike while overtaking it. The accused have been identified as Imran Ali Shaikh, 19; Wajid Haider Idrisi, 20; and Bhondu Ali, 22. They were travelling on the Activa on Ahilyabai Holkar road. Amogaiddha Olekar, sub-inspector of Shivaji Nagar police station, said Salim had been living with his wife and two sons, aged 10 years and nine months, in Govandi and working as a driver for the past few months. On Monday, he dropped off his passengers at Sion and was on his way home when he accidentally brushed past the Activa, in an attempt to overtake it, near the Shivaji Nagar masjid. The biker lost his balance and was about to fall. Angry, they signalled the driver to stop the car. The trio then began abusing Salim and dragged him out of the cab. They beat him up with their fists and legs. When they saw him bleeding, they ran off, said Olekar. Passers-by took Salim to a hospital where he was declared dead. Salim had suffered injuries on his head, said Olekar. After scanning CCTV cameras, the police learnt that the attackers were residents of the same area. We are investigating if they were in an inebriated state, said Santosh Narute, assistant inspector of Shivaji Nagar police station. As many as 275 children from different government schools of Gautam Budh Nagar got to a chance to swoon over the sleek cars and motorbikes showcased by automobile giants at the Auto Expo 2018. The district administration organised the trip for the schoolchildren and was assisted by HCL and the organisers of the auto expo. We wanted the government school students to gain exposure to the happenings in the automobile world and what better chance than the ongoing auto expo. Therefore, we spoke to the organisers of the auto expo and they were generous enough to provide free entry to the children, Bal Mukund Prasad, basic education officer, Gautam Budh Nagar, said. Students of classes 6, 7 and 8 of 32 schools from the four blocks of Gautam Budh Nagar visited the expo. We ensured that we included schools from all four blocks of Gautam Budh Nagar and children from a total of 32 schools were selected on a random basis. Five buses were used to ferry the children from blocks Dadri, Jewar and Bisrakh to the auto expo venue in Greater Noida. One bus was also provided by HCL, Prasad said. He claimed that the children were excited to see futuristic models presented by students from various institutions such as the National Institute of Design, Delhi Technical University, Sharda University and Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, among others. Utkarsh Singh, a student of class 8, Model Government School in Sector 12, said, We had a wonderful experience at the auto expo today. This is the first time that Im getting to see so many different types of cars and motorcycles in one place. Sona Yadav, a class 7 student of Government School, Bisrakh, said, We spoke to the students of various colleges who explained to us that their models will become supercars and superbikes within 20 years. The students received an opportunity to interact with students from these higher educational institutes and learn about their futuristic models. Many were excited to see the models of superbikes designed by students. The schoolchildren were dropped off at their respective schools after the show, Prasad said. Wednesday will be the last day of the 14-day auto expo motor show. A hallmark of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visits abroad has been the emphasis on plugging the gaps in engagement with the outside world, looking for renewed alignments, investment opportunities and diaspora outreach. As a part of this effort, Modi was on significant and historic visits to Palestine, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman from February 9 to 12. The transit, via Jordan, to Palestine, afforded an opportunity for discussions with King Abdullah on counter radicalisation and regional developments. A traditional supporter of Palestinian independence, India has been extending financial support for its reconstruction, development, and institution building. During this first-ever visit by an Indian PM to Palestine, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas conferred the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine on Modi, the highest award in Palestine, reserved only for a select few world leaders. Palestine, which has turned away from a United States-led mediation, now counts on India to support a multi-country mechanism to realise the two-state solution. Modi stressed the importance of dialogue as opposed to violence, assuring Abbas that India is bound by a promise to take care of Palestinian peoples interests. Six new agreements worth nearly $50 million in areas such as health, agriculture, information technology and education were signed during the visit. The next stop was the UAE. It was Modis second visit there, highlighting the seriousness with which he is pursuing the Look West policy in the near neighbourhood. Home to nine million Indians, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has emerged as a strategically and commercially important region for India. Modis vision of SAGAR and developing the blue economy with littorals in the Indian Ocean requires strong partnerships. Equally, a developing India has emerged as an important market for the Gulf oil economies, their aviation companies, a provider of appropriate and cheaper technology and human resources, resulting in enhanced accommodation on issues such as labour rights, technology transfer, and cooperation in counter terrorism. Important MoUs related to the energy sector, railways, manpower and financial services were signed during the visit. Significant among these is the MoU between an Indian consortium (OVL, BPRL& IOCL) and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) for the acquisition of 10% participating interest for $600 million in Abu Dhabis offshore Lower Zakum concession for 40 years the first upstream investment in the oil sector of the UAE by India. The joint statement reiterated the intention to hold the first-ever joint naval exercises in the Persian Gulf, deplored terror and stressed the responsibility of all states to control non-State actors operating from their soil, a pointed reference to Pakistan. Modi addressed the Indian community at the Dubai Opera House and witnessed the ground breaking ceremony of the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. Delivering the keynote address at the Sixth World Government Summit convened in Dubai, on Technology for Development, he emphasised the role of technology for progress as opposed to destruction. On his first visit to Oman as PM, he was received by the charismatic Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said, the ruler of Oman since early 1970s, who is a student of former President Shankar Dayal Sharma in Pune. Staying neutral in the Yemen conflict, Oman has kept its options open in the intra-GCC conflict with Qatar, while maintaining close links with Iran. Indian naval ships regularly visit Salalah and Duqm for operational turnaround while engaging in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. Cooperation in trade and investment, energy, defence and security, food security and regional issues was discussed resulting in eight agreements in the military, legal and judicial cooperation, health, tourism and outer space sectors. While Adani Ports and Duqm Special Economic Zone Authority already signed an agreement in 2017, India would also like to use Duqm for logistics purposes. A highlight of the visit was Modis address to 30,000 cheering members of the Indian community. New developments and alignments in the world have allowed India to dehyphenate ties with Israel and Palestine on the one hand, and forge independent links with estranged players in the region such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Iran on the other. King Abdullah of Jordan and President Hassan Rouhani of Iran will be in New Delhi shortly, signalling a continued Indian engagement with the region. Anil Wadhwa is former Indian ambassador to Oman The views expressed are personal Yodha Singh alias Jodha, 24, involved in a series of crimes, including carjacking, kidnapping and robbery, and who escaped from police custody on January 6 this year, is a Class-8 dropout who took to petty crimes to fund his addiction to drugs. His family seems to have influenced him as his father was a drug peddler and his brother-in-law and cousins were also reported to be carjackers. His sisters are known to provide him shelter when he goes into hiding after committing crimes, police say. Yodha, who belongs to Bheopur village of tehsil Shahkot in Jalandhar, took to petty crimes first, selling small quantities of drugs to clients, to help out his father. The lure of easy money and influence of other gangsters in prison saw him take to bigger crimes, including car theft, burglary and kidnapping. All within a month December 11, 2017: Yodha and his cousin Lovepreet carjacked a Maruti Suzuki Ritz at gunpoint near Kaimbwala December 17: Yodha and his gang robbed a car near Sector 46, Chandigarh December 24: Yodha and his gang kidnapped Jai Ram and Sanjeev Kumar and dumped them after robbing them of Rs 25,000 January 5, 2018: Yodha kidnapped and robbed Raghwander Kumar and Rakam Singh. He got hooked to crime for drugs, but later the easy money and connections with gangsters helped him graduate to heinous crimes, a senior police official, who did not wish to be named, said. Yodha was in Kapurthala jail when he came in contact with Jasbir Singh Seera, a gangster from Punjab, and started car thefts after coming out on bail. His cousin Lovepreet Singh alias Happy, 20, who was also involved in carjackings, managed to procure a pistol that the duo used for committing crimes. During his interrogation after his arrest on January 6 for a series of crimes in December last year, Yodha told police that the Innova Crysta that he and his accomplices had stolen at gunpoint on December 17 from the Sector 33-45 light point, had been handed over to a gangster in Punjab. Police authorities believe Yodha fled from the custody of Chandigarh Police at Khanna on February 8 this year, as he was afraid he would end up spending his life in prison. He was being brought back to Chandigarh from a court hearing in Faridkot, and escaped from custody after requesting cops to stop their vehicle at a petrol station, saying he wanted to relieve himself. Inspector Amanjot Singh, in-charge, crime branch, said, Yodha used to stay with his sister in Kansal. Even his brother-in-law Amrik is involved in recent incidents of carjacking and is at large. Police say Yodha does not trust anyone and prefers to work with his family members, including his cousins and brother-in-law. His two sisters, one at Bheopur and another at Kansal, from where he was arrested on January 8 by the crime branch, provide him shelter after he commits a crime. Apart from six cases registered in the city, Yodha is booked for drug peddling in several cases in Punjab. He has also been named as an accused in an armed robbery in Sadak in Faridkot district in Punjab where he had robbed Rs 60,000 from a scooterist. Many cases have gone unreported The police say the accused also used to pose as taxi drivers and passengers, luring their victims into their vehicle by offering rides at the Interstate Bus Terminus at Sector 43, and later robbing them. One such victim was a Ludhiana resident who was robbed of Rs 40,000. Many such cases have gone unreported in Chandigarh. The 14-year-old girl had suffered sexual assault for years at the hands of her father, but when he started assaulting her younger sister, 10, too, she decided to speak up on Tuesday. As the Class-8 girl narrated her horror to the principal at a government school in the Ludhiana, police arrested the father, a factory worker, and sent the two girls to a welfare shelter. The girl had requested that her mother not be called as she feared the mother, also a factory worker who knew about the sexual abuse, would be angry with her. The matter reached the legal authorities after the principal contacted the local Child Line director, Kuldeep Singh Mann, and also the police. Mann and his team members Balraj Singh Grewal, Ramanjit Kaur and Sukhvir Singh Sekhon got there around 3 pm, two hours after the girl first confided in a teacher. When interacting with our team member Ramanjit Kaur, the girl started crying and said she was being sexually abused by the father for past four to five years. She said that when the father started sexually abusing the younger daughter too over the past week, she could no longer stand it, and thus decided to speak up, Mann told HT. She said her father had already spoiled her life, and now she wanted to save the life of her younger sister, Mann said. She also said she had told her mother, but the father influenced her. When we talked to her mother, she said a father could not have done this. The school principal said, She was very confident and narrated the whole incident to me around 1 pm. When I asked her if I should call her mother, she said the mother was already aware of it, and will beat her up if she came to know that she had approached the authorities. I discussed the matter with the staff and contacted Child Line. We keep counselling students regarding good and bad touch, and have a suggestion box in the school. This is a shocking case, she added. The principal submitted a written complaint to local police post in-charge, assistant sub-inspector Harbajan Singh, who also visited the school to investigate the matter and to get details from the girls home in a nearby town. The family is originally from Nepal, its is learnt. The ASI confirmed, We have arrested the father and a case against him has been registered under section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code, and under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. (Some details withheld to protect the girls identity.) The Madras High Court today ordered the police to register an FIR against film director P Bharathiraja if a cognizable offence is made out against him after a plea alleged that he spoke ill of Hindu gods during a film function last month. The petitioner submitted that Bharathiraja, while attending a film function on January 18, had spoken ill of Lord Ganesha and Godess Andal with a deliberate intention to hurt the feelings of Hindus. Acting on the petition by V G Narayanan, Justice M S Ramesh directed the police to register an FIR if a cognizable offence is made out. Narayanan alleged that the director had been repeatedly doing it to cause religious animosity among people of different faiths, which was against the Constitution. The petitioner said he had already filed a complaint with police on January 19. However there had been no action which forced him to file the petition in court, he said. Follow @htshowbiz for more ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop A Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) alumnus, Aditya Kripalani will be taking his first feature film, Tikli And Laxmi Bomb (TALB) to the Berlin Independent Film Festival and UK Asian Film Festival. The author-film-maker is content and happy with the feedback his film has received so far. It is always nice to see people react to a film in a certain way. For this film, I see most of the audience try to hide their tears. I feel appreciated because the audience has managed to feel what we have tried to convey on screen, says Aditya, who has begun the shoot for his second feature, Totta Patakha Item Maal. Just like his first film, the second film will also first make rounds of film festivals before having a commercial release. TALB has been to various festivals across the globe and a few in India as well. It will see a commercial release too. The makers are negotiating with producers. The second feature will be written, directed and produced by me, also a little bit of the music is by me. The story is of the different milieus of Delhi society. If TALB was Mumbai as a woman, my second film is Delhi as a woman. Adityas stories have always had strong women characters. He admits to have been surrounded by strong women while growing and continues to be even now. ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop It has already been revealed that Varalaxmi Sarath Kumar, last seen playing a pivotal role in last years sleeper hit Sathya, plays a crucial role in Dhanushs Maari 2. The latest update is that she plays a grey character and the makers are keeping it a secret. However, Varalaxmi has clarified that she plays a powerful and it isnt necessarily grey. Talking to Deccan Chronicle, she said: I never told anyone that I am playing a grey character. Its a powerful role and thats it. After playing a slightly grey-shaded character in last years suspense drama Sathya, Tamil remake of Telugu film Kshanam, Varalaxmi will be seen in a full-length negative character in Vishals Sandakozhi 2. After being cast in Sandakozhi, she was signed for Maari 2 and everybody automatically assumed she might be playing another negative character. In Maari 2, Malayalam actor Tovino Thomas plays the antagonist. The film marks his Tamil debut and hes really looking forward to the release because this opportunity will establish his market in Kollywood. Being directed by Balaji Mohan, Maari 2 also stars Sai Pallavi as the leading lady and she teams up with Dhanush for the first time. Follow @htshowbiz for more ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop Sundar Cs multi-starrer Tamil comedy Kalakalappu 2 has struck gold at the ticket window. In its opening weekend in Tamil Nadu, the film approximately grossed around Rs 10 crore, according to reliable trade sources. Despite mixed feedback from critics and general audiences, the brand Sundar C and the popularity of Kalakalappu franchise helped the second part open big and sustain throughout the weekend. Featuring an ensemble cast of Jiiva, Jai, Mirchi Siva, Nikki Galrani and Catherine Tresa among others, the film is a comedy of errors thats set against the backdrop of Kasi in Varanasi. The film was shot in a very short span of time and on a strict budget. In his recent interaction with media, Jiiva said: For three months, it was back to back shoots and it was really hectic. Sundar sir wont waste even 10 minutes of free time as he would rather utilize it to shoot a small portion of another scene with the available actors. In a way it was good and his meticulous planning was amazing. All the same, I had no tension and was having fun with a host of artistes on the sets. Basking in the success of Kalakalappu 2, Sundar C is expected to commence work on the highly anticipated magnum opus Sangamithra very soon. At the press meet Kalakalappu 2 in January earlier this year, Sundar C clarified that Sangamithra has not been shelved. The pre-production work is still going on. On a project of this scale, pre-production is followed by storyboard creation. Unlike other films where work on graphics will be done only after shooting, here in Sangamithra, we have started it before shooting. The project is very much on; we hope to start shooting from April. Follow @htshowbiz for more ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop Allu Arjuns Naa Peru Surya and Mahesh Babus Bharat Ane Nenu will release as planned on April 27, their makers have announced. Following the announcement of the release of superstar Rajinikanths Kaala, reports emerged that these two highly anticipated films might be postponed to avoid box-office clash. However, these reports were quashed by the makers of the films who have reiterated that thered be no change in the release of their films and theyll hit the screens on April 27 via statements. On Sunday, the makers of Naa Peru Surya, which features Arjun in the role of a military officer with anger issues, revealed that the climax shoot of the film began on Monday in Hyderabad. The entire talkie portion will be wrapped up by month-end and the team is gearing up for April 27 release. Being directed by Vakkantham Vamsi, the film also stars Anu Emmanuel and Tamil actors Arjun and Sarath Kumar in key roles. Meanwhile, the team of Bharat Ane Nenu, in which Mahesh Babu plays a Chief Minister, confirmed that the entire project will be wrapped up by March and the film will release as per planned on April 27. With the three-way battle between Kaala, Naa Peru Surya and Bharat Ane Nenu at the box-office, itll be interesting to see who will emerge victorious. Follow @htshowbiz for more ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop The makers of Allu Arjuns upcoming patriotic actioner Naa Peru Surya Naa Illu India on Tuesday announced that theyve decided to release their film on April 26, a day prior to the originally planned release date of April 27. Producer Bunny Vas took to Facebook and wrote: We are bringing Naa Peru Surya 1 day before. That is 26th April. On Sunday, the makers of Naa Peru Surya, which features Arjun in the role of a military officer with anger issues, revealed that the climax shoot of the film began on Monday in Hyderabad. The role required Arjun to shed weight and worked with a US-based trainer for close to a month to achieve the desired look. The entire talkie portion will be wrapped up by month-end. The film also stars Anu Emmanuel and Tamil actors Arjun and Sarath Kumar in key roles. Popular writer Vakkantham Vamsi, known for his contribution to hit films such as Kick and Temper, makes his directorial debut with the project. Apparently, Vamsi was supposed to make his directorial debut nearly two years ago when a leading star promised to work with him. Unfortunately, the project never took off and Vamsi had to wait, hoping things would magically become alright. They didnt and he was shattered as his long wait to don the directors hat didnt come true. Finally, when he pitched the story to Arjun, he immediately agreed to do the project. Follow @htshowbiz for more ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop Hes called Indian TVs very own sanskari babuji, and its not without a reason. The jokes and memes around him have been among the funniest weve heard in a long time. Consider this: Alok Nath was the first person to call Parle as ParleG or this: during school days, Alok Nath bunked a lecture to attend his daughters wedding. This Valentines Day, we decided to ask Babuji Alok Nath what he thought about dating, modern-day relationships, PDA and much more. We also asked him if he ever had a girlfriend. Heres what he told us: When was your first relationship? Ahhwhat do you mean by relationship? A serious, committed relationship. I dont really know, ya. Dont know as in so many you dont remember? Na na na na. One relationship that went a long way was the one with my present wife. It was almost 30 years ago. We worked in a serial together in the mid-80s. She worked as an assistant to Nadira Babbar for Titli, and I was acting in it. We got to meet each other, got friendly and realised there was strength in this relationship and warmth. We dated for about three-and-a-half years and in 87 we got married. Before that, of course, being in a co-ed school, one would have friends over and we visited girls houses and there might have been puppy love, but nothing serious. Heard of Tinder? What do you think of it? What would your Tinder profile say? Ive heard of it, but I dont know too much about Tinder and Ive never even dreamt of going on it because there is no need to at all. But if people want to delve in it, theres no harm. Each one to his own. Your views on being friends with an ex? Theres no harm in it, but I dont think it works. We can be suave and modernistic and liberal about it, but somewhere at the back of your mind, if you have a partner now, its like a dark room. And a little flicker could sometimes lead to lightning. You were in a relationship, broke up because of certain reasons, now both have parted and gone their separate ways. Woh gaana bada acha hai na. Khoobsurat sa mod dekh kar chod dena acha... Now you have a partner. She has her own. So why visit the backyard of your heart? With French delegates who saw him during a shoot. (Instagram) Chilling like a babuji. (Instagram) Should you split the bill on the first date? In todays time, why not? Im absolutely on with it. With economic freedom and women empowerment, why not? And even if she pays the bills, its fine! Would sending kabootars like in Maine Pyaar Kiya (1989) work nowadays? People rather eat them! How did you recover from your breakups? If you like somebody, if she gives those kind of looks, that kind of an attitude and you start building castles in the air and approach her one fine day and she says, Dont be silly ya. I only look at us as friends. So whatever you had built up till then crumbles. It does break your heart, and at that tender age, the heart is susceptible to certain kind of breakages. The heart is tender, and it has enough space to accommodate more people! Tum nahi toh koi aur sahi... Alok Naths wife, Ashu. (Instagram) Where do you think youngsters are going wrong in relationships nowadays? Its a very confusing altogether. Nowadays so many things are happening all over the place. Id sound really like a regressive babuji if I say stuff like the institution of marriage is crumbling. Hakikat mein toh ho raha hai ye sab. And when youre in a relationship, have been going around for a few years and one day decide to make it legal, sign papers, get married, call your relatives, have a nice wedding, and then, within some days, it is broken, you realise ki dimaag mein ek idea bana rakha tha jab aap mehbooba aur mehboob thei, sab chal raha tha, hunky dory tha. Lekin jab yatharth jab factual cheez aapkei saamnei agayi. But I believe love is a beautiful feeling, but it cannot happen by force. I read something very nice that a wounded bird comes to you and you caress it, and care for it, and make it okay, shell fly away na? Because that is not her house. Her domain is the sky. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesnt, which is why divorces happen, separations happen. Each one to his own. Sabki apni bhawnai hoti hai. Follow @htlifeandstyle for more Boyfriend or not, Mouni Roy doesnt shy away from embarrassing Mohit Raina at the slightest opportunity. The Naagin actor, while heaping praises on his new show, also decided to pull his leg for his rugged new look. She is not a fan. The rumoured couple arrived together for the screening of his new Discovery Jeet show, Sarfarosh 21: Saragarhi 1897, in Mumbai on Monday. According to a report in India Today, when the gathered media asked Mouni what she thought about the show, she only had good things to say. Its a brilliant show. Its looking very good. The locations are real, she said. However, she didnt have similar things to say about Mohits look. He is waiting to chop all this off. I am sure. Look at him... He looks like a bear. Like already he is so huge and on top of it all that hair. Imagine if he was wearing all black, she said. Mohit could do nothing but laugh at her reaction. Sarfarosh 21 is a fictional show inspired by the real-life story of 21 soldiers of the 36th Sikh regiment of the British Indian Army. They defended an army outpost at Saragarhi in the North-West Frontier Province against an onslaught by over 10,000 Pashtun and Orakzai tribes in September 1897. It is a finite series of 65 episodes. The shooting is expected to be completed by the end of this month. The subject of Saragarhi has been in the news for quite some time, with actors Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn and Randeep Hooda planning films on it. Raina, who plays Havildar Ishar Singh in the show, hopes the team will have a first mover advantage. The series goes on air from February 12 on Discovery. Mouni will soon make her big Bollywood debut opposite Akshay Kumar in Gold. It releases on August 15. Follow @htshowbiz for more Australias Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said on Tuesday that he did not break any parliamentary rules while conducting an extramarital affair with a former staffer as he faced down calls for his resignation. Joyce, a practicing Catholic who has campaigned on family values and has been married for 24 years, is expecting a child with his former press secretary Vikki Campion. Joyce is under immense pressure for failing to declare his relationship with his former staffer when she was given two highly paid positions working for the ruling coalition government. Australias ministerial code of conduct requires lawmakers to declare relationships with any staff member of a cabinet minister. Joyce said he did not break any rules because Campion was not his partner at the time. The scandal could have major repercussions for Australias centre-right government. If Joyce does resign from parliament, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will lose his razor-thin one seat majority in parliament. I am very aware of the ministerial code of conduct. It is without a shadow of a doubt that Vikki Campion is my partner now, but when she worked in my office, she was not my partner. When she worked in Matt Canavans office, she was not my partner, Joyce told reporters in Canberra. Joyce said in a later emailed statement that a friendship developed with Campion after she joined his staff and that became, over time, more without specifying when the affair started. He also attempted to shield Turnbull from the fallout, saying he did not discuss Campions employment changes with the prime minister. Australias opposition Labor Party rejected Joyces explanation, insisting the countrys own welfare standards would accept Campion as the deputy PMs partner. Although Joyces explanation may see him avoid any official rebuke, his account is unlikely to win favour with the governments traditional conservative voters on whom the deputy PMs future now rest. It will depend on what the court of public opinion makes of all of this. If there is a dramatic find in the opinion polls then it could be that he has to resign, said Nick Economou, senior lecturer in Australian politics at Monash University in Melbourne. Even if Joyce survives, the scandal will likely tarnish Turnbulls re-election prospects with conservative voters in a national election just over a year away. Joyce has for a week sought to bat away questions of his relationship with Campion, insisting it was not in the public interest. But speaking publicly for the first time, Joyce apologised to his estranged wife and four adult daughters. I deeply regret the failure of my 24-year marriage, the tremendous hurt caused to Natalie and our four daughters and the unwanted public intrusion into what is an intensely private matter for all of us, he said in a statement. China is coercing its neighbours to reorder the Indo-Pacific region, the Pentagon told the US Congress in its annual budget proposals for the fiscal 2019, beginning October 1 this year. The Trump administration released on Monday their proposal for the fiscal year 2019 budget. Fiscal years are different from calendar years. The budgetary proposal covers October 1, 2018, through September 30, 2019. China is leveraging military modernisation, influence operations and predatory economics to coerce neighbouring countries to reorder the Indo-Pacific region to their advantage, the Pentagon said in its annual defence budget for the fiscal 2019. Read: China using Rohingya crisis to influence Myanmar: Japan envoy As China continues its economic and military ascendance, asserting power through an all-of-nation long-term strategy, it will continue to pursue a military modernisation programme that seeks Indo-Pacific regional hegemony in the near-term and displacement of the US to achieve global pre-eminence in the future, it said. The most far-reaching objective of this defence strategy is to set the military relationship between the US and China on a path of transparency and non-aggression, it said. According to the Pentagon, the central challenge to the US prosperity and security is the re-emergence of long term, strategic competition by what the National Security Strategy classifies as revisionist powers. It is increasingly clear that China and Russia want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model -- gaining veto authority over other nations economic, diplomatic and security decisions, it said. Read: India must work with Nepals new government to offset Chinas influence The Pentagon said Russia seeks veto authority over nations on its periphery in terms of its governmental, economic and diplomatic decisions to shatter the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and to change European and Middle East security and economic structures to its favour. The use of emerging technologies to discredit and subvert democratic processes in Georgia, Crimea and eastern Ukraine is concern enough, but when coupled with its expanding and modernising nuclear arsenal the challenge is clear. Rogue regimes such as North Korea and Iran are destabilising their regions by pursuing nuclear weapons or sponsoring terrorism, the Pentagon said. North Korea seeks to guarantee regime survival and increased leverage through a mixture of nuclear, biological, chemical, conventional and unconventional weapons and a growing ballistic missile capability to gain coercive influence over South Korea, Japan and the US. In the Middle East, Iran is competing with its neighbours, asserting an arc of influence and instability while vying for regional hegemony, using state-sponsored terrorist activities, a growing network of proxies and its missile programme to achieve its objectives, the Pentagon said. According to the budgetary proposals, competitor states, especially China and Russia have narrowed Department of Defences military technological advantages, demanding the US find new and innovative ways to fight in the future. China is now a strategic competitor, using predatory economics to intimidate its neighbours while militarising features in the South China Sea. Russia has violated the borders of nearby nations, and pursues veto power over the economic, diplomatic and security decisions of its neighbours, it said. Concurrently, North Koreas actions and rhetoric continue despite the United Nations censure and sanctions. Iran continues to sow violence and remains the most significant challenge to the Middle East stability. Despite the defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syrias (ISIS) physical caliphate, threats to stability remain as terrorist groups with long reach continue to murder innocent people and threaten peace, the Pentagon added. President Donald Trump is touting his proposals on immigration and infrastructure as they face uncertain prospects in Congress. In a tweet Tuesday, Trump asserts that Democrats and Republicans must act now to provide legal protections to young Dreamer immigrants in the US illegally. He writes: This will be our last chance, there will never be another opportunity! March 5th. Trump was referring to a deadline after which he has said a program protecting young immigrants from deportation would end. In fact, a recent court ruling has rendered that deadline meaningless. The Senates Republican and Democratic leaders say its going to be tough to broker a successful deal on immigration policy. In addition to protections for Dreamers, Trump also wants $25 billion for a border wall with Mexico and other security measures, as well as curbs on legal immigration. Many Democrats consider some of the proposals, including limiting the relatives that legal immigrants can bring to the US, to be non-starters. Trump also tweeted on his $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan, writing that after many years we have taken care of our Military, now we have to fix our roads, bridges, tunnels, airports and more. Bipartisan, make deal Dems? Still, Trump has sent mixed messages on his commitment to the proposal, telling state and local officials at a White House meeting Monday that if you dont want it, thats OK with me too. The administrations plan is centered on using $200 billion in federal money to leverage more than $1 trillion in local and state tax dollars to fix Americas infrastructure, such as roads, highways, ports and airports. The US on Monday further tightened the fund squeeze on Pakistan, a one-time ally now out of favour for supporting terrorism, proposing to lower overall aid given through the state department in the 2019 budget, including a scaled down security-related aid component. The overall assistance to Pakistan was down about $10 million to $351 million, said Hari Sastry, who is with the office of US foreign assistance resources, at a state department briefing. The White House released its fiscal 2019 budget on Monday, proposing a big cut for the state department. Read: US suspending military aid to Pakistan over terrorism may not inflict big pain The proposed security assistance of $80 million for 2019 under foreign military financing (FMF) that allows a recipient country to buy US military equipment with American aid was also down from $100 million in the 2018, continuing the slide from $296 million in 2012. Pakistan wont have unfettered access even to this reduced amount. The implementation of FY 2019 FMF resources for Pakistan is contingent on Pakistan taking appropriate action to expand cooperation in areas where interest converge and to address areas of national divergence, in line with the administrations South Asia strategy, the state department told congress in a procedural note. Read: US suspends $2 bn security aid to Pak until it takes action against terrorists The assistance would be used to advance US national security interests in Pakistan by supporting that countrys capacity to improve stability and security and fight terrorism, including through the elimination of safe havens for terrorist and militant organizations, it said. The Trump administration suspended roughly $2 billion in security-related aid, including foreign military financing, an expense head that took a 20% cut in the present budget, in January citing exactly the same conditions: Pakistan must act decisively against terrorists sheltering on its soil. President Donald Trump preemptively signed off on that decision, marking a new toughening of US position, with the now famous January 1 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! A bulk of this $33-billion aid was security related, including an expense head called Coalition Support Fund, which is the money the US pays to countries like Pakistan as a reimbursement for supporting counter-terrorism operations required by the US. In short, Pakistan was billing the US for the operations it carried out against the terrorists it raised and has used as leverage in Afghanistan, which has recently been hit by a renewed wave of terror attacks. Afghans have blamed Pakistan for the attacks. The tightening of assistance to Pakistan, a client state of the US that feels aggrieved by cuts in aid, as proposed in the 2019 state department budget comes as a further proof the Trump administration remaining leery of Pakistans counter-terrorism measures. On the occasion of the release of the 10th annual letter from his wife Melinda Gates and him on the working of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the co-chairman of the foundation, Bill Gates, spoke to Hindustan Times on the state of philanthropy, the big challenges of our times, working with governments, and the foundations achievements in India. Edited excerpts: HINDUSTAN TIMES: Your work over these last 10 years seems to be on the basis of understanding that philanthropy can be a powerful tool to solve some of the worlds big problems. Would that be an accurate way of putting it, and if so, how do you go about identifying the areas where you have the most impact? BILL GATES: Im a huge fan of philanthropy, and Im excited that philanthropy throughout the world, including the US and India, will get even larger. There are tons of things that philanthropy alone cant solve, so the basic provision of justice and roads and education, and funding primary healthcare those are government functions. As the world gets wealthier, governments get more capable of stepping up to that. But if you have an idea about a new type of school or inventing a new vaccine that would help poor people, or a way of using digital tools to manage primary healthcare, philanthropy can bring in talented people and development capital, and then work in partnership to do pilots of new things. Probably the biggest single thing philanthropy has done in its history was in the 1960s and 70s when the Green Revolution, that is high-productive maize, rice, and wheat varieties were created through funding that came from the Ford and Rockefeller foundations. Those things took what at the time was predicted to be extreme famine in India and Pakistan, and actually allowed calories per person to go up. So even though philanthropy at that time was not at the scale it is today, and the understanding of the science was not anywhere near where it is today, it was a phenomenal contribution. And it wasnt philanthropy alone. The government had to get the seed market to work and the fertilizer market to work and get the roads so that everything could work and it wasnt perfectly executed, but it made a huge difference. Now we have similar things as we create new vaccines. Philanthropy is important, but its only 2% of the economy, even in the United States. And it doesnt ever work in isolation of the private and government sectors. HT: You mentioned working in partnership and also working with governments as well as others in the private sector. Partnerships are key to getting the model to work, and increasingly, in some parts of the world, we are seeing philanthropy coming from big business. How does that fit in? GATES: In the US, philanthropy is mostly at the individual level. But all the big companies have some type of corporate social responsibility budget, which, yeah, if you use the broad term of philanthropy, that would be encompassed. India is fairly unique in having created a requirement that corporations spend a percentage of their profits on philanthropic-type activities. The corporations do have skill sets that we want to engage with. So getting the mobile phone companies to do, say, mobile money not just for urban dwellers, but to really get the penetration out in the far reaches of Bihar, that is a service to the citizens, and we can partner with the mobile companies to make sure that that happens. We can partner with vaccine makers where we commit whether its Bio-E or Bharat Biotech or Serum Institute we can commit huge volumes to buy their vaccines and help with their development programs, or give grants. And so those are private-sector activities that can have huge positive impacts. The blend of where its voluntary versus mandatory and when its from the corporation itself versus the large shareholders individually spending their wealth, that varies by country. India has a unique mix of those things. HT: From your own experience, how do you build the trust of stakeholders like the government? GATES: Ill use examples from India. The very first thing we did was this partnership called Avahan. The foundation worked to create communities of commercial sex workers so that they could come and help each other and deal with violence. The key goal was to have them teach each other about safe practices so that HIV was not spreading throughout that community, and from that community to the public at large. That was a partnership with the government where we funded a lot of it at the start, and over time, they took over some responsibility. Things like vaccination programmes were pleased that the federal level is looking at new vaccines to see what the benefits would be, say for the rotavirus vaccine or the pneumococcus vaccine or pentavalent vaccine. And when PM (Narendra) Modi came into office, he pretty quickly decided that the rotavirus vaccine was a good thing, and thats been rolled out since then. So, we often provide a technical team that can help do just analysis. The government decides what goals it wants to achieve, like cutting death rates or cutting malnutrition rates or, you know, adding toilets. Once the government picks those priorities, we have a lot of expertise in toilets and mobile money and vaccines and how primary healthcare can be improved. As we see that agenda, we find ways to work either through grants or what we sometimes call a technical consulting unit to. And we do that at both the federal and the state level. Our state-level work has been primarily, although not entirely, in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. HT: In general, and also specifically with reference to India, how easy is it to work with the government? Is it very difficult? Is it reasonably easy? Do you have to be very careful in how you deal with the government? GATES: Well, its critical to work with governments, so theres really no choice, whether its donor governments that have the resources or developing country governments. Working with government requires special skills. We hire people who help manage those relationships for us. So Id never say it was easy. Theyre setting the agenda. If you get a new, say, chief minister, he may decide that primary healthcare or reproductive health or agricultural productivity or sanitation arent in his set of priorities. He decides the priorities of the government, were just there when theres an alignment. As you get into Africa and the governments are often less capable, that can be challenging. I spent three hours today on video conferences with state governors in Nigeria talking through the improvement in their primary healthcare system. Theyre well behind the least developed parts of India, and yet its very important. Weve had to learn a lot. Theres no similarity well, theyre very different. If you learn how to work in Japan or China, that wont necessarily tell you how to work in India. HT: Based on the experience youve had over a significant period of time running the foundation, if someone is just starting out in philanthropy and giving money away, what are the two or three things that person should focus on? GATES: As I go around the world, I have a lot of dinners where people who have been successful come, and we just chat about philanthropy. We have, in India, on a yearly basis, something that Ive gone to a number of times, the so-called India Philanthropy Initiative, IPI. So in a lot of contexts, Im talking with philanthropists. In terms of what they choose to give to will often come from some passion -- that theyve seen the schools arent good enough or their relative had a particular disease or their community doesnt have good sanitation. We invite them to come to our foundation and see if theres anything they can learn, even if theyre going to work in different areas. Thats been very fruitful. And, of course, there are different styles. Our foundation has a scale where its highly staffed. We have 1,500 people. Were giving $5 billion a year away, and most foundations, the real question people ask is, should they just be hands-on without fulltime staff, or would it make sense to get staff? And if so, how do they make sure that somebody whos good at it doesnt just have their own agenda? So on a global level, the people who are doing really huge giving, a lot of them have joined. Its about 172 now. We have an annual gathering that includes some really incredible philanthropists who are very far along in their philanthropic careers and can give advice, and some who are very new to giving and still trying to figure out how they want to go about it. I am trying to encourage people to do it at a younger age and to bring their business skills and very talented people in, and think about innovation and measurement in a deeper way. HT: In India, over the period that youve been here, what are some of the most significant achievements to your mind? What are some of the areas where you think youve been able to make a difference? GATES: Well, certainly our participation, along with GAVI, working with the government to introduce new vaccines for all the children of India and working to get the coverage rates so they really get out even in the poorest areas those are probably our biggest achievements. We have other achievements like Avahan, which helped avoid the HIV epidemic getting super large. We have the partnerships weve had with people like Serum Institute , Bio-E, and Bharat Biotech in terms of making vaccines not only for India, but for the entire world. We have an office of people there that are incredibly talented and help us try out things like dashboards to track the performance of the primary healthcare system. Were pleased to see the central bank decided to create these payment banks that over the next three years even the poorest in India will have this digital money, through which theyll get their government payments very efficiently and be able to make payments and save with very low transaction costs. Were pleased that Swach Bharat became one of the policies of the government, and so we actually added a significant amount of money for sanitation for our work in India because there was that alignment of priorities. We feel great about that. HT: Whats happening with your quest to fight Malaria? GATES: On malaria, the case count was over a million children dying a year in 2000, and were below 500,000. So thats a huge progress which has to do with bed nets and artemisinin-based medicines and spraying indoor residual spraying. Now, were starting to see some drug resistance and insecticide resistance, so we have to keep innovating and get new bed nets out they wear out over time. We have to work hard to make sure those case counts dont go back up and then invent even better tools to get the case counts down. We expect over the next 10 years to get the case count down, cut it more than half, and have some countries Sri Lanka recently was declared malaria-free, but to have a lot more countries, including south-east Asia, declared free of malaria. Eventually, if you look at a 20-year time frame, we want to go for eradication, but were nowhere near being able to start that in the very tough countries. We dont have the tools yet, but were getting smarter all the time. HT: You set a trend, you started convincing more people to pledge their money to philanthropy. Do you think thats caught on significantly enough that when you travel around the world on these pledge meetings, you see more people coming forward wanting to give at least some of their money away to address some of these problems? GATES: Philanthropy is, you know, theres quite a bit of it in the Middle-east, although maybe less structured than some other places. In the United States, you know, its a very strong thing. I really do see it growing in India both from people involved in the tech sector, and people involved in other sectors. I do see it growing in China. The goal, of course, is not just the very wealthy, but everyone, including volunteering their time and their voice. And it helps a lot if those whove done the best are setting an example, both in how theyre being smart about it and generous about it. I hadnt anticipated wed get so many members of The Giving Pledge. So, yes, Im pretty pleased that well have a big increase in philanthropy, which plays this great role of trying out new ideas. The Maldives government on Tuesday condemned calls by opposition leaders seeking military intervention by India to resolve the island nations political crisis that was triggered by President Abdulla Yameens refusal to implement a Supreme Court order. Former president Mohamed Nasheed, currently in self-exile in Sri Lanka, and other opposition leaders have sought an Indian military intervention to end the turmoil. A statement issued by the Maldives defence ministry said the government had noted with concern that calls for and encouragement of Indian military intervention and military action made by some Maldivians. It said the Indian media had reported on such calls and there had been speculation by some Indian politicians. The government of Maldives condemns all such action which constitutes a threat to the nations independence and national security. The government views such actions to be irresponsible and intended to cause the citizens of both nations, as well as other stakeholders, to cast doubt upon the excellent relationship India and Maldives have enjoyed for decades, the statement said. The Maldives government called on all parties to refrain from such calls and reiterated that it had maintained good relations with India since the country declared its independence. The statement added that the Maldives firmly believes that India would not act on any such calls. The statement added that the Maldives government had not requested military intervention or assistance from any foreign country and there was no threat of the island nation being invaded. Soon after the political crisis began after Yameen refused to implement the apex courts order clearing Nasheed of terror charges and freeing eight imprisoned opposition leaders, reports had suggested that India had kept its troops in readiness for a possible intervention. India also snubbed Yameens effort to send a special envoy to New Delhi, with officials saying that the Maldives government had not acted on the world communitys concerns about democratic institutions being undermined. As the #MeToo and Times Up campaigns gain momentum in Hollywood, domestic abuse allegations against actor Michael Fassbender have resurfaced eight years after his ex-girlfriend first reported them. In 2010, Sunawin Leasi Andrews, then an aspiring model and actress, alleged that Fassbender violently attacked her on at least two occasions, breaking her nose and dragging her with his car, Daily Beast reported. The allegations are not new many news outlets had reported them in 2010. The Daily Mail quoted a senior movie industry figure as saying this has been noted at the highest level. However, the charges seem to have been forgotten. In 2012, Fassbender played Magneto in X-Men: First Class and gave an award-winning performance in Shame, both roles catapulting him into a Hollywood A-lister. When the Daily Beast contacted Andrews, she refused to comment on the allegations, referring the news outlet to court filings. The paperwork said Andrews in March 2010 filed for a restraining order against Fassbender in Los Angeles, requesting the actor stay at least 100 yards away from her, her then teenage daughter and three-year-old son. She also sought attorneys fees, medical bills, and requested Fassbender enrol in a 52-week batterer intervention programme. The restraining order was never renewed. The New York Daily News cited a source who claimed the complaint could bar Fassbender who was shooting in Britain from re-entering the US. The source also said Andrews didnt want to damage Inglourious Basterds as an Oscar contender for 2010 producer Lawrence Bender is the father of one of her children. In 2012, Fassbender and Andrews had a brief reunion after the Golden Globes, and the Daily Beast reported Andrews was seen leaving the actors hotel the next day. The Establishment a media site run and funded by women picked on the allegations in 2016, but noted that the reunion of Fassbender and Andrews complicates the story. Fassbender has never commented on the allegations, and his representatives did not respond to queries by the Daily Beast. However, in 2010, his parents were quoted by the Daily Mail as saying that he was a gentle man and the allegations against him were complete fabrication. The ruling PML-N party has scored an emphatic victory in a by-election in a stronghold of Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, the last such polls ahead of this year's general election. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz won the bypolls to the parliamentary seat of Lodhran in Punjab province with a sizeable margin on Monday, even though party chief Nawaz Sharif had been unable to participate in the campaign as he was busy with public gatherings across the country. The National Assembly seat fell vacant after former PTI secretary general Jahangir Tareen was disqualified for dishonesty by the Supreme Court in December last year. The PML-N win suggests that the partys vote bank in Punjab province is intact, analysts said. The PTI, in comparison, seems to be in disarray, they said. The Lodhran by-election was a test case for the PTI, which had nominated Tareens son as its candidate. This caused much heartburn within the party, with many members openly criticising the decision. "The party ticket was awarded on financial considerations and not merit," said analyst Mubashir Zaidi. Celebrating the unexpected victory in the late hours of Monday, former premier Sharifs daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif tweeted: This is simply majestic & sets the stage for 2018 elections. MNS (Sharifs) message has resonated with the masses. Opponents misjudged the situation. Alhamdolillah million times. We bow our heads before The Almighty in gratitude. Commenting on the defeat in the by-poll, PTI chief Imran Khan said every setback was an opportunity to learn from mistakes. It is a victory of the people who have rejected the politics of money and arrogance, said elderly PML-N candidate Syed Iqbal Shah, adding the result had proved that people had rejected those who had attempted to buy out their conscience with money. I do not own planes or bungalows in Lahore...I am a down-to-earth person who loves to live among the people of our area. My only strength is the people with whom I will live and die, he said. US President Donald Trump, who complained last month that Moscow was not helping us at all with North Korea, told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday that more needs to be done to scrap Pyongyangs nuclear programme, the White House said. President Trump reiterated the importance of taking further steps to ensure the denuclearisation of North Korea, the White House said in a statement about the call with Putin. In an interview with Reuters last month, Trump accused Russia of helping North Korea evade international sanctions meant to punish Pyongyang for its pursuit of a nuclear-armed missile capable of reaching the United States. Russia is not helping us at all with North Korea, Trump told Reuters. Moscow denies it has failed to uphold UN sanctions. Trump and Putin spoke after US vice president Mike Pence, in an interview with the Washington Post, raised the prospect of talks with North Korea. But Pence, who travelled to South Korea for the Winter Olympics, also said Washington would intensify its maximum pressure campaign against Pyongyang until it takes a meaningful step toward denuclearisation. Last year, North Korea conducted dozens of missile launches and its sixth and largest nuclear test in defiance of UN resolutions. Russia signed on to the latest rounds of United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea imposed last year, including a ban on coal exports, which are an important source of the foreign currency Pyongyang needs to fund its nuclear program. But North Korea shipped coal to Russia at least three times last year after the ban was put in place on Aug. 5, three Western European intelligence sources told Reuters. The North Korean coal was shipped to the Russian ports of Nakhodka and Kholmsk, where it was unloaded at docks and reloaded onto ships that took it to South Korea or Japan, the sources said. Trump, Putin discuss Middle East Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday at the start of talks with Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas that he had discussed the Middle East conflict with his US counterpart Donald Trump. I just spoke with American President Trump, Putin told Abbas before continuing the talks behind closed doors. Obviously we spoke about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Palestinian leader was visiting Moscow in a bid to secure Putins support after Trump outraged the Palestinians and their allies by recognising Jerusalem as Israels capital. The situation is far from what we want to see, Putin said, adding that he has always supported the Palestinian people. A man involved in the 2014 kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok in northeast Nigeria has been jailed for 15 years, the government confirmed on Tuesday. Haruna Yahaya, 35, admitted being involved in the abduction when he appeared at a special court trying hundreds of Boko Haram suspects on Monday, a justice ministry spokesperson told AFP. A day after India threatened to make Pakistan pay for the attack on an army camp in Kashmir, Pakistan defence minister Khurram Dastgir Khan said any Indian aggression or misadventure would be met with an equal and proportionate response. Responding to the warning from his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman, Khan said India should refrain from the knee-jerk reaction of blaming Pakistan without substantiation. He also said India should answer for what he described as state-sponsored espionage against Pakistan. Pakistan will pay India in its own coin in case of any Indian misadventure. Any Indian aggression, strategic miscalculation, or misadventure regardless of its scale, mode, or location will not go unpunished and shall be met with an equal and proportionate response, Khan said in a statement. We will defend robustly every inch of Pakistans soil. Instead of the knee-jerk reaction of blaming Pakistan without substantiation, India must answer for state-sponsored espionage against Pakistan. Living evidence in person of Kulbushan (Jadhav) is in front of the world, he added, referring to the former Indian navyman in Pakistans custody. India claims Jadhav retired from the navy and became a businessmen and that pakistan picked him up from Iran where he was on business. Pakistan claims he is an Indian spy. After visiting an army camp at Sunjuwan where six soldiers and a civilian were killed in a terror attack on Sunday, Indias defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman accused Pakistan of helping Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militants launch the attack. She also warned that Pakistan will have to pay for this misadventure. Sitharaman said all the evidence, including a dossier on the attackers, will be shared with Pakistan despite Islamabad not acting on such dossiers in the past. Terrorists belonged to Jaish-e-Mohammed, sponsored by Azhar Masood residing in Pakistan and deriving support from there, she said, citing intelligence reports that said the attackers were being controlled by handlers from across the border. India has long asked for JeM chief Azhar to be designated an international terrorist by the United Nations, a move that has been blocked by Pakistans ally China. But her Pakistani counterpart said in his statement that India had failed to deliver justice to the 42 Pakistanis murdered in the Samjhauta Express bombing in 2007. India is destabilising regional peace in word and deed, through irresponsible statements on nuclear deterrent and through its bloody, five-fold escalation in 2017 of attacks on unarmed civilians on the Line of Control and working boundary, he added. Pakistans armed forces are alive to all possibilities, and prepared fully to defend our countrys territorial integrity, Khan said. An aggressive Pak-centric doctrine and arrayed forces under a belligerent regime leading to possible strategic miscalculation by India will seriously impact the strategic stability in South Asia, he added. Pakistan has quietly amended its anti-terror law to ban those listed as terrorists by the UN, including Hafiz Saeed and the JuD, and framed new regulations to seize their assets in a bid to stave off a US move to put the country on the watch list of the Financial Action Task Force. On Friday, President Mamnoon Hussain promulgated an ordinance to amend the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997 so that individuals and groups listed as terrorist entities by the UN Security Council would be proscribed within the country. A meeting of the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday gave in-principle approval to the Anti-Terrorism (Freezing and Seizure) Rules 2018, an official statement said. Sources in Islamabad said this was a step towards formal action to freeze bank accounts and seize assets of groups such as the Jamaat-ud-Dawah and Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation that have been sanctioned by the UN Security Council under Resolution 1267. The moves came days ahead of a plenary meeting of the FATF to be held in Paris during February 18-23 that will assess whether Pakistan has complied with the bodys recommendations to curb terror financing and money laundering. The US and Britain put forward a motion several weeks ago to place Pakistan on the FATFs watchlist, the countrys de facto finance minister Miftah Ismail told Reuters on Tuesday. The US and Britain also persuaded France and Germany to co-sponsor their move. We are now working with the US, UK, Germany and France for the nomination to be withdrawn, Ismail said. We are also quite hopeful that even if the US did not withdraw the nomination that we will prevail and not be put on the watchlist. If Pakistan fails to clear the review, it could be placed in the FATFs grey list, which would result in stringent checks on international transactions, foreign investments and commercial lending. Pakistan was on the grey list from February 2012 to February 2015, when all financial transactions were monitored by FATF. The ordinance promulgated by the Pakistani president amended Section 11B of the Anti-Terrorism Act (related to bans on groups) and Section 11EE (related to bans on individuals). The amendments state that entities sanctioned by the UN Security Council will be proscribed in Pakistan on an ex parte basis. The move will bring the Pakistani law in line with the UN sanctions list and remove ambiguities on the status of Hafiz Saeed, the founder of the Lashkar-e-Taiba. Though the UN Security Council listed the Jamaat-ud-Dawah in December 2008, shortly after the Mumbai attacks, it was never banned in Pakistan and only placed in a watch list. Similarly, the Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation, another front for the LeT, was listed by the UN Security Council in 2012 but it too was not banned by Pakistan. The amendment means that all individuals and entities listed by the UN also stand banned under Pakistani laws now, a senior government official told AFP. However, it could not immediately be ascertained what action, if any, the Pakistan government would take against Saeed, the alleged mastermind of the Mumbai attacks who was placed under house arrest for 10 months last year before being freed on the orders of a panel of judges. His release angered the US, which warned that there would be repercussions if Saeed was not re-arrested and prosecuted. Saeed, who has a $10 million US bounty on his head, operates freely in Pakistan and has repeatedly backed the actions of terrorists in Kashmir. A Pakistani anti-terrorism court on Tuesday indicted an alleged serial killer who is accused of abducting, raping and murdering eight minor girls in Punjab province, including a seven-year-old girl. The Lahore ATC charged Imran Ali, 23, in the high profile rape and murder case of the seven-year-old girl apart from seven other girls. A total of 36 witnesses testified against him on Monday and on Tuesday at the court of judge Sajjad Ahmad in Kot Lakhpat jail. Since it is a high profile case, the trial is being held in the jail keeping in view security issues. She was found raped and murdered early last month in Kasur, some 50 km from Lahore, a crime that shook the nation. She was kidnapped on January 5 while going for Quran class. Her body was recovered on January 9 from a heap of garbage in the city. The police had arrested the suspect with the help of a DNA test. After her alleged murderer was caught, it emerged that he was also the killer of seven other girls in Kasur. Police have built their case on DNA match in all eight cases. The Lahore high court has ordered the ATC to conclude the trial as early as possible. As the prosecution handed over charge-sheet to Ali, he pleaded not guilty and opted to contest the trial. Nearly 10-hour proceedings were held in which the judge recorded statements of 16 prosecution witnesses. The court is conducting the trial on a day-to-day basis to conclude the trial at the earliest. The prosecution had requested the court to hold the trial in jail due to security reasons. Chief prosecutor Abdul Rauf Wattoo told the trial court that the various evidences had been collected including CCTV footage, DNA test and polygraph test. Advocate Mehar Shakeel Multani appeared on behalf of the accused. The counsel would present defence witnesses after the testimony of the prosecutions witnesses. Bill Gates believes philanthropy is growing in India from both people involved in the technology sector (tech entrepreneurs and executives) and those involved in other sectors. The co-chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the co-founder of Microsoft spoke to Hindustan Times over phone on the occasion of the release of their 10th annual letter to the public on work of their foundation, and, in some ways, on their own philanthropic journey. We are outspoken about our optimism, the two begin their letter. Despite the headlines, we see a world thats getting better, they write. The world is healthier and safer than ever. The number of children who die every year has been cut in half since 1990. The number of mothers who die has also dropped. extreme poverty has declined by half in just 20 years. A screenshot of the homepage of Bill and Melinda Gates website. Gates also spoke of Indias unique mix of philanthropy, partly brought about by the government mandate that corporations spend a percentage of their profit on philanthropic-type activities. Listing some of the areas where he thinks the foundations work has made a difference to India, Gates picked working with the government to introduce new vaccines for children; Avahan which helped to get the HIV epidemic getting super large; and partnerships with Serum Institute of India, Bio-E and Bharat Biotech to make vaccines not only for India, but the world. Excerpts from the 10th annual letter of Bill and Melinda Gates: Why dont you give more in the US? Bill: Our foundation spends about $500 million a year in the US, most of it on education. Why dont you give money to fight climate change? Bill: We do. Some of it involves our foundation and some of it involves our own investments. Personally, we are investing in innovations that will cut back on greenhouse gases. The world needs new sources of reliable, affordable clean energy, but it has been dramatically underfunding the research that would produce these breakthroughs. How are President Trumps policies affecting your foundations work? Bill: More broadly, the America First world view concerns me. Its not that the US shouldnt look out for its people. The question is how best to do that. My view is that engaging with the world has proven over time to benefit everyone, including Americans, more than withdrawing does. Even if we measured everything the government did only by how much it helped American citizens, global engagement would still be a smart investment. Is it fair that you have so much influence? Melinda: No. Its not fair that we have so much wealth when billions of others have so little. And its not fair that our wealth opens doors that are closed to most people. World leaders tend to take our phone calls and seriously consider what we have to say. But there is nothing secret about our objectives as a foundation. When Barack Obama speaks, people listen. At least they did when he was in the White House. But that kind of authority didnt hold much sway when it came time for his presidential portrait. At a ceremony Monday to unveil portraits of him and former first lady Michelle Obama, the former president said artist Kehinde Wiley cheerfully ignored almost all of his suggestions. He listened very thoughtfully to what I had to say before doing exactly what he always intended to do, he said. I tried to negotiate less gray hair, but Kehindes artistic integrity would not allow it. I tried to negotiate smaller ears and struck out on that as well. Read | Former White House photographers book reveals a behind-the-scenes Barack Obama Artist Kehinde Wiley, and Amy Sherald attend their official portrait unveiling of former US president Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama during a ceremony at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. (AFP Photo) The final product depicts Obama sitting in a straight-backed chair, leaning forward and looking serious while surrounded by greenery and flowers. Michelle Obamas portrait, painted by Amy Sherald, shows her in a black and white dress looking thoughtful with her hand on her chin. Both artists were personally chosen by the Obamas. The portraits will now hang in the National Portrait Gallery, which is part of the Smithsonian group of museums. The gallery has a complete collection of presidential portraits. A different set of portraits of the former first couple will eventually hang in the White House. Former US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama stand before their portraits and respective artists, Kehinde Wiley (left) and Amy Sherald (right). (AFP Photo) I am humbled, I am honoured, I am proud, Michelle Obama said. Young people, particularly girls and girls of color, in future years they will come to this place and see someone who looks like them hanging on the walls of this incredible institution. Barack Obama spoke of his choice of Wiley, saying the two men shared multiple parallels in their upbringing; both had African fathers who were largely absent from their lives and American mothers who raised them. The former president drew multiple laughs from the audience for his remarks, starting out by praising Sherald for capturing, the grace and beauty and charm and hotness of the woman that I love. Obama said he found the process of sitting for the portrait to be a frustrating experience. I dont like posing. I get impatient and start looking at my watch, he said, but working with Kehinde was a great joy. Wiley said the depiction of Obama surrounded by greenery and flowers was meant to chart his path on earth through the choice of flowers. The painting includes chrysanthemums, which are the official flower of Chicago; jasmine to evoke Hawaii, where Obama largely grew up; and African blue lilies to honour Obamas Kenyan father. Being the first African-American painter to paint the first African-American president, it doesnt get any better than that, he said. Former US President Barack Obama stands before his portrait by artist Kehinde Wiley. (AFP Photo) Former US First Lady Michelle Obama stands before her portrait by artist Amy Sherald. (AFP Photo) The portraits drew wildly divergent reactions on Twitter and elsewhere, with the hashtag #obamaportraits trending throughout the day. Obama opponents took the opportunity to take shots at the former president and digitally edit Make America Great Again hats onto the portrait. Others dug into Wileys previous body of work and found a pair of racially charged paintings that showed black women holding the severed heads of white women. Among Obama supporters online, there was a bit of grumbling that Michelle Obamas portrait didnt resemble her enough, but the overall tone was of how much people missed having the Obamas in the White House. The secret confidante of ousted South Korean president Park Geun-hye was convicted Tuesday and jailed for 20 years over the scandal that brought down the former head of state. Choi Soon-sil was found guilty of abuse of power, bribery and meddling in state affairs by the Seoul Central District Court, and judge Kim Se-yoon said: The accused is sentenced to 20 years in prison. Choi took advantage of long private ties with Park to force companies to donate funds to foundations she controlled, the judge said. She accepted a total of 14 billion won ($13 million) from telecommunications giant Samsung and retail conglomerate Lotte, he said, and meddled in state affairs widely. The guilt of the accused is heavy, he added, and she had shown no repentance. The chairman of the Lotte group, South Koreas fifth-biggest conglomerate, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison, and former Park aide Ahn Jong-beom was jailed for six years. Police were investigating an incident in the British parliament on Tuesday, the lower house of the legislature said, and media reports said officers were checking a suspect package. The police are currently investigating an incident on the parliamentary estate, a House of Commons spokesperson said, without elaborating. A police spokesman said he was not immediately able to comment. Britains parliament is currently in recess. News website MailOnline and the Press Association news service said the incident involved a suspect package. A Reuters correspondent in parliament said there was no sign of a broader security alert in the building. Police have increased security at parliament after an Islamic State-inspired attacker killed five people a year ago by driving a car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge and then stabbing to death a police officer in the grounds of parliament. Relations between India and Pakistan will remain tense with continued violence on the Line of Control and the risk of escalation if there is another high-profile terrorist attack in India, according to a new worldwide threat assessment released by the US intelligence community on Tuesday. Pakistan continues to maintain ties with terrorists, and groups supported by it will use safe havens on Pakistani soil to plan and conduct attacks in India and Afghanistan, the report warned. It further warned that Pakistans eroding position relative to India, persisting economic weakness and domestic security issues will exacerbate its long-held fears of international isolation and drive it to actions that run counter to US goals in the region. The report didnt specify those actions. In the assessment of US intelligence, as testified by director of national intelligence Dan Coats, India-Pakistan ties will remain tense with continued violence on the Line of Control and the risk of escalation if there is another high-profile terrorist attack in India or an uptick in violence on the Line of Control. Coats prepared testimony to the Senate select committee on intelligence portrayed Pakistan as a bleakly obstinate country that continues to host and shelter terrorists. Militant groups supported by Islamabad will continue to take advantage of their safe havens in Pakistan to plan and conduct attacks in India and Afghanistan, including against US interests, he said. Intelligence agencies believe Pakistan has not severed its ties with terrorists despite unprecedented pressure from the Trump administration through a mix of public and privately conveyed threats over the past few months, topped by the suspension of roughly $2 billion in security-related aid. Pakistan will continue to threaten US interests by deploying new nuclear weapons capabilities, maintaining its ties to militants (and) restricting counterterrorism cooperation, Coats said. He added Pakistan was drawing closer to China, a country that is increasingly described by Americans especially the Trump administration as a threat, a rival and a strategic competitor to the US. This is as near a confirmation as has been forthcoming from the US of Pakistans continues ties to terrorism, despite its claims that it has thrown out all terrorists, specially those operating across the countrys western border in Afghanistan, where they attack US-led coalition forces. The outlook for India-China relations was similarly grim: We expect relations between India and China to remain tense and possibly to deteriorate further, despite the negotiated settlement to their three-month border standoff in August, elevating the risk of unintentional escalation. R enters rejoice. Ikea furniture now has a wedge dowel that makes it quicker and easier to assemble and take apart without an Allen key in sight. The news comes as a three-part BBC 2 series, Flat-pack Empire, takes a behind-the-scenes look at the success of the Swedish furniture giant, which opened its first UK store 30 years ago. Ikeas dowel looks like a timber screw. Its milled, precision-cut grooves fit snugly into pre-drilled holes in, for example, the back of a tabletop. Its a click-fit system, so you dont need any tools, and it is said to cut assembly times by 50 to 80 per cent. It is already being used for the Eket small table, Regissor cabinets and the Lisabo table and stool. Arriving in April is Ikeas versatile Platsa click-together wardrobe system. Click fit: Ikeas new wedge dowel, said to cut assembly time by 50-80 per cent CLICK-TOGETHER SOFAS The company says the new joint means you can dismantle furniture easily and reassemble it somewhere else. Everyone from solo renters to families needs furniture that is flexible and portable, says Ikea creative leader Jim Futcher. Ikea also has a bigger trick up its sleeve. Just arrived in store is an ambitious sofa system called Delaktig meaning involvement in Swedish described as the companys most challenging yet. Designed with Londons Tom Dixon Studio and 75 design students, in a kit of 25 parts, it has an aluminium frame and tubular legs that click together, with screws only to hold them rigid. You then click on whatever parts you wish backrests, and/or side arms, small tables, lighting and so on. TODO: define component type brightcove Basic Delaktig is affordable, and supremely versatile to suit change of use in a room. Prices start from 55 for an armrest to 405 for a three-seater platform. "You get married or you split up. Or maybe youre renting out a spare room," suggests Dixon. "Dont chuck Delaktig away if youre done turn it into something else, something new. Or save it for the children so they can take it with them when they move out. On the TV programme on Tuesday evening, Dixon stressed that his design was fundamentally a bed with add-ons for a sofa and so on. This had caused problems for Ikea, as beds must withstand more rigorous flammability tests than sofas. Nevertheless all has been sorted, and the programme showed Futcher quite happily snuggling down under a duvet. From 45: for an armchair in the new Delaktig collection at Ikea THE QUALITYS THERE Industry experts say the savings made by flat-pack furniture do not come from lower production costs but by dramatically reducing the price of transport and warehousing. People think flat pack means inferior furniture, says Matthew Long, senior furniture and upholstery designer for Habitat. But quality furniture can also come in designs that are easy and quick to put together and take apart. His new lightweight Nadia bed, priced 550, is handmade from Indonesian rattan and comes in four pieces that are held together by simple clips. No sweat: the two-seater Juno modular sofa, priced 649, is easy to move around and arrives with you fully assembled. Extra pieces cost 229-249. From made.com The Holding Company sells a chrome-framed storage system that is super-easy to assemble. From 35 at Argos, find fabric wardrobes with canvas roll-up covers over slot-together frames. Or consider furniture that folds flat for storage and transport. New on the market is FoldSmarts folding wardrobe system, with a no-frills design in several finishes. Smart storage: fold-flat wardrobes simply unfold in situ. From 234 at FoldSmart. Matching pieces available Pieces simply unfold with slot-in back and clip-on hinged doors, and can be assembled in minutes, it is claimed. A single wardrobe unit 40cm wide costs 234. Appointment 13 February 2018 Playa Largo Resort & Spa, an Autograph Collection beachfront luxury property situated on the Florida Bay in Key Largo, Florida, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kerem Kendigelen as General Manager. In his new role, Kendigelen will be responsible for overseeing all resort operations, fostering staff development, budgeting and financial planning, increasing sales and revenue, and ensuring total guest satisfaction. With over 15 years of hospitality experience working within top hotel brands, Kendigelen brings a track record of effectively leading and managing all aspects of the luxury resort experience, as well as executing award-winning food and beverage programs. Kendigelen has a long and impressive history with the Ritz-Carlton brand having launched his career at The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul, where he started as a Rooms Division intern. Over the next nine years, he served multiple Ritz-Carlton properties including Buckhead, Half Moon Bay, Arlington, and ultimately San Juan, where he led the team as the Director of Food and Beverage. Two years with the St. Regis in Washington, D.C. gave Kerem another perspective into luxury hotel product and service. While in San Juan, Kerem also directed the Food & Beverage Council for The Ritz-Carlton brand in The Caribbean & Latin America (CALA). During his time in these positions, he was responsible for exceeding the highest standards of culinary, meetings, and catering excellence, while maximizing all business opportunities to drive sales. Appointment 13 February 2018 Hilton has appointed Heidi Kunkel to the position of Vice President of Operations for Australasia with effect from April 4. Kunkel will oversee the operations of Hilton"s 23 trading and 9 pipeline properties and lead the company"s growth strategy across Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. She will take over the role from interim incumbent Sean Wooden, who will return to his position as Vice President, Brand Management Asia Pacific. An Australian native, Kunkel was most recently CEO New Markets Europe & Africa at Club Med, responsible for over 15 commercial market sources, including the UK, South Europe, and the Middleast. "I am thrilled to lead Hilton"s operations in Australasia, as the company looks to an even bigger year in 2018. Hilton is renowned for its hospitality and innovation and I look forward to working with the team to further strengthen our position in the region," Kunkel said. Her leadership contributed to Club Med"s Brand of the Year win at this year"s World Branding Awards, an accolade which recognized the holiday chain"s worldwide achievements. Prior to that role, Kunkel also held key leadership positions in Club Med"s commercial offices and resorts, among them being CEO, South East Asia Pacific; President, North East Asia (Korea and Japan); and General Manager for Pacific (based in Sydney). Supplier News 13 February 2018 Brewer Digital Marketing, announces the launch of Best Western River North's new website, which leverages cutting-edge Progressive Web App (PWA) technology resulting in a 300% increase in revenue and a 500% increase in room nights vs the old website. Best Western River North is a modern, urban hotel set in the River North neighborhood of Chicago. It offers warm hospitality and extraordinary experiences for both leisure and business travelers alike. Although the hotel's former website was was performing relatively well, General Manager Heidi Bitar, knew there was room for improvement. To attract the attention of guests searching for accommodations, the site needed to be updated with the latest web and search innovations. Heidi chose Brewer Digital Marketing to create new site using a new technology known as a Progressive Web App (PWA) to help deliver reliable, fast and engaging content to drive hotel bookings. Progressive Web Applications benefit consumers in the following ways: Easily scannable - built to grab potential guest's attention to make a booking or call the hotel - built to grab potential guest's attention to make a booking or call the hotel Fast! - sites load quickly ensuring guests stay on the site as move from page to page - sites load quickly ensuring guests stay on the site as move from page to page Richer mobile experience - feels like a mobile app with app-style interactions but without the storage requirements or manual update issues - feels like a mobile app with app-style interactions but without the storage requirements or manual update issues Progressive and responsive - accessible by every user on every device regardless of browser - accessible by every user on every device regardless of browser Connectivity independent - works offline and performs well on slow connections - works offline and performs well on slow connections Engaging - features such as 'push notifications' to boost user engagement - features such as 'push notifications' to boost user engagement Improved Conversions - guests stay on the site longer and consume more content leading to more bookings "Today's consumers are impatient. They want to get the content they need - fast." says Brad Brewer, CEO at Brewer Digital Marketing. "Our team understood the influence Progressive Web Apps could have, especially within the hospitality industry. And we're ecstatic to see the immediate impact of implementing this technology had for Best Western River North. And our software is built directly on Google's platform, incorporating the Structured Data now recommended in Google's updated SEO Guide, resulting more exposure from all types of search." "As consumers respond to dynamic websites and the search engines now reward structured data, we knew it was time to change from our current provider", said Heidi Bitar, General Manager of Best Western River North. "Brewer Digital Marketing packs so much into their product from Schema.org markup, to great design, we decided to test out their new Progressive Web App system, and the proof is in the numbers," she concludes. Best Western River North Hotel collaborated with Brewer Digital Marketing to build its website on its Hotel Marketing Web Platform, which leverages Progressive Web App technology for hotels. The result - 300% increase in revenue and a 500% increase in room nights vs the old website. Sources: Supplier News 13 February 2018 ALPHARETTA, GA Feb. 13, 2018 The Rainmaker Group (Rainmaker), a leading provider of cloud-based hospitality revenue and profit optimization software, today announced that it has expanded its partnership with Omni Hotels & Resorts (Omni) by transitioning them to the recently launched, next-generation of revcaster across the brand's portfolio of properties, covering more than 20,000 rooms across 60 properties in North America. In addition to being a revcaster customer since 2015, Omni is a longstanding customer of Rainmaker's guestrev and grouprev, which optimize room rate and other ancillary revenue for transient and group business. By adding revcaster to the mix, Omni strengthens its revenue management technology stack and gains unparalleled market and competitive intelligence and analysis. Last year, Rainmaker unveiled revcaster's next-generation platform, which increases the power and functionality of the original competitor rate shopping model. The addition of third-party systems integrations, cross-functional collaboration tools, and flexible rules and alerts all wrapped into an updated and modernized user interface allows users to go beyond simply monitoring competitors' rates. The new platform enables revenue managers, owners and operators to follow standard revenue management best practices without the heavy investment typically required when implementing a true Revenue Management System (RMS). "revcaster's new platform is a game changer for our organization and our industry," said Jamie Pena, Vice President of Revenue Management and Global Distribution at Omni. "The ability to create custom personalized dashboards that display market data in any format really makes the product feel like our own. And the data itself is more powerful than ever with the addition of real-time rate shopping, integration of other data points, such as weather and events, and the like." "Since soft-launching the revcaster product in the second quarter of last year, we've partnered with several strategic customers to test and push the platform to its limits," said Matt Curry, Vice President and Head of Product at The Rainmaker Group. "In doing so, we were able to identify opportunities to add finishing touches to the application, and we're excited to get the product into the hands of the broader market." Rainmaker's groundbreaking revenue and profit optimization product suite includes: guestrev , an intuitive and easy-to-use revenue management solution that analyzes total guest value across a hotel or casino property to forecast and price rooms; , an intuitive and easy-to-use revenue management solution that analyzes total guest value across a hotel or casino property to forecast and price rooms; grouprev , an innovative group pricing solution that streamlines the process of responding to group RFPs by analyzing historical data, future demand, and price sensitivity to recommend the best pricing for group business; , an innovative group pricing solution that streamlines the process of responding to group RFPs by analyzing historical data, future demand, and price sensitivity to recommend the best pricing for group business; revcaster , a powerful rate shopping tool that gives hoteliers access to real-time actionable market data, so that rates can be set against the competitive landscape; and , a powerful rate shopping tool that gives hoteliers access to real-time actionable market data, so that rates can be set against the competitive landscape; and revintel, an intuitive business intelligence solution that improves day-to-day revenue management by mining various data sets and providing deep insights at a granular level. Omni Hotels & Resorts is a privately-held international luxury hotel company based in Dallas. The company is currently owned by Robert Rowling of TRT Holdings, who bought the company in 1996 from World International Holdings, Ltd. and the Hong Kong-based conglomerate The Wharf (Holdings) Limited. The company currently operates 60 properties in the United States, Canada and Mexico, totaling more than 20,000 rooms and employing more than 23,000 people. Press Release 13 February 2018 In 2017, the number of international tourists visiting Spain improved for a fifth consecutive year hitting 82 million. The number was good enough to make it the world's second-most visited country after France. The United States clocked in at third place. Tourist spending has also hit a new record in 2017, rising 12.4 percent in the year from 2016. Advertisements Those propitious numbers spilled into hotel investment. In 2017, investment in the country's hotel market reached 3.6 billion (US$4.5 billion), 65 percent higher than in 2016, driven by both single-asset and portfolio transactions. In fact, Spain's hotel investment market overtook Germany as the second-most liquid in EMEA. RevPAR also climbed 8.8 percent to 85.29, according to STR. And, according to PwC data, Spain's occupancy and ADR were above its long-term averages and growth is expected to continue in 2018, with Barcelona and Madrid projected to deliver a RevPAR growth of 5.2 percent and 8 percent, respectively. Still, challenges are on the horizon. Escalating tourist numbers in Barcelona are grating locals and the city recently passed a law to limit the number of new hotels. The Buyers Domestic and international buyers are being drawn to Spain's "improving economy together with impressive hotel operating performance and a booming tourism industry," saidPatrick Saade, JLL co-head of investment sales in Spain. He also said that there are many undercapitalized Spanish resorts in need of refurbishment, which could allow an investor to swoop in, buy, renovate than flip as needed. International investment accounted for half of Spain's hotel transaction volumes in 2017, with half of those investors coming from within Europe. North American buyers followed closely, making up another 40 percent. The Canary Islands remained the favorite destination, at 939 million or 27 percent of total volume. Major international investors such as Fonciere des Regions, Area and Batipar have been playing an increasingly prominent role in the Spanish hotel investment market, says Chan. "These investors tend to hold their investments for an extended period, providing stability and depth to the market," said Saade, The largest hotel transaction last year was Blackstone's acquisition of Hotel Investment Partners' portfolio of 14 hotels with 3,700 guest rooms for 630 million from Banco Sabadell. On the lending front, Spain's major banks, such as Banca Sabadell, Santander and BBVA, have helped facilitate real estate transactions due to the volume of real estate assets they control. Other transactions include the sale of Edificio Espana to Riu Hotels & Resorts for 136 million and the Wave portfoliocomprising four hotels in San Antonio, Palma Nova, Puerto Del Carmen and Torremolinos, by London & Regional Properties. On the M&A front, JLL noted that NH Hotels might be the next in line as China's HNA is seeking to sell its 30 percent in the company, according to Reuters. Press Release 13 February 2018 The HEDNA Global Distribution Conference concluded its annual event in Austin, Texas with a record number of attendees, captivating keynotes, educational sessions, interviews and engaging discussions. The overwhelming sentiment from all at the event was how relevant and important HEDNA conferences are for hoteliers to participate in if they want to stay informed, understand and compete in today's dynamic landscape. Advertisements "We are extremely happy with the turnout and the amazing content that we were able to deliver to such a large crowd," said Sarah Fults, President of HEDNA. "The success of the Austin Conference bodes well for the upcoming event we will be hosting this June in Lisbon, Portugal where we will tackle 'a conversation with tomorrow's guest' - which is also the theme." Austin 2018 Conference takeaways and highlights included: Current and relevant Data and Insights everywhere: Keynote speaker, Harper Reed Harper, shared his insights on demystifying big data. Justin Rao from HomeAway clarified the competition between VR and Hotels. The fast-paced State of the Industry sessions portrayed and analyzed the different perspectives of distribution (Guest, Property, Distributor). Cutting Edge Technology and Innovation: HEDNA's first Hackathon proved that HEDNA can hack - generating compelling concepts over a weekend only. The Innov8ors presented exciting new ideas and solutions challenging the status quo. Blockchain technology has arrived in Hospitality through Payment and Digital Identity. Passionate debates included: How Austin regulates the sharing economy without slowing down innovation How soon until AI (artificial intelligence) applications replace humans? Why is there still a reception in the hotel and what is the guest experience of the future? "I always clear my schedule to attend this conference," said Chris Murdock, Director, Distribution Operations, AccorHotels. "The content was engaging and educational providing me and my company valuable insights and a clear advantage. Great Return on Investment." The next HEDNA Global Distribution Conference will be held in Lisbon, Portugal from June 4 - 6, 2018 at the Sheraton Lisboa Hotel. Registration is set to open Spring 2018. About Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association (HEDNA) HEDNA (Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association) is a not-for-profit trade association whose worldwide membership includes executives and managers from the most influential companies in the hospitality industry. Founded in 1991, HEDNA's mission is to be the leading global forum for advancing hospitality distribution through collaboration and knowledge sharing. Its vision calls for HEDNA to be known for creating an environment that fosters strategic collaboration toward business development in the global hospitality industry. For more, visit www.HEDNA.org. Opinion Article 13 February 2018 Over the past year, Google made major inroads into the travel and tourism sector, changing the layouts of Google Flights and Hotels and, as a result, it's hard to differentiate these from online travel agencies and metasearch sites. Further, Google Trips now offers discounts for tours and activities, and allows users to create folders for future travel plans. This option could help Google identify the travel intentions of consumers early in the planning process and make relevant suggestions based on the travel history. Advertisements Certainly, Google's footprint in the travel ecosystem is expanding. Depending on hoteliers' digital marketing competencies and budgets, some hoteliers will leverage Google to increase brand awareness and gain bookings. Nevertheless, Google is not free and serves as another paid channel for hoteliers. Given the dominance in the market of Google and the major OTAs, hoteliers will find it even more expensive and difficult to reach travellers. Discussions about the cost of customer acquisition may switch from 'between OTAs and hotels' to 'between hotel brands and hotel owners'. In the past, such discussions focused on the commission charged by OTAs and hotels sought to lure customers with discounts to book with them directly. The logic of offering member discounts is simple. As long as the cost of such discounts is less than the OTA commission, it's better to encourage customers to book directly. Yet, recently, there have been discussions about the potential conflicts of interest between the hotel owner and the hotel brand. For example, whether a room is sold via an OTA website or the brand's own website, the owner will be charged royalty fees by the hotel brand, along with marketing fees, reservation and transaction fees. As hotel brands provide technology infrastructure and services to facilitate bookings, they should be compensated. On the other hand, the costs associated with offering member or loyalty discounts and marketing campaigns to encourage customers to book direct may be a different story. Do these marketing campaigns benefit hotel owners to the same extent as hotel brands? Could hotel owners and brands find better use for this money? This will be a key talking point in 2018. Special purpose hotels, anyone? Competing for customers and luring them from one distribution channel to another (from indirect channels to direct ones, or from an expensive channel to a cheaper one) will become even harder. Maybe hoteliers should invest their resources on identifying and developing niche markets. In the coming years, the hotel industry will continue to develop 'special purpose hotels' and niche markets. For example, I Hotel in Taiwan has become the hotel of choice for gamers as it offers a variety of bed combinations (such as four beds to a room) and stations for teams to compete, with the possibility of projecting games onto a large screen. In Japan, the Hotel Cycle is aiming for cyclists, as it has on-site bike shops for repairs and offers cyclists grab and go food options so they don't have to get off their bikes. I can imagine yoga hotels offering a range of options for yoga lovers to improve their skills and meet other yoga devotees. An art hotel could host different artists as speaker and provide lessons to improve artistic ability or art appreciation sessions. The possibilities may only be limited by our imagination. Certainly hotels are already offering yoga lessons and art exhibitions, but treat them as complementary services rather than major attractions. In future, these services, if properly planned and managed, could become the main reason why travelers and local residents choose to visit a particular hotel. To gain a competitive advantage, hoteliers will need to identify niche markets, develop their competencies and transform themselves into special purpose hotels. Going one step beyond targeting niche segments, hotels could increasingly focus on hobbies and interests to differentiate themselves, as these become key selection criteria for travelers. JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser Marvel's Black Panther makes its highly-anticipated debut on the silver screen this Friday after months of ceaseless hype from audiences looking forward to the first widely-released black superhero film. The production has been backed by Hollywood juggernaut Disney, which has given the film the proper funds to recreate Wakanda in a most realistic and technically-savvy manner. Black Panther's massive budget has also enabled a chance opportunity for Marvel to collaborate with luxury carmaker Lexus on an exclusive LC 500 model for the film. The car is designed with afrofuturist design principles in mind, evident in its sleekness and rich attention to detail. This car also echoes the precedent set by the film's costume designer Ruth Carter, who worked with a team of highly-skilled individuals to help craft the unique garb worn by the characters within this latest Marvel production. Equal parts traditionalist with a tinge of futurism, the clothing, akin to the Lexus automobile, updates more traditional motifs for a modern demographic. Marvel and Lexus have also released a digital comic book titled Black Panther: Soul of a Machine, featuring the LC 500 model while also nodding to Lexus Takumi masters. Black Panther mania is in full swing, as the stars of the upcoming addition into the Marvel Cinematic Universe have been selected to cover the March 2018 issue of Essence. Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Angela Bassett, Daniel Kaluuya, Forrest Whitaker, Letitia Wright and director Ryan Coogler all sat down with the magazine to discuss why this fictional African nation feels so urgent in today's society. Gurira speaks about her personal affinity for the film, revealing how "the idea of creating a scenario where you're seeing very powerful, empowered Africans is really thrilling to me, something my heart, soul, and spirit yearned to see." Director Ryan Coogler also spoke with the publication about his experiences with helming this landmark film, admitting that "I had really been studying the effects of colonization and the African Diaspora, specifically as it relates to African-Americans and Africans, and what I hit on was this concept of what it means to be African. I pitched that to the studio as a main theme of exploration, and they were totally interested, which is, to their credit, really cool." The fictional Wakanda region was fashioned to appear untouched by colonial invaders, manifesting a fantasized look at what Africa could have looked like if it had not been invaded by Europeans. Peep some images of the cast below: New to the site, BlocBoy JB is a buzzing new rapper out of Memphis, Tennessee who exploded onto the scene last year with his viral hits Rover & Shoot. In recent months, Blockboys growing popularity has caught the attention of Drake, who decided to go hang out with the buzzing rapper down in his hometown of Memphis a couple weeks ago. At the time, footage surfaced online of Drake & BlocBoy partying together & shooting some sort of music video, which alluded to that a remix or collab was on the way, and alas here it is. After sharing a cryptic post on Instagram, BlocBoy decides to come through and release his new single with Drake called Look Alive. Take a listen and let us know what you think. (Single available on iTunes) UPDATE: The official video has now surfaced online, which you can check out below. Quotable Lyrics: 901 shall be drive, look alive look alive Niggas came up on this side now they on the other side Oh well fuck em dog we gon see how hard they ride I get rats to go outside and I spit it with the guys - Drizzy The Philadelphia Inquirer released a report today that said the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office had put together a list of suspect cops. This list was made to keep an eye on officers, such as Reginald V. Graham who arrested Meek Mill in 2007, who had shown a history of bias behavior and racial discrimination. The exact details as to why Reginald's name made the list has not been revealed but Meek's attorney, Joe Tacopina, thinks this revelation will help Meek be released from prison. "Across the justice system, there are many instances of people that are incarcerated being subsequently let out when police corruption is uncovered," Joe told Complex. "This would certainly be one of those instances. I mean, there were 800 cases that were dismissed or overturned upon discovery of this group of officers who had been committing crimes, lying about circumstances of arrests, and falsifying documents. One of the officers is the same one who not only arrested Meek but made allegations that Meek has always denied. This is the only one that testified against Meek." Joe further noted that Meek is aware of this list and it comes as "no surprise" to him since Meek has "always maintained that he never possessed any drugs and that he never pointed a gun at any police officers." Meek is apparently "disappointed" that the District knew this and still allowed Reginald to testify against him with such outlandish allegations. "[Meek] has a positive outlook on life and understands that he has a lot of people who love and support himnot only celebrities and his team, but members of the community that he's never even met who have been impacted by the injustice that Meek and others have suffered," Joe explained. CubeCats President Himadri Pandey first dreamed about space as a third-grader when her grandparents shared the exploits of Indias first female astronaut aboard the space shuttle. For the next year, when anyone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said I wanted to be an astronaut like Kalpana Chawla, she said. Pandey followed her interest in computer science to UC, where she enrolled to take advantage of the universitys esteemed cooperative education program. But her early space dreams werent finished with her. I always thought space was cool. When I had a chance to join the club, I thought sure! she said. My interest grew the more I learned about it. I started going to conferences. There is so much to learn, but the community is so amazing. Himadri said she was delighted by NASA's announcement. It seems surreal. We have been looking forward to this day for more than two years now, she said. The UC club won grants totalling nearly $200,000 to design and build its first two cubesats. All nominated projects must address real problems related to NASAs strategic goals. Mercedes-AMG has revealed a sneak-peek of the latest version of their G63 model. This off-road vehicle introduces a new drive system while also making use of the brand's patented AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension. Other updates include an AMG-specific transmission mode, a brand new interior with a widescreen cockpit, as well as a 576 horsepower 4.0-litre bi-turbo engine. This iteration of the G63 model also comes equipped with a 9-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, a new radiator grill and wheel placements that will allow for up to 22-inch tires. CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmBH Tobias Moers notes how "the new AMG G63 brings driving performance to the segment of unadulterated off-road vehicles in unexpected form. It was important for us to tie in with the original character on account of the cult status the G63 enjoys with our customers and fans." The Mercedes-AMG will first be showcased at the Geneva Motor Show on March 6 in advance of its March 18 release to retailers. Peep some images of the vehicle below: Image via Hypebeast Image via Hypebeast Image via Hypebeast This new line of beer is set to drop at the end of this month to coincide with the Black Panther premiere, which bears a similarity at least in name. Craft beer enthusiasts will likely be excited to hear that the Run The Jewels team of Killer Mike and El-P is working closely with top craft breweries Interboro of NYC, Pipeworks of Chicago, and J. Wakefield of Miami to help spread their interests nationwide. The new craft beers will be named after song titles made illustrious by RTJ's discography. Their collusion with these brew houses will yield three differentiated recipes, ranging from traditional stout to a Porter blended with Bourbon barrel-aged beer. "Legend Has It" will be released in April, whereas "Down" will come out in October. Run the Jewels are riding a wave of stimulated growth. Their business in beer is turning out for the best. Their record Legend Has It was been given new life and so on so forth. The RTJ buddy system continues to bring out the best in the other. Adidas is getting a little romantic in advance of Valentine's Day this year with an updated pair of their beloved sneakers. Taking their classic Superstar silhouette, which is rendered in all-white, the company has added a heart motif on the medial sides of each shoe, forming a full heart when the soles are placed together. In a time of rampant social injustice and widespread division, sometimes humans needs a healthy reminder to love one another in highly-trivial moments. The shoes are expected to hit retailers soon, so check in with a nearby retail location for information about this sneaker's impending release. In other Adidas news, the German sneaker giant has finally released their highly-anticipated Futurecraft 4D model. The silhouette recently made its brick-and-mortar debut on February 10th at the brand's US flagship store in New York City. However, Adidas is also pushing their latest app onto customers who routinely cop a pair of sneakers from the company and have shown brand loyalty. The app offers a user a more personalized experience that reflects a person's tastes, preferences, interests and behaviours. Customers are given easier access to the company's e-commerce website, as well as customized product recommendations, articles and blog posts. Furthermore, the app will also allow someone to reserve a sneaker in-store. Yoshi Thompkins unveils his new Black Jesus project, thus adding his name to the considerable Floridian talent pool. It's evident from the opening track "Pump" that Thompkin is willing to compete, spitting double-time bars over some Donkey Kong 2 synthesizers and trap drums. On the title track, Thompkins acquaints himself as a religious figure of sorts, getting Biblical over some warfare from the ubiquitous Ronny J. You can hear the influence from the homie Denzel Curry, who appears on Black Jesus as one of two lone guest appearances. The project's vibe tends to fluctuate throughout the nine-track run-time, with moments of animalistic aggression bleeding into trap-inspired lyrical bangers. While names like Kodak Black, XXXTentation and Denzel Curry have emerged as leaders of the new school Floridian movement, Thompkins has kamayamaya-ed his way onto my radar. Throughout Black Jesus, Thompkins proves himself a jack-of-all-trades, and while the previously released title track stands out as a monolithic accomplishment, the project as a whole is fire. Federal charges were unsealed Monday against five former Venezuelan government officials for their alleged role in an international money laundering effort involving bribes to obtain energy contracts from Venezuela's state-owned and state-controlled energy company, Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. It is part of a larger, ongoing investigation by the U.S. government into bribery at PDVSA that has, to date, brought charges against 15 individuals, including 10 who have pleaded guilty. The five indicted Monday -- former officials of PDVSA and the Venezuelan government -- were known as the "management team" and wielded considerable influence within the Venezuelan energy company, according to the indictment. The team members conspired with one another and others to solicit PDVSA vendors for bribes and kickbacks, the U.S. government charged. Then they laundered the proceeds through a series of complex international financial transactions, using U.S. bank accounts, real estate deals and other U.S. investments, according to the Justice Department, which announced the indictment. The indictments are the latest charges coming out of Houston against companies and their employees for paying bribes, arranging kickbacks and generally greasing the skids to win business in parts of the world where corruption is common. Over the past decade, Houston federal court has become one of the busiest in the nation for cases involving foreign bribery cases in large part because of the concentration of energy companies that do business around the world. Houston accounted for seven, or about one-fourth of the 26 cases brought by the Justice Department in 2016 under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. International cooperation has spurred more investigations and led to even more indictments. Over the past few years, law enforcement agencies around the world have teamed up to pursue charges of international bribery. In the latest case, federal agents in Houston credited their law enforcement counterparts in Switzerland and Spain. That type of international cooperation has contributed to a series of high-profile corruption cases that have ensnared some of the region's most prominent energy companies and operators. Late last year, for example, Houston-based subsidiaries of oil equipment giants Keppel Offshore & Marine and SBM Offshore pleaded guilty to bribery charges involving foreign officials on three continents and agreed to pay the U.S. Department of Justice a combined $660 million. In Venezuela, the government has launched its own corruption investigation involving PDVSA and its U.S. subsidiary, Citgo, which is headquartered in Houston. It's unclear, however, if those investigations and subsequent arrests are aimed primarily at tightening Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's hold on power. Venezuela, wracked by an economic and political crisis that has left citizens without basic supplies, has attempted to oust much of its energy establishment in recent months. The country's chief prosecutor late last month ordered the arrest of Rafael Ramirez, PDVSA's former head, on suspicion of money laundering and embezzlement. In November, the acting president and five other Citgo executives were detained in Venezuela on allegations involving the possible embezzlement. Asdrubal Chavez, a cousin of the late Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, was later installed as Citgo's chief executive officer. Four of the defendants named in the indictment unsealed Monday were arrested in Spain in October by Spanish authorities. Those defendants included Luis Carlos De Leon Perez, Nervis Gerardo Villalobos Cardenas, Cesar David Rincon Godoy and Rafael Ernesto Reiter Munoz. The 20-count indictment was returned in Houston in August. Cesar Rincon was extradited from Spain on Friday and made his initial appearance Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Smith in Houston. De Leon, Villalobos and Reiter remain in Spanish custody pending extradition. A fifth defendant - Alejandro Isturiz Chiesa -remains at large. All five are Venezuela citizens. De Leon is also a U.S. citizen. The U.S. government alleges that two PDVSA vendors -Roberto Enrique Rincon Fernandez of The Woodlands, and Abraham Jose Shiera Bastidas of Coral Gables, Florida -sent more than $27 million in bribe payments to an account in Switzerland for which De Leon was an owner. The money was later transferred to other Swiss accounts. Both Roberto Rincon and Shiera previously pleaded guilty to violating the federal Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in connection with a scheme to bribe PDVSA officials. Rincon and Shiera are awaiting sentencing. Last year, Charles Quintard Beech III of Katy, an owner of several Texas energy companies, and Juan Jose Hernandez Comerma, a part owner of a Florida energy firm, each pleaded guilty to foreign bribery charges for their roles in obtaining contracts from PDVSA. Sentencing is scheduled for both in August, according to court records. CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico In the 1990s, Julio Chiu's textile manufacturing business here employed hundreds of people and shipped thousands of pairs of jeans across the United States. The business, split between Juarez and El Paso on the other side of the border, grew for half a decade under the North American Free Trade Agreement, which lowered barriers to trade between Mexico, the United States and Canada. But when China entered the World Trade Organization in 2001 allowing multinational manufacturers to take advantage of China's cheap labor by moving operations there Chiu was forced to get out of the textile business. "I realized I was going to have a tough time competing with China," said Chiu, founder and chief executive of another manufacturing company, the El Paso-based medical device maker Seisa. "I decided I would concentrate on the medical device industry, and I've been able to compete." RELATED: Businesses along Texas border fear going 'belly up' without NAFTA Juarez manufacturers like Chiu say the Trump administration's rhetoric blaming NAFTA for the decimation of U.S. manufacturing is aimed at the wrong target and U.S. withdrawal from the pact -- as Trump has threatened -- would open the door to rivals such as China, Russia and Brazil eager to sell goods and services in one of the largest markets in the world. Mexico is party to more free trade agreements than any other country, and has plenty of trading partners interested in doing more business in Mexico, manufacturers in Juarez said. Already, Mexico is negotiating with the European Union to update a trade deal to lower barriers to agricultural products, one of the leading U.S. exports to Mexico. Mexico has also recently struck trade deals to import corn from Brazil and wheat from Argentina. "Mexico has options," said K. Alan Russell, chief executive of El Paso contract manufacturer Tecma. "The United States will be the loser." The U.S. Trade Representative's office did not respond to requests for comment. The United States, Canada and Mexico began renegotiating the 24-year-old NAFTA treaty last year amid Trump's arguments that the benefits of NAFTA flowed mostly to Mexico and Canada while the United States lost millions of jobs. As the talks have dragged on, businesses along the border and across Texas have become increasingly concerned that Trump will pull the country out of the agreement. Another round of talks are scheduled for later this month. RELATED: Fears of U.S. withdrawal as NAFTA talks drag on Despite the Trump administration's protectionist views, much of the world continues to seek trade deals to open markets and build new trading partnerships, analysts said. For example, even after the Trump administration withdrew the United States last year from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, an international free trade agreement between 11 countries that make up almost a fifth of the world economy, Mexico has remained in the pact alongside Canada, Japan, Vietnam, New Zealand, Chile, Australia, Malaysia and Singapore. The Trans-Pacific Partnership was promoted in part by the Obama administration as a check on China's growing influence in Asia and beyond as China tries to fulfill its vision of leading a new world order. In recent years, Chinese manufacturers that make everything from electronics to car parts and textiles have set stakes in Mexico, seeking proximity to the U.S. border, said Marcos Delgado, executive vice president at the Borderplex Alliance in El Paso, an economic development group. Between 2011 and 2016, Chinese exports to Mexico climbed by more than 30 percent to nearly $70 billion and its share of foreign exports to country increased from 15 percent to 18 percent, according to the World Bank. During that period, U.S. exports rose about 3 percent to $180 billion while its share fell from 50 percent to 47 percent. Mexico's recent trade deals, including its pact to import Brazilian corn, are aimed straight at the Trump administration, which knows such agreements will hurt American farmers in Midwestern corn-producing states, said Edward Alden, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington. "Mexico has been making efforts to find new suppliers and the message to Washington is clear, that leaving NAFTA isn't going to be cost-free," Alden said. "This is a very uncertain time in U.S.-Mexico trading arrangements." Chinese companies have invested in operations in Mexico as labor and other costs rise in China and the economy shifts to one more focused on services and higher-value products. A year ago, for example, a Chinese company moved into Juarez close to the border to make artificial Christmas trees and inflatable swimming pools. The year before, Hisense Co., a Chinese electronics manufacturer, decided to expand its investment in its Mexican factory making televisions it sells into the United States. Other big draws for Chinese companies include Mexico's efforts to open its monolithic energy industry to international investment and develop its transportation capabilities, as well as its 40-plus free trade agreements that provide access to markets around the world, including the United States. "The Chinese and the Russians see an opening along our frontier," said John Barela, CEO of the Borderplex Alliance. "This could be a stormy time for our bilateral relationships. Mexico is already looking at diversifying its imports away from the United States and toward other countries." After 2001, when China entered the World Trade Organization, the lure of cheaper labor and global competition drove manufacturers that depend on large workforces to build plants in China -- and that shift hurt manufacturers on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, said Cecilia Levine, chief executive of El Paso manufacturing company MFI International, which makes bedding and other home furnishings. The company Levine has run for decades helping manufacturers start making products in Mexico has lost many of its clients to China over the years. "I'm constantly having to reinvent myself and look for ways I can be competitive," Levine said. "Every time I'd get another client, we'd work with them, we would grow them, but the minute that company had enough numbers they'd go to China. They had no option. They had to compete." Chiu's manufacturing company, Seisa, now runs a 200,000 square-foot medical device manufacturing plant that employs 2,000 workers in Juarez. The medical device industry, with its complex intellectual property laws, has proved to have a higher barrier to entry than textile manufacturing, making Chiu feel far safer than when he was making jeans. He recalled the scores of plant closings and loss of tens of thousands of jobs in Juarez as textile companies shifted production to China. "The notion we took jobs from the United States is wrong," Chiu said. "NAFTA has allowed U.S. corporations to remain competitive in a globalized world." CIUDAD JUAREZ In the early 1990s, Julio Chiu's textile manufacturing business here employed hundreds of people and shipped thousands of pairs of jeans across the United States. The business, split between in Juarez and El Paso, grew for half a decade under the North American Free Trade Agreement, which lowered barriers to trade between Mexico, the United States and Canada. But when China entered the World Trade Organization a few years later allowing multinational manufacturers to take advantage of China's cheap labor by moving operations offshore Chiu was forced to get out of the textiles business. RELATED: Businesses along Texas border fear going 'belly up' without NAFTA "I realized I was going to have a tough time competing with China," said Chiu, founder and chief executive of another manufacturing company, the El Paso-based medical device maker Seisa. Juarez manufacturers like Chiu say the Trump Administration's populist rhetoric blaming the 24-year-old NAFTA for the decimation of U.S. manufacturing is not only aimed at the wrong target, but also risks losing markets that support hundreds of thousands of jobs across border communities, Texas and the United States to rivals such as China, Russia and Brazil. Mexico is party to more free trade agreements than any other country in the world, and should President Donald Trump follow up on his threat to pull the United States from NAFTA, plenty of other trading partners are interested in building their markets in Mexico, the Juarez manufacturers said. In recent years, Chinese manufacturers have set stakes in Mexico seeking proximity to the U.S. border, said Marcos Delgado, executive vice president at the Borderplex Alliance in El Paso, an economic development group. A year ago, for example, a Chinese company moved into Juarez close to the border to make artificial Christmas trees and inflatable swimming pools. "The Chinese and the Russians see an opening along our frontier," said Jon Barela, CEO of the Borderplex Alliance. "This could be a stormy time for our bilateral relationships. Mexico is already looking at diversifying its imports away from the United States and toward other countries." RELATED: Fears of U.S. withdrawal from NAFTA rise as talks drag out K. Alan Russell, chief executive of El Paso contract manufacturer Tecma, said Mexican importers have told him they're considering suppliers in Argentina and Brazil for grains, beef and other food products they import from the United States one of the reasons why agricultural officials have been heavily involved in the renegotiation of NAFTA. "They're going to lose the ability to ship from the United States into Mexico if it falls apart," Russell said. "Mexico has options." After 2001, when China entered the World Trade Organization, the lure of cheaper labor and global competition drove manufacturers that depend on large workforces to build plants in China -- and that shift hurt manufacturers on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, said Cecilia Levine, chief executive of El Paso Manufacturing company MFI. The company Levine has run for decades helping manufacturers start making products in Mexico has lost many of its clients to China over the years. "I'm constantly having to reinvent myself and look for ways I can be competitive," Levine said. "Every time I'd get another client, we'd work with them, we would grow them, but the minute that company had enough numbers they'd go to China. They had no option. They had to compete." Federal regulators have ordered Houston's Cheniere Energy to take two of its Sabine Pass liquefied natural gas storage tanks offline after one of them leaked last month, the latest in a series of related problems that began a decade ago. The U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration issued the order Thursday after workers at Cheniere's Louisiana LNG processing and export facility discovered that one of five on-site storage tanks had leaked LNG into the containment area surrounding it. The natural gas, which liquefies at about minus 260 degrees Fahrenheit, had seeped between the inner and outer tank walls, eventually causing the outer wall to crack in four places under extreme temperature, according to the order. A second tank also released natural gas into the space between its inner and outer walls. The outer wall remained intact, but natural gas vapors escaped from 14 places along the base. Cheniere moved quickly to isolate and empty the cracked tank upon discovering the leak, according to the order. In a statement, Cheniere spokesman Eben Burnham-Snyder said the company is investigating the releases and working with experts on a repair plan. "We want to stress that there was and is no immediate danger to our community, workforce or our facility from this incident, nor is there any impact on LNG production," he said. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration obtained a copy of a prior investigative report that a Cheniere subsidiary received last March from Matrix Service, which built both of the affected tanks. The report noted that between 2008 and 2016, the cracked tank had experienced 11 other "upsets" that might have been caused by LNG splashing over the top of the inner tank. Cheniere indicated that similar problems might have occurred in the second tank. In its order, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration said that Cheniere had not corrected the "long-standing safety concerns" described in the Matrix report and could not determine how much LNG had leaked between in inner and outer walls of the tanks. The agency, now investigating the cause of the incidents, has ordered Cheniere to take the affected tanks offline within a week, determine the cause of the problems and make necessary repairs. As part of the order, Cheniere must inspect all five of its tanks, each of which hold 3.4 billion cubic feet of natural gas. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration has requested that the company provide it with a list of all spills or breaches associated with those systems. The order comes as Cheniere prepares to ramp up its LNG export activity. The company on Friday announced two long-term deals to sell liquefied natural gas to China's state-controlled oil and gas company through 2043. Cheniere is also working to open an LNG export terminal at the Port of Corpus Christi, which will support the deals with China. The company has begun construction on two liquefaction plants to convert the gas into liquid, and it is planning to build a third if it secures enough sale contracts. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's infrastructure proposal has renewed hope within the power sector that there might be some federal funding for them after all. On Monday the White House released a 55-page infrastructure plan, which along with the expected mentions of roads and airports also identified power projects as eligible for $50 billion in federal infrastructure spending in rural areas. Angry homeowners have filed at least three new lawsuits against or in relation to a luxury home-building company whose owner has been indicted for a second-degree felony of tampering with a government document. The latest legal actions claim fraud, negligence and breach of contract against RG Homes, a Houston company that has developed a number of high-end homes in Bellaire, Braes Heights and other affluent neighborhoods. One of the lawsuits alleges that real estate agents and a prominent Houston brokerage firm colluded in order to collect a hefty commission on the sale of a $1.8 million RG home. Last summer, RG founder Roy Gabbay was charged with tampering with a government document in relation to one of his homes in Bellaire. The charge was brought by the Harris County District Attorney's Office after a city building official discovered what he believed to be a forged certificate showing the home had passed a crawlspace inspection. MORE: Bellaire homebuilder RG Homes faces felony charge in addition to angry buyers Gabbay and his attorney have denied the criminal allegation. Gabbay has had a number of complaints from customers in recent years who contend their new homes had leaks, cracks, mold and other serious construction defects. Several of those homeowners are in or have filed for arbitration with the builder. Others have filed lawsuits. The newest was filed in state district court last week by a couple who said they discovered numerous construction defects, including wall cracks, defective plumbing and air conditioning and an active pest infestation in decorative wooden beams, in their RG home in Braes Heights. Lance and Kathy LaFleur are seeking damages for poor workmanship, fraud and negligence, according to their petition. Attorneys for Gabbay did not respond to a request for comment. MORE: Bellaire city manager defends inspection practices in wake of RG Homes controversy In December, RG homeowners Paul and Mary Ann Smith sued the builder in state district court, alleging the company breached its contract and violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, among other claims. The builder denied the allegations in a court document responding to the lawsuit. It said the homeowners refused to pay money due for materials and labor, according to a court document. In another lawsuit, RG homeowners Joseph Martinez and Rikki Rock-Martinez sued real estate firm John Daugherty, Realtors and two of its agents for alleged violations to the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. In order to earn their share of a $108,000 commission, according to the petition, the agent representing the buyer breached her fiduciary duty and the agent representing RG, made misrepresentations in order to close the deal. The defendants denied the allegations in a court document and their attorney, Dale Jefferson, likened the complaints to suing someone who recommended a doctor who performed malpractice. "There's no cause of action for that," Jefferson said Tuesday in an interview. Meanwhile, construction on one of Gabbay's homes in Bellaire was shut down by the city this month. A tag on the property orders the builder to provide valid insurance and renew its registration. MORE: Custom homebuilder accused of forging inspection documents appears in court Gabbay's criminal charges are still pending. Last month, a Harris County grand jury indicted the builder for unlawfully and knowingly making a false entry on a governmental record "with the intent to defraud and harm another." Valerie Turner, assistant district attorney in the consumer fraud department, said her office cannot discuss ongoing investigations. Gabbbay's attorney in the criminal case, Dan Cogdell, called the charges "false and inaccurate." "We believe that Gabbay is absolutely factually and legally innocent," Cogdell said in an email. "We look forward to his being exonerated in the courtroom." The Ginger Man, a Rice Village fixture that helped introduce a generation of Houstonians to a world of beer outside of Bud, Coors and Miller, is getting a new sibling in a growing family of specialty pubs competing with a proliferation of new bars and craft breweries. The purveyor of import and premium craft beers will open its second Houston pub later this week, at 160 West Gray in Midtown. The move is the latest expansion for the Ginger Man brand, which now has seven bars in Texas and three in the Northeast. The Midtown pub will be the chain's first in Texas to offer cocktails and a full-service kitchen. It will also feature lounge and bar seating, four different patios, a dart area and a second-story balcony with downtown views. Its modern design stands in contrast to the rustic, Old World feel of the Rice Village location, which opened in 1985 as the original Ginger Man. "We have a good, strong vision of what the Ginger Man is, and we're not chasing the trends," spokeswoman Lindsay Whitman said. "Our main focus is still serving good beer in a good atmosphere. We still are passionate about serving the right beer in the right glass at the right temperature." The company recently sold its Rice Village property, 5607 Morningside Drive, to Braun Enterprises, and is leasing it from the Houston-based developer. Zach Wolf of Braun Enterprises declined to share plans for the site, but he stressed that the Ginger Man "is not going anywhere." Whitman, the G-Man's director of training and events, was quick to assure longtime customers that the original is in no danger of closing. "We have no intentions of doing anything with that as far as shutting down," she said. "We're tenants now instead of landowners." But it, too, could soon have cocktails on the menu as the owners seek an additional liquor license. Whitman said the plan is to include liquor and broader food service at as many of its existing pubs as possible. In Midtown the company transformed the former Junction Bar & Grill, which closed last year, into a modern-style locale with higher bar tables, seats with soft cushions, dark woods and gray colors, Whitman said. The food menu includes bar food from chicken wings to beet salad. The Ginger Man hopes its revamped look and expanded offerings will help capture new customers, who might have passed over the pub in the past, Whitman said. "We wanted to make sure we offered something for everybody," she said. "Now, you can get a cocktail and some lunch or dinner." When Rice Village pub opened in 1985, it was one of the first multi-tap bars in the U.S. to offer different styles of beers, providing Houstonians with a discerning palate a fairly unmatched experience. Since then, there's been a renaissance of bars and craft breweries, from downtown to the suburbs, offering food trucks and outdoor patios. Whitman did not provide numbers on Ginger Man sales. She said the Houston expansion has been in the works for the past five years. "We were looking for a long time in Houston to expand but wanted to find the right spot in the right neighborhood," she said. "We think the Ginger Man fits the Midtown neighborhood and clientele well." The Ginger Man has steadily expanded across Texas and beyond. It added a bar in Dallas in 1992, Austin in 1993, Fort Worth in 2007, Plano in 2009 and Southlake in 2012. There are Ginger Man bars in New York, Boston and Greenwich, Conn., as well. Whitman said there are plans to open a second Austin-area location later this year. "We've seen success in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with four locations," she said. "Houston is definitely big enough to have two locations." MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - A few years ago, Google created a new kind of computer chip to help power its giant artificial intelligence systems. These chips were designed to handle the complex processes that some believe will be a key to the future of the computer industry. On Monday, the internet giant said it would allow other companies to buy access to those chips through its cloud computing service. Google hopes to build a new business around the chips, called tensor processing units, or TPUs. "We are trying to reach as many people as we can as quickly as we can," said Zak Stone, who works alongside the small team of Google engineers that designs these chips. Google's move highlights several sweeping changes in the way modern technology is built and operated. Google is in the vanguard of a movement to design chips specifically for artificial intelligence, a worldwide push that includes dozens of startups as well as familiar names like Intel, Qualcomm and Nvidia. Hardware makers And these days, companies like Google, Amazon and Microsoft are not just big internet companies. They are big hardware makers. As a way of cutting costs and improving the efficiency of the multibillion-dollar data centers that underpin its online empire, Google designs much of the hardware inside these massive facilities, from the computer servers to the networking gear that ties these machines together. Other internet giants do much the same. In addition to its TPU chips, which sit inside its data centers, the company has designed an AI chip for its smartphones. Right now, Google's new service is focused on a way to teach computers to recognize objects, called computer vision technology. But as time goes on, the new chips will also help businesses build a wider range of services, Stone said. At the end of last year, hoping to accelerate its work on driverless cars, Lyft began testing Google's new chips. Driverless cars Using the chips, Lyft wanted to accelerate the development of systems that allow driverless cars to, say, identify street signs or pedestrians. "Training" these systems can take days, but with the new chips, the hope is that this will be reduced to hours. "There is huge potential here," said Anantha Kancherla, who oversees software for the Lyft driverless car project. TPU chips have helped accelerate the development of everything from the Google Assistant, the service that recognizes voice commands on Android phones, to Google Translate, the internet app that translates one language into another. They are also reducing Google's dependence on chipmakers like Nvidia and Intel. In a similar move, it designed its own servers and networking hardware, reducing its dependence on hardware makers like Dell, HP and Cisco. This keeps costs down, which is essential when running a large online operation, said Casey Bisson, who helps oversee a cloud computing service called Joyent, which is owned by Samsung. At times, the only way to build an efficient service is to build your own hardware. "This is about packing as much computing power as possible within a small area, within a heat budget, within a power budget," Bisson said. 'Neural networks' A new wave of artificial intelligence, including services like Google Assistant, are driven by "neural networks," which are complex algorithms that can learn tasks on their own by analyzing vast amounts of data. By analyzing a database of old customer support phone calls, for example, a neural network can learn to recognize commands spoken into a smartphone. But this requires serious computing power. Typically, engineers train these algorithms using graphics processing units, or GPUs, which are chips that were originally designed for rendering images for games and other graphics-heavy software. Most of these chips are supplied by Nvidia. In designing its own AI chips, Google was looking to exceed what was possible with these graphics-oriented chips, speed up its own AI work and lure more businesses onto its cloud services. At the same time, Google has gained some independence from Nvidia and an ability to negotiate lower prices with its chip suppliers. Cut out the middleman "Google has become so big, it makes sense to invest in chips," said Fred Weber, who spent a decade as the chief technology officer at the chipmaker AMD. "That gives them leverage. They can cut out the middleman." This does not mean that Google will stop buying chips from Nvidia and other chipmakers. But it is altering the market. "Who's buying and who's selling has changed," Weber said. Over the years, Google has even flirted with the possibility of designing its own version of the chips it buys from Intel. Weber and other insiders question whether Google would ever do this, just because a CPU is so complex and it would be so much more difficult to design and maintain one of these chips. But at a private event in San Francisco last fall, David Patterson, a computer science professor at the University of California, Berkeley, who now works on chip technologies at Google, was asked if the company would go that far. "That's not rocket science," he said. The Le Meridien hotel, clad in turquoise panels, glows green at night, a colorful landmark in a downtown that's been busy with construction in recent years. Cranes building new skyscrapers and high-rises have dotted the landscape, but this luxury hotel was a completely different kind of project the restoration of the 21-story Melrose Building on Walker Street, which saved what was the first modern office tower in Houston. Designed in the early 1950s by the Lloyd & Morgan architecture firm and its creative director, Arthur Evan Jones, the building won a medal of honor from the Houston chapter of the American Institute of Architects in 1953. Jones and the firm at which he became a partner in 1961 it was Lloyd Morgan Jones in one of its iterations through the years is the subject of Ben Koush's new book, "Constructing Houston's Future: The Architecture of Arthur Evan Jones and Lloyd Morgan Jones," sponsored by Houston Mod. Koush, a Rice University School of Architecture graduate, first became acquainted with Jones when he wrote about story about him for Rice's "Cite" magazine a decade ago. Jones was in his 80s then, and Koush met with the modest and soft-spoken man four or five times for that article. Years later, a family member approached Koush about writing a book about Jones, hoping to preserve his legacy and document his contribution to Houston's early modern scene, including his often overlooked role in the design of the Astrodome. Jones was 91 when he died in 2014. Houston Mod, the nonprofit that works to promote and preserve modern architecture in the city, got on board to publish it as the latest in their series of books about notable modern architects. Other Houston Mod books have focused on the work of Hugo V. Neuhaus Jr., the Neuhaus & Taylor architecture firm, Donald Barthelme and William R. Jenkins. Koush's new book has already garnered attention, earning a 2018 Good Brick Award from Preservation Houston, which is sponsoring a talk and book signing Jan. 16 at Congregation Emanu El. Private Collection Anyone not immediately familiar with Jones' name or the firm's work will have an "a-ha" moment at a list of some of their most prominent buildings: the Astrodome (1958-65; with Wilson, Morris, Crain & Anderson), the American General Building (1962-65) on Allen Parkway, Smith Tower (1989) on Fannin Street, Three and Four Allen Center (1977-80/1984), Greenway Plaza, Summit Towers North and numerous buildings at Rice University, including the Rice Stadium (1949-50; since altered). In addition to documenting the firm's subtle application of modern architecture principles, Koush captures the culture of Houston's builders and developers through various boom and bust eras. Lloyd Morgan Jones firm did some residential work and always had Rice University as a major client, but it was relationships with developers Melvin Silverman and Kenneth Schnitzer and, to a lesser degree, Gerald D. Hines that established the firm as a major force. Silverman arrived in Houston in 1943 and hired Hermon Lloyd, who then worked alone, to design a home for his family in Riverside Terrace. Soon, Lloyd and his new business partner, William Morgan, became Silverman's go-to architects. More information "Constructing Houston's Future: The Architecture of Arthur Evan Jones and Lloyd Morgan Jones," by Ben Koush ($30) Details: Available at houstonmod.net, Brazos Bookstore, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Menil Collection, the River Oaks Bookstore and at Christ Church Cathedral Book signing: Preservation Houston will sponsor a talk and book signing at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 16 at Congregation Emanu El, 1500 Sunset. $5 general admission; free for Preservation Houston members See More Collapse With a business partner, Bennett Rose, Silverman built the Melrose Building and the competitive spirit between Silverman and Jones pushed them to achieve more together than they could have individually, Koush said. "He was their first patron, and he's an interesting guy, but he died suddenly from a heart attack in the middle of his career. Who knows what he would have ended up doing had he been around a lot longer," Koush said of Silverman. In his book, Koush describes the firm as prominent and progressive, and Lloyd was the big personality who built important business relationships. Jones, its creative director, leaned on classic modern design with Latin American influences. One example was to use solar shading devices since air conditioning was still relatively new and wasn't very efficient. On the Melrose Building, for example, four-foot-wide, cast-in-place concrete shades were designed to protect its steel casement windows from the blazing summer sun from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jones wasn't without ego, and sized up other architects or projects harshly at times, Koush said. "When the postmodern stuff came out, Arthur was horrified. Putting decorations on buildings ... he couldn't understand why anybody would do that," Koush said. Phillip Johnson's Galleria landmark Williams Tower originally called Transco Tower drew conflicting reviews from Jones, he said. "He'd say 'I hate postmodern architecture,' but at the same time he liked Transco for all of its class; it was prismatic," Koush said. Rice University proved to be Lloyd Morgan Jones' biggest client. On campus they designed not only the famed Rice Stadium, but also the Mary Gibbs Jones College, the Cohen House addition (since altered), Jones College master's house (demolished) and Sewall Hall. Many of the firm's projects especially their residential work have been altered or demolished. Several of their 1940s-era designs the McKesson & Robins building, Gulf Brewing Company building, Town and Country Apartments, Gulf Envelope Co. remodeling project and the Bart House (the city's first post-war modern courtyard house) are all gone. Other buildings gone from the landscape are the Mayfair Apartments (1955-57), the Americana Building (1956-61) and the Fireman's Fund Insurance Company building (1961). Still around are the Kinkaid School (1954-57) and its Cooper House (1958-59), both of which have since been altered, Foley's Sharpstown (1959-61), the Fannin Bank Buildling (1960-63), the Houston Baptist College (1960-63) and the Houston Natural Gas building (1965-67), Enserch Tower (1982) and Methodist Hospital's Smith Tower (1989). Perhaps one of the firm's best-known buildings, now known as 1400 Smith Street, was at one time was part of the Enron complex. At the time of its design, the building was called Four Allen Center, and the architecture firm was known as Lloyd Jones Brewer and Associates. When the building was completed in 1984, the director of the Museum of Modern Art's department of architecture, Arthur Drexler, visited Houston and praised the work so highly that it drew international attention. The building was of late modern design and Drexler was a vocal proponent of the aesthetic. "It is the most beautiful mirrored-glass building I have ever seen absolutely staggering," Drexler said in a story that ran in "Art in America" in 1984. "I called up the architects and they were also sort of puzzled and hurt that nobody else had noticed it. There they are alone in Houston bravely doing modern buildings." Koush hopes his book will raise awareness of the firm's work to a new generation of architects and will help the general public still identify the buildings they might drive past daily. "I think the thing was that Lloyd Morgan Jones were so understated ... and they weren't flashy," he said. Their reputation brought success. "They were proud that they never had to advertise," Koush said. "Everyone knew they did good work." Bookmark Gray Matters. There it is alone in Houston bravely. Anyone doubting that the U.S. was entering a full-blown panic over social media and smartphones hasn't been paying attention to the news recently. On January 30, the advocacy group Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) wrote a letter to Facebook requesting they drop plans to create a Messenger service for kids only. CCFC claims that social media causes youth depression and writes that it is "very likely this new app will undermine children's healthy development." On February 4, the advocacy group Common Sense Media (CSM) promoted their partnership with some former tech executives to launch an "anti-tech addiction lobbying effort and an ad campaign," even though "tech addiction" has no diagnostic meaning. These parallel efforts are almost certainly going to enflame ongoing fears about technology. But do data back their assertions? It's important to understand that moral panics a tendency to place blame for real or imagined social concerns on a scapegoat tend to run in historical cycles. Twenty years ago, we worried whether violent video games were causing mass shootings. But research failed to substantiate clear links between them, and criminologists now consider a link a "myth." This cyclical pattern seemed evident in a recent survey I conducted with Slate. It found parents were less concerned about violent games and aggression. Instead, concerns about technology addiction were very common. (That the parents in the survey spent more time on screens than their kids didn't seem to assuage their concerns.) This is fueled by breathless headlines about supposed links between social media, smartphones and awful outcomes like suicide or addiction. But finding evidence to support these links has proven elusive. MISSING DATA: Should we panic about teens' social media use? Let's consider the claims of CCFC first that social media use is linked to depression. CCFC cites one recent study by Dr. Jean Twenge correlating smartphone use with depression in youth. But this appears to be a misrepresentation of the data; this correlation is of trivial size and unlikely to be noticeable in the general public. Dr. Andrew Przybylski accessed the same dataset used by Dr. Twenge and said: "Based on that same data set, eating potatoes has the exact same negative effect on depression. The negative impact of listening to music is 13 times larger than the effect of social media." But we don't seem to be seeing those same headlines about the harmful effects of potatoes on today's youth. Time spent on social media is actually a poor predictor of mental health. In one recent study of more than 400 young adults, my colleagues Chloe Berryman, Charles Negy and I found that neither time spent on social media nor the importance placed on it predicted mental health or suicide. At the same time, some behaviors, such as "vaguebooking" (seeking attention through vaguely alarming posts) did serve as a red flag for suicidal thoughts. But this all seems to track with other research that suggests that social media is no magic bullet to mental health problems: How one uses social media is more important than whether one uses it. Though suicide prevalence has increased in the last few years, this does not seem to track well with social media use. Recent increases in suicide are not limited to youth using social media. Almost all age categories have seen a rise in suicide, suggesting that larger structural elements in society are at fault. The CSM effort seems to focus more on the concept of "addiction" to technology, which remains a controversial concept. CSM has teamed with ex-industry execs, which gives their effort a bit more cachet. QUESTIONING TRENDS: No, smartphones alone aren't making us unhappy However, evidence that youth are experience anything like a widespread addiction (rather than adults just being annoyed with youth doing things differently) is lacking. Many scholars have been critical of efforts to use "addiction" terminology. UNICEF recently cautioned against using "addiction" language when discussing the use of technology by youth. Therefore, addiction talk is fanning fears over a concept that has no scholarly consensus. As with all things financial, the general public should keep their eye on the source of this fear. Both CCFC and CSM are advocacy groups that tend to raise anxieties about media and solicit donations (CCFC is happy to take stocks or securities according to their website). This isn't to say these organizations are necessarily acting in bad faith. But they do have a product to sell and, too often, this involves fear rather than reasoned conversations about technology use. We need to have those reasoned conversations. How, as parents, do we balance the use of technology with exercise, homework, real-life socialization and sleep? What limits are right for our families? How do we positively involve technology in our own interactions with our kids? A moral panic has never nurtured these kinds of conversations. Dr. Chris Ferguson (@CJFerguson1111) is a professor of psychology at Stetson University and a Fellow of the American Psychological Association. He is coauthor of the book "Moral Combat: Why the War on Violent Video Games is Wrong" and author of the mystery novel "Suicide Kings." Bookmark Gray Matters. It seeks attention through vaguely alarming posts. New York is the latest city to contemplate congestion pricing as a way to deal with traffic problems. This strategy, which requires motorists to pay fees for driving into city centers during busy periods, is a rarity in urban public policy: a measure that works and is cost-effective. Properly used, congestion pricing can ease traffic, speed up travel times, reduce pollution and provide funds for public transport and infrastructure investments. The details matter, including the size and timing of charges and the area that they cover. Congestion charges also raises equity issues, since rich people are best able to move closer to work or change their schedules to avoid the steepest costs. But the key point is that this approach has succeeded in cities including London, Singapore and Stockholm. For scholars like me who focus on urban issues, serious discussion of congestion pricing in New York City is welcome news. The down side of density Cities concentrate people close together for good economic reasons. Clustering activities allows transfers of information, knowledge and skills. At their best, cities create deep pools of labor, large markets of consumers and savings in the provision of public goods such as mass transit and trash collection. Planners should be encouraging cities to become bigger and more dense if we want to improve economic performance. But growing concentration also imposes costs, and one of the largest is traffic congestion. Costs multiply when we factor in use of motor vehicles on public roads. Drivers spend valuable time sitting idly in traffic jams, while noise, accidents and pollution impose heavy burdens on city residents. Should road use be free? The idea of charging for use of public roads is not new. Economist Arthur Pigou discussed the issue as early as 1920 as part of his attempt to remedy the suboptimal workings of the market system. In 1963 Canadian-born economist William Vickrey argued that roads were scarce resources that should be valued by imposing costs on users. Consumers intuitively understand differential pricing. We expect to pay more for airline tickets at peak travel times and for hotel rooms at popular times of the year. Congestion pricing operates in the same way. By increasing prices, it forces users to think about the cost of making a trip. A congestion tax is what behavioral economists call a nudge that makes people evaluate their travel patterns. And it can be effective. A 2008 study gave drivers in Seattle a hypothetical cash sum to spend on trips, charged them tolls linked to traffic congestion levels and let them keep money they did not spend. Their cars were fitted with equipment to monitor driving patterns. The results showed that pricing affected behavior: Travelers altered their schedules, took different routes or collapsed multiple trips into single journeys. Collectively, these changes reduced congestion at peak time, lessened wait times and increased average travel speeds in the studys regional traffic model. Congestion pricing in practice Singapore was one of the first major cities to introduce congestion pricing in 1975, charging $1.30 (in U.S. currency) for a vehicle to enter the central business district between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. The policy had political support because most residents used public transport, with only the wealthiest driving private cars. The tax was viewed as a more equitable distribution of costs. The net result was that congestion was reduced and travel times improved. Between 1975 and 1988, the project generated revenues 11 times larger than its costs. Pollution decreased and pedestrian safety improved. In 1998 Singapore shifted to variable charges that target congested road stretches and vary by time of day and travel direction. London introduced congestion pricing in 2003, charging motorists, entering central London between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays, 5 British pounds (about $7) per day. The scheme generated 2.6 billion pounds (about $3.63 billion) in its first decade, almost half of which was invested in public transport and infrastructure improvements. The Congestion Charge, as it is known, reduced the number of automobiles entering the city by 44 percent from the pre-charge level and slightly reduced traffic accidents. Air quality in central London also improved. Transport for London The charge did produce some unintended consequences. House prices within the Congestion Charge zone increased bid upward by consumers who appear willing to pay to avoid traffic and enjoy improved environmental conditions. Over the long term, the congestion tax lubricated the gentrification of central London. But this process is common to many other big cities, with or without congestion pricing: The rich preempt central city locations and displace the less wealthy to the suburbs. Stockholm introduced a congestion tax in 2007, after a seven-month trial and bitter political fights. Vehicles entering the central city were charged different rates over the course of the day, reaching 35 Swedish kronor (about $4.40) during morning and evening rush hours. The tax gradually gained public support and decreased congestion as commuters shifted to public transport. Other Swedish municipalities have since copied the scheme. Congestion pricing in the U.S. While the United States has over 5,000 miles of toll roads, congestion pricing is uncommon. One exception is Interstate Route 66 in the Washington, D.C., metro region, where fluctuating tolls were introduced on Dec. 4, 2017. Pricing for these express lanes changes every six minutes during rush hour eastbound in the morning and westbound in the afternoon. The toll hit $40 for a 10-mile stretch the day after it was introduced. But this is just one well-used road, and there are many other routes into central Washington. The I-66 tolls are more about generating revenue on one road than reducing congestion citywide. Currently, the proposed plan for New York City would charge cars $11.52 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street on weekdays during business hours. Trucks would be charged $25.34, and taxis and app-based rides such as Uber and Lyft would be charged $2 to $5. The tax would generate $1.5 billion yearly. What about equity? Only 4 percent of people who commute into New York City travel by car, and of those, only 5,000 could be classified as working poor. Increased funding from congestion fees would allow more investment in mass transit, making life easier for the majority of New Yorkers who commute by public transit. Unlike other taxes that can be easily dismissed as imposing costs and killing jobs, congestion pricing improves market efficiencies because it forces people to think about their travel and leads to a more rational use of our public roads. In my view, it is a powerful policy whose time has definitely come. John Rennie Short is a professor in the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Bookmark Gray Matters. It is just one well-used road. One person was fatally shot in southwest Houston Monday night, Houston Police said. Officers were dispatched to the 10100 block of Beechnut Street around 7 p.m., police said. WASHINGTON - A long-awaited infrastructure plan President Donald Trump sent to Congress on Monday aims to spur investment in the nation's ailing highways and bridges but provides little in the way of a road map for Texas and other states looking for ways to pay for new construction. The plan, which Trump said is intended to "help the states out," calls for the federal government to invest $200 billion over the next decade to leverage as much as $1.5 trillion in state and private infrastructure spending. Cities like Houston could use the money for new water projects, road building or public transit. But there's a catch for state and local officials: The bulk of the funding would have to come from their own coffers, either by borrowing, taxing, tolling or cutting budgets. While Republicans remained largely silent about the plan, Democrats immediately assailed it as unworkable for states and municipalities facing their own budget woes. Texas U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, a San Antonio Democrat, called it "not a serious plan." The plan, a major campaign plank, was released alongside a $4.4 trillion budget blueprint that calls for cutting a host of domestic programs while pushing up military spending and raising annual deficits over the next decade. White House budgets annually are proclaimed dead on arrival in Congress and typically are merely starting points in long spending negotiations. But the budgets do underscore an administration's broad goals, such as privatization under Trump. 'Invest in people' That's why, preliminary or not, the president's budget plan already is sending ripples through NASA's Houston-based space community by privatizing the International Space Station by 2025 and redirecting federal investment into a lunar exploration program. The space station is currently funded only through 2024, but it is widely expected to be extended by Congress. Texas could feel the effects of Trump's spending proposals in other ways as well. In spending for the new fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, the budget would include $1.6 billion for 65 miles of new border wall along the Rio Grande Valley, which, according to a senior administration official briefing reporters on condition of anonymity, "is based on our priorities given to us by the operators on the ground." The administration wants to eventually spend $18 billion on the wall. The White House also is proposing a $47.5 billion budget next year for the Homeland Security Department, which spends heavily in Texas - a 7.8 percent increase over the present year. "We continue to invest in people, infrastructure and technology to keep terrorists and unwanted criminals out of our nation," the White House official said. The budget requests $2.8 billion for 52,000 beds associated with immigration enforcement, an expansion of about 800 in the detention capacity this year and $782 million to hire 2,750 more customs and immigration agents. Houston-region U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, praised Trump's budget, particularly for its spending on cybersecurity and the border. But until now, congressional Democrats have fought Trump's wall funding proposals to a standstill. It's expected to be central to this week's debate about the legal status of "Dreamers" and the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. For Texas, there is more uncertainty surrounding the infrastructure plan as well. Half of the $200 billion Trump is proposing would create an incentive program to help states that put up their own money for major building projects. The money, awarded competitively, would cover up to 20 percent of project costs. The plan sets aside another $50 billion for rural infrastructure programs distributed to governors through block grants. Some $30 billion more would be reserved for existing loan programs to attract private financing, and the remaining $20 billion would target "transformative" new projects, possibly including high-speed trains such as the proposed new service between Houston and Dallas. Trump's proposal to foster more public-private partnerships for road building mirrors a bipartisan plan sponsored by Texas U.S. Sen. John Cornyn last month to raise the federal limit on tax-exempt private activity bonds for infrastructure projects. The Trump plan does not identify any new public revenue streams for the federal dollars, such as raising the 18.4-cents-a-gallon gasoline tax, which hasn't seen an increase since 1993. Instead, officials said the plan would be funded by cuts to other parts of the federal budget. No longer 'a roadblock' In comments to state and local officials Monday at the White House, including Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, Trump made clear that the infrastructure push would have to come from the states. "If you want it badly, you're going to get it," Trump told the group. "And if you don't want it, that's OK with me, too because the states will have to do it themselves if we don't do it. But I would like to help the states out." At the same time, Trump promised to streamline federal permits and eliminate regulatory barriers. "We're going to get the roads in great shape," he said. "Washington no longer will be a roadblock to progress." Trump also signaled that he would leave it up to the Republican-controlled Congress to get behind his infrastructure plan, which he rated as a lower priority than the recently enacted $1.5 trillion tax, a military buildup and business deregulation. "If for any reason they don't want to support it, hey, that's going to be up to them," Trump said. "What was very important to me was the military." Some state officials cheered the spirit of Trump's message, even if it didn't commit Washington to much more money. "The administration's infrastructure proposal reflects our shared confidence in the partnership of federal, state and local entities to develop and complete major infrastructure projects," said J. Bruce Bugg, chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission. Trump's plan mirrors many efforts already in motion across Texas. Voters in 2014 and 2015 approved additional money for highways, using oil and gas taxes and a portion of the state's economic stabilization fund, also called the rainy day fund. That allowed the transportation commission to plot $70 billion in capital projects over the next decade, a jump of about $20 billion from previous 10-year plans. Some rules of that spending, however, conflict with Trump's plan, which heavily leverages private investment. Both Prop. 7, passed in 2014, and Prop. 1, passed in 2015, bar the additional state money from being used to advance toll projects in any way. The transportation commission last month approved its 10-year plan, minus some projects that lawmakers felt blended the state and toll money too closely, even as those projects had broad support in the Dallas and Austin areas. To get from the $200 billion Trump proposes spending in tax dollars to the $1.5 trillion he pledged for failing roads, bridges, waterways and other projects, the president's plan relies on public-private partnerships that award federal money for 20 percent of major projects. 'Really big fight' predicted Though some states allow metro areas to add taxes for transportation, Texas counties and municipalities are limited. The Houston area's ability to come up with anything in addition to Metropolitan Transit Authority's 1 percent sales tax is negligible. "Asking for local or private investment at 80 percent will mean that every project built in Texas will be tolled," said Adrian Shelley, director of the Texas office of Public Citizen, a left-leaning public advocacy group. Tolling, while widespread in Texas metro areas, also is bitterly opposed by some on the left and the right as ultimately costlier for commuters. "What good does it do us to have the Trump tax cut put money in one pocket and take it out of the other pocket with a toll privatization project," said Terri Hall, head of the nonprofit Texans for Toll-free Highways. Hall predicted a "really big fight" with members of Congress, especially over changes that would allow tolling on existing interstate lanes. Bill Lambrecht and Mihir Zaveri contributed to this report. Robert Lightfoot envisions a world 12 years from now where astronauts further study the moon, scientists have determined if oxygen can be harvested from the Martian atmosphere, and samples have been collected from Mars for study. All this and much more is possible if Congress approves President Donald Trump's $19.9 billion request for NASA's fiscal year 2019 budget, said Lightfoot, the space agency's acting administrator. "We are once again on a path to return to the moon with an eye toward Mars," Lightfoot said Monday. "This time we are leveraging the multiple partners both here at home and internationally in developing a sustainable approach where the moon is simply one step on our truly ambitious long-term journey to reach out farther into the solar system to reap the economic, societal, and expanding knowledge benefits such an endeavor will bring," he said during a State of NASA presentation. PRIVATE FIRMS: With Falcon Heavy launch, should NASA continue building its own rocket? The $19.9 billion request - about a $370 million increase from the current budget year - would allocate $10.5 billion for human exploration. But that increase for exploration comes at some costs, Lightfoot said. It would eliminate a number of science missions as well as end federal funding for the International Space Station after 2024, the year funding for the space station is already scheduled to stop. For fiscal year 2017, NASA's budget for the space station was $1.45 billion. In addition, Lightfoot said, the agency's Office of Education - which receives $99.3 million in the current budget - would be eliminated under the plan. He did not elaborate on what exactly that would mean. Allard Beutel, a NASA headquarters spokesman, said in a statement Monday that the agency still supports education, but that the fiscal environment is tight. That's why the agency will be creative about how to engage students if the budget proposal is approved, he added. Through "mission directorates," Beutel said NASA will focus on: Creating unique opportunities for students and the public to contribute to NASA's work in exploration and discovery. Building a diverse future science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workforce by engaging students in authentic learning experiences with NASA's people, content and facilities. Strengthening public understanding by enabling powerful connections to NASA's mission and work. Internships and fellowships maintained outside the office would continue, he added. The James Webb Space Telescope, the $8.8 billion successor to Hubble, would remain on track to launch next year, according to budget documents, but its successor, the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), would be canceled "due to its significant cost and higher priorities within NASA," according to a budget document. WFIRST was being built to study dark energy, exoplanets and infrared astrophysics, and the National Academy of Sciences recommended that it follow Webb, according to NASA. But the cost of the project, set to be launched in the mid-2020s, has ballooned to $3.6 billion, well above initial projections, according to a 2017 Science Magazine article. Several Earth science missions also would be canceled. Among them: a program that answers questions about the consequences of climate change on oceans, an observatory on the space station that studies the Earth's atmospheric carbon cycle, and an instrument that measures Earth's reflected sunlight and emitted thermal radiation. "We had to make hard decisions, but we're setting the stage of an exciting decade in the 2020s," Lightfoot said during a presentation from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama that was livestreamed to NASA facilities across the country, including Johnson Space Center in Houston. The Trump administration would transition the activities on the International Space Station to commercial entities, ending federal government support in 2025. But the budget also proposes $150 million to help industry create space habitats that could be used in place of the station. "It proposes to stimulate the commercial opportunities by providing an off-ramp for government-led opportunities," Lightfoot said. "Hopefully we'll begin relying on our commercial partners." Under the budget proposal, the first unmanned flight of the Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft (both built to transport astronauts to deep space) would be 2022, followed by Americans around the moon in 2023. "This will be the first human mission to the moon since Apollo 17 in 1972," said NASA's acting Chief Financial Officer Andrew Hunter. In his address, Lightfoot also said the proposal would allow the agency to begin working on the foundation of a Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway, to "give us a strategic presence in the lunar vicinity that will drive our activity with commercial and international partners and help us further explore the moon and its resources and translate that experience toward human missions to Mars." The budget still must be approved by Congress. WASHINGTON - The number of sexual assaults reported at the U.S. Military Academy roughly doubled during the last school year, according to data reviewed by the Associated Press, in the latest example of the armed forces' persistent struggle to root out such misbehavior. It's the fourth year in a row that sexual assault reports increased at the school in West Point, New York. There were 50 cases in the school year that ended last summer, compared with 26 made during the 2015-2016 school year. By comparison, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., saw only slight increases. Defense Department and West Point officials said the big jump at the Military Academy resulted from a concerted effort to encourage victims to come forward. But the dramatic and consistent increases may suggest more assaults are happening. "I'm very encouraged by the reporting," Lt. Gen. Robert Caslen, superintendent at West Point, told the AP in an interview. "I recognize that people are not going to understand" the desire for increased reporting, he said. But, he added, "I've got the steel stomach to take the criticism." The annual report on sexual assaults at the three military academies is due out this month. The Naval Academy's reports increased to 29 last year from 28. The Air Force Academy's edged up by one, to 33. About 12,000 students are enrolled across all three institutions. The AP reviewed the data ahead of its public release. The report highlights persistent problems within the Air Force Academy's sexual assault prevention office that emerged late last year. Staffing and management issues led to sweeping disciplinary actions, the resignation of the director and an office restructuring. Those problems could cast doubt on a sharp decline in reported sexual assaults at the Air Force Academy for the 2015-16 school year, considering a widespread loss of confidence in the office. Students may have been reluctant to file reports. There have been worrying trends. An anonymous survey released last year suggested there were more sexual assaults, unwanted sexual contact and other bad behavior at all three academies. It found 12 percent of women and nearly 2 percent of men said they experienced unwanted sexual contact. The largest increases were at the Army and Navy academies. In response, West Point leaders took steps to get more victims to come forward. "When we saw that, we did a complete review of our strategy," Caslen said. "We went after increased reporting." Officials moved the sexual assault reporting center to a more accessible area on campus with a private entrance. Brig. Gen. Omar Jones, the Army's public affairs chief, said this year's increase resulted from "proactive and deliberate initiatives" to help victims report incidents. There was an overall decline in reports over the 2015-16 school year at the three academies because Army and Navy increases were offset by a sharp drop at the Air Force Academy. Houston officials are weighing a number of regulatory changes to harden the city for the next flood, one of which would extend and strengthen various rules governing development in local floodplains. A lengthy City Council hearing Monday on the proposal featured a fair amount of testimony from developers, builders and engineers who said they are concerned the city isn't basing its proposals on sufficient data. Some said the proposed elevation requirements, in particular, are overkill. Mayor Sylvester Turner has proposed requiring all new buildings outside the floodplain to be elevated two feet above the ground, but that change would occur in the building code, not the floodplain ordinance now under discussion. Within the floodplain ordinance, he also has proposed that new or rebuilt structures within the 500-year floodplain be placed two feet above the projected water level in a 500-year flood. Read more: Council, civic leaders call for more time on Mayor Turner's flood control rules Now Playing: A sampling of the debris that lined much of Houston streets in September 2017, as seen from the Houston Chronicle's drone. Video: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle Read more: Turner proposes stricter development rules to boost flood control in Houston The data below from Houston Public Works isn't comprehensive, but it is instructive. A few things to note: 1981 is the year the first floodplains were mapped in Harris County, though they since have been updated; 2006 is the year the city's current floodplain rules were enacted. As you can see, Harvey flooded 25,524 structures built in the pre-floodplain era, another 3,455 structures built after that point but before current regulations were adopted, and yet another 1,353 homes and businesses that were built under the current rules. In the 500-year floodplain, Harvey flooded 6,896 buildings built before floodplains and another 7,460 structures built since then. Most of the damage occurred outside any mapped floodplain, however. An estimated 70,411 structures built before 1981 flooded and 19,066 built since then took on water, according to Public Works. To learn more about floodplains in your area, check out this interactive county map. AUSTIN The battle to run Texas' General Land Office is generating a lot of political sparks for such an obscure job. The position's duties may be little known, but it involves handling billions of dollars in cash and land management. In the March 6 primary, six candidates four Republicans and two Democrats are competing for a spot on the November ballot. That makes it the office with the second-highest number primary candidates. Only the governor's race has more candidates with 12 primary contenders. Incumbent George P. Bush, the 41-year-old grandson and nephew of U.S. presidents, is facing off against his outspoken predecessor Jerry Patterson, 71, who wants his old job back after leaving it to unsuccessfully run for lieutenant governor. Despite its low profile, the land commissioner has one of the state's most critical jobs, especially now as hundreds of communities, including Houston, continue to recover in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. "The (governor), the lieutenant governor and other statewide elected officials, including the land commissioner, are important positions because they touch so many lives," said David Dewhurst, who served as the land commissioner from 1999 to 2003. The Texas land commissioner is responsible for cleaning up oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico, raising money for schools, preserving the state's most iconic landmark, doling out benefits to veterans and helping communities recover from a natural disaster. "Our land commissioner oversees extensive programs that benefit our veterans, and our oil and gas activities, which are important to provide more funding for public education, particularly when the Legislature has not been as aggressive as it has in the past to provide funding for public schools," Dewhurst said. School funding, Alamo The land office was established in 1836, shortly after the Texas Revolution, making it the oldest public state agency. The office was the administrator of all public lands in Texas, which still owns about 13 million acres. At the time, its main function was to provide maps and surveys, issue titles and collect and keep records. But the agency has evolved to take on vital roles. Tex Morgan, who is running as a Democrat, said that if elected he'll work to increase awareness about the land office's duties. "Too few Texans know the scope or depth of the GLO's responsibilities, programs and opportunities," Morgan, 38, said. As oil and gas became integral to the Texas economy, the land office leased public lands to oil and gas companies. The revenue from those leases then goes into the Permanent School Fund, a main source of funding to public schools. Typically, the land office takes a 20 to 25 percent royalty from gas and oil produced on state land. In 2017, the fund generated just more than $2 billion in public school funding, according to the Land Office. It oversees some state veterans programs, including offering low-interest mortgage loans and upkeep of cemeteries. The land office also oversees Texas' coastline. In 2011, the Legislature also tasked the land office with overseeing the Alamo, which is undergoing a multi-million dollar restoration and preservation. At least one Republican candidate, Rick Range, has made the Alamo his top priority, criticizing Bush for how he has handled the project. Bush has faced intense skepticism from tea party activities who are weary of a plan to "reimagine" the site. Local and state officials have long called for updating the area around the Alamo, but the Land Office put several non-profit organizations in charge of the Alamo redesign and day-to-day operations. "I decided to enter this race because the situation with the Alamo has become so dire that is necessary that we get a new land commissioner for the state of Texas to secure the future of the Alamo," Range, 65, said in a video on his campaign Facebook page. An internal draft audit made public last week was critical of the agency's oversight of the Alamo, saying the non-profit structure Bush put in place did not comply with state laws. Bush said the document has been "doctored." Patterson, Bush's most outspoken opponent, said he wants to "return the agency to its former status as a professionally run agency," which include restoring confidence and transparency in the management of the Alamo. Davey Edwards, another Republican candidates, said it is important to protect the Alamo from "being abused politically," but said the Alamo is a small portion of the commissioner's responsibility. He wants to "bring integrity and respect back to the GLO." "The first century of Commissioners were either land surveyors or had extensive knowledge of land surveying which served the GLO because of their knowledge of record keeping and title tenure," Edwards said. "This knowledge has given way to real estate managers and politicians which ultimately have lost focus of the primary function." Recovery efforts But in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, many believe the land commissioner's most important job is to help those whose homes were ravaged by the storm. Since 2011, the land office has been in charge of overseeing housing recovery efforts following a natural disaster. The office is tasked with administering millions of Community Development Block Grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. But many of Bush's opponents, both Democrats and Republican, have condemned Bush's handling of the recovery efforts, arguing the agency has been too slow to get people back into their homes. Miguel Suazo, a Democrat on the primary ballot, has repeatedly called out Bush for not demanding that the state tap its rainy day fund, which has about $10 billion available for budget emergencies. In a January interview with the Bryan-College Station Eagle, Bush expressed support for calling a special session so that the state could provide more money for Harvey relief. A few days after the interview was published, Bush walked back the statement saying he "misspoke." Gov. Greg Abbott has said calling a special session is unnecessary. "I agree that calling a special session is not necessary," Bush said. "I will continue to work under Gov. Abbott's leadership as we help Texans throughout the hurricane recovery process." Since recovery efforts began, Bush has said the land office is at the mercy of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which determines eligibility for the recovery programs and distributes the funds. The land office recently estimated there are more than $60 billion worth of unmet Harvey recovery needs. In a Houston Chronicle candidate survey, Bush said Hurricane Harvey relief efforts is his top priority. "The Texas coast was devastated by Harvey last fall and we need to continue to fight for those affected," Bush said. "There is still work to be done, and I am the only one with the experience dealing this situation." Alejandra Matos covers politics, immigration and education policy. Follow her on Twitter. Send tips to alejandra.matos@chron.com. Dereliction of duty Regarding "Juvenile lock-up" editorial (Page A12, Thursday), I disagree with the last sentence of the editorial It said: "Teenagers still need help growing up, and it falls on Harris County to act smart about it." It is not the county's place to help teenagers to grow up. It is the parents of these teenagers who are supposed to help them grow up. And it is the parents' fault that the county has to deal with these teenagers. When I was growing up, if I was dumb enough to do what some of these teenagers have done I would not be worrying about what the county would do to me. I would be worrying about what my dad would do to me when I got home. That would be a lot worse. My parents taught me as a child to do the right thing. Some of the things the kids today bring or do in school would never have crossed my mind to do. The whole problem with the teens is the parents. They are not doing their job. Leslie Haas, Baytown Political games Regarding "Trump won't declassify Democratic memo on Russia probe" (Page A16, Saturday), you got to hand it to the Republicans. President Trump says he can't release his taxes because of an IRS audit. Then he says he'd love to sit down with Special Counsel Robert Mueller and answer questions about the Russian meddling, but his lawyers won't let him. And now he won't release the Democratic rebuttal memo because of security concerns. His hands are tied, right? That was the plan all along, folks! The Republicans issued an incomplete, misleading and innuendo-laced memo knowing that any rebuttal could only be made by releasing the full context of what went down. That's what the FBI and Department of Justice should have made clear with their "grave concerns" over the release of the Republican memo. The security concerns were not with the memo itself, but what it would take to set the record straight. Instead they played right into the Republicans' hands. David Kelly, Spring Roads already paid for Regarding "Study: New toll road could generate millions in revenue" (Chron.com, Sunday), I am very strongly of the belief that turning existing or modified infrastructure into toll roads should be strictly illegal. J. Patrick Miculka, posted via Facebook Several hundred employees at the firms Seattle headquarters are expected to lose their jobs with other regions less severely impacted. The head office had ballooned to more than 40,000 an incredible jump from just 5,000 in 2010. While the lay-offs seem drastic, its actually a fairly modest move for the company which is now the second-largest US-based corporate employer. It also comes nowhere near the cuts made by Microsoft and Boeing in recent years, both of which eliminated thousands of jobs in a single drive. Amazon also confirmed that there are currently 3,900 open positions based in the Seattle office and said impacted employees are more than welcome to apply. The cuts will primarily affect those in Amazons consumer business and come as the company shifts its focus to fast-growing areas and promising products, like its voice assistant, Alexa. Partners from New Zealands top workplace law firms will be providing a step-by-step guide to legally defensible disciplinary processes at HRDs 2018 Employment Law Masterclass series. Returning to three cities around New Zealand in the next few weeks, this popular program focuses on the most complex and challenging legal issues facing HR managers in their day-to-day work. Delegates will learn what language to use during formal employee disciplinary meetings and how to deal with personal grievances and stress claims lodged during disciplinary proceedings. Next time you're flummoxed by a problem at work, spare a thought for Natasha Kirsch. As the founder of a Kansas City nonprofit she was tasked with figuring out how the homeless mothers she worked with, many with felony convictions, could make a living wage that supported their families with also retaining the flexibility they needed to care for their kids. Their criminal record closed many doors for these women, their skills were often extremely limited, and the low-wage jobs they could get demanded so many hours to make ends meet that they were left with unsolvable childcare problems. Then it dawned on Kirsch, what she needed was a whole lot of cute dogs. A booming market with a dire shortage of workers Growing up, Kirsch's mom had owned a dog grooming business and had regularly complained about the difficulty of finding workers. Given that Americans own (and obsess over) 43 million dogs, this labor shortage is only set to grow. All that was required was a little training that could prepare struggling single parents to fill decently paid dog grooming gigs. Kirsch's latest initiative, The Grooming Project, was born. As the Kauffman Foundation video below explains, the project has faced many obstacles, not least of which is the participants' often chaotic living situations and lack of work experience. But with a whole lot of perseverance Kirsch managed to find funding and get her idea off the ground. Now she's teaching dozens of participants not only the basics of dog grooming and the fundamentals of being an good employee, but also helping them sort out the other logistical and life challenges that stand in the way of a career in the pet beautification business. . The program, which is now growing steadily, has a 100 percent job placement rate for grads and is looking to expand beyond its original Kansas City location. Kirsch's goals for the program are lofty, not only ending the cycle of poverty for the families involved, but also giving dignity and self-respect back to people who have never before caught a break or been told that they have what it takes to succeed. The prospects of an imminent breakthrough in powersharing talks at Stormont appear to have receded after an impasse over the Irish language deepened. The Democratic Unionists and Sinn Fein set out public positions on Tuesday that suggested a meeting of minds on the crucial Stormont sticking point was still a long way off. DUP leader Arlene Foster made clear she would not sign off on a stand-alone Irish Language Act a key Sinn Fein demand throughout the 13 months Northern Ireland has been without devolved government and also ruled out any legislation that would see gaelic road signs or workforce quotas of Irish speakers within the civil service. On speculation that a deal is close, @DUPleader tells @PA - aWhether it is this week, whether it is in a couple of weeks or whether itas in a couple of months what I must ensure is that we have an accommodation that everybody feels content with.a David Young (@DavidYoungPA) February 13, 2018 Stormonts former first minister moved to temper expectations that a deal to restore devolution is likely this week. I am hopeful that we will move toward devolution again, she said. Whether it is this week, whether it is in a couple of weeks or whether its in a couple of months what I must ensure is that we have an accommodation that everybody feels content with. In response, Sinn Fein insisted an Irish Language Act was a prerequisite of any deal . aA standalone Irish Language Act is clear, that is what we have set out to achieve.a .@moneillsf pic.twitter.com/IkaYyB2Gm8 Sinn FAin (@sinnfeinireland) February 12, 2018 Party president Mary Lou McDonald told the DUP to show leadership and ignore the hard-line critics who were opposed to any settlement. She said the regions main unionist party had to make up its mind whether it wanted to do a deal or not. I am concerned that the leader of the DUP felt moved to come out and talk back to some of the very unhelpful outside noise at this time, Mrs McDonald told RTE. The DUP know, like the rest of us, what is required to reach a deal Acht Gaeilge (Irish Language Act) and indeed other rights are clearly part of that. Sinn Fein wants a standalone piece of legislation to protect speakers an Irish Language Act but the DUP has long insisted it would only countenance new laws if they also incorporate other cultures, such as Ulster Scots. The basis of a compromise solution appears to lie in how any legislation is presented. Sources have suggested three pieces of legislation an Irish Language Act, an Ulster Scots Act and a broader Culture and Respect Act could be a means to satisfy both sides. But Tuesdays statements indicate a resolution is still proving elusive. In an interview with the Press Association, Mrs Foster rubbished speculation about the shape of Irish language laws that might emerge from the powersharing negotiations. There wont be a stand-alone Irish Language Act we have always made that very clearDUP leader Arlene Foster Mrs Foster said rumours about what legislation might look like were not grounded in any sort of reality. There wont be a stand-alone Irish Language Act we have always made that very clear, people arent going to be forced to learn Irish, there isnt going to be Irish compulsory in schools, theres not going to be bilingual signs or quotas in the civil service, she said. Some of the speculation has actually caused a lot of concern right across the community in Northern Ireland and its important that we say that that is not based in reality. What we are trying to find is an accommodation and a way forward that values those people who are Irish speakers but doesnt impinge on the lives of those who arent Irish speakers and I think thats important. Sinn Fein senior negotiator Conor Murphy said: However they want to describe it the DUP know that agreement requires an Acht Gaeilge. The DUP need to make up their mind about whether they are up for a deal or not. Mrs Foster also made clear that if devolution is restored she expects to be first minister of the new administration. Sinn Fein had previously ruled out her return to the post while an inquiry into a botched green energy scheme continued. I am the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party so therefore I will be the person thats put forward by the party to be first minister, she said. The Prime Minister and Taoiseach travelled to Stormont on Monday to encourage the regions parties to finally end the deadlock that has left Northern Ireland without a functioning government since last January. Theresa May urged them to make one final push to strike a deal to salvage powersharing. Mrs Foster said while the leaders were welcome, their presence proved a bit of a distraction as it interrupted negotiations. The DUP leader said the governments had been told in advance of their trip that the deal wasnt done. Meeting with @Number10gov Theresa May and her officials in Belfast, constructive talks on restoring power sharing and Brexit. Next up: meeting leaders of the Northern Irish parties pic.twitter.com/RvHcIpjh3Q Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) February 12, 2018 The DUP did not meet Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Monday but Mrs Foster rejected the suggestion that recent frayed relations between the two over Brexit was the reason. She said she did not feel it necessary to meet Mr Vardakar because the negotiations were touching on matters solely related to internal matters within Northern Ireland. Mrs Foster said language was not the only remaining sticking point, and said gaps still had to be bridged on other wrangles between the two parties. We have made very good progress in these last three weeks these last three weeks has been quite intensive and we have made good progress, she said. When Britain finally leaves the European Union, the bloc will face a budget shortfall of up to 15bn a year. The current EU budget period ends in 2020, about the time that the proposed Brexit transition period is likely to finish, and ran to about 960bn from its start in 2014. Almost 75pc of that cash went on agricultural subsidies and developing poorer EU countries. The next budget, or "Multi-annual financial framework", will run for at least five years from 2021 and be without payments from Britain, one of the major net contributors. While the total figure is subject to traditionally torturous negotiations between national governments and the European Parliament, the budget usually works out at about 150bn a year. The European Commission has vowed that it will not rely on debt to finance EU spending, meaning that every euro has to be found from existing or new revenue streams. So how is Brussels planning to plug the Brexit blackhole in its budget? Here are some of the ideas being floated ahead of the European Commission's unveiling of its plans in May. 1. More money from the member states Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, has already called on the remaining 27 EU member states to pay more to Brussels after Brexit. The commission must convince governments to breach the traditional ceiling in national contributions of 1pc of gross national income, a calculation that includes GDP. Mr Juncker wants the cap lifted and has claimed the cash currently costs each European taxpayer the same as a cup of coffee. "I think Europe is worth more than one cup of coffee a day," he said recently. Mr Juncker's Budget Commissioner has said only a "modest increase" in national contributions will be needed after Brexit. Gunther Oettinger said that the Brexit shortfall would be made up half by increasing contributions and half by cutting spending. EU budget negotiations see the richer member states, who put more into the budget than they get out, facing off against poorer "net recipients". 2. Cuts The commission is prepared to make some cuts but is also keen to defend expenditure, or increase it, on its research funding programme Horizon 2020 and the Erasmus+ student and worker exchange programme. Half of the annual Brexit shortfall is slated to be met through spending cuts and Mr Oettinger has conceded that after Britain leaves some EU staff might lose their jobs. "We may have to look at moderate cuts across the board," he said at a Brussels press conference. The German commissioner's preference is to avoid that if possible. Instead, he champions an efficiency drive where every euro spent would be justified by the "added value" it brings to the taxpayer. 3. End rebates Britain's EU budget rebate, famously won by Margaret Thatcher in 1984, has long stuck in Brussels' craw. The rebate is worth an annual 66pc of the UK's net contribution in the previous year. According to the UK treasury, the rebate was worth 4.9bn (5.5bn) in 2015. Other EU countries have their own smaller rebates but the commission is keen to use Brexit to end the national clawbacks. 4. EU-wide plastic tax The European Commission is planning to push for an EU-wide tax on plastic bags. If agreed by the member states, the levy would bring new money into the budget while helping the bloc to handle plastic waste. That problem has been exacerbated by China's recent decision to close its market to plastic waste and plastic reprocessing. The tax revenue will offset the amount EU member states pay to Brussels, reducing their contributions and allowing more wriggle room around the 1pc ceiling. Information on how the tax will work in practice are light at this stage. But it now appears that the tax faces significant opposition from other EU commissioners, who are unconvinced of its merits. They have pointed out that the tax revenue would drop as more and more plastics are recycled. There was no mention of the tax in a recent commission strategy paper, which has lead many to suspect the idea will be quietly dropped. 5. Emissions trading system The commission is mulling whether to take control of the revenue from the EU's Emissions Trading System (ETS), the cornerstone of its fight against climate change. The ETS is the world's largest carbon market, where allowances for carbon emissions can be bought and sold. Each year a company must surrender enough allowances to cover its emissions. As an incentive to encourage them to go green, any unused allowances, equivalent to a tonne of CO2 emissions, can be sold. Carbon allowances are given to national governments, which sell or give them to companies. This is a source of revenue for member states, who can spend the profits as they wish. The commission has suggested that it takes control of selling the allowances, with the revenue going into the EU budget and offsetting all or a proportion of countries' contributions. If recent reforms prove successful and the carbon price rises from its current price of under 8 per tonne to the hoped-for heights of 30, the commission could have a cash cow on its hands. 6. Visa fees Brussels is also planning to drum up cash by raiding revenues from the EU's new border system, which from 2020 will charge 5 to non-EU nationals from countries that do not need visas to travel to the EU. The fee is already likely to be upped to 7, EU sources said, after talks between national governments and the European Parliament. After Brexit, British businesspeople and tourists are likely to be included in the 30 million people who will pay the fee every year. 7. Britain keeps paying Brussels Britain has signalled that it would like to remain part of several EU funding programmes after Brexit. This could include the Horizon 2020 research initiative and the Erasmus student and worker exchange scheme. Mr Oettinger has hinted that may be possible but would require some financial contribution from the UK. Far more controversial is whether Britain is forced to pay in return for access to the single market, as, for example, Norway does. December's deal to avoid a hard Border still stands and the preferred option to secure that is through a comprehensive free-trade deal, the Taoiseach has said. But Leo Varadkar said the "tricky" part of the December deal is "and always was going to be" delivering on the commitment to avoid a hard Border. It comes just days after the EU's chief Brexit negotiator reiterated that a UK exit from the single market and customs union would leave border checks unavoidable. Mr Varadkar said the Irish and UK governments have now agreed to co-operate at official level to work out how the commitments given in December to avoid a hard Border can be translated into reality. "Both the British government and the Irish Government are very much of the view that the agreement that was made back in December stands, and that we both prefer option A as the best option by which we can avoid a hard Border in Ireland, and that is through a comprehensive free-trade and customs agreement involving Britain and Ireland," Mr Varadkar said. "That is the best way we can avoid any new barriers north and south, and east and west, and we have agreed to work together at official level to see if we can explore solutions as to how that can be achieved over the coming weeks and months." Mr Varadkar was speaking at Stormont after meeting with UK Prime Minister Theresa May. Both leaders were in Belfast amid expectations that a deal to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland is close. The Taoiseach said December's deal ensures the protection of the common travel area and the protection of joint citizens' rights between Ireland and Britain, and the protection of peace funding. Read More "All that is absolutely bulletproof. The tricky part is, and always was going to be, how we deliver on the commitment to avoid a hard Border," he said. The objective of December's deal is to reach a new UK-EU relationship - but if this doesn't occur, then the UK will come up with specific solutions. A final element was added at the request of the Irish Government, which essentially says if no final deal can be done, the UK will maintain "full alignment" with the EU rules required to ensure that north-south co-operation in terms of trade, regulations and standards, can continue. Mr Varadkar said it was the view of both the British and Irish Governments that the preferred option was not the final element. Meanwhile, Mrs May urged the DUP and Sinn Fein to make a final push to strike a deal to restore power-sharing. She said there was a basis for an agreement, and met both parties. The Taoiseach also held party meetings, but did not meet the DUP. Tensions between the DUP and Government have been strained by Brexit. But Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said people "shouldn't read too much into" the fact the Government did not meet the DUP. The North has been without a power-sharing administration for more than a year, with Sinn Fein's demand for an Irish Language Act the main stumbling block. It has been speculated a deal is now on the cards. Mrs May said the DUP and Sinn Fein have been working hard to close the remaining gaps. "Some differences remain, but I think there is the basis of an agreement here, and I have been urging the parties to make one final push for the people of Northern Ireland," she said. "We believe we are close to an agreement which, certainly, we can put to our grassroots and to the community as a whole," said Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. "We are not exactly there just yet...but there is nothing insurmountable if there is the political will to reach an agreement." DUP leader Arlene Foster said good progress has been made. Google is to increase its already-substantial presence in Dublin even further after reaching an agreement to lease new offices in Sandyford in South County Dublin. Google's move into the Chase building, which is owned by US real estate investment firm Kennedy Wilson, represents its second foray within six months into the Sandyford Business District (SBD). Last August, the company reached agreement with Irish Life to lease four floors at the nearby Blackthorn Building. The US web giant's agreement with Kennedy Wilson brings several months of talks between the parties to a successful conclusion, and will see it occupy the remaining 52,900 sq ft of vacant space at The Chase building. While Kennedy Wilson did not identify Google in its announcement of the deal yesterday, Mary Ricks, president and CEO of Kennedy Wilson Europe, welcomed the agreement, saying: "We continue to be attracted to the fundamentals of the Dublin office market, where we are seeing strong levels of occupational demand." Kennedy Wilson's 15-strong Dublin office portfolio is 98pc occupied. Most notably, it includes the Capital Dock mixed-use campus development in the city's fast-growing south docklands. The entire office element of the scheme has already been snapped up following the sale last year of 200 Capital Dock to US investment bank JP Morgan and the lease-up of 100 and 300 Capital Dock to Indeed. Since Google acquired its EMEA headquarter offices on Barrow Street and the nearby Montevetro Building in 2011, it has tended towards concentrating its search for additional office space within that immediate area, earning it the moniker of 'Googletown'. Only last week, the company formally opened its latest offices in the Dublin docklands area, inviting Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to cut the ribbon on the newly-contructed Velasco Building on Grand Canal Street. The 51,000 sq ft property is within walking distance of Google's Barrow Street headquarters. It is almost directly opposite the Treasury Building, the purchase of which the company is currently negotiating. Google's bid to acquire the 170m Boland's Quay development is also understood be at an advanced stage. Outside of its presence within Dublin's central business district and the Sandyford Business District, the US web giant entered into a 10-year lease on Block L at Freeman House in East Point Business Park in 2013. All told, Google currently employs over 7,000 in the capital. (Additional reporting Bloomberg) Recent research has shown that Irish dairy farmers can have high and variable levels of organic dust and endotoxin exposures. A new study in the Irish Medical Journal has found a high prevalence of work-related respiratory and upper airways symptoms among dairy farmers. Researchers at the School of Health Sciences National University of Ireland Galway studied respiratory symptoms in a cohort of 126 dairy farmers. Some 34.4pc had cough symptoms, 29.4pc had upper airway symptoms, 31.7pc had eye symptoms. The authors suggest that the symptoms may be related to work-related dust. Exposure to organic dust and its microbial constituents such as fungi, allergens and endotoxin have all been linked to the development or exacerbation of respiratory diseases or respiratory symptoms among farmers. Recent research has shown that Irish dairy farmers can have high and variable levels of organic dust and endotoxin exposures, often in excess of recommended health based exposure limits. In recent years there have been significant changes in work practices and processes in the farming community. Despite these improvements dairy farmers continue to experience a high rate of work-related respiratory morbidity. Dairy farming practice in Ireland still differs from that in other countries where enclosed or semi enclosed animal houses are normal practice. The levels of dust exposure did not differ between automated or manual feeding methods. In this study no difference was noted in the symptom profile whichever feeding method was used. In French dairy farmers it has been suggested that dust exposure on dairy farms carries the same risk of developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) as cigarette smoking. Previous studies have also found a high level of nasal polyps and rhinitis as well increased inflammatory markers in famers in Germany. Different inflammatory responses may occur in human nasal and bronchial epithelial cells on exposure to dust on a dairy farm. Despite improvements in work practice farmers continue to have significant work-related respiratory symptoms. The researchers said further studies are required to define the nature and significance of these symptoms. Tractor dealers are responsible for the majority of used tractors being imported, as the number of imported second-hand tractor far exceeds new tractor sales for the first time in three years. New figures from the CSO show 4,263 tractors were licensed for the first time in Ireland last year, with 2,453 of these imported while the remaining 1,810 were new tractors. According to the latest statistics, the number of new tractors being licensed in Ireland has gradually declined in recent years, dropping from 1934 in 2016 to 1,810 in 2017. According to Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) CEO Gary Ryan, the figures are more reflective of trade activity and changing market demands than a surge in private imports. In contrast, the numbers of used tractors being licensed in Ireland for the first time (ie used imports) have risen from 1,908 in 2016 and 2,453 in 2017. It is mainly trade activity with Irish dealers sourcing used imports for resale here. In 2015 there were 1,735 used imports which was considerably less than the long-term annual average. Sterling was strong, which impacted, as did the fact that sales of new tractors in the UK were in decline for a couple of years which reduced the supply of second hands. "Brexit changed that with a weakened Sterling and an upturn of new tractor sales in the UK increasing the supply of used machines. In 2016 there were 2,200 used imports with the bulk coming after the Brexit vote - last year the figure rose to 2,750 units, stated Mr Ryan. He said that most farmers are happier to get used imports through local dealers rather than trying to source them on their own. As a trade association we would obviously encourage customers to deal with a local FTMTA member who will be there to support their farming business for the long term, he stated. He said that the weakness of Sterling will put pressure on the supply of UK used imports in the long term as nearly all tractors sold in the UK are Eurozone imports. The exchange rate will make these new tractors more expensive which will eventually be reflected in the price of second hands there." Mr Ryan said that average horse power continues to increase and this has the impact of reducing the number of tractors sold somewhat - as an industry we differ from the motor trade in that we effectively sell horse power rather than units. The growth in popularity on farms of telehandlers and dedicated farm loaders also impacts on new tractor sales. The latest CSO statistics show over a third, or 1,605 of the 4,263 newly licensed tractors in 2017 went to Munster counties, with Cork alone accounting for 601 tractors in 2017. The top five counties for newly licensed tractors in 2017 were Cork (601), Tipperary (301), Galway (264), Mayo (242) and Wexford (217). New and used tractors licensed for the first time in 2017 by county in order of decreasing volume: Cork 601 (241 new; Tipperary 301 (149 new); Galway 264 (112 new); Mayo 242 (90 new); Wexford 217 (119 new); Clare 199; Limerick 186; Meath 186; Kerry 186; Kilkenny 176; Donegal 173; Roscommon 152; Offaly 142; Laois 141; Cavan 136; Kildare 135; Waterford 132; Westmeath 110; Carlow 91; Monaghan 94; Wicklow 86; Dublin 76; Sligo 71; Louth 64; Leitrim 54; and Longford 48. INBS was nationalised in 2010 and later merged with the remnants of Anglo Irish to form IRBC. Photo: PA Michael Walsh, the former chairman of the collapsed Irish Nationwide Building Society, has accepted responsibility for his part in the lender's downfall after striking a settlement deal with the Central Bank. Under the terms of arrangement, Dr Walsh - a former banking professor at UCD - must pay a 20,000 fine and is banned from working at a regulated financial services entity for three years. He has also accepted a reprimand. It is the first time that a director at a bailed-out institution has publicly accepted legal culpability for their role in the run-up to the crash. INBS was nationalised in 2010 and later merged with the remnants of Anglo Irish to form IRBC. The settlement, first reported by the Irish Independent, excludes Dr Walsh - a former banking professor at UCD - from any further involvement in the regulator's long-running inquiry in to alleged regulatory breaches at INBS. In a statement, the Central Bank said Dr Walsh, as the non-executive director (NED) of INBS during the period under investigation, from August 1, 2004, to September 30, 2008, has admitted to "certain prescribed contraventions of financial services law". The breaches related to the lender's management of commercial loans and credit risk. The Central Bank emphasised that Dr Walsh, as an NED, was not "directly engaged in the day to day management of INBS". However it highlighted his position as non-executive chairman of the board from May 14 until June 30, 2008 - when INBS was gripped by a lending frenzy. As property valuations and loans shot through the roof during the boom, the once comparatively small building society ramped up its lending to the sector, taking its commercial loan book from 2bn in 2000 to 9.8bn in 2007, mostly in the form of high-risk site financing. The Central Bank said Dr Walsh was "in a position to ensure that the Board received timely and relevant information from management and that the Board was addressing all relevant issues." It conceded that Dr Walsh "took a variety of steps to address these issues, which were flagged by various internal and external reports during the Review Period" but said he "accepts responsibility as non-executive chairman for the fact that these issues were not fully addressed". The regulator said that as a result the enforcement action reflected Dr Walsh's participation in INBS's failure to properly manage its commercial lending and credit risk management in accordance" with internal policies. It also cited the need to provide an "effective deterrent impact" to other entities and their management, including "in particular non-executive directors". A catwalk model displays Gucci designer goods. Tourism is a major factor in the rise in Irish sales IN a sign of renewed consumer confidence, sales of luxury Gucci designer goods soared by 58pc to 6.19m in Ireland last year. On the back of the massive leap in revenues, pre-tax profits at Gucci Ireland Ltd increased 17-fold to 726,537 in the 12 months to the end of February 28 last. The directors said that the jump in revenues is primarily due to the Gucci outlet in Kildare Village enjoying a full year of trading. The store commenced trading in July 2015 and closed in January 2017. On the company's future developments, the directors state that the company continues to work towards increasing market share by focusing on the achievement of an organic growth of its existing store network. On the risks facing the firm, the directors said "a significant proportion of our sales performance is linked to the level of tourism in Ireland". They added: "Exchange rate fluctuations are therefore influential." The directors said that the company enjoyed a gross margin of 39pc in 2017. A breakdown of the company's revenues show that 5.3m was from trading with third parties and 823,808 with trading with group undertakings. Numbers employed at the firm last year decreased from 20 to 18 with staff costs of 577,099. In 2016, pre-tax profits at another luxury retail firm, Swarovski Ireland Ltd, increased by 73pc to 121,000. This followed revenues increasing by 1m to 4.9m. The directors credit a particularly strong performance at the fashion jewellery company's outlet store in the Kildare Village outlet mall as a factor in the growth. Ger Carmody, Site Lead, MSD in Ballydine, and Ger Brennan, Managing Director for Human Health at MSD Ireland. Global healthcare leader MSD is set to create an additional 350 jobs in Ireland. A new manufacturing facility, producing biologics-based medicines for the worldwide market, will be built on the firm's previous site in Swords. Expand Close MSD / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp MSD That north Dublin site produced fertility and women's health products but ceased operations last year, with the loss of 570 jobs. It is understood that MSD originally looked for a buyer for the site but have now decided to reuse it for this new purpose-built high tech facility. Planning for the new plant is currently underway - as is the recruitment drive - with the intention that it will be up and running by 2021. An MSD Ireland spokesperson told Independent.ie that "the decision to locate this new facility in Ireland is a testament to the talent of MSDs Irish employees and the high standard of our existing operations". "It reinforces MSDs commitment to Ireland and further strengthens our global network," said the spokesperson. Managing Director of MSD Ireland Human Health and head of the MSD Ireland country leadership team Ger Brennan told RTE Radio 1that MSD are looking for graduates and people in early stages of their career for the new roles. "Technicians, graduates from college, we're also looking at quality, people in engineering and lab technicians," he said. "There's a diversity of roles available so I believe that when they see the description of roles online today, people will be very excited to reach out". Mr Brennan said that although those who lost their jobs can apply for the new positions if they have "the right level of qualification and experience", there is no guarantee that they will be employed at the site. "The manufacturing process we did back then was very different. Today we are moving into the area of biologics, it's a very different area of manufacturing". MSDs Irish operations are central to the work it carries out internationally, with over 50pc of its global top 20 products now manufactured here in Ireland. Director of BioPharmaChem Ireland Matt Moran said the announcement demonstrates MSD's "position at the heart of the corporations new products, and the cutting edge of biopharmaceutical innovation." "It is the mission of the industry in Ireland to continue to support discovery and innovation in the manufacturing of life-changing medicines, and to remain the global location of choice for the development and manufacture of biopharmaceuticals. Ireland's Life Sciences sector employs 60,000 people directly and indirectly, and in the last 10 years the industry has invested 10 billion euro in new facilities in Ireland," he said. Ibec CEO Danny McCoy also welcomed of MCD's expansion plans "as further evidence of the well-being of the biopharma industry and positive outlook for the sector in Ireland." Representatives MSD were at the launch of the Guaranteed Irish event, which took place at the Irish Stock Exchange last week. They shared their experiences of export markets, and how being Irish has added a competitive advantage to their business both at home and abroad. MSD currently employs approximately 1800 people across its sites in Ireland, in the areas of manufacturing, R&D, commercial and marketing facilities in addition to global support services. Unilever CEO Paul Polman whose company is one of the worlds biggest spenders on adverts Unliever's 7.7bn marketing budget could be diverted from platforms such as Facebook and Google if the tech giants can't ensure that adverts aren't placed next to others funding terror or exploiting children, the global consumer goods giant was warned. Keith Weed, chief marketing office of Unilever - whose brands include Lyons Tea, Dove, Hellmann's, HB and Lynx - warned yesterday in a speech in California that an environment where consumers don't trust what they see online cannot be permitted to persist. "Unilever will not invest in platforms or environments that do not protect our children or which create division in society, and promote anger or hate," Mr Weed said. "We will prioritise investing only in responsible platforms that are committed to creating a positive impact in society." Online ad spending in Ireland hit 445m in 2016, according to the latest figures from the IAB Ireland PwC Online Adspend Study. That was a 31pc increase on the 2015 figure. But according to that study, just 12pc was spent on fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) - of which Unilever is one of the world's biggest producers. The spend on adverts for retail propositions accounted for 14pc of the total, and digital ads for finance products and firms accounted for 18pc. Mr Weed's comments last night are certain to focus the minds of senior executives at Google and Facebook, both of which have their European headquarters in Dublin and employ thousands of workers here. Google and Facebook are estimated to have taken half of online ad revenue worldwide in 2017 and more than 60pc in the United States, according to research firm eMarketer. Concerns regarding ad placement on the platforms have been voiced for some time by global companies including Vodafone, and prompted some to either pull or severely retrench their online ad spend, or adopt strict new online advertising policies. Marks & Spencer, McDonald's and Tesco were among companies that pulled advertising from Google in the UK last year. "As one of the largest advertisers in the world, we cannot have an environment where our consumers don't trust what they see online," said Mr Weed. "We cannot continue to prop up a digital supply chain - one that delivers over a quarter of our advertising to our consumers - which at times is little better than a swamp in terms of its transparency." He added that consumers care about "fraudulent practice, fake news and Russians influencing the US election". "They don't care about good value for advertisers," he told his audience. "But they do care when they see their brands being placed next to ads funding terror, or exploiting children." Last year, Marc Pritchard, the chief brand officer of Procter & Gamble (P&G) - whose brands include Pampers, Gillette and Olay - said that a proliferation of fake ad clicks had undermined digital advertising. Just 25pc of online ad spending reaches the consumer, with the rest skimmed off by a "murky, non-transparent, even fraudulent supply chain" within the industry, Mr Pritchard told a conference in Germany. P&G said it slashed $100m (81.5m) from its digital marketing spend in one quarter last year and saw no discernible impact on sales. Unilever has already been cutting its ad spend to cut costs. (Additional reporting Reuters) Rents are still rising at double-digit rates around the country, according to the Daft.ie rental report Photo: Stock Rents soared to a record high last year, with people paying 10.4 per cent more in 2017 compared with 2016, a new report has revealed. Daft.ie released their Irish Rental Price Report today, which highlighted how rents are continuing to swell and gave us an indicator of what we can expect from the housing market in the coming years. Here are the key things that we learned from the study: 1. The average rent is now 65pc more expensive than when prices bottomed out The average rent is now 1,227, which is 19.2pc higher than the previous 2008 peak. On average, renting nationwide is now 65pc more expensive than when prices bottomed out in 2011. 2. Dublin rents are now 4,500 more expensive annually than during the boom Rent in the capital grew for the 26th consecutive quarter, at an average of 81pc more expensive than at their lowest point in 2010. This upswing is twice as long as the previous market upswing, which lasted from early 2005 until mid-2008 and it's also twice as long as the downturn, which lasted for four years. 3. Commuter counties have seen some of the biggest increases in rental prices As more people are priced out of living in Dublin, rents have soared in bordering counties. Expand Close Housing supply is failing to keep up with demand Stock image / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Housing supply is failing to keep up with demand Stock image Outside of Dublin, rents rose by almost 11pc last year, the 14th consecutive double-digit increase. While rental prices grew by less than 40pc in Carlow and Westmeath since 2011, they soared by over 80pc in Meath during the same period. The cost of renting a single room in a commuter county grew by 10.8pc during the first quarter of last year to 412, for a double room it increased by 8.4pc to an average of 484. In Wicklow the average rent is 1,256, in Kildare it is 1,212, in Meath you can expect to pay around 1,171 and in Louth 1,086. 4. The most expensive places to rent are... Perhaps unsurprisingly, the most expensive places to rent are all in the capital. South County Dublin is the priciest, at 1,995, South Dublin city comes in second at 1939. Central Dublin City is the third dearest place to rent in Ireland, 1869, and in North Dublin city it's 1,709. 5. And the least expensive places to rent... Outside of urban areas, the average rent is 10.4pc more expensive than it's previous peak. Leitrim is the least expensive place to rent in Ireland, with the average letting at 542, following this is Co Donegal, 599. In Co Longford the average cost of rent is 605 and in Roscommon it will set you back 625. The cost of rent rose by 3.9pc in Donegal, by far the smallest increase nationwide. Expand Close Stock Image / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Stock Image 6. Urban populations are continuing to increase - but it's not bad news for rural areas At the moment two-thirds of people live in urban areas in Ireland, compared to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development average of 80pc. Using the forthcoming National Planning Framework, the report predicts that by 2040 our population will reach six million people and 4.8 million (80pc) of us will live in cities. Author of the report and economist at Trinity College Dublin Ronan Lyons expects that this will benefit rural Ireland. "Somewhat paradoxically, the best hope for rural Ireland lies in the success of the cities. The bigger Dublin and Ireland's other cities grow, the bigger the population that can be sustained in rural areas. "Or to put it another way, if rural Ireland appears consigned to 20pc of the total, then it is in the interest of rural Ireland for the total to be as large as possible," he explained. 7. 40,000 new homes are needed each year to keep up with demand There were 3,143 properties available to rent nationwide on February 1 2017, this is the lowest number recorded for that time of year since the report series began in 2006, this is a 20pc decrease year-on-year. In Dublin less than 1,350 houses were available to rent, compared with almost 6,700 on the same date in 2009. Mr Lyons said that 40,000 new homes are needed to keep up with demand but less than 20,000 were built last year. Read More If you pay above-average rents anywhere in the country, be sure to contact us with your story at contact@independent.ie or on our Facebook page First Dates Ireland sees two first time blind daters share their very personal stories with each other on tonight's Valentine's Eve episode. Kyle Twomey (19) from Cork opens up about his battle with cancer having been diagnosed with testicular cancer at 17 which was then found to have spread to his abdomen and lungs. Eighteen months later he underwent more chemo as cancer was showing up in his blood although his scans were not showing any tumours. It has made me realise how near you can be to everything gone, so [I'm] just trying to live life properly and do anything and everything, he tells his date Laylah on tonight's episode. Expand Close Kyle from Cork on First Dates Ireland / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kyle from Cork on First Dates Ireland Im lucky to be alive. If I had waited another three months I wouldnt have made Christmas they said. There would be nobody sitting in this chair right now, or maybe there'd be a different person. Kyle is pansexual and, speaking to Nicky Byrne and Jenny Greene on 2FM on Tuesday, he revealed that pansexual is "not the same as bisexual". He said he is attracted to people based on their personality "regardless of their gender or sexual orientation". As for his reasons for applying for First Dates, he said, "You don't know how long you have left to live. Nobody does, but more so me because I've gone through the whole thing. I came close to dying probably about three times between clots and not getting checked in time. "I came close so I kind of went, go and find someone. [It's] better than doing it online. People see the cancer stuff and go, oh, and take a step back. 'You're only 20 so will I have to look after you in my 20s rather than going out and stuff?'." Kyle's date is Laylah Beattie (19) who is transgender. I definitely have more challenges than probably your average person. People on the street staring and shouting," she tells viewers. "Theres a lot of people who, I think, hate me and its very weird to have someone hate you for no reason. Asked what would be the one thing she would change about her life if she could, she replies: Id change society. I know a lot of people would expect me to say that Id change the fact that I was born male but I think the problem doesnt start with you as an individual, I think everyone has the right to be who they are but I would change the way people look at me. Laylah told Jenny and Nicky that she has been "dating for a while" and gets "a lot of confusion" and has had "a lot of bad experiences". The fact that the First Dates date is public appealed to her. "[Being transgender] definitely makes dating more complicated so I thought if people could see me being normal on a date that might help," she said. Viewers will find out how Kyle and Laylah got on romantically on tonight's First Dates Ireland, RTE2, Tuesday, February 12th at 9.30pm. The trial of an Uzbek man who has confessed to ramming a stolen truck into a crowd in Stockholm last year, killing five people and injuring 14 others, started on Tuesday under heavy security. Rakhmat Akilov appeared at Stockholm District Court, where he is charged with terror-related murder and attempted murder. The prosecution has requested that he gets a life sentence and is extradited from Sweden. Expand Close Stockholm truck incident / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Stockholm truck incident Akilov appeared in court wearing a green fleece jacket and flanked by his defence lawyers. He has said he wanted to punish Sweden for participating in the international coalition against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. Throughout the nearly 10-month investigation, Akilov has been co-operative, according to his lawyer and the prosecution. Prosecutor Hans Ihrman said Akilov drove a stolen beer truck into a crowd of shoppers in a busy shopping street outside an upmarket department store in Stockholms city centre. Akilov was arrested hours later. Yes, it was Akilov who drove the truck that day, his defence lawyer, Johan Eriksson, told the court. It is with shock and a heavy heart that I can confirm that Chris Bevington from our Spotify team lost his life in... https://t.co/HXPkWZVWzT Daniel Ek (@eldsjal) April 9, 2017 The dead included Briton Chris Bevington, 41, who worked as a director with music streaming service Spotify and was based in Stockholm with his family. The others were a Belgian woman and three Swedes, including an 11-year-old girl. Three interpreters were on hand during the trial, which is expected to end on May 9. A verdict is expected before the summer. Akilov had said he offered to carry out an attack in Stockholm on behalf of Islamic State, and had gathered information about possible targets. It was not clear whether the terror group had accepted his offer. Expand Close Stockholm truck incident / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Stockholm truck incident Investigators have found internet chat logs with unknown people in which Akilov discussed becoming a martyr and swore allegiance to IS between January 12 2017 and the attack on April 7, as well as a memory card with material that can be connected to IS, including execution videos. The construction worker, who was 39 at the time of the attack, was subject to deportation from Sweden ahead of attack as his asylum application had been rejected. Akilov had been ordered to leave Sweden in December 2016. Instead, he went underground, eluding authorities attempts to track him down. Swedens domestic intelligence agency has said there was nothing to indicate he was planning an attack. Security was high on Tuesday, with heavily armed police officers and scores of reporters going through metal detectors before entering the courtroom. Ahmad Rahimi in court in Elizabeth, New Jersey (AP Photo/Mel Evans) A man who set off bombs in two US states has been sentenced to multiple terms of life in prison. Ahmad Rahimi injured 30 people when one of his bombs, a pressure cooker device, blasted shrapnel in Manhattans Chelsea neighbourhood in September 2016. A second bomb planted nearby did not detonate. That blast happened just hours after a small pipe bomb exploded along a Marine Corps road race in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, frightening participants but injuring no one. The bombings triggered a two-day manhunt that ended in a shootout with police in Linden, New Jersey. Rahimi, a naturalised US citizen who was born in Afghanistan and lived in New Jersey, was shot several times but survived. Prosecutors said in court papers that Rahimi has not shown remorse and had tried to radicalise fellow prisoners at the New York jail where he has been held since his arrest. He is proud of what he did, scornful of the American justice system, and as dedicated as ever to his terrorist ideology, they wrote. Expand Close In this courtroom drawing, Ahmad Rahimi is seated during his sentencing hearing (Elizabeth Williams via AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp In this courtroom drawing, Ahmad Rahimi is seated during his sentencing hearing (Elizabeth Williams via AP) Rahimi, given a chance to speak at his sentencing, said: I dont harbour hate for anyone. Prosecutors said Rahimi gave inmates copies of terrorist propaganda and jihadist materials. They included speeches and lectures by al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden and Anwar al-Awlaki, a US-born cleric who inspired attacks on America and was killed in a US air strike in September 2011. Rahimi also allowed some inmates to view materials on his laptop or provided electronic copies as he spread The Book of Jihad, bomb-making instructions and various issues of a propaganda magazine. Defence lawyer Xavier Donaldson said Rahimi had once aspired to be a police officer and worked as a security guard after studying criminal justice at a community college. It was Mr Rahimis belief that he could help people while employed in a position that would guarantee him some type of pension, the lawyer wrote. While imprisoned, Rahimi has completed classes in business, entrepreneurship and drama, Mr Donaldson wrote. A victim of the Manhattan blast confronted Rahimi in court after he was sentenced, telling him she is an immigrant too. Pauline Nelson accepted Judge Richard Bermans invitation for victims of the attack to speak at the hearing. Expand Close In this courtroom drawing, Judge Richard Berman sentences Ahmad Rahim (Elizabeth Williams via AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp In this courtroom drawing, Judge Richard Berman sentences Ahmad Rahim (Elizabeth Williams via AP) Ms Nelson, of Brooklyn, was taken to hospital after the car she was driving was rocked by the explosion. Standing several feet from Rahimi, Ms Nelson, who is originally from Trinidad, scolded him for not apologising to victims. She looked him in the eye as she spoke and he stared back but said nothing. Outside court, Ms Nelson said it brought her relief to confront him. She said she is still frightened whenever she hears a siren. Aoibhe (6) and Eadaoin McInerney (4) and dad Pat, from Kildimo, Co Limerick, at La Spraoi na Leanai, at Mary Immaculate College as part of Bliain na Gaeilge 2018. The special event offers children the chance to speak Irish in a fun-filled environment and for parents to find out more about the supports available to help their children with the Irish language. Photo: Brian Arthur Proposals to have four-year-olds undergo a school interview to test their ability to speak Irish if they wish to attend Gaelscoileanna have been criticised by Fianna Fail Gaeilgeoir Eamon O Cuiv. The Irish language promoter said he had serious concerns about the plans, which he feared would place undue pressure on schools and young children. The proposed policy would see young children interviewed by the school in order to prioritise admission for children from Irish speaking families to Gaelscoileanna. It follows changes proposed in the Schools Admissions Bill that would prohibit the current method of interviewing and testing parents as part of the admission policy. While he insisted Irish speaking children should get priority at Gaelscoileanna, Mr O Cuiv said the proposed policy to interview potential pupils was not fair to schools or children. "I think it is putting pressure on the schools and could possibly put pressure on children where Irish is not the home language and the parents want to claim it is. Or the marginal cases and I don't want to put pressure on children," he said. Mr O Cuiv said he believed leaving the interview process up to the schools was "fraught with challenges" including teachers evaluating their own children or feeling under pressure from parents to pass children. "I agree that families who rear their children through Irish, and I mean genuinely do so, should get priority access into Gaelscoileanna because outside the Gaeltacht it takes a fair bit of effort to rear your children through Irish. "But I certainly don't think the school should do the interview," he said. Instead he called for a planned Government scheme to support Irish speaking families to be rolled out. Such a scheme was proposed under the 20-year strategy for the Irish Language in 2010, but Mr O Cuiv said to date it had failed to materialise. "If the systems that were promised had been put in place there would be no need for this. And certainly it would not be up to the schools where I think it would be very, very difficult for them to apply it because I believe there would be all sorts of arguments of bias and so on. "Whereas if there were supports and this scheme was in place then it would be recognised which families had engaged consistently since the child was born with this service. "I think using this scheme should be the criteria for priority access to Gaelscoileanna," he added. Mr O Cuiv said he had raised the matter with Fianna Fail education spokesperson Thomas Byrne and would continue to keep an eye on the proposals. "We will be keeping an eye as the bill comes forward. I want to check what the latest version of bill says. I was averse to one-off examination in the school as I don't think it's a fair or good way to go about this for a number of reasons and I think it would be controversial," he said. Homeowners in south Dublin are concerned about the rising cost of fixing their homes after they were handed bills of more than 5,000 each to pay for existing structural defects. Families living at the Beacon South Quarter, in Sandyford, said they will have to pay more toward the repairs, but they have not yet been given an indication of the number of payments they will have to make, or how much each payment will be. Many have started making the payments despite the fact much of the work has yet to be carried out. Fire officers are currently in talks with the on-site property management company after it asked for immediate and extensive work to be carried out. However, no timeline or work schedule has been set out for the necessary repairs. Apartment owners voted last year to pay more than 10m to fix the defects at the property. However, many owner occupiers said they were out-muscled in the vote by companies who own multiple units in the development. Ires Reit, the country's largest private landlord, owns 25pc of the 880 apartments in the complex. It said it was supportive of the work being completed after Dublin Fire Brigade wrote to owners warning they could face legal action if they do not carry out safety work at their homes. Since the vote it has been reported that the cost of the repairs has more than doubled. The remediation work is now expected to cost more than 20m. Homeowners are fearful they will be unable to sell their homes because of the issue. Yesterday, the Beacon South Quarter Management Company said property owners were aware they would be responsible for the cost of the repairs if the money could not be recouped elsewhere. Local Green Party TD Catherine Martin called on the Government to intervene, suggesting homeowners affected by such issues should receive tax breaks or interest-free loans from the State. She added that she is currently drafting a bill in relation to putting protections in place for future homeowners. Regulation "I do not wish to comment on any specific development as I am acutely aware that singling out one development for such attention has potential to cause hurt. Moreover, this is a national issue that deserves a national response from Government," she said. "It was the light-touch or non-existent State regulation that has led to this. The only law reform since the Priory Hall case six years ago is the change to building control, but there has been zero changes when it comes to remedies for consumers, real regulatory bodies for contractors, and no dispute regulation scheme for homeowners. "There are specific ways redress could be handled here. A start would be that they do not pay property tax but that should be the start. In Canada there is an interest-free loan scheme from the State. They would apply to the State if they discover a defect in their home and apply for an interest-free loan." In recent weeks, homeowners at the development received an invoice and notification of billing arrangements for sinking funds set up to deal with the ongoing issues at the property. It included a 3,456.39 invoice towards the fire compliance sinking fund, and a 1,601.60 charge for monies towards the water ingress sinking fund. Amnesty International has brought a High Court challenge against an order by the State's political watchdog that it return a 137,000 foreign donation it received from for a campaign relating to abortion. The donation was made in August 2015 by the Open Society Foundations (OSF) set up by billionaire George Soros to be used on Amnesty's 'My Body, Mr Rights' campaign. The goal of the campaign was to increase support for a referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment on abortion. Last November, the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) directed Amnesty to return the donation as it found it was prohibited under the 1997 Electoral Act and having deemed it to be a donation for political purposes. Amnesty denies the funds were used for political purposes and says Sipo's decision is flawed, and should be set aside. As a result, Amnesty International's Irish section has brought proceedings against both Sipo, Ireland and the Attorney General where it seeks to quash Sipo's decision. It also seeks declarations including that Sipo has acted in error of law, failed to give adequate reasons for its decision and that it should not have to repay the monies. Brian Murray, senior counsel for Amnesty, said the purpose of the donation was to fund a 2016 campaign. No referendum was planned or had been called when the donation was made, he said. Amnesty fears the matter could be referred to the Garda, leading to a possible criminal prosecution, if it does not return the monies. It also fears financial hardship as it does not have any significant reserves. Permission to bring the challenge was granted by Mr Justice Seamus Noonan. The judge threw out McDonaghs claim which meant the six other claims collapsed with it and were dismissed An eight months old child, who was scalded when she pulled a bowl of boiling water over her upper and lower body at a dinner table, has been awarded 27,500 damages against a Dublin Chinese Restaurant. Barrister Rory OReilly told the Circuit Civil Court Tuesday that little Lilly Caulfields dad had rushed her to the restaurant bathroom to pour cold water over her wounds. Pieces of scalded skin came away from the childs right arm as her parents removed her clothes in the toilet area, Circuit Court President Mr Justice Raymond Groarke heard. Mr OReilly, who appeared with OReilly Doherty Solicitors, told the court Lilly had been sitting in a high chair in the Royal Plaza Chinese Restaurant at Meakstown, Finglas, in February 2014. He said she had been sitting in the restaurant with her family and her mother, Lisa Caulfield, Shangan Park, Ballymun, Dublin, had asked for some warm water to be brought to heat up some baby food for Lilly. Mr OReilly said the water had been placed before the child by a waiter and before her parents could react she had accidentally pulled the bowl of boiling water down on herself, burning her right arm, chest and legs. Lillys father had grabbed her from the high chair, rushed to the toilet area and splashed cold water over her wounds. Her clothes had been removed before she had been rushed by car to the Emergency Department of Temple Street Childrens University Hospital. Mr OReilly said Lilly had been attended by nurses and plastic surgery staff at the hospital where she was found to have one per cent burns which were dressed. She had been given pain killers before being allowed home. She had to undergo painful re-dressings before her wounds had healed. Counsel told the court Lilly, now just short of five years old, had sued, through her mother, China Island Limited which trades as Royal Plaza restaurant, Meakstown, Finglas. The Injuries Board had assessed damages at 12,000 which Judge Groarke had earlier refused asinadequate. Mr OReilly said Lilly had subsequently been reviewed by Mr Kevin Cronin, Consultant Plastic Surgeon whose opinion was that she had been left with a small indentation scar of a permanent nature on her right arm. Judge Groarke, who heard Lilly had to endure some months of quite painful treatment, approved a settlement offer by the restaurant of 27,500. The Data Protection Commissioner will decide within two weeks a complaint by developer brothers Michael and John OFlynn alleging the National Assets Management Agency failed to provide them with all of their personal data held by it. Under a settlement of proceedings by the brothers alleging Commissioner Helen Dixon had failed to properly deal with and finalise their November 2014 complaint, the Commissioner will decide the complaint by February 27, the High Court was told on Tuesday. The Commissioner will also pay the brothers costs of their judicial review, Mr Justice Seamus Noonan heard. He agreed to adjourn the matter to February 28th so the settlement can be implemented. In their action, the brothers had claimed failure to finalise their complaint in a timely fashion breached their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights and Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. They said, after the OFlynn group loans were transferred in early 2010 to a Nama company, National Assets Loan Management Ltd (NALM), the group engaged with Nama about restructuring their loans with the intention of continuing in business. To that end, they gave NAMA documents comprising at least 2,000 pages, including highly confidential and personal information about their business and personal affairs, they claimed. NAMA later sold their loans in May 2013 to Carbon Finance Ltd for a reported 1.1 billon. In September 2014, they asked NAMAs Data Protection Officer to give them any personal data kept by it concerning them. Under the Data Protection Act, any such data should have been supplied to them within a maximum 40 days, they said. They claimed NAMA provided them with certain limited personal data but its response failed to meet their entitlements under the Act. They made a complaint to that effect to the Commissioner in November 2014. They disputed NAMA's claims it was entitled to exclude data on grounds including legal privilege and so as not to prejudice the agencys interests or ability to recover monies owed to the State. Michael OFlynn wrote to the Commissioner in June 2015 about delay finalising their complaint, saying the information would be relevant to evidence he was being asked to provide for the Oireachtas Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis. In correspondence, the Commissioner had stated documents were being sought and any delay finalising the complaint was not surprising given the very substantial documents identified by the brothers as potentially containing their personal data. They claimed the Commissioner had a "narrow interpretation" of the term personal data as excluding all data relating to them in their capacity as company directors and that she appeared to agree with NAMAs view data could be excluded on the basis it related primarily to their group. In January 2016, the Commissioner said an investigation would proceed without delay and various updates were provided over the coming months. On March 6th 2017, having received no findings or final decision, their solicitors told the Commissioner proceedings would be taken. The brothers and their company OFlynn Construction have alleged NAMA and NALM leaked "confidential" information concerning them and that alleged leak undermined the marketing strategy NAMA had agreed with them. They claim the information was financial, personal and corporate and the sums involved were very large, relating to assets worth "hundreds of millions". Their claims were denied, including that the information was "confidential". The brothers have said they need certain documents for their claim. A Dublin man who attacked his sister with a hurley over a fight about a family holiday has received a one year suspended sentence. Jason Burke (34) showed up at his two sisters' house after the row, hit one of the women on the shoulder with the hurley and pulled the other woman around the sitting room by the hair. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard both women were traumatised when gardai arrived on the scene, but that the family have since made up and are looking forward to the holiday. Burke, of Brookview Avenue, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and criminal damage at the Fettercairn premises in Tallaght on April 26, 2016. His previous convictions include assaults and public order offences. Garda Stephen Gillespie told Maurice Coffey BL, prosecuting, that Burke's sisters noticed he had been under the influence when he showed up to the house. He forced his way into the premises, smashed a glass table and a mobile phone and threatened both women. The court heard one sister was able to call gardai using a second phone. Gda Gillespie told Mr Coffey that the family are talking again and have since booked the holiday. He agreed with Marc Thompson BL, defending, that Burke was fully remorseful and was dealing with his alcohol problem. Mr Thompson submitted to Judge Martin Nolan that his client had been unfit for interview following his arrest. Judge Nolan accepted that Burke had been drunk at the time and said he hoped the four weeks he had spent in custody teaches him something. The judge suspended the sentence for one year. Jennifer Murphy, Rowlagh Crescent, Clondalkin, Dublin pictured leaving the Four Courts after she appeared before the Dublin District Court. Pic: Collins Courts A Dublin man has been fined 7,000 for having a dodgy gas meter at his home. Kevin Doyle, with an address at Cashel Avenue, Crumlin, Dublin 12, was prosecuted by Gas Networks Ireland. He did not appear at Dublin District Court on Tuesday for his hearing which proceeded in his absence. He was convicted by Judge John Brennan on three charges under the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act for dishonestly causing gas to be diverted, unlawfully interference with an authorised meter and failing to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the unlawful interference with the meter was discontinued. John Young, an authorised officer with Gas Networks Ireland, told the court that he attended Mr Doyles house on a date last year. The registered meter had been installed in 2004, he said. However, he said the meter had been decommissioned but gas was still passing through it and a sharp object had been forced into the device. This had been done without permission of Gas Networks Ireland, he said. Expand Close Jennifer Murphy, Rowlagh Crescent, Clondalkin, Dublin pictured leaving the Four Courts after she appeared before the Dublin District Court. Pic: Collins Courts / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jennifer Murphy, Rowlagh Crescent, Clondalkin, Dublin pictured leaving the Four Courts after she appeared before the Dublin District Court. Pic: Collins Courts The accused had no previous convictions, the court was told. Prosecution solicitor Adrian Lennon said the maximum fine was 5,000 per charge and a six month sentence could also be imposed. Judge Brennan imposed fines totalling 7,000 along with 750 in prosecution costs, which must be paid within six months. Gas Networks Ireland owns, operates and maintains the Irish natural gas network connecting more than 670,000 homes and businesses. In a second prosecution before the same court on Tuesday, Jennifer Murphy, from Rowlagh Crescent, Clondalkin, Dublin was given a chance to avoid a conviction and a sentence. She pleaded guilty to dishonestly causing gas to be diverted, unlawfully interference with an authorised meter and failing to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the unlawful interference with the meter was discontinued. The court heard that the gas network inspector visited her home on June 14 last and found that the meter had been replaced with another one which had been stolen from a house in Lucan, Co. Dublin. It had also been interfered with and the value of gas that had passed through it was unknown. Pleading for leniency her barrister asked the judge to note that Ms Murphy was an unemployed mother and wanted to become a driving instructor. She had no previous convictions, her barrister said. Counsel said Ms Murphys ex-partner had been living with her at the time and it was her belief that the meter may have been changed at that point. Prosecution solicitor Adrian Lennon asked the court to note that there was still another meter adrift and that created a public risk. Judge John Brennan said it was clearly a very serious mater; there was a health and safety issue and the use of the stolen meter was of grave importance. He took into account her good record, circumstances and her explanation and said she would be spared a conviction if she donated 500 to the Focus Ireland charity which provides assistance to people affected by homelessness. The case was adjourned until a date in May and the judge warned her she would be convicted, fined 1,000 and ordered to pay costs if the money had not been donated before the next hearing. A father and mother are facing a jail sentence and a fine after a judge heard their child missed at least 243 days of primary school over a three-year period. The married couple were prosecuted by the Child and Family Agency following concerns about the high number of days of school missed by their son. Neither the mother nor father, who moved to the UK last year, attended the hearing at Dublin District Court. The father phoned an education and welfare officer before the hearing to tell him that this was due to his "bad back". The officer told the court that their son missed 72 out of 182 days in the 2014-15 school year, 65 out of 182 days during the 2015-16 year, and 106 days in the 2016-17 school year. Only about 20 days could be accounted for. It was their ninth hearing in relation to the boy's lengthy absences from school. The prosecution began in January last year and the couple attended the first three hearings only, Judge John Brennan heard. Education and welfare officer Eamonn Regan said the couple moved to the UK without notifying the school. The man later claimed his son had been enrolled in a named school in England. However, that school never heard of the boy. Authorities in the UK were alerted and have made contact with the parents who are now seeking to home-school. They could be fined up to 1,000 and jailed for a month if convicted of breaking the Education (Welfare) Act. Judge Brennan adjourned the case until a date in April. A Sinn Fein councillor with South Dublin County Council is to face a Circuit Court trial for a serious assault after he pleaded not guilty in Tallaght District Court. The DPP had previously directed summary disposal only on a plea of guilty in Councillor Dermot Richardson's case. Mr Richardson (51), of Tymon Hall Grove, Tallaght, is charged with assaulting a male causing him harm at Belgard Green, Tallaght, on March 12, 2017. Mr Richardson was before Judge Patricia McNamara yesterday morning for a plea. Judge McNamara noted the DPP had previously directed summary disposal only on a plea of guilty. Mr Richardson's defence lawyer, Padraig O'Donovan, told Judge McNamara that his client was pleading not guilty. Sergeant Michael Aherne asked for a remand for six weeks for service of the book of evidence. Judge McNamara remanded Richardson on continuing bail to March 26. Children across the country will be given new opportunities to engage with the arts as part of a 1m scheme that will bring artists and creators into the classroom. Education Minister Richard Bruton believes the move means children will be better equipped to deal with challenges and obstacles as they make their way through school. He said it will help the young people of Ireland to go on and become more than actors, artists and creative types - but also help them engage better with the world around them. Arts Minister Josepha Madigan welcomed the launch of the Creative Schools programme yesterday, saying it would make young Irish people more confident. An initial cohort of 150 schools will work with artists and educators to put arts and creativity at the heart of children's lives. Participating schools will develop their engagement with arts and culture with the aim of empowering them to change and adapt the way they work. Schools will submit applications by next month and selected schools will be announced in May. They will then be given a one-off grant of 2,000 for the 2018/2019 academic year. The scheme is part of a collaboration between the Department of Education, the Department of Arts and the Arts Council. It is also part of the Government's Creative Ireland initiative to drive extra participation in cultural activities across the country. Each of the two Government departments will provide 400,000 of the funding with the remainder supplied by the Arts Council. "The essence of it is that we are now insuring that creative artists come and help a school itself to shape its own initiative," said Mr Bruton. "I think that is really important, that you get that chance to shape a plan the school can bring to life for every pupil. "It is not just about cash, it is really about the partnership we are forging here." Ms Madigan said she was hopeful the programme would help to equip students, especially young girls, with life skills they can bring to their daily lives. She then wants to see the programme expanded and rolled out to more schools in later years if it proves to be a success. "It is really exciting, there are going to be 150 schools who will be in a position to apply for this and it is going to really help regenerate and fire the imagination of school children," she said. "We are hoping, as a pilot initiative, that it will be rolled out into the future. "I think confidence is one of the biggest things children need to learn, particularly young girls. I think they can explore that and build their confidence, particularly through the arts and drama and music." A 'creative associate' will work in partnership with each school approved under the scheme. They will develop approaches allowing for sustainable engagement with the arts and enhanced creativity in the classroom. The scheme will target a diverse set of schools with a string focus on inclusion. Director of the Arts Council Orlaith McBride said it was important to ensure the arts played a fundamental role in the lives of young people. That is why the scheme will be open to a range of schools at primary and post-primary levels. "The Arts Council understands that for creativity to thrive we need not only to recognise the importance of the arts but also to build infrastructures, programmes and ways of working that place the arts at the core of school life," said Ms McBride. "We would like to make sure a range of schools participate in the pilot phase in different parts of the country, rural and urban, Deis schools, special schools and Youthreach centres." The scheme was launched yesterday at Central Model Senior School, Marlborough Street, Dublin, with the help of pupils and actress Cathy Belton from TV3's 'Red Rock'. She said she hopes the scheme will empower young people and help them to discover new interests. "The arts are a gateway to let the imagination soar," she said. "School can be a challenging place and not being good at something can be dispiriting. "A creative programme empowers young people to find their own distinctive voice. Everyone can take part, everyone is given a chance to explore what interests them and discover, perhaps, something that will enrich them and stay with them for the rest of their lives." Schools can apply online to take part in the scheme between Tuesday, February 20, and Thursday, March 22. Mr Bruton said he would like to see the programme continued for each of the next three years. "It is really important that our schools open their doors to creative artists to come in and help teachers to inspire children to become more engaged in the arts. Every child that gets more exposure to creativity is more resilient in themselves, is more creative and better equipped to deal with challenges that may come their way. "I think it is a really important initiative starting in 150 schools this year and we hope to grow that to another 150 next year and a further 150 the year after that," he said. Ms Madigan said the pilot was an important tool to make education a more creative process for young people. "It means participating schools will be provided funding and expertise to enable them to explore the potential impact of the arts and creativity on school life," she said. Ireland is set to join a co-op with Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Austria in a bid to get cheaper medicine. Health Minister Simon Harris will today ask for Cabinet permission to sign up to the coalition known as the BeNeLuxA Initiative. It is hoped that by teaming up with the four countries, Ireland will be in a stronger position to negotiate with big pharmaceutical companies. In recent times, patients with severe illnesses have faced delays in receiving new medications because of protracted rows over the prices being charged. The most high-profile instance was the cystic fibrosis drug Orkambi, which was being quoted at a cost around 159,000 per patient. Mr Harris will tell colleagues that joining the BeNeLuxA Initiative will enable Ireland to explore opportunities in an increasing challenging environment. The ultimate idea is to secure sustainable and affordable access for patients to new and innovative medicines. There will also be scope for pooling information and expertise in the longer term. The three main maternity hospitals in Dublin are among 11 centres involved in a safety probe of machines used to monitor a baby's heartbeat during labour. The investigation by a HSE-appointed group will also examine the foetal monitoring machines in maternity units in Portlaoise, Cork and Limerick. Health Minister Simon Harris described the risk assessment as "precautionary". However, the HSE was under pressure to explain why it was carrying out this surveillance now even though Philips, the manufacturer of the machines, issued a medical device recall in 2009. Krysia Lynch, of the maternity support group Aims, said: "If the results of foetal monitoring of the baby and the mother are wrong, then every decision that follows in the pregnant person's care also has the potential to be wrong." Foetal monitoring can be essential to find out if a baby in the womb is in distress and suffering a fall in oxygen which can lead to brain damage. Avalon Foetal Monitor machines were in use in the maternity unit at Portlaoise maternity hospital, where a number of babies died in similar circumstances over a number of years when they suffered a loss of oxygen after their mother was given a drug to speed up labour. The recall notice about the machines was first made public by Roisin and Mark Molloy as a result of their own investigations after the death of their baby, Mark, in 2012 in Portlaoise. The HSE said that Philips issued a device recall in 2009 due to the receipt of a high volume of complaints that certain models of the machine were taking inaccurate readings. The alert referred to the need for better guidance for staff in the use of the machines in the interests of safety. The HSE said yesterday it has had a "number of communications" in recent weeks and in order to obtain reassurance it set up the risk assessment team. They will look at the current situation and also do a lookback to see if the right actions followed the 2009 alert. Ms Lynch said, however, that "in 2014, units were asked to check if the notices from Philips had been complied with. "It appears from reports that in some units this might not have been the case." The minister added: "What I would say to any woman going into our maternity services today is that all of the hospitals have been reissued with the guidance. "So, this is about guidance, so that those using those monitors know how to correctly interpret the results. So, it is a precautionary measure being taken by the HSE." Meanwhile, a Medical Council inquiry is to resume today into an obstetrician presiding over the delivery of Mark Molloy. The obstetrics/gynaecology registrar known as 'Doctor A' is facing allegations of professional misconduct and poor professional performance at a fitness-to-practise hearing, including failing to adequately review or interpret a cardiotocograph (foetal monitor). Baby Mark died at Portlaoise Hospital on January 24, 2012. Roisin and Mark Molloy told a previous hearing they were told their son was stillborn but later found out he was born alive and died 22 minutes later after attempts to resuscitate him failed. They are attending the hearing this week. 'Doctor A' denied the majority of the seven allegations against him. A crunch meeting on the possible closure of a mental health facility for the elderly will be held at senior level today as Communications Minister Denis Naughten comes under increasing pressure to secure its future. Fears are growing that Aras Naomh Chaolain in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, will shut. A spokeswoman for the minister, who is TD for Roscommon, declined to say whether he would resign from Cabinet if the facility was closed by the HSE. There are 14 patients suffering from dementia living in the facility in Castlerea. A spokeswoman for Mr Naughten - who quit Fine Gael after the closure of the A&E unit in Roscommon Hospital - said an agreement was made to keep the facility open in 2015 and he would be demanding this is honoured. He has blamed the HSE for stopping new admissions to the home, which angry locals have described as closure "by stealth". The row will be discussed by HSE official Tony Canavan and Health Minister Simon Harris on a visit to Galway today. The HSE did not respond to questions from the Irish Independent yesterday. Breege Callaghan, the western regional representative of the Psychiatric Nurses Association, warned some of the residents of the home had nobody to speak for them. Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice argued capacity should remain at Aras Naomh Chaolain, due to the high proportion of people in the region suffering from dementia. He called on the minister to act, saying that Mr Naughten told a public meeting on the home last week that he is "standing with the people". "If you're standing with the people, nothing should close," Mr Fitzmaurice said. Fianna Fail TD Eugene Murphy said Mr Naughten "has to deliver on it now". Throughout human history, every society has had its own moral panic. Sometimes that moral panic is based around the perceived other in that societys midst, which, in extreme cases, leads to genocide. Far more common, however, is a cultural moral panic from the reds under the bed hysteria of America in the 1950s, to the drug-taking, free-lovin hippies of the 1960s and 70s, and the subsequent spasms of societal outrage which good music like punk and hip hop used to provoke. Then there are the frenzied outbursts that are caused by technology. Those of you old enough to remember the VCR will, no doubt, recall a time when the various Mary Whitehouse figures of the day railed against the so-called video nasties. Invariably, these explosions of fear and hysteria tend to fade with time once it emerges that the things which caused so much consternation arent the threat to society that they were once portrayed as. Certainly, when it comes to the cultural and musical panics, its interesting to note that where hip hop was once seen as something that was going to ruin Americas youth, rappers became commonplace in Obamas White House, while the same video nasties which once had to be surreptitiously rented under the counter of disreputable video stores, now appear on our TV screens without anyone batting an eyelid. The moral panic which currently faces our society is predatory paedophiles using social media to entrap vulnerable children. The difference here, of course, is that unlike the non-existent peril posed by watching a fuzzy copy of I Spit on Your Grave, or listening to an NWA album with a PMRC warning sticker on the cover, predatory paedophiles are real, they are a threat and they do indeed use social media to entrap children. It would be idiotic to deny it exists, and it would be utterly immoral to do nothing about it. Which is where the troubling trend of so-called paedophile hunter gangs comes into play. These are groups of online vigilantes, who pose as young girls to entrap potential predators. In the UK, these groups use self-aggrandising names like Dark Justice and Guardians Of The North, and have become such a nuisance to the authorities that, following the suicide of a man they exposed, local police forces have warned members that they themselves face prosecution if they have breached the law in the course of their hunt. The news that in allegedly clear or cut and dry cases of child grooming in Ireland trials may collapse because of the antics of self styled paedo-hunters should make us all sit up and take note. In a recent example, a man allegedly tried to groom a 10-year-old girl. When the childs mother saw the messages, she posted them online. One Irish group then shared these messages hundreds of thousands of times on social media and, despite repeated warnings, every time Facebook removed a post, someone else would simply put it back up again. Not only were the full messages contained in these posts, but a picture and name and location of the alleged perpetrator accompanied them. Even though the individual was arrested and there was relative confidence in achieving a conviction, gardai are now concerned that the Director of Public Prosecution may not proceed with charges. The defence will argue that their client cant hope to receive a fair trial when his name, face and alleged crimes have already been so widely disseminated. To make matters even worse, one member of the group also took it upon themselves to contact the individual in a decoy move and pretended to be interested in kidnapping a child. Now they, in turn, face the possibility of criminal charges. Now, the authorities are concerned that analagous cases could be at risk of not proceeding, given unwarranted interventions from paedo-hunters. These self-styled online avengers have received a certain amount of cachet in the last few years, and they operate in the full knowledge that anyone who criticises their methods is branded as somehow soft on paedophilia. Its a cheap insinuation and one which immediately places critics on the defensive. After all, if you have to spend the first half of your argument explaining that you are also against child abuse, then youve already lost. This isnt the first time some self-styled, self-appointed kangaroo court has caused damage in this country. Two years ago, a man was forced from his home in the midlands when it was wrongly claimed that he was a paedophile. By the time it emerged that this was a case of mistaken identity, the damage was done. Incredibly, the woman behind the erroneous exposure then went on radio anonymously, of course and defended her actions on the grounds that you cant be too careful. The phrase you cant be too careful is where justice goes to die. It can be used to justify any transgression or mistake, and still places the offender in a position of moral authority. The unspoken message, as it always is, is that they care more about this issue than everyone else, and if the police arent going to do their job, then someone has to do it for them. Frustration with the forces of law and order is understandable. After all, were living through a time of unprecedented tumult, and faith in the institutions of state has never been so low. But the problem with setting yourself up as judge and jury is that its only a question of time before you become the executioner as well. Inevitably, these paedophile hunters say that they are only trying to do the right thing. But every mob thinks that it is doing the right thing. History, however, tends to take a rather different view. There is only one court in this country, whether we like it or not. It may be a flawed system, but its the only system we have, and frontier justice is not an acceptable alternative. When these vigilantes, who seem to operate on some weird fantasy level and simply do not understand the law, start to hinder prosecutions, then they too should be seen as a problem, not as a solution. A man has died and another hospitalised following a collision between a car and a lorry. The incident occurred on Tuesday on the N5 near Swinford, Co Mayo at around 3.40pm. The man - aged 61 - was pronounced dead at the scene. A male passenger in his 20s was rushed by ambulance to Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar. The driver of the lorry was uninjured. The road is to remain closed overnight to facilitate forensic investigators. Local diversions are in place. Gardai in Claremorris have appealed for anyone with information to contact them on (094) 937 2080. A military association has warned the Government it will take legal action if it does not implement an EU ruling to allow troops to be affiliated to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and negotiate their own pay and conditions. The military won the right after a four-year battle at European level between the association representing soldiers, sailors and air crew in the Defence Forces and the Department of Defence. The powerful European Social Rights Committee has now ruled that while EU governments had powers to impose restrictions on the troops' right to organise, this did not mean they could operate a blanket ban on professional associations like trade unions to affiliate to national confederations. Mark Keane, president of representative body Pdforra, said yesterday that the ruling was an "enormous success" for their lengthy campaign and the findings vindicated the requests submitted by his association to various defence ministers seeking affiliation to Congress. He said the committee findings meant the restrictions on their right to organise must not impair that right. "Suppression for the sake of suppression is not a legitimate aim," he said. Mr Keane added: "Make no mistake about it, the Government fought us every step of the way in respect of this complaint." Strike Pdforra was supported by the European Organisation of Military Associations (Euromil). It is likely that the Defence Acts will have to be changed to accommodate the ruling after it has been formally approved in Europe. The move comes after a similar ruling in favour of the Garda associations four years ago. The Department of Defence welcomed another finding that the ban on the right to strike was not a violation of the European social charter and said the affiliation of Pdforra to Congress would be considered under a current review of the existing conciliation and arbitration scheme. The review was ordered by Defence Minister Paul Kehoe after allegations that it was no longer fit for purpose. Pdforra general secretary Ger Guinan said his association had not expected to be granted the right to strike and its intention was to examine the parameters of the restrictions. He said the complaint to the EU had not cost any money as it had been prepared in-house with the assistance of Euromil. Four-year-old Adam Grainger from Clonshaugh has no suitable school to go to in September. A SINGLE mother from Dublin has said she is at her wits end trying to find a school to accept her son who has autism. Four-year-old Adam Grainger from Clonshaugh has no suitable school to go to in September. His mum, Susan, told the Herald that only one out of 17 primary schools in her locality has an ASD unit a class attached to a mainstream or special school for autistic children. She said there are hundreds of other parents throughout the country in the same situation. Its a massive issue and its the same every year for so many parents like me she said. Im at my wits end trying to find a place for Adam, but we were told not to hold our breath. Adam attends early intervention sessions at the Central Remedial Clinic in Clontarf through the Home Tuition Funding. However, Ms Grainger believes their limited resources prevent her son from reaching his full potential. He doesnt communicate very well and his behaviour can be very bad, she said. But having said that, hes a really lovely child who has come on a lot since he was first diagnosed. I know he will benefit so much if he was just given the right opportunities. The devoted mother said she is determined to do everything she possibly can to help Adam. Im learning as much as I can about his condition and have attended numerous workshops set up by the early intervention team, she said. Ms Grainger said she worries for her sons future if his educational needs are not met. Early intervention is key, and if he doesnt get it right away then Im worried how it will affect him in later life, she said. What Adam really needs is to be enrolled into an ASD unit. My hope one day is that he will then adapt into a mainstream school. Ms Grainger added that many other parents on social media have reached out to her to share their similar experiences. Niall Murphy, from Autism Ireland, told the Herald that the lack of ASD placements for autistic children is a widespread problem that the Government needs to address. One big problem is that the Department of Education cant force schools to put ADS classes into them, he said. A spokesman from the department said the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is aware of the emerging need from year to year. However, it said it is satisfied that Ms Graingers locality has an appropriate number of ASD placements. While it is not always possible to ensure that a special class placement will be available in a childs local school, the NCSE has informed the Department that, in general, they are satisfied that there are sufficient ASD placements at Primary level to meet existing demand in Dublin 17, he said. Instrumental in peace process in the North: John Hume A motion to rename a city street in honour of John Hume will go before Dublin's full city council - but a number of councillors have expressed their concerns at the proposal. The motion - put forward by councillor Mannix Flynn at the South East Area meeting - received a backlash from a number of councillors at the meeting, who felt there should be a better way to honour Mr Hume. Derry politician Mr Hume played a vital role in the Northern Ireland peace process. Mr Flynn had hoped to rename Hume Street on Dublin's southside, 'John Hume Street'. The street is currently named after the family of surgeon Sir Gustavus Hume. Speaking to the Irish Independent, Mr Flynn said he had received the blessing of Mr Hume's wife Pat on the matter. "He is deeply honoured and we all appreciate your thoughtfulness," Ms Hume said in a letter. However, a number of local representatives for the South East Area said that while they are in favour of honouring Mr Hume, renaming a street would not be appropriate. Green Party councillor Claire Byrne said "he deserves something bigger than just a simple street name change". While Labour councillor Dermot Lacey called for something more "substantial and meaningful". He hoped this will kick-start a move for something different. It wasn't in the script but Mary Lou McDonald's body language didn't suggest she got carried away in the moment either. "Up the Republic, up the rebels, agus tiocfaidh ar la," she declared with her right arm hoisted in victory. Critics who have questioned the new Sinn Fein leader's decision to hark back to a "dark time" are, according to the party, engaging in "nit-picking". But why then did Ms McDonald feel the need to use a slogan long associated with the Provisional IRA? One that is bound to antagonise unionists. Hunger striker Bobby Sands is credited with turning 'tiocfaidh ar la' into a well-known phrase. He used it in diaries which were leaked from the Maze prison. It became a rallying cry for Irish unity, used by those who believed, and in some cases still believe, that their goal could/can be achieved by bombing Britain out. Sinn Fein argues that Ms McDonald's "tremendous" speech sought to reach out to the unionist community, "respecting each other's beliefs and traditions". To an extent, that is true. She did speak about how both sides of the divide in Northern Ireland "don't have to agree on the past" because there is "no single historical narrative". But it was that final line that made the evening news and will stick in the minds of those hoping the Dublin woman would strike for Sinn Fein's freedom from the IRA. Instead, the new face of the party evoked images of the old war and terror that she herself said was long over. Sinn Fein has long sought to profit both politically and financially from the slogan. Its online shop is currently "sold out" of its 4.99 'Tiocfaidh Ar La' badge which comes in the shape of an Armalite rifle in the tricolour. But even if that association by the party itself with terrorism isn't enough, Ms McDonald could take a look at some recent court rulings. In 2014, a judge at Belfast Magistrates Court ruled that 'tiocfaidh ar la' met the criminal test of annoying members of the public. A 40-year-old was convicted of disorderly behaviour over an early morning incident where he was shouting toward police outside a McDonald's. The defendant's lawyer said the comments fell under freedom of expression entitlements within human rights legislation. Not so, said the judge. More recently, in January 2017, a man who shouted the slogan after police were called to domestic incident in Belfast was given a one-month suspended jail term. His barrister said the actions were fuelled by drink rather than any ideology. And last October, a Belfast woman was awarded 20,000 (22,500) after she had a phrase of "clear sectarian significance" shouted at her by a work colleague. Of course, some in Sinn Fein may argue that actions speak louder than words. But when it comes to politics in Northern Ireland, words matter. Remember the time DUP leader Arlene Foster made reference to feeding the Sinn Fein crocodile? That unnecessary verbal assault served only to inflame tensions between the two communities. 'Tiocfaidh ar la' rolls off the tongue like many of the best political and sporting slogans. It would make a great rallying cry for Irish teams, north and south - but first it would have to cleansed of its association with the Provisional IRA. So long as Mary Lou McDonald refuses to disown the IRA, then her use of the phrase can only be linked to one thing. Transport Minister Shane Ross is coming under increasing pressure over the terrible surface conditions for road users in rural areas. Photo: Steve Humphreys Fianna Fail is ramping up pressure on Transport Minister Shane Ross over the state of roads in rural Ireland, ahead of the much-hyped launch of the National Development Plan. The main Opposition party is to seek at least an extra 163m for maintaining the road network and a fresh plan for road upkeep. It is also demanding Mr Ross then provides quarterly progress reports on the plan's implementation to the Dail. Fianna Fail's move to focus on roads is seen as politically strategic. The Irish Independent understands the unhappiness over the condition of rural roads is shared by a significant number of backbenchers in Fine Gael. A recent study carried out by the National Oversight and Audit Commission found that almost 70pc of regional roads have serious structural and surface defects. The issue has been raised by several Fine Gael TDs at recent party meetings, with some expressing a view that Mr Ross has prioritised spending on Dublin Bus over roads. A Dail debate will come ahead of Friday's launch of the Government's 115bn capital investment plan, which will set out key spending areas for the next decade. Every minister has been ordered to attend the launch at Sligo IT as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar plans for a day that will be "bigger than the Budget". Expand Close Potholes in Enniskeane, Co Cork / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Potholes in Enniskeane, Co Cork A special Cabinet meeting will be held to sign off on the document before an event involving all 14 senior ministers and 19 junior ministers. "Every minister is being invited. This will be bells and whistles. There's 115bn to be announced so it's bigger than the Budget," a source said. Expand Close Potholes in Tipperary Town / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Potholes in Tipperary Town Upgrades It is understood the controversial strategic communications unit has been working heavily on the project in the background. Sources say it will roll out detailed information on the dozens of projects the Government plans to fund over the next decade. Expand Close Potholes in Connemara / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Potholes in Connemara These include new roads, railway extensions, schools, hospitals and airport upgrades. Fianna Fail's transport spokesman Robert Troy said the failure by Government to invest in road infrastructure had left local and regional roads in "a dreadful state". "This has led to serious safety concerns for road users and increased maintenance costs to motorists," he said. "Over the last five years the Government has on average provided local authorities with less than half the amount of funding they need to maintain their roads. "This is despite a commitment made in the Programme for Government to increase the capital budget for regional and local roads by approximately 50pc. "The Government has failed to deliver on this commitment and the end result is terrible surface conditions for road users right across the country." The Longford/Westmeath representative said TDs from all parties were "inundated with complaints" from road users. Already it is known that the capital plan will provide funding for the M20 Limerick to Cork motorway. Cabinet ministers will meet this morning to decide whether to formally oppose Fianna Fail's motion. Potholes Earlier this year, Independent.ie spoke to Adrian Reynolds from Killeigh, Co Offaly who posted a picture to his local groups Facebook of a potholed road outside his rural home. The video shows Adrian struggling to drive through the crumbling road as it is covered with potholes and water on both sides. In Ireland we are meant to drive on the left of the road, but here we drive on whats left, Adrian said. Its pure rubble on the road now. Its crumbling and all thats left is muck, gravel and water. "Its a fairly extreme situation all over Offaly. The freezing and wet weather we got recently has really made the conditions worse. Im actually shocked how much it has deteroriated. Adrian added that "patchwork" jobs have been done to his road in recent years but wants a whole resurfacing to be done. It has completely crumbled and its the same situation when you come off all the main roads on to secondary roads, even the main street of Tullamore is in a bad way. Something has to be done soon," he urged. A judge and lawyers paid moving tributes to a Detective Superintendent who died tragically at Ballymun Garda Station on Saturday night. Prior to the beginning of a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court yesterday, Paul O'Higgins SC, prosecuting, said he knew Det Supt Colm Fox since his first days as a garda. He described the senior garda as a most decent man, both professionally and in his dealings with people. Brendan Grehan SC, defending, said the deceased was a top cop, a pleasure to deal with and someone who "always got the best out of the team around him". Judge Karen O'Connor agreed that it was a very sad death and said her thoughts were with Det Supt Fox's family at this tragic time. "There are very few at the Bar who won't have encountered him. I know from my own experience that any team Det Supt Fox was involved in always spoke very highly of him." Trinity College Dublin (TCD)has distanced itself from one of its Muslim lecturers who has advocated female genital mutilation (FGM). Last week, Dr Ali Selim said in an RTE interview that he supported the practice in certain circumstances. But TCD said it "utterly condemns" the practice, with Trinity's Professor of Obstetrics Prof Deirdre Murphy adding that anyone who believed it was medically valid was "deluding themselves". The university also described Dr Selim as a "part-time language teacher ... employed on an hourly basis to teach Arabic". Irish Muslim centres also backed calls for Dr Selim's resignation over the controversy. Dr Selim said: "I am not an advocate of FGM, but I am an advocate of female circumcision. We see female circumcision in the same way that we see male circumcision. "It might be needed for one person and not another - and it has to be done by a doctor and practised in a safe environment." However, two other Muslim leaders, Shayk Dr Umar al-Qadri and Ifrah Ahmed, warned that the position of anyone who failed to condemn the UN-outlawed practice was untenable. Dr al-Qadri called for the resignation of Dr Selim from the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland, Clonskeagh Mosque and TCD. "The issue of FGM is one of the welfare and safety of young women here at home and abroad," he said. "The practice is associated with numerous serious medical complications and represents a highly toxic attitude towards women in general. This makes Dr Selim's comments from his privileged position even more damaging and dangerous. We support calls for his resignation. "Those who hold such damaging and harmful views that affect the lives of millions in a very tangible way should not be normalised or offered shelter by their presence in our public institutions and bodies." Dr al-Qadri, who is chairman of the Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council (IMPIC), said it was clear Dr Selim's position was untenable. "FGM is recognised by the UN as a violation of human rights. Performing or procuring the practice is a criminal offence. There are no medical, religious or cultural justifications for FGM. "Muslim leaders and scholars categorically reject that the practice offers any benefits and considers it in direct contradiction to the basic tenets of Islam. "The IMPIC and the Al-Mustafa Islamic Centre Ireland call on all Irish Muslims to respect the law in relation to FGM in Ireland and support the global campaign to end FGM." Meanwhile, former Master of the Coombe University Hospital Prof Chris Fitzpatrick said Dr Selim's views on female circumcision were "medically incorrect and highly dangerous". Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy tried to defuse criticism of the Government's planned 115bn spending spree and vision for developing the country up to 2040 by saying it will be a "plan for all of Ireland". He made the remarks as he insisted the National Planning Framework (NPF) would address concern that there's not enough for rural areas. A cross-party coalition of rural TDs has heavily criticised a draft of the NPF and warned it won't get support in the Dail unless it's substantially rewritten. The Government will unveil the NPF, along with the 115bn capital spending plan that underpins it, in Sligo this Friday. When asked if the final document will silence rural TDs who have criticised the NPF draft, Mr Murphy replied: "This is a plan for all of Ireland. This is about making sure that as we grow by one million people, 75pc of that growth is managed away from Dublin." He said too many people moving to Dublin would be "to the detriment" of the capital. Mr Murphy said he had been working with Rural Affairs Minister Michael Ring to reflect on submissions made by politicians and the public during a consultation period and said that changes had been made as a result of that process. Supply Speaking at the launch of the first phase of a 400m upgrade of the Ringsend Treatment Plant in Dublin, he confirmed that there would be funding for water infrastructure in Friday's announcement. Among other projects, Irish Water wants to see the up to 1.4bn construction costs of a pipeline to supply Dublin with water from the Shannon included in the capital plan. Mr Murphy would not say if all of Irish Water's funding requests would be included. Meanwhile, Education Minister Richard Bruton said funding to build technological universities added to the "balanced regional development" in the plan. Mr Bruton said education would be an "important pillar" of the programme. "We believe that by investing in our young people, creating an opportunity for research, for key enabling technologies, to build our technological universities network right across the country - that is what drives both economic progress, social progress but also balanced regional development," said Mr Bruton. Elsewhere, Culture Minister Josepha Madigan said she was "seeking to get as much as I can" for the arts, Gaeltacht areas and cultural institutions from the NPF plan. My wife and I have been trying for a baby for over a year but nothing has happened. We have two older children who are seven and five and we never had any trouble conceiving them, so I can't understand what might have changed. My wife says she's raised it with her doctor but he says that she's only in her early thirties and there's plenty of time yet and so not to be worrying. But I'm concerned that there'll be too big of an age gap between our older two and the youngest if we wait any longer. And we've always wanted a big family. What should we do? Dr Nina replies: Studies suggest that up to one in nine couples will have fertility problems and after investigation there is a rule of thumb that states one third of causes will be male, one third female and one third unknown. Genetic factors are only a small percentage in each of these cases. The actual definition of infertility is failure to conceive after 12 months of REGULAR unprotected intercourse. Simple things like a partner being away for long periods or older children sharing their parents' bed can reduce the frequency of intercourse so much that chances of becoming pregnant are low. Many couples trying to conceive resort to buying ovulation predictor kits and focusing intercourse on the pronounced 'fertile days'. The use of ovulation kits is not routinely recommended. Having intercourse roughly every two to three days all month maximises the possibility that viable sperm will be around when ovulation occurs. Sperm can live for up to 72 hours in the female genital tract but need up to 24 hours to recover. Lifestyle factors are really important. I advise couples to act as if they are pregnant when trying to conceive. This means stopping smoking, reducing alcohol and caffeine, having a body mass index between 20 and 25, and reducing stress. These things all do make a difference. Healthy lifestyle can sometimes go out the window in busy houses with young children. If this is the case, getting your lifestyle back on track is important. Age also plays a factor. A woman's fertility peaks in her twenties and the biological clock is a true phenomenon. Fertility starts to decline from mid-thirties but declines rapidly after 40. It's not recommended to undertake any investigations in couples under 35 who are trying less than a year. However, in those over 35, investigations are undertaken after six months. The fact that you have two children conceived naturally previously is very positive. I would advise making sure you are having regular intercourse and that your lifestyle is healthy. If there were changes to be made, I would try this for a few more months but if nothing is happening despite these changes then a visit to your GP for a chat, exam and some simple tests could point to a number of possible causes. Beyond this, further investigations become quite invasive and referral to a specialist unit is likely. With all the talk of infertility, one could begin to wonder how people manage to conceive at all. Women are born with all the eggs they will ever have but only 12pc remain by the age of 30; meanwhile, only about 20 to 25pc sperm actually swim in the right direction. However, up to 80pc of couples WILL conceive within two years of unprotected intercourse. The average woman in Ireland today has her first child at the age of 31 and plenty of women are having healthy babies late into their thirties and early forties. For those who do need help, assisted reproduction is progressing all the time. Maybe future studies will reveal previously unknown factors but in the meantime it looks like being healthy is your best friend in fertility. Q. My two-year-olds toes are strangely curled under. They dont seem to bother him in any way, but they do look odd. Will they grow to be straighter or should I get them looked at? Dr Nina replies: Curly toes is one of the more common conditions of the foot that affects infants and children. It is present from birth but may become more noticeable as a child begins to walk. It tends to involve the third and fourth toes of both feet. This condition runs in families and is normally passed via autosomal dominant gene transmission, meaning each child has a 50pc chance of inheriting this from a parent. You will likely find that you or your partner have a similar condition. The toes curl under because the tendons that bend the toes are too tight and pull one toe under the next toe, curling it towards the underside of the foot. The appearance may cause concern but in many cases curly toes dont cause any symptoms. If symptoms do occur they may include flattening or thickening of the toenails, pressure sores or blisters and pain, or discomfort with some activity. Certain styles of shoe may be more difficult to wear. Its important to know that curly toes are within the realm of normal and in most cases they dont require any treatment. Appearance of toes does sometimes improve as the child grows up to age five. Taping was popular in previous generations but it doesnt help and is not recommended. It is important that comfortable shoes are worn with good space for the toes. If toes are causing problems beyond the age of five, then you could ask your doctor to refer your child to an orthopaedic doctor who specialises in foot and ankle problems. They will advise you as to the best options. Surgical treatment to cut the tight tendon can be performed. This is generally a successful procedure. It does however require a general anaesthetic so talking with an expert is the best advice. Sinead Matson had just dozed off in bed beside the cradle containing her two-month-old baby when a real-life nightmare began. "I felt a cramp beginning in the toes of my right foot," she recalls. "It steadily crept up my foot, calf and thigh. "Suddenly I felt like someone had punched me in the face." She screamed and blacked out. Her husband Phil came running to find his wife convulsing on a blood-stained bed. Sinead had bitten her tongue in the throes of a tonic-clonic - or full seizure - which lasted for several minutes. While they waited for the ambulance to arrive, a neighbour who came to the family's assistance, asked Sinead if she knew who or where she was. "I knew all of these things," recalls the 38-year-old , "but I had no words to answer him - there was silence in my head." In the ambulance she had two more seizures; and yet another after she arrived in hospital. Tests showed a benign brain tumour. Four days later, on October 22, 2014, the mother-of-two, who lives in Kildare, had a craniotomy, an operation to remove the growth. It left her temporarily almost paralysed on her right side and, again temporarily, affected her ability to speak. But there was more bad news: "Epilepsy - it doesn't even look like a word, just a jumble of letters, and yet when I heard it as a diagnosis for the first time, I rejected it," says Sinead. "It is a loaded word. It means my life has changed." Epilepsy is a neurological disorder which affects the brain and which can result in repeated seizures which happen in either a part of the brain or in both sides of the brain at once. Sinead was now among the nearly 40,000 people, or one in 115 individuals, in Ireland who have epilepsy - with today being International Epilepsy Day, a global event to promote awareness on epilepsy around the world. Anyone can develop the condition at any age, from very young babies to people in their sixties and seventies, but on hearing the diagnosis, she was initially convinced her doctors were wrong. "I had just survived a craniotomy for the successful removal of a benign brain tumour; I had re-learned how to walk, use the right-hand side of my body, talk in more than nouns and verbs, think and process thoughts properly again. "I could wiggle my toes on my right foot, for God's sake! I had survived and they had the wrong patient. Except, of course, they didn't have the wrong patient. I do have epilepsy." Sinead was told the tumour had caused the initial seizures, and that there was a risk the operation could cause more. "I was put on a lot of anti-seizure medication and given emergency back-up medication to stop a seizure," she says. During a consultation with her neurologist a few months later, in January 2015, Sinead - who had been planning to begin a demanding PhD programme that same month - broke down in tears. "I felt my life was over. My identity was wrapped up in education and in starting my PhD and in contributing to the professionalisation of early childhood education in Ireland," she recalls, adding that her plans also included travelling and having more children. "But he [the neurologist] said 'you can do all of that! You're not the first person with epilepsy to do a PhD and you certainly won't be the last'. "It was like he had thrown me a lifeline." The word epilepsy, explains Peter Murphy, chief executive of Epilepsy Ireland, stands for a collection of many different forms of epilepsy which affect people in different ways. "For some people it can quite quickly be brought under control with medication and lifestyle changes," he says. "For others, it can involve having regular multiple seizures every day and at that level it would severely limit the patient's educational and employment prospects." In between, he says, is a sliding scale of effects - even someone who has fully controlled epilepsy may have to deal with severe side-effects which can include mood changes, and changes in memory and concentration, Her consultant was correct, says Sinead now. She began working on her PhD in September 2015 and regularly travels alone to India to carry out research. "I travel abroad with my family for holidays. I work, I study, I teach and still go to concerts. "I play with my children and can have more children if I want to." However, her path was not a smooth one. When a check-up in June 2015 revealed the tumour had not returned, Sinead began slipping back into old, unhealthy, lifestyle habits. She quickly paid the price. "I wasn't eating properly," she recalls. "I was drinking lots of coffee, stressing and working late into the night." Sinead adds that she was commuting, caring for two children, and was very busy at work. "I was very stressed." One evening in June 2015, after a coffee-fuelled day during which she had eaten very little, it all started again. Sinead had put her children to bed and was working on her laptop when she felt a cramp in her right leg. "It moved up to my head again and I got the punch into the face again but instead of a full seizure, this time I had a pounding migraine and a rush of heat through my body. I suddenly felt like I was going to vomit." Phil helped her take pain medication and got her to bed. Research shows that there are certain trigger factors which make seizures more likely, including stress, missed meals and missed sleep - and Sinead now realised she would have to make significant lifestyle adjustments. "I had to say 'no' to things," she says, adding that she also had to ensure she had a proper night's sleep and ate good food regularly. Previously she skipped breakfast; these days she starts her day with porridge and green tea. Instead of a packet of crisps and a cup of coffee for lunch, she has soup or salad, and fruit. She has cut back on unhealthy snacking, attends yoga classes to promote mental wellbeing and ensures she gets sufficient sleep. The reward? She has been seizure-free since that night in June 2015. "My life has become more managed. If I have a very tiring or stressful day, I have to go to bed early; I cannot go out. I have to explain this to people," says Sinead, adding that she has discovered that many people have little real understanding of epilepsy. "The first time the word 'epilepsy' was said to me, I could never have imagined travelling to India by myself to research something I love," she says. "However, I now manage my daily life. I can do everything I thought I would do," she says. "Life goes on. If it wasn't for ongoing research, medication, surgeons, doctors, and nurses - life could be so much more difficult; and for all of that, I am grateful." * For more information, see epilepsy.ie Looking up: what lies ahead for epilepsy treatment * Several large-scale clinical trials involving treatments for epilepsy are currently taking place in epilepsy centres in Ireland, according to Dr Colin Doherty, Consultant in Neurology and Epilepsy at St James's Hospital Dublin. "We are currently conducting a trial of a new drug for epilepsy called Breviact, in St James's Hospital. This is an improved version of an older medication, which has fewer side-effects," says Dr Doherty, who has also been the national lead for the State Epilepsy programme since 2010, as well as being principal investigator in FutureNeuro, the new Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases. * A separate study into epilepsy at St James's Hospital involves the scanning of the brains of patients who have had a seizure. The objective is to determine whether the patient's brain sustained damage as a result of the seizure. This may lead to the use of brain protection therapies in the setting of acute seizures, says Dr Doherty. * The National Epilepsy Programme is currently working with the Government to introduce a form of cannabis treatment for epilepsy patients with extreme forms of the condition. "In the last five to 10 years, cannabis has been recognised as a drug which may have benefits for epilepsy patients. "Because it is so widely available recreationally, there has not been a pharmaceutical cannabis product made to a high grade up to now, but an English company has a new product of pharmaceutical grade which is currently proceeding through the European Medicines Agency approval process," explains Dr Doherty. "While we are waiting for that, the Department of Health and the College of Physicians is partnering to get some form of cannabis oil available for patients who are in need of it." * Research is underway at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) into micro-RNAs, small molecules which control changes in brain chemistry. It's believed, explains Dr Doherty, that some of these molecules may be critical in changing the bio-chemistry of the brain to alter seizures. This study aims to develop drugs which turn these "switches" on and off, says Dr Doherty, who adds that a group of researchers from several Irish universities, led by the RCSI, Trinity College, Dublin City University and NUI Galway, have joined to form FutureNeuro. The Centre is funded to the tune of 7.8m by Science Foundation Ireland (futureneurocentre.ie) and forms an umbrella organisation for research carried out into epilepsy, among other conditions. One research project at the RCSI being carried out under the aegis of FutureNeuro is investigating the genetic links with epilepsy in Irish patients. "This kind of research can be considered early translational research where much more work is needed in the lab to develop new therapies," Dr Doherty explains. * FutureNeuro researchers are also investigating the use of e-health or electronic health systems to improve epilepsy care and self- care. "This project focuses on combining the findings of our research programmes into electronic enabled health with greater public understanding of the research," says Dr Doherty. "It involves allowing patients more access to their health records, in electronic form, to improve both the care they receive and their understanding of their condition." * Ongoing research into the condition is vital - currently, Dr Doherty explains, medication for epilepsy, which kills about 130 people annually in Ireland, is not always effective. "About 30pc or 15,000 people with epilepsy do not respond to the medication and about 7,500 of these are admitted to hospital every year," he explains. * The involvement of FutureNeuro with industry is a crucial element in progressing the research, he emphasises. "Large-scale studies are hugely expensive, so we have partnered with a number of pharmaceutical companies with a view to carrying out large, randomised trials - on the e-health project, for example. "We're about to start trialling wearable devices which will download information about their disease activity. This information will go straight into their electronic medical records and they will have access to it." Nobody wakes up one morning and, out of nowhere, stops smoking. Successfully giving up smoking takes a lot of thought, planning, effort and commitment. There is a lot of psychological research about change, about how we come to change, what motivates us to change, what makes us welcome or resist change and how we can reach the desired goal of change most effectively. Some of that research has helped us to develop models, or ways of conceptualising how change occurs. The model of change that I like most is one proposed by two researchers, James Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente, back in the 1980s. They put forward a six-stage model that most people will predictably follow when they are engaged in changing any behaviour or habit. Expand Close This Wednesday is National No Smoking Day / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp This Wednesday is National No Smoking Day You can see a graphic of the model they proposed (below). As you can see, they suggest that we begin any change process in a stage of pre-contemplation, then we start contemplating, or thinking about maybe changing. After that we make a decision to, or determination to, change. The next step is taking concrete actions in order to change. Then the challenge is to maintain the change, because, for many people relapse occurs and we slip back into our old ways of behaving. I think this is a very useful way to consider the process of quitting smoking. Many people fall into a habit of smoking. Whether the habit develops behaviourally, or because of a chemical dependence on nicotine, we do typically start off in a blissful world where smoking may not feel like a bad thing. Indeed, when you are in the early stages of a smoking habit, you might really enjoy it. I know I did back when I used to smoke. One of the strongest behavioural triggers for me was that I always associated smoking with taking a break, and having some "me time". Expand Close Clinical psychologist David Coleman / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Clinical psychologist David Coleman So, if I felt a break was needed, then a smoke was my first choice. There was certainly a time when I refused to consider any of the health warnings about smoking. Those were for other, older, people. I had the invincibility that comes with youth. A lot of my friends smoked. I could smoke almost anywhere I wanted. My girlfriend at the time, now my wife, tolerated my smoking. I had no reason to quit and so I never even thought about it. I was happily in that opening stage of pre-contemplation. As time passed though, some of the health promotion literature started to broach my consciousness. I saw the ads about the dangers of smoking. I could even feel that my own breathing was affected. I still didn't think about quitting. I just allowed the possibility that smoking might not be good for me to penetrate my thoughts. Usually we need quite a lot of information about the dangers, or the drawbacks of any behaviour before we begin to contemplate or consider changing. A lot of evidence might need to stack up, to persuade us that we need to change. Without it, the positive benefits that we associate with our habit remain too strong. Somewhere in this process then, the balance of the benefits and potential costs, associated with the behaviour, start to shift and weigh heavier in terms of the costs, leading us to consider the possibility of change. I can recall that my smoking had a serious financial cost, even back then, as I was a student. I never liked the smell of stale smoke either. One of my biggest eye openers, though, happened when I was living in a student-rented house and took a picture down off the wall. Behind the picture the wall was coloured off-white, while the rest of the wall was a darker, almost yellow colour. The rest of the wall was smoke stained. I thought, "if it can do that to paint, what is it doing to my lungs?" I got married fairly soon after that and my wife then got pregnant. That was the first moment that I seriously considered quitting. I didn't want to be smoking around my pregnant wife (I had never really considered her health before that). I also didn't want my new child to grow up in a smoking environment. I didn't want to be role-modelling what I now firmly knew to be dangerous behaviour. So, in terms of the change process, I had moved from thinking about change to making a decision and having the definite intent to change. This is probably a part of the process, when giving up smoking, that can be tricky to navigate. What is the best way to quit? Should you read Alan Carr's book, or buy nicotine patches. What about a HSE smoking cessation course, maybe take up vaping, or perhaps do all of these things? I know I decided to just go cold turkey, as I didn't want to spend money on "replacements" for smoking and I also felt that my baby-to-be, my expanded family, deserved to have a non-smoking dad. That was actually, for me, incredibly powerful motivation. Whatever actions you take, to support your decision to quit, are what will bring about the actual change, where you move from being a smoker, to being a non-smoker. It'd be lovely if this was the end of the process, but in many ways it is just the start of the hard bit! Maintaining the change, keeping ourselves in the new way of behaving is often the most challenging thing. There are many triggers, or associations, that we make with smoking. To this day, I find it hard to avoid smoking when I am in the company of certain people, who continue to smoke, and with whom I have shared cigarettes, stories, laughter and tears. I still feel the pull to smoke with them, because it was such an intrinsic part of our friendship. You'll have your own triggers, particular times of the day, places you go, people you are with, stresses that you feel. In truth, those triggers to slip back into smoking can be very powerful, and even overwhelming. When that happens, it is considered to be relapse. Falling back into old ways of behaving. For most of us, this is a common experience on the cycle of change. In fact, the researchers Prochaska and DiClemente found that, on average, people will go through the cycle of change seven times before successfully maintaining the new behaviours and avoiding relapse. So, some smokers will successfully quit at their first attempt. Others will make many more than even seven attempts. But, even when our efforts to quit smoking aren't successful, we will have learned something that we can use to our advantage the next time we try to stop. We may realise that we need more support, or some kind of nicotine replacement, or even just a more compelling reason to stop. We can even identify what bit of the change process was hardest, for some it will be the attitude change that leads them to decide to change, for others it will be the behaviour change that comes when we start taking action to change. But what I like about this way of thinking about change is that it backs up the old saying, "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again". It is our willingness to give quitting another go that will eventually allow us to quit for good. * This Wednesday is National No Smoking Day. If you need help giving up cigarettes for good, go to quit.ie Cigarettes and you: The facts Expand Close Tobacco kills about seven million people worldwide every year, according to the World Health Organisation / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Tobacco kills about seven million people worldwide every year, according to the World Health Organisation * How many of us are still smoking? According to the 2017 Annual Report of Tobacco-Free Ireland Action Plan, about one in five people smoke tobacco every day. The report records 23pc of Irish people as current smokers, while 4pc of Irish people admit to smoking occasionally. 28.5pc of the tobacco market is now made up of smokers who roll their own cigarettes. The Health in Ireland Key Trends 2016 report shows that cigarette consumption has declined over the past decade. Smoking prevalence was 18.7pc, down from 28.3pc in 2003. Health authorities, both at home and abroad, are likely to focus on preventative measures, and with good reason: Almost 69pc of those who tried smoking went on to smoke daily, according to a new analysis of global survey data. The findings from the UK, US, Australia and New Zealand found 60.3pc of people had tried smoking and an estimated 68.9pc of those progressed to a daily habit. * Who's most likely to smoke? One in four of those aged 25-34 still smoke. The second highest prevalence is among those aged 18-24 years at 24.1pc, however, it has fallen by 3.1pp on the 2015 figure. The smoking prevalence among the youngest age cohort (15-17 years) has increased each year to reach 10.1pc in 2016. According to the report, Those most likely to smoke are 'semi-skilled, unskilled, or unemployed' (DE) as 23.7pc of this group smoke. The second highest proportion of smokers is among those 'skilled manual workers and those manual workers with responsibility for other people' with one-in-five smokers (20.8pc). Professionals and middle management (AB) are least likely to smoke (12.6pc), after 'farmers and farm managers' (F) (10.4 pc). * Should I try vaping instead? Vaping may encourage young people to start smoking, but may also help adults quit, according to a US review of scientific research. The report by the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is based on more than 800 peer-reviewed scientific studies on the health effects of electronic cigarettes. It was compiled at the US Congress's request, amid a growing international debate over whether e-cigarettes are safe or harmful. They found that while e-cigarettes contain fewer numbers and lower levels of toxic substances than conventional cigarettes, they are also addictive. The long-term effects of vaping remain unknown as of 2018, yet reviewed evidence suggests that e-cigarettes are likely to be far less harmful than tobacco products. * I just enjoy the odd one. Do I really need to stop? According to brand new research carried out at the University of London, amoking just one cigarette a day carries the same risk as smoking 10 when it comes to heart disease and strokes. Researchers found that men who lit up once a day had 46pc of the excess risk of heart disease associated with smoking a full pack a day, much higher than expected. For strokes, the excess risk was 41pc. "If someone smokes one cigarette instead of 20 per day, intuitively we'd think that the risk drops to one in 20, or 5pc," says professor Allan Hackshaw, whose paper analysed 141 previous studies. 'This seems to be the case for lung cancer, but is not true for heart attacks and stroke, where one cigarette per day carries around 50pc of the risk of a pack a day.' The Health in Ireland Key Trends 2016 report also stated that smoking is directly related to more than 5,600 deaths in Ireland every year. Tobacco kills about seven million people worldwide every year, according to the World Health Organisation. About two million of those deaths are due to cardiovascular disease, mainly coronary heart attacks and stroke. Overall, long-term smoking shortens life expectancy by 12 to 15 years. Tanya Sweeney Maya Bay in Thailand, a strong contender for the worlds most celebrated beach, will be closed to tourists for at least three months this year in a bid to reverse damage caused to the surrounding coral reef. The idyllic cove that starred in The Beach, Danny Boyles adaptation of Alex Garlands novel about the search for untouched backpacker paradise, has long been the victim of its own fame. The film encouraged waves of tourists to visit the once little-known Phi Phi Islands, where Maya Bay is located, and the sheltered strip of sand is now a far cry from the unspoiled utopia depicted on the big screen. As many as 5,000 people arrive each day on boat trips from the bustling mainland resorts of Krabi and Phuket, but fears about damage to the local reefs are finally spurring local authorities into action and tourists will be prevented from visiting for three months during the summer low season to let the corals recover. The tactic has been used on other Thai beaches but this will be the first time that Maya Bay is closed to travellers. Lee Cobaj of Telegraph Travel welcomed the move. Expand Close Tourists on Maya bay beach, Ko Phi Phi Leh, Krabi, Thailand / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Tourists on Maya bay beach, Ko Phi Phi Leh, Krabi, Thailand Parts of the Similans and Surin islands have been closed in the past to let the corals recover, but this is a first for Maya Bay, she said. The closure, from June to September, will be in the middle of low season, when rain is pretty persistent, so I cant imagine too many tourists will be turned away. "But the beach is stupidly busy in high season so its good to see Thailand putting nature ahead of profits for once. Some have called for stricter measures, however, such as a daily cap on visitor numbers and even the permanent closure of the bay to sightseeing boats. Temporary closures can help to a certain extent. But an ideal solution is a permanent closure, which is not possible due to our reliance on tourism revenue, said Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a marine ecologist at Kasetsart University in Bangkok. According to research, 72pc of Thailands coral reef has been devastated, up from just 30pc a decade ago, with polluted water from seaside hotels, the dumping of plastic waste and damage from boat anchors all to blame. Few countries have experienced a bigger tourism boom over the past two decades than Thailand and the industry now accounts for more than 20pc of GDP. Around 7.8 million international travellers visited the country in 1998 fast forward to last year and that figure had shot up to almost 35 million. Read more: Read More Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] The Gravity Bar at Guinness Storehouse, fitted for its 'Night At' competition with Airbnb. Think Airbnb is all about rooms? Think again. Last September, the home-sharing giant teamed up with Resy to add restaurant reservations in the US. Airbnb Experiences now include everything from Thai cooking lessons in Bangkok to Irish dancing in Dublin. It will soon let you book flights, too. Then there are the smaller, Apple-style tweaks tacked on to improve the user experience. Think of the Split Payments feature that enables shared bookings among friends and family. Or Pay Less Upfront, a new facility that lets guests spread the cost of their booking over two installments. The scrappy disruptor has come a long way. Expand Close Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky launches Trips / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky launches Trips Ten years go, Brian Chesky (below) and Joe Gebbia created the first Air Bed and Breakfast in their San Francisco home (it helped them pay rent). Today, Airbnb has joined words like Hoover or Sellotape in the lexicon. Over 500 people work at its international home in Dublin alone, and the company is said to be worth over $30 billion more than twice the value of Hilton, as Vanity Fair has pointed out. Its goal? Airbnb is shooting to become a super brand of travel a locally-fuelled platform within which you can research, book and review every facet of a trip... an ecosystem that you never have to leave. Can it work? Going public would net Chesky & Co a fortune, but Airbnb has resisted the IPO urge (for 2018, at least) as it diversifies. It has so far avoided the PR disasters that dog Uber, and continues to work with hundreds of governments on short-term letting issues. Dublin, which Airbnb sees as a natural fit for its peer-to-peer platform, is no stranger to those rental debates. Cool rooms are all well and good, but critics here say it contributes to rising rents for locals, and that all accommodation services should be subject to planning laws, tax policy and regulation... not just registered providers like hotels and guesthouses. Airbnb counters that 70pc of Irish rentals are by hosts renting rooms in their primary residence (ie not commercial investors), that boutique hotels and B&Bs advertise on its platform, that it brings tourism and cash to communities, and that it worked closely with the Oireachteas Joint Committee examining the impact of short-term lettings on housing and rental markets. Right now, Ireland lacks the clear home-sharing rules of places like London or Amsterdam. The Committees recommendations include a licensing system and legislation that distinguishes commercial lettings from hosts sharing their homes for up to 90 days, however, and a Working Group will report soon. Watch this space... Its a tricky balancing act. Short-term rentals have aways played a role in Irish tourism, and travellers clearly want local experiences. Plus, Dublins hotel room shortage would surely be exacerbated without Airbnb, and tourism marketing opportunities are going a-begging (last year, Sweden listed its entire country on the platform). Whatever happens, this genie aint going back in the bottle. Travels super brand is now a fact of life. Read more: Idris Elba and girlfriend Sabrina Dhowre are engaged after the film star dropped on one knee during a screening of his new film. The Luther actor, 45, was greeted with cheers from the cinema audience on Saturday morning as he popped the question at the Rio Cinema in Dalston, east London, before a preview of his directorial debut, Yardie. A video shot by audience member @AgentMarsden from inside the cinema showed Elba down on one knee before Dhowre appears to say yes and plants a kiss on her future husband to applause from the crowd. Rio Cinema confirmed the news on their Twitter account, writing: Another @riocinema first! Still 5 days to Valentines Day but @idriselba went down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend live on stage this morning before a preview of his film. Another @riocinema first! Still 5 days to Valentines Day but @idriselba went down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend live on stage this morning before a preview of his film #Yardie pic.twitter.com/XRtca1xcv0 Rio Cinema (@riocinema) February 10, 2018 Elba and Dhowre, a model and former Miss Vancouver, have reportedly been dating since early 2017. The London-born actor has previously been wed to Hanne Norgaard and Sonya Hamlin. Set in Jamaica and the UK, Yardie is an adaptation of Victor Headleys 1992 novel of the same name. South Africas ruling party has said President Jacob Zuma must leave office. Ace Magashule, secretary-general of the African National Congress (ANC), said the partys national executive committee had decided to recall Mr Zuma, who has been discredited by a number of corruption scandals. Mr Magashule said the president had previously agreed to resign, but wanted to stay in office for several more months, a condition the party committee rejected. If Mr Zuma refuses to co-operate, the matter could go to parliament for a vote on a motion of no confidence. Statement of the African National Congress following special meeting of the National Executive Committee held on the 12th February 2018 https://t.co/6b6my7ujK5 #ANCNEC pic.twitter.com/yJ2s5UCtUO African National Congress (@MYANC) February 13, 2018 The continuing lack of a resolution to the countrys political limbo indicated that the president was spurning the demands of many former supporters and possibly holding out for concessions in exchange for his resignation. The impasse highlighted the disarray within the party that was previously the main movement against white minority rule and has led South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994. The ANC once commanded moral stature as the party of Nelson Mandela, but corruption scandals linked to Mr Zuma have cut into its popularity ahead of national elections next year. An opposition-backed motion of no confidence had been scheduled for February 22, but its sponsors want the vote to be moved to this week. Expand Close South Africa Troubled President / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp South Africa Troubled President Mr Zuma has survived similar motions against him in the past, but many ruling party members now see him as a political liability and would probably vote against him. Mr Zuma, who took office in 2009 and is in his second five-year term, has asked for state security for his family, payment of legal fees and a few more months in office in exchange for quitting, said South African media, citing unidentified ANC sources. Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, Mr Zumas expected successor, has held private talks with the president on a power transition, angering opposition parties who described the process as an affront to South African democracy. Expand Close South Africa Troubled President / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp South Africa Troubled President Last week, Mr Ramaphosa promised a speedy resolution to the discussions, but the protracted stand-off has raised questions about the political clout of the man poised to lead the country. South Africas leading court ruled that Mr Zuma violated the constitution following an investigation of multimillion-dollar upgrades to his private home that were paid by the state; a judicial commission is about to start a probe of alleged looting of state enterprises by some of his associates; and prosecutors are expected to announce soon whether they will reinstate corruption charges tied to an arms deal two decades ago. He denies wrongdoing. To celebrate Pancake Day it looks as though Tottenham had some rather tasty portraits designed, and one man in particular stood out as a snack. Dancakes are a company specialising in artistic pancakes, so as you can imagine its a busy time of year for them. But they werent so busy they couldnt spare some time to portray five Spurs players on the big day, and while theyre all good, its Fernando Llorente who will surely be happiest. Stunning artwork, especially when it comes to the Spanish striker, whose facial hair is a picture of perfection. Unbelievable. Great talent! Floridabound (@iScoozie) February 13, 2018 A bit of lemon and sugar and youve got yourself a great-looking and great-tasting pancake. Good work, everyone. Thailand and the United States have launched the largest annual joint military exercise in Southeast Asia but played down the presence of a Burmese military officer. Burmas military has been accused of massive human rights violations in its crackdown on the Rohingya Muslim minority, who have fled by the hundreds of thousands to neighbouring Bangladesh. Expand Close Thailand US Military Exercise / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Thailand US Military Exercise US Ambassador to Thailand Glyn T Davies told reporters that Burma was not participating in the Cobra Gold exercise in eastern Thailand but did not elaborate. Thai General Thanchaiyan Srisuwan acknowledged inviting Burma to the opening ceremony at U-tapao airport in Rayong Province. Expand Close Thailand US Military Exercise / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Thailand US Military Exercise Last week, US politicians demanded Burmas exclusion from the exercise. Expand Close Thailand US Military Exercise / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Thailand US Military Exercise The US said in a statement that 11,075 service members from 29 countries are participating. Human rights groups have condemned the Philippine president for saying troops should shoot female communist rebels in the genitals to render them useless. Left-wing group Karapatan said Rodrigo Duterte has distinguished himself as a frothing-in-the-mouth fascist who incites the worst violations of international humanitarian law. Mr Dutertes remarks are but the latest of the series of this madmans display of tyranny, lunacy and machismo, Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said. Duterte incites horrifying war crimes a Karapatanhttps://t.co/jFMerpg5OA Karapatan (@karapatan) February 13, 2018 US-based group Human Rights Watch said the remark was the latest in a series of misogynist, derogatory and demeaning statements he has made about women that encourage state forces to commit sexual violence during armed conflicts. In a rambling speech before surrendered communist rebels, Mr Duterte spoke about the futility of their decades-old insurgency and how his administration could help them return to normal life. He also asked why women join the insurgency and abandon their families. At one point, he said without elaborating: Tell the soldiers. Theres a new order coming from the mayor. We wont kill you. We will just shoot your vagina so that if there is no vagina, it would be useless. The remarks elicited laughter from the audience. They say that I have a bad mouth. It's true. They say that I'm not a statesman, not fit for a president, and that's true.Rodrigo Duterte Mr Duterte spoke in the Bisaya dialect. An official transcript of the presidents speech issued by the government omitted the word vagina and expletives from his remarks. A long-time mayor of Davao city, where he built a reputation for his tough approach to criminality and his brash, often sex-laden remarks, Mr Duterte has acknowledged his rough ways but suggested many Filipinos have come to accept him. Western governments and human rights watchdogs have expressed alarm over his crackdown on illegal drugs, which has left thousands of mostly poor suspects dead. He has lashed out at critics, including European governments, which he told to go to hell for imposing conditions on financial aid. He said he has told European officials he will not attend an upcoming meeting between south-east Asian and European leaders. They say that I have a bad mouth. Its true. They say that Im not a statesman, not fit for a president, and thats true, Mr Duterte said in a speech, referring to his critics. But the problem here is that I won. Steve Rood, a Manila-based political analyst, said many Filipinos like Mr Dutertes unorthodox style and his charm when he talks to them in an intimate way, as if his speeches were not being broadcast. With crime easing and recent public surveys showing satisfaction with his administration, the presidents opponents may do better if they focus on issues such as traffic jams in the capital and rising rice prices, he said. A focus on President Dutertes colourful language is not the productive way to engage the Philippine domestic audience, Mr Rood said. Turkeys president has issued a warning to Greece, Cyprus and international companies exploring for gas in the eastern Mediterranean not to step out of line and encroach on Turkish rights. Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the warning in an address to legislators of his ruling party as Turkish warships continued to stop a rig reaching a location off Cyprus where Italian energy company Eni is scheduled to drill for gas. It came as Greek authorities said a Turkish coastguard vessel had rammed a Greek coastguard boat off a couple of uninhabited islets in the Aegean Sea over which the two Nato allies nearly went to war in 1996. Expand Close The Gavdos 090 vessel was reportedly rammed by a Turkish coastguard boat (Greek CoastguardAP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Gavdos 090 vessel was reportedly rammed by a Turkish coastguard boat (Greek CoastguardAP) Turkey opposes the gas drilling, saying it disregards the rights of breakaway Turkish Cypriots. The Cypriot government says it has a sovereign right to drill, and that if the search is successful, any income would be shared equitably if the island is reunified. The European Union on Monday cautioned Turkey to respect the territory of its member states and to avoid ratcheting up tensions. Cyprus has been divided since Turkey invaded in 1974, after a failed coup by supporters of union with Greece. The island joined the EU in 2004, but only the southern part enjoys full membership benefits. Many in Turkey also dispute Greek ownership of uninhabited Aegean islets near Turkeys coastline. We are warning those who step out of line with miscalculations in Cyprus and the AegeanRecep Tayyip Erdogan Opportunistic attempts concerning gas exploration off Cyprus and concerning Aegean islets are not escaping our attentions, Mr Erdogan said. We are warning those who step out of line with miscalculations in Cyprus and the Aegean. Greeces coastguard said nobody was injured in the collision around midnight on Monday, although the Greek vessel suffered damage to the stern where the Turkish boat hit it with its bows. It said the precise circumstances of the incident are still unclear. Expand Close A drilling platform outside Larnaca port in Cyprus (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias, File) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A drilling platform outside Larnaca port in Cyprus (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias, File) The coastguard vessels were off the uninhabited Imia Kardak in Turkish islets, which both countries claim and are prime fishing spots, attracting boats from both countries. Greek government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos voiced concern but appealed for restraint. Right now there is no need to pour more oil on the flames. What is needed is calm, level-headedness and a serious handling of the situation, he said. Recently we have been seeing increasingly provocative behaviour from Turkey, which is a source of very serious concern to us, he told private Alpha radio. The sexual misconduct scandal at Oxfam deepened last night as the charity's former head of safeguarding revealed teenage volunteers at UK shops had been abused and overseas staff had traded aid for sex. In some of the most explosive allegations yet against the charity, Helen Evans accused her bosses of ignoring her evidence and her pleas for more resources, forcing her to quit in despair. Ms Evans said staff had been accused of rape and that sexual abuse by shop managers in UK stores against young volunteers was covered up. Some 10pc of staff in some countries had been sexually assaulted by colleagues or witnessed abuse, she added. Her allegations emerged just hours after Penny Lawrence, the charity's deputy chief executive, quit over the scandal, and the Government announced it would be launching a unit to investigate sex abuse in the aid sector. Any suggestion the furore was subsiding was quashed by Ms Evans's new revelations which included that volunteers in Britain were not subjected to criminal checks and that her complaints were dismissed by Oxfam bosses, the Charity Commission and the Home Office. Speaking on Channel 4 News she said: "Behind Oxfam there are thousands of committed staff. They put their lives at risk every day. In terms of the senior leadership team I think they need to look back and say, did they do everything they needed to, to keep beneficiaries safe?" The latest allegations emerged as there were calls for criminal charges to be brought against Oxfam executives and staff in the UK if they had turned a blind eye to abuse overseas. Concerns were also raised over Oxfam's use of public money. Oxfam executives met with the International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt yesterday in an attempt to assure the minister that the charity could be trusted with the 32m (36m) of public funding it receives. Caroline Thomson, Oxfam chair of trustees, said: "We recognise that we have some way to go to persuade her that we have the right moral leadership to be fully entrusted with public money." However, her claims were called into question less than an hour later as Ms Evans came forward with a number of claims, including that volunteers as young as 14 in Oxfam shops in the UK had alleged abuse. She detailed one case of an adult volunteer assaulting a child volunteer and said she was extremely concerned that children were being left alone with volunteers who were not being criminal-record checked. There were 12 allegations of abuse over two years, and one involved a shop manager allegedly attempting to force a young volunteer to drop charges against an adult male volunteer who was said to have assaulted them. Furthermore, in the global operation in the course of one day in 2015, she received reports of "a woman being coerced to have sex in a humanitarian response by another aid worker, another case where a woman had been coerced in exchange for aid and another one where it had come to our attention where a member of staff had been struck off for sexual abuse and hadn't disclosed that and we were then concerned about what he might be doing". It comes just 24 hours after the charity insisted it had not detailed the allegations surrounding the use of prostitutes, some of whom were said to be underage, because they did not involve 'sex for aid'. Police are currently investigating an incident on the Parliamentary Estate, a House of Commons spokesman said. An unnamed police officer in Speaker's Court in Parliament said a suspicious package has been found. They told the Press Association: "We haven't been told much but a package has been left. "Specialist officers have just arrived to examine it. "It won't be anything to worry about." Police investigating the suspicious package in the Houses of Parliament found it contained white powder which was "non-harmful", a House of Commons spokeswoman said. Scotland Yard said its Counter Terrorism Command is investigating. A spokesman said: "At approximately 11.36am on Tuesday, February 13, police were informed of a suspicious package that had been delivered to an office within the Palace of Westminster. Police are at the scene and dealing. "The letter contained a white powder which is currently being assessed by specialists. The office remains closed at this time, but the rest of the Palace of Westminster is open." More to follow... Johnny Hallyday with his last wife, Laeticia: he left his entire estate to her A bitter public feud has erupted among the family of the late French rock star Johnny Hallyday after two of his children challenged his will, which leaves his entire reported 100m estate to his fourth wife. Hundreds of thousands had gathered to mourn the death of the crooner they called 'the French Elvis' at his funeral last month in which President Emmanuel Macron delivered a eulogy that moved many to tears across the country. But weeks after the huge show of national unity, "Johnny" came back to haunt France after his 34-year old daughter, the actress Laura Smet, announced she was challenging the will because it failed to leave her anything. "Not a guitar, not a motorbike, and not even the signed sleeve of the song 'Laura' which is dedicated to her," wrote her lawyers in a statement to the press. Instead, to her "stupefaction and pain", all of the rock star's wealth and the rights to the 110 million records he sold were left to his last wife Laeticia, a 42-year old former model. The inheritance will eventually go to Jade and Joy, the girls they adopted in Vietnam. Smet's lawyers said her half-brother David Hallyday was also contesting the "rewritten" will, which was drawn up in California, where Hallyday spent much of his later years. They argue that this is contrary to French law, which would automatically have given three-quarters of the inheritance to his four children, with at least part of the remainder going to his wife. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the leader of the Social Democrats (SPD) faced another barrage of criticism last night from within their own parties over a controversial coalition deal that must still be approved by disgruntled SPD rank-and-file members. Germany has been without a proper government since an inconclusive election last September, which saw Ms Merkel's conservatives and the centre-left SPD both lose seats. Ms Merkel annoyed members of her Christian Democrats (CDU) by agreeing in the coalition talks to cede the finance ministry to the SPD. And members of the SPD could yet reject the coalition deal in a ballot whose results will be announced on March 4. On Sunday, Ms Merkel defended "painful" concessions she made to the SPD to win herself a fourth term as chancellor, and she said criticism among her conservatives was not a sign her authority was waning. Guenther Oettinger, a senior CDU member and the European Union's budget commissioner, rushed to her defence yesterday: "I find her still strong... and am sure she will meet the expectations of our party and the public in the coming days." But Mr Oettinger also conceded that this would be her final term as chancellor, if the new 'grand coalition' goes ahead, addressing a succession debate that is starting to take hold as the CDU slowly starts to look ahead to a post-Merkel era. "It is clear to everyone that the chancellor is going into a last term," he told Deutschlandfunk radio, adding that she would "skilfully set in motion the succession in these four years". Paul Ziemiak, leader of the conservatives' youth wing, welcomed Ms Merkel's readiness to set out her picks for ministerial posts before a CDU party conference on February 26, but lamented the decision to give up the finance ministry to the SPD. "That did not go down well with our (party) base," he said. Many in the SPD rank and file are also unhappy with the coalition deal, which will renew an awkward ruling alliance with Ms Merkel's bloc that has governed Germany since 2013. The leader of the SPD's youth wing is travelling around Germany urging the party's 464,000 members to vote against the deal in the postal ballot. Top SPD officials will meet today to decide on a change of leadership. Martin Schulz said last week he would quit as leader so the party could reinvent itself, and urged members to back parliamentary floor leader Andrea Nahles as his successor. Mr Schulz on Friday then gave up plans to become German foreign minister, hoping to shore up support among SPD members for the new coalition - but the manner in which he anointed Ms Nahles as his successor rankled with many in the party. "We can't have a situation where two, three or four people have a discussion and say who does what. Rather, there should be an orderly procedure," said SPD lawmaker Hilde Mattheis. Ralf Stegner, one of the SPD's deputy leaders, called for an end to "indiscipline" in the party. Ms Merkel said on Sunday if SPD members rejected the coalition, Germany would probably hold a new election. Prosecutors in Guatemala say they have detained former president Alvaro Colom in a corruption case. Colom governed from 2008 to 2012, and is the latest in a series of former presidents to face legal problems. The special prosecutor for a case of questionable public bus purchases said Colom was arrested on Tuesday. Prosecutor Juan Francisco Sandoval said Coloms former finance and interior ministers were also detained. A customs fraud scandal that allegedly sent kickbacks to then-president Otto Perez Molina and vice president Roxana Baldetti led both to resign in 2015. They have been jailed awaiting trial, but more than 100 defence filings have delayed the trial. Alfonso Portillo, Guatemalas president from 2000 to 2004, was extradited to the US and pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy in 2014. He was sentenced to nearly six years in prison. He admitted accepting $2.5 million in bribes from the government of Taiwan to continue to recognise the Asian nation diplomatically Isil leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been severely wounded in an air raid, according to a senior Iraqi official Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Isil, is still alive but injury and poor health has forced him to relinquish control of the terror group, according to an Iraqi intelligence chief and US officials. Baghdadi is hiding out in the desert on the Syrian side of the Syria-Iraq border north-east of Deir Ezzor province, said Abu Ali al-Basri, director general of Iraq's intelligence and counter-terrorism office at the ministry of interior. "We have irrefutable information and documents from sources within the terrorist organisation that al-Baghdadi is still alive and hiding," Mr Basri was quoted yesterday in the government daily 'As-Sabah'. The official said the Isil chief had suffered from "fractures and serious wounds" which were likely the result of previous airstrikes on the organisation's strongholds in Iraq and Syria. Baghdadi, who also suffers from diabetes, is thought to have been left unable to walk unassisted from injuries incurred from a raid in 2015 which were exasperated by another last May. Mr Basri described his condition as "severe", saying he added that the jihadist had recently been admitted to a hospital in the Jazeera desert for his "deteriorating psychological state". Russia had claimed it killed the reclusive leader, who has not been seen in public since declaring Isil's caliphate from the Iraqi city of Mosul in July 2014, in an airstrike on a meeting of senior Isil commanders near Raqqa on May 28. However, it offered no evidence to back up the claim and it was questioned by the US-led coalition against Isil at the time. US officials confirmed to CNN that while Baghdadi's injuries were not considered life-threatening they did mean he has not been able to continue to command the daily operations of the group. Baghdadi is thought to be communicating with the group's followers via voice messages sent over encrypted app services. His last public message was in September last year. In the 46-minute audio, he called on supporters to carry out attacks on the West. Baghdadi's whereabouts has been the subject of much speculation since the group's defeat in all its former major strongholds in Iraq and Syria. The 46-year-old was believed to be holding up near Baaj, west of Mosul, until the US-backed Iraqi army offensive on the area in the spring of last year. Since then he is thought to have been moving around villages along the Syria-Iraq border still under Isil's control. Hisham al-Hashimi, an adviser to the Iraqi government on its battle with Isil, said that of the group's 43 founding members Baghdadi is the last one left. He said most of Isil's most senior commanders had been killed, leaving the jihadist group without any real leadership. Daily Telegraph, London Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] Boat struck an unseen object underwater and quickly started to take on water 'I sold everything I had to do this... I lost everything in a matter of 20 minutes' A couple who sold all of their possessions so they could sail around the world have been left with nothing after their boat sank just two days into their journey. Tanner Broadwell and Nikki Walsh began their adventure on a 28-foot sailboat last week, setting off from the marina in Tarpon Springs. Two days later, the emergency services were called to reports of a capsized boat in the Gulf of Mexico near Madeira Beach about 25 miles down the coast. While sailing through the popular tourist site, the bottom of their boat struck an unseen object underwater and quickly started to take on water, forcing them to evacuate. They were left with just their two-year-old dog Remy, their social security cards, a mobile phone and some dog food and clothes. Speaking after the incident, the couple said they had planned to escape modern life on the sailboat after leaving Breckenridge, Colorado, last year. I sold everything I had to do this, Mr Broadwell told the Tampa Bay Times. I lost everything in a matter of 20 minutes. Expand Close 'I sold everything I had to do this... I lost everything in a matter of 20 minutes' / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp 'I sold everything I had to do this... I lost everything in a matter of 20 minutes' Mr Broadwell, 26, is originally from Florida and worked in marketing for timeshares. He met Ms Walsh, 24, in Philadelphia while there for work, but told the newspaper they both got tired of the sales lifestyle, of doing things to make people do the things they dont want to do. Thats when they hatched the plan to give it all up and sail round the world. For two years they planned and saved, with Mr Broadwell driving for Uber to make extra money. In April 2017 they sold everything they had, including his SUV, and bought the 1969 boat they named Lagniappe (which is Creole for bonus) for $5,000 (3,600), spending the same again to restore it. Expand Close Boat struck an unseen object underwater and quickly started to take on water / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Boat struck an unseen object underwater and quickly started to take on water Up until that point, the couple had no sailing experience, so they spent the next few months learning from Mr Broadwells father. It was only this month that they decided they were ready, and were given a grand send-off by friends in Tarpon Springs. Two days later, the Lagniappe had sunk. The boat remains in the water, and the coast guard has told the couple it could cost up to $10,000 to remove and store it. They only have $90. They may now move in with Mr Broadwells mother and look for work. But they still want to keep their dream alive. Im not going to give up now, Mr Broadwell said. Im going to get another boat down the road. We cant just give up on our dreams, Ms Walsh said. The North Korean defector singled out by Donald Trump as a living example of Pyongyangs atrocities says the US president has set a milestone in international efforts to improve North Koreas human rights record. Mr Trump invited Ji Seong-ho to sit in the gallery with the first lady during his State of the Union address last month. Legislators cheered as the president introduced Mr Ji, and the 35-year-old triumphantly waved the crutches he had used to escape North Korea after a train ran over his limbs. Mr Trump later invited the North Korean defectors to meet him at the White House, and described them as witnesses to the ominous nature of the North Korean regime. Expand Close Trump State of the Union / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Trump State of the Union Mr Ji said the presidents gesture raised international awareness of their fight to escape the North, as well as grim situations facing other North Koreans. I have launched hundreds of campaigns and activities to let people know about the human rights situation in North Korea, but President Trumps address has marked a milestone in North Koreas human rights, he said. When he gave me a hug, I felt the warmth and his sincerity toward North Korean human rights issues. Earlier on Tuesday, North Koreas UN mission called Mr Ji human scum and Mr Trumps invitation of the defector to the State of the Union address a desperate attempt to keep up its human rights racket against the country. Expand Close State Of Union Photo Gallery / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp State Of Union Photo Gallery Since the State of the Union address, the two Koreas have moved towards reconciliation, with Pyongyang sending a large group of athletes and cheerleaders to the Olympics in the South. North Korea also sent leader Kim Jong Uns sister, Kim Yo Jong, who sat alongside dignitaries during the opening ceremony in Pyeongchang. She also attended a lunch with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and extended an invitation from her brother for Mr Moon to visit Pyongyang for a summit in the near future. During her three-day visit, Ms Kim fascinated South Koreans with her relaxed manner and gentle smile, and was touted by global media for scoring a diplomatic gold. But Mr Ji, now a South Korean citizen, said Ms Kim should have apologised to South Korean citizens and North Korean defectors living in the South. I thought she was too arrogant. She shouldnt be walking around like that holding her head high. I wish we could get apologies from North Korea for the pains they caused to me and other defectors. Police have recommended indicting Israels prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a pair of corruption cases, according to media reports. The reported recommendations on Tuesday night do not immediately threaten Mr Netanyahu, but they are deeply embarrassing and could fuel calls for him to step aside. For months, police have been investigating two cases. In one probe, Mr Netanyahu reportedly received over 100,000 US dollars in gifts from Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan and other wealthy supporters. The other is over secret talks with the publisher of a major Israeli newspaper in which Mr Netanyahu allegedly requested positive coverage in exchange for reining in a free pro-Netanyahu daily. Channels 10 and 2 TV and the Jerusalem Post and Haaretz newspapers reported police recommended indictments in both cases. The attorney general will now review their conclusions and decide whether to file charges. Mr Netanyahu has denied wrongdoing. A confidante accused of collaborating with South Koreas former leader for personal gain has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for bribery and other crimes in a political scandal that triggered the countrys first presidential impeachment and the conviction of an heir to the Samsung empire. Seoul Central District Court also jailed the chairman of the Lotte Group, South Koreas fifth-largest conglomerate, to two-and-a-half years for bribery in the same case. Former president Park Geun-hye was impeached last March and removed from office in disgrace. She is standing trial on more than a dozen criminal charges, and the case against her close friend could hint at the penalty Park could face if convicted. Expand Close South Korea Corruption Scandal / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp South Korea Corruption Scandal The court convicted Choi Soon-sil of abuse of power, bribery and other crimes and fined her 18 billion won (12 million). She left the courtroom quietly after the sentencing without showing any emotion. Among her crimes was pressuring major companies to donate large sums to foundations under her control and receiving bribes from Samsung and Lotte. The court said Chois crimes were grave given that they led to the impeachment of a president and disappointed the public. Chois lawyer, Lee Kyung-jae, said she would appeal. Expand Close South Korea Corruption Scandal / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp South Korea Corruption Scandal At her final court hearing in December, Mr Lee called the accusations a complete fabrication by politicians, civic groups, media and politically motivated prosecutors who wanted to overthrow Parks government, according to Yonhap News agency. In the Lotte case, the court said chairman Shin Dong-bin offered 7 billion won (4.7 million) in payments to Chois foundations to curry favours such as winning a state licence to open a duty-free shop and to strengthen his control over the group. Lotte has interests in retail, confectionery and many other businesses. The sentencing sent a shockwave through the South Korean business community, which had been relieved to see an appeal court release Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong from prison last week on a suspended sentence with some of his convictions overturned. Expand Close South Korea Corruption Scandal / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp South Korea Corruption Scandal In a third case on Tuesday, the court sentenced one of Parks former senior aides, Ahn Jong-beom, to six years in prison for abuse of power. Choi was largely unknown to the South Korean public until a series of revelations in late 2016 disclosed how she allegedly pulled government strings from the shadows, editing presidential speeches and wielding influence over government personnel even though she held no official government position. She also influenced the college admission process for her daughter, a national equestrian team member who was accepted by a top university in Seoul, enraging the public and helping to spark massive anti-government candlelight rallies. Choi was jailed for three years last June in a separate case related to influence-peddling in university admissions. Her case brought the debate about ties between politics and business in South Korea to the fore, as several top business leaders were implicated in the scandal. Her daughters equestrian training overseas was scrutinised and questions were raised about whether Samsungs purchase of expensive horses for her daughter constituted bribery. The appeal court ruling that allowed Lee, Samsungs vice chairman, to be freed last week after nearly a year in jail said Lee was unable to reject Parks request to financially support Choi and was coerced into making the payments. The court still found Lee guilty of giving 3.6 billion won (2.4 million) in bribes for equestrian training of Chois daughter and of embezzling the money from Samsung. Chois power behind closed doors was compared to Rasputin, the Russian mystic who gained power through his influence over the tsar in the early 20th century. Chois ties with Park date to her father, a religious cult leader and Christian pastor at different times, who was a mentor to Park when she was young. An Uzbek man who carried out a deadly attack in Stockholm last year swore allegiance to the Islamic State group in a video and wrote that he wanted to scare the infidels and leave my life, prosecutors have said. Rakhmat Akilov went on trial on Tuesday at Stockholm District Court for ramming a stolen truck into a crowd in the Swedish capital, killing five people and injuring 14 others because he wanted to punish Sweden for joining a coalition against IS. He is charged with terror-related murder and attempted murder. The prosecution has asked that he gets a life sentence and is extradited from Sweden. Expand Close Stockholm truck incident / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Stockholm truck incident Akilov, who has confessed to the attack, wore handcuffs as he entered the high-security courtroom. Prosecutor Hans Ihrman described how Akilov drove a stolen beer truck into a busy Stockholm shopping street on April 7 before being arrested hours later. The case is about 40 seconds that changed forever the lives of those who were on Drottninggatan promenade that day, he said. Five people were killed a British man, a Belgian woman and three Swedes, including an 11-year-old girl. The Briton, Chris Bevington, 41, worked as a director with music streaming service Spotify and was based in Stockholm with his family. It is with shock and a heavy heart that I can confirm that Chris Bevington from our Spotify team lost his life in... https://t.co/HXPkWZVWzT Daniel Ek (@eldsjal) April 9, 2017 Yes, it was Akilov who drove the truck, his lawyer Johan Eriksson told the court. In a room next to the courtroom, relatives of the victims listened quietly, some in each others arms. Akilov, who turns 40 on Wednesday, was born in Uzbekistan and worked there as a construction worker. He arrived in Sweden in 2014 and applied for asylum, claiming he had been persecuted. His application was rejected and he was ordered to leave in December 2016. Instead, he went underground, eluding authorities attempts to track him down. Swedens domestic intelligence agency has said it had nothing indicating he was planning an attack. Expand Close Stockholm truck incident / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Stockholm truck incident Inside the courtroom, Akilov stared at a screen where footage from the attack including film he shot while driving the truck was shown. The prosecutor said Akilov used 53 sim cards and social media including WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, Facebook and Zello to communicate with others about his activities. Akilov has said he proposed carrying out an attack in Stockholm to IS on their behalf. It was not clear whether the group accepted his offer. Investigators have found internet chat logs with unknown people in which Akilov discussed becoming a martyr and swore allegiance to IS between January 12 2017 and the attack. They have also found a memory card with execution videos and thousands of photos, including one of IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The prosecution also played a video where Akilov swore allegiance to IS. On April 6 the eve of the attack he wrote in a chat: Tomorrow, in the evening I will find a large vehicle and I will drive into a crowd with it. The Pacific nation of Tonga is cleaning up damage from a cyclone that destroyed its Parliament House, as well as homes and churches, and was intensifying as it headed towards nearby Fiji. Cyclone Gita caused power outages after tearing through the island nation just south of the capital, Nukualofa, with winds exceeding 120mph at landfall. About 5,000 people stayed in evacuation centres overnight, according to officials, and an emergency was declared. There were no immediate reports of serious injuries or deaths. Our thoughts are with the people of #Tonga today. Emergency relief supplies are heading over this afternoon to help in the aftermath of #CycloneGita. https://t.co/q1gJy2TGb5 Winston Peters (@winstonpeters) February 13, 2018 The cyclone is intensifying and is forecast to hit some southern Fiji islands on Tuesday night, although it is likely to miss Fijis major population centres including the capital, Suva. In Tonga, publisher Pesi Fonua said fallen trees were littering the landscape and their absence was opening up new vistas. He said many homes had lost their roofs or were otherwise badly damaged. Many people had endured a terrifying night and were glad to be alive, he added. Most of them havent experienced anything like this before, he said. It was a real shock for them. Expand Close A house damaged by Cyclone Gita in Nukualofa (TVNZ/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A house damaged by Cyclone Gita in Nukualofa (TVNZ/AP) Tongan legislator Lord Fusitua told the Australian Broadcasting Corp it was a great disappointment the parliament building had been knocked down. Successive legislatures over the years have suggested building a new Parliament House, and I guess thatll be a necessity now, he said. About 2,500 people living on two of Fijis islands were at risk, the nations National Disaster Management Office told Radio New Zealand. Director Anare Leweniqila said emergency supplies of food and water were being gathered and urged elderly and disabled people to begin moving into evacuation centres. Director for Pacific Connections @MFATinAuckland Georgina Roberts and @TabuteauNZFirst inspect relief supplies for Cyclone Gita. Live updates: https://t.co/o1DGYLj30V pic.twitter.com/HjsFJFnpaG MFAT in Auckland (@MFATinAuckland) February 12, 2018 The storm has strengthened since hitting Samoa and American Samoa last week, where it caused damage to buildings, widespread power outages and flooding. President Donald Trump on Sunday declared an emergency in American Samoa, a US territory. The declaration allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide equipment and resources to help the 50,000 residents recover. Chris Brandolino, a scientist at New Zealands National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, said flooding and coastal inundation would probably cause as many problems in Tonga as the damage from the winds. Australia and New Zealand are sending humanitarian supplies to Tonga, including emergency shelters, cooking equipment and hygiene kits. Amazon has not ruled out making cuts at its UK operations as part of a rare global jobs shake-up at the online retail giant. The company has confirmed it will axe a small number of positions across the business, but stopped short of giving a number. However, the Seattle Times cited sources who said the move would affect several hundred employees at Amazons Seattle headquarters and hundreds more across its global operations, with layoffs focused on its consumer retail business. Amazon has not ruled out that the UK business will be shielded from the cuts. As part of our annual planning process, we are making head count adjustments across the company small reductions in a couple of places and aggressive hiring in many others, a spokesman said. For affected employees, we work to find roles in the areas where we are hiring. Expand Close Amazon / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Amazon The job cuts are an unusual move for the retail giant, which tends to make headlines for hiring sprees rather than a drop in office headcounts. The Seattle Times cited several employees who said the companys rapid growth in recent years meant some units had overshot their budgets, while others were left with too little work for too many staff. It added that a hiring freeze had been introduced for a number of groups and that job cuts were already under way. Layoffs are reportedly set to be completed over the next few weeks. Amazon currently employs 24,000 staff in the UK, which are counted as part of its near 560,000 strong global employee base, and claims to have invested 6.4 billion in the UK since 2010 on research and development, head office functions and fulfilment and logistics infrastructure. The company also says it created 130,000 jobs worldwide last year, which does not account for its Whole Foods acquisition, and currently has around 12,000 corporate job openings worldwide. The retailer recently made news for its latest offering which will reportedly see it enter into the shipping industry. The new service will allow Amazon to pick up packages from businesses and deliver them to consumers, starting in Los Angeles in the coming weeks, and comes just years after the company unveiled its first branded cargo plane in August 2016. Donald Trump Jrs wife was taken to a New York City hospital on Monday as a precaution after she opened an envelope addressed to her husband that contained an unidentified white powder. The frightening episode happened when Mrs Trump, 40, opened the letter addressed to the presidents son at her mothers midtown Manhattan apartment, investigators said. She called 911 and said she was coughing and felt nauseous. Police later said the substance was not dangerous. Thankful that Vanessa & my children are safe and unharmed after the incredibly scary situation that occurred this morning, Donald Trump Jr. wrote on Twitter. Truly disgusting that certain individuals choose to express their opposing views with such disturbing behavior. Thankful that Vanessa & my children are safe and unharmed after the incredibly scary situation that occurred this morning. Truly disgusting that certain individuals choose to express their opposing views with such disturbing behavior. Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) February 12, 2018 The New York Fire Department said it treated three patients who were then taken to a hospital for evaluation. Police said the envelope contained a letter but provided no other details. Detectives from the New York Police Departments intelligence division and Secret Service agents were investigating. Secret Service Special Agent Jeffrey Adams said in a statement that agents were investigating a suspicious package addressed to one of our protectees in New York but said he could not comment further. Vanessa Trump, a former model, and Donald Trump Jr have five children, none of whom were home at the time of the incident. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on Monday that the president spoke by phone to Vanessa Trump about the incident. Thank you so much for all the help today in NYC! I appreciate all the quick response to make sure that I was safe ! Thank you @FDNY @SecretService @NYPDnews @NYPDCT @NewYorkFBI Vanessa Trump (@MrsVanessaTrump) February 13, 2018 Later, the Republican presidents daughter-in-law posted a tweet thanking New Yorks police and fire departments, the FBI and the Secret Service for their help. I appreciate all the quick response to make sure that I was safe! Thank you, she wrote. The Trump family has had to deal with a number of similar scares. In March 2016, police detectives and FBI agents investigated a threatening letter sent to the Manhattan apartment of Donald Trump Jrs brother, Eric, that also contained a white powder that turned out to be harmless. Envelopes containing white powder were also sent to Trump Tower, which served as Mr Trumps campaign headquarters, twice in 2016. Hoax attacks using white powder play on fears that date to 2001, when letters containing deadly anthrax were mailed to news organisations and the offices of two US senators. Those letters killed five people. On February 5, 2018, Security Forces (SFs) killed a militant of the Saoraigwra faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB-S), platoon commander Jordan Narzary, in an encounter at Belguri village in the Chirang District of Assam. A 7.62 mm pistol, along with one magazine and two rounds of live ammunition, was recovered from the possession of the slain militant. On January 7, 2018, SFs killed a NDFB-S militant, Ricardo Hazuary aka Rekhai, in the Akshiguri area of Kokrajhar District. No civilian or SF fatalities have been registered in the State in 2018, so far (data till February 11, 2018). During the corresponding period of 2017, Assam recorded, according to partial data compiled by the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), a total of four insurgency-related fatalities (two SF personnel and two militants). Through 2017 Assam accounted for a total of 26 fatalities (five civilians, three SF personnel and 18 militants) as against 86 fatalities (33 civilians, four SF personnel and 49 militants) recorded in 2016, registering a steep decline of 69.77 per cent in total fatalities as compared to 2016. More significantly, the State registered the lowest insurgency-related fatalities since 1992 [the year from which SATP data is available]. Over the years there has been a cyclical trend in total fatalities, with a peak of 783 (531 civilians, 72 SF personnel, and 180 militants) in 1998. For the first time, since 1992, fatalities in the civilian category (five), one of the primary indices of the security situation in conflict zones, fell to a single digit in 2017. The low number of 10 in this category was recorded in 2015. At its peak, Assam recorded 531 civilian fatalities in 1998. 2017 also registered the second lowest fatalities (three) among SFs. The lowest figure (one) in this category was recorded in 2015. The State saw a maximum of 87 SF fatalities in 1996. Fatalities in this category remained in the double digits till 2011. SFs secured a positive kill ratio against the militants in 2017, a trend established since 1997. The ratio in 2017 stood at 1: 6 in favor of SFs, as against 1:12.25 in 2016. Since 1992, the militants managed to secure a kill ratio in their favor in only three years: 1992 (1:1.78), 1995 (1:2.7), and 1996 (1:1.4) SFs also arrested 172 militants in 2017 adding to the 490 arrested in 2016. The 2017 arrests included cadres of NDFB-S 44; ULFA-I 25; Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) 17; National Democratic Freedom Fighter for Bodoland (NDFFB) 8; United People's Liberation Army (UPLA) 8; Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) 6; Adivasi Tiger Force (ATF) 6, Muslim United Liberation Tigers of Assam (MULTA) 5;and Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) 5. Nine militants surrendered in 2017, adding to 15 in 2016. One of the most prominent surrenders was that of the 'commander-in-chief' of the National Socialist Council of Adivasis (NSCA), Jharu Lohar aka Horen Karmakar, who surrendered before the Police in Sonitpur District on February 7, 2017. Lohar deposited one 9 mm pistol, two magazines and a large number of rounds. NSCA is one of the lesser known Adivasi outfits, largely involved in extortion and abduction. Meanwhile, though no new Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement or Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) was signed in 2017, 13 militant groups which were once violently active in the State remained under earlier SoO agreements with the Union and State Governments, through 2017. These included the United Liberation Front of Asom-Pro Talks Faction (ULFA-PTF), the Ranjan Daimary faction of NDFB (NDFB-RD), Pro Talks Faction of NDFB (NDFB-PTF), Adivasi Peoples Army (APA), All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA), Birsa Commando Force (BCF), Adivasi Cobra Military of Assam (ACMA), Santhal Tiger Force (STF), National Santhal Liberation Army (NSLA), United Kukigram Democratic Army (UKDA), Kuki Liberation Army (KLA), Hmar Peoples Conference-Democratic(HPC-D), Karbi Longri North Cachar Liberation Front (KLNLF). Another four groups the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT), United People's Democratic Solidarity (UPDS), Dilip Nunisa faction of Dima Halim Daogah (DHD-N) and Jewel Garlosa faction of DHD (DHD-J) which were once violently active, have already disbanded over the past years. BLT was disbanded on December 7, 2003; UPDS on December 14, 2011; DHD-J on November 26, 2012; and DHD-N on March 9, 2013. There is, meanwhile, hope that talks with ULFA-PTF may come to a conclusion in 2018. Additional Director General of Police-Special Branch (ADGP-SB), Pallab Bhattacharya stated, on December 15, 2017, The peace talk is going towards the right direction. And the process will speed up after the draft NRC [National Register for Citizen] publication. The Final draft NRC is to be published by December 2018. The improvement in the security situation led to the opening up of investment opportunities in the State. Advantage Assam-Global Investors Summit-2018 was successfully held at the Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati on February 3-4, 2018. At least 200 Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) worth INR 1,000 billion were signed during the two day event. The security consolidation in Assam was acknowledged by the Centre, with Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs Hansraj Ahir observing, on December 19, 2017, in the Lok Sabha [Lower House of the Parliament], "While the States of Sikkim, Mizoram and Tripura had no insurgency-related violence, the number of these incidents had come down in Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Meghalaya in 2017 (till 30 November), as compared to the corresponding period of 2016. Even as insurgency-related violence fell to its lowest since the commencement of the troubles in the region, residual threats do remain. Incidents of abduction and extortion continued to intimidate people across the state. According to Police records, at least 5,059 abduction incidents were recorded in 2017 (upto July, no further data available). There were 6,137 such incidents through 2016. Further, there were 732 extortion-related cases registered in 2017 (till July); as against 1,295 through 2016. Though this data does not mention the people involved in these incidents, it is widely known that most of these incidents are carried out by militant groupings. The then Director General of the National Security Guard (NSG) and former Director General of Police (DGP), Assam, J.N. Choudhury observed, on November 28, 2014, "In (the) northeast, militancy has become almost a cottage industry where extortion and abduction for ransom is seen as an easy means for money." Continuous illegal immigration from Bangladesh (erstwhile East Pakistan) through the porous border has created demographic imbalances. According to the interim report [submitted on July 22, 2017] of The Committee for Protection of Land Rights of Indigenous People of Assam, The principal factor causing galloping changes in the demographic composition of Assam is the unrestrained infiltration of illegal Bangladeshi migrants through the open Indo-Bangladesh international borders. These Bangladeshis like swarms of ants have spread in every nook and corner of Assam and grabbed land wherever any vacant government land be they khas/waste land, reserved forest land, village grazing reserves (VGRs) or professional grazing reserves (PGRs), char lands or water bodies or hills, tribal belts/blocks or satra land is available. This emotive issue of foreigners has sparked several protests, some violent, in the past and these continued through 2017. A public rally in Goalpara District on June 30, 2017, to protest against the alleged inclusion of several Indian citizens in the D (doubtful)-voters list in the State by the Police and the Foreigners Tribunals, turned violent. In the consequent Police firing, one of the protestors, identified as Yakub Ali, (22), died. Earlier, on July 21, 2010, the All Assam Minorities Students' Union (AAMSU) organised a rally to protest against the exercise to update NRC. The protest turned violent and the Police opened fire, killing four protestors. The pilot project to update NRC was initially launched from Barpeta (Barpeta District) and Chaygaon (Kamrup District) revenue circle in 2010. Subsequent to the firing incident, the exercise was stopped. Later, on December 6, 2013, the Union Government issued a gazette notification to update NRC within three years. The Supreme Court later intervened on August 20, 2014, and gave the Union and the State Government three years to complete the entire process following a petition filed by a Non-Government Organisation, Assam Public Works. The updating process started in May 2015. The first draft of National Register for Citizen (NRC) was published at midnight on December 31, 2017. The first draft of the updated NRC published the names of about 19 million persons out of a total 32.9 million applicants. The remaining names are under the verification process. Significantly, there was no incident of violence as initially feared. Nevertheless, it will be next to impossible to deport millions of migrants to Bangladesh if they are indeed found to be illegal setters, as India does not have an extradition treaty with Bangladesh. The issue of Nagalim (greater Nagaland), which is reportedly being discussed under the Framework Agreement with the NSCN-IM has also created some trouble. Dima Hasao District witnessed violence when a mob attacked a train during the 12-hour bandh (shutdown strike) called by different organisations on January 25, 2018, following rumors that the Framework Agreement with NSCN-IM would include the Dima Hasao District. When the angry protesters, reportedly, began to attack Policemen, they opened fire, injuring seven protestors. Two of the injured persons died later. More worryingly, five Districts of Assam (Charaideo, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar and Tinsukia) remain at risk of a potentially escalating militancy. These five Districts are contiguous to another five three in Arunachal Pradesh [Tirap, Changlang and Longding] and two in Nagaland [Mon and Tuensang] which fall along the Indo-Myanmar border, constituting the surviving hub of militancy in the Northeastern region. According to partial SATP data, the five Districts (Tirap, Changlang and Longding in Arunachal; and Mon and Tuensang in Nagaland) have accounted for a total of 318 fatalities (31 civilians, 28 SF personnel, 259 militants) since January 1, 2000, of which 12 (one civilian, one SF trooper and six militants) were recorded in 2017. Further, the United National Liberation Front of Western South East Asia (UNLFWESEA) and its main constituents ULFA-I and NSCN-K along with CorCom [Coordination Committee], a conglomerate of six Manipur Valley-based militant outfits, are active along the Indo-Myanmar border. Notably, most of the major recent attacks on SFs along the Indo-Myanmar border, including the June 4, 2015, Chandel attack , were carried out by NSCN-K and UNLFWESEA. ULFA-I remains a potent threat. Director General of Police (DGP) Mukesh Sahay noted, on December 14, 2017, that ULFA-I was down but not out, adding, I dont have a fair idea about its current strength, but then, strength does not lie in numbers but in lethality. I can say, however, that something which was pervasive all over the State at one point of time is today confined to pockets bordering Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. In 2017, out of 26 fatalities in the State, eight were linked to ULFA-I. The group was responsible for two out of the five civilian killings in 2017. Similarly, out of three SF personnel killed, ULFA-I was responsible for two killings. Out of 18 militants killed in 2017, four were from ULFA-I. While there has been a remarkable consolidation of peace in Assam, deficiencies and deficits in the security apparatus persist. According to Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) data, as on 1.1.2017, as against a total sanctioned strength of 65,611 Policemen; only 55,403 were in position, a deficit of 15.56 per cent. Vacancies at senior levels included: Additional Director General of Police 1; Inspector General of Police 6; Deputy Inspector General of Police DIG 7; Assistant Inspector General of Police 3; Additional Superintendent of Police 91; Assistant Superintendent of Police/Deputy Superintendent of Police (ASP/ DySP)-237. At the apex level of the India Police Service, the State had a deficit of 20.74 per cent: 149 IPS officer were in position as against the sanctioned strength of 188, considerably weakening executive direction of the Force (the figure represents the combined cadre strength of Assam and Meghalaya). Assams hard earned peace needs further consolidation and greater cooperation with neighbouring State Police formations. A peaceful environment would contribute enormously to addressing the complex questions of illegal immigration, ethnicity, land alienation, as well as economic and infrastructure bottlenecks. Srinagar, Feb 13 (IBNS): An encounter that started in Srinagar city of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday is still going on, with intermittent firing and blasts being heard through the night, officials said on Tuesday. Two heavily armed militants are still hiding inside four storey concrete building near the CRPF camp at Karan Nagar in Srinagar. A joint operation is being carried out by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) soldiers and the Jammu and Kashmir police. Early reported, alerted soldiers of CRPF Santry foil "Possible Fidayeen Attack" on their camp and opened fire on suspected militants who were trying to enter into the camp, but militants managed to escape and took shelter into nearby building. "When Reserve force cordoned off the area and start searching, the hiding militants opened fire on party which led to encounter, Central Reserve Police Force Spokesman told IBNS. During gunfight, a soldier of the CRPF died and two policeman were injured, spokesman added. The CRPF camp is near the hospital from where a Pakistani militant escaped on Feb 6. Through the day loud gunshots could be heard as security forces engaged with the two militants . Yesterday's attempt to attack the CRPF camp comes just two days after a terror attack in Jammu's Sunjuwan army base camp, in which five soldiers and a civilian were killed. At least ten people, including soldiers, women and children, were injured. (Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri, Image: Wallpaper) Kochi, Feb 13 (IBNS) : Five people were killed and several others injured in a blast in a ONGC ship at Cochin Shipyard on Tuesday, reports said. The blast took place during the maintenance works of the ship, Sagar Bhushan. Police and fire and rescue service personnel have rushed to the spot. The injured have been taken to hospital. Primary reports say the blast occurred in a water tank of the ship..... Details of the incident are awaited. Thiruvanthapuram, Feb 13 (IBNS) : The Congress on Tuesday for a 12-hour bandh in Kannur in north Kerala in protest against the murder of 30-year-old youth leader S V Shuhaib on Monday night. Congresss leader of opposition in the Kerala assembly, Ramesh Chennithala has accused the ruling CPI(M) of being involved in the murder. According to the Congress, Shuhaib,an office-bearer of the Youth Congress, and a few others were waiting in front of an eatery when few people came in a car and threw bombs. Then they slashed Shuhaib with a sword. Shuhaib was first rushed to a hospital in Kannur, but succumbed to his injuries while being taken to another hospital for further treatment. The CPI(M), however, has denied any role in the incident. Srinagar, Feb 13 (IBNS) At least two terrorists were killed in an ongoing encounter with the security forces in Srinagar's Karan Nagar locality on Tuesday afternoon, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials confirmed. Both militants were killed during a 24 hour long gunbattle. The bodies have been recovered along with arms and ammunition from the encounter site, a CRPF official told IBNS. Earlier on Monday morning the CRPF men foiled a "possible Fidayeen attack" on their camp and opened fire on suspected militants who were trying to enter into the premises. However the militants managed to escape and took shelter in a nearby building, leading to a standoff. "When Reserve force cordoned off the area and start searching, the hiding militants opened fire on a party which led to encounter," a CRPF spokesman told IBNS. During the gunfight, a soldier of the CRPF was martyred and two policemen were injured, the spokesman added. The CRPF camp is near the hospital from where a Pakistani militant escaped on Feb 6. Throughout the day loud gunshots could be heard as security forces engaged with the two militants. Yesterday's attempt to attack the CRPF camp comes just two days after a terror attack in Jammu's Sunjuwan army base camp, in which five soldiers and a civilian were killed. At least ten people, including soldiers, women and children, were injured. (Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri) The LPG Panchayat was organised by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas with an aim to provide a platform for LPG consumers to interact with each other, promote mutual learning and share experiences. Each LPG Panchayat has about 100 LPG customers coming together, near their living areas,to discuss safe and sustainable usage of LPG, its benefits and the link between clean fuel for cooking and womens empowerment. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas intends to conduct 1 lakh such Panchayats across India before March 31, 2019. Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the UjjawalaYojana is strengthening womens empowerment. He congratulated the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas for efforts to advance social justice through the health, welfare and empowerment of women. He was confident that the taking place of LPG Panchayatsas part of theUjjwalaYojanaprocess,will prove very useful. New Delhi, Feb 13 (IBNS): Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is dithering at a time the soldiers are suffering at the border due to the opportunistic PDP-BJP alliance. Rahul took to Twitter to say the soldiers are paying the price of the alliance with their blood. The Congress chief even exposed the contradictory stands by PDP and BJP, the parties that run the Jammu and Kashmir government. Rahul's tweet reads: "1. PDP says talks with Pakistan. 2. BJP Defence Minister says "Pakistan will pay the price". While our soldiers pay with their blood for BJP/ PDPs opportunistic alliance and non-existent Kashmir policy; Modi Ji dithers." 1. PDP says talks with Pakistan. 2. BJP Defence Minister says "Pakistan will pay the price". While our soldiers pay with their blood for BJP/ PDPs opportunistic alliance and non-existent Kashmir policy; Modi Ji dithers. Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 13, 2018 Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has ensured that Pakistan will pay the price for its "misadventure". In the recent Sunjuwan terror attack, five soldiers and a civilian were killed. At least ten people, including soldiers, women and children, were injured. The attack had taken place at the Army base camp in Jammu's Sunjuwan. Earlier on Monday morning the CRPF men foiled a "possible Fidayeen attack" on their camp and opened fire on suspected militants who were trying to enter into the premises. Islamabad, Feb 13 (IBNS): Pakistan Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan warned his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman over her recent remarks following the terrorist attack on an Army camp in Jammu and Kashmir and said Islamabad will pay back New Delhi in "its own coin in case of any Indian misadventure". Khan was quoted as saying by Dawn News, "Pakistan will pay [back] India in its own coin in case of any misadventure." "Instead of the knee-jerk reaction of blaming Pakistan without substantiation, India must answer for state-sponsored espionage against Pakistan," he said. "Living evidence in person of Kulbhushan Jadhav is in front of the world," he added. In the wake of the recent attacks on an Army camp in Jammu and Kashmir, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday gave out a strong message to Pakistan and said the neighbouring nation will pay for the incident. "Pakistan will have to pay for this misadventure," she told media. At least two terrorists were killed in an ongoing encounter with the security forces in Srinagar's Karan Nagar locality on Tuesday afternoon, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials confirmed. Both militants were killed during a 24 hour long gunbattle. The bodies have been recovered along with arms and ammunition from the encounter site, a CRPF official told IBNS. Earlier on Monday morning the CRPF men foiled a "possible Fidayeen attack" on their camp and opened fire on suspected militants who were trying to enter into the premises. However the militants managed to escape and took shelter in a nearby building, leading to a standoff. "When Reserve force cordoned off the area and start searching, the hiding militants opened fire on a party which led to encounter," a CRPF spokesman told IBNS. During the gunfight, a soldier of the CRPF was martyred and two policemen were injured, the spokesman added. The CRPF camp is near the hospital from where a Pakistani militant escaped on Feb 6. Throughout the day loud gunshots could be heard as security forces engaged with the two militants. Yesterday's attempt to attack the CRPF camp comes just two days after a terror attack in Jammu's Sunjuwan army base camp, in which five soldiers and a civilian were killed. At least ten people, including soldiers, women and children, were injured. Patna, Feb 13 (TheBiharPost): Jan Adhukar Party (JAP) chief Pappu Yadav on Tuesday announced to contest all the 40 Lok Sabha seats and 243 assembly seats in the next elections in Bihar. We have decided to contest all the LS and assembly seats to provide an alternative to the people of Bihar, Yadav, who represents Madhepura seat in the Lok Sabha, told the media in Patna on Tuesday. According to the inside story, Yadav was forced to make this announcement after the RJD refused to ally with his party for his past activities. Only last week, senior RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had ruled out his fresh entry to the party saying There is no place for Pappu Yadav in the RJD and those seeking for his entry to the party too will face the axe. Yadav who was elected as Lok Sabha Member from Madhpeura seat on RJD ticket in the last 2014 parliamentary elections was expelled from the party later after he rebelled against the party leadership. Recently, RJD vice-president Raghuvansh Prasad Singh had favoured re-entry of Yadav to the RJD but the proposal has been shot down by the party. (thebiharpost.com) New Delhi, Feb 13 (IBNS): Over 100 beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, on Tuesday interacted with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at his residence. The female beneficiaries, who belong to various States across the country, are in New Delhi for the LPG Panchayat, which was hosted by President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhawan earlier on Tuesday. During the informal interaction with Narendra Modi, the beneficiaries explained how their lives had improved through the use of LPG cylinders. The Prime Minister encouraged them to talk on various aspects of their day-to-day life. In response to their observations, the Prime Minister mentioned the Saubhagya Yojana, which has been launched by the Union Government to provide electricity connections to every home. He also emphasized the need to end all forms of discrimination against the girl child. He exhorted the gathering to work towards ensuring cleanliness in their villages. He said this would improve the health of the entire village, much the same way as the Ujjwala Yojana had improved the health of their family members. Praising and thanking the Prime Minister for the Ujjwala Yojana, some of the beneficiaries also took the opportunity to discuss other specific development challenges in their respective areas. Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan was present on the occasion. Dimapur (Nagaland), Feb 13 (IBNS): The troops of Assam Rifles and Nagaland Police apprehended a NSCN (R) militant and recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition including two AK series rifles in Nagalands Dimapur area on Monday evening, officials said. Based on intelligence input, the Dimapur Battalion of Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (North) launched an operation with police representative in general area Naharbari, in Dimapur district and apprehended the militant. The nabbed militant was identified as Isaka Awomi and recovered two AK-56 rifles with magazines, two point 22 mm pistol with magazines and 50 and four live rounds of AK-56 and point 22 pistol respectively, extortion slips, 25 of NNC, 28 of FGN, 29 of NSCN (R) as well as two extortion collection pads in possession from him Later, the apprehendee along with the recoveries was handed over to East Police Station, Dimapur. (Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath) New Delhi, Feb 13 (IBNS): The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday said India supports Myanmar's peace process and that the national reconciliation in the neighbouring country will also be conducive for the peace and prosperity of the North Eastern states of India. In response to a query on India's presence at the signing of National Ceasefire Agreement in Myanmar, MEA Official Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "India supports the Myanmar peace process. Comprehensive peace and national reconciliation in Myanmar will also be conducive for the peace and prosperity of the North eastern States of India. He said, "Given the positive bilateral relationship between India and Myanmar and the significance for India of the Myanmar peace process, Myanmar had earlier invited India (together with China, Japan, Thailand, UN and EU) to sign the NCA as international witnesses in October 2015." NSA Ajit Doval had represented India on that occasion. Myanmar's two groups -- New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) -- signed the National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) on Tuesday, which will lead them to join the peace process in the country. "Todays event is another step in the process with two more parties, the NMSP and the LDU, agreeing to sign the NCA. The presence of our representative demonstrates India's continued support to the peace process in Myanmar, " said Kumar. Chennai, Feb 13 (IBNS): A winking video of her on social media has made Malayalam actress Priya Prakash Varrier a national sensation overnight. With more followers liking her Instagram account, she is currently being followed by 2.4 million netizens. Her fan base in Instagram is growing at a rapid pace. Infact, she is one of the few celebrities in the world who has got more than 600k followers in just 24 hours. Her account has now been verified too by Instagram. It all started this weekend after a video went viral on social media. With Valentine's Day coming closer, the sweet video, where a girl, who is none other than Priya, and a boy could be seen winking at each other, exchanging unsaid love messages, started treading across social media platforms in India since last weekend. The video is actually a trimmed version of a newly-released song "Manikya Malaraya Poovi" from upcoming Malayalam film Oru Adaar Love. The video has touched hearts all over India and surely made them remember about their high school romance. Actor Priya Prakash Varrier, who could be seen winking in the video, has already become an internet sensation. Priya will be making her debut in south Indian movies with Oru Adaar Love. Reacting to the popularity the video has gained, Priya wrote on Instagram: " Thank you for all the love and supportY." She tweeted: "Good morning everyone. Can't belive this, #NationalTrend Thank you so much for your love and supports ." Tasmania is small but its natural setting offers great diversity. From rugged coastlines and glacial mountains to wild rivers and rolling hills. Sandip Hor is awestruck Our land abounds in natures gifts of beauty rich and rare, is a line from Australian national anthem that engage me intimately when travelling Tasmania which like rest of Australia is girt by sea. Yes its an island on the southern side of the continent facing Antarctica, just over 7000 km away with nothing in between. So when wind gushes from there, now and then, temperatures drops magically forcing jackets, scarves and beanies out from the backpacks. Belying its small size, Tasmanias natural setting like in India, offers great diversity. It varies dramatically with a spread of rugged coastlines, glacial mountains, wild rivers, sprawling lakes, dense forests and endless rolling hills and meadows, often compared to green pastures in England. The flora, fauna and wildlife found here is unique as well. So typical Tasmanian experience can be somewhat different to what visitors sense when touring other iconic locations in mainland Australia. History of the place is no less invigorating. Though it has been home to indigenous people for over 35000 years, the land first came under European spotlight when Dutch sailor Abel Tasman set his foot here in 1642 and named it Van Diemens Land after a Dutch East Indies governor. After the British established Australia as penal colony in 1788, this island at the start of 19th century became the second venue to house colonial convicts. In 1824, the British declared it as a colony, had name changed to Tasmania in 1856 and became a state of Australia during time of federation formation in 1901. There are several locations throughout the state that brings alive this exhilarating history, from maritime adventures and industrials developments to brutal convict life. State capital Hobart is a key repository of some of this vibrant history. Spread over seven hills between the Derwent Estuary and Mount Wellington, it was established in 1804 and boasts as Australias second oldest city after Sydney. In a world where new is taking over the old, there are many pockets in Hobart where past can be identified in the present. Its magnificent waterfront, dotted with taverns and inns, is still utterly vibrant as it was during the time of whaling and sealing in the early 19th century, the only difference today is presence of more tourist ferries and ocean liners than fishing boats and freighters. I seize a good dose of history when wander in Hobart around Battery Point, a former maritime enclave packed with elegant 19th century cottages and Salamanca Place where the sandstone warehouses stand as finest examples of Georgian architecture. During colonial times Salamanca Place was the hub of trade and commerce. Similar bustling business atmosphere comes alive here every Saturday when the site becomes a busy market place, selling almost everything from traditional crafts and works of emerging artists, vintage finds and fresh produce to old books , new releases, antique objects, photos and curios . Glimpses of Tasmania's past colonial life can still be seen in some of the market's knife makers, wood turners, metal smiths and jewellers. There are several buildings in and around Hobart that remind good-old colonial times The Town Hall, Parliament House, St Davids Cathedral and Theatre Royal which is the countrys oldest continuously operating stage are few from the long list that draw attention of all keen on architectural magnificence. Not all of Tasmanias history is rosy and glorious, the darker sides are exposed when visit former penal settlements like the one at Port Arthur, located about an hour and half away from Hobart on the scenic Tasman Peninsula. Between 1833 and 1877 it was dubbed as Hell on Earth when over 12000 British convicts lived there under constant threat of lash and other extremely harsh punitive treatments. The offence for some of the convicts, who were as young as 20 years, was nothing more than stealing a book or some food to survive. Guided tours are available to take visitors through beautifully restored sandstone buildings and grounds that are filled with compelling stories of convicts and guards. One such story is of George 'Billy' Hunt who in disguise of a kangaroo attempted escape, but the guards spotted him as a running roo and started shooting with a view to kill the animal and then eat its meat. Hunt sensing danger of death threw off his camouflage and surrendered, receiving 150 lashes for his troubles. So its very hard to control emotions when hearing many stories like this. I am sure every visitor when here wonders how so much cruelty could crop up in human mind when surrounding nature at the location is so calm, soothing and charming. Tasmania is a treasure trove of natural wonders. According to experts, the island's stunning landscapes were shaped by previous ice ages and today offers an exceptional diversity from alpine ranges, wetlands, grasslands, gorges and waterfalls to coastal moorlands, tall sea cliffs and vast temperate rainforests. So getting immersed into unspoilt nature is undoubtedly a major drawcard for the regions tourism. Natures generous blessings can be observed almost everywhere in the island, but there are many iconic locations where its exceptionally breathtaking and hence included in bucket lists of travel enthusiasts. Wineglass Bay, Cradle Mountain, Dove Lake, Maria Island, Bruny Island, Tasman Peninsula and Strahan are few popular sites that regularly prop up while preparing Tasmania itineraries. When set foot in any of these sites with an open mind, its common for people to place Tasmania in the same bracket with destinations like Kashmir and Switzerland as paradise on earth. A destination becomes more interesting when accommodation, dining and drinking options are well up to the travellers expectation. Tasmania doesnt disappoint anyone in these regard. While a wide range contemporary hotels, motels and backpacker hostels make the stay affordable and comfortable to suit budget and taste, the gourmet scene is spread with cosy pubs, trendy cafes, country styled eateries and high-end fine dining restaurants, serving some of Australias finest food and beverage experience. Finally what makes Tasmania experience different and special is the company of friendly locals, who call themselves Tassis. They are all Aussies, but as one of them remarked, All Aussies are not Tassies. TRAVEL NOTEBOOK Getting There: Thai Airways (www.thaiairways.com) fly from many Indian cities to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane from where Virgin (www.virginaustralia.com), Qantas (www.qantas.com) and Jetstar Airways (www.jetstar.com) have regular flights to Hobart. Stay: While many options available throughout the state, some notable ones are MACq01 (www.macq01.com.au) in Hobart, Penghana Bed & Breakfast (penghana.com.au) in Queenstown and Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village (www.cradlevillage.com.au) in Cradle Valley. Eating joints worth trying: Award winning Aloft (www.aloftrestaurant.com), seafood haven Drunken Admiral (drunkenadmiral.com.au) and Indian Restaurant Cinnamon (www.cinnamonig.om.au) in Hobart , country styled Empire Hotel(www.empirehote.net.au) in Queenstown and Hellyers (www.cradlevillage.com.au) in Cradle Mountain. Some Must Do Experiences Get a full assault on senses by browsing through some bold and daring art at the famed MONA- Museum of Old and New Art Museum (mona.net.au) in Hobart Capture breathtaking views of Hobart cityscape from the summit of 1270m tall Mt Wellington (www.wellingtonpark.org.au) which guards the city like a caring overlord. Puff through deep rainforest aboard a majestic steam train trip offered by West Coast Wilderness Railway (www.wcwr.com.au) from mining town Queenstown. Cruise along the coastline of Bruny Island (www.brunycruises.com.au), where parts of the movie Lion was filmed, for close encounter with Australias tallest sea-cliffs , towering crags, blow holes and deep sea caves while keeping eyes open for abundant sea life including seals, dolphins migrating whales and sea birds. Create own adventure while walking around Dove Lake (www.discovertasmania.com.au) beautified by the presence of the majestic Cradle Mountain Meet Tasmanian devils, planets largest living carnivorous marsupial unique to Tasmania, at Devils@Cradle (www.devilsatcradle.com) a world class wildlife conservation facility located in the World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain National Park. Immerse into making and tasting of whisky at Sullivans Cove Distillery (sullivanscove.com) , producers of some of best whiskys in the world More information See www.discovertasmania.com.au and www.australia.com New York, Feb 13 (JEN): Concluding a twelve-day visit to Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide called for concerted and sustained efforts to prioritize reconciliation and prevention. The renewed focus of the Western Balkan States to achieve European Union membership, provides a new opportunity for prioritizing the reconciliation agenda, Special Adviser Adama Dieng said on Monday. Dieng met with high-level government officials; religious leaders; civil society organizations; and members of the diplomatic community along with representatives of the UN Country Teams in the region and the UN Office in Belgrade exploring both reconciliation challenges along with opportunities to overcome them. Dieng was concerned over a number of divisive factors that, without serious and concerted efforts, could make matters worse, including political polarization across identity lines and politicization of past events, such as glorifying war criminals and contesting court decisions. Special Adviser Dieng called on political leaders to take active steps to overcome divisions and maximize common ground, encouraging them to focus on the future and prioritize reconciliation as a fundamental regional policy objective. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, he placed a special focus on the October general elections, noting the increase in political tensions when he met government officials at State and entity levels in Sarajevo and in Banja Luka. He also met members of the Speakers Collegium of both parliamentary chambers. Dieng paid tribute to the victims of past atrocity crimes with visits to memorial sites in Srebrenica and in Donja Gradina and visited the Partisan Memorial Cemetery in Mostar. He appealed for recognition of the suffering of all victims irrespective of their ethnic or religious origin, including through joint participation by political leaders in memorialization events. He also underlined the important role of religious leaders and actors in promoting reconciliation, as well as the importance of empowering the youth with sustained efforts to promote inclusive education. Additionally, the Special Adviser encouraged further strengthening joint agendas in fields where cooperation already exists, including prosecuting war crimes and regionalizing the joint UN and Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency Dialogue for the Future initiative. He also pointed to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 16, as a key instrument for prevention as it addresses drivers and root causes of instability and conflict. UN Photo/Manuel Elias New York, Feb 13 (JEN): The global commitment to end the use of children in armed conflict led to the release and reintegration of more than 5,000 children in 2017, but tens of thousands of boys and girls are still being recruited, kidnapped, and forced to fight or work for military groups or armed forces at alarming rates, according to the United Nations. Children can only be freed from armed groups and forces through a comprehensive reintegration process, including medical and psycho-social support, as well as educational programmes and trainings, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, said Monday, on the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers. Without a strong political and financial commitment to the reintegration process, re-recruitment is unfortunately likely to happen in many conflict situations, Gamba added. Despite progress, boys and girls continue to be recruited, kidnapped, forced to fight or work for military groups or armed forces. The recruitment and use of children happened in all 20 country situations covered by the mandate entrusted to Ms. Gambia and her office. Sixty-one parties to conflict out of 63 are listed for this grave violation in the 2016 Annual Report of the Secretary-General on the issue, making it by far the most widely-spread violation. It is our responsibility to show these children that there is hope outside of conflicts, that they can live in peace and security and be allowed to live their dreams, Gamba, reminded. The International Day was initiated in 2002 when the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict entered into force on February 12, 2002. This protocol, which sets the minimum age for recruitment into armed forces in conflict at 18, has been ratified by 167 States. Is the international approach fit-for-purpose? Meanwhile, the United Nations University (UNU) has been collaborating with the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF), the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Luxembourg and Switzerland, to examine whether the international communitys approach to this scourge is effective, or requires adjustments. The goal is to use the empirical findings of the research to inform programmatic guidance for actors in the field and to effectively disengage children from armed groups. In their report, titled Cradled by Conflict: Child Involvement with Armed Groups in Contemporary Conflict, researchers suggest that most children do not so much opt into conflict as grow into it. According to the report, conflict structures the information they see and the choices they make. It pulls and pushes them in many directions. Conflict erodes their relationships. It exacerbates their needs and exposes them to untold risks. Conflict shapes their identity and heightens their need to find meaning in their lives. Ultimately, the forces of conflict narrow the paths available to children, and tragically, for many, lead to exploitation, violence, and trauma. These findings undermine the conventional wisdom that violent extremism or ideology is predominantly responsible for driving children into armed groups. The report proposes five principles for more effective international efforts to prevent and respond to child recruitment and use by armed groups: avoid programmes focused primarily on ideological factors; only incorporate ideological components where individually necessary and where they can be embedded into larger, holistic efforts to address the needs and risks of children; ensure all interventions are empirically based; rigorously assess interventions over the long term; and engage children not just as beneficiaries, but as partners. UN Photo/Tobin Jones Seoul/Pyongyang, Feb 13 (IBNS): A 'satisfied' Kim Jong-un has thanked South Korea for its 'impressive' efforts in hosting North Korea in the ongoing Winter Olympics. The state-run KCNA news agency stated: "After receiving the delegation's report, Kim Jong-un expressed satisfaction over it." Earlier, a North Korean delegation led by Kim's sister Kim Yo-jong, held a meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, following a landmark visit to the neighbouring country. Kim Yo-jong also became the first member from Pyongyang's ruling family to visit South Korea since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. The news agency further stated that Kim lauded "the features of the south side, which specially prioritized the visit of the members of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea... and expressed thanks for them." Image: KCNA/Website-grab from BBC Islamabad, Feb 13 (IBNS): Abdulaziz Kamilov, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, along with a four-member delegation, visited Islamabad on Monday. During the visit, the Foreign Minister met with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Khawaja Muhammad Asif. He conveyed a letter from the Uzbek President Mirziyoyev Shavkat Miromonovich, addressed to President Mamnoon Hussain regarding the convening of a conference titled ''Peace Process and Cooperation in the field of Security and Regional Cohesion'', scheduled to be held in Tashkent on 26-27 March 2018, read a statement issued by Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting also provided an opportunity to review the present status of bilateral relations and discuss various measures to further strengthen the close brotherly relations between both countries. Dhaka, Feb 13 (IBNS): Bangladesh security forces on Tuesday claimed they have arrested two militants of the banned Islamist outfit Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) from country's capital city Dhaka, media reports said. The terrorists were reportedly arrested from Tejgaon industrial area in the city. " They are Md Nurujjaman Labu, 39, of Jhinaidah, Nazmul Islam Shawon, 26, of Faridpur," The Daily Star reported. Rab-2 members claimed they have seized seven Jihadi books, leaflets, sharp weapons and foreign currencies from the arrested people. Rab officials said the arrested people have admitted to their involvement with the terrorist group. Lahore, Feb 13 (IBNS): Pakistan's senior lawyer and human rights activist Asma Jahangir was offered funeral prayers at the Gaddafi Stadium here on Tuesday. The funeral was attended by a huge number of people. Maulana Haider Farooq Maududi led the funeral prayers. Jahangir died in Lahore city on Sunday, media reports said. Asma Jahangir is survived by a son and two daughters. She was 66. The family told Dawn News that she suffered from cardiac arrest and was shifted to a hospital, where she passed. She was born on January 1952. Asma was born in Pakistan's Lahore city. She is widely known for playing a prominent role in the Lawyers' Movement and served as the trustee at the International Crisis Group. In 1987 she co-founded the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and became its Secretary General until 1993 when she was elevated as commission's chairperson. Jahangir served as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion from August 2004 to July 2010, including serving on the U.N. panel for inquiry into Sri Lankan human rights violations and on a fact-finding mission on Israeli settlements. The nation has been left shocked by her death. Toronto, Feb 13 (IBNS): A grand cultural event to celebrate the 69th Republic Day was organized on Sunday at Pearson Conventional Centre in Brampton, Ontario by Panorama India with the support of the Consulate General of India in Toronto, media reports said. Dinesh Bhatia, Consul General of India, Toronto, senior officials from the Consulate, dignitaries like John Tory, Mayor of Toronto; MP Rob Oliphant; Dipika Damerla, Ontario Mi media nister of Seniors Affairs in the Cabinet of Premier Kathlaneen Wynne; MPP Bob Delaney; MPP Amrit Mangat & Rajesh Gupta, President & CEO, SBI Canada were present at the event. Bhatia announced that the winner of Panorama Idol (the biggest and one of its kind event for the Indian Diaspora in a foreign country), would get a trip to India under India government's 'Know your India Programme'. Bhatia congratulated and appreciated the efforts of Panorama India towards organising events like the India Independence Day Parade and Republic Day Celebrations. Bhatia also highlighted in his speech the remarkable initiatives like 'Connect with your Roots' of Punjab government and 'Know your Goa Programme' of Goa government inspiring youth of Indian origin settled abroad to know their motherland. Bhatia concluded by saying that the Republic Day celebrations are a depiction of unity in diversity of India. (Reporting by Asha Bajaj) Saskatchewan, Feb 13 (IBNS): Indigenous people and activists in Canada are clamouring for a reform in the justice system in the country after a court acquitted a 56-year-old man accused of killing a young indigenous man in 2016. Protesters in numerous gatherings on last Saturday called for a change in the jury selection process in the Canadian justice system for Indigenous people after accused Gerald Stanley, a White farmer, was acquitted in the Colten Boushie shooting case, media reports said. It was alleged that after an altercation with 22-year-old Boushie ,Stanley, 56, shot Boushie in the head. Stanley was acquitted of second degree murder. Boushie belonged to the First Nation group called Cree in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. During the trial, an apparent lack of Indigenous member in the composition of the jury in the Stanley trial was pointed out. "There definitely has to be changes," David Pratt, second vice-chief for the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), said in Saskatoon Court of Queen's Bench courthouse. "We're urging the federal justice minister to take that action immediately. I'm hopeful that the premier will take notice and work with us to ensure that justice is done for the family and that the life of Colten Boushie will not be in vain." The rally finished with supporters chanting, "Justice for Colten! Justice for Colten!" In a statement released Saturday afternoon,Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said, "I am listening, our government is listening, and it is important that we continue to listen to the many voices involved in this discussion." He reportedly will meet FSIN and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the near future. On Saturday morning, Sen. Murray Sinclair, who headed Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, wrote an emotional poem on Facebook about the verdict. "Today I grieve for my country," it begins. Speaking to reporters in Los Angeles on Saturday, Trudeau said: "Our hearts go out to Colten Boushie's family, his mom Debbie, his friends and the entire community...Indigenous people across this country are angry, they're heartbroken. I know Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians alike know that we have to do better." At a news conference in Regina, Perry Bellegarde, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, said that despite multiple inquiries into how Canada's justice system has failed Indigenous people, it remains rife with systemic racism. "We have to call on governments to work with us and develop [an] anti-racism plan and strategy," Bellegarde reportedly said adding a complete overhaul of the justice system was needed. (Reporting by Asha Bajaj) Image: Colten Boushie/Facebook page "Prevent Unauthorized Transactions in your demat / trading account Update your Mobile Number/ email Id with your stock broker / Depository Participant. 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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. In the most recent haul of fake Rs 2000 notes, comes from the Indo-Bangla border and this time around the counterfeit notes are very similar to the original. Reuters According to security agencies, more than half of the 17 RBI-listed security features have been replicated in the new counterfeit notes. Demonetisation's main intention was to curb the circulation of fake currency, but it seems like the problem has not seen the light of day. There have been innumerable cases of fake currency over the past one year. On February 8, the West Bengal Police arrested Azizur Rahman (26), who hails from Malda in West Bengal with 40 fake Rs 2,000 currency notes. A PTI quoted a senior BSF official as saying, "The amount of counterfeit notes that has been recovered by security agencies is a matter of concern. The security features have been expertly replicated, half of the security features of the new Rs 2,000 notes is there in the fake notes. We are in talks with RBI for a training program for our soldiers." Reuters "Unlike samples seized elsewhere, which were scanned or colour photocopies, these have been printed using sophisticated dyes. We have sent those notes to the RBI but the features of these fake notes are quite tough to differentiate," SP Murshidabad Mukesh Kumar told PTI. According to reports, the fake notes copied the geometric patterns and the colour scheme on both sides of the Rs 2,000 notes, including the watermark, and the exclusive number pattern of the currency. The accused told the investigators that the notes were printed in Pakistan, allegedly with the help of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and had been smuggled across the border from Bangladesh. The definition of love differs for every individual but one that resonates with most of us is what we see in Imtiaz Ali's films. For the Millennial couples, juggling with their day-to-day responsibilities and trying to find a midway to what their heart and mind says is kind of a struggle. Be it Socha Na Tha where Viren and Aditi are two fickle individuals who fall in love after getting involved in the most hilarious yet complicated situation or Ved and Tara, who struggle to accept their own flaws in order to make their relationship work. Eros Imtiaz Ali as a filmmaker seems to understand the sense of vulnerability and fragility that relationships hold. Facebook/Imtiaz Ali For instance, in Jab We Met, Geet, who is madly and deeply in love with her own self (Main Apni Favourite Hoon. Remember?) faces her first heartbreak, she goes into her own shell. She is seen residing and living her own life in Shimla. Imtiaz seems to understand the intricacies of pain and heartbreak and how we fall back and trap ourselves into the shackles of our own shell, which we feel is safe and familiar. Facebook Toote Dil Se Hi Sangeet Nikalta hai. Remember? In Rockstar, Janardhan Jhakad AKA Jordan falls in love with Heer, who is married to someone else but the way both of them try to break free to fill the void is what made the film extremely relate-able. Eros But here is a twist. Even though his films give us the hope of happy endings in life, 'forever' is something that Imtiaz Ali never endorses in real life. Facebook/Tamasha Instead, he believes that nothing is forever, except the love that you have for your own self! Facebook/Imtiaz Ali We had a heart-to-heart chat with the filmmaker, where we sat together to decode a tiny guide to understand the beauty of impermanence, self-love and how our generation doesn't suck at love at all. Read on. 1. It's okay to be confused and clueless in life Facebook/Imtiaz Ali "It's not a generation thing. It is a person's thing. While you might think that yours is the only generation that's confused when it comes to love, but that's certainly not the case. Maybe you're just confused about a particular thing. The previous generation was confused about some other things. And I have been tricked into believing that confusion is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, confusion is an essential thing for any kind of growth." 2. No, our generation doesn't suck at love-Love and relationships in the era of dating apps Unsplash "This generation isnt hypocritical like the previous generations, where people didnt tell their partners, what was really happening or that they were inclined towards others. In fact, there are terrific advantages that people have in relationships during this time. I also dont think its glorious to be faithful to your partner just because he or she is your only option. Also, there is no qualitative difference between lovers of various generations." 3. Being lost or vulnerable is COMPLETELY OKAY Unsplash "Everyone feels lost in the state of vulnerability and thats when they reach out. Its not that I have a better understanding or knowledge of love as a subject. I am still searching and exploring and thats the reason why I make films around that idea. And being lost or vulnerable is completely okay. That's when we get to know what we want." 5. When it comes to love and relationships, girls are smarter and have a different way of handling Eros "Girls are really smart when it comes to love. They can process you and talk in a complicated way. In real life, I have seen that where women do something knowing already that their feelings towards something is not perfect, but still diving into it. They are not clear emotionally but they still jump into relationships and marriages. For instance, the scene in Rockstar where Heer is getting ready and Jordan asks if he can ask her something, to which she says Kuch mat poochna warna main sach bol dungi.., like Heer has feelings for Jordan but she is still getting married. Sometimes you know the right thing but you do still end up doing it differently." 6. Sometimes your soul mate is not the person you end up with or get married to BCCL "Sometimes people get attached and get into a deeper significant relationship which is more intensely personal and since it gets established this way, it is not consequential in the scheme of the world. Whether it is a sexual relationship or not, itll be the one where they are inseparable, like twin siblings, its like twins; they dont need each other for daily existence because for daily, they have another kind of thing. And its not necessarily that you want to get married to the person you are really attached to but you have that connection with somebody. So that kind of two-facedness to put it in a bad way does exist in people. While we say that its wrong, hypocritical and dishonest, but its there and it exists in so many of us. Later on when you move ahead in life, you might feel like you miss him or you should have been with them because you always miss what you dont have." 7. The idea of soul mate and the beauty of impermanence and change in life Facebook/Tamasha "There is no clinical examination to know whos your soul mate. Is that a reversible decision or thought? Yes. Because everything inside us changes and can you guarantee that you will always feel like that for someone? Or you can just keep fooling yourself that oh no, I still feel that oh my god, do I feel the same I felt for someone ten years ago? Because we as humans have too high an ego to admit that my feeling has changed. Who the fuck knows? In all honesty, in case one knows that he or she is your soul mate, which is why people are confused. Things change, our concept of soul mate changes. I have seen something different. Nothing is permanent in life. Everything is changing and thats why we say that change is the only constant. Even if there is a void, the love-lessness doesnt stay for a long time. It gets filled." 8. Finding love or someone who completes you and how being selfish is fine Facebook/Tamasha "For us, our image is most important to us. While we say that we do things for others, sirf apni hi image important hai hume. You want a certain feeling for your own self. But you got to re-connect with your own self." 9. The importance of self-love and getting over heartbreak Unsplash "There will never be an answer to heartbreak. Except for the fact that somewhere deep inside, you always got to hug your own self. You need to know that the person you find deep inside yourself is your everlasting companion for life. You have to start looking at yourself like a friend." Importance of cows in the country has increased drastically. So much so that in Haryana, 90 per cent of funds are being allocated for cows. Bhani Ram Mangla, Chairman of Gau Seva Aayog on Monday announced that a grant of 90 per cent would be given on equipment used for making flowerpots, soaps, lamps, dhoop and other items from cow urine and cow dung. He said that biogas plants will also be established in gaushalas. Similarly, those Gaushalas which have excess land, would also get 90 per cent grant on fodder cutting machine. It was also announced that a fine of Rs 5,100 would be imposed on those who will abandon milch cows. For this purpose, a mobile application is being prepared which would reveal information about the place and district of animal on the basis of tag number, he said. He was speaking at a function where financial assistance cheques to Gaushalas in district Bhiwani were distributed. Mangla distributed cheques of about Rs 26.50 lakh to 24 guashalas, an official release said. He said that according to a decision of the government, 'Gau Seva Kendras' (Cow service centres) would be established in villages for the safety of 'Gauvansh', reported PTI. The government would give financial assistance for this purpose, he said. The registration of these seva kendras would be mandatory and a committee of eminent persons would be constituted for their functioning, he said.The Aayog would give a lump sum amount of Rs 5,000 per cow annually for its rearing. While India as a whole made a marginal increase in its forest footprint in the past two years, there are some alarming signs. Forest cover in six north-eastern states, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Meghalaya and Sikkim have decreased at a tremendous rate in these two years, causing a concern to experts. BCCL According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2017 released by the environment ministry there is a net loss of 630 sq km of pristine forest in the six states, the area roughly the size larger than Mumbai. Experts believe forests in the eastern Himalayas are rich in carbon and decline in forest cover in the region could have been avoided. The reasons for the decline attributed to agricultural expansion, natural disasters, rotational tree felling, and shifting culture, among many others. BCCL It is a matter of concern because northeast is home to one-fourth of Indias green cover, despite accounting for just 7.9 per cent of the country's geographical area and states like Mizoram which has a forest footprint of 86.27 per cent significantly contributes to the over all total. Mizoram has lost 531 sq km, Nagaland 450 sq km, Arunachal Pradesh 190 sq km, Tripura 164 sq km and Meghalaya has seen the reduction of 116 sq km. BCCL Environment Ministry officials said that these states are in the Northeast where the total forest cover is very high, more than 70 per cent in each state. Among the northeastern states, Assam was the only state that has witnessed a marginal increase. According to the report the forest cover in Assam is 28,105 sq km, which is 35.83 percent of the states geological area. US President Donald Trump has unveiled a $4 trillion annual budget for the fiscal 2019 beginning October 1. Of the proposed budget, $256 million were proposed to civilian assistance and $80 million in military aid to Pakistan. The proposal of aid to Pakistan comes weeks after Trump administration suspended nearly $2 billion in security assistance to Islamabad due to its inability to take action against terrorist groups operating from its soil. 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 The White House has said it would consider lifting the freeze if it sees action by Pakistan against terrorist groups. The budgetary proposal says that the military aid depends on Pakistan taking action against terrorist safe havens. "The budget requests $256 million for Pakistan in economic and other assistance to help increase stability, promote economic growth and create opportunities for US businesses," said the annual budgetary proposals sent by the White House to the Congress. "In addition, the Budget requests $80 million in Foreign Military Financing assistance to enhance Pakistan's counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency capabilities, contingent on Pakistan taking appropriate action to expand cooperation in areas where US-Pakistan interests converge and to address areas of divergence, in line with the administration's South Asia strategy," the White House said. The security forces on Tuesday killed two LeT terrorists in a firing at a building in Srinagar's Karan Nagar area. The encounter between the Indian army and the militants started on Monday after the ultras tried to attack a CRPF camp. Read more Here's more top news of the day: 1) India's Most Famous Valentines' Day Hater, Pravin Togadia, Now Loves It! Here's How The Miracle Happened Vishwa Hindu Parishad chief Praveen Togadia has finally given in to love. After opposing Valentines' Day for years, VHP and Togadia have finally made peace with the fact that people do fall in love and enjoy celebrating it. Read more 2) Chandra Babu Naidu Richest CM, Devendra Fadnavis Has 22 Criminal Cases Against Him & 25 CMs Are Crorepatis BCCL A report by The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch (NEW) says that around 35 per cent chief ministers have criminal cases against them. The report also outlines the gap between the wealth of India's richest and poorest CMs. Read more 3) 13-YO Girl Molested, Later Panchayat Punishes Her By Chopping Off Her Hair As She Was 'Impure' ANI A 13-year-old girl's hair were chopped off and ostracised as part of purification process after she was molested by a man in Kawardha district of Chhattisgarh. Read more 4) North East Lost Forest Area The Size Of Mumbai In Just Two Years And It's A Matter Of Concern! BCCL Forest cover in six north-eastern states, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Meghalaya and Sikkim have decreased at a tremendous rate in these two years, causing a concern to experts. Read more 5) Trump Makes A U-Turn, After Suspending Assistance, US President Proposes $336 Million Aid to Pakistan US President Donald Trump has unveiled a $4 trillion annual budget for the fiscal 2019 beginning October 1. Of the proposed budget, $256 million were proposed to civilian assistance and $80 million in military aid to Pakistan. Read more Gold Will Outperform Platinum Over the Next Few Weeks SpreadEdge Capital, LLC - 16 minutes ago The long Gold, short Platinum inter-commodity spread has hypothetically profited in 13 of the past 15 years Elliott Wave View: EURJPY Rally Expected to Fail ElliottWave-Forecast - 34 minutes ago Short-term Elliott wave view in EURJPY suggests rally to 130.75 ended wave (B). Pair has turned lower in wave (C) but it still needs to break the previous wave (A) low at 127.9 on August 19 to rule out... ^EURJPY : 129.555 (-0.20%) Third shot: UK to offer COVID booster jabs to over 50s AP - 50 minutes ago LONDON (AP) The U.K. announced Tuesday it will offer a third dose of coronavirus vaccine to everyone over 50 and other vulnerable people to help the country ride out the pandemic through the winter... $SPX : 4,449.24 (-0.44%) $DOWI : 34,608.32 (-0.75%) $IUXX : 15,416.73 (-0.12%) Eurozone Impact on Gold: The ECB and the Phantom Taper Sunshine Profits - 1 hour ago The ECB tapered its asset purchases. Only that it didnt taper at all. Are you confused? Gold isnt it simply doesnt care. Double Digit Gains at Midday for Wheat Barchart - 1 hour ago Wheat markets are up double digits at midday for the Tuesday session. CBT SRW prices are 10 1/4 to 13 1/2 cents higher so far. Sept contracts are only 2 3/4 cents in the black ahead of expiration. KC HRW... ZWU21 : 677-2 (+0.41%) ZWPAES.CM : 6.4242 (+2.04%) KEU21 : 686-4 (+1.22%) KEPAWS.CM : 6.7537 (+2.39%) MWU21 : 881-2s (-0.23%) Cotton Recovering on Tuesday Barchart - 1 hour ago Cotton futures are attempting a turnaround Tuesday session with 43 to 68 point gains through midday. October contracts, with just 226 OI as of Mondays settle, are 25 points in the red. The weekly Crop... CTK21 : 89.48s (+3.77%) CTZ21 : 93.67 (+0.93%) CTZ21 : 93.67 (+0.93%) A release noted that the Series B funding will be used to expand the companys sales and marketing efforts, expand its geographic footprint, and add more talent to its engineering and product teams. More than 12% of American households own a recreational vehicle, yet rarely use it, said Outdoorsy co-founder and CEO Jeff Cavins in a release. At the same time, more than 35 million consumers try to rent a recreational vehicle in America each year with no luck. With Outdoorsy, we leveraged this global, cross-cultural phenomenon of RV travel, especially among Millennials, and brought this multi-billion dollar RV industry online and into the sharing economy. Outdoorsys launch in Canada last December has been very positive and were excited to be part of the growing RV lifestyle in the peer-to-peer marketplace, said Aviva Canada vice-president of lifestyle personal insurance Daniel Ignoto in a separate release. This is just the next step towards expanding our collaboration with the Outdoorsy team. Ignoto added that Aviva is passionate about what its customers are passionate about, and that the companys insurance solutions will allow customers to be confident and worry-free when they experience the outdoor lifestyle that they love. Winning a spot in the Elite Top 30 Brokers certainly gives the ability for us to market to the public that they will be dealing with one of many acknowledged and professional insurance brokers in the country. - David Coe, Managing Director of Northwest Insurance To get involved, brokers must complete a simple online form before close of business this Friday, February 16. All financial information provided during the entry process will be kept strictly confidential and will not be published or shared. The Elite Brokers report will be published in issue 7.02 of Insurance Business magazine, out in March. Related stories: Top 10 Brokerages 2017 Elite Brokers 2017 The ratings agency outlined that AIGs US$5.6 billion acquisition of Validius, announced last month, may be a harbinger of more reinsurer M&A to come this year. There have been reports that Allianz may be mulling an acquisition of XL, and Swiss Re has confirmed that its discussing a potential deal for SoftBank to invest a minority stake. Fitch noted that several recent deals have involved international firms entering the Bermuda and London markets. However, recent US tax reforms have reduced the tax advantages that reinsurers based in Bermuda and some other countries have over US companies, Fitch reported. That may encourage reinsurers to move more business to the US. On the other hand, tax reforms may also provide better opportunity for revenue growth, which may reduce prospective sellers interest in finding a merger partner, Fitch reported. Saegusa has been appointed vice president for cargo, and will be based in Newport Beach, Calif. In his new role, he will develop BGSUs cargo book of business on the West Coast. He will report to William Frohne, vice president, cargo. Prior to joining BGSU, Saegusa was manager of AIGs marine offering in western North America and lead cargo underwriter. We are excited to welcome Marc and Yasu to our developing US marine business, said Nick Davies, president of Brit Americas. Their technical expertise and market relationships will play an important role as we continue to expand our offering. BGSUs marine business launched in 2016 as part of Brits strategy to expand its regional footprint in the Americas. Related stories: Brit expands professional lines business with new hire Brit Global Specialty grows cyber team Ironshore Inc. has named David D. Russo as vice president and regional executive of the Mid-Atlantic region, based in Philadelphia, Penn. In his new role, Russo will be responsible for the management, oversight and operational execution of Ironshores business development strategies throughout its regional distribution platform. He assumes the position from Kevin Fee, who was recently appointed chief operating officer of Ironshore Environmental. Russo will report to David Frediani, president of U.S. field operations. Russo has more than seventeen years of underwriting and management experience within the commercial insurance sector, focusing primarily on business development and client relationship initiatives. He joins Ironshore from AIG, where he served for more than eight years in various leadership positions in the Philadelphia office. Most recently, he was vice president of the major accounts practice, overseeing marketing, client servicing and claims management for clients and brokers on behalf of AIG industry sector groups. Russo also was regional underwriting manager and senior underwriter for AIG. Ironshore, a Liberty Mutual Company, provides broker-sourced specialty property and casualty insurance coverages for varying risks located throughout the world. Select specialty coverages are underwritten at Lloyds through Ironshores Pembroke Syndicate 4000. Source: Ironshore Inc. XL Catlins insurance operations announced that Tim Powell has been promoted to chief underwriting officer for international financial lines (IFL), effective March 1. Powell will be responsible for the underwriting performance of XL Catlins financial lines portfolio in all geographies outside North America. He will also develop and implement the overall strategic objectives for this line of business and oversee the development of innovative new products and services to best meet changing client needs. Powell will be based in London from May 1 and report to Jason Harris, chief executive, International Insurance. He will also join XL Catlins International Leadership Team. Powell joined Catlin Australia in 2009 after working at Allianz, AIG and Sedgwick. At XL Catlin, he was responsible for building the financial & professional risks portfolio in Australia, as well as the underwriting infrastructure. He is currently XL Catlins IFL product group Leader for Asia-Pacific where he leads a team of FL underwriters in Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Source: XL Catlin Topics Underwriting AXA XL Australia PT Bank Danamon Indonesia, the nations fifth-largest lender by market value, is fielding interest from foreign suitors seeking a stake in its insurance subsidiary, people familiar with the matter said. Jakarta-based Danamon is working with an adviser as it weighs options for its holding in PT Asuransi Adira Dinamika, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. The business has drawn interest from European as well as Japanese insurers, one of the people said. Deliberations about a potential sale are at an early stage, and no final decisions have been made, said the people. A transaction could also include a so-called bancassurance agreement, which would allow a partner to sell products through Danamons branch network, one of the people said. Foreign financial firms have been drawn to Indonesias economic growth and the size of its population, which is the worlds fourth-largest. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. agreed in December to buy a $1.2 billion stake in Danamon, in the first step to take majority control of the lender, testing rules that limit foreign ownership of local lenders. A spokeswoman for Danamon declined to comment in a mobile phone text message. Any deal would add to the $2.3 billion of acquisitions targeting the Southeast Asian insurance industry over the past three years, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. bought a majority stake in a non-life insurance arm of Indonesias PT Paninvest in 2016. Toronto-based Fairfax also sold a Singapore property and casualty insurer to MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings Inc. last year. More deals are coming. Malaysias biggest pension fund has held talks with overseas insurers about potentially buying stakes in their local units, Shahril Ridza Ridzuan, chief executive officer of the Employees Provident Fund, said in October. Prudential Plc and Japans Tokio Marine Holdings Inc. are among foreign firms planning to reduce holdings in Malaysia to comply with ownership limits, people familiar with the matter said in July. Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics Lawsuits Nebraska lawmakers could open the door to self-driving cars and trucks this year with new legislation designed to attract the industry while maintaining public safety. A legislative committee is considering two measures that would let researchers test self-driving vehicles in Nebraska to prepare for an expected surge in such vehicles in the coming decade. I want a statute that not only allows it, but allows the technology to grow, said Sen. Tyson Larson of ONeill, who sponsored a measure to allow testing statewide. As with any new technology, you dont want to pass a bill thats too restrictive. Larsons bill would allow automated vehicles on state roads and highways but require that testers be able to continuously monitor them and take immediate control if necessary. It also would require owners to submit proof of insurance to state officials and create a council of state and industry officials that would follow technology changes and recommend other laws. The bill still faces skepticism from car and truck manufacturers, who argue that new restrictions could unintentionally hinder the fast-growing technology. We have concerns about passing a law based on whats technologically available right now, said John Lindsay, a lobbyist for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. Three months from now, we may have a completely different technology. A second proposal by Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln would allow researchers to test self-driving vehicles, but only in Lincoln. The bill would authorize the city to join forces with a private company for a pilot project. Wishart said her measure was designed to help city officials launch a driverless shuttle service that would carry passengers between downtown Lincoln, the popular Haymarket District and the University of Nebraska-Lincolns main campus. The service could eventually expand throughout Lincoln, with the aim of turning the city into a national leader for automated vehicles. The main challenge is making sure we have as many safety precautions in place as possible, Wishart said. Wishart said she worked with the Departments of Transportation and Motor Vehicles to craft the proposal, as well as advocates for people with disabilities, who stand to benefit. The Legislatures Transportation and Telecommunications Committee will review both bills. The proposals come amid breakthroughs in automated vehicles, including a tech startups announcement last week that its self-driving truck recently completed a 2,400-mile test run from Los Angeles to Jacksonville, Florida. The company, Embark, hailed the five-day trip as the first coast-to-coast journey by an automated truck after its modified Peterbilt tractor crossed the country on Interstate 10. A driver remained at the wheel, ready to take control if needed, and the trailer was empty. Such test-runs illustrate why Nebraska should consider legislation, said Kent Grisham, president of the Nebraska Trucking Association. With the technology expanding so quickly, Grisham said state officials need to consider its potential impact on other motorists and industries. I think its healthy that Nebraska is looking at these bills, he said. We dont want to end up as the state thats caught off guard when these fleets are testing vehicles in our backyard. Despite high-profile concerns that automation could put millions of truckers out of work nationally, Grisham said many will still be needed to navigate trucks through crowded cities. Under one scenario, trucks would drive themselves over long stretches of rural highway and pull into a station, where a driver would climb inside and finish the trip. Twenty-one states have passed legislation related to automated vehicles, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Nevada was the first to allow them in 2011. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Legislation Tech Personal Auto Training Development Autonomous Vehicles Nebraska The public got a chance Monday to comment on Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walkers $200 million plan to reduce health care costs for people purchasing insurance through the private marketplace. Walker is pushing the idea, along with a plan to bolster rural economic development, as part of what he calls an ambitious agenda as he faces re-election in the fall. Theres little time for the Legislature to act, however. The Assembly hopes to finish its work for the year next week, while the Senate is expected to meet only on Feb. 20 and one day in March. The Legislatures budget-writing Joint Finance Committee was taking public testimony on both measures Monday before a planned vote Tuesday to make them available for the Senate and Assembly. One bill Walker wants is part of a package he put forward designed to stabilize the states private health insurance market. Walker argues his proposals, including a state protection for people with pre-existing conditions, are needed before Washington has failed to act on passing a replacement for the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. The bill up Monday would authorize the state to seek a federal waiver to offer a reinsurance program designed to reduce claims costs for insurers selling plans on the private marketplace. About 200,000 people in Wisconsin buy insurance through the private marketplace created under the federal law. If reinsurance were in place, its estimated that about 9,600 more people would buy insurance the first year and more than 22,000 the second. Basically, reinsurance sets up a pool of money for the government to cover the cost of insurers most expensive cases, paying a portion of the costliest claims. The idea has had bipartisan support. If the federal waiver is granted, Wisconsin would join Minnesota, Oregon, Hawaii and Alaska in being authorized to offer reinsurance. Walker estimated his plan would cost $200 million, with the state picking up $50 million and the federal government paying the rest. The states share would come from savings from the Medicaid program. Walker said he expected the program to result in lower rate increases in 2019 and stabilize a market that recently lost several larger insurers including UnitedHealth and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. The state insurance office estimated that premium rates will increase an average of 36 percent this year. Because of the loss of insurers, this year more than 75,000 people in Wisconsin had to change insurance companies and many of them were limited to one or two choices. Another measure before the committee Monday that Walker is pushing would spend $50 million a year on rural economic development projects designed to stimulate private investment, improve productivity and fill open jobs in rural parts of the state. Eligible projects would have to be in counties with a population density of less than 155 people per square mile. Fifty-six of the states 72 counties would meet that criteria. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Legislation Reinsurance Wisconsin Blackstone Group LP, which scored big four years ago when a company it owned sold New Yorks Waldorf Astoria hotel for a record-setting price to a little-known Chinese insurer, may soon get a chance to own the iconic landmark again. The U.S. private equity firm has held initial discussions about bidding for Anbang Insurance Group Co. assets in a sale overseen by the Chinese government, people with knowledge of the matter said. The assets include the Waldorf as well as Strategic Hotels & Resorts Inc., which Blackstone sold to Anbang in 2016, said the people. Blackstones deliberations are at an early stage and the firm could refrain from bidding for any assets, one person said. Anbang is among a crop of Chinese serial acquirers that spent tens of billions of dollars snapping up trophy assets over the past few years, only to lurch into turmoil once their strategies backfired. Blackstone was one of the biggest beneficiaries of Anbangs largesse, selling at least a combined $9.5 billion of assets to the insurer, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Chinas government has cracked down on its most prolific dealmakers, bringing their overseas acquisitions to a screeching halt. Anbangs Chairman Wu Xiaohui was detained by authorities in June and a working team that included Chinas insurance regulator was subsequently dispatched to Anbang to oversee the companys operations and ensure its stability, people familiar with the matter said in January. In addition, the government is seeking to broker the sale of a stake in the insurer. Last year, China asked the insurer to sell its overseas assets, people with knowledge of the matter said, an account that Anbang and regulators disputed at the time. An Anbang representative reiterated on Monday that the company doesnt have plans to sell its overseas assets. Charlotte Bilney, a Hong Kong-based spokeswoman for Blackstone, declined to comment. The China Insurance Regulatory Commission didnt immediately return a request seeking comment. Record Deal Anbang acquired the Waldorf for $1.95 billion from Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., the highest price for a single existing U.S. hotel, translating into a huge windfall for Blackstone then the majority owner of Hilton. The hotel company was approached by Anbang and two other potential buyers before the property was officially up for sale, a person with knowledge of the process said at the time. Blackstone executive Tyler Henritze worked on the transaction, Bloomberg News reported in 2015. Less than two years later, Blackstone sold its stake in Hilton to HNA Group Co., another Chinese mega-acquirer which is now trying to offload assets to alleviate financial pressures. In 2016, Blackstone agreed to sell Strategic Hotels to Anbang for about $6.5 billion, about $450 million more than what it paid for the U.S. luxury-resort company just a few months earlier. Blackstone can point to other China connections too: Chinas sovereign wealth fund invested in the private equity firms 2007 initial public offering, and last year purchased Blackstones European logistics property business Logicor for $13.8 billion. Anbang also acquired the office portion of 717 Fifth Avenue in New York from Blackstone in 2015, months after its Waldorf purchase. That building, located at the corner of 56th Street in Midtowns Plaza district, serves as Anbangs U.S. headquarters. Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics USA China Hurricane Harvey resulted in nearly 670,000 in combined personal and commercial property insurance claims to private insurers, the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) and the Texas Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan (FAIR Plan), insurance regulators said in a presentation to state lawmakers in late January. The Texas Department of Insurance said that number includes about 354,000 residential property claims including homeowners, residential and mobile homeowners and about 203,000 automobile claims. Around 37,000 commercial property claims, 66,000 flood claims and 12,000 other insurance claims also have been filed as a result of damage from Harvey. The numbers are derived from data collected by TDI through a data call to insurers issued on Sept. 21, 2017, and reflect information received through late October. All property insurers in Texas, including admitted and surplus lines companies, TWIA, and the FAIR Plan were required to report on claims resulting from Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall on the Texas coast several times beginning on Aug. 25 of last year. TDI said insurers reported $4.5 billion in paid losses as of the data call reporting date. While the numbers are expected to change as more claims are reported, settled, and closed, insurers estimate that Harveys paid claims would total $15.7 billion. As opposed to 2008s Hurricane Ike, which was largely a wind event, the bulk of Harveys damage was caused by flooding. The majority of Harvey claims and paid losses about 90 percent generated from Houston and Southeast Texas (collectively Houston Area), and the Coastal Bend. Some 850 companies, or about 98 percent of the total property and automobile insurance market in Texas, responded to the data call, with 545 companies submitting data at the end of September. The rest of the companies submitted data in mid- to late October. While the percentages differ by line of insurance, TDI noted that as of the reporting date, about 27 percent of claims for all types of insurance had been paid, or closed with a loss payment, 28 percent were closed without a loss payment, 44 percent were still open, and 7 percent had been reopened. The agency said a high percentage of homeowners insurance claims were closed without payment because, especially in Houston and Southeast Texas, much of the damage to residential property was caused by flooding and homeowners policies typically do not cover flooding. Homeowners may have filed claims under their homeowners policy to get a denial to apply for FEMA assistance, TDI said. The average claim amount for damage resulting from Hurricane Harvey to residential properties, excluding flood, is about $7,600. For flood insurance the average claims amount is around $80,000. For commercial property claims the average is about $95,000 and the average for automobile claims is about $16,000, according to TDI. Auto Losses About 65 percent of automobile claims involved total losses, particularly in the Houston area. As of the reporting date 47 percent of automobile claims had been paid closed with a loss payment. Around 5 percent of the auto claims had been reopened. On average, it has taken 13 days for insurers to close an automobile claim. More than 90 percent of the automobile losses generated in the Houston area region, which also saw the highest average loss per policy, according to TDI. For all regions in Texas, the average paid auto loss from Harvey is $19,943. The average paid auto loss in the Houston area is $20,544 while the average paid auto loss in the Coastal Bend area is $10,251. TDI presented the results of its Hurricane Harvey data call to the Senate Business and Commerce Committee on Jan. 23. The report is available on TDIs website at http://www.tdi.texas.gov/reports/documents/Harvey-20180123.pdf. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Texas Auto Claims Profit Loss Flood Hurricane Property Homeowners A North Carolina appeals court should keep alive a five-year-old lawsuit because it increases the pressure on Duke Energy Corp. to clean up groundwater contaminated by its coal ash pits, environmental lawyers argued Thursday. The Charlotte-based electricity utility admits coal ash has tainted underground water supplies, but says the potentially toxic brew hasnt harmed neighbors using water wells. Coal ash, the residue left after decades of burning coal to generate power, can contain toxic materials like arsenic and mercury. One of the countrys largest electricity companies, Duke Energy is currently asking North Carolina utilities regulators to allow it to charge customers all costs associated with coal-ash cleanup, a price tag estimated at about $5 billion. A Duke Energy lawyer told a trio of judges on the state Court of Appeals the lawsuit filed by the states environmental protection agency and joined by conservation groups should be dismissed. The company is following deadlines set by a state law passed in 2014 mandating coal-ash disposal at 14 North Carolina power plants, and only that law can enforce the clean-up, Duke Energy lawyer Nash Long said. The lawsuit filed in 2013 seeks to force the company to stop polluting and clean up contaminated water sources. The company was in court in part because Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway has refused to dismiss the lawsuit. Ridgeway has indicated he would review the remediation plan the state Department of Environmental Quality approves, then decide independently whether the agency is requiring enough from Duke Energy to clean up the pollution, Long said. That could lead to the judge laying out facts describing the extent of groundwater pollution that coal ash has caused and how long Duke Energy has known about it. There is evidence we are going to present to the court (offering) expert opinion as to where the contamination has come from, where its going, said D.J. Gerken, an attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center. The court needs to hear that and make findings of fact. Duke Energy wants the lawsuit delayed and dismissed so that it can postpone cleaning up coal ash pollution at its power plants, Gerken said in an earlier court filing. Duke Energy lacks direction on how it must clean up groundwater pollution until the DEQ approves the companys remediation plan, Long said. Duke cannot start corrective action until that takes place, Long said. The cleanup has to wait on the plan. If the public has complaints about the state agencys cleanup plan, the solution is following an administrative appeals process that doesnt involve the courts, Long said. Judge Lucy Inman noted the conservation groups were arguing keeping the lawsuit alive was valuable because its necessary to light a fire under Duke so it doesnt stall cleaning up the pollution thats lasted for decades. The company last month agreed to pay an $84,000 penalty and work to stop potentially toxic waste from three North Carolina coal-burning power plants from leaking into groundwater and nearby rivers under a deal with state regulators. The agreement acknowledges the leaks from unlined, earthen holding basins at the power plants into the adjoining Catawba and Broad rivers in violation of pollution laws. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits North Carolina Pollution Clearcover, a data-driven auto insurtech startup, announced the California launch of its platform today and that it is officially selling car insurance policies to residents in the state. The Chicago, Ill-based firm is promising that consumers can save hundreds of dollars on their auto insurance premiums by switching to Clearcover, because it is using machine learning technology and axing overhead costs like advertising budgets. Kyle Nakatsuji, founder and CEO of Clearcover, in a blog hailing the launch said the firm is providing the right coverage so consumers can pay less. We also use smart technology like artificial intelligence to provide clear, actionable options so youre empowered to make the right coverage choices, he wrote. Nakatsuji noted that there are 26 million licensed drivers in California and that 80% of you could be overpaying for your car insurance. Clearcover last year announced an initial funding round of $11.5 million led by Lightbank. Also participating in the financing were Greycroft Partners, 500 Startups, Silicon Valley Bank, and other insurance and fintech investors. Related: Topics California InsurTech Tech By Geoff Percival Shares in Irish drinks group C&C fell by nearly 2% on the back of Heineken reporting further cider sales growth. In its full-year results for 2017, Heineken reported revenue growth of 5.4% to 21.9bn and net profit growth of 25.6% to 1.93bn. In cider, Heineken saw low single digit volume growth and double digit growth excluding the UK, saying good progress had been made. While the Dutch brewing giant doesnt break out figures for individual countries it did say, in August, that particularly strong growth levels in Ireland, South Africa and Vietnam had boosted its international cider sales. The company owns the Orchard Thieves brand here, which has become the fastest growing label in the Irish cider market. Analysts have expressed caution on the C&C stock down 26% in the past 12 months and down around 1.9%, yesterday, before marginally recovering in the recent past, in relation to growing competition from Heineken and that remains. While Heinekens partial delisting in the UK potentially creates some opportunities for C&C in that region, the global brewers strong growth in international cider markets outside of the UK indicates a challenging backdrop for C&C, said Goodbodys Patrick Higgins. Admiral Taverns the UK pub chain 47% owned by C&C recently upped its portfolio by buying 17 bars from Heinekens pub chain. However, Heineken has its own pressures. Its share price fell by over 2%, yesterday, as it warned that its profit growth in 2018 is likely to slow on the back of volatile markets and its acquisition of the loss-making Brazilian operations of Japanese brewer Kirin. Heineken had a target of increasing its operating margin by 40 basis points per year between 2014 and 2017 but said it expected this margin to increase by 25 basis points in 2018. In 2017, Heinekens margins had in fact expanded by only 14 basis points, weighed on by the Brazilian acquisition. We expect the environment will continue to be marked by volatility and uncertainty, chief executive Jean-Francois van Boxmeer said. The brewer of Heineken, Amstel, Tiger and Sol lagers and Strongbow cider said that beer volumes increased in all of its business regions in 2017, though growth in Europe was almost flat. additional reporting Reuters Tonight will see the first transgender dater to feature on Ireland's First Dates, writes Michelle McGlynn. Laylah, a model and blogger from Co Wexford, is looking for love on this week's Valentine's episode of the series. Her date for the evening is 19-year-old Cork man Kyle who is pansexual. Someone who identifies as pansexual can be sexually and/or emotionally attracted to someone regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. Laylah began the transition process two years ago and officially changed her name last September. At the time of filming, she was still known as David. The 20-year-old has previously appeared on the Late Late Show, the Ray D'arcy Show and Vogue Williams - On the Edge where she has spoken about her experiences. Speaking on the Late Late Show, she explained, "I think in my head I always knew that I was transgender but I had accepted that I was going to live my life as a gay male and that was going to be my road. "I would be unhappy but that is what I was going to do. "It was kind of when I watched like Caitlyn Jenner and when transgender issues came into the media so heavily at one point and once I researched it and saw you could have a good life and...your family don't abandon you and you can live a true life to yourself, I felt very comfortable doing that. "I was just about to turn 18 when I decided, just about to leave for college." Just a few months later, Laylah returned to the Late Late Show to speak alongside guest, Caitlyn Jenner. During their date, Kyle reveals that he has gone through his own life changing experience having overcome cancer. Kyle was diagnosed with testicular cancer the week of his 17th birthday and underwent surgery the day before he turned 17. "I was diagnosed - at the start - with testicular cancer and then we found out that it had spread to my abdomen and lungs," Kyle explained. After going through treatment and coming out the other side, Kyle has a positive outlook on his life. "It's made me realise how near you can be to...everything gone so I'm just trying to live life properly, do anything and everything." Kyle tells Laylah that had his cancer been discovered three months later then his prognosis would likely have been terminal. To see if it's a perfect match for Laylah and Kyle tune in to First Dates on RTE 2 tonight at 9.30pm. The Governments overall performance in providing for the countrys children is improving, but the Childrens Rights Alliance (CRA) says it is still failing miserably to deal with the national emergency of the housing crisis. The CRAs annual report card, which grades the Governments performance over the past year against commitments it has made with regard to childrens rights and services, found that in 2017 the Government warranted a C- an improvement on the D+ given to it in the 2016 report card. The Governments performance resulted in improved grades in four of the six headline categories. Of 18 sub-categories, the Government was deemed to have fared better in 11 last year than in 2016, while its performance slipped in six categories and remained static in another. That last category is Child and Family Homelessness, for which the Government received an E for the second year in a row. It was also the lowest grade for any of the 18 areas scrutinised by the CRA and its independent panel. Launching the latest report card, CRA chief executive Tanya Ward said the crisis was a national emergency. The E grade reflects the fact that, despite efforts by the Government to address the issue of child homelessness, it failed to meet its own deadline of mid-2017 to end the use of unsuitable long-term emergency accommodation for families, she said. The rollout of family hubs has improved the situation for some children, but further investment in social and affordable housing is needed or the housing crisis will continue. The Governments performance also slipped in the areas of Parental Leave and Income Supports and under Prevention and Early Intervention. Its overall grade under Rights in Early Childhood fell from a C+ in 2016 to a D+ last year, fueled by poorer performance under the headings of Quality in Early Childhood Education and Care, Subsidised and School-Age Childcare, and Childminding. The Governments performance was most improved under Rights in the Family Environment and Alternative Care, jumping from a D+ in 2016 to a B- last year, driven by improvements in the guardian ad litem service, child protection and supporting child victims of crime. The Government received a C grade for Education, although the CRA said more progress was needed in areas such as religious diversity in schools, while a C- was awarded for Health, a mix of improvements in primary care and mental health and slippage under Physical Health and Wellbeing. The report said there was little evidence of progress towards the phased extension of free GP care to all children and noted the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill has not yet been enacted. In the foreword to the 10th such CRA report, Ms Ward said: Ireland continues to make important strides towards implementing childrens rights. But far too many are still left behind. Read the report here Childrens Minister Katherine Zappone Must try harder The sharpest criticism in Report Card 2018 is reserved for the Government response to the housing crisis, with the report arguing it reflects the failure of the policy approach adopted over several decades in relation to meeting social housing needs. Elsewhere, there are other shortcomings, many referred to directly by speakers atthe Report Card launch. For example, 122 of an estimated 22,000 paid childminders are Tusla registered. Four out of five people waiting for psychologist appointments are under-15s. There were calls for new legislation for child victims of crime to be implemented. The Report card also references slower progress in addressing sexual and domestic violence. Childrens Minister Katherine Zappone addressed some points directly, tweeting that the Governments Early Years Strategy will be published in the autumn, and a report from an expert group on childminding will be published shortly. Ms Zappone also said the number of people on School Completion Programmes will increase as the new Deis plan is implemented. A former RTE producer is due to be sentenced for child sex offences in Leeds today. 55-year-old Kieran Creaven pleaded guilty in December to attempting to meet a girl under 16 following grooming. For 20 years, Brian ODohertys murals have been hidden away at Sirius in Cobh. A new project is now under way to restore them in time for the artists 90th birthday, writes Ellie OByrne. In the Sirius Arts Centre in Cobh, Co Cork, a slow unveiling is taking place: a work of art hidden for over 20 years is being revealed. Scaffolds are in place in the bright Gallery Room overlooking the harbour, and artist Brian ODohertys highly coloured, Ogham-inspired abstract mural, One Here Now, is being restored to its former glory, with the aid of a family firm of specialist restorers, Knox and Knox. There are challenges. I guess Brian ODoherty wasnt a painter-decorator, restoration expert Don Knox says, smiling to himself. Some of the walls hadnt been primed properly, so there were a couple of places where the paint started to come away when we were taking the paper off. ODoherty, formerly known as Patrick Ireland, is something of a polymath, as well-known for his novels, art criticism and central role in New Yorks conceptual arts scene of the 60s and 70s as for his own visual art. He was born in Ballaghadereen in Co Roscommon and educated in Dublin, before emigrating to the US in the 1950s. Now nearing his 90th birthday, ODoherty is the author of the influential book Inside the White Cube: Ideologies of the Gallery Space, and famously changed his name to Patrick Ireland in protest over the Bloody Sunday killings; later, following the Good Friday agreement, he would stage a ceremonial burial for the name Patrick Ireland and revert back to his birth name. Originally installed in 1995-1996, under the curatorship of one of Sirius Arts founders Peter Murray, ODohertys nine-panel mural has been languishing under two layers of liner paper and countless layers of white paint for over two decades. Murray says the mural was part of a programme that highlighted connections and contexts relating to emigration at the then-young arts centre, in a town notorious for its history as the departure point of the coffin ships of the Irish famine. The Sirius was never well-funded enough to commission such a piece, says Murray. Brian invested a good deal of his time, his life in this piece. The mural encapsulated a sense of longing and enabled him to anchor his artistic identity more firmly in Ireland. Now, to celebrate both Siriuss 30-year anniversary and the artists 90th birthday, the Cobh venues most ambitious project to date will see ODohertys mural restored and a selection of artists produce work in response to One Here Now. The mural will be officially unveiled in front of project patron President Michael D Higgins and the artist himself, as well as his art historian wife Barbara Novak, on April 20. But first, Don Knox and his associate, artist Nessa O Brolchain, must finish their painstaking work. Knox and Knox, founded by Don and his son, Robin, have worked on some of Irelands most important buildings including Dublin Castle, Farmleigh House, and Muckross house. But theyre rarely worked on such a contemporary work of art. When the mural was first covered up to free up the space for other artists, curator Murray went to some lengths to make sure the piece could remain intact under its layers of paper: a picture-rail was installed so that paintings could be hung instead of needing to be drilled into the walls, but in the intervening years, this plan didnt always work out. The walls were riddled with rawl plugs and filled holes and all that, Don Knox says. First, we steamed off the paper, which was put in place with wallpaper paste. Now, the duo are carefully filling holes, re-plastering patches and re-applying coats of paint to the areas worst affected. Their job is made slightly simpler by the fact that the original mural project was supported by Colourtrend paints, and ODoherty used domestic emulsion wall paint direct from the can. While O Brolchain and Knox do still have to blend and the new paints that Colourtrend have provided, they dont have to go to the lengths that restorers working on centuries-old paintings go to in order to achieve authenticity. Also, as ODohertys mural is non-figurative, most of the restorers work is in ensuring that they achieve all the same straight lines that ODoherty originally produced with the aid of string. Brian O'Doherty (formerly Patrick Ireland) hopes to visit the Sirius soon. Pic: Julien Behal/PA But remaining true to ODohertys unique style and execution is still at the core of their work. The background was rolled on; you can see the texture here, Knox says, examining a panel in minute detail. This red was all brushed on and its quite a thin paint, so you can see the brush-strokes. Picasso always did reds on a white background, because it emits a better glow, so the red is a big challenge to us here. Were working on the green this morning, and I think weve nailed it. Knox sees this project as one of the highlights of his 33-year career in restoration . I have been talking about retiring for a few years, but I couldnt resist this project, he says. I really chased this one, and its very exciting to be involved. I was over in New York in October, so I even went to have tea with Brian and his wife, so he could give me the once over. In an adjoining room, curator Miranda Driscoll is sitting in a room almost overlooking the famous Titanic pier, the historic departure point for emigres and the site of a recent controversy: how best to honour and preserve the spot that became known as Heartbreak Pier to generations of Irish people variously fleeing famine, poverty or unemployment. As a conceptual artist, Brian was thinking about Cobh as a point of departure when he made the mural, Driscoll says. He himself emigrated from this pier, many years ago, on a boat. "THE biggest project ever undertaken. How artistic director Miranda Driscoll of the Sirius Arts Centre @SiriusArts in #Cobh describes forthcoming unveiling of internationally acclaimed Irish artist,Brian ODohertys murals after 20 yearshttps://t.co/Xewmc47EO7 pic.twitter.com/ngO1UAyWTV Art In Many Forms (@artinmanyforms) January 25, 2018 A mural is necessarily ephemeral: with its limited space, a gallery like Sirius cant commit to the indefinite display of ODohertys work, and so this second unveiling is also going to take place for one year. Driscoll says it makes ODohertys theme and title all the more relevant. Its one, here, now: a specific point in time. This mural was a very significant moment for Irish art, she says. I thought it would be wonderful to restore and reveal them again, but to do it in a very contemporary way and build a whole programme of events around it. One Here Now: The Brian ODoherty / Patrick Ireland Project at Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh, opens on April 20. The universal struggle for justice is provoked by an individuals sense of self worth, writes John Lloyd. In China, women calling themselves the silence breakers have demanded investigations into allegations of sexual harassment. In doing so, they pit themselves against a macho culture, a Communist Party deeply allergic to independent citizens initiatives, and an exaggerated and assiduously-cultivated respect for hierarchies, themselves male-dominated. These women who seek to break the silence must contend with a widespread sense of shame on the part of those assaulted, but having embarked on the path of resistance they must dismiss such genuflection before traditional prejudice. Xu Yalu, a young marketing executive in Shanghai, described on social media her experience of being groped on the street by a man whom the police deemed too elderly to arrest. Its not my fault that I was sexually assaulted. Why should I be afraid or ashamed of talking about it? she said. Shame, and its proper placing at the feet of the perpetrator rather than the victim, is at the heart of the sudden outpouring about sexual assault and harassment, usually perpetrated by men in positions of power, and the spread of the movement to apportion blame where it belongs. But the movement is taking on a broader meaning in illiberal societies. In Western democracies, the revelations of such incidents generally attract condemnation of the perpetrator, sympathy for the victim, recourse to law, the hasty rewriting of codes of behaviour. Theres always the risk that haste to be seen to act can produce unfairness. In some cases, the moral obloquy attached to a charge of harassment or assault is such that the alleged offender might be punished by dismissal before any offence is proven, or even properly examined, and relatively mild, if inappropriate, advances are ranked beside serious assaults. Yet such missteps underscore the fact that the response has been both wide and deep. Everyone in public life wants to be on the same side against this suddenly public malaise. That isnt the case in authoritarian states. In Russia, women who complain of harassment are generally mocked and ignored, including by other women. Both the government and the powerful Russian Orthodox church commend traditional family hierarchies, which privilege the man. In China, a (possibly) extreme example of the culture was caught on a video posted on a popular website: the teaching in one of many morality schools set up to educate women in obedience. One teacher was shown telling her class: Dont fight back when beaten. Dont talk back when scolded. And, no matter what, dont get divorced. These schools point to a semi-subterranean, but highly divisive, clash of cultures. On one side, a return to a society where women submissively accept men as masters, both in the home and in the nation; on the other, an appeal to the values of equality and respect. The women who protest have to fight custom, a male-dominated society, a ruling party that hates challenges to its monopoly of knowing what is good for the country as well as the fearfulness of many women, often hard-pressed and poor, who feel they have no choice but put up with the way theyre treated. In their favour, apart from their own courage, is the internet. Mostly barred from the party-controlled mainstream media, they take to the Chinese equivalents of Facebook and Twitter to find allies and shame oppressors. Though the ascent of Xi Jinping to the presidency has meant a sharp tightening of censorship, social media remain the best way to get facts out in spite of a vast army of censors ceaselessly searching for forbidden content and cutting the active life of such messages to a few minutes, even seconds. British Prime Minister Theresa May meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing during her visit to China earlier this month. Pic: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire For Chinese women, the party is still mightier than the medium. The silence breakers may themselves be silenced, at least for a time. But an engine has been set in motion which has been waiting for fuel for decades one could say, centuries. The longstanding inequality of status and physical power between men and women can, we have learned and are still learning, result in countless chapters of humiliation, depression, loss of confidence and worse. We expect and may be getting reform of both laws and behaviour as resistance to sexual bullying spreads from the highly publicised revelations in boardrooms, legislatures, and Hollywood executive suites, to lowly-paid women in service and retail jobs. In the UK, a survey by the BBC showed that an extraordinary 50% of women said they had been sexually harassed at work, while 20% of men made similar charges. Nearly two thirds of the women didnt report the incidents, nor did four fifths of the men; they are more likely to do so now. There is a sense of real optimism to be taken from the appearance of a fight back in China. The fact that, in an authoritarian, media-censored state, women will speak out and share their experiences, shows that a belief in equal dignity, equality of treatment and the need for rational and agreed boundaries to power is, at least potentially, a sign that liberal values are catching on among the people. These values were notionally those of communism as well, but the theory of equality falls before the practice of a one-party state, where the automatic response to pressure from civil society is to resist and crush it, in case it should grow and threaten party power. Liberalism has long been seen as under attack; Fareed Zakaria, Edward Luce, and Jan Zielonka, are among those who have written eloquently about its decline. Politically, especially in Europe liberalisms birthplace the swing towards populist parties offers persuasive evidence of an advance of anti-liberalism. But the Chinese womens courage and their embrace of a demand for human dignity reflects a universal theme. Outrage at a culture of sexual violence is provoked by an individuals sense of self worth, itself the bedrock of civil and human freedom. Underneath authoritarian cover, a struggle for justice becomes universal. This month women are celebrating the centenary of winning the right to vote. But before that victory, the suffragettes who fought for it faced the mockery, suppression and punishment that always attend the beginning of a struggle for rights. That a similar struggle is now being grasped by those who look for just treatment and redress is a triumph. John Lloyd co-founded the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford, where he is senior research fellow. GPs are not equipped to cope with whats proposed on abortion, writes Dr Maire Neasta Nic Gearailt. On Thursday, this newspaper published on its front page a news report about a poll carried out by the Irish Medical Times. This IMT poll suggested that 75% of Irish doctors agree with the Governments proposed 12-week abortion regime. This is highly misleading and the methodology used by the IMT has been challenged. The truth is that there has been no valid poll of doctors on this subject. Nor has there been any consultation with doctors about the impact of the proposed abortion legislation. This is very worrying and should cause voters to stop and think before they vote yes in any referendum. Under the Governments proposed legislation, GPs would be required to prescribe and administer abortion pills to any woman up to 12 weeks pregnant, without seeking a reason for the abortion. How doctors are to be sure about gestational age, and that they would not be breaking the law, is unclear. Most GPs in Ireland do not currently perform ultrasounds, are not trained to use ultrasounds, and dont have fetal assessment ultrasonography in their surgeries. Providing GPs with this equipment, and training them to use it, will be a very expensive and time consuming measure in an already pressurised and under-resourced system. Then, once a doctor is satisfied that a woman has the right under the new law to have an abortion, the doctor must administer two miscarriage-inducing pills over several days. The woman will experience cramping and heavy bleeding before the baby is expelled. How are GPs, operating in busy and crowded practises with common waiting rooms, expected to medically supervise this procedure? Neither are most GP surgeries the ideal place to deal with any emergencies that might arise from any adverse sequelae from taking these tablets. The fact is that, whatever the view of an individual GP on the abortion issue, we simply are not currently equipped as a profession to cope with what is being proposed by Simon Harris. We lack the facilities, the training, the time, and yes, the resources. Then there is the fact that a great many of us, myself included, simply could not in good conscience administer a drug to a healthy young woman with a healthy pregnancy that would cause her to lose her child. I did not study medicine so that I could end life, and I know that I am not alone in this. Last week, Dr Emmit Kerins, President of the National Association of General Practitioners, which represents some 2,000 GPs said: for the Minister to suggest that our profession should lead out an abortion service without consultation with our member GPs is an affront to our profession and could pose yet another strain on the provision of general practice healthcare services. Minister Simon Harris GPs have not been asked our view on this law, in either an opinion poll or by the Government that would introduce it. This is an extraordinary oversight that should alarm the public. Just two months ago, on December 12th the same day that the Oireachtas Committee launched its recommendations to legalise abortion without restriction for the first 12 weeks the results of a major investigation into the safety of women in and around childbirth was published by Maternal Death Enquiry Ireland, an independent enquiry operated by University College Cork. It found that maternal death was extremely rare and that Ireland was a very safe place for a woman to have a baby, safer than either the Britain or the US where abortion is freely available. The facts show that the Eighth Amendment has not hampered doctors in providing life-saving medical interventions for women, despite unfounded claims to the contrary. In the debate to date, at the Citizens Assembly, the Oireachtas Committee, and in the media, the public has mostly heard the views of medics who support repeal. This is not representative of the diverse views amongst medical practitioners in Ireland and is not helpful in ensuring the public understand that women are safe and entitled to any life-saving interventions they need under the Eighth. The Government says it is committed to the welfare of women, but it has proposed a law that is simply unworkable for doctor and patient alike. Amongst colleagues, the assumption has been that this Government is simply so eager to get the pro-choice lobby off its back that it has given them everything they wanted without considering the consequences. It is hard to look at what has been proposed and come to any other conclusion. Doctors are united in their concern on this matter. We are deeply worried about the proposed law, and that is why this doctor, for one, will be voting against the referendum. Dr Maire Neasta Nic Gearailt is a GP and was nominated by Save the 8th to write this article. Update 10.43pm: Residents who were evacuated following the discovery of an unexploded Second World War bomb near London City Airport can return to their homes, UK police said. People living within the 214-metre exclusion zone in the London Borough of Newham were asked to voluntarily leave their property today while bomb disposal teams handled the 500kg ordnance. Metropolitan Police said the 1.5 metre-long tapered-end shell, which was found 15 metres underwater in King George V Dock in east London on Sunday, has been moved. It has been taken to a secondary position within the dock, the force said. Royal Navy divers will work with police through the night to move the German general-purpose bomb down the River Thames and carry out a controlled explosion tomorrow morning. The process will disrupt some late-night train services from St Pancras station. The operation caused travel disruption at London City Airport, which closed today with more than 100 flights cancelled. It is expected to reopen tomorrow, said CEO Robert Sinclair. Earlier: Operation to neutralise unexploded WWII bomb near London City Airport to continue overnight British police and Royal Navy teams will work through the night to transport the "powerful" 500kg Second World War bomb which has disrupted dozens of flights at London City Airport. Bomb disposal experts will guide the 1.5m-long unexploded ordnance down the River Thames overnight using a flotation device, before attaching "high-grade military explosives" in a controlled explosion on Tuesday morning. The German general purpose bomb was found grounded in the seabed 15 metres underwater at King George V Dock in east London on Sunday. A 214-metre exclusion zone is in place and the airport will remain closed for the rest of the day, said Robert Sinclair, chief executive of London City Airport. He said in a statement: "Any passengers due to fly today are urged not to come to the airport and to contact their airline for further information. "I recognise this has caused inconvenience for our passengers, and in particular some of our local residents. The airport is co-operating fully with the Met Police, Royal Navy and London Borough of Newham to safely remove the device and resolve the situation as quickly as possible." The airport is expected to reopen tomorrow, he added. Lieutenant Commander Jonny Campbell, officer in charge of the diving unit which is disposing of the ordnance, said the bomb is being transported overnight to minimise disruption. It will be exploded underwater and is unlikely to detonate before it is neutralised by his team. He told the Press Association: "There's a long night ahead for quite a few people, not least my Royal Navy bomb disposal divers, using our tried-and-tested techniques to remove the threat." He added: "We assess that we've got good control, that the bomb is in relatively good condition and so it's now that balance of yes, we want to take it away and remove it, but we want to make sure it's done properly." A local couple who only gave their names as the Kullers said they were woken up at 2am by officers "banging on our door" asking them to evacuate. The corner shop owners told the Press Association: "They're just doing their job, aren't they, they've got to think about our safety and decide what they're going to do. We've just got to carry on as best as we can." All evacuations were optional, police said. Update 11am: A six-week-old baby whose death is being treated by police as murder died at a unit for young mothers and their children, according to neighbours. Officers and paramedics were called to Defender Road in Southampton, Hampshire, at 5.05am on Sunday, after the baby was taken ill. He was taken to hospital, where he later died. A 16-year-old boy and an 18-year-old woman have been arrested in connection with the death and are in custody for questioning. Local resident Ian Fussel said: "My friend who lives in a flat heard the baby crying at night. It's not nice at all. "It's terrible, horrible, disgusting. I've got a three-year-old and a two-month-old, it's wrong, disgusting." He added: "It's a mother and baby unit, teenage kids live there and there used to be staff there at night but they stopped that." Mr Fussel said people staying at the property were known locally to have smoked drugs inside before and the fire service had been called out on at least one occasion because of the fumes. He said: "It's not the first time something like that has happened there - there have been a number of events there. People who live round here knew there would be trouble when they put the place here and there has been. "It's been evacuated by fire engines once because they were smoking things in there and the fumes were harming the babies in there. None of this would have happened if they had staff in there at night like they used to." Mr Fussel said he believed that in the past boyfriends were not allowed to stay at the property but the rules had changed. Another local resident said: "It's awful, it's shocking what happened." A Hampshire Police spokesman said: "Officers investigating the death of a six-week-old boy in Southampton have arrested two people. "Police were called at 5.05am on Sunday to an address in Defender Road, Southampton, along with South Central Ambulance Service following reports that a child was in need of medical attention. "The baby was taken to Southampton General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. "Inquiries into the circumstances are ongoing. "An 18-year-old woman and 16-year-old boy, both from Southampton, have been arrested in connection with the incident. "They remain in custody at this time and are assisting police with their inquiries." The spokesman confirmed that the pair had been arrested on suspicion of murder. Earlier: Police have arrested a teenage boy and girl on suspicion of murder following the death of a six-week-old boy. Officers and paramedics were called to Defender Road, Southampton, Hampshire, at 5.05am on Sunday and the baby was taken to hospital where he later died. A 16-year-old boy and an 18-year-old woman have been arrested in connection with the death and are in custody for questioning. A Hampshire Police spokesman said: "Officers investigating the death of a six-week-old boy in Southampton have arrested two people. "Police were called at 5.05am on Sunday to an address in Defender Road, Southampton, along with South Central Ambulance Service following reports that a child was in need of medical attention. "The baby was taken to Southampton General Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. "Inquiries into the circumstances are ongoing. "An 18-year-old woman and 16-year-old boy, both from Southampton, have been arrested in connection with the incident. "They remain in custody at this time and are assisting police with their inquiries." The spokesman confirmed that the pair had been arrested on suspicion of murder. Southampton baby death: Teens held on suspicion of murder https://t.co/42urxtEQ1l BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) February 13, 2018 - Press Association For Dublin-based start up GirlCrew, the focus this week isnt on Valentines Day but on Galentines Day, a relatively new event which celebrates female friendships. Female friendship is the raison detre of the start-up, the first company in Ireland to create an online platform which allows women to find other women with whom to socialise. Three years after being set up, its gone international and has over 100,000 members across 46 cities and is planning a launch in the US next month. In countries such as the UK, Australia, and particularly the US, GirlCrew is going up against some stiff competition, but, according to co-founder Pamela Newenham, it does something that its rivals cant: Allow its members to organise spontaneous events. This is our unique selling point they can arrange a meet up at a pub, a cinema, or on occasions like Galantines Day, she said. Galentines Day, which takes place on February 13, began 10 years ago as a joke on a US sitcom and has now become a real event. Similarly, GirlCrew was created for fun, but has now become a real business, which, according to Ms Newenham, is about to gain global traction. It all started one night in March 2014 when GirlCrew co-founder Elva Carri wanted to go dancing but none of her friends were available to go with her. Reckoning that there had to be other women out there in the same situation, she got creative with Tinder and set up a male profile to send out a message that she was a woman looking for other women to go on a night out. She thought she might get one or two replies but got over 100, said Ms Newenham, explaining that it worked so well that Ms Carri created a secret group on Facebook who called themselves the TinderCrew. Although it started as fun, Ms Carri, Ms Newenham, and the third GirlCrew co-founder, Aine Mulloy, quickly realised this had potential as a business. Continuing their day jobs, they set up GirlCrew and worked in their spare time on swelling the numbers. We had 10,000 members in June 2015 and in December over 20,000 in 43 cities, said Ms Newenham. The company earned some revenue from advertising and events, and the founders a magazine editor, a journalist, and a marketing professional decided to get involved full time and take the next logical step: Create a GirlCrew app. Although they invested their early revenues in getting one developed, this didnt work out. It was a learning experience. After that, we decided to get a technical adviser on the board who could help us hire developers to create the app, said Ms Newenham. Although the company didnt launch an app as planned in 2016, it did get a major profile boost when Facebook, as part of its 12th birthday celebration, filmed a video about it and invited the founders to meet Mark Zuckerberg. Later in the year, GirlCrew began fundraising in order to hire developers and scale up for global expansion. They found an investor and, the following year, secured an additional 250,000 in High Potential Start-Up funding from Enterprise Ireland. The funding was used to set up operations at the Guinness Enterprise Centre in Dublin and hire two software developers to create the GirlCrew app, which was launched in Cork last summer. Since then, the company has taken on an additional developer, bringing the full-time staff size to six. Ms Newenham said the app already has 21,000 users, mainly in Ireland and that the next step is to move into the US. We would like to get 100,000 users on the app by the end of the year and in 2019, we would like to scale up to one million, she said. Next month, GirlCrew will launch its app in the US at the South by Southwest media event in Austin, Texas. We already have thousands of women in the US on waiting lists for the app, said Ms Newenham, adding that a launch will also take place in Los Angeles next month. Either way, it is a cumulative chunk taken from peoples pay, or paid with the self-employed return-of-income every November. So, last weeks Cabinet decision to form a working group to merge PRSI and USC will, for many people, seem to be of little consequence. Even though there might seem to be little difference in the net effect of USC and PRSI a reduction in take-home pay they operate under very different rules. PRSI is calculated on weekly earnings; USC is calculated on annual earnings. There is just one rate of PRSI 4% for employees and the self-employed alike. But there are multiple rates of USC, and the self- employed, with higher earnings, pay higher rates of USC than employees earning the same amount. These complexities can make collection error prone, and government forecasting more open to mistakes. The Government collected 12bn last year in USC and PRSI combined. If new rules have unforeseen consequences, resulting in even a drop of a few percentage points in the amounts collected, that would leave a big hole in the national finances; 12bn is a huge amount to put at risk, for the sake of simplification, despite the complexities in the system. There must be more reasons to have a merger of USC and PRSI on the agenda than a mere simplification. The terms of reference of the working group mention the need to preserve the Social Insurance Fund, and it is here that the main purpose might lie. The fund is used to pay social welfare pensions, unemployment benefits, disability benefits, and the like. As the population ages, the ratio of workers contributing to the fund, relative to the citizens benefiting from it, will change. If the current demographic predictions are correct, it will be harder, in future years, to keep the Social Insurance Fund in surplus. Furthermore, the contributions to the fund are skewed by payments from employers. While individuals pay PRSI at 4%, employers typically contribute up to an additional 10.85% of their payroll costs in employer PRSI. In 2016, the last year for which an audited breakdown is in the public domain, the self-employed contributed 600m to the Social Insurance Fund. The employee contribution was about 2bn, but employers contributed a staggering 6.6bn. As a quid pro quo, the social welfare benefits available to employees are greater than those available to the self-employed. The main benefit to the self-employed for their PRSI contribution is the contributory old age pension. Their counterparts in employment can avail of a wider range of illness benefits, treatment benefits, and unemployment benefits. A survey, last year, conducted by the Department of Social Protection, identified that 80% of those self-employed who are surveyed will be willing to pay additional PRSI, in exchange for additional benefits. Given the complexity of the project, it is surprising that the task force commissioned by the Cabinet is to report back by the end of June. This June timeline is significant, because it would allow for any proposals or recommendations for the working group to be incorporated into the October, 2018 budget, which takes effect from January 1, 2019. It is unlikely, however, if only because of the amount of money involved, that a USC/PRSI unification could be achieved in one fell swoop in one year. With any reform of this nature, the risk for the taxpayer is that some people will end up paying more overall than they currently do, while some people will end up paying less. The complexity of the tax mathematics dictates that. Because PRSI is involved, the additional risk is that some categories of worker may lose out on present or future PRSI benefits. Nevertheless, one of the challenges of an ageing population is that we have to change how we think about providing benefits to citizens. Even apparently straightforward change (for example, the recent raising of the statutory retirement age) highlights unforeseen wrinkles and inconsistencies. The announcement about merging USC and PRSI may have seemed innocuous, but it will be one of the main challenges for public policy in the next few years. Brian Keegan is director of public policy and taxation at Chartered Accountants Ireland The decision by telecommunications company Eir to withdraw from the National Broadband Plan procurement process has sparked a strong reaction, particularly in those parts of the country that have yet to benefit from high speed broadband services. Given that many businesses are being held back as a result of delays in the rollout of state-of-the-art telecoms services, such a reaction is understandable. At a broader level, however, serious questions have been raised about the handling of public tenders in general. The suspicion is many smaller Irish suppliers are losing out, in part because the tender processes put in place by government bodies are excessively bureaucratic and that as a result larger suppliers of goods or services are favoured. Peter Brennan, chairman of Bid Services, a consultancy which advises on tenders, estimated at the end of 2016, that the value of services and goods procured in Ireland over the following five years will amount to at least 85bn. In a critical review of the system, he highlighted the high transaction costs, including heavy delays faced by those submitting tender proposals, and the relatively high level of leakage of business from these shores. In 2014, 5,440 tenders were published in Ireland with an average cost per tender of 7,205. This compares with an average cost across the EU per tender competition of 5,500, according to Dr Brennan, citing EU data. However, as this date does not cover contracts valued at below 25,000, he believes that the real cost to Irish tenderers could be a lot higher. Delays in completing the tender process are higher here with the average time to conclude a tender at 148 days. This compares with an EU average of 107 days. The proportion of contracts awarded to suppliers based outside the Republic stands at 11% compared to an EU average of 3%. Given the small size and openness of our economy, some differences should be expected but Dr Brennan believes that the gap is too high. The State has sought to overhaul the system of public tenders with the aim of achieving value for money. In 2013, the Government established the Office for Government Procurement. This move came at a time when public resources were particularly scarce and it followed revelations concerning embarrassing cost overruns on large public sector IT contracts. A target of 500m in savings on public procurement over the following three years was set. However, the new group aims for standardisation of tender documentation and greater efficiency along with the allocation of more business to SMEs. It is clear that, at times, the goals of greater value for money in procurement and the support of smaller suppliers may be contradictory. Ken Ume, writing recently on computerweekly.com, warned of the knock-on effects of the UK government austerity programme on the procurement of IT services. The trend towards collaboration between public entities has given the buying entity greater negotiating clout but it also requires greater economies of scale from the supplier end. This means that smaller players face greater risks when they take on public contracts. According to Mr Ume: Larger providers are better positioned to withstand lean up front periods. EU procurement law applies to public works contracts in excess of 5.548m and to supplies contracts above 144,000 to 443,000, depending on the type of contract. Detailed guidelines exist. Originally, tenders were run either through a one stage open procedure involving multiple bids, and a two stage restricted procedure where bidders are selected on the basis of an assessment of their ability to meet purchaser requirements. In 2004, the EU introduced a third system known as the competitive dialogue which applies in the case of particularly complex contracts such as the contract for the rollout of the national broadband service in Ireland. Under this system, intensive negotiations are carried out with interested parties and the number of would-be suppliers in the process are gradually whittled down. Open tenders account for almost three quarters of all tender announcements. They allow for the maximum number of competitors and are best suited to straightforward tenders. When many are pitching, the purchaser is more likely to get a good price. However, such tenders can be time consuming and wasteful. Dr Brennan contends that while there is a need for greater efficiency, more should be done to assist smaller firms. He believes that while mid-sized firms, employing 50 or more people, described in tender documents as SMEs, have been doing well under the new Irish tender arrangements, small firms have been missing out. He has proposed that the Office of Government Procurement be set up as a statutory agency, thereby securing an enhanced supervisory role. In an effort to reduce the bureaucracy associated with tenders, he suggests that the thresholds applying to public tenders here be raised to levels applied by the EU. Firms with a turnover below 10m or workforce below 50 should be allowed to use the eTender process. He also calls for process improvements aimed at assisting small firms including a re-usable self declaration form in electronic format. To avoid Carillion-style situations, tenders deemed to be priced as abnormally low should be investigated. The key idea is that if leakage of such business overseas can be reduced and more work handed out to small, innovative firms, enterprise at local level can be boosted with a favourable end result for the exchequer. Dr Brennan maintains a reduction in the leakage of tender work offshore to EU levels would result in 6.8bn in extra work for indigenous firms and a rise in corporate tax revenues of 2bn over a five year period. While such a goal is rather ambitious, there are clearly real opportunities on offer if the mindset of public sector purchasers can be altered. This will require a re-evaluation of goals at the heart of government. Speaking last week, Dr Brennan confirmed that he had contacted the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform over his proposals but has yet to receive a response. However, he accepts that there has been real progress towards securing value for money in public procurement. Almost 150 framework agreements have been put in place. For example, there are now local authority panels of lawyers and other professionals. This has resulted in considerable savings. Nor does Dr Brennan join the chorus of criticism over the handling of the National Broadband Plan tender process, arguing that the gradual withdrawal of tendering firms should be viewed as a normal part of what is a sophisticated process. He accepts the line put forward by the Communications Minister Denis Naughten derided by some on the Opposition benches as Comical Ali after his remarks that the withdrawal of Eir, from the process will, if anything, accelerate the rollout. But, at a time when the economy could be cruising for a Brexit bruising, the task of cultivating strong relationships between Irish-owned firms and public sector purchasers of goods and services is one that must not be shirked if economic activity in the regions is not to be held back unnecessarily. An in-depth analysis says SMEs could gain 6.8bn in extra work and corporate tax revenues could rise 2bn over five years if the States tendering process was changed, writes Kyran Fitzgerald Around 150 primary and second-level schools will benefit as arts and creativity are put at the heart of young peoples lives. The Creative Schools initiative is a key part of the youth element of the wider Creative Ireland programme. The details were announced by Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Minister Josepha Madigan and Education Minister Richard Bruton, who are inviting the countrys 4,000 schools and Youthreach centres to apply to take part. The pilot Creative Schools programme will see 150 selected but the Arts Council is also seeking 37 creative associates to work directly with them. Each school will work with their associates to develop their own unique programmes of arts and creativity. This could include more visits to galleries or artistic performances, providing audience opportunities for childrens own work, providing arts and creativity training for teachers, or exploring creative ways to teach and learn. More than half of the creative associates will be practising artists who will be partnered with schools in their region, working with them for up to 60 days during the school year. Schools will also be helped to develop and strengthen relationships with the broader cultural and community infrastructure, and be encouraged to share their own learning and new practices with other schools. Third-class pupils Sofia Bulgutoe, Hasnain Ahmad, Sindieja Bekere and Kevin Zeng, of Central Model Senior School, with Education Minister Richard Bruton and Culture Minister Josepha Madigan. Picture: Andres Poveda The programme is being managed by the Arts Council, whose director Orlaith McBride stressed that schools at different stages of their journey with arts and creativity would be included in the pilot. The most important thing is for schools to confirm their interest in developing the arts and creativity at their school, to show that the school leadership is on board, and that children and young people will be facilitated to have a central role in planning creativity for their school, she said. Those associates who are not artists or people attached to artistic or cultural organisations will be experienced school teachers who have an arts or creative background, which could be in areas like visual arts, drama, music or opera, literature, dance, comedy or circus arts, among others. The teachers schools will have approval to hire substitutes for around 20 days a year that they are likely to be working on the Creative Schools programme. The schools taking part will get a once-off 2,000 grant and training for their teachers. An Bord Pleanala has ruled that planning permission is required for a forest walk being developed by the Comeragh Community Development Group near Mahon Falls, in the Comeragh Mountains. The case arose after a local guide writer, Declan McGrath, sought direction from the planning appeals authority in January 2016 about whether the 2.7km road needed to obtain planning. Mr McGrath said he understood the community group had carried out the works on the basis of a verbal approval from Waterford City and County Council that planning permission was not required. Mr McGrath, who has written several books about the Comeraghs, challenged any suggestion the surfaced track was a greenway, claiming it was laid out as a full road. The Comeragh Community Development Group described the development as a wood walk. It admitted the unsightly nature of the works was due to their partially completed state and they were not a reflection of what the final walk will look like when it is completed and landscaped. The route is part of the Crough Wood Extension Walk which will run along the banks of the River Mahon from near Mahon Bridge to within 400m of the Falls. It is understood the final section of the forest walk, near the waterfalls, has still to be constructed. An inspector for An Bord Pleanala said it was difficult to judge the precise nature and motivation for the final intended structure as no detailed plans had been presented of the works, which have not yet been completed. However, the inspector said he had no reason to question the goodwill of the Comeragh Community Development Group, nor the motivation of Mr McGrath. He suggested the situation on the ground seemed to have arisen from a complex series of misunderstandings between the council and other bodies. While he called the development a road under planning legislation, he accepted its final form and use would be as a leisure walk. The inspector said there was no question but that the works have caused a significant direct effect on heathland with an estimated 0.4 hectares having been destroyed. An Bord Pleanala ruled the works could not be considered exempted development. Waterford City and County Council had earlier ruled the works required planning permission as they were in a designated visually sensitive area and were likely to require an Environmental Impact Assessment. Mountaineering Ireland has criticised the decision of the council to award 75,000 to the Comeragh Community Development Group for the project without attaching any conditions. The Union of Students Ireland has joined forces with the HSE to launch a safer sex campaign after it emerged that more than 5,200 people aged between 15 and 24 were diagnosed with either chlamydia, gonorrhea, or genital herpes last year. This represents an 11% increase in sexually transmitted infections compared to 2016. The sexual health awareness and guidance initiative dubbed the Shag campaign is being rolled out on third-level campuses over Valentines Week, with a focus on advising sexually active students to take precautions. With a tagline of Are You Getting It?, the campaign tell students: If youre getting it, then youre getting STI information and testing, getting contraception advice and getting consent. Speaking ahead of the launch, USI president Michael Kerrigan said: This year, were asking students are you getting it? when it comes to STI tests and consent. Its important that every student whos sexually active look after their own sexual health. This means getting tested regularly, using condoms to protect you from the risk of contracting an STI. Provisional data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre shows that in 2017, there were 5,200 cases of young people diagnosed with either chlamydia (3730), gonorrhea (872) or genital herpes (598), representing an 11.2% increase of these STIs in the age group (15-24) when compared to 2016 figures. We would actively encourage people who are thinking of having sex or are sexually active, to think ahead and practice safer sex, said Helen Deely, head of the HSE sexual health and crisis pregnancy programme. Using a condom will help limit the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection and an unplanned pregnancy. The HSE is delighted to partner with USI on this initiative and the Johnnys Got You Covered campaign team will be on hand to distribute condoms and lubricant to students. The HSEs Johnnys Got You Covered campaign team will be on location at IT Carlow, Waterford IT and NUI Maynooth University. The Shag roadshow will continue up to Queens University Belfast. In 2017, the HSE, in partnership with USI, distributed 40,000 condoms and lubricant packs to students as part of the 2017 campaign. Health Minister Simon Harris will announce the plan at Cabinet today, during a meeting which will also see a report warning that a hard Brexit could cost Ireland up to 18bn and news that 1,000 more families are now receiving extra childcare support. In recent months Mr Harris and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar have have sought to forge alliances with other EU nations when it comes to negotiating drug prices. The move was partially in response to the recent row over the cost of the cystic fibrosis drug Orkambi, and other life-saving medications which the HSE has to negotiate with firms to obtain while balancing value for money for the taxpayer and which drugs it can afford. The call was made as investigations continue into the sudden death of a senior detective in north Dublin. Det Supt Colm Fox, a married father of three, was found dead in his office at Ballymun Garda Station on Saturday night. The death is being treated as a personal tragedy. It is understood a note was left at the scene. A chief superintendent from an outside division is investigating the matter and will complete a file for the coroner and an inquest will be held. The Garda Ombudsman is also investigating, as is standard. The death of Det Supt Fox follows five or six known cases of death by suicide involving gardai in 12 months. Det Supt Fox, aged in his mid-50s, was the detective in charge of the Dublin Northern Region. He led investigations into the Regency attack and a Ballymun feud. John OKeeffe, spokesman for the Garda Representative Association, said the tragedy was received by members with shock and sadness. He declined to directly comment on it, out of respect, but said the GRA was repeating general concerns. The GRA calls for an immediate occupational stress survey to be commissioned by management for GRA members, he said. Psychological and/or social risk assessments are required under health and safety legislation and frontline gardai are being failed at every turn when it comes to their mental health. A Garda source said the number of suicides was very high within the last year. He said the Employee Assistance Service is voluntary for members, not an automatic requirement. Gardai also operate a 24-hour helpline and offer one-to-one counselling. Mr Varadkar said a comprehensive free trade and customs deal between Britain and Ireland was the best way of avoiding problems at the border and any new barriers. After a meeting with British prime minister Theresa May in Belfast over attempts to restore devolved government there, he said that a Brexit deal agreed in December remained. A new trade deal between Dublin and London was preferable over a last resort to avoid a border in the event of a no-deal, he said. Thats the best way we can avoid any new barriers north and south and also east and west and we have agreed to work together at official level to see if we can explore solutions about how that can be achieved over the coming weeks and months, said Mr Varadkar. There had been major doubts over the December promise by Ms May for no border, with EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier even this week saying this would be unavoidable if Britain leaves the single market and customs union. Ms May and her government have yet to provide detail on how to avoid fresh checkpoints and the specific terms for Brexit. Meanwhile, Sinn Fein and the DUP are hopeful of a breakthrough this week to resume powersharing. Stormont has been 13 months without an Executive. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said political will was needed to get a deal over the line. This includes resolving issues around the Irish language act and same-sex marriage. This is the week and this is the time to decide, said Ms McDonald. DUP leader Arlene Foster said: There isnt a deal yet. What there is is very good progress. The 6m Morrisons Island project, which aims to blend the first flood defences to be delivered as part of the OPWs 140m Lower Lee flood relief scheme into an enhanced south-facing quayside streetscape between Parnell Bridge and Parliament Bridge, will include a viewing platform over the river Lee, three new public plazas, and a mini-boardwalk. Lord Mayor Cllr Tony Fitzgerald said the proposals will revamp the area. The proposals for Morrisons Island represent an unmissable opportunity to bring about comprehensive regeneration of this historic area and to re-orientate this part of the city towards the river, he said. However, the Mad About Cork urban renewal group described the proposals as a missed opportunity for Cork. With its natural design along the river, it should be a destination spot. It could be a narrow tree lined park that stretches all the way down to the new event centre, said spokesman Alan Hurley. What were being given is basically a nice new footpath. The design lacks imagination and its mainly concrete. Left, the Morrisons Island area as it currently is, and right, how it is expected to look once the 6m project is completed. As well as flood defences, the works will include a viewing platform over the river Lee, three new public plazas, and a mini-boardwalk. If Cork wants to stand out from Dublin and similar sized European cities then we need to stop accepting mediocrity like this. A flood defence parapet, no higher than 600mm, topped with a railing, will be installed over strengthened quay walls along Fr Mathew Quay and Morrisons Quay. The ground level will be raised to minimise the visual impact of the flood defences, which have been designed to protect against between 70- 80% of the tidal flooding which affects the city centre island area. Trinity footbridge will be enhanced, with a public plaza where it meets Morrisons Island and a mini-boardwalk on its Union Quay side, and new plazas will be built at Parnell Bridge and outside Holy Trinity Church. A viewing platform will be built into the new plaza area near Parnell Bridge. Footpaths up to 3m wide will be built along Fr Mathew and Morrisons quays, traffic flow will be reorganised, parking will be reconfigured, bike parking retained, and features to acknowledge the quays history and heritage are also planned. An exhibition of photomontages, a computer-generated walkthrough and a life-sized replica of a section of improved quay wall will be on display in City Hall for the next six weeks as part of an eight-week period of public consultation. Pop into #cork city hall over the next 6 wks to see the display on the proposed #MorrisonsIsland public realm & flood defence plan and how we can make better use of a south facing city quay #publicconsultation pic.twitter.com/41atXNsVFc Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) February 12, 2018 David Joyce, the councils director of services in the environment and recreation directorate, urged people to view the exhibition, offer their feedback and take ownership of the project. We are open to suggestions on the design of the scheme, even at this late stage, if there arent any significant cost implications, he said People can make submission online at consult.corkcity.ie/browse. Landscapes architects involved in the scheme will be available to answer questions in Millenium Hall from 3pm to 7pm on February 26 and March 9. It is hoped that work will start by autumn, take a year to complete, and be in place to provide flood protection by winter 2019. PDForra, which represents enlisted men and women in the Defence Forces, won the ruling from the powerful European Social Rights Committee (ESRC), which also stated it should be allowed to seek affiliation with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). The association lodged a complaint in October 2014 under articles of the European Social Charter and took the action with the support of European Organisation of Military Associations. The Department of Defence has maintained that PDForra was allowed to take part in the most recent national pay talks, but the association pointed out that it was excluded from getting the same side deals as other public servants who won recognition of higher grade status and increased overtime rates. PDForra president Mark Keane said the findings vindicated the numerous requests submitted by his association to various ministers for defence seeking to affiliate to ICTU. He said the ESRC ruling highlighted the right to organise, and that suppression for the sake of suppression is not a legitimate aim. Make no mistake about it, the Government fought us every step of the way in respect of this complaint, Mr Keane said. He said PDForra welcomed the fact that these findings have been incorporated into the review of the Defence Forces Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme, but added the Defence Forces cannot be side-lined during [pay] talks. The Department of Defence said it welcomed that the ESRC found that the right to strike was incompatible with Irish military service, even though it noted that strike action is permitted within the Austrian and Swedish armed forces. Mr Keane said that PDForra would never contemplate strike action and had stated this on numerous occasions. The department added that the ESRC case was lodged before a number of initiatives were taken by the Government and that minister of state with responsibility for defence, Paul Kehoe, has already initiated a review of the Conciliation and Arbitration scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF). The department said it will consider the implications of the findings that there is a violation of the charter in respect of the right of the PDF representative associations to affiliate with a national employees group such as ICTU. It added that the issue raised complex questions from a legal, operational and management perspective and will require detailed consideration and engagement with a number of stakeholders. From the Archive Aung San: A Legacy Unfulfilled 103 years since his birth, Aung Sans aspirations for a unified and democratic Myanmar are yet to be realized. Aung San, who was murdered in 1947 at the age of 32, is regarded as the father of modern Myanmar and the founder of the Myanmar Army. He is lovingly called Bogyoke, meaning General in the Myanmar language. To mark his 103rd birthday, The Irrawaddy revisits this commentary from February 2015 on the fate of his ambitions to bring unity, equality, democracy and prosperity to the country. Since the 32-year-old Aung San was killed in 1947, Myanmar has suffered from a crisis of leadership. The architect of national independence left a giant hole that no one has been able to fill over the past nearly 70 years. Even now, as the country tries to scale back from the abyss after decades of military rule, it continues to struggle in the absence of strong and visionary leadership. Myanmar seriously needs another Aung San, but there is no one close to the widely revered general. Myanmar people still remember him as a selfless leader with integrity, whose shrewd dealings with both the British and the Japanese in the mid-20th century helped Myanmar break free of imperialism and achieve independence. Sixty-eight years since he was assassinated by a political rival, General Aung San remains an unrivaled political figure in modern Myanmar. As his centennial birthday approaches on Feb. 13, the country will embrace grand commemorative celebrations mainly organized by the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) party and its leader, the Generals daughter, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The martyred Aung San is regarded as the father of modern Myanmar and the founder of the Myanmar Army. He is lovingly called Bogyoke, meaning General in Myanmar language. Aung San worked for unity, equality, democracy and prosperity in Myanmargoals that are yet to be fulfilled. Myanmar people still long for these ideals and believe that if the General had survived, the country would have evolved along this path. His immediate successor, U Nu, the most senior member of the Anti-Fascist Peoples Freedom League and Myanmars first prime minister after the country gained independence on Jan. 4, 1948, failed to build unity with the various ethnic groups. A coup was launched in 1962 and the military has since ruled, in various guises, without pause. In January 1946, General Aung San said in a public speech that No man, however great, can alone set the wheels of history in motion, unless he has the active support and co-operation of a whole people. No doubt individuals have played brilliant roles in history, but then it is evident that history is not made by a few individuals only. This reflected the value he placed on the participation of individual citizens in the building of the country. But it was an ideal that failed to materialize. In Myanmar since independence, only a handful of individuals made historythe military leaders that consistently ruled the country without the consent of ordinary citizens. When individuals strived to overturn the militarys influence, they were systematically defeated. Myanmar became a failed state. Those new generations that fought for democracy were in fact struggling to achieve General Aung Sans own aspirations. Even now, whenever protestors stage demonstrations, images of the General are frequently held aloft. When demonstrations were crushed, so too were General Aung Sans photos scattered across the streets. Aung San once said, I am never relieved when it comes to Burmas fate. Even in my dreams, I cry and am angry for my country as it is not independent. If he were still alive today to witness the oppression and disunity in Myanmar, he would undoubtedly shed even more tears. Aung San urged politicians to work for unity among all citizens, including ethnic nationalities. Otherwise, the General said, Myanmar wont be able to fully enjoy the essence of independence. He was absolutely right. Aung San always underscored the importance of unity and this led to the signing of the Panglong Agreement that enshrined equal rights and political autonomy for ethnic nationalities in 1947. But successive leaders failed to build on this legacy and Myanmar descended into civil war. Aung San said, When we build an independent Burma, ethnic people and Bamar [Burman] must have equality without discrimination. One of his favorite quotes, applicable for all ethnic people, was: If Bamar get one kyat, Shan and Kachin must get one kyat respectively. The military leaders who ruled the country with an iron fist after 1962 failed to honor Aung Sans pledge. They undercut unity, not only with ethnic people, but also pro-democracy groups and all those who spoke out against oppression. Aung San may be long dead but the aspirations he articulated are still as relevant as ever. If Myanmar is to realize the Generals hopesof peace, democracy and prosperitycurrent leaders must create an atmosphere of collaboration with all stakeholders, including opposition parties and ethnic groups. To work towards this, all thats needed is the genuine political will. Otherwise the country will remain in crisis. In Person KIA Says Tatmadaw On the Offensive to Clear Economic Corridor KIA Col. Naw Bu. / The Irrawaddy The Tatmadaw and Kachin Independence Organization/Kachin Independence Army (KIO/KIA) held a two-and-a-half hour meeting in the border town of Dali in Chinas Yunnan Province on Feb.1 focused on de-escalating their conflict in Tanai and other parts of Kachin State. The Tatmadaw delegation was led by Lieutenant General Tun Tun Naung and the KIA delegation was led by General NBan La, the groups chairman. The meeting was brokered by Chinas Special Envoy for Asian Affairs Sun Guoxiang. At the meeting the Tatmadaw demanded that the KIA remove its Battalion 14 headquarters in Tanai and its Battalion 12 and 27 outposts in Mansi in order to de-escalate the situation. The Irrawaddy reporter Nan Lwin Hnin Pwint interviewed KIO/KIA information officer Colonel Naw Bu about the meeting. What was discussed at the meeting? I dont know about the meeting minutes. But I heard that they discussed de-escalating the clashes. So they must also have negotiated the deployment of troops. Did Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung come as the representative of the Myanmar army chief? Yes, I heard that he represented army chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. What reason did the Tatmadaw give for the removal of KIA Battalion 14 from Tanai? They said illegal mines are being operated there. There are amber and gold mines in the areas controlled by Battalion No. 14. They asked us to remove our outposts in order to prevent illegal mining. They want to control the area. We heard the KIA and Tatmadaw had a business partnership during the 17-year truce until clashes broke out again in 2011. So why did the Tatmadaw ask the KIA to remove Battalion 14 now? I dont know about the inside issue. But as everyone knows, nobody can do business such as gold, amber and jade mining without the involvement of the Tatmadaw and the government. The KIA alone cant contact foreign businessmen to come [to the mines]. I mean the KIA cant do that without tactical commanders, brigade commanders and battalion commanders on the [Tatmadaws] front lines. The two sides might have some disputes about sharing profits, and thats why [the Tatmadaw] is complaining about the legality of those mines now. Tanai is on the Ledo road and in the economic corridor linking India and China. Some speculate that the Tatmadaw is trying to remove the KIA from there for this reason. What would you say to that? Every place where clashes occur is economically linked to China. The Ledo road links China and India, and the Tatmadaw of course wants to clear the area. Other main roads such as Namkham and Bhamo are also set for upgrades in cooperation with China. So the Tatmadaw has to conduct clearance operations. We can conclude from an economic point of view that the clashes happened because of these factors. At the meeting, the Tatmadaw refused to recognize the KIAs new brigades Brigade 5, 6, 7, 8. What is the KIAs response? The Tatmadaw views those brigades that did not exist when we signed the 1994 ceasefire as new brigades. But fierce clashes have occurred since 2011. So we have expanded some brigades, which they dont recognize. They dont like us deploying Brigade 4 and Brigade 6 in the Kachin sub-state in northern Shan State. They insisted that those brigades be moved to Kachin State. Will the Feb. 1 meeting have any impact on clashes on the ground? I dont think it will have much impact. But there have been hardly any clashes since then. However, further discussion will be needed. Did the Tatmadaw delegation talk about the NCA [Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement] during the meeting? The KIA has upheld the Panglong pledges. The Tatmadaw asked us to engage in political dialogue only after signing the NCA. They implied that some of the provisions in the Panglong agreement are no longer up to date. But to build a union the Panglong is necessary and basic. So we will engage in political dialogue based on the Panglong agreement. What did the KIA learn about the position of the Tatmadaw during the meeting? Militarily and politically, the Tatmadaw will need to consider the points we have made. I think they now understand our positions. Does it depend on the Tatmadaw for the KIA to hold political talks with the government? During U Thein Seins administration, the government was the Tatmadaw and the Tatmadaw was the government. Now, the government and the Tatmadaw are different entities, and our discussions with the government on military issues have not achieved good results. Thats why we have talked to the Tatmadaw about military issues and the de-escalation of clashes. But to discuss politics we have to talk with the government. What would you like to say to Kachin people about the KIAs meeting with the Tatmadaw? We met to discuss the de-escalation of clashes, not politics. More meetings must be held continuously. To end the civil war, the only way through is political dialogue. There wont be any good answers without dialogue. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. Lifestyle Ten Things to Do in Yangon This Week The Irrawaddy Idiots: 13th Anniversary One Band Show | Feb. 17 The band Idiots will perform. Feb. 17, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thuwunnabhumi Event Park. Tickets are 8,000 to 30,000 kyats at City Marts. Wanted One Band Show | Feb. 18 The band Wanted will rock Hmaw Sin Kyun. Feb. 18, 7 p.m. Kandawgyi Hmaw Sin Kyun. Tickets are 9,000 kyats at City Marts. Charity Musical Show | Feb. 17 The Myanmar Federation of Persons with Disabilities will organize a charity musical show to celebrate its 16th anniversary. Feb. 17, 7 pm. National Museum, Myoma Kyaung Street. Tickets are 5,000 to 20,000 kyats at Mann Thiri Recording. Chinese Film Festival | Feb. 16-22 The Chinese Embassy will screen Xuan Zang, Kung Fu Yoga, Detective Chinatown and Go away Mr. Tumor to celebrate Chinese New Year. Feb. 16-22, 6.30 pm. Nay Pyi Taw Cinema, Free admission. Valentines Day Celebration | Feb. 13-15 There will be sales and celebrity performances to celebrate Valentines Day. Feb. 13-15, Myanma Plaza. Valentines Day Duet | Feb. 14 Helay and Eaint Chit will perform on Valentines Day. Feb. 14, Pais Bar, 8th Mile, Pyay Road. Tickets are 15,000 kyats. Black Coffee in Antibiotics | Feb. 17 The music band Antibiotics and Thiri J Maung Maung will perform. Feb. 17, 9 p.m. Yangon Yangon Bar, Bogyke Aung San Road. Tickets are 10,000 kyats. Colorful Poetry | Feb. 17-21 This exhibition features the paintings of famous poets. Feb. 17-21. Ahla Thit Gallery, No. 17, University Avenue Road, Bahan Tsp. Sweet Inle | Feb. 17-21 Artist Nu Nu features scenes of Shan States Inle Lake at her solo exhibition. Feb. 17-21, 43 Art Gallery, 43rd Street, Botahtaung Tsp. Core | Feb. 16-20 The group art exhibition of six artists will showcase works of different mediums. Feb. 16-20, OK Art Gallery, Aung San Stadium (North Wing) Burma 7 Tatmadaw Soldiers to Be Held Accountable for Killing of 10 Muslims in Rakhine Border Police Force No. 1 in the village of Inn Din. / The Irrawaddy NAYPYITAW Sixteen people including seven Tatmadaw soldiers will be held accountable for the killing of 10 Muslim residents of Inn Din village in Rakhine States Maungdaw, according to the Presidents Office. The investigation found that four military officers and three other ranks of Tatmadaw soldiers, three policemen and six villagers were involved in the killing, U Zaw Htay, director-general of the Presidents Office told The Irrawaddy. The Tatmadaw, or Myanmar Army, said on Jan. 10 that villagers of Inn Din and security forces killed 10 Muslim villagers at the villages graveyard on Sept. 2, 2017, and that it would take action against those involved in the killing. The Presidents Office has instructed the Home Affairs Ministry to take action against the three policemen and six villagers according to civil law, said U Zaw Htay. But it is not yet clear how the Tatmadaw will take action against the soldiers involved in the killing. The Tatmadaw has to abide by both the Defense Services Act and civil law, said U Zaw Htay. Though they are service personnel, they should be tried at a civil court. This case is not simple. And I believe there were racial and religious motives. So, they should be tried at a civil court, said director U Sein Win of the Myanmar Journalism Institute. After two Reuters reporters who tried to investigate the deaths were arrested and detained by police on Dec. 12 in Yangon, the Tatmadaw launched an investigation into the killings, saying that it had received a tip from an anonymous source. Meanwhile, Reuters featured the story Massacre in Myanmar on Feb. 8, alleging that security forces and Buddhist villagers of Inn Din killed Rohingya Muslims and torched their houses. U Sein Win complained that international media did not report when Hindus and ethnic Mro people were killed in Rakhine State during the violence. Normally, the reporting of Reuters is independent. But when it comes to the Rohingya issue, its perspective is that the Rohingya are oppressed in Myanmar. So, its reports about Rakhine usually focus on what the government and Tatmadaw do [to the Rohingya], said U Sein Win. U Thiha Thway, a journalist based in Yangon, believes that there are connections between the Inn Din killing and the detention of the Reuters reporters. He said the case has hampered the right to information in the democratization process. While we are advocating the new government and Parliament for an increased right to information, the concept of security is hampering this right, he said. There was no investigation into the killings of Hindu and Mro people during the violence between August 5 and Sept. 15, and the media has been called into question, said U Zaw Htay. I dont mean all of the media, but some media organizations are very keen to investigate such cases [the killing of Rohingya Muslims]. Meanwhile, there are other cases [the killing of Hindus and Mro] that were not reported on. [Myanmar] people have the perception that [the international media] has an agenda [to highlight the plight of the Rohingya], said U Zaw Htay. While some local journalists have criticized the repetitive use of Buddhists by Reuters in its story, U Sein Win said he thinks Reuters used the word to highlight that the conflict is not because of disputes over the terminology Rohingya, but because of sectarian strife between Buddhists and Muslims. The Reuters story concludes with this quote by a Buddhist elder of Inn Din village when talking of the killings: I want to be transparent on this case. I dont want it to happen like that in future. The last quote is strong. He said he revealed the case because he didnt want similar cases to happen in the future. It indicates that he cant accept such things although they have conflicts with Islam. Though he doesnt like the Rohingya, he cant accept inhumane acts, said U Sein Win. Burma Analysis: A Win for Peace Commission as Mon, Lahu Groups Sign NCA Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw greets New Mon State Party chairman Nai Htaw Mon at the NCA signing ceremony at Naypyidaw on Tuesday. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy YANGON Two years and four months after the first eight ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, the number of signatories expanded to 10 on Tuesday as the New Mon State Party and Lahu Democratic Union signed the pact. The development is a win for the NLD-led governments Peace Commission, among whose aims are to increase the number of signatories to the NCA, which is considered a gateway to political dialogue. This recent success notwithstanding, peace negotiations with the remaining active armed groups in the northeast and north of the country still face numerous challenges. During more than six years of efforts at peace building, starting in August 2011 under former general-turned-President U Thein Sein, there have been numerous formal and countless informal talks aimed at reaching understandings with the various groups. Based on these negotiations the NCA text was drafted by the ethnic armed organizations and the governments representatives. It lays out basic principles for holding political dialogues after signing the NCA. However, the informal talks have been less publicized by the NLD government, and this has led to some misunderstandings regarding the negotiations. The governments Peace Commission has held nine informal talks and nine formal talks with the United Nationalities Federal Council ethnic bloc, of which the NMSP and the LDU are members, during the past 18 months. Having two more signatories will not solve the intensified armed conflict in the country, especially in the north where the Kachin Independence Army and the Tatmadaw, Myanmars Army, are engaged in a gunfight. The NMSP signed a bilateral ceasefire agreement with the government in February 2012 and previously in June 1995. It has not had any major clashes with the Tatmadaw in the intervening years. Signing the NCA should help to reduce tensions between the Karen National Union, another signatory, over territorial disputes, which can be discussed by the Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee. NCA a stepping stone to dialogue Speaking at a signing ceremony in Naypyitaw on Tuesday, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar Army chief Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and NMSP chairman Nai Htaw Mon reiterated that signing the NCA is not the end of the process. Rather, they said, it is an entryway to political dialogue aimed at solving political problems through political means and building a democratic federal union. Nai Htaw Mon also urged the government to continue their efforts to have all stakeholders included in the peace process and the Tatmadaw to immediately stop its offensives against the armed groups. He said that the decision to sign the NCA pact was aimed at advancing the interests of the Union, not just those of one ethnic group, because the interests of minority ethnic groups and the union are intertwined. Nai Htaw Mon urged his ethnic counterparts to participate in Union-building as a process in which every ethnic group has a sense of ownership. I acknowledge those who doubt and disagree with our choices. We may disagree over our perspectives and technical approaches, but our goodwill and vision for ending the conflicts, for achieving equality and autonomy and building a genuine federal Union, are not different. More NCA signatories likely In 2018, there will be more signatories, said leading peace negotiator U Khin Zaw Oo, the secretary of the Peace Commission, at a press conference held after the ceremony. He led the informal negotiations between the NMSP and the government. But he did not name which groups those would be, saying that he would not disclose the status of those informal negotiations he has been holding with other ethnic armed groups. The meetings have been held in Thailand and China over the past year. He said, We are optimistic there will be more EAOs signing [the NCA] in the remaining 10 months of this year. As a former lieutenant-general, U Khin Zaw Oo plays a key role in the negotiations as he directly communicates with the Tatmadaw chief. He negotiated the setting up of informal talks between the KIA and the Tatmadaw, which were held earlier this month in Chinas Yunnan province. Given his optimism on negotiations, both the State Counselor and the Army Chief reassured the remaining ethnic EAOs in their addresses that the door to signing the NCA was open, especially to those groups in northeastern Myanmar, to take part in the process. Absent from Tuesdays ceremonial events was the seven-member Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC) bloc led by the United Wa State Army. The bloc seeks an alternative approach to the NCA. The government negotiators prefer to talk to individual groups, rather than to blocs. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi urged all sides to join together to build a democratic federal union by leaving the bad legacy of civil war that raged for seven decades. As she has done in regular speeches in the past couple of years, she urged the stakeholders to think about the greater good, to consider the future of children forced to live as internally displaced persons due to the prolonged civil war. The Army chief reaffirmed that the Tatmadaw would strictly adhere to its six-point policy on peace, which had caused a deadlock during the NCA text negotiations. He said he had taken notice of the concerns the ethnic brothers from the EAOs have during the coordination for peace. He urged the EAOs not to hold on to doubtful and untrusted thinking, because when we talk about the security sector issue, it is not about disarmament. Such thoughts are just personal inferences. The speeches sounded good, but the offensives against the minority ethnic armed groups continue. Despite this reality, the Tatmadaw insists that there is no offensive against the armed groups in Shan and Kachin states; it is just protecting civilian lives from those organizations violating existing laws, it says. The end of the UNFC As two of the UNFC members, the NMSP and the LDU, become signatories, the future of the UNFC is in doubt. It is currently comprised of four active members the NMSP, LDU, Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) and Arakan National Council (ANC). The Shan State Progressive Party/Shan State Army North is preparing to leave the bloc. UNFC was started in 2011 and seven years later, it is left with two groups, which are non-signatories. U Zaw Htay, the government spokesman, said it would deal bilaterally with the KNPP and there is no chance of the ANC taking part in the current NCA talks, as they had tried out various approaches for the group to be part of the NCA process. But they can take part in the political dialogue process, like other civil society groups, he told reporters during Tuesdays press conference. The ANC, like Lahus LDU, is considered a political group, with no armed forces. The LDU agreed to take part in the political dialogue without joining a bilateral ceasefire agreement. Burma New Telecom Firm Mytel Transmits First Call (From L to R) Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, Minister of Transport and Communications U Thant Sin Maung, Minister of Electricity and Energy U Win Khaing and Minister of Planning and Finance U Kyaw Win attend a ceremony inaugurating Mytels network on Feb. 13. / Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing / Facebook YANGON A new telecom firm operated jointly by the Myanmar and Vietnamese militaries under the brand name Mytel transmitted its ceremonial first call in Naypyitaw on Sunday, ahead of its upcoming official service launch. Mytel is a joint venture between Vietnam Defense Ministry-owned Viettel and two local partners: Star High Company (a subsidiary of the military-run Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd.) and Myanmar National Telecom Holding Public Ltd. It was awarded the countrys fourth and final telecom operators license on Jan. 12, 2017. The license is valid for 15 years and can be renewed. The telecommunications industry is one of the major businesses helping to drive the countrys development. Better telecommunications services, both domestic and international, will lead to rapid improvement of peoples socioeconomic status, said Myanmar Army Chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing in his opening speech at a ceremony to mark the first call in Naypyitaw on Sunday. He said Mytel would also assist in the development of Myanmars social environment. He added that it would provide public services such as free Internet, multimedia, and tele-centers, as well as establish a charity program under the name Operation Smile. At the ceremony, Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing made a video call to Vietnamese Minister of National Defense Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich, Myanmar Northern Command chief Maj-Gen Nyi Nyi Swe, Triangle Region Command chief Maj-Gen Aung Zaw Aye and Coastal Region Command chief Maj-Gen Lin Aung, according to the army chiefs official Facebook page. Mytel estimates it will invest nearly $1.5 billion to deploy 7,200 base stations and build out a 4-G network, according to Viettel. Star High Company has an approximately 28 percent stake in the venture. The company joins three existing telecom operators: Myanma Posts and Telecommunications (MPT), a state-owned provider that has partnered with Japans KDDI Corp; Qatars Ooredoo; and Norwegian operator Telenor. Mytel aims to focus on rural areas and has set a target of reaching 95 percent of the population with its network. It is scheduled to launch SIM card sales in the first quarter of this year. Burma Prosecution offers to drop charges against Swe Win if he Apologises to U Wirathu Swe Win, an editor at Myanmar Now, appears at court in Mandalay today. / Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy The criminal defamation charge filed against Myanmar Now editor Swe Win will be dropped if he agrees to apologize to nationalist monk U Wirathu, the prosecutor in the case told the court today. But Swe Win, who was charged under section 66(D) of the Telecommunications Law, said he would not apologize for allegedly sharing a post on Facebook that was critical of U Wirathu for supporting Kyi Win, the alleged murderer of prominent Muslim lawyer U Ko Ni. Talking to reporters outside the court, Swe Win showed no sign of backing down in the legal fight, urging authorities to take action against U Wirathu, whom he said threatened the rule of law as a whole, and specific individuals with threats such as telling people to Enjoy your last meal. Today was the 18th time Swe Win has appeared in the Mandalay court in connection with the case. The initial charges were filed by state prosecutor Kyaw Myo Shwe following a complaint by a supporter of U Wirathu. The court today accepted paper records and other evidence submitted by Kyaw Myo Shwe despite the objections of Swe Wins legal representatives. The evidence included a CD that U Khin Maung Myint, legal counsel for the defence, said contained a distorted record of events. We rejected it because it was not the original recording. The court should not accept it as evidence, U Khin Maung Myint said. Among the evidence was also about 100 pages of records that had already been rejected by the Kyautathar court in Rangoon when Swe Win was charged previously with insulting the national religion. However, today the prosecutor resubmitted those papers in Mandalay along with the CD, which contains a recording of an interview Swe Win gave at a press conference at his office in Rangoon. The prosecutor made the recording from an RFA Media broadcast but then edited out certain parts, which distorted the context of Swe Wins criticism of U Wirathu, to strengthen his case against the journalist. This CD was not submitted to the court when the charges were initially laid, prompting Swe Wins legal counsel to condemn the court decision to accept it as unfair. The government banned U Wirathu from delivering sermons for a year on the grounds that his speeches violated Buddhist ethics and stirred up antipathy toward Muslims. But, he has continued to use social media and Facebook to spread his hate speech. His Facebook account has been blocked several times and he now cannot use this channel. Nevertheless, he continues to use his supporters Facebook accounts, and continues to spread his anti-Muslim message. Swe Wins next court date has been set for Feb. 26, prompting U Khin Maung Myint to say he was not happy with the court decision and that he would go to the district court in Mandalay to fight for justice. It was not appropriate for the court to make a decision like that. We were not happy about it and will appeal to the district court, U Khin Maung Myint said. News Cambodia Deports Seven Foreigners Held Over Pornographic Dance Party Angkor Wat temple is seen during sunrise in Siem Reap province, Cambodia. / Reuters PHNOM PENH Cambodia has deported seven out of a group of 10 foreigners who were charged with producing pornography in connection with a party in the tourist town of Siem Reap, a court said on Monday. The 10 were arrested on Jan. 25, along with 77 other foreigners, in a raid on an event called the Pub Crawl or Lets Get Wet in Siem Reap province, home to the ancient Angkor Wat ruins. The Siem Reap Provincial Court, which granted bail to the seven last week, had also ordered them to leave Cambodia, Yin Srang, the courts spokesman, told Reuters. A judge said that they must leave the country, that they must not return, and that they must not gather in a group and party, he said. Cambodia, a conservative Buddhist country, is a popular destination for tourists back-packing through Southeast Asia. The court charged the 10 foreigners, among them citizens of Britain, the Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand and Norway, on Jan. 29 with producing pornography for their roles in organizing the party. All 10 denied the charges. Defense lawyer Ouch Sopheaktra said the three remaining foreigners still in detention from Britain, the Netherlands and Norway, would soon be put on trial. The seven released on bail and ordered out of the country had all left, Ouch Sopheaktra said, adding that the charges still stood against them in Cambodia. The other 77 foreigners arrested were freed after being educated over their unacceptable behavior, police said. Guest Column Peoples Outcries Must Be Heeded, Not Neglected Destruction caused by mortar shelling some 14 miles west of Tanai Towhship, Jan. 30, 2018. / Supplied The raging civil war between the Myanmar Army (Tatmadaw) and the ethnic armed group the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) continues and now appears unstoppable. Since fighting resumed in June 2011, tens of thousands of Kachin have become internationally displaced, countless people have died, and thousands of combatants have lost their lives on meaningless battlefields. Numerous negotiations have taken place under former President Thein Seins government and current de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyis government, but no solution has yet been found. The fighting is fiercely escalating across Kachin State. Not only have people had to flee their homes, properties, and villages; roughly 2,000 domestic migrant workers and villagers have been trapped in the conflict area in amber-rich Tanai, in the western part of Kachin State. According to locals, some have been permitted to leave Tanai, but hundreds of people remain in the jungle. Likewise, hundreds of people who fled from villages now take refuge in the jungles in the eastern part of Sumprabum town in Kachin State. The Peace-talk Creation Group (PCG) attempted to negotiate with the commander of the Northern Command Maj-Gen Nyi Nyi Swe to evacuate those who were trapped. On Jan. 30, several Kachin religious leaders from different denominations sent an appeal letter to the northern commander to seek permission to evacuate the trapped people. The group also sent letters not only to the Kachin State chief minister but also to the National Reconciliation and Peace Center, according to the PCG. Lin Lin Oo and Ja Tang two members of the Lower House of Parliament from Tanai constituencies also sent a request letter to Win Myint, the chairman of the Lower House to arrange an evacuation. It appears that no responses were received to these requests. The lack of a response led to a mass demonstration in Myitkyina on Feb. 5. Thousands of people, including members of civil society and religious organizations, gathered in Manau Park and marched toward government offices. The protestors chanted stop airstrikes on civilians, immediately stop using civilians as human shields, stop blocking humanitarian aid, and more. A number of civil society organizations sent an appeal letter to the president, state counselor, commander-in-chief, two parliamentary speakers, and the chair of the Kachin Independence Organization, asking for a ceasefire and the evacuation of civilians trapped by conflict. The Kachin diaspora from the EU, US, and other countries also showed sympathy and sent an appeal letter requesting UN member action. Kachin and other ethnic people in Japan also protested on Feb. 8, due to the lack of government response to the escalation of conflict. All those who are trapped must be immediately evacuated and the government should facilitate temporary shelter and access to humanitarian aid. Kachin people had high expectations for the National League for Democracy (NLD) and came out in large numbers to vote in support of the party in the 2015 general election, hoping that Nobel laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyis government could bring peace to the region. The NLD government had promised that 2017 would be a year of peace, but it turned out to be a year of suffering for many Kachin. The tragedy will continue through 2018 unless immediate action is taken. Now is the time for the government and the Tatmadaw to build mutual trust with all ethnic minorities including the Kachin and pave the way for coexistence between multiple ethnicities under a genuine federal union. Hoping to attain mutual trust, State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Commander-in-Chief Snr-Gen. Min Aung Hlaing and other military officers, for example, the commander of the Bureau of Special Operations 1 and the northern commander occasionally meet Kachin religious leaders. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met with religious figures from the Kachin Baptist Convention in July 2017, and Snr-Gen. Min Aung Hlaing recently hosted four Kachin bishops in Naypyitaw. These are the symbols of building mutual trust and cooperation between the government, the Tatmadaw and ethnic Kachin to end the fighting and create a federal union. However, the continuity of severe fighting which, in turn, produces additional displaced people in the region could become a major obstacle to national reconciliation in Myanmar. Thus, the government and the Tatmadaw should heed the outcries of displaced people and show the courage and magnanimity to accept their demands and respond suitably, for the sake of the future of this multi-ethnic country. Joe Kumbun is the pseudonym of a Kachin State-based analyst. Oracle is stepping up its efforts to prevent the three big cloud providers Amazon, Microsoft and Google poaching its customers, by building more data centres over the next two years. The company announced its plan at its CloudWorld conference in New York on Monday US time. The Wall Street Journal reported that the database giant planned a fourfold increase in its data centres, with 12 new centres planned. Two each will be in the US and Canada, and one apiece in India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Of the remaining two, one is planned to be built in China in collaboration with multinational investment holding conglomerate Tencent. The other data centre will be in Saudi Arabia, where it was recently reported that Google is in talks with the state oil company, Saudi Aramco, to build a large technology hub. The WSJ said Amazon, Microsoft and Google were trying to take customers who were using Oracle's database and convert them to using Web-based computing services in their data centres. The report said that the gamble Oracle was taking was a costly one, pointing that Amazon, Microsoft and Google had spent US$41.6 billion in capital expenditure and capital-lease deals last year, a rise of 33%. Oracle's spending was US$2.04 billion for the 12 months ending on 30 November 2017. The company's senior vice-president of product development, Don Johnson, was quoted as saying that apart from the 12 locations named, there were plans for other data centres too. Johnson refused to say whether the plan to build the data centres was due to the new US tax laws. He also did not specify how much the ambitious programme would cost. The report cited figures from technology research firm Gartner that showed Amazon Web Services dominated the market with 44.2% share in 2016, while Microsoft was No. 2 at 7.1%. Oracle was miles behind with a 0.3% share. The Australian Government has announced new funding totalling $1.79 million to be allocated to new businesses to help transform their ideas into globally competitive businesses. The funding announced this week as part of the Federal Governments incubator support element of its Entrepreneurs Programme will be provided to four innovative incubators to boost new businesses in key sectors like biotechnology, medtech and advanced materials. Businesses to share in the funding are: Petri BioIncubate will receive $284,500 to help launch biotech start-ups into international markets through structured mentoring and networking with investors. Australia China Technology Incubator will dollar-match their $500,000 Incubator Support grant to accelerate over 60 medtech start-ups into China's burgeoning healthcare market. SBE Australia will receive $500,000 to support female start-up founders to sustainably grow and scale their businesses, with specific emphasis on capital raising and international expansion. Innovyz Institute will receive a $500,000 grant to help the incubator to identify and select advanced materials innovations and researchers from Australian universities and research organisations to take part in a structured entrepreneurship and commercialisation training programme. Jobs and Innovation Minister Michaelia Cash said that Australia needed a strong pipeline of dynamic start-ups and innovative entrepreneurs to create jobs and drive economic growth. Incubators are key to ensuring our start-ups can get off the ground by helping them break their products into new markets and secure investment," she said. With these new grants we have invested over $6.29 million in new and existing incubators since the start of the Incubator Support initiative in September 2016. Innovation incubators are helping to build the skills, knowledge, confidence and networks of Australian entrepreneurs, founders and researchers, ensuring they have the best chance of international success, and putting Australia on the map as an innovation nation. The data leaked by US credit information provider Equifax may be much more than first disclosed, a report claims. In September 2017, Equifax announced that its systems had been breached on 29 July 2017 and the details of 143 million consumers had been compromised. That number was later increased to 145.5 million. Apart from this, 15.2 million British records were also reported to have been exposed. At that time, the company said names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and, in some instances, driver's licence numbers were leaked. Credit card numbers for approximately 209,000 US consumers, and certain dispute documents with personal identifying information for approximately 182,000 US consumers, were said to have been accessed. But this does not appear to have been the complete picture. The Wall Street Journalit had glimpsed a document submitted by Equifax to the US Senate Banking Committee saying that tax identification numbers, email addresses and drivers licence information beyond the license numbers it originally disclosed had also been stolen. And a report by Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren last week said that passport numbers had also leaked, a claim Equifax denied. Another middle finger from @MickMulvaneyOMB to consumers: hes killed the @CFPBs probe into the #EquifaxBreach that affected more than 145 million Americans. https://t.co/YQX4bNbns8 Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) February 5, 2018 The WSJ said that it was not clear as to how many of the 145.5 million people had additional data stolen; the extra data included tax ID numbers which are allocated to people who do not have Social Security numbers. Email addresses were also stolen, but an Equifax spokeswoman was quoted as saying "an insignificant number" was affected. The spokeswoman said additional drivers licence information accessed other than the drivers licence number was extremely minimal and anyone with a potentially affected drivers license number could check their status on an Equifax website. A probe was launched into the breach by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a Washington consumer watchdog, but that was recently shut down. The interim head of the CFPB, Mick Mulvaney, did not offer any explanation for the closing down of the probe. Google appears to have increased the scope of the data it collects by folding the hardware team of Nest, a maker of smart thermostats and smoke alarms that its parent Alphabet bought in 2014 for US$3.2 billion, into the Google Hardware team. Apart from these products, Nest also makes Internet-connected security cameras and a doorbell with a camera. Nest co-founder Tony Fadell said in July 2015 that the data collected by its products would be kept separate from the massive amount of information that Google collects. The security website Sophos quoted Fadell as telling the BBC: "When you work with Nest and use Nest products, that data does not go into the greater Google or any of [its] other business units. "We have a certain set of terms and policies and things that are governed. So, just when you say we may be owned by Google, it doesnt mean that the data is open to everyone inside the company or even any other business group and vice versa. We have to be very clear on that." But those promises on data privacy have now gone up in smoke with the two teams working together as one. The change came after two years of poor earnings by Nest, a bid by Google to hawk the unit, and poor earnings by Google's parent company Alphabet this month. Nest chief executive Marwan Fawaz said on the company's blog that the aim was to "supercharge Nests mission", which was to create a more thoughtful home, one that takes care of the people inside it and the world around it". The BBC asked Google about the integration of the two teams and got the following reply: "Nest users' data will continue to be used for the limited purposes described in our privacy statement like providing, developing, and improving Nest services and products. "As we develop future plans and future product integrations, we will be transparent with users about the benefits of those integrations, any changes to the handling of data, and the choices available to consumers in connection with those changes." But the Big Brother Watch campaign group expressed scepticism about the reaction. "Google already harvests an incredible amount of detailed information about millions of Internet users around the globe," director Silkie Carlo told the BBC. "Now, Google is becoming embedded in the home, through 'smart' soft surveillance products. "Adding data from Nest's home sensors and security cameras will significantly expand Google's monopoly on personal data. Many customers will be justifiably anxious about Google's growing, centralised trove, especially given that its business model relies on data exploitation." A British court has refused to withdraw an arrest warrant against WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange for not showing up for a bail hearing on 29 June 2012, meaning he will have to continue residing in the Ecuadorian embassy in London or risk arrest by leaving. Senior district judge Emma Arbuthnot handed down the judgement at Westminster magistrates court in London on Tuesday, saying the arguments advance by Assange's legal team had failed to persuade her that the public interest was not served by going after him for skipping bail. There were indications last week that Assange would not be successful with the appeal, as the court indicated that it was not going to lift the arrest warrant. The Guardian quoted Arbuthnot as saying: I find arrest is a proportionate response even though Mr Assange has restricted his own freedom for a number of years. Defendants on bail up and down the country, and requested persons facing extradition, come to court to face the consequences of their own choices. He should have the courage to do the same. It is certainly not against the public interest to proceed. Assange's lawyer Mark Summers QC argued on Tuesday that taking him into custody was no longer proportionate or in the public interest. He said the years Assange had spent inside the embassy were adequate, if not severe punishment for what he had done. Summers also cited a report by a UN committee that said Assange was being arbitrarily detained. Statement on ruling: We are surprised. Judge went well outside what the parties presented in court. This seems to have led to many factual errors in the judgment. US DoJ confirmed to Reuters again yesterday that its case is ongoing. There are 3 months to appeal judge's decision. Julian Assange (@JulianAssange) 13 February 2018 WikiLeaks said in a statement after the case concluded: "The ruling is consistent with UK behaviour in this highly politicised case, as the court refused to recognise both Assanges precarious health situation and the strong and binding ruling from the UN, declaring his confinement arbitrary, maintaining the UKs silence on the imminent threat of a US prosecution linked to his journalistic activities." It now emerges that the last four years of Julian Assanges effective imprisonment in the Ecuadorean embassy in London have been entirely unnecessary. In fact, they depended on a legal charade. https://t.co/ZuZZJVZgSh CounterPunch (@NatCounterPunch) 13 February 2018 Assange has been in the embassy for more than five years. His problems began when he visited Sweden in August 2010 to attend a conference to give a talk. While there, he had sex with two women whom he met and the pair later filed rape and molestation complaints against him, claims that he denied. He was questioned by Swedish authorities and cleared. He could have left the country then and there but stayed for a while, in case the authorities decided to question him again. Interpol issued a Red Notice for his arrest on 20 November 2010. On 27 November, Assange surrendered to authorities and appeared before a Westminster judge. Bail was granted to him in December after his backers provided 240,000 in cash and sureties. Then began a protracted period of legal back and forth that went on until June 2012, when Swedish prosecutors sought his extradition. Assange's lawyers, among them the world-renowned Australian Geoffrey Robertson, replied that if he agreed to the extradition request, he could be flown to the US from there. On 19 June 2012, he jumped bail and took refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy, seeking asylum in the South American country. British police surrounded the building and blocked any chance of his leaving. Ecuador granted him asylum in August 2012. He has had to stay inside the four walls of the embassy since then. He was recently granted Ecuadorian citizenship. Australia is the easiest place for workplace monitoring among 15 mostly Western countries surveyed, the security firm Forcepoint says, based on data collected by the legal firm Hogan Lovells. Apart from Australia, Harriet Pearson and James Denvil looked at the US, Canada, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, Singapore, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK, South Africa and Sweden. Their intent was to examine potential legal issues for global workforce monitoring programmes. They measured the degree of difficulty involved in monitoring the following in the workplace: temporal metadata (e.g., logon, logoff, session length); use of privileged access, such as to administrative accounts; use of applications; email communications; employer-provided devices; Internet browsing; capturing on-screen activities; keylogging; behaviour on social media and other channels; and employee-owned devices. For each category, they allotted scores ranging from one to five to indicate how easy or how difficult respectively it was for an employer to carry out these procedures. A low score meant it would be easy for the employer and a higher score meant that there more requirements to be met in order to carry out the monitoring of that kind of data. The study assumes significance in view of the fact that Australia (on 22 February) and the EU (on 25 May) plan to introduce data breach legislation this year. In the study, Australia was given a score of 21 overall, only behind the US as far as ease of monitoring for the employer was concerned. Australia did not score a five in any area; the highest score was four, for monitoring behaviour on social media and other channels - where express consent was needed due to "at work considerations in certain jurisdictions - and monitoring employee-owned devices, where express consent was needed in certain jurisdictions like NSW and the ACT. The US had the lowest score, 20. In both the areas where Australia scored a four, the US earned three. Finland was the top scorer, with 46 out of a possible 50. The country and only earned a score of three for monitoring temporal metadata and monitoring use of privileged access, such as to administrative accounts. Other countries where employees were better protected from snooping by their employers were Germany (42 out of 50), France (41), Italy (43), and Switzerland (40). Surprisingly, the Netherlands, Spain (33 apiece) and Sweden (32) achieved much lower scores, though two of them are in the EU and Sweden is considered a good place to live and work. The UK got a score of 32, Canada was given 30 on par with Turkey, which again was a surprising outcome. Pearson and Denvil suggested that employers could ask themselves the following questions to assess how reasonable it was to implement a particular tool for monitoring employees: "Is the deployment of the tool or measure intended to address an identified cyber risk? "Will use of the tool or measure effectively address the identified risk? "Are there other tools or measures that could effectively address the risk in a manner that would have less of an impact on the privacy interests of workforce members? "Will the impact on the privacy interests of workforce members outweigh the benefits to the organisation?" The study, titled Managing Workforce Cyber Risk in a Global Landscape: A Legal Review, can be downloaded here after registration. Artificial intelligence and machine learning promise to radically transform many industries, but they also pose significant risks many of which are yet to be discovered, given that the technology is only now beginning to be rolled out in force. There have already been a number of public, and embarrassing, examples of AI gone bad. Microsoft's Tay went from innocent chatbot to a crazed racist in just a day, corrupted by Twitter trolls. Two years ago, Google had to censor image searches for keywords like "gorilla" and "chimp" because it returned photos of African-Americans and the problem still hasn't been fully fixed in its Google Photos app. As businesses increasingly embrace AI, the stakes will only get higher. "We wake up sweating," says Ankur Teredesai, head of AI at Seattle-based KenSci, a startup that applies AI to health care data. "At the end of the day, we're talking about real patients, real lives." KenScis AI platform makes health care recommendations to doctors and insurance companies. If there are errors in the medical records, or in the training sets used to create predictive models, the consequences could potentially be fatal, a situation that sheds light on a key risk factor for AI implementations: the quality of your data practices. Guardrails against AI going bad KenSci deals with millions of patient records from partner organizations around the world. The information is in different languages, standards and formats, and is organized around different classification schemes. To address this issue, KenSci uses home-grown and third-party tools, and it depends on partner health care organizations as well. "The health care systems have invested significant amounts of effort in putting protocols in place, compliance in place, for ensuring that their data assets are as clean as possible," he says. "Five or ten years ago, this was a big problem. Today, because of the maturity of digitilization in most of the Western world, Asia, and Australia, there is significantly less disparate coding. A lot of the world has moved to standardization." In mitigating the risks in relying on AI, KenSci has three additional layers of safety. First, there's the front line of defense against errors: the doctors delivering care. "We don't believe in artificial intelligence," says Teredesai. "We believe in assistive intelligence. We leave the decision on how to act in the hands of well-trained experts, like the physicians." The KenSci platform just makes recommendations, he says. And in most cases, those recommendations aren't even for treatments. "The majority of our work focuses on cost predictions, workflow analysis, and workflow optimizations. Many times, we are three steps away from a clinical decision." The company's own medical experts provide a second line of defense, by reviewing the data coming in and the limits of how it can be used. For example, data from the results of treatments of male patients might not apply to women. "We have a rigorous process for ensuring that models do not get scored if the underlying data is not correct for that model to be scored garbage in, garbage out," he says. Finally, there are external peer reviews of the outputs of KenScis models, and the factors that went into the platforms decisions. "Our researchers here are at the forefront of fairness and transparency of the AI movement," he says. "We believe in open publication, in distributing the parameters on which the model is making the decision, so that experts can not only review the outputs of the models, but the factors and scores that went into that scoring. There's a lot of thought that goes into making sure the KenSci platform is open, transparent, open to scrutiny." KenScis approach shows the kinds of processes companies will need to put in place as they further their dependence on AI. It's all about the data Ninety percent of AI is data logistics, says JJ Guy, CTO at Jask, an AI-based cybersecurity startup. All the major AI advances have been fueled by advances in data sets, he says. "The algorithms are easy and interesting, because they are clean, simple and discrete problems," he says. "Collecting, classifying and labeling datasets used to train the algorithms is the grunt work thats difficult especially datasets comprehensive enough to reflect the real world." Take, for example, apps that provide turn-by-turn driving directions. They've been around for decades, he says, but have become good only very recently because of better data. "Google funded a fleet of cars that have driven and digitally mapped every road in America," he says. "They combine that data with satellite imagery and other data sources, then employ a team of human curators manually polishing the data representing every building, intersection and traffic light in the world. As AI is applied to a wider range of problems, the successful approaches will be those that recognize success doesnt come from algorithms, but the data wrangling. However, companies often don't realize the importance of good data until they have already started their AI projects. "Most organizations simply dont recognize this as a problem," says Michele Goetz, an analyst at Forrester Research. "When asked about challenges expected with AI, having well curated collections of data for training AI was at the bottom of the list." According to a survey conducted by Forrester last year, only 17 percent of respondents say that their biggest challenge was that they didn't "have a well-curated collection of that to train an AI system." "However, when companies embark on AI projects, this is one of the biggest pain points and barriers to moving from a proof of concept and pilot to a production system," she says. One of the biggest issues that comes up isn't so much that there isn't enough data, but that the data is locked away and hard to access, says Nick Patience, founder and research vice president of 451 Research. "Machine learning wont work if your data is rigidly siloed," he says. "If, for example, your financials are in Oracle, your HR data is in Workday, your contracts are in a Documentum repository and youve not done anything to try and create connections between those silos." At that point, the company isn't ready for AI, he says. "You might as well use standard analytics tools in each silo," he says. Data issues that can derail AI Even if you have the data, you can still run into problems with its quality, as well as biases hidden within your training sets. Several recent research studies demonstrated that popular data sets used to train image recognition AI included gender biases. For example, a picture of a man cooking would be misidentified as a woman because in the training data, cooks were women. "Whatever bias we have, if there are various kinds of discrimination, racial or gender or age, those can get reflected in the data," says Bruce Molloy, CEO of SpringBoard.ai. Companies building AI systems need to look at whether the data and the algorithms that analyze the data are in line with the principles, goals, and values of the organization. "You can't outsource judgment, ethics, values to AI," he says. That could come from analysis tools that help people understand how the AI made the decision it did, from internal or external auditors, or review boards, he says. Compliance is also an issue with data sources just because a company has access to information, doesn't mean that it can use it any way it wants. Organizations have already started to audit their machine learning models, and looking at the data that goes into those models, says David Schubmehl, director of IDC's cognitive and artificial intelligent systems research. Independent auditing firms are also beginning to take a look at it, he says. "I think it's going to become a part of the auditing process," he says. "But like anything else, it's an emerging area. Organizations are still trying to figure out what the best practices are." Until then, he says, companies are taking it slow. "I think we're in the early days where the AI or machine learning models are just providing recommendations and assistance to trained professionals, rather than doing the work themselves," he says. "And AI applications are taking longer to build because people are trying to make sure that the data is correct and integrated properly and that they have the right types of data and right sets of data." Even perfectly accurate data could be problematically biased, says Anand Rao, partner and global AI leader at PricewaterhouseCoopers. If, say, an insurance company based in the Midwest used its historical data to train its AI systems, then expanded to Florida, the system would not be useful for predicting the risk of hurricanes. "The history is valid; the data is valid," he says. "The question is, Where do you use the model, and how do you use the model?" The rise of fake data These kinds of intrinsic biases may be difficult to identify, but at least they don't involve data sources actively trying to mess up the results. Take the spread of fake news on social media, for example, where the problem is getting worse. "It's an arms race," Rao says. While social media companies work to combat the issue, hackers are using their own AI to create bots clever enough to pass for human, whether to influence social media, or to convince advertisers that they are real consumers. "We're already seeing an impact," says Will Hayes, CEO at Lucidworks. "Look at the elections and the amplification of messaging with bots and other manipulators." Those manipulators aren't always in Russia or China, either. "If a brand is looking to do amplification over social media, and a marketing firm wants to prove that they increased your share of voice, it doesn't take an engineer to think of ways they can manipulate the data," says Hayes. That's where domain expertise and common sense comes into play. "Understanding the mathematics and patterns will only get you so far," says Chris Geiser, CTO of The Garrigan Lyman Group, a marketing firm that helps companies process data from a variety of sources. "The most important thing is to understand all your individual data sources. The more you understand your data, and what you're trying to achieve and your key performance indicators, the more you can point yourself in the right direction." Triangulate your data sources If a company has data coming in from multiple sources, its important to check the data from one source against another before applying any machine learning. As one of the largest telecoms in the world, NTT Group generates a great deal of data from its network infrastructure. "We employ machine learning to analyze network flow data for security purposes," says Kenji Takahashi, global VP for security research in NTT Security. "Our ultimate goal is to gain the complete understanding of malicious botnet infrastructures hidden in our network." The company is currently investing in technology to improve the quality of training data for machine learning. To do this, NTT uses "ensemble" methods that take a weighted vote of data analysis results from different sources, he says. That data then goes into a hyperscale database that preps it as training data for machine learning. "Just like in classrooms, it is disastrous to learn anything with poor quality textbook with lots of errors," he says. "The quality of training data determines the performance of machine learning systems." Building the team and tools to tackle the problem According to a survey released in January by Infosys, 49 percent of IT decision makers say they can't deploy the AI they want because their data isn't ready. "AI is becoming core to business strategy, but data management remains a persistent obstacle," says Sudhir Jha, senior vice president and head of product management and strategy at Infosys. Here, leadership is key, and for some organizations embarking on an AI journey, the first step may be to appoint a chief data officer, says Marc Teerlink, global vice president for the Leonardo and AI division at SAP, as companies who have a chief data officer do a better job managing their data. "Garbage in, garbage out," he says. "Data quality, ownership, and governance make all the difference." Most companies today have to develop their own technologies to prepare data for use in AI and machine learning systems. For that, you need data scientists, and if you don't have the brain power in-house, you can hire consultants to do the work, PricewaterhouseCoopers' Rao says. Some forward-thinking companies, such as Bluestem Brands, are using AI to process data for use in other AI systems. The company, which has 13 different retail brands, including Fingerhut and Bedford Fair, has taken this approach in helping ensure that customers searching for, say, a black dress should get all the relevant results whether the vendor calls the color "black," "midnight," "deep mirage," or "dark charcoal." "The endless creativity of artists to refer to the shades of the same basic colors it never stops," says IT director Jacob Wagner. And it's not just colors. "The same problem exists over every attribute that is human parsed and interpretable," he says. Bluestem built its data-prep system out of pieces that are readily available. "The search technology is largely becoming commoditized," Wagner says. Lexical parsing, text matching, all that technology has been codified and polished and open source algorithms are just as effective as any proprietary package. And it didn't take PhD-level data scientists to do it. "With some talented engineers, you can figure out how to wire it into your data stream," he says. Wagner is a big fan of Apache Spark, a big data engine that can pull in data from many different sources and slice and dice it, and Apache Solr, an open source search engine. Bluestem not only uses it on the customer-facing side, but also internally, to help with editorial workflows. The company also uses commercial products, such as Lucidworks Fusion, which allows business users to customize the search experience with additional business logic say, to funnel queries related to Valentine's Day to a curated set of recommendations without requiring IT to get involved. With the right data management strategy, tools, and personnel, you can greatly enhance your organizations likelihood of AI success. Related artificial intelligence articles: This story, "AIs biggest risk factor: Data gone wrong" was originally published by CIO . You gotta help me! My dad is sending her all his money! I frequently get requests from friends and readers to help them save a loved one from a romance scam. In most cases, a lonely friend or relative has been contacted by a younger, beautiful online-only personality and is unwaveringly convinced of the persons sudden, passionate requited love, even when asked for money. Lots of money. Technically, online dating scams are part of what are known as advanced fee scams. The scammer usually requests money to visit the victim, usually to pay for a visa and airfare, but then suddenly runs into other unexpected difficulties (arrests, kidnapping, etc.) that cost the victim additional money. The closer the date appears to be getting to the victim, the more unexpected calamities appear. The scammers seem to delight in torturing their victims and seeing just how outrageous they can make the stories be and still get paid. Many victims lose substantial sums of money, often their entire lifesavings. Some wealthy victims have lost millions of dollars. Many willingly go spending into the poor house selling off every available asset, convinced that their online lover needs just a bit more money to make all their dreams come true. When the people contacting me look at the emails and other evidence, its so obviously a scam they dont understand how the victim can fall for it. We are all human and are probably overly susceptible to some sort of scam during a low point of our life. A famous quote from Blaise Pascal goes, The heart has its reasons which the mind knows nothing of. Before contacting me, family members and friends have already tried everything they know to convince the victim that what is happening is a scam. The entranced scammers target is in what they think is a once-in-a-lifetime, undying love affair that no one else understands. In their mind, they are rescuing a beautiful spirit, in body and soul, from a hellish existence, who cant wait to marry them. Their love is real, and will stay real until the myth is broken. How to spot a romance scam Ive given those who ask for my assistance enough evidence that convinces the victims that they have been duped and not to be ashamed. Below are nine tell-tale clues to help you spot a dating scam, and what and what not to do to help convince the victim that they are indeed a victim before the money runs out. 1. The scammer is model beautiful It seems its easier to fall prey to a scammers requests for money when those requests are coming from what appears to be a younger and overly attractive amore. The person in the picture usually has perfectly coifed hair, perfect makeup (if a female), perfect eye brows, and dazzling eyes and lips. The scammers almost always copy pictures of people who are professional models or who could easily be professional models. Usually the actual people in the pictures arent aware of the scam and arent involved in any way. Ive sometimes asked the victims, while they are still in denial, why they think this incredibly beautiful, decades younger person would fall in love with them. They often say the scammer is tired of the dating scene, tired of dating other so-called perfect-looking people, or all the local dating opportunities are crooks and drunks. This can absolutely be true in real life, but usually the scammers dont look old enough to have exhausted their normal potential dating pool in their early 20s. If every picture looks like it came from a fashion magazine, it probably has. 2. The victim has never met the online amore in person Key to most romance scams is that the victim and the date have never met in person, or if they did, they didnt look anything like the beautiful person in the photograph. If theyve Skyped over the internet, the scammers voice or accent changes over time. If voice changes are challenged, usually the scammer comes up with a scenario like they have a cold or that their accent changed because they have travelled to a new foreign country and are unintentionally picking up a new accent. 3. The online amore is from a foreign country The scammer is almost always from or traveling in a foreign country. The victims lack of familiarity with the scammers country lets the scammer make claims that are not easy to verify. For example, the scammer often claims not to have access to a phone even when they have access to the internet. They might say they need to pay a special, expensive black market visa fee to travel to the victims country. The distance ensures that it is not easy or cheap for the victim and scammer to meet in person. Most dating scams are perpetuated by foreigners because of the difficulty for victims in pursuing legal solutions when the scam is discovered across international boundaries. Ive seen a few dating scams where the scammer claimed to be either an American living in a foreign country or even claim to be a foreigner living in the same country, so its not always a foreigner in a foreign country. Usually, they must claim to be a foreigner, which they usually are, so that when the victim and scammer speaks, the victim is expecting the heavy accent they encounter. 4. Initial aggressiveness comes from scammer Not only are the dates super beautiful, but they make most of the initial overtures. They contacted the victim first. They respond very quickly and aggressively. They dont appear in the slightest to be shy or wary. They are fully committed immediately and ready to make a life with someone they barely know within days. Super beautiful people dont grow up having to be super aggressive on the dating scene. If anything, they are more wary and selective. 5. The scanner falls in love too fast Now, Im known to fall too hard too fast in my real dating life, but if a Victoria Secret-looking model goes out of her way to meet me and then also falls in love with me in a few days over email, my warning bells are going off. Im charming, but not that charming. Im not sure how long it should be before the other person says I love you on a dating site, but its probably longer than a few days or emails. Potential victims should be especially wary if the scammer is giving them visualizations of love such as, I cant wait to marry you and hold your hand to show the whole world how much I love you, only a few days into the relationship. The scammer wants the victims to visualize these romantic scenarios to play on their emotions to hook them sooner. 6. The scammer wants to move to personal email quickly No matter what web site youve met on (e.g., social media or online dating site), a scammer will want to move the victim to a personal email account that has nothing to do with the original web site you met on. Why? Because the scammer is usually trying to pull off hundreds to thousands of dating scams at once and their current fake personae profile will likely be removed after enough complaints. They need move the victims to an offsite email account where their conversations can be continued in private and without getting interrupted by the authorities. 7. Email address doesnt match name For reasons they try to explain away, their email address doesnt come close to matching their claimed name. I dont mean that their claimed name is Katrina Korkova and the email address is cutebear1751@gmail.com. I mean their claimed name is Katrina Korkova, but their email address is MarinaAnnPopavich1751@gmail.com. If questioned they will say they are using a relatives email account, using work email, or something like that. Have you ever run into a real-world person that used an email account with someone elses name embedded in the email address--someone not scamming you? 8. Money, money, money Finally, and most important, they need money to put off some horrible event or to visit you to share their incredible love. They need money for a sick relative. They need money for a visa. They need money for travel plans. Then after you send all that money, something happens and their visit gets cancelled at the last second. If your date is declaring their true love on day 3 and asking for money on day 4, something is up. 9. All of the above Some of these things might have happened to you in a real-life, confirmed romance. The difference is that all or almost all of these things are true, not just a few. If all these traits are true of an online romance, then be very suspicious. How do you prove a dating scam? What can you do to prove to victims that they are being scammed. First, let them read this article or any of the many others like it on the internet. If you search on date scams, you will find many articles, websites, and books dedicated to the subject. Surprisingly, some of the people trying to dupe victims are also selling the remedies. They make money on both sides of the transaction. They dupe victims into sending money, and then sell books and research services to prove the scams are not being truthful. Say what you will, but youve got to admire their entrepreneurship. One legitimate site that seems to come up a lot is Romance Scam. 1. Ask for an updated photo I tell all potential victims to ask for an updated photo of them that has todays date somewhere in the photo, like from a local newspaper. Or if the date says they love something (example, teddy bears), ask for a photo of that something being held up in a particular way (e.g., next to their face). Or send them flowers, and ask for a photo of them with your sent flowers (assuming the delivery can be madeit often cant be). If they protest, tell them that your best friend/parent/child doesnt believe that they are real and that you want proof just to shut them up. A real date that wanted to spend the rest of their life with someone would have no problem doing an updated, custom request photo. 2. Do image and text searches The victim always has one or more photos of the potential scammer. Using Bing (choose Search by Image by clicking on the camera icon under the Image search subsection) or Google, do an Image search using a specific photo. Put in any keywords to narrow down the search. For example, in a recent case, I saw that all the books on a bookshelf behind the purported Spanish young lady happened to be in Italian. She was also wearing a beautiful golden-leaved necklace choker and had very distinct high-arching eyebrows. When I did an image search with different sets of keywords, including the scammers claimed name and combinations of the words 'Spanish', 'Italian', 'gold leaf jewelry', 'necklace' and 'eyebrows', I didnt get any confirmation hits back until I cropped various parts of the photo. As I was changing the cropping marks to different locations, other pictures of the scammer popped up. Then I found the real name of the person whose pictures were being used, along with their real Facebook, Instagram, and other social media accounts (she was a professional model, of course). Her real name did not match the scammers claimed name or email address. Interestingly, in this latest particular example, the pictures were from a Slovakian model hanging out in Switzerland, but she must have some Italian interactions because many of her social media posts and photos contained Italian, just like the victims photos revealed. The victim usually has lots of romantic-sounding emails from the scammer. Use some of the most romantic passages and search on that text. When I searched on, I cant wait to hold your hand and show the whole world I love you, it returned many hits from scam letter sites. The victim I was helping at the time was emotionally over-wrought when I revealed that the text he clung to as proof of his real love turned out to show up in tens of thousands of different scam letters from women using the same pictures but with different names. 3. Confront the victim with the evidence Ive yet to meet the victim that wanted to believe that they had been scammed, but if you show them enough evidence (e.g., other photos from different names and countries) that their one and only true love isnt real love, they usually come back to reality. Not always. Ive read of a few cases where the loved ones had to legally take away the victims ability to send more money to the scammers because the victim refused to believe overwhelming evidence. What to do after you prove the dating scam Try to recover sent money - Any monies sent are usually lost forever and the victim just has to chock it up to a hard lesson learned. If they sent personally identifiable information (such as credit card or bank account numbers), they should take steps to prevent more fraud. In a few limited cases, they might be able to prove fraud and get some of the spent money back, although Ive yet to see any successes. Get fake profiles shut down - Report any confirmed fake identities to the websites and email companies that were involved. With dating scams so popular, the process is usually automated. Simply go to the social media site and look for a Report Fake Profile button, and the rest happens automatically. Summerville, SC (29483) Today A mix of clouds and sun. High 87F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Reddit Email 34 Shares By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | Where people live and how many of them there are constitute basic questions for any social scientist but these basics are often ignored by the writers of headlines in the press. There is a rash of articles about how Syrias war is heating back up. It isnt. The war is over for all intents and purposes, since there is no path to victory for the rebels who wanted to overthrow the government of Bashar al-Assad in Damascus. Al-Assad controls all the countrys major cities: Damascus, Homs, Hama, Latakia, and Aleppo. He always had Damascus, Latakia and the majority of Aleppo. On the back of a napkin, Id figure 65% of Syrians live under regime control in and around these cities (i.e. around 12 million of the 18 mn. Syrians still inside the country). Another ten percent are Kurds, who inhabit three cantons in Afrin, Kobane and Jazira in the north of the country. They are not under regime control but they arent fighting it for the most part, either, and could be reintegrated into Syria if the central government agrees to move to a loose federalism. The 2.2 million Kurds also now effectively rule something like 2 million Arabs in Raqqa and Deir al-Zor in the east, another 11% of the population. [A warning about maps of Syria: That dark red stretch, above is where almost everybody lives, under al-Assad control. Idlib is probably 1.5 million people but looks enormous.] So that leaves 14 percent (roughly 2.5 million) outside both central government and Kurdish control in a few pockets Deraa and Quneitra in the south, East Ghouta outside Damascus, and Idlib in the north. Most of the rest of Syria is either under the government or under the Kurds and their US and Arab allies.* Whats left is the determination of the fate of the 35% (Kurdish-ruled regions plus Arab rebels). Al-Assad is determined to reconquer them all. The Russians are hoping for a less bloody path to a negotiated surrender for the mainstream of the rebels, though they agree that the extremists with links to the extremist international that also includes Chechens have to be destroyed. The 35% who remain outside Syrian government control are mostly on the rural peripheries of the country, and their undetermined fate has invited the intervention of other powers. The one exception here is East Ghouta, a suburb of Damascus with some 300,000 people, who are under siege and appear to have little outside support save possibly from Saudi Arabia. That they are thus exposed explains why the regime is hitting them so hard, and, indeed, committing crimes against humanity against their civilians. The US is hoping somehow to use the Kurds to weaken al-Assad over time and also to block Iran (how this could work in practice is mysterious). The Kurds do have half of Syrias good farmland and so are key to the countrys food security going forward. The US strategy of using the Kurds against ISIL but also as a wedge against the Damascus government enrages Turkey. Turkey has lost, in the sense that a) it failed to overthrow al-Assad by backing fundamentalist rebels and b) the US strategy has strengthened the Kurdish hand in the region, something of which Ankara is terrified. In an effort to soften the blow of this double defeat, Turkey has invaded the one Kurdish canton not in the US sphere of power, intending to ensconce fundamentalist Arab Syrian fighters in a buffer zone along the Syrian-Turkish border. In essence, this strategy looks like Israeli policy in southern Lebanon 1982-2000, when the Israelis backed a right wing Christian militia on their borders while occupying the Shiites of south Lebanon. This frankly stupid strategy created Hizbullah and gave Iran an opening, developments that Israel has never ceased regretting. I suspect the same regrets will haunt Turkey for decades. Israel is supporting the southern fundamentalist rebels in a bid to keep the Syrian government from reasserting control of its portion of the Golan Heights, half of which Israel is occupying. Israel is particularly nervous about Hizbullah establishing bases in the Golan, which overlooks Israel and so is a military danger point. The exchanges of fire this weekend were over the future of that small but highly important southwest Front. Russia appears to have stepped in to restrain Israel from launching all-out war after the shoot-down of its fighter jet. Russia is acting both as a regime support for Damascus and as a referee in the remaining three major rebel enclaves, with their foreign supporters. Russia appears to be in no hurry. It seems determined to build back up the capacities of the Syrian state and military, cooperating with Iran and its Shiite militias to do so. Moscow wants the al-Qaeda-linked Syrian Conquest Front (formerly Nusra) defeated, but is perfectly happy to talk to and try to negotiate with the other rebels. That Russia is a referee on the peripheries of Syria rather than a hegemon allows low-intensity guerrilla conflicts to simmer along. They should not be confused with a bigger phenomenon, of major war. Bonus video: AP Archive: US commander backs Kurdish fighters at Syria outpost *An earlier version of this article misstated the percentage of the country now controlled neither by the regime nor the US-backed Kurds. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ashanti Gold Corp. (Ashanti or the Company) - (TSXV:AGZ) is pleased to announce results of its on-going exploration program at Kossanto East (the Project). Commencing in October last year, Ashanti embarked on a comprehensive exploration program designed to advance 1) the Gourbassi East and Gourbassi West mineralized areas, and 2) evaluate the potential of other targets on the Project (Figures 1 and 2). The improved understanding of the extent and controls on mineralization at both of these important mineralized areas are an important step to increasing the resource potential to the fullest extent. The exploration program is designed to guide drilling planned for next quarter and prioritize satellite targets for their potential to host mineralization similar to that identified at Gourbassi East and West. Kossanto East concession map showing the location of Gourbassi West and Gourbassi East and location of geochemical anomalies (green dashed lines). Exploration activities include re-logging of Reverse Circulation drilling chips and diamond drill core, regional and detailed mapping of target areas and unexplored portions of the concession, extensive soil sampling, rock chip sampling, and resampling of past trenches. In addition, a detailed differential GPS survey of all drill collars was completed. Creation of a geologic model using Vulcan 3D software is currently underway in preparation for the next drilling campaign. To date, over 500 soil samples, > 100 trench samples, and >100 rock chip samples have been collected. Results from the first 388 soil geochemical samples have identified broader zones of mineralization and enhanced the strike continuity of known mineralization at the extensive Gourbassi East and Gourbassi West targets (see press releases August 2, 2017; August 10, 2017; August 21, 2017; September 12, 2017). In addition, sample data has confirmed geological connections between isolated targets into new, larger, contiguous trends. Mapping has identified structural elements important to understanding mineralization and has identified new targets with surface exposures similar to mineralized ones at Gourbassi West and Gourbassi East. Re-logging of diamond drill core and RC chips will assist in developing a 3D geologic model for both Gourbassi West and Gourbassi East from which planned drilling can be undertaken most effectively. Concession map showing extensive targets as defined by past and current soil geochemistry and RAB drill holes. Magenta lines show the location of sample lines to be completed. Tim McCutcheon, Ashantis CEO, said, Our drill program in the summer of 2017 was designed to confirm the attractiveness of the Project and get data points on the board to know if we had potentially a major asset. This recent step at Kossanto East is about complementing our past work, and that of our predecessors, so that our planned drill program later this year has full impact. The whole team is very excited about having the full data set to piece together a clear picture on the known 2.3 kilometers of strike length at Gourbassi East and West, as well as showing the potential beyond that 2.3 kilometers. ABOUT ASHANTI GOLD Ashanti is a gold-focused, exploration and development company that targets projects where it has a competitive advantage due to past work experience of the team and specific project know-how. The Company is driving forward its 100%-owned Kossanto East project in Mali on the prolific Kenieba Belt of Mali, which hosts such deposits as Loulo, Fekola and Sadiola. Ashanti is also working to advance, together with its earn-in partners, the Anumso project and the Ashanti Belt project in Ghana, which are near-adjacent to the Akyem deposit. On Behalf of the Board of Directors of ASHANTI GOLD CORP. "Tim McCutcheon" Tim McCutcheon CEO For further information, please contact: Ashanti Gold Corp. 2300 1177 West Hastings Street Vancouver BC, V6E 2K3 Phone: 604-638-3847 Qualified Person and Historical Data The information presented in this Press Release has been reviewed by Dr. Paul Klipfel CPG of Mineral Resource Services Inc. and a Qualified Person as defined by Canadian NI 43-101. Dr. Klipfel is not an Independent Person, as he is a shareholder of Ashanti. Historic data presented has been generated by historic explorers. The company has endeavored to check all data through resurvey of collars and check samples, but has not completed thorough, independent verification of historic data, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance thereon. All drill, soil, rock, and trench samples are subject to standard QA/QC procedures with certified standards and blanks inserted into all sample streams at the rate of 1:20. Duplicate samples are also inserted at the rate of 1:50. All assays are performed by international known (SGS in Mali) and accepted laboratories which insert their own QA/QC samples into the sample stream. Their results and Ashantis results are monitored for bias and errors in absolute and temporal terms. Batches with certified standards or blanks that do not meet QA/QC requirements are reassayed. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release and the information incorporated by reference herein, constitutes "forward looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Ashanti Gold Corp. (the "Company"). All statements, except for statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that management of the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including such things as future exploration plans concerning the Company's mineral properties, acquisitions, capital expenditures (including the amount and nature thereof), business strategies and measures to implement strategies, competitive strengths, goals, expansion and growth of the business and operations, plans and references to the future success of the Company, and such other matters, are forward looking statements. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward looking information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development and mine development activities at the Project, including the geological mapping, prospecting and sampling program being proposed for the Project (the "Program"), actual results of exploration activities, including the Program, estimation or realization of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital expenditures, the costs and timing of the development of new deposits, the availability of a sufficient supply of water and other materials, requirements for additional capital, future prices of precious metals, changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities, possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates, possible failures of plants, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, hedging practices, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, risks related to joint venture operations, and risks related to the integration of acquisitions, as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Management Information Circular (December 2016) and as discussed in the annual management's discussion and analysis and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward looking information in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 13, 2018) - M2 Cobalt Corp. (TSXV: MC) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has commenced its exploration program and has mobilized crews to its Bujagali and Kilembe properties. The exploration licenses making up these properties are located in the Republic of Uganda and span approximately 1,564 square kilometers (see website www.m2cobalt.com). Teams have now been mobilized to both properties with the launch of this extensive exploration program aimed at discovering cobalt mineral deposits. The exploration program includes: Aerial drone surveys over the entire properties to determine access, culture, outcrops, old workings, and other geologic features by making high-resolution photo mosaics A large mobile sampling program including the collection of Heavy Mineral Concentrates ("HMC's"), stream sediments, soils and rock grab samples Concurrent ground geophysics Trenching and drilling, as appropriate, as part of bedrock mapping and sampling to help better understand the nature of mineralization and geology; and A high resolution magnetic and electromagnetic airborne survey at the Kilembe Property The Company has commissioned Geotech Ltd.'s helicopter borne VTEM plus (time domain electromagnetic geophysical survey and horizontal magnetic gradiometer) system and the survey will be flown at 100m spaced lines. The Company will build upon real time results as the program unfolds and anomalies are explored with the goal of advancing activities to more widespread trenching and drilling. Dean Besserer, P.Geol., the Company's Technical Advisor and manager of the exploration program stated, "This is an exciting time for M2 Cobalt as the next phase of exploration commences. Uganda is vastly under-explored, and the Company has designed a comprehensive exploration program within its very large land package. Previous exploration discovered widespread alteration and anomalous rock samples with 0.31% cobalt within the properties. We'll now be able to expand on and develop these anomalies. Some of our licenses are very close to, and are on trend with, the former producing Kilembe mine which was historically a significant producer of high grade copper and cobalt." Dr. Jennifer Hinton, the Company's Director East Africa Operations commented, "We have excellent support locally from key government departments and officials. In that regard, the Ugandan government has developed an in-country database to help attract foreign investment and is being proactive in looking to rejuvenate and expand the mining sector in Uganda. These factors have been key as we start our exploration campaign." About the Republic of Uganda For historic reasons, Uganda's mineral potential is yet to be fully realized. The country shares multiple geologic features conducive to mineralization with its neighbors, the mineral rich countries of the DRC, Tanzania, Rwanda and South Sudan. Growth in the minerals sector is a key pillar of the Government of Uganda's national development strategy. Strong government commitment is exemplified by its well-developed and continued commitment to foreign mining/resource investment. A number of past and present mines have been operated by foreign companies. Community Relations Community relations are of utmost importance to the Company. The Company intends to support sustainable development of the communities within and surrounding the properties as part of a working relationship with the Republic of Uganda. The goal is to create long-term value through the ethical and responsible extraction of mineral resources and production of metals by working in cooperation with all stakeholders with transparency and accountability in all activities. The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dean Besserer, P.Geol., Technical Advisor of the Company and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. For further information, contact Investor Relations at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at 604 669 2191. On behalf of the Board, M2 COBALT CORP. Simon Clarke, Chief Executive Officer Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and other similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to regulatory or government requirements or approvals of the Transaction, the date for the resumption of trading in the common shares of the Company, the exploration work to be undertaken in Uganda, the reliability of third party information, and certain other factors or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affections such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Precipitate Gold Corp. (the Company or Precipitate) (TSXV:PRG) is pleased to announce regionally compiled results of its near property-wide soil sampling program conducted on its 100% owned Juan de Herrera project in the Dominican Republic. The combination of previously collected soil sampling analyses with recent XRF (X-ray fluorescence) scanning data from a nearly property-wide regional scale survey has identified numerous new and very extensive base metal anomalies (copper, lead and zinc) on the Companys Juan de Herrera property. The Southeast and Peak-Melchor areas host some of the more significant new base-metal-in-soil anomalies, being kilometre-scale in size and open along strike in at least one direction. These and other new zones will require follow up soil sampling programs to better define the full extent of their surface expressions and assist in vectoring drill targets to identify the source of mineralization. The soil anomalies shown on the accompanying map emphasise the dominant northwest-southeast regional stratigraphic and mineralized trends and demonstrate the extraordinary relative size and tenor of these new anomalies in comparison to others within the regional Tireo Gold Camp. See the accompanying map or Companys website for the regional-scale soil sample figure. Jeffrey Wilson, Precipitates President and CEO commented, Were pleased with these latest results from our extensive soil sampling survey as they once again support, and in fact expand the projects potential to host multiple mineralized zones warranting detailed follow up and future drill testing. Identification of these base-metal-in-soil anomalies is an effective and efficient vectoring tool for identifying prospective VMS (volcanogenic massive sulphide) and epithermal styles of mineralization in the Tireo Gold Camp, as almost all significant mineralized zones within the Camp have an obvious soil anomaly signature. XRF soil samples were collected at a density of 25 metres by 50 metres, with over 17,000 individual soil samples collected and over 14,000 samples analyzed with a portable XRF device. Portable XRF instruments collect quality base metal and various pathfinder element data but provide limited precious metal results. All soil samples from this phase of exploration have been placed in secure storage for future work, which may include laboratory analyses, geological review or clay/alteration studies. Prior laboratory soil samples collected by Precipitate and GoldQuest Mining Corp. were collected on a wide range of densities (up to a detailed 25m x 50m) and were submitted to Bureau Veritas (BV) for multi-element ICP-MS analysis. Comprehensive data evaluation is ongoing and individual zone-specific detailed compilation interpretations and illustrations are anticipated in the near future. This news release has been reviewed by Michael Moore P. Geo., Vice President, Exploration of Precipitate Gold Corporation, the Qualified Person for the technical information in this news release under NI 43-101 standards. About Precipitate Gold: Precipitate Gold Corp. is a mineral exploration company focused on exploring and advancing its mineral property interests in the Tireo Gold Trend of the Dominican Republic. The Company also maintains assets in British Columbia and southeast Yukon Territory, including the Companys Reef property located immediately adjacent to Golden Predators 3 Aces Project in the Upper Hyland River area. The Company has entered into an Option to Purchase Agreement with Golden Predator, whereby Golden Predator can earn a 100% interest in the Reef claims by making certain staged payments in cash and shares and warrants. Precipitate is also actively evaluating additional high-impact property acquisitions with the potential to expand the Company's portfolio and increase shareholder value. Additional information can be viewed at the Companys website www.precipitategold.com. On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Precipitate Gold Corp., Jeffrey Wilson President & CEO For further information, please contact: Precipitate Gold Corp. Tel: 604-558-0335 Toll Free: 855-558-0335 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release may contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information reflects Precipitate Gold Corp.s (Precipitate or the Company) current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Company and on assumptions it believes are reasonable. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Precipitate to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the exploration concessions may not be granted on terms acceptable to the Company, or at all; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the concessions acquired by the Company may not have attributes similar to those of surrounding properties; delay or failure to receive governmental or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation affecting mining; timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals. Although Precipitate has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Precipitate does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Company anticipates closing of transaction with Gecko Namibia (Pty) Ltd ("Gecko Namibia") within two weeks Agreement with Gecko Namibia to acquire a majority interest in seven projects Diversifies Namibia Rare Earths Inc.'s single commodity focus from heavy rare earths on the Lofdal project into a broader portfolio of critical metals and minerals crucial for electric vehicle industry including cobalt, lithium, graphite, tantalum, niobium, and gold Gecko Namibia and Gerald McConnell, Chair of the Board of Namibia Rare Earths Inc., to complete CDN$550,000 private placement concurrent with closing HALIFAX, Feb. 12, 2018 /CNW/ - Namibia Rare Earths Inc. ("Namibia Rare Earths" or the "Company") (TSXV: NRE) announced today that it expects to close the previously announced (November 10, 2017) transaction to acquire a portfolio of critical metal properties (the "Properties") from Gecko Namibia (Pty) Ltd. ("Gecko Namibia") in consideration for the issuance of 64,000,000 common shares of Namibia Rare Earths ("Property Acquisition") within the next two weeks. The previously announced $550,000 private placement ("Private Placement") will be completed at the same time as the Property Acquisition closing. Exchange conditional approval of the Property Acquisition and the Private Placement has been received and the single outstanding matter is the completion of one background search by the TSXV on a representative of Gecko who will become an insider of Namibia Rare Earths. In accordance with the policies of the Exchange, the shares of Namibia Rare Earths remain halted from trading until the TSXV had received and reviewed acceptable documentation regarding the Property Acquisition. The TSXV had advised that the shares of the Company will recommence trading on closing of the Property Acquisition and the Private Placement. Pursuant to the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"), the Company is required to issue a news release every 30 days following its initial news release to provide an update on the status of the Property Acquisition. Property Acquisition and Private Placement Namibia Rare Earths has entered into an agreement to acquire Gecko Namibia's 95% interest in a portfolio of exploration properties consisting of 14 exploration prospecting licences ("EPLs") four of which are pending, one mineral deposit retention licence ("MDRL") and Gecko Namibia's rights under an option agreement to acquire a 60% interest in a further exploration prospecting licence which interest may, subject to the terms of the option agreement, be increased to 80%. This transaction will provide Namibia Rare Earths with a highly prospective, diversified portfolio of critical metals and at the same time has secured a highly experienced strategic partner. Gecko Namibia and its subsidiaries are substantial participants in the Namibian resource sector with 327 employees and a proven track record in the mining industry. The Gecko Namibia portfolio of properties will expand the Company's commodity base from solely rare earths to a variety of highly critical commodities including cobalt, copper, zinc, lithium, graphite, tantalum, niobium, nickel, and gold. Ground holdings in Namibia will increase from 221 km2 (Lofdal) to over 6,850 km2. One of the fundamental strategic advantages in the partnership with Gecko Namibia is the flexibility the diversified portfolio provides in making targeted investments based on commodity market conditions. Each project brings a focused value proposition and can be advanced in a strategic manner based on available resources, investor interest and merit. A balanced approach can be taken to levels of investment in early stage versus advanced metallurgical studies and economic assessment as warranted. The immediate focus will be on the cobalt opportunity within the project portfolio. In conjunction with the Property Acquisition, Gecko Namibia and Gerald J. McConnell, Chair of the Board of Namibia Rare Earths, have each agreed to complete a private placement with the Company in the amount of $275,000 at $0.05 per share for total gross proceeds to the Company of $550,000 ("Private Placement"). A total of 11,000,000 common shares of Namibia Rare Earths will be issued pursuant to the Private Placement. The common shares of the Company issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a four-month hold period. Upon completing the Property Acquisition and Private Placement, Gecko Namibia will own 69,500,000 common shares representing 43.80% of the outstanding common shares of the Company. Namibia Rare Earths and its insiders are at arm's length with Gecko Namibia and there are no finder's fees payable in connection with the Property Acquisition or the Private Placement. Following the closing of the Acquisition, Pine van Wyk and Steve Kapp will be appointed to the five-member board of Namibia Rare Earths with Gerald McConnell remaining as Chair. Pine van Wyk will also be appointed Chief Executive Officer of Namibia Rare Earths based in Namibia while Donald Burton remains as President. Donald M. Burton, P.Geo. and President of Namibia Rare Earths Inc., is the Company's Qualified Person and has reviewed and approved this press release. About Namibia Rare Earths Inc. Namibia Rare Earths Inc. is focused on the accelerated development of the Lofdal Rare Earths Project and on building a critical metals portfolio in Namibia. The common shares of Namibia Rare Earths Inc. trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "NRE". Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The foregoing information may contain forward-looking information relating to the future performance of Namibia Rare Earths Inc. Forward-looking information, specifically, that concerning future performance, is subject to certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the appropriate securities commissions. TORONTO, Feb. 12, 2018 /CNW/ - IAMGOLD Corporation ("IAMGOLD" or the "Company") today announced positive results from a Pre-feasibility Study ("PFS") for its Boto Gold Project (Project) in Senegal, West Africa. The results, which outline an economically viable project, justify the commencement of a Feasibility Study to further optimize the project development design and improve project economics. PRE-FEASIBILITY HIGHLIGHTS Indicated Resources of 1.9 million ounces grading 1.60 g/t Au Proven and Probable Reserves of 1.4 million ounces grading 1.64 g/t Au Mine Life of 13.5 years with mill throughput of 2.0 million tonnes per annum of 13.5 years with mill throughput of 2.0 million tonnes per annum Life of Mine (LOM) average annual production of nearly 100,000 oz, with higher production in the early years of operation LOM direct cash costs of $707 /oz and all-in sustaining costs of $829 /oz /oz and all-in sustaining costs of /oz At $1,275 /oz gold price, after-tax Internal Rate of Return of 13.3% and a Net Present Value of $104 million (6% discount rate) /oz gold price, after-tax Internal Rate of Return of 13.3% and a Net Present Value of (6% discount rate) Initial capital expenditures of $249 million Steve Letwin, President and CEO of IAMGOLD, said "Boto lies on a mineralized trend that is host to several significant producing gold mines. The team has worked exceptionally hard to advance this project from the initial discovery to a potential development project with a long life and attractive all-in sustaining costs. It is important to understand that this is a work in progress, and although still short of our investment criteria typical for West Africa, the project provides excellent optionality at higher gold prices. We are continuing to aggressively optimize the project design to improve the overall economics. Importantly, the feasibility study currently underway and due for completion in the second half of 2018 uses a 25% higher mill throughput as the base case, which will accordingly increase annual gold production and has the potential for improved project returns. We continue to aggressively explore priority targets to enhance the total resource inventory, which would generate a positive impact on project economics and mine life." The PFS was completed jointly by IAMGOLD and Lycopodium Minerals Canada Ltd., with inputs from technical studies completed by other consultants and has an effective date of December 31, 2017. The PFS represents a comprehensive study of the technical and economic viability of a mineral project that has advanced to a stage where a preferred mining method has been established and an effective method of mineral processing has been determined. IAMGOLD is using the PFS to identify the preferred development option to demonstrate economic viability of the Project, to support Mineral Reserve disclosure, and to identify additional work recommended to support the completion of a feasibility study. Technical studies to support the completion of the feasibility study have commenced, with the study scheduled for completion in the second half of 2018. A technical report summarizing the PFS will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days of the date of this news release. PFS HIGHLIGHTS Project Economics and Key Parameters Mining Capacity 18.0 Mtpa Milling Capacity 2.0 Mtpa LOM Average Annual Gold Production 95,000 oz. LOM Average Recovery Rate 89.3% Mine Life 13.5 years LOM Average Direct Cash Costs $707/oz LOM Average AISC $829/oz Average Grade 1.64 g/t Au Average LOM Strip Ratio 6.5:1 Estimated Initial Capital Expenditure (millions) $249 Gold Price Assumption used in financial analysis $1,275/oz After-tax NPV (6%) (millions) $104 After-tax IRR 13.3% Payback Period 6.0 years USD Currency used with exchange rate of: CAD$ = US$0.7692 MINERAL RESOURCES The Mineral Resource estimate used as the basis for the study is summarized below. Mineral Resources December 31, 2017 Classification Tonnes (000) Grade (g/t Au) Contained Ounces (000) Indicated 37 408 1.60 1,922 Inferred 10 981 1.66 594 Notes: 1. CIM Definition Standards were followed for classification of Mineral Resources. 2. Mineral Resources reported at a cut-off grade of 0.42 g/t Au for oxide and 0.54 g/t Au for fresh material. 3. Mineral Resources are constrained within a pit shell estimated using long-term gold price of $1,500 per ounce, and a US$/C$ exchange rate of 1:1.30. 4. Mineral Resources are inclusive of Reserves quoted below. MINERAL RESERVES The tonnes, grades, and classification of the Mineral Reserves captured within the PFS mine plan are summarized below. Mineral Reserve December 31, 2017 Classification Tonnes (000) Grade (g/t Au) Contained Ounces (000) Proven - - - Probable 26,841 1.64 1,415 Proven & Probable 26,841 1.64 1,415 Waste within Designed Pit 175,700 Total Tonnage within Designed Pit 202,500 Notes: 1. Reserves estimated assuming open pit mining methods 2. Reserves are based on a gold price of $1,200/oz 3. Fixed process recovery of 89.3% 4. Mining costs ($/t processed): $15.00/t. Processing costs: $14.76/t. G&A (Include refining cost): $3.55. MINING AND PROCESSING The PFS study has identified the preferred development option to be a conventional truck and shovel open pit mining operation, and has determined an effective method of mineral processing to be a processing circuit incorporating primary crushing, grinding, gravity concentration and cyanide leaching, followed by gold recovery using carbon-in-pulp, stripping and electrowinning. Open pit mining includes approximately 15 Mt of stripping and preproduction mining during a two year pre-production period followed by 13.5 years of production mining along with stockpile reclaim in the final years of the operation. Maximum mining rate is 18 Mt per annum. The average grade is 1.64 g/t Au and the LOM stripping ratio is 6.5:1. FUTURE WORK The PFS recommended the completion of a feasibility study to validate and detail the elements of the development concept set out in the PFS, and which would include additional drilling, engineering studies and environmental studies, including hydrological, hydrogeological and geotechnical analyses. The recommended feasibility study work has already been initiated and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2018, using a base case processing rate of 2.5 Mtpa versus the 2.0 Mtpa used for the prefeasibility study. In addition to the feasibility study, we continue to conduct exploration activities on the Boto exploration concession to evaluate high priority targets on trend for additional mineral resources. QUALIFIED PERSONS The 2017 Boto Gold PFS was prepared by IAMGOLD and Lycopodium Minerals Canada Ltd. and incorporates the work of IAMGOLD and Lycopodium Qualified Persons (QPs) (as defined under National Instrument 43-101). Lycopodium Qualified Persons are independent of IAMGOLD and have reviewed and approved this news release. IAMGOLD Qualified Persons are not independent of IAMGOLD and have reviewed and approved this news release. The affiliation and areas of responsibility for each Qualified Person involved in preparing the 2017 Boto PFS, upon which the technical report will be based, are: Lycopodium QPs N. Lincoln, P. Eng., Project infrastructures, permitting, investment and operational costs and economical model R. Willis, P. Eng., Metallurgical testing and mineral processing W. Muir P. Eng. (Knight Piesold Ltd.), Tailings and water management G. Zurowski, P. Eng. (AGP Mining Consultants), Mine design, capital and operating costs, reserve estimate IAMGOLD QPs V. Blanchet, P.Eng., Data verification, and mineral resource estimate H. Fisette, P.Eng., Site description, historical setting, drilling, sample preparation and analysis and security, data verification, and mineral resource estimate The information in this news release was reviewed and approved by Craig MacDougall, P.Geo., Senior Vice President, Exploration for IAMGOLD. Mr. MacDougall is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Forward-Looking Information All Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resources estimates reported by the Company were estimated in accordance with the Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum Definition Standards (May 10, 2014). These standards differ significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. This document contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements" are made as of the date of this document. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: (i) the estimated amount and grade of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves; (ii) the PFS representing a viable development option for the Project; (iii) estimates of the capital costs of constructing mine facilities and bringing a mine into production, of sustaining capital and the duration of financing payback periods; (iv) the estimated amount of future production, both produced and metal recovered; and, (v) estimates of operating costs and total costs, net cash flow, net present value and economic returns from an operating mine. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "envisages", "assumes", "intends", "strategy", "goals", "objectives" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based on IAMGOLD's or its consultants' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. The most significant assumptions are set forth above, but generally these assumptions include: (i) the presence of and continuity of metals at the Boto Gold Project at estimated grades; (ii) the geotechnical and metallurgical characteristics of rock conforming to sampled results; including the quantities of water and the quality of the water that must be diverted or treated during mining operations; (iii) the capacities and durability of various machinery and equipment; (iv) the availability of personnel, machinery and equipment at estimated prices and within the estimated delivery times; (v) currency exchange rates; (vi) metals sales prices and exchange rate assumed; (vii) appropriate discount rates applied to the cash flows in the economic analysis; (viii) tax rates and royalty rates applicable to the proposed mining operation; (ix) the availability of acceptable financing under assumed structure and costs; * anticipated mining losses and dilution; (xi) metallurgical performance; (xii) reasonable contingency requirements; (xiii) success in realizing proposed operations; (xiv) receipt of permits and other regulatory approvals on acceptable terms; and (xv) the fulfillment of environmental assessment commitments and arrangements with local communities. Although management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect. Many forward-looking statements are made assuming the correctness of other forward looking statements, such as statements of net present value and internal rates of return, which are based on most of the other forward-looking statements and assumptions herein. The cost information is also prepared using current values, but the time for incurring the costs will be in the future and it is assumed costs will remain stable over the relevant period. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or that assumptions do not reflect future experience. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a number of important factors could cause the actual outcomes to differ materially from the beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates assumptions and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements. These risk factors may be generally stated as the risk that the assumptions and estimates expressed above do not occur as forecast, but specifically include, without limitation: risks relating to variations in the mineral content within the material identified as Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves from that predicted; variations in rates of recovery and extraction; the geotechnical characteristics of the rock mined or through which infrastructure is built differing from that predicted, the quantity of water that will need to be diverted or treated during mining operations being different from what is expected to be encountered during mining operations or post closure, or the rate of flow of the water being different; developments in world metals markets; risks relating to fluctuations in the Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar; increases in the estimated capital and operating costs or unanticipated costs; difficulties attracting the necessary work force; increases in financing costs or adverse changes to the terms of available financing, if any; tax rates or royalties being greater than assumed; changes in development or mining plans due to changes in logistical, technical or other factors; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; risks relating to receipt of regulatory approvals; delays in stakeholder negotiations; changes in regulations applying to the development, operation, and closure of mining operations from what currently exists; the effects of competition in the markets in which IAMGOLD operates; operational and infrastructure risks and the additional risks described in IAMGOLD's Annual Information Form filed with SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com ) for the year ended December 31, 2016 and in the Corporation's Annual Report Form 40-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR (available at Click Here. IAMGOLD cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to IAMGOLD, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. IAMGOLD does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by IAMGOLD or on our behalf, except as required by law. About IAMGOLD IAMGOLD (www.iamgold.com) is a mid-tier mining company with four operating gold mines on three continents. A solid base of strategic assets in North and South America and West Africa is complemented by development and exploration projects and continued assessment of accretive acquisition opportunities. IAMGOLD is in a strong financial position with extensive management and operational expertise. For further information please contact: Ken Chernin, VP Investor Relations, IAMGOLD Corporation Tel: (416) 360-4743 Mobile: (416) 388-6883 Laura Young, Director, Investor Relations, IAMGOLD Corporation Tel: (416) 933-4952 Mobile: (416) 670-3815 Toll-free: 1-888-464-9999 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Please note: This entire news release may be accessed via fax, e-mail, IAMGOLD's website at www.iamgold.com and through CNW Group's website at www.newswire.ca. All material information on IAMGOLD can be found at www.sedar.com or at www.sec.gov. South Africa is the continents most industrialised economy and among its most developed, but marked by gaping inequalities rooted in years of racist white-minority rule that ended in 1994. Apartheid Black South Africans, around 80 percent of the population, voted for the first time only in 1994. It was a moment of jubilation after a bitter decades-long struggle against white-minority rule. British and Dutch settlers arrived at Africas southern tip from the 17th century, first using it as a stopover on the shipping route to Asia and later claiming colonies. They imposed discriminatory laws early on, restricting non-whites to unskilled jobs and limiting land ownership and free movement. This developed into the radical system of apartheid, institutionalised in 1948, which kept the races apart with a host of discriminatory laws that disadvantaged black people in particular. Mandela Anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela became South Africas first black president in 1994 after spending 27 years in jail when even his image was banned. His release in 1990 heralded the transition to democracy for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize with the last white president, F. W. de Klerk. Mandelas death in December 2013 unleashed a wave of public emotion around the world. Rainbow Nation Post-apartheid South Africa painted itself as an example of democracy and tolerance, adopting 11 official languages, pledging free homes and education, and establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. But nearly 25 years on, much of the goodwill has been lost in corruption scandals and weak governance. With a population of 55.7 million (2016), the country still has a dual economy with one of the highest inequality rates in the world, the World Bank says. Despite the emergence of a black middle-class, 47 percent of blacks lived in poverty in 2015 compared to 0.4 percent of whites, Statistics South Africa says. Most of the countrys arable land remains in the hands of white farmers. Economic woes South Africa accounts for 70 percent of the world production of platinum and is among the leading suppliers of gold, diamonds and coal. Manufacturing and agriculture are also key sectors. Growth resumed in April 2017 after six months of recession but is estimated at only 0.7 percent in 2017. Unemployment is at a record level of 27.7 percent, rising to 50 percent among youths, and business confidence is at its lowest level since the end of apartheid. Sunny SA With unspoiled beaches, winelands and animal reserves, the country was the continents leading tourist destination behind Morocco in 2016. There were more than 10 million visitors in 2016, a near 13 percent rise from the previous year, and the sector employs one in 22 people with jobs. Crime, HIV South Africa suffers high levels of crime, including 34 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2015/16, according to police, higher than other countries considered dangerous such as Colombia and Brazil. It also has the largest HIV epidemic in the world, with 19 percent of the global number of people living with HIV, 15 percent of new infections and 11 percent of AIDS-related deaths. Sources: Statistics South Africa, UNAIDS, UNESCO, World Bank, World Tourism Authority. 2K Shares Share What happens when you place an entire nations health care in the hands of an overly-controlling, ineffective government bureaucracy and huge corporations whose mission it is to squeeze as much money from the system, no matter the cost, including peoples lives? You get the carnage that is the American health care system. You get my week as a family doctor in the worst health care system in the world. This week a diabetic patient who stopped taking insulin because of the extreme cost came in with a terrible foot infection. This week a patient died in a hospital that has no physicians regularly seeing its patients. This week my own elderly father was in the hospital, and then a nursing home, and we were so concerned about the potential for mistakes, based on past experiences, that we had private nurses at his bedside around-the-clock. This week I saw a patient with abdominal pain, and there were so many insurance barriers to getting him evaluated as an outpatient that we gave up and sent him to the ER instead. On a daily basis, I read about the opioid crisis in part caused by doctors overprescribing dangerous narcotic pain medications. But this week I was called by a hospital risk management nurse who was demanding that I write a prescription for Dilaudid (a very powerful narcotic) for a patient I barely knew. I was threatened with legal action when I refused. And every day my staff and I struggled to find ways (and the extra time it requires) to get patients basic medications and testing despite an expanding system of insurance company prior authorization processes that make it harder and harder to do almost anything. A patient with asthma came in because her Asmanex (a commonly used inhaled steroid) was no longer covered. The patient was sent a list of other inhalers that were covered, but when we submitted a prescription for one of the listed medications, we were still required to go through a lengthy prior authorization process before it was approved. Another patient was having trouble getting the weight loss medication, Contrave. The first month, the medication had been covered, but when he tried to get a refill the second month, the pharmacy said it had been rejected because prior authorization was needed. My staff filled out the prior authorization questionnaire, and submitted it, only to find out that the medication was not covered. It was a complete waste of time. And this week, as always, I checked the extra boxes in my EMR and supplied the extra codes so that the government could get the data it demands so that it can judge the value of my care. And, as always, I did everything I could to provide value, prescribing all the medications necessary to lower blood pressures and glucose levels, immunizing every patient, and ordering tests for cancer screenings, all in the hopes that my quality metrics would be up to government standards, qualifying my practice for value-based incentive payments. But conversely, I also worried that all of the care my patients required to satisfy these value metrics would be costly, and my practice would be penalized for having high cost-of-care metrics. Im damned if I do, damned if I dont. That was my week in American health care 2018, where the system tries to make as much money as possible off of every patient, spending as little as possible on patient care, forcing us to use unusable computer systems to generate metrics that are impossible to attain. And if anything goes wrong, its my fault, and I get sued. It should be no surprise that heading up the list of Top 2018 Challenges in the December 2017 issue of Medical Economics is Avoiding burnout/remaining dedicated to medicine. We are in an abusive relationship that we cant get out of. But we soldier on, because we care deeply about our patients, and we still love taking care of them despite it all. I marvel every day at my staffs ability to work miracles, despite the incredible barriers and distractions, and to keep smiling while they do it. And we soldier on because there is still so much good going on and because this week one of our patients brought us a huge crockpot with French onion soup, with cheese to sprinkle on top, and delicious bread to dip in the broth. And we keep going because this week an elderly patients wife called us one afternoon to thank us for the great care we had given her husband the day before. But it is not a situation that is tolerable, nor that we should tolerate. Every physician must become a loud advocate and warrior for change. Patients need high quality, affordable health care. Doctors need a system that helps them, rather than hinders them, from delivering that care. Matthew Hahn is a family physician who blogs at his self-titled site, Matthew Hahn, MD. He is the author of Distracted: How Regulations Are Destroying the Practice of Medicine and Preventing True Health-Care Reform. Image credit: Shutterstock.com Over 2,000 people have taken part in a protest in Waterford city last Saturday over the lack of 24/7 cardiac care at University Hospital Waterford. Piltown Councillor Pat Dunphy said it was a very positive protest with several hundred people attending from Kilkenny including residents of Graignamanagh and Thomastown. He said: There was a big crowd. The official figure was 2,000 but it looked like a lot more than that. There was a good crowd, a good atmosphere and it was a good statement. There is a huge appetite for the campaign. A statement on behalf of the South East Patient Advocacy Group said: We would like to commend each and every person from the south east who came out on Saturday to defend our right to 24/7 cardiac care at UHW. We understand that all 19 Oireachtas members from the southeast are meeting with Minister Simon Harris on Wednesday, February 14 at 3.30pm. In this regard we are calling on all our elected representatives to impress upon the Minister for Health that there can be no more 'fudge' and he must find a way to set aside the Herity Report and implement the second cath lab and 24/7 cardiology services at UHW as recommended by Prof. John Higgins in 2012 without any further delay. Speaking at the protest, campaigner for 24-hour cardiac care in the South-East Hilary O'Neill said: We are standing in our regional hospital grounds. In there you will find a cath lab. A cath lab that is now closed until 9 o'clock on Monday morning. Isn't it shameful to say if anybody here has a heart attack right now they cannot get the treatment they need to save their life in this regional hospital. They would have to be put into the back of an ambulance and carted off to Cork not knowing whether they will get there alive or dead with their poor family racing behind them in a car hoping their loved one will make it. No other regional hospital's cath lab closes in the evening or at the weekends... this is unique only to UHW. The South South West Hospital Group confirmed that the Minister for Health has directed that UHW should put in place a short extension to the existing mobile cath lab contract. They added: A ten week extension is proposed. This will allow time for the SSWHG to review the recruitment required to meet the existing cath lab operating hours and to develop a plan to ensure the recommendations of the Herity report in this regard are implemented. Protesters said the extension is not enough and that a second cath lab and 24/7 cardiac care is what is required. Cllr Dunphy added: The most immediate thing is the need for emergency cover on weekends for people. UHW caters for much of the South-East. The mobile lab initiative, which is due to end on 14 February, was organised to supplement the work being done at the permanent cath lab inside the hospital. Kilkenny will honour one of its finest musicians keyboard players, Michael 'Mog' O'Grady with a very special tribute night in The Set Theatre on Friday, March 2. Many of the bands and musicians that Michael played with during his music career will be performing on the night. Brendan Ryder and Gay Brazel from Tweed will perform with their new line up The Backyard Band. Expect some Tweed favourites here. Trad/folk/rock band, Reel to Reel, are reforming especially for the gig while Billy Barron's new look Contraband are also on the bill. Andy Murray and Willie Maher from The 5th Degree will perform as will Kilkenny guitar legend Dave Prim. Also on the bill for what promises to be a night to remember are Carlow's John(GI) Brennan, Pat Ryan and many more. MC will be Pat Holland. Mog O'Grady as he is affectionately known began his musical career in 1968 when he joined The Nomads Showband in Kilkenny. From there he went on to play with The Jim Cantwell Big Band and following that went on to form the band Tweed with Brendan Ryder who also had been in the Nomads. Tweed went on to be one of Ireland's top bands with Michael writing many of their songs with Brendan on vocals. Michael's life took a new direction in 1974 when he left Tweed and the band scene and went to Birmingham to study Industrial Design. He later went on to be a lecturer in this subject for 33 years in the Carlow Institute of Technology. During this time he continued to play keyboards in bands like Contraband, Reel to Reel, Jigs and Power, Rappitup, Backdoor Blues, David O'Darby The 5th Degree and more. He also served 10 years on the Kilkenny Arts Festival Committee and was involved in many theatrical productions while also giving his time and talents freely to many charity gigs. He was a great supporter of Rockfall Music Festival in Kilkenny and in 1989 came up with the title Rockfall and also designed the first Rockfall poster which is still used today 30 years on. At the request of Michael O'Grady all profits from the night will be donated to the Kilkenny branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association. Doors 8.30. First act 9pm. Tickets 10 available from Langtons. Kingstree, SC (29556) Today Partly cloudy. High 86F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Islamic terror attacks in the West are far less common since 2017 Restaurant chain operator Jollibee Foods Corp. said it will infuse an additional $100 million to increase its stake in Smashburger Master Llc to 85 percent to expand its business in the United States. Jollibee said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it would acquire an additional 45-percent interest in Smashburger, pursuant to the amended deal finalized by both parties last year. Smashburger Master will retain the balance of 15 percent. Jollibee said the deal would enable it to consolidate Smashburgers operations into the company and increase its worldwide store network by 365 stores to 4,162. This will also expand JFCs geographical presence from 16 countries to 21, adding Costa Rica, Egypt, El Salvador, the United Kingdom and Panama. The acquisition will increase contribution to our worldwide system-wide sales from 5 percent to 15 percent. JFC will be able to participate in the very large mainstream American consumer market in addition to serving Filipino-Americans there, Jollibee chairman Tony Tan Caktiong said. JFC believes that it will be able to profitably provide the mainstream American consumer with superior tasting products with excellent services at very good value for money as it has demonstrated in the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brunei and the Middle East, he said. Jollibee initially purchased a 40-percent stake in Smashburger for $99 million in October 2015.Jollibee said it was expecting the share of its foreign business to its worldwide system-wide sales to go up to 30 percent from the current 20 percent once the deal was finalized over the next two months. JFC will eventually achieve its goal of 50/50 revenue split between the Philippines and foreign businesses even as its Philippine business continues to expand strongly since its foreign business is growing even faster, Tan Caktiong said. Jollibee said net income in 2017 jumped 15 percent to P7.1 billion from P6.45 billion in 2016 on higher revenues and aggressive rollout of stores. System-wide sales grew 15. percent to P171.7 billion in 2017 from P149.1 billion in 2016 as sales of restaurant chains in the Philippines expanded 13.2 percent while those abroad climbed 23.4 percent. The fast-food giant opened a record 465 stores last year to end 2017 with 3,797 stores worldwide. Jollibee earmarked P12 billion in capital expenditures this year, as it plans to open 328 new stores in the Philippines and 137 stores overseas. Feb 13, 2018, 2:23pm ET BMW was top U.S. automotive exporter in 2017 BMW shipped more than $8 billion worth of SUVs from the U.S. last year. BMW may be a German company, but the automaker announced on Tuesday that it exported more than 270,000 vehicles from the United States to other global markets last year. BMW's Spartanburg, South Carolina plant exported a total of 272,346 vehicles during the 2017 calendar year. Worth a collective $8.76 billion, BMW says that makes the Spartanburg plant the country's leading automotive exporter by value. "BMW X models manufactured in South Carolina continue to be a major contributor to the BMW Group's success, said Knudt Flor, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing. "Plant Spartanburg's achievement as the country's leading automotive exporter demonstrates BMW's trusted partnership with this state, its contribution to the U.S. balance of trade, and its commitment to the United States. The vast majority of those vehicles, around 87 percent, were exported through the Port of Charleston. The remaining vehicles were exported from various ports around the country, including Savannah, Georgia and Miami, Florida. The Spartanburg plant is responsible for producing several of BMW's SUV models, including the X3, X4, X5 and X6. Later this year the South Carolina plant will begin building the flagship X7 SUV, which should further bolster exports for 2018. The Spartanburg plant built 371,284 vehicles in total last year, but the plant has the capacity to build up to 450,000 units per year. Feb 13, 2018, 12:09pm ET GM facing showdown with South Korea over exit plans GM\'s plan to restructure its Korean operations may prove costly. The future of General Motors Korea is in doubt after GM announced Monday that it plans to shutter at least one of its operations in South Korea after years of under-utilization. GM referred to the closing as the "first step" in what it deems a "necessary" restructuring of its operations in the country, indicating it may be a prelude to a complete exit if the Korean government will not sweeten the pot as an incentive for GM to keep its facilities running. The Gunsan plant will close at the end of May after what the company claims is three years of running at only 20% of its designed capacity. The move is part of a broader effort by GM to tighten up under-performing operations worldwide. Closing Gunsan will be costly. GM says it will incur $850 million in charges between writing off non-cash assets and paying out some $375 million in "employee-related cash expenses." Mercedes-AMG to use Project One tech for series-produced models Feb 13, 2018, 5:33am ET Formula 1 components are coming to a Mercedes-AMG showroom near you. The Mercedes-AMG Project One is a rolling laboratory of Formula 1 components tweaked just enough to meet street-legal standards. The firm's head honcho revealed some parts of the powertrain will seep down into regular-production models in the coming years. Mercedes-AMG boss Tobias Moers told British magazine Autocar the Project One (pictured) is a "front-runner" for other models tentatively scheduled to arrive in 2020 or 2021. It gives AMG "a lot of options" as it studies ways to integrate an ever-increasing degree of electrification into its ever-growing lineup. Moers stopped short of revealing what he has in mind. However, Autocar speculates it's the electric part of the hybrid powertrain that's most likely to make the transition from limited to series production. Namely, the four electric motors and the lithium-ion battery pack that feeds them. One of the electric motors zaps the turbocharger into action. Another one lives in the rear driveshaft, while the last two motors power the front wheels. The through-the-road hybrid system provides all-wheel drive without a physical connection between the front and rear axles. Transferring it from the Project One to another car is easier said than done, though. As it stands, it's not possible to pluck the drivetrain from the One and drop it into the body of a C-Class, for example. The combustion engine takes up the space required by the front electric motors; AMG would either need to move it back, placing it well into the passenger compartment, or mount it somewhere behind the driver. Neither scenario looks likely. The solution would work well in another mid-engined car, but it doesn't sound like AMG has one in the works. Another option, one that's more feasible than the last two, would be to mount it backwards in a front-wheel drive model like the A-Class. The car's transversally-mounted four-cylinder would spin the front wheels while two electric motors would power the rear axle. Nothing is official yet; this is pure speculation. In the Project One, the gasoline part of the equation takes the form of a turbocharged 1.6-liter V6 engine that's closely related to the unit that powers Mercedes-AMG's Formula 1-winning car. Though interesting and highly advanced, it's unlikely to power other street-legal cars for reasons linked to cost and complexity. Photos by Ronan Glon. Feb 12, 2018, 4:37pm ET Nissan pivots from volume to profitability in North America Nissan will no longer chase volume alone. Nissan may be putting the pedal to the metal in China, but company CEO Hiroto Saikawa wants the automaker's North America boss to take his foot off the gas. That decree is in sharp contrast to the one put out by Saikawa's predecessor, Carlos Ghosn. Around the turn of the decade Ghosn, now chairman of Nissan, set the goal of hitting a 10 percent North American market share by 2017. Nissan hit that goal, but largely at the expense of profitable and brand value. Denis Le Vot, Nissan's newly appointed chairman of North American, will now have to figure out a way to reduce the company's dependence on incentives and fleet sales for volume. Saikawa has given Le Vot 60-days to come up with a plan. "Hopefully, we will be able to reach a very solid point in two years, Saikawa told Automotive News. "This is the first mission for the new chairman. Nissan has been ramping up production despite a dip in North American sales, resulting in a glut of vehicles languishing on dealer lots. Nissan currently has a 65-day supply of vehicles on hand, up from a 59-day supply at the beginning of January. In order to move that metal, Nissan has increased its average incentives spending to $4,572 per vehicle, or about $600 more than the industry average. As a result of that kind of spending combined with the slimmer margins of fleet sales that are so critical to Nissan's volume push the company's North American operating profit has plummeted by 41 percent. Although the exact details of Nissan's turnaround plan are still being ironed out, the company will start with cutting supply. Nissan is aiming to slash about 100,000 vehicles from its inventory by the end of next month, which it believes will reduce incentives spending by around $400 per vehicle. Increasing brand value will take much longer and will be evaluated on the company's residual values. While Portlaoise awaits a new courthouse to replace a 236 year old building, Laois TD and Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan has said courts should be 'comfortable and user friendly' at the opening of a new facility in Donegal. Minster Flangagan tweeted from the official opening of a state-of-the-art building in in Letterkenny. It has been hailed as the best in the country outside Dublin. The court was built as part of a 140 million public-private partnership that included a number of other buildings. Minister Flangan attended the opening this week. The Government has prioritised reform of the courts. It is only right that, as we reform and update our laws and our legal system, that we update our court structure," he said. Minister Flanagan, a solicitor, also tweeted. Delighted to be in Donegal. Courthouses are places where life-changing decisions are made daily. They should be comfortable & user friendly. https://t.co/hH2PccmE0v February 12, 2018 The first cases were heard in Letterkenny at the start of 2018. The new building has four courtrooms and facilities for video-conferencing, digital recording, and electronic display of evidence. Chief Justice, Mr Justice Frank Clarke said the former Donegal courthouse has been in use since 1831 and, while a fine building, could not meet modern needs. The Donegal Democrat reported that District Court Judge Paul Kelly was full of praise for the new building at the first sitting. It is a magnificent facility and it is literally state of the art. The facilities here are unrivaled except outside the CCJ (Criminal Courts of Justice) in Dublin and in my opinion it exceeds the CCJ, he said. The Courts Service has acknowledged that the Portlaoise Courthouse on Main St is no longer fit for purpose. The Service and Laois County Council are working to confirm a site for a new Laois courthouse. There have been repeated problems over the years with security, parking, space and other issues. The Portlaoise Courthouse was built in the year 1782 to replace the former building that had stood there for over two hundred years. It has been renovated in recent years but there are just two court chambers. The recent fares determination by the National Transport Authority (NTA) ignores the plight of commuters from Newbridge and further south in Kildare, according to Newbridge Labours Fair Fares campaign . The campaign has been gathering signatures and support for a fundamental review of the rail pricing structure since the extension of the Leap Card Zone to Sallins two years ago. READ MORE: Labour slams NTA's refusal to cut Newbridge and Kildare rail fares This saw a dramatic reduction in the cost of the fares to and from Dublin to that station. Patricia Callinan, local area representative for the Labour Party, said: Our campaign and meetings with the NTA appear to have created some awareness of the ridiculousness of the situation. You can travel from Heuston to Sallins and then switch to a train from Sallins to Newbridge for less than the cost of a single ticket from Heuston to Newbridge. Obviously this is a completely impractical proposition but it shows the craziness of the pricing structure and how south Kildare commuters are being penalised. She said in recent weeks the party noticed some slightly cheaper commuter promotion tickets and the NTA applied a modest 5% reduction in the cost of the adult single fare down from 15.05 to 14.30. However, most fares, including the student single (12.50), the adult monthly (237), the adult annual (2,370) and the student monthly (176) remain unchanged. Cllr Mark Wall accused the government and state agencies of a lack of joined-up thinking. He said; At a time when the new National Planning Framework is under discussion we need to face up to the fact that in this region most of the employment opportunities and college places are in Dublin. To add punitive transport costs on top of the travelling time involved is completely unfair to the workers and students trying to get to those jobs and courses, he said. Newbridge Labour is continuing to gather signatures for its campaign mainly through door to door canvassing. Ms Callinan said the recent NTA review was a missed opportunity but they do not intend to let up. Apr 27, 2021, 11 AM A pane of five stamps issued Jan. 29 celebrates the adding of Belgiums beer culture to UNESCOs Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016. The Smurfs were created in 1958, and their 60th anniversary is commemorated by Belgium on five new stamps issued in a pane of 10. Myriam Voz designed the Smurf stamps. By Denise McCarty Diamonds, beer and the Smurfs are making return appearances on the stamps of Belgium. Just in 1983 and 1984 alone, Belgium honored the diamond industry on a 10-franc stamp (Scott 1155), pictured a mug of beer on a Made in Belgium stamp (Scott 1162), and showed a Smurf letter carrier on a Youth Philately stamp (1182). These subjects are represented on other Belgian stamps as well. This time, Belgium is featuring all three on 15 stamps issued on the same day, Jan. 29. Antwerp is considered the diamond capital of the world, a title it has held for more than 500 years. Today, approximately 80 percent of the worlds rough diamonds and 50 percent of the polished diamonds are traded through the citys diamond district. The new souvenir sheet honoring Belgiums diamond sector is naturally diamond shaped as are the five stamps that are in the sheet. Connect with Linns Stamp News: Sign up for our newsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Kries Maes designed the stamps and sheet, using photographs supplied by Axel Vandeputte of the Antwerp World Diamond Center. In a behind-the-scenes video on Belgiums Bpost Facebook page, Maes said: The biggest challenge is to make the diamond shine on its own, without too many special effects. Its a round piece of stone. You have to show the evolution from rough to polished, the mapping, cutting, polishing. It was not easy to show that evolution in five stamps but I think we succeeded. Included in the selvage of the sheet below the words that translate to Diamond sector is the logo of the Kimberley Process. According to the World Diamond Council, The Kimberley Process is a certification system that prevents conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate diamond supply chain. Bposts security printer printed the sheet by offset, adding a glossy varnish to make the diamonds sparkle. In 2016, the beer culture in Belgium was inscribed on UNESCOs Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. UNESCO said: Making and appreciating beer is part of the living heritage of a range of communities throughout Belgium. It plays a role in daily life, as well as festive occasions. Almost 1,500 types of beer are produced in the country using different fermentation methods. The new Belgian pane of five nondenominated stamps for international mail honors this recognition. The logos of UNESCO and Intangible Cultural Heritage are shown in selvage in the lower right. Beer bottles and bubbles from the head of the beer also are depicted in the selvage. Leen De Pooter designed the stamps and the pane. The stamps reproduce photographs representing five facets of the Belgian beer culture: craft, diversity, culture, beer and gastronomy, and the social aspect. Belgian cartoonist Pierre Culliford (1928-92), known as Peyo, created the Smurfs in 1958, drawing his inspiration for these blue characters from trolls of Nordic fairy tales. The Smurfs received their own comic book series the following year and later starred in movies and a television series. For the 60th anniversary of the Smurfs, Belgium issued a pane of 10 nondenominated domestic-rate stamps with five different designs featuring drawings by Culliford of Brainy Smurf, Grouchy Smurf, Smurfette, Black Smurf (who is painting himself blue), and Papa Smurf. Myriam Voz designed the Smurf stamps, and Bposts security printer printed them by offset. HONEY, IM HOME. This man, holding the hand of his daughter, among 315 adults and eight children repatriated from Kuwait, might as well be singing Shania Twains song Honey, Im home and I had a hard day/ Pour me a cold one and oh, by the way/ Rub my feet, gimme something to eat/ Fix me up my favorite treat. Thousands are expected to arrive home from the Gulf state after the government launched its repatriation program and total ban on deployment to Kuwait of Filipino workers. Eric Apolonio PRESIDENTIAL Spokesperson Harry Roque said the Philippine government, which totally banned the deployment of Filipino workers to Kuwait, will hold the Gulf state responsible under the concept of state responsibility for failure to provide legal redress for Filipino victims. This followed the discovery of the body of a Filipina household worker tortured and kept inside a freezer for almost a year. In a press briefing, Roque said Kuwait, under international law, had legal obligation to provide legal redress for victims of crimes in Kuwait. At the same time, President Rodrigo Duterte had directed the Department of Labor and Employment to totally ban the deployment of Filipinos to Kuwait following that discovery that a Filipina household worker was found tortured and kept inside a freezer for almost a year. Several Filipino workers have died from abusive employers, prompting the government to make drastic action by banning the deployment of OFWs in the Gulf state.Duterte repeatedly appealed to Kuwaiti government to provide protection to OFWs, Roque said, adding that if Kuwait fails in this regard, then it will incur international responsibility for an internationally wrongful act. However, Roque said the President was carefully weighing options as far as Kuwait was concerned. The presidential spokesperson also said around 400 Filipinos from Kuwait had arrived in Manila. They belong to the first batch of Filipinos who have been allowed to leave after applying for amnesty in Kuwait. They include Filipinos who have overstayed or escaped from their employers. In related developments: Senator Cynthia Villar cited the need to review the countrys whole overseas employment program with the death of the Filipina in Kuwait. She expressed her support for Dutertes decision to totally ban the deployment of Filipino workers to Kuwait. The deployment ban issued by President Rodrigo Duterte to Kuwait signals the need for us to re-examine the social costs of labor migration especially for domestic workers. We need to strengthen our own domestic job market and increase the labor participation of women especially those in rural areas, Villar said. I believe the entire overseas employment program needs to be reviewed because it is more than 40 years old. Much has happened in the global workforce since its inception, she added. Villar also expressed sympathies to the grieving family of Joanna Daniela Demafelis. Let us use this time to reflect on what we can all do to help our women look for jobs here at home instead of leaving to work as domestic workers especially in the Middle East. They will go where the jobs are, and there are countries that take their contributions and sacrifices for granted, she added. Senator Francisco Escudero underscored the need for the Philippine government to craft a comprehensive labor policy and tap countries that would protect overseas Filipino workers from maltreatment and abuse once they are employed. He said a comprehensive labor migration policy for OFWs should be put in place to prevent maltreatment and abuse, especially among Filipino domestic workers who are most vulnerable to maltreatment, sexual abuse and exploitation. The government should also address the common complaints of OFWs such as labor malpractice, non-payment of overtime, poor accommodation, discrepancies, in wages and repatriation in cases of crisis, and other health and safety issues, Escudero said. OFW cash remittances boost our economy and I think the best way to repay them is to ensure that they would be safe and properly compensated in the countries where they would be deployed, Escudero said. According to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, OFW cash remittances from January to November 2017 amounted to $25.3 billion. Escudero added that apart from the countrys total OFW deployment ban to Kuwait, the Philippine government should go after abusive employers and hold them accountable.Escudero said there should be bilateral talks between the Philippines and Kuwait to seek justice for the victims families. Meanwhile, Senator Win Gatchalian expressed his gratitude to the Department of Education for throwing its full support behind his measure, the Human Trafficking Preventive Education Program Act (Senate Bill No. 992), which aims to protect the youth from becoming victims of human trafficking. Although everyone is focused on the fight against drugs, human trafficking remains a real and present problem of our country. That is why we propose to institutionalize this fight, to make it more extensive without adding so much burden to the schools, he said. The bill seeks to create a comprehensive Human Trafficking Preventive Program that aims to inculcate among the youth their fundamental rights as persons, educate them on the dangers of human trafficking in its various forms, and arm them with information on the services made available by the government and other non-government organizations to protect them from human trafficking. The program shall be established by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, which will implement the program through school-based and community-based tracks. During a hearing of the Senate Committee on Youth chaired by Senator Joel Villanueva, DepEd Undersecretary Tonisito Umali lauded Gatchalians bill as it institutionalizes and further strengthens the agencys Child Protection Policy (or DepEd Order No. 40, series of 2012). An official of the Department of Foreign Affairs clarified the 800 individuals who arrived Monday were Filipino overseas workers who illegally worked in Kuwait and availed themselves of the amnesty program. The 377 workers composed the first batch, which the DFA claimed to have been repatriated, and were among 10,000 Filipinos who had overstayed in Kuwait and not under President Rodrigo Dutertes directives of employment ban. The one currently being repatriated are those who availed themselves of the amnesty program for overstaying Filipino nationals that the Kuwait government approved last month, DFA acting spokeswoman Charmaine Aviquivil said. The Embassy and Philippine Overseas Labor Office or POLO in Kuwait expect that more than 10,000 Filipinos who have overstayed their visas are qualified for repatriation. According to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, hundreds of Filipinos had been coming to the Embassy daily to register and initiate the process for their repatriation since the first day of the amnesty on Jan. 29. To date, some 2,229 Filipinos have been issued travel documents, and 1,754 of already have been granted immigration clearances, Bello said. The Philippine Embassy and POLO in Kuwait are now rushing to repatriate as many as 10,000 overstaying Filipinos who are expected to avail an amnesty program arranged with the Kuwaiti government, DFA Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said Monday. The Embassy and POLO in Kuwait expect that more than 10,000 Filipinos who have overstayed their visas are qualified for repatriation, Arriola said. According to the agency, the amnesty program was approved by the Kuwaiti government in January 2018 upon representations made by the Philipine government through the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait. Those who opt for repatriation from Kuwait will be given P5,000 financial assistance and a further P20,000 assistance for alternative livelihood, Bello said. The missions all over the Middle East in particular have been instructed to find alternative employment for OFWs who have opted for voluntary repatriation from Kuwait. We are particularly keen on finding alternative employment in countries such Oman and Bahrain, both of which are signatories to the relevant ILO Convention that protects migrant workers, he added. Meanwhile, some 25,000 OFWs who have ready visas for Kuwait will have to cool their heels after Duterte ordered Bello to implement a total deployment ban for workers to Kuwait in the wake of Filipina deaths in that country. Most of the 25,000 workers are Household Service Workers whose contracts had been approved in Kuwait by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office and these workers had taken medical examinations at the expense of the recruitment agencies aside from housing them in accommodations provided by the agencies while waiting for their deployment, according to Emmanuel Geslani, a recruitment and migration expert. An average of 5,000 HSWs were deployed weekly for the past year 2017 and the total number was expected to surpass the 2016 figure. In 2016 around 105,000 OFWs were deployed to Kuwait. The respiratory system is responsible for bringing our body oxygen and expelling waste products such as carbon dioxide. The human respiratory system is a network of organs responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide. Its primary organs are the lungs , which carry out this exchange of gases as we breathe. The lungs work with the circulatory system to pump oxygen-rich blood to all cells in the body. The blood then collects carbon dioxide and other waste products and transports them back to the lungs, where the waste products are pumped out of the body when we exhale, according to the American Lung Association . The human body needs oxygen to sustain itself. After only about five minutes without oxygen, brain cells begin dying, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke , which can lead to brain damage and ultimately death. Related: Gasp! 11 surprising facts about the respiratory system In humans, the average breathing, or respiratory rate, mostly depends on age. A newborn's normal breathing rate is about 40 to 60 times each minute and may slow to 30 to 40 times per minute when the baby is sleeping, according to Stanford Children's Health . The average resting respiratory rate for adults is 12 to 16 breaths per minute, and up to 40 to 60 breaths per minute during exercise, according to the European Respiratory Society . Parts of the respiratory system There are many components to the respiratory system. They include: Nose Mouth Throat (pharynx) Voice box (larynx) Windpipe (trachea) Large airways (bronchi) Small airways (bronchioles) Lungs Diaphragm As we breathe, oxygen enters the nose or mouth and passes the sinuses, which are hollow spaces in the skull that help regulate the temperature and humidity of the air we breathe. From the sinuses, air passes through the trachea, also called the windpipe, and into the bronchial tubes, which are the two tubes that carry air into each lung (each one is called a bronchus). The bronchial tubes are lined with tiny hairs called cilia that move back and forth, carrying mucus up and out. Mucus is a sticky fluid that collects dust, germs and other matter that has invaded the lungs and is what we expel when we sneeze and cough. Related: Where does all my snot come from? The bronchial tubes split up again to carry air into the lobes of each lung. The right lung has three lobes while the left lung has only two, to accommodate room for the heart, according to the American Lung Association . The lobes are filled with small, spongy sacs called alveoli, which is where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs. From the trachea, air enters the bronchial tubes which split up and reach into the three lobes of the right lung and the two lobes of the left lung. (Image credit: Shutterstock) Infographic on the respiratory system. Click the image to enlarge. (Image credit: Ross Toro, Livescience contributor) The alveolar walls are extremely thin (about 0.2 micrometers) and are composed of a single layer of tissues called epithelial cells and tiny blood vessels called pulmonary capillaries. Blood in the capillaries picks up oxygen and drops off carbon dioxide. The oxygenated blood then makes its way to the pulmonary veins. These four veins, two from each lung, carry oxygen-rich blood to the left side of the heart, where it is pumped to all parts of the body. The carbon dioxide the blood left behind moves into the alveoli and gets expelled in our exhaled breath. The diaphragm, a dome-shaped muscle at the bottom of the lungs, controls breathing and separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. When air gets taken in, the diaphragm tightens and moves downward, making more space for the lungs to fill with air and expand, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. During exhalation, the diaphragm expands and compresses the lungs, forcing air out. Respiratory system diseases Diseases and conditions of the respiratory system fall into two categories: Infections, such as influenza , bacterial pneumonia and enterovirus respiratory virus, and chronic diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) . Viral infections Not much can be done for viral infections but to let them run their course, according to Dr. Neal Chaisson, who practices pulmonary medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. "Antibiotics are not effective in treating viruses and the best thing to do is just rest," he said. For most healthy individuals, the most common respiratory ailment they may face is an infection, said Dr. Matthew Exline, a pulmonologist and critical care expert at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. A cough is the first symptom, possibly accompanied by a fever. Related: The gross science of a cough and a sneeze "However, a cough can be a sign of chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic bronchitis or emphysema," he said. "In chronic lung disease, most respiratory diseases present with shortness of breath, initially with exertion, such as walking a significant distance or climbing several flights of stairs." Coughing is usually the first sign of a respiratory infection. (Image credit: Shutterstock) Asthma Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the lung airways that causes coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath, according to Tonya Winders, president of the Allergy & Asthma Network. These signs and symptoms may be worse when a person is exposed to their triggers, which can include air pollution, tobacco smoke, factory fumes, cleaning solvents, infections, pollens, foods, cold air, exercise, chemicals and medications. Exercise can also induce asthma. More than 25 million people (or 1 in 13 adults and 1 in 12 children) in the United States have asthma, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) . For some people, asthma is a mild irritation, but for others it can be a life-threatening condition, according to the Mayo Clinic . Asthma cannot be cured, but its symptoms can be managed. Early identification and treatment can prevent long-term damage and stop asthma from getting worse over time. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) COPD is a chronic and progressive disease in which the air flow in and out of the lungs decreases, making it harder to breathe. COPD is a combination of chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tubes) and emphysema (damaged alveoli), according to the Mayo Clinic . Smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Over time, the airways of people with COPD become inflamed and thicken, making it harder to get rid of waste carbon dioxide, according to the American Lung Association . As the disease progresses, patients experience a shortness of breath, and it can limit activity. More than 16 million Americans are affected by COPD, according to the CDC . COPD has no cure, but it can be treated. A common respiratory system disease is asthma, which is chronic inflammation of the lung's airways. The disease isn't curable, but its symptoms can be managed with tools such as an inhaler. (Image credit: Getty Images/Justin Paget) Lung cancer Lung cancer is often associated with smoking, but the disease can affect nonsmokers as well. It is the second most common cancer for both men and women, outranked by prostate and breast cancers, respectively. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that in 2021, there will be about 235,760 new cases of lung cancer (119,100 in men and 116,660 in women) and around 131,880 deaths from lung cancer (69,410 in men and 62,470 in women) in the United States. However, the number of lung cancer deaths has been on a downward slope in recent years due to advances in treatment and early detection.Most people diagnosed with lung cancer are older than 65, and the average age of people diagnosed with lung cancer is 70, according to ACS. There are two different types of lung cancer, which is cancer that originates in the lungs as opposed to cancer that spreads to the lungs small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic . Small cell lung cancer is most commonly found in heavy smokers, and is less common than non-small cell lung cancer. The main symptoms for lung cancer are shortness of breath, pain, coughing up blood, and fluid in the lungs. A doctor diagnoses lung cancer by performing imaging tests, such as a CT scan; testing coughed-up sputum; and a lung biopsy. Treatment is based on the extent of the lung cancer, and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. Treatments range from surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, through to palliative care. Additional resources Read more about the anatomy of the respiratory system from the University of Rochester Medical Center. from the University of Rochester Medical Center. Watch " Meet the Lungs ," from the Khan Academy. ," from the Khan Academy. Check out this useful diagram of the respiratory system , from The Lung Association. This article was updated on July 16, 2021 by Live Science Contributor Sarah Wild. Humans like to be at the center of things. The early Greeks knew the Earth was round, but most of them could not imagine that the land they walked on was anything but the dead center of reality. Maimonides, the medieval Spanish-Egyptian Jewish philosopher, took that geocentrism to heart, arguing that even the ancient Hebrew Bible described a world where everything revolved around our planet a position that Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, defended using Albert Einstein's theory of relativity as recently as 1975. It took more than 350 years for the Catholic Church to apologize (in 1992!) for imprisoning the great heliocentrist astronomer Galileo Galilei and forcing him to recant his description of the solar system. In the modern era, no serious thinker argues that the Earth has some special physical centrality in the universe. (Schneerson's paper claimed only that the Earth could be seen as the center of the universe from a particular reference frame.) All the evidence of the great telescopes has shown that Earth is just another small, rocky world orbiting a smallish sun in a far-flung region of a medium-size galaxy. But there's another idea out there, popular among some of the greatest scientists alive, that centers humans (and creatures like us) to an extent that the ancient philosophers couldn't have imagined. It's so outlandish that Maimonides would likely have considered it a heresy, a violation of his principle that God and only God willed the universe into being. [Creationism vs. Evolution: 6 Big Battles] Here's how it goes: The universe is perfect eerily, uncannily perfect as a setting for creating life. All sorts of physical constants the speed of light, the charge of an electron, the ratios of the four fundamental forces (gravity, electromagnetism, weak and strong) seem fine-tuned to create a universe where life as we know it could emerge. Here's how the writer Anil Ananthaswamy explained one example for PBS: "[The neutron] is 1.00137841870 times heavier than the proton [a bare hydrogen nucleus], which is what allows it [a neutron] to decay into a proton, electron and neutrino a process that determined the relative abundances of hydrogen and helium after the Big Bang and gave us a universe dominated by hydrogen. If the neutron-to-proton mass ratio were even slightly different, we would be living in a very different universe: one, perhaps, with far too much helium, in which stars would have burned out too quickly for life to evolve, or one in which protons decayed into neutrons rather than the other way around, leaving the universe without atoms. So, in fact, we wouldn't be living here at all we wouldn't exist." That is, even as tiny a number as the mass of a neutron the subatomic particle inside all atomic nuclei except that of hydrogen is perfectly calibrated to allow worlds like Earth to emerge and survive over long spans. This, the thinking goes, is evidence that our universe exists only because there are thinking beings here to observe it. The idea has some relation to a basic principle of the world of the very small: According to quantum mechanics, a particle takes on a particular speed or a particular location only because someone observed it. Before it was observed, the particle just had a range of possible speeds or locations in space. Perhaps a universe pops into full existence only when its physical constants are just such that they might be observed? It's a strange and radical way of thinking about this vast space and our place in it. But it's not a fringe idea. "The remarkable fact is that the values of [fundamental physics] numbers seem to have been very finely adjusted to make possible the development of life," the physicist Stephen Hawking wrote in his 1988 book "A Brief History of Time." [8 Shocking Things We Learned from Stephen Hawking's Book] "For example," he went on, "if the electric charge of the electron had been only slightly different, stars either would have been unable to burn hydrogen and helium, or else they would not have exploded. Of course, there might be other forms of intelligent life, not dreamed of even by writers of science fiction, that did not require the light of a star like the sun or the heavier chemical elements that are made in stars and are flung back into space when the stars explode. "Nevertheless, it seems clear that there are relatively few ranges of values for the numbers that would allow the development of any form of intelligent life. Most sets of values would give rise to universes that, although they might be very beautiful, would contain no one able to wonder at that beauty." The universe might very well exist only so that we, and creatures like us, might live to see it. Even Hawking suggests the possibility. Got the weak force? But not everyone is convinced. In a new paper made available Jan. 18 at the preprint website arXiv.org, a team of University of Michigan astronomers and physicists made the case that even a vastly different universe might support life. Starting from physical principles, the researchers worked out how a universe might develop with one of its fundamental forces amputated entirely. Remember the weak force mentioned above? It's got the least impressive name of the four fundamentals, but it by no means played a minor part in how our universe came together. As Live Science previously reported, weak is the force of decay. When big particles fall apart into small particles, it's not because the strong force holding them together has failed. Rather, the weak force has forced them apart. "I would say that the weak force is most important in the sun [and other stars]," said Evan Grohs, one of the authors of the arXiv paper. When the hot mass of a burning star forces two protons bare hydrogen nuclei together, Grohs told Live Science, they fuse into a hydrogen isotope called a deuteron (along with some spare particles). This is a weak force interaction. The deuteron then fuses with another free proton to form a nucleus of two protons and one neutron (which is also known as helium-3). That's an electromagnetic interaction. Finally, the strong force brings that helium-3 particle together with another helium 3, forming a helium-4 nucleus and two free protons. Without the weak force, that chain of events couldn't happen, and the sun would quickly burn itself out. Similarly, the weak force is responsible for the abundance of water in the universe, Grohs said, a feature generally thought necessary for life. During and shortly after the Big Bang, the weak force caused free neutrons to decay into single protons loose hydrogen nuclei floating free in the universe. Just about all the hydrogen around today is a result of those weak-force interactions during the Big Bang era, Grohs said. And their abundance is necessary for the formation of water, with its two hydrogen atoms to each oxygen atom. If a universe formed that was otherwise entirely like ours, but missing the weak force, just about all the free neutrons and protons would fuse together into helium in the few moments after the universe emerged, according to Grohs. A vast, dim sun across an oxygen-rich sky But Grohs and his colleagues, in their paper, imagined a "weakless" universe with some other key parameters changed. Their universe, they showed, would still seem to meet all the known requirements for life. [Top 5 Reasons We May Live in a Multiverse] First, their universe would begin with way more photons (that is, light) than matter particles screaming into space reducing the ratio of starting matter to energy by a factor of at least 100 compared to our universe, the researchers said. Out of that high-energy, low-matter particle cloud, they calculated, would emerge a mix of protons, free neutrons, deuterium (another hydrogen isotope) and helium similar to the one in our universe. And then, for a long time, whatever alien god created this weakless place could just sit back and wait. The weak force acts on tiny scales, affecting the behaviors of elementary particles. So, in this other universe, with the large-scale forces of gravity and electromagnetism intact, clouds of matter would still form galactic discs and condense into stars, the researchers showed. There would be some differences, the scientists found most importantly, an unusual abundance of deuterium resulting from all those free protons and neutrons floating around. However, nothing would upset the basic structure of space. Finally, when it came time to light up the stars, the alien god should look closely. Without a weak force in this oddball universe, hydrogen wouldn't fuse into helium. But there would be a lot of deuterium there, and deuterium lights up the darkness in its own way. Smash a free proton into deuterium, and the strong force will bind the two particles together in a flash of energy, leaving behind the heavy helium isotope helium-3. This deuterium fusion burns less brightly than the weak-force process that occurs in our sun. Most of the stars in the alternate universe would form into something like our red giants: big and dim and gone in just a short span of time. But some stars that would burn longer, some more than a billion years. And that's critical. "We don't have any other examples of life besides this planet," Grohs said, and on this planet, life took about a billion years to form. There's no reason, Grohs said, to assume it would take any more (or less) time in his weakless other place. That means you would likely need these long-lasting stars for life to take root, he said. So, what would it be like to walk around on a planet orbiting in weakless space? "I think one thing you would notice is that you probably wouldn't have as many solid structures, because you're not going to have those heavy Earth elements like you have on our planet," Grohs told Live Science. In the weakless universe, as in ours, stars would be chemical factories. As the stars aged, they would fuse more and more protons onto their heaviest particles, building heavier elements. In our universe, this process goes pretty far, building plenty of oxygen and carbon, but also heavy iron and even a significant amount of superheavy radioactive elements like uranium. But in the weakless universe, without neutron decay, strong-force fusion would mostly run out of steam at around the level of nickel, a relatively light element, with just 28 protons. Heavier atoms like iron, gold, iodine and xenon might still emerge, but in much smaller quantities, Grohs said. Lighter chemicals, like oxygen and carbon, Grohs said, would be much more abundant. Still, he added, "I think if you were on a planet in a weakless universe, it would be fairly similar. The stars might be a little larger if you looked into the sky, because in order to have a star that burns deuterium for billions of years, it needs to actually physically have a larger radius than an equivalent star in our universe, and in addition, it doesn't shine as brightly." So, a life-supporting planet in a weakless universe would likely be much closer to its much-larger star, a big, unusually dim disc taking up a large fraction of the sky. Grohs acknowledged that the research is fundamentally speculative. "This is all theoretical," he said. "We don't have any evidence to suggest that there are other universes beyond what we can see." And the questions he and his colleagues answer whether an alien universe could have water or structure or long-lasting stars might not be an exhaustive list of factors necessary to produce life, he said. And a weakless universe might not even be the best candidate for an alternative universe that might produce life. Still, Grohs said, this paper throws a wrench in the argument that there's something special or necessary about the life-giving physical constants of our universe. And it raises the real possibility that our perception just isn't at the center of things at all. Originally published on Live Science. None of the human skulls had jaw bones. There was one human jaw bone at the site, but it wasn't associated with any of the skulls. The discovery of a burial containing 8,000-year-old battered human skulls, including two that still have pointed wooden stakes through them, has left archaeologists baffled, according to a new study from Sweden. It's hard to make heads or tails of the finding: During the Stone Age, the grave would have sat at the bottom of a small lake, meaning that the skulls would have been placed underwater. Moreover, of the remains of at least 11 adults placed on top of the grave, only one had a jawbone, the researchers said. The burial did contain other jawbones, although none of them, except for an infant's, were human. While excavating the site, archaeologists found various animal bones, including dismembered jawbones and arms and legs (all from the right side of the body), said study co-lead researcher Fredrik Hallgren, an archaeologist at the Cultural Heritage Foundation in Vasteras, Sweden. [See Images from the Mysterious Burial Found in Sweden] "Here, we have an example of a very complex ritual, which is very structured," Hallgren told Live Science. "Even though we can't decipher the meaning of the ritual, we can still appreciate the complexity of it, of these prehistoric hunter-gatherers." Traumatic blows The ancient burial site holds 11 adults (mostly their skulls and a few bones) and nearly the entire skeleton of an infant, who was likely stillborn or died shortly after birth. It was difficult to identify the sex of some, but at least three of the adults were female and six or seven were males, the researchers said. One of the two skulls found at the burial site that had a pointed, wooden stake sticking out of it. (Image credit: Fredrik Hallgren; Antiquity 2018) Seven of the adults, including two of the females, showed signs of "blunt-force trauma" on their skulls, the researchers wrote in the study. But this trauma didn't kill them, at least not immediately, because all of the skulls showed signs of healing, Hallgren said. "Somebody gave them love and care after this [trauma] and healed them back to life again," he said. An analysis shed some light on the ancient carnage: The majority of the trauma happened above the hat line, which "is an indication that this trauma is the result of violence between humans," Hallgren said. What's more, the men tended to have trauma on top of and on the front of their heads, while the women's injuries were located on the backs of their heads, the researchers said. Even more astounding were the wooden stakes found in two of the skulls. One stake had broken, but the other was long, about 1.5 feet (47 centimeters) in length, and both likely served as handles or mounts for the skulls, Hallgren said. They found a piece of brain tissue inside the skull with the broken stake through it. The fact that the 8,000-year-old brain didn't decompose suggests that the individual was placed in the water soon after death, Hallgren said. However, some of the other skulls may have been placed there long after death, as it's possible the site may have served as a second burial for them, Hallgren said. [25 Grisly Archaeological Discoveries] Enigmatic structure This strange burial site would have been hidden from view during the Stone Age, except for a few wooden stakes that may have poked above the water's edge, Hallgren said. Whoever made the grave began by tightly placing large stones and wooden stakes together at the lake's bottom, making a flat structure measuring about 39 feet by 46 feet (12 by 14 meters), meaning each side was about the length of a school bus. The bones were placed on top of these stones in a particular order; archaeologists found the human remains in the center of the structure, brown bear bones on the southern part and, finally, big game animals, including wild boar, red deer, moose and roe deer, on the southeastern part of the stone packing. "It's a very enigmatic structure," Hallgren said. "We really don't understand the reason why they did this and why they put it under water." The burial was large, about 39 feet by 46 feet (12 by 14 meters). The bottom of the burial was made of large stones and wooden stakes. On top of the packed stone, Stone Age people placed the bones in a certain order. The humans (red) were in the middle, while the brown bears (blue) were south of the humans and the wild boar (yellow) were southeast of the humans. (Image credit: Gummesson, S. et al./Antiquity 2018) Though mysterious, the underwater burial had an upside: it preserved the remains for posterity. The bottom of the lake was a low-oxygen environment, meaning there wasn't much oxygen available for bone-decaying microorganisms, Hallgren said. In addition, limestone in the region's bedrock made the soil more alkaline (or basic), so the bones didn't leach away due to acid rain or acidic groundwater, Hallgren said. Over time, the lake became overrun with reeds, and it turned into a bog. Eventually, a forest grew over the bog, but the area is still watery. Archaeologists were initially called to the area located at the archaeological site of Kanaljorden, in eastern-central Sweden to survey it for artifacts before the construction of a new railroad and bridge, Hallgren said. Once they found the strange burial, which was still located underwater, they immediately got to work, excavating from 2009 to 2013. "The peat was still wet," Hallgren said. "In some parts of the site, we had to keep an electrical pump running to pump out the water that was running from the ground." What happened? It's anyone's guess what caused these ancient people so much trauma, and what prompted the unusual burial. It's possible the people were part of a stigmatized group perhaps, for instance, they were slaves. But it was uncommon for hunter-gatherer cultures, which were often on the move, to own slaves, the researchers said. Or maybe the people were victims of a raid from another hunter-gatherer group, and the unique burial was a way to honor them for their courage, the researchers said. [Photos: The Oldest Known Evidence of Warfare Unearthed] "The people who were deposited like this in the lake, they weren't average people," Hallgren said, "but probably people who, after they died, had been selected to be included in this ritual because of who they were, because of things they experienced in life." The discovery is "very interesting, but also very perplexing," said Mark Golitko, an assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Notre Dame, who was not involved in the study. Golitko studies archaeological sites in Europe that have signs of ancient violence. "Most of the sites you can look at and get a rough sense of what's going on, but this is one of those where it's, like, I really don't know. It's a very strange site," Golitko told Live Science. Between the trauma to the skulls and the strange burial, "There's clearly something ritual going on here," Golitko said. "What all that means, I don't think we'll ever know." The study was published online today (Feb. 13) in the journal Antiquity. Original article on Live Science. An Arizona woman woke up speaking with a British accent, even though she's lived in the U.S. all her life, according to news reports. The woman, Michelle Myers, said that in 2015, she went to bed with a "blinding headache" and woke up sounding British, according to ABC affiliate KNXV. Her across-the-pond accent has remained for the past two years. "Everybody only sees or hears Mary Poppins" when they listen to her speak, Myers told KNXV. Previously, Myers said she has woken up speaking in Irish and Australian accents, but on both of those occasions, the accents lasted for only a week. Myers has been diagnosed with foreign accent syndrome (FAS), a disorder in which a person experiences a sudden change to their speech so that they sound like they are speaking in a foreign accent, according to The University of Texas at Dallas. The condition is most often caused by a stroke or traumatic brain injury. Although people with FAS have intelligible speech, their manner of speaking may be altered in terms of timing, intonation or tongue placement, so they sound foreign, UT Dallas says. For example, they may distort their pronunciation of vowels or substitute vowels (so "yeah" becomes "yah," for example). It's not clear whether Myers has experienced a stroke or other brain damage. But she also has a condition called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which affects connective tissue in the body, and that condition can result in loose joints, stretchy skin, easy bruising, as well as the rupturing of blood vessels, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Foreign accent syndrome is rare, with only about 60 cases reported within the past century, according to a 2011 study. In 2010, a woman in Virginia reportedly spoke with a Russian accent after she fell down the stairs and hit her head, according to The Washington Post. In another case, a woman from Ontario, Canada, started speaking in Maritime (Atlantic) Canadian English after she had a stroke. Original article on Live Science. A very quiet plane could be coming very fast. The recent 2019 NASA budget request was, as Live Science sister site Space.com reported, light on science and funding for the International Space Station but heavy on commercialization and space exploration. In this proposed budget, President Donald Trump's administration also announced its intention to fully fund a new experimental supersonic airplane. The aircraft, the latest addition to the X-series dating back to Chuck Yeager's sound-barrier-breaking craft, the X-1, will be designed to be much quieter than previous faster-than-sound jets. The plane, called the Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator, would make its first flight in 2021 if the budget line is approved and the craft's development goes according to plan. It's meant as a test bed for technologies that could one day show up on commercial planes, the budget states. It would allow for faster-than-sound travel without the glass-shattering booms that characterize supersonic fighter jets and that enraged Queens, New York, residents during the era of the supersonic New York-to-Europe Concorde jet. Here's the problem the quiet supersonic craft could solve: When a plane moves slower than sound, the jet's sound waves arrive on the ground in pretty similar shape to how they left the engine (with perhaps a little distortion and pitch-shifting thanks to things like the Doppler effect.) But as Pennsylvania State University's NoiseQuest lab explained on its website when planes move faster than sound, they outrun their own engine noise, with the vibrations spreading out behind them through the air in a kind of invisible wake. [Supersonic! The 10 Fastest Military Airplanes] That wake crashes into the ground as a powerful shock wave, with all the vibrations of a supersonic engine's approach compressed together. They all arrive at each spot that they reach within moments of each other, so instead of the drawn-out whine of an aircraft approaching, observers below hear a single, teeth-rattling boom. People don't generally like normal airport noise, as the NoiseQuest lab notes, and people definitely don't like when that sound arrives in a series of shocking crashes. That's led to the 1973 Federal Aviation Administration regulation 91.817, which prohibits civilians from engaging in supersonic flight over land in the United States. No supersonic civilian jets have operated since the Concorde was retired in 2003, NASA wrote in a statement accompanying the budget. (The Concorde only flew at subsonic speeds overland in US territory.) Lockheed Martin has been awarded a preliminary budget to build the new quiet X-plane. The company aims, according to earlier reporting by Bloomberg on the project, to reach a NASA target of 60 to 65 decibels per boom (at least as heard from the ground) by designing a low-sound airframe shape and using engine placement that reduces noise. This would be much quieter than existing supersonic jets. In this statement, NASA said that the goal is a sonic boom "so quiet it hardly will be noticed by the public, if at all like distant thunder [or] the sound of your neighbor forcefully shutting his car door outside while you are inside." NASA is also requesting funds for research into "hypersonic" aircraft, machines that go many times the speed of sound. As Space.com reported, such planes have possible applications as weapons or for space travel. In a quote printed alongside the requests, Vice President Mike Pence put these goals in the context of a rose-tinted, Manifest Destiny-inflected vision of American history: "Like the railroads that brought American explorers, entrepreneurs and settlers to tame the Wild West, these groundbreaking new technologies will open untold opportunities to extend the range of American action and values into the new worlds of outer space," the vice president said. "And by fostering much stronger partnerships between the federal government and the realm of industry, and bringing the full force of our national interest to bear, American leadership in space will be assured." Originally published on Live Science. Researchers studying the interstellar object 'Oumuamua said that it might have an icy core concealed by a rocky, protective crust. An interstellar object called 'Oumuamua has confounded astronomers ever since it passed through our solar system in October of last year. Scientists initially thought that the object the first-ever visitor from another solar system spotted by Earth-based telescopes was a comet. Later, they considered it an asteroid and even later described it as a possibly comet-like icy body with a rocky crust. Now, scientists have found that in addition to its confusing appearance, 'Oumuamua an up to 1,300-foot-long (400 meters), cucumber-shaped object likely has a rather dramatic history. [Danger! Falling Rocks: Meteorites and Asteroids (Infographic)] When astronomers from Queen's University Belfast in Northern Ireland observed the changes in the object's brightness, they found that it is not spinning regularly, like the majority of known asteroids and small bodies in the solar system do. Rather, it is chaotically tumbling. 'Oumuamua's erratic motion might be a result of a collision with another asteroid, said Wes Fraser, one of the researchers behind the latest paper on 'Oumuamua, published Feb. 9 in the journal Nature Astronomy. This collision, in fact, may have been what thrust 'Oumuamua out of its native solar system and on a trajectory toward the sun. "While we don't know the cause of the tumbling, we predict that it was most likely sent tumbling by an impact with another planetesimal in its system, before it was ejected into interstellar space," Fraser said in a statement. "Our modeling of this body suggests the tumbling will last for many billions of years to hundreds of billions of years before internal stresses cause it to rotate normally again," Fraser said. Moreover, the researchers found that the oddball object must have a more complex composition than bodies similar in size known from the solar system. When scientists studied the measurements of light reflected from 'Oumuamua's surface, they found that it varied in color in a way no astronomer could at first explain. ['Oumuamua: The Solar System's First Interstellar Visitor in Photos] Fraser and his team concluded that while the majority of 'Oumuamua's surface was the color of dirty snow, the object had a large red spot on its longer side. "Most of the surface reflects neutrally, but one of its long faces has a large red region," Fraser said. "This argues for broad compositional variations, which is unusual for such a small body." The latest findings add to the mystery of the interstellar interloper, the scientists said. "It is quite unusual compared to most asteroids and comets we see in our own solar system," Fraser said in the statement. The Queen's University Belfast team has already published three papers on 'Oumuamua since the object zoomed through our solar system last year. When first spotted, 'Oumuamua was some 20 million miles (33 million kilometers) from Earth and already moving away. Scientists realized that, due to its trajectory, the object couldn't have originated in the solar system. Once researchers figured that out, they chased the last glimpses they could get of the mysterious visitor using various telescopes, including the European Southern Observatory's (ESO) Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile. What perplexed them at first was that they didn't see behavior typical for a comet. They expected the first interstellar visitor to be a comet simply because there are many more icy bodies than rocky bodies (asteroids) in the solar system, and the same is expected in other planetary systems. However, a previous paper by Queen's University Belfast scientists published in December 2017 found that 'Oumuamua may be a chunk of ice covered with a thick, rocky crust. Scientists will probably never answer all the questions about 'Oumuamua, because the object is long gone and never to return. But they believe that many more interstellar objects will be observed in the coming years as new, powerful telescopes, such as the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope in Chile, come online. Originally published on Live Science. About 34,000 years ago, a group of hunters and gatherers buried their dead including two boys with physical conditions using the utmost care. However, these dead were buried in fairly different ways, a new study finds. The roughly 10- and 12-year-old boys were buried head to head in a long, slender grave filled with riches, including more than 10,000 mammoth ivory beads, more than 20 armbands, about 300 pierced fox teeth, 16 ivory mammoth spears, carved artwork, deer antlers and two human fibulas (calf bones) laid across the boys' chests, the researchers said. In contrast, the remains of a roughly 40-year-old man, an individual who would have had more time and physical ability to contribute to the group, had far fewer treasures: about 3,000 mammoth ivory beads, 12 pierced fox canines, 25 mammoth ivory arm bands and a stone pendant. [See Images of the Ancient Man and Boys' Burials] "From the point of view of the mortuary behavior, the burial of the adult is, in fact, very different from the burial of the children," study co-lead researcher Erik Trinkaus, a professor of anthropology at Washington University in St. Louis, told Live Science. The bodies at Sunghir, including this one of a roughly 40-year-old man, were covered with red ochre. (Image credit: Illustration by K. Favrilov; Antiquity 2018) Sunghir burials Researchers have known about the Sunghir burials for about half a century. The burials, which date to the Mid Upper Paleolithic, are located on the northeast outskirts of Vladimir, Russia, and were excavated from 1957 to 1977. When these hunters and gatherers lived, about 34,000 years ago, the region was going through a slightly warmer period than the ice ages before and after it, the researchers noted. The warmer weather explains, in part, how these ancient people were able to dig graves in what would have otherwise been frozen ground, the researchers added. In total, there are 10 men and women buried at Sunghir, but the two boys have, by far, the most spectacular riches of the lot, the researchers said. The boys also have physical conditions that likely limited the individuals during their short lives. Both boys experienced repeated periods of extreme stress, according to an analysis of their dental enamel, the study said. What's more, the 10-year-old boy's thighbones are "exceptionally bowed and short," Trinkaus and co-lead researcher Alexandra Buzhilova, an anthropologist at Lomonosov Moscow State University, in Russia, wrote in the study. But otherwise, the young boy was physically active, an analysis of his skeleton showed. Meanwhile, the 12-year-old boy's teeth had almost no wear, "which, to us, doesn't sound like much, but people from this time wore their teeth down quickly," Trinkaus said. Analyses of his skeleton indicate that the boy was bedridden, Trinkaus added. It's possible the group was feeding the 12-year-old boy soft foods, such as porridge, but "it is really bizarre to have an individual who looks like he was bedridden in a group of hunters and gatherers who were extremely mobile," Trinkaus said. Respectful burials These two boys aren't the only people with disabilities known to have received burials during this time period. "Indeed, in the Mid Upper Paleolithic, individuals with marked developmental or degenerative abnormalities are relatively common in the burial record, accounting for a third of the sufficiently well-preserved individuals," the researchers wrote in the study. However, it was slightly less common for youngsters to receive such a burial during this period, the researchers said. [10 Things That Make Humans Special] What really caught the researchers' attention was the diversity of the burial artifacts. Some people had only a few fox canines and mammoth ivory beads, while other individuals didn't have anything. This indicates social complexity, because it shows that people were treated differently in death, and probably in life, too, Trinkaus said. The finding shows that you didn't have to be a "big, adult male hunter" to get an extravagant burial during the Mid Upper Paleolithic, said Lawrence Straus, a distinguished professor emeritus of anthropology at the University of New Mexico, who wasn't involved with the study. "In this case, adolescents people with disabilities or pathologies that would have limited their full functioning are getting some amazing treatment," Straus told Live Science. The study was published online today (Feb. 13) in the journal Antiquity. Original article on Live Science. Last year was not a good one for Americans' happiness a record number of states saw declines in their residents' well-being, according to a new poll. The poll, from Gallup-Sharecare, found that residents' well-being declined in 21 states in 2017, compared with the levels in 2016. That's the largest number of states to see a drop in well-being over a single year since Gallup-Sharecare began the poll 10 years ago. For comparison, during the Great Recession in 2009, 15 states saw declines in their residents' well-being, compared with the year before, Gallup said in a statement. What's more, for the first time in the history of the poll, no state saw an increase in well-being in 2017, according to Gallup. The poll is based on interviews with more than 160,000 U.S. adults in all 50 states, conducted from January to December 2017. The researchers calculated a "well-being score" for each state based on participants' answers to questions about different aspects of well-being, including their sense of purpose, social relationships, financial lives, community involvement and physical health. [See the Full List of the Happiest U.S. States] Overall, the nation's well-being score dropped from 62.1 out of 100 in 2016 to 61.5 out of 100 in 2017, the largest year-over-year decline in the well-being score in the last 10 years, Gallup said. States that saw declines in their well-being score in 2017 were primarily located in the South and West. The declines were mostly driven by worsening scores in some measures of purpose and social well-being, as well as in mental health, Gallup said. For example, among states with declines in overall well-being, residents tended to report an increase in experiencing significant worry on any given day, a decline in reports of receiving "positive energy" from friends and family members, and an increase in clinical diagnoses of depression. Amidst this decline, two states South Dakota and Vermont led the nation's well-being rankings for the first time in the history of the Gallup-Sharecare poll. Both states had a well-being score of 64.1 out of 100 in 2017, placing them at the top of the list above Hawaii, which ranked third. (Hawaii has claimed the top spot in the poll six times in the last 10 years, including in 2016.) Scores for both South Dakota and Vermont were unchanged in 2017 compared to 2016, which gave these states an advantage in the rankings at a time when many states saw declines, Gallup said. At the bottom of the rankings were Arkansas and Louisiana, followed by West Virginia, which has had the lowest well-being score in the nation for nine consecutive years.. State and business leaders should be concerned with this year's drop in well-being, Gallup said, because previous research has shown that workers with higher well-being perform better at work and are less likely to take unplanned time off, compared to workers with lower well-being. In addition, people with higher well-being can better adapt to change and contribute to the success of their organizations and communities, Gallup said. "State and community leaders can study and adopt best practices from states with consistently high well-being scores, such as Hawaii, South Dakota and Vermont, in order to maximize the chances that their own constituents are best able to lead a life well lived," the statement said. Original article on Live Science. San Antonio-based midstream investment fund EnCap Flatrock Midstream is committing $400 million to a new crude oil infrastructure development company. EnCap, which helps fund midstream oil and gas investments such as pipelines and storage terminals, committed the funds to Sugar Land-based Lotus Midstream, which was formed in January by former executives from Sunoco Logistics to develop new crude oil gathering and transportation pipelines. Lotus CEO Mike Prince said he retired from the midstream industry in the summer of 2017 but decided to return soon after. Prince and his team founded Lotus in January. Prince says the midstream industry, which has been dominated by master limited partnerships or MLPs for years, has been embracing the use of private equity firms. Cost of capital is really important right now, Prince said. Its not to say that all MLPs have a high cost of capital or are highly leveraged but majority of the larger ones are. The private equity route provides a great opportunity and a lower cost of capital to enter the space. Prince said Lotus is focusing its efforts on building new crude oil pipelines within West Texas Permian Basin oil field, with a focus on the fields Delaware and Midland basins. Other areas the company is looking at includes the booming oil fields in Oklahoma. The commitment by EnCap comes less than a month after the investment firm announced it had raised $3.25 billion in its fourth and largest round of funding. EnCap was formed in 2008 and has raised nearly $9 billion from more than 300 investors. In January EnCap announced two separate sales of assets it had funded, including a $1.6 billion deal by EnCap-backed Lucid Energy Group to sell a 1,700-mile natural gas system in New Mexico. On Jan. 3, San Antonio-based refiner Andeavor announced it was buying the Rangeland Energy II, LLC system from Sugar Land-based midstream developer Rangeland Energy. EnCap Flatrock Midstream had invested at least $615 million into the West Texas and New Mexico crude oil infrastructure. Lawyers for state Sen. Carlos Uresti wrapped up their defense in his criminal fraud trial Tuesday, deciding against calling the lawmaker or any of the big names that they previously submitted as potential witnesses on his behalf. Uresti lead lawyer Michael McCrum rested the San Antonio Democrats case after the lunch break on the 14th day of the trial. Urestis lawyers filed a December court document listing a powerful collection of judges, politicians and lawyers to potentially testify on the San Antonio Democrats behalf, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, former San Antonio mayors Julian Castro and Henry Cisneros, state Sen. Jose Menendez, state district judges Peter Sakai and Solomon Casseb III, and Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood. None of them was actually called. We didnt think it was necessary, McCrum said during a break on why Uresti or any of his character witnesses werent called. McCrum stood by his previous statement that the government hasnt proven its case. Part of Urestis defense is that he acted in good faith with no specific intent to defraud, his lawyers indicated to Senior U.S. District Judge David Ezra. They also have argued that Uresti was bamboozled by the head of the company that landed the lawmaker in this trial in the first place. Outside of the jurys presence, Ezra posed a series of standard questions to Uresti about the decision waiving his right to testify. Was it your own personal decision not to testify, Ezra asked. It was, your honor, Uresti answered. One of the prominent names on Urestis witness list was Chief U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia. Rather than appear on the witness stand, however, his testimony was summarized in a stipulation agreed to by defense lawyers and prosecutors. McCrum read the stipulation to the jury, including how Uresti reached out to his long-time friend in June 2015 to say that he suspected the CEO of a startup oilfield company that Uresti was involved with was committing fraud. Garcia then called Richard Durbin, the then U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas, and asked if he could recommend an FBI agent who could look into the matter. Judge Garcia then contacted Mr. Uresti and passed along the name and phone number of the FBI agent, McCrum said, reading from the stipulation. Judge Garcia does not know if Mr. Uresti ever called the FBI. No evidence has been presented during the trial about whether Uresti contacted the FBI. Uresti is charged with 11 felonies including securities and wire fraud and money laundering over his involvement in oilfield company FourWinds Logistics, which collapsed into bankruptcy in 2015 amid allegations that investors were defrauded. Uresti served as the companys legal counsel, 1 percent owner and he recruited investors. Co-defendant Gary Cain, who worked as a company consultant, is charged with nine felonies. Uresti and Cain have denied the charges. Cain took the witness stand right after Urestis legal team rested. During testimony that took up the entire afternoon, Cain spoke extensively about how he was trying to cleanup a mess created by FourWinds CEO Stan Bates and to save the company. Bates misused investors money to pay personal expenses, including his sons college tuition and his daughters child support, as well to support a lavish lifestyle. Bates pleaded guilty to eight felonies on Jan. 8 rather than sit at the same defense table as Uresti and Cain. Cain joined FourWinds in September 2014 and initially was provided financial records that made it appear to be a solid company. He added it wasnt until well after he left FourWinds in May 2015 that he learned the full scope of wrongdoing that went on. Cain disputed testimony by FourWinds comptroller Laura Jacobs earlier in the trial that she presented him with a fake spreadsheet showing that investor Denise Cantus money was used to purchase sand. Its absurd, Cain replied under direct examination by his lead lawyer, Charles Chad Muller. Cain had started a company called Trinity Global Funding & Consulting that entered into a consulting agreement with FourWinds after he was introduced to the company by LaHood and Uresti. Cain mentioned that LaHood, the current Bexar County DA, was a Trinity owner for about three months. The same month he was elected DA in 2014, LaHood participated in discussions with a group of Mexican nationals about it taking a controlling interest in FourWinds, Cain said. Bates rejected the groups overtures, though. Muller asked Cain if Bates, who owned 51 percent of FourWinds, was concerned about losing control. That was his biggest concern, Cain said. While in private practice, LaHood successfully defended Cain against criminal charges that he had swindled Rackspace Hosting in 2007 land deal. Urestis lawyers called nine witnesses over two days. Tuesdays witnesses included Urestis best man, Ronald Gabriel, president of Gabriel Investment Group, which operates Gabriels Wine & Spirits and Dons & Bens. Uresti approached Gabriel about investing in FourWinds and the businessman sat in on a quick pitch by Bates. It was not my cup of tea but I did listen as a courtesy, Gabriel said. It seemed like a good deal, it just wasnt something I wanted to do. Uresti sat in on Bates presentation but did not speak, Gabriel said. Bates last month pleaded guilty to eight felony charges, becoming the fourth company official to enter a plea in the case. On cross-examination, Gabriel acknowledged referring to Bates as a piece of trash. I never felt good about the gentleman, Gabriel added. Asked if Uresti felt uneasy with Bates, Gabriel said, It just felt like Bates was trying quite hard and it looked like Carlos was trying to diffuse the conversation He felt quite embarrassed. After Gabriels testimony, McCrum called Shelby Jordan, a Corpus Christi lawyer specializing in commercial bankruptcies. Jordan testified that payments Uresti received from FourWinds investors were paid from the companys accounts rather than out of the investors profits. Jordan chronicled the rise and fall of oil prices and the impact it had on Eagle Ford Shale and businesses supporting oil and gas production. Urestis lawyers called as their first two witnesses for the a court reporter and a lawyer who participated in a deposition that Cantu, a FourWinds investor, gave in a wrongful-death case involving two of her children. Uresti was part of the legal team that obtained a $2.5 million settlement for Cantu in the case. He later recommended she invest some of the proceeds with FourWinds. She invested $900,000 and lost about $800,000. Both the court reporter and lawyer said Uresti did not attend the deposition the same deposition where Cantu alleged he told her she looked sexy. Cantu has alleged that she later became sexually involved with Uresti, a charge he has denied. Authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport starts preventing the departure of overseas Filipino workers going to Kuwait following the ban on the deployment of OFWs imposed by the government. On Tuesday, around 100 passengers, who came from vacations with their families in the Philippines and have existing work contracts in Kuwait, were not allowed by Immigration personnel to get on board Philippine Airlines flight PR-668 at Naia Terminal 1. All Immigration officers had been directed to prevent the departure of all OFWs bound for Kuwait, said Naia chief immigration officer Marc Red Marinas. He said even the returning OFWs to Kuwait are also covered by the ban. But on the night of Feb. 12, the day government officials formally signed the deployment ban order, more than 200 passengers with scheduled departure from Manila were allowed to board their flights bound for Kuwait. A television report said that Philippine Overseas Employment Administration officials gave clearance to the passengers after showing their overseas employment certificate. Prior to their flight, some of the OFWs expressed alarm on the new government policy initiated by President Rodrigo Duterte, saying not all OFWs are being maltreated by their employers. Why find another job if you have a good employer? [My employer] is good and they treat me nice there, said Evangeline Daniel, who worked in Kuwait as domestic helper for seven years. Daniel was seconded by Bibinil Bicoy, who also worked for 13 years in Kuwait. My employer treat me as a sister and member of the family. Immigration commissioner Jaime Morente said he directed all ports nationwide to enforce stricter immigration formalities on all departing passengers after President Duterte imposed a ban on the deployment OFWs to Kuwait. He said rigid inspection on all departing Filipino air travelers is also necessary to prevent possible attempts by unscrupulous individuals to circumvent the ban and facilitate the exit of Kuwaiti-bound OFWs via the escort scheme at the airport. Labor secretary Silvestre Bello III said the government would help the returning migrant look for new jobs. Meanwhile, 400 OFWs from Kuwait are scheduled to arrive today (Wednesday) and Thursday at the NAIA Terminal 1 via Qatar Airways. Another PAL flight also set to carry 360 Manila-bound passengers from Kuwait Thursday and Saturday while Etihad Airline will bring 130 on Friday. On Feb. 19, Qatar and Gulf airlines are scheduled to carry 350 OFWs while PAL and Cebu Pacific will be arriving in Manila with more than 500 passengers. PAL officials announced earlier that they lined up four flights from Kuwait to Manila this week to help repatriate the distressed OFWs there. The move came on the heels of the request of President Duterte to local carriers to help the OFWs to return home. The four flights will be free of charge for the distressed OFWs in Kuwait. The airline said it would continue to coordinate closely with the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait and the Foreign Affairs department in charge of identifying and selecting the OFWs to ensure an orderly process in availing of the repatriation effort. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said earlier the Philippine governtment will hold Kuwait responsible under the concept of state responsibility for failure to provide legal redress for Filipino victims in the Gulf state. Roque made the statement following the discovery of the body of Joana Daniela Demafelis, a Filipina household worker who was tortured and kept inside a freezer at the abandoned apartment in Kuwait for almost a year. Roque said Kuwait, under international law, has a legal obligation to provide legal redress for victims of crimes in Kuwait. In 2016 around 105,000 OFWs were deployed to Kuwait.NAIAs decision to ban returning OFWs to Kuwait followed a directive of the Bureau of Immigration which said that it would not allow the OFWs whose destination is Kuwait to leave the airports and seaports in the country following the presidents order to strictly implement the ban on the deployment of OFWs to Kuwait. BI Commissioner Jaime Morente directed the bureaus port operations chief Marc Red Marinas to immediately enforce the ban and conduct stricter immigration formalities on all departing passengers. Marinas also said that Balik Manggagawa or returning OFWs to Kuwait are likewise covered by the ban. All Immigration Officers had been directed to prevent the departure of all OFWs bound for Kuwait. Marinas said. The rigid inspection of all departing Filipino passengers is necessary to thwart any attempts by illegal recruiters to circumvent the ban and facilitate the exit of Kuwaiti-bound OFWs through the notorious escort racket at the airport, the BI official said. We shall implement this deployment ban to the letter and immigration personnel who connive with the escort syndicates will be dealt with severely, the BI chief warned. He urged the public not to hesitate in reporting to his office any BI personnel involved in such nefarious activities. Marinas said he has directed Julius Caesar Feria, head of the bureaus travel control and enforcement unit (TCEU), to instruct his men in all the ports to be doubly vigilant in assessing and monitoring departing passengers. I also issued a stern warning to immigration officers in all the ports that anyone who engages in the escort racket will be suspended and eventually dismissed from the service for gross misconduct, Marinas added. Meanwhile, Malacanang assured thousands of overseas Filipino workers from Kuwait that the government would attend to their employment needs following the Presidents order. Roque said the presidents decision to ban Filipinos from seeking work in the Arab nation was triggered by abuses of Kuwaiti employers against OFWs. The President is serious in his decision to ban the deployment ban OFWs to Kuwait to guarantee their safety, Roque said. To address the plight of returning OFWs who will have to look for new jobs, the national government has directed its missions to find alternative work for them, particularly in countries that are signatories to International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions protecting migrant workers rights, he said. We are looking for Oman and Bahrain because we did not receive any reports of abuses against OFWs, he said. The Palace spokesperson said those who voluntarily repatriated would receive P5,000 worth of immediate financial assistance, in addition to the P20,000 livelihood aid from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The president ordered the ban of Filipino deployment to the Arab nation after the body of a migrant Filipina worker was found in a freezer. The deployment ban order is Presidents testimony that the welfare of the Filipino comes first, Roque said. Roque echoed Dutertes statement that Filipinos are not slave to anyone and only want to give comfort to their families back home. The Secretary said the administration is expecting a response from the Kuwaiti government in finding justice for the abused OFWs. He said under international laws, Kuwait is obligated to do so. Roque assured that under the current administration, more job opportunities await Filipino workers in the country, so they wont have to leave their families and work abroad. An Oakland officer who graduated from the police academy as class valedictorian last year was arrested Monday on suspicion of driving under the influence, officials said. Officer Isaac Goins, 25, completed the 175th basic academy in January 2017 at the top of the 24-person class. Two teens were arrested Monday on suspicion of fatally stabbing a teenage woman multiple times and leaving her for dead just outside of Livermore in the early morning hours, authorities said. Dispatchers received a 911 call about 2 a.m. about a woman missing an arm and lying in the middle of Tesla Road, about 2 miles west of Carnegie Park, said Sgt. Ray Kelly of the Alameda County Sheriffs Office. The victim, a 19-year-old woman from Tracy, was not missing an arm, but she was pronounced dead shortly after being airlifted to Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley, Kelly said. A man and woman, both 19, were arrested in Modesto after the victim gave officers a compelling account of who was responsible for her death, Kelly said. Ive been around a long time, and I can only think of two to three times that Im aware of in our agency that weve been able to get a dying declaration like that, Kelly said. A dying declaration is a very compelling piece of evidence thats recognized in the court to be very credible and reliable information. Authorities said the victim crawled nearly 100 yards along the roadway before being discovered by a passing motorist. There was a rumor she had no arm (and) thats not true, Kelly said. We know that she was crawling out to the roadway to get help (that) is what we suspect. Preliminary investigations reveal that the woman was stabbed, dumped out of a car and left for dead, Kelly said. In addition to stab wounds, the woman had other injuries that were not specified. Her internal fortitude, to stay alive and to fight, is pretty remarkable, Kelly said. This young woman clung to life when she was left for dead and was able to live for another couple hours and get us that information. Ultimately that led us to these arrests. The suspects, who were not identified, were found at a residence in Modesto and arrested by deputies from the Alameda County Sheriffs Office with help from the Modesto Police Department and Stanislaus County Sheriffs Department. A motive for the killing is under investigation, and the suspects were to be transported back to Alameda County to be booked into jail, Kelly said. Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani As part of the Tricentennial, the city is exhibiting a slew of paintings, photographs, sculptures and other works of art in the Convention Center. They can be found on the meeting room and ball room level. There also is a min-exhibit of aluminum panels and vinyl graphics marking the 50th anniversary of HemisFair 68, which will be celebrated in April. Manila Standard marked its 31st anniversary this week. That I have been with this newspaper for just as long is something I treasure. I co-founded it with the late Rod Reyes, who was press secretary to two presidentsFidel V. Ramos and Joseph Estrada. I am proud of being the longest-staying opinion writer of this newspaper. When the first issue of the Standard came out 31 years ago, it was in tabloid form, then under Manda Elizalde. I was then also chairman of the editorial board, which explains the fact that the masthead shows me as chairman emeritus of the editorial board. Sometime in January 1987, I got a call from my good friend Reyes, who invited me to lunch. He said he got a call from Elizalde saying he wanted to put up a newspaper upon his return. Manda was then in Miami, about to end his self-exile during the Marcos regime. (Actually he went on exile in Costa Rica because his former Harvard classmate became president of that country.) The first office was on the fourth floor of the Tanduay Building along Ayala Avenue now a finance center of the Ayalas. The Standard has its story to tell, competing with other national broadsheets in mainstream print media. I have had the opportunity to write for other publications, but I choose to remain with the Standard until I write 30. I like the vision and goals of this newspaper and I am comfortable with the publisher and his staff. I would not have it any other way. *** President Duterte has given all business establishments in Boracay to prevent the island paradise from being a cesspool. The contamination of the beaches is nothing new. As far back as 20 years ago, there have been numerous complaints of establishments not having adequate drainage and sewage systems. But these complaints fell on deaf ears. The last time my wife and I were in Boracay, I wanted to take a dip but I hesitated because of the green algae that I saw on the beach. There was also a foul smell. My wife said that was because of human excrement. Yuck! I never returned to Boracay. Actually, this should be the responsibility of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Tourism. The local government of Aklan has failed in its job. The lack of garbage and sewage system is not the only problem. Santa Banana, there are too many people, hotels, restaurants and business establishments. All I can saysayang. *** The President should not play down the impact of the move of the International Criminal Court on the image of the Philippines and of his administration. The ICC will look into the killings in connection with the bloody war on illegal drugs. For one thing, the Philippines is a signatory to the Rome Statute that gave rise to the ICC to look into allegations of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. A seat at the ICC was first offered to the late Senator MiriamDefensor-Santiago and then later on occupied by former UP Law Dean Raul Pangalangan. The treaty was incorporated under domestic law and ratified during the incumbency of President Benigno Aquino III. Thus, it cannot be said that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines. The Palace should not minimize the impact of ICC move. It is not a source of pride for us to be investigated for crimes against humanity. Frankly, I do not know if the ICC prosecutor can pin down the Duterte administration since the extra-judicial killings first made by the so-called Davao Death Squad was not state sanctioned. There is no proof of this. Nonetheless, it is not a good distinction. *** I had a good laugh when I heard retired Supreme Court Justice Hilario Davide tell the Senate hearing on the 1987 Constitution that he was against any change because it was the best charter ever framed and amending it would be a step to hell. I laughed because I knew the charter is so full of infirmities. I cannot blame Davide for his opinion. He was one of its framers. But for a former Chief Justice to say its one of the best? It only reflects his bias. How could any of the framers of the Constitution justify that provision on party-list groups? Look at them now, They are fronts for the Communist Party. And then we have some groups whose representatives are multi-billionaires. A voice for the marginalized? Youve got to be kidding me! *** If the President is thinking of banning the deployment of overseas workers in Singapore and Hong Kong, because of that OFW in Kuwait who was found in a freezer, them he may as well ban sending out OFWs worldwide. Workers in the Middle East know this, but they still go for the promise of high wages. Abusive employers are an exception. As such, we can only give protection to them who take this risk. A trip to Kuwait would be good for the President. It would send a good message. At times, even our embassies are negligent. I have heard such horror stories! What would Amy do? A typical question posed to Amy Dickinson in her popular "Ask Amy" column which offers readers her take on a variety of topics, from finance, health, legal, to sex and manners. Guests of Houston Hospice's 17th Annual Butterfly Luncheon on April 4 will hear and meet Dickinson as featured speaker and for book signing copies of her memoir, Strangers Tend to Tell Me Things, at the Butterfly Luncheon at The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa. Dickinson is author of the New York Times bestselling memoir, "The Mighty Queens of Freeville: A Story of Surprising Second Chances," a chronicle of her experiences and misadventures as a single mother to her daughter, Emily. The book shares her journey of family, second chances and finding love. She writes the syndicated advice column, "Ask Amy," which is carried in more than 150 newspapers and read by an estimated 22 million readers daily. Dickinson is known not only for her wisdom but her wit. Since 2006, she has been a featured panelist on National Public Radio's comedy quiz show, "Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me." She is also a sought-after speaker, delivering inspiring and comic stories of her adventures and misadventures to groups around the country. Dickinson was born and raised on a dairy farm in tiny Freeville, New York, (pop. 454) on land her family has lived on since the Revolutionary War. She is a graduate of Georgetown University. After living in New York, London, Washington DC and Chicago, she moved back to her hometown, married a local contractor she had known since childhood, and is now mother to five daughters. Houston Hospice will have Elizabeth and Anthony DeLuca serve as chairmen of this year's Butterfly Luncheon. "Anthony and I are so committed to helping Houston Hospice because we know firsthand how important they are to families during a most difficult time," said Elizabeth DeLuca. "Just 20 months ago, we lost our Caroline, at age 18. Caroline was in the Butterfly Program at Houston Hospice for over a year." "Each year, our family selects a special charity to do something with in Caroline's honor. For 2018, we have selected Houston Hospice," said DeLuca. Houston Hospice Vice President of Development and External Affairs Cynthia Nordt said, "Every year, the best partners from our community make the Butterfly Luncheon a highly anticipated event. This year is no exception with our chairs Elizabeth and Anthony who embody Houston's spirit of philanthropy, caring and compassion. We are also delighted to host Amy Dickinson. Her books and column share a source of wisdom, from everyday, joyous to unique and difficult experiences in which people from any walk of life can relate." The community is invited to attend the Butterfly Luncheon and hear Dickinson on Wednesday, April 4, at the The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa at 111 N. Post Oak Lane, Houston, Texas 77024. Registration will begin at 11 a.m. Individual tickets and table sponsorships are available at www.houstonhospice.org or by calling 713-677-7123. Proceeds from the luncheon help fund Houston Hospice operations and its Butterfly Program of pediatric hospice care. Through this program, children and their families are teamed with physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, hospice aides and volunteers with expertise in children's care. Although questions remain unresolved between Missouri City officials and a group of animal shelter volunteers who disagree about recent issues at the shelter, city officials say they want to be transparent with residents and openly acknowledged the negative attention the issue has generated in a Feb. 7 news release. "How much of a publicity nightmare is this issue regarding the volunteers, the city and the animal shelter?" read one question included in the release, to which city officials answered: "The city has always been transparent regarding programs and services, and we value all input and feedback. Additionally, officials and staff have long been supportive of issues pertaining to pets and programs that contribute to animal initiatives." Disagreements between city officials and the volunteers first became apparent in December after volunteers launched an email campaign to lobby Mayor Allen Owen and the City Council for increased resources for the animal shelter. A confrontation between an animal control officer and a shelter volunteer was mentioned in a city news release as the "Dec. 13 incident" and soon after pet medicines volunteers say they donated to the shelter were confiscated and taken to the police department. From there, tensions only escalated as volunteers and city officials differed in their version of events. According to city officials, volunteers brought dangerous drugs to the shelter. City Manager Anthony Snipes contacted three different state agencies for help with the situation. Although two agencies have yet to be named, a five-page letter from Matthew West, enforcement director for the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, was posted on the city website outlining "area of concerns" including allegations volunteers brought Xanax, tramadol and other controlled substances to the shelter. According to West's letter, the volunteers could be charged with a felony for delivery of a controlled substance if the medicines were given to "adoptive clients," which is assumed to mean the shelter cats and dogs. Speaking at a recent city council meeting, volunteer Lynn Morgan denied volunteers brought dangerous drugs to the shelter and asked elected officials about potentially criminal allegations being publicized without an unbiased investigation of the facts. "Did you know that the city administration is disseminating unsubstantiated accusations about controlled substances when in fact, we suspect a city employee with an agenda against volunteers, may have planted evidence," Morgan asked during public comments at the Feb. 5 meeting. Morgan also questioned elected officials about the allegations made by officials from the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and questioned their lack of jurisdiction over shelter policies. "Have the city administrators told you that they asked an agency with absolutely no jurisdiction over the city animal shelter to investigate the volunteers and then they used the bogus, unofficial report by that agency to try to smear active, involved citizens-your constituents-in an official city press releases and posts?" Morgan asked. For city officials, the "nightmare" may be far from over as volunteers recently announced they will no longer provide financial support for the shelter according to a recent release from the Friends of the Missouri City Animal Shelter. "The Friends board of directors feels that it is foolish to continue financially supporting the organization that has been publicly besmirching the reputation of the very citizens who have been working to help the animals these past four years," wrote Valerie Tolman, treasurer for the non-profit organization. Although unconfirmed by city officials, Friends of the Missouri City Shelter say they raised more than $40,000 to support care of shelter animals over the last year. According to a city news release, additional funding will be needed for the animal shelter. "Interim funding measures, such as budget transfers, are being looked at to cover potential shortfalls. Long-term, additional funding authorization will be required by City Council," city officials said in a Feb. 7 release posted to the city website. Additionally, the release indicates city officials are considering increasing adoption fees for residents. "In addition to these proactive steps, City staff is reviewing our schedule of fees to address the need for an increase for expenses such as adoptions. This would help the City achieve parity with regional municipalities and provide an increase in revenues for shelter operations." No action has yet been taken by Mayor Owen and the City Council. Paul Nehlen, a fringe challenger of House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and whose anti-Semitic tweets caused a stir in recent months, drew criticism again this week after tweeting an image of actress Meghan Markle photoshopped with the face of Cheddar Man, the dark-skinned man believed to be the first modern Briton. Twitter suspended Nehlen's account after he shared an image of Prince Harry standing next to Markle, a biracial American he is set to marry in May. Along with the image was this tweet: "Honey does this tie make my face look pale?" The Friday tweet, the latest in Nehlen's history of incendiary statements, appears to have been prompted by recent revelations that early British inhabitants are believed to have been dark-skinned. Nehlen has described himself as "pro-white" and decried the research on Cheddar Man as a way of "disappearing whites or dispossessing whites of their homelands." Last week, a new project from London's Natural History Museum and University College London revealed groundbreaking DNA results showing that early British inhabitants did not have pale skin as initially believed. Cheddar Man, who lived 10,000 years ago and whose skeleton was discovered in 1903 in a cave in Cheddar Gorge in Somerset, England, had brown hair, blue eyes and "dark to black skin." New analysis and facial reconstruction have led scientists to believe that his ancestors arrived in Britain via the Middle East after leaving Africa, The Washington Post's Jennifer Hassan wrote. The tweet has caused an uproar on social media and among some British tabloids. The Daily Mirror called the tweet "racist," while the Sun described Nehlen as Markle's "Twitter troll." Actor Patrick Adams, who co-stars with Markle in USA Network's legal drama "Suits," lashed out at Nehlen in a tweet Saturday, calling the Wisconsin businessman "a sad and sick man with no sense of shame or class." Nehlen's campaign did not immediately respond to a call and email requesting comment. But he defended himself Sunday by again attacking the research that revealed the physical features of early British inhabitants. "A deliberately inflammatory article (that I'd argue is pure junk science) was published indicating Brits, and by extension, Americans, came from this Cheddar Man character," Nehlen wrote on Facebook. "In response, I lampooned the article." Nehlen is running for the second time in the Republican congressional primaries in Wisconsin after losing to Ryan by nearly 70 percentage points in 2016. His anti-immigrant views and use of the #ItsOkayToBeWhite hashtag have attracted criticism. Previously a political unknown, Nehlen received praise from President Donald Trump in 2016, when the then-Republican presidential candidate was facing a backlash from Ryan and others over comments about a slain Muslim soldier's parents. Nehlen was Ryan's primarily challenger at that time. The right-wing website Breitbart, which deployed reporters to cover Nehlen's congressional bid in 2016, denounced him in December following his anti-Semitic tweets. He wrote in one tweet that he is reading "The Culture of Critique," a book about Jewish culture widely considered to be anti-Semitic, CNN reported. An adviser for Steve Bannon, then still Breitbart's executive chairman, told The Post that the decision to abandon Nehlen was made after Bannon learned of his appearance on white nationalist podcasts. In a text message to The Post's David Weigel, Nehlen described himself as "pro-white" and said he opposed double standards. "If pro-White is White supremacy, what is pro-Jewish?" Nehlen said. "I reject being called a White Supremacist, because clearly Pro-White isn't White Supremacy unless Pro-Jewish is Jewish Supremacy." Nehlen drew flak again last month when he tweeted a list of his critics and claimed that most of them are Jewish. "74 are Jews," he wrote, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Nehlen later posted the names and contact information of critics who reached out to his campaign, some of whom said they had received harassing calls and messages. After Twitter suspended Nehlen's account, dozens of other users changed their Twitter avatars to Nehlen's picture. He then posted a collage of nearly 100 Twitter accounts bearing his picture and variations of his name to his Facebook page. "You can't silence everyone," he wrote, along with the hashtag #ShallNotCensor. Nehlen had proposed a legislation that would impose a $500,000 fine for "wrongful censorship" by major social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Reddit. He cited comments by Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai, who accused Twitter of censoring conservatives but not liberals. "The bedrock of American society is freedom of speech. Social media companies have usurped this freedom, and we intend to give it back to the American people," Nehlen said in a statement in December. The First Amendment limits only the government's ability to suppress speech and does not apply to private companies like Twitter. The social media company says it suspends fake and hacked accounts, as well as those that have been reported for abusive behavior. The Hale County Commissioners Court covered a number of important topics Friday during their regularly scheduled work session Friday. First up on the agenda was the request from a Bailey County property owner, Jack Benham, regarding property he owns in Bailey County that Hale County has retained a mineral interest in. According to Hale County Judge Bill Coleman, Benham had contacted him because a company is interested in leasing Benhams property to possibly place a solar power farm on the property. Coleman said that according James P. Allison, General Counsel for the County Judges & Commissioners Association of Texas, and Chapter 71 of the Texas Public Resources Code, the county must receive at least a one-eighth royalty from any such mineral rights owned by the county. Commissioner Precinct 2 Mario Martinez suggested that the county ask Benham to agree to a 15 percent royalty payment. Further discussion then ensued regarding the legal requirements and all of the commissioners appeared to be in agreement that the county needed to receive something for its mineral rights in order to uphold its fiduciary duty to the school district and to be in compliance with the law. The commissioners then spent some time discussion a proposal submitted by Roger Foote Law Care for the maintenance of trees, shrubs and grass. Coleman outlined the specific cost proposals to perform work on several locations throughout the county. There was some discussion about possibly bidding the project out, but the concerns were whether there would be other companies that could bid on the project and perform the work to the level that the current contractor has provided. Hale County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Karen Davis noted that the trees and lawn at her complex are significantly better since Roger Foote Lawn Care took over the work. The commissioners then discussed a proposal submitted by Coleman to restrict the placement of political signs on Hale County property. Coleman noted that the believed the regulations were necessary, specifically around the courthouse to protect the underground water and electrical systems in place. The proposal would not allow any political signs to be placed on property owned by Hale County, but would allow other forms of electioneering in legally approved locations. Hale County Sheriff David Cochran presented three proposals for the commissioners, the most significant of which is the purchase and replacement of the main radio antenna on the tower at Hale Center. Cochran suggested replacing both antennas at a cost of $1,296 per antenna, $2300 per antenna for cable for the antennas and $4,500 to have a company that specializes in such work place the antennas on the tower. He said that currently one of the antennas is out and the other is anticipated to go out within another year or so. Cochran also submitted a request to give one of his older pickups to the Petersburg Police Department. In exchange they will provide one of their Crown Victoria cars to be sold at auction and the proceeds used to offset part of the value of the granted truck. Cochran said that the truck has over 119,000 miles and the vehicle would be provided to PPD with all of its equipment with the exception of the sheriffs department radio equipment. Cochran noted that the PPD has been of significant help to the HCSO and that their current fleet of vehicles are not in very good shape. Cochran also submitted a proposal to renew the Metalix Maintenance Agreement for the departments fingerprinting machine. Constable for Precinct 3 Terry Timms was requesting approval of the final price for the purchase of a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe for his department. Timms said he will be receiving a grant for $44,837 to cover a portion of the cost of the vehicle. The total price for the truck, he said, is $55,567. Some discussion followed regarding how to pay for the truck due to the fact Timms does not have sufficient funds to cover the entire $55,567. The grant Timms obtained is a reimbursement grant and it was not clear exactly how soon the grant funds could be recouped once expended by the county. A Harris County judge has ordered the closing of a Houston strip club after more than 30 arrests for crimes including prostitution were made there over the past four years. Judge Fredericka Phillips granted a request from the city to have Fantasy Plaza, a club off of North Freeway, closed, Alan Bernstein, director of communications for Mayor Sylvester Turner, told Chron.com Tuesday morning. The request was filed by the county in December and accuses Fantasy Plaza of numerous violations, including prostitution and employment of minors, Bernstein, said. IN TROUBLE: Texas police officer arrested and charged with misdemeanor prostitution Assistant county attorney Rosemarie Donnelly's petition claims that Houston Police officers made six arrests for prostitution and four arrests for violations of the sexually-oriented business regulations over the past eight months alone at Fantasy Plaza. Since 2014, there have been more than 30 arrests made at Fantasy Plaza, Donnelly stated in her petition. "The court has ordered that the club close immediately and the club and property owner must each post a $10,000 bond with the registry of the Harris County District Court," Donnelly told Chron.com Tuesday afternoon. READ MORE: Houston police officer arrested in massive prostitution sting identified Attorney Albert Van Huff filed a federal lawsuit on the club's behalf Feb. 1, claiming the city of Houston unfairly favors the club's competition by allowing entertainers to "perform topless dancing without having to adhere to the 'no touch' and 'three foot' rules required by city law." The lawsuit cites a settlement the city reached in 2013 that initially allowed 16 strip clubs to operate outside the provisions of Chapter 28 of the Houston Code of Ordinances, which outlines regulations for sexually oriented businesses, in exchange for a combined $1 million annual donation to a human-trafficking abatement fund. That fund was also used to create a 12-person HPD unit tasked with investigating human trafficking. Five more strip clubs have since been added to the list of 16 since 2013, Bernstein said. Fantasy Plaza is not one of the clubs included in the 2013 settlement. The lawsuit brought by Van Huff calls the donation to the fund in exchange for non-enforcement of the law a "commercial bribery scheme." The agreement was meant to settle a series of costly lawsuits filed against the city by the 16 clubs protesting the regulations outlined in Chapter 28, which prevented dancers from being closer than three feet from patrons while fully topless, among other requirements. Van Huff claims that most of the cases made against the club involving prostitution were weak and often dismissed. He added that Fantasy Plaza had been working with the city to address their concerns. The "VIP" area was completely sealed off, lighting was made brighter and booth walls were lowered so that undercover officers could better see if anything illegal was happening, according to Van Huff. "We were dealing with the city... they knew (about the issues) and didn't have a problem with it and we were working things out with the city," Van Huff said. "If there was no agreement, the club owner couldn't complain 'they're being harder on me than everyone else.' But instead if you're not in the agreement, the city is going to come and try to close you down which has the added effect of increasing business at the clubs in the agreement." READ MORE: Houston's most popular hotels for prostitution busts HPD declined to comment on this story. Michael Shively, a senior associate at Abt Associates, a US-based public policy research firm, raised concerns about the settlement. "What I like least about the settlement is the relaxing of regulations in exchange for the money," Shively said over email Monday evening. "If it was instead, a cash settlement for violations, or simply a surcharge or licensing fee for sexually-oriented business ordinances to cover the costs or investigation and regulation, then OK." As of Tuesday evening, Fantasy Plaza was still open for business. Fernando Alfonso III is a digital reporter at Chron.com. Follow him on twitter at @fernalfonso. The office of US President Donald Trump Monday publicly shamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for claiming he had discussed with the Trump administration an initiative pushing settlement policies further into the West Bank. The rebuke came from White House spokesperson Josh Raffel who noted that Netanyahus claims were false. Reports that the United States discussed with Israel an annexation plan for the West Bank are false, Raffel said. The United States and Israel have never discussed such a proposal, and the presidents focus remains squarely on his Israeli-Palestinian peace initiative. The Israeli Prime Minister hours earlier told a faction of his Likud party that he had been in talks with the Trump administration on plans to annex Israeli settlement areas over the Green Line, the West Bank. I can tell you that for a while now Ive been talking about it with the Americans, he has reportedly said. Im guided by two principles in this issue optimal coordination with the Americans, whose relationship with us is a strategic asset for Israel and the settlement movement; and the fact that it must be a government initiative rather than a private one because it would be a historic move, he was quoted by Times of Israel as saying. Netanyahus comments were in sharp contrast with President Trump who on Sunday noted that Israels settlement scheme in the Palestinian territories jeopardizes peace effort and that he is not sure the Jewish state is keen for peace with Palestinians. The American administration has been struggling to get Palestinians onboard over its efforts to bring the two feuding sides to peace talks. Palestinians have rejected US-led approaches after President Trump in December declared Jerusalem capital of Israel. Israel has found a pillar supporter in the Trump administration, which has closed eyes on its occupation project of the West Bank a move many believe kills the two-state solution proposed by the international community. Netanyahu also received domestic criticism for his comments that have been viewed as lies to the nation. A top Israeli diplomat on condition of anonymity debunked the Prime Minister noting that the US administration was not informed about any annexation plan in the West Bank and did not offer any support. Netanyahus office tried to correct the mistake following Raffels flat denial. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu updated the Americans on initiatives being presented in the Knesset, the Americans stated their unequivocal view that they are committed to furthering President Trumps peace plan, the statement said, according to the Times of Israel. WASHINGTON - The Senate's top Republican endorsed a plan Monday that would revamp immigration policy the way President Donald Trump wants to, as senators began debating whether to grant permanent legal status to some young undocumented immigrants and bolster the nation's southern border security. The showdown began with no sense of what might ultimately pass the closely divided Senate and could be sent to the House before reaching Trump for his signature. The only thing senators agreed on with near unanimity was to start the discussion, voting 97 to 1 Monday night. "The American people have heard no shortage of rhetoric on this issue. They have heard many of my colleagues across the aisle insist this issue requires swift action," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. "Now is the time to back up the talk with the hard work of finding a workable solution." McConnell endorsed a sweeping GOP plan that fulfills Trump's calls to legalize the status of 1.8 million "dreamers," spends at least $25 billion to bolster defenses along the U.S.-Mexico border, makes changes to family-based legal migration programs, and ends a diversity lottery system used by immigrants from smaller countries. The Secure and Succeed Act is "the only piece of legislation that can get through the Senate, through the House of Representatives, most importantly signed by the president" said its lead sponsor, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. But no Democrats are believed to back the plan in full - and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. described it as "an all-Republican measure." Many Democrats don't like how the proposal would chip away at family-based legal migration - what conservatives deride as "chain" migration - and how much money would be spent to build wall and fencing along the southern border. Trump repeatedly said during the 2016 campaign that Mexico would pay for the wall, but instead he is seeking billions in U.S. taxpayer dollars to build it. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called for a modest solution focused mostly on protecting people whose permanent legal status is set to expire when the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, ends on March 5. "This is the moment for a narrow bill and every ounce of energy is going into finding one that can pass," Schumer said. The leaders' differing views on the immigration debate came just hours after they made a rare joint appearance in Kentucky at an academic center named for McConnell at the University of Louisville and said they maintain a cordial working relationship. "We don't dislike each other," McConnell said at the event. "We have to work together." Back in Washington, McConnell warned colleagues that he is launching a freewheeling exchange that will require rare bipartisan cooperation to find a solution that can earn at least 60 votes to survive procedural challenges and earn final passage. Trump had canceled the Obama-era program last September and asked Congress to resolve the issue. A week-long congressional recess begins next week and debate on immigration is only expected to continue for this week, according to Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, who helps control the floor schedule. "At that point if the Senate hasn't worked its will, I think maybe there aren't 60 votes for anything," said Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. Late Monday, Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., unveiled a modified version of the bill announced by Grassley and others. Flake's bill would establish a $25 billion "border trust fund" that would dole out up to $1.8 billion annually to build out border fencing and walls, but would require annual reports on security operations and construction plans. Among other provisions, his bill would establish a 12-year path to citizenship for eligible dreamers. Also, Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said he would be introducing on Tuesday a plan co-authored by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., that would grant legal status to dreamers in the country since 2013, but not immediately authorize money to build out southern border walls and fencing. A similar version of the bill has been introduced in the House with 54 sponsors in both parties. Based on input from GOP colleagues, Coons said he might tweak his version of the legislation to include more immediate border security funding in a bid to win more Republican support. Talks continued over the weekend among about two dozen other Democrats and Republicans, according to aides in both parties, signaling that they are struggling to reach a potential solution in a chamber divided between 51 Republicans and 49 members of the Democratic caucus. And both parties know that Trump could scuttle any deal with an early-morning tweet. "Nailing down the president has been next to impossible," said Durbin, a lead Democratic broker on immigration policy. At the White House, Trump encouraged the two parties to reach an agreement. "If Democrats want a deal, it's really up to them," he told reporters, adding later: "We start really serious DACA talks today." Durbin said he hasn't ruled out introducing the Dream Act, a bill first unveiled during George W. Bush's presidency that would provide blanket legal protections for millions of dreamers. While the concept has broad national support, Republicans are expected to oppose the plan unless it is coupled with changes in border security or immigration enforcement. "There's a lot at stake here," said Durbin, who has devoted much of his Senate career to seeking changes in immigration policy. "I just don't know at this moment if we'll have 60 votes. I don't know if we can get 11 Republicans to join all the Democrats on anything," he said. The lone vote against moving ahead on debating the issue Monday was Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Faculty at Michigan State University issued an emphatic vote of no confidence in the board of trustees Tuesday afternoon in the wake of a sex abuse scandal that rocked the school. At an emergency meeting, the Faculty Senate voted overwhelmingly - 61 to 4 - that it lacked confidence in the trustees, with results greeted by loud applause. The public university has been in turmoil since scores of young women accused an MSU sports medicine doctor of molesting them. The faculty cannot force board members out. But with a vote of no confidence, the impact is immediate and deep, said Sean McKinniss, who is co-writing a book on academic governance: a loss of legitimacy for both the board and the interim president whose appointment triggered the faculty vote. "Unless you take a moral stand, you give tacit agreement by your silence," Robert LaDuca, a professor of chemistry who is a faculty leader, said before the meeting. "The board has been leading from behind, in my opinion, in this whole process." He compared the university to a corporation that has had a catastrophic failure and needs new leaders to move the organization forward, "rather than the entrenched and, to be honest, myopic leadership that got us into this crisis and damaged untold numbers of lives. "Speaking for myself, I don't see what moral credibility they have to lead this university forward." It is rare for faculty to vote no confidence in a board of trustees, according to two researchers who study and track such matters. The scandal involving Larry Nassar, who had been an MSU doctor and team physician with USA Gymnastics, forced the ouster of longtime universitypresident Lou Anna Simon last month, with public outrage intensifying as victims spoke out in court, many saying their complaints had been ignored. Victims continue to come forward: Since mid-January, the Michigan State police department has gotten more than 60 criminal reports against Nassar. That brings the total as of Feb. 5 to more than 190 reports filed since September 2016, after the Indianapolis Star published an investigative story about Nassar. The former university physician was sentenced to many decades in prison. In January, MSU board members apologized to Nassar's victims in an emotional meeting, with some choking out words through tears and one saying, "We failed you." John Engler, a former governor of Michigan and an alumnus of the university, was named interim president by the board last month. Engler said that as a longtime leader, he would move swiftly to correct problems at the school,and that as a father of three daughters he could empathize with the victims and their families. But the choice shocked many - including faculty leaders, whose opinions trustees had seemed to solicit the day before news of the selection became public through news reports. At the meeting Tuesday, some faculty members objected to the idea that Engler's selection was the reason for a vote of no confidence. Shawnee Vickery, a professor in the college of business, called a vote on that pretense "tone deaf and insensitive," and proposed amending the agenda. "The motion of no confidence should be because the board was ultimately responsible and accountable for what happened to these women and did not stop what happened to these women," Vickery said of Nassar's victims. "This should be about the women, not about anything else." During discussion before the vote of no confidence, Glenn Stutzky, a professor in the School of Social Work, said the Faculty Senate must do more to achieve change. "The trust that has been broken cannot be repaired, cannot be recovered - they must be removed," Stutzky said. "But before they resign, they must withdraw their contract with the new interim president before it becomes official this Friday." Other faculty, such as Vickery and John Verboncoeur, a professor in the college of engineering, defended the interim president. Randolph Pearson, a professor in the College of Human Medicine, wrote a letter asserting a vote of no confidence was the wrong approach. He argued the board, if deserving of censure, should receive it from voters, and that this was not a time for divisiveness, but a time to lead by example. Pearson urged the Faculty Senate to instead adopt a resolution "expressing our commitment to lead our university to a place where our students feel safe and our patients also feel protected." His suggestion was not taken up. A small portion of faculty also appeared to be in favor of a walkout protest to demand more changes. Outside in the hall, people had made signs that read, "No Confidence," and "Trustees Not Trusted." June Youatt, the university's provost, said she was not surprised by the vote. "This vote today isn't so much an outcome as a window into how the faculty and students of this campus have experienced this these past few weeks," Youatt said. "The discussion that went on today about the hurt, the pain, the culture and our collective sense of responsibility - I hope they hear that." An MSU trustee, Dianne Byrum, said she understood "the anger and frustration among students, faculty and staff, whose trust and confidence in Michigan State University has been understandably shaken. "For too long, Michigan State University has failed to be transparent, accountable and compassionate, and we need to change that," Byrum said. "I am committed to doing my part to increase transparency, promote accountability and improve communication so this tragic situation never happens again." Trustee Brian Mosallam held a town hall meetingon campus earlier this month, and hundreds of people filled the room, including victims. Hundreds had to leave, unable to fit in the room. Many spoke out against Engler. Many said trustees should resign. The Faculty Senate did not consider a vote of no confidence in the interim president. "Engler's in this role through no fault of his own," LaDuca said before the meeting. And he emphasized Engler's politics - he's a Republican - are not the issue and that the faculty would feel the same way if a former governor who is a Democrat had been tapped. He said many faculty members were disappointed that trustees made a show of listening to people on campus when, apparently, they had already chosen an interim leader. The way universities operate and the principle of shared governance isn't obvious to most members of the public, McKinniss said. In higher education, faculty, students and staff are usually involved in either leadership selection or policymaking, he said, with a system built on collaboration and consultation. It's less hierarchical than many organizations. "At a Fortune 500 company, no one expects that employees get to pick who the CEO would be, or have a say in it," he said. At a college, if the community at large is not involved, "that can cause a problem, as we're seeing now. "And if they are involved and don't like the choice, there's still grounds for discontent," he said. Some other groups at Michigan State have expressed a lack of confidence in the board in recent days. The Council of Graduate Students, which represents all 11,000 graduate and professional students at MSU, passed a vote of no confidence with an overwhelming majority earlier this month. They called for the immediate removal of Engler and resignation of all the trustees. MSU is so decentralized it can be challenging to give a coordinated response, said Terah Chambers, an associate professor in the school's College of Education, but a new coalition of faculty, staff and students called Reclaim MSU is working to unify efforts and send a clear message about the change that is needed. "The board of trustees has been operating with very little transparency," Chambers said. "They have had a series of responses that are putting the protection of the university ahead of trying to change the culture here. That's what we're worried about." The way Engler was selected, apparently without consideration of faculty, staff and student opinions, was one sign of that, she said. "That's the culture that has gotten us where we are now. That's what has people fed up." McKinniss and a law professor at Michigan State, Mae Kuykendall, co-author on a book about no-confidence votes at universities, said they are aware of onlya handful of such votes targeting boards. Faculty are usually focused on the president in a leadership crisis, said McKinniss - who is tracking such cases - because the president is the visible leader, with a constant presence on campus. A vote against the board, he said, is "calling for an entirely clean slate of leadership." "We have marched, we have protested, we have written letters, we have raised our voices and delivered demands - and not a single board member has resigned," Stutzky said at the meeting. "Not even the pain shared by the hundreds of survivors of sexual abuse and assault . . . under their watch, under their care, has convinced even one of them to step down." He said if they truly had empathy, the moral force of the vote would move them to resign. But he does not think they will. Stutzky said a recall campaign should be mounted, to force the trustees out. "This is our community, this is our university, and it is time to reclaim MSU." --- Schuster is a graduate student at MSU. Svrluga reported from Washington. Plainview Firefighter Chief Rusty Powers was named the South Plains EMS (SPEMS) Educator of the Year at the 41st Annual SPEMS Conference in Lubbock. Powers was also named Educator of the Year in 2009; thus making it the second time he has won the award. Rusty cares for his students and pushes them to achieve their full potential, said Tyeson and Mason, Powers son who presented the award. Our dad is the biggest influence in our lives. Powers has served as Chief of the Plainview Fire Department for nine years and in the department for twenty seven years. He also served with the Olton EMS since 1979. It is such an honor and I am excited I can pay it forward by sharing what I learned with other paramedics, said Powers. A big thank to you my wife, sons, daughter and grandkids as well as other instructors, former and current students. I also appreciate the long standing support from the members of the Plainview Fire Department and Olton EMS. SPEMS is an organization that consists of over 75 EMS services, hospitals, and first responder organizations located in the Texas Panhandle and South Plains. The non-profit organizations goal is to reduce mortality and morbidity by addressing and solving medical and trauma related needs through effective regional coordination of emergency medical services, and in the process, increase the accessibility, consistency and quality of emergency health care provided to the residents of the Texas South Plains. For more information about the Plainview Fire Department, contact Rusty Powers at 296.1170 or rpowers@plainviewtx.org. Egyptian president Abdel Fatah al-Sisi on Monday told United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that his countrys stance towards the Israeli-Palestine peace process is to establish a Palestinian state on the 1967 border, with Eastern Jerusalem as its capital. In a statement released on Monday following private talks with the US Secretary of state, President Sisi called on Washington to revive the peace process between Palestinians and Israelis. Rex Tillerson is conducting a tour of the Middle East that started in Cairo and will see him discuss the Syrian crisis and Middle East peace with allies in the region. Besides the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, talks between al-Sisi and Tellerson also focused on the fight against terrorism, a State Department spokeswoman said. According to Tillerson, the US administration remains committed to achieving a peace agreement between Israelis and the Palestinians. The Peace process between Palestine and Israel has been halted since April 2014 and President Donald Trumps decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel will not help put the process back on track, as the Palestinians have rejected Washington as a peace broker in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict and talks. The US top diplomats trip to Cairo comes after Vice-President Mike Pence visited last month Egypt to discuss security in the region and future of US aid to al-Sisi. President Donald Trump said Monday that U.S. aid expenditures in the Middle East were "a mistake," both undercutting a round of complicated diplomacy in Arab capitals and underscoring his rising frustration at the dwindling chances of a Middle East peace deal. The president also erroneously claimed that the United States has spent $7 trillion in the Middle East over the past 17 years - a return to a frequent theme for Trump that U.S. generosity be repaid with results or support. "As of a couple of months ago, we have spent $7 trillion in the Middle East. Seven trillion dollars. What a mistake. But it is what it is," Trump said at the White House as he introduced a domestic infrastructure spending plan. "This will be a big week for Infrastructure," Trump had tweeted earlier Monday. "After so stupidly spending $7 trillion in the Middle East, it is now time to start investing in OUR Country!" A day earlier, Trump had told a conservative Israeli newspaper that neither Israel nor the Palestinians may be committed to making peace. "Right now, I would say the Palestinians are not looking to make peace, they are not looking to make peace. And I am not necessarily sure that Israel is looking to make peace," Trump said in an interview with Israel Hayom. It was an unusual dig at Israel, made more significant for its appearance in a publication owned by Trump ally Sheldon Adelson. It follows two months of deterioration in the already thin prospects for what Trump has called "the ultimate deal," and suggested that the president partly blames ally Israel for the bleak outlook. "I don't know, frankly, if we are going to even have talks," Trump said. "But I think it is very foolish for the Palestinians and I also think it would be very foolish for the Israelis if they don't make a deal. It's our only opportunity and it will never happen after this." Many in the region expected that Trump would present a proposal for talks early this year, but any announcement appears to be on hold. His Mideast envoys have never said when they plan to reveal their proposal, which is expected to ask Arab states, including Egypt and Gulf countries that are U.S. allies, to encourage Palestinians to make a deal. That task was made harder by Trump's declaration in December that the United States considers Jerusalem to be the Israeli capital. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who generally says little about the peace effort overseen by presidential son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner, is on a week-long trip to the Middle East that does not include a stop in Israel. Tillerson was in Cairo on Sunday and Monday, pressing U.S. concerns about the election next month in which Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sissi is seeking a second four-year term. Sissi, a former military general who came to power in a coup, is effectively unopposed after several potential candidates were arrested or otherwise discouraged from challenging him. Tillerson did not answer a question about whether the United States would consider withholding more military aid if it found that Egypt's elections were not fair and credible. Last August, the United States denied Egypt $95.7 million in aid and withheld an additional $195 million because of lack of progress on democratic norms and human rights. Egypt receives $1.3 billion annually from the United States. Trump has threatened to cut off aid to countries that voted against the Jerusalem recognition at the United Nations - such as Egypt - but has not followed through. Trump's $7 trillion claim - or $6 trillion, as he has said at other moments - lumps together the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which together cost about $1.8 trillion from 2001 to 2017, while also adding in estimates of future spending such as interest on the debt and veterans' care for the next three decades. U.S. foreign aid in the Middle East and in Afghanistan is different from war spending, although Trump often seems to conflate them. He also does not appear to distinguish between war and reconstruction aid in Iraq, which is in the Middle East, from Afghanistan, which is in Central Asia. Vice President Mike Pence visited Israel and neighboring states last month, but Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas refused to see him. Abbas cited the Jerusalem announcement. Trump's designated negotiator, Jason Greenblatt, was in Israel and Jordan for a lengthy diplomatic trip last month, but like Pence he did not visit the West Bank or meet with high-level Palestinian officials. Kushner has not visited the region since before the Jerusalem announcement. He has met with Israeli officials elsewhere but has not been to Israel or the West Bank since August. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he spoke with Trump on Monday about the Israeli-Palestinian question. The phone call came as Putin prepared to host Abbas for talks in Moscow. Russian media reported that Abbas told Putin that Palestinians no longer consider the United States an honest peace broker and would continue to refuse meetings with U.S. officials. The Trump administration has announced a major cut in aid to the Palestinians this year, notifying the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees last month that it would withhold $65 million of a planned $125 million installment. In the Israel Hayom interview, Trump praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he met with last month, and said U.S.-Israel relations have never been closer. Still, he added a gentle warning about Israeli settlements on land the Palestinians claim for a future state. "We will be talking about settlements. The settlements are something that very much complicates and always have complicated making peace, so I think Israel has to be very careful with the settlements," Trump said. When he met Netanyahu in Davos, Switzerland, Trump pointedly said Israel will "pay" for the Jerusalem move in future negotiations, an idea that some on the Israeli political right dismiss. Trump also clarified that his declaration in December that Jerusalem is the Israeli capital does not mean he assumes that the entire city is automatically Israeli. "By taking Jerusalem off the table, I wanted to make it clear that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. And as for specific boundaries, I would support what both sides agreed to," Trump said. Although Trump administration officials have said the same, Trump had previously left room for interpretation that he was dismissing Palestinian claims to East Jerusalem. --- Morello reported from Cairo. Glenn Kessler contributed from Washington. LONDON - Julian Assange on Tuesday lost a second bid to quash a British arrest warrant, another setback for the WikiLeaks founder, who has spent almost six years holed up in the Ecuadoran Embassy in London. Judge Emma Arbuthnot denied a request by Assange's lawyers to lift a British warrant that was issued after Assange jumped bail when Swedish authorities sought him for questioning about alleged sexual assaults. The Swedish case was dropped last year, but the arrest warrant for skipping bail in 2012 by seeking refuge in Ecuador's embassy still holds, the judge ruled. Assange has strongly denied the Swedish accusations. In London's Westminster Magistrates' Court, Assange sought to have the British warrant lifted, saying it no longer served the public interest. Assange's lawyers argued that their client was justified in his actions because of fears that he would be extradited to the United States to face possible charges for his role in WikiLeaks' dissemination of troves of highly classified U.S. documents. They also said the five years that Assange has spent holed up in the embassy amounted to "adequate, if not severe, punishment" for skipping bail. The lawyers cited a U.N. panel on detentions that described Assange as "arbitrarily detained." But Arbuthnot was withering in her responses - in writing and in her courtroom remarks. "I find arrest is a proportionate response even though Mr. Assange has restricted his own freedom for a number of years," the judge said. "Defendants on bail up and down the country, and requested persons facing extradition, come to court to face the consequences of their own choices," she said. "He should have the courage to do the same. It is certainly not against the public interest to proceed." After the ruling, Assange claimed there were "significant factual errors in the judgment" and suggested he might appeal. "There are 3 months to appeal UK ruling," he wrote in a Twitter message. Assange's lawyers further claimed that in his confinement at Ecuador's embassy, the 46-year-old suffers from ailments and lack of sunshine. The judge replied: "I do not accept there is no sunlight. There are a number of photographs of him on a balcony connected to the premises he inhabits. Mr. Assange's health problems could be much worse." The judge also dismissed his arguments that Sweden would have extradited him to the United States. "I accept that Mr. Assange had expressed fears of being returned to the United States from a very early stage in the Swedish extradition proceedings but, absent any evidence from Mr. Assange on oath, I do not find that Mr. Assange's fears were reasonable." The judge added that she does "not accept that Sweden would have rendered Mr. Assange to the United States" and risk touching off a diplomatic crisis involving Britain, Sweden and the United States. The judge's decision came after Assange lost a separate legal challenge last week. In that ruling, his lawyers argued that the arrest warrant should be dropped because it had "lost its purpose" after Sweden shelved its investigation into sexual assault allegations because it could not get access to him. Even if the bail arrest warrant were lifted, it is unknown whether Assange would leave the embassy and where he would go in that event. It is also unclear whether he would immediately face extradition requests if he stepped outside the embassy, which is monitored by security cameras. Assange has long argued that there is an effort underway in the United States to charge him for publishing classified documents. It is not publicly known whether there is a sealed indictment against Assange. The Trump administration has reportedly weighed invoking the 1917 Espionage Act. Media reports have suggested a sometimes strained relationship between Assange and his hosts. At one point, Ecuador severed Assange's Internet connection over concerns that WikiLeaks was meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election after the anti-secrecy website published hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are conducting naval drills off Saudi coasts, dubbed Nassem al Bahr, focusing on strengthening capabilities in undertaking security operations across the traditional and non-traditional warfare domains and inter-operability, Pakistani media said. To that end, Pakistan sent a Navy fleet comprising PN Ships Zulfiqar, Tariq, Azmat, Quwwat and Munsif to the Saudi Port of Al Jubail. The fleet also includes Pakistan Navy helicopters onboard ships and P3C Orion Long Range Maritime Patrol aircrafts, which are taking part in the exercise that runs until February 18. On completion of harbor phase, next phase of the Exercise will include joint naval operations at sea. Concurrently, Pakistani and RSNF Marines are also engaged in Joint Marine Exercise Deraa Al Sahil. The two countries first launched the Nassem Al Bahr joint maritime exercise in 1993 as an advanced level maritime exercise involving almost all facets of naval forces. Two men have been arrested in Laredo for their alleged involvement in a kidnapping-for-ransom scheme, according to court documents. A criminal complaint filed Monday in a Laredo federal court identified the suspects as Juan Manuel Ancira, 21, and John Daniel Pavon, 21. They are accused of kidnapping undocumented immigrants and demanding ransoms from their families. READ ALSO: FBI seeks public's help in locating Laredo woman The kidnappers allegedly made calls to the victims family members demanding ransoms to secure the victims release. Investigators believe the victims were allegedly held in captivity for several days, threatened with weapons and were provided limited food, the FBI said in a statement over the weekend. FBI special agents said the case unfolded Thursday when a man from Wichita, Kansas stated he received a call from a man in Laredo demanding $2,000 for the release of his son. The suspected kidnapper told the man that he worked for the Gulf Cartel, according to the complaint. On Friday, agents obtained surveillance video from the Wal-Mart off Clark Boulevard. The video showed a woman receiving the ransom money from the MoneyGram location at the store. The woman then hands the money off to an unidentified man. Agents later received information that the cellphone used to call the man in Wichita had transmitted signals from a home in the 2600 block of Rosario Street. According to the complaint, agents encountered Pavon at the home on Rosario. Agents also discovered the cellphone had transmitted signals from the 4000 block of Guadalajara Street. There, a homeowner allowed agents to search the home, but the kidnapping victim was not found. Agents then learned that Ancira resided there, according to court documents. Ancira identified the homeowner as his mother. Agents told them they were looking for a missing person and requested consent to search the home. The homeowner, however, wanted to see a search warrant first. Suddenly, a neighbor told agents she saw two people running through the backyard and jumping the fence, the complaint states. Agents obtained consent to go inside the home to look for the missing person while additional agents pursued and apprehended the two people nearby. READ ALSO: Man wanted for involvement in a hostage-taking kidnapping conspiracy, found The missing person was one of the individuals who had run from the home, records state. The other individual also claimed to be a kidnapping victim. He stated his captors tried to extort his family in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for $4,000. Each identified Ancira and Pavon as the kidnappers, the complaint states. When interviewed by agents, Ancira admitted to his involvement in the crime and also implicated Pavon, according to the complaint. A search of the home revealed multiple items of evidence supporting the accusations, the document states. Ancira and Pavon are scheduled to appear for a hearing in a Laredo federal court on Friday. Former head of anti-corruption watchdog and campaign aid of detained General Sami Anan has revealed that the ex-Presidential hopeful is in possession of secret documents abroad that could cause prejudice to members of the regime should anything happen to the general who has been arrested for announcing his candidacy for March presidential elections. Hisham Genena, who headed the countrys audit service before being fired in 2016 by al-Sisi, told HuffPost Arabic in an interview Monday that the life of the ex-general is in danger following his arrest by the army last month. Hisham Genena added that the former military commander has a well of secrets and documents and evidence that would implicate many people in the deadly events that have unfolded in Egypt since 2011. Genena clearly admitted that he knows who the third party is and who is behind mysterious events and killings occured in Egypt. Hours after his revelations, Hisham Genena was arrested at his home in New Cairo by the police, according to his sister Ines. He was arrested at around noon on Tuesday she told The Telegraph A lot of police and soldiers were waiting in front of the house since this morning. He prepared his bag yesterday as he was anticipating something like this, his sister said. Sami Anan last month scrapped his plans to run for March presidential election. The ex-general has since been detained reportedly in a military camp. The army accused him of breaching military rules after announcing his candidacy without permission from the military. Anan was the second in command of the army during the short-lived military rule following the overthrow of autocratic leader Hosni Mubarak. He was retired by democratically elected president Mohamed Morsi in a move that was viewed as a way to loosen the militarys grip on the country. As a civilian, he then was appointed as a counselor to President Mohamed Morsi. The ex-general was considered the most serious challenger to AbdelFattah al-Sisi in next month presidential polls that will be won by al-Sisi after other prominent political figures were also pulled out from the race. Hisham Genena himself was victim of an assassination attempt last month after he was beaten by a group of men armed with knives. The army in a counteraction rejected Genenas comments and vowed to take legal actions against him. The armed forces will make use of all the tools guaranteed by the constitution and the law to protect national security, army spokesperson Tamer Rifai said in a statement before the man was arrested. NEW DELHI - The night train to Silchar was moving fast - too fast, authorities say. As it chugged into a forested area of northeastern India on Saturday night, a group of villagers waved their flashlights frantically, urging the driver to slow down. He didn't know why, but he soon found out. Ahead in the darkness, a large herd of elephants was ambling across the railway tracks. When the train driver finally saw what was in front of him, he hit the emergency brake, railway officials said, but it was too late. The 14-car passenger train plowed right into the herd. Two calves and two adult elephants were killed instantly, and an adult elephant that was badly injured died Monday. Some local news reports said that several baby elephants had not even moved as the train approached, and that adult elephants had sought to protect them by surrounding them. Indian forestry officials said the warnings had been ignored for a simple reason: The train was running 10 minutes late. "The driver was trying to cover up the time," said P. Sivakumar, a senior forestry officer in northern Assam, the state where the accident happened. The incident is now under investigation. In some parts of India, especially in the northeast, it is quite common for elephants to pass through populated regions or to step across railway tracks - or even four-lane highways - in search of food. Many areas have been designated elephant corridors, where drivers are supposed to proceed with caution. In the case over the weekend, the train operator was traveling above the speed limit of 30 kph, or about 20 mph, forestry officials said. Earlier in the day, the Forestry Department had sent several urgent notifications to railway operators that a large elephant herd was moving through the Habaipur area, about 250 kilometers north of Silchar, near India's border with Bangladesh. The area is deep green on most maps, and a well-known refuge for elephants. This episode is the latest in an unfortunate pattern. As recently as December, a train in Assam killed five adult elephants, including one that was pregnant. But in India's wildlife community, the latest accident seems to have reverberated more. "The railways need to be held accountable,'' said Prerna Singh Bindra, a conservationist and writer. "How come we have not learned our lessons?" About two weeks ago, Bindra and more than a dozen other wildlife advocates sent a letter to India's railway minister pointing out this very problem. "Our elephants are in trouble,'' the letter began. It then laid out several steps to help prevent train-elephant accidents, including building underpasses beneath railway lines for the animals. Wildlife experts say that India has the largest number of train accidents involving elephants in the world, with hundreds killed in the past 20 years. Many accidents tend to involve one or two animals, though in late 2013, five elephants were killed by a train in the Indian state of West Bengal, another area where such collisions happen frequently. The number of collisions with trains seems to be rising. In West Bengal, there were 27 such deaths from 1974-2002. But from 2004-2015, a much shorter period, there were 65, and there were as many as 30 killed in the last five years alone, according to Indian environmentalists. WASHINGTON Would granting a path to citizenship for 1.8 million young immigrants brought here illegally as children be amnesty? Texas' two Republican U.S. senators, John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, provide two very different answers to that question, which is one of the four "pillars" of President Donald Trump's immigration plan. Cruz, the lone dissenting senator in Monday's 97-1 vote to begin debate on a GOP proposal that includes Trump's plan, argues that it would be a mistake to grant citizenship to "anybody here illegally." To Cruz and many other hardliners on immigration, legal forgiveness, particularly citizenship, would be tantamount to "amnesty." Cornyn, one of the top GOP negotiators in a deal to find a legislative fix that would allow so-called Dreamers to stay, disputes the characterization that it would be amnesty. To Cornyn, the Dreamers find themselves in the country through no fault of their own, having been transported here by their parents as legal minors. This hardly makes them criminally liable for their predicament, and therefore not subject to legal forgiveness. "In America, we don't punish children for the mistakes their parents made," Cornyn said in a floor speech Tuesday. That sentiment partly explains why large majorities of Americans express sympathy for Dreamers and tell pollsters they should be able to stay. But that's not the only question before the Senate, where Democrats are demanding legislation extending the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which Trump set to expire on March 5, the courts permitting. Cornyn, like Trump who always said he wanted to treat Dreamers with a "heart" does not appear ready to pass legislation extending legal status and possibly citizenship to Dreamers without conditions. That posture has prompted immigration advocates to brand him a "hypocrite." But for Cornyn, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, it's a question of political reality, which means passing a bill that can get through the House and be signed by Trump. That, in turn, means conditions must apply, and as of now those conditions are the other three pillars set out by Trump: Substantial funding for border security, including physical barriers of one kind or another; ending the diversity visa lottery system; and new restrictions on family-based immigration. That's the deal Republicans have essentially offered Senate Democrats this week. So far, amnesty or not, there have been no takers among Democrats, who say they should not have to pay a political price for doing the right thing. But even if negotiators manage to hammer out an agreement, it is fairly certain that if it includes a pathway to citizenship for DACA beneficiaries, Cruz, representing a state with some 124,000 Dreamers, will not be a party to the deal. Related: Ted Cruz cast lone vote against advancing 'Dreamer' legislation Related: Dreamer immigrants caught in middle of debate over reform China will help the African Union establish a representational office in its capital, Beijing, said a communique issued by the AU following a two-day official visit to the country by Chairperson of the AU Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat. According to Mahamat, China has welcomed the planned establishment of an African Union Office in Beijing to ensure effective and timely follow-up of the China-Africa partnership. The representation will also support the work of the African Group of Ambassadors in Beijing, to ensure alignment with African Union positions. The communique said China had agreed to continue supporting institutional capacity at the African Union. This is in addition to their ongoing support for African Union infrastructure, including the New Conference Centre and the renovation of other buildings in the AU compound. China will focus on strengthening practical cooperation with the AU in the fields of the AUs capacity construction, transnational and trans-regional infrastructure construction, peace and security, public health, tourism and aviation, and help Africa achieve peace, stability and sustainable development, the communique added. Leaders of China and the African Union have recently denied a report by the French daily newspaper Le Monde that Beijing spied for years on the African Unions Chinese-built headquarters in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa through computer systems it helped install. WASHINGTON Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz stood alone Monday in voting against a GOP motion to start debate on a new immigration proposal that could resolve the standoff over "Dreamers." The 97-1 vote dramatized the Texas Republican's hardline stance against President Donald Trump's proposal to grant a path to citizenship for as many as 1.8 million young immigrants brought into the country illegally as children. Cruz has frequently derided as "amnesty" any plan that confers legal status or citizenship on people living in the country illegally. DACA DEBATE: Here's our best reporting on immigration, 'Dreamers' "I do not believe we should be granting a path to citizenship to anybody here illegally," Cruz said at the Capitol last month shortly after Trump broached the idea of offering a path to citizenship for Dreamers in exchange for border wall funding. "Doing so is inconsistent with the promises we made to the men and women who elected us." Cruz, facing a reelection challenge this year from U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, a Democrat from El Paso, immediately came under fire from Texas Democratic leaders. "The only no vote to begin debate on immigration was the Cuban that was born in Canada," said Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa, making a reference to Cruz's birth in Canada to a Cuban immigrant father. "Sinverguenza," Hinojosa added, using a Spanish phrase that translates as "shameless." "This isn't the first time Ted Cruz has betrayed Texans. It won't be the last," Hinojosa said. "Senator, lives are literally at stake. It's time to fix a broken immigration system, not grandstand for the next election." MORE: Here's who Ted Cruz is backing in key Houston congressional battle There are an estimated 124,000 Dreamers in Texas. Cruz's stand recalls his battles against Trump in the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, when Trump was campaigning of a "big, beautiful" border wall that Mexico would pay for. Cruz emphasized a hardline stance against amnesty. As president, Trump has softened his stance on the wall, saying more recently that it would not be needed everywhere. But he still is seeking $18 billion for a wall and border security, even as he negotiates with Democrats to find a legislative fix for the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which his administration is ending on March 5. Trump also is seeking curbs on legal immigration, which are contained in a bill being advanced by Texas' senior GOP Sen. John Cornyn and other Senate Republicans. MORE: Beto O'Rourke outraises Ted Cruz in last quarter of 2017 Cornyn's bill, unveiled Monday, would offer 1.8 million young people a pathway to citizenship, boost border security, and reallocate visas currently part of a diversity lottery system. It also would restrict family-based immigration slots after a current backlog is cleared. Cornyn said the plan is designed to win bipartisan support and overcome a Senate filibuster, which takes 60 votes. "What I'm interested in is solving the problem, and that means not only a proposal that can get 60 votes, but one that can pass the House and be signed into law by President Trump," he said. "That's simply critical." Cruz spokeswoman Catherine Frazier said it would be a "serious mistake" for Congress to pass legislation that grants a path to citizenship for those here illegally. "Such a policy is inconsistent with the promises that he and Republicans have made to the voters, and is in fact further to the left of President Obama's position," she said. Frazier added that Cruz wants the focus to be on securing the border and building the wall, as well as passing Kate's Law and the El Chapo Act, both bills introduced by Cruz. One would provide for mandatory minimum prison sentences for aggravated felons who repeatedly enter the country illegally. The other would require that any assets seized from convicted drug lords go towards building the wall and other border security assets. GRIEDER: Most Americans agree with Trump about letting Dreamers stay Cruz has not staked out a position on House legislation that would provide indefinite 3-year renewals of legal status of Dreamers without providing a direct path to citizenship. Some immigration hardliners still consider that amnesty, though others have said they could still support it in exchange for more limits on legal immigration and stricter border and interior enforcement. AUSTIN -- In a first push to get Republicans motivated to turn out in the March 6 primary, Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday launched a 30-second television ad in Houston and Dallas extolling Texas' job growth. "Over 600,000 new jobs," states the ad, entitled "This is Texas," that began running a day after Democratic primary challenger Andrew White of Houston aired his first TV ad -- the first of the gubernatorial campaign and the first by Democrats. Abbott's ad notes that in addition to job growth over the past three years that Abbott has been governor, Texas has seen record-low unemployment, predictions of higher wages and a package of $3.8 billion in tax cuts that he signed into law in 2015. The ad also extolls Texas for ranking among the best in high-school graduation rates nationally and for being rated as having the best business climate in the country. Abbott's campaign did not immediately detail in what Texas markets or for how long his ad will run. Abbott, a conservative Republican seeking his second term with high popularity, is by far the front runner in the Republican primary where he faces two little-known and little-funded challengers. White is among nine Democrats running for the chance to challenge Abbott in the November general election. All have sparse funding, compared with campaigns in previous years, compared to Abbott's $43 million campaign war chest -- the largest in state history. On Monday, White had launched his own 30-second TV ad that showcase his efforts to rescue stranded Houstonians during the devastating flooding after Hurricane Harvey. White's campaign said his ad will run for the next four weeks on Houston stations is the first from any of the nine candidates in the Democratic primary race to challenge incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in the November general election. White, 45, a Houston entrepreneur and son of the late Gov. Mark White, is running as a "common-sense" Democrat without the endorsement of the party's top elite because of his more-conservative positions on some issues. A Bayview district landlord accused by City Attorney Dennis Herrera of banking millions of dollars by squeezing formerly homeless veterans into cramped illegal dwelling units has agreed to pay the city a $2 million fine and bring all the buildings she owns into compliance with the law. The terms of the settlement, which was reached last week on the eve of a trial of a city lawsuit, requires husband-and-wife landlords Judy Wu and Trent Zhu to bring 12 properties up to San Francisco building, fire and planning codes. In a statement, Herrera said that Wu and Zhu trafficked in substandard housing that endangered their residents and neighbors alike. There is a reason we have building codes, Herrera said. They exist to prevent dangerous situations, like an improperly installed stove exploding and starting a fire that tears through a neighborhood. The lawsuit against the property owners identified 12 buildings with 15 legal units that were chopped up into spaces for 49 individual tenants. The leases, which brought in about $1 million a year in rent, contained jerry-rigged natural gas and water lines. Neighbors complained of over-crowding, noise, and sidewalks and backyards that became littered with mattresses, discarded furniture, stray cats and mounds of old clothing. The city charged the landlords with exploiting the Department of Veterans Affairs Homes for Heroes program, which is designed to end homelessness among veterans. Currently, a veterans housing voucher pays up to $3,132 for a one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco. That means the landlords could have collected more than $20,000 a month from one of their properties, 1351 Revere Ave., which was illegally chopped into seven units. The house was purchased for $260,000 in 2010. The case was tricky because the city wanted to force Wu and Zhu to follow the law while ensuring that the tenants, about two-thirds of whom are previously homeless veterans, did not end up back on the street. To that end, the city worked with the property owners and city planning and building staff to reconfigure the 12 buildings 10 single-family homes, one duplex and one three-unit building to create 37 legal residences. A total of 10 households will have to be relocated. The city has hired supportive-housing nonprofit Brilliant Corners to help find housing for those tenants five have been relocated or are in the process of moving. This settlement ensures that no one is put out on the street, Herrera said. These veterans have sacrificed a lot for all of us. While neighbors complained of overpopulated and dangerous conditions at the buildings, Wu and Zhu had supporters among veterans and affordable-housing advocates who credited them for renting to people who might otherwise be shut out of the housing market. In September 2016, Wu told The Chronicle: My tenants are very low-income, and some have mental problems. I am trying to house as many veterans as possible. Tommi Avicolli Mecca, director of counseling for the Housing Rights Committee, said his group will continue to monitor the case to make sure all tenants end up in comparable units. Its not over yet, he said. At the end of the day, we dont care about about the settlement with Judy Wu. These are human beings facing displacement in a housing market that is brutal. J.K. Dineen is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jdineen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfjkdineen The One Warkworth Business Association met with Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford to promote the towns roading priorities. A meeting between One Warkworth Business Association and Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford to discuss roading priorities failed to generate much optimism for the troubled Hill Street intersection One Warkworth told Mr Twyford at the meeting on September 15 that funding for Auckland Transports new design for the intersection was still uncertain. But Mr Twyford said it was doubtful that the Governments National Land Transport Fund would come to the rescue. He said the fund had taken a $1 billion hit to its revenue because of Covid-19 and had had to spend $200 million to keep buses on the road. We are not exactly flush at the moment, Mr Twyford said. However, he said the Government and Auckland Transport would soon update the Auckland Transport Alignment Plan (ATAP), which would provide a chance for lobbying for funding Hill Street. One Warkworth also raised the need to finish the western link road (western collector) to ease pressure from imminent development to the west of Warkworth, including Stubbs Farm. Auckland Transport has indicated it will only consider building the collector road over the next 10 to 30 years. The delay will put pressure on the Hill Street intersection and Hudson Road, from western residents accessing the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway. But Mr Twyford offered some hope by saying that the Government had recently changed the law to allow developers to levy households over an extended time period to pay for road infrastructure. He said a guaranteed levy could be used to borrow now and start building the road infrastructure ahead of time. We did that because Auckland Council cannot borrow any more to finance roads. Its at its debt limits, he said. We want development to come down to whether it is commercially viable, not whether the Council can have it on its balance sheet. Mr Twyford said that in August, the Government updated the National Policy Statement (NPS) on urban development requiring Councils to provide zoning for expected growth. The NPS update is designed to make Council much more permissive and expansive, he said. He added that current zoning conditions encouraged developers to land bank rather than develop. If we get zoning and financing right, the market will do the heavy lifting. If zoning allows it, demand will drive development, he said. On the topic of tolling the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway, Minister Twyford would not commit to a position. Tolling is attractive to any government as a way of generating revenue, he said. However, the NZTA is required to consider value for money, public opinion and whether there is a safe and free alternative before tolling. Link to a map by Auckland Council showing possible road developments in the next 10 to 30 years: http://supportinggrowth.govt.nz/assets/2019-Launch-Website/a0e637acb9/Warkworth-Indicative-Strategic-Transport-Network.pdf The US Forbes magazine released its annual ranking of global billionaires, showing that 2017 was a record year for the richest personalities on the planet, and also that the list of African billionaires is longer. The 23 billionaires that Forbes found in Africa, up from 21 last year, cumulated assets valued at over $75.4 billion, compared to $70 billion in January 2017. The Nigerian cement and commodities tycoon Aliko Dangote tops the ranking for the seventh consecutive year, with a net worth that Forbes pegs at $12.2 billion, up $100 million from a year ago. Dangote is followed by Nick Oppenheimer. The South African, who is best known in the diamond industry, is credited with a fortune estimated at 7.7 billion. Nicks compatriot, mining tycoon Desmond Sacco, chairman of listed Assore Group, returns to the list. Sacco last appeared as a billionaire on the Africas Richest list in 2012 and in 2014 with a $1.4 billion fortune. His compatriot and newcomer Michiel Le Roux, the founder and former chairman of Johannesburg-listed Capitec Bank Holdings has joined the list as a new billionaire worth $1.2 billion. Another newcomer is Zimbabwes telecom magnate Strive Masiyiwa, who chairs the Econet Group. In North Africa, Egypts Nassef Sawiris of Orascom Telecom Holding (OTH), an Egyptian telephone and new technologies company active in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, comes in fourth with $7 billion from its investments in construction and the chemical industry. The top quintuor is completed by another Nigerian, Globacom boss Mike Adenuga, with a fortune valued at 5.3 billion. Only 2 of the 23 list members are women, unchanged from last year. Isabel dos Santos, the daughter of Angolas longtime former president, Jose Eduardo dos Santos and Nigerias Folorunsho Alakija. A short time later, the Toyota was involved in a crash on the Southern State Parkway near Bethpage Parkway. Following the crash, the occupants fled the scene. A passing motorist, who observed the crash and stopped to assist, observed the suspects flee into the woods. The motorist chased them on foot and called 911, eventually losing sight of them. Nassau County Police officers located the three in the yard of a home on Intervale Avenue in Farmingdale Local News, Business & Finance, Politics By Long Island News & PR Published: February 13 2018 As Federal Government Targets 12 Democratic States by Nearly Eliminating the SALT Deduction, New York Takes Action. Albany, NY - February 13, 2018 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the 30-day amendments to the Executive Budget will include legislation allowing employers to opt-in to a new payroll tax system to protect their employees from Federal tax increases. In addition, legislation will create two new funds to accept donations to fund health care and education programs, allowing taxpayers who itemize their deductions to deduct those donations from their federal taxes. Finally, budget amendments will include provisions to decouple the state tax code from the Federal tax code so that State taxpayers do not see increased state taxes because of Federal tax increases. "While the federal government takes direct aim at the economic heart of New York, with this new legislation we are taking action to protect hardworking New Yorkers from this attack from Washington," Governor Cuomo said. "With these reforms to our tax code, we are doing everything we can to protect the rights and wallets of families across New York." "These amendments to the Executive Budget will protect New York's taxpayers, our State Budget, and our economic competitiveness," State Budget Director Robert F. Mujica, Jr. said. "New York has 52 counties with average SALT above $10,000, the largest percentage of taxpayers getting a tax increase, and this law makes it more expensive to live here relative to other states." Acting Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Nonie Manion said, "We collaborated with our agency's experts and industry stakeholders to develop options to limit the damage from the federal tax changes that unfairly target New York State and its citizens. These amendments will restore fairness for taxpayers while also maintaining the state's competitiveness." The legislation to be advanced with the 30-day amendments will build on the preliminary report released in January by the Department of Taxation and Finance, which outlines options for state tax reform designed to mitigate the adverse impact of the federal legislation on our economy and on New Yorkers. After further study and extensive consultation with experts from state and local government, academia, and the private sector, the proposed reforms were found to be viable options for protecting New Yorkers. Legislation to be included with 30-day amendments will protect taxpayers by: Creating a new Employer Compensation Expense Tax: While Federal tax reform eliminated full State and local tax deductibility for individuals, businesses were spared from these limitations. Under 30-day legislation, to protect their employees from the tax increases associated with the limitations on SALT deductibility, employers would be able to opt-in to a new ECET system. Employers that opt-in would be subject to a five percent tax on all annual payroll expenses in excess of $40,000 per employee, phased in over three years beginning on January 1, 2019. The progressive personal income tax system would remain in place, and a new tax credit corresponding in value to the ECET would cut the personal income tax on wages and ensure that State filers subject to the ECET would not experience a decline in take-home pay. Overall, the proposal is designed to be revenue neutral for the state while giving employers the opportunity to reduce their employees' federal taxes. Under the legislation, the deadline for the first annual election for employers to opt-in to this alternative system will be on October 1, 2018, for the 2019 tax year. The benefits associated with the election will include not only income tax relief for affected employees but also a new tax credit available to employers to offset administrative costs. For those who opt-in, the new payroll tax on wages over $40,000 would be phased in over three years: 1.5 percent in first year, 3 percent in second year, 5 percent in third year. Charitable Contributions to Benefit New Yorkers: The legislation creates two new state-operated Charitable Contribution Funds to accept donations for the purposes of improving health care and education in New York. Taxpayers who itemize deductions could claim these charitable contributions as deductions on their Federal and State tax returns. Any taxpayer making a donation could also claim a State tax credit equal to 85 percent of the donation amount for the tax year after the donation is made. In addition, the amendment authorizes school districts and other local governments to create charitable funds for education and health care. Donations to these funds would provide a reduction in local property tax bills (via a local credit) equal to a percentage of the donation. Decoupling from federal tax code: The state tax code is closely aligned with the Federal tax code. This legislation decouples the state tax code from the federal tax code, where necessary, to avoid more than $1.5 billion in State tax increases brought solely by increases in Federal taxes. Federal tax reform capped the itemized deduction for State and local taxes (SALT) at $10,000. The Governor proposes to decouple from this cap so New York taxpayers are not subjected to a $441 million State tax increase from the flow through of this cap to State income tax returns. The legislation also decouples from other Federal deduction changes, saving State taxpayers $269 million annually beginning in FY 2020. The 30-day amendments will also maintain the State standard deduction for single filers. Without this change, single filers would not be able to take the standard deduction on their State return, and New York taxpayers would have been subjected to an $840 million annual State tax increase beginning in FY 2020. Last month, the Governor moved forward on his multi-pronged effort to fight the federal tax assault and announced , along with the Governors of New Jersey and Connecticut, a coalition to sue the federal government. The new law effectively preempts the states' ability to govern by reducing the ability to provide for their own citizens and unfairly targets New York and similarly situated states in violation of the Constitution. Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Politics By Long Island News & PR Published: February 13 2018 Lindsay: "It is incredibly important to bridge the gap between our youth and our veteran population." Holbrook, NY - February 13, 2018 - With Valentines Day approaching, many of us are planning thoughtful ways to show our loved ones how much they are appreciated, and cared for. Legislator Lindsays most recent community initiative aimed to bring a message of kindness, and gratitude to our brave veterans, and active service members. He joined together with fourteen local elementary, and middle schools within the Eighth Legislative District to create Valentines Day cards for active and retired members of our military. Id like to thank the local elementary, and middle schools that participated in crafting Valentines Day cards, and the eighteen veteran organizations, and active military posts who graciously agreed to distribute cards to their organizations, said Legislator Lindsay. It is incredibly important to bridge the gap between our youth and our veteran population. Suffolk County is home to the most veterans in New York State, and it is imperative to teach our youth that we must show them respect and gratitude for the sacrifices theyve made for our country. Im proud of all the students who participated, and I am ecstatic that I was able to distribute over 3,400 Valentines Day cards to men and women so deserving of kindness this upcoming holiday. This successful community initiative could not have been made possible without the help of the following schools: Academy Street Elementary School, Sylvan Avenue Elementary School, Blue Point Elementary School, James Wilson Young Middle School, Grundy Avenue Elementary School, Hiawatha Elementary School, Merrimac Elementary School, Cayuga Elementary School, Seneca Middle School, Sagamore Middle School, Wenonah Elementary School, Lynwood Avenue Elementary School, Chippewa Elementary School and Cherry Avenue Elementary School. Superintendent Timothy P. Hearney, Ed. D. of Bayport Blue Point School District is a strong supporter of Legislator Lindsays community initiative. Any project that combines service to others and provides an opportunity for our students to showcase their literary abilities is a remarkable initiative and we are so thankful that Legislator Bill Lindsay invited our district to participate in this year's Valentines for Vets project, said Superintendent Hearney. I commend our students for their outstanding efforts and contributions as our three elementary schools and middle school donated between 500 and 600 Valentines Day cards for the cause. It is our collective hope that the recipients of these cards know that we are eternally grateful for their service to our country and are appreciated every day of the year. One of Legislator Lindsays recipients was Chief Petty Officer Kevin F. Nolan, United States Navy, who distributed Valentines Day cards to a Navy Riverine Reserve Unit preparing for deployment. I would like to personally thank Legislator Lindsay for his selfless act in showing his gratitude to the brave men and women that don the cloth of our great Nation in their effort to protect the freedom which we all have the privilege of enjoying, said Chief Nolan. My Sailors received over 40 Valentines Day cards from Legislator Lindsays office which they had collected from various schools across Long Island. I cant express to all of you enough the pride it instills in my Sailors when their fellow countrymen and women take the time out to thank them and show support for their sacrifices. I just want to touch on the word 'support' for a minute: arguably, support is the most important aspect for our military and their families. Support reminds the men and women in uniform of the reason why they decided to serve in the military in the first place. On a personal level, support has kept me going for the fifteen years of my service thus far. So from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for bringing that feeling back to my Sailors. Some of them are training up now to head overseas for a deployment, so it means even more to them and their families especially now. In closing, Chief Nolan graciously stated: Legislator Lindsay, we know that you have been a huge supporter not only of our military, but also of our youth programs that build future leaders for this country, especially the Navy SEAL LT Michael P. Murphy Sea Cadets. Thank you for your constant effort to support our military and the future of the United States of America, we are ever grateful." Local News, Politics By Long Island News & PR Published: February 13 2018 Senator Kaminsky: "False, misleading, and anonymous advertisements deceive voters and sabotage our democracy." (L to R): Senator Todd Kaminsky was joined by Assemblyman Kenneth P. Zebrowski, Assemblyman Brian Barnwell, Senator Brad Hoylman, Senator Tim Kennedy, Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assemblyman James Skoufis, Senate Democratic Deputy Leader Mike Gianaris, and Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer for a press conference outside the Senate Chamber in Albany, NY. Albany, NY - February 13, 2018 - Today, Senator Todd Kaminsky and Assemblyman James Skoufis joined their colleagues in the legislature to include a measure in the final budget which will prevent anonymous political ads on social media. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has already introduced such a measure in his Executive budget, and Skoufis and Kaminsky have introduced legislation in support of the regulations ( Today, Senator Todd Kaminsky and Assemblyman James Skoufis joined their colleagues in the legislature to include a measure in the final budget which will prevent anonymous political ads on social media. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has already introduced such a measure in his Executive budget, and Skoufis and Kaminsky have introduced legislation in support of the regulations ( A.8816 S.6896A ). False, misleading, and anonymous advertisements deceive voters and sabotage our democracy, said Senator Todd Kaminsky. Political ads on Facebook and other digital platforms should be held to the same standards as traditional political ads. Voters should be allowed to see who actually paid for these ads, and hold the authors accountable if they lie. Transparency is a necessary step toward restoring trust in government. I urge my colleagues in the legislature to advance this critical reform in the final budget. In September 2017, Facebook disclosed to federal investigators that it sold $100,000 worth of advertising to an international buyer in an attempt to influence the 2016 presidential election. Right now in New York, many forms of political advertisements carry no disclosure requirement. Skoufis and Kaminskys legislation would more accurately define what a political advertisement is, and require ads to disclose on their face who has paid for them with a paid for by statement. The legislation would cover both digital and mail political advertisements, the vast majority of which are unregulated in New York State. The bill will also penalize any wrongdoing with a fine of up to $1,000 or up to the cost of the communication, whichever is greater. NYS Assemblyman James Skoufis said: Theres no place in our democracy for lying, anonymous advertising, said Skoufis. Social media has opened the floodgates, allowing deceitful ads to permeate our elections. Our common sense measure seeks to shine a much-needed light and, make no mistake, the only people to oppose us are those who are guilty of this political fraud. Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said: Dirty campaign tricks, misleading ads, and outright lies are poisoning our elections and fraying voter confidence in the political process. I applaud Senator Todd Kaminsky for stepping up to address this crisis by making digital ads come under the same regulations as broadcast and print media. We need to combat fake news and slanderous attacks head on, and that is why I am proud to support Senator Kaminskys legislation. Senate Democratic Deputy Leader Mike Gianaris said: Updating state laws to address modern campaign tactics is a good way to combat nasty online attacks and lies that currently hide behind anonymity. I applaud Senator Kaminsky for stepping up and leading this fight. Background by Chuck Martin , February 13, 2018 The former chief technology officer at Samsung has joined Google to lead its Internet of Things business. Injong Rhee has joined Google as entrepreneur-in-residence to lead the search giants IoT business, according to a statement posted on LinkedIn by Rhee. Rhee will report to Diane Greene, CEO of Google Cloud and a board member of Googles parent company, Alphabet. One of the first things I would like to do with my Google colleagues is to get these efforts coordinated and aligned toward a concerted IoT story of Google -- in the process, create distinct consumer and enterprise product lines, stated Rhee. IoT is a new and exciting space with tremendous potential to transform how we use and deploy technology in our everyday lives, Rhee said. Google and Alphabet have many IoT-related products and assets. I hope to grow Google IoT into a sustainable and profitable business line. Rhee worked at Samsung since 2011, the last two years as chief technology officer. He left the company in December. Last year, Google launched Google Cloud IoT Core to facilitate the central management of globally dispersed IoT devices. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, February 13, 2018 Last October, the nonprofit Prager University sued Google's YouTube for allegedly discriminating against conservative videos by applying the "restricted mode" filter to the school's videos. The conservative-leaning Prager alleged that its free speech rights were being violated by Google's filtering decisions, which effectively made the clips unavailable to some students and library patrons. Prager also alleged that Google wrongly "demonetized" some videos, including ones with titles like "Pakistan: Can Sharia and Freedom Coexist," and "Why Isn't Communism as Hated as Nazism?" The school sought an injunction requiring Google to change the way it categorizes Prager's clips. advertisement advertisement Now, Google is asking a federal judge to reject Prager's request, arguing that the school has no right to have its clips displayed in any particular mode on YouTube. "It is YouTube, not PragerU, whose First Amendment rights are threatened here," Google argues in papers filed Friday with U.S. District Court Judge Lucy Koh in San Jose. "PragerUs motion is a radical attempt to rewrite the rules governing online services, one that would transform nearly every decision that service providers make about how content may be displayed on their platforms into a constitutional case to be arbitrated by the courts," Google adds. The company also notes that the First Amendment prohibits the government from censoring speech -- even speech that's seen as offensive -- but doesn't stop private companies from deciding how to treat content. "If the First Amendment actually bound private online service providers as it binds the government, those providers would be significantly constrained in their ability to act even against highly offensive or objectionable content," Google argues. "In such a world, YouTube and other online services would be unable to do the kind of content regulation that the public, including governments, civil society groups, parents, and other Internet users, clearly expects, such as removing nudity, personal attacks, racist language, depictions of violence, terrorist propaganda, and many other forms of objectionable content." Koh is expected to hold a hearing in the case on March 15. by Ray Schultz , February 13, 2018 North American companies are not yet ready for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), according to The State of Data Governance, a study done for erwin by UBM. Of 118 professionals surveyed on the continent, only 6% say their firms are fully prepared. But that number may be slightly misleading. Another 39% feel they are somewhat prepared, and 27% are beginning to get ready. Only 11% say they are not at all geared up. And 17% report that GDPR does not affect them. The results are validating but also a bit shocking, states Mariann McDonagh, CMO for erwin. On the positive side, 98% view data governance defined as understanding data flow across the organization, and for setting policies that govern data as important, 52% critically so. However, 46% lack a formal governance strategy, while 21% are just getting started on one. Thirty-nine percent are without a budget for data governance, and 24% dont know whether they have one. advertisement advertisement Thats a big factor, given that cost is the biggest obstacle to data governance initiatives. IT pays for data governance at 40% of the companies, and audit and compliance departments at 20%. The business covers the bill at 8%. On the downside, data governance has not quite become integrated with enterprise architecture (EA) strategies, the study notes. While 46% have an EA function, only 10% have a data architecture team, and that is not usually connected with data governance. Here are the main challenges facing companies: Cost of data governance projects 58% Understanding the right approach for your organization 42% Executive support/sponsorship 42% Organizational support 39% Effective tools 36% Articulating business justifications/business case 27% Here is what is driving data governance: Regulatory compliance 60% Customer trust/satisfaction 49% Better decision making 45% Regulation management 30% Analytics 27% Big Data 27% Data standards uniformity 15% Self-service data 9% Reduction of colliding policies and processes for data management 7% Precision of language 2% UBM surveyed 118 North American business technology professionals in 16 sectors, including financial services, government, healthcare, IT and telecommunications. by Melynda Fuller , February 13, 2018 Trusted Media Brands has again shown record numbers from some of its most popular brands, Tasteofhome.com and Familyhandman.com, in December 2017. Trusted Media Brands showed record visitors across its entire digital network with 62.7 million unique visitors in December, an increase of 20% over 2016. The network added over 10 million visitors during that time period. At the top, reaching a record 19.8 million unique visitors in December, Tasteofhome.com saw a 55.1% increase from the same period in 2016. Familyhandman.com and RD.com (Readers Digest) both saw strong numbers, too, with the former experiencing a 34.7% increase in UV and the latter an increase of 34.2%. All numbers were based on the latest comScore report, which also ranks Trusted Media Brands in the top 30 of over 2,000 digital lifestyle networks. advertisement advertisement According to the latest Magazine Media 360 report, Readers Digest ranked in the top 10 of magazine brands, with an average audience of 19 million. Another property that saw growth under the Trusted Media Brands umbrella was Haven Home Media Group, which saw an increase of 1.9% in unique visitors at 28.8 million. It is now the top-performing brand among its competitors. Trusted Media Brands made the decision to invest in talent with extensive digital experience to gear up as a digital leader over the past couple of years. A consistent increase in audience shows the strategy is working. Bonnie Kintzer, Trusted Media Brands CEO, stated: Our growing team has strong digital expertise across social, search and programmatic. Their contributions have allowed us to identify new ways to have our content resonate more with our readers while reaching them on an ever-growing range of media channels. Ambassador of Belarus in Lithuania Aleksandr Korol meets the Minister of Economy of Lithuania 13-02-2018 On February 13, 2018 the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Lithuania, Aleksandr Korol, met with the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Lithuania, Virginijus Sinkevicius. During the meeting, the sides discussed topical issues of bilateral relations between Belarus and Lithuania in the spheres of trade and economy, outlined the priorities for cooperation for the current year and exchanged views on the potential forms and methods of intensifying economic interaction between the two countries. A special attention was paid to the preparation of the Belarus-Lithuania economic forum in Vitebsk. print version by Aaron Baar , February 13, 2018 For those still looking for dates this Valentines Day, Georgia-Pacifics Vanity Fair brand has some advice: pick a napkin user. The company this week is launching a campaign pointing out that napkin users are more likely to be more attentive in dating situations than people who dont use napkins. The campaign is based on research the company conducted after initially discovering napkin users were viewed as more civil and therefore more dateable than non-napkin users, says Jeff Scardino, creative director at Figliulo & Partners, the agency that created the campaign. It seems random on the surface, but when we were digging into the initial strategy, we started to see people who bought and used proper napkins also had other qualities about them, Scardino tells Marketing Daily. We wanted to prove it [about dating, too] and not just generally say it and the results were better than we had hoped for. advertisement advertisement Corresponding to its initial launch campaign late last year, the brand conducted research into relationship-specific qualities from the likelihood of watching bad TV (70% more likely) to getting along with your mother (54%) more likely. The agency turned these findings into short online videos and out-of-home ads for its Date a napkin user campaign. One video depicts a couple out on a date that doesnt appear to be going well. The couple seems bored and distracted, and not generally connecting. As they awkwardly eat a meal, the man uses a napkin to dab his mouth, eliciting an interested eyebrow-raise from the woman. (Text reads: Research shows napkin users make for better dates.) Other spots reveal that napkin users are more likely to join in a juice cleanse and the aforementioned mother likability. The campaign will be running in online video, out-of-home and in display and social channels (where influencers will be encouraged to use the hashtag #DateaNapkinUser). Vanity Fair teamed with dating site Match to conduct the research, and the two companies will be hosting a singles event in Dallas (ranked as one of the worst dating sites in the U.S.) next week. The entire Date a Napkin User idea is timed to Valentines Day to take advantage of those who might still be looking for that someone special, and wondering what qualities might point them in the right direction, Scardino says. When we thought about when to launch it, it makes sense to do it when dating was more topical, he says. We wanted to tap that nerve of people who are sick of dating. Most breast cancers are estrogen receptor-positive, meaning that signals received from estrogen, a hormone, promote the growth of the tumors. To stop these cancers from spreading, estrogen inhibitors are usually prescribed. But what happens when tumors develop treatment resistance? Share on Pinterest In around a third of ER-positive breast cancer cases, the tumors become treatment-resistant. Why is that? Studies suggest that approximately 70 percent of all breast cancers are estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive). These types of cancer are typically treated with drugs such as tamoxifen and fulvestrant that either lower the levels of the hormone or inhibit the estrogen receptors to prevent the tumors from spreading. This is known as endocrine therapy. However, around a third of the people treated with these drugs develop resistance to them, which negatively impacts their chances of survival. The mechanisms that underlie the tumors resistance to therapy is not well understood and currently poses a major challenge. Recently, however, specialists from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA, have made significant progress in uncovering what exactly happens in the bodies of people in whom endocrine therapy does not work. Dr. Myles Brown the director of the Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics at the Institute and his colleagues investigated how certain gene mutations render cancer cells more resilient, facilitating metastasis. Their findings, the scientists hope, may eventually lead to more effective approaches for patients who do not respond well to traditional treatments. The results of the teams study were published in the journal Cancer Cell. The mutations that hinder treatment In a previous study, Dr. Rinath Jeselsohn who also co-led the new research and former team saw that mutations of the estrogen receptor gene of cancer cells were largely responsible for the cancers resistance to treatment. On that occasion, the scientists observed these mutations in the metastatic tumors of women who had received endocrine therapy and had not responded to it. Following on from this discovery, Dr. Jeselsohn and her colleagues analyzed these mutations using laboratory models of ER-positive breast cancer, noting that they supported the cancers resistance to the drugs tamoxifen and fulvestrant. The new study revealed additional mechanisms that researchers had not been aware of previously. Besides enabling the tumors to adapt to estrogen deprivation, the genetic mutations were also responsible for activating genes that would allow the cancer tumors to spread even further. Such mutations which allow genes to gain surprising and novel functions are referred to as neomorphic mutations . Therefore, the effect of the genetic mutations is twofold, allowing the cancer tumor to undertake two distinct lines of attack at the same time. [E]ven though the drug therapies are selecting tumors that can grow without estrogen, explains Dr. Brown, the mutations also confer a metastatic advantage to the tumor. We are sure most of you must have seen movies like 'Dunkirk', 'Blade Runner 2049', 'Rampage', 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales', 'The Hobbit', 'Spectre', or 'Spider-man: Homecoming'. While, we thoroughly loved watching them and their drop-dead striking aerial shots, I'm sure most of us barely gave a thought to the hard work and technology that went behind it. But, Oscars did. Hence, they decided to acknowledge and appreciate their efforts at the Scientific and Technical Awards that took place over the weekend in Beverly Hills. The 90th Academy Awards aka the coveted Oscars 2018 is still a few weeks away. Twitter However, this is not the reason why we are jumping up and down in excitement and beaming with pride at the same time. It's the fact that India received a great reward for its contribution in movies. In case you are scratching your heads in confusion, here's what happened. Vikas Sathaye, a genius Indian engineer raised in Mumbai, proved his mettle in front of the whole world and made the nation proud with his achievements; after he won an Oscar for Shotover K1 Camera System. Sathaye was a part of the esteemed four-member team that was honoured with the scientific and engineering award for the concept, design, engineering and implementation of the Shotover K1 Camera System. Brad Hurndell, John Coyle and Shane Buckham were the other team members. Reuters We realize most of you will be confused right now wondering what did they really do, but trust us, you're not alone. So here's how the Academy broke down the explanation. Apparently, this is a six-axis stabilized aerial camera mount that has an enhanced ability to frame shots while looking straight down. Reportedly, Sathaye joined Shotover Camera Systems, located in Queenstown, New Zealand in 2009. He worked on the aerial mount there. In fact, Sathaye said, One of the reasons to start this company in Queenstown was the natural beauty and stunning scenery which attract a lot of film producers and directors. He further explained, The camera mount gets attached to the base of a helicopter, which carries the camera and lens. Its primary function is to eliminate any vibration from reaching the camera and thus getting steady footage. The other function for the camera mount is to move the camera head in the desired direction as required by the camera operator, who sits inside the helicopter and uses a joystick to control the camera head movement. Isn't this so cool? Sathaye was born in 1967 in Pune and spent most part of his life in Mumbai. After school, he completed a diploma in instrumentation from VPM's polytechnic, Thane. Then, he studied BE in electronics from VIT Pune and MTech in instrumentation from IISc. Sathaye was earlier a teacher, who taught at Pune Cummins College of Engineering for Women for a couple of years, during which he was sent to Italy for a project and it was there that he got inspired to take up this field. Shotover So what do we learn from this folks? First, Oscars 2018 is around the corner and it's becoming difficult to contain our excitement. Second, let's not judge or make memes and jokes on engineers anymore guys; if they can create such brilliant and Oscar-worthy concepts, we guess they can do anything in the world and outer space and any other dimension they might have accidently found.fww 166,225 tonnes were delivered onto the exchange today, the largest single delivery of aluminium into LME-listed warehouses since March 19, 2014.There is backwardation [in the February/March-2018 spread] and someone took advantage of it when there is a backwardation people tend to deliver onto the exchange, a trader said.The deliveries are linked to the February/March spread backwardation. If the spreads are tight then it does not make sense to keep hold of the metal, a floor trader added.Traders told Metal Bulletin that the deliveries are expected to help swing the nearby spreads back into contango.The February/March-2018 LME spread has narrowed to a $2 per tonne contango from $5 per tonne on Friday February 9, while the benchmark cash/three-month spread has swung to a wider contango since the large delivery, now at $5.25c per tonne.The deliveries have an influence on the backwardation, which will disappear. It is already dwindling now, a market source said.An increase in the aluminium deliveries in Asia is because of the backwardation, which has resulted in pressure to liquidate, a second trader added.LME aluminium stocks have increased a total 183,800 tonnes since Thursday February 8, with 41,650 tonnes delivered on Friday and 22,175 tonnes delivered on Monday before todays large delivery.79.8% of the stocks delivered in over these three trading days has been in Port Klang, with the rest of the metal split between Singapore and Johor the majority of the metal is ingots.More deliveries to come?On-warrant aluminium stocks in LME warehouses were at a nine-year low toward the end of 2017 having plummeted significantly after warehouse reforms in 2013 and 2015.Although, following todays delivery some market participants expect even more metal to be delivered to the LME.This could be an artificial squeeze, the tightness in March shouldn't be there. But there are always people who purchase during the fire sale in December and are holding and waiting to deliver in February/March... There is likely to be more to come, a third trader said.If its not just because of the backwardation and there is more to it, then we will see further deliveries over the next few weeks. Another 100,000 tonnes would not be surprising, a warehousing source said.The general view is that it is being dumped there while China is on holiday it is all Port Klang material, a source added.Traders and sellers on the physical market welcomed the large deliveries viewing it as a bullish sign for premiums.Global premiums are experiencing a bull run, but the persistent backwardation has been capping more exaggerated movements higher, with the benchmark Rotterdam duty-unpaid premium steady from the February 5 assessment at $100-107 per tonne, its highest level in a year.To me, this move is bullish for spreads and supportive of premiums, which is a good sign, a trader in Europe said.Justin Yang, Vivian Teo and Shivani Singh contributed to this article. The Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dimitrios Paraskevopoulos, made a strong demarche today to his Turkish counterpart, regarding yesterdays incident involving the ramming of a Hellenic Coast Guard open sea vessel by a Turkish patrol boat. Furthermore, the Director General for Political Affairs summoned Turkeys Ambassador in Athens to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dangerous incidents such as these, which place human lives at risk, are the result of the escalating and provocative conduct that Turkey has increasingly exhibited in recent days. Turkey must stop violating international law and refrain from acts that do not contribute to the development of relations between the two countries. Such acts undermine regional security and stability, which Greece upholds and will continue to do so. Today, Mr. Matthew Nimetz, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, met jointly with H.E. Mr. Nikos Kotzias, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Greece, and H.E. Mr. Nikola Dimitrov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, at the United Nations Office at Vienna. Following a constructive meeting as part of the the efforts to find a mutually acceptable solution to the name issue, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs agreed to continue their efforts under the auspices of the United Nations. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus E.Shestakov visits Colombia 13-02-2018 On February 12 14, 2018 the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Evgeny Shestakov, pays a working visit to the Republic of Colombia. On February 12, the Deputy Head of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry held political consultations with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Patti Londono. The meeting of the Deputy Ministers brought a traditional character to consultations between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries. Minsk hosted its first round in 2014. The sides discussed current state and prospects for development of the Belarusian-Colombian cooperation in the political, trade, economic, scientific, technical, educational, humanitarian, and other spheres, outlined joint steps to deepen the interstate dialogue, as well as considered the priority topics on the international agenda. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus E.Shestakov meets the leadership of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism E.Shestakov also met with the leadership of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, the Export and Investment Promotion Agency ProColombia, the National Agency for Infrastructure. The sides discussed ways to increase mutual trade, participation of Belarus in the implementation of projects in the field of agriculture in Colombia, road construction and a number of other areas. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus E.Shestakov meets the leadership of the Export and Investment Promotion Agency ProColombia print version What will William and Kate name their third bundle of joy? If the bookies are right, Mary is the best bet. According to British betting and gambling company Ladbrokes Coral Group, most people seem to think the royal couple is expecting another girl. The company told Metro News Mary is the favorite for the princess's name, with 7-to-1 odds. Apparently, Alice was the early favorite, but a recent influx of bets from Northwest England put Mary in the lead. "We can't quite put our finger on the link between Mary and the Northwest, but the overwhelming support means we have a new favorite in the royal baby name market," Jessica Bridges, a spokesperson for Ladbrokes, told Metro. Alice is now tied for second place with Victoria at 8-to-1 odds. The news outlet speculates Mary may be a top contender because it's Queen Elizabeth's middle name and would make a nice tribute to the great-grandmother. The gender of the baby has not been announced, so the possibility of another prince is still strong. The favorite boy names are reportedly Albert and Arthur, tied with odds of 12-to-1. Other leading favorites include Alexandra, Diana and Elizabeth, if it's a girl, or Frederick, Henry and James, if it's a boy, reports Metro. You'll notice not many people are betting on the more creative and attention-grabbing names favored by celebrities these days. Bridges told Newshub in January that's because the royal family tends to "regurgitate the same names every few generations so it's very hard to see a Princess Chardonnay or a Prince Wayne." Prince William and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, along with their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte, are expecting to welcome their newest member of the family in April. Read Alix Martichoux's latest stories and send her news tips at amartichoux@sfchronicle.com. UPPER THUMB The Village of Cass City has begun the process of becoming a Redevelopment Ready Community, which is a project supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The Redevelopment Ready Community program is available to communities across the state. Its a voluntary, no-cost certification program designed to promote effective redevelopment strategies through a set of best practices. The program measures and then certifies communities that integrate transparency, predictability and efficiency into their daily development practices. A Redevelopment Ready Community certification formally recognizes a community has a vision for the future with fundamental practices in place to move forward with development, explained village Manager Deboria Powell. Because the Tuscola County Economic Development Corporation has been actively assisting the village in the process to obtain a Redevelopment Ready Community certification, a $5,000 allocation was given to them. The money for the payment came from the Village Promotion Fund from the .6800 millage the village levies. Having a Redevelopment Ready Community in our town helps with growth and getting new businesses, said Powell. It helps with the potential of receiving state and federal grant funds. DETROIT DTE Energy recently announced it spent nearly $1.7 billion with Michigan businesses in 2017, and created or sustained 5,100 jobs across the state. The company exceeded its goal by more than $300,000. In the past eight years, DTE has spent more than $7.5 billion with local suppliers of goods and services, creating 16,000 jobs. In 2010, our chairman and CEO Gerry Anderson challenged DTEs leadership team to re-think the way we did business, and asked us to do more to support the state, said DTE Energy Chief Procurement Officer Anthony Tomczak. We looked at how Michigan-based businesses could help us achieve our goals. We changed the way we purchased goods and services and significantly impacted the state we work and live in, too." "Were proud of the difference weve made in the communities we serve," he added. Below are highlights of DTE's partnership with Michigan-based vendors, including dollars spent, number of businesses and jobs created or retained: In Southeast Michigan and Metro Detroit: DTE invested more than $1 billion with 1,312 companies, impacting 3,879 jobs. In West Michigan, DTE spent nearly $59 million with 225 companies, impacting 190 jobs. Northeast and Northwest Michigan: DTE invested more than $33 million with 165 companies, impacting 108 jobs. South Michigan: DTE partnered with 557 companies, spending nearly $169 million, impacting 547 jobs. Central Michigan: DTE invested nearly $19 million with 480 companies, impacting 60 jobs. Thumb Region: DTE spent more than $87 million with 802 companies, impacting 282 jobs. Upper Peninsula: DTE spent nearly $11 million with 53 companies, impacting 35 jobs. DTE Energy is a founding member of Pure Michigan Business Connect, a public-private initiative that encourages companies to buy from Michigan vendors, and connects local companies on a variety of business opportunities. Today, more than 70 percent of the funds that DTE spends with suppliers go to Michigan businesses, which demonstrates the competitiveness of Michigans economy. The company also invested $510 million with Detroit-based businesses last year and, in 2018, will look to create or sustain 1,500 jobs through Detroit procurement. For W-3 Construction, a Detroit construction services company, DTE Energys focus on Michigan businesses translates into increased revenue and additional jobs. W-3 helps DTE build new substations to provide more reliable electric power for customers. DTE spent more than $1 million with W-3 in 2017, a 72 percent increase over 2016. Weve been in Detroit for more than 30 years and established a track record of delivering high-quality, cost-competitive services to DTE, said Linda Turner, client relations manager for W-3. The increased business from DTE has fueled our growth, allowing us to bring on additional full-time Michigan workers and hire more local skilled laborers for projects. W-3 is among a growing number of veteran and minority-owned firms helping DTE to develop a more inclusive supplier base. Last year, DTE spent $441 million with diverse vendors and captured six industry-wide awards for its supplier diversity commitment. DTE also encourages suppliers, like W-3, to buy and hire locally, and it provides networking opportunities so that vendors can develop business relationships with other Michigan companies. PIGEON -- Laker Schools is one of 36 districts in the state - and the only district in the Thumb - to receive a perfect fiscal indicator score of zero for three consecutive years from a company named Munetrix. This means that the district is being very responsible with its finances, especially during changing economic climates. Munetrix, a public sector solutions provider offering data management, analytics and reporting tools, stated the fiscal indicator scores are designed to give a quick look at how a school district is faring fiscally. The scores range from zero to 10. The lower the score, the more fiscally stable the district is. The fiscal indicator scores are for the 2016-2017, 2015-2016 and 2014-2015 school years. They are based on the latest available audited school district data provided by the Michigan Department of Education. "This recognition says that EPBP Lakers takes fiscal responsibility very importantly," said Laker Chief Financial Officer Mike Klosowski. "Without the proper fiscal resources, you can't have the adequate resources to take care of the kids, and it is all about the kids. Providing the best educational experience with the best programs happens when fiscal resources are managed properly." Klosowski said with the limited resources that schools are facing, it is important to look at the entire picture and make decisions on proper allocation of those resources. "Keeping an eye on the budget and having a central office that keeps accurate information helps to verify all dollars are being managed properly and it allows for administration and the board of education to have the correct information so they can make informed decisions," Klosowski said. "It takes an entire team effort. In my role as CFO, if I don't have the proper support from the board of education and superintendent, then everything does not work as well." "EPBP Lakers is a place where teamwork occurs to keep the district moving forward," he added. "The day-to-day work on keeping up on all fiscal responsibilities is not easy, but I take the job very seriously." Munetrix President Bob Kittle said the districts with a perfect score of zero for three years should be commended for their fiscal stewardship. "At a time when all eyes are on the public sector to do more with less, school districts, with their precious cargo being children, are under even more optical scrutiny," Kittle stated in a release. "The parents in these districts should take comfort knowing the boards and administrators hold fiscal sustainability close to their heart, which is especially important as Michigan's overall student population continues to decline." HURON COUNTY The Huron Regional Water Task Force is appealing to water-dependent industries to establish a market for a half billion gallons of water that are available annually. The Huron Regional Water Authority serves the City of Bad Axe and Village of Port Austin. With a declining population, the plant is down to 18 percent capacity, said Fred Kendall, task force chairman. The group is looking to expand demand. Weve got an investment there between the plant and transmission lines of about $18 million, Kendall told the Tribune. The scope of our task force is to create national awareness that the Thumb Area Bad Axe and Port Austin water treatment plant has a significant amount of capacity, he added. Were encouraging businesses to consider our area to come that are dependent on water, Kendall said. With many states having drought conditions, some businesses that rely on water for their operation dont have a sustainable resource, he added. A lot of people would argue that at 18 percent capacity, thats a real liability on our residents, Kendall said But I think we have to look at it instead of a liability as an asset. How many other cities and villages throughout the United States have this amount of capacity for businesses to come in and use?" he asked. "Not a lot. The plant has a half billion gallons of additional capacity. The eight-person task force consists of business people and residents from Port Austin and Bad Axe. We had spent a lot of meetings trying to decide what industries to focus on, Kendall said. Among the industries the task force will be targeting are: Regional water bottlers Livestock industry Micro-breweries Distilleries Soft drink beverage industry Green houses Food processors for canned vegetables Other industries that rely on a sustainable supply of high quality water The task force hired a public relations firm to assist in marketing the plant, which cost the Huron Regional Water Authority less than $5,000, Kendall said. The website, www.thumbwater.com, as well as the press release from the task force, describe the area. Michigans Thumb Area, Bad Axe and Port Austin, known for its breath-taking sunrises, miles of pristine beaches located on Lake Huron of the Great Lakes, is rolling out the welcome wagon to industries dependent on water, with more than 1/2 billion gallons of high quality H2O currently being pumped out and billions more available," the press release states. We just wanted to kind of highlight why a business would consider moving into our area, Kendall said. The quality of the water is far above everywhere, said task force member Barbara King of Port Austin. Our water plant is state of the art. The plant is about 10 years old. Its going to be up to the City of Bad Axe, the Village of Port Austin and Lansing to decide what kind of industries can come in. Theyre going to have to seal the deal. Thats out of our range. Were to the point where were losing our population in Bad Axe and Port Austin, he added. From 2000 to 2014, the Village of Port Austin lost 12.6 percent of its population. Bad Axe lost 12.5 percent of its population. So weve got this huge plant that we keep on losing people, he said. The trend isnt going to stop because the median age in Port Austin is 59 years. In Bad Axe, its 44.8. Michigans median age is 39.7. We not only have an older population, we have a much poorer population, he added. In Port Austin, the median income per household is $32,402, Kendall said. Bad Axes median income per household is $37,573. The states median income per household is $52,492. "Economically, were well below the median We dont have people that have the ability to pay, he added. If we just keep raising the rates and do nothing about bringing new demand into our area, at what point does it become almost unaffordable for our residents for water? Kendall asked. The option to do nothing is no longer acceptable, he said. That option no longer works. Were to the point where we need to do something positive and proactive. Kendall also noted that attracting business to the area would create jobs and help retain and attract a younger population. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus A.Dapkiunas meets the Head of the Irish charity organization 13-02-2018 On February 12, 2018 the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Andrei Dapkiunas, met with the Head of the Irish charity organisation Chernobyl Children International, Adi Roche. The organization provides humanitarian assistance and support to Belarusian children and disabled people. During the meeting, the sides discussed further expansion of the organization's activity in Belarus, including promising social projects to the benefit of the foster children of the Vesnovsky home-boarding school for disabled children with special psychophysical needs, provision of social assistance to families from Minsk and Gomel bringing up children with special needs. The sides also discussed the possibility of involvement of the Irish organization in the events to be held at the UN Headquarters in April 2018 on the occasion of International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day. The parties reached an agreement to maintain close contacts between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus and the charity organization Chernobyl Children's Project International. print version A screen grab from a video Richard Corcoran tweeted in preparation for the debate Surely Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O' Lakes, intended to generate buzz with his explosive first campaign ad last month, but he's getting extra bang for his buck with a debate scheduled for Tuesday night with Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum. After Corcoran released an incendiary TV ad in late January that depicted a white woman being shot in a suburban Florida neighborhood by an "illegal immigrant," Gillum, who is running for governor as a Democrat, criticized him via Twitter. Corcoran then challenged him to a debate over the issue. Corcoran has repeatedly called Tallahassee a "sanctuary city" and has made this issue a centerpiece of the 2018 session in a classic Trump-era appeal to Republican base voters. But this debate is anything but typical, as Corcoran technically isn't running for governor yet because he has not announced his candidacy. What's more, the debate will center around "sanctuary cities," which the Florida House tried to ban in a bill that has severely stalled the Senate anyway. Even still, Tuesday night will be an opportunity for both candidates, neither of whom are early front-runners, to get their messages out and highlight their firmly held ideologies which are essentially complete opposites. The debate is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. and last 45 minutes. It's being held in Tallahassee and will be broadcast on Facebook Live at both Corcoran's and Gillum's Facebook pages. Follow the Times/Herald Tallahassee bureau's coverage for related stories and analysis during and after the debate. The Coast Guard finds itself in a significantly different budget environment this year -- not only is the service requesting a sizeable bump in funding, the money would help pay for its first new heavy icebreaker in 40 years. The service asked for a total of about $11.7 billion in funding for fiscal 2019, an increase of $979 million, or 8.4 percent, over its previous request, according to a document released Monday as part of President Donald Trump's budget request. Last year, by comparison, the service faced a $1.3 billion cut before launching a massive and ultimately successful public relations campaign to underscore its importance to national security despite being the smallest of the U.S. military services and the only one to fall under the Department of Homeland Security rather than the Defense Department. The additional money for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 would include $750 million for a new heavy icebreaker slated for delivery in 2023, according to the budget document. The funding would go toward building "the Nation's first new heavy Polar Icebreaker in over 40 years," it states. The money "continues efforts to award a contract for detail design and construction to maintain scheduled delivery for a new icebreaker in 2023. Specifically, funding provides detail, design, long lead time materials, construction, program management office support, feasibility studies and maintaining the indicative design, cybersecurity planning, project resident office initiation, and Navy reimbursable technical support," the document continues. "This acquisition is recapitalizing the Coast Guard's heavy polar icebreaker fleet." The Coast Guard wants to replace the barely seaworthy Polar Star for Arctic missions with a fleet of three heavy icebreakers. Last fall, it released a draft request for proposals from potential builders for a new heavy icebreaker design. The service also wants to build three medium icebreakers. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft has said the ships are needed in the Arctic as ice melts, sea lanes open up, and a race begins with Russia and China to seize advantage in the region. In other big-ticket equipment items, the service's fiscal 2019 budget also includes $400 million in funding for an offshore patrol cutter. The funding would enable the Coast Guard "to begin construction of the second OPC and Long Lead Time Material for the third OPC," a vessel designed to replace the Medium Endurance Cutter classes on the high seas and coastal approaches, according to the budget document. The budget request also includes $240 million in funding to buy four new fast response cutters (FRCs), designed to replace the 110-foot patrol boats and to enhance the service's ability to conduct search-and-rescue operations, enforce border security, interdict drugs, uphold immigration laws and prevent terrorism, the document states. The service's proposed budget request would support a total workforce of 87,643, including 40,863 full-time military personnel, 7,780 full-time civilian personnel, 7,000 reservists and 32,000 auxiliary members, according to the document. That represents a 3 percent increase over the current year, mostly due to an expected rise in the number of auxiliary members. Overall, the Coast Guard budgeted $7.8 billion for operating expenses, including pay; $1.9 billion to recapitalize equipment; and $1.9 billion in mandatory spending and fees. -- Hope Hodge Seck contributed to this report. -- Brendan McGarry can be reached at brendan.mcgarry@military.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Brendan_McGarry. @alextdaugherty The top FBI official said his agency is investigating the Confucius Institutes, a Chinese government-affiliated institution operating at Miami Dade College that has been criticized and canceled at some American universities over concerns about propaganda and censorship. "We do share concerns about the Confucius Institutes, we've been watching that development for a while," FBI director Chris Wray said during a Senate Intelligence Committee briefing on Tuesday. "It's just one of many tools that they take advantage of. We have seen some decrease recently in their own enthusiasm and commitment to that particular program but it is something we're watching warily and in certain instances have developed appropriate investigative steps." Wray was responding to questions from Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, who sent a letter last week to Miami Dade College and three other Florida colleges along with Broward Countys Cypress Bay High School urging them to disassociate themselves from the Confucius Institutes. "It is my view that they are complicit in these efforts to covertly influence public opinion and to teach half-truths designed to present Chinese history, government or official policy in the most favorable light," Rubio said to Wray. "Do you share concerns about Confucius Institutes as a tool of that whole of society effort and as a way to exploit the sort of naive view among some in the academic circles about what the purpose of the institutes could be?" In November, Miami Dade College president Eduardo Padron referred to the institute as a treasure in our community. The college praised the program as a relentless driver of positive social change through the expansion of community education and enrichment services in Chinese language and culture. Rubio's comments came during an open hearing with top intelligence officials to discuss world wide threats. Rubio used his line of questioning to ask about Chinese infiltration of the U.S. academic community. "We have intensive studies going on throughout the intelligence community relative A to Z on what China is doing," Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said. The Confucius Institutes are also viewed by detractors as a quiet way for the Communist Chinese government to spread its influence across the world through classes over which it holds tight editorial controls that are written into its contracts with host universities. In addition to Miami Dade College, there are also programs at the University of South Florida, the University of West Florida and the University of North Florida. The University of West Florida said it would not renew its contract with the Confucius Institutes after Rubio sent his letter last week. This post was updated to include the University of West Florida's decision not to renew the Confucius Institutes' contract. The military's highest court overturned the dismissal of an Army major convicted of beating his toddler stepson, narrowly deciding that a general's reprimand letter improperly influenced the jury. Maj. David Jerkins was convicted at court-martial in 2014 of assaulting the 3-year-old with a belt. He was a 41-year-old father of nine who'd served 19 years, mostly in the reserves, and had won a leadership award in 2007. Before he was sentenced to six months in jail and dismissal at Fort Hood, Texas, two Army colonels and two major generals testified to his sterling military qualities and said they'd be proud to continue to serve with him. Prosecutors seeking to rebut that "good character" evidence were allowed by the judge to show the jury Jerkins' recently-issued reprimand letter. Issued by the commander of 1st Army Division West, the reprimand was for Jerkins' fraternization with an enlisted soldier. Jerkins and the soldier, the toddler's mother, were married in 2011. Shortly afterwards she became pregnant and left the service. The reprimand stated that Jerkins had discredited himself and the Army and that it was doubtful he was fit for further service. The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces ruled that the reprimand was not allowable evidence: it was issued after a fraternization charge for the same conduct was dropped days before Jerkins' arraignment, and it hadn't been finalized because Jerkins hadn't yet responded to it. As a result, "the "commander's opinion that (Jerkins) was unfit for continued military service -- essentially, a recommendation that he be dismissed from the service -- invaded the province of the members of the court-martial," according to the opinion issued Thursday. The justices split three to two deciding whether the judge's error was "harmless" or instead made a difference in the jury's sentencing decision. The two dissenting justices wrote in their opinion that the reprimand was less influential than other copious evidence, including Jerkins' poor evaluation in which a senior rater ranked him 58th out of 58 majors. They also wrote that the severity of Jerkins' crime overcame possible prejudice from the reprimand, as did photographs of the injured toddler depicting "bruising, welts, and abrasions that covered practically the child's entire body." Jerkins had initially told authorities that the boy's injuries were a result of an accidental fall or a dog bite, the dissenting judges noted. "It is not difficult to fathom that the panel concluded that the severity of the beating and Appellant's mendacity about its circumstances -- standing alone -- warranted the sentence imposed on Appellant," the dissenting justices wrote. The case will now go back to the Army Court of Criminal Appeals. That court can reassess the sentence or order a new sentencing hearing. President Donald Trump on Monday released his budget request for fiscal 2019, marking the first step in a months-long process in which lawmakers from both chambers of Congress debate and ultimately decide on its funding levels and policy provisions. Trump's defense budget request for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 totals $716 billion, including $686 billion for the Defense Department alone. The Pentagon's top line includes a base budget of $597.1 billion and an overseas contingency operations (OCO), or war, budget of $89 billion. It represents a nearly 12 percent increase over the current year's level of nearly $612 billion. But defense spending as a share of the economy would remain relatively flat at roughly 3.1 percent, according to Pentagon budget documents, and the spending bump would be financed in part by deficit spending. Here's a breakdown of everything you need to know about the president's budget request: 2.6% Pay Raise The Defense Department proposed a 2.6 percent military pay raise for 2019 that would come on top of the 2.4 percent increase this year. "In support of the department's effort to continue to build a bigger, more lethal and ready force, the FY2019 budget proposes a 2.6 percent increase in military basic pay," the Pentagon said in releasing its budget request. The proposed raise, which would have to be approved by Congress and the White House, would amount to the largest military pay raise in nine years, the department said in the supporting papers for the budget request. Check out Military.com's pay charts to see what the change would mean for you. 16K More Troops The proposed spending plan would add 16,400 more troops, bringing the size of the total force, including the Guard and Reserve components, to 2.15 million members. That figure differs from those published in the Pentagon's overview budget document because it takes into account 2018 levels recently authorized by Congress. The additional troops would include 15,600 for the active component, with 1.3 million service members; and 800 for the Guard and Reserve, with 817,700 service members, respectively. Here's how those figures break down: 4,000 soldiers for the active Army, 7,500 sailors for the Navy, 100 Marines for the Marine Corps, and 4,000 airmen for the Air Force; 100 sailors for the Navy Reserve, 200 airmen for the Air Force Reserve, and 500 airmen for the Air National Guard. More Aircraft, Ships, Vehicles The president's budget would fund a number of weapons systems designed to give the U.S. armed forces a technological edge over adversaries, including new missile interceptors and cyber operations. It would also fund a higher number of existing aircraft, ships and combat vehicles, including adding 77 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, 24 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter jets, 68 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, 250 B61 nuclear bomb upgrades, three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, two fleet replenishment oilers, five satellite launches through the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program and 5,113 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles. Army The Army is requesting $182 billion, including war funding, a 15 percent increase from $158 billion this year, according to budget documents. The service wants to continue growing its headcount, with funding for 4,000 soldiers for the active component, largely to resource fires, air defense and logistics units. The service would also purchase large quantities of long-range missiles and artillery shells, and would buy a higher number of aircraft such as the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters made by Boeing Co.; combat vehicles including the Joint Light Tactical Vehicles made by Oshkosh Corp., and missile systems such as the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System and the Army Tactical Missile System. Navy The Navy is requesting $194.1 billion, including war funding, a 12 percent increase from $173 billion in fiscal 2018, according to budget documents. However, the much-hailed jump-start in Navy shipbuilding to reach the larger fleet officials say the service needs represents only a small portion of the service's requested funding increase. By 2023, the Navy expects to add 54 new ships, but most of them had already been part of long-term production plans. For 2019, the plan includes only one more ship than was budgeted in 2018: an additional Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, for a total purchase of three instead of two. The service is also set to add 7,600 sailors as its fleet grows, in part to man new Navy variant of the V-22 Osprey, the CMV-22. Air Force The Air Force is requesting $194.1 billion, including war funding, a 14 percent increase from the current year. The proposal would increase the size of the service's active-duty end strength to just over 329,100 airmen, an increase of 4,000 airmen over the current year, according to the documents. The Air National Guard is requesting another 500 airmen; the Air Force Reserve wants another 200 airmen. The spending plan also includes funding to train nearly 1,000 pilots to deal with a chronic shortage; buy more F-35A Joint Strike Fighters, MQ-9 Reaper drones, KC-46 tankers; develop the future B-21 bomber; and replenish the stockpile of precision-guided munitions such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition, or JDAM, and Hellfire missiles. Marine Corps Part of the Navy's fiscal 2019 budget request, the Marine Corps is asking for $28.9 billion, a nearly 5 percent increase from this year. As a second rotation of Marine advisers begins work in Helmand province, Afghanistan, and other units continue to fight ISIS in the Middle East, the budget request features a significant increase in big guns and artillery rockets -- as well as a plus-up of some 1,100 Marines, including 2018 manning increases. There are significant procurement outlays as the Marine Corps makes big investments in its CH-53K King Stallion, slated to replace the CH-53E Super Stallion heavy lift helicopter in coming years, and continues to pursue the amphibious combat vehicle 1.1. Among the most eye-catching planned buys, however, are in ground weapons systems, including 155mm towed howitzers and high mobility artillery rocket systems, or HIMARS. Coast Guard The Coast Guard asked for about $11.7 billion in funding for fiscal 2019, an increase of $979 million, or 8.4 percent, over its previous request. The additional money would include $750 million for a new heavy icebreaker slated for delivery in 2023. The funding would go toward building "the Nation's first new heavy Polar Icebreaker in over 40 years," a budget document states. In other big-ticket equipment items, the service's budget request also includes $400 million in funding for an offshore patrol cutter and $240 million in funding to buy four new fast response cutters (FRCs), designed to replace the 110-foot patrol boats and to enhance the service's ability to conduct search-and-rescue operations, enforce border security, interdict drugs, uphold immigration laws and prevent terrorism. Veterans Affairs The Veterans Affairs Department requested $199 billion, an increase of $12 billion, or 6.5 percent, from the current request. The plan includes nearly $110 billion in mandatory funding for benefits programs and $89 billion in discretionary funding, with the goal of "expanding health-care services, improving quality and expanding choice to over 9 million enrolled Veterans," the VA said. The budget includes money for the Veterans Choice Program, which allows vets to seek private-sector care. It also includes another $1.2 billion for a costly effort begun in 2011 to make health records electronic and reintroduces a controversial proposal to round-down cost-of-living (COLA) adjustments to the nearest dollar for vets who receive disability compensation -- a practice that was standard until 2013, Stars and Stripes reported. -- Richard Sisk, Matthew Cox, Hope Hodge Seck and Oriana Pawlyk contributed to this report. -- Brendan McGarry can be reached at brendan.mcgarry@military.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Brendan_McGarry. What Is ISIS-K? Two Experts on the Group Behind the Kabul Airport Attack and its Rivalry with the Taliban By 2018, the group had become one of the top four deadliest terrorist organizations in the world. A U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone took out a Soviet-made T-72 tank in eastern Syria on Saturday in a "self-defense" strike after pro-regime forces fired on U.S. advisers and allied Syrian fighters. Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, head of Air Forces Central Command, acknowledged Tuesday that the battlespace in Syria is becoming increasingly contested as more operators move into the area, making response decisions ever more complicated. "... We rely upon our folks who are on the ground to make that decision, primarily the ground force commander," Harrigian told reporters from the Combined Air Operations Center at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, during a video teleconference briefing. "What happened in that particular scenario is the tank that fired was within an effective range to target our SDF and advisers on the ground, which clearly provides [the ground commander] the ability to defend himself. And he made that decision, appropriately so, and that was the result," he said. Related content: Harrigian would not speculate on who was operating the tank -- Russian forces or those belonging to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. He said he was not aware of any other provocations against the coalition that day. The MQ-9 mission occurred the same day an Iranian drone was downed over Israel. Israel launched a counterattack "on Iranian targets" in Syria in response to the drone's intrusion, during which an Israeli F-16 was targeted and crash landed back in Israeli territory. "We fully support Israel's right to defense themselves, particularly against threats to their territory and their people," Harrigian said. The attacks come days after pro-Assad forces attacked the Syrian Defense Forces in Deir el-Zour Province. The U.S. on Feb. 7 launched significant air and firepower in response to protect coalition service members working with the SDF in an advise, assist and accompany capacity. Related Video: The U.S. sent up F-22A Raptor advanced stealth fighters, along with MQ-9 drones, to watch as a three-hour battle began Feb. 7, while "a variety of joint aircraft and ground-based artillery responded in defense of our SDF partners, including F-15E Strike Eagles," Lt. Col. Damien Pickart, AfCent spokesman, told Military.com last week. Harrigian on Tuesday says officials are still assessing how many pro-regime forces were killed as a result but estimates it was approximately 100. Other reports suggest that more than 200 were killed, with a number of news outlets saying the militants were made up of Russian mercenaries. Harrigian would not comment on the makeup of the forces. "What we saw coming at us was approximately a battalion-sized unit," he said. "We continue to look at what those forces were composed of and it's going to take some time to fully understand who was down there and there's a fair number of groups involved with this, and it's always difficult to sort that out." He added, "This is executed as self- defense, and we are going to defend ourselves. We all need to be crystal clear about that. We're going to do that first -- defend ourselves appropriately -- and then we've got to work through exactly who it was to understand [the threat]." U.S. forces will continue to watch the area, but Harrigian noted the goal "is to get back to fighting" the Islamic State. "It clearly is a very complicated and complex environment," he said. "For both our forces on the ground and ... for our forces in the air, this environment requires the professionalism and discipline of a force that's able to manage and understand the environment in such that we can make timely decisions and understand how were going to protect ourselves, and get after the ISIS fight." The Air Force will not move forward with an E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System replacement aircraft, officials confirmed. The service on Monday announced that the current JSTARS fleet -- capable of developing, detecting, locating and tracking moving targets on the ground -- will fly into the mid-2020s, but as officials carve out future battle management plans, a new JSTARS aircraft won't be necessary, officials said during the Air Force's fiscal 2019 budget rollout briefing. "Instead of recapitalizing JSTARS, a platform which is not viable in contested environments prioritized in the National Defense Strategy, this budget reallocates that funding to achieve an advanced battle management system for the future through a new incremental approach," said Air Force Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget Maj. Gen. John M. Pletcher. The new effort will capitalize on new and emerging sensor technologies from air, space, sea and land systems and will take the information in a fused-data direction, Pletcher said. The move was first reported by Defense News over the weekend. Related content: For the first phase, the Air Force is exploring expanding its sensor suite by adding the technologies to platforms such as the MQ-9 Reaper. Depending on how influential the data is, the Air Force could either expand the practice to other fleets, or it may look to another aircraft altogether, Pletcher said. "It may or may not be a platform," he told reporters during the briefing at the Pentagon. "It's really about taking all the sensors that exist across the domain -- fifth generation aircraft today, unmanned aircraft, space, ground sensors, pulling all that together, which includes sensors that aren't necessarily developed today." If its a new plane, "it's got to be survivable," Pletcher said. "The point of the Joint Stars discussion, if we recap the current JSTARS, we will have an aircraft that still can't do anymore than it can today probably [even] less because it will be in a more competitive, contested environment" in the future, he said. Fusing more systems instead will "enable faster and smarter decisions that will give us the winning edge," Pletcher said. In December 2016, the Air Force launched a $6.9 billion Request for Proposal for the engineering, manufacturing and development phase of the upgraded aircraft. It had planned to buy 17 new aircraft. But months later, two lawmakers discovered the service may forgo the JSTARS replacement plan and seek out other aircraft alternatives for the mission. Georgia Sens. Johnny Isakson and David A. Perdue in August said they were "alarmed" to find out in August that the Air Force may pursue "alternative intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms" instead of procuring a JSTARS replacement. Responding to the criticism, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said the service would decide whether it would pursue the recap program in October. That date was then pushed back to coincide with the latest budget request. "JSTARS is about battlefield command and control," Wilson said during a speech in early October. But there has been a capability gap, she said. "They're very important to people on the ground to get air support where they need it -- but they're only meeting 5 percent of the [combatant commander] requirement. They have to go back and refuel; there are only a limited number of airframes," she said. Over the Islamic State battlefield in Iraq and Syria, for example, there are a variety of space assets, fighters, "unmanned aircraft, seaborne radars, ground-based radars and we have the ability to integrate information we didn't have in 1991," Wilson said, referencing the Gulf War. She added, "Can we pull all that information to give a better picture of command and control, and be putting that on the ground instead of in the back of an airplane?" The airborne command and control plane, a modified Boeing 707-300 series commercial airframe that can fly as high as 42,000 feet, is "extensively remanufactured and modified with the radar, communications, operations and control subsystems," including a prominent 27-foot bathtub-like radome under the fuselage. The radome "houses the 24-foot long, side-looking phased array antenna," according to the Air Force. In an op-ed titled, "Rethinking Radar Plane Recap: Will The Air Force Let Down The Army Again?," Forbes columnist Loren Thompson last year wrote divesting JSTARS would leave the Army -- which relies on the plane's real-time reconnaissance -- high and dry and directly in harm's way on the battlefield. The Air Force "wants to conduct an 'analysis of alternatives' to determine whether there are better ways to do the mission," said Thompson, who writes about on the strategic, economic and business implications of defense spending for the publication. Thompson went on to say, "That might sound reasonable if the service hadn't already conducted five such analyses that led to the current replacement program. A sixth review of options would come to the same conclusion, which means what's really going on is the Air Force is trying to jettison the capability entirely. "Whatever highfalutin' rationale the Air Force may advance for this unfolding debacle, the bottom line is that it just doesn't value Army needs as highly as its own operational priorities," he said. Currently, 16 E-8 aircraft are headquartered at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Air Force Colonel Merryl Tengesdal started out in the Navy flying helicopters but ended up becoming the first African-American woman to fly the Air Forces U-2 Dragon Lady Spy Plane. Tengesdal made a rare cross rate move to the Air Force after teaching a joint flight program and in 2004 she qualified to fly one of the most difficult aircraft in the world, the U-2. Tengesdal joins only five women and three African-Americans (male or female) ever to participate in the U-2 program. The U-2 flies at 70,000 feet and at times while flying, Tengesdal witnessed shooting stars below her. Because of the high altitude, U-2 pilots must wear a full pressure suit similar to those worn by astronauts. The low-altitude handling characteristics of the aircraft and bicycle-type landing gear require precise control inputs during landing; forward visibility is also limited due to the extended aircraft nose and "taildragger" configuration. A second U-2 pilot normally "chases" each landing in a high-performance vehicle, assisting the pilot by providing radio inputs for altitude and runway alignment. These characteristics combine to earn the U-2 a widely accepted title as the most difficult aircraft in the world to fly. Tengesdal has flown missions for Operation Olive Harvest in Afghanistan and Iraq and took part in helping combat piracy in the Horn of Africa. She has more than 3,400 flight hours and more than 330 combat hours. Profiled in a piece on FOXTROT ALPHA, Tengesdal was asked about the significance of her role as the first African American woman to fly the U-2 and said, "It is very uncommon, even for this day and age, to be a female pilot, much less a female minority... The Air Force has always been on the forefront of breaking aviation and racial barriers. I am extremely proud of being the first black female U-2 pilot in history... My career field is very male-dominated, but I hope I have helped other females with similar aspirations to realize this is an option. I think we are all limitless as to what we can accomplish." Former Today host Anna Curry has a new documentary series airing now on PBS. "We'll Meet Again" tells the stories of people who met during critical moments of history forged powerful bonds. Now, against the odds, have the chance to reunite with someone who transformed their life. This series helps people separated by conflict, war and humanitarian disasters find each other again and reveals untold stories of courage, survival, friendship and even love, said Curry. This is human history not from the point of view of kings or politicians or generals but of everyday people on the front lines of massive events they have no way to control. Their stories tell us something about what we are made of. On February 12th at 8pm ET, PBS will air an episode called "Heroes of 9/11." One of the Americans profiled is Army Chaplain Timothy Mallard. He revisits the area of the Pentagon hit by Flight 77 on 9/11. He then visits the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps Museum to look through his diary from 2001 in search of clues as to the identity of the mystery coast guard chaplain who comforted him. Check out a preview clip below. Previously aired episodes in the series include "Children of WWII" and "Lost Children of Vietnam." As always with PBS programs, you should be able to stream current and recent episodes via the web or an app available for whatever platform you prefer. When Savannah Parvu was being sold for sex out of a central Florida hotel room, she was just 12 years old. Men came in and raped her, and hotel staff asked nothing and did nothing, she told legislators on Monday. Sometimes, her trafficker asked hotel staff for favors, asking them to open the door to let men inside. They obliged. One night, when she didn't have a ride home from the hotel, her trafficker asked hotel staff to tell her to walk. They obliged. "I was walking barefoot, bloody, beaten and alone at 12 years old down the hallway of the hotel," she told legislators. "Nobody helped me. No one asked questions. Nobody did anything." Parvu's story is at the center of a debate over a bill in the Florida Legislature that would allow human trafficking victims to sue some of the businesses that most profit from it: hotels and motels. On the surface, the bill has widespread support, passing three committees without anyone voting against it. But behind the scenes, the hotel industry is waging a campaign against it, legislators say. "We've seen language, not from Disney directly ... that would have removed some of the teeth that exist," said the senate bill sponsor, state Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation. When asked whether there has been a behind-the-scenes effort to weaken the bill, Book said, "I think that's a fair assumption." The House version of the bill, sponsored by state Rep. Ross Spano, R-Dover, might be defanged. Spano filed an amendment that would exempt hotels and motels from being sued, but the amendment hasn't been taken up yet. Neither Disney nor the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, which are both registered to lobby the House version of the bill, responded to requests for comment. And no one spoke against the bill during Monday's committee hearing, in which survivors of human trafficking told horrifying stories of rape and abuse in Florida hotel rooms. "That is where the largest percent of sex trafficking takes place," said Connie Rose, who said she was sexually abused by her father from age 2 and then forced into prostitution at age 15. The bill would not just allow victims to sue their traffickers and "willfully blind" companies that help carry out trafficking. If the victims win their lawsuits, their defendants would have to pay an additional $50,000 penalty, which would go to a trust fund for other victims. If police rescued the trafficking victim, an additional $50,000 would be imposed on the defendant, for other anti-trafficking efforts by police. But the bill gives hotels an easy way to escape such lawsuits. If the hotel trains employees to recognize signs of trafficking, has a protocol for reporting it, and employees followed the training and protocols, the hotel has an "affirmative defense" that would quash the lawsuit. Texas and Pennsylvania have adopted similar laws, and at least two lawsuits have followed. In January, a Houston teen who was trafficked filed a case against 15 hotel chains and five truck stops. Last year, a 14-year-old girl filed a lawsuit against a roadside motel in Philadelphia where she was forced to have sex with as many as 1,000 men over two years. Former Seminole County prosecutor Lisa Haba told legislators that the signs of trafficking are obvious, and that hotel staff often know what's going on. She recalled one case she brought against a man who was trafficking a 17-year-old girl in a Days Inn. Haba said she put the hotel manager on the stand during the trial, where the woman admitted knowing prostitution was going on, but said she was only concerned with renting rooms and paying bills. "That girl was raped more than 10 times in one day because that woman turned a blind eye and did nothing," Haba said. On Monday, senators were awed by the women who recounted being trafficked, even if they expressed concern about creating a new market for trial lawyers to go after hotels. "How do we protect an industry without just telling them theyre guilty before getting started?" state Sen. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, said. Neither Broxson nor committee chairman Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah, who also expressed concerns about the bill, said they were approached by anyone in the hotel industry. Broxson did say he had heard rumors that the industry was trying to influence the bill. "They haven't spoken to me. The concerns that I have are my concerns," Garcia said. "I could care less about the industry. My whole concern is about the victims." Both senators voted for the bill. Broxson called one of the women who spoke "an incredible human being" for sharing her story. "You will be remembered forever here for being one of the greatest people weve ever seen," he said. The perception of those who have come to Verico in the last couple of years is that they really like the economic model, said Collu. Because of the way our model is designed, it returns a lot of income back to the brokers. They love that the return for what they pay in the nominal fee is really high in terms of the support structure, the tools, the technological pieces we put in place, like websites and CRMs. Brokers also really like having the ability to propel their own brand. Our motto is very simple: Your Business, Your Brand, Your Way, and its very pronounced as a result of all the pressures that are being felt by brokers in the industry now. Verico was purchased by M3 last year in one of the largest acquisitions in the industrys history, and its given the megalith even deeper resources. This year, Verico intends to roll out more tools for its network, like financial products, lead generation implements, credit cards, and even an insurance product. Collu also says Verico is looking for a new BDM to install in Western Canadaideally, but not necessarily, in Vancouverwho can help the networks recruiting efforts. I think a candidate who has a well-rounded knowledge base of regulation and what lenders are enduring only adds value to the conversation when were trying to attract people into Verico, Collu said of the coveted position. Mortgage industry experience is important, however, we will look primarily towards someone with good sales and development skills who can be self-managed. We want somebody whos passionate about the industry and who can drive the Verico value-add through the marketplace, but who can also drive the mortgage broker channel forward. Collu added that the Verico network will likely become even more attractive in the new regulatory era, and one of the reasons is the preparation with which it endows its member brokerages. Al Seib/MBR WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump has backed off his proposal to stop sharing oil revenues from offshore drilling with states along the Gulf of Mexico. In the budget proposal released Monday, the White House preserved the revenue sharing agreement, which was expected to deliver $275 million to Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi this year. Surging output of U.S. shale oil wont be a huge distorter of efforts by global crude producers to clear a glut, according to OPECs president. The market should re-balance this year, given robust demand and producers compliance with their pledges to curtail supply, United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei, currently the president of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, said Monday in an interview in Dubai. The market is on course to restoring balance for the first time since 2014, OPECs Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo said at a conference in Cairo. Oil demand is set to grow by 1.6 million barrels a day in 2018, the same level as last year, and crude inventories are continuing to dwindle as OPEC and other producers pursue their output cuts until the end of the year, Barkindo said Monday. Venezuela is proposing that OPEC seek a five-year deal for cooperation on output with allied producers beyond 2018, he said. Venezuelans see that the cooperation with non-OPEC producers shouldnt end, Barkindo told reporters in Cairo. They have put forward a proposal for the time frame of the cooperation, and that was five years. But this proposal isnt final, and its a work in progress. Oil is rebounding from its biggest weekly decline in two years, though gains are limited due to concerns over a resurgence in U.S. shale. The U.S. oil rig count rose last week by 26, the most in a year, to 791, Baker Hughes data showed on Friday. American weekly crude output topped 10 million barrels a day for the first time on record, and the U.S. government forecasts it will balloon to 11 million later this year. Such an increase would complicate efforts by OPEC, Russia and other producers to prop up crude prices by curtailing supply. The producers agreed in November to extend self-imposed limits on output until the end of this year, seeking to counter a glut fed partly by U.S. shale drillers. Shale is coming and the expectation is that it will come stronger than in 2017, and this is something that we have to watch, Al Mazrouei said. But considering all factors, I dont think it will be a huge distorter of the market. What concerns us today is the level of inventories that we need to achieve the five-year average, and I see the market going in that direction and achieving balance, he said. How long it will take depends on how long the increase in shale production will take. Participants in the oil-cuts accord aim for global crude inventories to fall to the average level of the past five years. Demand for this year is expected to be good, if not better than 2017, Al Mazrouei said. This, together with good economic indicators and compliance with output cuts, indicate that the crude market will balance within the year, he said. Barkindo said producers unprecedented conformity with their targets for reducing output is driving progress toward a balance market. Compliance reached a record level of 129 percent in December, for a monthly average of 107 percent last year, and preliminary estimates show that compliance in January will surpass Decembers level, he said. Oil prices are currently at less than half their 2014 peak, with benchmark Brent crude futures up 0.8 percent at $63.28 a barrel in London at 3:26 p.m. local time. Brent tumbled 8.4 percent last week, in the second consecutive weekly loss. Its a correction only. It will come back, Kuwaiti Oil Minister Bakheet Al-Rashidi told reporters in Kuwait City. Kuwait expects cooperation on oil policy to continue beyond 2018, he said. We will look for criteria to make sure the market is stable at all times. A 35-year-old Central Texas teacher is fighting for her life after she was diagnosed with two strains of the flu. Crystal Whitley, of Mullins, is being treated in Dallas for sepsis, pneumonia, and MRSA - which she developed after contracting influenza - WFAA reported. MRSA is an infection that is resistant to many common antibiotics. Whitley's friend Christy Lewis has been proving regular updates on her best friend's health status on Facebook. "She is able to come of the ventilator for sometime during the day but is placed back on at night to give her lungs a rest. They feel that the antibiotics are beginning to work on treating the MRSA infection in her lungs, but as of now the infection still remains," Lewis told Chron.com Monday afternoon. Whitley is a special education teacher at Mullin ISD. READ MORE: North Texas teacher dies after getting the flu Despite getting a flu shot in October after giving birth to her son, Whitley was diagnosed with the illness in January, Dallas News reported. The prognosis was so bad, Whitley was airlifted to Baylor Scott & White in Dallas Jan. 22. Whitley's story has captured headlines on ABC News and elsewhere. Her mother told WFAA that her daughter has made progress but she is still crtical. A GoFundMe campaign for Whitley has raised more than $3,800 as of Monday morning. "She has a very long road to recovery and doctors are unsure yet of the permanent damage, if any to her lungs,but she is fighting this with all she has. God is with her and we are asking that people continue to pray for complete and total restoration of her body," Lewis added. Fernando Alfonso III is a digital reporter at Chron.com. Follow him on twitter at @fernalfonso. Issues involving public education are often debated in Austin and have become major parts of District 31 state Senate race candidates message this primary election, particularly on the topic of school finance. The incumbent, Sen. Kel Seliger, and his opponent, former Midland Mayor Mike Canon recently spoke with the Reporter-Telegram about a variety of education topics. Heres what they had to say. Note: Former Muleshoe mayor and restaurateur Victor Leal is also a candidate in the Republican primary; however, he did not reply to the Reporter-Telegrams interview requests. ON SCHOOL FINANCE More Information League of Women Voters is hosting a forum for the state Senate candidates 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Carrasco Room at Midland College's Scharbauer Student Center. See More Collapse Funding public education is among Texas most complicated matters. Texas now spends more on Medicaid than public education. Seliger said the thought in Austin is that budgets can be reduced if more of the funding burden is moved to local school districts. Then we went in and said you cant raise your property taxes where you can shoulder that part of the burden and were going to take money away from you as you collect taxes and give them to another school district that doesnt have oil and gas, Seliger said, alluding to the states attempt to reduce local taxing entities threshold on raising taxes without an election and the states Robin Hood law, where money is taken from wealthier school districts and given to poorer districts. Seliger in the last legislative session voted against the threshold change, which would have reduced the election trigger from a rise of 8 percent to 4 percent. The lone Republican to not support the bill, Seliger told the Reporter-Telegram for a previous article that the state shouldnt dictate what local taxing entities can do to meet its obligations. Canon said he doesnt think its unreasonable for the state to exert this type of control. I know the argument is that we already have a way to hold (local elected officials) accountable, and thats to not vote them in the next time, he said. The problem is that the cows may already be out of the barn at that point. They may have already incurred obligations and made expenditures that the citizens, had they had the opportunity, would have said no. I think there ought to be a cap. Canon likens local government officials to a board of director and considers residents like shareholders. The board of directors is only given the authority to do so much in corporations; there are limitations placed on boards, he said. The same limits should be placed on elected officials and residents should be allowed to vote on matters such as tax increases. As for Robin Hood, both candidates say it has to go. The taxpayers of MISD have paid $500 million in money that goes to other school districts. Thats what Robin Hood is, and it simply timed out in terms of its effectiveness from a budget point of view and an educational point of view, Seliger said. We need to get rid of Robin Hood. It is no longer a good way of financing public ed. ON VOUCHERS Advocates for school vouchers say it gives parents greater education opportunities for their children. Seliger said he has voted against school vouchers and criticizes organizations such as Empower Texans, which has endorsed Canon, for advocating their implementation. The fight for vouchers is all about money and getting taxpayers to fund particular religious philosophies in schools. While its their right to have religious educational institutions, we are not obligated as taxpayers to pay for education that has a religious philosophy, Seliger said. A lot of (religious philosophies) we like, but what about the ones we dont like? Seliger added that he will oppose vouchers again. Canon said he doesnt have an extensive amount of knowledge about vouchers but that he is interested in what he has read about their success in other states. I do not believe that, at the end of the day, you should benefit one group at the expense of another, he said. But if vouchers can be used to effectuate a better outcome for the educational system in our state, I say why not look at them. ON HIGHER EDUCATION The University of Texas of the Permian Basin recently held a ceremony in which the last beam for its new engineering building was placed. Seliger, who helped the school receive funding for the building, called the project a major milestone for the region. Engineering programs round out UTPB as increasingly a university of choice for young people, he said. We have a petroleum engineering program that, because of where its located and because of the determination of President (Sandra) Woodley, is going to be a university of choice, not a regional choice. Thats important. Seliger says Canon has spoken about how the former Midland mayor advocates not constructing new buildings and universities. Canon told the Reporter-Telegram: Seliger has taken one thing that Ive said and stretched it into something thats absolutely not true. What I was saying was we need to find whatever means we can to make higher education as affordable as possible for our students, he said. Things like technology and the utilization of long-distance learning as opposed to building new buildings would be the sort of things we ought to be considering. I didnt say we shouldnt be building new buildings. My attitude about building new buildings is we do it as theyre needed. You take those things a step at a time. Canon added that state universities should be held accountable to running efficiently and keeping costs as low as possible for students. Colleges and universities are growing at a rapid clip, and need support because they will be key in strengthening the state in the future, Seliger said. There is an initiative in the state of Texas to have 60 percent of Texans have a certificate or diploma by 2030, he said. We cannot fall behind in the fiscal support of all those institutions, and whats probably going to have the greatest influence on that goal are going to be community colleges. He called UTPB an emerging university and said it has some of the most advantageous tuition rates in the country. However, It doesnt mean we can quit working on it, Seliger said. Fighting Corruption: UK does not want ... Calaveras County Board of Supervisors View Photos San Andreas, CA Besides proclaiming it Kindness Week in Calaveras County in keeping with annual tradition, the supervisors have a packed agenda that includes an attempt to bring a twin-set of cannabis measures to the June ballot. Should the board members muster at least a 3-2 vote allowing them to do it, they are potentially looking to bring either a special election or an advisory vote to the June 5 ballot, enabling Calaveras County voters to have their say as to whether or not the current supervisors ban that was recently passed should stand or be replaced with one of two options. As reported here, at the same Jan. 10 meeting in which they narrowly passed the ban, the supervisors, following up on a request by District 3 Supervisor Michael Oliveira, approved giving county staff direction to draft a twin-set of measures that they might further hone and possibly get a simple majority to agree on. Of the set, Calaveras County Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Tim Lutz remarked that one proposal would likely resemble the very ban the supervisors approved in a 3-2 vote; the other would most probably contain elements of the strict regulatory ordinance they failed to come to an agreement on. Of the 1,635-page Feb. 13 meeting agenda packet, the last nearly 700 pages are devoted to the proposed regulation and related documents. To view them, click into the agenda packet from this link. In Other Business Amongst other regular business matters, the supervisors will receive a report from the Calaveras Council of Governments (CCOG) and Transit Policy Committee. It deals with the potential transition of the countys transit program to a new provider from the public works department; also potential approval of a joint powers agreement (JPA) between the county, City of Angels Camp and CCOG for transit services within the two jurisdictions. Among the 20 consent agenda items the board expects to address is allowing Mark Twain Health Care District to submit a ballot measure for voters to consider June 5 regarding its proposed plans for a new management lease and working relationship with Dignity Health, as reported here. In another elections-related matter, the board anticipates allowing the City of Angels Camp to submit a measure that will give voters the opportunity to decide if the City Clerk and Treasurer should be appointed rather than elected, as they currently are. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. in the government centers supervisors chambers (891 Mountain Ranch Road, San Andreas), following an 8 a.m. closed session where the board will be discussing existing and anticipated litigation and labor negotiations. California Sen. Dianne Feinstein View Photos Washington, DC Californias senior US Senator Dianne Feinstein will not support President Donald Trumps infrastructure improvement plan. The 53-page proposal, released Monday, calls for investing $200 billion in federal funds, and leveraging state tax money and private investment, to total $1.5-trillion. President Trump says, For too long, lawmakers have invested in infrastructure inefficiently, ignored critical needs, and allowed it to deteriorate. As a result, the United States has fallen further and further behind other countries. It is time to give Americans the working, modern infrastructure they deserve. Democrats introduced a competing plan yesterday that would bump federal spending up to $1-trillion. Taking issue with President Trumps proposal, Senator Feinstein replies, Much of the plan focuses on raising new taxes and tolls while weakening environmental protections and climate change programs. Worst of all, the plan does little to address our growing backlog of maintenance and safety repairs. This is particularly egregious for California, where many of our bridges, dams, aqueducts and transit systems are desperately in need of maintenance. The presidents plan ignores the commitments weve already made, instead steering federal funds to projects that raise new money through mechanisms like taxes or tolls. There have been no signs to this point that there could be a compromise on infrastructure spending in the near future. By RICHARD ORR Herald Correspondent Although most murder cases are solved in fairly short order, a few of them inevitably slip through the cracks. County law enforcement is carrying five of the nine known unsolved murders on local books - with the earliest dating back to May 4, 1955, when Andrea Phares disappeared from her rural Hale Center home and was never seen again. According to sketchy news accounts and other sources, the attractive, fair-complected, 21-year-old Hispanic woman worked for middle-aged farmer Bill Phares in the cotton harvest and ultimately married him after he divorced his wife. Phares told authorities she left in the family car about 8:30 that night without explanation, taking $1,400 but not her glasses or any extra clothing. She was seven months pregnant at the time. The car was found abandoned the next day a half-mile from Hale Center. The ensuing investigation uncovered discord in the marriage and Phares was eventually accused. But its not clear if he was acquitted or never tried because a corpus delecti could not be located - despite an exhausting shovel-and-horseback search of an area riddled with open ditches due to the extensive gas line installations going on at the time. Phares was never convicted and reportedly moved to Oklahoma to work in the oilfields. Ted Andrews was sheriff at the time. On Nov. 6, 1986, deputies turned their attention to the death of 54-year-old divorcee Bobbie Ann Walls who lived in a trailer park along an unnamed road southwest of the sheriffs office. She was found by relatives with her throat cut. No weapon was recovered and then-sheriff Charles Tue said there was no evidence of sexual assault or forced entry. Ms. Walls was a local artist with an international reputation. She also worked as an instructor pilot and was the daughter of the late R.C. Mangum, whose machine shop she operated after his death. A strong suspect was developed in the case but no charges have ever been filed. On the morning of Dec. 16, 2000, the body of 48-year-old Guillermo Saldana of Hale Center was found by pheasant hunters in a turnrow west of Plainview near the intersection of FM 1424 and Nix Road west of Plainview. He had been stabbed multiple times. No weapon was located and no suspect or motive was immediately established. Although Saldana was reported to have been carrying a large amount of money, none was found at the scene. Jose S. Martinez, 81, was discovered in his cluttered Petersburg home on Sunday May 5, 2002, by a friend who had arrived to take him to church. According to news accounts, he had suffered penetration of the skull - reportedly from a pickax to the back of the head. Martinez was rumored to have kept large sums of money in the house, but authorities said there was no apparent truth to the rumors. He has no known relatives. Manuel Rivera is the most recent county case still on the books. The 31-year-old former Plainviewans body was found by a farmer June 23, 2002, in a cornfield about two miles northeast of the city. Hed been shot twice in the head and once in the heart with a small-caliber weapon. Rivera was reported to have been drinking with friends earlier that day. Investigators could not determine if he had been killed or dumped where his body was found. No arrests were ever made in the city case of Lela Cook Bradic, 35, of 101 W. Campbell in Austin Heights. Her lifeless form was discovered shortly after 7 a.m. July 26, 1979, on the floor of her North Broadway Street beauty shop by her ex-husband, Robert Bradic. She had been shot and stabbed to death. Nothing was missing from the shop, the body was fully clothed and there were no signs of forced entry or sexual assault. Bradic was questioned and released for lack of evidence. An elderly Northwest Alpine woman met her death at the hands of an apparent intruder in her home on July 14, 1980. The body of 79-year-old Mabel Piper Knight Eiring was discovered lying at the bottom of the basement stairs by a maid arriving for work that morning. Mrs. Eiring, whose husband was hospitalized at the time, had suffered several cuts and facial bruises. Investigators said the house was badly disorganized, and blood was found on a bed and the bedroom floor. Several months earlier, police said the maid was bound by an intruder and a good description was obtained. Three suspects were questioned, but polygraph tests were inconclusive and no arrests ensued. In what may have been a case of ironic payback, a 35-year-old Plainview man on parole for murder was found slain in a vacant lot behind his home at 1308 N. Cedar on Aug. 11, 1987. Johnny Diaz Jiminez was lying face up and had been dead several hours when he was discovered by a neighbor who called police. He suffered head injuries and several apparent stab wounds. According to court records, Jiminez was paroled in August 1986 after serving eight years of a 25-year sentence for the 1978 slaying of Moses Jiminez, no relation. The citys most recent unsolved murder took place March 7, 1989, when the shooting death of former teacher Jayne Janie Edmiston was changed to homicide by then-Justice of the Peace Frank Curry. She had died of a gunshot wound to the head Feb. 22. A gun was found at the scene, and suicide was the original ruling in the case. But a press release issued March 7 said, Information has now been developed that allows this incident to be handled as a homicide. A suspect was developed but the grand jury took no action in the case. According to investigators, the victim had attended a program at St. Alice Catholic Church the night before her death. She headed up the inventory control department at Gebos. The Bradic and Eiring murders have been submitted to the cold-case division of the Texas Rangers office, where former Plainview State Trooper Garth Davis works. All murder cases remain open, said Sheriff David Mull. We follow up on any new information we receive. For many casual figure skating fans, the most meme-able part of the event is back: Johnny Weir's flashy fashion statements. The two-time Olympic figure skater who does NBC's skating commentary with fellow Olympian Tara Lipinski is again making headlines for his memorable outfits. "I'm so ready for the 2018 Hunger Games," one viewer tweeted, referencing the apocalyptic book series. "I'm pretty sure the Olympics are being held in the Capital of the Hunger Games," another added. Since the Winter Games started, Weir has been spotted wearing a bright-red sequined ensemble, a massive fur coat and a shiny black blazer accented with large costume jewelry. Weir's no stranger to unique styles. He designed some of his costumes during his skating days, and he released a line of dresses in 2011. (To see more of Weir's fashion and viewers' reactions to his looks check out the gallery above.) Weir and Lipinski posted on Instagram that, between the two of them, they brought 20-some suitcases to the Olympics this year. "We packed super light," they joked. But not all of the Weir's Olympic feedback has been positive. Some on social media have complained that Weir's commentary is too harsh, particularly when he said Nathan Chen's routine "the was the worst short program I've ever seen from" the young American. MORE: Ice dancer expertly plays off wardrobe malfunction during Olympics performance "I'm a commentator, not a 'complimentator,'" Weir tweeted in response to the criticism. "Explaining falls and rough skates is hard because I have been that skater, and truth can hurt. But I would never be able to do my job without telling the truth about every aspect of figure skating and the performances you'll see." OPEC and its allies have almost achieved their goal of clearing an oil glut, but their efforts could be derailed by rising supplies from the U.S. and other rivals, the International Energy Agency said. Oil stockpiles in developed nations fell the most in more than six years in December as supply cuts by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and Russia took effect. The surplus is also being cleared by higher consumption, with the agency boosting its forecast for global demand growth in 2018 by about 100,000 barrels a day to 1.4 million a day. Yet OPEC's strategy could be backfiring, as the increase in prices to a three-year high stimulates more supply from America. U.S. output will soon surpass that of the cartel's biggest producer, Saudi Arabia, and may overtake Russia as global leader by the end of the year, according to the IEA. RELATED: Welcome to the year of the fracker "With the surplus having shrunk so dramatically, the success of the output agreement might be close to hand," said the Paris-based agency, which advises most of the world's major economies. Nevertheless, the "main message" remains that "fast-rising production in non-OPEC countries, led by the U.S., is likely to grow more than demand." OPEC and Russia, once fierce market rivals, forged an alliance in late 2016 to offset the oil glut unleashed by the advent of the U.S. shale industry. After a year of output cuts, stockpiles in industrialized nations have shrunk to the lowest since November 2014. They were about 52 million barrels above the five-year average in December, a drop of 80 percent from a year earlier, the IEA said. Last month, OPEC's implementation of pledged cuts was its strongest since the deal came into force, with the group reducing output by 37 percent more than it promised, according to the IEA. Compliance was given a boost by Venezuela, whose oil industry has been crippled by years of under-investment and economic decline. Shale Drilling Global inventories may stop falling in the early part of this year with the onset of new supplies, the agency said. It raised estimates for growth in non-OPEC supply in 2018 by about 100,000 barrels a day to 1.8 million a day -- approximately equal to the amount of production OPEC and its partners promised to cut. RELATED: Daily U.S. production tops 10 million barrels Having cut costs during a three-year market slump, U.S. shale companies are able to deliver even more oil as recovering prices fund new drilling, it said. The nation's output could climb enough this year to satisfy the expected increase in global consumption, according to the IEA. Oil futures traded near $59 a barrel in New York on Tuesday. Prices fell last week, continuing their retreat from the three-year high of $66.66 reached in late January. The battle between U.S. farm interests and oil-refining advocates such as Carl Icahn is heating up again as the two sides fight over whether the ethanol mandate is to blame for the bankruptcy of the U.S. East Coast's largest refinery. Philadelphia Energy Solutions LLC blamed its woes on the cost of complying with the Renewable Fuel Standard when it filed for bankruptcy last month. The refiner said the biofuel mandate cost it more than $800 million since 2012, and now the industry is seizing on that as fresh evidence that changes to the regulation are urgently needed. The bankruptcy is a proxy for a much deeper conflict over the future of the Renewable Fuel Standard, with both sides trying to persuade Washington policymakers -- and President Donald Trump -- to see the program their way. RELATED: Ted Cruz takes on ethanol The stakes have never been higher. The debate spilled onto the Senate floor last week as Senator Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican and top ethanol industry advocate, challenged Texas Senator Ted Cruz's decision to stall a U.S. Agriculture Department nomination over the issue. In a Feb. 1 interview with Fox News, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt rattled the biofuel industry when he pointed at Philadelphia Energy and said that there was a need for "reform." The issue also could dog Trump during a Feb. 21 campaign rally in Philadelphia. 'Significant Changes' "The conversation on the RFS struck a new tone early this year following Philadelphia Energy Solutions' bankruptcy announcement at the end of January," Katie Bays, senior energy analyst at Height Securities in Washington, wrote in a Feb. 9 report. "We expect the RFS will undergo significant changes this year through legislation, regulatory measures, or both." The law forces refiners to use biofuel -- and prove they have satisfied annual quotas with tradeable credits known as Renewable Identification Numbers, or RINs. But refiners are affected unevenly by the mandate. Independent refiners that lack infrastructure to blend biofuel, such as PES, must buy those RINs instead. Icahn, Trump's former regulatory adviser who holds a stake in refinery CVR Energy Inc., pushed for changes to the RFS program that the billionaire called "rigged." The ethanol industry says that the program is working as intended by forcing refiners to invest in infrastructure to comply with the law -- a regulation that benefits the sector by making biofuels more widely available. Both sides have circulated memos -- including one written by Grassley's energy policy staff -- and analysis to buttress their arguments. While oil interests largely blame the RFS, biofuel proponents say that PES is harmed more by losing affordable access to cheap domestic crude from North Dakota than it is by the biofuel mandate that applies to refineries nationwide. Philadelphia Energy Solutions Chief Executive Officer Gregory Gatta joined the fray on Monday, issuing a joint statement with the head of the United Steelworkers International arguing that there is room for both biofuel producers and oil refiners "to thrive." Gatta and Steelworkers head Leo Gerard said they would keep advocating "for reform of the flawed RINs compliance mechanism that threatens thousands of well-paying jobs and the independent refineries that provide critical energy supply to the United States." Shedding the Obligation Philadelphia Energy is bidding to shed some $300 million in compliance obligations tied to the RFS. The EPA already said it would give the refiner an extra 31 days to satisfy its RIN obligation for 2017. But the company has asked the agency to go further and forgive its burden entirely. If the refinery is successful in shedding its RFS obligation -- a move that could lower RIN prices -- it would effectively be shorting the market for those compliance credits, Grassley's energy policy staff said in a memo circulated Feb. 6. "PES could buy RINs back at a cheaper price before the compliance deadline and may profit from this short strategy," the memo said. Biofuel supporters have "got to pull out all the stops," said Wallace Tyner, an agricultural economist at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, who's testified to Congress about the RFS. "It's about survival at this point. They're really scared now. They don't trust the administration" to follow through to protect the mandate, he said. New court records reveal some eye-popping details of the marital split between one-time celebrity house-flippers Armando Montelongo and his ex-wife Veronica. The former couple, who gained fame in 2006 on the A&E show Flip This House, divorced in April 2012 in San Antonio, but the details of their separation agreement have remained confidential until a recent spat over missed alimony payments this summer landed the two back in court last month. Veronica was trying to collect the final payments of the couples original agreement, which promised her $4,000 a week in alimony plus an additional annual payment of $250,000 for five years, according to the couples Agreement Incident to Divorce. The agreement was referenced in an August court filing with the Bexar County district court. She said at the time that she still hadnt received all of her spousal maintenance for 2016, specifically that she was shortchanged on her $250,000 annual payment. Armando was given an extension in December to pay his $250,000 installment for 2016 by the end of February. Veronica told the court this summer that he still owed her $147,500, according to court documents filed in August. Armando denied the allegations, countering that he overpaid his ex by $47,600. Calls to Armandos spokeswoman and William McCamish, Veronicas lawyer, werent immediately returned. Armando filed for divorce in June 2011 after almost 14 years of marriage. He used their initials rather than names in the filing to try to keep their breakup secret. The terms of the divorce werent revealed when it was finalized. In her August court filing, Veronica wanted her former beau locked up in Bexar County Jail if he failed to comply with a court order enforcing the divorce agreement. She also wanted him to pay $1,000 a day until he complied. It never came to that, however. Court records show the two reached an agreement that was signed by state District Judge Solomon J. Casseb III last week. No details of the agreement were disclosed in the court order, but it indicated that Armando had paid in full all alimony, child support obligations and and all other obligations that have accrued to date. Armando shot to fame on Flip This House, a show that captured the countrys obsession with the housing boom. The show aired for three years. In February, he told mySA.com about his new television series, Flipping Nightmares, that he said exposes the real dirty secrets of flipping houses for profit. The first episode appears on FlippingNightmares.com. His current wife, Whittney, appears on the show. Armando said he wanted his new show to address a constant irritant: skeptics. When Im out and about, its somewhat common to hear people say house flipping isnt real your training systems are not for real and youre scamming people, he said. More than 130 students who attended real estate seminars held by Armando are suing him and three companies in U.S. District Court in San Antonio, alleging they received worthless advice. pdanner@express-news.net An exhibit of former President George W. Bushs portraits of military veterans will open this summer at the Witte Museum. Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chiefs Tribute to Americas Warriors features 66 portraits and a four-panel mural of people who have served in the United States military since Sept. 11, 2001. The exhibit originated at the George W. Bush Presidential Center on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where the Bushes retired after his time in the White House. It is currently on exhibit at the Museum of the Southwest in Midland. It will run July 21 through Sept. 30 at the Witte, which is one of four places that will host the show this year. It will be free with museum admission. There are no plans at this point for an appearance by Bush during the exhibitions run, though the Wittes staff is hoping that can be arranged. The exhibit was announced at a news conference Tuesday afternoon. We are thrilled that Portraits of Courage is going to be in San Antonio, said retired Army Col. Miguel Howe, the first April and Jay Graham Fellow of the Military Service Initiative at the George W. Bush Institute. There is no more fitting place for this exhibit. He noted that the city is home to the Center for the Intrepid, which treats wounded warriors. It is here in that sacred place where warriors and their families find hope. They find renewed life. And for that, we are truly grateful, Howe said. The fact that the museum is in the running for top-tier exhibits says a lot about the Witte and the city, said Mayor Ron Nirenberg. I think it validates the private and communitywide investment of the kind made in the Witte, Nirenberg said. Zachry Group is sponsoring the exhibition. A.J. Rodriguez, vice president for external affairs for the company, declined to say how much it had given to make the exhibition possible. This is a unique philanthropic contribution, but because it checks so many positive boxes, we thought this is the project we want to support, Rodriguez said. He said a number of the companys employees are veterans, so bringing the show to San Antonio is a way to honor their service. The paintings, along with the veterans personal stories, also are featured in a coffee-table book published by Crown in 2017. The project is an outgrowth of Bushs devotion to veterans, as supported by the Military Service Initiative at the Bush Center, which works to help post-9/11 veterans and their families transition to civilian life. Bush took up painting a few years after leaving the White House, a pastime that first became public after some emails including his works of art were hacked. In a New York Times review, Jonathan Alter writes that the works in Portraits of Courage are notably better than those early works, including a self-portrait of the artists feet in a bathtub. He calls Bush an evocative and surprisingly adept artist who has dramatically improved his technique. dlmartin@express-news.net Clayton's Beach Bar is the usual spot for South Padre Island spring breakers, but the crowd seems ready to throw tomatoes at a performer listed in the lineup for the week-long party. Rising rapper 6ix9ine, or Teka$hi69, is scheduled to perform at the 17-and-up event on March 14, sandwiched between popular artists like Post Malone and Future. Outrage ensued after the news was announced that Clayton's had included the Brooklyn rapper, real name Daniel Hernandez, who has three felony counts of "use of a child in a sexual performance," according to an in-depth report from Jezebel. RELATED: Aftermath of South Padre spring break fight caught on video spills over onto social media Twitter account "@SouthPadreFam" tweeted a flyer on Feb. 9 touting the rainbow-haired rapper behind songs like "Gumno" that drew in most of the angry responses. "Y'all gotta stop trashin the beaches" Twitter user @hotlineandres added to a thread of disapproving reactions. "Looks like SPI will be empty on March 14th," @morenoray70 chimed in. Clayton's was not immediately available to return requests for comment, but did address the issue in a Facebook post on their business page. "Clayton's Beach Bar was surprised to hear up & coming rap artist 6ix9ine was involved with an inappropriate video taped incident (3) years ago, when 6ix9ine was (18 years old) involving several teenage boys & girls," the Feb. 11 post reads. "Clayton's supports the arts however does not condone any artists' misconduct on or off the stage. Clayton's venue plays host to all musical genres." The post does not mention what action the venue will take, but included a link to the rapper's "Day69 Tour," with South Padre Island still listed on the schedule. READ ALSO: San Antonio's Botanica Music & Arts Festival announces new lineup San Antonio is also included in the tour. Bar 23 is scheduled to host the 21-year-old on Feb. 22. Reactions to promotion of the local show do not seem to match that of the spring break event. On Monday, Clayton's promoted a meet-and-greet with 6ix9ine and his "surprise guest." According to the Jezebel report, published earlier this month, the felony counts stem from a crime that allegedly took place in February 2015. The rapper stood "behind the child making a thrusting motion with his pelvis and smacking on her buttocks" while the 13-year-old performed oral sex on another man in a Harlem apartment. That person was charged separately, according to Jezebel. The site listed his plea deal terms, in addition to obtaining his GED, as: "one year of interim probation two years of mental health treatment, 300 hours of community service, a prohibition on posting sexually explicit or violent images featuring women or children on social media, and a requirement to write a letter to the victim's family." Clayton's Facebook posts about the rapper have also ignited a fire. "Love Claytons but bringing this filth to Island where there is sure to be family and kids," Velez Acosta Lopez commented on the post promoting tickets. "Underage girls , he can't even be around that. He's on paper for sexual assault of a 13 year old." Others asked the popular island beach business to take note of what other venues have done: canceled the controversial rapper's shows. One Centre Show Square, in Easton, Pa., "no longer found the artist to be a suitable performer" after receiving similar reactions and gave him the boot days before his scheduled Feb. 9 show, according to The Morning Call. Madalyn Mendoza is a digital reporter for MySA.com. Read more of her stories here.| mmendoza@mysa.com | Twitter: @MaddySkye More than 300,000 Twitter users are applauding a San Antonio College student for slipping out of her insecurities and into a mini dress. Ashlie Bautista, 18, told mySA.com she moved to San Antonio from Austin with her group of friends to study criminal justice. Last Thursday night, Asheli, Maricella, Mark and Isabel decided to take a break from class, and enjoy the college night scene at Lush Rooftop. RELATED: Central Texas woman's 144-pound transformation is inspiring the nation They went shopping for their night out at Forever 21 and Ashlei, who usually opts for a "jeans and a cute top" look, picked out a velvet cocktail dress with some encouragement from her friends. She told mySA.com that she didn't initially feel comfortable in the form-fitting outfit, but her friends said she looked great and insisted that she buy it. To seal the deal, they took photos of the dolled-up Ashlei serving looks in her new dress. The teen shared four photos of her look on Twitter the next day. "So last night, I wore something that I never thought I would wear," she said online. I'm very insecure, but with the help of my amazing friends for hying me up, I was able to wear it and gained a little bit more confidence in myself." More than 30,000 retweets and 300,000 favorites later, it's clear the Twitterverse agreed with Maricella, Mark and Isabel, who thought Ashlei was stunning from the start. RELATED: Central Texas college grads go viral for their inspiring success stories The thread of reactions include the expected "SLAY," but others told Ashlei how she inspired them. "I don't know you, but I just wanted to say it made my heart so full to see you so genuinely happy," @Tyrynnn tweeted. "Be confident, your smile is beautiful and inspiring." Ashlei's phone buzzed numerous times with Twitter notifications as she spoke with mySA on Tuesday, days after she tweeted her photos. She said she hasn't silenced the notifications because she enjoys seeing the online hype pour in. National publications like Teen Vogue have reached out to Ashlei to cover her story. "There have been a few mean comments, but there's always going to be mean comments," she said of the online reaction. Ashlei said she's looking forward to expanding her wardrobe with outfits that were out of her comfort zone before. "I am overweight but there are stores that have plus size things," she added. "I will definitely continue buying things that make me feel more confident." Madalyn Mendoza is a digital reporter for MySA.com. Read more of her stories here.| mmendoza@mysa.com | Twitter: @MaddySkye DANBURY Four Broadview Middle School students will compete in the state MATHCOUNTS competition this spring. Eighth graders Jessica Walia, Afrah Rafi, Vatsal Bandaru and John Caceres qualified for the statewide event after competing in the northwest regional held earlier this month at Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury. Jan. 29 At 9 a.m., Bellaire Police and Fire Department were dispatched to the 1000 block of Howard Lane in regards to male subject not conscious and not breathing. Bellaire Medic 81 transported the male subject to Methodist Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. At 7:38 p.m., Officer Younger made contact with involved parties of a domestic violence dispute in the 4500 block of Bellaire Boulevard. After collecting statements from both parties, Officer Younger determined there was a minor physical dispute between a married couple. Officer Younger contacted the Harris County District Attorney's Office who declined charges. At 12:48 p.m., Bellaire Police Corporal D. Clawson attempted to stop the defendant for traffic violations in the 6700 IH 610 East Service Road. During the attempted traffic investigation the defendant fled from police using a motor vehicle. While fleeing in a motor vehicle, the defendant tossed contraband out of the driver side window in attempts to destroy evidence. The defendant was subsequently arrested and charged with felony evading in a motor vehicle and felony destruction/tampering with physical evidence. At 5:21 p.m., Officer Delgado was dispatched to speak with a victim in the 5000 block of Elm Street concerning an identity theft. Officer Delgado made contact with the victim who stated her personal identifying information was stolen and used to file for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance. Jan. 30 At 7:44 a.m., Officer Vorhees was dispatched to the 4800 block of Palm Street in regards to a Burglary of a Motor Vehicle (BMV). Officer Vorhees met with the victim who stated unknown suspect(s) entered her unlocked vehicle and stole items. At 5:40 p.m., Officer Marcotte initiated a traffic stop on a 2011 Toyota for displaying the expired registration in the 5400 block of IH 610 northbound. The driver was found to have a suspended driver's license and was arrested and charged with driving while license invalid (DWLI). At 8:06 p.m., Bellaire Police Officer Marcotte initiated a traffic stop in the 5600 block of IH 610 northbound on a 2012 Malibu for failure to maintain a single lane of traffic. The driver was found to have a suspended driver's license and was arrested and charged with driving while license invalid (DWLI). Jan. 31 At 5:49 p.m., Officer Younger made contact with the victim at 5130 Bellaire Boulevard who advised an unknown suspect stole her wallet out of her shopping cart while in Randall's earlier in the day. At 8 p.m., Sgt. Hefferin was patrolling the area of the 4600 block of Bellaire Blvd west bound. Sgt. Hefferin conducted a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle for speeding. The driver was arrested for warrants, and during the inventory of the vehicle Sgt Hefferin located 39 grams of marijuana in a back pack in the back seat of the vehicle. Sgt Hefferin seized the drugs and was later able to track down the owner of the back pack. The owner later described the back pack and its contents. Sgt Hefferin later made contact with the Harris County District Attorney's Office who refused the charge of possession of marijuana on the female owner. Feb. 1 At 1:37 a.m., Officer Bellard was on patrol in the area of the 5300 IH 610 southbound when he observed a vehicle drive by him at a high rate of speed. Officer Bellard was unable to get a speed on his in car mounted radar. Officer Bellard caught up to the suspect vehicle and observed it swerve and fail to signal a lane change. Officer Bellard initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and after further investigation the driver was arrested for driving while intoxicated. At 6:03 p.m., Officer Guerra was patrolling the 4700 block of Bellaire Blvd and observed a gray Ford Edge fail to maintain single lane. Officer Guerra conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. During the interview, the driver was found to have a suspended driver's license with no proof of financial responsibility. The driver was taken into custody for driving while license invalid-enhanced and taken to the Bellaire Police Department for booking and processing. At 6:10 a.m., Officer Bellard was dispatched to the 4600 block of Beech Street in reference to a family disturbance. The daughter called Bellaire 911 and advised her dad choked her and threw her down the stairs. Officer Bellard arrived on scene at approximately 0614 hrs. After investigation the case was referred for further investigation by the Harris County District Attorney's Office and both parties were separated for the day. At 8:45 a.m., Officers were dispatched to an accident in the 6000 block of IH 610 North. Officers located the black Toyota Avalon involved in the accident in the 5600 block of IH 610 North. Upon further investigation it was determined the driver of the black Toyota Avalon was involved in an aggravated robbery at South Post Oak and Willowbend. The suspect evaded officers on foot while brandishing a blue steel revolver. The suspect was shot by HPD and pronounced deceased after he was checked by BFD Paramedics. Feb. 2 At 12:12 a.m., Officer Proctor conducted a traffic stop at 5000 Bellaire Blvd. on a Tan Toyota Camry for a defective right brake lamp. During the investigation, the driver was found to be in possession of marijuana. At approximately 0057 hours, Officer Proctor placed the driver into custody for possession of marijuana and transported him to the Bellaire Jail for booking. At 8:39 a.m., Officer C. Barber was dispatched to the 5100 block of Grand Lake regarding a theft of construction material from a residential construction site. At 4:15 p.m., Officer Marcotte stopped a vehicle for expired registration in the 5600 block of IH 610 East Service Road. The driver was found to have a suspended license and in possession of 31 grams of marijuana, a scale and a large sum of currency. The driver was arrested and charged with driving while license invalid (DWLI) and possession of marijuana. At 7:36 p.m., Officer Schwausch was dispatched to the 7700 block of the IH 610 ESR in reference to a vehicle stopped in the moving lanes of traffic without its hazard lights on. The operator was believed to be intoxicated and was subsequently charged and arrested for driving while intoxicated. At 1:20 p.m., Officer M. Santillanes was dispatched to the Bellaire Police Department lobby in reference to a theft call in the 7000 block of Ferris. Upon arrival Officer Santillanes met with the victim who stated between 6:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. Jan. 31, an unknown suspect entered the victim's backpack and stole approximately $30 cash from the victim's wallet. Officer Santillanes completed a theft report. Feb. 3 At 12:09 a.m., Officer Proctor was patrolling the 5300 block of Bissonnet Street westbound when he observed a black 2003 Honda travelling in front of him. Officer Proctor observed the vehicle to have an expired temporary dealer's tag. Officer Proctor initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and after further investigation found the driver to be driving with a suspended driver's license with no proof of financial responsibility. The driver was also in possession of a leafy green substance which tested positive for marijuana. At approximately 0028 hours Officer Proctor placed the driver into custody for DWLI-enhanced and possession of marijuana. Officer Proctor then transported him to the Bellaire Jail for booking. At 10:49 p.m., Officers Schwausch, Guerra, and Marcotte were dispatched to Boulevard Green at 7008 S. Rice Ave. in reference to a female stumbling and screaming in the street. After further investigation, the female was placed into custody for public intoxication. During the booking process, the female became resistant and bit Officer Schwausch's left hand. The female was subsequently charged with assault on a peace officer. Feb. 4 At 7:11 p.m., Officer Marcotte initiated a traffic stop at 5000 Bellaire Blvd. on a 1999 Ford pickup for a broken tail light. It was learned the pickup had been stolen in a robbery earlier in the day. Both the occupants matched the description of the suspects whom had committed the robbery. Both were arrested and charged with robbery. At 10:04 p.m., Officer Marcotte initiated a traffic stop at 4600 Bellaire Blvd. on a 2008 Hyundai for driving on a flat tire and impeding traffic. The driver was found to be intoxicated and was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Her passenger was found to have Pasadena warrants and was arrested as well. Recognizing and celebrating the talents and contributions of people living with disabilities is at the core of the this year's ReelAbilities Film and Arts Festival. The festival runs Feb. 12-22 at several venues across the Houston area from and aims to encourage inclusion. The 11-day festival features music, speakers, art and more. JFS Alexander Institute for Inclusion is the host city organizer and key collaborating partner for the project, which is in its sixth year. Other ReelAbilities festivals take place in cities across the nation, but Houston's is the largest, according to ReelMusic chair and emcee Dee Dee Dochen. The ReelMusic event will close the festival Feb. 22, 7-9 p.m. at White Oak Music Hall. The evening will showcase the talents of musicians living with both visible and invisible disabilities as well as others without disabilities. Dochen said she is putting out a call for musicians who want to jam in the impromptu jazz and blues session. She said she hopes the event will show music's power to tear down walls that divide often people. "We hope that the message is loud and clear that there are no barriers with music," Dochen said. "We hope to break down barriers and erase stigmas and advocate inclusion, which is what ReelAbilities is all about. We have a house band of musicians who are among the best jazz musicians in Houston." Musician Eman Gilligan, who was injured in a shooting in Brazil in 2013 and is now in a wheelchair, plays guitar, sings and composes. He said after the shooting, playing music was difficult. "Of course not being able to stand up was tough and trying to balance holding my guitar and singing in the microphone - I kind of had to start from zero," Gilligan said. He said he eventually he began to enjoy it again. After moving to Houston in 2015, Gilligan said he learned that TIRR Memorial Hermann had a music therapy program and decided to start giving back to other people struggling with disabilities. Dochen and ReelMusic reached out to TIRR to see if they had seen any talented musicians, so Gilligan got involved with this year's event. He said he feels like people will benefit from the experience. "I think it will be a very interesting evening of musicians able and disabled working together," Gilligan said. [Music is] something that I have been able to enjoy and appreciate in my life, and I think it's been interesting for people to see as well. You know there's someone in a wheelchair, and he's up there performing. The music is exactly the same, the vibe is exactly the same, and I think it's great to spread that awareness around." Admission is free, but the organization asks those planning to come to listen and particularly those musicians planning to jam preregister at www.ReelAbiliitesHouston.org so that they can manage the head count. A cash bar will be offered, and complimentary "light bites" will be served. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The UP Abilities event will be held Feb. 15, 7-9 p.m. at the Houston Community College West Loop South Campus. It will feature speakers living with disabilities, including social entrepreneur Caroline Casey who was born with a rare eye condition and is registered blind. Casey said she thinks the event will be informative and that she never plans what she is going to say, instead speaking as her heart leads. Tickets for UP Abilities are $18, and doors open at 6:15 p.m. The festival's first event ReelArt was held at Celebration Company, which is an entrepreneurial program based in Houston that works with artists who are disabled. The gallery exhibit included a meet-and greet with Brandon Lack, who is an artist with Down Syndrome that lives in Austin, as well as more than 20 other Celebration Company artists. Celebration Company Art Director Samara Rosen said she believes the ReelArt event was important to in order to show that people living with disabilities can contribute a lot through using art. "It's so important to showcase artwork made my artists with disabilities because art is a medium that we can use to educate others that anything is possible," she said. ReelArt exhibitor Neville Karpas said while he loves painting the most, he also enjoys paper making, photography and print making. He said he was proud that the house he painted would be at ReelArt for everyone to see. Rosen said she encourages Houstonians to come out and see the artwork while it remains on display through April 27. "We'd love to have you come see the fruits of our labor," she said. "We're extremely proud of what we've put on this year, and it's definitely something you have to come see for yourself." Casey said she hopes the festival will inform its participants and inspire them to embrace people's differences. "We underestimate how powerful it is when people believe in you, [and] this is the key thing around inclusion," Casey said. "I truly believe that the world is better when every one of us belongs equally, and that's why inclusion is important. Every one of us is equally unique and different, and it's our right to be self-determining and reach our potential. If we can do that then our world would just infinitely be better." Music for the Soul is a weekly toetapping, spirit-lifting concert series featuring a great selection of performing artists and an eclectic variety of musical styles, Hosted by St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, the concerts are free and will kick off on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 6 p.m. in the church at 1819 Heights Blvd. Admission is free to these family-friendly performances. Donations to each artist's chosen charity will be gratefully accepted. Scheduled performers include: 3 1 of 3 Kaila Contreras Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Kaila Contreras Show More Show Less 3 of 3 High school juniors and seniors will be able to earn college credit in several subjects starting this fall after the Crosby ISD Board of Trustees agreed to take part in University of Texas at Austin's OnRamps dual-enrollment program. "Research has shown that if a student completes as little as one college course, then they are many times more likely to go on and successfully complete a degree at a college or university," Todd Hicks, Crosby ISD's second education executive director said. Tensions continue to build between Missouri City officials and a group of residents who volunteer at the city animal shelter at last Monday's city council meeting. Volunteers and supporters again had harsh words for elected officials and city staffers during public comment. Lynn Morgan said council member Jerry Wyatt flew into a rage last December after shelter volunteers launched an email campaign asking for more resources for the animal shelter and told city staffers that volunteers should be "punished." "It seems to me, that in response to Councilman Wyatt's demand for retaliation against the volunteers, that the city has embarked on an overzealous systematic attack to vilify a group of citizen volunteers," Morgan said Monday, Feb. 5. "Is that really the kind of city that you think the public wants?" Valerie Tolman, organizer of the non-profit "Friends of the Missouri City Animal Shelter" voiced concerns about lack over transparency and not allowing citizens to have input over new animal shelter policies. However, volunteer Brenda Clark was more positive and thanked city officials for reassigning a city employee to be the front desk person at the shelter to help with animal intake and answering phones. Disagreements upset the balance of what had been a successful partnership between volunteers and city officials last December. Since then, many volunteers claim they have been treated unfairly with donated medicines taken without warning and volunteers limited to two-hour shifts. Recently, the Friends of the Missouri City Animal Shelter group posted an announcement online that the volunteers were being publicly accused of a crime without a fair investigation and that they would be withdrawing financial assistance to the shelter. On the other side of the argument, city officials claim volunteers brought dangerous drugs into the shelter including controlled substances such as Tramadol and Xanax. For weeks, city officials have alleged misconduct by volunteers in press releases and on Monday, city manager Anthony Snipes discussed the "findings" brought forward by the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and two other state agencies. (City officials have declined to name the other two state agencies.) Despite the ongoing allegations against volunteers, Snipes told Mayor Allen Owens and the City Council he was committed to partnering with the volunteers. "The city is committed to providing excellent care to animals housed in the shelter and to partnering with volunteers in promoting adoptions to find homes for as many cats and dogs as possible and to being transparent with citizens and stakeholders about operations," Snipes said. Public Works Director Shashi Kumar also spoke about new policies under development and possible budget impacts related to staffing and the loss of financial support from volunteer fundraising. Kumar said he had visited other shelters and recommended the council support adding two additional full time employees, a vet tech to oversee medications and a shelter manager to supervise volunteers and manage adoption events. Extra staff and increased costs could also mean increased costs for residents. "In addition to these proactive steps, City staff is reviewing our schedule of fees to address the need for an increase for expenses such as adoptions. This would help the City achieve parity with regional municipalities and provide an increase in revenues for shelter operations," Snipes said. No action was taken by the council. Apparently it was a relatively quiet month on the streets of Oak Ridge North in January, with police reporting less than a handful of assaults for the month. During the Oak Ridge North City Council meeting Monday night, Feb. 12, police Lt. Tom Libby reported on the city's police activities for the month, telling the council there were three assaults and three thefts in January. In all, officers made 52 arrests for other offenses and issued 729 citations. Also during the meeting, Libby presented the department's racial profiling analysis for the 2017. The report, filed in accordance with Texas law, showed that Oak Ridge North police officers made 3107 "stops" last year, with nearly half of those stops being of whites. In all,1,530 stops were of whites, while 860 were of Hispanic/Latinos and 593 were of blacks. "We don't discriminate against anybody," said Oak Ridge North Mayor Jim Kuykendall of the report. "Any lawbreaker gets in trouble in Oak Ridge North." The report also showed that of those stops, 2,049 were for moving traffic violations and 973 were for vehicle traffic violations. Fifty eight stops were for what was described as "violation of law" and 12 were listed as "existing knowledge." Also during the meeting, the council voted unanimously to transfer $52,220 in salaries and benefits from the Public Works Department to make up for a difference in salary for a new director of finance position and for an added position of accounting assistant. The move comes after the city's superintendent of the Streets and Parks Department resigned for another job. A fleet mechanic and engineering technician position were also eliminated. So instead of hiring replacements, the council unanimously approved a budget amendment to transfer the money that would have been used to pay the salary of a new superintendent and instead use it to make up for the difference in salary for the city's finance director and accounting assistant jobs. "Basically, it's just moving $52,220 from public works to administration to pay for those positions," said City Manager Vicky Rudy, adding that the change would also reduce the overall budget. In other business, the council set a date of Feb. 26 for a workshop for the master thoroughfare plan. The Houston-based consulting firm of Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc. has compiled a preliminary report of the plan, which considers future development in Oak Ridge North. Also, the council approved a payment of $244,9822 to Rebel Contractors for installation, inspection and testing work on the Master Drainage Plan. The plan evaluated drainage issues and other concerns, especially around the Hillside Drive area. The council also approved payment of $18,400 to RPS/Klotz, a firm that is working on the design of a turn lane for eastbound traffic on Robinson Road at Oak Ridge Park Drive North. During the public comment period of the meeting, Texas House District 15 candidate Jackie Waters addressed the gathering, asking the handful of people in attendance for their support in her campaign. Waters is squaring off against Steve Toth in the March Republican primary to represent the district in the Texas House of Representatives. The district, which includes Oak Ridge North, The Woodlands and other nearby areas is currently represented by Mark Keough, but he is running for Montgomery County judge instead. The Oak Ridge North City Council is scheduled to meet again Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. The man accused of fatally shooting two Westerville, Ohio, police officers Saturday was barred from legally owning a firearm but paid a friend to buy him one, federal prosecutors said. Quentin Smith, 30, is charged with aggravated murder in the killings of officers Anthony Morelli, 54, and Eric Joering, 39, who were shot while responding to a potential domestic violence incident, authorities said. Smith, a convicted felon, is prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm but allegedly bought the weapon through Gerald Lawson III, 30, who is charged with providing a handgun, prosecutors with the Justice Department for the Southern District of Ohio said in a statement Monday. The shooting occurred shortly after noon Saturday, when police dispatched Morelli and Joering to an apartment complex after receiving a 911 call from someone who hung up, authorities said. "As they went into the apartment, they were immediately met with gunfire and both officers were shot," an emotional Westerville Police Chief Joe Morbitzer said at a news conference over the weekend. Immediate details about the incident were scant, though Morbitzer described it as a "potential domestic situation." In the initial 911 call, a woman can be heard crying before the call disconnects, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. The newspaper also obtained tape from a subsequent 911 call the woman made. "Please help, please help, please help," the woman can be heard frantically telling a dispatcher. "My husband shot - he shot the police officers. Please hurry up. My daughter is in there." The woman then added that she was hiding in the bushes in the front yard. Joering died at the scene, while Morelli died at the hospital where he was taken. Police said Smith was wounded and taken to a hospital, but did not release further information about his condition or wounds. Lawson is a longtime friend of Smith and knew he had a felony conviction for burglary, as Lawson had visited Smith in prison, prosecutors said. Yet Lawson still bought Smith the handgun with the knowledge that he was prohibited from possessing one, according to an affidavit filed by an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. A witness told investigators that Smith allegedly paid Lawson the cost of the handgun, as well as an additional $100 for providing the weapon. Investigators confirmed through social media that the two men were friends, prosecutors said. One of Lawson's posts showed three photos of the two men together and references to their longtime friendship. If convicted, Lawson faces up to 10 years in prison, prosecutors said. Smith could be indicted on formal charges and could face the death sentence, since the officers were killed in the line of duty, according to the Associated Press. On Monday, hundreds lined the streets of Westerville to watch a solemn police procession escort the officers' bodies to funeral homes. Morelli was taken to Moreland Funeral Home, while Joering was taken to Hill Funeral Home, both in Westerville, according to CNN. Funeral arrangements have not been announced. The slain officers were "two of the best we have," said Morbitzer, the Westerville police chief, struggling through tears Saturday. Morelli had been with the Westerville Police Department for 29 years; Joering had been on the force for 16 years. "Both officers gave their life in protection of others," Morbitzer said. "Those are true American heroes." Three vigils will honor the officers: One at 8 p.m. Monday at nearby Otterbein University's campus, another at 8 p.m. Monday at Ohio State University and a third at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, at First Responders Park in Westerville, according to city officials. The local Fraternal Order of Police set up a GoFundMe account, verified by the city, to help cover unpaid medical bills, funeral expenses and education costs for the two officers' children. Within hours, the fundraiser had exceeded its original goal of $50,000. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump offered his thoughts and prayers to the fallen officers, their families and the Westerville police, calling the fatal shooting "a true tragedy." Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R), who is fromWesterville, ordered the state's flags lowered in honor of the two officers Monday. "The finest among us are those who risk it all everyday for our safety, and Officers Anthony Morelli and Eric Joering were those people," he said in a statement. "Their deaths area terrible tragedy for my home town of Westerville and all of Ohio." Bert Mizusawa, a retired major general in the U.S. Army Reserve and foreign policy advisor to Donald Trump's presidential campaign, has joined the crowded field seeking the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate against Sen. Tim Kaine, D. Mizusawa is the fifth candidate to jump into the GOP primary. Republicans running so far include Corey Stewart, the bombastic Prince William County Board of Supervisors chairman and Trump acolyte who almost won the nomination for governor; outspoken evangelical preacher E.W. Jackson; a two-term state lawmaker, Nick Freitas; and businessman and political newcomer Ivan Raiklin. Mizusawa, who lives in McLean, ran in the 2010 GOP primary for a House seat in Hampton Roads won by former congressman Scott Rigell. Mizusawa declined an interview request, through his campaign manager, Mike Wade, who said frustration over the recent three-day shutdown helped motivate him to enter the race. He already has about $100,000 in commitments from donors and is planning a campaign kick-off later this week, Wade said. Mizusawa has not met with the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which previously tried to recruit former Gov. James Gilmore III to run. Wade said Mizusawa is a more credible threat to Kaine than Stewart. "Resume. Capabilities. Intellect," he said. "And an ability to actually go forth and have an honest shot at being a challenge to Tim Kaine." Mizusawa defended Trump's foreign policy and national defense strategy in an October 2016 column in USA Today. During the campaign, he served on the same panel of national security advisers that included George Papadopoulos and Carter Page, who are key figures in the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential race. Wade said Mizusawa has never discussed Papadopoulos or Page with him. He graduated first in his class at West Point, attended Harvard Law School, and was a MacArthur Fellow in International Security at the Harvard Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. "Bert is a longtime friend of the party and was very active in supporting the president in 2016 which is where I first got to know him," Virginia GOP Chairman John Whitbeck said. "Bert adds an exceptional record of service to an already strong field of candidates." - - - The Washington Post's Rosalind S. Helderman contributed to this report. NOTICE: TO BE CLEAR: WE HAVE OUTLINED UNDER OUR RECORD MAINTENANCE POLICY WHAT WE BELIEVE TO BE A FAIR PROCESS FOR ALL. SIMPLY PUT: IF THE COURT SAW FIT TO EXPUNGE YOUR RECORD,SO WILL WE, FREE OF CHARGE. ARRESTS DO NOT IMPLY GUILT AND CRIMINAL CHARGES ARE MERELY ACCUSATIONS,EVERYONE IS PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW AND CONVICTED. 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MOST OF, IF NOT ALL MUGSHOT LAWS WERE CRAFTED TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM FEES FOR REMOVAL OF ONLINE MUGSHOTS AND TO FURTHER PROTECT THE PRESS FROM THOSE VERY SAME "MUGSHOT LAWS".WE DO NOT ACCEPT PAYMENT FOR REMOVAL OF ARREST INFORMATION AND/OR BOOKING PHOTOGRAPHS. MORE... NORWALK Many community health centers including the Norwalk Community Health Center worried about losing millions in federal funding when Congress failed to renew support for the program in August. But the new budget deal signed by Donald Trump on Friday has extended funding for community health centers another two years. Federally qualified health centers act as the countrys health care safety net, providing care to patients for costs based on income. Those below the poverty line pay only a nominal fee. For decades, these health centers received federal funding in order to offset those discounts. The Norwalk Community Health Center, which saw nearly 14,000 patients (75 percent of whom had incomes beneath the poverty line) in 2016, stood to lose $1.8 million 15 percent of its budget if the program was not renewed. Now, such fears have been postponed for another two years. We were worried. We were very worried, said James Maloney, the CEO of the Connecticut Institute for Communities, based in Danbury. We were getting very close to the edge of the cliff. And it is a substantial relief, not only for the people who work at the centers, but also for the patients, who now know that they will have continuity of care. This two-year extension will allow community health centers in Connecticut and across the country to continue to provide essential services to their patients, said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. The recent budget deal continues funding for the program on similar levels to past years. Community health centers received $3.6 billion in the 2017 fiscal year, and are slated to receive $3.8 billion for the current fiscal year at $4 billion for 2019. While the news came as a relief to many, community health center funding was extended for a shorter period of time than the Childrens Health Insurance Program, which faced a similar crisis when its funding was not renewed in the fall. CHIP provides free or low-cost healthcare for the children of low-income families. After pushback when nearly two million children were in danger of losing their health coverage, Congress secured funding for the program for the next decade. Were grateful to Congress for extending the funding, said Craig Glover, CEO of the Norwalk Community Health Center. But he pointed out that two years is a short time by federal standards. So we still have to go back and work with Congress to extend the funding beyond two years to make sure that we avoid this situation two years from now. The state Senate Democratic caucus had issued a letter calling on Congressional leaders to prioritize the extension of funding for community health centers, calling the situation a potential humanitarian and fiscal disaster. Now that funding has been secured for the next two years, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, said he was very pleased. My hope would be that funding for community health centers, which are in every single congressional district in the nation, are funded in the future on a more long-term basis, he said. rschuetz@hearstmediact.com; @raschuetz WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump wants to cut all federal funding to a tuition aid initiative that helps D.C. residents attend college, putting the future of the popular D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant in jeopardy. The federal government provides $40 million for the program, which gives city students - who don't have access to a robust in-state university system - affordable college options. But the fiscal 2019 White House budget released Monday proposes to eliminate the program "because of a lack of a clear federal role for supporting the cost of higher education specifically for District residents." Proponents of the tuition program were incensed that Trump would seek to end a program that has helped 26,000 District students attend and graduate from college. "DCTAG is a successful program that has worked for years to expand educational opportunities for our young people, and it is unfathomable that any leader working to build a safer, stronger and more competitive country would choose to cut a program like this rather than expanding it," D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) said, in a statement. D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) said she is confident she can maintain full funding for the tuition assistance program. Bowser urged all current award recipients and students in their final year of high school to continue to apply for the program this year. She noted that students who received an award for the 2017-2018 academic year will receive payments as usual. "We will continue to work with Congresswoman Norton and Congressional appropriators to ensure full funding for DCTAG is included in the final FY2019 spending bill," said Bowser, whose office has started the Twitter hashtag #SaveDCTAG. Norton said in a statement that the two-year budget deal reached last week preempts the White House budget, rendering it "dead on arrival." The District's only representative in Congress said she wants to assure D.C. parents and students that she does not believe they are in danger of losing funding for the tuition assistance program. "DCTAG has been funded every year by Republican and Democratic Congresses alike and, unlike Trump this year, Republican presidents as well, since its creation," Norton said. "This draconian and backward budget shows how out of touch this administration is with reality." Even before the White House budget, the 18-year-old program was at risk of losing some of its funding - but nothing quite as drastic as the latest proposal. In November, the Senate Appropriations Committee introduced a spending bill seeking to cut funding by one-fourth. The committee directed the U.S. Government Accountability Office to conduct a review of the program to assess trends in eligibility, enrollment, performance and outcome, and to consider other available resources for the program. Senators complained that the program failed to live up to expectations, because the college graduation rate among award recipients fell below the national average. About 51 percent of participants graduated within six years, compared to 60 percent of students nationwide, according to the Senate appropriations document. The D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education, which oversees the tuition program, says the most recent data show that nearly 56 percent of award recipients who entered college in 2007-2008 graduated within six years. The office said that number is higher than the overall six-year graduation rate for students from D.C. public high schools. "It strikes me as an odd candidate to target for elimination," said Neal McCluskey, director of the right-leaning Center for Educational Freedom at the Cato Institute. "Surely there are targets far more ripe for elimination." Norton said she has been negotiating with appropriators to maintain the program's $40 million funding, an amount she has been able to secure for the past two fiscal years. Congress spurned proposed cuts to the program in 2013, when the Obama administration considered sacrificing some of its budget. Through the tuition program, tens of thousands of students have received $350 million to enroll at 578 colleges. Students can receive as much as $10,000 a year to attend public universities outside the city, or up to $2,500 to enroll in a private college in the D.C. metro area or at any historically black college or university across the nation. The grants are available to all District students - except high-income families - but student advocates say the money makes the biggest difference for low-income residents. The annual family income cap has shifted in recent years; it once was $1 million but, in more recent years, has stood between $750,000 and $777,000. In recent years, the tuition assistance program has contended with some problems. A 2014 audit identified weak financial controls and management problems at the city agency that administers the program. At the time, officials in the superintendent's office could not document or explain nearly $10 million in expenses since 2004. They say the problems documented in the audit have been addressed. Daily traffic congestion on U.S. 69 in Hardin and Tyler counties caused by two-lane bottlenecks could be eased within the next decade by a multi-phase project to widen the whole corridor to four lanes. Construction of the first segment, from FM 420 near the Big Thicket National Preserve in Hardin County to just south of Warren in Tyler County, is expected to begin in 2021, according to Sarah Dupre, with the Texas Department of Transportation. TxDOT is seeking public feedback from people who live and work along U.S. 69 as it determines the specific alignment of the highway and looks at possible improvements to the rest of the 60-mile stretch from the U.S. 69-U.S. 96 split just south of Lumberton to the Angelina County border. Cost of the first, "green segment" is unknown. Potential expansion of the rest of the route is still being studied. RELATED: Texas traffic rules you're probably not following "Anything would help this traffic," said Tom Short, owner of Hwy 69 Barber Shop in Lumberton, referring to "terrible" stop-and-go traffic that often makes it difficult to cross the road in the evenings. An estimated 20,000 vehicles travel the Tyler-Hardin stretch of U.S. 69 daily. TxDOT says widening U.S. 69 "would help relieve congestion, provide safer travel, improve emergency evacuation and support economic development." The U.S. 69 Corridor expansion project has been in the works since 2003 but lacked funding to move forward. U.S. 69 is a primary evacuation route for events like Hurricane Rita in 2005, Ike in 2008 and most recently Tropical Storm Harvey. Dupre said that though that isn't the only factor at work, highway improvements would contribute to more efficient evacuations. "The people who live, work and travel here - we want to take them into consideration," Dupre said. Joey Foxworthy, manager of Holmes Supply Co. located on U.S. 69 in Kountze, said he thinks expansion of the highway is "about time." RELATED: These are the deadliest highways in Texas According to Foxworthy, some of the abrupt transitions from four to two lanes along U.S. 69 back up traffic, creating a "bottleneck effect" that restricts traffic flow in certain areas. A highway expansion would alleviate some of the congestion, Foxworthy said, particularly during the southbound 8 a.m. rush and northbound 5 p.m. gridlock. Because U.S. 69 runs right in front of Holmes Supply, construction could cut into the business's lot, but "even if it did, it'd be worth it," he said. TxDOT is required to conduct an environmental impact report, Dupre said. RELATED: Worst speed traps in Texas Jason Ginder, Big Thicket National Preserve public information officer, said he looks forward to working with TxDOT. "Any project creating additional access to the park would be a positive contribution," Ginder said, but at this stage, "it is not certain how it will affect the park." U.S. 69 runs next to the Big Thicket between Kountze and Village Mills and connects major cities and rural towns over approximately 345 miles from Port Arthur to Denison. Phoebe.Suy@BeaumontEnterprise.com WESTPORT The campus of the Westport Country Playhouse will now be named The Howard J. Aibel Theater Center at Westport Country Playhouse thanks to a $3 million donation from Aibel. I have found live theater to be life transformative, Aibel, a Weston resident and Playhouse board of trustees since 2005, and current board vice chair, said upon announcement of the donation Feb. 13. WASHINGTON - The White House is proposing a $19.9 billion budget for NASA, a nearly $400 million increase over the current budget as part of a strategy to further fuel entrepreneurial endeavors and take the first steps to return to the moon. But its 2019 budget proposal, released Monday, did not outline a concrete plan or timeline to travel to the lunar surface, which the Trump administration has said is one of its top priorities for NASA. The spending plan also proposed ending funding for the International Space Station after 2024, and privatizing the orbiting laboratory to free up funds for deep space exploration. In a statement to The Washington Post, Scott Pace, the executive secretary of the reconstituted National Space Council, said the administration plans to work with industry and international partners to find away to transition the station into private hands. "With seven years with which to plan a transition to a different operational model, the United States will again demonstrate our role as the indispensable spacefaring nation," Pace said. "The transition of low Earth orbit from an environment dominated by the government to one that flourishes with commercial, international, and government partnerships is not only possible, but necessary for continued U.S. leadership." An official with the European Space Agency, a partner on the space station, said he hadn't yet seen the proposal so couldn't comment. Some officials said it could be tricky for the United States to get out of the station's international treaties. Another roadblock is going to be Congress, where key members have already said they would not allow support for the station to be terminated before its useful life is over. "The administration's budget for NASA is a nonstarter," U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., said in a statement. "Turning off the lights and walking away from our sole outpost in space at a time when we're pushing the frontiers of exploration makes no sense." The White House isn't planning on abandoning the station outright, and is looking to keep a robust presence in low Earth orbit in partnership with industry and other countries, according to an administration official not authorized to speak publicly about the plan. The budget calls for $150 million for a program to help industry create space habitats that could be used in place of the space station, according to the budget request released Monday. The official said the administration is trying to avoid the problem that plagued the space shuttle retirement. When the shuttle was retired in 2011, NASA had no way of flying its astronauts to the space station, and has had to rely on Russia for rides to space. SpaceX and Boeing are now under contract from NASA to build spacecraft capable of flying humans, but those first flights won't come until later this year or next, leaving the U.S. government without the ability to fly people for at least seven years. "The notion that we would walk away from LEO [or low Earth orbit] and the space station is not accurate," the official said. "We know the space station is going to eventually end. Rather than putting ourselves in the situation with shuttle, where we had no way to get to LEO, we want to start planning for that transition now." The United States' international partners on the station "are one of the most important pieces of the station and how it functions," the official said. "We believe that opening up options and different models also means opening up opportunities for additional partners and additional ways to expand our international involvement in low Earth orbit. Imagine a scenario where a company says we have a business plan, we'd like to partner with the Japanese government and the Europeans to do these types of experiments." The official said that under commercial control, NASA would become another customer, so that instead of owning the building, we would rent a couple of floors," the person said. In its budget document, the White House said it plans to partner with industry "to land robotic missions on the surface of the moon in the next few years, paving the way for a return of U.S. astronauts - this time not just to visit, but to lay the foundation for further journeys of exploration and the expansion of the U.S. economy into space." The budget proposal "really reflects the administration's confidence that America will lead the way back to the moon and take that next giant leap," NASA acting administrator Robert Lightfoot said in a speech Monday at the Marshall Spaceflight Center in Alabama. Nelson, the U.S. senator, expressed concern about plans beyond the moon. "If we're ever going to get to Mars with humans on board and return them safely, then we need a larger funding increase for NASA," he said. The proposed budget also calls for the termination of the $100 million Office of Education at NASA "redirecting those funds to NASA's core mission of exploration." And while it supports the development of the $8.8 billion James Webb telescope, the budget calls for the termination of the WFIRST space telescope, which NASA planned to help scientists better understand dark matter and dark energy. The budget would provide $54.2 million for public-private partnerships to help develop manufacturing technologies in space, such as 3-D printing. The son of one of my colleagues recently started driving. By all measures, he is a competent driver, except for one small problem: Despite having lived in Big Spring all his life, he has no idea how to get anywhere. While his parents were driving to the grocery store or school, he had his head down, looking at whatever electronic device he happened to have with him. Now, he is a stranger in his own town. How many things are our kids missing because they have their heads down, so to speak? Not necessarily just with technology, but with practical skills they are not learning as they advance through school. For example, when I was in third grade, a local bank came to our school to help us all set up bank accounts. Every few weeks, they would return so we could make deposits, entering them neatly in our little ledgers and tracking our financial growth. At the time it didnt seem like much, but as I watch my own daughter struggle with money word problems on STAAR prep tests, I wonder if our children are left without a practical sense of direction because many of these opportunities no longer exist. Think about the trappings of adulthood you utilize everyday -- budgets, insurance, professional dress, bill- paying, time management, even simple manners -- where did we learn those things: home, school, both? I was lucky that much of my knowledge came from both my family and my school system. Perhaps I am wrong, and these things are being tackled in practical ways as the students advance through grades. Maybe the schools are not assuming the parents are handling these things, while the parents are making the same faulty assumption. However, something tells me that I am at least partially right. Part of my suspicion comes from our public speaking course. In this class, our instructor requires that students follow the dress code when they give a speech. By this, he means nice pants (khakis are fine) and a button-down shirt. Girls can wear this as well. However, more students fail his class for not complying with the dress code than for any other reason. His reason for the dress code is to prepare them for situations such as interviews and presentations when they will need to look neat, appropriate and professional. He does not require ties, heels or anything impractical. Yet, there are always issues related to dress code: Guys wear ripped jeans and girls wear dressy shorts and tank tops. Somewhere along the way, no one has helped these kids -- the ones who do not compete in debate or 4H -- figure out how to transition into adulthood. Certainly, college is a place for some of these skills, such as professional dress. But think about skills such as time management and budgeting. Students need these to be successful in college. A former student of mine already had three maxed-out credit cards at age 19 because no one explained to him how credit cards worked. Add on student debt, and we have a young person in a financial hole one year after legally becoming an adult. Someone needed to warn him. Someone needed to instruct him beyond the standardized testing page. Is this the responsibility of the parent or the school system? In economics class, is it as important for our students to learn the dark side of credit cards as well as fiscal policy? Or perhaps more so? As I noted previously, perhaps these things are being taught in practical ways. Somehow, however, they do not seem to be sticking. Thinking back to my colleagues son: Here is a bright student who is fully capable of doing the task. He has all the cognitive and physical functions to drive safely. Yet he is at a loss on how to get places with those skills, simply because he has not been observant of the real world around him. It would seem that parents, communities and schools should work together. Parents should model financial literacy for their kids, not just pay their bills each month. Schools should have opportunities to develop those application skills along the theories. And community members, such as a bank, should consider opportunities to invest in the future of our young community members. Otherwise, we will have a generation of drivers with no idea of where to go. Amber Kelly teaches English and history at Howard College and is dean of General Studies. More than half of Texas public school students are in districts that dont require teachers to be certified, according to state officials, due to a recent law giving schools more freedom on educational requirements. A 2015 law lets public schools access exemptions from requirements such as teacher certification, school start dates and class sizes the same exemptions allowed for open enrollment charter schools. Using a District of Innovation plan, districts can create a comprehensive educational program and identify provisions under Texas law that would inhibit their goals. Data from the Texas Education Agency found that 604 rural and urban districts with innovation plans have received an exemption from teacher certification so far. Texas Association of School Boards spokesperson Dax Gonzalez said most of those districts are using the exemption so industry specialists such as engineers, nurses and law enforcement officials can offer hands-on learning to students in career and technology classes. But the move has some education experts worried that districts are laying the groundwork for having uncertified teachers handle core subjects like math, science and language arts, despite a promise not to do so. Although uncertified educators have been able to teach core classes through waivers and permits, those are approved on a case-by-case basis. Usually, in order to teach in Texas classrooms, candidates must obtain certification by earning a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university, completing an educator preparation program, passing the appropriate teacher certification exams, being fingerprinted for a national criminal background check and submitting a state application. In Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District, Tim Soto is one of eight uncertified teachers, all responsible for career and technology courses. The electronic technician was hired to teach classes on hands-on tool usage and safety and electrical field practices. This is Sotos first year as a teacher, but he has worked for Harlingen CISD for 26 years as an apprentice electrician and a technology specialist. Soto, a college graduate, said he jumped at the chance to to give back to the district. And, he said, hes received nothing but support from other teachers and his students parents in creating his curriculum. I was nervous, but things just fell into place, Soto said. Ive found that my years of experience are invaluable for students. Instead of having them just read out of a textbook, I can show them how to use the proper tools and help them avoid making mistakes as an apprentice." But districts arent required to limit the exemption to only career and technology courses. The blanket certification exemption legally allows them to hire uncertified teachers for staple classes like Algebra I or Biology, and even for special education or early childhood classes. We dont want it to expand, said Kate Kuhlmann, a lobbyist with the Association of Texas Professional Educators. There are a lot of people that have great content knowledge, but its also really important they have a strong understanding of and training in what it means to be a teacher. Because there are already avenues around teacher certification such as waivers and permits that have to be accepted by TEA, the commissioner of education or the school board a broader exemption should not be necessary, said Texas State Teachers Association spokesperson Clay Robison. Robison called the innovation plan exemption a way for districts to "cut corners" without the same accountability. Many states have responded to a national teacher shortage by allowing emergency-type hires, said Desiree Carver-Thomas, a research and policy associate with the Learning Policy Institute, a nonprofit research organization based in California. More than 100,000 teachers were unqualified based on their states certification standards, according to data between 2015 and 2017, Carver-Thomas said. But Texas exemption standards are among the broadest nationally, Kuhlmann said. Many states just offer permits or waivers for districts that need to fill classrooms with uncertified teachers. And while states like Kansas and Alabama have innovation district models that offer a teacher certification exemption, Kuhlmann said they have built-in parameters for how many districts can qualify and what classes fall under the exemption. Still, receiving a response for case-by-case applications in Texas can take nearly a month, and theres always the possibility of being rejected. And unlike the permit or waiver process, choosing exemptions under a District of Innovation plan involves community input, two-thirds buy-in from the districts board of trustees and approval from a district-level decision-making committee, said Bruce Gearing, Dripping Springs ISDs superintendent. Gearing said he doesnt foresee his district hiring uncertified teachers outside of career and technical education. Even if that need arises, he said, the district would have to go through a public amendment process to change the implementation of the teacher certification exemption. Its about trust, Gonzalez, the TASB spokesperson, said. You either trust local school boards and administrations to go out and find the best teachers for students, or you dont. And again, this exemption just allows a flexibility that charter schools already have. Local writer and retired educator Tom Parks is scheduled to share his personal experiences Thursday at the Midland County Public Library Centennial branch. Citizens United to Reach Equity is hosting the event, called CURE Conversations: Living in the Deep South. The free session is 5:30 6:30 p.m., and will include time for questions and answers. An 18-year-old Houston girl lured into the shady underworld of sex trafficking has launched a sweeping civil lawsuit in Harris County that's among the first in the country to accuse prominent hotel chains, well-known trucks stops and a ubiquitous website of profiting from illegal exploitation of a minor. The suit, filed in Harris County court, seeks damages from 15 hotel chains and five truck stops, including Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Choice Hotels International, Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores, TravelCenters of America and the company that operates the Flying J truckstops. MORE: Feds allege Houston tie to Backpage conspiracy case The Backpage.com website and its CEO, Carl Ferrer, who have been named in a variety of legal actions nationally, are also defendants in the lawsuit. Houston attorney Annie McAdams said the disregard for her client was egregious. Hotels and truck stops would take the reservations and then do nothing when a series of men visited a room occupied by a teenage girl, she said. "When you have 40 to 50 johns in one night visiting one room and it's not prevented or stopped, somebody should be held accountable," she said. Choice Hotels did not respond to a request for comment. Attorneys for Backpage.com and Ferrer did not return calls. Jorian Weiner, a spokesperson for Hyatt Hotels, said the company's policy is not to comment on pending litigation. Kealey Dorian, a representative for Love's, said officials had not had time to review the lawsuit. "We take these matters seriously and are looking into it," Dorian said. The Houston girl was living at home with her parents when she was lured into the sex trade by a pimp who was ultimately convicted on criminal charges. Houston police rescued her from a hotel on the eastern end of Houston in a dramatic undercover operation. She told law enforcement she was drugged and would wake up after having been assaulted by multiple men. "It's unspeakable," McAdams said. "It's the worst type of abuse you could imagine." The girl was born and raised in Houston, she said. "She's not somebody you would have expected to have been sucked into this," she said. The lawyer said her client, identified in the suit only as Jane Doe #1, is not alone. More than 300,000 people in Texas have fallen victim to human trafficking, including nearly 79,000 minors and youth victims of sex trafficking, according to a study last year by the Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault at the University of Texas at Austin. "This is not people from other countries," McAdams said. "This is right here. Our children in Houston are being affected by this." MORE: Attorney general's office wants to teach more people how to ID human trafficking The suit filed Tuesday cites a provision of the civil practice and remedies code called Chapter 98, based on a 2009 law brought by Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, which states that the people can hold businesses liable if they knowingly profit by participating in a venture that involves human trafficking. Advertisers seeking to evade law enforcement on Backpage.com use an evolving set of coded phrases, images and emojis to convey that the person the customer will be meeting is "young," "fresh" or "new," according to Ann Johnson, a former chief Harris County prosecutor over human trafficking who now supports victims though private practice. McAdams said Backpage.com was well-aware of the coded language, even though filters had been set up to omit words such as "Lolita," "little girl," "Amber alert" and "rape" from ad submissions before they were screened by a moderator. The aim of the lawsuit it to cut off this secret method of communication between pimps and potential customers, she said. Johnson said the lawsuit could carve a path for other victims. "It is rare that you see a civil prosecution on behalf of a victim against those individuals who have profited off it, not just the immediate nucleus of the pimp and the john," she said. "Human trafficking is prevalent in Houston. Guys know if they want sex there are plenty of places they can go, but this lawsuit is an opportunity to shut down those locations." Gabrielle Banks covers federal court for the Houston Chronicle. Send her email at gabrielle.banks@chron.com and follow here on Twitter. A unique seamstress and avid bunco player, Gloria H. Glo Garcia loved a good laugh and company. Growing up, my mother sewed and designed our clothes. She wanted my sister and I to be dressed different and unique, said her oldest daughter, Yolanda Marie Garcia, who was taught embroidery by her mother. I remember seeing girls at school with the same shirt or dresses, and I would tell myself, Thank God, my mom designs my clothes. Garcia, who also was an oil and watercolor painter and taught ceramic classes at Lions Field, died Feb. 8. She was 91. While attending Fox Tech High School, Garcia met Eliseo Garcia, her future husband. They married in 1947 when he returned from the Navy. Married for 60 years, the couple had four children together. After the arrival of Yvonne, their youngest child, Garcia became a stay-at-home mom. More Information Gloria H. 'Glo' Garcia Born: Aug. 26, 1926, San Antonio Died: Feb. 8, 2018, San Antonio Preceded by: Mother Theresa Rios; husband Eliseo Garcia Jr.; son Richard A. Garcia; sister Olga Rios. Survived by: Daughters Yolanda Marie Garcia, Virginia Villarreal and husband Juan, and Yvonne Moore and husband David; brother Rolando Rios; sister Irene Rios; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren Services:Visitation 6-8 p.m., rosary at 7 p.m. today at Mission Park Funeral Chapels Cherry Ridge, 3401 Cherry Ridge Drive; funeral 10 a.m. Wednesday at Mission Park Funeral Chapels Cherry Ridge See More Collapse Garcia was involved with all her childrens extracurricular activities. She also volunteered at her childrens school during lunch hour and helped on the serving line. Mom and Dads house was the spot for all the holiday parties or get-togethers, daughter Yvonne Moore said. On Christmas Eve, the family would make tamales and bunuelos. Family time always involved playing Chinese checkers, word games and Yahtzee. We would get competitive with one another, Yolanda Garcia said. Marbles would get thrown on the floor from losing. Bingo was another game Garcia loved to play. If we couldnt find my mother at home, we could find her at the bingo parlor, which was around the corner from her house, Yolanda Garcia said. Garcia would pick up her friends who couldnt drive anymore. Her station wagon would be full of ladies to take to bingo, Moore said. Garcias husband was a San Antonio firefighter for 35 years. Our parents were great role models. They taught us unconditional love and to always be there for one another, Yolanda Garcia said. The family is going to miss her, but Im happy Mom is finally reunited with Dad in heaven. jdvalle@express-news.net Barack Obama did serve meals to people in need, but they weren't victims of Hurricane Harvey in Rockport. Multiple photos purport to show the former president physically aiding in relief efforts throughout Texas in recent days. One of the most popular was widely shared on Twitter. In a now-deleted tweet, user Aiden Benjamin, also known as "@Feisal_Hagi," posted a photo of Obama serving food with his family alongside him. "Something youll never see trump do: Obama is in texas serving meals," his tweet reads, according to a Snopes screengrab. The image quickly spread across the internet. The scene depicted did take place, but the date was Nov. 25, 2015. That day, the Obamas served dinner to homeless veterans at St. Luke's Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. The Washington Post has video of "Feast with Friends," showing the first family in action years ago. There's no word on whether the Obamas plan to come to Texas in the wake of Harvey. RELATED: Before and after photos show Hurricane Harvey's damage Obama addressed the relief efforts via Twitter on Sunday. "Thank you to all the first responders and people reaching out," the tweet reads."That's what we do as Americans." The message came with a link to donate to those affected by Hurricane Harvey via the American Red Cross. Some accounts who shared the image like Benjamin have removed their tweets, but the photo continues to recirculate. Another photo showing the Obamas serving food at the D.C. Central Kitchen is also being used to claim the family is in Texas. Both photos are among the many circulated in the wake of Harvey that include photoshopped images, like a shark floating around a flooded highway, and photos from other floods or other cities claiming to be recent. See others that have been debunked in the gallery above. mmendoza@mysa.com Twitter: @MaddySkye Sharlotte and Timothy Mott werent in court Tuesday to hear a jury award them $8 million after they found a San Antonio funeral home was negligent in the loss of their daughters body before she was to be cremated in 2015. Timothy Mott was at home, recuperating from a mild heart attack that occurred Friday following a grueling, nearly three-week trial in the civil suit filed against MPII Inc., which does business as Mission Park Funeral Chapels and Cemeteries. Mark Greenwald, an attorney for the Motts, said after the verdict was read that the case was a hard one for the Mott family to endure, which is why they were only in court the days they testified. The Motts are happy that they got a jury verdict, but in the end we failed, as we did not find Julie, and that is all that really matters, Greenwald said. The victory was bittersweet, Greenwald said. This isnt about the money, he said. Its not going to return their daughter. Julie Mott died Aug. 8, 2015. She was to be cremated after her funeral Aug. 15, 2015, at their Northwest Side facility. The next day, employees discovered her body missing from a damaged casket at Mission Park North on Cherry Ridge. The Motts accused the company of hiding the fact that they use third-party contractors that had unlimited access to their facilities and that their security codes and locks were outdated and hadnt been changed in years. The company, through its owner, Robert Dick Tips, and his wife, Kristin, company president, had denied wrongdoing and had accused Bill Wilburn, Motts ex-boyfriend, of stealing the body. They also alleged the Motts did not divulge that Wilburn was obsessed with calling and texting Julie Mott and that he had motive to steal the body because he did not want her cremated. But the jury made one thing clear: They did not believe Wilburn or anyone else stole her body, an allegation the company made from the start. The panel was specifically asked, Did either John Doe or Bill Wilburn unlawfully appropriate the body of Julie Mott with the intent to deprive Tim and Sharlotte Mott of the remains? They answered no beside both. No arrests have been made in the disappearance, which is still under investigation by San Antonio police. In addition, the jury awarded Tim and Sharlotte Mott $1.5 million each for mental anguish sustained in the past, and $2.5 million apiece for mental anguish that, in reasonable probability, will be sustained in the future. MPII owns 14 funeral homes and cemeteries in San Antonio that operate under the names of Mission or Mission Park, Alamo, Brookehill, Dellcrest, La Paz All Faiths, Oak Hills and Palm Heights. It also runs San Jose Burial Park and Simplicity Funeral Chapel. Attorneys for the Motts had asked the jury to award their clients $10 million $5 million apiece for past and future mental anguish experienced because of the loss of their daughters body. Experts testified that financial compensation would not allow either parent to experience closure and would leave them stuck in the grieving process. The jury received the case just before 12:30 p.m., and it took a little more than three hours to render a verdict. The Tipses and their attorneys left the courtroom without comment after the verdict was read. It is unclear whether they will appeal the verdict. A call to defense attorney Ricardo Reyna was not immediately answered Tuesday evening. Jurors in the 131st Civil District Court, presided by Judge Norma Gonzales, heard two weeks and two days of testimony in a case that has garnered national attention. They heard testimony from the Tipses and the Motts, whose relationship at one point was friendly Timothy Mott worked as a pilot for Dick Tips, and the Tipses allowed the Motts to live in one of their homes where they could keep a horse, a hobby of Julie Motts. The panel also heard allegations of satanism from an employee with Beyer & Beitel Mortuary Services, which embalmed Julie Mott for Mission Park. Nicholas Moreno, who has worked for the company for nearly five years, testified in a video deposition that he did not pick up Mott and never had contact with the body while at the facilities. He acknowledged that he plays in a band called Flesh Hoarder and that satanic or demonic images on his Facebook page and that of the band is just about the music. His boss, Frederick Beyer, testified that Moreno was not involved in the Mott case. Jurors also were schooled on how an embalming takes place, and last last week a casket was rolled into the courtroom so jurors could see how bodies are removed properly through a trap door that lowers at the foot and not from the top. Attorneys wanted to show the jury that whoever took the body broke the hinge on the casket because they removed the body from the top. MPII lost Julie Mott's body, plaintiffs attorney Alex Katzman told the jury in his closing argument. The company claims someone came in and stole it. Whether they lost or mishandled it, it really doesnt matter. They had custody and control, and they lost her body. Katzman argued the company had no chain of command records, did not properly train its employees, and, unbeknownst to the Motts, the funeral used Beyer and Beitel Mortuary Services, a third-party contractor, for embalming purposes. He went on to quote the funeral business motto: When you trust your loved ones to us, they never leave our care, custody or control. ... They made a promise. This is about what they were required to do, he said. Defense attorney Reyna said there indeed was a theft, that the police investigated it that way, and the officer wrote it in his report. The greater weight of credible evidence in this case is that for more than 100 years, theyve taken care of San Antonio families, and theres never been a body stolen, Reyna told the jury. He showed a copy of a contract that the Motts signed when they agreed on services, noting that the documents stated that another company would do the embalming. Even Fred Beyer said at one time or another, all funeral homes use them, Reyna said. Using B&B didn't cause the remains to be stolen. Reyna told the jury should they wish for MPII to award anything, it should be for what a mental health expert said both Motts need intense therapy for three years each, which Reyna said would amount to $125,000. In his rebuttal to the defense, plaintiff attorney Ron Salazar asked the jury, Is 125,000 the value of a destroyed life? Sharlotte won't leave her home. She goes to work, she drives home and holds the sleeve of Julie Motts jacket. He (Tim) sits all day, waiting for a red bird, Salazar said, recalling Timothy Mott's testimony that he had read seeing a cardinal after a loved one has passed means they are visiting. The San Antonio Police Department expects to auction just more than a dozen seized cars, trucks and SUVs starting 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Growdon Vehicle Storage, 3625 Growdon Road, according to a release from the department. RELATED: 23-year-old city worker impaled by fence post dies Vehicles in Wednesday's auction include a Mercedes-Benz, a Saab and several trucks and SUVs, according to the release. The value of the vehicles being auctioned range from $1,100 to $8,000 assuming all vehicles are in good condition, according to Kelley Blue Book. See examples of the vehicles and their estimated values in the slideshow above. Bidders must register before the sale. Bidders can pay with cash, check or credit cards, according to the release. American Express cards are not accepted. More information is available on the city's auction page. Eric Gay /Associated Press On May 3, in the historic Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol, lined with sculptures of famed Americans, Pastor Frank Pomeroy of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs will help lead the National Day of Prayer. Pomeroy, whose church was the site of the deadliest mass shooting in modern Texas history on Nov. 5, will be interviewed by Pastor Ronnie Floyd, president of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, and then lead a short prayer that will be live-streamed to millions of viewers across the nation. The Alamo Colleges board of trustees voted unanimously Feb. 8 to name Mike Flores, president of Palo Alto College, as the lone finalist for chancellor of the district of five community colleges. The vote starts a 21-day period during which the district will present Flores at community forums and negotiate his contract, board Chairwoman Yvonne Katz said. If he is confirmed after the 21 days, Flores will succeed Chancellor Bruce Leslie upon his retirement Sept. 30. Live Oak Citizens Police Academy classes are scheduled The Live Oak Police Department is hosting a 12-week Citizens Police Academy starting March 22. The class, for adults at least 18 years old, meets from 7 to 9 p.m. every Thursday for 12 weeks. It is a community-oriented policing program that helps participants better understand police work, and strengthens the relationship between the community and police department. To apply for the academy, call 210-945-1700. San Antonio Catholic Charities offers volunteer opportunities for Lent Catholic Charities, the charitable arm of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, will conduct its annual 40 Days of Service project starting Wednesday through March 27 at locations throughout the archdiocese. Volunteer opportunities include mentoring, sorting donations and food pantry work. Sign up online at ccaosa.org. The programs signature project, 40 Cans for Lent, raises items for the Guadalupe Community Centers food pantry, 1801 W. Cesar Chavez Blvd. For more information, call Debra Silva at 210-222-1294, ext. 210; or email debra.silva@ccaosa.org. Art, poetry on exhibit through April San Antonio poet laureate Jenny Brownes project St. Anthonys Lost & Found, which began last year with poetry exchanges and student and senior programs, has produced an exhibit featuring the work of poets, visual artists and more than 1,200 San Antonians who sent in poems on postcards. Their work is now on exhibit 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday through April 26 in the Culture Commons Gallery, 115 Plaza de Armas. The project references the citys namesake, St. Anthony of Padua, also known as the patron saint of lost things. Catholic Charities helping with tax prep Catholic Charities is partnering with the city of San Antonio, Bexar County and United Way of San Antonio to offer free income tax preparation to anyone earning less than $60,000. The charity recommends that qualifying residents visit the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance website, vitasa.org, which lists the 19 sites where tax preparation is available. For more information, call 211; contact the Catholic Charities VITA office at (210) 222-2975; or download the VITASA app. Volunteers needed for the Final Four The San Antonio Local Organizing Committee is looking for volunteers to help when the city hosts the 2018 NCAA Mens Final Four. Beginning in late March and through early April, volunteers will greet fans at the airport, help with events downtown and transport VIPs. Volunteers need to be at least 18 years old, work a minimum of two four-hour shifts and attend a mandatory orientation. For more information, visit ncaa.com/final-four. All volunteers must consent to a background check and sign a liability waiver to participate. Universal City Citizens Police Academy begins in March The Universal City Citizens Police Academy will start again March 13. The free program will meet 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays. The 12-week course covers crime scene investigation and other areas of police work, and offers demonstrations of hands-on police exercises. To apply or for more information, go to UCCPAA.org and click on the police academy tab. Veterans group selling park pavers The Universal City Veterans Park Committee continues its sale of commemorative pavers for the Veterans Park on Aviation Boulevard in Universal City. The first set of pavers is installed at the park; the next set will be installed in the spring. Paver forms are available on the Universal City website, as well as VFW Post 4676 and American Legion Post 667. For more information, contact Nancy Maloney at 210-550-2645 or Dave Crookham at 210-658-7179. Money raised from the sale of pavers will go toward completing the park. Compiled by staff Selma police arrested a Schertz man Monday after he allegedly forced a 13-year-old into having sex with him multiple times over the summer. On Jan. 28, the girl's mother called police after discovering her daughter was pregnant. After the pregnancy test, the girl made an outcry to her mother, saying that she had sexual contact up to six times with someone she met online named James. RELATED: Police say 29-year-old San Antonio man admitted to impregnating teen The girl told Selma police they encountered the man in August, when neighbors reported him as a suspicious person. Officers reviewed the records and found a call on that day when they encountered James Furlow, 26. Furlow told police he parked his car in the neighborhood and was just there to walk. After police searched him, they released him because they had not found evidence of any criminal activity, according to the arrest affidavit. The victim later detailed Furlow's visit that day in a forensic interview. She said that Furlow called her and said he was coming over. Though she said no, Furlow allegedly insisted, according to the affidavit. The girl told police she saw the police encounter with Furlow from her home and unsuccessfully tried to call relatives to pick her up. RELATED: SAPD: Man accused of sexually assaulting 17-year-old Furlow entered the home through the back door and stayed there, despite the girl asking him to leave, the affidavit states. He then pressured the girl to have sex, and resorted to spanking her for refusing, according to police records. The girl told investigators she finally agreed to engage in sexual conduct with him, and said the two had sex on five other occasions, according to the affidavit. Furlow was arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child. He is being held on a $75,000bond. Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.com A 17-year-old girl who planned to spend the night with her friends at a club ended up at a hospital reporting a sexual assault, according to San Antonio police. On Jan. 28, officers responded to a local hospital, where a 17-year-old girl told them Gilbert Hall, 31, had groped her and forcibly carried her into a hotel room, according to the arrest affidavit. The girl met Hall for the first time at a club that night and he bought her alcoholic drinks, according to the affidavit. He allegedly rubbed the girl's thigh as he told her she should be with him and that he'd take her shopping. RELATED: 29-year-old San Antonio man arrested after allegedly sneaking into 15-year-old girl's room After consuming several drinks, the girl felt sick and threw up in the bathroom. She told police Hall followed her to the bathroom and told people that he was her boyfriend, according to the affidavit. Hall separated the girl from her friends and took her to a motel in the 5000 block of Beckwith Boulevard, police said. During the drive he groped her, she told police. She said Hall carried her to his room despite her yelling for help. Police reviewed surveillance video at the motel, where they said the girl was seen "actively resisting (Hall) in the front lobby and also in the hallway," according to the affidavit. Hall took her phone, but the girl was able to retrieve it and call her friends for help, police said. The friends picked her up and the girl met up with her family, who took her to the hospital to report the assault, according to the affidavit. Hall was arrested Saturday on a $60,000 bond and charged with sexual assault. Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.com A man with star tattoos on his face tried to grab a 15-year-old Winston Churchill High School student as she walked to school Monday morning, according to school officials. The sophomore was walking at Patricia Drive and Belair Drive when the man, who was standing in the street, tried to grab her, officials said. RELATED: Driver walks away from rollover crash on I-10 near The Dominion She was able to pull out of the man's grip and run to school, where she informed administrators what had happened. "We're very proud of her for doing the right thing: immediately coming to school and telling the administrators," said Aubrey Chancellor, executive director of communications for North East ISD. The North East ISD Police Department is now investigating the incident and told the San Antonio Police Department what happened. The suspect is described as a black man with star tattoos on his face. He was wearing a red jacket at the time of the incident, the girl said. RELATED: 4 suspects detained, 2 at large after leading police in chase across San Antonio "I urge you to continue to discuss safety with your child," Assistant Principal Jeanne Gately wrote in an email to parents. "Please remind your child that it is important to be careful and aware of their surroundings as they travel to and from the campus." Gately also included a list of safety tips: Stay with a group when walking to and from home. Stay on a main road; do not take short cuts. Be aware of your surroundings. If approached by a person offering rides, walk away. Never get in a car with anyone you don't know. If walking home and you have a problem, come back to school and we will call your parents. Know where to go for help. Report any suspicious people or activities to a trusted adult immediately. If your child has a cell phone, let them know who to call for help. 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 Re: An open letter to the mayor on property taxes, Roberto P. Trevino, Other Views, Feb. 6: Using residential properties in the Lavaca neighborhood for commercial purposes is a mistake. Over the past 30 years, Lavaca has been transformed, a transformation made possible because of those who have long resided in the neighborhood as homeowners. They provided the stability that made Lavaca unique in the country as a safe neighborhood adjacent to a large housing project. People like the Trevinos who keep their house in good repair, and their yard well clipped, made Lavaca. The issue was how to attract more people who wanted to become homeowners. The problem was with absentee landlords who did not keep their properties in repair. Fundamental obstacles had to be overcome, like stopping the practice of parking for money on residential property, and on front yards and empty lots. COMMENTARY: An open letter to the mayor on property taxes That battle was won, and with greater political activism, other battles were, too. Like ensuring good architecture and materials in rebuilding Victoria Courts as a mixed-income project. The efforts of those who live in Lavaca were transformative. The most visible difference results from the substantial private investment in renovating and repairing houses. Those who moved into the neighborhood rebuilt the neighborhood, becoming part of the fabric of the community. More recently, however, those rebuilding do not intend to live here, but to renovate and sell. And because of the proximity to downtown, and the thriving local bars and restaurants, Lavaca has attracted people willing to pay very high prices. And those higher values have impacted taxes, which are up, way up. But the solution to high taxes is not to turn our houses into businesses, nightly rental properties. That path removes houses from the inventory of rental properties available to San Antonio residents who want to live in the neighborhood. And brings people you do not know into the community, not neighbors but transient strangers who do not build the community. Absentee landlords used to make money by renting properties in poor repair. Now they may be making money by fixing up the houses as hotels. But the motivation is the same: making money. Please dont cloak that profit motive with some spurious claim of being able to provide housing to low-income people. Most absentee landlords are selling out, turning a profit, and taking their money elsewhere, adding to the money that they have long been taking out of the neighborhood in rent while allowing their properties to deteriorate. If they have a philanthropic desire, when they make the money selling out, give some to charity. For some years, the main political project of the right has been to take control of the government while denigrating the government. Donald Trump drew this strategy to its logical conclusion during his presidential campaign, asserting as a kind of refrain: Our politicians are stupid. Which came to mind following the revelation that Chief of Staff John Kelly had kept Rob Porter in a sensitive position (White House staff secretary) after being informed by the FBI that there was a protective order against him. As it came to mind when Michael Flynn was elevated to national security adviser following repeated FBI warnings that he might be compromised by the Russians. As it came to mind after the elevation of Anthony Scaramucci to, well, any position of public trust. Trump and his team accused the government of being corrupt and have proved it beyond reasonable doubt. They alleged that the government was brimming with stupidity and took it as a kind of recruiting challenge. Across the executive branch, it is a golden age for the unqualified and unfit. This is the natural outcome of contempt for professional experience, contempt for governing skill, contempt for government itself. Democrats seeking to take control of the House and deny re-election to the president along with the conservatives resisting Trump will be sorely tempted to run with the theme: Trump and his political allies are stupid. This would be a variant of Trumps strategy to win power by promoting contempt for those who hold power. It might lead to a shift in partisan control. It would do little to recover our national spirit. Someone from left or right must restore respect for the enterprise of governing as a source of national unity and moral aspiration. Is this even remotely possible in our fractured republic? As a homework assignment, prospective leaders might read the speeches of Robert F. Kennedy. The late 1960s were a time not only of division but of political violence. Kennedy accurately described Americans as inhabiting different, unconnected islands. His response? During his (tragically brief) presidential campaign, Kennedy urged Americans to look beyond mere economic measures of national success and to focus on cultural and spiritual excellence on the intelligence of our public debate, on the integrity of our public officials, on our courage, compassion and devotion to our country. He challenged traditional ideological divisions, calling for a better liberalism that knows the answer to all problems is not spending money and a better conservatism that recognizes the urgent need to bring opportunity to all citizens. And he confronted a politics premised on conflict. Some look for scapegoats, Kennedy said. Others look for conspiracies, but this much is clear: Violence breeds violence, repression brings retaliation, and only a cleaning of our whole society can remove this sickness from our soul. At any given moment in a democracy, great issues of justice and morality are at stake. The claim that politics is dirty and irrelevant is an argument only comfortable people can make. If you were to live in a neighborhood plagued by poverty, dominated by gangs and served by failing schools, the effectiveness of government would matter greatly to you. Retreating from the cause of justice is only conceivable for those who have few needs for justice themselves. Kennedy also talked of politics as the realm of nobility. At its best, government is about the right ordering of our lives together. Political rhetoric and ideals can raise the moral sights of a nation and point men and women to responsibilities beyond the narrow bounds of self and family. And Kennedy understood that criticizing the corruption and stupidity of those in power is not a politics sufficient to a great country. We can perhaps remember, he said, if only for a time, that those who live with us are our brothers, that they share with us the same short moment of life. Surely this bond of common fate, surely this bond of common goals, can begin to teach us something. Surely we can learn, at the least, to look around at those of us, of our fellow men, and surely we can begin to work a little harder to bind up the wounds among us and to become in our hearts brothers and countrymen once again. michaelgerson@washpost.com For far too long, the debate over the Renewable Fuel Standard has been tied up in hyperpartisan debates that have done nothing to advance a thoughtful conversation about our countrys transportation fuels. Supporters of the RFS advance arguments about environmental benefits, few of which can be supported with actual real-world results, and opponents simply write it off as the most broken policy in America. This growing polarization, over a policy that was passed and expanded with broad bipartisan majorities, comes at a critical time as the debate over the future of the RFS intensifies. Corn and ethanol interests, including folks meeting in San Antonio this week at a key annual industry conference, and oil refiners are often seen as deeply divided opponents with no rational middle ground. As a longtime energy policy analyst, I have long tended to come down on the side of those opposed to the policy, including the independent refining sector. But this is a policy that is not going away, and ongoing rancor serves no real policy purpose. As with any divisive issue, neither side is entirely right nor entirely wrong. But the area of common ground and room for compromise has become lost in the heated exchanges including one we saw just recently on the floor of the U.S. Senate. Here are the facts ethanol is the most readily available fuel octane enhancer on the market to affordably boost performance and reduce emissions under existing EPA regulations. Blended fuels that contain 10 percent ethanol increase octane ratings, helping vehicle engines run more efficiently. Thats one of the reasons why some of the largest ethanol producers in this country are also big refining companies. Competitive, well-managed businesses have recognized the market demand for ethanol-blended fuels and have made significant infrastructure investments to produce the product. Reforming the federal RFS policy wouldnt wipe out the domestic market for blended fuels. Corn growers and ethanol producers would continue to produce, and refiners, whove already invested substantial capital, would continue to blend fuels that meet consumer demand. Whats more, demand for ethanol is growing beyond U.S. borders, as other countries, such as Mexico, look to American ethanol as an affordable, effective fuel oxygenate or octane enhancer. When we step back, set aside the occasional ad hominem attack, and take a calmer look at the issue, the reality is the two sides have a lot more in common than they think they do. The ethanol and farming businesses are no different from the oil and gas and refining business: They need regulatory certainty to properly plan and run their operations. Business models of both industries rely on the health and well-being of the liquid fuels market. After all, an electric vehicle transportation sector a potential scenario in a post-RFS world could hamper or greatly reduce ethanols market demand. Without legislative action before 2022, RFS decisions fall to unelected EPA officials who could, depending on the White House occupant, set volumes that discourage ethanol use. Thats a risky future and one thats hardly palatable to either side. Recently there have been conversations, led by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, to review the RFS and move common-sense legislation that delivers long-term regulatory certainty. Those discussions are a significant step in the right direction. But spend any time in Washington or even around the convention this week and its the us-versus-them mentality that continues to prevail. A grand bargain is possible and in the best interests of all. What that bargain looks like, and whether one comes together, could very well hinge on special interests and lawmakers burying deep differences to agree on a long-term policy solution. David Blackmon is a veteran energy policy analyst and energy consultant based in Mansfield. He is also a contributing writer for Forbes.com and associate editor at Shale Magazine. The Trump administration is an aberration, an outrage, a threat to the nations very soul. But most of all its a great big fraud. Voters who thought President Donald Trump would at least try to fulfill his populist, America-first campaign promises were cynically and cruelly deceived. Trump placates these supporters with rhetoric and encourages them to seek refuge in cultural chauvinism. What he doesnt do for them is deliver. The most recent evidence of Trumps dishonesty comes in the budget and infrastructure plans the administration released Monday. Both are half smoke-and-mirrors, half traditional Republican economic policy. Forgive the redundancy. Remember how the president promised a $1 trillion program to rebuild the nations roads, bridges, airports and railroads? Well, he claims to be doing even more $1.5 trillion in infrastructure spending over the next decade. But the promise comes with little or no new federal money, which means it barely qualifies as an idle wish. Trump says he wants to spend just $200 billion over 10 years on infrastructure, with cities and states providing the rest. But mayors and governors dont have $1.3 trillion lying around. And since the $200 billion is supposed to come from savings elsewhere in the budget, Trump effectively plans to give with one hand and take away with the other. Anyone who expected projects on the scale of Hoover Dam or the interstate highway system should realize that Trump will never come through, because he has no idea how. If he were really the pharaonic builder he brags of being, dont you think hed have an actual plan rather than a vague, underfunded set of hopes? Many voters perhaps did not realize that the Trump Organizations business model had little to do with actual construction and everything to do with branding. Trump campaigned as the purported champion of a working class that was being robbed blind by dastardly elites. He has governed, however, as robber-in-chief. The tax bill that Republicans passed and Trump signed into law delivers the lions share of its benefits to corporations and the rich. The president hopes that middle-class taxpayers will be so transfixed by seeing a little more in their paychecks that they fail to notice how other costs, such as health care, are rising because of his policies. The GOP no longer even pretends to stand for fiscal responsibility. Republicans are apparently wild-eyed Keynesians now, cutting taxes and boosting spending in an attempt to stimulate the economy. Trump anticipates ballooning the national debt by $7 trillion over the next decade. House Speaker Paul Ryan, a supposed champion of small government and balanced budgets, goes along like a little mouse. Trump drew loud cheers at his campaign rallies when he complained about the high cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, saying all that money would be better spent at home. But the deal he signed last week will increase defense spending by $195 billion over the next two years. So is there more money for everybody? No, not for programs that provide important support to Trumps base. The president pledged to maintain or strengthen the social safety net, but sit down, you wont believe this he lied. His budget cuts $554 billion in Medicare spending over 10 years, which is of concern to anyone over 65. It cuts up to $250 billion in Medicaid spending, which has implications for anybody who has a loved one in a nursing home. Trump wants to cut $214 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as food stamps, a vital source of help for the working poor. Trump tells little lies all the time. But this is the Big Lie that must be constantly exposed between now and the November election: Trump is worsening the societys bias in favor of the wealthy and laughing at the chumps who put him in office. eugenerobinson@washpost.com When White House staff secretary Rob Porter resigned Wednesday amid allegations that he abused his two ex-wives and a former girlfriend, he parted the curtains on a Trumpian-scale personnel and security disaster. Bottom line: You dont keep people in the White House whove been credibly accused of domestic abuse. Id be the first to argue that an allegation doesnt necessarily constitute guilt, and theres been no adjudication of these charges. But there are sound reasons for security checks and, based on what the FBI discovered, Porter didnt qualify. Indeed, he never did receive full clearance and remained in the White House as the presidents right-hand man on a temporary permit dating back to his first day on the job. That he remained onboard for more than a year is surprising to all but the White House staff, who, given their cumulative inexperience, may not have realized that people usually are denied employment in far-less significant jobs if they cant pass security checks. Exceptions can be made, of course. And the president has the authority to waive a security clearance. But what possible reason could there be to keep someone inside the classified world of the White House under such circumstances? Not only is there reason to question his character, but the overarching message here is that this White House isnt much concerned about domestic violence. The simple answer may be that Porter is one of only a few people over on Pennsylvania Avenue who knew how to do anything. For one, hes well-connected in Republican circles. His father, Roger Porter, worked in three administrations and was, Im told, top-drawer. The younger Porter, now 40, is a Rhodes scholar who worked for Republican Sens. Mike Lee, Rob Portman and Orrin Hatch, for whom he was chief of staff. Moreover, at Harvard, he was a classmate of Jared Kushner, who took a class from the senior Porter, who was teaching a class on the American presidency. Most likely, Porter was deemed too valuable to the White House given that he, and virtually no one else, including the president and chief of staff John Kelly, understood how the legislative branch of government works. It is unclear how events related to Porter unfolded or didnt unfold or who knew what and when. If these questions sound familiar, they shouldnt be dismissed as unimportant. Republicans who were offended by the lack of governing experience of Barack Obama should be equally outraged by this administrations. Kelly has pleaded ignorance about Porters alleged abusive background, saying he only recently found out about it. But it appears that Kelly was informed last fall and that White House Counsel Don McGahn knew a year ago. Meanwhile, comments from the White House, where Porters 29-year-old girlfriend, Hope Hicks, is director of communications, have been all over the lot. First, Porter was fired, then he wasnt, next he resigned, cleaned out his desk and was leaving, but not yet. Porter denied all allegations and claimed he was the target of a smear campaign. But by whom? Not by his two ex-wives, one of whom had sought a restraining order against Porter during their marriage. Neither of them sought out the Daily Mail, which broke the story. Rather, reporters pursued them, according to the women. But who tipped off the reporters and why talk to them if not for revenge? Or something. The plot doesnt so much thicken as gurgle and ooze the way swamps sometimes do. Ultimately, assuming youre feeling disgusted by now, this unfolding story isnt about bad marriages, philandering or romance. The shock and awe emanating from the White House about Porter arent so much a commentary on the man, but are testament to the surreal and potentially perilous incompetence surrounding the president. Nearly every day reconfirms the reality that having once been a chief executive (or a reality TV star) is no recommendation for governance. P.S. Kushner hasnt cleared security yet, either. kathleenparker@washpost.com The Texas Senate District 25 features two primary election contests this year. Attorney Shannon McClendon is challenging incumbent Donna Campbell for the Republican nomination. On the Democratic side, urban planner Jack Guerra and Steven Kling, who works in information technology, square off. EDITORIAL: Bexar County residents deserve a respectful, intelligent DA not Nico LaHood In the GOP primary, we recommend McClendon. In the Democratic primary, we recommend Kling. This recommendation for McClendon, who represents utilities and landowners, is as much about her being a quality candidate as it is about policy positions Campbell has taken. Chief among the suspect positions was Campbells support for the so-called bathroom bill last year, a measure that failed. This alone should cause voters pause. Thoroughly decried by both rights advocates and the business community, the bill would have required transgender Texans to go to the bathrooms according to their genders at births. This was a carnival show distraction that made Texas a laughingstock and drew attention away from real issues. This emphasis in the Legislature on hot-button cultural issues is one reason McClendon says she is running. Theyve hijacked my party and I want it back, she told us. This, however, does not mean McClendons conservatism is in question. She was appointed to boards and commissions by Gov. Rick Perry, is a backer of private property rights, is a stalwart 2nd Amendment supporter and comes from a military family. She would emphasize infrastructure improvements for the state and the district, water issues and veterans services. She correctly favors more funding for public schools, recognizing that this is the key to keeping property taxes down. Campbell favors school choice, vouchers by another name. This will not help. EDITORIAL: Multiple retirements drastically changes landscape at Bexar County courthouse Campbell declined a board interview for this editorial. On the Democratic side, there doesnt seem to be a lot of daylight between the views of the two Democratic candidates. Both support fuller funding of public education and infrastructure improvements. Kling stands out on on his personal background. He is a former Army captain who has served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, earning a Bronze Star. He pledges to up support for the states veterans, would try to stave off state intrusions into local control (a very serious issue) and would restore access to womens health care, diminished by previous Legislatures. We recommend Kling. Congressional District 21 in Texas has known no representative other than Republican Rep. Lamar Smith since he won the seat in 1987 a seat with district lines historically gerrymandered to heavily favor the GOP. Democrats are hoping that Smiths retirement announcement last year and a blue wave driven by anti-Trump sentiments overcome that high hurdle in this election. In fact, a lot of hopes are soaring in this election. Eighteen hopefuls are competing in the GOP primary, and four on the Democratic side. We recommend Jenifer Sarver, a former aide to U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas, in the GOP primary, and retired Army officer and businessman Joseph Kopser, a Bronze Star winner for meritorious service, in the Democratic primary. In many respects, the primary and general elections here might be a bellwether for how contests unfold nationwide for both parties. The two who win their party nominations in these races a runoff is likely on the GOP side because of the number of candidates are likely to be showered with national money to keep the district red or flip it blue. Both Sarver and Kopser represent trends that both parties might do well to emulate going forward. In Sarver, we see a genuine conservative with limited government, pro-life sentiments who unlike most of her GOP colleagues in this election has been forthright in her distaste for President Trump. Voters will get someone who adheres to traditional Republican stances but is not willing to turn a blind eye to Trumps divisive actions. She calls for a return to civility in Congress and in the nation, and is willing to call out the president when he crosses those lines. At least two other candidates on the GOP side have similar views, but we give the nod to Sarver because of her government experience working with Hutchison, as executive director of a program working with the University of Texas System in Washington, D.C., and her time in the U.S. Commerce Department. In Kopser, who sold a startup to a major car manufacturer and works to help veterans, we see a candidate who shares many of the progressive views of his Democratic colleagues in this race, but who has business and military savvy that is likely to attract broader support. The Republican Party is going through tumult, but the Democratic Party is going through similar convulsion, with a heavy push leftward. That might work in many other congressional districts. Its difficult to see how it would in this district. Kopsers campaign suffered from a charge of plagiarism after the Huffington Post published a story pointing to large portions on his website that copied other sources unattributed. The campaign blamed this on sloppy staff work. Thats believable, and with Kopsers record, we dont see this as disqualifying. In Sarver and Kopser we see traditional party virtues embodied but also see how either could be unifying, open-minded fits for this district. Correction: A previous version of this editorial incorrectly stated why Kopser received the Bronze Star. It was for meritorious service. Re: Kirk Walters, political cartoon, Feb. 5: The editorial cartoon depicts a person with a Washington Redskins shirt looking down on a gravestone of the Cleveland Indian mascot, Chief Wahoo, with the caption Last stereotype standing. May I remind your readers of the raid on Osama bin Laden in 2011 that took out the most wanted, vile, evil, hated murderer in the world? The operation undertaken by U.S. Navy SEALs reported by radio that Geronimo was E-KIA code for enemy killed in action. I do not recall people, especially Democrats who always seem offended when minorities are stereotyped, asking President Barrack Obama to consider changing the code name for bin Laden, a coward who remained hidden while planning the killing of innocent people. Geronimo was a Chiricahua Apache warrior who faced his enemies. The Washington Redskins are part of the American fabric. In 2017, the Supreme Court ruled that federal trademark registrations may be granted even in most cases where they are considered derogatory. Unless someone does something about it, Geronimo will always remain the last stereotype standing. Leo Q. Gomez Choosing life Re: In abortion debate, define what endangers a mother, Kelly Grey Garlisle, Other Views, Feb. 2: Dear Kelly: After I read your commentary, I could not help but admire your love for your mother and your mothers love for you! If she had aborted you, you would not have been able to write this touching story. Abortion is not the answer; just think who you have become because your mother gave you a chance for life! Who knows what the many aborted babies could have become if their mothers had given them a chance. Mothers in a problem pregnancy should seek help from the many agencies helping unwed mothers, such as Seton Home sponsored by the Catholic Church. Many young women get into such situations, but there are many people willing and wanting to adopt. Abortion will not solve their problems. Good counseling and education can put their lives back on the right track. Kelly, look at your children. If your mother had aborted you, you would not be enjoying the gift of motherhood. God bless you and all mothers! Regina Boysen Silly Dilly Re: Dilly Dilly! The story behind the Bud Light ad, Business, Feb. 4: Please tell Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times that he needs to watch the Disney Movie So Dear To My Heart and listen to Burl Ives sing the song Lavender Blue. He will hear Dilly Dilly a lot if he does. Then he can factually rewrite his trite column. Bill Mann The coliseum-like mansion you've seen nestled off U.S. 281, overlooking the Olmos Dam, is off the market in record time. Phyllis Browning realtors Judy Dalrymple and Haley Rodriguez represented the anonymous local buyer who forked over $3.6 million to call one of San Antonio's most iconic estates "home." The 6,500-square-foot "landmark residence" was originally listed for $4.9 million, increased to $5.25 million, then decreased to $4.25 and was eventually reduced to $3.95 before the final price was agreed on. The home was under contract in less than six months an amount of time Rodriguez called "surprising." RELATED: 9 Dominion homes for sale that have seen significant price drops "This is house that's unique enough, you'd expect it to be on the market for a year," she added. 555 Argyle Ave., in Alamo Heights, was originally owned by local philanthropists Joe and Joci Straus. Joe Straus is the co-founder of Retama Park. They are credited for restoring the Majestic and Empire theaters and lived in the home for 26 years. They are also the parents of Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio. The home boasts two elevators, wrap-around patios on each of the levels, floor-to ceiling windows with "spectacular views" of the dam and a modern, open floor plan, realtor Phyllis Browning told mySA.com when the listing hit the market in January. RELATED: Top 10: San Antonio's wealthiest zip codes Rodriguez said the home's multi-level, outdoor waterfall is what piqued her client's interest. Browning called the property an "incredible entertaining home." She spoke of the stately guests the Straus family hosted, including celebrities, world leaders and the 41st first lady of the United States, Barbara Bush. A book-signing party for Mitt Romney was also held in the home, Browning added. In the listing for the home, the Phyllis Browning Company wrote, "This is a very rare opportunity to acquire one of the city's most unique properties." Step inside the home that has wowed celebrities and San Antonians since 1986 in the gallery above. mmendoza@mysa.com Twitter: @MaddySkye President Donald Trump's long-awaited infrastructure proposal could be a game changer for cities, suburbs, and small towns. The promise of creating badly needed new roads and bridges, expanding access to broadband internet, and making crucial upgrades to aging airports and water and sewer systems could transform whole swaths of the nation. Commutes could become a whole lot shorter. Working from home could become a whole lot easier. And once-forgotten housing markets could suddenly become a whole lot more desirable. But there's an alternative scenario on how Trump's extensive proposal, unveiled this week, could play out as well. Residents could be socked with higher state and local taxes to help pay for these projects. Home buyers could be saddled with higher new home costs as the plan is likely to worsen the construction worker shortage. And even increased investments in rural areas may not stem the tide of residents from small towns to suburbs and cities. Which storyline will become reality? It all depends on whom you ask. The president's goal is to spur $1.5 trillion in investment over the next decade in the nation's aging infrastructure and put more Americans back to work. The plan must still be approved by Congress. "Years of inaction have allowed American infrastructure to degrade into a state of disrepair," according to a White House statement released on Tuesday. "The administration is committed to reversing this sad course." But under the proposal, the federal government would provide only about $200 billion of that investment. States, localities, and the private sector would be on the hook for the rest of the amount. Let the real-life "Hunger Games" begin. It's worth noting that this is just the first draft of the plan. It faces steep opposition and heavy negotiation from both sides of the aisle, particularly as it's unclear where the government's portion of the funding will come from. Cuts to other government programs? New gas taxes? Democrats created an alternative plan, "A Better Deal to Rebuild America," that would have the federal government spend five times$1 trillionwhat Trump is asking for. The big picture is [Trump's proposal] is a first offer to the Congress," says Robert Strauss, an economics and public policy professor at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. "It's a risky gamble." Could local taxes go up to pay for these improvements? States and localities are going to have to come up with ways to pay for their shares of these projects. If they can't find enough money from the private sector, or have voters approve new bonds to finance these investments, taxes may have to rise. That's typically a last-ditch option. When taxes go up, affected areas often become less desirable to residentsexisting and potential ones alike. The financial hit would be compounded because residents can't write off as much of their state, local, and property taxes under the new tax plan, where they're incentivized to take a nearly doubled standard deduction instead. The overall effect is that housing prices could dip in places with higher taxes, at least in the short term. But these areas are likely to recoup their investments over time and become more in demand because of the improvements made, says Hugh Kelly, an economist specializing in real estate. "Infrastructure is an investment. It's not an expense," says Kelly. Those improvements "generate more jobs." The future of rural America looks brightif it attracts private investment About $50 billion, a quarter of the infrastructure plan, has been set aside for the rural infrastructure program. That's a huge chunk of changeand it has the potential to transform local housing markets in small towns across the country. The theory: With improved infrastructure, rural locals could choose to stick around instead of heading for the big cities. New residents could move in if new roadways more easily connect these small towns to larger metro areas and there are faster internet connections for those who do much of their work at home. That would push housing valuations up. "That sounds fantastic if we can make it happen. Rural places need all of those things," says Lisa Pruitt, a law professor at the University of California, Davis, who specializes in rural livelihoods. But "that seems really unlikely." That's because it's always been more difficult to entice private investment into sparsely populated areas. Even with the government push and funds to go along with it, that's unlikely to change, say many experts. There simply isn't economies of scale in truly rural areas. And the private sector isn't likely to help fund projects that they can't profit from every time someone uses it, says Ken Johnson, a real estate economist at Florida Atlantic University, in Boca Raton. This is why more companies haven't already installed high-speed internet infrastructure into many of these areas. It's simply not cost-effective. Think of it this way: A community may need to replace a crumbling bridge. But if there won't be many cars going over a new one, then there won't be much money collected in tolls. So there's little incentive for a private partner to step in and fund a portion of the project. "Rural areas across the United States have been depopulating for about 100 years," says economist Kelly. "This is not going to reverse that." In fact, this proposal may drive more folks from the country into the cities to "benefit from superior infrastructure," says Johnson. "Small towns just will not be able to keep pace, experiencing water issues, needed road construction and maintenance, and things like bridge repairs," he says. Want to buy a newly constructed home? Too bad The infrastructure proposal could also make it more expensive to buy a newly constructed home. Builders can't put up new homes fast enough to satisfy demand as the housing shortage continues and drives up prices. But they have their own challenges to putting up more abodes and keeping costs downchief among them the lack of construction workers. The infrastructure plan could siphon off many of those same workers from various projects. That's likely to make the shortage even worse. Wages will go up as different employers compete for the workers (which means more folks potentially entering the home-buying market). And more delays should be expected on everything from new water main projects to new housing developments going up. (The proposal plans to help train the next generation of construction workers through increased job education programs and apprenticeships beginning in high schools. It would also provide more funding for college students studying trades.) The price of materials is also likely to rise. In parts of the country that want to do infrastructure and want to do housing, theyre going to have troubles," says Carnegie Mellon's Strauss. But these shortages and price hikes aren't likely to last. "This should subside as more folks flow into this part of the labor market," says Florida Atlantic's Johnson. But "I do not see long-term impacts on the cost of developing housing." In a boon for builders, the proposal would expedite environmental reviews and other red tape needed on sites before work can begin. That could make the construction process quicker, earning the proposal accolades from the National Association of Home Builders. However, it's a potential double-edged sword as things like environmental reviews and project monitoring could take a hit as a result. The post Will Trump's Infrastructure Plan Be a Boon or Blow to Housing? appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. President Emmerson Mnangagwa leaves Harare this morning for Gaborone on a State visit that is expected to enhance bilateral and economic cooperation between Zimbabwe and Botswana. The President will join about a dozen of his Cabinet Ministers who arrived in Botswana yesterday for the diplomatic mission which is expected to see the countries signing a number of agreements. Relations between the two neighbouring countries have been frosty in the last decade after the much publicised fallout between former President Robert Mugabe and Botswanas President Seretse Khama Ian Khama, who threw brickbats at each other on a number of occasions. Since President Mugabe resigned from office in November, President Khama has shown eagerness to engage Zimbabwe from a fresh plinth as he was one of the Heads of States who attended President Mnangagwas inauguration. That this will be President Mnangagwas first official state visit since he was sworn into office in November last year, speaks volumes about President Khamas keenness to restore sound relations between the two countries. State visits are initiated by the host and considered the highest level of diplomatic engagements between nations. Speaking to our Harare Bureau from Gaborone yesterday, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Lieutenant General Sibusisio Moyo (Retired) said President Mnangagwa is expected in Gaborone today. We are expecting the Head of State to come in for the State Visit. He is also going to address a business Conference with Zimbabweans living here as well as Botswana business people that have interests or might have future interests in our country. Minister Moyo said the historic mission to Botswana will catapult relations between the two countries to new heights by restoring the Joint Commission forum for the two neighbours. It is what I would call a resuscitation of the Joint Commission between Zimbabwe and Botswana. The last Joint Commission was about seven or so years ago. The main objective is to reinvigorate the relations particularly the economic cooperation between the two nations. This visit will simultaneously enhance the level of cooperation to Bi National Commission so that the Heads of States can be able to focus on economic cooperation. Minister Moyo said another delegation of officials from Zimbabwe had been in Botswana since last week, laying the groundwork for the signing of bilateral agreements. On Wednesday last week, officials from about 14 Ministries arrived here to carry out the preparatory work. We are going to have a packed programme and I have also come with several Cabinet Ministers who will sign agreements with their counterparts from here. The officials had been having their meetings and today (yesterday), we are also having the meeting for the Ministers. One of the highlights of the agenda is the agreement that we are going to amplify our cooperation by setting up the Bi-National commission. We are going to give timelines to various Memorandum, of Agreements that are going to be signed between the various Ministries. In a statement last week, the Botswana Government said the visit would strengthen cooperation between the two countries in various areas. The Government of the Republic of Botswana wishes to inform that His Excellency Mr Emmerson D. Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe will undertake a two-day state visit to the Republic of Botswana from 12 to 13 February 2018, at the invitation of his counterpart, His Excellency Lieutenant-General Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama, President of the Republic of Botswana. The visit will accord the two leaders an opportunity to deliberate on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern. The Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC) will discuss a wide range of issues with a view to broaden and deepen bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade and investment promotion, energy, control of trans-boundary animal diseases, tourism promotion , education, health, shared water courses, transportation and cultural cooperation to mention but a few, said the Botswana Government. Since his inauguration, President Mnangagwa has been to South Africa, Mozambique, Angola, Zambia and Namibia to apprise his counterparts on political developments in the country. Chronicle Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News The frosty relations between Zimbabwe and Botswana are reportedly on the mend following a closed-door meeting between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his Botswana counterpart Ian Khama in Gaborone yesterday. Mnangagwa is on a two-day State visit to Botswana, the first in more than a decade. After his private talks with Khama, Mnangagwa later addressed Parliament, where he underscored the need for mutual cooperation between the two countries. Today, he is headlining a Botswana-Zimbabwe business meeting, before touring Diamond Trading Company Botswana premises. It has been over a decade since Botswana and Zimbabwe officially exchanged State visits, a situation that certainly does not augur well for the promotion and sustenance of the spirit of good neighbourliness among friendly States, Khama said at a State banquet he hosted for Mnangagwa. Mr President, to have you in our midst is the first time a President of Zimbabwe has paid a State visit during my presidency, not to mention that I have never been invited to a State visit to Zimbabwe either. So you came just in time before I end my term of office. Khama said the Zimbabwean leaders visit was historic and provided fresh impetus for the revitalisation and consolidation of the time-tested relations that exist between the two countries. We remain confident that you will provide effective and visionary leadership to effect the much-needed socio-economic transformation that will advance your countrys development trajectory, he said. Mnangagwa invited Botswana companies to take advantage of the new investor-friendly environment and exploit the vast natural resources Zimbabwe has to offer. I am aware of the great strides that Botswana has made in the diamond mining sector. I am informed that Botswana has succeeded in developing a viable and suitable diamond industry. Our relationship with Botswana is going to get stronger, he said. Mnangagwa also promised that Zimbabwe would hold free and fair elections in July and invite observers from the African Union and Sadc, among others. NewsDay Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News CNN managed to get the attention of Californias insurance regulator Dave Jones over a bombshell admission in a suit against Aetna over the denial of care.1 From a videotaped deposition, as summarized in MedCity News Aetnas former medical director Dr. Jay Ken Iinuma, whose job was to review whether to authorize payments: He went on to admit he never looked at patients records at Aetna and instead relied on information provided by a nurse. Most of his work, he said, was found online. During any given month, Iinuma said hed call a nurse zero to one times to gather more data. Iinuma was a medical director at Aetna from 2012 to 2015. Commissioner Jones was so outraged over the testimony that he has not only opened up an investigation but is also soliciting information from other Aetna patients who believe they were treated improperly. The state insurance departmetn site urges any Californians who are concerned that they might have been affected to contact the California Department of Insurance at 1-800-927-4357. If you have trouble getting through, they also have a File a Complaint page. Medical professionals were stunned by Iinumas admission. From the CNN story: Oh my God. Are you serious? That is incredible, said Dr. Anne-Marie Irani when told of the medical directors testimony. Irani is a professor of pediatrics and internal medicine at the Childrens Hospital of Richmond at VCU and a former member of the American Board of Allergy and Immunologys board of directors. This is potentially a huge, huge story and quite frankly may reshape how insurance functions, said Dr. Andrew Murphy, who, like Irani, is a renowned fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. He recently served on the academys board of directors.. Dr. Arthur Caplan, founding director of the division of medical ethics at New York University Langone Medical Center, described Iinumas testimony as a huge admission of fundamental immorality. People desperate for care expect at least a fair review by the payer. This reeks of indifference to patients, Caplan said Murphy, the former American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology board member, said he was shocked and flabbergasted by the medical directors admission. This is something that all of us have long suspected, but to actually have an Aetna medical director admit he hasnt even looked at medical records, thats not good, If he has not looked at medical records or engaged the prescribing physician in a conversation and decisions were made without that input then yeah, youd have to question every single case he reviewed. Murphy said when he and other doctors seek a much-needed treatment for a patient, they expect the medical director of an insurance company to have considered every possible factor when deciding on the best option for care. Even though it is tempting to jump to worst-case conclusions, weve seen too often in corporate scandals that that is precisely how things pan out. As famed short seller David Einhorn says, No matter how bad you think it is, its worse. As the doctors comments above indicate, at a bare minimum, every decision made by Iinuma could be subject to sanctions by the State of California, and every denial of care made by him could be challenged by patients. But even as Aetna is taking the standard big company line of We had procedures in place, nothing to see here, at a bare minimum, there was a breakdown in controls, and a real possibility that Iinuma was merely an extreme version of a widely accepted practice of what amounted to doctor robosigning of nurse-at-best reviews. Aetnas Handwave Defense Amusingly, Aetnas initial response is to point to its policies. Its written comment to CNN: We have yet to hear from Commissioner Jones but look forward to explaining our clinical review process. Aetna medical directors are trained to review all available medical information including medical records to make an informed decision. As part of our review process, medical directors are provided all submitted medical records, and also receive a case synopsis and review performed by a nurse. Medical directors and all of our clinicians take their duties and responsibilities as medical professionals incredibly seriously. Similar to most other clinical environments, our medical directors work collaboratively with our nurses who are involved in these cases and factor in their input as part of the decision-making process. This is insulting to the intelligence, and does not speak well for Aetna either. They cant deny what Iinuma said in his deposition. Yet it looks like they think they can even beat back what is sure to be their bare minimum level of exposure: that of facing a penalty for his decisions plus having all of his denials opened up to patient challenges. The much better posture from a PR perspective would be to throw Iinuma under the bus, for Aetna to say it was appalled at his statement and would investigate. As anyone who has been in a large organization knows, formal policies often exist solely as a liability shield for senior management and mean bupiks in practice. The real rules of the road are codified in what behaviors are rewarded (what is paid and who gets promoted). Another signal is goals and metrics. Its not hard to see that Aetnas passive We give medical directors the patient records and the nurse-provided summary and recommendation is a grotesque effort to pretend it has no institutional responsibility. Its as if its medical directors just needed to sit through the training and then they were independent operators using Aetna-provided information. Go back to Iinuma. At a bare minimum, he had to be processing a ton of cases as a result of his lack of review. Given how Corporate America is obsessed with costs, you can be sure it was tracking how many cases medical directors completed over some time frame, say daily or weekly. So there are only two possibilities here, neither of them pretty: 1. There was no supervision of Iinuma, no higher-level check whatsoever on his volume and quality of review 2. Iinumas high volume output was exactly what Aetna wanted Do you seriously believe 1, which appears to be what Aetna is trying to portray? Even if true, they cant pretend that they are not ultimately responsible for what their employees do. This approach might limit the damage to Iinuma provided there arent other cases of medical directors not reviewing patient records. Aetna may hope the California insurance director doesnt go on a wide-ranging investigation, and that other insurance directors dont jump in. That seems pretty unlikely. At a minimum, New York State has a tough insurance bureau, and its not hard to imagine them opening an inquiry based on what unfolds in California. It seems far more probable that Aetna had targets or incentives to reward medical directors for keeping approvals down as well as total output targets. Just like the mortgage servicing robosigners, medical directors like Iinuma may have been given so many cases to get done that there was no way to get through them without rubber stamping most of them. He may have been engaging in normal behavior, or not very far outside common practice. The first step for Commissioner Jones is to demand Iinumas personnel reviews and those of his immediate boss. That will tell pretty clearly what behavior they really wanted from their medical directors. Given Aetnas ham-handed initial response, we might be in for a replay of a Wells-Fargo-esque effort to shift blame for top management setting goals that could be achieved only by fraud onto lower level bad apples. Stay tuned. ____ 1 Ive skipped over the underlying lawsuit because it winds up being ancillary to the deposition admission, plus the CNN summary has me wondering if more facts are needed to make sense of what happened. The short version is plaintiff Gillen Washington is suing Aetna for breach of contract and bad faith. He was diagnosed with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). Based on some web searches, it appears that the protocol for people diagnosed with CVID includes regular, from what I can infer, typically monthly intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions, which are pricey. CNN says they cost up to $20,000 a treatment. The literature also makes clear, in a not-very-coded fashion, that life expectancy with CVID depends to a significant degree on how well the condition is managed. Washington had been with Kaiser and then had his policy transferred to Aetna. After approving some IVIG treatments, Aetna then denied them. This is the part that is squirrel-y, from CNN: But when Washingtons clinic asked Aetna to pre-authorize a November 2014 infusion, Aetna says it was obligated to review his medical record. Thats when it saw his last blood work had been done three years earlier for Kaiser. Despite being told by his own doctors office that he needed to come in for new blood work, Washington failed to do so for several months until he got so sick he ended up in the hospital with a collapsed lung. Once his blood was tested, Aetna resumed covering his infusions and pre-certified him for a year. Despite that, according to Aetna, Washington continued to miss infusions. Washingtons suit counters that Aetna ignored his treating physician, who appealed on his behalf months before his hospitalization that the treatment was medically necessary to prevent acute and long-term problems. Aetna is blaming me for what happened, Washington told CNN. Ill just be honest, its infuriating to me. I want Aetna to be made to change. Since I dont have access to the filings, it may be that Washington filed his case and the material above comes from Aetnas response, and Washingtons side has yet to reply to it (or that may come only in the trial phase). It would seem to make no sense for Washington not to have gotten a blood test, unless his doctor was arguing with Cigna that the annual blood tests werent medically necessary (as in CVID one of those conditions you never get over). This isnt as crazy as it sounds in light of this admission by Iinuma: During his videotaped deposition in October 2016, Iinuma who signed the pre-authorization denial said he never read Washingtons medical records and knew next to nothing about his disorder. Questioned about Washingtons condition, Iinuma said he wasnt sure what the drug of choice would be for people who suffer from his condition. Iinuma further says hes not sure what the symptoms are for the disorder or what might happen if treatment is suddenly stopped for a patient. Do I know what happens? the doctor said. Again, Im not sure. I dont treat it. While it may be that Washington was a non-complaint patient, the tenor of his response suggests that he believes Aetna misrepresented what happened. He may be posturing for the press, but he presents himself as more interested in getting Aetna to shape up than getting monetary damages. Hes making a lot of progress on that front already. And if that is his aim, he would be more likely than most plaintiffs to go to court to expose Aetnas conduct. So there are decent odds of getting a more detailed account of what went on with his case. Yves here. While this article focuses on the Carillion and the broader failure of privatization and other Thatcherite fads, it is germane to American readers too. It describes how the demonization of the public sector and the insistence that private operators would do better was evidence freeand no one has been keeping tabs to see if the claims of improved performance came to fruition. There are plenty of anecdotes I can supply that would suggest not. By Trevor Smith, co-founder of Democratic Audit and a Liberal Democrat life peer. Originally published at openDemocracy Carillions collapse and other failures such as privatised forensics firm Randox show the limits of the managerial revolution. But wholl take on the robber barons? The Carillion bankruptcy is but the most spectacular illustration to date of the malfunctioning of the UK economy. Coming hard on the heels of the equally high profile failure of BHS, it has raised a fundamental questioning as to whether it is yet another one-off incident or symptomatic of a much deeper malaise. The public debate that has ensued has brought the ideas of Karl Marx back into fashion: does late stage monopoly capitalism contain within itself the seeds of its own destruction? Answers to that age-old conundrum are best left to the rhetoricians, but the latest corporate collapse reveals that more immediate and widespread practical reforms are now called for. To state the obvious, Carillion occurred against an already very bad economic background. The gap between rich and poor continues to widen. Top executive remuneration packages now show that the difference between them and average pay packets amounts to a ratio of 120:1 *High Pay Centre, Feb 2018), while the gender pay divide remains at 20% according to ACAS. Other glaring inequalities include both ethnic minority life chances, widespread regional disparities and especially the North/South divide, and the stasis caused by social immobility. In addition, home ownership has been plunging and more people are compelled to rent, usually with short tenure and often in sub-standard accommodation. A Short History of the End of History Mid-twentieth century Britain appeared to point to a very different future. During the first half of the 1950s the Keynesian consensus, that went by the term Butskellism, seemed set fair to become a long-lasting paradigmatic formula for operating the economy. Looking back, it could have been seen as portending the coming of Fukeyamas the end of history, though the mixed economy turned out to be a short-lived trailer for a story that wouldnt last. It was replaced by Gaullist-style indicative planning under the Britain of the two Harolds (Macmillan and Wilson). These sequential consensuses gave way to the wholesale privatisation of the nationalised public utilities. Privatisation characterised Margaret Thatchers government but the actuality did not live up to the free market slogans she flauntingly employed in promoting it. Privatisation did not usher in extensive price competition it merely created a new series of cartels that necessitated the recruitment of a vast number of allegedly independent agencies in an attempt to regulate their activities. Thatcherisms main accomplishment was to firmly embed the notion that private was good and public was bad this was to become the new consensus. A major off-shoot of privatisation was the subsequent invention of the Public/Private Partnership (PFI). It was John Majors innovation when he was prime minister and was first employed to enable the construction of the Heathrow Express from Paddington mainline station to London airport. The device was seized upon by the incoming government of Tony Blair and aggressively pursued by Gordon Brown as chancellor and John Prescott as deputy prime minister. PFIs became an extensive new industry providing the wherewithal for building rafts of schools, hospitals, prisons and other such infrastructural developments. PFIs turned out to be too good to be true. Whereas the Heathrow Express generated its own cash flow that would both help repay its initial capital costs and cover running expenditures, the extensive New Labour programme would have to be repaid by the taxpayer, usually over a long period. Customarily, these PFIs were bid for by consortia of builders, financiers and others, secretly drawn up with little or no public scrutiny. The big legal and accountancy firms acted either for these consortia or for the government on each PFI which created a swirling revolving door rodeo with little or no regard for the conflicts of interest implicit and endemic in such commercial carnivals. Meanwhile, it quickly transpired that the senior civil servants were not at all well-equipped to oversee these PFIs or represent the public interest. It came as no surprise (and, in fact, many commentators like Professor Alyson Pollack pointed it out at the time) that PFIs turned out to be grossly over-expensive and would become an immediate charge on the public purse when they failed- as, inevitably, some did. It also meant that the participants in the PFI consortia could not easily be held contractually responsible over the lengthy time spans of twenty-five to thirty years. Furthermore, PFIs were frequently sold on to others and a whole new secondary market developed to facilitate such deals. These schemes became a veritable financial quagmire, making evaluation and assessment extremely difficult. Privatising the Night-Watchman One very spectacular failure is to be seen in the private provision of forensic science services. The government-run Forensic Science Service examined most of the evidence submitted by the police and others until it was abolished in 2012. This activity, crucial to pursuing criminal prosecutions and inquests, was in future to be contracted out solely to private enterprises. This has resulted in long delays, extensive losses, the mixing- up of vital evidence and wrongful prosecutions. One firm, Randox Testing Services, was found to be extensively at fault while another, KFS, has had to be bailed out, at a cost of millions of pounds, by the police to prevent its liquidation and jeopardise thousands of cases including rape and murder according to The Times (31.1.18). Shortcomings such as these pose a major threat to the workings of the criminal justice system which, itself, is racked with other problems. Worse still was to come with more extensive recourses to outsourcing both on the part of PFIs and more generally by central and local government. One difficulty was that outsourcing itself spawned a small group of cartel-like firms to cater for the new demand. It was all part-and-parcel of the private-good/public-bad consensus that dominated the practice of recent governments of all parties Tory, Labour and Coalition. G4S, Serco, Capita and Carillion together held a firm, oligopolistic grip over the outsourcing of erstwhile government activities. Even at the height of the Victorian Night-Watchman State, it was always recognised that the defence of the Realm, the conduct of diplomacy and foreign affairs and the maintenance of internal home security would remain the monopoly of Government. Now, in all these three broad policy areas privatisation has made major inroads with a corresponding loss of direct responsibility by the Cabinet overall and ministers individually the very conventions that were taken axiomatically as the very hallmarks of our parliamentary democracy. This widespread ministerial abnegation has in turn contributed indirectly to the rise of the populist politics that is now prevalent. The present legal framework of commerce owes its origins to the Victorian age which codified the law in a way more comprehensive than anything tried since. It has been tinkered with as necessary in the intervening century and a half but no overall transformation has been undertaken. So Much for the Managerial Revolution The Return of the Robber Barons Under the company law that has prevailed for so long, the shareholders in principle own an incorporated enterprise and nominally control its board of directors. This somewhat tenuous system of governance was given a longer lease of life by being mitigated later by the rise of the Managerial Revolution which brought about the divorce of ownership from control. This, in turn, it was argued had given way to the mutation of a more benign type of business executive. The modern businessman was now regarded as having wider concerns beyond that of mere profit maximisation, including the needs of the consumer, staff, suppliers and the wider society, including the environment. This assertion, propagated by Berle & Means in 1932, was later taken up and eagerly embraced by the leading Labour revisionist theorist, Anthony Crosland. In his influential book The Future of Socialism (1964) he asserted there was no further need for the nationalisation of major industries as the public good and the general consumer was now better served by the new cadre of company executive. However attractive this may have appeared at the time of his book, it, too, did not endure with the passage of time the Robber Barons are now back with a vengeance. The world-wide 2008 financial crisis specifically engulfed the banks and the financial sector more generally. For the most part, governments bailed them out with vows of never again. Numerous enquiries followed proposals for reform implemented to a greater or lesser extent aimed at securing this desired outcome. While many have questioned their practical efficacy, the problems shifted but did not go away. This is because they are clearly systemic and call for much wider and more far-reaching approaches. Despite some increase in shareholder activity since 2008, particularly over the remuneration packages senior corporation executives award themselves, these are now showing evidence of diminishing. The position of shareholders has also been further weakened by the recourse to Electronically Traded Funds (ETFs) whereby large tranches of shares are traded in nanoseconds having been triggered algorithmically. ETF shareholders can have no role to play in corporate governance. This new situation has not been adequately addressed by any of the numerous corporate reviews of the past two decades. Of Accountants, Regulators and Mandarins Three inter-related problems have emerged. The first arose from the conduct of the accountancy profession. The FTSE 100 companies- and many others employ the services of the Big Four firms PWC, Deloitte, KPMG and E&Y. These comprise yet another cartel with all the attendant problems thrown up by such restricted market conditions which have led to unacceptable practices. For example, no FTSE 100 company has ever had its annual accounts qualified, a fact which at long last seems about to be investigated. There has been a steady growth, particularly overseas in the USA and recently in South Africa, of massive fines being levied on the Big Four for various acts of malfeasance. These dominant world-wide accountancy firms are not as pure as they pretend and their poor performance both sullies their reputations and, much more importantly, severely damages the operations of the capitalist system. Exacerbating and compounding these deficiencies has been the emergence of the second problem the very poor workings of the so-called regulatory agencies. Almost none of them has escaped criticism. The operations of the various Ofs Ofsted, OfCom, OfWat, OfGem, etc, as well as the Quality Care and Police Complaints Commissions and all the rest have been seen to fall short, often very far short, of acceptable standards. And thirdly, theres the senior civil service, comprising the non-political arm of the Executive, which no longer attracts the prestige it once enjoyed. Partly this is because it has been down-sized, or hollowed out, since the Thatcher era. Consequently, departmental memories, once an indispensable resource assisting the mandarins of Whitehall in their duties, have all but disappeared. Endeavouring to compensate for this memory loss, leads to further reliance on outsourcing the task of contriving remedies to management consultants; but their solutions, by the very nature of their authorship, are invariably short-term and non-contextual in character and thereby usually much inferior. Accountants, regulators and mandarins now perform a very sub-optimal auditing function in the scrutiny of public policies and their implementation. And that all-important function, especially for a regime that purports to be a democracy, is yet further damaged by the practice of relying on recruitment by the revolving door process. Accountants, regulators, management consultants, civil servants, ex-MPs and the legions of insouciant, well-paid, technocratic hired-hands, have ceased to be the quite distinct entities some of them once were. They have all but dissolved into what aptly may be termed a new nomenklatura that would feel at home in the former USSR. The seal of omerta of not shopping one another is as firmly observed by this grouping of fixers as it is among the Neapolitan mafia. The major problem with privatisation, outsourcing and their various consequences is that there is no inventory of successes and, more importantly, of failures. There were relatively few state-owned industries, covering discrete areas, so their performance was relatively easy to gauge. Indeed, William A Robson was able to encompass them definitively within the covers of one book, Nationalised Industry & Public Ownership (1960). By contrast, the extensiveness of privatisation and, even more, the recourse to outsourcing, makes these twin manifestations even much more difficult to evaluate. This is the reason why the near-uncritical acceptance of the private=good/public=bad consensus has held sway for so long and is only now being questioned following Carillion and similar large-scale disasters. The Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) really should have recognised before now this gaping lacuna and commissioned extensive sample studies of the phenomenon; instead, it allowed itself to become a mere adjunct to the ever-burgeoning nomenklatura. Doubtless, recent calamities will furnish material for future academic research but the findings will come too late to inform what now needs to be swiftly undertaken. Another grievous issue concerns the occupational pensions industry. Firms pension schemes have been raided to produce easily accessible cash flows. While others, very noticeably in the case of BHS and Carillion, have been denied the finances needed to remain viable. Added to which, excessive over-charging by asset managers who run the investing of funds, has greatly reduced their overall worth and correspondingly lowered the amounts paid out to pensioners. This story has much further to run and the deficits being revealed are of such magnitude that they will undoubtedly force government, the regulatory agencies and parliament to take specific action to deal with these gross failings. Can Capitalism Clean Up Its Act? But there is a growing awareness that something much more radical needs to be done. While the re-nationalisation of rail transport may be seen as acceptable, widespread public ownership to include other sectors cannot provide the answer. Theresa May proclaimed that many current business practices are beyond the pale when she assumed the office of prime minister and has since re-iterated her worries. But, so far, all she has come up with are warnings of taking remedial steps at some distant date. But the enormity and ever-increasing frequency of the faults being revealed in the operations of industry and commerce in Britain and beyond demands immediate and urgent action. It is quite amazing that virtually no criminal prosecutions have been mounted against the perpetrators of major malpractice, which is in distinct contrast to what has been happening in the US. Like Britain, the American authorities levy big fines on the bad guys, or come to agreed compensation payments with them, but they also imprison many why the difference, it has to be asked? What will trigger radical reform? It may be that the wave of disasters will have to climb even higher yet to create the necessary political will before government(s) feel forced to take action. Similarly, will the main representative bodies of business and the professions, both individually and severally, feel obliged to take action to improve standards of members behaviour? At the recent Davos conference, it was reported that there was a general feeling among corporate participants that ethical behaviour needed much improvement; though dont bet on anything happening very quickly. Another, slightly more tangible cause for a measure of optimism is that a handful of large enterprises are beginning to announce measures aimed at improving their behaviour. We can but hope but time is not on anyones side and by default Karl Marx may be allowed to have the last word. By Jerri-Lynn Scofield, who has worked as a securities lawyer and a derivatives trader. She now spends much of her time in Asia and is currently working on a book about textile artisans. The Trump team continues to dismantle slowly and methodically the limited environmental protection legacy of its predecessor particularly with respect to climate change. Most immediately. its the turn of the methane rule, which was enacted during the waning days of the previous administration by the Interior Department to limit the flaring of methane and other problematic practices on public (federal) lands. Yes, I know: that regulators couldnt get their act together to promulgate a new rule until Trump was nearly installed in the White House was no doubt a feature not a bug. Most of those responsible for that and similarly misguided delays, no doubt expected Hillary Clinton to be elected President, and that meant the exiting charade of pretending to protect the environment and addressing the imperative of climate changewhile never quite getting around to enacting final binding rules could continue to be played. Waiting til end days to act ensured that enacted regulations were vulnerable and ensured that some apparent Democratic governance victories were short-lived. Significant rules that had been properly promulgated were subsequently scuppered under the procedures set out in the Congressional Review Act (CRA) although I concede that Democrats perhaps didnt anticipate just how aggressively these measures could be deployed. The Trump administration and its allies among the deregulation uber allies congressional Republican set have used CRA procedures to target rules enacted within 60 session days of Congress passing a CRA resolution to overturn the rule. That means the agency that had promulgated the deep-sixed rule was thenceforth barred from reviving the rule in substantially the same form, unless and until Congress passes new authorizing legislation (for my further discussion of CRA, see Republicans Deploy CRA Authority to Roll Back Regulations, Trump and Congress Use Congressional Review Act to Roll Back 14 Midnight Rules; More to Follow? and Republicans to Use CRA to Roll Back Midnight Rules and Benefit Oil Companies). CRA procedures have not only been used to overturn midnight rules passed during the administration of Trumps predecessor, but have also been used to strike down rules that have been put forward during the Trump administration such as the ban on mandatory arbitration clauses in consumer financial contracts that the CFPB failed to promulgate until July 2017, despite mulling the issue seriously since late 2013 (see my discussion in RIP, CFPB Mandatory Arbitration Ban which includes other links to earlier coverage discussing this sad and sorry tale). Another major way Democrats failed to govern effectively when they controlled the executive branch was by neglecting to promulgate strong rules early during their tenure in office. Once rules are in place, companies adjust. They make investment and other corporate decisions, including taking appropriate compliance steps, based on the changed regulatory framework. As the implementation date for new rules approaches and then passes, companies that have anticipated the change and prepared themselves to comply became themselves a powerful constituency supporting the new regulatory status quo. To do otherwise would provide a competitive advantage to their competitors who had instead chosen to flout their compliance obligations. Most recently, this dynamic has been in play with respect to the fiduciary rule as I have written here. Because many companies had already moved to comply, the constituency supporting overturn was gravely weakened. But when the regulators who controlled agencies before Trump became President left til late or the last minute implementing their regulatory priorities, the stage was set to overturn these policies when Trump and his congressional allies charged themselves with rolling back allegedly excessively burdensome regulations. Methane Rule According to yesterdays report in the New York Times : The Trump administration on Monday moved to repeal one of the last unchallenged climate-change regulations rushed into place in the waning days of the Obama presidency a rule restricting the release of planet-warming methane into the atmosphere. The rule, which applied to companies drilling for energy on federal land, has been the subject of intense court battles and delay efforts, as well as one surprise vote last year in which Senate Republicans temporarily saved it from being torpedoed. Methane, which is about 25 times more potent at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, accounts for 9 percent of all domestic greenhouse gas emissions; about a third of that is estimated to come from oil and gas operations. Under the rule, oil and gas companies would have been required to capture leaked methane, update their equipment and write new plans for minimizing waste when drilling on government property. US fossil fuel producers targeted overturning the rule as a top priority, as they estimated compliance costs could reach nearly $280 million. Interestingly, Congressional Republicans earlier apparently (briefly) opposed efforts to kill the methane rule, again according to the Grey Lady: An early effort to revoke the regulation hit a snag in May when Senators John McCain of Arizona, Susan Collins of Maine and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, all Republicans, voted against a Senate resolution that would have eliminated it. The lawmakers said they were concerned that the resolution would have made regulating methane waste more difficult in the future. Little now stands in the way that will prevent the killing this all too modest rule yet another setback for the huge challenges of designing policies to slow, reverse, or prepare for impending climate change. Recent Context In passing, permit me also to mention another recent environmental regulation setback. Last month, Scott Pruitts Environmental Protection Agency kicked into the long grass the Clean Water Rule promulgated in 2015 (a topic I discussed at greater length in my June 2017 post, EPA, Agencies to Rescind Clean Water Rule. To be sure, litigation had previously delayed implementation of this rule. Although Pruitts latest suspension nominally applies for two years only, the policy is now effectively buried until at minimum Repulicans lose political control of the executive branch: As reported by Mother Jones (and crossposted by grist here): [Last month] EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt formally suspended the Obama-era Clean Water Rule for two years, while the Trump administration works to repeal and replace the rule with their own, industry-friendly version. Also known as Waters of the United States (WOTUS), the rule was established by the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers in 2015. Largely celebrated by environmental groups, it expanded the protection of headwaters, streams, and 20 million acres of wetlands under the 1972 Clean Water Act. It also held farmers and real estate developers accountable for runoff pollution in streams running through their property. Over 100 parties initially challenged Obamas rule, including business groups and some Republican officials, arguing that it was an overstep of government power. WOTUS has been a target of Pruitts for years, even before he was in Washington; as Oklahoma attorney general, in 2015 he helped lead a multi-state lawsuit against the rule, calling it the greatest blow to private property rights the modern era has seen. Bottom Line Contrary to the narrative put forward by some of the mainstream media, Trump and his minions have been surprisingly effective at implementing some significant governance priorities. Several environmental initiatives, including those discussed here, qualify as such success stories. In addition, the Trump team has aggressively and effectively filled vacant federal judgeships with those determined to be like-minded souls (as I discussed most recently in this post, Trump Sets Records for Seating Federal Judges, and the posts referenced therein). That means that if and when Trump administration regulatory and policy decisions are challenged, they are likely to survive judicial review. (Natural News) In the world of science things can get really, really crazy, and can sometimes strain ethical boundaries almost to breaking point. Scientists have been fascinated for centuries with the concept of a human-chimpanzee hybrid known as a humanzee and there have been reports dating as far back as the 11th century of such hybrids being born. Now, renowned scientist, Gordon Gallup, is claiming that a humanzee was born in a Florida lab nearly 100 years ago, but that panicked scientists killed the baby after only a few weeks when they realized the moral and ethical implications of letting it live. The Huffington Post reports that it is theoretically possible that a human and a chimpanzee could produce offspring: Science fiction aside, its a serious question that has a long history of being asked because the answer is yes, its scientifically possible that a human-chimpanzee hybrid could exist. We share over 98 percent of our DNA with chimps, and while that one-plus percent is responsible for a lot of differences (just look at us side by side and thats apparent), its still close enough that if the two species mated, a viable offspring could theoretically be produced. Gallup claims that his former university professor told him that the humanzee baby was born at a lab in Orange Park, Florida. He told The Sun, They inseminated a female chimpanzee with human semen from an undisclosed donor and claimed not only that pregnancy occurred but the pregnancy went full term and resulted in a live birth. But in the matter of days, or a few weeks, they began to consider the moral and ethical considerations and the infant was euthanised. The scientific community is likely to take Gallups claims seriously, since he is a respected evolutionary psychologist in addition to being a professor at the University of Albany. He is also renowned for having created the mirror self-recognition test which proved that primates could acknowledge their own reflection, and for coining the term humanzee. According to Gallup, the professor who told him about the humanzee being born at the lab in Florida was also a well-respected scientist who worked at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center when it was still located in Orange Park, Florida. The center later moved to Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Over the years there have been several other attempts to create humanzees, the most famous being the experiments of Russian biologist Ilya Ivanov who tried to create a breed of super-soldiers by implanting human sperm in female chimps. The experiments were a failure, and the project was abandoned. (Related: Stay current with real science at Scientific.news.) Then, in 1967, researchers in China claimed that a female primate had successfully been impregnated with human sperm but had died when the scientists were forced to abandon the project. (Related: Bionic man warns of corporate-driven rise of robots; humanity may be in danger if ethics are not enforced.) The most famous humanzee was a creature known as Oliver who had a protruding nose, walked on its hind legs and looked like a combination of a human and a chimp. Tests conducted in 1996, however, proved that Oliver had only 48 chromosomes and was not a real humanzee. Gallup is convinced that humans could be crossbred with several other apes besides chimpanzees, including gorillas and orangutans. He also believes, however, that creating these hybrids would have profound psychological and biological implications. Not that thats likely to prevent scientists from forging ahead. When approached for comment about Gallups claims, a spokesperson for Yerkes National Primate Research Center said, We have not been involved with any humanzee experiments, but rather conduct and enable peer-reviewed research studies to help fight disease and improve human health. Follow more news on weird science at WeirdScienceNews.com. Sources for this article include: DailyMail.co.uk TheSun.co.uk HuffingtonPost.com (Natural News) The body parts trade is real, and its not just legitimate medical researchers who are engaging in the practice. According to a recent Reuters expose, some U.S. body brokers have been caught defrauding customers by selling body parts infected with communicable diseases. American body brokers have supplied body parts to at least 45 nations since 2008, including Saudi Arabia, China, Germany, Mexico, Israel and Italy. The demand for American body parts is very high because in many places, religious traditions or laws ban the dissection of dead human bodies. The U.S., on the other hand, does not regulate the sale of body parts that have been donated. One company, MedCure, sells and leases as many as 10,000 body parts from American donors each year; around 20 percent of these end up going overseas. The company is currently the subject of a federal investigation. The FBI raided their headquarters in Portland last year. The search warrant is sealed, but some insiders have indicated it is related to overseas shipping. Unfortunately, the body donation industry in our nation is so loosely regulated that nearly anyone can sell, lease or buy body parts. The only time the government does use oversight is in exercising its authority to make sure parts being shipped into or out of the country are not infected with contagious diseases. Last year, Detroit broker Arthur Rathburn was convicted of fraud by supplying body parts with hepatitis and HIV infections. Authorities say he stored body parts in unsanitary and grisly conditions. One Rathburn supplier has already pleaded guilty to providing infected body parts to customers. Steve Gores business used constriction saws for dismembering donated bodies and had an untrained intern rip the fingernails out of cadavers using pliers. Rathburns firm, International Biological Inc. (IBI) raised red flags after repeated border stops. The FBIs David Gelios said: The fraud scheme orchestrated by IBI shocked even the most experienced of our investigative team. In a statement after the verdict, he said the donors had been victimized as IBI intentionally and recklessly marketed and transported contaminated human remains Personal greed overcame decency. In one case, a shipment of nine torsos being returned from Vancouver contained parts infected with sepsis and MRSA; a bioskills seminar that the paperwork claimed was using the parts did not exist. Not everyone fully aware of fate of donated bodies Another big problem is the fact that many families do not realize that their loved ones body parts will be chopped up and sent abroad. One woman regrets not reading the fine print after learning her husbands head had been sent to a dental school in Israel. She later discovered the ashes she had buried at a veterans cemetery did not represent her husbands entire body. She only found out about it after the shipment containing her husbands head was stopped by officials after a discrepancy; the shipping manifest said it contained electronics with a value of $10 each, while a label on the package itself said it contained human remains. Border officials were also concerned about the package being punctured and emanating a strong odor; a further examination found one of the donated heads had staphylococcus aureus. What are these bodies being used for? Medical device companies in Turkey and Brazil buy feet while knees are sent to surgical training centers in Taiwan. The heads of dead Americans are being sent to Germany, where plastic surgeons use them to practice new techniques. One German plastic surgeon told Reuters that the fresh body parts are far more useful than preserved ones, and that there is no alternative to human tissue for honing ones plastic surgery skills. Its horrifying to think that the trade of human body parts is so loosely regulated given the many potential dangers it could pose. While some companies might be above board, the thought that some are just looking for a quick profit and carelessly taking advantage of those whose final wish was to donate their bodies to science will likely give a lot of people pause when considering their own donations. Sources for this article include: Ca.News.Yahoo.com Reuters.com (Natural News) The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS) has moved the Doomsday Clock 30 seconds closer to midnight, leaving us only two minutes away from global Armageddon. The decision to move the hands of this hypothetical timepiece was made last January 25 amidst growing concern of a nuclear attack particularly between North Korea and the United States. This is the closest we have ever been to midnight since 1953, when both our country and the then-U.S.S.R started work on hydrogen bombs, a far more powerful class of nuclear weapons than atomic bombs. Lawrence Krauss, the chair of the BAS Board of Sponsors and the director of the Origins Project at Arizona State University said that no one factor can be blamed for their decision to inch the clock hands further. Despite erroneous reports that President Donald Trump is solely to blame for the movement, Krauss emphasized that several factors influenced the boards decision. These included the increased reliance on and the highly probable risk of nuclear war; a massive loss of trust in political institutions, the media, and even science (Krauss noted that facts are no longer seen as reliable); and confused responses to climate change. These threats have undermined each and every governments ability to help their citizens; a domino effect, Krauss explains, that led to their approval to move the clock forward. Adjusting the Doomsday clock requires a united decision by the BAS Board of Sponsors, which includes 15 Nobel laureates and the BAS Science and Security Board which is composed of scientists whose field of study focus on nuclear technology and climate change. They meet twice a year to discuss all events that are of global importance. The danger of nuclear conflagration Nuclear war is a very real threat. Officials have stated that the threat of war between the United States and North Korea [increases] every day an alarm further acknowledged when North Korea tested intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of hitting large parts of our country only last December. There is also evidence that proves that the global nuclear realm is escalating. Other countries, such as China, are increasing their nuclear capabilities. Countries in the Middle East as well remain a threat due to their focus on expanding their nuclear arsenals. When the Cold War ended in the early 1990s, the number of nuclear weapons made by both our country and Russia decreased. Incidentally, that was the furthest weve ever been to midnight, according to Doomsday clock predictions we were then a massive 17 minutes away from destruction. Nevertheless, the years have inched us slowly (and then quite rapidly) back into chaos. The start of the new century saw other countries developing their own nuclear power. Tick, tock, where are the watchmen? The Doomsday clock was established in 1947 as a metaphor to show how close humanity is to destroying the world through our own making. It was originally set to seven minutes to midnight. The time stayed the same until 1949 when the Soviet Union successfully tested its first atomic bomb. This caused BAS to move the clock from seven minutes to midnight to three minutes to midnight. The clock has moved back and forth over the years but has generally remained between three to four minutes from destruction. Its movement to two minutes to midnight is meant to send a powerful message to world leaders, say BAS. You can keep yourself updated with more news stories about the Doomsday clock at Collapse.news. Sources include: LiveScience.com DailyMail.co.uk OurWorldinData.org GlobalResearch.ca TheBulletin.org An NBC Bay Area analysis of state court disposition data shows thousands of felony criminal cases have been delayed for years, and sometimes even decades, in jurisdictions around California. The analysis shows Santa Clara County Superior Court and San Francisco County Superior Court have some of the largest criminal court backlogs and the lowest percentage of felony cases resolved within a year in the state. The same data, sent by county Superior Court administrators to Californias Judicial Council, shows in both 2015 and 2016, Santa Clara County ranked last in the state in the percentage of cases disposed of within 12 months. A memo released in late 2017 by the Santa Clara County Superior Court disputes that data, claiming the numbers were flawed and inaccurate. The memo came in response to a civil grand jury report that cited the Judicial Council data and blamed the low resolution rate on a culture of complacency that tolerates delay. The civil grand jury report, which was released in June 2017, looked at the Judicial Councils 2015 report and showed nearly all of cases resolved that year 47 percent were settled without a trial, meaning there was a guilty or no contest plea or the charges were dropped. The data released by the Judicial Council a year later showed the processing time for criminal cases actually fell to 45 percent The Santa Clara County Superior Court memo says the felony resolution rate is actually closer to 85 percent for that same time frame. The memo attributes the discrepancy to a miscalculation. It says the report relied on data that only includes held to answer cases or those cases where a defendant is kept in custody to answer charges. The court memo says the 85 percent figure includes all of the remaining felony cases in the county. The memo shows the disposition rate for 2016-2017 dropped to 80 percent. The adjusted rate still falls below the state average, which in both years, according to the state Judicial Council, is 88 percent. No matter how you calculate the Santa Clara County Superior Court rate, it still falls below similar processing time rates in other counties like San Mateo County, where the 2016 rate was 89 percent, and Sacramento County, where the rate that year was 98 percent. Judge David De Alba, who is presiding judge at Sacramento County Superior Court, attributes his countys high disposition rate to a culture of cooperativeness amongst the various justice stakeholders in the county. He also credits the countys use of home courts. Many of the criminal filings both felony and misdemeanor cases are filed in what we call home courts, and they stay in those courts unless they can't be resolved and then they're sent to a trial court, he said. While courts across California are experiencing lengthy backlogs due to budget cuts, data shows Sacramento courts dispose of 97 percent of criminal cases within a year. NBC Bay Area asked to talk to the judge overseeing Santa Clara Countys criminal docket about this issue. The presiding judge for Santa Clara County Superior Courts, Patricia M. Lucas, did sit down to speak about delays in the civil court, saying budget cuts dating back more than a decade were a major causes of delays in civil court. Its not the way we want to run the courts, Judge Lucas said. The major backlogs are in family and civil (courts), and there we have wait times for people who have an emergency need for a custody order (or other needs). Short staff, short work hours and a lack of funding for administrative and clerical positions have created a crisis according to Lucas. Id say its gotten worse (in the last 10 years), Lucas said. Because the cumulative effect of years of underfunding is really taking its toll, even in courts that were able to absorb some of (the underfunding) early on. The cumulative effects is really taking hold (now). NBC Bay Area also asked to speak to the judge in charge of criminal courts in Santa Clara County. However, court administrators suddenly canceled that interview and said there would be no one available to answer questions about delays specific to criminal court calendars. The below-average disposition rate in Santa Clara County has a very real impact on the families of crime victims, many of whom wait years for their cases to be resolved, said Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen. Victims are outraged. (They) are entitled to be outraged. And their District Attorney is also outraged, Rosen told NBC Bay Area. We have a case from 2007 where two men raped and murdered a woman, and that hasnt been resolved yet. Thats not just unacceptable. Its outrageous, Rosen added. Rosen pointed to other case examples, including the case against Jae Williams and Randy Thompson, two self-proclaimed Satanists who were accused of murdering their high school classmate, Michael Russell, in 2009. Williams was sentenced to 26 years to life in 2014 and Thompson was found guilty in 2016. Another example: the case against Christopher Holland, who was convicted in 2015 of raping and murdering a teenager named Cynthia Munoz. The crime occurred in 1983, but it went unsolved until 2007 when DNA testing matched Holland to DNA left on the victims body. Holland wasnt convicted until 2015. While high profile crimes like these can often take a long time to wind through the courts, Rosen said he believes these specific instances involved proceedings that were delayed and prolonged unnecessarily. Along with a culture of complacency, the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury report placed blame on prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges who allow the delays to happen. The grand jury cited Rosens office in particular, saying one reason for these delays was the District Attorneys approach to charging. Rosen says he and his office are already working to fix some of the issues enumerated in the grand jurys report. It's true that the courts are underfunded. They are, and they need more funding, Rosen said. But it's also true that everybody in government, my office included, has to be more efficient with the taxpayer dollars that we receive. Santa Clara County Public Defender Molly ONeill took issue with the data and methodology used in the grand jurys report, saying Santa Clara County was closer to average than the grand jury acknowledged. Even so, she admitted more could be done to become more efficient and reduce delays. She says her Public Defenders office is already on it. There's always room for improvement, and we are looking at ways to do that because at the end of the day even though faster isn't better it is not a good thing to have multiple delays and continuances, ONeill said. So we're looking at it. The court calendar backlog problem dates back to 2008, when the economic downturn led to deep budget cuts to Californias courts. The lack of funding forced courts across the Bay Area to reduce office hours, wean staffing, and close entire courtrooms. But for years, those delays affected civil courts almost exclusively; it did not affect criminal court calendars, since the right to a speedy trial after a citizen is charged with a crime has always been a hallmark under both the federal and state Constitutions. Because of that constitutional principle, criminal court has always received priority during tight budget times. Other counties besides Santa Clara County are feeling the impact too. In Contra Costa County, the felony disposition rate for 12 months or less is 74 percent, according to the Judicial Council of Californias latest 2016 report. In San Francisco, the rate is 68 percent. There is a tremendous problem said San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon. Gascon says there simply are not enough judges, staff members and courtrooms to handle the caseload in San Francisco. We're often being pushed to settle a case in order to clear the docket to make room, Gascon said. So, that means that you may have cases that maybe have less import or are not the big homicide or sexual assault, but nevertheless there is a legitimate victim there. San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi agrees that there is a crisis in the courts due to lack of funding, but he says the court has a responsibility to more responsibly use its limited resources. We don't have as many judges, and we have heavier dockets, Adachi said. And what we say to that is, well, then you can't prosecute as many cases. And there needs to be a balance between wanting to efficiently handle cases and ensuring that the parties are doing what they need to do in a given case, he added. Wherever the blame falls, district attorneys paint a troubling picture of prosecutors routinely facing their own version of Sophies Choice, which cases live and which cases die. Surely the victim should have a right to have their case be attended to the fullest extent possible, said Gascon. And (right now) they're not (being given that attention) to the case. They (the lesser felony cases) are often being sold very cheaply for judicial economy. And this is something that drives us crazy. Because of this, he says his office has to prioritize. Am I going to spend a week trying a little residential burglary or a theft or fraud? Or am I going to clear the docket on this thing so that I can try the murder case or rape or a robbery or any armed robbery? Gascon said. That is a daily exercise for us. Even Lucas agreed that the backlog across the board in courts are delaying and thus denying justice. I think a delay of that nature (years) is a denial of justice, Lucas said. The family of the unarmed man who was allegedly fatally shot by a BART police officer in January is protesting Tuesday, calling for the officer to be fired and charged with murder. Shaleem Tindle, 28, of Oakland was allegedly shot and killed by BART police Officer Joseph Mateu on Jan. 3. A distraught mother says her sons killing at the hands of a BART police officer last month was not justified. "BART police murdered my son, shot him in the back with his arms up," she said. Tindle's family immediately sought answers and hired high-profile civil rights attorney John Burris to help them. "There is absolutely no justification for the use of deadly force if a person is unarmed and complying with an officers directives," said Burris. "Any suggestion that Shaleem was armed and uncooperative is simply an attempt to demonize Shaleem and provide a false justification for Shaleems unlawful murder at the hands of Officer Mateu." According to Burris, the family will file a state law claim against both BART police and Mateu. They will seek damages for both the death of Shaleem as well as his familys loss of their familial relationship. The shooting occurred about 4:40 p.m. near the West Oakland BART station following a fight between Tindle and another man. Witnesses say Tindle was on his way to BART with his family when he got into a fight with someone on the street, and the situation quickly escalated. Police said Tindle pulled out a gun and shot the man in the leg. At that point, police say, a BART officer rushed over and fired at Tindle after Tindle refused orders to put down the gun. "The mere fact that two men are grappling in and of itself is not a basis to shoot someone," Burris said. "I am always concerned when an officer has his gun out and is running to a situation. That often means they have very few options available to them." Pastor Truckie, owner of Upper Kutz Barbershop on Seventh Street, said the shooting happened in front of his store. Like so many others, he is frustrated with the growing violence in his community and what he calls the demonization of black men that comes with it. Truckie organized a prayer circle to unite his community after seeing his friend killed. "I saw two black men in a situation, and I didnt like either side," Truckie said. "I didnt like the fact that one was hurt, and I didnt like the fact that one lost his life. So, I saw two of my brothers who needed some help. "The brother who passed, I see him all the time," Truckie added. "His son gets his hair cut at my barbershop." Tindle leaves behind two sons, ages 8 and 2. Oakland police said they found a gun at the scene, and they're seeing if there is a connection. A state employee working as a counselor at a school in Fremont was arrested last week on suspicion of child molestation, according to the California Highway Patrol. Ricardo Tafolla Rose, 56, a California Department of Education employee working as a counselor at California School for the Deaf, was arrested Feb. 9 and faces charges of child molestation and criminal threats, CHP investigators said. Rose, a Fremont resident, has been employed by the state since 1989 and was placed on paid administrative leave pending the investigation, the CHP said. If anyone believes they were a victim of sexual misconduct by Rose or knows of someone who was victimized, they are asked to call the CHPGolden Gate Division Special Investigations Unit at 800-835-5247. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said sheriffs are a "critical part" of the "Anglo-American heritage of law enforcement" during a speech Monday. "The office of sheriff is a critical part of the Anglo-American heritage of law enforcement. We must never erode this historic office. I know this, you know this, we want to be partners, we dont want to be bosses, we want to strengthen you and help you be more effective in your work," Sessions told the National Sheriffs' Association. Sessions made the comment after thanking the 75-year-old law enforcement group for its work in aiding the Justice Department to crack down on illegal immigration, among other issues. In an earlier version of the speech released by the Justice Department early Monday, the phrase "Anglo American" was not included. "The Sheriff is a critical part of our legal heritage," did appear. Hours later in Philadelphia, Sessions was the keynote speaker at the Abraham Lincoln Foundation. Sessions said the DOJ seeks to honor Lincoln's legacy by upholding the rule of law. He spoke about offering legal counsel to end the "unlawful DACA policy," and said they are no longer allowing sanctuary jurisdictions to "defy federal immigration law if they want to receive our law enforcement grants." A 70-year-old Burlington woman is accused of killing her husband, an 84-year-old doctor, and police said he could have been killed anytime between June 2017 and Feb. 5. Linda L. Kosuda-Bigazzi, 70, was arrested on Friday, days after her husband, Dr. Pierluigi Bigazzi, a faculty member of UConns School of Medicine, was found dead in their home on Smith Lane. The investigation began when police responded to the home Monday, Feb. 5 for a well-being check after officials from UConn contacted authorities when they failed to hear from him about an administrative matter. Emergency responders who went to the home found Bigazzi dead. Last Tuesday, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) ruled Pierluigi Bigazzi death a homicide, caused by blunt-force trauma. After developing probable cause, state police obtained an arrest warrant for Linda Kosuda-Bigazzi and arrested her Friday. She has been charged with murder and tampering with evidence. Her bond was set at $1.5 million. Court paperwork said Pierluigi Bigazzi could have been killed anytime between June 13, 2017 and Feb. 5, 2018. State police said they want to speak with anyone who had direct contact with Pierluigi Bigazzi between July 2017 and February 2018 and/or any contractors who performed work at 70 Smith Lane during that same time frame. They are urged to contact detectives at (860) 626-7922. Pierluigi Bigazzi was a faculty member at the medical school for more than 40 years. He's an internist by training and he specialized in immunology research. He also was a past educator of medical students about pathology and oncology. Most recently, he was tasked with preparing online educational material to supplement student textbooks, UConn officials told NBC Connecticut. UConn officials said Pierluigi Bigazzi last taught in the classroom in Spring 2017 and keycard access records indicate he was last on campus in August. The work he was doing could be done from anywhere, including remotely, so his absence from campus would not be a concern. At her arraignment Tuesday, a judge ordered house arrest and GPS monitoring for Kosuda-Bigazzi. She will also not be allowed to have a passport. Staff from UConn Health last tried to contact him in January about a routine administrative matter but did not hear back. As of February 5 they had still received no response. Out of concern for his well-being, his department head alerted UConn Police, who went to Dr. Bigazzis home in Burlington, Connecticut to conduct a welfare check. The UConn officer knocked on the door and initially received no answer. The UConn officer was joined by a Burlington officer and a state trooper. Officers knocked on the door again and made contact with Linda Kosuda-Bigazzi, who initially denied them entry. Officers were later able to enter the home and found Dr. Bigazzis remains, according to a statement from UConn. She walked away from Bristol Superior Court in silence. The arrest warrant is sealed and will remain so until Kosuda-Bigazzi goes back to court. Her next court appearance will be March 20. The two Bank of America branches on West Main Street and Williams Avenue in Mystic will close on May 15. Theres a change in banking behaviors, according to Bank of America Spokesperson Tara Burke. Burke said 24 million Bank of America customers use mobile banking. The company has a total of 34 million online banking customers. During the third quarter in 2017, mobile customers logged onto their accounts more than one billion times and made more than 32 million mobile bill payments and those numbers continue to increase, according to Burke. "What we see is our customers want the convenience to bank anytime, anywhere utilizing digital channels," Burke said. Fred DelGaudio, who uses the Mystic River financial center on West Main Street, said he does most of his banking online, but hes disappointed the bank closest to his home is closing. "Im very unhappy to see this place close because its always been a very convenient place to come to," DelGaudio said. Instead of the two Mystic branches, Bank of America is suggesting customers travel to the locations on Long Hill Road in Groton and on Franklin Street in Westerly, respectively about 5 and 11 miles from the Mystic River location. "Im mad because were going to have to move to Groton or Westerly, which is way too far," Sandy of Noank, said. She does her banking in person and makes the trip twice a month to the Mystic River location. Bank of America looks at a variety of factors when it comes to closing a financial center, including where the nearest location is and how many customers are there, according to Burke. Mystic customers got a letter about the closure earlier this month. Burke wouldnt comment on how many customers are affected. Burke said the company will sell the Mystic River site. Bank of America leases the site of the auto-bank on Williams Avenue. While the drive-up banking will close, Burke said the ATM will stay open. "Its really convenient," customer Sophie Obach said. "I live right up the road." The site in Waterford on Boston Post Road is also closing its doors on March 27. Connecticut has become a popular state for undocumented immigrants looking to receive a college education. The state extended the benefit of in-state tuition to those residents back in 2011. Since then, there has been a growing effort to allow those students access to the same tuition and other assistance that all other students receive. "This is about fairness," Mark Ojakian, the president of the Connecticut State College and University System (CSCU), said. The Higher Education Committee is considering legislation that would allow "Dreamers", as theyre known, to access the financial aid funds. All students, as a percentage of their tuition, pay into the funds that later provide institutional aid based on merit and need. "These students pay into our institutional aid funds and they are unable to access it," Ojakian said. "Its the only way they can be provided any kind of financial aid legally. The federal government precludes them from receiving any sort of federal financial assistance." UConn also endorsed the legislation, saying the bill would allow equal access for all students. Between UConn and the CSCU, more than $150 million in aid is provided by student tuition each year. Jonathan Cruz-Gonzalez is an undocumented student who is about to finish his studies at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU). He would like to attend law school and he will finish his undergraduate work with a double major in math and economics. "I grew up here. I went to middle school here, I graduated high school here, I go to college here. I got my first internship here. All of the things that you would do if you were an American," Cruz-Gonzalez said. The CCSU student was born in Mexico City and was brought to Connecticut by his parents when he was four years old. His brother was born in the United States, making his family one of mixed legal status. Cruz-Gonzalez said more undocumented students need access to financial aid to at least provide them with opportunity and the chance to start and finish a degree program. "As Im about to graduate and I am an undocumented I am now going to be in the one to three percent of undocumented students who even graduate college so I should not be the exception. I should be the norm in our community," Cruz-Gonzalez said. During the public hearing, there was no opposition to the bill, which received passage by the Connecticut Senate last year but was never raised for a vote in the Connecticut House. Republicans did have some comments regarding how the aid money is distributed and how those determinations are made. Representative Pam Stanesky said if students provide that money to a state institution then thats akin to taxpayer money, and wondered whether the General Assembly should have more say in how it gets allocated. "Should we be controlling how much is merit-based, how much is need-based, and how much is given work study and whether or not we include all pools of people in that," Stanesky said. Ojakian said all students should have the same access especially since they are the ones making contributions. "My feeling is that if students are asked to put their money into this pot, they should be able to access it," Ojakian said. The Connecticut Governors Residence is one of the things a governor is entitled to when he or she wins the states top elected office. However, to at least two candidates for governor, that property is something they think, in some respect, should be out of the public domain if they win the governors race in 2018. Take Peter Lumaj, a Republican running for governor. Lumaj said of the estate at the corner of Prospect and Asylum Hartford, When you run for governor, or any position in the government, I dont think that should be about perks, that should be about service. Lumaj recommends using the property as a way to raise revenue for the state of Connecticut. He even said he would commute from his Fairfield County home in order to save money on the Residence. He said the cost of security would pale in comparison to management of the estate. The Residence, however, isnt a cost that taxpayers shell millions for each year. According to the Office of Policy and Management, the century-old home costs the state tens of thousands each year to maintain, and the Conservancy charged with its upkeep spends several thousand each year. Little-known Democrat Mark Edwards has a different tack for the Residence: hes already placed the home on AirBnB for if and when he wins the governors race. Its a little symbolism, a drop in the bucket of really wasteful spending, said Edwards, who owns and operates a college preparation testing company. Edwards, who is unmarried and has no children, says he would rather live in Downtown Hartford and walk to the Capitol if hes elected each day, rather than have a driver. Ned Lamont, a Democrat running for governor for the second time, said he would use the mansion as a vessel for more constructive budget talks than have been had in the past few years. I find everybody in the Capitol hates each other, going back and forth, Lamont said. Id like to use governors residence as a way to get people together, in a little more informal atmosphere. Maybe with a libation we can deal with the issues in a less confrontational way. Letters written by the patient at the center of an abuse investigation at Whiting Forensic Division show the alleged abuse may have gone on for more than a decade. A staff member gave the letters to the NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters, letters in which the patient wrote to doctors and others at Whiting Forensic complaining of abuse. People close to the patient confirm the letters are in his handwriting and one of those letters dates back to 2006. The state's investigation of alleged abuse at Whiting, Connecticut's maximum security mental hospital, began after a surveillance video from the patient's room was brought to the attention of management in early 2017. The letters given to the NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters show the patient had complained about his treatment more than a decade earlier than that. In a letter dated May 19, 2008, the patient wrote that a staff member "is trying to kill me." The patient wrote another letter, dated November 12, 2006, in which he said someone broke his leg and that a different staff member "threatened to kill me and beat me up." There are two co-conservators for the 59-year-old patient, both appointed to oversee his care. The patient's brother, Al Shehadi is one of the co-conservators and the other is Karen Kangas, a former employee at Whiting Forensic. Kangas told the NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters that she read other letters in the patient's file, one which said "I'm so tired of being abused," according to Kangas. The patient has been at Whiting since 1995 after being found not guilty by reason of insanity in the death of his father. According to Kangas, the patient is one of Whiting's most difficult patients. Kangas said he can be physically combative, verbally abusive and prone to long stretches of sleeplessness, but stressed there is no excuse for how he was allegedly treated. Since the alleged abuse first came to light, 37 staff members at Whiting have been put on administrative leave. Of those staff members, 23 are no longer working at Whiting. Thirteen were terminated, six resigned and four retired. Ten of them were arrested and their cases are still pending. Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) oversees Whiting Forensic. DMHAS Commissioner Miriam Delphin-Rittmon said she cannot comment on the letters because the criminal investigation is ongoing and her agency is conducting an internal investigation as well. A 14-year-old girl was killed and a 16-year-old boy was wounded in a drive-by shooting Monday night near Umphress Park in southeast Dallas, police say. The Dallas County Medical Examiner identified the deceased teenager as Natalie Hernandez, a freshman at Dallas' W.W. Samuell High School. Teachers there described Hernandez as a bright, smart student. Hernandez was with three others in a car along the 1800 block of Ormond Drive, near Umphress Park and Nathaniel Hawthorne Elementary School, when, at about 9:45 p.m., someone pulled up along side of them in a dark-colored vehicle and opened fire. After the shooting, the teens drove to a nearby convenience store at Buckner Boulevard and Umphress Road. There a store clerk called 911. She comes to the register and shes like, Please call 911. So I called 911, and I was like Whos been shot? And she passed out right here on the floor," said Cliff Giddings who was working the register that night. Giddings said it didn't take long for Dallas Fire-Rescue paramedics to arrive. They transported Hernandez and another injured teen to Baylor Medical Center in Dallas. Hernandez was later pronounced dead; the condition of the second teen is not known. This is a sad tragedy for a 14-year-old child to be gone and taken from this world so soon," said Giddings. A third person in the vehicle was detained for questioning, and the fourth left the scene before officers arrived, according to police. Neither suffered injuries in the shooting. No arrests have been made and no motive has been revealed. The gunmen have not been identified and only a vague description of the men was provided by police. Dallas police are asking for help in the murder case and are authorizing Crime Stoppers to pay up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest and indictment in the fatal shooting. Call Crime Stoppers at 214-373-TIPS, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Callers can remain anonymous. Officials with the Dallas Independent School District said they will have grief counselors at the school this week to offer assistance. Check back and refresh this page for the latest updates. The City of Denton is in the process of becoming the largest city in America, and only the second city in Texas, to buy all of its electricity from renewable sources. We want to make sure we are doing what we can for the environment, but it is also good business because of the market that we are in right now, said Denton Mayor Chris Watts about his citys effort to draw all of its power from wind and solar sources by 2020. Last week Denton city council members approved an update to the citys energy plan that calls for the change. Like some cities in Texas, Denton owns and operates its own electric utility Denton Municipal Electric. Part of the motivation for going green is that one of the primary sources for electricity in Denton a coal-fired power plant near College Station is expected to go offline within the year. The first city in Texas to purchase all of its power from renewable sources is Georgetown, about 200 miles south from Denton along Interstate 35. With a population of more than 60,000 people, Georgetown is currently the biggest city in the United States that gets its power primarily from wind and solar sources. Situated about 30 minutes north of Austin, Georgetown decided to abandon fossil fuels for energy in 2015. Hopefully in 25 years they will say, Hey, back in the day we had some really smart leaders that really put us on the right course, Georgetown Mayor Dale Ross said with a smile. Mayor Ross has become an unlikely champion for green energy in his community with deep-red political ties. Ross is a Republican himself, who attended the inauguration of President Donald Trump, but admittedly differs with many of those in his party who see bucking fossil fuels as tantamount to treason. "I always thought, 'Well doesn't everybody make decisions based on the facts?' And I soon learned that no, partisan politics skews people's thinking. And so thank God in Georgetown, Texas we still base decisions on the facts, Mayor Ross said. The facts in Georgetown, according to the Mayor, were that the prices of traditional power sources for their municipal electric company were too volatile and therefore difficult to predict beyond a matter of a few years. But when Georgetown signed a contract with EDF Renewables for the use of 97 wind turbines 500 miles away, outside of Amarillo, it locked into a consistent rate that will be in place until 2039. In addition, this summer a 150 megawatt solar farm will come online in West Texas that will further fuel Georgetowns commitment to renewable energy. Both mayors acknowledge that their respective city staffs have been in contact with one another during the run-up to Dentons recent announcement of its 2020 goal. Thousands gathered Tuesday to remember the life and legacy of Richardson Police Officer David Sherrard, who was killed in the line of duty last week. Sherrard, 37, received full honors at his funeral service in Dallas, and a large motorcade escorted the fallen officer to his burial site in Rowlett. Rowlett Fire Department ladder trucks flanked the street at Rowlett and Kyle in front of the cemetery entrance, as dozens of people who had waited for hours in cold drizzle stood and watched the procession pass. "It was the least I could do," said former police officer Haley Adams, who took her 5-year-old daughter to see the procession. "This officer had kids. Definitely gets me right in the heart. Too many." "He has people who loved him. He didn't deserve to die like that," said Tory McGree, who took his 7-year-old twins out of school early to watch the procession. "What is the world coming to? It's making it harder for the next generation." [[474004943,C]] The services inside the Watermark Community Church of Dallas were private. A live stream of the service, shared online by the church, showed a packed auditorium of people there to pay their respects. Speaking at the service, Sherrard's widow, Nicole Sherrard, said she wanted people to know more about their love story. The high school sweethearts married young and recently celebrated their 15-year anniversary. Nicole Sherrard shared a deeply personal account of the ups and downs, saying there was a time they grew apart by putting their kids and jobs first. She said the last couple of years were the happiest, as the couple committed to putting God and their marriage ahead of everything else. "If you've heard nothing else today, know that it doesn't matter where your marriage is at, it doesn't matter what has happened in your marriage, God can fix it," Nicole Sherrard said. "Nothing is too big for God. You just have to have faith and put in the work." "Let our marriage be your example. Learn from us how short life actually can be," she added. "We thought we had forever." Nicole Sherrard, the widow of slain Richardson Police Officer David Sherrard, talked about his love, their family and the couple's marriage at his funeral, Feb. 13, 2018. Richardson Chief of Police Jimmy Spivey speaks at the funeral of slain Police Officer David Sherrard. Friends and colleagues who spoke at the service each recounted Officer Sherrard's devotion to his wife and their two young daughters. Fellow Richardson Police Officer Shaun Morgan shared that Sherrard's faith spilled over into their friendship. He said Sherrard would often tell him to give his problems to God. Fighting tears, Morgan said he needed to hear his friend say that right about now. Richardson Police Chief Jimmy Spivey said Officer Sherrard was a true hero. "David knew what was coming. He knew it was his time to lead," Spivey said. "He knew people depended on him, and he rose to that occasion." Spivey said Sherrard was the lead officer in a group to go into an apartment and confront a gunman last Wednesday night. The gunman shot and killed Officer Sherrard and another man, 30-year-old Rene Gamez. Spivey said if given the choice, Sherrard would make the same sacrifice. "If we could roll the clock back to do it all over again, David Sherrard would be number one in that stack and the first one to go into that apartment," the chief said. Fellow police officer and friend Shaun Morgan recalls slain Richardson Police Officer David Sherrard as a role model and someone others aspired to be like. Fellow police officer and friend Claude Locke recalls several stories about slain Richardson Police Officer David Sherrard, including his policy on when to give traffic tickets. Spivey also recounted how Sherrard's widow met with the first responders who were with her husband the night he was killed. The group met the day before the funeral. "It was from your heart that you knew everybody had done everything they could do and that David was in a good place," Spivey said. "You've been the rock for all of us." Officer Sherrard was a 13-year veteran of the Richardson Police Department. His line-of-duty death marks the first in the department's 63 year history. Visitation was held at First Baptist Church of Richardson Monday evening. "It's an honor actually to be able to host this for the Sherrard family," said the Rev. Ellis Orozco, pastor of First Baptist Church of Richardson. Friend Jon Greer shares memories of honoring God and working in small groups with both David and Nicole Sherrard. Community members have lined the street to show their respects to Richardson Officer David Sherrard and his family. Sherrard was killed in the line of duty last week. Orozco said Sherrard had a great faith that was seen in his service. "Jesus said, 'No greater love hath a man than to give his life for his friends,' and Officer Sherrard did that," Orozco said. "He gave his life protecting this community. Just the ability to honor that to recognize that to in some way memorialize that is a powerful thing for a community as we move forward." "There is a tremendous brotherhood and sisterhood within the Richardson Police Department," Orozco added. "They are really there for us, but they are also there for each other." NBC 5's Noelle Walker contributed to this report. What to Know A flight to New York City was diverted after a drunk woman threw food, touched other fliers and broke out of handcuffs, court documents say An attorney for the woman, Robin Ducore, said she was drunk before she got on the plane According to the complaint, JetBlue gave each of the passengers $150 vouchers after the alleged midair meltdown A New York City-bound JetBlue flight had to be diverted to Washington, D.C., last summer when an apparently drunk woman flirtatiously touched a fellow passengers head, cursed at others on the plane, threw snacks, busted out of handcuffs and cried that nobody loves her, according to court documents. Robin Dorothy Ducore -- who according to other published reports is from New York -- was arrested after the midair rampage on the flight from the Dominican Republic to John F. Kennedy International Airport on July 29 that forced more than 100 fellow passengers to get off in Washington, according to an affidavit unsealed this week. According to the affidavit, Ducore ordered two glasses of white wine from a flight attendant during drink service. She drank both glasses, then ordered another two not long after, downing all four glasses in about 90 minutes. When the attendant cut her off, Ducore began to curse and talk loudly, according to the affidavit. The attendant then noticed that she was touching the male passenger next to her, who appeared to be uncomfortable. Afterward, according to the document, the attendant moved the fellow passenger, a move that angered Ducore. Then, a doctor offered to sit next to the woman and made it about five minutes before telling the attendant Im not sitting next to that psychotic. According to the affidavit, the doctor told investigators that during the course of that five minutes, Ducore hugged her and cried about a family member. But she said that Ducores hugs were so tight that she was worried about being hurt and decided to go back to her seat. Thats when the doctor -- who later said the woman was acting like a caged animal -- said Ducore yelled you leave me like everyone leaves!, cursed and kicked the chair in front of her. Flight attendants then tried to give Ducore extra snacks and a bottle of water to help her sober up, according to the affidavit. But the allegedly inconsolable passenger instead flung the water bottle and food across the plane. After that, according to the affidavit, attendants decide to restrain the woman with plastic handcuffs. She initially resisted, but then relented. She cursed, said I hate my life and nobody loves her and asked everyone to go away. She managed to bust out of the cuffs after about five minutes, called a flight attendant a f---ing a--hole and kicked him in the leg. After that, another flight attendant was able to get her to calm down and re-restrain her, according to the document. The crew then decided that for the safety of the passengers the flight had to be diverted to Washington Dulles International Airport. According to the affidavit, the woman passed out for the final 20 minutes of the flight, but they decided to land in Washington anyway. According to the affidavit, 144 passengers were on the flight. JetBlue issued each passenger aboard the plane a $150 voucher. Ducore is charged with interfering with a flight crew. She faces up to 20 years behind bars if convicted of the federal offense, and is set to appear in court in Virginia on Friday. An attorney for the woman said she was drunk before she got on board. UNHAND THAT CHURRO? We'd never dare suggest such a thing. After all, a visit to Disneyland Resort doesn't seem complete without eating one's favorite goodies, and we very much meant that to be plural, not singular. For dedicating yourself to just churros is a difficult thing to do, especially when there are dill pickles and Dole whips and buckets of popcorn and caramel-covered apples to also enjoy. But saving room for other delicious foodstuffs while in Anaheim? You absolutely should, if you happen to be at Disney California Adventure during its annual Food & Wine Festival. For that's when a whole plethora of other non-churro, non-Dole whip bites pop up, and a line-up of cooking demonstrations and special foodie events, too. And the 2018 plateful party is coming up, at the very start of March, so best plan your edible-oriented Orange County getaway beginning on... FRIDAY, MARCH 2: That's opening day for the festival, and it turns off the stoves and pans and ovens on April 12, 2018. But during that sizable, nearly-six-week-long run? Oh, such tempting choices await, including Sweet Sundays, a happening that includes "3 dessert-focused presentations and tastings," and dinners that have a winemaker or brewmaster at the helm (and the interesting food/libation pairings you'd expect on such a night). Culinary demos? Oh, yeah, those are quite plentiful, too, so best let your buds know you're headed to Disney California Adventure to pick up some cooking tips. They might ask you "...uh, surely you mean churro-eating tips?" And you can nod and say, "yes, those, too." For of course you'll visit your favorite foods while there no one would expect otherwise but for tips, tastings, and something a little extra in the field of edible-amazing creation, best plan some time spent at this famous food fest, too. What to Know Crew members from the cutter Hamilton stopped at Port Everglades on Tuesday morning, dropping off the nearly seven tons in drugs. Officials valued the total haul at approximately $190 million. A total of five different ships were involved in the seven cases that netted the seizure, taking place along the eastern Pacific Ocean. Coast Guard officials offloaded a massive amount of cocaine seized in several operations with a street value of nearly $200 million dollars Tuesday morning in South Florida. Crew members from the cutter Hamilton stopped at Port Everglades, dropping off the nearly seven tons in drugs. A total of five different ships were involved in the seven cases that netted the seizure, taking place along the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean bordering Mexico as well as Central and South America. It truly is a team effort stopping these drugs from entering the United States, but more important than the drugs themselves are the arrests and the linkages these cases represent and the steps closer to dismantling the criminal networks that tried to move them into the United States, Capt. Mark Gordon, commanding officer of the Hamilton. Officials valued the total haul at approximately $190 million. Coast Guard officials say most of the drugs originated from Colombia and a total of 27 suspected smugglers were arrested, with 18 being brought to the United States. "It's pretty nerve wracking but with all the training we are prepared, heavily prepared for chasing these guys down and doing intersections," said Adrian Cohen, a translator on the Hamilton and native of Hialeah. A woman undergoing treatment at a Florida hospital for a long-lasting illness had a special visitor Monday: her horse. Christine Carbonneaus long time partner, Gary, arranged for her horse, Ireland, to visit her at Florida Hospital Connerton Long Term Acute Care Facility in Land OLakes. Carbonneau, 58, has had a long illness and is trying to wean off a ventilator, hospital officials said. Gary thought she seemed a little low in spirits and thought she might benefit from a visit from Ireland. Hospital staff made arrangements for Ireland's visit and were able to get Carbonneau off the ventilator and outside so she could be reunited with her horse. What to Know Ahmad Khan Rahimi, the man behind the Chelsea and New Jersey attacks in 2016 will be sentenced Tuesday Thirty people were injured in the NYC attack, but nobody was injured in New Jersey Rahimi's father, Mohammad Rahami, called his son a "terrorist" in an exclusive interview NBC 4 New York, and says the FBI let America down A New Jersey man who set off small bombs in two states, including a pressure cooker device that blasted shrapnel across a New York City block, was sentenced Tuesday to multiple terms of life in prison by a judge who repeatedly called it a miracle nobody was killed. Ahmad Khan Rahimi, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Afghanistan, was criticized by a prosecutor for failing to show remorse and was scolded by a victim for not apologizing to the 30 people he injured. U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman in Manhattan said it was hard to reconcile the "reasonable enough" man he saw in court with the terrorist who tried to kill as many people as he could when he left his home early the morning of Sept. 17, 2016, with two pressure-cooker explosives and a bag full of smaller bombs. "You sound like most people and yet your actions are totally at odds with your voice," Berman said. "We saw videos," he said, referencing multiple videos at his fall trial that showed Rahimi dragging bombs in two suitcases and a backpack through Manhattan streets, setting one down a half hour before it exploded in the upscale Chelsea neighborhood and another a few blocks away that was discovered and disabled before it could explode. "It's really hard to square the way you appear in court to that other behavior," Berman said. Regardless, the judge said, Rahimi deserved multiple life prison terms. One life term was mandatory but the judge exercised his discretion by imposing life sentences for counts that Rahimi's defense lawyer said deserved only a 15-year sentence. He also ordered $562,803 in restitution. Berman called Rahimi, 30, a "clear and present danger" and said it was too big a risk not to impose a life sentence, especially after Rahimi offered "not an ounce of justification" for his crimes. The Chelsea explosion happened just hours after a small pipe bomb exploded along a Marine Corps road race in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, frightening participants but injuring no one. The bombings triggered a two-day manhunt that ended in a shootout with police in Linden, New Jersey. Rahimi was shot several times but survived. Police officers also were injured. Given a chance to speak, Rahimi, shackled at the ankles, portrayed himself as a victim, saying he came to America as a 7-year-old boy with no hatred for anyone and was raised by a father in a household where there was no mention of what his father experienced during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. He described how his father went to law enforcement on multiple occasions to report suspicious behavior he had seen in his son, but ultimately felt let down. "I don't harbor hate for anyone," Rahimi said before describing how he believed law enforcement targeted him once he became a practicing Muslim. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Crowley immediately followed Rahimi, saying he had just "blamed everyone else" after causing so much destruction through crimes "fueled by hate." "He has shown no remorse," Crowley said. "He's proud of what he has done." She described Rahimi's efforts to radicalize fellow prisoners at the federal jail in New York where he has been imprisoned since his arrest. Rahimi, prosecutors said, gave inmates copies of terrorist propaganda and jihadist materials, including speeches and lectures by al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden and Anwar al-Awlaki, a U.S.-born cleric who inspired attacks on America and was killed in a U.S. airstrike in September 2011. Rahimi also allowed some inmates to view materials on his laptop or provided electronic copies as he spread "The Book of Jihad," bomb-making instructions and various issues of a propaganda magazine. Defense attorney Xavier Donaldson called it ironic that his client had once aspired to be a police officer and worked as a security guard after studying criminal justice at a community college. He urged a sentence not based on what people think terrorists might inspire or the fear they may cause. After the sentence was announced, Berman invited several victims watching the proceedings to speak. Pauline Nelson, 48, of Brooklyn, stepped to the podium. She was hospitalized when the car she was driving was jolted by the explosion. She's still being treated for muscle spasms in her back. "You never apologized to anyone in the courtroom," she said, staring at the bearded Rahimi, who sat at the defense table, shackles on his ankles. "You have no remorse for what you did." The father of the 30-year-old man convicted in the New York and New Jersey bombings that injured dozens of people calls his son a "terrorist" in an exclusive interview with News 4 New York, and says the FBI let America down. Mohammad Rahami, father of Ahmad Khan Rahimi, told News 4 on Monday -- one day before his son was to be sentenced in the bombings -- that he personally contacted the FBI in 2014 with concerns that his son could be a terrorist. "After two months, they say, 'Your son is not doing any act like a terrorist,'" said Rahami. "I said, 'You sure he not doing anything?' He say, 'Yeah, is good news.'" Ahmad Rahimi was convicted last October of planting two pressure-cooker bombs on New York City streets. Dozens of videos tracked his movements as he dragged the bombs in suitcases through Manhattan streets, and they also captured the explosion at 23rd Street in the Chelsea neighborhood that injured 30 people. The second bomb didn't detonate. The government called it a miracle that nobody was killed by the explosive, which scattered ball bearings meant to serve as shrapnel. Rahami said Monday that his son "did it as a terrorist... this is terrorist." He added, "My son, he did wrong, and the FBI did the wrong, too. The government is responsible for that reason. They have the power to stop the crime and they did not stop the crime." Rahami claims the FBI contacted him after the bombing to apologize for "not doing our job," and that he responded, "It's too late." Rahami says his family has been harassed by people calling them terrorists. In response, "I say I did my job. I am the top of my family, I did my job. You have to go to the government as to why they did not stop this child." News 4 has reached out to the FBI for a response on Rahami's statements Monday. Previously, however, an FBI official told The Associated Press that Rahami "at no time" discussed his son's radicalization or potential interest in al-Qaida, the Taliban or their propaganda in his interviews with FBI agents. Rahami says his son is now remorseful. "He said to me, 'I'm sorry,'" said Rahami. "He told me, 'Thank God I didn't kill anybody, that's good news for me.' I said, 'That's good news for me, too, you didn't kill anybody.'" Prosecutors said Rahimi left his home before sunrise that day to plant a pipe bomb along the route of a Marine Corps charity race in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, an oceanside community. No one was injured in the explosion because the race had been delayed. It was then canceled. Hours later, Rahimi went into Manhattan, where he was seen walking from Penn Station to the street locations where two bombs were placed. The first bomb, hidden near a large trash bin, set off a blast that sent the 100-pound dumpster into the air, shattered windows, scattered bits of metal and caused people on the street to scream and flee the area. A bomb at 27th Street was discovered and deactivated before it could explode. The following day, a homeless man and his friend alerted authorities after they found a backpack containing smaller bombs in a trash can near a train station in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Former New York Yankees pitcher Esteban Loaiza was arrested last week in San Diego on felony charges for allegedly possessing, attempting to sell and transporting drugs, according to authorities. The San Diego Sheriffs Department says that Loaiza, 46, had more than 20 kilos of drugs, including cocaine and heroin, when he was arrested on Feb. 9. The former MLB pitcher was being housed in the South Bay Detention Facility in Chula Vista, according to San Diego Sheriffs Department. Loaiza's bail was set at $200,000. He is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday. Loaiza played in the MLB with various teams, including a brief stint with the Yankees. He retired in 2008. It was not immediately known if Loaiza had an attorney. Students at one New York City middle school are learning the power of protest at a young age, after their principal rejected an English teacher's Black History Month lesson. At Bronxs M.S. 224, students protested their English teacher Mercedes Liriano-Clarks right to educate them on black history after she was told by the schools principal, Patricia Catania, to stop teaching her students on the Harlem Renaissance. Liriano-Clark alleges Catania told her to stop her lesson on the Harlem Renaissance because she is not a social studies teacher. Despite the principals order, she refused to stop her lessons. Black history will continue in my classroom. Black history will continue at M.S. 224, every day, said Liriano-Clark. The New York City Department of Education has begun an investigation into the allegations at the school. "African-American history is an important part of the schools curriculum, and the students are currently working on projects related to Black History Month that will be presented and highlighted at the end of February," the district said in a statement. Activists are calling on the city for more anti-biased training in order to make real change. This has to happen immediately, so that our children do not have to continue to suffer in this way, said education activist Natasha Capers. Two accused drug dealers had enough heroin and fentanyl in a North Philadelphia home to produce 250,000 doses for sale on the street, authorities said Tuesday. There were 7.2 kilograms of drugs in the North Philly home, State Attorney General Josh Shapiro said Tuesday. Cesar Guzman, 24, and Duagermy Sanchez-Rosario, 30, have been arrested and charged with possession with intent to deliver, dealing in proceeds and criminal conspiracy, among other offenses. They are being held on $1.5 million bail. "These drug dealers were trafficking an extraordinary amount of heroin, which they were mixing with fentanyl to make it even deadlier," Shapiro said at a press conference. He called the bust "250,000 death sentences avoided." Investigators also seized a loaded handgun, drug bags stamped "Demolition Man," two scales, more than $6,500 in cash and other paraphernalia. The bust was the result of a month-long investigation, including undercover drug buys, by the Attorney General's office, with assistance from the Philadelphia Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security in Philadelphia. The fighting between Republican leaders who control the Legislature and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has reached epic heights Tuesday, with squabbling going back and forth at such a pace that it's hard to keep up with. In the case that you enjoy the bickering among political leaders, here is a rundown from the Associated Press. 3:45 p.m. A new analysis by experts shows that a Pennsylvania redistricting plan rejected by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf would have been favorable to Republicans. The analysis released Tuesday predicts that Republicans would have won 11 of the state's 18 congressional districts under the plan crafted by Republican legislative leaders in response to a state Supreme Court ruling against the current districts. Republicans currently hold 13 seats. The analysis used three statistical tests to evaluate the Republican legislative plan. All three found that the districts were skewed toward Republicans, though two of the tests showed a GOP advantage that was slightly less than under the current districts. Pennsylvania is the first state analyzed under the new PlanScore website, which was developed by team of political scientists, lawyers and data experts 3 p.m. Republican leaders in the Pennsylvania Legislature are calling Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's letter rejecting their proposed congressional district map absurd. Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati and House Speaker Mike Turzai wrote to Wolf Tuesday, hours after Wolf told the state Supreme Court he doesn't support their plan. Scarnati and Turzai are refuting the governor's complaints that they've chosen to link the cities of Erie and Reading to Republican-friendly rural areas, and defending their decision to keep about 70 percent of state residents in their existing districts. The Republican leaders say they'd like to see Wolf's proposed map, offering to put it up for a vote in the chambers they control. The state Supreme Court has said to expect a new map in place by Monday, for use in the May primary. 1:30 p.m. Republicans are threatening a federal lawsuit and say Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf didn't offer solutions when he rejected their proposal to replace the GOP-drawn of map of Pennsylvania's congressional districts struck down in a gerrymandering case. The state Senate's Republican majority leader, Jake Corman, also warned Tuesday that the state Supreme Court will create a constitutional crisis if it imposes new boundaries. Corman says the U.S. Constitution gives lawmakers the power to draw congressional boundaries. But Corman says there's no time under the court's deadlines for Pennsylvania's Legislature to pass a new map. Wolf rejected Friday's GOP proposal, saying it still contains unconstitutionally partisan tactics. His office says he's willing to work with lawmakers to submit a consensus map by Monday's deadline set by the high court to impose new boundaries for Pennsylvania's 18 districts. 11:45 a.m. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf is rejecting a Republican-drawn map of Pennsylvania's congressional districts to replace the GOP-drawn map struck down in a gerrymandering case, leaving him to make a different recommendation to the state's high court. Partisan gerrymandering weakens citizen power, promotes gridlock and stifles meaningful reform and that is why we must get a new map that fixes mistakes of the past. Read the full announcement from my office. https://t.co/iifWUXyVV4 Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) February 13, 2018 Wolf's move Tuesday comes six days before the Democratic-majority state Supreme Court says it'll impose new boundaries for Pennsylvania's 18 congressional districts. Wolf says the Republicans' latest plan still contains unconstitutionally partisan tactics that favor Republicans. Wolf hasn't released a proposed map, and justices could consider proposals from lawmakers and other parties to the gerrymandering case. The court threw out Pennsylvania's GOP-drawn congressional map last month, saying it violated the state constitution. A redrawn map of Pennsylvania districts could boost Democrats nationally in their quest to take control of the U.S. House. A suspected poacher was attacked and half-eaten by a lions' pack in a private nature reserve in Limpopo, a northern providence of South Africa, this weekend, the local police reported. They ate his body, nearly all of it, and just left his head and some remains," Limpopo police spokesman Moatshe Ngoepe told AFP. The police found a loaded rifle and ammunition near the mans remains, which has led officials to believe he was illegally hunting on Friday evening when he was mauled. His half lifeless body was saved after the lions were scared off by gunshots, the police said in a statement. Originally, the individual was believed to be a 46-year-old man, whose tractor had broken down in the fields prompting him to walk to his compound. That man was later found to be safe. The identity of the individual is yet to be determined. The local police called on locals to provide any information that might help to identify the victim. The Home Affairs Department is also involved in the identification process. What to Know A flight to New York City was diverted after a drunk woman threw food, touched other fliers and broke out of handcuffs, court documents say An attorney for the woman, Robin Ducore, said she was drunk before she got on the plane According to the complaint, JetBlue gave each of the passengers $150 vouchers after the alleged midair meltdown A New York City-bound JetBlue flight had to be diverted to Dulles airport last summer when an apparently drunk woman flirtatiously touched a fellow passengers head, cursed at others on the plane, threw snacks, busted out of handcuffs and cried that nobody loves her, according to court documents. Robin Dorothy Ducore -- who according to other published reports is from New York -- was arrested after the midair rampage on the flight from the Dominican Republic to John F. Kennedy International Airport on July 29 that forced more than 100 fellow passengers to get off in Washington, according to an affidavit unsealed this week. According to the affidavit, Ducore ordered two glasses of white wine from a flight attendant during drink service. She drank both glasses, then ordered another two not long after, downing all four glasses in about 90 minutes. When the attendant cut her off, Ducore began to curse and talk loudly, according to the affidavit. The attendant then noticed that she was touching the male passenger next to her, who appeared to be uncomfortable. Afterward, according to the document, the attendant moved the fellow passenger, a move that angered Ducore. Then, a doctor offered to sit next to the woman and made it about five minutes before telling the attendant Im not sitting next to that psychotic. According to the affidavit, the doctor told investigators that during the course of that five minutes, Ducore hugged her and cried about a family member. But she said that Ducores hugs were so tight that she was worried about being hurt and decided to go back to her seat. Thats when the doctor -- who later said the woman was acting like a caged animal -- said Ducore yelled you leave me like everyone leaves!, cursed and kicked the chair in front of her. Flight attendants then tried to give Ducore extra snacks and a bottle of water to help her sober up, according to the affidavit. But the allegedly inconsolable passenger instead flung the water bottle and food across the plane. After that, according to the affidavit, attendants decide to restrain the woman with plastic handcuffs. She initially resisted, but then relented. She cursed, said I hate my life and nobody loves her and asked everyone to go away. She managed to bust out of the cuffs after about five minutes, called a flight attendant a f---ing a--hole and kicked him in the leg. After that, another flight attendant was able to get her to calm down and re-restrain her, according to the document. The crew then decided that for the safety of the passengers the flight had to be diverted to Washington Dulles International Airport. According to the affidavit, the woman passed out for the final 20 minutes of the flight, but they decided to land in Washington anyway. According to the affidavit, 144 passengers were on the flight. JetBlue issued each passenger aboard the plane a $150 voucher. Ducore is charged with interfering with a flight crew. She faces up to 20 years behind bars if convicted of the federal offense, and is set to appear in court in Virginia on Friday. An attorney for the woman said she was drunk before she got on board. What to Know This weekend, the National Park Service will kick off a yearlong celebration for the 200th anniversary of Douglass' birth. Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey was born into slavery on Maryland's Eastern Shore in 1818. He celebrated his birthday on Feb. 14. The bicentennial events will culminate on Feb. 20, 2019, the 124th anniversary of Douglass' death. Perched atop a hill in Southeast Washington, with the U.S. Capitol Building within sight, sits the home of abolitionist Frederick Douglass. For 17 years, Douglass walked the halls of Cedar Hill, his home in the city. This weekend, visitors to the house will be able to walk those same halls as the National Park Service kicks off a yearlong celebration of the 200th anniversary of Douglass' birth. Guests will get to hear from Douglass' third great-grandson, see original photography equipment from the era and listen to historic African-American spirituals. Children in attendance can learn about the drill and discipline a Civil War soldier needed to "enlist," a process Douglass' two sons experienced. Visitors can even explore the neighborhood Douglass once called home with a guided tour. The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Anacostia has already seen an increase in visitors interested in learning more about the famous orator, said Vince Vaise, the chief of visitor services for the National Park Service. "The nice thing about a bicentennial is it wakes people up from their historical amnesia," Vaise said. "It's a Piece of History" Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey was born into slavery in Talbot County, on Maryland's Eastern Shore, in 1818. The abolitionist never knew the day of his birth, but he chose to celebrate it on Valentine's Day because of a memory of his mother, Harriet Bailey, bringing him a cake on that day. "Her visits to me there were few in number, brief in duration and mostly made in the night,' Douglass wrote in "My Bondage and My Freedom." "The pains she took, and the toil she endured, to see me, tells me that a true mother's heart was hers," he wrote. Douglass and his mother lived on separate plantations. He recalled only seeing her a few times before her death. Douglass fell in love with Anna Murray, a free black woman, and then planned his escape. With Murray's help, Douglass was able to purchase a train ticket north in 1838. "She was a rock throughout his life," Vaise said. The couple eventually settled in Massachusetts, where they adopted the last name Douglass. Douglass became an orator and a leading figure in the anti-slavery movement, telling the story of his bondage in speeches and autobiographies. In 1877, he and his wife moved to Cedar Hill, a large two-story home on top of a 50-foot hill. The home was just a few miles from the U.S. Capitol, but offered the peace and quiet of a country home. The home also served as a place for Douglass' famous friends to meet and socialize. "It's a piece of history and memorial all at the same time," Vaise said. "It's right up there with the Washington, the Jefferson. This is where the history happened." During his time at Cedar Hill, Douglass served as a U.S. marshal and recorder of deeds for the District of Columbia. He also was the U.S. minister and counsul general to Haiti, a post known today as U.S. ambassador. His love for the country can be seen in the palm tree-print wallpaper lining the walls of the home. Bicentennial Weekend Will Bring History to Life Cedar Hill will be the epicenter of the National Park Service's bicentennial celebration of Douglass' life. On Feb. 17 and 18, guests can explore the historic home, watch re-enactors and dance to musical performances. The Anacostia Arts Center will serve as a satellite location, hosting a number of kid-friendly activities. There will be a puppet show and a historic photo studio, where children can take a photo like Douglass. Photography in the 19th century was an elaborate process, especially when the subject had a darker complexion. Douglass would bring in the very best photographers to capture his image. At the historic photo studio, visitors will see what a photo session was like and they'll even get to use props to have their own photo taken. "There was a reason why he was the most photographed African American of the century," Vaise said. Vaise says Douglass used photography in an attempt to obliterate the stereotypes of African Americans that persisted at the time. Portraits of a Douglass can be seen throughout Cedar Hill. In one photo, he's dressed in a dark suit, with only the right side of his face and graying hair visible. In another, Douglass stands among a group of prominent figures. Douglass, the only African American in the photo, is front and center. The celebration will not end after Douglass' birthday. A number of events will be held on the grounds of the historic home throughout the year. The bicentennial events will culminate on Feb. 20, 2019, the 124th anniversary of Douglass' death. "We're going to define the year," Vaise said. "A year in the life of Douglass." In the 1960s, Bethesda, Maryland, resident Greg Miele's late father subscribed to "Sport" magazine. Nearly 50 years later, a stack of issues from 1969 and 1970 arrived at Miele's home this week. One copy shows Ted Williams when he was manager of the Washington Senators. Another shows Sonny Jurgensen of the Washington Redskins. The first of the plastic-wrapped magazines in mint condition appeared at Miele's home on Saturday. Then, another seven of the magazines were dropped off. Miele lives on Algonquin Avenue now. Years ago, he lived around the corner on Sebago Road. The first issue of "Sport" that Miele got was addressed to the Sebago Road house. But the mail carrier recognized the Miele name and delivered it to his current home. "I told her that was my childhood address, and she gave me the magazine and walked away," Miele said. Then, another seven "Sport" magazines arrived. Did USPS send the magazines nearly 50 years late, or did someone mail Miele archival copies for some reason? Here's one clue: The ZIP code on the first magazine to arrive was 20034, the former ZIP code for the area. It's now 20817 and was changed some time ago. Here's another clue: The first magazine to arrive had a bar code. Miele said he thinks the magazines were delivered 49 years late. "It has to have been with the postal service all this time, and the post office in Bethesda has moved several times, so, who knows?" he said. USPS said old mail and magazines sometimes make it back into the mail stream. A representative said the agency makes every attempt to deliver what they are given. A man is facing charges for allegedly pouring gasoline around a rooming home in Brockton, Massachusetts, and setting it on fire early Tuesday morning after he punched his girlfriend in the face. Thirty-five-year-old Matthew Eldridge is expected to be arraigned on arson, domestic assault and battery, and breaking and entering charges in Brockton District Court. Fire officials said crews arrived at the home on Highland Street just before 2:30 a.m. They found scorch marks and smelled gasoline. There was no fire showing on arrival, but further investigation showed there were hot spots under the exterior walls of the home. Kathryn Perry-Dougan, one of the owners of the home, told NBC10 Boston she woke up to Eldridge fighting with his girlfriend, and that she saw him punch her in the face. She said Eldridge threatened them before leaving. "On his way out, he said, 'I'm going to get you,'" Perry-Dougan said. "Within the hour, he came back and poured gasoline on everything and started a fire. I'm on oxygen, he could have blown us to kingdom come." Perry-Dougan said she then called 911, which is when she said Eldridge ran away, sparking the police search. "That boy needs to be locked up for the rest of his life," Warren Dougan, another owner, said. "He could have killed everybody in this house. That's 11 people." The American Red Cross is assisting those 11 residents with a temporary place to stay. Officials said two women who were having trouble breathing were taken to an area hospital for treatment. The fire caused $40,000 in damages. It's unclear if Eldridge has an attorney. Owning a hybrid or electric car in Maine could get more expensive. Governor Paul LePage's administration has proposed an annual fee for people who own environmentally-friendly cars. Hybrid car owners would pay an annual $150 fee, and electric car owners would pay $250. "It's a fairness issue," said Maine DOT Commissioner David Bernhardt. The annual fee would go toward the state's Highway Fund. Bernhardt says other drivers contribute to the highway fund by paying the gas tax. "[Hybrid or electric car owners] use the highway system, yet they pay nothing toward it," said Commissioner Bernhardt. Other states impose similar fees, but Maine's would be the highest in the nation. "No one that I know who owns an electric vehicle wants to avoid paying road tax -- we just want it done fairly," said Tony Giambro, who owns Paris Autobarn, a garage that specializes in hybrid and electric cars. Giambro owns a Kia Sol electric vehicle and drives few miles a year. "A flat fee on me would make me pay more in road tax than someone who owns a gas car," he said. He says a fee structure that is based on mileage would be more fair. Giambro worries this proposed fee could deter people from buying environmentally-friendly vehicles. He will be attending a public hearing for the proposed legislation at the Maine State House Tuesday afternoon. "Let's re-work the system," he said, "so it's fair for everybody." For more than 200 years, few people have heard about the works of former enslaved African American woman Dinah Whipple. The New Hampshire native created the first school for black children in NH. Whipple was nominated this February to receive a monument as part of Mic's Black Monuments Project, which honors 54 black heroes, one for each U.S. state and territory, who deserve monuments to be erected in their honor for their contributions to American society and culture. "The fact that this woman has been here in the history just waiting for her time to come I guess and her day is here," said Valerie Cunningham, founder of the Portsmouth Heritage Trail and a black history researcher. "Dinah had her school from around 1806 until she moved from the house into another house that was provided for in the 1830s," Cunningham said. Cunningham also said records show the ladies of the "Charitable African Society" helped Whipple start her school. The Portsmouth anthanaeum keeps artifacts and records of history in the city. They have managed to collect and preserve a document with Whipple's original signature, a ledger showing that she and her husband Prince checked out books. "If you grew up as Dinah did in the House of a literate .... then you're going to learn to read," Cunningham said. The Portsmouth anthanaeum also has a note showing that North Church paid five dollars for Whipple's coffin. Cunningham showed NBC10 Boston where Whipple is believed to be buried, an empty plot next to her husband Prince. "Many people who are familiar with this local history know about Prince Whipple, few know about Dinah, because she was a woman, she was black, why talk about her?" Now, people are taking about Whipple, and they want her to be remembered. Cunningham and the Executive Director of the Black Heritage Trail of Portsmouth want to put a headstone on Whipple's burial plot in the future. Faith leaders from across East Anglia took part in an official blessing at the official opening of the extended and renovated East Anglian Air Ambulance operational base and HQ at Norwich Airport on September 10. Faith leaders from across East Anglia took part in an official blessing at the official opening of the extended and renovated East Anglian Air Ambulance operational base and HQ at Norwich Airport on September 10. Communications Manager for Diocese of Norwich The Diocese of Norwich has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic Communications Manager to be responsible for the development and implementation of a multiplatform communications strategy, supporting the vision to be Transformed by Christ. Read more Norfolk gives generously to Afghan refugee fund Thanks to the generosity of people across Norfolk and Waveney, the Bishop of Norwichs Refugee Fund has received nearly 36,000 in the past fortnight, to help the arriving and expected new refugees from Afghanistan. The Diocese of Norwich is administering Read more Norwich Christian leaders invited to meet together The Transforming Norwich steering group are inviting Christian leaders to meet together in-person for the first time in 18 months to share lunch and to encourage and pray for one another. Read more Norfolks baking expert Chris serves up a treat After clocking up many years of experience as cafe manager at the Kings Church Centre in Norwich, Chris Bottomley has now launched his own business creating masterpiece cakes. Read more Heritage events at secret Norwich chapel The Old Meeting House Congregational Church in Colegate will be open during the weekend of September 18 and 19, and will use the occasion to kick start its popular monthly 'Big Sing' event. Read more A dinosaur roar of hope for Gods creation Andy Bryant, who has been project managing the current Dippy attraction in Norwich Cathedral, points out that the Diplodocus skeleton represents far more than a display of old bones. Read more Relocation for Norwich Healing Rooms Norwich Healing Rooms returns every Thursday evening at a new venue in Heartsease as well as monthly on Saturdays Norwich city centre. Read more An African mission for South Norfolk churches An empowering mission for a struggling community in Zimbabwe struck an immediate chord with Carolyn Skittrall who supports several South Norfolk churches to bring change and growth through practical initiative and insight. Read more Gorleston church thanks Covid volunteers St Mary Magdalene church in Gorleston has hosted a Big Thank You afternoon tea to thank the volunteers who had supported the community during the COVID pandemic. Read more Fulmerstons Christian footballer celebrates 30 years on the pitch Tim Lovejoy from Fulmerston Christian Fellowship has clocked up over 500 games in a three-decade career with his local football club. Read more St Martins memorial garden officially open A memorial garden to remember people experiencing homelessness who have died was opened on September 6 by the Rt Rev Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich. The garden is in the grounds of Bishopbridge House, the direct access hostel run by St Martins. Read more Loving care and Christian ethos at Corton House Excellent loving care and support is provided at Corton House, a care home with a Christian ethos located in the heart of Norwich. Read more Norma's sponsored walks for Christian charities Norma Broadest is embarking on two walking challenges to raise funds for Christian charities Street Child and Restoration of Hope in Burundi. Read more 93,000 in the East will skip meals if Credit is cut 93,000 people in the East of England fear they will be forced to skip meals if UK government cuts Universal Credit payments this October says the Trussell Trust the Christian charity behind many of the foodbanks across the country. Read more Providing retirement care with a Christian ethos Care and retirement homes in Norfolk, including Eckling Grange, Corton House and Quebec Hall, are providing loving care with a Christian ethos. Read more Jill's teaching series offers a rock in stormy times Jill Gower is beginning a new series of teaching days at the Light House in Heartsease, looking at End Times through Biblical prophecy. Read more Exciting new roles available at YMCA Norfolk YMCA Norfolk is currently advertising a number of exciting new vacancies available across the organisation including a Senior Maintenance Co-ordinator, a Chef, a Nursery Nurse and Housing Engagement Workers. Read more Shepaug Valley School in Washington will play host to Minds in Motion Shepaug Feb. 24 from noon to 4 p.m. Co-presented by Region 12 and Connecticut Association for the Gifted (CAG), the event is a learning adventure for students in pre-K through eighth grade, along with their parents and educators. Last years event drew nearly 200 attendees from all around the region. The age range has been extended to include kids in pre-K and the number of sessions has grown from 20 to 26. While several of last years most popular sessions return, this years event will have an increased emphasis on STEM with workshop leaders from Boehringer Ingelheim, Robotics And Beyond and UCONN Engineering Ambassadors. At a cost of $15, children can select two different workshops and parents, caregivers and educators are welcome to attend a keynote and breakout sessions at no cost. Children can choose from 26 workshops with topics that include music, cooking, movement, acting, photography, video, animals, robotics, engineering, math and more. A keynote and a selection of sessions are offered for adults that provide strategies to enhance learning, promote creativity and resilience and help raise asset-strong youth. Steep Rock Association will be featured. Through her talk, Discovering The Outdoors: The Importance Of Nature In The Life Of The Child, Steep Rocks Executive Director Lori Paradis Brant will help parents unlock the power of nature as a learning-resource, inspire a lifelong stewardship of our natural resources, and bring families closer together. Breakout sessions for adult attendees include Banishing the Boredom, presented by education consultant Kate Maupin; College Readiness, presented by Shepaug Valley Schools Director of School Counseling, Todd Dyer; and Think Like da Vinci, in which education consultant Ruth Sullo will unlock the powerful intersection of mathematics and creativity. For event registration, visit http://www.ctgifted.org or call 203-291-6586. Financial aid is available. For information, email mimshepaug@ctgifted.org. Within the last four years, products containing grain legumes such as beans, lentils or soybeans have registered an increase of 39 % in Europe. Meat substitutes proved particularly successful with a growth rate of 451 % on the European market. These are the results presented ahead of the Global Pulse Day February 10th 2018 with participation of the Europe-wide TRUE research project to boost the cultivation and utilization of grain legumes. The current surveys on the growth rates of legume products were carried out by PortugalFoods, one of the main stakeholders, in collaboration with Universidade Catolica Portuguesa, the Portuguese project partner. The results are going to be used by the University of Hohenheim for further research. Peas and beans, soybeans and lupins - within the four years from mid-2013 to mid-2017, exactly 27,058 new legume products were placed on the markets worldwide. That is the result of research carried out by Carla Teixeira and her team from the industry partner PortugalFoods in cooperation with scientists of Universidade Catolica Portuguesa (UCP) within the framework of the EU project TRUE. The highest growth rate was registered in the European market, with 39 % more products containing grain legumes conquering the food markets. "The most active region was the United Kingdom, with a share of 19 % of total new legume-inclusive product launches in Europe, followed by France (14 %) and Germany (13 %)," Joao Ferreira, a student at the UCP-based institute of the TRUE deputy coordinator, Prof. Marta Vasconcelos, explained. The scientists chose this particular period of time for their research to evaluate the impact of the International Year of Pulses, which was proclaimed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 2016, sought to increase public awareness of the benefits of pulses, concerning health, sustainable development and food security. The growing consumer concerns in matters such as health and environment, encouraged the Food Industry to focus its product development in line with these interests. In line with the trend: meat substitutes and pasta made of legumes "The product sub-categories with the highest increment were Meat Substitutes, with an amazing growth rate of 451 %, Pasta, with an increase of 295 %, and Bean-based Snacks, growing by 128 %," says Carla Teixeira. The types of legumes processed showed some changes, as well: although green beans were still the legume most often processed as of mid-2017, their overall share decreased by 23 % compared to 2013. Chickpeas, on the other hand, increased by 47 % and lentils by 8 %. In part due to the health claims of the legume products, an increase of 196 % for vegan products and of 73 % for gluten-free products could be observed. This corresponds to the global market trend. The conclusions of the researchers: since 2013, the food industry in Europe has increased both the diversity and the quantity of legume products. Thus, the 2016 International Year of Pulses is shown to have had a significant effect. "It is clear that the European Food Industry has increased the number and type of products that incorporate legumes in their composition, suggesting that the IYP2016 was successful at making legumes more available to the European consumers", says Ana Gomes, researcher at UCP. "This study brings valuable information for TRUE, which also aims to increase pulse consumption in Europe by developing new legume-based products. We now have a good baseline on which to grow in the next four years", adds Marta Vasconcelos. New software to deliver faster and more accurate diagnoses in genetic epilepsies is the ambition of a ground-breaking partnership between Congenica, a global provider of clinical genomics interpretation software, and FutureNeuro, the SFI Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases, supported by Science Foundation Ireland. The software will be designed to work with electronic health record (EHR) systems, including the Irish electronic health record for Epilepsy, so that the entire diagnostic process, from initial DNA sequencing to determining treatment options, is available to clinicians and patients through their electronic records. The partnership, operating out of the FutureNeuro Human Genetics lab of Professor Gianpiero Cavalleri in RCSI, Dublin, will build on Congenicas clinical genomics analysis software, Sapientia, to assist clinicians in making more tailored treatment decisions for certain types of genetic epilepsy. At the moment, epilepsy is diagnosed using EEGs, CT scans or MRIs, which only provide a limited picture of a persons epilepsy. Genomics, which focuses on the structure, function, mapping, and editing of genomes, is a new and powerful tool for reaching a molecular diagnosis, which in turn can inform and improve treatment options. "Genomics is changing clinical medicine, said Dr Norman Delanty, Clinical Neurologist with FutureNeuro, neurologists need to embrace it as a new powerful diagnostic tool to allow us to understand the many challenging faces of epilepsy, and lead us to individualising treatment and prognosis in the clinic." The first stage of the project will focus on enhancing the diagnostic potential of the Sapientia software specifically for epilepsy. Sapientia was born out of a pioneering research project at the Sanger Institute; it will be linked with genetic sequencing activities within FutureNeuro to complement Sapientias existing knowledgebase of high quality epilepsy data. Dr David Atkins, CEO of Congenica, said: We are excited by what this collaboration could mean for patients and their families around the world. The types of genetic mutations that this project will focus on are thought to be at the root of as much as 40% of childhood epilepsy. Epilepsy affects more than 60 million people worldwide, making it one of the most common neurological conditions. Though it can be managed, the condition can be particularly damaging to people (both children and adults) who continue to have seizures, with a high potential risk of brain damage. If diagnosis is delayed, the person may have ongoing seizures without appropriate therapy for some time. Earlier diagnosis would see positive impacts for the patient and family. Director General of Science Foundation Ireland and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of Ireland, Professor Mark Ferguson, said: I very much welcome this promising partnership between the SFI Research Centre FutureNeuro and the Wellcome Sanger Institute spin-out, Congenica, which is an excellent opportunity to promote closer industry linkages between our top-class researchers and a pioneering genomics company. I look forward to seeing the results. Partnerships like this create strong research links between the UK and Ireland, as well as improving outcomes for patients with neurological conditions through FutureNeuros key thematic areas of diagnostics, therapeutics and e-Health. The alliance between Congenica and FutureNeuro, will further help the evolving understanding of the causes of many types of epilepsy and will also help to progress the exciting clinical alliance between genomics and electronic health records. IBBL (Integrated BioBank of Luxembourg) will over the next three years contribute to the Interreg project Codex4SMEs (Companion diagnostics expedited for small and medium-sized enterprises). The 3.13 million project aims to build a transnational network to accelerate the development of so-called companion diagnostics by small and medium-sized businesses and hence to promote personalized medicine in Europe. Beyond IBBL, the consortium includes eight partners and two sub-partners from Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Austria. Copyright: IBBL Personalized medicine promises healthcare more efficiency and savings by delivering the right dose of the right drug to the right patient at the right time. To achieve the optimum effect, companion diagnostics uses biomarkers to enable tests to determine the molecular causes of a disease before treatment is started. They help healthcare professionals determine whether a particular therapeutic products benefits to patients will outweight any potential side effects or risks. The further development of companion diagnostics is therefore considered as essential to the field of personalized medicine, but has been highly time-consuming and costly. As a consequence, it is so far only used in the context of very few treatments. Moreover, North-Western Europe is lagging far behind the USA in this field. To improve the situation, the Codex4SMEs project partners main goal is to boost SMEs time to market by accelerating knowledge transfer, sample access, biomarker screening and validation service, as well as by establishing collaborations. The project is driven by a profound networking spirit and focuses on building bridges between the academic world and industry players, says Catherine Larue, CEO IBBL: One key goal is to inspire sustainable cooperation between relevant players such as SMEs, big pharma, hospitals and R&D institutes, and thus to connect problem owners with solution providers. In this context, IBBL will above all provide a biomarker validation service that will help SMEs accelerate the commercialization of their biomarker products. Monica Marchese, Biomarker Validation Scientist at IBBL, explains: In concrete terms, we will evaluate biomarkers that are proposed by the SMEs, and give a recommendation for which biomarkers to select for validation. Based on our recommendation, a jury which also includes an IBBL member, will make the final selection. Then, we will perform the validation service on the selected biomarkers. IBBL will in the context of this mission closely work with the Austrian project partner, Graz Biobank, who will provide the samples necessary for the validation. Monica Marchese: The complementary collaboration between the two biobanks and the other project partners will help us to ensure the quality of our deliverables in the framework of the project. Codex4SMEs is part of the Interreg North-West Europe (INTERREG NWE) program. Interreg is a strategic key element of the European Unions structural and investment policy, inspiring cross-border cooperation between regions and cities. Catherine Larue: Genomic profiling of mostly untreatable and deadly nerve sheath tumors led scientists to test a possible therapeutic strategy that inhibited tumor growth in lab tests on human tumor cells and mouse models, according to research in the journal Cancer Cell. When the international team of researchers analyzed complete screens of genes and genetic material in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs), it revealed previously unknown genetic information about the disease. "This uncovered potential therapeutic targets we did not expect for these untreatable tumors, but our findings also need further study before knowing whether they will be relevant to patient treatment in the clinic," said Q. Richard Lu, PhD, lead author and scientific director of the Brain Tumor Center at the Cincinnati Children's Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute. Researchers show a gene called Lats1/2 suppresses cancer, and losing the gene's expression reprograms cells so they rapidly expand and become cancerous. Loss of Lats1/2 also causes other genes in the HIPPO signaling pathway (which controls tissue growth) to become hyperactive. These hyperactive genes and their associated proteins (TAZ and YAP) then work with the protein TEAD1 to activate molecular cancer programs that form MPNSTs. When researchers disrupted overactive TAZ-YAP in mice bred to lack Lats1/2, they also blocked signaling from PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor receptor), which supports tissue growth. These steps reduced the size and number of MPNSTs in the mice. They also inhibited the growth of human MPNST cells in laboratory cultures. In their future work, Lu and his colleagues want to identify small-molecule agents that will inhibit TAZ-YAP and the downstream cancer programs they activate, he said. The researchers also need to identify druggable locations on the surface of MPNST cells or HIPPO signaling cascade inside cells. This would allow small molecular inhibitors to attach to and attack the tumor cells. Like A Car Without Brakes MPNST's develop in what are called Schwann cells. These cells form the myelin sheath. The myelin sheath functions as a protective insulation around peripheral nerves, which connect the brain and spinal cord to extremities and organs and promote transmission of nerve impulses. About half of MPNSTs are linked to mutation of the NF1 gene, which causes a condition called Neurofibromatosis 1, researchers say. The other half of MPNSTs have no known genetic origins, and a small proportion of cases can be caused by radiotherapy given to people for cancer treatment, according to the authors. The NF1 gene normally helps control a balanced rate of cell growth. When it mutates, it can cause brown spots on a person or benign tumors along peripheral nerves. In some cases, NF1 mutation can lead to cases of runaway cell growth, creating very large and sometimes medically problematic plexiform tumors which can turn into MPNSTs. MPNSTs are biologically aggressive tumors and resistant to treatments like chemo and radiation therapy. They're also known for high relapse rates and poor prognosis, often leading to death. Johanna Bick, assistant professor of clinical psychology at the University of Houston, is launching a study of women who were pregnant during Hurricane Harvey, or who became pregnant within six months after, to track the role of stress in neonatal development and pregnancy outcomes and whether a simple online writing exercise can alleviate some of that anxiety. "The more we learn about how different women deal with stress in these circumstances and how it affects birth outcomes, the better equipped we'll be to develop prevention and intervention programs." Bick will study 1,000 Houston moms like Chandra Frederick, who was 29 weeks pregnant and went into false labor when Harvey struck. (Spoiler alert: Her baby Justin was born on time, and she reports he is adorable.) Three days after the monster storm, Frederick summoned the courage to walk with her three children outside her undamaged home in Spring to assess the neighborhood. She traipsed up and down the streets, talking to friends, taking in the damage and becoming increasingly anxious. "As we were walking I started having contractions," said Frederick. "It was less than ten minutes after seeing all this damage, and I think it was completely due to stress." Frederick may be spot on with her diagnosis. Research indicates excessive exposure to stress hormones in utero may compromise fetal development and pregnancy outcomes. "If we can reduce maternal stress, then we can potentially reduce the risk to fetal development," said Bick, whose research project will ask pregnant women to participate in a brief, online writing exercise. The women will write about certain experiences for 15 minutes a day for 4 days. Because the goal of the study is to see if the writing will have an effect, some women will not be asked to write at all. There's no better place to test this simple intervention than in Harris County and Houston, where 72,000 babies will be born in the year following Hurricane Harvey. Bick will work with Suzanne King, a professor at McGill University in Canada and David M. Olson, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Alberta. King's work includes four other prospective longitudinal studies of children exposed to maternal stress in utero as the result of a natural disaster: The Quebec ice storm of 1998, Iowa floods of 2008 and Queensland floods in Australia in 2011. Olsen works with King on a study of women exposed to the 2016 Alberta wildfires in Canada. Hellboy creator Mike Mignola is back with his first drawn comic book in five years MIke Mignola returns to Hell - but not for Hellboy 26/11 Mumbai terror attack: Pakistan declares Hafiz Saeed a 'terrorist' New Delhi : Amid global pressure, Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain on Monday signed an ordinance to ensure end of several terrorist organisations and its individuals. In the ordinance, a section of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) enables the authorities to take action against the UNSC-proscribed individuals and terror outfits. Under this they have rights to seal the offices and freeze bank accounts of the terrorist organisations, the Express Tribune reported. In a media report, the sources in the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) confirmed the new move, saying the ministries of Interior, Finance and Foreign Affairs, as well as NACTA's Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT) wing were working on the matter. A spokesperson for President Hussain refused to share further details on the ordinance, saying the defence ministry was the notifying authority. In the UNSC list of terror outfits, organisations like al-Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) have been listed. The LeT, which is responsible for numerous terror attacks in India, was declared "banned" under the UNSC resolution 1267 in 2005. Saeed, who had recently been released from house arrest, is also looking to contest the 2018 general elections in Pakistan and has, thereby, formed a party by the name of Milli Muslim League (MML). India has, time and again, protested against Pakistan for harbouring Saeed, who is wanted for plotting the 2008 attack. Congress leader expresses love for Pakistan, shocks India Karachi : Congress senior leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has raked in a controversy by expressing his love for India's arch-rival nation Pakistan. Putting his views forward at a function in Karachi, he claimed that he loves Pakistan as much as he loves India. He also emphasised on resolution via talks for the dispute between the two nations. Asserting the importance of dialogue, Mani Shankar Aiyar said that there is a need for an uninterrupted dialogue between both the nations. The Congress leader also blamed India for not taking a strong step towards holding talks with Pakistan. There is only one way to resolve the India-Pakistan issue and that is by way of uninterrupted and un-interruptible dialogue. Mani Shankar Aiyar further added that he love Pakistan because he love India. India should love thy neighbour as thyself. No reaction has come from Bharatiya Janata Party leaders so far on this. Prior to this Mani Shankar Aiyar had been under controversies for calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a 'neech aadmi'; his remark was criticized by major leaders including Congress president Rahul Gandhi. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, on the other hand, has also raised a similar demand of holding talks with Pakistan amid rising militant attacks on the border. Mehbooba Mufti said, We fought and won all wars against Pakistan but even now today there is no solution other than dialogue. Till when will our jawans and civilians keep dying. Wonder what some media houses would have called Atalji if he took the bus to Lahore in todays time and talked of dialogue. Watch Video: (Video Courtesy: Times Now) It takes a lot of nerve for Governor Malloy and his legislative allies to propose tolls, a higher gas tax, and a tire tax. Over the last seven years, theyve stuck us with the two biggest tax increases in state history; committed us to an extravagant government union agreement that practically guarantees budget shortfalls through 2027, and displayed wanton disregard for free enterprise that manifests in overregulation, harassment of business owners, and taking taxpayers for granted. Then they want us to believe that our state economy isnt growing because of our roads and that only tolls can fix them! Having already imposed nearly every other kind of tax, perhaps its no wonder that the big spenders in our state are salivating over tolls. Although in theory, user fees can make more sense than other kinds of taxes, right here, right now, tolls should be an absolute non-starter. Heres why. For starters, in Connecticut, tolls would simply be a tax that would fall hardest on our working class. Unlike other states, because of an agreement with the federal government, Connecticut cant install border tolls on our existing highways without losing federal transportation dollars. Instead, the state would re-install congestion tolling along the highways we use to commute to work every day. By the governors own estimates, Connecticuts people would pay 70 percent of the collected revenues. That means costs would fall most heavily on those who commute the farthest to work which makes congestion-style tolling a particularly regressive form of taxation. Indeed, a Brookings Institute study found that between 2000 and 2012, proximity to employment fell more for the poor and minorities than for others. It makes a twisted kind of sense: after all, it is far easier for hedge-fund moguls to work from home (or in an expensive town nearby) than for the lower-paid employees in the industries that serve them. And it wouldnt be cheap. According to an I-95 congestion tolling study by the Department of Transportation, a full-length, one-way trip between New Haven and New York during peak hours would cost a commuter $6, and the same trip on the Merritt Parkway would be $5. Over a month of workdays, that could add $240 to a working persons monthly budget a considerable expense. But those are just some of the practical concerns. More generally: How does the governor and his allies justify asking for even one cent more of our money when they have been such poor stewards of all that weve already given them? Connecticut has the sixth highest gas tax in the nation but our state ranks 47th in terms of cost effectiveness for its transportation spending. Connecticut has spent a total of $477,875 per mile of road; the national average is only $160,997 per mile. Whats more, our administrative costs for transportation are the highest in the country at a whopping $83,282 per mile of road. Time after time, the administration has chosen to build expensive new projects rather than making the less exciting but more responsible decision to go ahead with critical infrastructure repairs. The governor pushed for a rail line from Hartford to Springfield, Massachusetts. At an eye-watering $1 billion to construct and $27 million to operate each year, its projected to carry fewer than 3,500 passengers per day (with fares covering only 10 percent of the operating costs). Likewise, the CTfastrak bus line cost $567 million to construct and consumes $17.5 million more in yearly operating expenses than original cost estimates despite buses running unoccupied at taxpayer expense. In the meantime, the estimated 150,000 daily commuters on Metro-North endure growing delays and deteriorating conditions. Heres the truth: Connecticut has not suffered for lack of transportation money. Rather, the governor (like his predecessors) and the legislature have raided the Special Transportation Fund that could have paid for critical infrastructure. Theyve used the money, instead, to perpetuate a status quo that doesnt work for the vast majority of Connecticuts people state employees who are paid more than any other state workers in the nation, when public and private sector compensation are compared. And yet the governor and his allies demand more of our money in the form of tolls, and a higher gas tax, and a new tire tax without so much as offering a single proposal to address the broken system that drives these spiraling costs. Thats some nerve, all right. Its time to push back. Without serious, meaningful reforms of the structural problems that are driving our state over the fiscal precipice, Connecticuts people must slap away the grasping hands of their cash-hungry politicians and tell them: Not one cent more. Carol Platt Liebau is president of the Connecticut-based Yankee Institute for Public Policy. How did Chinas economy really get to there it is now? * China like Britain, US, Germany and Japan have successfully used selective protectionism to develop their companies and economy. Ethiopia and other African countries are getting some success copying Chinas development model * Despite claims of impending financial crisis. Chinas rise over 40 years has been from an economy filled with people as poor as the poorest Africans to people mostly at the level of Eastern Europe and Portugal on per capita income. China model of development is better than the failed advice of the World Bank and other Western institutions. China and US have economic competition with technology startups and leading edge technology. China has strengths in its economic competition and is focusing on growth in Asia and Africa and prioritizing trade growth with Europe. The US still has many strengths which should be the focus of growth. Less Restrictive trade is done after a Protectionist phase A NY Times article makes the case that China has used smart protectionism to allow its economy and companies to grow. They argues that the following the economic plans of Alexander Hamilton used protectionism to develop industries. Unified in 1871, Germany was scrambling to catch up with industrialized Britain. To do so, it borrowed from recipes of national development proposed by Hamilton soon after the Americans broke free of their British overlords. In his Report on the Subject of Manufactures, submitted to Congress in 1791, Hamilton used the potent term infant industries to argue for economic protectionism. Hamiltons father was Scottish. Born in the West Indies, then a British colony, Hamilton was keenly aware of how the British practiced protectionism: preventing colonies from competing while selling their own goods around the world. In his view, infant nations needed room to maneuver before they could compete with established industrial powers. The United States embraced many of Hamiltons recommendations; the beneficiaries were, first, the textile and iron industries and then steel. It was Hamiltons formula, rather than free trade, that made the United States the worlds fastest-growing economy in the 19th century and into the 1920s. And that formula was embraced by other nations coming late to international economic competition. Hamiltons most influential student was a German economist named Friedrich List, who lived in the United States from 1825 until the 1830s and wrote a book titled Outlines of American Political Economy. On his return to Germany, List attacked the free-market gospel preached by Britain as sheer opportunism. In his view, the British could afford to kick away the ladder of protectionism they had climbed to the summit of global industry and manufacture. He was all for free trade, but only after young industries had been nurtured in a protective environment. Applying Lists lessons, Germany moved with spectacular speed from an agrarian to an industrial economy. Britain successfully used protectionism first. The US followed. Germany followed the US. Japan followed Germany. China followed Japan. They all used protectionism and subsidies to help and enable the growth of strong industries and companies. They allowed competition between companies within the nation. There was flexibility, competition and adaptability in the central planning. China has a model that has clearly been successful, which should be studied more and emulated by other developing countries where possible Seth D. Kaplan Indicates the Chinese model can help developing countries in formulating their own economic strategies. Before his death in 2012, Meles Zenawi, Ethiopias leader for 21 years, often expressed his desire for his country to emulate Chinas economic strategy. He marked the limits of the free market, consistently praised the Chinese Communist Partys economic stewardship, and sought Chinas assistance in building up Ethiopias infrastructure and manufacturing base. His successor, Hailemariam Desalegn, has been even more enthusiastic about trying to create a developmental state modeled on East Asia. As one Ethiopian bureaucrat was quoted in a recent Guardian article, We are 20 years behind China and were trying to do what they did to get where they are. Ethiopia is not alone. States as disparate as Ethiopia, Rwanda, Kazakhstan, and Bolivia seek to replicate Chinas economic transformation. Chinas development model is too often misinterpreted or oversimplified. For many Western analysts, the so-called Beijing Consensus has come to denote a non-democratic challenge to liberal capitalism, constituting, as Minxin Pei explains, a combination of authoritarian rule with pro-market economic policies.3 This misunderstanding is not confined to the West. For many leaders in the developing world, such as the late Hugo Chavez, the China model has come to represent strong leadership, a centralized government, and an interventionist state. These caricatures miss many of the important lessons Chinas rise has for the developing world. And having an alternative model to the Western one is important, given the latters failure in many countries. Despite decades of aid and advice, too few developing countries have been able to transform their economies on anything approaching the scale achieved by Chinawhich often followed a very different playbook from that promoted by Western development experts. Despite its achievements under Mao Zedong in unifying the country and substantially enhancing the education and health of the population, the three-decade-old Communist regime had a weak economic record, especially compared to its neighbors. In the aftermath of the Cultural Revolution, China suffered from chronic food shortages, huge inefficiencies, gross misallocation of investment capital, and technological backwardness. NOTE having a high level of education and literacy is a critical starting point. Japan had high literacy before the Meiji reformation. Your society cannot catch up in development fore there is a high level of education and literacy. Ten lessons from China 1) Start with small farmers and rural areas. Concentrated state policies on ensuring that peasant farmers had the resources, knowledge, and incentives necessary to maximize output. The state remained firmly in control of prices (increasing them to encourage extra effort), the distribution system, and the supply of fertilizer. Over time, improvements to extension services, better infrastructure, investments in agricultural research, and large-scale education and training programs paid huge dividends.5 Only after the agricultural sector strengthened did Chinese officials introduce more widespread market liberalization reforms in the 1990s and 2000s. One of the chief beneficiaries of these developments was rural industry, one of the most underappreciated elements of the Chinese economic miracle. Benefitting from the land, labor, loans, and technical assistance that local governmental sponsors provided, township and village enterprises (TVE) became the most dynamic part of the Chinese economy in the 1980s and 1990s. Their share of GDP climbed from less than 6 percent in 1978 to 26 percent by 1996. 2) Invest heavily in knowledge infrastructure. China has invested heavily in education and innovation, producing the well-educated workforce and highly skilled specialists that have motored its economy forward. 3) Prioritize cohesion over participation. Although China is often criticized for being authoritarian, many of its leaders feel more accountable to its people than those in many developing countries that hold regular elections. The primary explanation for this apparent paradox is the countrys high degree of social cohesion and strong sense of nationhood, which result from its ethnic homogeneity (China is 90 percent Han) and its long history as a unified state. Despite the lack of elections, Chinese leaders have been concerned with performance. Just as General Electric managers are concerned with performance. 4) Build a competent government committed to inclusive development. * administrative function competence. Government is able to execute. * The state has worked to ensure that all its citizens are able to participate and gain from economic growth; this is rarer in the developing world than is usually recognized. * Chinas government has been consistently committed to promoting development, adopting aggressive policies to attract investment, promote growth, boost exports, and develop technology and human resources. 5) Invest heavily in infrastructure. 6) Experiment with new policies first, then implement reforms gradually. Lots of trial and error and A-B testing. 7) Focus on reworking incentives and removing obstacles to growth. China eschewed the big bang approach to reform under which all prices and markets are freed simultaneously, as happened for example in Poland in 1990. Instead it focused on big issues such as incentives, mobility, price flexibility, competition, and openness. 8) Use financial markets to promote development and stability. 9) Use government policy to boost economic competitiveness. Just as Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Germany, and to some extent even the United States once did, Chinas government prioritized certain sectors and companies deemed likely to become globally competitive. It then ensured their access to cheap capital and land, technology, human resources, and regulatory assistanceadvantages over their peers elsewhere. It has also used regulation to keep foreigners at bay (such as in restricted industries) or to diminish their influence. Yet it has also used Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to promote foreign investment at certain times, in certain places, and in certain sectors, giving them a larger share in its economy than many of its neighbors do. Protectionism has thus been selectively strategic. 10) Promote self-reliance. China vs US startups China is now has a world class startup and venture capital industry. Chinas current situation. China has been a growth story for 40 years. There is a general sense of optimism and belief that modernization is beneficial. There is much less debate in China about the risks of automation or self-driving cars, and the Chinese government is funding robots to modernize factories rather than trying to protect manufacturing jobs. China market has become larger than the US and Europe in many areas. to 1.4 billion people (vs. 320 million in the U.S.), including about 660 million smartphone users (vs. 220 million in the U.S.), with widespread talent (China graduates twice as many students per year as the U.S. 8 million, vs. 4 million and eight times more STEM students). * China has several advantages, most of which the U.S. cant copy * China isnt interested in competing for the U.S. market (yet) Chinese startups dont care about the U.S. market. The opportunity in China is large enough and the competition harsh enough to require all of a teams efforts to win. Beyond domestic borders, battles are taking place in emerging markets where the similarity with China is an asset for expansion. The digital civilization of the West (which includes North America, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand and sometimes places like Singapore, Hong Kong and a few others) rarely collides directly with the Chinese one. It is not a clash of civilizations, but rather an organizing along civilization lines, reminiscent of when Spain and Portugal split the world in half in the 16th century, Hans Tung of GGV Capital told me. The fight for domination takes place in South-East Asia, India, Africa, and Latin America. Chinese investors and buyers have become a force in the U.S. and often pay more than their U.S. counterparts. How can they afford it? Because they can help unlock an additional market and often benefit from the high P/E ratios of domestic stock exchanges. This means an acquisition can improve their stock price by much more than they paid for it. You can call it stock exchange arbitrage. It is also one reason some Chinese companies de-list from U.S. exchanges to re-list at home. * The U.S. *is* interested in the Chinese market, but its having trouble getting in The notable US successes in China and Asia are Apple and Yahoo. US companies have to fund a China team and then nearly fully delegate management and decisions to the local team. The local team can leverage the brand but have the adaptability to modify to fit the China market. This will not guarantee success but it will give them a chance to succeed. Currently Reading SEEN: Mardi Gras at The Hops Company 2018 WASHINGTON President Trumps $1.5 trillion infrastructure package landed with something of a thud in Connecticut, a state deep in a fiscal rut and little hope of meeting the plans goal of using federal dollars to leverage state and private funds. The Trump plan rolled out Monday was not a surprise, following the lines laid out by the president practically since he took office over a year ago: $200 billion in federal money, with about half of it aimed at spurring state, local and private dollars through an incentives program. The remainder would go to projects that might not otherwise attract investment and other infrastructure financing needs, including $20 billion for existing infrastructure projects and $50 billion targeted at rural America. Washington will no longer be a roadblock to progress, Trump said at a White House meeting of state and local officials. Washington will now be your partner. Trump extolled the plans harnessing of private investment, noting how he himself rebuilt the Wollman skating rink in New York City in a few months for a tiny fraction of the cost. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, called the plan a sham. Want to buy the Brooklyn Bridge? said Blumenthal. Youll love President Trumps infrastructure plan. Blumenthal and other Democrats have long complained that any infrastructure plan that involves private dollars instead of direct federal spending implies costly tolls and other gimmicks so investors can get a return on their money. In Hartford, Gov. Dannel Malloy has proposed electronic highway tolls possibly involving express lanes as a way to recoup the $4.3 billion in transportation projects he canceled because of the states budget woes. He also proposed a seven-cent increase in the state gas tax and a $3 tax on tires. Connecticut Republicans have bitterly opposed any tolling option, with Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, calling it a mileage tax. Malloy himself blasted the Trump proposal Monday for relying on phantom private funding and hidden cuts that could actually make our problems worse. Sen. Chris Murphy said the Trump proposal provides pennies to infrastructure projects while cash-strapped communities are forced to spend money they dont have or else sell off highways and railroads to Wall Street. The Trump plan amounts to a drop in the bucket in critically needed federal funding, said Rep. Rosa DeLauro. Chief among the regions needs are widening I-95 from Greenwich to Bridgeport and widening I-84 through Danbury. The 2017 report card of the American Society of Civil Engineers shows Connecticut with 8 percent of its 4,214 bridges structurally deficient, 14 hazardous waste sites on the national priority list, 57 percent of 21,512 miles of roadway in poor condition and more than $8 billion in wastewater and drinking water infrastructure needs over the next 20 years. Last year, the Congressionally appointed Northeast Corridor Commission placed two Connecticut railroad bridges on its top 10 priority list. One was the Devon Bridge, originally built in 1905 to connect Stratford and Milford. It is in need of reconstruction at an estimated cost of $1.5 billion. The other is the 1907-vintage Connecticut River Bridge connecting Old Saybrook and Old Lyme. Total overall cost: $660-million. Apart from natural antipathy to any Trump proposal no matter what, Connecticut Democrats viewed the Trump infrastructure plan as an odd fit for a state situated at the heart of the Northeast transportation corridor from Washington to Boston. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, said that although Connecticut overall sends more money in taxes to Washington than it gets back in federal spending, it has over decades actually gotten more of a return from the federal government for transportation infrastructure. Connecticut, Esty said, is in effect being punished for the age and disrepair of its infrastructure. Its far easier to build new infrastructure faster cheaper than it is to fix older infrastructure already in place, Esty said. I would argue we should get more support, not less, in recognition of our place in the backbone of the Eastern seaboard. Two days after burying his daughter, Fred Scheidt sat down at his kitchen table and emptied her purse. His eyes immediately went to a supermarket receipt and a phone number written in Katie's handwriting. "The evidence that poured out of that purse was off the rails," said Scheidt, who had lost his 30-year-old daughter to a heroin overdose the week before. "I sent a text to the investigator: 'I looked through Katie's purse. We need to talk.'" That moment on Oct. 11, 2014 would start a voracious quest by a grieving father, who was also a retired State Police sergeant, to find the person who gave Katie the drugs that ended her life on the bathroom floor of her Saratoga Springs, N.Y. apartment. His investigation, which included help from Katie's brother and stepmother, led to a former classmate of Katie's, who would later be indicted by a federal grand jury for distribution of a controlled substance with death resulting. Matthew P. Charo, 36, ultimately pleaded guilty to heroin trafficking and is serving a 10-year sentence at a federal prison in New Jersey. More than 3,500 people die from heroin or opioid-related overdoses each year in New York, but their cases rarely end like Katie's. New York has been slower than other states to try the tactic of punishment-as-deterrent in the battle against opioid addiction. There is no state law that allows a dealer to face a homicide charge in overdose death, and the Democratic-controlled state Assembly has not supported bills that would create such a law. Federal prosecutors have secured indictments against dealers like Charo, but U.S. attorneys must review each case to see if there is enough evidence to pursue it. Given the sheer number of overdose deaths, prosecutions of those who provided the fatal drugs are not common. Vigorous prosecution is also controversial because many of the low-level dealers implicated are addicts themselves. Scheidt agrees that prevention and treatment are essential. But three years ago, he felt that every day his daughter's dealer was out there was another day a parent could lose their child. "The price is too great for any type of person to suffer the loss I've suffered," he said. "We have to be able to help other people in the same way." New York has not seen the rate of overdose deaths experienced in other states like West Virginia, Ohio and New Hampshire, but the problem is escalating. Fatalities from heroin and other opioids increased more than 50 percent in New York from 2,300 in 2014 to 3,638 in 2016, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other states with high death tolls have already passed legislation that allows dealers to be charged with a form of homicide. But New York politicians have generally resisted that tactic, instead attacking the crisis by offering more recovery services, suing prescription drugmakers and attempting to reduce the number of opioids prescribed by doctors. Gov. Andrew Cuomo's heroin task force last year provided 25 recommendations to address the opioid crisis none of which mentioned law enforcement or steeper punishments. Prescription painkillers that contain hydrocodone or oxycodone, which can be highly addictive, have become a gateway into what has become the cheaper, more available opioid on the street, heroin. In Suffolk County, where the number of opioid-related deaths 316 in 2016 - is the highest of any county outside of New York City, prosecutors have begun trying to get indictments for dealers under state manslaughter charges. But other district attorneys say it's difficult to prove a dealer intentionally caused someone's death under the manslaughter statute. "The person has to be on notice for some reason that there's a problem with their product," Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney said. "I don't see how you could prove recklessness which is to be aware of the risk and intentionally disregard it." His office won a manslaughter conviction in 2014 for a Schenectady man who had given fentanyl patches, an opioid that can be 10,000 times stronger than morphine, to his girlfriend in 2008. But in that case, Carney said the burden of proof was met because the man attempted to treat the girlfriend himself for hours after her fatal overdose, instead of calling 911. Colonie resident Patty Farrell, a former Albany police officer, has championed a state bill for the last four years that would provide a possible homicide charge in opioid deaths with a good Samaritan clause attached that would grant leniency to those who supplied the drugs but immediately sought help for the victim. The proposed law is named after her 18-year-old daughter, Laree, who she found dead in her bedroom from a heroin overdose in 2013. "These dealers prey on addicts. It's just as simple as that," Farrell said. "They're lining their pockets while they're killing people." Greene County had one of the highest rates of opioid deaths, at 25 per 100,000 people, in upstate New York in 2016. Sheriff Greg Seeley said his deputies often administer Narcan, the overdose treatment drug, at the same address multiple times in the same week. "I'll go any avenue we have to go after these people," Seeley said. "I am totally convinced if we don't go after (dealers), this will continue." But those working in prevention and recovery push back against that notion, saying they don't want to return to the days of using prison as a way to handle drug addiction. In sentencing documents filed in Matthew Charo's case last year, his defense attorneys argued that Charo was himself an addict who hoped to get into a treatment program once he reached federal prison. "The line between dealer and user is almost nonexistent," said Keith Brown, the Albany-based director of health and harm reduction at the Katal Center for Health Equity and Justice in New York City. Brown advocates for providing accessible drug replacement therapy, like buprenorphine, and decriminalizing drug use in America. "To think (arrests) are going to solve a psycho-social issue? We really need to reevaluate that." A 2002 Saratoga Springs High School graduate, Katie-Lynn Scheidt had taken college courses, became a certified nurse's aide and was a devoted caretaker to her grandmother. But around 2011, she was struggling with a heroin addiction that started with a doctor's prescription for pain pills, Fred Scheidt said. In October 2014, she had left a treatment center in Glens Falls and was waiting to go into another in Saratoga County. A week before her death, Katie showed her father a picture of a beautiful young girl she knew, who she thought was in recovery but who had suddenly died of an overdose. At the time, Fred Scheidt said he took the story to mean his daughter understood the danger of using again. But he now thinks Katie feared she would soon end up the same way. Opioid overdose deaths are still relatively rare in Saratoga County, with seven reported in 2016. Schenectady County had the most 29 in the Capital Region that year. Katie came home around 10 p.m. on Oct. 2, 2014, to an apartment she shared with her boyfriend. At around 5 a.m. the next morning, he found her dead. Fred Scheidt said he had to lean on the Saratoga Springs Police Department to get them interested in investigating who supplied Katie with the heroin. The department denies that characterization. "Any suggestion that the Saratoga Springs Police or our state and federal law enforcement colleagues conducted an inefficient, unprofessional investigation, or were unwilling to do so, is in my view, simply not accurate," Saratoga Springs Police Chief Gregory Veitch wrote in a statement to the Times Union. Fred Scheidt, who has his own private investigations firm, knew from the receipt in Katie's purse that she bought a drink at a Price Chopper on Route 50 the night before she died. Katie also told her boyfriend that she had bumped into someone she knew from her high school named "Matt," and that she rode a bus to Schenectady with him. Police had called the handwritten number in Katie's purse and spoke to someone who said their name was Matt, and gave what sounded like the last name "Shirro." Katie's stepmother, Shannon Scheidt, had been going through yearbooks looking for teenagers named "Matt." One night lying awake in bed, she realized that the name "Shirro" might be spelled in a way she hadn't considered. At 1:30 in the morning, she went downstairs and started flipping through yearbooks again, and put a sticky note next to Matt Charo's picture. When Fred Scheidt woke up, she asked him, "Do you think this could be him?" In December 2014, Saratoga Springs police obtained camera footage from CDTA of buses that traveled between Saratoga Springs and Schenectady the night before Katie's death and allowed Scheidt to go through the tapes. Watching them on Christmas morning at his Greenfield home, he saw Katie sitting with a man who looked like the teen in the yearbook photo. Scheidt had been communicating through phone calls, texts and emails with investigators, providing them with information and urging them to push forward in the case. The U.S. attorney's office in Albany took on the investigation, in part because Charo was associating with another suspect the FBI was interested in, the Scheidt family said. Throughout 2015, Fred, Katie's stepmother, Katie's brother, and her biological mother also helped by monitoring Charo at his usual Saratoga Springs dealing spots when investigators wanted to keep tabs on him. Katie's biological mother, Eve Cascone, took a photo of Charo during the summer of 2015, when she saw him at a vigil for opioid victims held in Congress Park. "One of the things it showed (investigators) was we weren't going to go away," Fred Scheidt said of his family's efforts. Ultimately, investigators interviewed Charo. And when presented with the evidence which included charges to Katie's EBT food stamp card that Charo traded to buy the heroin from another dealer Charo pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Albany last year. U.S. attorneys are pursuing criminal indictments against opioid dealers under a federal charge that was created three decades ago in response to the crack-cocaine epidemic. In August, a Syracuse man was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for selling fentanyl-laced heroin to a pregnant woman who died the same batch that almost killed the dealer himself two days earlier. The Albany U.S. attorney's office also has pending cases against two other dealers. One of the defendants sold heroin and fentanyl to two different Columbia County residents who died within a few weeks of each other in July 2016; the other case involves a man who died from a heroin overdose in Plattsburgh in January 2016. When asked about Fred Scheidt's influence in having federal prosecutors take his daughter's case, acting U.S. Attorney Grant C. Jaquith said in a written statement that "the identity and status of a victim's relatives are not considered." Jaquith provided assurances his office has the current resources to review overdose cases that have been referred from local enforcement agencies. He said prosecutors recognize prevention is the best way to protect public health and safety. But, Jaquith added, "Vigorous enforcement is essential to bring appropriate punishment to those who play Russian roulette with the lives of their customers, as well as to reduce the flow of heroin and other dangerous opioids, deter prospective drug dealers who learn of the high potential penalties, and spread information about the severe harm these drugs cause." Fred Scheidt said he has since spoken to a handful of other parents who want to know how to get law enforcement to pursue their children's overdose deaths. He said he was lucky that as an ex-cop he knew who to call, and what kind of evidence to push for. "We know every case doesn't result in a successful outcome," he said. "But if you do nothing, nothing is going to happen." Lauren Stanforth can be reached at lstanforth@timesunion.com or 518-454-5697. Digital presentation by Emily Masters. HAMDEN Steve Rodgers, former owner of The Space, The Outer Space and The Ballroom at The Outer Space, all which closed in December, accused the new owners of what is now the Space Ballroom Monday of going behind his back and reneging on an agreement to take over the business. The CEO of Premier Concerts, Keith Mahler, responded, We didnt buy a business from Steve Rodgers and suggested, The next time Steve Rodgers tells the real story will be the first time. Rodgers, who has had two sets of surgery in recent months and was not available when the complex in the Treadwell Business Park at 295 Treadwell St. closed, had not spoken publicly about the closure since then until Monday. On Monday, he emerged to tell his side of the story, inviting two reporters who have written about the issue in the past to his home. According to Rodgers, he and representatives of Premier Concerts and Manic Presents reached a handshake agreement late last year after he accepted an offer that he said was much lower than he would have liked. Then, Rodgers says, they went behind my back and negotiated their own deal with the landlord something they were able to do because his signed lease had run out two years ago, he failed to file a notice that he wanted to extend it and he was behind in his rent, he said. While he fell behind, we tried to be the best tenants that we could, he said. We made an effort to catch up and the landlord was very good with us. Based on the handshake agreement, Rodgers wife, Jesse acting in Rodgers place while he was laid up following first abdominal and then vocal cord surgery provided Premier and Manic access to the facility as well as to its email account, websites and social media accounts, for which they had agreed to pay an undisclosed sum, Rodgers said. But they never paid it, he said. Basically, Manic/Premier worked out a deal with our landlord and ... havent returned our lawyers calls since, Rodgers said. The Space and The Outer Space/Ballroom closed in late December. The latter two reopened after Jan. 1 as the Space Ballroom. Rodgers and Manic founder Mark Nussbaum, who now works for Premier as senior talent buyer and has been booking shows at The Space and The Outer Space and been a good friend of Rodgers for years, previously had combined their email mailing lists, Rodgers said. Im really bummed out about the way things went ... and I hope that they do the right thing, Rodgers said. Asked what he thought the right thing might be, Rodgers said, I think the right thing would be to settle up with us on what they agreed to. As it stands, I will personally have debt that follows me around, Rodgers said. When asked about Rodgers contention that he had reneged on their agreement, Mahler did not respond directly. I take the high road on everything, he said. But he added, The next time Steve Rodgers tells the real story will be the first time. ... Anything that was presented to us ... by his financial adviser, was incorrect. Im sure well end up on a creditors list somewhere with Steve Rodgers when it becomes public, said Mahler, calling from Florida, where he was on vacation. Asked again about their deal, Mahler talked about all the work his company has done to renovate the facility and said, Lets put it this way ... if Steve Rodgers wants to do what it seems hes attempting to do, through the media, hes in for a rude awakening. He acknowledged that we made a deal with the landlord to have a place that was terminated put back, and said, We were able to succeed in spite of the former ownership of the venue. When people represent things. They should be represented truthfully, Mahler said. Plain and simple. Steve likes to whine because he thinks hell get public sympathy. Nussbaum did not immediately return calls for comment. Rodgers said he entered the hospital in November, initially for an undisclosed ailment, and reached the decision with his wife to try to sell The Outer Space because it didnt really leave me the time for family life and I couldnt get healthy. He also said, The Outer Space and The Space had financially struggled and that weighed heavily on me, personally. Rodgers said he earlier had made the difficult decision over the course of last summer that he needed to step away from The Space, his original, all-ages club. The Space was simply draining me and taking away from my time from ... my family, he said. Steve and Jesse Rodgers are the parents of two children, a 13-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy. Over the past couple of years, I had a couple of buyers approach me to purchase The Outer Space, Rodgers said. However, when they inquired, I didnt want to sell The Outer Space. ... I dragged my feet. I wasnt ready. When he met with some potential buyers and/or successors, I didnt expect to get much out of it, but I wanted to see it continue. But nothing came of those meetings, he said. Then, when I was in the hospital in November, our business consultant contacted Mark and Premier about possibly buying The Outer Space. So a meeting was set up, he said. We were offered an amount of money, and we decided that while it was much lower than they would have liked, that ... we would take it. At that point, we gave over full access to our website, social media, email, full access to the venue, Rodgers said, and they said they were going to take over beginning in January. Jesse Rodgers, who had not previously been involved in running the business, said she felt full-court pressure to give Premier and Manic what they needed before the end of the year. Shortly after that, we had a couple of (potential) buyers step forward. But we told them that we already had an agreement with Manic, said Steve Rodgers. Steve Rodgers said its just a bummer the way things ended. I mean, Ive put 15 years of my time into building a scene, and it feels like just a sad ending. But while he missed running The Space, The Outer Space and The Ballroom, the one good thing, he said, is that now, Im putting a lot of time in with my family. Quite frankly, said Jesse Rodgers, our family life has been transformed. As for the future, Steve Rodgers said he doesnt yet know what hell do. Im just spending time with my kids right now and Im an open door, he said. Im sort of re-exploring my identity. My identitys very tied up with The Space. I mean, I toured with Mighty Purple for a long time ... and then I started presenting shows and opened The Space. He had been doing that for the past decade. Whatever I do next, I want it to involve making the world a better place, thats all, Rodgers said. NEW HAVEN Alder Hacibey Catalbasoglu, D-1, has submitted a resolution to the Board of Alders urging the General Assembly and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy to take steps toward regulating recreational marijuana in the state. Its a move that could end with the citys legislative body publicly favoring legalizing pot in the Land of Steady Habits. While Catalbasoglu, a junior at Yale University, said addressing drug problems in the city have long been a concern for him, a series of suspected K2 overdoses last month served as a trigger to turn those concerns into action. Theres no one big reason, theres no primary driver, theres no agenda for this, Catalbasoglu said. (Its) not just for the well-being of my constituents, but for the city as a whole. Catalbasoglu submitted the resolution for consideration on Tuesday. It will appear as a communication during the Board of Alders next meeting Feb. 20. Catalbasoglu initially had intended to submit the resolution in time for boards Feb. 5 meeting. Catalbasoglu first made his idea public in a Yale Daily News op-ed published Feb. 8. We have to act now or else we will be responsible for having outdated policies that affect the lives of the people in New Haven, Catalbasoglu said. He said he wants, to let the people of Hartford know that we support the regulation of marijuana. Catalbasoglu said Yale Students for Sensible Drug Policies reached out to him during winter break. The group helped Catalbasoglu draft the resolution submitted this week. In the one-page resolution letter, Catalbasoglu suggests in the resolution that legalizing marijuana could help reverse overdose trends, citing Colorado and Washington two states were recreational marijuana use is legal. He details arrest rates he said are disproportionate for simple possession, adding that, prohibition causes an enormous strain on policing resources, diverting attention from dangerous crimes and disproportionately punishing minority populations. Catalbasoglu mentions the potential for the state to generate $180 million annual tax revenue for the state. The figure is from the Connecticut Coalition to Regulate Marijuana, a pro-legalization group. Our state is in the worst financial crisis in the country, and cannabis regulation and taxation could begin to close our deficit, Catalbasoglu wrote in the resolution letter. City Spokesman Laurence Grotheer said that since the matter is still being processed by the Board of Alders, Mayor Toni Harp preferred to withhold comment, which is her usual policy. State Senate Democratic President Martin M. Looney of New Haven last year spoke in favor of legalizing marijuana. A spokesman for Looney did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. We have to recognize that marijuana has been and will continue to be available legal or not. The experiment with prohibition should have taught us a lesson that we apparently never learned, Looney said in an interview with the Registers editorial board last year. While serving in the General Assembly, Harp previously supported decriminalizing possession of less than one ounce of cannabis. Harp co-sponsored a legislative bill with Looney in January 2009 to reduce possession of certain small quantities to infractions. A similar bill was signed by Malloy in June 2011. Following next weeks Board of Alders meeting, Catalbasoglus resolution will be forwarded to a committee for further consideration and discussion. It could be weeks before the resolution is discussed by alders and a public hearing is held. Catalbasoglu said he understands there are people who are opposed to legalizing marijuana for recreational use. He said he wants state legislators to attend the public hearing on his resolution. At the end of the day, theres always another side. ... I wouldnt want a vote on this issue without everyones ideas, thoughts, and opinions, and having the (peoples) interest (in mind), Catalbasoglu said. NEW HAVEN An animal rights group is seeking an independent investigation into what it alleges is multiple incidents of negligence within the animal experimentation program at Yale University. In a letter sent Feb. 10 to Yale President Peter Salovey, the group Stop Animal Exploitation NOW! asked for the investigation based on 11 incidents that have allegedly killed or abused more than 250 animals in two years. Compared to other universities, that is a high number of animals dying through instances of negligence, particularly when you have a high number of animals dying at one time, Michael Budkie said Monday. However, Karen N. Peart, university director of external communications, said in a statement Monday that Yale takes seriously its responsibility for the appropriate care of animals; our laboratories comply with or exceed all federal regulations and independent accreditation standards. As we continue to advance scientific knowledge and modern medicine, providing hope for millions of patients and their families, Yale scientists will sustain their commitment to the appropriate use of animals in research. Our faculty members employ animals only when there are no alternative models for advancing their research, Peart said. Budkie and his wife, Karen Budkie, are co-founders of the group, based in Milford, Ohio. The totals were drawn from reports Yale is required to submit to the National Institutes of Health whenever there is an incident of neglect, abuse or death of experimental animals. The reports are required because Yale receives federal funds for its research. This ongoing pattern of carelessness and negligence not only subjected hundreds of animals to unnecessary cruelty and death, but also raises serious questions regarding the competence of Yale research staff, Budkie wrote to Salovey. For if the staff cannot even be trusted to provide adequate food or water, follow their own protocols, or effectively monitor animals to prevent drowning, suffocation, or hyperthermia, then what does that say about the credibility of animal experimentation at Yale? the letter stated. The letters to the NIH included these reports: A digital controller managing the heating and cooling system failed on March 6, 2017, resulting in dangerously high humidity and temperature, causing 90 mice to die or require euthanasia. On Aug. 4, 2017, lesions were found on the tails of nine mice after they were irradiated and given bone marrow cells through their tails and then warmed by a heat lamp at too high a temperature. Two died and six had to be euthanized. On Oct. 8, 2016, four of five mice died because they had no food in their cages. In the same report, Yale said 19 mice over 21 days old had their tails clipped, violating protocol, and had to be given pain-killing medication. On April 28, 2016, four of 16 rats in a hypoxia chamber suffocated because the cage was stacked on others and its ventilation vent was blocked. For the most part, these are very basic problems, Budkie said. Its extremely disturbing that a research facility the size of Yale and the prestige that that university has is incapable of making sure the animals are receiving food or water. He said many of the incidents had occurred over time. What does that say about the competence of their staff and their ability to perform any kind of research that is meaningful in a scientific sense, he said. But Peart said the university also takes seriously any animal care and use incidents and has created a culture in which the incidents are brought forward by all levels of the organization, fully investigated, corrective action is taken immediately, including disciplinary action if warranted, and reported to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and outside agencies as appropriate. Yale uses incidents to inform continuous improvement, Peart said. In fact, Yale personnel are extremely diligent and caring about their animal care and use responsibilities, which is why these incidents, collectively, represent the rare occurrence. Thus, when comparing the number of incidents across different institutions, one must take into account program size and reporting practices. The Budkies founded their organization in 1996 and Michael Budkie said he reviews the reports from the NIHs Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare for more than 1,000 research facilities. When we bring up issues like this, we dont bring them up if were not seeing something significant, he said. Theres a certain threshold in our opinion that you have to cross in terms of the seriousness of the problem and the number of them. He said SAEN opposes all animal research. Our goal is not to get it regulated. We want to see it ended, he said. Animal research is a waste of time and money. He said a better research method is the organ on a chip technique, in which human cells are cultured on a microchip and are able to mimic the functions of entire organs. Budkie said Yale receives more than $150 million in federal funds for animal research, based on NIH reports. In his letter to Salovey, Budkie demanded that Yale launch an independent investigation of Yales animal experimentation practices to be conducted by a panel of experts including members of the animal rights community and at the conclusion of the investigation immediately terminate all staff responsible for the incidents which killed or abused animals. Contact Ed Stannard at edward.stannard@hearstmediact.com or 203-680-9382. Comcast may be the spoiler in a Disney-Fox show. The cable firm is considering whether to try to thwart the Mouse Houses $52.4 billion purchase of parts of Rupert Murdochs empire. The story has many moving parts, and the Walt Disney Company may yet have to raise its game. Comcast, led by Brian Roberts, initially bid around $60 billion when Mr. Murdoch first indicated that he was willing to part with cable networks like National Geographic and FX, movie studios, and Foxs businesses outside the United States. Disney clinched the deal in December with an all-stock offer that was about 15 percent less than what Comcast had put on the table. Regulatory concerns might have been a reason for Fox to take the lower offer. A tie-up with Comcast would look a lot like AT&Ts $85 billion acquisition of Time Warner, which the Department of Justice sued to block. That said, watchdogs may yet take a dim view of Disneys plans too. Folding in Foxs film assets would reduce six large movie-studio players to five. And its unclear how regulators will handle Disneys purchase of Foxs stake in their jointly owned video-streaming service, Hulu. Comcast, a third partner in Hulu, had to cede influence in the venture for seven years to be able to buy NBCUniversal. Antitrust concerns may, in any case, be a fig leaf. Foxs fate depends on what best suits the Murdoch family, which controls 21st Century Fox with nearly 40 percent of the voting shares. It has more chance of making its influence felt at an enlarged Disney than at Comcast, where a dual share structure firmly entrenches the Roberts family. Disney is also considering whether Mr. Murdochs son James will have a role in the company. It seems like a noble pursuit: Eric T. Schneiderman, New Yorks attorney general, filed a lawsuit over the weekend against the Weinstein Company over the toxic environment it created that allowed its co-founder Harvey Weinstein to harass and abuse dozens of women. But is it a wise pursuit? Mr. Schneiderman said all the right things about compensating the victims, protecting current employees and assuring that neither perpetrators nor enablers will be unjustly enriched. And the lawsuit was timed perfectly for maximum impact: just hours before the company was to be sold on Sunday to a group of investors led by Maria Contreras-Sweet, who had said she planned to set aside at least $50 million for a victims fund and start a new female-led movie studio. If Mr. Schneidermans goal was to upend the deal and make headlines, he succeeded. The sale of the company was quickly put on hold. The board made no mention of the allegations that have enveloped its chief executive, saying only that it was committed to dignity, respect, and a careful stewardship of its financial resources. The departure follows the boards announcement on Friday that it had hired an outside law firm to investigate various allegations, but did not offer details or specify who was the subject of the claims. As part of the statement on Monday, Mr. Palomarez said he was extremely proud of his tenure at the chamber, which calls itself the voice of 4.4 million Hispanic-owned businesses. Mr. Palomarez, who has run the organization for close to a decade, was accused by a longtime board member last fall of paying himself hundreds of thousands of dollars more than he was entitled to under his contract, according to minutes from the boards charitable foundation and a Texas court filing. In the Texas filing, Mr. Palomarez denied any financial impropriety. He said in a statement Friday that the claims against him sprang from a retaliatory effort by Nina Vaca, the board member who flagged them first. Ms. Vaca declined to comment. Mr. Palomarez was also accused of sexually harassing his former chief of staff, Gissel Gazek Nicholas. In an interview with The New York Times, Ms. Nicholas said that at the end of a group meeting in a Chicago hotel suite in 2013, he asked her to stay behind after the others left, then asked if she had ever thought about being with him and tried to kiss her. Her account was corroborated by an email she sent to a friend within hours of the incident and another friend in whom she confided afterward. AT&T, one of the nations biggest marketers, has yet to return to YouTube nearly a year after pulling its advertising from the platform because of concerns that it could appear alongside offensive material. The company was among a wave of major marketers who paused their spending on YouTube last March after it was found that ads were appearing on videos promoting hate speech or terrorism and other disturbing content. The Google-owned video service has since introduced a series of changes aimed at limiting the types of videos that can run ads, and most brands have resumed marketing on the platform. But that has not been enough for AT&T, which wants YouTube to get as close to zero tolerance for this issue as possible, Fiona Carter, the companys chief brand officer, said in a recent interview. It became apparent to us as we worked through this that too much of the content our advertising could appear against was not brand safe it was objectionable by any measure, Ms. Carter said. You really have an epiphany when you see some of that content. Now unshackled by the S.E.C. One of the most anticipated comebacks in Wall Street history. As the ball dropped at midnight, so too did a regulatory ban on Cohen from managing Just as Steven A. Cohen is ready to jump back into the game with his new fund called Point72 Asset Management, the billionaire investor, who had been banned from trading other peoples money until this year, now faces a lawsuit. A top female executive at Steven Cohens investment firm sued the company on Monday night. At the heart of the lawsuit is this allegation that women, no matter what their abilities, are paid significantly less than their male peers. We spoke to four people. All four of them described a really hostile work environment and echoed many of the same accusations in this lawsuit. Steve Cohen, even for people who dont know anything about Wall Street, is one of those figures who has captured the public imagination. We spotted a suspect trading pattern The governments pursuit of him and his firm inspired the television show Billions. In 2013, investigators indicted the financial firm that bore his initials, S.A.C. Capital, and six of his employees eventually pled guilty to using private tips to trade public stocks. It was one of the biggest criminal cases in Wall Street history. S.A.C. trafficked in inside information on a scale without any known precedent. It is more broadly an account of a firm with zero tolerance for low returns but seemingly tremendous tolerance for questionable conduct. Cohen himself wasnt charged by the authorities. But his firm, S.A.C. Capital, paid $1.8 billion in civil and criminal fines and was shut down. One of the richest people in the world, he has continued to manage $11 billion of his own fortune through Point72, but the world has changed over the past few years. Investors seem to have less of an appetite for the kind of hedge fund investing that Cohen was so famous for. And now, in addition to any doubts about his financial practices, he must reckon with the employment discrimination suit. His firm has denied all allegations. The White House budget, separately released on Monday, also gives federal agencies the authority to sell assets that would be better managed by state, local or private entities in cases where a sale would optimize taxpayer value. The budget suggests that Ronald Reagan Washington National and Dulles International Airports could be among the assets ripe for new owners. Coming up with the $200 billion in federal funding will not be easy. Republicans have already ballooned the deficit in last weeks spending agreement and with their tax cuts. Democrats are unlikely to go along with cuts that would offset the cost of Mr. Trumps plan. With his infrastructure framework, the president is rethinking Washingtons role. Economic development has been the justification for federal involvement going back to the countrys efforts in the early 1800s to improve harbors and rivers for navigation. It animated the 1902 Reclamation Act that funded irrigation projects that developed the western United States. National economic development benefits were the cornerstone of federal support, said Debra Knopman, a principal researcher at the RAND Corporation. That was the point. Public health, safety and national defense were added in the 20th century as core values, when the government developed the national highway system and passed the Clean Water Act. Now, theyre putting out incentive programs that dont have to generate national or regional economic developments, said Ms. Knopman, the lead author of a new 110-page RAND report on transportation and water infrastructure in the United States. It may happen, but thats not what theyre interested in and thats not the way theyre screening these projects. The math for the infrastructure plan also relies on a lot of unknowns. Along with private investors, cities and states are being counted on to put up significant funds. They have a need. States have been struggling for years to rejuvenate creaky roads, bridges and ports. And even if the plan appears to put much of the onus on them to finance projects, any additional federal funding is welcome. The Trump administration on Monday moved to repeal one of the last unchallenged climate-change regulations rushed into place in the waning days of the Obama presidency a rule restricting the release of planet-warming methane into the atmosphere. The rule, which applied to companies drilling for energy on federal land, has been the subject of intense court battles and delay efforts, as well as one surprise vote last year in which Senate Republicans temporarily saved it from being torpedoed. Methane, which is about 25 times more potent at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, accounts for 9 percent of all domestic greenhouse gas emissions; about a third of that is estimated to come from oil and gas operations. Under the rule, oil and gas companies would have been required to capture leaked methane, update their equipment and write new plans for minimizing waste when drilling on government property. In subtheme material news, Mr. Haight includes two long Down answers that are clued as puns on familiar phrases. These are cute. HAVE A HEART is clued as Try some Valentines Day candy? and STEAL A KISS is clued as Try some Valentines Day candy, sneakily? There are some entries in here that seem tougher than your average Tuesday puzzle, like ARIKARA and MT. OSSA, but I did like I BELIEVE SO, ALMA MATER (clued cleverly as Old school), GO SIDEWAYS and MURSES (the last two make their New York Times debuts today). BATCHED IT flummoxed me, but I was told by someone younger than I am that it is a thing that involves living like a bachelor I wouldnt know and that there is a variant spelling, BACHED IT, which might be more correct. Kids these days, am I right? Tricky Clues 5A: Every time I see a clue that uses the word courses, I think of school courses. Of course, it could also be food courses, and if you have enough of them, they add up to a MEAL (the answer is MEALS in the puzzle because of the plural clue.) 48A: This was tough for a Tuesday, but the ATLAS mountains form the backbone of the countries of the Maghreb, according to Britannica.com. Those would be Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. I saw a mother in pajamas bouncing her infant daughter in the very lived-in room her family had stayed in since November, every crevice jammed with diapers and snacks and clothes. Children buzzed around from the rooms into the hallways and lobby downstairs, bursting with energy that needed to be burned. Many of them had spent their weeks looking for jobs or permanent housing, or walked over to a nearby church that had opened up its kitchen for them to cook in. The children went to school. But this was a Friday night, and as they splayed out on beds watching TV, listened to music or played video games, it felt like they were just killing time, one day passing like so many others before it. They had air-conditioning. They were not waiting for hours in lines for food, water and fuel. They had cable television. Still, the aimlessness that plagued them seemed like an extension of the storms trauma. Its not easy for anybody to live like this, Janette Febres told me in the room where she, her husband and 12-year-old son had shared a bed for months. I have never traveled to Puerto Rico, before or after Maria. My impressions of how so much had been upended were formed by the stories told by Puerto Ricans, the photographs they showed me, the distress I saw in their lives. On the other hand, my partner on the story, Luis Ferre-Sadurni, who visited a hotel in Queens, was a native of Puerto Rico. He had spent nearly 40 days there reporting after Hurricanes Irma and Maria and had experienced, as he put it, the dire conditions that disrupted their lives and led thousands to take that leap of faith to leave behind their homes for the mainland. From the start, the 5Pointz case had pitted two of New York Citys most prominent sectors against each other: the art world and the real estate business. Judge Blocks ruling and the size of the judgment he awarded was a decisive victory for the former, said Dean Nicyper, a partner who specializes in art law at the firm Withers Bergman. There have been other instances where graffiti artists have been recognized as deserving protection, Mr. Nicyper said, adding that courts have ruled that clothing designers who cribbed ideas from graffiti artists were liable for intellectual theft. But the 5Pointz case, he said, was the first time that graffiti and graffiti artists were protected under V.A.R.A. David Ebert, a lawyer for Mr. Wolkoff, did not return a call seeking comment. Eric Baum, a lawyer for the artists, hailed the judgment, calling it a victory not only for the artists in this case, but for artists all around the country. The clear message is that art protected by federal law must be cherished and not destroyed, Mr. Baum said. With this win, the spirit of 5Pointz becomes a legacy for generations of artists to come. The mayor is also expected to propose a more generous model for public financing of elections, Mr. Phillips said. He said the commission will also be directed to consider possible reforms to the citys Board of Elections and to find ways to promote greater voter participation. One area that he will not instruct it to examine will be the issue of outside nonprofit groups created to take donations to support an elected officials policies, like the Campaign for One New York, which was created for Mr. de Blasio, and whose efforts were later examined by state and federal investigators. Mr. Phillips said it was not necessary because the city had already passed a law limiting donations to such groups. The path to election reform is somewhat muddled; most rules governing contribution limits and the matching funds program that provides public money to candidates are derived from legislation passed by the City Council. In addition, the Board of Elections is governed by state law, and it was not clear how it might be altered through changes to the City Charter. Voters would have to decide on any proposals from the commission in a referendum. Mr. de Blasios commission will seek to complete its work in time for voters to consider them in November, Mr. Phillips said. In calling for a charter revision, Mr. de Blasio is using a tactic beloved by his two most recent predecessors, Michael R. Bloomberg and Rudolph W. Giuliani, who convened charter revision commissions on some six different occasions. Those commissions were often criticized as being too closely controlled by the mayor and too narrowly focused sometimes with the goal of pushing pet projects or political initiatives or seeking policy changes that would have been more appropriately handled as legislation by the City Council. The City Council ethics committee on Monday determined that Councilman Andy King of the Bronx violated anti-harassment rules in his dealings with a female staffer, and ordered him to undergo sensitivity and ethics training. The woman made a complaint about Mr. King last year, reporting that he had paid her unwelcome attention. When shaking her hand, she said, he held onto it for an extended period of time while repeatedly asking her to smile and would not let go until she did. She also said that he asked her for her personal phone number, invited her to a fund-raising gala and said that he would like to see her wear a beautiful gown to the event. The version of events was previously provided by the committee probing Mr. Kings behavior. Image Andy King, a Bronx councilman, was ordered to undergo sensitivity and ethics training resulting from a harassment complaint made by a female staffer. Credit... Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times Mr. King denied in closed-door testimony to the committee that he had broken any rules. The Standards and Ethics Committee made its decision in executive session, with the press and public excluded, after listening to Mr. Kings testimony. In October, two New York City police officers were charged with kidnapping and raping an 18-year-old Brooklyn woman they had taken into custody. The facts of the case are bad enough, but they also underscore another outrage: Vaguely written statutes in many states, including New York, permit police officers to escape sexual assault charges by claiming that the victims consented to the act. The New York State Assembly last week passed legislation to close that odious loophole and the State Senate, which is considering the same bill, needs to swiftly follow suit. States across the country that may be letting police officers get away with rape need to revisit their statutes as well. The New York City case was particularly disturbing. According to a 50-count indictment unsealed by the Brooklyn district attorney in the fall, two veteran plainclothes detectives took the young woman into custody for having marijuana in her car, and they drove her away from the scene in their police van. Prosecutors say the detectives, who have both pleaded not guilty, raped the woman as she cried and pleaded for them to stop. Lawyers for the detectives subsequently implied that the sex could not be viewed as assault because it was consensual. With each mass shooting, calls rise from gun control advocates for tighter rules on firearms. The go-to policy prescription involves background checks. But a measure passed by the House and being considered in the Senate to expand the National Instant Criminal Background Check System would not only fail to fix major flaws in the system but would also probably introduce new ones. Lawmakers from both parties acknowledge that errors in the background check system let felons obtain guns, as we saw when a deranged man, Devin Kelley, killed 26 people at a church in Sutherland Springs, Tex., in November. The killer, while in the Air Force, had been convicted of domestic violence in 2012, involuntarily committed to a mental health care center and given a bad conduct discharge. Yet the Air Force failed to follow policies to ensure that his conviction was reported to federal law enforcement, which allowed the killer to pass the check. The military has failed to report other such cases. The background check measures before Congress aim to improve enforcement of existing law and increase such reporting by imposing financial penalties on government officials whose agencies fail to provide required information. Thats a good goal, but any proposal should also fix another major problem with the background check system: false positives that stop law-abiding people from getting weapons that they might need to protect themselves and their families. The background check system confuses the names of law-abiding individuals with those of criminals, resulting in thousands of false positives every year. Relying on phonetically similar names along with birth dates just doesnt allow for much accuracy. Four months after Puerto Rico was battered by Hurricane Maria, Congress last week approved more badly needed emergency assistance, including $2 billion to repair the islands severely damaged power grid. An additional $9 billion will be directed to recovery and restoration projects in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The expectation is that this aid will help provide relief not only to the hundreds of thousands of utility customers in Puerto Rico who are still without power but also to the more than three million islanders as a whole, who are still being warned to boil water before drinking it. But the money from Washington falls far short of the islands requirements. Puerto Rico needs more than bandages. It needs to rethink and redesign its electric, water and wastewater systems, both to protect them against the next big storm and to provide the dependable service they were failing to give residents before Hurricane Maria. To accomplish that and other rebuilding needs, Puerto Rico had sought $94.4 billion in total disaster aid in November. That included nearly $18 billion to rebuild the power grid nine times what Congress has provided. Achieving resiliency in the face of powerful storms will require the wholesale rebuilding of the islands utilities. Simply patching them up will not be enough. If thats the extent of the fix, the island is likely to find itself back in the same place after the next big storm, with taxpayers asked to spend new billions on more life preservers. CHICAGO On Feb. 28, the Chicago Board of Education is expected to vote on a disastrous proposal to close four public high schools with declining enrollment around the Englewood neighborhood of southwest Chicago. The affected children, who are overwhelmingly black and poor, would go to public schools out of the neighborhood or be encouraged to attend one of the charter schools being pushed by business and religious interests. The schools would close over three years, and in their place, the city plans to build an $85 million high school in Englewood. But the school wont be up and running until September 2019 at the earliest more than a full school year from now. Dwindling enrollment is a reality at these schools, but thats partly because the city has not invested nearly enough in them. At the same time, Chicago has opened dozens of new schools, mostly charters, which draw students away from traditional public schools. Englewood, one of the poorest areas in the city, is plagued by high unemployment and gang activity. Its where my organization, Mothers Against Senseless Killings, does its work. Our volunteers take care of the local kids during the summer, feeding them hamburgers for lunch and encouraging them to stay in school. And the neighborhood has made great strides last year there was a significant drop in homicides and shooting. The proposal would raise military spending by 14.1 percent while cutting funding for the State Department the agency that has a mandate to resolve problems without going to war by 26.9 percent. It would cut the Department of Health and Human Services by 20.3 percent and the Department of Education by 10.5 percent. It calls for (yet again) the repeal of the Affordable Care Act and proposes cutting food stamps by $213 billion, or around 30 percent, over 10 years. Medicare and Medicaid, which benefit one-third of Americans, are targeted for cuts of hundreds of billions of dollars. If Congress adopted Mr. Trumps proposal, millions of people would stand to lose health insurance, subsidized food, low-cost housing and other benefits. The result would be to greatly increase poverty and hunger in America. This is surely not what most of Mr. Trumps working-class supporters imagined during the primary and general election campaigns. In May 2015, Candidate Trump tweeted, I was the first & only potential GOP candidate to state there will be no cuts to Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid. And in an April 2016 ad that ran in Pennsylvania he promised to save Social Security and Medicare without cuts. But wait, theres more. Another of Mr. Trumps promises was to build the gleaming new roads, bridges, highways, railways and waterways all across our land, a promise that he referred to as recently as his State of the Union address in January. Yet his budget recommends slashing funding for Amtrak and grant programs that help local and state governments pay for highway and transit projects. Over all, the administration wants to reduce the Department of Transportations budget by nearly a fifth. The budget would also effectively cut the Highway Trust Fund by $122 billion over a decade. No doubt Mr. Trump will claim he is still serious about infrastructure by pointing to a separate infrastructure proposal he announced on Monday. In that document, the administration says it will bolster investment by $1.5 trillion over 10 years. But the math simply doesnt add up. The White House suggests that the federal government would put up only $200 billion, which would be enough to get state and local governments and the private sector to supply the rest of the money. But where would most cities and states find those funds? Already strapped, many will struggle to raise new tax revenue, because the Republican tax law limited the deductibility of state and local taxes. The private sector might be interested, but only in projects like toll roads that produce a steady and rich source of income. Today, after the financial crisis, the shrinking of the middle class, the partisan warfare, a scarcity mind-set is dominant: Resources are limited. The world is dangerous. Group conflict is inevitable. Its us versus them. If they win, were ruined, therefore, lets stick with our tribe. The ends justify the means. The shift in mentalities seems like a shift in philosophy. But its really a shift from a philosophy to an anti-philosophy. The scarcity mind-set is an acid that destroys every belief system it touches. For example, in the years after Ronald Reagan, the Republican Party was defined by its abundance mind-set. The key Republican narratives were capitalist narratives about dynamic entrepreneurs and Americas heroic missions. The Wall Street Journal editorial page was the most important organ of conservative opinion. The partys views on other issues, like immigration, were downstream from confidence in the abundant marketplace and the power of the American idea. Now, Donald Trump leads the Republican Party, the personification of the scarcity mind-set. Fox News, with its daily gospel of resentments, is the most important organ of conservative opinion. Restricting immigration has become the core Republican issue. Todays Republicans are happy to trade away their fiscal principles if they can get their way on immigration, which is what they did in last weeks budget deal. The Trump era has produced a renaissance in conservative writing. National Review is a more interesting magazine now than at any time in its history. But the style of politics that Trumps scarcity mind-set demands has been a disaster for conservative governance. He insists on perpetual warfare against all comers. Stuck fighting his wars with him, Republican politicians have had to say goodbye to most of the pillars of conservatism: rule of law, fiscal discipline, global engagement, moral decency, the idea that people should be judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. FRONT PAGE A picture caption with an article on Monday about Representative Nancy Pelosis difficulty uniting the Democratic Party misstated the circumstances depicted in the photo. Ms. Pelosi was photographed walking to her office on Friday after the House voted to fund the federal government, not on Wednesday after her eight-hour speech on Dreamers. An article on Sunday, about a plan in Kentucky to require Medicaid recipients to work or volunteer, misstated the insurance status of Sarah and Matt Burress before getting Medicaid. They had insurance through a job Mr. Burress had before he started his own business, although their coverage did not cover vision care. Additionally, the article misstated Mr. Burresss medical diagnosis. He learned he had glaucoma, not advanced glaucoma, after getting Medicaid. Finally, the article also misstated when he and his wife enrolled in Medicaid. They enrolled in 2016, not 2015. INTERNATIONAL An article on Monday about the crash of a Russian plane that killed 71 passengers misspelled the name of another Russian plane that crashed in December 2016. It was a Tupolev TU-154, not Tupulov. An article on Friday about a fight club in Chengdu misidentified an amateur boxer. He is Li Guowei, not Li Weiguo. _____ When using an anonymous source in reporting on the Russia investigation, U.S. official or something similar, what methods does The Times employ to ensure its reporting is not advancing a potential hidden agenda of the source? What investigations are undertaken to evaluate the sources possible motivations? And shouldnt this back story also be included to allow readers to evaluate the trustworthiness of the information? Kathryn Locatell in Placerville, Calif. Many readers raise concerns about the use of anonymous sources, and not just on stories about the Russia investigation. Anonymous sources are not ideal, and we should always try to make available as much information as possible about any motivations or rationale the sources have for remaining anonymous. That said, stories about the Russia investigation or any sensitive national security issue would not be possible without the use of anonymous sources. During an ongoing federal investigation, much of it involving classified information, sources often will only speak to reporters if they are assured that their names wont be used. We believe its important to get the information they have in order to write stories that get to the facts underlying all the facets of this investigation: from Russias attempts to disrupt the 2016 election, to the contacts between President Trumps advisers and Russians, to Mr. Trumps efforts to undermine Mr. Muellers inquiry. But this doesnt mean we accept any information, grant anonymity and publish it. We always have to assess the motivations and potential biases of sources, and judge the information they provide against information we get from other sources. Readers need to trust that we dont publish stories that blindly advance the agenda of anonymous people, and its up to us to earn that trust. _____ If it is proved that Trump campaign officials received information from Russians and used it in the campaign, is that a crime? Ed Surette in Wakefield, Mass. Not necessarily. Most legal experts say that colluding or working together with a foreign power during an election is not illegal in and of itself. Where campaign officials could get into trouble is if they were coordinating with Russia to do something that violates American law. If, for example, campaign officials told Russians to break into the Democratic National Committees servers, then the officials could be in legal jeopardy. _____ SAN FRANCISCO In July, China unveiled a plan to become the world leader in artificial intelligence and create an industry worth $150 billion to its economy by 2030. To technologists working on A.I. in the United States, the statement, which was 28 pages long in its English translation, was a direct challenge to Americas lead in arguably the most important tech research to come along in decades. It outlined the Chinese governments aggressive plan to treat A.I. like the countrys own version of the Apollo 11 lunar mission an all-in effort that could stoke national pride and spark agenda-setting technology breakthroughs. The manifesto was also remarkably similar to several reports on the future of artificial intelligence released by the Obama administration at the end of 2016. It is remarkable to see how A.I. has emerged as a top priority for the Chinese leadership and how quickly things have been set into motion, said Elsa Kania, an adjunct fellow at the Center for a New American Security who helped translate the manifesto and follows Chinas work on artificial intelligence. The U.S. plans and policies released in 2016 were seemingly the impetus for the formulation of Chinas national A.I. strategy. The wood-paneled elevator that ferries guests up to Flight at the McKittrick Hotel rises at a languid pace, and the tinny, piped-in music sounds like something out of a speakeasy. Atmospherically, it seems an awkward match with the show youve come to see, about a pair of Afghan child refugees crossing Europe in search of sanctuary. So does the McKittrick, not a hotel at all but the sprawling Chelsea complex that is the longtime home of the immersive-theater behemoth Sleep No More, where spectators roam dimly lit halls on multiple floors, traipsing through rooms that are essentially art installations in which performances periodically break out. Created by the Scottish company Vox Motus, and a hit at the Edinburgh International Festival, Flight is 180 degrees different from that vast and ambulatory production still, intimate, visceral, rendered on a Lilliputian scale and requiring you to do nothing but watch and listen. Intricately designed yet with no live performers, it is arguably not even theater. But it is pulse-pounding, immersive storytelling, strange and exquisite and intensely affecting. As youre led to it in the dark, your seat looks like a library carrel, partitioned off like all of the others. You sit, you don a pair of headphones and in a few moments the show will appear, tableaus inside a succession of little windows, lit up one by one and slowly revolving on a carousel. Les lunettes de marque ne sont pas ce qui manque dans les commerces. Il y en a de toutes les sortes dont les lunettes de [] BALTIMORE Two Baltimore police detectives were convicted of robbery, racketeering and conspiracy Monday in a trial that is part of a federal investigation into corruption among rogue members of the citys police force. The detectives, Daniel Hersl and Marcus Taylor, were shackled and led out of Federal District Court after the verdicts were read. Some of Mr. Hersls relatives burst into tears, while one of his victims called out: Justice. The two detectives were each convicted of racketeering conspiracy, racketeering and robbery under the federal Hobbs Act, which prohibits interference with interstate commerce. They face up to 20 years in prison on each count, for a total of 60 years. The acting United States attorney for the District of Maryland, Stephen Schenning, said he hoped the police corruption case would begin a long difficult process of examining how the Baltimore force polices its own. WASHINGTON President Trump said on Monday that the United States would soon announce a reciprocal tax on countries that take advantage of the United States on trade, including trading partners he described as so-called allies. Theyll send in their product, and we wont charge them anything, the president said during a meeting with mayors and governors to discuss his proposal for rebuilding American infrastructure. And we send them our product same product as theyre sending us and theyll charge us 50 and 75 percent tax, and thats very unfair. Though the president said more information would be forthcoming as soon as this week, White House officials quickly played down his comments, with one senior administration official saying that the proposal was nothing formal right now. The reciprocal tax is, simply, what you do to us, well do to you, the official said. But when it comes to imposing reciprocal tariffs, trade analysts said the presidents hands were somewhat tied. The relatively low tariffs that the United States charges on many foreign goods were hammered out through decades of bargaining and bartering at the World Trade Organization. This guy has got to be the toughest guy to take the kind of abuse that hes taking. I have no idea who these women are. They said nothing happened. Everybody said nothing happened. Well before the #MeToo movement gained momentum, Donald Trump weighed in on allegations against several well-known men, including himself. A look at his past statements show a man whos quick to defend other men. He says hes innocent. And I think you have to remember that. The president recently vouched for Rob Porter, a White House aide who is accused of physical and verbal abuse by two ex-wives. Porter denies the allegations. Trump also defended Roy Moore, the former Republican Alabama Senate candidate. Moore is accused of sexual misconduct against teenage girls. Well, he denies it. Look, he denies it. I mean, if you look at what is really going on, and you look at all the things that have happened over the last 48 hours, he totally denies it. President Trump then campaigned for Moore. So get out and vote for Roy Moore. Five women received settlements after making harassment claims against Fox News host Bill OReilly. He was later forced off the network. OReilly denied the allegations. This is what the president said. Hes a person I know well hes a good person, adding, I think he shouldnt have settled. I dont think Bill did anything wrong. In 2016, a reporter accused Trumps former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski of grabbing and bruising her arm at a campaign rally. A lot of people are looking and saying, how can anybody be charged? He was she was actually if you look at her, my look at, and according to a lot of shes grabbing at me, and hes acting as an intermediary and trying to block her from doing that. There have been moments when Trump has come out against men accused of sexual misconduct. But its typically only happened when theyre political rivals. The president slammed former Senator Al Franken, a Democrat, after a photo surfaced of him appearing to grope a woman. The Al Frankenstein picture is really bad, speaks a thousand words. Where do his hands go in pictures 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 ... Trump also criticized Harvey Weinstein, a major Democratic Party donor, after allegations that he engaged in rampant sexual harassment and abuse. Ive known Harvey Weinstein for a long time. Im not at all surprised to see it. And then theres the president, who has been accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women. Like many of the men he defends, Trump denies the allegations. Every woman lied when they came forward to hurt my campaign. Total fabrication. The events never happened. Never. The announcement on Monday of charges against Major Evans and two others Lt. Kashka Meadors and James Ramsey-Guy, a correctional officer came more than nine months after that inquest, a relatively rare court proceeding in which jurors review evidence relating to a death and decide whether to recommend charges. The four other jail employees who were faulted by jurors at the inquest are not expected to face charges, Mr. Chisholm said, but the investigation was continuing. Mr. Thomas was arrested in April 2016 and accused of shooting a man and later firing a gun inside a hotel and casino, according to local news reports. A federal lawsuit filed by Mr. Thomass estate said he had bipolar disorder and had been prescribed medication by a psychiatrist. Once he was at the jail in downtown Milwaukee, prosecutors said, Mr. Thomas flooded his cell by stuffing his mattress cover into the toilet. The charging documents said that when Mr. Thomas was moved to another cell, Lieutenant Meadors told Mr. Ramsey-Guy to turn off the water supply to that cell. For the next week, Mr. Thomas did not leave his cell, and was not given any water. He was literally punished for the manifestations of his mental illness, said Erik Heipt, a lawyer for Mr. Thomass estate who has filed a federal lawsuit against Milwaukee County and jail officials. He was not in his right mind. You dont take someone like that and then punish them by turning off their water. After Mr. Thomass death, prosecutors said, Major Evans had a guard watch a weeks worth of security video footage of Mr. Thomass cell, which showed that the water had never been turned back on. Prosecutors said she did not take steps to preserve that video, and it was eventually recorded over and deleted. Just a few months ago, North Korea was regarded as nothing but a menace, rattling the region with nuclear and missile tests and staging bloody political purges at home. Almost overnight, with friendly smiles and messages of reconciliation, Ms. Kim managed to help soften her countrys image among South Koreans, at least for the moment. She delivered her brothers surprise invitation for President Moon Jae-in of South Korea to visit the North for a summit meeting, and Mr. Moon met her four times during her three-day trip. She held her chin up when she met political leaders and faced crowds in the South. Her light makeup and modest, even prim, clothes were a contrast to those of her fashionably dressed sister-in-law, Ri Sol-ju. I cant speak very well in public, Ms. Kim said shyly when she was asked to give a toast during a dinner at a five-star hotel in Seoul, according to South Korean officials who were present. Mr. Kim expressed satisfaction after Ms. Kim briefed him on Monday about her trip to the South. It is important to continue making good results by further livening up the warm climate of reconciliation and dialogue created by the strong desire and common will of the North and the South with the Winter Olympics as a momentum, Mr. Kim said, according to the Norths official Korean Central News Agency on Tuesday. Despite the intense curiosity her visit generated, little is known about Ms. Kim, a member of the most secretive ruling dynasty in the world. Outside officials are not even sure about her age or marital status, though she is most often said to be 30 and married. HAMBURG, Germany Ask the regulars seated at the sturdy, rectangular tables in the Staff Restaurant Billstedt, the cafeteria for workers in the basement of a municipal building in Hamburg, whether they have a favorite dish. They all give the same answer. Its all good, insisted nearly a dozen patrons, most of them over 60, packing four rows of five tables each, when asked about their favorite meal on a recent Wednesday. You can get salads, soups, a proper meal and whatever you choose, it is good, said Karin Ahlf, sitting at a table along the back wall watching patrons arrive, hang up their coats on a row of hooks beside the door and head past the tables for the rack of melamine trays at the counter near the back. If you search Instagram these days for the handle @PS122, you wont find the institution formerly known as Performance Space 122 (PS122 for short). Instead youll discover a new, anonymous account that calls itself You Cant Kill a Ghost, with 29 followers, a single photo of the color red and a one-word bio: History. The account is one of the more playful responses to have cropped up online in the few weeks since PS122, with its nearly 40-year history as a home for subversive performance, announced it was changing its name. The place where Spalding Gray performed his last monologues, where Sarah Michelson unveiled her early choreographic experiments, where artists grappled with the onset of the AIDS epidemic that place would now be called Performance Space New York. The change, timed to the long-delayed opening last month of Performance Spaces renovated East Village home, was part of a rebranding overseen by the institutions new artistic and executive director, Jenny Schlenzka. The update also included a mysterious new logo designed by the German visual artist Sarah Ortmeyer: a black heart with a corner sliced off. In the days after the announcement, that symbol seemed to capture the heartache expressed on social media among artists, critics and curators, as well as others with connections to what had been for them a familiar place in an ever-changing city. I am bereft, Nicky Paraiso, a curator at the nearby theater La MaMa and a longtime East Village resident, wrote in a public post on Facebook. Some criticized the change as an erasure of the organizations history. Others took issue with the choice of a generic-sounding name over one reflecting the origins of PS122, which was founded in 1980 when a group of artists took over an abandoned public school. The Metropolitan Museum of Art announced Tuesday that Michelangelo: Divine Draftsman and Designer had surpassed Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty to become the 10th most visited exhibition in the museums history. The exhibition, which ended Monday, drew 702,516 visitors over its three-month residency. The works by McQueen, a fashion designer, attracted 661,609 people between May 4 and Aug. 7, 2011. Despite its manifest success, the collection of drawings, paintings, sculptures and other works by the Renaissance maestro did not threaten the museums top two exhibits. Both Treasures of Tutankhamun, which appeared at the museum for almost four months in 1978 and 1979, and Mona Lisa, which was up for less than a month in 1963, broke the one million visitor mark. The following are edited excerpts from a conversation with Ms. Williams-Adkins. How did you and your husband put this collection together? We didnt have a lot of money, but Terry would do trades with friends. It was organic. He loved his students [at the University of Pennsylvania] and collected their work. Jamal Cyrus was one of his students and Demetrius Oliver. Wilmer Wilson was in Terrys last class. Would he do trades even for the African art? Whatever it was he wanted, it was like a barter system. He knew a lot about African art, what was good and what wasnt good. He started collecting musical instruments in Zurich in 1987. He found this kora [lute] through an African art dealer. That was one of the things he loved the most. Theres a photograph of him before I knew him playing it in the Alps. For two years after he passed away, we couldnt find it. I sent photographs out to all the people who had moved his things from Penn. Then somehow it showed up. It was him bringing it back to me so I could rest easily. Have you continued to collect on your own? I go to benefits and I will buy things. My eye is not like Terrys, but I think Im pretty good at it. 2. The F.B.I. director said that its report on Rob Porter, the presidents former staff secretary who was forced out over allegations of spousal abuse, was delivered to the White House months earlier than the administration has admitted. The White House stood by its timeline. Mr. Porter never got a permanent security clearance, but hes far from alone. The presidents son-in-law, Jared Kushner, above, is operating on an interim status that gives him access to classified material. It remains unclear why Mr. Kushners security clearance has taken so long. ___ Update from Pyeongchang: Russian nationalist fervor is very present, despite the official barring of many athletes over the countrys state-backed doping scheme. (Our Daily podcast has the best account yet of how that unfolded.) One of our most popular stories today is a throwback: In 1982, the Norwegian cross-country skier Oddvar Bra collided with a skier from the Soviet Union. Somehow, a national myth was born. Our columnist profiled Claudia Pechstein, a seven-time speedskating Olympian from Germany. Under normal circumstances, she would be a sentimental favorite, but her doping violation remains hard to ignore. KIRKLAND, Wash. For the past year, Bill and Melinda Gates have received the same question repeatedly while jetting around the world: How is President Trump affecting their work as two of the worlds top philanthropists? The president has rattled it in several ways, they answer. His policies have shaken up the field of family planning, they say, and his derogatory comments about African countries and Haiti have caused disbelief among people they work with outside the United States. Those disparaging comments dont belong in any public discourse, Ms. Gates said in a recent joint interview with her husband, the co-founder of Microsoft and one of the richest people in the world. Thats not how we teach our kids to speak, she continued. So its discouraging to hear that kind of talk. Representative Jackie Walorski, Republican of Indiana, warned that price increases could affect the recreational vehicles made in her district. Senator Gary Peters, Democrat of Michigan, noted that the auto parts industry relied on inexpensive metals. And Senator Lamar Alexander, Republican of Tennessee, said that past tariffs imposed in 2002 by President George W. Bush on steel had cost jobs for auto parts companies. In a statement after the meeting, Representative Kevin Brady, Republican of Texas and the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said that the Trump administration needed to hold China accountable for unfair trade practices. But he urged the president to avoid any action that could reverse what he described as the benefits of lower taxes and lighter regulation under the Trump administration. I committed to continuing to work with him to identify a narrow and targeted remedy that is balanced, effective, protects national security and economic interests across America, and addresses the root problem of Chinas distortive practices, Mr. Brady said. The president listened to their comments but occasionally offered some pushback, saying he believed foreign steel manufacturers would absorb the cost of the tariff, rather than raising their prices. You may have a higher price, but you have jobs, Mr. Trump said. Senator Patrick J. Toomey, Republican of Pennsylvania, suggested that the president focus specifically on countries that have unfair trading practices. I would urge us to go very, very cautiously here, he said. Mr. Trump replied, Thats all countries. The United Steelworkers, the countrys largest industrial union, and companies that forge steel and aluminum have united in pushing for import restrictions. But they have faced opposition from a broad array of industries that argue tariffs could hurt their ability to compete and cost more jobs than they would save. On Monday, a collection of 15 trade associations representing more than 30,000 businesses that use steel to make products warned the White House in a letter that such restrictions could undermine their ability to manufacture goods in the United States. The Postal Service moved out of its longtime main post office in downtown Chicago in 1997, but ideas for remaking the Art Deco behemoth never gained traction. The huge building sat vacant, a far cry from the time when workers could sort up to 35 million letters a day there and residents posted mail in its elegant lobby, an airy space with stone floors and decorative panels. Now, the real estate firm 601W Companies is taking a crack at reviving it. With a $500 million construction loan in hand, 601W is transforming a place once known for catalogs and stamps into a 2.8-million-square-foot office building called, simply enough, the Post Office. The project is one of several major postal building redevelopments in the works around the country, including in New York and Houston. With their central locations and warehouse areas that can be converted into new uses, older postal facilities are seen as tantalizing candidates for transformation. Truly unique postindustrial space cant be replicated, especially in great locations, said Matt Garrison, a managing principal at R2 Companies, a Chicago real estate company that bought a 1.1-million-square-foot postal distribution center in downtown Milwaukee from an investor in 2015. Its very finite in supply. Thats what makes the spaces special and unique you cant fabricate it. Atmospheric conditions that helped create the recent multiyear California drought have returned, leaving the state dry and exceptionally warm this winter and its residents wondering if another long dry spell is on the way. A ridge of high-pressure air off the West Coast has persisted for much of the past three months, blocking many Pacific storms from reaching California and weakening others that do get through. Normally such ridges tend to come and go, but they also lingered during the 2012-16 drought, the worst in the states history . We are now seeing another year that looks like one of those drought years, said Daniel Swain, a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at the University of California, Los Angeles, who during the drought coined the term ridiculously resilient ridge to describe the atmospheric pattern. This one is definitely a resilient ridge, but we dont know if its quite reaching the ridiculous threshold, said Dr. Swain, who blogs about Californias weather. Kyle Glanville should have been thrilled. All 70 of the outdoor seats at Go Get Em Tiger were taken, only three days after he and his partner opened the cafe in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles. He was not. Everybody was at a laptop wearing headphones, Mr. Glanville said. He strode inside, unplugged the device that provided free Wi-Fi and tossed it into a bin in his office. He wanted a courtyard where people talked to one another, not a silent office for remote workers. And while anyone with a cellphone hot spot could connect without his help, he had made himself clear. On a recent weekday morning, almost a year and a half later, the courtyard was still full of people, but this time they were talking to one another. Only one was at his laptop. Remote workers have staked out coffee shops for years, but small-business owners say their ranks are rising. In 2016, 43 percent of American employees spent some time working remotely, according to a Gallup survey; the number who telecommute at least half the time has grown by 115 percent since 2005, said a report last year from FlexJobs and Global Workplace Analytics. Add in the self-employed, and the crowd gets even bigger. And while some still embrace the home-and-pajama model, a large contingent hits the corner cafe. Headliner GEM The kitchen whiz-kid Flynn McGarry, who has been coming up with tasting menus for a cult following at pop-ups in Los Angeles and New York since he was 12, is aiming for permanence. Hes now 19, as slight as a reed, with hair like a tangle of spiralized carrots. His restaurant, in a pair of narrow storefronts on the Lower East Side, consists of the Living Room, an all-day cafe serving coffee, tea and pastries from morning until 5 p.m., which has just opened. In two weeks, the adjacent Dining Room will follow, with $155 (including tip) set-menu dinners. My idea is to make it like a dinner party, he said. So guests start with a glass of Champagne and hors doeuvres in the cafe before proceeding to the main room, with its simple wood tables and open kitchen, for an appetizers, followed by a couple of family-style platters of pasta and meat, like a lamb feast, with side dishes. Appetizers might include peanut Ritz Crackers with foie gras, king crab with leeks and grapefruit, and slow-roasted sunchokes with pumpkin seed oil and apple. Mr. McGarry describes Daniel Humm of Eleven Madison Park and Ari Taymor of Alma in Los Angeles as mentors. They let me work in their kitchens, but gave me real responsibilities and taught me the business side, instead of just having me pluck herbs, he said. His Ritz Crackers are just the sort of thing Mr. Humm might serve: 116 Forsyth Street (Broome Street), no phone, gem-nyc.com. Opening BASTA Heres another entry in the growing inventory of Israeli dining options from the chef Raz Shabtai, who grew up in Tel Aviv, learned to cook from his grandmother and worked at restaurants in Israel and with Meir Adoni at Nur in New York. His kosher (dairy) Mediterranean restaurant features charred eggplant carpaccio, shakshuka, several seafood preparations and North African dishes like fish with couscous. Long tables are set in a room with a brick oven for bread and pizza, an open kitchen, and vintage artifacts and fresh produce on display: 62 East 34th Street, 917-261-7352. MALA PROJECT Amelie Kangs East Village take-no-prisoners Chinese restaurant featuring dry pots dense with ingredients, is venturing to Midtown Manhattan, near Xian Famous Foods. It will offer a number of dishes for the lunch crowd with lamb or chicken-based combinations. (Opens Wednesday): 41 West 46th Street, 917-261-7520, malaproject.nyc. BOUCHERIE PARK AVENUE SOUTH The meat-focused brasserie that opened in the West Village in late 2016 will welcome a sibling near Union Square. Its a big place, like the original, finished in the Belle Epoque style and serving French bistro fare. New, at this location, is a counter that specializes in charcuterie. (Wednesday): 225 Park Avenue South (18th Street), 212-353-0200, boucherie.nyc. I had eaten approximately 300 miles of cold sesame noodles before I knew they had a story. If Id thought about them at all, I would have reflected that everything has a story, but I didnt. Back in the 1980s, when I came to New York, they were simply a thing you had to order with Chinese takeout because somebody always wanted them, even though they usually tasted like leftover spaghetti with Skippy. Before this, though, cold sesame noodles in New York were the specialty of one particular Sichuan-born chef, Yu Fa Tang. Called Shorty by everybody, Tang came here in the early 60s after working for more than a decade in Taiwan. By 1967 he had his own restaurant on East Broadway, Hwa Yuan Szechuan Inn, where among other renditions of Sichuanese food he made cold sesame noodles that would lodge themselves in the memories of generations of New Yorkers and be imitated, lamentably, by takeout cooks all over town. At its peak it reportedly went through 500 pounds of noodles a day. For more details on the background of the dish and its life after the restaurant closed, I refer you to a 2007 treatise that Sam Sifton wrote in The New York Times Magazine. For a taste of the original and unexpurgated recipe, I refer you to the very good new restaurant that opened on the site of the original in October. Its name now shortened to Hwa Yuan Szechuan, it is worth visiting for reasons that go well beyond nostalgia. Hwa Yuan is an imposing restaurant, built by Shortys son Chien Lieh Tang and his grandson James Tang to plant the family name solidly in this century. To the left of the entrance is a lounge where translucent backlit panels cast everything in a streaked-marmalade glow. Straight ahead is the first dining room, and there are more up the stairs to the right. They dont always have to try that hard. The morning of the Romeo & Juliet show they put on matching shoes, leggings and oversize sweaters without consulting one another, they said. The apartment is shared with Andreas cat, Ariannas cat and Athenas 55-pound dog. The animals can tell us apart, Athena said. They know who their parents are. Since they were young girls, growing up in Hyannis, Mass., the sisters wanted to do things together. At 11 they wore shirts Arianna made out of old pillowcases to school. As seniors, they starred together in Twelfth Night, with Athena and Arianna cast as Viola and Andrea playing Feste, the singing fool. Our teacher was so worried about how to give us all lead roles, Andrea said. He was so relieved when he found out I could sing better than them. After attending different colleges, study-abroad programs and graduate schools, they all moved to New York City to give modeling something they had done for fun a try professionally. Other careers were always something we could go back to, Andrea said. But modeling is something we can only do now. And its something I can do with my sisters now. And they have become more value as a threesome. We have done shoots with them individually, but the triplets is what makes a difference, Mr. Shamouelian said. (Arianna also works part time as one of his assistant designers.) I dont really know if I would have used them if it was just one because I tend to use models that are 59 and up, Mr. Emery said. (The Levesques are 5-foot-6.) But because they are triplets I knew I could be creative with them. I knew people would say, Whoa, this is a new trend. You cant have these giant parties and go back to something small, said Paul Sevigny, the D.J. and impresario behind Pauls Cocktail Lounge in TriBeCa, which will host an intimate event for Calvin Klein. Fashion week used to be for people who were involved in fashion, not your Googles. Mr. Wangs show was also on Saturday. Instead of unfurling a #Wangfest with Kardashians, Cardi B and Dunkin Donut towers, as he did in September, he and his retinue ended up at the Brooklyn Bazaar in Greenpoint for a dance party hosted by the Lot Radio, an internet station that operates from a shipping container. Vous etes confrontes a une infestation par la puce, la punaise de lit ? Voici plusieurs actions qui sont a mettre en uvre pour faire [] Notes: Teachers: The related article, and the excerpt below, discuss sexual activity and pornography using graphic language. Please preview these materials before sharing them with students to make sure they are appropriate for your class. Students: Please post only your first name if you respond to this question on our site. Have your sex education classes ever addressed pornography? If so, what have they taught about it? In a survey with a related quiz headlined Do You Think Porn Affects the Way Teenagers Think About Sex?, The New York Times Magazine reports: In this weeks cover story, Maggie Jones talks to high-school students, many of whom are in an after-school program known as Porn Literacy in Boston, to find out what young people think about porn. Jones also looks into the research on porn and adolescents, including surprising initial data from a recent large national survey conducted by Indiana University. The surveys findings include: Ninety-three percent of males and 62 percent of females in college reported having seen porn as adolescents, according to a 2008 study from the University of New Hampshire. Indiana Universitys research indicates that twice as many teenagers watched porn as their parents assumed. Only 24 states mandate sex education, and only 13 require that it be medically accurate. One teenager Maggie Jones spoke with said the only sex ed he received was from the schools gym teacher, who sweated as he spoke, and it was all about it being bad and we shouldnt do it. Many of the teenagers Maggie Jones spoke with believed that porn was realistic before they went through the Porn Literacy program. Theres nowhere else to learn about sex, one high-school student said. And porn stars know what they are doing. Students: Complete the rest of the survey and, if you want, read the related article, then tell us: According to the article, what ideas about masculinity, femininity, sex and relationships do teenagers learn from pornography? How do you feel about these messages? In your opinion, are they helpful or harmful? Why? Do you think porn affects the way teenagers think about sex? Why or why not? If so, do you think every teenager could benefit from a porn literacy class that teaches students to see pornography more critically? Or is teaching about pornography in school inappropriate? Why? One of the teenagers Ms. Jones interviewed said: Theres nowhere else to learn about sex besides from pornography. Who do you think should be responsible for teaching young people about sex, intimacy and healthy relationships? Schools? Families? Other organizations? Or is it something teenagers should be expected to learn on their own? Why do you think the way you do? Imagine waking up and realizing that you are now living in a different country. But you never moved. Such is the case for people living in Tskhinvali, or South Ossetia, a region recognized by the United States and NATO as Georgian territory but a Russian stronghold for the last 30 years. A truce was ostensibly called in 2008, but as the photographer Tako Robakidze discovered, ask any Georgian in the area and they will insist the conflict never really ended. There are two kinds of people along the border, people who fight every day along the creeping border and people who have lost everything, said Ms. Robakidze, who grew up in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi and documented the crisis in Creeping Borders, a new project. Overnight, you can find out your land or your house is now in occupied territory. The misconception about opioid use is the belief that its a choice. There has been so much research that links opioid addiction with attachment disorder. So you have people who have suffered from poor parental bonding getting hooked on opioids often at the hands of the medical community; they go to jail, lose their jobs, children, freedom, and when they get out they cant get jobs, they have no emotional support and they blame themselves for their vulnerability. Why wouldnt they? The rest of the world blames them. No wonder they go back to using drugs. Addicts need love, support, connection. Thats why they got addicted in the first place not having these things. We need to have compassion. And, we need to understand and respect addiction more generally. Dr. Rebecca Jones, Dermatologist, Brattleboro, Vt. Burning Out The emotional tollf required to take care of certain patients has overwhelmed some health care workers. I started as a therapist treating women in a major city, and over the course of a 10-year career wound up running multiple state-funded womens residential addiction programs there, with the purest of intentions to provide help for what I know to be mostly traumatized women. I got burned out and left my job about a year and a half ago because I couldnt deal with addicts anymore. They turn treatment on its head it becomes a sort of game on when they enter programs and proceed to break every rule, in a giant game of distraction, which invariably leads back to relapse. Its an exhausting and grim business treating addicts because one cant help but conclude in the end that most of them dont really want to change. Its been heart-wrenching for me to become so disillusioned with the whole thing. Name Withheld, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Brooklyn I am a doctor, with a brother who was a heroin addict for 10 years. With my help, he got clean twice, both times by leaving the country for a while and getting out of his environment. However, he never admitted that he was an addict, never went to rehab and never changed his addictlike sociopathic behavior. We have not had a relationship for a very long time, and we never will again. I know it is not politically correct to say this, but opioids, narcotics, meth and all these drugs change people in very substantial ways, and its a minority who are ever truly rehabilitated. I think we should put our medical efforts into the patients we may truly be able to help. Being an addict can be a choice, and they will get better only if they are really ready to. Meanwhile, I, personally, will not allow them to waste my time. Name Withheld, OB-GYN, New York Recovery Is Possible But as rampant as opioid addiction has become, there have been stories of hope too. The biggest misconception about opioid abuse is that folks cannot get better. I saw with intensive outpatient treatment over a year with Suboxone that miracles do happen. I saw folks get better and become productive members of society. I saw them turn around and give back to other addicts. I saw their families heal with them. But the investment of resources is significant. They also need continuing care for many years less frequent treatment but they still need to attend groups at least once a week sometimes for years and continue on their Suboxone. Christine, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Syracuse These tensions lasted well into the New Deal, the crowning years of Americas enthusiasm for reform. New Dealers held on to progressive ideas while sloughing off some of the moralizing. Over time, though, their economic policies ushered in what the historian Alan Brinkley has described, in the title of a 1995 book, as The End of Reform. The New Deal, he wrote, grew from a complex tradition of progressive reform, then attached the word liberalism to it, and set about transforming it. The new liberals ultimately pinned their hopes on economic growth and Keynesian tinkering, not the trickier task of actively redistributing wealth and power. Over the decades that followed, they would orient themselves increasingly toward civil and social rights rather than sweeping economic reform, a subtle but important shift. This may have spelled the end of a certain mode of reform, but it did little to change reforms association with progressives and liberals even when it was taken up by their opponents. In 1955, the historian Richard Hofstadter published a book whose title named the period from the 1890s through the 1940s The Age of Reform. He accepted as axiomatic that reformers came from the side of the left in American history. Still, he noted, there was now a tendency among conservative politicians to claim reform and reformer as gauzy, feel-good labels. We usually reserve our highest acclaim for the politician who has in him a touch of the liberal reformer, Hofstadter wrote. As a result, any talented conservative politician learned how to exert his maximal influence by using the rhetoric of progressivism and winning the plaudits of the reformers while otherwise working against what most progressives would want. Six decades later, a similar impulse seems to hold sway in Washington. While Democrats search for a muscular patriotic language to win back Trump voters (or galvanize their own), Republicans and conservatives seem happy enough to claim the gentler mantle of reform, especially when facing popular skepticism or outright hostility toward their policy proposals. Having accomplished tax reform, Speaker Paul Ryan now dreams of entitlement reform, through which he envisions reducing the deficit by cutting back on signature liberal programs like Medicare and Social Security. In a recent open letter sponsored by the Heritage Foundation, 12 conservative figures urged Ryan, along with Trump and Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, not to forget about health reform, by which they mean continuing the effort to undo Obamacare. Several signers of that letter have been described as reform conservatives, a loose term that signals inside-the-Beltway policy seriousness while creating distance from the more xenophobic elements of the Republican Party. Not all aspects of reform carry quite the same partisan or ideological tinge. Criminal-justice reform, intended to reduce the harms of mass incarceration, seems to be one of the few genuinely bipartisan agenda items in Washington. (Trump himself, who rails against savage criminals, has spoken about reforming our prisons to help former inmates who have served their time get a second chance.) Campaign-finance reform occasionally rallies support across party lines, as do a few select aspects of immigration reform. But even those issues narrow, practical and still contentious point to some of the limits of reform right now. A century ago, reform meant coming up with inspiring new ideas that would lead to greater justice, a confidence that human planning and ingenuity could accomplish grand and transformative things. Now it seems to mean, at best, restrained corrective measures and far more often than that, actively undoing the policies of the past, an act of hardheaded resignation rather than of collective hope. Reform once promised a future of unparalleled opportunity. Today, it often marks the opposite, a loss of faith in the idea of progress itself. Im embarrassed about how people think about New Jersey based on Senator Menendezs behavior, he said. Its embarrassing. He must be and he will be held accountable by the voters this November. Political advisers to Mr. Menendez said the senator would not comment on Mr. Hugins remarks. Mr. Menendez is emerging from a monthslong politically damaging corruption trial that ended in a mistrial after a jury was unable to reach a verdict. After saying they were going to retry Mr. Menendez, federal prosecutors reversed course after a federal judge acquitted him of several of the charges. Mr. Menendez, who has not formally declared his candidacy but has given every indication that he plans to run again, has a $4.1 million campaign fund and is unlikely to face a serious challenge in the Democratic primary, having locked up nearly every key Democratic endorsement in the state. Mr. Hugin, a U.S. Marine veteran who was born in Union City, just like Mr. Menendez, pledged that he was a fiscal conservative, but would not be beholden to the Republican Party on issues that hurt New Jersey, like capping state and local tax deductions under the new tax law. If President Trump or any other Republican has an idea or a view that is bad for New Jersey, I will forcefully stand up and disagree with them, he said. Mr. Rahimi was portrayed as a loner drawn to calls of jihad in online publications like Inspire. On Tuesday, wearing a long beard and a kufi, a cap worn by many men in South Asia and parts of Africa, Mr. Rahimi complained in his statement about past harassment in airports over his traditional dress, and even before, when he did not have a beard and wore shorts as if Im going to the beach. He focused most of his brief statement on his father and a misconception that he believes had taken hold that the older man supported terrorism. My house does not harbor any terrorist-type activities, he said. Of his father, Mohammad Rahami, who attended Tuesdays hearing in the rear of the gallery, he said, He wants to give us a better future. I commend him for that. He mentioned the call his father made to the authorities in 2014 to report that the convicted man was behaving suspiciously. We had our differences in life, Mr. Rahimi said. My father did his best to try to quell everything down. At this, Mr. Rahami, who spells his name slightly differently than his son, bowed his head in court and quietly sobbed. In December, prosecutors said Mr. Rahimi had been giving other inmates access to speeches and lectures by Osama bin Laden and Anwar al-Awlaki and the same sort of bomb-making instructions from Inspire that were used as evidence at his trial. In his statement, Mr. Rahimi avoided discussing his part in these infractions, instead blaming the government for locking up the other inmates in the first place. Of his own life, he said, I have American friends and I also have Muslim friends. Judge Berman called his crimes heinous, wanton, life-threatening in handing down the maximum sentences for the eight crimes of which he was convicted. Mr. Rahimi already faced an automatic life sentence for one of the crimes, and Judge Berman added a second life term and, on top of them both, an additional 30 years in prison, all to be served consecutively. The redundant sentences would serve the same end Mr. Rahimi is unlikely to ever leave prison but could have individual practical implications should he prevail on an appeal of one or more of the convictions in the future. For the second time in two months, a federal judge has stepped into an intense political fight over immigration policy, issuing an injunction that orders the Trump administration to keep in place the embattled program known as DACA, which protects young undocumented immigrants from deportation. The nationwide injunction, issued on Tuesday by Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis of Federal District Court in Brooklyn, came one month after a court in California also ruled that the administration needed to spare DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Judge Garaufiss ruling in many ways echoed the one issued by Judge William Alsup of Federal District Court in San Francisco. But it also offered additional reasons for why DACA should remain in place as the case continues through the courts, and it detailed the harms that its repeal would cause to young immigrants and others. On Sept. 5, the attorney general, Jeff Sessions, announced that the Trump administration planned to end DACA gradually, saying that the program had been unconstitutionally established by President Barack Obama in 2012. Under the rollback, the Department of Homeland Security is still considering pending DACA applications and renewal requests from recipients who filed by Oct. 5. But the department plans to reject all applications after that. After Mr. Sessionss announcement, a coalition of immigration lawyers and a group of 16 Democratic state attorneys general, led by Eric Schneiderman of New York, filed separate but linked lawsuits in Brooklyn, claiming that the repeal of DACA was an arbitrary and capricious decision largely motivated by a racial animus against Latinos. In his ruling, Judge Garaufis agreed with the lawyers that the rollback was arbitrary and capricious; but while he has vociferously criticized Mr. Trump from the bench for his anti-immigrant tweets and public statements, the judge made no mention of racial animus in his findings. DreamYard Preparatory high school in the Bronx has spent the last five years on the kinds of lists schools would rather avoid. First, it was a Priority School, a distinction New York bestows on the lowest-performing schools in the state. Then it became a Focus school, which is for schools that are struggling, if not quite so badly. It has also been part of Mayor Bill de Blasios Renewal Schools program, which aims to turn around troubled schools using extra resources, rather than just shutting them down. Now, it has been declared a Rise school, one of 21 Renewal schools that have made enough progress to begin the transition away from the support of the Renewal program. I think were at a pivotal point, said Alicia Wargo, the schools principal. Were not exactly where we want to be, but we have made steady progress and gains every year. Four years ago, before Renewal began, the graduation rate at DreamYard was a dismal 46 percent. By 2017, its graduation rate had risen to 68 percent. That may not be a comforting figure to prospective parents, but its only a bit lower than the city average of 74.3 percent. Dr. Laura Feijoo, a senior supervising superintendent at the Education Department, said the school had improved in a variety of areas and she expressed confidence that it had created a sustainable school improvement structure to allow that progress to continue. It was all, he said, just a terrible misunderstanding. Todd R. Howe, the disgraced lobbyist at the heart of a sprawling New York corruption case, returned to the witness stand on Tuesday, fresh off a weekend spent in jail after his bail was revoked. He appeared sheepish and ashamed, and he asserted that a seeming act of fraud that emerged last week during cross-examination an attempt to claw back money from a luxury hotel in New York in 2016 was a fault of his memory, not his well-documented mendacity. I wasnt denying that I stayed there, Mr. Howe said. I was just disputing it. Mr. Howe, who has pleaded guilty to eight felonies and is cooperating with prosecutors, is the key witness in the governments case against Joseph Percoco, a former top aide to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. Mr. Percoco is accused of solicitation of bribes, conspiracy and other charges, and is being tried in Federal District Court in Manhattan alongside three co-defendants, executives with two companies accused of offering bribes. Little has been done to repair the damage of three hugely destructive wars in the last decade. Last year, the Palestinian Authority, seeking to win back control over Gaza, slashed the salaries of thousands of workers still on its payroll and halted payments to Israel for Gazas fuel and electricity. That pushed Hamas into a much-heralded agreement with the Palestinian Authority in October, but nothing has come of it. Most recently the Trump administration waded in with a vindictive decision to cut funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which supports Palestinian refugees, including 1.2 million in Gaza. While the blockade and Israeli military attacks have ruined Gaza, there is no defending Hamas, which regularly fires rockets across the border into Israel. Money that should have gone to hospitals and medicine has been spent on futile confrontation with Israel and digging tunnels that the Israelis are now spending a small fortune to block. But holding two million people hostage is not the way to fight Hamas, and the suffering only nurtures more rage and militancy. A majority of Gazas two million people are simply trying to survive against lengthening odds and can do little to alleviate their plight. If, as General Eisenkot warned, another uprising lies in the future, that would likely prove futile. It would cause great suffering and destruction again, and might not even rouse the world to Gazas plight. The Palestinians no longer seem to be a serious concern even for Arab nations. To the Editor: Re With Wall, House Panels Partisan Divisions Will Be Literal (news article, Feb. 9): The House Intelligence Committee has historically worked on a bipartisan basis, with staff members sitting together in a secure office because of their classified work. That is why I was shocked to learn that Republicans on the committee have decided to physically separate Republican and Democratic staff members in the committees secure spaces. The construction of a partition to separate staff is a physical manifestation of a dire problem in Washington. Republicans and Democrats are polarized, and a lack of meaningful dialogue has contributed to the gridlock. The Trump administration has demonized our intelligence community, and the House Intelligence Committees chairman, Devin Nunes, has fed those partisan flames. Separating the Democratic and Republican staff members of a bipartisan committee will further endanger the bipartisan approach to national security. In doing her fathers bidding, Ivanka Trump is trying to tell the world that a sexist really wants to empower women, that a racist really cares about equal opportunity and that a narcissistic plutocrat is acting in the high-minded interests of the little people. Shes willfully delusional, totally complicit and compiling one hell of an Instagram feed, which is what shes ultimately all about. In doing her brothers bidding, Kim Yo-jong is airbrushing a dictator who authorizes public executions that, according to defectors, must be watched by all adult citizens, so that they can savor the wages of disobedience. She is diverting attention from his roles in the murders of his half brother, who was smeared with a fatal toxin while walking through an airport, and of many senior government officials, slaughtered in grotesque ways. Is it any wonder that shes making the effort? The alternative, apparently, is being drawn and quartered. So bizarrely nonjudgmental was some of the chatter about her that BuzzFeed News published what it cheekily labeled a public service announcement. The headline, referring to a disapproving glance that shed thrown at Vice President Mike Pence, reminded Americans that she was not your new fave shade queen, and the article bluntly asked those who seemed to be so taken with her, What the hell is wrong with you people? In National Review, David French floated some answers, positing that hatred of President Trump was so blinding that his opponents regarded all international incidents as potential diminutions of his administration. To these appalled critics, Pence exists on the same level as Kims sister or even below it. French filed this under the rubric of overheated partisanship, which is indeed a problem but not tidily applicable here. Anti-Trump fervor has as much to do with his out-of-bounds actions and words as with any reflexive tribalism. And Trump himself has been guilty of galling equivalences. When he campaigned for the presidency and made goo-goo eyes at Vladimir Putin, he famously minimized Putins reputation for having journalists and political adversaries eliminated, telling Joe Scarborough, Well, I think that our country does plenty of killing, too, Joe. Both Frenchs complaint and the BuzzFeed News article touch on something troubling and important: a tendency in the media and beyond it to treat all of public life as a pageant and a public relations contest, with winners and losers determined less by their souls than by their sizzle. Kim Yo-jong got points for being a fascinating distraction. Thats a role that Trump has long played. But there can be no mistake: America is in a rotten moment. North Korea is rotten to the core. If a new study is correct, more than 91 percent of us have a bucket list things we wish to do before we die. This revelation is interesting on several levels, including a question of what that minority of nearly 9 percent is thinking. Surely those people are aware that the chance of their kicking the bucket is 100 percent. Are we to believe that nothing in their basket of wishes is unrealized? The research, published last week in The Journal of Palliative Medicine, was based on a survey of 3,056 people across the United States. Perhaps not surprisingly, those who put stock in religion and spirituality were more likely to compile such a list than those of little faith. The aspiration they listed most commonly is also unsurprising: a desire to travel. Make what you will of the finding that much farther down the scale was a desire to spend quality time with friends and family. There is more to bucket lists than mere wishes. Theres a practical side. The study said that doctors might be better able to figure out the best courses of action for seriously ill patients. One of the researchers, Dr. Vyjeyanthi Periyakoil of Stanford University, cited the example of a patient who had inoperable cancer of the gallbladder yet would benefit from radiation treatments and chemotherapy. But he also wanted to fulfill a dream of taking his family to Maui. Go to Hawaii while you still can, Dr. Periyakoil told him. Chicago still has a long way to go. Its math and reading scores remain below the national average, for example. But its recent progress is exciting, especially given the citys diverse population and relatively high poverty rate. The citys students appear to be learning faster than those in almost every other school system in the country, according to new data from researchers at Stanford, Emily Badger and Kevin Quealy of The Times recently wrote. In The Washington Post last week, Karin Chenoweth wrote, If we as a country are really serious about wanting to improve schools and education, we should be studying Chicago. The gains havent come easily, though. They have involved, among other things, greater accountability for school leaders and the closure of some underperforming schools. In a Times op-ed today, Tamar Manasseh makes the case against the next round of Chicagos school closures, calling previous ones a fiasco. I disagree. For too long, school systems have been unwilling to crack down on failing schools. As traumatic as closures can be, they can lead to real progress, as has happened in Chicago. In most other parts of society, after all, institutions arent allowed to fail year after year, without consequence. For more on Chicago, I wrote about its schools last year, focusing on the role that principals have played. You can also read the Stanford University study. And The Chicago Tribune explained the latest development yesterday: a three-year phaseout, rather than a 2018 closing, for three high schools. As usual, I encourage you to read both sides of the debate. Follow up. Lucas Dolan of American University responded to my column about Trumpism-for-thee-and-not-for-me by noting on Twitter that populist demagogues in other countries have followed a similar pattern. Theyve exempted their own supporters from their policy agenda. Indianapolis In Indiana, a 17-year-old can deliver a baby and then give a doctor permission to circumcise him. But during her delivery, she cant give the doctors permission to give her an epidural. She needs her parents to consent to that, and they can refuse. The 17-year-old can consent to her infants hearing testing, vaccines and anything else the baby might need. But she cannot consent to a long-acting, reversible contraceptive such as an IUD or an arm implant to prevent her from getting pregnant again. Once again, she needs her parents permission, and if her parents arent around, shes out of luck. According to a report released this month by the Guttmacher Institute, 24 states do not explicitly give all minors the right to receive contraceptives without their parents permission. Minors in 11 states still do not have the right to consent to contraception even after giving birth. There are situations where a minor can consent if married, legally emancipated or on active military duty, or after a sexual assault by a family member but these apply to only a small minority of teenage mothers. For many years now Americans have been celebrating the decline in teenage pregnancy rates. But the general trend obscures some more alarming statistics. Data from a 2005 study show that of the adolescents who do get pregnant, up to 44 percent will conceive again within a year. A local study of teenage pregnancies in Indianapolis found that 1 in 3 adolescents who delivered between 2010 and 2012 were pregnant again in less than 18 months. LONDON There are many things about British life that President Trump appears to disdain. Last week, he tweeted about the National Health Service in Britain and described it as going broke and not working. But Mr. Trump admires Britains libel laws. In January, he spoke about his plans to examine and strengthen the libel laws in the United States. You cant say things that are false, knowingly false, and be able to smile as money pours into your bank account, Mr. Trump told reporters after the publication of Fire and Fury, Michael Wolffs controversial account of the Trump White House. For years, Mr. Trump claimed that President Barack Obama was not born in the United States. He insisted, against all evidence, that his inauguration drew the largest crowds ever. One imagines such a man might know a thing or two about saying things that are knowingly false, and being able to smile as money pours into your bank account. In Mr. Trumps view, however, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution is too permissive, whereas in England, libel claimants have a good chance of winning. I live in London, a city that was once called the libel capital of the world. Oligarchs, despots and billionaires from across the world would regularly land in London to try to silence their critics. The Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky sued Forbes magazine in 2000 after it characterized him as a thug and a crook. He was unlikely to have won his case in the United States, where Forbes is published. He sued instead in London. British judges ruled that since the magazine was available on the internet and could be read by Britons, Mr. Berezovsky had the right to sue here. In one meeting, we told President Trumps envoys how important Jerusalem is to Palestine. While we acknowledge and respect its deep connection to the three major monotheistic religions, the city is also the heart of our people Muslims and Christians as a nation. So we support making Jerusalem an open city with free access for all, and a sovereign Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem. Instead, President Trump decided last month to take Jerusalem off the table a step that encouraged Israelis to pursue policies in occupied East Jerusalem that seek to forcibly transfer the Palestinian population out of the city. Recognizing Jerusalem as Israels capital violated the United Nations Security Councils Resolution 478 and general charter prohibitions on the acquisition of territory by force; it also contradicted a declaration by the United States in 1991 that the final status of Jerusalem should be decided by negotiations, and that the United States doesnt recognize Israels annexation of East Jerusalem or the extension of its municipal boundaries. Now President Trump is engaged in another power play to take the issue of refugees off the table. He is doing that by drastically reducing American funding of the relief agency known as UNRWA, a United Nations organization not tied to the P.L.O. that provides desperately needed services to millions of Palestinian refugees. What will be next? The ultimate deal promised by President Trump has been transformed into the ultimatum deal. When President Trump decided to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital, he put the Palestinians in an impossible position and joined Israel in a blame game. But this is not a game to us. This is about our very existence and upholding international law. The policy falls so far outside the international legal and political consensus that it has made the United States ineligible to play the role of sole broker in the Middle East. Palestine has been a failed test for the international community. The world must start now to hold Israel accountable when it violates international law, and to create an international umbrella for negotiations. Since President Trumps Jerusalem announcement, we have met with leaders in countries that could help seek new peace Russia, China, Japan, South Africa and India, alongside members of the European Union. Next Tuesday, President Abbas will address the Security Council to present a vision of peace. And we are planning to move toward national elections in which all Palestinians, including our diaspora, can take part, with the goals of better representation, more support for our refugees and strengthening our peoples steadfastness under occupation. President Trump, for the wrong reasons, has put the issue of Palestine back on the international agenda. If his administrations inability to be an honest broker opens the way for other parties to become mediators, Palestine can engage in meaningful discussions on a just and final peace. This must begin with a time frame for ending the Israeli occupation and establishing a sovereign Palestinian state on the 1967 border, with East Jerusalem as its capital a proposal offered and reaffirmed often by the Arab League. Palestinians would attain their inalienable rights, and Israel would enjoy normal relations with the region. Only such an international effort can address the unequal power balances, uphold international law and present a clear future of hope, freedom, justice and peace. Paul Ryan, the House speaker, sees the tax act as a bonanza for the working stiff: He tweeted that a public school secretary would see a whopping $1.50 a week extra in her paycheck. Its touching that the secretary can now afford an extra McDonalds coffee every week, but the deficit, thanks partly to the tax cut, is projected after years of decline to explode to a trillion dollars annually. Tax cuts, regardless of the deficit, are an obsession with Republicans and a source of shameless hypocrisy. During the recent shutdown crisis, the House Freedom Caucus balked at a deal to avert an impasse because it contained additional domestic spending, while in the Senate, Rand Paul of Kentucky held up the vote because the spending creates debt that threatens the livelihoods of our children. Yet the senator and every single Freedom Caucus member enthusiastically had voted only a few weeks before for a fiscally irresponsible tax bill. Republicans were once the party of conservation and the environment: from Abraham Lincoln, who set aside Yosemite for what later became a national park, to Theodore Roosevelt, preserving 230 million acres of public land, to Richard Nixon, who signed the Clean Air Act and created the Environmental Protection Agency. Now the E.P.A. is being systematically gutted. Its administrator, Scott Pruitt, has named as chairman of its science advisory board a person who criticizes the E.P.A.s standards for exposure to mercury (a neurotoxin causing severe brain damage) and believes ozone pollution rules are unnecessary because Americans spend most of their time indoors. Another of the boards alternative scientists is a man who has stated that modern air is a little too clean for optimum health. Republicans always counted themselves as strong supporters of law and order. Whenever a crime bill was considered in Congress, I used to joke with my colleagues that any minute, a Republican would offer an amendment proposing the death penalty for jaywalking. But the presidents high-decibel smear campaign against the professionals of the F.B.I. destroys the partys pretense of being a friend of law enforcement, as does the administrations dismantling of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency and its rules against consumer fraud. The fact that Mr. Trump and his senior appointees are scofflaws regarding conflict-of-interest statutes does not enhance their reputation as straight arrows. So what do Republicans have left? The tax cut, the sole important legislation from the Republican Congress, shows that catering to its rich contributors is the partys only policy. The rest of its agenda is simply tactics and trickery. As the party has become unmoored from positive belief, it has grown manipulative, demagogic and contemptuous of truth. This was foreshadowed in 2004 when a senior adviser to George W. Bush boasted that we create our own reality. It has culminated in the presidents counselor Kellyanne Conways appealing to alternative facts, meaning lies, on behalf of her boss, who has made an average of 5.6 false or misleading claims a day since his inauguration. Good news and good vibes for minimalists: The Dreslyn, the Los Angeles e-boutique, has picked up a discreet line of luxury vibrators. Made by the Japanese company Iroha, they come in sculptural shapes and understated shades. Iroha vibrating personal massager with multiple settings, $99 to $140 at thedreslyn.com. Flight delay predictions, mobile trip-planning, automatic itinerary management, language translation through Bluetooth earbuds, and a smartphone that enables users to learn about landmarks by tapping an icon and aiming the phone at them: These are among the travel innovations Google has been introducing in recent days and weeks. While a Google Pixel 2 smartphone costs upward of $650, the companys latest tools are free. In fact, they may already be on your phone , nudging Google closer to being a one-stop destination for on-the-go vacation planning. Searching Google for a hotel or flight was once two separate activities. You could run a search for a flight across multiple airlines. Or you could search a city for hotels. Now, however, when you use an Android or iOS smartphone to search Google for a flight, a hotel or even a destination, youll find a blue navigation bar. It appears on your screen when you tap your Google search result be it Rome flights, Rome hotels or simply Rome. There are separate tabs for flights and hotels (like you see on sites such as Priceline), as well as an explore tab to check out the destinations top sights and best times to visit, and a your trips tab where Gmail users can see their future and past travel reservations, and email those reservations to others. (Travelers can also edit their itineraries and see them offline if they use the Google Trips app, which allows users to check out things to do and places to eat; review transportation options; see emergency numbers; and find out about local currency and free Wi-Fi locations.) With the blue navigation bar, users can now easily move between flight and hotel options. The feature is currently being rolled out on mobile phones in the United States. A spokeswoman for Google said there are plans to expand globally in the coming months. Google has also added new features to Google Flights, its online airfare search and comparison tool. Now users can see whats included (or not) with new fare types like basic economy. For instance, you can find out whether a particular fare on Delta or United allows you to choose your seat or store a bag in an overhead bin. Users may also be able to find out why their flights are delayed (to check your status, just search your flight number on Google), as well as view predictions about whether a flight will be delayed, based on historic flight status data and machine learning algorithms. (Google said it will share predictions only when its at least 80 percent confident of the prediction). These days its also possible to book certain flights through Google, as opposed to clicking a link and purchasing the flight on the airlines website or that of a third-party like Expedia. But what began as sharp declines in pregnancy and childbearing among teenagers typically considered a socially desirable result has slowly spread up the age cohorts, first to women in their early 20s, then to those in their late 20s. And now fertility decline has set in for women even in their 30s. Far from reversing as America grew out of economic recession, this lost fertility has worsened. A key factor is that marriage is increasingly being postponed. Total fertility rates controlling for marital status have not changed very much over the last 15 years. But with marriage coming later, the share of women at peak childbearing ages (20 to 40) who are married has steadily fallen. As millennials in particular take their time to pair up, the average age of first birth is rising steadily. Today, the average age of a woman at first birth is over 26 years old. And while that is much higher than in the past, many European countries have an average age of first birth over 30, so there seems a lot more room to rise. In fact, the United States has the youngest age of first childbirth of any developed country. Beyond delayed marriage, unmarried births are falling, too. Wider usage of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) is especially helping unmarried women avoid unintended pregnancy (from 1.5 percent LARC usage in 2002 to 7.2 percent in 2011-2013). And the increasing availability and usage of emergency contraceptives (which some consider to be abortions but are not counted in official abortion statistics) further reduces the likelihood of implantation (from 1 percent emergency contraceptive usage in 1995 to 11 percent in 2006-2010). But while most everyone can agree that reducing unintended pregnancy is a good thing, there have been relatively few innovations in technology or social structure to enable desired parenting. Technologies such as in vitro fertilization, ovulation-enhancing medicines, egg storage and artificial insemination have been around for decades now, and remain extremely expensive in many cases. A single attempt of even a very simple assisted-conception procedure can cost thousands of dollars, with even higher costs for more involved procedures, often not covered by insurance. Were getting flooded day in, day out from San Diegans wondering what we are doing about Qualcomm, said Mark Cafferty, chief executive of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation. But in reality, this is major shareholder stuff that we as a region arent going to solve by holding a rally and saying how great Qualcomm is. But how much do big companies actually matter to a city? Not as much as small companies. Big companies certainly have their benefits. They are generous philanthropists and tend to have more stable employment, so they help cities weather downturns. But over the past 50 years economists have shown that urban growth is much more highly correlated with the prevalence of small companies, suggesting that entrepreneurship is more important than big employers for a citys long-run prosperity, according to Edward Glaeser, an economics professor at Harvard who studies cities. The good news for San Diego is that it has entrepreneurship in spades. The city is a center of start-up activity and venture capital investment, so while it does not have big recognizable companies like Los Angeles does with its Hollywood studios or San Francisco with its tech giants in the long run, Qualcomm or no Qualcomm, the city seems to be doing just fine. Weve lived under the shadow of L.A. and San Francisco for a long time, said Jerry Sanders, the citys mayor from 2005 to 2012 and now chief executive of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. We have chosen a different path. Small business and smaller organizations are the ones that have made their way in San Diego, and I think that we take great pride in that. But that voluntary policy is just that: Its not binding, its not law, Ms. Ruiz said. And she and other immigrant advocates say that while the agency may avoid making arrests at those sensitive locations, it continues to arrest people near them. Does ICE have to let deportees get their affairs in order? While they sometimes do, immigration officers are not required to give arrestees the chance to gather their belongings or even say farewell to their loved ones. Mr. Jamals family said that the officers who arrested him, for example, denied them the right to hug him goodbye. And, often, those being arrested may be far from home and family. Depending on the stage of the deportation process and criminal history, some individuals are allowed to go free on the condition that they commit to voluntarily leave the country within a specified period. Do contributions to society make any difference? ICE agents are given discretion to decide whether someone should be deported. The agency may let someone stay, under supervision, in extenuating circumstances if the person is receiving medical treatment or caring for an elderly parent, for example. That appears to have been the case for Mr. Berrones, who reportedly received a one-year stay on his removal that will allow him to continue caring for his ill son. Community pressure, and media attention, has swayed the agency in the past, too. But, under President Trump, ICE is using that discretion in favor of detainees less often. The administrations position is that anyone who is in the United States illegally is a target for deportation. In the last few years of the Obama administration, on the other hand, agents were told to prioritize some groups, like serious criminals and recent arrivals. So while family, personal circumstances or contributions to society may be considered, they are less likely to help an individuals cause now than they once were. What role does a criminal record, or the lack of one, play? The Trump administration considers being in the United States without proper documentation to be a crime, a stricter approach than in the past, when immigration offenses were often thought of more like civil infractions. Still, pressed on whether senior officials including John F. Kelly, the chief of staff; Donald F. McGahn II, the White House counsel; and Mr. Hagin could have been unaware as far back as last summer that such a significant issue had been raised about one of the presidents closest aides, she conceded she could not be certain. Not that Im aware of, Ms. Sanders said. I cant say with 100 percent certainty. According to the two people briefed on the matter, the White House security office reviewed the allegations about Mr. Porter in July and saw that the F.B.I. had interviewed Mr. Porters two former wives but not Mr. Porter himself. The office asked the F.B.I. to go back and do so, said the two people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case. In November, the F.B.I. provided another report to the security office, the two people said, adding that at that point, a final review began to determine whether to grant Mr. Porter a security clearance. As part of that review, three officials in the personnel office, including its head, were supposed to come to their own conclusions about whether to grant the clearance, the people said. By the time The Mail published its article last week, only one of those officials had made a determination, the two people said, although it is not clear what the official had concluded. In late November last year, a distraught girlfriend of Mr. Porters contacted Mr. McGahn and told him Mr. Porter had been unfaithful to her by dating Hope Hicks, the White House communications director, and had anger problems, according to several people familiar with the discussion. Mr. McGahn, who knew Mr. Porters girlfriend, at that point suggested to Mr. Porter he should consider leaving the White House, the people said. But Mr. McGahn did not follow up on the matter. One former White House official, Anthony Scaramucci, who lasted 10 days last year as White House communications director before being removed by Mr. Kelly, weighed in on Tuesday on Mr. Wrays testimony. Mr. Scaramucci posted on Twitter that Mr. Kelly almost certainly knew about credible allegations of domestic abuse against Rob Porter at least 6 months ago - then recently forced others to lie about that timeline. WASHINGTON An immigration debate on Tuesday in the Senate that promised to be freewheeling and democratic got off instead to a rocky start, with Democrats and Republicans in a standoff over how the debate should proceed. But even as the floor debate faltered, a bipartisan group of senators was working behind the scenes to draft an immigration proposal that could garner the 60 votes necessary to overcome a filibuster. At stake is the fate of hundreds of thousands of young immigrants brought to the country illegally as children, known as Dreamers, who have been shielded from deportation under an Obama-era program, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. President Trump has rescinded the program, which is set to expire March 5, and has given lawmakers until then to come up with a replacement. Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader, had set aside this week for debate on legislation that would protect the young immigrants, and address other matters including border security and the wall that the president has proposed on the southern border. In an early morning Twitter post on Tuesday, Mr. Trump cast the debate as the Dreamers last chance, and encouraged the two parties to work together. The threat on negotiations over the Obama-era program known as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, comes as the Senate holds a rare open-ended debate on immigration. Mr. Trump ended the program in September, giving lawmakers until March 5 to agree on a replacement so that about 700,000 young immigrants are not deported. That deadline, however, is not as firm as the president suggests. A federal judge in California ordered the Trump administration to restart the program last month. MEXICO CITY Former President Alvaro Colom of Guatemala and his finance minister, who is now the chairman of Oxfam International, were arrested Tuesday in a graft case that is the latest chapter in the countrys sweeping attack on corruption. The police arrested Mr. Colom and nine former members of his cabinet in early-morning raids after a long-running investigation into fraud involving a new bus system in Guatemala City. Mr. Colom is the fourth former president of Guatemala to face corruption charges as a result of investigations led by an international panel of prosecutors trying to break up networks of corruption and end impunity. Mr. Colom and his former finance minister, Juan Alberto Fuentes Knight, appeared at an initial court hearing in Guatemala City along with other former cabinet members, and were then placed in detention until a hearing scheduled for next week. Mr. Fuentes Knight, a well-regarded economist, has been the chairman of Oxfam International, a confederation of charitable organizations, since 2015. The scandal began in 2016, when students at a prestigious Seoul university alleged that Ms. Choi had used her influence with Ms. Park to force the school to admit her daughter, despite a lack of qualifications. (It would later emerge that some of the money Ms. Choi secured from South Korean businesses went to finance her daughters equestrian career.) Local news media began digging, and former associates of Ms. Choi turned into whistle-blowers. Soon, South Korea had its biggest corruption scandal in decades. Huge crowds of demonstrators filled central Seoul every weekend for months on end, and Parliament impeached Ms. Park in December 2016. The Constitutional Court formally ousted her last March. The scandal rekindled longstanding public anger over the extensive ties between government and corporations in South Korea. Ms. Park tearfully apologized to the public, cutting ties with Ms. Choi and insisting that she was not aware of her activities. Ms. Choi has remained loyal to Ms. Park, insisting that both were innocent. Both have also argued that they were victims of a politically motivated investigation. But prosecutors called them criminal conspirators, an argument that the court endorsed on Tuesday. We are speechless, Lee Kyung-jae, Ms. Chois lawyer, said, adding that she would appeal. Ms. Park, who has been in custody since March, is being tried separately on 18 criminal charges, including bribery, coercion and abuse of office. She still has loyal followers, who rally in central Seoul calling for her release. On her 66th birthday this month, they placed a large cake in front of the prison where she is being held. The ruling on Tuesday could have ramifications for the trial of Mr. Lee, the Samsung leader. Last August, he was sentenced to five years in prison for offering $6.7 million in bribes to Ms. Choi and Ms. Park. But the appeals court that freed Mr. Lee this month said the bribes had totaled just $3.3 million, and accordingly reduced his prison term by half (and suspended the sentence). The judges handling Ms. Chois case on Tuesday, however, said that Mr. Lee had indeed paid $6.7 million in bribes. That information is likely to come before the Supreme Court, which now has Mr. Lees case. Mr. Lee, the vice chairman of Samsung Electronics and the third-generation scion of the family that runs the Samsung conglomerate, has denied the charges against him, saying that Samsung was coerced into contributing to support Ms. Chois foundations and her daughter. ISLAMABAD, Pakistan The Pakistani Taliban have confirmed the death of their deputy commander in an American drone strike in Afghanistan last week. The commanders death is a blow to the militant group that has been responsible for deadly suicide bombings and terrorist attacks in Pakistan for over a decade. The commander, Khan Sayed, who also went by the name Khalid Sajna, was the No. 2 leader of the Pakistan Taliban. He also led his own breakaway faction of fighters from the Mehsud tribe, which inhabits the rugged, semiautonomous South Waziristan region along the border with Afghanistan. Pakistani intelligence officials thought he had been killed in a 2015 American drone strike and were still trying to confirm this latest report of his death. But they saw credibility in this claim because the Taliban announced his death and the appointment of a successor. His death could force more Mehsud Taliban members to surrender to the Pakistani military as they have lost the only unifying figure in their ranks, said Saleem Safi, a senior analyst and a Geo News talk-show host. It could also lead to infighting between the Pakistani Talibans factions over the groups leadership, he said. Rohingya refugees who have fled ethnic violence in Myanmar are at risk of a humanitarian crisis within the crisis as the impending cyclone and monsoon seasons threaten to flood camps and fuel the spread of disease, diplomats at the United Nations Security Council warned on Tuesday. More than 100,000 refugees living in makeshift camps in Bangladesh are in areas prone to flooding and landslides, and tens of thousands will have to be relocated before the high waters hit in March, said Filippo Grandi, the United Nations high commissioner for refugees. Their lives are greatly at risk, Mr. Grandi said. Though the stream of refugees pouring over the border into Bangladesh has abated somewhat, the Rohingya, a long-persecuted Muslim minority predominantly in western Myanmar, continue to flee their homes. About 1,500 have already arrived in Bangladesh this month, bringing with them reports of continued violence by Myanmars authorities, including the abduction of girls and young women, enslavement and forced starvation, said Masud Bin Momen, Bangladeshs ambassador to the United Nations. Calling the Rohingya the most persecuted minority in the world, Mr. Bin Momen said that despite an agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar for the voluntary repatriation of the refugees, most do not feel safe enough to return home, even if they have homes to return to. BERLIN Durs Grunbein was conceived two months after the Berlin Wall was built, in the cold winter of 1961. He spent half his life behind the wall, or, as he prefers to put it: I spent one life as a hostage and another life free. Last week, the barrier that once divided Berlin, Germany and the world quietly passed an equinox of German unity. The wall was gone for as long as it stood: 28 years, 2 months and 26 days. Roughly one generation lived with the wall. Roughly one generation has now lived without it. There is poetry in that symmetry, Mr. Grunbein says. A poet himself, he has written about being one of the first East Berliners to cross into the West. LONDON A British judge upheld an arrest warrant for Julian Assange for the second time in a week on Tuesday, a significant setback for him after five and a half years of evading the authorities by living in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London. Before a packed London courtroom, Senior District Judge Emma Arbuthnot rejected the arguments made by Mr. Assanges lawyer, stating that he was not a prisoner, that his living conditions were nothing like those of a prison, and that he could have as many visitors as he liked. In fact, she said, he could and should walk free at any time to meet his legal fate. He is a man who wants to impose his terms on the course of justice, Judge Arbuthnot said. He wants justice only when its in his favor. If the judge had nullified the warrant, Mr. Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, might have left the embassy, but that was far from certain. The United States and British governments have never publicly ruled out the existence of a secret request to extradite him to the United States, where he could face prosecution for publishing classified documents. MOSCOW Four Russian nationals, and perhaps dozens more, were killed in fighting between pro-government forces in eastern Syria and members of the United States-led coalition fighting the Islamic State, according to Russian and Syrian officials. A Syrian military officer said that about 100 Syrian soldiers had been killed in the fighting on Feb. 7 and 8, but news about Russian casualties has dribbled out only slowly, through Russian news organizations and social media. Much about the attack and the associated casualties has been obscured in the fog of war. For reasons that remain unclear, Syrian government troops and some Russian nationals appear to have attacked a coalition position, near Al Tabiyeh, Syria. The attack occurred in the vicinity of Deir al-Zour, a strategic, oil-rich territory that is coveted by the Syrians. Most of the fatalities were attributed to an American airstrike on enemy columns that was called in by American-backed Kurdish soldiers who believed they were under attack. Some analysts noted that most if not all of the Iraqi cities ravaged during the fight against the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, ISIL and Daesh, are in predominantly Sunni areas. Those were the places where a Sunni insurgency took root after the American-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, and later gave rise to an affiliate of Al Qaeda and the leadership ranks of the Islamic State. If they are not rebuilt, diplomats fear the regions populace will once again turn to extremism, a risk Mr. Tillerson highlighted in a morning speech to a separate gathering of the 74-nation coalition to defeat the Islamic State. The end of major combat operations does not mean that we have achieved the enduring defeat of ISIS, he said. ISIS remains a serious threat to the stability of the region, our homelands and other parts of the globe. Without continued attention on the part of coalition members, we risk the return of extremist groups like ISIS in liberated areas in Iraq and Syria and their spread to new locations. Approximately 2.5 million Iraqi citizens remain displaced after their homes were flattened, utilities destroyed and schools bombed. Almost half of Mosul remains uninhabited. The Trump administration has vastly reduced American aid for refugees and resettlement, arguing that helping displaced people return to war-torn regions is preferable to resettling them in the United States or elsewhere. But no one can return without intense rebuilding efforts. Mr. Trump complained Monday that the United States had spent $7 trillion in the Middle East over the past 17 years with little to show for it. Seven trillion dollars. What a mistake. But it is what it is, he said in introducing his domestic infrastructure plan. Mr. Trumps calculation included the direct costs of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as estimates for the costs of care for veterans. Whatever the total, the Pentagon has spent the vast majority of the money, not the State Department. JERUSALEM The Israeli police recommended on Tuesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu be charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust, casting a pall over the future of a tenacious leader who has become almost synonymous with his country. The announcement instantly raised doubts about his ability to stay in office. Concluding a yearlong graft investigation, the police recommended that Mr. Netanyahu face prosecution in two corruption cases: a gifts-for-favors affair known as Case 1000, and a second scandal, called Case 2000, in which Mr. Netanyahu is suspected of back-room dealings with Arnon Mozes, publisher of the popular newspaper Yediot Aharonot, to ensure more favorable coverage. All told, the police accused Mr. Netanyahu of accepting nearly $300,000 in gifts over 10 years. Mr. Netanyahu, addressing the nation live on television shortly before the police released their findings around 9 p.m., made clear that he would not step down. I feel a deep obligation to continue to lead Israel in a way that will ensure our future, he said, before embarking on a 12-minute defense of his conduct. You know I do everything with only one thing in mind the good of the country, he said. Not for cigars from a friend, not for media coverage, not for anything. Only for the good of the state. Nothing has made me deviate, or will make me deviate, from this sacred mission. AAP's ad stuck over "forces of the universe" sentence India oi-Vikas By Vikas The government officials have reportedly refused to clear an advertisement by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over a sentence claiming that "all the forces of the universe help when one walks on the path of honesty." The Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government in Delhi would complete three years in power on February 14 and advertisement is supposed to be aired on television channels tomorrow. The advertisement featuring Kejriwal reportedly highlights the Delhi government's achievements in the last three years. The advertisement contains a line that says: "Jab aap sacchai aur imandari ke raste par chalte hai to brahmand ki saari drishya evam adrishya shaktiyan aapki madad karti hai (When you walk on the path of truth and honesty, all visible and invisible powers of the universe help you)". This line has left the government officials in a fix as it does not refer to any particular sector or scheme. Also, a Supreme Court guideline on government advertisements states that all facts have to be checked and cleared by all the departments mentioned in the advertisement before they are published or aired. The advertisement needs to get a clearance from directorate of information and publicity (DIP) before it can be broadcasted. A Hindustan Times report quoted DIP officials as saying that approval from all departments is still pending. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 11:51 [IST] Anti-Valentine's Day protests: From tearing of greeting cards to draconian advisories India oi-Vikas By Vikas As urban India gears up to celebrate Valentine's Day, conservative fringe groups, as every year, took to streets to oppose the day of love. These groups see Valentine's Day as being against the 'Hindu culture' and vehemently oppose it every year. In Coimbatore, members of the Bharat Sena and Shakti Sena, who identify themselves as Hindu groups, on Monday, took out a march to oppose Valentine's Day. They carried placards and posters opposing the festival of love and tore the V-Day greeting cards. These groups are likely to indulge in moral policing as reports say that they would be on a lookout in public places including parks, beaches, temples and cinema halls to make sure that young couples do not celebrate the day of love on February 14. In the past, other right wing groups such as Hindu Mahasabha and Bajrang Dal have also opposed Valentine's Day celebrations claiming that it represents western values and that Indian youth were getting carried away it. This year, Lucknow University has issued an advisory to students to not to come to college on February 14 as the campus would remain closed on the occasion on Maha Shivratri. "In the past years it has been observed that under the influence of western culture, youth celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14. All the students are informed that the university would remain closed on February 14 this year for Maha Shivratri," the notice says. This is followed by set of rules urging the students to not come to the campus. The notice also urges the parents of the students to not send them to college. Lucknow University issues advisory to its students to not to roam inside the premises of the university on Valentine's Day (14.2.2018). Disciplinary action will be taken against whosoever is found violating the advisory. pic.twitter.com/dQ8cdESICK ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 13, 2018 VHP and Bajrang dal leaders along with a handful of other 'Hindu' organisations have been demanding a ban on the Valentine's Day celebrations to resist the apparent 'westernisation' of 'Indian culture.' Yesterday, some posters warning youth against dangers of 'love jihad' had also surfaced in some parts of Gujarat. The outfit that came out with the posters reportedly believes that Muslim men have launched a campaign to 'honey-trap' Hindu women and convert them to Islam in the garb of love and getting marriage. Despite the opposition, Valentine's Day will still be celebrated across the country. There could be some incidents of vandalism and brazen moral policing, but such incidents are not likely to effect the spirit of Valentine's Day. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 9:49 [IST] Explained: What is Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, how is it useful? Will fuel prices come down? Here's is what Nirmala Sitharaman has to say Civilian construction near Army camps a problem, says Sitharaman India pti-PTI Jammu, February 13: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the construction of civilian houses adjacent to Army camps "with permission" from authorities is a problem. "Civil constructions are taking place near the boundary walls (of Army camps across the country) and it is getting difficult to remove these constructions because these are taking place with permission," she told reporters on Monday. "I am studying the scenario in the entire country and will definitely come out with a solution." Sitharaman was in Jammu to visit the people injured in Saturday's attack on an Army camp in Sunjuwan by Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists based across the border. Six people, including five soldiers, were killed in the attack. Three militants were also killed in Army retaliation. The defence minister's visit to Jammu came as an encounter ensued between security forces and terrorists near a CRPF camp in Srinagar's Karan Nagar area. A CRPF jawan was killed and a policeman was injured in the exchange of fire yesterday. The CRPF has claimed it thwarted the attempt by the terrorists to attack its camp there. Sitharaman blamed Pakistan for the terrorist attack on Sunjuwan camp and said Islamabad will pay the price for the "misadventure". She said even though the evidence of Pakistan's role in the attack may be shared, India reserved the "right to respond adequately at the time our choosing". Asked about her stand on Jammu and Kashmir government's amnesty for stone-pelters, she said, "I think first-time offenders were given amnesty and I am aware of that". On filing of an FIR against an Army major over the killing of three civilians in Shopian last month, she said the case is "sub-judice" and today the Supreme Court in response to the father of the officer has given a stay of 15 days on the FIR. "We have to see how it goes and we stand by our proud soldiers. In the call of duty if they have performed something, (it) still has to be contextualised and that is something on which I understand. I am not sure yet, but subject to verification, the defence ministry will respond to the Supreme Court," she said. Sitharaman assured full support to the Army and said, "The ministry of defence, me as the defence minister, and the Government of India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership will not let anybody down." "The Army is working under severe duress and we are conscious about it," she said. PTI Congress 'concerned' about situation in Jammu & Kashmir, calls policies 'litany of errors' India oi-Shreya By Shreya The Indian National Congress on Tuesday expressed its concern over the situation in Jammu & Kashmir. The Congress said, "We are extremely concerned about the situation in Jammu & Kashmir. Our hearts and minds are with those brave soldiers, their families who have been martyred in these very dastardly and cowardly terror attacks. We do hope that those people who have suffered injuries in this attack are provided the best medical treatment and they are able to recover at the earliest." It further said making a jibe at the present Government, "However, it would be extremely inappropriate if we do not underscore that there have been 206 major terror attacks in the past 45 months. In the past 44 days since 2018 has commenced, there have been 160 major ceasefire violations along the line of control and the international border. Since the beginning of the term of this Government, the number of ceasefire violations along the line of control and the international border stand at close to 2,474. At a point in time when our brave soldiers are combating the depredations of the terrorists, the ally of the BJP - the PDP with whom they are running a Government has come out with a statement that we should talk to Pakistan." Raising the issue of National Security, it said, "We would like to ask the BJP at the national level because this has very profound national security implications that where do they stand on the statement of the CM of J&K that we should be talking to Pakistan. It is a very disturbing situation which has evolved in J&K that on one hand, you have the PDP-BJP Government which files FIR against an army Major." Saying that the BJP is not genuinely concerned regarding the issue it remarked that the BJP is shedding 'crocodile tears' and "distancing itself from that FIR but the PDP-BJP Government does nothing to withdraw that FIR and the father of the officer has to finally approach the Hon'ble Supreme Court to get an order that no coercive steps would be taken." Taking on Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the present government's policies on Pakistan the Congress said, "The Defence Minister of India says that we will respond to Pakistan at an appropriate time. We would like to ask this Government. Does it have a policy towards Pakistan? And we repeatedly asked this question from this podium that what is the policy of the NDA-BJP Government towards Pakistan. We do not want to go into the entire background of what transpired between 2014 May and 2018 February - suffice to say that it has been a story of U-turns, flips-flops and summersaults. One day you invite the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the next day you have the Prime Minister of India going to visit Pakistan. In between, there are major terrorist attacks which take place." "There is an unprecedented invitation to a joint investigating team from Pakistan consisting of the ISI to come and investigate the attack on the Pathankot Air Base. So, therefore, it is been a litany of errors which has characterized the entire approach of this Government qua Pakistan and we would also like to ask the Government in the wake of the attack on the Pathankot Air Base, the Government had set up a Committee under the former Vice Chief of the Army Lt. Genl. Phillip Compose. The Committee gave certain very-very exhaustive recommendations. What happened to those recommendations?" the Congress questioned. Criticising the present policies of the Modi-led BJP Government the Congress said, "The NDA-BJP Government has come out with a very ingenious formulation that terror and talks cannot go together but that does not preclude us from talking about terror. What we would like to ask them is - that when would the time of talking about terror be over and when would you start acting on terror?" OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 20:27 [IST] Congress will simplify GST, says Rahul Gandhi in Karnataka India oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar Congress President Rahul Gandhi said the Congress party would simplify Goods and Services Tax (GST) after the BJP government launched the tax regime without a pilot test. He was interacting with professionals and business leaders in Gulbarga. Rahul Gandhi said, "We asked Modi govt to do a pilot test of GST and urged them to not impose an untested policy on the people. But they did not listen. We will simplify the GST." He alleged that BJP is in a process to bureaucratise every institution of the Government. "This is because they have no grasp of the real world. Demonetisation and GST are other examples of this." Talking about BJP's Pulses Policy that impacted farmers of Karnataka drastically, he said, " Our policies reflect a balance between consumer and producer. We believe policies should protect farmers. Our govt in Karnataka has done this." On diminishing farmers' yield, Rahul Gandhi said, "We should provide farmers with right MSP, protect their yield from natural calamities, and improve seed quality. There is no one fool-proof solution for this." "We have to ensure that banking system should cater to MSMEs and young entrepreneurs. They should be brought into political system. Big industrialists don't have this problem, but MSMEs face a lot of difficulty," he added. OneIndia News 'Non-Gandhi' can be Cong chief, but Gandhi family must remain active in party: Mani Shankar Aiyar 'I love Pakistan': Will Mani Shankar Aiyar be expelled from Congress? India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia New Delhi, Feb 13: Oops, Mani Shankar Aiyar did it again. After being suspended from the Congress for his "neech aadmi" (low-born man) remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Gujarat Assembly elections in December last year, Aiyar is once again hogging the limelight for all the wrong reasons. Thanks to his "foot in mouth disease", Aiyar once again made a controversial statement, that too in Pakistan. At the Karachi Literature Festival on Sunday, Aiyar stated that "I love Pakistan because I love India". He added, urging India to "love thy neighbour as thyself". Aiyar said dialogue was the only way for India and Pakistan to resolve their tussle. He said he is "proud" that Islamabad has accepted this, but "half very sad" that New Delhi has not, Geo TV reported on Monday. Aiyar's latest statements regarding India-Pakistan dialogue has come at a time when the Indian security forces are fighting to neutralise Pakistani-sponsored terrorists in both Jammu and Srinagar in the last few days. On Monday evening, critics of the Congress and Aiyar stated that the veteran politician has insulted India by saying that he was "proud of Pakistan". Even some news television channels had high-voltage discussion over Aiyar's Pakistan comments. It is not only Aiyar who wants India to have a dialogue with Pakistan. Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti too favours talks between the two hostile neighbours. "Dialogue with Pakistan is necessary if we are to end bloodshed. I know I will be labelled anti-national by news anchors tonight but that doesn't matter. The people of J&K are suffering. We have to talk because war is not an option," tweeted Mufti. On Tuesday, the Congress indicated that Aiyar might face "punishment" for his latest comments. "Aiyar should stop giving such remarks. He has already been suspended. He should stay quiet. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) can take advantage of this. I am writing to Rahul Gandhi ji asking him to expel Aiyar from the party," senior Congress leader V Hanumantha Rao was quoted as saying by ANI. Mani Shankar Aiyar should stop giving such remarks, he has already been suspended. He should stay quiet. BJP can take advantage of this. I am writing to Rahul Gandhi ji asking him to expel Aiyar from the party: V. Hanumantha Rao, Congress on Aiyar's remarks on Pakistan pic.twitter.com/4QN4bbHvSO ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2018 Aiyar's past remarks "neech aadmi" and "chaiwallah" (tea-seller) against PM Modi have cost the Congress heavily during elections. The Congress fears that such "loose" statements by party leaders might harm the electoral prospects of the grand old party in the upcoming elections in several states and the all-important Lok Sabha polls in 2019. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 14:05 [IST] Biden says another terror attack likely in 24-36 hours, vows to keep up airstrikes against ISIS Chaos in Kabul and the lurking danger of Keralites who joined the ISIS trying to return ISIS in Tamil Nadu: NIA secures arrest of key accused India oi-Vicky By Vicky The National Investigation Agency has secured the arrest of one Ansar Meeran a resident of Kanyakumari in connection with the Tamil Nadu Islamic State case. The case was registered by NIA on 26th January 2017 under section 120B of the IPC, besides sections 17, 18, 18-B, 20, 38, 39 and 40 of the UA (P) Act against nine accused persons. The accused persons and their associates, with the intention of furthering the activities of the proscribed terrorist organization Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, had hatched a criminal conspiracy from 2013 onwards and formed a terrorist gang which had raised and received funds, organized meetings, recruited and facilitated the travel of some persons to Syria to join the outfit. Investigation in this case has revealed that the main accused Haja Fakkurudeen, an Indian citizen based in Singapore had joined the ISIS along with his family in 2014. It was found that Haja had visited India twice in 2013 and 2014 where he conducted several conspiracy meetings along with Meeran and others. During the meetings, they had decided on recruiting a large number of persons into the ISIS. Further it was also found that Meeran had facilitated the travel of Haja and his family to Syria. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 6:57 [IST] Anti-national activities': J&K cops release videos of what transpired at Geelani home after Pak flag row Masarat Alam will remain a non-starter in J&K thanks to Centres zero tolerance towards separatism J&K; Two LeT terrorists neutralised in Karan Nagar encounter; operation underway India oi-Madhuri Intermittent firing continued for the second day between security personnel and terrorists at CRPF camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Karan Nagar on Tuesday which killed two terrorist. Arms & ammunition were also recovered.Yesterday, one CRPF personnel had lost his life in the attack on CRPF camp. With the recovery of another soldier's body during searches inside the Sunjuwan army camp, the death toll in the terror attack in Jammu has risen to seven. Speaking to ANI, Kashmir IGP SP Pani said,''Two terrorists have been killed. Arms & ammunition are recovered. It was Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit. One CRPF jawan has been injured but is completely out of danger.'' Confirming about the encounter, SP Vaid, DGP, Jammu & Kashmir said,''One terrorist of LeT neutralised in Srinagar's Karan Nagar encounter.'' Second militant in Srinagar's Karan Nagar encounter killed, mopping operations under way, reports PTI news agency. Speaking on Srinagar's Karan Nagar encounter which is currently underway, Swayam Prakash Pani, IGP, Kashmir said,''We are suspecting presence of two terrorists, the operation is in its final stage. We have been successful in doing a deliberate assault, we are expecting the operation to finish it very soon.'' Speaking to ANI, Zulfiqar Hasan, IG Operation, CRPF on encounter underway in Srinagar's Karan Nagar said,''Encounter is still going on, we are operating cautiously to avoid any collateral damage to citizens and property.'' Encounter is still going on, we are operating cautiously to avoid any collateral damage to citizens and property: Zulfiqar Hasan, IG Operation, CRPF on encounter underway in Srinagar's Karan Nagar #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/I7af7y6dnC ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2018 Also, Security forces conducted several search operation in Jammu's Raipur Domana area. Helicopter were also being used to conduct surveillance of the area. Jammu & Kashmir: Security forces conduct search operation in Jammu's Raipur Domana area; Helicopter being used to conduct surveillance of the area (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/XjT5ShWcAA ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2018 Mehbooba Mufti met family members of four Army personnel who lost their lives in Sunjuwan attack. On Monday, a CRPF personnel who was seriously injured in gunfight during ongoing encounter at CRPF camp in Srinagar's Karan Nagar succumbed to injuries. A fierce encounter broke out between terrorists and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday morning following a thwarted bid to attack a camp here. The guard, posted at the headquarters of the CRPF's 23 battalion headquarters, saw two suspected terrorists approaching the camp at around 4.30 am and opened fire. The two, who were armed with AK-47 rifles, fled from the spot. The militants fled from the spot, the spokesman said, adding searches were launched soon after to track down theultras. OneIndia News Shatrughan Sinha likely to join TMC, may be sent to Rajya Sabha 'Laugh, Renuka, Laugh': Shatrughan Sinha comes out in support of Congress MP India oi-Deepika By Deepika Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Shatrughan Sinha has once again openly backed an Opposition leader while taking dig at his own party leadership. Sinha tweeted in support of Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury who was mocked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for laughing during his speech in Rajya Sabha during Parliament's Budget Session. "Laugh Renuka laugh! We love you, we're fond of you and wish you well. Don't worry, be happy!" Shatrughan Sinha posted on Twitter in yet another defiant display of his fondness for the enemy. "Let them cry and shout hoarse. Things will settle down. Those who oppose women's empowerment and laughter would melt soon. We all will have the last laugh. Long live 'Nari Shakti. Jai hind! (sic)," he further tweeted. Narendra Modi took a dig at Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury who laughed out loud during the Prime Minister's speech in Rajya Sabha. Modi said, "Sabhapati Ji, I request you don't say anything to Renuka ji. After Ramayan serial, we are now getting the opportunity to hear such a laugh." After the session, Renuka Chowdhury dubbed Modi's remark as "denigrating the status of a woman." "PM made a personal remark, what else do you expect from him? I can't fall to that level to reply to him. This is actually called denigrating the status of a woman," she said. Union Minister Smriti Irani said Renuka Chowdhury is making using "gender as her shield". OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 18:52 [IST] Liar Lashkar, it was the Jaish which struck at Sunjuwan India oi-Vicky By Vicky Contrary to the claims made by the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, investigations have found that the Jaish-e-Mohammad is behind the Sunjuwan attack in which 5 soldiers were martyred and 3 terrorists killed. It has been ascertained prima facie that the module that carried out the strike was the one set up by Noor Mohammad Tantray, the four foot tall terrorist who was recently killed in an encounter. He had build a strong network in Pulwama over the past year and the three terrorists who launched the strike were part of that module, investigations suggest. An Intelligence Bureau official informed OneIndia that there are also intercepts pre and post the strike which suggested that the Jaish was behind the attack. If one also looks into the pattern of the attack, it is clear that the Jaish is behind the same. They used the similar modus operandi both in Sunjuwan and Pathankot where walls were scaled before the strike launched. Another revelation made during the probe was that the Jaish had relied on local support to carry out the attack. None of the terrorists had weapons with them until they reached close to the attack site. The weapons were dropped off near the camp by a local member of the Hizbul Mujahideen, investigations further reveal. Investigations are also focusing on a fourth terrorist at the site. Officers say that he may have been guiding his three accomplices. It appears that the fourth terrorist was a local. Further ascertaining that the Jaish was behind the attack, officials say that the three terrorists had crossed over into Kashmir in July 2017. The three terrorists Qari Mushtaq, Mohammad Adil and Irfan Bhai were operating in Tral, Sopore and Pulwama respectively. All three were members of the Jaish-e-Mohammad and they came together for this attack after being given a green signal from their bosses in Pakistan. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 6:53 [IST] Love story of Jharkhand labourer, who visits 65 villages on his bicycle in search of missing wife India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Ranchi, Feb 13: Love is hard to find and when you do, no matter what you fight for it till the end. In today's time when love comes packaged in Valentine's Day gifts, cards, chocolates and viral videos, the story of a Jharkhand labourer who took up the arduous bicycle journey peddling through 65 villages to find his missing wife is not for the faint-hearted, but for true blue lovers. When Manohar Nayak got the news that his mentally-unstable wife went missing while he was away from home working as a construction labourer in neighbouring Odisha in January, he wasted no time. Manohar quit his job in Odisha immediately and went back to Jharkhand to search for his missing wife Anita Devi, whom he married 16 years ago. The couple also has a 14-year-old son. As his wife was suffering from mental illness and Manohar had no other option but to work, he decided to leave his wife and son at Anita's paternal house in Kumrasole village. On January 11, Anita left her house and did not return, the villagers told Manohar when he reached Kumrasole village. After filing two missing complaints at Musabani and Dumaria police stations near Kumrasole village, when Manohar did not get proper response from the cops, the poor man decided to find his wife on his own. Thus Manohar set out on his bicycle to look for his wife. In the process, Manohar visited 65 villages in the East Singhbhum district of Jharkhand and traversed hundreds of kilometers in the hinterlands of the country. With just a passport-sized photograph of Anita, the man riding his rusted bicycle never lost hope of finding his beloved as he inquired about her to strangers. In order to make his search little less stressful, Manohar paid local newspapers to carry his wife's pictures in the missing person advertisement columns. Thanks to the newspapers' pictures, recently some people identified Anita at a dhaba near Kharagpur in West Bengal and handed her over to a police station. Finally, Manohar met his wife in Kharagpur on Sunday. "I was tired searching for her on my bicycle for the past one month but never lost hope. I am grateful to police of both the states. I now want to take her back home on my bicycle," Manohar was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express. Every day during his month-long search for Anita, Manohar travelled around 30-40 kilometers on his bicycle. "She could not say where she came from. Some locals who rescued her identified her through photographs on local media. We contacted the Jharkhand Police, and they confirmed it was the same woman who went missing on January 11 from Musabani police station area," a senior official of the Kharagpur police station told The New Indian Express. The story of Manohar's brave attempt to find his missing wife riding a bicycle is the stuff legends are made of. And, for a change we found a real, hard-hitting love story (not the usual filmy, mushy ones) a day ahead of Valentine's Day on Wednesday. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 9:43 [IST] Lucknow University advisory on Valentine's Day a lowly thinking, says students India oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow University students are disappointed over a bizarre advisory which prohibits them to loiter around the campus on Valentine's Day. Students called the advisory on Valentine's Day, 'an example of chhoti soch (lowly thinking,' add that, 'You've declared a holiday on that day, but telling students to not enter university premises isn't right at all. If we won't enter the university, then who will?'. The university issued advisory to its students to not to roam inside the premises of the university on Valentine's Day (14.2.2018). Disciplinary action will be taken against whosoever is found violating the advisory. Also, the varsity indirectly asked students to celebrate 'Maha Shivratri' and avoid the influence of 'Western' culture. Students call Lucknow University's advisory on Valentine's Day, 'an example of chhoti soch,' add that, 'You've declared a holiday on that day, but telling students to not enter university premises isn't right at all. If we won't enter the university, then who will?' pic.twitter.com/AkqjtstKpr ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 13, 2018 Meanwhile in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena has announced that it neither protest nor support the celebration of Valentine's Day. The party's stand is "neutral" on the issue, a senior party leader said. Members of 'Shakti Sena' took to the streets in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore to protest against the celebration of Valentines Day. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 11:56 [IST] Cannot order for use of traditional remedies like Red Ant Chutney as cure for COVID-19: SC Dont want terrorists to know what software is being used: Centre to SC on Pegasus row Petition in SC seeks implementation of 2-child norm India oi-Vicky By Vicky A petition in the Supreme Court has sought the implementation of the two-child policy. The petitioner Anupam Bajpai, national coordinator of NGO Jeevan Bachao Andolan contended that population was increasing with geometrical progression and the time has come for the country to adopt necessary measures by way of a two-child norm. "It has been estimated that over 1,000 animal species and sub species are facing threat of extinction while 20,000 flowering plants are estimated to be at such a risk. With the increasing population, there is change in economic and industrial development and changing patterns of consumption. The increase in population is consequently leading to an increase in vehicular pollution and also in a number of environmental problems like air pollution and global warning," the petition further states. Citing the cases of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha and Rajasthan, the petitioner said that these states had adopted the two-child norm and it had helped reduce population. The petitioner also said that China had adopted a one-child norm since 1979 with positive effect. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 6:20 [IST] Cant presume all Covid deaths during second wave were due to negligence: SC Cannot order for use of traditional remedies like Red Ant Chutney as cure for COVID-19: SC Dont want terrorists to know what software is being used: Centre to SC on Pegasus row SC blasts CBI over Manipur fake encounter cases probe India oi-Vikas By Vikas The Supreme Court has blasted the CBI over the probe of the Manipur fake encounter cases and said that "there is something terribly wrong" in the way investigation is being handled. Taking a strong exception to Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves's submission that out of the forty-two cases forty FIRs are filed against the deceased victims, the SC bench of Justices Madan Lokur and UU Lalit asked if it was true. To this, the CBI counsel was not able to give a satisfactory response. "Mr. Solicitor I am sorry to say but there is something terribly wrong. You're still showing the victims as the accused," the bench said. The Bench then asked the counsel for National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to get associated with the SIT, said reports. The Supreme Court had in January pulled up the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for not registering FIRs in the Manipur fake encounters case, which came to light after confessions of confession by Manipur Police head constable Thounaojam Herojit Singh. The apex court was referring to 42 alleged fake encounter cases, said to have taken place between 2003 and 2009. The apex court had in January directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to lodge 30 more FIRs on or before January 31 this year, after the SIT informed it that it has registered 12 FIRs till date. Herojit, once considered an encounter specialist, had claimed that he witnessed a large number of fake encounters carried out in the state between 2003 and 2009. After being suspended, Herojit, in January 2016, made a startling revelation that he gunned down reformed militant Chungkham Sanjit inside a pharmacy on BT Road in Imphal after being instructed by a senior officer. [Manipur fake encounters case: SC pulls up CBI for not registering FIR] A commission, comprising of former Chief Election Commission J M Lyngdoh and retired IPS officer A K Singh, was earlier constituted to investigate the extrajudicial killings in Manipur. The commission noted that there had been a rampant misuse of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or AFSPA. This act has failed to tackle insurgency, the commission noted. Further, it also noted that encounters being carried out were not genuine. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 11:14 [IST] One of the hardest, how team Doval built a fool proof case to get Michel to India SC dismisses PIL seeking probe into AgustaWestland chopper purchase by Chhattisgarh govt India oi-Madhuri The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed PIL to probe alleged irregularities in purchase of Agusta Westland helicopters by the Chhattisgarh government for VIP use in 2006-07. The PIL had been filed by NGO, Swaraj Abhiyan of activist-turned-politician Yogendra Yadav. Earlier on January 31, the Supreme Court had made terse remarks on AgustaWestland helicopter purchase by the Chhattisgarh government. The purchase was made in 2006-07. The Supreme Court had then asked the Chhattisgarh government as to what was the "interest" of Chief Minister Raman Singh's son in this. The petitioners have alleged that in July 2008, a bank account in the name of Abhishek Singh was opened in the British Virgin Islands, and on August 1, 2008, one of the firms purportedly involved in the deal wound up operations. The NGO had said that a proposal of the state in December 2006 said that helicopters firms should be invited to make their representations, but later, no company was called and a tender was issued only for one AgustaWestland chopper. The court had said it was only concerned as to whether any "fraud or hanky-panky" was committed in securing the deal, and made it clear that it was not questioning the choice of the helicopter. OneIndia News (with PTI inputs) Why winning Meghalaya election is so important for BJP India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Shillong, Feb 13: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) takes every election very seriously. Be it the upcoming Assembly polls in all-important Karnataka (the dates of which are yet to be announced) or in the three northeastern states--Meghalaya, Tripura and Nagaland, the BJP man and machinery are working overtime to win all the elections. While Tripura Assembly polls are scheduled on February 18, Nagaland and Meghalaya are voting on February 27. The results of all the three Assembly elections will be out on March 3. After adding 19 states to its kitty, the ruling BJP is confident of winning Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya elections too. Citing that all the three northeastern states are a major factor in the Look East Policy, the BJP is in full force in all these states. On Monday, BJP MP from Bihar Rajiv Pratap Rudy told reporters in Shillong that no strength can stop the BJP from forming the next government in Meghalaya. Rudy added that the BJP is ruling in 19 states in the country and it would add three more to its kitty shortly including Meghalaya. The former Union minister alleged that the previous governments in Meghalaya had not performed. The Congress is ruling Meghalaya for the last 15 years and is facing anti-incumbency wave in the state. "Meghalaya will see the best infrastructure in the world once the BJP government is formed," said Rudy. Like in the left bastion Tripura, the BJP is fighting polls in Meghalaya on the development plank. Answering queries about allegations that the BJP is a communal party, Rudy mocked the incumbent Congress--a party which the saffron party calls "anti-development and corrupt". "They (Congress) don't have a vote bank, they created vote bank by splitting society and they want to play that trick in Meghalaya and I think all the boundary of such statements will be surpassed in this election," he added. BJP Meghalaya in-charge Nalin Kohli said that the party was sensitive towards the identity of the people in the different parts of the North East region including Meghalaya. "Whatever needs to be done to protect the identity of these tribes and other communities that lives in the North East, this has always been raised (by the BJP). As rightly pointed out that it is the agenda of the government, so we are working with a positive agenda," he added. Kohli said that the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) is not a political platform but is a developmental platform to bring development to the North East region. "Those who are looking at the NEDA as a political platform to fight election, it is there incorrect way of looking at it. The NEDA brings people together to discuss the common vision of developing the NE. Political parties are entitled to have their own political agendas outside the NEDA not within the NEDA," he said. In December last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Meghalaya as a part of the BJP's poll campaign. He is likely to visit the state soon. Congress president Rahul Gandhi was in Meghalaya for a two-day visit recently as a part of the party's poll campaign. Meghalaya Assembly Party 2013 Current Standing CONG 29 24 Election Date : Feb 27 2018 Counting : Mar 03 2018 IND 13 09 UDP 08 07 HSPDP 04 04 NPP 02 02 NCP 02 02 BJP 00 02 GNC 01 00 NESDP 01 01 OTHERS 00 00 Total 60 51 (9 Vacant) OneIndia News World War II-era Dakota to join IAF fleet in March India pti-PTI New Delhi, Feb 13: Indian Air Force next month will take the possession of a fully-refurbished World War II-era Dakota, belonging to the vintage of the iconic military transport aircraft that played a crucial role in the 1947 Indo-Pak War. The plane, which underwent a six-year-long restoration in the UK, will join the vintage fleet at the Hindon Air Base in Uttar Pradesh. The aircraft is a gift from Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekar to the India Air Force, and at a function held here today, the Bengaluru lawmaker ceremonially handed over the papers and deeds to Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa. Hailing the qualities of the aircraft, the Chief of Air Staff, said, "They were introduced in the 1930s... As part of the 12th Squadron of the then Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF), Dakotas were the main workhorse in Ladakh and Northeast region. And, they intervened in time to save the Valley of Kashmir (in 1947)." "Military historian Pushpindar Singh had said that Dakota is the reason why Poonch is still with us. They helped in hastening the fall of Dhaka and liberation of Bangladesh. And, in 2014, we had given a shell on the Dakota to the Bangladesh Air Force," Dhanoa said. Douglas DC3 aircraft, better known as the Dakota, carried the troops of the Army's 1 Sikh Regiment to Srinagar on October 27, 1947, during the first Indo-Pak War, besides carrying supplies and refugees. The Dakota, christened 'Parashurama', will bear the tail number VP 905, the same as the first such aircraft in the Indian service that transported the troops during the 1947 war to Jammu and Kashmir. Chandrasekar's gift, will make it the first vintage Dakota for the IAF, which currently, has a Tiger Moth and a Harvard aircraft stationed at the Hindon Air Base. "The Dakota is currently kept at Coventry airfield in the UK. It is set to fly next month. The vintage plane will traverse over 4,800 nautical miles. From the UK, the route will be through France, Italy, Greece, Egypt, Oman, in that order. In India, the first stop would be Jamnagar, from where it will fly to Hindon," he told PTI on the sidelines. According to a short film screened at the function, the aircraft was acquired from scrap and underwent six years of painstaking restoration in the UK, and the IAF had technically accepted it late last month. The IAF has helped the MP in getting the aircraft registered and in upgrade of the navigation system. "Since it has to fly through multiple foreign airspace, we helped them in getting permission," the IAF chief said. In his address, he had called the gifting of the Dakota to the IAF a "great gesture" for funding the acquisition, repair and eventual ferrying of the aircraft. The MP said, "I acquired it around 2011 and this gift is a permanent way of honouring the men and their machines, who make us all proud today as a nation," adding, "finding and restoring this bird was a huge challenge". Chandrasekhar's father Air Commodore (retd) M K Chandrasekhar, who was present at the function, was a Dakota pilot in the IAF, and the lawmaker said, "the seeds were sown perhaps very young." "My father is 84 now. And, I grew up seeing him flying Dakota. So, my passion for planes is natural. And, it is on behalf of my father that this gift is being made to the IAF, in dedication to the air warriors. And, I hope it will inspire future air warriors," he said. PTI Yogi brags about 'peaceful UP' in poll-bound Tripura: Did CM check his facts well? India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Agartala, Feb 13: There is no doubt that Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) desperately wants to win the Tripura Assembly elections 2018 scheduled on Sunday (February 18). Political pundits have predicted that the BJP and its alliance partner, the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT), have good chances of winning the elections, the results of which will be declared on March 3. If the BJP-IPFT alliance comes to power in Tripura it would be a historical moment. The ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M))-led Left Front government is in power in the state since 1993 and defeating the communists in one of their last two bastions (another is Kerala) will be an epoch-making episode in the political journey of India. In its attempts to create history, the BJP is using all its manpower and machinery to reach out to the voters of the state who are traditionally known to be "left". From Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Arun Jaitley to actor-turned-politician Hema Malini, a galaxy of star campaigners visited Tripura in the recent times. Experts say the top leadership of the BJP reaching out to the masses of Tripura is likely to do wonders for the party's election prospects. Amid all these positive signals for the BJP, on Tuesday, when Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath campaigned in Tripura as a part of his two-day visit to the poll-bound state he ended up gloating over his home state's law and order scenario. "Law and order in UP is under control. Crime against women is minimal. No riots have been reported under the 10-month rule of the BJP. No curfew has been imposed in the state," Yogi was quoted as saying by ANI. Law & Order in Uttar Pradesh is under control. Crime against women is minimal. No riots have been reported under the 10 month rule of BJP. No curfew has been imposed in the state: Yogi Adityanath, UP CM in #Tripura pic.twitter.com/gn06Dw3aZy ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 13, 2018 A quick look at the statements made by the UP CM about his state in Tripura seems to be misleading. In fact, on Monday, when Yogi left his home state to campaign in Tripura, the UP Assembly saw pandemonium after the opposition parties raised questions over the state's law and order problem. "Pandemonium rocked the Legislative Council of the UP legislature on Monday as the budget session resumed after a two-day break. The opposition Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) legislators trooped near the Chair's podium alleging that the 'law and order machinery in the state has completely collapsed'," reported IANS. As a part of the Republic Day celebrations, UP's Kasganj saw communal tension for several days recently which led to the death of a youth too. Curfew was also imposed in Kasganj to bring the situation under control. On Sunday, a 12-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly raping an eight-year-old girl in UP's Badaun. On a frequent basis, cases of rapes and sexual harassment are reported from UP. According to the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), UP is on top of the list of crime against women. UP recorded 14.5 per cent of the total cases of crime against women, it accounted for 12.4 per cent of the total number of rape cases, the NCRB 2017 data said. On Monday, a group of students shouted slogans, pelted stones and torched a bus in UP's Allahabad city to protest against the death of a 26-year-old Dalit student. Even Vice President Venkaiah Naidu recently stressed on the need to improve law and order situation in UP. "I am glad to know that UP is changing policies to attract investment. But law and order should also be improved. Those who have firearms should return the weapons. I want to ask the CM that in UP a large number of people have firearms. This is main cause of crime incidents. If anyone did not have firearms, he will not be harmed," Naidu said at the first UP Diwas event in January. Recently a Congress delegation met the UP Governor Ram Naik to highlight deteriorating law and order situation in the state. The Congress delegation told Naik that the state is witnessing spike in fake encounters, dacoity, murders and rapes, among others. UP also saw violence before the release of the controversial Bollywood film, Padmaavat. The BJP formed its government in the state after winning the UP Assembly elections handsomely in March last year. One of the major poll promises of the BJP was to improve law and order situation in the state. Looking at the state of affairs in UP it looks like nothing has changed much, rather if opposition parties are to be believed things have worsened in the past 10 months. If these figures and opinions of experts are not enough to highlight the fact that all is not well with UP, CM Yogi should immediately go back to his home state (instead of being busy in campaigning in other states) to known the "home truths" well. Tripura Assembly Party 2013 Current Standing CPIM 49 50 Election Date : Feb 18 2018 Counting : Mar 03 2018 CONG 10 02 CPI 01 01 BJP 00 06 OTHERS 00 00 Total 60 59 (1 Vacant) OneIndia News Attack on Jaganmohan Reddy an attempt to murder him, says remand report Here is why BJP and Jagan Reddy are wooing each other YSR Congress MP'S threaten to resign if Andhra Pradesh special category demand not met India oi-Deepika By Deepika YSR Congress MP's on Tuesday threatened to resign if BJP-led Central government does not fulfill the promise of granting Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh. Announcing this at a public gathering, in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh Jagan said, that "If we are not given special status by April 5, our MPs will resign on April 6 ". He said that YSRC MPs would fight for the SCS in Parliament when the Budget session resumes on March 5."We will fight till April 6 and if the SCS issue is not settled, our MPs will quit their posts," Reddy announced this evening at a public meeting at Kaligiri in SPS Nellore district.The YSRC has eight MPs in Lok Sabha and one in the Rajya Sabha. But two of its Lok Sabha members joined the TDP while another had been staying "neutral". Reddy alleged that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu"sold away" SCS to the Centre in the name of securing a "special economic package"."The state was divided on the promise of granting SCS to (residuary) Andhra Pradesh. It's an elixir for the problems the state has been left with (on account of bifurcation). Demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh, the YSR Congress Party has also decided to launch a nation-wide campaign, 'hodha mana hakku, package tho mosapovaddu', pledging that YSRCP will not compromise until the state gets Special Category status. On March 5th, YSRCP MPs will lead a march from Ektha Sthal to the Parliament to protest before the Parliament demanding Special Category Status. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 19:36 [IST] British warship to sail through disputed South China Sea International pti-PTI Sydney, February 13: A senior official said a British warship will sail from Australia through the disputed South China Sea next month to assert freedom of navigation rights, in a move likely to irk Beijing. China claims nearly all of the resource-rich waterway and has been turning reefs and islets into islands and installing military facilities such as runways and equipment on them. British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said HMS Sutherland, an anti-submarine frigate, would arrive in Australia later this week. "She'll be sailing through the South China Sea (on the way home) and making it clear our navy has a right to do that," he told The Australian newspaper after a two-day visit to Sydney and Canberra. He would not say whether the frigate would sail within 12 nautical miles of a disputed territory or artificial island built by the Chinese, as US ships have done. But he said: "We absolutely support the US approach on this, we very much support what the US has been doing." In January, Beijing said it had dispatched a warship to drive away a US missile destroyer which had "violated" its sovereignty by sailing close to a shoal in the sea. Williamson said it was important that US allies such as Britain and Australia "assert our values" in the South China Sea, which is believed to hold vast oil and gas deposits and through which USD 5.0 trillion in trade passes annually. "World dynamics are shifting so greatly. The US can only concentrate on so many things at once," he said. "The US is looking for other countries to do more. This is a great opportunity for the UK and Australia to do more, to exercise leadership." China in December defended its construction on disputed islands, which are also claimed by Southeast Asian neighbours, as "normal" after a US think tank released new satellite images showing the deployment of radar and other equipment. In a separate interview with broadcaster ABC, Williamson warned of the need for vigilance to "any form of malign intent" from China, as it seeks to become a global superpower. "Australia and Britain see China as a country of great opportunities, but we shouldn't be blind to the ambition that China has and we've got to defend our national security interests," he said. "We've got to ensure that any form of malign intent is countered and we see increasing challenges -- it's not just from China, it's from Russia, it's from Iran -- and we've got to be constantly making sure that our security measures, our critical national infrastructure is protected." Australia has been ratcheting up the rhetoric against China in recent months, with ties tested in December when parliament singled out Beijing as a focus of concern when it proposed laws on foreign interference. PTI 'Have our eyes on number 3': Trump says Baghdadi successor in US crosshairs ISIS chief Baghdadi may not command daily operations: Here is why International oi-Vicky By Vicky Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has not been commanding the daily operations of the Islamic State. The boss of the ISIS was wounded in an airstrike in May last year and had to relinquish control of the terror group for nearly five months. Citing several US officials, CNN reported that American intelligence agencies have assessed with a high degree of confidence that the world's most wanted man was near Raqqa, Syria in May when the missile struck. Their assessment is based on reports from ISIS detainees and refugees in Northern Syria that emerged months after the airstrike, the officials added. Baghdadi's injuries were not considered life-threatening but they did mean he could not continue to command the daily operations of the group, the report said. At the time, ISIS was about to lose control of the Iraqi city of Mosul and its so-called capital Raqqa had been nearly encircled by US-backed forces. It is unclear whether Baghdadi was hit in a targeted attack or if he was "collateral damage," the report said. It is also unclear who fired the missile. US officials do not know the exact date of the strike so are unsure if a Coalition aircraft was involved, or whether Baghdadi's injury was the result of a Russian missile. "There have been isolated strikes by Russians in Raqqa, but as there's no timeline to it, we don't know if it's ours," a US official said. It is believed the airstrike occurred close to the date offered by the Russian military in June when they claimed to have killed or injured the ISIS leader. At the time, Russia's Defence Ministry said it was investigating reports Baghdadi had been killed in an airstrike on May 28, on the outskirts of Raqqa, the group's primary stronghold, which US-backed forces took back in October.Analysts warned at the time reports of Baghdadi's death should be treated with skepticism given the high number of previous false reports. Baghdadi has made only one public appearance, in July 2014, in the al-Nuri Mosque in Mosul, which was retaken by Iraqi security forces in June last year. ISIS has since released various audio messages it claims to be of Baghdadi, most recently in September last year which appeared to contain reference to news events that showed it had been recorded since the Russian claims of his death. The US-backed campaign is now focusing on the remaining pocket of territory controlled by ISIS -- the stretch of desert along the Syrian-Iraqi border, known as Jazeera. Various reports have suggested to US intelligence that this is where Baghdadi would most likely be, although it is a vast and sparsely populated area, making his capture complex, the CNN report said. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 6:16 [IST] Biden says another terror attack likely in 24-36 hours, vows to keep up airstrikes against ISIS PM Modi likely to visit US later this month US bill proposes permanent residency for a fee, Indians likely to benefit Pakistan developing new types of nuclear weapons, warns US intel chief International oi-PTI Pakistan is developing new types of nuclear weapons, including short-range tactical ones, that bring more risks to the region, America's intelligence chief warned on Tuesday. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats' remarks came days after a group of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammad terrorists struck the Sunjuwan Military Camp in Jammu, killing seven people including six soldiers. Pakistan is developing new types of nuclear weapons, including short-range tactical weapons, Coats told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing on worldwide threats organised by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Pakistan continues to produce nuclear weapons and develop new types of nukes, including short-range tactical weapons, sea-based cruise missiles, air-launched cruise missiles, and longer-range ballistic missiles, he warned. These weapons will introduce new risks for escalation of dynamics and security in the region, Coats said, reflecting on the risks involved in developing such types of nuclear weapons. Coats also warned that Pakistan-supported terrorist groups would continue to carry out attacks inside India, thus risking escalation of tension between the two neighbours. "Militant groups supported by Islamabad will continue to take advantage of their safe haven in Pakistan to plan and conduct attacks in India and Afghanistan, including against US interests," Coats said during the hearing on 'Worldwide Threat Assessment' of the US intelligence community. Coats said North Korea will be among the most volatile and confrontational weapons of mass destruction (WMD) threats to the US over the next year. North Korea's history of exporting ballistic missile technology to several countries, including Iran and Syria, and its assistance during Syria's construction of a nuclear reactor - destroyed in 2007 - illustrates its willingness to proliferate dangerous technologies. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 23:57 [IST] China distracted the world from Ladakh by opening up three fronts in South China Sea South China Sea: British frigate to sail through disputed territory International pti-PTI Sydney, Feb 13: In a move that will leave beijing fuming, a British warship will sail from Australia through the disputed South China Sea next month to assert freedom of navigation rights. China claims nearly all of the resource-rich waterway and has been turning reefs and islets into islands and installing military facilities such as runways and equipment on them. British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said HMS Sutherland, an anti-submarine frigate, would arrive in Australia later this week. "She'll be sailing through the South China Sea (on the way home) and making it clear our navy has a right to do that," he told The Australian newspaper after a two-day visit to Sydney and Canberra. He would not say whether the frigate would sail within 12 nautical miles of a disputed territory or artificial island built by the Chinese, as US ships have done. But he said: "We absolutely support the US approach on this, we very much support what the US has been doing." In January, Beijing said it had dispatched a warship to drive away a US missile destroyer which had "violated" its sovereignty by sailing close to a shoal in the sea. Williamson said it was important that US allies such as Britain and Australia "assert our values" in the South China Sea, which is believed to hold vast oil and gas deposits and through which US$5.0 trillion in trade passes annually. "World dynamics are shifting so greatly. The US can only concentrate on so many things at once," he said. "The US is looking for other countries to do more. This is a great opportunity for the UK and Australia to do more, to exercise leadership." When asked on Tuesday about a possible freedom of navigation voyage by the British, China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said all countries have "navigation and overflight freedom in the South China Sea". "We hope other countries will stop stirring up trouble," Geng said. China in December defended its construction on disputed islands, which are also claimed by Southeast Asian neighbours, as "normal" after a US think tank released new satellite images showing the deployment of radar and other equipment. In a separate interview with broadcaster ABC, Williamson warned of the need for vigilance to "any form of malign intent" from China, as it seeks to become a global superpower. "Australia and Britain see China as a country of great opportunities, but we shouldn't be blind to the ambition that China has and we've got to defend our national security interests," he said. "We've got to ensure that any form of malign intent is countered and we see increasing challenges -- it's not just from China, it's from Russia, it's from Iran -- and we've got to be constantly making sure that our security measures, our critical national infrastructure is protected." Australia has been ratcheting up the rhetoric against China in recent months, with ties tested in December when parliament singled out Beijing as a focus of concern when it proposed laws on foreign interference. PTI PIA flight lands in Kabul, becomes first commercial airline to do so since Taliban takeover On Afghanistan, Pak has to line up on broad majority of international community: Blinken Sunjuwan attack: Pakistan warns against cross border strikes International oi-Vicky By Vicky Pakistan has warned India against cross-border strikes after being blamed for the Sunjuwan attack. India said that Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists had attacked the Army camp in which 5 soldiers lost their lives. It is a well established pattern that Indian officials begin making irresponsible statements and levelling unfounded allegations, even before any proper investigation in any incident has been initiated, Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement. The statement further read, "We hope that the international community would urge India to stop the untold atrocities and gross violations of human rights in IoK (Indian Occupied Kashmir) (and) refrain from any misadventure across the Line of Control." The Foreign Office spokesperson said, "A particular segment in the Indian media runs with their innuendos to malign Pakistan and whips up public frenzy. We are confident that the world community would take due cognisance of India's smear campaign against Pakistan, and the deliberate creation of war hysteria." A group of heavily armed Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists struck the sprawling camp of the 36 brigade of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry in the early hours yesterday, triggering a gunbattle. Security forces have neutralised three terrorists holed up in the Army camp while six people, including five Army personnel, were killed in the attack. The latest attack on the camp took place nearly 15 months after the Jammu region was hit by a similar attack. On November 29, 2016, terrorists had stormed the Army's Nagrota camp on the outskirts of the city, killing seven Army personnel, including two officers. Three terrorists were gunned down in the operation. Intelligence inputs had warned of an attack on an Army or security establishment by Jaish-e-Mohammed in view of the death anniversary of Afzal Guru, who was hanged on February 9, 2013, for the 2001 attack on Parliament House. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 6:28 [IST] PIA flight lands in Kabul, becomes first commercial airline to do so since Taliban takeover On Afghanistan, Pak has to line up on broad majority of international community: Blinken Will pay back India in own coin, claims Pakistan Defence Minister International oi-Deepika By Deepika Pakistan Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan on Tuesday warned that any aggression from New Delhi will be met with an equal and proportionate response. Khan was quoted as saying by Dawn News, "Pakistan will pay [back] India in its own coin in case of any misadventure." His statement comes in response to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who said that militants who killed five soldiers and a civilian at an Army camp in Jammu were Pakistanis and warned that Islamabad will pay a price for the terror attack. "Any Indian aggression, strategic miscalculation, or misadventure regardless of its scale, mode, or location will not go unpunished and shall be met with an equal and proportionate response. We will defend robustly every inch of Pakistan's soil, Dastgir warned. "Instead of the knee-jerk reaction of blaming Pakistan without substantiation,India must answer for state-sponsored espionage against Pakistan. Living evidence in person of Kulbushan Yadev is in front of the world," he further said. He added that India had failed to deliver justice to the 42 Pakistanis that were murdered in the Samjhauta Express terrorism eleven years ago this week. "India is destabilizing regional peace in word and deed; through irresponsible statements on nuclear deterrent and through its bloody, five-fold escalation in 2017 of attacks on unarmed civilians on the line-of-control and working boundary," Dastgir said. On Monday, Sitharaman in a direct attack on Islamabad said that "Terrorists belonged to Jaish-e-Mohammed, sponsored by Azhar Masood residing in Pakistan and deriving support from there in. On Sunday, Pakistan's foreign ministry had strongly rejected similar allegations voiced by the Indian media. "A particular section in the Indian media runs with their innuendos to malign Pakistan and whips up public frenzy. We are confident that the world community would take due cognisance of India's smear campaign against Pakistan, and the deliberate creation of war hysteria," the foreign ministry statement had said. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 19:13 [IST] Switzerland Gears Up for Next Week's Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference Published February 13, 2018 by Brett C The Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference in Geneva, Switzerland takes place on Wednesday, 21 February 2018. This venue is one of many for the Blockchain and Bitcoin conferences taking place in multiple countries around the world every year. The Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference offers comprehensive analysis, insights and financial technology updates on all aspects of blockchain technology. The prestigious event will be hosted in Geneva, Switzerland on Wednesday, 21 February 2018. The event will run from 10 AM through 6 PM, and it will be hosted in English and French. Switzerland Part of the Crypto Club The Blockchain & Bitcoin Conferences are hosted in countries like Cyprus, Ukraine, the Netherlands, and Russia. Now, additional countries including the Philippines, Estonia, and Switzerland will also play host to this series of events. Major industry leaders will be attending, including cryptocurrency experts, CEOs, advisors and technical professionals. Entrepreneurs from across the spectrum will be weighing in on the present and future of the cryptocurrency industry, notably blockchain technology and its many applications. Issues under Consideration at the Cryptocurrency Conference FinTech and smart contracts form the basis of the widespread adoption of blockchain technology. The conference will be exploring changing dynamics in the legal arena, with issues like taxation and regulation. Other issues include how best to integrate blockchain technology into existing financial systems, and e-commerce solutions etc. The conference will include leading cryptocurrency experts including Karolina Marzantowicz, Gavin Smith, Vlado Petronio, Jan Sammut, Daniele Bernardi, Enrique Melero, Vladislav Sapozhnikov, and others. Panel discussions will be hosted, and many experts will provide their insights into the burgeoning cryptocurrency market. Tickets are currently retailing for 434 (Fr.500) for full access conference passes, while student conference passes are retailing at 130 (Fr.150). Registration begins at 9 AM on Wednesday, 21 February 2018. A look at the stories making global news today. Oxfam warned it could lose millions in funding over sex crimes scandal Ahead of the meeting, Oxfam announced it would strengthen its staff vetting procedures and introduce a new whistleblower helpline as part of a package of reforms. It is not sufficient to be appalled by the behavior of our former staff we must and will learn from it and use it as a spur to improvement, Oxfams chair of trustees, Caroline Thomson, said in a statement. Cape Town rejoices as rain falls on drought-striken city The rain that fell on Cape Town Friday evening was cause for celebration in a drought-stricken city headed for Day Zero the day when taps are expected to run dry. Though whether the brief downpour was enough to delay Day Zero set now for May 11 remains to be seen. Buried WWII bomb closes London airport Following the discovery of a World War II ordnance in King George V Dock as part of planned development works, a 214m exclusion zone has been implemented, the airport said in a statement. As a result, London City Airport is currently closed. Metropolitan police were called after the bomb was revealed. Russian plane crash kills all 71 people on board The Antonov An-148 aircraft was carrying 65 passengers and six crew members, the Russian news agency Interfax said. The passengers included three children, ages 5, 13 and 17, state news agency RIA reported. The plane was headed to the Russian city of Orsk, near the border with Kazakhstan. New York attorney general sues Harvey Weinstein and his company Schneiderman said Sunday that a four-month investigation into sexual harassment found vicious and exploitative mistreatment of company employees. The suit also names Weinsteins brother Bob, with whom he co-founded The Weinstein Company. The complaint alleges a years-long gender-based hostile work environment, a pattern of quid pro quo sexual harassment, and routine misuse of corporate resources for unlawful ends. Darkest building on Earth unveiled at Winter Olympics Its the work of British architect Asif Khan, who achieved the super-black effect by coating the building in a revolutionary material that absorbs 99% of light. The Hyundai Pavilion, which Khan describes as a schism in space, has four curved walls, each of which is studded with thousands of tiny lights like stars against the night sky. Opinion | AIDS In America Is A Black Disease My colleagues and I marched in the Kingdom Day Parade last month, and toward the end of the route, a group of 10-15 men and women began heckling us. All Black people dont have AIDS, they said, referring to the Black AIDS Institute banner we were marching behind. An American Man Actually Won A Luge Medal At The Olympics Hey, it took just 54 years. Chris Mazdzer won a silver medal in the luge singles at the Winter Olympics on Sunday in Pyeongchang, South Korea, becoming the first U.S. man to earn a medal in the event. Chris @Mazdzer makes history with the first mens singles luge medal for @TeamUSA, bringing home the #Silver! George Clooney Talks About His Love For Amal, And Its Devastatingly Romantic George Clooney is about to get your heart all aflutter right before Valentines Day. In a new clip for the actors upcoming appearance on Netflixs My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman, Clooney describes how important his wife, Amal, is to him. South Korea To Help Reunite More Families Divided By Korean War The statement from the Ministry of Unification came after a high-level North Korean delegation concluded a three-day visit which included an invitation for South Korean President Moon Jae-in to travel to Pyongyang for talks. (The visit) shows North Koreas will to improve inter-Korean ties is very strong and if needed it will take unprecedented and aggressive measures, the ministry said. The 11 cities most likely to run out of drinking water Cape Town is in the unenviable situation of being the first major city in the modern era to face the threat of running out of drinking water. However, the plight of the drought-hit South African city is just one extreme example of a problem that experts have long been warning about water scarcity. Harry and Meghan reveal wedding plans Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have revealed more details of their forthcoming wedding on 19 May. The couple will marry at St Georges Chapel, Windsor Castle, at midday meaning a clash with the FA Cup final is unlikely as recent finals have kicked off at 17:30. Idris Elbas surprise marriage proposal The actor popped the question to his girlfriend at a cinema screening in east London. ANC to decide on President Zumas future Leaders of South Africas governing ANC party are due to meet to decide the future of President Jacob Zuma. The National Executive Committee (NEC) is likely to ask him to step down, says BBC Africa Correspondent Andrew Harding. ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged on Sunday that the issue was causing disunity and discord. The Netherlands celebrated their Winter Olympics win by trolling Trump The 2018 Pyeongchang Games are officially underway and now its a race to see which country scores the most golds and overall medals in the next two weeks. On Saturday, The Netherlands pulled off a medals sweep in the womens 3,000-meter speed skating event, making them the first country to collect gold, silver, and bronze medals for this round of games. If you thought Micasa Sucasa by the O.G Khaligraph Jones and his ride or die Cashy was fire, his new joint with Petra is hell itself. Dubbed Rider, it sees the current face of Kenyan hip-hop team up with one of the baddest female rappers to form a lethal combination. With both being masters of delivery, rhyme, flow, and everything that rap entails, they effortlessly trade mad overs in a fastpaced, punchline-packed five-minute banger. The terrific duo also showcases its versatility and bad-a**ness as they switch between Swahili and English. In the background, the vocally rich and soulful Sagini contributes amazing vocals to make Rider one of the best releases from the 254 this year. If this is just February, then we are not even ready for what is about to hit us, especially from Khaligraph Jones. The song is produced by Motif at Khaligraph Jones owned Blu Ink studios and the video is directed by the experienced Kevin Bosco Jnr. Check it out below. Last week, surgeons at the Kenyatta National Hospital announced that they had successfully re-implanted the severed hand of 17-year-old Joseph Theuri. Joseph Theuris right hand was cut off at the wrist on January 26 after a grass cutters power supply went on as he was cleaning it at their home in Kiambaa, Kiambu county. The process of re-implanting the limb began at 10 pm on January 26; the procedure took seven hours, ending at 6 am on January 27. The young man was finally wheeled out of his hospital bed for a presser last Thursday, as Kenyans wowed at yet another KNH medical wonder. For days, the first of its kind surgery in Kenya and sub-Saharan Africa has been the talk of the town with medical experts and common folk from around the world congratulating the team that made the re-implanting a success. Among those who have congratulated the KNH team is President Uhuru Kenyatta. The Head of State, through the official President of Kenya Twitter handle, @PresidentKE, posted his commendation on Monday evening and it was not received well. Coming five days after news of the surgery broke, Kenyans on Twitter faulted Uhuru Kenyatta for taking too long. They also brought up issues of corruption in the Health Ministry and the governments treatment of doctors and nurses. We have sampled those reactions below. Congratulations to the team @KNH_hospital that successfully performed a landmark surgery to reclaim the hand of 17 Year-Old Joseph Theuri and in so doing placed Kenya on the Global map as a center of specialized healthcare in the region pic.twitter.com/YN1c74NdPm President of Kenya (@PresidentKE) February 12, 2018 Ignore and teargas them when they demand pay rise and congratulate them when they do good, just have a thought for a second, imagine if theyre paid well??? No one will travel outside to seek medicationat least show them you care?? Dan The Red? (@Kennedy19Daniel) February 12, 2018 Mani!this happened a week ago.I dont know if you were sleeping but you celebrating our doctors and Kenyas medical field is quite laughable eric mungai (@onewayeric) February 12, 2018 this happened a week.amando umeamka? Mike (@adusdusi) February 12, 2018 You have been high all thee time. Dude this happened centuries ago Mr. White (@ElvisKerabuAmen) February 12, 2018 Your sister stole 5B for MOH, Killing Primary health deliver. You Sponsered the Killing of children who had deams of becoming doctors These doctors and nurses merit what they are they did not steal knowledge and forced @BobGodec to validate them president of Police force. Jungle (@Amollo10) February 12, 2018 For more jokes sms UhuRuto to #SasaMnatakaNifanyeNini ??? Richard Haggai (@haggai_richard) February 12, 2018 Buda umeamka sahithis happened last week ama ulikuwa umedoubt KNH imperform bila ad ya tank teno Steve Rono (@steveisrono) February 12, 2018 These people deserve HSCs not drunkards chewing a mixture of boiled maize and beans. Secondly if you had arrested the THIEVES who stole 5B of healthcare THIS WOULD BE THE NORM RATHER THEN THE EXCEPTION. Fish surely starts rotting at the head. Benard Wandera (@Benardo23) February 12, 2018 Wld serve more gd if u went n visited KNH in person get first hand experience n shake thier hands Sir Henri (@engdjhenri) February 12, 2018 So u never follow News, be aware even Raila was sworn in as 5th president MaCoOnyango (@otienojoseph4) February 12, 2018 Ganja1 has just woken up from the slumber. Fumo Lionkoh (@FumoLionkoh) February 12, 2018 Wonder what took you soo long Mr President? Casemiro (@CasmirMogute) February 12, 2018 ??ndo umepata habari? Kemi Makeo (@dvjmikemfalme) February 12, 2018 Alafu utapea mtu anakula githeri state commendation. Tushazoea Aseno Churchil (@Aseno_churchil) February 12, 2018 Population Services Kenya (PS Kenya), which distributes Trust condoms, is urging the Kenyan public to stay vigilante when buying Trust condoms or risk getting sexually transmitted diseases. In a statement sent to newsrooms, PS Kenya says there are fake Trust condoms in the market and a country-wide safety sensitisation campaign has since started. The campaign which started on February 10 seeks to educate consumers on unique product markings to enable them identify the right Trust Studded condoms in the market. In a three-day notice placed in the local dailies, PS Kenya urged consumers to be attentive to the labeling of the Trust Studded brand of condoms. Look out for the marks of quality on our packs to ensure that you are purchasing authentic Trust packs, read the advert. PS Kenya advises the public to stay vigilant and attentive to product unique quality markings and the exact positioning on the packs which include the name Studded, the mark of quality (triple-tested) and quantity of condoms in the pack. The transmedia campaign will continue to sensitise consumers and also seek to drive awareness throughout the distribution channels in order to dissuade the unscrupulous individuals from misleading Kenyans to purchase counterfeit condoms that do not guarantee quality. It is unfortunate that these individuals are making attempts to erode the efforts made as a country in achieving health impact through distribution of high-quality condoms, added PS Kenya. According to the notice, consumers should check the front face of a pack of Trust Studded condoms and ensure it has a triple tested icon at the bottom left side and a white stripe with pack content. The name STUDDED should also appear in bold at the centre of the pack. The spine of the pack should have content information and only bear PS-Kenya contact details. Nothing more. Sources indicate that a large consignment of fake condoms arrived in the country last Wednesday, triggering fears among authorities and subsequently the three-day advertisement in dailies. As the world marks the International Condoms Day today(February 13), PS Kenya said authorities had begun investigations to establish how the counterfeit batch of condoms got into the country and ended up being sold. It is unfortunate that some individuals are eroding the efforts made as a country in distribution of high quality condoms, PS Kenya said in a statement. Two former IRS trial attorneys working in the private sector in California gave similar judgments. (The California plan would give taxpayers a credit of 85 percent of the amount they contribute to the new state-run nonprofit organization.) "I think the service will undoubtedly, almost inevitably look at this as a form of state and local taxes," said Mark W. Everson, who served as commissioner of the IRS from 2003 to 2007 and now works at the tax consulting firm alliantgroup. "Suddenly, if you make a contribution, you're relieved of your tax obligation? No. I'd be very surprised if this withstood IRS scrutiny." Lawmakers in New Jersey, Maryland and New York are weighing similar schemes to protect their taxpayers from bigger bills. The GOP tax law, which centered on a massive corporate tax cut and temporary reductions to personal income taxes, partially compensated for lost revenue by capping state tax deductions, a move projected to raise $90 billion in federal revenue by 2024. Democrats have assailed the cap as designed to punish liberal voters, since blue states have higher local taxes than the national average. The average deduction claimed by a Californian who deducts state and local taxes is $18,438, according to the governor's office. 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. Have you ever wondered why the risks associated with popular prescription drugs seem to trail their aggressive promotion, sometimes by years? Certainly, as millions use brand name drugs, dangerous side effects and adverse events are seen that did not emerge in much smaller clinical trials. Who knew? But also, Pharma has a financial reason to suppress dangerous side effects: it's the same reason Hollywood doesn't want a movie to be called a dog until millions see it. Make all the money you can before the truth gets out. GERD medicines and antidepressants are among Pharma's top cash cows. But concerning risks continue to emerge as both drug classes are not the blockbusters they once were. Pharma uses these dirty tricks to stay a Wall Street darling (Image by Martha Rosenberg) Details DMCA PPIs One of Pharma's most successful gambits has been proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like Nexium, the "Purple Pill," and Prilosec that reduce stomach acid. To sell the drugs, Pharma raised "awareness" of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) a rare condition which, over time, can change the lining of the esophagus and lead to cancer. Most PPI users, however have simple heartburn. Even babies are now given PPIs for "baby reflux" because they spit up 71 times a day--a normal occurrence that has been pathologized. The medical establishment deplores PPI overusage, pointing out that heartburn can exist without esophageal damage and esophageal damage can exist without heartburn. Some doctors have even called PPIs "purple crack" because they are so addictive. "Once a patient has taken a PPI for longer than a few weeks, acid hypersecretion can occur on discontinuation," says an article in Pharmaceutical Journal. "This causes rebound symptoms, and frequently establishes a vicious cycle of drug reinitiation and long-term continuation." Adverse effects of long-term PPI use are well documented from the risks of the dread intestinal infection Clostridium difficile ("C Diff"), bone thinning and fractures and vitamin and mineral deficiencies to chronic kidney disease and heart attacks. Now there is a newer reported risk. A study in JAMA Neurology found people taking PPIs "had a significantly increased risk of incident dementia compared with the patients not receiving PPI medication." SSRIs SSRI antidepressants are one the most consumed drug class in the US; as much as a quarter of the population are on them in some areas. Their popularity is directly correlated with Pharma's "selling" of depression as a life-long, ubiquitous condition. Gone are the days when bad moods were attributed to problems with finance, romance, debt, jobs, housing, careers, family, marriages and health. Now, says Pharma, you have the life-long condition of depression and if your SSRI doesn't work (because you really had a relationship or career problem to begin with and not depression) you need to add another expensive, prescription drug. SSRIs are well known for weight gain, sexual dysfunction and sometimes causing----not preventing----suicide ideation in young people. But as the drugs go off patent and no more big money is to be made, other frightening conditions are emerging. The SSRI Paxil, for example, increases the risk for birth defects, particularly heart defects, when women take it during the first three months of pregnancy," reported the FDA in 2005. SSRIs are now under the microscope for causing fractures and possibly bone thinning in their users. And finally, SSRIs are being investigated as a prenatal cause of autism. "A new study provides some of the strongest evidence yet that using an antidepressant like Prozac, Paxil or Zoloft during the final two trimesters of pregnancy may be linked to a higher risk of autism spectrum disorder for the child," wrote the Washington Post about two years ago. The PPI and SSRI drug classes, as others, are the reason drug safety activists recommend waiting a long time before taking a new drug. Early users can be Pharma's guinea pigs as these new risks reveal. 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 Common Dreams Trump is not a deviation from Republican ideology or beliefs; he is their fullest flowering. He is not the party's nightmare. He is its id, the manifestation of its darkest impulses. It's Political Messaging 101: You can't beat Trump by talking about him all the time. We should be talking about our economic future, but all we're talking about our 45th president. Look at this chart, which shows the top story on social media accounts by social category for the first year (more or less) of Trump's presidency: (Image by (Source: Echelon Insights)) Details DMCA Stunning, isn't it? Trump dominates the media landscape like some paint-and-plaster Colossus, his conquering limbs striding from news cycle to news cycle. I agree with Ezra Klein on at least one crucial point about this chart. (It's from Klein's piece, "Trump is winning.") The president is "setting both the terms and tone of the debate." When everyone is focused on our 45th president, how can Democrats hold your attention long enough to make the case that they will make people's lives better? Here's what that chart looks like if you take Trump coverage out of the picture: (Image by (Source: Echelon Insights)) Details DMCA Two stories seem to have staying power across all four categories: the Russia investigation, and healthcare. One of those stories involves Trump and the people around him, but doesn't address the issues that affect people's day-to-day lives. The other affects their lives -- and sometimes deaths -- directly. Democrats have devoted a lot more attention to the first story, Russia, than they have to the issue of healthcare. Sixteen Democratic senators joined Bernie Sanders in sponsoring a Medicare For All bill, including most of the party's presidential candidates in that body. But the party is divided on the topic, as it is on other crucial economic issues. The party's predilection for mingling with lobbyists and other high-dollar donors, as reported here and elsewhere, isn't helping to resolve its split. And so, leading Democrats and sympathetic pundits have been focusing on Trump's personality and the Russia investigation instead. A Democratic email blast sent last month included the rather plaintive subject line, "Let's get into Trump's Twitter feed." Is that as high as the party now dares to dream? But the Russia investigation is something of a Rorschach test. Many party loyalists see it as an open-and-shut case: Trump has treasonously conspired with a foreign power and must be impeached. I hate to be a killjoy, but that does not seem to have been confirmed by any independent investigation, including Robert Mueller's. It may be someday, but that's far from certain. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). 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. In March of 2010, OpEdNews published: "Google Leads The World In Corporate Ethics; Who Will Follow Their Example?" Now, in 2018, I am retracting that stance, not because of politics regarding their corporate philosophy, but based on real-life experiences. In fact, I was injured by Google's arrogant beliefs that their algorithms can "do no harm." Without human intervention, their algorithms can and do harm people, especially those who are caught up in their electronic nightmares. This story began in 2012 after my twin sons, Will and Chris, were charged with 1st-degree murder in the death of an innocent childhood friend, Sean Dugas. (I was diagnosed with PTSD after the trial and incarceration of my sons. It is extremely hard for me to write anything these days, never mind opening up old wounds that are tearing me asunder. Rather than attempting to rewrite what is already in the public domain, I will try to bring you up to speed via excerpts and links.) Concrete-encased body identified as former Florida reporter Sean Dugas (Image by CNN.com) Details DMCA Sean Dugas worked at the Pensacola News Journal from 2005-2010. Story highlights - Authorities use dental records to identify remains of Sean Dugas - Dugas, a former crime reporter in Florida, went missing August 27 - Twin brothers have been charged with murder in his death A body encased in concrete and buried in a Georgia backyard has been identified as that of a former Florida journalist who went missing in August. The positive identification of 30-year-old Sean Dugas was made using dental records and facial-bone CT scans, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Friday. Dugas, a former crime reporter at the Pensacola News Journal, had been missing since August 27. William and Christopher Cormier, twin 31-year-old brothers, are charged with murder in Dugas' death, according to police in Winder, Georgia, where the body was found. The brothers had earlier been charged with concealing a death in the case. LINK Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). 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 RT It is an age-old statecraft technique to seek unity within a state by depicting an external enemy or threat. Russia is the bete noire again, as it was during the Cold War years as part of the Soviet Union. But the truth is Western states are challenged by internal problems. Ironically, by denying their own internal democratic challenges, Western authorities are only hastening their institutional demise. Russophobia -- "blame it all on Russia" -- is a short-term, futile ploy to stave off the day of reckoning when furious and informed Western citizens will demand democratic restitution for their legitimate grievances. The dominant "official" narrative, from the US to Europe, is that "malicious" Russia is "sowing division;"...eroding democratic institutions;" and "undermining public trust" in systems of governance, credibility of established political parties, and the news media. This narrative has shifted up a gear since the election of Donald Trump to the White House in 2016, with accusations that the Kremlin somehow ran "influence operations" to help get him into office. This outlandish yarn defies common sense. It is also running out of thread to keep spinning. Paradoxically, even though President Trump has rightly rebuffed such dubious claims of "Russiagate" interference as "fake news," he has at other times undermined himself by subscribing to the notion that Moscow is projecting a campaign of "subversion against the US and its European allies." See for example the National Security Strategy he signed off in December. Pathetically, it's become indoctrinated belief among the Western political class that "devious Russians" are out to "collapse" Western democracies by "weaponizing disinformation" and spreading "fake news" through Russia-based news outlets like RT and Sputnik. Totalitarian-like, there seems no room for intelligent dissent among political or media figures. British Prime Minister Theresa May has chimed in to accuse Moscow of "sowing division;" Dutch state intelligence claim Russia destabilized the US presidential election; the European Union commissioner for security, Sir Julian King, casually lampoons Russian news media as "Kremlin-orchestrated disinformation" to destabilize the 28-nation bloc. CIA chief Mike Pompeo recently warned that Russia is stepping up its efforts to tarnish the Congressional mid-term elections later this year. On and on goes the narrative that Western states are essentially victims of a nefarious Russian assault to bring about collapse. A particularly instructive presentation of this trope was given in a recent commentary by Texan Republican Representative Will Hurd. In his piece headlined, "Russian is our adversary," he claims: "Russia is eroding our democracy by exploiting the nation's divisions. To save it, Americans need to begin working together." Congressman Hurd asserts: "Russia has one simple goal: to erode trust in our democratic institutions... It has weaponized disinformation to achieve this goal for decades in Eastern and Central Europe; in 2016, Western Europe and America were aggressively targeted as well." Lamentably, all these claims above are made with scant, or no, verifiable evidence. It is simply a Big Lie technique of relentless repetition transforming itself into "fact." Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). 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 Counterpunch (Image by Photo by Billy Bob Bain | CC BY 2.0) Details DMCA It now emerges that the last four years of Julian Assange's effective imprisonment in the Ecuadorean embassy in London have been entirely unnecessary. In fact, they depended on a legal charade. Behind the scenes, Sweden wanted to drop the extradition case against Assange back in 2013. Why was this not made public? Because Britain persuaded Sweden to pretend that they still wished to pursue the case. In other words, for more than four years Assange has been holed up in a tiny room, policed at great cost to British taxpayers, not because of any allegations in Sweden but because the British authorities wanted him to remain there. On what possible grounds could that be, one has to wonder? Might it have something to do with his work as the head of Wikileaks, publishing information from whistleblowers that has severely embarrassed the United States and the UK? In fact, Assange should have walked free years ago if this was really about an investigation -- a sham one at that -- into an alleged sexual assault in Sweden. Instead, as Assange has long warned, there is a very different agenda at work: efforts to extradite him onwards to the US, where he could be locked away for good. That was why UN experts argued two years ago that he was being "arbitrarily detained" -- for political crimes -- not unlike the situation of dissidents in other parts of the world that win the support of western liberals and leftists. According to a new, limited release of emails between officials, the Swedish director of public prosecutions, Marianne Ny, wrote to Britain's Crown Prosecution Service on 18 October 2013, warning that Swedish law would not allow the case for extradition to be continued. This was, remember, after Sweden had repeatedly failed to take up an offer from Assange to interview him in London, as had happened in 44 other extradition cases between Sweden and Britain. Ny wrote to the CPS: "We have found us to be obliged to lift the detention order... and to withdraw the European arrest warrant. If so this should be done in a couple of weeks. This would affect not only us but you too in a significant way." Three days later, suggesting that legal concerns were far from anyone's mind, she emailed the CPS again: "I am sorry this came as a [bad] surprise" I hope I didn't ruin your weekend." In a similar vein, proving that this was about politics, not the law, the chief CPS lawyer handling the case in the UK, had earlier written to the Swedish prosecutors: "Don't you dare get cold feet!!!" In December 2013, the unnamed CPS lawyer wrote again to Ny: "I do not consider costs are a relevant factor in this matter." This was at a time when it had been revealed that the policing of Assange's detention in the embassy had at that point cost Britain 3.8 million. In another email from the CPS, it was noted: "Please do not think this case is being dealt with as just another extradition." These are only fragments of the email correspondence, after most of it was destroyed by the CPS against its own protocols. The deletions appear to have been carried out to avoid releasing the electronic files to a tribunal that has been considering a freedom of information request. Other surviving emails, according to a Guardian report last year, have shown that the CPS "advised the Swedes in 2010 or 2011 not to visit London to interview Assange. An interview at that time could have prevented the long-running embassy standoff." Assange is still holed up in the embassy, at great risk to his physical and mental health, even though last year Sweden formally dropped an investigation that in reality it had not actually been pursuing for more than four years. Now the UK (read US) authorities have a new, even less credible pretext for continuing to hold Assange: because he "skipped bail." Apparently the price he should pay for this relatively minor infraction is more than five years of confinement. London magistrates are due to consider on Tuesday the arguments of Assange's lawyers that he should be freed and that after so many years the continuing enforcement of the arrest warrant is disproportionate. Given the blurring of legal and political considerations in this case, don't hold your breath that Assange will finally get a fair hearing. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). 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. This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here. The Light at the End of the Corner A Trip Down Memory Lane, Pentagon-Style By Tom Engelhardt If you're in the mood, would you consider taking a walk with me and, while we're at it, thinking a little about America's wars? Nothing particularly ambitious, mind you, just -- if you're up for it -- a stroll to the corner. Now, admittedly, there's a small catch here. Where exactly is that corner? I think the first time I heard about it might have been back in January 2004 and it was located somewhere in Iraq. That was, if you remember, just nine months after American troops triumphantly entered a burning Baghdad and the month after Iraq's autocratic ruler, Saddam Hussein, was captured near his hometown, Tikrit. Yet despite President George W. Bush's unforgettable May 1, 2003, "mission accomplished" moment when, from the deck of an aircraft carrier off the coast of San Diego, he declared "major combat operations in Iraq... ended," the American war there somehow never actually stopped. An insurgency had already flared, U.S. bases were being periodically mortared, and American officials feared that some kind of civil war was in the offing between the country's formerly reigning Sunni minority and its rising Shiite majority. It was then that Major General Charles Swannack Jr., commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, mentioned that corner (and as you'll gather from his comments, it wasn't even the first time he'd brought the subject up). Here, as New York Times correspondent John Burns reported it, was Swannack's assessment of the situation: "The general, a large, imposing figure renowned among his troops for his no-nonsense ways, began his remarks by reminding the reporters that he had appeared in Baghdad six weeks ago, about the time of the insurgents' Ramadan offensive, and had said he believed [troops] in his area were 'turning the corner.' "Now, he said, 'I'm here to tell you that we've turned that corner. I can also tell you that we are on a glide path towards success, as attacks on our forces have declined by almost 60 percent over the past month.'" As it happened, Americans would remain on the glide path to that corner of ultimate success for some time, not just in Iraq but in Washington, too. There, as Rowan Scarborough reported more than a year later, in March 2005, "in the privacy of their E-ring offices, senior Pentagon officials have begun to entertain thoughts that were unimaginable a year ago: Iraq is turning the corner. 'This is still a tough fight. We don't want anyone to think that it is not,' said retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney, a military analyst who strongly supports Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld. 'But the momentum is in our direction.'" Corner-less Iraq Here was the problem: every time American troops actually turned that corner, what they found there were insurgents armed with rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and other weaponry, sometimes even American-produced arms. In addition, the streets around that corner turned out to be pitted with half-buried improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, those same insurgents could build from instructions on the Internet and that could destroy the most well-armored Humvee for the price of a pizza. (Early on, in fact, some of the places down which American troops had to turn were already being given grimly sardonic names like "RPG Alley.") There were, as it happened, so many corners to turn and yet, from 2003 on, seemingly nowhere to go. I don't doubt that those of you of a certain age preparing for our little walk are already thinking about a somewhat more perilous image from another war: the infamous "light at the end of the tunnel" that will forever be connected with Vietnam. That phrase was repeatedly used by Americans to describe the glide path to victory in that conflict and would long be associated with the commander of U.S. forces, General William Westmoreland. He used it to remarkable effect in 1967, a mere 10 weeks before the enemy launched its devastating Tet Offensive. However, the general was anything but alone in his choice of imagery. That "tunnel" was also occupied by a range of top U.S. officials, from President Lyndon Johnson to National Security Advisor Walt Rostow. And it wasn't the newest of images either. After all, General Henri Navarre had used it a decade and a half earlier in the French version of that losing war. For those in the antiwar movement of the era, it was an image that always had a particularly ominous resonance, since you weren't just heading for "the corner" but deep inside a dark tunnel where, just beyond the light glimmering at its end, it was easy enough to imagine a train bearing down on you. By the way, lest you think there's anything especially original about the American military in the twenty-first century, Westmoreland also spoke with hope in 1967 (but assumedly before he found himself in that tunnel) of how the U.S. "had turned the corner in the war" and how its end had begun "to come into view." In Iraq, the light at the end of the corner would prove no more evident than it had been in that Vietnamese tunnel and, as a result, the corner itself simply disappeared. In fact, in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee in April 2008, U.S. commander (and Iraq surge general) David Petraeus even admitted, however reluctantly, that "we haven't turned any corners, we haven't seen any lights at the end of the tunnel." And soon after that, corners of any sort were largely abandoned (at least as figures of speech). Or perhaps, thought of another way, the problem of finding a corner, no less any good news on the other side of it, would be solved by a change in tactics in the second iteration of Washington's Iraq War in this century: the one against the Islamic State. From August 2014 on, the U.S. Air Force would be called in to play a major role in turning Iraq's embattled cities, from Fallujah to Mosul, into so much rubble. No corners, no problems, you might say. Now, I don't want you to be disappointed. I was serious about that walk to the corner, just not in Iraq. Consider corner-less Iraq no more than background information for the real walk we're going to take. But before we leave Iraq, let me mention -- and I hope you won't consider me too much of an optimist for this -- that I just might see a little light glimmering at the end of the rubble. Is it possible that, some 14 years late, America's mission-accomplished moment is finally arriving? After all, the "caliphate" of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is history and, in December, President Donald Trump even declared victory over ISIS. ("We've won in Iraq," he said without hesitation or qualification.) No tunnel, no corner, no glimmers of light, just the whole shebang. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Quicklink Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their quicklinks after publishing them. To see if the quicklink was renamed or re-published, please click here. Shrewsberry's boss, Chief Executive Officer Tim Sloan, said at investor conference Tuesday that the bank's customers are seeing few effects from the Fed order. "The customer impact has been really nonexistent," Sloan said at a conference sponsored by Credit Suisse Group in Florida. "But it's really it's been bankers, relationship managers -- including me by the way -- out there reinforcing to customers that we're open for business and we'll be able to work through it." Wells Fargo doesn't need to adjust strategies to achieve growth in consumer or institutional businesses, Sloan said in a separate interview Monday at the bank's headquarters. "If something works, that's fine," Sloan said. "We don't feel like we have to do anything new, other than to make sure our customers understand we're out there." The auto-lending business is expected to return to growth one or two quarters after the firm completes a consolidation of its regional car-loan centers in March or April, Shrewsberry said. He also said that the bank is "pursuing vigorously" credit-card customers who will spend more and those that will keep balances longer than a month. "In terms of fundamentally changing how we're going about doing our business, we don't need to do that," Sloan said. 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 A federal judge temporarily stayed the deportation order for New Sanctuary Coalition executive director Ravi Ragbir on Friday, only one day before he was scheduled to be deported. He's one of a growing number of immigrants whose scheduled deportations -- both individual or en masse -- have been halted by federal judges in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Michigan and Florida. For more on the legal battle against Trump's mass deportation efforts, we speak with Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the ACLU Immigrants' Rights Project; Seth Kaper-Dale, pastor of the Reformed Church of Highland Park; and Ravi Ragbir, executive director of the New Sanctuary Coalition. This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form. AMY GOODMAN: This is Democracy Now! I'm Amy Goodman, with Juan Gonzalez. JUAN GONZALEZ: Well, a federal judge has stayed the deportation of immigrant rights leader Ravi Ragbir, after he filed a free-speech lawsuit charging the Trump administration of targeting immigrant rights activists with surveillance and deportation. I want to list some of the other outspoken immigrants who have been targeted by ICE, as laid out by Nick Pinto in The Intercept. "Daniela Vargas, a 22-year-old activist who came to the United States from Argentina when she was seven, was detained by ICE agents last March as she was leaving a news conference in Jackson, Mississippi, where she had spoken on the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that stayed her own deportation for lacking immigration status. "The same month, in Vermont, ICE arrested Jose' Enrique Balcazar Sanchez and Zully Victoria Palacios Rodriguez, two leading organizers with Migrant Justice, a workers rights organization. Palacios Rodriguez's lawyer, Matt Cameron, told the Boston Globe that the offense she was arrested for -- overstaying her visa by some eight months -- wouldn't usually attract ICE's attention, and that it's especially unusual for such a person to be held without bail, as his client was. "A couple months later, two more Migrant Justice activists, Yesenia Hernandez-Ramos and Esau Peche-Ventura, were arrested by a Border Patrol agent and transferred to ICE custody after taking part in a march outside a Ben and Jerry's plant to demand better working conditions for farmworkers supplying milk to the ice cream giant. "In December, ICE began deportation proceedings against Maru Mora-Villalpando, a 47-year-old activist who came from Mexico more than 25 years ago and is an outspoken critic of ICE's deportation and detention practices in the Seattle area. "Also in December, Baltazar Aburto Gutierrez, a 35-year-old clam harvester in Washington state, was detained after he was quoted in local papers talking about his girlfriend's recent deportation. 'You're the one from the newspaper,' Aburto Gutierrez says the ICE agent who detained him said. 'My supervisor asked me to come find you because of what appeared in the newspaper.' "In January, ICE agents in Colorado arrested Eliseo Jurado after his wife Ingrid Encalada Latorre publicly took sanctuary in a Boulder church to avoid deportation to Peru." That is all from Nick Pinto's article in The Intercept titled "ICE Is Targeting Political Opponents for Deportation, Ravi Ragbir and Rights Groups Say in Court." Ravi, this amazing list of activists being rounded up, essentially, by ICE around the country, your reaction? RAVI RAGBIR: Well, what we are seeing here is, you know, a state of fear that they're trying to create by taking people away. Maru has always been a -- I know Maru. We have been in many conferences together. And she has always been outspoken. And to send her a notice to appear, and also that she is in a removal proceeding, is a direction -- shows the direction the agency is heading to. Look at the resources they allocated to deport me. You are seeing that this is an intensification against the immigrant community. You know, you heard a quote from the president: "Where is the due process?" Well, we should be asking: Where is the due process in what we are seeing? Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Global Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin Market Sales, Supply & Demand Analysis Global Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin Market https://goo.gl/oWdTnP https://goo.gl/6sCeDP https://market.biz/ http://emarkets.eu/ The research study on Global Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin Market organizes the overall perspective of the Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin industry. This incorporates upcoming flow of the Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin market together with an extensive analysis of recent industry statistics. It describes the Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin market size as well as factors controlling market growth. Likewise, the report explains various challenges which affect Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin market expansion. 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We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.Market.Biz has access to the worlds most comprehensive and up-to-date databases in your business sector, including countless market reports that can provide you with valuable data relating to your business. We understand the needs of our clients, and keep our reports updated as market requirement changes.Contact US:GlobeMetrixJames JohnsonS no. 51/14 First Floor, Office Number 4,Vishwa Arcade, Near Navale Lawns,Pune, Maharashtra, India 411041.Tel: +1(857)2390696Email: inquiry@market.bizWebsite:Blog: Global Trade Management Software Market Expected To Reach At A CAGR Of 11.42% Over The Forecast Period 2017-2021 Market Research Report https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1336401 https://www.researchmoz.us/global-trade-management-software-market-2017-2021-report.html/toc http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG https://marketreserch1.blogspot.com Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Trade Management Software Market 2017-2021" to its huge collection of research reports.About Trade Management SoftwareGlobal trade management (GTM) is a software that is used to streamline life cycle of trade activities in areas such as logistics and settlement. GTM helps to improve operating efficiencies and cash flows significantly. GTM is comprehensive and helps organizations to use the cross-functional and system-wide view of global trade. GTM is also applied by many companies in their global operations.Technavios analysts forecast the global trade management software market to grow at a CAGR of 11.42% during the period 2017-2021.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global trade management software market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from the sales of software and services. The new software license revenue is realized from the fee earned by vendors offering trade management software to customers. The software licensing revenue includes both perpetual and periodic licenses or subscriptions. Vendors also offer pay-per-use models and services based on cloud-based offerings.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:AmericasAPACEMEATechnavio's report, Global Trade Management Software Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendorsAmber RoadApteanDescartesInforIntegration PointOracleQADSAPQuestaWebVisual ComplianceOther prominent vendorsBamboo RoseWiseTech GlobalBluJay SolutionsMercuryGate InternationalMake an Enquiry about TOC @Market driverNeed for efficient supply chainFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeData security and privacyFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendGTM software adapting to globalization in tradeFor a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this reportWhat will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be?What are the key market trends?What is driving this market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key vendors in this market space?Table of ContentsPART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARYPART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORTPART 03: RESEARCH METHODOLOGYPART 04: INTRODUCTIONMarket outlinePART 05: MARKET LANDSCAPEMarket overviewMarket size and forecastFive forces analysisAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.For More Information Kindly Contact :ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @ Photographic Services 2018 Global Industry Key Players - Lifetouch Inc, Studio Alice Co Ltd, Getty Images Inc, Portrait Innovations Inc Market Analysis And Forecast To 2023 Global Photographic Services Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2947530-photographic-services-global-market-report-2018-including-portrait-studios-commercial https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/2947530-photographic-services-global-market-report-2018-including-portrait-studios-commercial Global Photographic Services MarketPhotographic Services Market Global Report 2018 from The Business Research Company provides the strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the global photographic services market.Request a Sample Report @Reasons to PurchaseReasons to Purchase Outperform competitors using accurate up to date demand-side dynamics information. Identify growth segments for investment. Facilitate decision making on the basis of historic and forecast data and the drivers and restraints on the market. Create regional and country strategies on the basis of local data and analysis. Stay abreast of the latest customer and market research findings Benchmark performance against key competitors. Develop strategies based on likely future developments. Utilize the relationships between key data sets for superior strategizing. Suitable for supporting your internal and external presentations with reliable high quality data and analysis Gain a global perspective on the development of the market. Report will be updated with the latest data and delivered to you within 3-5 working days of order.Description:Where is the largest and fastest growing market for the photographic services? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The photographic services market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the markets historic and forecast market growth by geography. It places the market within the context of the wider Professional Services market, and compares it with other markets. The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market and forecasting the future. Drivers and restraints looks at the external factors supporting and controlling the growth of the market. Market segmentations break down market into sub markets. The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth. It covers all the regions, key developed countries and major emerging markets. It draws comparisons with country populations and economies to understand the importance of the market by country and how this is changing. Competitive landscape gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified. The trends and strategies section highlights the likely future developments in the market and suggests approaches companies can take to exploit this. The photographic services market section of the report gives context. It compares the photographic services market with other segments of the Professional Services market by size and growth, historic and forecast. It analyses Expenditure Per Capita, The Photographic Services Indicators Comparison.Complete Report Details @ScopeMarkets Covered: Portrait Studios; Commercial StudiosCompanies Mentioned: Lifetouch Inc, Studio Alice Co Ltd, Getty Images Inc, Portrait Innovations IncCountries: Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Spain, Russia, UK, USA and Australia.Regions: Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East And AfricaTime series: Five years historic and forecast.Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP, Expenditure Per Capita, The Photographic Services Indicators Comparison.Data segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.Photographic Services Market CharacteristicsPhotographic Services Market Size And Growth2.1. Historic Market Growth, Value ($ Billion)2.1.1. Drivers Of The Market2.1.2. Restraints On The Market2.2. Forecast Market Growth, Value ($ Billion)2.2.1. Drivers Of The Market2.2.2. Restraints On The Market;Photographic Services Trends And Strategies;Pestle Analysis4.1. Political4.2. Economic4.3. Social4.4. Technological4.5. Legal4.6. Environmental;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 Active, Smart, and Intelligent Packaging Market: APEJ and Western Europe to Dominate the Market in Terms of Usage MRRSE https://www.mrrse.com/sample/4136 https://www.mrrse.com/active-smart-and-intelligent-packaging-market https://www.mrrse.com/enquiry/4136 https://www.mrrse.com/ The report provides comprehensive overview of the intelligent packaging market across the globe. The market definition and introduction of global intelligent packaging market are also included in the research report. A research report titled Active, Smart, and Intelligent Packaging Market has recently been included in the database of Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE). The report throws light on the wide ranging value chain analysis and opportunity analysis of this market.Request a Free Sample Report @A valuable portion of the report highlights the Year-on-Year growth rate and opportunities for the report readers in order to obtain future estimation of this market. Absolute dollar opportunity is also provided in the research publication. The report also provides market dynamics which includes restraints, drivers and major threats affecting the growth of the market.This report also presents the market forecast for the period 2017 till 2027 along with that the historical market size and data analysis for the period 2012 to 2016 are mentioned. For the validation and accuracy of the report, a team of specific analysts have conducted (primary and secondary) research process to obtain validated data and statistics. In the primary section, interviews from the representatives of the company have been included. In secondary research, aspects like financial reports, press releases and annual reports of the companies have been considered. The study presents the 10 year analysis of the intelligent packaging market from the period starting from 2017 and which ends in 2027, while considering 2016 as its base year.Active, Smart, and Intelligent Packaging Market: SegmentationThe study segregates the intelligent, smart, and active packaging market into packaging type, application and regions.Geographically, the study divides the intelligent packaging market into Eastern Europe, North America, Western Europe, Latin America, APEJ, Japan and MEA. On the basis of packaging, the study bifurcates the global intelligent packaging market into RFID tags, freshness indicators, TTI Labels, intelligent and smart Packaging, MAP, O2 scavenging sachets and active packaging. Based on applications, the research report segregates the global market into cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, processed food, confectionary and bakery, dairy products, vegetables and fruits, seafood, poultry and meat, beverages and food.Read the Complete Report with TOC @Active, Smart, and Intelligent Packaging Market: Competitive AnalysisThis study presents the competitive assessment of the smart, active and intelligent packaging market across the globe. This report also offers information associated with the major players functioning in the intelligent, smart and active market across the globe. The valuable portion of the study showcases the companies based on financial overview, key strategies, SWOT analysis, overview of the company, business overview and recent development in the companies. The report also features the major players functioning in the smart, intelligent and active packaging market such as Coveris Holdings S.A., Multisorb Technologies, Inc., Temptime Corporation, CCL Industries Inc., Thin Film Electronics ASA, LCR Hallcrest LLC, Varcode, Ltd., Vitsab International AB, Cryolog S.A., Timestrip UK Ltd., 3M Company, Amcor Limited, Crown Holdings, Inc., Bemis Company, Inc., Sealed Air Corporation, Landec Corporation and PakSense, Inc. The report also provides the competitive landscape in a dashboard view.Have Any Query? Ask Our Expert at: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: 1948-2018 C. Preston Shackelford lived as she died, with determination, intelligence and verve. She had a special capacity to celebrate the many blessings that flowed from her fierce flair for creating opportunities for herself and her loved ones. She expressed her love and joy through her desire to live life to its fullest and enjoy sharing it all with family and friends. Born January 30, 1948, Preston grew up in Virginia, attended Smith College and completed her bachelors degree at SUNY, Old Westbury, NY. She earned her JD at Bolt Law School, UC Berkeley, and in 1974 moved to Napa where she became the only woman practicing law at the time. Specializing in family law, Preston had a long and distinguished career as partner in Coombs and Dunlap before retiring in 2011. Prestons success was fueled by her commitment to her clients and her desire to help families solve their problems through mediation and negotiation. She also served as city attorney for Yountville and was the first woman to join Napa Rotary. 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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:1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com Global and U.S. Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Market Status and Forecast 2017-2022 by Players, Types QYResearchReports https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1256909&type=S https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1256909&type=D Qyresearchreports include new market research report "2017-2022 Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Report on Global and United States Market, Status and Forecast, by Players, Types and Applications" to its huge collection of research reports.The market study on the Global and United States market for Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition examines current and historical values and provides projections based on accumulated database. The report examines both key regional and domestic markets to provide a conclusive analysis about the developments in the Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition market over the 2018-2025 period.The report is collated in a chapter-wise layout with each chapter consisting sub-sections to discuss key segments in detail. The annex section discusses market attractiveness and a feasibility analysis of new undertakings in the Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition market in the forthcoming years. 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The dynamics between several applications of the Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition market and how they impact the industry chain have also been analyzed.Table of Contents1 Methodology and Data Source1.1 Methodology/Research Approach1.1.1 Research Programs/Design1.1.2 Market Size Estimation1.1.3 Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation1.2 Data Source1.3 Disclaimer2 Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Market Overview2.1 Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Product Overview2.2 Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Market Segment by Type2.3 Global Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Product Segment by Type2.3.1 Global Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Sales (K Units) and Growth (%) by Types (2012, 2016 and 2022)2.3.2 Global Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Types (2012-2017)2.3.3 Global Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Revenue (Million USD) and Market Share (%) by Types (2012-2017)2.3.4 Global Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Price (USD/Unit) by Type (2012-2017)2.4 United States Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Product Segment by TypeMake An Enquiry For Discount :3 Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Application/End Users3.1 Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Segment by Application/End Users3.2 Global Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Product Segment by Application3.2.1 Global Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Sales (K Units) and CGAR (%) by Applications (2012, 2016 and 2022)3.2.2 Global Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Applications (2012-2017)3.3 United States Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Product Segment by Application3.3.1 United States Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Sales (K Units) and CGAR (%) by Applications (2012, 2016 and 2022)3.3.2 United States Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Applications (2012-2017)4 Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Market Status and Outlook by Regions4.1 Global Market Status and Outlook by Regions4.1.1 Global Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Market Size and CAGR by Regions (2012, 2016 and 2022)4.2 Global Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Sales and Revenue by Regions4.2.1 Global Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Regions (2012-2017)4.2.2 Global Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Revenue (Million USD) and Market Share (%) by Regions (2012-2017)4.2.3 Global Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)4.2.4 North America Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)4.2.5 Europe Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)4.2.6 Asia-Pacific Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)4.2.7 South America Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (2012-2017)5 Global Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Market Competition by Players/Manufacturers5.1 Global Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Sales (K Units) and Market Share by Players (2012-2017)5.2 Global Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Revenue (Million USD) and Share by Players (2012-2017)5.3 Global Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Average Price (USD/Unit) by Players (2012-2017)5.4 Players Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area, Product Types5.5 Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Market Competitive Situation and Trends5.5.1 Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Market Concentration Rate5.5.2 Global Marine Seismic Equipment & Acquisition Market Share (%) of Top 3 and Top 5 PlayersAbout Us:QYResearchReports.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:1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com Feb 13, 2018: Gear Cutting Machines Market Size 2018-2025 Gleason, Yanmar, Mazak Optonics Gear Cutting Machines Market 2018-2024 https://goo.gl/3QVYzB https://www.marketsresearch.biz/report/global-gear-cutting-machines-market-2018-size-gro-142819/ A market study "Global Gear Cutting Machines Market" examines the performance of the Gear Cutting Machines market 2018. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Gear Cutting Machines market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Gear Cutting Machines market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Gear Cutting Machines Market 2018 report includes Gear Cutting Machines market Revenue, market Share, Gear Cutting Machines industry volume, market Trends, Gear Cutting Machines Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Gear Cutting Machines Price during the Forecast period from 2018 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Gear Cutting Machines Market 2018 :1. Gleason2. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries3. Yanmar Group(Kanzaki)4. Mazak Optonics5. Liebherr Group6. FFG Werke GmbH7. AxleTech International(US Gear)8. EMAG Group9. Koepfer10. Klingelnberg GmbH11. Luren Precision Chicago13. HMT Machine Tools13. Schiess Brighton Holding14. Ueda Heavy Gear Works15. Machine Tool Builders16. Tianjin No.1 Machine Tool Works17. Chongqing Machine Tool (Group)Gear Cutting Machines Market : By ApplicationVehicle Gear ApplicationGeneral Industrial Gear ApplicationGear Cutting Machines Market : By TypeGear Hobbing MachineGear Shaping MachineGear Shaving MachineGear Grinding MachineFirstly, the report covers the top Gear Cutting Machines manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Gear Cutting Machines report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Gear Cutting Machines industry, Gear Cutting Machines industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Gear Cutting Machines Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Gear Cutting Machines research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Gear Cutting Machines market revenue worldwide.Finally, Gear Cutting Machines market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Usmarketsresearch.biz is a leading market intelligence team which making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact US:5001 Spring Valley Rd #400,Dallas,TX 75244, USAContact No. +1-214-661-1669Email: sales@marketsresearch.biz 3D Bioprinting Market : by Manufacturers, Regions, Quality, Reliability And Innovations In Technology 2025 Market Research Report https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1429483 https://www.researchmoz.us/3d-bioprinting-market-global-industry-analysis-size-share-growth-trends-and-forecast-2017-2025-report.html http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG https://marketreserch1.blogspot.com Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "3D Bioprinting Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2017 - 2025" to its huge collection of research reports.3D printing is a process used to produce three-dimensional objects. The object is produced using computer-aided software, by adding successive layers of materials on the product to generate 3D shape (additive manufacturing). 3D bioprinting works on the same principle as traditional 3D printing, except the procedure is done using live cells, tissues, and organs, where the complexities of tissues and cells, such as cell type, functionalities, growth, and differentiation patterns are addressed. The process of 3D bioprinting involves dispensing cells onto a biocompatible scaffold using a successive layer-by-layer approach to generate tissue-like three-dimensional structures. The bioprinting process can be customized to develop tissues in various formats and designs, from micro-scale tissues to larger structures. The micro-scale tissue structure is useful for cell study and culture plates preemption, whereas large scale structure is useful in placement on bioreactors for biochemical reactions.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The global 3D bioprinting market is anticipated to witness strong growth during the forecast period. Rapidly increasing technological advancements in pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, rise in demand for 3D printers in various studies such as drug discovery and development, and surge in demand for new and advanced drug screening tests such as toxicity screening are the major factors anticipated to drive the global 3D bioprinting market during the forecast period. Advantages of 3D bioprinters and growing clinical and research applications in the pharmaceutical industry fuel the growth of the global market. High cost of equipment and lack of penetration and adoption of the 3D bioprinting technique in emerging countries are the factors restraining the global 3D bioprinting market. However, recent advances in 3D bioprinting in the field of biotechnology and establishment of the technique in the fields of tissue transplantation, multilayer skin transplant, vascular grafts, bone, and other important tissues and organs have created new opportunities in the global market.The global 3D bioprinting market can be segmented based on technique, application, end-user, and region. In terms of technique, the market can be categorized into electron beam melting, laser beam melting, photo polymerization (stereo lithography, digital light processing, and two-photon polymerization), and droplet disposition (inkjet printing, fused disposition methods, and multi-phase jet solidification) techniques. Based on application, the global 3D bioprinting market can be classified into clinical applications (transplantation of tissues, bone, vascular grafts, and others) and research applications (regenerative medicine, personalized healthcare, and others).The clinical applications segment accounted for the largest share of the global market in 2016. However, increase in number of research institutes and contract research organizations using 3D bioprinting techniques for research in pharmaceutical and biotechnology applications are the major factors expected to propel the growth of the market from 2017 to 2025. In terms of end-user, the global market can be divided into pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies, academic & research institutes, and contract research organizations.Make an Enquiry about TOC @In terms of region, the global 3D bioprinting market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to dominate the global market from 2017 to 2025, owing to increase in per capita R&D spending in the region along with rise in demand for new and advanced products and techniques. Europe accounted for the second largest share of the global market in 2016 due to increase in number of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies investing in research applications of 3D bioprinting.Major companies operating in the global 3D bioprinting market are Nano3D Biosciences, Inc., Organovo Holdings, Inc., Aspect Biosystems Ltd., GeSiM, Regenovo Biotechnology Co., Ltd., nScrypt, Inc., Stratasys Ltd., EnvisionTEC GmbH, regenHU, 3D Systems, Inc., Rainbow Biosciences, and TeVido BioDevices.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.For More Information Kindly Contact :ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @ Alcohol Ingredients Market size and Key Trends in terms of volume and value 2016-2026 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2344 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2344 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Alcoholic beverages are manufactured by the fermentation of fruit, vegetables or cereals. The rise in the global consumption of alcohol, especially in developing regions such as Asia-Pacific drives the market for alcohol ingredients. This has resulted in increasing focus of key alcohol manufacturers to provide better functional ingredients by development in the production processes for alcohol ingredients and favorable functionalities of alcohol ingredients in various beverage applications. This will influence the alcohol ingredients market size.Request For Report Sample:Beer is produced by fermentation of malted barley or other cereals with the addition of hops. Wine is made from fermented grape juice or crushed grapes; fortified wines include additional distilled spirits.Distilled spirits originate from sources of starch or sugar, including cereals, molasses from sugar beets, grapes, potatoes, cherries, plums, and other fruits; after sugar fermentation, the alcohol content is increased by means of liquid distillation. Although ethanol can be chemically synthesized from ethylene, the alcoholic beverage industry does not synthesize alcohol for use in beverages, because of the presence of impurities from the synthetic process.Alcohol Ingredients Market SegmentationAlcohol ingredients market is segmented on the type of ingredients which includes yeast, enzymes, colorants, flavors & slats and others. The worldwide demand for alcohol ingredients is on the rise, particularly in the beverage industry. The demand is governed by the performance quality, their incorporation in beverage applications, and regulations imposed by international and local governments in the production of alcohol ingredients and alcoholic beverages.The alcohol ingredients market is expected to increase in developing countries due to the presence of emerging economies, rise in expenditure for alcoholic beverages, and the significant influence of traditions and cultures. Also, increase in population and disposable incomes in the developing Asian countries is driving the demand for alcoholic beverages, which in turn serves as a driver for the alcohol ingredients market.Alcohol ingredients market is also segmented on the basis of beverage types, which includes beer, spirits, wine whisky, brandy and others.Alcohol Ingredients Market Drivers & RestraintsThere is rise in alcohol consumption in emerging countries due to huge population base, more acceptance of socializing places like bars and pubs and growing consumption of alcohol becoming a new trend among young generation which is driving the market of alcohol ingredients. The demand of alcohol ingredients basically depends on the performance quality and legislations imposed by the both local as well as international government on the production of alcohol beverage ingredients and alcohol beverages.Distribution channel advancement such as online sales, separate counter for females, outlets in public places like airport are also few important driving factors for alcohol beverage industry.The demand of alcoholic beverages increases with the constantly changing taste preferences among the consumers, high consumer affluence towards drinks and the increasing disposable income in the developing economies. Global leaders in alcohol ingredients suppliers are focusing on new product development and innovation. For example recently flavored alcoholic beverages, cocktails are becoming very popular who are looking for change from the regular plain alcoholic beverages.There exists quite a few restraints in the alcohol industry such as high taxes, stringent government regulations on manufacturing and selling liquor, and ban on advertisements among others. Alcohol consumption is also subjected to the overall economys growth in terms of gross net income per capita and household expenditure. Thus, development in the economy would give a thrust to the alcohol market further but in a less pronounced manner.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Alcohol Ingredients Market Key PlayersThe alcohol ingredients market is fragmented and competitive, with a large number of players operating at regional and local levels. Some of the major players operating in maternal nutrition products market includes Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, Inc, Chr. Hansen Holding A/S, Koninklijke DSM N.V, Sensient Technologies, Ashland Inc, D.D.Williamson & Co., Inc., Dohler Group, Kerry Group PLC and Treatt PLC.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.Contact 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: Eldercare-Assistive Robots Market Volume Forecast and Value Chain Analysis 2016-2026 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2409 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2409 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Several countries across the world are either already facing or will face a demographic disaster in the near future. They will undergo severe socio-economic pressures due to a rapidly ageing population with not enough children being born to replace the workforce. This is particularly true in North America, Europe, Russia, South Korea & Japan. According to a government report compiled in Japan in 2012, 22% of the country is 65 or older and this is expected to rise to nearly 40% by 2060. In 2010, Japan had 30 million elderly individuals in old-age homes, but a serious dearth of caregivers to assist them. These countries are the mean reason that the eldercare-assistive robot market has come into existence. Over the past few years, eldercare-assistive robot R&D has become much cheaper, giving rise to helpers with more functionality & a cheaper price. It has also gained wider acceptance not only in Japan but also in the western nations.Request For Report Sample:Eldercare-Assistive Robots Market DriversThe ageing population in developed countries is the main driver for the eldercare-assistive robot market. According to U.N data, the global over-65 population will grow by 181% and they will account for nearly 16% of the population by 2050. Caring for these individuals will be an enormous physical, mental & emotional undertaking. There will be a tremendous shortage of qualified & willing medical personnel for this. Eldercare-assistive robots have the potential to serve this demographic exceptionally well. They can use camera sensors to supervise the senior citizen, ensure that they take their prescribed medication at the right time & also prevent them from falling & injuring themselves. Another factor is the individualistic societies in western countries, as opposed to collective Asian ones. People prefer to live on their own as much as possible. Even in old age, they prefer the privacy, comfort & security of their own homes over that of an institutional caregiver like an old-age home. To address these requirements, eldercare-assistive robots can come in handy. Not only will they fulfil the role of medical practitioner, but they can also provide human-like companionship to the patient. They will be able to enhance the health & psychological well-being of the elderly in several ways. By reminding them off daily tasks & other important information, they could help dementia patients. With informal chit-chat, they might keep a senior citizens mind sharp, reducing the probability of clinical depression, or Alzheimers disease. Robots could also act as telepresence machines, bridging the gap between doctors and their elderly patients. These individuals might not always be able to travel to the hospital to seek treatment, & frequent nurse visits are also very costly. The doctor could check in with their patients through the robots screen, even control the machine for simple tasks. These are some of the factors helping the eldercare-assistive robot market.Eldercare-Assistive Robots Market RestraintsThere are a few challenges faced by the eldercare-assistive robot market. These robots must be able to manage & cope with more uncertain environments than industrial robots. This makes it a challenge to build safe & certified ones. Another issue might be human opposition. Either the elderly individual, their family or both might not be comfortable with the idea of a robot playing a caregiver role. Older people, in particular, might be very resistant to adopting high-tech equipment like eldercare-assistive robots to simplify their lives. Cost can also be a major restraint. While the price of these assistive robots has dropped over the last decade, they still cost thousands of dollars each. People from lower income or middle-class families might not see the benefit in adopting them as much. Even with many advances made in the eldercare-assistive robot market, it is estimated that it will be several decades before full assistive robotic care is possible.Eldercare-Assistive Robots Market Key RegionsThe main eldercare assistive robot markets are those regions which have an ageing population, i.e. North America (barring Mexico), the E.U, Japan, and China & South Korea. Japan is the largest eldercare-assistive robot market since it has the most rapidly ageing population along with very low immigration & birth rates. It also has several domestic players involved in making assistive robots. North America has also slowly but surely begun to warm up to the eldercare-assistive robot market.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Eldercare-Assistive Robots Market Key Market PlayersSome of the companies involved in the eldercare-assistive robot market are Paro Robots, Aldebaran, Togo Seisakusyo Corporation, and Hasbro.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.Contact 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: Global Airsoft Guns Market Research Report 2017 : Budk, Systema, Tanaka, Inokatsu QYResearchReports https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1372820&type=S https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1372820&type=D Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global Airsoft Guns Market Research Report 2017" to its huge collection of research reports.In a highly dynamic global market for Airsoft Guns, companies need to constantly evolve to stay ahead of the curve. To do so, they need accurate information on the market. The recent report endeavors to help them achieve their growth targets by offering crucial information on the global market for Airsoft Guns. The findings of the research study is not just expected to help such savvy vendors keen on expanding their global footprint, but also policy makers and regulatory organizations, investors, independent research bodies, and non-profit organizations.The report on the global market for Airsoft Guns, presents important current and future figures and also key trends. It factors in macro-fundamentals to understand the dominant future trends as well. The report gathers data from both paid and open sources and also gathers useful insights from industry veterans to understand where the market for Airsoft Guns is headed in the future.Get Free Research Summary of the Report:Comprised of Airsoft Guns pages, it provides a chapter-wise dissection of the market. It segments the market for Airsoft Guns based on various parameters such as products, technology, application, and geography. It also throws light into which segment holds out maximum promise for vendors and why. It presents such crucial information leveraging tables, charts, and graphs so as to make it easier for clients to spot key trends and make the most of the available opportunities.Global Airsoft Guns market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingBudkJing GongTaserNova Security GroupOberon-AlphaSystemaTanakaInokatsuUHCThe team of experienced analysts who have prepared the report, also delve deep into the factors promoting or hindering the market for Airsoft Guns. It also uncovers the important trends that are emerging in the market. Banking upon all the information, it has charted the best course of action for success hungry companies.This report has been prepared after exhaustive primary and secondary research by interacting with C-level executives of prominent companies in the global market for Airsoft Guns and through exhaustive online research.Table of Contents1 Airsoft Guns Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Airsoft Guns1.2 Airsoft Guns Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Airsoft Guns Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Airsoft Guns Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.3 Global Airsoft Guns Segment by Application1.4 Global Airsoft Guns Market by Region (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Airsoft Guns (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Airsoft Guns Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Airsoft Guns Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)2 Global Airsoft Guns Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Airsoft Guns Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global Airsoft Guns Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Airsoft Guns Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Airsoft Guns Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Airsoft Guns Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Airsoft Guns Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Airsoft Guns Market Competitive Situation and TrendsPlease click the link to avail discount on this report @3 Global Airsoft Guns Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global Airsoft Guns Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global Airsoft Guns Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global Airsoft Guns Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.4 Global Airsoft Guns Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5 North America Airsoft Guns Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.6 Europe Airsoft Guns Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.7 China Airsoft Guns Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)4 Global Airsoft Guns Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)4.1 Global Airsoft Guns Consumption by Region (2012-2017)4.2 North America Airsoft Guns Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.3 Europe Airsoft Guns Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.4 China Airsoft Guns Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.5 Japan Airsoft Guns Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.6 Southeast Asia Airsoft Guns Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.7 India Airsoft Guns Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)5 Global Airsoft Guns Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type5.1 Global Airsoft Guns Production and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.2 Global Airsoft Guns Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.3 Global Airsoft Guns Price by Type (2012-2017)5.4 Global Airsoft Guns Production Growth by Type (2012-2017)About Us:QYResearchReports.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:1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com The Napa Valley Unified School District Board of Education has launched a search for a new superintendent to succeed Dr. Patrick Sweeney, who will retire in June. As part of the process, the Board invites parents and residents to offer their input. Those who are interested can attend a meeting on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Napa High School Theater, 2475 Jefferson St., in Napa. To give your input online, visit www.nvusd.org to take a short survey in English or Spanish. The survey closes on Monday at midnight. Voting for Superbrands 2018 has commenced www.superbrands.com Dubai, UAE, February 11, 2018: Superbrands, the independent authority and arbiter of branding, announced that the voting process to choose the brands in the UAE which will be recognised and honoured as a Superbrand 2018 has commenced. This year Superbrands has decided to segregate brands as Consumer Superbrands (the UAEs strongest B2C brands) and Business Superbrands (the UAEs strongest B2B brands) in order to recognize the relationship building marketing efforts by various brands to their target audiences.Superbrands is by invitation only, and the brands which have been successfully graded or voted through independent research and the stringent Superbrands Council selection processes can participate in the Superbrands Programs.Speaking on the stringent selection and voting process, Mr. Mike English, Director, Superbrands Middle East, said, The Superbrands programme identifies those brands which have captured the imagination of the general public. We do this by compiling a list of every brand available throughout the whole country. This list has over 10,000 brands on it which has to be whittled down to make the process easier to manage. This is done by our Superbrands Council who create a shortlist of brands that the public are invited to vote for. We put the shortlist online and then invite the CEO and Marketing Director of all the shortlisted brands to score the other brands on the list.As Superbrands gains ground in terms of loyalty, respect and visibility within the UAE, the Superbrands Council acknowledged the importance of looking at brands who sell primarily to the end customer (B2C) or to other businesses (B2B), both online and offline as separate categories. The primary reason for this is that although the marketing programs are the same for each type of business (events, direct marketing, internet marketing, advertising, public relations, word of mouth and alliances), how they are executed, what they say, and the outcome of the marketing activities differ.Once the online voting process is complete, the results are compiled and the brands that scored in excess of 80% are awarded the accolade of Superbrand. The winning brands are invited to a Gala Tribute Event where they receive their trophies. We also compile a beautiful coffee table book which will be divided into the two new categories which tells the stories behind the success of each winning brand and serves as a permanent reminder of the brands' achievement. To be voted as a Superbrand is a powerful endorsement and is evidence for existing customers, potential customers, media, suppliers, investors and employees of each brands exceptional status, said Mr. English.2018 marks the fourteenth edition of the Superbrands programme in the UAE which is considered the Oscars of Branding by the corporate world and is the culmination of six months of stringent evaluation and voting by the Superbrands Council members and through the online poll.Competition among UAE brands to be a Superbrands is fierce. In 2017, more than 1,800 leading brands in the UAE were scored. Of the total number of Brands that were considered, only a select few made the cut to be recognised and awarded the Superbrands title.Every year we are excited to see more local brands making it to the Superbrands list including some new entrants. At Superbrands we want to support and encourage local home-grown brands to compete with the big international names, concluded Mr. English.The Superbrands organisation is acclaimed worldwide as being the independent authority and arbiter of branding excellence and is committed to paying tribute to exceptional brands and promoting the discipline of branding. The work Superbrands does is recognised through their books, Events and Awards programmes, internet sites, research and through significant international media and PR coverage in newspapers, magazines and on television and radio.The Superbrands organisation was originally set up in London in 1994 where it published the first Superbrands book. Since then it has expanded its operations to 93 countries worldwide including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait. Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States.Superbrands publishes a series of books including Superbrands, Business Superbrands (on B2B brands), Cool Brands and eBrands - making the series of books the largest collection of insights into some of the greatest brands in the world. To date over 15,000 individual brands have been featured worldwide. For further information on Superbrands, please visitConrad Offices, 19th FloorSheikh Zayed Road, Dubai InfiNet Wireless to Showcase Latest Technologies for Mobile and Nomadic Connectivity at MWC 2018 www.infinetwireless.com Dubai, United Arab Emirates February 13, 2018 InfiNet Wireless, the global leader in fixed broadband connectivity, today announced that it will be showcasing its latest solutions, for uncompromised connectivity, at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018.The InfiNet product portfolio, to be showcased MWC, includes the InfiMAN 2x2, the unrivalled Point-to-Multipoint (PTMP) solution which performs equally well in near-LOS and non-LOS conditions, while guaranteeing high quality connectivity and meeting SLA criteria. These solutions are particularly well suited for ensuring connectivity in remote locations where standard wireless solutions are ineffective or cost prohibitive.In addition to its proven solutions for extended geographical coverage, InfiNet Wireless will also be showcasing solutions that are able of achieving higher throughputs, even when deployed in existing urban environments. The companys industry leading Point-to-Point (PTP) solution, the InfiLINK XG 1000, was designed for high-performance backhauling applications and for providing reliable coverage over long distances, of more than 60 km, when used with external high gain antennas. These solutions operate with a spectral efficiency of 14 bps/Hz, making it the most efficient in todays marketplace.In the last year since the InfiLINK XG 1000 was first launched at MWC, it has maintained its success as a record-breaking Point-to-Point solution for high-performance backhauls, said Kamal Mokrani, Global Vice President at InfiNet Wireless. The ideal choice for a range of PTP applications, this family of solutions has been successfully implemented in various scenarios and harsh environments across the world, proving our success as the go-to providers of wireless solutions, that literally go the distance.Along with its PTP and PTMP solutions, InfiNet Wireless will also display its next-generation beamforming base station, the R5000-Qmxb. Capable of significantly reducing levels of interference and delivering two-fold capacity increase, thanks to its built-in directional, electrically-steerable antenna patterns, this base station is easy to deploy and ideally suited for various applications in mobile and nomadic scenarios, video surveillance and public safety networks.Every year, the MWC event is highly anticipated by all our partners and customers, and the interest and feedback we receive at the show, is a major driver for all our future product developments. As the demand for high-bandwidth connectivity and performance continues to grow year on year, we are working very hard to provide new solutions, in 2018 and beyond, and I look forward to sharing our expertise and successes with visitors to the show, concluded Mokrani.InfiNet Wireless can be found at Stand 1D80.InfiNet Wireless is in a unique position, being on e of the largest privately owned Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) development and manufacturing companies in the world. Since its foundation in 1993, InfiNet has maintained organic growth through innovation and its ability to deliver complete customer satisfaction throughout its product life cycle. Listening to its customers for more than 24 years, coupled with its innovative approach in R&D, have resulted in the development of a range of advanced wireless solutions that are a perfect fit for many requirement, making InfiNet Wireless the natural choice for end users, all of whom require uncompromised connectivity. With over 500,000 deployments from the plains of Siberia to the deserts of the Sahara, InfiNet Wireless is active in market segments that deliver Broadband Wireless Access to service providers of all types, law enforcement entities, transportation sector (including mobile and nomadic operators) and Oil & Gas. For more information, please visit our website ator connect with InfiNet Wireless on social media: @InfinetW.Vernon SaldanhaProcre8D02-12, Rahat, MudonDubai, UAEPO BOX 78835 Custom Report Writing Help by Professionals From New Zealand https://myassignmenthelp.com/nz/report-writing-help.html https://myassignmenthelp.com/nz/assignment-help-online.html http://opal.blackmonk.com/articles/0218/custom-report-writing-help-by-professionals-from-new-zealand.html MyAssignmenthelp.com is recognized for providing customized report papers written by professionals. 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For further knowledge, students can contact our customer support team at +64-98880721.MyassignmenthelpLytchett House, 13 Freeland Park Wareham Road Lytchett Matravers,Poole Dorset,Uk, BH16 6FAPhone +441212854112Email id: contact@myassignmenthelp.com Global Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles Market - Key Trends, Challenges and Standardization https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1477582&type=S https://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-hydrogen-fuel-cell-vehicles-market-professional-survey-report-2018.htm/toc https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1477582&type=D http://www.qyresearchreports.com http://reportanalysis.blogspot.in Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles Market Professional Survey Report 2018 to its huge collection of research reports.The international market for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles has been researched on with every detail in the publication with increased emphasis on various significant factors such as growth drivers, restraints and market opportunities. Each of the elements that pertain to the shaping of the market dynamics that has been analyzed and studied in detail by the research analysts, so as to offer the best and most evaluative and exhaustive study to the report buyers. The snapshot or the executive summary that has been provided in the market intelligence study has been designed in such a way so as to give a quick overview of the market for receiving information on the go. This could help readers with hands-on data needed to make quick decisions anytime during their growth journey in the market.Fill the form to gain deeper insights on this market @This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringDaimlerHondaHyundaiToyotaAudiBallard Power SystemsBMWThe study of market segmentations that has been offered with the publication that explores some of the most significant categories of the world Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles market is deemed significant for the growth of industry participants. All of the segments that have been studied elaborately in the said publication have been deeply evaluated with assistance from best of the research techniques. The analysts have dissected each of the segments and have shed light on vital factors that influence the growth of the various segments. Using this crucial information, market players could rightly shape their business plans in favor of the betterment of their growth in the world market. Segments that have been analyzed in the publication could be related to product, end use, application, and geography.A group of experienced analysts who have prepared the said report delves deep into the various factors that hinder or fuel the global market for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles. It also discovers and mentions the important trends that are emerging in the said market. Banking upon all these information that has been gathered so far, it has come up with the best course of action for all the stake holders of the market.On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoCommercial CarsPassenger CarsTo Browse a Full Report with TOC:By Application, the market can be split intoFleet OwnersPrivateOtherIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Table of ContentsGlobal Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles Market Professional Survey Report 20171 Industry Overview of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles1.1 Definition and Specifications of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles1.1.1 Definition of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles1.1.2 Specifications of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles1.2 Classification of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles1.2.1 Commercial Cars1.2.2 Passenger Cars1.3 Applications of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles1.3.1 Fleet Owners1.3.2 Private1.3.3 Other1.4 Market Segment by Regions1.4.1 North America1.4.2 China1.4.3 Europe1.4.4 Southeast Asia1.4.5 Japan1.4.6 India2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Hydrogen Fuel Cell VehiclesTo Get Discount Of This Report Click here @3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles Major Manufacturers in 20163.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles Major Manufacturers in 20163.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles Major Manufacturers in 20163.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles Major Manufacturers in 2016About USQYResearchReports.com is an unimpeachable source of market research data for clients that comprise acclaimed SMEs, Chinese companies, private equity firms, and MNCs. We provide market research reports on various categories such as Energy, Chemicals, Alternative and Green Energy, Manufacturing, Machinery, Pharmaceuticals and Materials, and Glass.We provide a variety of syndicated studies and hold the potential of assisting our clients with their specific market research needs by offering insights based on extensive primary interviews, market surveys, company profiles, and competitive landscaping. Our far-sighted ideas have been successful in igniting a number of startups, investment programs, technology breakthroughs, and new product development projects.Contact US1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.comBlog: Criminal minds need to be nurtured carefully: Criminal Psychologist Anuja Kapur Newspatrolling.com media partnered with Newzopedia.com):Today in the 21st century, the world is facing many problems and increasing rate of crime is one of the main problems in front of every nation. In India, crime rate is increasing and the reason behind committing a crime includes various mitigating factors, which have not been studied and implemented for so many decades. To understand the crime and the criminal mindsets Gujarat National Law University in collaboration with the Indian Society of Criminology had organized 40th All India Criminology Conference on **Dimensions of Crime and Criminal Justice System: Contemporary Issues and Challenges. ** ** ** In the conference, many eminent personalities were invited to share their expertise or their theories to curb this major problem. Renowned Criminal Psychologist Mrs. Anuja Kapur was also an invitee in the conference to give her expertise on the thought provoking topic. Mrs. Kapur addressed the gathering and highlighted various theories and her viewpoint on the topic such as shaping of criminal minds, the paradigm shift in criminality past and present, can we reform the criminals. She further stated that, the mind of the child when born is like a sponge. Nature and nurture of a child mind plays an important role in enhancing the personality of the human being. Peer groups, state, government and victimology further shapes up the criminal mind. Personality disorders cupping up with various personality traits also gives its major contribution in enhancing criminal behaviour. A criminal or an offender can be reformed only when they have the willingness to be reformed. The retributive theory such as eye for an eye can never reform a criminal mind. It is the need of an hour that restorative justice and counselling should be used extensively wherever required for reforming criminal mind. Awareness programmes related to victimology should also be conducted so that the victims can be counselled and victim assistance can be applied to break the vicious circle of victim-offender-victim. Lastly, Mrs Kapur concluded that the society needs to be compassionate understanding and should have faith in judicial system. The 3-day conference was successfully conducted in the GNLU campus and all the eminent personalities were highly applauded by the GNLU faculty and management team and promise to conduct more conferences in coming future. Read more news at http://www.newspatrolling.com NewsPatrolling.com is an online news cum content syndication portal/.. A - 9, Bhagat Singh Marg, Kewal Park, Azadpur This release was published on openPR. Permanent link to this press release: Copy Please set a link in the press area of your homepage to this press release on openPR. openPR disclaims liability for any content contained in this release. Heat Sensitive Cups Market Global Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecast, 2017 2027 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4776 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-4776 www.futuremarketinsights.com Global Heat Sensitive Cups Market: IntroductionHeat sensitive cups are cups which are sensitive towards heat or the temperature of the liquid in the cup. As a result of this sensitivity, the graphics or appearance of the cup changes. The customizability of the cups enables manufacturers and end users to target young consumers. Many manufacturers use this feature as a means to enhance brand awareness, and therefore, heat sensitive cups enjoy high preference among brands. In order to achieve this graphical sensitivity, a commodity which is used is heat sensitive paint. These cups are readily used by consumers and are highly preferred as presents. New varieties of heat sensitive cups are ovenable, which is anticipated to increase preference for heat sensitive cups, in the market, over the forecast period.Global Heat Sensitive Cups Market: DynamicsThe availability of an extensive variety of heat sensitive cups, and their customizability boosts growth of the global heat sensitive cups market. Brand owners these days offer heat sensitive cups in a variety of deals to increase product awareness as well as sell their own products. Heat sensitive cups also function as an effective tool for marketing, and increased use of these cups is anticipated in the near future. Heat sensitive cups also find applications as business gifts by companies. The growth of e-commerce in the past decade has enabled increased sales of heat-sensitive cups. Global packaging industry has undergone significant transformation over the past decade leading to an absolute need for customization. Heat sensitive cups market has witnessed rapid developments in recent years. New innovations such as digitally enabled heat sensitive cups fueling the heat sensitive cups market. The use of heat-sensitive printing over different cups provides a secure and eye-catching communication tool and thus adds a new usage in its applications list. Despite the largely positive outlook, there are certain disrupting factors, which might hamper growth of the global heat sensitive cups market, over the forecast period. This might include new varieties of cups, which might become a trend. Another factor that might hamper growth of the global heat sensitive cups market include stringent environmental policies regarding the use of certain raw materials. For instance, France recently banned the use of plastic cups.Request to Sample Report -Global Heat Sensitive Cups Market: SegmentationOn the basis of raw material type, the global heat sensitive cups market can be segmented as:Ceramic heat sensitive cupsStoneware porcelain heat sensitive cupsPlastic heat sensitive cupsOn the basis of product type, the global heat sensitive cups market can be segmented as:Customized or personalized cupsConventional cupOn the basis of end use, the global heat sensitive cups market can be segmented as:Commercial institutionsRetail outletsOfficesOn the basis of capacity, the global heat sensitive cups market can be segmented as:600mlGlobal Heat Sensitive Cups Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the heat sensitive cups packaging market is segmented intoNorth AmericaLatin AmericaWestern EuropeEastern EuropeAsia Pacific (excluding Japan)JapanMiddle East & Africa (MEA).Request Report TOC @North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Japan have a very saturated market as there is relatively high penetration of on-the-go food consumption habit, in these regions. As a result, it is expected that there will be moderate growth in the heat sensitive cup market in these regions. Rest of the regions, which include Latin America, Middle East, Europe and Asia Pacific (excluding Japan) are expected to expand at a healthy CAGR over the forecast period, with the increase in the number of consumers adopting on-the-go eating trend.Global Heat Sensitive Cups Market: Key PlayersFew of the key players operating in the global heat sensitive market are Dexsim (M) Sdn Bhd, Shenzhen Yong Rui Bianse Arts & Crafts Co., Ltd, Huhtamaki Group, Shenzhen Sunsky Technology Limited, Shenzhen Yongfeng Ceramics Co. Ltd and Profun International Co., Ltd.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite : Portable Oxygen Concentrators Market Register A CAGR of 7.8% During The Forecast Period 2016-2026 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1061 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-1061 www.futuremarketinsights.com According to a latest report published by Future Market Insights titled Portable Oxygen Concentrators Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 20162026, the global portable oxygen concentrators market is anticipated to register a CAGR of 7.8% between 2016 and 2026 in terms of value. Portable oxygen concentrators supply oxygen to patients suffering from respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. The concentrator separates nitrogen and oxygen from air in the environment and then supplies 95% pure oxygen to patients. POCs are easy to carry as they are smaller in size compared to stationary concentrators. Moreover, POCs are of great use to mountaineers and travellers in places where oxygen is inadequate.According to Future Market Insights, the global portable oxygen concentrators market is likely to witness substantial growth owing to increasing prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, growing consumer awareness for oxygen therapy devices, and a changing consumer lifestyle. Further, adoption of new technologies in medical devices, increasing government expenditure towards healthcare and medical devices development and production, and a rise in investment by companies manufacturing homecare products is likely to boost the growth of the global portable oxygen concentrators market during the forecast period (2016 2026). However, high product costs and stringent FDA regulations pertaining to medical devices are some of the factors likely to restrain the growth of the global portable oxygen concentrators market during the forecast period.Request and Download Sample Report@Segmentation highlights: The global portable oxygen concentrators market has been segmented on the basis of Product into Continuous Flow Portable Oxygen Concentrator and Pulse Flow Portable Oxygen Concentrator; and on the basis of End User into Hospitals, Homecare, Ambulatory Surgical Centres, and Travel Agents: The Pulse Flow Portable Oxygen Concentrator product segment is projected to be valued at US$ 1890.3 Mn by 2026, registering a CAGR of 9.0% over the forecast period, The Homecare end user segment is projected to be valued at US$ 1820.5 Mn by 2026 and is likely to witness a CAGR of 9.0% over the forecast periodRegional market projections: The global portable oxygen concentrators market is segmented into the seven key regions of North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, APEJ, MEA, and Japan. Growing geriatric population consequently increasing the requirement for homecare settings particularly in high income countries with increasing number of patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases is expected to result in significant growth of the North America portable oxygen concentrators market. The North America region is expected to report incremental opportunity of US$ 781.7 Mn between 2016 and 2026. Evolution of health insurance system is expected to contribute largely to the revenue generation potential and attractiveness of the Eastern Europe portable oxygen concentrators market. Rising adoption of portable oxygen concentrators in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases patients for better care is expected to fuel revenue growth in the Japan portable oxygen concentrators market over the forecast period. High product cost of portable oxygen concentrators is expected to hamper sustainable adoption in the APEJ region. Lack of product awareness is expected to hamper market growth in the APEJ and MEA regions.Request Report Methodology@Vendor insights: The report profiles some of the top companies operating in the global portable oxygen concentrators market such as Koninklijke Philips N.V., Inogen Inc., Chart Industries Inc., Resmed Inc., Invacare Corporation, Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare, Precision Medical Inc., Besco Medical Co. Ltd., Oxus America, Inc. (Oxus), Foshan Keyhub Electronic Industries Co. Ltd., O2 Concepts LLC, and GCE Group. Key strategies adopted by leading market players in the global portable oxygen concentrators market include product approvals and commercialisation, efficient entry into markets in emerging countries, and adoption of latest innovative technologies in healthcare, thus strengthening regional proficiency and addressing customer needs effectively. New product launches, product innovation, and geographical expansion are anticipated to form the core of these strategies during the forecast period.About Us Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Global Elderly Care Services Market 2021 Key Players - Extendicare Inc., Brookdale senior Living Inc., Kindred Healthcare Inc. and Genesis Healthcare Inc. https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1221345 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1221345/global-elderly-care-services-market-research-reports/toc https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1221345/global-elderly-care-services-market-research-reports.pdf https://www.researchmoz.com/checkout?rep_id=1221345&licType=S http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ "The Latest Research Report Global Elderly Care Services Market (2017-2021 Edition) provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"The report titled Global Elderly Care Services Market (2017-2021 Edition) provides a detailed analysis of the elderly care services market with description of market sizing and growth, segmentation of market by products & services and major markets, top market players etc. The report recapitulates the factors that will be responsible for the growth in the market in the forecasted period.The report also provides country analysis of the US, Canada, Europe and India in terms of market sizing and growth. The US and Canada (in North America) are the market leaders followed by European countries. Among Asia-Pacific countries, India has been emerged as the market leader in elder care services. In coming years, Asia-Pacific would be the key market player as the growth of ageing population is more than other nations worldwide.Furthermore, the report also profiles key market players such as Extendicare Inc., Brookdale senior Living Inc., Kindred Healthcare Inc. and Genesis Healthcare Inc. on the basis of attributes such as company overview, recent developments, strategies adopted by the market leaders to ensure growth, sustainability, financial overview and recent developments.Get Sample Copy of this report @Company CoverageExtendicareBrookdale Senior Living Inc.Kindred Healthcare Inc.Genesis Healthcare Inc.Executive SummarySenior citizens need assistance with daily activities as well as healthcare requirements who needs a quality life. Due to all these requirements there emerged a market known as elder care services market which specifically came into existence to serve the ageing population worldwide. Elder care services market has been divided into various segments. Elderly care business includes in home care, assisted living, nursing home facilities by skilled professionals, hospital care and pharmaceuticals. Among these, in-home care, assisted living and home healthcare segment are getting popularized day by day and provide quality life to senior citizens. Adult day care centres are designed for older adults who are no longer managing independently or who are isolated or lonely. Home care services are provided by family members and close relatives.Global elder care market has shown positive trends over the past few years. The primary reasons behind the growth of the market are increased ageing population worldwide, increasing demand for quality life by senior citizens, positive government regulation in healthcare segment to provide cost-effective medical treatment to the aged population, technological advancement, and chronic illness among old age population etc. the market is expected to achieve a moderate growth in the forecasted period. Global elder care services market continued to expand at a swift pace from 2017-2021.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table Of Contents1. Executive Summary2. Introduction2.1 Elderly Care Service Market: An Overview2.1.1 Elderly Care Service: An Introduction2.1.2 Types of Elder Care Centers2.1.3 Category of Elderly Care Market3. Market Analysis3.1 Global Elderly Care Services Market: An Analysis3.1.1 Global Elderly Care Services Market by Value3.1.2 Global Elderly Care Services Market by Segmentation3.1.3 Global Elderly Care Market by Technology Products3.2 Global Home Care Services Market: An Analysis3.2.1 Global Home Care Services Market by Value3.2.2 Global Home Care Market by Players Type3.3 Global Home Healthcare Market: An Analysis3.3.1 Global Home Healthcare Market by Value3.3.2 Global Home Healthcare Software & Services Market by Value4. Country Analysis4.1 The US Elderly Care Services Market: An Analysis4.1.1 The US Elderly Care Services Market by Value4.1.2 The US Home Care Market by Value4.2 Canada Home Healthcare Market: An Analysis4.2.1 Canada Home Healthcare Market by Value4.3 European Home Healthcare Market: An Analysis4.3.1 European Home Healthcare Market by Value4.4 Indian Home Healthcare Market: An Analysis4.4.1 Indian Home Healthcare Market by ValueView Sample PDF @5. Competitive Landscape5.1 Global Elderly Care Service Competitive Landscape5.1.1 Global Elder Care Services Market Player Comparison5.2 The US Home Healthcare Market by Player Share5.2.1 The US Home Healthcare Market Share By Player6. Company Profiling6.1 Extendicare6.1.1 Business Overview6.1.2 Financial Overview6.2 Brookdale Senior Living Inc.6.2.1 Business Overview6.2.2 Financial Overview6.3 Kindred Healthcare Inc.6.3.1 Business Overview6.3.2 Financial Overview6.4 Genesis Healthcare Inc.6.4.1 Business Overview6.4.2 Financial OverviewBuy Now This Report From Here @About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Spinal Cord Compression-Spinal Stenosis Market Report: Industry Manufacturers Analysis 2023 Market Research Future https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/3930 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/3930 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/spinal-cord-compression-spinal-stenosis-market-3930 Marketresearchfuture.com includes Global Spinal Cord Compression-Spinal Stenosis Market by indications, by diagnosis, by end users - Global Forecast till 2023 is new report.Spinal cord compression is the second most frequent neurologic complication of cancer. Only in the United States, each year nearly 20,000 people with cancer develop spinal cord compression; this affected population represents 5% to 10% of the general cancer population.Request Sample copy of Spinal cord compression-spinal stenosis Market Report@Market Synopsis of Global Spinal cord compression-spinal stenosis Market:Market scenario:Spinal stenosis is the abnormal narrowing of spinal canal causing it to restrict, which may result in a neurological deficit due to interference with neurological fibres. The associated symptoms include pain, numbness, loss of motor control etc. The location of stenosis determines the area of the body affected.The market for spinal cord compression-spinal stenosis is rising due to factors such as rise in the cases of arthritis, congenital spinal defects, instability of the spine, and slip-disc due to reasons such as spondylitis, trauma and tumours. The market restraints are complications such as infection, pain and cost of treatment.Considering all these factors the market for spinal cord compression-spinal stenosis is expected to reach $ 8.5 billion by the end of 2023, this market is projected to growing at a CAGR of ~ 11.5 % during 2017-2023.Get Discount on Spinal cord compression-spinal stenosis Market Report@Market Synopsis of Global Spinal cord compression-spinal stenosis Market:Market scenario:Spinal stenosis is the abnormal narrowing of spinal canal causing it to restrict, which may result in a neurological deficit due to interference with neurological fibres. The associated symptoms include pain, numbness, loss of motor control etc. The location of stenosis determines the area of the body affected.The market for spinal cord compression-spinal stenosis is rising due to factors such as rise in the cases of arthritis, congenital spinal defects, instability of the spine, and slip-disc due to reasons such as spondylitis, trauma and tumours. The market restraints are complications such as infection, pain and cost of treatment.Considering all these factors the market for spinal cord compression-spinal stenosis is expected to reach $ 8.5 billion by the end of 2023, this market is projected to growing at a CAGR of ~ 11.5 % during 2017-2023.Complete Report with Full TOC@The U.S. spinal cord compression-spinal stenosis is dependent on the legal and regulatory environment includes factors such as labelling standards, FDA classification rules etc. There is a situation of worsening regulatory and reimbursement environment. The situation has been compounded by the uncertainty of healthcare reforms. The uncertainty has forced many spinal implants devices companies to first obtain marketing approval of new products in non-U.S. markets, particularly Europe.The American market however has always represented the most advanced products with less marketing time and it is hoped that the situation will improve in the future. The market consolidation and growing partnerships and mergers of large insurance companies and large healthcare providers and hospitals will drive the future U.S. market for spinal cord compression-spinal stenosis due to growth in their buying power as well as improving economies of scale.Europe is the second largest market due to large disposable income and rising awareness. Asia Pacific region is expected to have the most future potential and it is estimated to be led by China and India. The Middle East & Africa market is led by the gulf nations particularly Saudi Arabia and UAE. The regions of Africa are expected to witness a moderate growth due to poor economic and political conditions and poor healthcare penetration.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.ContactMarket Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Massive metal gates that seal off the Napa River bypass at McKinstry Street during flood stage will receive a minor makeover to benefit motorists and cyclists. These gates close at two locations across the road to keep floodwaters inside the bypass and people out. Rubber at the base of the two-ton gates is supposed to form a seal against metal bars embedded within the concrete surface of the street. The two-ton flood gates are almost always open because bypass flooding is rare. The metal bar at the northern McKinstry Street bypass entrance became loose. People driving along the street over the bar received a jolt. Cars would go over it and youd hear it really go over the bump, said Richard Thomasser of the Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. It would really rattle. Plus, the metal bar proved to be an annoyance for cyclists riding over it. The loose metal bar has since been removed and asphalt put down over the gap in the street. That means the gates can no longer seal when shut. We can still close the gates, Thomasser said. That particular gate we would just have to sandbag. Printing Paper Market Dynamics, Segments and Supply Demand 2017 - 2027 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4812 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-4812 www.futuremarketinsights.com The global paper industry is undergoing rapid transformation and plays significant role in the global packaging industry. In addition to manufacturing of packaging products such as corrugated boxes, paperboards or envelopes, papers are also used for the production of printing paper for printing purposes. Printing paper market is anticipated to grow on the backdrop of packaging industry, printing industry, and as well as e-commerce industry growth. Printing paper are used for billing. Manufacturers attach copies of bills with the products they sell to the retailers which is expected to increase the Printing paper market growth. Printing paper manufacturers need to explore new ways to create values for their customers due to changing technologies. Other than that, printing paper are used in various official works. Printing paper market will also receive a push from a rise in business activity and the accompanying increase in transactional and business communications documents. Printing papers are customizable as per requirement, and are available in various types, sizes, and qualities.Global Printing paper market: DynamicsPrinting paper mainly finds applications in offset printing and laser imaging. Printing paper market will receive a boost from the general rise in business activity and the accompanying expansion of transactional and business communication document. In the emerging market, the Printing paper market will be driven by urban population growth, rising disposable income with increase in print technology. One of the factors which is expected to accelerate Printing paper market growth is TransPromo revolution. TransPromo means a transaction document that consists of a promotional message that is placed aside of essential transactional information. Companies are starting to use these trends to create effective customer dialogues, which promote products and services. Another major driver which is expected to speed up growth of printing paper market is the presence of active and healthy postal system. Electronic media is a major competitor which hampers growth of printing paper market. Rapid transformation of graphics industry is expected to hamper growth of the global Printing paper market. Furthermore, as the digital technology increases, there will be growth in acceptance towards reading and writing work on the screen, which might affect growth of printing paper market. But now it enters a period of decline in next decade after being one of the most prominent technologies in the last decade. Printing paper manufacturers need to align their own product innovations to take advantage of the technological developments.Request to View Sample Report @Global printing paper market: SegmentationThe global Printing paper market can be segmented as:On the basis of type, the Printing paper market has been segmented as:CoatedUncoatedOn the basis of end use industry, the Printing paper market has been segmented as:Printed advertisementSecurity printingCommercial printingMass communicationEducationalGlobal printing paper market: Regional OutlookBased on regions, the printing paper market is divided into seven regions:North AmericaWestern EuropeAsia-pacific except JapanEastern EuropeLatin AmericaMiddle East & AfricaJapanRequest For Table Of Content @The mature markets such as North America and Western Europe are expected to show moderate to low growth in printing paper market due to consumer preference for the digital printing and electronic media. For instance, the rate of uncoated paper has fallen to various tons per dollar. Emerging markets such as Asia Pacific and Latin America are expected to push growth of global Printing paper market due to rise in population as well as disposable income. MEA is expected to witness steady growth in printing paper market due to deficient technology in this region. Overall, the global Printing paper market is forecast to enjoy moderate growth in the forecast period.Global printing paper market: Key PlayersFew of the key players operating in the printing paper market are International Paper Company, Clearwater Paper Corporation, Antalis S.A., Guangzhou Xinyi Printing Co., Ltd., Boise Paper, Mondi Group, Papico Limited, White Birch Paper, Australian Paper, BJ Ball Papers, and American Eagle Paper Mills.Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes,technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends. technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.Future Market InsightsValley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Growing Demand of Indoor Air Quality in Antimicrobial Coatings Market: Global Manufacturing Technology, Growth, Product and Specifications, Industry Share by 2024 Global Antimicrobial Coatings Market 2024 http://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-antimicrobial-coatings-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-antimicrobial-coatings-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-antimicrobial-coatings-market/ http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-core-materials-market/ http://databridgemarketresearch.com/blog/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/data-bridge-market-research Global Antimicrobial Coatings Market accounted for USD 3.7 billion in 2016 and projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.3% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2024.Data Bridge Market Research provides an extensive analysis of current and future market status of the Global Antimicrobial Coatings Market for purchase this report mail us at Sales@databridgemarketresearch.com Or call on number +1-888-387-2818Years considered for this report: Historical Years: 2014-2015 Base Year: 2016 Estimated Year: 2017 Forecast Period: 20172024Get Free Sample Report Visit @Top Competitors of Antimicrobial Coatings Market: Akzo Nobel N.V. BASF SE Diamond Vogel Axalta Coating Systems LLC RPM International Inc. The Dow Chemical Company The Sherwin-Williams Company Lonza Among othersKey questions answered in this report What will the market size be in 2024 and what will the growth rate be? What are the key market trends? What is driving this market? What are the challenges to Global Antimicrobial Coatings 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?Request for Detail Table of Content Visit @Segmentation:Global Antimicrobial Coatings Market by Product Type (Silver Antimicrobial Coatings, Copper Antimicrobial Coatings); Application (Indoor Air/HVAC, Medical, Mold remediation, Building & Construction, Food & Beverages, Textiles); Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024On the basis of product type into silver antimicrobial coatings, copper antimicrobial coatings, and others. The others segment is sub segmented into zinc oxide, zirconium, zinc omadine, titanium dioxide, quaternary ammonia, and others.On the basis of application, the global antimicrobial coatings market is segmented into indoor air/HVAC, medical, mold remediation, building & construction, food & beverages, textiles and others.On the basis of geography, the global antimicrobial coatings market report covers data points for 28 countries across multiple geographies such as North America South America Europe Asia-Pacific Middle East & AfricaSome of the major countries covered in this report are U.S., Canada, Germany, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, China, India, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Brazil among others.Read more about the Global Antimicrobial Coatings Market Visit@Related ReportGlobal Core Materials Market- Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Global Core Materials Market By Type {Foam [PVC Foam, PET Foam, SAN Foam, Others (Polystyrene (PS), Polyetherimide (PEI), Polyurethane (PU), Polymethacrylimide (PMI))], Honeycomb (Aluminum, Thermoplastic, Aramid), Balsa)}, End Users (Aerospace, Marine, Wind Energy, Transportation, Construction, Others), Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa)} Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Report Access:About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Contact:Vishal DixitData Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email: Sales@databridgemarketresearch.comInvestor: investors@databridgemarketresearch.comVisit Blog:Follow us on LinkedIn: Roller Conveyor Manufacturer by Technovision Engineers Pvt. Ltd. From Pune http://loadingconveyor.in/roller-conveyors.php http://loadingconveyor.in/contact.php www.technovisionengrs.com / www.loadingconveyor.in Roller Conveyor ManufacturerThe Company is one of the front Runner in Manufacturing Material Handling Equipment and Roller Conveyor in India With an ISO 9001-2015 Certification. The core focus of the company lies in superior quality and excellent customer services. Technovision Engineers Pvt. Ltd. Manufacturer & Supplier of a wide range of products which include Conveyor such as Roller Conveyor, Gravity Roller Conveyor, Powerised Roller Conveyor, etc.GeneralRoller Conveyor widely used for handling of unit loads, high-volume material. There are two types of Roller Conveyors One is Gravity type Roller Conveyor which requires no operational external power, another is Powerised Roller Conveyor which is provide with electrical motor for its operation. Gravity Roller Conveyor are a very economical and versatile from of conveyance and have many applicationRead More:Product DetailsLength: As per RequirementCapacity: As per RequirementMaterial: Aluminium, Mild Steel, Stainless SteelOperating Speed: CustomizedBelt Width: As per RequirementDesign: Standard, CustomizedColour: AnyBrand: TechnovisionCondition: NewFeaturesVery smooth conveyenceMan power reductionLess time consumptionEasy Towable TransportMany moreInquiry Now:About UsTechnovision is one of the Leading Manufacturer of Material Handling Equipments. The core focus of the company lies in superior quality and excellent customer service. The company is one of the front runners in Lean Manufacturing Solutions in India with an ISO 9001-2008 certification. The company owns three manufacturing set-ups and total area of 40000 sq. ft. with all manufacturing and design equipments.Contact UsTechnovision Engineers Private LimitedGat No. 1559-1560,Dehu Alandi Road, Shelarvasti, ChikaliPune, Maharashtra- 412114, IndiaPhone- 020- 66346500 / 523Email- sales@technovisionengrs.com / enquiry@loadingconveyor.inWebsite- Global Garlic Market - Industry Snapshots and Statistics 2018 http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/world-garlic-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020?utm_source=opr http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/world-garlic-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020?utm_source=opr IndexBox has just published a new report "World: Garlic - Market Report. Analysis And Forecast To 2025" ().This report covers an in-depth survey of the global garlic market. Within it, you will find the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The outlook presents the market projections through 2025.Countries coverage: Worldwide - the report contains statistical data for 200 countries and includes detailed profiles of the 50 largest consuming countries (United States, China, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Brazil, Italy, Russian Federation, India, Canada, Australia, Republic of Korea, Spain, Mexico, Indonesia, Netherlands, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Sweden, Nigeria, Poland, Belgium, Argentina, Norway, Austria, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Colombia, Denmark, South Africa, Malaysia, Israel, Singapore, Egypt, Philippines, Finland, Chile, Ireland, Pakistan, Greece, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Algeria, Czech Republic, Qatar, Peru, Romania, Vietnam) + the largest producing countries.Product coverage:GarlicData coverage: Garlic market volume and value; Per Capita consumption; Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term; Global garlic production, split by region and country; Global garlic trade (exports and imports); Producer, export and import prices for garlic; Garlic market trends, drivers and restraints; Key market players and their profiles.Reasons to buy this report: Take advantage of the latest data; Find deeper insights into current market developments; Discover vital success factors affecting the market.AbstractGlobal garlic market revenue amounted to 29,251 million USD in 2015, increasing by +21.6% against the previous year level. Overall, global garlic market continues to indicate a perceptible growth: the market value increased at an average annual rate of +8.7% from 2007 to 2015. This trend pattern, however, was roller-coasting throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010, when the market revenue increased by +132% from the previous year level. In that year, the global garlic market revenue attained its maximum of 41,042 million USD. From 2011 to the end of the period under review, the total garlic market revenue failed to regain its former peak level.Over the analyzed period, an increase in global garlic production was primarily driven by population growth. Furthermore, these key drivers are expected to continue promoting the garlic output in the immediate term. This general positive trend was largely conditioned by a robust expansion of the harvested area and a moderate improvement of the yield figures.The country with the largest volume of the garlic output in absolute volumes was China (20,826 thousand tonnes), accounting for 81% of global production. Moreover, garlic output in China exceeded the figures recorded by the world's second largest producer, India (1,270 thousand tonnes), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by South Korea with a share of 1%. From 2007 to 2015, an average annual growth rate of China's garlic producton stood at +3.3%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual growth rates: India (+6.3% per year) and South Korea (+1.2% per year).The world garlic harvested area amounted to 1,641 thousand ha in 2015, which was 5.6% more than the previous year figure. The harvested area indicated a noticeable increase over the period under review, representing a compound annual growth rate of +2.9% from 2007 to 2015. This trend pattern, however, indicated some mild fluctuations over the recent years. Over the period under review, the total garlic harvested area peaked in 2015, and is likely to continue its expansion in the immediate term, following rising demand for garlic globally.The global average garlic yield amounted to 157 thousand hg/ha in 2015, falling by -2.0% from the previous year figure. The yield figures recorded an upward trend over the period under review, with a compound annual growth rate standing at +0.3% from 2007 to 2015. These yield figures maintained, all in all, a stable trend pattern throughout the analyzed period. The highest garlic yields were recorded in 2010, when it peaked at 169 thousand hg/ha. Afterwards, it decreased slightly and then fluctuated around these levels throughout the analyzed period.Source:IndexBox is a leading market research publisher in the world. You can find more than 25,000 research reports in our web store, which cover global industries and regional markets. All the worldwide marketing data you need is at your fingertips.Company Name: IndexBoxContact Person: Kirill BezverhiEmail: kirill.bezverhi@indexbox.co.ukPhone: +44 20 3239 3063Adress: United Kingdom, 44 Main Street, Douglas, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, ML11 0QW Global Canned Mushroom Market - Insights, Trends and Projections 2018 http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/world-mushrooms-canned-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020?utm_source=opr http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/world-mushrooms-canned-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020?utm_source=opr IndexBox has just published a new report "World: Mushrooms (Canned) - Market Report. Analysis And Forecast To 2025" ().This report provides a detailed survey of the global mushroom market. Within it, you will find out the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The outlook outlines the market perspectives through 2025.Countries coverage: Worldwide - the report contains statistical data for 200 countries and includes detailed profiles of the 50 largest consuming countries (United States, China, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Brazil, Italy, Russian Federation, India, Canada, Australia, Republic of Korea, Spain, Mexico, Indonesia, Netherlands, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Sweden, Nigeria, Poland, Belgium, Argentina, Norway, Austria, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Colombia, Denmark, South Africa, Malaysia, Israel, Singapore, Egypt, Philippines, Finland, Chile, Ireland, Pakistan, Greece, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Algeria, Czech Republic, Qatar, Peru, Romania, Vietnam) + the largest producing countries.Product coverage:Mushrooms And TrufflesData coverage: Mushroom market volume and value; Per Capita consumption; Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term; Global mushroom production, split by region and country; Global mushroom trade (exports and imports); Producer, export and import prices for mushroom; Mushroom market trends, drivers and restraints; Key market players and their profiles.Reasons to buy this report: Take advantage of the latest data; Find deeper insights into current market developments; Discover vital success factors affecting the market.Source:IndexBox is a leading market research publisher in the world. You can find more than 25,000 research reports in our web store, which cover global industries and regional markets. All the worldwide marketing data you need is at your fingertips.Company Name: IndexBoxContact Person: Kirill BezverhiEmail: kirill.bezverhi@indexbox.co.ukPhone: +44 20 3239 3063Adress: United Kingdom, 44 Main Street, Douglas, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, ML11 0QW Social Media Engagement Applications Market Estimated to Experience a Hike in Growth by 2026 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1969 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1969 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Social Media Engagement Applications allows different kinds of users to exchange data which can be in the form of text, image, video, audio etc. via social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn etc. Because of variety of features and advantages offered by these media services, their user base have grown exponentially and is still growing.A lot of established companies have their business model based on social media applications such as Facebook, WhatsApp, LinkedIn etc., while there are other companies who are attracting huge traffic from these social media applications which ultimately reflects as sales conversion.Request For TOC @With the advent of smartphone and its increasing penetration among the users, mobile applications now contributes major chunk of the revenue for social media companies. Even government organizations are actively participating in social media platforms either to advertise about their works, or to provide information about a particular topic to users or for opinion polls. Increasing penetration among social media users have enabled many advertisement agencies, PR firms, mobile apps and service provider companies whose business model is based on social media engagement applications and this trend is expected to continue.Social Media Engagement Applications Market SegmentationOn the basis of platforms:Social Networks-applications which allow users to connect with each other via a profile or group of profiles. Most common social networking sites are Facebook, LinkedIn etc.Media Sharing- media sharing platforms allows users to upload and exchange different sorts of media such as video, pictures etc. YouTube, Instagram are the most common platforms for media sharing.Microblogging microblogging platforms allows users to exchange content in the form of comments, images, video links etc. Twitter is a famous microblogging platform.Blog Forums blog forums allows users to exchange ideas with each other in the form of blogs and posts. Wordpress is one such famous blogging platform and there are several others.Social New - websites and their mobile apps publishing news articles or information comes under this category. Some of the famous social news platform are Digg, Reddit, etc.Others - lots of other social media platforms have come in the market such as location based services, social bookmarking, aggregators, collaboration tools, broadcasting tools etc.There are other sub segments of social media engagement applications market. Some of them are:Sub segment on the basis of device usage:Desktop - users accessing social media applications from desktopsSmartphone Web smartphoneusers accessing social media from websites but not mobile applicationsSmartphone App - smartphoneusers accessing social media from mobile applications but not websiteTablet Web - tabletusers accessing social media from websites but not mobile applicationsTablet App - tabletusers accessing social media from mobile applications but not websitesSub segment on the basis of users:Individual individual users using social media for personal usageCorporates - corporate entities using social media for advertisement, ad sales or other purposesGovernment Agencies - government agencies using social media platforms for advertisement or to provide public domain informationOther - lots of other users such as NGOs, communities, organizations etc.Sub segment on the basis of demography:Gender - usage of social media applications is relatively high in males than femalesAge according to age, social media users can be segmented into age brackets such as < 15, 15-30, 30-50, 50 >Request For Sample @Profession by profession market can be segmented into professional and personal usersOthersSegmentation of social media engagement applications market on the basis of geography:North America (U.S., Canada)Latin America (Mexico. Brazil)Western Europe (Germany, Italy, France, U.K, Spain, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland, Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, ASEAN, Australia & New Zealand)JapanMiddle East and Africa (GCC, S. Africa, N. Africa)Regional OverviewRegional usage of social media platform depends highly on regions population and accessibility of the internet and smartphone devices, which is why largest percentage of users are located in APAC regions followed by European, American and other regions. With increasing accessibility of the technology and supporting devices to poorer nations, distribution of usage of social media platforms will solely rely upon population of regions.Increasing internet usage, smartphone penetration will be the major drivers for global social media engagement application market. Other drivers which will contribute in market growth are increasing awareness among non-users, decreasing cost of broadband and data tariffs, increasing benefits offered through applications etc.Difficult to use GUIs, social and economic factors, accessibility issues will restrain the growth of social media engagement application market. Government regulation also restrict social media usage for example China has blocked social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube etc. and thus deprive a huge chunk of worlds population away from the benefits of social media.Major social media engagements applications are Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google Plus, Instagram etc. Business model may differ from company to company but the underlying structure of these companies is based upon usage of social media engagement applications traffic.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature.FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: In-Building Communication Market Size, Status and Forecast 2025 In-Building Communication Market https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/942814-global-in-building-communication-market https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/942814-global-in-building-communication-market https://www.htfmarketreport.com/request-discount/942814-global-in-building-communication-market https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/942814-global-in-building-communication-market https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=942814 HTF MI published a new industry research that focuses on In-Building Communication market and delivers in-depth market analysis and future prospects of Global In-Building Communication market. The study covers significant data which makes the research document a handy resource for managers, analysts, industry experts and other key people get ready-to-access and self-analyzed study along with graphs and tables to help understand market trends, drivers and market challenges. The study is segmented by Application/ end users [Commercials, Government, Hospitals, Industrial, Institutions & Retail], products type [Wire Communication & Wireless Communication] and various important geographies like United States, EU, Japan, China, India & Southeast Asia].Get Access to FREE sample pages @The research covers the current market size of the Global In-Building Communication market and its growth rates based on 5 year history data along with company profile of key players/manufacturers. The in-depth information by segments of In-Building Communication market helps monitor future profitability & to make critical decisions for growth. The information on trends and developments, focuses on markets and materials, capacities, technologies, CAPEX cycle and the changing structure of the Global In-Building Communication Market.The study provides company profiling, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information of key manufacturers of Global In-Building Communication Market, some of them listed here are AT&T, Inc., Verizon Communications, Inc., TE Connectivity Ltd., Ericsson, Alcatel-Lucent, Anixter Inc., Cobham PLC, Commscope, Inc., Corning Incorporated & Smiths Group PLC. The market is growing at a very rapid pace and with rise in technological innovation, competition and M&A activities in the industry many local and regional vendors are offering specific application products for varied end-users. The new manufacturer entrants in the market are finding it hard to compete with the international vendors based on quality, reliability, and innovations in technology.Global In-Building Communication (Thousands Units) and Revenue (Million USD) Market Split by Product Type such as Wire Communication & Wireless Communication. Further the research study is segmented by Application such as Commercials, Government, Hospitals, Industrial, Institutions & Retail with historical and projected market share and compounded annual growth rate.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of In-Building Communication in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering United States, EU, Japan, China, India & Southeast Asia and its Share (%) and CAGR for the forecasted period 2017 to 2022.Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @Following would be the Chapters to display the Global In-Building Communication market.Chapter 1, to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of In-Building Communication, Applications of In-Building Communication, Market Segment by Regions;Chapter 2, to analyze the Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure;Chapter 3, to display the Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of In-Building Communication, Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis;Chapter 4, to show the Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment);Check for discount @Chapter 5 and 6, to show the Regional Market Analysis that includes United States, EU, Japan, China, India & Southeast Asia, In-Building Communication Segment Market Analysis (by Type);Chapter 7 and 8, to analyze the In-Building Communication Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of In-Building Communication;Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type [Wire Communication & Wireless Communication], Market Trend by Application [Commercials, Government, Hospitals, Industrial, Institutions & Retail];Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis;Chapter 11, to analyze the Consumers Analysis of Global In-Building Communication;Chapter 12,13, 14 and 15, to describe In-Building Communication sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.Enquire for customization in Report @What this Research Study Offers:Global In-Building Communication Market share assessments for the regional and country level segmentsMarket share analysis of the top industry playersStrategic recommendations for the new entrantsMarket forecasts for a minimum of 5 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional marketsMarket Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimationsCompetitive landscaping mapping the key common trendsCompany profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developmentsSupply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancementsBuy this research report @Reasons for Buying this ReportThis report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamicsIt provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growthIt provides a six-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to growIt helps in understanding the key product segments and their futureIt provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitorsIt helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segmentsThanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.Contact Us:HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road, Edison, NJ USA - 08837sales@htfmarketreport.comPh: +1 (206) 317 1218 Impact of Existing and Emerging Salt Hydrate Market Trends 2017 - 2027 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-6018 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-6018 www.futuremarketinsights.com Salt hydrates are mainly employed in various application segments including advanced phase change materials, energy, construction and refrigeration among others. Major product segments for salt hydrate include cupric sulfate, copper sulfate, copper salt and table salt among others. Construction has been the most dominant application segment for salt hydrates and the trend is expected to continue in the near future. Electronics is expected to be the fastest growing application segment during the forecast period.Increasing disposable income and emerging economies have led to growth in several end user segments such as electronics, refrigeration and energy among others. High economic growth rate has been the foremost driver for the market growth. Growth in construction industry has also been a major factor driving market. Environmental hazards associated with several salt hydrates have been a major restraint for market growth. Research and development activities to increase the application scope and efficiency of salt hydrates are expected to offer huge growth opportunity in the coming future.Request for Sample @North America dominates the global salt hydrates market in terms of consumption and the trend is expected to continue during the forecast period. Europe has been the second largest geographic segment for salt hydrates. The demand in Europe is mainly driven by growth in electronics segment. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing region during the forecast period. High growth rate in the developing economies of India and China is expected to drive the market growth in the region. In the RoW region, emerging economies in Latin America are expected to drive the demand for salt hydrates.Major players in the salt hydrate market include BASF, Dow Building Solutions, E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Honeywell International, Phase Change Products Pty Ltd and Rubitherm Technologies GmbH among others.The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to market segments such as geographies, application, and industry.Request for Table of Contents @ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Cloud ELN Service Market is likely to register Single Digit CAGR during 2016-2026 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1984 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1984 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Electronic lab notebook (ELN) are computer applications which performs functions of laboratory notebooks digitally. With the help of ELN, data is captured and recorded with better accessibility and security. It helps to achieve better efficiency with lower costs. ELN services are been offered on premise and are preferred by many organizations because the data is kept within their own firewall and is been considered more secured mode for data storage.Many ELN supplier are now providing ELN services hosted as Software as a Service (SaaS) through cloud where the service is offered on a subscription model by the vendors and can be accessed by any device from any location by the user. The market is in its infancy stage but growing number of engineers, technicians and scientists have started using the application and is expected to attract more number of users because of its advantages over on premise ELN services where various functionalities are been managed by vendors such as performing periodic system backups, software up gradation, server support etc. Access to data is allowed to allotted user where the data can be encrypted by signatures and passwords so as to make portability of the service more convenient without compromising on the security of the data.Cloud ELN Market SegmentationSegmentation of cloud ELN market on the basis of mode of deployment:Public Cloud:Public cloud supports multiple users with single code basis and since many clients can be supported by the same systems, these services are cost effective because the overall costs are been distributed over larger set of users. Also since there is no requirement for hardwares such as servers and networking devices, the service requires no investment.Request For TOC @Although public cloud hosted ELN services are suffered by certain drawbacks such as lack of customization for individual users, high risk on data security etc. but will be in demand from medium and small scale organizations, research firms, individual doctors, scientists, technicians etc.Private or Hosted Cloud:In private or hosted cloud, service providers hosts the application for limited number of users where the applications are been supported individually and no other user share the same code. The host manages other operations such as backup and data security. Private clouds although suffer by performance issues because the same hardware supports all the clients on distributed systems, corporate organization are expected to choose private over public cloud because of customized applications and better data security.Segmentation of cloud ELN market on the basis of usage in different industries:PharmaceuticalsChemicalsLife ScienceResearch LabsAcademic InstitutionsOthersOn the basis of usage cloud ELN can be segment into corporate, academics & research, government and other sectors. Corporate, academic and research usages are expected to contribute maximum because these sectors are expected to use the technology in its nascent stage as they are been considered early adaptors compared to government sector who are expected to use cloud based ELN services at a later stage because this sector is more hesitant in using any new technology offered in the market and normally follows any technology only after it has been adopted by the corporate sector.Regional OverviewOn the basis of geography, global cloud ELN market can be segmented into four key markets namely North America, Europe, Asia and rest of the world. North America is expected to dominate market for cloud ELN among all the regions. USA in particular is expected to account for largest share in cloud ELN market and is expected to grow at highest CAGR. Europe market for cloud ELN trails behind the North American market. With increasing healthcare, research and IT developments, Asia-Pacific provides lucrative opportunities for the cloud ELN market. In rest of the world, countries belonging to Latin America and East Asia are expected to contribute more because of increasing healthcare and IT industry.Increasing adoption of cloud computing services in healthcare and research fields will motivate more users to move towards ELN and cloud ELN because of their latent advantages over paper based lab notebooks such as data security, portability, accuracy of the data, cost effectiveness etc. In todays scenario where most of the records in the fields of healthcare and research are been stored on servers instead of traditional paper based storage systems, more and more users will be attracted towards benefits offered by cloud based ELN services. ELN offered as public cloud is expected to attract more individual users because of its cost effectiveness which is expected to come down further with increasing number of users for the same shared service.Acceptance of SaaS for keeping confidential data such as patent related information in the cloud can be challenging task for the users who will fear from data security issues and can be a major restrain for cloud based ELN services. Although the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks but data security is one such fear which will be difficult to overcome for the users. Resistance to change can be a restrain for the market as users have been using paper lab notebooks from a long time and may show reluctance in using cloud ELN. Even on premise based ELN services can be a substitute for cloud ELN and will be preferred by corporate and government agencies who are quite critical about data security.Request For Sample @Some of the major companies offering Cloud ELN services are PerkinElmer, Dassault Systemes, Core Informatics, Arxspan and Biovia. Many a companies are offering on premise ELN as well as cloud supported ELN both so as to meet the demands of varying set of customers. Cloud ELN being in its nascent stage is expected to drive the demand more after few years compared to on premise ELN.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature.FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: eVision Announces Office Relocation and Expansion in USA The move comes alongside exciting recent developments for eVision. www.evision-software.com After four years at Six Pines Drive, eVision is excited to announce to have moved to 1790 Hughes Landing Blvd. Almost double the size of the last office, this move embodies the growth eVision has experienced in the United States.The move comes alongside exciting recent developments for eVision, including new partnerships with multiple oil & gas, (petro)chemical and pharmaceutical majors in the US, and successful deployments of its leading digital Control of Work software across American clients platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.Of the move, Sales Director US Alexander Huijsmans was quoted: We are very excited to be moving to bigger facilities. This will allow us to leverage the increasing demand we are seeing for our ONE Vision platform in the US and to continue to exceed our customers expectations in terms of service.Contact information for the eVision Houston office effective immediately:Address:1790 Hughes Landing BlvdSuite 454, The WoodlandsTX 77380, USATelephone:+1 281 747 5600About eVisioneVision Industry Software creates best-in-class Control of Work software. Innovative solutions that improve the way oil and gas, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and other hazardous industries operate on a global and local scale. eVision enables you to increase the safety and speed of your operations, supporting you in reaching your operational excellence and safety objectives. eVision solutions are fully configurable to match your organization's wishes and requirements, while ensuring unprecedented ease-of-use and full compliance with the latest protocols and regulations.Major organisations such as Shell, Statoil, BP, Qatar Petroleum, Repsol-Sinopec and many more have selected eVision as their Control of Work vendor of choice, solidifying eVision as industry leader of its domain. With offices worldwide and partnerships with the worlds leading system integrators, eVision provides high-quality delivery and support, on location, at all times. For more information, please visiteVision Industry Software BVDaan SavalleMarketing Manager+31703626126daan.savalle@evision-software.comLange Vijverberg 32513 AC The HagueThe Netherlands De Lindachrist said she moved to Napa about eight years ago and I needed a place where I could really be me. So this group has filled a huge hole in my social existence and emotional health. But I still havent run into anyone who identifies themselves as bisexual. Discrimination is still a very real thing, even in Napa, according to Stanley Posadas. Imagine if you worry whether the person you are sharing a house with, or renting from, is going to be OK with your identity, he said. And having a place to discuss their identity openly is particularly hard for older people. Our seniors grew up in a time when homosexuality was a crime and considered a mental illness, he said. So, sometimes our seniors are dealing with people in terms of their finances, or medical care, or housing, and those old practices of keeping a part of yourself private for safetys sake come back. Schwartz agrees. Global Printing Inks Market Projected to Touch US$8.7 bn by 2024 MRRSE https://www.mrrse.com/sample/2354 https://www.mrrse.com/north-america-printing-inks-market https://www.mrrse.com/ https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) has been serving as an active source to cater intelligent research report to enlighten both readers and investors. This research study titled Printing Inks MarketRequest a Free Sample Report @Printing inks have become an indispensable part of everyday life. They are used for the purpose of printing in various sectors. Printing inks are pigments that are blended with oil or varnish to achieve the desired effect. The introduction of several new products, solutions, and services have also encouraged the growth of the North America printing inks market in recent years. According to the research report the North America printing inks market is expected to be worth US$8.7 bn by 2024 as compared to US$5.3 bn in 2015. During the forecast years of 2016 and 2024, the overall market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.70%.Printing inks are predominantly used in thin films and on a variety of substrates such as metal sheets, paper, paper boards, and others. These inks are also used for purposes such as protecting the surfaces, decorative purposes, and largely for communicative functions as well. Printing inks are made from additives, pigments, solvents, resins, and colorants, while the colorants are made from dyes, toners, pigments, or combinations of all of these materials.Oil-based Printing Inks to Enjoy Lions Share in Overall Market during Forecast PeriodDue to growing concerns about the environmental pollution, the North America printing inks market is focusing on making bio-based printing inks. The demand for printing inks is directly dependent on the prices of crude oil. Thus, the persistent volatility of crude oil prices across the globe has had a significant impact on the printing inks market of North America. The overall market is also being positively impacted by the growing demand for UV-cured ink, rising population base, and increasing consumer spending on various types of products. Out of the various types of products, analysts anticipate that the oil-based printing segment is expected to hold a dominant position in the overall market due to its extensive use in commercial areas as well as for publication purposes. As of 2015, the oil-based printing inks segment held a lions share of 39.9% in the North America printing inks market in 2015.Offset Printing to Show Continued Growth Rate thanks to Consumer PreferenceIn terms of application, the North America printing inks market will be segmented into flexographic printing, gravure printing, digital printing, offset printing, specialty printing, and screen printing. The report suggests that offset printing held a dominant share of 41.2% in 2015 in the overall market, which was closely followed by flexographic printing. The growing preference for offset printing due to advantages such as high and consistent image quality that it offers. On the other hand, lithography is extensively used printing processes by several individual companies as compared to other application processes.On the basis of end users, the market is segmented into metal cans, publication and commercial printing, textiles, packaging, and others such as decorative printing. In 2015, the packaging segment held a share of 46.5% share in the North America printing inks market. The printing segment is expected to show its dominance over the forecast period, predict analysts.Outlook Complete Report with Table of Content @The leading players operating in the North America printing inks market are Siegwerk Druckfarben AG & Co. KgaA, INX International Ink Co., Flint Group, Sun Chemical Corporation, Wikoff Color Corporation, Toyo Ink America, LLC, American Ink and Coatings, DuPont, Huber Group, Electronics For Imaging, Inc., Sanchez SA de CV, Quad Graphics Inc., and FUJIFILM Corporation.About MRRSEMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At: Market Size of Pharmaceutical Unit Dose Packaging Market, Forecast Report 2017 2027 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5236 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5236 www.futuremarketinsights.com Pharmaceutical packaging involves enclosing and protecting products for storage, distribution, and end use. Pharmaceutical products require high protection from spillage, breakage, and leakage. Pharmaceutical unit dose packaging is a dose of medicine prepared in an individual package for monitoring and administration. Pharmaceutical unit dose packaging is the technique of preparing medications in which individual dose of pharmaceutical content is packed and delivered in discrete labeled packets to the respective consumer. The major purpose behind pharmaceutical unit dose packaging is to minimize the administration error. Pharmaceutical unit dose packaging was specifically developed to efficiently and safely dispense the patient specific medications. Pharmaceutical unit dose packaging is widely used in dispense of oral doses.Pharmaceutical Unit Dose Packaging Dynamics:Pharmaceutical unit dose packaging market is likely to gain traction in the upcoming years owing to development in pharmaceutical industry. Pharmaceutical unit dose packaging help customer to improve efficiency, avoid dosing errors, and promote patient safety. Pharmaceutical unit dose packaging system is an individualized preparation of drugs manually in the pharmacy or with automated dispensing machines. The demand for pharmaceutical unit dose packaging is growing with the growing number of hospitals. To improve efficiency, hospital pharmacists urge the pharmaceutical industry to supply drugs in unit dose packaging. Pharmaceutical unit dose packaging provides protection against environmental impacts such as moisture, light, pressure, and contamination during storage, transportation, and handling.Request Report Sample@Pharmaceutical unit dose packaging encloses the particular dose of the drug for a specific patient according to the given prescription. Pharmaceutical unit dose packaging is well designed, environmentally efficient, and cost effective way of packaging which fulfills the packaging needs of the consumer. In pharmaceutical unit dose packaging market pharmaceutical pouches and strip packs comes as a cost alternative to blister packs. Pouches will gain satisfactory sales from increasing use in the pharmaceutical unit dose packaging market. Manufacturers and researchers are making innovations in various new treatments which helps in replacing the traditional dosage forms such as pharmaceutical bottles by pharmaceutical unit dose packaging. Pharmaceutical unit dose packaging offer enhanced portability, product reliability, ease of use, and dosage precision. Pharmaceutical unit dose packaging can be done using various packaging technologies such as blister packs, sterile single use blow fill seal packaging, powder stick packs, and liquid stick packs. The severe regulations in pharmaceutical industry related to product safety helps in the growth of pharmaceutical unit dose packaging market.Pharmaceutical Unit Dose Packaging Segmentation:The global market for pharmaceutical unit dose packaging is segmented on the basis of product type, product form, and material type.On the basis of the product type, the global market for pharmaceutical unit dose packaging is segmented as follows:Blister packsPowder stick packsLiquid stick packsSterile single use blow fill seal packagingOn the basis of the product form, the global market for pharmaceutical unit dose packaging is segmented as follows:Solid unit doseLiquid unit dosePowder unit doseOn the basis of material type, the global market for pharmaceutical unit dose packaging is segmented as follows:PlasticPolyethylene (PE)Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)Polypropylene (PP)Polystyrene (PS)OthersAluminumOthersVisit For TOC@Pharmaceutical Unit Dose Packaging Regional Outlook:On the basis of geography pharmaceutical unit dose packaging market region is segmented into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Middle East & Africa (MEA), and Japan. Among these region, North America is expected to grow in pharmaceutical unit dose packaging market due to high demand in unit dose packaging. Europe is expected to witness an above average growth rates in the pharmaceutical unit dose packaging market due to rising demand in pharmaceutical industry. The global pharmaceutical unit dose packaging market is expected to grow at rapid speed during the forecast period.Pharmaceutical Unit Dose Packaging Major Players:Some of the prominent players operating in the global pharmaceutical unit dose packaging market include Unit pack Co. Inc., Swisslog (KUKA group member), The Medi-Dose Group, Unither Pharmaceuticals, Omnicell, Inc., Mylan N.V., Medical Packaging Inc., Pharma Packaging Solutions, and Pacific Packaging Components Inc.About Us Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Oils & Fats Market 2017 Trend, Segmentation and Opportunities in Global Forecast To 2022 Oil & Fats https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1181714-oils-fats-global-industry-guide-2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/1181714-oils-fats-global-industry-guide-2017 WiseGuyReports.com with their unique quality of simplifying the market research study, presents a deep diving study report Oils & Fats Global Industry Guide 2017Oil & FatsOverviewGlobal Oil & Fats industry profile provides top-line qualitative and quantitative summary information including: market share, market size (value and volume 2011-15, and forecast to 2020). The profile also contains descriptions of the leading players including key financial metrics and analysis of competitive pressures within the market.The global oils & fats market generated total revenues of $82,072.3m in 2015, representing a CAGR of 6.8% between 2011 and 2015.Click here for sample report @Major Scope of the report:The oils & fats market consists of the retail sale of edible oils and solid fats. The oils segment consists of cooking sprays, corn oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, vegetable oil, and other edible oils.The solid fats segment consists of compound cooking fats (CCF), ghee, lard, shortening, and other solid fats. All currency conversions have been made using constant annual average 2015 exchange rates.Market consumption volume increased with a CAGR of 5.3% between 2011 and 2015, to reach a total of 31,392.6 million kilograms in 2015.The growth of the oils & fats market increased even more due to increasing demand for products with zero trans fats and additional nutritive value.Companies in the global cooking oils and fats market are increasingly focusing on product innovations through extensive research and development to sustain the intense competition and strengthen their global presence.ScopeSave time carrying out entry-level research by identifying the size, growth, major segments, and leading players in the global oil & fats market.Use the Five Forces analysis to determine the competitive intensity and therefore attractiveness of the global oil & fats market.Leading company profiles reveal details of key oil & fats market players global operations and financial performance.Add weight to presentations and pitches by understanding the future growth prospects of the global oil & fats market with five year forecasts by both value and volumeTable of ContentsEXECUTIVE SUMMARYMarket valueMarket value forecastMarket volumeMarket volume forecastCategory segmentationGeography segmentationMarket shareIntroductionWhat is this report about?Who is the target reader?How to use this reportDefinitionsGlobal Oils & FatsMarket OverviewMarket DataMarket SegmentationMarket outlookFive forces analysisOils & Fats in Asia-PacificMarket Overview.ContinuedFor Detailed Reading Please visit @Wise Guy Reports understand how essential statistical surveying information is for your organization or association. Therefore, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available. We also provide COTS (Commercial off the Shelf) business sector reports as custom exploration agreeing your particular needs.WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, India Automatic Coffee Machines Market to Receive overwhelming hike in Revenues by 2026 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5837 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-5837 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Growing need to offer quick services in cafes and restaurants has led to surge in demand for automatic coffee machines globally. In addition, surge in demand for technologically enhanced automatic coffee machine is projected to impact the global market growth of automatic coffee positively. Future Market Insights states that the global market of automatic coffee machine is projected to register a CAGR of 6.0% over the forecast period, 2017-2026.Request For Sample @Factors Fuelling Growth of the Global MarketGrowth of the global automatic coffee machine market is mainly bound by various macro-economic and micro-economic factors. As the need to offer quick beverage and food services arise, manufacturers are increasingly focusing on developing automatic food processing machines. In order to offer quick and high quality beverage and food services to the customers, leading beverage and food companies are increasingly installing automatic food processing machines. Growing need for making quick delivery of hot beverage and food products has led the manufacturing companies to integrate leading technological advancements in the automatic food processing machines. Surge in demand for high-quality and quick coffee services has led to increasing installations of automatic coffee machines in various restaurants, hotels and cafes is projected to boost the global market growth of automatic coffee machine over the forecast period.With the emerging technological advancements, the manufacturing companies are increasingly focusing on incorporating advanced features such as touch screen and smart technology. Incorporation of smart features such as cloud services and Wi-Fi technology allows the customers to connect various devices such as smartphones to the automatic coffee machine and control the coffee preparation time according to daily schedule. Integration of cloud services helps the end use industries to track the customer preferences, along with automating billing and data collection. Increasing integration of leading technological features in the automatic coffee machines is projected to impact the global market growth of automatic coffee machine positively throughout the forecast period.As drinking coffee increases productivity among employees, demand for the automatic coffee machines is projected to rev up in various companies. In addition, increasing coffee consumption helps in lowering the stress level, which helps the employees to perform better. Also, drinking coffee boosts production of the neurotransmitters including dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin, which boosts stimulates the nervous system and helps in overcoming depression. Bound to various health benefits, demand for the automatic coffee machines is projected to rev up in various companies.Sales to Remain High through CafesGrowing need for automatic coffee machines equipped with pre-infusion and pre-grinding features arise, demand for the super automatic coffee machines is projected to remain high globally. In terms of volume, the super automatic coffee machine product type segment is projected to witness the highest growth, recording more than 2,600000 units by 2026-end. Moreover, the super automatic coffee machine product type segment is projected to reflect a healthy CAGR over the forecast period.By 2017-end, the cafe end user segment is projected to witness significant growth in terms of volume, accounting for more than 1,000000 units. In contrary, the residential end user segment is projected to reflect a robust CAGR by 2026-end. During the forecast period, the low price range segment is projected to witness significant growth in terms of volume, recording more than 2,400000 units by the 2026-end. In addition, the low price range segment is projected to reflect a significant CAGR over the forecast period.Request For TOC @Market PlayersMajor players in the global market of automatic coffee machine are Nestle Nespresso S.A., Keurig Green Mountain, Inc., JURA Elektroapparate AG, DeLonghi Appliances S.r.l., WMF-Coffeemachines, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Melitta Group and BSH Hausgerate GmbH.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature.FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: New Research Report on Gable-Top Liquid Cartons Market, 2017 2027 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5305 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5305 www.futuremarketinsights.com The gable-top liquid carton is a packaging distinguished by its special styling. The Gable-Top name came from the fold which is at the top which looks like the gable roof of a house. The gable-top liquid cartons have flexible and are highly recognizable. The gable-top liquid cartons is a packaging distinguished by its special styling and by the high degree of flexibility for packaging. The gable-top liquid cartons prevent the contamination of beverages from the outer environment. Gable-top liquid carton provides all the properties needed for primary packaging such as aseptic, high barrier, lightweight, low contamination, etc. The gable-top liquid cartons are made up of the coated paper and are used to contain a variety of liquid and dry products such as milk, juices, health drinks, sugar, ice-cream, lubricants, and beverages.The gable-top liquid cartons are usually produced in the shape of cuboids, tetrahedrons and also others. The gable-top liquid cartons are used for safe transportation and storage of liquid products. The gable-top liquid cartons are used in various industries like food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and others. The gable top cartons are made up of eco-friendly material that can be easily recycled. These cartons are also used for aseptic packaging which is used for increasing the shelf life of the products.Gable-Top Liquid Cartons - Market Dynamics:The market for gable-top liquid cartons is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period 2017-2025. The gable-top liquid cartons market is mostly driven by the food, beverages, paints & lubricants, pet food, and other industries. The factor propelling the growth of the gable-top liquid cartons market includes raising demand for packaged food and beverages with long shelf life, convenient carrying, and safe transportation. The Gable-top liquid cartons market is one of the fast growing segment in liquid carton packaging market. One of prominent factor fueling the gable-top liquid cartons market is the fast moving consumer preference towards packaged food & beverages. The gable-top liquid carton market is growing due to the cost effectiveness of the gable-top liquid cartons when compared to the other rigid packaging solutions.Request Report Sample@One of the restraining factors which hinder the growth of the gable-top liquid cartons market is the board used for manufacturing the gable-top liquid carton is recyclable but due to the coating of PE, this requires a separate process to separate the PE from the board first. Another factor hindering the growth of the gable-top liquid cartons market is the consumer preference for plastic packaging.Gable-Top Liquid Cartons- Market Segmentation:The global gable-top liquid cartons market is segmented on the basis of the material type, on the basis of closure type, on the basis of capacity, and on the basis of end user base.On the basis of material type, the gable-top cartons are segmented as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), paperboard and others.On the basis of the closure type, the gable-top cartons are segmented as screw caps, flip caps and others.On the basis of capacity, the gable-top cartons may be manufactured of varying capacities such as less than 250 ml, 250-500 ml, 500-750 ml, 750-1000 ml etc.On the basis of the end user base, the gable-top liquid cartons are used in various industries such as food & beverages, paints & lubricants, pet food and other industries.Visit For TOC@Gable-Top Liquid Cartons Market - Regional Outlook:The gable-top liquid cartons market has been segmented on the basis of the region into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), and Middle East & Africa (MEA). Among these regions, North-America and Asia-Pacific (APAC) are expected to be the largest propeller in terms of volume and value because of growing standard of living and increasing of disposable incomes.Gable-Top Liquid Cartons Market Key Players:Some of the key players of the global gable-top liquid cartons market are Parksons Packaging Ltd., Rotopak Llc., Ital Pack Cartons Srl, Om Xpress Print Pack Private Limited, Indevco Paper Containers, Imperial Printing & Paper Box Mfg. Co., Adam Pack S.A., Carton Box Manufacturer and others.About Us Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Frozen Ready Meal Market Poised to Register 4.3% CAGR through 2026 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/REP-GB-6113 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-6113 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ The key role of refrigeration in the global supply chain of food products has driven the use of freezing and frozen storage units. Along with packaging, freezing of foods has played an instrumental role in the value chain of food products, particularly for meals. Consumers are opting for frozen ready meals to meet their basic nutrition requirements in proactive lifestyles. According to Future Market Insights recent report, the demand for frozen ready meals is expected to witness steady demands in the foreseeable future. However, the report also addresses that shortcomings in the global cold chain and growing complexities in production of frozen ready meals will continue to remain key market growth impediments.Request For Sample @Key findings from the report reveal that the global frozen ready meals market will expand at a moderate CAGR of 4.3% and bring in an estimated revenues worth over US$ 47 Bn. The report has analyzed several factors influencing the growth dynamics of the global frozen ready meals market. Among which, quality and safety are observed to be the key factors influencing the production and the sales of frozen ready meals.Absolute Compliance to Quality and Safety StandardsCompanies partaking in the global frozen ready meals market are expected to be compliant to the safety and food quality standards set by regional and global regulatory bodies. Players namely, General Mills, McCain Foods Ltd., Nestle S.A., Daiya Foods Inc., Dr. Oetker GmbH, Conagra Brands, Inc., Connies Pizza, California Pizza Kitchen, Atkins Nutritionals, Inc., FRoSTA AG, and H.J. Heinz are expected to follow production techniques that retain the quality of the frozen ready meals. Moreover, these companies are expected to invest millions in developing methods for making frozen ready meals safer to the common consumer. Collaborating with the right packaging partner will also instrument a greater safety of the frozen ready meals being produced. New machineries are being developed to facilitate the cook-assemble-freeze manufacturing of these meals at a large scale. Cold storage companies are witnessing a consolidation to ensure that the fluctuating storage conditions do not degrade the quality of frozen ready meals to higher extent.APEJ to Register High Demand for Frozen Ready Meals through 2026The report has provided an intensity map which reveals that a majority of market players will concentrate their production in the Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) region. The APEJ frozen ready meals market is expected to witness highest and fastest expansion during the forecast period, in terms of production as well as sales. Consumers in the APEJ region are estimated to be more inclined towards frozen ready meals against fresh meals due to the ease of reheating and thawing over preparing the meals from scratch. Europe and North America are also expected to witness considerable growth in terms of sales of frozen ready meals. Large food chain services in these developed regions will showcase a considerable end-use of frozen ready meals through 2026.Request For TOC @The report further reveals that the global frozen ready meals market will witness highest end-use among food chain services, followed by modern trade outlets. By the end of 2026, more than US$ 16.6 Bn worth of frozen ready meals will be used by food chain services across the globe. The report also reveals that chicken meals will be a top-selling product in the overall frozen ready meals landscape. In 2017 and beyond, more than one-third of revenues procured in the global frozen ready meals market will be accounted by the sales of frozen ready chicken meals.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature.FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Aircraft Ignition System Market Size & Analysis Forecasts To 2025 GLOBAL MARKET ESTIMATES https://www.globalmarketestimates.com/aircraft-ignition-system-market/ https://www.globalmarketestimates.com/annual-research-partnership-services/ Aircraft Ignition System Market InsightsThe global aircraft ignition market is expected to grow at CAGR of more than 5% over the forecast period. This growth is mainly attributed to increasing technological advancements with the aim of enhancing reliability and increasing the lifespan of aircraft ignition system as compared to conventional systems. Along with this, rising adoption of electronic ignition systems is also likely to stimulate the market growth. Moreover, growing demand for aircraft ignition system in UAVs is further likely to augment the market growth over the coming years.Request for a sample copy of the Aircraft Ignition System Market report at:Aircraft Ignition System Market: Type InsightsOn the basis of type, the aircraft ignition market is segmented into electronic and magneto. The magneto segment is further segregated into high tension and low tension ignition systems. The market for magneto ignition system is expected to occupy highest share over the forecast period. Magnetos are engine driven self-contained units that supply electrical current without using an external source of current. Moreover, rising application of magnetos in reciprocating aircraft engines is likely to boost the segment growth.Aircraft Ignition System Market: Engine Type InsightsBy engine type, the aircraft ignition market is segmented into reciprocating and turbine engines. The turbine engines are anticipated to grow at a significant rate over the forecast period as it offers a number of benefits such as high speed, ability to fly at high altitudes, vibration-free operation, and longer time between overhaul among others. Moreover, due to their huge size, they are able to carry more passengers and cover a larger distance than reciprocating engine.The reciprocating engines are also projected to grow significantly over the years owing to factors such as solid performance and low cost of entry.Aircraft Ignition System Market: Component InsightsOn the basis of component, the aircraft ignition market is segmented into igniters, ignition leads, exciters and spark plugs among others. The spark plugs segment is anticipated to dominate the market due to factors such as superior insulation properties, high flexibility and high heat-resistance.The market for ignition leads is also projected to grow at a significant CAGR due to its low resistance value which allows superior conductivity, advanced insulating material, and exceptional long-life durability among others.Aircraft Ignition System Market: Platform/ Application InsightsOn the basis of platform, the aircraft ignition market is segmented into Fixed-Wing Aircraft, Rotary-Wing Aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The market for UAV segment is expected to occupy the highest share on account of its rising application in military and commercial sectors. Moreover, factors such as extreme endurance, low operating costs and increase in sortie rates is likely to favour the sector.Aircraft Ignition System market is divided into original equipment manufacturer and aftermarket, based on application. The aftermarket segment is anticipated to dominate the market over the forecast period due to its increased demand in security of component mounting and replacement of various parts.Aircraft Ignition System Market: Regional InsightsNorth America occupied the largest share of this market since the past few years. This can be attributed to presence of key manufactures. Moreover, rising air passenger traffic due to increasing air travel by consumers is anticipated to augment market growth. Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a considerable CAGR over the forecast period, due to the increased demand for new aircrafts in the region.Aircraft Ignition System Market: Vendor LandscapeThe report contains a chapter dedicated to vendors operating in the market, covering raw material manufactures, equipment developers, manufacturers, and distributors. The report provides these insights on a regional level. This section of the report entails contact details, experience, products manufactured/supplied, and geographical presence of companies.Aircraft Ignition System Market: End-Use LandscapeThe end-use landscape entails a list of current and prospective consumers prevailing across the regions. This section provides company addresses, contact details, products, and regional presence of companies who are purchasing or are likely to purchase aircraft ignition system over the coming years. Some leading consumers of this market are Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., and FCI Aerospace among others.Aircraft Ignition System Market Share & Competitor AnalysisThe key players in the market include Aero, Woodward, Transdigm, Meggitt, Unison, Electroair, Surefly, Surefly, Sky Dynamics, and Air Power among others.In November 2017, Siemens, Rolls-Royce, and Airbus announced entering into an agreement to develop hybrid-electric aircraft. The collaboration aims to launch a part-electric test aircraft in air by 2020.Check our annual research partnership service at:Were constantly identifying and analysing high growth markets and revenue pockets. In consultation with various industry experts, our team of highly-skilled industry analysts study these markets through sophisticated tools and fail-safe, industry-approved methodologies.Name: Global Market Estimates Research & Business ConsultantsAddress: A-9, Silver Croft CHSL, Mumbai:400064, IndiaContact No,: +91 9146632316Email Address: sales@globalmarketestimates.com Online Pharma Global Market by Content & Top Market 2017 Analysis & Forecast 2021 ReportsWeb http://www.reportsweb.com/european-online-pharma-market-size-trends-and-forecasts-2017-2021 http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00011468352/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00011468352/buying The report entitled "European Online Pharma Market: Size, Trends & Forecasts (2017-2021)", provides analysis of Europe online pharma market, with detailed analysis of market size and growth, and segmentation of the industry. The analysis includes the market by value, by penetration rate, by region and by segmentation.For more information about this report:Moreover, the report also assesses the key opportunities in the market and outlines the factors that are and will be driving the growth of the industry. Growth of the overall Europe online pharma market has also been forecasted for the years 2017-2021, taking into consideration the previous growth patterns, the growth drivers and the current and future trends.Shop Apotheke, Zur Rose Group AG (Doc Morris), Aporot and Medpax are some of the key players operating in the Europe online pharma market, whose company profiling has been done in the report. In this segment of the report, business overview, financial overview and business strategies of the companies are provided.Company CoverageShop ApothekeZur Rose Group AG (Doc Morris)AporotMedpaxRequest Sample Copy atExecutive SummaryThere are two types of pharmacy professional- Pharmacists and pharmacy technician. Pharmacist is a person who has practiced in pharmacy and provide medication to people. Whereas, a pharmacy technician is a health care provider who performs pharmacy-related processes. Pharmacy is practiced in different areas such as community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, ambulatory care pharmacy, consultant pharmacy, etc.Online pharmacy is described as the online platform where the medicines are sold to customers. It is also known as Internet pharmacy, e-pharmacy or mail-order pharmacy. Online pharmacy is of four types. Domestic online pharmacies, overseas online pharmacies, specialty pharmacies and discount online pharmacies. There are many advantages of online pharmacy such as cheaper drugs availability, faster delivery of drugs, user friendly, etc. Some disadvantage is also there like sale of fake medication, not following regulatory laws, no assurance of temperature control of drugs, tec.European online pharma market is expected to increase at high growth rates during the forecasted period (2017-2021). Europe online pharma market is supported by various growth drivers, such as growing internet penetration and smartphone usage, improving online payment methods, high customer demand in over-the-counter division, etc. Yet, the market faces certain challenges, such as, licensing requirement blocking retailers entrance, time-sensitive medical requests, etc. Few new market trends are also provided such as, increase in health awareness, increasing self-medication, etc.Company Profiling6.1 Shop Apotheke6.1.1 Business Overview6.1.2 Financial Overview6.1.3 Business Strategy6.2 Zur Rose Group AG (Doc Morris)6.2.1 Business Overview6.2.2 Financial Overview6.2.3 Business Strategy6.3 Aporot6.3.1 Business Overview6.3.2 Business Strategy6.4 Medpax6.4.1 Business Overview6.4.2 Business StrategyInquire Before Buying atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028 K12 Tutoring Global Market by Volume & Segment Analysis 2017 & Forecast 2021 ReportsWeb http://www.reportsweb.com/china-k12-tutoring-market-size-trends-and-forecasts-2017-2021 http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00011468354/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00011468354/buying The report entitled "China K12 Tutoring Market: Size, Trends & Forecasts (2017-2021)" provides a detailed analysis of the K12 tutoring market in China with analysis of market size by value, volume, penetration rate and average selling price (ASP).For more information about this report:Under competitive landscape, different players in the K12 tutoring market in China have been compared on the basis of share followed by comparison of top players operating in the market on the basis of expansion of learning centers and student enrollment in the years to come.The report also assesses the key opportunities in the market and outlines the factors that are and will be driving the growth of the industry. Growth of the market has also been forecasted for the period 2017-2021, taking into consideration the previous growth patterns, the growth drivers and the current and future trends.TAL Education Company, New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. and China Distance Education Holdings Limited are some of the key players operating in China's K12 tutoring market, whose company profiling is done in the report. In this segment of the report, business overview, financial overview and the business strategies of the companies are provided.Company CoverageTAL Education CompanyNew Oriental Education & Technology Group IncChina Distance Education Holdings LimitedRequest Sample Copy atExecutive SummaryK-12 education refers to the sum of primary and secondary education in countries such as China, Canada, India, the United States, Canada, Ecuador, South Korea, Egypt, Australia, Turkey, Afghanistan and Iran for publicly-supported school grades prior to college. K12 tutoring consist of to tuition classes taken by students after school hours primarily for the purpose of various competitive examinations.There are various levels in the K12 tutoring system such as kindergarten, primary school, middle school and high school. In China, there are different examinations at each level which are required to be passed by the student for his/ her entry into the next level. You Sheng Xiao and Xiao Sheng Chu are entrance exams for primary and middle schools. Zhongkao and Gaokao refer to the entrance exams conducted for senior high schools and entry into higher educational institutions respectively.China K12 tutoring is expected to grow at a healthy rate during the forecast period 2017-2021. The growth in the market is anticipated on account of many factors such as spike in disposable income per capita, increasing number of Gaokao takers, tough competition for admission in top universities, rising birth rates and greater awareness on education among parents.However, the market also faces some challenges such as uncertainties with respect to China's regulatory restrictions, issues in hiring of faculty and delay in adapting to latest technologies. Reforms made to Gaokao in 2017, low penetration in low tier cities and launch of new policies by the Ministry of Education of China are some of the latest trends existing in the market.Company Profiles6.1 TAL Education Group (TAL)6.1.1 Business Overview6.1.2 Financial Overview6.1.3 Business Strategy6.2 New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.6.2.1 Business Overview6.2.2 Financial Overview6.2.3 Business Strategy6.3 China Distance Education Holdings Limited (CDEL)6.3.1 Business Overview6.3.2 Financial Overview6.3.3 Business StrategyInquire Before Buying atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028 Evaluation Board Market 2017 Growth, Opportunities, Analysis and Forecast to 2021 ReportsWeb http://www.reportsweb.com/global-evaluation-board-market-2017-2021 http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00011261341/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00011261341/buying An evaluation board is a printed circuit board that has a microprocessor and minimal support logic. The evaluation board is used for testing and measuring devices such as sensors, transceivers, memory interfaces, and displays. The evaluation board is a tool for the development of different applications. It is completely assembled and tested with a surface mount board, which is integrated with access points that can test the desired device. This enables the user to connect and measure electrical characteristics and waveforms quickly. A wide range of evaluation boards for ARM, Cortex-M4, Cortex-M3, Cortex-M0, and 8051 processors are available in the market. All evaluation boards and kits provide evaluation software, cables, and documentation. An evaluation kit enables customers to evaluate the performance of the devices easily and quickly without the need to develop a full-fledged design.Publisher's analysts forecast the global evaluation board market to grow at a CAGR of 6.58% during the period 2017-2021.For more information about this report:Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global evaluation board market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated by the sales of different types of evaluation boards.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:- Americas- APAC- EMEAPublisher's report, Global Evaluation Board Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors- Analog Devices- Infineon Technologies- Integrated Device Technology- Maxim Integrated- NXP Semiconductors- STMicroelectronics- Texas InstrumentsRequest Sample Copy atMarket driver- Increased adoption of LED lighting- For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge- Short product life cycle of electronic products- For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend- Continuous advances in communication technologies- For a full, detailed list, view our reportInquire for Report atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.Pune, India The bottom line on the 2012 shutdown of the San Onofre Nuclear Power Station was that by all sensible logic, consumers should never have had to pay anything for its eventual scrapping.And yet, customers of two of the three largest electric utilities in California have paid for its closure every month since early 2014, when the state Public Utilities Commission without so much as a public hearing assessed consumers almost 70 percent of the $4.7 billion costs. So far, customers of the Southern California Edison Co. and the San Diego Gas & Electric Co. have paid more than $2 billion. But the incident has ended up as the first time in modern memory where the scandal-ridden PUC essentially admitted a mistake of billion-dollar proportions. This one resulted from a well-documented secret meeting during a 2013 trade conference in Poland which saw Edison executives and former PUC President Michael Peevey agree on terms of the 2014 decision and evade public hearings. An ongoing criminal investigation has yielded no indictments. The monthly payments by consumers will now end, under terms of a new settlement agreed to early this month by Edison and several consumer groups. Customers will save about $873 million over the next four years, eliminating the nuclear decommissioning charges item on their monthly bills. The average customer will be spared paying a total of more than $100. Soda Ash Market to Witness Exponential Growth by 2021 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/4526 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/4526 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Soda ash also known as sodium carbonate is a salt of carbnoic acid. Soda ash is hygroscopic in nature and forms strong alkaline solution in water.Soda ash is manufactured via three different process viz. Leblanc process, Solvay process and Hous process. Solvay process is most preffered manufacturing process in the industry due to its efficiency and cost. In this process, sodium chloride to sodium carbonate in presence of ammonia. Soda ash finds applications in various end-user industries such as glass, detergents, food and beverages, chemicals and dyeing among others.Request to Sample of Report @The market for soda ashwas driven by various factors from different end-user industries. Huge demand from buildings & constructionindustry is driving the soda ash market in past few years. Soda ash is used in manufacturing of flat glass which is used in modern construction activities.Increasing demand from end-user industries such as automotive from emerging countries has been one of the major factors for the growth of flat glass, subsequently increasing demand for soda ash.Another, major factor driving the soda ash market is increasing demand for powder detergents from developing countries.Soda ash is also used in various applications such as metallurgy, personal care and water treatment among others. Rising demand for personal care and water treatment industry is expected to open new markets for the soda ash market during the forecast period. Increasing demand for soda ash from fiberglass and silicates is likely to provide major opportunities for soda ash market in next few years to come. However, stern regulations faced by soda ash industry are anticipated to hider the growth of the market in next few years.In terms of demand, Asia Pacific was the leading region insoda ashmarket. Asia Pacific is anticipated to be one of the fastest growing markets for soda ash due to increasing demand for glass and detergents from emerging countries such as India, Indonesia and Korea among others. The demand for soda ash is huge especially from buildings & construction, automotive and personal care end-user industry. The market for soda ash in Asia Pacific was led by China.However, India is likely to provide better opportunity for soda ash market owing to increasing consumption from various end-user industries. Asia Pacific was followed by Europe. Increasing demand from modern construction activities has been driving the market for flat glass in Europe, thus driving the demand for soda ash in this region. Germany, the UK, France and Italy were the major consumers of soda ash in Europe. However, certain regulations related to soda ash industry is likely to stagnant the growth of the market in this region.Request Report for TOC @North America had the third-largest demand for soda ash in 2012. Increasing demand from glass and detergent industry were driving the growth of the market in this region. The U.S. had the largest demand for soda ash owing to huge demand from end-user industries such as buildings & construction, personal care and automotive among others. Rest of the World market is anticipated to show potential growth for the soda ash market in near future.Latin America is anticipated to show fastest growth for the soda ash market in this region. The demand is huge owing to increasing applications in personal care and water treatment applications.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Microbiome Therapeutics Market Poised to Rake at a value of US$ 897.3 Mn by 2025 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/7990 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/microbiome-therapeutic-market/toc https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/microbiome-therapeutic-market.asp http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Persistence Market Research estimates that the global market for microbiome therapeutics is expected to be valued at US$ 10.1 Mn in 2018 and is expected to reach US$ 897.3 Mn by 2025 end. Need for reliable, precise and fast treatment options for certain diseases, such as C. difficile infection (CDI), phenylketonuria, hepatic encephalopathy and multidrug resistant urinary tract infection creates a huge potential for the growth of the microbiome therapeutics market. Breakthrough therapy designation and orphan drug approvals for microbiome therapeutics is expected to accelerate the launch of developmental drugs in the microbiome therapeutics market. A huge pipeline with over 120 candidates in different stages of development further creates the platform for potential growth of the microbiome therapeutics market.According to the latest market report published by Persistence Market Research, titled Microbiome Therapeutics Market Potential: Global Pipeline Analysis and Assessment 2018 2025, the global microbiome therapeutics market is expected to exhibit an exponential CAGR of 62.9% during the forecast period 20182025.Request Sample Report@At present there are no marketed microbiome therapeutics in the global market; however, the first drug is expected to be launched in 2018. The global market is dominated by over 25 companies with more than 120 drugs in the pipeline at different stages of development. However, over 60% of these drugs are in the discovery or preclinical phase, where there is high uncertainty surrounding the success of these molecules to reach the clinical phase and being launched as a new drug molecule. Majority of the pipeline drugs are being developed for gastrointestinal disorders and contribute approximately 28.7% of the total pipeline products.Research and development in the microbiome industry is prominently dependent on government funding and research grants. Formation of policies and provision of subsidy by various governments encourages research and development activities across various segments of the research including discovery and clinical research. Government initiatives in funding microbiome research is the preliminary factor driving revenue growth of global microbiome therapeutics market. For instance, the U.S. government had allocated US$ 1.6 Bn for microbiome R&D programs in 2016 & 2017.The market is segmented based on indication and region. On the basis of indication, the market has been segmented into type 2 diabetes, obesity, C. difficile infection and primary hyperoxyurea. C. difficile infection indication segment is expected to contribute the highest market share of over 34% by 2025 end. More number of product approvals for CDI is attributed to a high share of the C. difficile infection segment in the global market.Download and View Report TOC, Figures and Tables @Human gut is home to over 100 Tn bacteria, containing thousands of different species. Long-term exposure to antibiotics causes dysbiosis in gut microbial composition, which leads to a variety of gastrointestinal disorders including CDI, ulcerative colitis, IBD, bacterial infection and even antibiotic associated diarrhea. Microbiome therapeutics however, present an excellent option for the treatment of CDI and other gastrointestinal disorders, as they are designed to naturally cure dysbiosis and bring the microbiome system back to normal functioning.On the basis of region, the market has been segmented into the U.S., Europe, Japan and Rest of the World (RoW). U.S. is estimated to contribute the highest share of over 44% by 2025 end, due to early launch of microbiome therapeutics and high penetration compared to other markets. The market in Japan is expected to witness delayed growth due to the complex regulatory pathways for new biological drugs. The microbiome therapeutics market in the rest of the world is expected to show gradual acceptance of bug medicine, Canada being the most lucrative among the rest of the world countries.Key players identified in the global microbiome therapeutics market are SERES Therapeutics Inc., Rebiotix Inc., OxThera AB, Immuron Ltd., Microbiome Therapeutics Inc., Ferring B.V., Ritter Pharmaceuticals, LNC Therapeutics, Enterome SA, Synlogic Inc., 4D Pharma Plc. AOBiome LLC, Vedanta Biosciences Inc., ViThera Pharmaceuticals Inc., AvidBiotics, Osel Inc. etc. among others.Majority of the players in the microbiome therapeutics market are engaged in partnerships and collaborations with established pharmaceutical companies and academic institutes. Small start-up and clinical stage microbiome companies are capitalizing on venture financing to establish microbiome based novel therapeutics in the global market. Despite of decrease in the overall venture capital investments, the microbiome industry has witnessed high VC investments in 2016, and raised approximately to US$ 336 Mn in 2016. Partnerships and research collaborations are another prominent trends identified in global microbiome therapeutics market.Report overview @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: Distributed Ledger Technology Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2017-2025 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/ongoing-insight/toc/1131 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/ongoing-insight/distributed-ledger-technology-market-1131 http://www.coherentchronicle.com A distributed ledger is a synchronized and decentralized digital database software system. It maintains all transaction information in a decentralized manner across different locations, by reducing the requirement of a central authority for checking against manipulation. It permits any online transactions or data storage to be safe by preventing the probability of cybercrime as all the consumers are able to see all transactions, and the data is stored in a register. A digital ledger can securely and accurately store all this information with the help of cryptography, which can be accessible only by using cryptographic signatures.Distributed Ledger Technology applicationsBlockchain is a type of distributed ledger technology. Blockchain technology is a decentralized software program that establishes a digital register, which enables in protected online payment transactions. These transactions are recorded in the register from a number of computers. The register maintains a continuous set of data containing information about the transaction records without changing the transaction information. The data in the register is maintained in the form of lists, which are organized in Blocks for each time period. These Blocks consists of information about the transactions, and provides a reference to the previous Block, thus, the present Block links to the prior Block to form a Blockchain. Generally, one Block contains the information about a set of transactional records for a particular period of time or fixed memory size.Request Table of Content of this Report :Importance of Distributed Ledger TechnologyDistributed ledger technology based transactions enable faster, safer, and economical transactions as compared to conventional transaction systems. This is due to the fact that conventional transaction systems refer to central administrator or centralized data storage system. Moreover, distributed ledger technology can be used to build a permanent and transparent ledger system for gathering data on exchanges, real-time tracking of digital transaction and payments, and to prevent frauds and errors. All the information stored in distributed ledger becomes unchangeable, and can be accessible from each node of a network as it becomes identical replica. Hence, if any changes are made in the register, it will be reflected and copied to every users database within a span of seconds. Therefore, digital ledgers are more secure and to make a successful cyber-attack, a hacker needs to attack all the distributed copies, simultaneously.However, lack of awareness about distributed ledger technology and limited scalability are two major factors expected to restraint growth opportunity of the global distributed ledger technology market.Regional InsightsThe distributed ledger technology market is segmented on the basis of geography including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa regions. The market in North America is expected to be dominant in the global market. This is owing to rising awareness and increasing applications of this technology in various segments. For instance, according to IoT Newsletter Organization in 2017, U.S. Department of Energy is exploring the application of blockchain technology for the management of next-generation power grids. This in turn boosting growth of the distributed ledger technology market.Rising demand for e-Commerce in emerging economies such as China and India is another factor for growth of the markets. According to Coherent Market Insights analysis, in 2016, China accounted for over 63% of digital buyers in Asia Pacific followed by India and Japan. Hence, Asia Pacific accounted for over 10% of global retail e-Commerce sales in 2016. This is owing to increasing implementation and improving blockchain services in this region. Blockchain is used in e-Commerce for gathering data on exchanges, real-time tracking of digital transaction, and payments. Increased adoption and development of Bitcoin in China is expected to fuel growth rate of blockchain market, which is expected to in turn boost growth of the distributed ledger technology market in Asia Pacific.Competitive InsightsThe key market players in the distributed ledger technology industry include IBM Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, Amazon.com, Inc., SAP SE, Intel Corporation, Samsung Group, NVIDIA Corporation, Xilinx, Inc., AMD, Inc., Siemens AG, Accenture Plc, and Infosys Ltd.For More Information :About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.comVisit our news Website: SMART-TERMINAL Aluminium profile enclosure for robust display applications The new SMART-TERMINAL www.okw.com With the new SMART-TERMINAL enclosure range, OKW Gehausesysteme offers an elegant, flexible and robust aluminium profile enclosure in its standard product programme. A uniform profile cross-section with variable length design as well as matching accessories allow a flexible variety of applications as a table-top or wall-mounted version.The new SMART-TERMINAL range of enclosures consists of a C-shaped top profile made of anodised, glass bead-blasted aluminium. It includes a recessed area for membrane keypads/decor foils and flat interface surfaces on the sides. There is sufficient space here for operating elements, switches or displays. The flat base profile is also made of aluminium and closes the enclosure from below with 6 screws. On the open profile sides, the SMART-TERMINALs are closed with covers made of high-quality ASA+PC-FR material in the colour lava. For the plastic parts there are separate moulded seals in the colours volcano or green (RAL 6016). Interfaces such as plugs and connections are also possible through the covers. The complete enclosures are available with profiles in the dimensions 170 x 50 mm (width x height) and in the profile lengths of 160 mm, 200 mm and 240 mm. With the covers, the overall length of each size increases by 42 mm. The versions were designed to fit standard display and touch solutions from 4.3" up to a maximum of 8". The length 200 mm is ideal for a 7" touch solution, as there is a border here of approx. 15 mm around the recess for gluing. The inside of the enclosure has several mounting options on 2 assembly levels. The displays and PCBs can thus be optionally mounted face up or face down. To ensure optimum operation, an enclosure canting kit for a 12 degree angle of inclination is available in the range of accessories. It contains two plastic brackets and is simply pushed into the existing groove in the base profile. Non-slip enclosure feet ensure reliable desk-top use. Alternatively, it can also be mounted flat on a wall using a wall suspension element. In addition to the covers made of plastic, aluminium panels are available to close the sides of the enclosures. The panel is mounted on the body of the enclosure using 4 screws. In this version, the three profile lengths are each increased by 4 mm.The SMART-TERMINAL enclosures can be further modified by our own Service Center. The options include, among others, mechanical machining for interfaces, a customer-specific profile length, individual lettering and printing, or the manufacture and installation of digital printing foils. The areas of application include machine and plant engineering, safety engineering, building services engineering, measurement and control technology, environmental technology, agricultural vehicle technology, construction machines and embedded systems.The core competences of OKW Gehausesysteme are the development and distribution of solution-oriented plastic enclosures and tuning knobs.Odenwalder KunststoffwerkeGehausesysteme GmbHFriedrich-List Str. 374722 Buchen/GermanyLisa BinningerE-Mail pr@okw.comInternet Talc Market Key Growth Drivers 2015 to 2021 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/4609 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/4609 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Talc is a mineral composed of hydrated magnesium silicate and is an important industrial and commercial mineral. It has broad applications as an industrial mineral due to its resistance to heat, electricity and acids and oil and grease adsorption. Talc has extensive commercial use because of its luster, softness, purity, fragrance retention, softness and whiteness. It is the softest known mineral and has a rating of 1 on the Mohs hardness scale.Request to Sample of Report @It can be scratched by a fingernail and is also sectile that means it can be cut by a knife. It has a specific gravity of 2.5 -2.8 and has clear luster. Talc is slightly soluble in dilute mineral acids and insoluble in water. It is a metamorphic mineral and occurs due to metamorphism of magnesium minerals such as olivine, amphibole, serpentine and pyroxene in presence of water and carbon dioxide. Talc is a tri-octahedral layered mineral and has a similar structure to that of pyrophyllite.Talc can be used as an ingredient in paints, roofing materials, ceramics, insecticides, rubber, talcum powder and insecticides among others. It is also used by the cosmetics industry, pulp and paper industry and food industry. Talc is often used to manufacture laboratory countertops and electrical switchboards due to its resistance to heat, acids and electricity. It is used by the cosmetic industry as a lubricant and as a filler by the pulp and paper industry.Talc is extensively used to make astringent baby powders that prevent rashes covered by a diaper. Talc is used by the pharmaceutical industry as a glidant (a substance that is added to powder to improve its flow ability) and by the food industry as an additive. In the European Union the additive number is E553b. In medicine, talc is used as a pluerodesis agent to prevent pneumothorax or recurrent pleural effusion. Talc is also an effective dispersing agent and anti caking agent and helps fertilizer plants and animal feeds to function efficiently and can be used for fertilizers.The paper and pulp industry remains the largest global end market for talc and is the key driving factor for the talc Industry. The automotive industry, ceramics industry and the paint and coatings industry are the other major consumers of talc. The use of talc as a filler in the paper industry is declining today but the use of talc for the manufacture of under the hood automotive parts is substantially increasing that has further lead to surge in demand for talc by the automotive industry.Asia Pacific is the largest market for talc with China, India, Japan, Bhutan, and South Korea being the key markets in this region. The Indian talc industry is the worlds third largest and continues to grow due to increase in domestic consumption. North America and Europe are other regions with a substantial market share of talc. Austria, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and United Kingdom are the major consumers of talc in Europe.Request Report for TOC @Some of the major companies dominating the talc market are Imerys talc, Mondo Minerals, Golcha Group, American Talc, IMI FABI, Nippon Talc, Minerals Technologies Inc, the Jai Group, Aihai Talc, Behai Talc, Shuiquan Talc, Xin Talc, Haumei Talc, Guiguang Talc and Xin Talc among others. Imerys talc is the worlds leading producer of talc followed by Mondo Minerals.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: Isopropyl Alcohol Market Competitive Landscape by 2021 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/4641 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/4641 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Isopropyl alcohol is a chemical compound, which is colorless, flammable and has a strong alcoholic like odor. The compound is manufactured by combining water and propene by either direct hydration or indirect hydration. Isopropyl alcohol is a flammable compound and has a high vapor pressure. This compound is completely miscible in water and is an acceptable solvent for acrylic and epoxy resins, ethyl cellulose, natural resins, gums, polyvinyl butyral, alkaloids and other essential oils.Isopropyl alcohol is immiscible in salt solutions. However, unlike ethanol and methanol, this compound can be separated from various solutions with the addition of salts, which include sodium chloride, sodium sulphate and various other inorganic salts, as this alcohol is not very soluble in saline solutions. This compound increases in viscosity with the increase in temperature. This compound is relatively non- toxic and non-harmful and readily evaporates like acetone.Request to Sample of Report @Isopropyl alcohol is a readily available alcohol. It dissolves a wide range of non-polar compounds. Its main application lies in its use as a solvent, a cleaning fluid and a disinfectant. Besides its use as a solvent, the compound is also used as an intermediate to give other compounds; it has its use in the medical, automotive and laboratory field. In earlier days, it was used as an anesthetic but due to its drawbacks, which include respiratory irritation, internal bleeding and visual, and hearing problems, its use in this field was discontinued.This compound is also a major component in gas dryer fuel additives. It is also used to get rid of brake oil fluid traces from hydraulic braking systems. This compound is toxic to some extent and acts as a central nervous system depressant. Poisoning can occur if ingested, inhaled or even absorbed hence, usage has to take place in well-ventilated areas and protective gloves are always recommended. However, it is not as toxic as methyl alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol is also acts as a skin irritant.The main drivers for the isopropyl alcohol market include its use in the automobile industry and its use as a disinfectant and a cleaner. The global automobile market is growing at a rabid rate and hence the need for isopropyl alcoholis also accelerated. The compound is used in combination with either ethyl alcohol or N-propyl alcohol in disinfectants, which include hand sanitizers, surface cleaners, and clinical instrument cleaners among others.The demand for isopropyl alcohol is growing more in developing countries due to the growing economy, growing hygiene awareness and the rise of automobile industries in this region. Isopropyl alcohol soes not have major side effects and hence there are no stringent rules against its use especially in north American and European countries.Request Report for TOC @Te key segments considered for this market include North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW). The U.S., Europe, and Japan are major manufacturers of Isopropyl alcohol. The market for isopropyl alcohol is maximum in north America followed by Europe and is expected to be almost double in the next few years.The market for this compound is Asia Pacific is also high and is expected to rise as a very fast rate. This is due to the increase in automobile industries in this region, which is also expected to drive the isopropyl alcohol market. In addition, the growing hygiene awareness in Asia Pacific countries drives this market.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.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: Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) Market 2018 by Global Leaders: Palantir Technologies, Expert System, Thales Group, CybelAngel, Intrinsic Technologies, KB Crawl SAS, Verint https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4545 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/open-source-intelligence-market-4545 Market Research Future published a research report on Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) Market Research Report Global Forecast to 2023 Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2023.Open Source Intelligence Market Global Market- OverviewThe biggest advantage of the Open source intelligence is the number of sources of data and its easy accessibility which gives an additional benefit to the analytics to play its part and filter out the useful, crucial and important data from the raw and noisy data. The market for the OSINT is increasing due to the advancement in big data analytics, data analytics, text analytics, web analytics, and social media analytics.OSINT relies heavily on the open source data for the processing which is a raw, noisy and unstructured data which is easily accessible and can be retrieved and modified legally. Also the data is heavy in number. This increased availability of the public data has led to become a driving force for the open source intelligence systems to carry out operations. The data is available from a number of sources like social media, print media, digital media, articles, blog publications, online forums, videos, government reports, telephone directories, press conferences, journals, academic research papers, financial databases, patents, dissertation and newsletters. This data is openly available and legal to use.Get Sample of Report @OSINT is particularly useful in both functional and geographical that do not typically use classified assets. The 2010 earthquake in Haiti is a good example of how the U.S. Navy, during Operation Unified Response used social networking sites, blogs, clergy, non-governmental organizations, and the Haitian diaspora to supplement traditional ISR capabilities with first-hand accounts of the situation that focused humanitarian response efforts.Open Source Intelligence Market Global Market - Regional AnalysisOSINT produces a strategic opportunity for large organizations as well as governmental agencies. OSINT big data also helps the organizations to go deep and wide in analytics by identifying the patterns, signals, trends and patterns and exploit the information for assessment of security, fraud detection, copyright infringement and much more. The open source intelligence market is divided under North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa of region. The market is led by North America followed by Asia pacific. This majorly due to the increased cyber-attacks in U.S. Also due to the progressive innovation and growth in research and development the organizations in the U.S and Canada have adopted to the technology earlier than others. However the market growth in Asia pacific is expected to grow significantly.Open Source Intelligence Market Global Market - Segmentation Segmentation by Security Type: Human intelligence, content intelligence, dark web analysis, data analytics, text analytics, artificial intelligence, big data, others. Segmentation by Technology: big data software, video analytics, text analytics, cyber security, web analysis, social media analysis, others. Segmentation by Application: military and defence, homeland security, private sector, public sector, national security, others. Segmentation by Region: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa.Key Players:OSINT is different from the other intelligence disciplines by virtue of its accessibility. The Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) Market holds some of the major key players like, Palantir Technologies (U.S.), Expert System (Italy), Exalead Dassault Systemes (France), Thales Group (France), CybelAngel (France), Intrinsic Technologies (U.S.), SAIL LABS Technology GmbH (Austria), Digimind (U.S.), KB Crawl SAS (France), Verint (U.S.), Recorded Future (U.S.), Datalkz (UAE) among others are profiled in MRFR Analysis and are at the forefront of competition in the Global Open Source Intelligence Market.Industry NewsDecember 2017, seeing the forest through the trees: the value of OSINT for the U.S. navy. The Naval Intelligence community believes to line-up its collection and analysis toward a truly all-source effort and harness the full potential of OSINT as an intelligence discipline. According to the authorities, the exponential growth of publically available information offers OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) a competitive advantage over the traditional intelligence disciplines in terms of speed, quantity, and usability.Get Complete Report @Intended Audience Software providers Network Solutions providers Network security providers Consumer goods and retail units Logistics solutions providers Research firms Software investors Software Developers IT enablers Database providers Cloud service providers Wireless service providers Telecommunication companiesAbout Us:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Media Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com Global Auditing Services Market 2018 Key Players: Ernst & Young, Protiviti, Deloitte, PwC, KPMG. Auditing Services Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2975185-auditing-services-global-market-report-2018-including-external https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/2975185-auditing-services-global-market-report-2018-including-external Auditing Services Market:WiseGuyReports.com adds Auditing Services Market 2018 Global Analysis, Growth, Trends and Opportunities Research Report Forecasting to 2023reports to its database.Executive SummaryAuditing Services Market Global Report 2018 from The Business Research Company provides the strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the global auditing services market.Where is the largest and fastest growing market for the auditing services?How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets?What forces will shape the market going forward?The auditing services market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the markets historic and forecast market growth by geography. It places the market within the context of the wider professional services market, and compares it with other markets. The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market and forecasting the future. Drivers and restraints looks at the external factors supporting and controlling the growth of the market. Market segmentations break down market into sub markets. The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth. It covers all the regions, key developed countries and major emerging markets. It draws comparisons with country populations and economies to understand the importance of the market by country and how this is changing. Competitive landscape gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified. The trends and strategies section highlights the likely future developments in the market and suggests approaches companies can take to exploit this. The auditing services market section of the report gives context. It compares the auditing services market with other segments of the auditing services market by size and growth, historic and forecast. It analyses Expenditure Per Capita, The Auditing Services Market Indicators Comparison.Request Sample Report @ScopeMarkets Covered: External Audit Services; Internal Audit Services; Forensic Audit Services; Public Sector Audit Services; Tax Audit Services; Information System Audit Services; Environmental & Social Audit Services; Compliance Audit Services; Process Audit ServicesCompanies Mentioned: Ernst & Young, Protiviti, Deloitte, PwC, KPMGCountries: Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Spain, Russia, UK, USA and Australia.Regions: Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East And AfricaTime series: Five years historic and forecast.Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP, Expenditure Per Capita, The Auditing Services Market Indicators Comparison.Data segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.Table of Content1. Auditing Services Market Characteristics2. Auditing Services Market Size And Growth3. Auditing Services Trends And Strategies;4. Pestle Analysis5. Auditing Services Market Customer Information;6. Auditing Services Market Regional And Country Analysis7. Auditing Services Market Segmentation8. Auditing Services Market Segments9. Global Auditing Services Market Comparison With Macro Economic Factors10. Auditing Services Market Comparison With Macro Economic Factors Across Countries11. Asia-Pacific Auditing Services Market12. Western Europe Auditing Services Market13. Eastern Europe Auditing Services Market14. North America Auditing Services Market15. South America Auditing Services Market16. Middle East Auditing Services Market17. Africa Auditing Services Market18. Auditing Services Market Competitive Landscape18.1. Company Profiles18.2. Ernst & Young18.2.1. Overview18.2.2. Products And Services18.2.3. Strategy18.2.4. Financial Performance18.3. Protiviti18.3.1. Overview18.3.2. Products And Services18.3.3. Strategy18.3.4. Financial Performance18.4. Deloitte18.4.1. Overview18.4.2. Products And Services18.4.3. Strategy18.4.4. Financial Performance18.5. PwC18.5.1. Overview18.5.2. Products And Services18.5.3. Strategy18.5.4. Financial Performance18.6. KPMG18.6.1. Overview18.6.2. Products And Services18.6.3. Strategy18.6.4. Financial Performance19. Key Mergers And Acquisitions In The Auditing Services Market20. Market Background: Professional Services Market21. AppendixReasons to Purchase Outperform competitors using accurate up to date demand-side dynamics information. Identify growth segments for investment. Facilitate decision making on the basis of historic and forecast data and the drivers and restraints on the market. Create regional and country strategies on the basis of local data and analysis. Stay abreast of the latest customer and market research findings Benchmark performance against key competitors. Develop strategies based on likely future developments. Utilize the relationships between key data sets for superior strategizing. Suitable for supporting your internal and external presentations with reliable high quality data and analysis Gain a global perspective on the development of the market. Report will be updated with the latest data and delivered to you within 3-5 working days of order.ContinuousFor 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 Near-beer Market 2018 Analysis and Forecast to 2022 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2773219-global-near-beer-market-professional-survey-report-2018 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/2773219-global-near-beer-market-professional-survey-report-2018 This report studies Near-beer in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2012 to 2016, and forecast to 2022.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringAnheuser-Busch InBevHeinekenCarlsbergBehnoush IranAsahi BreweriesSuntory BeerArpanooshErdinger WeibbrauKrombacher BrauereiWeihenstephanAujan IndustriesKirinRequest a Sample Report @On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoLimit FermentationDealcoholization MethodBy Application, the market can be split intoManWomanBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Table of ContentsGlobal Near-beer Market Professional Survey Report 20171 Industry Overview of Near-beer1.1 Definition and Specifications of Near-beer1.1.1 Definition of Near-beer1.1.2 Specifications of Near-beer1.2 Classification of Near-beer1.2.1 Limit Fermentation1.2.2 Dealcoholization Method1.3 Applications of Near-beer1.3.1 Man1.3.2 Woman1.3.3 Application 31.4 Market Segment by Regions1.4.1 North America1.4.2 China1.4.3 Europe1.4.4 Southeast Asia1.4.5 Japan1.4.6 India2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Near-beer2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Near-beer2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Near-beer2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Near-beer3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Near-beer3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Near-beer Major Manufacturers in 20163.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Near-beer Major Manufacturers in 20163.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Near-beer Major Manufacturers in 20163.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Near-beer Major Manufacturers in 20164 Global Near-beer Overall Market Overview4.1 2012-2017E Overall Market Analysis4.2 Capacity Analysis4.2.1 2012-2017E Global Near-beer Capacity and Growth Rate Analysis4.2.2 2016 Near-beer Capacity Analysis (Company Segment)4.3 Sales Analysis4.3.1 2012-2017E Global Near-beer Sales and Growth Rate Analysis4.3.2 2016 Near-beer Sales Analysis (Company Segment)4.4 Sales Price Analysis4.4.1 2012-2017E Global Near-beer Sales Price4.4.2 2016 Near-beer Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment)5 Near-beer Regional Market Analysis5.1 North America Near-beer Market Analysis5.1.1 North America Near-beer Market Overview5.1.2 North America 2012-2017E Near-beer Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.1.3 North America 2012-2017E Near-beer Sales Price Analysis5.1.4 North America 2016 Near-beer Market Share Analysis5.2 China Near-beer Market Analysis5.2.1 China Near-beer Market Overview5.2.2 China 2012-2017E Near-beer Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.2.3 China 2012-2017E Near-beer Sales Price Analysis5.2.4 China 2016 Near-beer Market Share Analysis5.3 Europe Near-beer Market Analysis5.3.1 Europe Near-beer Market Overview5.3.2 Europe 2012-2017E Near-beer Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.3.3 Europe 2012-2017E Near-beer Sales Price Analysis5.3.4 Europe 2016 Near-beer Market Share Analysis5.4 Southeast Asia Near-beer Market Analysis5.4.1 Southeast Asia Near-beer Market Overview5.4.2 Southeast Asia 2012-2017E Near-beer Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.4.3 Southeast Asia 2012-2017E Near-beer Sales Price Analysis5.4.4 Southeast Asia 2016 Near-beer Market Share Analysis5.5 Japan Near-beer Market Analysis5.5.1 Japan Near-beer Market Overview5.5.2 Japan 2012-2017E Near-beer Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.5.3 Japan 2012-2017E Near-beer Sales Price Analysis5.5.4 Japan 2016 Near-beer Market Share Analysis5.6 India Near-beer Market Analysis5.6.1 India Near-beer Market Overview5.6.2 India 2012-2017E Near-beer Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.6.3 India 2012-2017E Near-beer Sales Price Analysis5.6.4 India 2016 Near-beer Market Share Analysis6 Global 2012-2017E Near-beer Segment Market Analysis (by Type)6.1 Global 2012-2017E Near-beer Sales by Type6.2 Different Types of Near-beer Product Interview Price Analysis6.3 Different Types of Near-beer Product Driving Factors Analysis6.3.1 Limit Fermentation of Near-beer Growth Driving Factor Analysis6.3.2 Dealcoholization Method of Near-beer Growth Driving Factor AnalysisContinuedAccess Complete 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 Neem Extract Market booms in North America, Europe, Asia covering entire glob report says https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1067 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/1067 Market Overview:Globally, the market for neem extract has been increasing significantly due to increasing awareness of health concerns, Neem extract benefits are well known in Asia-Pacific due to this reason there is a high growth rate of manufacture and production of medicinal and personal care products for human. In western countries there are an expanding market for neem extracts, in developed countries government are prompting regulation regarding producing chemical free vegetables, fruits owing to this neem market is shooting up. For animal feed and pet care products, neem extract is treated as safe and effective, and it is the key reason behind the growth of this segment.Study Objectives of Neem extract market:To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 10 years of various segments and sub-segments of the Neem extract marketTo provide insights about factors affecting the market growthTo Analyze the Neem extract market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc.To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW)To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospectiveTo provide country level analysis of the market for segment by types and by application.To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the marketTo track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Neem extract marketSegments-The market for Neem extract market is segmented on basis of by type and by application and by application; by type Neem extract market is segmented by type as Seed Extract, Leaf Extract and Bark Extract and by application Agriculture, Animal feed and personal care & pharmaceuticalsSample copy available @Key Players-The key players profiled in Neem extract market report include E.I.D-Parry (India) Limited, Neeming Australia Pty Ltd, P.J. Margo Pvt. Ltd, Agro Extract Limited, Ozone Biotech Pvt Ltd, GreeNeem Agri Private Limited, Fortune Biotech Ltd, Parker India Group, The Indian Neem Tree Company, and, Bros India GroupNorth AmericaUSCanadaMexicoEuropeGermanyFranceItalySpainU.KRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaIndiaJapanAustraliaRest of Asia-PacificRoW:Latin AmericaMiddle EastAfricaEnquiry before buy @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 a supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com VALLEJO -- Vallejo police said a 47-year-old American Canyon man was found dead Saturday night in a motor home that was involved in a crash. The man's death is considered a homicide, police said. Police received a report about the solo-vehicle crash around 10:35 p.m. Saturday. The man was found in the driver's seat of the motor home near the intersection of Tuolumne Street and Hospital Drive near Sutter Solano Medical Center. Police said he died from something other than the vehicle crash. His identity is not being released until his next of kin are notified of the death, police said. Anyone with information about the death is asked to call Vallejo police detectives Jason Martinez or Terry Poyser at (707) 648-4080. Automotive Connectors Market 2018 Global Key Players TE Connectivity, Delphi Automotive, Yazaki, Sumitomo Electric, Japan Aviation Electronics Analysis and Forecast to 2022 Automotive Connectors Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2365 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/automotive-connectors-market-2365 Automotive Connectors Market 2018Global Automotive Connectors Market Information Report by Connection Type (Wire to Wire, Wire to Board, Board to Board), by System Type (Sealed, Unsealed), by Application (Body Control & Interiors, Engine Control & Cooling System and others) and by Region - Global Forecast to 2022Market ScenarioConnectors are electromechanical components essential for connecting electrical circuits together. In automotive industry, the connectors are used in the automotive-oriented equipment to connect electrical devices and wires.The global automotive connectors market is majorly driven by rise in the security needs in the automobile. Connectors are used in a majority of security systems in automobiles. With the increase in theft of automobiles, there is an increased need of security systems in the automotive, which further leads to the growth of the automotive connectors market. With the booming smart car industry, the use of connectors in the smart cars is increasing. This leads to the growth of the automotive connectors market. The increase in electrification in the vehicles is also expected to drive the demand of the automotive connectors market in the region.Key PlayersThe key players of Automotive connectors market are TE Connectivity (Switzerland), Delphi Automotive (U.K.), Yazaki Corporation (Japan), Sumitomo Electric (Japan), Japan Aviation Electronics Industry (Japan), Amphenol Corporation (U.S.), Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. (Japan), Hu Lane Associates Inc. (Taiwan), Korea Electric Terminal Co. Ltd. (South Korea), Kyocera Corporation (Japan) and others.Request For Sample Report @Study Objectives of Automotive Connectors MarketTo provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 5 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the Global Automotive connectors market.To provide insights about factors affecting the market growthTo Analyse the Global Automotive connectors market based on various factors such as supply chain analysis, and Porters five force analysisTo provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to regions and their respective key countriesTo provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospectiveTo provide country level analysis of the market for segments by connection type, system type, application and by region.To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analysing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the marketTo track and analyse competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Automotive connectors market.Regional Analysis of Automotive Connectors MarketAsia-Pacific is expected to dominate the global automotive connectors market due the boom in manufacturing of vehicles in developing nations such as India and china and the evolution of concept & increase in manufacturing of electric vehicles. In Europe region, the rise in strict government regulations for the safety of automotive and passengers and the increase in safety concerns amongst the consumers is contributing to the growth of the automotive connectors market in the Europe region.The report for Automotive Connectors Market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.Complete Report Details @Table of Contents1 Executive Summary2 Research Methodology3 Market Dynamics4 Global Automotive Connectors Market, By Connection Type5 Global Automotive Connectors Market, By System Type6 Global Automotive Connectors Market, By Application7 Regional Market Analysis8 Competitive AnalysisLIST OF TABLESTABLE 1 GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE CONNECTORS MARKET, BY CONNECTION TYPETABLE 2 GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE CONNECTORS MARKET, BY SYSTEM TYPETABLE 3 GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE CONNECTORS MARKET, BY APPLICATIONTABLE 4 GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE CONNECTORS MARKET, BY REGIONSTABLE 5 NORTH AMERICA AUTOMOTIVE CONNECTORS MARKET, BY CONNECTION TYPE..LIST OF FIGURESFIGURE 1 RESEARCH SYSTEM TYPEFIGURE 2 GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE CONNECTORS MARKET: BY CONNECTION TYPE (%)FIGURE 3 GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE CONNECTORS MARKET: BY SYSTEM TYPE (%)FIGURE 4 GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE CONNECTORS MARKET: BY APPLICATION (%)FIGURE 5 GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE CONNECTORS MARKET: BY REGIONContinued.About Us:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR) and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have the prime objective to provide optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies depending on products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments enables our clients to know more consequently do more, which gives them answer for their each and every important question. In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industryCONTACT US:Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312salse@marketresearchfuture.com Costume Jewelry Market: Industry Opportunities Sales, Revenue, Gross Margin, Outlook Report https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/2791 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/2791 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Costume jewelry (also known as fashion jewellery, trinkets, junk jewelry, fake jewelry and fallalery) is a jewelry made of less valuable materials as compared with valuable materials such as gold, diamond, platinum and other precious metals and gem. The raw material used for these jewelleries include base metals, glass, plastic, synthetic stones, semi-precious stones, beads, ivory, lac, leather, terracotta, pearl and metals such as silver, aluminum and brass. On the basis of products, the costume jewelry industry is broadly categorized as bracelets, brooch, earrings, necklaces, chokers, bangles, finger rings, toe rings, anklets and pendants.Request for Table of Contents @The costume Jewelry industry operates as a true global industry as the raw materials are mostly sourced from Australia, Africa, Russia and Canada, manufacturing takes place in China, India, Italy and Turkey whereas the largest markets is North America, followed by Europe.The developing economies such as BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) are the fasted growing market with double digit growth rates. Asia Pacific is the largest producer of costume jewelry and expected to take over North America in terms of consumption in the coming years. High growth rate in Asia Pacific region is attributed to the rising income of the consumers in these countries. Further, with the massive urbanization and westernization taking place, the consumers are now becoming more fashionable and trendy. Moreover large population of young consumers (average age is 29 year and 37 year respectively for India and China) are also a key contributor in overall growth of costume jewelry in these countries.The key drivers for the costume jewelry include increasing prices for gold and other precious gems and pearls, internationalization of brands and increasing demand of men costume jewelry. Some of the key challenges for the costume jewelry industry include rising raw material cost and fad sensitive market of fashion jewelry. The unorganized supply chain of the raw materials in costume jewelry industry also act as a major restraint for the industry as it sometimes lead to steep hike in the prices of raw materials. Online channels, which are still new trend, offer new opportunity for the market.Request to View Sample of Research Report @Some of the major player in operating in the industry includes, Buckley Jewellery Limited, The Colibri Group, Avon Products Inc, Swank Inc, H. Stern Com. & Ind. S.A., Cartier SA, Channel S.A., Louis Vuitton North America, Inc., Stuller, Inc., Yurman Design, Inc., Billig Jewelers, Inc. and Gianni Versace S.p.A.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: Global Parenteral Nutrition Market Anticipated to Surge at a CAGR of 5.7% Through 2023 MRRSE https://www.mrrse.com/sample/1558 https://www.mrrse.com/parenteral-nutrition-market https://www.mrrse.com/ https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ New research report offers a comprehensive analysis of the Parenteral Nutrition Market (By Type of Nutrient - Carbohydrates, Parenteral Lipid Emulsions, Single Dose Amino Acid Solutions, Trace Elements and Vitamins and Minerals) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 - 2023The 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 @The progress of the global parenteral nutrition market is based on the high prevalence of chronic conditions across the globe. The rise in cancer, AIDS, diabetes, Crohns disease, gastro-intestinal disorders, and short bowel syndrome cases has also led a growth in the consumption of parenteral nutrition in the recent years. The World Health Organization (WHO) affirmed this fact with statistics indicating that there will be a 70% rise in the number of new cancer cases between 2025 and 2035. The Crohns & Colitis Foundation of America also provided grim figures indicating that there will be 70,000 new cases of Crohns disease each year. Thus, the rising health complications will propel the demand for parenteral nutrition across health facilities.These supportive factors are expected to create an opportunity for this market, which will be worth US$6.9 bn by 2023 as compared to US$4.1 bn in 2014. Between the years 2015 and 2023, this market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.7%.North America Accounted for Over 40% of the Parenteral Nutrition Market in 2014North America was the leading geographical segment in the global parenteral nutrition market as of 2014, accounting for nearly 40.1% share. The high rate of approvals from the U.S. FDA and supportive insurance policies that cover expenditure on parenteral nutrition are expected to keep this region in the leading position during the forecast period. The North America parenteral nutrition market that comprises the U.S. and Canada will also be driven by rising number diabetes and cancer cases. Furthermore, companies are also trying to expand their operations in Canada to gain a stronger foothold by meeting the unmet needs of the patients.Meanwhile, the parenteral nutrition market in Asia Pacific is expected to surge at the highest pace of 7.3% CAGR between 2015 and 2023. The emerging economies and developing pharmaceutical markets of countries such as China, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand amongst others are expected to encourage the growth of this market within Asia Pacific. The rising cases of preterm birth, which leads to malnutrition is the prime reason for rising consumption of parenteral nutrition in Asia Pacific.Browse Full Report with TOC @Single Dose Amino Acid Solutions Nutrients is Most Attractive Product SegmentOut of all the products available in the global parenteral nutrition market, the single dose amino acid solutions nutrient segment captured a significant share of 34.14% in 2014. Research indicates that this segment will be the leading nutrient segment as several leading players are introducing unique amino acid-based PN products. The abundant availability of these products is expected to be the main reason for their soaring success in the forecast period. Reports also suggest that the parenteral lipid emulsion nutrient segment will grow at the highest CAGR of 6.2% amongst all other nutrient segments between 2015 and 2023.The leading players shaping the vendor landscape of the global parenteral nutrition market are Sichuan Kelun Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Allergan plc (Actavis plc), Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA, Grifols S.A., Baxter International, Inc., Claris Lifesciences Limited, and B. Braun Melsungen AG, Pfizer, Inc. (Hospira, Inc.) amongst others. Companies are trying to seek approvals for their new parenteral nutrition formulations from concerned authorities such as the U.S. FDA to launch new products in the market. This effort is focused at both grabbing new market shares and providing for the deficit of parental nutrition in developing regions.About (MRRSE)Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At: Spray Polyurethane Foam Market to Cross USD 2.5bn by 2024 https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2096 https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2096 http://bit.ly/2G7x3MJ http://www.thecampingcanuck.com/ http://marketnewsforecast.blogspot.com https://marketnewswire.wordpress.com https://www.gminsights.com Spray Polyurethane Foam Market to surpass USD 2.5 billion by 2024; according to a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc. Growing construction industry in Asia Pacific and the U.S region will likely fuel spray polyurethane foam market in forecast spell. It is extensively used on building walls and roofs owing to its heat transfer characteristics. Rising quality homes demand in emerging countries driven by shift in income level will augment the product demand in coming years.In 2016, the overall spending on construction activities was over USD 5 trillion and it is likely to reach around USD 8 trillion by 2024. In Asia Pacific, high GDP growth has led to an increase in construction activities across various segments including roads, residential and industrial. In North America, spray polyurethane foam market demand is primarily driven by government regulations for energy efficiency coupled with high demand from the reconstruction sector.Request for a Sample copy of this Report@Currently, the energy crisis is a key concern round the globe which has compelled end-use consumers such as commercial and residential builders to look for energy efficient structures. SPF is used to cover holes and cracks in ceiling and walls and to insulate the structures, thus reducing energy loss. These foams also help to avoid any air or soil pollutant from entering the structure, thereby maintaining a healthy environment in the buildings.Raw material price volatility may hamper the spray polyurethane foam market in future due to the continuous fluctuation in crude oil prices. Spray polyurethane foam price is primarily dependent on the polymer based products such as isocyanates etc. which are crude oil derivatives. Additionally, the raw materials used in making the product may result in several health issues such as asthma, skin irritation, etc. This may be a key restraint factor for market growth in forecast spell.Inquiry Before Buying of this Report@Spray polyurethane foam market has been segmented on the basis of product and application. Among product types, open cell foams held close to 50% share of the industry in 2016 owing to its extraordinary features include thermal insulation, low carbon footprint and minimize the air filtration. It is extensively used for the building interiors owing to its permeability towards air and moisture.The application segment of spray polyurethane foam market includes commercial walls, residential walls, commercial roofing, and residential roofing. Increasing demand for decent quality materials for house and infrastructures will propel the spray polyurethane foam market demand in future. Among these, residential roofing applications held a significant share of around 30% of the global spray polyurethane foam market in 2016.Browse Report Summery@Based on regions, North America registered more than USD 650 million for the spray polyurethane foam market in 2016 and will escalate at a notable rate in coming years. The region is likely to experience high growth owing to favorable government regulations, which endorse energy efficient infrastructure. Asia Pacific followed North America in 2016, accounting to almost 305 of the global share.The top companies in the spray polyurethane foam industry include BASF, Bayer, Dow Chemical, and Lapolla which holds over 45% of the company market share. Other key players include Icynene, CertainTeed, Premium Spray Products, NCFI Polyurethanes, Rhino Linings, and Demilec to name some.Read Our Blog: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:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone:1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb: Global LED Lighting Market 2017-2021 Key Players - Cree, Philips and Osram https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1221343 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1221343/global-led-lighting-edition-market-research-reports/toc https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1221343/global-led-lighting-edition-market-research-reports.pdf https://www.researchmoz.com/checkout?rep_id=1221343&licType=S http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ "The Latest Research Report Global LED Lighting Market (2017-2021 Edition) provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"The report entitled Global LED Lighting Market (2017-2021 Edition), provides an in-depth analysis of the global LED Lighting market with detailed analysis of market size and growth, market share and economic impact of the industry. The report also provides market size of the global lighting market and its segments.The report provides detailed regional analysis of North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific (China and India) for the LED lighting market. The report also assesses the key opportunities in the market and outlines the factors that are and will be driving the growth of the industry.Growth of the global lighting market and global LED lighting market has also been forecasted for the period 2017-2021, taking into consideration the previous growth patterns, the growth drivers and the current and future trends. The market for global LED lighting is facing a tough competition due to price wars and entry of small firms. Further, key players (Cree, Philips and Osram) of the global LED lighting market are also profiled with their financial information and respective business strategies.Get Sample Copy of this report @Country CoverageNorth AmericaEuropeAsia-Pacific (China and India)Company CoverageCreePhilipsOsramExecutive SummaryThe LED lighting can be segmented according to its application into lighting, backlighting, signage, automotive lighting and others. Some of the advantages of LED lights over the traditional light sources are long life, energy efficient, ecologically friendly, durable, zero UV emission, design flexibility, low voltage, etc.The major growth drivers for the LED lighting market are increasing shipment and penetration of LED TVs, growing automobile industry, increasing LED penetration, phasing out of incandescent bulbs in many countries, supportive government policies and focus on energy efficiency. Despite the market is governed by various growth drivers, there are certain challenges faced by the market such as temperature dependence, high initial costs of LED, high research and development costs, etc.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table Of Contents1. Executive Summary2. Introduction2.1 Light Emitting Diode: An Overview2.1.1 Light Production in LEDs2.1.2 Light Production in LEDs2.2 History of LED2.3 LED Lighting Segments: An Overview2.4 Advantages of LED Lighting2.5 Comparison of LED Lighting with Other Source of Lighting3. Global Market Analysis3.1 Global Lighting Market: An Analysis3.1.1 Global Lighting Market by Value3.1.2 Global Lighting Market by Application3.1.3 Global General Lighting Market by Segments3.2 Global LED Lighting Market: An Analysis3.2.1 Global LED Lighting Market by Value3.2.2 Global LED Lighting Market by Segments3.2.3 Global LED Lighting Market by Region3.2.4 Global LED Lighting Market by Adoption Rate3.2.5 Global LED Lighting Market Adoption Rate by Products3.3 Global LED Backlight Market: An Analysis3.3.1 Global LED Backlight Market by Value3.3.2 Global LED Backlight Market by Products3.4 Global LED General Lighting Market: An Analysis3.4.1 Global LED General Lighting Market by ValueView Sample PDF @4. Regional Market Analysis4.1 North America LED Lighting Market: An Analysis4.1.1 North America LED Lighting Market by Value4.2 Europe LED Lighting Market: An Analysis4.2.1 Europe LED Lighting Market by Value4.3 Asia Pacific LED Lighting Market: An Analysis4.3.1 China LED Lighting Market by Share in General Lighting4.3.2 China LED Lighting Market by Value4.3.3 Indian LED Lighting Market by Value5. Competitive Landscape5.1 Financial Comparison of the Players of Global LED lighting Market6. Company Profiling6.1 Cree, Inc.6.1.1 Business Overview6.1.2 Financial Overview6.2 Philips6.2.1 Business Overview6.2.2 Financial Overview6.3 OSRAM6.3.1 Business Overview6.3.2 Financial OverviewBuy Now This Report From Here @About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Global Universal Probe Library Market 2027 Industry Survey, Market Size, Competitive Trends, Outlook and Forecast https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=T&rep_id=438 https://www.factmr.com/report/438/universal-probe-library-market https://www.factmr.com/checkout?rep_id=438